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151 Martin, P.O. Box 3001
Birmingham, MI 48012
Ph. 248.530.1800
Fax 248.530.1080
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AROUND TOWN
September 2019
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Welcome to the September 2019 edition of the Around Town e-Newsletter from the City of Birmingham. We hope you enjoy this e-newsletter and forward it to friends or family who may be interested in the City of Birmingham!
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Inside City Hall with Birmingham City Manager, Joe Valentine
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Inside City Hall September 2019
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Citywide Master Plan work enters new phase with first draft expected by end of September
 The citywide Master Plan process will be moving to a new phase as the City's planning consultants are expected to submit the first draft of the Plan for review by the end of the month.
A foundation piece of the first draft was the information gathered during the week long Charrette, which was held last spring. In addition, feedback gathered during the busy Master Plan Drop-In Clinic, held in July, has been incorporated to the initial draft of the Plan.
With the final version of the Plan anticipated by the middle of next year, the public is encouraged to stay engaged by attending upcoming City meetings as well as reviewing all materials on the project website
www.thebirminghamplan.com
. You can find information from prior Planning Board meetings as well as agendas for their upcoming meetings on the City website at
www.bhamgov.org/planningboard
.
"We want as much public input as possible in the creation of what will eventually be the final document," said Jana Ecker, City Planning Director. "We encourage all groups in the City to share their vision of the future of Birmingham in 2040."
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City provides multiple ways for you to get updates on the progress of the Maple Road Reconstruction Project in 2020
 While the engineering and design planning continues for the Maple Rd. Reconstruction Project, expected to start in the spring of 2020, the City wanted you to know of the various options you have to get regular updates on the project. Among them are:
- The City's Constant Contact electronic notification service has two Maple Road Reconstruction groups as well as the monthly Around Town e-newsletter which includes City Manager Joe Valentine's monthly Inside City Hall video. Sign up information can be found on the following links: bit.ly/bhamnews or at www.bhamgov.org/stayintouch.
- The City's e-notify system which can email and text you alerts also has a Maple Road Reconstruction group. Sign up instructions and information can be found at https://www.bhamgov.org/enotify.
- The Birmingham Shopping District (BSD) will be including updates from the City's Engineering Dept. as part of its monthly Merchant Meetings, starting this month and throughout the project.
- The City will also communicate about the project on a weekly basis on the City website at: http://www.bhamgov.org/maplereconstruction as well as post needed updates on the City's social media platforms such as Facebook, Nextdoor and Twitter.
The City realizes the Maple Rd. Reconstruction Project will be disruptive and inconvenient. However, much like the award winning Old Woodward Reconstruction Project, the City anticipates the short-term pain will result in the long-term gain of enhanced underground systems, improved streets, sidewalks, landscaping and street lighting along the Maple Rd. corridor.
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Birmingham Welcomes New Businesses
The following businesses recently opened in Birmingham. Stop by soon and give them a warm welcome!
Splitz-n-Blitz, 230 East Merrill Street. Satisfy your sweet tooth with desserts ranging from old-time candies,
banana splits, ice cream, custard and other concepts for dessert lovers of all ages.
The Morrie, 260 North Old Woodward. Enjoy
Barbecue plates, American eats and cocktails in a music-themed roadhouse with live entertainment.
Hans Power & Water, 239 Pierce Street. Visit Hans Power & Water to learn about whole-house water systems.
R. Collective, 383 Hamilton Row. This high-end, client-driven hair salon offers affordable luxury in a relaxed, ego-free environment. They specialize in the latest coloring and cutting techniques, extensions, keratin enhancements, special event looks, and more.
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Find Bountiful Michigan Produce at Harvest Fest
Celebrating Michigan's bountiful peak-season produce, the Birmingham Farmers Market's Harvest Fest will be held on Sunday, September 15 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Attendees will enjoy:
-Large variety of locally-grown produce
-Food trucks
-Barn animals from Bowers School Farm
-Hay bales for climbing
-Kids Zone activity
-Music from WOMC Detroit
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Cleaning up pet waste and taking other prevention steps can help curtail rodent activity
There have been reports and sightings of uncollected or inappropriately deposited pet waste in some sections of the City. Not only are these actions unlawful, they can lead to other problems, such as pet waste being a feeder for rodents.
In that realm, the City has received reports of rodents in a handful of neighborhoods. In addition to cleaning up pet waste, there are a number of other steps that you can take to address the situation on your private property:
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Using rodent proof garbage cans with tight fitting lids to eliminate rodent food supply
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Refraining from feeding wildlife! In addition, keeping your bird feeders clean and elevated
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Eliminating overgrowth on your property
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Plugging holes with concrete or metal
You can also help the City by reporting sightings on specific properties that need addressing. Please contact the City's Code Enforcement Dept. at (248) 530-1859. In addition, you can also report sightings online by filling out the Citizens Request Form under the Contact Us tab on the
City's website. Once received, your situation will be investigated promptly. While you take prevention steps on your private property, the City will help the fight by baiting in public areas as well.
The City appreciates your concern on this matter and by working together, this issue can be addressed effectively. More information on rodent control and prevention can be found on the
City's website.
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Skating Opportunities at the Birmingham Ice Arena
 Would you like to learn how to
ice
skate? It's fun, and a great form of exercise!
⛸Whether your goal is to
skate once around the rink, spin really fast or join a hockey team - we can help you get started.
Registration for Session 1 classes for participants of all ages and levels will be available on Wednesday, September 4 from 5:30 pm - 7 pm at the Birmingham Ice Arena, located at 2300 East Lincoln.
Learn more by calling the Birmingham Ice Arena at 248-530-1640 or visit
www.bhamgov.org/icearena.
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Utility Box 'Pops' in Downtown Birmingham
Artist
Anne Ritchie recently put the final touches on the utility box (aka popcorn box) in front of the Birmingham 8 Theater. The Public Arts Board, whose objective is to enrich the City's civic and cultural heritage, wanted to choose something theatrical that would pop and add some flavor to downtown. The community seems to have buttered up to the design and are excited for the Public Arts Board's future ideas.
Learn more about the Public Arts Board on the
City's website
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September News from the Birmingham Museum
Martha Baldwin induction into Michigan Women's Hall of Fame slated for November 7, 2019
When Martha Baldwin died in 1913, the then-small village of Birmingham mourned her passing. Businesses closed, and nearly the entire town attended the funeral (including some 200 students who were excused from school). Even those who had opposed her and her ideas had to acknowledge that she had made a profound mark on the town. During her 72 years of life, she had personally led the effort to improve the well-being of children and women, as well as make Birmingham more beautiful, better educated, more culturally aware, and a safer, healthier community for all. She especially advocated for women's suffrage and educational opportunities.
Long-time resident and local historian Linda Buchanan made several attempts before successfully nominating Baldwin to the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame. Her induction will take place at the TCF Center (the recently renamed Cobo Center in Detroit) on November 7, 2019. The Birmingham Museum and Baldwin Public Library will be planning a local celebration as well (date yet to be determined).
For more information, contact the Birmingham Museum at 248-530-1928 or visit us on the web at
www.bhamgov.org/museum.
The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and is located at 556 W. Maple Rd. Parking is available in the Chester St. structure on the south side of Maple. Admission is $7.00 for adults, $5.00 for students and seniors, children 5 and under are free. Please visit us on the web at
www.bhamgov.org/museum
or
www.facebook.com/TheBirminghamMuseum
.
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September News from the Baldwin Library
The Dark Side of Paradise, with Author Richard Kerr
Tuesday, September 10 at 7 p.m. Registration required.
Join Richard Kerr, former Deputy and Acting Director of the CIA, in conversation about his book "The Dark Side of Paradise," a collection of stories inspired by his years in the clandestine service.
Read in the Park, with Michael Zadoorian and Kelly DiPucchio
Saturday, September 28 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Head to Beverly Park for the third annual Read in the Park. Meet the authors, walk the Storybook Trail, and enjoy beautiful Beverly Park. At 1:30 hear New York Times bestselling author Michael Zadoorian speak about his life and writing career. At 3:00 visit with beloved children's author Kelly DiPucchio for a special story time!
The Baldwin Public Library is located at 300 W. Merrill Street.
For more information visit
www.baldwinlib.org
or call (248) 647-1700.
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City Calendar Corrections
Please no
te the following changes to the City's printed calendar within the month of September:
- A City Commission meeting will
not
be held on Thursday, September 5, 2019.
- The Baldwin Public Library is
not
closed on Friday, September 13, 2019.
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Next: A Community Center for Boomers & Beyond
2121 Midvale, Birmingham, MI
BIRMINGHAM COMMISSION CANDIDATE FORUM
Tuesday, September 17 at 6 p.m.
All politics are local! This November, Birmingham residents
will be asked to elect four commissioners to the city council.
Please join us, along with the eight candidates vying for
the four open seats for an informative evening. Come with
your questions and learn firsthand about each candidate
and their vision for Birmingham's future. Community is welcome!
NEXT ANNUAL OKTOBERFEST
AT BEVERLY PARK
Thursday, September 12 at 5 p.m.
Please join us for the Next Oktoberfest, an event to bring us
together again to celebrate! This festive Bavarian event will
feature live music from Peabody's AnTekes and a tasty menu of
brats, sauerkraut, potato salad, streusel, beer and other beverages.
Members/Non-members $10 - Please register by Friday, September 6
HEALTH EXPO & FLU SHOT CLINIC
Tuesday, October 1 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Please join us for this fun and information packed event
featuring 45 vendors from various senior related industries
and also some local restaurants/markets who will
offer samples of their delicious specialties. Oakland
County Health Division (OCHD) will administer the Flu
Shots - the Senior/High Dose, Regular Dose or Flumist
(nasal).
Please bring a photo ID and your insurance card.
Community is welcome!
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Avoid Fines: Keep Grass & Weeds Below Eight Inches
 To ensure our city looks well-maintained, the City's ordinance requires grass and weeds to be kept below eight inches high. Poison ivy, ragweed or any other poisonous, noxious or unhealthy growths are prohibited. Those in violation of this ordinance will have their lawn mowed and will be required to pay for the service. Access the entire Grass and Noxious Weed ordinance (Sec. 118-66) on the City's website. For more information, call the Department of Public Services at
(248) 530-1700. To make a complaint, call the
Birmingham Code Enforcement Hotline at 248-530-1859
, and leave a detailed message.
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Thank you for reading Around Town, a monthly e-newsletter from the City of Birmingham. We hope you find the information timely and useful. Please feel free to forward this e-mail to friends and neighbors who may be interested in Birmingham.
Sincerely,
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