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Community events
• Grand Slam Frenzy is 6-8 p.m. Friday, April 25 at Waterford Oaks Event Center, 2800 Watkins Lake Road in Waterford Twp. Designed for individuals ages 16 and older with intellectual and developmental disabilities, it will include music, dancing and photos with professional league mascots. Dessert and hot dogs will be served until 6:30 p.m. The cost is $10/person (participants and caregivers). Preregister by April 18, at OaklandCountyParks.com or call 248-858-0916. For information, call/text 248-221-8040 or email OCPrecreation@oakgov.com.
Earth Day activities
• Clinton River Watershed Council Annual Clinton Cleanup is April 19. Clean-ups are happening across the watershed. For information and locations, visit www.crwc.org/clinton-clean-up.
• Earth Day Celebration and Nature Hikes, April 19, at Drayton Plains Nature Center, 2125 Denby, Waterford Twp. Register in advance for the free event by email to Tori Heglin at theglin@waterfordmi.gov or call Waterford Parks & Recreation at 248-674-5441. Free guided nature hikes held at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., free nature crafts inside from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., www.waterfordmi.gov/Calendar.aspx.
• Earth Day Cleanup is 9 a.m.-3 p.m. April 19, meeting at Stony Creek Metropark, Park Office, 4300 Main Park Drive, Shelby Twp., www.metroparks.com/stony-creek-metropark, a registered adult must accompany ages 13 and younger, free admission.
• City of Farmington Hills annual Earth Day Celebration is 4-7 p.m. April 22, at Farmington Hills Nature Center in Heritage Park, 24915 Farmington Road, Farmington Hills, featuring crafts, activities, booths, live music, food trucks, hiking, visit www.fhgov.com. No registration required, free admission.
• Earth Day Celebration is 4-6 p.m. April 22, at Recreation Activities Center, 4640 Walnut Lake Road, West Bloomfield Township, crafts, animals, registration is required at www.wbparks.org/event/earth-day-celebration. Guided nature hike at 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. (must pre-register in separate course, $5/family).
• In celebration of Earth Day, Bloomfield Township is hosting Operation Clean Sweep, April 26-27, register by April 21. Residents will be able to pick up supplies, including yard waste bags, trash bags, and gloves, at the Public Works building at 4200 Telegraph Road (just West of Township Hall), Monday-Thursday from 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m., 248-594-2800, https://bloomfieldtwp.org.
• 10th Annual Earth Day Waterford Township Cleanup Event is 8 a.m.-2 p.m. April 26, volunteers are needed, register at www.waterfordmi.gov/earthday. Stop by the front of Town Hall at 5200 Civic Center Drive between 8-10 a.m., April 26.
• Waterford Township Earth Day Shredding Event is 10 a.m.-1 p.m. April 26, at Waterford Township Civic Center Campus, 5200 Civic Center Drive, Waterford Twp., limited to three boxes per household.
• Spring Clean-Up is 10 a.m. May 3, at Oakland History Center, 405 Cesar E Chavez Ave, Pontiac, event had been postponed, www.facebook.com/OaklandHistoryCenter.
Fundraisers/Donations
• Comerica Bank annual Prom Dress Drive is through April 18, to benefit Jackets for Jobs Prom Dress Boutique in Detroit. The public is encouraged to drop-off dresses and accessories at select Comerica locations, https://jacketsforjobs.org.
• Royal Oak Nature Society Soiree/Fundraiser is 7-10 p.m. April 24, at the Royal Oak Farmers Market, silent auction, 50/50 raffle, tasty desserts, www.romi.gov/463/Annual-Fundraiser, $10 adv., $15 at the door.
• Shades Of Pink Foundation’s A Walk At The Zoo is 7 a.m.-noon April 26, at The Detroit Zoo, register at https://shadesofpinkfoundation.goodworldnow.com/p/a-walk-at-the-zoo, $45 for ages 18+, $35 for ages 6-17, $20 for ages 2-5 and free for younger than 2, $35 for Virtual/Sleep Walker ticket, option for sponsorships and support a team or participant.
• Run for the Roses Kentucky Derby Brunch is 11 a.m.-2 p.m. April 27, The Iroquois Club, 43248 Woodward Ave., Bloomfield Twp., fundraiser for Camp Oakland for at-risk youth, 50/50 raffle. Emcee, brunch, desserts, and refreshments, www.campoakland.org/youth-organization-events, $75+.
• The American Red Cross urges donors to give blood or platelets. To book a time to give blood or platelets, use the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit www.RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Grand openings
• Kim Nhung Superfood is hosting a ribbon cutting at 10 a.m. April 19, for its new, expanded location at 29411 John R Road, Madison Heights. The ribbon cutting will be followed by a traditional lion dance and fireworks, www.facebook.com/Kimnhungsuperfood.
Health/Safety activities
• Free Healthy Heart screening event including an electrocardiogram (EKG), is 7-11 a.m. April 26, at Henry Ford Health locations including Henry Ford Rochester Hospital, 1101 W. University Drive, Rochester, and Henry Ford Providence Southfield Hospital, 16001 W. 9 Mile Road, Southfield, www.henryford.com/campaign/healthy-heart-screening-event . On-site walk-in registration, must be in line before the 11 a.m. cut-off time.
• Farmington Hills Police Department, Drug Enforcement Administration partner for National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 26, at 31655 W. Eleven Mile Road, Farmington Hills. Officers will be in the Police Department lobby to assist, 248-871-2770, www.dea.gov/takebackday.
HHW disposal
• RRRASOC member communities are welcome to take household hazardous waste (HHW) for disposal 9 a.m.-2 p.m. April 26, RRRASOC MRF – Truck Entrance, 20875 Mapleridge Ave., Southfield. Simple Recycling of clothing and small household items and paper shredding services will be available, www.rrrasoc.org/household-hazardous-waste/what-is-hhw.
Library/Book signing events
• Bluey Bonanza Tinker Tuesday program is 6 p.m. April 15, at The Madison Heights Public Library, 240 W 13 Mile Road, Madison Heights, create presidential-themed crafts using Makerspace tools and supplies. Register at https://secure.rec1.com/MI/madison-heights-mi/catalog, 248-588-7763, ages 5+, free.
• Rochester Hills Public Library presents “Vape 101-Know the Risks with Oakland County Health,” at 7 p.m. April 15, at the library, 500 Olde Towne Road, Rochester. Registration is required at calendar.rhpl.org or 248-656-2900, open to the public.
• Rochester Hills Public Library presents “Prescription Drug Disposal with Oakland County Health” discussion at 7 p.m. April 17, at the library, 500 Olde Towne Road, Rochester. Registration is required at calendar.rhpl.org or 248-656-2900, open to the public.
• Friends of Highland Township Public Library used book sale, is April 24-26, at Highland Township Public Library, 444 Beach Farm Circle, April 23 is early access for Friends members, memberships available at the door, www.highlandlibrary.info/friends.
• 2025 Michigan Notable Books Author Tour is April through June at Michigan libraries. Author Bill Morris to speak at noon April 25 at Rochester Christian University Ham Library, 800 W Avon Road, Rochester Hills. Also, the annual Night for Notables celebration is April 26, at the Library of Michigan in Lansing, michigan.gov/notablebooks.
Museums
• Honeybee Hangouts workshop is noon-1 p.m. April 26, at Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm, 1005 Van Hoosen Road, Rochester Hills, family friendly program, visit the museum’s hives, try on a beekeeper’s outfit, learn the bee life cycle, and sample local honey, includes beeswax candle roll kit, $10/museum member, $15/non-member, register by Thursday at 5 p.m. at www.rochesterhills.org/musprograms.
• Underground Railroad traveling exhibit is through the month of April at West Bloomfield Town Hall, 4550 Walnut Lake Road, West Bloomfield Twp., six traveling exhibit panels of the “The Oakland County Underground Railroad Project,” www.gwbhs.org.
Parks/Outdoor activities
• Whimsical Woodlands is 10 a.m.-4 p.m. April 27, Johnson Nature Center, 3325 Franklin Road, Bloomfield Hills, day in the forest filled with crafts, storytelling, adventurous activities, face painting, vendors, and treats, www.johnsonnaturecenter.org/whimsicalwoodlands.
• Wonderland Lantern Stroll takes place evenings on select dates through May 18, at Canterbury Village, 2325 Joslyn Road, Orion Twp. European-style festival featuring huge glowing lanterns inspired by the classic tale, “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland,” advance registration required at www.canterburyvillage.com, $19.99+.
• Oakland County Parks and Recreation offers free admission. General park entry fees and vehicle permits have been eliminated for all parks operated by Oakland County Parks, www.oakgov.com/community/oakland-county-parks.
• Huron-Clinton Metroparks in Livingston, Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw and Wayne, metroparks.com. Park entrance fees apply. Annual vehicle passes are $40 for residents ($29 for seniors 62+) or $45 for non-residents ($34 for seniors 62+).
• Michigan State Parks and Recreation Areas, michigan.gov/dnr. Park entrance fees apply.
• National Park Week is April 19-27, with free admission on April 19, and special activities at national parks through the week, www.nps.gov/index.htm.
Senior citizens
• Money Matters “Ask the Expert Fight Fraud- Ask the FBI” virtual event, practical tips and real-life examples, 1-1:45 p.m. April 18, register at https://events.aarp.org/AskTheExpert4-18.
• Community Forum-Jewish Community Resources for the Dementia Journey is 6:30-8 p.m. April 24, at Jewish Federation of Detroit, 6735 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, jfsdetroit.org.
Support resources
• For access to local community services, dial 211 (844-875-9211) or text zip code to 898211, for information and referrals to physical and mental health resources; housing, utility, food, and employment assistance; and suicide and crisis interventions, United Way, https://unitedwaysem.org/get-help.
• Common Ground’s Resource & Crisis Helpline is available 24/7 – call or text 800-231-1127.
• The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline provides 24/7 confidential support for people who are suicidal or in emotional distress, or who know someone who is. Calls and text messages to 988 route to a 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline call center, www.fcc.gov/988Lifeline.
• Veterans Crisis Line, dial 988 and then press 1 to connect to the Veterans Crisis Lifeline. For texts, veterans should text the Veterans Crisis Lifeline short code: 838255.
• National Domestic Violence Hotline, 800-799-7233, available 24/7.
Submit community events online at https://bit.ly/40a2iAm.
