COMMUNITY CALENDAR
Health/Safety activities
• Jewish Family Service presents psychiatrist Dr. Jeffrey London, as he provides an introduction to anxiety disorders and how to prepare emotionally for the winter months and what anxiety looks like in children and adults, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Jan. 6, via Zoom, adv. register at jfsdetroit.org/drlondon.
• During the holiday season, the Farmington Hills Fire Department offers fire safety tips for those who decorate with live trees. Their fire education slogan is “Water Your Tree So We Don’t Have To!” The National Fire Protection Association emphasizes that trees must be watered daily and recommends cutting at least two inches off the base of the trunk prior to placing the tree in the stand. Artificial Christmas trees also pose hazards. If an artificial tree catches fire, the house can fill with smoke in a matter of seconds. The association recommends having working smoke alarms and a family escape plan, nfpa.org/holiday.
Libraries
• Brandon Township Public Library, Storytime with Miss Fran is 11 a.m. Mondays and Wednesdays through Feb. 8, at Brandon Township Public Library Facebook page.
• Lyon Township Public Library presents Virtual Distracted Driving with Michigan State Trooper Matthew Keller, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Jan. 6, via Zoom, adv. register at lyon.assabetinteractive.com/calendar. This program is for teens and adults.
• Oxford Public Library presents “Michigan in the Civil War” traveling exhibit from the Detroit Historical Society, Jan. 11-Feb. 28 at The Oxford Public Library, 530 Pontiac Street, Oxford, www.miopl.org.
Parks
• Oakland County Parks and Recreation offers free park entry: Dec. 24, Dec. 25; and Dec. 31 at Addison Oaks County Park, Highland Oaks County Park, Independence Oaks County Park, Lyon Oaks County Park and Lyon Oaks Dog Park, Orion Oaks County Park, Orion Oaks Dog Park, Red Oaks Dog Park, and Rose Oaks County Park, OaklandCountyParks.com. Oakland County Parks and Recreation offers gift cards that can be used toward annual vehicle permits at eight parks and programs. Cards can be loaded with any amount, starting at $10, and are rechargeable.
• Huron-Clinton Metroparks are open. Limited restrooms are open, www.metroparks.com. Additional precautions are in place, metroparks.com. Park entrance fees apply.
• Michigan State Parks and Recreation Areas and campgrounds, DNR boating access sites and shooting ranges are open. Fishing and hunting licenses are available for purchase online, www.michigan.gov/dnr. Park entrance fees apply.
Support activities
• State of Michigan COVID-19 hotline - 888-535-6136. For information, visit Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-TALK (8255), suicidepreventionlifeline.org or text 741741.
• Disaster Distress Helpline, 1-800-985-5990, provides immediate crisis counseling to people affected by the coronavirus pandemic. The helpline connects callers to trained professionals from the closest crisis counseling centers in the nationwide network of centers, disasterdistress.samhsa.gov.
• National Alliance on Mental Health offers support and education for families and individuals living with mental health conditions, 1-800-950-6264, nami.org.
Volunteer opportunities/ Blood drives
• The American Red Cross is urging those who are feeling well to give the gift of life by donating blood this holiday season. Make an appointment by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800733-2767). To encourage donations, those who come to donate at the Red Cross through Jan. 4, will receive a long-sleeved Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last. As COVID-19 hospitalizations increase, hospital demand for convalescent plasma has also grown. COVID-19 convalescent plasma is a type of blood donation given by those who have recovered from this coronavirus. Their plasma contains antibodies that may help patients actively fighting the virus. For more information, visit RedCrossBlood.org/Plasma4COVID.