Community calendar

CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES

• Gleaners Community Food Bank food distribution event is every other Wednesday, at the Oakland County Farmers Market, with the next event, from 9-11 a.m. Feb. 14, while supplies last, for anyone in need. Drive-up and stay in the vehicle, or walk-up distribution, no need for proof of eligibility. For information, call 248-858-5495 or email OCmarket@oakgov.com.

• Second annual Valentine’s Day Canraiser is 9a.m.noon, Feb. 14, at Auburn

Hills Campus in Building H, 2900Featherstone Road, non-perishable can drive, and iceless curling, open to the public. For information, contact Robin Brose at ribrose@oaklandcc.edu, or find OCC Optimist Club Auburn Hills on Facebook.

• Heartbeat of Hope Bowling Fundraiser is 12:30 p.m. Feb. 18, at Classic Lanes, 2145 Avon Industrial Drive, Rochester Hills, 248-4203883.

• Gorman’s Home Furnishings and Interior Design is hosting “Michigan’s Largest Housewarming Party,” to benefit those in need. Gorman’s will pick up gently used furniture (no mattresses), and collect household accessories through Feb.

27. Accessories such as new, unused dish towels, small kitchen gadgets, bath towels, can be dropped off at any Gorman’s location during business hours. Schedule a furniture pick-up by calling any of the locations, or visit www.gormans. com.

• MiSide Community Impact Network’s Cupid’s Care Diaper Drive is through Feb.

29. Supporters can drop off disposable diapers at Michigan State University Federal Credit Union in metro Detroit including locations in Auburn Hills, Berkley, Clarkston and Ortonville. MiSide will also accept monetary donations at https://bit.ly/CupidsDiaperDrive.

• Wixom Gala: 6-9 p.m. March 8, at Wixom Community Center, 49015Pontiac Trail, Wixom, includes live music and dancing, appetizer stations, two drink tickets, (cash bar available) and door prizes, $50 per person, ages 21+, advance register by Feb. 26, www.wixomgov. org/departments/community-services-parks-recreation/activities-events/wixom-gala, 248-624-2850, opportunity to donate to Walled Lake Consolidated School District’s McKinney-Vento Program.

• Music for the Soul: 6 p.m. March 10, The Flagstar Strand Theatre, Pontiac, with Nicole Joseph, Alvin Waddles and Lavonte Heard, benefit for Accent Pontiac, www.flagstarstrand.com, tickets are $45standard and $125VIP (includes pre-glow cocktail party and premier seating) and are available at Ticketmaster.

• American Red Cross

Blood Drives are hosted throughout the area. Donation appointments can be scheduled by calling 313-300-9617 or visiting www.redcrossblood.org/ give.html/find-drive and entering zip code for nearby locations.

CAREER/EDUCATION EVENTS

• Novi Police Department Hiring Expo is 3-7 p.m.

Feb. 27, Novi Police Dept., 45125 Ten Mile Road, meet with officers, staff and explore the opportunity of becoming a Novi Police Officer, department tours, gear try-on, vehicle display, on-site interviews, light refreshments, 248-9219838, https://cityofnovi. org/services/public-safety/ police.

• Lake Trust Foundation is accepting applications through March 10, for two scholarships. To be considered for the New Beginnings Scholarship, applicants must be pursuing a career technical education program or trade school, or be enrolled and majoring in a technical field at a Michigan college or university within the 2024 calendar year. Scholarships worth up to $7,500will be awarded to four applicants. For the Michigan Impact Scholarship, one full-tuition scholarship will be awarded to a student beginning their undergraduate or postgraduate degree at Cleary University in Fall 2024. Visit Laketrust.org/foundation/ scholarships to apply.

• Bowman Auto Group is accepting applications through 5 p.m. March 20, for its annual scholarship program for Clarkston High School graduating seniors. One $2,500 scholarship will be awarded to an eligible CHS senior pursuing an education at a vocational institution or trade school. The other $2,500 scholarship will be awarded to an eligible CHS senior who has been accepted at a 2-year or 4-year college or university, pursuing a degree in a STEAM-related (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) field. Applications are at BowmanChevy.com/scholarship.

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES

• “All Of This Is The Blues” Black History Month event featuring Rev. Robert B. Jones, instrumentalist, singer and storyteller, 7 p.m. Feb. 13, at Franklin Community Church, 26425 Wellington Road, Franklin, www.franklin.lib.mi.us.

• Oakland County Parks Historian Carol Bacak-Egbo presents Fireside Chat series via Zoom, free program, no need to register. “Mary Parker, John Anderson and Other Freedom Seekers: Researching the Underground Railroad in Oakland County” is 7-8 p.m. Feb. 21, https://oakgov.zoom.us/ j/95291599321#success. For questions, call or text 248-221-8040, OaklandCountyParks.com.

• The City of Farmington Hills and the Farmington Area Commission on Aging are seeking nominations for the annual Volunteer Recognition Program through Feb.

23. Nominees must be active volunteers in programs offered through the Adults 50 & Better Division. Nomination forms are available at the Costick Activities Center and online at www. fhgov.com and www.facoa. org. For information, call 248-473-1822.

• White Lake Oaks’ 1st Annual Spring Arts & Crafts Show is 10 a.m.-3 p.m. March 23. White Lake Oaks is accepting vendor inquiries, for more information, call 248-698-2700 or email rowleyd@oakgov.com.

HEALTH/SAFETY ACTIVITIES

• Gazelle Sports at 99W. Maple, Birmingham to host its Birmingham Run Club, all paces are welcome, twomile walk and three-mile run option, 7:30 a.m. Saturdays, https://fb.me/e/4KrMNzIEG.

• “Take Winter in Stride Event” for Senior Physical and Mental Wellbeing is

1-3 p.m. Feb. 13, at Meer Apartments, 6760 W.

Maple Road, West Bloomfield Twp., free, registrations required, call Beth at 248-592-5026, TTY# 711 or email info@jslmi.org. Presented by Jewish Senior Life of Metropolitan Detroit.

LIBRARIES

• Screening of “Warrior Lawyers: Defenders of Sacred Justice”, a documentary about Michigan Native American Lawyers is 7 p.m. Feb. 15, Rochester Hills Public Library, 500Olde Towne Road, Rochester, open to the public. Registration is required at calendar. rhpl.org or call 248-6562900.

• The Ferndale Library to host Asmaa Walton, founder of Black Art Library, 6p.m. Feb 22, a selection of titles curated by Walton will be on display through February, at the library, 222E. Nine Mile, Ferndale, RSVP at www. fadl.org/black-art-library. • “Fasting: An Interfaith Exploration” book launch is 3-4:30 p.m. Feb. 25, at West Bloomfield Public Library, 4600Walnut Lake Road, West Bloomfield Twp., https://detroitinterfaithcouncil.com/event/ come-celebrate-an-exclusive-book-launch, free.

MUSEUMS

• February Film Festival is 7p.m. Fridays in February. “Race to Alaska”- Feb. 16; “Bearded Boys of Summer”-Feb. 23, in the Calf Barn at the Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm, 1005 Van Hoosen Road, Rochester Hills. Free for museum members; $5/ adults; $3/seniors/students. Register at www.rochesterhills.org/musprograms.

• Mid-Winter Break Open House is 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Feb. 19-20, at Troy Historic Village, 60W. Wattles Road, Troy, explore historic buildings, scavenger hunt, www.troyhistoricvillage.org, all ages, free, donations are welcome.

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES/ PARKS

• The Annual Great Backyard Bird Count of 2024 is being held Friday to Monday, Feb. 16-19, to help scientists better understand and protect birds around the world. The event is a combined effort between the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, National Audubon Society, and Birds Canada, visit www.birdcount.org, to participate. A webinar is 1-2 p.m. Feb. 13.

• Oakland County Parks

Free Parks Entry Day is Feb. 19, in honor of President’s Day, OaklandCountyParks. com. Guests have access to trails, playgrounds, fishing spots and dog parks from 30minutes before sunrise to 30minutes after sunset (unless otherwise posted) at the parks: 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 and Orion Oaks Dog Park; Red Oaks Dog Park; and Rose Oaks County Park. Catalpa Oaks County Park in Southfield, Red Oaks Nature Center in Madison Heights, and Waterford Oaks County Park are always open to the public free of charge.

• Oakland County Parks invites campground users to provide input regarding campgrounds by completing a survey at www.oakgov. com/community/oakland-county-parks/get-involved/planning#!

• Huron-Clinton Metroparks in Livingston, Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw and Wayne, metroparks.com. Park entrance fees apply.

• Michigan State Parks and Recreation Areas, michigan. gov/dnr. Park entrance fees apply.

SUPPORT RESOURCES

• Postpartum Support Group for moms (with babies 0-12 months), eightweek Zoom group meets 9:30-11 a.m. Mondays, Jan. 29-March 18, facilitated by Jewish Family Service social workers, register at jfsdetroit.org/supportgroups.

• Cancer Support Group winter session runs 7-9 p.m. Tuesdays, Jan. 30-March 12, St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 620 Romeo Road, Rochester, Zoom and in person meetings held in the lower level classroom #128. For more information, contact a facilitator, Celeste Hanes at 248-736-3253, Laura Brickley at 248-736-4473 or Meghan Ryan-Akelis at 248-709-9036.

• 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. Pressing 1after dialing 988 will connect to the Veterans Crisis Lifeline, www.fcc.gov/988Lifeline.

• National Domestic Violence Hotline, 800-7997233, available 24/7.