Community calendar

BLOOD DRIVES

• The City of Troy is hosting Red Cross Blood Drives, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 21; 1-7 p.m. Dec. 26; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Jan. 2 and Jan. 3; 1-7 p.m. Jan. 16 and Jan. 22; and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Jan. 29, at the Troy Community Center, 3179 Livernois, Troy. Donation appointments can be scheduled by calling 313-3009617or visiting RedCrossBlood.org. Photo ID or Red Cross Donor Card will be required. Donors must be at least 17years old, weigh more than 110 pounds, and be in good general health.

CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES/ FUNDRAISERS

• The Birmingham Fire Department is collecting new, unwrapped toys for its annual Toys for Tots Foundation toy drive, through Dec.

21. Toys may be dropped off at Fire Station 1, at 572 South Adams Road and Fire Station 2at 1600West Maple Road, the Baldwin Public Library, 300West Merrill and Birmingham City Hall, 151Martin. For information, contact Fire Station 1 at (248) 530-1906, www. toysfortots.org.

• Applications for Christmas assistance from The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit are open to families and senior citizens in metro Detroit in need, SAmetrodetroit.org.

• Donations to American

Red Cross, can be made at www.redcross.org, 800-HELP-NOW (800435-7669), or mail a check to American Red Cross, PO Box 37839, Boone, IA 50037-0839.

• To donate to The Salvation Army, visit www. SAmetrodetroit.org, or call 877-SAL-MICH, (877-7256424). Donations can also be made via an online kettle, Paypal, Venmo or physical red kettle — or by texting GIFT to 24365. To donate goods, www.satruck.org.

• Puff Cannabis of Michigan is hosting its second annual “Jackets for Joints” promotion to collect donations of winter coats or jackets for 3-12 year-olds in need. Puff will offer a 1 gram Jeeter pre-roll or a jar of Baby Jeeter pre-rolls valued at $40 in exchange for a new jacket or coat, suitable for ages 3 to 12. Coats can be donated at Puff Cannabis locations, including the locations at 2 Ajax Drive, Madison Heights and

44825 Van Dyke Ave, Utica, through Dec. 22. Limit one per customer, while supplies last, www.shoppuff.com.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

• State Rep. Mark Tisdel (R-Rochester Hills), invites greater Rochester area residents to his upcoming office hours, 6-8 p.m. Dec. 18, in Conference Room A at the Rochester Hills Public Library, 500Olde Towne Road, Rochester, reptisdel. com.

• “Moonbeams for Sweet Dreams” is through Dec. 23 at Beaumont Hospital Royal Oak, a part of Corewell Health. The community is invited to support pediatric patients and their families who find themselves in the hospital during the winter holidays. At 8 p.m. sharp, for 10minutes each night, friends and neighbors of all ages will show their support by shining beams of light up to the windows of the pediatric unit. Pediatric patients return the festive glow with flashlights of their own. Attendees are asked to arrive by 7:45 p.m. to leave time for parking, and carpooling is recommended. Participants should gather on the sidewalk near the Medical Office Building. Do not bring drones or laser pointers, beaumont.org/moonbeams.

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

• MSU Extension is hosting, “Introduction to Lakes,” an introductory six-week online course. The course starts Jan. 30. It is designed for anyone interested in inland lakes with topics including lake ecology, watershed management, shoreline protection, aquatic plants, Michigan water law, and community engagement. Registration is open through Jan. 28, $115 per person. Early bird by Jan. 12, is $95 per person, includes a certificate to those who complete the course, education credits, www.canr.msu.edu/ lakesonline.

• Bank of America is accepting applications for the 2024 Student Leaders program through Jan. 17. This paid summer internship is an opportunity for metro Detroit students who have a passion for community engagement to engage in a paid eight-week internship with local nonprofits. They also travel to Washington, D.C. for the national Student Leaders Summit to see how nonprofits, governments and businesses collaborate. Students may apply online at www.bankofamerica. com/studentleaders.

HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES

• Canterbury Village Holiday Stroll opens at 5 p.m. Dec. 17, and Dec. 21-23, at Canterbury Village, 2359Joslyn Ct., Orion Twp., featuring festive lights and a light show, choreographed to classic holiday songs, live Christmas performances and holiday scenes. Santa will be available for visits and his personal mailbox also will be available. Holiday Stroll takes place rain, snow, or shine, tickets must be purchased online in advance at CanterburyVillage.com. Children younger than two, active military members and veterans admitted free. Ticket prices vary, parking extra.

• Royal Oak Musicale Christmas and winter program with Matthew Ball is 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19, at First Congregational Church, 1314 Northwood Blvd., Royal Oak, free admission, donations welcome, www.royaloakmusicale.com.

• Handmade for the Holidays Market artists gift market is Tuesday through Saturday through Dec. 20, 205 W. Livingston Road, Highland Twp., huronvalleyarts.org.

• Downtown Oxford Trolley rides are offered 5-9 p.m. Fridays and 3-9 p.m. Saturdays through Dec. 22, hours may vary. Tickets required, https://downtownoxford. info/downtown-trolley.

• Holiday Market is 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays, through Dec.

23, Orion Art Center, 115 S. Anderson, Lake Orion, orionartcenter.org.

• Holiday Walk is offered 11 a.m.-4 p.m. through Dec.

23, most dates, self-guided indoor tour of the three main floors of historic Meadow Brook Hall, 350Estate

Drive, Rochester, filled with magnificent holiday sights and splendid decorations, https://meadowbrookhall. org/holidays.

• Winter Wonder Lights is 5:30 p.m.-10 p.m., through Dec. 30, most nights, on the grounds of Meadow Brook Hall, in Rochester on the campus of Oakland University, meadowbrookholidays. com, ticket prices vary, https://meadowbrookhall. org/holidays.

• Downtown Royal Oak Holiday Carriage Rides are 5-9 p.m. Fridays through Dec. 22 at 316 E 11 Mile Road, Royal Oak, first-come, first-served basis, a line will not be allowed to form until 4:45 p.m. to ensure proper traffic flow in the adjacent lots and streets, https:// romi.gov/1809/Jolly-Days.

• Santa Visits in Downtown Royal Oak are 5-9 p.m. Fridays through Dec. 22, Santa’s Mini House, located on the closed portion of W. Fifth Avenue, in the heart of retail on S. Washington, https://romi.gov/1809/Jolly-Days.

• Santa House and Carriage Rides take place on select dates, through Dec. 24, at Shain Park, Birmingham, register at www.allinbirmingham.com.

• Oakland Mall in partnership with Canterbury Village to host Winter Wonderland Extravaganza, through

Dec. 24, at Oakland Mall, 412 W 14 Mile Road, Troy. Canterbury Wonderland Walkthrough-A Magical Journey in the Old Sears Anchor Store, adorned with twinkling lights, Candyland, costumed characters, $14.99 tickets, and Canterbury Holiday Dinosaur Wonderland, $9.99 tickets. Purchase tickets at https:// maingatetickets.com/ events/view/1708.

• Magic of Lights drive-thru light show is 5:30-10 p.m. through Dec. 30, closes at 9p.m. on holidays, Pine Knob Music Theatre, Independence Twp., https://magicoflights.com/ events/clarkston, ticket prices vary.

• Glenlore Trails-Aurora is evenings on select dates, through Dec. 30, at 3860 Newton Road, Commerce Township, immersive illuminated forest, register for timed tickets at www. glenloretrails.com, $25 admission for ages 13+, $15 for ages 4-12, free for 3 and younger, $20 for seniors ages 65+.

LIBRARY EVENTS

• Friends of Auburn Hills Public Library will be hosting a holiday used book sale, noon-4 p.m. Dec. 16, at Auburn Hills City Complex, 3400 E. Seyburn Drive, Auburn Hills, www. ahplibrary.org.

MUSEUMS/MODEL RAILROAD EXHIBITS

• Model Railroad Exhibit and Museum Holiday DropIn Hours are noon-3 p.m. select dates through Dec. 30, Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm, 1005 Van Hoosen Road, Rochester Hills, $5for and $3 for seniors and students, rochesterhills.org/museum. Advance tickets not required.

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES/ PARKS/SPORTS

• Drop In Pickle Ball is 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday nights, beginning Dec. 14, at Lone Pine Elementary Fieldhouse, 2601 Lone Pine Road, West Bloomfield Twp., open to community members, the cost is $5each, bloomfield.org.

• The Rink at Royal Oak is open daily through the season, at Centennial Commons, 203 S Troy St., Royal Oak, therinkatroyaloak.com, Admission is $10on weekdays and $12 on weekends and skate rentals are $5. Tickets and skate rentals may be purchased on-site, first-come, first-served basis.

Submit community events online at https://bit. ly/40a2iAm.