3/20/24 Royal Oak Review

Royal Oak to add plaque to Veterans War Memorial

Plaque will honor veterans who died from health effects of their service

BY TAYLOR CHRISTENSEN tchristensen@candgnews.com

ROYAL OAK— The Royal Oak War Memorial will be getting an addition to honor those who lost their lives due to toxic exposure to chemicals or hazardous substances during their military service.

The veterans events committee proposed the 24-by-30-inch engraved granite plaque at the City Commission meeting on Feb. 29. The proposal received the commission’s unanimous approval.

The memorial will read: “In memory of the men and women who served in the military and later died as a result of their service. We honor and remember their service.”

The monument is going to cost $2,500, which the Downtown Development Authority has agreed to cover fully.

“We know that the casualties of war go beyond the battlefield, and it is important that

See PLAQUE on page 7A

City Commission names Vinsetta Boulevard bridges a historic district

BY TAYLOR CHRISTENSEN tchristensen@candgnews.com

ROYAL OAK — Vinsetta Boulevard, a street with a dense

history, is lined with historic homes and a few significant bridges.

Four bridges and some green space on Vinsetta Boulevard were considered for historic preserva-

tion at the Feb. 29 City Commission meeting and received the commission’s unanimous approval. The area was first drawn up as “Vinsetta Park” and became of-

ficial in 1915, when the Vinsetta Land Co. came to fruition, consisting of 150 acres of land.

Following a year of construction, the June 3, 1916, edition of

the Detroit News announced the “Opening Day” of Vinsetta Park, according to the Vinsetta Bridges Historic District report.

See VINSETTA on page 12A

Photo by Patricia O’Blenes

The

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3A/ ROYAL OAK REVIEW

FREEZING FOR A CAUSE

CLAWSON STUDENTS TAKE PLUNGE TO RAISE MONEY FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS

BY TAYLOR CHRISTENSEN tchristensen@candgnews.com

CLAWSON — Clawson middle and high school students jumped into their second year of the Polar Plunge fundraising event for Special Olympics Feb. 29.

Over 100 students and staff participated in the Polar Plunge, which raised over $10,000 for the cause. The official title for the event is the “Cool School Polar Plunge.”

Being a Special Olympics Unified Champion School, Clawson is dedicated to inclusion and acceptance for all students with and without intellectual disabilities, according to special education teacher Cait O’Meara.

“It’s a program where we are able to meaningfully include students with disabilities in school activities,” O’Meara said. “We played basketball this year, so we had a Special Olympics basketball team where the team consisted of special education students and general education students playing together.”

Optimist Club contest winner describes journey of finding the good in people

BY TAYLOR CHRISTENSEN tchristensen@candgnews.com

ROYAL OAK — “Masks for Meals” was the primary topic of Connor Kalkanis’ speech that won him first place at the Royal Oak Optimist Club Oratorical Contest on March 13 at the Metro Detroit Youth Club.

Kalkanis, a senior from Detroit Country Day High School, which is part of the Royal Oak Optimist Club’s area, referenced his own experience of spreading optimism to convince the audience,

and judges, “How to Change the World with Optimism,” which was this year’s contest theme.

His speech focused on his and his brother’s idea to create “Masks for Meals” in 2020, when people were struggling to get food on the table amid the pandemic.

“When it was Thanksgiving 2020, people were lining up in food lines because of widespread food insecurity that was resulting from the pandemic. My brother and I felt the need to help in any way we could,” he said. “That experience stuck with me ever since that.”

This personal feat of raising awareness and money for those in need in his community taught him the power of spreading positivity.

Without his belief in the good in people, the charity would have never been started, according to Kalkanis. Thinking positively, that people are good and want to help others, is the driving force behind “Masks for Meals.”

“We would have never had the idea to move things forward because of the doubt that would be there otherwise, so by being optimistic, one thing

ABOVE: Lana Wilder, left, and Ellie Maurer, right, jump into the ice cold Plungester at the Cool School Polar Plunge event Feb. 29 in Clawson.

LEFT: Clawson Public Schools staff members Amy Hatto, left, and Amanda Schwark, right, dressed up as the “Frozen Fries,” jump into the 45-degree water.

Photos provided by Clawson Public Schools

Personalize your outdoor space in a creative way

BY TAYLOR CHRISTENSEN tchristensen@candgnews.com

METRO DETROIT — As winter comes to a close, outdoor spaces are open, and people are starting to enjoy the warmer weather.

Decorating a home to fit the personality of the occupant is a common practice, and outdoor spaces are just as important.

Backyard decorating began after World War II, according to the Smithsonian website, si.edu. Following World War II, people began to move to suburban developments that had their own private backyards.

People began working 40-hour work weeks and secured an increase of disposable income. The average family now had the ability to start creating their own do-it-yourself creations, resulting in personalized backyard spaces, according to the Smithsonian.

sonality and comfortability to the space, many home-

In the years following, people were looking to be different from their neighbors, and in an effort to bring more personality and comfortability to the space, many homeowners started to change up their outdoor decorating.

English Gardens Vice President of Store Operations and Merchandising Manager Dean Darin said that in the recent past, outdoor decorating included a table, chairs and an umbrella.

able,” he said. “Yeah, it was OK to dine on, but if you

“Twenty years ago, a popular set was a wrought-iron metal set that wasn’t very comfortable,” he said. “Yeah, it was OK to dine on, but if you wanted to sit there for three or four hours to relax, it was not very comfortable.”

Learn about native plants and their roles

ROYAL OAK — Brendan Nolan, an environmentalist and owner of Plants for Ecology, will be in Royal Oak to discuss the importance of native plants and their role in the restoration of the natural world.

Nolan will be presenting 6:30-8:00 p.m. Monday, March 25, at the Royal Oak Public Library, 222 E. 11 Mile Road.

The presentation will be showcasing how humans can change their actions to promote a healthy environment and “support the many creatures with whom we share our world,” as stated in a press release.

Plants for Ecology, in Troy, only carries plants native to Michigan.

Nolan’s website, plantsforecology.com, says that he believes it is the people’s duty to “share, protect and improve the only Planet Earth we have.”

“The promotion of native plants is my way of doing just that,” it says.

To register, visit royaloak.librarycalendar.com/ events/month.

Library has solar eclipse glasses starting Monday

ROYAL OAK — In preparation for the solar eclipse that will happen April 8, the Royal Oak Public Library will have a limited number of solar eclipse glasses available on a first-come, first-served basis starting March 25. There is a limit of two pairs per person.

Cats and kittens looking for ‘furever’ homes

ROYAL OAK — Animal House of South East Michigan will be hosting a cat adoption event from 12 to 3 p.m. March 24.

Animal House of South East Michigan is a nonprofit, no-kill animal rescue organization run entirely by volunteers.

The organization works closely with the community to connect people with cats and to help foster and bring health to all the cats brought to the shelter.

“We work to find all of our animals a loving and forever home and to reunite owners with their lost pets,” the Animal House website states. “We strive to educate the public on how to properly and humanely handle the responsibilities of pet ownership.”

The event will be held at the Royal Oak PetSmart at 27942 Woodward Ave. For more information, visit sites.google.com/view/animal-house-of-se-michigan/home.

See ‘Children of Eden’ at the Baldwin Theater

ROYAL OAK — Stagecrafters at the Baldwin Theatre will be featuring a Stephen Schwartz (“Wicked,” “Godspell,” “Pippin”) and John Caird musical March 29-April 21.

The musical is “Children of Eden,” a story about the “age-old relationship between parents and children,” according to the Stagecrafters website.

This musical is freely based on the book of Genesis and goes through a journey of relationships, love and learning.

“Children of Eden” is a PG-rated musical and is approximately two hours and 30 minutes long. Tickets are available at stagecrafters.org and range from $24 to $35.

Photo by Bureau Detroit, provided by Erin McKay

Royal Oak resident Doug Clark plays Father in “Children of Eden.”

Shutterstock image

SCHOOL BRIEFS

Oak Ridge Elementary celebrates teacher’s 50 years teaching kindergarten

ROYAL OAK — Lois Mann, of Oak Ridge Elementary School, has been teaching kindergarten for 50 years in Royal Oak Schools.

To celebrate her dedication and commitment to the lives of kindergarten students, the Oak Ridge school community will be holding an open house.

The open house will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. on Friday, May 17, at the Oak Ridge Great Room, 506 E. 13 Mile Road in Royal Oak.

All present and former Oak Ridge Elementary School students, family and staff are encouraged to attend. For more information, email Susan Kaczkowski at suekaczkowski@gmail.com or call (248) 408-4273.

Royal Oak Schools recognized for lesson plans on Black history

ROYAL OAK — The Michigan Department of Education has recognized Royal Oak Schools for its approach to teaching Black history.

The Michigan Department of Education took a statewide survey to “gather educators’ insights” regarding how they teach Black history, asking for lesson plans and strategies they used to implement Black history in the curriculum.

“Maria Manolias delved into the exploration of Black males’ experiences in America, while Jennifer Van Every offered daily highlights of

African American lives and contributions. Vikki Kasperek and Jodi Berger focused on local history, weaving together a narrative that connects students to the rich historical tapestry of Royal Oak,” the Royal Oak Schools March District Dispatch states.

The Dispatch explained that the MDE’s Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion acknowledged the thought and effort put into the lesson plans.

Royal Oak Schools lessons have also been selected for inclusion in the 2024 Michigan Department of Education Black History Month Calendar.

— Taylor Christensen

Photos provided by Royal Oak Schools

ABOVE: Students in Vikki Kasperek’s class stand outside the classroom. Kasperek was recognized by the state for teaching Black history with a connection to local history. LEFT: This is an example of the lessons.

Plaque

from page 1A

we have recognition of that both in terms of who we are, what we say and what we see,” Mayor Mike Fournier said. “I think this is something that will remind everybody, especially in this park, that there was a battle carried home here.”

The idea for the plaque stemmed from a request from one individual for a friend’s name to be added to the Vietnam memorial.

Royal Oak Community Engagement Specialist Judy Davids said that this individual died years after his service from ailments due to his time in the service. Because of restrictions due to the Department of Veterans Affairs, it was not possible to add this name.

The names on the Vietnam memorial are largely teenagers and young adults who died during their service time, according to Davids, making it unusual to add a name who died years after the end of the Vietnam War.

“We do want his story to be told, but his story is a little bit different than those names that are on there,” Davids said.

Arbor Laclave, a member of the Veterans Events Committee, said that this new plaque is a way to grant this individual’s wishes and honor those who have lost their

lives in the years after service.

Laclave said that veterans who have died following service in relation to exposure to chemicals or hazardous substances and are not registered with the Department of Veterans Affairs cannot have their names put on a memorial.

“The Department of Veterans Affairs is an agency of the federal government that provides benefits, health care and cemetery services to military veterans,” according to the Veterans Affairs website, va.gov.

“The issue is that some of the people have died after exposure to Agent Orange, which is quite a big deal,” Laclave said. “The biggest issue is with the VA, you have to go through the whole process of being service connected through the VA.”

Laclave said the process is very difficult for family members to go through. If a veteran passes away due to these causes, the family has to go through the process of registering them with the VA, and it is difficult to prove that the death was related to their time in the service.

“If you don’t have detailed medical records and a service connection already established from the VA, it is an absolute nightmare,” he said.

The plaque will be in compliance with the PACT Act of 2022, which is the “Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxins Act of

See PLAQUE on page 8A

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For a long time, full body MRI scans were available only in select areas outside of Michigan, requiring expensive fights like in Vancouver or California. However, this changed when a clinic opened in Southfeld, making these scans available to Metro Detroit residents.

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CRIME WATCH

Vehicle with key left in car stolen

ROYAL OAK — Two complainants reported that between 2 p.m. March 6 and 12:05 p.m. March 7, two vehicles unlocked with the keys left inside them were stolen from the parking structure at 514 S. Lafayette Ave.

Paintballs shot inside parking structure

ROYAL OAK — A complainant reported that at 8:10 p.m. March 1, an unknown person shot paintballs at the windows inside the parking structure at 212 S. Center St.

Tantrum at Bandit Tavern

ROYAL OAK — A complainant reported that at 5:28 p.m. March 3, an unknown person broke bar glasses and threw a tray after an argument with an employee at Bandit Tavern on South Main street.

Tires slashed

ROYAL OAK — A complainant reported that at 10:25 p.m. March 3, an unknown person slashed two tires on the complainant’s vehicle in the 400 block of

Plaque

from page 7A

2022,” Laclave said.

The PACT act was passed by Congress, “expanding the VA health care and benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances,” as stated on the Veterans Affairs website.

Laclave said that the PACT act is a huge benefit to veterans and a step in the right direction for the VA.

“This is the new standard for taking

W. Houstonia Ave., near 12 Mile Road and North Washington Avenue.

Sunglasses, money stolen from unlocked vehicle

ROYAL OAK — A complainant reported that between 8 a.m. Feb. 25 and 8:30 p.m. Feb. 26, an unknown person stole sunglasses and money from the complainant’s unlocked vehicle in the 2900 block of Oliver Road, near 13 Mile and Crooks roads.

Steering wheel and column stolen

ROYAL OAK — A complainant reported that between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. Feb. 28, an unknown person broke the passengerside window of the complainant’s Chevrolet Malibu and stole the steering wheel and column in the 4900 block of Crooks Road, near 14 Mile Road.

Household items stolen from Walgreens

ROYAL OAK — A complainant reported that at 8 p.m. Feb. 23, an unknown person stole household items totaling $90 from the Walgreens on Woodward Avenue, at Coolidge Highway.

— Taylor Christensen

care of soldiers, service members and people who have been exposed to that stuff,” he said. “It makes it a lot easier now for any person trying to get help or to get any type of benefits or honor for their service.”

Davids said that Royal Oak is working on adding names of those who have died from service-related health issues to the Royal Oak War Memorial Database. This way their stories get told, and those who could be affected in years to come will also be recognized.

Call Staff Writer Taylor Christensen at (586) 498-1081.

Outdoor

from page 4A

“Around 10 years ago, people started to transform their patio into more of an outdoor room rather than just a patio with a table on it,” he said.

Darin said that with new technology and furniture innovation, what once would be seen as indoor seating can now be put outside and survive the elements. All-weather wicker is a very popular look, he said, and ensures the longevity of outdoor furniture.

Around 12 years ago, Darin said, fairy gardens or miniature gardens started to become a trend to bring more whimsy to outdoor spaces.

The first fairy garden or miniature garden was created by famous British engineer, author and gardener Annette Ashberry.

Ashberry began designing “out of the ordinary” window boxes, according to the Loughborough History and Heritage Network website, lboro-history-heritage.org.uk. Soon finding out that these tiny landscapes were a hot commodity, she began her own commercial venture in 1938.

People have been creating their own take on miniature gardens ever since.

Waterford resident Pam McCoy found that creating a fairy garden not only brought whimsy into her backyard space, but also

provided a sense of peace to her as well.

“I wanted to get out of my own little head, so I slowly started purchasing a couple of items and creating my fairy garden,” she said.

Retrieving most of her items from Dollar Tree, and some from Telly’s Greenhouse in Troy, McCoy was able to escape into her own ideally created town of fairies.

“It allowed me to create and design something that was cute and whimsical,” she said. “Like I said, I have always wanted a fairy garden, and it allowed me to get into my creative side.”

English Gardens has miniature garden supplies, according to Darin, but he has noticed a downward trend in popularity over the past few years.

“Most of the miniature gardening we do today and the supplies we have is for doing it indoors,” he said.

Fairy gardens are just one way to bring creativity to the outdoor space, according to Darin. There are plenty of other types of outdoor decor that bring just as much personality.

Pottery seems to be the most popular choice Darin has seen.

“People plant annuals, or sometimes even colorful plants, palm plants, in with annuals for color,” he said. “There are also different kinds of garden stakes, accents, wind

See OUTDOOR on page 10A

Plunge

from page 3A

Each year as a part of the Special Olympics Unified Championship program, the schools are required to hold a school engagement activity to help raise money for the cause. O’Meara and her colleague, Amy Hatto, worked together to spearhead this fundraiser.

“We thought it was something that was fun and interactive for all students to get involved and do something different, rather than just sitting and listening to a guest speaker or something like that,” she said.

According to O’Meara, the Special Olympics team provided “The Plungester,” a 46-foot-long, 8-foot-wide and 10-foot-tall portable tank of 2,100 gallons of 45-degree water for participants to jump in as a part of the Cool School event.

The Plungester is brought to schools, businesses and other locations that do not have access to a larger body of water, according to the Polar Plunge website.

To help with donations, local businesses and organizations in Clawson provided sponsorship. The Clawson Fire Department, Biggby Coffee in Clawson, Old Detroit Burger Bar, and American Flag and Banner Co. were among those who donated.

The Special Olympics team chose the Cool School Polar Plunge because of its ability to bring people together, according to Unified Champion Schools Coordinator Jamie Cotter.

“The whole school can participate even if they aren’t plunging. It starts a conversation about Unified Champion Schools and what we are all about,” she said. “Students have a blast jumping into cold water and get some pretty awesome bragging rights!”

Hatto said that jumping in the water

was a shock and a feeling she has never felt before.

“They count you down, and then you jump in,” she said. “You feel the ice cold water just hit you and then an arm pulling you out.”

Hatto said that there were assistants in the water with dive suits on to help the jumpers safely get out of the cold pool.

“After talking with the high school kids, they all reported the same thing — that you are kind of shocked by the temperature,” she said.

Although this is the second year of doing a polar plunge, the first year was very different, according to Hatto. The first time around, the schools did not get The Plungester; instead, they had kiddie pools and some water slides.

“We had our own version last year because we did not get our name in first,” she said. “Cait O’Meara and I did the paperwork this year in the fall to make sure that we could get on the list to get the actual Plungester.”

The kids and staff picked teams to jump in with, according to Hatto, and each wore different costumes in relation to their team names.

“Based on your team, you could pick a theme. Some people dressed up in Christmas costumes, one team was dressed as Super Mario and Luigi, so based on the team, they decided what they wanted to dress up as,” she said.

Hatto said the kids and adults had a great time jumping into freezing water, and the school is looking forward to the event next year.

“All the kids that were watching — you could tell — are interested in doing it next year,” she said. “Nobody really knew exactly what to expect, but I think we are going to have even more kids participating next year.”

from page 9A

chimes and wind spinners that come in a lot of different styles.”

Incorporating fountains into a backyard space for the sound of running water, or wind chimes for that soft tinkling sound, is also popular and promotes a calm environment.

“It’s all about sight, sound and feel,” he said.

Statues are another well-liked decorative choice for homeowners. According to Darin, utilizing statues in the garden and around the patio can help accomplish a specific theme or look.

English Gardens has year-round DIY outdoor decorating programs to assist people in creating their outdoor spaces. Darin also said that the business has a landscape company that can do all the work for you.

“Many people are investing in their backyards and landscape in their front yards because it adds value to the home,”

he said. “We will do a design pretty much any time of the year. We have various different levels of a do-it-yourself program to get people started on their landscaping.”

Let me show you how to grow your business with an ad in the

Vinsetta

from page 1A

According to the report, the bridges are a reminder of Royal Oak’s rural past.

“There is an undeniable romance to the story of the Vinsetta Bridges,” it said. “The one way bridges, the leafy suburbs, the winding country road. Born of desire to have urban comforts close to your home in the country, the vision of the Vinsetta Land Company must have been quite compelling.”

The historic preservation includes “2.90 acres of property that run along the Vinsetta boulevard median from the Lawndale turnaround to the turnaround just before 12 Mile Road,” as stated in the proposal document.

The four bridges, as well as the open space between them, will be preserved, and are entirely owned by the city of Royal Oak.

In 2023, the Historic District Study Committee did a study examining the green space and the bridges to abide by state and local law. Following this, it was recommended to request an ordinance designating the area as a historic district.

Designating an area as a local historic district provides legal protection for its historic resources, according to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation website.

Tammis Donaldson, chairperson of the Historic District Study Committee, said preserving this area will help to protect the bridges from demolition.

“That doesn’t mean that demolition can’t happen; it can,” she said. “But it’s got to go through a review process, so it gives it protection to keep the bridges.”

The idea was first presented to the Planning Commission, which tweaked and finalized the proposal for the City Commission. There was

Photo by Erin Romain

This is a 2022 photograph of bridge number four, as labeled in the historical report, located at Cedar Hill Drive and Vinsetta Boulevard.

Photo provided by the Detroit Public Library

This 1923 aerial view of Vinsetta Boulevard shows the few houses in the area at that time.

Optimist

from page 3A

led to another and we were able to actually make a real impact in our community,” he said.

This year, five middle school and high school students competed in the contest.

Richard Bremer, the Royal Oak Optimist Club Oratorical Contest chair, said that the students did phenomenal jobs and that the contest was a good learning experience for them.

“It’s nice to give them the opportunity to be able to speak in front of crowds,” Bremer said. “Public speaking is a good skill to have, and they don’t often get that kind of opportunity.”

The top three contestants received a medal and a monetary prize following their speeches.

First place received $500, second place received $200 and third place received $100.

Bremer said the top two contestants will move on to the area-wide contest. The students will be given another topic and then construct a new speech. This contest will be held on a Zoom call.

Winners of the area-wide contest will be eligible to win scholarship money to go toward their choice of college or university and will move forward to the districtwide contest in Battle Creek.

Kalkanis is grateful for winning this contest and said he is grateful for his teacher, Mrs. Beverly Hannett-Price.

“She has been a longtime mentor of mine who encouraged me to get involved in public speaking and introduced me to the Optimist Club in the first place,” he said.

Going forward, Kalkanis said, he has already secured his college future; getting into Harvard has been one of his lifelong dreams, and he accomplished just that.

“I am very excited about it and very fortunate,” he said. “I want to pursue a career in medicine, specifically neurosurgery.”

Kalkanis believes that his time with the Optimist Club and dedication to “Masks for Meals” has helped him decide on this career path.

“Seeing firsthand that people are good and people want to help each other really further advised me towards a career in medicine,”

he said. “As a surgeon, I would be able to directly improve the lives of patients who are in need and battling life-threatening diagnoses.”

“That’s what this journey of the charity that I founded was all about: helping people,” he said.

The area-wide contest will be taking place

on April 6. Detroit Country Day seniors and first- and second-place winners Kalkanis and Zachary Rodger will both be competing to make it to the Battle Creek district competition.

Call Staff Writer Taylor Christensen at (586) 498-1081.

Photo by Patricia O’Blenes

From left, David Yun, Zachary Rodger, Connor Kalkanis, Abigail Woodruff and Anna Ryan pose for a photo together following their speeches in the Royal Oak Optimist Club Oratorical Contest March 13 at the Metro Detroit Youth Club.

Vinsetta

from page 12A

also a public hearing held by the Planning Commission in regard to this topic

The green space up for historic designation is located above several utilities that caused concern among city departments, according to the proposed document.

“The utilities consist of: SOCWA’s 30 inch transmission main; several county sewers; part of the city’s 8 inch water main and multiple city storm sewer crossings that all run under the green space proposed to be historically designated,” according to the document.

If not addressed properly, city departments would need to go through the Historic District Commission to request maintenance of the utilities or tree removal or replacement within the green space area.

It was determined by the City Attorney’s Office that the historic district proposal should also include a solution to this, exempting the city from needing to present a certificate of appropriateness from the HDC if work was needed in the area.

“What our office did was suggest a resolution or an ordinance that would still desig-

nate the area as historic, including the green space, but carve out an exception that if a utility owner needed to go in and repair or replace, they wouldn’t need to obtain a certificate of appropriateness from the Historic District Commission,” City Attorney Niccolas Grochowski said.

Commissioners Brandon Kolo and Melanie Macey were hesitant to approve the green space as historic, questioning why this green space should be preserved and not others in Royal Oak.

Patrick Andras, member of the Royal Oak Historical Commission, was presenting the information to the commission, and said that this green space has more historic significance than others in the city.

“This particular green space goes back to the original design and plat of the entire subdivision, it was a part of the garden cities, to make it curved roads and open spaces,” he said. “That feeling of the ’20s, it was allowing people to come from a gridlike system in, let’s say, the city of Detroit, to move out into an area that is more open.”

This “feeling of the ’20s” is why Andras said this plot of land should be preserved, as it helps create the feeling of the era. Preserving this particular open space will prevent changes in the future, such as a bike path.

Following the designation of the area as historic, Donaldson is hoping for a grant to be awarded to the Historic District Study Committee. The grant would go toward a historic study report to find out what the condition the bridges are in currently, and how to repair them.

Donaldson said that the grant will be

asked for in the future. She is unsure of an exact date of when the grant will be requested.

“The past is an important thing to preserve,” she said. “Otherwise, everything is the same and new. So this gives us a variety of what we see in the environment. I believe in the positive part of historic preservation.”

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Help Wanted General CUSTOMERSERVICE REPWANTED forestablished,growing company.Opportunityfor advancement,friendly workenvironment, experiencenotnecessary sewingskillsaplus. Fulltime.Sundaysoff. Starts@$15.00/hr. Benefitsavailable. Inquireinpersononly

ROZECEMENTLLC CONCRETE,MASONRY &LANDSCAPING 10%OffPre-Spring! •Driveways•Patios •Brick/Stone•Pavers •Sidewalks Free-Estimates Requests: roze cementllc@gmail.com Andre-586-354-7791

Cleaning Service

586-747-2354 PrestigeCleaning TheOnly Master-Certified! Multi-Service-House Cleaning-Specialist! 30th-year/experience Wall/washing/windows, moreservicesoffered. Clean/Trustworthy Registered/Insured

CLEANINGLADY with10-yrexperienceis lookingforwork.Weekly, bi-weekly,monthly Excellentreferences. Flexiblehours. Bonded&insured. 248-890-8830

HOUSECLEANING Experienced, Monday-Friday &Sundays,8am-3pm, OwnProductsProvided, CallToday!Matilda248-445-8255

Decks/Patios 2024SPECIALS CustomDeck Building/Repair, Power-Washing, DecksRemoved, Composite,Treated &CedarMaterials, CustomRailingMaterials, CustomFence Installation. 586-260-5218

Electrical

Re-stretch and Steam-clean ForOneLowPrice MultipleRoomDiscount CallNow 586-754-9222 ccarpetrepair.com

Cement ELITE RENOVATIONS,LLC. SignupbeforeSpring togetupto50%off! Nomoneydown! All-Brick-Work, Porch/ChimneyRebuilds, Tuck-pointing,Driveways, Sidewalks,Patio's, AggregateCement. Stamped-Concrete, Military/Senior-Disc. 586-843-8543

Elite Concrete Services, LLC.

WE RAISE

BEST-Price-Period Licensed/Insured. 30-yrs.-experience. Callforfree-estimates. Open7-daysaweek 24/hrs-day. 10%-OffForCash NowAcceptingAll MajorCreditCards. HotchkissElectric 586-291-3143 Lic.#6211028

586-755-3636 Father&Son MasterElectricians Dr.Electric Same-Day-Service! All-Residential-Wiring, ChangeFuseBoxto CircuitBreakerPanel, Troubleshooting, ElectricVehicleChargers

BackupGenerator TransferSwitch, License#6109094 Senior/Discounts! Visa/MC/Lic./Insured

CASTLEELECTRIC 586-634-1152 (directcellphone#) Panelupgrades, generators,hottubs, 220lines.ALLSERVICE Licensed&Insured Dependable,quality work!

License#-6111359

PREPARE forpower outagestodaywithaGeneracHomeStandbyGen-

MARCH

MARCH 21 & 23

CAMEO Quilters Guild: “Evolution of a Quilter” talk 7-9 p.m. March

and National Quilting Day Sew-In 9 a.m.-3 p.m. March 23, Clawson United Methodist Church, 205 N. Main St., cameoquilters.org

MARCH 22 & 29

Fish fries: 5-8 p.m., dine in and carryout, Berkley American Legion Post 374, 2079 W. 12 Mile Road, proceeds go to veterans and veteran programs, berkleypost374.org, (248) 591-9220

MARCH 23

Egg hunts: Ages 4 and younger at 1 p.m. at Wilson Park, ages 1-11 at 1:30 p.m. at Geary Park, and ages 1-11 at 2 p.m. at Martin Road Park, Easter Bunny at last location, all in Ferndale, facebook.com/ ferndaleparksandrec

MARCH 25

Ecology, Native Plants, and the Role of Humanity: Hosted by Royal Oak Garden Club and presented by Plants for Ecology owner Brendan Nolan, 6:30-8 p.m., Royal Oak Public Library, 222 E. 11 Mile Road, registration required, royaloakgardenclub@gmail.com, www.royaloak gardenclubmi.org

MARCH 29-30

Bunnyville: Golden egg hunt, educational stations, animal engagements, live entertainment, spring-themed photos, whisker painting and more, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. March 29-30, Detroit Zoo, 8450 W. 10 Mile Road in Royal Oak, detroitzoo.org

APRIL 3

Edmund Fitzgerald: Learn history of vessel and theories on 1975 sinking, Blair Memorial Library, 416 N. Main St. in Clawson, (248) 588-5500

APRIL 6

Spring Fling Dance: Also pizza, dessert, drinks, DJ, photo booth and

12. Dueling weapon

13. FlambÈ

15. Capital of Azerbaijan

16. Rugged rock

17. Actress Vergara

18. *What many chicks are doing in spring

20. “Me and Bobby McGee” singer-songwriter

21. *What the weather does in spring across the U.S.

22. Make a seam

23. Old name for 5-iron in golf

26. Facing

30. 20s dispenser

31. Bodily fluids

34. Steak choice

35. Dungeness and snow, e.g.

37. “Chapter” in history

38. African antelope

39. Republic of Ireland

40. Made a feline sound

42. 34th U.S. President

43. Knock-at-the-door onomatopoeia

45. ____ the Great, king of Persia

47. Give it a go

48. Fraternity K

50. Dr Pepper, e.g.

52. *The Beach Boys: “Spring ____, good vibration”

55. Member of Nahuatl people

56. #23 Across, e.g.

57. Articulated

59. Salary increase

60. Umbilical connection

61. Volcano in Sicily

62. Robinson or Doubtfire

63. Bajillion years

64. One-horse carriage

DOWN

1. What highwaymen do

2. Moonfish

3. Bangladeshi currency

4. Type of purse

5. *Simon & Garfunkel: “____, come she will”

6. Wealth

7. Safecracker

8. High quality sound reproduction, for short

9. *Purple flower that starts blooming in spring

10. Fairytale insomnia

40.

cause

12. Like repeating tunnel sound

13. Off kilter

14. *”Spring ____, fall back”

19. Spring mattress filler

22. Acronym in a bottle

23. Ceremonial staff bearer

24. Skylit lobbies

25. “Designing Women” star Jean

26. *Become soft, as in ground

27. Radices, sing.

28. “Way 2 Sexy” rapper 29. “Battle of the ____” movie

32. Swimming competition, e.g.

33. Not amateur

36. *The ____: “Little darlin’, it’s been a long, cold, lonely winter”

38. Highly skilled

craft, for ages 14 and younger, noon-2 p.m., Clawson Senior Center inside Hunter Community Center, 509 Fisher Court, (248) 589-0334

Erotic Poetry & Music Festival: 7:30 p.m. (doors at 7 p.m.), for ages 18 and older, The Loving Touch, 22634 Woodward Ave. in Ferndale, (248) 820-5596, ticketweb.com

APRIL 8

‘Hidden Figures’: Watch space-themed movie on day of solar eclipse, 6-8 p.m., Blair Memorial Library, 416 N. Main St. in Clawson, (248) 588-5500

APRIL 13 & 15

Book sale: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. April 12 and noon-8 p.m. April 15, Blair Memorial Library, 416 N. Main St. in Clawson, (248) 588-5500

APRIL 25

Royal Oak Nature Society fundraiser: Desserts, silent and live auctions, and 50-50 raffle, 7-10 p.m., Royal Oak Farmers Market, 316 E. 11 Mile Road, romi.gov/463/Annual-Fundraiser

APRIL 27 A Walk at the Zoo: