4/24/24 Woodward Talk

ROYAL OAK ICE SHOW 2024 PRESENTS ‘ANIMAL KINGDOM’/6A

The former Rosie O’Grady’s location at 279 W. Nine Mile Road has been vacant since the business closed in 2021.

LOCAL DOG TO COMPETE IN WESTMINSTER DOG SHOW

Rosie O’Grady’s site owner aiming to redevelop this year

BY MIKE KOURY mkoury@candgnews.com

FERNDALE — The old location of Rosie O’Grady’s has remained vacant since its closure in 2021, but the owner is hopeful that progress will be made soon at the downtown mainstay.

After it closed in June of that year, the for-

•

High winds cause damage to buildings, down trees

BY MIKE KOURY mkoury@candgnews.com

FERNDALE — A severe storm on April 17 caused damage to several buildings in Ferndale.

The biggest building to suffer major damage was Autumn House, located at 500 E. Nine Mile Road, which is a public housing structure with the Ferndale Housing Commission.

mer Rosie O’Grady’s, located at 279 W. Nine Mile Road, had plans to redevelop the site into a seafood restaurant called Atlantic and Pacific that also included apartments. It’s been a couple of years since those plans first got underway, but the building has remained vacant.

Brian Kramer, owner of Rosie’s and the site, re-

See ROSIE on page 10A

Ladies Night Out

“Part of the roof was blown off,” said Ferndale Police Chief Dennis Emmi. “There’s substantial water damage. … There was also residential and other commercial properties with damaged roofs, some very large downed trees, wires and transformers that were blown, mostly on the east side and north east side, kind of like (the) northeast quadrant of the city.”

Fire Chief Teresa Robinson stated that the calls to the department

See DAMAGE on page 2A

Photo by Donna Dalziel

Photo by Patricia O’Blenes

A downed tree branch crushed a car on Saratoga Street in Ferndale as a result of high winds April 17.

were extremely low, but the damage that was done was “so isolated to an area of the city that the west side of Ferndale didn’t even know there was damage to the east side of Ferndale.”

“It was just really weird circumstances because it was so isolated to a few block radius,” she said. “We did not have a lot of calls. We had a couple wires down. DTE was on scene very quickly. There were crews in the area. They were properly addressing the wires, our (Department of Public Works) crew was on the ground, very quickly starting to clear big trees that came down on a roadway. They cleared those first and any of the other ones that would be our responsibility. We did not get called to any homes with regard to damage on the Fire Department side.”

Robinson said only one person was reported injured, a resident at Autumn House who suffered minor injuries from falling debris.

“We did transport that patient in an ambulance to get them checked out — just precautionary. We wanted to make sure they were OK,” she said.

The Police, Fire and Public Works departments worked to clean the roads and sidewalks of debris.

According to James Jameson, director of Public Works, six roadways were blocked, three because of fallen trees and three because of roof debris. Outside of Autumn House, the roof damage was found to mainly be on commercial buildings, including Voyager and Tire Outlet.

“(Tire Outlet’s) roof actually blew on top of Voyager,” he said. “I don’t think it’s done much damage to the roof, but the

ABOVE: Crews work to clear a downed tree at Paxton and Saratoga streets after a windstorm April 17. RIGHT: High winds April 17 blew off parts of the roof to Autumn House at 500 E. Nine Mile Road. One individual reportedly suffered minor injuries and was transported to the hospital.

roof landed on them.

“Part of (Autumn House’s) roof flew off and then spread debris all across Nine Mile,” he continued. “And then Vester and Burdette, because of the roof, it also snapped an electrical pole right next to Voyager.”

The damage done was attributed to high winds that Jameson believed hit 70 to 75 mph.

“What’s crazy is you can kind of track it,” he said. “Like, we had a large tree that came down at Paxton and Saratoga, and then if you look at Paxton and Saratoga and then you look up to the map where Vogue Vintage is, you can kind of trace a path where it just blew from that corner, straight across … and all the roofs that were damaged were in between those two locations.”

Call Staff Writer Mike Koury at (586) 498-1077.

Photos by Patricia O’Blenes

Ferndale resident Samantha Gibson and her Sussex spaniel, Clyde, will be taking their talents to the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show next month.

BY MIKE KOURY mkoury@candgnews.com

FERNDALE — A Ferndale resident and her dog will be making their way to New York next month to compete in the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

Huntington Woods to welcome back DIA Inside|Out program

BY MIKE KOURY mkoury@candgnews.com

HUNTINGTON WOODS — The city of Huntington Woods will be taking part in the Detroit Institute of Arts’ Inside|Out program for the first time in more than a decade.

Huntington Woods will be one of 10 cities, communities and park areas to feature the art from the DIA. The Inside|Out program sees high-quality reproductions from the museum’s collection placed in locations in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties in hopes to increase engagement.

“Huntington Woods and our Arts & Garden Board were so happy to be selected for the DIA’s 2024 Inside|Out installation. The works of art installed throughout our small city will bring joy and inspiration to walkers, cyclists, and children playing in parks,” Amy Shea, Huntington Woods liaison to the Arts & Garden Board, said in a press release. “Some of the artworks featured are instantly recognizable, and others may not be, so Inside|Out is an opportunity for people of any age to learn something new. I hope that the art will inspire people to make more visits to the DIA, a jewel of the city, only a few miles away.”

FERNDALE RESIDENT LEADS CHAMPION DOG INTO WESTMINSTER DOG SHOW

Samantha Gibson will be taking her Sussex spaniel, Clyde, to the 148th edition of the annual dog show, which runs May 11-14 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, New York.

Gibson and Clyde, whose show name is CH

See DOG SHOW on page 7A

Community Engagement Manager Sharon Harrell said the DIA is excited to come back to Huntington Woods, which last hosted Inside|Out in 2013.

“They have a lot of parks so they’re very active,” she said of the city. “They have parks that are dedicated to children. Specifically. there’s the Senior Center, they have the library and so the area is just very community-centered and they have a lot of things going on. So I just think that it’s a great place for the community members to see the program but also to engage with each other. It’s a perfect area.”

See INSIDE|OUT on page 7A

Photo by Donna Dalziel

USED BOOK SALE

HUNTINGTON WOODS/PLEASANT RIDGE — The Friends of the Huntington Woods/Pleasant Ridge Library will be hosting its spring used book sale this week.

The book sale will take place April 26-27 at the Huntington Woods Library, located at 26415 Scotia Road. A news release states that the sale will have books sorted by theme and genre, including mystery, popular fiction, nonfiction, crafts, history, puzzles and games, and children’s books.

The prices for the books range from $2 for hardcover books to 50 cents for children’s and young adult books. Also, in recognition of Teacher Appreciation Week, credentialed teachers will be able to fill a bag of books for their classrooms for free.

The hours for both days will be 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. All proceeds will go toward library programs. For more information, call (248) 543-9720.

County looks to plants hundreds of trees in spring

OAKLAND COUNTY — Oakland County is “taking strides toward a greener, more sustainable government campus” as it will be planting about 500 trees this spring.

According to a press release, mature trees remove 48 pounds of carbon dioxide a year from the atmosphere, based on information from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The county also stated that it decreased its fleet fuel consumption by 123,000 gallons in 2023 and the fuel savings averted the release of 2.46 million pounds of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

“These initiatives underscore our continued commitment of sustainable practices — Earth Day is every day in the county,” Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter said in a news release. “By planting trees and reducing fleet fuel consumption, we are taking proactive steps to protect our environment and build a more resilient future.”

The release stated that Oakland County’s sustainability goal is to reach net zero carbon emissions for county operations by 2050. It also has an interim target of cutting its greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2035.

“Each action we take impacts our environment — big and small,” Chief Sustainability Officer Erin Quetell said in a press release. “It is our goal to make aggressive changes to reduce our emissions, while also creating a more accessible, safe, and enjoyable Oakland County campus.”

The tree-planting initiative began April 8. A mix of native evergreen, deciduous shade, and flowering trees will be planted at the main campus and at the South Oakland Office Building and South Oakland Health Center. The goal is to plant 2,027 trees on the government campus by 2027.

For more information, visit oakgov.com/sustainability.

MITZVAHS FOR THE COMMUNITY

Rabbinical students from 20 countries celebrate the Passover spirit around Mitzvah Tanks April 15 at the Harry & Wanda Zekelman Campus in Oak Park. The parade departed from the campus and drove through Huntington Woods and Royal Oak, and ended in Birmingham. After the parade, the Mitzvah Tanks went to communities across southeast Michigan, including West Bloomfield, Farmington Hills, Bloomfield Hills, Troy and Orchard Lake, to hand out thousands of packages of Shmurah Matzah. The Chabad Lubavitch of Michigan sent 13 Mitzvah Tanks adorned with inspirational messages.

Photos by Patricia O’Blenes

Royal Oak Ice Show 2024 presents ‘Animal Kingdom’

BY TAYLOR CHRISTENSEN tchristensen@candgnews.com

ROYAL OAK — The Royal Oak Ice Show will spotlight animals in its 44th year April 27-28 at the John Lindell Ice Arena.

Titled “Animal Kingdom,” the performance will feature dinosaurs, unicorns and even pink elephants dancing around the ice, according to a press release.

Members of the show are either a part of the New Edge Figuring Skating Club or the Learn to Skate program; these two groups together have more than 100 skaters ranging from ages 4 to adults.

Marcia Little, the show director for “Animal Kingdom,” has been an active member of the figure skating community since she was 3 years old.

Little competed as a skater for 14 years and then joined Disney on Ice and traveled with the group for six years. Since then, she has been coaching and choreographing. Little directed the 2011 Royal Oak Ice Show as well as the 2023 ice show.

“I have not seen an animal theme done before,” Little said in a press release. “Once I started to look at music options, I realized it would be something new for everyone.”

Three graduating seniors will be taking the spotlight during the show as soloists. According to the press release, the three have “passed tests well beyond the beginner level, according to the standards set by U.S. Figure Skating.”

Skaters rehearse for the 44th Royal Oak Ice Show, which will take place April 27-28 at the John Lindell Ice Arena. Photo by Erin Sanchez

Dog show

from page 3A

Stonecroft Watter O’Clyde CGC TKN, began performing in shows in July 2021. Gibson said she never thought she would get into dog show competitions until she got Clyde.

“It’s like a fun sort of bonding thing with my dog,” she said. “I never even thought he would become a champion, and you have to be a champion to qualify for Westminster. It was always something I always watched on TV. I’ve always enjoyed watching it, but it never would have entered my head that we would ever have a chance to go to something like that, to be eligible to go to something like that.”

Gibson and Clyde were officially accepted into Westminster in March, thanks in part to Clyde’s performances in multiple competitions last year, including being named Best of Winners at the Tri-Star Kennel Club Show in Tennessee in October.

Since their acceptance, the duo has been training every week for the competition at a facility in Warren.

“The conditions are similar; like, you’re in a ring with other dogs,” Gibson said. “For Clyde’s breed, he has to go up on a ramp and then be examined by the judge. So the whole thing is mimicked to do that multiple times over, like, the 45-minute period of the class, and so that really helps with the prep. In

Inside|Out

from page 3A

The last time the program was featured in Huntington Woods, it only hosted a couple of art pieces. This year, the city will have 11 reproductions.

The art will be scattered at locations such as City Hall, the library, the recreation center, Scotia Park, Mary Kay Davis Park, Alligator Park, Peasley Park and the city’s entrance at 10 Mile Road and the Interstate 696 westbound service drive. Art also can be found at Wales Avenue west of the Morton Street entrance from the 10 Mile Road service drive, and 11 Mile Road and Meadowcrest Boulevard near Reynolds Park.

Harrell said the art will be up before Memorial Day.

“We kind of depend on our partner to bring activity centered around the artworks. And we support them. So if they do, for example, a farmers market, if we can get a docent out, we do bike tours with our volunteers, walking tours, bus tours, we can send

addition to that, I’m training him at home. I’ll take him to my office just so we’re in a different location than home and sort of do practice there.”

Though the two have been performing for three years now, Gibson said they only do around three shows a year, as compared to owners who regularly appear in competitions every weekend, something that’s not lost on Gibson heading into the show.

“They are dogs that were bought specifically with this in mind, that they were always sort of destined to do this,” she said. “Whereas that’s not the case. Clyde was bought to be my pet and companion.”

Grooming also was noted to be a big aspect of the show, as Clyde needs to be kept with trims, as well as good nutrition to make sure his coat is shiny and healthy.

While Clyde does have a full-time groomer, Gibson’s wife, Rachel Gillespie, helps with the daily grooming of their champion canine with brushing, mat checking and bathings.

“It’s important because if their fur gets too dirty and stays like that for a while, it actually breaks off. So certain dogs have longer coats than others, and that has to be maintained constantly,” she said.

Gillespie said she’s very proud of both Clyde and Gibson for making it to Westminster.

“It’s been a lifelong dream and she didn’t think that she would be going so soon

to Westminster,” she said. “Both of them have put in a lot of hard work.”

With less than a month until the show, Gibson said that not only is she ready for the big stage, but so is Clyde.

“You know what’s funny? He was always fine. He’s like as if he was born to do this,” she said. “He’ll go on a walk around the neighborhood, and he sees another dog across the street and barks at it like a normal dog would do. When we’re at a show and he’ll be around, you know, like 7,000 dogs, he falls asleep. He does not bat an eyelid. It’s like his game face. It’s like he knows. It’s crazy. But with me, I get really nervous beforehand, but as soon as I get in the ring, it’s like it’s totally gone.”

Call Staff Writer Mike Koury at (586) 498-1077.

volunteers out to do those. So we work with our community partners and support whatever program that they want. So they have to let us know that they want to do more or they have to let us know that they have a program.”

City Manager Chris Wilson said the city is very excited to welcome back the program to Huntington Woods.

“We’re very familiar with the program. We think it’s a great opportunity for not only our residents to see works from the DIA, but also for residents of the larger community to come into Huntington Woods, see the works and visit our parks and areas.” he said. “It’s a great opportunity for our residents and for the community to show off our parks and assets as well.”

Other cities and areas involved in Inside|Out this year include the Clinton River Trail, Auburn Hills, Highland Township, Novi, Pontiac, Rochester, Oakland County Community College, Orion Township Parks and Recreation and Oakland County Parks.

Call Staff Writer Mike Koury at (586) 498-1077.

You don’t see many of them around anymore’ DRIVING IN THE ‘CROSSFIRE’

BY MARIA ALLARD allard@candgnews.com

METRO DETROIT — When the neighborhood kids want to take a ride around the block in Mel Kubiak’s 2007 Chrysler Crossfire, he’s always available for a spin.

“They love it,” the Sterling Heights resident said.

As does Kubiak.

“I get a great deal of satisfaction out of doing things for people,” he said.

Since the car is a two-seat coupe, everyone patiently waits his or her turn. Now that the weather is warming up, Kubiak, 85, is ready for car cruising season.

With its silver exterior and orangish/rust interior, the sports car always draws a crowd, and Kubiak makes sure to keep the coupe in tiptop shape.

“With some elbow grease, look how clean it is,” he said when lifting the front hood.

Prior to purchasing the Crossfire, Kubiak owned a 1987 Pontiac Fiero. It was the car he and his wife, Joann Kubiak, zipped around in on a regular basis, taking it to car shows and for leisure drives.

“I had that about 10 years,” Kubiak said.

The Kubiaks were married 52 years. When Joann died 11 years ago, Kubiak felt it was time for a change.

“Because I have a lot of memories in it, I got rid of the Fiero,” he said.

The car enthusiast began looking for a new set of wheels.

“I didn’t know what I wanted to buy,” said Kubiak, who went online to search and eventually found the Crossfire for sale in Clio, Michigan. “The mo-

See CROSSFIRE on page 9A

Sterling Heights resident Mel Kubiak, 85, is ready for cruise season with his 2007 Chrysler Crossfire coupe. The Chrysler Crossfire was only produced from 2004 to 2008.

Photos by Patricia O’Blenes

Crossfire

from page 8A

ment I spotted it, I liked it.”

According to Kubiak’s research, a total of 76,014 Crossfire models were made in the years that they were manufactured from 2004-2008.

“The car is made by Mercedes-Benz in Germany, and some of them were sold in Europe with right-hand drives,” he said. “The car was only made in a coupe and convertible. In 2007, my model, a limited coupe, only 1,063 were manufactured. You don’t see many of them around anymore.”

The Crossfire is also something his daughter, grandson and granddaughter admire. Kubiak is sure Joann would have been a fan as well.

“She would have loved it,” he said. “She was very understanding when it came to me and cars.”

Kubiak has always “been a car guy.”

“I remember when I was 8 or 9 years old getting behind the wheel of my brother’s car and pretending I was driving. He taught me how to drive,” said Kubiak, who grew up in Detroit with five siblings. “I used to

sketch cars. I always worked on cars. I love to drive, even at this age.”

The first automobile Kubiak ever owned was a used 1938 Plymouth Coupe.

“It was green. No radio,” he said. “Nothing on it. I was probably 16 when I bought it.”

He was eventually able to purchase his first new vehicle, a 1956 Plymouth Belvedere. He remembers the details that made the car stand out.

“It had a bubble skirt on it, spinner hubcaps and lights under the front fender wheel,” Kubiak said.

Other cars in his garage over the years included a Chevy Impala, a Ford Fairlane and an “old” Ford Mustang.

“I drove a Camaro for a while,” he said. “It was probably a 1982 Camaro.”

Kubiak also has been the owner of a 1984 Chevrolet Corvette.

“I drove it every day,” he said.

One regret was not keeping a photo selection of each vehicle.

“I wish I had taken pictures of each car I owned,” he said.

One car Kubiak dreams about owning someday is a Cadillac XLR, which is a luxury two-seat hardtop convertible.

Rosie

cently gave an update on the project. Kramer stated that it still exists, though without apartments, and that they currently are waiting on potential changes to Ferndale’s zoning code that could allow them to build the restaurant they want.

“Right now with the current zoning laws, I have a 15,000-square-foot lot and I can’t build on the entire lot without the new addition being two stories,” he said. “With the economy today, it just financially doesn’t make sense to do that. So the City Council and the planning department, they have some new liberal changes to the zoning code coming out, and my understanding is it would allow me to build on my entire lot without putting the second story on.”

City Manager Joe Gacioch said he met with Kramer last month about the site, and they recognized how important the property is to the downtown and the need for it to be improved.

On the potential zoning ordinance changes, which would need to go through the City Council and Planning Commission, Gacioch said they look to simplify things for downtown development.

“I actually think he’s gonna be pleased

at the simplification, but I know that he’s interested in setback requirements. He’s interested in some of the aesthetic or cosmetic conditions that may be part of the ordinance, which cover things like windows … and things of that nature,” he said.

“(Rosie’s is) at the heart of downtown,” he continued. “It’s at the intersection of Nine Mile right next to The dot and adjacent to the residential area as well. So it’s a pretty important property and I know that Brian knows that and I know he takes pride in that and I suspect that’s why he’s taking his time designing his next business development there. It’s a big foot-traffic driver, for sure.”

Kramer said a second story is not something he wants for the project, which doesn’t include a residential aspect but does include a path for Rosie O’Grady’s continuing at the location.

“A second story, you’ve got to put elevators in and everything costs way more with the sprinkler line having to be bigger, electric service having to be bigger,” he said. “I have all the fundamentals there. So at one point, it just made sense to leave it 10,000 square feet with a patio. I tried to do the apartment things, but the numbers just don’t work out with no parking.”

According to Kramer, if the zoning codes are changed, he will attempt to get the

CRIME WATCH

Dumpster taken

BERKLEY — A dumpster was reported stolen to the Berkley Public Safety Department earlier this month.

According to the report, the dumpster was taken between 1:54 p.m. April 1 and 11 a.m. April 10 in the 4200 block of Cornwall Drive, near Coolidge Highway and West Webster Road.

Police were told April 12 that a dumpster belonging to MGM Dumpsters had been taken.

The dumpster was delivered on April 1 to the Cornwall address. On April 10, it was found to be gone.

Man found with loose pills

BERKLEY — A 35-year-old Oak Park man was arrested for possession of barbiturates at 8:35 a.m. April 11 at 1715 Coolidge Highway.

The police report states that police were called to the area of CVS Pharmacy for a report of family trouble. It was reported to police that a man was sitting on the hood of his wife’s car, a blue Chevy Cruze, and was refusing to let her out of the vehicle.

Police arrived and found a man near the door of the store. The Cruze also was found nearby. An officer approached the man, who reportedly began to get defensive and loud. The man was detained and was given a pat down, police said. During the pat down, police reported that they found a bag with a yellow powder and yellowish pills. The man was arrested without incident.

— Mike Koury

project off the ground this year for a summer start and he hopes to open this year if everything falls into place.

If the codes aren’t changed, Kramer said he’s going to leave the 10,000-square-foot building the way it is and “definitely” open this year.

“It would be one concept that I’d have to pick,” he said. “Either (Atlantic and Pacific) or (Rosie’s). Because at that point, I might just leave it Rosie’s and then wait till next year and build two stories on the 5,000-square-foot lot. All the infrastructure’s there. It’s just not there to support a second story.”

Call Staff Writer Mike Koury at (586) 498-1077.

April 24, 2024 - NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING FERNDALE AREA DISTRICT LIBRARY

County of Oakland, Michigan

ON THE ADOPTION OF THE BUDGET FOR THE JULY 1, 2024-JUNE 30, 2025 FISCAL YEARS AND 2024 PROPERTY TAX LEVY

TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS IN THE LIBRARY DISTRICT OF THE FERNDALE AREA DISTRICT LIBRARY:

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Ferndale Area District Library, County of Oakland, State of Michigan, will hold a public hearing on Thursday, the 16th day of May 2024, at 6:30 pm in the Program Room of the Ferndale Area District Library, 222 East Nine Mile Road, Ferndale, Michigan 48220, to consider the approval and adoption of the operating budget of the Ferndale Area District Library for the July 1, 2024-June 30, 2025 fscal years.

Copies of the proposed budget will be available for examination at the library during regular hours of operation, and on the library website www.fadl.org, no later than May 14, 2024. At the public hearing, all citizens, taxpayers, and property owners of the Ferndale Area District Library district, County of Oakland, Michigan, shall be afforded an opportunity to be heard in regard to the approval of the budget.

THE PROPERTY TAX MILLAGE RATE PROPOSED TO BE LEVIED TO SUPPORT THE PROPOSED BUDGET WILL BE A SUBJECT OF THIS HEARING.

The taxing unit publishing this notice, and identifed below, has complete authority to establish the number of mills to be levied from within its authorized millage rate.

This notice is given by order of the Board of Directors of the Ferndale Area District Library, County of Oakland, Michigan.

Any citizen requesting accommodation to attend this meeting, please contact Jordan Wright, Library Director, at 248-547-6000. Published:

Photo by Donna Dalziel Pending zoning ordinance changes in Ferndale, Rosie O’Grady’s property owner Brian Kramer is hoping to get plans for the site underway this year.

Ice show

from page 6A

Seniors Maggie Day and Ally Pollock are both from Berkley, and Elena Keenan is from Lathrup Village.

Day has been a skater for 13 years and has skated for 11 of those years at New Edge, according to newedgefsc.org/seniors-2024.

This year will be her ninth ice show in Royal Oak, and her fourth year skating for the Berkley Royal Oak Unified figure skating team.

Day said that she will spend upward of 16 hours per week practicing for her solo or the group numbers that she will be in for the show.

“This year’s show has much more scheduled practice time than the past shows,” she said in an email response. “The increased practice makes me really excited because I feel that we will all be prepared to skate our best.”

Day and the other senior girls will be performing a solo during the show; she said that they will each portray a different animal during their solo piece.

“Animal Kingdom” will not be judged, according to Day, but being a skater comes with self-criticism, and no matter if there is a

judge or not, she is always reaching for perfection.

“Us skaters are definitely our own biggest critics,” she said in an email response. “It is really nice to skate for ourselves, but I

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do enjoy the competitive experience of being judged.”

The connections and time spent with her friends at the rink makes this all worth it, and is the best part of creating a show like

this, according to Day.

This will be Day’s final ice show, but she is looking forward to continuing her ice skating career at Michigan State University, where she will be on the skating team.

“It’s honestly bittersweet, because I am really excited for the next chapter in my life, but I will definitely miss the community we have at New Edge,” she said.

Little said in a press release that the show will be unique and provide a way for the skaters to showcase their personal talents.

“The city’s annual show is highly anticipated by our skaters. There are so many rules to competing but this is their opportunity to highlight favorite skills and sparkle under the lights,” Little said. “It’s also a time to spotlight the diverse figure skating program at Royal Oak.”

The show will begin at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, April 27, and at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, April 28, at the John Lindell Ice Arena at 1403 Lexington Blvd.

Tickets cost $12 for ages 13 and up, $10 for ages 6-12 and they are free for children younger than 6. There will be on-ice seating as well as bleacher seats to accommodate for large crowds.

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

Photo by Erin Sanchez

“Animal Kingdom” is the show’s theme and will showcase the skating abilities of skaters from both New Edge Skating Club and the Learn to Skate program.

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Trusted Protection During Unpredictable Weather

The frequency in severe weather has led to an increase in power outages. More than ever, you need to be prepared. Without power, your everyday modern essentials are rendered useless. Think about it, you’ll have no lights, heating or cooling, or refrigeration. You can’t even charge your cell phone. But when you have a Generac home standby generator, you will have power when you need it the most. It’s time to get serious about preparing your home.

Trusted Protection During Unpredictable Weather

The frequency in severe weather has led to an increase in power outages. More than ever, you need to be prepared. Without power, your everyday modern essentials are rendered useless.

Think about it, you’ll have no lights, heating or cooling, or refrigeration. You can’t even charge your cell phone. But when you have a Generac home standby generator, you will have power when you need it the most. It’s time to get serious about preparing your home.

The frequency in severe weather has led to an increase in power outages. More than ever, you need to be prepared. Without power, your everyday modern essentials are rendered useless.

Call or go online today for more information

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Think about it, you’ll have no lights, heating or cooling, or refrigeration. You can’t even charge your cell phone. But when you have a Generac home standby generator, you will have power when you need it the most. It’s time to get serious about preparing your home.

Call or go online today for more information

APRIL 27

A Walk at the Zoo: Fundraiser for Shades of Pink Foundation, 7 a.m.-noon, Detroit Zoo, 8450 W. 10 Mile Road in Royal Oak, www. shadesofpinkfoundation.org

APRIL 28

Community cleanup: Hosted by The Cleanup Club and Walking Lightly, 9:45-10:45 a.m., 1031 Hilton Road in Ferndale, meditation with Sitara Bird and coffee (bring a cup) by Dessert Oasis Coffee Roasters to follow at nearby park, thecleanupclub.org/events

APRIL 30

Vape 101: Hosted by Oakland County Health Division, 6:30 p.m., Berkley Public Library, 3155 Coolidge Highway, registration required, berkleylib.evanced.info/signup/calendar

MAY 4 Walk for Wishes: Fundraiser for Make-A-Wish, 7:30 a.m.-noon, Detroit Zoo, 8450 W. 10 Mile Road in Royal Oak, wish.org/fundraising

MAY 5 Ferndale Community Concert Band: Performance featuring pieces by Michigan composers or inspired by places in state, Ferndale High School, 881 Pinecrest Drive, free but donations appreciated, fcconcertband.org

MAY 9 Climate gardening: Free presentation co-hosted by Ferndale Garden Club, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Ferndale Area District Library, 222 E. Nine Mile Road, fadl.org/garden

MAY 11 Recycling dropoff: 9 a.m.-2 p.m., parking lot at Ferndale City Hall, 300 E. 9 Mile Road, see acceptable items at bit.ly/4cDNboF

MAY 15 Seniors scams presentation: 10:30 a.m., Berkley Public Library,

Hazel Park Community Center, 620 W. Woodward Heights, (248) 544-6767, ext. 503, ferndalemi.gov/resources/ senior-programs

Royal Oak Farmers Market: 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays, also antiques and collectibles 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Sundays, 316 E. 11 Mile Road, Royal Oak Farmers Market on Facebook

Health workshops: For chronic pain, high blood pressure and more, hosted by Corewell Health, free and virtual, beaumonthealth. digitalsignup.com

ADHD meetings:

repay the funds.

The suspect went to the church and asked to have coffee with the victim. While the victim was making coffee, the suspect allegedly grabbed the victim’s purse and ran out of the church. The victim followed her outside in an attempt to get her purse back, but the suspect pushed her to the ground, police said. The suspect then entered a cab and attempted to leave the scene but was stopped by multiple people and was kept at the location until police arrived.

The suspect, a 39-year-old woman from Royal Oak, was arrested and transported to the Troy Police Department lockup facility, where she was charged with unarmed robbery.

Drunken driver arrested after crash

TROY — Officers were dispatched to Long Lake and Crooks roads at 1:31 a.m. April 3 for a report of a traffic crash.

While speaking with the at-fault driver, a 31-yearold man, officers noted his eyes were bloodshot and glassy and that there was a strong odor of intoxicants coming from his breath. The driver performed poorly on sobriety evaluations, and a preliminary breath test showed a 0.167% blood alcohol content.

The driver then made an illegal left turn onto southbound Woodward and did not comply with officers’ multiple attempts to initiate a traffic stop, continuing to drive erratically through several neighboring communities. A short time later, Berkley police successfully deployed stop sticks and apprehended the driver, a 49-year-old Detroit man. He was issued a citation for fleeing and eluding/reckless driving by Birmingham police, in addition to charges from other jurisdictions.

Woman accused of stealing over $500 in products from Ulta BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP — Police are searching for a woman who reportedly stole $534 worth of products from Ulta Beauty in Bloomfield Township. Bloomfield Township police were dispatched to Ulta Beauty, located at 2161 Telegraph Road, for a retail fraud at 6:50 p.m. March 13. The suspect stole multiple items, including women’s fragrances and a digital straightening iron, totaling $534. The suspect placed the items into a basket and walked out the front entrance without paying. Police said the suspect fled the scene in a gray hatchback-style vehicle. The case was being investigated.

Power shut off

$600 in cash had been stolen from a locker.

A 29-year-old man from Shelby Township said he arrived at the gym around 10 p.m. March 7 and locked his belongings in a locker. Upon returning shortly before midnight, he noticed the lock was missing from the locker and that some of the things inside were slightly disturbed, but not in total disarray. Upon checking closer, he found that $600 cash was missing from one of the pockets of the pants he had worn into the gym and stored in the locker. While the victim was still in the locker room, he was approached by a janitor doing his maintenance duties in the locker room. The janitor, a 52-year-old man from Auburn Hills, witnessed and described a man going through a pair of pants and taking out an unknown sum of cash. The victim reported the activity to the front desk, and based upon the description from the

Woman arrested after church member allegedly assaulted, purse stolen TROY — Police were sent to St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church, 3603 Livernois Road, at 2:03 p.m. April 1 for reports of an assault.

Officers spoke with a woman who said that the church had been providing money to the woman to help

Woman steals over $500 in clothing

BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP — Bloomfield Township police responded to a retail fraud at Dick’s Sporting Goods, 2105 S. Telegraph Road, at approximately 2:30 p.m. March 13. Store management said the suspect stole approximately $520 worth of women’s apparel. The suspect walked out the front entrance with the cart full of merchandise. She was seen fleeing the parking lot in a black Chevrolet Malibu. This case was being investigated.

New York man charged for identity theft

BIRMINGHAM — Officers were dispatched to a business in the 600 block of North Old Woodward to investigate a possible fraud around 8 p.m. March 30. An employee reported that three men had entered the store and attempted to make a purchase using fraudulent credit card numbers. The cards were declined, and the three then sat in a parked vehicle in front of the store. Police questioned the men and found that the suspect, an 18-year-old New York man, possessed several credit cards and IDs that were not his. He was arrested and charged with identity theft. An investigation was ongoing.

Driver flees police BIRMINGHAM — An officer conducting radar along westbound Big Beaver, at Brookdale, at midnight April 3

MADISON HEIGHTS — According to a police report, a suspect turned off the power to a business in the 1000 block of West 14 Mile Round at 12:30 p.m. April 4. Police were investigating.

Stolen van recovered

HAZEL PARK — According to a police report, a white 2016 Ford Transit van was stolen from the 21000 block of Dequindre Road on April 5 and then