It’s a Hullabaloo!

Hard to believe the summer’s over, but the last Rhythmz in Riley Park happens this Friday, August 27, featuring the ska, funk, jazz group Hullabaloo. Self-described as semi-chaotic, this 11-member band lives up to its billing.  The energetic horn section is the foundation for this high-energy, Ann Arbor-based band.

Hullabaloo’s sound is infectious and the stage comes alive when they perform. They wow crowds with their concerts and mostly original songs. They were also a 2010 Detroit Music Awards nominee.

The concert takes place at 7pm in Downtown Farmington at Riley Park. Do what we do – arrive early and enjoy dinner at one of Downtown Farmington’s fine eating establishments. Or opt for a take-out meal and eat while you’re watching the concert (weather permitting).

Hullabaloo is sponsored by Farmington Players. This concert series is presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.

For those of you who drive in, there’s plenty of parking south of T.J. Maxx and Ace Hardware, east of Dress Barn and north of First United Methodist Church, across Grand River Avenue from Riley Park.  The church also serves as the concert’s rain location.

Farmington’s new DDA events planner, Janet Bloom, gives credit where credit is due for this annual concert series:

“We wish to thank Scott Freeman, an outstanding Farmington DDA volunteer, who has been an integral part of the success of the Rhythmz in Riley Park.  We also wish to thank the community, merchants, and our sponsors for their support of this free concert series.  We look forward to bringing you an exciting lineup again in 2011.”

For more information, visit  www.DowntownFarmington.org

This story has been corrected from an earlier version. Janet Bloom was previously listed as DDA Director. The DDA Director is Annette Knowles.

Farmington Hills firefighters say thanks

During the recent Downtown Farmington Founders Festival, Farmington Hills fire fighters conducted a “Fill the Boot” campaign and raised $888.00 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. On behalf of our 39 members, I want to thank everyone who contributed and hope you enjoy the rest of the Summer!

Respectfully,

John Kastran
President
Farmington Hills Fire Fighters Association
Local 2659, International Association of Fire Fighters

Have you seen this dog? UPDATE 7/26

UPDATE: Pepper was seen on Sunday morning, July 25, at the Orchard Ridge Campus of Oakland Community College. The good news is that he still had his collar on. The bad news is that he would not come to the woman who saw him. She had two very large Yellow Labs with her, and that may have been too scary for Pepper. But we do know that he is alive, and still in the area. In fact, he’s still within a mile of home.

The folks at Home Furever Rescue have been helping out with an incredible number of volunteers, and even some tracking dogs. On Sunday, we were able to track Pepper from the Pump House at O.C.C., through the woods behind Holly Hills and over to Power Road, north of 11 Mile Road, before they lost the trail.

All of the sightings for the past 3 weeks have been between Orchard Lake Road and Power Road, between 10-1/2 Mile and the O.C.C. campus. The nearby neighborhoods/streets include Holly Hills, Staman Acres, Biddestone Woods, Alameda, Hull, Trestain, Ridgewood, 11 Mile Road and Power Road.  If you have friends who live in the area, please pass this along. The latest info will be posted at www.findpepper.com .

Our good friends the Lerners have put out an all-points bulletin for their family dog, Pepper. Here’s the story:

On Sunday night, our 7 month old Black Lab mix was spooked by a firework shot off a few houses over. He ran off into the woods near I-696 and Farmington Road, and has not been seen since. We have been searching everywhere this week, posting signs, checking with shelters and local police departments, but not a single person has reported seeing him. We are hoping that maybe the email network can help.

Pepper is 7 months old, 40 lbs., black with a little brown on top of his head and on the sides. He is very friendly and loves children. He was wearing a blue collar with ID tags and an invisible fence collar when last seen. He’s probably very frightened and hungry by now.

If you’ve seen Pepper, call 248-867-3114.

Pure Farmington: A fundraiser at Salon Legato

Maureen McCarthy

Participants and supporters of “Clip for a Cause,” a fund-raiser for a Michigan non-profit that makes human hair wigs for children with a variety of medical conditions, celebrated their success tonight at Salon Legato in Downtown Farmington.

Maureen McCarthy explained the party marked the end of a five-year journey, during which she, her friend Jennifer Franklin, and their daughters Lynn and Sophia, grew out their hair to donate to Children With Hairloss, based in South Rockwood. McCarthy said they wanted the end of their journey to be something special, so they worked with Salon Legato’s owner Diane Cassidy to plan a unique fund-raiser. From May 15-July 3, anyone who came in to donate hair would get a free cut. In addition, funds were raised through per-inch pledges.

In all, Salon Legato did 30 haircuts, for a total of 327 inches, and “Clip for a Cause” raised more than $1,500. Children with Hairloss volunteers at the event, Judy Osborne and her mother, Barbara Gilliam, pointed out their organization has just 5-7% overhead costs, and the vast majority of funds are used to provide services.

Judy Osborne, left, and Barbara Gilliam show the t-shirt available to those who donate their hair, with a cash contribution.

That’s just one of the reasons McCarthy and Franklin chose Children with Hairloss. The organization provides all services free of charge. Each recipient receives a full wig, a more comfortable half-wig with a cap, hair care products, brushes and other accessories. Wigs are replaced – again, free of charge – each year, until the child turns 21.

Judy recounted several stories of children who were painfully shy because of their hair loss. One girl didn’t event want to come out of her mother’s car, until she received her wig. A teenager found her confidence returning with her new wig, and even felt comfortable saying “yes” when she was asked to her school’s homecoming dance.

“It’s amazing what a difference it makes in their lives,” Judy said.

The Farmington fundraiser was very welcome; the economy has donations lagging behind need. Currently, Children with Hairloss has a waiting list of recipients. To contribute or for more information, visit their website: childrenwithhairloss.us

A fine Farmington Sunday

There’s a lot of activity in the small space next to the Corner Barbershop. A new hairstylist is setting up shop, complete with a redecorated front entrance.

A new business has opened on the first floor of the Cook Building. What was once a bridal shop is now Mike Greer Photography, which has a cool web site, and some pretty nifty posters in the window. Also looks like the new Burger Basement Bar is working on outdoor seating, which would be a great addition. We’ve already taken advantage of the new outdoor seating at John Cowley & Sons. No idea why, but eating dinner outside makes the food taste even better.

Beautiful irises are in bloom along Grand River, and the front of the JAM Building on the north side of Grand River is bursting with spring color.

This community worked hard for the streetscape, the Walter E. Sundquist Pavilion and Riley Park. Take every opportunity to enjoy Downtown Farmington this spring and summer. Your first will be Art on the Grand, right on Grand Avenue June 5 and 6. Details are available on the City of Farmington Hills web site.