Oakland County community calendar Jan. 18 and beyond – The Oakland Press

Community activities

• Zenning Your Space wellness workshop is 6-7:30 p.m. Jan. 23, at Wint Nature Center, 9501 Sashabaw Road, Independence Twp. Craft a kokedama (a Japanese moss ball plant) and discover ways to weave natural elements into your environment for relaxation, balance and better air quality, suited for ages 8+, $10/person, preregistration is required; call 248-858-0916, or visit www.oakgov.com/community/oakland-county-parks.

• The Meadow Brook Garden Club meeting is Jan. 23, at Meadow Brook Hall, 350 Estate Drive, Rochester. Coffee and refreshments will be served at 9:15 a.m., program at 10 a.m. featuring guest speaker, Marilyn Trent, founder of Rochester Pollinators, “Petals, Pollinators & Pocket Forests”. Reservations are not required, $5 non-member fee, enter through the De Carlo Visitor Center. For information, call 248-364-6210 or email MBGC@Oakland.edu.

• Oakland County Farmers Market offers free cooking demonstrations, 10-11 a.m. Jan. 24, Feb. 7, Feb. 21, March 7 and March 21, held in cooperation with edibleWOW, at Oakland County Farmers Market, 2350 Pontiac Lake Road in Waterford Twp. Guests can shop for ingredients during market hours, 7 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Saturdays at the Oakland County Farmers Market. Copies of the recipes will be available at the market and online at www.oakgov.com/community/oakland-county-parks/parks-trails/farmers-market, following the demonstrations.

• Annual Birmingham Youth Assistance  Kids’ Dog Show 2026 is Feb. 1, at Berkshire Middle School Gym, 21707 W 14 Mile Road, Beverly Hills, children ages 4-14, can compete with their dogs. Tickets are $25+ per dog, dogs must be immunized and on a leash. For online purchases, use a computer, not mobile at www.birminghamyouthassistance.org. Registration closes on Jan. 30. To pay by check, print a form from the website.

• Oakland County is accepting applications for the Oakland Together 40 Under 40 Class of 2026, through 5 p.m. Feb. 2. The annual program recognizes 40 leaders younger than 40 who live or work in Oakland County – and who are driving positive change in their communities. Applicants must self-nominate, and be at least 18 years old, born after Dec. 31, 1985. For more information or to apply, visit www.oakgov.com/40under40. For questions, email 40under40@oakgov.com or call 248-858-5400.

Education

• The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) Detroit Chapter is offering $2,500 scholarships to Michigan students and apprentices pursuing careers in construction and skilled trades. NAWIC Detroit is hosting a free, in-person scholarship workshop on Jan. 24, at Detroit’s Northwest Activities Center, RSVP at https://forms.gle/Dknj4uwvHixp7Wb18. Scholarship applications are due by Feb. 28, https://nawic.org/nfsf-scholarships.

Expos

• The Troy Public Library will host a Preschool Expo, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Jan. 22, at the Troy Community Center and is seeking organizations to participate. The free event is an opportunity for organizations that provide services to children ages birth to 5 years old in the Troy area, troypl.org for more information or call 248.524.3538.

• The HBA and the Construction Association of Michigan (CAM) to present the Great Lakes Design and Construction EXPO 2026 for residential and commercial designers, contractors, suppliers and service providers, Feb. 3, at the Vibe Credit Union Showplace (formerly Suburban Collection Showplace), 46100 Grand River Ave. in Novi. For registration and ticket information, visit https://miconstructionexpo.com.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day events happening in Oakland County

Festivals/Shows

• Detroit Auto Show is Jan. 14-25, Huntington Place, Detroit, https://detroitautoshow.com, ticket prices vary.

• The Novi Home Show is Jan. 16-18, Vibe Credit Union Showplace, formerly Suburban Collection Showplace, 46100 Grand River Ave., Novi, www.vibeshowplace.com, general admission is $12, ($5 for ages 6-14) parking is $10.

• Winter White Wonderland Party is at 7 p.m. Jan. 23, 135 S Broadway, Lake Orion, hors d’oeuvres, entertainment from DJ Junbugg and dancing, https://www.facebook.com/winesociallakeorion, https://wine-social.com, $49.87+.

• BRRmingham Blast is 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, downtown Birmingham, along South Old Woodward Avenue from Maple Road to Brown Street, featuring a 300-foot zip line, magic shows, marshmallow roasting, inflatable axe throwing, food trucks and warming tent. Free parking in the 333 Pierce Street and the 222 Peabody Street municipal garages, downtownbirmingham.com/park. Zip line participants must weigh at least 40 lbs. and a maximum of 225 lbs. and be at least 6 years of age. The line will close early to accommodate all riders before the end of the event, downtownbirmingham.com.

• Winter Carnival is noon-4 p.m. Jan. 24, Bear Creek Nature Park, 740 W. Snell Road, Oakland Twp., ice skating, sled dogs, snow games, archery shoot, food trucks, weather permitting, https://oaklandtwpmi.gov/winter-carnival, free parking and shuttle service at Rochester Christian Church, 4435 Rochester Road, Oakland Twp.

• Ice Age Giants is 2-3:30 p.m. Jan. 24, at Red Oaks County Park Nature Center, 30300 Hales St., Madison Heights, see and touch fossils from Michigan’s frozen past, explore how DNA studies and replication research may reveal some ice-age genes, program is suitable for ages 8+, $5/person. Register at www.oakgov.com/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/8846/763, or call 248-858-0100.

• Winterfest 2026 is 1-4 p.m. Jan. 25, Oak Park Community Center, 14300 Oak Park Blvd., Oak Park, free carriage rides, live music, Mini Scottish Cows, reindeer, ice carver, crafts, chili, hot chocolate, www.oakparkmi.gov, free admission.

Health/safety activities

• The American Red Cross is in need of blood donations. Those who give now through Jan. 25 will be automatically entered to win a trip for two to Super Bowl LX in February in Santa Clara, California. Donors with types O, A negative and B negative blood are especially needed. To make an appointment, visit RedCrossBlood.org/SuperBowl, or use the Red Cross Blood Donor app or call 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767).

• The Dorothy and Peter Brown Jewish Community Adult Day Program, which offers care for metro Detroiters living with dementia, will host a free virtual program on the latest treatments available for treating Alzheimer’s Disease. The live webinar is at 2 p.m. Jan. 29. The program is suitable for caregivers and advocates of people living with dementia. Register for the program by Jan. 27, by email to Joanna Dorfman at jdorfman@jslmi.org or call 248.661.6390 ext. 1, www.brownadultday.org.

• National Radon Action Month is January. Radon test kits for homes are available through the month at no cost to Oakland County residents at Health Division offices: North Oakland Health Center, 1200 N. Telegraph, Building 34E, Pontiac or South Oakland Health Center, 27725 Greenfield Road, Southfield. Hours are Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. (closed, Jan. 19). Contact the office ahead of time if you want more than five test kits, 800-848-5533, epa.gov/radon, oakgov.com/health.

Library activities

• Winter Wonder Library is 6-8 p.m. Jan. 23, Rochester Hills Public Library, 500 Olde Towne Rd., Rochester, celebrity storytime readers, cookies and cocoa, kids and adult crafts, a Yeti scavenger hunt, games, and a brightly lit library garden. The library closes early at 5 p.m. to prepare and reopens its doors at 6 p.m. for the event. No registration is required,  rhpl.org/news.

Museums

• Holocaust Remembrance Day: 7 p.m. Jan. 18, with The Zekelman Holocaust Center, at The Hawk Black Box Theatre, 29995 W. Twelve Mile Road, Farmington Hills, TheHawkTheatre.com, $15 in advance, $20 at the door.

Parks/Outdoor activities

Snow fort making and campfire is 1-2:30 p.m. Jan. 19, at Bloomer Park,  345 John R Road, Rochester Hills, at the Hilltop Shelter, build a fort and deconstruct afterward with talk about “leaving no trace,” includes hot chocolate and a campfire, recommended for ages 7+. Tickets are $7 per person for all ages, children under 12 must be accompanied by a paid adult, register online at www.eventbrite.com/e/snow-fort-and-campfire-tickets-1976877787679?aff=ebdsoporgprofile.

• City of Auburn Hills Winter Solstice Lantern Walk is 6-9 p.m. Jan. 23, (previously scheduled for Dec. 19) at Hawk Woods Park and Campground, 3799 Bald Mountain Rd, Auburn Hills, family event to check out the night sky with a local astronomy group, create a winter craft by a campfire, and walk an illuminated woodland trail, www.facebook.com/CityofAuburnHills, (248) 370-9353.

• Introduction to Classic Cross-Country Skiing, a two-hour class is offered Jan. 24, Feb. 7 or Feb. 28, at Independence Oaks County Park, 9501 Sashabaw Road, Clarkston. The two-hour class includes skis, poles and boot rental. The cost is $35/person/session and each session is limited to 20 participants. Classes meet at the boathouse. Preregistration and payment is required by calling 248-625-2044 Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-4 p.m. or visiting www.oakgov.com/community/oakland-county-parks/events.

• Independence Oaks County Park in Independence Twp. has groomed trails, cross-country skiing rental equipment and restroom facilities. Call the park at 248-625-0877 for current information about hours and equipment availability. For hikers or those with their own cross-country or snowshoe equipment, ungroomed trails can be enjoyed at Addison Oaks north of Rochester, Highland Oaks in Highland, Lyon Oaks in Lyon Township, Orion Oaks in Orion Township and Rose Oaks near Holly, www.oakgov.com/parks/recreation/Pages/Winter-Fun.aspx.

• Winter Park is open Fridays-Sundays, through March 1, at Bowers Farm, 1219 E Square Lake Road, Bloomfield Hills. Timed tubing tickets must be purchased in advance at www.schoolfarm.org/winter-activities, $17+, festive lights during evening hours. Activities include viewing farm animals, hay tower, bonfires, shopping at Farm Kitchen and Farm Store for local products, free admission to the park.

• The Rink at Royal Oak, ice skating at Centennial Commons in downtown Royal Oak, weather permitting, www.therinkatroyaloak.com.

• The Rink at Stine Community Park is open daily through the season, 241 Town Center, at the corner of Town Center and Civic Center Drive at the City of Troy Civic Center Campus, free admission, skate rentals are $3 residents, $5 non-residents, https://rec.troymi.gov/parks___facilities/the_rink/index.php, weather permitting.

• Riley Park Ice Rink in downtown Farmington open through February, 23600 Liberty St., Farmington, www.downtownfarmington.org, open daily, weather permitting, free admission, bring skates, https://farmgov.com/Community/Parks-and-Recreation/Riley-Park-Ice-Rink.

• Huron-Clinton Metroparks in Livingston, Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw and Wayne, metroparks.com. Park entrance fees apply. Annual vehicle passes are $40 for residents or $45 for non-residents. Senior citizen pricing on annual passes are available in-person at toll booths or park offices with ID as proof of age.

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

Support resources

• 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.

• 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, www.fcc.gov/988Lifeline.

• National Domestic Violence Hotline, 800-799-7233, available 24/7.

• Common Ground’s Resource & Crisis Helpline is available 24/7 – call or text 800-231-1127.

• Veterans Crisis Line, dial 988 and then press 1 to connect to the Veterans Crisis Lifeline. For texts, veterans should text the Veterans Crisis Lifeline short code: 838255.

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