Community events
• The League of Women Voters Oakland Area chapter presents technology expert and lecturer Gus Mondalek who will discuss how to tell if news is real or generated with artificial intelligence. The presentation is at 7 p.m. Nov. 10, at the Bloomfield Township Public Library, 1099 Lone Pine Road, Bloomfield Township, free, open to the public, includes light refreshments. For more information, visit https://my.lwv.org/michigan/oakland-area.
• Goodman Acker law firm is partnering with the Southfield Fire Department to host a community giveaway and safety awareness event aimed at reducing carbon monoxide poisoning incidents. The initiative will provide 500 Kidde carbon monoxide detectors to local families on a first come, first served basis, 10 a.m. Nov. 18, Southfield Fire Station, 24477 Lahser Road, Southfield, www.cityofsouthfield.com.
• Local Gems Sweepstakes, Oakland County’s annual monthlong campaign encouraging residents to shop local and support small businesses. From Nov. 1-30, shoppers can enter the sweepstakes by posting a selfie taken at a participating small business in Oakland County for a chance to win $1,000, $500 or $250 via a random drawing, courtesy of Genisys Credit Union, www.oakgov.com/community/community-development/shop-small-oakland-county.
Fundraisers/Charitable events
• Rochester and Rochester Hills announce a friendly food drive competition to support Neighborhood House, from Nov. 10 to Dec. 1. Rochester residents should drop off non-perishable food items at 400 Sixth Street in Rochester, while Rochester Hills residents should bring donations to 1000 Rochester Hills Drive in Rochester Hills, ranh.org.
• Troy Charity Night 2025 is 5:30-7 p.m. Nov. 13, at Walsh College, 3838 Livernois Road, north entrance, Troy. Each ticketed attendee will be able to choose from one of the existing endowment funds and endowed scholarships, and the foundation will make a $50 donation for each ticket purchased. Tickets are $25+ each at https://troycf.org/charitynight2025.
• Oakland County Veterans Resource Fair is 9 a.m.-noon, Nov. 14, at Costick Activities Center, 28600 West 11 Mile Road, Farmington Hills. Register in advance at www.oakgov.com/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/9022/2017, free event for veterans, active duty, guard and reserves, and their families.
• Autumn Auction Affair is 6-9 p.m. Nov. 15, Pontiac Creative Arts Center, 47 Williams St, Pontiac, strolling reception, silent and live auction, ticket proceeds benefit non-profits Oakland County Historical Society and the Pontiac Creative Arts Center, 248-338-6732, tickets at https://events.getlocalhop.com/oakland-countys-historical-society-autumn-auction-affair/event/lePKUOAiBx, $60+.
• Gratitude Gala is 6:30 p.m. Nov. 15, at The MINT, 27000 Evergreen Road, Lathrup Village, Annual Leadership Recognition Dinner to benefit Yoga Moves MS nonprofit, https://cbo.io/app/public/bidapp/ymms25, general admission tickets are $150+, student tickets are $100+.
• MSU Federal Credit Union invites the public to participate in MSUFCU’s annual Giving Tree, which benefits local nonprofits and youth throughout Michigan and Illinois. Those interested in participating have the option to select a tag from a Giving Tree at a branch location, purchase the gift listed, and return it to the credit union; shop via wish lists; or make a monetary donation at a branch through Nov. 22. For more information and to access wish lists, visit msufcu.org/givingtree.
• Jewish Senior Life to host “The Magic of Volunteers” fundraiser, 2-4 p.m. Nov. 23, at Adat Shalom Synagogue, 29901 Middlebelt Road, Farmington Hills, featuring Magician Stuart MacDonald, refreshments, free valet parking, minimum donation of $75 per person and reservations are required at https://give.jslmi.org/events-homepage/event-jsl-lives-well-lived, 248-592-5062.
• Hospice of Michigan and Arbor Hospice seek veterans to provide support and camaraderie for fellow veterans in hospice care. All volunteers must complete orientation, background checks and fingerprinting and must be 18 years or older, and those who have experienced a recent personal loss are asked to wait one year before volunteering. No prior experience or training is required. Veterans interested in volunteering can contact Ruth Moore-Lilly at 248-794-0523 or email rmoore-lilly@hom.org, hom.org/get-involved or arborhospice.org/get-involved.
• “Coats for the Cold” Coat Drive is through the month of November, donations sought of new or gently-used, clean coats at one of the 95 drop-off sites around Oakland County. Look for the box with the “Coats for the Cold” Coat Drive sign on it and place your donation inside. Partners in this effort Genisys Credit Union, Max Broock Realtors, Real Estate One, Christ Church Cranbrook, @1800SelfStorage.com, McKenzie Moving. For a list of drop-off sites, visit www.facebook.com/OCSOMichigan.
Holiday activities
• Downtown Rochester Holiday Expo is 5-7:30 p.m. Nov. 10, Royal Park Hotel, 600 E. University Drive, Rochester, more than 60 businesses will be showcasing their products and services in time for the holidays. Admission is free and includes light refreshments and door prize drawings throughout the evening, www.facebook.com/downtown.rochester, downtownrochestermi.com.
• Canterbury Village tree lighting is 5-8 p.m. Nov. 14, (actual tree lighting at 6 p.m.) Canterbury Village, 2325 Joslyn Road, Orion Twp., www.canterburyvillage.com. This event is free to attend, donations of dry or canned goods are being collected to benefit The Village Food Pantry.
• Ferndale Underground Holiday Market is Nov. 15-16, (10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday) in the basement of the DOT parking structure at Allen and Troy Streets (one block west of Woodward) in downtown Ferndale. Admission is free. Donations of canned and/or dried food items or cash, collected for the Jingle & Mingle Food Drive Campaign to benefit the Renaissance Vineyard Food Pantry and FernCare Free Health Clinic, www.undergroundferndale.com.
• “Light The Village” holiday kick-off event is 6-9 p.m. Nov. 21, at The Village of Rochester Hills Outdoor Shopping Center, 104 N. Adams Road, Rochester Hills, annual fireworks display is at 7:15 p.m. and free visits with Santa are 8-9 p.m., giveaways, face painting, live holiday music and performances, free shuttle service to/from Van Hoosen Middle School is available starting at 5:30 p.m., TheVORH.com.
• Pre-sale for the Annual Cookie Stroll tins, priced at $40 each (limit 2 per order), can be purchased online at www.downtownrochestermi.com/store. Tins must be picked up at the DDA’s Downtown Collaboration Studio, 431 Main, by Dec. 4. Then, the Annual Cookie Stroll is Dec. 13, when participants take their tin to collect the cookies at downtown Rochester bakeries and restaurants, www.downtownrochestermi.com/cookie-stroll.
Library events
• The Troy Public Library to host its 2025 Local Author Fair from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Nov. 15, at the Troy Community Center, 3179 Livernois Road, Troy, troypl.org.
• The Baldwin Public Library will host its second annual local author fair, 2-4 p.m. Nov. 15, in the Library Atrium, 300 W. Merrill St. Birmingham. A list of participants, along with book titles and descriptions can be found on the library website at baldwinlib.org/youth. Also, the Friends of the Baldwin Public Library biannual used books and media sale is at 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 15, and 12:30-4 p.m. Nov. 16, at the library, baldwinlib.org/friends.
Parks/Outdoor activities
• Oh Deer! Herd Hike is 10:30 a.m.-noon Nov 15, at Red Oaks Nature Center, 30300 Hales St, Madison Heights. Discover things that wildlife managers watch for while maintaining the deer population. explore signs of resident deer, suitable for all ages, $5/person. Preregistration is required, visit www.oakgov.com/community/oakland-county-parks/parks-trails/red-oaks/red-oaks-nature-center or call 248- 858-0100 during nature center hours.
• “Sunset on Mars” portable planetarium program is 6-7 p.m. Nov. 15, Red Oaks Nature Center, 30300 Hales St, Madison Heights, suitable for school-aged children and adults. Cost is $5/person. Preregistration is required, visit www.oakgov.com/community/oakland-county-parks/parks-trails/red-oaks/red-oaks-nature-center or call 248-858-0100 during nature center hours.
• Drop-in Hayrides are 3-4 p.m. select Saturdays through Nov. 22, at Hess-Hathaway Park, 825 S. Williams Lake Road, Waterford Twp., weather permitting, not offered if it is raining, $5 per person, 2 years and under admitted free, children must be accompanied by an adult, meet by campfire pit by Hilltop Pavilion I, www.waterfordmi.gov/1329/Parks-Recreation.
• Weekend Hay Rides are noon-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday through Dec. 7, $5 for ages 13-61, $3 for ages 3-12, $3 per senior (62+), free for children under 2, at Kensington Metropark Farm Center Office, 4570 Huron River Pkwy., Milford, www.metroparks.com/kensington-metropark, plus park pass or vehicle entry fee.
• Oakland County Parks and Recreation offers free admission. General park entry fees and vehicle permits have been eliminated for all parks operated by Oakland County Parks, www.oakgov.com/community/oakland-county-parks.
• 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.
Seniors
• Gesher Human Services, human service agencies and Huntington Bank to hold Golden Shield, a free financial education event, 1-3 p.m. Nov. 13, at Bowens Senior Center, 52 Bagley St., Pontiac. The event includes lunch, financial bingo, and talks from financial experts to protect seniors from financial exploitation and guard against identity theft, geshermi.org/events or call 248-233-4229.
• When Behaviors Change, How to respond to dementia-related behaviors program is noon-1 p.m. Nov. 17. To register visit jfsdetroit.org/hub or contact Beth Seelbach at 248-592-2655 or bseelbach@jfsdetroit.org.
• Gray Matters-The Happy Effects of Music on your Brain program is 1-2:30 p.m. Nov. 19, at Jewish Family Service, 6555 West Maple Road, West Bloomfield Twp. Register for this in-person event by emailing MindU@jfsdetroit.org or calling 248-788-MIND (6463).
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.