Ferndale, MI: the unique community just north of Detroit

I have a chest and a table in need of some refinishing. Any local suggestions?

Is it safe to assume that with the holiday, Wednesday trash pickup is being pushed to Thursday?

Anyone have any experience with this place? I’ve tried emails to people on the site but never a response. How does one attend any of the support groups?

Title is essentially it. I realize I will be 25 min from downtown which is awesome. I love the neighborhood. Any experiences/advice y'all would like to share?

Edit for spelling

Hello, New to the area and would like a recommendation for adult dentist in Ferndale / RO area

I am in NW Ferndale and am happily front yard free, but the decorative garden has gone a bit wild and I’m in need of a gardener who can help tame the plants that have invaded, promote the myrtle ground cover we do like, and give the whole thing a much more pleasant look with new plants. Someone with expertise and opinions but also a hands-on approach. Ideally I’d like to hire small business or solo entrepreneur and keep the money in the community. I have a reasonable budget and timeline but haven’t had much luck finding someone like this.

Any suggestions or referrals?

Does anyone know when they will be finished with Woodward? Just like last year the barrels are up but hardly see any construction being done. Feel like this all should have been done last year!

you know exactly what train I'm talking about.

I'm a new-ish resident and have gotten stuck a few times at this train that sits on the track for a good 20 minutes? and then takes 15 minutes to completely move out of the way? first times it happened it was no biggie but now the latest time is right now during rush hour traffic....

please does anyone have the lore on this train? why does it stop? how can I go around it? what times does it come through? how can I defeat it!!!!

Hi! I need to find a grocery bakery that makes custom cakes on short notice if possible? I’m in DMV but trying to find a cake in MI. Any recs? Thank you

Hi! I need recommendations for lawn mowing services. I only need it maybe twice a month, no need for anything extra, just basic lawn mowing for my small yard. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated, even if it's just a local youth you know who will help out for a few bucks. Thank you!

Would anyone be interested in playing soccer Saturday at Geary Park around 5pm?

Weather should be great.

By Geary buildings, I mean the recently developed ones at 9 Mile and Forest in East Oak Park. This includes Forest Bakery, PieSci, and Hansen's Hall.

Just some scuttlebutt I've heard about recently:

• PieSci is now open for lunch! They are now open seven days a week starting at 11 AM and closing 10 or 11 PM depending on the day of the week.

• PieSci is considering adding delivery, but only through third-party services like GrubHub.

• Hansen's Hall will be a "bring your own food" type of tavern. This is similar to Dog & Pony Show Brewing on 11 Mile that occasionally has food trucks but also encourages patrons to bring food from other local businesses.

• Hansen's Hall will primarily serve draft beer but will have craft cocktails to some extent.

• Hansen's Hall is hoping to be open by the Fourth of July.

• Forest Bakery might open in the next week.

Suddenly seeing orange cones lining Woodward—any idea what’s going on there?

bit.ly/aprilyimbymeet

Join YIMBY Oakland County for a special event called How to Speak Up for Housing. Learn how to tell your housing story, give a public comment, and more!

Tuesday, April 23
6:30–8:00 PM
Jim's Community Corner, 22757 Woodward, Ferndale

National Volunteer Week is April 21–27, 2024, and YIMBY Oakland County wants to recognize the power of volunteers to tackle society’s greatest challenges, build stronger communities, and be a force that transforms the world.

All attendees will gain a one-year volunteer membership to YIMBY Action and YIMBY Oakland County!

Space is limited! RSVP to hold your spot, and please cancel if you are unable to attend to make room for others.

Random but does anyone know the reason snap is closing?

Hi.

I volunteer for a non-profit that organizes free, grief/bereavement support camps for children, age 7 - 17, who lost a parent, sibling, care taker, or other loved one/family member.

It's called Comfort Zone Camp. They are based in Virginia, and they have camps throughout the country and throughout the year.

The co-founder is originally from Michigan, and later this year, September 20 - 27, they will have their first Michigan camp in partnership with Herbert Adelman Foundation.

Here's a news article:

https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2024/03/12/comfort-zone-camp-michigan-oakland-suicide/72840734007

More info about Comfort Zone Camp:

https://comfortzonecamp.org

https://comfortzonecamp.org/volunteers

https://comfortzonecamp.org/calendar

Feel free to check their social media @comfortzonecamp (IG, FB, etc.).

Here's an article from TIME Magazine -

https://time.com/6286420/suicide-bereavement-camps-kids

Most of their camps are open to kids who suffered a loss of a loved one from any form of death / passing -- but their Michigan camp in September is focused on suicide loss.

If anyone knows a child who lost a family member (or friend) to suicide or if you know anyone interested in volunteering -- please feel free to share this.

https://comfortzonecamp.org/event/michigan-weekend-camp-for-suicide-loss-programs-for-ages-7-17-in-partnership-with-herbert-adelman-foundation

The camp location is north of Detroit and east of Lansing.

The camps starts on Friday afternoon and continues until Sunday afternoon. Volunteers are expected to stay for the entire duration.

So yeah, it's a time commitment -- and many people are busy...but for those who are able to attend -- it's truly a special and worthwhile experience (for both the adult volunteers and especially the children).

The following videos are old, but show what the camp is about -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLF7KWgfwfg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7JNYy07osI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dbk2Pigfb_U

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLwYyfpwfHU

Regarding the camping aspect...this is not tent camping.

Think of it like a summer camp where school children go and stay in cabins...so they usually use established/developed venues.

Cabins with bunk beds, restrooms with flush toilets, sinks with running water, showers, a dining room where the kitchen staff prepares meals, etc.

Volunteers typically bring their own sleeping bag, pillow, blanket, etc...but there's no need to bring other camping equipment/gear (e.g. tent, air mattress/mad/pad, stove, etc.).

If anyone is new and interested in helping, they require attending an orientation and passing a criminal background check. Children's safety is important, and multiple adult volunteers and staff will be present (in other words, no child is ever alone with an adult).

To attend their online training meeting, click the aforementioned website above to sign up (click "Register to Volunteer" button) and they should provide a zoom meeting link.

Some volunteers are young adults (college students, recent graduates, etc.) and some are middle age to older adults too. Kids tend to like volunteers who are friendly, fun, positive, silly, etc.

Many people are busy, and committing an entire weekend is challenging, but maybe someone out there is good with kids, can be a positive role model (like a big brother/big sister), and is interested in helping some kids deal with grief and loss.

They sometimes are low on male volunteers -- so if you know of any exceptional men out there -- please feel free to help spread the word.

If anyone is serious or curious about learning more, check out their website and videos.

If interested in helping, follow their instructions on how to sign up at https://comfortzonecamp.org/volunteers

Attend the new volunteer training.

Pass a criminal background check.

And have a fun time during camp. It's a life-changing experience for both kids and adults imo.

p.s.

If anyone knows a parent with a child(ren) who has experienced loss, please feel free to share with them about this camp (again, it's free to attend), and it can be very beneficial for kids to not feel alone in coping with their sadness, pain, grief, etc.

FAQ

I don't speak on behalf of Comfort Zone Camp, and can't give any official answers, but sometimes people ask common questions, so these are my opinions on how to answer such questions -

Q: Is there a cost to attend?

A: It's free for kids/parents due to generous donations and partnerships.

Q: Can I help for just a day?

A: They usually prefer volunteers stay for the entire weekend, Friday until Sunday.

Q: Does the camp have any religious affiliation / association?

A: No. Some attendees might have personal faith / beliefs, but the camp is open to anyone & everyone. I think of it like public school, where kids come from different & diverse backgrounds.

Q: Do volunteers need to have experienced a personal loss?

A: No. Some volunteers have lost a parent, sibling, grandparent, etc. at a young age, but some volunteers have not. It's not a requirement nor expectation.

If anyone has other questions or wants an official answer to anything, please feel free to reach out to Comfort Zone Camp on their website or social media.

Their email is [email protected]

Thank you.

Hi everyone! I have 2 tickets to the Anthony Green show tomorrow night (15th) at the loving touch. Looking for $20/ea. Message me if you're interested! :)

Anyone with experience have any advice for me? I'm thinking it will cost about $4K. Edit: I don't have any experience with maintaining a pool. I expect it will be a bit of a learning curve.