Join in the Sixth Annual Farmington Hills Litter Cleanup on April 21 In conjunction with Earth Day, the Farmington Hills Beautification Commission will host its Sixth Annual “Clean, Green and Beautiful” Litter Cleanup on Saturday, April 21. Residents are encouraged to organize a team of neighbors and friends and choose a nearby major roadway to clean up the litter that collects during the winter months throughout the City. Trash and recycle bags, gloves, and t-shirts will be provided by sponsors for groups that register by April 9. To register, contact Carol Posby at clposby@att.net or call 248-489-2448.

Fifth Annual Earth Day Event April 22 at Heritage Park The City of Farmington Hills will host an Earth Day Celebration on Sunday, April 22 from 12 to 2 p.m. at Heritage Park, located at 24915 Farmington Road, between Ten and Eleven Mile Roads. This year’s Earth Day event will feature live music, face painting, earth-friendly crafts, giveaways, and hayrides. A “Picnic in the Park” food truck rally will offer food from Harvest Kettle Corn, Concrete Cuisine, and Rolling Stoves. A special “Unveil the Trail” event at 1:30 p.m. will showcase the expanded Nature Discovery Trail, which now stretches from the Nature Center to the Splash Pad. Come explore new interpretive signs based on paintings by local artist Molly McNeece, and five new stations that spark curiosity and fuel hands-on learning. Displays and demonstrations will feature representatives from: • Home Depot • Farmington Public Schools Green Teams • Friends of the Rouge • Farmington Farmer’s Market • Farmington Community Library • Peace, Love and Planet and more Fun activities for the whole family will include: • Concert with School of Rock Farmington • Community art projects led by Plein Air Troupe Painting Group • Face painting, hayrides, and archery • Recycling crafts, STEM Engineering Challenges, and Nature Center tours For more information, contact the Nature Center at 248-477-1135

The Farmington Hills Fire Department would like to make residents aware of a recall from Kidde United Technologies on a smoke alarm with a defect that could compromise its ability to detect smoke. Please go to the company's website for more information about the recall. https://kidde-smoke-alarm-recallusen.expertinquiry.com/

Spring Break Camp April 2 – 6 at the Costick Center The Costick Center is your spring break staycation location! Enjoy a week full of activities at Spring Break Camp from Monday, April 2 through Friday, April 6 at the Costick Center at 28600 Eleven Mile Road in Farmington Hills. Spring Break Campers will go swimming at the Costick Center pool, play games in the gym and in the camp room, get creative with arts and crafts projects, and even take a field trip. The camp is for ages 6 to 12 and the registration deadline is March 26. The fee for the week of camp is $130/residents and $140/non-residents. Extended care is also available before and after Spring Break Camp, Monday through Friday from 7:30 to 9 a.m. for a fee of $24; from 3 to 6 p.m. for a fee of $48; or pay $60 for extended care both before and after camp. Register in person at the Costick Center or at https://recreg.fhgov.com. For more information, call 248-473-1800.

Babysitter Training Classes Offered this Spring at the Costick Center The Special Services Department is offering Babysitter Training Classes with Red Cross Certification at the Costick Center this spring. Designed for ages 11 through 15, the class will help boys and girls become trusted, reliable, safe, and qualified babysitters. The class will give babysitters the upper hand when it comes to finding interested clients and growing their babysitting business. Class participants will be trained in the proper care of children and will each receive a Babysitter Training Handbook to take home that includes child care information and tips on interviewing potential clients. The Babysitter Training Class is offered from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the following Saturdays: April 7, April 21, April 28, and May 19. The fee for the class is $60/residents and $65 non-residents. Register in person at the Costick Center or at https://recreg.fhgov.com For more information, call 248-473-1800.

Farmington Hills residents receive curbside clothing collection on their regular garbage/recycling pickup day. This free service is provided by Simple Recycling Inc., NOT your waste hauler. Simple Recycling can answer any concerns you may have about the program: •If your bag is left at the curbside, report your missed pickup to Simple Recycling through their website at http://simplerecycling.com/schedule-a-pick-up. •If you need more bags, Simple Recycling will drop bags off at your door. Complete the request form at http://simplerecycling.com/bag-request. •If you have additional questions, you can find the answers on Simple Recycling’s FAQ page at http://simplerecycling.com/supplies. Simple Recycling recommends that residents who traditionally support clothing donation programs continue to do so. Simple Recycling is an optional program designed to offer convenience as an alternative to items going to the landfill. For more information, contact Simple Recycling Inc. at 866-835-5068 or info@simplerecycling.com.

FARMINGTON HILLS POLICE DEPARTMENT PRESS RELEASE School Threat Arrest March 22, 2018 The Farmington Hills Police Department arrested Myreon Daquan Davis, age 17, of Redford Township for posting a threatening message on social media at the end of the school day on Wednesday, March 21, 2018. Farmington Public Schools administrators contacted the Farmington Hills Police Department immediately after learning of the threat. Investigators determined that Davis, a student at Farmington Central High School, was responsible for posting the threat and he was arrested Wednesday night. His family was cooperative and no weapons were located in the home. The Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office authorized a single count arrest warrant for False Report or Threat of Terrorism. Myreon Davis was arraigned in front of 47th District Court Magistrate Michael Sawicky who set bond at $50,000/10%. A preliminary exam date was set for April 6, 2018 at 9:00 AM at the 47th District Court. The Farmington Hills Police Department asks anyone with additional information to contact the Command Desk at 248-871-2610.

Spring Yard Waste Pickup Resumes During the Week of April 9 Yard waste collection will resume in the City of Farmington Hills during the week of Monday, April 9. As of that date, all yard waste placed at the curbside in acceptable containers will be collected by the yard waste truck on the regular garbage day. Yard waste pickup will end during the week of December 3, 2018. Acceptable yard waste includes leaves, grass, shrub clippings, twigs, and plant materials. There are three options available for yard waste disposal: 1. Place yard waste in a trash can (32-gallon size limit) with a yard waste sticker on both sides. Yard waste stickers are available free from City Hall or the DPW. 2. Put yard waste in brown paper yard waste bags. Please do not overstuff bags. 3. Use a mulching mower and recycle leaves and grass clippings back into the lawn. Small limbs (six inches in diameter or less) and brush must be tied in bundles that do not exceed four feet in length or weigh more than 60 pounds per bundle. Unbundled brush and large limbs will not be picked up. Brush or twigs placed in cans or bags should not stick out above the top of the container. Also, large quantities of dirt or sod are not accepted for pickup. Any Christmas trees saved for composting must be cut and bundled according to yard waste pickup guidelines. For more information, call the DPW at 248-871-2850 or visit www.fhgov.com.

Police Department Hosts 15th National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on April 28 On Saturday, April 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Farmington Hills Police Department will partner with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in hosting Prescription Drug Take-Back Day at Police Headquarters located at 31655 Eleven Mile Road. This effort will safely and anonymously remove potentially dangerous controlled substances (any medication requiring a prescription) from homes throughout the community. The Police Department participated in the 14th National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day in October 2017 where they collected over 159 pounds of prescription drugs, which were then destroyed by the DEA in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations. At Police Departments across the country, a total of 456 tons of unused or expired prescription drugs were collected during October 2017 Take-Back Day events. Recreational use of prescription drugs is a serious problem among teens and young adults. According to the National Safety Council, teens are more likely to have abused a prescription drug than an illegal street drug; 70% of those who abused prescription painkillers reported getting them through friends or relatives. Expired, unused or unwanted prescription drugs accessible in homes can fuel this abuse and are an unacceptable risk to public health and safety. Residents of any city may participate in Prescription Drug Take-Back Day. Prescription drugs are accepted anonymously in any type of container; no identifying information is required. For more information, call the Investigative Division at 248-871-2770.

2018 Arts Award Winners Announced: Artist in Residence and the Nancy Coumoundouros Distinguished Service to the Arts Award The Farmington Area Arts Commission and the Farmington Hills Cultural Arts Division are pleased to announce the selections for the 2018 Artist in Residence and the Nancy Coumoundouros Distinguished Service to the Arts Awards. The recipients will be honored at the Festival of the Arts Reception and Awards Ceremony on Friday, April 13 at the Costick Center at 28600 W. Eleven Mile Road in Farmington Hills. The reception will start at 6 p.m. with the ceremony following at 7 p.m. The 2018 winners of the Farmington Art Foundation’s juried show, the High School Student Art Competition, and the Arts Educator of the year will be honored as well. The event marks the 42nd year of recognizing excellence in the arts in the Farmington community. The Artist in Residence Award is given each year to a resident of Farmington or Farmington Hills who displays exceptional talent and artistic accomplishments. The Distinguished Service to the Arts Award recognizes outstanding service to the community in the creative arts by a group or individual. The 2018 Artist in Residence will be awarded to John Martin, award-winning illustrator, graphic designer, website creator, and adjunct professor at the College for Creative Studies (CCS). Since 2007, Mr. Martin has directed a summer cartoon camp in Farmington Hills for kids ages 7 to 14. He is the co-creator and illustrator of the Vordak the Incomprehensible and SCI-FI Junior High book series with Scott Seeger. A resident of Farmington Hills for over 20 years, Mr. Martin has worked under the names Powerhaus Creative and John Martin Illustrations. His paintings are typically acrylic and mixed media on wood or Masonite panels, as well as ink on paper, vellum or illustration board. His creative projects include mascot development, logo creations, toy designs, murals, billboards, and custom artwork for churches, museums, retail store chains, and libraries. Mr. Martin’s local design work includes the Farmington Downtown Development Authority, Greater Farmington Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Sunflour Bakehaus. His pro bono art projects have included United Cerebral Palsy, 5K Bagpipe Run for the fight against Multiple Sclerosis, CCS Wine Auction, Farmington Film Festival, and more. The 2018 Nancy Coumoundouros Distinguished Service to the Arts Award will be awarded to Tumija (Toi) Banks, dance teacher of 18 years at Harrison High School. Mrs. Banks earned an M.A. from Nova Southeastern University in Teaching and Learning, specializing in Curriculum and Instruction, and a B.S. in Dance and Physical Education from Wayne State University. With a teaching philosophy rooted in Interdisciplinary Instruction and Integration, Mrs. Banks developed a comprehensive dance program at Harrison High School in 2000 and established the Harrison Dance Company. She is also the founder and director of Oakland Dance Festival, a state-wide event that provides young dancers access to college dance programs. Under the direction of Mrs. Banks, the Harrison Dance Company has received honors at the Michigan Youth Arts Festival, the Regional High School Dance Festival, and the National High School Dance Festival. The group has worked with renowned choreographers from the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Cedar Lakes Ballet Company, Visceral Dance Chicago, Koresh Dance Company, and various commercial artists. Alumni of the Harrison Dance Company program have gone on to perform with professional dance companies, work in health-related fields, and teach dance in private and public institutions. Past awards and recognition for Mrs. Banks include the Superintendent’s Award of Excellence (2002); Michigan Dance Teacher of the Year (2004); Rainbow Recognition Chair Award (2012); and Wayne State University’s Arts Achievement Award (2015). The 2018 Festival of the Arts Reception and Awards Ceremony is open to all ages, and will feature delicious hot and cold appetizers, a cash bar (ages 21+), and entertainment by talented local individuals and groups. Tickets are only $10 per person when purchased by April 6 or $15 per person after that date. Purchase tickets at https://recreg.fhgov.com or in person at the Costick Center. For more information, call 248-473-1848 The Festival of the Arts is produced annually by the Farmington Hills Special Services Department/Cultural Arts Division, the Farmington Community Arts Council, Farmington Public Schools, and the Farmington Area Arts Commission, with generous support from the Farmington/Farmington Hills Education Foundation. For more information, please go to www.farmingtonarts.org

Fire Department Offers Class in CPR/AED, First Aid and Tourniquet Training on April 10 The Farmington Hills/Farmington Emergency Preparedness Commission (EPC), in cooperation with the Farmington Hills Fire Department, will offer an American Heart Association Heartsaver® Class, featuring instruction in CPR/AED (Automated External Defibrillator), First Aid, and “Stop the Bleed” Tourniquet Training from 5:30 to 10 p.m. on Tuesday, April 10. The class is open to the public and will be held in the upstairs training room at Fire Station #4 located at 28711 Drake Road. “Stop the Bleed” is a national awareness campaign that encourages bystanders to become trained, equipped, and empowered to help in a bleeding emergency before professional help arrives. Participants will receive hands-on training in applying wound pressure and using tourniquets. The fee for the class and materials is $10 for residents of Farmington Hills/Farmington and $20 for non-residents. If you require an American Heart Association Certificate of Training, there will be an additional $20 fee for both residents and non-residents. Please note – all class participants who are seeking to achieve the Certificate of Training must be physically able to perform CPR/AED, which requires kneeling on the floor and using your arms and hands to perform continuous chest compressions. Participants must register and pay fees one week in advance to ensure the proper student to instructor ratio. Registration will be confirmed via email after the fee is received. Individuals who show up without paying the fee seven days in advance will be asked to wait and register for a future class. Participants must be at least 12 years old. To register, contact Sara West at swest@fhgov.com or 248-871-2802.

Spring Survival Camp April 5 at the Farmington Hills Nature Center Spend a day of spring break at the Nature Center with Spring Survival Camp! Campers will discover outdoor skills as they explore the plants and animals of Heritage Park on a hiking adventure. Campers will also visit the Riley Archery Range and shoot a bow and arrow. Spring Survival Camp will be held on Thursday, April 5 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Nature Center. The camp is designed for ages 6 to 12 and is a drop-off program. Please make sure to dress your child for the weather and for exploring outdoors, since a majority of the program will be outside. Campers should also bring a bag lunch. Pre-registration is required at the Costick Center or at http://recreg.fhgov.com. A minimum of 15 registered campers are needed for the camp to run. The fee is $30/residents or $35/non-residents. The Farmington Hills Nature Center is located in Heritage Park at 24915 Farmington Road, between 10 and 11 Mile Roads. Call the Nature Center at 248-477-1135 or email asmith@fhgov.com for more information about upcoming programs.