Cooking classes
• Oakland Community College offers courses on food, wine and tequila, taught by Culinary Arts faculty chefs. “Grilling with OCC Chef Doug Ganhs”, a two-session class, is 6-10 p.m. May 26 and June 2, $67; “Wine 101: How to Taste Wine Like a Sommelier” is 7-9 p.m. May 26, $40; “The FUNdamentals of Food & Wine Pairing” with Michael Schafer, The Wine Counselor is 7-9 p.m. June 2, $50; “Tequila Temptations” is 7-9 p.m. June 16, $40; “Summer Salads with OCC Chef Doug Ganhs” is 6-10 p.m. June 9, $60 and “The Big 3 of White Wine Grapes” is 7-9 p.m. July 14, $40. Classes will be held in Building J on the OCC Orchard Ridge Campus in Farmington Hills. Register at www.oaklandcc.edu/ce.
Charitable events
• Gleaners Community Food Bank food distribution event is at the Oakland County Farmers Market, 9-11 a.m. May 19, while supplies last, for anyone in need. Drive-up and stay in the vehicle, or walk-up distribution, no need for proof of eligibility. For information, call 248-858-5495 or email OCmarket@oakgov.com.
• Health care heroes receive a free one-day admission to Sea Life Michigan on weekdays, through May 28, redeemable online at visitsealife.com/michigan/whats-inside/events/2021/health-care-appreciation-days-may21. In addition, health care workers can bring up to four guests with them who will receive 50 percent off admission with the same online offer. When arriving, guests must bring employee ID or valid pay stub to indicate their work in health care.
COVID-19 testing and vaccine information
• State of Michigan COVID-19 hotline for testing or vaccines is 1-888-535-6136, (8 a.m.-5 p.m., Mon.-Fri.), for information, visit Michigan.gov/Coronavirus or CDC.gov/Coronavirus or email COVID19@michigan.gov.
• Oakland County COVID-19 Vaccination, OaklandCountyVaccine.com.
• Also, for vaccine appointments, check with health providers, hospitals, and local pharmacies including Meijer at clinic.meijer.com; Rite Aid at riteaid.com/covid-vaccine-apt; Kroger at kroger.com/rx/covid-eligibility; CVS at cvs.com/immunizations/covid-19-vaccine; Walgreens at walgreens.com/topic/findcare/coronavirus.jsp or Walmart at walmart.com/cp/1228302.
Educational activities
• Oakland-Livingston Human Services Agency (OLHSA), in partnership with the City of Southfield Human Resources, is hosting a free financial education Zoom webinar on 3-5 p.m. May 20. Topics include understanding the basics of credit scoring and Fair Credit Laws, repairing credit history, and what to do in the event of identity theft. Register at olhsa.org/events or call 248-860-7845.
• Legal Referral Service, a program of Jewish Family Service, to host Attorney General Dana Nessel for a discussion on the role of the attorney general, 6 p.m. May 20, via Zoom, register at jfsdetroit.org/LRS, 248-592-2317.
• The Holocaust Memorial Center Zekelman Family Campus presents “Preventing Cambodia’s Genocidal Past from Becoming Afghanistan’s Future” featuring speaker John D. Ciorciari, online 7 p.m. May 20 via Zoom. Register at www.holocaustcenter.org/May. To submit a question in advance for John Ciorciari, visit www.holocaustcenter.org/questions.
• Walsh College is hosting virtual information sessions for the Doctor of Business Administration program, 6-7 p.m. May 26 and July 14. Register at walshcollege.edu/admissions-events.
Environmental activities
• Spring Household Hazardous Waste event is 9 a.m.-2 p.m. May 22, at Milford Civic Center, 1100 Atlantic Street, Milford. Also, clothing, shoes, accessories, and small household items will be accepted by Simple Recycling at this event, RRRASOC.org.
• Document shredding event is 10 a.m.-1 p.m. May 22, Lyon Township Public Library, 27005 S. Milford Road, South Lyon, lyon.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/community-shredding-event. One box per person.
• Skywarn weather spotter training webinar is 7-9 p.m. May 25. Register at weather.gov/dtx/spotter2.
Farmers markets/Gardening/Plant sales
• Walled Lake Farmers market 7-1 p.m. May 19-Oct. 27, walledlake.us.
• Annual Plant and Seed Swap is 8:30-10:30 a.m. May 22 at Heritage Park Visitor’s Center parking lot, 24915 Farmington Road, Farmington Hills, rain or shine. For information, call Charmaine Kettler-Schmult at 248-871-2543, www.fhgov.com.
• Cranbrook Perennials, Herbs, and Tropical Plants sale is in-person, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. May 22-May 23, Cranbrook House & Gardens, 380 Lone Pine Road, Bloomfield Hills, housegardens.cranbrook.edu/events/spring-plant-sale, 248-645-3149.
Oakland County Farmers Market to host Sunday Spring Flower Markets.
Roy Akers — For Media News Group
• Oakland County Farmers Market to host Sunday Spring Flower Markets, through June 6, from 7 a.m.-1:30 p.m., featuring annuals, perennials and vegetable starters. Vendors will continue to have flowers available on regular farmers market days, 7 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, COVID-19 safety measures, oakgov.com/parks/parksandtrails/farmers-market/Pages/default.aspx. The market is at 2350 Pontiac Lake Road, Waterford, 248-858-5495.
• Compost will be available free of charge to Farmington Hills and Farmington residents from May through September at the site of the William Grace Dog Park, 29040 Shiawassee Road, east of Middlebelt, Farmington Hills, available to residents only (not for commercial use) from dawn until dusk, 248-871-2850, www.fhgov.com.
Fundraisers
• The Village of Rochester Hills is hosting a drive-by donation event, 4-7 p.m. May 21 at 104 S. Adams Road, Rochester Hills, to help support the Gleaners Community Food Bank BackPack Program. Those who make a donation receive a treat courtesy of Nothing Bundt Cakes, while supplies last, TheVORH.com
• Assistance League of Southeastern Michigan is hosting a book drive through May 22, collecting new children’s books only in a drop box at the ReSale Connection store, 204 S. Main St., downtown Rochester, 248-656-0414, semich.AssistanceLeague.org.
• Metro Detroit Chevy Dealers hosts its “Pick Up for Paws” charity drive to benefit Dog Aide, during the month of June, collecting dog food, treats, toys, and other dog care items at its 38 dealership locations. This year, the campaign starts at Canterbury Village, May 20. Dog Aide donations can be dropped off near the front entrance of Dino Stroll, the interactive dinosaur experience, 10 a.m.-8 p.m., May 20-23 and May 28-30, at Canterbury Village, 2325 Joslyn Ct., and placed in the tailgate of the Chevy Silverado. Tickets for Dino Stroll are $17.99, adv. timed tickets at www.DinoStroll.com.
Health/Fitness events
• Studio 8 Fitness of Waterford is offering a free yoga lesson, noon-12:45 p.m. May 20 at the Oakland County Farmers Market, 2350 Pontiac Lake Road, Waterford. Free yoga mats to the first 10 participants, OaklandCountyParks.com, 248-858-5495.
• The Oakland County Health Division will offer blood pressure and BMI checks, 9 a.m.-noon May 22 at the Oakland County Farmers Market, 2350 Pontiac Lake Road in Waterford, 248-858-5495.
• Judson Center Community Health Fair is 1-4 p.m. May 23, featuring Braylon Edwards, former National Football League to appear 2-3 p.m. at Warren Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 12100 13 Mile Road Warren. The Pfizer vaccine will be available for distribution for individuals 12 and up, judsoncenter.org/event/community-health-fair.
• Free online Narcan (Naloxone) training for the administration of Narcan during an opioid overdose emergency, interactive class, presented by a Certified Narcan and CPR trainer, 7-8 p.m. Tuesdays, tinyurl.com/TuesdayNarcan and noon-1 p.m. Thursdays, tinyurl.com/ThursdayNarcan. Upon completion, participants can have Narcan mailed to them, achcmi.org/training/narcan-training-save-a-life/. A free virtual Naloxone training is 7-8:30 p.m. June 8, West Bloomfield Fire Department, us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_BpoCXEAuR12HbZMvsk-IeQ.
• Free Walk West Bloomfield program is 6:30-7 p.m. Tuesdays and 8-8:30 a.m. Saturdays, May through August, sponsored by Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital. Registration required wbparks.org/walkwb.html.
Libraries
• The Friends of Auburn Hills Public Library will be hosting a used book sale, May 20-22 at the library, 3400 E. Seyburn Dr., Auburn Hills, books, puzzles, DVDs, video games. Masks, social distancing, ahplibrary.org.
• Lyon Township Public Library presents “Instant Gardens”, 6:30 p.m. May 17, online via Zoom, lyon.assabetinteractive.com/calendar, 248-437-8800.
• Lyon Township Public Library presents “Virtual Teen Game Night”, 6:30 p.m. May 20, online, for grades 6-12. Register at bit.ly/TeenBoardGameNight.”(first, third, and fifth Thursdays of each month).
• Rochester Hills Public Library hosts virtual “Country Blues Narrative”, 2 p.m. May 16, via Zoom, presented by Leonardo Gianola, calendar.rhpl.org.
Parks
• Naturalist-guided nature hike during Trail Hikes by Appointment, May 21-22. Register for time slots at 10 a.m., 11 a.m. or 2 p.m. first-come, first-served basis, free, all ages, at Wint Nature Center in Independence Oaks County Park, 9501 Sashabaw Road, Clarkston. Register in advance at 248-858-0916 weekdays, all ages, masks required, if inclement weather, program will be canceled.
• Full Flower Moon Walk is 8-9 p.m. May 22, at Wint Nature Center in Independence Oaks County Park, 9501 Sashabaw Road, Clarkston, all ages. Register in advance at 248-858-0916 weekdays, $5/person, all ages, masks required, if inclement weather, program will be canceled.
• The Seven Ponds Astronomy Club hosts Steven Flanders of the Palomar Observatory speaking about “Building Palomar Observatory, 1928 to 1949”, 7 p.m. May 22 via Zoom, spncastronomy.wixsite.com/7-ponds-astro-club.
• Oakland County Parks and Recreation and Waterford Parks and Recreation host “Quest for Adventure – Riddles and Rhythm: A Park to Park Melody”, a self-led scavenger hunt throughout Waterford parks and outdoor facilities, through May 23, free, registration required at 248-674-5441 or www.Waterfordmi.Gov/parks. Email events@oakgov.com.
• Lakeshore Beach at Lakeshore Park in Novi, opens for summer, May 29, bit.ly/3ogsCpv.
• Huron-Clinton Metroparks joins Michigan Activity Pass (MAP) program at all 13 parks, available for card holders of all Michigan public libraries, to access the parks, metroparks.com. The MAP program provides free or discounted admission to more than 450 locations, including historic sites, cultural attractions and state parks, michiganactivitypass.info.
• Oakland County Parks and Recreation opened its campgrounds for the season. The campgrounds are at Addison Oaks County Park, north of Rochester, and Groveland Oaks County Park, near Holly. Both Addison Oaks and Groveland Oaks provide a fireworks-free camping experience. Call Groveland Oaks at 248-634-9811 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday through Friday and Addison Oaks at 248-858-1400, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. for advance reservations, OaklandCountyParks.com.
• Michigan State Parks and Recreation Areas are open, www.michigan.gov/dnr. Park entrance fees apply.
• Annual BBQ Battle, hosted by Oakland County Parks and Recreation and the City of Oak Park, previously scheduled for June 19, is postponed to Oct. 2, OaklandCountyParks.com.
Support activities
• Hospice of Michigan continues to offer virtual grief support groups. “Living On: Loss from COVID” is 6-7:15 p.m. May 19, (held the third Wednesday each month), RSVP to Jackie Morris: (313) 578-6328 or jmorris@hom.org, Hom.org.
• The Spectrum Agency for Autistic Adults, is hosting Small Group Peer Support Meetups (limited to 12 participants) for people on the autism spectrum, starting 6-8 p.m. May 19, virtual meeting via Zoom, $6 fee per class, meetup.com/Ann-Arbor-Autistic-Adults/events/277814517, runtrace@hotmail.com.
• May is Mental Health Month. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-TALK (8255), suicidepreventionlifeline.org or text 741741.
Volunteer opportunities
• The Clinton River Watershed Council Weekly Clean Up is 10 a.m. Wednesdays April-November. Locations will be posted online in advance, open to all ages and skill levels, www.crwc.org/events.
• Grace Centers of Hope seeks volunteers to help spruce up its Little Grace Village neighborhood in Pontiac. Daily volunteer opportunities include gardening/planting, cleaning yard debris, and general landscaping. Masks are required during check-in and when working in close proximity. Sign up at gracecentersofhope.volunteerhub.com or email Cody Pesavento at Cpesavento@gracecentersofhope.org.
• The American Red Cross urges healthy individuals to donate blood, platelet and plasma. Those who go to give by May 31 will be entered for a chance to win a travel trailer camper. Visit RedCrossBlood.org/SummerFullOfLife or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Submit community events to The Oakland Press online at www.bit.ly/1iUM73e.