The Lions Club will be offers free eye screenings for children on Friday, January 13^th at the Chesterfield Township Library.  The library is located at 50560 Patricia Avenue.  The screening will take place between 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

Children must be accompanied by an adult.

For more information please call 586-598-4900.  Check out www.chelibrary.org for more information.

The Money Management Series will begin January 3 inWarren.  This should help you keep your New Year’s resolution to straighten out your finances.

MSU Extension is offering an eight week Money Management series. This class is for people of all incomes who want to improve the way they handle money.

Money Management will focus on basic activities dealing with money. Learn to:

• Set goals

• Organize your paperwork

• Use a budget

• Clean up credit

• Purchase the right insurance

• Save for emergencies and

• Invest for the future

Classes will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the following Tuesdays: January 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 and February 7, 14 & 21, 2012. Sessions are at Leaps & Bounds Family Services at theMt.CalvaryCommunity Center, 8129 Packard,Warren.

The series is free of cost and open to the public. For more information or to register, please call 586-469-7614.

Join the friendly staff at Lakeshore Learning Store in Sterling Heights every Saturday for Free Crafts for Kids! Enjoy making a fun, new craft each week. From 11:00am to 3:00pm. Ages 3+. This is a great place to shop for educational toys and teaching materials.

When: November 13, 2011 (the event is held most Saturdays)

Time: 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

Where Lakeshore Learning Store
12210 Hall Rd.
Sterling Heights, MI 48313 USA

Left to Right: Christina S., Shannon L., Erin R., Melissa B.

Flirty Fashions, a popular Rochester Hills boutique, recently opened its doors at a brand new location in the Mall at Partridge Creek.

Specializing in fun and trendy clothing in both misses and teen sizes, Flirty Fashions carries casual items, formal and semi-formal wear, accessories and outwear too.

Diane, owner of Flirty Fashions, pulled out all the stops for the Grand Opening event last week. Party-goers sampled champagne and cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and a chocolate fountain.  In addition to the yummy treats, guests indulged in creating their own bath scrubs in ice cream scents such as vanilla mint, strawberry sprinkles and chocolate.  A DJ was in the store, spinning great dance music to keep the party hopping too.

Adding to the Flirty Fashions experience, models were hired to pose as live mannequins in the window and through out the store.  The models changed looks several times over the course of the evenings and introduced guests to the latest looks and trends.

Take a look at the fun & fabulous styles from the Flirty Fashions Grand Opening Event:

While Flirty Fashions is not a large store, it carries a surprisingly large variety of items that will suit just about every taste and every budget.  Whether you need a quick clutch or accessory, a new top & jeans or want to get dressed to the nines, you’re sure to find something here.   Their looks are trendy, but tasteful.  As a mother of two teen girls, not only would I feel comfortable buying a few items for myself, but I feel confident my girls would love to shop here as well.

The Mall at Partridge Creek is an excellent location for the new Flirty Fashions store.  The open, outdoor setting will add to the ambiance of holiday shopping this year.  With the wide selection of shops, beauty salons and restaurants, it’s the perfect destination for some “girl time.”

Win It!

A $50 Flirty Fashions Gift Certificate!

Entry Requirements

Leave a comment below telling us how you’d spend $50 at Flirty Fashions.

The Fine Print

No purchase necessary to enter.  Open to legal residents of the United States, 18 years or older. Winner will be selected randomly through http://random.org. Detroit Mommies writers and contributors are ineligible to participate. Entries that do not follow all of the entry requirements will not be considered. Detroit Mommies is not responsible products shipped from outside vendors or sponsors.  The contest will close on Thursday, November 10, 2011 @ 11:59:59 p.m. EST and winners selected on Friday, November 11, 2011. Winners must respond to Detroit Mommies within 24 hours or an alternate winner will be selected.

***UPDATE***

Thanks to all who entered.  We’d love to have prizes for everyone but, alas, there is only one winner.

Congratulations to Sara H. – winner of the $50 gift card!

Flirty Fashions was kind enough to sponsor the $50 gift card for this sweepstakes and compensate me with a store credit for attending the event and writing this post.  All opinions here are strictly my own.

Come out to one of our great Huron-Clinton Metro-parks this weekend for some fall fun.
Where:           Wolcott Mill Metro-park Farm Center
When:                        Saturday, October 29 from 11 am – 4 pm

Enjoy an autumn day at the farm. Go on a tractor-drawn wagon ride out to the pumpkin patch (weather permitting) and pick your own Halloween pumpkin. Then savor a cup of fresh-made cider and a donut brought over from one of the local cider mills.

Pumpkins purchased separately, prices vary depending on size.
No preregistration necessary for this event.

Bring your favorite doll for an evening of stories and snacks around the campfire. Go on a night hike, watch the stars and do a craft. Dress for the weather and a short hike. For ages 7 and up.  Preregistration Required

Where:                       Metro Beach Metropark Nature Center in Harrison Township
When:                                    Friday, October 14 at 7 pm
Cost;                           Event fee of $4 per person.  Preregistration is required.
Contact:                     800-477-3172 or 586- 463-4332

Step back into the tumultuous 1860s as cannons roar, war cries echo and hundreds of Confederate, Unionand civilian re-enactors bring history alive during the Civil War Skirmish at the Mill, a weekend encampment at the Historic Center of Wolcott Mill Metropark.

 
Visit with the soldiers and civilians to learn their viewpoints of the war and life at home. See Confederate and Union military camps, skirmishes, military drills, cannon fire, civilian follower camps and settlers selling their wares. Learn about the War’s effect on music, watch craft demonstrations and make a period craft. Children can join a military drill or attend a period school lesson.

Where:                      Wolcott Mill Metropark Historic Center in Ray Township

When:                        Saturday, October 8 from 10 am – 5pm & Sunday, October 9 from 10am – 3pm

Tickets                      Event Fee: $3/adult, $1/child
Contact: 586-749-5997 or 800-477-3175

 
Also, on Saturday and Sunday at 2 pm, visitors can watch re-enactors portray a portion of the Battle of Bull Run, fought in Virginia on July 21, 1861.
Get a special view of this era by taking the “1860s Candlelight Tour” Saturday night, starting at 7 pm. A spirit of the past will lead visitors through time into the Civil War era to experience apparitions of happenings during this time. Advance registration is required for the candlelight tour, which fills rapidly and is recommended for adults and children 6 years or older.  There is an additional fee for the Candlelight Tour of $6 Adults/ $3 children 6 – 14 years old.

Pre-registration is not required. For more information on the Civil War Skirmish at the Mill or to register for the candlelight tour, call Wolcott Mill Metropark at 1-800-477-3175 or 586-749-5997.

Children and their families from throughout our neighboring counties are invited to the 4-H Science Blast for a youth-oriented event featuring fun, hands-on science experiments and activities presented by Michigan State University Extension as part of its statewide “I Know MI Numbers” initiative. This science event introduces youth to science through fun, hands-on activities.

Date: Thursday – October 6, 2011

Time: 6:30 pm

Place: MSU Extension Office/VerKuilen Building

21885 Dunham,ClintonTwp.,MI48036

Who: Youth ages 5+ and adults

Cost: FREE – must register by calling 586-469-6431by Oct. 3, 2011 (Senior Auditorium)

At 4-H Science Blast, youth ages five to 19 will have the chance to engage in science activities in key subject areas such as environmental science, biology and plant science.

Two of the experiments offered will be Fashion a Fish and What Genes Do. Fashion a Fish teaches youth how to identify and classify fish, how fish adapt to their environment and even how to become a better angler. What Genes Do helps students understand genetics, dominant and recessive genes, and how to compare and contrast inherited traits.

For more information please visit:  http://www.macombcountymi.gov/publicAffairs/pdf/2011_News_Releases_Advisories/September/09-14-11_MSUE-4HScienceBlast.pdf

Get ready for back to school with two family-friendly  back to school bashes in the Detroit area this Saturday and Sept. 10. Family Recess, an interactive back-to-school program complete with family-friendly activities, including games, music, prizes, special offers and more this Saturday at Birchwood Mall in Fort Gratiot and on Sept. 10 at Lakeside Mall in Sterling Htgs.
FREE in-mall activities include:

Center Stage – Center stage features an event emcee/DJ, freeze modeling and nonstop fun, including games, trivia and a prize wheel.

Gaming Station – Teens can experience and play one of today’s hottest games, “Just Dance 2.” This fun and interactive station includes discount offers, fan challenges and prizes.

“DIY” Station – Kids can get creative and customize apparel and hats with a variety of cool airbrush designs.

Sierra Mist Natural Putting Challenge  – Shoppers get to put forth their best putting shot and “hole in one” winners will receive great prizes.

Family Recess travels to 21 GGP malls across the country from August 6 through September 10. Visit www.ggp.com for participating malls, event dates and sweepstakes rules.

Shoppers also will have a chance to win a family vacation for four (4) to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor complex in Orlando, Florida. The sweepstakes package includes: park admission; discover KSC: Today and Tomorrow guided tour; Lunch with an Astronaut program; a space shuttle merchandise package; and two nights (2) hotel accommodations.

Aug. 27 Birchwood Mall located in their Food Court 1-6 p.m.
4350 24th Avenue
Fort Gratiot, MI 48059
www.birchwoodmall.com

Sept. 10 Lakeside Mall located in Center Court 1- 6 p.m.
14000 Lakeside Circle | Sterling Heights, Michigan 48313
www.shop-lakesidemall.com

photo: Denver Small Biz

This could be just what you’re looking for if you are planning on starting your own business – maybe it’s just what you need to get you going on your “great idea”.

Registration is now open for the next session of “FastTrac” New Venture Entrepreneurial Training”. This is a ten week program that is practical, hands-on learning experience designed to help new and would-be entrepreneurs improve the skills they need to create, manage and grow a successful business.

FastTrac participants do more than just learn about business; they are encouraged to apply the concepts they learn to their existing businesses all under the watchful eye of a certified business consultant. Throughout the course, they receive guidance as they develop real-life tools for preparing their own business for long-term success.

The class is sponsored by Macomb County Department of Planning and Economic Development with support from the Michigan Small Business and Technology Development Center, U.S. Small Business Administration, Michigan State University and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. The fee for the ten week course is $140 – which is fully refundable for all participants who successfully complete the program.

Classes will be held on Mondays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. beginning September 12 at the Macomb-OU Incubator in Sterling Heights. The program runs through November 21st.

For further information please visit: http://www.macombcountymi.gov/publicAffairs/pdf/2011_News_Releases_Advisories/August/08-10-11_Free_10-week_training_program_for_entrepreneurs.pdf