Mark your calendar to attend this free annual event in Rochester.  The event will be held on Friday-Sunday, February 24 through February 26^{th.  This event is normally held in January but due to the mild winter so far it was pushed back.}

This year there will be snowboarder demonstrations, clinics and a competition.

Dog sledding rides will now be offered both Saturday and Sunday! We still have three runs for the Tubing Hill, but have now added double tubes, so the little ones can ride with their parents. Some other fun activities include snow shoeing and cross country skiing (Sat. only), ice skating (entire event – BYO), and snow play area.

There will be trolley rides in the downtown, shopping, ice sculptures, and a live ice carving demo on Saturday (street level).

Special activities at the ice rink include a Broomball Competition on Saturday from 12-1 and a figure skating demo on Sunday at noon. The Taste-fest Beer Tent will be open and serving all weekend.  Stay tuned for updates to this site!

Thanks to two main sponsors Soave Enterprises and Hour Detroit, there will be fireworks again on both Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:00 PM.

For more information please visit: http://www.downtownrochestermi.com/

Dinosaur Hill Nature Preserve is in its second year of renting out garden plots to both residents ofRochesterand non-members.  TheRochesterCommunityGardenis a shared organic garden where you can grow your own crops in a protected, fenced area.  The cost is $30 for residents and $35 for non-residents.  Don’t delay in registering. I have a feeling they go fast.
What a great way to get your children involved in nature!  Do you children know that potatoes come from the ground?   You can enjoy planning, tending to and then harvesting your own vegetables.

Does your community offer garden plots for rent?

For more information please visit The City of Rochester or www.dinosaurhill.org or call 248-656-0999.

The Rochester Hometown Christmas Parade is this Sunday, December 4^th.  This year’s theme is Six Decades of Christmas Joy.  Start time is approximately 1:45 p.m. and runs until 4:00.  The Rochester Hometown Christmas Parade is billed as one of the largest Christmas parades in the state ofMichigan.  The parade route will begin near the intersection ofMain Street (also known asRochester Road) and Tienken.  From there it heads south downMain Street toThird Street.  WXYZ will broadcast the parade live.

This parade is full of festive floats, marching bands, animals and of course Santa and Mrs. Claus.  It’s a wonderful way to get in the spirit of theHoliday.  Remember – Santa and Mrs. Claus are the last float.

You can also visit the Parade Afterglow get together at Bordines Nursery from 4:30 until 5:30. Bring your camera for photo opportunities with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Visit the Rochester Home Town Parade Facebook page for up to the minute information by clicking here.

What a treat!  I had heard many positive comments about this event prior to attending last night’s kickoff event.  I was not disappointed!  We had the privilege of a sneak peek prior to it’s opening on November 25^th. TheMeadowBrookMansion is decked out to the hilt in holiday decorations.  Beautiful Christmas trees can be found around every corner, even an upside down tree! Fireplaces with festive mantels and period lighting throughout the home add to this very enjoyable event. This place is absolutely gorgeous.  The Holiday Walk Home Tour is a great way to kick off the season. This year’s theme of “The Games People Played” will amuse the kids…..what, toys with no batteries??  Read on for the details.

First a little background on the estate. Meadow Brook is the historic home built by one of the automotive aristocracy’s most remarkable women, Matilda Dodge Wilson, widow of automobile pioneer John Dodge, and her second husband, lumber broker Alfred Wilson. Constructed between 1926 and 1929, for $4 million, Meadow Brook represents one of the finest examples of Tudor-revival architecture inAmerica.

For the 40^th anniversary of the Detroit area’s classic Holiday Walk, the estate will have the theme of “The Games People Played”.  They will be showcasing games of days gone by like Lincoln Logs, Tinker Toys, card games and various board games from the Meadow Brook collection.  The Games People Played is open to the public from Friday November 25^th through Thursday December 22^nd.  Tour hours are Tuesday through Sunday from 11:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. (last admittance is 4:00 p.m.).

Visitors can stroll down a decorated path to the Knole Cottage where evening tours will be available. On the weekend children of all ages can decorate holiday cookie to take home or enter a coloring contest.

In addition to the Holiday Walk there are several other events going on including a chamber music concert, breakfast with Santa, Supper with Santa and a holiday tea and many more.  Note that some events require a reservation.

For more information on this wonderful event please visit www.meadowbrookhall.org or call 248-364-6200

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.

For the 3oth year, families will enjoy a crisp fall evening walking through a forest lit with luminaries and populated with many familiar (and some not so familiar) characters from favorite children’s stories, films, TV shows, and fairytales.

Where:              Dinosaur Hill Nature Preserve inRochester

When:              October 21, 22, and 23^rd

Tickets:             Tickets are $7 per person and must be purchased in advanced.  This event usually sells out, so buy your tickets early.  The price of admission includes cider and donuts, guided walk with skits, and campfire with entertainment. You may purchase your tickets in person at Dinosaur Hill, or through the mail.  For instructions on how to order tickets through the mail, or other information, call Dinosaur Hill at (248) 656-0999, or email at events@dinosaurhill.org

Groups of 25 people will enter the woods every 10 minutes, for a 45 minute guided walk through the nature preserve, stopping along the way to view a series of short skits.

This program is designed to be a humorous and very slightly haunting approach to nature that is perfect for families with young children, scout groups or October birthday parties.  Many families return year after year to this fun event.

Young attendees should wear their costumes and bring a small trick or treat bag and expect a few little surprises.  You never know who you’ll meet on the trail during the Hoot; this year the ever-popular Paint Creek Pirates will be circus performers!   Kids should also keep their eye peeled for Charlie Brown & the gang, Puss & Boots, the Story Witch, the Little Engine that Could and much more!