5 Things You Should Know This Weekend – Dec. 9-11, 2011

The words "arctic cold front" appear in this weekend's forecast, but don't let that keep you inside. As our Weekend Planner shows, there's plenty to do – and here are a few other things you should know about: 

1. The weather

It's likely to be a messy commute, with the National Weather Service predicting a 50 percent chance of snow showers through this morning. The mercury will take a dive as the snow clears out ahead of an arctic cold front. Temperatures aren't expected to break 35 degrees all weekend, and will dip into the upper teens tonight. Brrrrr...  

2. Old Winery Farmers Market Opens

After weeks of preparation, vendors will open the doors at the Winery/Powerhouse building in Farmington Saturday for the first winter farmers market of the season. Held last year at , this popular Saturday attraction is growing to include a licensed kitchen that will prepare breakfast and lunch, plenty of floor space and parking. The market will open at 9 a.m.

3. Shop local

With just 12 shopping days left before Hanukkah and 19 left before Christmas Day, we thought this would be a great time to remind you to shop your local Farmington and Farmington Hills businesses this holiday season. Our Neighborhood Shop series profiles local businesses, and you can find many more in our Places directory. 

4.

Members of the Hill and Dale Garden Club will be on hand at the at 10:30 a.m. Saturday to help children ages 5 and up create a wonderful nature craft. There's no charge, but registration by phone is required. Call 248-553-0300, ext. 220. 

5. Look ahead: city council meeting

Hills council members are scheduled to hear from the Leisure and Retention and Redevelopment 2020 Visioning subcommittees at a 6 p.m. study session Monday. The agenda for their 7:30 p.m. regular meeting has not been finalized, but it always includes time for public comment.