The Week Ahead: City and Board of Education Meetings

You have the opportunity to start your week with public participation: the Farmington Hills City Council and the Farmington Planning Commission both meet Monday evening.

Hills council members will meet for a 6 p.m. study session in the community room at to discuss an ordinance governing medical marijuana-related land uses, demographics and the 20/20 visioning process. At its regular meeting at 7:30 p.m., the council will hold public hearings on an amendment to the city's brownfield redevelopment authority and brownfield plan, consider passing a height limit amendment to the city's zoning map and will receive a capital improvement plan for 2011-2017.

In Farmington, members of the Planning Commission will meet at 7 p.m. at to consider amendments to the zoning ordinance and to review site plans for outside sales at Aco Hardware and outside seating for Mentobe Cafe, which is scheduled to open in May in downtown Farmington.

On Tuesday, Farmington school officials will meet in a study session at 7:30 p.m. at in Farmington Hills. Their agenda includes reports on the Bridges math curriculum, a resolution opposing the transfer of school aid funds to higher education and a recommendation for the award of bids for demolition of vacant buildings.

Remember – when your local officials meet, there's always time set aside for public comments.

A forum on social networking snowed out in February will be held at Wednesday at 7 p.m. Consultants from Oakland Schools will help take the fear out of the Internet for parents, and show them how they can help their children safely steer their children toward its positive side.

The Wednesday evening titled "A World Without Jews: Nazi Germany and the Holocaust," given by Alon Confino, a professor at the University of Virginia. The lecture is part of a Michigan State University-Holocaust Memorial Center series dealing with new directions in the study of the Holocaust. Admission is free, and the 7 p.m. event is open to the public.

Six influential women will tell their stories of achievement Thursday at Mercy High School during the Speakers Denise Ilitch, Rochelle Riley, Faye Nelson, Anne Doyle, Kathleen Ryan and Jane Shallel will tell their stories and provide valuable advice. Attendees will have time to network over appetizers and dessert at 6 p.m. Cost is $20; .

Also on Thursday, the will honor Farmington area high school art competition winners, 2011 Artist in Residence Robbie Best and Distinguished Service to the Arts Award-winner Mercedes-Benz Financial Services. The 6:30 p.m. event, held at the , is free and open to the public.

The arts celebration continues Friday with , an evening of wine tasting, live jazz, delicious hors d'oeuvres and beautiful art. Dress is your choice — casual or classy — and tickets cost $20 in advance. The event usually sells out, but if tickets are available at the door, they will cost $25. .

There's much more on our calendar this week – and remember, you can always add your own events.

Correction: Tuesday night's Farmington School Board meeting will be held at .