Weekend Watch: Sept. 21-23, 2012

Movies, music and cars are all on the calendar this rainy weekend in Farmington and Farmington Hills.

A busy weekend lies ahead, with plenty of activities for families, theater-goers, music lovers and anyone who appreciates fresh, Michigan-grown produce.  Browse through the photo gallery above for basic information, then click on these links to learn more about what's going on in Farmington and Farmington Hills over the next few days: Do you know about an event that's not on our calendar? Add it! (VIDEO: How to Create an Event on Patch.)

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5 Things You Should Know Today - June 6, 2012

Bring the kids to Heritage Park for a play date this morning, then enjoy local art in Farmington this evening.

Activities and events happen from dawn to dusk in Farmington and Farmington Hills, and today is no exception. Here's what you should know: The winds should die down today (for a change), and temperatures remain mild. The National Weather Service predicts a high around 74 and a low tonight around 54.  Bring your pre-schooler to meet new friends at Heritage Park during this 10:30 a.m. event today. Pack a snack or a lunch and prepare for fun. No need to register, and there is no cost to attend.  Meet this local artist, whose watercolors will be on display at Mentobe Cafe during the month of June, at an opening reception today at 7 p.m. There is no charge to attend and meet the artist.  The Farmington Community Library Main Library hosts this …

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Farmington's 'Banjo Man' Plays Return Engagement

In town for a visit, Skip Rosenthal entertains at the Farmington Civic Theater.

Once upon a time, when Mentobe Cafe was a used bookstore called Books Abound, owner Skip Rosenthal often played his banjo in front of the store and before movie showings at the Farmington Civic Theater. Rosenthal has been living out of the country for several years, but still owns a home in Farmington. He returned this week for visit and was invited to make a return engagement. On Friday night, he delighted movie-goers with his renditions of "Ain't She Sweet", "Bye, Bye Blackbird" and "Yes, Sir, That's My Baby".  Rumor has it Skip will play evenings during this weekend (indoors if the weather turns) and, perhaps, next weekend as well. 

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5 Things You Should Know This Weekend - April 6-8, 2012

City offices in Farmington are closed all day, and Farmington Hills city offices close at noon today.

As a holiday weekend begins for those in both the Christian and Jewish faiths, some local government offices are closed either all day or a half-day today. Here's what else you should know about this weekend: Lows will move from around 30 tonight into the 40s over the weekend, but it's still going to remain on the chilly side through Sunday. The best day of the weekend looks to be Saturday, with sunshine and a high of 61. Sunday brings a 30 percent chance of showers, through the evening.  The downtown Farmington coffee shop will display the acrylic, oil and watercolor artworks of Darl Papple during the month of April. Meet the artist at an opening reception tonight, 7 p.m. There's no admission charge for the event.  City offices in …

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5 Things You Should Know Today - Feb. 6, 2012

Farmington city council holds a special meeting tonight.

This week starts with sunny skies and a Farmington city council meeting: Winds may gust up to 22 miles per hour today, but the sun will be out. The National Weather Service predicts a high around 44, with calmer winds tonight and a low around 28.  The Farmington Garden Club today hosts master flower show judge Sally Ouelette, who will present flower arrangement designs suitable for special occasions. Guests and cameras are welcome; the program starts at 1 p.m. at the Spicer House in Heritage Park. Contact Joann at 248-474-0866 or visit farmingtongardenclub.com to learn more. Mentobe Cafe hosts a reception for an exhibit of watercolors by Kathleen Rodak, which will be on display this month. Rodak is a retired mathematics instructor who …

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Farmington Has Given Mentobe Cafe a 'Friendly Reception'

Owners of the downtown Farmington coffee shop say their location was meant to be.

Call it karma or coincidence, Kim Chapman, co-owner of Mentobe Cafe, says when she and her friends decided to open their business in June 2011, it was all meant to be.  Chapman and long-time friends Jackie Mulvihill and Dave Epps were looking for the right opportunity. When they saw the newly renovated McNutt building in downtown Farmington, next to the Farmington Civic Theater, they immediately knew it was the perfect location for their dream café. “We’ve had a friendly reception from the people in Farmington,” Chapman said. “They have been good and very welcoming.” Cozy and welcoming aptly describes the coffee shop. Furnished with large comfortable chairs against contemporary, calming hues, the location is the perfect place to meet up …

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Fun Family Summer: Saturday in the City

Downtown Farmington offers a festive day on the town for families.

Most Saturdays, you’ll find my family at the Farmington Farmers & Artisans Market.  Afterwards, we typically spend the day doing errands, working in the yard, and generally running ourselves ragged.  This week, we decided that instead of the Saturday mad dash, we would use the holiday weekend as our excuse to make a day of it in Farmington.  We started out in our traditional fashion, roaming the farmers market. We scored zucchini, beets, lettuce, and eggs, to name a few of our purchases. We visited with our friends at The Garden Gate Farm and Bellweather Farm. We agonized over which flavor of goat cheese to bring home for our 4th of July barbecue. (Fig & Honey won out.) We sniffed soaps and ogled pastries. My sons helped Rose Clawson of …

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How Cool is That?

Meant to Be at Mentobe

A business interview uncovers a personal connection.

You've probably guessed that I love downtown Farmington. The city's central business district is also my home. I've lived for eight years just a short block off Grand River, on Oakland Street. Before that, I worked in a downtown office. For almost a dozen years, I've watched downtown businesses close. I wrote about Harmony House closing its doors in the Downtown Farmington Center. I watched when Tuesday Morning and Shoe Carnival and Office Depot closed, when Anna's Baskets couldn't make a go of a coffee shop/gift store on Farmington Road. Perhaps because I've seen so many of those, the opening of a new business like Mentobe Cafe seems to me a cause for real celebration. After months of patiently waiting, on Friday I talked with partners …

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