Royal Oak could get more walkable, bike-friendly - with your help
Posted by scasola | Filed under Apartments Birmingham MI, Apartments Clawson MI, Apartments Ferndale MI, Apartments Royal Oak MI, Apartments Troy MI, Detroit MI, Ferndale MI, Royal Oak, Urbane, eco, life, technology, travel, trends
Do you find it difficult to walk or bike some areas of Royal Oak? Well now is the time to speak up. Residents have organized a Non-Motorized Plan Open House and want to hear from you. Mark your calendar for 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 28 at the Royal Oak Farmer’s Market, 316 E. 11 Mile in Royal Oak.
The event is open to all and offers a chance for residents to discuss possibilities like bicycle boulevards, road diets, bike lanes and more. Tom Regan helped bring the issue to our attention here at The Urbane Life. He’s been working with fellow Royal Oak residents Todd Scott and Melissa Demashke as part of a city commission-appointed task force to explore the possibility of creating a non-motorized plan.
“Cities that create non-motorized transportation plans are much more likely to qualify for government and private grants for infrastructure improvements to make biking and walking safer,” said Regan. “At the meeting we will gather ideas from Royal Oak residents on where they bike and walk and where they wish they could bike and walk.”
Specifically, they’d like to hear answers to the following four questions:
- Where do you bike and walk?
- Where do you wish you could bike and walk?
- Can your child safely walk or bike to school?
- How can we improve your transit experience in Royal Oak?
The task force was created in an effort to enhance safety for walkers and bicyclists in Royal Oak. “Riding on sidewalks is very dangerous; most of the cyclists who are hit by cars in Royal Oak are hit while riding from sidewalk-to-sidewalk,” said Regan. “Motorists must share the road. We need to make is so safe that more children walk and bike, especially to and from school.”
The matter earned the commission’s attention after the death of a cyclist on Woodward in 2008, Regan said, which was closely followed by the death of a pedestrian in downtown Royal Oak. As a resident who rides his bike around town and is a proponent of the environmental benefits both biking and walking can bring to the city, Regan believes a non-motorized transportation plan can help enforce the necessary safety and encourage more people to choose alternatives to driving.
Royal Oak’s Pamela Foster responded to the questions noting she’d like to be able to bike from 13 Mile and Woodward to Ferndale and possible from 13 and Woodward to downtown Detroit. There is no safe bike route to Wayne State University, she noted, adding that she’d like to see more bike lanes in the area.
Regan had a few ideas as to where improvements could start too, of course. Namely, Crooks and Main.
“Because of the way the railroad track and golf courses cut up streets in Royal Oak it is difficult to find north-south routes on side streets,” said Regan. “Those are also the two streets that could lead cyclists to the high school and middle school, if they were bike-friendly.
“We could put both streets on a ‘road diet’ – reduce them to 3 lanes (the middle lane is a turning lane) with bike lanes on both side. Cars would still move plenty fast, students could bike to and from school, and everyone could easily bike to and from downtown.”
What are your thoughts on biking and walking in Royal Oak? Do you find it challenging or unsafe? Which streets are most dangerous or could use a road diet, in your opinion?
This post is brought to you by the good folks at Urbane Apartments and theUrbane Lobby. We would love to connect with you on Facebook and Twitter @UrbaneLife.
Tags: Apartments Berkley, Apartments Birmingham, Apartments Clawson, Apartments Detroit, Apartments Ferndale, apartments in metro Detroit, Apartments Royal Oak, Bike Lanes, bike safety in Royal Oak, biking and walking in Royal Oak, city of royal oak, Non-Motorized Transportation Plan, road diets in Royal Oak, Royal Oak, Royal Oak Farmer's Market, urbane apartments, Urbane Life
Urbane welcomes you to the vitaminwater hydration gallery this weekend
Posted by scasola | Filed under Apartments Birmingham MI, Apartments Clawson MI, Apartments Ferndale MI, Apartments Royal Oak MI, Apartments Troy MI, Arts & Culture, Birmingham MI, Clawson Neighborhood, Cool People, Ferndale MI, Royal Oak, Royal Oak MI, Urbane, UrbaneApts, art, life
Staying in town this Labor Day weekend? Maybe you’re planning to check out all the festivities metro Detroit has to offer? Maybe you just want to kick back in town with friends. We wanted to let you in on a little secret.
OK, maybe it’s not-so-secret. If you’re into art and looking for a spot to relax in Royal Oak, the public is welcome to stop by the vitaminwater hydration gallery – opening today through Monday at Suite 202, 612 S. Center Street in Royal Oak.
One of our Urbane Apartments has been temporarily transformed into a chic lounge atmosphere, thanks to help from sponsors like vitaminwater for providing an array beverages to quench your thirst and Sharpie for all the tools you need to spark some creative inspiration.
Four easels will be set up around the lounge. When the mood strikes create something cool. Enjoy music provided by Livio Radio or just kick back on the couches and enjoy the experience.
Some of the artwork created over the course of the weekend will be chosen for display at the Royal Oak Music Theatre lobby. Or, if you prefer, you can take your art with you.
The vitaminwater hydration lounge will be open daily throughout the weekend from 1-8 p.m. Friday-Sunday and 1-6 p.m. Monday.
Social media types can check out the Facebook event and stay tuned to Twitter for updates by following @vitaminwater @sharpiewhit @sharpiesusan @livioradio and @urbanelife as well as the hashtag #vwdet and foursquare users will want to be sure to check in to “vitaminwater hydration gallery” when they arrive.
Which vitaminwater flavor is your favorite? Leave a comment and let us know!
This post is brought to you by the good folks at Urbane Apartments and theUrbane Lobby. We would love to connect with you on Facebook and Twitter @UrbaneLife.
Tags: Apartments Berkley, Apartments Birmingham, Apartments Clawson, Apartments Detroit, Apartments Ferndale, apartments in metro Detroit, Apartments Rochester Hills, Apartments Royal Oak, Apartments Troy, Labor Day 2010, Labor Day Weekend in Royal Oak, Livio Radio, Royal Oak, Royal Oak Music Theatre, Sharpie, urbane apartments, Urbane Life, Urbane Lobby, vitaminwater, vitaminwater hydration gallery
Royal Oak prepares for Arts Beats & Eats
Posted by scasola | Filed under Apartments Birmingham MI, Apartments Clawson MI, Apartments Ferndale MI, Apartments Royal Oak MI, Apartments Troy MI, Arts & Culture, Detroit MI, Ferndale MI, Royal Oak, Royal Oak MI, events, music, people
So which is it - what appeals to you most about Arts Beats & Eats? Is it the fact that the event draws fine artists from all over to showcase and sell their wares to the public? Is it the mix of local and national acts who perform on multiple stages that this year will be spread out around downtown Royal Oak. Or is it the food? Oh the food. Metro Detroit’s best restaurants come together to serve up some of their signature dishes and keep us in good spirits?
I’d have to say after 13 years of Arts Beats & Eats – it’s all three that makes this festival tick. It’ll be interesting to see how the location will breathe new life into an always vibrant festival. With so much going on for the holiday weekend, so many choices, curiosity will definitely bring the crowds to Arts, Beats and Eats.
The festival runs from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday-Sunday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday. Keep an eye out for fine artists like Drew Hine, Cynthia Mann and Thomas Bland.
The music lineup is huge. When it comes to national acts on the Michigan Lottery Stage, lookout for Sponge Friday night, Mayer Hawthorne on Saturday, Macy Gray Sunday and Clint Black on Monday. I’m personally excited to see Silverghost, The Hard Lessons, The Mydols, His Name is Alive, The High Strung and The Orbitsons – a few of Detroit’s finest. And if you’re in the mood for a Beatles tribute, it doesn’t get better than Dig a Phony. Don’t miss them at 11 a.m. Friday if you’re in the neighborhood.
As always, there will be plenty of children’s entertainment and performances by youth theater groups as well as the Detroit School of Rock. Yes, parking will be a challenge. I personally plan to walk from my Ferndale apartment – a perk of living nearby. But the folks at Arts, Beats & Eats plan to make parking your bike or car and getting to and from the festival as painless as possible. Check out this guide and check Twitter for real time parking updates.
This post is brought to you by the good folks at Urbane Apartments and theUrbane Lobby. We would love to connect with you on Facebook and Twitter @UrbaneLife.
Tags: Apartments Berkley, Apartments Birmingham, Apartments Clawson, Apartments Detroit, Apartments Ferndale, Apartments Royal Oak, Apartments Troy, Arts Beats and Eats, Labor Day Weekend in Detroit, Labor Day Weekend in Royal Oak, Royal Oak Arts Beats and Eats, urbane apartments
Just when you thought you lost your neighborhood record store… Ferndale gives you Hybrid Moments
Posted by scasola | Filed under Apartments Birmingham MI, Apartments Clawson MI, Apartments Ferndale MI, Apartments Royal Oak MI, Apartments Troy MI, Detroit MI, Ferndale MI, Royal Oak, Royal Oak MI, Urbane, UrbaneApts
Ferndale residents have long lamented the loss of Record Time on Nine Mile. Just recently Dye Salon has taken over the space and made it their own, catering to the stylish set. For those of us who remember as far back as Sam’s Jams and long for the days of thumbing through dusty vinyl, get ready. Today marks the grand opening of Hybrid Moments at 22730 Woodward Ave, between Nine Mile and Troy. Doors open at noon today.
The shop sells a wide array of media. We’re talking records, tapes, CDs, books, magazines and more. Wander in and you’ll also find vintage clothing and goods by indie designers. In honor of the grand opening, expect live music by Alright Class from Oakland, Calif., the Summer Pledge, Ronny Tibbs and Superdeath.
In addition, Ferndale can look forward to the following shops coming soon:
What addition are you most looking forward to in the neighborhood? Tell us about it (On a personal note, I had a chance to meet Mark Heggie, owner of soon-to-be Signature Tattoo yesterday, and the shop looks like it’s going to be amazing.)
This post is brought to you by the good folks at Urbane Apartments and theUrbane Lobby. We would love to connect with you on Facebook and Twitter @UrbaneLife.
Tags: Apartments Ferndale, Apartments Royal Oak, Hybrid Moments Ferndale, new shops in Ferndale, opening in Ferndale, shopping Detroit, Signature Tattoo Ferndale, Urbane, urbane apartments
#RapRehab Featured Artist: BJ The Chicago Kid
Posted by WEKetchum | Filed under Apartments Birmingham MI, Apartments Clawson MI, Apartments Ferndale MI, Apartments Royal Oak MI, Apartments Troy MI
Before BJ The Chicago Kid’s performance at Michigan State University, he released a special mixtape that paired previous songs with skits shouting out his MSU ticket buyers. But the 27-year-old singer/songwriter has made a career out of paying attention to detail: he’s logged recording and performance time with legends like Stevie Wonder, Kanye West, Mary J. Blige and others. With a couple solo mixtapes (A Taste Of Chicago and A New Beginning) under his belt and another on the way, he talks to Urbane Reflections about career highlights and making a name for himself.
Tags: #RapRehab, Apartments Birmingham MI, Apartments Clawson MI, Apartments Ferndale MI, Apartments in Birmingham MI, Apartments in Clawson MI, Apartments in Ferndale MI, Apartments in Royal Oak, Apartments in Royal Oak MI, Apartments in Troy MI, Apartments Royal Oak, Apartments Troy MI, BJ The Chicago Kid, Kanye West, Mary J. Blige, Mary Mary, Stevie Wonder, Twista
Text and Drive, Now have Your Laptop Too
Posted by Eric Brown | Filed under Apartments Birmingham MI, Apartments Clawson MI, Apartments Ferndale MI
I saw the below article over at the Huffington Post, laptop Steering Wheel Desk, and thought our readers may enjoy it.
Some people text while driving. The Laptop Steering Wheel Desk could let them type on a computer, too
Mobile Office’s Steering Wheel Desk seems to have been made for those who think tapping on a BlackBerry or iPhone in the car isn’t enough.
The device attaches to a steering wheel to form an on-the-go desk that be used as a “writing and drink storage surface” or “to form an on-the-road computer desk,” according to its description on Amazon.
Amazon reviewers have been surprised, entertained, and even outraged the strange device, and have posted a plethora of both serious and tongue-in-cheek reviews describing the device.
Tags: Apartment Marketing, Apartment Reviews, Apartment Social Media, apartments, Apartments Birmingham MI, Apartments Ferndale MI, Apartments Royal Oak, Eric Brown, Loft Apartments in Royal Oak, Stuff To Do in Birmingham MI, Stuff To Do in Ferndale, Stuff To Do Royal Oak, Things To Do in Birmingham, Things To Do in Ferndale, Things To Do in Royal Oak, Urbane, urbane apartments, Urbane Lab, Urbane Talk, UrbaneApts.com
The Dow has been rising but where are all the jobs
Posted by Eric Brown | Filed under Apartments Birmingham MI, Apartments Clawson MI, Apartments Ferndale MI, Urbane, UrbaneApts
Here is a question that I think a lot of Michiganders are asking? The Dow Jones Industrial Average has been rising but where are all the jobs? All I am hearing is how the numbers of job creation have been fudged to make it seem that the stimulus bill in February has created jobs. In an article from the Detroit News, U of M economists are predicting that job growth in Michigan won’t happen until 2011! The growth that they are predicting is only going to be minimal. In this article, George Fulton, the director of University of Michigan’s Research Seminar in Quantitative Economics , states “”By the end of 2011, auto manufacturing in Michigan is forecast to employ just over a quarter of the workers it had on its rolls in mid-2000.”
With increased job cuts, how is the Dow rising? Could it be the ties that Timothy Geithner has on Wall Street? Whatever the case is, I hope these predictions are off and that Michigan sees job growth earlier than predicted.
Tags: Apartment Marketing, Apartment Reviews, Apartment Social Media, apartments, Apartments Birmingham MI, Apartments Ferndale MI, Apartments Royal Oak, Eric Brown, Loft Apartments in Royal Oak, Stuff To Do in Birmingham MI, Stuff To Do in Ferndale, Stuff To Do Royal Oak, Things To Do in Birmingham, Things To Do in Ferndale, Things To Do in Royal Oak, Urbane, urbane apartments, Urbane Lab, Urbane Talk, UrbaneApts.com
Keep That Pesky Boss From Looking Over Your Shoulder
Posted by Eric Brown | Filed under Apartments Birmingham MI, Apartments Clawson MI, Apartments Ferndale MI
From the Good Folks at Lifehacker
Windows: Have some windows you might need to stash in a hurry? Don’t want your boss to catch you goofing off? Everyone needs a break now and then and Don’t Panic! will help you keep your breaks discreet.
While most “boss-key” applications limit themselves to simply hiding specified applications at a keystroke, Don’t Panic! strives to avoid being a one-trick pony by offering a wide variety of options for you to toggle.
You can activate Don’t Panic! by either keyboard shortcut or, as seen in the screenshot here, by hitting the Don’t Panic! button in the lower right corner of your monitor. You can adjust the transparency of the button or disable all together and stick to the keyboard shortcut.
Tags: Apartment Marketing, Apartment Reviews, Apartment Social Media, apartments, Apartments Birmingham MI, Apartments Ferndale MI, Apartments Royal Oak, Eric Brown, Loft Apartments in Royal Oak, Stuff To Do in Birmingham MI, Stuff To Do in Ferndale, Stuff To Do Royal Oak, Things To Do in Birmingham, Things To Do in Ferndale, Things To Do in Royal Oak, Urbane, urbane apartments, Urbane Lab, Urbane Talk, UrbaneApts.com
CouchSurfing, A New Way of Travel
Posted by Eric Brown | Filed under Cool People, Urbane, UrbaneApts
What is CouchSurfing?
CouchSurfing is an international non-profit network that connects travelers with locals in over 230 countries and territories around the world. Since 2004, members have been using our system to come together for cultural exchange, friendship, and learning experiences. Today, over a million people who might otherwise never meet are able to share hospitality and cultural understanding.
Thier mission as an organization is to create inspiring experiences: cross-cultural encounters that are fun, engaging, and illuminating. These experiences take many forms. CouchSurfing’s initial focus was on hosting and ’surfing’ (staying with a local as a guest in their home). Alongside these core experiences, we now also facilitate a growing array of activities and events.
Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Apartment Marketing, Apartment Reviews, Apartment Social Media, apartments, Apartments Birmingham MI, Apartments Ferndale MI, Apartments Royal Oak, CouchSurfing, Eric Brown, Loft Apartments in Royal Oak, Stuff To Do in Birmingham MI, Stuff To Do in Ferndale, Stuff To Do Royal Oak, Things To Do in Birmingham, Things To Do in Ferndale, Things To Do in Royal Oak, travel, Urbane, urbane apartments, Urbane Lab, Urbane Talk, UrbaneApts.com
Things To Do; Pure Michigan!
Posted by Eric Brown | Filed under UrbaneApts, UrbaneTV, video
Get out in the upcoming weeks and enjoy our beautiful state, fall only comes once a year!
Tags: Apartment Marketing, Apartment Reviews, Apartment Social Media, apartments, Apartments Birmingham MI, Apartments Ferndale MI, Apartments Royal Oak, Eric Brown, Loft Apartments in Royal Oak, Stuff To Do in Birmingham MI, Stuff To Do in Ferndale, Stuff To Do Royal Oak, Things To Do in Birmingham, Things To Do in Ferndale, Things To Do in Royal Oak, Urbane, urbane apartments, Urbane Lab, Urbane Talk, UrbaneApts.com
Stuff To Do The DIY Street Fair
Posted by Eric Brown | Filed under Birmingham MI, Ferndale MI, Royal Oak, Royal Oak MI, Urbane, UrbaneApts, events
What is it?
The DIY Street Fair is a free 2-day, 3-night event in Ferndale, Michigan where local artists, crafters, businesses, groups and organizations, musicians, restaurants, brewers and others who live and work with a do-it-yourself ethic converge for one big celebration. The event showcases the immense creative energy, independent spirit and innovative talent that can be found throughout the area. Open to the public - all are welcome.
Some of the highlights include:
The Main Stage: local, popular and up-and-coming bands perform free sets throughout the hours of the fair, day and night
The Record Shop: purchase the self-produced and/self-released CDs and merchandise from the performing acts
The Beer Garden: sample a wide variety of delicious craft beers brewed right here in the Great Lakes State
The Restaurant Row: local chefs cook up delicious snacks, lunch & dinner all day long
The Kids Zone: street performers, musical acts, and hands-on, DIY project stations provide entertainment for the whole family in this beer-free area
The Marketplace: local artists, crafters, entrepreneurs and organizations present and sell their work.
Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Apartment Marketing, Apartment Reviews, Apartment Social Media, apartments, Apartments Birmingham MI, Apartments Ferndale MI, Apartments Royal Oak, Eric Brown, Loft Apartments in Royal Oak, Stuff To Do in Birmingham MI, Stuff To Do in Ferndale, Stuff To Do Royal Oak, Things To Do in Birmingham, Things To Do in Ferndale, Things To Do in Royal Oak, Urbane, urbane apartments, Urbane Lab, Urbane Talk, UrbaneApts.com
Mark Twain Dog Park passes still available to Royal Oak residents
Posted by Eric Brown | Filed under Royal Oak, Royal Oak MI, Urbane, UrbaneApts, pets
by Sharon Dargay O&E Staff Writer
If you weren’t one of the lucky 75 non-residents to buy a pass to Royal Oak’s enclosed dog park last week, your last chance to visit the 7-acre doggy play land is coming up fast.
The security gate will be locked starting Tuesday, Sept. 8, at Mark Twain Dog Park on Campbell, just south of 14 Mile, admitting only those who possess an electronic pass.
Dog owners queued at Royal Oak City Hall early Wednesday morning — the lined stretched nearly to the Star Dream fountain — hoping to buy one of the 500 resident and 75 non-resident passes available from the city clerk’s office.
Tags: Apartment Marketing, Apartment Reviews, Apartment Social Media, apartments, Apartments Birmingham MI, Apartments Ferndale MI, Apartments Royal Oak, Eric Brown, Loft Apartments in Royal Oak, Stuff To Do in Birmingham MI, Stuff To Do in Ferndale, Stuff To Do Royal Oak, Things To Do in Birmingham, Things To Do in Ferndale, Things To Do in Royal Oak, Urbane, urbane apartments, Urbane Lab, Urbane Talk, UrbaneApts.com
