Hello.
Birmingham is having a spirited fundraiser called The Great Decorate: "a holiday tree decorating contest in which downtown Birmingham merchants will compete to raise awareness and funds for local foster teens aging-out of the foster care system. Visitors can view magnificent, beautifully decorated trees in restaurants and retail locations throughout downtown Birmingham and vote for their favorite tree by donating online or in-person.
Foster teen recipients have been selected through a partnership with the Michigan Adoption Resource Exchange (M.A.R.E.). Each year in the United States, more than 250,000 children are placed in foster care and over 26,500 age out, including 1,700 in Michigan alone.
100% of donations will go directly to local foster teens to use toward their future when they turn 18.
For more information and to vote for your favorite, please visit thegreatdecorate.com.”
I wasn’t aware of this charity. I found some statistics on these young adults and they are gruesome. Apparently, when they age out of the foster care system, many are released to the streets penniless and homeless. So this is a good cause.
I thought I would walk uptown and take some pictures of the trees for you. Well, it was cold and I had to don my Birthday ZOOM gifts, a Seaholm cap and face mask. The reflections on the store window glass are too strong and my glasses were fogged the entire time. The only thing that kept me going was the desire to once again share Birmingham with you and the promise of a cup of hot chocolate when I got home.
We are in lock-down due to the virus so the streets are empty, the restaurants only open for carry-out. One corner establishment has actually had an outdoor bar set-up with open wood fires and a TV monitor so you won’t miss the game. I see millennials outside drinking in freezing temperatures. Cool. I’m too old.
So I call this series:
Birmingham: All Dressed Up and Nowhere To Go
Our cake shop, Love & Buttercream, in the old Birmingham Bike Shop location.
Hazel Ravines eatery with a rolled paper tree.
A financial company featuring the Grinch stealing Christmas. Fitting.
The tailor’s tree is decorated with colorful spools of thread.
This is an upscale Italian restaurant, Casa Pernoi. Red gingham and real spaghetti.
A store for children’s goods with a cute kid-size tree.
A store for runners features a tree decorated with, what else?… shoes.
Winter glitz.
Winter glam.
This is for Joan Kripke who didn’t think she’d live to see the day when there was a menorah in Shain Park. Happy Hanukkah!
Santa is still in business… by appointment only.
220 at the old Edison building, every thing past the entry vestibule is newly enclosed in plastic.
Tallulah Wine Bar has this outside area enclosed on two sides to block the wind.
Tallulah’s outdoor tree.
Bella Piatti is one storefront wide, but their outdoor area spans five storefronts.
Bella Piatti inside outside dining.
The town tree.
This aerial photo of Shain Park was taken by drone, the work of fellow Seaholm alumnus Ryan Bell; instagram @bellphoto11
And my favorite by Ryan, it looks like a glass ornament.
Class of 70 ZOOMS: Winter Solstice Open House
On this winter solstice, for the first time in 800 years, Jupiter and Saturn will closely align and form a “double planet” effect. Christians will probably claim it as the Star of Bethlehem. I don’t buy that, but I do deem it an event worthy of celebration.
Please ZOOM with us to welcome the first day of Winter and the Double Planet. Hanukkah will have just finished, Christmas soon to arrive.
Get cozy. Don your favorite ugly holiday sweater. Light the candles. Fix yourself a festive beverage, appetizer plate and a plate of cookies... and ZOOM! Bill Swayze will entertain.
Winter Solstice Open House
Monday, December 21, 2020
7 pm eastern time
No RSVP necessary. Link below:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82355620514
Meeting ID: 823 5562 0514
Create a photoZOOM!
This picture is of a group of classmates I dined with at THE 2010 REUNION. I was looking forward to seeing them again this year, but of course, we all got the flu. It occurred to me to use the photo as an invitation and invite them to a ZOOM Happy Hour. It turned out to be great fun, easy, and a lot better than waiting until who-knows-when.
I call it a ‘photoZOOM’ and it will work equally well with photos of college friends, family or any group with whom you wish to reunite.
I understand a PowderPuff Football Team photoZOOM is being organized.
And don’t forget, Karen Roth has offered her services to set up ZOOM mini-reunions for you.
Contact her: slepchuk@comcast.net
Another year every month. This month: 1957
Sputnik. Perry Mason. Little Richard. American Bandstand. Hula Hoops, Frisbees, and Slinkys. First Grade 1957-1958.
https://www.babyboomers.com/article/1957-events-facts/5832fa7fe4b0c9d1fe97c6f2
Post your pictures from 1957 on our facebook group page.
Listen to Top Pop Songs of 1957 here:
https://youtu.be/tmUWswOPyoc
Want more?
Jail House Rock
https://youtu.be/MfrC8PAQtlg
Lucille
https://youtu.be/u0Ujb6lJ_mM
Merry Christmas to you (1957) Capitol Records
https://youtu.be/AZbMjkkFcmw
Jingle Bell Rock/ Bobby Helms 1957
https://youtu.be/itcMLwMEeMQ
I Believe/ Elvis Presley 1957
https://youtu.be/4bWkCe_ahzY
Happy Holidays, Class of 70!
Here we are as in olden days
Happy golden days of yore
Faithful friends who are dear to us
Gather near to us, once more
Through the years
We all will be together
If the fates allow...
… and it seems the fates have said, “Not this year. Maybe 2021.”
But we can still have fun waiting. Hope to see you at the Solstice.
All the best to you and to yours,
Wood
For those wishing to revisit last year’s Christmas Eve Joy Ride through Birmingham:
https://youtu.be/DrtKJv_rrk4
Please join THE 2020 PIPER biographies and email directory:
Website: seaholmclassof1970.com
Case-sensitive password: SHS70@50
Please post your 1957 photos, Postcards, Pastcards and chat:
Facebook: Seaholm Class of 1970
Ask to join.
Please reunite with your best friends from Birmingham:
Class of 70 ZOOMS: slepchuk@comcast.net