Do you guys know of any winter activities going on in Ferndale?

per facebook:

""May You Never Lose Your Flame..."

Scout friends-

We have made the decision to cease operations effective today Monday Dec 2nd. You may be thinking to yourself- wow that’s really short and it is- we were hopeful we could maybe see a bump up this weekend but the combo of the economy and weather- slowed us down from seeing any bump up in sales.

There’s a lot of things we learned this year (some were hard lessons learned…) but here’s what we did for staff. We had a meeting last week letting them know we would be closing, and had lined up places that were hiring to ensure everyone had a place to land. Anyone who stuck with us for the final week would receive 1 weeks pay as well (giving in essence 3 weeks of notice to get things lined up.)

Scout was a project that was such a long term passion project. We started the process of getting it back in late 2021-early 2022. Over the next year plus all the legal stuff between the former owners was settled, and we got keys roughly end of 2023. This was also a time when sales for restaurants looked different- our stores were coming off an amazing 2022 and had seen some dip in 2023 but nothing like we are seeing in 2024 (and dipping even more the last 3 months or so...) Had Scout opened in 2022 or 2023 it would have had enough established to sale through what has been one of the roughest sales years we’ve seen. We have been in Ferndale since 2018 and our goal has been to help support the community and reinvest in places that made Ferndale special (Fly Trap, MBrew…) while we navigate this new economy our goal is the same- to support the community that supported us. We have worked so hard to find the unique, cool spots in Ferndale, and try to preserve them. We love this city so much. ❤️

Scout (Mbrew) is a really special place- we put a lot into getting it back up and started- in fact it was way more than what we had imagined- but we had support from some really great folks who believed in the concept, and believed in its value in the neighborhood. As we continued to grow and work out some kinks we found that Scout was doing roughly 60% of the sales we needed it to do to just cover the bills. We made the difficult choice that we just couldn’t keep putting money into something that was not working- especially as sales at every small business continue to be down. We know folks will have a lot of ideas, rumors, negativity and some advice as to why it didn’t work- from not enough marketing (we spent over $3k on social media alone the last 2 months…) to finishing the main game room area (which would cost so much- and given we spent an incredible amount getting a space that’s was closed for many years open- we didn’t have the funds…) Who knew a space that had been closed for so long would need so much attention lol, and who knew that this back part of 2024 would be such a challenge economically. This has been the single hardest year of my career, and my life- so this choice wasn't made easily. It's been a rough year for many- so I hope your time at Scout allowed you to smile, and enjoy a bit.

So what’s next for Scout? I’m not sure- we have an amazing landlord who worked with us to navigate these ups and downs- so I’m grateful that the building is in good hands! I hope whoever is next here thrives (rumor has it someone great is coming in- and when they do- I hope we all show up to give them love!)

As we focus on Bobcat Bonnie’s- I just ask personally- that with whatever you do- help support local spots that have for years supported the local community. I know many small business owners who are very worried with how things are going- so whatever you can do to support- please do! Without YOU we cannot survive!

With so much love- gratitude- and appreciation-

Matt and the Scout Team

❤️"

Hey everyone!

My partner and I are looking to get married soon and I'm wondering if anyone in this sub is ordained and willing to help us out.

For context: My partner is American (living here in Ferndale) and I am Canadian. I just entered the country on a K1 (fiancée) visa and am now living with him in Ferndale. We have 90 days to get married but we are looking to do it pretty soon so that we can get ourselves sorted. We are a queer couple who has been together for 3 years. We are planning a ceremony for a few months out but are looking to get legally married asap so that I can get back to work and we can get started living our lives.

I'm doing some research online and seeing that appointments for marriages at city hall are completely booked for the rest of 2024. So here I am looking for someone here who may be able to act as a minister for us to get legally married 🥺 If you or anyone you know might be interested in helping us please leave a comment or send me a dm 🫶🏼

Thanks in advance y'all!

Maybe I just am not on 9mile at the right times anymore but I was wondering if music ever plays over the speakers like it used to? I feel like I haven’t heard it in some time, and it’s a fun quirky thing I loved.

If so, when? And does anyone know where the playlists come from? (Just curious!)

A reading of the planned new https://www.zoneferndale.com/ ordinance was on the docket for the past city council meeting and the council received a large volume of negative feedback both in person and via email toward loosening density restrictions within the city's residential zones. Enough that the council may consider rolling back the scope away from allowing quadplexes.

You can listen to the opposition in the recording posted on the Ferndale Michigan youtube channel starting around 1:12:00: https://youtu.be/FDDIJR023GE?t=4300

Ferndale Frond also posted a summary of the meeting on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/ferndalefrond.bsky.social/post/

If this is something you care about I encourage you to contact the city council and voice your opinion on the matter, and make clear that these NIMBYs do not speak for the entire city. If no one speaks up in favor of these proposals, it is likely they will be scaled back.

You can find city council members emails at https://www.ferndalemi.gov/government/city_council and city contact information at https://www.ferndalemi.gov/contact

Or show up in person to voice your support at the next city council meeting on December 16th, 2024!

hey hey! i got a job near the ferndale area and am looking to move before the end of the year. i’m wondering if anyone has any recommendations for apartments i should be looking at? my budget is $1100 and under and my top priority is safety as i’m a young woman. of course, i would love all the amenities but i’m aware that with my budget, that’s not realistic. any advice/insight would be appreciated! thank you ❤️

At City Council on Monday at 7 PM there will be a first reading of the proposed new zoning ordinance. Undoubtedly there will be people there to naysay some of the improvements. If you are into allowing more building options to increase housing affordability, you may wish to speak in support.

Some highlights in the new proposal that are receiving attention: removing parking minimums (there is a parking guidebook that proposed builders would have to look at and explain why they are deviating), allowing ADUs (accessible dwelling units or mother in law suites) by right in residential areas and increasing all residential zoning to R-4 (allow a 4 unit building if it meets lot size requirements). It is highly likely that certain members of council may try to water this down by only allowing R-2 by right or messing with the parking requirements.

Here's the agenda item for this at council: https://d2kbkoa27fdvtw.cloudfront.net/ferndalemi/714b7aee17fc95d2b6e9b69e4764e7980.pdf

It links to the proposed zoning ordinance and also has draft meeting minutes from the planning commission's meeting with city council about the zoning plan.

Hey Metro Detroit neighbors! 👋👋Long story short, queer and trans family that’s been thinking about our options since the election results. (Not willing to use this post to debate whether you think we need to or should move. We’re the ones living the experience so we’ll tell you) We have family out of state and want to try out life there, but this house is our baby, we’ve put a lot of work into it. Hoping to find someone trustworthy who can vet tenants and manage it as a rental for a year while we try this, and then potentially will also use this person to sell if we chose to permanently leave. Thanks for your recommendations :)

An update!! I tried to individually thank everyone for their comments, apologies if I didn’t get to you. I thought I owe you all an update since you helped me out, in case it helps anyone else in the future 😊

For about half a week now we’ve been working with Natalie Schlosberg and have hit the ground running 🏃 It’s been a really easy and productive experience so far. She’s queer and it seems like LGBTQ+ folks are a huge chunk of her clientele. We even so far have a potential queer tenant lined up who she procured, fingers crossed that it works out 🤞 Anywho, thank you all for your comments! The website is natnooks.com if anyone needs it. ❤️

I have been watching this building slooowwwwwly transform over the past three years (my second floor windows look right onto the back of it), and it increasingly looks like it might be a motel? The units seem too small to be permanent dwellings, unless it is a microapartment/split-level situation... I'm not particularly bothered by either scenario, just curious if anyone has further intel, or knows a method of finding out.

As the title says. Would love recs

Hi neighbors! I’m starting a new job in downtown Southfield this week and am hoping to find someone who commutes there regularly in the mornings. I’d ideally need to arrive around 7:30-8:00 am.

Unfortunately, I don’t have a car, and while public transportation is a great option for my commute home, the morning route takes over an hour—quite a stretch for a 15-minute drive by car. If any women (I am F27) are open to carpooling, I’d be more than happy to chip in for gas costs!

Thanks so much in advance for any help or recommendations. I appreciate the support of this community!

Edit: I live in between 9 and 8 mile in East Ferndale !

Since so many reacted positively to my post yesterday about Haley Stevens' actions, I thought I would post another chance for some political engagement. https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/politics/2024/11/13/michigan-school-sex-education-house-democrats-abortion-sexual-gender-identity-condoms-ban-abstinence/76254397007/

A bill was intro'ed to make sex education wayyy better in Michigan before Republicans resume control of the Michigan House. We're talking no longer abstinence only, but scientifically backed methods for helping students avoid STIs, unwanted pregnancy, and sexual assault. It would also be far more inclusive of gender sexualities outside of heteronormative man/woman marriage. Parents could still opt their kids out as they can today.

Our state rep, Helena Scott is a co-sponsor on the bill (hooray!) BUT it needs to be voted on by the education committee before it can see the full house. The most actionable things you can do are to call the Chair Rep Koleszar ((517) 373-0854) and explain why you support it, followed by other members of the committee to encourage their support as well. Doesn't take long, even the republican rep offices I've spoken to are polite and easy to get a hold of. https://www.house.mi.gov/Committee/HEDUC

I just called the office of Haley Stevens (202) 225-8171 to express my dissatisfaction with her vote yesterday on a bill that the ACLU has warned would allow the Trump admin to clamp down on freedom of speech by nonprofits that they deem dangerous. Took about 2 minutes as they answered immediately and knew exactly what I was talking about. https://www.aclu.org/press-releases/aclu-urges-house-to-kill-bill-that-could-give-trump-admin-power-to-crush-dissent-and-go-after-political-enemies

I miss Andy Levin.

Hi, I know Ferndale is very LGBTQ friendly in general, but I’m hoping to find a local gym that has gender neutral changing rooms, etc. My friend and I would like to join a gym but want to make sure it’s a welcoming environment for them.

Thanks!

Has anyone rented with American Ave? I’m currently in ferndale looking to move to a bigger place for my family.

I viewed a rental that is managed by American Ave, which is a fully remote property management company from what I can gather. All payments and paperwork are done through a renter portal.

I really like this house, but I don’t want to get stuck renting from a pain in the ass remote company.

Any experiences, good or bad?

Hello, Reddit!

I’m hoping to connect with some like-minded women in the Royal Oak/Ferndale area! I live full-time in Brooklyn, NY, but my fiancé and I come back to Detroit once a month to spend time with his family. Most of our time is focused on family and his business, which often leaves me feeling a bit isolated.

Since we’re here regularly, I’d love to build a community to make these trips feel less lonely. A bit about me: I’m a journalist covering women’s health, and we have a cat who sometimes joins us. We don’t have kids and don’t plan on having any, so I’d especially enjoy meeting other women who are child-free or whose lives don’t entirely revolve around parenting.

I’d love to connect over thrifting, discussing intersectional feminism, grabbing drinks or dinner, exploring local bookstores (Sidetrack is my favorite!) attending concerts, visiting museums, or just sharing a glass of wine at home. And yes, I’m an unapologetic Swiftie! If that’s not your thing, no worries—just please keep it respectful and avoid any negativity toward others here. If this sounds like you, let’s plan to meet the next time I’m back in Michigan!

The Flock Camera systems in Ferndale and surrounding areas are unconstitutional and a gigantic privacy issue imo. With the new regime taking over the white house I'd be much more comfortable going downtown if those cameras were ripped out.

Thank you to everyone who voted and voiced their perspectives on the recent millage proposal. I've been reflecting on some potential adjustments for the next election. The main objections I heard were that the projects should not have been bundled into a single proposal, and that some preferred a defined end date for the override. I'd really like to hear more from anyone who voted "no" about what could work better. Here's an outline of an approach that separates the three items:

• 10-year Headlee override at 5.5456 mills – This would support our current level of city services.*
• 30-year bond at 2.5 mills – This would fund a new public safety headquarters at the current 9 Mile fire station location and renovations for the Livernois fire station.
• 20-year bond at 0.54 mills – This would provide a new recreation facility at Martin Road Park.

^(*The amount includes 4.2808 mills to renew the current override plus 1.2648 mills to cover new union contracts and other cost increases.)

Is this a reasonable proposal? Which parts would win your "yes" vote?

I heard a rumor we can check out a metal detector from library (or other facility.) Is this true? One of my kids lost a small metal object in back yard

Hello, I am a single mom in the LGBTQ and was all set to move to Ferndale with my daughter at the end of this month and finally escape the deep south that I’ve been stuck in while my divorce was going through. I fell in love with everything I’ve read and learned about Ferndale and was so excited. But post election results and seeing Michigan flip red I’m now extremely nervous. Can anyone shed some light on if it is still ok for LGBTQ there post election and what the feeling or feelings are there and thoughts of if I should still be moving there?

Congrats to some of the worst people in Ferndale on their misinformation campaign. Does it feel good to "win" knowing that you led so many people to think their taxes were going to balloon indefinitely because greedy public servants want to write blank checks for their pet projects?

I truly don't know how the city can negotiate our employees' union contracts in January without guarantees of funding. Why would they work here instead of neighboring cities that already have higher pay? I'm not going to hold my breath to see what "reasonable" proposal that crowd is going to come up with.

Any watch parties being planned in Ferndale? I'm nervous but cautiously optimistic.

Edit: If not yet, let's pick a place. Suggestions?

Does anyone knows of a place that does open indoor soccer for free ages around 16-18 if so lmk thanks

Hey all. work from home and my last relationship left me kind of isolated. Trying to establish myself more again and figure out fun ways to get out of the house more when my kids are at their moms. What’s the best place to check for events going on (community, love performances, etc)? I’m kind of lost on all of this and as much as I love New Way, I can’t just keep going there to be around people. Thanks ahead of time!