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Holiday Guide 2011

Friday, December 30, 2011

Poll: What Are You Doing On New Year's Eve?

Whether you're staying at home, partying in in town or somewhere else, we want to know what Birmingham will be up to on the last night of 2011.

There's a lot going on in Birmingham, and throughout Metro Detroit, this New Year's Eve. xxx>what's going on<xxx Or, perhaps it's more your speed to stay home. Will you be watching Dick Clark's Rocking New Year's Eve in your pajamas, or will you be hosting your own party complete with streamers, party hats and more. So you tell us: what will you be up this New Year's Eve?

Cathy Rauckis

5:40 pm on Friday, December 30, 2011

We're still trying to figure out what to do! Something FUN, not "bar"ish or too expensive.... any ideas?   more ›

5 Restaurants Open New Year's Day

From Toast to Fleming's, here's what's open on New Year's Day for those not looking to do a lot of cooking.

Normally, we do a countdown of activities to help you plan for your adventures during the upcoming weekend, but with the holiday coming up, we thought we'd focus on everything New Year's this week. So far this week we've discussed: If you don't feel like cooking after all the New Year's Eve hoopla, these restaurants will be open for you to dine at on New Year's Day.

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Need To Know: Cab Services for New Year's Eve Drinkers

If you need a ride this holiday, make sure you have these ride services on speed dial.

Heading out to the Townsend Hotel this New Year's Eve? Or, perhaps you're hitting up one of the bars around town? Or maybe you'll be celebrating the arrival of 2012 at a friend's house. Whatever you do this New Year's Eve, if you're out and drinking it's important to keep safety top of mind. According to the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, two to three times more people die alcohol-related crashes during Christmas and New Year's than during comparable periods the rest of the year. And 40 percent of traffic fatalities during both holidays involve a driver who has been drinking. Those who ring in the new year in Birmingham are usually on the safe side, Birmingham Police Cmdr. Terry Kiernan said. "There hasn't been an …

Monday, December 26, 2011

5 Alcohol-Free Ways to Spend Your New Year's

Patch helps you enjoy the New Year's holiday week.

Normally, we do a countdown of activities to help you plan for your adventures in the upcoming weekend, but with holiday coming up, we thought we'd focus on everything New Year's this week. If thinking about the boozing, the binging, and the headache the morning after doesn't sound fun to you this New Year's Eve, try these five fun options:

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Christmas Eve is Over: What's Next for Santa?

Patch looks back at its interview with Birmingham's Santa to learn how he'll be spending his holiday now that all the gifts are delivered.

Whew — what a night! Now that the big night is over and the gifts have been delivered, it's time for Santa to put up his feet and relax over a mug of hot cocoa. Birmingham's own Santa is probably back in the North Pole by now, but earlier this month, he sat down with Patch to discuss the important issues. How many children did you see this year in Birmingham? Santa gives out candy canes to every child who goes through the Birmingham Santa House. As of Dec. 16 he’d given out 1,309 candy canes this year. Even then, Santa admitted, “Of course, I’ve seen many, many more children than that.” What was this year’s most popular toy request? The most popular toys are fairly predictable, Santa said, counting them off on his fingers: “Barbies, …

Birmingham Family Heading to Guatemala to Give Back This Christmas

Area schools collected bags of sports gear, school supplies and more this holiday season.

Guatemala may not have snow, but it will receive some holiday cheer from Birmingham and Bloomfield this Christmas as one local family heads overseas to drop off donated sports gear, school supplies and other items to young people in need. Birmingham's Lampertius family — whose children attend Berkshire Middle School and Bingham Farms Elementary — will make the hike to Guatemala, together with a half dozen relatives, to hand-deliver these needed items. With help from their children's Birmingham schools and from the University of Detroit Jesuit Academy soccer team, the Birmingham Bloomfield Soccer Club and the Marian High School Spanish Club, the Lampertius family will have a lot to share this holiday season. “In itself, it has been very …

Editor's Journal

My Spicy Christmas Memory; What Are Yours?

One of my favorite holiday memories was when a tradition was forced to change. What are your favorite holiday traditions?

  When it comes to the holidays, we all have traditions. Whether it's going to the movies or gathering around the table with your entire family, the time of year tends to bring out those long-worn routines in so many of us. My family's had its fair share of traditions over the years, many of which have changed as kids and grandparents grow older, people move or get married. It happens, and that's OK. In fact, in my experience, I think some of the greatest holiday moments happen when traditions are forced to change — when family and friends have to think outside the box. Throughout the majority of my childhood, my family went to my grandparents' farm on Christmas Eve. One year, however, snow fell like never before in my hometown of …

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Follow Santa on Christmas Eve with NORAD

The website offers fun activities for anyone eager for St. Nick's arrival.

Some people simply can't wait till Christmas morning to find out whether Santa Claus has paid them, or their neighborhood, a visit. For those who are impatient, don't worry. You can keep tabs on the big guy by following the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) website, which for one night is dedicated to tracking Mr. Claus' coordinates. The site is more than an enhanced GPS; it also contains a "Kids Countdown Village," which offers games, activities and other features for young ones who eager for Santa. According to its website, NORAD has been tracking Santa for more than 50 years now, as did its predecessor, the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD). The tradition began in 1955, the website says, after a Colorado Springs, CO…

Holiday Weather: Chilly and Sunny in Birmingham

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day promise temperatures around 35 degrees with partly sunny skies.

It's officially Christmas Eve, and while Birmingham might not have a white Christmas this year, it will be a chilly one. On Saturday, the skies will be mostly sunny with a high near 34 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. On Saturday night, Santa had better be wearing some layers: Though the skies will be partly cloudy (good visibility conditions for flying sleighs), the lows will dip down to 27 degrees. On Christmas Day, partly sunny skies return with a high near 36 degrees. On Sunday night, prepare for another night with lows at 27 degrees and mostly cloudy skies. Thinking about the back-to-work commute on Monday? Skies will be mostly sunny on Monday, with highs near 36 degrees.

Friday, December 23, 2011

Heading Out for the Holidays? Here's Your Real-Time Birmingham Traffic

It's the Friday before Christmas and everyone's looking to get home for the holidays. Here's a real-time look at traffic in and around Birmingham.

Want to check the traffic scene before you head home for the holidays? Here's a real-time look at Friday traffic around Birmingham from Mapquest. Also, note any current construction with the yellow icons. For more information about heading out of town this holiday season, make sure to check our Leaving Birmingham Guide. Remember, you can always check traffic and current gas prices in and around Birmingham with our Traffic & Gas page.

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