Publication select ▼
Detroit Tigers great Kirk Gibson — pictured at Comerica Park in Detroit — is now one of the leading advocates in the fight against Parkinson’s disease.
Photo provided by Dawn Kelley for the Kirk Gibson Foundation for Parkinson’s
‘Strike Out Parkinson’s’ to host 1984 World Series Q&A
ROYAL OAK — The Kirk Gibson Foundation for Parkinson’s will be holding its Strike Out Parkinson’s event Aug. 20 at Bowlero Lanes, located at 4209 Coolidge Highway.
Gibson, the former Detroit Tigers outfielder and current color commentator, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2015. Tickets are now on sale for the event, which will benefit his foundation.
The event will feature a 1984 World Series question-and-answer panel with Hall of Fame shortstop Alan Trammell. There also will be an appearance by former rival and Hall of Famer Goose Gossage, who played for the San Diego Padres in 1984. The Tigers beat the Padres in five games to win the 1984 World Series.
Tickets cost $250, and sponsorships start at $2,500. More information can be found at KirkGibsonFoundation.org.
Royal Oak Concert Band to play three cities
METRO DETROIT — The Royal Oak Concert Band’s “Our Great America” summer concert series will take the band to several cities for shows.
The band will be performing in Clawson at 7 p.m. June 28 at Clawson City Park, 935 N. Custer Ave.; in Berkley at 7 p.m. July 12 on the lawn outside the Berkley Community Center, 2400 Robina Ave.; and at 7 p.m. July 24 at Wahby Park in St. Clair Shores, 24800 Jefferson Ave.
According to a news release, the concert features patriotic favorites and pop selections from the “Jersey Boys” soundtrack, a medley of Tina Turner songs and a set of “rousing marches.” It also was noted that the concerts in Clawson and Berkley will include a set by the Woodward Avenue Jazz Orchestra.
The concerts are free and open to the public. People are asked to bring a lawn chair or blanket for seating. For more information, visit royaloakconcertband.org.
Berkley deploys Narcan kits around city
BERKLEY — The city of Berkley has partnered with Families Against Narcotics to help increase Narcan access for the community.
Residents will be able to pick up Narcan kits from public places within the city. Narcan is used to help reduce opioid overdose deaths through the use of a nasal spray to reverse the effect of the overdose.
“RescueBoxes,” which resemble newspaper sales devices containing individual kits with doses of Narcan, have been installed at the Berkley Public Library, 3155 Coolidge Highway.; the Berkley Community Center, 2400 Robina Ave.; City Hall, 3338 Coolidge Highway; and the Public Safety Department, 2395 12 Mile Road.
There is no cost to take a Narcan kit from one of the RescueBoxes.
“While the City of Berkley has one of the lowest overdose incident rates in the area, many residents privately struggle with controlled substances,” Berkley Public Safety Lt. Andrew Hadfield said in a prepared statement. “Having Narcan readily available in our community can be lifesaving.”
Music festival
ROYAL OAK — The Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce will be putting on a free music festival, Royal Oak Live, this weekend. Royal Oak Live will take place from 2 to 8 p.m. June 24-25 in the Centennial Commons, located at 221 E. Third St. According to a news release, the festival will feature musicians known for playing funk, rhythm and blues, and jazz.
“Two days of world class music, a beautiful new park, the magic of downtown Royal Oak, and it’s all free,” Artistic Director Alexander Zonjic stated in a press release. “It’s an unbeatable combination. Get there early and plan to stay late, you won’t be disappointed.”
The festival will feature artists including Lindsey Webster, Jessy J, Alex Bugnon, the Urban Jazz Coalition, Detroit School of Rock & Pop Music students with Dave Weckl, Lin Rountree, Deon Yates, James Lloyd and Zonjic himself.
In addition to music, an artist market and local nonprofit groups will be featured on Troy and Third streets, along the nearby park. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets.
For more information about Royal Oak Live, call (248) 547-4000 or visit royaloakchamber.com.
Optimist Club fundraiser
BERKLEY/ROYAL OAK — The Royal Oak Optimist Club will be holding a fundraiser for the club next month. The club will be putting on “Laughter for the Kids” on July 22 in Gleason Hall at the Berkley American Legion, 2079 12 Mile Road. Doors will open for the event at 6:45 p.m., and the show will start at 8 p.m. The show will include strong language and adult content. Comedians and acts featured in the event will include headliner Milan Stromile, Greg Sharp, Pam Krugman, and Peggy and Paula. Tickets for the fundraiser cost $50 and can be bought by contacting Ilene Harmon-McGough at harmon@ssc-law.com or by calling (248) 259-1035.
