FRANKLIN — Franklin is kicking off its bicentennial celebration with a dinner and barn dance April 6. The night will begin at 5:30 p.m. in a tent between Village Hall and the police station.

BIRMINGHAM — For first-year Birmingham Groves swim and dive head coach Nick Valice, the state meet had his emotions in the front seat of an endless roller coaster.

FRANKLIN — The Franklin Village Council voted 4-2 to direct the Planning Commission to develop a golf cart ordinance March 11.

BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP — This month, the Michigan Department of Transportation will begin rebuilding the Interstate-75 business loop, which comprises Square Lake Road from Woodward Avenue to I-75 in Bloomfield Township.

BLOOMFIELD HILLS — Cranbrook robotics teams recently competed in the state championships, where four out of eight Cranbrook Upper School robotics teams qualified for the VEX Robotics World Championship in Dallas in April. Only 16 teens were awarded world-qualifying spots.

BIRMINGHAM — After last year’s success, Birmingham Next will be holding another year of Birmingham’s Big Night Out at 7 p.m. April 4 at the Daxton Hotel, 298 S. Old Woodward Ave.

BLOOMFIELD HILLS — For some athletes, their routine to prepare for a game or a meet means everything to them.

BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP — The Bloomfield Township Police Department is investigating an incident of stranger-danger involving a suspicious vehicle and a middle school student.

BIRMINGHAM — The  39th annual Our Town Art Show and Sale is a juried show that features a range of media forms by  Michigan artists. The show is hosted by The Community House, 380 South Bates St., and will take place March 21-29.

BIRMINGHAM — A former Brazilian jiu-jitsu standout is making waves for Groves, and she’s bringing a plethora of girls on board with her.

BLOOMFIELD HILLS — Whatever it takes to keep your mind right in the face of adversity, you think about it.

BIRMINGHAM  — The Birmingham City Commission has approved multiple changes to the current on-street parking system in the city.

BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP — The League of Women Voters Oakland Area chapter is hosting a presentation at 1 p.m.  on Wednesday, March 20, at the Bloomfield Township Public Library to celebrate Women’s History Month with speaker Rochelle Riley, Director of Arts and Culture for the City of Detroit.

BLOOMFIELD HILLS — Klezmer music is now represented within the Bloomfield Hills High School music department, through the  BHHS klezmer ensemble.

BLOOMFIELD HILLS — For the first time, Cranbrook Institute of Science is holding a spring break STEAM camp March 26, 27 and 28.

BIRMINGHAM — There’s a reason the Birmingham ski team is consistently a part of the Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 1 State Finals each year.

BLOOMFIELD HILLS — Everyone wants to be a part of a successful team. The environment is electric, the team atmosphere is exciting, and everyone has their sights set on the same thing – winning.

BIRMINGHAM — On March 9, Birmingham Public School fourth and fifth graders will compete in the Baldwin Public Library’s Battle of the Books at 10 a.m. at Groves High School.

BIRMINGHAM — As they prepare to develop a historic preservation master plan, the city of Birmingham’s Historic District Commission is seeking public feedback.

OAKLAND COUNTY — For the Feb. 27 presidential primary election, Oakland County had its first real test with its early voting sites.