January 21, 2016

For more information on any items featured, contact Community Relations.

BOWL TO HELP NOVI YOUTH ASSISTANCE

34th annual Bowl-A-Thon takes place March 5 at Novi Bowl

Grab that old bowling shirt out of the closet and dust off those bowling shoes for a fun event to support Novi Youth Assistance.

The 34th annual Bowl-A-Thon takes place from 1-4pm on March 5 at Novi Bowl. All proceeds from the event are used to positively impact youth in Novi. The money supports various programs including Mentors Plus, camp, youth recognition, alcohol awareness, educational and recreation scholarships and the Jeanne Clarke Teen Center.

Novi Youth Assistance once again saw an increase in the demand for its services last year, and the Bowl-A-Thon serves as the non-profit organization's biggest fundraiser.

You can support the organization by forming a team or sponsoring a lane. Bowlers are asked to raise $100 in pledges, while a lane sponsor is $125. There also are corporate sponsorship opportunities for $300, $500 and $1,000.

All attendees will receive three games of bowling, pizza and refreshments, a gift bag and the chance to win prizes. Novi Youth Assistance also is in need of prizes and other items to include in the gift bags. All donations are tax deductible.

You can register your team online here and download Bowler Information Packets here. If you have any questions or need additional information regarding sponsorship, visit cityofnovi.org or call 248.347-0410.

GET YOUR CPL THROUGH NOVI POLICE

Class takes place February 13 at Novi Police Training Center

The Novi Police Department is offering a Civilian Piston Safety Class on Feb.13 that fulfills both the classroom and shooting requirements to obtain a Michigan Concealed Pistol License.

The class runs from 8am-5pm at the Novi Police Department Training Center located at 45125 Ten Mile Road. Registration forms are available online at cityofnovi.org and at the Novi Police Department.

Completed registration forms and the $150 course fee (cash or money order) may be returned to the Novi Police Department. If you are registering two or more people, the fee is $125 per person. Class size is limited, and all participants are subject to a criminal background check.

After lunch, participants will head to the Novi Firearms Training Center to complete the course. Students must bring their own equipment, including a personal handgun, 100 rounds of ammunition, safety glasses, shooter's earmuffs or ear plugs, a pen or pencil, a baseball cap and wear loose, comfortable clothing. Participants must be 21 years old and do not have to be a Novi resident to attend.

For more information, visit cityofnovi.org or contact Sgt. Michael Warren at mwarren@cityofnovi.org or 248.347.0572.

SHARE YOUR KINDNESS WITH THE WORLD

Join 'Novi Spreads Kindness' on Facebook, use #RAKNovi

We all know kindness exists in a big way here in Novi. Our residents and businesses understand and value the idea of helping one another.

With all the negative that exists in today's society, it is our goal now to take those good vibes and share them with the world!

We have included Random Act of Kindness cards inside your City calendar and have additional cards at the ready at the Novi Civic Center and Novi Public Library. The challenge for you is to take these cards and hand one out during your day-to-day interactions with family, friends, colleagues or even complete strangers.

Our Facebook page "Novi Spreads Kindness," already has some great stories about the impact kind acts have on others. We invite you to join that group and share your own stories. If you are a Twitter or Instagram user, tweet or post your photo using #RAKNovi.

We see how important kindness is to all of us, and it is our hope that others are inspired to do more and spread it all over the world!

A LOOK INSIDE THE POLICE WORLD

Registration open for free Lakes Area Citizens Police Academy

Television shows and movies only provide a small glimpse into the life of a police officer and the criminal justice system.

So in an effort to better educate citizens, the City of Novi - for the last 17 years in conjunction with five other police departments - has been hosting the Lakes Area Citizens Police Academy. The free academy, scheduled to begin March 2, will give participants an inside look at the police agency, enabling them to make informed decisions on issues impacting the police and the community.

The 30-hour program includes practical demonstrations, hands-on exercises and presentations. Participants must be 18 years old and a resident of one of the participating jurisdictions (Novi, Milford, Walled Lake, South Lyon, Wolverine Lake and Wixom). Additional programming includes a tour of the Oakland County Medical Examiner's Office, a visit to 52-1 District Court, a K-9 demonstration, hands-on experience at the Novi Firearms Training Center and the opportunity to ride-along with a police officer.

Classes are on Wednesday evenings from 6:30-9pm, March 2 through May 11. The first class will meet at the Novi Police Training Center. The registration deadline is February 19.

Applications are currently being accepted here or online at cityofnovi.org. For more information, contact Detective Sgt. Scott Baetens at 248.347.0530.