The Farmington Beat Farmington & Farmington Hills September 14 to 20 2026 |
Hello, Farmington! This week brings a chance to weigh in on a proposed housing investment, share your experience with urban deer and give old costumes another life. Here are the dates and local links worth keeping handy as September moves along.
-from the editor |
Trivia Question❓Which famous Detroit landmark shares an architect with the Farmington Civic Theater? Answer at the bottom of the newsletter |
YOUR WEEKLY WEATHER REPORT |
This week begins warm and unsettled, with showers and thunderstorms possible on Tuesday and a high near 83°F. Cooler, mostly cloudy conditions follow Wednesday and Thursday, with additional chances of rain. Friday should offer the week’s best break, bringing partly sunny skies and a high near 75°F. Shower chances return over the weekend and continue into Monday, while daytime temperatures gradually cool into the low 70s. |
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Farmington sets hearing on senior apartment rehabilitation |
Farmington has scheduled a September 22 public hearing on a proposed brownfield plan for Farmington Place Apartments at 32900 Grand River. The plan concerns rehabilitation of an existing 153-unit, income-based senior apartment building and could reimburse eligible costs through future tax increment. It still requires City Council approval. The hearing falls just after this issue’s date range, at 2:30 p.m. in City Hall, 23600 Liberty Street. |
Farmington Hills asks residents about urban deer |
Farmington Hills is participating in a regional urban deer survey open September 1–November 1. Residents can describe how deer affect their neighborhoods, roads and property; the responses will help build a more local picture of the issue. Take the survey through the city’s announcement. |
Farmington Hills earns HEARTSafe designation |
The city says it met all 13 HEARTSafe criteria for cardiac emergency preparedness. It reports that nearly 15% of residents received CPR training in the past year and more than 140 AED locations are registered citywide. The recognition is a reminder to learn CPR and find out where a defibrillator is available before an emergency. |
Harvest Moon Celebration Takes Over Downtown Farmington Sept. 17–19 |
One of Downtown Farmington’s signature fall traditions returns this week.
The Harvest Moon Celebration runs Thursday, September 17 through Saturday, September 19 at the Sundquist Pavilion in Riley Park. The evening celebrations are for adults 21 and older and combine craft beer and wine, food and live entertainment.
Thursday, Sept. 17 | 6–11 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 18 | 6–11 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 19 | 9 a.m.–2 p.m. & 6–11:30 p.m.
📍 Riley Park / Sundquist Pavilion, 33113 Grand River Ave. |
Big Changes Begin at Farmington Hills Library September 21 |
Farmington Community Library’s Phase One renovation project reaches an important stage next week.
Beginning Monday, September 21, the Farmington Hills branch will operate with limited hours and services through October 8 while concrete beams are removed from the main lobby.
Temporary Farmington Hills hours will be:
Sunday: 1–5 p.m.
The Children’s Department, Teen Area, Fiction Browsing Room and Friends Sale Room will temporarily close. The front parking lot is also expected to close beginning September 21, although side and overflow parking will remain available. The main entrance and 24/7 pickup lockers are expected to stay accessible.
The Downtown Farmington library remains on its normal schedule while awaiting final construction permits. |
Farmington Place Apartments Redevelopment Heads to Public Hearing |
A proposed redevelopment involving Farmington Place Apartments at 32900 Grand River will be discussed at a public hearing on Tuesday, September 22 at 2:30 p.m. at Farmington City Hall.
The project involves rehabilitation of the existing senior income-based apartment building, which contains 153 rental units and approximately 122,924 square feet. The proposed Brownfield Plan could allow eligible redevelopment costs to be reimbursed from future tax increment generated by the property. City Council approval would still be required.
📍 Farmington City Hall Council Chambers The city says all aspects of the Brownfield Plan are open for discussion during the hearing. |
Quote Of The Day |
"The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today." - H. Jackson Brown Jr. |
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Tuesday, Sept. 15 — Solarize Oakland County |
6–8 p.m. | Craft Breww City, Farmington Hills
Curious about putting solar panels on your home or business? Oakland County’s Office of Sustainability is hosting an educational event covering solar basics, costs and benefits, future energy costs and potential savings.
The first hour is aimed at businesses, nonprofits, places of worship and local governments, while the 7–8 p.m. session is designed for residents. Food is provided, and Oakland County describes the program as educational with no sales pressure. |
Wednesday, Sept. 16 — Poetry in Motion |
10:30 a.m.–Noon | FCL Farmington Hills | FREE
Poets and poetry lovers of all skill levels can write, discuss and share work at this monthly gathering. No library card is required. |
Thursday–Saturday, Sept. 17–19 — Harvest Moon Celebration |
The week’s headline event fills Downtown Farmington with food, drinks, music and autumn atmosphere.
Thursday: 6–11 p.m. |
Friday, Sept. 18 — Heritage Celebration & Hayrides |
5:30–7:30 p.m. | Heritage Park
Explore Farmington Hills history with hayrides, a campfire, farm-themed games, historical displays and talks, a look inside the Red Barn and guided past-and-present activities. Current registration listings show $5 admission without a hayride or $8 with a hayride, with children under age 2 free. S’more and cider add-ons are $1. Pre-registration is required.
📍 Heritage Park, 24915 Farmington Road |
Friday, Sept. 18 — FCL Coding Lab |
4–5 p.m. | FCL Farmington | FREE
Kids in grades 3–5 can explore coding through the Library’s Fiero Code program. Participants can learn at their own pace or work together on projects such as websites and programming. Registration is not required. |
Saturday, Sept. 19 — Farmington Farmers Market |
9 a.m.–2 p.m. | Sundquist Pavilion
The award-winning market continues every Saturday through November 7, rain or shine, with local produce, food, makers, music and community programming.
Saturday also overlaps with the daytime Market of the Harvest Moon, making Downtown Farmington one of the places to be this weekend. |
Saturday, Sept. 19 — Community Costume Swap |
10 a.m.–5:30 p.m. | FCL Farmington | FREE
Looking for a Halloween costume without buying a brand-new one? Browse donated “new-to-you” costumes while supplies last. The program is open to kids and adults. |
Tuesday, Sept. 22 — The Next Chapter |
10–11 a.m. | Costick Center | FREE
Adults 60+ can meet the Farmington Community Library’s Senior Outreach Librarian, browse large-print books and enjoy this month’s activity, a “Wise Sayings & Phrases” Hangman Game.
📍 Costick Center, Shannon Hall |
COMMUNITY HEADS-UP |
Farmington Hills Public Comment Deadline — Sept. 18
Farmington Hills residents have until 4:30 p.m. Friday, September 18 to submit comments on the city’s draft Program Year 2025 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report, covering its Community Development Block Grant activities.
A public meeting is also scheduled for 4 p.m. September 18 at Farmington Hills City Hall. 📍 31555 W. Eleven Mile Road |
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👗 Retail LAB Welcomes Valbona Vintage |
Downtown Farmington’s Retail LAB is getting its second entrepreneur.
Valbona Vintage, a vintage clothing and accessories business, is scheduled to take over the Retail LAB space at 23607 Farmington Road beginning September 15, following The Lowry Estate’s three-month residency.
The DDA-created Retail LAB gives entrepreneurs an opportunity to test a brick-and-mortar storefront before committing to a longer commercial lease. Why we’re watching: Programs like Retail LAB can give shoppers something new to discover while helping small businesses determine whether a permanent Downtown Farmington location makes sense. |
🥯 NYC Bagels & Bowls — Coming Soon on Grand River |
A new breakfast concept is preparing to open at 34635 Grand River Avenue, in the former Joe’s Coney Island location.
NYC Bagels & Bowls plans to offer fresh bagels, cream-cheese spreads, croissants, coffee, chai and NYC-inspired rice bowls. The owner previously said the business hoped to open around September 15, although more recent local reporting still lists it as “coming soon” with no confirmed public opening date.
So this one belongs on your radar — but check for an official opening announcement before making the trip. |
Joke Of The Day |
Local Deals of the Week |
🍕 Tuesday at Celts Pub
Celts Pub Farmington currently lists its 2-4-1 Tuesday special for September 15, including 2-for-1 pints and rails plus $10 one-topping pizzas.
The restaurant also lists 99-cent wings beginning at 5 p.m. Saturday, September 19, followed by a DJ at 8 p.m.
Check current Celts Pub specials
🥙 $4.99 Shawarma Tuesday at Morgan’s Kitchen
Morgan’s Kitchen currently advertises a Tuesday chicken shawarma pita for $4.99, or an $8.99 combo. 📍 32340 Grand River Ave., Farmington |
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Community Learning Spotlight: t.Lab Helps Students Aim Higher |
The Garden City-based learning organization combines academic tutoring, technology, mentorship and parent participation to help students reach ambitious educational goals.
Families searching for additional academic support may be interested in t.Lab, a Michigan nonprofit learning organization serving students from pre-kindergarten through the undergraduate level.
Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Garden City, t.Lab describes itself as a high-performance learning laboratory focused on helping students become independent learners, strong leaders and competitive candidates for college and future careers.
Learning Beyond the ClassroomA central part of t.Lab’s approach is teaching students “how to learn.” Tutors, mentors and learning facilitators work with students to build academic skills while encouraging discipline, confidence, independence and personal responsibility. Students may participate through face-to-face or virtual tutoring sessions, making the program accessible to families beyond its Garden City headquarters. Parents and guardians also have an active role. Through a program called Parent University, families receive guidance in areas including academic development, college selection, scholarships, career preparation and tracking student progress.
Results Reported by t.LabAccording to figures published by the organization for fiscal year 2024, t.Lab students achieved an average ACT score of 30.5. The organization also reports that its students have earned approximately $23 million in scholarships since 2007.
Learn more: www.tlab-global.org |
☀️ Could Solar Work for Your Home? |
This week’s learning pick is particularly practical. Oakland County’s Solarize Oakland County – West Bloomfield/Farmington Region event takes place Tuesday, September 15 from 6–8 p.m. at Craft Breww City. Instead of a sales presentation, the program is designed to help residents understand:
Solar experts will also be available for questions, and food will be provided. 📍 27843 Orchard Lake Road, Farmington Hills |
💻 Bonus for Kids |
FCL Coding Lab for grades 3–5 takes place Friday, September 18 from 4–5 p.m. at the Downtown Farmington library. It’s free and no registration is required. |
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🎬 The Civic Theater Opened 86 Years Ago This Week |
On September 20, 1940, Downtown Farmington welcomed a landmark that remains part of the city’s identity today: the Farmington Civic Theater.
The theater was designed in the Art Moderne style by architect C. Howard Crane, who also designed Detroit’s famous Fox Theatre. Its opening-night gala featured the movie “Hired Wife.”
The original theater had one large auditorium and balcony. Over the decades it evolved along with movie-going itself. The balcony became a second theater in 1989, the City of Farmington purchased the building in 1999, and the Civic converted from 35mm film to digital projection in 2013.
Today, the neon blade sign and historic façade remain among Downtown Farmington’s most recognizable sights.
September 20, 2026 marks 86 years since opening night. |
Joke Of The Day |
Why did the moon decide to spend the weekend in Farmington? 🌙 Because it heard the whole town was throwing it a Harvest celebration! 😄 |
💚 SEE YOU NEXT WEEK! |
From Harvest Moon festivities and hayrides to a new downtown retailer, library changes and a little local history, this is one of those weeks that shows just how much is happening close to home. Shop local. Explore local. Support local. Stay connected. The Farmington BeatLocal News. Real People. Our Community. — https://thefarmingtonbeat.com/ |