Those of you who have seen the movie “The Sound of Music” surely remember the touching song “Edleweiss” that was sung near the end of the movie. If you didn’t know, the song refers to a flower.

Well, our very own GTEV Edelweiss would like to greet Macomb County at this year’s Waldfest. Waldfest is a Bavarian Summer Festival and you’ll be able to get an even better view of Bavarian culture than you got in the movie “The Sound of Music.”

This year’s festival will be on Sunday, July 20 from 12 pm to 9 pm at Austrian Park. You’ll be treated to music from the "Sorgenbrecher" and enjoy music and dance presented by GTEV Edelweiss.

While all this is happening, you can feast on a pork roast dinner and other menu selections that are sure to tempt your tastebuds.

Children who are 16 and younger will be admitted at no cost, while adults can get into the festival for just $3.

You can all 586-786-9058 if you have questions or want additional information.

Earlier this year, everyone was talking about a certain movie whose title ended with “in the city.” Sure they had fun in that movie, but none of those people were real. You can have a really good time in the city if you participate in Downtown Rochester’s “Summer in the City.” And you won’t even need to walk around in really high heels.

Since last month merchants in Downtown Rochester have stayed open late for “Late Nite Thursdays.” If you have yet to get out and enjoy this weekly event, it is not too late. This community event sponsored by The Oakland Press will take place every Thursday until August 28.

You can shop and eat late and enjoy the warm summer weather. Even if you don’t really want to shop, you still come and stroll through Downtown Rochester and just enjoy the atmosphere. Believe me, you will not be bored. They have lined up great entertainment for each week.

There is also a “Summer in the City” contest and the winner will receive almost $2000 in Downtown Rochester prizes.

If cosmetics are your thing, then Ann Arbor is the place to be this week. That is where the Great Beauty Tour will be stopping. The Great Beauty Tour is sponsored by Maybelline and Garnier. There will be live demonstrations, experts will be on hand with tips for applying make up, and you will be able to have your very one-on-one consultation.

For those of you who have used the same exact kind of make up for years, it might be time to shake things up a little. The experts at the Great Beauty Tour will not only advise you, they will also be giving mini makeovers to show you how its done.

Make up is great, but we cannot forget the skin underneath. So you can also get advice on how to care for your skin, so it looks great with or without makeup.

What is the cost of all of this knowledge and pampering? Nothing! That’s right. The entire event is free, so come on out.

July 16-18 from 11am-8pm and July 19 from 10 am-6pm
The Great Beauty Tour
Ann Arbor Street Fair
721 E. Huron Street

July 22 from 10am-5pm
Meijer
5645 Jackson Rd.

Like books, films can take us to places we’ve never been and show us what life is like around the world. This is part of the goal of the Second Annual Detroit Women of Color International Film Festival. The festival will take place this coming Friday and Saturday (July 11-July 12) at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. The museum is located at 315 East Warren Ave., Detroit Michigan, 48201.

The films featured in the festival will show you a slice of life from Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean, and the Middle East. You will also be able to see the work of African American and Native American filmmakers who work right here in the United States. Themes include: science fiction, politics, relationships, history, racial identity, sexuality, spirituality, love, and cultural heritage.

To attend one day, tickets are $15; if you’d like to attend on both days, tickets are available at a discounted rate of $25.

See the film festival website http://dwcfilmfest.tripod.com for details and show times or call 313-544-8403 to get more information.

Make plans to attend the American Polish Festival & Craft Show this upcoming weekend (July 11-13). This year, just as in years past, folks from all over the state will gather at Freedom Hill Park in Macomb County to celebrate Polish culture and heritage. Freedom Hill Park is in Sterling Heights, MI. The festival features foods from Poland the U.S. to energize you as you walk around, take in the crafts and perhaps dance a little to the live music.

There will be lots to do and this is a great event for families. You will be entertained by live bands, including Tony Blazonczyk's New Phaze, Duane Malinowski & the Polka Jamboree, Jeff Mleczko's DynaBrass, The K-Tones, and Darrell Weltin's New Brass Express.

There is no charge for admission to the festival, but please note that you will have to pay for parking.

Festival Hours:
Friday, July 11 6 pm-11:30 pm
Saturday, July 12 12 pm-11 pm
Sunday July 13 12 pm-10 pm

To see the complete schedule and lineup of musical acts, visit www.americanpolishfestival.com. You can also call 586-264-7990 with for information.

The St. Helen Bluegill Festival has been going strong for 59 years, providing great entertainment and joy to the area and this year will be no exception.

What exactly is a bluegill? It is a freshwater game fish that people catch with live bait. People enjoy catching this flavoful fish at dawn and at dusk. They also sometimes called panfish.

Bluegills are a little mischevious. They are known to take the bait off of a hook (without getting caught!). Males and females have distinct colors. But sometimes a male fish who is guarding a nest will take on female colors to fool other male fish. 

The festival starts with the kickoff ceremony tomorrow at 6 pm until they give the final award at Sunday’s award ceremony, it will be nonstop fun.

There will be: a parade, a carnival, vendors, DJs spinning tunes, tournaments, live bands, crafters, medallion hunt, raffles, fishing contests, kids parade, games, airplane exhibit, an auto show , car cruise and much more! Visit www.bluegillfestival.org/ for complete details.

Here are some highlights-

THURSDAY
Sloppy Joe Dinner
Midnight Live Band

FRIDAY
Senior Day
Horseshow Tournament

SATURDAY
Softball Tournament’
Talent Show

SUNDAY
Car show
Annual Bluegill parade

If you are a student in school or a student in the school of life, then you know that there are many tests. The unexpected ones pop up and take you by surprise. But not all tests are unexpected. There are some test you can prepare for and the ACT is one of them.

The Kaplan Center in Troy will give students the opportunity to experience a simulation of what it will be like to take the ACT. I say a simulation since this practice test a)is free and b) will not be used to determine admission to a school. This is a chance to get a sense of what the ACT is like. You may have bought books to practice or you may have gone online to see what it is all about, but this time you can sit an take the real thing. When you leave this practice test, you’ll have a better idea of what and how you’ll need to study for the actual ACT.

The test is tomorrow (July 1) from 5:30 pm-9:30 pm
Call 1-800-KAP-TEST or visit www.Kaptest.com/practicetest to sign up.

Kaplan Center
2855 Coolidge Hwy. Ste. 100
(Corner of Coolidge Highway and Big Beaver Road)
Troy, Michigan, 48084

The General Motors Rockin' On the Riverfront summer concert series is in its third year. I think you'll find that the third time really is the charm. All the fun starts on June 27 at the GM Riverfront Plaza. There will be eight Friday night shows from June 27 to August 22/ Shows run from 8pm-10pm.

Performers include: Pat Benatar, Starship, The Guess Who, Blue Oyster Cult and Foreigner. You will be able to see all of these great acts at no cost because admission is free.

you are encouraged to come early and bring chairs and blankets. Or your can BYOB (that's Bring Your Own Boat) to anchor and watch the festivities on the Detroit River. There will be many food choices available from concession stands on the plaza. For $5, you can park your car at the GM surface lot. Or if you prefer, there will be valet parking at the GM Ren Cen North Lobby on Jefferson Avenue.

With gas prices rising, you may not be able to get away as you’d like, but you can do lots of fun stuff right here in our area.

1968: It was quite a year.

This was the year that Richard M. Nixon was elected as president of the United States.

It was the year that Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. were assassinated.

It was a very important turning point in American history. But on a much ligher note, it was also a very important turning point in the lives of seniors at Hazel Park High School in Hazel Park, MI. This was the year you were set free from high school to go forth and change the world. It is time for those of you are near and far to get together again.

No doubt you all have a lot of catching up to do. If you haven't already been in touch with class officers, please get in touch with them. You can reach someone by e-mail at HazPkClassof68@aol.com or call Jayda Sitkiewicz at 586-977-7076.

The Hazel Park High School Class of 1968 reunion will take place at UAW Local 1264, 7450 Fifteen Mile Rd. (Between Mound & Van Dyke) in Sterling Heights, MI. The cost is $50 and this included dinner, dancing, drinks, snacks and a memory book.

The modern-day supermarket is the evolution of the farmer’s market, but somehow supermarkets just aren’t as much fun. There is something about being out and about in the fresh air that makes the food shopping experience much richer.

June is all about strawberries at the Mount Clemens Farmers Market. Well, it is not all about strawberries, you can get other things, like cabbage and maple asparagus, but strawberries at the focus. In fact, this Saturday, you can partake of deliciously fresh strawberry shortcake starting at 9 am until they run out. Make sure you get some before it's all gone.

In case you haven't been there yet, the Mount Clemens Farmers Market is on North River Road between I-94 and Northbound Gratiot. This upcoming weekend is a great time to go, but if you can’t make it, any time is a good time. From May until November, the market operates each Friday and Saturday from 7 am to 1 pm. You can pick up fresh produce, chat with your neighbors and maybe pick up a culinary secret or two.

You can learn more about the Mount Clemens Farmers Market at www.mountclemensfarmersmarket.com or by calling 586-493-7600.