🌱 Patch AM: How Farmington’s Civic Theater is reinventing itself to fill seats again

Greetings Farmington! We're your go-to source for what's happening in town. Read on to get plugged in! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• How Farmington's Civic Theater is reinventing itself to fill seats again
• What an audit found that led to felony charges in FPS
• How Farmington Civic Theater is honoring Dolly Parton next week

Also on today's calendar: 8 Week Crochet for Beginners Class at OCC - Southfield Campus.

Today's riddle: What is the difference between a jeweler and a jailer? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: Times of clouds and sun, with a high of 81 and low of 61 degrees.
• Friday: Partly sunny and less humid, temps: high: 79, low: 62.
• Saturday: A blend of sun and clouds, with a high of 82 and low of 64 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Farmington's Civic Theater fights to reclaim moviegoers after COVID (clickondetroit.com) — Farmington's city-owned Civic Theater on Grand River is still drawing only about half its pre-COVID crowds, even after a $154,000 city loan and ongoing support. A new general manager is adding a bar, planning new seats, and expanding low-cost events like $2 Tuesdays to keep this downtown landmark vibrant and help nearby businesses. Residents are being urged to come back, spread the word, and follow the theater online.
   

• Farmington Public Schools employee charged with embezzling more than $100,000 from district (wxyz.com) — Families in Farmington Public Schools are being notified that a district employee has been charged with felony embezzlement exceeding $100,000, including funds meant to support students experiencing homelessness. An independent audit during the 2025–26 school year uncovered years of alleged financial irregularities, leading to multiple charges and a high bond, while district leaders stress this conduct doesn't reflect Farmington's schools.
   

• Dolly Parton celebrated by two area theaters showing 'Steel Magnolias' (bnd.com) — Farmington moviegoers can honor Dolly Parton at the Farmington Civic Theater's special $5 screening of "Steel Magnolias" on Sept. 3 at 7:30 p.m. Paired with a similar tribute at Detroit's Redford Theatre, the showings celebrate Parton's beloved film work shortly after her death at age 80.
   

📸 Around Farmington

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Farmington

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Tuesday September 1
• Board of Education Meeting
  FARMINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT Maxfield Education Center, 32789 W 10 Mile Rd, Farmington, MI 4
  6:00 pm
Thursday September 3
• 8 Week Crochet for Beginners Class at OCC - Southfield Campus →
  Oakland Community College - Southfield Campus, 22322 Rutland Dr, Southfield
  6:00 pm
Wednesday September 16
• Yard to Table: Weekly Garden Skills Education Series on Wednesdays →
  St John Lutheran Church, 23225 Gill Rd, Farmington Hills
  6:00 pm

📣 Farmington Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Thursday August 27
• SEMI Connect Networking Group
  Livonia Chamber of Commerce Livonia-Westland Chamber of Commerce (Westland Office) 8028 N. Wayne Road Westland, MI 48185
  8:30 am
• ESL One-on-One
  Farmington Community Library 32737 W 12 Mile Rd, Farmington Hills, MI, 48334, US
  12:00 pm
• Technology One-on-One
  Farmington Community Library 32737 W. 12 Mile Rd, Farmington Hills, MI, 48334, US
  1:00 pm
Friday August 28
• ESL Conversation Group
  Farmington Community Library 23500 Liberty Street, Farmington , MI, 48335, US
  10:30 am
• Senior Social Hour! (Ages 60+)
  Farmington Community Library 32737 W. 12 Mile Rd, Farmington Hills, MI, 48334, US
  10:30 am
• Adaptive Storytime (For Neurodiverse Kids/Kids with Disabilities Ag
  Farmington Community Library 32737 W. 12 Mile Rd, Farmington Hills, MI, 48334, US
  4:30 pm
• Lovich / Vigna Field Dedication
  Franklin High School Franklin Football Field
  7:00 pm
Monday August 31
• City Council Public Hearing of 8/31/2026 →
  Livonia, MI Calendar
  6:00 pm
• 2047th City Council Regular Meeting →
  Livonia, MI Calendar
  7:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Farmington PatchAM possible:

• Realtor Tom Gilliam-RE/MAX Classic — (248) 790-5594

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Good morning neighbors.
  Another gentle reminder, as schools are opening. Safety first for your precious little ones! Have a great day! (Nextdoor Farmington Village Area)
• Can someone explain this notice I got a moment after renewing a sale item?
  I renewed a post for a quilt and it's shown under my listings in the For Sale section. Suddenly this Nextdoor Notice shows up in my emails. This… (Nextdoor Farmington Village Area)

• Spectrum Health System posted a job opening for Unit Secretary in Farmington. Apply here.
• Trilogy Corporate Services posted a job opening for Daytime Office Cleaning Technician (M-F 11:00AM-7:30 PM) in Farmington. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Farmington here.

🗞 Nearby News

Farmington Hills

• The Kirk Gibson Center for Parkinson's Wellness Receives Gift from The Jay Farner Family Foundation (michiganmamanews.com)
• El-Sayed says 'no plans' to campaign with Piker (semafor.com)

Novi

• Vehicle Tech Week speaker interview: Abdul Salam, Ford (autonomousvehicleinternational.com)
• El-Sayed, Rogers to face off in Michigan Senate debate (washingtontimes.com)
• Michigan party conventions have faced 100 years of contention (freep.com)

Ok Farmington! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: A jeweler sells watches and a jailer watches cells. (Thank you Jean D. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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