Santa Claus at The Somerset Collection: 2012 Schedule

The jolly old elf will arrive this Friday. Here are the days and hours he'll be available this season.

Ho, ho, ho! Santa Claus is coming to town – or, more specifically, to The Somerset Collection in Troy. Here's what you need to know about Santa's arrival and extended visit to the upscale mall this season. Santa will arrive in Troy at 6:30 p.m. this Friday, Nov. 16 in front of Somerset Collection North between J Alexander’s and Capital Grille. There will be stilt walkers, jugglers, a caroling quartet and townspeople handing out roasted almonds to guests.  At 7 p.m., the Dearborn Marching Band will begin marching and playing a holiday tune from Nordstrom’s to the center doors. They will play as Santa arrives in a horse-drawn carriage with Princess Celeste.  Once inside, the Dearborn Jazz Band will play while Santa visits with all his guests…

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What Gadget Did you Get for Christmas?

Was a new phone or tablet high on your wish list this year?

We know electronic devices were high on many people's wish lists this year, so we want to know: What gadget did you get for Christmas? Was it an iPhone (which version?), an Android smartphone, the latest iPad, an Android tablet, a laptop computer, digital camera or something else?  Maybe you went electronics free this holiday. Tell us about it. If you were lucky enough to score a mobile device as a gift, learn how you can put it to work learning about your community. Patch has apps for iPhones and Android phones, and also makes it easy for you to upload photos, news and comments from anywhere. Here is a look at a few ways you can connect with Patch through your mobile device. 

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Anne Seebaldt

5:16 pm on Wednesday, December 28, 2011

I got a Nook Tablet (thanks Mom and Dad). Still learning how to use it, but except for a frantic call to the Barnes and Noble to find out how to get to the keyboard to register it, I've figured quite a bit out on my own.   more ›

Cooking for Special Diets: Simple Solutions for the Busy Holiday Season

Here are some quick recipes to save you time before vacation starts, the kids are home and stores are packed with last-minute shoppers.

Editor's note: Check back Monday on Patch and read about some special diet-friendly holiday events coming up around Oakland County. It's a busy, busy time of year. Whatever your faith or customs, this is an event-packed season and the race is on to get things done before vacation starts, the kids are home and stores are packed with last-minute shoppers. I say I'm going to work ahead every year and have my cards addressed and ready to go, my house decorated and holiday gifts made or wrapped by Thanksgiving. It has yet to happen. So, in these busy times, it's nice to have a few recipes that will help me save time. For special dieters, these are the standbys we cling to, especially since stopping for a little pick-me-up isn't always an option…

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Weekend preview

Party It Up or Cool on Down This New Year's Weekend

Take your friends out to the Berkley bars, take the family bowling, or take it easy with a soothing yoga practice.

Forget work, forget chores, and in some cases – forget everything! It's New Year's weekend, so all bets are off. I've taken the guesswork out of the Berkley New Year's Eve bar scene and made a list of what every venue has going on. For those of you who are sick of being hungover every Jan. 1, I've also got a couple of ideas for family fun and healthy healing. So, read on, it's almost Friday!   Amici's Living Room Martinis in a rainbow of flavors, the area's best pizza served until midnight, a free champagne toast at midnight and the most drama-free atmosphere you're likely to find on New Year's Eve. 24 Seconds Bar & Grill 24 Seconds is closing early, so if you want to get your sports bar fix, get in before 10 p.m., then head elsewhere…

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