5 Things to Keep in Mind This Week in West Bloomfield

1. The Red Cross needs you to donate blood.  

Summer is a tough time for the American Red Cross, and you can help. There's an urgent need platelet donors, as well as donors with types O negative, B negative and A negative blood. You can donate blood on Monday, 1 p.m.-7 p.m., at Congregation Beth Ahm, 5075 W. Maple Road in West Bloomfield. Learn more at redcrossblood.org. 

2. Have some summer fun with sand art and bottle caps.

The West Bloomfield Township Library jam-packed summer of fun continues this week with Spin Art & Sand Art on Monday, Dr. Mike and the Sea Monkeys Family Concert on Tuesday, and a Bottle Cap Pendants craft on Wednesday. Learn more on the library's website. 

3. Take in a concert in the great outdoors.

String of Ponies headlines Hot Nights Hot Music on Wednesday at 7 p.m. The band features Alison Lewis, a singer/ songwriter from Detroit, and a changing "string of ponies" who keep the band's sound fresh. Learn more at westbloomfieldparks.org. 

4. Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln come to town. 

Fred and Bonnie Priebe bring their living history presentation, which reflects the wit and wisdom of America's 16th president, to the West Bloomfield Township Library at 7 p.m. on Wednesday. No registration is required, just stop by and enjoy. 

5. Share your opinion about the Aug. 6 Farmington Public Schools bond. 

Residents in West Bloomfield Township precinct 9 will vote next Tuesday on the $222 million bond question. If you've got an opinion about the bond (or anything else, for that matter), share it on the West Bloomfield Patch Boards. Be sure you're signed in, then go to the Boards page and click in the "What's up?" box to get started.