MELISSA SKOPCZYNSKI: Cougar Connections

PET ADOPTION: Scheduled December 6 at Animal Shelter

The Taylor Animal Shelter has scheduled a Pre-Christmas Pet Adoption Day on Saturday, December 6. The special event will run from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Photos with Santa will be available for a charge ($8 for pets adopted that day; $10 for those who chose to bring their own pets in to be photographed). Pound Pals of Taylor will also have "microchips" available for purchase at a cost of $30.

Animal Shelter staff also went residents to know that 2015 animal licenses are available at the facility beginning on December 1. The adoption day comes on the heels of two very successful events in the past two months, during which over 50 animals were adopted by caring families.

All pets will be $40. The Taylor Animal Shelter, located at 25555 Northline Road (next to the Department of Public Works building).

TAYLOR READING CORPS FUNDRAISER: Set for December 4

Logan's Steakhouse, (13305 Eureka Road, Southgate) will host a Taylor Reading Corps fundraiser from 4 to 10 p.m. December 4. Bring the attached flyer to the event and between 15 and 20 percent of the pre-tax dining check will go back to the organization.

The TRC is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization that recruits, trains and supervises adult reading mentors in the Taylor School District. The mentors focus on preschool, first-, second- and third-grade pupils.

FREE HEALTH INSURANCE OPEN HOUSE: Set for Monday, December 1

A free health insurance enrollment open house, sponsored by Oakwood Healthcare, Western Wayne Family Health Centers, Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency, The Information Center, and Enroll America, will be held from 3-8 p.m. on Monday, December 1 in the Ray Mix room at Wayne County Community College Downriver Campus, 21000 Northline Road, Taylor, MI.  No registration is required.

Oakwood wants to ensure all residents have access to quality health care and asks the following questions:

• Are you uninsured?
• Do you know that many Michigan residents now qualify for affordable health coverage?
• Do you need to re-enroll in Marketplace (HealthCare.gov) coverage for 2015?

This event will help kick off the 2014-2015 open enrollment period for the Health Insurance Marketplace (HealthCare.gov) that runs from Nov. 15, 2014 to Feb. 15, 2015. Information will also be available regarding Michigan’s expanded Medicaid program called the Healthy Michigan Plan – designed to provide more people with affordable health coverage.

Everyone is welcome to come learn more about their health insurance options and apply on-site with trained staff. Door prizes will be awarded and light refreshments will be served.For those individuals and families that want to apply on-site, please bring along social security numbers (for yourself and dependents) and household income information.

During the Open House, federally certified health insurance navigators from Oakwood Healthcare will conduct a Health Insurance 101 Presentation at 6 p.m. This presentation will dive into important health insurance terminology, the Health Insurance Marketplace enrollment and re-enrollment process, Michigan’s expanded Medicaid program (Healthy Michigan Plan), and highlight how best to utilize healthcare coverage. Insurance plan representatives will be on hand to answer questions about their respective Marketplace and Medicaid health insurance plans.

Information on additional community resources will also be available from Oakwood Healthcare, Western Wayne Family Health Centers, Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency and The Information Center.

If you are not able to attend the event, visit oakwood.org/health-insurance-enrollment or call 313.586.4938 to learn more about health insurance options or to schedule an appointment with one of Oakwood’s health insurance navigators.

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA: Scheduled December 13

The Lakes of Taylor Golf Course will host "Breakfast with Santa" from 9 until noon on Saturday, December 13. Tickets are available now at the Lakes of Taylor Pro Shop. Admission is by ticket only and seating is limited.

Tickets are $9 each, with children under 3 free. Breakfast will be served at 9:30 a.m. and includes eggs, hash browns, bacon, sausage, fruit, yogurt, bagels, cereal, coffee, hot chocolate and orange juice. Face painting, story time with Santa, arts and crafts are all part of the program.

The Lakes of Taylor is located at 255505 Northline Road. 

MCDOWELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Celebrating Thanksgiving

Some real Indians celebrated and were thankful Ms. Bochenek's kindergarten class at McDowell Elementary School recently.

HOLLAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Second-graders are Pound Pals!

Second graders at Holland Elementary School raised $307.79 for Pound Pals of Taylor.

They made snacks, mix and necklaces and sold them to their classmates throughout the school. Mary Yount and Diane Derosiers went the school for the presentation and explained to the class how the group would use the money by taking animals to the vet.

Pound Pals members were amazed that second graders did this for the animals. It was awesome!