I don’t know about you, but I am having a difficult time grasping the reality that summer is over. While it is true fall does not “officially” begin until Sept. 22, we all know the day following Labor Day shuts the door on the long, leisurely days of fun in the sun.

This point was driven home Friday morning when the Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber hosted our third-annual Back To School community conversation with the superintendents of our two public school districts. The event, hosted by Birmingham Public Schools in its new administrative offices attached to Groves High School, provides a firsthand look to what is new in the Birmingham and Bloomfield Hills districts.

We are grateful to both Bloomfield Hills schools Supt. Rob Glass, and Birmingham Public Schools Supt. Dr. Dan Nerad, for taking time out of their very busy start-of-the year schedules to share their insights about the new year, and the state of public education in our state.

With summer now firmly in our rear view mirror, the Chamber is gearing up for our signature fall event, Vine & Dine. Celebrating its diamond anniversary, the food and wine extravaganza showcases more than a dozen of our member restaurants and beverage retailers who generously dish out sumptuous samples to an estimated 400 guests.

As is in years past, the Chamber is partnering with Gleaner’s Community Food Bank of Southeast Michigan with a portion of the proceeds going to help feed our less fortunate neighbors.  Scheduled for 6-9 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 25, Vine & Dine is being hosted this year by Neiman Marcus at the Somerset Collection, and will feature the return of a full runway fashion show along with several other surprises.

Thanks to the generous support of our sponsors, led once again this year by our presenting sponsor, the Center For Financial Planning, the BBC not only will be able to continue its financial support of Gleaner’s but also Oakland Community College’s Culinary Institute, which is joining the event for the first time this year.

Details for Vine & Dine, including participating restaurants and ticket information, can be found on the Chamber’s Web site at www.vinendine.com or by calling the offices at (248) 644-1700.

Everything is in place to ensure Vine & Dine will be one of the most talked about events of fall. I hope to see you there not only for the fun, but to support several outstanding community resources as well.

Joe Bauman is President of the Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber. He welcomes feedback at joeb@bbcc.com