January 27, 2020   Your source for All Livonia news. All the time. All ways positive. 
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Art is the repository of our collective community memory and history. 
Vote Yes for the DIA on March 10th.

FridayMusings is not supportive of ballot issues being placed along side of the vote for President. March 10 should only have the Presidential candidates and no other.

But that is not the case so we have to take a look at the one ballot issue we will be voting on in addition to the nomination for President.

FridayMusings is a strong backer of the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) millage renewal. Renewal of 0.2 millage that helps fund the DIA. Put another way that's 20 centers per $1,000 of taxable value.  The ten-year millage was first passed in 2012. If voters approve the millage renewal in March, it will continue through 2031.

The millage since first approved has paid for free admission to the museum for all tri-county residents and has also made possible annual free field trips, programming, and transportation to the museum for particular groups from the three counties. Groups like school students.  Before the millage around 20,000 students visited the DIA annually. How many now? Now it's 75,000.  But it is not just students, the DIA does the same with seniors and veterans.

The millage has also made possible free professional development to more than 1,500 teachers every year. Education continues in many ways to be undervalued and arts education is being eliminated from schools. Into this void steps the DIA to become the number one provider of arts education in southeast Michigan. This  millage renewal will allow the DIA to continue this work.

Credit: DIA
The DIA is taking education and specifically arts education beyond the walls of a classroom. Beyond the walls for only 0.2 cents per $1,000 of taxable value of a home.

The millage has generated approximately $166.2 million total since its inception and the numbers of those touched by art include  1,849,862 visitors  from receiving free general admission (2013 - 2018),   392,231 students  participated in free field trips (General Admission, 2013 - 2018),  32,422 seniors  participated in free senior programs like Thursdays at the Museum (2013 - 2018).

Our conclusion can best be summarized in a quotation, not unique to Musings, but rather one that must be shared:

"Art  influences society  by changing opinions, instilling values and translating experiences across space and time. Research has shown art  affects the fundamental sense of self. Painting, sculpture, music, literature and the other arts are often considered to be the repository of a society's  collective memory."

FridayMusings is encouraging a YES vote on March 10th in support of the DIA 0.2 millage renewal with the hope that our elected officials take the lead in advocating support for the DIA and by extension support for arts in our Livonia hometown.
Absentee ballot mailing envelopes and return envelopes take on a new look.
Ballots start to be mailed February 1st.

There are changes coming soon to a city near you. 

Changes that will take place in how the absentee ballot envelopes you receive look to. Some municipal Clerks are afraid that maybe voters will inadvertently throw them away. 

City and Township clerks are taking to social media to express concern that absentee ballot voters might be confused when they receive their ballots in the mail, that the new format for absentee ballot envelopes look substantially different thus causing the potential confusion. 

Confusion in the appearance of the envelopes that voters will receive in the mail as well as change in the appearance of the envelopes in which the ballots will be returned.

To help voters realize the difference in appearance FridayMusings with the help of Livonia City Clerk Susan Nash is giving you a first look at the changes.

The Michigan Bureau  of Elections changed the Absentee Ballot Envelopes.

The new envelopes are white with a blue block on the side and the return envelopes are white with a green block on the side .

The City of Livonia Clerks office will start mailing Absentee Ballots for those that have already returned a signed application by February 1, 2020 

Additionally, the Livonia quarterly magazine will be in the mail later this week, inside Clerk Nash has added a tear out Permanent  Absentee Application. This application can be copied for multiple people in a household. The application can be dropped off in the Redbox outside or in person at the clerk's counter at City Hall as well as mailed to the Clerk. 

In 2018 voters approved a ballot proposal that allows for no reason absentee, anyone now can get one. Residents  who choose to be on the list are not required to vote absentee, voters on the list will receive an application in the mail and then they  can choose to receive an absentee ballot for that election by returning the signed application to clerk's office.
 
 By law there must be a signed application for each election on file.
Is a new County Commissioner for eastern Livonia soon to be appointed?
FridayMusings was the first to report last Friday that Redford Township has been reviewing and interviewing applicants for its soon-to-be-vacant Superintendent position. That recently the Board of Trustees voted 6-0 to offer the position to Diane Webb, subject to negotiating with her an employment contract acceptable to both parties.

 Assuming that takes place, Webb would be resigning her Wayne County District 8 Commission seat, which covers Redford Township, Dearborn Heights and a part of eastern Livonia, east of Middlebelt, Five Mile south to Joy Road.

First elected to the County Commission in 2009, Webb has been an outspoken advocate on behalf of the counties' parks, especially the portion of Hines Park running through western Wayne County, and county taxpayers.

Upon a resignation, her vacant county commission seat would be filled by appointment by the remaining County Commissioners. The interesting question is, who would receive that appointment? Stay tuned as the name being mentioned is a good one that should come as a surprise but really should not as he is an extremely qualified candidate.

The reaction to FridayMusings reporting the possibility that Commissioner Webb will soon be the new Superintendent of Redford Township was overwhelmingly positive. Here are just a few of the over 30 reactions submitted to Musings:

Kathleen Bilger: The lady known for doing her homework on issues will be a great example for kids.
Chris Last: Outstanding!!!! Well deserved...VERY happy for you.
Dan MacIver: Diane Webb is amazing!!! Congrats!
Mike Rudell: I'm sad to see Diane leave the County because she has been such an ally of the parks. 
Jim Jolly: Wow congrats Diane Webb!
Musings follows the 2020 elections
Vote
 



Joe Biden D
Michael Bloomberg D
Cory Booker D
Pete Buttigieg D
Julian Castro D
John Delaney D
Tulsi Gabbard D
Amy Klobuchar D
Bernie Sanders D
Joe Sestak D
Tom Steyer D
Elizabeth Warren D
Marianne Williamson D
Andrew Yang D
 

United States Senate
Gary Peters (D-I)

John James (R)

United States House of Representatives
Haley Stevens (D-I)

Whitney Williams (R)
Eric Esshaki (R)

Michigan House of Representatives
Laurie Pohutsky (D-I)

Martha Ptashnik (R)
Wayne County Commissioner
Terry Marecki (R-I)

Schoolcraft College Trustee
Brian Broderick (I)
Joan Gebhardt (I)
Terry Gilligan (I)

Livonia Board of Education
Dan Centers
Karen Bradford
Tammy Bonifield
Crystal Frank

Clarenceville Board of Education
Matt Boettcher
Brenda Uren
Shari Krazel
Jeffrey Bunker
Musings follows our City Council
The Next meeting of the Livonia City Council and City Council Study Meeting is Monday, January 27.

Musings will post the video of that meeting on Wednesday, January 29

Musings follows readers trends
Mass Transit Survey 
 68.4%  Yes
26.3%   No
               5.2%   Undecided

Detroit Institute of Arts Survey 
62.5  %  Yes
29.1 %  No
               8.3 % Undecided

January in Livonia
Dickerson Art Gallery will be presenting recent works from the following artists at the Bennett Civic Center Library during the month of January:
Durwood Coffey, Barb Gibson,  Mark Krecic, Jon Lange, Vic Leo,  Kay Masini,  Marcia Polenberg,
Ted Ramsay, Mireille Ripley,  Gwen Roth,Tim Tonachella,
Paul Zenian, and guest artist,  Danny Rebb
February in Livonia
February 1 @ 2:00 - 4:00 or 6:00 - 8:00
Daddy-Daughter Dance
Elk's Lodge 31117 Plymouth Road
For more information, call (734) 466-2900.
Co-sponsored by Livonia Elk's Lodge and
Livonia Parks & Recreation
February 1 @ 6:30 -- 9:30
Soup, Chili, Bread, Pierogies
Livonia Democratic Club
UAW Local 182
February 2 @ 2:00 - 3:00
Coffee Hour with Representative Laurie Pohutsky
Coffee + Cream
February 4 @ 6:30
Livonia Garden Club
Civic Park Senior Center
Tips for preparing for a flower show
February 7, 8, 9
Friends of the Livonia Library Used Book Sale

February 11
Nonviolence: The Way to Peace/ Colleen Mills
Livonia Citizens for Peace
Livonia Senior Center
February 12
Livonia GOP Lincoln Day Dinner
February 16 @ 3:00
Livonia Community Theatre
St. Paul's Persbyterian Church
 
February 16 @ 1:00
Cardboard Boat Races
Jack Kirksey Recreation Center
Registration begins on Monday, Jan. 6
 
February 22 @ 4:00
PASSPORT TO SCANDINAVIA
Livonia Symphony Orchestra
Clarenceville's Historic Louis Schmidt Auditorium

February 23 @ 2:00
Friends of the Livonia Library 
"A Meeting Between Harriet Tubman and Sojourner Truth" performed by Madelyn Porter, Story Teller. Livonia Bennett Civic Center Library auditorium
February 23 @ 4:30 - 8:30
The Ian Clemens 4th Annual Trivia Night
Hosted by The Ian Clemens Foundation
St. Mary's Cultural Center
February 29
The Arc of Northwest Wayne County
Laurel Manor
Ball for All Leap Year Fundraiser

March in Livonia
March 3 @ 6:30
Livonia Garden Club
Civic Park Senior Center
Four seasons of garden interest
March 10 @ 7:00 am -- 8:00 pm
Presidential Primary
March 14
33rd Annual Bowling for Braille Books
Novi Bowl Family Fun Center
March 15 @ 2:00
 Friends of the Livonia Library 
  "Through Her Eyes Women Artists in the Detroit Institute of Arts." 
Livonia Bennett Civic Center Library auditorium.
March 16 @ 2:00 
Livonia Historical Society presents Joe Oldenberg discussing "The First Native Tribes of Michigan." Alexander Blue House, Greenmead Historical Park
 
March 21  @ 9:00 - 3:00
 
April in Livonia
April 7 @ 6:30
Livonia Garden Club
Civic Park Senior Center
Sustainable Food System
April 14
Today's Africa Through American Eyes
Dr. Peggi J. Tabor, PhD
Livonia Citizens for Peace
Livonia Senior Center
May in Livonia
May 5 @ 6:30
Livonia Garden Club
Civic Park Senior Center
Plant Legends and Stories
May 16 @ 9:00 - 10:00
Livonia Garden Club Plant Sharing Event
Greenmead Historical Park      Rain or Shine
Everyone is encouraged to come and take plants whether or not they have plants to share
May 17 @ 3:00
Red Wing Alumni v Livonia All Stars
Eddie Edgar Arena
June in Livonia
June 7 @ 3:00
Livonia Civic Chorus Spring Concert
Churchill High School Performing Arts Center


Our Livonia YMCA, Livonia Hall of Fame Class of 2015,
invites you to become a member 



When Livonia was in its infancy city planner Dan Andrews, Livonia Hall of Fame Class of 2008, and Livonia school district administrator Dr. Don Friedrichs, Livonia Hall of Fame Class of 2006,  realized that Livonia needed a family oriented recreational center.

As they exchange calls, held meetings and wrote letters they concluded that Livonia needed a YMCA.

City leaders recruited young families and before you knew it a citywide fund drive was held culminating in an fundraising dinner chaired by Detroit Tiger pitcher Denny McLain and Livonia Observer owner Phil Power.

The rest is history. The YMCA, Livonia City Hall of Fame Class of 2015, played a significant role in attracting young families while establishing volunteerism, recreation and a healthy Livonia as cornerstones of a hometown of which we have come to love. 
Mayor Maureen Miller Brosnan takes to facebook to share her first experiences at the U.S. Conference of Mayors. 
Today at the U.S. Conference of Mayors meeting in Washington, DC Igot to reconnect with two crazy smart colleagues from the Granholm '02 campaign, meet Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot (largest U.S. city to be led by a woman, plus she's a UM grad), give Mayor Pete Buttigieg a pep talk before he took the stage, and last night I got to dine with some of Michigan's finest mayors. So many great ideas and connections to bring back to Livonia.
Souper Supper Party on February 1st. 
The Livonia Dems Souper Supper is next Saturday, Feb. 1, at 6:30. It's a all-you-can-eat potluck dinner of soup, chili, bread and deserts. If you bring food to share, it's free. But if you just want to eat and enjoy the night, it's $15. Children 12 & under are free. 

We would love to have you come. Feel free to invite your friends & family. All are welcome.

We are also having a silent auction that includes some interesting items. Would you want to bid on a framed Obama poster ? How about a painting of a Greenmead barn, done by Congresswoman Haley Stevens's mom, Maria Marcotte? Or three beautiful new children's books about children dealing with disabilities, written by a Livonia author? Or another of Ken Widmer's down home handmade guitars? Or an interesting gift basket. 

Come and check them out along with $15 for all you can eat of soup and chili, at the UAW, 35603 Plymouth Road.

Locally made pierogies will also be cooking and for sale at a small additional charge.
Proud sponsor of the Detroit Red Wings v Livonia All-stars coming to town May 17, 3:00.
Livonia Historical Society offers up some great programs.
March 16
Join the Livonia Historical Society on Monday, Mar. 16 at 2 p.m. at the Alexander Blue House at Greenmead, 20501 Newburgh Road, for their meeting and a presentation by Joe Oldenburg "First Native Tribes of Michigan." 

All are welcome to attend this free event. 

Membership information will be available at the meeting. For more information, please call (248) 477-7375.



                May 18
Join the Livonia Historical Society on Monday, May 18, 2020
 at 2:00 p.m. at Greenmead's Alexander BlueHouse, 20501 Newburgh Road, for their meeting and a presentation by author Barbara VanderMolen "Discovering Michigan- Every County Has a Story." 

All are welcome to attend this free event. Membership information will be available at the meeting. 

For more information, please call (248) 477-7375. Barbara VanderMolen. author of the book Discovering Michigan- County by County will share a short story about each of Michigan's 83 counties. Visit her site
https://discovermichigancountybycounty.com/ to learn more about her books.
Click on this image for all movie times at the Phoenix
It's time to register to bowl with Seedlings and 
celebrity bowler Justice Richard Bernstein of the
Michigan Supreme Court  

Come bowl with Seedlings and celebrity bowler Justice Richard Bernstein ofthe Michigan Supreme Court to help bring the gift of literacy to blind children locally and all around the world! Join in our bowl-a-thon, auctions and prize raffles to help raise $60,000 for 6,000 braille books for children with vision loss. Click "Donate" to make a donation or "Join Now" to register to bowl at https://www.firstgiving.com/event/seedlingsbraille/33rd-Annual-Bowling-for-Braille-Books
  
Thank you to the Headline Bowling sponsors!

Alpha USA, Bill Brown Ford, Canton Lions Club,
Community Financial Credit Union, Financial & Portfolio Advisors, Ltd., Kennedy Industries,
Livonia Builders, Masco, Plymouth Lions Club, SkyOak Wealth and Valassis.
          Livonia Symphony Orchestra to warm up the season on February 22

Livonia Symphony Orchestra February 22nd
"PASSPORT TO SCANDINAVIA" Louis Schmidt Auditorium - Clarenceville H. S. @ 4:00  featuring:

Japanese born pianists, Yuki and Tomoko Mack have dazzled audiences on three continents.  From Bach to Piazzolla, their diverse repertoire includes a broad range of four-hands piano music and orchestral works.  After winning strong recognition as soloists, Yuki and Tomoko partnered to form the award-winning piano duo. "The Mack Sisters".  Together they've won top prizes in several international competitions, including the "Dranoff International Two-Piano Competition" in Florida, and the "Ellis Two-Piano National Competition" in South Carolina.  They've also received both the first and "Kodama" prizes at the "International Piano Duo Competition" in Tokyo.  Most notably, in 2006, they were selected as Steinway Artists - joining an impressive roster of world renown pianists. 

Additionally, the Mack Sisters have been featured in the "Gilmore International Keyboard Festival in Michigan, the "Symposium for Two Pianos" in Florida and the keyboard festival at the "Quebec International Two-Piano Festival".  Beyond the main-stage, they've performed live on radio in Sweden, Italy, Poland and the U. S.  In Chicago, Yuki and Tomoko performed on multiple WFMT radio programs.  They also were featured as guest artists on PBS in Michigan and in Florida.  Motivated by their passionate belief of music's ability to empower the human spirit, they have developed Master Classes and Community Outreach Programs that are very popular with students and audiences.
 
Currently, Yuki and Tomoko reside in Michigan.  With their deep roots in the musical community they've established themselves as highly sought-after educators and performing artists.  When not teaching or performing, they're recording.   Their collection of CDs include "Rhapsody", "American Mosaic", "Fantasy", and "Danse Montage" - all of which exhibit their unique sense of interpretation and flawless technique.
 
This summer they will once again join the faculty of the "International Summer Music Festival" in Naleczow, Poland.

No one else does it better than our hometown Livonia.
Parks and Recreation says it is not too early to start
filling your March calendar

SAVE THE DATE!  Livonia Parks and Recreation  is hosting their first-ever Mom 2 Mom and Used Sports Sale at the Kirksey Recreation Center on Sunday, March 22. Browse tables of gently used children's clothing, toys, books, and sports equipment available at a fraction of the cost of buying them new.

Buyers: Come see what everyone has to offer! Early Bird admission is available from 8 - 9 a.m. for $2  per person. $1 admission after 9 a.m. and the sale ends at noon.

Sellers: Purchase table space to re-sell your child-related items and sports equipment. $30 for one table and a 10x10 selling space. Extra tables are available for $12 each. Contact Billy by email at wkeppen@ci.livonia.mi.us to register as a seller.

Former City Councilman Fernon Feenstra Kiwanis
Scholarship Packet now available
The Fernon Feenstra Scholarship Program provides a variable number of $1,000 scholarships each year to Livonia high school students demonstrating a desire to better themselves through education and a passion to help others.   

The late  Fernon Feenstra was one of the founding members of the Livonia Kiwanis Club, founded in 1981.  Described by a former Livonia Mayor as "Mr. Sunshine", Fernon's positive attitude and philanthropic outlook will always be remembered.  It is our honor to name this scholarship program after him and our hope that the award recipients will enrich the lives of others in their communities for decades to come.

For any questions regarding the scholarship program, please contact:
Livonia Kiwanis Chairperson, Chery Nicholas at 313-570-8732 or send an email to KiwanisofLivonia@gmail.com.

AVAILABLE SCHOLARSHIP

Mr. Sunshine Scholarship - This scholarship is available to all graduating high school seniors who meet the requirements below.  A GPA of 3.0 or higher is recommended.

Schoolcraft College Technical Scholarship - This scholarship is available to all graduating high school seniors who meet the requirements below, and who plan to enroll fulltime in a technical skills program at Schoolcraft College in the fall.  Recipients of this award may also be eligible for a scholarship-matching program offered by the Schoolcraft College Foundation. A GPA of 2.5 or higher is recommended.

Musings enjoys getting notes from our readers
Chery Nicholas, Kiwanis Scholarship Chairman: Thank you very much for the great posting of the Fernon Feenstra Scholarship.

Terry Godfroid-Marecki, Wayne County Commissioner: Thank you so much for the write up on my filing for County Commissioner. I am so honored to serve in this capacity.  I truly love working with constituents and local govt officials while at the County level. The future of Wayne County is bright and exciting. I hope to continue to serve in this capacity.
Only 3.5 months, May 17, until the hometown favorites
Livonia All-stars take on the Detroit Red Wings Alumni
FPA invitation



FridayMusings says mark your calendar for May 17 at 3:00, at the Eddie Edgar Ice Arena for the Red Wings Alumni versus Livonia All Stars captained by City Councilman  Brandon McCullough .

Sponsoring the event is AlphaUSA,  Arthur R Cole  @ Cole Newton Duran,  Dan MacIver  @ Financial & Portfolio Advisors in partnership with City Councilman Brandon McCullough.

 Proceeds of the hockey game will be divided with Livonia Kids @ Family and Friends of Greenmead. 

One of the skaters will be Andrew Palushaj, who played on the Stevenson High School Hockey team and is still skates on a local team, shown here with AlphaUSA's Veronica Cruz presenting a sponsorship check to McCullough.