November 23,2020 Your Source for Livonia Cultural Happenings
“If art is to nourish the roots of our culture, society must set the artist free to follow his vision wherever it takes him.”
Two more of our cultural gems are not sitting still during this pandemic.
Another reason Livonia is the cultural cornerstone of southeast Michigan
Livonia Symphony Orchestra has set December 5th as date for unique Bass Guitar Raffle
The Livonia Symphony Orchestra is excited to announce the rescheduling of the drawing for the one of a kind Bass Guitar Raffle and Musings readers are getting a heads up before they send the letter to all ticket holders.
 
On December 5th at 4:30 they will draw the winning ticket from Civic Center Plaza, 33300 Five Mile Rd.

The drawing will be shown virtually via Zoom. All ticket holders will be pre-registered for the Zoom call and provided their own personal access code/link. The winner does not need to be present or even be watching to win. They are also working on having it simulcast via YouTube for any one else who may wish to watch.
 
They have arranged to be able to sell raffle tickets up to 4:00 PM on December 5th--so, between now and the event, they will be working to market both the sales of raffle tickets and the event itself.

On December 5th, from 10 am until the drawing, they will have a day of virtual opportunities for people to watch and see what the LSO is about--they will blend pre-recorded moments with live postings.

The goals of this event are both to sell tickets and build up to the raffle and increase engagement and excitement for the LSO. 
All current ticket holders will receive a letter via email or USPS that they can keep with their ticket stub with the new information.
 
Tickets can be purchased through Emily Bauman, LSO Guitar Raffle Chair, with cash, check or credit card, now and up to 4:00 PM on Dec 5th. Tickets will not be sold online.
 
Emily will be at Civic Center Plaza throughout the event on December 5th and all safety protocols will be followed that are in place for Dec 5th, including limiting the number of people allowed inside, distancing, hand-sanitizer, masks, etc.

Emily will make it as safe and convenient as possible including being available via phone (248-509-4744) or meeting people in the parking lot.
Livonia Civic Chorus Continues Singing
Christmas Concert scheduled for December 13th
According to President Kathleen Chichester of the Livonia Civic Chorus, “This year has really thrown us a curve ball. When we first heard of Covid-19 in the late winter/early spring of 2020, who would have thought its effect on choral singing would have been so drastic and heart wrenching? For those of us who “love to sing” it has really put a damper on our style. Singing together is what has made the Livonia Civic Chorus the highlight of our community for the last 55 years.”

In order to support our Mission to nurture the vocal talents or our members while providing choral performances, we found ourselves looking for ways to re-invent how we rehearse and perform in order to uphold our Mission. Livonia Civic Chorus is not an organization that takes defeat lightly. So, in the spring we decided that if there was some way for us to continue to perform, we would find it. And…WE DID!!

After months of research and a considerable amount of work from our Board, Music Team and Members, we found a way to become a Virtual Chorus. Our experienced Tech Team, musicians and technical engineers, Rachael Rose and Brian Leduc, took our individual recordings and developed them into virtual performances.

We’re pleased to share with you our theme song, “Music, You Are a Friend to Me”, as a virtual performance which also shares information about the Chorus and its work in the Livonia Community. We hope you enjoy it by clicking the link here or on the image below:

The Chorus is completing a virtual mini-Christmas concert, “A Christmas Wish”. Mark your calendars for Sunday, December 13, 2020 at 3 p.m. when it will be released as a Facebook Event (like us on our page: Facebook.com/LivoniaCivicChorus). More details to come!
Health Care worker lays it on the line

A neighbor of the Musings Estate, working at a local hospital in a critical health care department, passes along this note. The typewriter could not agree more. Thank you Janice for your direct and simple message. A neighbor, here in Livonia, not some unknown meme writer half the world away. Thank you Janice:

"If you could see what I see at work, I promise you would not be getting together this Thanksgiving with extended family and friends. I’m not even asking you to be safe, wear a mask or wash your hands anymore. I’m asking you to stay home. If you are planning on getting together with extended family, please remove me from your friends list. I’m too tired to argue this nonsense anymore."
What's Happening Livonia !
What to look forward to !!
The Civic Park Senior Center will have its traditional “Mitten Tree” in the lobby during the month of November. Help Livonia decorate the tree with new mittens and scarves
From Nov. 27 - Dec. 24, you’ll find Santa and his team of elves at the Food Court. Visits will be contactless, with families sitting six feet away to ensure proper social distancing. But don’t worry about those Christmas lists! Santa Claus can’t wait to hear what’s on your list and will still be available to talk with his little elves-in-training.

Santa will be available for photos during the following times: Monday – Saturday, 11am to 8pm, Sunday, 12pm to 6pm. Schedule your visit by clicking here.
The Goodfellows are collecting new, unwrapped toys for children from birth to 8 years along with non-perishable food is being collected Saturdays and Sundays through December 5th from 9 am to 12 pm (Sat.) and 12 pm to 3 pm (Sunday) at Dickinson Center, 18000 Newburgh Road.
Santa Claus will see children on the porch of the Alexander Blue House at Greenmead from 5-8 p.m. on Saturdays, Dec. 5, 12, and 19, and Sundays, Dec. 13 and 20. Santa will be surrounded by an impressive display of lights on the house and trees and other displays.
Santa will also greet children at the Merry and Bright Reverse Holiday Parade at the Livonia Civic Center Campus from 4-5:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 6. This event will replace the traditional holiday parade. Instead, families will parade through the Civic
Virtual Concert by the Livonia Civic Chorus. A Christmas Concert with holiday music for your listening pleasure. Ready for your viewing and listening pleasure in time for the Christmas season. Sunday, December 13th at 3 p.m. via Facebook LIVE. Details Monday in Musings.
Detroit Red Wing Alumni versus Livonia All Stars coming this winter with date to be announced. Proceeds will benefit Livonia Kids and Families and Greenmead. Plans are underway and the date will be announced shortly by organizer Brandon McCullough.
Tour de Livonia. A 25 mile bicycle tour of Livonia starting at Bicentennial Park. Originally scheduled for July 2020 now is on the tentative drawing board for July 2021. Stay tuned for this exciting new event unique to Livonia and Paris.
Good Old Fashioned Neighborhood Corn Roast set for renewal in September. Tentative September 19, 12:00 - 4:00. Another one for your tickle file and something to look forward to.
A different kind of campaign--helping the Livonia Goodfellows at Christmas
Louise Weller, pictured here with Katharine Shishkovsky, offers a "Thank you to all of our Livonia Democratic Club members who donated toys and food for Livonia Goodfellows. It took 3 cars to deliver all the toys and food items. Plus we were also thrilled to donate checks and gift cards totaling more than $600."
FridayMusings commentary reaction
It is the opinion of FridayMusings that Schostak is not offering quality of life to our hometown with their proposal for a four story apartment building in the long vacant property at Wonderland Village. Readers seem to agree:

Conrad Schwartz, former Livonia City Councilman: You hit a home run with your commentary on the proposed residential development on Plymouth Rd. Our city leaders must tell the developer-Schostak-that this proposal will never see the light of day.

In my opinion, the Schostak firm was, at one time, a fine firm. It was interested in making money ,sure but it seemed to have a pulse on the communities where it did business. The Founder had this awareness of the community and this quality was passed on to his sons, but that seems to have been lost on the current generation of leaders.

Schostak has disappointed the community at 7 Mile and Farmington Rd. and now they have disappointed the community on their most recent proposal. It is time for all of us, city leaders-business leaders- and everyone that drives past 7 Mile and Farmington to send a message to the Schostak Company that we are tired of their continued thumbing their noses at our fine City and maybe it’s time for them to dispose of their real estate assets and move along.

Steve King, former Livonia School Trustee: I love it when you leave your Livonia rose tinted glasses in their case and speak truth to power. Spot on commentary in regards to Schostak. For decades Schostaks have had carte blanche in their builds. 
Let it snow. Fun at the holidays
The typewriter is looking forward to Thanksgiving. Just the bodyguard and me at the Musings Estate. And with Thanksgiving comes planning for Christmas. Parks and Recreation offers up this easy to follow calendar for the holiday.

As the holiday season approaches our Livonia Parks and Recreation is gearing up with a wide offering of new or modified festive events for local families.

Visit LivoniaParks.org for details or follow along with them on Facebook, or in FridayMusings, over the next several weeks.

Here is the Cliffnote version provided by P and R: Santa’s Mailbox and Santa’s Workshop Calling will both give children a chance to contact the big man, as Pet Photos with Santa will do for families’ furry friends. The Santa Stroll and Night of Lights will provide a chance for a colorfully lit visit with Santa at Greenmead Historical Park while Lunch with Santa (sold out a month in advance) brings back a classic event with a modified look.
Our hometown health care workers have met this year's extraordinary challenges with strength and determination.
Musings takes this time to thank you for your dedication and hard work. We recognize the compassionate care you provide to patients and we are incredibly grateful for your unwavering fight against COVID-19.