November 27, 2019 Your source for All Livonia news. All the time. All ways positive.
Join the fans of The Phoenix Theatre as they join with Cory Jacobson and his staff to celebrate 10 years of providing outstanding service to go along with top quality, first run movies. Party begins at 6:00 with a movie at 7:00 on December 3rd. Make reservation for this celebration by
clicking here.
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The sale of Hines Park property takes a huge step forward.
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FridayMusings is pleased to have had on hand someone to report on the committee meeting held Tuesday by the Wayne County Board of Commissioners. Here is the report submitted for publication today:
FridayMusings is exclusively reporting on the results of the Board of Commissioners Committee Meeting dealing with the sale of Hines Park property for development. It was a 3-hour meeting in downtown Detroit. The fate of the proposals to sell parkland is one step closer to being final as the Wayne County Board of Commissioners met in committee. Some will not be happy with the result, but the fact that there were thorough and vigorous public debate and discussion (small d demo
cracy) was in full view.
To her credit, Livonia's Commissioner Marecki, chairing the meeting, changed normal protocol and let everyone who wanted to speak do so, prior to the vote. 14 of 15 commissioners attended, including 7 non-committee members who were allowed full participation, except for a vote.
From the audience, 23 people spoke in favor, and 23 against.
The opposition spoke of a petition with a claimed 15,000 in opposition with some folks questioning those numbers. For example, Commissioner Daub claimed she had 82% support from over 250 communications.\ to her office.
 The proponents spoke of the 400 plus at the Penn Theatre meeting in favor of Wilcox being sold, and there were letters of support from the Supervisors of Plymouth and Canton and the Mayors of Livonia, Plymouth, and Westland. Representatives from the Friends of Nankin Mills, Henry Ford Heritage Association, Detroit Historical Society and Plymouth Historical Preservation Association spoke in favor.
The committee voted 7-0 in favor of both projects. The Commissioners on the committee voting in favor included Marecki, Ware, Baydoun, Daub, Haidous, Palamara, Varga. There were three non-committee members speaking in opposition, Webb, Anderson, Killeen.
The matter now goes for a final vote at the Full Board meeting on December 5.
The spirited opposition has achieved some victories. The Newburgh proposal is only 2 acres- the building, parking lot, stable and fenced corral- no real
green space.
Wilcox was scaled back from the original 14 plus acres to just over 4 acres, so again, not much green space as part of the sale.
Strengthened deed restrictions and restrictions against lot splits were negotiated by Commission Counsel, which were part of the approving motions. These should help prevent future re-development for residential housing and other more intense commercialized use, or at least they were represented to do so.
The committee also approved the purchase of almost 17 acres of the former Hawthorne Valley Golf Course and restaurant which will be attached to Hines Park, so it was a net pick up of about 11 acres of "parkland" through the committee's actions today.
Re-zoning will still be needed in Livonia, so on Newburgh, the focus will now shift to them.
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| Two weeks and counting. The city of Livonia is gearing up for the inaurguration of our first female Mayor. |
FridayMusings is pleased to report that Livonia Mayor-elect Maureen Miller Brosnan has announced the launch of the official website for her transition to the Mayor's office,
Livonia2020.com.
Brosnan was elected as Livonia's twelfth mayor and the first female mayor in its 70-year history earlier this month.
"This is an opportunity for Livonia residents to learn more about the events around the inaugural ceremony, in addition to opportunities for them to become more invo
lved in their local government," Brosnan said.
Brosnan is asking the question if residents are "ready to take the next step?" If so,
Livonia 2020 is an opportunity for you to get more involved in your city government.
Submit your resume to express interest in any of the board or commission positions available within our city government.
The Inauguration Ceremony will take place on December 12th at 7PM at Livonia City Hall. The ceremony is open to the public.
"Let's get to work!
Together we will address our first responder shortage, fix the roads, and expand opportunities for working families; and these are just a few of the things we are committed to do over the next few years," Brosnan exclaims.
The transition website includes information about the various boards and commissions Livonia residents can apply to serve on, as well as an opportunity for all Livonia residents to have their voices heard about their priorities for the city.
"In my service as mayor, I am committed to opening up city government for more residents to take part in, ensuring that more residents understand how city government works for them. I encourage all interested residents to consider applying."
Connie Vokal agreed with Brosnan's outreach saying, "I was hoping that she would do something like this. A giant leap forward for Livonia!"
Pamela Valentine liked that Brosnan was asking residents to engage on the issues, "I am pleased that she is encouraging more people to give input on issues."
Brosnan describes the transition as being "about opening up the doors of city government and encouraging residents' involvement in their city. I hope you will join us at this historic moment for our city."
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| Activities surrounding the inauguration of Livonia Mayor-elect Maureen Miller Brosnan |
 Merry and Bright: Livonia's Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony
4PM - 6PM - December 8th
Open to the Public
The festive parade will feature floats, high school bands, honor guards, entertainers, cheer teams, scout groups, Santa and Mrs. Claus and more. The route begins at Frost Middle School and travels about a mile (from Stark to Lyndon to Farmington Road and then to Civic Center Drive) before winding up in front of Livonia City Hall.
On the steps of City Hall, Mayor Dennis Wright will be joined by the visitors from the North Pole to push the giant button that illuminates colorful holiday light display around City Hall. Members of the Livonia Community Chorus will serenade the countdown.
Inaugural Ceremony
7PM - December 12th
Livonia City Hall
Open to the Public
Join your neighbors in the Livonia Community as our City Council Members, Clerk, Treasurer and Mayor take their oath of office in City Council Chambers. Light appetizers and drinks will be available in a reception following the ceremony.
Meet the Mayor - Recreation Center Open House
9AM - 5PM - December 15th
Kirksey Recreation Center
Open to Livonia Residents
Take this opportunity to meet Mayor-elect Maureen Miller Brosnan and visit the Kirksey Recreation Center. All are welcome at this Open House, with all Recreation Center amenities available free of charge.
Senior Christmas Party
10AM-11AM - December 19th
Livonia Senior Center
Open to the Public
 Mayor's Christmas Coffee
December 10th
City Hall
Mayor Dennis Wright and Mayor-elect Maureen Miller Brosnan celebrate the year gone by with Livonia city employees.
 Livonia Chamber of Commerce Tour
9AM-12PM - December 13th
Members of the LIvonia Chamber of Commerce will join select city employees and Mayor-elect Brosnan on a tour of Livonia, focusing on areas included in Livonia's new master plan-Vision 21.
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Cinematic Art expands in Livonia with the introduction of Fathom Events
at the Phoenix Theatre
MET Opera: Akhnaten
December 04 - 1:00pm (ENCORE)
December 04 - 6:30pm (ENCORE)
Friendsgiving
November 25 - 4:00, 7:00pm (Night 2)
Never Surrender: A Galaxy Quest Doc
November 26 - 7:00pm
When Harry Met Sally... 30th Anniversary (1989)
December 01 - 4:00pm, 7:00pm
December 03 - 4:00pm, 7:00pm
Faustina: Love and Mercy
December 02 - 7:00pm
MET Opera: The Magic Flute Holiday Encore
December 07 - 7:00pm
Click on this image for all movie times
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November in Livonia
Soft open has happened.
Formal grand opening is set for December 2
Drop off your letter at the Kirksey Recreation Center (with return address) before Dec. 1
when Santa picks up the mail and just maybe you'll get a letter from Santa!
November 23 - December 2
Live from Berea Kentucky and Decatur Georgia
The annual typewriter's maybe this week, or next, maybe this weekend, whenever I feel like it road trip.
Will visit the elementary school attended by both
Jack Kirksey and Bill Joyner. Believe it or not
December in Livonia
December 2 @ 11:00
Lunch with Senator Gary Peters @ Burton Manor
December 3 @ 6:00 w Movie at 7:00
10th Anniversary Celebration
Phoenix Theatre @ Laurel Park
The public is invited
December 6 @ 9:00 - 2:00
Livonia Senior Center Holiday Craft Show
Senior Center
December 7 @ 10:00 - 12:30
Santa Claus is coming to town
Community Alliance Credit Union
December 7
Trumbell Film Forum
Monroe Phoenix Theatre
December 7
Livonia Symphony Orchestra
Magical Fantasies
Clarenceville High School
Louis Schmidt Auditorium
December 8 @ 4:00
City of Livonia Christmas Parade
December 12 @ 7:00
City's Inaugural Ceremony @ City Hall
December 14 & 15
Livonia Civic Ballet Company
The Nutcracker
December 15 @ 2:30 - 4:30
Bennett Civic Center Library
December 15 @ 4:00
Livonia Youth Choir Winter Concert
Holy Trinity Church
December 15 @ 3:00
December 21 @ 2:00
Livonia Youth Symphony Winter Concert
Kresge Hall @ Madonna University
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Have you got your tickets yet?
Your tickets for the December 7 Livonia Symphony Orchestra Magical Fantasies in concert with Angie Hahn's Academy of Dance.
Your tickets for the Livonia Symphony Society raffle for
a one of a kind Bass Guitar.
What are you waiting for. Let's kick off the holidays December 7th. |
| Curbside clothing recycling set to begin December 9 |
 FridayMusings was the first to report on Friday that Curbside clothing, household items recycling to begin. Share this and let your friends and neighbors know that it begins December 9.
But first thanks to the Livonia City Council for passing this progressive step in recycling.
Livonia residents will soon be able to recycle unwanted textiles and small household items simply by bagging them and leaving them at the curb on their regular recycling collection day.
Livonia is launching the new service D
ec. 9, 2019, in partnership with Simple Recycling, which will be picking up the items throughout the City. The service is free to residents and the City.
According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), more than 84% of old clothes, shoes, belts, handbags, and textile items end up in a landfill or an incinerator. On average, that works out to about 85 lbs. of textile items per person each year. As a result, textiles make up more than 6% of all the residential and municipal trash in the US.
Simple Recycling is sending informational mailers to homes that receive recycling collection from the City. The mailers will contain free Simple Recycling bags.
Residents are encouraged to continue donating new and used clothing or household items to various local charities. The Simple Recycling option is for items of any age and its purpose is to provide a convenient curbside collection option for residents who want it. Ultimately, it's about keeping items out of the trash.
When cleaning out closets or disposing of unwanted items, residents can place them in the bags. If a resident doesn't have enough orange bags, they can use regular trash bags that are clearly marked for Simple Recycling. Residents can then place the bags at the curb on their normal recycling collection day.
The company will accept a wide range of used textiles and small household items. The list of accepted items includes all types of used or new clothing, boots and shoes, belts and ties, handbags, hats and gloves, toys, towels, sheets and blankets, small kitchen appliances, and more.
For more information about the Simple Recycling program, residents can call the Livonia Department of Public Works at (734) 466-2655 or visit simplerecycling.com.
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| Barefoot Productions ready for the holidays |
| Receive a phone call from Santa |
Santa and his elves will make special calls to children (any elementary-aged child who still believes) on Monday, Dec. 16 & Tuesday, Dec. 17.
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Click on this image to check out more on Dough Joe
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The official chocolates of FridayMusings
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Chef Joe Gilligan has considered himself an artist all his life. From a very young age he entertained himself with drawing, painting, sculpting, and film making. Cooking and baking were a favorite pastime too.
Originally Joe started attending Schoolcraft College in 2010 pursuing a Film/Art degree. He then changed his major in 2012 when he was accepted into the prestigious Baking and Pastry program at Schoolcraft.
After graduation Joe had the opportunity to go to Paris, France. It was there that he developed a stronger love and respect for the art and creations of chocolate. He also purchased his first chocolate molds there!
Upon returning home, Joe started honing his skills as a pastry chef working as the last pastry chef at the Lark Restaurant in West Bloomfield, MI and Avalon in Detroit.
It is our mission to deliver high quality chocolates made with 100% organic butter and cream with the finest chocolates available with our flavors varying season to seasonia.
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Take pride in our Warriors and Tyros Robotic Teams.
Plan on attending their open house. |
Livonia Rotary AM Club partners with the Livonia Civic Chorus
in announcing the December 15th Holiday Concert |
Want to volunteer or make a donation.
Livonia Cares is the place for you. |
| The Bowling Challenge is set and it promises to be a dozy -- the Beauties v the Beasts |
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Alan Helmkamp's team, the Beauties
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The typewriter looking for his team,
the Beasts
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The gauntlet is down. Alan Helmkamp has issued the challenge and it has been accepted by the typewriter. He is willing to line up his team of the "beauties", against my team of "beasts".
His team, the Beauties, has been represented by Sweet Dreamzzz, a nonprofit organization committed to improving children's health, well-being, and academic performance by providing sleep education and bedtime essentials to economically disadvantaged students and their families.
My team, the Beasts, has yet to be identified, in fact I am looking for four bowlers who would like to fill out the team and help win this challenge while at the same time raising money for Seedlings.
Help ! ! ! The typewriter is looking for four members to bowl on the team - the Beasts. Help! ! !
I want it understood that the title of his challenge is 100% the idea of Alan Helmkamp. It will be played out at the annual Seedlings Bowling for Braille Books March 14 at the Novi Bowl.
Editors note: A response from Alan Helmkamp is in order: Yes, the idea of teaming two of my favorite charities- Livonia's Sweet Dreamzzz and Seedlings- was my idea. For the past few years I've been sponsoring the Sweet Dreamzzz team at the Seedlings bowling tournament, always much fun for a great cause. And yes, I did mention that I had a team of "beauties"- including the incomparable Dittmar sisters- (the photo speaks for itself), but certainly no reference to myself. But beyond, that, oh the typewriter has engaged in "editorial license." We're sitting at breakfast at the Blue Plate, with a table including Bob, Gino and Gary, and Bill says to them-you guys want to bowl? It could be the Beauties vs the Beasts! So, with the correction of the record, it's Game On!
Four years running the challenge has been Musings v Observer with Musings taking 3 of the 4. But I must confess they took one when then Publisher Sue Rosiek brought in a team of ringers who each bowled three games of 200 or more. We took a break last year. Now is the time to renew the challenge and the gauntlet has been laid down between Alan Helmkamp and Bill Joyner.
If you would like to be a part of the Beast Team drop a dime and let me know that you will be a part of this challenge. Looking for 4 beasts.
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