December 4, 2019 Your source for All Livonia news. All the time. All ways positive.
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| Livonia Kids and Families continues to make an impact |
This is the season where thanks should be in abundance. Thanks during Thanksgiving and thanks at Christmas. Livonia Kids and Families, a registered 501 (c)(3) working to better the lives of children and families, extends a heartfelt thank you to four new sponsors for their donations in time for the holiday.
And while they are thanking four new donors the typewriter would like to thank Livonia Kids and Families for the impact they have had on our hometown. Now back to the purpose of this article.
Veronica Cruz, AlphaUSA, speaking on behalf of Livonia Kids and Families wants to acknowledge Masco, Livonia Jaycees, Livonia Goodfellows Livonia AM Rotary, and 3M, for "their contribution that will help feed children and families in our community. We have three special families that we feel deserve some extra love this Christmas. These contributions will help us continue our work into the new year and make an additional impact for these families. We thank each of you for being a part of Livonia Kids and Families."
Qualifying families within Livonia are provided with items from the Franklin High School Food Pantry throughout the school year. "Our program currently assists nearly 200 families, representing approximately 2000 Adults and Children. Since December 2015 we have been an approved Gleaners food partner. We are also working with Clarenceville schools to expand our pantry operations into their district.
"We've expanded the reach of the pantry over the years to include buildings in the entire school district. Additionally, we are working in support of Livonia summer camps along with our wonderful Rotary partner. We are also big fans of Blessings in a Backpack and work with them as our missions align so well.
"This past year saw Livonia Kids and Families provide freezers for 20 families along with a first time delivery of food items, primarily protein. In the future arrangements will be made to have these items picked up by the families. Plans are in the work to have this program expand to other deserving families."
To help Livonia Kids and Families or with questions please contact Veronica Cruz, Tel.: 248-470-9150, Email: vcruz@alphausa.com.
PARTNERSHIPS KEEP LIVONIA YOUNG AND VIBRANT. THANK YOU TO THESE PARTNERS FOR HELPING LIVONIA KIDS AND FAMILIES
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Another month of homegrown art on display at the Robert and Janet Bennett Civic Center Library
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 The Fine Arts Gallery, located on the second floor of the Robert and Janet Bennett Civic Center Library, is featuring the works of
"Artists on Five" for the month of December.
"Artists on Five" is a group of artists that either teach at the Visual Arts Assocition of Livonia or are on the Board of Directors for VAAL. Works are presented in acrylic, oil, calligraphy, collage, pastel, watercolor, alcohol ink, linocut relief prints, monotype and mixed media. Over 40 beautiful paintings.
Virginia Bosak, past President of VAAL and a member of the Livonia Arts Commission hopes "you can take time from your busy Holiday schedule to visit the Gallery to relax and enjoy some quiet time with the art of Susan Aitkin, Dorothy Amberger, Durwood Coffey, Mary P. Cline, Jean Figurski, Sandy Steed, Laura Host, Edee Joppich, Karen Judnich, Rose Marie Starke, Fran Seikaly, Julie Tibus, Laraine Walowich and Kitty Weaver. You might even find that special present you are looking for."
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Part One: Get Ready for Taxes: Adjust Withholding;
Make Estimated
or
Additional Tax Payments
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 The Internal Revenue Service urges taxpayers to act now to avoid a tax-time surprise and ensure smooth processing of their 2019 federal tax return.
This is the first of a four-part tax series of reminders provided by Cole, Newton & Duran CPA's to help taxpayers get ready for the upcoming tax filing season. To that end, a special page, newly updated and available on IRS.gov, outlines things taxpayers can do now to prepare for the 2020 tax season ahead.
The IRS urges everyone to use the Tax Withholding Estimator to perform a paycheck or pension income checkup. This is even more important for those who received a smaller refund than expected or owed an unexpected tax bill last year. It is also a good idea for anyone who had a key life event, such as getting married, getting divorced, having or adopting a child, retiring, buying a home or starting college.
If the Tax Withholding Estimator recommends a change, an employee can then submit a new Form W-4, Employee's Withholding Allowance Certificate, to their employer. Don't send this form to the IRS. Similarly, recipients of pension or annuity income can use the results from the estimator to complete a Form W-4P, Withholding Certificate for Pension or Annuity Payments, and give it to their payer.
Taxpayers who receive a substantial amount of non-wage income should make quarterly estimated tax payments. This can include self-employment income, investment income
(including gain from the sale, exchange or other disposition of virtual currency), taxable Social Security benefits and in some instances, pension and annuity income. Making estimated tax payments can also help a wage-earner cover an unexpected withholding shortfall.
Estimated tax payments are due quarterly, with the last payment for 2019 due on Jan. 15, 2020. Form 1040-ES, Estimated Tax for Individuals, has a worksheet to help figure these payments. Payment options can be found at IRS.gov/payments.
Workers and retirees who receive self-employment income or income from the gig economy, including payments in the form of virtual currency, should make sure to take these amounts into account when they fill out the Tax Withholding Estimator. Payments received in virtual currency by independent contractors and other service providers are taxable, and self-employment tax rules generally apply. Normally, payers must issue Form 1099-MISC. Similarly, wages paid using virtual currency are taxable to the employee, subject to withholding, and must be reported by the employer on a Form W-2.
People with more complex tax situations should use the instructions in Publication 505, Tax Withholding and Estimated Tax. This includes those who owe alternative minimum tax or various other taxes, and people with long-term capital gains or qualified dividends.
To learn more about adjusting your withholdings by making estimated or additional tax payments, please contact a tax professional at Cole, Newton & Duran CPAs
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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)
MET Opera: The Magic Flute Holiday Encore
December 07 - 7:00pm
Click on this image for all movie times
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Have you got your tickets yet?
Your tickets for the Livonia Symphony Society raffle for
a one of a kind Bass Guitar.
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December in Livonia
December 6 @ 9:00 - 2:00
Livonia Senior Center Holiday Craft Show
Senior Center
December 6 @ 6:00
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
with Angie Hahn's Academy of Dance
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 13 @ 2:00 - 4:30
Elder Abuse Town Hall With
Attorney General Dana Nessel and Laurie Pohutsky
Livonia Senior Center 
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 15
Live Nativity @ Madonna University
3 PM Animals and Refreshments of
Donuts, Hot Chocolate and Coffee
3:30 PM Live Nativity
4 PM Concert in Kresge Hall
5 PM Animals and Refreshments of
Donuts, Hot Chocolate and Coffee
5:30 PM Live Nativity
6 PM Concert in Kresge Hall
December 21 @ 2:00
Livonia Youth Symphony Winter Concert
Kresge Hall @ Madonna University
January in Livonia
January 13
Official launch date of the Tour de Livonia
January 23
Senior Center Book Club: Failures of Presidents
A Project of AlphaUSA
Moderated by Chuck Dardas and the typewriter
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| Senator Gary Peters speaks at Livonia Chamber gathering |
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Photo from Livonia Chamber of Commerce Facebook site
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Photo from Maureen Miller Brosnan Facebook site
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Maureen Miller Brosnan: "Senator Gary Peters delivered a great message at the Livonia Chamber luncheon yesterday about what he's doing to keep tomorrow's manufacturing jobs in Michigan today.
"Sponsors from AlphaUSA and NYX, Inc. were there, along with Mayor Wright and myself, to let him know how important that is to Livonia's manufacturing sector as we work to attract jobs for working families in our city."
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HEALTHY LIVONIA'S 100 DAYS TO HEALTH
KICK-OFF EVENT SUNDAY, JANUARY
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Healthy Livonia's 100 Days to Health begins at 9 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 5 at the Kirksey Recreation Center, 15100 Hubbard. The kick-off event will feature keynote speakers, raffle prizes, refreshments and free workout and open swim for the day
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The community wide event, which benefits the entire family for the first 100 days of 2020, is presented by MercyElite Sports Performance and sponsored in part by Dick's Sporting Goods, Running Fit, St. Mary Mercy Livonia, Energetic Wellness Coaching, Lemongrass Spa, Time Too Savor, Nestle Water & SPN Survivors.
The program offers the opportunity to participate in a range of activities including exercise classes for all ages, nutrition and wellness seminars, rock climbing, free Friday workouts, open swim and more. Additionally, adults can take part in the 100 Day Weight Loss Fitness Challenge.
Register for the Challenge and be eligible for monthly prizes. Last year's participants lost a total of 541 pounds, with the winner losing 39 pounds.
Register now at the Kirksey Recreation Center. For more information,
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| Mike Testa thanks the Livonia Democratic Club for hosting a supply drive for the School Store at Johnson Elementary School |
 Mike Testa: Thank you to the Livonia Democratic Club for supporting the Supply Drive to help stock the School Store at Johnson Upper Elementary. This drive resulted in $180 in gift cards (including $20 in a Christmas card) and 4 boxes full of supplies. I delivered everything to Johnson last Monday and they were very grateful for the generous donations.
I also want to thank Louise and Kate for reaching out to me months ago. This is the first Drive I have attempted and I was considering this a test case as others on the Supply Closet have asked about doing a Drive. I would consider the LDC Drive to be very successful and am now very open to running more in the future.
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| Elder Abuse Town Hall scheduled for December 13 |
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December 13th from 2:00 - 4:30 at the Livonia Senior Center s
pecial guest Attorney General Dana Nessel will be joining Laurie Pobutsky for an upcoming Elder Abuse Town Hall to provide information about her recently announced Elder Abuse Task Force, share available resources and discuss legislative issues impacting seniors in our community.
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| Some thoughts and reactions to FridayMusings |
| Final vote on sale of Wilcox and Newburgh Mills set for 12/5 |
Paul Stark: At the November 26 Commission Committee meeting, several commissioners stated that they received more letters in support of the plans for the Wilcox Mill than letters opposed to an outright sale.
The commissioners used those letters as a justification for voting in favor of selling the mills, even though 25 people at the meeting spoke in opposition to the sale and 24 spoke in favor. Those same 25 spoke in opposition to selling Newburgh Mill, and not one person spoke in favor. Yet, they voted in favor of selling both mills.
We need to make ourselves heard!
The Wayne County Commission is holding its final vote on the sale of Newburgh Mill and Wilcox Mill on Dec. 5. We are asking everyone to email and call the Wayne County Commissioners to ask them to vote NO on the sale, and encourage the county administration instead to develop proposals to lease the mills. Our web site has a template for your email to the commissioners, and all of their phone numbers and email addresses here.
savehinespark.com
A lease agreement is the better option because:
1. The county retains ownership and control, preventing the mill properties from being re-sold or subdivided in the future. The included deed restrictions do not sufficiently protect the Mills.
2. The county, as owner, can apply for matching grants, doubling the park millage funds to renovate the mills. A private owner can not.
3. The county will receive ongoing lease payments for the mills for years to come.
4. EVERYONE can support the lease agreement because the developers get to operate in the mills and the county maintains ownership of the renovated mills and residents gain valuable park amenities without losing any more park land in Hines Park.
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| 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.
Download your request form at
www.livoniaparks.org
Deliver to the Kirksey Recreation Center, 15100 Hubbard, email to parks@ci.livonia.mi.us or fax (734) 466-2929.
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| Madonna Campus Ministry invites you to join them |
The Campus Ministry at Madonna University is offering two events they would like the readers of FridayMusings to be aware of:
The Live Nativity will held in conjunction with the Madonna Chorale on Sunday December 15th
There is no charge for the Live Nativity but if you attend the concert a free will offering is asked.
The times for the Live Nativity are as follows:
3 PM Animals and Refreshments of Donuts, Hot Chocolate and Coffee
3:30 PM Live Nativity
4 PM Concert in Kresge Hall
5 PM Animals and Refreshments of Donuts, Hot Chocolate and Coffee
5:30 PM Live Nativity
6 PM Concert in Kresge Hall
Right to Life Bus. Madonna University is
chartering a bus again this year to travel to Washington, D.C. for the Right to Life March
. The bus will leave on Thursday evening of January 23 at 8 pm and we are scheduled to return on Saturday the January 25 at 6 am.
Price
: Non Madonna Attendees: $100 Madonna Students, Staff, Faculty and Sisters: $50 Space is Limited!
If you would like more information reserving a spot, please contact Jesse Cox in the Campus Ministry Office by email or phone. Reservations are closed Wednesday December 17 at Noon.
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| Community choice Credit Union partners with the Livonia Civic Chorus in announcing the December 15th Holiday Concert |
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