As FridayMusings has been reporting the past two weeks Wayne County Commissioner Diane Webb has been appointed Superintendent of Redford Township. Her replacement on the Wayne County Commission is a former State Senator from Dearborn Heights  David Knezek. He was appointed Thursday to the vacancy on a 15-0 vote by the Board of Commissioners. 

Knezek will now represent  District 8, which covers Dearborn Heights, Redford Township and part of Livonia (Joy Road north to Five Mile between Inkster and Middlebelt).  

Congresswoman Haley Stevens (MI-11) released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass H.R. 4031, a bill to reauthorize the  Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI).

 The GLRI coordinates efforts to address pollution, combat invasive species, and complete restoration projects in the Great Lakes region. Congresswoman Stevens is a member of the House Great Lakes Task Force.

 

"Michigan depends on a healthy and flourishing Great Lakes ecosystem," said Congresswoman Stevens.

 "Now more than ever, we need to fight to conserve the beauty and precious natural resources of one of the world's largest freshwater ecosystems. From pollution to habitat erosion to invasive species, there are several challenges facing the Great Lakes that threaten to cause serious damage to the public health and financial stability of Michigan communities. 

"Thanks to the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, the federal government has stepped in to protect and restore our Great Lakes and preserve a way of life for our region. But the threats to this fragile ecosystem persist. 

"I was proud to support the continuation of this critically important program so that preservation efforts can safeguard the current and future health and vibrancy of our Great Lakes."

The  Michigan Bariatric Institute, a program of Saint Joseph Mercy Health System, will host free monthly  weight-loss seminars for the public in 2020, led by one of its bariatric surgeons.

 

All classes will be hosted from 6 to 7 p.m. in suite 202 inside  St. Mary Mercy Livonia, located at  36622 Five Mile Rd. in Livonia.

Dates: February 6, March 5, April 2, May 7, June 4, July 9

 

Please call to confirm the schedule prior to attending all seminars.  Registration is required.  Please call  734-655-2692  to register.

CEO/Secretary General of Rotary International John Hewko and President Janet Haas of the Rotary Club of Livonia met up at the Ann Arbor Rotary Club Meeting held recently at the University of Michigan union building.

Greenmead's annual jewelry sale has a wide variety of rings, bracelets, necklaces and more for you to add to your collection! 

Come shop our large selection on Saturday, April 25 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Alexander Blue House, 20501 Newburgh Road. 

Please be prepared to pay with cash or check. All proceeds benefit the restoration and preservation of Greenmead. 

Do you have previously enjoyed jewelry you wish to donate? Donations can be made at Greenmead, 20501 Newburgh, and the Civic Park Senior Center, 15218 Farmington Road. 

For additional information, please call Mary at (248) 427-0226 or Barb at (734) 464-0450.

          Livonia Symphony Orchestra to warm up the season on February 22

Livonia Symphony Orchestra February 22nd

"PASSPORT TO SCANDINAVIA" Louis Schmidt Auditorium - Clarenceville High School @ 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 "GilmoreInternational 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.

And Don't forget to get your raffle tickets for this one of a kind guitar. Tickets will be sold at the Livonia Symphony Concert February 22nd.

No one else does the arts better than our hometown Livonia.

Proud sponsor of the Detroit Red Wings v Livonia All-stars coming to town May 17, 3:00

Dr. Peggy Gaskill, Livonia City Hall of Fame Class of 2017, has led the Livonia Civic Chorus, Livonia City Hall of Fame Class of

2014, for much of the past decade. Working closely with the Board of Directors her leadership has expanded the reach of this 70 member community chorus far beyond a Christmas and Spring concert which was the mainstay for nearly 50 years since the founding of the chorus in 1965 by Livonia Parks and Recreation on the recommendation of Parks Superintendent John Dufour, Livonia City Hall of Fame Class of 2005.

Our Livonia Civic Chorus now performs 20 times a year at nursing homes, Angela Hospice, Greenmead, and city hall at the Christmas tree lighting, among others. Their two main concerts each year, at Christmas and Spring, find an audience that for years filled the historic Louis Schmidt Auditorium at Clarenceville High School and now the new Community Performing Arts Center at Churchill, home to the nationally recognized CAPA program. 

On June 7th, they will be performing their 55th Spring Concert aptly called Staying Alive at 55. There also is another milestone being eclipsed June 7th. It will be the final concert for Peggy Gaskill as President of the Livonia Civic Chorus. Kathleen Chichester will assume the presidency when the new season starts in September.

President Gaskill is leaving the chorus in capable hands, with a strong community recognition, and with a mission firmly etched in the chorus' culture setting up a transition that will hold it in good shape for years to come.

And that is where the readers of Musings, community leaders and supporters of the arts comes in.

.

FridayMusings is asking you to join with friends of the arts, your neighbors, your friends in raising $5,500 to start a legacy fund. Monies that will be set aside for future use; to cover emergencies, to set up an investment for the future. Other efforts will also be undertaken but for now this typewriter is asking you to send your check, for $5, $10, $20 or whatever amount you want to, made payable to the Livonia Civic Chorus and send to the Livonia Civic Chorus,  37637 Five Mile Rd, Livonia, MI 48154. 

At the same time drop an email to the typewriter at rwilliamjoyner@gmail.com so we can tally amounts donated and share the total in the thermometer chart below.

Proud sponsor of the Detroit Red Wings v Livonia All-stars coming to town May 17, 3:00.

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!

Dan MacIver helped Debra Bonde kick off the 33rd Annual Bowling for Braille Books scheduled for March 14th at the Novi Bowl Family Fun Center. 

Dan presented  Debra Stewart Bonde  with his sponsorship banner, a check for his Headliner Sponsorship and a check to sponsor two teams, an F&PA team and a client team. 

"This is a fun event every year. Having a good time and supporting a wonderful hometown charity that is making an impact around the world." 

This year the celebrity bowler is Justice Richard Bernstein of the Michigan Supreme Court. Contact [email protected] for additional information, like bowling or sponsoring.