February 14, 2020 Your News source for All Livonia. All the time. All ways positive.
On Valentines Day take a minute and realize, contemplate, consider then vocalize.
You gotta love Livonia.
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Join Michigan Supreme Court Justice Richard Bernstein in bowling for braille books for kids!
You gotta love one of the most fun events of the year. And it supports such a worthy cause. |
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Bowl with Michigan Supreme Court Justice Richard Bernstein on March 14 at Novi Bowl in Novi, MI, and help raise $60,000 for 6,000 braille books for children with vision loss!
Justice Bernstein, who made history in 2014 when he became the first blind justice elected to the state's highest court, will be the celebrity bowler at the 33
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Annual Bowling for Braille Books, a fund-raiser for Seedlings Braille Books for Children.
Justice Bernstein is a longtime Seedlings supporter and a braille advocate. "Seedlings' books bring the world to life for the blind," he said.
Seedlings' goal is to place 6,000 braille books into the hands of blind children by raising $60,000 at the event. It is the Livonia non-profit's biggest fundraiser of the year.
"Braille books are rare and often expensive, sometimes costing more than $100 each. For every 100 books a sighted child has, a blind child may have just five," said Seedlings' Founder/Director Debra Bonde. "How can a child learn to read without books?"
Braille literacy is key to a successful, independent life for those with vision loss. According to the National Federation of the Blind, more than 70 percent of blind adults  are unemployed or under employed. But of those working full-time, 9 out of 10 are braille readers.
Seedlings gives half of its books free to blind children all over the world. The other half are sold for anaverage of only $10 a book.
Maeve pictured here on the left, shows her doll how to read braille. Because braille books are rare and often cost more than $100 each, children with vision loss like Maeve may have only about five books for every 100 books a sighted child has.
Seedlings gives half of the braille books it produces free to blind children and charges an average price of just $10 a book for the other half.
Kennedy Industries in Wixom, pictured on the right, is planning to have five teams at this year's Bowling for Braille Books fundraiser on March 14 at Novi Bowl. This photo is from last year's event.
Bowlers are encouraged to register by March 1 so lane assignments can be made. The minimum pledge of $65 includes three games of bowling, shoe rental, T-shirt, goody bag, lunch and one raffle ticket.
You may also attend the event just to meet Justice Bernstein and to bid on auction items donated by area businesses. There will also be raffle drawings for great prizes.Tickets are $1 for one, $5 for six or $20 for 25.
Check-in starts at noon; bowling begins at 1 p.m. Novi Bowl is at 21700 Novi Road, Novi. And yes the official greeter at the front door will once again be the typewriter. Be sure to stop and say hello. This is a fun event from start to finish.
Headlining sponsors are Alpha USA; Bill Brown Ford; Canton Lions; Community Financial Credit Union; Financial & Portfolio Advisors, Ltd.;
Kennedy Industries;Livonia Builders; MASCO, Plymouth Lions; SkyOak Wealth and Valassis.
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| Meet Ashlyn MacIver. You gotta love our hometown Livonia outstanding Youth |
 When in elementary school, Ashlyn Maciver had an eye-opening experience.
She observed her older brother undergo treatment for pneumonia in a hospital. She was scared Kameron was ill, but amazed at the work by the team at the hospital.
"I loved science, but I was in awe of how everyone helped him," she said. "That inspired me to help others."
Along with family influences, this experience ignited an extraordinary resume of school involvement and volunteerism that earned the Clarenceville High School senior the 2020 Livonia Outstanding Youth Award.
Her school duties include leadership roles for the school's Business Professionals of America, Students Against Destructive Decisions, Youth in Government, and National Honor Society. She played percussion in the high school band, hitter on the volleyball team, and infield and outfield for the softball team.
Her volunteer efforts included leading canned food drives, blood drives, homeless shelter support, fundraising for a family dealing with cancer, reading to students at Botsford Elementary School, and singing Christmas carols at a nursing home. She dedicated her time to staff concession stands for sporting events, 5K runs, craft shows, and Special Olympics events.
"My grandmother (Karen), parents (Dan and Veronica) and brother all inspired me to volunteer and help others," Ashlyn said. "I just
love volunteering. I love doing it with my friends. It is really rewarding."
She maintains a hectic schedule - often getting no more than six hours of sleep on a school night - but excels in the classroom. She maintains a 4.07 grade-point average,earning a couple scholarship options for college in the fall where she plans to study nursing.
"Her motivation to achieve and help others is just who she is and can be seen in her determination to do what's necessary to have success," said Clarenceville High School Principal Troy Nelson. "Her involvement in student groups, such as BPA and NHS as well as athletics, is in addition to her taking a difficult course load, including AP courses and dual enrollment. Her success in these arenas is due to her ability to focus on a goal and not give up until she finds success."
Ashlyn, who turned 18 this month, is also driven to set an example for her younger cousins and 13-year-old sister, Marissa. She drives them to school each morning and encourages them to pursue their family's tradition of community involvement.
When she learned she was selected for the Outstanding Youth Award, she said she was surprised and humbled.
"It is crazy to be recognized for everyday things I do," she said. "To me, this is everyday stuff like getting up in the morning and brushing your teeth. But I am honored to represent Clarenceville High School with this."
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Thank you Jim Jolly, Laura Toy, Brandon McCullough, Cathy White. You gotta love forward thinking.
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Reader reaction to Monday night's City Council Meeting where
Bahr, McIntyre, Donovic voted No on climate change referral to Mayor.
Background: When Cathy White initiated a proposal to have the city of Livonia, specifically the Mayor's office, look into what a local community can do to offset climate warming the eyes of this typewriter opened wide. Impressive, who could object to taking a look at a current, topical issue that many feel should have a spotlight highlighting how a local government might play a role on one of the most talked about issues this year.
Well the council voted Monday, February 10th, to refer the issue of climate change to the Mayor who is quoted in a regional publication as saying that
she plans to rely on the Greenleaf Commission "and the knowledge of that committee in taking a broader look at a lot of the things that we're doing in our community from the vehicles we're using to recycling as much as we possibly can."
The city council was not all that convinced the city has a role to play in climate issues. Councilman Scott Bahr led the opposition by reading from a prepared text objecting to the resolution which narrowly passed 4-3, with
Bahr, Councilman Rob Donovic and Council President Kathleen McIntyre voting No.
Reactions to the resolution and those voting No:
Kathleen Bilger:
I am very disappointed in our 3 councilmen who voted against the climate change proposal. Yes, one city can not offset a global change but we can set an example that others can follow. Collectively we can make a difference. It is possible to slow the progression of climate change but we must continue the process that started with recycling, hazardous waste collection and conservation of resources. Why do you think we do these things? We do them to preserve the environment which is part and parcel of climate change.
 State Senator Dayna Polehanki: I would like to applaud the Livonia City Council for passing a resolution 4-3 to study how the city can determine ways to be environmentally conscious in the face of climate change. It was disappointing to see some dissension on this resolution given that a clear consensus has long been formed in the scientific community about climate change and the human impact on our environment. While it may not be convenient for us to acknowledge, we are living with the worldwide consequences, as we can see with record setting fires, hurricanes, and temperatures. Various studies have shown that we must take action now to slow rising global temperatures. I am glad that many in Livonia are showing leadership and taking this problem seriously.
 Chris Last: If we wait until everything, absolutely everything is perfect, we will never begin. Data driven? It is my opinion that it is much more reliable to simply open your eyes and be honest with yourself. Pluto was a "planet" but "data" said otherwise, but wait, now it is a "planet" again. Data? It is also said...
Jeremiah 2:7,
"And I brought you into a plentiful land to enjoy its fruits and its good things. But when you came in, you defiled my land and made my heritage an abomination."
1 Corinthians 4:2,
"Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy."
Ben Franklin,
"If you fail to prepare, you are preparing to fail"
The bottom line is, any and ALL actions that can be taken to better conserve,appreciate, understand, adjust to, and "re-think, re-use, re-cycle" is a step in the rightdirection.
Simply my own personal feelings, as I was not quite clear on what this proposal was or the intent. To those that choose to speak for a higher power and data, actions speak much louder than words.
City Councilman Jim Jolly quoted in a regional news source about the resolution:
"I don't understand why we wouldn't want to investigate leaving less of a footprint, less of a mark in what we do in every circumstance."
School board Trustee Liz Jarvis writing on facebook: Mr. Bahr's presumptions are wrong. We are not trying to reverse climate change; only to mitigate its effects. Additionally, if climate change is cyclical-and it probably is-so what? Does that mean we sit on our hands, and not use the knowledge, experience, and technology available to us this time around? Surely we have learned something in the interim. We are obligated to be good stewards of this planet, to the best of our ability. Anything less is shameful.
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Musings follows our City Council
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| Livonia City Council Study Meeting - February 10, 2020 |
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Musings follows the 2020 elections
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Joe Biden D
Michael Bloomberg D
Cory Booker D
Pete Buttigieg D
Julian Castro D
John Delaney D
Tulsi Gabbard D
Amy Klobuchar D endorsed by FridayMusings
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)
Bob Carr (R)
John James (R)
United States House of Representatives
Haley Stevens (D-I)
Endorsed by:
Michigan Education Association
Kerry Bentivolio (R)
Whitney Williams (R)
Endorsed by:
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
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| Musings follows Livonia Happenings |
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February in Livonia
All February
Allen Brooks photography on display at
Livonia City Hall 9 to 5. The show will be up until Feb 28.
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 18 @ 3:00 - 7:00
Livonia Youth Career Fair
Michigan Works! Livonia Service Center
30246 Plymouth Road
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 28
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 8 @ 1:30 - 4:00
March 18
March 26 @ 7:00 - 9:30
Happily Ever After--The Joy of Weddings
Reservations required
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 22
Mom to Mom Sale
Kirksey Recreation Center
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
April 25 @ 10:00 - 3:00
Previously Enjoyed
Jewelry
Sale
Greenmead Historic Village
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
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Brian Simmons new partner at Cole, Newton & Duran CPA's
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 Cole, Newton & Duran CPAs is proud to welcome Brian Simmons, partner, to its team. Brian holds a Juris Doctor from Indiana University School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Alma College.
"We are excited to welcome Brian to Cole, Newton & Duran," said Art Cole, Newton & Duran's
managing partner.
"Brian's experience working at a large regional accounting firm as well as his background in practicing law will be a great addition to our firm. We will utilize his extensive experience with the taxation of S corporations, C corporations, partnerships, estates, trusts, and tax-exempt organizations to grow the firm. Our clients will benefit greatly from his depth and breadth of experience."
Brian has more than 25 years of experience advising entrepreneurs, privately held businesses, and high net worth individuals on a wide range of tax planning and business matters. In addition to his depth of experience working with a variety of organizations, he also regularly represents clients in tax audits and disputes before the Internal Revenue Service and state agencies.
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Keeping up with Mayor Brosnan.
This time having lunch with auction bidder Gary Selesko. |
 Meet Livonia resident Gary Selesko... I did!
Gary bid on lunch with the mayor in support of Seedlings Braille Books for Children and we had a delightful afternoon catching up on all things Livonia.
I always have fun when I get to talk about my favorite thing ... our city.
Thanks Gary! You were great lunch company.
Some other followers reacted to the facebook posting:
Debra Stewart Bonde: Thank you for supporting Seedlings Braille Books for Children, Gary & Maureen!
Lia Koch Moore: Awe ... lucky dude... I want lunch with the Mayor
Nancy Donovan Valentini: I love Gary! He has great stories of adventures with his sons that have had me screaming with laughter.
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Hey Livonia You gotta love our hometown Leaders
February 20th at Laurel Manor
5:00 -- 7:30
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Join community leaders February 20, Chamber business members and honorees for one of the Chamber's signature annual events, the Leadership & Awards Celebration at Laurel Manor.
This event is a celebration to honor those who make a difference in Livonia, making the community a great place to live, work, learn and play!
The event will have a buffet dinner and networking, highlighted by the presentation of these awards:
Presented by Livonia Chamber of Commerce:
- 2020 Livonia Legacy Award: Bill Fried and Dr. Conway Jeffress
Presented by City of Livonia's Greenleaf Commission on Sustainability:
Tickets are $30.00 per person and available at the Livonia Chamber of Commerce.
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| Livonia lost an original who helped shape a town we all love. |
 Livonia lost an original Monday with the passing of Rocco Corsi, 91.
You may know the name Corsi's, one of Livonia's landmark restaurants. A restaurant that has served Livonia families for 6 decades.
If you never met him let the family share some of Rocco's history.
He was born on March 23, 1928, in Supino, Frosinone, Italy to Luigi & Angelina Corsi, the third of their four children. He met his beloved Adelia and they married in 1954. They moved to the United States in 1955 and gained citizenship in 1960. Upon arriving in the U. S., Mr.
Corsi worked for Ford Motor Company. He and his wife founded Corsi's Restaurant and Banquet Hall. Mr. Corsi was a founding member of the Italian American Club of Livonia. Mr. Corsi's passions included gardening, golfing, his cats and his family.
 Mr. Corsi is survived by his sons, Louie (Penny) Corsi and Dino (Karen) Corsi; Nonno of Angela (Abe) Leon, Cristina (Matt) Swaggerty, and Samantha (Jeff) Lasky; Bisnonno of Ellia, Serena, Mira, Matteo, Leo, Jordan, and Hunter. Loving brother of Fernanda (Gulio) Bonanni, many nieces and nephews also survive. In addition to his parents, Mr. Corsi was pre-deceased by his beloved wife of 59 years, Adelia.
Friends may visit on Thursday - February 13, 2020, from 2:00 - 8:00 p.m. (with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m.) at Harry J. Will Funeral Home 37000 West Six Mile Road, Livonia, Michigan 48152. On Friday, Visitation continues at St. Priscilla Catholic Church from 9:30 a.m. until the Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. Entombment will be at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery following mass.
Memorial contributions in Mr. Corsi's name may be Made to Angela Hospice 14100 Newburgh, Livonia, Michigan 48154.
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Let's enjoy St. Patricks with our Livonia Symphony Orchestra
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Click on the above image for more details and to purchase tickets
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Slightly used instruments needed, being collected by Livonia Symphony Orchestra
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 The Livonia Symphony is looking for slightly used music instruments - strings, woodwinds and brass.
Through a grant from MASCO, the LSO has these instruments refurbished and then donates them to six local schools in Livonia. As part of the Symphony's "Youth Outreach Program", these instruments go to students unable to participant in orchestra or band classes because they cannot afford an instrument.
At present, the LSO provides the instruments to four upper elementary and two middle schools in the Clarenceville and Livonia School Districts. Over the last four years, the LSO has refurbished and donated over 25 instruments.
The Symphony is asking folks to check their basements and closets for instruments they no longer need. if they have an instrument to donate they can contact Carol at 734 522-1687 and she'll make arrangements to have the instrument(s) picked-up and refurbished. You also will be provided with a "tax-deductible" donation letter for next year's tax season.
Thank you on behalf of the LSO and the students who receive these instruments.
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Proud sponsor of the Detroit Red Wings v Livonia All-stars coming to town May 17, 3:00.
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The census is right around the corner.
Livonia, let's be prepared.
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Be Counted Livonia. The Livonia Census Planning Committee held the first meeting this afternoon. From March 12 to March 20 households will start receiving an invitation to respond online or by phone. Online registration opens March 12.
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| Disabilities Awareness Month in March |
 Looking for someone to cater your graduation party? Or perhaps that business meeting.
No matter what your catering needs you can count on that familiar face, with that quality service.
Bob Modes @
Blue Plate Catering
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Ambassadors to new folks, caring neighbors to those in need, corn in celebration to wrap it up.
What do you think? Take the survey. |
In a discussion last week with Brian Wolverton at the YMCA the concept of a service weekend culminating in the September Good Old Fashioned
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The "no-rain" Corn Roast
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Neighborhood Corn Roast started to percolate.
Picture this. Between now and the third week of September we collect names of seniors, home bound, people in need. On the Saturday before the corn roast teams of people spread out around our hometown raking leaves, putting summer furniture away, doing chores, any number of quality of life issues that might brighten the day for dozens of people around Livonia.
What do you think? Would you like to see a Service Weekend in September starting on a Saturday with the Annual Good Old Fashioned Neighborhood Corn Roast on Sunday;
Give us your opinion, yes, no, maybe and next week the polling results will be shared with the readers of Musings. Click here to vote.
A service weekend. The people we help are invited to the Corn Roast. Oh, and part of the service Saturday is knocking on the doors of people who have moved into town in the previous 6 months.
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St. Mary Mercy set to host weight loss seminars
once a month from February to July |
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: 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.
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