February 24, 2020 Your News source for All Livonia. All the time. All ways positive.
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It's not to early to circle and underline May 17th on your calendar
A day that will continue defining Livonia as a healthy hometown
raising over $100,000 to fight childhood cancer and taking to the ice for our kids and our heritage
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It starts at the 2018 Shave-a-thon
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May 17th. Two venues three miles apart.
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Doesn't matter your age
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Start your day at noon being a hero for kids with cancer at the
10th Annual St. Baldrick's Shave-A-Thon at the 1 Under Craft Beer & Eats. Join this exciting St. Baldrick's event with a goal once again of raising
$100,000 in one day. Whether you decide to shave your head, volunteer, or donate, this typewriter hopes you'll be a part of the excitement!
The St. Baldrick's Foundation is a volunteer-powered charity that funds more in childhood cancer research grants than any organization except the U.S. government.
Livonia gets involved every year and continues to give hope to infants, children, teens and young adults fighting childhood cancers! Check it out by
clicking here.
For more information take a minute and contact Matt Kulacki or Robb Drzewicki:
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St. Baldrick's Foundation - Research
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You can help make childhood cancer research a national priority
The
United States Congress makes thousands of decisions on which causes to financially support, and there are hundreds of compelling stories to persuade them.
Sadly, childhood cance
r research receives just a
small fraction of government funding
and so much more is desperately needed to make progress. And people like Matt Kulack and Robb Drzewicki are working to organize a community here in Livonia to make a statement that fighting childhood cancer is a priority in our hometown.
$100,000 in one day. Stand up Livonia and be counted.
Okay Livonia, May 17th doesn't start and end with the St. Baldrick's Shave-a-thon. Not at all. You see at 3:00 the excitment moves on down to the Eddie Edgar Ice Arena as the Detroit Red Wings Alumni take on the Livonia All-stars.
This will be an opportunity to have some fun as 20 Livonia skaters take to the ice for another fun event here in our hometown. 100% of the proceeds will go to Livonia Kids and Families and our Greenmead Historic Society with the hope to raise $20-$30,000.
  Livonia Kids and Families works to serve our scholastic community where there are students, and families in need of food, clothing and other necessary family resources, while also helping moderately cognitively impaired students learn skills that will be valuable in the workforce. Qualifying families within Livonia are provided with items from the Franklin Food Pantry. The program currently assists nearly 200 families, representing over 800 Adults and Children.
The historic farm site known as Greenmead was purchased by the City of Livonia in 1976. It serves as a legacy of Michigan's agricultural heritage as well as a multi-faceted recreational and cultural facility hosting a number of major special events each year. This 95-acre park site was the 1820s homestead of Michigan pioneer, Joshua Simmons. It includes the original farm complex, Historical Village, picnic facilities and recreational areas. The Historical Village at Greenmead was established to protect and preserve several locally significant structures that would have been lost to development at their original locations.
Children, food and clothing, food pantry, skills learning, historic preservation, agricultural heritage. One day. Funding raised. Fun on the ice. Livonia residents like Robb Drzewski and Brandon McCullough stepping up and providing the leadership for two dynamic projects. Each proving just how a healthy Livonia benefits so many.
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Major Sponsor Livonia UPS Store,
Five and Newburgh
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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 our City Council
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| Livonia City Council Study Meeting - February 10, 2020 |
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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 27
Mental Health with Eric Hipple
VisTaTech @ Schoolcraft College
Registration at Livonia Chamber of Commerce
February 29
The Arc of Northwest Wayne County
Laurel Manor
Ball for All Leap Year Fundraiser
March in Livonia
Census forms start arriving in March
Be on the lookout. Spread the word.
March 3 @ 6:30
Livonia Garden Club
Civic Park Senior Center
Four seasons of garden interest
March 5 @ 6:00 - 7:30
Opioid Town Hall
Bennett Civic Center Library
Hosted by: Representative Laurie Pohutsky
March 8 @ 1:30 - 4:00
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 17 @ 7:00 - 9:00 pm
Skywarn Training
Bennett Civic Center Library
March 21
@ 9:00 - 3:00
Home Show brought to you by
The Livonia Chamber of Commerce
Jack Kirksey Recreation Center
March 22
Mom to Mom Sale
Kirksey Recreation Center
March 26 @ 7:00 - 9:00
Happily Ever After
Historic Greenmead
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 @ 12 noon
St. Baldrick's Shaving for Kids with Cancer
Plymouth Rock
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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Ian Clemens Foundation receives $10,000
Meet Ian Clemens in the words of his mother Michelle Clemens |
FridayMusings is glad to report the recognition and financial support given to the Ian Clemens Foundation, set up by Michelle Clemens in honor of her son. She received $10,000 for the continued work of the Foundation, which was presented by Jim Towers and Vibe Credit Union. 12 Super Women were recognized and then the One Super Woman on this Super Day, Michelle Clemens. Be Livonia Proud.
Michelle Clemens took the worst imaginable tragedy, the loss of a child, and made some good come out of the loss. Michelle and her husband tragically lost their 17 year old son, Ian, to a rare form of brain cancer during the first few weeks of his freshman year at the University of Michigan. They immediately started an engineering scholarship in Ian's name so that he would always be a Wolverine.
She also started the Ian Clemens Foundation to provide opportunities for future engineers, promote awareness of organ and tissue donation and to provide financial support to families who are fighting pediatric cancer.
Last week she received $10,000 and designated her the Super Woman of the year.
Meet Ian Clemens in the words of his mother Michelle Clemens:
 Our son Ian wanted to be a Wolverine since he was 3 years old. So, when the acceptance letter from the University of Michigan College of Engineering came, along with the other acceptance letters, we knew his decision had already been made.
Ian had a passion for learning and enjoying life. He loved spending time with his family, and his wonderful friends. He excelled academically and surrounded himself with like minded friends who over the years have become part of our family.
He wanted to become an engineer so he could develop something that would vastly improve the quality of people's lives all over the world. His challenge, and mission was to figure out what that something would be.
As he moved into his dorm in August of 2012, he was so excited to begin working on figuring out that "something" and participating in all that the University had to offer. Three and half weeks after Ian started classes at the University, he was diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer. Upon being diagnosed the doctors suggested that Ian withdraw from school with a plan to return in the second semester. Hearing this, and making this decision was harder for Ian than hearing he had brain cancer. He wanted to be able to do it all, but realized he needed to focus on one thing at a time in order to have the strength to fight. He remained driven, positive, and so brave through all the unpleasantries he had to experience. Ian was always looking for a shred of humor in order to lighten the mood. We never saw a moment of "giving up". Fighting every step of the way, and always making sure everyone close to him were handling things okay.
In typical Ian fashion, he had a plan: Now that he knew what it was, lets get it taken care of and let me get back to school. Unfortunately that was not to be and 32 days after being diagnosed we lost him at the age of 17.
Our world, and the world of his dear friends forever changed that day. We do not understand why this had to happen and we believe we never will.
Ian's final act of charity was providing the gift of sight to two people. In life, and in death, he did change the world. As a family we decided to do more to continue his vision.
Initially we started The Ian Clemens Memorial Scholarship at the University of Michigan - College of Engineering. This allowed Ian to forever remain a Wolverine. We have 7 students that have received this scholarship and will be adding another in the fall of 2018. Once this scholarship was in place we knew more could be done to continue Ian's mission. This is why we started The Ian Clemens Foundation. We have expanded our mission and will now be able to vastly improve the lives of many others. Through this foundation Ian's memory lives on and allows us to get up everyday and focus on the positive.
There is a saying that reads "To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world". We hope that through our foundation we may be the world to those we help in Ian's memory.
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Friends of the Livonia Library brings history alive.
The amazing presentation by Sojourner Truth and Harriet Tubman. |
 From the minute Sojourner Truth entered the auditorium at the Bennett Civic Center Library I set with mouth agape listening to her story. Slavery. America. Mid 1800's. Wanting to go back to my history classes and put her presentation in context of what I had learned 50 years ago in a textbook.
But this in the words of Madelyn Porter who brought Sojourner Truth to life represented the truth in the statement "the whole world is a stage." Oh yes, it underscored the belief I have always held and that she proves that "what we need is quality theatre by any means necessary."
But wait she was not done. Changing on stage she was transformed into Harriet Tubman "an American abolitionist and political activist. Born into slavery, Tubman escaped and subsequently made some 13 missions to rescue approximately 70 enslaved people, including family and friends, using the network of antislavery activists and safe houses known as the Underground Railroad."
Tubman told the story of how slaves used song to confuse the slave owner, using the river to start their escape. It was not only entertaining but it was knowledge sharing. The audience signing along, playing musicalinstruments she passed out. I closed my eyes and was instantly transported to another time, another state, trying to picture our family farm of 1900 acres in North Carolina, the tobacco crops. Wondering if there were slaves and if they used the tactics Tubman was explaining.
 And then it was over. One hour and I could have listened for 2 or 3. And what a delight to meet this gracious,
knowledgeable
lady at the reception following her storytelling.
Madelyn currently performs for The Henry Ford, The Detroit Historical Museum, Michigan Opera Theatre Outreach Program, and creates programs for Children's Theatre. Most recently, Porter performed in the Detroit Public Theater's 2016-2017 production of Coleman Domingo's regional premier of DOT.
She was here in our hometown Livonia at the invitation of the Friends of the Library. Yes that volunteer organization that raises money, $85,000 to $100,000 with each of their three used book sales.
Thank you Friends of the Library. Thank you Harriet Tubman and Sojourner Truth for having your story passed down from generation to generation. Letting history come alive. Thank you Madelyn Porter for keeping their legacy alive.
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LSO raffling off a one-of-a-kind custom guitar.
A little over two months left to get your ticket. |
This amazing one-of-a-kind custom guitar is being raffled off to benefit the Livonia Symphony Orchestra-a true Livonia musical gem, with world-class, professional musicians! Only 300 tickets are being sold
Don't wait-limited time as the drawing will be at Livonia Symphony Orchestra May 9th concert!
To purchase a ticket or to get more information all you have to do is call 248-509-4744.
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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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| Dick McKnight, past Livonia School Board President, passes away |
 Richard C. McKnight passed away at home in the early morning hours of February 16, 2020, at the age of 75, after a battle with Parkinson's Disease for over 25 years.
He is survived by his wife Gail of nearly 53 years, his mother Marion McKnight of Kalamazoo, MI., his brother Brian and his wife Linda of Greenville, Mi., his brother Daniel and his wife Linda of Sun City, AZ., his brother John and his wife Lourelle of Caledonia, MI., and his brother William of Reno, NV.
Born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, he grew up in Newaygo, Michigan graduating from Newaygo High School in 1962. He obtained his degree in Journalism in 1966 and his law degree in 1969, both from the University of Detroit. He had been a reporter for the Newaygo Republican Newspaper, the Grand Rapids Press and the Westland Eagle Newspaper.
He was recognized as a 50 year member of the State Bar of Michigan in 2020. He served as Detroit Police Chief Legal Advisor of Detroit Police Chief John Nichols, as a lawyer in private practice representing a number of police unions. He later had a diverse family and criminal law practice, and served as a Wayne County Juvenile Court Referee for ten years before he retired.
Memorial Visitation for Richard will be held on Friday, February 28, 2020 from 3:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. at the L.J. Griffin Funeral Home, Northrop-Sassaman Chapel, 19091 Northville Road (at 7 Mile Rd.). A Memorial Gathering is scheduled for Saturday, February 29, 2020 at 12:00 p.m. at SS. Peter & Paul Jesuit Church, 629 E. Jefferson (at St. Antoine), Detroit until the time of his Memorial Mass at 12:30 p.m.
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Governor Gretchen Whitmer heading to Livonia
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Monday, March 9 at 12 noon. Burton Manor
Click on image to register and purchase ticket (s)
Governor Gretchen Whitmer will be speaking at a luncheon for members of the Livonia Chamber of Commerce. Seats must be purchased in advance.
The Livonia Chamber of Commerce is a non-partisan, non-profit trade organization that represents more than 1,000 members. We strive to be a pragmatic leader for our membership and business community by working with all our elected officials.
She is in her second year in office as Michigan's 49th governor. She was elected in November 2018 with a famed slogan: Fix the damn roads. She recently attracted national fame as she presented the Democratic Party's response to President Donald Trump's State of the Union Address on February 4.
In her State of the State Address in January, the Governor discussed plans to infuse new funding into road repairs, adjusting third-grade reading requirements, and other education and health care initiatives.
She was born in Lansing and holds a bachelor's degree from Michigan State University and a law degree from the MSU College of Law. Both of her parents were lawyers.
In her political career, she was elected state representative and state senator. She was the state's first female Democratic leader of the Michigan Senate. She also held the role of Ingham County prosecutor. She has two daughters in high school and three step-sons.
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Clarenceville fundraiser set for
Senior All Night Party
It's in the cards.
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 Euchre Card Party to support Clarenceville 2020 Grads is set for March 21st at the VFW Hall, Schoolcraft and Inkster.
Not only will it be an evening filled with great conversation and fun card playing but hey, dinner is also included donated by Bob Modes and Blue Plate Catering & The Print House.
Did I say dinner of salad, mostaccioli, chicken tenders, chicken parmesan and dinner rolls was included. What an evening.
Entry Fee is $25 and includes the dinner with proceeds going to the 2020 Clarenceville senior night party.
Limited to 80 Players Maximum with following prizes:
Prizes (at 80 players)
1st Place = $300
2nd Place = $150
3rd Place = $50
Prizes (at 52 players)
1st Place = $200
2nd Place = $75
3rd Place = $25
Any questions call Dan MacIver 313-231-2524 or Pam Shourd 734-751-9783.
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Tackle Mental Health with Eric Hipple next Thursday
at a luncheon sponsored by our Livonia Chamber of Commerce |
 Eric Hipple is a former Detroit Lions quarterback who was at the pinnacle of his career with a memorable, victorious performance on the Monday Night Football stage.
He endured a horrific loss when his 15-year-old son was a victim of suicide, then he struggled with his own mental health in the aftermath.
He turned his
personal tragedy into a mission to study and speak about mental health, inspired by the memory of his son, to prevent others from facing such a tragedy.
On Thursday, February 27th Hipple will speak about how families can live with depression, in an important Livonia Chamber of Commerce program that provides valuable information for your family and your workplace. His presentation will take place at the VisTaTech Center at Schoolcraft College. Click here to register. The cost for the luncheon is $30 for Chamber members or $40 for guests.
We are proud to have businesses sponsor high school tables at this event to help share the important message with our community's young adults. Email dwest@livonia.org to sponsor a table of high school or college students.
Attendees are welcome to stay to meet Eric Hipple and purchase his book
Real Men Do Cry
, which he will autograph.
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 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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