February 28, 2020         Your News source for All Livonia. All the time. All ways positive. 
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Move over France Livonia now has its own Tour de Livonia

The 1st Annual Nicholas P. Strumbos and Livonia's 1st Responders Tour de Livonia is an opportunity to explore Livonia like never before. On
Why head to France when your hometown offers up a Tour de Livonia
this bike tour, cyclists will get to take in scenic views of Livonia's parks and neighborhoods. 

The Tour de Livonia, July 26 starting at Bicentennial Park, offers 2 different distance options to accommodate every rider, with pit stops for hydrating and bike repairs along the way. All funds raised by riders and their supporters will benefit Livonia Kid's and Families which is a local non-profit food pantry that serves the students and families in Livonia's Public School System.

The event will begin at 7:30am for the Nicholas P. Strumbos Memorial route (17 miles). The family route (7 miles) will begin at 8:00am.   Plan to arrive early for registration.

Tour de Livonia is an event that will help fund Livonia Kids and Families. Livonia Kids and Families, a 501(c)3, is a charitable organization that was formed in 2014. This organization provides food and other necessities to families within the Livonia Public School system who need support. The Franklin Food Pantry is currently being accessed by 100+ families. The food pantry also provides training for MOCI (Moderately Cognitive Impaired) students as they oversee all aspects of warehousing and delivery for the pantry.

Livonia played an important role in the abolition movement
Sojourner Truth spoke at the Union Society of Livonia in 1852
As Black History Month ends, it's appropriate that Livonia recognizes its place as a leader in the abolition movement. With thanks to Livonia historian Kathy Bilger, pictured on the left, I am happy to present this slice of Livonia history:
  
The place is hiding in plain sight, a small building close to the expressway and 6 Mile Road, known today as the Trinity Theater.  Back in 1852, the small Greek Revival building sat in a cemetery, on a dirt road, across from farms and two miles from the nearest village of any size.  People called it the Union Society of Livonia and the trustees said it was for intellectual or religious public use, though who it would serve was questionable since it was surrounded by farms and cemetery.   The Briggs and Fuller brothers as the neighbors, became the trustees and would serve for the next 20+ years. 

The people lived across the road.  Cyrus and Edwin Fuller settled at the corner of 6 Mile and Haggerty in Livonia. The farm across the road had belonged to their
Trinity House which once housed the Union Society of Livonia
half-brother, Erastus Hussy, a major station master of the Underground Railroad in Battle Creek.  Down the way was the Durfee family, who were friends and distant relations. The Starkweathers, Briggs, Shaws, and Laphams were neighbors. Harriet DeGarmo Fuller came here from Parma, New York to teach at the seminary school where the Union Society building now stands.  She married Edwin Fuller. The neighbors are buried in the cemetery behind the building, as close in death as in life, with the Briggs family in the center of everything as always. 

The time was 1852.  The American Anti-Slavery Society was sending men to Michigan to create local Anti-Slavery Societies. Anti-Slavery Societies were the public face of the Underground Railroad.   The Michigan State Anti-Slavery Society had come and gone, and several others had formed including the Salem Ladies, Young Men's, Baptist and Methodist Societies. The Fullers of Livonia, Glaziers of Ann Arbor, Chandlers of Adrian and others met in Adrian in October to form the Michigan Anti-Slavery Society.  The Chandlers had previously started another society in Adrian. Soon they would crisscross Michigan selling anti-slavery newspapers such as the Bugle, lecturing, and collecting donations.
 
The Michigan Anti-Slavery Society was the most active Anti-Slavery Society in Michigan, largely due to Harriet DeGarmo Fuller's work.  The records of the society are her legacy and are stored at the Clemens Library. Harriet saved the lists of donors, names that include many documented Underground Railroad conductors.  The records list the travels of the abolitionists to small towns such as Parma, Hickory Grove, and Adrian and cities in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana. Harriet made donations to the Michigan Anti-Slavery Society in these towns and so did Edwin and Cyrus.  Between lectures, she was writing articles for the Bugle and selling subscriptions. 
 
The stage was set for Livonia's moment of glory on October 11, 1856.  The 3 rd Annual Michigan Anti-Slavery Convention was held at the Union Society Building in Livonia.  For
Sojourner Truth as played by
Madelyn Porter at the Bennett Civic Center Library, 2/23
three days, the leaders of the abolition movement gathered there, united in a cause. Men and women traveled to Livonia from all over Michigan. The American Anti-Slavery Society sent leaders like William Lloyd Garrison.   Cyrus Fuller was president but could not be there; Joseph Merritt took his place. Edwin Fuller came as the treasurer. Vice President Harriet Fuller was appointed to the Finance Committee. Arthur Powers from Farmington felt the Republicans could do more for abolition.  Jacob Walton recorded that Sojourner Truth "followed in her inimitable way, glanced briefly at the trouble in Kansas and at the selfish mess of the slaveholders and their abettors and their enormous crimes-spoke briefly of her conceptions of God, and of her experience in becoming acquainted with his laws and the inevitable penalty attached to a violation of them."

While noted speakers like William Lloyd Garrison and Elizabeth Cady Stanton fought for both abolition and women's suffrage, here in Livonia, it was a different story.  The Michigan Anti-Slavery society put men and women on an equal basis. Women not only worked for the cause but also spoke at the Convention and voted. Laura Smith Haviland was one of the first speakers called.  There were 11 vice presidents, one per county. Harriet Fuller served repeatedly as did several other women. This was equality over 60 years before Michigan would pass the 19 th Amendment and give women the right to vote. 

Few sites have absolute proof that they are Underground Railroad hiding places.  Family lore and unexplained cubicles in walls are evidence along with who lived or worked there. There is no absolute proof that the Union Society building, now the Trinity Theater, was ever an Underground Railroad site. Any physical evidence was destroyed long ago.  The overwhelming number of its trustees were members of the Michigan Anti-Slavery Society. Events and people suggest that there is a strong possibility that it could have been an Underground Railroad site.
   
The thing we know for certain is that the people of Livonia played a leading role in ending slavery and a very small building tucked into a corner of Livonia was a stage upon which they acted.

Initial reaction from our city and schools to the Coronavirus 
Livonia's representative in Congress asks for ramifications on economy
FridayMusings asked our schools and city to provide an update as to their preparation in a response to a Coronavirus spread?  Is there any coordination with the state? The response from Andrea Oquist and Dave Varga was prompt and Musings would like to share it with you. Our Congresswoman Haley Stevens is asking for an economic response to a Coronavirus spread. Musings will stay on top of local response and will keep our readers informed:

Andrea Oquist, Superintendent, Livonia Public Schools : Our team has reviewed updates from our county and state organizations regarding their study of school preparedness on this issue.  To date, we have not received any specific direction from our county health organization or the state regarding specific steps, other than the very general awareness information (precautionary measures such as hand washing, covered sneezing, etc...) which we are currently summarizing for a communication which will be going home to parents & staff on Monday. 

Our district has a very specific cleaning protocol that we utilize for infectious diseases, which has been in place for many years and on which all of our maintenance/ops staff have been trained.  We will continue to be in contact with our ISD and the health department as they establish appropriate protocols for schools.  

Dave Varga, Director of Administrative Services:  The Livonia Department of Emergency Preparedness continues to coordinate closely with Wayne County Emergency Management, Wayne County Health and Humans Service, the State of Michigan and the Centers for Disease Control regarding the Coronavirus.  
 
Livonia and its partners have plans in place that are regularly exercised and reviewed. Many City employees are trained in the Critical Incident Management System, which provides tools for managing crisis information and emergency response. If there is a need for the implementation of these plans, Livonia will work with and under the guidance of county, state and federal health authorities.
 
Livonia works diligently with all its partners to address any and all hazards that may affect the city, region or state.

Congresswoman Haley Stevens (MI-11) sent a letter to United States Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross, calling for the creation of an interagency task force to address the economic ramifications of the coronavirus epidemic. In the letter, Congresswoman Stevens raised concerns about supply chain disruption related to the coronavirus and the negative impact on small and mid-sized manufacturers in the United States. According to the Wall Street Journal, economists are warning that an extended Chinese shutdown could cripple global manufacturing and cost the world up to $1 trillion in lost output.

"As you are aware, there are overwhelming and detrimental health concerns posed by the coronavirus, COVID-19. It is incumbent on your role to consider preparing for the economic considerations posed by this epidemic. 

"Before COVID-19 made its ways to U.S. shores, it shuttered Chinese operations, disrupting supply chain activities for U.S manufacturers and consumers. To date, our public health agencies have displayed commendable leadership in responding to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus. But we must begin to prepare a response and develop a plan in coordination with the relevant federal agencies to minimize the economic impacts on small and mid-sized manufacturers in the United States. 

"I encourage you to implement an interagency task force to bring together the leading experts to address this emergency from a multi-faceted approach, including border patrol and public health officials, among others, in consultation with manufacturing stakeholders, such as the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP). This should also include consultation with the Treasury Department to develop initiatives that prevent credit from drying up for our small and mid-sized manufacturers. Lastly, I urge you to work with the Department of Homeland Security to ensure that our domestic production facilities are equipped with the inspection and safety framework necessary to inoculate the spread of COVID-19. 

"The disruptions of operations in China have limited the ability of Chinese manufacturers to maintain the production capacity needed to keep pace with global demand. As production in China slows due to this deadly outbreak, international manufacturers that rely on imported parts, materials, or products from China are being negatively affected. According to a recent Wall Street Journal report, an extended Chinese shutdown could cripple global manufacturing and cost the world up to $1 trillion in lost output. 

"This disruption comes at a difficult time for the already struggling manufacturing sector in the U.S. While the ISM index rebounded in January after five consecutive months of contraction, our manufacturing economy remains volatile due to ongoing trade wars and other factors. 

"Automakers could lose production of 1.2 million vehicles for the first quarter of the year and see a 50 to 80 percent decrease in sales in February, according to analyst forecasts.  

"An integrated supply chain is the backbone of our manufacturing economy, and we must take steps now to prevent future effects that the spread of COVID-19 will have on American manufacturers. It was a pleasure meeting you recently at the State of the Union address and I welcome the opportunity to meet with you more formally to discuss, among other priorities, actions to protect our economy from supply chain consequences associated with the coronavirus." 
Musings follows those shaving for kids at St. Baldricks shave-a-thon
Wanna make this weirdness a reality again? Donate to my St. Baldrick's campaign so we can help fund children's cancer research and put an end to it.
Also let me know if the facial hair should go again.
Musings follows the 2020 elections
Vote
 



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
Musings follows our City Council

Livonia City Council Study Meeting - February 10, 2020
Livonia City Council Study Meeting - February 10, 2020
Musings follows Livonia Happenings
February in Livonia

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
March 3 @ 6:30
Livonia Garden Club
Civic Park Senior Center
Four seasons of garden interest
March 1 @ 2:00--3:00
Laurie Pohutsky Coffee Hour
Coffee + Cream, 38340 Joy Road 

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 DIA"
Livonia Bennett Civic Center Library auditorium.
March 16 @ 6:30 -- 7:30
Laurie Pohutsky Coffee Hour
Panera Bread, 28551 Schoolcraft Road
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
April 27 @ 4:30
Livonia Rotary Charity Reverse Raffle
 
May in Livonia
May 1 @ 6:00
Paul Seewald's
The Luck of Livonia Dinner Dance
Livonia Junior Athletic League celebrates 60 years
St. Mary's Cultural Center
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



 Support in Livonia continues to build for a YES Vote on March 10 for the DIA

Mayor Maureen Miller Brosnan supports a YES vote for the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) on March 10th:

Please join me in voting YES on the DIA millage renewal. For my children and yours, the DIA is truly a priceless treasure for our entire region, offering a one-of-a-kind experience for all ages. Providing access to the DIA's preeminent collection of art enriches us all. The free field trips for youngsters and bus trips for senior citizens are icing on the cultural cake. I am a strong supporter. 

On January 21st FridayMusings endorsed a YES vote for the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) on March 10th :

FridayMusings is a strong backer of the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) millage renewal. Renewal of 0.2 millage that helps fund the DIA. Put another way that's 20 centers per $1,000 of taxable value.  The ten-year millage was first passed in 2012. If voters approve the millage renewal in March, it will continue through 2031.

The millage since first approved has paid for free admission to the museum for all tri-county residents and has also made possible annual free field trips, programming, and transportation to the museum for particular groups from the three counties. Groups like school students.  Before the millage around 20,000 students visited the DIA annually. How many now? Now it's 75,000.  But it is not just students, the DIA does the same with seniors and veterans.

The millage has also made possible free professional development to more than 1,500 teachers every year. Education continues in many ways to be undervalued and arts education is being eliminated from schools. Into this void steps the DIA to become the number one provider of arts education in southeast Michigan. This  millage renewal will allow the DIA to continue this work.

The DIA is taking education and specifically arts education beyond the walls of a classroom. Beyond the walls for only 0.2 cents per $1,000 of taxable value of a home.

The millage has generated approximately $166.2 million total since its inception and the numbers of those touched by art include  1,849,862 visitors  from receiving free general admission (2013 - 2018),   392,231 students  participated in free field trips (General Admission, 2013 - 2018),  32,422 seniors  participated in free senior programs like Thursdays at the Museum (2013 - 2018).

Our conclusion can best be summarized in a quotation, not unique to Musings, but rather one that must be shared:

"Art influences society by changing opinions, instilling values and translating experiences across space and time. Research has shown art affects the fundamental sense of self. Painting, sculpture, music, literature and the other arts are often considered to be the repository of a society's collective memory."

FridayMusings joins Mayor Brosnan in encouraging a YES vote on March 10th in support of the DIA 0.2 millage renewal.
Eight Lucrative Tax Benefits Married Couples Must Know 
Before  Filing Their Taxes in 2020
The IRS gives major tax benefits to married couples. Be  sure to go through the list below to ensure you are taking all the deduction you can before you  file your taxes this year.

1. Your Tax Bracket Could Be Lower Jointly
For years, taxpayers complained about the marriage penalty, which used to occur when
spouses who made similar salaries, when united, pushed their taxable income to some greater
tax bracket than if they were single. Congress took steps to reduce that penalty, making the tax
bill for married couples filing jointly closer to the joint total they would have owed as single
citizens. But if the taxpaying spouses have different wages, the lower one can pull on down the
one that is greater to a lower bracket, reducing their overall taxes.

2. Your Partner May Be A Tax Shelter
It is well worth noting that both spouses can be helped by the negative numbers of one person
in a union or marriage. The partner who is losing money - say, in business - may not be able
to make the most of some deductions, including those dealing with the home. This person could
be able to take these newfound tax deductions and maintain the other's loss on a return as a tax
write-off.

3. Jobless Spouse Can Have An IRA
A taxpayer with no employment may contribute to an IRA using joint earnings. Eligible couples
filing jointly can make contributions to two separate IRA accounts - one for each spouse -
and get substantial tax advantages. Even when a couple is not eligible for some tax-deductible
IRA contribution because of income limits, both spouses might have the ability to make non-
deductible IRA gifts.

4. Couples May "Benefit-Shop"
They could usually pick on the most valuable benefits from the two plans if both partners have
benefit packages from their tasks. Frequently, benefits vary between spouses and a couple's
tax savings can be increased by the combination of benefits from two plans. By way of example,
a few with dependents may make the most of one spouse's dependent care flexible spending
account (FSA) that directly enriches their taxable income.

5. Married Couples Get Greater Charitable Contribution Deductions
There is a limitation to the charitable gifts which could be deducted based on income, which is
no more than 50% of your earnings. That limit can be raised by having a partner. If one spouse
doesn't have an income of at least twice the number of their charitable contributions in one year,
the excess contributions are carried over to another calendar year. However, for couples filing
jointly, the deduction sum takes the income of another spouse into consideration, so they can
deduct a greater amount.

6. Marriage Can Protect The Estate
Being married can help a wealthy person protect the assets they leave behind. Under federal
tax laws, you can leave any amount of money to a spouse without generating estate tax, so this
exemption can usually protect the deceased's estate from taxation until the surviving spouse
dies.

7. Take Full Advantage Of This Major Homeowner Tax Deductions
Owning a home can be very lucrative. Owning a home can not only give you a possibly cheaper
monthly payment than renting, but in many cases, the tax benefits are in your favor.

8. Interest you pay on your mortgage
If you own a home and don't have a mortgage greater than $750,000, you can deduct the
interest you pay on the loan. This is one of the biggest benefits to owning a home versus
renting-as you could get massive deductions at tax time. However, if you deduct interest, you
will forgo the standard deduction of $12,000 for individuals or married couples filing individually,  $18,000 for head of household and $24,000 for married filing jointly. Many people are choosing    to take the standard deduction now since it is so much higher than it used to be.
 
This information is of a general nature and should not be acted upon without further details
and/or professional guidance. If you would like to learn more about Cole, Newton & Duran CPAs  and how we can help with your accounting, tax, or consulting needs, please contact Bryan  Besco, client relationship director, at 734.427.2030.
LSO raffling off a one-of-a-kind custom guitar. 
A little over two months left to get your ticket.
The Livonia Symphony Orchestra would like to present this Alembic Bass Guitar that they are raffling off.

This is Mark King Deluxe model featuring several upgrades. It is a hand built custom 4 string bass guitar with a gorgeous buckeye burl wood top and back with the electronics covers on back being continuous (cut from the same piece of wood).

The core body wood is mahogany and the pick-up's are Alembic custom wound active type. The neck is maple with purple heart wood strip es, the fingerboard is ebony with abalone oval inserts.
Another custom feature is that the side marker dots are blue and red LED's. They are gorgeous when illuminated on a dark stage.

These instruments typically take months to complete and cost between $10,000 and $15,000.
This one was donated to the Livonia Symphony Orchestra for our fundraiser raffle and 100% of the proceeds from ticket sales will fund LSO operations.

They are limited the number of tickets to 300 tickets being sold for $100 each and the drawing is to be held on Saturday May 9th 2020 between 5:00 and 5:30 at the Clarenceville High School Schmidt Auditorium.

These raffle ticket makes for a great gift for that special someone in your life.   You need not be present to win!!!

For raffle tickets please contact LSO board member Emily Bauman [email protected] or call (248) 509-4744
Let's get ready to plant a garden
For those interested in having a Garden at Greenmead. Here is information on plots. 
Please contact Livonia Community Resources 734-466-2542.


Polehanki schedules Education Town Hall
Senator Dayna Polehanki is sponsoring an Education Town hall on March 11, 7:00 pm, at Canton High School. She explains her reasoning for this town hall this way, "Education research tells us that mandatory retention isn't innovation - it's regression, and this is the first year that our state is implementing this law. A proactive approach, such as what Gov. Whitmer is suggesting, and that informs parents about their rights is essential. Read more about how I'm working to amend the law, including extending literacy support groups to students in their fourth-grade year.

"This topic is so important to me and our governor that I will be hosting an Education Town Hall on March 11 at 7 p.m. in Canton at Canton High School. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will be my special guest and I would love for you to come join us and take part in this important conversation about early childhood literacy. "
Proud sponsor of the Detroit Red Wings v Livonia All-stars coming to town May 17, 3:00.
Previously Enjoyed Jewelry Sale is set for April 25

Do you have jewelry you no longer wear? Please consider donating it to  Greenmead Historical Park, Livonia  for the Previously Enjoyed Jewelry Sale on Saturday, April 25.

Donations are accepted at the Alexander Blue House at Greenmead and the  Civic Park Senior Center  Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

For additional information, please call (248) 477-7375.



Clarenceville fundraiser set for  Senior All Night Party
It's in the cards.
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.
See a Rotarian and get that ticket before they sell out
PLEASE CONSIDER BUYING A TICKET! $135/couple gets you appetizers, dinner, open bar, and a ticket into the reverse raffle! The top prize is $3,000 and 27 other cash winners will be awarded!


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.


Night of Trivia benefiting Blessings in a Backpack
Our Trivia Night is on April 24th. We are starting to gather items for our raffle at the event. If you or a business would like to donate something, we would be most appreciative.

Some suggestions are:
Restaurant gift cards
Certificates for haircuts and/or nails
massages
gift baskets of any sort
store gift cards
sport tickets

Please send us a message here, and we will connect with our Trivia night team.