April 26, 2021 FridayMusings is your source for what we love about Livonia
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The Drzewicki Family spent the morning planting a tree at the Livonia Police Dept. |
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Thank you to the Greenleaf Commission on Sustainability! |
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Three campaigns helping Livonia make a difference |
There are three campaigns currently underway in Livonia if you set aside the way too early city council election.
First is the BeKIND Livonia campaign initiated by Rev. Kellie Whitlock, pastor at Rosedale Gardens Presbyterian Church, in partnership with the city of Livonia, Livonia fire and police departments, and the Livonia Chamber of Commerce.
The end result of this campaign will be the distribution of Blessings Bags for teachers in the Livonia and Clarenceville school districts. This is a continuation of the Blessings Bags distributed on Christmas Eve to police and firefighters, nursing care workers, and hospital employees.
FridayMusings endorses this campaign and encourages you to go to the UPS Store at Five and Newburgh to pick up your Kind lawn signs with the proceeds going to the distribution this Christmas eve. Vote YES on the Livonia BeKind campaign.
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Second is the Get Vaccinated/Mask Up campaign initiated by those in Livonia who care about our family, friends, and neighbors. The sooner will all get vaccinated and continue to Mask Up the sooner we can return to a more normal life, enjoying all the traditions that make Livonia the wonderful hometown we have all come to appreciated.
Most of our community leaders, in Lansing, in Wayne County, City Council and School Board have supported being vaccinated-- including Mayor Brosnan, Clerk Nash, Treasurer Scheel, Council folks Jolly, McCullough, White, Toy, School Trustees, Johnson, Burton, Centers, Jarvis, Bradford, Acosta, Representative Pohutsky, Senator Polehanki.
FridayMusings endorses this campaign and encourages all to get vaccinated and continue to mask up.
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The third is the campaign underscoring the need to maintain the quality and excellence of our Livonia public schools. By voting YES on the May 4th Bond issue we are making a statement that the condition of our schools must have the continued maintenance and upkeep of buildings--supporting the quality of life in Livonia and the quality of education in our community.
There are some who say that the money is not needed. That public schools are deteriorating anyway. That this money should be placed in the classroom with the children.
When I drive through any of our neighborhoods I see roofs being replaced, driveways being repaired, windows being changed out. Families are maintaining and improving their homes which enhances the quality of life inside the houses. Property values are maintained, families are attracted to move into Livonia, the entire quality of life of the community improves.
The same must be said of our schools, many of which were built decades ago. Maintenance and improvement of the structures must be understood to be essential. Do it now or pay more in the future.
FridayMusings joins three community leaders on our city council who have spoken up and continue to speak out in support of this Bond issue. Mayor Brosnan and Council folks Jolly and McCullough. Others may support it but have remained quiet. This is not an issue to remain on the sidelines.
FridayMusings endorses this campaign and encourages a YES vote on the May 4th Livonia Public Schools Bond proposal.
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The typewriter is supporting all three of the campaigns currently underway in Livonia. The Bond Proposal, the BeKIND effort and the vaccine/mask up campaign. |
Climate Change
Share your ideas on how to address climate change and sustainability in Livonia this Tuesday at 7:00. Online: livonia.gov.
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Join the many volunteers and the Livonia Parks and Recreation Department throughout the city from 9-11 a.m. Saturday, May 1, for one day dedicated solely to take care and preserve the beautiful parks right here in our own community. To be a part of this spectacular event, please contact Billy by email at wkeppen@livonia.gov.
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Meet a Livonia artistic success. Blake Morgan. Livonia is the cultural heartbeat of southeast Michigan. |
The typewriter enjoys following the success of Livonia artists. One in particular is Blake Morgan. Above VOCES8 performs 'This Is My Song' to the tune of Finlandia by Jean Sibelius, arranged here by VOCES8 tenor, Blake Morgan.
Singer-songwriter, VOCES8 tenor, multi-instrumentalist, music-educator, composer Blake Morgan is based in London, UK.
He is an internationally acclaimed singer and composer from Livonia Michigan, Morgan is a multi-talented musician, playing several instruments, recording and composing in many different genres, and performing with a mastery of vocal flexibility.
A gifted classical tenor, Blake has sung professionally all over the world as an oratorio soloist and also with several Grammy®-award-winning ensembles. In the popular music realm, Blake works as a studio session singer, and records as a Decca Classics artist; his versatile voice can be heard on itunes, television commercials, and National Public Radio.
He is also sought after as a jazz vocalist and has taken the stage to perform with many internationally recognized singers and instrumentalists. Blake was featured in Downbeat Magazine’s Student Music Awards as the Best Vocal Jazz Soloist of 2013.
As an accomplished ensemble singer, Blake is the only musician to have been a member of both full-time choral ensembles in the United States, Cantus and Chanticleer. He has also performed with several award-winning chamber groups in the United States including Conspirare, Audivi, Pomerium, and The Choir of Trinity Wall Street Church in NYC.
Blake was a member of Conspirare when the ensemble won its Grammy® for “Best Choral Performance” in 2015.
Blake holds degrees in music performance and education from Western Michigan University and has experience as a teacher of choir, private voice, guitar, and percussion. Additionally, he served as a student director of the Blue Lake International Choral Ensemble, helped to lead masterclasses during his time in Chanticleer and Cantus, and now coaches young singers with VOCES8 during the ensemble’s workshops.
Away from his professional engagements Blake enjoys exploring his love of folk music. Often writing under the moniker of Esto, he has released six CDs of original songs. The most recent release, Houghton-Hancock Hum-Alongs features tracks inspired by the beautiful Upper Peninsula of his native state of Michigan.
Blake’s music has received airplay on NPR and he has toured internationally with Garrison Keillor of A Prairie Home Companion.
Blake is currently singing with the full-time professional British chamber group, VOCES8, and now resides in London, UK. He records and tours with the ensemble internationally.
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Kindness shown for a special birthday
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BIRTHDAY CARD BLITZ success! Thank you all who sent a birthday card to Robin Whitfield's mother Peggy. Robin is President of our Livonia Symphony orchestra.
"With your kind help, she received over 100 cards for her 90th birthday! In addition she was gifted with 5 flower bouquets, homemade cookies and a birthday cake.
"She was impressed with the handmade cards, especially the ones from the kids! It’s been a difficult year with COVID and the unexpected passing of my sister. Thank you for helping make my moms birthday special!"
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Livonia kindness helping
Dearborn Heights Rotary
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Claude Curry, a recently retired Veterinarian, lived in Livonia for 46 years, been a member of the Dearborn Heights Rotary for 39 years, a Rotarian for 49 years.
To do the good his Rotary Club does each year they need to raise money in a difficult pandemic environment. Westland's Barson's Greenhouses is donating 10% of each transaction to his Rotary club.
THE ATTACHED FLYER MUST BE PRESENTED IN ORDER TO GET THE DONATION. Good throughout spring and summer.
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Help raise $10,000 for 1,000 braille books for blind children!
Seedlings Braille Books for Children’s Spring Online Auction this Tuesday, April 20.
Seedlings Braille Books for Children is auctioning off gift baskets, handmade pottery, collectibles, gourmet food items, electronic items and more from 8 a.m. April 20, 2021, to 10 p.m. April 27, 2021, to raise $10,000 for 1,000 braille books for blind and visually impaired children around the world.
View our auction and register to become a bidder:
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