May 29, 2020 Your News source for All Livonia. All the time. All ways positive.
Now go, and make interesting mistakes, make amazing mistakes, make glorious and fantastic mistakes.
Break rules. Leave the world more interesting for you being here. Make good art.
Neil Gaiman
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| Clarenceville High School has such a great idea and they are acting on it. YES. |
Troy Nelson, Principal at Clarenceville High School dropped a dime on Musings early Thursday morning. Let me tell you that FridayMusings is really excited, let me say that again, really excited. The story is so creative that needs to be shared. In the words of Nelson here it is:
"I know (Musings has) been a supporter of education and of Clarenceville and thought you would enjoy this joyful story.
"The staff of Clarenceville High School will be driving to the home of every Senior in the Class of 2020 Thursday and Friday to deliver cap and gowns, Honk for the Class of 2020 lawn signs as well as Honors and Recognition packets.
"We are a traveling celebration parade using a decorated bus and adorned cars to celebrate the Clarenceville High School Trojan graduating Class of 2020!"
Musings adds, that is so cool!
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Phoenix Theatres Announces Re-Open Plan
Returning to The Movies with Confidence, Ideally in Time for 20th Anniversary
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Phoenix Theatres' humble beginnings took root in the late summer of 2000, and in the two decades since they have risen above more than their fair share of difficult challenges that are typical to a small business. However, none of these problems have been as serious as the current COVID-19 Pandemic.
 "This challenge was completely unexpected, and effects literally everyone in the world," explained Cory Jacobson, owner of Phoenix Theatres. "We have faith in the human need to interact with one another and the art we present at the movies. It is unique to our American experience, as movies are one of our greatest cultural contributions to the world. Our business is both local and very social by nature and uniquely disadvantaged in a pandemic crisis."
The movie industry is not only closed at your local theatre, but all production has stopped on new feature films as well. The film studios have responded by literally rescheduling all films beginning later this summer and in some cases 2021. As the film industry grapples with these unprecedented problems, Phoenix Theatres decided to proactively shift their focus to offer solutions that could make a
difference.
"Our management group has spent the past few months working on developing a comprehensive plan with CDC guidance to carefully re-open our theatres," Jacobson said. "We are hopeful that all of our locations will be able to open by July 1st to support the return of Hollywood's summer blockbuster movies to the big screen."
Phoenix Theatres was founded in Southeast Michigan 20 years ago, and 2 years ago opened a location in Dubuque, Iowa -- where on May 22
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Iowa Governor KimReynolds made the announcement that movie theatres could reopen with restrictions. Phoenix Theatres however, decided to wait and utilize this time instead to train local management and employees on their new protocols and make upgrades to their ticketing system that will allow the computer to automatically practice social distancing inside each auditorium by implementing reserved seating.
"Prior to our re-opening, we will be traveling to our theatre locations in Iowa, Massachusetts, and Michigan with our small specialized training group to individually work with every employee in the company," said Sheena Hohman, Director of Employee Training and Development.
"This will ensure a complete understanding of the importance of following our newly established guidelines for operations. By providing our
employees with the tools and training necessary we can establish a safe movie-going environment for both our employees and guests."
Phoenix Theatres plans to incorporate both CDC and our local government standards on how a theatre should safely operate. Working closely with the National Association of Theatre Owners and with the help of our management and employees we have established new safety protocols for every aspect of the theatre:
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We will have social distancing guidelines in
all the common areas and most importantly in the theatre auditoriums. The seating layout will automatically be configured within our reserved seating computer software, so that customers will not be within six feet of other guests not in their family
group.
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Each employee will wear masks and other protective equipment.
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We have streamlined transactions at the ticketing and concession stand to further
minimize touch points.
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In between each showing, we will use a food grade disinfectant spray on all seats that removes 99.99% of all viruses on surfaces within 30 seconds.
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We will be using this disinfectant spray on high touch points throughout the building including the restrooms and concession areas.
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Hand sanitizer stations will also be provided for customer use throughout the theatre.
Detailed Video Re-Opening Plan:
"In order to help easily demonstrate these new policies, we developed a video to help illustrate what you can expect to see during your next trip to the movies," said Tearis Reid, Vice President of Operations. "The cinema has always been a way for people to escape reality for a few hours. It is our job now more than ever to provide this experience to our guests while keeping them safe."
To view Phoenix Theatres re-opening video plan and a complete listing of safety protocols, please visit our web site in advance at:
www.phoenixmovies.net/covid
  Coming Attractions:
In the past several weeks, the Movie Industry has received some very hopeful news with Solstice Studios announcing a July 1
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opening for their new Russell Crowe film "Unhinged," with Warner Brothers following with their new Christopher Nolan film "Tenet" on July 17
th
and Walt Disney Studios opening their long awaited "Mulan" on July 24
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New Online Store:
The past few months have also been a time of great creativity and several very technically talented employees have worked together to develop a new Phoenix Theatre Store on our website that for the first time will allow customers to purchase gift cards on line (in increments of $25, $50, $100) and are
available by visiting us on the web at Phoenixmovies.net. As this is the only area of our business that will be open for many weeks, we would certainly appreciate your support. The gift cards can be used for any film and concession items once we reopen for business.
There is no doubt that the coronavirus has wreaked havoc on the movie industry in ways that are visible to us.
However, theatre owners all over the country remain hopeful. And so does the typewriter.
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| Let's give it up for Community Choice Credit Union--three $5,000 scholarships |
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Lets congratulate Community Choice Credit Union for providing three $5,000 scholarships to Livonia graduating seniors
 
Congratulations to Stevenson High School graduate Emma Prowse and Franklin High School graduates Madison Moore and Madison Reynolds for receiving $5,000 academic scholarships from Community Choice Credit Union! Members of Community Choice were joined today by LPS Superintendent Andrea Oquist as they were presented with their scholarships in their front yards!
All three were selected from more than 1,400 applicants for their community service, academics and personal interview
s.
Emma Prowse will attend Grand Valley State University, where she will study nursing. Madison Moore will attend Central Michigan University to study recreation and event management or communications. Madison Reynolds will also attend Central Michigan University to study human services.
Congratulations to Emma, Madison and Madison!
And let's also congratulate Livonia public schools staff members who are acknowledged as the best in their fields:
Churchill Band Director
Elizabeth Hering was named the Band Director of the Year for District 12 by the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association!
Her colleague,
Patti Kilgore, CHS and Holmes Middle School Orchestra teacher, was named Orchestra Director of the Year for District 12 MSBOA!
And, Franklin High School Athletic Director
Ron Hammye, was named Athletic Director of the Year for Region 11 by the Michigan Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association!
Livonia is proud !! Our historically Public School Districts do it right year in and year out.
FridayMusings says that we need to keep and increase the funding for our historic public schools -- not the new for profit public schools.
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| Together Livonia Cares expands coronavirus testing to hometown senior housing units |
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 FridayMusings feels good that the news in our hometown just keeps on coming and keeps on getting better. This announcement from Mayor Maureen Miller Brosnan tells how Livonia's innovative Together Livonia Cares program expanded this week to provide coronavirus testing for those who live and work in the City's Senior Housing facilities.
Livonia Firefighters are visiting residents in all four of our sites - McNamara Towers I and II, Newburgh Village and Silver Village - offering testing, education and a supply of personal protective equipment.
"Livonia has been hit particularly hard by the COVID-19 pandemic," said Mayor Maureen Miller Brosnan. "But true to form, we have risen to the challenge and are working hard to keep our residents safe."
Together Livonia Cares (TLC) initially focused on contacting and visiting over 35 long-term and adult foster care facilities in the City, where the Livonia Fire & Rescue team offered their expertise on best practices for quarantining patients and use of protective equipment. At the same time, they also delivered personal protective equipment to help staff and residents at those nursing care sites.
"We are doing our best to reduce the number of COVID-positive cases at Livonia nursing, assisted living, independent living and adult foster care homes," said
 Mayor Brosnan.
The State of Michigan and Wayne County have attempted to initiate a program for testing at several long-term care sites. This effort was launched with significant advocacy by the City of Livonia and Wayne County Commissioners Terry Marecki and David Knezek. "The state and county testing effort has been limited so far," said Mayor Brosnan.
 Expanding the TLC program to offer testing at Livonia's independent senior housing sites, with the use of federal relief funds, is another step to help those who are among the City's most vulnerable residents.
Many seniors living at McNamara Towers welcomed this project, according to Brandie Isaacson, Director of Housing. "The residents really feel appreciated that the Fire Department were here, especially offering them the personal protective equipment," Isaacson said.
Once all four Livonia Housing Commission buildings are completed, the testing, PPE and education will be offered at all senior living sites in Livonia, which will include 1,000 residents.
Testing is important in the battle against the coronavirus, providing information on who needs to be quarantined.
"There was a great sense of community during the testing," said Mayor Brosnan. "Testing will go a long way to help us manage its spread as we wait for a vaccine. We believe this TLC program is the only one of its kind in Michigan and we're proud that it is in Livonia."
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Haley Stevens Introduces Legislation to Support Child Care Providers
FridayMusings adds that New Child Care Rescue Package Is Essential to America's Economic Revival
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 Wedesday, Congresswoman Haley Stevens (MI-11), along with Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03), Chair of the House Education and Labor Committee, and Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, and other House and Senate Members, introduced new legislation, the Child Care is Essential Act, to create a $50 billion Child Care Stabilization Fund within the existing Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) program.
As businesses begin to re-open and working families need child care, many providers across the country remain shut down or are operating with significantly reduced capacity. Child care providers that are able to stay open are struggling to cover their increased operating costs with limited revenue, and many are at risk of permanent closure.
The new Child Care Stabilization Fund would provide grant funding to child care providers to stabilize the child care sector and support providers to safely reopen and operate. These grants would help child care providers and working families by:
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Ensuring that the grants adequately support providers' operating expenses and funding gets to them quickly;
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Requiring that providers continue to pay their staff;
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Providing tuition and copayment relief for working families;
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Promoting health and safety through compliance with public health guidance;
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Prioritizing providers that serve underserved populations;
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Ensuring grants are awarded equitably across child care settings; and
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Conducting oversight through robust reporting requirements.
FridayMusings agrees. New Child Care Rescue Package Is Essential to America's Economic Revival
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Musings follows our
Livonia City Council
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Livonia City Council Regular Meeting -
May 27, 2020
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Livonia City Council Study Meeting -
May 27, 2020
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Musings follows the opinions of our readers.
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As Musings heads into a new decade we thought it might be interesting to look at developing a baseline of attitude on leadership and community.
 In this issue I have included a private survey to ask your opinions on some of our elected officials from the President through to our Mayor. Also let's take a look at how favorable you hold our community, city, state, county and schools.
Look forward to more occasional surveys. Please suggest topics or issues on which you would like to see what others are thinking.
Thank you for taking time to answer these opinion questions. Look for the results in FridayMusings on June 3rd.
Click here to be taken to the survey. Deadline June 2nd @ 6:00 pm |
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Musings follows the 2020 elections
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None have been certified by Board of Canvassers
Donald J. Trump (I) (R)
Joe Biden (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
Frank Acosta (R)
Kerry Bentivolio (R)
Whitney Williams (R)
Endorsed by:
Eric Esshaki (R)
Michigan House of Representatives
Laurie Pohutsky (D-I)
Endorsed by:
Sierra Club
Clean Water Action
SEIU
Emily's List
Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan
Michigan Council of Carpenters & Millwrights
Congresswoman Haley Stevens
Endorsed by:
Former State Representative Jerry Vorva
Former State Representative Kurt Heise
Former State Representative Jeff Noble
George Dimopoulos owner of George's Senate
Lynn Mills
Canton Township Supervisor Pat Williams
Roger Little, owner of Shooters Service
Martha Ptashnik (R)
Endorsed by:
City Council President Kathleen McIntyre
Former State Representative John Walsh
Former Livonia City Councilman Brian Meakin
Former State Representative John Pastor
Wayne County Commissioner Terry Marecki
Great Lakes Education Project (GLEP)
Michigan Freedom Network
Wayne County Commissioner
Terry Marecki (R-I)
Nancy Darga (D)
Schoolcraft College Trustee
Brian Broderick (I)
Joan Gebhardt (I)
Terry Gilligan (I)
Livonia Board of Education
FridayMusings endorses the following
4:
Dan Centers (I)
Karen Bradford (I)
Tammy Bonifield (I)
Crystal Frank (I)
Clarenceville Board of Education
Matt Boettcher (I)
Brenda Uren (I)
Shari Krazel (I)
Jeffrey Bunker (I)
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| Musings follows Livonia Happenings |
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May in Livonia
Every night M-F @ 7:00
June in Livonia
June 6 @1:00 - 2:30
Nancy Darga is running for Wayne County Board of Commissioners and wants to hear what you want to see in Wayne County.
June 19 @ 7:00 - 9:00
Angela Hospice Rock n' Raffle
Virtual Concert
July in Livonia
July 13
July 25 -- August 8
Summer MT Intensive High School Students
August in Livonia
September in Livonia
Bob Bennett Memorial Golf Outing
Date to be determined
September 13 @ 12:00
September 16 @ 10:30 -- 1:30
Livonia Town Hall Series
St. Mary Cultural Center
Gioia Diliberto
a journalist/biographer/novelist
October in Livonia
October 1 @ 7:00
Presenting Sponsor:
Dan MacIver
Financial & Portfolio Advisors
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| Our neighbors react to some of the articles in Musings |
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Reaction to Dan MacIver and the Best Kept Secrets -- Midge Ellis -- John Dufour
Cynthia Pribbanow Gresens We enjoyed the jazz concerts in the Clarenceville Auditorium. I believe they were on Sunday night. Many musicians in the audience. Most didn't work Sunday evening. A great memory!
Jake Dufour This Is Great Thanks for tagging me in this Christy! I'm Very Pround and lucky to call this guy my Grandfather and also for the opportunity to work for the City Of Livonia myself!
Robert Biga Harry Tatigian and John Dufour worked together to get federal matching funds to purchase much of our park lands.
Carolann Dufour He was my father in-law . Was an Awsome person. Didn't care who u were,always treated every one the same. In around 1966, my husband and I moved next to ford field. On Perth . Back then his office was in a little house on Farmington Rd. Where pine trees are in front of ford field. They were building ice rink. I was 19 yrs old. For some reason I climbed on roof of ice rink. Guess I was a dare devil? Well guess who saw me? My father in-law . Never heard the end of that . ��u pops!
Reaction to the article on Mike Ruddell
Mike Rudell
Good stuff and thanks for the feature! I hope it brings so people some enjoyment :). I'm blessed to be able to get out!
Vicki Schroeder I read Friday Musings tonite. It made me smile Mike. You fill your life with so much joy.
Reaction to Memorial Day Celebration at Rosedale Gardens Presbyterian Church
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Dan MacIver offers up a slice of Livonia History.
Let's take a trip leaving from our hometown airport.
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YOU GOTTA LOVE LIVONIA.
Communication and update from Mayor Maureen Miller Brosnan |
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The Livonia City Council unanimously approves a temporary ordinance change allowing Livonia restaurants to submit plans to expand outdoor seating. The ordinance would expire Oct. 31 and would take effect when Gov. Whitmer allows restaurants to open for in-person dining.
Look for information on applications soon.
You can find more information about testing facilities and other resources on our COVID-19 information page:
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Proud sponsor of the
1835 Livonia City Hall of Fame
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No pandemic will get in the way of creative expression
through the arts. Not at Madonna University. |
Your Livonia neighbors Bob Modes and Geno Grabinski
invite you to meet them at The Print House |
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Congratulations to three LPS staff members who have recently been named the best in their fields!
