View as Webpage June 14, 2021 People/Dining/Shopping/Events/Culture All defining Livonia 700,000 + total words written since March 2019

Another of those Best Kept Secrets of Livonia Take a look at the history of Dennis Nazelli The basketball coach of the Livonia Cardinals, Dennis Nazelli, photographed here, was caught by Russian paparazzi after making international sports history as the first coach of a US youth basketball team to meet a Soviet youth team in June 24, 1985 (his birthday) in Leningrad, USSR. USA Basketball, the governing body for international competition, and FIBA, the International Basketball Federation, would not sanction the coach's request, stating that, " You couldn't possibly arrange this match by yourself." Using his Swedish contacts, the game took place forcing the USA Basketball's sanction, grudgingly. Surprising the media by responding in Russian, coach Nazelli was asked to comment on the Soviet basketball team's controversial 1972 Olympic victory. He informed them that the US had a total of 61 Olympic wins." Nazelli retired from coaching in 1988 after 5 years of high school, two in college, and 7 years of international competition. In 2013, he was asked to return to high school basketball at Detroit Country Day. By then his appearance had slightly changed as pictured here on the left. (Thanks to Dennis Nazelli for making this information available on his Facebook page) The 2022 Republican nomination contest comes to Livonia on June 24th They call it the Early Bird Gubernatorial Candidate Forum but what the Livonia Republican Club is really acknowledging is that the 2022 race for Governor starts here in Livonia. With the increased importance of western Wayne County centered in Livonia, it may very well find the election key to winning being here in our hometown and election night may find the state looking at the returns from Livonia to determine the winner. Regardless, the Livonia Republican Club has set June 24th as the night to invite candidates seeking the nomination to come out and introduce themselves to the voters in western Wayne County. Five candidates seeking the Republican nomination have confirmed their attendance. Free tickets are available at LivoniaGOP.com Run 2 Save Our Youth helped Livonia return to a sense of normal Run to Save Our Youth had 150 runners this year including Mayor Maureen Miller Brosnan, pictured here smiling as she crossed the finish line, Council folks Jim Jolly and Brandon McCullough. And yes, once again the entire Jolly family made the run. Even had one of the council candidates on hand, not running but cheering on the finishers, Ken Overwater. It all helped Livonia take one more step closer to a return to normal. Thank you, Karen Vega Bonanno, Director of Livonia Save our Youth, for bringing this event back to Livonia after a year off. Karen Vega Bonanno dropped a note to the typewriter acknowledging that "The continued support of our community for this event is a gift." Full disclosure. Mayor Brosnan wants it known that she walked the route not ran as the picture might suggest.

Hometown reactions to retirement of Chief Curtis Caid The response to the retirement of Chief Curtis Caid and the appointment of incoming Chief Goralski lit up social media with hundreds of comments. Here is just a sample to share: Alan Helmkamp: "Can’t say enough good things about Chief Caid, and the job he has done for our community. Much appreciation and best wishes! "From what I hear about Captain Goralski, he’s the right officer to fill this important leadership position. I think the decision by Maureen to move up someone from the department, who knows the organization and challenges, and already enjoys broad support was the correct one." Kate Mackie Chief Caid will be missed greatly - yet Captain Goralski is an excellent, well deserved promotion. The city will be in good hands! Lisa Fraske Congratulations Chief Caid on your retirement, thank you so much for your service. Best wishes for a restful retirement, and welcome Captain Gorlaski! We stand with you and support you. Cathy Condon Congratulations to Chief Caid on your upcoming retirement and to Capt Goralski on your upcoming assignment as our new Chief. Thanks to both of you for your service in keeping our city safe. It could not be in better hands. Chris Swish Congratulations to Chief Caid on a job well done and a well deserved retirement. And Congratulations to Chief Goralski on your new endeavor. Candidate endorsements continue to come in Ken Overwater has gained two new endorsements in his campaign for a position on the Livonia City Council. "I have been endorsed by AFSCME and State Representative Laurie Pohutsky." Book Sale is not done. Come on back June 26 and 27

Keeping up with the Council candidates As candidates have campaign announcements to make FridayMusings will include them as we keep up to date on the campaign. We will include information from all candidates. FridayMusings has not made any endorsements but will in September. Carrie Budzinski for Livonia City Council: Friday, three days ago, Carrie made the rounds of Livonia as promised and collected hazardous waste that residents set out for pick up on their front porch. Dozens signed up on a form she made available on social media and when it was all done she says that she and her husband "picked up nearly 1,000lbs of hazardous waste." The typewriter took advantage of the pick up and was happy to clean out a little garage space. Ken Overwater for Livonia City Council: Overwater takes a position on public safety:  Our community is healthier and safer when our first responders have the funding and support they need to continue delivering life saving services. The Livonia first responders are top-notch, and saved my Dad’s life within the first couple weeks of my family’s move to the city. Livonia first responders and law enforcement deserve comprehensive benefits, high-quality training, and competitive salaries. I’ll be an advocate for the city to invest in public resources that make our whole community safer.  Jim Jolly for Livonia City Council: Jim Jolly joined Maureen Miller Brosnan, Brandon McCullough, and 150 runners in supporting Run 2 Save Our Youth this past Saturday. Jolly had the entire family running in this return to normal Livonia event. Dan Centers for Livonia City Council. Dan and Janice Centers hosted a backyard spring party. The typewriter and bodyguard coped an invitation and spent some time chatting up Becky and Robb Drzewicki, State Senator Dayna and Jim Polehanki, Mayor Maureen Miller Brosnan, Alan Helmkamp, State Representative Kevin Coleman, Madison Bjertness a recent Wayne State University graduate starting her Masters at WMU, Husain Haidri and a host of others. Livonia takes a step toward inclusion of more neighbors. Pride parade. Taking in Livonia back tonormal weekend events ranging from the Irish Festival to the Run 2 Save our Youth City Councilman Brandon McCullough found time to exclaim that for him "The awesome weekend continues! One of the reasons I absolutely love this city is the number of wonderful service groups. I had the pleasure to join PFLAG Livonia Saturday afternoon during their Pride trunk and treat event. The event was incredible and well attended." The typewriter also spent some time as a part of a return to our Livonia normal weekend at the PFLAG Pride Parade held outside at the Devon Aire Community Church with lots of decorated cars, great conversation with lots of parents supporting their families. Jen Noricks, President said that this event was the best attended yet since the chapter was founded. "We just kept getting reservations and people were calling asking for information.We knew that we would have a big crowd and we are." Also spent time with PFLAG officer April Gradowski. Then crossed paths with two council candidates, Carrie Budzinski and Ken Overwater. Carrie was passing out free books to those interested. Books that were sponsored by PFLAG. Ken was carrying his daughter from car to car loading up with candy as if it was Halloween in June. Just missed councilman Brandon McCulloughalthough he passed along the picture with Noricks and Gradowski. Delisha Upshaw dropped a social media post to the event organizers summing up what many felt who were unable to attend. Congrats on a great event! I had to work today. Eden was crossing her fingers that we could make it in time. She even painted a  rock to bring (with a rainbow). "I’m so happy to see that it was a successful event! Keep up the great work!" Thank you to MascoCorp for taking part in the Livonia #BeKindLivonia campaign! There are "Be the I in Kind" signs all over Livonia! Show your kindness. Take your photo in front of the Be Kind sign and share it on social media. Livonia is Kind. Let's tell our neighbors.

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