July 20,2020 Your Source for Livonia Happenings
Just a friendly PSA to everyone driving in Livonia:
Please watch carefully for bicyclists! 
The same holds for pedestrians!

PHOENIX THEATRES THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX ANNOUNCES SOLUTION TO SAFELY PROVIDE A NEW LEARNING ENVIRONMENT
Cory Jacobson, owner of Phoenix Theatres, purposes using his dozens of shuttered theatre auditoriums and facilities in Michigan, Iowa and Massachusetts for economical rental to school systems – offering a viable option to temporarily increase available space for fall classes. The concept can easily be adapted by other theatres and school systems nationwide to provide a positive solution for both groups.

“I was recently listening to a podcast on the vast challenges facing the nation’s K-12 school systems and colleges to open for fall classes. I had a creative thought that we may have the perfect temporary solution by utilizing our auditoriums,” Jacobson said.

The theatre business is temporarily shuttered due to a lack of new Hollywood films and local restrictions. The nation’s school systems are struggling with small classroom sizes and an inability to social distance students. “This seems like a natural way to solve both problems as our theatre auditoriums have numbered chairs that easily allow for assigned student seating and can accommodate social distancing guidelines,” he added. “Each auditorium has professional audio and visual capabilities, making for a perfect lecture environment and allowing for on-screen visual instruction. With large multiple auditoriums in each complex, we can offer the ability to keep students socially distanced, while increasing class sizes to a more traditional scale.” 
John Scanlan, Chief Operating Officer of Phoenix said: “As for our traditional movie business, once the movie industry gets going again, we won’t have to kick out schools with little notice. We can continue with film showings in the evenings and weekends. In essence, the school districts temporarily need more space during the pandemic crisis and we can offer that alternative. Once the crisis subsides, the schools can return to their regular facilities and the theatre can resume its normal film programming for extended hours. This creative solution solves a critical problem for the school system and allows the theatre operation to remain solvent.” 

Jacobson said this can be the perfect public - private collaboration to help resolve education’s logistical challenges of spacing students, while still having them in one room; it is proven more learning takes place live and in person with a teacher. “It is my hope we can find a safe and practical solution that will benefit our students and teaching staff during this unprecedented crisis.” said Jacobson. 

Phoenix has started to reach out to both public and charter school institutions in Michigan, Iowa and Massachusetts with the idea of taking proactive steps to provide this alternative by the fall semester. If you have any further questions or would like more information please contact us at: [email protected]   
 
Background:
The Michigan based Phoenix Theatres currently operates 10 screens at Laurel Park Place in Livonia, 10 screens at the Mall of Monroe in Monroe, 4 at State-Wayne, 6 screens at the Kennedy Mall in Dubuque, Iowa and 6 screens at the Beacon Cinema in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. 
Commentary: One step does not equal a mile. And a mile takes time.
Livonia does care about Black Lives. Livonia does care about our police department. Livonia does care and to take any other view does a disservice to those who understand that we can improve the quality of life in a diversified hometown, that we can have a safe community while at the same time welcoming diversity.

To say only that Livonia is a racist community does not take into consideration that for years this hometown has set the pace for surrounding communities with quality and numbers of community parks, with the quality and numbers of recreation activities, with the quality of health care opportunities, with quality of educational opportunities and yes with the quality of our police and fire services.

Hold on a minute before some raise their eyebrows and others cheer. I am one who will march as often as possible to have communities across the country and my hometown prove through actions that black lives matter.

This is exactly the step being taken by our city administration and police department. In six weeks the Mayor has opened up her office for discussion and to listen. Six weeks ago over 2,000 people kicked off an awareness campaign by marching in solidarity with brothers and sisters across the country. In six weeks our police department has initiated a website for residents to access. In six weeks the Mayor has reconstituted the Human Relations Commission.
None of this is perfect but let me tell you the first step is often the most difficult. Instead of criticizing every day we should say "right on" and encourage the continued steps. One step does not equal a mile. And a mile takes time.

Yes, we have idiots who use social media to speak out in ways that are reprehensible. Statements are made that denigrate people of color. They deserve no attention and no response. Because that is what they want. By erecting a billboard we get attention but it is like opening the floodgates of invective and hatred and giving permission for the few who are racist to pretend they are the many.

I would bet that the over whelming residents of Livonia are like my neighborhood. I sit on the front porch while the four next door neighbor children, black if it matters, ride their bikes around my circular drive, waving each time they pass me by. "Good morning they call out, using my trademark greeting. I go for a walk and stop to talk with my neighbors on the other side, practicing Muslims, and she is the reason I have gained weight during the pandemic. A great cook. One other house down lives a first generation polish man. Kiddy corner is a black Detroit firefighter. At the other end of the street is a black ATT Technician.
People, black and white, stroll, ride their bikes, wave, smile, stop and talk. This is Livonia. Not the social media imbeciles who are being challenged to spew their hatred. Encouraged, when we should just be ignoring them. Let them whither on the vine, drying out, not propagating.

Schoolcraft College President for 19 years, a black man. The President of the Rotary AM Club is black. This is part of the fiber of Livonia. This is the Livonia we should be celebrating. Telling the world about all we have to offer. While our leaders continue to meet, talk, listen and improve.

Tell all sides. Not just one.
July in Livonia
21 Summer Fun Series @ 6:00
Miss Paula and the Candy Bandits
Livonia Parks and Recreation
Clarenceville Athletic Boosters on hand with Mystic Kettle Corn and Water

23 Weekend Comeback
Music from the Heart

25 Wilson Barn Farmers Market

28 Drive in Movie @ 7:30
Livonia Parks and Recreation
Clarenceville Athletic Boosters on hand with Mystic Kettle Corn and Water

30 Toppermost Beatles Tribute
Music from the Heart

August in Livonia

1, 8, 15, 22, 29 Wilson Barn Farmers Market

4 Primary Election--vote early and often by taking a neighbor to the polls

6 Sinjon Smith
Music from the Heart

13 Devin Scillian and Arizona Sun
Music from the Heart

17 2020 Golf Outing Benefitting MiWorkMatters @ Idyl Wyld Golf Course

20 Cruzin Jupiter
Music from the Heart

27 Cosmic Groove Band
Music from the Heart

30 The ARC NW 2020 Golf Outing
Fox Creek Golf Course

September in Livonia

5, 12, 19, 26 Wilson Barn Farmers Market

12 Thomas A. Dooley Knights of Columbus Golf Classic @ Fox Hills $100 includes dinner and prizes. To sign up call John Glennon 734-968-2286 or Lou Fiorentino 248-808-3834

October in Livonia

1 1835 Livonia City Hall of Fame
Rosedale Presbyterian Church
Presenting Sponsor: Dan MacIver Financial & Portfolio Advisors
Our Livonia Town Hall takes a hit from the pandemic. But rest assured they will be back.
Dan MacIver offers up a slice of Livonia
The Livonia Civic Chorus is reaching out to put a smile on your face
Here's a song Jeff Swan, Music Director of the Livonia Civic Chorus, sent this song along to Peggy Gaskill who says that it certainly made her smile. So she is passing it along to our readers with the same suggestion. "It may make you smile.

You gotta love our Livonia cultural organizations. Reason why Livonia is the cultural heartbeat of southeast Michigan.
Make your plans now for Livonia Adult Coed Soccer. Time to register--starting next week
This Fall, an 11 v 11 Adult Coed Soccer League is coming to Livonia Parks and Recreation! Team Registration will be from July 27 to August 18. The team fee of $755 includes all official fees and team shirts. The eight week season will take place at Bicentennial Park. 

Livonia Kiwanis Early Riser Fernon Feenstra Scholarship Winners
The typewriter will be sharing an essay from one Livonia Kiwanis Early Riser Fernon Feenstra Scholarship Winner each issue over the next two weeks.