Bill Joyner's FridayMusings 8/31/22

September 31, 2022 When we are not limited, we all thrive

Livonia parties 9/17. Livonia Bike tours 9/18. Livonia roasts Corn 9/18.

Livonia fights pediatric cancer 9/25. September helps define Livonia.

No sooner had the Touch-a-Truck ended than it was time to shift attention to the 2nd Annual Love Livonia Ford Field party, the 1st Annual Tour de Livonia, and the 5th Annual Good Old-Fashioned Neighborhood Corn Roast. And then there is the St. Baldrick's Shave-a-thon.

Does the quality of life events ever stop rolling out in our hometown?

In preparation for the September 25th Shave-a-thon, which will have as a highlight the crossing of a major milestone. $1,000,000. $10,000 was raised the first year that the Shave-a-thon was organized by Robb Drzewicki and he has step by step over the past decade drawn closer to $1 million. And this will be the year, under new organizer Matt Kulacki, that just after the bagpipes come marching in at the One Under the milestone will be reached.

The typewriter found himself Sunday at the 1 UP Arcade Bar in north Livonia, or for those who prefer, Farmington, as Matt hosted another bar tender competition raising money toward St. Baldricks. Matt offers up a "Thank you so much to all that came out for the 1UP ARCADE Fundraiser this past weekend! We are still waiting on final totals with matches and such. But we are looking like we raised about 7 grand on Sunday!

"Thank you so much to our bartenders for donating their time and their tips! To our volunteer staff for always kicking butt! Our sponsors! And the 1UP ARCADE bar for allowing us into your home for the 3rd year in a row."

Robb thanked me for coming out but did inform me that this was not exactly my demographic, an Arcade Bar. But I had fun, even playing a pinball game for the first time in 3 or 4 decades.

See you all at the Shave-a-thon on September 25th at One Under. Stay tuned as Musings will feature updated information in most editions.

Weather will not bypass Livonia. Winds and fallen trees

make an impact.

The storm Monday evening that ravaged parts of Livonia left this scene in the mind of the typewriter. Robb Drzewicki sent along this picture saying "This 60-year-old maple tree is now leaning on my house."

Stickers to highlight inclusive-minded businesses

In a new effort to promote Livonia as an inclusive business community, the Livonia Chamber of Commerce will begin distributing “(We) Welcome Everybody” stickers for local businesses to display on their office and store doors.

This is the latest initiative to promote inclusiveness and awareness by the Livonia Chamber, a nonpartisan, nonprofit trade organization that represents 960 members.

The stickers will be first distributed to those who attend the upcoming Western Wayne Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Experience on Thursday, Sept. 22, at Madonna University’s Welcome Center. The breakfast program runs from 8-10 a.m. and features a presentation from Dr. Lee Meadows, a renowned expert on leadership, management, and inclusion. He will talk about the evolution of inclusion programming and how it builds belongingness.

This event costs $40 per person with registration available on the chamber’s website: www.livonia.org, or by calling 734.427.2122.

The stickers will also be made available to those who attend the chamber’s new series, the Inclusion Roundtable. This periodic, free program provides guided, casual discussions that give attendees a chance to practice the interpersonal skills they learn

in diversity and inclusion training.

The next program is scheduled for 3 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 3.

“The focus of diversity and inclusion programs are really about sharpening our communication skills by encouraging listening and discouraging assumptions,” said Dan West, president of the Livonia Chamber of Commerce. “Everyone has a unique experience, and we truly build connections and common respect when we take the time to share and listen to each other’s story.”

Experts say organizations that encourage tenets of inclusion to enhance creativity, belongingness, talent retention, and profitability because the group feels valued and encouraged to share ideas.

“This isn’t just cultural, ethnic or racial, it is also about generational and intellectual,” West added. “It builds trust among coworkers and strengthens the organization when it is regularly practiced, starting with the leadership.”

The new stickers are designed to help businesses demonstrate respect for all customers visiting their locations that they strive to build an inclusive and welcoming environment.

Two opportunities to meet candidates this Fall

PTSA school board candidates 9/29

Vote. Run. Serve. Congress. Legislature. 10/1

MARK YOUR CALENDARS: Vote. Run. Serve. is excited to announce they are hosting a FIRST in-person event - a Family-Friendly Candidate Meet & Greet co-hosted by the Livonia Democrats and the Livonia Republican Club.

This bipartisan event is non-partisan and everyone, including kids whom they will have activities for, is welcome to meet the candidates for Congress and the State Legislature.

This event is also open to other candidates who would like to chat with residents but those 12 specific candidates will have an opportunity to speak to the audience at large.

Saturday, October 1st from 10 am to 12 pm at Mies Park.

1 day left for you to register in order to secure

Tour de Livonia

Year One T-shirt.

TourdeLivonia.org

The Tour de Livonia committee is passing along the information that nearly 200 have registered already, both for the Family Route and Full Route.

You can still register after the 31st but why procrastinate when you can guarantee your valuable inaugural Tour de Livonia t-shirt.

The typewriter's view on the cancellation

of student loans

Candidates running for office and in conversation with the typewriter often use the phrase that America is a socialist country. Every time I cash my social security check I am reminded by some that this is a socialist program. In fact, the Republican US Senate platform places their candidates on the side of renewing social security every 5 years. In other words, eliminating social security.

But I digress. Socialism, if applied anywhere in America, should be used to describe corporations that received $20 billion in production and exploration subsidies in 2020.

That is our money that is being used to increase their profits while what can only be described as price gouging. Think back 6 months when gas prices reached $5.00 a gallon.

When my friends complain about eliminating small portions of student debt they are not recognizing that this money being forgiven will sooner rather than later be plowed back into the economy. We will see actual growth without the top-down corporate profiteering.

That is my view.

How do you feel about cancellation of student debt?

Do you support the cancellation of student debt?

Yes

Mail Address

19514 Livonia 48152

E-mail address

rwilliamjoyner@gmail.com

Cell address

734-674-5871

Year 58. Do you love to sing?

Livonia Civic Chorus is ready for you.

You gotta love Livonia