September 2,2020 Your Source for Livonia Happenings
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Digital feudalism? Cocoon of comfort? Hunkered down? Not in Livonia. |
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When the question is asked in this paraphrase of a previously read anonymous comment, "will surviving a year of uncertainty help persuade a majority to take action to make changes in our economy to reduce our uncertainty and insecurity, or will we remain hunkered down, confused and anxious while descending into a type of digital feudalism and retreating into a cocoon of comfortable stasis while accepting that nothing will ever change?"
Just ask three who defy the logic of stagnation and you can't help but want to break out and work for change, work to make life better, and help others identify with community or with those in need.
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When the graduation banners lining Five Mile and Farmington were taken down a project idea of Rob Donovic and Dan MacIver, Dan thought that rather than put them in storage the best use of the 2020 banners was to make |
them available to parents, grandparentsfriends and neighbors who might want to gift them to a 2020 graduate.
And raise some money for three non-profits at the same time -- Friends of Greenmead, Livonia Kids and Families, Clarenceville Education Foundation.
This week was time to present the checks to the three organizations. Representing the three organizations were Veronica Cruz, Paul Shepich, and Ted Davis. Charlie Mahoney was also on hand to make a special donation to Livonia Kids and Families.
Community groups coming together. Business leaders standing tall. You gotta love Livonia.
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The tenth year of the St. Baldrick's Shave-a-thon for Pediatric Cancer. was held with over $100,000 raised.
This brought the 10 year total to $1 million over the past ten years.
Sir Robb Drzewski headed up the first 9 and had a partner this year sharing the duties with Matt Kulacki.
And an even bigger partner in a world wide
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pandemic forcing the shave-a-thon from its customary indoor, spring outing to an end of summer, outdoor gathering at One Under.
But it didn't matter. No siree. People came out and had fun along with having some hair shorn. Amanda Walworth had grown out her hair and had it cut raising $250. Brandon McCullough and his neighbor Tom Mathenson challenged each other and combined raised over $1,200 in a neighborly contest. His daughter helped with the shaving.
The Chrome Dome brought a motor home, and auction items were ready for bidding. Smiles were all around for the taking. Masks were everywhere.
$100,000. $1,000,000. You gotta love Livonia.
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937 book bags were prepared for students and families in Wayne and Oakland counties. The book bags were distributed at Northville High School, Novi United Methodist Church, and El Bethel Baptist Church tone week ago.
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Tracey Stevenson, Assistant Principal at Clarenceville High School, chaired the project coordinated through El Bethel Baptist Church in Redford. "Most of the book bags, nearly 900, were given away with the remaining book bags donated to local schools in need of school supplies.
Stevenson was most excited with the turn out of those needing school supplies and that the community was able to meet the need. "Thank you to all the volunteers and the donors that helped us fill over 900 book bags, and donated the bags as well."
Shown above while working at Northville High School is Monifa Henry, President of NPAAS (Northville Parents of African American Students) and the parent of two former Northville High School graduates.
Reaching out and extending the hand of friendship letting others know that the community is there for them. You gotta love Livonia
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Our Livonia Library is the best |
September is #LibraryCardSignupMonth and the best way to celebrate is by getting your very own library card! Your Livonia Library card gives you free access to books, ebooks, magazines, Michigan Activity Passes, movies, music, and more!
Do you live in Livonia and need to sign up or have an expired card? Fill out this online form and you’ll be contacted with your new library card information: forms.gle/dWunaZphPsk24eeK8.
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Saturday in our Livonia parks |
SUPER SATURDAYS ARE COMING!
Each Saturday in the fall we will be hosting an outdoor day of supervised fun at either Clements Circle Park or Rotary Park.
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If It's Wednesday
Livonia's Gotta Smile
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"So much work and such satisfaction. It was amazing. It is in our own hands to create beauty and excitement and stage performance on a parking lot. Because we can. Because this is what makes us artists.
We don’t have to underplay importance of what we do. In masks and with audience spread out - we were heard and seen. Literally and figuratively. Amplification was so suitable for the outdoor concert. And the program was perfect for the amplification.
Even Bach and Shostakovich were sounding as if they are meant to be sounding through stereos. Timeless pieces by geniuses of Bach and Shostakovich and upbeat and sweet and alluring arrangements. Broadway and jazz and pop. We had to adjust. Be creative and resourceful.
Two violins and viola: and it was great. Yelena Yendovitskaya and Vardan Petrosyan were ready to embrace the task and do it. The message of unity was delivered, beauty of music transcended beyond where we were. I am very grateful we did it. With everything what is going on: that was happiness.
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Campaign for Livonia Board of Education:
Today we meet up with incumbent Crystal Frank
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As is the policy of FridayMusings we will share information on candidates as the information is made available to us. We have provided background information on Dan Centers, Nicole Hoskins-Goudreau and Madeline Acosta. Today we offer up information on Crystal Frank:
I am honored to announce that I am seeking reelection to the Livonia Public School Board because I want to see our children thrive! These are challenging times for our community and our schools. It takes training, experience, hard work and a long-term focus to ensure the current and future success of Livonia Public Schools. Our Board Trustees are required to make hard yet wise decisions for our community so Livonia can maintain top quality schools. We need to be wise stewards of our children’s educational funds. I am seeking reelection to the School Board to use my experience as a School Board Trustee to continue driving the positive direction of Livonia Public Schools. Although many things can divide us right now, we need to have Trustees that are knowledgeable about the breadth and depth of the issues facing our district. We need to make sure we are making the most-informed decisions on behalf of the children entrusted to us.
I have served on the Livonia School Board for the past four years and have been through extensive training from the Michigan Association of School Boards, where I have achieved the Award of Merit. The current Livonia Board of Education has achieved Honor Roll status for the first time in over a decade as result of each of us taking the necessary classes to be certified. It is vital to have Trustees that are dedicated to taking the time to learn and grow in order to be qualified to make the best choices for our schools and community.
My husband, Lucas, and I have four children that attend Livonia Public Schools in two different triads. Two are at Stevenson High School, one at Frost Middle School, and our youngest is at Hoover Elementary. I have been an active volunteer in our schools for over 12 years. I currently serve as the President of Frost Middle School PTA and have been President of Webster Elementary, and Vice President of Cass Elementary PTA as well as active in other PTA’s across the district. I am in our school buildings on a daily basis and am intimately aware of what is happening around our district, not just at the Board Table.
I am supporting others who are also running for reelection: Tammy Bonifield, Karen Bradford, and Dan Centers. I’m proud to work with these people who are also dedicated and committed to the success of Livonia Public Schools. This current Board of Education is one where each of us has differing experiences and viewpoints. We actively share our opinions with passion and respect to come to the best decisions for our students and staff. My desire is to bring the voice of the parents to the discussion and represent them to the best of my ability.
I am honored to have bipartisan endorsements from the following elected officials:
Dr. Randy Liepa – Superintendent, Wayne County RESA , Mark Johnson - Livonia School Board President, Colleen Burton - Livonia School Board VP, Liz Jarvis - Livonia School Board Trustee
Dianne Laura and Randy Roulier - Former LPS School Board Trustees
Dayna Polehanki - Michigan Senator, Terry Marecki - Wayne County Commissioner
Maureen Miller Brosnan, Livonia Mayor, Dennis Wright - Former Mayor
Lynda Scheel - Livonia Treasurer , John Pastor – Former MI State Representative
Kathlyne McIntyre - President, Livonia City Council, Scott Bahr – Vice-President, Livonia City Council, City Council members: Jim Jolly, Brandon McCullough and Cathy White
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There could be interest in a community amphitheatre
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Ten years ago a group of art minded residents held a series of meetings resulting ultimately with a meeting at the Visual Arts Association of Livonia office. We were all to fan out and determine what sites might be appropriate for an amphitheater. We were to come together again in a week to discuss possible sites and potential funding mechanisms.
Laura Toy remembers that "we researched this all over Michigan. We need one of those for sure. We even had a petition going! Bill Joyner you will probably remember that. Perhaps now we can get something going."
That meeting never took place for reasons that are not significant for this discussion but assuredly there was a cooptation of the need for an amphitheater.
On Monday FridayMusings brought up the idea of an amphitheatre and the community of Musings readers responded:
Pamela Valentine: Mayor Wright often told the art commission having an amphitheater was his dream. I agree it would be Great!
Christine Lynne Make it happen! I have been there.. it is amazing and Livonia needs one I agree!!
Chessa Turcott Oh my gosh there is one in downtown Kalamazoo and it is AWESOME
Louise Weller That would be great. And if we were to move forward, make it top notch to attract quality acts and groups.
Laura Jannika I grew up across from a bandshell in Lincoln Park. It was cool.
Tamara Oliverio Funny story...my grandfather was on City Council in Charlevoix 28383772 years ago and actually played a part in getting that park you are in built. There used to be a big fountain with fish in it right next to the original stage
Brandon McCullough says he is moving forward, searching out locations, determining community interest, and seeking out funding/budget.
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Notes and comments from the readers of Musings |
Karen Bradford, Livonia School Trustee: To all the educators and anyone working in the educational field I want to let you know how much I appreciate YOU! This year is going to bring many challenges but teachers ALWAYS rise up to the occasion... educators are the best of the best! I see you... I know that you will do your very best to meet the needs of your students, however difficult that may be... it’s just what you do!
I am proud to know so many of you! I hope you all have a terrific year and recognize how amazing you are and will continue to be. Have a wonderful year!
Laurie Pohutsky, State Representative: I’m truly grateful for your endorsement. You’re absolutely correct, what’s at stake this year is too important for us to take a passive role. I’ve been an advocate for our public schools from day one, as is evidenced by the MEA and AFT’s endorsement of my re-election campaign, and I’m committed to continuing to be that advocate in my second term. Thank you for your support.
Kate Shishkovsky, President Livonia Democratic Club: Great job in (Monday's Musings)! Very nice endorsement of Laurie (Pohutsky), and I am glad you gave some space to the two Livonia Public Schools challengers.
Dennis Nazelli: Wonderful enclosures for Nichole (Hoskins-Goudreau) and Madeline (Acosta) in Musings today. The Livonia Democratic Club vetted them last week. The committee of current and past educators were very impressed with both. The committee agreed that they will be a breath of fresh air on a current sober Board.
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PAPER SHREDDING AND TIRE RECYCLING DAY |
A Paper Shredding and Tire Recycling day will be held on Saturday, Sept. 12 at the Department of Public Works yard, 12973 Farmington Road. The hours are from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Residents can dispose of up to 10 tires, and up to five recycling bin boxes of documents. This event is free and for Livonia residents only.
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SIMPLE RECYCLING PICKUP OF CLOTHES AND HOUSEHOLD ITEMS RESUMES AUG. 31 |
Beginning Monday, Aug. 31, the Simple Recycling program will resume in Livonia!
Place your orange bags (or trash bags marked Simple Recycling) at your curb on your regular trash day. Simple Recycling drivers are out from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Make sure to put your bags before 7 a.m.
If you would like to request bags or have your address flagged for pickup, please contact Simple Recycling at (866) 835-5068 or info@simplerecycling.com
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Do you have a fire in you?
The Livonia Fire Department is hiring!
Be a part of the tradition and the community.
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