View as Webpage

FridayMusings since 2003

Wednesday, January 17, 2024  Helping define Livonia's Quality of Life

20 years publishing FridayMusings without bias but not without opinion

Churchill HS Interact Club's Presentation Of Checks

The Churchill HS Interact Club's leadership team met with Mayor Maureen Miller Brosnan at City Hall last week to present checks to groups they are committed to supporting.


The funds were raised from the group's successful 2023 Touch A Truck event.


Rotary AM Club members Dave Burton, Bob Carris, Susan Paluchniak, Dave Stechholz, Pat Zucal, Eric Ladwig, and President Claude Kendrick were on hand to watch the ceremony.


The donation recipients included - The Livonia Police Department, The Livonia Fire Department, Restore the Horse, VT Seva, and Shelter Box.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Legacy was shared Monday over breakfast leaving those in attendance with contemplative thoughts about how we can make a difference

Over 100 gathered at Madonna University on Monday in recognition of Martin Luther King Day and in celebration of his legacy.


Gathered in Livonia were a number of our hometown leaders including Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, State Senator Mary Cavanagh, State Representatives Stephanie Young and Laurie Pohutsky, and City Councilwoman Carrie Budzinski.


Human Relations Commissioners Haitham Fakhouri, Denise Collins-Robison, and Pastor Yvette Warren.


Greenleaf Commissioner Betsy Calhoun brought her son and daughter, sharing a table with Steve Alexander, who shared that he was preparing for the Moose Polar Plunge, on January 27th. The temperature Monday at 8:00 was 4 below zero, here is hoping that on the 27th it warms for the big dip at the Polar Plunge.


Before breakfast moderator Delisha Upshaw introduced Steve Spreitzer for purposes of offering an invocation.


Moving songs from a talented University of Michigan music student was beautiful and provided a creative element to the breakfast. Mercedes Williams shared the story of Sarah Elizabeth Ray who in 1945 was denied admission to the Boblo Boat. When she sued the case went to the Supreme Court, where she won, and the case became the precursor to the landmark Brown V Board of Education.


Here is hoping that this event becomes a tradition and continues to build year after year. The day was started out for this typewriter in such a positive light that kept me smiling all day as I realized that the legacy of Dr. King continues to improve the lives of so many.


Will you join me at the Phoenix Theatre Thursday, January 25 as Livonia again proves that it is the cultural heartbeat of southeast Michigan


Screenwriter Rob Turfe, originally from Dearborn with family in Livonia and a graduate of West Point will be flying in from California to showcase his newest film

“I Love This Country” is a short film that reflects on democracy and fallen soldiers who have sacrificed their lives. The film’s theme is that pluralism thrives when mutual respect, compassion, and teamwork are present, as we all yearn to live the American dream. The film’s message is that love, diversity, and solidarity are foundational to truly embracing duty, honor, and country.


Rob Turfe, an independent filmmaker in Pacific Palisades, California, is partnering with FridayMusings and Livonia’s Phoenix Theatre, after being introduced to Rob and his filmmaking background by Steve Spreitzer, for the Michigan premiere of “I Love This Country” on January 25, 7:00.


He is showcasing the film free of charge in Livonia before it is entered into a series of film festivals during the month of February, and will include introductory comments by Turfe, followed by the film, and a panel discussion immediately afterward.


Turfe’s grandfather was an immigrant who came to the United States from Lebanon in 1919 by way of France. On board the ship crossing the Atlantic, he met an American officer, General John L. Hines (USMA 1891), who provided him with a letter of introduction that helped him get through U.S. Immigration on the East Coast. This instilled a family passion for helping immigrants.


Rob and his siblings grew up with this sense of duty and were the first two practicing Muslims to attend West Point. After graduating from West Point, Rob became an Engineer Officer and was stationed in Germany. While in Europe, he was deployed to Southern Turkey, Northern Iraq, Bosnia, Croatia, and Macedonia, and was frequently able to use his knowledge of Arabic in real-world situations.


Turfe is currently working on the four-part miniseries Kleptocracy, about a high-ranking military officer involved in a United States military intervention in Iran.


Please respond to [email protected] if you want to join us on January 25th. 

Livonia continues to excel with the help of our Volunteer of the Month.

Sandy Goga, January 2024

Since the first Chili Cook-off this event which partners the Kiwanis and Livonia PTSA Council has been one of the favorites for this typewriter.

Do you have your tickets yet?

If not time is running out.

Two weeks before you can stock up on some great reading.

Join your neighbors for our February used book sale which offers a wide selection of books for all ages. It’s a great time to stock up for the Winter or your Spring Break get-away!


Members of the Friends of the Livonia Library and teachers with I.D. can shop our pre-sale, Thursday from 4:30-6:30 pm. You may become a member at the door.


Please visit https://livonialibrary.info and click on the Support Your Library tab for more information.


Martin Luther King Legacy Breakfast was an engaging opportunity for Livonia

Each table had a discussion on the legacy of Martin Luther King and comments were then shared with the gathering. For example:

While parents were discussing the legacy of Martin Luther King a children's room was available.


Students spent time preparing artwork detailing their impression of the MLK Legacy:

Ana V. AGE: 8

Lucas B. AGE: 7

Maggie K. AGE: 13

Niyah J. AGE: 12

Chase J. AGE: 8

Mail Address

19514 Bainbridge 48152

E-mail address

[email protected]


Cell address

734-674-5871

The typewriter is not available for phone calls or emails Saturday and Sunday. Mental health and rehabilitation time. Out and about enjoying life.


What motivates FridayMusings:

We can't only define Livonia as taking small steps toward maintaining the way things were. That will give us mediocre outcomes. Our goal needs to be innovative and transformative.

Throughout the year we will post announcements of candidates as they file for election or when local elected officials schedule events you might be interested in attending. In the meantime, these are the elections we will be facing in 2024.


2024 statewide election dates in Michigan

Tuesday, Feb. 27: Michigan presidential primary

Tuesday, Aug. 6: Michigan primary election

Tuesday, Nov. 5: Michigan general election