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Livonia's Inaugural Celebration is Thursday, December 7th, 6:30 PM, at

City Hall. The inaugural is open to the public and will be live streamed.

Seedlings Braille Books Annual Online Auction

is huge success with more that $51,000 raised. Highest ever.

Debra Bonde, founer of Seedlings is so "grateful for everyone who sponsored, donated, and supported the Online Auction!

"Thank you for providing the gift of literacy to children with vision loss!"

In the official statement from Seedings, Barrie Brown, Community Outreach Manager, announced that Seedlings is "able to put more braille books than ever before into the hands of children with vision loss thanks to everyone who sponsored, donated, and supported our Online Auction!

"We are continuing to process the results of the auction, but know we raised more than last year's total of over $51,000 - our best auction ever! Final numbers will be out later this week."

Livonia's year-round Art in the Park takes movie going to a new level

What a solid event with a great crowd of 250 from throughout western Wayne County. All coming to Livonia to help celebrate our hometown year-round Art in the Park, Phoenix Theatres.

In 14 years Cory Jacobson and his loyal staff, many with him from day one starting as ushers, ticket takers, and craftsmen, has grown to 300 people with his 7 theatres across four states with a total of 59 screens.

Livonia Phoenix theatres have now added state-of-the-art enhanced sound, all new reclining seats, replacing the reclining seats installed 10 years ago. Ten years. At the time they were the first in the state.

This event was a top-drawer way to provide an evening of celebration. As I arrived a Phoenix staff member greeted me, handing out a ticket for an upcoming movie of my choice. Food catered by Joe's Produce. Music on the grand piano which is always in the lobby expands on this typewriter's call of the Phoenix Theatre as Livonia's Art in the Park. Long-time staff members work the crowd greeting old friends, and thanking people for coming out.

Cory Jacobson and Jordan Hohman stood up front with over 250 invitees as he introduced staff who had been with him for 14 years since as he said "came in the front door the day AMC exited the back door." It was a non-stop preparation years ago, changing the culture, and improving the viewing comfort. Moved in over Halloween and started showing movies 5.5 weeks later.

Now the Phoenix has taken a movie experience to the next level. New reclining seats replacing the original recliners installed 10 years ago. At the time this typewriter said he would never enjoy going to a movie in a reclining, heated seat. "I will watch at home" I told Cory.

I was wrong. It clearly enhances not only the comfort but the movie experience, And now with the new Dolby Atmos sound system it is beyond comprehension as I think back to seeing my first movie in Michigan, the Penn Theatre's Around the World in 80 Days. Wow. Not the same experience by any stretch of the imagination.

With the digitizing of movies, sound improvement, and relaxing environment at the Phoenix I can hopefully return to seeing one movie a week. My record was 93 movies in the late 70's. Now, returning to my Friday routine of a morning movie it will take me to another level of fun. Get there 30 minutes early, sit in the perfect seats, read a book while waiting, settle back, and smile as fantasy takes over.

Oh, and thanks to Cory the beverages at the refreshment stand now includes Lipton sweet tea. Says that it was my request that brought it to all 7 theatres. Love it.

Check out the installation and renovation project that takes movie going to a new level. Amazing scenes of all that went into it:

Since 1958 our Livonia Historical Society has been

preserving while sharing hometown history

The Livonia Historical Society provides programs telling the story of Livonia and southeast Michigan. This week was in the words of President Jim McConnell, "the most interesting presentation on neighbors I have seen."

He was referencing the presentation by Dick McLain at which several Rosedale Gardens residents, pictured here, joined the meeting for his commentary and slide show on "Livonia's Oldest Neighborhood".

The Rosedale Gardens Historic District is a historic district located on eight streets, from Arden Street to Hubbard Street, between Plymouth Road and West Chicago Street in Livonia. The district was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2010.

Rosedale Gardens was platted by the Shelden Land Company in the 1920s. The company modeled the development on Rosedale Park in Detroit. The first house in Rosedale Gardens was the Harsha house, built in 1925; the house was occupied in January 1926. These houses were wood structures. A total of 61 houses were built in 1926, and by 1929, 121 homes had been constructed. In addition, a small grocery opened in 1926, a school in 1927, and Rosedale Gardens Presbyterian Church in 1928.

The Church was built on land donated by the Shelden Land Company, which by the way was inducted into the 1835 Livonia City Hall of Fame Class of 2009. The Shelden Company realized at the time that a faith element needed to be a part of the development. They donated property for Rosedale and St. Michaels.

When the Great Depression hit, construction stopped for a time; the developer bricked over existing homes and continued with brick construction when building resumed later in the 1930s. About 250 homes were built in 1935-41, until World War II again intervened.

Another housing boom occurred after the war, and by 1948 the original part of Rosedale Gardens contained 428 houses. Additional lots were platted, and homes were built, through into the 1960s.

Thanks to the Livonia Historical Society and President Jim McConnell for these thoughtful and interesting bits of hometown history.

It's that time of year again!

The Light Up Livonia Holidays Lights Contest is back for 2023!

You can register for this annual Light Up Livonia Contest at: LightUpLivonia.org. Be prepared to upload a picture of your home! Registration is open from Monday, Nov. 13 to Sunday, Dec. 10.

NEW THIS YEAR - PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD voted on by the community!

Other awards include Mayor's Choice, Clark Griswold Award, Winter Wonderland and North Pole Award.

Judging will run Dec. 12-17. Make sure your lights are on! The People's Choice voting will close on Monday, Dec. 18 at 9 a.m. Mayor Brosnan, Santa Claus along with Livonia Fire & Rescue will visit the winners to deliver the awards on Tuesday, Dec. 19.

Mail Address

19514 Bainbridge 48152

E-mail address

rwilliamjoyner@gmail.com

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.