September 20, 2019 Your source for Livonia news. All the time. All ways positive.
Richard Leonardo Joyner arrives in Livonia tonight and from the look on his face he can't wait. Nor can I.
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October 14th
Seedlings celebrates #35
Celebrate with them because you are invited
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 Avett Ray Maness, the 7-year-old piano prodigy of American Idol fame, will be the special guest at an Open House 4-7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 14, at Seedlings Braille Books for Children in Livonia.
Avett, who is blind, taught himself how to play the piano by ear as a toddler. He will attend the open house with his mother, Sara Moore, who wrote a children's book for and about him called Cotton Candy Clouds.
Avett is the little rabbit in the story wearing round glasses. Moore wrote the book to describe clouds to Avett, who cannot see them. The book is available in braille from Seedlings.
Avett will perform at the open house, and Moore will sign copies of her book at this special open house event celebrating Seedlings' 35th  anniversary. Avett became a viral sensation this spring when millions of people watched and listened to him play Bohemian Rhapsody on YouTube. He has performed on Good Morning America, the Today show and in GAP's back-to-school commercial. His repertoire includes songs by Queen, Adele and the Beatles.
Avett and his mom are donating their time to come to Seedlings from Dayton, Ohio, because they believe in the importance of braille literacy for children with vision loss. Avett reads books produced by Seedlings.
 "Having a child who reads and writes braille has shown me how imperative it is to have braille literacy resources," Moore said. "Partnering with Seedlings Braille Books for Children expands the possibilities for blind and visually impaired children like Avett to have access to vibrant reading options that stimulate their imaginations!
"After publishing my first book, written specifically to enable the visually impaired to imagine the clouds, I was on a mission to make my book accessible in braille. It's an honor to be a part of this event. I look forward to lots of hugs, laughter and making new friends with the good people of Michigan."
Seedlings was founded in 1984 by Debra Bonde of Livonia after she met a little girl who owned only two braille books because they cost over $100 each! Since then, Seedlings has produced and distributed more than 565,000 free and low-cost braille books to children with vision loss all over the world.
Guests are invited to enjoy 35th anniversary treats and tour Seedlings facility to learn how the staff and volunteers make the books.
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Our Livonia Police and Fire Associations make their endorsements known
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Livonia is a safe community. Let's face it no matter how you look at the statistics we are always numbered among the safest in Michigan. What is amazing about this is that Livonia is short 30 police officers and 5 firemen. Short. As in lower in personnel than we should be. Despite these shortages our first responders, with tremendous effort, overtime, etc., are protecting us, but this way of doing business is not sustainable.
FridayMusings turned to the websites of the two candidates running for Mayor, Laura Toy and Maureen Miller Brosnan, to see what they have to say on Livonia public safety. These statements are taken verbatim, no editing, and everything found on their website:
Laura Toy:
Fund budget priorities - including public safety and roads. Laura's father was officer number six on the Livonia Police Department. . .Throughout her public service, Laura has fought to protect funding for public safety . . . . .we must set the right priorities in our budget, like public safety.
Maureen Miller Brosnan:
Our police and fire departments are frankly on the brink of crisis when it comes to recruiting and retaining officers. Most of this is a function of a reduction in the number of people going into law enforcement and firefighting combined with the fact that surrounding communities are continuing to offer defined benefit plans that are an attractive draw to our officers and firefighters after they put in a few years with the city of Livonia. Obviously, these cities are taking on significant liabilities by continuing their pension programs, but it isn't right that a city like ours which is regularly named one of the safest in the state should have such an issue retaining officers. Our firefighters and the city are currently in on-going negotiations which I am following closely. If it is not resolved before I take office, it will be the number one issue I address upon taking office.
When the police and fire associations -- LPOA, POAM, Sargents & Lieutenants, Firefighters Local 1164 -- were asked who they trusted to lead the city and return our force to the level it needs to be and continue to make our police and fire departments the envy of others, as we have been for years and perhaps decades, they all responded unanimously in endorsing Maureen Miller Brosnan for Mayor and Brandon McCullough, Rob Donovic and Kathleen McIntyre for City Council. The firemen endorsed the same candidates for Mayor, Brosnan, and Council, McCullough, Donovic and McIntyre, while also adding Scott Bahr for city council.
The safety of our community is a partnership between our individual residents, collective neighborhoods, our police and fire first responders. Together we are a team that must maintain the values and quality of life that we expect. By doing so we raise our families in a safe environment, maintain our strong property values. Continue to have a hometown that others envy for our safe parks, safe schools, safe neighborhoods, strong and professional police and fire departments.
Endorsed candidates by
Livonia Police Officers Association,
Sargents & Lieutenants
Mayor:
Maureen Miller Brosnan
Council:
Brandon McCullough, Rob Donovic, Kathleen McIntyre
Endorsed candidates by
the Livonia Firefighters Local 1164
Mayor: Maureen Miller Brosnan
Council:
Brandon McCullough, Rob Donovic, Kathleen McIntyre, Scott Bahr
With the City of Livonia down 30 police officers and 5 firefighters these endorsements indicate that there is strong support among the candidates
for working on policies to enhance the hiring and retention of Livonia's first responders.
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Cole, Newton & Duran CPA's Sponsors Hockey Team
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 Cole, Newton & Duran CPA's
is proud to announce that it has agreed to a four-year sponsorship, including naming rights, of a hockey team in  the Livonia Over 30 League. The league has been in existence since 1970. Through a unique rating system, draft process, and line structure, the league makes it fair and competitive for all ages (over 30) and skill levels.
Chris Boloven, chief legal officer at CND and managing member of CND Law, is the owner and player for one of the eight teams in the league. Chris recently participated in the league's player draft in August and rounded out his team with an experienced group of men.
Chris' team will play a 25-game Fall schedule with games being played on Thursdays and Sundays at the Eddie Edgar Ice Arena located in Livonia. If you are interested in attending an upcoming game, CND's complete schedule can be found
here.
Special Note: Arthur Cole, managing partner at CND, is a former player of the Livonia Over 30 League. He played 11 seasons that included 405 games, 145 goals, 110 assists, 255 points, and 74 penalty minutes.
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Meet Denise King, Executive Director of the Community Opportunity Centers
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The 1835 Livonia City Hall of Fame Class of 2019 includes Denise King whose information on Wednesday needed a correction.
We apologize
profusely
for the incorrect spelling of her name. So FridayMusings is pleased to present to Livonia one of the six inductees of the class of 2019.
Denise King, Executive Director, Community Opportunity Centers
To be introduced by Livonia Zoning Board of Appeals Commissioner Tim Klisz
 COC was founded in 1965 by a group of leading family members and advocates in an effort to enhance community opportunities for persons with developmental disabilities living in Western Wayne County. Today, COC supports more than 20 homes, condominiums, and apartments in the communities of Livonia, Plymouth, Redford and Garden City.
King has been an inspirational leader in enriching the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities by providing housing and comprehensive support. She has dedicated her career and much of her life providing assistance and advocacy to help individuals with disabilities become not only independent, but involved citizens in their communities.
King has spent her entire 38 year career working in Livonia. She spent 10 of those years living in Community Opportunity Center's Livonia Opportunity House. Her passion and dedication to helping disabled individuals as well as her commitment to bettering the community should be celebrated.
King oversees an annual operating budget of over $5 million, 80-90 live-in residents and 120 part-time or full-time employees.
Denise's vision has helped shape the community of which we should be proud. The community of Livonia and the community of those living with developmental disabilities.
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Vote
November 5
Absentee Ballots out September 25
City of Livonia
Mayoral Race
Vote for one candidate in November
Maureen Miller Brosnan
Livonia Police Officers Association
Police Officers Association of Michigan
Livonia Police Lieutenants and Sergeants Association
Livonia Firefighters Local 1164
AFSCME, UAW, Teamsters Local 299
Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters,
Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local 2
Greater Metropolitan Association of Realtors
Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council
Dan Centers, Livonia School Board Trustee,
Tim Klisz, Zoning Board of Appeals Member
Gretchen Alaniz, Schoolcraft College Trustee
Brian Broderick, Schoolcraft College Board Chair
Janice Centers, Zoning Board of Appeals Member
Former Livonia City Council Members Mike McGee,
Joe Taylor, and Dale Jurcisin
https://www.maureenformayor.com/
Laura Toy
Mayor Dennis Wright ,
Former Mayors Jack Kirksey, Jack Engebretson
Councilwomen Kathleen McIntyre and Cathy White
Councilman Brian Meakin
Right to Life of Michigan
City of Livonia Council Race
Vote for up to four candidates in November
Scott Bahr
Mayors Dennis Wright, Jack Engebretson, Jack Kirksey
Council members Laura Toy, Jim Jolly
Brandon Kritzman, Kathleen McIntyre, Cathy White
Brian Meakin
Former Council members Jim McCann, Joe Taylor
John Pastor, Treasurer Lynda Scheel
Commissioner Terry Marecki
Livonia Public School Trustees Mark Johnson
Colleen Burton, Karen Bradford, Crystal Frank
Former LPS Superintendent Randy Liepa
Former Representatives John Walsh, Laura Cox
Former Senator Patrick Colbeck
Former Fire Chief Shadd Whitehead
Livonia Firefighters Union 1164
Schoolcraft Trustee Dillon Breen
ZBA Members Chris Boloven, Joel Turbiak,
Jim Baringhaus
Planning Commissioners Sam Caramagno
Carol Smiley
Greater Metropolitan Association of Realtors
Right to Life of Michigan
Gregory Coppola
Councilmembers Laura Toy,
Brian Meakin,
Brandon M. Kritzman, Kathleen McIntyre
County Commissioner Terry Marecki
Former Councilmen
John Walsh and
John Pastor
Jim McCann and Joe Laura
Zoning Board of Appeals Jim Baringhaus and Tim Kliz
Schoolcraft Trustee Dillon Breen
Right to Life of Michigan
Robert Donovic
Livonia Police Officers Association
Livonia Fire Fighters Local 1164
Police
Officers Association of Michigan
Park Commissioner Paul Condon
Schoolcraft Trustees Gretchen Alaniz, Dillon Breen,
Mayor Dennis Wright,
Councilwoman Laura Toy, Councilman Brian Meakin,
Greater Metropolitan Association of Realtors,
County Commissioner Diane Webb,
State Representative Jewell Jones,
Right to Life of Michigan
Brian Duggan
B
randon McCullough
Greater Metropolitan Association of Realtors
Livonia Police Officers Association
Police Officers Association of Michigan
Livonia Police Lieutenants and Sergeants Association
Livonia Firefighters Local 1164
Mayor Dennis Wright,
Wayne County Commissioner Glenn Anderson
Former City Councilwoman Maureen Miller Brosnan
Councilmen Jim Jolly, Brandon Kritzman,
Great Detroit Building & Construction Trades Council,
Sheet Metal Workers' Local 80,
Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers,
County Commissioner Diane Webb
Eileen McDonnell
former Livonia City Council member Joe Laura,
Kathleen McIntyre
Mayor Dennis Wright,
Former Mayors Jack Kirksey, Jack Engebretson,
John Grzebik, Greenleaf Commission,
Zoning Board of Appeals Tim Klisz and
Jim Baringhaus
Arts Commissioner Lindsay Spence
Recreation Commissioner Katie Jolly
Livonia Police Officers Association
Treasurer Lynda Scheel,
Council members Laura Toy, Jim Jolly,Brian Meakin,
Cathy White, Brandon Kritzman
Wayne County Commissioner Terry Marecki,
Schoolcraft Trustee Gretchen Alaniz
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Cinematic Art expands in Livonia with the introduction of Fathom Events
at the Phoenix Theatre
The Shawshank Redemption -
25th Anniversary (1994)
September 22- 4:00pm
September 22- 7:00pm
September 24 - 7:00pm
September 25 - 7:00pm
Friends 25th: The One With The Anniversary
September 23 - 7:00pm (Night 1)
September 28 - 7:00pm (Night 2)
October 2 - 7:00pm (Night 3)
The Secret World of Arrietty -
Studio Ghibli Fest 2019
September 29 - 12:55pm (DUB)
September 30 - 7:00pm (SUB)
Click on this image for all movie times
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Senior
Fit
Classes
Senior Fit is a FREE exercise program for people age 55 and over that encourages senior adults to exercise their way to a healthier lifestyle. The program features standing and chair exercises that build strength and flexibility, as well as improve balance and cardiovascular fitness.
Location Schedule & Registration Information
Livonia Civic Park Senior Center
15218 Farmington Road
Mondays, 3 to 4 p.m.
Session 1: September 9 - October 28
Session 2: November 11 - January 6
Session 3: January 13 - March 2
Session 4: March 9 - April 27
Session 5: May 4 - June 22
Session 6: June 29 - August 17
St. Mary Mercy Livonia
Wellness Center
36475 Five Mile Road
(Classes will run continuously from September 2019 through September 2020)
Mondays, 12 - 1 p.m.
Thursdays, 12 - 1 p.m.
To register, please call 734-655-1310
Villa Marie
15131 Newburgh Road
(Classes will run continuously from September 2019 through September 2020)
Wednesdays, 3 - 4 p.m.
Thursdays, 9 - 10 a.m.
To register, please call 734-655-1310
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September in Livonia
Fine Arts Gallery the entire month of September
Bennett Civic Center Library
September 21
September 21 @ 1:00 - 5:00
Native America Indian Heritage Day
across from Nankin Mills on Ann Arbor Trial.
Arts, Crafts, Food, lots of great dancing.
September 27
September 27 @ 6:00 - 10:00
September 28
@ 10:00 - 6:00
Guns and Gowns @ Greenmead
October in Livonia
October 1 - 30
Wilson Barn Pumpkin Fest
October 19 - 31
Pumpkin Place fundraiser for Livonia Cares
October 3 @ 7:00
Historic Rosedale Gardens Presbyterian Church
Presenting Sponsor: Financial & Portfolio Advisors
October 4, 5, 6
October 12 @ 4:00
Old World-New Season
Livonia Symphony Orchestra
Clarenceville High School
Louis Schmidt Auditorium
October 14 @ 4:00 - 7:00
Seedlings Annual Open House
Piano prodigy Avett Ray Maness/American Idol fame
Greeters: The typewriter and Bodyguard
October 21
Wayne 11th Congressional District Republican Club
Dinner Dance @ Italian Club Livonia
October 24 @ 5:00 - 7:00
Rotary Community Spaghetti Dinner
Help Eradicate Polio
Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church
October 28 @ 5:00 - 7:00
Flemings support for the ARC
People with Disabilities
tickets @ TheARCNW.org
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Butter Bear Shop to host Marvel Day
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Join Livonia's butter bear shop, Five Mile and Farmington, for their September theme day! They will be celebrating all things Marvel. They are encouraging guests to arrive early, as they do sell out on theme days. The typewriter was there for Harry Potter Theme Day and yes, the treats were amazing, and by the end of the day they were sold out.
-Themed treats will be available for purchase. Photo ops & special appearances by your favorite heroes! Stickers and coloring sheets will be provided for the little ones. Costumes are encouraged.!.!
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Charger Nation has a celebration planned next week.
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Do you like to sing?
Do you like to make new friends?
Do your Mondays need music?
Come check out the Livonia Youth Choir!
For Grades 2-8 on Monday nights.
Auditions will be held on
September 23 and 30 at 5:30-6:30 pm
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church @
39020 Five Mile Road
LYC is a great preparation program for singing in high school choirs
and the CAPA program at Churchill
LYC is a tuition based non-profit organization.
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It's time to talk some turkey
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Join your friends and neighbors at the 14th Annual Healthy Livonia Turkey Trot 5K at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 2, as we walk/run to help those less fortunate. Profits and canned food donations will benefit the Livonia Goodfellows organization and Blessings in a Backpack Livonia.
Register online at www.livoniaparks.org or at the Kirksey Recreation Center, 15100 Hubbard. The $15 per person fee includes a Turkey Trot t-shirt, if registered by Oct. 21.
Last year the Turkey Trot had over 460 participants and resulted in hundreds of cans of food and raised approximately $3,000 to assist the Livonia Goodfellows in providing holiday meals for local families.
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Senator Dayna Polehanki on start of the school year
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For the first time in 20 years, I'm not leading a classroom, but I was lucky to visit with students and administrators at Frost Middle School of Livonia Public Schools as they began the year. I was blown away by the enriching experiences offered to students there. From the Maker's Space to the Falcon Nest school store, I see great things happening in the Livonia district.
Properly funding our kids' education is an investment in their future, and it is a responsibility I take seriously as your state senator. I will continue to fight for every student and teacher by being a vocal advocate on preserving the
School Aid Fund for K-12 education only and increasing the number of literacy coaches in our school districts.
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Culinary Art
The
official
artisan chocolate of FridayMusings.
Designed and created right here in hometown Livonia by
Joe Gilligan.
It is his mission to deliver high quality chocolates made with 100% organic butter and cream with the finest chocolates available with his flavors varying season to season.
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Let's have lunch and meet with our Congresswoman Haley Stevens
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For information on this Chamber of Commerce sponsored luncheon click here.
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Representative Laurie Pohutsky on adoption of school aid budget
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Livonia State Representative wants you to know how she voted on the school aid budget and why:
"I voted YES on the school aid budget because of the changes to special education funding and an overall funding increase for Livonia's schools. This budget does not make public education the priority it needs to be, but it is an important step in the right direction. I'm hopeful that this is the beginning of a bipartisan effort to truly invest in our public schools and improve the lives of students across our state."
The $15.2 billion school aid budget is headed for Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's desk after the Legislature approved a plan Thursday that includes about $60 million for special education, $30 million more than was initially approved last week.
The overall boost to K-12 classroom funding of $304 million means an additional $120 to $240 per pupil.
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An annual tradition benefiting our hometown
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Update on the November general election
Jim Davis coffee and conversation 9/24
Jim Davis general election kick off 9/22
Livonia Democratic Club Trivia Night 9/27
Maureen Miller Brosnan knock doors 9/28
Laura Toy Senior Day 10/02
Wayne 11th Republican dinner/dance 10/21
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FridayMusings will continue to post information about the 8 candidates running for City Council and the 2 candidates running for Mayor. When we receive notification of an event and as was done in the primary we will post announcements
without editing.
Maureen Miller Brosnan invites
you to join her
Join Maureen and special guest Senator Dayna Polehanki as they knock doors in Livonia to help get Maureen elected mayor! Saturday, September 28, 12:00 - 3:00.
Please bring a charged phone, comfortable shoes for walking, and dress for the weather. They will start at 37609 Five Mile, southwest corner of Five and Newburgh.
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