February 17, 2020         Your News source for All Livonia. All the time. All ways positive. 
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Hey Livonia You gotta love our hometown Leaders  
February 20th at Laurel Manor  5:00 -- 7:30

Join community leaders February 20, Chamber business members and honorees for one of the Chamber's signature annual events, the Leadership & Awards Celebration at Laurel Manor.   This event is a celebration to honor those who make a difference in Livonia, making the community a great place to live, work, learn and play! Tickets are required and may be purchased at the Livonia Chamber of Commerce with a deadline of February 17. The event will have a buffet dinner with lots of networking, highlighted by the presentation of these award. 





Presented by Livonia Chamber of Commerce:
  • 2020 Livonia Legacy Award:  Bill Fried and Dr. Conway Jeffress
Presented by City of Livonia's Greenleaf Commission on Sustainability: 
Tickets for this event are sold out but you can add your name to the waiting list by clicking here.
Meet your 2020 Livonia Jaycee leadership. Making it happen in our hometown.
President-Kimberly Black
Management Vice President-Doug McClain
Individual Development Vice President-Heather Asher
Community Vice President-Steve Waligora
Membership Vice President-Renee Geisinger

Treasurer-Grant Peterson
Secretary & Membership Director-Mariah Jenness
Membership Director-Becky Hermann
Technology Director-Justin Roggenbuck
Marketing Director-Nicole Drogmiller

Chairman of the Board-Chris Crawford

Jaycee General Membership Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of every month with the exception of the month of March which will be held on March 24.


Livonia Rotary AM partners with AlphaUSA, Brandon McCullough, Cole Newton & Duran CPA's, F&PA to bring us all star hockey May 17th. Can't wait.
Another sponsor has checked in saying count us in for the May 17th Detroit Red Wings  
 Alumni v Livonia All Stars hockey game at the Eddie Edgar Ice Area.

Let's welcome the Livonia Rotary AM Club as the service club sponsor. The Rotary AM Club meets at the Livonia YMCA Wednesday morning.
Musings follows our City Council
Livonia City Council Study Meeting - February 10, 2020
Livonia City Council Study Meeting - February 10, 2020
Musings follows the 2020 elections
Vote
 



Joe Biden D
Michael Bloomberg D
Cory Booker D
Pete Buttigieg D
Julian Castro D
John Delaney D
Tulsi Gabbard D
Amy Klobuchar D   endorsed by FridayMusings
Bernie Sanders D
Joe Sestak D
Tom Steyer D
Elizabeth Warren D
Marianne Williamson D
Andrew Yang D
 

United States Senate
Gary Peters (D-I)

Bob Carr (R)

John James (R)

United States House of Representatives
Haley Stevens (D-I)
Endorsed by:
Michigan Education Association

Kerry Bentivolio (R)

Whitney Williams (R)
Endorsed by:

Eric Esshaki (R)

Michigan House of Representatives
Laurie Pohutsky (D-I)


Martha Ptashnik (R)

Wayne County Commissioner
Terry Marecki (R-I)

Schoolcraft College Trustee
Brian Broderick (I)
Joan Gebhardt (I)
Terry Gilligan (I)

Livonia Board of Education
Dan Centers
Karen Bradford
Tammy Bonifield
Crystal Frank

Clarenceville Board of Education
Matt Boettcher
Brenda Uren
Shari Krazel
Jeffrey Bunker
Musings follows Livonia Happenings
February in Livonia
All February

Allen Brooks photography on display at  Livonia City Hall 9 to 5. The show will be up until Feb 28.

February 18 @ 3:00 - 7:00
Livonia Youth Career Fair
Michigan Works! Livonia Service Center
30246 Plymouth Road

February 22 @ 4:00
PASSPORT TO SCANDINAVIA
Livonia Symphony Orchestra
Clarenceville's Historic Louis Schmidt Auditorium
February 23 @ 2:00
Friends of the Livonia Library 
"A Meeting Between Harriet Tubman and Sojourner Truth" performed by Madelyn Porter, Story Teller. Livonia Bennett Civic Center Library auditorium
February 23 @ 4:30 - 8:30
The Ian Clemens 4th Annual Trivia Night
Hosted by The Ian Clemens Foundation
St. Mary's Cultural Center
February 28

February 29
The Arc of Northwest Wayne County
Laurel Manor
Ball for All Leap Year Fundraiser

March in Livonia
March 3 @ 6:30
Livonia Garden Club
Civic Park Senior Center
Four seasons of garden interest
March 8 @ 1:30 - 4:00
March 18

March 26 @ 7:00 - 9:30
Happily Ever After--The Joy of Weddings
Reservations required


  March 10 @ 7:00 am -- 8:00 pm
Presidential Primary

March 14
33rd Annual Bowling for Braille Books
Novi Bowl Family Fun Center
March 15 @ 2:00
 Friends of the Livonia Library 
  "Through Her Eyes Women Artists in the Detroit Institute of Arts." 
Livonia Bennett Civic Center Library auditorium.
March 16 @ 2:00 
Livonia Historical Society presents Joe Oldenberg discussing "The First Native Tribes of Michigan." Alexander Blue House, Greenmead Historical Park
March 22
Mom to Mom Sale
Kirksey Recreation Center
March 21  @ 9:00 - 3:00
 
April in Livonia
April 7 @ 6:30
Livonia Garden Club
Civic Park Senior Center
Sustainable Food System
April 14
Today's Africa Through American Eyes
Dr. Peggi J. Tabor, PhD
Livonia Citizens for Peace
Livonia Senior Center
April 25 @ 10:00 - 3:00
Previously Enjoyed Jewelry  Sale 
Greenmead Historic Village

May in Livonia
May 5 @ 6:30
Livonia Garden Club
Civic Park Senior Center
Plant Legends and Stories
May 16 @ 9:00 - 10:00
Livonia Garden Club Plant Sharing Event
Greenmead Historical Park     Rain or Shine
Everyone is encouraged to come and take plants whether or not they have plants to share
May 17 @ 3:00
Red Wing Alumni v Livonia All Stars
Eddie Edgar Arena
June in Livonia
June 7 @ 3:00
Livonia Civic Chorus Spring Concert
Churchill High School Performing Arts Center



 A snapshot in the week of Livonia Mayor Maureen Miller Brosnan
 It is fun to follow the Mayor on 
Facebook. You get a real glimpse into some of the fun, work, conversations, visitors.

Here is a snapshot of last week in the life of our Mayor: 




Day 2 of department tours started with 6:45 am roll call at the Livonia Police Department and included 2:45 roll call, a tour and talk with the dedicated inspection department and conversations with the talented people in engineering. Immensely honored to work with all these people every day.

This week's special guest was Shaan Puri. He popped by to say hi and check out my office with his mom Nidhi Singhal Puri. Shaan's daddy Ranjeev Puri is running for State Representative in Canton. Isn't Shaan adorable? I think babies should visit everday.

So do any of you have a job where the HarmonyTown Chorus comes and serenades you on Valentine's Day? I didn't think so. ❤️ this 19-year tradition!
State Representative Laurie Pohutsky extends an invitation to a
Livonia Town Hall for a discussion on the Opioid Crisis        
I wanted to take a moment to invite you to an upcoming Opioid Town Hall I'll be hosting to discuss the ongoing Opioid Crisis afflicting many of the communities in our state, including Livonia.
 
I'll be joined by an expert panel of special guests including 

Livonia Police Chief Curtis Caid, 
Lauren Rousseau from Families Against Narcotics, 
Michele Wagner from Mitchell's Hope 
Patrick Stropes from Growth Works 

to answer your questions and share information on available resources to support our family, friends or loved ones struggling with addiction.
 
We'll also provide updates on work being done at the state and local level to provide relief and assistance to those experiencing the effects of the crisis and to help end it.
 
When:  Thursday, March 5, from 6-7:30 p.m.
Where:  Livonia Civic Center Library Auditorium, 32777 Five Mile Road in Livonia
 
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, don't hesitate to reach out to my office by calling (517) 373-3920, emailing me at  LauriePohutsky@house.mi.gov  or by attending one of my upcoming coffee hours.

Mom to Mom Sale at the Kirksey Recreation Center

SAVE THE DATE! 

Livonia Parks and Recreation is hosting their first-ever Mom 2 Mom and Used Sports Sale at the Kirksey Recreation Center on Sunday, March 22. Browse tables of gently used children's clothing, toys, books, and sports equipment available at a fraction of the cost of buying them new.

Buyers: Come see what everyone has to offer! Early Bird admission is available from 8 - 9 a.m. for $2 per person. $1 admission after 9 a.m. and the sale ends at noon.

Sellers: Purchase table space to re-sell your child-related items and sports equipment. $30 for one table and a 10x10 selling space. Extra tables are available for $12 each.

Contact Billy by email at wkeppen@ci.livonia.mi.us to register as a seller.
Why Filing Your Tax Returns Sooner is a Smart Choice
Every April, many taxpayers wait until the last minute to file their federal income tax returns. Despite this tendency, there are many reasons to file your taxes early. If you will receive a refund, you may want to submit your return as quickly as possible. Additionally, there are benefits to filing early for those taxpayers who have a balance due.

Why should you file your taxes early?  
  1. If you are due a refund, you will get it sooner
  2. If you owe taxes, you will have more time to arrange payment before the deadline
  3. It may help with financial aid or other expenses now
  4. You will lessen the odds of becoming a victim of identity theft because the IRS says that scammers file tax returns early in the season
  5. You may avoid an extension  
Don't put off filing your taxes. The last-minute panic of doing taxes can be incredibly stressful.
 
If you would like to learn more about Cole, Newton & Duran CPAs and how we can help with your accounting, tax, or consulting needs, please give Bryan Besco, chief marketing officer, a call at 734.427.2030. 

About Cole, Newton & Duran CPAs (cndcpa.com)
Cole, Newton & Duran CPAs (CND) has been providing quality, personalized financial guidance to local individuals, businesses, and not-for-profits for more than 50 years. Our expertise ranges from tax management and accounting services to more in-depth services such as audits, financial statements, and financial planning. CND is listed as one of the top accounting firms in Michigan. By combining our expertise, experience, and the team mentality of our staff, we assure that every client receives the close analysis and attention they deserve.


Click on the image above to get your tickets
Join Michigan Supreme Court Justice Richard Bernstein in bowling for braille books for kids!

    Bowl with Michigan Supreme Court Justice Richard Bernstein on March 14 at Novi Bowl in Novi, MI, and help raise $60,000 for 6,000 braille books for children with vision loss!

   Justice Bernstein, who made history in 2014 when he became the first blind justice elected to the state's highest court, will be the celebrity bowler at the 33 rd Annual Bowling for Braille Books, a fund-raiser for Seedlings Braille Books for Children.

   Justice Bernstein is a longtime Seedlings supporter and a braille advocate. "Seedlings' books bring the world to life for the blind," he said.
   To make a donation or register to bowl, go to https://bit.ly/2GX0QJR 

   Seedlings' goal is to place 6,000 braille books into the hands of blind children by raising $60,000 at the event. It is the Livonia non-profit's biggest fundraiser of the year. 

    "Braille books are rare and often expensive, sometimes costing more than $100 each. For every 100 books a sighted child has, a blind child may have just five," said Seedlings' Founder/Director Debra Bonde. "How can a child learn to read without books?"

   Braille literacy is key to a successful, independent life for those with vision loss. According to the National Federation of the Blind, more than 70 percent of blind adults are unemployed or under employed. But of those working full-time, 9 out of 10 are braille readers.   
 
   Seedlings gives half of its books free to blind children all over the world. The other half are sold for anaverage of only $10 a book. 

Maeve pictured here on the left, shows her doll how to read braille. Because braille books are rare and often cost more than $100 each, children with vision loss like Maeve may have only about five books for every 100 books a sighted child has. 

Seedlings gives half of the braille books it produces free to blind children and charges an average price of just $10 a book for the other half.
bowling typewriter
Kennedy Industries in Wixom, pictured on the right, is planning to have five teams at this year's Bowling for Braille Books fundraiser on March 14 at Novi Bowl. This photo is from last year's event.
     
Bowlers are encouraged to register by March 1 so lane assignments can be made. The minimum pledge of $65 includes three games of bowling, shoe rental, T-shirt, goody bag, lunch and one raffle ticket. 

    You may also attend the event just to meet Justice Bernstein and to bid on auction items donated by area businesses. There will also be raffle drawings for great prizes.Tickets are $1 for one, $5 for six or $20 for 25.

    Check-in starts at noon; bowling begins at 1 p.m. Novi Bowl is at 21700 Novi Road, Novi. And yes the official greeter at the front door will once again be the typewriter. Be sure to stop and say hello. This is a fun event from start to finish.

    Headlining sponsors are Alpha USA; Bill Brown Ford; Canton Lions; Community Financial Credit Union; Financial & Portfolio Advisors, Ltd.; Kennedy Industries;Livonia Builders; MASCO, Plymouth Lions; SkyOak Wealth and Valassis.

Proud sponsor of the Detroit Red Wings v Livonia All-stars coming to town May 17, 3:00.
Madonna University invites you to a film and discussion on
A Refugee Story


Looking for someone to cater your graduation party? Or perhaps that business meeting.

No matter what your catering needs you can count on that familiar face, with that quality service.

Bob Modes  @  Blue Plate Catering