Bill Joyner's FridayMusings May 1, 2024

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FridayMusings since 2003

Wednesday, May 1, 2024

Helping define Livonia's Quality of Life

Archive – Bill Joyner's Friday Musings

20 years publishing FridayMusings

without bias but not without opinion

Take Pride in Livonia Day set for May 4th

Do you Take Pride in Livonia wanting to help keep it looking great?

If you do you can join friends and neighbors for this annual spring cleanup event at city parks from 9-11, Saturday, May 4.

The cleanup will be followed by a picnic lunch from 11 a.m. to noon. Locations TBD based on number of participants volunteering.

This is a great opportunity to obtain service hours for your organization, engage with others in the community, explore new park locations, and Take Pride in Livonia!

Contact Billy Keppen at wkeppen@livonia.gov to volunteer.

Niji-Iro Elementary hosted the City of Livonia's annual Arbor Day celebration.

Last week, Niji-Iro Elementary hosted the City of Livonia's annual Arbor Day celebration. This event was marked by student poetry and songs that honored the earth and our community's magnificent trees. Students also had the chance to plant trees with assistance from city crews and the Livonia Tree Commission.

Arbor Day, which derives its name from the Latin word 'arbor' meaning 'tree,' is a holiday dedicated to the planting, care, and conservation of trees. The modern appreciation for trees and forests is largely inspired by Arbor Day. In 2024, Arbor Day was celebrated on Friday, April 26, and it is customarily observed on the last Friday of April in the United States.

Thank you Livonia Public Schools for posting these pictures on Facebook.

Let's meet Joe Johnston, Director of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'.

Shakespeare in the Park Year Three, 8/19, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28

Hello! My name is Joe Johnston and I’m directing ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ for this year’s Livonia Community Theatre production of Livonia Shakespeare in the Park. To say I’m incredibly excited for this summer’s show would be understating it. It’s been amazing to see it start to come together, and I can’t wait for the rest of it to unfold and bring it to the audience at the end of July!

‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ might be Shakespeare’s most famous comedy. It’s been told countless times over the last 400 years, in about as many ways as one could imagine. One of the reasons for its popularity is that it can be adapted into endless situations, while retaining its timeless story of love, and the confusion of love, and the magic of summer. And because much of it takes place in the woods, Livonia's Stymelski Veterans Park is a perfect venue.

I’ve long felt that Shakespeare in the Park is a community act of punk rock. We are bringing this story directly to our neighbors, for free, in one of our city’s beautiful public spaces. The audience will be seated right up to the three sides of the stage so we can be as immersive as possible. Hopefully the audience will feel they are as much a part of the show as the actors and performers.

Our cast is divided into four main groups: the Fairies, who live in the woods, are growing ever disillusioned with the mortal world. They stage a punk rock pageant to celebrate Summer’s shortest night and then create mischief upon any mortal entering their woods after sunset, amidst their Fairy King and Queen locking horns. The mortal Lovers are doing what lovers do, causing one character to observe “reason and love keep little company nowadays.” The Royals are doing their best to uphold order amidst the madness of love. And the Mechanicals are just doing their best: lifting up their community with community theatre, and supporting one another as friends.

Someone once described Livonia Shakespeare in the Park as “Class Action Catharsis'' and as a participant since its inaugural production two years ago, I can attest. We have an amazing time, growing together as a company through the summer. Perhaps you’d like to join us? All are welcome.

And I do mean ALL. Please make space in your summer calendar to see what we come up with!

Joe Johnston is an Instrument Repair Technician at Cameron's Music. He Studied Theatre at Alma.

FUN FACT: John Larkin won the

Golden Gloves Championship in 1986

Hailing from Livonia, attorney John Larkin made a name for himself in amateur boxing by clinching the 1986 Golden Gloves Championship. The Golden Gloves tournament stands as one of the most revered competitions in amateur boxing, spotlighting talents nationwide.

John's talent, unwavering commitment, and diligent work ethic propelled him to triumph. His victory in 1986 was a defining moment in his boxing journey, underscoring his skill in the ring and distinguishing him as a prominent amateur boxer of his era.

John attributes his achievements to his coach and mentor, Paul Soucy, who has been training him since he was 15. Soucy, honored in the 1835 Livonia City Hall of Fame, is a dedicated boxing coach and gym owner in Livonia with a history of training alongside some of the boxing greats, including Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Leonard. After 42 years, John continues to train with Paul at the Dynamic Boxing Club in Westland.

Longtime member of the Detroit Lions to provide inspiration to the Schoolcraft College graduating class

Lomas Brown, an 18-season veteran of the National Football League, will be the keynote speaker at Schoolcraft College's 59th Annual Commencement Ceremony. The event is scheduled for 1 p.m. on May 4 at the TrinityElite Sports Center. Brown, who was drafted sixth overall by the Detroit Lions in the 1985 NFL Draft, played his first 11 years with the team.

Brown, reflecting on the importance of investing in youth, stated, "Our children and young adults are our greatest resource to reinvest in. They are our future leaders."

As a Detroit Lion, Brown contributed to the offensive line that protected legendary running back Barry Sanders. The Lions reached the playoffs multiple times with Brown, including the 1991 team that competed in the NFC Championship Game. His contributions were honored with an induction into the Lions’ Hall of Fame in 2023. Brown now serves as a color analyst for Detroit Lions radio broadcasts.

Dr. Glenn Cerny, president of Schoolcraft College, expressed enthusiasm about Brown's upcoming address: "We are so excited to welcome Lomas Brown to campus and speak to our graduates later this spring.

"Lomas knows success, and we are confident his speech will resonate with all those earning degrees and certificates. certificates.

"Given the recent success of the Detroit Lions, bringing Lomas to campus to address our graduates is a win.”

Team Rehabilitation of Livonia partners with our Livonia Firefighters

The Livonia Firefighters are honored to collaborate with Team Rehabilitation of Livonia as charitable sponsors. Team Rehab has committed to supporting their array of fundraisers throughout the year, such as the Stop Drop and Bowl event and their involvement in the Detroit Firefighters Burn Drive softball tournament.

Schoolcraft Culinary Arts Department excels in turning out chefs. And do they have some outstanding pastry chefs.

Recent pastry graduate Mia Johnson showcases her breathtakenly beautiful cake.

She says this is her "Final “Cake Decorating Project” called her

Floating Debut/Sweet 16th Birthday Cake.

"This is my first ever cake decorating I’ve ever done."

The Drive is underway. Make it a point during May to support "Girl Products. Period."

Daily in Livonia, numerous women and girls cannot afford necessary menstrual products. This problem is especially acute for schoolgirls who might miss school due to a lack of these supplies at home.

The Livonia Democratic Club aims to eradicate Period Poverty in Livonia with our "Girl Products, Period" program. Your support is crucial for this cause.

Mitsy Morris, chair of the project says that they "have devoted May to this campaign, and here is how you can help: Purchase menstrual products and donate them by dropping them off in our collection box at the Livonia Senior Center."

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.

A Saturday evening of retail politics at LDC Potluck Dinner

Nick and Robin Persiconi candidate for Livonia Judge

Jim Jolly, candidate for Livonia Judge, and family was in the house

Adrienne Scruggs candidate for Wayne County Judge

Senate candidate Hill Harper and his son Pierce met up with retired teacher Nancy Osborn.

County Sheriff Raphael Washington chatted with Supreme Court Judge candidate Kimberly Thomas.

Judge candidate John Larkin and his son worked the tables filled with good conversations.

Pat and Lynn O'Neil, Brandon McCullough, Alan Baum

Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib with Kate Shishkovsky and Louise Weller.

Brandon McCullough, Stephanie Young, Lori Miller, Matt Koleszar, were smiles all around.

State Reps Laurie Pohutsky, Matt Kolesar, Stephanie Young and Senator Dayna Polehanki work together in Lansing and seem to always enjoy getting out and about in Livonia.

Drew Buatti files to run for School Trustee

A statement from Drew Buatti as he files to run for Livonia Board of Education:

Today, I have filed to run for the position of school board trustee for the Livonia Public Schools Board of Education.

This has been on my mind for a long time. This decision has not been made lightly. I want to help lead the future of Livonia Public Schools. As someone who graduated from Stevenson in 2023, I am a product of Livonia Public Schools.

I want to take part in something very special. I believe now is the time for young leaders to shine. This will not be easy. I will need all of your support! I look forward to connecting with all of you! I will be announcing more soon!

I thank you all very much!

Koleszar says it is time to prohibit painful experiments on dogs

Last Thursday on the Capitol steps, Matt Koleszar joined Michiganders and many of our four-legged friends from around the state to rally for the passage of his bill, HB 4849, which would prohibit painful experiments on dogs at our public institutions.

Koleszar explains that "Only one university still carries out these experiments and has not been able to show any positive results for humans despite decades of tests. It is time to end this cruel practice."

The contest is open to all Livonia residents. The winner will receive a $500 cash prize and will be noted as the Livonia 75 Committee’s designer on the website. The winning submission becomes the sole property of the Livonia 75 Committee during the Livonia 75 timeframe. The logo will be used on the Livonia 75 website, social media, posters, printed materials, gifts, novelty items, FridayMusings masthead, or anywhere else the Livonia 75 Committee deems appropriate.The contest opens on MAY 1, 2024 and closes on MAY 31, 2024 at 11:50 p.m.