Riverview Register, March 10 – April 11, 2023

– Page 23

Pot, or not?

Welcome to the city of Riverview, home of the “Marijuana Mile.” Or maybe not.

Riverview recently began the process of taking applications for licenses for retail marijuana stores after the City Council voted 4-3 to allow those businesses within the city limits.

Demand for those licenses has been high.

But opposition to the stores has been pretty strong, too, and a group of citizens, spearheaded by longtime resident and former councilman Elmer Trombley, circulated a petition designed to get the idea of marijuana stores in front of voters.

To get the measure on the ballot, the petitioners needed to gather the signatures of 279 city residents. At the start of March, the group turned in over 700 signatures. After review by the city clerk, some of those signatures were ruled to be invalid, leaving about 600 – more than double the number needed.

With a primary election for city council and mayor likely, the proposal almost certainly will be on the ballot in August. If there is no primary, the vote will come during the general election in November.

– Page 26

Here is the petition legally signed by the Riverview

residents:

The purpose of this Ordinance is to prohibit the business operations of persons licensed by the State to operate Marihuana Establishments consistent with the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Maruhuana Act 218 IL 1, MCL

SEE FATE, page 5

HANK MINCKIEWICZ

Gabriel Richard Hockey team enjoys MHSAA playoff run

Councilman David Robbins pleads guilty to two

With revenue down, city seeks creative solutions

My fellow Riverview residents, as I am writing this article, we are just finishing up what is hopefully our last winter storm of the season.

The City Council is in the process of addressing budget issues that required us to file a deficit elimination plan with the State of Michigan.

We are still recovering from the Covid-19 Pandemic which resulted in a measurable reduction in municipal and commercial waste being brought to our landfill. Combine that with some major expenditures and we find ourselves in a temporary budget deficit.

This deficit would have been addressed quickly if we had received our landfill expansion.

Our new city manager and council are working closely together to fix this deficit and soon we will be able to educate the community on what steps we are considering.

All council members recently met with our auditing firm and the city manager to discuss options. I am confident that within a few short years the deficit will be eliminated. We do have enough in our fund balance to get us through this. And as you all know I’ve never pulled any punches when it comes to the finances of our great city.

Without having the income and cash flow from the landfill that we’ve had since 1968, we have to look elsewhere for those funds.

This column has addressed in the past the need for the expansion of our landfill.

Until recently we’ve not had to raise taxes. For decades the council was able to ensure a safe, environmentally sound landfill to provide these funds.

So my fellow residents, I say to you, “This is what Riverview looks like without the landfill.”

Even with a myriad of many other options which the council will take advantage of, one of those options will be some sort of increase in taxes. Residents will be informed of what options are available to council and you will be given the chance to vote on those options.

We have to start now to wean ourselves from that source of revenue.

Your council continues to work on providing a positive environment to attract new businesses, finding ways to get brownfield (contaminated) sites cleaned up and available for development and fill the few empty buildings we have left on Fort Street.

I will let you know that the council is just as frustrated as you likely are with the lack of development at Fort and Sibley in the Riverview Commons.

The owners have been cited for code violations within the complex many times and show little to no interest in improving the interior.

Here’s what we’ve got on the horizon.

First up is the Riverview Hall of Fame Banquet coming on Friday, March 10. This annual event led

by retired Riverview Community School District teacher Mary Zellner, raises funds to finance 16 scholarships awarded to graduating seniors.

On Saturday, April 1, the Kiwanis of Riverview will be distributing Easter dinners to 10 Riverview families in need of a little help this holiday. The civic club partners with the Riverview Community School District to help these families out.

Just in time for St. Patrick’s Day there will be what promises to be a fun family event at the Riverview Memorial Veterans Library. It is the “How to Trap a Leprechaun” activity.

Be at the library at noon on Saturday, March 11, for the one hour activity modifying small boxes into Leprechaun traps. Please call the library at 734-283-1250 for more information.

The Riverview Recreation Department has an “Easter Stroll” planned at Young Patriots Park on Saturday, April 8. Starting at 11 a.m. children and their families can “stroll” around the park stopping at several different booths that vendors have set up. These vendors will be passing out Easter Treats and other goodies to the children.

Please mark your calendars for our Second Annual State of the City address sponsored by the Southgate Rotary. It will take place at Arnaldo’s Banquet Center on Quarry Road. There are a few details to be worked out, but what we do know is that the lunch time event will take place on Wednesday, May 3.

Last year we recognized seven businesses for their contributions to the city. And speaking of Rotary. We are very pleased to announce that we are working with the Southgate Rotary to get our own Riverview club going. Please watch this paper for future announcements on Riverview joining this outstanding organization.

There are so many in need that would benefit from having three active community groups such as the Rotary, Kiwanis, and Goodfellows.

On the new business front we do have a few announcements to make.

This month we have the grand opening of “The Avalon Day Spa” on Tuesday, March 21, at 8 a.m. This is a first-class spa that our city will love.

Proprietor Sarah Vail, licensed aesthetician, is looking forward to getting her business up and running. Please join me and the Southern Wayne Regional Chamber at 18104 Fort Street in welcoming this new business. Check out her website at “theavalondayspa.com”.

In the queue right behind The Avalon Day Spa is

the very popular and Downriver favorite Poke Ur Way (pronounced POKAY Your Way) food truck.

Lance Sulek has been looking for the perfect home for his food truck and he found it in Riverview. His intent is to open a small restaurant to compliment his very successful food truck. The new restaurant will be located at 17425 Fort St. It is located on northbound Fort just before Scott Cunningham’s Allstate office.

To give them a try before the restaurant opens give Lance a call at (313) 389-6780 to place an order. Or go online and check out their menu at pokeurway. com. My wife and I have enjoyed their Tasty Bowl of Goodness several times. But our favorite by far is the Dole Whip.

Please help Riverview welcome them to our community.

I always like to finish these articles on a positive note. In that tradition, please join me in wishing the best to Courtney Cooke Schultz of Riverview Nutrition. Courtney has decided to leave Riverview Nutrition for personal reasons.

She has been an inspiration to so many people and to the city of Riverview. The city of Riverview is sad to see her leave and wish her the best in whatever comes next for her.

Co-owner Michelle Couch will keep the Riverview Nutrition torch going strong and we look forward to all the good things yet to come for one of our finest businesses.

ANDREW SWIFT

FATE

Continued from page 1

33.27951 et seq. The provisions of this ordinance are regulatory in nature and not intended to be interpreted as zoning laws. The provisions of this ordinance are severable and selfexecuting. The Ordinance is hereby declared necessary to preserve the public peace, health, safety and welfare of the People of the City.

SECTION 2. MORATORIUM

The city shall impose a moratorium and prohibit the operation of all marihuana establishments within the City.

SECTION 3. REPEALER

All ordinances or parts of ordinances that conflict with this Ordinance are hereby repealed to the extent necessary to give this Ordinance full force and effect, and any other provisions of ordinances or City regulations or City Resolutions that conflict with this Ordinance are inapplicable to conduct authorized under this Ordinance.

SECTION 4. EFFECTIVE DATE

The Ordinance shall become effective immediately upon voter enactment.

SECTION 5. SEVERABILITY AND EXECUTION

The various parts, sections and clauses of this Ordinance are hereby declared to be severable and selfexecuting. If any part, sentence, paragraph or section is judged unconstitutional or invalid as to any person or circumstance by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remainder of the Ordinance shall not be affected thereby and that invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect the validity, enforceability, or application of any other portion of this Ordinance. Ordinances may be enacted to facilitate operation of this Ordinance. The subsection shall be liberally construed in favor of voters’ rights in order to effectuate its purposes. If any portion of this subsection is held invalid or unenforceable as to any person or circumstance, that invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect the validity or enforceability, or application of any other portion of this Ordinance.

Basically, the sale of marijuana in Riverview – as in most Downriver communities – has been prohibited. City Council’s recent decision changed that and put Riverview in line to be one of the first area communities to legally sell pot. If the voters pass the new ordinance, the prohibition will be reinstated, therefore no pot shops.

Riverview Mayor Andy Swift has said publicly on more than one occasion that he is neither strongly for or against retail marijuana shops in his city.

Before the City Council passed its recent marijuana establishment order, Swift and the other two “no” votes on the City Council, pushed for a ballot initiative.

“Democracy won,” said Swift. “I’ve always felt this issue should go before the voters.”

Council members Chuck Norton, David Robbins, Suzzane O’Neil and Rita Gunaga all voted for the current Riverview ordinance that allows marijuana shops in the city.

In a written opinion delivered to the city, city attorney Randall Pentiuk concluded by saying, “The proposed

ballot initiative petition presents a viable legal tool citizens can use to initiate legislation they want, or in this instance, which they do not want.

“This is a good example of direct democracy by the people in action and is an exception to the traditional republican form of government by elected representatives otherwise constitutionally mandated.”

Because of zoning laws and other issues, it was determined that the city would allow up to seven marijuana stores to open. Based on proximity to homes and other rules it is likely that, if allowed to open, four pot retail shops would likely open up on Fort Street from Williamsburg south to King Road. Already the term “Marijuana Mile” has crept into the conversation.

If Riverview retains approved pot sales, the city will become one of the few places to buy weed nearby. As it stands, the closest place for marijuana smokers to buy is River Rouge and Monroe.

Whether the “Marijuana Mile” and the other pot shops become a reality is now in the hands of the citizens of Riverview.

RIVERVIEW SCHOOLS

Forest Elementary Small and Tall Glow Ball

The Forest Parent Club “Small and Tall Glow Ball” was held on Sunday Feb. 19th at the Grecian Center. Over 300 Forest girls and their dates attended this glowing event!

During the event raffle items were auctioned, such as an American Girl Doll and Detroit Tigers opening day tickets.

Thank you to the many wonderful community partners and volunteers who helped make this event happen!

• Lanzetta Orthodontics for sponsoring our photobooth!!

• A Serendipity Cakery and Ice Cream Shoppe for the awesome cupcakes!!

• Our raffle basket sponsorsCream Barber and Shop, 10 Pins of Trenton, H2O Seafood, the Toledo Zoo, Marco’s Pizza, Riverview

Highlands, Brewligans Public House, Airborne Adventure Park, Sibley Gardens, Kudos Taproom and Fieldhouse, Full Moon Bar and Grill, Harding Remodeling, Polonus Restaurant, Stroh’s Ice Cream, Firehouse Pub and Grill, Glow Fish Studios, Riverview Junior Football Association and Top Golf.

• Riverview Cosmetology for offering face painting and hair tinsel.

• Michelle Ettaher and Nancy Ritchie for creating so many gorgeous decorations and Corsages.

• Pilar Salaz-Martin for assisting with donations.

• The amazing behind the scenes committee that made all of this possible, Michelle Ettaher, Amber Hagerman, Emily BIankenship, Francesca Garnetti and Mary Momenee.

Huntington’s Sweetheart and VIP BALL

On Feb. 16, Huntington Parent Club hosted a Sweetheart Ball for all of the girls. The event was held at Arnaldo’s Banquet Hall in Riverview, where all guests enjoyed delicious food and great music. Each girl was accompanied by their chosen VIP. A fantastic time was had by all!

Masquerade Ball returns to the high school

On February 18 the Riverview Community High School Parent Club hosted the Masquerade Dance for the first time in three years.

That morning several volunteers turned the RCHS gymnasium into a masquerade ballroom.

Our students enjoyed a 360 video and photo booth, concessions, aDJ and had so much fun we had to turn on all the lights to get them out of the gym.

We are so grateful for these in-person experiences for our kids and can’t wait for next year’s dance!!

Powder Puff Game

At the end of Valentine’s Spirit Week students and staff gathered for a Pep Rally and some friendly competition. Riverview Community High School watched the senior team come out on top. defeating the juniors, the sophomores, and ultimately, the staff.

Estate Planning 101

Which plan do you need?

Time to clear up the confusion about Estate Planning ... The following definitions lack legal precision, but makes it easier to get a clear picture of what may be needed in your case.

■ Will – letter of intent of where you want your personal property to go – or not go.

■ Living Will – Documents your wishes during your final days including final healthcare choices and possibly your burial wishes.

■ Trust – This is a “company” that you start, and you become the CEO, “Trustee” and “Settlor.” The company outlives you, but continues to manage your assets as if you were alive by the successor CEO – whom you designate.

■ Power of Attorney – Financial and Healthcare – you need both – the first so someone can pay your bills, the second, sometimes called a Patient Advocate, designates someone to make “hallway at the hospital” decisions to take the stress off the family.

■ Ladybird Deed – probably the best thing that has happened to owning a home. I love these deeds – you grant yourself a life estate – in your own property - but retain the power to sell or borrow against the property. If you do not sell before you pass, this “springs” the house out of your estate, and your heirs have instant ownership, subject to any mortgage or taxes owed or similar.

Again, this is just a general description of the more popular terms – no one choice is a “silver bullet” but depending on how your estate gets planned out you can expedite a clean and clear process for the assets you worked a lifetime to save. Why wouldn’t you want to do that? Stop by or call and make an appointment and I’ll tell you what you’re going to need to do this right.

To my numerous former clients – thank you for allowing me to draft your estate plan!

Hi Buddies! Join us for the 1st annual

EGG HUNT EVENT HOSTED BY RIVERVIEW SCHOOL OF COSMETOLOGY

Date 24 Month 03 Year 23

from 5:30PM to 6:30PM

12431 LONGSDORF, RIVERVIEW, MI EVENT WILL BE HELD IN FOOTBALL PRACTICE FIELD LOCATED ON QUARRY

RIVERVIEW RECREATION HIPPITY HOPPITY EASTER

STROLL

This event is FREE! Hours are 11:00 a.m.to NoonorUntilSupplies Last.

Take the family on a Spring themed walk around Reflection Pond at Young Patriots Park. Each CHILD will receive Spring treats. Meet at the gazebo to check in to enter the walk. No registration required.

SATURDAY, APRIL 8, 2023 02 PRIL 20 A 820

Don’t Forget Your Easter Basket!

RIVERVIEW RECREATION DEPARTMENT

Like us on Facebook: Riverview Recreation Department

If you’d like your business or organization to participate, please contact Donna Mitchell at dmitchell@cityofriverview.com

734-281-4219

Spring/Summer Grapevine Wreath Class

Sunday, April 16th 1:00 – 3:00 pm

A brightly colored 18” grapevine wreath decorated with beautiful silk flowers and accenting the wreath with complimenting ribbons and embellishments. Choose from spring, summer or a patriotic theme. A stunning centerpiece on your gate, door or hanging from a shepherds hook in your garden.

• Please bring a hot glue gun with hot glue sticks, wire cutters and scissors. If you don’t have these, I have extras to borrow.

• Class fee of $30.00 must be paid by Friday, April 14th. No refunds after this date. Limit of 20 participants per class. No walk-ins please.

Location: Riverview City Hall Senior Activity Room 14100 Civic Park Drive, Riverview, MI 48193 734-281-4219 • cityofriverview.com

https://secure.rec1.com/MI/riverview-mi/catalog

City of Riverview

Sponsored by the Beau fica on Commission

Friday≠Sunday April 28≠30, 2023 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

No permit needed, place signs on your own property.

Music fills the air!

Ms. Kruger led our third-grade students at Memorial Elementary School in a beautiful Valentines-themed concert on Feb. 16, which had the cutest songs that were all about love. The grand finale was “You are My Sunshine.” Thank you to Ms. Kruger, our third-grade teachers, Ms. Vollmerhausen, Mrs. Culverhouse and Mrs. Hilliard for this lovely event.

Decoupage Jar Candle Craft Class

Saturday, March 25th 4:00 to 6:00 pm

• Using several di erent types of mod podge mediums such as fabric, tissue papers, napkins, etc. we will be decorating jar candles into works of art. You will love how the light shines through your pretty, handmade candle jars. Cute ideas for gi s or shower/ wedding ideas or keep them for yourself.

• Please bring a hot glue gun with hot glue sticks, wire cutters and scissors. If you don’t have these, I have extras to borrow.

• Class registration fee of $10.00 must be paid by ursday, March 23rd. No refunds a er this date. Limit of 20 participants. No walk ins. Register online! https://secure.rec1.com/MI/riverview-mi/catalog or cityofriverview.com under the recreation tab.

Check or cash for in-person registration at the Recreation Department. Call the Recreation Department if you have any questions regarding programs or issues with online registering.

• Supply fee of $20.00 cash payable to the instructor during class time.

Riverview City Hall/Senior Activity Room

14100 Civic Park Drive, Riverview, MI 48193 734-281-4219

Classes are for residents and non-residents. Age 12 & up. Children aged 6 -11 are welcome to sign up and must bring an adult helper. If the adult helper wants to participate and make their own Chili and Cornbread they must register and pay also. is is a perfect class for friends and family to get together and have some fun!

Welcome, Music Lady

The Music Lady visited Memorial Elementary School on February 3 and had our Kindergarten, first- and second-grade students moving, dancing and singing. It was a great day of fun!

Kolaczki Cookie Cooking Class

Friday , April 7th 3:00 to 5:00 pm or 6:00 to 8:00 pm

• Kolaczki (Kolachky or Kolachkes), no matter how you spell it, these melt in your mouth, jam lled cookies are delicious. e cookies originate from Poland, Hungary or Czechoslovakia and are sure to bring back sweet memories. is class includes baking supplies and samples to munch on during class, recipe and approximately 30 cookies. Easy to make! At least four di erent llings to choose from. Bake at home. Perfect for family get-togethers and they freeze well.

• Please bring a hand mixer, rolling pin, and two cookie sheets. If you do not have these I will have disposable pans and equipment to borrow.

• Class fee of $30.00 must be paid by Tuesday, April 4th. No refunds a er this date. Limit of 20 participants per class. No walk ins please. Register online! https://secure.rec1.com/MI/riverview-mi/catalog or cityofriverview.com under the recreation tab.

Check or cash for in-person registration at the Recreation Department. Call the Recreation Department if you have any questions regarding programs or issues with online registering.

Riverview City Hall/Senior Activity Room

14100 Civic Park Drive, Riverview, MI 48193 734-281-4219

Classes are for residents and non-residents. Age 12 & up Children aged 6 -11 are welcome to sign up and must bring an adult helper. If the adult helper wants to participate and make their own cookies they must register and pay also. A delicious class for friends and family to get together and have some fun! No school or work on the 7th? COME MAKE COOKIES!!!

RCHS upcoming events

DISTRICT-WIDE

Monday, March 13 – Trimester 3 begins

Monday, March 27 - 31 – NO SCHOOL – Spring Break

Friday, April 7 – NO SCHOOL – Good Friday

Wednesday, April 12 – Thursday, May 11 – School of vhoice application period

RIVERVIEW COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL

Thursday, March 16 - 18 – Drama Club presents Mamma Mia

Sunday, March 19 – Tea Party at the Riverview School of Cosmetology

Wednesday, March 22 – Large Group Festival Night

Friday, March 24 – Easter Egg Hunt hosted by Riverview School of Cosmetology

Wednesday, April 12 – SAT & PSAT

Thursday, April 13 – PSAT/Workkeys

Visit riverviewcommunityhighschool.bigteams.com for all the athletic events

FOREST ELEMENTARY

Thursday, March 15 - Conferences

HUNTINGTON ELEMENTARY

Wednesday, March 15 – Dining for Dollars – Savvy Sliders

Thursday, March 16 - Conferences

Monday, March 20 - 24 – Book Fair

Wednesday, March 22 – Family Game/Book Fair Night

Wednesday, April 5 – Dining for Dollars – Marco’s Pizza

MEMORIAL ELEMENTARY

Tuesday, March 14 – Spring Pictures

Thursday, March 16 – Conferences, by appointment

Monday, April 3 – PTC Meeting – 6 pm

City of Riverview Needs You!

Waffle Ice Cream Cone Flower Pots Painting Class

Tuesday, May 23 7:00 – 8:00 pm

• Cute trio of terra- cotta pots you will paint to look like ice cream in a wa e cone. So simple to make! Perfect for your summer décor, cute ideas for a shower, party favors or centerpieces. Sizes of pots include 5”, 3.5” & 2.5”.

• Please wear painting clothes and bring a cookie sheet to carry your wet pots home on.

• Class fee of $22.00 must be paid by Friday, May 19th. No refunds a er this date. Limit of 12 participants. No walk-ins.

Register online!

https://secure.rec1.com/MI/riverview-mi/catalog or cityofriverview.com under the recreation tab.

Check or cash for In person registration at the Recreation Dept. Call the Recreation Dept. if you have any questions regarding programs or issues with online registering. One account per household.

Riverview City Hall/Senior Activity Room

14100 Civic Park Drive, Riverview, MI 48193

734-281-4219

A perfect class for friends and family to get together and have some fun!

Classes are for residents and non-residents. Age 12 & up Children aged 6 -11 are welcome to sign up and must bring an adult helper.

Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake Cookies Cooking Class

Tuesday, May 9 7:00 – 8:15 pm

• Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake Cookies are so cookies that will melt in your mouth! A perfect balance of tartness sprinkled with a sweet powdery sugar glaze. Add the lemon and blueberries into the cream cheese batter or donít. Make the cookies to your liking. Perfect to make ahead for your holiday get together. ey freeze well for snacks, lunch treats or surprise for your coworkers. is class includes all supplies and samples to munch on during class.

• Please bring a hand mixer and 2 large cookie sheets. Final baking will be done at home. Approximately 30 cookies.

• Class fee of $30.00 must be paid by Friday, May 5th. No refunds a er this date. Limit of 20 participants per class. No walk-ins.

WAYNE COUNTY

Register online!

https://secure.rec1.com/MI/riverview-mi/catalog or cityofriverview.com under the recreation tab.

Check or cash for in-person registration at the Recreation Department. Call the Recreation Department if you have any questions regarding programs or issues with online registering.

Riverview City Hall/Senior Activity Room

14100 Civic Park Drive, Riverview, MI 48193 734-281-4219

Classes are for residents and non-residents. Age 12 & up Children aged 6 -11 are welcome to sign up and must bring an adult helper. If the adult helper wants to participate and make their own cookies they must register and pay also. A delicious class for friends and family to get together and have some fun!

Strides for Adam 5K set for March 26

The fourth annual Strides for Adam 5K Run/ Walk will be held on March 26 at Young Patriots Park.

This event is in memory of Adam Holten, who, at the young age of only 16 years old, lost his fight with depression, the day after Christmas, 2018.

All proceeds go to the Strides for Adam 501c3, which funds the Adam Holten service scholarship, offered to students at Gabriel Richard and Riverview High Schools. Remaining proceeds are donated to the annual Kevin’s Song Conference on Suicide each January.

You can also sign up to run the event virtually.

If you can’t make the race and still want to participate, simply sign up and you will receive a race packet. Then run your virtual race between March 19-26.

The is also a one-mile “reflection walk” for non-runners who would like to take part.

A finisher medal and race t-shirt are guaranteed to the first 500 registered participants.

You can easily sign-up for the Strides for Adam event at RunSignUp.com/Race/MI/Riverview/ StridesforAdam.

See you at the park

Self Defense

For All Ages

Register online!

https://secure.rec1.com/MI/riverview-mi/catalog

Jim and Shawnie Davies are experts in self defense and martial arts.

5-12 Kids Self Defense

Wednesday, March 29, 2023

Or Wednesday, May 17, 2023

6:00-7:00 P.M. City Hall Gym

$20.00 per person

Students will learn easy to use self defense techniques that require little to no strength. These techniques will help to build confidence and allow them to not be intimidated by bullies.

Including:

Bullying and how to address issues • How to “stand up for yourself” • Who can help when you are at school, church and activities • De-escalation

Techniques:

Wrist grabs • Blocks • Bear hugs from the front and from behind • Strangulation holds

Don’t let your kids miss this class!

13-18 Teen Self Defense

Wednesday, March 15, 2023

Or Wednesday, April 26, 2023

Or Wednesday, June 14, 2023

6:00-7:30 P.M. City Hall Gym

$20.00 per person

Young women and men are invited to learn easy to use self defense techniques that require little to no strength. These self defense strategies will build self confidence and allow young men and women not to be intimidated by bullies or those trying to hurt them in any way.

Including:

Bullying

• Sexual assault

• Dating violence

16+ Self Defense

Wednesday, April 5, 2023 Or Wednesday, May 31, 2023

7:00-8:30 P.M. City Hall Gym

$20.00 per person

• Red flags • Diffusing dangerous situations

Date rape

• Exiting parties without being teased. Techniques and how to avoid:

Blocks

• Shoulder grabs • Bear hugs

Strangulations • Hair pulls from the front and behind • Wrist grabs • Question and answer session.

Don’t let your teens miss class!

These are easy to learn techniques that require little to no strength and no knowledge of Martial Arts in a fun and safe atmosphere. Basic techniques that will increase your self confidence and feeling of security are the focus. Men and women are both encouraged to attend as well as young adults at least 16 years of age. Including: Situational awareness • How to avoid dangerous encounters • Domestic Violence • Weapons & Self Defense Tools • Basic defenses to enable you to ‘get away’:

Palm strikes • Hammer punches • Elbow strikes Wrist grabs • Hair grabs • Strangulation defense We will also discuss how to deal with dating violence, peer pressure, and other forms of abuse.

LEGAL NOTICES

CITY OF RIVERVIEW, WAYNE COUNTY, MICHIGAN REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES HELD ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2023

The Meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.

Presiding: Mayor Swift

Present: Councilmembers Blanchette, Norton, ONeil, Robbins, Workman

Excused: Councilmember Gunaga

Also Present: Various Department Heads, Attorneys Hurley and Morgan

Approved January 17, 2023, Regular Meeting Minutes by unanimous vote.

Mayor Swift offered Public Comments.

Approved Zoning Board of Appeals and Adjustments Appointment of Mr. Brett Chittum for an unexpired three-year term ending July 31, 2023 by unanimous vote.

Approved Consent Agenda as follows by unanimous vote.

• Authorize Addendum Extending Agreement for Civil Engineering Services with Charles. E. Raines Company for a Three-Year Term.

• Approved Special Events Applications for Adam 5K Run using City Property on Sunday, March 26, 2023.

Adopted resolution Amending Ambulance Billing Service fees by unanimous vote.

Authorized Amended Addendum extending Agreement for the Pennsylvania Road Water Main Replacement from Grange to West Boundary of the city to Bidigare Contractors for a total cost of $670,818.50; and Field Engineering and Contract Management Fees to Charles E. Raines Company for an amount Not to Exceed $92,619.00 by unanimous vote.

Authorized Addendum Extending Agreement for the Vreeland Park and Wendy Court North Water Main Replacement Projects to Bidigare Contractors for a total cost of $1,275,750.30; and Authorized Field Engineering and Contract Management Fees to Charles E. Raines Company for an amount Not to Exceed $139,172.76 by unanimous vote.

Recessed into Closed Session at 7:34 p.m. for the Purpose of Discussing Collective Bargaining by unanimous vote.

Recovened at 8:02 p.m.

Roll Call: Mayor Swift, Councilmembers Blanchette, Norton, ONeil, Robbins, Workman

Ratified Agreement previously ratified by the Police Patrol Unit by unanimous vote.

Ratified Agreement previously ratified by the Police Command Unity.

AYES: Mayor Swift, Councilmembers Blanchette, Norton, ONeil, Robbins, Workman

ABSTAIN: Councilmember ONeil Motion carried.

Adjourned meeting at 8:04 p.m. by unanimous vote.

DETAILED MINUTES/ORDINANCES AVAILABLE AT THE OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK.

Andrew M. Swift, Mayor Cynthia M. Hutchison, City Clerk

CITY OF RIVERVIEW, WAYNE COUNTY, MICHIGAN REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES HELD ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2023

The Meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.

Presiding: Mayor Swift

Present: Councilmembers Blanchette, Gunaga, Norton, ONeil, Robbins, Workman

Also Present: Various Department Heads, Attorney Pentiuk

Approved February 6, 2023, Regular Meeting Minutes by unanimous vote.

Mayor Swift offered Public Comments.

Approved Board of Review re-appointment of Mr. Brian Webb for an unexpired three-year term ending January 1, 2026 by unanimous vote.

Approved Consent Agenda as follows by unanimous vote.

Authorize the Solicitation of Bids for Wellfield Operation and Maintenance for the Land Preserve.

Authorize the Solicitation of Bids for Spring 2023 Gas Collection and Control System (GCCS) Well Drilling Construction Project for the Land Preserve.

Authorize the Solicitation of Bids for Temporary Labor Contracts for the Land Preserve.

Adopted resolution Authorizing the City Manager/Acting Finance Director as Authorized Individual for Multi-Bank Securities, Inc., on behalf of the City of Riverview, by unanimous vote.

Adopted resolution Authorizing the City Manager/Acting Finance Director as Authorized Individual for UBS Finance Services, Inc. on behalf of the City of Riverview, by unanimous vote.

Adopted resolution Establishing 2023 Golf Rates and Fees by unanimous vote. Adopted resolution for the Deficit Elimination Plan for the Riverview Land Preserve Fund by unanimous vote.

Received and Placed on File the Minutes of the Local Officers’ Compensation Commission by unanimous vote.

Authorized First Reading, by title only, of Proposed Ordinance No. 738, Amending the Code of Ordinances Section 66-123, Double Parking Prohibited within the City by unanimous vote.

PROPOSED ORDINANCE NO. 738

AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE CODE OF ORDINANCES FOR THE CITY OF RIVERVIEW BY THE ADDITION OF SECTION 66-123, “DOUBLE PARKING OF VEHICLES PROHIBITED”, OF ARTICLE IV, “STOPPING, STANDING AND PARKING”, IN CHAPTER 66, “TRAFFIC AND VEHICLES”, TO PROHIBIT THE DOUBLE PARKING OF VEHICLES WITHIN THE CITY.

Authorized the First Reading, by title only, of Proposed Ordinance No. 739, to Amend Chapter 30, “Fire Prevention and Protection” of the Riverview Code by the Addition of Article IV, “National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA), to Adopt the 2021 Editions of the NFPA1 and NFPA 101, by unanimous vote.

PROPOSED ORDINANCE NO. 739

AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 30, “FIRE PREVENTION AND PROTECTION” OF THE RIVERVIEW CODE, BY THE ADDITION OF ARTICLE IV, “NATIONAL FIRE PREVENTION ASSOCIATION (NFPA)”, TO ADOPT THE 2021 EDITIONS OF NFPA 1 AND NFPA 101 AND ADD THEM TO THE FIRE SAFETY CODE.

Adjourned meeting at 7:37 p.m. by unanimous vote. DETAILED MINUTES/ORDINANCES AVAILABLE AT THE OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK.

Andrew M. Swift, Mayor Cynthia M. Hutchison, City Clerk

APRIL 25, 2023 FILING DEADLINE FOR RIVERVIEW

MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL RACE

The City Clerk’s Office is accepting nominating petitions for the upcoming Mayor and City Council election. The mayor and three council office terms are up for election. All terms of office are for four years.

To be eligible to run for office, an individual must be a resident and a registered voter in the City of Riverview for at least one year prior to the filing deadline. Nominating petitions with at least 25 but no more than 40 registered Riverview electors must be submitted to the City Clerk’s office for validation no later than 4:00 p.m. on April 25, 2023, A primary election, if required, will be held on August 8, 2023 and the general election on November 7, 2023.

Nominating petitions are available during regular business hours at the Office of the City Clerk in the Riverview Municipal Building, 14100 Civic Park Drive, Riverview, Michigan. Call (734)-281-4240 for more information.

Cynthia M. Hutchison, City Clerk

RFD hosts forcible entry class for fellow

The Riverview Fire Department had the privilege of hosting some of our neighboring departments for a forcible entry class recently.

It was an amazing opportunity for department personnel from all over Downriver to revisit a fundamental firefighting skill as well as learn new techniques at the same time.

It was also a great opportunity for local departments to get together, build rapport and camaraderie with each other.

The Riverview Fire Department looks forward to continuing this work with upcoming classes in the coming months.

UpcomingEventsatYOURRiverviewLibrary

Wednesday,Marc h1@11 a.m.

EarlyLiteracyStorytime

Joinusforsongs,stories&games! Bestsuitedforchildrenages2-5. RegistrationbeginsFebruary22. RegistrationrequiredbyFebruary27.

Monday,March6@6:30p.m.

BookClub

Readerswillbediscussing RadiumGirls by KateMoore.CopiesofClubbookscanbecheckedout fromthecirculationdesk. 18+welcome.Noregistration required.

Wednesday,Marc h8@11 a.m.

EarlyLiteracyStorytime

Joinusforsongs,stories&games! Bestsuitedforchildrenages2-5.Registrationbegins February27.RegistrationrequiredbyMarch6.

Saturday,March11@12p.m.

Crafturday:LeprechaunTraps

Everydayitemswillbetransformed intoperfectly≠sizedtrapsthatmay justcatchaleprechaunthis St.Patrick'sDay. Allageswelcome. RegistrationbeginsFebruary28. RegistrationrequiredbyMarch9.

Wednesday,March15@11a.m.

EarlyLiteracyStorytime

Joinusforsongs,stories&games!

Bestsuitedforchildrenages2-5.Registrationbegins March1.RegistrationrequiredbyMarch13.

Wednesday,March15@5≠6:30p.m.

BookPageEmbroidery

Sewingexperiencenotrequiredtojoinusincreating adisplayablebookpageartpiece. Ages18+.RegistrationbeginsMarch1. RegistrationrequiredbyMarch13.

RiverviewVeteransMemorialLibrary

14300SibleyRoad,Riverview,MI48193

www.riverviewpubliclibrary.com|734≠283≠1250

LikeusonFacebook!

Tuesday,March21@12p.m.

AfternoonBookClub

Readerswillbediscussing TheGuestList byLucy Foley.CopiesofClubbookscanbecheckedout fromthecirculationdesk. 18+welcome.No registrationrequired.

Wednesday,March22@11a.m. EarlyLiteracyStorytime

Joinusforsongs,stories&games! Bestsuitedforchildrenages2≠5. Registration beginsMarch1.RegistrationrequiredbyMarch20.

Thursday,March23@6≠8p.m.

OpenMicNight

Come&shareyourone≠of≠a≠kind writing,art,songordancewitha welcomingaudience.Participants& attendeeswillalsoenjoyadelishnacho bar! Ages13+.Noregistrationrequired.

Wednesday,March29@11a.m.

EarlyLiteracyStorytime

Joinusforsongs,stories&games! Bestsuitedforchildrenages2-5.Registration beginsMarch1.RegistrationrequiredbyMarch27.

Wednesday,March29@4≠6:45p.m. PuzzleCompetition

Joinusinthecommunityroomfora friendlypuzzlecompetition. Participantswillhavealmost3hours tofinisha500piecepuzzle.Every teamthatfinisheswillreceiveaprize. A llageswelcome.RegistrationbeginsMarch13. RegistrationrequiredbyMarch27.

Pleaseregisterforeventsbycalling734-283-1250or stoppingbythecirculationdesk.Registrationisnot acceptedthroughemailorFacebook.

Monday≠Thursday,10a.m.≠7p.m. Saturday,10a.m.≠3p.m.

Downriver Community Band will dance!

The Downriver Community Band (DCB) is honored to present their annual spring concert “Music in Motion” - Friday, March 24, 2023, 7 p.m.

The concert will highlight dance inspired performances, including songs from Grease, Beer Barrel Polka, Can Can, Singin’ in the Rain and many more.

Joining the band will be dance performances by members of Downriver Youth Performing Arts Center (DYPAC). Wyandotte’s beloved personality, Ted Budkin, will be the show’s emcee. With Ted’s light hearted style, it’s likely there will be an opportunity for some fun audience participation during the show.

“Dance themed concerts are so much fun”, says band president Denise Doede. “The music alone is inspiring, but when you add the energy of the dancers, it really makes for a powerful performance. I’m sure the community will love it!”

The band has a magical way of covering so many genres in their performances. This year’s selections will cover dance music that includes Polka, Irish dance, Ballet, Waltz, Tap, Pasodoble and others.

“I’m so glad to once again have kids from DYPAC join us. They provide

such energy and passion in all their performances and really makes for a crowd-pleasing event.” Say DCB’s director Patrick Jensen.

DCB welcomes everyone in the community to come and support the

fine talent Downriver area has to offer.

Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for children, kids three and under are free.

The concert will be held at Flat Rock Community Auditorium, 25600 Seneca St, Flat Rock, Michigan. To

purchase tickets, call 734.589.0322 or visit TheDCB.org.

About The Downriver Community Band

Founded in 1989, Downriver Community Band (DCB) is a volunteer wind ensemble of adult musicians with a mission to promote music within the organization and the community.

DCB is composed of players of various skills from all walks of life. DCB performs locally for civic, charity and fundraising events and has performed in Hawaii, New York, Washington DC and Indiana.

The band’s repertoire consists of marches, big band, classical, jazz, show tunes, contemporary and original compositions.

DCB’s conductor, Patrick Jensen, is an active musician in the Detroit area. He teaches music at both Wayne State University and Henry Ford College and has been associated with Detroit Symphony Civic Orchestra, The Dearborn Symphony, Henry Ford College Big Band and Frank Zappa tribute band. Sponsorship for the group comes solely from community supporters.

For more info, go to TheDCB.Org.

Ted Budkin will MC the event.

NEWS FROM OUR NEIGHBORS Go to... GoBigMultimedia.com to read more news on our digital publications.

The Grosse Ile Recreation Department manages a number of Township facilities including the Water’s Edge Pool, Golf Course, and Centennial Farm. The following are significant dates associated with these facilities:

move this community forward in 2023,” Kuspa said during a Rotary Club of Southgate event at Crystal Gardens. “There will be challenges, but we will meet those challenges as we have in the past: with vigor, collaboration and determination.”

gobigmultimedia.com/grosse-ile-grand

Grosse Ile Recreation: Much planned for spring and summer

~ Mother & Son Bowling night - Friday, February, 24, 2023 from 6:30-8 p.m. Annual

~ Easter Event - Saturday, April 8, 2023 at 10 a.m. at Centennial Farm

~ 1st/2nd grade basketball Program - April 12May 3 from 7:10-8 p.m. at Parke Lane

~ Sign Language class for grades 3-5 - April 19May 24 from 3:15-4 p.m. at Meridian School

~ St. Patrick’s Day Luncheon - March 15 at 12:30 p.m.

~ Back by popular demand will be the annual Cinco de Mayo Senior Party- Details to follow at a later date.

~ Summer 2023 - Evening pool movies events and Christmas in July (currently being planned/details to follow).

~ Let’s not forget...ISLANDFEST, June 2, 3, 4.

The Recreation Department offers numerous fitness classes currently ongoing and include the following:

~ Open Table Tennis -M-W-F from 3:30-5:30 p.m.

~ Island Walkers- M-F 6:45-7:45 a.m.

~ Jazzercise- M-W-F- 8:15-9:15 a.m.

Grosse Ile Recreation offers numerous senior events including the following:

~ Senior Chair Yoga

~ Full Body Fit

~ Flow Yoga

~ Cardio Drumming

~ Senior Citizens Club meets the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month at 1 p.m. at Centennial Farm, come join the Club!

Punch cards are now available for fitness classes for those that wish to participate in more than one of these events.

Grosse Ile Recreation offers Senior Transportation Services as well! Eligible individuals can call 734216- 4905 if you need a ride to the grocery, hair or doctors’ appointments. Rates are $5/round trip on island, $6/round trip off island.

~ January 1, 2023- Summer boat slip rental requests starting being accepted

~ June 15th -Water’s Edge Pool Opens (a Last Day of School pool party is currently being planned) Early Spring- Water’s Edge Golf Course opens (Carts will be available starting April 24th)

~ June 22nd - 1st Water’s Edge Summer Concert Events (continues on Thursday nights throughout the summer)

~ All summer long- Centennial Farm Recreation Building rentals are available for your special event

On page 7

gobigmultimedia.com/southgate-star

Mayor highlights positive changes and growth, projects more good government in new year

Business growth, debt reduction, advances in public safety, improvements in roads and recreation and more good government ahead were among the highlights of Southgate Mayor Joseph Kuspa’s State of the City Address on Jan. 31.

Looking back on 2022, the Mayor highlighted his administration’s “consistent commitment to our core beliefs and responsibilities: financial integrity, public safety, strong neighborhoods, a welcoming business environment and the continuation of our goal to rebuild our public spaces and infrastructure for this generation of Southgate residents and all those who follow.”...

On page 1

Chance Childers of Southgate coaches defensive line for Concordia University football team

... Chance Childers, who has lived in Southgate for 25 years, coaches the defensive line of the Cardinals football team. He is also one of the biggest boosters of the small, four-year, private, nonprofit university.

“As we enter the new year, I know that we are more nimble, more knowledgeable and more prepared to

Childers, wife Franci and sons Jake and Joel are all Concordia graduates. Childers has worked for Concordia for the past decade, including seven years as a football coach.

During his time on the football team staff, Childers has compiled an impressive resume at Concordia, which is considered a top Michigan Christian college that competes in the Wolverine Hoosier Athletic Conference.

Childers has recruited or coached dozens of NAIA scholar athletes, football All-Americans and players of the year. Southgate and the Downriver area are part of the recruitment territory of Childers and codefensive coordinator and special teams coordinator Matt Strzalkowski of Taylor

gobigmultimedia.com/trenton-times

$1M grant for Kennedy Aquatic Center

The Kennedy Aquatic Center is in need of renovations, especially with the increased traffic the facility has seen post-covid. The 20-year-old facility offers swim lessons, lifeguarding classes, parenttot classes, swim up movies, summer pool parties, triathlons, day camp destinations, day camp home bases, relaxing entertainment, swim competitions for all caliber swimmers, fundraisers, water aerobics, senior exercises, pool side yoga, gardening and so much more.

gobigmultimedia.com/wyandotte-warrior

Wyandotte Soup Kitchen

Waynewright Community Meals serves dozens twice a week

The goal is to add ADA compliant pool lifts, replace uneven concrete, repair gutter systems, rework current locker room facilities, create a sensory integration space, repair deck drains, create new signage, and create a new entrance that will be barrier free for ease of access.

On page 6.

New statewide outdoor recreation plan offers wealth of insights

The overall goal of the 2023-2027 SCORP is to “ensure that Michigan’s outdoor recreation assets are equitably distributed, developed and managed to provide convenient and welcoming access to the outdoors for healthful, outdoor physical activity; and while sustaining our lands, waters and wildlife for current and future generations, drive broad-based economic and quality-of-life benefits to people and communities.”

SCORP strategies to achieve the goal include:

• Improve collaboration: Outdoor recreation stakeholders collaborate and cooperate to ensure that Michigan’s recreation system meets the needs of residents and visitors.

• Improve and expand recreational access: Recreation opportunities are connected and accessible to residents and visitors of all backgrounds, abilities, means and geographic locations.

• Enhance health benefits: Outdoor recreation increases the physical activity and health of Michigan’s residents and visitors.

• Enhance prosperity: Outdoor recreation advances economic prosperity and supports a high quality of life as well as talent retention in Michigan’s communities.

On page 36

Wyandotte resident Sarah Pettigrew and her “amazing network of volunteers” have been providing meals for “guests” for more than 16 years. They arrive early to the fellowship hall, get ready for the day, serve the visitors and stay after to clean up. Some of the

same volunteers will be joined by others a few days later to do it all over again.

“For me, it was important to be called ‘community meals’ from the beginning,” Pettigrew said. “Our philosophy is ‘everyone is welcome.’ If you’re just passing through or someone who is lonely or a senior citizen with limited income or someone with special needs, you’re invited to be our guest.

“A lot are struggling, whether with poverty or homelessness or the working poor. We see people struggling with mental health issues, drugs and abuse. We may see them one time and then never again. We also have regulars and people who only visit when their resources dry up.”

On a normal Wednesday or Saturday, guests line up outside the church between noon and 1 p.m. to receive a hot meal, complete with a main entrée, side dishes, vegetable, dessert and bread or salad – all served in a restaurant-size to-go box. They also receive a sack lunch for later, along with non-perishable food items, hygiene items and more, depending on the donations the soup kitchen has received.

As long as you’re in line by 1 p.m., you’ll be served, Pettigrew said. There are no papers to fill out; no identification or proof of income or proof of residency to show.

On page 1

Wyandotte cheerleaders 3rd at league meet

The Roosevelt competitive cheerleading team went to Carlson on Feb. 8 and finished third at the Downriver League meet.

The only teams to top the Bears were 2020-23 league champ Carlson, which was Division 2 state runner-up last season – and Allen Park, which was the D2 champ a season ago.

Wyandotte was third after the opening round, third after the second round and the Bears held third position through the third round.

On page 19

On page 7

Gabriel Richard Presents Little Shop of Horrors

By: Marohn Campena, GR Senior

Over the last year, the Thespian Guild at Gabriel Richard Catholic High School has shown many amazing productions. From the fairylike “Into the Woods” to GR’s Murder Mystery Event featuring “Three Doors to Death” and “Murder at the Banquet,” the Thespian Guild has truly worked hard to deliver breathtaking shows.

Currently, Gabriel Richard is preparing for its production of “Little Shop of Horrors.” This musical tells the story of a meek flower shop worker named Seymour Krelborn as he attempts to win over his co-worker crush, Audrey, and get out of the slums of Skid Row. In addition to dealing with his crabby boss Mushnik and Audrey’s toxic boyfriend Orin, Seymour must face the greatest threat of them all, a man-eating plant named Audrey II that attempts to take over the rest of the world.

“Little Shop of Horrors,” is Gabriel Richard’s first-ever show featuring a double cast. Gabriel Richard’s Skid Row cast, featuring Everett Knapik (Seymour), Sasha Murphy (Audrey), Autumn Stevens (Mushnik), and Brooks Natt (Orin), will star in “Little Shop of Horrors,” at 7:00 PM on Friday, March 31 and at 2:00 PM on Saturday, April 1. Gabriel Richard’s Downtown cast, featuring Marohn Campena (Seymour), Ava Abrahamson (Audrey), Brett Byrd (Musnik), and Logan LaPere (Orin), will take the remaining two shows at 7:00 PM on April 1 and at 4:00 PM on Sunday, April 2.

Please join us and watch “Little Shop of Horrors” this spring!

Robbins pleads guilty to two misdemeanors

Riverview City Councilman David Robbins, whose alcohol-fueled actions just 48 hours after he was elected brought the unwanted glare of the media spotlight to the city, has accepted a deal and will plead guilty to two misdemeanors.

Robbins was accused of driving while intoxicated, crashing his vehicle and then leaving the scene of the accident in a series of incidents that occurred during the early morning hours of Nov. 4, 2021, just two days after he had been elected to the council.

Originally, the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office charged Robbins with Operating while intoxicated, operating impaired, reckless driving, failure to report accident to fixtures, and operating OUIL/per Se/OWI — second offense notice.

In a March 2 hearing, the prosecutor agreed to a plea deal, dropping the first three charges, which are the most serious of the five. Robbins pleaded

guilty to the last two, both of which are misdemeanors.

Assistant Prosecutor Maria Miller said that what Robbins pleaded guilty to was operating while intoxicated, second offense; and leaving the scene of a crash that caused damages to fixtures.

On the night of the incident police encountered Robbins in the parking lot of Zorba’s Coney Island, 17543 Fort St., at around 1:47 a.m. It was after Robbins got a ride home that police learned that a silver Ford Fusion with front end damage had been located in the parking lot of DaVita Riverview Dialysis, which is next door to Slip Mahoney’s, 18480 Fort St., where Robbins admitted to drinking earlier that night. The car was registered to Robbins.

Police said the driver of the car struck a tree along the Fort Street median and someone pushed it to the dialysis clinic’s parking lot.

Robbins initially denied being

involved in a crash, telling officers that as far as he knew his car was still parked near the bar, where he left it. He said he had walked across the street to the restaurant to grab a bite to eat.

Police were initially involved because Robbins got into an altercation with a man at the restaurant. The altercation did not lead to any legal ramifications, but Robbins words and actions that night drew scrutiny and widespread condemnation.

He accused the man, who is black, of trying to stab him and implied to police that the man did not live in Riverview and should not be there, saying, “Some random-ass Black dude, who probably had no (expletive) business being in our city in the (expletive) first place, did what he did.”

Robbins has never made any public statements about his involvement in the incident and he is scheduled to be sentenced at 9 a.m. April 14, before Wayne County Circuit Judge Christopher Blount.

Whatever his sentence is, the misdemeanors do carry a mandatory one-year loss of his driving privileges.

Annual Miss Amazing Pageant scheduled for May 6

It’s almost here!

The annual Michigan Miss Amazing Pageant is set for Saturday, May 6 at Novi Civic Center.

It’s open to girls ages five and up with a disability and there’s no fee to participate.

Spread the word! You can find out more about the organization, and sign up to participate or volunteer here: https://missamazing.org/chapters/MI

To kick it all off we have a prepageant event planned.

Tina Brossia, owner of Rags to Riches Designer Consignment Boutique in Brownstown, has generously offered to close their doors the evening of Tuesday, March 7 so participants can pick out a free dress. Participants must be signed up before March 7 to receive a free dress and free jewelry set.

The pre-pageant “Dress for Success” event will include special guests:

~ Miss Amazing registered participants.

~ Michigan Miss Amazing Directors: Rachael Dooley - National Director, and Rachael Hunter - Morning Show 99.5 WYCD/Country Music Hall of Fame Recipient.

~ Jewelry Giveaway - Amy Douglas, Michigan Miss Amazing 2020

Senior Miss - Commercial Model, Actress and Spokesperson for people with disabilities.

~ Contenders Assistant and Encouragement Coach - Mrs. Michigan USA 2022 - Rachael Adams LogsdonActress, Model, Motivational Speaker, Entrepreneur.

~ Photographer - Joe Maroon Photography, special events photographer to the stars.

Riverview Recreation Fitness & Fun

CARDIO DRUMMING GOLD

Easy to follow routines that target your whole body. This class is perfect for the beginner and is designed for any ability and can be tailored to your level. Gold classes are great for any age but targets the exercise needs of ages 45 and up. Please bring (up to 75 cm) exercise ball, drumsticks and a bucket for your ball to sit on. If you would like to give it a try, we do have some equipment to borrow. Chairs provided for those who do not wish to stand. This class is for 14 & older.

Instructor: Lisa Magyar

Tues. 10:00-11:00 a.m.

Jan. 10 - March 28

Thurs. 7:10-8:10 p.m.

Jan. 12 - March 30

Cost: $5.00 drop in Class Limit: 20 City Hall Gym

CLASSIC CARDIO + WEIGHTS

FIT FOR ME

This head to toe workout will start with a 15 minute warm up with easy to follow moves, a 20 minute arm routine, a variety of body toning exercises and an awesome stretch ending. This class is perfect for EVERYONE! A group class where we workout together but at your own pace. If you want to sit in a chair or you want to move it to the max and everything in between, this is YOUR class! Fun music and classes are varied each week. Please bring a mat and a pair of 1 up to 5 lb. hand weights. Chairs provided for those who do not wish to go on the floor. This class is for age 14 and up. . Instructor: Lisa Magyar

Thurs. 6:00-7:00 p.m.

Jan. 12 - March 30

Cost: $5.00 drop in Class Limit: 20 City Hall Gym

This awesome cardio class is taught in a low-impact format. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to “pick it up” or “keep it down” to fit your own needs. The second half of class uses light weights (instructor supplied) to challenge and strengthen muscles, leaving you stronger from head to toe. Enjoy some fabulous music and finish class with a great stretch. Leave feeling GREAT!

Instructor: Sue (Flanary) Michetti

Mon. 6:30-7:30 p.m.

April 10 - May 15

Cost: $5.00 drop in Class Limit: 20 City Hall Gym

CARDIO RHYTHM WALKING

Combinations are easy to follow and so much fun. Light weights for muscular strengthening round out your class. There is no floor work. You’ll be singing as you get fit with walking combinations. You should come and check it out!

Instructor: Sue (Flanary) Michetti Wed. 9:00-10:00 a.m.

April 12 - May 15

Cost: $5.00 drop in Class Limit: 20 City Hall Gym

STRETCHING FOR THE STARS

Start your day with this 45 minute, no/low impact, low intensity workout that will tone your muscles, increase your range of motion, balance and flexibility, and help you to relieve stress. Through a series of simple stretching and toning exercises, participants will find improvements in overall functionality of the body. Please bring a pair of 1 to 5 lb. hand weights. This class will be done standing so no mat needed. Chairs provided for those who do not wish to stand. This class is for 14 & older.

Instructor: Lisa Magyar

Tues. 9:00-9:45 a.m.

April 4 - May 30

Cost: $5.00 drop in Class Limit: 20 City Hall Gym

April 7

Kolaczki Cookies

May 9

Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake Cookies

April 16

Spring/Summer

Grapevine Wreath

May 23

Waffle Ice Cream

Cone Flower Pots

Painting Class

CRAFT/COOKING WITH LISA

Riverview – City of Champions

It has been a great winter season so far for the high schools that call Riverview home. At Riverview Community High School, the girls basketball team just completed an undefeated Huron League season and won another Michigan High School Athletic Association district championship, its fifth title in a row. Meanwhile, the boys basketball team, after trailing Flat Rock in the league standings for much of the year, beat the Rams in the final weeks of the regular season and forged a tie for the league championship. At Gabriel Richard, Sebastian Martinez won his second consecutive state wrestling title, winning the 157-pound Division 4 title, while the hockey team won its sixth straight regional championship, then won a state quarterfinal game. The Pioneers were still alive seeking their first-ever state hockey title as the Register went to press.

Photos by Dave Chapman and Emily Caruso

On a mission Richard is a playoff monster — crushes foes

The Gabriel Richard hockey team continued to maraud its way through the Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 3 state playoff on March 4 with a 6-1 victory over Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard in a state quarterfinal game.

The win was the third for the Pioneers since the playoffs started and they outscored Riverview, Grosse Ile and AA Richard 23-1.

The quarterfinal game was a good one – but only for a little while.

There was a feeling out portion of the first period and the game was scoreless until the very end when Richard broke on top.

Two quick goals to start the third

period gave Richard a 3-0 lead and you could sense what was coming. Later in the period the Pioneers struck quickly again, netting a pair of goals less than 30 seconds apart. It was 5-0 and the celebration was beginning.

Midway through the third period, Richard scored again and it was 6-0.

Goaltender Ryan Rainey just missed this third straight playoff shutout when the Fighting Irish managed to get one past him with less than five minutes to play in the game. He made 21 saves.

Aiden Gonzalez had a three-goal hat trick and four points to lead the way to victory.

Robbie Chiles, Jimmy Monks and Connor Forster had the other Gabriel

Richard goals. Monks’ four assists gave him a five point night and Brody Kirkpatrick had three assists.

The victory earned the Pioneers a trip to the D3 state semifinal at USA Arena in Plymouth, against Flint Powers, which beat Country Day 4-3 in its quarterfinal game.

Gabriel Richard lost to Flint Powers 4-3 in the MIHL Showcase in Trenton back on Feb. 3. In that game, Powers broked a 3-3 tie with a shorthanded goal with less than three minutes to play. Richard had rallied from a 3-1 deficit in that contest.

This is the second time in four years that Richard has reached the state semifinals, but the last time – in 2020

– they never got to play because the tournament was called off because of COVID.

In other quarterfinal games No. 1-ranked Houghton (26-2) pounded Escanaba 8-0 and East Grand Rapids beat Traverse City St. Francis 3-1.

Richard reached the quarterfinal game by beating Grosse Ile 8-0 in a regional championship contest that was halted by the eight-goal mercy rule.

Richard carried the play throughout the night, but for the better part of two periods the Devils did a good job of keeping the Pioneers wide, keeping the puck out of the kill zone and, in

Photos by Emily Caruso

MISSION

Continued from page 26

general, limiting Richard’s quality scoring chances.

But at 11:38 of the first period the Pioneers managed to get the puck into the slot and Chiles planted it for a 1-0 Gabriel Richard lead. As it would turn out, that was the game-winning goal.

Two minutes later, Monks got loose in front, made a neat little deke to the backhand and scored to make it 2-0.

It was 2-0 at the end of the first period. The Pioneers scored once in the second period and it was 3-0 after 54 minutes of play.

The third period would prove to be Grosse Ile’s undoing.

Richard scored two goals in the first six minutes of the last period and the wheels came off for the Devils, who then surrendered three more goals each about two minutes apart. Two of the third-period goals were netted by Monks, who completed his hat trick. Nic DiSanto had the goal that invoked the mercy rule.

The game was halted with 5:52 to play because of the mercy rule.

In addition to Monks’ hat trick, Richard got two goals and three points from Gonzalez, a goal and four points from Chiles and a goal and four points from Brenden Paden.

Grosse Ile finished the night with just 15 shots on goal and Richard goalie Rainey stopped them all.

To reach the championship game, both Richard and Grosse Ile recorded first-round playoff shutouts. Richard bombed Riverview 9-0 and Grosse Ile dominated Dearborn Divine Child 4-0.

DiSanto led the way for Richard against Riverview as he scored a three-goal hat trick. Paden had two goals as the Pioneers scored early and often, leaving no doubt as to the better team.

Other goal-getters for Richard were Kirkpatrick, Nick Wisniewski, Monks and Gonzalez. Goalie Rainey faced just nine shots, meaning he faced just 24 shots in two regional games and did not allow one to pass.

A ring for each finger

Riverview girls dominate AP; win fifth straight district title

Well, we’ve seen this movie before. Riverview won a district championship on March 4. It was the Pirates fifth straight district title.

In 2022 the Pirates beat Taylor for the crown. In 2021 they beat Trenton. In 2020 they beat River Rouge and in 2019 they beat Wyandotte.

This year, Allen Park was the district championship game victim.

The Pirates beat Allen Park 64-47 at Southgate Anderson in a rare Saturday afternoon game. The game was moved from Friday night, thanks to a snowstorm.

The win pushed the Pirates into the regional semifinal where they faced Dearborn Fordson at Fordson. The other regional semifinal game pitted Bedford against Wayne Memorial.

Last year Riverview won a regional championship and it was Wayne that ousted the Pirates in the state quarterfinals.

SEE RING, Page 29

RING

Continued from page 28

In this year’s district title game, the Bucs started slowly, but when they got it together they steamrolled the Jaguars.

Riverview fell behind early in the contest and trailed by as many as five points in the first quarter, but a 19-8 scoring advantage in the second quarter helped put the Pirates on the right path.

The second half was all Riverview as the Bucs led at one point by as many as 26 points.

Allen Park won 18 games this season and contended for the Downriver League title, but the Jags had not seen anything to prepare them for a squad with the depth the Riverview possesses.

“(Riverview) has a really talented team,” said Allen Park coach Joe Johnson. “It starts with Kincaid and (Cadence Kaminske). But their depth is an issue for us, they have multiple girls who come off the bench, bring a lot of hustle, and get them some points. And they’re not afraid to share the ball, I think that is a huge advantage for them.”

Offensively, senior Elyssa Kincaid and freshman Kate Patterson shouldered the load for coach Rob Sauter’s team.

Kincaid, who recently went over the 1,000 career scoring plateau, was 10-for-19 from the field and scored a game-high 27 points. Patterson’s shooting percentage was even higher (9-for-16) and she scored 22 points, including three threepoint bombs.

Senior Kaminske scored 190 for the Bucs and sophomore Averi Westbay and freshman Kiera Logan were the only other Bucs to score.

Allen Park’s Luci Granata had a team-high 25 points. Giana Bresling finished with seven points and Faith Peschke added six.

The district’s top two seeds made quick work of their respective opponents in the semifinals earlier in the week. Allen Park cruised to a 24-point win over Taylor while Riverview beat Anderson by 61 points.

The district title and the potential playoff run come at the end of a truly great regular season for Sauter’s team.

The Pirates were undefeated Huron League champions, going 14-0, Not only did Riverview have an unblemished record in the league, but the Bucs were so dominant that no league team lost to them by fewer than double digits. Grosse Ile and Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central came the closest, each losing one game to Riverview by 10 points. In their other meetings, Riverview beat SMCC by 19 and Grosse Ile by a whopping 45 points.

Overall the Bucs were 21-3 through the district. Their non-league losses came to Tecumseh, Westfield Prep and Catholic League Cardinal Division champion Wixon St. Catherine’s. Tecumseh and Westfield are district champs still playing and St. Catherine’s lost to 24-1 Chelsea in a district title game.

Photos by Emily Caruso

GR’s Martinez is wrestling state champ again

Gabriel Richard’s Sebastian Martinez defended his Michigan High School Athletic Association wrestling state championship at Ford Field on March 4, winning the Division 4 157-pound state championship with a 10-2 majority decision over Dillon Raab of Bark River-Harris in the championship match.

Martinez won the 145-pound D4 state championship last year, coincidentally beating Raab 4-1. Martinez, who finished the year with 43 victories, won three matches on his way to the title bout. He won all three by pinfall.

The Gabriel Richard sophomore started his run by pinning Mason Lindsay of Bronson. He then pinned Hunter Ostrander of Brown City and Ryan Ling of Schoolcraft to set up his rematch with Raab.

Richard falls in CHSL championship; districts are next

Catholic League AA boys

basketball champion Gabriel Richard will have a chance to get over the disappointment of losing the CHSL Cardinal Division title for the first time in four years when it hits the court for district action at Ecorse.

Coach Kris Daiek’s team won the Cardinal title in 2020, 2021 and 2022 and the Pioneers were going for a four-peat last month when their streak was halted 53-42 by Detroit Loyola at U-D’s Calihan Hall.

The CHSL championship featured a close, low-scoring first half, but Loyola found its shooting eye in the third quarter and it led the Bulldogs to the victory.

The three-time defending champ Pioneers led by four at halftime, but a 23-6 scoring edge for Loyla in the third quarter was the difference in the game.

Loyola’s defense pressure in the second half proved to be the difference. Daiek admitted that the Bulldog were a little bigger, little quicker team and when they ratcheted

up the pressure it was hard for the Pioneers to cope.

Richard cut a 16-point Loyola lead to single digits in the fourth quarter, but could never really get close enough to make the Bulldogs sweat. Despite the disappointment of the loss, Daiek said the high-pressure of the championship stage was a good thing for his underclassmen to get used to with the state tournament on deck.

Luke Westerdale and Nick Sobush each finished with 11 points for Richard; Westerdale was responsible for three of the Pioneers’ six made triples in the game.

Richard, which was 8-2 in its conference and 15-4 overall, now heads to Ecorse for a MHSAA Division 3 district tournament.

The Pioneers began tourney play against a 4-11 Detroit Community team. On the other side of the bracket, Cabrini (9-12) takes on Dearborn Riverside Academy. Both those games were played March 8 after the Riverview Register’s press deadline.

On his way to the state finals, Martinez won a district championship at Manchester and a regional title at Hudson. In the districts, regional and at the state finals, Martinez wrestled nine times, winning all his matches by pin, technical fall or majority decision.

Martinez was not the only wrestler representing Gabriel Richard at the state finals.

Sophomore Joey Calhoun won his first two matches at 175 pounds and went on to finish sixth. Calhoun, who was a regional champ, beat Ishpeming’s Logan Hurkmans and

Colton Symons of New Lothrop before falling into the loser’s bracket when he was beaten by eventual state champ Cole Hopkins of Evart. Hopkins won all three of his matches at the state meet and finished the season 51-0.

Calhoun lost his last two matches and settled for sixth.

Freshman Luke Harrington, who was a 126-pound regional champion, claimed seventh place at the state finals. He beat Noah Swed 8-7 in the match for seventh and eighth place. Along the way, he knocked off Thor Baker of Decatur and Jericho Holmes of Pine River.

Sophomore Jonathon Castellanos wrestled twice at 106 at the state meet and bowed out.

Richard was represented at the girls state finals, too.

Sophomore Rihanna Venegas was second at 145 pounds. She fell to Lydia Roop of St. Charles in the championship match. To reach the title tilt, Venegas beat Riley Silvas of Allendale, Clara Holtry of Holt and Aleah Swilley of Mt. Morris. All three of Venegas’ wins came via pin.

Jacey Bamabel was third at 135 pounds. The freshman beat Emerson Whitcelli of Grand Rapids West Catholic and Madisyn Le of Waverly in her first two matches and then wrestled back to beat Terra Booe of Allendale and then Emily Medford of Kettering.

Richard girls win district title

It’s an odd-number year and if you’re a Gabriel Richard girls basketball follower, you know what that means – get ready for regionals.

Since 2019 every odd numbered year the Pioneers have won a district title and the pattern held true this season as Richard hosted and won an MHSAA Division 3 district and won the championship.

Gabriel Richard, 9-10 this season, had little trouble with Dearborn Advanced Tech and Detroit Central.

The Pioneers beat DAT 72-26 in one semifinal game and then they beat Central 72-20 in the championship

game. Central had beaten Hope of Detroit Academy 38-23 to reach the district final.

The district title boosted Richard into the regional round against host Madison Heights Bishop Foley. That game was played after The Riverview Register’s press deadline. Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett and Jalen Rose Leadership Academy played in the other regional semifinal

The regional winner moves on to the state quarterfinals at West Bloomfield.

League champion Pirates having a banner year

You see a lot of smiling faces around the Riverview Community High School gym these days. And why not?

Between them, the Riverview boys and girls basketball teams are a combined 41-6.

The girls were undefeated in Huron League play, won a league championship and recently won their fifth straight MHSAA district title. The boys are 20-3 after beating New Boston Huron in the first round of their district tournament and coach Marcus Voelz’s team went 13-1 in the Huron League and shared the league title with Flat Rock.

The Riverview boys, who lost to Flat Rock 58-52 back in January, forged that

tie atop the league with a 44-41 victory over the Rams on Feb. 17.

That game ended Flat Rock’s 10-game winning streak and it was Riverview’s eighth straight win on their way to their own 10-game winning streak. The streak ended on March 2 when the Bucs lost a senior-night non-league game to Ann Arbor Pioneer 52-47.

The Pioneer loss was the regularseason finale, but the Bucs got right back to winning with a 58-34 win over host Huron in a first-round district game. It was Riverview’s third win of the year over the Chiefs by an average score of 62-42.

The win over the Chief vaulted the Pirates into the district semifinal when they found – surprise! – Flat Rock

waiting. That game was played March 8 after the register’s press deadline.

But you can bet the Bucs were looking to duplicate the effort they had against the Rams in the last meeting between the clubs. The Rams came in the playoff game knowing that they let one slip away the last time they faced Riverview

In the Feb. 17 game, Flat Rock was 7-for-19 from the free-throw line and had a nine-point lead in the early moments of the fourth quarter.

The game had a number of momentum shifts.

Flat Rock led 16-11 at the end of the first quarter, but by halftime Riverview had reversed that and led 23-19.

Flat Rock’s sophomore star Graham Junge, who had a game-high 22 points,

hit a three-point shot at the end of the third quarter to put the Rams ahead 33-27 heading into the final eight minutes of the game. Junge struck again just after the fourth quarter started and suddenly lat Rock had a 36-27 advantage.

But Junge later got hurt and was knocked out of the game for a while and Flat Rock continued to struggle at the free-throw line as the Bucs rallied for what would be a stirring victory.

As the quarter ticked toward its midway point, Evan Gallimore made a pair of free throws for the Bucs and his senior teammate Kolby Dorn hit a huge triple and it was suddenly a two-point game.

The final minutes were like a blur. Flat Rock missed three of four free throws and Riverview’s Trevor Spenser hit back-to-back buckets and the Bucs owned a 42-39 lead with about 1:30 to play. They didn’t know it at the time, but the Bucs had all the points they needed.

Junge made a couple of free throws to make it 42-41, but he was matched by Riverview’s Jayce Doyle and the 44-41 final was set.

Flat Rock had two more possessions, but the Rams missed the front end of a one-and-one and they could not get a final three-pointer to fall in the final seconds of the game.

Gallimore led the Bucs in scoring with 14 points and Doyle had eight. Junge had 22 points for Flat Rock and Timmy Murphy chipped in with eight.

Many people - most, perhaps - go to an optometrist, get an eye exam and then follow the lady in the white coat over to the wall of frames and pick out a new set of glasses.

The story ends with the customer paying way more than he or she ever expected.

If that pretty much describes you, Bob Schmittou says there is something you should know: He can save you money, maybe lots of money.

Schmittou, a proud military veteran, owns New Eyes Optical, located on 1616 Ford Avenue, right at 16th Street in Wyandotte.

There are no doctors at New Eyes, just lots of frames and Schmittou, who can get you into fashionable new glasses for a lot less than all of the other chains and franchises out there.

Just bring your eyeglass prescription to him and see what kind of magic he can work for you.

“I am kind of like what the pharmacy is to your doctor,” Schmittou said. “Your doctor writes you a prescription. He doesn’t try to sell you the drugs. You go to the pharmacy. The same is true with us. You bring us a prescription and we will fill it.”

New Eyes Optical does not accept insurance, but their low prices mean that is often not an issue.

Schmittou has been in the eyeglass game for a long time. He enlisted in the Army after graduating from Lincoln Park High School and Uncle Sam sent him to school to learn how to make eyeglasses.

He did that in the Army for nearly four years and then worked for Lenscrafters and for private doctors after that.

In 2012 he opened New Eyes Optical and has been there ever since.

Schmittou said he has over 1,300 frames in his building and can make arrangements to get others if customers come in with a specific brand or style in mind.

For sunglass lovers, Schmittou said he has the largest selection of Ray Ban and Oakley sunglasses in the area.

If you come in, you will deal with Schmittou himself. He and his wife Pam are the only employees. Schmittou does the fitting of the eyewear, and Pam orders frames and keeps the shop looking fresh by arranging the frame displays and decorating.

So, if you are in the market for new glasses, would like a little personal attention and a really low price, give Schmittou a call at 313-587-4204, drop an email at neweyesoptical2012@gmail. com or contact them through their Facebook page, Facebook.com/neweyesoptical.

RFD to the rescue

There was a kitchen fire on the 18000 block of Hamann on March 3. The Riverview Fire Department arrived within five minutes of the call. No one was injured and the family cat was saved. Shout out to the Riverview Fire Department for containing it to the kitchen with a quick knock-down. Also, many thanks to Trenton Fire for their assistance and Riverview Police Department for making sure everyone was out safely.

Riverview Pickleball League

BEGINNER – This league is for those just starting out in the Pickleball world with little experience. This is not lessons or an instructional league. The Beginner League will play a hybrid league starting with a traditional league where all players will play each other and will advance in to a ladder league format to end the season.

INTERMEDIATE – This league is for those who have a basic understanding of the game, knows the rules and has the ability to keep up.

ADVANCED LEAGUE – This league is for those who are proficient in the game of Pickleball and play at a higher and fast pace skill level.

The Intermediate & Advanced leagues will play a ladder league style format. Each week one player will move up a court and one will move down. Object is to play well enough to reach the top court. Substitutes will be allowed for vacation or if you need to miss a day. Players must provide their own paddle and balls. Each league will have 24 spaces available. Resident registration will be Monday, March 20 & non-resident registration will be Wednesday, March 22. You may only sign up for one class/league. If there are openings you may sign up for additional classes/leagues starting April 3, 2023.

Beginners, Monday Evenings, May 1-July 31 (No class May 29 & July 3)

Intermediate, Tuesday Evenings, May 2-Aug. 1 (No class May 30 & July 4)

Intermediate, Wednesday Mornings, May 3-July 26 (No class July 5)

Advanced, Thursday Evenings, May 4-Aug. 3 (No Class May 25 & July 6)

16 & older $60.00 per player Vreeland Park

Morning matches will be played at either 9 a.m. or 10 a.m. Evening matches will be played at either 6 p.m. or 7:15 p.m. Times rotate you will not have a set time.

Friends of the Detroit River dinner April 1

On Saturday, April 1, the Friends of the Detroit River (FDR) will be holding its annual “Keep-the Boat-Afloat” fundraising dinner at the Wyandotte Boat Club. The event is sponsored by Environmental Consulting and Technology, Inc. and SmithGroup.

This year FDR will be celebrating the 20th anniversary of the start of the Detroit Riverkeeper program. The dinner event is held each year to support the work done by the Detroit Riverkeeper and FDR. The Riverkeeper is responsible for patrolling the river by boat, looking for water pollution and other related problems affecting the river and its natural habitats.

This year the dinner program will highlight some of the many accomplishments that have been achieved over the last 20 years, as well provide an update on current activities being undertaken to improve and protect the

Detroit River.

A key update will include a presentation on current efforts being made to improve the water quality of the Ecorse Creek, a tributary to the Detroit River, whose discharges have had a long history of impacting the water quality of the river.

Along with this presentation, the event includes an opportunity for social networking, a catered dinner by Truago, live entertainment, door prizes and a silent auction. It is always a pleasant evening with good food, good friends, and a great view of the Detroit River from the Wyandotte Boat Club.

If you are interested in attending this event, you can purchase tickets on FDR’s website at www.detroitriver.org or call the FDR office at (734) 288-3889 for additional information.

Register online!

https://secure.rec1.com/MI/riverview-mi/catalog

What’s happening...

SIGNS OF SPRING – ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION EVENT

From 1-2:30 p.m. Saturday, March 11 at Meridian Woods. Eastside of Meridian Road across from Meridian Elementary School, Grosse Ile. Description: Join Grosse Ile Nature and Land Conservancy naturalists for an early spring walk. Early spring signs are everywhere- from early arriving birds to the first amphibians breaking winter hibernation.

All GINLC programs are free to the public, but your donations make them possible. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. For more information, email GINLC.education@gmail.com.

MURDER MYSTERY DINNER

The Santa Rosalia Club is hosting a great event

“A 1920’s Mafia Marriage” Interactive Murder Mystery Dinner at the Bentley Banquet Center, 646 Biddle Avenue, Wyandotte, at 7 p.m. on May 12. Tickets are $60 per person, or $55 for Santa Rosalia members. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Vita Giammalva at 734 558-6143

FREE SHRED DAY

At Dick Genthe Chevrolet. 15600 Eureka Road, Southgate, from 9:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday,

April 29. Accepting donations for Veterans Project and non-perishable food items for a local food pantry. Accepted items: paper, credit card receipts, envelopes, checks, photographs. Not accepted: x-rays, magazines, books, computers and accessories. For more information, call Fran at 313633-9916.

MODERN WOMEN’S SELF-DEFENSE CLASS

Taylor Community Library, Taylor. March 8, from 6-7:30 p.m. This class will teach women how to use effective techniques to protect themselves from danger. Registration required. Open to women 13 and up. For more information, call 734-287-4840.

WORD FOR BEGINNERS

Taylor Community Library, Taylor. March 9, from 1-2 p.m. This class will focus on Microsoft Office Word to create letters and documents. You will learn how to create, edit, and format documents, as well as how to insert images, and check for grammar and spelling errors. Class size is limited to 8 participants on a first-come, first-serve basis. For more information, call 734-287-4840.

GOOGLE DRIVE BASICS

Taylor Community Library, Taylor. March 16, from 1-2 p.m. Did you know that if you have a

Gmail account, you have free access to Google Drive to store your files? This class will teach you how to add, move, search, and share your files from any computer with Internet access. Class size is limited to 8 participants on a first-come, first-serve basis. For more information, call 734-287-4840.

TOLTON: FROM SLAVE TO PRIEST

The live theatrical one-man drama performed by actor Jim Coleman and directed by Leonardo Defilippis of Saint Luke Productions will be at Davidson Middle School, 15800 Trenton Road in Southgate Monday, March 27 at 7 p.m. and Tuesday, March 28 at 9:00 a.m. School and youth groups are welcome. For further information and tickets see ToltonDrama.com or ToltonSouthgate.eventbrite. com.

AMERICAN FLAG DISPOSAL

Heart to Heart Hospice of Southgate is a local site for American Flag disposal. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, Heart to Heart will allow the general public to bring their tired and worn American flags to our Southgate office. The office is located at 1 Heritage Place, Suite 107, Southgate,in the Real Estate One building. For more information, call 734-282-0209.

We let it get away from us, friends

These columns are all about the vibrancy of local economies. The matters I write about are not exclusive to these Go Big publications, but in writing them, they certainly help me focus on saying exactly what I mean.

I have written a lot about the same topic, and I can’t express how good it feels to have people tell me that they read (and like) what I write.

Most that say anything say they agree with it all. Some consider me to be just too darned “liberal”, which is, for the record, one of the silliest “descriptors” I’ve ever heard. So is “conservative.” Neither one conveys anything at all. Seriously, literally nothing. Still nonetheless, that specific word is used to describe me by some that happen to support Small almost exclusively.

Even people that disagree with some of what comprises my views are ardent followers of what I espouse.

The advocacy for small is rooted in my history in my market. No question, my views developed as I looked back on my experience, wherein Big overran small by design.

In my field, that truth led to a revolting diminution in caliber of service and offerings to the American public. My “Baby Boom” generation insisted on it, we wanted it. Malls became the hip place to shop, and billions were raked from our community to achieve a world in which Small was drastically reduced in number.

Downtowns became tragically abandoned (coming back now!).

Funny, no matter how many times I write that in any of the variable ways I have, I never feel that I have explained the incredible phenomenon we watched wash over America and the world. We actually allowed, even demanded, more and more sameness with less and less service.

For all but the investors, we didn’t connect the dots and come to the correct conclusion: We were living through and eagerly accepting a

massive transfer of wealth from countless small businesses to publicly traded companies elsewhere.

Innocuous garbage was foisted on the American consumers, and we eagerly sucked it up. What a plan, what a scheme.

It was not just retail in which this transfer took place. In virtually every business niche we can rattle off, Big realized the riches to be captured and they brilliantly succeeded to create a very different world.

It happened systematically, not suddenly.

We didn’t really understand what was happening, but now, looking back, we can see it and understand it if we want to.

It is my generation’s contribution to the commonwealth – the creation of monolithic businesses that took advantage of the “trickle down economic theory” propaganda to mainstream their mission.

Trickle Down became so all pervasive that it was all we recognized anymore. The idea being to give more money and control to Big, which would then (in theory) trickle some of it back to the working public.

Of course, they kept 99 percent of it, and we just kept being lemmings.

Most do not consider the stranglehold that Big has on America, and that’s why this is more than just a sideline gig for me.

Most do not recognize that there has been a profound impact on local wealth as a direct result of the assault of Big.

It simply cannot be dismissed that in the 1970s, there were men that worked at places like Ford or McLouth Steel (for instance) and with that single income, they afforded a home, two cars, a decent comfortable living, with enough money to send two kids to college. This is related here anecdotally, but this really was the way things were.

It is not the way things are today.

Society has changed dramatically: The percentage of women in the workplace was dramatically lower 50 years ago, and that second income was not seen as a necessity.

Consider this: In 1965 the ratio of average American CEO pay to that

average worker above was 20-1. In 2021, that average ratio had become 399-1, a staggering change in the way those at the top are paid.

Now, before I get too far afield in the populist rhetoric, please understand that my point here is not the individuals in the examples that troubles me for purposes related to this explanation.

What obsesses me is this simple question: How much more disposable income would be floating around, circulating in our local economy if families still flourished like that today? Can you even imagine?

Being spent at local businesses because of my other obsession that asks how much different would our local economy be compared to 50 years ago if all those malls hadn’t sucked so many dollars out of the state to be shared by CEOs at countless publicly traded companies based elsewhere, that did not exist 50 years ago?

Look to other fronts, too. Almost all the local independent drug stores have been supplanted by CVS, Walgreens and Rite Aid, and all the corporate money that now leaves our state to feed their corporate machines elsewhere used to stay here,

circulating and benefiting us all.

Worse, those behemoth companies then collude with pharmaceutical companies to control supply, pricing and availability at remaining local and independent pharmacies. How much more money leaves the state through national restaurant chains than did in 1972? How much more money leaves the state through Walmart than did before that cancer wreaked havoc on the American local business scene, while making the Waltons the richest family in America?

How about the truth that 50 years ago, our entire health system did not include the healthcare insurance companies that now decide who lives and dies, while capturing a massive amount of money for their corporate infrastructures?

Lots of questions. They’re not rhetorical questions. They may be hard to definitively answer, but the general gist is really not hard to get if we simply look closer and consider how dramatic the change has been, by design of people that could get away with it.

They took control.

I, for one, want it back. I’m a capitalist that is disgusted with how we’ve failed to use that tool

PETER ROSE

American Legion looking for program participants

Downriver students who are finishing their junior year of high school are being recruited to participate in the Michigan American Legion Auxiliary Girls State and the American Legion Boys State programs that are scheduled for June 18-24, 2023.

Girls State will be held on the campus of Michigan State University; Boys State will be held at Grand Valley State University. Annually, more than 20,000 high school students across the country participate in the programs.

Students, known as “citizens,” participate in a week-long summertime citizenship and leadership program. They receive guidance from trained instructors who give them the tools they need to run their own model state.

The activity is born out of a need for youth training in practical citizenship and leadership in addition to instilling a working knowledge of the structure and operation of government.

ALA Girls State and AL Boys State citizens campaign, hold rallies, debate and ultimately vote to elect their city, county and state officials. Once elected to office, delegates are sworn in and perform their prescribed duties. Attendees not elected to office are given appointments and visit the offices of those elected to share their viewpoints as citizens.

Thousands of dollars are given in the form of scholarships.

Famous alumni include astronaut Neil Armstrong, President Bill Clinton. Michigan U.S. Senators

Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters, TV journalists

Tom Brokaw and Jane Pauley, basketball legend Michael Jordan, football coaching legend Nick Saban, Superintendent of the U.S. Air Force Academy Lt. General Michele Johnson and thousands of “America’s best and brightest.”

Wyandotte resident Beryl Robbins is the Michigan state chairwoman of the ALA Girls State program. She said she recently received an email from 1950 ALA Girls State alumni Patricia Lee Gauch, who said, “Attending ALA Girls State was a life-changer for me. I suddenly had a different idea of myself and my responsibilities to the nation and the world at-large. I stood taller, took leadership, became fearless in the possibilities I then recognized. I went on to assume major leadership roles at Miami University, which I attended as an undergraduate, and became a publisher, editor and author of children’s books, producing winning books for 25 years.

“For the first time, I met young women from every culture, every economic level, every race. It was thrilling for me and it gave me an image of myself that was new. I wanted to be the young woman ALA Girls State told me I could be. It has all kinds of ramification as I went the following year in college, eventually becoming the first woman editor of the Miami University Newspaper.”

The primary sponsoring organization is the American Legion Family, although other

organizations such as the Kiwanis, Lions Club, Exchange Clubs, private businesses and relatives of students have supported the program in the past, Robbins said. Robbins is a member of the Trenton American Legion Auxiliary Unit 426, where she serves as auxiliary president and chairwoman of Girls State and Membership. She also serves on the executive board of the 16th District group of legion auxiliaries, which serve the Downriver Area.

Robbins said the cost to sponsor one student is $400, a small investment in the future. She said the students leave ALA Michigan Girls State and AL Boys State with the knowledge and desire to get involved in their communities and continue to work hard to achieve.

She said some of the girls and boys come right out of the program and get involved in politics, “if they’re not already.”

Anyone interested in attending or sponsoring a student to ALA Girls State should call Beryl Robbins at (313) 318-6845 or send email to berylrobbins1980@gmail.com. Delegate applications and sponsor reservation forms are available at www.michalaux.org (click on Girls State).

Those interested in AL Boys State can contact Director Garrett Veihl at (616) 502-8190 or eggman1483@gmail.com. For additional information or forms, visit michiganleagion.org.

Guest artist Allen at Creative Art Society

The Creative Art Society, formally the Downriver Arts and Crafts Guild, will meet on Tuesday, March 14 at 6:30 pm at the Southgate Veterans Memorial Library in the City of Southgate, 14680 Dix-Toledo Highway.

Creative Art Society meetings are free and open to the public. After a short business meeting, our special guest for the evening will be Valerie Allen, a visual artist, curator, teaching artist and podcast host from the greater SaginawMidland-Bay City area.

She is an abstractionist working in mixed media, acrylic, printmaking and encaustic. Collaborations with other visual artists and performing artists is of interest to her.

In February of 2020, she painted live with the Saginaw Bay Symphony led by conductor Fouad Fakhouri. The paintings created during the rehearsals and final performance have become part of her “Composer’s Campaign” series. The musical selections were composed by Haydn, Michael Torke and Aaron Copland. She is a Certified Working Artist for Golden Artist Colors.

Her territory is Michigan, Northern Ohio and Indiana. She gives presentations on art materials to art groups and associations as well as art schools. She also conducts intensive workshops in painting with acrylics throughout this area. Golden Artist Colors commitment to educating artists and consumers is stellar.

Come and enjoy an evening of fun and meet new friends, we promote and serve artists

of all mediums and we celebrate all arts and all levels of art.

In addition, we offer opportunities to exhibit our work and we have workshops that are low-cost and educational. For the $25 membership fee, all of the above is included. Where else can you enjoy a social evening of interesting art demonstrations with our local art community?

There is something for everyone with a Creative Art Society membership.

If you are a new or experienced artist, news of innovative techniques and all the classes and workshops offered will give your ideas of what you can create next...there is always something new to learn. Questions? Please check out our new website “creativeartsociety.org”, Facebook: Creative Art Society, or contact Maureen at 734-777-6109 or mkeast1@aol.com or Kris Stanek at 206-605-1987 or sea_kris@yahoo. com.

There she goes!

The former Riverside Osteopathic Hospital, which has stood vacant and decaying for more than two decades, has finally reached the end of the line. Earlier this month, demolition crews started work at the site of the former bustling medical center.

The cost of the demolition is around $3 million and most of the bill is being footed by the current property owner, Dr. Iqbal Nasir, although some funding will come from the recently passed American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) via Wayne County.

Because the property is privately owned, city officials said they are unsure about future uses for the

desirable site located on the Trenton Channel waterfront.

The hospital was the first osteopathic hospital in the Downriver area and opened in 1944. It was originally licensed for only 30 beds but grew over time. In 1967, the hospital served nearly 7,000 patients and witnessed nearly 1,400 births.

The building, located at Truax Street and West Jefferson Avenue, served its last patient over two decades ago, closing in 2002. The demolition project is set to be complete by May after an agreement was made between the city and the site owner in 2021.

Allen

Bring your class to the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge

The United States Fish and Wildlife Service recognizes that environmental education is important to connect youth to nature.

To encourage our youth to get out in nature, park rangers at the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge would like to offer educators the opportunity to bring nature to their students through our Environmental Education Program.

Our program includes: field trips to the refuge, Park Ranger classroom visits to the school, loaning kits, Story Time with a Ranger Programs, and teacher workshops.

All these program options and materials for programs are free of cost and come with bus funding while available!

Through our Environmental Education Program, we have welcomed many students, teachers, and chaperones to the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge. While at the refuge, they enjoy lessons about wildlife tracking, habitat exploration, archery, fishing, nature journaling, observation skills and more.

Through these lessons, our youth learn valuable nature skills and receive the chance to experience their public

lands firsthand. Some students experience outdoor recreation activities such as hiking through a forest, bird watching, archery and casting a fishing pole for the first time.

It is always wonderful to provide youth the chance to experience nature in a new and exciting way; however, we know not every student can visit the refuge.

For students and educators that cannot make it to the refuge we have programs which allow park rangers to visit the school. Additionally, we have programs that grant participants from our teacher workshop program to reserve education loaning kits. Educators can use these kits to teach their students at their own pace from the classroom.

The Environmental Education Program is available to school, scouts, homeschool, and other educational youth groups.

To learn more about the lessons we offer in our Environmental Education Program please check out our website at fws.gov/media/driwr-environmentalprogram-descriptions-educators-only or email DetroitRiver@fws.gov.

Downriver Business’ Best Kept Secret?

Mark Tremper, Vice-President of Marketing

& Business Development

Downriver Community Federal Credit Union

Hundreds of Downriver businesses have found tremendous value from the “Grow Your Business” Workshop Series, yet this unique opportunity hosted by the Downriver Community Federal Credit Union seems to be the best kept secret available to Downriver businesses. Each workshop in the series features topics relating to sales, marketing, and personal development, and is presented by a local, national, or international personal and business growth expert on the 3rd Wednesday of each month from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

FEBRUARY 28, 2022, SOUTHGATE, MI

For over 15 years, hundreds of Downriver businesses have found tremendous value from a monthly workshop presented by the Downriver Community Federal Credit Union called the “Grow Your Business” Series. The series is normally held on the 3rd Wednesday of each month from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM and is designed to help people gain the knowledge and skills they need to grow their business in both prosperous and challenging

economic times. Each workshop is presented by a local, national, or international personal and business growth expert on a topic relating to sales, marketing, and personal development

To date, there have been well over 200 workshops featuring a diverse line-up of speakers and topics, such as Michael Angelo Caruso, “Being the Best”; Billye Thompson, “Build Your Business Using LinkedIn”; Kurt David,“Face Change Like a Champion”; Josh Linkner, “Disciplined Dreaming: How to Drive Breakthrough Creativity”; Shawn Duperon, “Demystifying Media: The Real Scoop on How to Get Free Press & Publicity”; and many others.

This year’s topics have or will include “Building a Stand-Out Brand with Behavioral Marketing” (Jay Johnson); “The Book Exchange: Books to Help You Grow Your Business, “Adding a Spark of Disney to Your Company” (Richard Paul), and “The Importance of Career Planning and Long Term Success” (Jim Jump).

“Downriver Credit Union is committed to providing resources that help people accomplish great things in their personal and business lives,”

says Robert La Palme, Downriver CU’s President & CEO, “and these workshops have made a positive impact on hundreds of people in our community for many years now.”

The workshops are held at Downriver CU’s Southgate Office (15261 Trenton Rd) in their Community Room, a multi-purpose room used for both Credit Union and community-oriented events, as well as by local community organizations such as the Downriver Business Association, Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber, Southgate Rotary, Downriver Toastmasters, and others.

A small registration fee of $5.00 is being charged for those who would like to attend the workshops, which includes breakfast, networking, and the workshop. Anyone with an account at Downriver Community Federal Credit Union may attend at no charge.

For more information about the workshop series, please contact Mark Tremper at 313-386-2200 x1202 or visit www.DownriverCU.com/GrowYourBusiness.