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GENERAL
MEETING When:
Monday March 19
Where:
Emerson
Middle School
Starts at 6:30 p.m. This meeting is open
to ALL CCCA Residents!
Come and let your
voice be heard!
President’s Letter—Leigh McBain
In This Issue
CCCA Community News
Page 2
Word Game for kids Page 4
Easter Recipes
Page 5
CCCA Upcoming Events Page 8
Spring 2007
Neighborhood Newsletter
Here we are again at the beginning of another new year and the one thing that has remained constant is change. There have been several changes that are finally coming to fruition, such as the change of Wonderland Mall into Wonderland Village. We have all been witnessing the construction of the new Target and Wal-Mart building and we have heard several rumors about what is going to fill the other “Big Box” stores but the fact is that this new complex it starting to take shape and has actually started to draw other business’ to fill other vacant buildings on the
Plymouth Rd corridor. One that I know of is ABC Warehouse who is looking to move into the vacant Sports Authority building on the north side of the street. Yes after spending several decades in Redford on Joy Rd they are finally looking to upgrade that store and take advantage of the increased traffic that Wonderland Village promises to generate. I believe that this is only the beginning and we should really start to see rejuvenation to the area once everything is in place at the Village. Other change that we have witnessed is the reorganization of the Livonia Schools. This was a very controversial issue last year with the proposed Legacy Initiative set to close several schools and relocate those students to other locations and despite the strong feelings on both sides of the issue we still have a strong school system that I for one am proud of. My daughters all seem to really enjoy their new school situations and they are really enjoying the additional music and art programs that have been provided by the changes. It did take sometime for them to settle in but now “it is all good” according to them and that is what counts. Yet another change that we have all witnessed is the troubled auto industry with Chrysler, Ford, and GM struggling to maintain a completive edge. I think we all know of someone if not ourselves that have been directly affected by this troublesome issue. Then to add insult to injury a negative article about Livonia and it’s loss of auto related work was written in the New York Times (December 5, 2006) and reprinted in the Detroit News. I couldn’t believe how many emails and phone calls I received pointing me to this article that basically proclaimed Livonia as dead when nothing could be further from the truth. Although this article was disheartening the response from so many defending our city was wonderful. Sure we have our problems but we have much more positive things going for this city, like its people then to just give up, turn tail and run! The truth is that we are just fine! Yes there are things that are worrisome that none of us can control but this isn’t the first time there have been problems in the auto industry yet it always succeeds in reinventing itself and coming back strong. In the same tone there seems to be a lot of anxious people worried about what the future holds for Livonia, the Auto industry and how it will impact this neighborhood. It’s hard to say exactly what will happen but I do know that we need to shoulder this together and as a community we can rise to the occasion and show that Livonia is still a great place to live and raise a family. The CCCA has been a big part of this community since it was first developed in the fifties and with your continued support of each other we will continue to make this a great place despite any changes that might come along.
Page 2 CCCA Neighborhood Newsletter—Spring 2007
Let’s Play Ball!?!?
We are looking at starting a softball league for some friendly competition against other Livonia neighborhood groups. If you would be interested in being a part of an adult co-ed softball team for the CCCA please Call Leigh at 734 421-7129 or send an email to [email protected]. Details have not been decided as of yet but we need to know if there is enough interest to pursue this! Thanks!
Elections and a Special Speaker!
The next General Meeting will again be held at the Emerson Middle School in the LMC on March 19th @ 6:30 p.m.. This meeting will not only see us elect board members to the positions of President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary but we will also have a special speaker from Livonia’s Plymouth Road Development Authority (PRDA) to update us on the changes and future of our favorite Livonia road! This should prove to be an informative evening for anyone that is wondering what is happening on Good Ol’ Plymouth Rd.
Thank you!
I would like to thank all of the CCCA board members this past year for your support as I took on the new role as president. This has been a big transition for me and without your support and dedication I could not have had a better time serving the community. From the bottom of my heart, thank you, thank you, and thank you! – Leigh McBain, President CCCA
Your News!
We’d love to hear about your good news! If you’d like to tell us about a birth, graduation, wedding, anniversary, promotion, etc. please email the information to [email protected] to be included in the next CCCA Newsletter.
HELP WANTED
Your CCCA is always looking for volunteers and creative people to help us organize our events and more importantly get involved in
our neighborhood!
If you are interested e-mail [email protected] or call one of the Board Members listed.
Thanks!
CCCA COMMUNITY NEWS
Visit
www.clementscircle.org
For More Info
Easter Egg Hunt
Saturday April 7, 11:00 am
at the Wilson Barn
Search by age groups
To help or for
more information call Ralph Leggat 421-5962
CCCA Membership Application
January 1, 2007 - December 31, 2007 I/We are residents of the CCCA area (bounded by Plymouth Road, West Chicago Ave., Inkster Road, and Middlebelt Road)
and wish to become a member of the Clements Circle Civic Association.
CHECK ONE: ( ) NEW ( ) RENEWAL
Please print first and last name of each household member.
NAME:____________________________________ADDRESS:__________________________________________ E-MAIL ADDRESS:__________________________PHONE:__________________________
DATE:_________
( ) Yes, I would like to become a Board Member. ( ) Yes, I would like to volunteer to help with Special Events. ( ) Yes, I would like to become a Welcomer.
Return completed portion of this form along with your $10.00 check or money order made payable to: CCCA Send to: CCCA - P.O. Box 511366 Livonia, Mi 48151
Any memberships questions can be directed to Sue Duffy via her e-mail address: [email protected]
�
Want to join right now? Then sign-up via our website www.clementscircle.org
CCCA Neighborhood Newsletter—Spring 2007 Page 3
CLEMENTS CIRCLE CIVIC ASSOCIATION TREASURER’S REPORT
YOUR CLEMENTS CIRCLE CIVIC ASSOCIATION IS HARD AT WORK IN
YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
WE HAVE MANY DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS WHO ARE ACTIVELY INVOLVED WITHIN OUR CITY TO
INFORM YOU OF ANY ACTIVITIES OR NEW INFORMATION THAT WILL AFFECT
OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
IF YOU HAVE BEEN THINKING ABOUT SENDING IN YOUR
$10.00 MEMBERSHIP FEE, NOW IS THE TIME TO DO IT!!!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT!
LET’S MAKE OUR NEIGHBORHOOD THE
BEST!
Balance as of September 16, 2006 $3,032.86
Income: Membership $939.69 Advertising $730.00 Park Donation $15.00 Sing-A-Long $70.00
Total Income $1,754.69
Expenses:
Printing $491.00 Delivery of Newsletter $200.00 Sing-A-Long $195.62 CCCA Misc. Expense $416.70
Total Expenses $1,303.32
Balance as of February 16, 2007 $3,484.23
Park Fund $2,107.35
Available Operating Funds $1,376.88
Page 4 CCCA Neighborhood Newsletter—Spring 2007
Quick Tips: Car Tip If you do any of your own vehicle maintenance, you will need to find a safe place to dispose of any old fluids. These fluids cannot be placed in your regular household trash. To find a recycling or hazardous waste disposal site near you, call 800-CLEANUP. You will be able to enter your zip code and will be directed to the facility nearest you.
Getting Your Windows
Squeaky Clean
Washing your windows can be a chore, but with a few tips, you can have all your windows sparkling in no time. First, start by choosing the best time to wash your windows. Try to choose a cloudy day, or at least a time before the sun is hitting your windows. This will reduce streaks on your windows. To get a good start to your window cleaning chore, start by vacuuming the windowsills and screens before you clean them. This eliminates much of the accumulated dirt. Then prepare a cleaning solution of a few drops of liquid dish soap to two gallons of water. If you prefer, you can use a capful of ammonia or one cup of vinegar in place of the dish soap to further prevent streaking. Wash the surface of the window with a sponge soaked in the cleaning solution, followed by a squeegee to remove the water. Press the squeegee lightly onto the surface of the window, moving from top to bottom. Wipe the squeegee off with a paper towel or newspapers. If you don't have a squeegee, you can wipe the windows down with newspaper, which is great for reducing streaks on the surface. Finally, use a paper towel or more newspaper to wipe up any water that has run down to the bottom of the window frame. If you have hard to reach windows, hardware stores sell extension poles that can be fitted with a squeegee head made specifically for washing
Quick Tips: Travel Tip Once you decide to get away from the drudge of everyday life, start planning right away. Even if your trip is some time off, you will benefit from some early planning. Send away for brochures, search the Internet, talk to friends and family about their experiences in your desired destination, and most importantly, start looking for deals. The sooner you start looking, the more likely it is you will find the deals that are best for your family and traveling situation.
Word Games for Kids: Words in Words You can sometimes make words using the letters in a larger word. For example, from the word "tube" you can make "be," "bet," "but," and "tub." Now onto a harder one: how many words can you make from the word "chocolate?" (Hint: we found 68.) Answers: Ace, ache, act, ale, aloe, alto, at, ate, cache, cat, catch, chalet, chat, cheat, cleat, clot, cloth, clothe, coach, coal, coat, cocoa, cola, colt, coo, cool, coot, cot, each, eat, echo, etch, halo, halt, hat, hate, he, heal, heat, hoe, hole, hoot, hot, hotel, lace, latch, late, let, loathe, locate, loot, lot, oat, oath, ocelot, octal, oh, taco, talc, tale, tea, teach, teal, the, to, toe, too, tool.
Quick Tips: Healthy Living Tip As the temperatures begin to climb, off go the heavy coats and sweaters and on go the sandals and shorts. You may notice that your skin has suffered from the cold dry air of winter and is in need of some TLC. The most common areas for extra dry skin are your heels, elbows, and knees. If any of these areas are particularly bad, try using plain white petroleum jelly. You can rub it into your feet and don a pair of socks before bed, or coat your hands in it and pull on some cotton gloves. Almost overnight, you'll find relief and noticeably softer skin.
Did You Know?: Kite Trivia April is National Kite Month. In ancient China, it was believed that kites could ward off evil spirits. Today, the kite is regarded as a symbol of good luck. The first recorded attempt to use kites to obtain scientific data occurred in 1749 when two Scottish scientists, Alexander Wilson and Thomas Melville, fastened thermometers to kites in order to record the temperature of the air at high altitudes. In 1847, chief engineer T.G. Hulett used a kite to string the first steel cable over the Niagara River in order to continue construction of a suspension bridge over the gorge. The first patent issued for a kite was granted in 1866 for a hexagon-shaped flat kite with two inwardly bent masts. In 1887, E. D. Archibald, an English meteorologist, took the first aerial photograph by attaching a camera to his kite. In 1898, a modified Hargraves Box Kite rose more than two miles over the Earth's surface to a height of 12,471 feet (3,801 meter) above Milton, Massachusetts. Today's kits are restricted by aviation rules to fly no more than 300 feet high or within three miles of an airport. Gugliemo Marconi, inventor of the wireless telegraph, used a hexagon kite in 1901 to lift an antenna four hundred feet in order to receive the first radio signal ever transmitted across the ocean. During World War II, kites bearing pictures of enemy aircraft were used by the United States Navy for target practice. Huge box kites were also flown above American war ships to ward off attacking enemy aircraft. Long steel wires were suspended from each kite, causing damage to any approaching planes.
The largest kite in the world is flown each year in Hoshubana, Japan, a small village near Tokyo. The kite measures 36 feet wide and 48 feet long and weighs nearly a ton. It can take 50 or more men to send the kite aloft.
CCCA Neighborhood Newsletter—Spring 2007 Page 5
Getting Free Tax Assistance
Looking for some help with your taxes? There are lots of ways to get free tax help, if you know where to look! Start with the IRS itself by calling their automated customer service line at 800-829-1040 from 7:00 am to 10:00 pm on weekdays, and from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on Saturdays. Information is available in both English and Spanish. You can also call the IRS TeleTax line. There are prerecorded messages on about 150 tax matters. Call 800-829-4477 to access this automated line. If you need a specific form, you can call the IRS's Forms Distribution Center at 800-829-3676. The IRS also has a comprehensive website where you can get many questions answered and can download the forms and instructions you need. Go to www.irs.gov to get this information. Many libraries, post offices, and local IRS offices also carry forms for you to pick up. Also check on free tax services offered in your community. There are usually many opportunities for low-income taxpayers, persons with disabilities, the elderly and non-English speaking taxpayers. Call 800-829-1040 to find the nearest Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program.
Health Tips for Spring Allergies With the blooming plants and pollen in the air, springtime may be difficult to suffer through if you have seasonal allergies. To help deal with your runny nose and itchy, watery eyes, keep these tips in mind. - When the pollen count is particularly high, limit your time outdoors. Keeping doors and windows shut can reduce the amount of pollen in your home. You can check the pollen count for your area in your local newspaper or on the Internet.
- Indoor air filters can also help reduce the amount of pollen and other allergens in your home. Vacuum your carpets regularly. If this aggravates your allergies, have someone do this chore for you. - Change your bedding frequently to remove accumulated pollen and allergens. Do not wear clothing that you've worn outside to bed. You may also find it helpful to shower before bedtime in order to remove any pollen you may have picked up during the day. - Some relief can be found from over-the-counter medications such as antihistamines, nasal sprays, and eye drops. Be sure to read the label to find the appropriate medications for you. Do not combine medications without consulting with a doctor or pharmacist first. - Rubbing your eyes only increases the irritation and can lead to infection. Keep your hands away from your face if possible. - Consult a physician if you've never had allergies before but are starting to develop symptoms. If you've had allergies in the past, but they are severe, are getting worse, or do not respond to over-the-counter remedies, you should also discuss this with your physician to see if other treatments may be available to you.
Internet Tidbit If you love to read, you know how buying books can add up. There is a solution. Instead of buying paperbacks, register at paperbackswap.com. You simply list nine or more books you'd like to get rid of, and you receive three credits to get you started trading. One credit is good for one book. Any books you order from the list on the website will be sent to you free. When other members order books that you've listed, you mail them out, paying the postage of around $1.59. Once the member who requested it receives your book, you get another credit to use on the website. The more books you mail to other members, the more credits you'll receive. This is a great way to save a ton on books, and you'll be able to empty your packed shelves.
Easy Easter Desserts
Easy Coconut Cake Prepare one white cake mix as directed on the box. While the cake is still hot, poke holes in the cake with a fork. Mix one 14-ounce can of sweetened condensed milk with one 12-ounce can of cream of coconut. Pour this mixture slowly over the cake. Cool cake completely in the refrigerator overnight. The next day, spread with non-dairy whipped topping and sprinkle with coconut.
Bunny Patch Cake Line the bottom of a 13 x 9 inch baking pan with a 10-ounce pound cake cut into slices. Top with a 21-ounce can of strawberry pie filling and then 12 ounces of non-dairy whipped topping. Refrigerate at least one hour. Top cake with coconut that has been tinted green and sprinkle on one cup of jelly beans. Place several marshmallow bunnies around the cake.
Quick and Easy Carrot Cake Prepare one package of spice cake mix according to directions, adding in two cups shredded carrots, one 8-ounce can of drained, crushed pineapple, and 3/4 cup of chopped pecans. Pour into two 9-inch baking pans and bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes. Cool cake completely. To make frosting, beat two 8-ounce packages of softened cream cheese with two cups of powdered sugar until smooth. Add in one 8-ounce tub of non-dairy whipped topping and stir until well blended. Use frosting as a filler between the two layers of cake and to frost the top and sides of the cake. Garnish with additional pecans if desired. refrigerate until ready to serve.
Quick Tips: Safety Tip Before getting your barbecue grill out for the season, check to make sure there are no cracks or leaks in your tank or hoses. Retighten any connections and give your grill a good cleaning to remove any leftover build-up or grime. Finally, move your grill to a safe place away from your home's walls.
Page 6 CCCA Neighborhood Newsletter—Spring 2007
MNC Motors Inc. Indoor Used Car Lot www.mncmotors.com
Quality Used Cars and Trucks
All Cars and Trucks under
$10,000
Bring this ad and save $100 on any purchase
28780 Plymouth Road
Livonia, MI. 48150
Call Tony Corso at
734-266-8400
CCCA Neighborhood Newsletter—Spring 2007 Page 7
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR ADVERTISERS. THEY MAKE THIS NEWSLETTER POSSIBLE.
ATTENTION CCCA BUSINESS OWNERS!!!
We offer affordable advertising to our CCCA businesses, with your ad
reaching over 1100 households within the CCCA boundaries!
We even offer discounts to businesses that decide to advertise for the entire
year. Send us an e-mail at [email protected] so we can mail you an
advertising packet!
28735 Plymouth Rd. Livonia, MI. 48150
Phone: (734) 422-6825 Hours: Mon-Fri (8am—6pm)
FORD SPECIALISTS AT FAIR PRICES
RONALD B. LECHNER, D.D.S. CHARLES LECHNER, D.D.S. FAMILY DENTISTRY
28345 PLYMOUTH ROAD LIVONIA, MICHIGAN 48150
TEL: (734) 421-3161 FAX: (734) 421-5226
1/2 off the registration fee for CCCA Members!
C.C.C.A. Board
President/Webmaster Leigh McBain 421-7129
Vice President vacant
Secretary Angie Alexander
261-0046 [email protected]
Treasurer
Ray DePerro 261-3602
Newsletter Editor/ Advertising Ryan Doherty 266-9410
Membership Sue Duffy 421-0750
Scouts Representative Ralph Leggat 421-5962
Welcoming Committee
Stacey Dogonski Kim Kucharczyk
Board Members Stan Anderson 734-425-8959 Carol Horvath 734-422-5025
Erik Fix 734-466-9566 Etheleen Jennings 513-9109 Stan Mardeusz 734-261-3244
John Tasdemir 734-524-9545
To find out how you can get involved with the CCCA send a quick e-mail to
CCCA Neighborhood Newsletter—Spring 2007 Page 8
Upcoming CCCA Events Mark your calendars!
March 19th General Meeting at
Emerson Middle School @ 6:30pm This Meeting is open to everyone that would like to attend. We will be discussing issues that affect our neighborhood and we will also have a Guest Speaker!
April 7th Annual Easter Egg Hunt at the Wilson Barn
11:00am
May 5th Park Clean-Up Day
9:00am Clements Circle Park
June 5th Emerson Band Concert at the Wilson Barn
7:00pm
June 9th CCCA Neighborhood Garage Sale
9:00 am—5:00pm
July 14th CCCA Neighborhood Picnic at the Park
4:00pm—7:00pm
Easter Egg Fun!!! Easter is almost here! This year make your annual Easter egg decorating as fun as it can be. These ideas will get you started. Before dying your eggs, wrap them in different sizes of rubber bands.
Dip in the first color and them remove one of the rubber bands. Continue dipping and removing rubber bands until the entire egg is colored. You can also use wax crayons in this way. Color the areas of the eggs that you do not want dyed with the crayon. When they are dipped in the dye, the dye will only adhere to the areas not colored. After dying your eggs, use stickers, glitter, and nail polish to decorate them. Splatter them with paint applied to an old toothbrush. Use small pieces of a cut-up sponge to paint your eggs. If you do use paints on your eggs, remember not to eat these eggs. Easter eggs are only safe to eat if you have used a non-toxic dye.
