Livingston County Will Continue to Grow

SEMCOG, the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, has announced that according to current population estimates, Livingston County is expected to increase over 17% between 2005 and 2035. This would project the growth in this county as the largest in the seven-county region that SEMCOG covers.

Livingston County’s land resources and the proximity to job centers were cited as the main factors for the expected increase. The county’s population was more than 181,000 in 2005. By 2035 it’s estimated to be in excess of 213,000.

Lots of Easter Fun to Chose From This Weekend

Livingston County is hopping with Easter activities this weekend, so grab your family and hunt one down!

Egg-Mania @ The Naz

Howell Church of the Nazarene

Saturday March 22, 2008; 9:30 - 12:30 pm

Inflatables, indoor minature golf, puppet and clown shows, a carnival and more

Easter Bunny Breakfast

Howell Conference and Nature Center

Saturday March 22, 2008; spots still available for 1 pm breakfast

Call 517-546-0249 for more information

Easter Brunch

Crystal Gardens Banquet Center

Sunday March 23, 2008; 10:30 am - 2:30 pm

Tickets are $22.95 for adults, $19.95 for seniors

and $12.95 for children 6-12.

Call 517-545-1000 for more information

The Great Egg Hunt and Farmer John Show

Kensington Metropark Farm Learning Center

Sunday March 23rd 1 pm

Cost is $3 per person

Animal Show and then a traditional Easter Egg Hunt

Call 800-477-3178 for more information

Decorating Eggs Nature's Way

Kensington Metropark Nature Center

Sunday March 23rd 1 pm

Ages 6 and up; $5 per person

Registration is required

Hunt for Eggs

Crosswoods Church of God

Sunday March 23rd 12:00 - 2:00 pm

3940 Pinckney Road in Marion Township

Ages 1- 5th grade

Weather permitting

Call 517-546-0722

Egg Search

Our Savior Evangelical Lutheran Church

13667 W. M-59, west of Tipsico Lake Road

Sunday March 23rd 9:30 am

Ages toddlers - 8th grade

Call 248-887-4300 for more information

Livingston Arts Council Chili Challenge

If you are a regular reader of our blog, you will know we love the events put on by the wonderful Livingston Arts Council. The Arts Council has now taken another thing we love, chili, and are making a whole night of it!

On Thursday, March 13th The Livingston Arts Council will be hosting a Chili Challenge on at the Howell Opera House. The Challenge will be from 6 pm-7:30 pm and will offer ten types of chili to sample! They will also have salad, corn bread and drinks.

The event is a fundraiser for the Opera House. For more information call 517-540-0065.

Art on Main Opens This Weekend!

This weekend Brighton is welcoming Art on Main, the Brighton Art Guild's new center in downtown. The public is invited to the opening reception this Saturday, March 8th from 6 - 9 pm.

The center will feature a fine art gallery, gift shop, art classes and studio space.

Art on Main hours will be Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 11am-8pm, and Sundays from Noon-4pm.

For more information, contact the Brighton Art Guild at 810-220-9091 or visit http://www.brightonartguild.com/

Last Chance Rescue

One of our favorite pages in the Livingston Daily Press & Argus is the adorable "Adoptable Pets" featured every Wednesday. Many of the pets available for adoption are through the Last Chance Animal Rescue, which is located in Howell.

Not only are pets featured in the paper, but the Last Chance Animal Rescue shows their dogs from 11 am- 4 pm Saturdays at Tractor Supply Co. on Grand River on Genoa Township. Cats and kittens are on display seven days a week at PetSmart, 8537 W. Grand River Ave., in Brighton.

You can also view their available animals on their website or at the Petfinder web site.

If you are contemplating expanding your family with a furry friend, what a great way to do it!

9th Annual GOT ART Exhibit Coming This Weekend

The Livingston Arts Council is hosting their 9th Annual GOT ART Exhibit on March 8, 9, and 10th at The Opera House in Howell.

GOT ART is a diverse mix of youth art from Howell and Brighton schools. Last year more than 350 pieces of art were displayed, in many medias- oil, watercolor, sculpture and photography to name a few.

Admission is free of charge and the exhibit will be open Saturday, March 8 from 1 pm - 3pm; Sunday, March 9 from 11 am to 3pm; and Monday, March 10th from 3pm to 7pm.

Notes from the Brighton Chamber of Commerce Breakfast

A refreshing breeze blew through Brighton at the Greater Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce breakfast this morning. I sat and listened to Rod Jones of Work Skills, Fred Grant of Stonefire Bistro and Genoa Woods Conference Center, Dan Hartman of deCode and Tim and Mike Corrigan of Corrigan Oil speak about what they have done with their businesses to keep them vibrant and alive despite the economy. All these business owners look for ideas outside the box. They network with other business owners and creatively develop their business plan to be and remain profitable. Diversification was a major topic and all of these business owners have multiple companies and/or projects.

Fred Grant encouraged everyone in the audience to find another business owner and ask for advise on one issue our businesses may be having. This is the kind of business community I want to be a part of. Positive and forward thinking. The Brighton Chamber is progressive in enabling business owners to network in a positive way. Thanks to all who participated and shared. Thanks to the Brighton Chamber of Commerce and Pam McConeghy for putting the breakfast together.
- Karen Jolley

"Cabin Fever" Book Sale This Weekend

Friends of Cromaine Library are having a "Cabin Fever" paperback sale, this Saturday February 23rd, from 9am to 3pm. There will be a coffee bar and music. Books are 10 cents each or $3 a bag.

The library is located at 3688 N. Hartland Road; Hartland, MI 48353.

Casino For A Cause to Benefit Gleaner's Food Bank

The Hartland Chamber of Commerce presents Casino for a Cause on February 23rd at the Hartland Sports Center to benefit Gleaner's Food Bank. The event is from 5:30pm-midnight and offers a Texas hold em’ tournament, black jack and roulette along with other games of chance. Entrance fees will cover unlimited food and soft drinks along with a cash bar. For more information call the chamber office at 810-632-9130 or visit http://www.hartlandchamber.org/. Pre-registration is required for this event and is limited to the first 125 registered players.

The Animal Ball is Coming This Weekend

The Humane Society of Livingston County’s Animal Ball is slated for this coming Saturday, February 23rd. Enjoy an evening of dinner, dancing and bidding on live and silent auction items. Tickets are available at the HSLC shelter as well as other locations throughout the county. Tickets are $70 each and include an open bar, dancing and lots of fun! Contact the shelter at 517-552-8050 for more information or to purchase tickets.

Sushi Zen- A Brighton Gem

Last evening, I enjoyed my second visit to one of Brighton’s newest restaurants (it opened in March of 2007), Sushi Zen. My first visit, just a mere two weeks ago, was so satisfying; I didn’t want to waste any time before I returned.

This restaurant sits in an unassuming strip mall on the corner of Main and Grand River, but inside it is chic and elegant. The staff is attentive, knowledgeable and extremely friendly. The menu is creative, with lots of items to choose from.

Kudos to owner Yoon Kim for creating such a great Livingston County establishment, we are so happy you are a part of our community!

- Jennifer Woollatt, Internet & Call Coordinator, The Buckley Jolley Real Estate Team

Sushi Zen
114 W Grand River Ave
Brighton, MI 48116
(810) 225-3330

New Season of the Celtic Kettle Coffee House

The Celtic Kettle Coffeehouse at the Hartland Music Hall presents Jill Jack & Billy Brandt Saturday, February 9th at 7:30 pm. On February 29th enjoy a Leap Year Concert with award winning singer songwriter Dick Siegel.

All proceeds from the shows will benefit Gleaners Community Food Bank of Livingston County.

Call 248-684-9234 for more information.

Local Ordinances for Snow Removal

This time of the year, with the frequent snowfall, it is hard to keep up with clearing the snow off the sidewalk in front of your home. Did you know that most local goverments have ordinances regulating how much time you have to clear a path? A few of our local municipalities have posted their snow ordinances on their websites. If yours is not listed here contact their main office.

City of Brighton- All residents are responsible for snow removal of sidewalks in front of and at the sides of their property within twelve hours after the snowfall has stopped.

City of Howell- Snow is not permitted to remain on any sidewalk longer than twenty-four hours after the same has fallen. If the sidewalks in front of any lot or premises in the City are not cleaned of snow they will be cleared by the City, with the homeowner being charged.

Village of Pinckney- Sidewalks must be clear within 24 hours of snowfall. Sidewalks that remain snow covered can be cleared by the Village, with the cost charged to the property owner.

Brighton Chili & Ice Festival This Saturday

The Second Annual Chili & Ice Festival will be held this Saturday, February 9, 2008 from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. Previously this event was held solely at the Brighton Mill Pond, but this year the event has expanded into a second venue - the Green Oak Village Place shopping center.

The Chili & Ice event normally features about 40-50 sculptures sponsored by local businesses. In addition to beautiful ice sculptures, several varieties of chili will be served by local vendors, along with coffee, hot chocolate, hot cider and other beverages.

Although the official Festival is Saturday, sculptures will remain in place for viewing as long as the weather permits.

Livingston Reads!

Livingston Reads is a program designed to promote one-book-one-community reading. Six Livingston County libraries will participate in this year's Livingston Reads program: Pinckney Community Public Library, Brighton District Library, Howell Carnegie District Library, Hamburg Township Library, Cromaine District Library and Fowlerville District Library.

The book selection for the winter is the National Book Award winner for nonfiction in 2006, "The Worst Hard Time," by Timothy Egan . This book will focus readers on environmental issues by taking a look back at an important piece of American history, The Dust Bowl of the 1930s. The book includes testimonials from the time, from people who lived through it.

The Brighton District Library will be hosting the kick-off event on Monday, Feb. 11, at 7:30 p.m. It is called "Keep the Great Lakes GREAT!" and will be put on by Melissa Damaschke of the Great Lakes Regional Sierra Club chapter. She will show pictures and talk about Great Lakes environmental concerns.

For more about this program check out their website.

SELCRA Spring/Summer Leagues Now Forming

If you are a parent in Livingston County, you are probably very familiar with the Southeastern Livingston County Recreation Authority or SELCRA. SELCRA offers recreation and sports programs for a wide variety of ages, including adults.

SELCRA's spring & summer leagues are now forming. They offer lacrosse, basketball, baseball, softball, golf, volleyball & flag football for boys & girls. The deadline for registration varies; call them today at 810-299-4140 or visit their website.

Groundhog's Day Celebration & Pancake Breakfast

The Howell Nature Center will host a Groundhog’s Day Celebration and Pancake Breakfast on Saturday, February 2nd. Come watch Woody the Groundhog give her 10th prediction on how long winter will last. Tickets are $8 an adult and $6 for children (under 2 are free). For reservations or more information call 517-546-0249.

The Howell Carnegie District Library

One of the best things about living in Livingston County is the great services we get to utilize. And it doesn’t get any better than the Howell Carnegie District Library.

The library was conceptualized in 1902 when Howell’s postmaster W.H.S. Wood wrote a letter to the entrepreneur Andrew Carnegie seeking funding to build a library. He was offered $10,000 if the village and township would pledge its support with an additional $1000 per year and provide a suitable site. A mil levy was passed and four McPherson brothers purchased the land on Grand River and donated it for the library. The library opened its doors on November 19, 1906.

The library went through a complete restoration and expansion in 1989, and the building reopened to a grand public reception on March 1, 1991. The new addition added an additional 22,000 square feet to the old Carnegie building of 8,000 square feet.

The library offers a dazzling array of services from an extensive reference department, a first-class multi-level Youth section featuring books in all forms of media, meeting rooms, computer access, study rooms, tax forms, and copiers.

There is a long list of programs and events the library facilitates, from preschool story times, “Wii Wednesday” and “Guitar Hero Thursdays” for teenagers, to financial planning and dog training for adults.

If it’s been a while since you’ve been to the library, head over and check out what you’ve been missing.

You Can Help Make Brighton a Cool City

What is a Cool City?

The mayor has signed the US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement to reduce 1990 CO2 emission levels 7% by 2012 in an effort to combat global warming at the local level.

What Michigan cities have signed the Cool Cities Agreement?

Ann Arbor, Battle Creek, Berkley, East Lansing, Ferndale, Grand Rapids, Holland, Lansing, Marquette, Melvindale, Portage, Royal Oak, Southfield, Sterling Heights, Sturgis, Suttons Bay, Traverse City, Warren, Ypsilanti

How Can You Help?

• Volunteer in the effort to secure the signature of your mayor on the Climate Protection Agreement
• Volunteer to work on the evaluation of current CO2 emissions
• Volunteer to work on proposals and implementation for CO2 reductions
• Join the Sierra Club

Livingston County MSU Extension Office- Incredible Resources are Available

We love our Livingston County MSU Education Office.

The Extension Office was set up in 1914 in order to bring education programs into local communities. All 83 counties in Michigan offer programming that focuses on agriculture and natural resources; children, youth and families; and community and economic development.

Additionally, thousands of volunteers work with MSU Extension programs across the state to expand the organization's local involvement through the 4-H Youth Program, the Master Gardener and Master Woodland Manager Programs, and many others.

They collaborate with many partners, including the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station and other Michigan State University units to assist to all Michigan citizens through a variety of educational strategies and technologies.

Check out the various services our Livingston Branch office offers, and I bet you will be surprised at all the knowledge they have to share.