Sunday, May 31, 2015

TAYLOR SUMMER FESTIVAL: Entertainment scheduled finalized and concert tickets on sale



The 2015 Taylor Summer Festival has finalized plans for the main musical entertainment on both Friday, June 26, and Saturday, June 27 – and it’s turning into a party that you can’t afford to miss.

The Romantics with special guest Sponge are headlining June 26’s concert in the Sheridan Center Open Air Pavilion, and the opening act will be local band Whiskey Riot. This electric trio of hot bands – and a VIP ticket partnership package with none other than Famous
Dave's Bar-B-Que – makes tickets for this year’s main concert the tastiest bargain in town! For the $30 VIP ticket price, the bearer receives great seating, food on site from Famous Dave's and a couple of drinks. This is an advance-sale-only ticket and will not be available at the door. General admission tickets (standing only, no lawn chairs) are also available for $5 advance, $10 at the door.

Those interested can get tickets now online at Brown Paper Tickets. You can also buy them in person at the Taylor Recreation Center near the corner of Goddard and Pardee in Taylor during its regular business hours. Call (734) 374-8900 for more ticket information.

Don't pass this bargain up, because VIP seating is limited.

Saturday evening, June 27, the Taylor Summer Festival offers a free country concert leading up to the Masco Fireworks. Headlining will be sizzling country band Annabelle Road. Proceeding Annabelle Road on stage will be Taylor’s own Joe Jaber and the Last Divide, along with two other local mainstays, The Sarah Sherrard Band and Terry Jacoby & Rummler.

Doors open for the Friday, June 26, concert at 5 p.m. with Whiskey Riot taking the stage at 5:30, Sponge at 7:30 and The Romantics at 9:30.

Doors open for the Saturday, June 27, concert again at 5, with Rummler taking the stage at 5:15, Sarah Sherrard at 6:20, Joe Jaber at 7:40 and Annabelle Road coming on at 9 p.m. before the Masco Taylor Summer Festival Fireworks Display.

FESTIVAL OVERVIEW:
The Taylor Summer Festival will have four full days of carnivals and other attractions appealing to any age group.

Elliott’s Amusements’ carnival kicks off the festival on Thursday, June 25, in the Pardee Road parking lot, adjacent to the western entrance to Heritage Park. The carnival will run from 4-11 p.m. June 25; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. June 26 and 27; and 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. Sunday, June 28. Various ticket and wrist band packages for the carnival are available online now at (www.elliottsamusements.com). 

Anyone wishing to enter the carnival area this year must purchase at least a $10 “carnival bucks” package or a $20 family pass. No one under 18 may enter the carnival area without a parent or adult supervision.

THE PNC BANK FAMILY FUN ZONE:
In an effort to make the 2015 Taylor Summer Festival as "family friendly" as possible, the City of Taylor will create a the “PNC Bank Family Fun Zone” near the patio area on the south end of the Sheridan Center Open Air Pavilion.

The zone, which will including plenty of fun entertainment and activities for children, will be open from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on Friday, June 26, and Saturday, June 27. PAWS, the official mascot of the Detroit Tigers, will be appearing on Friday, June 26, from 1-3 p.m. Come and meet PAWS in the Family Fun Zone! 

PNC Bank and Home Depot have already signed on to support the fun zone efforts. 

The fun zone will be right next to the "Bounce House," which will include moowalks from MotorCity Moonwalks. While the children will have plenty to do to keep them out of trouble, mom and dad will have food and vendor booths nearby to keep them interested. And the fun zone will be located a hop, step and jump away from the carnival!

FESTIVAL FOOD: CAN YOU SAY "BBQ"?
 Famous Dave’s participation in the event lends to the festival’s “BBQ flavor,” which will be on display all weekend. Other food vendors will include Carolina BBQ and Ray’s Meats. 

Famous Dave Anderson opened his first BBQ Shack in 1994 in Hayward, Wisconsin. It became wildly popular, serving up to 5,000 people a week in a town of only 1,800. Today, the Original Famous Dave’s is one of the most photographed restaurants in Wisconsin. The chain’s food is so popular that it has won over 700 BBQ awards – and is still counting. The Taylor location ranks as one of the most popular restaurants in the nationwide chain.

Carolina BBQ started with two former high school buddies, who wanted to start a competition barbecue team in 2003. Travels across the country led us to discover the rich traditions of Carolina-style barbecue. It wasn’t long before those recipes started earning Old Carolina trophies on the barbecue circuit. And, in 2006, the first Old Carolina Barbecue Company restaurant opened in Massillon, Ohio. They now have a location in Ann Arbor.

Ray’s Prime Meats, located on Eureka Road in Taylor, is a family owned and operated business established in 1962 by Ray Martyniak and currently operated by the family's third generation. Downriver Detroit's only complete retail butcher shop offers award-winning smoked meats, grain-fed pork, a full line of western grain-fed beef, southern ice-pack poultry and seafood. It also offers specializes in pig roasts.

BACKGROUND ON THE ROMANTICS:
The Romantics started in 1977, adopting the name because they formed on Valentine's Day. They achieved popularity during the first half of the 1980s on the strength of the band's songs and music videos. The group's record debut was the 1978 single, "Little White Lies" / "I Can't Tell You Anything,” followed that year by the single "Tell It to Carrie" / "First in Line.” All of these were re-recorded later for the first LP, and that album yielded the hit "What I Like About You," which reached No. 49 in the U.S., No. 12 in the Netherlands and No. 2 in Australia, where the band was especially popular.

The Romantics achieved their greatest commercial success in 1983-84 with the release of the album In Heat, which was awarded a gold album in the United States for selling over 500,000 copies. The first single taken from In Heat, "Talking In Your Sleep," rose to No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and hit No. 1 on the Hot Dance Club Play and Album Rock Tracks charts.

The Romantics' original lineup consisted of lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist and harmonicist Wally Palmar; lead guitarist and backup vocalist Mike Skill; bassist and backup vocalist Rich Cole; and drummer and lead vocalist/drummer Jimmy Marinos. Palmar and Skill were considered the band's primary tunesmiths. Palmar, Skill and Cole remain with the group today, and have been joined by Brad Elvis.

In addition to being a staple on classic and contemporary rock radio, television commercials and movies, Sirius/XM Satellite radio has also embraced The Romantics. Their songs can be heard on a number of stations including Little Steven’s Underground Garage.

BACKGROUND ON SPONGE:
Formed in 1991, Sponge has proven to be one of the Motor City's heaviest hitters after gaining international notoriety with their debut album "Rotting Piñata,” with hits like "Plowed" and "Molly (16 Candles)." The band found itself receiving airplay on radio stations from coast to coast and in the MTV rotation. Both “Plowed” and “Molly” hit No. 5 on Billboard’s Modern Rock Charts, catapulting “Rotting Piñata” to gold and ultimately platinum status.

Sponge's follow up CD, the critically lauded “Wax Ecstatic,” scored additional Top 10 Billboard hits including "Wax Ecstatic" and "Have You Seen Mary?"  The band’s music was also featured in popular movies “The Craft,” “Chasing Amy,” “Mall Rats” and “Empire Records.”  Sponge’s star rose with network appearances on “The Late Show with David Letterman” and the “Conan O’Brien Show.”

Sponge’s subsequent releases “New Pop Sunday,” “For All The Drugs in The World,” “The Man,” “Galore Galore,” and “Destroy the Boy,” showcased the band’s swirling sonic attack, rooted in 70's glam and of course, the Motor City influences of The Stooges, The MC5 and Motown – but still sounding distinctly like no one else.

“Plowed” continues to be the band’s signature rock track, having been spotlighted on Guitar Hero’s “Warriors of Rock – 90’s Rock Track Pack” – and on the Paper Jamz Guitar Series 2, in addition to the soundtrack for the Gerard Butler surf movie “Chasing Mavericks.”

Having shared stages the world over with Guns N’ Roses, Nickelback, Iggy Pop, Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, Kiss, Sponge continues to be one of rock’s most sought after live acts and the combination of The Romantics and Sponge should have Taylor rocking on June 26.

BACKGROUND ON ANNABELLE ROAD:
With a big-as-the-room sound, the ability to rock the doors off the toughest clubs, the heart to keep a crowd hanging on every note and the party going till closing time, Annabelle Road blows in from the intersection where rural and urban sensibilities meet. Tapping Motor City's rich musical well by way of Butcher Holler, this barnstorming band fuses the best of rock and country seamlessly to their polished originals. 

Not many acts can claim being handpicked as "Next Big Star" finalists on Kenny Chesney's "Poets & Pirates" tour as their auspicious debut. In no time they had radio-ready single "Let You Bleed" in frequent rotation on Michigan's country dials--its airplay pre-selling out shows all over the state. Since then the group's electrifying stage presence has continued to captivate all comers, from Detroit's Downtown Hoedown to supporting heavyweights like Phil Vassar and Gretchen Wilson. 

"We keep knocking on doors that are too big to be knocked on and they keep opening," said front woman Amanda Bailey. She leads guitarist Jeremy Temple, bassist Mike Zahler and drummer Donovan Tarjeft. 

BACKGROUND ON WHISKEY RIOT:
Established in 2013, Whiskey Riot is well-known around the Taylor club scene. Band members include Dwayne (The Riff Master) Adams (lead guitar), Keith (Big Diesel) Adams (bass guitar), Thumper Rich Loar on drums and James (Jiggaman) Elswick on vocals. They love classic rock and metal and guarantee that they are party band the rocks the place.

BACKGROUND ON TERRY JACOBY & RUMMLER:
Rummler is another local band that should be well-known to Taylor club-goers. It features songwriter and lead singer Terry Jacoby, a former local newspaper writer and editor, and standout professional sports photographer Greg Shamus of Grosse Ile, who plays guitar and is a major contributor on the production side, earning the producer credit on the band’s debut CD. Mike Paulin of South Lyon is the lead-guitar player and also sings, while Bill Elliott of Tecumseh is the bass player and also adds harmonies to the vocals. On the drums, guitar and additional vocals is Nick Hura.    

THE SARAH SHERRARD BAND:
Sarah Sherrard’s music has been hailed as the rebirth of a lost era. Her refreshing reinvention of vintage, ‘60s sound is opening up a whole new world of possibilities for the young artist. “I’m just trying to make music that fits who I am and what I love. I never could have dreamed of how well it has been received,” said Sherrard. Sherrard’s debut EP, Where I Come From, was recorded in Nashville in early 2012 with select members of the band Lynyrd Skynyrd. This project allowed Sarah to explore her passion for more Southern Rock, country sounds while still letting her vintage style shine through.  Sherrard’s lead vocals are joined by Anthony Lai (lead guitar and vocals), Joel Sherrard (guitar and vocals), Daniel Lai (bass) and Tom Rexford on drums.

JOE JABER & LAST DIVIDE:
Upon the release of the debut disc by Joe Jaber and The Last 
Divide three years ago, Jaber, the Taylor native and passionate audio enthusiast, was content to set modest goals. With the arrival of Keys to the House, the encore masterpiece from Jaber and his remarkable, titanium-solid ensemble, this self-made singer, songwriter and guitarist is serving notice that he is exceeding his own wildest musical expectations. A heady, captivating mélange of rock ‘n’ roll, blues, roots, Americana and, yes, even a dash of country, Keys to the House showcases an artist with loftier goals, greater self-awareness, and expansive visions. The band consists of Jaber, Duane Harlick, Nadir Omowale, Daniel Lago and Chrissy Morgan.

TAYLOR SUMMER FESTIVAL INFORMATION:
Find updates on the 2015 Taylor Summer Festival on the following locations online:

2015 TAYLOR SUMMER FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS
Heritage Park, Taylor, MI

Thursday, June 25 
(Hours 4-11 p.m.) 
            Carnival opens

Friday, June 26 
(Hours 11 a.m.-11 p.m.)
            Carnival continues daylong
            Vendors open daylong
            Beer vendors open 3 until 11 p.m.
            PNC Bank Family Fun Zone 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
            Moonwalks 
            The Romantics and Sponge concert (gates open at 5 p.m.; Whiskey Riot at 5:30, Sponge on stage at 7; The Romantics on stage at 9. Tickets $30 VIP, $5 GA and $10 GA at the door

Saturday, June 27
(Hours 11 a.m.-11 p.m.)
            Carnival continues daylong
            Vendors open daylong
            Beer vendors open 3-11 p.m.
            PNC Bank Family Fun Zone 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
            Moonwalks 
            Free Country Concert (Gates open at 5 p.m. Terry Jacoby & Rummler at 5:15; Sarah Sherrard Band at 6:20; Joe Jaber & The Last Divide at 7:40; Annabelle Road at 9 p.m.)
            Masco Fireworks Display (10 p.m. – free)

Sunday, June 27
(Hours 11 a.m.-5 p.m.)
            Carnival continues daylong


DIRECTIONS: 
Heritage Place is located at Northline and Pardee roads. It is accessible easily from I-75’s Northline Road exit, then west about two miles to Heritage Park’s south entrance. If you are coming from I-94, exit at Telegraph Road and go south to Northline Road, then east to Heritage Park.

PARKING: 
Vehicle parking is available both inside and outside of Heritage Park for $5 and will be strictly enforced daylong on Friday, June 26, and Saturday, June 27. Handicap parking will be available at the Heritage Park Petting Farm (Northline and Pardee) and the Taylor Community Library. Official festival parking will be located at the southern end of the park (Northline Road entrance); First Albanian "Teqe Bektashiane" field (Northline Road and Racho, just outside the south entrance); and at the Wayne County Community College-Taylor Campus (outside the eastern most end of the park). Other private paid parking will be available in the surrounding areas.

One-side parking will be posted on the following city streets during the festival, June 25-28: Brest, Clinton, W. Keyes, Moran, Klebba, Phyllis, Livingston, Ernst, Ran, Birch, Morley, Maplelawn, Goldenridge, Lincoln, McKinley, Beechwood, Katherine, Dudley, William, Baraga and Mortenview Violators will be ticketed and towed.

TRAFFIC ALERT: 
Pardee Road will be closed between Northline and Goddard at 7 p.m. Saturday, June 27 (fireworks night). All side streets feeding Pardee will also be closed in that location. Only residential traffic will be allowed through the barricades, and drivers will have to show proof of residency.

The 2015 Taylor Summer Festival is a partnership between the City of Taylor, Masco Foundation, Taylor Ford, Fritz Enterprises, UAW Region 1-A, Taylor Chevrolet, PNC Bank, Shwedel Dental, Westside Distributors, Molnar Roofing, Vicar’s Trailer Sales, Oakwood Healthcare , DTE, Discover Downriver, Area Towing and Home Depot. Other sponsors are pending. Media partners include Heritage Newspapers, Fox 2 Detroit, Nash FM 93.1 WDRQ and 96.3 WDVD Today’s Best Hits.

FRANK AND POET DRAIN CLEANUP scheduled for June 6


Jim Taylor, who directs the annual Heritage Park Cleanup Day, is planning a cleanup of the Frank & Poet Drain located behind Dick's Sporting Goods and Big Lots in the Taylor Retail Center on Eureka Road on Saturday, June 6.

This is a hard-core, no frills program that will require between 50 and 100 physically fit, energetic adults. The cleanup will target debris along the creek and inside the waterway, which is very shallow.

The project is being held from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. June 6. All volunteers should meet in the parking lot behind Dick's.

Please dress appropriately for muddy grounds and scratchy vegetation. Bring gloves suitable for wet and dry work.Bring a bow or leaf rake. Eye protection and insect spray is suggested.

If you are comfortable working inside a creek and have chest waders, please contact Taylor in advance.

For more information, email bozko1@outlook.com or call (734) 666-8968.

ALL-NEW TAYLOR FARMER'S MARKET to open Friday, June 5


The all-new Taylor Farmer’s Market presented by Oakwood Healthcare is scheduled to open at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 5, inside the Sheridan Center Open Air Pavilion inside Heritage Park. 

The market will be open from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. every Friday through September 25 (with the exception of June 26, which is the weekend of the Taylor Summer Festival).

In addition, each Friday there will be an “Eat Better! Move More!” walk around Heritage Park scheduled for 10:30 a.m., beginning at the market. The walks will each have a featured leader that will be announced in advance. The June 5 walk will feature Mayor Rick Sollars. The walks are free and open to the public. Everyone is encouraged to attend – bring your children along, too. It’s a great way to help get in shape – remember, 10,000 steps a day keeps the doctors away!

As presenting sponsor of the market, Oakwood Healthcare is joined by presenters Mayor Sollars, Treasurer Edward Bourassa, City Clerk Cindy Bower, City Council Chairperson Linda Parker-Craig, Council Pro-Tem Angela Croft, Councilman Alex Garza, Councilman Tim Woolley and Councilman Dan Bzura, along with 23rd District Court Judges Geno Salomone and Joseph Slaven, and Wayne County Commissioner Ray Basham.

This year’s market also welcomes sponsors A to Z Total Heating and Cooling, Al’s Asphalt, Dentistry Calm, JS Vig, Medilodge of Taylor, MI Custom Signs, Comfort Inn and Suites, Taylor Dance, Taylor Recycling, Wade Trim, Seaway Pharmacy, Howe Peterson Funeral Homes, Shwedel Dental and Bellissimo Tan-Hair-Café.


The market has 26 vendors under contract. They are:
  • Pico de Gallo (food)
  • William’s Garden (food & produce)
  • Flying Otter (food & wine)
  • Juanita’s Gourmet Salsa LLC (food)
  • Happy Harvest (food)
  • Evie’s Tamales (food)
  • King Honey Farm (food)
  • Asian Sun Tea (food & drink)
  • Wild Hog Sausage (food & produce)
  • Mr. Greens (food & produce)
  • Kettle Corn of Michigan (food & produce)
  • Organo Gold (food & drink)
  • Suzanne’s Sweet Treats (food)
  • Uncle Calvin’s Sweet Potato Pies (food)
  • Schact’s Produce (food & produce)
  • Serendipity Cakery LLC (food)
  • Chapman Sheep Farms (food & produce)
  • Sunbear’s Just Bones (pet food specialist)
  • Bonnie’s Royal Oils (artisan)
  • Barbara Stewart (Tupperware)
  • Farm House Crafts (artisan & crafts)
  • From Us To You (artisan)
  • Candle Coated Wicks (artisan)
  • Marie Belton Crafts (artisan & crafts)
  • The Fat Cat (artisan)
  • Heart to Heart (artisan).

Market planners have also decided on “theme days” scheduled throughout the season, including:
  • June 5: Grand opening and first “More More! Eat Less!” walk.
  • June 12: Father Day’s celebration including a special raffle and giveaways.
  • June 19: Summertime Fun including a Hawaiian them and free popsicles.
  • July 3: Celebrate America including mini American flags and a patriotic theme.
  • July 10: Healthy Taylor Day including health screens and demonstrations.
  • July 17: Celebrate Baseball Day including raffles and baseball wares.
  • July 24: Celebrate Christmas in July! May include a car show!
  • July 31: Celebrate Reading and feed your imagination.
  • August 7: Clowning Around will feature clowns, balloons and a magician.
  • August 14: Safety Matters with emergency responders featured.
  • August 21: Taste of Taylor to feature local restaurants.
  • August 28: All About the Arts featuring art, music and dance.
  • September 4: Labor Day Celebration.
  • September 11: Back to School featuring education and school giveaways.
  • September 18: Celebrate Fall with square dancing, fiddlers and apple cider.
  • September 25: Market Appreciation Day!

The Taylor Farmer’s Market presented by Oakwood Healthcare is still accepting vendors and other ideas for this year’s events list, if you have them, are always more than welcome. If you are interested, need more information or want to share a thought, contact Kimber Dorton (kdorton@ci.taylor.mi.us) or Karl Ziomek (kziomek@ci.taylor.mi.us) or call (734) 374-1450.

COME WALK WITH THE MAYOR to kick off new Farmer's Market!


The all-new Taylor Farmer's Market presented by Oakwood Healthcare will get things moving at 10:30 a.m. Friday, June 5, with the first of a summer-long series of "Eat Better, Move More" community walks at Heritage Park.

Each one will be a prelude to the farmer's market, which opens at 11 a.m. at the Sheridan Center. Each walk will also feature a guest leader, with the opening walk featuring Mayor Rick Sollars.

Meet in front of the Sheridan Center on the Pardee Road side. Dress to walk -- we'll either be doing the mile center on the interior of the park, or possibly down behind the Taylor Community Library and around Coan Lake. Maybe if the walkers get aggressive, we'll do both.

Oakwood Healthcare, as part of its "Healthy Taylor" initiative, will be handing out pedometers to track your walking.

COMMUNITY MEETING scheduled for June 3


The Volunteers of America (VOA) will hold a community meeting on the new Heritage Park Senior Village-Taylor project, currently under construction on Superior Drive behind Target.

The meeting is open to the public and is being held at the William Ford Senior Activities Center, 6750 Troy. It is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, June 3.

The 76-unit, smoke-free community will provide one-bedroom apartments to income-qualifying seniors who are 62 and older. Rent is based on 30 percent of the renter's adjusted gross household income. Most utilities are included; renters are responsible for electricity, cable, telephone and Internet.

Amenities include:
  • On-site laundry
  • Fitness room and community room
  • Individual climate control
  • Fully equipped kitchen
  • Controlled entry and emergency pull cords
  • 24-hour emergency maintenance
  • Resident activities
  • Close to shopping and transportation options
  • Park-like setting
  • Library and computer center
  • Walking trail and recreational space
  • Professionally landscaped
  • Tasteful decor

Pre-application packets will be available at the meeting. Those who pre-apply will be placed on the waiting list. The building is expected to be completed in September.

For more information, call (248) 864-7621 or click on www.voami.org.

HAPPY SOLES RUN to benefit Downriver Fish and Loaves Food Pantry



Registration is under way for the sixth annual Happy Soles 5K Run and Walk set for 7:30 a.m. Sunday, June 7, at Taylor’s Heritage Park.

The 5K is a key supporting event for the Fish & Loaves Community Food Pantry, a faith-based, non-profit, volunteer-operated client-choice pantry committed to ensuring that no one goes hungry or without adequate nutrition in Taylor and six surrounding communities: Allen Park, Brownstown, Dearborn Heights, Romulus, Southgate and Woodhaven.

The registration fee for the 5K is $25 by May 28 (to guarantee a T-shirt), $27 from May 29 through June 6 and $30 on race day. Participants can register online at www.downriverfishandloaves.org or www.everalracemgt.com. 

Packets may be picked up between 3 and 4 p.m. Saturday, June 6, at Fish & Loaves at 25670 Northline Road, Taylor, or on race day from 6:30 to 7:15 a.m. at the Sheridan Center Open Air Pavilion in Heritage Park, 12111 Pardee Road. On race day, participants are encouraged to park in the lot in front of the pavilion on Pardee Road.

Race Director Mary Beth Jakubowski said the 2015 5K has a new USATF-certified course. The race starts and finishes in front of the pavilion and makes use of Heritage Park’s sylvan setting and is “flat and fast.”

“The course will go through the woods and around the pond area this year,” Jakubowski said. “It’s going to be fun.”

Also new this year: Everyone that competes will be par of a lottery that will provide opportunities to run across the Mackinaw Bridge during the Labor Day Bridge Run through the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness, Health and Sports. 

Awards during the 5K at Heritage Park will be presented to the fastest male and female overall, masters and the top three males and females in 15 age groups ranging from “14 and under” to “80 and up.”

The race is sponsored by the City of Taylor, Atlas Oil, Shwedel Dental and Baker College. The event is endorsed by the Governor’s Council Pure Michigan Fitness Series.

“By participating, everyone is helping hungry individuals and families in the Downriver area,” said Fish and Loaves Executive Director Karen Salomone. “As the cost of food increases and the number of hungry people grows, events like this are more important than ever. Thank you to all of our race participants and thank you to our loyal sponsors.”

For more information about Fish & Loaves, visit the website www.downriverfishandloaves.org or call (734) 442-0031.

YOGA CLASSES offered at Taylor Recreation Center


Famous health educator and nutrition specialist Nikki Marie will begin her summer class schedule on June 9 at the Taylor Recreation Center.

She is offering Forza Flow from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Candlelight Yin Yoga from 5:45-6:45 Thursdays.

Forza Flow is a heated vinyasa flow that links breath with both movement and stillness, and helps participants reach a higher temperature than the average yoga class. Candlelight Yin Yoga is a flow that is done with gentle movements guided by breath. The movements are held for longer periods of times to give more flexibility and range of motion.

Prices: Drop in is $7; class pack of five is $30 ($1 off per class); and class pack of 10 is $50 (save $2 per class).

To register or for more information, stop at the Taylor Recreation Center (734) 374-8900. Also, click on www.forzawellness.com.

2015 MUSIC AND ARTS IN THE GARDEN SCHEDULED ANNOUNCED


The Taylor Conservatory Foundation and the Wayne County Community College Downriver District's Prechter Educational and Performing Arts Center has announced its 2015 Music and Arts in the Gardens concert slate.

This is the popular Wednesday summer concert program at the Taylor Conservatory & Botanical Gardens. Each Wednesday from June 10, through August 26, the event celebrates music and art. 

Tickets are $5, seating is limited and those attending should bring lawn chairs. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with the concert from 6:30-8:30. Food and drink is offered by Silvershores Waterfront Banquet & Catering.

This year's lineup includes:
  • June 10: Big Ray & the Motor City Kings
  • June 17: Lynn Laplante Seven (or LL7)
  • June 24: Jerry McKenzie and Just Jazz
  • July 1: Bill Byrum & Company
  • July 8: Marcus Elliot Quartet
  • July 15: Chris Codish & the Brothers Groove
  • July 22: Saxophonist Deon Yates
  • July 29: Don Middlebrook & the Pearl Divers
  • August 5: Metro Jazz Voices
  • August 12: Dummer Sean Dobbins Trio
  • August 19: Girls Night Out Date Night
  • August 26 Grand Finale: Dave Bennett Quartet ($10 per person)

For more information, click on www.taylorconservatory.com or www.facebook.com/taylorconservatory. For general information for weather alerts during the concert season, call (888) 383-4108.

HAVE COFFEE WITH THE MAYOR AT PANERA BREAD


Coffee with Mayor Rick Sollars will be held from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Monday, June 8, at Panera Bread, 23301 Eureka Road.

Tentatively scheduled to appear with Mayor Sollars at City Council Pro-Tem Angela Croft and Council member Alex Garza.

Anyone is welcome to attend this informal session.

NORTHWEST POOL: To open on June 12



Northwest Pool, located in Northwest Park off of Van Born Road, is scheduled to open for the 2015 season on Friday June 12. It will open at noon

The pool is the only outdoor pool in the City of Taylor. It was reopened last year after being closed for three seasons.

The 2015 rates are as follows:
Family Passes (in same household) -- Residents $50; Non-residents $70
One Day Pass -- $4 for adults; $3 for children; $2 for seniors (non-residents are $1 more)
Individual Summer Pass -- $20 resident ($30 non-resident)
Pool passes can be purchased at the Taylor Recreation Center starting Monday, June 8, or they can be purchased at the pool once it opens. If you purchase passes at the TRC, you can use a credit or debit card. If passes are purchased at the pool, only cash or checks will be accepted.

The pool will be open on the following schedule:
Noon -6 p.m. Mondays
Closed Tuesdays
Noon - 6 p.m.Wednesdays
Closed Thursdays
Noon-6 p.m. Fridays
11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays
Noon - 6 p.m. Sundays
For more information, call the TRC at (734) 374-8900.

TOMMIE SAYLOR: Creating winners at Kennedy High School


“You want to know the difference between a winner and a loser?  The winner has failed more times than the loser has even tried.” 
-- A variation of a quote by the author Stephen McCranie

By Tommie Saylor
Kennedy High School Principal
Winning is a state of mind.  It is the knowledge that you will experience failure, yet you have made the decision to push through the bad times, accept defeat and grow from the experience.

Winning is not about finding excuses for your failures and/or losses, it is about accepting full responsibility and owning your defeat. It is about understanding that barriers will be in your way. It is your job to find a way around, over or through the barrier not someone else’s job. 

Winning is about working harder than everyone else. It is about wanting it more than anyone else and having the realization that if you want to win, you have to get better than everybody else.

Often when I hear someone whining about losing, I respond to them by simply saying, “Get better.”

Winners often have a code of conduct, a set of rules that they impose upon themselves. Beliefs that help them to keep their minds focused, their actions diligent and their path straight.  As a result winners believe in winning honestly, in living honorably and in doing the right thing at all times. 

Winners are often fighters, agitators or individuals who don’t mind a good debate. Winners “tilt at windmills,” unafraid to accept challenges that others would consider hopeless, pointless, or not worth the effort. 

Simply, winners are the protagonists in the story of life.

Winning is a personality trait. It is part of one’s character. As such, winners are often optimistic, upbeat         and just simply fun to be around.  Winners don’t make excuses (“He that is good for making excuses, is seldom good for anything else,” wrote Benjamin Franklin).

Winners find solutions, accept responsibility for their actions, don’t fix the blame (they fix the problem) and make all those around them feel good about themselves. Winners build people up. They don’t break them down.

It is true that occasionally a loser may find victory, but the loser’s victories are fleeting. Give a loser enough time and they most certainly will find a way to self-destruct.

But don’t despair. Becoming a winner is easy. It’s all about attitude. Though one may get to the table on nothing more than raw talent, but attitude and effort keeps them at the table. 

Winning can be taught, and often comes with harsh lessons. This is why in today’s schools we focus on more than just Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic. We also take heed of the attributes that help to make winners. 

Adherence to high expectations. Clear organizational procedures. Rules, regulations, a demanding curriculum and even projects and performance-based tasks help to hone and shape students abilities, attitude and character. This is all in hopes that students develop into winners.

At Kennedy High School, developing students into winners is what we do.

What starts here, changes the world. Making Kennedy the school of choice. Excellence by design.

MCDOWELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: More images from the Living Wax Museum program