LET'S MOVE WITH JOHNSON EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER

Here's the video submitted from the Johnson Early Childhood Center "flash mob" effort.

For background on the effort, see a copy of the previous post from April 3:

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Challenged by the federal government all the way down through Wayne County RESA, school and City officials gathered with young children at Johnson Early Childhood Center Monday to do something you don't see everyday -- create a "flash mob."

A flash mob is a large gathering of people, who perform usual or seemingly random acts before dispersing. Flash mobs are created for video opportunities, and are usually done to create a buzz around a specific cause or campaign.

This was no different. Wayne County RESA had challenged school districts throughout the county to create their own "flash mob" video clips, which will be submitted to RESA and forwarded to the federal government, all in support of the anti-obesity campaign by First Lady Michelle Obama.

Included are photos of the school’s “Playground Flash Mob” effort.  Johnson houses 10 Great Start Readiness Program classrooms, funded by a State of Michigan grant to provide preschool for 4 year olds who qualify.

The best video will be included in future videos supporting the anti-obesity campaign, which Mrs. Obama has headlined. It’s called the “Let’s Move” campaign. April is the “Month of the Young Child.”

Two different gatherings of Johnson Early Childhood Center children were filmed, along with Mayor Rick Sollars, City Council Chairperson Linda Parker-Craig, Councilman Tim Woolley, Treasurer Edward Bourassa, Clerk Cindy Bower, teachers, members of the Board of Education (Debbie Stellini and John Reilly), Supt. Diane Allen and Asst. Supt. Teresa Winnie. State Sen. Hoon-Yung Hopgood also attended.

Here are some quotes from the children:

“We did the freeze dance!” said Leah Pinchot. “It’s funny when we freeze. First I can’t stop moving. Then I freeze!”

“We did a lot of dancing,” Brooke Pawlowski said. “That dancing was pretty cool. I really liked it.”

“We did the freeze in the sandbox.” Said Peyton Locklear.

“I liked to freeze on the bike,” said Allen Moldovan.

HERITAGE PARK CLEANUP DAY: Scheduled May 2

FOR A DOWNLOADABLE WAIVER FORM, CLICK HERE

Save the date!

The second Heritage Park Cleanup Day has been scheduled for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 2.

Last year's initial Heritage Park Cleanup Day was a huge success. Created by resident Jim Taylor and manned by a horde of volunteers, the cleanup attracted nearly 270 people, 15 sponsors, prizes totaling approximately $1,100 and resulted in five truckloads of trash being carted out of Taylor's largest park.

Those involved, many of whom traveled to the park from outside the City, had a load of fun and left the park cleaner than it was in a long time. The Heritage Park Cleanup Day also started a string of volunteer cleanup days across the community that lasted the entire year.

Thanks to last year's success, this year's emphasis will be slightly different. The group will gather in the Sheridan Center Open Air Pavilion for registration and group direction. The cleanup will then focus on the west end of the facility, including the Pardee Street entrance to the parkway, and all around and in Coan Lake.

Groups will still be sent out to clean areas deeper in the park, but other groups will not only pick up trash and debris, but work on flower beds, trim bushes, throw mulch, etc. 

More information will be published on this website between now and the event.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact Jim Taylor at (734) 666-8968 or email him at bozko1@outlook.com.

For those of you who would like to create your own volunteer cleanup day at a given location in the community, or are interested in discussing the possibilities, contact the City of Taylor's Communications & Marketing Director Karl Ziomek at kziomek@ci.taylor.mi.us or call him at (734) 374-1447.

RELAY FOR LIFE: Comedy show planned April 25

A comedy night will be held at the Taylor Meadows Golf Course at 6 p.m. April 25 to benefit the Relay for Life in memory of Mary Kate Gilliam.

Tickets are $30 person person and include dinner, cash bar, basket raffle and 50/50 raffle. This is an adult event, 18 and over only.

Doors open at 6 p.m. with dinner at 7. 

Proceeds go to the Relay for Life.

Purchase tickets before April 20 by visiting the Taylor Meadows Pro Shop or call Kim Gilliam Barbee (734) 287-1633.

The golf course is located at 25360 Ecorse Road.

RELAY FOR LIFE: annual yard sale on the horizon

The annual Best of Taylor Yard Sale to benefit the American Cancer Society will be held on Saturday, April 25, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Join the group at the corner of Northline and Pine Street, just east of Telegraph Road. Look for the big tent and help the group beat cancer! 

All funds go to the American Cancer Society. Donations accepted on the day of the sale.

Also visit the team at the annual Relay for Life in Taylor on May 16 at Heritage Park.

For a downloadable flyer on the yard sale, click here.

TAYLOR COMEDY NIGHT: Fundraiser for Foundation for Educational Excellence and others

"Taylor Comedy Night" will be held Friday, April 24, at the Knights of Columbus, 24900 Brest Road, Taylor.
Doors open at 6 p.m. and showtime is at 7 p..m.

For a downloadable flyer, click here.

The fundraiser is for the Taylor Public Schools Foundation for Educational Excellence art projects and Taylor Summer Arts and Prevention Academy.

Tickets are $20. Pizza, soft drinks, beer and wine will be available.

Kevin McPeek and Sal Demilio will be entertaining on stage.

For tickets or information, call (313) 295-7313 or (734) 733-7704. Information also available at the Taylor Schools Administrative Offices, 23303 Northline Road, Taylor.

RELAY FOR LIFE: Best of Taylor team holds fundraiser

It's fundraising night at the Texas Roadhouse, 14660 Pardee, and the American Cancer Society's "Best of Taylor" team will be participating in 10 percent donation night between 3:45-10 p.m. Tuesday, April 21.

Support the team's efforts by dining at the Texas Roadhouse and watching 10 percent of the purchase will go toward a good cause.

Coupon is needed, and they are available at the front entrance of City Hall, 22555 Goddard Road.

Call ahead for seating at (734) 374-5500.

CELEBRATE SPRING: Petting Farm annual event is April 18

The animals at the Heritage Park Petting Farm invite you and your family to come and "Celebrate Spring" from 11 a.m, to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 18. The annual shearing of the sheep will take place on that day. 

You can watch sheep farmer Deb Caryl trim the sheep to make them comfortable for summer. The hum of the tractors will be in the air when the Tri-County Two Cylinder Tractor Club showcases their prize tractors. Events at the Heritage Park Petting Farm would not be complete without the skills of Lisa Porter of Flutterby Faces. She will be painting faces with bright springtime styles. Check her fee schedule at the visitor center. 

Pony Rides will also be going on at the farm for a fee. There will be free crafts for the children and other spring inspired activities. Light refreshments will also be available for purchase. There will also be a shuttle running from the farm front door to the library parking lot for your convenience. Regular admission rates apply for more information please call the farm at (734) 374-5946.

Here is the complete 2015 schedule for the Petting Farm:

• APRIL 18: "Celebrate Spring" event includes sheep shearing, tractors, crafts and more. Free shuttle from the Heritage Park parking lot in front of the Sheridan Center.
• MAY 16 & 17: "Wild Weekends: Exotic Animal Show" (also includes free shuttle service).
• JUNE 22-26: Farm Camp for third through sixth graders.
• JULY 13-17: Farm Camp for third through sixth graders.
• JULY 25: "Christmas in July" include real reindeer, Santa Claus and much more.
• AUGUST 3-7: Farm Camp for third through sixth graders.
• OCTOBER 3 & 4: "Wild Weekends" include free shuttle service.
• OCTOBER 24 & 25: "The Boo Barn" for Halloween with spooky surprises.
• DECEMBER 12 & 13: "Reindeer Days" include real reindeer, Santa Claus and much more. Free shuttle service