It has been more than two years since Pat and Anne Stagg closed the Little Café on Michigan Avenue.

Now the building has a new owner and burgers and hot dogs could soon be served up in the coming months.

Paper now covers windows facing traffic on Michigan Avenue as work is now underway inside freshening the place up.

It isn’t yet clear what the new business will be named or whether it will serve breakfast but with so few places in west Dearborn serving a good hot morning meal (not counting Bob Evans), it seems like it would be a missed opportunity to not do so.

We miss the Little Café and Pat’s unvarnished commentary about just about anything.

We look forward to the new business and wish the new owners the best of luck. It’s nice to see a “For Sale” sign removed from a vacant building on Michigan Avenue . . .

Separately, two other restaurants will soon open in west Dearborn. Delicioso’s restaurant owner is opening a Middle Eastern restaurant next door to his place (next door to the Thai restaurant) in the Norm Newman strip mall, just across the street from Sacred Heart Church at Michigan and Military. And down the road, just west of Telegraph, a new Thai food restaurant is opening in the former home of Harley’s Dearborn Deli.

In an effort to reduce overtime costs, the Dearborn City Clerk’s Office is closing a half hour earlier each day, providing customer service now between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. weekdays. City Hall, at least for now, will remain open until 5 p.m.

City Clerk Kathleen Buda says the change is due to staff cutbacks and an attempt to avoid employee overtime. Buda says customer service is still a top priority and the change will allow the Clerk’s Office to complete individual requests by the time City Hall closes at 5 p.m.

The City Clerk’s Office provides birth and death certificates and registration; City Council agendas, minutes, and records; business licensing; voter registration; and notary services. It also administers city, school, county, state and federal elections; and maintains local ordinances.

The City Clerk’s general information number is 313-943-2010.

Dearborn continues to push forward with eliminating waste and promoting energy efficiency and made significant strides in 2010.

Some of the city’s sustainability initiatives included a variety of new green and environmentally-conscious programs, including the following “green” highlights from Dave Norwood, the City’s sustainability coordinator.

• Introduced its enhanced residential curbside recycling program: After a test program of 700 homes showed that providing large trash carts doubled residents’ recycling habits, the City decided to provide residents with 96-gallon recycling carts, which in turn have taken recycling efforts to a 30 percent increase since July 1.

• Included significant green elements in the City-owned parking structure at the Dearborn Town Center: The parking structure has LED lights on the roof, outdoor solar panels, indoor “smart lighting”, and eight electric vehicle charging stations, which were installed at the mayor’s direction and with the help of partners involved in green initiatives.

• Carried out a Waste-to-Energy Feasibility Study: The City hired Resource Recycling Systems to analyze waste streams and look at technologies for capturing the energy from Dearborn’s wastes and using it to create power. It is looking at plans to implement a waste-to-energy facility that will possibly be used by Ford Motor Company and SeverStal Steel Company. The current site being considered for this is the former powerhouse site on Miller Road.

• Received a State of Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Pollution Prevention (P2) Grant: The grant has allowed the City to create a climate action plan. The plan proposes a communitywide greenhouse gas emission inventory, municipal facilities greenhouse gas facility, “bike-ability” and “walk-ability” surveys of the City, and the creation of the Mayor’s Environmental Commission to advise on sustainability issues, which would review and recommend changes to development processes of the City to encourage lasting practices.

• Received a private grant as a member of the Urban Sustainability Directors Network: A $20,000 grant was issued for the City of Dearborn to partner with Ann Arbor for the Michigan Network of Sustainability Staffs to encourage the best practices and share performance strategies, while discussing successes and failures.

• Applied for a Fordson Island Land Acquisition Grant: If accepted, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment will provide $400,000 for the City to purchase several lots on Fordson Island and restore them to their natural habitat. In the long term, the island will be made a publicly-accessible part of the Rouge River system. Notification as to whether the grant application has been accepted will be available in mid-spring.

• Applied for the National Clean Diesel Grant: This will retrofit 30 trucks by putting new exhaust systems on them to reduce diesel emissions and install new motors in a semi-truck. The City hopes to find out in mid-April if the funds will come in order to carry this out.

• Joined the Department of Energy’s Municipal Solid-Street Lighting Consortium: The group of cities in this consortium receives data and information on LED lighting testing and training on LED street lights.

The city of Dearborn is seeking sponsors for the installation of 200 high-efficiency lights in two downtown west Dearborn parking decks.

Dearborn has already installed solar panels and electric vehicle chargers in its new east downtown parking garage and high-efficiency LED streetlights on Oakwood, south of Michigan.

This latest plan to expand the city’s use of green technologies is part of an overall initiative forwarded by the National Adopt-A-Watt Program to encourage the installation of energy efficient lights in communities and to promote the conservation of energy.

Adopt-A-Watt, based on the successful Adopt-A-Highway program, gives sponsors community recognition for funding of clean energy, alternative fuel and energy-efficiency projects.

Individuals, companies, foundations and non-profits can learn more about the National Adopt-A-Watt Program and sponsoring opportunities in Dearborn by visiting the NAAWP website by clicking HERE.

“Dearborn is committed to green initiatives, but we must be conscious of our financial challenges,” said Dearborn Mayor John B. O’Reilly, Jr. “The Adopt-A-Watt program is a way for Dearborn to boost our energy efficiency measures and install green technology without impacting our general fund. It is also a great example of how important partnerships are to the success of green initiatives.”

The Adopt-A-Watt program will arrange and coordinate all sponsorship, financing, installation and ongoing maintenance of the 200 high efficiency lights. (more…)

WDIV, local news station channel 4, has nominated seven Dearborn establishments for its Vote 4 the Best contest’s Winter Guide edition.

Sponsored by Local 4 and www.ClickonDetroit.com, the contest has become a very popular hook in recent years. This year’s winter edition has more than 300 businesses nominated in 23 categories, six of which contain Dearborn businesses.

Up for “Best Ice Skating Rink” is the Dearborn Ice Skating Center (DISC) on Ford Road. It is competing against 18 other skating rinks, including Detroit’s popular Campus Martius Park.

The Ford Community and Performing Arts Center, with its leisure and lap pools, fitness area, and climbing wall, is nominated for “Best Indoor Activity Center,” along with 20 other places.

Dearborn’s Ford Field Park on Cherry Hill competes against nine others in the “Best Tobogganing/Sledding” category. Keeping in stride with the theme, Nichols Ski & Patio on Michigan Avenue is nominated for “Best Ski/Snowboard Shop”, along with seven other businesses.

Keeping residents warm this winter, Desert in Alaska on Tireman Ave and Reckinger Heating and Cooling on Monroe are up against each other and 19 others in the “Best Heating Service” category.

Also there to keep residents warm in a different way is Mati’s Deli on Monroe, nominated for “Best Chili”, along with 15 other restaurants, some of which have been featured on The Food Network.

Voting opens on January 17 and runs through February 18. It is free and open to all.

To help support Dearborn’s localities and vote, go to

http://wdiv-winter.cityvoter.com/ and search “Dearborn”, or type in http://www.clickondetroit.com/contests/ and go to the “Vote 4 Best Winter Guide” page.

Dearborn Mayor John B. O’Reilly, Jr. will address the city’s financial challenges, outline a vision for Dearborn and present the process for moving forward during an event hosted by the League of Women Voters at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 27 at the Henry Ford Centennial Library auditorium.

The public is invited.

O’Reilly will also review the recommendations developed by the 31-member Community Task Force in 2010.

Called Vision 2016, the report is viewed as a tool box for addressing financial challenges. The recommendations in the report provide options for the City to consider in conjunction with the budgeting process.

The recommendations include ways to generate more revenue, continued cost-cutting measures and investments to keep the city attractive for residents and businesses for the long term.

Mary Bugeia of the League will moderate the event.

Two weeks after we first posted a story about the La Shish name reappearing in Dearborn, the Detroit Free Press finally got around to writing its version, done by Associated Press reporter and Dearborn resident Jeff Karoub.

We didn’t have the name of the new owner when we first published our story but the AP story says the new owner of the La Shish is Restaurateur Carmel Halloun. Halloun told the AP he has acquired the rights to use the La Shish name and plans to open a restaurant in March in the former chain’s first location in Dearborn.

Halloun, 40, said he employs people from the former chain at his Taboon restaurants in Flint Township and Sterling Heights and uses La Shish recipes.

Halloun told the AP he is not connected to former owner Talal Chahine, who fled the U.S. in 2005 and was charged with multiple counts of tax evasion and citizenship fraud. Federal investigators, who allege Chahine skimmed $20 million in cash from his business, say they believe he’s in Lebanon.

The La Shish chain closed in 2008 after nearly 20 years in business.

Several former La Shish restaurants and its Dearborn headquarters have been acquired by a chain called the Palm Palace, including the La Shish in west Dearborn on Michigan Avenue, between Monroe and Mason. That building was purchased in a government auction last year for about $250,000. It is not clear when or if that restaurant will reopen.

Halloun’s landlord, Bilal Haidar, filed articles of incorporation for La Shish Inc. last July, after the corporation registered to Chahine dissolved, according to the Michigan Department of Labor, Energy and Economic Growth, AP says.

Dearborn lost a longtime friend, community supporter and advocate for education Friday when Alberta Muirhead died.

Muirhead, a former business owner, was a charitable woman who found many ways to give back to the community she loved so dearly. Muirhead was the namesake of Dearborn’s Teacher of the Year award, which began in 1997.

Funeral services will take place at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at Howe-Peterson Funeral Home in Dearborn. Visitation will take place from 4-9 p.m. Sunday and 1-9 p.m. Monday. Howe-Peterson is located at 22546 Michigan Ave. Interment is in Woodlawn Cemetery.

Alberta Muirhead and Russ Gibb at a 2007 fundraiser for Oakwood Hospital.

For those of you who may not know Alberta Muirhead, she and her husband John were founders and longtime owners of Muirhead’s, a Dearborn shop that started as a toy store in 1946 and developed into one of the most successful department stores in the Detroit area.

In 1983 Mr. Muirhead passed away, and in 1990, after 43 years in the retail business, Muirhead decided to close her store at Michigan and Military and dedicate her energy to a longstanding passion for community involvement and “giving back”. She later donated her building – that still bears the Muirhead name – to Oakwood.

Below is what the Dearborn Press & Guide was reporting today.

She was also a good friend to the Dearborn Animal Shelter. She received the Big Heart Award from the organization in 2006. She was a charter sponsor for the Friends’ Black Tie & Tails, served on the New Shelter Advisory Board, and generously supported animals in need.

In late 2007, Muirhead gave a $500,000 gift to the Oakwood Healthcare Foundation to support nursing education.

The contribution will create the Muirhead Scholars Program in honor of John and Alberta Muirhead. This endowment fund will assist the best and the brightest employees within the Oakwood Healthcare System in pursuing their advanced Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degrees. The full-ride scholarships is awarded annually to Oakwood employees.

“I believe, regardless of what position you are in life, you can do some good, ” Muirhead said after announcing the gift. “There are so many people out there who need help. And I think anything you can do is worthwhile.”

The East Dearborn Downtown Development Authority’s Artspace Artist Market Survey deadline has been extended until Feb.1

So if you know of any artist or arts organization, please send them a note and ask them to fill out the survey.

The East Dearborn Development Authority (EDDDA), in partnership with the City of Dearborn, continues exploring a new and creative approach to a potential economic development project with Artspace, the nation’s leading nonprofit real estate developer for the arts.

The Artspace mission is to create, foster and preserve affordable space that serves the needs of artists and arts organizations of all disciplines. These activities contribute to the continued growth of the arts community thus enhancing the cultural and economic vitality of the surrounding community. This results in these nationwide projects being community driven.

So how do you take the survey? Go to www.ArtSpaceDearborn.org (which will be live through February 1, 2011 – it only takes 10 minutes to complete, you do NOT have to be a Dearborn resident and also be sure to click to “Submit” button at the end to ensure it is processed.)

All of our lives are touched by art; look around and see the greatness it fills in our lives. Dearborn has a deep rooted and well established arts and cultural community with many existing cultural resources.

The arts and cultural industry is one of growth and has a direct economic impact on the community. Nonprofit arts and cultural organizations support more jobs then other fields, such as accountants, lawyers, public safety officers or teachers. The arts and culture industry attracts audiences, increases tourism, spurs business development and generates revenue.

With its distinct and vibrant marketplace of people, food and cultures as well as the $70 million mixed use development completed at Michigan and Schaefer, East Downtown Dearborn is well positioned to support an innovative and creative project such as the proposed Artspace.

So if you’re an artist (or you know an artist) working in any discipline (graphic design, sculpting, dance, music, writing, fashion design, painting, theater, crafts, etc), you need to participate in this survey. The results will help Artspace developers understand the living, studio and business space preferences for the creative community in metro Detroit, and demonstrate to funders how important new space is to artists and organizations in the region.

And if you’re not an artist but work with a cultural arts organization or business that serves the creative community (coffee shops, art supply and paint stores, galleries, theater companies, book stores, publishers, design firms, social service organizations, etc), your input is wanted, too.

Please visit the Artspace website at www.artspace.org to learn more about the organization and its success in other communities.

Commissioner Gary Woronchak , D-Dearborn, has been elected chairman of the Wayne County Commission for the 2011-12 term.

Gary Woronchak

Woronchak was elected at the commission’s organizational meeting Tuesday, Jan. 4. He succeeds Edward Boike Jr., D-Taylor, who served as chair for the previous term and retired from the commission at the end of December. The 15-member commission elects its officers at the first meeting of each two-year term.

Also elected to leadership positions Tuesday were Commissioner Alisha Bell, D-Detroit, who will serve as vice chair, and Commissioner Laura Cox, R-Livonia, who was elected vice chair pro tem. The 15-member commission elects its officers at the first meeting of each two-year term.

As chairman, Woronchak will be responsible for the commission’s $9.4 million budget and its employees, as well as scheduling and running meetings and appointing members to standing committees and special task forces.

Woronchak, 55, is beginning his fourth term on the commission, representing Dearborn, Allen Park and Melvindale. Prior to being elected to the commission in 2004, he served three terms in the state House of Representatives. Before government service, he worked more than 20 years as a newspaper editor.