Dearborn Library is offering a Food for Fines program June 3-14, with all donated items given to the Dearborn Firefighters for distribution to needy local families through the Burn Drive program.

Library patrons may donate non-perishable, non-expired food items and receive $1 reduction in overdue library fines for every item donated.

All Dearborn libraries will be accepting canned or boxed food items in exchange for reductions in overdue library fines.

While there is no limit on the number of items donated nor to the amount of fines cleared, it can only be used for overdue items. Fines and fees for lost or damaged library items or library accounts in collection status are not eligible for the Food for Fines program.

Food items must be non-perishable, not expired, and larger than single-serving size. Acceptable food items include: canned soup; instant potatoes; pancake mix; canned juice, vegetables, and fruit; rice; pasta; macaroni and cheese; and similar items.

For more information, call 313-943-2330.

Those with unpaid parking or traffic tickets within the city of Dearborn can settle old debts without additional collection costs as part of a one-time amnesty program being offered by the 19th District Court.

The program, which kicked off Wednesday, ends Friday, June 14. The court is offering the amnesty program as a way to clear up a backlog of files. Once free from the backlog, the court will be moving more aggressively to enforce and collect all unpaid tickets, including all penalties and late fees.

Included in the program are:

• All payable parking and traffic civil infraction tickets issued by the Dearborn Police Department, Michigan State Police and Wayne County Sheriff’s Department, within the City of Dearborn.

• Individuals for whom arrest warrants have been issued for failure to appear in court on their civil infraction will have their arrest warrant lifted. These individuals may come to court without fear of being arrested for their voluntary appearance.

• The 19th District Court Judges have authorized that for this period of amnesty the ticket will be reduced to the original fine and a $45.00 suspension fee if applicable. Upon full payment, the court will notify the Secretary of State to lift the suspension.

• No Payment Plans. The court says all payments must be cash, certified check, money order or credit card.

The Food Truck Rally will return to Dearborn on Fridays, beginning May 17 at various locations in west downtown Dearborn. Other dates include June 7, July 12, Aug. 9, Sept. 20 and Oct. 11.

Mobile food trucks will roll into Dearborn for much of the outdoor recreation season at events hosted by the West Dearborn Downtown Development Authority, as well as at Dearborn’s Homecoming festival.

Food trucks are mobile restaurants serving “street food”—ranging from hamburgers, hot dogs and tacos to gourmet sandwiches and specialty dishes.

Pending City Council approval expected May 14, the West Dearborn Downtown Development Authority will host six Dearborn Food Truck Rallies in 2013.

The events will take place at various locations in west downtown Dearborn on the following Fridays from 5-9 p.m.: May 17, June 7, July 12, Aug. 9, Sept. 20 and Oct. 11.

The June 7 Food Truck Rally will be part of the West Dearborn Block Party. The block party, a celebration of local business and live music, will take place June 7-8.

The July 12 and Aug. 9 rallies will take place alongside concerts as part of the West Dearborn Concert Series, held behind the Bryant Library.

Additionally, the popular food trucks will be part of the offerings at the Dearborn Homecoming Festival this summer. For the first time, food truck vendors will pair with local nonprofits to join in efforts to raise funds for good causes, as well as to feed hungry festival goers.

The Homecoming Festival will take place Aug. 2-4 in Ford Field Park.

Watch for more information on the upcoming series of Dearborn Food Truck Rallies from the West Dearborn Downtown Development Authority on their Facebook page.

Residents interested in following the discussion on the City of Dearborn’s proposed Fiscal Year 2014 budget will be able to follow the meetings in person or review the budget on the city’s website.

For reasons unknown, the budget hearing schedule is subject to change, apparently the result of a Council that can’t even lock in dates. As a result, you’ll need to get the latest updates on hearing dates at the city’s website, www.cityofdearborn.org

Important dates include the public hearing on the budget, which is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 23 in the City Council Chambers. The public is invited to give comments and ask questions about the proposed budget at this hearing.

The City Council is scheduled to adopt the proposed budget at a public meeting at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 28 in the City Council Chambers. The Fiscal Year 2014 budget begins July 1, 2013 and ends June 30, 2014.

Leading up to the budget hearing and adoption are workshops between Mayor John B. O’Reilly, Jr. and his administration and the City Council.

All budget workshops are at 5:30 p.m. in the Mayor’s Conference Room on the second floor of the east wing of City Hall, except where noted.

The first workshop is Wednesday, April 24. An overview of the budget will be given to the City Council at this time.

From there, the following is a tentative schedule, subject to change by the City Council:

• Wednesday, May 1 (Council Conference Room). Topics: Fire Department and the Dearborn Administrative Center.

• Monday, May 6. Topics: Police Department and City Technology Plan.

• Tuesday, May 7. Topics: Recreation and Parks, including Mystic Creek, the Camp Dearborn Re-investment Plan and Studio A and Theater Challenges.

• Wednesday, May 8. Topics: District Court and Inspection Services Benchmarking Request for Proposals.

• Wednesday, May 15. Topics: Public Works, including street weeping, county/state roads cleanup policies and enforcement, and potential outsourcing opportunities in the future.

Documents related to the proposed Fiscal Year 2014 budget are posted at www.cityofdearborn.org

Spring is in the air and with it comes the time for planting the many flower beds and planter boxes that occupy public spaces, grace various intersections and welcome all at the entrances to Dearborn.

This year the City of Dearborn, together with the Dearborn Community Fund (DCF), is offering the opportunity for residents and local businesses to become a “petal pusher” by sponsoring the planting of annual flowers. Donated funds will be used for the purchase of plants, bed preparation, upkeep and fall bed maintenance.

A variety of sponsor recognition levels are available and range from $50 to $5,000. Sponsors at every giving level will be recognized in a special resolution passed by the Dearborn City Council, through CDTV announcements, on the City of Dearborn website and a media release. Sponsors of $1,000 or more will be acknowledged with signage, if site appropriate, and on the DCF donor wall located in the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center lobby.

Plantings occur citywide and include landmark sites such as the Dearborn Historical Museum Commandants’ Quarters, Henry Ford Centennial Library, and Dearborn City Hall. Among the entrance sites are Telegraph at Ford Road, Michigan Avenue at Gulley, Michigan Avenue at Wyoming and more.

Donations for the “Petal Pusher” program are made payable to the Dearborn Community Fund, a 501c3 non-profit organization with the mission to support cultural and recreational programs in Dearborn. Donations are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by law.

For more complete details on the “Petal Pusher” sponsorship opportunity and additional planting sites, contact the DCF at 313-943-5478.

An upcoming informational meeting will allow Dearborn residents to learn about a project that will help revitalize several Dearborn neighborhoods through the construction and sale of new homes.

The meeting will be 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 9 at the Esper Branch Library, 12929 W. Warren Ave.

The City of Dearborn, Habitat for Humanity Detroit, Wayne County and ACCESS have partnered to build 12 new homes to sell in Dearborn.

Preference for sale of the homes will be given to working families that include veterans and victims of domestic abuse, and who live in Wayne County.

Construction on the first of six homes is expected to begin the week of April 16 on Neckel Street between Gould and Diversey.

Volunteers, families and sponsors will join Habitat for Humanity staff to build the homes on Tuesdays through Saturdays from 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Residents near the construction sites, as well as any interested community members, are invited to attend the informational meeting.

Attendees will be learn about Habitat for Humanity’s mission, as well as the process, timeline and goals of the City of Dearborn project.

Information will also be available on applying to volunteer, or to become a Habitat for Humanity homeowner.

Questions on the meeting or the project can be directed to Habitat for Humanity Detroit at 313-521-6691, ext 503.

Henry Ford’s Fair Lane – 150 Years will debut in the Rotunda Lobby of the Henry Ford Centennial Library on April 18. The exhibit runs through May 10.

An art exhibit opening in April will pay tribute to Dearborn’s most notable former resident, and his beloved home.

Henry Ford’s Fair Lane – 150 Years will debut in the Rotunda Lobby of the Henry Ford Centennial Library, 16301 Michigan Avenue, on April 18.

The exhibit honors Henry Ford—who would have celebrated his 150th birthday on July 31, 2013—as well as his wife, Clara.

The showcase will feature works created by members of the Artists’ Society of Dearborn (ASD) and inspired by the Fair Lane Estate. The estate, a National Historic Landmark, was built in 1909.

According to ASD President and local photographer Teresa Lousias, the works were created at the request of former Estate Curator Susan McCabe, who approached the society in April of last year regarding a tribute to the Fords.

“The ASD accepted this challenge to create their own interpretation by visiting the inside of the estate,” Lousias said. “We were able to photograph and sketch the interior.”

Also included in this exhibit will be some past works by the society focusing on the Model T, the estate, and its grounds and gardens.

An opening reception will be 6-8 p.m. on April 18 in the HFCL Rotunda Lobby, and is free and open to the public.

Attendees will be able to view a video history of the Fair Lane Estate, as well as Henry and Clara Ford.

A program will begin at 7 p.m. Speakers will include Dearborn Mayor John B. O’Reilly, Jr.; Edsel and Eleanor Ford House Vice President of Collections and Visitor Experience Mark Heppner; Artists’ Society of Dearborn President Teresa Lousias; Dearborn Public Library Director Maryanne Bartles; and Edsel and Eleanor Ford House President Kathleen Mullins.

Refreshments will be provided by the Edsel and Eleanor Ford House.

The exhibit will continue through May 10.

Artworks at the show, created by the society’s 40 members, will include photographs, drawings, paintings and three-dimensional pieces. All works will be for sale.

“It is our pleasure to create an exhibit for Henry Ford—one of the most prominent citizens of the City of Dearborn,” Lousias said.

The Artists’ Society of Dearborn is a 40-member group that works toward promoting the arts and local artists in the city. Formed in 1949, members include painters, pen and ink artists, photographers, wood carvers, sculptors, fabric designers, quilt makers, and jewelry and tile makers.

Dearborn Public Library and DFCU Financial, Michigan’s largest credit union headquartered in Dearborn, are continuing a series of financial education seminars to help you prepare for your financial future.

The seminars will be presented by Charles Hoff, an accredited financial counselor through the Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education, who has been with DFCU Financial for more than 15 years.

The series continues with:

• Pre-Retirement Wealth Builder, 10:30 a.m. to Noon on Saturday, April 6. This session will teach you strategies to money management that will get you to retirement in a financially healthy state.

• Post-Retirement Wealth Retention, 10:30 a.m. to Noon on Saturday, May 4. This seminar will provide guidance on how to preserve what you’ve accumulated while offering ideas on how to live comfortably on less income during retirement.

All seminars will be in the auditorium of Henry Ford Centennial Library, 16301 Michigan Avenue.

Registration is required for these free seminars. You may sign up for one or both by calling the Henry Ford Centennial Library Adult Reference Desk at (313) 943-2330.

Updates on conceptual plans for development of the area surrounding Dearborn’s new train station is set for April 8.

An informational session on April 8 will give the Dearborn community updates on conceptual plans for development of the area surrounding the City’s new train station, as well as a chance to provide feedback on the final design recommendations.

The event will be in Studio A of the Ford Community and Performing Arts Center from 7-9 p.m. and is open to residents, business owners, commuters who work in Dearborn, college and university students and other Dearborn stakeholders.

The meeting is part of the Transit Oriented Development (TOD) initiative that seeks to capitalize on the new train station’s ability to draw more visitors, businesses and residents to Dearborn’s west downtown. The train station is scheduled to open in early 2014.

Through a grant awarded the city from MIPlace Partnership, planners from Michigan State University and experts from the Michigan Municipal League and the Michigan State Housing Development Authority are assisting city staff and stakeholders with creating a vision for the neighborhoods, parkland and business area near the train station.

Although the conceptual designs are not binding, the exercise will help to focus the City’s efforts when considering future development.

Public sessions held in December and January and led by the design team allowed residents and other stakeholders to generate ideas about how they would like the area to be developed. Suggestions focused on creating green space, fostering community involvement and honoring Dearborn’s rich heritage.

At the April 8 meeting, the team will return to give community members the opportunity to view and comment on the TOD design recommendations created based on those earlier design sessions.

The team will walk participants through various depictions of how the area could be developed, as well as give a summary of their final report on the design concepts.

The event will include the next steps in the process and details about the final TOD community celebration.

For more information, please call Liz Hendley in the City Plan Office at 313-943-2171.

Dearborn’s outdoor pool season is just around the corner, and residents can prepare by purchasing swim tags and registering for swimming lessons at the service desk of the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center, beginning April 1.

Seven types of swim tags, good for admittance to Dearborn’s six outdoor pools this summer, are available.

Infants (under age two) are free.

Preschool, $15. Parents must present a copy of the child’s birth certificate and proof of residency.

Youth (ages 17 and under), $35. Must present school-issued ID card.

Adult (ages 18-59), $45. Must present proof of residency.

Senior (ages 60 and over), $35. Must present proof of residency.

Family (both parents and all children under the age of 18), $100. Proof of residency for parents and birth certificate(s) for children are required.

Non-Resident, $80

Pool tags must be sewn on swim suits prior to admittance.

Swim lessons, conducted Monday through Thursday in two-week sessions, feature instruction at beginner, intermediate and advanced levels and run for 30 minutes. Make-up lessons, if necessary, are held on Fridays.

Sessions offered at Dunworth Pool run June 17-27, July 1-11 (lessons July 5, but not July 4), July 15-25 and July 29-August 8.

Sessions offered at the city’s other five outdoor pools run June 17-27, July 1-11 (lessons July 5, but not July 4) and July 15-25.

Cost: $50 for Dearborn residents and $60 for non-residents. Non-resident registration begins June 3. All participants must also purchase a swim tag.

The service desk is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

For further information, call 943-2350.