Camp Dearborn’s annual summer tradition — the Beach Bash, held in celebration of Independence Day — will  take place on Saturday, July 4.  It will feature an open air concert by the popular band, Fifty Amp Fuse, from 6-10 p.m., followed by a spectacular fireworks display over the lake.

Visitors to Camp Dearborn can also enjoy the park’s acres of picnic sites, half mile swimming beach, paddle boat rentals, fishing and mini-golf. For more information, click HERE.

With an eye towards introducing people to its more than 180 businesses, the East Dearborn Downtown Development Authority (EDDDA) and Smooth Jazz V 98.7 FM are teaming up to launch their own series of Wednesday concerts at City Hall Park beginning July 22.

In all, there will be five free concerts in July and August.  The concerts will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday evenings, July 22, 29 and August 12, 19 and 26.  The July 22 concert will feature Detroit jazz artist, Alexander Zonjic & Friends.

Performances by other well known Detroit area jazz artists include David Myles & the Mylestones, Jessie Coleman, Penny Wells and The Brothers Groove.

The five concerts will be in addition to the Dearborn Recreation Department’s “Music Under the Stars” concert that will be held at 7:30 p.m. July 30, also at City Hall Park.  The city’s Music Under the Stars series of concerts takes place at various locations throughout Dearborn during the summer and have been well received by residents.

EDDDA Director Michael Boettcher says area businesses have been looking for a reasons to stay open later and the free outdoor summer concerts provide an opportunity to possibly attract new customers.

To learn more about all the EDDDA has to offer, you can visit their new website by clicking HERE.

If you haven’t visited the Henry Ford Estate recently, one of Dearborn’s unique landmarks, here is a new reason to do so.

The Artists’ Society of Dearborn has been invited by the Henry Ford Estate to exhibit original works of art created by its members of and about the grounds of the estate. Capturing the Beauty: The Landscape of Henry Ford Estate will display work in many media throughout the home and The Pool Restaurant from June 30th-Aug. 31.

An opening reception is set for Tuesday, June 30th from 6-8 pm at the Estate. All are invited. 

From a modest beginning in 1949 when 25 individuals interested in art met in Pansy Taylor’s living room, The Artists’ Society of Dearborn continues to grow. Its members share and develop through art, while contributing to our community. The Artists’ Society of Dearborn is an umbrella member of The Dearborn Community Arts Council.

Henry Ford Estate-Fair Lane, A National Historic Landmark, is located on the campus of the University of Michigan-Dearborn. This national treasure is an exceptional historic site that sheds light on our history and helps explain our past. Rich with technical and architectural wonders, the 31,000-square-foot estate was the family home of Henry Ford and his wife, Clara, for more than 30 years.

The Estate stands as a reminder of Dearborn’s part in shaping the history of the world. It’s a unique landmark where one can celebrate, dine, shop and explore. Tours are available Tuesday – Sunday 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. The Pool Restaurant is open Tuesday – Friday from 11 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. for lunch. For more information please call 313-593-5590 or visit www.henryfordestate.org

Get ready for some major traffic headaches Monday along a quarter mile stretch of Michigan Avenue in the west Dearborn business district.

Traffic along Michigan Avenue will be reduced to one lane in each direction from Monroe to 700 feet east of Brady to accommodate the city’s storm sewer separation project along Michigan Avenue.

Construction begins Monday, June 22, and will last about seven weeks.

The sewer separation is part of the City’s Combined Sewer Overflow Control Project, which is mandated by the federal government.

The majority of the construction over the seven weeks will take place from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. to reduce the inconvenience created by this improvement project. However, some of the work may be performed during the day, such as concrete paving.

With Dearborn’s 14th annual Arab International Festival now smoothly underway this weekend, we thought it might be worth reflecting for a moment on the media controversy unnecessarily created about our city by an evangelical Christian group from Anaheim, California.

Websites and newspapers across the country carried the story about the Christian group’s lawsuit against Dearborn, alleging the city violated its rights by restricting access to the annual festival that draws some 300,000 people.

Dearborn, however, did not violate anyone’s rights. This was never about an Arab festival or a city having issues with the group, Arabic Christian Perspective. It was simply about maintaining safety and crowd control, which is the city’s job.

U.S. District Judge Nancy Edmunds agreed, denying the group permission to hand out literature on the sidewalks. “It appears to be a legitimate governmental interest for crowd control and safety,” Edmunds said in denying the request. “The festival area is more akin to a fair than a normal city street.”

As it is, the city of Dearborn, which does not run the festival, is allowing the group to hand out literate at the entrance to the festival this weekend.

The reality is that Arabic Christian Perspective was trying to make this something it was not — a violation of free speech rights. This wasn’t about being denied the right to convert Muslims to Christianity. This was about grabbing headlines and creating controversy. On those two fronts, the group can claim success.

One simple fact seemingly lost by most media outlets was that this group could have simply purchased space to be at the festival for just $150, the same amount three other Christian groups and some 137 other organizations paid to be inside the festival area.

If this were simply about proselytizing efforts, the group, which claims to have spent $50,000 on printed materials for use in Dearborn, surely could have afforded an additional $150 to have a booth at the festival. We wonder what the group would have done if festival organizers simply paid the booth fee for them and told them to come for free.

We hope the group will respect Dearborn’s laws in the future. And, next time, simply get a table.

At full capacity with cats, the Dearborn Animal Shelter is asking cat lovers to step up to ease the strain during June’s Adopt-a-Cat month and the shelter’s Feline Family Fun Day on Saturday, June 20.

“We’re at our limit,” said Elaine Greene, Friends executive director. “(We have) 211 cats at the shelter and 97 more in foster care.”

Cat overpopulation is a perennial summer problem. However, the Dearborn Animal Shelter’ overflowing capacity is due in part to an unexpected situation. “We were called in to rescue over 40 cats from a single resident,” Greene said. “So, of course, we made room for them.”

The additional felines now are overcrowding the shelter’s “Cat House. Educating the community about cat awareness is an essential element of Adopt-a-Cat month and the Feline Family Fun Day.

 “Throughout the year we encourage owners to spay and neuter their cats and to microchip them,” Greene said. “This June we want to put a giant spotlight on cat concerns. We will also be extending our special cat adoption rate of $20 through June 30. We’re doing everything we possibly can to help cats in need.”

Greene also is encouraging residents to become part of the Dearborn Animal Shelter’s Bed & Breakfast Foster Family program. “We could not be successful without our wonderful foster families. We train families in cat care and supply them with kitty essentials, but they provide the love.”

Betty is one of many cats the Dearborn Animal Shelter is searching to find a home.

Those planning to attend Feline Family Fun Day this Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. can take part in a number of activities, including free Kitty 101 classes to help novice cat owners learn how to live with and care for cats; a Kitten Garden sale featuring cat-friendly plants; and Kids Kitty Krafts, such as face painting and sifting for prizes. At noon, Roary, the Detroit Lions mascot, will join the festivities. From 1:00 until 3:00, Dr. Shera Dickey from St. Julian’s Cat Care Clinic will be on hand to answer your cat questions. Dr. Dickey is the Dearborn Animal Shelter’s local cat expert and will provide tips on creative ways to enrich your cat’s indoor environment.

In honor of Adopt-a-Cat month, the Animal Shelter will reduce the cost of adoption for cats four months and older to just $20.00. This is a 75 percent adoption fee reduction and includes all the usual benefits: spay/neuter, microchipping, vaccinations, kitty comforter, and training DVD.  The first 15 cat adopters on June 20 will receive a “stimulus bonus”: a kitty starter kit, which includes litter box, litter, scoop, food samples, and toys.

If you are interested in becoming a foster family, please contact the Dearborn Animal Shelter at (313) 943-2697 or stop by the Dearborn Animal Shelter, located at 2661 Greenfield Rd.. Donations and inquiries may also be made online at www.DearbornAnimals.org

The Dearborn Farmers & Artisan’s Market will enter its second year in downtown Dearborn when it opens the 2009 season this Friday.

The market has a new location this year, moving to the outside of Bryant Library at the corner of Michigan and Mason. For 2009, the market is actually opening six weeks earlier than in 2008, a very good thing in our book, and starting an hour earlier, opening at 8 a.m. and running until 1 p.m. The early start is a smart addition as it should allow more people to stop at the market before heading to work.

There has been a lot of discussion on this website about why the market is on a Friday, rather than a Saturday. We think holding the market on a Friday can be advantageous as many more people work in Dearborn than live, a possible benefit to vendors and it shows off our city to non-residents, too.

We caught up with Joan Reed, market manager for the Dearborn Farmers & Artisan’s Market, to have her explain the Friday vs. Saturday choice, as well as all of the other fantastic changes for the 2009 season that we think will make the market an even bigger success.

“The Dearborn Farmers & Artisan’s Market is on Fridays rather than Saturday because last year most vendors who I felt would be right for our Market said Friday was the day most would be available,” Reed said. “Many vendors have been going to other Markets for a number of years on Saturday and some actually do 3 or 4 on Saturdays. Yes, it would be nice to have a Saturday Market but our community needs to support our market on Fridays for the time being.”

In addition to the earlier start time and more visible location along Michigan Avenue, the Dearborn Farmers & Artisan’s Market has added the Henry Ford Community College as a sponsor, who will be hosting cooking demonstrations. There also will be music most mid-mornings, children’s activities and more vendors, too.

“We’ll probably average 28 vendors this year versus last year’s 18-22,” Reed said. “The majority will be farmers and food vendors and, like last year, all farmers will only be selling their own Michigan grown products without any ‘middle men.’

“We’re excited to have many new vendors this year, including four new produce vendors. Just a few of our new vendors include Cheekymonkeysfoods with Fair Trade Organic Coffee and Tea, along with organic baked goods; Tracina’s Gourmet Specialties with frozen gnocchi and sauces that are all natural; and Natural Local Food Express with beef and bison products.”

There also will be a variety of other products to select from, including seasonal produce and fruit, honey, meats, breads, cookies, coffee, cheese, soy candles, soaps, pastas, salsas, mustards, flowers, cherry drinks, and pickles.

“The Dearborn Farmers and Artisan’s Market is a great opportunity to purchase fresh, local Michigan products in a convivial setting while enjoying your Dearborn neighbors,” Reed said. “We will have music most weeks mid morning. The Culinary Arts Dept of HFCC will be hosting cooking demonstrations June 12, 2009, with more planned in the future. Children’s Activities will be in conjunction with Bryant Library the first Friday of each month, and we’re looking forward to having the Dearborn Fire Department bring a hook and ladder for the children to enjoy in the latter part of June. Like last year, the Master Gardeners will be present every week to answer questions and provide tips on gardening and landscaping.”

For those wondering about parking, it is available in any of the city lots close to the Market. Cost is free until 9:30 a.m., and the city has agreed to limit the maximum amount charged during the market hours to $1.00 for any time beyond half hour.

We think the Dearborn Farmers & Artisan’s Market is a great addition to Dearborn’s downtown. It’s success will hinge on the participation of all of us here. Here’s to a successful 2009 season!

Some big cats will be out on the links on Monday, June 8, to “roar” their support for the 16th annual Critter Invitational golf outing that benefits the Friends For the Dearborn Animal Shelter.

Detroit Lions quarterback Drew Stanton, a longtime ambassador of the Friends, will be teeing up and possibly bringing some of his Lions teammates.

For the past six years the Detroit Lions Foundation and Detroit Lions players have been advocates for the Dearborn Animal Shelter. Players and their four-legged family members are featured in the annual Detroit Lions Pet Calendar with all proceeds benefiting the Friends. In addition, players such as George Foster, Ernie Sims, Don Muhlbach, and Stanton attend Friends fund-raisers throughout the year.

“We consider the players and the entire Detroit Lions organization to be part of our extended family,” explains Kelle Sisung, Friends Development Director. “They are always there when we need them. And, considering June is Adopt a Cat Month, it’s terrific that we have some big cats on our team.”

The Critter Invitational will feature several live auction items donated by the Detroit Lions. The first is a VIP package with 4 club tickets to the Lions vs. Washington Redskins game on September 27, 2009, at Ford Field and 4 passes to go down on the field and watch pre-game warm-ups on the Lions’ sideline. The second item is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to spend the Lions vs. St. Louis Rams game on November 1, 2009, in the radio broadcast booth with play-by-play announcer Dan Miller and color analyst Jim Brandstatter.

A very special addition to Critter Invitational 2009 is a chance to have your pet featured on the cover of the 2010 Detroit Lions Pet Calendar. Plus, the winner gets the opportunity to rub elbows with Lions players at the official photo shoot at either Ford Field or the Allen Park training facility. Only 100 tickets will be sold prior to, and at the golf outing. The winner will be announced after the live auction on June 9.

Tickets are $50 and may be purchased by calling the Dearborn Animal Shelter at (313) 943-2697 or visiting the Web site at www.DearbornAnimals.org . The $50 donation is tax deductible.

For the third year, the Critter Invitational is sponsored by Norma Wallis, CEO of Livernois Vehicle Development. And, since 2005, the event has been emceed by WJBK Fox 2 sports director Dan Miller, who also serves as honorary chair.

“The Critter Invitational gets better every year,” says Wallis. “On June 8, we’ll have yoga stretching thanks to Sattva Yoga Center and some pretty unique animal-themed golfer challenges, like the Furball Contest! At the end of day, however, it’s all about helping animals who need us.”

The 16th annual Critter Invitational will be held on Monday, June 8, at the Dearborn Country Club, located at 800 N. Military St. in Dearborn, Michigan. Tickets are $225 each and include a round of scramble format golf, golfer’s doggie bag, continental breakfast with a Bloody Mary bar, open beverage cart on the course, drinks, hors d’oeuvres, entertainment on the patio before dinner, and a sumptuous dinner buffet with two-hour open bar.

For non-golfers or folks who who are a bit rusty at golf (think us here) you still can support the homeless animals by purchasing tickets to the dinner for $75 each. Both ticket packages include admittance to the silent and live auctions. We have done that a number of times here and it’s a great evening and the food is always great at the Country Club.

The Friends For the Dearborn Animal Shelter is 501C3 non-profit organization. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the Friends’ web site at www.DearbornAnimals.org call (313) 943-2697 or drop a note to Kelle Sisung, Friends Development Director at ksisung@aol.com. You may also stop by the Dearborn Animal Shelter, located at 2661 Greenfield Road in Dearborn. It’s a good way to meet some of the volunteers and pet a few of our furry four-legged friends, too.

We realize Dearborn’s Memorial Day parade has now come and gone but two Dearborn High School graduates sent on to us some photographs and video that captured the parade so we wanted to share them with you here again.

Thanks Raad and Mike for capturing for all of us here a look back at Dearborn’s 85th annual Memorial Day Parade.

For a slide show of the parade, please click HERE.

The video is posted below.

Mark your calendar for June 2. That’s when the Dearborn Historic Aviation Property Owners’ Association and the City of Dearborn will hold a rededication ceremony of Basse Park at 6:30 p.m.

The park, located north of Warren Avenue, between Miller and Manor Roads, was originally dedicated in 1998 in memory of Arthur Basse, a longtime resident and active community leader of Dearborn.

Anne Basse, Arthur’s wife, donated swing sets and a merry-go-round as well as other pieces of equipment when the City dedicated the park in honor of her husband.

At the age of 91, Anne continues to participate in organizations that she and her late husband supported and remains an involved City resident.

Mayor John B. O’Reilly, Jr. will preside at the rededication and a new sign will be installed. Following the rededication, the Aviation Property Owners’ Association will hold a neighborhood meeting at Esper Library, 12929 W. Warren Avenue