A few years back, Dearborn kicked off a campaign called Fall into Dearborn.

It was great idea developed as a way to get people to visit Dearborn shops, restaurants, bars, museums, etc. But since its inception, the annual event appears to have lost some of its horsepower.

Enter Moose’s Martini Pub, whose owners initiated a meeting with the Dearborn Chamber of Commerce to get an event schedule rolling for this year’s event and to inspire some action in downtown West Dearborn.

So beginning this Friday, Sept. 23, and running through Saturday, Oct. 1, Fall into Dearborn will get underway again with the goal of generating extra activity through the streets of downtown West Dearborn.

For a list of activities so far planned, you can visit a facebook page for the event, set up by Moose’s Martini Pub.

“I’m trying to do what I can to stir things up downtown,” said Hisam Elawad who owns and operates Moose’s with his brother, Chad. “It seems like it’s been pretty stale and that our city and Chamber are doing little to spark the business NOW, rather than just future. The things in the pipeline are great. However, the businesses that are here and that plan to stay need some incentive and push.”

Indeed.  West Dearborn has a lot to offer and the more we can find ways to draw people to visit the better. Mark your calendars and tell your friends to do the same.

Fall Into Dearborn kicks off on Friday, Sept. 23 with the Dearborn Symphony celebrating its 50 year anniversary with its first concert of the season.  On Saturday, Les Stanford will host a massive Corvette show at its dealership on Michigan Avenue.

All week offerings, include:

• Mati’s Deli: 10% off any time this week (call 313.277.3253)

• Silky’s: Half-off drinks and appetizers

• Big Fish: $20 for 3-course meal all week

• Village Picture Frame: 40% off framed art; 25% off gallery items

• SEEN Vision: 20% off all sunglasses

• Moose’s Martini: 3-5pm Fall Craft Beer bottles $2; pints $2 from 5-7pm.

For the facebook page that lists events and all participating businesses, click HERE.

A community wide plan to address bullying, organized jointly by Dearborn Public Schools and the City of Dearborn, got off to a strong start this month due in part to an unanticipated boost in funding provided by a leading Wayne County official.

Dearborn Public Schools Supt. Brian Whiston (left) and school board president James Schoolmaster (right) accept a ceremonial check from Wayne County Commission Chairman Gary Woronchak for a $20,000 county grant to support the anti-bullying effort launched Sept. 14 jointly by the school district and the city of Dearborn.

Wayne County Commission Chairman Gary Woronchak secured a $20,000 county grant which was formally announced at the kickoff for the anti-bullying effort held Sept. 14 at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center.

Planning for the city schools program to combat bullying had been in the works for a year, but Woronchak approached school officials with the offer to help fund the effort less than two weeks before the kickoff event.

Woronchak explained that the funding is a county PASS grant. PASS (Prevention Action Services System) provides grants for programs that help young people develop academically and socially and to avoid the juvenile justice system. The county’s 2011-12 budget, which was approved by the commission last month, included funding for the grants through the Department of Children and Family Services.

“As word got out about the school district and city’s anti-bullying efforts, around the same time as we were putting final touches on the county budget, it seemed to me that this program would fit perfectly with the prevention service grants,” said Commissioner Woronchak, himself a product of Dearborn Public Schools.

School officials were pleased to learn of the grant and expressed gratitude to Woronchak for taking the initiative and quick action to obtain the funds.

“In working to put this plan together over the last year, organizers came up with many good ideas and concepts to address bullying, but some seemed out of reach because funding was going to be limited with tight budgets in the school district and city,” said Superintendent Brian Whiston. “Commissioner Woronchak bringing this unexpected grant to us just as we were about to kick off the program gave us great momentum going forward.”

Parents, students, staff and elected officials attended the Anti-Bullying Extravaganza Sept. 14. At the event, Dearborn Mayor John B. O’Reilly Jr. and Superintendent Whiston shared details of the plan, including the intended curriculum and activities for schools.

Students presented videos they created that capture the anti-bullying theme and the district rolled out the “Response to Bullying Behavior” poster contest. The winning poster will be distributed and displayed at schools, shops and homes throughout the city.

The kickoff program also featured costumed team mascots from the Detroit Tigers, Lions and Pistons, and emceed by WXYZ-TV reporter Anu Prakash.

It’s that time of year again to sign up for a city of Dearborn calendar, full of relevant information, city phone numbers and events in our city in 2012.

Dearborn residents can now order a free 2012 City of Dearborn calendar on the web from now until Nov. 4, 2011. Dearborn officials say that using the city website to order you calendar (www.cityofdearborn.org ) ensures accuracy and reduces the cost to taxpayers.

The new calendars will be mailed to Dearborn residents who place their order before Nov. 4, 2011. As a cost-saving measure, the calendar is no longer mailed to every household automatically.

The preferred method to order a calendar is to visit the city’s website, www.cityofdearborn.org

The request form can be found on the right side of the homepage. Click on “Order your 2012 Dearborn Calendar.” The direct link is HERE..

Residents without internet access can order a calendar by calling a voice mail box at 943-3003. They will be instructed to leave their complete mailing address.

Residents will also be able to find the 2012 City Calendar at www.cityofdearborn.org in January and can view or print the entire calendar or individual pages at their convenience.

Those who order a calendar should receive it in the mail before Dec. 23, 2011.

The city of Dearborn is stepping up enforcement of its ordinance regulating commercial vehicles parked in residential neighborhoods.

City leaders say they are taking this action as a way to preserve the residential character of our neighborhoods. Commercial vehicles parked illegally in these areas are subject to $60 citations ($30 if paid within three-business days.) .

In a recent four-day sweep of Dearborn, 164 citations were issued for commercial vehicles in violation of the parking ordinance.

“Dearborn residents want a safe City where people obey the laws,” said Police Commander Jimmy Solomon.

In ever increasing numbers, residents have told police that their quality of life is being affected by commercial vehicles, including semi-trucks, parked in their neighborhoods and along roadways.

“They (residents) tell us about big box trucks and semi-trucks, sometimes parked overnight, in driveways, side streets and even on main streets. These vehicles generate safety issues by blocking drivers’ views, as well as creating noise issues when left running,” Solomon said.

The Traffic and Motor Vehicles section of Dearborn’s Code of Ordinances states that it is “unlawful for any person to park any commercial vehicle on any residential street within the City or upon private property within a residential area of the City.”

Further, it is “unlawful for any person to park any commercial vehicle on any nonresidential street for a period of time longer than one hour between the hours of 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. of any day.”

People whose jobs require them to use a commercial vehicle and be on call 24-hours a day may apply for a permit through Dearborn’s Traffic Commission.

A processing fee of $50 and proof of employment are required. Details are found in Section 18-356 (Parking of Commercial Vehicles) of Dearborn’s Code of Ordinances.

Additional information may be obtained from the Dearborn Police Traffic Bureau at 943-2275.

Dan Merritt, co-owner of Dearborn’s Green Brain Comics, sent over this news to us about the 50^th anniversary of the Fantastic Four and a tribute that will be held at his store.  Drop by and see the exhibit and say hello to Dan. The news begins below:

Fifty years ago a new “world” was created. Ushered into existence by creators Jack Kirby and Stan Lee, the Marvel Universe was born with the first issue of Fantastic Four in November, 1961.

​To pay tribute to this visionary comic book, and its lasting impact on popular culture, you need a suitably grandiose concept. Green Brain Comics’ co-owner and Headspace Gallery curator Dan Merritt came up with one: Assign 26 different artists a page each of the landmark issue’s entire contents (The cover and 25 interior story pages). Each artist was asked to bring their own style to the page while staying loyal to the original content and intent of the overall issue.

The results of this tribute will be on display in Green Brain Comics’ Headspace Gallery starting on Wednesday, September 21 with an opening reception from 7-10pm. The exhibit will be shown through Dec. 31, 2011.

Many local artists will be featured, including contributions from Dave Acosta, John Nagridge, James Anderson and Sean Bieri. Admission to the reception is free, however, we will be accepting donations for the nonprofit arts and literacy advocacy group KIDS READ COMICS.

HEADSPACE GALLERY is located inside GREEN BRAIN COMICS at13210 Michigan Avenuein East Downtown Dearborn. For more information check the website HERE or call 313-582-9444​

Residents living in the Dearborn Hills who awaked Wednesday and noticed the water coming into their homes was a rusty color shouldn’t be alarmed as a water main break is the culprit.

Water department officials with the city of Dearborn tell DeepsaidWhat that a water main break on Denwood, between Mohawk and Merridan, broke Wednesday morning and crews are now making repairs. The 12 inch diameter pipe that broke on Denwood feeds homes in the sounding neighborhoods.

The water discoloration noticed by some residents is simply rust in the pipes mixing with the water coming into homes. While we are told it is not a safety issue, it certainly isn’t nice to look at nor is it a good idea to wash white clothes with the water at this time.

Dearborn Water department officials say the main will be repaired by day’s end and the water lines will be flushed.

Dearborn’s Stucchi’s ice cream shop on Telegraph will be serving up single scoops of ice cream for just 25 cents today (Sept. 13) between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. to celebrate Stucchi’s 25th anniversary.

For three hours, the Dearborn location of Stucchi’s, at 1338 North Telegraph, will provide you a scoop of your favorite ice cream for just a quarter.

Stucchi’s is a locally owned ice cream chain, with stores in Ann Arbor and the surrounding area.

Dearborn residents are invited to discover the results of three public workshops and an online survey that contributed to the creation of a new master plan for the city, at a meeting at 7 p.m. Sept. 20 at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center.

The Summation Workshop will be in Club Room One of The Center, 15801 Michigan Ave.

Dearborn’s new master plan is being developed as a vision for the future of transportation, land use, the economy and environmental and cultural stewardship in the city.

The master plan will help determine the physical characteristics of the city and facilitate the renovation of the community residents want to see for the long term.

Three public workshops on different neighborhoods of the city have already been presented. As part of the process, residents also had a chance to take an online survey to give input on the desirable features they’d like Dearborn to cultivate.

The city of Dearborn will be activating its citywide Emergency Warning Sirens at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 11 in observation of the National Moment of Remembrance. Residents are advised not to call the police when they hear the sirens.

The city of Dearborn is observing the 10th anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001 in two important ways: by promoting the National Moment of Remembrance at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 11 and by partnering with The Henry Ford and the Dearborn Area Ministerial Association (DAMA) for a public Remembrance and Unity Ceremony at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 11

The National Moment of Remembrance, initiated by the U.S. Senate, asks all people in America to cease work or other activity at 1 p.m. September 11.

It is also asked that the moment be marked in an appropriate manner, including by ringing bells, blowing whistles, or sounding sirens at 1 p.m. Dearborn will be activating its citywide Emergency Warning Sirens.

The Dearborn City Council, upon request of Mayor John B. O’Reilly, Jr., approved the resolution in support of the National Moment of Remembrance at Tuesday’s council meeting. The resolution is attached.

In addition, Mayor O’Reilly is inviting the public to attend the Remembrance and Unity Vigil Sunday on the lawn of the Henry Ford Museum, the same site that hosted a community candlelight ceremony in September, 2001.

The City is joining with The Henry Ford and DAMA, as well as the Dearborn Public Schools, the Vanguard Voices and other community members to honor those who perished on September 11, recognize the changes that the event brought to all of our lives, and to look forward with hope, empowered by strong community connections.

Mayor O’Reilly and Gov. Rick Snyder will speak and the ceremony will be hosted by Patricia Mooradian, president of The Henry Ford.

Local clergy will offer prayers and reflections, and members of the community will light candles in memory of the victims, and in honor of the heroes and families still touched by the tragedy.

Other members of the community will present hopeful visions for a more peaceful world.

The ceremony should last about one hour and will be presented regardless of the weather. Candles will be provided. Chairs will be available only for people who are disabled.

Dearborn’s newest Mexican restaurant is now open for business.

Frida Mexican Cuisine, 22053 Michigan Ave. in downtown West Dearborn, officially opened its doors today. We first wrote about the business coming to Dearborn back in April.

Owner Ricardo Gutierrez tells DeepsaidWhat.com that Thursday’s opening is part of a soft ramp-up to the restaurant’s grand opening in a couple of weeks.

Frida will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. Breakfast is served all-day beginning at 8 a.m. Hours are Sunday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. and on Friday and Saturday until 2 a.m., to catch Dearborn’s bar crowd. Gutierrez says his restaurant will have a full bar in December.

Those who visit the restaurant for lunch in September will receive complimentary soft drinks, Gutierrez says.

Dearborn's newest Mexican restaurant, Frida, serves up a tasty selection of food.

Frida’s menu will offer a tasty selection of traditional Mexican food to the more popular Mexican mainstays. There also is a more contemporary food selection on the menu from salmon to fish tacos.

Gutierrez says he chose Dearborn as the place to open his first restaurant because he was familiar with the area, as he earned his MBA at the University of Michigan-Dearborn.

“I wanted to bring Southwest Mexican food closer to Dearborn,” said Gutierrez, who opened the restaurant with this mother, Laurdes. “I am doing this concept with my mother . . . So you can count on good homemade cooking.”

Gutierrez is no stranger to good Mexican food. He served as a general manager and administrator at a Mexican restaurant in southwest Detroit and also worked at the Hyatt Regency in Cancun, Mexico, as part of his food and beverage undergraduate study.

Gutierrez says he named the restaurant Frida’s after the famous Mexican painter, Frida Kahlo, who was married to another famous Mexican artist with ties to Detroit, Diego Rivera.

“Frida Kahlo has some very couple famous paintings about Detroit and its Mexican culture,” Gutierrez said. “She has roots. We have five replicas of her art work in our restaurant.”

We wish Gutierrez and his new restaurant the best of luck in Dearborn. Hopefully they too will establish deep roots in our city.