Pure Farmington: A fundraiser at Salon Legato

Maureen McCarthy

Participants and supporters of “Clip for a Cause,” a fund-raiser for a Michigan non-profit that makes human hair wigs for children with a variety of medical conditions, celebrated their success tonight at Salon Legato in Downtown Farmington.

Maureen McCarthy explained the party marked the end of a five-year journey, during which she, her friend Jennifer Franklin, and their daughters Lynn and Sophia, grew out their hair to donate to Children With Hairloss, based in South Rockwood. McCarthy said they wanted the end of their journey to be something special, so they worked with Salon Legato’s owner Diane Cassidy to plan a unique fund-raiser. From May 15-July 3, anyone who came in to donate hair would get a free cut. In addition, funds were raised through per-inch pledges.

In all, Salon Legato did 30 haircuts, for a total of 327 inches, and “Clip for a Cause” raised more than $1,500. Children with Hairloss volunteers at the event, Judy Osborne and her mother, Barbara Gilliam, pointed out their organization has just 5-7% overhead costs, and the vast majority of funds are used to provide services.

Judy Osborne, left, and Barbara Gilliam show the t-shirt available to those who donate their hair, with a cash contribution.

That’s just one of the reasons McCarthy and Franklin chose Children with Hairloss. The organization provides all services free of charge. Each recipient receives a full wig, a more comfortable half-wig with a cap, hair care products, brushes and other accessories. Wigs are replaced – again, free of charge – each year, until the child turns 21.

Judy recounted several stories of children who were painfully shy because of their hair loss. One girl didn’t event want to come out of her mother’s car, until she received her wig. A teenager found her confidence returning with her new wig, and even felt comfortable saying “yes” when she was asked to her school’s homecoming dance.

“It’s amazing what a difference it makes in their lives,” Judy said.

The Farmington fundraiser was very welcome; the economy has donations lagging behind need. Currently, Children with Hairloss has a waiting list of recipients. To contribute or for more information, visit their website: childrenwithhairloss.us

A fine Farmington Sunday

There’s a lot of activity in the small space next to the Corner Barbershop. A new hairstylist is setting up shop, complete with a redecorated front entrance.

A new business has opened on the first floor of the Cook Building. What was once a bridal shop is now Mike Greer Photography, which has a cool web site, and some pretty nifty posters in the window. Also looks like the new Burger Basement Bar is working on outdoor seating, which would be a great addition. We’ve already taken advantage of the new outdoor seating at John Cowley & Sons. No idea why, but eating dinner outside makes the food taste even better.

Beautiful irises are in bloom along Grand River, and the front of the JAM Building on the north side of Grand River is bursting with spring color.

This community worked hard for the streetscape, the Walter E. Sundquist Pavilion and Riley Park. Take every opportunity to enjoy Downtown Farmington this spring and summer. Your first will be Art on the Grand, right on Grand Avenue June 5 and 6. Details are available on the City of Farmington Hills web site.

Art on the Grand moves to June

Don’t ask us how they did it, but Farmington officials convinced MDOT to close down Grand River June 5 and 6 this year, for Art on the Grand.

This juried art fair is usually held during the Farmington Area Founders Festival in mid-July and organized by the City of Farmington Hills. Folks with the Downtown Development Authority have been talking about moving it since the DDA took over the Festival. They’re looking to have one big event in each season, to bring more people into the central business district.

Moving Art on the Grand TO “the Grand,” rather than shoe-horning it into Memorial Park at the corner of Grand River and Oakland Streets, makes a lot of sense. Having a June date moves it out from under the shadow of the Ann Arbor Art Fair and gives it plenty of room to grow.

And hey, how bad can it be to have another party in Downtown Farmington this year?

–JH-G

Metered methods

A source on the Farmington Downtown Development Authority board tells me the current Big Discussion, parking, will include a push for meters on our newly streetscaped-and-bumped-out Grand River. Enforcement would be proposed with an hour or two hours free, to encourage shoppers. But it’s what they’re trying to discourage that gives me pause.

I’ve noticed this phenomenon as I come and go down Grand River: Some cars are parked in a particular spot for very long periods of time. Not going to say who those cars belong to, but I’m guessing the owners are not shopping downtown for four or six or eight hours during the day.

I don’t for a minute think meters would be proposed just to keep a few folks from taking up parking spaces that genuine downtown shoppers and clients would only occupy for an hour or two. Meters are a revenue source, and at some point, we’ll all be looking at a proposal for a $6 million parking structure.

But if you ask me, freeing up more parking spaces right in front of business doors, where shoppers appreciate them the most, would be reason enough to install them.

–JH-G

Sunday Morning Quarterback: Farmington DDA edition

Now that the story has hit local newspapers (still waiting on that press release), it’s time to Sunday Afternoon Quarterback the Farmington Downtown Development Authority’s decision to replace Krista Wolter with an experienced event planner, Janet Bloom, formerly of the Northville Chamber of Commerce.

Reasonable people can debate whether the DDA’s new direction, heavily weighted in the area of events, makes sense. Should the DDA be investing so much energy and resources in bringing the circus to town, when downtown business owners are running so short on peanuts? What effect does shifting focus have on the DDA’s efforts to support existing businesses and help fill vacant retail space?

For all practical purposes, the debate ended when the DDA took over the Farmington Area Founders Festival. With the anticipated addition of  a spring event (likely an art fair), Downtown Farmington’s event schedule spreads throughout the year and includes Rhythmz in Riley Park summer concerts, the Harvest Moon Celebration and Holly Days. It will take an experienced manager to organize volunteers, recruit sponsors and tend to myriad details. This is not a career for the faint of heart. Pretty much everybody has an idea they’ll happily share about how you should do your job.

It makes sense to hire a dedicated event specialist, and Janet Bloom’s experience in Northville –  another city with a rich history, lots of events and a central business district – will no doubt serve Farmington well. It is also unfortunate that Krista Wolter, who had a successful year with the Farmington Area Founders Festival, won’t get a chance to grow into the job.

What remains to be seen is whether all of this focus on events will draw more people to Downtown Farmington for more than the days when the circus comes to town.

–JH-G