The movie is based on Larry Beinhart's book of the same name.

Get ready for some celebrity watching in Dearborn.

Pierce Brosnan, Ed Harris, Jim Gaffigan, Jennifer Connelly and Greg Kinnear are among those starring in a new Mandalay Entertainment film called Salvation Boulevard that is expected to begin filming sometime in May in Dearborn and metro Detroit, sources tell Deepsaidwhat.com. The film is directed by George Ratliff.

We are told movie crews will be staying at the Ritz and the Hyatt in Dearborn for about a month once filming begins for the movie, which is expected to be out sometime in 2011.

The movie, adapted from Larry Beinhart’s novel of the same name, is about a private detective investigating the killing of a professor and it becomes a clash of faiths: The detective is a born-again Christian, the dead man an atheist, the accused killer an Islamic foreign student and the D.A. is Jewish.

Should be interesting.

Dearborn’s Hair Designs North two-day event to provide free haircuts for the unemployed appears to have been a huge success judging from some of the thank you notes the salon received after the event.

Kim Briffa of Hair Designs North said the event was a great success and even included stopovers by Dearborn Mayor John B. O’Reilly, Congressman John Dingell, wife Debbie and Gary Woronchak, a Wayne County commissioner. Even People magazinecalled to conduct phone interviews with some of the guests receiving hair cuts, Briffa said. (Read the earlier post by clicking HERE.)

“I wanted to forward two letters we received and to let you know what a successful and rewarding event we had,” Briffa said.

Deepsaidwhat.com wants to say thank you to Hair Designs North and all of the people who donated their time to this very generous event. And, of course, say thank you for shinning some positive news on Dearborn, too.

Below are two of the letters.

 To Maurice, Gina, Al, Kim, Darren and all the wonderful staff at Hair Designs North:

I wanted to take a moment to personally thank you for the Hair Care event that I participated in today at the salon! Even though my job loss was a business decision that created the workforce reduction I was part of, there’s just such an emotional side to the situation. It’s hard for anyone to come to work one morning like you have done for 24 years, believing you are doing good things for your company and then suddenly be out of a job before lunch time.

So the service that you provided was extra special today and very well appreciated given the economic impact of losing one’s job. And the biggest bonus is the real boost that it gave to my confidence because I got a really sharp and sassy little haircut today from Darren. It will really help me as I move forward in my new job search!

Thank you ever so much!

———————————————-

Hi,

I just had to tell you one more time what an ABSOLUTE pleasure it was getting my free cut and style today. Everyone at the salon was just truly wonderful. I still have a ear to ear smile on my face. Coming in this morning and not really knowing what to expect turned out to be one of the best things recently that has happened to me. I feel like a weight has been lifted from me and I have a “second wind” to go out and face the job hunting arena with more confidence and optimism. Everyone there was just so friendly and helpful with people coming in and with each other. I felt like “queen” for the day…really I walked out feeling refreshed and renewed. Again I can’t say thank you enough to everyone who donated their time efforts and energy to make this event happen. I will remember this day for a long long time. 

Dearborn’s 34-year-old Hyatt Regency Hotel has been sold, city officials confirm.

Dearborn's Hyatt Hotel has a new owner.

While the real estate listing for the 18-story hotel pitched the facility as a possible good location for senior housing, the new owner thankfully will keep it a hotel. It isn’t clear whether the name will remain. We will dig into that once we learn the name of the new owner.

The new owner also has expressed a strong interest in Dearborn Mayor John B. O’Reilly’s dream to build a convention center adjacent to the hotel. The proposed convention center is projected to drive another 89,000 room nights annually to the Dearborn center.

Built in 1976, the 810,000 square-foot Hyatt in Dearborn has some 772 rooms.

All offers for the hotel had to be submitted to the Hyatt’s real estate agent by April 2.

This is the second big name hotel in Dearborn to be sold. The Ritz-Carlton in Dearborn, one of the top luxury hotels in Michigan, will officially change its name on June 2. For that earlier story, click HERE

The good news about the two hotels is that they will be staying in Dearborn and are expected to receive major renovations.

(Source: City of Dearborn)

The Dearborn Community Chorus (DCC) will present its annual Spring Concert titled “Love Through the Ages” on Saturday, May 1 at 8 p.m. in the Michael A. Guido Theater of the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center (The Center). Reserved seat tickets for the concert are $11 and $8.

The chorus under the direction of John Haury will perform a wide range of songs – classical to pop – centered on the theme of love written from the 16th century to the present. A few of the selections include Henry Purcell’s If Music Be The Food of Love, Johannes Brahms Liebeslieder Waltzes, Gershwin and Porter The Man I Love, and Elton John Can You Feel the Love Tonight? In addition, the concert will feature a special guest appearance by the Dearborn Elementary Honors Choir under the direction of Jim Walters.

The Dearborn Community Chorus, established in 1969 by the Dearborn Recreation Department, welcomes all, ages 16 and older, who love to sing. The group rehearses weekly from September through May and presents two major performances at The Center in December and May. DCC also performs for community events, entertains at area senior facilities and is planning a singing tour to Frankenmuth, Michigan this year.

Visit The Center box office at 15801 Michigan Avenue at Greenfield or call (313) 943-2354. Box office hours are 11:00 am to 7:00 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. The box office is also open one hour before show time. Visa, MasterCard and American Express are accepted.

(Source: Dearborn Public Schools)

The Dearborn Public Schools City Wide Art Exhibit opens to the public Tuesday, April 27th at the Padzieski Art Gallery located inside the Ford Community and Performing Arts Center, 15801 Michigan Ave, Dearborn.

All student art work will be on display through May 28, 2010.

There will be a brief presentation at 4:10 p.m. then viewing of the art work. Outstanding senior artists will speak about their art work and plans for the future at 5:30 p.m. in the gallery.

For more information, contact Wendy Sample, Art Resource Teacher 313-827-3088

(Source: City of Dearborn)

Dearborn residents can safely dispose of confidential papers through a free event sponsored by the City on Saturday, May 1.

The free event takes place from 8 a.m. to noon at the Department of Public Works (DPW) Yard, 2951 Greenfield Road south of Rotunda Drive.

The limit is a maximum of 50 pounds or five bags or boxes of papers per resident.

This event is open to Dearborn residents only. Proof of Dearborn residency will be required in order to participate.

The East Dearborn Development Authority (EDDDA) tells us it is partnering with the City of Dearborn to explore 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 next step, however, requires community input. That’s where Dearborn residents can help. An Artspace discussion will be held on April 28, 9 a.m. – noon, in the Dearborn City Council chambers. An Artspace representative will conduct a presentation and question and answer session with the city and residents.

The EDDDA tells us that the Artspace mission is to “create, foster and preserve affordable space that serves the needs of artists and arts organizations of all disciplines.” This in turn helps the continued growth of the arts in our community.

Dearborn has a distinct and vibrant marketplace of people, food and cultures as well as the $70 million mixed use development under construction at Michigan and Schaefer. So the EDDDA is well positioned to support an innovative and creative project such as the proposed Artspace.

Melissa Kania of the EDDDA says the arts and cultural industry is one of growth and has a direct economic impact on the community. She says nonprofit arts and cultural organizations support more jobs then other fields such as accountants, lawyers, public safety officers or teachers. And, she says, the arts and culture industry attracts audiences, increases tourism, spurs business development and generates revenue. That’s all good business.

To learn more about Artspace and its success in other communities, you can visit their website at www.artspace.org  The scope of this Dearborn project will require a solid strategy and community involvement from all sectors: financial, civic, arts and culture for this to be successful. So if you can join the meeting on April 28, please do so.

Metro Times magazine’s annual “best of“ awards is now on newsstands in metro Detroit so we thought it would be good to list what Dearborn establishments this year were chosen either by readers or the staff of the Metro Times.

There are many great Dearborn places that didn’t make this year’s list but the 12 establishments that did certainly deserve the recognition. We just think there are a lot more “bests” in this city that should be on the magazine’s list. Perhaps it’s just a little bit of the hometown bias . . .

We’ve pulled out the Dearborn locations in each category and pasted the link for the complete metro Detroit list. Take a look for yourself.

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With the Dearborn City Council’s approval this week of a new seven year, $33 million contact with Republic Waste Services for residential trash service, recycling compost and leaf collection, we thought it would be a good idea to list out in a question and answer format what residents can expect. The 20 questions and answers below are from the City of Dearborn.

Dearborn’s new curbside trash/recycling program begins the week of July 5.

Q: Why is the City switching to this system?

A: The City believes a system using two large carts will encourage more recycling, reduce litter problems and concerns about rodents and pests, and give a more uniform appearance to neighborhoods on trash days. It also allows for an automated system for curbside collection, which will help to contain the cost for trash and recycling pickup.

Q: Will my trash collection day change?

A: No.

Q: Since curbside recycling is every other week, how will I know which week to place my recycling cart at the curbside?

A: Each household will receive a comprehensive information packet including a recycling schedule for their neighborhood when the cart is delivered.

Q: Should I put my address on my carts?

A: There is a spot on the lid for addresses. Please do not write on any other location on the cart.

Q: What should I do with my current trash cans?

A: You might want to keep them for yard waste containers or other purposes. If you want to dispose of them, please put a sign on them that says “Please pick up as trash” and Republic will dispose of them.

Q: What if I my 96-gallon trash cart is full and I still have more trash?

A: That is not a problem, if it occurs on an occasional basis. All qualified materials will be picked up at the curb, even items not in your 96-gallon cart.

Remember you must use your gray trash cart every week. But you may place excess trash on the easement behind the curb in an appropriate container or plastic bag. However, if you have more trash than can be contained in the cart on a regular basis, you may be asked to purchase an additional cart for a one time charge.

Q: What about bulky items that don’t fit in the trash cart?

A: The City will continue to offer curbside collection of bulky items, like furniture and appliances, as part of the regular collection service.

Note that special fees will still apply if a large number of items are left at the curbside following a move out.

Q: What do I do with my existing 18-gallon recycling bin?

A: You should no longer use it for curbside recycling. If you don’t want it for other household purposes, put it inside the new 96-gallon green cart and it will be recycled.

Q: Where do I store the carts?

A: Ideally, inside your garage, behind the garage or behind your house. If that is not possible, store them away from your neighbors’ houses as much as possible and try to keep them out of sight from the front sidewalk.

Q: Do I have to bag my trash before I put it in the cart?

A: Yes. Do not put loose trash in the cart. All trash should be in bags when it is placed in the carts.

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With the 2010 Relay for Life of Dearborn just around the corner, we wanted to again remind our readers of the dates (May 1 through May 2, from 10 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center) and of the ways to get involved in the Relay.

To find out more about the Relay For Life of Dearborn, contact ACS Community Representative Deena Gardner at 248-663-3427, deena.gardner@cancer.org or Dearborn Event Chair Denise Abdullah at 313-336-9020, deniseabdullah@hotmail.com, or visit www.relayforlife.org/dearbornmi.

Relay committee member and Dearborn resident Morris Goodman, a cancer survivor, provided the column below to Deepsaidwhat.com. Attending the Relay, as you will read, is a good way to see for yourself the good things being done to help eradicate cancer and to help those effected by it.

Goodman’s column begins below.

As anyone who has read my column over the last several years knows I almost died of colon cancer in June 2007.

Morris Goodman

To remind myself of how fortunate I am to be alive and how important it is for everyone to be informed about the reality of cancer, I have become deeply involved in Dearborn’s Relay For Life. RFL is a major nationwide fundraising and cancer awareness program of the American Cancer Society, which includes over 5000 localities and several million people. The Dearborn Relay is May 1 and May 2 this year on the soccer field in front of the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center.

What impresses me most about Dearborn’s Relay For Life is how very, very inclusive it is. Men and women, young and old, Muslim and Christian (and one Jewish Unitarian- Universalist), white collar, blue collar, and unemployed are all present in large numbers. Just as cancer encompasses all levels and aspects of society so does Relay. While cancer develops in individuals, its impact affects entire families. And it is cancer families, which form the backbone of RFL.

Relay events celebrate cancer survivors and honor those who have succumbed to the disease. The opening ceremony at 10 a.m. on May 1 at the Center will culminate with 150 Dearborn cancer survivors walking around the track to the cheers of those assembled. The entire family can enjoy The Dearborn RFL for 24 hours – with entertainment around the clock, many varieties of food offerings, awareness activities, and fun games, with all proceeds benefiting the American Cancer Society.  At 10 p.m. that night there is a powerful luminaria ceremony where those who have passed away are remembered by candlelight by their loved ones.

The American Cancer Society uses Relay to do two critical things – (1) to raise money for cancer research and to aid those battling cancer that need financial support and (2) to increase the awareness of Americans about the need for early detection to combat and limit cancer’s damage and to give hope to all that cancer can be conquered in the future.

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