Cultivating Dreams. Enhancing Lives.
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elcome to the winter line up of Lunch & Learns.
We invite you to bring your lunch and feed your mind!
The Civility Project - Lunch & Learn
with Nolan Finley & Stephen Henderson
Americans are at their best when they can talk with one another, disagree, even argue — but agree to keep the dialogue going. Unfortunately, too many people today feel like they can’t do that. Instead they avoid speaking to people with whom they disagree. The Civility Project is changing that. Civility is defined as “formal politeness and courtesy in behavior or speech.” It’s a process of treating one another — regardless of different opinions, perspectives or political leanings — with respect and kindness. It’s about listening to another viewpoint, even if you don’t agree with it, searching for the humanity behind a perspective or stance. If you’ve never had the opportunity to attend a Civility Project session (or even if you have), we hope that you will plan now to join us for this amazing experience with these two giants of Michigan journalism. In this workshop, you’ll learn how to:
• Agree to disagree
• Learn to listen to other sides
• Engage in civil conversation
• Use what you hear too challenge or affirm your own views
• Build respect for each other’s humanity
• Stay curious
DETAILS:
Tuesday, February 7, 2023 — Westland City Hall Ballroom, 36300 Warren Rd., Westland, 48185 11:30-1:00
FREE (however, registration is required)
Contact Beth Meade at 734-495-1200 to register
About Our Hosts:
Celebrated journalists Nolan Finley and Stephen Henderson have been longtime friends, despite their different perspectives on pretty much everything. The one thing they agree on is the importance of their friendship — which includes a healthy does of disagreement and mutual respect.
Nolan Finley began his newspaper career as a copy boy at The Detroit News while a senior in college. After a brief stint with the Jackson Citizen Patriot, Finley returned to The News as a reporter. In 2000, he was named Editorial Page Editor, where he directs the expression of the newspaper’s editorial position. He is also the co-host of One Detroit on PBS. In 2012 Finley was inducted in the Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame.
Stephen Henderson is an American journalist who won the 2014 Pulitzer Prize for commentary and the 2014 National Association of Black Journalists “Journalist of the Year” award while writing for the Detroit Free Press. Since 2015, Henderson has hosted Detroit Today on WDET. In 2020, he founded BridgeDetroit, where he serves as Executive Editor.
Local news coverage, particularly at smaller local newspapers, is in the midst of a long financial crisis. As local news coverage has declined precipitously due to consolidation, declining budgets, and shrinking news staffs, communities like Canton, Plymouth, and Westland are not receiving the local media coverage they have in the past.
Anuya Shetty is currently a junior at Canton High School. She serves as the News Director for WSDP, 88.1 the Park.
Avneet Pandher is a Salem High School Junior. She currently serves as the Public Affairs Director at WSDP. 
Dr. Stephen Bloom, Medical Director of Rehabilitation at St.Josephs Mercy Hospital in Ann Arbor, will join us to talk about the symptoms of long Covid and living with the long-term effects. Time will be reserved to answer specific questions.
Contact Beth Meade at 734-495-1200
Jo Angela is a former high school and middle school teacher who now, as a Learning Librarian at the University of Michigan Ann Arbor, helps college students find information on a wide range of topics.She is currently an adjunct lecturer for U/M's School of Information and College of Literature, Science and Arts; and is teaching a class entitled, "Fake News, Lies, and Propaganda: How to Sort Fact From Fiction."
Details:
When: Wednesday, October 12, 2022 - 11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Register at the link here
Welcome to the fall line up of Lunch & Learns. Mark your calendar for these great speakers addressing interesting topics in a simple, one-hour format. Whether you choose to come in person or opt to join us virtually, we invite you to bring your lunch and feed your mind!
September Topic
Veteran Healthcare Update
Burn Pit Exposure & Other New Presumptive Conditions
Speakers: Deanne Bonner Simpson, Esq. & Brigadier General Carol Ann Fausone (retired)
Whether you are a military veteran, have a veteran in your family, work with veterans, or simply have an interest in our veteran community, we invite you to join us on Wednesday, September 14th as our VA healthcare experts give an update on veteran health care and new presumptive conditions. This includes the new presumptive conditions associated with Burn Pits and Agent Orange.
DETAILS:
Wednesday, September 14, 2022
11:30am - 1:00pm
Canton Township Administration Building (1st floor board room), 1150 S. Canton Center Rd.
FREE (however, registration is required)
Contact Beth Meade at 734-495-1200 to register.
Deanne L. Bonner Simpson Ms. Bonner Simpson’s practice focuses on the legal issues of United States veterans and their families, most commonly VA service-connected disability claims, surviving spouse benefits, and military records corrections/character of discharge upgrades. She is the practice partner for Legal Help for Veterans, PLLC. Deanne represents her clients nationally at VA Regional Offices, the Board of Veterans’ Appeals, the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, in addition to the Board of Corrections for Military Records, and the Boards of Review for the respective branches of the military. She is a member of the National Organization of Veterans Advocates, Inc. (NOVA) and accredited attorney with VA.
General Fausone has been a nurse for over 40 years. She served her country for 36 years and retired in 2011. She now owns The Veterans Advocate, LLC that consults for businesses in matters related to VA health care, education and programs. She was approved in 2016 as a Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business. She also helps direct individual veterans to resources and benefits. She works part-time at Legal Help for Veterans as its “Chief Fix-it Officer” on VA road blocks. General Fausone was selected as a Notable Veteran by Crain’s Detroit Business in 2020.
Have a topic you would like to see at an upcoming Lunch & Learn? Call or email Beth Meade at 734-495-1200 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
