Pickard Loves Livonia

10/21/2026

I know this is a second post promoting Monday Coffee Club but I can’t help it. This is definitely my spot. It’s right by my work so I’m going to be hitting it up often!

Today I tried the cold brew with almond milk and sugar free sweetener. It’s delicious and some of the better cold brew I’ve had. A lot of cold brews have a bitter sour taste but this is as smooth as possible. Livonia is so lucky to have them!

10/20/2026

LPS Families ~ Didn't get a spot for this very popular fundraiser? Add your name to the waitlist! More spots will be opening up on Wednesday.
Waitlist: https://forms.gle/L4UKe4WbizQANDqC6

10/19/2026

Today is opening day for Monday Coffee Club here in Livonia!

They’re at 16815 Middlebelt Road, just south of 6 Mile, and they have a drive thru too!

I stopped in and grabbed a jalapeño bagel with cream cheese, a brown sugar shaken espresso and a cake pop. Figured Monday was a pretty fitting day to check out Monday Coffee Club!

They’ve got specialty coffees, matcha, refreshers, bagel sandwiches, pastries and lunch options. I included pictures of the menus so you can see what they offer.

Stop in and help welcome this new business to Livonia! Always happy to see new businesses opening their doors in our community.

10/17/2026

Pickard LOVES Halloween! If you’re looking for something to do with the kids, here are some Halloween and fall events happening today and tomorrow!

TODAY, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17

• Joy Baptist Church, Westland
4–6:30 PM. Trunk or Treat starts at 6 PM!
37055 Joy Road
FREE family fun with food, games and bounce houses.

• VOA Michigan Thrift Trunk or Treat
5–7 PM at all seven store locations!
The Westland store is at 34800 Warren Road.

• Bagel & Co, Livonia
5:30–8 PM
27726 Plymouth Road
Grab the costumes and stop by for Trunk or Treat!

• MSU Tollgate Farm, Novi
5:30–7:30 PM
28115 Meadowbrook Road
Trick-or-treat along the trail and visit the farm animals! Tickets are $8 per treater in advance or $10 at the door if space remains. Adults accompanying kids don’t need tickets. Check registration availability before heading over.

TOMORROW, SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18

• Downtown Plymouth Pumpkin Palooza
11:30 AM–2:30 PM
Treats on the Streets with over 100 businesses and organizations, entertainment, costume contests, face painting, balloons and more!

• Downtown Royal Oak Spooktacular
2–5 PM
FREE trick-or-treating, character visits, face painting, a dinosaur adventure, dance party and costume parade! Free parking on Sundays, too.

BOTH TODAY AND TOMORROW

• Wilson Barn Pumpkin Fest, Livonia
11 AM–6 PM
29350 West Chicago at Middlebelt
You know I have to give some love to the Wilson Barn! Pumpkins, c***r and donuts, vendors, wagon rides, pony rides, a petting zoo and a bounce house. The Haunted Barn is open noon–6 PM and is just $1 per trip! Admission to Pumpkin Fest is free, with food and activities priced separately.

Share this with another family looking for something fun to do! Where are you taking the kids this weekend?

10/17/2026

Livonia moose is having their trunk or treat until noon today! Come join us!

10/08/2026

Looking for something fun and affordable to do this weekend?

There are a bunch of family friendly Halloween and fall events happening around Livonia, and a lot of them are FREE. Saturday looks like the best weather day too, so it’s a perfect day to get out of the house.

I’ll actually be out Saturday on a Moose trip with my fellow Moose members that I helped plan. We’re heading to Rochester Hills, Port Huron and Richmond, so unfortunately I’ll be missing these events myself, but I still wanted to share them with all of you.

Here are a few good ones:

Livonia Faith & Blue Festival
Saturday, Oct. 10
11 AM to 2 PM
Larry Nehasil Park
Free event with pumpkin painting, bounce house, face painting, balloon animals, co****le, music, police officers, c***r, doughnuts, pizza and BBQ.

Wayne County Halloween Festival
Saturday, Oct. 10
1 PM to 3 PM
Nankin Mills Park in Westland
Free Halloween event with hayrides, games, entertainment, candy, a costume parade, magician and bubble show.

Wilson Barn Pumpkin Fest and Haunted Barn
Saturday and Sunday
11 AM to 6 PM
Wilson Barn in Livonia
Free admission. The Haunted Barn opens this weekend and is only $1 per person. They also have pumpkins, c***r, doughnuts, vendors, wagon rides, pony rides, petting zoo and more.

C***r in the City
Saturday and Sunday
1 PM to 5 PM
Beacon Park in Detroit
Free admission with c***r, doughnuts, pumpkins, caramel apples, live music, crafts, family activities and food trucks.

If you’re trying to keep it cheap, Saturday could honestly be a great day. You could hit Faith & Blue, the Wayne County Halloween Festival, and Wilson Barn all in one afternoon without spending much at all.

As always, I’m not the person running these events, so please double check the event pages before heading out in case times or details change.

Pickard Loves Livonia, but Pickard also LOVES Halloween. Hope this helps some families find something fun to do this weekend.

10/07/2026

10/05/2026

We are open!!!

10/04/2026

Should Livonia END its Flock contract?

React LIKE for YES, end it.
React HEART for NO, keep it.

On Thursday, October 1, I spoke at the City Council committee meeting about Flock. If you aren’t familiar with it, these cameras photograph vehicles and license plates and create searchable records of where vehicles have been seen.

Your vehicle. Your location. The date. The time. Saved and searchable, even when you haven’t done anything wrong.

I’m a big supporter of our police. I want them to have a new station, a better contract and better working conditions. BUT I want Livonia to end its relationship with Flock.

My concern isn’t that I think LPD will misuse it. My concern is the documented misuse by other people with access to this technology, along with the privacy risks of collecting and sharing this much information about our everyday lives.

Most residents who spoke at the meeting wanted the contract ended. One speaker, a former detective, supported keeping it. Kayleigh, Robin, Carrie and Pat asked good questions from the dais. I’m not going to get into everything Brandon said, but some of his supporters feel disrespected and pushed aside. Residents deserve to feel heard, even when elected officials disagree with them.

The police gave legitimate reasons for wanting this tool. I understand Flock can help with investigations. I still believe the risks outweigh the benefits.

WHAT FLOCK LICENSE PLATE CAMERAS DO:

• Photograph vehicles and license plates, including those belonging to people who aren’t suspected of a crime.
• Record when and where a vehicle was photographed.
• Create searchable records of vehicle sightings.
• Let investigators search by vehicle description, even without a complete plate number.
• Allow sharing with other agencies, depending on permissions and settings.
• Help investigators piece together where a vehicle has been seen.

Think about what repeated sightings could reveal. Visits to a doctor. A place of worship. A political meeting. A friend’s home. The places you go when you’re trying to get away from someone.

WHAT THEY DON’T DO:

• Prove who was driving.
• Prove someone committed a crime because their vehicle was nearby.
• Explain why someone visited a location.
• Show everything that happened before or after a photograph.
• Guarantee a plate reading or alert is correct.
• Replace the need for police to verify information and investigate.
• Guarantee that crime will be prevented or solved.

THE MISUSE IS REAL.

Across just four cases in Lufkin, Albany County, San Francisco and Texas City, investigators reported or alleged more than 14,000 unauthorized or improper searches. That is a partial tally, not a nationwide total, and not every allegation has been proven in court.

In Albany County alone, authorities said an investigator searched for her ex-girlfriend’s vehicle about 3,000 times.

Imagine finding out someone you used to date had been checking your vehicle’s whereabouts thousands of times through a police database.

In Highland Heights, Ohio, a dispatcher resigned after police confirmed unauthorized searches. Records showed the department’s most active user made 20,292 searches, including 5,369 searches of one plate. Those 20,292 searches aren’t included in the earlier total because the reporting doesn’t establish that all were improper.

Women have been targeted through this technology by people they once trusted. For someone trying to leave an abusive relationship, keeping their whereabouts private can be a matter of safety.

An audit might uncover abuse afterward. It cannot undo someone learning where you were.

THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN SECURITY FAILURES AND DATA EXPOSURES.

In December 2025, 404 Media reported that at least 60 of Flock’s Condor video cameras had feeds exposed to the internet without a login or password. Reporters could watch live footage and access recordings. These were a different product from Flock’s license plate readers. Flock said it fixed the configuration problem.

In January 2026, 404 Media reported that police departments released Flock search logs without properly removing identifying information. A website collecting those public records said it held information on more than 2.3 million license plates and tens of millions of searches.

Those incidents don’t mean the entire Flock database was made public. They do show that sensitive information can get outside the protections residents are told to trust.

AND I HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT RECORDS INVOLVING LIVONIA.

I have personally seen a FOIA-released copy of searches other agencies ran against Livonia’s data this summer. Some of what those agencies entered was very concerning. Home addresses. People’s names alongside serious criminal suspicions.

I’m deliberately not repeating anyone’s identifying information here.

Being suspected of a crime is not the same as being charged, much less convicted. Once someone’s name is publicly connected to an accusation like r**e, the damage to their reputation could happen before the facts are established.

I understand investigators need to document why they are searching. But why did identifying details tied to serious allegations appear in the released copy? Who reviewed it? What protections exist for someone wrongly suspected?

We deserve transparency about how police use this system. We also deserve safeguards for personal information when those records are released.

Even if Livonia blocks direct federal access, what prevents another agency from searching our records on a federal agency’s behalf or passing information along?

Taylor has a partnership with Federal Government Agencies. That alone does not prove Taylor is passing along Livonia’s Flock records. But it makes the question of who can access our information, and what they can do with it, especially important.

“I haven’t done anything wrong” doesn’t protect you from someone else misusing your information.

I want Livonia to end its Flock contract. At minimum, I want it left unrenewed and enforceable restrictions that stop our data from being passed to agencies we have chosen not to share with.

I support our police. I also want our city to protect our privacy and our freedom to live without having our everyday movements cataloged.

Vote in the poll. Please be respectful to one another. This is just people’s opinion.

10/01/2026

Huge List of Metro Detroit Trunk or Treats Below!

Pickard Loves Livonia, but Pickard also LOVES Halloween! It’s my favorite holiday season. I love everything spooky and love the autumn weather.

Some of my first volunteer work was as a teenager, working as a monster in haunted houses for the Redford, Westland, and Livonia Jaycees. The money those haunted houses raised helped make sure kids got to have a Christmas. Getting to scare people and help kids at the same time was a pretty good deal!

So I put together this list for everyone to have some amazing Halloween fun! There are trunk or treats, fall festivals, and other family events around Livonia and Metro Detroit, all listed in date and time order.

All events were found via Facebook. I’m not running these events and don’t have extra information beyond what’s listed. Please contact the organizers directly with questions and check their event pages for updates before heading out. If a price isn’t listed, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s free.

Feel free to share this and help other families find something fun to do!

OCTOBER 2026 HALLOWEEN & FALL EVENTS

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2

Branch Line School Trunk or Treat & Octoberfest
5:30 to 7 PM
32940 Schoolcraft Rd., Livonia
Games, bake sale, raffles, and trick or treating from 6:30 to 7 PM. $10 per family, cash only. Haunted hallway is $5 extra.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4

Merri Bowl Family Fun Fest
11 AM to 2 PM
30950 Five Mile Rd., Livonia
One free bowling game per person, a free $10 arcade card for kids 16 and under, face painting, balloon animals, and activities. Food specials available.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9

It Takes a Village Academy Fall Festival & Trunk or Treat
5 to 7:30 PM
31735 Maplewood St., Garden City
Free admission. Food, games, and photo booth from 5 to 6:30 PM. Trunk or treat, haunted bus, and pumpkin patch from 6:30 to 7:30 PM.

Wyandotte Police Trunk or Treat
7 to 9 PM
3200 Biddle Ave., Wyandotte
Community trunk or treating in the City Hall parking lot.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10

The Burger Spot & Farmington Hills Police Trunk or Treat
Noon to 3 PM
Costick Center, 28600 Eleven Mile Rd., Farmington Hills
Free entry.

Storage Sense’s 3rd Annual Trunk or Treat
5 to 6:30 PM
12801 Inkster Rd., Livonia
Decorated trunks with local police, the fire department, and Eagles Helping Hands participating.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11

Swapka Park Fall Event
11 AM to 1 PM
5499 McKinley St., Dearborn Heights
Behind the Richard A. Young Center. Free pumpkin decorating, c***r, doughnuts, and a fall photo display.

First Presbyterian Church of Plymouth Trunk or Treat
3 to 4:30 PM
701 Church St., Plymouth
Trick or treating, costume contest, crafts, and treats.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15

Hellenic Cultural Center Trunk or Treat
5:30 to 8 PM
36375 Joy Rd., Westland
Food, fun, and DJ Stay Cold. $3 per child.

Feldman Chrysler Jeep of Livonia Trunk or Treat
6 to 8 PM
30777 Plymouth Rd., Livonia
Candy, costumes, and family fun.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17

We Rock the Spectrum Trunk or Treat, Family Resource Fair & Gym Event
Indoor sessions at 2, 3, 4, and 5 PM
22064 Novi Rd., Novi
Outdoor activities are free. Indoor sessions are $25 per child and last 45 minutes. The 2 PM session is sensory friendly. Activities include decorated trunks, a haunted gym, crafts, games, and more. Outdoor hours weren’t separately listed.

Acadian Urgent Care & Champaign RX Trunk or Treat
6 to 8 PM
14726 Champaign Rd., Allen Park
Candy, games, prizes, and family fun.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18

Carousel Acres Cars and Critters
11 AM to 4 PM
12749 Nine Mile Rd., South Lyon
Halloween car show, farm animals, trick or treating, food truck, and photo opportunities. Visitor admission is $12. Show-car entry is $20 and includes two admissions.

Detroit Harvest Festival Trunk or Treat
11 AM to 5 PM
St. Hedwig’s Park, 2900 Junction Ave., Detroit
Decorated trunks and vendors handing out candy throughout the market.

Plymouth Pumpkin Palooza
11:30 AM to 2:30 PM
Downtown Plymouth
Free downtown trick or treating, costume contests, and entertainment. No single starting address was listed.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21

The Lakeland Center’s Annual Trunk or Treat
5 to 6:30 PM
26900 Franklin Rd., Southfield
Decorated trunks, costumes, and treats.

Walmart Store 5844’s 4th Annual Trunk or Treat
6 to 8 PM
29574 Seven Mile Rd., Livonia
Candy, games, and Halloween fun for ages 16 and under.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22

City of Westland Trunk or Treat
5:30 to 7 PM
18th District Court parking lot, 36675 Ford Rd., Westland
Free for children 12 and under with an adult. Entertainment and DJ. Must be in line by 6:45 PM.

UAW Region 1A Children’s Council Trunk or Treat
5:30 to 8:30 PM
9650 S. Telegraph Rd., Taylor
Costumes encouraged. The flyer welcomes Region 1A members and retirees. It doesn’t say whether the event is open to the general public.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24

Livonia Candy-Go-Round
11 AM to 1 PM
Kirksey Recreation Center, 15100 Hubbard St., Livonia
Free trick or treating in the south parking lot. Best for ages 2 to 12. Advance registration is required through Livonia Parks and Recreation.

Pearls of Purpose Trunk or Treat
2 to 4 PM
Old CVS parking lot at Seven Mile and Greenfield, Detroit
Free and open to the public. Candy, games, and music for all ages.

My Mother’s Dream Annual Trunk or Treat
2 to 4 PM
Eastpointe Plaza, 20880 Gratiot Ave., Eastpointe
Family trick or treating. Costumes encouraged.

Strong Village Veterinary Center Trunk or Treat
4 to 5:30 PM
29212 Five Mile Rd., Livonia
Pet-friendly community event with treats for people and pets, decorated trunks, and voting for your favorites.

Faith Community Church Harvest Festival
5 to 7 PM
894 E. Huron River Dr., Belleville
Free community event with chili, hot dogs, caramel apples, a hayride, s’mores, face painting, games, inflatables, and family photos. Coffee cart costs extra.

Saving My Sistas Annual Trunk or Treat
Starts at 6 PM
Nita’s Love Garden, 19766 Westbrook St., Detroit
Candy, costumes, decorated cars, music, and family activities. End time wasn’t listed.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25

Southfield Police Department Trunk or Treat
1 to 4 PM
Southfield Pavilion, 26000 Evergreen Rd., Southfield
Free indoor event, rain or shine. Donations of new, unwrapped toys are appreciated but not required.

Nicnicole Unisex Hair Salon Annual Trunk or Treat
3 to 6 PM
15500 Harper Ave., Detroit
Halloween treats and family fun.

Garden City Presbyterian Church Trunk or Treat
4 to 6 PM
1841 Middlebelt Rd., Garden City
Candy, costumes, and community fun.

K&K Tax Services Halloween Trunk or Treat
4 to 7 PM
Greenfield Plaza, 21700 Greenfield Plaza, Oak Park
Candy and community resources. A separate vendor pop-up runs from noon to 3 PM. Address is listed as it appears on the flyer.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 26

Civic Center Plaza Annual Trunk or Treat
5:30 to 7:30 PM
Civic Center Plaza parking lot by French’s Flowers, 33885 Five Mile Rd., Livonia
Community trunk or treating.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28

Detroit Public Library Halloween Candy Crawl
5:30 to 7:30 PM
Main Library, 5201 Woodward Ave., Detroit
Trick or treating throughout the library. Costumes encouraged.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29

Four Seasons Nursing Center Trunk or Treat
5:30 to 7 PM
8365 Newburgh Rd., Westland
Residents will be handing out candy to children.

Century 21 Curran & Oberski Northville Trunk or Treat
6 to 8 PM
560 S. Main St., Northville
Free candy, games, and Halloween fun for all ages. Costumes encouraged.

HYPE Athletics Trunk or Treat
6 to 8 PM
23302 W. Warren Ave., Dearborn Heights
Free trick or treating for all. Beverages and doughnuts while supplies last.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30

Haus of DK, Volume Tax Service & Diamond Tax Halloween Community Event
5:30 to 7:30 PM
19374 Kelly Rd., Harper Woods
Free candy, cotton candy, popcorn, and snow cones while supplies last. Costumes encouraged.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31

Reeck or Treat: The Halloween Takeover
4 to 6 PM
9861 Reeck Rd., Allen Park
Free community event hosted by Monarch Urgent Care & Pharmacy and Made With Love Donuts. Trunk or treating, food trucks, and a gift-basket raffle.

Detroit 9th Precinct Community Trunk or Treat
4 to 8 PM
11187 Gratiot Ave., Detroit
Hosted with Motorcity Chargers & Challengers and Detroit 313 Durangos. Food, bounce houses, costumes, and family fun.