We highlight new and familiar ways you can get involved in our Novi through our Ambassador Academy and the new Mayor's Youth Forum. Details on the Mayor's Youth Forum will be forthcoming as we are prepared to launch it in January. You can apply for the Ambassador Academy here https://cityofnovi.org/government/ambassador-academy/.

Guest host Damon Parnell talks with Jenneva Kayser and Shannon Karol from the Northville Art House about a new partnership bringing youth art classes to Novi. They share how this collaboration is opening creative opportunities for local kids and why fostering the arts is such a valuable part of our community. Learn more at https://northvillearthouse.org

Sheryl is joined by Director of Public Safety and Chief of Police Erick Zinser to talk about what’s next now that Novi’s public safety bond has passed. They break down what the bond will fund, the expected timeline, and how the City will keep residents informed throughout the process.

City Clerk Cortney Hanson provides an overview of voting options for the August 5 special election. Learn about absentee ballots, early in-person voting, and Election Day procedures. The ballot includes Novi’s Public Safety Facilities Bond proposal—find official details at cityofnovi.org/2025bond.

Why does it feel like the north end of Novi is one big construction zone? In this episode, Construction Engineer Aaron Staup joins us to break down what’s behind the flurry of orange barrels, lane closures, and detours. From infrastructure upgrades to long-term planning, he explains the goals behind the projects, what’s being improved, and how it all ties into Novi’s future growth. If you live, work, or drive through the north end, this one’s for you.

Step back in time with Kathy Crawford as she returns to Now You Novi to share the rich and lively history of the Walled Lake Casino and Amusement Park. Once a bustling destination for music, dancing, and family fun, the south end of Walled Lake was home to a thriving entertainment scene. Kathy walks us through its beginnings, the golden era filled with big band sounds and thrill rides, and the factors that led to its decline. Today, the site lives on as a peaceful city-owned passive park—but the memories remain.

The summer fun in Novi is heating up fast, with the Street Sounds concert series! Mary Ledermann joins us to discuss the jams and vibes coming to Twelve Mile Crossing at Fountain Walk.

Summer is here, and so is our Sizzling Summer Art & Culture Series! Jenneva Kayser of our Parks team joins the pod to tackle this series of exciting events coming to your Novi.

We’re celebrating our 100th episode with a look at one of Novi’s biggest community events! Katie Chuba from the Novi Chamber of Commerce joins us to talk about the upcoming Novi Community Fest — a free, family-friendly day packed with public safety vehicles, food trucks, bounce houses, cultural performances, and more. Learn how this partnership brings businesses, families, and fun together right here in Novi. Presented by Sam’s Club, with premiere support from DTE Energy and in Partnership with the Novi Chamber of Commerce and Novi Library.

Discover the heart of Novi before the subdivisions and shopping centers.

Step back in time to the 1940s and ’50s, when Novi was a quiet farming community filled with dirt roads, dairy barns, and close-knit neighbors. Longtime resident Kathy Crawford recalls the people, places, and events that shaped the town’s early identity. Delve into the memories, milestones, and moments that defined a bygone era—before rapid development transformed the landscape. Whether you're a lifelong resident or just curious about local history, this episode brings Novi’s rural roots to life through rich storytelling and personal reflections.