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The future of Detroit. Four words. So much uncertainty. SO much. Not even the pundits of pundits with the most esteemed reputations for predicting and analyzing economic and political outcomes can conceptualize the future of this city.
Yet, across the nation there is an uncanny curiosity about Detroit. It's sometimes comparable to the rubbernecking seen on the highway after an accident mangles a car or a body or two. But there's an undercurrent that also separates it from rounchy vuerism: In cities all over the country people feel tied to Detroit' fate. The industrial pillar has fallen, now a city crusted over in rust and vines. We all know this by now. And yet the nations eye gleans Detroit, wary, nervously and frequently. Are other U.S. cities sealed into Detroit's fate? After all, it's the epicenter of this economic earthquake, they felt it first and felt it the hardest.
Here's what often gets overlooked now that internationally, economic foundations are shaking: What's happening NOW has been a LONG time coming. A storm in the gulf that turned to a hurricane and has been headed this way for the past 50 years. It's hitting everywhere now. But Detroit got the brunt of it. But the question remains: during, and in the aftermath, how will each citizen respond? How should they respond and to whom goes the power?
Detroit's already lost a big chunk of it's population and a healthy serving of hope along with it leaving only apathetic citizens, glued to a daily grind with gray, foggy eyes and thick skin and little to no imagination. No optimism or trust either, especially of elected officials. Only about a quarter of residents actually vote, the rest, the ones who feel as if they no longer hold stock in the city, on other words no longer have a slice in the pie of Detroit, don't vote and yet those are the ones whose voices need to be heard. Defeatism at its best. Lost. Gave up. Zoned out and stumbling along basking in the mindless glory of routine. This is how they can be herded like cattle, miseducated and taken advantage of. It's an age old story. This urban blight that's now getting so much attention didn't happen overnight or even over decade. It happened over a series of decades more than a half century to be sure.
so here I sit: looking out of the window of my little house in the the hood on the East side of the city. It's so quiet because there's no one around. It's on of those houses in an area where no one lived, all burnt out exoskeletons of houses and debris. A wasteland by definiion. Except for one thing: A farm. Yes, I know, I'm sick of hearing about urban farming and how it could "save Detroit" or be the "future of post industrial junkyard" yeah yeah yeah. For some reason I don't think so. Pundits acn guess and many are pointing out the 3,000 some urban farms that have spouted up from people turning back to the land and cultivating some of the large swaths of city-turned-prairie. I get a little sad when I hear that. Why? Because here's a great IDEA that will not be executed in a way that will benefit the people or the city in the long run. It will turn into a get rich quick scheme by deep pocketed investors and they will swarm in like flies and eat way at the carcass of the city leaving the white bones on top of the soil and onto the next. What I'm trying to articulate throught my rage, is this: that the urban farm push from the city will come and it will be industrial and not from the roots and ideas of the founders of these urban farms but from people with dollar signs in their eyes. And Detroit, buckled down to its knees has will have a fight left in it but there are so many fights to be fought this battle will get lost and the weakened city will get cheated, bound and left helpless as it was before, a puppet democracy run by the state.
Bing Backing down or "sticking to his guns?"
DETROIT—It’s Friday, the last day of the work week for many and if Dave Bing is “sticking to his guns” like the Detroit Free Press reported yesterday, then it will be the last day of work for 3,500 city union employees.
But union leaders aren’t giving in under pressure and Bing, who promised the layoff would come today, has not made any moves or announcements. Mlive’s Jonathan Oosting has deduced, based on media reports, that Bing “Won’t be tearing up those union contracts after all”
Bing set the deadline last month to push negotiations with city unions, namely AFSCME, to agree to 26 furlough days or the equivalent of a 10 percent pay cut as well as cuts to benefits, bonuses and health care.
The move is something top AFCSME negotiator Cathy Phillips calls a “bully tactic” to get unions to fold in negotiations.
But so far there are no immediate plans for layoffs, according to Bing’s Press Secretary Ed Cardenas in an interview with the Detroit News.
Detroit election night parties
It's election day in Detroit and that means tonight the city will be speckled with campaign parties as the election returns come in. What to know where your favorite candidate is partying? Here's a list of some of them. If you know of any more let me know!
Saunteel Jenkins:
Opus One 565 Larned Detroit, MI
TOM BARROW: 1915 W. Fort Street Cork industrial?
Jai-Lee Dearing/Rose Mary Robinson:
It's located at 2727 Russell 8:30 p "Bar-B-Q!"
James Tate
Doubletree Hotel terrace ballroom 9:00p
Kwame Kenyatta
“They say” restaurant 267 Jos Campau @ Franklin. 8:30
Andre Spivey: Hotel St. Regis @ Grand Blvd and Woodward. 9: 00p
Brenda Jones: The St. Regis Hotel in Main ballroom. 9:30 -10 pm
Shelly I. Foy:
Firewater grill 6521 John R St. 6 p.m. –midnight. She'll be there by 9.
Charles Pugh: Seldom Blues 8 p. He'll get there at 9 "Seldom blues play here"
David Cross: Kappa Alpha Psi House @ 269 Erskine St, Detroit, MI 48201 between John R and Brush “It’s gonna be a City of Detroit Party"
Raphael B. Johnson: Floods 10:p.m. 733 St Antoine St Detroit "Dress to impress"
DAVE BING: 8:00 p.m. Doubletree Guest Suites Fort Shelby/Downtown 525 W. Lafayette Detroit, MI 48226
Gary Brown: Bookies Bar @ 2208 Cass at 8:00p.m.
Saunteel Jenkins:
Opus One 565 Larned Detroit, MI
TOM BARROW: 1915 W. Fort Street Cork industrial?
Jai-Lee Dearing/Rose Mary Robinson:
It's located at 2727 Russell 8:30 p "Bar-B-Q!"
James Tate
Doubletree Hotel terrace ballroom 9:00p
Kwame Kenyatta
“They say” restaurant 267 Jos Campau @ Franklin. 8:30
Andre Spivey: Hotel St. Regis @ Grand Blvd and Woodward. 9: 00p
Brenda Jones: The St. Regis Hotel in Main ballroom. 9:30 -10 pm
Shelly I. Foy:
Firewater grill 6521 John R St. 6 p.m. –midnight. She'll be there by 9.
Charles Pugh: Seldom Blues 8 p. He'll get there at 9 "Seldom blues play here"
David Cross: Kappa Alpha Psi House @ 269 Erskine St, Detroit, MI 48201 between John R and Brush “It’s gonna be a City of Detroit Party"
Raphael B. Johnson: Floods 10:p.m. 733 St Antoine St Detroit "Dress to impress"
DAVE BING: 8:00 p.m. Doubletree Guest Suites Fort Shelby/Downtown 525 W. Lafayette Detroit, MI 48226
Gary Brown: Bookies Bar @ 2208 Cass at 8:00p.m.
More of the SAME hair advice:
To all my ladies with seriously curly hair!
Shampoos:
#1. Kerastase "Oleo Curl Bain" in orange bottle $35 at salons OR $23 at www.beautybythecase.com
#2. CHI "INRFA SHAMPOO" Grey bottle w. red cap. " Moisture Therapy Shampoo"(I found it for $13 at CVS) It works almost as good as Kerastase!
#3. Marc Anthony "Strictly Curls" shampoo $7 at any place that sells shampoo it's REALLY good the first week or some then it drops off. I'd suggest alternating it w. CHI or Kerastase twice a month or so. It'sa good backup.
#4. Pantene "ICE SHINE" Shampoo. $5 at most places. Again, like Marc Anthony only good if used once in a while or it dries out your hair. NEVER use Pantene "Hydrating Curl" it is a lie! They should call it Pantene "Crispy Frizz"
SO I think that's a good start on the shampoo. Let's talk conditioner!
#1. Kerastase "Oleo Curl" conidtioner. Again, orange bottle about $25/bottle. I couldn't find it on beauty by the case website but it's at most salons. I don't sweat it too much tho bc there are cheaper ones that work.
#2. (Actually for the price this should be #1. ) PANTENE PRO V RESTORATIVES "FRIZZ CONTROL"conditioner. $6.50 at most places where Pantene is sold. It has a purple band around it and it comes in a tube shaped bottle like a large tube of toothpaste. AWESOME stuff! Never gets old! I suggest using it immediately after shampooing AND on days when you don't wash your hair. Put a good dollop of the stuff though hair and leave it in for about 5 mins while you shower before rinsing it all out.
#3. So I don't usually do the leave-in thing with conditioners but if you do, find a good black beauty supply shop and look for "Africa's Best" products. OMG they never let you down. This is a rule.
So IF in NYC you CAN find "Africans Best" there is a deep conditioning treatment they have for $3 and it gets you a tub of this stuff that even Kerastase can't touch. It's called "ORGANICS SHEA BUTTER PLUS" by "AFRICA'S BEST". It comes in a tub with a green top and a purple and green label.
If you can find that one let me know. This e-mail is getting long and I have a process I like to use with it.
There are lots of good conditioners out there. Don't use any with "Petrolatum" in the ingredients.
#4. Any of the Pantene PRO-V Restorative conditioners seem to do a good job.
OK. Now here's a step I skip unless I'm stepping OUT!!! IT's styling products.
This is quick bc. I only use three. And none of these are much better than the other
a. Redken "Ringlet 07" formula. $12 at most salons and dept. stores. Run that through combed, towel dried hair and watch the magic as it dries!
b. Garnier Fructis "Curl Scrunch" gel. $8 at pharmacy. Same application. Redken might be a tiiiny bit better but this one's cheaper!
c. This one works WITH Curls AND when/if you ever want to straighten our hair. It's called "OLEO RELAX" leave-in serum by Kerastase. $25/bottle @ salons AND beautybythecase.com. Smooth a very small dab it over hair after you apply the curl gel or if it's straight hair smooth down frizzes with it or use it to aid you flat iron.
OK that's all for now! Let me know how it goes!
I AM curious, what products do you use now?
Shampoos:
#1. Kerastase "Oleo Curl Bain" in orange bottle $35 at salons OR $23 at www.beautybythecase.com
#2. CHI "INRFA SHAMPOO" Grey bottle w. red cap. " Moisture Therapy Shampoo"(I found it for $13 at CVS) It works almost as good as Kerastase!
#3. Marc Anthony "Strictly Curls" shampoo $7 at any place that sells shampoo it's REALLY good the first week or some then it drops off. I'd suggest alternating it w. CHI or Kerastase twice a month or so. It'sa good backup.
#4. Pantene "ICE SHINE" Shampoo. $5 at most places. Again, like Marc Anthony only good if used once in a while or it dries out your hair. NEVER use Pantene "Hydrating Curl" it is a lie! They should call it Pantene "Crispy Frizz"
SO I think that's a good start on the shampoo. Let's talk conditioner!
#1. Kerastase "Oleo Curl" conidtioner. Again, orange bottle about $25/bottle. I couldn't find it on beauty by the case website but it's at most salons. I don't sweat it too much tho bc there are cheaper ones that work.
#2. (Actually for the price this should be #1. ) PANTENE PRO V RESTORATIVES "FRIZZ CONTROL"conditioner. $6.50 at most places where Pantene is sold. It has a purple band around it and it comes in a tube shaped bottle like a large tube of toothpaste. AWESOME stuff! Never gets old! I suggest using it immediately after shampooing AND on days when you don't wash your hair. Put a good dollop of the stuff though hair and leave it in for about 5 mins while you shower before rinsing it all out.
#3. So I don't usually do the leave-in thing with conditioners but if you do, find a good black beauty supply shop and look for "Africa's Best" products. OMG they never let you down. This is a rule.
So IF in NYC you CAN find "Africans Best" there is a deep conditioning treatment they have for $3 and it gets you a tub of this stuff that even Kerastase can't touch. It's called "ORGANICS SHEA BUTTER PLUS" by "AFRICA'S BEST". It comes in a tub with a green top and a purple and green label.
If you can find that one let me know. This e-mail is getting long and I have a process I like to use with it.
There are lots of good conditioners out there. Don't use any with "Petrolatum" in the ingredients.
#4. Any of the Pantene PRO-V Restorative conditioners seem to do a good job.
OK. Now here's a step I skip unless I'm stepping OUT!!! IT's styling products.
This is quick bc. I only use three. And none of these are much better than the other
a. Redken "Ringlet 07" formula. $12 at most salons and dept. stores. Run that through combed, towel dried hair and watch the magic as it dries!
b. Garnier Fructis "Curl Scrunch" gel. $8 at pharmacy. Same application. Redken might be a tiiiny bit better but this one's cheaper!
c. This one works WITH Curls AND when/if you ever want to straighten our hair. It's called "OLEO RELAX" leave-in serum by Kerastase. $25/bottle @ salons AND beautybythecase.com. Smooth a very small dab it over hair after you apply the curl gel or if it's straight hair smooth down frizzes with it or use it to aid you flat iron.
OK that's all for now! Let me know how it goes!
I AM curious, what products do you use now?
Bing V. Barrow
Bing or Barrow? Here's an outline of who's who and such.
On unions:
Using phrases like “Barrow is our only hope”, calling Mayor Dave Bing “a liar” and wearing a Tom Barrow pin on her chest, one could easily mistake Cathy Philips, the Chief negotiator of Michigan AFSCME Council 25, for the Barrow’s campaign manager.
The reason: Phillips is not happy with Bing’s proposed cuts to the union city worker’s pay and benefits and it’s one week before the municipal election. It’s not necessarily Barrows running platform that is the draw: Barrow has said he would make the same cuts if he got into office and saw that that there were no other options. But still, they’re going to take the chance that he’ll be easier on unions than Bing, who Barrow is calling “The republican mayor”.
But Bing’s actions have made it clear that he is not concerned about losing to his opponent, the third time mayoral candidate who challenged Coleman Young twice in the 80s. Not only has Bing refused to debate Barrow but he is not walking softly around re-negotiating union contracts. Specifically AFSME contracts, the biggest public labor in the city. It’s true, Barrow is a tan underdog who has some history of legal trouble in the past, and that Bing got about nearly 80 percent of the vote in the August primary. It’s also true that Barrow still thinks he has a chance. And if he does have a foot in the door, his only hope right now is in unions votes because he's not exactly financially level with the Bing campaign nor does he have a household name.
On Regionalism:
One of the major dividing lines in Detroit politics comes with how to handle regionalism at a time when the city is out of cash. On one side, some feel that the region—meaning leadership in the tri-county (Macomb, Oakland, Wayne) area—is taking advantage of the city while it is in a vulnerable financial state by buying out assets. The creation of regional authorities is a scorching issue in Detroit with one camp saying "Take back out city" and the other saying "we need to cooperate and save, take whatever you want1".
Two prime examples that have gathered around this regional issue are the Cobo Hall deal and the Macomb County Water interceptor.And a fierce battle that is looming on the region v. Detroit horizon is the issue of regional transit. DDOT (Detroit Department of Transportation) has a bus service and the suburban bus service SMART. Now it seems that SMART has more funding than DDOT. Just months ago SMART got 50 new buses while Detroit is cutting bus service. So it looks like DDOT would have to give up some power if the transit is lumped into regional authority. I can hear radio personality Mildred Gaddis throwing a fit about it already: "The hijacking of DDOT".
Here are some quotes from Barrow's hour long MiVote interview with Stephen Henderson of the Freep and Nolan Finley of the Detroit News.
BARROW: "Mr. Bing is clearly carrying the water of those who would privatize and regionalize take away diminish and dismantle the city of Detroit. There’s no doubt about it. He’s running plays that are being called form the sidelines."
NOLAN FINLEY: "What interest would those folks you’re talking about stand to have Detroit dismanlted and dismembered?
BARROW: "They stand to benefit financially: You privatize power and light, DTE gets a big book of business. If you privatizative tax collections some private corporation gets a big book of business. When you start taking away middle class jobs under the guise of “we’re gonna make things run more efficiently “ The very ones who are advocating it are the ones who stand to benefit. It’s disturbing to me and disturbing is a big word."
Nolan Finley: How does Tom Barrow pay for ... [City services]?
BARROW: I read financial statements. I understand them. That’s my background, that’s my training. Our records are screwed up. We’re managing it backwards. We’re managing it on projected cash flow up and down. One moment they tell us we had to cut the busses. Then they say 'we found $400,000.' they say we're gonna run out of Cash by Oct. 1 if we don't make these draconian cuts. When the unions bucked they say “we have til March. When you see that waning and waning, when you see that inconsistency, wall street loses confidence. I would have a forensic investigation into payroll, parking, pension, real estate transactions. Hundreds of positions aren’t budgeted for."
BARROW: The Mayor is way over his head. The plays are being called by Beckham and White. Why don’t you produce to me the interim financial statement? Show it to the public so we can talk to facts empirically. Stakeholders want to see something. They don’t trust this republican mayor. They have not being showing the unions. They never get back. We’re sitting here reacting to some numbers that none of us have ever seen. Why wouldn’t we have it on the website? Why wouldn’t we have it on TV? I want to put it online! Then, when I say I wanna cut this, I wanna cut that. They’ll say 'I see why'. The very first day in office ... We’re gonna get rid of this federal monitor. I’m a different guy. I’m in charge. Mr. Bing is not accountable he only wants one term. How are we gonna finance the deficit? There’s something else going on that they’re not showing us.
NOLAN: "What is different about Tom Barrow Plan than Mayor Bing?"
I’m gonna hire 300 new police officers. It’s not just labor.
Stephenson: "Police Chief: Warren Evans Is that your guy?"
BARROW: “Not at all. I don’t want political people. The only politician [in my cabinet is going to be me.”
BARROW on Bing: "He’s an outsider carrying the water of others> meaning L. Brooks Patterson… didn’t have to say a thing Bing did the work for him. I’m for regionalism, regional transit. Let’s just make sure that we have a fair way. I want fairness for Detroiters. That’s what we haven’t had.
SHOULD MAYOR TAKE CONTROL OF SCHOOLS?
BARROW: I don’t believe in the state saying ;Mayor, here, you take the schools.' If the people vote for me to lead then yes. I don’t like disenfranchising the board. The elected officials are accountable.
BARROW ON BING: "Here’s a man who’s never lived in his Detroit his entire life. He can’t relate to what we deal with everyday. I’ve lived in Detroit my entire life. I’ve never left and come back. There’s no such thing as a virtual Detroiter. He’s not one of us."
On unions:
Using phrases like “Barrow is our only hope”, calling Mayor Dave Bing “a liar” and wearing a Tom Barrow pin on her chest, one could easily mistake Cathy Philips, the Chief negotiator of Michigan AFSCME Council 25, for the Barrow’s campaign manager.
The reason: Phillips is not happy with Bing’s proposed cuts to the union city worker’s pay and benefits and it’s one week before the municipal election. It’s not necessarily Barrows running platform that is the draw: Barrow has said he would make the same cuts if he got into office and saw that that there were no other options. But still, they’re going to take the chance that he’ll be easier on unions than Bing, who Barrow is calling “The republican mayor”.
But Bing’s actions have made it clear that he is not concerned about losing to his opponent, the third time mayoral candidate who challenged Coleman Young twice in the 80s. Not only has Bing refused to debate Barrow but he is not walking softly around re-negotiating union contracts. Specifically AFSME contracts, the biggest public labor in the city. It’s true, Barrow is a tan underdog who has some history of legal trouble in the past, and that Bing got about nearly 80 percent of the vote in the August primary. It’s also true that Barrow still thinks he has a chance. And if he does have a foot in the door, his only hope right now is in unions votes because he's not exactly financially level with the Bing campaign nor does he have a household name.
On Regionalism:
One of the major dividing lines in Detroit politics comes with how to handle regionalism at a time when the city is out of cash. On one side, some feel that the region—meaning leadership in the tri-county (Macomb, Oakland, Wayne) area—is taking advantage of the city while it is in a vulnerable financial state by buying out assets. The creation of regional authorities is a scorching issue in Detroit with one camp saying "Take back out city" and the other saying "we need to cooperate and save, take whatever you want1".
Two prime examples that have gathered around this regional issue are the Cobo Hall deal and the Macomb County Water interceptor.And a fierce battle that is looming on the region v. Detroit horizon is the issue of regional transit. DDOT (Detroit Department of Transportation) has a bus service and the suburban bus service SMART. Now it seems that SMART has more funding than DDOT. Just months ago SMART got 50 new buses while Detroit is cutting bus service. So it looks like DDOT would have to give up some power if the transit is lumped into regional authority. I can hear radio personality Mildred Gaddis throwing a fit about it already: "The hijacking of DDOT".
Here are some quotes from Barrow's hour long MiVote interview with Stephen Henderson of the Freep and Nolan Finley of the Detroit News.
BARROW: "Mr. Bing is clearly carrying the water of those who would privatize and regionalize take away diminish and dismantle the city of Detroit. There’s no doubt about it. He’s running plays that are being called form the sidelines."
NOLAN FINLEY: "What interest would those folks you’re talking about stand to have Detroit dismanlted and dismembered?
BARROW: "They stand to benefit financially: You privatize power and light, DTE gets a big book of business. If you privatizative tax collections some private corporation gets a big book of business. When you start taking away middle class jobs under the guise of “we’re gonna make things run more efficiently “ The very ones who are advocating it are the ones who stand to benefit. It’s disturbing to me and disturbing is a big word."
Nolan Finley: How does Tom Barrow pay for ... [City services]?
BARROW: I read financial statements. I understand them. That’s my background, that’s my training. Our records are screwed up. We’re managing it backwards. We’re managing it on projected cash flow up and down. One moment they tell us we had to cut the busses. Then they say 'we found $400,000.' they say we're gonna run out of Cash by Oct. 1 if we don't make these draconian cuts. When the unions bucked they say “we have til March. When you see that waning and waning, when you see that inconsistency, wall street loses confidence. I would have a forensic investigation into payroll, parking, pension, real estate transactions. Hundreds of positions aren’t budgeted for."
BARROW: The Mayor is way over his head. The plays are being called by Beckham and White. Why don’t you produce to me the interim financial statement? Show it to the public so we can talk to facts empirically. Stakeholders want to see something. They don’t trust this republican mayor. They have not being showing the unions. They never get back. We’re sitting here reacting to some numbers that none of us have ever seen. Why wouldn’t we have it on the website? Why wouldn’t we have it on TV? I want to put it online! Then, when I say I wanna cut this, I wanna cut that. They’ll say 'I see why'. The very first day in office ... We’re gonna get rid of this federal monitor. I’m a different guy. I’m in charge. Mr. Bing is not accountable he only wants one term. How are we gonna finance the deficit? There’s something else going on that they’re not showing us.
NOLAN: "What is different about Tom Barrow Plan than Mayor Bing?"
I’m gonna hire 300 new police officers. It’s not just labor.
Stephenson: "Police Chief: Warren Evans Is that your guy?"
BARROW: “Not at all. I don’t want political people. The only politician [in my cabinet is going to be me.”
BARROW on Bing: "He’s an outsider carrying the water of others> meaning L. Brooks Patterson… didn’t have to say a thing Bing did the work for him. I’m for regionalism, regional transit. Let’s just make sure that we have a fair way. I want fairness for Detroiters. That’s what we haven’t had.
SHOULD MAYOR TAKE CONTROL OF SCHOOLS?
BARROW: I don’t believe in the state saying ;Mayor, here, you take the schools.' If the people vote for me to lead then yes. I don’t like disenfranchising the board. The elected officials are accountable.
BARROW ON BING: "Here’s a man who’s never lived in his Detroit his entire life. He can’t relate to what we deal with everyday. I’ve lived in Detroit my entire life. I’ve never left and come back. There’s no such thing as a virtual Detroiter. He’s not one of us."
Detroit Mayoral challenger Barrow: "Bing is a republican"
Watch the hour long interview with challenging mayoral candidate Tom Barrow. He blasts Bing in the interview calling him a puppet who is making decision based on plays called "from the sidelines."
CHECK IT OUT:
CHECK IT OUT:
Beautiful, I just want you to know...
It’s a fall day in Detroit. Standing at the corner of an empty lot on the city’s east side one can see a streak of iridescent color flitting between the browning knee-high stalks of wild grass— a pheasant, made uneasy by approaching footsteps, dodges into a nearby shrub and disappears. In the distance the Detroit skyline peeks over the horizon marked by the unmistakable Renaissance Center.
There is a certain quiet, a stillness that blankets the city’s east side communities. The rhythmic creak of crickets, sparatic bird calls and the occasional car with a loud muffler and bass system are the only sounds that can be heard at the moment. To the left is a patch of collard greens, overripe tomatoes and a few zucchini squash that have gone to seed. To the right there is a stack of hay, waiting to be moved to the pigpen for the winter.
This is one little portion Detroit, and it’s a beautiful place to be.
There is a certain quiet, a stillness that blankets the city’s east side communities. The rhythmic creak of crickets, sparatic bird calls and the occasional car with a loud muffler and bass system are the only sounds that can be heard at the moment. To the left is a patch of collard greens, overripe tomatoes and a few zucchini squash that have gone to seed. To the right there is a stack of hay, waiting to be moved to the pigpen for the winter.
This is one little portion Detroit, and it’s a beautiful place to be.
Detroit Nov. 2009 Ballot Proposals
Proposal O: Operating Millage Renewal
To renew the millage authorized in 2000, shall Wayne County be authorized to continue to levy this millage at the estimated 2008 rollback rate of 0.9529 (about 95 cents per $1,000 of taxable valuation) for ten more years (2010 through 2019), and proceeds used to continue existing County services, including programs for arrest, detention and prosecution of criminals, juvenile court and related services, public health, recreation, County parks, job training, senior citizen services, and programs for meeting medical needs of the poor, the disabled, and the aged? This renewal is projected to generate $43,495,573 in 2010.
Yes ___
No ___
PROPOSAL D: Council By Distrcts
Shall the Detroit City Charter be amended to provide for a total of nine members of City Council with one (1) council member, with district residency, elected from each of seven (7) districts and two (2) members
elected at large?
Yes ___
No ___
PROPOSAL S: Detroit Public School District Bond Proposal
Shall the School District of the City of Detroit, County of Wayne, Michigan, borrow the principal sum of not to exceed Five Hundred Million Five Hundred Forty Thousand Dollars ($500,540,000) and issue its unlimited tax general obligation bonds for the purpose of defraying the cost of:
Constructing new replacement buildings and/or additions to existing buildings;
Remodeling existing buildings, including energy conservation, safety and security improvements;
Acquiring, improving and developing sites, including playgrounds, playfields and outdoor athletic facilities in the School District;
Furnishing, refurnishing, equipping and reequipping School District buildings; and
Acquiring and installing instructional technology equipment in and connecting School District buildings?
The estimated millage to be levied in 2010 to service this issue of bonds is 3.82 mills ($3.82 per $1,000 of taxable value) and the estimated simple average annual millage rate required to retire the bonds of this issue is 2.56 mills ($2.56 per $1,000 of taxable value). The debt millage levy required to retire all bonds of the School District currently outstanding and proposed by this ballot proposal is currently estimated to remain at or below 13.0 mills. The bonds may be issued in multiple series, payable in the case of each series in not to exceed thirty (30) years from the date of issue of each series. If the School District borrows from the State to pay debt service on the bonds of this issue, the School District may be required to continue to levy mills beyond the term of the bonds to repay the State.
(Under State law, bond proceeds may not be used to pay teacher or administrator salaries, routine maintenance or repair costs or other School District operating expenses.)
Yes ___
No ___
For more information about the Detroit November ballot visit www.Publius.org
Serena Williams posing nude for ESPN
Serena is getting a lot of BS for posing nude. But what's the big deal? She looks good. If she's comfortable with it, why not?
On the ground in Detroit
Today the newest issue of Time magazine with Detroit on the cover was sold out in all the area Borders books and Barns and Noble stores. Apparently it's a good report, I'm not sure though. I want to read it and critically review its content. I really would like to see what they, ["they" meaning skilled, experienced, educated and assumedly intelligent journalists] put together on this city. But all in all is Detroit really as bad as it would seem to the outside eye? Once one adjusts to life in the 'hood things can be quite relaxing, and a sense of contentment and simple enjoyment sets in. The Sunday afternoon barbeque, the smell of smoke, the music from the neighbor's radio, the bump of the cars bass, the call of the pheasant, bees buzzing in the trees. I mean, this is my east-side reality were things are a bit more country. But Detroit's Deroit. Sometimes I find it liberating where people are just ... in the moment whatever that moment is. Whether you're serving at the spot or struggling to pay for classes at Wayne state or both, it's a unique experience and everyone's perception of the same reality shifts by person. Let's all share our perspectives. I do want to read the time report before I make any assumptions.
But because with all these reports coming in from national media; from stranger reporters who have descended upon this "industrial wasteland" it's starting to become a caricature of itself. Meaning the formula for this kinds of thing can be nailed and celebrated with a simple drinking game.
I'm not sure what's going on. I've only lived in the city proper for two years. I definitely think that the city may look different to a foreign eye. And I think that vantage point needs to be developed. But seriously, I feel that the mainstream information flow, for the most part, is so conventionally wacked. Here we have the majority of reports and analysis of the political and socio-economic situations coming from people who have not been assimilated into the unique culture of Detroit. A lot of these problems are based in a cultural, racial, class based subtext. They're problems that are not new but are magnified by economic recessions. But the magnification turns it into a spectacle, a grand exhibit. Then there's the added consideration that white people inherently have an incredible need conquer. If they talk about the old train station and urban farming and urban blight and such then it's ... pretty predictable.
Hair advice:
I've always worn my hair natural. As a mixed person (black and white and other) my hair doesn't respond well to all "black" hair products nor does it respond well to "white" hair products. For years I struggled with hair products from shampoos to conditioners and serums. They either oiled the hell out of my hair so it was just lumpy and heavy or dried it out until it was crispy and frizzy.
So, all my ladies (and gents) with seriously curly hair, here are some products that work. Remember, never get stuck using one product. It's crucial to rotate shampoos regularly...but make sure you keep some good ones in rotation. Here are some products that work for me:
Shampoos:
#1. Kerastase "Oleo Curl Bain" in orange bottle $35 at salons OR $23 at www.beautybythecase.com
#2. CHI "INRFA SHAMPOO" Grey bottle w. red cap. " Moisture Therapy Shampoo"(I found it for $13 at CVS) It works almost as good as Kerastase!
#3. Marc Anthony "Strictly Curls" shampoo $7 at any place that sells shampoo it's REALLY good the first week or some then it drops off. I'd suggest alternating it w. CHI or Kerastase twice a month or so. It'sa good backup.
#4. Pantene "ICE SHINE" Shampoo. $5 at most places. Again, like Marc Anthony only good if used once in a while or it dries out your hair. NEVER use Pantene "Hydrating Curl" it is a lie! They should call it Pantene "Crispy Frizz"
SO I think that's a good start on the shampoo. Let's talk conditioner!
#1. Kerastase "Oleo Curl" conidtioner. Again, orange bottle about $25/bottle. I couldn't find it on beauty by the case website but it's at most salons. I don't sweat it too much tho bc there are cheaper ones that work.
#2. (Actually for the price this should be #1. ) PANTENE PRO V RESTORATIVES "FRIZZ CONTROL"conditioner. $6.50 at most places where Pantene is sold. It has a purple band around it and it comes in a tube shaped bottle like a large tube of toothpaste. AWESOME stuff! Never gets old! I suggest using it immediately after shampooing AND on days when you don't wash your hair. Put a good dollop of the stuff though hair and leave it in for about 5 mins while you shower before rinsing it all out.
#3. So I don't usually do the leave-in thing with conditioners but if you do, find a good black beauty supply shop and look for "Africa's Best" products. OMG they never let you down. This is a rule.
"Africans Best" has a deep conditioning treatment they have for $3 and it gets you a tub of this stuff. It's called "ORGANICS SHEA BUTTER PLUS" by "AFRICA'S BEST". It comes in a tub with a green top and a purple and green label.
There are lots of good conditioners out there. Don't use any with "Petrolatum" in the ingredients.
#4. Any of the Pantene PRO-V Restorative conditioners seem to do a good job.
#5 BioInfusion "Moisturizing" conditioners ($7, Walgreens, CVS, Rite Aid)
OK. Now here's a step I skip unless I'm stepping OUT!!! IT's styling products.
And none of these are much better than the other
a. Redken "Ringlet 07" formula. $12 at most salons and dept. stores. Run that through combed, towel dried hair and watch the magic as it dries!
b. Garnier Fructis "Curl Scrunch" gel. $8 at pharmacy. Same application. Redken might be a tiiiny bit better but this one's cheaper!
c. This one works WITH Curls AND when/if you ever want to straighten our hair. It's called "OLEO RELAX" leave-in serum by Kerastase. $25/bottle @ salons AND beautybythecase.com. Smooth a very small dab it over hair after you apply the curl gel or if it's straight hair smooth down frizzes with it or use it to aid you flat iron.
d. Some sort of strong hold hair spray for days I slick my hair back and don't want fly-aways. I use a toothbrush comb in fly-aways with hair gel and then spray it in place.
OK that's all for now! Let me know how it goes!
I AM curious, what products do YOU use?
TIP: If you've been using the same shampoo for months, try switching it up, even if it's a good shampoo. You can always come back to it. It's good to rotate between shampoos that you know work, something to do with the change in chemicals? I have no idea. But trust me, it works.
So if I've been using the Chi's ultra moisturizing shampoo for about a month now and I might switch to
Aveeno or Pantene "moisturizing" shampoos every couple months. If I could afford to I'd use Kerastase "Curl Bain" more often, tho. It's not as crucial to switch conditioners if you get a good one, either.
On Commitment
“ ‘DO YOU KNOW why I am so glad,’ she said, ‘so glad to look at you? — why I like you so much today?’
‘Well?’ I asked, and my heart began throbbing.
‘I like you because you have not fallen in love with me.’ ” ~Fyodor Dostoyevsky
‘Well?’ I asked, and my heart began throbbing.
‘I like you because you have not fallen in love with me.’ ” ~Fyodor Dostoyevsky
Packard Plant: let it burn?
Detroit's Packard Industrial Park's 3.5 million square feet is an eerie landmark in the city. Once a symbol of economic prosperity, today the sprawling, decayed frame covers 35 acres with shattered glass, dripping rust, and heaps of municipal waste such as shoes, dolls and boats. In the spring and summer parts become enshrouded in leafy overgrowth.
In many ways, The Packard factory is a symbol of The Motor City's decline from a prosperous manufacturing capital to a city in crisis.
A fire blazed through the top floors of the structure Sunday night June 28th at 7:30 p.m. Firefighters faught the blaze from the outside for hours. The fire is suspected to be arson.
In many ways, The Packard factory is a symbol of The Motor City's decline from a prosperous manufacturing capital to a city in crisis.
A fire blazed through the top floors of the structure Sunday night June 28th at 7:30 p.m. Firefighters faught the blaze from the outside for hours. The fire is suspected to be arson.
Bing's campaign statement on trash incinerator
When running for Mayor Dave Bing has this to say about recycling and about his position on Detroit's method of municipal waste disposal:
Q: Do you think Detroit should continue to send garbage to its waste-to-energy incinerator?
A: In fiscal year 2007-2008, Detroit residents paid $172/ton for trash disposal – about 5 to 7 times as much as nearby suburbs, and about 14 times what private haulers paid to have their trash burned at the incinerator ($172/ton versus $12/ton).
In 2008, the city council voted to end sending our trash to its waste to energy incinerator. I support this action. Detroit can sell materials that are currently going into the incinerator on the global market. The city can not sell what now it burns. That is more money that could be earmarked for our deficit. I have been informed that of the nation's 30 largest cities, Detroit is the only major city without some type of curbside recycling program. While confronting our mounting deficit, I can not promise a city wide curbside recycling program, I would support working with the private and non-profit sectors on pilot programs.
Q: Do you think Detroit should continue to send garbage to its waste-to-energy incinerator?
A: In fiscal year 2007-2008, Detroit residents paid $172/ton for trash disposal – about 5 to 7 times as much as nearby suburbs, and about 14 times what private haulers paid to have their trash burned at the incinerator ($172/ton versus $12/ton).
In 2008, the city council voted to end sending our trash to its waste to energy incinerator. I support this action. Detroit can sell materials that are currently going into the incinerator on the global market. The city can not sell what now it burns. That is more money that could be earmarked for our deficit. I have been informed that of the nation's 30 largest cities, Detroit is the only major city without some type of curbside recycling program. While confronting our mounting deficit, I can not promise a city wide curbside recycling program, I would support working with the private and non-profit sectors on pilot programs.
Common goals
"I am the employer of Al Sharpton.
I am the paycheck for Jesse Jackson.
Sittin' here smokin' weed,
sellin' drugs,
countin' money with a bucket of chicken and a ...
... , listinin' to Gucci Mane.
Matrin Luther King Jr. is rolling in his grave sayin' 'This Nigga!'
(Don't quote me on that. The NAACP will throw a temper tantrum.)
I have that nightmare of bad credit.
I have that dream of a big house.
Can't stop now,
I am Barack Obama's 'yes we can.'"
I am the paycheck for Jesse Jackson.
Sittin' here smokin' weed,
sellin' drugs,
countin' money with a bucket of chicken and a ...
... , listinin' to Gucci Mane.
Matrin Luther King Jr. is rolling in his grave sayin' 'This Nigga!'
(Don't quote me on that. The NAACP will throw a temper tantrum.)
I have that nightmare of bad credit.
I have that dream of a big house.
Can't stop now,
I am Barack Obama's 'yes we can.'"
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