Mini Station

Fight Crime on a small scale
Originally uploaded by femaletrumpet02

As I was taking my weekly walk, I noticed this old Police Mini Station in Capitol Park, located in Downtown Detroit. The Mini Stations have been in the city since the 1970s, mainly in the neighborhood (another mini station is located in the Dexter-Elmhurst area on Detroit's west side). These stations were originally opened to have a police presence in the neighborhoods. Many are now closed, but a few are still open, including a new one at the Renaissance Center in downtown Detroit.

Paying a debt to the government

I've been reading and thinking about an article in today's Detroit Free Press about the federal government coming after people that have defaulted on their Student Loans. It seems like with all the people graduating college nowadays, many can't find work, and if they do, many don't make enough to pay back the Feds on their education. I've heard in the past few years about many of these collection agencies making harassing (and often untrue) phone calls to people who owe money on their loans. Many have told people that they were going to be arrested and thrown in jail if the money wasn't paid, many others told people that they'd be on the street if their money didn't come to the agency on time. Lots of people are just afraid to answer the phone or the door for fear of being served a lawsuit for a debt owed on a loan. If you owe on your college loans, what's the experience like for you?

Fire Documentary and Architecture

 As I was taking my Weekend Walk this past Saturday, I noticed the marquee of the Fillmore theatre in Downtown Detroit, which featured the documentary, "Burn", which chronicles a year in the life of Detroit Firefighters. There were two screenings of the film, September 28 and 29, for firefighters and their families, and for all who were interested.  Reading articles on the Detroit News and Free Press' websites, the film got good reviews from locals and from out of towners, as well. The trailer of the film can be found at http://detroitfirefilm.org/ . I particularly liked the poster for the movie, pictured here. . The crest with the two angelic figures is on the old Fire Headquarters, which is currently up for sale. The building, located across from Cobo Center in Detroit, has a cornerstone of 1929, and is one of the most historic buildings in the downtown area of Detroit. The crest pictured here is one of my favorite touches to the building. This was built during a time when attention was paid to detail when a new structure was built, and no detail was left ignored.

Celebrate

Celebrate
Originally uploaded by femaletrumpet02

Congratulations to the Detroit Tigers! They clinched a playoff spot and the American League Central Division! The Tigers beat the Kansas City Royals last night, and the celebration began. The team sprayed non-alcoholic wine and/or champagne in the clubhouse, and is now preparing for their post-season opponent, which, as I hear, may be either the Baltimore Orioles, New York Yankees, Oakland Athletics, or Texas Rangers. The Tigers will play at home for their first two playoff games on Saturday and Sunday. Good Luck and Much Success to the Tigers! Here's to a Parade down Woodward!!

YouTube Friday: DPS All City High School Marching Band at Campus Martius Park, August 22...

Since Football season is here on all levels, from Pop Warner league to the NFL, that means bands are out on the field, entertaining the crowds with songs. This video is one I filmed back in August of this year. It's of Detroit's All City High School Marching band, performing after the annual Back To School parade through Downtown Detroit. The band returned in 2011 after a 7 year hiatus. The first incarnation of the band was from 2001-2004, with an appearance in the Tournament of Roses Parade in '02, and Detroit's Thanksgiving Parades.  The musicians, Flag team and dance team do a great job. I hope to hear more from these talented young people in the future.

Watching yourself and others in the Central Business District

 These banners have been around the lower Woodward/Central Business District area for at least 2 years now. They are representing the Central Business District Neighborhood Watch initiative. These are posted all over the downtown area, including Comerica Park (above) and the Chase Tower, pictured here. The goal of the intiative is to help all visitors, residents, employees, and others who may be downtown to stay safe. If something were to happen to you while downtown, you could go to any of the blue bannered/signed locations to get the help you need. I think that this is a fantastic idea, because with the amount of people coming downtown to work, live, and play,  there's a need for this kind of thing.

End to the Teachers strike

Striking Teachers
Originally uploaded by femaletrumpet02

I saw this sign while in Chicago for a Tigers game versus the White Sox on Monday. The Teachers brought an end to their strike yesterday. Reading an article on ABC News website, I see that one of the snags that kept the strike going was about how teachers were evaluated. The strike reminded me of a teachers strike in Detroit back in the early 1970s that my Mom told me about a few times. I'm glad to see that the teachers are back at work there.

iHype 5.0

Welp, it looks like the new iPhones will be out this coming Friday, September 21, 2012. The phones are pretty slick from the looks of it on Apple's website. They look much like the iPhone 4S, but the 5's are boxier looking than the 4S and even the 4. Reading an article on the USA Today website, I found out that the phones sold out in an hour during the presale period. I look forward to seeing how people adjust to their phones. If you are purchasing a new iPhone, what are you most looking forward to doing with it?

Detroit Masonic Temple

Detroit's Masonic Temple, located in the city's Cass Corridor area north of Downtown, is one of the city's architectural masterpieces. The building has played host to many concerts, graduations, weddings, and other events outside of Masonic lodge meetings. The cornerstone was laid in 1922 and completed four years later, according to the Wikipedia page for the building. The official page (www.themasonic.com) notes that it's the largest Masonic Temple at least in the USA. I enjoy seeing the relief sculptures that adorn the building. I remember playing here at my high school's graduations with my High School Band in 1999, 2000 and 2001 in the Scottish Rite Cathedral, and there's a picture of me in Preschool at a show at the main auditorium that I attended through my Mom's job at the phone company.

Labor Day Weekend pt 1

Just wanted to let you guys know about what I did for the Labor Day weekend, and show you in pictures the sights and scenes of the weekend. The first event I attended was the 33rd annual Jazz Festival at Hart Plaza. The musical groups, as usual, were outstanding. I liked hearing music from the High School and College bands, especially. I also liked the professional artists and the enthusiasm of the crowds in attendance. For more pictures from the fest, head on over to my Flickr Page (more pics to come in this album)

YouTube Friday: Woman Pepper Sprays Children To Get Xbox 360 On Black Friday 2011

Today's edition of YouTube Friday, which was found on MegaMrBeautiful's YouTube channel, is something I thought about as I was leaving Wal-Mart after doing some shopping this week. I began thinking about Black Friday after seeing a police car parked out in front of the Wal-Mart I went to, and all the craziness in and around big box stores. The incident shown here was from last year's Black Friday madness, when a lady had a can of mace with her and sprayed her way to get what she wanted. Sometimes, I wonder what gets into people when they want something. What's the craziest thing you've seen someone do to get something?

Honorary Parrothead

Honorary Parrothead
Originally uploaded by femaletrumpet02

This picture has become one of my favorites. It's of the Detroit Tiger in his Jimmy Buffett Concert T-shirt on August 4, 2012. Many "Parrotheads", as Jimmy Buffett fans are called, took pictures with him. You see the Tiger dressed in everything from a Red Wings jersey (most recently for the 2013 NHL Winter Classic) to a Carhartt Jacket in the winter. I enjoy stopping by during the year to see what the Tiger has on, if anything.

YouTube Friday: Black and Blue Trailer

Today's YouTube Friday Entry is from MBMKruger's YouTube Page. It's about a new documentary about the friendship between Willis Ward and President Gerald Ford when they were both students at the University of Michigan back in the 1930s. I found out about this documentary after reading this article in the Detroit News from August 9, 2012. It talks about the football game in October of 1934 between Michigan and Georgia Tech, and Willis Ward was benched because of his race. I learned a lot from reading about the article, and I hope to watch the documentary. It really is  telling about how things were back in the days, and I hope that people can learn from what went on then.

Learning of a War Hero

General Alexander Macomb
Originally uploaded by femaletrumpet02

This statue of Maj. Gen. Alexander Macomb, donated by the Michigan Soc'y of the Daughters of 1812, stands on Washington Boulevard in Downtown Detroit. According to the Congressional Cemetery's website (http://www.congressionalcemetery.org/major-general-alexander-macomb), Gen. Macomb was born in Detroit in the 1780s, and was in the War of 1812. He died in 1841. I also did some research on the Daughters of 1812, the group who donated the statue. According to their website (http://www.usdaughters1812.org/home.html), they were founded in 1892, for descendants of 1812 veterans, and are currently commemorating the war's bicentennial this year.

Slurpee Buses, or Rolling Ads

 I've noticed these Slurpee buses around town recently, and I thought that these were pretty cool. I'm just wondering if these are on any other city's buses, subways, trolleys or streetcar. The first picture was taken this past Saturday, and the other was taken in early June. I like seeing the shrink wrapped buses from the outside, but they're a pain in the neck to ride on, because you can barely see out the window when you're trying to get somewhere. What are your favorite shrink wrapped vehicles. My personal favorites were the Pepsi "Optimismmmmm" People Mover back in 2009, the Metro PCS People Mover these past couple of years, and this Slurpee Bus, shown here.

Detroit Institue of Arts

This picture of the Detroit Institute of Arts is one of my favorites taken this past Weekend. I was leaving the main Library after doing some research, and was about to catch the bus downtown for lunch. The DIA is one of the top locations for locals and for Tourists alike. Reading about their history on the DIA's website, I see that the present building was built in the 1920s, and has many amenities, such as an auditorium and a research library. I remember coming here with my Mom and Dad when I was a kid and a teenager to take in new art exhibits. I noticed as I was doing my family History that my Mom had her dance recital here in the mid 1950s. Many civic and charitable organizations have their events here. One that comes to mind is Bal Africain, which focuses mainly on African Art. The last time I was here was back in either late 2007-2008, when the DIA reopened after a major renovation, and the public was afforded free admission. My favorite exhibits were of American and European art, as well as Religious art.

YouTube Friday: Skating on a January night

In this hot weather we've been experiencing here in the midwest this summer, I decided to have some cool relief, if only in Video form, for this week's YouTube Friday. This video was taken at Campus Martius Park in Downtown Detroit on January 5 of this year. Skating under the lights is one of  my favorite things to experience in the winter here in Detroit. The skating rink is open from around Thanksgiving to Mid-March, when it's pretty chilly here in the area. Enjoy, and try to stay cool this weekend!

Cathedral of St. Paul

Episcopal House of Worship
Originally uploaded by femaletrumpet02

I ran across this picture that I took while waiting for the bus on Woodward Avenue a couple of weeks ago. This is the cathedral for Detroit's Episcopalians. It's located in Detroit's Cultural Center, near the Detroit Institue of Arts, the Main Branch of the Detroit Public Library, and Wayne State University. Reading about their history on their website, detroitcathedral.org, I see that St. Paul's has been a cathedral for a little over 100 years now. I like the architecture of this Church, especially the spires up front. I have some personal history here, as my aunt and uncle's wedding reception was held here in the mid 1980s.

Silver Anniversary

WADL
Originally uploaded by femaletrumpet02

Today is the 25th anniversary of the Detroit People Mover. The People Mover is the light rail system that covers downtown Detroit. It has thirteen stations, including the Renaissance Center, where this picture was taken. Service started on July 31, 1987 at Fifty cents a ride. Fares are now 75 cents a ride, and services residents, visitors and employees of downtown Detroit. The most people serviced was possibly 2006, when the Super Bowl was held at Ford Field that February, and the Tigers made a run to the World Series that fall. Many fans take the People Mover to Tigers, Lions and Red Wings games, and the many employees of downtown businesses can take it to work each day. One memory of the People Mover that I have is seeing a Family Reunion taking up both trains of the People Mover sometime between 2005 and 2008. I like seeing all the convention/meeting attendees riding the People Mover to their daily activities. If you've ridden the People Mover, what are your favorite Memories?

How old should you be to get a cell phone

Ran across this atricle on the Detroit News' website about how young was too young to get a Cell Phone. It seems like in this tech-savvy world that we live in, complete with Social Networks and different apps, no one is too young. I see where a 9-13 year old might need one, especially if they are involved in numerous activities before/after school, and they need to call Mom and/or Dad at work to tell them that they made it home safely from sports practice or after-school tutoring, or if they need to stay at Music lessons or Dance class late. On the other hand, some of these kids, without parental controls installed, will call their friends at lunch hour or text message their friends in school. I remember my parents not letting me have one when I was a teenager, because, in their words, "You don't need one! Who are you going to call? You get one when you get a job to afford one". They finally caved in when I left home for college, and I absolutely needed one.  I think that the ideal age to get a cell phone is Fifteen, because that's about the age when some of these kids get really busy with school and other activities, and need to keep in touch with parents and friends. I've seen kid-friendly phones in the stores for the Tween set, displayed with the No-Contract/Pay-as-you-go phones. What do you think about this?

Old Main

Old Main
Originally uploaded by femaletrumpet02

Here's a picture, taken July 21, 2012, of Old Main, one of the many buildings on Wayne State Campus. It originally housed Detroit's Central High School, but later housed Wayne State's students, at well. It now houses many of Wayne's classrooms. On the Cass entrance, you can still see the words "Wayne University" (State wasn't added until the mid-'50s) inscribed over the door. This is one of my favorite pictures that was taken last weekend.

...and I'm back

Get your wings!
Originally uploaded by femaletrumpet02

Hey everyone, sorry I haven't been writing here for half the year. My mind's been on other things, and I just needed a break. The picture I'm showing today was taken yesterday, as I took my weekly walk around the downtown Detroit area. This was at Comerica Park before the Jimmy Buffet show at the stadium. I like seeing these little cars scooting around town. What is your favorite type of drink? I like having water, diet pop and diet Faygo beverages