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)