Homelessness amongst students

This is a really powerful article I read in today's Detroit News about Homelessness amongst Detroit area students. This has been going on for the past few years, not only in Detroit and the metro area, but also across the country, with many families either staying in shelters or at the homes of relatives (parents, siblings, aunts/uncles/cousins, etc). In this article, there is one family that is staying with a family member until the parents can get on their feet and find work. Another family is living in a shelter while Mom finds work, and one of the kids takes three  buses to and from school each day. Many school districts have an office which helps handle the needs of homeless students at their schools. Sometimes, it's embarassing to tell people that you are homeless, and you may feel like the world is against you or thinks that you are a freeloader or lazy/don't want to work because you lost your job and might be taking public assistance.  I feel that people should have some compassion, and try to help with the job search, interview skills, etc, if help is requested.  I also think that people could be receptive and listen if someone needs to just talk about what they are going through at the moment. What has the issue of Homeless students been like in your city or community?

Legends Plaza

As I was getting a few things done with my genealogic work couple of weekends ago, I stopped by the new Legends Plaza at the Detroit historical museum in Midtown. The plaza opened up late last year, and have the handprints of many local and national celebrities from the Detroit area. If you are in the Detroit area, stop by and check it out.

Keep those lungs healthy

 In an effort to raise awareness of Lung Health, the Detroit Chapter of the American Lung Association sponsored a stair climb up 70 floors of Detroit's Renaissance Center. Reading the article, I noticed people climbing the stairs for relatives, friends, co-workers, etc. who have passed on from or had survived Lung Cancer. My aunt passed away from lung cancer in April of 2002 at the age of 43, and she never smoked. In recent years, this has become an issue, with more and more nonsmokers getting lung cancer, My mother was always concerned  that the Lung cancer came on by Asbestos in my aunt's  High School when she attened in the 1970s. The school was built around World War 1 (1917-1922), and Asbestos was the preferred method of insulation in many schools, office buildings, homes and theatres built before the 1980s (There are some older abandoned theatres that still have Asbestos curtains in them). Nowadays, you hear about lawyers specializing in Mesothelioma cases on TV and the radio, and people filing suit against the companies or organizations they worked for in the past to get money for their healthcare and other financial issues. .  My late mother was a longtime smoker, and had tried to quit before she passed in 2007. She had always told me that she was afraid of going through the symptoms of Withdrawal. She had chewed the store brand of Nicorette gum for a long time without going to the next stage. Sometimes, I wonder if that had played a part in her passing.

Twilight in the city

Decided to share a picture with you guys today. This picture is one I took after the 2013 Motown Winter Blast from the Greektown casino parking deck. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Michigan, shown at left, always has a light display on its windows, such as a heart for Heart Health month in February, a Christmas tree in December and a pink ribbon in October for Breast Cancer Awareness month. The Renaissance Center's colorful lights were added in 2010, and light up in every color of the rainbow, from red for the Auto show and Red Wings hockey, orange for the Tigers during baseball season, yellow for Childhood cancer, pink for Breast Cancer, and green for Earth Day. The church up front is St. Mary's Catholic Church, which has been a Greektown mainstay since 1835.

YouTube Friday: Paula Webb - Please, Mr. President

Today's YouTube Friday find comes from MusicMike2's YouTube channel. This selection is just as relevant today as it was in 1975, when it was recorded. This is a letter, written by a little kid whose father just lost his job, and she is worried about how her family will get by from day to day. I feel that this is going on more and more now.

New Beginnings in TigerTown

There is an interesting story in today's Detroit Free Press about one of the newest Detroit Tigers. The Story of Brayan Pena is one of courage and determination. He defected from Cuba as a teenager and came here to the United States in 1999 to play baseball and for a chance at Freedom. He's played with a few other teams before signing with Detroit in the off season, mainly to back up Alex Avila/replace Gerald Laird at Catcher. I look forward to seeing him and the Tigers play baseball in the coming year.

YouTube Friday: Tips for Passengers of Amtrak's Coast Starlight - Northbound CA into Ore...

Back again for the newest installment of YouTube Friday. Today's video rides the rails to the TWaSbL Station from TallSky's YouTube Channel. The videographer rides the rails on Amtrak's  Coast Starlight line from California to Oregon. This always reminds me of when I took Amtrak's Wolverine line last September from Detroit to Chicago for a Tigers game against the White Sox and safely back home again. It's always a neat perspective to see things from the rails and not having to worry as much about feeling rushed while traveling. I'd definitely recommend a ride on the train next time you want to go on vacation.

National Day of Courage and Rosa Parks Stamp Unveiling

Dignitaries
Originally uploaded by femaletrumpet02

As I mentioned in my last entry here on TWaSbL, I attended the National Day of Courage and the unveiling of the Rosa Parks stamp at the Henry Ford Museum this past Monday. It was an informative and inspirational event, with lots of events and info surrounding the Civil Rights movement I think that the artist who drew the picture did a fantastic job. Members of Rosa Parks' family were there, as well as members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., in which Mrs. Parks was an honorary Soror. For more pictures of the day. Go to the set on Flickr at http://www.flickr.com/photos/femaletrumpet02/sets/72157632698712467/

Rosa Parks Centennial events

Reading the newspaper today, and noticed an article about the centennial of Rosa Parks' birth. Many events will be held around the country, including here in the Metro Detroit area. The Henry Ford Museum and The Charles H. Wright Museum of African-American History are hosting a day of events tomorrow, including a stamp unveiling, remembrances by dignitaries and performances by school groups. I'll try to make both events, and report back here on TWaSbL on how they were.

YouTube Friday: Loma Prieta Earthquake, ca. 1989

A New view for today's YouTube Friday, from the YouTube channel of PublicResourceOrg. I first saw this video after thinking about the 1989  Loma Prieta earthquake, known as the World Series Earthquake, because it happened during the '89 series between the Oakland Athletics and San Francisco Giants in San Francisco. This happened on my best friend's 6th Birthday.

TigerFest 2013

Ticket for Autographs
Originally uploaded by femaletrumpet02

TigerFest, the Detroit Tigers' annual warmup event, made its return to Comerica Park after a one year hiatus. It was a pretty fun event, as usual. The event was Sold out, a testament to the dedication of the fans here in Detroit and how much we all love baseball here in the D. The ticket pictured was handed out to each autograph seeker as he or she waited in line to receive a signature on a piece of memorabilia. More pictures can be found on my Flickr page at www.flickr.com/photos/femaletrumpet02

YouTube Friday: The Muppets - Popcorn

Sorry I've been so quiet lately, I've been busy with other things this past week, and have neglected to write. Today's YouTube Friday video. from TheMuppetsVEVO's YouTube Channel is one I saw before a baseball game in Cleveland last May. It's of the Swedish Chef performing the 1972 hit "Popcorn", made famous by the group Hot Butter. I like this performance of the song.

YouTube Friday: WKNR-FM Dearborn - Stereo Island Jingles

YouTube Friday is here again...Today's entry comes from TheHGN2001's YouTube Channel. It's of the old WKNR "Stereo Island" WKNR is more conmonly known and remembered as the old Keener 13 on the AM Dial here in the Metro Detroit, MI  and Windsor, Ontario area. They competed with CKLW in Windsor for listeners in the 1960s and '70s. These sounders are songs in themselves. My favorite sounders are the first and third sounders.

It looks like Dan Gilbert is trying to expand his empire here in Detroit. He's prepping to buy Greektown Casino, which is a short walk away from the headquarters of Quicken Loans, the company he owns, along with other buildings in the Downtown area. I think that this will be a pretty good deal if it goes through. I go to church near the casino,  and I have noticed over the past 4-6 months or so that charter bus traffic has gone down at Greektown (private Casino trips), due to new casinos in Ohio. I hope that when Gilbert gets the casino, that the traffic will once again pick up, and I'll see even more people going to and from the casino (and hopefully to Church, as well!)

New Winged Captain

The Red Wings made it official today, selecting Henrik Zetterberg to succeed Nick Lidstrom as Captain. I think that this is a great choice. He was one of the top choices for captain once Nick Lidstrom decided to hang up his skates after last season. I think "Hank" plays well on the ice, works well with his teammates, and takes direction from his coaches well. He, along with Pavel Datsyuk, is one of my favorite Red Wings.

Delta Centennial

Read an article in today's Detroit Free Press about the Centennial of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. The Sorority started at Howard University in January 1913, and chapters are located in different countries. The sisters, or Sorors as they are known, are committed to community service and bettering the world around them.  Notable alumnae of the sorority include Shirley Chisholm and Nikki Giovanni. I have family members (aunt in 1978, cousin in 2008) and former classmates who have pledged the Deltas over the years. To all the sorors of DST, hope you all have a blessed Centennial celebration, and continue to look forward to another 100 years of service to your community

YouTube Friday: FIRST POSITION - A Ballet Documentary

Today's YouTube Friday video comes from IFCFilmsTube. This is a trailer of the movie "First Position", which is about a group of talented young people that are preparing to audition and perform for college scholarships and spots in nationally (and internationally) known dance companies. These youngsters have been training since they were old enough to put on Ballet slippers.   I first saw this movie as a DVD on display at my local library a couple of days ago, and found the trailer interesting. Good Luck to all the young people out there pursuing their dreams. May God bless you and keep you safe in your endeavors.

No Texting and Driving for young drivers in Michigan

While perusing the pages of the Detroit News today, I noticed an article about Governor Snyder signing a law banning Teenagers from texting and driving, named "Kelsey's Law"for a young lady who was killed in an accident in 2010. I think that it's important that young drivers-or anyone, for that matter-put the phone down while you are driving, because someone could get seriously hurt or worse. You could spend some time in jail or dole out money that you could be spending on something for yourself or your family. I think most cell phones have a function or app that disables you from using it unless you need to make a call to 911 in an emergency.

Watch out for the Flu

Welp, looks like Flu Season is hitting people earlier than usual this year in the US. I hope everyone is taking precautions to keep the flu at bay. I've noticed more ads and signs at the drugstore and other establishments about getting flu shots, and where cold and flu meds are located at. The article that I have linked to in this blog has some handy tips to prevent spread of the flu. Stay well, everyone!

Remembering Bishop Anderson

I've been reading an article the funeral of the late Bishop Moses Anderson, the first black Catholic Bishop in the Archdiocese of Detroit, who passed on New Years Day. According to his webpage on the Archdiocese of Detroit's page, he was a convert to the Catholic Church, and was ordained a Bishop in January 1983. I remember him presiding at the Confirmation Mass for our young people at my Church a couple of years ago. He was an excellent preacher, and even added a hymn at the end of his Homily. Rest in Peace, Bishop

Hockey makes a return

Seen at the 2008 Red Wings Stanley Cup Parade (femaletrumpet02)

 

Welp, It looks like the Red Wings are back in action for the (shortened) 2012-2013 season. The lockout ended early this morning after nearly 18 hours of negotiations. The owners and players have both come to a new CBA, and it jut needs to be ratified by the players. I am happy to see that the players and owners have seen eye to eye. I've been in Hockey Withdrawal mode. I was starting to get worried that this season would be like the locked-out 2004-2005 season. Many businesses in Downtown Detroit and other NHL cities have been concerned about business when the lockout was still going. We shall see how this shortened season plays out.

MCS after 25 years

I was reading on the Detroit Free Press' Facebook Page about the 25th Anniversary of the closing of the Michigan Central Station in January 1988. The station was built a century ago, and had a long history of being a passenger train station that was very busy on most days.   Amtrak was the last train service to use the station, and are now located at a small station at 11 Baltimore in Midtown. The station is currently owned by Manuel "Matty" Moroun, the owner of the nearby Ambassador Bridge. My mother had told me many a time how my grandpaerents left for their honeymoon in the late 1940s. I can imagine offices or small businesses in the old train station tower, and more than freight trains passing by the station.

YouTube Friday: ESPN Films 30 for 30: Broke- Keeping up with the Joneses

Today's edition of YouTube Friday is from ESPN's account. It's part of their popular 30 for 30 documentary series. This is one of the docs that I particularly like (the others are about Southern Methodist University in the '80s and the late Ben "Benji" Wilson, the top basketball player in the city of Chicago in the early-mid '80s). It's about some of these athletes who get a whole bunch of money out of High School or College to play a professional sport, and end up broke after leaving the sport they are playing due to injury or other circumstances. They end up spending the money they earn on their families (houses or cars for parents, top line items for themselves, etc), spending lavish amounts at nightclubs, or losing money on business ventures that don't pan out (there was an athlete that actually invested in car washes!). I hope you all have a chance to watch this documentary.

Exercise Ideas for the New Year

As I was browsing articles in USA Today, I ran across this article about exercising while on vacation, and instantly took notice. If one of your New Years Resolutions is to exercise more and lose a few pounds, this is an article for you to know where to go to work outwhile enjoying yourself on vacation. Of course, there are many apps out there for your cell phone/mp3 player/tablet so you can track your diet digitally, and not go over your limits. I have been tracking my diet and exercise regiment with the MyFitnessPal app for my phone, so I can know how much I eat a day, and how many calories I burn by exercising (walking, stair climbing, etc). Try it, you might see results faster than you think!

Northville Psychiatric Hospital

I've been reading an article about the former Northville Psychiatric Hospital in the Detroit Free Press today. I've learned that at one time, the hospital was one of Michigan's largest facilities for Psychiatric patients, and an area for children residing there. The hospital site has been vacant since 2003, and has been a popular area for Urban Explorers hoping to have a look around and to take a few pictures, and other trespassers. Northville Township is thinking of making a recreation area for the community to enjoy. One of my favorite sites regarding the hospital/facility is Northville-Tunnels.com, which has many pictures and information about Northville and other psychiatric hospitals and sanitariums in Michigan. What are your favorite historic sites?

New Year 2013

Happy New Year to my TWaSbl-ites! Sorry I've been quiet again. Hopefully more entries will be written in 2013. Some of my New Year's resolutions include keeping my faith nourished, working hard and being kind and helpful to others. Here are some hopes of some famous Detroiters for the New Year in the Detroit News. Also this year, I hope to share more pictures and articles with you, my readers. I'm open to any ideas, suggestions or comments as to what you would like to read about this year. What's on your mind?