Art Club

After paying a visit to the Detroit Institute of Arts recently, I passed by The Scarab Club. This club is dedicated to art, and regularly hosts various artists and exhibitions. Founded in 1907, their present home, located on Farnsworth street, across John R from the DIA, was built in 1928 and is still open and active to this day. They host a themed ball as well as musical events and art critiques. If you are into art or design, check out their website and join them for an event if you are in the Detroit area.

Centennial of car building

I read in the Detroit News the other day about the centennial of the Ford Rouge Factory, and thought I should read up about it's history over the years. Henry Ford wanted to have a totally self-sufficient factory, so he had his own fleet of freighters and rubber was brought in from a Ford-owned plantation in Brazil. Designed by architect Albert Kahn, who designed many other buildings in Detroit and the metro area, Construction took place in the late 1910s through 1928, and the factory first started building boats. Over the years, cars and tanks (built during World War II) were manufactured here, and currently, the Ford F150 is built here. One of the more unique features of the Rouge complex is the "Living Roof," which helps make the plant energy efficient. In 1937, the Battle of the Overpass occurred, which was pivotal in the histories of both Ford, who was the last of the Big Three automakers to unionize, and the United Auto Workers union. There was a Trade School on site for young men to learn a trade and get to work. The Henry Ford Trade School Alumni Association is still active today. A part of my family history is here at Rouge, as my maternal great-grandfather worked here as a machinist from the 1920s-1950s, and my father worked in the foundry here in the early 1960s for a time.

YouTube Friday: England Dan & John Ford Coley - Soldier in the Rain

Today's installment of YouTube Friday comes to us from TrixxyKatt's YouTube account. This song by England Dan and John Ford Coley, was released in 1977, shortly after the end of the Vietnam war. It tells the story of a soldier coming home from war and finding things vastly different from when he left. This can be told of veterans of past wars and current conflicts, as well as of anyone making a change or at a crossroads in life at the moment. I enjoy this song, and I hope you do, as well.

Manual Online Searching

We all know how it gets sometimes, we buy something, and we don't keep the user manual for the product. When it comes time to have it fixed, or it breaks somehow, we search all over for the manual, but find out that we tossed it in the trash or someone else has it. Fear not! There's a website called Manuals Online, they have manuals for most any product out there. Check it out, I hope you find it useful.

Archival Information

Within the past year or so, I have been interested in historic artifacts and media items, such as the archives on Google Books from Life Magazine as well as Ebony and Jet Magazine, as well as Newspapers.com and the Newspaper Archive among others. I took a particular interest to artifacts from the Wayne State University Virtual Motor City Collection and the Detroit Historical Museum's vast collections. It's always important to learn from the past so you can take these lessons into the future with you. I enjoy seeing the information on how life was in the past, and I can learn how to avoid the mistakes of the past today and in the future. I have also found some genealogic info to use on my family tree, which is useful, as well.

Hello, how may I help you?

While out and around in my travels, I ran across this innovative guide from Bell Labs, about Teletraining. Published in 1962, this teacher's guide, and probably a few student manuals, were made available by the Bell System of Telephone companies (known back then as "Ma Bell" and the "Baby Bells"), to schools across the country, for English and speech classes, and probably some clubs such as a school radio station, play by play at a sporting event or or if morning announcements were made by students over the public address system. In brief, this teacher's guide goes over ways to help students learn how to appropriately speak on the phone, discern how someone is feeling while they are talking to you, how to temper your emotions and other pertinent information. They even have the Pay Phone (which was common back in the early 1960s, extinct to a point in 2018) . In today's era of texting and other ways of communicating, it is wise to know how to productively and appropriately speak and conduct yourself/handle business on the telephone if you need to make a phone call. It is especially helpful if you work at a job where you are on the phone or if you speak with people face-to-face on a daily basis.

Need Help downtown

I have seen these trucks in downtown Detroit recently. They are for the Downtown Detroit Ambassadors, who are friendly people who help clean up the downtown area, as well as give information and help visitors with what they need. You can find these trucks around the general downtown area, especially during concerts and sporting events at Comerica Park, Ford Field and Little Caesars Arena This is a later version of the Clean Downtown trucks from Next Detroit, shown in the Warrendale Detroit Blog from 2006. Clean Downtown was launched around the time of Super Bowl XL, which was held in Detroit in 2006, and was super useful for World Series traffic when the Tigers made an appearance the same year.  These new trucks pictured here were seen near Ford Field when the Lions played the New York Giants on Monday Night Football. 

Nightlife on the bus

This is one of the most innovative ideas I have seen. It's called Tony Nightlife. The creators of this used an old school bus to create a mobile nightclub.The open roof of this bus is what I enjoy the most. I first saw this on the streets of Downtown Detroit after a concert in August. Besides being a nifty ride to and from the clubs, they are available for bachelor/bachelorette parties, concerts, and other events. If you are in the metro Detroit area, give them a call and follow them on Social Media. 

Let's Buy a car, ladies

Here's an informative website for us ladies who want to buy a car. It's called Ask Patty. This site is very helpful, in the sense that sometimes, ladies may not get a fair shake when it comes to buying a car. It gives common sense advice and tips on handling business when going to the dealer, even some informative interviews with women in the auto industry.

YouTube Friday: Tina Turner-Private Dancer

I am dancing into YouTube Friday with Tina Turner, courtesy of emimusic on YouTube. This video is a classic. There would be a nightclub/VIP room feel to the dance halls of the past if a remake of this video were to happen. Last I heard of Tina Turner, she was a Swiss citizen.  One of the dresses Tina Turner is wearing in this video is currently in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. 

Come to your defenses

Here is an interesting Blast from the Past. The Michigan Civil Defense Museum.This site documents Michigan's role in the Cold War Civil Defense movement.  During the 1950s and 1960s, the United States was constantly on guard for the risk of a nuclear attack. To be prepared, Fallout shelters were prepared in schools, police stations, hospitals, and other locations, and people were trained to help others in case of emergency. There was even a radio communication system, named Conelrad, that got emergency radio information to the public in an emergency. Some of the old Civil Defense signs are still posted on many old buildings. There are videos on YouTube from this era that train the general public and people in training for Fallout Shelter wardens.

Passport Program for Baseball

Here is an innovative program for the baseball fans around the country. It's called the MLB Ballpark Passport. It works in a way like a regular passport, but you stamp in to MLB ballparks, usually at the team gift shop, guest relations or at another location. There are also books for Minor League Baseball stadiums and Spring training stadiums in Florida and Arizona. If you have a book already, join the official Facebook page for those with books, the Ballpark Stampeders. I found out about this program a few years ago, but didn't decide to get a book until earlier this year. I only have two stamps so far, Comerica Park in Detroit and Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago, but I look forward to seeing more ballparks in the future, and stamping in the future.  

Take Stock of Shoes and goodies

Recently, I have been hearing about the site StockX, which is like a safer version of Craigslist an eBay for shoes and designer goods. It runs like the stock market, you set up a portfolio and buy and sell items, and all items are in new or like-new condition Besides shoes, you can buy clothes, watches and purses, as well. There is even a list of Portfolios for you to browse. I think that this is a nifty way to sell and buy designer items without shady characters trying to scam you with fake transactions. As always, just make sure to  yourself whenever you go shopping online.

Chicago Sights and Sounds

Over Labor Day weekend, I took a great trip to Chicago to see my Detroit Tigers on the road, as well as get some sightseeing in, as well. Here are a few of  my favorite pictures from the weekend 

 Here is the world famous Chicago Theatre. This was once a movie house, and currently hosts stage shows and concerts

Here I am at Wrigley Field. This picture was taken at one of the many mobile gift shops in the area. The W is the flag used when the Cubs win a game. 

The world famous Bean in Millenium Park. The Bean, officially titled Cloud Gate, was placed here in the last 15 years. This is always a popular tourist attraction.

Wrigley Square is located in Millennium Park. This is one of my favorite areas of the park, with its Greek columns and fountain. 

 

I hadn't been to Shedd Aquarium in 25 years, so it was a great time for me to re-visit. I enjoyed seeing all the sea life and creatures residing in the deep.

Polk Brothers' park near Navy Pier. This fountain was a great place to cool off, as evidenced here. It reminded me of the fountains at Detroit's River Walk, which is always a draw to visitors and locals alike

This sight is at the Addison Street station for the CTA Red Line.Noticed is a rare sight nowadays, a Pay Phone! I noticed the picture nearest to me is of Ernie Banks on the "El" train heading to the Cubs game. I had no idea that Ernie Banks was a member of the CTA Board way back when. 

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This video was taken on Michigan Avenue of a few street performers doing their thing. I always enjoy seeing the street performers draw a crowd by displaying their talents. 

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This is the sign for Marshall Field's in Chicago, which is now a Macy's location. Marshall Field in Chicago was like Hudson's flagship store in Detroit or Macy's flagship in New York City. 

The old Comiskey Park shower, which is a lifesaver to many a fan on a hot day. It was installed at old Comiskey Park in the 1970s and retrieved and brought to Guaranteed Rate Field after the Comiskey Park closed. 

A view from my seat in section 533. Even though my Tigers did not win the game, I still had a fantastic time. Met many Tigers fans who traveled to see the team on the road. I would like to travel more, but I hear that little voice telling me to get back to work and earn my keep, pay my bills and the like. 

Ann's Amazing Archery

An interesting person I have been reading up on here within the past few years is Ann Marston, whose talents lay in Archery. Born in England in August 1938, she competed in Archery at a young age, as evidenced here with her father in 1948.. She won numerous junior and senior level competitions throughout her life. She and her she and her parents moved to the United States in 1949, residing in suburban Wyandotte, Michigan where she competed in archery and beauty contests. She won Miss Michigan in 1959, as well as the talent contest of the Miss America Pageant in 1960 with her Archery talents. She appeared on numerous television shows, even meeting the Beatles at one time.  Ann was a musical promoter later in life, managing a young MC5 and running a teen nightclub in the downriver Detroit area. She was also affiliated with the Gail and Rice talent agency. She suffered from diabetes since she was a child, becoming blind due to Diabetic Retinopathy at the age of 30. She died in March 1971 at the age of 32. She entered the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 1977.

Retiring Wing

News broke yesterday that Red Wings captain Henrik Zetterberg would be retiring due to back issues. He has been with the Red Wings since 2002 (drafted in 1999), Captain since 2013. He medaled in the Olympics and in international competition with the Swedish national team.  He is pictured here at the 2008 Stanley Cup Victory parade with the Conn Smythe trophy. Many on Twitter  have expressed their thanks, admiration and their thoughts on Zetterberg's career. Henrik, along with Pavel Datsyuk, were my favorite Red Wings. He will be missed at Little Caesars Arena, and I hope that he will be involved with Hockey in some shape or form, maybe in the front office in some respects.

YouTube Friday: Let It Go (Part One)

Today's installment of YouTube Friday is a funky one, from the KC and the Sunshine Band's topic page on YouTube. This would be a great song for Majorettes or a pep club/spirit squad to perform to, or for a pom-pon squad to perform to. Lots of energy and, as they say, "Is fun to dance to"

YouTube Friday: Kilgore College Rangerettes Halftime Performance (Texans vs Browns 10.15...

Today's installment of YouTube Friday comes from the Houston Texans' YouTube Channel. These young ladies are the Kilgore College Rangerettes, from Kilgore Texas. They have been going strong since 1940, and have been nearly everywhere in North America. When I first saw this video, I thought to myself, "These are the Rockettes of the South!" These young ladies are really talented.

View of Northern Calloway

Here is another post about someone whose story I have taken an interest in here recently. The story of Northern Calloway is an intriguing and very interesting one. Born in January 1948 in New York City, he attended the High School of Fine and Performing Arts (now LaGuardia High) , graduating in 1966. He got a job in the theatre shortly after graduating from High School, performing in the play The Me Nobody Knows in the early '70s. He debuted on Sesame Street in 1971, playing the character David until 1989. He was also a Singer and composer, writing and performing songs in kids shows called "My Name is David", in which he performed Sesame Street songs and songs he wrote and composed, and at times, read from books he helped to write(side note, Alan Menken-later of Disney fame-was his accompanist for these shows when Menken was up and coming). During his time on Sesame Street, signs of Bipolar disorder (known then as Manic Depression) began to surface, with it getting so bad that He went on a rampage after he did a show in Nashville, Tennessee in September 1980, beating a lady he was staying with so severely, she was in the hospital for quite a while, and he wreaked havoc in the Green Hills section of Nashville wearing nothing but a T-shirt. He went to Court in 1981-1982 and was found innocent after pleading insanity. He tried to write a screenplay for a movie called "The Skyrider" in the mid 1980s, but filed a Lawsuit against Marvel Comics for copyright and stealing ideas.  He was let go from Sesame Street in 1989, and died on January 9, 1990 from Excited Delirium (there was a rumor that stomach cancer was the culprit, but that is false), leaving behind a fiancee, his mother, his brother and sister. I remember him as David in his later years, but never knew he was that talented. What are your memories of Northern Calloway?