Old School Friday: Song That Makes Me Smile--Stevie "I Wish"

This song makes me smile:

1) I LOVE Stevie

2) My mom loves this song because she laughs at what he said

he did when he was a kid...not that I did any of those things, of course!

Wordless Wednesday: America's First Family Official 2009 Portrait

So beautiful!

Leopold's Books

Need a pick me up Detroiters? The past few Tuesdays The "D" Spot Redeux has brought you stories of successful local businesses Hopefully these stories will spark action within your entrepreneurial spirit for others it may just be a little known fact about your city. Whatever the reason we look forward to your comments and will publish several more leading up to the Thanksgiving holiday.

The Park Shelton, 15 E Kirby St
Detroit, MI, 48202

313-875-4677

Leopold's has a little bit of everything: comic books, graphic novels, new and classic fiction, interesting nonfiction, magazines and local and independently published books. Follow them on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/leopoldsbooks

Hours:

Tues - Sat: 9:00 am - 7:00 pm

Sun: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Parking:

Street

Parking Lot

Public Transit:

Detroit Department of Transportation Bus 53 to Woodward and Farnsworth (in front of the DIA)

Old School Friday: Sade

It was hard to choose, I love ALL songs by Sade...

Old School Friday2: Soupy Sales

R.I.P. Soupy Sales

1926 - 2009

(Pictures and Video in Post Below)

If you ate lunch while watching "The Soupy Sales Show" 

in  Detroit Michigan, you ARE Old School!

In 1953, Sales launched a daily live children's show on Detroit's WXYZ-TV, called "Soupy Sales Comics." The show caught on, causing the station to give him a nighttime slot for "Soupy's On." Sales created characters such as Wyatt Burp, a belch-prone sheriff, and Calypso King Harry Bella, a crazy-eyed South American with a mop top.

In 1955, the show was picked up by ABC as a summer replacement for "Kukla, Fran and Ollie" and renamed "The Soupy Sales Show." Its star soon became Detroit's top-rated daytime television personality.

Sales was joined by White Fang, "the meanest dog in the United States," and Black Tooth, "the nicest dog in the United States," of whom all that viewers saw were giant paws. Other characters included his irrepressible girlfriend, Peaches, the vivacious Marilyn Monwolf, and a bloodthirsty neighbor, the Count, who touted an album titled "Love in Vein."

Every show featured a segment called Words of Wisdom, an opportunity to offer silly sayings such as "Be true to your teeth and they won't be false to you."

The highlight of each show, of course, was the pie-throwing, which Sales elevated to an art.

Information Courtesy LA Times...

Wordless Wednesday: And We STILL Don't Have Health Care Reform!

Cliff Bells

The original scarred wood top on the U-shaped bar is as much of a focal point as the bandstand at Cliff Bell's in downtown Detroit. (Ricardo Thomas / The Detroit News)

2030 Park Ave.
Detroit, Michigan 48226
(313) 961-2543
Get directions

Many couples rave that Cliff Bell's is THE premier Jazz venue in the city of Detroit. Great music and great food combined with a relaxed yet classy atmosphere creates a perfect evening for all occasions.

John Clifford Bell moved to Detroit with only a fourth grade education in his early teens. With little support he opened his signature club Cliff Bell's on Park Avenue in 1935, making it Detroit's oldest jazz club.

With a fully restored art-deco night-club in the heart of Detroit's historic entertainment district, you can catch live jazz most nights, a tantalizing dinner, cocktails and more.

Happy hour is at 4 pm Tuesday-Friday. On Mondays you can catch the Byte This! Poetry Slam. The evening includes an open mic segment and newcomers are encouraged to participate. Admission is a piddly $5. Thursdays are the new home of 50% OFF all bottles of wine and champagne all night! See Cliff Bell's calendar for details.

Monday Milestones: Detroit Shock leaves the Motor City?!

Although it is still unofficial the buzz around town is the Detroit Shock moving to Tulsa, Okla. The WNBA team is rumored to become coached by Nolan Richardson who is involved with a group called Tulsa Pro Hoops LLC, once the team is franchised.

The Shock debuted in the league in 1998 and advanced to the Eastern Conference finals this year. In the 2003 WNBA Finals, Detroit once drew 22,076 fans — setting a record for the largest crowd to watch a women’s professional basketball game.

As we wait for the league to put together a statement about the team’s move, The Detroit Shocked will be remembered and missed by the Motor City.

Penny Taylor (centre) celebrates defeating the Detroit Shock in game five of the WNBA grand final to take the title. Photo: Reuters, Thanks to theage.com.au

Old School Friday: A Song I Detest But Know All of the Words

"We've Only Just Begun"

The Carpenters

(You have my permission to turn down your speakers...)

I know that this is supposed to be a "sweet love song"--sung at a trillion weddings, but...

Blog Action Day: Climate change becomes national security issue

What is climate change and how can I help?

Climate is the long-term average of a region's weather events lumped together. For example, it's possible that a winter day in Detroit, Michigan, could be sunny and mild, but the average weather – the climate – tells us that Detroit's winters will mainly be cold and include snow and freezing temperatures. Climate change represents a change in these long-term weather patterns. They can become warmer or colder. Annual amounts of rainfall or snowfall can increase or decrease.

The big deal about climate changes is that small things can become big if they are not attended to. If temperatures rise above normal levels for a few days, it's no big deal – the Earth will stay more or less the same. But if temperatures continue to rise over a longer period of time, then the Earth may experience some problems.

While it is important to understand that scientists don't know for sure what climate change will bring climate change may affect us both directly and indirectly. Scientists suspect that, in many places, climate change will increase the number of very hot days that occur during the year. More hot days increases the possibility of heat related health problems. Climate change may also alter the world's habitats and ecosystems – all living things are included in and rely on these places. Many of these places depend on a delicate balance of rainfall, temperature, and soil type. A rapid change in climate could upset this balance and seriously endanger many living things.

Take a look for yourself.

This year, for the first time, US national security agencies have begun to include potential worst-case scenarios resulting from climate change in their long-term planning. Watch video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPz7B6ers4k

Here's a list of 25 ways to help curb climate change, adapted from The Daily, independent student newspaper for the University of Washington, thanks to Lisa Forest at askehbl.wordpress.com .

1. Be optimistic! Solving the problem of climate change is possible! Learn the facts about climate change.

2. Get involved. Urge your congressperson to make the environment a priority.

3. Stop using disposable plastic bags at the grocery store, only 3 percent of which are recycled each year. Instead, buy reusable grocery bags.

4. Turn off your computer each night before bed, which could save 83 percent of its carbon emissions.

5. Unplug your cell phone charger when it’s not in use, as well as other appliances around the apartment.

6. Use the cold cycle of the washing machine for washing full loads of clothes, which saves 6.5 pounds of carbon emissions per load.

7. Bring your own coffee cup to your morning coffee shop to reduce waste.

8. Instead of buying bottles of water, invest in a reusable one and fill it at water fountains.

9. Refill printer ink cartridges up to four times at an office supply store.

10. Use both sides of paper and then recycle. Only 9 percent of the 8 million tons of paper used each year is recycled. Print double-sided

11. Run the dishwasher only when it is full, and instead of using the dry cycle, let dishes air dry with the door open.

12. Clean the dryer’s lint trap after each load of clothes.

13. When you leave a room, turn off the lights.

14. Buy local food whenever possible. The further food travels, the more carbon is emitted.

15. Switch from incandescent light bulbs to compact fluorescent light bulbs.

16. Don’t worry about preheating the oven when baking, except when making bread or pastries.

17. Cut as much beef out of your diet as possible. The meat industry is responsible for 18 percent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions.

18. Turn the water off while brushing your teeth.

19. Buy eggs in cardboard containers, which are more biodegradable.

20. Recycle your newspaper.

21. Ride the bus as often as possible or ride your bike or walk wherever possible.

22. Have a box set aside for recycling in your room — paper, cans, plastic and glass.

23. Take shorter showers.

24. Reuse wrapping paper, bows and ribbons.

25. Recycle your batteries to reduce the 179,000 tons of them that end up in landfills each year.

What other ideas do you have to add to the list? Share your ideas in our comments section. For more information on the affects of climate change visit the EPA's Climate Change website.

Do it in Detroit: Blog Action Day- Michigan's Involvment in Climate Change

This year as participants in Blog Action Day, the "D" Spot Redeux's "Do it in Detroit" segment spotlights what Michigan is already doing to address climate change as well as features recycling programs and businesses in Detroit that are available to the public, easily accessible, and run by people who care about this city. So that means, No more excuses, become informed then "Do it in Detroit", it’s easy.

Recycling is a major component of Michigan waste reduction efforts. It is often the first step businesses take toward a more efficient and cleaner operation. It is also a popular, positive way individuals can protect their environment and reduce the impact of climate change.

A few of the many environmental and economic benefits of recycling are:

•	Minimizing the need to harvest and mine virgin materials thus preventing habitat and natural area destruction and disruption.
•	Creating more jobs than managing waste does, resulting in stronger local economies.
•	Diverting waste from landfills, extending their useful lives.
•	Reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Model D TV video producer/director Tom Hendrickson talks with the Recycle Here folks about their ever expanding operations.


RECYCLE HERE!
Just because you never see any shiny, colorful recycling bins lining the streets on Tuesday mornings (or any day of the week) does not mean that Detroiters don’t recycle. While there is no curbside recycling, When Detroiters recycle, they Recycle Here! And they do it via drop off locations and, in some neighborhoods, curbside pick up, which Recycle Here runs for the city.

Recycle Here! has a main drop off facility located at 1331 Holden Ave in the New Center area. They are open every Wednesday from 10am until 6pm and Saturday from 9am until 3pm. Friendly and informed staff are always available to guide and assist you through your drop off experience. In addition to drop off services, Recycle Here! offers pick up services for a variety of loft/condo communities and businesses throughout Detroit. If you are interested in having this service added to your business or community please contact us at http://www.recyclehere.net/contact.html and we will visit your location and help you develop a program that works for you.

ARTS & SCRAPS

16135 Harper, Detroit, Mi 48224
Ph: 313-640-4411 Fax: 313-640-4422

Arts & Scraps is a Detroit non-profit organization that uses recycled industrial materials to help people of all ages and abilities think, create and learn. Please bring clean items, sorted as much as possible. Drop items off at our side delivery door during our open hours, Tues., Thurs. 11-6, Sat. 11-4. Don't live in the Detroit area? Send them to 16135 Harper, Detroit, MI 48224. Visit Arts&Scraps.org for a list of items you can and cannot donate.

Shop Macy's and support Arts & Scraps--Shop for a Cause

1. Purchase a $5 gift certificate from Arts & Scraps. ALL the money stays with Arts & Scraps to provide programming. 2. On October 17, go to any Detroit area Macy's and use your certificate for $5 off one item or a 20% discount all day. You may purchase more than one certificate to use on multiple smaller items. Certain departments like cosmetics and some designers do not apply; gift certificates and payments are also excluded. Purchase your certificate on the Arts & Scraps website or visit Arts & Scraps Tues., Thurs., 11-6, Sat. 11-4.

EQ-Detroit
1923 Frederick, Detroit, MI 48211 Phone: (313) 923-0080 EQ Detroit is one of the largest waste processing facilities in the United States. Located in the heart of the Motor City, EQ Detroit can be accessed by both truck and direct rail service. Our container management services include docking bays and storage of nearly 4,000 drums. The operation also provides technical support and full laboratory services to help you meet your waste characterization needs. Recycling Services: Solvent recycling, Battery recycling, Universal waste recycling, On-site mobile solvent/oil recycling, Airport services - glycol recycling, Oil recycling, Commodities (cardboard, paper, plastics, etc.), E-waste, and Waste to energy.
Michigan Business P2 Partnership (MBP3)

Known as the Michigan Business Pollution Prevention Partnership (MBP3), this voluntary program is open to all Michigan businesses, regardless of size, interested in initiating or expanding pollution prevention (P2) practices and receiving recognition for these efforts. Participants are asked to provide an annual summary of their progress and share success stories on their pollution prevention activities. Developed jointly by the business community and state government, the MBP3 program is managed by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality's Office of Pollution Prevention and Compliance Assistance, who will be responsible for providing pollution prevention assistance, recognizing participants, and reporting on the program's progress. Organizations in Michigan have the opportunity to become involved in a unique program encouraging businesses to apply creative, cost-effective techniques to reduce waste and prevent the release of hazardous substances. Contact: Contact: Chris Affeldt (517) 241-9505, Agency: Environmental Quality for more information.

MICHIGAN CLIMATE ACTION COUNCIL
Recognizing that the future of Michigan and its citizens will be impacted by climate change, on November 14, 2007, Governor Jennifer Granholm established the Michigan Climate Action Council (MCAC). One of the charges for the MCAC was to develop a comprehensive climate action plan for the state. On March 1, 2009, the MCAC completed the Climate Action Plan which includes 54 policy recommendations for reducing GHG emissions and addressing related energy and commerce issues in Michigan. The Climate Action Plan is the initial step in establishing a basis for moving forward on the implementation of climate change policies in Michigan.

MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
The Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) was instrumental in attracting a green energy company, Renewafuel LLC, an affiliate of Cleveland Cliffs, Inc., to come to Michigan and potentially expand. Renewafuel produces high-quality, low-emission biofuels. These dense fuel cubes are made from renewable materials such as corn cobs, corn stover, wood chips, switch grass, etc., and are a potential substitute for Western coal and natural gas that could significantly reduce green house gas emissions of utilities and other companies. Recycling Efforts in State Government - Recycling has been a major component of waste reduction efforts in Michigan and is part of the MDEQ Pollution Prevention Strategy. Often, recycling is the first step businesses take toward a more efficient and cleaner operation. For details on the various recycling efforts in the Michigan, go to http://www.michigan.gov/deq/0,1607,7-135-3585_4130---,00.html.

IN THE NEWS:

• According to the New York Times, Michigan leads the nation with a 15.2 percent unemployment rate (the rate in metro Detroit tops 17 percent). On CNN's State of the Union, Granholm underscored that Congressional action on a comprehensive clean energy and climate plan is essential to revitalize the Michigan economy and American manufacturing. Watch it. Researchers at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst Political Economy Research Insitute estimate that the economic recovery package, coupled with the kind of investments that a clean energy and climate bill would unleash, could create more than 53,000 new jobs in Michigan alone.
  
  
  Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/josh-dorner/clean-energy-bill-key-to_b_310030.html
  
  
  Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/josh-dorner/clean-energy-bill-key-to_b_310030.html

Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/josh-dorner/clean-energy-bill-key-to_b_310030.html

ACTION ITEMS:

"Take the Pledge"
The Michigan Climate Action Councils urges you to take a small step by "taking the pledge" meaning to make a voluntary commitment to reduce greenhouse gases through one or more actions that can help Michigan proactively address the threats that climate change pose on our environment.

You can read through the more than 50 actions identified on the "Climate Change Checklist" which outlines 50 actions you can take to reduce greenhouse gas emissions where you live, work, or learn.

Once you are ready to take the pledge, fill out the form at http://www.michigan.gov/deq/0,1607,7-135-50990-195739--,00.html and join with others in Michigan who have committed to
helping become a leader in addressing the global challenge of climate change.

Sign Michigan's Coal Petition

Help support Governor Jennifer Granholm for her efforts to help stop the advance of global warming, including a strong proposed renewable energy standard requiring Michigan produce at least 25% of our electricity from non-polluting, renewable sources by 2025 and recruitment of renewable energy manufacturing jobs to Michigan.

By signing this petition Michigan can prevent the permitting of more coal plants until stronger protections are put in place against dangerous global warming carbon dioxide pollution. Coal-fired power plants already have serious negative impacts on public health, and today they are a major force behind global warming. Global warming is the most significant environmental and humanitarian emergency that has ever faced our planet; Michigan must play a leading role in reducing emissions of CO2, a significant cause of global warming. For more information go to: http://progressmichigan.org/page/s/globalwarming or click below to sign the petition.

Blog Action Day 2009: Detroit Initiatives #BAD09

The Spirit of Detroit is already "Green"!

 #BAD09

Dequindre Greenway

 #BAD09

Regional Mass Transit Options

 #BAD09

Detroit Michigan, the "Motor City", has several initiatives underway to address climate issues and global warming; as well as working with the regional authorities responsible for the Great Lakes. Four of the five Great Lakes have coasts along the Michigan borders: Huron, Ontario, Michigan, and Superior. Lake Erie does not have a Michigan coastline.

In honor of Blog Action Day 2009, please visit these websites for more information on the "Greening of Detroit".  #BAD09

Transition Detroit Initiative:
The Detroit Transition Initiative is about creating a proactive response to the dual threats of Peak Oil and Climate Change. We have the opportunity and potential to create a truly resilient and sustainable city. This is about remembering who we are and building community. This is about self sufficiency as well as mutual aid. 

Rebuilding and strengthening local agriculture and food/herb production, localizing energy production, rethinking healthcare and preventative health, rediscovering local building materials in the context of zero energy building, rethinking how we manage waste, reconnecting with the earth and one another, all build resilience - economic, cultural, and spiritual. 




Erb Family Foundation


The Erb Family Foundation’s mission is to nurture environmentally healthy and culturally vibrant communities in Metro Detroit, and support initiatives to restore the Great Lakes basin. The foundation is particularly focused on improving water quality, especially in the watersheds impacting metro Detroit and Bayfield, Ontario, promoting environmental health and justice and supporting arts as a means to revitalize the metropolitan Detroit region.  Beginning in July, DHDC will launch the Community Advocacy Project (CAP) whose aim is to train and support community advocates to more effectively address health disparities and environmental justice issues in Southwest Detroit.  The CAP will use an issues platform of environmental justice and an implementation strategy of advocacy rooted in rigorous policy training of youth and adults and community organizing to achieve its primary objectives:  Harnessing public awareness of environmental justice issues in SWD and using that awareness to create safer, healthier communities.


Michigan Climate Action Council



Michigan has undertaken various policy and program actions in several key areas, listed below. A brief description of the actions is listed below.

• Michigan will investigate and/or join the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX). Becoming a member of the CCX includes achieving by 2010 a minimum 6 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 2000 levels. For more information about the CCX go to http://www.chicagoclimatex.com/.

• The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) participates on the Steering Committee for the development of The Climate Registry, a multi-state program designed to be an essential piece of infrastructure for the development of state and federal climate change programs. Over thirty (30) states in the United States and Mexico, and several Canadian provinces have already signed on to join The Climate Registry. For more information about The Climate Registry go to http://www.theclimateregistry.org/.

• In November of 2007, the State of Michigan joined the newly formed Midwestern Greenhouse Gas Reduction Accord, and is participating in a Midwest regional effort to establish greenhouse gas reduction targets and timeframes consistent with states’ policies; and to develop a market-based, multi-sector cap and trade program by November 2008.

City of Detroit Office of Energy and Sustainability

Among the plans:

• Take steps to cut energy costs borne by the city that could be as modest as changing the type of light bulbs.

• Create a "Green Council" comprised of representatives from city agencies to find ways to improve energy use in city buildings.

• Start "Green Thumbs Up," which will bird-dog by this spring parcels of city land to community groups for urban gardening.

• In July 2009, the city will implement a pilot curbside recycling program for 15,000 westside households and 15,000 eastside households.

Transportation Riders United

Blog Action Day 2009: Climate Change

WE'RE PARTICIPATING IN BLOG ACTION DAY 2009!

Blog Action Day is an annual event that unites the world's bloggers in posting about the same issue on the same day. Our aim is to raise awareness and trigger a global discussion.

First and last, the purpose of Blog Action Day is to create a discussion. We ask bloggers to take a single day out of their schedule and focus it on an important issue.

By doing so on the same day, the blogging community effectively changes the conversation on the web and focuses audiences around the globe on that issue.

Out of this discussion naturally flow ideas, advice, plans, and action. In 2007 on the theme of the Environment, we saw bloggers running environmental experiments, detailing innovative ideas on creating sustainable practices, and focusing their audience's attention on organizations and companies promoting green agendas. In 2008 we covered the theme of Poverty, and similarly focused the blogging community's energies around discussing the wide breadth of the issue from many perspectives and identifying innovative and unexpected solutions. This year we aim to do the same for Climate Change, an issue that threatens us all.

From the smallest online journals to huge online magazines, Blog Action Day is about mass participation. Anyone is free to join in on Blog Action Day and there is no limit on the number of posts, the type of posts or the direction of thoughts and opinions.

Wordless Wednesday: Let Peace Prevail

An artist in India designed this sand sculpture of

U.S. President Barack Obama and

the Nobel Peace Prize Medal

The statement "Let Peace Prevail"

is written to the side of the sculpture.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Free-Thinking Friday: What ALFRED NOBEL Said...

The Republicans are throwing a hissy-fit (again), 

saying that our President is "not worthy" of the Nobel Prize Prize...

Last week, after Chicago lost the 2016 Olympics to Rio de Janeiro, the Republicans said that "the WORLD" has rejected Barack Obama. The International Olympic Committee is not "the WORLD". The Nobel Peace Prize Committee is not "the WORLD" either, but they have recognized and validated President Obama's vision for a different way of engaging all of the countries in the world toward peaceful purposes 

instead of unnecessary war. That carries more weight in terms of what President Obama has always stood for than the 2016 Olympics would have. Besides, the U.S. has had the Summer and Winter Games several times in the last 30 years; this will be the FIRST time ever for South America! Go Rio!

Hey Repubs: if what the IOC thinks is so important to you, how about what 

the Nobel Peace Prize Committee says?

 It is my express wish that in awarding the prizes no consideration be given to the nationality of the candidates, but that the most worthy shall receive the prize, whether he be Scandinavian or not."Alfred Nobel 1895

Excerpt from Alfred Nobel's will

Facts on the Nobel Peace Prize

On 27 November 1895, Alfred Nobel signed his last will and testament, giving the largest share of his fortune to a series of prizes, the Nobel Prizes. As described in Nobel's will, one part was dedicated to "the person who shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses".


Alfred Nobel was a Swedish scientist who, in the 1800s, 1) invented the blasting cap; 2) found ways to stabilize nitroglycerin; and 3) invented dynamite.


His brother was killed in the lab working with nitroglycerin; one of his labs blew up, killing many of his workers. 


His labs went broke three different times when he was trying to find peaceful/medical uses for explosives. After he invented dynamite (to do things like blast openings in mountains for train tracks, etc.), he became very wealthy. But he was dismayed that his invention (dynamite) was being used for destructive purposes. He decided that his wealth would be used in perpetuity for peace.


The 2009 Nobel Peace Prize Committee has recognized the EFFORTS that President Barack Hussein Obama has already made in changing the paradigm of working for peace even with nations that may be against us, trying to eliminate nuclear arms, working on climate change, and in general changing the whole world's opinion of what a world leader should be.

Redeux News: 2009 Nobel Peace Prize for President Obama!

President Barack Hussein Obama: 

2009 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate!

The Nobel Peace Prize

Henry Dunant, founder of the Red Cross, shared the first Nobel Peace Prize in 1901 with Frédéric Passy, a leading international pacifist of the time. In addition to humanitarian efforts and peace movements, the Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded for work in a wide range of fields including advocacy of human rights, mediation of international conflicts, and arms control.

2009 Nobel Peace PrizeThe Nobel Peace Prize goes to President Barack Obama "for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples". 

The Nobel Prize

Every year since 1901 the Nobel Prize has been awarded for achievements in physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, literature and for peace. The Nobel Prize is an international award administered by the Nobel Foundation in Stockholm, Sweden. In 1968, Sveriges Riksbank established The Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel, founder of the Nobel Prize. Each prize consists of a medal, personal diploma, and a cash award.

Redeux News: GM Keeps HQ @ RenCen!

 Fritz Henderson, CEO of General Motors, announced today that the U.S. car company will be retaining its headquarters at the Renaissance Center in Detroit Michigan. Mr. Henderson stated that the Company will continue to downsize and also maintain operations at the Warren Tech Center. However, in spite of offered incentives from the maoyr of Warren, Michigan, to move the GM HQ there, General Motors will stay in the Motor City. Six thousand employees will shortly be moving from Detroit to Warren, however.

Redeux News: Bing Warns Detroit Unions

Detroit Mayor Dave Bing

On Tuesday, October 6, 2009 Detroit Mayor Dave Bing stood with a team of union leaders and warned unions that haven't settled that they have "30 days max" to settle their contracts or he will impose terms on them agreed to by other unions.

Bing said the deficit remains a moving target, but is around $275 million to $300 million.

Bing said it may take three to five years for the city to eliminate the deficit, and it certainly won't be accomplished this fiscal year.

The mayor said he will have a better idea of what reductions will be made in 30-60 days when he knows the outcome of labor negotiations. Union officials are resisting Bing's cuts, and AFSCME Local 207 plan to protest the proposed cuts in front of City Hall tomorrow afternoon.

Earlier today Bing proposed to City Council a budget amendment that would apply an annual 26-day furlough, the equivalent of a 10% salary cut, for non-union executive and legislative branch city employees and 36th District Court employees. The cuts would save the city $7 million.

If approved by the council, the ordinance will become effective immediately and expire in June 2011 with a possible six-month extension. The council, slated to vote on the ordinance next week, will hold a public hearing on the ordinance at 9 a.m. July 28.

The city has about 50 unions representing about 13,000 workers. So far 14 unions have agreed to contract terms including a 10 percent pay cut among other benefit concessions. Concessions, he said, are "temporary" but layoffs will be permanent.

According to the Detroit News, Bing said every day the unions don't ratify the contract offers, the city loses money, although he declined to give a specific number or range. The city, he said, is already planning cuts for next year's fiscal budget and wants to come close to plugging its financial hole.

Wordless Wednesday: Tigers vs. Twins: Division tiebreaker

Photo Courtesy of Robin Buckson / The Detroit News

Detroit Tigers' Marcus Thames sits in the dugout in the 10th inning of their American League central division tiebreaker game against the Minnesota Twins in Minneapolis, Minn. on Tuesday Oct. 6, 2009. The Twins sent the Tigers home 6-5 in 12 innings.

Redeux News: Make Your Social Media Opinion Count!

If you are an Insurance Broker or other Business Professional interested in turbo-charging your Social Media Marketing efforts, please help me spread the word by taking a few seconds and voting in a poll for an exciting and informative upcoming eBook:

Which one do you think is the Best Title for a Book that helps Insurance Brokers to use Social Media in their business?

 

Vote in the poll by clicking on this link:

http://poll.fm/18n9p

 

THANKS!

 

 

Redeux News: Red Dawn Filmed in Detroit

Downtown Detroit's streets were brimming with excitement Monday as camera crews and movie extras filled the intersection of Griswold and Clifford to shoot scenes for the upcoming movie "Red Dawn."
It is the latest movie to be filmed in Metro Detroit.
The movie, is a remake of the 1984 film that starred the late Patrick Swayze, Charlie Sheen and C. Thomas Howell, is about a group of teens who band together to save their town and the United States from a foreign military invasion.
The movie comes out in 2010 next fall. The Detroit area and the state of Michigan have been frequent stops by movie companies. The state's film tax incentive has played a big role in the states emerging film industry.

A scene for the movie "Red Dawn" was being filmed downtown Monday at the intersection of Griswold and Clifford. The crew also shot scenes last month in a Mount Clemens neighborhood. The film is a remake of the 1984 version starring Patrick Swayze. (David Guralnick / The Detroit News)