Here's the article and link to the article that appeared in the Detroit News on August 27, 2009.  My slogan won!  Enjoy.  Tom

http://detnews.com/article/20090827/OPINION03/908270386/1383/OPINION0308
Thursday, August 27, 2009

Detroit News 

Neal Rubin

'Kiss the Fist': Readers respond to call for Detroit motto

If you're the sort who thinks crossing into Detroit is like sailing off the end of the Earth, Thomas Page's motto is sardonic and it's for you.
If you're the sort who thinks crossing out of Detroit is like flopping face-first into a tub of Wonder Bread, his motto is serious and it's for you, too.
Best of all, whichever way you read it, you can buy it on a T-shirt and support a good cause.
A few weeks ago, we put out a call for a newer, zippier city motto. Nothing against Speramus meliora; resurget cineribus("We hope for better things; it will arise from the ashes"), but it just doesn't make your heart race when you see it on a bumper sticker. Besides, we've always been good at laughing at ourselves, and in those dark, pre-Cash-for-Clunkers days, that seemed like a particularly good idea.Hundreds of people responded, spurred by civic pride, potential immortality and our promise of cheesy prizes. We heard from boosters, detractors, tractor drivers who don't seem to have ever even been south of Grayling, and even the governor's brother-in-law. We liked the entries so much that we've put the three finalists on the market, with the proceeds bound for our Newspapers in Education program.
Our winning motto-maker was a 60-year-old ex-cop who lives in Brush Park, drives a little red Smart, and likes the volume control on his life turned high.
"Every day is an event in Detroit," Page says. That might mean a Tigers game, and OK, he concedes, it might mean a gunshot. But it's interesting, and that's what inspired ...
Detroit: The Fun Side of 8 Mile
Page wins his own creation on a T-shirt, along with a cheap plastic Detroit News cell phone holder and some other promotional stuff like sticky notes and a keychain. The two runners-up win the same thing, except for the cell phone holder; we only had one of those left.
Maybe Steve Gross of Ypsilanti can turn his Detroit News mini-notebook into cash. He's an auctioneer. He's also a sloganeer, with a list of mottos that included "Kiss the Fist" and "Bribe me. I'm from Detroit."
"I spent all kinds of time on a bunch of them," he says, but his prize-winner just popped into his head:
Detroit: Our School's ain't that bad
Entries tended to fall into several broad categories, including blight, bribery, geography and the Lions. Native Detroiter Ron Maki of Troy, closing in on retirement with the post office, summed up the urban landscape in 11 words:
Detroit: Where you can't find the house you grew up in
Among our other favorites:
Detroit: Don't Try to Win a World War Without It
Mark Sweetman, Los Angeles
Detroit: Because I Can't Afford to Move
Gayle W., Detroit
Detroit: Warming the Globe 'Til 2009
Jim Mulhern, brother of First Gentleman Dan Mulhern
Detroit: Yes, We Possibly Can!
Tinley Daniel, Detroit

nrubin@detnews.com (313) 222-1874

X Marks the Spot:  An anti-Road Bling idea!


Nothing says "don't move here," "don't invest here," "don't visit here," and "don't start a business here" like piles of broken auto glass. Today, I swept up five piles of auto glass (Road Bling) on John R between Edmund and Adelaide. These piles, which were next to the west curb, certainly were the result of auto window smashes that occurred during Tiger games. I called the Central District of the Detroit Police Department and asked for special attention during games. I don't expect any results from this. I wonder if a guerrilla tactic of "X marks the spot" would help. I envision spray painting a big "X" with temporary paint at the sites of broken auto glass. Maybe this would encourage visitors to be vigilant and could encourage the DPD to take this crime seriously.

Update September 25, 2009

Well, I cleaned up five piles of auto glass fragments today.  One was directly in front of the Carola.  One of my building neighbors was victimized.  The other piles were on John R. between Edmund and Alfred.  In addition, there were numerous visible piles on Edmund west of John R.  I can only think that this problem will worsen if the Tigers make the playoffs.

I think insurance companies may be amenable to supporting a grass-roots to combat this problem.  My goal is to have something in place by the Spring of next year.  I wonder if I should wait.

Ernie Harwell speech - did he avoid saying "Detroit?"

Legendary Hall of Fame Detroit Tigers broadcaster Ernie Harwell gave a moving farewell speech at Comerica Park yesterday. Harwell has announced that he is dying of cancer. He thanked the people of Michigan, saying that he would die in Michigan. He never said the word "Detroit" even when referring to the Tigers. I wonder if he avoided thanking the City of Detroit since the City has been hell-bent on tearing down the old Tiger Stadium. Ernie was one of the supporters of preserving the old stadium.

Posted: Sept. 16, 2009

Detroit Free Press

LETTERS

Focus on the basics to turn city around

I am thrilled to read that Detroit Mayor Dave Bing will concentrate the city's limited resources on providing core services such as public safety and water. I also encourage the mayor to continue the movement toward the privatization of those services that can be handled more efficiently by the private sector.

At the same time, I hope the mayor genuinely considers consolidating some city departments with Wayne County departments. Many areas around the country, including Indianapolis, Nashville and Miami, have consolidated their law enforcement agencies.

Given the abysmal police services provided by the Detroit Police Department and its embarrasingly low homicide clearance rate, in spite of many outstanding officers, I believe it's time to merge the Detroit Police Department and the Wayne County Sheriff's Department.

Thomas Page, Detroit

Hell IS other people

Today's nominee is: Serena Williams

Primary Basis: Her obscenity laced tirade against the line judge during the U.S. Tennis open. Her tirade was followed by a half-hearted smirking apology. She says she "keeps it real" because she's from Compton, California.

Hell IS other people

Today's designee is:

Congressman Joe Wilson of South Carolina

Primary Basis:

For showing a total lack of class by interrupting the President's address on health care. Wilson yelled out "You lie" while the president was speaking.

September 14, 2009

Hell IS other people

Today's designee is:

Kanye West

Primary Basis:

For rushing the stage at the Video Music Awards while Taylor Swift was accepting an award, and for once again demonstrating that planet earth is too small for his inflated ego.

The City and the ‘Burbs: The Battle Continues

In the twilight of the past Detroit Tigers baseball season - the time when
there was fast fading yet lingering hope for a playoff spot - I attended a
college alumni event at Comerica Park. The pre-game event took
place at one of the picnic party decks. I attended alone, and not spotting
anyone I knew, sat down with a group of friendly looking name-tag people and
proceeded to enjoy my ballpark hot dog and hamburger. Light cocktail party
type conversation ensued as my new companions and I struggled to read the
name tags in the harshness of the setting sun. The distinguished looking
coiffed brunette sitting across from me remarked that she had recently
served two terms as mayor of an upscale suburb north of the City. She then
mentioned that her children lived in California. I remarked that I had
recently moved back to Michigan from the Los Angeles area. The former
suburban mayor politely asked me "And what community do you live in?" "I
live right down the street from here - in Brush Park," I replied. "In fact
I rode my bicycle down to the park tonight." The FSM looked at me for a few
seconds (it felt much longer) with a speechless mannequinesque stare. Like
she was waiting for the punchline of a joke. The kind of stare I'd expect if
I had told her I just landed from Mars. I briefly thought that maybe the
FSM didn't hear me. The FSM stirred, and in a prosecutorial tone, said,
"Well, I need to ask you some questions." At least she didn't try to tell
me I was under oath!

Question #1: "Where do you shop for groceries?"
Reply: "I regularly shop at the Eastern Market." I also pointed out that
there are stores in the Eastern Market vicinity, such as the butcher shops
in the Gratiot Central Market, that are open thoughout the week. "My
favorite market is the Honey Bee / La Colmena Market in Mexicantown on
Bagley." The FSM didn't acknowledge my response, and rapidly turned to the
next question.

Question #2: "Where do you go for dry cleaning?"
Reply: "I went to University Cleaners on Cass and Forest earlier today.
Next to Wayne State." Again, no response from the FSM.

Question #3: "Ok. Where is your doctor's office?"
Reply: Getting in to the rhythm of the cross-examination, I officiously
responded, "My physician is at the Henry Ford Hospital complex on West Grand
Blvd. My eye doctor's office is on Woodward next to the Detroit Medical
Center. In fact I can see his office from my balcony."

The FSM gave me the "no further questions for this witness" look and turned
away to talk to someone else. I doubt the FSM believed a word I said.

I was dismayed - even angered - at the ignorance of the FSM. Uncharitably I
thought, she probably lives in a suburban "little boxes" community,

gets on an expressway in her tinted windows SUV, and then
magically winds up at Comerica Park, the DSO, the Fox, the Joe, or some
other downtown venue. Without seeing anything but cars, trucks, and Exit
signs in between. She probably thinks that the only people who actually
live in the City are those who are too poor or maybe too deranged (me?) to
get out.

My much more rational sister had a much more rational response than me. She
suggested that I look upon conversations with people like the FSM as an
opportunity to educate. She pointed out that the FSM and others like her
have read about the new lofts and housing developments downtown, but have
never actually met someone who lives there. Someone like me. And my sister
is probably right. I shouldn't be angry at people like the FSM. I should
work to educate them.

On the other hand, the next time I’m asked "Where do you shop
for groceries?" I think I’ll answer "meals on wheels."

Route 125: A SMART way to get to the airport from downtown

By

Tom Page

About three years, I moved back from Los Angeles and bought a condo in Brush Park in Midtown just east of Woodward Avenue in Midtown. Why Brush Park? I wanted to be within walking and cycling distance of downtown, the DSO, Comerica Park, Wayne State, the DIA and the many other cultural institutions. I also travel frequently for both business and pleasure.

Easy and inexpensive access to Detroit Metro Airport (DTW)

Most people told me the only way to get to the airport, outside of driving oneself or begging a ride from a friend, was by cab or limousine. There was no way that I was going to regularly pay the $40 and more for a one-way cab ride from midtown Detroit to DTW.

So I did a little research on-line, and I found that SMART 125 makes 35 trips each weekday from downtown Detroit to DTW. About every half-hour from 4:14 AM to 10:35 PM, SMART 125 begins its journey from downtown to DTW. And I’ve become a regular customer.

I’d like to spread the word about one of the best deals in town: $1.50 from downtown Detroit to the airport. $3.00 round trip! And there’s no parking charge!

SMART 125 is not only inexpensive, climate-controlled transportation; it’s probably the best tour of the southwest side you’ll ever have!

The trip from downtown Detroit to DTW takes approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes. So, yes, the bus is significantly slower than a car. But don’t forget this is all the way to the terminal. Figure in the time spent parking (just try to find a spot at holiday time!) and riding a parking shuttle to the terminal, and the time difference is much smaller. And that time can be spent reading, working or doing whatever else you want, not stressing out in traffic, staring at the bumper in front of you.

As they say, do the math! Driving this 42-mile round-trip costs $21.21 (based on the federal mileage rate of $.505 per mile) plus $10 a day or more in parking. A cab or limousine rode costs $80 or more. Compare this to $3.00 round-trip bus fare! Clearly taking the bus is a real money saver.

SMART 125 provides tour of the southwest side

From downtown, Route 125 travels the old streets of Detroit’s Delray neighborhood. Delray still contains many relics of its historical industrial might, plus historic churches and angels hung from storefronts of West Jefferson Avenue. Check out Kovacs bar and historic Fort Wayne on the Detroit River. Route 125 continues into River Rouge, skims Ecorse, Lincoln Park, Wyandotte, and Southgate before stopping at the Southland Shopping Center (Macy’s, JC Penney, Tom’s Collectibles (no relation), and much more) and the adjacent Meijer in Taylor. Then on to the back door of DTW (on Wick Road). Route 125’s DTW stops, which alternate between the Smith and McNamara terminals, are conveniently located adjacent to the baggage claim areas. Complementary shuttles link the terminals.

Suggestions to make your SMART airport trip easy

Travel light. SMART buses aren’t equipped to handle luggage, so two small carry-ons are probably the maximum you should take. Traveling light will also make your odyssey through airport check-in much faster. And there won’t be any luggage for your airline to lose!

Grab a daily newspaper, bring some of the magazines stacked up at home, a book, and/or some cool tunes on to your MP3 player. Be considerate of your fellow passengers and keep the volume down.

One morning last February I woke to the aftermath of a blizzard that had buried area streets. Having an early morning flight to catch, I briefly weighed my options, and decided to take SMART to the airport. SMART 125 arrived right on schedule. Despite the snowy roads, we made it to the McNamara terminal at DTW only five minutes behind schedule. I didn’t have to fight the snowdrifts, the icy streets nor the salt trucks. My flight was only half-filled as many other passengers never made it to the airport.

I also should point out that any SMART or DDOT route that goes downtown connects with SMART 125. Or you can hail a taxi for the final leg home. For example, one evening, I arrived downtown from the airport and rather than walk home, I hailed a taxi near a downtown hotel. $5 and 5 minutes later I was home.

SMART 125 may be just the ticket to save you some money and some wear and tear on your vehicle. You may even do your family and friends a favor by letting them sleep in! See you on the bus!

This is an old Detroit Police station house on Hunt just off of Gratiot. Built in 1897.