“So what does this have to do with us?” I hear you asking. The answer is simple… it was all shot in and around metro Detroit. This new flick, Gran Torino, is rumored to be Eastwood’s last on-screen appearance too so if you’re a fan you might not want to miss this one.

For more details on the film, I suggest visiting the listing at IMdB. Or you could just go watch the trailer.

The internet bugs attacked me, and I haven’t been able to even sign on to Metro Blogging in, well, forever I think.

Lots has happened in the D since this world wide web failed me, but at least this weekend will give me a good opportunity to jump right back in. The Detroit International Festival is happening, on way more streets and way bigger area than I though. Just drive to Midtown and pull over when you see people milling around and white tents set up.

As usual, I’m pretty geeked for the food and drink, but there’s something that will keep everyone busy.

Even hair sculptures. Only in the D, folks…

After being a volunteer author on Detroit Metblogs for over two and a half years, I have decided it is time for me to move on to something new. As such, this will be my last post on the site. Before I go, I want to say thank you to the readers of the site, and to the crew at Metroblogging HQ for sharing their wisdom relating to blogging and life in general. A very special thanks goes out to the volunteer authors and captains that have come and gone since the site first launched; I enjoyed working with all of you and wish you nothing but success and happiness in the future!

It has been a fun and illuminating experience, metro Detroit. In the words of Fall Out Boy (or Bob Hope, if you’re Old School): Thanks for the memories.

This week’s Metro Times cover story by Curt Guyette, “The Big Burn: America’s largest garbage incinerator and the movement to shut it down,” is both a must read and a call-to-arms for all Detroiters, both metro and suburban.

It is both absolutely ridiculous and sadly typical that Detroit has the country’s largest incinerator, and even more ridiculous and typical that the city officials who have the power to move the city in a new, more environmentally sustainable direction are leaning toward keeping this monstrosity (I’m looking right at you, Deputy Mayor Anthony Adams!). Detroit needs a challenge, and reducing our waste by making recycling the law (that’s right, the law) in Detroit is a great start. With a vigorous recycling program and more education regarding environmental and health issues, the choice won’t need to be between an incinerator and landfills. The answer will be a better life for Detroit and the surrounding area–environmentally and economically.

We could utilize the sage advice and experience from the good folks at Recy-clean in this challenge. In fact, you can start by going to see them regularly at 1331 Holden with these items at the following times:

Wednesday 10am-2am
Saturday 9am-3pm

Oh, and that $600-$1200 you’ll be getting from old mother Bush this May, it wouldn’t hurt to make a donation to this and other great Detroit non-profit organizations who do a bunch of great things for you for free.

This is what you should do:

FRIDAY

Stare Into The Sun, Lightning Love, Emily Rose at Jacoby’s.

I saw Stare Into the Sun and Lightning Love at Blowout and both = awesome. Saw Emily Rose at the Elle and the Fonts CD release show at the Belmont a few weeks hence. Emily Rose, I found, also = awesome.

LATE FRIDAY:

You will go to this:

Here are rules for going to this (Fourth paragraph down. Be sure to completely skip over paragraphs 1, 2, and 3).

SATURDAY DAY:

You’ll be here:

So far, I haven’t found anything that says when each band is playing. If you know the schedule, please add it as a comment. I wanna know.

SATURDAY NIGHT

The legendarious Meatmen will play a reunion show–their first in Detroit in a long, long, forevertime–at Small’s. If you love The Meatmen, you’ll be there. If you’ve never heard of The Meatmen, you won’t be there. Tickets on sale here. Opening are Year of the Pig and Millions of Brazilians, a band with this many members: 1,000,000 - 999,997 = x.

I made my joyous return to Detroit this week, after heading south expecting warmth and instead having to buy up Florida’s supply of sweatshirts, and was re-introduced to my least favorite thing about metro Detroit.

Scandal? Nope! Gas prices.

After forking over a big percentage of my paycheck at the pump, I realized that my measly 7 mile drive to my office is far (far!) less than most people have to travel. I polled some co-workers who live out in exurbia and they admitted to having to fill up every three or so days. At time, this amounted to about two days pay per week! I’m amazed that people out there are working just to be able to afford to drive to work!

I’m blessed with having a bus station right at the end of my street as well as right across from my office. Last summer, when gas prices hit $3.50, I went out an bought a bus pass. I loved not having to weave around traffic, got to read a book while someone else drove, and really fell in love with what little public transportation we have here in Detroit. While I’m kind of a baby about the cold and don’t want to trek even the couple yards to the bus stop, I’m more of a cheapskate than anything else, which means - come tomorrow? Look for me on the Woodward bus. I’ll be the one with the smile on my face, and a book in my lap.

Metrotimes Blowout Begins tonight.

Go

here

here

here

here

and

ahem, here,

for picks and previews.

If you are a Detroit Music lover and blog reader and you’re getting this information for the first time here instead of at Webvomit or MCR or the Metro Times website, then you certainly have taken an unlikely and unusually circuitous route around the world wide internets this afternoon.

Here’s the schedule.

I know I didn’t send in my muzack b/c of extreme laziness, but I thought they would have just found me out and come a-askin’. What’s the deal, Metro Times?

And why isn’t this guy on the bill?

Looks like I arrived home just in time.

Sleet is starting to come down pretty hard, and I just saw on Channel 7 that metro Detroiters living north of 8 mile are under a winter storm warning until 1 am and those living south of 8 mile are under a winter weather advisory until 1 am (if you’re as confused as I am by those weather advisory watches and warnings, a winter storm warning means that hazardous winter weather is occurring, imminent or likely, and is a threat to life and property; a winter weather advisory is when a significant winter storm or hazardous winter weather is occurring and imminent, and is an inconvenience.)

When it’s all over, total snow and sleet accumulation will be between 1 to 3 inches south of Detroit, 3 to 6 inches immediately north of Detroit, and 6 to 9 inches north of M-59.
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On February 1, 2008 the Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau will be hosting the D Brand Summit. Detroit like any other commodity is being taken over by branding and marketing companies. This is not new to the revitalization of cities in the states or around the world. Does Detroit need professionals stepping in for the revitalization of this area? Are these companies adequately representing the city? The D Brand Summit will be featuring those who are working on Detroit’s campaign. Discussion will surround tourism and what the D brand can do for individual companies and organizations in the city and its surrounding areas.