Hosted by Eric Cedo, the dynamic, bright CEO of Troy-based BrainGain, and Brian Boyle, the mastermind behind Issue Media Group, a company which continues to pump out hugely successful, positive-slanted urban ezines like Model D and Pop City, this free event will feature social media experts, who will explain the continually evolving landscape of the Internet and discuss how to leverage Web 2.0 tools like blogs, RSS feeds and more to your advantage.

It all happens at the Desalle Auditorium at Cranbrook from 4 – 6 p.m. on Tuesday, April 29. Seating is limited, so RSVP to Amanda Ruiz soon. Do that by sending an email to: Amanda AT Briangainmarketing DOT com.

I’ve spoken to several people who have had the catalytic converters stolen from under their parked cars overnight or in the early morning. My neighbor in the relatively quiet Woodbridge neighborhood had his catalytic converter stolen in the early morning. A turn of the key in the ignition resulted in a loud engine roar that could very well have awakened the rest of the block. Another neighbor reported that she saw a guy in a Crown Victoria get out of his car, get under my neighbor’s car for about 1 minute, and take off with a large metal object seconds later.

That’s all it took: a total of about two minutes to stop, saw, and go.

Thieves steal catalytic converters for the precious metals they contain–platinum, palladium, and rhodium–and apparently, the same corrupt scrapyards that bought all of that lifted copper are just fine with buying stolen converters. A stolen catalytic converter could cost the victim between $200 to $1000 depending upon the model of the car and the shop.

This is just the kind of non-violent crime that can be prevented if neighborhood watches were more effective. Organizing with your neighbors, turning your porch lights on at night, and just hanging out in your hood can prevent thieves from hanging around since they’ll know there’s a neighborhood presence and watchful eyes. These thieves are probably very smart and scout out a neighborhood before working it for converters. Detroiters, it’s about time you meet your neighbors…for your own good.

Apparently, SUVs and Toyota trucks are the most common victims because of their high bumpers and the amount of precious metals contained in their converters, but I’ve heard stories of people with mid-sized cars who have had converters stolen as well.

If your catalytic converter is stolen, its best not to start your car and drive–the converter is part of the exhaust system and driving could badly damage other parts of your engine, leading to even more damage to your car and your wallet. Call a tow truck.

A Toledo company has developed a deterrent device called the CatClamp, but I called and the cost is upwards of $250, which is a bit too expensive for my blood, even though the possibility of the alternative would be much worse.

Any other ideas of how to deter CatBurglers? Please do share in our comment section.

There are only two more days to vote–today and tomorrow. Vote at work and at home–you can vote once a day on every computer you use. Just 5 seconds of your time can bring joy to sick kids and a sense of pride that we do care here in Michigan.

Vote at this address right now and tomorrow:
http://www.colgate.com/app/Colgate/US/Corp/CommunityPrograms/show-the-love.cvsp

The contest ends tomorrow. Let’s win this one for Detroit.

The article is part of the FREEP’s nifty Detroit Metro Airport Guide, which so far has covered everything from where to drop people off, what you should expect at the airport this holiday travel season, what to do if something goes wrong with your flight, and on and on. I found it particularly helpful and clear.

I am a planner by nature, so I actually read the entire summons two or three times before going to the court the first day, and – my husband got a big kick out of this one – even checked out the court’s list of “Prohibited Items”.

Apparently, I am one of two people who did this.

In the event you go to the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice or another Third Judicial Circuit court building, please allow me to offer this tip: check the list. There are many items that you probably wouldn’t anticipate being proihibited – Bingo markers, for one – and it will save you a long walk to and from your car (you are given the chance to either put the item(s) in your car or throw them away) if you know what not to bring.

The biggest prohibited item people tried to bring in? Cell phones. Even if they are turned completely off, cell phones cannot be taken into the building unless you are a lawyer with a current Bar card. Same goes for video games, toys, PDAs (except current attorneys), radios and headphones.

My advice? Bring your keys, your ID, a book, a bag lunch and some cash for a parking space, and leave the rest at home.

I’d prefer to stay in midtown and more specifically north of Prentis, but the city is making it tough with the taxes and terrible red-lining that occurs. Give me some ideas!

This is obviously a trap.
So many drivers in Michigan believe if a cop has someone pulled over, its okay to speed past them. This looked like a tactic to grab some of these people. I must say, I’m impressed by their cleverness.

Usually I would say I’m against speed traps, not because I like to speed, but because they are not effective — ineffective for road safety, very effective in ticket writing. However, in this case the cop is in clear view. If you feel you can still break the law since the officer is ‘too busy to catch you’, well then you had it coming.