The countdown is on! We’re three weeks away and over 100 tickets have been sold. That seems like a lot of people, but we’re hoping for 150. We have an unusually high number of people who say they’re just going to pay at the door. There are still some loose ends to tie up, supplies and decoration to buy, and maybe an extra fundraiser, but most of the heavy lifting is done. We’re even getting some extra volunteers to help set up before Saturday’s big event.

After this weekend, we might just close the e-ticket window so we can crunch some numbers and see where we are. Friday night’s gathering is being used as a fundraiser, as we are taking donations primarily from people who won’t be there Saturday. I am hoping that all of our efforts will pay off with a big crowd and an appreciation for what we’ve accomplished.

It’s also good to see our sponsor page fill up with about a dozen businesses, many of them locally-owned ones. I always try to find some kind, clever words to say about them. And speaking of that, a special thanks to Reunions Magazine, which is planning to feature our class on the front of an upcoming issue! A great incentive to show up for the party.

This project has consumed a lot of my spare time in the past 18 months. When reunion weekend finally gets here, it’ll be a mix of emotions. Part of me will be glad when the constant grind is over, but another part of me will be lost, at least until I stumble across my next project.

Check out our class website here

*About this blog: Scott is a 1988 graduate of Princess Anne High School in Virginia Beach, Va. and is blogging about his experience ahead of his 25th high school reunion in June 2013. You can contact Scott at 248-945-9950 or via email at sryan@cbs.com. Please put “The Reunion Project” in the subject line.

A pillar of this years Detroit Regional Chambers Mackinac Policy Conference is Talent and Education. Governor Snyder and the business community understand the importance of investing in talent.

Perhaps the only thing worse than Michigan’s “brain drain” — losing young professionals and college graduates for greener pastures than Michigan — is the uneducated youth staying behind.

Michigan cannot “reinvent” itself to be competitive on the global stage without retaining and being a magnet for young professionals who possess the training and education, coupled with an entrepreneurial and pioneering spirit.

We must make Michigan the “Brain Bank of the World,” where everyone wants to come for deposits and withdraws.

Currently, there is a clear mismatch between large number of unemployed and employers seeking skilled employees.

Many of us have experienced the problem of having a college degree but lacking work experience. The employer seeks skilled workers with experience while the inexperienced wannabe employee has the desire but not experience. Therein lies the rub.

Enter Intern in Michigan to help fill the experience gap and help reverse our state’s brain drain. Intern in Michigan is an outgrowth of the New Economy Initiative funded by the Kellogg Foundation.

Wendy Pittman, executive director of Intern in Michigan, and her team have learned a great deal about why young, skilled workers leave Michigan. They are putting that knowledge to work.

Gov. Rick Snyder realizes there is a mismatch between employers seeking employees and workers seeking jobs and has put technology to use, creating http://www.mitalent.com/ at Pure Michigan Talent Connect.

There are literally hundreds of companies looking for college-educated talent even as thousands of students seek internship opportunities to gain valuable experience. I view Intern in Michigan as the ultimate matchmaker, helping to connect business with interns and vice-versa.

Citing the National Association of Colleges and Employers, Pittman says companies converted 58 percent of their interns into full-time employees last year and about 83 percent of students stay in the region where they intern. Simply put, students stay where they are wanted and there are opportunities.

We know that if our youth leave the state, recruiting them to come back becomes exponentially more difficult not to mention expensive. It is reported that over the last 10 years, nearly 50 percent of college graduates left the mitten state to find employment elsewhere. Sadly, for parents and the economic vitality of our state, we know most of them are unlikely to return.

A quality internship is a proven strategy for keeping our youth in Michigan.

Talent is the 21st century commodity that will drive the global economy. The city, region, state and nation that aligns its system of education and talent will thrive moving forward.

Lou Glazer, president of Michigan Future has been beating that drum for over a decade, saying, “Talent matters!”

If we want to have a prosperous Michigan we need an educated citizenry.

Connect the dots. Since its launch in November 2012, Intern in Michigan has posted more than thousands of internship opportunities at more than 1,000 companies throughout Michigan. These internships are as diverse as is the range of companies that span our great state.

Not only is Intern in Michigan helping to keep young Michigan talent in Michigan, its acts as a talent magnet as well. To date, over 10,000 students from colleges and universities throughout the country have registered at http://www.interninmichigan.com/ seeking meaningful internship opportunities.

Intern in Michigan is a radical reimagining of the state’s internship environment. This groundbreaking new system instantly connects students and employers through a unique online matching system. Saving time and headaches, Intern in Michigan makes connections based on specific job-requirements and the individual interests and skills of the candidates.

Phil Power, founder and president of The Center for Michigan (thecenterformichigan.net) put it this way: “Finding, attracting, nurturing and retraining talent is the single most important thing we can do as state. It is more important than any particular whiz-bang, silver bullet economic policy.”

The Michigan Legislature should heed the words of Governor Snyder Wendy Pittman, Lou Glazer and Phil Power. They need to measure every policy decision they make against what their actions are doing to make Michigan the talent bank of the world. Are we investing in educating our youth and retraining our existing work force?

Pittman is looking to partner with, business associations, chambers of commerce, government agencies, and employers large and small to help to spread the word that “hiring interns in Michigan will create a strong foundation for reversing the brain drain.”

How very right she is!

Our Michigan motto has always been “If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you.” We all need to do our part to keep our youth, our future, here at home.

There is a growing recognition that Michigan is prospering again. For three years running, Michigan has had more plant and expansion projects than any other state in the nation.

Working together, with “relentless positive action” we can reverse the brain drain, match employees with employers, and provide a solid foundation to continue rebuilding the state we love to call home.

Wake up, Michigan. Talent matters.

Tom Watkins is a former Michigan state superintendent of schools and the former president and CEO of the economic council of Palm Beach County, Florida. He is a US/China business and educational consultant an can be reached at: tdwatkins88@gmail.com.

If you’re having a tough time getting interviews, or if you can’t get beyond round 1 of the interview process, you need to rethink your job-search approach.  Here’s a book that provides the guidelines to a successful search.

“Cracking the New Job Market: The 7 Rules for Getting Hired in Any Economy” by R. William Holland (AMACOM, $17.95).  Holland applies the basics of selling to the job search.  His “7 Rules” are crafted around one theme: “You must show the value you can create for a prospective employer.”

Here are the new rules for job search:

1. “Always demonstrate your value.”  The job search isn’t about you.  Making a sale starts (i.e. getting the job) with uncovering what your prospect needs.  Be flexible; while you may think that traditional jobs offer more security, they don’t.  More employers are hiring contract employees on an as-needed basis.  You may have to sell yourself as a “hired gun” and move from assignment to assignment.

2. “Your resume: It’s all about the value you create.”  A resume is your sales brochure. A “one size fits all” resume won’t work in the job market.  Read the job description closely; the requirements are usually listed in order of importance.  The description also includes keywords; you need to use them in your resume.  You can also find out more about the job and the company’s keywords by looking at its Website and trade publications.

3. “Use social media and other sites for job leads.”  Post your resume on online job boards – but you will have to post the “one size fits all” version.  Trade publications and the websites of professional associations list jobs.

LinkedIn, Facebook, etc. have broadened the scope of networking because they generate referrals – which carry more clout with employers.  When people vouch for you, you’re no longer part of the applicant herd.  Make sure your social media profiles are complete and professional.  Use social media to exchange information.  You can learn a great deal about companies through your online network, too.

4. “Interviews: They’re about the value you demonstrate.”  Success depends upon preparation.  Great salespeople never make a cold call.  They do research on their prospects and come up with questions to ask.

Always dress for success; that means business professional.  Forget the cologne and jewelry – and don’t smoke during your drive.

Be “on time” – which means being in the parking lot 30 minutes before the interview.  Why?  When arriving early, you’ll have time to review your notes on the company, the questions you will ask and your resume.

Multiple rounds of interviews are common; the initial ones drill down into your resume.  Be prepared for lots of open-ended questions.  Use the keywords in your answers and keep them brief and on point.  Send a thank you to the interviewers; I prefer hand-written over inbox-cluttering emails.

Coach your references, too.  Think of them as customer testimonials that help close the sale.

5. “You get what you negotiate, not what you deserve.”  Develop a list of job-related have-to haves and nice-to-haves; you are interviewing the company, too.  Never discuss them in the initial round because an employer will think “It’s all about you.”  As the process proceeds, you’ll have ample time to ask list-related questions.

Know what you’re worth.  The market rate changes with economic conditions.

6. “Career choice is more than following your passion.”  Holland believes “the role of passion is overrated” because it plays into the “all about you” theme.  Totally matching a job to your passion is difficult because employers value different things.  It’s more about finding what you’re really good at – and becoming even better.

7. “The best way to reenter the job market is never to leave it.”  Always look for opportunity to learn how to add more value to your career.  The longer you stay at a firm, the greater the likelihood that your learning diminishes.   What your company needs you to learn isn’t necessarily what you need to stay on top of your profession.

I love talking to job seekers that aren’t exactly sure about what they want to do, but by exploring the types of experiences that they like, they can put together some seeds that could grow into a career.  There are a variety of resources such as counselors and assessments to help you figure out how to turn your interests and personal preferences into a rewarding career.

It is also important to align your career choice with the occupations that are expected to increase in demand.  If you love managing teams and solving problems, project management could be for you.  Do you enjoy helping people and are patient and supportive?  Occupational therapists will be in high demand now and in the future.  Do you enjoy being outside, math and science and are highly organized? Becoming a construction superintendent is a highly lucrative career that only requires an associate’s degree.

At MEDC, we created a Career Matchmaker tool on MiTalent.org that provides data on the number of current and future jobs by occupation, skillset and industry.  For instance, the accounting skillset is core for a variety of jobs including payroll clerk, auditor, financial planner, etc.  These jobs are found in every industry, and are in high numbers now and in the future.  On the other hand, some skillsets are found in few industries and are projected to decline.

Check out a variety of tools in the career explorer section of MiTalent.org, and we will be adding to this area even more in the near future.

Focused: to be or not to be?

Many job seekers that I talk to mention how they will apply to anything and everything that they see posted if they are remotely qualified or interested.  Then, they are surprised and disappointed when they don’t get contacted for interviews.  (Oh, and by the way, the general protocol from employers is usually to not communicate – so don’t take this personally if you don’t get much communication after you apply to a position.  This is the typical in the age of hundreds of applications that come in from a large variety of online sources.)

Using the shotgun approach for job applications is rarely effective.  Hiring managers and key word software will quickly screen you out if you don’t meet the minimum requirements and then you will be frustrated with the lack of positive reinforcement.  Applying to positions that are well beneath your experience level also carries a low probability level – unless you take significant time to explain in a cover letter why you should be considered for the position – such as wanting to switch into a new industry or wanting to focus on a particular area for developmental purposes.

My recommendation is to focus.  Really understand what makes you passionate and what you do and don’t want in a job.  Narrow down to a specific skillset or functional area that is your focus, as well as focusing geographically and by experience level.  If you have a clear vision of what you want, you are much more likely to achieve it.

Get your top 50

You should create a list of 30-50 companies that would hire you to do what you want to do.  This list should include your geographic comfort level for commuting or moving.  This will help you focus on your top prospects so that you can actively focus on getting in front of the right people at the right time.

You should use the following filters to help you target:

• Top skillset that you want to use: (Fundraiser, Accounting, Electrical engineering, Waitressing, etc.)
• Experience level: (Internship, entry level, experienced level, supervisory, executive)
• Geography: ie, 25 miles within Lansing
• Industry preferences
• Culture preferences
• Salary requirements/targets

Within your target, you should then create a list of 30-50 companies that regularly hire people to do what you want to do.  Even if you can come up with a hundred or more companies that meet your criteria, get it down to a manageable list, which I believe is a maximum of 50.  Create a list in word or excel or on paper, to help you keep track of the company, company email, contacts that you have made at the company, etc.  Use this to track or journal your job search activity.  Check the company website each week for openings, and get to know people at the company by learning how to be an expert networker.

Having a focused target list will allow you to channel your energies into the highest probability for success, even if you there are no jobs currently posted.

It seems that it is impossible to look at an organization’s website these days without seeing vacant positions advertised. A multitude of electronic job boards are now available online, listing hundreds of thousands of jobs. And we are increasingly hearing that the city of Detroit is turning a corner, and that there are many more opportunities than there were a year ago.

So why is it still so difficult to find a job?

Well, while the economy is arguably improving, unemployment rates are still generally higher than they were 5 years ago. In Southeast Michigan, our current rate of 8.5% tracks about a point higher than the national average. In the city of Detroit itself, the official unemployment figure is in the high teens, but ask anyone to estimate the actual number of Detroiters out of work and many people, including me, believe the real rate is double that.

However, it can’t be denied that opportunities are available. In the last quarter of 2012, there were nearly 28,000 advertisements for job openings in the Detroit ‘Michigan Works!’ area, an increase of 15 percent over the previous quarter. Of these advertisements, 9 out of 10 were active for less than 60 days.

But perhaps most interesting for an area that has undergone a seismic shift in career profiles over the last decade, nearly half the advertisements were for occupations that required pre-existing experience. However, employers are now learning that they may have to hire people who may not have the exact skills required but are considered to have the aptitude and wherewithal to perform the required duties.

Therein, to a great extent, lies the huge hidden opportunity for metro-Detroit’s unemployed. If you can clearly demonstrate to potential employers that you have work experience or that you are worth their investment of time, resources, and training, you are in a much better position to find not just a job, but a career.

Unfortunately too many candidates, particularly our youth, are unable to demonstrate this essential quality. Showing up late to an interview, dressing inappropriately, answering a text message in an interview are common complaints that we hear from employers.

These characteristics are certain to get your name crossed off a Human Resources ‘call back’ list. So, what is it that employers are looking for?
• Resume – All employers will want to see a resume. And while not having one will be viewed as being ill-prepared, one with spelling errors, poor formatting, too simplistic, or too complex can be almost as limiting.
• Professional appearance – At traditional worksites, a sportcoat or jacket is recommended for every interview. Jeans, sneakers, tee shirts, and clothing that is too revealing will get you noticed for the wrong reasons. Cover visible tattoos and remove body pierced jewelry.
• Social Drug Use – Stop. Most employers are drug testing applicants and you will not be hired.
• Educational attainment – In the absence of prior work experience, employers who are considering training you will want to see and hear evidence that you are able to read, listen, comprehend and apply information and nothing demonstrates this better than academic attainment. If you do not have a high-school diploma, then obtain a GED. Those with a GED are 37% more likely to find a job than those without. Then prepare to earn at least an Associates Degree; consider evening classes.
• Work experience – In a market with high levels of unemployment, employers tend to feel that a track record of employment is better than no track record. Volunteering, interning, or finding part time work will give you work history for your resume. Give examples of your accomplishments. You will need good professional references for a potential employer to call.
Repositioning yourself as ‘Job Ready’ may not happen overnight. Knowing where to start and assessing the cost is the tough part. However, it probably does not take as long as you think, and at very least you owe it to yourself. Start with your local Michigan Works! agency, where access to coaching, career advice and personal development is provided free of charge.
Job opportunities are here for the taking, but they can be tough to spot if you’re not looking in the right direction. Map your career pathway, stay the course and every step will move you closer to your goal…..a better career opportunity.

Pamela Moore is the President and CEO of Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation (DESC). 

Recently I had a conversation with a growing manufacturer who was struggling to find engineers who were willing to come to his rural community. For him, the talent gap was real, meaning too few engineers and finding families who were willing to give his workplace a chance. It was not because the plant wasn’t modern and doing some great things in a vital industry, it was because he couldn’t sell its location to the entire family of his candidates.

That hardly means that rural Michigan should secede the talent fight to large communities, but it does point out how important place and its vibrancy is to succeeding in securing talent. That is true for the talent who will work in a business or start the next wave of businesses in a community.

Talented people can work anywhere (and that is no longer confined to the United States), so location matters; and talent begets talent. Here is my own story. I was being recruited to come to take the Northern Initiatives job and had reservations about a rural community and winters. At the time we lived in a Midwestern City. I was a loan committee member on a community investment committee for a regional bank. A lender from that bank had been sent from Lower Michigan to work on the analysis and underwriting of a loan that would support the renovation of a historic downtown hotel.

The loan committee meeting began with his peers laughing about his plight to be banished to the UP in January. He told them that they had it “all wrong,” and that Marquette offered much in the winter, the people were great, and his write up gave many reasons why this loan could succeed and what special things Marquette possessed. That conversation assuaged my doubts (that life itself must be impossible in the UP during the winters) and we interviewed in July and moved to Marquette that August.

So, if the world is open and available and in key work areas there are talent shortages, what does that mean for securing and keeping talent? It means that place matters. Place in rural areas has some keen advantages, beauty, outdoor recreation, low density, safety, and four distinct seasons. However, those advantages cannot be divorced from elements of place that also matter to keeping and attracting talent, specifically local infrastructure; schools, public places, an entrepreneurial climate that values local shops and businesses, and opportunities that support second household incomes and careers. Place matters, not for only for what it has, but also how it feels. How it feels to be single, married or married with children living there.

This is a difficult balance to be attractive both for work life and personal life. To be a place that is attractive requires both strong business leaders, and strong community leaders. In Marquette, fifteen years ago, there was a 7 mile paved bike path, and in the woods trails for the most gonzo mountain bikers. These were crazy trails of an “X –Games” like nature. Today there are plans to see 100 miles of bike trails for all types of riders and hikers, and about half of the planned trails exist. This unique feature is part of a secret sauce that appeals to many people and is an important differentiator for this community.

At the same time Marquette’s downtown, initially hurt by the big box stores, has bounced back in a very successful way. It is rare to have a downtown with an independent, locally owned, department store, and yet in Getzs we have one. In part we have it because of the early adoption of high speed internet and some savvy owners and managers, who saw the need to create early balance between walk-in sales and on-line sales. Anchored by a department store the downtown has been “recreated” with differentiated, locally owned businesses and it is thriving.

Marquette is hardly alone in competing successfully in the talent attraction battle; there are a number of rural communities that are succeeding. However, this is not by accident.

For businesses, place matters, as my friend is quickly learning. To that degree, involvement in the schools, civic organizations and supporting the vitality of place is squarely in a business’ interest. While the business can be modern and well positioned, it is where people live and enjoy community that is at least of parallel importance.

Dennis West is president of Northern Initiatives, which is dedicated to growing business in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

There are two types of job markets: public and hidden. The public market is obvious because you can find ads online (career sites and company websites) and in newspapers. It accounts for about 15 percent of new hires. The “hidden” is really a misnomer; it’s really the referral job market. It accounts for the majority of new hires.

Let’s explore how each of these works. Public job market – Version 1: A company posts an ad and receives résumés. The first résumés it receives have the best chance of winning the interview lottery. Why? HR doesn’t read all the résumés it receives. It stops reading when it identifies a sufficient number of qualified candidates for phone interviews – generally 10-15.

To help screen résumés, many firms use software that scans for keywords matching those in the job description – which generally isn’t fully published in the ad, but is usually available on the firm’s Web site. The keyword search points out the importance of customizing your résumé when responding to ads. It also means your cover letter is ignored unless you make it to the phone interview.

What happens to the résumés that don’t get read? They get pitched. And don’t expect a “Thanks for applying” response. Companies don’t have the time or money to send responses to applicants who don’t make the cut. An HR recruiter friend at a major health system places ads for over 500 positions each year. She said each ad placed generates about 200 responses. Imagine how much time and money it would take to send out over 90,000 “Thanks for applying” replies.

Version 2: Companies do online searches for résumés. They use keyword searches with software provided by the job-posting Web site. It’s virtually impossible to customize your résumé to cover all the bases. One keyword that companies include in their search is the date your résumé was posted. They want “fresh” postings and assume that if your résumé is over a few weeks old that you’re already interviewing. So refresh your résumé frequently; it’s as easy as deleting a period and reinserting it.

One pitfall of posting online involves firms keyword searching for their company name to see which employees are job hunting. Even if your name is coded, your résumé includes the name of your employer; your job title/accomplishment information gives you away. I know one guy whose supervisor told him there was no point in promoting someone looking for a new job.
The Hidden/Referral job market: Every time I speak to a group of job hunters I ask: “How many of you know people who were hired because they were referred by someone?” A sea of hands always shoots up. I then ask what they are doing to tap the referral market. Most say nothing.

The referral job market remains untapped if job hunters don’t make an effort to network. The favorite non-networking excuse is: “It’s self-promotion.” Duh! That’s just what every job search is. You are selling YOU. Aren’t you self-promoting when you send a cover letter and résumé? YES. Aren’t you self-promoting when you interview? YES.

Look at the logic: Are you better off trusting an HR person who relies on keyword matches to select candidates? Or would a friend who knows what you’re capable of doing stand a better chance of getting your résumé into the interview queue? I’m writing this blog because of a referral from a fellow journalist.

Networking isn’t difficult. It requires a willingness to speak with people, a networking résumé and business cards. The networking résumé is functional, not chronological. It’s skill-driven so those with whom you network can easily identify your skills and how you’ve used them. It focuses on your strengths.

You need to have business cards so that your contacts can pass them along (i.e. give a contact five). Your business card should include your professional summary and major skills on the back; it’s a mini-résumé.

Jim Pawlak left a VP position at a Ford Motor Company subsidiary for new careers in journalism and workforce development.  He writes two weekly columns: Career Moves, (1992) covers job search and workplace; Biz Books (2001) reviews business books.  Pawlak also works with non-profits and faith-based organizations on workforce development for individuals with barriers to employment.

Pawlak holds a BS and MBA from the University of Detroit and has been a member of the International Coach Federation since 1994.  Contact him at careermoves@hotmail.com

That conventional wisdom had been the generation raised on technology loved their iPods more than their cars. It turns out they want both. It’s just they can afford an iPod.

This hit near panic levels in the past week, when the Public Interest Research Group put out the following press release.

LINK: Public Interest Research Group Press Release

Many stories were written on this, with wild speculation about everything from how it could hurt car sales to how it may herald the era of self driving cars. That way this generation could have their connectivity without being bothered by having to deal with all of those dirty little driving issues.

There’s one telling point in this research that causes everything to collapse like a house of cards.

The decline in youth driving is from 2001 to 2009. 2009 was the trough of the recession, and young people were more deeply affected. They couldn’t afford a car, and—even if they could—they didn’t have a job to drive it to

As Edmunds.com chief economist Lacy Plache points out, 2012 saw a big jump in the number of young car buyers. It turns out they like cars and driving after all.

LINK: Edmunds Research On Young Drivers.

As the father of a 17 year old, I can tell you my son has wanted to drive for some time, as have his friends of both genders. They are also a far more diverse generation than the baby boomers that I grew up with.

With six weeks to go before reunion weekend, we’ve decided to double our fun. In addition to the Saturday party, we’re arranging a pre-party mixer the night before at a restaurant. It’s a good way to give people a second option, and we can include some people from neighboring classes. It’s also a chance to raise more money. We’re asking for contributions–not a set amount, just whatever people feel like chipping in. A bonus is that the restaurant is run by one of our classmates.

As far as Saturday goes, we’ve surpassed ticket sales from our 20-year reunion. This is good, but not good enough. We’re expecting 150 people, but almost half still haven’t bought their tickets. I’m guessing everyone’s going to wait until the last minute. We’ll sell door tickets, but I’d hate to think that we’re depending on 50 people to show up on the spot.

I’m pleasantly surprised by the number of sponsors and donors we have. Several local businesses have chipped in with gift cards, products, and money. The money is certainly a help, while the gifts make for some fun raffles. I think we’ve got a couple of fundraisers planned over the next six weeks too.

How easy is it to keep track of almost 400 people? It isn’t. This has become a nearly full-time job, making sure I don’t lose track of people when they move, RSVP, or get in touch with someone I’ve been trying to locate. I’m tired–but hoping this will all be worth it next month.

*About this blog: Scott is a 1988 graduate of Princess Anne High School in Virginia Beach, Va. and is blogging about his experience ahead of his 25th high school reunion in June 2013. You can contact Scott at 248-945-9950 or via email at sryan@cbs.com. Please put “The Reunion Project” in the subject line.

Is Burke getting advice from any current players in the NBA?

“I’ve talked to a couple,” said Burke.”I’ve talked to Jared Sullinger, obviously, I’ve talked to Michael Redd, I’ve talked to Evan Turner a little bit … guys like Manny Harris – they’ve all given me advice. I’m sure I’ll talk to more in the upcoming weeks. LeBron actually texted me a couple weeks back.”

Burke will be at SportsCard Central in Farmington Hills, Thursday May 23, at 6 p.m. to sign autographs.

He says he’s looking forward to being with a new team – telling Ryan Wooley that he’d be happy to be a Detroit Piston.

For more information on the autograph session, or obtain tickets call (248) 626-4300.

Two of the greatest words in Sports get to be put to use on Sunday Night…..GAME 7!. There really is nothing like it and a Game 7 in hockey, where one goal can win you a series, makes it even more special. This is a Red Wings team that is definitely unique compared to the others during the 22 straight playoffs years.

There is a ton of youth, a goaltender that can never seem to do enough to calm the fans venom, even though I believe he is the MVP of the team this season. And of course there is the absence Tomas Holmstrom and of one of the best to ever lace them up in Nick Lidstrom.

Yet the seventh seeded Wings find themselves one game away from taking down the favored and second seeded Ducks, one game away from a date with Chicago.

A season that in many ways found the Wings lucky to just get into the postseason. It all comes down to this, this is what hockey players and fans live for . A one game take-all festival of nerves, a team that really has nothing to lose against a team that is supposed to win, a chance for the Wings to extend a season into something that could become very special.

3-DEFENSE-DEFENSE-DEFENSE

The defense has been a point of contention all season long and almost cost the Wings the series in Game 6. There have been moments of absolute breakdown that can not happen in a setting like Game 7. Yes there is a lot of youth on the backend of the ice, but these youngsters might just have the naivety in a Game 7 situation that just might become an advantage.

There can not be the careless turnovers in the Wings zone like Kyle Quincy’s in Game 6 and there is no room for the Wings defense to play tentative against a team in Anaheim that has tremendous offensive depth. This is a chance for a player like Brendan Smith to grow up before our eyes and a vet like Niklas Kronwall to help calm the youngsters nerves.

Blame Jimmy Howard all you want , but the defense has been a major reason for many of the goals that have been scored on him and in Game 7 it HAS to be the difference and not a liability.

2-HANK AND PAVEL

The Captain showed why he wears the “C” in game 6 after not scoring at all in the series, finding a way to score two of the biggest goals of the season. Him and Datsyuk seemed to be really back in tune in game 6 and I think that one of the two will need to score in Game 7 if the Wings are going to win.

It is beautiful to watch the two pass to each other and let Datyuk make the move he did on the first goal in Game 6. More of that in Game 7 will be key and the way the two lead and help create chances for each other and the rest of the players on ice with them is vital for the Wings.

1-JIMMY HOWARD GETS HIS CHANCE TO QUIET THE DOUBTERS

Say what you will about Jimmy Howard’s inability to win big games, or how he is simply not good enough to “steal a game”, well Howard has simply been excellent in the past two games and gets a chance to show just how far he has come. I firmly believe that Howard is the main reason the Wings even had a chance to be in this postseason and Sunday night is what all goaltenders dream of.

A Chance to perform at their highest level and help their team win hockey’s penultimate test, Game 7 on the road. Howard outplayed Jonas Hiller in Game 6 and absolutely will have to do the same in Game 7 if the Wings are to advance. I think not only will Howard shine, but will show in the most vital of hockey situations, that he has reached that level of elite goaltender who is able to win a game on his own when need be.

DTM Prediction- Wings 3-Ducks 2 Game Winner -Justin Abdelkader

Follow Dan Leach on Twitter @dtmleach

Saturday is an unofficial holiday for many in southeastern Michigan: Opening Day at Cedar Point. While thrill seekers wait all winter long for this day to arrive, this year’s opening is undeniably special for CP lovers across the planet for one reason — GateKeeper.

GateKeeper is the park’s 16th roller coaster and their first winged coaster. In true CP fashion, the $30 million ride crushes several world records – including track length (4,161 ft.), drop height (164 ft.) and most inversions (six). The track dramatically flies above the main entrance of the park, passing over arriving guests with two rolling flyover maneuvers as the train narrowly slides through a “keyhole” for near miss excitement.

PHOTO GALLERY: GateKeeper Takes Flight

CP graciously opened their doors for a special media preview of GateKeeper on Thursday, days before the public would rush the Sandusky, Ohio island. Park operators gave us unprecedented access to the ride, which I think I rode about 10 times throughout the day.

When I say unprecedented access, I truly mean it. Not only were we allowed to walk right onto GateKeeper, but they gave us access to places usually off-limits to guests. I was actually able to stand underneath the “Wing Over Drop” from the lift hill and watch as a train full of 32 riders came hurling toward the ground at speeds of more than 65 mph.

The first thing anyone should know before riding the GateKeeper is you’re going to wait in line for a long, long time. This is definitely the park’s most in-demand ride, and probably will be for the next few seasons. Not only is it brand-spanking new, but GateKeeper is in the front of the park and is absolutely impossible to miss. Everyone is going to want to ride this coaster, which means you’ll be waiting in line for over an hour at peak times.

That being said, the queue area is in almost 100 percent direct sunlight. Of course, you get stunning views of the beach along Lake Erie, but looking out over the water is going to make waiting in line under the hot summer sun that much worse.

Outside of the queue, CP has installed lockers (available on an hourly basis) for bags and loose items you won’t want to lose on the ride. But if you don’t feel like shelling out a couple bucks to secure your stuff, the ride does have bins on the loading dock.

So, you’ve waited in line and no doubt have a sunburn if you decided to pass on the sunscreen. Now, you must decide if you want to ride on the left or right side of the train. Riders sit suspended from the train on either side of the track, as to mimic the sensation of flight. I rode on both sides and honestly, either way you won’t be disappointed.

Once you reach the top of the lift hill, the coaster train rotates 180 degrees to the right, turning riders upside down before plummeting toward the ground. If you’re on the left side, you get completely flipped over the track before zooming down the hill. If you’re on the right side, you just kind of get tucked under, since you’re on the inside of the rotation. Personally, I think the left side is better just for that extra little thrill.

From there, prepare to be flipped over, turned around and experience several G-forces. The ride goes through several complex manuevers, which puts a lot of strain on your body. However, ride technology has improved vastly over the last decade, and GateKeeper is probably the smoothest coaster you’ll experience at the park.

One of the coolest moments on the ride is passing through the keyhole above the park’s entrance as you go through a Zero-G-Roll. You’ll then get flipped around and come back over the front gate as you go through a 360 degree In-Line-Roll. Riders said for a moment during the second pass over the entrance, it felt as if they were floating on air.

The restraints used to keep riders safe are actually quite nice, in the fact that they conform to each rider’s individual size. You feel very secure, and there’s no gap between your shoulder and the top of the restraint. You only have to sit next to one person, so there’s plenty of arm room. And the seats seem to fit larger passengers too, as opposed to the older rides with small seats that some guests can’t fit into.

The biggest complaint I heard about the ride, however, is at the end – those few moments when you’re waiting for the train in front of you to unload so you can get off the ride and on with your day. Well, as you can imagine, those shoulder restraints tend to tighten up throughout the ride, as forces push against the rider in their seat. Several riders complained that as they waited to get off the train, the restraints dug into their collarbone. Others said it was so tight, it was almost hard to breath, while some female riders said the restraints uncomfortably smashed their chest down.

GateKeeper is unlike any other at the park and for that reason alone, is worth the experience. As much as I enjoyed my time on GateKeeper, I wouldn’t say it’s my favorite ride in the park. I mean, it’s kind of hard to top Millennium Force. But GateKeeper can’t really be compared to the other coasters at CP because it’s just that unique.

All I can say is there’s a reason Cedar Point has been named the “Best Amusement Park in the World” by Amusement Today for the past 15 years. The brilliant brains behind the park are constantly working to create new rides that leave everlasting impressions on anyone who experiences them. After riding GateKeeper, you’ll see why CP will most likely be extending their reign on the top of the charts for a 16th year.

I just returned from an Automotive Press Association lunch on the subject. That gave clarity to those questions, and added some new ones.

Chris Barroni-Bird, a long time auto industry researcher, now at Qualcomm, echoed my biggest concern about self-driving cars. Will they become conveyances for people who are too tired—or too drunk to drive?

If we could make the technology absolutely foolproof, it’s not a problem. I’ve yet to drive a foolproof car, and the technology I love (smart phones, tablets, laptops) fails me on a daily basis.

That means you still need to be able to take over any self-driving car from time to time, and it could be at a moment’s notice when a sensor fails, or there is some incident that the car can’t quite deal with. So, even when the car is driving itself, you still need to pay attention.

That’s not always easy to do. Imagine yourself on a dark lonely highway, comfortable seat in a warm car that’s driving itself. I’m dozing off writing this.

But, won’t the law require you to stay awake and pay attention? The law requires you to obey the speed limit today. Take a drive along I-696 sometimes.

Even assuming you want to stay awake, it could be tough. I want to stay awake at church. I’ll leave it right there.

At the Automotive Press Association Panel, there was suggestion of technology to monitor driver’s eyes, set off an alarm to keep the driver awake, or safely stop the car on the side of the road, if there’s nobody to take control in an emergency.

This adds more expense to an expensive system. Lots of people are priced out of new cars now. This could raise the bar even more.

And what if part of your system needed repair. One of the people at our lunch table admitted that they had been driving with a faulty tire pressure monitor for a year. Could we see people with autonomous cars driving with a sensor that’s not working properly? Hey, its only job is to detect pedestrians, and I can watch out for them…zzzzzzz.

Just bringing up some things to think about.

Airplanes have auto pilots. But, backing up those auto pilot systems is a real pilot with years of real world experience, and trained maintenance crews that keep the systems running.

It was brought up at our meeting that it will be the younger generation that creates the market for self-driving cars. That’s because they would rather tweet, text and post Facebook messages behind the wheel.

Ponder this for a second. Will young people who are used to leaving the driving to their cars be able to deal with it when the system tells them to take control, now? Yes, they’ve had driver training. But, I just told my son that driver training equips you to handle the car. It’s after driver training that you learn how to deal with the rare, but important emergencies, which can mean life or death on the road.

Then there’s how this may affect design. We heard of interesting ways to hide technology that’s now on the outside of test vehicles. That could change looks.

Then, long-term, do cars that drive themselves need windows? If they don’t crash, do they need airbags, seat belts or high strength steel? A lot of this is too far out in the future to even ponder, and may be a bit too utopian, even then. When I’m hurling down the freeway at 70 miles per hour, I like to be protected.

And here’s something I never thought of. Will you give up your privacy and independence in exchange for a safer and easier to use form of transportation? After all, the sensors on a self-driving car can also be used to tell authorities were you are. Lots of people saw this as a fair trade. Look at some of today’s political debate, and you could see this as a big hot potato.

And, we save the 800 pound gorilla for last: The legal system. We can add my business, the news media, into the mix.
You will see lawsuits. You will see investigative reports on “highway killers.”

Toyota just settled more than a billion dollars worth of lawsuits from its sudden acceleration recalls. And even though NASA cleared the electronics systems in Toyota’s vehicles, some critics continued to raise concerns.

Will NASA have to give its blessing to self-driving cars?

There are a lot of questions to be pondered. If history is any guide, there will be surprises along the way.

We had a great discussion on this subject at our first business breakfast on this subject last fall. I invite you to join us June 5 for part two.

Details to come soon.

Connect with Jeff Gilbert
Email: jdgilbert@cbs.com
Facebook: facebook.com/carchronicles
Twitter: @jefferygilbert

Tell the truth!

You never want the Tigers to lose, however when they do, particularly in heartbreaking fashion, you at least want the Skipper to go nuts. You know, a couple of curse words, berate a reporter or two and then finish it off by kicking everybody out of his office — That’s the good stuff that the fans and media love and managers probably feel a bit embarrassed about afterwards.

Well, on Tuesday afternoon, Tigers manager Jim Leyland talked about one of the greatest, most memorable baseball rants of all time — the Lee Elia insanity that happened 30 years ago Monday. Elia literally went insane after a Cubs loss and what transpired afterwards is baseball folklore…

I asked Leyland if he remembered the rant and he replied, “Oh, it was one of the greatest, one of the greatest that I have ever heard. It was unbelievable, that’s Pulitzer prize (expletive) right there or whatever they say, Nobel prize, Pulitzer prize, whatever the hell you guys get. It was absolutely beautiful.”

Leyland then went on saying, “I loved Lee, I managed against him in the Minor Leagues, I love him to death. He just obviously lost it; it was not a good thing for Lee to do. I have to admit as a spectator I thought it was spectacular! And, I don’t mean that as an offense to Cubs fans.”

Leyland is not a stranger to rants himself as he has heard them all and been part of a couple as well. “I’ve heard all of those at one time or another, somebody had a tape of all of them (Tommy) Lasorda, Elia, (Earl) Weaver and (Frank) Howard and as a manager you have a great appreciation for those.”

So has Leyland ever come close to having an “Elia-esque” rant?

“Well I probably said some things that I shouldn’t have said, probably out of line at times but there sometimes when you guys agitate enough where you get pissed off.” When questioned why he hasn’t had a rant in a while, Leyland said “No I have really worked hard at that, that was one of my New Year resolutions.”

In fact Leyland is most proud of himself when he is able to stay away from belittling or berating the media. The manager recalls his most challenging moment was in Pittsburgh…

“The toughest one that I ever had was when some TV guy, I think I have told you this. We lose three to two in the ninth inning in Pittsburgh, I had thrown my food all over the walls and the milk was running down the walls and here comes the press and this guy who didn’t know (expletive) from shinola, TV guy he said you know how you have been looking for a leadoff hitter, why don’t you play John Cangelosi at short stop and lead him off? Well number one, John Cangelosi is left-handed so obviously you knew the guys didn’t know anything. So I bit my tongue and calmly said John Cangelosi is left-handed and I don’t know that there has ever been a left-handed short stop. His peers were laughing behind him, but I was proud of myself no to really embarrass the guy.”

Leyland continued talking about manager rants and how he does his best to not let things get to that point. Listen to the entire block of audio of Leyland talking about manager rants. I guarantee if you’re a baseball fan you will definitely get a couple laughs out of it.

Early this past Saturday morning, I got up, and did my usual cold weather pre-run prep. Wrapped my left foot (plantar fasciitis), and layered on thermal underwear under my clothes. After breakfast, I piled on two jackets, dug out my running gloves and hopped in the car.

The temperature display on the instrument panel read a chilly 34 degrees outside, but I knew with the wind on Belle Isle, it would feel more like the low 20’s. I detest the cold, and I’d rather get a root canal than exercise outside when it’s freezing. So why was I running? When I signed up for the race, I knew I was running for a great cause – the 4th Annual “Run With the Cops, Not From Them”. The event raises money for kids with cancer.

But this weekend, I had an additional reason to run. After the bombings at the Boston Marathon Monday, I made a promise. Like many other runners across the country, I promised to run for Boston.

I’m no elite athlete. Although running has helped me lose 30 pounds in the past year or so, I’m still a little too chunky to be fast, and I’m never going to finish first. But running has given me many gifts. Some of them – like sore muscles and chronic plantar fasciitis – aren’t so great. But the good gifts, well that list is long and tougher to quantify.

Running has given me a deep appreciation for inner strength I really didn’t know I had before. That strength is obviously physical, but it’s also mental and psychological. Running has also helped me more fully embrace concepts like gratitude. Gratitude for a body that works like it should. And achieving things I have through running, like finishing the Free Press Half Marathon last year, make me determined to never take the gift of a healthy body for granted.

So Saturday morning, when the race started late because the hard-working volunteers were overwhelmed with participants, when I ended up alone at the start line in a crowd of 700 because my running buddies thought it was too cold, and when the wind burned my face and seared my lungs, I didn’t complain or feel sorry for myself. I slipped in my earbuds, tugged on my gloves, and I ran.

It wasn’t my best race. Did I mention I was freezing? I literally felt like throwing up it was so cold. I was slow because I hadn’t trained enough in the weeks leading up. I mentally kicked myself when I started to alternate walking and running. But I eventually found my groove, and I ran more than I walked. And I finished grateful, as I carried thoughts of all those runners who may never run again, or whose running experience will be incomprehensibly altered in a way they probably never imagined. In a sense, they carried me over the finish line.

If you need motivation to get moving, gratitude can be a pretty powerful tool. Be grateful for the amazing gift of being well and whole. Expressing that gratitude doesn’t have to be a 5K or a marathon. It can be a regular walk around the block after dinner as the weather gets nicer.

I’ve heard running described as a form of meditation. For me, on Saturday as it is many days, it was a prayer. A prayer of thanks and gratitude for health, a prayer of appreciation for the people who showed up on a chilly April morning to raise money for pediatric cancer patients, and a prayer for Boston.

Find your reason, and get moving.

The big day is just over two months away, and things are starting to take shape. Not as quickly as I’d hoped, but as long as everything comes together I’m fine with that.

We’re in receipt of our first donation, and a second is in the mail from the other side of the country. It’d be nice for some of our classmates, especially those who are in business for themselves, to let others know how well they’ve done. In some cases, I’m not surprised at those who’ve taken the entrepreneurial route–some people just have ‘it’–and we’re proud to help showcase their talents.

For those who are sponsoring or at least making donations of goods or services, you can bet I’ll be paying them a visit in person when I get to town to thank them for their generosity.

I think the Congressional budget problems might wind up affecting attendance, as many classmates have jobs that are tied to the federal government. But I’m not letting that get in the way of our plans. A check’s been sent to the DJ, people are buying some decorations, and we’re getting to the point where people need to decide one way or the other.

We’ll have to cut off ticket sales sometime in May–and maybe some people won’t be happy about it, but you have to draw the line somewhere. The big mystery is the 100 or so people who haven’t even told us if they’re going to be there–I can’t tell if they’re just not interested or maybe they never got the message to begin with.

I’m already thinking of ways to continue our efforts beyond June–periodic fundraisers, etc. Maybe we’ll see how June turns out before I get too far ahead of myself.

*About this blog: Scott is a 1988 graduate of Princess Anne High School in Virginia Beach, Va. and is blogging about his experience ahead of his 25th high school reunion in 2013. You can contact Scott at 248-945-9950 or via email at sryan@cbs.com. Please put “The Reunion Project” in the subject line.

DETROIT (WWJ) -  How do you make sure kids get an education if they don’t even have a place to call home?

Medical students from Wayne State University provide tutoring to young people at Covenant House, a place which offers food, shelter and education for homeless teens. Wayne State Student Nabil Al-Kourainy is one of the coordinators of the tutoring program. He says some of the kids need help with the basics to learn reading and math.

“It’s really an amazing program, which is why I’m so excited to play a small part in it,” said Al-Kourainy. “They house these students. So they give them room and board. They provide them with access to an education. They also help them with job placement while they are living in the facility.”

Shaquille Denson is a resident at Covenant House, where he has been staying since December. When he arrived, Denson said he didn’t even have a birth certificate or any identification. Officials at Covenant House helped him get the papers he needed to enroll in school. What keeps him going despite all the hardships he has faced in his life?

“I keep myself motivated. I pray to God. The people at Covenant house encourage me to continue to do good on a daily basis. Every day, I wake up, and try to take it one day at a time.”

Melissa Golpe from Covenant House says the program has been around since 2002, and has been a real blessing for the kids who stay there.

“It allows us to service our residents, give them the skills they need,” said Golpe. And the Wayne State students are coming out here, volunteering their time, spending every Tuesday evening with our kids. It’s been a really great program and a lot of our kids say they have gotten a lot of help from it.”

The program has helped prepare students for their GED or High School Diploma and even possibly for their ACT or SAT exams if they are college bound.

Get more on the program at this link.

For the last two years, Detroit native Aku Kadogo has taught at a university in South Korea.  She has been a resident of Australia since 1978.  The theater director, choreographer, performer and educator is now back home working with Kresge Foundation Eminent Artist Bill Harris for Art X Detroit 2013.

Aku Kadogo (credit: Vickie Thomas/WWJ)

During a recent rehearsal of her stage performance based on Harris’ book, Booker T. and Them, I had a chance to chat with her about her project and her pride in the MotorCity.

“We agreed to work together so I took his book – he calls it a blues bio – and I’ve taken some excerpts and I’m bringing it to life,” said Kadogo.

The performers take the stage Thursday night at the Charles Wright Museum of African-American History.

As far as the state of her hometown with its fiscal and crime problems, Kadogo said, “You know Dorothy, there’s no place like home.  I actually think Detroit is one of the most interesting cities in the world right now.”

“People have rolled up their sleeves here.  People are putting their hands in dirt.  People are making art.  People are making things happen with what ever little bit or how ever much they’ve got and they are fighting to break these walls down,” she said.

She considers herself as an ambassador for Detroit.  She once even arranged a quick trip to the city for a friend in South Korea.  “She was so enamored with Michael Jackson that she had to see the Motown Museum, so I hooked her up.  I had someone meet her at the airport who could speak a little bit of Korean.  She stayed at the Inn on Ferry.  She went to the Motown Museum and then he drove her back to the airport.  She loved it”

 Listen to the full interview:

[CLICK HERE to listen on your mobile device]

To learn more about Art X Detroit events which run through Sunday visit, artxdetroit.com.

(credit: Vickie Thomas/WWJ)

So it’s been almost SEVEN months since my last little blurb here on CBS Detroit, but as a fan of “Big Brother,” I must say this, THERE IS A CASTING CALL IN OUR STATE! (insert overly excited voice and jumping uncontrollably)

If you are a die-hard fan (like myself) or just started watching the show, this is a great opportunity for you!

Where?

YOUNG CHEVY CADILLAC
1500 E. Main Street
Owosso MI 48867

When?

Tuesday April 16, 2013
4pm-7pm

Why?

To be a houseguest on season 15 of “Big Brother” for a chance to win half a million dollars and the title of Big Brother Champ!

***Now here are some things to think about before you go to the casting call:***

Who are you?!?

Think about you as a person, the BEST way to know who you are is to ask your friends and family, but ask them why they have those perceptions. Now if you hear things you may not like, or are surprised by, really take the time to figure out why they say those things about you. I think a BIG thing before going to the casting call is to know who you are. BE YOURSELF but KNOW WHO YOU ARE! It’s ok if you’re introverted or you’re a homebody but at least you know that! Have some stories to tell, brag about yourself and what makes you unique. However don’t say things that aren’t true or you don’t like bringing up. You’ve got to be comfortable enough to talk to strangers who want to know almost everything about your life if you hope for a sliver of a chance of getting on the show. If you can do that, then you could go far.

A great example is Dan Gheesling. The Michigander and winner of “Big Brother 10″ and runner up of “Big Brother 15,” knows who he is and how to get on reality tv. Dan is a really great resource, check out his website, howtogetonrealitytv.net, he’s written a book about it too and even provides coaching!

How do I get on the show?

Attend the casting call! Or if you can’t get to Owosso — you can submit a video online. That is your first step. You can’t get cast on the show if you don’t go to the casting call or submit a video!

CLICK HERE to download your Official Application

Click here to review the Official Eligibility Requirements

Be yourself, have fun and good luck! Who knows? Maybe we’ll see a Michigander (YOU) on the show this season!

Get More Big Brother posts from Mark Drum.

Mark Drum is a Farmington Hills, MI native and Big Brother fan since 2000. He auditioned for Big Brother 13 and 14. He graduated from the University of Northern Colorado with a degree in Theatre Arts. He’s a member of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity and can be found popping up in movie production sets around Detroit like as an extra in Disney’s Oz the Great and Powerful. Connect with Mark! Blogspot / Twitter /Facebook / Email

I’m not sure that any losing team ever made a greater statement in the history of the NCAA Tournament.

History will show that Michigan lost to Louisville 82-76 in the National Championship game in Atlanta. And I highly doubt that John Beilein or Trey Burke or anyone involved with Michigan basketball will take any solace in the fact that they put on a hell of a show against Louisville.

But make no mistake; Monday was a great night for Michigan. I’m not trying to say it was any sort of moral victory. Michigan was good enough to win that game and will look back on plenty of turning points with regret. And I’m certainly not trying to find any silver lining. This team will never get this opportunity again.

But this program might. Because this program is officially back on the map.

If you were a high school kid who wants to play big time college basketball, why wouldn’t you want to go to Michigan now?

Along with Louisville, the Wolverines put on the most entertaining title game in recent memory. The end-to-end action was a reminder of why we all became college basketball fans in the first place. In this day and age of coaching giants who love to put their imprint on every aspect of every game, how much fun is it that two teams went out there and went at it for 40 minutes? Basketball is supposed to be fun. And Michigan basketball is fun again.

But basketball is also about making a name for yourself, and Michigan is once again allowing young players to become stars.

Burke will most likely depart as one of the most decorated players in Michigan history. He won every Player of the Year award imaginable and hit perhaps the most memorable shot in school history against Kansas.

Tim Hardaway Jr. and Glenn Robinson III would be wise to return next year. If they do, they’ll be the stars of another title contender. And if they do, their draft stock should only rise with another year under Beilein.

And Mitch McGary will most likely return for his sophomore year fresh off one of the most impressive tournaments in memory. Four weeks ago, McGary was an unpolished bench player. But today, you’d have to say that he was the MVP for Michigan during their run to the final game.

And even Spike Albrecht made a name for himself with 17 points in the first half. Most of America had never heard of Albrecht when the game started. Midway through the first half, he was trending world-wide on Twitter.

Michigan was a great story. And Michigan was full of great stories. Burke is a transcendent player and some feared that his departure would mean the end of this nice, brief run for Michigan basketball. But I doubt it. Not with Beilein. Not with the tradition that the university holds. And not with the show that Michigan put on throughout this tournament, even in a loss to Louisville.

Players make a program. And players will come to Michigan. Some will want to be the next Trey Burke or the next Mitch McGary. Some will want to take part in one of the most exciting offenses in the nation. And some will want to finish the mission that these players started.

Monday night was a setback and a disappointment. But Monday was also a massive infomercial for what Michigan basketball is and what it will continue to be. And that is a very encouraging development if you’re a Wolverine fan.

Apparently they needed to play someone other than the big bad Minnesota Twins. The Tigers christened the 2013 season at Comerica Park with a 8-3 victory over the New York Yankees. The sunny Friday afternoon was almost ruined when the Yankees took the lead in fifth, but Prince Fielder reminded Detroit that he can get a party started with the first of his two home runs, the Tigers took the lead and didn’t look back.

The Tigers have notoriously slow starts when the weather still causes breath fog, this year’s opening series versus the Twins proved to be no different. The team also looked listless through the fourth inning against the Yankees, still stretching from last season that came to a heartbreaking end after making the World Series.

Prince Fielder can provide a spark, something that fans and media might have forgotten after he struggled mightily through the 2012 post season, his second home run was a no doubter about a nautical mile above the fence in right field. The team seemed to be struggling to remember what made the AL Champs last year, maybe a few are trying to regain their composure after being shocked in the World Series. This first game in the series against the Yankees might do a lot to shake them awake.

Doug Fister had a middling start, he didn’t give up any runs until the fifth but he wasn’t quite what he was two years ago. Drew Smyly, after an awful outing in the first regular season game looked much improved, he picked up his first career save with twelve straight outs starting in the sixth inning.

A chilly crowd of 45,051 looked for a party and they got one, Detroit is still adjusting. The Tigers are in their third straight year of contention, the memories of their struggles almost a decade ago now fading into history. The expectations are titanic, fans counting on their team to win every game. That’s to be expected, given their payroll, but not realistic. The Tigers will win the AL Central casually and that’s when the season will start.

The Tigers earned the right to be studied daily but with more days like this we will be more likely to give them some space.

In the end, the Tigers didn’t really have much of a choice.  They had to give their pitching ace Justin Verlander the richest contract ever awarded to a pitcher in Major League Baseball History.  If they didn’t do it now, they faced the prospect of losing Verlander to free agency after next season, or being forced into a bidding war where they might have had to pay even more for him.

The Tigers gave Verlander a five-year extension through 2019, worth 140 million. That ís on top of the 40 million he ís already owed for the next two seasons.  And the deal includes an option for 2020, which would pay him another 20 million.  That adds up to a hefty package worth more than 200 million dollars over the next seven seasons.

Is he worth that much money? For families struggling to make it on 50 thousand dollars a year, it seems ridiculous that someone should be paid about 76 thousand dollars per DAY just because he can throw a baseball 100 miles an hour. And that is for a player who only performs every fifth day.  But someone is only worth what the market will bear.  And if Mike Illitch or any other team owner is willing to shell out that kind of money, then more power to Verlander.

We have to remember that baseball is a multi-billion dollar business.  And teams wouldn’t be paying Verlander and other star players these kinds of salaries if they didn’t think it would pay off in higher attendance, souvenir sales, and rich TV contracts. Will fans resent it?  I doubt it, at least as long as Verlander continues to be among the top five pitchers in baseball.  I doubt that you cared about how much Anne Hathaway or Leonardo DeCaprio made for their latest movie.  You were watching for their performance:  Did they excel; did they move you; did they thrill and excite you? And if you liked what you saw, you probably didní’t mind paying the 10 bucks for a ticket and almost that much for popcorn.  We’ll have to wait and see if the price of hot dogs goes up at Comerica Park to pay for JV ís contract.

So far, Verlander has been one of the most consistent and reliable pitchers in the Major Leagues.  Let’s hope that keeps up for the rest of the contact.  The Yankees are paying the price now for A-Rod’s long-term deal, which really hurts now that he is only a shadow of the superstar player he once was.  And this is not the Tigers’ first 200 million dollar contract; they already gave one to Prince Fielder last season, in a nine-year contract.

But enough money talk.  Baseball is still what matters. And I can’t wait for the Tigers to open the season on Monday in Minnesota.  It’s been a long, cold winter.  The Tigers have their eye on the World Series Prize again this fall. And this time, they won’t be satisfied until they come home with the World Series Trophy.

Talk about a lull in activity. With early bird tickets sales over and the flurry of calls to find people mostly done–we wait. I guess we’ll release another block of tickets in a couple of weeks.

I’ve been hearing from a lot of people that they haven’t planned that far in advance, but these last 3+ months will go quickly. I’m hoping that the 130+ people who’ve either bought tickets or who’ve said they’ll be there go ahead and make plans. That will take a lot of pressure of those of us who are putting this together.

Sponsors and fundraisers are needed, too. A handful of classmates have agreed to contribute. Once their donations/sponsorships are received we can start getting the word out about them ahead of the reunion.

I did claim a small victory this week, getting in touch with a pair of classmates–or at least their relatives. I’ve scaled back my initial goal of finding every single one. The effort required is probably better spent on getting the ones we know about to show up.

*About this blog: Scott is a 1988 graduate of Princess Anne High School in Virginia Beach, Va. and is blogging about his experience ahead of his 25th high school reunion in 2013. You can contact Scott at 248-945-9950 or via email at sryan@cbs.com. Please put “The Reunion Project” in the subject line.

You can also check out the website here.

It could come Friday, when a cadre of officials makes the announcement from Lansing. It will start, regardless of whether the voters rejected it or not. It will start, and the only evidence we have to predict the outcome bodes very badly. An already tenuous situation could become worse, beyond the imagination of anyone involved.

Detroit will likely be forced to accept an emergency manager, the state seems primed and ready. Our governor loves this policy so much he signed it twice and the people he sent to assess the situation were his appointments, so they will likely tell him what he wants to hear.

Governor Snyder is proposing the installation of a despot, a single autonomous entity with absolute power. Members of the public rubbing their hands together at the thought, eager to see the elected officials of Detroit rendered useless in their positions. The decisions cast by voters made abrogate by the man in charge.

There are some that don’t see stripping the electoral process as a flaw, but rather a feature. The argument being the voters of Detroit haven’t acted responsibly, using their democratic right to elect bad leaders. The name Kwame Kilpatrick comes up quickly in this conversation. There is something punitive about this enthusiasm, a desire to punish Detroit for their voting ignorance. The standoff between the city and suburbs has come to this.

Amid the rancor, there seems to be something missing from the discussion. Does the installation of an emergency manager work? Is it an effective way to prosecute the finances of a city? Will the EM give Detroit the “turn around” it needs? The answer, when examined, is no.

The original emergency manager law was passed in 1988 to specifically address the financial crisis in the city of Hamtramck. Since then, many cities and school districts in Michigan have been placed under emergency management by the state, including the appointment of two different managers in Pontiac, two in Flint, and three in Highland Park. None of those municipalities have yet to transform into hotbeds of economic growth.

To the contrary, the communities were left ill-equipped to recover. They fell into the red almost immediately after the manager left. Proponents of the policy point to this as proof that the elected officials are incapable of managing taxpayer funds, ignoring the hard truth that it costs money to run a city. It costs even more to turn a city around.

The city of Flint is a perfect example of how much appointed managers fail to understand this fact. Their second EM has been in power for the last two years, since December 2011. The slashing of budgets and city services created a void with absolutely no infrastructure. Ask any Flint resident who has called the police in the last two years; the area has fallen into almost anarchy.

For those that believe an EM can help a floundering city, one must wonder where their motivations lie. If the goal is the elimination of debt, then the EM does seem to work on that measurement, following noted Austrian economist Joseph Schumpeter and his idea of “creative destruction.” The theory, in summation, argues in favor of allowing underperforming businesses and inefficient contracts to die to sow the soil for future economic growth. However, emergency managers appear to be using it as a form of forced economic Darwinism.

Those who advocate emergency managers slashing to the bone ignore the warnings of Schumpeter himself, who explained in his book, “Capitalism, Socialism and Democracy,” that overzealous execution of this strategy could produce disastrous results. He even claimed that it could lead to the death of capitalism itself.

If you sell your car and house to get rid of your credit card debt, you would be debt free, but you also won’t have a place to sleep or means of getting to work. It’s a case of sacrificing long-run benefits for short-term gains. This is the fundamental flaw with the EM strategy, it merely props up communities on wobbly legs.

The major issue with implementing these measures in Detroit is there is very little left to cut. They have already slashed everything, including the size of the city. Trash doesn’t get picked up, police spread thin, some areas of the city don’t have access to electric light. There is no way around this, the city needs money to correct the financial instability, and they need a vast amount of it.

As proof, one needs only look to the 1975 fiscal crisis in New York City. After Gerald Ford famously told mayor Abe Beane to “Drop Dead,” the New York State government stepped in. The state along with the federal government infused cash and created the Municipal Assistance Corporation, which generated ten billion in bonds by the time of its dissolution. New York created a Renaissance that lasted two decades, including Rudy Giulliani’s giant investments in the police department.

Detroit needs a bailout. A reliable source of funding is required to invest in the “New Detroit” project, which will turn the city into an oasis of urban farming and renewable energy. Mayor Bing has to swallow his recalcitrance, take off his hat and put it in his hand. He should beg for investment. It might cost him the election, but this is what must be done. The suburbs and the state have to put down the rocks and pointy objects and get over Kwame Kilpatrick.

There needs to be calm nerves and nuance, conversation and compromise. If not, we may be doomed.

Motor City Musing

The ticket window is open for our reunion. This project has been an exercise in discipline, persistence, and omnipresence. Once we booked the venue in December, I guess I gave up actively looking for people. Now, we’re trying to round everyone up again. Over 100 people have said they’re going to the reunion, but only a fraction of them have purchased tickets.

As much as I thought people wanted to go the traditional route with an invitation in the mail, I was mistaken. We’re selling tickets via PayPal, which makes things easy to track, especially since the people coordinating this live hundreds of miles apart.

Our ‘early bird’ deadline for tickets ends Friday, and we’re excited and nervous at the same time. Early bird sales have surpassed those for the 20th reunion–but this is a bigger venue. We’re expecting more people, which means more expenses.

I’ve got a hunch that a lot of people are waiting until the last day to purchase tickets and still get the early bird discount. So if you notice the Internet running slowly on Friday, that could be a combination of people buying tickets…and those of us on this end checking for sales.

Not really, but that’d be nice.

*About this blog: Scott is a 1988 graduate of Princess Anne High School in Virginia Beach, Va. and is blogging about his experience ahead of his 25th high school reunion in 2013. You can contact Scott at 248-945-9950 or via email at sryan@cbs.com. Please put “The Reunion Project” in the subject line.
You can also check out the website here.

When Carol Cain arrived at the 2013 North American International Auto Show, she had a game plan and a pair of sneakers.

Cain, senior producer and host of CBS 62’s “Michigan Matters,” attended the show’s media preview. There she caught up with Michigan leaders and officials from several major auto companies.

“To cover this event, you must have comfortable shoes as Cobo is huge and murder on the feet,” she said. “I have learned to take a roll along backpack and keep my dress shoes inside which I pop on before interviews.”

Cain began planning for this episode back in November, long before doors opened to the media. She used the help of her connections in the auto industry to secure her guests.

“I reached out to firms about interviews weeks ago knowing there were over 5,000 journalists, many from influential national and international networks and papers, competing for top interviews too,” she said.

Throughout the day, one of the most difficult tasks for the TV crew of three was lugging the equipment, including a large trolley cart covered with camera gear and two fragile LED lights, in and around the show and the numerous people walking around Cobo.

First up, Cain planned a sit-down with industry legend Bob Lutz at an exhibition for VL, an automotive company he founded. Once she had made it across the expansive lobby to the interview space, the cameramen quickly set up the cameras and lighting equipment.

Afterward, Cain was buzzing about Lutz’s passion for Detroit and the future of the automotive industry.

“You could hear it oozing when Bob Lutz, who at 80-something has been at this show for decades, still lives and breathes cars and has excitement about what he saw at the show,” she said.

The interview that required some creativity to organize was with Governor Rick Snyder, who was in high demand that day. After determining the best location for filming, the crew staked out their positions before the mob of journalists arrived.

As the crowd gathered, flashes of light consumed the area from the media’s cameras. Cain waited patiently until the Governor was finished observing a new vehicle before maneuvering him over to the less congested area for taping.

Having covered the auto show since the beginning of her career, Cain was prepared for the droves of journalists competing for an interview with her high-profile guest. Despite the distractions, she managed to complete the interview in record time.

Though almost all of the interviews were planned out before production began, Cain was able to score a few minutes with Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel in between interviews. She always budgets in extra time to get more footage on the floor and possibly meet with other people.

“We start with our gameplan, and it evolves,” Cain said. “Sometimes interviews fall through or don’t go as expected, sometimes better, and other interviews just happen on the show floor organically.”

As she walked from company to company, the energy of the room was unavoidable. Cain, her guests, and much of the media at the auto show seemed united in the idea that Detroit is finally on the brink of a comeback.

“I have tremendous pride about Detroit,” Cain said. “I was born here, love seeing this show and this industry getting its swagger back.”

See what Carol Cain’s guests had to say on “Michigan Matters” this Sunday at 11:30 a.m. on CBS 62.

Go Behind-The-Scenes Of The ‘Michigan Matters’ Auto Show Specialview gallery

More From NAIAS: Guide - Parking - News - Photos - Video

As we turn the page to 2013, I still have one foot stuck in 2012.

I had really hoped to have the people-searching done by now, but that’s not how it turned out. Over Thanksgiving, I sent an email to everyone in our class about our reunion plans, plus those who were probably part of our class but have never responded to any inquiries.

We’ve found over 330 classmates so far–and almost one-half of them have already replied. I feel pretty good that 90 percent of them are either a maybe or a yes, but I’ll feel better when the info is sent out soon for ticket purchases–and early birds start snapping up their seats. So for now, I’m stuck still chasing down a few dozen people for the first time and chasing down many more for the second time–trying to find out if they’re showing up in June.

If your phone rings or your inbox pings, then it’s probably me.

I’ve fielded a lot of questions recently about what people should wear. They should wear whatever they’re comfortable in. I’m sure we’ll get people in suits or gowns, business casual, jeans and t-shirts, and maybe even a few wearing shorts. We’ve got enough work to do without planning a dress code too. As an adult, I really don’t like being “told” what to wear and I’m sure others will agree.

The past few weeks have been dull overall when it comes to planning. Once the venue and menu were taken care of, I think everyone slipped into holiday mode, and rightfully so. But I plan to bounce back next week with a renewed sense of purpose and energy.

Lastly, I’m still trying to learn website design. I’ll probably never know enough code to do it all myself, so I’m letting Weebly do the heavy lifting. You can check it out here.

*About this blog: Scott is a 1988 graduate of Princess Anne High School in Virginia Beach, Va. and is blogging about his experience ahead of his 25th high school reunion in 2013. You can contact Scott at 248-945-9950 or via email at sryan@cbs.com. Please put “The Reunion Project” in the subject line.

Motor City Musing

Motor City Musing

Most of my life I have tried my best to avoid eye contact with strange men. But, for 8 hours each year I smile at all of them — women, too.

I am a volunteer bell ringer for the Salvation Army.

The other day I told a friend of mine (and he’s a super nice guy, by the way) about it, and he asked me:”Why do you do that?”  He just couldn’t wrap his mind around why I would want to stand in one spot for 4 hours at a time, ringing a bell and collecting money for other people.

Am I doing it for work? Nope. Is it community service for a little white-collar crime? Not that either.

I explained to this friend (let’s call him “George”) that I do it because I feel like doing it.  I do it to help people. I do it cause I don’t have a ton of cash to donate. I do it because I have a little time to burn right now. And I do it because it gets me into the holiday spirit, it makes me feel good and it’s fun. (Really, it is fun).

They say $10 can feed a person for a month. If you collect $200 (or more) just by standing there, think about what that money could do.  They never have enough volunteers, so every empty spot means fewer toys for kids who have none and fewer free holiday meals for families in need.

Anyone can be a bell ringer. All you do is sign up online (I recommend signing up in early November … especially if you want to secure one of the rare and much-coveted indoor spots).  The Salvation Army is a Christian organization, yes, but don’t have to be a member of their church, any church, or even be religious to ring the bell.  All volunteers are welcome.

And you’ll find that it’s not just Christians who donate. People of all colors, races, nationalities and religions have put money in my kettle. Ringing at Oakland Mall is rather like ringing at an international airport, and it’s a great place for people watching!  Anyone is just as likely to give. (It was once my observation that hipsters do not donate, but I was proved wrong today).

My favorites are the kids. Of course, it’s common for parents to hand their child a dollar and send him to drop it in … but children will give their own money.  It might surprise you, but some of these children are so generous.  Nothing makes me smile more than when a little 12 or 13-year-old girl walks up, opens her little Hannah Montana purse and pulls out some change. *You know 50 cents to a kid is like $20 to an adult … being that most of them lack an income). Teens give often, as well.

While I suggest smiling at everyone (very effective!) I always smile at kids, and wave, and say “hi.” To them you seem like someone important.  And, in general, I recommend you try to dress a bit festive (I find my super fuzzy Santa hat and a little sparkly eye shadow go a long way).

It’s great because you never know how you’ll meet or what someone will say. And, trust me, people love to talk to a bell ringer.

Well, before I quit jabbering on at you, here are  ….

Some random tips & observations:

- Always say thank you but don’t say it until they are actually putting the money in. You be surprised how often people seem to be walking up to donate, take out their wallet and then just count their money or something.

- People will comment on just about anything. “Hey, glad to see your smiling!” “You’re lucky to have this nice inside spot.” “Nice hat.” Sometimes they just say they appreciate what you’re doing.

- They also ask questions. They’ll ask why you’re doing it, where the money goes, how long you’ve been standing there and isn’t it freezing out? Just answer what you can and smile.

- Are you a girl? Guys will hit on you. (At the mall? Teenagers may hit on you.)  One time a guy asked me if he could put his phone number in the kettle. I told him to go for it. (The thing is locked and I can’t get in there anyway!)

- People will try to avoid eye contact. They may smile at you. They may nod. They may scowl at you. (They may scowl at you and then donate.)

- People will mess with you.  Some think it’s funny to pretend to attempt to steal the kettle.

- People will donate one penny or they’ll give $20. Of course, you thank them all the same.

- You may witness something crazy or something great.

- Dress for the weather. It’s more than FREEZING outside and, inside the mall, it can be 90 degrees.

- Wear comfortable shoes.

- Alternate bell hands (I honestly have a blister right now).

So, you’ve got about a year to consider, so just think about it. It’s a great way to do just a little work for charity without as longterm commitment. It’s a great way to be a part of Christmas. And,  I promise you, it’s an experience you’ll never forget.

Get more information about how to volunteer and about the Salvation Army at ringthebell.org.

Trial Update By Vickie Thomas
Dec. 17 – Dec. 21, 2012

Larry Alebiosu of Fashion International in Southfield corroborated the testimony of his friend and city contractor Johnson Akinwusi of JOA Construction.  Akinwusi wrapped up his testimony on Monday saying he paid nearly $5,000 for suits the incoming mayor Kwame Kilpatrick had in layaway.  It was at Alebiosu’s suggestion that Akinwusi pay for the suits in an effort to get contracts with the city.  Under cross-examination by Kilpatrick’s attorney Jim Thomas, Alebiosu admitted he wanted to outfit the mayor because it would help his custom clothing business.

Next up was LaJuan Wilks, a construction project manager for the city of Detroit.She testified that she was surprised that JOA and Xcel construction companies were awarded a multi-million dollar contract by the Detroit Building Authority Board to overhaul Heilmann Recreation Center.  It was a joint venture by JOA which was owned by Akinwusi and Xcel, owned by Bobby Ferguson.

Wilks testified that after review by the selection committee it was between Skanska and Spencer Daily.  The committee decided to go recommend Skanska.   She also testified that she got into a shouting match with Bobby Ferguson and she quoted him as saying, “The only reason you have this job is because you’re black.”  Because Ferguson was friends with Kilpatrick and because her boss who was present but didn’t intervene in the argument, Wilks testified that she felt her job was in jeopardy for suggesting that Ferguson was double billing on the Heilmann Recreation Center project.

Tyrone Clifton, a project manager with Detroit’s Building Authority who oversaw the Heilmann project, under cross-examination admitted that he thought Wilks’ reaction was “over the top.”

FBI Agent Robert Beckman took the witness stand and used text messages to show that Bobby Ferguson thanked Christine Beatty for helping to steer the Heilmann project his way.  Beatty headed up the Building Authority Board which approved the deal.

Beckman also testified about text messages that show Ferguson paid over $3,000 for custom suits to give to one of the top bosses at the recreation department allegedly to pay for his support of Ferguson getting piece of the Heilmann and Patton Park contracts.

Next up, it was Sean Werdlow, a current investment banker who served as Kilpatrick’s Chief Financial Officer. He served on the Detroit Building Authority Board.   Werdlow testified about the Heilmann project, saying the board came to rely on the evaluation committee’s recommendations.

The June 19, 2003 meeting minutes show that Werdlow requested the bid sheets for the project but Christine Beatty called for the vote.  He didn’t know the rankings of the companies or the number of companies that submitted bids.

A document on the evidence screen says the evaluation committee recommended JOA/Xcel.  Werdlow said, “This would be a huge discrepancy.”  He never received the bid proposals reviewed by the evaluation committee which put Skanska at number one and JOA/Excel fourth out of the five bid proposals.

Bernard Parker, III, President of  BP3 & Associates spent two days on the witness stand.  He is also the son of Wayne County Commissioner Bernard Parker.

In  1995 he worked with the city’s law dept.  Then he went to the Human Rights Dept in 1998.   He worked with certifications for Detroit based and Detroit Headquartered businesses.   From 2002-2004 , he worked for Walbridge Aldinger and returned from 2006-2007.  Then he worked for Xcel and Ferguson Enterprises from 2007 to August 2009.

He also worked in business development for a company called Insituform and Parker about a meeting with his bosses and Bobby Ferguson regarding an amendment to an existing contract that Parker believed at the time was on the mayor’s desk.  Parker said Ferguson wanted more money out of the deal and said the amendment wouldn’t move unless they reached a deal.  Parker testified when Ferguson left the room, one of the company executives called it blackmail and extortion.  While Parker appeared to be a solid witness for the government, he may have lost points on cross-examination when he had to admit he lied to his own bosses in an effort to get financial contributions for Kilpatrick.

Mark Andre Cunningham closed out the week with some pretty strange testimony.  He had a serious case of the nervous giggles and at times had jurors laughing.  At one point he even apologized for laughing.  Cunningham was a long time friend of Detroit’s ex-mayor, fraternity brother, college buddy and Kilpatrick’s executive assistant.

Cunningham testified that he paid Bernard Kilpatrick bribes in connection with two 15-million-dollar city pension deals.  Cunningham awaits sentencing after taking a plea deal on one count of conspiracy to bribe.  He got busted in a sting operation and took $5,000 from an undercover agent.

Quote of the Week is courtesy of Bernard Kilpatrick’s Attorney John Shay who quotes a line from the movie “Goodfellas” in open court:

“I amuse you? I’m funny like a clown?”

The quote came in response to the repeated outbursts of laughter by witness Marc Andre Cunningham.

Up Next:  Testimony resumes on January 3, 2013.

Before I get started here I just wanted to point out that; yes I do know that November and December college basketball means nothing.

With that being said; how can Michigan fans not be elated with how this year’s hoops season is going? The Wolverines moved to 12-0 last night after beating Eastern Michigan by almost 40 in Ann Arbor and nothing, at least early seems to rattle this team.

Michigan’s average margin of victory this season has been by 22 points and the schedule all of a sudden doesn’t seem like the cupcake it was originally thought to be. The Wolverines have defeated Pittsburgh (11-1), Kansas State (8-2), Bradley (8-2) on the road and North Carolina State (8-2) and while these teams are by no means “world beaters” they are solid competition that the Wolverines have had a relatively easy time with.

After yesterday’s win over Eastern Michigan, Coach John Beilein talked about focus and how his team seems to rarely lose it. He’s right. We’re talking about a lot of young players, especially freshman and for those individuals to be able to continue winning while do everything for pretty much the first time is very impressive. Even against lesser talent, you expect young players to go through growing pains and if Michigan is, they sure are not showing it.

Just two weeks ago I wrote a blog about Michigan and how they need to be tested. I still feel that way! But, because of the way they have won in what seems to be easy fashion, I am now more convinced that this team is for real.

Trey Burke could be the best guard in the conference while Freshman Nik Stauskas, Glen Robinson III and Mitch McGary have been able to contribute in major ways early on. Even Jordan Morgan looks like a better player than last season and Tim Hardaway Jr. has shown progress from last year to now.

Bottom line, you have to love what you see!

Of course the real barometer is the conference schedule and it gets tough starting January 3rd and will not let up for the next 3 months. 4 Big Ten teams are ranked in the top ten currently in Indiana, Ohio State, Illinois and Michigan while 2 other teams are in the top 25 in Michigan State and Minnesota. Wisconsin, Northwestern and Penn State also have the ability to surprise people!

We will know soon enough if Michigan is for real, but for now I’m choosing to believe they are. What about you?

I bring this up because I am in no way trying to present myself as a coffee aficionado or a connoisseur of the stuff. For example, I would not be above mainlining espresso in the event that I could not find a cup. I wonder if that is illegal.

I am just an average girl who wakes up every day and tells herself the lie, that I’ll have just one latte in the morning, and maybe one more frappe in the late morning, but for sure I am going to stop all coffee by noon. And then at about 2 p.m., the “drug-seeking behavior” begins (thanks for the appropriate terminology, Dr. Drew). My downward spiral of the afternoon usually goes like this:

I’ll have just one cup. I mean it was just made. It’s just sitting in the pot. It shouldn’t go to waste. I usually repeat this scenario a minimum of three times between 1 and 4 p.m. When I get home in the evening either my mother or my cousin or my aunt comes by. This is typical for Greeks. Together we decide we should have one, small, cup of Turkish coffee just so we have the energy to cook. Ok, you get it. I am a huge liar when it comes to coffee, BUT there are others who are way worse than I am.

For example, I work with guy who thinks I am crazy because I try to cut back or control my intake of caffeine. “Why would you want to do that?” he asks. “You’ll get a headache,” he adds.

Good point.

The best way to be ok with your coffee addiction is to find someone out there that is way worse than you. As long you are not as bad as that guy, you have not hit bottom. Thank you Sandra Bullock movie. My rock-bottom poster child is one of my co-workers, we’ll call him John to protect the innocent. Thank you David Simon for this tactic. John drinks a pot of coffee during his one hour and 20 minute commute on the way to work. Then he keeps a steady flow going into his system from 9 to 5, and drinks another pot on the way home. On the weekend he hunts, so he drinks a pot to go up north, sits and stalks his prey with a steady flow to keep him warm, and has another piping hot pot stashed in his truck for the ride back down the mitten (that’s a Michigan reference for you out-of-staters). In the summer, he goes fishing. You get it. Basically, the only time he isn’t drinking coffee is when he is sleeping — which is not very much for obvious reasons. Compared to that guy — who has a problem? Really?

Okay, you get it. I’m an addict. But, for the sake of poetry, let’s say I am a coffee lover. Therefore, I present to you the top five things all coffee addicts need. All of these things will identify you to others as co-addicts who have no interest in ever stopping, because, coffee is … well … etraordinary perfection. It’s love in a cup. It’s your friend. It’s your ally. It’s the one that understands you and never lets you down. And even if it does — you can just drink some more.

(credit: capitolcups.com

Best Coffee Accessory

*THE* Cup by Capitol Cups. Aside from being awesome because it seals perfectly to shake a frappe (the Greeks in the audience know what I’M talking about), it keeps the hot stuff hot and the cold stuff cold. I buy them as gifts and everyone tells me the same thing- it is the best coffee cup ever.

Best Fast Coffee Places

It’s a tie for the places to get a latte, cappacino, espresso, etc., on the go.

Biggby’s and Nordstrom’s – I know, who knew? They are all nice. Kudos to their HR process of both corporations. The coffee tastes good, but is still “hard” without tasting burnt a’ la Seattle. Of course, in a jam, I’ll drink the burnt stuff. Coffee is like sex and pizza. Even when it’s bad — it’s still good.

Best Places For International Ambiance

Pistachio’s (west side)

5741 West Maple Rd.
West Bloomfield Township, Mich.
(248) 865-8870
pistachiounlimited.com

Caffe Far Bella (east side)

23233 9 Mack Drive
St. Clair Shores, MI
(586) 773-2233

Best Gifts For A Coffee Addict

• Travel suitcase of coffee
• The 12 days of coffee – Make it yourself. It should be self-explanitory, but if you don’t get it, drink some coffee. It’ll wake you up a little.
• Pictures of coffee framed if you really want to butter us up.

Find any credible study from any accredited university that suggests that drinking a lot of coffee is good for you. We love that.

December is the month of holiday cheer and festive, fashion. Therefore, even with the everyday hustle and bustle, it’s important to look professional yet stylish in the office. The holiday season is a great time to incorporate colorful, pieces and fun accessories to your daily, office look.

(credit: Dave M. Benett/Getty Images)

Comfy Colorful Sweaters

Colorful, cotton or cashmere sweaters are perfect for the holidays. They’re comfortable for when you’re mingling and eating at the office party. Sweaters are not only warm and cozy but they look professional and classy with a pair of slacks or a knee-length, skirt.

A bright, colored blouse or collared shirt is another easy way to create a fresh look for the holidays. The pop of color from the blouse and shirt looks elegant under a blazer. Different fabrics and subtle, embellishments also add more style to a standard business shirt.

For example, instead of choosing a basic collared shirt, try picking a powder blue or red shirt with white cuffs. To achieve a softer, elegant look, choose a vibrant, colored blouse made of chiffon with pleats. The idea is to implement a mixture of fabrics, colors, and styles to dress up your collection of work shirts.

(credit: Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images)

Statement Jewelry

Colors and fabrics are important to creating an appealing holiday fashion look. However, no outfit is complete without accessories. Holiday jewelry should make a statement and be unique.

A multicolored, beaded drop–necklace and a teardrop choker are some examples of jewelry that’s beautiful and special for the holiday. It’s always good to pick sets of jewelry with a matching necklace and bracelet or earrings.

You can also opt to keep it more simple with one eye-catching piece of jewelry. The key to accessorizing with jewelry is to pick items that stand out and can be paired with numerous outfits in your closet.

Trendy Flats

The most important accessory to consider is shoes. Flats look just as fancy as a pair of heels but don’t put as much stress on your feet. Sparkle and leather flats are fashionable, trendy, and functional for the office.

BCBG, Tahari, and Marc Fisher are among the many designers that make a range of colors and styles in flats for any day of the week.

Keep these helpful suggestions in mind and you’re sure to look stylish and comfortable in the office during this holiday season!

Raquel is a Michigan native with a Bachelors in Journalism from the University of Michigan. She loves fashion and writing about life’s everyday stories. She has written for various local publications that include Dearborn Press & Guide and Detroit Fashion Pages. Raquel also writes for her own local events blog, Metro Diva Pages. You can visit Raquel’s blog at metrodivapages-rdp.blogspot.com and follow her on Twitter @MetroDivaPages.

Motor City Musing