This coming Saturday, November 2, 2013 at the Adams Butzel Arena in Detroit will have their “Try Hockey for Free” Halloween event. This event will be held from 11am – 3pm. The event is free for friends of current hockey players and through out the city. The invite consist of a cool wristband.
For young players such as Dylan Thomas (5yrs old) a second year player, this is his first year with this particular organization. When asked what made him want to play hockey, he had this to say “when I saw it on TV, I knew I wanted to play”. This event will help introduce this sport to more friends and family of having fun on the ice. When he was asked what he wants to be when he grows up he says, “A Hockey Player”.
For more information, you can contact Ice Dreams at 313-727-7330. The organization is partnered with USA Hockey and the NHL.
The Jack Adams Arena in Adams Butzel Recreation Complex is located at 10500 Lyndon, Detroit, MI at 313-515-1212.
For the past few weeks, the discussion has been brought to light that Detroit’s ONLY Fine Arts high school is having trouble with keeping their programs. On Friday, September 27th an Alumni Benefit Showcase was held at the Ford Auditorium on the school grounds of the Detroit School of Arts. This brought talents from multiple graduating years together, to help aim the spotlight on an institution that helped cultivate and spring them forward in to a life long passion of the arts
Image Provided By: John King
The alumni’s mission is to, Increase awareness, increase enrollment, Increase funding, increase the teachers and become and fully operating performing arts high school in the city of Detroit, stated Teyuane Jackson, class of 2006.
Gwenation Photo Taken By: Constance Thomas
Prior to the event a survey was sent out to many within the community of Detroit to get their take on whether the importance of the arts curriculum within a school is needed. The responses made a clear statement. Many expressed how important the arts were.
We (Renee Aaron) also placed a post on Reddit regarding the arts being eliminated from the school. One responder stated, “Is it better to cut the teachers and keep the school open or keep the teachers, and maybe, in the end, lose the school too.” This is a valid point, however the key is to understand that the issue the school faces is due to low enrollment numbers. The conversation is below:
Survey Given By: Renee Aaron thru Survey Monkey
The schools goal along with the help of the very active alumni to date is to continue a legacy that was birthed in 1992, by Dr. Denise Davis-Cotton.
We here are Renee Aaron will continue to follow this story and watch as things unfold.
For many, fine arts are an extra curricular activity that one takes part of after school. For some, fine arts are intertwined with their everyday class schedule, like the students at the Detroit School of Arts. At the start of the 2013-2014 school year; students were welcomed with fewer fine arts programs included in their class schedule. Four arts teachers were transferred to other schools within the Detroit Public School System, because of low enrollments numbers. While the school is in a 5million deficit, the importance of the arts in the Detroit School of Arts seem to be a non-factor when it comes to keeping curriculum based programs.
One can only imagine the affects that fine arts programs have on a young students mind. It is said that being involved in any form of fine arts helped a student perform well on standardized tests. Whether a student attended a charter, private, or public institution, the results would end in the same, successful. Having a true passion for the arts results in a well-rounded educational experience. Moving forward in life, scholarships are given to those who show an enthusiastic drive to continue in higher education. If one wanted to pursue this journey further the opportunities are endless; such as recordings, musical direction, world tours and contributing back to the community to help advance those taking forward movement.
The information on this survey will help continue the research to finding the balance between academics and the fine arts within the Detroit School of Arts.
This past weekend was the annual African World Festival held the Charles H. Wright Museum. This year marked the 31st anniversary of the great festival. Which once was held at Hart Plaza off of the Detroit River, has now made the museum their home. This event which spans over 3-days, has multiple stages inside and out of the grounds. The festival started at 4:00pm on Friday and opens at 11:00am both Saturday and Sunday with closings at 11:00pm each night.
Babayeo Kaza, an “out of the basement” artist as he stated, created a sculptured the image for the festival last year. The image, which is a Sankofa bird from Ghana West Africa, has now been commissioned for the festival. “This bird is looking back and picking up the egg, reaching back picking up history knowledge of self as we move forward with power and ability,” stated Kaza. Thousands come to purchase rare sculptures, listen to music acts such as gospel artist LaToya Turrentine and enjoy the culture of reconnecting with their Africa connection.
The museum is located at 315 E. Warren Ave in Midtown Detroit. Hours of operation are Tuesday- Saturday from 9am-5pm and on Sunday from 1pm-5pm.
On this Friday evening, I sat down with Chanel Denise in a suburb outside of Detroit. I wanted to catch up with her to and find out when the release date of her anticipated book would drop. Also to find out more new things that lie ahead of for this aspiring woman.
Department of Elections Holds NeighborHOOD Forum in New Center Area
On Friday, May 7,2013 the Department of Elections held an event at the New Center Park amphitheater. This evening candidates were able to talk and mingle casually with prospective voters within the city of Detroit. This forum much like many taking place around the area are placing candidates in front of the citizens. However, this particular evening their focus weren’t the seasoned citizens but the growing and vibrant voters ages 18-35, also known as Generation Y.
Detroit is currently under the control of an emergency financial manager. In an article written up on Bloomberg, it stated that “Detroit is caught in a downward spiral of revenue from shrinking tax base–it has lost two-thirds of its postwar peak population—while unemployment at 18 percent is twice the state level”.
The primary election is coming up in August. Where candidates hope to win and bring forth a change and relieve the financial manager of his duties. Mayoral hopeful Lisa L. Howze is one of them along with Mike Duggan which both were present during this event along with a few other mayoral candidates.
The event was not just for those running for the mayor’s office, but all branches of the Detroit government.
Currently Detroit is the largest US city to be under control of an unelected official with sweeping powers to gut public services and the wages and pensions of city workers, as stated from the article “Emergency Financial Manager Takes over Detroit,” back in March by Bryan Dyne. Earlier this week the issue was posed that The Detroit Institute of Arts assets are up for sale. These assets would help the allying financial crisis the city has been facing for the past few years.
Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) not only holds timeless art, but special events such as fashion shows, concerts, and worthy cause fundraisers are held here though out the year. As well as nuptials taking place in the famous Kresge Court.
The opening paragraph in the Detroit News stated this, “Detroit emergency manager Kevyn Orr is considering whether the multibillion-dollar collection at the Detroit Institute of Arts should be considered city assets that potentially could be sold to cover about $15 billion in debt”. Orr was stated saying he would begin negotiating concession from Detroit’s creditors and unions in an effort to address the city’s crisis without resorting to bankruptcy.
Currently Detroit has a $347million deficit and a $14billion in long-term liabilities. (Dyne, 2013). Mr. Orr is currently three months in on his eighteen-month tenure as the city’s emergency financial Manager. Michael Byrne, vice president of the Royal Oak Arts Council (suburb of Detroit) had this to say to the Oakland Press about the current issue, “It’s just absolutely beyond my ability to see the Detroit community – meaning all the surrounding counties – be stripped of this kind of culture.
Just recently the DIA faced an internal financial strain. To help put the DIA on better financial standing, the museum waged a successful drive last year to pass a 10-year, 0.2-mil tax in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties in last August’s election to generate $23 million in operating costs per year. The economic lifeline for the institution also allowed it to offer free admission for residents of the counties that approved the tax, (Oakland Press, May 24, 2013)
Sculpture outside of DIA. Photo Taken by: Constance Thomas
On Thursday the 23rd, the DIA’s Facebook page made a statement, “According to those standards, the City cannot sell art to generate funds for any purpose other than to enhance the collection.” More information will be dispersed in the future, but until then the timeless pieces of art stays put.
Its Tuesday morning and Dr. Deirdre Young, DDS of the University of Detroit Mercy School of dentistry prepares her powerpoint presentation to talk about the Diversity in the health profession. There are 25 students, some in which are returning students look forward to this years presentation. The dental imprint program is apart of the enrichment program with the college. She aims to empower, inspire and cultivate the students to take an interest in dentistry or any other health profession.
Detroit, MI (March 11, 2013) Bob’s Classic Kicks in Midtown Detroit. The doors opened eight years ago and helps provide special edition shoes to the “sneaker heads”. (photo by: Constance Thomas/Renee Aaron Events)
Yes, this is a wedding and event planning site. We do aim to give you all things wedding. Shopping is a big part of the planning practice. So instead of gowns, tuxedos and jewelry, we want to show you another side of the planning and shopping process.
When its time to get gifts why not some fresh new kicks. Midtown Detroit’s retail store, Bobs Classic Kicks, www.bobsclassickicks.com is the great place to find those rare edition, collectors item. Established eight years ago by Jason Johnson and just recently two years go Christian Dorsey became co-partner of the now staple gym shoe store of the city.
When asked why go into business in gym shoes? Dorsey responded, “I buy too many damn shoes, might as well keep the party going”. So during the day the phone constantly rings with callers asking about the newest shoe out and the available shoe sizes.
The store provides many options of color pallets and styles. The store uploads daily on the latest shoes being sold in the store and which classic tee looks best. To store is located at 4717 Woodward, Ave., Detroit, MI 48201 and can be reached at 313-832-7513.
Detroit, MI (March 11, 2013) Bob’s Classic Kicks logo style Tee’s displayed for sale. These shirts help coordinate with the vibrate colors of the shoes. (Photo by: Constance Thomas/Renee Aaron Events)
Detroit, MI (March 11, 2013) The paint cans and mural behind, shows the creative eye and the atmosphere of Bob’s Classic Kicks. (Photo By: Constance Thomas/Renee Aaron Events.)
Detroit, MI (March 11, 2013) Christian Dorsey, Co-owner of Bob’s Classic Kick, prepares for the daily updates of the new kicks in the store. Kobe’s year of the snake is being worked on with the signature tee displayed below. (Photo By: Constance Thomas/Renee Aaron Events)
Detroit, MI (March 11, 2013) The high ceilings and the open space leads to express creativity. Bob’s Classic Kick is open throughout the year and sometimes holds special meet and greets for the community. (Photo By: Constance Thomas/ Renee Aaron Events)
As the city of Detroit goes through financial issues, a former mayor under investigation, some may think the future of out youth seems bleak. For one community by the name of Clark Park Coalition in Southwest Detroit, it continues to serves those in the community. During the winter months, youth are able to take part in their Learn to Skate and Learn to Play Hockey program.
This recreation center was once staffed by the Detroit Recreation department until 1991 when it was closed due to the city’s financial crisis. For many in the community this was a concern and as a concerted effort they formed a non-profit to partner with the City of Detroit Recreation Department, there for creating a wonderful public-private collaboration.
Many lakes once surrounded Clark Park, states Anthony Benavides, center director. So many have been skating in this area for over 100 years. This program is funded by many sponsors such as Hockey Is For Everyone, The Skillman Foundation, Wayne County just to name a few.
This center functions year round with other sports such as soccer, baseball, tennis, and golf. This coalition is not just sports focused. They have homework assistance, fitness/nutrition training, arts & crafts, and most importantly community service. Their motto is “where the community is teaching our youth to dream”.
Southwest is a very diverse community that serves as one of the many landscapes of Detroit. Programs such as these keep youth involved in positive activities and off the streets. For a small registration of $45 for any child over the age of eight, they receive all equipment for free. Youth ages 4 through 7 are free of charge. For more information contact the coalition at 313-841-8534 or email at clarkparkdetroit@gmail.com
For more information, you can contact Ice Dreams at 313-727-7330. The organization is partnered with USA Hockey and the NHL. 
