Time to Shine

Shine bright, dear Detroit, during your week in the spotlight.


[Despite this being an old picture (the Penobscot Building now shines with red and blue lights instead of all white, not sure about the gas comany building), it is still a pretty one.]

Strange things happening because of the Superbowl: Al let Jimmy Kimmel drive his zam before the game Sat. night for some promo thing. Wierdness, I mean really, really wierd. I never would have thought Al let anyone drive his zamboni, let alone Jimmy Kimmel. On the off chance I watch late-night tv, I much prefer NBC. Downtown looks all nice and shit. Suburbanites who bash the city are taking a liking to it. The local news has stopped reporting homicides, arsons, and other grim subjects. I actually can't think of a place I would rather be further away from (it was delightful being out-of-town for the All-Star game last July).

My biggest discrepancy: City Airport has been renamed Coleman A. Young International Airport. Seriously, Kwame, what the fuck is wrong with you? Does it not seem completely inappropiate to 1) rename a city owned airport after a crooked mayor, under whose administration Detroit went to shit (Had it not been for Coleman's long-term, drug dealing days in office, the city wouldn't have had to spend millions to clean it up for one event) and 2) international? what the bloody hell is international about city airport? Southwest stopped flying out of that airport years and years ago and they are not even an international airline. It is used now for private flyers, yet again, nothing international about it. Unless of course there are some Windsorites who use the airport for their private planes, though I would think heightened security (after 9/11, not just for the Game) and different laws (U.S. vs. Canada)would prohibit our kind neighbors from any such benefit.

Though one thing remains the same: Jay Leno continues poking fun at the city. Finally some reassurance from which we can all seek comfort.

My words for the wise: Party on. Stay on the main corridors where street lights protect the weary. Watch out for unexpected surprises. Always carry a pair of surgical scissors (I will use this until Jack uses a common item in an uncommon way). And remember, the Detroit River is only four blocks away from Ford Field.