Detroit family dedicates home to kids in need
JILL LUBAS / STAFF WRITER
FEATURES, Page 12 CAMPUS
Lara Gallaway teams up with Free Lunch Fridays
MLB
NEWS, Pg. 3
CULTURE
Opening Day in Detroit
Marilyn Kelly, former court justice, joins Wayne Law faculty
SPORTS, Pg. 15
NEWS, Pg. 4
APRIL 10 - APRIL 16, 2013 I WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY’S STUDENT NEWSPAPER SINCE 1967 I THESOUTHEND.WAYNE.EDU I DETROIT, MICHIGAN I FREE
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COLUMN
Convictions for mercy killings are cruel Sufferers of chronic diseases should be able to decide when, how they die
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MULTIMEDIA EDITOR
Life is full of decisions to make. From the time that we turn 18 and our parents can no longer make decisions for us, we have to choose where we want to go and who we want to be. We decide the career path that we want to take, who we marry, if we have kids, what we eat for breakfast and what to wear every day. Some of these decisions may be easier than others, but life is essentially a series of decisions that will eventually come to an end. One thing is certain for all of us: No matter the decisions we make — none of us will make it out of this world alive. Throughout our lives, despite all of the decisions that we have to make on a day-to-day basis, the choice of how we leave this world is usually not up to us. This is not to say that if a person is young and depressed that it is OK for them to commit suicide because they don’t want to live anymore — obviously someone in this case needs help, and they should receive that help. No, I’m talking about a person who’s lived a full life — a person of sound mind whose health is deteriorating, who has made peace with their maker, doesn’t want to be sick and in pain anymore and wants to leave this world. They spent their whole lives making decisions, so why can’t how they go out be the last one they make? Last week, the Detroit Free Press published an article about George Sanders, an 86-year-old Arizona man being tried in the mercy killing of his wife. According to the Free Press article,
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2 I APRIL 10 - APRIL 16, 2013 I THESOUTHEND.WAYNE.EDU
“Sanders said his wife was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1969, and the couple moved from Washington state to Arizona in the 1970s for the warm, dry climate. She had been in a wheelchair since 1971.” In addition, his wife had developed gangrene a few days before the shooting, and was to be admitted to a hospital and then to a nursing home. Sanders said his wife begged him to kill her, the article reports. Sanders spoke on his own behalf, telling the judge that he had loved his wife since she was 15 years old. Their son, Steve Sanders, told the judge that the family didn’t want to prosecute and that he doesn’t fault his father, according to the article. Though Sanders could have faced
more than 12 years in prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter in the death of his wife, he was sentenced to probation. It is so easy to say that mercy killings are murder, but if it is what the person wants, should it still be considered murder? I’ve seen what some diseases do to people — diseases like dementia, Alzheimer’s and multiple sclerosis aren’t pretty . It takes an incredible kind of strength to live with a disease that you know is going to take so much from you. When all other options are gone, and they’ve sought out all of the help that they can, it seems so disrespectful to force them to live with it when all they want to do is move on.
NEWS CAMPUS
CITY
WSU research lab undergoes big renovations
Dozens of Detroiters meet up,chow down for Free Lunch Fridays
Changes to site allow for new facilities for tissue, biomedical work TAYLAR KOBYLAS Contributing Writer Wayne State’s most recently renovated biomedical research lab now houses revolutionary testing facilities for tissue and biomaterial engineering. According to the College of Engineering, the lab “ is the first in the College of Engineering to be home to professors from different college departments: biomedical and chemical engineering.” The space, known as a “core lab,” focuses solely on testing opportunities for tissue and biomaterial engineering. Research in these veins has been known to diagnose and treat various cancers, diabetes and motor neuron diseases. More specifically, the lab’s capabilities for material synthesis, cell culture analysis and electro spinning (fibrous network generation) allow scientists to streamline much of their work to that of neural tissue engineering and the development of materials that promote nerve regeneration. WSU assistant professor Harini Sundararaghavan serves as a principal investigator for the lab and has helped develop the renovations from start to finish. “We observe neuron growth on scaffoldings among other projects and soon hope to implant our experiments in animal models,” Sundararaghavan said. Although the lab is designed to support two to three different professors, it also facilitates the research efforts of two Ph.D students, two master’s students and three undergraduate researchers.
“The lab is designed really well for the type of research that we do,” Sundararaghavan said. “It began with minimal accoutrements and was seriously outdated, but will now likely serve as a model for future renovations.” “Research labs are typically shared between several principal investigators,” she said. “Ours has only two and encourages collaboration between our fields of study.” While typical labs include a shared internal space with smaller rooms surrounding them, the new space includes several workbenches and large windows allowing for ambient light. The surrounding rooms are shared but still used for similar research. “This lab also has uniquely treated floors for chemical provisions, a student office/lounge space and separate rooms for specialized work. Many of the newest engineering labs at Wayne State do not include as much compartmentalized space,” Sundararaghavan said. Other features like attention to ventilation needs, an enclosed microscope space and a shared generator-supported freezer farm were also taken into special consideration by project supervisors. “The intent of this lab is to create an area where several researchers can cohabitate together. This saves on the number of support spaces that we need, and it also means that researchers are talking to each other and bumping into each other and working collaboratively. It helps science spin that much faster,” project manager Nancy Millstein said.
Monthly free meals inspire collaboration between entrepreneurs REBECCA SANCHEZ Contributing Writer
F
ree Lunch Fridays Detroit continued its success March 29 with entrepreneur and speaker Lara Galloway. The nonprofit organization launched its first meeting in Detroit Jan. 25 in the Atomic Object office at 1407 Randolph St. and has held three more meetings that continue to grow each month. FLF’s vision is a global community of startups and entrepreneurs all connected to drive our economies forward and change the world, according to its website, freelunchfriday.com. Galloway, a certified business coach and social media expert, is the founder and creator of Mombizcoach.com, in which she specializes in leading female and mom entrepreneurs to success according to mombizcoach.com. At the meeting, Galloway discussed how important relationships are in networking. “We want to share what we think is awesome with somebody else that thinks it’s awesome,” Galloway said. “As entrepreneurs we are nothing without the relationships we have.” The networking opportunities at these meetings are undeniable and begin as soon as you walk in the door. The meetings are followed by free lunch and free beverages, including donated beer from Rochester Mills
Beer Co. “Success is in the power of collaboration,” said Sean D. Foster, creator of empoweringyoutoprosper.com. After lunch new members were introduced, and they talk about their businesses or tell what kind of help they need from others. “I need help marketing,” said Akilah Muhammed, the head chef of a vegan catering company. Other entrepreneurs were a woman who was is trying to open a burn clinic in Michigan and two women opening a Laundromat geared toward students. FLF team member Xavier Johnson was able to give a plug on the digital media business he started as well. After introductions, the FLF team invites people to talk about job openings in the area. Lastly, the speaker has 20 minutes to share his or her insight on becoming a successful entrepreneur. “I have built an audience that let me build my business,” Galloway said. “I don’t adjust my price. They love me.” Free Lunch Friday is not only in Michigan, but also has other meetings across the U.S. Its members and supporters believe it will continue to grow and give people the opportunity to create relationships in the community. On their website, organizers say: “Through this collaboration, we will provide the connections, support, education and funding that will feed hungry entrepreneurs for years to come.”
THESOUTHEND.WAYNE.EDU I APRIL 10 - APRIL 16, 2013 I 3
NEWS CAMPUS
APhA award goes to WSU professor
CAMPUS
Pharmacy professor recognized for mentorship VANIA HALABOU Contributing Writer Douglas A. Miller, professor at the Wayne State University Department of Pharmacy Practice, recently received the 2013 Gloria Niemeyer Francke Leadership Mentor Award, given by The American Pharmacist Association. The award recognizes an individual who has promoted and encouraged pharmacists to attain leadership positions by acting as a good role model and mentor. Miller received the award at the APhA Annual Meeting and Exposition held in Los Angeles. Miller earned his bachelor’s degree in pharmacy from Ohio State University and earned his Pharm.D. from Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science. He has been a faculty member at Wayne since 1976 and teaches courses relating to patient care and pharmacy practice. He is also head of the patient care lab. His passion for pharmacy came from his high school science teacher, who was also a pharmacist. “We studied drug effects in some of his classes and he took a group of us to “Pharmacy Day” at Ohio State during my junior year. I was hooked when they started talking about all pharmacists could do to improve patients’ medication use,” Miller said. Miller was nominated by one of his colleagues, and was chosen by the selection committee, which is made up of past award recipients. “This award reflects positively on the school because a big part of our mission is mentoring. We’ve created an environment that encourages and supports the kind of mentoring and relationships most of our facility has with most of our
students,” Miller said. Miller described a “successful mentoree as one who goes on and has a happy and productive career. Like any teacher, I am proudest when I hear of former students who have gone on to successful, rewarding careers.” Miller’s colleagues find him to be a great asset to the college. Richard L. Slaughter, associate dean of the Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences said, “Doug has provided excellent leadership and has nurtured many doctor of pharmacy students through the professional practice laboratory experience in our doctor of pharmacy program. He has also positively impacted many faculty members who are instructors in this laboratory.” Another colleague spoke directly about the national recognition and Miller’s service. “Dr. Miller has had, and continues to have, an outstanding career in pharmacy. He is well deserving of the national recognition bestowed upon him by the American Pharmacists Association. He has committed his life to pharmacy in Michigan and nationally. Our profession has benefited in so many ways from his service and dedication as a service provider,” said Lloyd Young, dean of the Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. Miller has also been involved in the Michigan Board of Pharmacy for 11 years and served as board chair for two terms. He was a member of the APhA Board of Trustee, the Michigan Pharmacists Association and the Michigan Society of Health-System Pharmacists. He has also received the Pharmacist of the Year Award of the Michigan Pharmacist Association.
4 I APRIL 10 - APRIL 16, 2013 I THESOUTHEND.WAYNE.EDU
MILLARD BERRY/ WAYNE LAW Marilyn Kelly joins the WSU faculty after 16 years of fighting for justice on the Michigan Supreme Court.
From courtroom to classroom Michigan Supreme Court justice is now Wayne Law’s jurist in residence SARA MCKAY Contributing Writer After 16 years of serving on the Michigan Supreme Court, Justice Marilyn Kelly has joined the Wayne State Law School faculty. Instead of retiring to a place like Boca Raton, Kelly has decided to return to the school she graduated from in 1971 as the “Distinguished Jurist in Residence.” Dean Jocelyn Benson created the “Distinguished Jurist in Residence” position specifically for Kelly. She joined WSU faculty March 18 and has her own office in the Wayne Law Building. She will continue to work on leading reforms, do guest speaking in various law classes and teach courses in the future. “This is a tremendous opportunity for the students,” Benson said, “Justice Kelly is a trailblazer and can transfer that to students.” Kelly has a desire to teach and a passion for public service. Being involved at WSU through teaching and learning will provide her stimulation that retirement in Boca Raton would not. “Underneath it all, I greatly enjoy teaching and interacting with students about law,” Kelly said. Kelly chose specifically to come to WSU not only because is she an alumna but also because she respects WSU’s focus on the need for public service. In her 41 years of experience in law, Kelly said, she came to realize that the wealthy are too often protected while the poor are shot down because they cannot afford represen-
tation. Kelly strives to make representation available to the poor. One of the projects she is currently working on is a website, www.michiganlegalhelp.com, which helps those who can’t afford an attorney find ways to get legal help. One of Kelly’s first experiences as guest speaker came in professor John Dolan’s property law class, a class for first-year law students, April 3. In the class, Kelly, wearing her scales of justice pin and rimless framed glasses and looking eager to interact with students, was involved in a Socratic presentation — a form of inquiry and debate between individuals with opposing viewpoints based on asking and answering questions to stimulate critical thinking and to illuminate ideas. Kelly, Dolan and the students talked about two property cases, Kilo v The City of New London and Wayne County v Hatchcock. It was obvious Kelly’s teaching style is warm and welcoming. She asked questions with a smile and let students know she didn’t expect them to have a “perfect answer” when discussing a case. Kelly also made sure to tell the students they were doing a good job, too. Nick Klaus, a student in Dolan’s class, was excited to have the opportunity to hear Kelly’s perceptions in the class. He said having Kelly speak was a great opportunity. “You don’t usually get insight into Michigan law your first year in law school,” Klaus said. Jack McIntyre, whom Kelly frequently called on in Dolan’s class, said he was a “little bit nervous” to be giving his views to the justice. However, he said it was really interesting to hear insights from a justice’s perspective.
COMMUNITY
Local Detroit upholds law, gains national fame to boot New TV show chronicles work day of Detroit Parking enforcement
ANGELA GAFFNEY Contributing Writer Executive producer Daniel Ellis hand-picked DeAndre “Ponytail” Hubbard, a city worker for 18 years, to be co-star of the reality show “Parking Wars.” According to Hubbard, the producers were taking volunteers and Ellis asked,” Who is Ponytail?” because he had heard great things about him. Hubbard, well-known with Detroit citizens, was given the name “Ponytail” by a homeless man downtown who thought Hubbard wore his ponytail well. His attitude is amiable despite the encounters with the parking renegades. Hubbard has received fame, but no salary. Nevertheless, Hubbard said he is glad to be on the show because he used to be a mess. “Parking Wars” airs Friday on the A&E channel and features cities that have their own municipal parking department. People are watching the show, now going into the seventh season, Hubbard said. The show’s producer, Andrew Dunn, said “Parking Wars” was conceived when they were filming cars being booted, and he said, “This is a parking war.” And like many “reality” shows, “Parking Wars” focuses mostly on the way the public handles the receiving of the citations. “The more belligerent the citizen acts, the more likely you will be filmed,” Hubbard said. Each day brings a different encounter with the public. Hubbard has been in altercations, remarks have been made about his ponytail, and racist remarks were hurled. Unlike Detroit police officers, Hubbard said, the parking personnel “have no protection because there is no gun on the waist or a partner in the car.” Hubbard gives insight about the safety guidelines, booting and ticketing around the WSU campus and surrounding city streets. We constantly “feed the meter,” which is illegal, Hubbard said. Students trying to avoid being the next victim are alert for those slow-moving, white vehicles driven by parking department workers. The parking department, on the other hand, is on the lookout for violators who break Detroit’s parking laws. In an interview at the International Pancake House, located on East Jefferson, Hubbard reflected on one encounter with a WSU student who fed the meter and thought he was “in the right” because that was “his
space.” However, the parking spaces do not belong to one person. Everyone is entitled to park in that space after the meter is expired. Hubbard said he has experienced moments when he was saddened by the racial slurs directed at him because he was just doing his job. In southwest Detroit on a Friday, for example, four cars were parked on the sidewalk, which is a ticketable violation. The parking department had received calls concerning this, and Hubbard went to investigate: The cars were parked illegally. He ticketed the vehicles, and one of the drivers whose car was not parked illegally began to make racist remarks, Hubbard said. Although the incident disturbed him, he still treats people with respect and uses judgment before he writes the ticket. Hubbard said the goal of the show is to determine the public’s perception – and reactions – to city workers performing their jobs. The goal of the parking department is to “provide safety for the public and keep traffic flowing,” said Hubbard, who writes approximately 70 to 80 tickets a day. According to a lot of students, it would appear that is targeted because if you have ever watched “Parking Wars,” you see those vehicles circling like vultures waiting to swoop down and ticket or boot a vehicle. According to Hubbard, the public sees the parking employees as “ticket vigilantes,” but they do have mercy and are trained to use discretion when they issue a citation. They are taught to think, “How would you feel if you got the same ticket you wrote someone,” Hubbard said. He also said students could make the experience less unpleasant if they simply read the ticket and know the laws. For example, if someone receives a ticket on campus and then they pay the citation within 10 days, there is a $10 reduction; the instructions for paying the fine are located at the bottom of the ticket, Hubbard said. “Most people don’t read the fine print at the bottom,” he said. “Boot Eligible” is another term used to describe the problem of students who have lots of unpaid parking tickets and park on city streets. The process that parking employees follow is first, before writing a ticket, they key in your license plate number. The computer will show if you are boot eligible. If you have a lot of unpaid tickets, the city worker then calls dispatch to verify license plate number, make, locations and model of vehicle, and after that, the vehicle is towed. However, if you are on a payment plan with the parking department, they will remove the boot, according to Hubbard. He advises to pay a little at a time rather than ignore the tickets and set yourself up for the boot. “Parking Wars” has brought much attention to Detroit, and “Ponytail” said he never thought he would be on television all over the country. This is a “violation nation” which recruits members involuntarily, Hubbard said.
“The more belligerent the citizen acts, the more likely you will be filmed.” — DeAndre “Ponytail” Hubbard, co-star on reality show “Parking Wars”
THESOUTHEND.WAYNE.EDU I APRIL 10 - APRIL 16, 2013 I 5
NEWS CITY
COURTESY/ NWSA
Members of the National Student Water Association at Wayne State spent their break in Honduras installing water piping.
WSU students deliver clean water to rural Honduras During spring break, 5 men toiled to lay water piping system CHRIS EHRMANN
LEAD NEWS
CORRESPONDENT Clean water is a precious resource and even more so in underdeveloped countries. A group of five Wayne State students and their organization used their own money and time to travel to Honduras over spring break so they could help improve the water system. Abess Makki, Muhamad Chbib, Ali Mourad, Rashid Al-Mahdi and Ali Abdallah are members of the National Student Water Association at WSU. Makki is the president of the organization, Chbib is the Vice president, Mourad is the director of development, AlMahdi is the director of finances, and Abdallah is the communications director. The program started a while ago, but it took them some time to establish a feasible project like NSWA and to get the trip financed. It first started on campus where the group met their advisor Dr. Silas Norman, the associate dean of admissions at WSU’s School of Medicine, and asked if he would help give advice to the group to help get more kids get involved.
“The set-up was not so easy — we had to work with global water brigades, set up the trip, who’s going and the dates, etc. We filed as a nonprofit; we didn’t become 501c(3), but we did file as nonprofit,” Chbib said. When the program first started, the members did not have a clear idea of what to do. “It wasn’t a walk in the park. For two years when we started, we were literally sitting down some days and thinking about what were going to do,” Makki said. But, the members did come together to make the program and they decided to base it around students. Makki said if the program’s mission could be summed up in one sentence, it would be to raise awareness to students about the water crisis and to help give students the hands-on experience instead of just donating money. According to Makki, the program is meant to be a small group of students rather than a one of 500 people. Because of the effort it took to create the foundation of the organization, they want only serious members, who are dedicated to the organization’s mission. This is the first trip for the group and they raised their own money to travel. Over their spring break they traveled to Honduras to help install a water piping system. When they got there, the group was overwhelmed by the hospitality of the residents. “Their hospitality, it really smashed the
6 I APRIL 10 - APRIL 16, 2013 I THESOUTHEND.WAYNE.EDU
status quo. Over here in America, a lot of people are envious of people — when they see someone with something better than them, they feel that they are under them, but over there, even though we were Americans and everything, they welcomed us to their homes. They barely had anything and they were giving us coffee, they invited us to eat cake, even though they barely had anything,” Chbib said. After they got settled in the area, the men got to work. The first thing they would do was get up at 6 a.m. every day and eat breakfast. Next, they would leave the compound where they stayed and drive half an hour to get their supplies for the day. They continued down the terrain for an hour to the worksite, where they started work around 9 a.m. There, they would work until noon. They would take a break for lunch, then continue to work until 4 p.m. Next, they would meet with the locals or water council to explain and discuss the project. After the day was done, they would return to the compound around 5 p.m. to take a shower and eat dinner. The last thing they would do would be to meet up with other chapters and groups to discuss the day. Mourad said they did not do the same thing every day, adding that the first day was spent meeting with the water council to study area. The second, third, and fourth days were spent digging trenches. What they had to do was dig through the rough terrain up to their knees with pick axes and shovels. The next few days were spent sanding and installing the pipelines. On the sixth day, they would cover the pipeline back up. Originally, only seven homes had access to water, and after the project, Makki said all 100 homes would have access to water, and each house had, on average, seven people living in it. Chbib was glad that they picked Honduras and explained why they wanted to do this project. “Why? Because, this whole time, we
were always trying to raise awareness, we were always trying to figure out what the issue was with the water systems. The five of us went to get experience to set the foundation for next year,” Chbib said. He, along with the others, said he thinks it is important for people to know about the water crisis in other countries because it can inspire action and it made them want to help even more. “A lot of people don’t know, and when they do know, it shocks them, when you see when you go there, you see people carrying jugs of water on their back. This is real life for these people. This is what this lady does several hours a day — the hours she could be using to cook at home or teach the children, just these basic engaging life skills. Rather than advancing in their society, they are out there carrying water. So when people see this plight, it hits them and makes them more humble inside, and it makes them say, ‘Maybe I shouldn’t steam the shower.’ ‘Maybe I should be more conservative,’” Chbib said. “I think if anything, it made us more humble, but at the same time it really showed us that the people there don’t want people to feel bad for them. Rather, they just want to be developed. Because when you talk to them, they are civilized. We just got to help them out, more of realizing that everyone’s one, and even though they are a third-world country, I didn’t see it like that,” Makki said. “Over here most people are oblivious to the fact that other people around the world don’t have what we have,” Mourad said. All in all, they really think that it paid off, and that everything is going well for them. “It took a lot to build up, and when you see your final product, it, it amazes you,” Chbib said. More information can be found on their website studentwater.org.
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A&E COLUMN
Von Pea sprouts new EP Brooklyn-based MC drops new 6-track release covering wild range of topics EMMANUEL SMITH Staff Columnist
The IndieCorner A lot of great things come in small packages, like Fun Size Skittles, sushi, Peter Dinklage from Game of Thrones, and most recently, the new EP “Duly Noted” by New York rapper Von Pea and producer Aeon. The six-track extended play is smooth and exact, filled with soulful, head-nodding production and pinpoint storytelling. The album transports you to a Brooklyn café with an open mic night, led by a rapper who can flawlessly set the coolest of moods. Pea doesn’t pull any punches as he uses the handful of tracks to com-
ment on new music trends, his love of hip-hop and what makes him unique as a rapper. This is nothing new for the wordsmith whose been showing off his conversational flow and clever wordplay since ‘06, rapping alongside Donwil in the group Tanya Morgan. Pea and Donwil have always promoted the boom bap sound, along with inhouse producer Aeon, concentrating on preserving the 90s style for as long as they can. Their use of conscious lyrics, while also leaving room for boasting and bragging has always been top-notch, garnering fans with similar groups like Slum Village and Little Brother. The album starts off with “Nip Slip,” a quick story about a date with a girl from the city. “She don’t got an ass/I don’t miss it/makes up for it with the sundress nip slip/standing at the food truck with her hands full/should I hold it or fix it? Awkward” The song takes listeners along as Pea tries get
with this girl, but doesn’t quite make it. “This isn’t a tale/we didn’t end up related/ her bougie ass friends felt the end us dating/Seen her last week at the Prince versus MJ/Dancing with a kid who tried to get me on his mixtape” The story is the most mellow cut on the EP, mostly because of Aeon’s simple combination of a sliced up guitar riff and a drum loop. It’s not much, but it does the job beautifully. Pea turns the scope inward on the track “Pessimistic”, commenting on his place in the genre. “The same way they call Twista for the sh*t/ Jigga for the cash sh*t/ Lex Luger for the trap sh*t/ I guess they call pizzle for the backpack hits/ fudduck it/ hit me for a trip to ‘96” And on the track “Alone,” Pea flows over Aeon’s chopped drum loop and reminds listeners that he doesn’t plan on changing who he is. “F a label and label/ I require neither praise or appraisal/my ex once told me I wouldn’t be able/so
damn downdraught she cancelled the cable.” “Duly Noted” feels like something that was written while Pea rode the L train, contemplating his position in the genre and what he has to give. With only five songs and an interlude, Von Pea and Aeon pack in a slew of quotable lines and a few memorable beats that will have you rewinding and playing on repeat. This project, which was only released via the Internet, shows that when you have a couple songs that you want to share with your fans, you can just do it. The music industry is in disarray, trying to figure out how to get people to buy full, 18-track albums, from Best Buy and Target. I suggest they take a page from Von Pea and Aeon, and show their artists how to make a half dozen sound great before they expect people to enjoy 18. You can find the links to download “Duly Noted” at www. vonpea.com
COLUMN
Passalacqua delivers poetic play on words Detroit hip-hop duo speak on local scene, future plans
NICOLE HAYDEN Staff Columnist
MOTOWN BEAT Passalacqua, the combination of emcees Mister and Blaksmith, tangle their words in the Detroit music scene. Mister weaves the sounds with his speed and old-school dips while Blaksmith adds the poetic delivery and wordplay. Their well-engineered sound scaffolds from R&B to disco to jam band with enough pop to play, yet underground and deep enough to sway. For Blaksmith, performing live gives an instant when “(us) and the audience are experiencing one moment together that no
one else is a part of,” he said. “Sometimes I’ll think about life without music and then I get lightheaded and have to sit down. It’s absolutely necessary in my life.” Playing in Detroit means they are a part of “the best music scene,” Blaksmith said, however “you can only perform in your own city so many times. Getting to bring our music to cities all over the country is a real good feeling.” For now though, their future plans are close to home as they prepare to release on EP with local Detroit band Flint Eastwood which will be available this summer. To other young musicians, they say to “keep moving. Be patient. Do what you like. Trends are so stupid and they should never be the blueprint for your music. Think big. Listen to the blues. Listen to everything. Drink strong coffee. Go to as many concerts as possible and take notes. Perform often.
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Make friends with whoever’s running sound at your show. Always be a student and always be a teacher,” Blaksmith said. And the final comment they had to share was that “we’re approachable. Let’s drink coffee and shoot the breeze.” I’m pretty sure that’s an offer for a date — readers, any takers? Be sure to catch their documentary at Art X Detroit on 4/10 and 4/13 and catch them live at Found Sound on 4/20. Check them out: http://itspassalacqua. com/
COURTESTY DOUG COOMBE Passalacqua have made a name for themselves with their distinct hip-hop stylings.
REVIEW
FASHION
Fashion Dream becomes reality
Cold War Kids heat things up
Thursdays in the D brings designers, boutiques, clothing to students PARIS GILES Contributing Writer She admits that she’s not very active in the fashion community at Wayne State, but she says she has “a good eye for it.” This is obvious by the unique jewelry that adorns both her ears. WSU senior Lynette Court was just one of the attendees of The Fashion Dream April 4. Having her pick of urban, casual and formal fashions, Court said it was the baseball caps shown by WoodWorkz Clothing that brought her to the show. She wears a floral “snap-back” cap as she speaks – a dead giveaway. Stitched together by the Fashion Design and Merchandising Organization and Eboni Turnbow, representing the Dean of Student’s Office, the show featured 11 student designers, along with several local boutiques and clothing companies. Refusing to confine themselves, designers draped their models’ envious bodies in looks spanning a wide array of eras and styles. From simple tank-tops and T-shirts to elegant couture pieces, no rhinestone was left unturned. Keeping on the spring trend were funky, bright neon prints mixed with flirty floral dresses and skirts, often accompanied by blazers and tailored jackets. One of the bigger risks on the runway that evening was taken with “Vintage Ties” by Jaiden. The designer showed a burgundy velvet blazer detailed in military-inspired accents. The collar was trimmed in gold sequins – very ‘70s and very on trend. Clearly, Jaiden did his homework. Velvet has been a staple on the runways in New York and Paris for the past few seasons. Court appreciated his interpretations; his looks were her favorite, she said. Causing the first audible gasp of the show was student Luciana Davies’ longsleeved white and black dress, made so voluminous by endless layers of immaculately cut and placed tulle fabric that the model’s arms could hardly reach her sides. In pure Bettie Page, 1950s pin-up style, it was pale skin, jet-black hair and open-toed platforms for Davies’s girl.
Not to be outdone was fellow student Angelica Bartell of “Angel Couture.” Her “Black and Gold Collection” featured ‘80s-inspired looks for today like military jackets, over-sized tops and leopard print galore. The designer said she wanted to “create drama.” Bartell said she typically sticks to a muted color palette when it comes to her personal style, but she wanted to amp things up for the show. “Just because I don’t wear a lot of color doesn’t mean I’m boring,” she said. Jewelry and accessories also walked the runway at Orchestra Hall. Notable was a gold necklace shown by Stacey Crawford that draped the model in the same way a holster might drape a detective. Arguably stealing the show was a cocktail dress designed by yet another student, Narges Almajidi. This art piece was constructed almost entirely out of pennies of varying degrees of wear. Older Lincolns were placed up top, fading strategically into newly stamped coins. The dress hit the model midthigh and was completed with a seductive, triangular cut out on the back. The fashion community at WSU has been much more active this year than in previous ones, according to Bartell – and rightly so. Student and model Egypt Cole, introduced by Bartell, cites the casual “kickback” trend of spring. She expects to see pops of bright colors this summer, as does fellow show model Abrilia Jones. Bartell has high hopes for WSU’s fashion week this fall. Typically, the university assists with Detroit’s Fashion Week, but this year, she said, the school has its own plans. Aspiring shoe designer Jones will oversee the designers’ committee. Bartell is tight-lipped, but she promises special celebrity guests and great fashion. When asked what she personally hopes people take away from her work, she said it’s that three things are irrelevant: “age, sex and class.” “Anyone can do anything,” she said. “We’re here to conquer, empower and inspire.”
Californian indie rockers have story to tell in latest release KELSEY PIZANA Contributing Writer Long Beach natives Cold War Kids are set to release their fourth studio album this April. The album’s title, “Dear Miss Lonely Hearts,” was inspired by the Nathanael West novel “Miss Lonelyhearts,” the story of an unfulfilled newspaper columnist centered in Depression-ridden 1930s New York City. The band sought to capture the hostile emotions of the story’s protagonist. Lead Singer Nathan Willet told The Huffington Post, “The struggles of his character worked their way into many of the songs”. The group has done their fair share of building anticipation for the album by uploading a series of 12 ‘video trailers’ since early January. The clips offer never-before-seen footage of the band creating their album both in the studio and on the go. The album begins with an upbeat and catchy pop-rock tune titled “The Miracle Mile.” The song is dominated by energetic piano hooks as Willet
projects the gospel-like chorus, singing “come up for air!” The album does a great job at showing how the indie rockers occasionally switched up their sound with new musical techniques. Songs like “Loner Phase” offer an electric vibe vintage to most ‘80s techno music. The song’s synthesized guitar chords and rhythm blend well with the raw and jagged vocals, making for a psychedelic dance hit. The fourth track on the album, “Fear and Trembling,” reminds fans of the lush sound they fell in love with. The song replicates the soulful sound of their 2007 hit “Hang Me Up To Dry” with its rolling, drum dominated base. It seems as if the kids took on the challenge of making each song unique in sound. However, when played one after another, each track loses its individual qualities. The songs tend to blend into a continuation of wandering melodies that joyfully clash with Willett’s flexible voice. Old and new fans alike can look forward to an array of bluesy, slow pop-rock songs distinctive to Cold War Kids.
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A&E COMMUNITY
Won’t you take me to La Hookah Town Local shop caters to college-aged adults who prefer fragrant smoke, tasty puff breaks STEPHANIE GIBSON Contributing Writer The doors open. The strong odor of fruit infused with mint fills the air, basked in a cloud of dark haze. Inhale. Exhale. Welcome to the world of hookah. Hookah is a water pipe used for smoking flavored tobacco called shisha. The tobacco is placed in a bowl at the top of a pipe that stands about three feet off the ground. The water basin at the bottom of the hookah filters the shisha as the coal ignites the tobacco, which is inhaled through a long tube. Originating in the Middle East, hookah gained popularity in America around the 20th century and continues to rise today. “I haven’t yet heard of a hookah lounge going out of business,” said Brennan Appel, an executive with North Carolina’s South Smoke, one of the
nation’s leading distributors of hookah water pipes and products. Now, experience hookah. Bright lights flash off deep, dark blue walls. The door man, puffing hookah, blows sweet smoke in your face then asks for $5 — it’s $10 if you are not a Wayne State student. Pay the fee, find a seat. The hookah experience has begun. Nestled in Detroit’s Midtown, La Hookah, located at 4455 Second St., is the only hookah bar in the area, said owner Sal, and it caters to the college crowd. “We get a lot of Wayne State’s basketball and football athletes,” said manager Abe Aswadi. With the cheapest prices in town, La Hookah is packed with twentysomethings hyped on Red Bulls, (no alcoholic beverages are allowed in La Hookah) who hold a hookah tube in one hand and fist pump with the other to the sounds of DJ MGM playing urban
JON ADAMS / THE SOUTH END La Hookah Town, 4455 Second St., is the only hookah bar in the area catering to the college crowd.
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mixes. The experience is sure to get you up shaking on the dance floor or at your seat — the dance floor only holds a few people. The menu at La Hookah is similar to Baskin Robbins, except for the disclosure at the bottom stating that you have to be 18 or older to partake. If you are, you can indulge in La Hookah’s 31 flavors like Wild Berry and Mint and Coco Jumbo. The latter got rave reviews by smokers for its sweet coconut flavor and pineapple aroma. The least favorite on the menu was lemon, which can be summed up in one word: “yuck.” The staff is upbeat and full of energy, and the patrons are friendly and ready to share — just grab a disposable mouth piece, turn to a neighbor and start talking, it’s a great way to network, but remember to puff, puff, pass and “do not inhale,” Dunia Mufarreh said. Like cigarettes, hookah can cause cancer. “Hookah tobacco and smoke contain
numerous toxic substances known to cause lung, bladder, and oral cancers,” according to the Center for Disease Control. Now, take a deep breath. Stop. Exhale, and welcome to the world of La Hookah.
FEATURES COMMUNITY
At JJ’s House, foster kids find love, support
Family’s restored home grants second chance to children in need JILL LUBAS Staff Writer Knowing that they always wanted children, but unable to have their own, Jason and Courtney Faraday adopted their son, JJ, seven years ago from a woman who knew she would be unable to provide and care for the baby in the way he deserved. This event was the inspiration behind JJ’s House, a foster and adoption home on Detroit’s east side. The Faradays recently purchased a house on the corner of Cadillac and Charlevoix, built in 1914, that will be transformed into a childcare home. The 3,200-square-foot house has three floors and a basement. Each floor is being refinished; the second floor will hold most of the bedrooms while the top floor is being converted into a play area for the children. Family, friends and friends of friends have pitched in time to help restore the home and make it a warm and inviting place for children. According to Michigan’s Department of Human Services, approximately 14,000 kids are in the foster care system at any given time. Since the use of orphanages throughout the state has dissolved, children not placed in foster or adoptive homes end up in delinquent homes, often with children who have history of bad behavior. Through their childcare home, the Faradays hope to provide a safe and stable environment where children can learn and grow comfortably. With licensing in the works, the goal is to open doors by August of this year. The Faradays will be allowed to foster six children at a time while they are getting established with hopes of expanding that number in the future. They can adopt as many children as they choose. “Through the process (of adopting), it has shown us such a love for kids that come into this world that don’t have a choice and then on top of that are just kind of left to be in the foster care system flopping from house to house – we are for the kids that don’t have a voice,” Courtney Faraday said. They are avid supporters of the reunification process – helping parents reconnect with a child that has been put in foster care – but instead of sending the child to visit the parent, if the parent is serious about reunification, they will be required to come to the child’s current environment. By doing this, the child will be assured a safe and positive environment to be in through the reunification process, which
may or may not be the living situation of their biological parent. After doing missionary work in several different countries, including Haiti and India, Courtney Faraday, a WSU alumna, and her husband knew that Detroit was where they were supposed to be. “We had this vision to do this and we prayed, ‘OK God, we are moving our family into Detroit and we are not pushing any doors open. If this is truly what you want, you will just drop everything in our lap,” Courtney Faraday said. Since the Faradays made the decision to move to Detroit they have not had to ask for money, receiving several unsolicited donations from people who want to be a part of what the Faradays are doing in the city. From money given to purchase the house and redo bathrooms to a restaurant in Rochester that donated a complete commercial kitchen, the Faradays’ childcare home is moving forward through what friends and family consider divine provision. “We were initially opposed to them (Jason, Courtney and JJ) living in Detroit of course because of safety,” said Elaine Faraday, Jason Faraday’s mother. “And then just seeing how God was providing and moving and making it all work … we are totally behind them.” Many people in the neighborhood had reservations about the Faradays’ acquisition of the house; people who lived on the street thought that the house was going to be converted into apartments and rented out. Once they discovered the intended purpose of the home, and that the Faraday family would be living in the house as well, they welcome the family with open arms. “Sure the street has its problems, but this is a good thing that they are doing here,” said Michael Philips, a neighborhood resident. The Faradays know that moving to Detroit and being part of the community, not just visitors, is a pivotal part of having a true and lasting impact on the people in the area. “You go down there (Detroit) and do an outreach or feed the homeless, and all that stuff is great, but people aren’t going to connect with that because you are still going back to your suburbia world,” Courtney Faraday said. “But when you are living and breathing the same way they are living and breathing, on the same street they are living and breathing in they are like, ‘You understand what I’m going through because you live it too’ – it gives us the chance
to build trust and relationships.” The childcare home is just the beginning of what the Faradays hope to establish in the city of Detroit. Next they are planning to convert the basement, which was once used as a doctor’s office, into a transition center for pregnant women. They will provide care and housing for women who need help getting on their feet and figuring out their next steps. According to Courtney Faraday, this house is the first of many they hope to plant throughout the city. When asked about how he felt about moving to Detroit, 7-year-old JJ, whom the childcare home is named for, is excited about moving and having brothers and sisters. “I’m serious about that I’m happy,” JJ said. “We are taking care of kids.” JILL LUBAS / STAFF WRITER Adopting their son JJ inspired the Faradays to start JJ’s House, a foster and adoption home.
JILL LUBAS / STAFF WRITER The Faradays hope to open up their home to foster and adopted children by August of this year.
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FEATURES COMMUNITY
SEAN MCCABE/ CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER The synagogue has seen a boost in membership, particularly among the youth.
A colorful history, a shining future SEAN MCCABE Contributing Writer
On the corner of Griswold and Cleveland streets sits the last remaining conservative synagogue in the city of Detroit. Known for its colorful stained glass windows, the Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue is now becoming known for something more. The synagogue was formed in 1921, when Detroit had a bustling Jewish population. During the white flight of the 1960s, Jewish families left for the suburbs, and the synagogue saw its membership rapidly diminish. By 2007, it was nearly dead. That’s when attorney Leor Barak and several young Jewish professionals living in Downtown Detroit took action. Eating at Café d’Mongo’s Speakeasy, located at 1439 Griswold St., the group noticed the large Stars of David on the doors next door. “They pulled on the doors, saw that it was open and said, ‘What the heck is this,’” said executive director Anna Kohn. “The caretaker at the time said ‘This is the Downtown Synagogue. It is a synagogue but we’ve run out of our endowment and are closing.”
Barak, now the synagogue’s president, and his friends realized that they couldn’t let that happen. The group joined the synagogue and began to implement changes from the inside out, and over the past five, the community has grown steadily. “Less than five years ago, it was a blessing if we could make a minyan (a quorum of 10 Jews) on a Friday night,” Barak said. “Now our challenge is keeping up with capacity.” They have achieved this kind of growth by offering an experience as unique as the city in which it resides. The synagogue has one of the youngest, most diversified congregations in the state. It claims the largest number of AfricanAmerican Jews in Michigan, and 60 percent of its board of directors are under the age of 40, “which is unheard of in the faith community,” said Kohn. Kohn credits the high number of young worshipers to the idea that young people need religion to be made relevant. “There are so many faith-based institutions that have reached out to me and said, ‘How do you do it; how do you keep young people interested in religion?’” Kohn said.
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“For us, the way we keep tying it is by keeping it relevant to their lives and making it relevant to what they’re interested in.” It has done this by taking a less traditional stance on Shabbat services, and it seems to be working. The Friday service that once had to recruit people off the street to get the required 10 now regularly has more than 70 members. With the absence of a full-time rabbi, the services are often lay people-led. These independent, group-led minyans have become highly popular in the younger community. The services are also egalitarian, which means women are allowed to participate in all aspects. These sessions are free to attend, Jewish or Gentile (non-Jewish), and are punctuated with a kosher meal. According to Kohn, the synagogue has also been able to keep its young base by keeping membership dues to a minimum. While other synagogues can charge anywhere from $1,200 to $3,000 a year, the Downtown Synagogue charges $75 annually. Although the synagogue has continued
Isaac Agree Synagogue gets a youthful renovation to grow over the last five years, now having some 280 members, there are still a number of concerns. “Now that we have a director, now that we have some administrative oversight, the next big task is getting this building in order,” Kohn said. The four-story building, located at 1457 Griswold, was purchased by the synagogue in 1962. Its top two floors are currently vacant and several other repairs are needed. According to a Downtown Synagogue statement, the board has launched a campaign to raise $120,000 in order to provide a fire escape to meet safety codes, a functional kitchen, a handicap-accessible restroom, a bike rack and a mural for the back wall. The “Make it History” campaign is just the first step in the ultimate goal of raising $2 million to fully modernize the building. “Our story is Detroit’s story,” said Kohn. “We have been deflated, but we are starting to come back and that’s exciting.” For the first time in a long time, the future of the synagogue is brighter than its windows.
COMMUNITY
Foran’s Grand Trunk pays tribute to its roots Detroit pub exemplifies casual charisma, Michigan pride to customers ELI HOERLER
Contributing Writer Walk into Foran’s Grand Trunk Pub and one of the first things you’ll notice, aside from the antique woodwork and 26-foot-high vaulted ceiling, is the presence of all things Michigan. Whether it’s the giant Vernor’s sign on the wall by the entrance or the multitude of Michigan beers on tap, you’ll see their allegiance to all things local. Serving Michigan beers is a big source of pride for Grand Trunk. According to the owners, they were the first bar in the state to exclusively have Michigan craft brews on tap. “Anheuser-Busch actually flew executives out from Milwaukee to tell us that we’re going to fail, and that this was a bad idea,” said Timothy Tharp, who owns the bar with his brother Steve. “Looking back, I realized that they were scared of the craft beer movement.” There are currently 24 Michigan beers on tap, and they rotate the selection every so often. But the devotion to Michigan doesn’t stop at beer. Grand Trunk owners gather much of their ingredients from Eastern Market and local farms. The chips are Better Made, the pop is Faygo, the pickles are Topor’s and the bread is from Avalon. Built in 1879, the building was originally home to Traub Brothers Jewelry. According to Timothy and the bar’s website, the building was sold to the Grand Trunk Railroad in the early 1900s. Its doors were opened again in 1911 as the railroad’s passenger ticket office. When passenger service on the railroad was discontinued, the building was sold again to the Metropole Hotel, which opened it as a bar and restaurant in 1935. Though it has changed hands multiple times, it has been a pub ever since. Since owning the bar, the Tharp brothers have redone its facade. They added French doors, which open up in the summer time, as well as transom windows where they once were years ago. They also stripped and re-finished the floors, cleaned all the fixtures, and knocked out part of the shared wall between the 612 and 608 Woodward addresses.
ELI HOERLER / CONTRIBUTING WRITER Grand Trunk Pub boasts a rotating selection of Michigan beers, as well as other local staples, like Faygo.
“(Throughout the renovations) I just kept telling myself, ‘Look up. Everything down here can be fixed. The ceiling is the real money shot,’” Tharp said. Grand Trunk’s renovated interior reflects its long history. The hardwood floors, ornate plaster work and metal fixtures give the bar an antique feel, while the motorcycle above the entrance and the stickers covering the cooler doors remind you that a tie — or even a button — down shirt — is totally unnecessary. It’s a casual place to meet and draws all types of people from all age groups and backgrounds. Herb Kentta, 72, frequently drives from Warren just to visit the pub. “I think it’s the charisma of the place,” he said. “It’s almost a ‘Cheers’ type bar. People just gravitate to it.” Kentta said he has been visiting the bar for well over 30 years, since before the
current ownership moved in. The building next door, 608 Woodward, is also owned by Tharp and is home to Foran’s Deluxe Diner on the ground level, which is connected to the pub on the inside. Motor City Wine Shop is on the second floor, though they’ll soon be moving to a location on Michigan Avenue. The menu at Foran’s is vast and goes far beyond simple bar food. A brunch menu is offered on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., featuring a lobster omelette, a vegetarian burrito, eggs benedict and more. The regular menu has an array of sandwiches, salads and entrees such as Jameson Meatloaf. Ask any diner and they’re likely recommend the Reuben sandwich. “All of our stuff is homemade. Nothing comes from Sysco or Gordon’s Food Service. We call it ‘gourmet pub grub,’” Tharp said.
Events at Grand Trunk are also more than one would expect from a bar. One such event is their Beer Dinner, which is hosted every other month. Each of the four courses included in the dinner is cooked using beer from a Michigan brewery, and is served with a beer carefully chosen for that dish. Representatives from the breweries make the trip out to explain each beer choice and talk about their offerings with guests. Additionally, the chef who prepared each dish speaks about the food. Grand Trunk also hosts “Tap Takeovers,” when local breweries fill the taps with as many types of beer as they can for one night. Fans of Detroit’s history, beer, or just a quiet place to meet new friends over a pint will feel right at home here. In an age of smelly dive bars, loud clubs and annoyingly overpriced hipster hangouts, Grand Trunk is a breath of fresh air.
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SPORTS FOOTBALL
NFL adopts new helmet protocol WSU coach Paul Winters weighs in on new rule to protect players RYAN RAGER
Contributing Writer The National Football League’s new “crown-of-the-helmet” rule has set off a flurry of tweets to show player displeasure. “Last time I checked football was a contact sport. Calling bank now to set up my lowering the boom fund,” Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte Said on Twitter. Players throughout the NFL took to Twitter to make their voices heard in regards to the institution of a new rule for the next NFL season. Most concern lay with the running backs, expressing discontent with the idea that they would be more exposed to defenders and that some may have to alter their running style as a result of the new rule. The “crown-of-the-helmet rule” was passed by a 31-1 vote by NFL
owners March 22. According to nflevolution.com, “Under the new rule, a runner or a tackler would draw a 15-yard penalty if he initiates forcible contact by delivering a blow with the top/crown of his helmet against an opponent when both players clearly are outside the tackle box (an area extending from tackle to tackle and from three yards beyond the line of scrimmage to the offensive team’s end line). However, incidental contact by the helmet of a runner or a tackler against an opponent would not be deemed a foul.” The rule is a part of the NFL’s ongoing efforts to increase player safety. Unsurprisingly, concerns over player health are not limited to the NFL; the NCAA has operated under a similar rule since its 2008 season. In NCAA play, it has been prohibited to initiate contact with the helmet, according to NCAA Football
Rules and Interpretations. “Technically, from a safety standpoint, they’ve been talking about hitting with the crown forever. As far as penalizing, they only penalize helmet-to-helmet,” said Wayne State football’s head coach Paul Winters. Winters does not share the sentiments of NFL players. “Football is physical,” he said. “You can’t not make it physical.” According to Winters, the rule and talking about the rule reinforces proper technique. The emphasis for Winters, he said, is the need to coach his players to the best of his ability to prevent them from getting hurt. “You teach your guys not to lead with the helmet. I don’t ever want my guy to put his head down. Make the guy tackle pads, get your pads down,” Winters said. With regard to NFL player’s reactions, Winters said he thinks “that’s
what “Sports Center” gets paid to do. It’s overexposure of the social media.” When you compare the NFL’s new rule with what the NCAA has already been abiding by, it’s hard to believe that the players are having anything more than a knee-jerk reaction. There is a new awareness level when it comes to player safety on the football field and it is impossible to ignore at this point. It also appears to have had little to no effect on how the game itself is actually played at the college level. “Every year everybody gets bigger, faster, stronger, and you have to put more safety precautions in just to keep guys healthy. From a coaching standpoint, you have to teach the proper fundamentals and control practices to prevent those types of injuries,” Winters said.
OPINION
The adventures of Opening Day TSE reporter takes readers through her experience of the Tigers’ Opening Day win CANDACE CHAPMAN Contributing Writer
Imagine your first time to the Tigers’ Opening Day and catching the second homerun ball of the winning game against the Yankees. The city of Detroit is alive and filled with excitement for Opening Day. Downtown is filled with tailgaters, ticket holders and those who just want to be in the spirit of the hometown. I love baseball, and I have been to many games but never a home opening game. I wanted the whole experience of Opening Day in Detroit. I went downtown an hour before the game to park and walk around and enjoy the festivities. While tailgating, I met Mikey Lewis, 25, a first-time Opening
Day attendee as well. Coincidentally, we had on the exact same sweatshirt that was specially made by “Detroit vs. Everybody” for the game. Lewis had no idea he was going to the game; he had only intended to go downtown to enjoy the atmosphere. “I got a call from my best friend who said she had a standing room ticket for the game. I didn’t care because I wanted to be there for the game,” Lewis said. After proceeding into the game, I had to stick with the tradition of baseball foods and drinks. My friends and I had Tigers beers and hot dogs before finding our seats. It was the bottom of the sixth inning, and Alex Avila was up to bat. He
hit a homerun. I began to cheer, and I noticed the ball came my way but I didn’t see it anymore. I knew someone had caught it, but I wasn’t sure. I look over to my right and my friend Terry Shelton, 25, is handing me the ball. I could not believe my eyes. Everyone was cheering and taking pictures, and I was still shocked that I had the ball in my hands. The whole section was roaring with cheer and excitement. “Can I please touch the ball and take a picture with you? I’ve never come this close to a homerun at a game ever!” a Tiger fan sitting in front of me said. I have never had so much fun at a baseball game, and going home with
the second home run ball of the day made my first Opening Day experience amazing! After the game, we wanted to experience the atmosphere of the bars downtown. Adam Sabree, owner of OneTwoFive bar on Michigan Avenue, had a celebration after the game. We stopped by the bar, and it was filled with friends and fans. Everyone was celebrating the Tigers win. “It’s amazing what a win or even a game can do for small bar owners like myself. It brings the city to life. Good times for everyone,” Sabree said. Downtown Detroit was filled with happy fans and happy bar owners. Go Tigers!
SEE OUR PHOTO GALLERY FROM OPENING DAY ONLINE @ THESOUTHEND.WAYNE.EDU THESOUTHEND.WAYNE.EDU I APRIL 10 - APRIL 16, 2013 I 15
SPORTS SOFTBALL
FOOTBALL
Comparison: Reggie Bush is better for Lions than Titus Young
Softball climbs above even record with strong week WSU starting pitcher Mackenzie Boehler wins 10th game ZEINAB NAJM Staff Writer The Wayne State women’s softball team improved to 1513 overall by winning five out of its last six games. They played Lake Erie April 3, where they won both games of the doubleheader because of the run rule (when one team is leading by at least eight runs after five innings). WSU won the first game 9-1, which began with them scoring six runs in the top of the second inning. Those six runs would be more than enough for pitcher Briana Lee, who only gave up one run to the Storm in five innings of work. WSU freshman pitcher Mackenzie Boehler continued her dominance this season by throwing her second perfect game this year. She struck out seven of the 15 Storm hitters she faced. The Warriors had another big offensive game, scoring seven runs in the fourth inning. Key hits from Gabby Williams, Logan White and Lee helped WSU sweep Lake Erie. WSU sustained their winning streak April 4 when they face Hillsdale College. Briana Lee led the Warriors to victory in the first game of the twinbill. She went the distance, giving up only one run. WSU scored an early run on a double from Stephanie Foreman. The Chargers tied the game in the second but WSU would strike back. Foreman doubled again in the top of the third to make it 3-1 and the Warriors went on to win by a final score of 4-1. The second game of the
doubleheader saw the Warriors score a season-high 10 runs on 13 hits. Nikki Fulton doubled in Catherine Rayos in the third inning for the first run of the game. Fulton hit another double in the fifth inning followed by a double from Foreman and a single by Emily Bryce made the score 6-1, WSU. The rest of the Warriors’ runs came in the bottom of the sixth inning with hits from White and Bryce. Boehler earned the win even though she gave up four runs and Lee picked up the save as WSU won 10-4. The Warriors returned home April 6 to face Tiffin for a pair of games. WSU’s five-game winning streak was snapped in the first game which they lost 3-0. Tiffin opened the scoring in the third inning scoring two runs off WSU pitcher Lee. They scored again in the fifth inning with a single from Caitlin Houck. WSU responded exactly the way they needed to in the second game, as they defeated the Dragons 4-3. Warriors’ starting pitcher, Boehler, won her 10th game of the season. She gave up three earned runs over seven innings. WSU scored two early runs with singles from Jade McGarr and Lee. Tiffin also scored two runs with back-toback singles. WSU took the lead back with a Logan White two-run single after two errors from the Dragons in the fourth inning. Tiffin tried to rally in the seventh inning but Boehler shut the door to give the Warriors the win.
Young acted like a prima donna, whereas Bush should bring steady leadership to Detroit ANTHONY MANSOOR Contributing Writer Last year’s offseason for the Detroit Lions was a promising one. Coming off a 10-6 season and their first playoff appearance since the Barry Sanders era, the near future looked bright for the young team. Fans, players and coaches were devastated after a disappointingly dismal 4-12 season in 2012. Even considering last year’s disappointment, the same hype has returned to Detroit. Lions’ management has been busy this year. Detroit re-signed corner back Chris Houston and added the talents of former Seahawk defensive end Jason Jones, former Texan safety Glover Quin and the star-powered running back Reggie Bush from the Dolphins. Some might say that a big help to the Lions’ season was not who they picked up, but who they released. Former wide receiver Titus Young had the opposite mindset of Bush. Young was known to be a trouble making, practice-hating, coach-defying player who eventually lost his job due to these characteristics. The Lions decided to cut Young after a number of banishments from the team. “We exhausted all of our resources trying to keep him productive and keep him in a team mode,” Schwartz said. “At some point, the player has to have responsibility.” Young will not be remembered for his rookie year, which consisted of 48 receptions for 607 yards and six touchdowns. He will be remembered for his on-and-off-the-field antics that led his career down a path of shame from which many never return. Throughout the city of Detroit, Young will
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be remembered for the three events that started his downward spiral as a Detroit Lion. The first sparkplug came when he blind-sided Lions veteran safety and defensive captain Louis Delmas at practice before the season began last year. Young was also suspended when he intentionally lined up in the wrong spots, defying the game plan and sabotaging offensive plays because he wasn’t happy with the touches he was receiving. The last and probably most bizarre moment of his short tenure as a Lion was when he publicly announced that he was a better player than Calvin Johnson. Yes, NFL superstar Calvin Johnson, the same Calvin Johnson who holds the all-time receiving record for a season and is known across the NFL world as “Megatron.” Getting rid of Young wasn’t the only thing the Lions did to boost team morale. As noted, Bush can be considered a polar opposite of Young. They both were speedy youngsters coming into the NFL from decorated college football teams. One just happened to mature and the other let his emotions get the best of him. Bush’s former coach in Miami, Joe Philbin, had promising words to say about the new Lion at the annual NFL meetings this offseason. “A very good player. He went about his business the right way. Practiced every day, played every week. Good football player,” he said. Bush was also one of the four members of Philbin’s “Leadership Council,” which means he was one of the team’s leaders. The Lions have the pieces to be a serious contender this year. If they keep their heads on straight, they have a chance at redemption from last year’s disappointing season.