Dedicated to all things Detroit. Covering everything including Detroit sports, Detroit news, arts and entertainment etc. Detroit is on the rise, and this blog was created to help along the way.
As I drove down Woodward Avenue this morning on my way to work, I noticed I was a little low on gas. I pass three gas stations on the way to my office in downtown Birmingham, and I saw an ugly sight. Gas prices are very close to $4.00 per gallon, so I decided that my quarter tank was going to have to last at least one more day. While I'm betting on the price going down, they will probably end up going up, and my gamble will end up costing me a few more dollars at the pump.
In fact, the price of gas has gone up 25 cents in the past week, and is expected to continue its rise over $4.00 per gallon in the near future. Although it seems high to us here in Michigan, we are still below the national average.. but only by $0.01 according to www.gasbuddy.com.
Gas rarely gets to be this high this early in the year, and as we all know in Michigan, gas prices peak in the summer months. Hopefully we don't hit prices as high as we did in 2011, but with the price of oil steadily rising, who knows.
If you have any ideas on how to conserve gas, or how to maximize your mileage after filling up, please share!
Here in Michigan, we were hit pretty hard by the Great Recession. We had some dark times, and it feels as if we hit rock bottom.The unemployment levels are much higher here than in the rest of the country, and there seemed to be a large wealth gap between those at the top and those at the bottom. While poverty levels in Detroit have fallen even lower, so have the income levels of those at the top. In Detroit, to be in the top 1%, you don't have to make an extraordinary income. In fact, according to US Census Bureau data, you have to earn $341,700 to be in that category.
While it seems we have hit hard times, I believe that things are turning around in Detroit. These statistics are from 2010, and I would be interested to know what the trends are today. While it only takes a short time for things to go to hell in a hand basket, a turnaround will take some time. But I believe Detroit is headed in the right direction. As business returns to Detroit, watch for the entire national economy to turn around. The Big Three are posting big profits, hiring new employees, and pumping out tons of new vehicles. Have you seen any signs of a turnaround? Or do you think things are looking grim still in Detroit?
The Detroit Red Wings are on the verge of making history tonight at Joe Louis Arena. If they get a Valentine's day win against the Dallas Stars, they will be the only team EVER to win 21 straight games at home. It's not every day that a record like this is broken, but somehow, the Wings are not receiving the recognition they deserve. ESPN has decided to pay them no attention not only on their home page, but on their NHL page as well! This is arguably the biggest story in pro sports right now, and it's being swept under the rug by Linsanity and other minor stories. Here is a snapshot of ESPN's top NHL headlines:
I happened to attend the Wings game this Sunday, and it was refreshing to see that Detroit fans know what is at stake. The Joe was as loud as I have ever heard it, and after the Wings scored the go ahead goal in the third period of a great hockey game, the roof almost blew off. I applaud you, Detroit fans, for backing your team so well when the rest of the world doesn't seem to care. I guarantee the Dallas Stars don't want to be on the losing end of this game. They don't have much of a choice though, because the Red Wings are as hot as they have ever been, and they're doing this without their starting goalie, who has been injured for the past few games.
It's Halftime in America - Detroit almost lost everything, but we all pulled together. Now the Motor City is fighting again
During the Superbowl this past Sunday, a commercial aired and has been the topic of controversy in the past few days. It seems that the commercial has sparked some political debate. Karl Rove, on an interview with Fox News stated, "I was, frankly, offended by it...I'm a huge fan of Clint Eastwood, I thought it was an extremely well done ad, but this is a sign of what happens when you have Chicago-style politics, and the president of the United States and his political minions are, in essence, using our tax dollars to buy corporate advertising." In other words, Rove believes that Chrysler is echoing the argument that the Obama administration brought the auto industry back from a brush with death.
Eastwood has his own version of the story. In a subsequent interview with Fox News, he said, "There is no spin in that ad. On this I am certain. I am certainly not politically affiliated with Mr. Obama. It was meant to be a message about just job growth and the spirit of America. I think all politicians will agree with it. It thought the spirit was OK." Eastwood also spoke out against the auto bailouts.
Personally, I like Clint Eastwood, and if there was political undertones to this commercial, I believe he wouldn't do the commercial. But it's not what I think that matters. What do you think Detroit?
Here is the commercial for your viewing pleasure...
