Hamtramck Star

I fell behind on posting these things at some point between the end of January and now.

Uncle Jesse White died at age 87. Uncle Jesse played piano with the 29th Street Blues Band at the Attic Bar on Joseph Campau for 20 years.

We missed The Hammies, though the Metro Times ran a great article about it.

Melody Baetens wrote two interesting Hamtramck related articles about Valiums at Lili's 21 and Polish beers and blackberry brandy.

The Zen Center store and cafe, 11461 Mitchell, opened for business last month. The store is open Thursday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and organic vegetarian lunches are served Monday through Saturday at noon. They require phone or e-mail reservations by 10 a.m., and the cost is $10 for a three course meal.

We are ready to open our organic coop and cafe, and have done extensive renovation to the basement of the Hall, which is an historic speakeasy from the 1930's. It looks beautiful. Due to regulations we will be "members only", and membership will be $1 per year. You will have to fill out a one time form if you plan to drink, eat, or buy from the store.

There is a relatively new Detroit-themed video on the internet for Claude Vonstroke's "Who's Afraid of Detroit?".

The DDA scrapped plans for a new slogan by a marketing firm in favor of a resident chosen slogan.

A Detroit Free Press article discovers what makes things cool from a bartender downtown: all originality and no marketing.

Hamtramck locations were among those raided by the Michigan State Police for an alleged Bridge Card scam.

The carjacker who shot and killed Amanda Brown at the Henry Ford clinic in Hamtramck last September was sentenced to 35 to 60 years in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree murder.

Mitch and Gina from Design 99 were featured in Model D twice. Design 99 is also hosting their first solo exhibition: the sculptures of Laith Karmo.

HATCH's option-to-purchase on the police station, the new Mexican restaurant on Joseph Campau, and the re-opening of Bozek's were also covered by Model D.

In yet another Model D article, someone involved with the Shopper's World Development told their reporter that there would be "two floors of luxury senior apartments" above the Hamtramck Aldi. They did not mention that these "luxury" apartments are actually MSHDA subsidized housing for low income and disabled seniors.

Tired of getting those advertisements in yellow bags? Fill out this easy form or call 1-888-241-6760 to stop their delivery. (via Michael Marcus)

Hamtramck is one of four cities in Southeast Michigan that could share more than $2.8 million in state funds from MSHDA this year for housing demolition. "Detroit’s targeted share is $2 million for 729 properties, while Highland Park and Pontiac each could receive $400,000 for 100 properties in each of their cities. Hamtramck’s targeted share is $52,000 for 13 properties."

A show at Planet Ant was featured by Pride Source.

The Free Press interviewed people who purchased houses in Hamtramck under the urban renewal lawsuit and R-31 consent decree.

Hamtramck Public School District is planning to hire a management company to develop expand adult education and offer vocational programs such as computer training, culinary arts and building trades.