Some Renewed Hope here....

Current Mood: Sleepy, lazy, but a bit jittery as I listen to the pre-holiday celebration around me, which has really been going on more so since they shut down the police precinct near here. The troublesome neighbors had chilled out for a while, but unfortunately, it seems that karma came back to bite them recently in an home invasion last week. No one was hurt, but things were taken, and they were shaken up badly. Despite everything, being a mother, a sister, and a citizen, I still would not wish that on my worst enemy or their children because I would not want that to ever happen to my children. Listening to this continuous gunfire right now at 10:30 pm, it makes me wonder what kind of artillery the folks around me are packing in their arsenal. Would they be ready for an invasion if it actually came? Some of the gunfire sound like cannons, and some sound like some major rapid fire automatics.

Although it has been a while since I posted, (dealing with crazy life here on the Northwest side), there are several things that makes me hopeful about Detroit.

Jazzin' on Jefferson
Campus Martius Park
Serious Renovation of famed Book-Cadillac Hotel? More info from blog of Girl in the D

I found out about Jazzin' on Jefferson last year and missed it again due to other commitments, but is determined to make it there next year. My brother told me that it was really nice and off the hook! I am definitely going to mark the date in my calender next year, and may be a vendor also. I grew up in the Detroit Jefferson/Chalmers area and my folks still live there. At times when I get a strong desire to dig in and stay in Detroit, I think of resettling back in the old "hood" to be closer to my family. That area still has its pros and cons for me, but at least I know more folks in the area. My Mom and niece are raving about activities in Campus Martius Park and I am going to try to check out some of those events also next weekend.

Regarding the Book-Cadillac Hotel, I am hopeful, but still a little skeptical about the news after observing some failed attempts in the past. I would truly like to see that place renovated (which is to be done by The Ferchill Group) and even would not mind working there. (Yes, still job-hunting...) My high school senior prom was held there 25 years ago, and although I could tell the place was going down a bit, I definitely was impressed by the decor, grandeur, and layout of the hotel. The last time I was in there, was when they were selling the fixtures and furniture out of the place. The ballroom carpet smelled moldy, and the paint was peeling. It was very depressing and I left out of there as soon as I finished looking around. I would definitely like to see that building light up again.

So amid some of the depressing things (New $300-per-household fee for trash collection ) in this city, there are some beacons of light that make me want to stay here. Other than those musings, I hope that everyone has a safe, fun, and meaningful Fourth of July Holiday....