Etiquette is a code of social behavior according to the norms of society, in some cases “manners”, if you will.

Etiquette usually teaches you social conduct on where to draw lines for unacceptable behavior.

These lines for unacceptable behavior are where we’ve learned to despise the telemarketer calls that always seem to come at dinner time.

Then, as internet usage grew, we learned that unacceptable behavior of spammers also included our well-meaning friends and acquaintances, who as soon as they got our email address, started sending us email after email of bogus virus warnings and ‘chain-letter’ emails.

Now, as text message usage has exploded beyond comprehension, those same well-meaning friends and acquaintances are using another medium to exhibit unacceptable behavior.

Group text messages.

Recently, a quiet-peaceful night was rudely interrupted by a friend sending out a text message, informing of the play he was producing. That’s great, I’m happy for you, and I do care about your feelings… But…even though he meant only to inform, there’s a proper time and place for that.

Of course, he didn’t send it to just me. I’d become the ‘lucky’ member of a group text message, a big group.
A group of people I did not know, now had my phone number.

I sighed deeply because I knew what was coming next. Replies. Many replies. Replies, not of my own making,

After the first few replies started coming in, even though it was late and I was getting ready for bed (an unacceptable time to be texting or phoning anyone without permission), I called my friend. And despite this being a phone call, I’m sure he could visualize my “un-happy” face in the tone of my voice.

Manners still apply!

Even in this day and age, where it seems manner lines are crossed or non-existent to some. There are spoken and unspoken rules of private time; especially if you are not immediate family .

Despite the worldly craze to text, not all people text or care to.
Even those who do text may not have an unlimited text plan.
Whereas, unsolicited texts, especially group texts, will be costing them money.

So before you throw out that text to someone, ask if they want to receive texts from you.
Ask permission.
That’s proper etiquette.

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Monday, 6/17

Factory Night at Necto

“Goth, industrial, alternative dance and synthpop with DJ Jinx. Drum n bass in the red room with DJ Joey P.”

Tuesday, 6/18

The Heavy at the Shelter

““What the hell were we thinking?,” exclaims Dan Taylor, guitarist for U.K. indie soul-rock titans The Heavy, of the band’s audacious new album, The Glorious Dead, which was released on Counter/Ninja Tune on August 21. “We wanted to make a bold statement – it’s not shy.” “It’s over the top, in a good way,” adds Heavy frontman Kelvin Swaby. “We went pretty cinematic, setting out to score a film that hasn’t been written.” As such, The Glorious Dead proves The Heavy’s most ambitious effort: Frankensteining swampy voodoo and b-movie zombies with garage rock and Gospel-soaked soul, it’s unlike anything you’ll hear this year.”

Wednesday, 6/19

Face to Face at the Magic Stick

“These Californian pop-punks have been raising hell with their ultra-catchy ditties since ’91, which means they’ve been terrorizing youngsters with their hooks for 22 years. Not that we like inflating west coast punk or anything, but holy shit they’ve released some great music in that time.”

Thursday, 6/20

Happy Hour Jazz at the Checker

“Beth Merry & Friends play easygoing jazz standards in a fundraiser for Corktown’s Cabrini Clinic. On June 27, it’s Margo Patterson on vocals and James O’Donnell on  trumpet.”

Friday, 6/21

Palmer Woods Music in Homes: Barefield Super String Quartet

“An adventurous ­ensemble —featuring guitarist A. Spencer Barefield, violinist ­Jannina Barefield Norpoth, violist John Madison and bassist John-Paul ­Norpoth—straddles the ­boundaries of traditional and avant garde jazz, classical and other music idioms.”

Saturday, 6/22

Palmer Woods Music in Homes: Thornetta Davis

“Michigan’s Queen of the Blues, Thornetta Davis, has a memorable and heart-thumping voice that’s helped keep the local Blues, R&B and Soul scene alive for more than two decades. Keyboardist Phillip Hale, guitarist Brett Lucas, drummer Dave Marcaccio, and percussionist James Anderson back her up.”

Sunday, 6/23

Karaoke at the Token Lounge

Take the mic at this Westland classic.

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The festival takes place June 21st from 5 – 10pm and June 22nd from 1 -6pm. Oh, and tickets go FAST, so you might wanna move on that. Seriously.

Here are some beer fun facts to get you excited about beer . . . like that’s hard to do. Enjoy!

• One of George Washington’s first acts as Commander of the Continental Army was to insist that every one of his troops would receive a quart of beer with his daily rations.
• The oldest known written recipe is for beer.
• The current craft beer ‘craze’ can be traced to the opening of the Anchor Steam Brewery in San Francisco in 1971.
• According to the Brewers Association, as of 2009, there were nearly 1,600 domestic breweries in the US – the most since before Prohibition.
• To keep your beer glass or mug from sticking to your bar napkin, sprinkle a little salt on the napkin before you set your glass down.
• The original Coors Brewery, opened in 1872 in Golden, CO, is the largest brewing facility in the world.
• In their efforts to regulate beer quality, the ancient Babylonians, who were among history’s earliest brewers, decreed that any commercial beermaker who sold unfit beer would be drowned by his/her own libation.
• According to a diary entry from a passenger on the Mayflower, the pilgrims made their landing at Plymouth Rock, rather than continue to their destination in Virginia, due to lack of beer.
• Harvard’s first schoolmaster was ‘dismissed’ in disgrace for failing to supply the students with enough beer.
• In English pubs, ale is ordered by pints and quarts. So in England, when customers got unruly, the bartender would yell at them to mind their own pints and quarts and settle down. It’s where we get the phrase”mind your P’s and Q’s”.
• Prohibition, which lasted from 1920 to 1933, was the only amendment to the Constitution that was later repealed.
• Despite the month implied by its name, Munich’s annual 16-day Oktoberfest actually begins in mid-September and ends on the first Sunday in October.

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Jazzin’ on Jefferson

Downtown Detroit
June 14-15, 2013
10th Annual Jazzin’ on Jefferson

Featuring local and regional jazz artists.
The lineup includes:

MAIN STAGE – FRIDAY, JUNE 14

• 4:15-4:45 p.m. Johnson Boys
• 5:00-6:00 p.m. Chris Canas
• 6:15-7:15 p.m. Stacie Sandoval
• 7:30-8:30 p.m. Sheila Landis
• 8:45-10:00 p.m. JOJ All Star Band featuring Thornetta Davis wsg Benny Reeves

MAIN STAGE – SATURDAY, JUNE 15

• Noon-12:45 p.m. 313 Live Experience
• 1:00-2:00 p.m. Urban Strings
• 2:15-3:15 p.m. Charity
• 3:30-4:30 p.m. Scott Gwinnell Sextet
• 4:45-5:45 p.m. Nadir
• 6:00-7:00 p.m. The Groove Council
• 7:15-8:15 p.m. The B. Williams Experiment
• 8:30-9:30 p.m. The Bluescasters
• 9:45-11:00 p.m. Odu Afrobeat Orchestra

http://www.jazzinonjefferson.com

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Belleville National Strawberry Festival

June 14-16, 2013

Website excerpt: “For three days each year, the Belleville National Strawberry Festival transforms the town of Belleville into a strawberry wonderland. The Festival attracts over 200,000 people from throughout Southeastern Michigan with free entertainment, attractions and events, not to mention every type of strawberry treat imaginable. The Festival truly is the ultimate for having a berry good time!”

http://www.nationalstrawberryfest.com

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Crusin’ Gratiot

Eastpointe, MI
June 15, 2013

Website excerpt: “Cruisin’ Gratiot is an annual, week long celebration of automotive history, tradition and memorabilia in the City of Eastpointe, MI.

The events include many car shows, contests and family outings; all culminating in a day long extravaganza centering on one of the most time honored traditions in Detroit history…Cruisin’ Gratiot. Cruisin’ Gratiot is a non-profit organization and by attending any of our events you are MAKING A DIFFERENCE and touching the hearts of many and for this the Cruisin’ Gratiot Board of Directors, the Cruise Committee and all of those who participate wish to say THANK YOU.”

http://www.cruisin-gratiot.com

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Sunset at the Zoo Boardwalk Bash

Detroit Zoo
June 14, 2013

Website excerpt: “Please join us Friday, June 14, 7 p.m. – 11:30 p.m., as the Detroit Zoological Society hosts our spectacular, annual 21-and-older fundraising gala Sunset at the Zoo, presented by Strategic Staffing Solutions. Featuring the new Cotton Family Wetlands and Jane and Frank Warchol Beaver Habitat, the event will offer a sensational boardwalk-themed evening complete with tantalizing cuisine, delectable drinks, magnificent entertainment, astonishing acts, thrilling games and phenomenal auction prizes.”

http://www.detroitzoo.org/sunset/sunset-at-the-zoo

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Motor City Muse: Detroit Photographs, Then and Now

DIA
Now Thru – 6/16/13

Website Excerpt: “For more than 70 years, photographers have found inspiration for their work from the people, city streets, and automobile culture of Detroit. This exhibition includes select photographers who, through their personal vision and photographic skill, have captured subjects, past and present, specific to Detroit, its changing landscape, architecture and auto industry. Included are more than 100 photographs by Henri Cartier-Bresson, Robert Frank, Dave Jordano, Karin Jobst, Detroiters Nicola Kuperus, Russ Marshall and Bill Rauhauser, along with select members of the Detroit School of Automotive Photography…”

http://www.dia.org/calendar/event.aspx?id=3569&iid=

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More than often when 11:30 or 12 o’clock rolls around, up pops the eternal question, “What’s for lunch?”

You can put a lot of thought to that question if you’ve had your fill of burgers, fries and sandwiches, and pizza is now just out of the discussion totally.

You can also put a lot of thought to that question if you want to follow a healthier style of eating. But, you probably find yourself surrounded by a jungle of fast food options, whose ‘healthy menus’ are laughable and deceptive.

So, I ask again, “What’s for lunch?”

Well, one of my absolute favorite lunchtime restaurants is a place I also make a point to  frequent for dinner, Taste of Ethiopia.

Tuesday through Friday, Taste of Ethiopia, offers an awesome all-you-can-eat-lunchtime buffet of authentically Ethiopian dishes. Whether you are a meat eater or a vegetarian, there is something delicious waiting for you. If you’ve never experienced Ethiopian cuisine, there is something exceptional waiting for you.

The lunchtime buffet hours are from 11am to 2pm, and priced in the modest $10 range.
If you’ve ever wanted to try Ethiopian cuisine, this is a great restaurant. Quiet and attentive.

Taste of Ethiopia is located in the Southfield Plaza, at Southfield Road and 12 1/2 mile, in the south-eastern strip of shops and restaurants.

Taste of Ethiopia
29702 Southfield Rd
Southfield 48076
248.905.5560

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You’re going to be arriving home late.
Or, are you out of town for a few days?
Did you remember to turn the lights on?
Did you remember to turn the lights off?

Would you like to be able to turn lights and appliances in your home on or off, even if you aren’t there? Let’s add to that. How would you like to schedule the times appliances turn on or off? And have the ability to edit those schedules, even when you aren’t home.

There are a few big name companies out there offering you some level of home automation.

But, adding home automation, otherwise known as “Smart Home” functionality to your home doesn’t have to be a monthly expense or even expensive. It just depends on what you need.

And your needs may fall under the $100 range if you own an iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch, combined with a device from the Belkin company, WeMo Switch.

WeMo Switch is a device that you plug into a wall socket, then plug the electronic device you want to control into WeMo’s socket.

WeMo connects to your home router WiFi signal and (yes, there’s an app for that) is controlled through the free WeMo app for your iPod Touch, iPhone, or iPad.

It takes just minutes to set this system up.

• Open the package
• Download the app
• Plug in the devices
• iPhone > Settings > WiFi > Select the device

Your home WiFi shows up as it normally does in the Settings, along with the WeMo device(s). You will select the device(s), which then in turn, connects to your home WiFi signal.

Next, you launch the app, which allows you to name the device(s), edit settings and create rules for items such as timing when to power the device on or off.

See the following video for ease of setup.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWMBUnAVnjI

Check out the Belkin WeMo site to view the other WeMo products like WeMo Sensor and the WeMo Baby monitor.

The Belkin WeMo Switch can also be purchased at your local Costco.

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Monday, 6/10

Punk vs. New Wave at Northern Lights Lounge

“Featuring DJs TBone, Phil, Pleasure Kitten and more No cover. $1.50 PBR & Strohs Bottles $3 Wells. 21+.”

Tuesday, 6/11

Rancid at the Fillmore

“Rancid takes the stage at the Fillmore with Transplants and Crown of Thornz.”

Wednesday, 6/12

Acoustic Wednesdays at Park Bar

“Downtown Detroit’s only weekly acoustic open mic. Hosted by Joe Smith. Bring your instrument. Play your heart out. Just don’t suck. The owner loves to reward those who rock. No cover.”

Thursday, 6/13

Red Pepper Paul and the Hot Tamales at Harbor House

“Featuring Paul Carey, Cee Cee Collins, James Cloyd and Mighty Max.”

Friday, 6/14

Mike Galbraith at the Ann Arbor Aviary

Join your venerable host for a night of music and yoga.

Saturday, 6/15

Rio & the Rockabilly Revival and Carolyn Striho at Callahan’s Music Hall

“One of the most anticipated concert events of the summer comes to Callahans Music Hall in Auburn Hills with a one night only, double bill featuring music sensations Rio & The Rockabilly Revival and Detroit icon Carolyn Striho. Frontwomen Rio Scafone and Carolyn Striho, backed by their multi-talented bands will take the stage on for a high octane evening of back to back Rio-Striho powerhouse perform-ances.”

Sunday, 6/16

Toby Keith at DTE Energy Music Theatre

“Toby Keith Covel, best known as Toby Keith, is an American country music singer-songwriter, record producer and actor.”

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Detroit Lemonade Day

June 8, 2013

Website excerpt: “Huntington signed on as the presenting sponsor of Lemonade Day in 2011, and in that first year 2600 kids participated.  In the second year, nearly 5000 kids participated. And we were blown away by their accomplishments! In 2012, those 5000 kids raised nearly one million dollars in revenue, and they gave almost a quarter-million to local charities. In 2013, we hope to have 7500 kids participating.”

http://detroit.lemonadeday.org/city-story/

http://detroit.lemonadeday.org

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70, Girls, 70

Meadowbrook Theatre
Oakland University
207 Wilson Hall
Rochester, MI

Now Thru – June 23, 2013

• Wednesday-Friday: 8 p.m.
• Saturday: 6 p.m.
• Sunday: 2 and 6:30 p.m.

Tickets: $25-$40

Website excerpt: “Based on the 1958 play Breath of Spring by Peter Coke, this hilarious musical concerns a group of larcenous old folks who steal furs from various New York City stores with the intent of using the proceeds from their resale to buy their Upper West Side retirement hotel, the New Sussex Arms, which is slated to be sold to developers. From the Creators of “Chicago” and “Cabaret” here is a musical that will remind you to go visit your grandmother! MICHIGAN PROFESSIONAL PREMIERE.”

http://www.mbtheatre.com/20122013Season/70Girls70/tabid/649/Default.aspx

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Bavarian Festival in Frankenmuth

June 6-June 9, 2013

Website excerpt: “Each year, over 100,000 people enjoy the annual Sunday Bavarian Parade, which is being held on June 9th, 2013. This year’s parade is no different – it will feature over 100 entries which will include marching bands, beautifully decorated floats, dance clubs, visiting dignitaries, entertainers, royalty and our newly crowned Bavarian Princess and her Court. The Sunday parade provides a wonderful beginning to a fun packed day at Heritage Park where all the festival events and entertainment are held – Free admission for the day!”

http://www.frankenmuthfestivals.com/index.php/bavarian-festival

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Detroit Tigers Classic Car Show

Comerica Park
June 8, 2013

Website excerpt: “On Saturday, June 8th, fans of the Detroit Tigers will be able to enjoy over 100 unique classic cars on display in front of Comerica Park prior to Tigers vs. Cleveland Indians game.

The Detroit Tigers Classic Car Show, presented by MotorCity Casino Hotel and Total Lubricants will take place from 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM on Witherell Street, Columbia Plaza and within Lot 2 and is open to the public.

This event gives fans the rare opportunity to enter their own classic vehicles through an official Detroit Tigers nomination process. All selected cars would be judged in six categories:

• Best Overall
• Best Pre-1960
• Best 1961 – 1970
• Best 1971 – 1989
• Best Custom Paint Job
• Best Sports Car

The event will include celebrity judges, live music, and more…not to mention the Detroit Tigers vs. Cleveland Indians baseball game!”

http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/det/ticketing/carshow.jsp

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Carrousel by the River

Motown Meets Windsor
June 7-9, 2013

Website excerpt: ““Motown Meets Windsor” when The Four Tops, Martha Reeves and the Vandellasand The Contours with Sylvester Potts take the stage along with acclaimed jazz flutist Alexander Zonjic and his band, headlining Windsor’s three day world music and food extravaganza, Carrousel by the River, June 7 – 9 at Riverfront Festival Plaza. The Motown sound is beloved around the world and seeing these legendary Motown stars on Saturday and Sunday and some of the best bands in Windsor headlining Friday night, will make the outdoor concert and world festival an unparalleled all day, all night celebration of great music.”

http://www.carrouselofnations.ca

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Clay, Glass, & Metal Show

Royal Oak
June 8-9, 2013

• Saturday: 10am-7pm
• Sunday: 11am-5pm

http://www.royaloakchamber.com/Local/clay-glass-a-metal-festival.html

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This past weekend, I spent a few hours at one of my favorite places, Belle Isle.

If you’re a regular reader of this blog, you know how much I love Belle Isle and am an advocate for its conservation. No where in the United States is there a city owned island park. An island park designed by a famous architect. An island park with the oldest aquarium in the nation designed by another famous architect. Belle Isle is a gem.

I visit Belle Isle often to take pictures of it’s natural beauty and man-made monuments.

If you are a photographer you’ll have much to point your camera at. Wildlife, flowers, aquarium, nautical museum, sculptures, fountain, light house, nature center and more.

Or I visit just to sit near the water and enjoy the scenery.

But this visit was for another reason, cars. Fast cars.

As a member of the Belle Isle Camera Club, we decided meet as a group and shot photos during the “FeePrixDay” of the Detroit Grand Prix.

Detroit Grand Prix held on Belle Isle

For an added treat for myself, I took this opportunity to walk across the length of the MacArthur Bridge. A bridge that I’d often photographed and have driven across hundreds of times, but never walked across. Of course my camera was in hand.

View from MacArthur Bridge Belle Isle

And, as photographers do, we decided to get there early.

Our group spent most of the morning in Grand Stand #5 taking shots of the cars and surrounding scenery.

Detroit Grand Prix — Free Day

Before we left, we visited the Sound Board music stage, which was jamming out Temptations tunes. And I managed to find the out-of-the-ordinary food fare at the Kraft Taste station. Of course there was everything you’d expect to see at such a grand event. Food, music, playscapes, shopping, more food, more music, cars.

I thoroughly enjoyed FreePrixDay, and was impressed at the level of organization of the event.
This world-class event is a great event for Detroit, that brings a spotlight to one of the most picturesque locations in the nation, Belle Isle.

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Monday, 6/3

Royal Teeth at the Pike Room

“Royal Teeth makes music for adventures.”

Tuesday, 6/4

Huey Lewis at Freedom Hill

“Huey Lewis and The News have been defying the rock oddsmakers for three decades. 2009 marked the group’s 30th anniversary. Formed from two rival Bay Area bands in 1979, their contagious brand of straight-ahead rock n’ roll has outlasted countless trends, selling over 20 million albums worldwide in the process. Huey Lewis & The News have carried the banner as the quintessential American rock band, endearing them to millions of fans and earning them the right to mark their place on the pop history map.”

Wednesday, 6/5

Open Acoustic Jam at the Token Lounge

Bring your acoustic guitars and have it out with one another.

Thursday, 6/6

The Lumineers at DTE Energy Music Theater

“The roots revival of the last few years has primed listeners for a new generation of rustic, heart-on-the-sleeve music—the kind that nods to tradition while setting off into uncharted territory. The Lumineers walk that line with an unerring gift for timeless melodies and soul-stirring lyrics.”

Friday, 6/7

Pitbull and Ke$ha at the Palace of Auburn Hills

If you don’t know who Pitbull and Ke$ha are already, you probably don’t care about going to this show.

Saturday, 6/8

Orion Music & More at Belle Isle

A new 2-day music festival organized by Metallica includes performances from Metallica, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rise Against, BASSNECTAR, Gogol Bordello, and more, more, more.

Sunday, 6/9

Orion Music & More at Belle Isle

A new 2-day music festival organized by Metallica includes performances from Metallica, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rise Against, BASSNECTAR, Gogol Bordello, and more, more, more.

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