Volunteers needed this Saturday in Rouge Park

The next work day for the Friends of Rouge Park is this Saturday, October 4 from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. The non-profit needs additional volunteers to assist with removing woody plants from the prairie.

Interested volunteers are asked to meet at 8:30 a.m. at West Parkway and Parkland Streets inside Rouge Park.  Those willing to help are asked to please bring loppers and a handsaw, if they have one available. They are also advised to wear long pants and long sleeves and sturdy shoes.

Please contact Peggy Dankert with the Friends of Rouge Park to RSVP or will additional questions. dankertp [at] sbcglobal [dot] net.

Bumping into Gabe Leland

One of the cool things about living in a city like Detroit is that one is constantly bumping into some amazing people at random places.

For example, this past Thursday evening, I ended up meeting Council Member Gabe Leland, who represents the Warrendale and surrounding neighborhoods, at the 2014 Celebration of Architecture event at Eastern Market. The event is presented by the Detroit chapter of the American Institute of Architects and celebrates the accomplishments of some the finest architects and designers in southeastern Michigan. It was also one of the many events that happened last week as part of the Detroit Design Festival.

Leland, of course, chairs the City Council's Planning and Economic Development Committee.

Truck knocks out pedestrian bridge

A truck from TLC Waste Disposal in Romulus, Michigan struck a pedestrian bridge over the Southfield Freeway at Cathedral Street, which is just north of the Warrendale neighborhood. This collision caused the bridge to collapse onto the freeway and killed the truck driver. According to published news reports, no one was on the bridge at the time of the collapse.

The Southfield Freeway is currently closed from Ford Road to I-96. However, the Detroit Free Press reports that the Michigan Department of Transportation hopes to have it re-opened later today.

State Representative Harvey Santana posted on his Facebook page that he has asked Governor Rick Snyder for emergency funds to replace the bridge. Students at Cody High School who live east of the freeway use that bridge to get to school every day.

Volunteers need in Rouge Park

The Greening of Detroit is planning a tree planting on Saturday, October 4 from  9 a.m. - 1 p.m. on the east side of Spinoza just north of Tireman. They are asking  the community to help them plant trees. Training and tools will be provided.

As an ongoing effort to support its mission, they will be working in the park to replace the lost tree canopy.  By planting trees on the city owned property between the sidewalk and the street, this will assist in reducing basement flooding, that is caused from storm water overflow.

There will be planting along the Southfield service drive as well. This planting will benefit help to produce clean air by absorbing the carbon dioxide from vehicle emissions, also creating a green barrier which will produce sound reduction.

Movie night in Rouge Park

The Incredibles - Disney/Pixar

The sixth and eighth precincts of the Detroit Police Department will present a movie night in Rouge Park for area families. This will happen at the corner of Joy Rd. and Spinoza in Rouge Park this coming Friday, starting at 6 p.m. The film this month will be the Disney/Pixar smash hit The Incredibles.

The movie is free. Families are encouraged to bring a blanket as well as their own snacks.

In the event on inclement weather this Friday, there is an alternate rain date of Friday, October 3.

Hello Kitty Cadillac on Faust Street

Hello Kitty Cadillac - Photo by Frank Nemecek

I see some strange things as I walk the streets of Warrendale. However, this one is particularly unique. I saw it over on Faust, just north of Sawyer.

Someone actually took a white Cadillac, spray painted it hot pink, and slapped Hello Kitty decals on it. The result is visible above.

I have nothing further to add to this one.

Pizza party this Wednesday

The September pizza party for the Warrendale (Detroit) Blog will happen this coming Wednesday, September 17 at 6:30 p.m. at Gracie See Pizzeria (6889 Greenfield Rd.) As always, the first pizza is on me.

After that, we simply order from the menu and split the check when it arrives.

Everyone is welcome to join us.

Kristen Renton in Warrendale

I posted last week that Kristen Renton, who plays Ima on Sons of Anarchy, would be making a special appearance at the Toy Chest Bar (18728 Ford Rd.). The bar, of course, is at the southern end of Detroit's Warrendale neighborhood.

My original post about Kristen Renton's special appearance is available here. She was in town to celebrate her birthday Detroit-style.

I was able to go and had a chance to meet her. I have to say I was impressed with how warm and approachable Kristen Renton was.




I had a great time celebrating Kristen Renton's birthday with her. I'll keep my fingers crossed that she comes back to Detroit some time soon.

Update @ 7:44 p.m.
In addition to the photo that I posted above, the crew at the Toy Chest Bar posted a total of 66 photos from Kristen Renton's visit to their establishment on their Facebook page. Those photos are available here.

Kristen Renton comes to Warrendale

Kristen Renton - Photo by Jeff Xander

Hollywood will come to Detroit's Warrendale neighborhood this Saturday when Kristen Renton, who is best known for playing Ima on FX's Sons of Anarchy, makes a special appearance at the Toy Chest Bar (18728 Ford Rd.). She will be there this Saturday to sign autographs, pose for photos with her fans, and celebrate her birthday.

While Kristen Renton is perhaps best known for playing Ima on Sons of Anarchy as well as Morgan Hollingswoth on Days of Our Lives, she has a total of 21 acting credits to her name. She has also appeared on CSI: Miami, The Andy Dick Show, and several other television shows as well as in four different motion pictures.

In addition her acting and volunteer work, according to her biography, Kristen Renton is enrolled in Pennsylvania State University where she is majoring in psychology and maintains a 4.0 grade point average. Penn State, by the way, is also her parents' alma mater.

I look forward to seeing Kristen Renton at the Toy Chest Bar tomorrow night. It should be another fun night in the neighborhood.