Apply to be an astronaut

Brigadier General Charles McGee of the U.S. Air Force (Retired) is a 100-year-old Tuskegee Airman who served with distinction in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. He flew a total of 409 aerial fighter combat missions during those three wars, which is a record that stands to this day. Furthermore, he was enshrined into the National Aviation Hall of Fame in 2011.

In fact, of the 355 Tuskegee pilots who flew in combat, McGee is one of only nine who are still with us. Earlier this year, he was one of four World War II veterans who presented the coin for the coin flip at Super Bowl LIV. He was also a special guest of President Donald J. Trump during this State of the Union address this month.

Today, however, he is challenging a new generation of Americans to step forward and achieve their destiny. McGee has made a special appeal in the video embedded above challenging more of us to apply to the NASA astronaut program.

There are only four requirements to be considered for the astronaut training program.

• U.S. citizen;
• Master’s degree or better in a STEM field;
• Two years of related, professional experience; and
• Pass the NASA astronaut physical.

If you don't meet all four of those requirements then I encourage you to share this article with anyone who you know that might fit the bill.

NASA will begin accepting applications to the astronaut corp training program on March 2, 2020. They will continue accepting them until the 31st.

For more information about a career as a NASA astronaut, and application requirements, please visit: http://www.nasa.gov/astronauts

This post is a part of this blog's semi-regular Friday Focus series, which endeavors to highlight news and opinions that, in my opinion, don't get as much attention as they deserve.

Please follow this blog on Facebook for more great content. I'm also on Twitter and Instagram as @fnemecek.

Detroit is the worst city in the USA for veterans

Veterans | Illustration by tammyatWTI/Pixabay

Dear Detroit,

We need to talk.

Veteran’s Day will be upon us soon. I know this because I’ve already gotten announcements from a few different restaurants announcing specials for active and former members of the military. It won’t be much long until a series of talking heads fill our television screen talking about the debt that we owe veterans and how great our country is because of them.

That’s nice and all. But here’s the thing: Detroit was just named the worst city in the United States for veterans. At first, I thought this was just another case of some media outlet back Detroit. Again.

But this time, they brought receipts. Out of the 100 largest cities in America, Detroit ranks 83^rd in the percentage of homeless veterans. We also come in at:

• 82^nd out of 100 for median veteran income;
• 97^th out of 100 for the percentage of veterans living in poverty; and
• 98^th out of 100 veterans unemployment rate.

Those are four very big categories that show we are failing the veterans that we are calling heroes. Oh, and, by the way, it gets worse.

This the third time that Detroit has held this dubious distinction. WXYZ-TV reported on it in 2018. The Metro Times reported on this 2017. This now makes three years in a row when we have been the worst city in the United States for veterans. None of the issues addressed in either of the previous years.

Another one of these lists will come out again next year. I would really like it if Detroit was not the worst city for veterans a fourth year in a row.

Can we as Detroiters all agree on that as a goal?

Whether it’s a love for our veterans, outright anger at this problem going on for so long, or just not wanting to be the target of another one of these lists – whatever motivates to get involved; that works for me.

What can you do? I’m not sure but I’m pretty sure that anyone of these eight veterans service organizations in Detroit will have an idea about what you can do to help if you reach out to them. If anyone else has an idea, please leave it in the comments below.

We need to do better, Detroit.

Detroit Elections Department to host job fair for poll workers

Polling station - Photo by John Mousey/Pixaay

In an effort to recruit adequate staff for the upcoming 2020 primaries and presidential elections in Detroit, City Clerk Janice M. Winfrey will host a job fair tomorrow at the New Center Park, (2998 West Grand Blvd.) from noon – 4 p.m. The Department of Elections is looking to hire Election Clerical Assistants and Poll Workers for training and administering elections.

Election Clerical Assistants
Prospective Election Clerical Assistants are required to have a high school diploma or equivalent, six months of general office or clerical experience, knowledge of Microsoft Office and comprehend standard office work methods. Interested candidates must submit a resume for employment and be available Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. with some required weekends.

Poll Workers
Prospective poll workers are required to be at least 16 years of age. If a perspective poll worker is 18 years or older, they must be registered to vote in the State of Michigan. Training sessions are mandatory for employment.

Voter Registration Drive
During the job fair, the Elections staff also will register prospective voters. Those individuals are required to be at least 18 years old on or before Election Day, a resident of the State of Michigan and a U.S. citizen.

For more information, please contact the City of Detroit Department of Elections Recruitment & Training Division at 313-876-0230 or 313-876-0231. Election Clerical Assistants recruits can bring their resumes to the job fair or submit them to ecajobs [at] detroitmi [dot] gov. Poll worker recruits may also register at www.vote4detroit.net/pollaccess.

Detroit Police and Wayne County Sheriff to host hiring event

Police officer on patrol in Detroit - Photo by Frank Nemecek

The Detroit Police Department and the Wayne County Sheriff will have a joint hiring event on Thursday, February 21 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. at the Northwest Activities Center (18100 Meyers Rd). Recruiters from both agencies will be there accepting applications.

In order to be considered, applicants must:

• Able to obtain a concealed pistol license;
• Be at least 18 years old;
• Possess a valid Michigan drivers license;
• Have 20/20 vision or vision that is corrected to 20/20;
• High school diploma or GED;
• No felony convictions; and
• U.S. citizen.

In addition, applicants must be able to pass the MCOLES tests in order to be hired by the Detroit Police Department. Those applying to the Wayne County Sherrif's Department must be able to pass the MSCTC (Sheriff)

Please share this with anyone who might be interested in a career in law enforcement.

Job opening with the Friends of Rouge Park

Stock illustration from Pixabay

Two important non-profits in the Warrendale area of Detroit are hiring a part-time project manager on a temporary basis. The Friends of Rouge Park, which strives to protect and enhance the largest park in Detroit, and Detroit Outdoors, which strives to connect the youth of this city to the natural world and who operates what used to be known as Scout Hollow in the park, are the two groups that are hiring for shared position.

Under the direction of the Friends of Rouge Park Board of Directors and the Detroit Outdoors Program Director, this Project Manager will assist both organizations in implementing their missions by planning and leading park events and volunteer activities, fundraising, marketing, community outreach and developing the partnerships needed to implement the FORP Master Plan.

Additional details about this position as well as information on how to apply can be found online here. The deadline to apply for this position is January 7, 2019.

Job fair this Saturday in Warrendale

Job opening - Photo by Frank Nemecek

The City of Detroit will have a job fair this coming Saturday, March 3 at the Edison Branch of the Detroit Public Library (18400 Joy Rd.). This event will run from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. The City is hiring seasonal workers to maintain our parks during the warmer months. They have two categories that they will hire for this Saturday.

The first job category this is open is Laborer A/Park Maintenance Helper, which pays a starting wage of $10.04 - $10.40 per hour. Applicants must have the ability to understand and follow oral directions as well as a valid drivers license, Michigan identification card, or an identification card issued by the City of Detroit.

The second job category is Vehicle Operator I, which pays a starting wage of $14.35 - $17.12 per hour. Applicants must have a valid commercial drivers license with an air brake endorsement as well as a valid medical examiner's certificate that certifies the applicant's physical fitness for driving.

In order to attend this job fair, all applicants must do the following:

1. Apply online before the fair for the job that they wish to be considered for. Start here for vehicle operators and here for park maintenance helpers. For both jobs, click the green "apply" button in the upper right corner.
2. RSVP ahead of time by visiting Eventbrite here and selecting "register."
3. Come dressed for success. Interviews will happen on site.

Additional job openings within the City of Detroit are posted at detroitmi.gov/employment.

Training opportunity for the construction industry

Wayne State University is organizing an OSHA-approved training for those interested in obtaining certification for a Respirable Crystalline Silica Training. Spanish-speaking students will receive a $25 gift certificate to Honey Bee Market La Colmena at the end of the training.

This training will happen on Saturday, September 9 and Saturday, September 16 at La Sed Page Senior Center (7150 W. Vernor) in Southwest Detroit.

For any questions about this training opportunity in the construction industry for Detroiters, please contact Mary Carmen Muñoz at (313) 554-2015 or mcmunoz@lased.inc. One may also contact
Roberto Muñoz at (313) 815-3146 or munozrd@udmercy.edu with any questions.

Detroit Tigers Foundation is hiring event staff

The Detroit Tigers Foundation is hiring ten new event staff members on a seasonal basis. Staffers will work at Comerica Park for the duration of the 2014 baseball season.

These staff members will be responsible for selling 50/50 raffle tickets before each Detroit Tigers home game on Fridays and Saturdays. They will also assist with other related events on other days, both at Comerica Park and elsewhere.

More information about this job is available here. Event staff for the Detroit Tigers Foundation is your job of the day for Monday, April 21.

Scrapping bill closer to passage

For years, those who steal things for scrap metal have plagued every development in Detroit.Various efforts have been made at legislation to stop it. None of those proposals, however, have ever made it out of the Michigan Legislature.

Now, though, it looks like something productive might actually happen.

Mayor Mike Duggan made tougher regulations on those who buy potentially stolen scrap metal a priority when he took office earlier this year. Now comes word that a deal is likely.

It won't prohibit scrap yards from buying stolen metal. It will, however, require them to create a paper trail that the police can use to track those who steal from us.

I hope this bill actually comes to fruition. I congratulation everyone who has played a role in making it happen.

DTE Energy accepting applications for interns

DTE Energy is currently accepting applications for its popular 2014 Summer Student Employment Program Feb. 10 to Feb. 23. This program is an important part of the company 's efforts to develop future talent for our company. It provides full-time, temporary employment opportunities for students who are either college undergraduates or high school seniors who will attend college in the fall.

Students wishing to apply for an internship must complete an electronic Summer Student Questionnaire at dteenergy.com under Careers between Feb. 10 and Feb. 23. No paper applications will be accepted. When a student accepts an offer, he/she will receive instructions on how to complete the application packet from the recruiter with a specified completion date.

Applicants also should know:

• Students MUST provide a copy of their official transcript in order to be considered;
• Employee referrals are not required; and
• Leaders may request the rehire of former students on the "Summer Student Employment Requisition" eForm.

Reporting relationships must not violate DTE Energy Policy EM18, Personal Relationships. Consistent with policy EM18, summer students should not be placed in an area where they are in a reporting relationship (either directly or indirectly) to employees with whom they have a familial relationship.

Students will be hired and participate in orientation on predetermined dates in May and June.

Job opening at Garden Ridge

The home decor superstore, Garden Ridge (5901 Mercury Dr. in Dearborn), is currently hiring. They have openings for managers as well as supervisors and associates.

Interested applicants are invited to apply either on their website or by visiting the store and asking for the manager on duty.

Mike Duggan releases 10-point plan to rebuild neighborhoods

Mike Detroit - Photo by Detroit Free Press

Mayoral candidate Mike Duggan released a 10-point plan Tuesday evening that outlines his proposed strategy for rebuilding neighborhoods in Detroit. Quite frankly, I like his plan. There is only one thing about it that I would change about it.

Before I discuss the one change that I would make, though, here are the 10-points to Mike Duggan's plan to rebuild the neighborhoods in Detroit.

1. Establish a single Department of Neighborhoods;
2. Base the Department of Neighborhoods in seven neighborhood district offices to create true partnerships with neighborhood groups and block clubs;
3. Seize abandoned houses and drug houses through a nuisance abatement program, similar to the one Mike Duggan started when he served as Prosecutor for Wayne County;
4. Create positive incentives to move families from sparsely-populated areas into to stronger neighborhoods. This, presumably, would include most of Warrendale as one of the stronger neighborhoods;
5. In order to rebuild neighborhood business districts, he would seize abandoned storefronts and move in entrepreneurs;
6. Streamline demolition process and strategically target neighborhoods;
7. Create much tougher code enforcement;
8. Require banks to participate in neighborhood redevelopment;
9. Clean up vacant lots; and
10. Reform the Detroit Land Bank so we can re-use vacant land.

Mike Duggan's plan for a Department of Neighborhoods sounds a lot like the Neighborhood City Halls that used to exist in Detroit until Mayor Dave Bing eliminated them as part of his budget cuts. Regardless of what one calls them, though, I believe that having such an office in each of the districts is a good idea.

The one thing that I would change about Mike Duggan's plan to rebuild neighborhoods would be to substitute a vigorous deconstruction program instead of streamlined demolition process. In neighborhoods throughout Detroit, there are lots of blighted buildings that I need to removed and Warrendale is no exception to that, as I have pointed out before.

The tragic fact is that Detroit has far more blighted properties than it has resources to deal with them adequately and that, in turn, means that we need to be more innovated in how we respond to blight in our neighborhoods. Moving from a conventional demolition process to a deconstruction model is, in my opinion, a huge part of that innovation.

With a conventional building demolition, a couple of workers and some heavy equipment come to a location, and smash everything. They will then haul what used to be a building away to an ordinary landfill.

In contrast, under a deconstruction model, a half dozen to a dozen workers are on site for a week or more. They take the building down piece by piece, salvaging everything that can be salvaged, and then recycling what is left. The only things that ever go into a landfill are pieces of hazardous waste (e.g., asbestos or lead paint) and those things will go to a special landfill that is designed to accept hazardous materials properly.

Even in places like Detroit, and even after scrappers have already attacked a vacant home numerous times, a deconstruction crew can still salvage thousands of dollars worth of materials from it. Because of that, it is almost always cheaper in the end to deconstruct a blighted property than the $12,000 - $14,000 that the City of Detroit currently pays to have one demolished.

Moreover, because it's ultimately cheaper to deconstruct a blighted property than to demolish it, the City of Detroit would be able to remove more of these dangerous buildings from our neighborhoods through a deconstruction model than it currently can under its old model. I argue that anything that enables us to remove more of these dangerous buildings from our neighborhoods is a good thing and a change worth making.

In addition to that, because deconstruction relies on people more than it does heavy equipment, switching to a deconstruction model for removing dangerous buildings would also mean the creation of thousands of new jobs. This is important in a city like Detroit where so many adults are without jobs and have been without them for quite some time.

Finally, because almost nothing from a deconstructed building goes into a landfill, it is also much better for the environment.

Mike Duggan's plan doesn't specifically call for the use of conventional demolition instead of deconstruction. However, I believe his plan would be much better if it did specifically call for deconstruction.

• More blighted properties removed from the neighborhoods of Detroit;
• Thousands of new jobs created for Detroit residents; and
• Better for the environment with less trash going into a landfill.

It's hard to argue with something that can deliver results like that. I hope Mike Duggan incorporates deconstruction in plans for Detroit.

Toy Chest Bar looking to hire a cook

Chef - Illustration by Julien Tromeur

The Toy Chest Bar (18728 Ford Rd.) is looking to hire a qualified cook to work for them on a part-time basis. Interested applicants should apply for this job in person at their location.

Questions about wages, hours, and benefits can be discussed with the bar's management at the time of application.

Toy Chest Bar bills itself as "where adults come to play." Additional information and photos regarding the bar is available on their website.

Job Fair at Quicken Tomorrow

Quicken Loans, Title Source and our family of companies are hosting a career fair in the Qube Building (611 Woodward Ave. in downtown), which was formerly known as the Chase Building. The career fair will take place tomorrow. It will be open to veterans and U.S. military families only from 10 - 11 a.m. It will be open to the general public from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Through this career fair, the Quicken family of companies is looking to hire 500 team members for several areas of the company including technology, servicing, operations, mortgage banking, and more. There are a lot of open positions they need to fill. We want this career fair to be huge, and an opportunity to showcase all the great things that are going on in Detroit to everyone who walks through the door.

Every applicant who attends will meet with a recruiter and explore available opportunities that best fit their experience and career goals. Applicants will also be given a tour of the Quicken Loans office.

Parking for applicants will be available in the Compuware garage

Free Truck Driver Training

Photo by Ilker Ilco

Detroit Empowerment Solutions is offering a free training program to help those interested Detroiters get their commercial drivers license. This is the first step in a new career as a truck driver.

There are certain restrictions associated with this program. Additional details are available here.

Toy Chest Bar is Hiring a Bartender

Toy Chest Bar - Photo by Frank Nemecek

The Toy Chest Bar (18728 Ford Rd.) is hiring a new bartender. Anyone interested in applying for this job is asked to apply in person at the bar.

7-Eleven is Hiring a Store Clerk

7-Eleven (6200 Greenfield Rd. in Dearborn) is hiring an experienced store clerk for their night shift. This location is almost across the street from the Warrendale neighborhood. Applicants should be available to work 5 nights a week.

Anyone who is interested in applying for this job should visit the store and request an application.

A&W Is Hiring

The A + W Restaurant (210 Town Center Dr. in Dearborn) across the street from Fairlane Town Centre is now hiring. Apply at the restaurant, if you're interested in this job.

Caesars Coney Island is Hiring a Waitress

Ceasars Coney Island (15621 W. Warren Ave.) is hiring a waitress. Apply at the restaurant, if you're interested.

Michigan Community Resources Posts a Job Opening

Michigan Community Resources seeks a self-directed, enthusiastic and energetic candidate to fill an immediate vacancy for the position of Program Manager. We provide free legal, educational, and technical services to nonprofits and community organizations in Michigan. Since its inception in 1998, we have secured legal representation for over 900 non-profit organizations. The estimated market value of these services exceeds $10 million. Michigan Community Resources is also leading an effort in Detroit called the Detroit Vacant Property Campaign to address the foreclosure and vacancy crisis.

The Program Manager will report to the Director of Education and Outreach programs and will be responsible for managing Education and Outreach Initiatives, which could include the direction, coordination, and implementation of Michigan Community Resources’s education workshops, seminars, publications, the Community Resource Library, and various outreach andcommunity engagement activities. Qualified candidates will be pro-active, able to manage multiple projects at once, possess excellent written and communication skills, and work well with diverse groups. The Program Manager will work closely with the other Program Managersand will coordinate work flow both internally and externally in order to meet time-sensitive project goals.

Specific Responsibilities Include:

• Promote Michigan Community Resources’s mission, purpose, values and provide value to our clients;
• Build community relationships and networks of support for Michigan Community Resources with the nonprofit, legal, community development, government, and philanthropic communities;
• Promote our products and services and recruit new clients;
• Facilitate the execution of Education and Outreach Initiatives, which includes helping to design scope, goals and deliverables of specific projects;
• Analyze the systems in place that affect neighborhood quality of life (i.e., vacant properties, foreclosure process, tax reversion, nuisance abatement, code enforcement, repair/rehab resources, property disposition, etc.) and offer ideas for program offerings;
• Identify innovative and comprehensive strategies to connect communities to program resources as well as public decision making processes;
• Assist in the continued development of the Education Series and the development of a Community Resource Library;
• Manage distribution of education materials;
• Track program deliverable using appropriate tools;
• Develop reports defining program progress, problems, and solutions;
• Write technical reports and other communications;
• Assist with writing educational publications on relevant community issues;
• Support the Director of Education and Outreach in identifying program needs and opportunities and raising funds to support the education and outreach programs; and
• Other duties as assigned by Program Director or Chief Program Officer

Skill Requirements and Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's Degree in Education, Social Work, Nonprofit Administration, Political Science or a related discipline;
• Highly proficient with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. Microsoft Access, and Adobe Creative Suite, strongly preferred;
• Exceptional project management skills, qualification or certification in project management a plus;
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills;
• Direct work experience in project management capacity;
• Proficient in project management software a plus;
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills in multiple, diverse settings;
• Exceptional organizational and time management skills;
• Ability to work effectively in a dynamic, highly-productive, team environment;
• Enthusiasm for Michigan Community Resources mission to serve non-profits and low-income communities; and
• 3-5 + years relevant experience, preferred.

Michigan Community Resources is an equal opportunity employer and offers a full range of benefits, including paid vacation, health, dental and optical insurance, short term and long term disability insurance, and basic term life insurance. Annual salary starts at $40,000 and is commensurate with experience and credentials. Interviews begin immediately. Interested persons should send a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three references to Shamyle Nesfield, Director of Education and Outreach of the Michigan Community Resources at 615 Griswold, Suite 1805 in Detroit, Michigan 48226 or via email to snesfield [at] clronline [dot] org.