Polish Rock Sensation Comes to Detroit

Since the Warrendale neighborhood still has a decent number of Polish Americans, and because the bands in question are just freaking awesome, I wanted to mention that the Polish rock/pop group Feel is coming to the Detroit area. Feel has been a staple of the Polish radio air waves since 2007. They are on their second U.S. tour and are touting their new CD, feel-3. Everyone in attendance at the Friday, February 24, 8:00 p.m. rock showcase at the PNA Concert Hall in Hamtramck will get a complimentary copy of their CD.

This, by the way, will be the first time Feel will play in the Detroit area.

Magda Kaminski

There will also be three other Polish pop-rockers who will open for Feel. Opening acts of Marcin Kindla, Sebastian Riedel, and Detroit favorite Magda Kaminski will warm up the crowd.

Tom Czuprynski, one of the two promoters for this show, touted the popularity and unique pop sound of Feel.  He added with enthusiasm, “The whole night will be about great music and there will be a lot of it.”

Rafal Nowakowski, the other promoter for this show, added, “We brought Magda Kaminski on the bill because she is so popular in Detroit and we wanted attendees to get an added-value bonus. Magda will do cuts from her Who I Am CD.  Feel has such a great following and lead singer Piotr Kupicha is just so giant in Europe. They have a popular sound and this will be so special for Detroit.”

Feel had their big breakout in 2007 after winning the famed Sopot International Song Festival in Poland. Their biggest hit to date has been “And When the Dusk Comes” which still tops the charts. PNA Concert Hall, 10211 Conant Avenue, Hamtramck, MI 48212. Tickets are only $40 and are available by calling 313-530-0209.

Feel members are Piotr Kupicha (lead vocals and guitar) as well as Łukasz Kożuch (keyboard), Michał Nowak (bass), Michał Opaliński (percussion), and Paweł Pawłowski (guitar).

Detroit Finalizes City Council Districts

Map of the New Districts for the Detroit City Council

The Detroit City Council approved a map earlier today for the City Council districts that will go into effect when we elect a new Council next year. They went with what was commonly known as "Option 3."

I was disappointed that they chose not to consider a map that was proposed by Data Driven Detroit, which would have kept neighborhoods together. However, I take comfort in knowing that at least all of the Warrendale neighborhood - both sides of the Southfield Freeway - is together.

None of the current members of the Detroit City Council live in District 7, which includes the Warrendale neighborhood. This means that we will see someone new represent us, beginning January of 2014.

Former Detroit Public Schools Accountant Indicted on Corruption Charges

Sandra Campbell, a former Detroit Public Schools contract accountant and school board candidate, as well as her daughter, Domonique Campbell, a Detroit Public Schools teacher, were indicted by a federal grand jury in Detroit on charges of program fraud conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy, and tax charges, U.S. Attorney Barbara L. McQuade announced yesterday.

Ms. McQuade was joined in the announcement by Special Agent in Charge Andrew Arena of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Special Agent in Charge Erick Martinez of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division.

The nine-count indictment charges that between 2004 and 2008, Sandra Campbell, 56, and Domonique Campbell, 37, obtained in excess of $530,000 from the Detroit Public Schools through a fraudulent scheme in which orders were placed with the Campbells’ sham company for books and educational materials never provided to the schools. The indictment further alleges that Sandra Campbell and Domonique Campbell conspired to defraud the Internal Revenue Service and failed to report the money they fraudulently obtained from the Detroit Public Schools as income on their tax returns.

Sandra Campbell is also charged in the indictment with wire fraud. This count alleges that Ms. Campbell obtained a $40,000 discount payoff of a $250,000 mortgage on her home through a fraudulent “short sale” of the property to her mother.

U.S. Attorney Barbara L. McQuade said in a prepared statement, “Anyone who considers stealing from our school children should take note that we are scrutinizing records and conduct, and will prosecute wrongdoers. “

Agent Arena added, “The FBI would like to thank all of our partners who continue to assist us in battling corruption. In particular, I would like to note the continued support of DPS Inspector General Van Marsh and his team, The alleged actions of these subjects do nothing more than steal the opportunity for quality education from our children. Such actions can not be tolerated and will be pursued by the FBI and it’s partners.”

Agent Martinez also stated, “Those who profit at the expense of our children and steal from our community will be held accountable for their greedy actions.”

The case was investigated by special agents of the FBI, IRS, and Department of Education, Office of Inspector General, with the assistance of Detroit Public Schools, Office of Inspector General. The case is being investigated and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys J. Michael Buckley and Pamela Thompson of the Public Corruption Unit.

Controlled Burn to be Discussed at the Next Friends of Rouge Park Meeting

Stock Photo by Bill Silvermintz

In lieu of their regular monthly membership meeting, the Friends of Rouge Park will host a community informational meeting on the controlled burn that is planned by the Alliance of Rouge Communities for Rouge Park and Eliza Howell Park this spring. This meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 15 from 6 - 7 p.m. at Don Bosco Hall's Community Resource Center (19321 West Chicago).

Everyone who is interested in Rouge or Eliza Howell Parks is invited to attend this meeting.

The Friends of Rouge Park have a detailed flyer regarding the controlled burn and this meeting, which is available here.

Featured Place to Live: 6776 Stahelin Ave

6776 Stahelin Ave.

6776 Stahelin Ave. is a three bedroom, 1.5 bath brick bungalow in Detroit's Warrendale neighborhood that is available for an asking price of $75,000. This charming single family home, which was built in 1953, features a one car detached garage as well as a full basement.

This property is represented by Darryl Sanders of Treasure Homes Realty in Southfield. More information about the 876 square foot, 1.5 story home is available here.

6776 Stahelin Ave. is your Featured Place to Live in the Warrendale neighborhood for this week.

House Explodes in Detroit's Warrendale Neighborhood

The Detroit Fire Department and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms is currently investigating a house that exploded this afternoon in Detroit's Warrendale neighborhood. The explosion also reportedly set two neighboring houses ablaze. According to WXYZ-TV, crews from DTE Energy have already ruled out a gas leak as an apparent cause of this explosion at 7834 Faust.

All of the homeowners affected by this explosion, and the accompanying fires, are being helped by the American Red Cross.

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.