Detroit's Founder Died 282 Years Ago Today

Elizabeth Grutza with Antoine Cadillac - Photo by  David Yee

Antoine Laumet de La Mothe, sieur de Cadillac passed away 282 years ago today in Castelsarrasin, France. During his 72 years on this Earth, he fathered 13 children with his wife Marie-Thérèse, served as the third French governor of Louisiana, and, in July of 1701, founded Fort Pontchartrain du Détroit, which later became the city of Detroit that we know and love today.

A statue of Cadillac stands today in Hart Plaza to commemorate his landing in Detroit. If he could see it, I think he would enjoy the photo that David Yee took of Elizabeth Grutza at his statue. I know I did.

Chene Modern Bakery in Detroit to Create Jesse Jackson's 71st Birthday Cake

Photo by Eric Bridiers/United States Mission Geneva

The Rev. Jesse Jackson will celebrate his 71st birthday on October 8 and the folks at Chene Modern Bakery (17041 W. Warren Ave.) in Detroit's Warrendale neighborhood have been selected to create his birthday cake, according to a post on the bakery's Facebook page. This is the second time that this Detroit bakery has created a custom cake for Rev. Jackson's birthday.

Rev. Jesse Jackson could conceivably get his birthday cake from any bakery in the free world. The fact that he has chosen to get it from here only confirms something that those in Detroit's Warrendale neighborhood have known for decades - Chene Modern Bakery is an amazing institution and a local treasure.

I hope that Rev. Jesse Jackson has an amazing birthday next week. I also hope that he and his guests enjoy every bite of their cake.

Sex Scandal Brewing with Detroit Police Chief Ralph Godbee at the Center

Stock Photo by Michal Zacharzewski

WXYZ-TV is reporting that a major sex scandal is brewing within Detroit city government and that Chief Ralph Godbee of the Detroit Police Department is at the center of it. Their full report is available on-line here.

The big question, in my opinion, is whether this is a purely organic thing or if those in Mayor Dave Bing's inner circle have realized that they don't have a snowball's chance in hell of keeping their jobs past next November unless they make drastic changes within DPD?

If it's the later option then that means they've likely planted this story, which, in turn, makes me wonder wonder what Chief Godbee will do in retaliation. He does not seem like the sort to go quietly into that goodnight, unless he collects a payoff that Mayor Bing's crew probably can't afford to pay him at the moment.

It will be interesting to see who backs off first. Do those in Mayor Bing's inner circle find a way to muscle him out in order to save their own jobs? Or does Chief Godbee manage to hold on for a few more months?

Update @ 4:28 p.m.
The Detroit Free Press is reporting that Chief Godbee has been suspended for 30 days pending the outcome of an investigation into his affair with another police officer under his command. Assistant Chief Chester Logan will assume the responsibilities of chief of police during the interim.

Getting Bill Collectors and Telemarketers to Hang Up on You

Stock Photo by Sanja Gjenero/RGBStock

Steve Dibert of MFI-Miami is one of my most favorite people in the world. He investigates and reports on some of the sleaziest things that banks and mortgage brokers have ever done.

Last week, he posted some advice for people who continuously received annoying phone calls from bill collectors. It also works for telemarketers, which I can attest to after having received more than a dozen phone calls from DTE Energy trying to sell me their worthless "protection plan." I told them to stop calling me after the fist call, but they kept calling again and again. Thanks to Steve's advice, I was able to get them to stop.

Therefore, I recommend that everyone read "I Don't Hang Up on Bill Collectors, They Hang Up on Me" over on Steve's web site. It is your Warrendale Tip of the Week.

Happy Birthday to the U.S. Air Force

Happy 65th birthday to the men and women of the United States Air Force.

On behalf of everyone in Detroit's Warrendale neighborhood, and all Americans that you proudly serve, thank you for your willingness to fly, fight, and win.

12 Year Old Boy Missing in Detroit's Warrendale Neighborhood

Joshua Morgan, age 12, is Missing

The Detroit Police Department is asking for the public's help to locate 12 year old Joshua Morgan who went missing from the Christ Child House (15751 Joy Rd.) in the northeastern part of Detroit's Warrendale neighborhood. The boy is described as being 5’9”, 120 lbs, with blonde hair and blue eyes. He was last seen wearing a hooded sweatshirt, a white T-shirt, blue jean shorts, and black and red tennis shoes.

The boy’s family is particularly concerned because he has not taken the medicine he needs. He reportedly is emotionally impaired with a bipolar disorder and is borderline autistic.

Anyone who sees this boy, or who has information on where he might be, is urged to contact the Detroit police at (313) 596-5600.

Update @ 4:09 p.m. - Fox 2 Detroit reports that Joshua Morgan was found safe this afternoon.

6437 Plainview Ave - Featured Place to Live

6437 Plainview Ave. - Featured Place to Live

6437 Plainview Ave. is a 3-bedroom bungalow in Detroit's Warrendale neighborhood with a little more than 1,000 square feet of living space. It is a professionally landscaped property with a newly renovated kitchen, finished large, upstairs bedroom,  and updated lower bath. It also has recent carpeting throughout the home as well as a newer roof, siding and driveway.

In addition to all of that and a partially finished basement this home also has a security system. There is also a 1-car garage at the rear of the property.

This home is represented by Century 21 Town & Country in Northville. Addition information about this home is available here.