Cover Stories
Is the pot scene sexist?
There’s an idea in the collective consciousness that everyone working to free the weed and change pot laws must be totally cooooool. That simply by being public about marijuana puts a person into a realm of awesomeness that is to be admired. Marijuana, they might say, opens your heart and helps you have compassion for…
Mich. businessman to open medical marijuana facility in Windsor
Bill Chaaban says marijuana has never been his thing, but the 42-year-old has big plans to add grade-A medicinal cannabis to the repertoire of products his Madison Heights-based firm hopes to soon produce. After joining Creative Edge Nutrition Inc. in early 2012, Chaaban helped transform the company into a nutritional supplement vendor. Within that year,…
Why cannabis reformers are shy about the high
We wandered unknowingly into the fray of a volatile topic last week when we called a local dispensary to settle a nagging question. Now that recreational marijuana has been legalized in the states of Washington and Colorado, we wondered what the difference was between medical marijuana and recreational marijuana. The guy who picked up the…
No pipe? Ways to deal with that nightmare scenario.
Have you experienced this nightmare scenario? You and your pals have just come into possession of a goodie bag, but there’s not a pipe, one-hitter or even a torn skin to make it smokeable. It’s sort of like that old Twilight Zone episode in which book-loving Burgess Meredith survives a nuclear holocaust only to break…
What you need to know about concentrates
Cannabis concentrates — aka “hash oil,” “BHO” (short for “butane honey oil”), “wax” and “shatter” — are powerful extracts of cannabis, typically made using a solvent like butane. They may contain as much as 80 percent THC (or more, as opposed to a bud, which might contain about 10 percent to 27 percent THC), and…
The savvy pot shopper
Cannabis might be a gift from the gods — but humans are growing it, and the results consumers get aren’t always … healthy. Pesticides, mildew and mold are some of the most common types of contaminants your pot might be coated with. And you probably shouldn’t smoke them. But how do you know? You could…
Chocolate’s Infusions: Medical Edibles and More compiled by Ms. Chocolate
Chocolate’s Infusions: Medical Edibles and More: Medical Marihuana recipes compiled by Ms. Chocolate This pocket-sized recipe book packs a wealth of information about cooking with cannabis. As author Ms. Chocolate points out, ingesting marijuana is more effective for alleviating pain, and you can consume less to get the same effect from smoking. Pot brownies…
Detroit councilman: Increased parking fines an ‘anti-growth strategy’
(source: Wikimedia Commons) There’s at least one city councilmember who’s less than pleased with Detroit Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr’s plan to increase all parking violation fines. Councilman Gabe Leland, whose district represents the city’s west side, issued a statement today, calling Orr’s plan a potential “deterrent” to attracting people to the city. I don’t believe…
Listen to new Jack White track “Lazaretto”
“Lazaretto,” the lead single from the eponymous forthcoming album from Jack White, is now available to stream, and the track will be available to purchase digitally starting tomorrow. It has a similar sonic palate to 2012’s Blunderbuss. Sample lyrics: “I’m so Detroit I make it rise from the ashes.” This weekend, White cut what he calls…
City Slang: Detroit Jazz Fest announces headlining acts
The Detroit Jazz Festival has announced the headliners for the event, which will take place over Labor Day weekend as usual. The 2014 artist in residence will be Joshua Redman. According to the press release, “Redman is known as one of the most acclaimed and charismatic jazz artists to have emerged in the 1990s and…
Happy Birthday Iggy Pop
The chairman of the board, Iggy Pop, turned 67 today. Everyone at Detroit Metro Times would like to wish the main man a very happy birthday. This song seems appropriate. Follow @City_Slang
Reviewing Josh Malerman’s Bird Box
Bird Box By Josh Malerman HarperCollins, 293 pp., $25.99. Back in August, we profiled High Strung singer Josh Malerman due to the fact that his book, Bird Box, had earned him a six-figure multi-book deal from HarperCollins, and was going to be made into a movie. We wrote a cover story (a multi-award winning cover…
City Slang: Diana Ross to open Freedom Hill season
Motown legend Diana Ross will open up the Freedom Hill season on Friday, June 13. “We’re thrilled to have one of the greatest Motown singers of all time, Diana Ross, open our facility this season,” said Tom Celani, Owner of Luna Hillside, LLC. “We continue to bring big name talent to our venue and know…
Film Review: Transcendence
Transcendence | C- Wally Pfister (The Dark Knight, Inception, Moneyball) is a terrific cinematographer. And in his directorial debut, Transcendence, he again proves that he has an impeccable eye for gorgeous visuals and compositions, even though he’s tapped Jess Hall to act as his director of photography. What Pfister doesn’t seem to have a talent…
Film Review: Jodorowsky’s Dune
Jodorowsky’s Dune | B “I was raping Frank Herbert, but … with love,” —Alejandro Jodorowsky, describing his big-screen plans for Dune. When I reach my 80s, I hope I’m half the dreamer and charmer that 85-year-old Alejandro Jodorowsky is today. The iconoclastic director of such hallucinatory surrealist films as El Topo and The Holy Mountain…
The Ypsilanti mystery pooper saga continues
(Source: myfoxdetroit.com) Ypsilanti police are still searching for the person who has been dubbed the “mystery pooper.” Someone has been, as the Associated Press politely puts it today, “soiling slides at an Ypislanti playground over the last six months.” So, of course, someone purchased an electronic billboard along I-94 near Huron St. at exit 183 that delivers…
City Slang: DJ AvA, Chuck Flask & Keith Kemp preview Movement at Urban Bean Co.
It’s a really, very cool idea. Paxahau, the good people behind the Movement Electronic Music Festival, are hosting a series of warm-up events, or previews, to the big festival which takes place Memorial Day weekend. On Thursday evening, Movement moved into the Urban Coffee Bean on Grand River in Detroit. While Dj AvA and Chuck…
Film Review: Joe
Joe | B- Nicolas Cage shambles around like a mottled old grizzly bear with a thorn in his paw as Joe Ransom, a wounded small-town ex-con with a heart as big as his rap sheet. He’s recovering but still profoundly flawed, prone to drinking, brawling and whoring, but possessed of a sort of stumbling, savage…
Here is why landlords could do well in Wayne County
(source: wikimedia commons) CNN has a message to all prospective landlords: Head to Wayne County! Occupancy and rental rates are increasing, the report says, creating an opportunity for serious returns on investments. In fact, after comparing the median sales price of homes to average monthly rents in nearly 1,600 counties, RealtyTrac found that Detroit’s Wayne…
The Record Store Day Guide for metro Detroit
This Saturday, audiophiles across the world will venture out to their favorite independent record stores in search of limited releases that quickly become collectors items. The third Saturday of April marks the fairly new international holiday Record Store Day. There are certainly dos and don’ts to know for RSD — like where to shop, and how to shop.…
Film Review: Dom Hemingway
Dom Hemingway | B Moments after the lights go down and the projector light hits the screen, it becomes obvious why the once-beautiful Jude Law jumped at the chance to gain weight and play the comic grotesquerie that is Dom Hemingway. Things kick off in a tight shot of Dom’s mutton-chopped visage as he launches into a profane…
City Slang: DEMF 2014 canceled
The Detroit Electronic Music Festival, which was supposed to be making a triumphant return this year, has been canceled. A statement on the website says that the festival will be back in 2015. Back in November, Ford Field hosted an announcement party for DEMF, where it was revealed that a new DEMF festival would take…
Metro Times wins heavy at the SPJ Awards
Despite a turbulent 2013 which saw Metro Times change owners, move buildings and change editors twice, we picked up eight awards at the Society of Professional Journalists Awards on Wednesday night. The big winner was Robert Nixon, design manager, who picked up a first place for “Feature Page Design (Class A)” for our Josh Malerman…
Detroit’s grand bargain still needs Lansing’s approval
(source: Wikimedia Commons) In this week’s Metro Times we took a look at the state legislature’s role in Detroit’s ongoing bankruptcy — in particular, how it must approve a $350 million pledge for the so-called “grand bargain” to remain intact. And, with last night’s announcement of a significant deal between the city and Detroit’s pension boards and…
City Slang: Local releases for Record Store Day on Saturday
This Saturday, April 19, is Record Store Day, and there is plenty going on in metro Detroit and Michigan. Of special interest to us is Chiodos’ 7” single “R2ME2/Let Me Get You A Towel,” Mayer Hawthorne & Shintaro Skamoto’s 7” “Wine Glass Woman/In a Phantom,” Chuck Inglish & Action Bronson’s 7” “Game Time,” Chuck Inglish…
City Slang: Margaret Doll Rod to play EP release show in May
Margaret Doll Rod will celebrate the release of her new EP, Margaret, with a show at PJ’s Lager House on Saturday, May 10. A statement reads, “The EP contains 3 new original songs and one Chrome Cranks cover with Italian actress Asia Argento singing background vocals. Margaret moved to Italy after the end of the…
Vinnie Dombroski
“I still perform in the same three damn bands, although the Orbitsuns seem to be playing a bunch (we just need our amps, a small PA and a club that will pick up our bar tab). The summer concert season is approaching, and Sponge is slated for dates at the end of April, and festival…
Record review: Ought — More Than Any Other Day
Ought More Than Any Other Day Constellation While the members of Canadian band Ought seem determined to be as quirky and odd as possible, there’s a nagging feeling of familiarity to More Than Any Other Day. A few seconds into “Habit,” for example, you realize that Talking Heads must have been a huge influence for…
Enrich your garden’s soil with dolomite
Hey, unless you have something heavy-duty like a greenhouse to spare you from these April cold snaps, you’re probably not ready to plant anything outside yet. But are you so eager to get to work that you’re down in the shop sharpening your spade? You might consider using this time to do some soil amendments.…
Norpro Asparagus Stainless Steel Cooker
Norpro Asparagus Stainless Steel Cooker, $20 We hadn’t even realized that there was any such thing as a steamer built solely for asparagus, but for those who are really serious about this versatile culinary vegetable, and its role as a healthful spring staple, you might want to consider dropping a Jackson on this device. This 3-quart stainless…
Tips on how to grow and enjoy asparagus
In early spring, nothing confirms that we’ve survived another winter like the taste of freshly cooked asparagus. Whether it’s blanched, marinated and grilled, ground and turned into soup, this is the real thing, and many asparagus lovers argue that it loses its awesomeness quickly, so chances are you’ll get best results from area greenmarkets. There…
8 Degrees Plato brings best beer to Ferndale
A quick shout-out to 8 Degrees Plato, the wonderful Ferndale beer store our readers selected as having the Best Beer Selection in Oakland County. We blew it in our print edition, accidentally giving the award to Western Fruit & Meat Market as well (that would be Best Wine). Sorry about that. Drop in and…
Parker Street Market arrives in Detroit’s West Village
Market up — There’s a new grocery in town. It’s called Parker Street Market, and it’s located in the West Village area that’s already home to Detroit Vegan Soul and the popular Tashmoo Biergarten. The owners are excited to report that their recent opening day was a huge success. Feel free to drop in on…
Detroit City Distillery opens in Eastern Market
Props to the latest alcoholic startup, Detroit City Distillery, located in Eastern Market. They say they’re making two kinds of whiskey right now, with plans for small-batch gin and vodka as well. They say they’re planning on opening their unpretentious tasting room in time for Flower Day, May 18, if at all possible. Keep your…
Woodward Avenue Brewers unveils new menu
After 17 years of the same ol’ things, Woodward Avenue Brewers, a staple in metro Detroit’s dining scene, has changed its menu from traditional tacos to pizza bliss. The menu, which was created by WAB chefs Brent Foster and Courtney Witter, has options for vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free pizza lovers. All of the uniquely named,…
‘Canvas Detroit’ delves into Motor City street art scene
With its surplus of cheap housing, few of the, say, “distractions” of more cosmopolitan cities, and a legacy for breeding creative people, Detroit has long been touted as an offbeat, yet attractive place for artists. But one of the most unusual resources the city offers is itself — as a canvas. For years, artists from…
Detroit bankruptcy ‘cramdown’ could end pension fight
After rejecting two previous proposals, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Steven Rhodes last week approved an agreement that has the city of Detroit paying $85 million to escape a disastrous interest-rate swap deal with two banks. Detroit Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr, for one, applauded the decision. “Today’s ruling is a victory for Detroiters that will help the…
Detroit’s ‘grand bargain’ in Lansing’s hands now
(Update 4/16 12:18 p.m.: A significant deal with Detroit’s pension board and retirees was announced late Tuesday night, after this rag went to press. It’s contingent on the state legislature’s approval of its $350 million pledge for the so-called "grand bargain.") Last week, during Detroit’s ongoing bankruptcy proceedings, a New York bond insurer dropped a…
In Congress, big-money interest groups rule
Within the last month, two longtime, solidly entrenched Michigan Republican congressmen surprised everyone by unexpectedly announcing their retirements. Both were powerful committee chairs, and both had basically safe districts. Dave Camp represents a seat so Republican that the voters would cheerfully elect Richard Nixon’s corpse if someone dug it up and put it on the…
Guns offer more problems than protection in break-ins
The home of one of my best friends was broken into last week. Four guys who have apparently been working the neighborhood broke in through the back door. They were swift and organized — apparently they had assignments as they swept quickly through the house. He wasn’t home at the time, although a neighbor across…
Thoughts on Mary Barra, Mike Ilitch and more
Spare Mary Barra We received a number of online responses to Jack Lessenberry’s column about the recent scandal involving General Motors’ faulty ignition switches in millions of cars that have been tied to more than a dozen deaths, and CEO Mary Barra’s recent testimony before Congress regarding the issue. A user identified as Steve posted:…
Jason Stollsteimer readies new band Ponyshow
It’s been a year and a half years since we put Jason Stollsteimer on the cover of MT, alongside his Hounds Below bandmates and the headline “The Von Bondies were a hit. Can Jason Stollsteimer do it again with the Hounds Below?” As the singer and guitarist prepares for his set at Blowout 17 with…
Meet YUM, a new garage-punk two-piece
How long before the audience comes at you with a compliment? That’s one reliable indicator of your live show’s potency. For Elise Poirier and Cody Marecek of YUM, it’s usually about eight seconds, give or take, before someone comes up with some exuberant variation of “You guys fucking rock!” YUM started one year ago in…
James Williamson, the Stooges
Naturally, following Scott Asheton’s recent death, the Stooges are going to be taking a long rest, perhaps a permanent one. Fret not, though, for James Williamson has been in the studio recording a bunch of Stooges songs that were previously only available in bootleg form. The “Open Up and Bleed/Gimme Some Skin” single will be…
City Slang: Music review roundup
Send CDs, vinyl, cassettes, demos and 8-tracks to Brett Callwood, Metro Times, 1200 Woodward Heights, Ferndale MI 48220. Email MP3s and streaming links to bcallwood@metrotimes.com. Ricky Rat’s Tokyo Pop/Glitter People (New Fortune) 7” single highlights all that’s great about the Trash Brats guitarist, but also his limitations. The man can write a bubblegum rock ’n’…
