Cover Stories
Detroit’s ‘Lady L’ thrusts Black female tattoo artists to the forefront with Ladies of Ink
Lorri “Lady L” Thomas has been tattooing for nearly 20 years, and the last few years of her career have been centered around creating safe spaces for women who look like her. In 2015, she created Ladies of Ink, a nationwide collective of Black female tattoo artists who challenge the status quo. Thomas’s goal was…
A Detroit-area tattoo artist charged with sexual misconduct is tattooing under a different name — and laughing about it
Looking for a traditional tattoo in metro Detroit? Lee knows how to do it, but he may not be someone you’d want to get tattooed by. “Lee” is actually Alex Boyko, a metro Detroit tattoo artist who was arrested on sexual misconduct charges in 2019. He’s now operating his own shop in Livonia at 28913…
Witch House Tattoo is Ferndale’s new spooky, secret tattoo studio
The way they describe it, Ferndale’s new Witch House Tattoo is bigger than husband-and-wife owners Pamela and Kevin McLeod. It’s almost as if some dark, mysterious force is behind it. The two have had an extraordinary run of good fortune — or perhaps otherworldly intervention — in transforming the old house on Livernois Avenue into…
How to Tell Which CBD Companies Are Trustworthy and Which Are Not
The CBD industry has grown massively over the last decade. This breakneck growth has brought some deserving companies to the top, but it has also sometimes rewarded bad apples, resulting in untrustworthy brands and contaminated products. Whether you’re trying CBD for the first time or you’re looking for a step up from your current brand,…
How to help Karl’s Cabin, the historic Detroit-area restaurant temporarily closed due to a fire
Now, hopefully, up from the ashes: Last month, Karl’s Cabin in Plymouth (6005 Gotfredson Rd.) nearly went up in flames. A fire starting in the rear of the historic restaurant property, fanned by high winds that day (Feb. 15), did serious damage. It could have been far worse. Some 250 seated customers were safely evacuated…
We need to have a come to Jesus moment about Lent
Even if you’re not Christian, you may be aware that it’s currently Lent, a religious fasting observance practiced ahead of Easter by Christians of all denominations, and especially Catholics. The tradition stems from a Biblical tale in which Jesus is said to have spent 40 days and 40 nights in the desert, fasting, praying, and…
Pizza Cat expands to Madison Heights with carryout store
A growing pizza chain that touts a “deliciously weird menu” is expanding into the suburbs. Pizza Cat is opening its latest restaurant on Monday. The carryout-only store will be located at 27723 Dequindre Rd., Madison Heights, in the former Toarmina’s Pizza. Since March 13 is affectionately known as “313 Day” around here, the store will…
Tlaib and others introduce bill to ban facial recognition technology
Democratic lawmakers on Tuesday reintroduced legislation in the U.S. House and Senate that would ban facial recognition technology on the federal level and withhold money from state and local police departments that continue to use it. U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Detroit, was among eight members of the House to introduce the Facial Recognition and Biometric…
Detroit’s 313 Day is back with a weekend full of events
An annual celebration of Detroit’s hip-hop music scene has picked up right where it left off in 2022. The “313 Day Concert,” a musical showcase highlighting Detroit hip-hop’s up-and-coming stars and established acts, has turned into the “313 Day Weekend.” “When we first planned the first one, we knew we were going to continue to…
‘Heartbroken’ parents of slain Oxford students pledge to fight for accountability after lawsuit was dismissed
The parents of two children murdered in the mass shooting at Oxford High School in November 2021 said Tuesday they are not giving up on holding the school district and its employees accountable after a judge dismissed a lawsuit. Their attorney, Ven Johnson, said he plans to appeal Oakland County Circuit Judge Mary Ellen Brennan’s…
Gov. Whitmer repeals retirement tax and raises Working Families Tax Credit
Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed legislation on Tuesday that is expected to deliver a combined $1 billion tax cut for Michiganders. The “Lowering MI Cost” repeals Michigan’s tax on pensions, putting an expected $1,000 back in the pockets of 500,000 households, and also raises the Working Families Tax Credit, delivering an average combined tax refund of…
Detroit Symphony Orchestra will sell concert tickets for $3.13 on 313 Day
Here’s your chance to visit the Detroit Symphony Orchestra for the low. On 313 Day, the DSO will be offering tickets at $3.13 when purchased on March 13 to celebrate the city’s famous area code. The promotion only applies to select performances including RESPECT: A Tribute to Aretha Franklin, Leila Josefowicz & Mendelssohn’s Symphony No.…
Detroit indie rock group Toughie drops dreamy debut EP
Got a Detroit music tip? Send it to music@metrotimes.com. Toughie keeps it dreamy: Detroit indie rock group Toughie has been on a roll as of late. Through several name changes, the band has continued to create thoughtful and emotive indie pop music that resonates with fans and has landed some notable gigs with Audiotree Presents,…
Why Fire Watch Guard Is The Requirement For Any Building Safety System?
A fire can cause property damage, ruin infrastructure, and endanger people. To avoid these dangers, you need to have an effective fire alarm system and the services of fire watch guards at hand. Fire watch guards are specialized professionals who keep buildings safe from fire and protect people on site. They also help businesses maintain…
Italian restaurant Mad Nice set to open this weekend in Detroit
Mad Nice, a new Italian restaurant in Detroit’s Cass Corridor, will open for dinner on Sunday. Located at 4120 Second Ave., it’s the latest concept by Heirloom Hospitality Group, the group behind the Townhouse restaurants, Prime + Proper, and Cash Only Supper Club. With a modern Italian menu and coastal chic decor, Mad Nice joins…
‘Close’ struggles to capture the sense of intimacy it promises
Delicacy and beauty aren’t by themselves sufficient in a work that calls for more emotional sensitivity or insight, though they certainly don’t hurt. In the case of Lukas Dhont’s Close, a film whose capable (if opaque) leading performances buoy it partway emotionally alongside its formal strengths, the film lacks sorely the sense of intimacy promised…
Detroit’s Lost River tiki bar is closing ‘for now’
Lost River’s Mai Tais and Toucan Sams are on hold. The Eastside Detroit tiki bar announced a “temporary hiatus” last week. “A lot has changed in the world over the past 5 years since we opened — both at the bar and personally in the lives of everyone involved making this happen — and we…
Michigan firearm owners advocate for gun reform
Michigan firearm owners and strong proponents of Second Amendment rights at a Thursday press conference threw their weight behind the gun reform bills introduced by state Democrats and urged lawmakers to cast what they said should be “an easy vote” in favor of the legislation. “I can’t think of any other issue in this state…
Gladys Knight and Patti LaBelle to perform Mother’s Day concert in Detroit
Two soul heavy hitters are headed to the Fox Theatre for Mother’s Day. The “Empress of Soul” Gladys Knight and the “Godmother of Soul” Patti LaBelle will perform at a “Salute to Mother’s Day” concert at Detroit’s Fox Theatre, on actual Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 14. This is straight-up grown folks’ music. If your mom…
Clinton Township sued after cop permanently blinded a man after foot chase
A man who was punched and permanently blinded in one eye by a Clinton Township cop filed a federal lawsuit against the officer, the department, and the township, alleging excessive force. The suit filed in U.S. District Court last week alleges Daniel Reiff, of Clinton Township, was minding his own business while walking to a…
After dissing Detroit, Kid Rock announces Motor City stop on his ‘No Snowflakes’ tour
Kid Rock just can’t seem to walk away from Detroit for good. After pulling his Kid Rock’s Made in Detroit restaurant out of Little Caesars Arena and selling off his riverfront mansion in the city, the performer announced he has included a Motor City date on his upcoming “No Snowflakes Summer Concert” tour. The fedora-wearing…
Lapointe: In Ilitch Village, greed is good
If you stroll around Grand Circus Park in downtown Detroit, you might now and then be bugged by panhandlers begging for money. “Can you help me out?” they may ask, with eye contact, one palm up. They could be shabbily dressed and otherwise unkempt, as if they’ve slept in soiled, wrinkled clothes. Perhaps they show…
Ric Flair is coming to metro Detroit to promote weed brand ‘Ric Flair Drip’
Update 3/14: Itinerary for Ric Flair’s dispensary visits has changed. See below. One of the greatest pro wrestlers of all time is bringing the drip to metro Detroit dispensaries this month. On Thursday, March 16 and Friday, March 17, Ric Flair will be visiting Cloud Cannabis, JARS, House of Dank, and other dispensaries to promote…
Detroit judge dismisses Limp Bizkit guitarist’s defamation lawsuit against ex-wife
A Detroit judge dismissed Limp Bizkit guitarist Wes Borland’s lawsuit against ex-wife Carré Callaway, saying that comments Callaway made in the press about their breakup “simply do not rise to the level of being defamatory.” The legal action stemmed from the time the former couple spent living in Detroit from 2015-2019, when they were renovating…
Katelyn Rivas brings ‘abolitionist poetry’ to the tiniest gallery we’ve ever seen in Ann Arbor
Artist of the week: Katelyn Rivas A tiny gallery in Ann Arbor holds a profound message for passersby: With each new day, the cherry blossom blooms, red like blood, on a white shirt. he is not armed. he is not armed. It’s a poem by Detroit-based poet, essayist, and digital artist Katelyn Rivas on display…
Michigan Legislature considers bills to abolish life sentences for juveniles
Democrats in the state House and Senate introduced legislation this week to abolish life sentences for juveniles. If passed, Michigan will join 26 other states that have taken steps to comply with the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2012 ruling, Miller v. Alabama, which declared that a life sentenced for a juvenile was considered a violation of…
The Mount Clemens JARS Cannabis dispensary is now open
JARS Cannabis opened its latest dispensary in Mount Clemens on Friday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony featuring Mayor Laura Kropp and members from the Macomb County Chamber. “JARS opening is another sign of the revitalization that we are working very hard to bring to fruition in Mount Clemens,” Mayor Kropp said. “This is going to be…
Three quasi-westerns by Kelly Reichardt examine America in Cinema Lamont film series
Another director-focused series is running in metro Detroit from Cinema Lamont, this time with a trio of works by Kelly Reichardt screening at Oloman Cafe. With Reichardt’s latest, quite promising work (Showing Up) due from A24 this spring, the series (spearheaded, I should say, by two friends of mine: Shawn Glinis and Josh Gardner) spotlights…
With opioid deaths on the rise, Michigan lawmakers introduce bill to crackdown on overdoses
As the number of fatal overdoses from opioids continues to rise to alarming levels in Michigan, state lawmakers are hoping to empower county health officials to come up with solutions. The state Senate on Thursday introduced a bill that would authorize county medical examiners or health officers to create an overdose fatality review team to…
Report: Policies keep people with criminal records out of public housing
A new report is calling for public housing authorities to change certain policies to prevent excluding people with criminal records. The Prison Policy Initiative report found that some public-housing policies work against people who once were convicted, for instance, of using marijuana. While it’s legal in Michigan, 36 other states, and Washington D.C., the Department…
Michigan Native American tribe to study building own power utility
A Michigan Indian tribe has been awarded a $100,000 federal grant to study the possibility of creating its own power utility. The Little River Band of Ottawa Indians will use Tribal Energy Capacity Grant funding from the Bureau of Indian Affairs to perform a Tribal Utility Authority feasibility study. Eugene Manguson, executive director of the…
UnityLoan Review: Best Platform for Online No-Credit-Check Loan
UnityLoan Review When you need a loan, your options are limited if you have bad or no credit. However, with UnityLoan’s online no-credit-check loan service, you can easily find lenders offering loans without requiring a credit check. UnityLoan connects borrowers with a network of lenders who can provide payday loans, installment loans, and other types…
Who Call Me Review: The Best Site to Perform Reverse Phone Lookup
Who Call Me Review Are you tired of receiving calls from unknown numbers and not knowing who is on the other end? With the rise of telemarketing and scams, it’s become increasingly important to know who is calling you. That’s where Who Call Me comes in – a reverse phone lookup site that allows you…
Ford’s Garage is now open in Novi
Classic American diner franchise Ford’s Garage has opened the doors to its Novi location. This is the chain’s second Detroit-area location, located in the Twelve Mile Crossing at Fountain Walk complex at 44175 W. 12 Mile Rd. Ford’s Garage is known for its 1920s service station decor, vintage memorabilia, and a Model A car suspended…
House of Dank: First Dispensary in Detroit to Sell Recreational Marijuana Celebrates their Reboot as an adult use Cannabis Retailer
DETROIT – House of Dank, a licensed cannabis retailer in Detroit, located at 3340 E 8 Mile road, has announced that it has received the necessary license from the state of Michigan to sell recreational marijuana. The cannabis retailer, which has been operating since 2015, was previously only accessible to medical marijuana cardholders. It celebrated…
Michigan coffee shops that received threats will now reopen
Three Michigan coffee shops with LGBTQ ties closed last week after receiving a threatening 10-page letter filled with hate speech. Now, they are preparing to reopen their doors in hopes that any threats of danger have passed. The Gathering Coffee Co. at 2831 E Grand Blvd. in Detroit and Strange Matter Coffee with two locations in…
Lansing Mayor Schor launches exploratory committee for congressional run
Lansing Mayor Andy Schor announced Thursday that he’s considering running for the congressional seat held by Elissa Slotkin, who is vying for a U.S. Senate seat. Schor, a moderate Democrat, formed a congressional exploratory committee, which enables him to raise funds to evaluate whether he should run. “I have heard from so many people from…
Top 5 CBD for Sleep and Relaxation in 2023 – Naturally Treat Insomnia and Stress
You are familiar with the sensation of falling asleep when your alarm goes off, regardless of how gentle it is. It induces awakening from a profound slumber. Suppose you do not have an alarm that wakes you up when something disturbs your light sleep. Realizing that the joy has ended and you must face the…
Grammy-winning jazz singer Samara Joy to perform in Detroit-area churches
Last month, Bronx-born 23-year-old jazz singer Samara Joy won Grammy Awards for Best New Artist and Best Vocal Jazz Album — thanks to her 2022 release Linger Awhile, which has earned her comparisons to the greats like Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, and Sarah Vaughan. And this month, there are two opportunities to catch the talented…
Michigan state Senate passes bill to protect LGBTQ rights
For decades, Democrats have introduced legislation to provide protections for LGBTQ residents in Michigan, but each time, Republicans prevented the bills from advancing to a vote. Now Democrats have control of the state Legislature for the first time in nearly 40 years, and they are determined to establish rights for residents based on their sexual…
CEO of Detroit’s embattled Recovery Park to open Mexican restaurant franchise
He became a media darling with his ambitious plan to create a large-scale urban farm in Detroit. But with Recovery Park mired in multiple setbacks, CEO Gary Wozniak is moving forward with a new business venture. Last week, Wozniak announced plans to open an Ori’Zaba’s Scratch Mexican Grill franchise in metro Detroit. The fast-casual chain…
All aboard Kura’s sushi train
It’s not going to be the best sushi you ever ate, though it may be the cheapest. I don’t know whether it’s the low prices or the gimmick that draws them, but early in the new year there was no shortage of customers at Kura Revolving Sushi Bar; a plurality were Asian or Asian American.…
Puff Cannabis to launch River Rouge dispensary with grand opening, prizes
Puff Cannabis Company is opening its newest adult-use dispensary in River Rouge. The dispensary at 11397 W. Jefferson Ave. is hosting a grand opening party from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday with giveaways, a DJ, and a chance to win $3,000. The first 100 customers will receive a Puff goodie bag, valued at…
Avalon Bakery owner Jackie Victor reflects on the past 25 years as Canfield cafe opens
The line was nearly out the door at Avalon on Canfield’s grand opening Wednesday morning. The bakery closed its flagship cafe around the corner on Willis Street after 25 years in business, and announced plans to open inside Jolly Pumpkin at 441 W. Canfield St. back in January. Inside, the space feels more like Avalon…
Michigan earns ‘F’ for failing to protect children from lead contamination at schools
Nearly a decade after the Flint water crisis began, the state has failed to enact any laws or regulations to protect students from lead contamination in drinking water at schools, according to a new national report. The inaction earned Michigan a failing grade in curbing lead contamination at schools. The report from the Environment America…
Free Will Astrology (March 1-7)
ARIES (March 21-April 19): In 1993, I began work on my memoirish novel The Televisionary Oracle. It took me seven years to finish. The early part of the process was tough. I generated a lot of material I didn’t like. Then one day, I discovered an approach that liberated me: I wrote about aspects of…
