26 years ago in Metro Times: Bob Gordon covers the unveiling of the 1986 Cadillac models at the Center for Creative Studies. The event marks Cadillac's bid for a younger crowd, with spokesman John Selaski saying such vehicles as the El Dorado and the Seville will soon be popular among younger people. As far as Gordon is concerned, he thinks the car he test drove was pretty decent. He says, "The Delco-Bose stereo managed to adequately turn heads on the sidewalk. The Metro Times photographer took the wheel near Madison and ran us up to Cass Avenue to the Wayne State University area. No hookers were out yet for us to impress." Since then, Cadillac's reputation as a yuppie car has died down. Still offering luxury vehicles, the emphasis has switched from sedans to SUVs. What was happening: Great White at the Palace of Auburn Hills, King's X at Ritz, Bobcat Goldthwait at the Michigan Theater.
21 years ago in Metro Times: Jill C. Kunka documents the aftermath and cleanup of the Exxon Valdez oil spill. He visits Homer, Alaska, a town very invested in the fishing industry. Kunka meets commercial fisherman Garrett Mahan, who shows the effect the spill had on his livelihood. Paid nearly $3,000 a day by Exxon to shuttle crews between Homer and other cleanup sites, Mahan has mixed feelings about his work with Exxon. He said: "I never had a better year, but it ain't right. I stand to earn $80,000 just between now and September, for not fishing. Exxon treats us like they think all we need is the money. I don't just want money; I want my life. But I'm taking the money." Since then, we've had no shortage of oil spills, and the country still struggles with how to deal with the aftermath of the Deepwater Horizon gusher. Commercial fishermen play a big part in aiding cleanup efforts on the Gulf Coast, with similar ambivalence. What was happening: Nirvana at the Blind Pig, Goo Goo Dolls at Blondie's, Love and Rockets at the Fox Theatre.
15 years ago in Metro Times: MT covers Congress' efforts to cut $10 billion from federal student loans. As if that weren't enough to scare the crap out of incoming freshmen, Congress is toying with the idea of cutting the interest holiday, during which the government pays the interest on student loans while students are in school and for six months after graduation. Kevin Boyer, the executive director of the National Association of Graduate-Professional Students, says the cuts end up "costing students real dollars, at precisely the worst time." Since then, students have lost the interest holiday. What was happening: J. Mascis at the Blind Pig, Fugazi at the State Theatre, Blind Melon at St. Andrew's Hall.
Special thanks to editorial intern Tyler Kane for his assistance compiling this
