'field Zone: Southfield's teen center sure to impress

It's always great to hear good news, especially in and around Detroit. Yesterday, I heard from my colleagues at Southfield Public Library that they got a sneak peek into the new teen center in Southfield, called the 'field Zone. Hopefully the teens don't laugh too much at the name, but man are they going to love it!

Unfortunately I didn't get to go for a tour, but word on the street is that it is really freakin' nice. There is a dance studio and a recording studio. I hear that there will be a singing instructor coming in each week. There's a price for membership and I think it is $55 a year for each teen. It will be only for Southfield and Lathrup Village residents.

We figured at first that the parents who are involved and care will get their teens a membership. The trouble makers whose parents don't give a snot won't at first. However, we hope that the word spreads and that more teens get interested because they heard how cool it was from friends at school. This thing sounds like it's going to be a hit with the kids.

UPDATE: Check out this article about the Field Zone in the Free Press http://www.freep.com/article/20090517/NEWS03/905170538/1001/rss01

Genealogy rules. No, wait. It sucks...errr, rules?

As a graduate student at Wayne State University, I sort of stumbled upon the glorious world of freelance research, a path that has led me to genealogy. I've picked up some assignments from a few law firms and now I'm working with my third client and his request involves finding people's heirs. After putting in some work and then stepping away from it, I think it's pretty darn cool. It's quite puzzling, but I think the challenge makes it fun. Making order out of families, especially when it's not your own family, is like trying to tackle a scavenger hunt and cross-word puzzle hybrid. I guess figuring families out always involves difficulty.

This kind of research does take time, though I got used to it pretty quick. And genealogy takes some serious curiosity. I'm not entirely sure why I was so into it, but I know that each time I thought I was done, I found something new. Each little bit motivated me to do more. The step I'm working on now is putting all these people in to a great big ancestral chart, so I'm hoping I'm not stuck under those before long.

Visuals: Barack Obama's first 100 days

On a recent bike ride I heard an Economist podcast about President Barack Obama's first 100 days. One of the commentators mentioned that judging a president's term in office by their first 100 days is a little peculiar, but that Obama had done alright nonetheless. Soon after that I was browsing through Google Reader, I discovered a video essay and a gallery of pictures taken by Callie Shell, a photographer who I find is unbelievably talented. The essay is great and gives the viewer a really intimate look into the first family.

It's heartwarming. You can see that the President is so refreshingly human. He grips footballs in meetings. He tenderly holds his wife as they dance. He smiles a broad smile. He holds his head in his hands. In the evenings, he goes to his private office to read letters from citizens. He then writes responses by hand. HANDWRITTEN REPLIES? Wow. The video and photos are just stunning.

It is strange to be in a position where I like the President - no, no - LOVE the President. For a few weeks surrounding the Inauguration, I had to correct myself when grumbling about President Bush. The grumbling was a daily habit formed after the 2004 Presidential Election debacle. It grew worse and more negative as the Administration continued its tragic reign. I follow politics and have disdain, at least a little, for most politicians. Not for the President, though. No, I would follow that man and his family into the fire.

Sidenote: Rahm Emanuel looks like he wants to kick ass all the time.

Urban farming in Michigan

One of the things I'm most looking forward to when I get a house will be tending to my own garden. As in previous recessions and depressions, urban gardening has become quite popular. There's been a lot of talk here in Michigan about using Detroit's vast wastelands as urban agriculture spaces. People are starting their own gardens. My favorite one is the Georgia Street Gardens, which have been featured on the cool Detroit blog Sweet Juniper, Time and the Detroit News. It's a great story and when I get a minute, I want to go visit and see how they're doing. But there are also other gardening opportunities sprouting elsewhere, too. Check out these resources that can help you get involved or get started:

Earthworks Urban Farm
1264 Meldrum, Detroit, has many volunteer opportunities. Call (313) 579-2100, Ext. 204, or contact them via e-mail at earthworks@cskdetroit.org.

Detroit Garden Resource Program
They provide classes, and individuals can become members to receive plants, seeds and compost. For more information, call The Greening of Detroit at (313) 237-8736 or visit www.detroitagriculture.org.

The Greening of Detroit
While focusing on planting trees and creating green space in Detroit, the group also needs volunteers and provides other resources to gardeners. For more information, call (313) 237-8736 or e-mail the group at info@greeningofdetroit.com.

Michigan State University Extension
MSU can help with everything from analyzing your soil to hosting classes on how to preserve produce. They can be reached at (517) 355-2308 or at (888) 678-3464.

How to start a city garden:

• Find a parcel of land. If privately owned, find the owner and get permission. If city- or county-owned, contact Detroit or Wayne County about purchasing the land. Although some people start gardens without permission, the strongest community gardens are those established through legal means.
  
• Get a water source. Ask a neighbor; have the city install a water source and meter -- a cost is involved; haul water yourself; or set up a rain barrel.
  
• Get good soil. The MSU extension can help with soil testing. Or because of contamination fears, bring in new dirt and create a raised bed for planting.
  
• Start planting. Seeds are cheap and readily available. Plants, though more expensive, can also be purchased at local farmers' markets.
  

Source: Detroit Agriculture Network