DAPRS Is Now Online -- Call For Ghost Stories

Hey all,

Our paranormal research group, the Detroit Area Paranormal Research Society has officially launched our website. In honor of this occasion, I'd like to issue an invitation:

Everyone has their own ghost stories. Some passed down from the family and considered true; others are simply stories told the pass the time. We are actively looking for ghost stories of all kinds that are based here in Hamtramck, in Detroit, or Highland Park. We will be working with various people to review, research, and document these stories. If enough info is gathered, we may even conduct an investigation!

As always, we provide help to anyone who needs it. If you are experiencing something you can't explain, contact us at our website, or through this blog. We'd be more than happy to assist you!!!

DETROIT AREA PARANORMAL RESEARCH SOCIETY

What Would You Do? I Cried My Eyes Out!

Just watched "What Would You Do?" On ABC. I'm crying my eyes out. Summary: Rich woman falls, everyone helps. Homeless man falls, no one helps except another homeless woman. She waits with the man for 20 minutes, comforting him and even giving him a name to keep him with us. She calls out for help so much, but no one listens. After 88 people walk by, finally a woman stops and calls ambulance. Even after all that. The woman walked away without wanting to be on camera. Just the fact that she stayed with the man when no one else would.

Seriously, what  is wrong with people? Are people so arrogant and self-absorbed that they are completely unwilling to move their fingers a couple of inches to dial 911? Here in Hamtramck I've seen people fall on the street, and I've seen groups of people calling 911 at the same time. Some people even having no fear of trying to revive a person or make them more comfortable. I believe that people are generally good, but maybe this is changing on a rapid pace.

Golden Hill Reopens: Great Food ... Not So Great Atmosphere

Golden Hill Chop Suey has officially reopened on July 28. The restaurant has retained its original menu and added a couple of new options. This is the first asian style restaurant we've had here in Hamtramck since the amazing Thai Bangkok closed a few months ago.

Let's start with the positive. The food is great. The has just the right combination of saltiness and sweetness. It reminded me of the Thai restaurant when I first tried it. I had the sweet and sour chicken combo, and Julie had the sesame chicken combo. With each combo you'll get fried rice, your selected entree, and an egg roll filled with sprouts, cabbage, and shrimp.

The prices are reasonable, and the portions are huge. You could eat for days off of one meal.

Now, for the negative. The restaurant has absolutely no atmosphere. If anything, I'd say it has a very negative vibe. The customers in line while I was inside were very unruly and quite uncivilized. I could tell that the employee was annoyed, but he did not want to say anything. Probably to avoid confrontation. There is no music to listen to while waiting the 15 minutes or more for food. There aren't even any interesting pictures on the wall, save for old corporate advertisements for food not sold here.

In summary, the Golden Hill Chop Suey is like the prodigal son. It left in haste, and was welcomed back with open arms despite its shortcomings. It is a welcome addition to Hamtramck's numerous restaurants.

Detroit 1-8-7 Update: Detroit Screws It Up, As Usual!!!

Detroit 1-8-7 has recently been featured in local and national news, but not for a good reason. Apparently, Detroit city council members are "worried" that the show casts a negative light on Detroit, and falsely claims that Detroit is the "Murder Capitol." The show's producers were asked to attend a council meeting on Tuesday, but were unable to attend due to production schedules.

Now here's the problem I have with this. Most of Detroit is a very very bad place to walk through at night. I wouldn't even walk through during the day in some neighborhoods. I don't know where the council members think they live, but it sure isn't Bloomfield Hills. I'm not saying that Detroit is all bad. Downtown is very nice and is almost on par with Manhattan in New York. But come on, "A negative light?" Please.

My second problem with this is that the producers and actors on the show have stated that the show paints Detroit in a very positive light. They are looking to show both the positive and negative aspects of the city.

Finally, the city council members are forgetting that other cities have featured crime dramas and were proud to show there city. The truth of the matter is that there is crime. It is prevalent in Detroit and this show is just trying to reveal how Detroit's homicide unit attempts to make the city a little bit better every day.

Okay, I lied. One more problem. Did the city council forget all the money that this show's crew is spending here in Detroit? They are staying in hotels, buying food at restaurants, and drawing huge crowds to the shoots. Is Detroit really going to turn away that windfall?

Leave it to Detroit to screw up another good opportunity. That's all I have to say about that.

P.S. I forgot to mention that the show has wrapped up filming here in Hamtramck. They filmed at the former shoppers world, and Three Star BBQ. I was in attendance, but was asked not to post video. It was a fun night. I even got to see Mr. Imperioli from a decent distance. Let me just say that he seems like a very professional man.

Common Courtesy....Or At Least What I Thought Was Common.

It has been said that the 1987-88 generation was the last generation with common sense, courtesy, and a sense of pride in our culture. I am beginning to see that this statement is true. Allow me to elaborate.

While I agree that your unique upbringing will lead you to a specific mindset, I also believe that all generations have a general mindset that they share. Maybe it's the world events at the time, or some quantum weirdness yet to be discovered by science. Either way, we all share it.

However, it has come to my attention that most of the generation born after 1990 are completely deprived of any sense of decency and respect. Take walking up to counter or cashier, for example. Generation '87 would have no problem hanging up their cell phones or relieving there ears of the strain of ear buds. Generation '90, however, would scoff at the idea; even consider the idea or postponing a meaningless conversation an offensive one.

I've made posts before, challenging someone to tell me where and when the idea of chivalry died. In the last couple of weeks alone, I've seen women having doors shut in there face because the person in front had no concern, I've seen old ladies nearly run over and honked at, I've seen the abomination of the English language in all its putridity, and I've seen more than my share of young men completely disrespecting young women.

I'm sorry. Maybe I'm overreacting. Maybe times will always change, and there is nothing anyone can do about it. But I can't help but think that things should be better than this. Our country, our society is following in the footsteps of the ancient Roman Empire.

We are loosing our last great generation to mass media, corporate music, designer everything, and the almighty dollar bill. Dropout rates are at all time highs, science and math class attendance is at all time lows, and our children are growing up empty of useful knowledge. Just look at Facebook; the people who post that reading books is stupid or time wasting are greater in number than the stars on a clear night.

I'm sorry, again. This has got to change.

WPTSJKD64CZS

Beautiful Skies Across Hamtramck

After severe storms and rain drenched Hamtramck in downpour after downpour, we were rewarded with some of the most beautiful skies I've seen since the tornado of '97.

Update: Detroit 1-8-7 "On The Set" and "Life In A Day" Submission

Hamtramck is abuzz today with movie crew, contractors, and curious people looking to get a glimpse of Hollywood. Detroit 1-8-7 begins filming today, and the set was completely dressed at around 2pm. Not only does it look amazing, it makes the former shoppers world look amazing too. New lights were installed under the awning, new window cling decor was applied, and the store was set up with merchandise. Booms, trailers, and catering trucks are occupying Yemans, and the Town Center parking lot. Filming will begin at dark today.


In other, more personal news, Youtube's "Life In A Day" project is accepting submissions tomorrow between 12:01 am and 11:59pm. The assignment is to film a portion of your daily life that is important to you. If your submission is chosen, it will be added to the feature length documentary "Life In A Day" which documents one day in the world from many different perspectives. I will be filming a segment and submitting tomorrow. Wish me good luck!

Finally, here are some pictures to go along with the article:

Setup Is Begun At Shoppers World For Detroit 1-8-7 Scene

Contractors removed a large window and small wall from the corner of the former shoppers world at the intersection of Yemans and Joseph Campau. In its place, the contractors built a small brown set that may serve as a storefront. As to why it is in shambles, that may be a part of the story.

Filming is set to begin at 3pm on Friday, Jul 23 and end on Jul 24 at 6am. Police have posted no parking signs on the Yemans-Belmont block of Joseph Campau.

Pedestrians are encouraged to continue patronizing businesses and restaurants while filming is taking place. According to ABC, no guns will be fired during filming and noise will be kept to a minimum. Bright lights will be used but they will be pointed at the Yemans Campau intersection.

Here are some pictures to add 1000 words:

Feeling Watched?

Feeling watched walking down Joseph Campau? I know I sure do. While I do think that these new security cameras are a great safety feature in the city, I do feel kind of uneasy knowing that an officer is watching me walking home from work everyday.

I've noticed two cameras so far; one by Hamtramck Coney, and one by Jet's Pizza. Again, I do feel that these cameras are great, but I think that a couple should have been located on the south end of town. Possible one by Family Dollar and one near New Dodge Lounge.

If there are cameras located on the south end that I have missed, please correct me. Until that time, I stand by my opinion that Hamtramck needs to either move existing cameras to the south end or install additional cameras.

Have a good week!!

Detroit 1-8-7 Films In Hamtramck

Hey all,

Word is spreading quickly that ABC's new fall crime drama, Detroit 1-8-7 is filming in Hamtramck over the next couple of weeks. Portions of Joseph Campau will be closed off for several hours on Friday, July 24. Filming will be started in the old Shopper's World building that has been vacant for months now. Tune in this fall to ABC to see some of the best Detroit/Hamtramck shots since Gran Torino!

Update: Untitled Short Film Nearing End Of Production Stage

Just some quick news about my short film project. My untitled short film now has a title. "In The Beginning" is a short film revealing my views on how life arrived here on Earth, and how it began its epic journey here. Five scenes have been designed, modeled, and animated; four more are still to be completed. The scenes will need to be rendered, processed, and edited in the coming weeks. Just wanted to give an update.

See ya!!

Hamtramck -- Goodbye Al's Key Shop!!

The building that housed the closed Al's Key Shop has been demolished. The building stood near the corner of Edwin and Joseph Campau. The building was standing for many years. Sorry to see another empty Hamtramck landmark demolished.

Hamtramck -- Woman Struck At Belmont -Campau Intersection

Today at approximately 12:30 PM, a woman crossing at the light at the intersection of Campau and Belmont was struck while attempting to cross. We do not know the identity of the woman or the female driver at this time. It appears as though the woman was exiting from Polish Market, as grocery bags and crushed strawberries were strewn about the street. Campau was blocked off for one blow each way for about 20 minutes until the vehicle was towed.

The vehicle's windshield was cracked low and high, suggesting that the pedestrian may have rolled over the car. Again, this is only my opinion. Below is a small, somewhat blurry picture of the scene. Forgive the quality, it was taken just outside of my workplace with my phone.

Mark Levin Show -- Mark’s Exclusive Interview with a Survivor from the Oil Rig Explosion

Follow the link to listen to Mark Levin's exclusive interview with a survivor from the BP Oil Rig Deepwater Horizon. He discloses some very interesting information. Definitely worth a listen. The interview is in two parts.

Here is a small excerpt from the interview:

Mark: Let me slow you down, let me slow you down. So they do all these tests to make sure the infrastructure can handle what's about to happen, right?

James: Correct, we're testing the negative pressure and positive pressure of the well, the casing and the actual marine riser.

Mark: OK, I'm with you. Go ahead.

James: Alright, after the conclusion of the test, they simply opened the BOP stack back up.

Mark: And the test, as best as you know, was sufficient?

James: It should have been, yes sir. They would have never opened it back up.

Mark: OK next step, go ahead.

James: Next step, they opened the annular, the upper part of the BOP stack

Mark: Which has what purpose? Why do you do that?

James: So that you can gain access back to the wellbore.

Mark: OK

James: When you close the stack, it's basically a humongous hydraulic valve that closes off everything from below and above. It's like a gate valve on the sea floor.

Mark: OK

James: That's a very simplistic way of explaining a BOP. It's a very complicated piece of equipment.

Mark: Basically, it's like a plug. But go ahead.

James: Correct. Once they open that plug to go ahead and start cementing the top of the well (the well bore), we cement the top, and then basically we would pull off. Another rig would slide over and do the rest of the completions work. When they opened the well is when the gas well kicked, and we took a humongous gas bubble kick up through the well bore. It literally pushed the sea water all the way to the crown of the rig, which is about 240 feet in the air.

Mark: OK, so gas got into it and blew the top off of it.