DETROIT (WWJ) – Instead of complaining about conditions in their neighborhood, a group of Denby High School students decided to do something about it.

The students behind this effort believe a few people can make a big difference and they’re proving it.

As a result of this two-day effort there are stacks and stacks of tires, lining the street and waiting to be picked up on Monday and recycled.

Those tires once littered the neighborhood.

Former Denby teacher William Pointer is lending a hand to clean up the neighborhood.

“I believe our students are our resource that is probably our most precious. (It’s) not the finances, not the money but the actual people that we have in our community. I think that when our students inspire each other they help to inspired the adults also,” Pointer said to WWJ’s Terri Lee.

The students worked two days to clean up a six block area on Detroit’s east side.

This is the same neighborhood where the bodies of two young women were found in a burned out car.

Student government president Randy Grier and his friend Angela Kilgore are behind the clean-up effort.

“Transform this entire community into just a better place and make it safer and more beautiful and more green and all-round a better place,” she said.

Kilgore said that she hopes other people in blighted areas will stop complaining about the neighborhoods and do something about it.

“It’s been like this for a while and we need to bring it back to what it was,” said Grier. “When I was little, when I used to live here … it was way better than this.”

http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2012/12/09/stop-complaining-and-do-something-about-it-say-students-about-littered-neighborhoods/

It's time for Motown's Jewish community to get out the menorahs and get ready for a heap of Hanukkah happenings. Saturday marks the first night of the eight-day Jewish holiday and Detroiters have several events they can attend in the city this year.

Hanukkah, also known as the festival of lights, commemorates an ancient Jewish miracle that, according to tradition, allowed a one-day supply of oil to burn for eight days in Israel during the time of the Maccabees. The holiday is celebrated with a special candelabra called a menorah that is lit each night of the festival.

The Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue will be kicking off the season with a free "Jam for Food Justice" on Saturday, Dec. 8. The event will feature a concert by Rabbi Zevit followed by a jam session. Visitors are encouraged to bring instruments. The Hanukkah jam session is a collaboration between the Downtown Synagogue, the Song & Spirit Institute for Peace, the Reconstructionist Congregation of Detroit and the Ann Arbor Reconstructionist Congregation. Donations will benefit local food justice nonprofits Replanting Roots, Detroit Youth Food Brigade and Eden Gardens Block Club. Doors open to the synagogue located at 1457 Griswold St. at 7:30 pm and music begins at 8 pm. Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.

Two public menorah lightings will be held in Detroit during this year's festival. The first of these, sponsored by Shalom Wayne, Hillel of Metro Detroit, will take place on Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. on Wayne State University's campus at 5221 Gullen Mall. The Shul, a West Bloomfield congregation that sponsored last year's downtown menorah lighting ceremony, will also be returning to host their second annual "Super Big Menorah Lighting in the D." The Dec. 12 event will begin at 5:30 at Campus Martius and will feature hot soup, donuts and several fun Hanukkah activities.

The Downtown Synagogue will wrap up the festival of lights with a holiday party on Sunday, Dec. 16. The event, which begins at 6 p.m., will include a latke (potato pancake) fry, a dreidel tournament and a fun-filled family environment. For more information contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/07/detroit-hanukkah-events-2012_n_2259914.html?utm_hp_ref=detroit-around-town

METRO DETROIT (WWJ) – A union activist and Highland Park school board member has filed a lawsuit against right-to-work legislation, claiming violation of the Open Meetings Act.

Robert Davis, along with other protesters, were kept from entering the state capitol after Michigan State Police barred the doors.

Davis says under the Open Meetings Act — all meetings of the Michigan House of Representatives should be open unless there are cases of civil disobedience or disturbance of the peace.

“Individuals across the state have not had an opportunity to voice their concerns or address the legislature as a body as it relates to their individual concerns over this very destructive legislation,” said Davis.

A spokesman for Republican House Speaker Jase Bolger, calls the lawsuit “baseless and frivolous.”

While in Dearborn, Saturday, special training was held to focus on ‘learning to protest’ in preparation for thousands of union members heading to Lansing on Tuesday to let lawmakers know how they feel about right-to-work legislation.

Members of the Michigan Nurses Association are among the unionized workers who will make the trip to the capital next week.

Registered nurse Katie Oppenheim describes it as a “travesty for our state, we are …the bedrock of labor in this country, to see the state go in this direction.

“This is about our ability to safely take care of our patients because we have enough rest, because we have the right equipment, having collective bargaining just helps level the playing field.”

Oppenheim predicts estimates of 7,000 union workers descending on the capital next week as “low.”

http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2012/12/09/lawsuit-and-civil-protest-planned-over-right-to-work-legislation/

DETROIT (WWJ) – Just a little over two weeks before Christmas, drivers are getting to keep a little more money in their pockets.

According to gasoline price website DetroitGasPrices.com, average retail gas prices in Detroit have fallen 6.5 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $3.38 per gallon on Sunday. This compares with the national average of $3.34 per gallon, falling 4.8 cents per gallon in the last week.

Including the change in gas prices in Detroit during the past week, prices on Sunday were 7.6 cents per gallon higher than the same day one year ago and 8.7 cents per gallon lower than a month ago. The national average has decreased 12.2 cents per gallon during the last month and stands 5.5 cents per gallon higher than this day one year ago.

“The national average has continued to see a steady decline over the last week, and that trend will likely continue through this week at the very least,” said GasBuddy.com Senior Petroleum Analyst Patrick DeHaan. “Last week, the Energy Information Administration reported one of the largest single week increases in gasoline inventories in my recent memory, which will likely contribute downward pressure to wholesale gasoline prices in the days and perhaps weeks ahead,” DeHaan said.

http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2012/12/10/an-early-christmas-gift-for-drivers-dropping-gas-prices/
 

LANSING (WWJ) – Some unions say they’re not waiting until Tuesday’s planned mass protest in Lansing to voice their opinion about right-to-work legislation.

The Michigan Nurses Association is among those planning to protest on the steps of the state Capitol today — with duct tape covering their mouths. Why the duct tape? The group says passing that bill will effectively silence workers across the state.

State Police, meanwhile, say road closures are planned around the Michigan Capitol ahead of anticipated protests about right-to-work legislation.

Police say one road on the west side of the Capitol in Lansing will be closed to vehicle and foot traffic on Monday. And on Tuesday, state police say the city of Lansing plans to close several other area roads to vehicle traffic and parking starting at 6 a.m.

State police say they’ll be “strictly enforcing” rules for use of the state Capitol.

“All of the measures we are taking at the Capitol are to ensure the safety of those working and conducting business in the Capitol and the surrounding state buildings,” stated Col. Kriste Kibbey Etue, director of the MSP. “Our responsibility includes safeguarding the Constitutional rights of those attempting to petition their legislators, and enforcing these rules allows us to provide a safe forum for everyone.”

Some of the rules that will be enforced include:

· Hours of Operation (interior of Capitol): Visiting hours for the public are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. When either house of the legislature or a legislative committee is in session prior to 8 a.m. or after 5 p.m., or on Saturday, Sunday or a holiday, the building shall be open to the public 30 minutes before commencement of the session and closed 30 minutes after adjournment of the Senate, House of Representatives, or legislative committee.

· Hours of Operation (Capitol grounds): Events or exhibits on the Capitol grounds shall occur between the hours of 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. on a daily basis, and shall at no time block any entrance or exit of the building, or impede free access to the building by its occupants or the public. When either house of the legislature or legislative committee is in session prior to 6 a.m. or after 11:00 p.m., the grounds shall be open 30 minutes before commencement of the session and closed 30 minutes after adjournment of the Senate, House of Representatives, or legislative committee.

· Public use of the Capitol shall not interfere with any legislative session or the conduct of public business by agencies of the State which normally occupy and use the Capitol, and shall not affect the safety and well-being of the individuals conducting the work of these agencies.

· In case of a fire, bomb threat, utility malfunction, structural failure or other unforeseen emergency or threat endangering public safety or health, the Executive Director of the Michigan Capitol Committee or Capitol security may lock the Capitol at any time and require that entrances be used only as a means of egress in case of emergency. A person shall not enter or attempt to enter through an entrance which is closed pursuant to these conditions until the emergency is over.

· Hand-carried signs and signs on handsticks are not allowed in the public areas inside the Capitol.

· Posting or affixing signs, announcements, or other documents on any exterior or interior wall, ceiling, floor, door, window or other surface of the public areas of the Capitol not designed for that purpose is prohibited. Stickers, labels, tape, or any other adhesive material that might leave a residue or otherwise damage interior or exterior surfaces of the Capitol, including porches, stairs, statuary, monuments, light wells, fences and trees is also prohibited. Likewise, tacks, nails, staples or other attachments may not be used.

· No sound amplifying equipment (including whistles, drums, bull horns, etc.) may be used whose sound level interferes with any legislative session or the conduct of public business by agencies of the State which occupy or use the Capitol.

· Camping or sleeping overnight on the Capitol grounds is not allowed. Sleeping bags, blankets, pillows, and similar bedding items will not be permitted in the Capitol building.

· Packages and briefcases suspected of concealing stolen items or contraband may be inspected. Items being brought into the Capitol may be inspected if suspected to be capable of destructive or disruptive use within the building.

· Proper identification of all employees and any other visitor may be requested at any time after normal working hours. If the facility is closed during an emergency, access may be denied for the duration of the emergency.

· A person who refuses to adhere to any of these conditions is subject, in addition to criminal penalties provided by law, to immediate removal from the Capitol building or grounds, or both, by the Executive Director of the Michigan Capitol Committee, Capitol security, the Legislative Council Facilities Agency (LCFA) Director, or any other person designated by the LCFA Director.

The full procedures for the use of the public areas of the Michigan State Capitol can be found here.

http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2012/12/10/more-capitol-protests-planned-msp-will-be-strictly-enforcing-rules/

REDFORD, Mich. (WWJ) – President Obama leaves Washington, D.C. and travels to Michigan today to talk to workers at Daimler Detroit Diesel. It’s part of his strategy to generate public support for his plan to avoid the fiscal cliff: the tax hikes and spending cuts due to kick in at the end of the year.

While the president’s visit today comes on the eve of the final right to work vote in Lansing, that issue may only get a passing mention in a speech mostly focused on taxes.

“He does not want competing issues or other static in the environment to take away from what he wants on taxes, and he’s got three weeks left to make his case,” said Eastern Michigan University Professor Ed Sidlow.

While Mr. Obama didn’t need to visit Michigan during the presidential campaign, Sidlow says this visit could help him in his new campaign for his tax plan. Central to negotiations between the president and Republicans is whether to raise taxes on the wealthiest Americans.

Support from auto workers helped President Obama win Michigan and Ohio, two competitive states that were key to his re-election last month. Since the election, Mr. Obama has also returned to Pennsylvania to promote his solution for the fiscal cliff.

WWJ’s Auto Beat Reporter Jeff Gilbert will be covering the president’s visit. Listen to WWJ Newsradio 950 and check back with CBS Detroit.com for complete coverage.

http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2012/12/10/president-obama-to-tour-detroit-diesel-speak-to-auto-workers/

DETROIT (WWJ) – The Detroit Public Schools wants to stay in touch with parents — via text messaging.

The district says text messaging will help when it comes to district information, emergencies, and important classroom news.

“This new SMS text messaging service will enhance our extensive system of communicating and engaging with our parents and offer our schools and the district another important tool to notify our parents quickly in emergencies,” said Chief Operating Officer Mark Schrupp. “We also expect that the system will augment communications regarding our classroom and attendance initiatives.”

DPS officials say in order for parents to participate in the service, they must opt in and indicate their willingness to receive text messages on their phones. In 30 days, parents will receive a message asking them to text the word “subscribe” to 68453.

The process is simple and only takes a few seconds to complete. Parents can opt out at any time.

http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2012/12/10/dps-launching-new-text-messaging-system-for-parents/

The Detroit Institute of Arts might be headed to court after an anti-tax group sued the museum, claiming it made false claims about free admission.

The Michigan Taxpayers Alliance filed the lawsuit against the DIA in Macomb County Circuit Court Thursday, according to the Macomb Daily. Their grievance comes after an August vote in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne Counties passed a 0.2 millage that would funnel cash to the financially-struggling museum. In exchange, residents of the three counties would receive free admission to the DIA.

However, visitors still must purchase tickets to special exhibitions like "Fabergé: The Rise and Fall," currently on view. The MTA suit claims that denying free admittance to that exhibit is a breach of the museum's agreement with the Macomb County Arts Authority to provide free admission to residents.

"Voters were lied to," MTA Chairman Leon Drolet told the Detroit News. "The DIA made a promise and signed a contract and now are reneging. Our suit seeks to enforce both the DIA's campaign promises and the contract they signed."

The 10-year millage will bring in $23 million, without which museum officials said they would have to lay off workers, shorten hours and eventually close. While the measure passed with a strong lead in Oakland and Wayne, it was much closer in Macomb, where only 50.5 percent of residents at the polls voted in favor.

According to CBS Detroit, a spokeswoman from the museum said Thursday they had not yet seen the lawsuit.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/06/detroit-institute-of-arts-sued-michigan-taxpayers-alliance_n_2251362.html?utm_hp_ref=detroit

DEARBORN (WWJ) - Wipe away the bah-humbugs with a healthy dose of Christmas spirit during The Henry Ford’s annual Holiday Nights in Greenfield Village.

The event runs December 7-8, 14-16, 18-23 and 26-27 from 6:30 p.m. until 10 p.m. Museum officials suggest families buy their tickets soon, however, because the event sells out every year.

Holiday Nights transforms Greenfield Village into a holiday scene from the 19th and 20th centuries. Streets are lit by the soft glow of lanterns leading you into the historic homes decorated for the season and filled with the scents of evergreen and freshly baked holiday treats.

Take a ride in this winter wonderland via Model T or on a horse-drawn carriage, complete with caroling. As you make your way throughout the Village, don’t forget to stop by the Robert Frost home to visit with Santa and his reindeer.

Visitors can lace up their skates and take a turn or two on the Village’s ice skating rink. Listen as traditional holiday tunes echo through the air as Victorian-era carolers stroll through the Village and the Dodworth Saxhorn Band serenades visitors down Main Street.

Food stations are planted along the paths and are filled with historically inspired seasonal delights, including freshly roasted chestnuts, hot apple cider and cocoa.

For the end of the evening, you can purchase an official Holiday Nights lantern and join the procession from Martha-Mary Chapel to Town Hall for a Fireworks finale accompanied by a sing-along of familiar holiday tunes.

Ticket prices for Holiday Nights are $17 for adult members and $12.75 for youth members, $20 for adult non-members and $15 for youth non-members. Children four and under are free. To purchase tickets, call 313-982-6001 or visit www.thehenryford.com.

http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2012/12/06/walk-in-winter-wonderland-during-holiday-nights-in-greenfield-village/

DETROIT (CBS Detroit) Last-minute shoppers take heart: Macy’s is staying open for a 48-hour straight Christmas shopping marathon from 7 a.m. Friday, Dec. 21 to 7 a.m. Dec 23.

It’s a national initiative that includes Macy’s at Oakland Mall in Troy and Macy’s at Twelve Oaks in Novi. Stores will stay open until 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve.

A special “one day sale” will be tied to the event, and shoppers who need a little extra help with their gift list will find special offers for “great ‘gifts under’ $100, $50 and $25.”

This follows an effort by Macys, Walmart, Target and other retailers to gain a holiday shopping advantage by opening on Thanksgiving for Black Friday shopping. Workers fought back with a petition asking the retail giants to stay closed to “save Thanksgiving.”

It appeared to work: 30 percent of Americans in a new Reuters/Ipsos poll said they shopped either online or in stores Thanksgiving Day — a higher number than those who said they shopped on Black Friday. Twenty-nine percent of respondents said they shopped on Black Friday.

In more good retail news: Online Black Friday shopping hit $1.04 billion in 2012, according to comScore, a 26 percent increase over last year.

Macy’s is hoping to capitalize on the upswing.

“For the first time ever, Macy’s will keep most stores open around the clock for the last weekend of holiday shopping, an expansion of our successful marathon that began at select stores in 2006,” said Peter Sachse, Macy’s chief stores officer, in a press release.

He added: “We hope to make it easy for our customers across the country to finish their shopping at any time of day or night and with the benefit of the great deals and value they count on from our One Day Sale events.”

Macy’s began the tradition of keeping its doors open 24-hours with Macy’s Queens Center in 2006. Macy’s added additional stores in subsequent years, and last year offered customers the opportunity to shop outside regular store hours in 14 locations that were open 24 hours and in 27 locations that offered extended hours.

http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2012/12/07/macys-stays-open-for-48-hour-christmas-shopping-marathon/