September 2008

(Frank) Murphy's Law

He held several lofty positions in local, state, and federal government, but Frank Murphy was always a champion of the downtrodden.

By Richard Bak

Raising the Roof

Almost everything was perfect for newlywed Lisette Keil when she set up housekeeping in Birmingham’s Poppleton Park neighborhood seven years ago.

By Megan Swoyer

Traveling the Midwest

The nation’s heartland is as diverse as it is sprawling, proved by the attractions of these 11 cities. And you can go out of Michigan without leaving your Midwestern comfort zone.

By Bruce Alpert

The Meaning of Midwest

It’s partly a matter of geography and partly a state of mind, so mapping out what constitutes our region is no easy matter. No wonder some Michiganians have an identity crisis.

By George Bullard

It's the Pits

There are several reasons why our roads are going to pot.

By Nancy Nall Derringer

East Side Movement

A group of metro Detroit residents is working to open a Gilda’s Club to serve metro Detroit’s east side.

By Alexa Stanard

Jackson & Young

Barack Obama isn’t the first candidate to have a Jesse Jackson problem.

By Jack Lessenberry

They're Stylin'

Michigan talent is heading to New York’s Couture Fashion Week.

By Susan Howes

Just for Kicks

Artist Niagara gets in funky step with Vans for a stylish new line.

By Susan Howes

Tresses in Distress

Lovely as it is, summer can be brutal on hair. Come September, the effects of chlorine and UV rays may have your locks looking fried. Thinking “a head,” our summer interns sampled several...

Farm Club

A Michigan commercial photographer takes a different angle in his book focusing on farmers

By Rebecca Powers

Purple Reign

A new book takes a colorful look at Detroit’s notorious Purple Gang.

By George Bulanda

Crime Does Pay

Writing about wrongdoing hits the right note for novelist and Michigan native Marcus Sakey

By Matt Lee

Past Perfect

Everything new is old again in Jeff Daniels’ latest musical stage venture.

By Julie Yolles

In Full Swing

Terri Pontremoli, second-year artistic and executive director of the Detroit International Jazz Festival, is a classically trained violinist by trade. What’s more, she lives in Cleveland. So go...

By Jim McFarlin

It's Showtime

Hard times don’t mean necessarily mean that you can’t have a good time. That’s the feeling of movers and shakers in the Detroit arts scene, who are trumpeting a number of high-profile shows...

Anna Castaldi-Roselli

Anna Castaldi-Roselli dresses as the Romans do, even when she’s stateside.

By Aleene Jinn Hang

Stepping into Autumn

From top to bottom, these hats, pants, shoes, and socks add panache.

We’ve Got Mail... September 2008

Praise us or pan us, but just put it down in words. Bravos or boos, we want to hear from you.

A Cast of Characters

We tend to think of landscape as trees and buildings, hills and sky. But people are part of the panorama. Every morning, the sun calls “action,” and we step into view on cue.

By Rebecca Powers

The Main Detroit Public Library

The Main Detroit Public Library, on Woodward in the Cultural Center.

By George Bulanda

Contributors: September 2008

Jenny Risher, Justin Maconochie, Taryn Bickley, James E. Held