With little or no attention from media, thousands pack downtown Detroit for the worlds largest free jazz festival

 Saxophonist Tia Fuller, one of the more versatile and dynamic artists on today’s scene, hit the Absopure Waterfront Stage Saturday afternoon. Joining Fuller was pianist Shamie Royston, bassist Miriam Sullivan and drummer Rudy Royston.  (Photo by Shayna Fields-Clark/Tell Us Detroit)

DETROIT (Tell Us Det) - Friday night marked the beginning of the 31st Annual Detroit Jazz Festival in downtown Detroit. Despite the windy and cool evening at the Chase Main Stage located in Campus Martius Park, Mulgrew Miller, the Artist-in-Resident for this year's festival along with Take 6 and Tower of Power found a way to heat up the hearts and souls of thousands of jazz lovers who braved the evening chill at the Chase Main Stage. Miller said, "I'm falling in love with Detroit more every day."

The New Orleans style Nickyboy Street Brass Band followed by giant puppets reaching two stories high, marched up to the Chase Main Stage at Campus Martius signaling the official start to the weekend long.

During the opening ceremony remarks Friday night, Detroit Mayor Dave Bing said, "Tonight is the beginning of a great weekend. Come down and participate in something that's dear to our hearts, and that's music."

Subtitled “Flame Keepers: Carrying the Torch for Modern Jazz,” the 31st annual Detroit Jazz Fest will pay homage to six trailblazers of modern jazz: Art Blakey, Ray Brown, Miles Davis, Horace Silver, Betty Carter and Gil Evans.

Saturday's line-up includes: Hot Club of Detroit, Terence Blanchard Quintet, Mulgrew Miller & Wingspan, The Fabulous Thunderbirds and the Yellowjackets, just to name a few.

The Detroit Jazz Festival runs through September 6 from Campus Martius Park to Hart Plaza on the city's scenic  waterfront. For updates and information come back to Tell Us Detroit all weekend.

Detroit People Mover expands hours during busy Labor Day weekend

System helps to navigate through street closures, multiple holiday events

DETROIT, MI - Labor Day weekend gets a jump start today with something for everyone. Don’t feel torn between events; the key word is convenience. Planning to drive downtown repeatedly? Then the Detroit People Mover helps you travel everywhere you wish to be.

Friday, Sept. 3: The Hip-Hop World Series’ second evening merges with the first evening of the Detroit Jazz Fest. Woodward is closed from Campus Martius to Jefferson, so use Broadway or Grand Circus Park Stations for Comerica Park or Cadillac, Millender Center or Financial stations for the Jazz Fest. DPM Hours: 6:30 AM – 2:00 AM

Gubernatorial candidates pursue votes in Detroit

DETROIT (AP) -- Democrat Virg Bernero rolled up his sleeves - a working man's gesture in a blue-collar town - before trying to convince a small group of Detroit residents and small business owners that he needs their support if he's to be elected Michigan's next governor.

Bernero's visit this week to a westside bistro likely will be among many such stops in the city that traditionally has been the bedrock of support for Democratic candidates.

But Republican Rick Snyder also is trying to woo Detroit voters, and Bernero has to worry about turnout in a city whose citizens are definitely feeling election fatigue.

Detroit Elections director Daniel Baxter said 37 percent of the city's voters are expected at the polls for the Nov. 2 general election. But in a year when Republicans are more fired up about their candidates than Democrats, Bernero has his work cut out for him.

Detroit Public Schools show off new safety features on district buses

DETROIT (Tell Us Det) - Detroit Public Schools, Friday morning at Brenda Scott School 18400 Hoover, on the city's northeast side offered a demonstration of the new safety features on school buses, which are expected to dramatically improve the safety of student transportation starting this fall. Buses from First Student, ABC Transportation and Safeway were on display to the media to show off new technology inside and out. The safety enhancements includes crossing gates, Child Check-Mate – an electronic reminder, Zonar system, which includes GPS and a camera to monitor all on-board activities.

King High's Dennis Norfleet is DPSL's Proud Strong Learner of the Week

DETROIT - Dennis Norfleet is a Martin Luther King High scholar-athlete whose favorite subject fits right in step with his football exploits.

“I like math because I like working with big numbers,’’ he says.

Norfleet’s numbers on the field were huge Friday night as the 5-8, 175-pound tailback carried the ball 30 times for 254 yards and five touchdowns in the Crusaders’ 32-19 victory against Birmingham Brother Rice in the 2010 season-opener for both teams.

Nut-free zones help Hiller’s allergy sufferers stay safe

Commerce Township, MI - After hosting two Hiller's Nut-Free Health Tours this summer where attendees scoped out nut-free foods and sought expert advice from allergy specialists, Hiller’s Markets realized the huge demand for nut-free living. Therefore, Hiller’s Markets is introducing stand-alone nut-free sections in its stores.

“Nut allergy reactions can be so serious and so frightening. We want to do everything we can to help our families – and the people who cook for them – find foods they like and can eat safely,” said Jim Hiller, CEO of Hiller’s Markets. “We are nuts about our customers…and that is why we are expanding our nut-free sections.”  

DETROIT BUSINESSMAN DON H. BARDEN NAMED ONE OF BE’s 40 MOST POWERFUL AFRICAN AMERICANS IN BUSINESS

Barden to be honored Friday, September 3 at Black Enterprise reception

DETROIT, MI – Casino Magnate and Detroit Businessman Don H. Barden will honored this Friday, September 3, 2010 by Black Enterprise Magazine as one of the nation’s ‘Titans: 40 Most Powerful African Americans in Business.’

Barden, who will be recognized as part of the publication’s annual networking event at La Costa Resort & Spa in Carlsbad, Ca., was also recognized in the magazine’s August, 2010, 40th Anniversary edition.

“It is truly humbling and an honor to be in such great company,” Barden said of the recognition. “I’m grateful to have the recognition.”

100 Black Men of Greater Detroit and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Partner for Better Health

‘Man up! Walk the Walk for Healthy Families’ seeks to get more black men to the doctor, reduce death rate

DETROIT, MI - Officials from 100 Black Men of Greater Detroit and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan this week kicked off Phase II of a year-long campaign to improve health and preventive care in Southeast Michigan. The group has joined with other health and non profit agencies to host a health walk and screening on Belle Isle on Saturday, September 11, 2010. 

Suburban Church and African Centered School in Detroit Create Volunteer Program
DETROIT - Renaissance Unity Church in Warren, Michigan and Timbuktu Academy of Science and Technology, a K-8 Detroit Public School charter located on the east-side of the city, have created the T.R.U.E. Project, “Timbuktu, Renaissance Unity Education” Project, a unique Detroit school and suburban church collaboration that brings together volunteers from the congregation who are supporting students through tutoring, mentoring and school initiatives. Volunteers completed a school orientation last spring and began working with students.   

SHIMMER ON THE RIVER TO BENEFIT THE DETROIT RIVERFRONT CONSERVANCY

– INAUGURAL FUNDRAISING GALA ON THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2010

DETROIT – The Detroit RiverFront Conservancy, the non-profit organization responsible for the construction, operations, maintenance and programming of the Detroit International Riverfront and the Dequindre Cut Greenway, is hosting its first-ever fundraising celebration, Shimmer on the River, on Thursday, September 16, 2010 at the UAW-GM Center for Human Resources on the Detroit Riverfront, from 6 to 11 p.m. This magical night is expected to attract hundreds of guests with proceeds benefiting the Detroit RiverFront Conservancy to support the continued transformation of the Detroit Riverfront.  

$2,500 College Scholarships Money Available from Rainbow PUSH Detroit Bureau and General Motors, Apply Today

Here is your opportunity to compete for college scholarship money.

If you are a graduating senior, or currently enrolled in college please check back with Tell Us Detroit later this week for more information regarding the new Rainbow PUSH Scholarships for Detroit students.

The scholarship is being offered by the Rainbow PUSH Detroit Bureau and General Motors.

DETROIT DETROIT RESTAURANT WEEK RETURNS FOR FALL

DETROIT, MI - The Detroit Restaurant Week dinner promotion returns Friday, September 24 through Sunday, October 3 at select fine dining restaurants located in greater Downtown Detroit.

Detroit Restaurant Week is a great opportunity for residents from southeastern Michigan and visitors from Windsor, Ontario and beyond to enjoy outstanding three-course meals for just $28 per person (excluding tax, gratuity, and beverages).