Lap dances and VIP rooms out at Detroit executive clubs

DETROIT (Tell Us Det) - Tuesday, the Detroit City Council passed new executive club regulations that ban lap dances and VIP rooms and require licensing for dancers.

Church groups opposing the clubs were unhappy that the council failed to ban alcohol sales or require dancers to use pasties to cover their nipples.

Clearly disappointed in not getting all the restrictions they sought, religious coalition leader Rev. Marvin Winans said, “Detroit deserves better, and we’re going to give them better.” Winans also pledged to continue the fight against strip clubs.

Executive club association spokesman Larry Kaplan said the clubs will try to live with the rules. He said, "We're glad it's over."

Tuesday's vote came a day after an overflow crowd spilled out of the 550-seat city council auditorium for a public hearing on strip clubs. Most speakers called for tougher rules, with some defending the clubs.

The council voted 6-3 for the new rules. It unanimously approved zoning restrictions on where clubs can open.

From http://www.tellusdetroit.com/

Jackets for Jobs celebrates 10 years of service at Red Carpet Gala

Philanthropist/activist Malaak Compton-Rock is keynote speaker

Detroit, MI - Jackets for Jobs, Inc. will commemorate its 10th year of providing services in the Greater Detroit area at its Red Carpet Gala on March 25, 2010. The gala will be held at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, located at 315 E. Warren St., in Detroit, and will begin at 6:30 p.m. The theme is “10 years, 10,000 clients, 1 suit at a time.”

Philanthropist/activist Malaak Compton-Rock (wife of comedian Chris Rock) will keynote the event. She is an avid public speaker who lectures on topics pertaining to philanthropic giving, finding balance in life, raising giving children in a global world, and successfully blending a family and a professional life. On April 6, 2010, Comptom-Rock’s first book, "If It Takes A Village, Build One: How I Found Meaning Through a Life of Service and 100+ Ways You Can Too," will be released.

"The services that we provide are my gifts I give back to God,” explains Alison Vaughn, founder and CEO of Jackets for Jobs. “Celebrating 10 years of service and having provided 10,000 business suits to people in the community confirms my purpose and inspires me to do more in the years to come.

”The City of Detroit, Council President Charles Pugh will serve as master of ceremony. Musical entertainment will be provided by the acclaimed jazz flutist Alexander Zonjic.

All proceeds from the event will benefit Jackets for Jobs to help continue its mission of empowerment to economically disadvantaged individuals. Strolling dinner and free valet parking are included with ticket purchases. The public must call 313-579-9160 to purchase tickets: $75 for general admission; $125 for VIP, which includes a meet and greet pre-event reception, reserved seating and a commemorative souvenir.

Since opening the doors in 2000, Jacket for Jobs has assisted over 10,000 individuals, and has been recognized by Donald Trump, "The “View" (ABC), "Today Show" (NBC), Oprah's O Magazine, as well as numerous Michigan magazines and newspapers.

Vaughn started the organization after losing her sister to cancer and discovering that her sister was on welfare. Vaughn wanted to do something to help others who were on welfare and had a desire to gain employment. She has a Bachelor of Science degree from Michigan State University and is a graduate of The Women's Campaign School at Yale University, sponsored by Yale Law School. She is active with the NAACP and was a candidate for the 2006 Michigan State Senate.

Jackets for Jobs, Inc., a Michigan WORKS! Affiliate, is a 501.c.3 non-profit organization that provides career skills training, employment etiquette and professional clothing to economically disadvantaged individuals seeking employment in the Metropolitan Detroit Area.

For more information, please visit www.jacketsforjobs.org or email avaughn@jacketsforjobs.org

http://www.tellusdetroit.com/

Detroit City Council faces heat from all sides of Strip Club ordinance issue

DETROIT (Tell Us Det) - For over two hours City Council members discussed controversial proposals during a public hearing that would change how strip clubs operate in Detroit.

The Monday afternoon hearing at City Hall drew supporters and foes of the changes.

Hundreds of people filled the 13th floor of the Coleman A. Young Municipal Building auditorium to voice there opinion during the public hearing.

The overflow had to remain in the hallway that leads to the room which holds a capacity of 550 persons.

Council was faced to face with ministers, church goers and community activist that want tougher laws regulating the strip clubs.

They are demanding that dancers wear opaque pasties.

Pointing out the hypocrisy in the room, a dancer from the All Stars Strip Club, drew applause when she said she recognized many of her patrons in the anti-strip club crowd.

Efforts to reign in adult entertainment go back to 1982 when zoning and licensing ordinances were imposed on some 95 cabarets, as they were known then.

Since then the numbers of strips clubs has declined to 42 with only 33 actively doing business according to Dennis Mazurek, assistant counsel for the city's Law Department.

The strip club debate will be on the docket of the Detroit City Council Tuesday when a vote is expected on whether to pass both a zoning ordinance and an alcohol licensing restriction.

Council members are considering banning the sale of alcohol and requiring dancers to wear pasties over the nipples.

A federal judge in 2007 struck down Detroit's regulations on where strip clubs could open and ordered them rewritten.Some council members also support banning lap dances and VIP rooms in the 30 or so clubs.

Religious and neighborhood groups say strip clubs reduce property values and increase crime.Strip-club owners have promised a costly legal fight.

From http://www.tellusdetroit.com/city-gov/council/strip-club-022210.html

Packed house expected today as Detroit City Council holds hearing on strip clubs

DETROIT (AP) -- City Council members will discuss during a public hearing controversial proposals that would change how strip clubs operate in Detroit.The Monday afternoon hearing at City Hall is expected to draw supporters and foes of the changes.Council members are considering banning the sale of alcohol and requiring dancers to wear pasties over the nipples. A federal judge in 2007 struck down Detroit's regulations on where strip clubs could open and ordered them rewritten.Some council members also support banning lap dances and VIP rooms in the 30 or so clubs.Religious and neighborhood groups say strip clubs reduce property values and increase crime.Strip-club owners have promised a costly legal fight.

From: www.tellusdetroit.com

Sam Riddle case: Racist or Justice.

I’m going to let you have the “Hang the Black man” quote and the “Your “KARMA” will stay with you until you have paid for it.” I’m going in a different direction.

The mistrial of Sam Riddle’s case is not the end of this saga, nor should it be. The government will retry this case, as they should until we reach a verdict. I’m talking about civil liberties and how they apply to ‘some’ of us, and not ‘all’ of us.

I recall early in this trail that Judge Avern Cohn told Sam Riddle not to Twitter or Facebook (at least about the case) and Sam stood his ground and stood on the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States saying ‘If I can’t Twitter and Facebook than what’s next?” I agreed with Sam on issue, but what about the jury? Can they Facebook, can they Twitter, can they talk to the media and give them inside information? I think not! Double standard for everyone except the accused. A juror is not suppose to asked any questions during the trial (let along Facebook), but has this practice been put into use during this trial? I say not.

The lone juror has had the spotlight shine on her like a beacon in the midnight sky shining like the Sun, but has the truth come out. Only by me and one other (a Facebook friend), all other media has put this story on the back burner and there it will stay unless people like me start telling people like you. People who want to know the truth about the double standard we have to live with. The two sets of rules we live by. These are the messages that were sent out by Jury Foreman Matt Lefevre on Facebook.

Matt Lefevre: "day 4 of jury duty hell tom at 8am downtown detroit." 1/12/10 at 10:15pm

Matt Lefevre: "dear jury duty staff i just wanted to tell u how much i hate you for wasting my time by making me wake u...p at 6am everyday to drive in god awful traffic down to our lovely city of detroit and then sit here and stare at the wall for hours and hours and then send me home."

Jury Foreman Matt Lefevre on Facebook: "The system failed today, I will say 11 of us gave it our all for over a month and its a sad day that justice was not served." Minutes after the verdict.

Does this sound like justice? The judge and media came down hard on Sam Riddle for his Facebook and Twitter, but not Matt Lefevre. He can Facebook, talk to ‘God knows who’ about whatever comes to his hard head. Jury tampering has been spoke of but aimed at the wrong person. Don’t point your finger at Angela Woods, point your middle finger at Matt Lefevre, the jury tamping king. (Yeah I said it, so what.) Let the facts come out and the chips fall where they may.

My two Cents, and wroth every penny.

James Tate on the Herbie Felton Show.

Detroit City Councilman James Tate’s primary focus for the citizens of Detroit is to reduce crime and increase safety, combat neighborhood blight, demand government accountability, and improve city services. Join Councilman Tate and I as we discuss the state of Detroit and what can be done to right the ship, and what has he done thus far as our newly elected councilman. Listen and call in and ask the councilman questions. On Saturday Feb. 20, 2010 at 10a.m.

www.blogtalkradio.com/herbiefeltonshow

Dr. John Telford on The Herbie Felton Show

Don't miss Dr. John Telford on The Herbie Felton Show Feb 6 at 10am on blog talk radio.

Dr. John Telford the author of ‘A life on the Run, seeking and safeguarding social justice’ will join me as we discuss the social disservice being done to Detroit Public School children and intercity children across America. If have children in the public school system, you will not want to miss this special show.

Dr. John Telford will pull no punches when telling his often scandalous, sometimes humorous, yet poignant and inspiring life story. He is ‘White man’ who has fought on behave of the African American student with his passion for education and social justice.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/herbiefeltonshow