U of M + Figure Skaters + Camp for Kids = Giving

The Detroit Skating Club Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

The Gadfly Investigations Newspaper got their tickets for Frenchie Skate 2014, did you?  Saturday we were #Gadflyin at The Detroit Skating Club, and bought our tickets to the  benefit for North Star Reach a camp for children with serious health challenges.  FYI - 100% of the proceeds will go to the camp and that is wonderful to hear.

Detroit Skating Club Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

North Star Reach is located in Pinckney, Michigan and is a provisional member of The SeriousFun Children's Network founded by Paul Newman. You can learn more about the camp here:  https://northstarreach.org/  The Gadfly Investigations Newspaper hopes to do a future blog about the camp.

Frenchie Skate 2014 at Yost Ice Arena - Ann Arbor, Michigan

Frenchie Skate 2014 will be held at Yost Ice Arena home of the University of Michigan Ice Hockey Team.  The show will feature some skaters you may know.  Those who have confirmed to skated so far that you may know are:

•  US National Champ - Alissa Czisny
• Canadian Olympic Team members, Ice Dancers  Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje
• National Champion and Olympic Team member, Jeremy Abbott 

Jeremy Abbott Detroit Skating Club

I am hopeful that either The Shibutanis or Meryl Davis and Charlie White will be there; as  they are all University of Michigan students - stay tuned.  For more information about the event, including other performers and to purchase tickets online, follow this link:  http://frenchieskate.com/ 

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One Never Knows, Do One? This One The Gadfly Knows

 

2013-2014 Stagecrafters Baldwin Theatre Royal Oak Michigan

Last night I was #Gadflyin at the Baldwin Theatre for the Stagecrafters production of "Ain't Misbehavin" - WOW - "The Joint was Jumpin"!  Fats Waller may have said "One never knows, do one?"  But the Gadfly knows this was one good show.   "Ain't Misbehavin" is the 1978 Best Musical Tony Award winner., it is a musical review filled with Fats Waller music performed by 5 talented performers and backed by an equally talented band.  Some of the standouts for me:

• "The Vipers Drag" - Jair  (he has his own YouTube Channel) http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCXaZUcSw9lRlC3lAdtGC6A    

• "Mean to Me" -Tanya  (this was the role performed by Nell Carter)
• "You Feets Too Big" - Dez  (he appeared in the previous show "Shrek" as Donkey)
• The last part of the Second Act starting with "Black and Blue" into a Medley that included "It's a Sin to Tell a Lie" then into a reprise of "Honetsuckle Rose" - Ensemble of Shondra, Christiana, Tanya, Jair and Dez

 Some of the audience paid extra to sit on the stage and be part of the show; they sure looked like they were having a good time.  
There is still time to catch this terrific show as it runs through March 2.(Links to Stagecrafters below)  

http://www.stagecrafters.org/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stagecrafters/111900041829

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The Other Side of Gold

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No secret I am a Figure Skating fan, and I admit I was thrilled to see Davis and White win, and am enjoying all the media coverage of them.  However; for every happy ending there is a not so happy ending, especially when competition is involved. In order for there to be a #1 there has to be a #2 - 3 - 4 and so on.  I refuse to use the word loser as it has too many negative connotations.  
Where I am I going with all this?  Well, first I want to talk about an interesting connection with the musical piece Scheherazade.  In the 1984 Olympics US Ice Dancers Judy Blumberg and Michael Seibert came extremely close to winning a Bronze Medal, but lost it as one judge gave them a deduction for their music - Scheherazade - saying it was inappropriate music for Ice Dance.  Interesting that now 30 years later the US Ice Dancers win Gold with the same music.  Ice Dancing and the scoring has evolved a great deal since that time but, it is an interesting coincidence.  
For your comparison and enjoyment - Blumberg and Seibert's "Scheherazade"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyfosI-IcYY

Now on to Virtue and Moir 2010 Gold Medalists and Silver Medalists this year.  They skated beautifully and I am sure their fans felt they deserved Gold.  That is the beauty and frustration of judged sports; not everyone has the same perception.  I will say that I think we skating fans benefited from the competition between Virtue /Moir and Davis/White as it drove them both to ever higher levels.  
I saw this video on NBC's Olympics site and I thought is was very poignant and worthy of sharing. Thank you Virtue/Moir and Davis/White it was an truly epic competition.  No words necessary to describe this - it speaks for itself.

http://www.nbcolympics.com/video/team-canadas-scott-moir-caught-kissing-ice



 

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Strays Sheltered at The Royal Oak Animal Shelter

This has been some winter - snow, Arctic Vortex, snow and in the middle of all this a cat wanders into my life.  We had put out some stale bread for the birds and I see a cat outside eating it.  Now I know if this cat is eating stale bread it is pretty hungry, so I start putting out cat food for it to eat. After a little time the cat starts to get friendly with me, rubbing against my legs when I come to put the food out.  I decide to try to pick the cat up and he lets me.  I'm worried about the cat being out in the snow and the frigid temperatures.  I already have 3 cats of my own and one of them thinks he should be an 'only cat', so keeping him is out of the question.  I call the Royal Oak Animal Shelter tell the volunteer my story and he says they will be able to make room for one more.  THANK YOU.
The cat isn't too happy when I try to put him in the carrier, but he allows me and then proceeds to cry all the way to the shelter.  The volunteers that I encountered were wonderful and I feel blessed to live in a city that has a shelter staffed by such caring, wonderful people.  I will be calling or stopping by the shelter to inquire about this poor cat who must have belonged to someone at one time. I wonder did he get lost or did someone move and leave him behind.  So sad.  Everyone should have a home and someone to love them.
 I think this picture from The Royal Oak Animal Shelter's Facebook page is 'my' cat (I'll find out this week for sure).  They named him Brennan and I am hopeful someone will adopt him and give him the loving home he deserves.  I am glad that he is warm, fed and safe.  Here is The Royal Oak Animal Shelter web site:  http://members.petfinder.com/~MI151/index.html  Maybe you are looking to adopt a cat or dog, or purchase some merchandise, or contribute, or volunteer.  The animals will be thankful if you do.

Picture from The Royal Oak Animal Shelter's Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Royal-Oak-Animal-Shelter/104152189672177

The Kid from Kalamazoo is Retiring

Picture from Official Facebook Fan Page for Derek Jeter https://www.facebook.com/derekjeter/photos/pb.177902535594701.-2207520000.1392264452./691145740937042/?type=3&theater

I know, I know he plays for the NY Yankees, but...he is still a kid from Kalamazoo, Michigan.  Remember, I am a New Yorker transplanted to Michigan, so yes I am a  Derek Jeter  fan.   Anyway, today the Yankee Captain announced that he will be retiring at the end of the season, and what a career he has had.  Truly one of baseball's and NY Yankee greats.  You can not argue his accomplishments: Rookie of the Year, 13 time All-Star, 5 times World Series Champion, 2000 World series MVP...
I'm going to make it a plan to go see him play when the Yankees come to Detroit.  All the best Derek Jeter and thanks for all the great baseball memories.

Picture from Official Facebook Fan Page of Derek Jeter https://www.facebook.com/derekjeter/photos/pb.177902535594701.-2207520000.1392264199./691145820937034/?type=3&theater

   

Motown Ice Showdown in Sochi

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Have you been watching the Olympics?  Did you know the top 2 Ice Dance teams in the world train in Michigan?  Canton to be exact.  In years past figure skating has had 'The Battle of the Brians' and "Battle of the Carmens'.   In Sochi it looks like we have the  'Motown Ice Showdown'. 

Canadians and reigning Olympic Gold medalists  Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir versus Americans and reigning World Champions Meryl Davis and Charlie White.  Both teams go for the Olympic gold in Ice Dancing starting 02/16. 

 The Gadfly Investigations Newspaper wishes both teams all the best and looks forward to watching both teams skate - they are all GREAT.  

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Neither Snow nor Arctic Vortex nor More Snow Can Keep Us from #Gadflyin

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Michigan, like quite a bit of the country has been experiencing a very snowy and cold winter. 

Royal Oak, Michigan

 I'm NOT complaining, though I am running out of places to put the snow. 

Royal Oak, Michigan

 I know that in California they are praying for snow and/or rain, and that they would be more than happy to take some of this snow we have had off our hands.  We here at The Gadfly Investigations Newspaper are hoping and praying that you will get the precipitation you need, and wish that we could pack up my truck and bring you some of this snow.

#Gadflyin Michigan

So, all things considered we here in Michigan really haven't much to complain about.  We at The Gadfly Investigations Newspaper will continue to get out and about #Gadflyin.  

#Gadflyin Michigan

 To all our readers we say: Keep things in perspective and stay warm and safe.

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One More Time - #Gadflyin at the NAIAS

So we followed our plan and got to see all the vehicles we were hoping to see at the Auto Show.  Here are a few unplanned sightings that really caught my eye.

The Ford Raptor is awesome.  I had seen one once before at the Rouge Factory Tour and even got to sit in it.  Lot of  awesome truck there. 

Ford Raptor North American International Auto Show Detroit, Michigan

I really liked this sign at the Mazda exhibit.

Mazda Poster North American International Auto Show

I don't know if it was the nice blue color or just that it was a cute car, but this Fiat caught my eye.

Fiat North American International Auto Show Detroit, Michigan

 This Bentley costs more than my house - quite a bit more.  MSRP =$301,900.  Price as shown=$389,819

Bentley Mulsanne North American International Auto Show Detroit, Michigan

And that my friends, is the end of my #Gadflyin Adventure at the North American International Auto Show at Cobo in Detroit, Michigan.  Hope you enjoyed it, I know I did. Head on over to our Pinterest site for more photos.

Meanwhile Back #Gadflyin at the NAIAS...

I think I mentioned I went to the Auto Show with 2 friends, and they had their own 'want to see list'.  For my friends it was the VW Jetta, Ford Mustangs, Chevy Camaro and Chevy Corvette.  No argument there, I am glad to take a look at these also. 

Looks like a new VW Jetta will be going from the wish list to bought and paid for list.

Volkswagen Jetta North American International Auto Show Detroit, Michigan

One of my favorite classic cars is the 1965 Ford Mustang. So glad Ford chose to include this car in their exhibit.

1965 Ford Mustang North American International Auto Show Detroit, Michigan

Here is the 2015 version of the Ford Mustang - sweet.

2015 Ford Mustang North American International Auto Show Detroit, Michigan

The Chevy Camaro is pretty sweet too.

Chevy Camaro North American International Auto Show Detroit, Michigan

The Chevy Corvette was the hardest car to get near or sit in - everyone was waiting to sit in it.

So glad my friends wanted to see all these cars, I was not disappointed with any of them. Next up, a few that weren't on any of our lists...

#Gadflyin Cars and Trucks at the NAIAS

Despite going first thing in the morning and on a weekday, the Auto Show was crowded.  We had a plan, a floor map and a list of the vehicles we definitely wanted to see.  For me it was the Ford F-150, GMC Canyon, and Dodge Muscle cars.

Beautiful new Ford F-150. Yup, looks like the "Future of Tough" is here.

Ford F-150 NAIAS Detroit, Michigan

GM's mid-size pickup the GMC Canyon.

GMC Canyon NAIAS Detroit, Michigan

The Dodge Charger - old style.

Dodge Charger NAIAS Detroit, Michigan

The Dodge Charger - new style.

Dodge Charger NAIAS Detroit, Michigan

Got to see all 'my wants'. So far the plan is working...