Marche du Nain Rouge 2015: DETROIT'S "TAR & FEATHERING" of the Red Devil

So it was the first time I attended the famous 'Marche du Nain Rouge' in the Cass Corridor in Detroit. It was a cool Sunday, with the temperature about 42F. I had my skeleton outfit on with a creepy mask. For this was the famous Nain March- and one has to hide themselves so the Little Red Devil won't retaliate against you...(Thus a mask or outfit!) lol. What the heck? Devils? Costumes? Let me explain...

     My video of one of the 'Fire-Handlers' @Marche du Nain Rouge 2015

ENJOYING THE PRE-MARCH FESTIVITIES!    #gadflyin

FUN AT THE STAGE B4 SOME ENTERTAINMENT!

There is a legend that when Detroit was founded, a red devil appeared and havoc happened soon after. And sighting through the years of him has made this an interesting myth. So about 10 years ago an organization started putting on this event to 'Run' the Red devil out of Detroit! THE VIDEO BELOW SHOWS THE GHOSTS OF DETROIT PAST AND FUTURE BEING INTERRUPTED BY THE EVIL NAIN!

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THE RED DEVIL ON HIS 'roach-mobile'  during the parade 

THE CROWD GATHERING FOR THE PARADE!   #gadflyin

THE PRE-MARCH & ENTERTAINMENT!

So there the event was 3-22-15 (on a Sunday). There was about an hour of pre-march activity which included:

(1) Great mingling & conversation with great people
(2) Restaurants & Bars
(3) Stage with several 'FIRE-HANDLERS'
(4) Performance of a great 'New Orleans' style band
(5) Performance of the 'Ghost of DETROIT PAST' and
 the GHOST OF DETROIT FUTURE' (They were kinda the MC's for the March)

                          THE GABRIEL BRASS BAND!

A DANCING JESTER DURING THE PARADE!    #gadflyin

SOME ROVING MUSICIANS RIGHT BE THE PARADE!

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OUR VIDEO OF A 'FLO-WAND' HANDLER! COOL!

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FUN FOLLOWING THE NAIN ROUGE!               #gadflyin

THE MARCH!

So began the slow march of following the dreaded Red Devil about a mile up to the Detroit Masonic Temple. He was on a converted car- it was literally a giant roach (I think!). Along the way the Red Devi with his posse of Black-Uniformed fire-handlers (the 4 handlers walked with the "Roach-Car" and cleared slow patrons out of the way while doing their "fire tricks".

           OUR VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS OF THE PARADE!

A GREAT GROUP OF GUYS POSE FOR A PICTURE FOR US! 

                               

THERE WERE NAIN SUPPORTERS TOO!          #gadflyin

THE END AT THE DETROIT MASONIC TEMPLE!

So me and a friend followed the pack of people 'running' the Red Devil from Detroit. There were a few people who yelled at the Devil but he kept ranting on his loudspeaker about how horrible Detroit was! 

The parade slowing proceeded to the Detroit Masonic Temple were the Red Devil and other speakers talked about Detroit (all good words except for the Devil!)
      

THE END SHOW AT THE DETROIT MASONIC TEMPLE!

YOU HAVE TO WEAR A COSTUME SO THE NAIN CAN'T EXACT REVENGE!

THE NAIN AT THE MASONIC TEMPLE!

SOME MORE PICTURES!

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MICHIGAN STATE POLICE: COMMUNITY OUTREACH WITH COOL EQUIPMENT & JAIL TOUR

Diving by the Oak Park, Michigan State Police (MSP) Post last Saturday, one would think a huge police chase perhaps ended there- from a slick designed Helicopter to a Armored Half-Track military-designed vehicle, nothing could have been farther from this thought. It was an Open House for the District 2 State Police Post for the public. The Post is staffed by approximately 130 specially-trained Troopers. All the Officers go through a 'Boot Camp' training- that means a Officer from Detroit could literally go to a Post up north in the State and immediately fit in and competently do the job. All the training is the same. They also have physical fitness requirements.

                  My video on the fun day including a tour of the Station!

DIVE TEAM: I had a great talk with a Trooper assigned to the DIVE RECOVERY TEAM. He explained his duties that included examining bridge structures, searching and recovery people and collecting evidence like firearms at the bottom of lakes and so forth.

Michigan State Police Diver Rig                  #gadflyin

DOG HANDLER UNIT: I talked with two officers- one of which just left the DOG TRACKING UNIT as he was promoted to Sargent. He explained the way a dog is trained to be the partner of a Trooper. The German Shepard (the only dog used by the MSP) is isolated with only basic walking, food, nurturing and so forth needs for about 2 weeks. Then the new Trooper (partner) is introduced to the animal. They strike up a bond that lasts and is necessary for search work- even specialized work such as CADAVER SEARCHES, ADVANCE TACTICAL TRAINING (Warrants and so forth) and NARCOTICS DETECTION. I found out the MSP only get their animals from Romania as American German Shepherds are not breed as "Working Dogs". The animal needs to be tougher and stronger for the MSP work.

Michigan State Police- standard issue Dog Team Handler equipment 

BICYCLE PATROL (BELLE ISLE IN DETROIT): As the Island Park on the Detroit River came under State Control last year, the MSP have decided to have BICYCLE PATROLS in addition to marked Patrol Cars there. Trooper Morningstar, a Community Policing Trooper, explained for both closer contact and ability to patrol off-road areas, the Bicycle Unit is quite useful. The MSP even set up a similar unit for the City of Flint.

Trooper Morningstar of the MSP Bicycle Unit             #gadflyin

EMERGENCY SUPPORT TEAM: Approximately an 8 member team, they carry out hostage situations, barricaded gunmen and the like. I talked with an experienced Trooper with the Unit. He told me there is a large pole ram on the side which can be used to assist in apprehensions. The Unit is called for emergencies but the Troopers are normally assigned to regular Patrol-type duties unless there is an emergency. 

MSP Armored Special Tactics Vehicle                      #gadflyin

COMMERCIAL ENFORCEMENT UNIT: This group of Officers deals with the commercial trucks and related enforcement for the State. Some of the tickets can run up to $10,000! The protection of the roads is one of the goals with the weigh enforcement of the large trucks.

MSP Commercial Enforcement SUV                    #gadflyin

EQUIPMENT & MATERIALS UNIT: I talker to the Trooper in charge of assigning vehicles and other equipment. They only make simple repairs in their large garage. All of he cars are leased and have a 3-year road life. The motorcycle unit is also assigned patrol cars in the winter and during bad weather.

MSP PATROL SUV- one of many under control of the Equipment Supervisor

POST-FACILITY TOUR: A nice Community Service Trooper gave me, another reporter and a citizen a tour of their DISTRICT 2 POST. 

MSP District 2-  Detective's Offices                      #gadflyin

1. FRONT DESK- Public interactions & reports taken
2. ADMINISTRATION- Just like a business, general running of paperwork and the like
3. PRISONER HOLDING AREA- The MSP temporary hold people only
4. FINGERPRINTING AREA- Arrested individuals are scanned into the system
5. DUI-ALCOHOL INTAKE & TESTING- Arrested people are tested or drugs and the like.
6. GARAGE HOUSING- Equipment including riot gear & light maintenance of vehicles is here
7. TROOPER OFFICES-WORK AREA- Area were Officers fill out their reports and the like
8. COMMERCIAL ENFORCEMENT OFFICES- Work space of specialty-assigned Officers
9. DETECTIVE OFFICES- TOP BRASS- Work space of investigators & the top leaders.

MSP District 2 Booking Area                                 #gadflyin

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THANKS FOR READING MY BLOG.

CHECK OUT MY YouTube Channel for more POLICE-RELATED STUFF!

SUPERSONIC SAFETY RESEARCH

22681 WOODWARD AVE.

UNIT 201044

FERNDALE, MICHIGAN 48034

UNITED STATES

(248) 558-9323

LICENSED PRIVATE INVESTIGATION

MICHIGAN, WYOMING, SOUTH DAKOTA

MISSISSIPPI

THERE BE TEA HERE! Ferndale's Newest Hip Spot

Sam Gurwin (Gadfly Investigations News- June 11, 2015)
SO IT FINALLY OPENED! The Detroit Bubble Tea Company at about 9 mile and Woodward. A nice space with sitting areas in the front with comfortable seats and even a couch. The back has several tall bar-type tables. One can enter from the back or from Woodward Avenue. It would be a nice place to take a date after hitting beautiful downtown Ferndale, Michigan! The middle of the space is the serving and employee area.

Our own Bubble Tea Girl at the Detroit Bubble Tea Company!

After going up to the counter, we discovered the employees are very nice. I explained I didn't know anything about Bubble Tea- they were happy to explain the different flavors and other choices. 

BUBBLE TEA? WHAT IS THAT?

Well, alittle research shows Bubble Tea is a 1980's invention from Taiwan. The drink has a "Tea Base" with milk and/or fruit is added with little balls (at the bottom) that vary from fruity to tapioca. Shaking the drink causes the "Bubbles". A thick straw is served with the drink so one can sip up the flavored parts! The drink was "well received" in our part of the world. The Gadfly agrees!

It's all good at THE DETROIT BUBBLE TEA COMPANY!

THE CHOICES:

(1) Consistency: Does one want a slush? Alittle milk to make it less consistent? They seem to be able to make whatever combo you like. Just let them know.

Vacuum-sealed top, Thick straw and great tasting BUBBLE TEA! 

                   

A comfortable spread +The Detroit Bubble Tea Company to chill!

(2) Favor: Over 15 flavors plus the ability to mix them.

Bubble Tea Girl & David J having fun +The Detroit Bubble Tea Company 

(3) Bottom (or as they call it topping!): 

They are little flavored "Candies" on the bottom on the drink.

The thick straw is a perfect size to suck them into your mouth.

     - Jellies pearls at the bottom

     - Soft pearls with different flavors

     -Tapioca pearls- merging  jelly and chewy

Co-Owner Alycia (center) and 2 employees pose for our picture!

BUSINESS CULTURE & LOOKING FORWARD

You know it's a good place to work when one of the employee says (I heard in passing) "Alycia [Owner] is my Bubble Tea Mother". I spoke to Alycia briefly about her Store and business in general. 

1. The Store has been open for about 2 weeks
2. They are testing which favors and such for their products sell the best.
3. They will be getting more food products within a week or so.
4. Business is good!

                           VISIT THE DETROIT BUBBLE 
                                       TEA COMPANY @
             22821 Woodward Avenue, Ferndale, MI. 48220

                                            248.239.1131

GOODBYE! We had a great time & good food @The Detroit Bubble Tea Company

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                                22681 Woodward Ave., 
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