Detroit Free Press (Detroit, MI) articles from July 2007

Detroit Free Press (Detroit, MI) archives from July 2007

IRL at MIS is a thrill; cars inches apart at 230 mph.
July 31, 2007... Byline: Mike Brudenell DETROIT _ Sunday's finish to the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard at Indianapolis Motor Speedway was pretty stirring stuff, with Chevy's Tony Stewart muscling his way past Kevin Harvick in the closing laps to take the...

Three decades later, Cactus is blooming again.
July 31, 2007... Byline: Christopher Walton Rock `n' roll fact: Cactus' first public performance _ before the hard-rocking boogie blues band had even issued an album _ was in May 1970 in front of 40,000 spectators at Philadelphia's Temple Stadium. The...

New television dramas are leavened with humor.
July 31, 2007... Byline: Mike Duffy LOS ANGELES _ It's not exactly rocket science. But ABC has demonstrated a knack in recent seasons for mixing humor and drama into stylish entertainment that has captured America's fancy. Such humor-suffused...

`Pushing Daisies' takes a light approach.
July 31, 2007... Byline: Mike Duffy LOS ANGELES _ "Pushing Daisies" pushes the limits of adventurous TV storytelling. The colorful prime-time fairy tale, a charming blend of mystery, romance and humor, won't premiere on ABC till early October. But it...

`300' offers a thrilling history lesson, comic-book style.
July 31, 2007... Byline: Terry Lawson The copy on the packaging for "300," released in a double-disc wide-screen edition (4 stars, Warner, $34.98), claims that this retelling of the battle of Thermopylae "assaults the screen," and for once the hyperbole...

New video game releases.
July 31, 2007... Most-ordered games going on sale this week at Amazon.com, with title, platform and ESRB rating: 1. "Mario Strikers Charged," Wii, Everyone. 2. "Picross," DS, Everyone. 3. "Attack on Pearl Harbor," PC, Teen. 4. "Bratz Ponyz,"...

Proposals call for houses, offices, trails.
July 31, 2007... Byline: Christy Arboscello Jul. 31--Development proposals are being accepted until Aug. 27 for 671 acres on the Selfridge Air National Guard Base -- the largest undeveloped property along Lake St. Clair in Macomb County. The land off...

Old Cass Tech catches fire: Blaze can't douse hopes of those who want to save it.
July 31, 2007... Byline: Joe Rossiter and Zachary Gorchow Jul. 31--A three-alarm fire that tore through part of the old Cass Technical High School in Detroit on Monday won't hurt efforts to revitalize the historic building, preservationists say. ...

Detroit Free Press Tom Walsh column: Big growth a part of ePrize plans.(Company overview)(Column)
July 31, 2007... Byline: Tom Walsh Jul. 31--EPrize LLC, the online promotions firm in Pleasant Ridge, doubled its sales in two years, from $18 million in 2004 to $36 million last year. But now Josh Linkner, ePrize founder and CEO, really wants to...

The underdogs: Lack of experience no match for heart in Mackinac race.
July 31, 2007... Byline: Amber Hunt Jul. 31--The six-man crew aboard Turn the Page simply wanted to place. They won instead. The crew of the 28-foot O'Day sailboat, linked through Mt. Clemens High School athletics, was the unlikely winner of the...

Detroit Free Press Matt Fiorito column: Recreation or sport? At tournaments, it didn't matter.(Column)
July 31, 2007... Byline: Matt Fiorito Jul. 31--Some in the industry are concerned that bowling's image needs an upgrade because too many people regard it as a form of recreation rather than a sport. I haven't bought in to that concern because I think...

School board suspects fraud: Detroit officials question $46 million spent on contractors.
July 31, 2007... Byline: Chastity Pratt Jul. 31--An independent investigation into irregularities involving at least $46 million in wire transfers from the Detroit Public Schools has led the district to consider seeking criminal charges against current...

Pontiac's financial troubles could lead to state takeover.
July 31, 2007... Byline: John Wisely Jul. 31--State Treasury officials are scheduled to meet today with Pontiac Mayor Clarence Phillips to review the city's troubled finances, the first step in a process that could lead to a state takeover. Phillips...

Rogers hopes to 'calm down' left elbow.
July 31, 2007... Byline: John Lowe Jul. 31--OAKLAND, Calif. -- Tigers left-hander Kenny Rogers said Monday he plans to rest his sore pitching elbow for about a week before playing catch. "I've got to let this calm down," he said. "I'll get as much...

NWA calls back all its pilots: 385 on layoff offered jobs to ease flight cancellations.
July 31, 2007... Byline: Margarita Bauza Jul. 31--Northwest Airlines, which continues to lead its rivals in the percentage of flight cancellations, said Monday that all of its remaining laid-off pilots have been asked to return and those who agree to...

BRIEF: GM offers 0% loan incentive on trucks.
July 31, 2007... Byline: Katie Merx Jul. 31--General Motors Corp. said Monday it is offering 0% financing for as long as 60 months on some full-size trucks to better compete with its rivals' aggressive incentives. The free financing is available only...

ArvinMeritor loses $70 million: Supplier posts $1.66 billion in quarterly sales.(Financial report)
July 31, 2007... Byline: Jewel Gopwani Jul. 31--In the midst of a restructuring, ArvinMeritor Inc. lost $70 million, or 99 cents per share, between April and June, as the company sold off a large part of its business and continued to shut plants. ...

EDITORIAL: Northwest error lines.(Editorial)
July 31, 2007... Jul. 31--Northwest Airlines appears to have embarked on an, um, uh, unusual(?) strategy for rebuilding its business after bankruptcy: It seems to involve encouraging customers to fly early in the month because later on, your flight may be...

A TOUGH SELL: Some buyers might be too uneasy about a history of homicide.
July 31, 2007... Byline: Gina Damron Jul. 31--The 1986 colonial on Briarwood Court in Farmington Hills is tucked into a quaint, gated community, has a backyard deck, gorgeous landscaping and a sizable garage. The 1978 colonial on Palm Aire in...

Big Macomb space in works: Center near I-94 aims to compete for conventions.
July 31, 2007... Byline: Christy Arboscello Jul. 31--Three prominent developers are creating the largest convention center in Macomb County, a 100,000-square-foot venue in Chesterfield Township they hope will compete with the Rock Financial Showplace in...

Student's work is more to him than just a job.
July 31, 2007... Byline: Kim North Shine Jul. 31--Nate Knapper will say that he works so that he can pay for school, food and a place to live, but the way this college student from Clarkston performs on the job makes it clear that working is about far...

Gingrich stands by Detroit rip: School board chief disputes severity of graduation woes cited in TV interview.
July 31, 2007... Byline: Kathleen Gray Jul. 31--Newt Gingrich caused a stir when he used the city of Detroit, its school district, organized labor and the state of Michigan as examples of what need fixing in America. In an interview with newsman...

FIVE THINGS: About fine music.
July 31, 2007... Jul. 31--Today, tickets go on sale around Detroit for individual concerts in one of the nation's top musical series. NICE SURPRISES What happens when people come to their first Chamber Music Society of Detroit concert? "They're...

Wrong men on trial in cross burning, jury told.
July 31, 2007... Byline: Cecil Angel Jul. 31--The attorneys for two men charged with ethnic intimidation in the burning of a cross on the lawn of an interracial couple in Trenton told a Wayne County Circuit Court jury Monday that it's all a case of...

Senior Olympics are place to shine: 400 competitors set to take part.
July 31, 2007... Byline: Naomi R. Patton Jul. 31--This afternoon, JoAnn Hewitt will try her hand at the shuffleboard competition in the second day of the 2007 Downriver Senior Olympics. A ringer in the bowling competition, Hewitt, 60, who bowls three...

Detroit Free Press Heather Newman column: Dynamic ads put firms in the game.(Column)
July 31, 2007... Byline: Heather Newman Jul. 31--Your sleek, shiny car screeches through a turn in the popular "Need for Speed: Carbon" video game and there in front of you is a gigantic Pontiac billboard. That's no surprise -- advertising and...

Detroit Free Press Drew Sharp column: NAACP is out of line in Vick case.(Column)
July 31, 2007... Byline: Drew Sharp Jul. 31--The NAACP should just remain quiet. The civil rights organization's Atlanta chapter came to Michael Vick's defense Monday, chastising those rushing to judge the embattled Atlanta Falcons quarterback before...

Bill calls for parties to share a primary: Rivalry between GOP, Democrats threatens the idea.
July 31, 2007... Byline: Dawson Bell Jul. 31--Michigan voters might have the chance to vote in a wide-open presidential primary in January -- one in which they could walk into the voting booth and choose a party and candidate in relative anonymity, under...

Saginaw Valley coach pleased in many ways.
July 31, 2007... Byline: Vince Ellis Jul. 31--BAY CITY -- Saginaw Valley State coach Randy Awrey was a happy man at the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference's football media day Monday. He was happy that league coaches thought enough of...

Detroit Free Press Jon Paul Morosi column: Tigers need an impact reliever and have prospects available.
July 31, 2007... Byline: Jon Paul Morosi Jul. 31--On a carefree afternoon more than four months ago, Tigers manager Jim Leyland sat in the dugout of a Clearwater, Fla., ballpark and talked with reporters about what, at the time, appeared to be a real...

TIGERS TRADE DEADLINE UPDATE: Pirates, Tigers talking deal: Wilson could be traded to Detroit today.
July 31, 2007... Byline: Jon Paul Morosi Jul. 31--Updated at 12:25 a.m. Some thoughts, hours away from baseball's non-waiver trade deadline at 4 p.m. Tuesday: Don't be surprised if you learn of a trade between the Tigers and Pittsburgh Pirates...

Martz: Offensive line better, RB Bell on 'a different level': Offensive coordinator pleased with offense, Kitna.
July 31, 2007... Byline: George Sipple Jul. 31--If you're looking for signs of an improved Lions offense, consider what offensive coordinator Mike Martz had to say about quarterback Jon Kitna, running back Tatum Bell and offensive line coach Jim Colletto...

Lawmaker is making it tough on automakers: Rep. Markey's effort reflects an energy-conscious career.
July 31, 2007... Byline: Justin Hyde Jul. 31--WASHINGTON -- Call it the Markey Index. Start counting with your refrigerator. Add any other big appliances less than a decade old: dishwasher, clothes dryer, air conditioner. Don't forget TVs, and if...

BRIEF: Ligocki may be leaving as Tower CEO.
July 31, 2007... Byline: Jewel Gopwani Jul. 31--Tower Automotive Chief Executive Officer Kathleen Ligocki is reportedly stepping down from the top post of the auto supplier. Ligocki, who has led the Novi-based maker of vehicle frames since 2003, is...

Alec's at bat: Young Farmington Hills baseball player with no hits all season smashes a good one.
July 31, 2007... Byline: Jeff Seidel Jul. 31--Alec Kraft walks up to home plate in excruciating pain. Each step brings a surge of pain through his ankles and knees, like he's being stabbed with hot needles. Alec, 12, of Farmington Hills has...

JORDAN RULES: Rookie Tata ends Tigers' skid in first start.
July 31, 2007... Byline: John Lowe Jul. 31--OAKLAND, Calif. -- Right-hander Jordan Tata, stepping in for injured Kenny Rogers, gave the Tigers a badly needed quality start Monday night. And Tata, in his first big-league start, was rewarded with his...

BACKUP BATTLE: Stanton's injury puts No. 2 QB job up for grabs: The Lions' quarterback depth chart starts with Jon Kitna; after him? It's becoming a backup battle.
July 31, 2007... Byline: George Sipple Jul. 31--Jon Kitna is the Lions' starting quarterback, that much the team knows for sure. But the competition for the backup role became more problematic Monday, when team president Matt Millen said second-round...

Billups to sink roots in Detroit.
July 31, 2007... Byline: Shawn Windsor Jul. 31--Pistons point guard Chauncey Billups knew the stakes when he became a free agent on July 1. He had watched his friend and former teammate, Ben Wallace, struggle after bolting to Chicago last year. And...

DIFFERENT STROKES: Phelps to try new events at swim championships: He'll swim the 200 breast today.
July 31, 2007... Byline: Jo-Ann Barnas Jul. 31--The USA Swimming Championships begin today in Indianapolis -- a meet at which Michael Phelps could collect a plethora of national titles, if that were his objective. But Phelps, the eight-time 2004...

U-M, Notre Dame will play until 2031: Schools extend series for 20 years.
July 31, 2007... Byline: Mark Snyder Jul. 31--Fear not, Michigan fans: This rivalry isn't going away. On Monday, Michigan and Notre Dame announced a 20-year extension of the schools' football contract, which was to expire in 2011. Now they will play...

Detroit Free Press Mike Brudenell column: Why IRL at MIS is a thrill.(Column)
July 31, 2007... Byline: Mike Brudenell Jul. 31--Sunday's finish to the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard at Indianapolis Motor Speedway was pretty stirring stuff, with Chevy's Tony Stewart muscling his way past Kevin Harvick in the closing laps to take the...

Fashion icon's inexpensive new line sexes up sportswear store.
July 31, 2007... Byline: Georgea Kovanis I don't usually shop at Steve & Barry's, the national chain known for its inexpensive T-shirts, sneakers and college sweatshirts _ I have more than enough _ but there I was the other day, waiting in line for a...

Toyota has high hopes for bigger Highlander.
July 31, 2007... Byline: Joe Guy Collier DETROIT _ Toyota Motor Corp. expects a larger, more powerful Highlander to make further inroads for the company in the midsize utility vehicle segment, Brian Smith, Toyota's U.S. corporate manager for sales of...

Tigers' inactivity gives Red Sox the edge.
July 31, 2007... Byline: Drew Sharp DETROIT _ What happened to Eric Gagne's inflexibility? The Texas Rangers closer made it clear to potential suitors as the trading deadline approached: Don't call unless there's a closer's job awaiting him in his...

Not much left for tired Tigers as relievers can't hold off A's rally.
July 31, 2007... Byline: John Lowe OAKLAND, Calif. _ Justin Verlander never got rolling Tuesday night, and then the Tigers' lefty relievers faltered again versus left-handed batters. For the fourth time in 10 games of this trip, the Tigers lost when...

Coach-taskmaster Colletto pleased with Lions' offensive line.
July 31, 2007... Byline: George Sipple Lions guard Edwin Mulitalo is excited about the chance to work again with offensive line coach Jim Colletto. Mulitalo, 32, spent the past eight seasons with the Baltimore Ravens. He started 102 of 106...

Preliminary exam set for man accused of assaulting two women in Rochester Hills park.
July 31, 2007... Byline: Bill Laitner Jul. 31--A preliminary exam is set for Aug. 31 in the case of a man charged with punching two women in the face last week on the Paint Creek Trail near Tienken Road in Rochester Hills. Police said John Bruner,...

Exam set for man accused of attacking women on trail.
July 31, 2007... Byline: Bill Laitner Jul. 31--A preliminary exam has been scheduled for Aug. 31 in the case of a man charged with punching two women in the face last week on the Paint Creek Trail near Tienken Road in Rochester Hills. Police said...

BRIEF: Woman critical after crashing into semi on I-94.
July 31, 2007... Byline: Bowdeya Tweh Jul. 31--A woman is in critical condition this morning after crashing into a tractor trailer on westbound I-94 near Chene in Detroit, according to police. The accident happened around 3:20 a.m, police said. That...

BRIEF: Michigan economy gets a little better.
July 31, 2007... Byline: Alejandro Bodipo-Memba Jul. 31--The Michigan Business Activity Index increased 3 points in June to 107 and currently stands at its highest level in nearly a year. The monthly index, compiled by Comerica Bank and seasonally...

BRIEF: Police seek Shelby Township bank robber.
July 31, 2007... Byline: Amber Hunt Jul. 31--Police are hoping a dark baseball cap emblazoned with the letters "UST" will help track down the culprit in a Monday bank robbery in Shelby Township. Police said the man, described as between 30 and 40...

BRIEF: Rodney hits pitch limit in rehab appearance.
July 31, 2007... Byline: Jon Paul Morosi Jul. 31--TOLEDO -- Fernando Rodney made his third minor league rehabilitation appearance for the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens today, but did not complete the eighth inning because he reached his pitch limit (15) after...

GM shares gain $1 on profit report.(Financial report)
July 31, 2007... Byline: Katie Merx Jul. 31--Shares of General Motors Corp. rose moderately Tuesday on a stronger than expected second-quarter earnings report, as most auto stocks gained in a mixed market. Following the automaker's announcement that...

Northwest reports $2.15-billion profit for second quarter.(Financial report)
July 31, 2007... Byline: Margarita Bauza Jul. 31--Northwest Airlines CEO Doug Steenland said this morning that the airline had a net profit of $2.15 billion for the second quarter of 2007, compared with a net loss of $285 million in the second quarter a...

BRIEF: Tower leaves Chapter 11 bankruptcy, company says.
July 31, 2007... Byline: Jewel Gopwani Jul. 31--Tower Automotive Inc. emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy today as its $1-billion deal to sell the Novi-based auto supplier to Cerberus Capital Management closed, the company said. During its...

BRIEF: Feel like a Domino's pizza? Order it online.
July 31, 2007... Byline: Alejandro Bodipo-Memba Jul. 31--Domino's Pizza is now offering customers the option of ordering pizzas over the Internet at most of its U.S. stores. The Ann Arbor-based pizza chain said customers can go www.dominos.com and...

BRIEF: More NWA flights canceled at Metro.
July 31, 2007... Byline: Alejandro Bodipo-Memba Jul. 31--Northwest Airlines had canceled 10 flights departing and arriving at Detroit Metro Airport as of 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, according to www.flightstats.com. The canceled outbound flight was NW 1405 to...

BRIEF: Hispanic Business Expo Sept. 27.
July 31, 2007... Byline: Alejandro Bodipo-Memba Jul. 31--The Hispanic Business Alliance will hold its fifth annual Hispanic Business Alliance Expo and Economic Summit Sept. 27-28 at the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center downtown. Started in...

BRIEF: Penske Automotive 2nd-quarter profits up.(Financial report)
July 31, 2007... Byline: Alejandro Bodipo-Memba Jul. 31--Penske Automotive Group Inc. said profits for the second quarter increased to $40.4 million, or 43 cents a share, compared with $36.7 million, or 39 cents a share, in the same period a year earlier....

Online job postings drop slightly.
July 31, 2007... Byline: Alejandro Bodipo-Memba Jul. 31--The number of online job postings fell by 4.6% in July to 4.08 million advertising vacancies, compared with 4.28 million in June, according to the Conference Board. However, the study showed an...

BRIEF: Special prosecutor sought for judge caught with gun at airport.
July 31, 2007... Byline: Zachary Gorchow Jul. 31--Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy announced today that she has requested the state Attorney General appoint a special prosecutor to consider a warrant request against Inkster District Judge Sylvia James,...

BRIEF: Woman shot, killed in Taylor.
July 31, 2007... Byline: Bowdeya Tweh Jul. 31--A 38-year-old woman died in Taylor on Monday night after being shot, according to police. Police responding to a 10:30 p.m. call at the Coppertree apartment complex in the 12400 block of Pine Street...

Detroit Free Press Matt Helms column: Avoiding I-94 saves time.(Column)
July 31, 2007... Byline: Matt Helms Jul. 31--Fed up with the unbearable delays of the afternoon rush on eastbound I-94, I decided last week that I'd try a bunch of new routes avoiding the freeway until I found one that work. The first attempt: Not so...

BRIEF: Judge rules Macomb clerk can mail absentee ballots.
July 31, 2007... Byline: Steve Neavling Jul. 31--A judge today tossed out a lawsuit by Republicans aimed at stopping Democratic Macomb County Clerk Carmella Sabaugh from sending out unsolicited absentee ballot applications to all people 60 years and...

BRIEF: Preseason pick: U-M is No. 1.
July 31, 2007... Byline: Mark Snyder Jul. 31--CHICAGO -- Michigan is now an official favorite. The Wolverines were the Big Ten football preseason pick, announced today at conference media days at the Hyatt Regency. Coming off an 11-2 season and...

BRIEF: Tigers don't appear to have made a deal before deadline.
July 31, 2007... Byline: Jon Paul Morosi Jul. 31--Despite conversations with various clubs, the Tigers did not appear to execute a deal before today's nonwaiver trade deadline. Detroit was involved in talks during the morning with Pittsburgh...

Dantonio shakes up MSU's depth chart.
July 31, 2007... Byline: Shannon Shelton Jul. 31--CHICAGO -- Mark Dantonio said that every action he takes involving the Michigan State football program is meant to send a message. For at least three veteran players, their notice could be found on...

BRIEF: CALVIN JOHNSON UPDATE: Talks with top pick making headway.
July 31, 2007... Byline: Nicholas J. Cotsonika Jul. 31--Negotiations are starting to pick up between the Lions and the agent for wide receiver Calvin Johnson, the second overall pick in this year's NFL draft. But it is still uncertain when Johnson...

BRIEF: Trenton couple tell of waking to burning cross on their lawn.
July 31, 2007... Byline: Cecil Angel Jul. 31--In the first day of testimony in the trial of two men accused of burning a cross on the lawn of an interracial couple in Trenton, the homeowner took the stand. The homeowner testified about waking in the...

BRIEF: First of Iraqi refugees to arrive in Michigan on Wednesday.
July 31, 2007... Byline: Niraj Warikoo Jul. 31--The first group of Iraqi refugees coming to Michigan is expected to arrive Wednesday morning in Detroit, according to Lutheran Social Services of Michigan. Six refugees -- five of them part of one...

BRIEF: 6 hurt in Detroit drive-by shooting.
July 31, 2007... Byline: Bowdeya Tweh Jul. 31--Six people were injured in a drive-by shooting Tuesday morning in Detroit, police said. The shootings happened in the 9000 block of Sussex near Joy Road around 1:30 a.m., police said. Police believe...

Another casino set to wow Michigan gamblers: New Buffalo facility swings open to public Thursday.
July 31, 2007... Byline: Heather Newman Jul. 31--A gigantic new casino is poised to appear on the southwest corner of the state, attracting day-trippers and resorters from Detroit, Indiana and Chicago. It has more gaming space than Detroit's current...

BRIEF: Oil prices up; gas prices drop.
July 31, 2007... Byline: Alejandro Bodipo-Memba Jul. 31--Crude oil prices increased Tuesday morning on concerns that U.S. refinery use may increase for a sixth consecutive week. September delivery of light, sweet crude oil futures rose 48 cents to...

GM posts $891-million profit.(Financial report)
July 31, 2007... Byline: Katie Merx Jul. 31--General Motors Corp., the largest U.S. automaker, reported an $891-million profit for the second quarter of the year, driven by strong sales in emerging global markets and reduced costs from its restructuring...

BRIEF: Judge denies Grant motions, issues gag order.
July 31, 2007... Byline: Amber Hunt Jul. 31--Nearly every motion filed by lawyers for murder suspect Stephen Grant was denied by a judge today, although the defense did get one long sought-after ruling: Both sides now are forbidden to speak to the media...

BRIEF: New system makes crossing International Bridge easier.
July 31, 2007... Byline: Joe Rossiter Jul. 31--A new system to make crossing the International Bridge at Sault Ste. Marie easier is a big hit so far. The system, which allows customers to pay toll crossings with a bridge-issued electronic debit card,...

Michael Moore's film festival benefits Michigan town.
July 30, 2007... Byline: John Monaghan DETROIT _ When Michael Moore launched the Traverse City Film Festival two summers ago, many locals were skeptical. It was bad enough that the aggressively liberal filmmaker, an Oscar-winner for 2002's "Bowling...

Real emotion apparent on `68 Stephen Stills tape.
July 30, 2007... Byline: Terry Lawson There's no small reason so many people grow up imagining love, romance and relationships in terms of movies, songs and pop fiction. It's there that most of us experience it in its most intimate, unmasked, state. ...

Custodial account tax to increase.
July 30, 2007... Byline: Susan Tompor The latest twists and turns of tax law make it clear that children aren't tax shelters _ at least not dependable ones. And if you have a college-age student, you need to know that your student no longer will be able...

Environmentally minded flyers can atone for their pollution.
July 30, 2007... Byline: Ellen Creager Undo environmental damage caused by your flight to Jamaica! Make up for all those fumes you expel on your drive to Des Moines! Buy yourself some carbon offsets. Carbon offsets, the latest buzzword in travel,...

TMZ.com expands from Web to TV.
July 30, 2007... Byline: Mike Duffy LOS ANGELES _ Greetings from groovy Ground Zero for the crazy new world of celebrity gossip, the spanking new offices of TMZ.com. That's right _ just across Sunset Boulevard from the Laugh Factory, the West...

Together in first place.
July 30, 2007... Byline: Amber Hunt Jul. 30--To most of metro Detroit, it might have seemed a simple soccer game. Not so, said Abbas Ali. "It's not just soccer," the 37-year-old Dearborn man said. "It's a step toward ending terrorism." That...

Slatkin cranks up DSO: Beethoven bursts with chemistry.
July 30, 2007... Byline: Mark Stryker Jul. 30--Conductor Leonard Slatkin's highly anticipated reunion Saturday with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra at the Meadow Brook Music Festival was full of charged excitement and deep expression. But if one moment...

Lions' No. 2 QB spot is still up for grabs.
July 30, 2007... Byline: Nicholas J. Cotsonika Jul. 30--When J.T. O'Sullivan signed with the Lions before training camp, he seemed like a longshot to compete at quarterback. He had just been named co-MVP of NFL Europa. But he had also just been cut...