A Historic August Weekend in Detroit on 8 Mile Road

By Richard C. Clement

Like a fine bottle of Wine
Getting better with Age

The Office of District 2 Councilmember Pro Tem George Cushingberry Jr. wants to commend all of the participants of People for Palmer Park, The Annual 8 Mile Gathering Fellowship, Crusin in the D, and all the people at Peterson Park who partied in the Spirit of Detroit this August. I want to give a special shout out to the 40^th year reunion of the Mumford Class of 1975.

Some of the Class of 1975

WMUM Radio Personalities
Gerald Mc Bride and Richard Clement

It was an extreme pleasure to see old friends, classmates, neighbors, and the reason that all of us became who we are now. It was good to know that some of us are still alive and well.  To those of my Mustang classmates who are resting in heaven, I was honored to be your friend, teammate and drinking partner.  It has been 40 years graduated from Mumford High School and, to all of you all may the Spirit of Detroit inside you live on.

More class of the Class of 1975

Clement and Lake

The Annual 8 Mile reunion on the grounds of an old civil war camp was an extremely awesome event of unity. Old and new neighbors get together and fellowship in the most awesome manner at this location. There are never any acts violence here and it is nothing but love and respect for each other.

Pasteur School in the House

It was an extreme pleasure to introduce some of my friends to current Detroit Fire Department employees of Engine 44, with a brand new door. We were glad to see the support from Wayne County Sheriff, Detroit Fire and Police Departments.  They should feel good about covering a District with a strong history and a great future for the children that live there. Everyone knows the Neighborhood Police Officer but very few know the Neighborhood Fire Fighter. Want to give a big shout out to Sheriff Benny Napolean for his support and he is a proud product of Pasteur School.

Stop The Violence

The Gathering at Peterson Park was a true blessing of the neighborhood again in the Spirit of Detroit. This large city park accommodated three different groups who all played together in harmony.  A Winship Junior High School reunion, a Stop the Violence Rally, and a church group all used the park to fellowship together.  A deputy sheriff from Wayne County came to Stop the Violence and speak about the importance of education and reading. 

Wayne County Sheriff & Cush

Most of the prisoners in Wayne County Jails have the same trait in common regarding their reading skills. They are the most repeat offenders and the deputy sheriff did a wonderful job in communicating with the audience about police and community relations. This is another shout out to Wayne County Sheriff Benny Napolean and the employees that work under his command.

Cush and the Church
Working Together in District 2

Cruisn the D at Palmer Park

The effort to make Woodward South of 8 Mile road a part of a Cruise weekend was a smashing success. The span of Woodward between 8 and Mc Nichols (6 Mile for Native Detroiters) was populated with by the Crusin the “D” event that went around Palmer Park, 7 Mile, Woodward, 8 Mile and back.  This area has its own uniqueness because there are few restaurants and a park with a lot of trees where people parked their cars, stayed cool and watched the other cars go by.  It was a pleasure to welcome cruisers to the area.  

Crusin at Palmer Park

Participants at Woodward and Golden Gate drank cool vegan lemonade at the Golden Gate Café and watched the cars go by. Our office wants to send a thank you to Jerry White, Ms. Litita White and LG Graphics for participating in the inaugural classic car show held on the parking lot at Woodward and Golden Gate.  This location is a prime property for watching cruisers, especially the motor bikers go up and down Woodward.

Thank you Mejiers 

In 2016 a cruise from Campus Martius and Back is very doable. In collaboration with bikers, cruisers, and track clubs, this annual event will morph into an international celebration of the automobile.  Is a Cruise weekend marathon with runners running from 26 miles out to a finish line located at Campus Martius possible? This would have to be done before the Saturday of the event maybe on a Friday morning. Otherwise, the bikers and automobile group can do the cruise from Campus Martius to Pontiac in 2016 with proper time, planning and, support.

Cruiser(Left) with Organizer/CEO
Gregory Reed(Right)

Detroit is coming back and we are helping to keep it on track to progress.

We thank you all for your participation in these events in the Spirit of Detroit.

Keep up the good work in Detroit!

2015 Woodward Cruise Success has Inspired Bigger Plans for 2016 from Campus Martius to Pontiac

by Richard C. Clement

A Corvette Cruiser(L) with
Gregory Reed (R)

The Office of Council Member Pro Tem George Cushingberry Jr. wants to send out a big thank you to the shop owners on Woodward and, Mr. Gregory Reed of Crusin the D for organizing and implementing the events in the City of Detroit.  The people of District 2 and, the City very much appreciate Mr. Reed's effort uplift the People in The Spirit of Detroit.  We also want to thank McDonald's in Highland Park and, Mejier’s who’s sponsorship and Super Stores on Grand River Avenue and  8 Mile that have become a smashing success.

Thank You Mejiers

Woodward and Goldengate
Crusin the "D"

We want to thank Businesses like; Vendors LT Graphics & Consulting and, Vegan Golden Gate Café at the intersection of Woodward and Golden Gate that fully participated in the event by having educational sessions on Urban Gardening and what specific plants do for ailments of the body. Cilantro, and Mint Tea that can be grown in your backyard are things that people need to know about. Plants like Industrial Hemp can make products better than  E-85 fuel at a much cheaper price. 

Cruisn in Detroit Supporters

Cruise Weekend gave Automobile enthusiasts and Motor Cycle riders a chance to ride up and down Woodward Avenue from Downtown to Pontiac to pay homage and respect to the City and Region that carried the World for a long time.  It was an honor to meet Biker Bob and his Motor Cycle friends who will be teaching me how to ride a Harley Davidson Bike before Fall 2015.  There were a lot of bikers out there also showing the love for Woodward and I may be one of them in 2016. I also want to give my condolences to the people who got their cars stolen north of 8 mile. This would be a time to advocate for review of uniform Statewide Auto Insurance rates for every Michigan resident.

1964 Mustang and Owner 

In 2016 we believe that the Cruise should go from Campus Martius to Pontiac, and back.  This Cruise will highlight the progress of the City along Woodward on the M1 rail line,  People driving Automobiles, riding Motor Bikes will ride by places like;  The District Detroit,  Detroit Historical Museum, Ford Model T plant in Highland Park, Palmer Park, Golden Gate Vegan Foods, The NEW Perfecting Church, State Fair Parking lot, and beyond.

Side View

In 2016 we want a collaboration of people to use the Old State Fairgrounds Parking Lot on Woodward to view classic cars, party, or even sell used cars on the property. The bottom line is that this event is in the true Spirit of Detroit and, this issue will be brought before the full body of the City Council before the end of the year.  All permits, leases, and other essentials to have Woodward Avenue ready for the 2016 cruise will be put on the table for review.

Good News in Detroit, Come and Cruise in Detroit! Classic Car Cruise Weekend / Aug 13-15th

by Friends of Cushingberry

The cruise action is on Woodward Avenue and W. GoldenGate Detroit MI 48203.

Vendor Space Available

                The 1^st annual Classic Car Park and Cruise Detroit event will be held on August 13,14 and 15^th 2015 at the intersection of Woodward Avenue and W. Goldengate Street.   This is a prime location on Woodward Avenue because as a Cruiser, you can participate in the Dream Cruise north of 8 mile and Cruisn the “D” South of 8 mile.

Cars can park for free and Vendor space is being made available by the lot owners.   

Exhibit rates are as follows:

10x10 @ $125 per day or 10x10 @ $300 for ALL THREE DAYS

Set up time starts at 8am (Tents and Tables welcome)

For more information please contact:

Ms. Litita White - Director

Classic Car Park and Cruise Detroit

18461 W. McNichols

Detroit, MI 48226

(313) 255-4300 or (313) 930-0318

Fax:  (313) 255-4301

Crusin the "D"  Cruise

Attorney Gregory Reed is sponsoring www.cruisinthed.com in District 2

Good Food While you Cruise:

While you are there, come and patronize one of Detroit’s best Vegan Restaurants the Golden Gate Café. This gem is serves some of the best holistic food on Woodward. The owner Dr. Bob is very friendly and a great chiropractor.  Wednesday night Drum Circles at the intersection brings the Woodward/Goldengate community together in peace and sacrament.

Sign a Petition to Legalize Marijuana in Michigan

While you are looking at cars and dining at the Golden Gate Café, please take the time to sign a petition to allow voters to decide in November 2016 to legalize the use of profits from Marijuana. Legal retail sales from the plant will fix the roads, fund the Schools, and finance public pensions at a local level.  People who are currently incarcerated for small amounts of Marijuana will be thrown out of jail, kicked off probation, and have their criminal records expunged if this becomes the law.

Signature gatherers will be at Golden Gate Café to collect signatures.  

This effort is sponsored by the MI Legalize, Activists and Democrats.  This law if passed will keep the current Marijuana Law intact and, allow for the sale of cannabis in the State of Michigan.  This is the only Marijuana petition that will truly benefit the people in regards to funding, revenue and fair treatment.  This petition DOES NOT allow use of Marijuana by under-age youth.  People who are promoting the Marijuana Responsibility Council request are telling this lie to get you to sign their petition.

Review Petition language at www.milegalize.com

Whereas the petition by the MRC is sponsored by a GOP based group in Oakland County with ties to New Jersey Gov. Chris Chrstie. Their petition attacks felons and removes growing rights of patients and caregivers. Their petition will fill the jails of Michigan with people and property being seized by law enforcement officials. On giving second chances to felons, if it is good for Martha Stewart, if it is good for elected leaders in Michigan, then any felon in Michigan deserves a second chance. 

It is time to curtail the felony hater aide laws in Lansing and get some common sense. The cement used for the jails belong in the roads filling potholes and fixing bridges in Wayne County instead of sitting at an uncompleted jail.   So stop by and make it your mission, to sign the petition.

Happy Cruise Weekend to all of you from District 2 in Detroit,
 and we hope to see you on the Avenue.

Be There!

Cruise Woodward Avenue on the M1 in District 2 During Cruise Weekend Aug 12-Aug 16

by Friends of George Cushingberry Jr.

“Paying Homage to the Automobile from Highland Park to 8 Mile”

We are strongly encouraging all lovers of the Automobile to converge on Woodward Avenue from August 12th, 2015 until August 16^th, 2015 on Cruise Week along Woodward in Detroit and Highland Park.  Highland Park will be paying homage to the Automobile at the Old Ford Plant Site on Woodward Avenue. This site was the home of the plant that build Ford’s first car, the Model-T coupe. In Detroit the main event will be the Crusin the “D” event around Palmer Park.

1965 Dodge Challenger
Owner Name: Diamond

In the Main event, cruisers and City Vehicles such as Fire Trucks, Police Cars, form a big D loop around the Park on Woodward between 8 Mile and McNichols.   Last year Chief Craig headlined the Parade and the Detroit Fire Department, especially Engine 44 represented very well. This year will be even better because locations along Woodward between 8 and 6 Mile are available with permission of the property owners in advance.  Vendors and tables located at the intersection of Woodward and Goldengate will be there to greet cruisers on the road.  While you watch the Crusin the "D" you can eat some of the best Vegan food at the Golden Gate Cafe. Under the leadership of Gregory Reed, the Crusin the D event is a highlight of the District.  Currently we are waiting on approval from MDOT/State of Michigan to use the vacant State Fair Parking Lot for Cruise purposes. Talented people who love to build cars from scratch are strongly encouraged to participate in this event that pays homage to the City and Region that built a nation. 

For more information on the Cruise go to www.cruisinthed.com

If you are going to have a real regional transportation, going East and West is a priority. The eventual crossroad for the M1 and M102 Rail System is ground zero for the redevelopment of the neighborhood, including the Old State Fairgrounds. Eventual plans for the property are a new neighborhood, retail shopping, theater complex, and transportation center.  The transportation center will include a new stop for AMTRAK trains heading to Chicago. This station will replace the station on Woodward making AMTRAK people friendly and easy to park. Detroiters will not have to drive to Dearborn to catch the AMTRAK train.  To view the complete site plan for the Michigan State Fair, please visit Councilmember Pro Tem George Cushingberry Jr’s website by clicking here. 

If you have any questions or concerns, please call Councilmember Pro Tem Cushingberry's office at (313) 224-4535