news for 9/2-9/9

The Michigan State fairgrounds are undergoing discussions of becoming a year-round facility, adding on to the nine buildings they already have on the 156-acre grounds. As well as the building additions, there are talks of the facility being renamed to be called Home of Our State Fair instead of the Woodward and 8 mile Fairgrounds Center. The Fairgrounds talks of expansion may include a variety of events such as jazz and swing concerts, theater, sporting events, dog and horse shows, and wedding receptions.

Negotiations between management and musicians of The Detroit Symphony Orchestra drug on for hours last Wednesday as the two sides tried to reach an agreement on a new contract that would keep the musicians from going on strike, action which has not been taken since 1987. The biggest disparity in recent talks has been over the musician salaries, to be specific, reductions in salary which may put the DSO’s reputation in jeopardy. With less money coming in, it will be harder to continue to attract and keep the best musicians as members of the symphony. DSO’s players make a minimum of $98,800, with principal players bringing in much more than the minimum, ranking the symphony at 10th in the country, just below Pittsburg at $99,501 and above Minnesota at $90,168. The current proposal would reduce annual salaries by about $6,000 in the first year by having three unpaid weeks, with the proceeding two years having two unpaid weeks, decreasing salary by $1,900. Players seem willing to accept reductions, but a finalized contract has yet to be agreed upon.

Last Friday 18-year-old Justin Blackshear was convicted of two counts of first degree murder for the stabbings of Mark Barnard, 52, of Detroit and Megan Soroka, 49, of Dearborn. He was sentenced to life in prison without parole. Blackshear was a former busboy and dishwasher at a restaurant owned by Chris Cheli of the Detroit Red Wings who said he was, “sickened… to think that [Blackshear ] was once part of the family,” leaving the lingering question of why to “ forever go unanswered.’’ The judge had a series of harsh comments to say about the convicted, including that she though he enjoyed the attention he received for the murders and that Blackshear was “ the most cool-blooded killer [she had] ever seen, and that she was “ grateful [he would]l not be able to hurt anyone else.’’
When asked to address the court, Blackshear said, "I'd like to say to the families, I'm sorry for their loss."