A Christmas (petrol) Miracle!

The News-Herald - December 10

When I penned this cartoon for the December 10 edition of The News-Herald, I had no idea that a week later I'd still be living the miracle - and even more! Today, December 21, I paid $2.19.9 for gas - yes, Virginia, there IS a Santa Claus.
That's the Point!

Cartoon of the Day: A Christmas Classic Returns

Crain's Detroit Business - November 24

Nothing warms my heart like a Christmas Classic as the holiday season begins, and there's no more special classic than my hometown. Happy Holidays Detroit - it's good to be celebrating with you!
That's the Point!

Off the Drawing Board: I sketched a few holiday-themed ideas for the November 24 edition of Crain's Detroit Business, but tossed them all when I was inspired by The Old Redford Theatre presentation of Jean Shepard's "A Christmas Story."

Remembering John Jr. and His Dad

The News-Herald - November 20, 2013

I penned this cartoon in 2013, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. I chose this image because I identified with John Jr. throughout the horrible national ordeal of the assassination and funeral; as I believe our whole generation did. We weren't voters, we weren't Democrats or Republicans, we were kids - like John Jr. - and we all felt his agony over the loss of his dad. It wasn't until decades later, as we grew to be adults, that we realized the terrible impact the loss of his dad would have on us and our nation for decades to come.
That's the Point!

Cartoon of the Day: Ooooh - Now That's SCARY!

The News-Herald - Sunday, October 19

If you believe the advertising sponsored by all the PACs and special interest groups, every single candidate for statewide office - on both sides of the political aisle - are characters right out of the most frightening horror films; hoping to get elected, simply to do us harm once the votes are tallied and they take office. I urge you to disregard the shock ads and mailers and try something radical - research the candidates yourselves and reach a decision based on what you learn and understand, not on sound bites and catch phrases from campaigns or special interest groups that try to define a candidate or an issue. 

I'm not concerned about for whom you cast your vote; I'm concerned that you vote, and vote thoughtfully. It's your right and your responsibility.
That's the Point!

Cartoon of the Day: You Can't Vote if You Don't Register!

The News-Herald - October 5

I penned this cartoon for The News-Herald and my Downriver readers, but no matter where you live and no matter what your political point of view or party affiliation, you can't exercise any influence in the November election if you're not able to exercise your right (and responsibility) to vote. Monday, October 6 is the deadline to register and it's important that everyone who is eligible to vote gets out and votes. That's something we should all be able to agree on!
That's the Point!

Cartoons of the Day that Weren't: Goodbye Cadillac HQ!

Unpublished - September 2014

A couple of ideas I had for Crain's Detroit Business regarding the move of Cadillac headquarters to New York City. Neither was published, but I had fun working on them with my editor, and I kinda' like 'em, so I thought I'd share them here. Two takes:

1. What if, by relocating to NYC, the whole Cadillac product development and strategy team took on the persona of the cast of "Seinfeld?!"
2. Well, Lincoln once left The D ... and we know how that turned out! (Welcome home, Lincoln!)

So, as the car brand named after the founder of The Motor City leaves for The Big Apple, I say, "... we'll leave the light on for you!"
That's the Point!

Cartoon of the Day: Welcome Autumn ... When Only Leaves Fall (We Hope)!

The News-Herald - September 17

Summer is my favorite season for more reasons than space allows me to list but this year, I'm ready to say goodbye to summer and hello to fall with more enthusiasm than I would have ever imagined possible. "Summer 2014" played out like a bad movie sequel to "Winter 2013-14" ... something like "The Weather II - Warm Weather Menace!" After repairing hail damage, cleaning up flood damage and going without power for too many weekends, I'm ready for some mindless leaf blowing, and maybe some cider and doughnuts!
That's the Point!

Cartoon of the Day: Play Ball! (... for Real in the JLWS)

The News-Herald - August 13

Happily for true baseball fans in metro Detroit, the city of Taylor annually hosts the Junior League World Series (JLWS), that showcases youth baseball talent from around the world; and earns our area some global TV attention as well. The way the pro team downtown is playing lately, the JLWS is likely the ONLY World Series action we'll be seeing this year!
That's the Point!

Cartoon of the Day: 'Goodbye' or 'ila-laqaa,' either way, it's hard to say

The Press & Guide - July 16

Ten years is a long time and I was fortunate to have spent part of the past 10 years writing and drawing editorial cartoons for The Dearborn Press & Guide - or, more accurately, for our readers in Dearborn and Dearborn Heights. I had a great time, I met many, many wonderful people and I grew to feel like I was a part of the community. (... thanks, primarily, to all those wonderful people!) The newspaper business is very different now than it was nearly 40 years ago, when I first started working in a newsroom.

Publishers and editors today are faced with the realities of shrinking space and tightening budgets, which force them to make tough decisions. Coverage of community news is the primary responsibility of any local paper - it is, after all, the reason that readers pick them up off their porch or pull them out of a coin box. So, readers in Dearborn and Dearborn Heights, rest assured - you'll still learn the latest about city council and the school board, and you'll get news about the business community and the scoop on all the high school sports. There just won't be a few pen strokes on the opinion page giving that news a little twist.

And, honestly, I'll probably miss that more than you will.
That's the Point!

Cartoon of the Day: Walk on Through the Storm, Detroit!

Crain's Detroit Business - June 16

The outpouring of emotion, from so many sources, in the effort to help Detroit and its people recover from bankruptcy is overwhelming and gratifying (especially to someone like me, who grew up and went to school in Detroit). As the pledges of support were counted and totaled over the past two weeks, I felt the same sort of rush that I did as a kid, watching Jerry Lewis in the waning moments of his annual telethon for Muscular Dystrophy, so I say to Detroit ... "Walk on, walk on, walk on through the storm - you'll never walk alone!"
That's the Point!

Off the Drawing Board: This idea started with the pledges by the Detroit Three automakers, the Mellon and Getty pledges came while I was refining the idea and made it even stronger. Collaborating with my editor at Crain's Detroit Business, we refined the punch line and enhanced the message. (The idea below the rough at the right is one of those that you just have to get out of your system, groan and move on! *grin*)

Cartoon of the Day: The Judge Ruled This One Out

Crain's Detroit Business - (scheduled to run) May 26

Sometimes breaking news breaks a cartoonist's heart.A couple of weeks ago, it looked like congressional veteran John Conyers was going to be disallowed from the August primary ballot due to an issue with his nominating signatures. I thought it was the perfect opportunity to have some "write-in fun" with a couple of local political icons. Alas, after deadline - and too late to make any changes - a federal judge ruled in Mr. Conyers' favor, putting him on the ballot after all. In the old days, my cartoon would have been pulled, in today's desktop publishing environment, it was simply deleted. The judge, in effect, ruled in favor of Mr. Conyers and against my cartoon idea. Nonetheless, I wanted to share it here because I enjoyed writing/drawing this one so much!
That's the Point!

Cartoons of the Day: Memorial Day Reminds Us of the Price of Freedom and Safety

The Press & Guide - May 21

The News-Herald - May 25

Our freedom was never free. Memorial Day gives us the opportunity to pay our respect to those in our Armed Forces who - throughout history - paid the ultimate price for our gifts of freedom and safety. Honor their sacrifice by appreciating those gifts and using them wisely.
That's the Point!

Cartoon of the Day: Super Weakly?

Crain's Detroit Business - May 12

When Metro Times purchased Real Detroit, the merger was billed as the creation of a "super weekly" alternative newspaper for the metro area. I'm a long-time reader and fan of Metro Times, but I wonder if even this new super weekly might be threatened by the same "Kryptonite" that's putting all print journalism at risk, alternative and mainstream alike.
That's the Point!

Off the Drawing Board: This idea started very differently before the superhero theme evolved with the help of my editor, Jennette Smith. After I decided on the look of the cartoon, in the process of inking the final, we agreed that the "transformation" needed to be depicted a little more directly, so I added the "secret identity" panel on the lower left side of the panel.

Cartoon of the Day: There's No 'Bad' Spring Weather

The News-Herald - May 4

After the winter we survived in metro Detroit, friends and readers, there's no such thing as "bad" spring weather! Wind? We'll pick up the downed limbs and right the patio furniture. Flooding? We'll dry everything out in the spring sunshine. At least we don't have to shovel rain.
That's the Point!

Cartoon of the Day: Draw Pardner

The News-Herald - April 27

Each of our rights is something to be valued, and some are appropriately celebrated in a public way. The right to vote - been to many such rallies myself. The right to peaceful assembly - celebrated that with groups ranging from service clubs, to political organizations to schools. The right to "open carry?" Personally, I just don't see the value in a public display of that right. So, when an open carry rally was scheduled for Romulus, I decided to "draw" ... and express my right to hold that opinion. (And the opportunity to make a groaner of a pun, well that was a bonus!)
That's the Point!

Cartoons of the Day: Egg-Citement and Egg-stremes

The News-Herald - April 20

A preview of my Sunday, April 20 News-Herald editorial cartoon; because I'm as egg-cited as anyone! Happy Easter to all my friends and readers who celebrate the day!
That's the Point!

Off the Drawing Board: Earlier in the week, I penned this cartoon for The Press & Guide, in response to the threat of legal action against Dearborn Public Schools for distributing a children's Egg Hunt event flier. Some believed it was an illegal/inappropriate promotion of the Christian faith, although "Easter" was not anywhere on the flier and - it's been a long time since I gave the Bible a thorough read, but I don't remember anything about a Bunny or colored eggs ...

Cartoon of the Day: A Hole-y Mess

Crain's Detroit Business - April 7

Everything is partisan, isn't it? As we're dodging the craters on our daily commute it would be nice to know which of them the Democrats are responsible for, and which the Republicans are responsible for - so when we're replacing a tire - and perhaps a wheel too - we will know where to place the blame.
That's the Point!

Off the Drawing Board: In addition to the pothole idea, I offered this take on Miggy's new contract - alas, Mike Duggan's just not in the same league.

Cartoon of the Day: Where Have You Gone Joe Shlabotnik?

The News-Herald - March 30

I still look forward to Opening Day of baseball season with the same enthusiasm as Charlie Brown. Sunshine, green grass and fresh chalk lines - nothing says "start anew" like the combination of those three things. Where have you gone Joe Shlabotnik? It doesn't matter ... you're back every year when the umpire calls out, "Play ball!"
That's the Point!

Cartoons of the Day: Spring Has Sprung!

The News-Herald - March 19

The Press & Guide - March 19

Spring arrives just before noon on Thursday, March 20 here in metro Detroit, but will we recognize it, or will it be in some sort of seasonal disguise?
That's the Point!

Cartoon of the Day: At The End of the Rainbow

The News-Herald - March 16

I penned this cartoon for my readers Downriver, but it sure applies throughout metro Detroit. The only things we'll be finding at the end of our spring rainbows are potholes; and it'll take the luck o' the Irish to avoid blowing a tire or bending a rim!
That's the Point!

Cartoon of the Day: (Pot)Hole in One!

The Press & Guide - March 12

Potholes are our souvenirs of this terrible winter; and after depleting road maintenance budgets clearing snow, there's no money left to repair them. Hang on, it's going to be a bumpy ride into spring!
That's the Point!

Potholes are a problem throughout metro Detroit, so I did the same theme for my readers Downriver this week too. Maybe we can generate some funds for road repair by leasing sections of Fort St. to automakers as a test track?

Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?

The News-Herald - March 9

So, I sprang forward before going to bed, and I woke up with this terrible pain in my lower back. Did you spring forward? ... or did all the confusion cause you to spring back? Will you fall forward later this year? Does anybody really know what time it is (today)?! 
That's the Point!

Cartoon of the Day: Construction Zone

Crain's Detroit Business - February 24

As Detroit Mayor Duggan delivers his first-ever State of the City Address, given the current state of the city, it's probably going to sound a lot like a construction plan. But, as we all know, if we have a little patience, construction projects usually yield results that last for years. So, let's get the shovels in the ground!
That's the Point!

Off the Drawing Board: An alternative cartoon idea that I offered my Crain's editors for this week focused on the privatization of trash hauling in Detroit, as part of the bankruptcy recovery plan. I had a little fun with the theme ...

Cartoon of the Day: The Boys of Summer

The News-Herald - February 16

The Boys of Summer, the ones stretching and working out the kinks in Lakeland right now, are inspiring The Boys of Summer, the ones stuck here in hip-deep snow and polar temperatures. There will be summer nights on the back porch, listening to the ballgame on the radio and sipping iced tea ... there will be weekend matinee games in the baking sun at Comerica Park ... and there WILL be a time when "... the voice of the turtle is heard in the land." Even if it is a little muffled by the snow!
That's the Point!

Cartoons of the Day: Heart-y and Happy

The News-Herald - February 12

The Press & Guide - February 12

I did these two cartoons, as a public service, for my Downriver, Dearborn and Dearborn Heights readers. If you're facing a Valentine's Day "emergency," just print, clip and color one for your Valentine!
That's the Point!

Cartoon of the Day: No Business Like Snow Business

Crain's Detroit Business - February 10

The outdoor venues of the Winter Olympic Games are threatened by temperatures that are too warm, and the possibility of snow melt. On top of all its financial troubles, Detroit is suffering under a prolonged deep freeze, with more snow accumulating than has fallen in nearly 100 years. It's time to put to work the ingenuity that made this the Motor City to work and deal with both crisis situations at once!
That's the Point!

 



Off the Drawing Board: I offered a couple of other takes on the "snow/financial crisis" theme to Jennette Smith, my editor at Crain's Detroit Business. Her input, and a couple of follow-up pencil roughs, led to the final idea that ran this week.
ds

Cartoon of the Day: Winter, Weather We Want It or Not!

The News-Herald - February 5

Nearly 35 years of weather cartoons for five different newspapers in my career and this year, finally, I've surrendered to Mother Nature. It's just gone on to d*mn long! You win! I got nuthun' left. Keep warm, be safe everybody!
That's the Point!

Off the Drawing Board: I issued the same surrender to Mother Nature in The Press & Guide - sorry Dearborn and Dearborn Heights readers, all I can say is keep warm and bend your knees when you lift that shovel.

Cartoon of the Day: Happy(?) Groundhog Day!

The News-Herald - February 2

Six more weeks of winter. What a surprise. Well, at least the Groundhog was refreshingly honest about his forecast. Now, let's all climb into his burrow with him and wait until we're awakened by the first songs of birds in the spring!
That's the Point!

CARTOON of the DAY: 'Ppplay Bbball!'

The News-Herald - January 22

Take heart, readers! While you're blowing snow, scraping your car windows and slip-sliding on your commute - pitchers and catchers report in fewer than three weeks! Think spring breezes and baseball. Brrr...
That's the Point!

There's No Business Like (Auto) Show Business!

The News-Herald - January 19

In metro Detroit, everybody is in the car business. It doesn't matter if you're a barber, a grocer or a dry cleaner; a doctor, a dentist or a tailor - our lives, and livelihoods, depend on the companies and the people who build and sell cars. So, it's only natural that in the Motor City, the "holiday season" extends through the run of the North American International Auto Show. Get to Cobo Center with your family and celebrate the industry that made - and continues to make - metro Detroit the Car Capital of the World!
That's the Point!

Cartoons of the Day: No Business Like Snow Business

The Press & Guide - January 8

As we struggled through the worst snowfall and most frigid temperatures of many of our lifetimes, I could think of only one message to send to my Dearborn Press & Guide readers - "Hang in there, spring's coming!"
That's the Point!

Off the Drawing Board: I sent the same message to my readers Downriver, in The News-Herald. I grew up there, and couldn't help but think that we wouldn't have had the three "snow days" that my daughter enjoyed tacked on to the end of her holiday vacation. We woulda' gone to school, and we woulda' walked!

Cartoon of the Day: 'Mr. Duggan, You're Hired!'

Crain's Detroit Business - January 6

He may be the state of Michigan's highest-profile newly elected public official, but Mike Duggan's work rules and the order of his reporting within the current City of Detroit government infrastructure makes him seem more like a high-profile new hire.
That's the Point!

Off the Drawing Board: I offered another version of this week's Crain's Detroit Business editorial cartoon during discussions with my editor, Jennette Smith. Same topic, but with a New Years twist - January 6 seemed a little late for a New Years-focus, but I had fun with the rough! - ds