CDB Flashback #2: When We Solved the Woodward Corridor Mass Transit, Light Rail Problem

Crain's Detroit Business - October 16, 2006    

Remember back in 2006, when the best minds in metro Detroit business and government got together and finally developed a workable plan for light rail and mass transit along the Woodward corridor? Detroiters with a direct, convenient way to get to jobs in the suburbs; suburbanites with direct, convenient transportation to jobs downtown and in the RenCen; and the hospitality and entertainment industries thriving downtown as people hopped mass transit for dining, concerts and theatrical presentations. 

Oh, wait ... we didn't get any of that. Well, maybe next year!

Off the Drawing Board: As I've sorted through boxes of my old Crain's Detroit Business cartoon originals, it's clear that business and civic leaders in metro Detroit are masters of non-decision making. This cartoon is just one example, but there are many other recurring topics I'll be sharing in the coming weeks and months. To be clear, when you see themes and topics repeated, it's not because I ran out of ideas; it's because our politicians and captains of industry did!
 

CDB Flashback: When the Farmer Needed to Cultivate a New Career

Crain's Detroit Business - May 16, 2005

Farmer Jack supermarkets were a locally owned institution in metro Detroit, evolving from the Food Fair supermarket chain in the 1950s and early 1960s. The Farmer Jack brand - and Farmer Jack himself - first appeared in 1966. In 1989, A&P bought the chain from its local owners and by 1994, all the former metro area A&P stores were rebranded as Farmer Jack - a testiment to the strength of the brand. However, in 2005, A&P put the stores up for sale. Unable to find a buyer for the chain, individual stores were sold off and in 2007, the last Farmer Jack store closed.

In this May 2005 Crain's Detroit Business cartoon, I imagined that the Farmer himself could see the writing on the barn wall and started thinking about cultivating a new career in a different field.

Off the Drawing Board: Over the next weeks, maybe months, I'm taking a look back at 28 years of cartooning for Crain's Detroit Business. None of my cartoons from 1995-2005 were digitized. Back then, I delivered originals to the Crain's offices downtown and picked them up every six weeks or so. Because of that, some of my early looks back may not be in chronological order. They'll be in the order that I stumble upon the originals in my attic, basement or garage!

Thanks for reading!

 

The Michigan 2024 Senatorial Primary-Go-Round

Crain's Detroit Business - July 17, 2023

The field of Democratic candidates vying to fill Michigan's U.S. Senate seat that will be open in 2024 with the retirement of Sen. Debbie Stabenow seems to grow weekly. The race is shaping up to be anything but boring, with candidates from a variety of backgrounds and professions. Don't stand up until the primary-go-round has come to a complete stop, or at least until it's time to vote a year from now!

Personal note: After 28 years, the cartoon above was my last for Crain's Detroit Business. It was a wonderful gig that spanned three decades of my life (just a few months shy of four!) and it was fulfilling, rewarding and exciting. I want to thank all the Crain's editors who had the patience to work with me, but especially my longest and closest collaborator, Michael Lee. I often joked with him that he should co-sign some of my cartoons because his contributions were frequently so significant. In the past few years, we even started thinking alike; and for that, Michael, I apologize - I hope you recover!

Over the next weeks, heck maybe months, I'm going to post some of my favorites. I hope they'll stir some memories of issues and people from the past. If you're so inclined, please feel free to comment too; either here on this blog, or send me an email: dan@dansaadcartoons.com

Thanks for taking a look at what I've had to say throughout the years!

Deliver this Valentine to LA

The News-Herald, February 13

This was my Sunday cartoon for The News-Herald. I suspect that Matthew Stafford won the hearts of fans throughout metro Detroit, not just Downriver, on his way to helping the LA Rams win this year's Super Bowl.

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone - and let's hope our hometown Lions show up for next season with a heartbeat!

That's the Point! 

 

Six More Weeks of 'Who Knows?!'

The News-Herald, February 2

These days, we never know what's next when it comes to the weather, COVID, whatever. Be ready for anything and be good to each other!

That's the Point!

Back to Normal - Whatever That Is!

 

The News-Herald - January 2, 2022

Monday, January 3, after celebrating the holiday season, we all resume our normal lives - whatever that is. We're starting another year under the cloud of COVID-19, with a new variant (omicron) as a bonus. Whatever "normal" you're returning to, add a little courtesy, caring and understanding as your deal with other people - this new normal is still stressful on all of us.

That's the Point!

A (Cautiously) Happy New Year to All!

 

The News-Herald - December 29, 2021

As we welcome another New Year, along with a new - and apparently more contagious - COVID-19 variant (Omicron), we must approach 2022 with both hope and caution. Happy New Year everyone - let's make it a healthy one!

That's the Point!

The Groundhog is Afraid of More than His Shadow

The News-Herald, January 31

 It's 2021 and the Groundhog reminds us there's more to be concerned about than six more weeks of winter weather. I did this for my Downriver readers, but it's true everywhere. Can't get the COVID-19 vaccine? Stay in your burrow as much as you can!

That's the Point!

Off the Drawing Board: Online Gambling? You Bet!

 Off the Drawing Board: Not every one of my cartoon ideas appears in print. Here's a rough from last week that didn't make the cut in any of the publications I draw for, but remains one of my favorites!

With the official start of legal online gambling in Michigan last Friday (Jan. 22), I heard many people worry that such "easy access" will drive greater gambling addiction. I'm not a gambler - not even a casual one (didn't even by a MegaMillions ticket last week!) - so I can't comment specifically on the "danger" of online wagering. However, I do believe that any bad habit can be amplified via "easy access" on the internet. Isn't it all really a matter of self-control?
That's the Point!

Something to Look Forward To

The News-Herald, January 17

Usually, in these grey days of January, we lift our spirits by looking forward to spring. But this year, instead of counting down to March 20, many of us are counting the days until we can get some information about receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. If all our levels of government can get distribution sorted out, come spring we'll all be able to - literally - breathe easier!

Pay-to-Play Athletics - a New Concept for 2021

Crain's Detroit Business - January 11

 When I was in high school, nearly 50 years ago, we were introduced to a new concept in high school sports, "pay-to-play." Tight budgets meant there was little or no funding for athletic programs. If you wanted to play, you (your parents) paid a fee so that you could participate. Fast forward to 2021 and the Michigan legislature has OK'd paying college athletes for the use of their likeness and/or numbers. A whole new concept in "pay-to-play" for a new generation! I wonder how this might change recruiting as well. "I can promise you'll start as a freshman, AND you'll get an endorsement deal with the area's largest automotive dealer group!"

That's the Point! 

OK, 2021 - No Pressure!

Crain's Detroit Business - December 14

After the painful disaster that was 2020, we all have great expectations of the New Year. Better health - including several COVID-19 vaccines, an economic recovery that puts families back on stable financial ground, and a return to some kind of recognizable "normalcy" (whatever that will look like) in how we work and go to school. Let's not set ourselves up for disappointment, OK? This disaster wasn't wrought in a day, or a week, or even a month; so fixing it all will take some time. Let the new kid get his footing before we start railing about what he's NOT getting done.
That's the Point! 

 

Today's Cartoon: 'Connection Refused by Ho-Ho-Host'

The News-Herald, December 6

During this pandemic, almost everything takes place "virtually" online. That makes us all - even Santa - even more dependent on our software. I wonder how the internet connection is at the North Pole?

That's the Point!

 

Cartoon of the Week: Dining Out(side)

Crain's Detroit Business - November 30

The COVID-19 pandemic has redefined "dining out," especially during periods like now, when indoor dining is not an option. Add winter weather, and "dining out" becomes a completely different  experience. Before deciding on appetizers and drinks, you need to decide on how many layers are necessary for comfort.

That's the Point!

Cartoon of the Week: Sick of Personal Freedom?

Crain's Detroit Business - November 16

 I value personal freedom. I really do. But I also value my health, and the health of my family and friends, and the health of my community, and the health of ... well, you get it - I value health. And I think protecting everyone's health during this pandemic doesn't mean a surrender of personal freedom. Wear a mask. Participate in contact tracing if necessary. Abide by the measures in place to keep us all safe and healthy. Let's focus on a common goal: Living through this damned pandemic! Then, when it's over, we can get back to normal - fighting over everything, but doing it without the risk of spreading a potentially deadly virus.
That's the Point!  

The COVID-19 Era - Redefining 'Travel Size'

Crain's Detroit Business - July 27

In this era of COVID-19, the very few places I go, I always carry my 2 oz. bottle of hand sanitizer. Consider the challenge to business travelers today - the personal size containers allowed in carryon luggage are hardly sufficient for a business trip. As we manage our lives through this pandemic, it's time to redefine "travel size!"

That's the Point!

Can't Mask the Truth

Crain's Detroit Business - July 13

Why, as we're knee-deep in a pandemic, has mask wearing become a socio-political issue, instead of a health issue? Arguing will not persuade deniers - I've tried. It just makes them more agitated and - in some cases - boarder line violent. So, I simply offer this (medical science-based) advice: Wear a mask in public to protect yourself and others. When you are confronted with a denier, protect yourself and others by avoiding them, and maybe shopping or dining somewhere else. Remember, survival is our goal. Be safe, be well! #maskup
That's the Point!

Cartoon of the Week: COVID-19 and Our New (Ab)Normal

Crain's Detroit Business, May 18

This is the 24th COVID-19 focused cartoon that I've done since mid-March (combined, for both Crain's Detroit Business and The News-Herald). I've looked at closed schools, closed businesses, economic uncertainty, local health care heroes, work-from-home challenges, and the "new," or "next" normal for our society. All pretty serious. This time, I was able to take a light-hearted look. Not at COVID-19, there's still nothing to smile about in that regard. I celebrated an iconic Detroit springtime event that is NOT being canceled, and has found a way, albeit a different way, to provide us some bit of normalcy in a time that's anything but. Thanks to my CDB editor, Michael Lee, for going along with this. I needed the spiritual lift!
That's the Point!

Off the Drawing Board: An alternative, and also light-hearted take, that I thought of for this week. As colleges and universities across the state consider how to reopen in the fall, I wondered how the COVID-19 factor might change college logo wear designs!

Cartoon of the Day: Hometown Pandemic Heroes

The News-Herald, April 8

This cartoon is traditionally my Wednesday-before-Thanksgiving cartoon, highlighting all the people and things for which I'm thankful over the previous months. Well, these previous weeks FEEL like months, but there's still much for which we can be thankful. People who go above and beyond in all the professions and jobs that sustain us, neighbors who - through kindness and compassion - look after each other and their neighborhoods, and simple things and activities that are often overlooked. While we navigate this unprecedented time in our lives, it's OK - important, really - to celebrate the good around us!
That's the Point!

It's April - No Fooling

The News-Herald, April 1

I think everybody feels like this today. April Fool's Day was always one of my favorite not-a-holiday days of the year. I always enjoyed being a prankster - as a kid, and then later as a parent. Ask my kids about some of the elaborate pranks they suffered on this day growing up. Actually, it's better if you don't.

As we enter a new month of what we know will be 30 days of "Stay Home. Stay Safe." and Social Distancing, I'm trying to look forward to when we've been through the worst of COVID-19 and we can return to just being "Social." Then, we'll be able to catch up on all the celebrations we've missed together. And please forgive me if you're a victim of a harmless prank in mid-August and I shout, "April Fool!"
That's the Point!