Detroit Days of Summer

Lots of interesting news and links this week, which I digested happily when not swatting mayflies off my car, house and kids.

My favorite my far is that story that J.D. Power rated U.S. automakers top notch in its most recent survey. That's great for (most) everyone in the Metro Detroit area, many of whom are breathing a sigh of relief. One year after the GM and Chrysler bankruptcies, these two companies are still alive and slowly starting to hire again. The region cannot go back to its strangling dependence on the auto industry, but it is important that the local employers of choice have a future here as well.

"This year may mark a key turning point for U.S. brands as they continue to fight the battle against lingering negative perceptions of their quality," said David Sargent, vice president of global vehicle research at J.D. Power.

Other news of note:

• The “140 Character Conference” has chosen Detroit as its host city for the October event. Organizers describe the conference as “a platform for the worldwide twitter community to: listen, connect, share and engage with each other, while collectively exploring the effects of the emerging real-time internet on business.” Who knew you could say so much in such a small space?
• Garden Court Condominiums is giving someone who professes to love Detroit free rent for a year. The first videos in this competition are in, and I'm enjoying people's explanations on why they think the city is a winner. Check out Margarita Barry's entry, a friend of the blog and the city for sure.
• The Detroit Free Press is asking people to vote on which pieces of Detroit architecture deserve to be saved or razed. It is just a poll and not an official vote by any means, but an interesting look at what people think are the city's assets. So far, about 11,000 people have voted. And, not surprisingly, most want the Packard Plant – that gruesome symbol of Detroit's LONG downfall – among our Most Wanted demolitions.
• The good folks over at Yelp have developed a fun summer guide to the city of Detroit. If you're interested in supporting our city, check it out and put the pedal to the metal so to speak. River Days are this weekend – and it promises to be extraordinary. Great weather, great people, great events. It makes me proud to call Michigan my home. Come see what is NEW in Detroit and wash the negative out of your brain.