Detroit's new Vault of Midnight comic book store opens Saturday in Milwaukee Junction
click to enlarge Courtesy photoVault of Midnight's new Detroit store features a mural by Sintex. Detroit's bigger and better Vault of Midnight comic book store will celebrate its grand opening on Saturday in Detroit's Milwaukee Junction neighborhood.The new store, located at 2857 E. Grand Blvd., Detroit, will open to the public from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 2.According to a press release, the grand opening will feature select free comic books, a video game truck by Round 1 Gaming Lab, DJs, the Buddah Foods food truck, discounts, and more.Comic book fans can also check out a new mural designed by Sintex that features superheroes from Marvel, D.C., and Milestone Comics, as well as Vault of Midnight's "Lonely Spaceman" mascot.First founded in 1996 in Ann Arbor, Vault of Midnight expanded to Grand Rapids in 2013 and downtown Detroit in 2016 on Library Street. The new Milwaukee Junction location is more than double the square footage of the former Library Street store.
Source:MetroXpress
September 28, 2021 13:52 UTC
DoorDash delivery man arrested for writing anti-gay slurs on gay couple's order
The U.S. Department of Justice has launched an investigation into civil rights violations and poor conditions inside Georgia prisons, including the targeting of LGBTQ inmates by prisoners and staff. On Tuesday, in a news conference, U.S. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke said the Justice Department found "significant justification" to open the investigation, citing dozens of murders, stabbings and beatings, scores of smuggled weapons, and documented gang activity inside state-run prisons. Last year, 26 people in state-run prisons were killed in confirmed or suspected homicides, and 18 others have been killed this year. Additionally, an investigation by the Southern Center for Human Rights, a nonprofit law firm that monitors conditions in state prisons, last year found that inmates in Georgia state prisons had a suicide rate twice the national average, raising further red flags.
Source:MetroXpress
September 28, 2021 11:48 UTC
Drowning girl statue causes a stir in Bilbao
BILBAO, Spain (Reuters) – Staring impassively out from the murky waters of Bilbao’s River Nervion, the eerily lifelike face of a young girl drowning in the tide has been unsettling people in the Spanish city since she appeared unannounced last week. Bilbao residents awoke to the installation last Thursday after it was taken by boat and lowered into the river near the city centre at the dead of night. “I learnt today that’s not what it’s about, but I think people can each give their own meaning to it,” she said. ‘Bihar’ is not the first Orozco work to surprise and move Bilbao. Two years ago his life-size statue of a lone woman sitting on a park bench, ‘Invisible Soledad,’ sparked a debate about the isolated lives of the elderly.
Source:MetroXpress
September 28, 2021 11:15 UTC
WATCH: Anti-LGBTQ protester punched in the face at Pride parade
A woman has been arrested in Northern Ireland after punching an anti-LGBTQ protester in the face at a Pride parade. A 44-year-old woman, who has not been named, approached McGeough, paused as if to say something, and then punched him in the face. Gerry McGeough has clearly fallen down the fascist rabbithole of hate as he protests at the Mid Ulster Pride event alongside Niall McConnell. Mid Ulster Pride, which organized the march, said it was unaware of the incident but was “very sorry” to hear it had happened. The anti-LGBTQ and anti-abortion campaigner said he would continue to protest LGBTQ events and the “homosexual agenda,” including another Pride event in Omagh.
Source:MetroXpress
September 28, 2021 11:03 UTC
Lincoln-Sudbury, Wayland soccer players honor loved ones at 15th annual Kicks for Cancer
“Everyone’s been affected by cancer in one way or another,” L-S boys soccer captain Mika Tums said. “So it’s sort of a tradition and it means a lot,” said Dresens, a Wayland senior captain. “She was a big part of my life when I was younger,” the Wayland senior captain said. On Thursday, the Wayland boys soccer team presented assistant coach George Argyrou with a T-shirt. “That’s the most fun I’ve had playing soccer,” L-S senior captain Sean Desmarais said.
Source:MetroXpress
September 28, 2021 10:30 UTC
Looking for fall views? Here are six greater Metrowest and Milford hiking trails to try
If you're tired of trekking the same old trails or tired of taking in the view of your living room, you're in luck. While you may not think it at first, the greater Metrowest and Milford area of Massachusetts are chock full of cool walks, great views and fun wildlife. Bay Circuit Trail:How 230 miles of hiking trails connect the suburbs of BostonThe sanctuary is closed on Mondays, and entry is $6 for adults and $4 for seniors and children. Set out on the Bay Circuit TrailFor maps and addresses for trail heads, visit https://www.baycircuit.org/maps-guides/If you want a long trail, the 230-mile Bay Circuit Trail that rings Boston is for you. The hiking through Sherborne is rumored to be some of the prettiest, with views that have been compared to the hiking in New Hampshire and Maine.
Source:MetroXpress
September 28, 2021 09:10 UTC
MassBay's rent for Farley building will now go directly to Framingham schools
School Committee Chairman Adam Freudberg said he researched the rules and advocated for compliance around the city's receipt of rent payments from MassBay. Additionally, the money is to be spent with only authorization of the School Committee," said Freudberg during a School Committee meeting. City Council Chairman George King said the then-town used to deposit MassBay's rent into the city general fund back in the early 2000s, when he was the Town Manager. The School Committee has also approved a midyear capital project proposal to replace the roof at the Farley School. "This is a problem that's been around for years and years and years," said School Committee member Geoffrey Epstein.
Source:MetroXpress
September 28, 2021 09:00 UTC
Framingham City Council still not a special permit granting authority
FRAMINGHAM — Framingham City Council decided not to go forward at this time with a proposed zoning ordinance amendment that would have given councilors more control over certain large mixed-use developments. Christine Long, District 1 City Councilor, a proponent of the measure, argued that there were fewer than five projects in the last decade that would have induced a special grant permitting process. Very few projects would need City Council approval instead of going through regular channels, and those that did would be for large projects that could potentially affect many residents. City Council Chair and Councilor-at-Large George King took issue with characterizing the decision as happening just before an election, and said it was concerning that the arguments were being brought forward at the “11th and a half hour. “Those are the types of projects that probably should be approved by an elected city council with representation from every neighborhood,” King said.
Source:MetroXpress
September 28, 2021 09:00 UTC
MetroWest spots with special programs for people with sensory needs
Organizations across MetroWest are working to make everything from breweries to museums more welcoming to people with autism and sensory sensitivities. Here are some places where outdoor activities, shopping and dining are designed to accommodate those with sensory needs. Horseback ridingHorse SenseAbility in Sherborn offers programs with horses that have been specifically selected for therapeutic purposes. Programs include therapeutic riding, a mentoring program for children in foster care, and Wildstar Wranglers, a vocational program for 18- to 25-year-olds with autism. Discovery Museum in Acton is also Autism Welcoming and, starting in October, will offer a program called "Especially for Me."
Source:MetroXpress
September 28, 2021 09:00 UTC
China’s factory profits slow as industries brace for power crisis
BEIJING (Reuters) – Profit growth at China’s industrial firms slowed for a sixth month as plants fought off high commodity prices, COVID-19 outbreaks and part shortages, with an unfolding power crisis a growing threat to output and bottom-lines. Profits rose 10.1% on year in August to 680.3 billion yuan ($105 billion) compared with a 16.4% gain in July, data from China’s statistics bureau showed on Tuesday. China power companies’ profits squeezed https://graphics.reuters.com/CHINA-ECONOMY/gkplgwkqkvb/chart.pngFor the January-August period, industrial firms’ profits rose 49.5% year-on-year to 5.61 trillion yuan, slowing from a 57.3% increase in the first seven months of 2021. Liabilities at industrial firms rose 8.4% on an annual basis at end-August, up from 8.2% growth as of end-July. The industrial profit data covers large firms with annual revenues of over 20 million yuan from their main operations.
Source:MetroXpress
September 28, 2021 02:13 UTC
Gymnastics-Biles says she should have quit before Tokyo Games
(Reuters) – Four-times Olympic gold medallist Simone Biles told New York Magazine that she should have quit gymnastics “way before Tokyo,” where she suffered from a case of “twisties” that derailed her attempt at a record haul of six golds. The 24-year-old American dropped out of the opening event at the Summer Games, the team competition in July, after just one vault and later said she was struggling with the “twisties,” a serious mental block in which gymnasts lose their sense of orientation. In an interview released on Monday, Biles told the publication that she struggled with anxiety after arriving in Tokyo. “I should have quit way before Tokyo.”The 19-time world championship title-holder told lawmakers earlier this month how the FBI and U.S. gymnastic and Olympic officials failed to stop the sexual abuse that she and hundreds of other athletes suffered from Nassar. (Reporting by Amy Tennery in New York; editing by Clare Fallon)
Source:MetroXpress
September 27, 2021 22:18 UTC
PFAS levels reported as 'slightly elevated' in one of Hopkinton's eight water wells
HOPKINTON – Slightly elevated levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were reported in one of the town’s eight wells. MassDEP called inThe town is working alongside MassDEP to aggressively monitor and test the wells in town, the statement said. They will also explore treatment options to mitigate PFAS levels in the water supply. "I encourage every resident and business owner to read the published materials so that [they] can understand PFAS chemicals." Boiling water will not destroy PFAS, and may result in increased levels due to evaporation of the water.
Source:MetroXpress
September 27, 2021 21:45 UTC
State: Mask mandate for Massachusetts public schools extended
Massachusetts Education Commissioner Jeff Riley has extended the mask mandate for all public K-12 students, educators, and staff through at least Nov. 1, according to a press release issued Monday. Middle and high schools with 80% of their students and staff vaccinated will have the option to lift the mandate by submitting an attestation form to the department on Oct. 15. Schools that have already collected proof of vaccination and meet the 80% threshold can submit the attestation form before Oct. 15 for consideration. Once a school completes the verification process, vaccinated students and staff will no longer have to wear masks. The mandate includes exceptions for students who cannot wear a mask due to medical conditions or behavioral needs.
Source:MetroXpress
September 27, 2021 21:26 UTC
Liz Cheney: "I was wrong" to oppose gay marriage in the past
says she was wrong to oppose marriage equality in the past — a stance that split her family and earned her criticism from her married lesbian sister. Liz — this isn’t just an issue on which we disagree — you’re just wrong — and on the wrong side of history.”In the 60 Minutes interview, Cheney called her opposition to gay marriage misguided, and channeled Mary Cheney and Poe’s Facebook remarks, saying: “I was wrong. … Freedom means freedom for everybody.”After she voted to impeach Trump, Cheney was stripped of her leadership post as chair of the House Republican Conference. Because of this, Cheney says it will be the “most importamt House race in the country” in 2022. See also:Switzerland voters approve same-sex marriage in landslide victoryUtah school district bans ‘politically charged’ Pride flag from classroomsPriest caught stealing from church to buy drugs for gay sex parties
Source:MetroXpress
September 27, 2021 20:37 UTC
Former Michigan GOP, Dem party chairs debut national popular vote ballot measure
The former heads of both major Michigan political parties are joining forces to help Michigan become the next state to ratify a National Popular Vote (NPV) amendment. Former Michigan Republican Party Chair Saul Anuzis and former Michigan Democratic Party Chair Mark Brewer say it would make elections more fair and democratic by doing away with the current “winner-take-all” system for awarding electoral votes. “Under the current system, five of our 46 presidents have come into office without winning the national popular vote,” Brewer said. Michigan had 16 electoral votes in 2020, but is set to lose one going into the 2024 election amid stagnant population growth. If a national popular vote interstate compact was triggered, voters in all states would be more relevant, Anuzis said.
Source:MetroXpress
September 27, 2021 19:52 UTC