I’ll be honest with you.  For the most part, I hate watching local news.  In my opinion, much of what I see is fluff.  How dirty is your house? Look at how people can break into your home’s wireless internet? I could go on and on.  In the end, I always get the same outcome.  I’m pissed off at being led to believe that there was more to these stories than there really was.  Either I’m hearing something that I already know or I had minutes of my life stolen from me.  What I really care to know about is about misdeeds, corruption or something deep that I wouldn’t have heard before.

When I think back to the major stories of my lifetime, I think of investigative reporters.  I have so far been mostly a Channel 7 guy so I saw a lot of Steve Wilson’s pieces.  I saw him get shoved by Kwame Kilpatrick’s goons.  I remember the questionable Navigator lease being revealed.  Of course, I can’t forget Monica Conyers’ infamous “I’m being harassed” incident.  Steve Wilson was always tenacious and persistent—not giving up until he had his story.

So I thought to myself, if news stations let go of guys like Steve Wilson, who are out covering events otherwise wouldn’t have been covered and much less aired, then what else is there? I don’t care about how much bacteria is in my home—thank you very much.  I don’t wish to live my life in fear.  I wish to live a life that is informed. This is what guys like Steve Wilson did and continue to do—keep us informed.  So thank you, E.W Scripps Company, for saving a few bucks, you have lost a viewer and I’m sure that many others will leave as well.  Hope that it was worth it.

Author: José A. Rodríguez

The Tchaikovsky Ballet, one of Russia’s most distinguished ballet companies, will perform their critically acclaimed production of Sleeping Beauty at the Detroit Opera House March 26-28th.  The production will feature Tchaikovsky’s whimsical score and Marius Petipa’s original choreography.

The story, based on the 1697 books by Charles Perrault, begins in an imaginary kingdom far away where a king and queen celebrate the long awaited birth of their only child, Princess Aurora.  All are invited to attend the celebration including fairies who, invited as godmothers, offer the princess blessings of beauty, wit and grace.  In a vengeful twist, an angry fairy puts a curse on Aurora that can only be undone with her true love’s kiss.  Sleeping Beauty is one of the most enduring fairy tales of all time, popularized in the U.S. by Walt Disney’s 1959 adaptation that featured music from the Tchaikovsky ballet.

A special dinner and dance package will be offered to audiences during the Saturday night performance on Saturday, March 27 at 7:30 p.m.  The package will include a three course meal and a glass of wine at Shiraz in Bingham Farms at 5:00 pm, a premium seat at the opera house during the performance and complimentary transportation to the restaurant from the opera house and back for $89.

An intermediate and advanced ballet class will also be offered on Saturday, March 27 at 11:00 a.m. for free to Sleeping Beauty ticket holders and $25 for the general public.  The class will take place in the Margo V. Cohen Center for Dance at the Detroit Opera House in the Ford Center for Arts and Learning, 5th floor.

The Tchaikovsky Ballet Theatre of Perm, Russia premiered their first ballet season in 1926 and is known for producing both classical and contemporary works, with an emphasis on the ballets of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.  The company is unique in that it draws all of its dancers from its own school, one of the most prestigious training institutions for ballet in Russia.  The artists from the company have distinguished themselves in international and national competitions.  The company is also greatly influenced by several Kirov artists and shares the styles and standards of the Kirov school, which is historically known for its structured and refined approach to ballet.

Tickets for the March 26-28th performances of Tchaikovsky Ballet’s Sleeping Beauty at the magnificent Detroit Opera House range from $29-$76 and are available at the Detroit Opera House ticket office (1526 Broadway, Detroit, 48826), by phone at (313) 237-SING (7464) or online at www.MichiganOpera.org.  Tickets are also available at all Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at (248) 645-6666 or online at www.Ticketmaster.com.

The Tchaikovsky Ballet’s Sleeping Beauty:

• Friday, March 26, 2010 7:30 p.m
• Saturday, March 27, 2010 2:30 p.m
• Saturday, March 27, 2010 7:30 p.m
• Sunday, March 28, 2010 2:30 p.m

There are 16 participating restaurants including Kona Grille, Ruth’s Chris, Morton’s Steakhouse and the Melting Pot.  You have an option of a three-course lunch for $15 or a three-course dinner for $30. Either way, you will not walk away unsatisfied.  I was able to take advantage of the Detroit Restaurant Week awhile back.  I was able to check out Coach Insignia at the Ren Cen. I was very happy to have the opportunity. Keep your eyes open for the next one.

For more information, go to: http://www.troyrestaurantweek.com

Author: José A. Rodríguez

For some males there are deeper problems, such as abandonment issues.  Regardless of the cause, being abandoned can lead to cheating in future relationships.  It’s the whole “I’ll hurt you before you hurt me” scenario.

Then, there’s “sexual addiction.”   This phenomenon, which has not universally been accepted by sexologists, seems like a celebrity’s only way to save their marriages and bank account! (Cough, cough: Tiger Woods).

Now, check out the flip side to the coin.  We can commit ourselves to relationships whether it’s something serious relationship or even marriage.  The sex is always great at first! Then, when the “honeymoon phase” is over, sex isn’t as frequent or as freaky. Understandably, things can slow down.  When the “lady in the streets and a freak in the sheets” women we fell in love with is now a distant memory, we feel like we’ve been bamboozled! Women should ask themselves, if they are ready to maintain a mutually satisfying a healthy sex life just as we are expected to remain monogamous.

In no way, do I condone this activity but this is dealing with what is seen as human nature.  When we no longer feeling attractive to our significant other is when we stray toward someone who seems to give us what we are looking for.  So ladies… are you ready to commit yourself to a healthy sexual relationship? I can hear you ladies now “I don’t have to have sex if I don’t want to! I’m not his sex slave you know!” If you’re saying this, then you’re missing the point.  It’s about learning together how to keep things fresh, new, and exciting.  Good luck and remember…a fat kid never wanders far from the cake!

Author: Andres Pivens

On February 19^th , Martin Scorsese reminded us just how much of a genius he is. Paramount Pictures’ Shutter Island, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, and Ben Kingsley opened in theaters to blow audiences’ minds everywhere.

DiCaprio plays Teddy Daniels, a U.S Marshall sent along with his partner, Chuck Aule (Ruffalo), to Shutter Island, a mental hospital, to find an escaped patient that called the island home. Ashecliffe Hospital is run by Dr. Cawley (Kingsley) who treats its criminally insane and violent residents.

As he begins to investigate, Teddy realizes that something very strange is going on and becomes determined to get to the bottom of it. Meanwhile, we find that he pushed for the chance to come to Shutter Island, but is soon guessing whether his arrival was his own plan or of Ashecliffe’s suspicious doctors. As he climbs deeper down the rabbit hole that is Shutter Island, Teddy ends up questioning his own mind—neither knowing who he can trust nor what is really happening.

This is all that I’m able to share on regarding plot without giving away the crux of the movie. I have no other choice but to give Shutter Island an A+. The still dashing DiCaprio did a fantastic job playing Teddy Daniels and needed to do little to prove how he is an actor worthy of serious praise. I am particularly proud of Mark Ruffalo for going from 13 Going on 30 to Blindness (also a fantastic film) to Shutter Island. He is seriously climbing the ranks in the film industry and I look forward to seeing him in a lead role soon.

The acting altogether was exceptional and, while I have never read the book that it is based upon, I thought that the storyline was captivating and kept you guessing. This was my favorite part of the whole movie. While you may have figured out things at certain points, you will be left thinking even after you’ve left the theater.

Many times you don’t really think about the movie’s direction when watching one, but I can genuinely say that this film couldn’t have been the same without Scorsese’s eye. The way that he captured the story is really made the movie worth seeing.

On a final note, I want to say that I think that if you don’t end up liking Shutter Island, then you need to watch it again because you probably just missed something. There are a lot of twists and turns, as well as layers to it, so be ready to pay attention.

Author: Crissy Zamarron

I have been taking some time dealing with some life changes. Many new and wonderful things have happened to me that required time to adapt. For one, I began a new job and made the decision to live a fulfilled, happy life. However, despite all of this joy, finding contentment in romantic relationships or finding “The One” still eludes me. I’ve realized that perhaps I’m not meant to find a partner or love. However, for the first time, I might be comfortable with this Enter: desired happiness and fulfillment.

The last time you heard from me, I was pining over my physical therapist. Since my last column, I learned that he is not only dating a woman, but engaged to her. Getting over Doc was easy because I hadn’t invested too much in him. Every once in awhile, I do wonder what could have been. Oh well, it just wasn’t meant to be.

My recent failures in the love department have prompted me to spend the last few months analyzing every past relationship. Yes, the list is very long-lol! Such introspection demands asking the dreaded question, “What went wrong?” By asking this, I am opening Pandora’s box. I’ve realized that by pondering what went wrong, I am somewhat admitting that I may have played a role in the demise of my relationships.

The more deeply I’ve dug into my past, the quicker I’ve realized that there was a person—the “one that got away” and holding me back from achieving romantic bliss. Why? For me, this man is as close to perfection as anyone. He’s tall, handsome, educated, friendly and family-oriented. He was there for me whenever I needed him. Yet because of past hurts, I was unable to fully appreciate him. Truthfully fear interfered and, much to my chagrin, I let him go. Although years have passed, this man has continued to literally haunt my thoughts and dreams.

A sign from above gave me a sudden moment of both disparity and clarity or so I thought. It was then that I discovered that I love him. Almost desperately. Something inside motivated me to reach out to him. Of course, because of recent technological advances, I didn’t have to talk to him in person, per se, which I realize now was a not-so-good move. So, I did what any hip, technologically savvy woman my age would do. I made a declaration of my love via Facebook, not in the form of a poke or status update but via message. Sounds a little tacky, right? At the time, it seemed like the right thing. Now, I can’t say that I had positive results. Sadly, he didn’t respond. However, for the first time in my life, I did something that was so out of character. I made the first move. I told someone about my feelings, with the risk of being rejected. To most people, this would be a huge setback, but not for me. For the first time, I finally understood how I’ve spent most of my adult life pushing men away.

I don’t know that I’ll ever make another Facebook confession in my life. The first one was pretty scary and well, didn’t have a high ROI. Oh well, here’s to finding true love and happiness. Wish me luck.

Author: E.J Leon

When planning a wedding there are major decisions to be made.  What is the date? Where is the location going to be? Do we want a big or a small wedding? Who is going to stand up? What kind of dress do I want to wear? Pure white or ivory? Satin or organza? Silk flowers or real? Cupcakes or wedding cake? Chicken or fish? Dollar dance or none? DJ or band? And the most important question of all: who the heck is going to pay for all of this?! All of these questions are enough to make your head spin and go running the other direction.

In an effort to help me decide on some of these things, I decided to attend my first bridal show.  I invited my mom and maid of honor along for support. Thank God I did! We walked into the giant hotel ballroom full of brides-to-be and I thought, “I am so glad I have my running shoes on.”

A bridal show is like a wedding on crack. There is booth after booth of photographers, banquet halls, limo services and, even, real estate agents.  Everywhere you turn there are vendors trying to get your attention and suck you in to hear their sales pitch about “today only” specials.  Occasionally, you see a groom-to-be or a dad being tugged along and wearing looks of desperation across their face.  My fiance would have died of boredom.

After a day of collecting brochures and asking DJs if they knew who Celia Cruz and Juanes were, we were ready to leave.  I was tired and mentally exhausted though happy I came.  I felt like I had enough information to get me started.  In the end, I met some really great photographers and got some ideas for some centerpieces.

Wedding Tip: Bridal shows can be overwhelming though well worth it.  Make sure to bring some family and friends for support while leaving the dudes behind!

Author: Gabriella Muñoz

Del Toro plays Lawrence Talbot (Larry in the original version), an English-born American actor who receives letter from his brother Ben’s fiancee, Gwen (Blunt), asking for him to come home to help find his missing brother.  Lawrence arrives to his estranged father, who we later discover is the one that sent him away to America.  Although his brother’s body has already been found, Lawrence agrees to stay in Blackmoor until he finds out what happened to his brother.

During his search for answers, Lawrence is attacked by the beast but survives.  Soon, the village goes into a frenzy to capture him before he starts to kill.  Meanwhile, Gwen and Lawrence are developing a thing for each other and Lawrence’s creepy father is acting pretty weird but they can only attribute it to his distant personality.  At one point, he even hands Lawrence over to the villagers, which results in him going into an asylum.  Chaos ensues and eventually there is an anti-climactic showdown.

I’m giving The Wolfman a C+.  Going into it, I expected a legitimate thriller, but found that, while the actors did their jobs, the writers really did not.  While it was just odd to think of Del Toro as an 19^th century Englishman, he pulled it off okay.  Hopkins really brought back a Hannibal Lector type of persona for this role to make himself creepy.  As for Blunt and Weaving, it wouldn’t have really mattered if they were in the film at all.  Unfortunately, their characters were only really just necessary for the last 20 minutes of the film.

The story line was rushed and shallow.  There just wasn’t enough development of the story.  I just feel that, if you’re going to do a remake of a classic film you have two options: stick to it exactly but with better special effects, or expand the story.  They didn’t do either.

I was really trying to contain my excitement for The Wolfman before I saw it, and I’m glad I was able to because I would’ve really set myself up for a letdown.  Overall, this was a take-it-or-leave-it kind of movie that just did not live up to what it really could have been.  If I could have gone back, I think that I would have left it.

Author: Crissy Zamarron

Photos: Universal Pictures

The Mistress of Ceremonies for the evening will be National Public Radio’s Martina Guzmán, award-winning journalist and reporter for Detroit public radio’s “Feet in 2 Worlds.”

A vocal performance by young Peruvian-American phenom Fatima Poggi will kick off dancing to the tunes of DJ “Eazy-E.”

This annual event kicks off Wayne State’s observance of Hispanic Heritage Month and raises money in support of the Center’s student retention programming. It is made possible through the charitable contributions of its many guests, as well as sponsors such as César Chávez Academy, the Leona Group, DTE Energy, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, MGM Grand Detroit, Wayne County Community College District, Comerica Bank and Dalia García.

For more information, or to RSVP for the event, please visit: www.clas.wayne.edu/cbs.