BTL Staff
Lame-Duck Power Struggle
Called the lame-duck session, it's the period in politics post an election but before newly elected officials can take office, and in the Michigan Legislature it's scheduled to last through Dec. 20. Currently, the Republican legislature still has a [...]
New York Man Found Guilty of 2013 Murder, Burning of Gay Detroit Man
DETROIT — Last week a New York man was found guilty of a 2013 murder and body burning of a gay Detroit man. A jury found the accused, Andrew Czarnecki, guilty of first-degree murder, felony murder, armed robbery and mutilation of a dead body. This [...]
MWC Calls on Law Enforcement to Review Rape Kit Retention, Destruction Policies
LANSING — Last month CNN released an investigative report regarding the destruction of rape kits before law enforcement investigations or judicial proceedings had been completed. They reported that 25 police agencies in 14 states, including [...]
From Struggle to Success
Melinda Phelps did not initially set out to be a certified public accountant. Born and raised in Detroit, and a product of Michigan colleges, Phelps first started out as a stockbroker. But as a proud African-American lesbian woman, Phelps said she [...]
Review: David, Amy Sedaris say Monster Box Theatre's 'Book of Liz' is Gospel
BY PATRICE NOLAN WATERFORD — Before the musical "The Book of Mormon" debuted there was "The Book of Liz," a play by humorist and author David Sedaris and his sister Amy, who is an actress, comedian and writer. It's a sendup of extremist faith-based [...]
The Elves and the Schumachers' at Theatre NOVA through Dec. 30.
ANN ARBOR, – Theatre NOVA's holiday tradition continues in 2018 with 'The Elves and the Schumachers,' a brand-new play from the team that brought fans "The Year Without a Panto Claus" and "Sugar Plum Panto." "Bring the whole family to laugh, boo, [...]
The Frivolist: 5 Ways to Help a Friend Financially Without Giving Them Money
When a friend or family member comes knocking for cash, pause before opening your wallet – because rarely does this situation go off without a hitch. That's not to say you can't lend a helping hand – you can – but your goodwill doesn't have [...]
Home for the Holidays Dec. 22 Stand-Up Charity Show
In the middle of the winter holidays this year Go Comedy! Improv Theater is hosting a LGBTQ-inclusive holiday stand-up show in which proceeds will go to benefit Ferndale's Affirmations LGBTQ community center. All featured comics are originally from [...]
MOCAD Hosts Heidelberg Retrospective through Jan. 7
Called "2+2=8: Thirty Years of Heidelberg," Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit is letting visitors experience the three decades of variation in one of Detroit's most famous outdoor installations by Tyree Guyton. Through Jan. 7 of 2019, vistors are [...]
Detroit Public Library Holiday Craft Event
Located in the Edwin Conely Branch of the Detroit Public Library, on Saturday, Dec. 15, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. children and tweens up to age 12 are invited to join other library-goers in a holiday-themed crafting event. "Make a '2018' snowman for tree, [...]
Many Happy (Election) Returns
Across 1 They get checked at bathhouses 4 Abbreviated Broadway musical? 8 First out governor Kate, who was reelected 13 Prefix with classical 14 Antigay prejudice, e.g. 15 Milk, in Madrid 16 Mineo, who played Plato 17 "All's Well That ___ [...]