Keener 13

The Detroit Public Schools will invest over $32 million in major upgrades, including turning the long-abandoned Cooley High into a community sports complex and moving Davis Aerospace High back to Detroit City Airport. Projects wrap by 2027. The move back to City Airport will expand the aviation and engineering curriculum to include hands-on training and double the school’s enrollment to 200 students. The project is spearheaded by Launched the Detroit Public Schools Community District Foundation, Michigan’s largest public school foundation. For more information, visit dpscdfoundation.org.

Google DeepMind’s new AI, AlphaEvolve, is designing algorithms beyond human ability. By blending Gemini’s coding skills with evolutionary testing, it’s improving chip design, datacenter efficiency, and even optimizing AI itself—showing signs of real, original problem-solving.Google also now leads in generative AI patents and the fast-growing field of AI agents, according to new data. U.S. filings in this space have jumped over 50%, signaling intense research and competition.

A beloved Detroit pizza chain is closing its Portage location after nearly five years. Buddy’s Pizza, known for its iconic Detroit-style pies, says pandemic challenges, staffing shortages, and rising costs made the location unsustainable.

Live Nation’s “$30 Ticket to Summer” deal kicks off May 21, offering discounted tickets to over 40 shows in metro Detroit. Acts include Pantera, Cyndi Lauper, and the Black Keys at Pine Knob and more. Details at LiveNation.com/TickettoSummer.

Lions fans, mark your calendars—Detroit will face the Vikings on Christmas Day and the Packers on Thanksgiving. The team’s full 17-game schedule is out, including 11 matchups against last year’s playoff teams. Get the full schedule at DetroitLions.com

Google DeepMind’s new AI, AlphaEvolve, is designing algorithms beyond human ability. By blending Gemini’s coding skills with evolutionary testing, it’s improving chip design, datacenter efficiency, and even optimizing AI itself—showing signs of real, original problem-solving.Google also now leads in generative AI patents and the fast-growing field of AI agents, according to new data. U.S. filings in this space have jumped over 50%, signaling intense research and competition.

Detroit’s packed with fun this weekend! Flower Day blooms at Eastern Market Sunday, Motor City Comic Con hits Novi with stars like Jeremy Renner, and Toy Story plays at the Redford Theatre Saturday at 1pm.

Today in History:

• 1967 – Paul McCartney met American photographer Linda Eastman at London’s Bag O’Nails nightclub. They married less than two years later, on March 12, 1969.
• 1968 – There have been seven winners to date in Keener’s Hi Lo contest. Stephanie Wrobel of Detroit leads the pack, taking home $3893.
• 1971 – Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young hit No. 1 in the U.S. with 4 Way Street. The live album featured performances from The Fillmore East in New York and The Forum in L.A.
• 1976 – The Rolling Stones topped the U.S. album chart with Black and Blue. It marked their sixth U.S. No. 1 album.
• 1982 – Stevie Wonder and Paul McCartney began a seven-week run at No. 1 with “Ebony and Ivory.” The hit became McCartney’s 24th U.S. No. 1 as a songwriter.
• 1984 – Stevie Ray Vaughan released his second studio album, Couldn’t Stand the Weather.
• 2008 – Neil Diamond topped the U.S. Billboard album chart for the first time with Home Before Dark, his 29th studio release. At 67, he became the oldest artist to reach No. 1, surpassing Bob Dylan’s record from 2006.

Today’s Birthdays:

• Trini Lopez was born on this day in 1937.
• Graeham Goble of Little River Band is 78
• Dennis Hardy Frederiksen (Fergie Frederiksen) of Toto was born today in 1951.
• Musician Mike Oldfield and baseball legend George Brett are 72.
• UM football great, Desmond Howard is 55.

Rugs for men are cool again: Toupees, now called “hair systems,” are making a comeback among millennial men due to advancements in materials and craftsmanship. Social media platforms showcase the transformative power of hair systems, leading to an increase in demand for non-surgical hair loss solutions. While some men choose to keep their hair systems a secret, others advocate for transparency, viewing them as a confidence-boosting accessory akin to hair extensions for women
More: https://www.gq.com/story/toupee-comeback-trend-hair-system

With Memorial Day travel predicted to be a record setter….

Wondering if your hotel room is really clean? Here’s what to check.

• Look for stains or creases on sheets—signs bedding may not be fresh.
• Check for bed bugs: red or black specks on the mattress are a warning.
• Mold, musty smells, or damp rugs can signal long-term neglect.
• Smudges on remotes, light switches, and door handles mean germs.
• Peek behind furniture for hidden dust and grime.
• Dirty lobbies or trash outside? Could reflect overall cleanliness.
• Read recent online reviews before booking to avoid unpleasant surprises.
  More: https://dailypassport.com/how-to-tell-if-hotel-room-is-clean/

AI Legos: Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University developed LegoGPT, an AI model that generates physically stable Lego structures from text prompts. The model, trained on a dataset of over 47,000 stable Lego designs, uses a physics-aware rollback method to ensure designs can be built in real life. LegoGPT outperforms other 3D-generation models in terms of structural integrity and can be used with robotic assistance or by hand.
More: https://arstechnica.com/ai/2025/05/new-ai-model-generates-buildable-lego-creations-from-text-descriptions/

Who is the most popular Topps Trading card star? Pope Leo XIV’s Topps Now trading card set sold 133,535 units, setting a record for non-sports cards. This surpasses sales of cards commemorating LeBron James and Victor Wembanyama’s achievements.
More: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/may/13/pope-leo-xiv-trading-card-topps-record

Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky is leading a $200 million reinvention of the company, transforming it from a vacation rental platform into an all-in-one “everything app.” Inspired by the OpenAI leadership drama in late 2023, Chesky envisioned a broader platform offering services like personal training, photography, spa treatments, and curated local experiences in over 260 cities. The app is being redesigned for frequent use and deeper personalization, with a focus on identity verification and community connection. Chesky, drawing inspiration from Apple and working with designer Jony Ive, aims to make Airbnb a trusted hub for both services and social connection—essentially a digital passport for real-life engagement.
More: https://www.wired.com/story/airbnb-is-in-midlife-crisis-mode-reinvention-app-services/

Today in History:

• 1957 – Elvis Presley was hospitalized in Los Angeles after accidentally inhaling a porcelain tooth cap. The cap became lodged in one of his lungs, requiring urgent medical attention.
• 1964 – Billboard announced that London Records would launch a major campaign for the Rolling Stones. The British band had just released their hit single “Not Fade Away” and debut album The Rolling Stones.
• 1968 – John Lennon and Paul McCartney appeared on The Tonight Show, guest-hosted by Joe Garagiola. They discussed meditation, Apple Corps., and their songwriting process with light-hearted banter.
• 1977 – Talking Heads performed at The Rock Garden in London during their U.K. tour. Brian Eno was in the audience and later became their producer after the show.
• 1988 – Led Zeppelin reunited at Madison Square Garden for Atlantic Records’ 40th anniversary, with Jason Bonham on drums. The event also featured performances by Foreigner, Genesis, and Crosby, Stills and Nash.
• 1998 – Frank Sinatra died at age 82 in Los Angeles after a heart attack. Known for his timeless voice and acting roles, he left behind a legendary legacy spanning music, film, and culture.

Today’s Birthdays:

• Bobby Darin was born on this day in 1936.
• Jack Bruce, bassist for Cream, was born on this day in 1943.
• Derek Leckenby, lead guitarist for Herman’s Hermits, was born on this day in 1943.
• George Lucas, is 81.
• David Byrne is 73.
• Tom Cochrane (“Life Is A Highway”) is 72.
• Cate Blanchett is 56
• Sofia Coppola is 54.
• Mark Zuckerberg is 41.

Belle Isle’s 100-year-old fountain is closing until 2027 for $6 million in renovations, starting this week. The upgrades include removing the lower section’s marble and fixing its 510 foot lower bowl. Federal pandemic relief funds will pay for the work.If you spend lots of WiFi tine at local Detroit coffee shops, you may soon be rethinking your habit. Some bistros are limiting laptop use to reduce remote work and boost customer turnover. Owners say it protects their business and encourages more face to face interaction. Continue reading “Keener Today – May 13” →

Did you know?

The Detroit Times, founded in 1871, was a prominent daily newspaper in the Motor City. Known for its investigative journalism and coverage of local events, it quickly became a staple for Detroit’s working-class readers. After a long run, it merged with the Detroit News in 1960, marking the end of an era for the city’s newspaper landscape. Continue reading “Keener Today – May 12” →

On a spring morning in 1966, a slender young man with a soft brogue and an acoustic guitar walked into a London studio and recorded a song that would, with time, become something like an incantation. “Sunshine came softly through my window today,” he sang, in a lilting voice that seemed to smile even as it drifted. The man was Donovan Leitch—born in Glasgow, raised in Hertfordshire—and the song was “Sunshine Superman,” a curious and charismatic fusion of folk whimsy and electric ambition. Nearly six decades later, on the occasion of Donovan’s seventy-ninth birthday, that same spectral tone continues to reverberate, a sound at once utterly of its moment and somehow outside of time. Continue reading “Keener Today – May 10 – The Mystic Minstrel Turns 79” →

How many of us owned a Polaroid Swinger? “It’s more than a camera, it’s almost alive. It’s only nineteen dollars, and ninety-five.” Continue reading “Keener Today – May 7” →

What’s Happening:

Real ID is about to become a requirement for air travel. Here’s what you need to know.

RIP Skype, 2003 to 2025. Microsoft has officially shut down the once-dominant video chat app, directing users to its newer platform, Microsoft Teams. Purchased for $8.5 billion in 2011, Skype now survives only as a dial pad inside Teams. One era ends—another continues in its place. Continue reading “Keener Today – May 6” →

What’s Happening:

Happy Cinco de Mayo! Continue reading “Keener Today – May 5” →

What’s Happening:

Sovereignty outdueled 3-1 favorite Journalism down the rain- soaked stretch to win the 151st Kentucky Derby yesterday.

Warren Buffett is stepping down as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway by the end of 2025. He has named Greg Abel as his successor, and the transition is expected to be finalized by year’s end. Buffett will remain with the company in an advisory role. Continue reading “Keener Today – May 4” →

Today is World Press Freedom Day, a celebration the United Nations established more than 30 years ago to remind us that a free press is essential to a functioning and ethical society and is a critical force for the public good. It’s also the 54th Birthday of National Public Radio, born on this date in 1971, Continue reading “Keener Today – May 3” →

What’s Happening:

The Pistons storybook season came to an end last night with a game 6 playoff loss to the Knicks, 116-113 at Little Caesar’s Arena. What an amazing turnaround the year after our guys endured a record setting 28 game losing streak. Well done team! Continue reading “Keener Today – May 2” →

What’s Happening:

The latest data on grocery shopping in Detroit shows Keener continuing to dominate Meijer and Walmart with more than twice the market share.

The Pistons host the Nicks after dispatching New York at Garden on April 29. Tip off here at home is 7:30PM.

The Tigers take on the Angels tonight on the left coast. Game time 9:38pm

And Alan Haller is out as athletic director at Michigan State. Iconic basketball coach, Tom Izzo will add interim AD to his resume. Continue reading “Keener Today – May 1” →