Keener Today – May 12
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.
Today in History:
1958 – The Everly Brothers began a four-week run at No. 1 with “All I Have to Do Is Dream,” written by Felice and Boudleaux Bryant, recorded in just two takes.
1960 – Elvis Presley appears on a Frank Sinatra television special; Elvis sings Sinatra’s 1957 Cy Coleman hit “Witchcraft”, and Frank performs Presley’s 1956 classic “Love Me Tender”
1963 – Bob Dylan walked out of Ed Sullivan Show rehearsals after CBS blocked his anti-establishment song “Talkin’ John Birch Paranoid Blues.”
1964 – The Beach Boys scored their first No. 1 album in the U.S. with Beach Boys Concert, holding the top spot for four weeks.
1965 – The Rolling Stones recorded “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” in Hollywood—a week after Keith Richards dreamed up the riff.
1967 – Pink Floyd staged the first rock concert with quadraphonic sound at Queen Elizabeth Hall in London—pushing live audio into the future.
1967 – Jimi Hendrix’s debut album Are You Experienced was released, featuring “Foxy Lady,” “Hey Joe,” and “Purple Haze.”
1972 – The Rolling Stones released Exile On Main Street, now hailed as their best album, despite mixed reviews at the time.
1973 – Led Zeppelin’s Houses of the Holy began a three-week run at No. 1 in the U.S., later going 11-times platinum.
1975 – Graham Russell and Russell Hitchcock met during Jesus Christ Superstar rehearsals in Sydney—They will go on to form Air Supply.
1984 – Lionel Richie hit No. 1 with “Hello,” inspired by his shy teen years—his second U.S. solo chart-topper.
2013 – Astronaut Chris Hadfield’s cover of David Bowie’s ‘Space Oddity’—recorded aboard the ISS—was posted to YouTube and quickly went viral.
Today’s Birthdays:
Born today in 1940, Motown legend Norman Whitfield—writer and producer behind “I Heard It Through the Grapevine,” “War,” and “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone.”
British New Wave icon Ian Dury of The Blockheads was born today in 1942.
Today in 1945, Faces keyboardist Ian McLagan was born. A session great and Hall of Famer, he passed in 2014 at age 69.
Steve Winwood turns 77 today—voice of “Higher Love,” Traffic, and Spencer Davis Group.
Billy Squier, the man behind “The Stroke” and “Lonely Is the Night,” is 75 today.
KISS drummer Eric Singer is 67 today—rocking the kit since the early ’90s.
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University of Michigan Museum of Natural History General Admission, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Ann Arbor, MI – Explore exhibits on natural history, including dinosaurs and Michigan wildlife. https://lsa.umich.edu/ummnh
Farmington Hills Nature Center Exploration, Building: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM / Trails: Dawn to Dusk, Farmington Hills, MI – Explore nature trails and visitor center exhibits. https://fhgov.com/play,-explore-learn/parks-facilities/nature-center.aspx
Shut Up & Write!® Downriver, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM (Socializing from 7:00 PM), Asher School, 12601 McCann Avenue, Southgate, MI – Free in-person writing event for writers of all levels to work in a focused environment. https://meetup.com/shutupandwritedetroit/events/307605525/
Mobile Library at Monteith Branch, 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM, Monteith Branch (Detroit Public Library), Detroit, MI – Access Detroit Public Library services, check out books, and more from the mobile library. https://detroitpubliclibrary.org/events/event/1012749730707
Coffee Hour with Commissioner Anderson, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM, Westland Public Library (Program Room A), Westland, MI – An opportunity to meet and chat with Commissioner Anderson. https://westland.librarycalendar.com/events/list
Family Storytime, 6:30 PM – 7:15 PM, Westland Public Library (Program Room AB), Westland, MI – Enjoy songs, rhymes, stories, and a follow-up craft suitable for families. https://westland.librarycalendar.com/events/list
Taylor Swift Music Bingo (Ages 9-17), 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM, Northville District Library, Northville, MI – A fun evening of Taylor Swift themed music bingo for young fans (registration may be required). https://northvillelibrary.org (check their events calendar for details)
Downtown Street Eats, approx. 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM, Various locations in Downtown Detroit (e.g., Cadillac Square, Campus Martius Park) – Area is free to enter and walk around with various food trucks offering food for purchase. https://downtowndetroit.org/events/
Pickleball at Beacon Park, (Check specific daily schedule for free open play times), Beacon Park, 1901 Grand River Ave, Detroit, MI – Outdoor pickleball courts; check for free play availability. https://empowermichigan.com/beacon-park/ or https://downtowndetroit.org/events/
Keener Today – May 10 – The Mystic Minstrel Turns 79
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”
Keener Today – May 7
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”
Keener Today – May 6
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”
Keener Today – May 4
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”
Keener Today – May 3
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”
Keener Today – May 2
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”
Keener Today – May 1
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”
Keener Today – April 30
What’s Happening:
The Pistons staved off elimination last night in New York, beating the Knicks, 106-103. Little Caesars Arena hosts Game 6 at 7:30pm tomorrow.
The Astros rallied with three runs in both the 6th and 7th innings to defeat the Tigers 6-4 last night. Game three of the series kicks off at 2:10 in Houston.
In a rare bi-partisan effort, Selfridge Air National Guard Base will receive 21 F-15EX fighter jets. The replacement mission protects the base’s future, which had been in doubt with the phaseout of the A-10 aircraft. (Free Press)
Only 3 of Michigan’s 9 measles cases in 2025 had public alerts issued within 6 days—soon enough for exposed people to get protective treatment, per a Free Press review. Continue reading “Keener Today – April 30”
Keener Today – April 29
The Liberal Party, led by Mark Carney, is projected to win Canada’s federal election, with Carney securing his first seat in Parliament. Both Liberals and Conservatives dominated, while the NDP and Bloc trailed—NDP leader Jagmeet Singh resigned earlier. Donald Trump loomed large in victory speeches, with Carney vowing Canada would never be broken by a trade war. It’s still unclear if the Liberals have enough seats for a majority. Continue reading “Keener Today – April 29”
Keener Today – April 21
From Keener Contact News. Pope Francis has died at the age of eighty eight, ending a historic and often transformative papacy.
The Vatican confirmed his passing early Monday, marking the close of a decade-long effort to reshape the Roman Catholic Church into a more inclusive, compassionate institution. Continue reading “Keener Today – April 21”
