More on WDET.

Many listeners received a response from WDET General Manager, Michael Coleman, over the weekend. In his response to his critics, Mr. Coleman had the following to say:

"Many listeners have been critical of the new programming based on an idea that 'WDET got rid of all the music programming and is all news and talk.' While I appreciate such comments, they demean the many fine, dedicated music hosts of which WDET is quite proud. It's unfair to dismiss the great contributions to Detroit culture by ignoring people like Ed Love, Gene Elzy, Ralph Valdez, Chuck Horn, Liz Copeland, Michael Julien, W. Kim Heron, Jon Moshier, Matt Watroba, Larry McDaniel, and Robert Jones."

Ok now I'm actually angry. (What follows is paraphrased from my response to Mr. Coleman.)

While I am personally grateful for his detailed and informative response to WDET's listeners, I feel he misses the point and crosses the line in his email.

I take issue with the implication that by criticizing the change in WDET's daytime music programming, any such critic is demeaning the other on-air hosts. This is a gross misrepresentation. I further resent the implication that those who may lament the loss of the daytime music programming are dismissing the contributions of and ignoring WDET's other hosts. That is absurd.

Are we to feel it is us, the dissenting daytime listeners, who have demeaned WDET's on-air staff? That in identifying the specifically rich and rare character that was lost in the reorganization we have neglected the station's other fine traits? For Mr. Coleman, defending the changes to WDET's schedule is a valuable and necessary action; attempting to turn the tables on his critics by suggesting their ignorance of WDET's unchanged or added programming is quite another. It is back-handed and provocative.

I feel very strongly that he owes the dissenting listeners who received his email an apology. An explanation was quite in order, but not a misdirected finger-wagging.

I really miss the daytime music. I really, really do.

SO MUCH for that.

Detroit's radio and music scene suffered a ginormous setback today. WDET FM General Manager Michael Coleman torpedoed daytime music and the casualties are huge. Chuck Horn, Judy Adams and what was formerly Martin Bandyke's slot are now all cement shoed in the sea of NPR talk-talking.

I clicked off a letter to Mr. Coleman last night and in rereading it now, after these changes have had a day to sink in and I've heard some of the new programming, I realize I went WAY too easy on the fella. The demise of weekday music from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. is complete and even Liz Copeland's ground-breaking show is pushed back into the night away from the ears of the pre-midnight audience.

It would seem listener feedback to date has been primarily in favor of the changes to took effect today. Shifts to adult alternative put into place by Caryn Mathes and Judy Adams have been removed and programs that I NEVER MISSED are back. I hear there is to be a gospel program as well.

Chuck Horn managed to hold on to a little air time on Sunday. Liz's show, while back to its original slot, was not shortened. Or was it. I'm a night owl but I'm seldom up past 3am. Her show being on from 10pm - 3am certainly put more of her programming within my reach. Now those last two hours are lost to insomniacs and emergency staff around the city.

My good friend Jim pointed out to Mr. Coleman that one of the shining factors of the now defunct programming lineup was the incredible sense of Detroit it provided listeners near and far. Reviews of music both national and local, restaurant features, event information and all this other great stuff are now replaced with talking. And talking. And talking. And talking.

So much for that.

Salvador Deli GONE FROM US.

Sidestreet Café (formally Salvador Deli) burned down early this morning at between 3 and 4am witnesses reported.

I was meeting a client at the gallery this morning at about 10:30am and as I came through the alley I was shocked to see the gutted, burned out shell of our neighborhood deli before me. I had planned to enjoy a nice breakfast there after concluding my gallery business.

As some of you may know, the gallery's landlord owned the deli until about 10 days when he sold the restaurant to a young restaureteur. I met her this morning as we stood in the street staring in disbelief at this sudden change of fortune.

I for one am bitterly disappointed and saddened by this, primarily for this poor woman who just bought the space and (I presume) had many dreams and goals set for its improvement and development. She was sobbing there and I felt awful for her. I didn't know her well enough, but I wanted to give her a hug. I know what it's like to have the dream of your own business and I can only imagine what it would have been like had we just started to open the gallery only to have it burn down. It's heartbreaking and my own heart really went out to her.

Secondly I had become good friends with several of the employees at the deli and they are now out of a very close, enjoyable job. Most of them live right here in Hamtramck. My friend Katie had taken on a larger role at the deli and was doing a fantastic job. Nicole, Alana, Amber, and Noah (though I think he recently quit) are all very nice people that I will miss seeing in there. I hope they will find work soon and that I will still see them from time to time.

Lastly I'm truly saddened for Hamtramck and our little corner of downtown. Progress is slow in the H these days and my dreams of a fun, vibrant, walkable downtown with shops, cafes (like the deli), galleries and such has suffered a setback today. In terms of the gallery's neighbors, the deli was the most likely to yield walk-in traffic for us and vice versa. Now that relationship is gone. The true impact on us will be light so I am by no means suggesting this is a turning point for the gallery. It is however a real delay in the development of central Hamtramck as cool little place to eat or shop.

I am happy that I ate in there yesterday and shared some community with local photographer Rachel Holland and her man, Mark. I can at least take some comfort in having had one last hurrah in the deli and enjoyed its unique and spunky atmosphere with friends one last time before it passed. I had a turkey sandwich and Noah made it.

So long Sidestreet Cafe/Salvador Deli. You were gone too soon.

PR1MARY SPACE.Wish You Were Here.12/03-01/28

In a world where so much is of an increasing size and an ever more digital medium, Primary Space presents an exhibition that brings the focus back to a set of dimensions that call to mind the simpler days of the telegram, the letter...the postcard. Primary Space is proud to present for its December exhibition, “Wish You Were Here”, a themed, group exhibit set within the postcard boundaries of 4 inches by 6 inches. Featuring over 20 artists, “Wish You Were Here” opens Saturday, December 3rd, with a special opening reception from 6pm until 10pm. This exhibition will continue into the new year until January 28, 2006.

With their unique artistry wrangled into these slightly diminutive dimensions, the following artists will participate, each exhibiting multiple works: Liz Adams, Amathin, Brian Behnke, Luke Chueh, Jeff Claasssen, Matthew Curry, Penelope Dullaghan, Cody Hudson, Dave Hurst, Caroline Hwang, Misha Kligman, Aaron Kraten, Joshua Krause, Brian McDonald, Matthew Pasquarello, Lesley Reppeteaux, Amy Ruppel, Damion Silver, Kyle M. Stone, Jo Tyler, Adam Wier, Nick Z., and Bill Zindel.

We invite you to join us for the opening reception, Saturday, December 3, from 6pm until 10pm. (Make it a night of art in the city and stop by on your way to or from Noel Night!). It will be a fantastic evening of art, music and some delicious treats at Primary Space. “Wish You Were Here” continues through Saturday, January 28, 2006.