Sun Spots

SUN SPOTS

Just as we were going to press this week yet another weed bust was announced, this time 100 Ibs. kidnapped on North Campus. Apparently busts of area marijuana suppliers are on the upswing, as we discuss in this week's cover story revealing Defense Intelligence and talk of assembled narks inside the Ann Arbor Ann St. Armory. Also this extra large issue, the SUN looks into reports that faulty construction is being ignored at the unfinished Midland Nuclear Power Plant, at the true extent of the Rockefeller Brother's Empire, the Warren Commission Conspiracy to cover up the truth behind John Kennedy's assassination, and sugar as a phenomenon of profits and poor health.

And now the news. Former Lt. Governor James Brickley's son has been sentenced to 30 days in jail for copping a reefer possession plea. The arrest came to public attention several months ago when the elder Brickley refused to bail out the younger from jail, the compassionate fellow. The ex-Lt. Gov is about to become President of Eastern Michigan University.

... Shades of 1969: Washtenaw Circuit Court Judge Edward Deake upheld the conviction this week of a brother accused of defaming the American flag by wearing it on the seat of his pants.

The movement to ban aerosol cans and their freon gas components seems to be gathering steam. Legislation has been introduced to ban their sale in Michigan by Perry Bullard, and nationally by none other than steadfast Marv Esch! The Michigan Clear Air Movement is urging a boycott of the cans -- for info contact them at PO Box 05036 in Lansing.

The trial of 19 Detroit police officers begins Friday on heroin conspiracy charges. Likely to shake things up even further in the continuing Detroit police controversy, the trial of the 10th Precinct boys will be open to the public at the City County Building Auditorium.

Marlon Brando says he will retire from the screen upon finishing his upcoming movie, entitled "Wounded Knee." Brando both stars in and co-produced the flick, a re-enactment of last year's South Dakota siege. Also appearing will be Steve McQueen, Barbara Streisand, Jane Fonda, Paul Newman and even Lee Marvin. Any Indians? All of the actors and actresses have agreed to accept minimum union-scale wages to maximize profits, earmarked for donation to Indian causes... Jane Fonda's new movie should be here soon. Called "lntroduction to the Enemy," it's a full color tour of life in North Vietnam.

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS: Local poet Carolyn Gregory will give a reading at David's Books on Sunday, Dec. 8 at 3pm... Ethel Mertz, a band that does feminist and youth songs, will perform at a benefit for Youth Liberation also on Sunday at the Unitarian Church, 1917 Washtenaw. Admission $1.50... An introductory lecture on Transcendental Meditation will be given Tuesday, Dec. 10 at 8pm in the Kuenzel Rm of the Union...

MUSIC NEWS: First we'd like to offer some well-deserved praise to Ron Scott and WABX for the recent Tuesday night History of Black Music programs. The shows have been exciting and highly listenable, even informative, which is not often the case for Detroit "progressive FM" programming these days. The music kept us glued to the radio, and the brief raps on its history were attention-grabbing, despite the position of many stations that talk turns off the audience. That depends on presentation. You could actually feel a part of history while listening to Scott's shows, instead of simply being related to as a consumer of the latest, most trendy record company pop.

Muhammed Ali is about to release his first record, called "The People's Choice," it will appear on Starway records... Can you imagine David Bowie and that awful Marc Bolan guy teaming up to make a film together? Get ready... Look for a string of country, and western nightclubs called "Hag's Place." Merle Haggards' behind them. First one opens in LA soon.

George Harrison's Berkeley appearance raised $65,000 for the Haight Ashbury Free Medical Clinic. 5 more of his shows will be benefits... The Allman Brothers just raised $105,000 in one show for the American Indian Foundation... Here's a twist. An irate concert-goer recently sued Neil Young for $80,000. Richard Kass was pissed after Young cut his act far too short during an Oakland concert, and so brought a class-action suit on behalf of the 14,000 assembled fans.

A few final words. First, our sincere apologies to the Rubaiyat restaurant for forgetting to include them in the Eating Out Guide... Our benefit featuring the fantastic Cuban epic film LUCIA was a tremendous success. Thanks to everyone who came to fill every available seat, raising two hundred needed extra dollars for the SUN's operations. Look for a bi-weekly series of other political SUN film benefits, including the return of LUCIA, to start in early January.