Not a good sign 2-22-11

Now, let me get this straight. After 123 years, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra has cancelled the 2011 season? As in "hey you with the oboe, go home?" Their endowment was at 58 million in 2008 and it's down to 19 million right now? But wait, it gets worse. They owe various banks a total of 54 million bucks! There is just no way to put a happy face on that. No Super Bowl commercial featuring Eminem can put a spin on this. The orchestra is probably going to be disbanded due to lack of ticket sales and sponsor support. This does not mean Detroit has "been to hell and back" like the Chrysler ad said. It just means that Detroit has arrived in hell, and the Devil has put it in long term lodging. By contrast, Venice Florida has a symphony orchestra, and the population of Venice is only 21,000 or so. Of course, Sarasota has an Orchestra. There are about 750,000 people in Detroit, and the musicians might be looking for work elsewhere. Ouch. So what should you music lovers be doing while they try to salvage your Symphony? Well, for just 10 dollars you can buy my fitness book and stay alive longer...