By JORDAN TWARDY

Special Guest Blogger

Warren is about a half-hour drive from OU. It’s Michigan’s third largest suburb and has recently been trying to redefine its sleepy suburb image. The once bustling, and now mostly empty, Universal Mall is being redeveloped on a grand scale and downtown Warren, with our new city hall that opened in 2006, is attracting residents and visitors to the area with seasonal features like affordable (even on a college budget!) ice skating in the winter and concerts in the summer.

As far as city politics goes, Warren can get pretty nasty, which always makes for interesting reading in the local papers. I ran for city council back in the summer of 2007, and though I didn’t make it to the general election, I beat out several candidates and learned quite a bit about the city I grew up in. Warren residents live in the city for at least 35 years on average, and are mostly very politically independent, though you have your partisans, apathetic and even new voters in every neighborhood. On the whole, Warrenites are normal, awesome, upstanding Americans. They expect top-notch services for the taxes they pay, and will justifiably give us hell when they don’t get just that.

As you pass through Warren on 696, perhaps on your way to Royal Oak or some other trendy hangout, there are a few things in the “City of Progress” that are worth checking out. If you like bowling, there are several great places in the city, most being very affordable. Also, the ice skating rink I mentioned above is definitely a good idea for that Rocky re-enactment date, since you can rent skates and wow your significant other on the ice as long as you can stay standing, for only ten bucks. When the rink is closed it’s even better, because you can skate for free after hours and avoid the crowds, as long as you have your own skates.

If skating and bowling are not your thing, you can stuff your face at Buffalo Wild Wings and get your yuppie on at Starbucks, both at 12 & Mound. You can also find several quality bars and restaurants of every variety along Van Dyke. Warren has plenty to offer for students on a budget, whether you want to eat or hang out after class and work, so you should drop by sometime. On your way, you can come say hi to me on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Mayor’s Office in city hall, where I work.”