Allegory of Spring - La Primavera

One of the loveliest expressions of springtime is the early Renaissance painting La Primavera (aka. Allegory of Spring) meaning literally "first green" by Italian painter Sandro Botticelli. It is believed he painted it in 1482. The painting hangs in the Uffizi Galley in Florence, Italy, and is a prized Italian national treasure.

Botticelli self-portrait at age thirty in 1475,

Botticelli took his inspiration from the classical writing of the Roman Ovid and his description of spring. The central figure is Venus. To the right of the painting, the blue and chilly Zephyrus catches Flora and impregnates her and she morphs into a fertility figure. To the left, the Three Graces--Charm, Beauty, and Joy--dance as Mercury holds the clouds back from Venus' realm. A blindfolded Cupid seems up to mischief. That's what I see anyway.

For a more detailed analysis of the painting, check out this short link: https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/renaissance-reformation/early-renaissance1/painting-in-florence/v/botticelli-la-primavera-spring-1481-1482

Spring Cleaning in Detroit

In recent history, much of  Detroit's urban redevelopment has been high profile building projects to lure people from the suburbs back to the city with its sprawling sports complexes and flashy gambling casinos. The long time complaint of many inner city residents is not enough is being done in Detroit's local neighborhoods.

In addition to clearing blocks of burned out or abandoned buildings, the city has instituted an ambitious program to repave streets, repair street lamps, and utilize the vacant lots for the benefit of local residents. Mayor Dave Bing and his administration are making slow but steady progress to rejuvenate areas of the city other than the downtown commercial area.

For more specific information on what Detroit is doing, check out the following link:  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_profilepage&v=RJCu3OrwjAM