Column for August 12, 2004
You know I been trying to get healthy. Taking cholesterol lowering pill, fish oil pill, vitamin E, baby aspirin, multivitamin containing zinc, B12, 500 mgs of C, biotin and chugging it all down with plain soy milk, until I broke out in a rash.
So my young yet wise Dr. Deanna Masters said lets put that stuff on hold and try loosing some weight, more exercise and better food habits including fish several times a week.
But know I hear the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency tests of fish from 11 Michigan Lakes found mercury in every captured fish. Fifty-six percent contained levels that exceed EPA's safe limit. Of the 2,500 fish collected nationwide from 260 different bodies of water also showed the presents of mercury. This toxic metal can cause neurological and developmental problems particularly in young children. This data is about recreational fishing, not farm raised freshwater fish found in most supermarkets and restaurants.
So of course no cigarettes, cut the red meat, the booze, cake, Twinkie's, cndy, potato chips, French fries, I think someone said avoid anything white. Geez that would include ice cream, sugar, bread, rice, that might even include White Castle Hamburgs? Did I mention ranch dressing? Oh ya then exercise, walk, jog, or ride the bike. And then I will be healthy, wealthy and wise?
Some of the gang on the Bennyandthejets.com message board have been reminiscing about growing up on the west side of Detroit, the Brightmore, Redford, Livonia area. Places like Riverside Roller Rink, Edgewater Amusement Park and Daly's Drive Inn. We met a lot of these people when we performed at Ashley's on Telegraph and Joy Roads. Which was home to an infamous bunch of male strippers called the Foxy Fat Boys. Kind of a take off of the Foxy Frenchman only much bigger. The plan is there will be kind of a reunion get-together Friday, August 27 when Benny and the Jets band plays at the Starting Gate on Center Street in Downtown Northville. The event will be open to the public and no cover charge.
I heard from Lee Philips member of the RoadHog Band. He was sad to have to let people know of the passing of his bass player Mike Jackson. Mr. Jackson, who died from complications from stomach cancer was the original bass player of 1970s Detroit recording artists the Flaming Embers.
To contact Ben E. call (313) 730-1627 via E-mail benejets@aol.com and see the web site Bennyandthejets.com.