Route77 Travelogue, Part 9: 'Why I Love Detroit'

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Excerpt:



Day 33 
Of all the cities I visited on my trip, I was most excited to see Detroit. However, it would be too easy for this article to reinforce the status quo when it comes to talking about Detroit. Sure, I could write about Michigan Central Station which has come to serve as the de facto symbol of Detroit's landscape of abandoned buildings. (It really is a sight to behold, especially when you come across it in the dead of night like I did.) I could write about the plan to shut down streetlights or that whole Robocop / Kickstarter thing. Instead, I'm going to introduce you to some of the absolutely amazing people I met in Motor City, because the new definition of Detroit is based on the people not the city.

I stopped by the Detroit Creative Corridor Center (DC3), housed in the College for Creative Studies, to understand the current context for design and designers in Detroit. The goal of DC3 is to spur economic development by "presenting assets that are uniquely Detroit," to advance Detroit creatives, and to leverage design to help solve the "deep challenges" of the city. In reality, this means the Center acts as one part business incubator, one part ambassador, and one part party planner. DC3 also happens to know everyone and everything involved in design in Detroit.

Back in 2006, Business Leaders for Michigan gathered to map the assets for Detroit and surrounding areas as a way of galvanizing the region. Creative talent was high on the list, but retaining and attracting that talent was a problem. Then 2008 hit. Although the atmosphere in the city "eventually stabilized," there are still physical and psychological barriers to developing the creative community in Detroit into a healthy and flourishing one. In order to take the first step in overcoming these challenges, Matt Clayson, Director of DC3, is asking the question, "What are the big deficiencies that prevent creative talent in Detroit from telling their stories?"

Perhaps the largest barrier is not actually in Detroit, but rather is how the media portrays Motor City as a post-apocalyptic wasteland that is a little too Escape From New York instead of Urbanized. Clayson recalled a story of how a group of politicians visiting from Algeria were scared stiff by their handlers by the time they arrived in Detroit. News stories on Detroit tend to originate from "someone who's never visited the city" or, if they have, perhaps the fact that the city is an "insider city" makes it difficult to penetrate the hard outer skin. For those who do live in the city, however, "two to three degrees of separation" creates more of a "shared experience," if not a survivor's culture.

And that's where programs like this September's Detroit Design Festival come in. "The Festival tells Detroit's story from Detroit's perspective," said Programs Manager Adrian Pittman. Designers, artists, technologists and the like can not only show off their work at the Festival but can also bring visitors into their studios and into a Detroit not yet fully visible to outsiders. Finding a balance between making Detroit "more consumable for outsiders," while maintaining that atmosphere of Where Everybody Knows Your Name, is tough, though. On the one hand, designers and artists can do their work purely informed by the city of Detroit with little "pressure from mainstream trends." On the other hand, DC3 knows that bringing "larger industry players" into the mix is crucial for transforming the city. "We don't want quick wins," said Associate Director Bethany Betzler. "We want things that will show results in the long run."

Click HERE to read the full story on Core77! 

Join the for a pre-election day Rally to Save the DIA!


  • Emceed by Spike from Mojo in the Morning (Channel 95.5) 
  • Entertainment by Urban Stringz Sign up and get involved to Save the DIA! 
  • Refreshments available for purchase at New Center Park. 

Directions:
http://www.newcenterpark.com/How_to_Find_Us.html

A community of local artists will distribute free art throughout Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties on Friday, August 3 while also demonstrating their support for the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) on their front steps. The free art scavenger hunt organized by Free Art Friday Detroit (FAFDET) aims to raise awareness for the upcoming millage vote on August 7 which will help fund the DIA and provide free admission to Metro Detroiters. The scavenger hunt will kick off with an artists rally on the steps of the DIA at 10 a.m.

More than 30 pieces of art will be hidden in the neighborhoods and downtowns of the three counties as part of the event. Residents are invited to join the search on Free Art Friday Detroit’s Facebook page, where artists will post photo clues leading to the location of their art.

“As artists, we support the DIA 100 percent. Without museums to educate and inspire, we would not be the artists we are today. We want to preserve that possibility for future generations,” said Shawn McConnell, FAFDET artist. “I’m happy to do what I can to support an institution that has given me so much.”

Several pieces of art will be accompanied by a t-shirt emblazoned with the message “Art is for Everyone.” In keeping with this message and the potential for free admission to the DIA if the millage is passed, anyone who finds the art is free to take it home, though they are encouraged to post photos of the art in its new home on the group’s Facebook page.

“When we started Free Art Friday Detroit, we never imagined it being used like this. But our goal to celebrate art and support Detroit led us here,” said Skidmore Studio President & CEO Tim Smith, “As a design studio, we couldn’t hold back our support for the DIA.”

About Free
Art Friday Detroit Free Art Friday Detroit (FAFDET) is a free art scavenger hunt that was initiated in Detroit by Skidmore Studio in 2011. The mission of FAFDET is to promote creativity in the city, celebrate art in all its forms and encourage people to explore the great city of Detroit. The weekly public event is fueled by professional and amateur artists that donate their talents in support of this mission. For more information about FAFDET or to find clues to free art, visit facebook.com/FAFDET.

About the Millage Proposal
Voting for the proposed millage takes place August 7. The requested increase of 0.2 mils for 10 years and equates to approximately $15 per year for every $150,000 of a home’s fair market value. The increase is projected to raise $23 million annually.

About Skidmore Studio
Skidmore is a kick ass design studio based in Detroit’s historic Madison Theatre Building. A fun, fearless and fanatical group, Skidmore is dedicated to generating inspired ideas that translate to extraordinary results. Our team of designers, illustrators and strategists work best with those who appreciate design thinking and have a willingness to build their brand with bold strategy and design. To view samples of Skidmore's award-winning creative work, visit skidmorestudio.com.
In Detroit, Urban Flight in Reverse
Photograph by Theodor Barth/laif/Redux
Excerpt:


In midtown, 95 percent of the 5,884 housing units are occupied, more are being built, and 26 new shops and restaurants have opened in the last two years, according to Midtown Detroit, an economic development organization. A Whole Foods Market (WFM) scheduled to open by 2013 is the first national chain grocery the city’s managed to attract in years. It’s not far from the Detroit Institute of Arts, Detroit Public Library, and Detroit Symphony Orchestra.

The result: safer streets. According to the Wayne State University Police Department, which shares patrols of the area with Detroit police, major crimes in midtown have dropped 38 percent from 2008 to 2011. That compares with a 16 percent drop for the city as a whole, FBI statistics show.

Businesses with offices downtown are trying to keep the renewal going. Nine large employers, including Detroit Medical Center, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Compuware (CPWR), and Quicken Loans have pledged $2 million a year for four years to pay employees to move to midtown and downtown. Workers get $2,500 in their first year of renting and $1,000 if they stay for a second. Those who want to buy get a one-time payment of $20,000. (The median home price was $9,500 in June, according to the multiple listing service Realcomp.) Just under 400 people are participating in the program so far, according to Midtown Detroit.

Click HERE to read the full article on Bloomberg Businessweek! 

Foxtown Food Rally Starts Tomorrow at 10 am!



Prior to its recently embarrassing period of decay, the Paris of the Midwest represented just the opposite: for decades, Detroit’s powerful heartbeat determined the nation’s innovation pulse. By stagnating, Detroit’s muscle found itself disrupted and Detroit entered a dark period chock full of corruption, greed, tunnel-vision, and crime. Revitalizing a carcass of what once was a thriving city has been nothing short of insurmountable, but incredibly, it’s happening anyway.

This reclaimed city from within, Detroit 2.0, has taken shape thanks in large part to a few powerful, dedicated individuals working tirelessly. People across the nation can recognize these names: Mayor Dave Bing, the man committed to rebooting the city’s woeful financial structure, Dan Gilbert (my friend and partner at Detroit Venture Partners), the champion behind 3 million refurbished square feet of office space encouraging a comprehensive downtown lifestyle, and Mike Ilitch, owner of two downtown sports teams and world-renowned pizza chain, bringing millions of people into the city annually for sporting events.

So what about the rest of our city? These powerhouses will be responsible for billions in revenue, but a city only truly thrives with “little guys” on board as game-changers too. I’m not Pollyanna here – there’s serious problems that won’t go away without monumental effort in numerous fields, but people are taking steps to fix issues affecting all of us – and lessons they’re teaching us here are applicable elsewhere.

Andy Didorosi of The Detroit Bus Company:
Instead of whining, pointing fingers and carrying on about Detroit’s lack of mass transportation, a 25-year-old entrepreneur started a company to connect neighborhoods. His bio-diesel powered bus service operates on Friday and Saturday nights from 6 pm until 2 am. For $5, riders can get on and off both lines interchangeably all night, drink in hand. Even more compelling is DBC’s “We Ride” program: for every seat purchased, they’ll provide another Detroiter in need a free ride to work. As it stands, thousands of people don’t have a reliable, affordable way to get to work, so this company offers a homegrown solution for people to keep their jobs, and their dignity in getting there.

Lesson Learned: There’s always a better way to connect the dots, even those on a map.

Click HERE to read the rest of this article by Josh Linkner on Forbes (dot) com! 

The 2012 Chevrolet Rockin’ on the Riverfront concert series welcomes one of the most belovedrock personalities of all time,a founding member and lead guitarist of KISS, Ace Frehley, to the GM Riverfront stageon July 27.The concert presented in partnership with Detroit’s Classic Rock Station 94.7 WCSX-FM and the new Soft Rock 105.1 FM will rock the riverfront stage starting a 7:30p.m.

An inspiration to musicians and music lovers around the globe, Ace Frehley has shocked us with his unique style both on and off stage. The mastermind behind the persona “Space Ace,” Frehley was a crucial member of KISS from its inception in 1973 until his departure in 1982. Returning to KISS bandmates in 1996 for the highly successful KISS Reunion Tour, Frehley also managed to launch a successful solo career with his own band, “Frehley’s Comet.” In 1988, Frehley returned to the studio once again with KISS to record “Psycho Circus” and completed his run in 2001 with the band’s “Farewell Tour.”

Frehley has continued to stay at the top of his game since his farewell to KISS in the early 2000s. He launched his solo career with “Anomaly,” debuting at number 27 on Billboard’s charts before touring the Unites States, Europe and Australia. As a solo artist, Frehley has shared the stage with artists including Slash and Pearl Jam.

Michigan band Finding Clyde will open the evening at 7:30 p.m. , and Ace Frehley will rock the stage beginning at 9 p.m.

Rockin’ on the Riverfront offers more than free concerts in its 2012 summer season spanning six consecutive Friday evenings. Located in the heart of the city, between the GM Renaissance Center and Detroit River, the event has become a summer destination for dining and entertainment in Detroit. Upcoming shows include: Lou Gramm of Foreigner on August 3; The Sweet & The Tubes on August 10; Mark Farner of Grand Funk Railroad and Marshall Crenshaw on August 17.

Admission to the concerts is always free and no advance tickets are necessary. Viewing space is offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs and blankets. In addition, boaters on the Detroit River are welcome to anchor near the riverfront and enjoy the shows from the water.

Andiamo Detroit Riverfront will provide refreshment and food concessions at several locations across the plaza. Outside food, beverages or coolers will not be permitted. Andiamo Detroit Riverfront and Joe Muer Seafood will accept dinner reservations before and after the concert and both restaurants offer outdoor patios overlooking the Detroit River and Rockin’ on the Riverfront stage.

Convenient parking is available for $5 per vehicle, starting at 5:00 p.m., at the GM surface lot at the intersection of St. Antoine and Atwater streets, adjacent to the GM Renaissance Center.

The Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center is offering two viewing packages. The Andiamo Riverfront package includes a four-course dinner and overnight accommodations. The Joe Muer Seafood package includes a four course dinner, overnight accommodations and breakfast at forty-two degrees north. For reservations specify the package and call 1-800-352-0831 or visit detroitmarriott.com. Use promotional code D60.

Fans are invited to watch FOX2 in the Morning every week to enter a FOX2 EXPOSED contest for a chance to win a VIP prize package, which includes two (2) VIP access wristbands and lanyards with front row seats, dinner for two (2) at Andiamo Detroit Riverfront in the Rockin’ on the Riverfront VIP section (the evening of the concert only), overnight accommodations for two (2) at The Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center (the evening of the concert only), free parking in the Beaubien Garage located on Beaubien Street (the evening of the concert only) and a band meet-and-greet (if available). To enter, access the online contest entry form on the MyFoxDetroit.com and follow instructions. Questions for the Ace Frehley contest will be read on Monday, July 23.

For updates and information, visit www.facebook.com/RockinontheRiverfront and www.facebook.com/GMRenCen or www.gmrencen.com.



Positive Detroit Original - Erin Rose

As much as people talk about the things they do not want in Detroit (I will refrain from giving examples for the sake of this article and your sanity), I would like to provide you with a list of things I do want. I fully admit that this is a selfish list, though I have a sneaking suspicion I am not alone in my desires and could quite possibly inspire some new ones (crossing fingers).


This post just so happens to coincide with the final week to submit your business idea to the Comerica Hatch Detroit contest (watch above video).  Coincidence? Not really, just a little push to see some possible traction on the below list coming to life. Disclaimer:  I am on the executive board. 


For those of you interested in starting a business in Detroit and need some cold, hard cash to get started, you have one week left to submit to the Comerica Hatch Detroit 2012 contest for a chance to win $50K along with a matching value in business services (marketing, accounting, legal, web, photo ops with Joe Posch, etc). 


So without further adieu......

1.  Food Truck Park with a slew of amenities like seating, restrooms, wifi, bike racks, stroller valet, atm, live music stage, kid-friendly play area, gardens featuring local art and water displays, etc.  Not to mention a host of events like beer gardens, tailgates, themed parities, concerts, movie nights, private rentals.  The list goes on and on.  I think there may be a parcel or two of land available for development, maybe squeeze in next to the area of Brush Park that backs up to Eastern Market.  Just a thought......


Above is an example, the Soma Street Food Park in San Francisco that opened this year, which was inspired by Portland's Pods.

2.  Better Hours. Jimmy John's on Monroe and Griswald, I would really appreciate it if you extend your hours past the national AARP bedtime.  Same goes for you CVS.

3.  More Active Detroit. Take a look at the below picture.  Where was this taken?  Florida Keys? No. El Lay.  Err, wrong again.  Belle Isle Beach. Yeah, the one here in Detroit.


This beauty opens opportunities for kayak, canoe, paddle boat, and stand up paddle board (SUP) sales, rentals, and lessons.  Bike rentals to cruise around the island? Yes please. 


Photo taken 7/23/2012  by the lovely Michelle Srbinovich 



Personally, I would like to go back in time about a hundred years when Belle Isle looked like the below photos.  Of course in full color, 25 mega pixel, smart phone captured, HD Videoed, with more photos than Instragram can handle.


Just think:  it could be our very own Central Park, but way cooler because it is an actual island, not just on one.



*To help reopen the FIRST aquarium in the whole US of A that resides on Belle Isle, click HERE to donate (time and money, people).*

4.  Independent Health Food Store, ie The Natural Food Patch in Fab Ferndale (I would like a piece of my former life in the burbs to follow me here to Detroit).

5.  Roof Top Bars. Here is one example, The Empire Hotel in NYC, that was recently graced with a runway show by our very own Fotoula Lambros Design.  A pool would be a nice addition as well. 




6.  More Delivery!!!! Good News: Michelle at Woofbridge Feed + Supply will deliver dog food to my apartment.  Bad news:  Who else delivers besides Michelle, Sgt. Pepperoni, Bucharest, and a few chains after 4 pm? 


Actually, I think we should start with beer and then move onto food.  My neighbor's friend brings over growlers of beer on his skateboard.  Seems easy enough. 


P.S. If you do want delivery between 11 am - 4pm, Hot Spokes can help you with a myriad of choices.

7.  Art Boutique Hotels. Each room is designed by a different artist, catering to people who need a last minute room because they will be having way too much fun in Detroit and do not want to leave before sunrise.




8.  Art Street Vendors.  Since we are already on the topic of art, Detroit has a very talented artistic community. I would love to see the day that an area of Detroit was designated for people to display, sell, and create their art right on the city streets!

http://www.belozro.net
9.  Blow-Out BarYes ladies, this one is for you.  A "blow-out" bar is a salon that specializes in two things: blow-outs and cocktails.  So picture this scenario:  It's been a long day at work and the last thing you want to do is your hair for a night out in the city especially since it's 91 degrees with humility of 300%.  Blah. So how nice would it be to waltz on over to a salon after work, greeted by a friendly receptionist who hands you a cocktail, and quickly get your hair done by a talented hair-stylist?  Pretty nice, right?  You are now relaxed (Calgon who?), looking great, and do not have to worry about mother nature tampering your 'do.  Bonus, you get to leave all the baggage at home and no clean-up time. 


Best part:  It didn't break the bank at $35 smackers!  Nothing beats a night out on the town where you have the confidence in the way you look and can freely enjoy the company around you.

My favorite example is the Drybar.  Drybar hails from sunny California and has locations up and down the West Coast, Arizona, Texas, Georgia and The Big Apple.  I think its time to venture to the Midwest and open shop in Detroit, hint hint :).


10.  Mae's.  Real shocker here, right folks? Mae's serves up delicious breakfast and lunch in one of the most stylish locations in Metro Detroit. They are located in the 48069 and really, need to be in the proximity of 48226.  Not only does Mae's serve up yummy meals, but they clearly know how to run a successful business with a 300% growth in sales from 2010-2011.  As a new restaurant, beating the odds is an understatement.  Exactly what Detroit needs, a business that has longevity and prides itself on buying local. How many other restaurants do you know of that refuse to sell Coke or Pepsi and stick with Faygo?




Now, due to a "secret informant" (apparently Curbed Detroit has......one),  the owner's of Mae's aim higher and in addition to serving tasty breakfast and lunch, they would love to supply you with bottomless mimosas,  McClure's Bloody Mary's, and their own tasty concoctions on Saturday & Sunday.  Rumor has it thanks to the new law signed by Governor Snyder, it's way easier to get a liquor license in Detroit than the burbs.........

Jess's latest creation: Salted Carmel Cream Filled Chocolate Chip Cookies.
I'm sure they will be even more delicious in the 313.


11.  Fitness Studios. You cannot mention food without following it up with fitness.  Dear "Best of Hour" Five-Years-Running Nth Degree Fitness: Get your fine, well sculpted behinds down here already and give Charles Pugh a run for his money with your 6-pack abs!  You too Bikram Yoga and GoCycle!



12.  Somerset CityLoft opens up full time on Woodward, maybe on the former J.L Hudson site......... 


13.  Film Tours. Let's start highlighting all the Hollywood that Detroit has to offer! 





The weather has not been the only thing hot here this summer.  Check out all the action that's been going on in Detroit over the past few months.

Corktown:

Midtown
Downtown 
Highland Park

City News














TechTown's First Startup Soup is Friday, Aug 5th!




 The Yardbird will be one of the sandwiches competing for tops in the Great Lakes Region on this week's Adam Richman's Best Sandwich in America. See the show Wed night 7/25 @ 9pm on The Travel Channel.


Click HERE to donate to this project and get some really cool stuff! 

Excerpt:

Tolerance—the third of my 3Ts of economic development—provides a critical source of economic advantage that works alongside Technology and Talent. Places that are open to new ideas attract creative people from around the globe, broadening both their technology and talent capabilities, gaining a substantial economic edge.

The map above shows how metros across the U.S. score on the Tolerance Index, as it ranks U.S. metros according to three key variables—the share of immigrants or foreign-born residents, the Gay Index (the concentration of gays and lesbians), and the Integration Index, which tracks the level of segregation between ethnic and racial groups.

Even more than natural resources and native ingenuity, what has stood at the heart and soul of U.S. prosperity historically has been its openness to hard working, ambitious, and talented immigrants of all stripes—doctors, engineers, and uneducated laborers alike. Roughly half of Silicon Valley start-ups have a foreign-born person among their founding team, according to several recent studies. Careful studies by the economist Giovanni Peri of the University of California at Davis have found that immigrants add rather than detract from American prosperity, for the simple reason that "the skill composition of immigrants is complementary to that of natives." A "more multicultural urban environment," Peri concludes, "makes U.S.-born citizens more productive."

Openness to gays and lesbians similarly reflects an ecosystem that is open to new people and new ideas. It’s amazing how consistently people have misconstrued what my colleagues and I have had to say about the connection between gays and economic growth. They miss the point. A strong and vibrant gay community is a solid leading indicator of a place that is open to many different kinds of people. Ronald Inglehart, who has studied the relationship between culture and economic growth for some four decades, has noted that the lack of societal acceptance of gays is the most significant remaining bastion of intolerance and discrimination around the world. Accordingly, communities that have long been more accepting and open to gay people have an underlying ecosystem which is also more likely to be accepting of new ideas and different types of people, including the eggheads and eccentrics who invent new things and start new enterprises. As Bill Bishop put it, "where gay households abound, geeks follow."

Tolerance affects economic growth by shaping the flow of technology and talent. Most economists tend to see technology and talent as fixed stocks, like raw materials or natural resources, but the reality is that they are flows. Unlike seams of coal or natural harbors, talented people are mobile factors—they can and do move around. Of course talented people come from different racial and ethnic backgrounds - a substantial share of Silicon Valley startups were founded by people who hail originally from outside the United States - as well as different sexual orientations.The fact that some places are better attracting this flow of talent is associated with how open to different kinds of people they are.

Economists frequently note the importance of industries having low entry barriers, so that new firms can easily enter and keep the industry vital. Similarly, a place can benefit from low entry barriers for people—where newcomers from different backgrounds are accepted quickly into all sorts of social and economic arrangements. All else being equal, such communities have an advantage in attracting and retaining the diverse and different types of people who power innovation and growth.


Click HERE to Read the Full Article on The Atlantic Cities! 


https://www.flickr.com/photos/tinawebanalyst

The Cities With The Highest Income Adjusted For Cost of Living

Excerpt:

When we think of places with high salaries, big metro areas like New York, Los Angeles or San Francisco are usually the first to spring to mind. Or cities with the biggest concentrations of educated workers, such as Boston.

But wages are just one part of the equation — high prices in those East and West Coast cities mean the fat paychecks aren’t necessarily getting the locals ahead. When cost of living is factored in, most of the places that boast the highest effective pay turn out to be in the less celebrated and less expensive middle part of the country. My colleague Mark Schill of Praxis Strategy Group and I looked at the average annual wages in the nation’s 51 largest metropolitan statistical areas and adjusted incomes by the cost of living. The results were surprising and revealing.

One major surprise is the metro area in third place: Detroit-Warren-Livonia, Mich. This can be explained by the relatively high wages paid in the resurgent auto industry and, as we have reported earlier, a huge surge in well-paying STEM (science, technology, engineering and math-related) jobs. Combine this with some of the most affordable housing in the nation and sizable reductions in unemployment — down 5% in Michigan over the past two years, the largest such drop in the nation. This longtime sad sack region has reason to feel hopeful.

No. 3:
Detroit-Warren-Livonia, MI
2011 Adjusted Annual Wage: $57,016
Average Annual Wage: $53,424
Unadjusted Rank: 17

Click HERE to read the full article on Forbes (dot) com! 



Nothing’s going to stop the 2012 Chevrolet Rockin’ on the Riverfront! The GM Riverfront stage will continue strong with the renowned band Starship featuring Mickey Thomas on July 20. The concert presented in partnership with Detroit’s Classic Rock Station 94.7 WCSX-FM and the new Soft Rock 105.1 FM will rock the riverfront stage starting a 7:30p.m.

Forming in the early 1980s, Starship scored major hits across the U.S.Lead singer Mickey Thomas made a name for himself in the 1970s with duel solo albums and collaborations with many rock and roll legends including his role as lead vocalist for The Jets. However, Mickey’s best-known achievements come from his harmonies with the Elvin Bishop Group; specifically, “Fooled Around and Fell in Love,” a No. 3 single in 1976.

After a run on his own and with The Jets, Mickey joined both previous band mates and new additions to form Starship. They went on to perform several duets with Grace Slick, ultimately gaining greater influence in the band. Starship’s hit songs “We Built This City” and “Sara” from the album Knee Deep in the Hoopla reached No. 1 in 1985. Featured in the film Mannequin, Starship’s 1987 song “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now” also reached No. 1.

Local band Solid State will open the evening at 7:30 p.m. and Starship will rock the stage at 9 p.m.

Rockin’ on the Riverfront, spanning six consecutive Friday evenings beginning July 13, offers more than free concerts. Located in the heart of the city, between the GM Renaissance Center and Detroit River, the event has become a summer destination for dining and entertainment in Detroit. Upcoming shows include: Ace Frehley on July 27; Lou Gramm of Foreigner on August 3; The Sweet & The Tubes on August 10; and Mark Farner of Grand Funk Railroad and Marshall Crenshaw on Aug. 17.

Admission to the concerts is always free and no advance tickets are necessary. Viewing space is offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs and blankets. In addition, boaters on the Detroit River are welcome to anchor near the riverfront and enjoy the shows from the water.

Andiamo Detroit Riverfront will provide refreshment and food concessions at several locations across the plaza. Outside food, beverages or coolers will not be permitted. Andiamo Detroit Riverfront and Joe Muer Seafood will accept dinner reservations before and after the concert and both restaurants offer outdoor patios overlooking the Detroit River and Rockin’ on the Riverfront stage.

Convenient parking is available for $5 per vehicle, starting at 5:00 p.m., at the GM surface lot at the intersection of St. Antoine and Atwater streets, adjacent to the GM Renaissance Center.

The Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center is offering two viewing packages. The Andiamo Riverfront package includes a four-course dinner and overnight accommodations. The Joe Muer Seafood package includes a four course dinner, overnight accommodations and breakfast at forty-two degrees north. For reservations specify the package and call 1-800-352-0831 or visit detroitmarriott.com. Use promotional code D60.

Fans are invited to watch FOX2 in the Morning every week to enter a FOX2 EXPOSED contest for a chance to win a VIP prize package, which includes two (2) VIP access wristbands and lanyards with front row seats, dinner for two (2) at Andiamo Detroit Riverfront in the Rockin’ on the Riverfront VIP section (the evening of the concert only), overnight accommodations for two (2) at The Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center (the evening of the concert only), free parking in the Beaubien Garage located on Beaubien Street (the evening of the concert only) and a band meet-and-greet (if available). To enter, access the online contest entry form on the MyFoxDetroit.com and follow instructions. Questions for the Starship contest will be read on Monday, July 16.

The 2012 Chevrolet Rockin’ on the Riverfront concert series is sponsored in partnership with Detroit Classic Rock Station 94.7 WCSX-FM, the new Soft Rock 105.1 FM, Volunteer Energy, Belle Tire, Quicken Loans and WJBK FOX2.

For updates and information, visit www.facebook.com/RockinontheRiverfront and www.facebook.com/GMRenCen or www.gmrencen.com.

The Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) announced today that it will continue its new Mix @ The Max series with “Sin Hielo” on Thursday, August 9 at 7 p.m. Sin Hielo, a pairing of metro Detroit electric and acoustic guitarists Wayne Gerard and Sean Blackman, combines Detroit's grit and modern jazz with the heaviness of Flamenco and rock to form a Detroit jazz world music hybrid. Rick Beamon will accompany on percussion as well as other special guest performers.

Hosted in the intimate Music Box space within the Max M. Fisher Music Center, the performance features cabaret-style seating, a cash bar, and complimentary snacks provided by local food and beverage vendors. Mix @ The Max, premiered in April to a full house, is composed of concerts targeting a new generation of patrons. Acts could include music of any genre, including classical, contemporary, jazz and more.

Tickets to Sin Hielo are $25 in advance and $28 at the door, and may be purchased at the Max M. Fisher Music Center box office (3711 Woodward Ave., Detroit); by calling (313) 576-5111; or online at www.dso.org. Seating is general admission.

About Sin Hielo

Detroit-based musical greats Sean Blackman and Wayne Gerard are individually wildly successful.

But just last year, the two talents joined together to create a unique, powerful Latin/rock/jazz project titled Sin Hielo (pronounced "Sin Yellow”) - and the name represents both the hot sound they have created and the sexy clientele that has jumped on the band's massive touring party vardo. Sin Hielo is joined by world music percussionist Rick Beamon, known as the best in the business.

Blackman is the household name among music lovers in Detroit. In fact, he's so popular that when he played his sold-out show at Orchestra Hall, he received a standing ovation before even playing a single note. He's an award-winning, world music acoustic guitarist who has made his Latin sounds so popular that his concerts sell out based on his name alone.

Blackman has attracted international headlines - from Belgium to Colorado and in-between - as the visionary, composer and leader for the stunning 18-piece theatrical world music production In Transit, Travel the World Through Music & Dance that mixes traditional Brazilian, Armenian and Senegalese sounds with Detroit jazz and funk.

He is known for jaw-dropping, sultry, mesmerizing stage performances, National Geographic documentary compositions, and recently was invited for an exclusive private concert at the US embassy in Berlin.

Electric guitarist Gerard, whose extensive resume includes composing the full score for the motion pictures 'Waiting On Alphie', 'Dream House', 'Flowers for Norma' and 'The Verdict', is now writing for the new motion pictures 'Warsaw', which is in post-production and 'Audition', a comedy for director Juan Reinoso.

Gerard is an accomplished, respected, in-demand recording artist – with his ear to the ground in all new musical sounds, the top names in jazz are constantly seeking his musical expertise, as they together pioneer new sounds. He has recorded dozens of projects and tours regularly nationwide. His solo performances are so strong that he grabs standing ovations from audiences even when legends such as Stevie Wonder and Bob James share the stage with him. Also, an Internet musical pioneer, Gerard was one of the first artists to ever gain more than one million downloads on MP3.com His solo performances stun even the hardest-to-please jazz and rock fans.

Blackman & Gerard's Sin Hielo is unveiling glimpses of their new album during their summer tour - original pieces of Latin jazz, a unique version of Led Zeppelin's "Kashmir" and a few other interesting inventions and reinventions. These shows are where the crowd is on their feet dancing to the sexy, summer sounds. www.facebook.com/sinhielo
Segways2U is proud to announce their newest rental location in the heart of Detroit at the GM Renaissance Center. Founded by Detroiters Maureen Kearns and Keith Steele, Segways2U provides a unique way for people to get around Detroit.

Visitors and residents can easily zip along the Riverwalk, roll past the shops and restaurants, glide along the historic streets, or take a specially guided tour around Detroit.

A segway is a two-wheeled transportation device that operates on gyroscopic and fluid-based motion sensors, allowing the operator to control the device by leaning forward and back. The vehicle first appeared in the early 2000s.

"Our professional instructors give each rider thorough instructions on how to use their segway,” said Maureen Kearns, co-owner of Segways2U. “Each instructor is very patient, so that every level of segway rider feels comfortable and safe, while enjoying a great ride around the City.”

Throughout the summer months and into October, Segways2U will offer segway rentals by the hour or half-day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Tours and private rentals are also available with reservation. For more information, call 855-U-SEGWAY or visit their website at www.segways2u.com.

For Keith Steele and Maureen Kearns, co-owners of Segways2U, the adventure began in 2009 with the purchase of 11 Segway PTs and a vision to provide people with a different way to explore the Motor City. The devices were purchased to be operated through Inside Detroit, the Detroit-centric tour nonprofit Kearns created back in 2006. When she moved on from the organization, Kearns and Steele decided to join forces and created Segways2U.

“We are pleased to welcome Segways2U as our newest tenant,” said Todd Pardon, Asset Services director for CBRE at the GM Renaissance Center. “Their presence will add more summer fun along the riverfront, starting at the GM Renaissance Center.”

For updates and information, visit www.segways2U.com, www.facebook.com/segways2u, or email info@segways2u.com.

Convenient parking and valet services are available at the GM Renaissance Center. For a complete list of parking locations, visit www.gmrencen.com/directions/valetparking.axis.

Segway® PTs do have some limitations, and each rider must meet the following requirements before registering: be at least 16 years old (a guardian may ride with children); weigh between 100 and 260 pounds; may not be pregnant; wear closed-toe flat shoes; and be capable of climbing a flight of stairs unassisted.


Take a hot dog from New York's famed Coney Island, throw in plenty of Greek immigrants and a booming auto industry, add some chili sauce, a steamed bun, chopped onions, mustard and an epic sibling rivalry and you've got the makings of a classic American melting pot story.

That story is told in Coney Detroit, a new book that serves as paean for what's become the quintessential dish of the Motor City. Coneys — a name that designates not just the dogs but the diners that serve them up — dominate the Detroit landscape. Where many other cities offer the chance to navigate by national chain (turn right at the third Starbucks), in Detroit, directions come in Coneys.

"I'm comfortable saying there are about 500 Coneys at any given time," in the Detroit region, says Coney Detroit co-author Joe Grimm, who has done some serious investigative digesting on the project — including visiting 100 Coneys in 100 days. (Proceeds from the book will go to Detroit's Gleaners' Food Bank.)

The history of Detroit Coneys harks back to the early 20th century, when thousands of Greek immigrants were streaming into the city's burgeoning Greektown. But first, they had to stop at New York's Ellis Island — not too far from the famed amusements of Coney Island, where Nathan Handwerker was already peddling his famous hot dogs.

Patrons pack in at American Coney in this undated photo. No one knows for sure who brought the Coney to Detroit, Grimm says, but everyone knows who made it famous: William "Bill" and Constantine "Gust" Keros. Nine decades ago (the exact date is in dispute), the two Greek brothers opened their hot dog joint, American Coney Island, in the heart of downtown Detroit — at the intersection of Michigan Avenue and Lafayette Boulevard, where it still sits today.

Click HERE to read the full article on NPR (dot) org!
Calvert Lithographing Co. in Detroit in 1895

Zak Pashak had heard a lot of negative stories about Detroit. Still, for some reason, the Canadian entrepreneur felt compelled to check out the city for himself. And after he visited in October 2010, Pashak realized that he really liked this place -- so much so that he picked up and moved from Calgary the following July.

And once he got here and bought a home in Boston Edison, his next challenge was even more radical -- opening a bicycle manufacturing plant in the city.

Now his business, Detroit Bikes, is poised to become more than an idea. On Monday Pashak closed a deal for a 50,000 square foot factory on the city's west side. He's put $500,000 of his own money into the venture and is excited about getting to work.

"I definitely want to get started as soon as possible," Pashak told The Huffington Post. "We're going to be making 50 bikes in the next month or so and giving them out to local Detroiters. They'll be testing them and giving out feedback."

Pashak's background is in the music industry, not manufacturing. He ran music venues in Vancouver and his hometown of Calgary and began Canada's popular Sled Island Music Festival. His interest in bicycling began when he ran for Calgary's City Council, when Pashak began investigating how alternatives to cars could benefit the city.

Ultimately, Pashak decided to start making bicycles because he couldn't find the type of bicycle he wanted -- one built for casual city use at a reasonable price.

His target customers are people who aren't hardcore cyclists but are still interested in bikes.The model he plans on producing in Detroit will be a lightweight steel three-speed with a tire that's thicker than those used for racing bikes. The bike will come in one color -- black-- and sell for a little under $500.

Click HERE to read the full article in The HuffPost Detroit!


The Detroit Institute of Arts is working to persuade voters to authorize a tax to support the cultural institution, promising free admission and expanded programming if it passes while raising the possibility that the museum would be a shadow of its current self if it's rejected.

The Aug. 7 vote follows last year's shuttering of the nearby Detroit Science Center after the educational attraction's appeal for a cash infusion fell flat and comes as museums around the country learn to survive without support from state or local government budgets.

The Detroit Institute of Arts is asking voters in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties to approve a 10-year tax that works out to $20 per year on a home worth $200,000. It would raise an estimated $23 million a year, nearly as much as the museum's current annual operating budget.

"The DIA will have the kind of financial stability it hasn't had for 40 years," said Graham W. J. Beal, the museum's director.

The museum would get a decade to focus fundraising efforts on building its endowment, Beal said, with the long-term goal of becoming financially independent. If the proposal fails, however, he said the museum would be forced to cut its hours, opening only two or three days a week. Some galleries would close to the public, and the museum would no longer have special exhibitions that routinely draw big crowds.

The museum has appealed to voters using TV ads and yard signs, as well as a busy spring and summer of events.

Click HERE to read the full article in the New York Times!


Excerpt:

The map above charts the creative class across U.S. cities and metro regions. Nationwide, the creative class totals more than 40 million workers, more than a third of the total workforce, including professionals in the fields of science and technology, design and architecture, arts, entertainment and media, and healthcare, law, management and education.

This list of top-tier metros belies the fatalistic notion that geography is destiny. It includes many northern Frost Belt locations, among them Ann Arbor, in the very shadow of Detroit. Greater Detroit, on the other hand, scores a surprisingly high rank of 53rd, which bodes reasonably well for its future. Some of Detroit’s suburbs have among the very highest concentrations of the creative class in the nation.

The geography of the creative class has become more uneven over the past decade. Back when I did the initial metro rankings using 1999 data, the highest share of the creative class was about 35 percent. Today, it's pushing 50 percent. There are a dozen metros where it is 40 percent or more, and 34 more where it is 35–40 percent of the workforce. There are 105 metros where the creative class accounts for between 30 and 35 percent of the workforce and 162 where it makes up between 25 and 30 percent of the workforce. On the flip side, there is one metro where the creative class makes up less than 20 percent of the workforce and 48 where it accounts for between 20 and 25 percent.

Click HERE to read the full article on The Atlantic Cities (dot) com!  


Coach Insignia was one of 50 restaurants nationwide to be selected in the Northwest Cherries Tree-to-Table campaign In celebration of National Rainier Cherry Day on July 11, Northwest Cherries has commissioned one iconic restaurant in each US state to create a unique menu offering featuring Rainier cherries. This famed cherry is regarded for its crisp bite and pale yellow flesh bursting with exceptional sweetness.

Coast to coast, Northwest Cherries is making sure everyone has the opportunity to indulge this once-a-year treat. From Rainier cherry-infused cocktails and brews to Rainier cherry compotes on perfectly prepared proteins, each chef has designed a special dish that not only showcases the cherries’ sweet, crisp flavor but also incorporates them into the cuisine for which the state is known.

Detroit’s Coach Insignia was one of 50 restaurants nationwide to be selected in the Northwest Cherries Tree-to-Table campaign for National Rainier Cherry Day, July 11. Each restaurant, one from every state, received approximately $400 worth of free rainier cherries to play with and incorporate on their menus for the month of July. From Rainier cherry-infused cocktails and brews to rainier cherry compotes, chefs all over the country got very creative in how to incorporate the sweet, Pacific Northwest super fruit onto their menus.





Chef Kevin Green created two delicious menu offerings in celebration of cherry season, Pan Roasted Chicken Breast with Rainer Cherries and Vanilla-Ginger Jus, as well as a Cherry Press-Gang cocktail, made of homemade espresso rum and rainier cherries. Both items are available at the restaurant through the month of July, during this peak cherry season.

The 2012 Chevrolet Rockin’ on the Riverfront concert series is kicking off on the GM Plaza with an unrivaled double bill featuring Detroit’s Sponge and rock legend John Waite on July 13. The concert presented in partnership with Detroit’s Classic Rock Station 94.7 WCSX-FM and the new Soft Rock 105.1 FM will rock the riverfront stage starting a 7:30 p.m.

Made famous across the nation, Sponge’s Vinnie Dombrowski, lead vocalist and founding member of Sponge in 1991, has played a very important role of Detroit’s rock and roll history with his powerful voice, heart-on-his-sleeve lyrics and full throttle stage presence. Sponge earned the #5 spot on Billboard’s Modern Rock Charts for both “Molly” and “Plowed,” two singles from their debut album “Rotting Pinata” which ultimately earned platinum status. The band continued to score top ten Billboard hits with their follow up album before sharing stages with many notable stars including Nickelback, Iggy Pop, Alice in Chains and KISS.

After big chart success and as a solo artist, John Waite is still performing and recording seamlessly with as much passion and talent as ever before. Waite has been in the music industry since 1975 and has rocked the charts with bands including The Baby’s, Bad English and The Boys. From slow trips down the road of love to huge rockers, John Waite has produces singles including “When I See You Smile,” “Rough & Tumble,” “Evil” and “Missing You”. Perhaps his most popular song, “Missing You” has been remade by many artists throughout the years.

Sponge will open the concert at 7:30 p.m., and John Waite will follow at 9 p.m.

Spanning six consecutive Friday evenings, 2012 Chevy Rockin’ on the Riverfront offers more than free concerts. Located in the heart of the city, between the GM Renaissance Center and Detroit River, the event has become a summer destination for dining and entertainment in Detroit. Upcoming shows include: Starship on July 20; Ace Frehley on July 27; Lou Gramm of Foreigner on August 3; The Sweet and The Tubes on Aug. 10; and Mark Farner of Grand Funk Railroad and Marshall Crenshaw on Aug. 17.

Admission to the concerts is always free and no advance tickets are necessary. Viewing space is offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs and blankets. In addition, boaters on the Detroit River are welcome to anchor near the riverfront and enjoy the shows from the water.

Andiamo Detroit Riverfront will provide refreshment and food concessions at several locations across the plaza. Outside food, beverages or coolers will not be permitted. Andiamo Detroit Riverfront and Joe Muer Seafood will accept dinner reservations before and after the concert and both restaurants offer outdoor patios overlooking the Detroit River and Rockin’ on the Riverfront stage.

Convenient parking is available for $5 per vehicle, starting at 5:00 p.m., at the GM surface lot at the intersection of St. Antoine and Atwater streets, adjacent to the GM Renaissance Center.

The Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center is offering two viewing packages. The Andiamo Riverfront package includes a four-course dinner and overnight accommodations. The Joe Muer Seafood package includes a four course dinner, overnight accommodations and breakfast at forty-two degrees north. For reservations specify the package and call 1-800-352-0831 or visit detroitmarriott.com. Use promotional code D60.

For updates and information, visit www.facebook.com/RockinontheRiverfront and www.facebook.com/GMRenCen.

When David Kappos took over the United States Patent and Trademark Office in 2009, he faced a seemingly insurmountable task: The office was dealing with a backlog of more than 750,000 patent applications, with an average wait time of three-to-four years.

So when President Obama stepped in, signing the America Invents Act into law, Kappos could breathe a sigh of relief. The legislation gave the office funding to open three new satellite offices outside of its Alexandria, Virginia, headquarters to deal with the patent backlog.

After an extensive search for its location, the USPTO found, what it believed, to be the best city to house its new patent office: Detroit.

The office will occupy 31,000 square feet at 300 River Place Drive. The building, situated on the banks of the Detroit River, is listed on the National Historic Registry and was the former home to Parke-Davis Laboratories as well as the Stroh's Brewery Headquarters. Come July, the office will hire 100 patent examiners with experience in intellectual property.

But why Motor City? Why not, say, San Francisco? Or Boston? Or New York? Patents are important to start-ups for a variety of reasons, so why not choose a place known for business formation and innovation?

Richard Maulsby, the acting chief communications officer of the USPTO, says that's exactly why Detroit was the perfect place for the office.

"The USPTO considered many factors before making its final decision to locate its first new satellite office in Detroit," he says. "The city fulfilled a number of critical criteria, including a high percentage of scientists and engineers in the workforce; access to major research institutions; a high volume of patenting activity; and a significant number of patent agents and attorneys in the area."

Click HERE to read the full article by Eric Markowitz on Inc. (dot) com! 
Time is running out for entrepreneurs to submit their business plans for the 2012 Comerica Hatch Detroit retail business competition before the August 1 deadline. The contest is open to anyone with an idea for opening a retail business within the City of Detroit. All applications must be submitted online at www.hatchdetroit.com by August 1, 2012, at 11:59 p.m. EDT.

Hatch will narrow down the applications received to ten semi-finalists and then the public will vote for their favorite retail business idea. The winning entrepreneur will receive a $50,000 cash prize courtesy of Comerica Bank to help ‘hatch’ the business. The winner will also receive a package of services including, legal, marketing and advertising, and IT support.

“The response to this year’s competition has been outstanding so far,” said Ted Balowski, co-founder of Hatch Detroit. “We’re on track to surpass the number of submissions received last year, and we’re optimistic that we’ll receive additional quality business plans as the application period comes to an end.”

“Detroit is becoming a stomping ground for innovative entrepreneurs who want to be a part of the city’s resurgence,” said Thomas D. Ogden, president, Comerica Bank-Michigan. “The Comerica Hatch Detroit contest will give one of them the opportunity to make their retail idea a reality in Detroit.”

To submit a business plan, applicants must provide a summary that describes their business idea and its potential impact on Detroit, as well as background for each team member. For complete submission guidelines and contest rules, visit www.hatchdetroit.com.






Works by two artists who have long been favorites of the public will be on display at the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA). Picasso and Matisse: The DIA’s Prints and Drawings, on view July 11, 2012–January 6, 2013, will feature almost all of the works by Pablo Picasso (1881–1973) and Henri Matisse (1869–1954) in the museum’s collection, showcasing their revolutionary achievements that came to define much of 20th-century art. This exhibition has been organized by Detroit Institute of Arts and is free with museum admission. Support has been provided by Comerica Bank.

The story of Picasso’s and Matisse’s stylistic progression and artistic range will be told through more than 100 prints and drawings, including exceptional works such as Matisse’s 1919 drawing The Plumed Hat and Picasso’s 1939 gouache of The Bather by the Sea. Other highlights include Matisse’s famous series Jazz and Picasso’s etchings for the Dream and Lie of Franco, as well as many linoleum cuts by both artists. The DIA’s 13 paintings and two bronze sculptures on permanent display will be on view in the museum’s modern art galleries.

“We have such a rich collection of modern art, and are delighted to showcase nearly all our significant works by Picasso and Matisse,” said Graham W. J. Beal, DIA director. “In the early years of the 20th century, these two seminal artists engaged in a fierce rivalry, each trying to out-do the other and be seen as the premier Modern artist of the time. Once established, they went their separate, equally prolific, ways but continued to watch one another’s development from afar, this time, more in the spirit of a mutual admiration shared by seasoned veterans.”

Picasso and Matisse were ground-breaking visionaries who constantly experimented with techniques and materials. They were friends, colleagues, and rivals for half a century. By 1907, Picasso was vying with Matisse for leadership of the Parisian avant-garde art world but both men came to that position via very different routes.

Picasso began creating art when he was seven years old, trained by his artist/art teacher father. By age 13 it was evident that his talent would surpass that of his father. When he was 19, after studying art in Spain, Picasso went to Paris and within a few years became a favorite of prominent collectors and established entrepreneurs. His early realistic paintings and prints known as his Blue and Rose Period were well regarded, but it was his fractured studies of form and space known as Cubism that revolutionized artists’ attitudes about perception and vision and vaulted Picasso to the pinnacles of achievement in modern art.

His international influence, stature, and fame increased through the rest of his life as he worked through the major styles of each era, from a return to classical, realistic forms in the 1920s such as the lithograph Face, Surrealism in the 1930s and 1940s exemplified by the two etchings that form The Dream and Lie of Franco, and in an ever-growing body of innovative printmaking in all mediums well into the 1960s.

Matisse, 12 years Picasso’s senior, was born to a prosperous business family in northern France. He earned a law degree in Paris and was practicing back home as a court assistant when in his early 20’s he decided to change careers. He left for Paris to become an art student and by 1896 his work was in major Parisian exhibitions. His rise to prominence as a major artist was complete by 1905. Matisse’s lifework, while as broad as Picasso’s in exploring drawing, printmaking, painting, sculpture, and decorative arts, was far more focused as an intellectual study.

Matisse’s interest with pattern dominated his career, whether abstractly in thinking about lines as shapes or in thinking about brilliantly colored shapes playing off each other. He constantly tried to refine his subjects into their elemental linear components, as in The Plumed Hat. In the early 1940s, when poor health affected his dexterity, Matisse turned to what he called “drawing with scissors,” in which he cut forms out of brightly colored paper and pinned them together. Some of these stood on their own as artworks, and others served as models for more elaborate projects.

One such project is Jazz, which consists of a book and album, each with the same 20 prints. Two hundred and seventy copies of the book and 100 copies of the album were created, resulting in a total of 7,400 prints. A team of printers worked for years to create stencil prints from the collages designed by Matisse. The sheer level of skill, control, and dedication required to create Jazz is one of the reasons it is among the greatest achievements in printmaking. The exhibition will display 17 of the 20 prints from the Jazz album.

Hours and Admission Museum hours are 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m.–10 p.m. Fridays, and 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Admission is $8 for adults, $6 for seniors, $4 for ages 6-17, and free for DIA members. For membership information call 313-833-7971.
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