In 2005, Detroit-area residents mourned the closing of the city’s 101-year-old Belle Isle Aquarium and watched as beloved animals were dispersed to other institutions. A similar story recently played out in the nation’s capital, where National Aquarium, Washington, D.C. closed after 81 years of operation in the basement of the Department of Commerce building. This time, it will be the Belle Isle Aquarium on the receiving end.
The Belle Isle Aquarium reopened with limited hours in September 2012, under the newly formed Belle Isle Conservancy. Volunteers staffed operations on a shoestring budget over the following year as hundreds, sometimes thousands of visitors returned to the aquarium on Saturdays. Some volunteers visited similarly sized aquaria, including National Aquarium, Washington, D.C., to share information. This summer, they were saddened to learn that National Aquarium would close its doors on September 30.
According to Vance Patrick, one of the Belle Isle Conservancy directors and a leading figure in the aquarium’s reopening, “The National Aquarium in Washington, D.C. is a great institution that traces its roots to 1873. They unfortunately had to close their doors due to extensive building renovations. We deeply regret its closing, but it’s wonderful that they are willing to consider the Belle Isle Aquarium for reuse and recycling some of their equipment—which we sorely need.”
A group of Conservancy volunteers will travel to Washington, D.C. the week of January 12 in the hope of salvaging filters, tankscaping and other items that will find new life at the Belle Isle Aquarium. National Aquarium’s more than 2,500 animals have been transferred to its main facility in Baltimore as well as to other accredited aquariums and zoos.
“Opportunities like this do not come along often, we could not pass it up,” says Patrick. “This sort of recycling of equipment is in keeping with the natural spirit of Belle Isle Park, and reuse is vital to our frugal set up. Associations with others, like National Aquarium, are essential to our continued success” adds Jennifer Boardman, co-chair of the Aquarium Committee under the Belle Isle Conservancy.
A Detroit municipal park, Belle Isle is undergoing a transition to become Michigan’s 102nd state park under a lease agreement made late last year. The agreement notes that the State of Michigan and the City of Detroit will work cooperatively with the Belle Isle Conservancy. Michele Hodges, the President of the Conservancy, chairs the recently formed Belle Isle Advisory Committee. The committee consists of city and state appointees that will advise the state on implementation of improvements, master planning and public safety for the park.
Bud Denker, Senior Vice President of the Penske Corporation, is a member of the Advisory Committee. Denker has arranged for the use of a Penske rental truck, at no charge, to transport the salvaged equipment from Washington, D.C. to Detroit. “These cooperative partnerships are the key to making Belle Isle a world class park that’s an asset to the City of Detroit and the State of Michigan,” says Hodges.
In addition to its natural assets, the park features several historic structures including the Belle Isle Aquarium, which is the oldest aquarium in the United States. It opened in 1904 and was designed by Albert Kahn.
The histories of the two aquaria are somewhat similar. Washington, D.C.’s aquarium lost its congressional funding due to budget cuts in 1982. Supporters formed a non-profit organization and kept it open. In 2003, it partnered with the National Aquarium, Baltimore and began jointly operating as one Aquarium with two venues. The Belle Isle Aquarium closed to the public in 2005 due to city budget cuts. Supporters worked to reopen it and realized their dream in 2012. It is possibly the only volunteer-run public aquarium in the world.
For more information on the Belle Isle Aquarium and this optimistic salvage mission, contact Vance Patrick (586) 663-9482 or Jennifer Boardman (248) 302-7148, Co-Chairs of the Belle Isle Aquarium Committee.
For more information on the Belle Isle Conservancy, visit www.belleisleconservancy.org.
National Aquarium
National Aquarium is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to inspire conservation of the world’s aquatic treasures. It champions environmental initiatives by engaging with visitors, volunteers, education groups and schools to actively participate in the preservation of the world’s natural resources and living systems. National Aquarium delivers meaningful experiences through its living collections; science-based education programs and hands-on experiences in the field from the Chesapeake Bay to Costa Rica; and partnerships and alliances with like-minded organizations around the world. For more information on National Aquarium, visit www.aqua.org.
Are you a journalist who wants real food instead of three days of catered bullshit? Or are you a visiting enthusiast who wants to have a good time in Detroit without being robbed? If you're in town for NAIAS, here's an honest guide to having fun outside of Cobo Hall — besides meeting the Jalopnik staff, of course.
So, the Motor City, right? Where's all the automotive history?
If you want something to see, head to the Detroit Historical Museum for the region's largest collection of classic cars. It's in Midtown and across from two of my other favorites: The Detroit Public Library's main branch, a gorgeous older building, and, of course, the Detroit Institute of Arts. Yes, all of the art is still there. No, it has not been sold.
If you want something to read, then go to my favorite underappreciated automotive history collection in the city: The Skillman branch of the Detroit Public Library downtown (it's right off a People Mover stop), which houses the National Automotive History Collection. Do you want a repair manual for your 1936 Packard? It's there. Were you looking for press photos of the Pontiac Aztek concept? You weren't, but they're there. Nearly every documentation of the automotive industry, from dealer-training materials to press releases to product guides to mechanics' codes, is there.
If you've got time and the weather permits, you could also head 40 minutes out of town to visit Ypsilanti, an auto town in its own right. There, you can visit the Ypsilanti Automotive Heritage Museum, home to the largest collection of Hudson automobiles; the Michigan Firehouse Museum, which has a fantastic collection of old fire trucks; and Model Cave, a great store in downtown Ypsilanti which has a ton of model kits, new and vintage.
But I want to see the Packard Plant!
No, you don't. Why? Someone owns it now. You might get arrested. Or die. No, you really might die; there was a body found there last month. If you want to see an actual, working automotive plant with people that are alive, try the Ford Rouge Factory Tour in Dearborn.
Fuck it, I just want to do some real touristy shit where I don't have to move my car and not look at abandoned buildings.
Oh, just take the People Mover directly to Greektown (the automated voice says "Greektown!" when you get there), where you can gamble at Greektown Casino, get some decadent sweets at Astoria and get barbecue at Red Smoke without having to wait in line. If it's warm enough, a street artist can do one of those funny pictures of you.
Every bar to match your personality is in Greektown. If you want upscale Greek with good wine, head to Santorini Estiatorio. If you're a bourbon/whiskey-type with leanings toward indie sounds, go to Firebird Tavern. If you want to do an Irish car bomb and watch ESPN, go to the Old Shillelagh. If you want a margarita and a crawfish quesadilla, go one block from the People Mover stop over to Loco's.
And if you've been drinking too much and need something to either prevent or cure your hangover, go to Plaka Cafe and order a ton of cheap food.
Speaking of hangovers...
Click HERE for the full article!
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| GM Renaissance Center. Photo courtesy of Vito Palmissano. |
1) Detroit Historical Society With so much to see and do, it’s surprising this recently revamped 80-year-old downtown museum doesn’t charge admission. (You will, however, pay $5 to park in the adjacent lot.) Although most displays focus on local history and nostalgia—a Motown tribute, a Lionel Trains exhibit, an Underground Railroad vignette and a re-created 20th-century Detroit streetscape—additions like the interactive Kid Rock music lab are sure to build a new fan base among younger generations. (313) 833-7935; detroithistorical.org
2) GM Renaissance Center Detroit’s most iconic landmark, the multi-use “Ren Cen” skyscraper complex (and General Motors headquarters) commands 14 acres of prime downtown real estate on the Detroit River. Free one-hour tours detail GM’s symbiotic relationship with the city, with stops at the tropical Wintergarden atrium, the GM showroom, boutique shops and the Circulation Ring glass panels that connect four of the statuesque towers. The piece de resistance? Drinking in the skyline views from the 72nd floor of the Detroit Marriott at the end of the journey. (313) 567-3126; gmrencen.com
3) D:Hive walking tours Get an insider’s point of view on the recent developments taking place downtown and along the Woodward Corridor. D:Hive hosts free two-hour walking/People Mover tours on Saturday afternoons that will leave you in the know about Detroit fixtures like Campus Martius Park, the Theater District and the Guardian Building. If you don’t feel like walking, the “practically free” bus tour covers the same ground and then some on the fourth Saturday of each month for $10. (313) 962-4590; dhivedetroit.org
4) Detroit Eastern Market Teeming with sights, smells and tastes, the historic public market (dating to 1891) boasts six acres of open-air vendors. The food selection is impressive—cheeses, chocolates, produce, meats, wine, baked goods and the like—but you’ll also find artisan crafts, pottery, jewelry, flowers, antiques and more. Wear comfortable shoes, and bring shopping bags (possibly a cart or wagon) for your purchases. The market’s open on Saturdays all year long and Tuesdays through the summer. (313) 833-9300; detroiteasternmarket.com
Click HERE for the full article!
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| 2013 Winners |
Michigan First Credit Union, in conjunction with its young adult financial education program, Young & Free Michigan, awarded $85,000 in scholarships to 40 deserving metro Detroit high school and college students in 2013.
Now in its 10th year, Michigan First expanded its scholarship program in 2013 to include three categories: a high school video contest, high school essay contest and college video contest. The top three entries in each category received $10,000, $5,000 and $3,000 scholarships respectively, while additional bonus scholarships of $1,000 were awarded to 31 individuals. Since its inception, the program has given away more than $730,000 to local students.
“Michigan First was founded by teachers, and it is inspiring for us to see these students use their creativity to express a passion for education,” Poulos said. “It is evident by the submissions that each of our contest participants has a bright future ahead of them. We look forward to further investing in the financial education for our youth in metro Detroit.”
The top 10 applicants in each category were selected through online public voting, before a panel of judges.
The 2014 Application kicks off on Jan. 15th! Click HERE for details!
About Young & Free Michigan
Young & Free Michigan, powered by Michigan First Credit Union, is an ongoing effort to give the 17-to-25 crowd a voice, a head start and useful information about their finances. Spokesperson Austin Chapman uses the site’s blog, videos and frequent community appearances to share insight into the best ways to handle financial issues and encourage young adults to take advantage of Michigan First’s First Gear accounts, tailored specifically to their needs. Learn more at www.YoungFreeMichigan.com.
To learn more about the benefits of joining your
Local Credit Union, click here!
*This post is sponsored by Make Your Money Matter, in association with PSCU, though all views expressed are my own.*
Walk among live butterflies in the Wish Upon a Butterfly exhibit while hundreds of butterflies flutter around. Some may even take a seat on a shoulder or rest in still laps. Best of all, these winged wonders will sit on guests’ fingers while being hand fed a special nectar solution. This experience also teaches a butterfly’s life cycles from caterpillar to adult. Explore the wonder of a caterpillar changing into a chrysalis or a butterfly emerging from one. The Flight of the Butterflies IMAX® movie is great complement to this exhibit.
Exhibit Only: $3/person + general admission
Exhibit + IMAX®: $5/person + general admission
The exhibit, opening to the public January 11 – June 1, 2014, provides an opportunity for all ages to learn about and interact with these unique insects in an enclosed area. An exhibit introduction will begin at 10 a.m. with mini hands-on demonstrations about butterfly lifecycles and flower dissection followed by an 11 a.m. preview of “Flight of the Butterflies,” in Michigan’s only IMAX® dome theatre.
“Wish Upon a Butterfly”
Museum guests have the opportunity to interact with, and walk among, hundreds of live butterflies in the exhibit. Visitors can learn about a butterfly’s lifecycle and its different habitats, while observing caterpillars, pupa and butterflies in a greenhouse-type structure. In addition, visitors are invited to feed butterflies a special nectar solution.
“Flight of the Butterflies”
The award-winning documentary follows scientist Dr. Fred Urquhart's mission to find the monarch butterfly's secret hideaway and examines its extraordinary journey to the remote mountain peaks of Mexico. Academy Award® winner Peter Parks designed a prototype 3D "snorkel optics" lens system to capture the stunning macro shots and for the first time ever, viewers are able to look inside a chrysalis, thanks to advanced MRI and micro CT scans.
About the Michigan Science Center
The Michigan Science Center is a hands-on museum that inspires children and their families to discover, explore and appreciate science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) in a creative, dynamic learning environment. The Science Center features five theaters, including Michigan’s largest screen at the Chrysler IMAX® Dome Theatre; the Dassault Systèmes Planetarium; the Toyota Engineering Theater; the DTE Energy Sparks Theater; the Chrysler Science Stage; a 9,800 square-foot Traveling Science Hall for special exhibits; hands-on exhibit galleries focusing on space, life and physical science; Kids Town just for pint-size scientists; along with, education and outreach programs.
For more information, please call 313.577.8400 or visit the website, www.Mi-Sci.org.
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| In 1985, the novelist Elmore Leonard, in an introduction to a book of photographs by Balthazar Korab, offered this analysis of his home city of Detroit: |
There are cities that get by on their good looks, offer climate and scenery, views of mountains or oceans, rockbound or with palm trees; and there are cities like Detroit that have to work for a living…. It’s never been the kind of city people visit and fall in love with because of its charm or think, gee, wouldn't this be a nice place to live.
At that time, Detroit had lost seven hundred thousand residents from its population peak of about 1.8 million, in the nineteen-fifties. The city was not merely diminished—it was also in the process of diminishing further. In the nearly thirty years since, more than five hundred thousand more people have left. You know all the grim headlines: soaring crime, industrial decay, city services stretched dangerously thin, abandoned blocks, “urban prairies,” forced downsizing. This summer, the city filed for bankruptcy, and its remaining residents have been portrayed as hostages unable to make an escape. After years of bad news and bad press, Detroit seems more unlikely than ever to be a place about which anyone would say, “Gee, wouldn't this be a nice place to live.”
But what if someone offered you a free house? In a contemporary, literary twist on old homesteading incentives, a new nonprofit organization called Write a House is refurbishing three two-bedroom houses in Detroit and accepting applications this spring for writers to move in, rent free. Poets, journalists, novelists, and anyone who falls somewhere in between are encouraged to apply. If the writers stay for the required two years and fulfill other obligations, such as engaging with the city’s literary community and contributing to the program’s blog, they’ll even get the deed to the place. As the group’s mission puts it, “It’s like a writer-in-residence program, only in this case we’re actually giving the writer the residence, forever.”
Two of the houses were bought for a thousand dollars each, and the third was donated by Power House Productions, a local community organization run by artists. All are within walking distance of each other, in a racially diverse neighborhood north of the city center. Write a House is currently in the early stages of raising thirty-five thousand dollars for each location in order to fund major renovations, like electrical and plumbing. The houses have cheerful names (Apple, Blossom, and Peach), but they still need a lot of work. Writers who are selected will have to put the finishing touches on their houses, and they will have to pay insurance and taxes on the property (estimated at about five hundred dollars a month). The group plans to expand to more properties in the future if this first round works out.
Click HERE for the full article!
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| Belle Isle Beach |
While the media seems to love discussing all that is wrong with Detroit, it is ignoring or oblivious or both - to all that is right.
Looking for reasons to go to Detroit? Here are 16 to get you started:
1. A Park (Bigger than Central Park) on an Island in a River between Two Countries
In 2013, Belle Isle, a 982-acre island in the middle of the Detroit River between the U.S. and Canada, became a Michigan State Park. (It was previously managed by the City of Detroit). While the State of Michigan performs its anticipated updates, visitors can enjoy, among many things, the historic botanic gardens,the most stunningly architected aquarium, arguably in the world and a drive around the island which grants views of the U.S., Canada, wildlife, downtown Detroit and boat and ships from Michigan and around the globe.
2. Genuinely Fabulous Coffee Options
The cappuccino at Pinwheel Bakery in Ferndale not only qualifies as solidly good, but for those interested, it can come paired with any number of their baked goods that sit next to the cash register and call to you.
Located in Midtown on Woodward, Great Lakes Coffee is yet another sign that Detroit is making a big turnaround. Housed in a huge, contemporary space with brick walls, Great Lakes has fantastic coffee, a full bar and amazing food (I had some kind of quinoa, tomato sandwich).
In the world’s conversations about what was, is and will be Detroit – there is one area consistently mentioned – a little corner of Corktown, a neighborhood near the former Tigers Stadium. The cornerstone of this area is Slow’s BBQ started by Phil Cooley who moved from New York to Detroit (see movie recommendations below to learn more about him) to make a difference.
Slows’s (written up in every publication that cares about food on earth), Cooley and the area in the immediate vicinity, have done nothing but get bigger and better since. One such example is Astro, a coffee shop, a few doors down from Slow’s. The Sunday morning we arrived, it was standing room only, with the exception of some sort of bench type contraption my husband, sister and I crunched our asses on to enjoy the insanely good egg sandwich and cappuccino.
3. Rogue Urban Putt Putt
Where Detroit may lack in the leadership department it greatly makes up for itself in the creativity department. Located on the corner of 14th and Dalzelle (very close to Slow’s BBQ and the former train station) some clever folks screwed ping pong paddles to the end of scrap wood, gather up what appears to be urban leave behinds and made a clever as hell golf course – for free and open to the public.
4. Visit the Farmers Market that Out Does All Farmers Markets
Originally founded in 1891, the Detroit Eastern Market welcomes an estimated 45,000 (45,000!) people looking to purchase fruits, vegetables, spices, meat, candy, fish, seafood, gourmet condiments and specialty foods every Saturday.
The Eastern Market’s significance is not just the food it puts on the tables of homes and restaurants, or the diverse crowd who rely on it or the multi-generations of families (mine included) who make a day out of visiting the market and its surrounding specialty shops and restaurants – it was also where Ulysses S. Grant was headquartered, part of the underground railroad, an ancient American Indian burial ground and the filming site of many movies such as Presumed Innocent and a recent Drew Barrymore film.
5. Best Middle Eastern Food on Earth
Little known fact about Detroit? It has the second largest Middle Eastern population in the world – outside of the Middle East. You know what this means? Outstanding food – with Pita Café being my most favorite of all. I want to live in a world where I can swim in pools of their garlic sauce, have an endless supply of their fattoush salad and kegs of their freshly squeezed juices.
VERY CRITICAL NOTE: You must go to the Pita Café in Oak Park. I have tried other locations, and they just don’t have the magic touch of the Oak Park location.
6. Participate in the Ongoing Coney Dog Battle
Detroit might be home to the most unique rivalry around the globe – a coney island (a hot dog covered with chili, onions and mustard) restaurant rivalry.
Lafayette Coney Island and American Coney Island are immediately next door to each other and are owned by two different people – who happen to be brothers. Urban myth claims a family fall out caused one brother to pack up his coneys and move to the bigger (some might argue aesthetically nicer) location next door – and open what is now American Coney Island.
Now, the ongoing battle of “which is better” is not only between two restaurants but between the entire metropolitan Detroit area. The answer to that question has divided families, broken up relationships and made people who don’t jive with your coney style – seriously question your IQ.
Click HERE for the full article!
TWO JAMES
Where: Detroit, Michigan
Detroit is having a bit of a moment thanks to new brands such as Shinola, which manufactures watches and hipster bicycles there. Located in Corktown, Detroit’s oldest neighborhood, Two James is the first licensed distillery to open in the city since Prohibition. Two James offers a wide variety of aged whiskeys, vodkas, and brandies using locally-sourced ingredients, such as 28 Island Vodka, which is handcrafted from organic soft winter wheat and corn, and London-style Old Cockney Gin. Tours are also available.
Click HERE for the full article!
Drinks x Design is excited to launch the 2014 season with a space that promises to cure any post-holiday blues you might be experiencing!
Enter the world of dPOP!, located in the basement of the Chrysler House (the former Dime Building). Their “chocolate speakeasy” boasts historic bank vaults, an all white conference room, local and international art and design, as well as many other surprises!
21+ welcome. Parking is available on the street and nearby parking garages.
Design Partners:
AIA Detroit
AIGA Detroit
IDSA Michigan
NOMA
More about Drinks x Design:
A Partnership between Metro Times and Detroit Creative Corridor Center, Drinks x Design is monthly open studio that opens the doors to unique atmospheres for attendees to experience, explore and build the relationships that lead to employment, community, and ultimately establishes Detroit as a center for design and creative innovation. Join us on the second Thursday of every month (January – October).
Click HERE to register!
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| Alison Mueller skies to work through several inches of snow in Detroit. Image: Joshua Lotts/Getty Images. |
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