Banksy Graffiti Art at 555

Banksy's Packard Plant Art

555 salvaged a piece of the famed graffiti artist, Banksy, from the crumbling Detroit Packard plant.  The 2010 removal led to a lawsuit that has drawn to a close, and last night, the public was invited to attend a 555 event and view the art in person.  The venue, an old police station that is now used as studio rental space for Detroit's artist community, sits is the shadow of the Train Depot.

'Jailed' at 555

Banksy, an anonymous British graffiti artist, is famous for his work and associated political statements.  

Detroit Restaurant Week: Dinner at Atlas Global Bistro

A coworker and I hit the town Friday night for restaurant week.  It was our first time dining at Atlas.  Overall the experience was pleasant.  The waitstaff was professional and accommodated our special requests.  The food was well presented.  We both concluded though that we would be unlikely to return.  The food, although tasty, did not impress our palettes.  The atmosphere felt somewhat like a diner with a long bench seat and tables pressed closely together.  The overall dining experience did not leave us feeling like we should be asking the men in our lives to take us to Atlas on our next date.

Detroit Free Press Invites Readers to Share Their Portraits of Detroit

Readers Share Their 'Portraits of Detroit' with the Detroit Free Press

Check out the photos posted and post some of your own.  This is a fun way to see new perspectives of Detroit.

Incentive to Live in Midtown Detroit

http://www.livemidtown.org/

• New renters receive a $2,500 allowance of funding toward the cost of their apartment in the first year followed by additional funding of $1,000.00 for the second year.
• Existing renters receive a $1,000 allowance of funding for renewing a lease in 2011.
• New homeowners receive a $20,000 forgivable loan toward the purchase of their primary residence
• Existing homeowners receive matching funds of up to $5,000 for exterior improvements for projects of $10,000 or more.

Would this incentive help move you to midtown Detroit?

For me, I would need good schools and improved city services (safety being #1).

The Whitney Mansion, Restaurant, and Gardens

Our Visit

The Whitney, Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI

My sister, seven year old son, and I went to eat at the Whitney today.   The reservation was spurred by restaurant week but we knew that there was a risk we would end up with Sunday brunch.  Brunch was amazing.  Not one item on the buffet tasted old or too cold.  The variety was quite good: bacon and eggs to beef tenderloin and dill salmon.  My son is a very adventurous eater and his appetite has healthy due to our mid-afternoon reservation.  We were charged the full price of the brunch for him; so if your child is a picky eater, it would be a very pricy meal.  I felt it was worth the special treat for him.

The wait staff was excellent.  I had told my son about the house.  He asked our waiter about the secret passage.  The waiter not only explained the history of the house to my son, he also pulled back the carpet and opened the secret passage.  My son was in awe.  We finished by giving ourselves, with permission, a tour of the house.  I will definitely return for a date night with my husband or to entertain out-of-town guests.  

Whitney Mansion History

The Whitney Mansion is located on Woodward Avenue near downtown Detroit.  Completed in 1894, it is an impressive sight  even by today's standards.  The mansion was designed by Detroit architect Gordon W. Lloyd as a home for lumber Baron, David Whitney.  Construction took four years to complete at a cost of $400,000.  The mansion was home to the Whitney family until 1920 when it was sold to the Wayne County Medical Society and later a nurses association.

In 1980, Richard Kughan purchased the Whitney Mansion.  He converted the home into a fine dining restaurant, opened in 1986.  Kughan was a Detroit advocate and passed on his passion for the Whitney and Detroit through the sale of the Whitney to Bud Leiber in 2007.  Mr. Leiber is a former Chrysler executive and Detroit believer.  He maintains ownership today.

The Whitney is considered one of Detroit's fine establishments for its cuisine and exquisite design.  The home boosted 52 rooms covering 21,000 sq. ft.  It still has 20 fireplaces and the original dining elevator.  The exterior pink granite facade impresses viewers from first glance.

Poll Shows Detroit as America's Most Unfavorable City

A poll showed that Detroit has the most unfavorable rankings of any US city.  Only 22% of respondents saw Detroit favorably while 49% saw it negatively.  Only two other US cities had net negative ratings:  Oakland and LA.   Most favorable you ask?  Seattle, WA and Portland, OR.  ... and they get tons of rain.  Come on Detroiters...  We have to be able to beat them with our water front, variety of seasons, rich history, diverse population, and a little bit of TLC.  Let's get to work and show people how great Detroit can be! 

Click here to see polling data

Detroit Restaurant Week 2012: April 20 - 29

Detroit Restaurant Week

Enjoy a gourmet 3-course meal for only $28 at the following Detroit Restaurants during restaurant week

(excludes drink, gratuity, and tax) 

April 20 -29, 2012

Participating Restaruants

24Grille, Westin Book Cadillac Detroit
Andiamo Detroit Riverfront, GM Renaissance Center
Angelina Italian Bistro, Downtown
Atlas Global Bistro, Midtown
Caucus Club, Penobscot Building
Cliff Bell's, Downtown
Coach Insignia, GM Renaissance Center
Cuisine, New Center
Da Edoardo Foxtown Grille, Fox Theatre Building
Detroit Seafood Market, Paradise Valley
Fountain Bistro, Campus Martius Park
Iridescence, MotorCity Casino Hotel
La Dolce Vita, Palmer Park District
Mosaic Restaurant, Greektown
Opus One, Downtown
Rattlesnake Club, Stroh River Place
Roast, Westin Book Cadillac Detroit
Roma Cafe, Eastern Market
Saltwater, MGM Grand Detroit
The Whitney, Midtown
Wolfgang Puck Grille, MGM Grand Detroit

Belle Isle Spring Clean Up - April 28th

Every time I visit Belle Isle, it is a little bittersweet.  I see the graffiti and abuse and through it I see its original beauty.  My mind always drifts to what once was and I have visions of couples strolling, children laughing...   then I imagine what it can be.

Join the effort and help Spring Clean Belle Isle.

Flier from Belle Isle Conservatory:  http://www.belleisleconservancy.org/

Detroit News reports that Detroit's Garden Theater will be redeveloped with $750 state incentive

Detroit News Article

The Detroit News reported that Detroit's historic Garden Theater will be redeveloped with a $750k state incentive.  The plan it turn it into a live performing arts entertainment venue.  As an theater and historic building lover, I can't wait for it be complete!  I will try to stop by and grab a photo to post this weekend.  If you want to see one now, click on the link above.

Detroit Symphonic Orchestra

The first time that I had the pleasure of attending a symphonic orchestra concert, I was living in Manchester, England.  A classmate had an extra ticket to see the touring Detroit Symphonic Orchestra (DSO).   He knew I was from Detroit so he offered it to me for free.  I accepted and was amazed.  I can appreciate most music but I was not expecting my reaction to the orchestra.  The music moved me.  If you have never tried it, keep an open mind.  You might be surprised.

I have always wanted to attend a concert in Detroit. This year, I am going.  It will be my husband's first concert so I am carefully choosing the right one.  I want him to return with me many times.

Anyone attending the Kid Rock and DSO concert on May 12th?   Does it get anymore Detroit than our native Kid Rock and the DSO playing in our city?  

Tigers' Opening Day 2012

The excitement of the Tigers' opening day is contagious.  It means spring is here...even when it is snowing.  This year, it even felt like spring.  I didn't attend the game but a colleague, Jeff, did and he snapped this picture.  The Tiger's are favored this year and I hope they are right.

Go Detroit Tigers!!!!!

Eastern Market

Commentary and Art provided by Sue S, Guest Contributor 

Spring is in the air, and while we thought we were having summer in March, it was really the lamb bringing us Spring. I love  getting back out doors after a winter of grey and cold and while I am a fan of the Eastern Market in any season, there is nothing like waking up to a sunshiny morning and heading on down to the market. If you haven’t been down in a while they have really made some significant changes. In fact this winter they enclosed most of the stalls and brought in heat.  There are also a lot of new food vendors and not just vegetable farmers. For me this is a real coup because I am a believer in buying local and not just local vegetables. 

One of my 2 favorite new vendors is Hampshire Farms from Kingston, Michigan. They sell certified organic beans, grains and flour. I have really delved into artisanal bread making over this past winter and have been purchasing their homegrown, home milled flour.  The Hampshire farm has been family owned since 1896 and has been certified organic since 1998 so they haven’t just jumped on the organic bandwagon. This week the hubby and I had black bean and sweet potato quesadillas, beans compliments of Hampshire.

My second favy is the Corridor Sausage Company in Shed number 3. They make their own sausage, several varieties and at the market are always cooking up free samples so you can try and choose which ones to bring home. My personal fav? The Vietnamese chicken sausages. Usually, chicken sausage makes it to my table for the low fat content not for the taste, but I can absolutely attest, these will blow your mind in pure pleasure awesomeness.  The meat that goes into their sausages are all natural,   hormone and anti-biotic free , using old world and their own cooking techniques.  Never again grocery store sausages!

Visit easternmarket.com for more information. They really have some great people behind the redevelopment plans and have the vision that from my perspective is what makes a great city viable and fun.