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.