Father's Day Activities In and Around Detroit

Downtown and Metro Detroit are great places to celebrate Father's Day. There are venues for every taste and hobby. From sports to history to technology to arts, Detroit has it all. Here are suggestions for Dad. From motor musters to Motown! (Please excuse the typo in the first graph of this article--it snuck past my grammar check).  Father's Day Activities In and Around Detroit

Intimate, Romantic Restaurants in Metro Detroit

Detroit serves up romance in a big way on Valentine's Day. Bistros, cafes, and five-star establishments are outdoing themselves in celebrating the day of love. Looking for an intimate dining experience? Why not try one of these unique Motor City and Metro Detroit suburb restaurants? Note--I mislabeled Traffic Jam (it should have been Traffic Jam and Snug). Some (rude) kind Yahoo! commenter pointed that out. I knew that--just got used to calling it TJ. Anyway, if you're looking it up, make sure you get the right venue. Not going anywhere near Detroit this Valentine's Day? Why not hunt up a romantic venue in your own city? Been meaning to try that little bistro on the corner? Wondered what that new place in town was like? Give it a try? Think outside the (candy) box. Try somewhere new. Who knows? It might just be the most intimate meal you've ever had!  Photo on left was taken at the Polonia. I didn't feature this one in this piece, but it would definitely make the Valentine's Day cut. Intimate, Romantic Restaurants in Metro Detroit

What's New in 2013 for Detroit Microbreweries, Craft Beers

Michigan has an active, vibrant beer-making history. When microbreweries and craft breweries hit the scene in the early 1990s, Michigan led the pack with Big Buck in Gaylord, Bell's in Kalamazoo, Short's in Elk Rapids, Old Boys' in Spring Lake, and New Holland in Holland. Detroit also has a flourishing beer culture. Here are 2013 brewing trends in the Motor City and its environs.  Detroit Microbreweries, Craft Beer Trends

Best Restaurant Soups in Metro Detroit

While we haven't seen much snow this winter in Detroit, it's been cold. And what better way to warm up on a chilly day than with a bowl of soup? Sadly, soup at many restaurants is the ho-hum side to the main entree. Looking for outside-the-can, anything-but-boring soups in the Metro Detroit area? Here are best local restaurants where you can get it. Restaurant Soups in Metro Detroit

Michigan Lame-Duck Session Produces Storm of Legislation

Michigan's 2012 lame-duck session is generating some controversy. Along with the hotly debated right-to-work legislation passed recently, Gov. Rick Snyder's pen has been busy signing other bills, too. As snow threatens, there's been a storm of legislative activity, especially over issues in Detroit, says WXYZ ABC Action News.  New 2013 Laws for Michigan

Free Adult Health Clinics for Uninsured in Detroit

As health care costs escalate, more people are struggling to access and pay for basic medical needs. According to S.A.Y. Detroit, 550,000 people in the Detroit area lack health insurance, and nearly 100,000 of these are kids under 10. 20,000 people will sleep on the street (and this doesn't count those in shelters). To bridge these gaps, several Metro Detroit missions and community organizations offer free clinics and health services to uninsured adults. read more

Welcome Back, Detroit Belle Isle Aquarium, You Were Missed

The stately Belle Isle Aquarium, located in on Belle Isle in Detroit, is open to guests again after a seven-year closure. At a ribbon-cutting ceremony in September, Detroit Mayor Dave Bing officially welcomed the Belle Isle Aquarium back to operation, says the Detroit News. Many in the local Detroit community and entire state of Michigan are rejoicing to have this historic structure available to the public again. Read on

Harvest Festival Celebrations at Detroit Metro Farmers Markets

This was written for the 2010 Detroit farmers market season. For 2012, the Birmingham Farmers Market will celebrate its fall Harvest Festival on September 16, 2012. All season long from May through October, you've been enjoying fresh, locally grown produce and hand-crafted goodies from the Birmingham Farmer's Market. So you won't want to miss the End of Season Celebration at the Birmingham Farmers Market.  Harvest Festival Celebration at Birmingham Farmers Market. Here's their Facebook page to keep abreast of all festivities.

Coming up on November 10, it's the Royal Oak Chili Cookoff Jaycees' benefit, held at the Royal Oak farmers market. Here are details on that event.

Ways Save Money on Back to School Shopping in Detroit

Written for back to school shoppers in Detroit and the metro area, this article has school shopping cost cutter tips for parents in other Michigan cities, too. According to the Detroit News, shoppers will spend an average $688 per child on back-to-school purchases. Several organizations in Detroit are hosting back-to-school giveaway events to help defray expenses for parents. Here's a list of school supplies giveaways and back-to-school festivals. Read more at Ways to Save Money on Back to School Shopping

Epic Heat Wave Hits Detroit: Ways to Stay Cool

Much of Lower Michigan is getting blasted by scorching temperatures and far-below-average rainfall. City-locked Detroiters have suffered through record high temperatures since May. The Detroit News reports that the city could see its highest temperature ever in the next few days. Here are details about this epic heat wave along with tips on inexpensive ways to cool off in the metro area.  Epic Heat Wave Hits Detroit: Ways to Stay Cool

Detroit Breweries, Michigan Brewers Guild Summer Festival 2012

Detroit -- in fact, all of Michigan -- is fast becoming a hot spot for craft beers. There's a diverse mix of modern and traditional in Michigan beer-making. Beer may even surpass ice cream as Michigan's favorite summer treat, and like ice cream, Michigan beers come in every flavor under the sun. One not-to-be-missed Detroit beer event is the Michigan Brewers Guild Summer Festival 2012. Here are details.  Detroit Breweries, Michigan Brewers Guild Summer Festival 2012 

Pres. Obama Encourages GM Workers; Michigan Auto-Industry Co-Dependency

Last week Pres. Obama visited Detroit burb Hamtramck GM plant to encourage auto-workers that the Motor City auto industry base is thriving. We've lived in an auto-industry co-dependent state for decades. We've worked in the auto-industry and industry dependent venues. Here's a historical perspective on life in Michigan under an auto baron regime. Read on...

100 Free Community Events in Michigan

100+ Free Community Resources
Here is a plethora of community resources for everyone and anyone to explore and enjoy, from A (Airport) to Z (zoological gardens). With my frugal Dutch Grannie as my muse we will give you the deluxetour for the economy price! Weblinks provided too!
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