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DETROIT: Delights for the Eyes and the Appetite

You may have noticed the increasing number of posts we have been doing on art in Detroit, the reason is simple: Detroit is steadily taking over the spotlight as the hub of the current art scene in the Midwest. There is a new realization that the creative industries are important to today’s economic growth. The College For Creative Studies is a world leader in art and design education and plays an integral part in educating artists and designers in fields such as transportation design, film, animation, fine arts, consumer electronics, advertising and more. CCS was founded in 1906 as the Detroit Society of Arts and Crafts, today it encompasses two campuses and enrolls over 1400 students. The last couple of years we have made it a point to attend the student exhibition and sale held in the spring, it’s amazing! Held at the A Alfred Taubman Center For Design Education, the building itself makes the perfect backdrop for the art. Located on West Milwaukee the building was designed by (you know who….) Albert Kahn, constructed in 1928 and known as the Argonaut Building. Home to the former General Motors Research laboratory, GM donated the 760,000 sq. ft. structure to CCS. After $145 million dollars in renovation, Taubman being one of the main benefactors, the place was renamed and opened its doors to CCS and the Henry Ford Academy School For Creative Studies.

May 12th was the first day of public viewing and sales, so we were sure to get there bright and early. The exhibition takes place on floors 8 through 11, we like to start at the top. The building itself is fantastic, such character from the beautiful exterior brick and stone to the large windows and spectacular views. I always think an old building somehow absorbs the life of the activity going on inside its walls throughout the years, giving it a personality of its own. The structure feels solid, and sturdy. The 11th floor hosted Crafts, Fine Arts, Rugs and Transportation design, the level of talent displayed is phenomenal. Kris took special interest in transportation design, the student model shop area was open to visitors. As we walked around looking at the student’s work from rendering to models, I wondered if one of them may become the next Harley Earl, or Virgil Exner. Will cars really look like this in the future? The 10th floor exhibits were illustration, photography and product design, I think this was my favorite floor.

In my wildest dreams I could never even imagine being able to draw, paint or create as these talented people do. We saw so many pieces we would have purchased if someone hadn’t beaten us to it……Greeting cards, posters, canvas and skateboards all uniquely decorated with striking or amusing images. Each floor is large and takes a fair amount of time to browse. The 8th floor showcased advertising, entertainment arts, graphic and interior design. Small rooms were set up with televisions showing both animated and shorts. In the advertising area it was fun to see the interesting ideas students dreamed up for well-known items. As a whole we generally walked around feeling absorbed and entertained by our surroundings; certain things really grabbed our attention such as the images projected on blank walls changing shape and color. The art feels fresh and exciting like looking at the world through a 20-somethings eyes.

We walked through each floor twice, by then it was lunchtime. For years we have eaten at Seva which opened in Ann Arbor back in 1973. Much to our delight they recently opened a second location right here in Detroit. Tucked away on E Forest between Woodward and John R next to the N’Namdi Center for Contemporary Art, they offer both indoor and patio dining. The menu selections are completely vegetarian, don’t let that scare you, the food is fantastic, vegetarian or not! The indoor space is light filled, exposed brick walls remind you that the building was a historic garage, art work decorates the walls. The restaurant offers a full bar, fresh juice bar and coffee bar, not to mention some of the best food in the city. When we eat at Seva we have to have the Enchiladas Calabaza, try it and you’ll understand why….The delectable enchiladas are filled with a creamy concoction of butternut squash, cream cheese, green onions and chiles, topped off with a spicy tomato sauce, a winner every time. We paired the enchiladas with the spinach salad: baby spinach, avocado, char-grilled tempeh, cukes, red peppers and onions tomatoes and croutons served with an awesome smoky maple dressing, so good! We enjoyed a leisurely lunch and a cherry-lime Ricky cocktail, yum. Those of us in the Detroit area are lucky to have access to such high quality art and truly wonderful restaurants.

Tags: College for creative studies, Detroit Blog, Epic detroit blog, Seva, Student Exhibitions, Vegetarian restaurant Detroit, visit detroit

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Categories Eat, Happenings

Help ! My wallet is on fire !!

22 May

Name almost any item, chances are you can find someone who collects it. If you are a regular reader of DetroitDvotion, you are aware of our fondness for old things. Today I’d like to share with you two events that highlight some of our favorites. Lets begin in Ann Arbor; every April the Washtenaw County Fairgrounds become home to one of the largest classic bicycle shows and swap meets in the nation……really. We pulled into the fairgrounds around 10am, the scene was unbelievable; a line of cars driving over grassy areas looking for parking, moving trucks, vans and pick-ups stacked high with old bikes, grown men riding mini bikes through the swap area and of course, thousands of antique and classic bikes available for purchase or your viewing pleasure.

One of the hardest things about coming to an event like this is deciding where to start; we began outside in the swap meet area. It is impossible to describe; the sheer volume of bicycles and other vintage items is astounding. Along with complete bikes ranging from pre-war to BMX style, there were pile after pile of tires; raised white letter, balloon, white side walls, and striped. Mounds of handlebars rest on tables, some still in the original packaging. Looking for a headlight, saddle bag, rear-view mirror or a basket to hang on your handlebars? They’ve got it! Fenders, reflectors, shifters, horns, forks and banana seats can be yours for the right price. Along with bicycles there was an assortment of other vintage items; toys, games, fire extinguishers, GI Joe and pedal cars; for anyone who likes antiquing this event is a treasure trove of childhood memories.

Once we finished the swap spaces we headed over to the buildings; more of the same items as outside, but these tend to be a little nicer, and a little more expensive. Aisle after aisle we saw familiar brands such as Columbia, Schwinn, Raleigh, Huffy and Murray. Department store brands like Sears and JC Penney sat side by side with less familiar names; JC Higgins, Auto Cycle, Vista, and Ross. Have you ever seen a a Huffy Radio Bike, how about a Hopalong Cassidy? There was a display with five or six of them in perfect condition; complete with holsters and cap guns dating back to the 50’s. I like bikes from the late 60’s to early 70’s, you know, hi-rise handle bars, banana seats and sissy bars. They come it great colors, the paint often metallic or candy apple. Some have that drag racer feel like the Slingshot, Chopper or Dragstripper. Sporting a 16 inch front tire and a 20 inch rear slick they came with cool chrome shifters and colorful decals. Through the years bicycle design often copied popular automotive design of the period.

The main building is home to the Show Bikes; 50-75 bicycles are entered into one of 11 categories, the public votes for its favorites, awards are presented to first-place winners.The Classic Bike Of The Year Award is the only judged category; it is usually made up of the finest, rarest and most sought-after models, all from private collections. Bicycles such as these can be worth thousands of dollars. Also on exhibit was a brand new bike from the Detroit Bicycle Company called the Madison; painted black with copper plating it’s quite eye-catching! You can’t help but enjoy yourself walking around the grounds; bicycles have a way of bringing back fond childhood memories. Did you ever have a paper route? How about the bike Santa Clause brought? Was your first bike new from the store or a hand-me-down? It’s not too late to get the bike you always wanted as a kid, just mark your calendar, I’ll see ya next April!

Back in the car, we needed to get from Ann Arbor to Southfield for the Michigan Modernism Exposition, but first we needed to stop and grab lunch. Not far from Southfield is the modest city of Berkley; home to an ever-increasing number of restaurants and cafes, we thought we’d try something new. Graced with another beautiful day filled with sunshine and a clear blue sky, the patio at Amici’s Living Room was the perfect choice. The space itself is surrounded by ivy covered walls, gardens, pretty pots of flowers and garden art, all very charming. Service was quick, which was good since we were in a hurry. We ordered the Caribbean Spicy Jerk Chicken Pizza: Spicy jerk chicken, peanut ginger sauce, pineapple and mozzarella cheese on the whole wheat crust. All pizza’s come with their unique whole wheat pesto breadsticks…these are seriously good. They arrived fresh from the oven all warm and delicious, served with a side of chunky tomato sauce, we could have made a meal out of them! Next came the pizza, definitely unusual, but a great combination of flavors, all piled on the same delicious crust as the breadsticks. With no time to linger and enjoy the patio, we were back in the car on our way to the Southfield Pavilion on Evergreen Road.

Hosted annually by the Detroit Area Art Deco Society, the Michigan Modernism Exposition attracts dealers from around the Midwest ; it’s worth the price of admission just to walk around. Pieces on display range from the streamlined look of the Art Deco era to the funky colorful items of the mid to late century; we like ’em all. The show area is one large space divided into different booths or rooms, several times I would have loved to point and say “I’ll take that room”. The Art Deco articles are highly detailed, lots of stainless steel and shiny black surfaces; there were a number of clocks that were amazing. Decorative items such as coffee servers, light fixtures and sculptures made wonderful eye candy. As we walked around we traversed in and out of decades; one space featured a complete Heywood Wakefield dining room set making it seem like we walked right into 1950. We saw white shag carpet, kidney-shaped tables, tulip chairs and brightly colored plastic. There was lucite and polished chrome, colored glass and bakelite. Colors are vibrant; orange, red, turquoise and bright blue. All the names you would expect to see are there : Eames, Knoll, Herman Miller and Panton; I find the knock-offs equally appealing. You could completely re-do your home with the furniture and accessories for sale at the expo. The vintage jewelry is exceptional, I’m not picky, diamonds or rhinestone, I adore them equally. The variety of artwork this year was wonderful; from paintings and photographs to huge posters, any wall would be happy to display them. Coming here reminds me of when I was a kid and my parents would take me with them furniture shopping; I would look at each room display and try to imagine myself living there. I could be happy living in any one of these!

Tags: Ann Arbor, Antique & Collectible Bicycles, Art Deco, DAADS, Modernism 2012, Raleigh Choppers, Schwinn Krates

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Categories Happenings

DETROIT: Union Street & Bonstelle Theatre

17 May

I love live theatre. Each year I look forward to the spring musical performed by Wayne State’s undergrad company at the Bonstelle; this year’s production was Hairspray. The show didn’t start until 8pm, giving us plenty of time to enjoy a pre-show dinner with friends. Our restaurant of choice for the evening was Union Street located on Woodward, just a short distance from the theatre. The atmosphere at Union Street is unique; patrons vary from students and professionals to the theatre crowd and hipsters. Built in the early 1900’s the building started out as a hardware store. In the 1930’s Arturo’s opened in the space; it would turn out to be the first of many Italian restaurants in this building. The wood is dark and glossy, the ceiling unique; indirect lighting glows a soft reddish-orange from the recess surrounding the room. Art Deco details are evident in the distinctly shaped ceiling, cool medallion, swanky bar and lighting. The current owner bought the place in the late 80’s, by the mid 90’s he put in a new kitchen and remodeled the Michigan Room in the same Art Deco style and colors as the main dining room. One of my favorite things about Union Street is they have something on the menu for everyone! The food is good, from pasta and fish to sandwiches and jambalaya; portions are generous, prices affordable. At our table of six each person ordered something different; it was all delicious. It was almost showtime, we drove the few blocks south to the theatre, parked and dashed through the downpour to the lovely Bonstelle.

The Bonstelle began life as the Temple Beth El, built in 1902 in the Beaux Arts style, it too was designed by Albert Kahn; by now you are probably wondering if there are any buildings in Detroit not designed by him. In 1922 the building was sold to Jessie Bonstelle who converted the temple to a theatre with the help of C Howard Crane (think Fox theatre here). In 1951 Wayne State University took over the building and then purchased it in 1956, the rest as they say is history. The layout here is not like your average historic theatre; there is not a lobby per say, more like a hallway. The main floor is attractive; dark wood, pretty sconces decorate the walls. The wet plaster is the bumpy style giving the walls texture and character. Our seats were in the balcony; we climbed the stairs, made our way to the front row and settled in. From here you get a birds-eye view of the place; the intricate details of the ceiling have been long painted over with ivory colored paint. Antique chandeliers still hang, reminding us of the former glory the room once held. Overlooking the main floor and stage, we have an uninterrupted view, these are my favorite seats in the house. I like to peruse the program before the show starts, kind of get familiar with the cast. The lights dimmed, the curtain went up, the orchestra began playing.

From that moment on a smile was plastered across my face as my feet tapped along to the music. If you are familiar with Hairspray, you know what a fun show it is; set in the 60’s both the sets and costumes were fabulous. As usual the singing exceeded my expectations; the current company is an exceptionally talented group. At intermission we wandered to the concession area; Junior Mints and a cold bottle of water for me. Taking advantage of the break we visited with friends until the second act was about to begin. The singing and dancing continued, entertaining all in attendance; Edna and Wilbur’s You’re Timeless To Me stole the show! When the finale concluded the audience rose to their feet in a well deserved standing ovation.

Too keyed up to go home yet, we stopped for a nightcap at Woodbridge Pub. This neighborhood spot is the perfect place to relax and unwind; the environment is laid back and drinks are good. Kris is content with VO and Coke, I don’t have a favorite, so I like to try different things. Woodbridge carries a line of Vodka called Hard Luck Candy Flavored Vodka, better yet, it’s made right here in Michigan. So far the only one I’ve tried is the Root Beer Barrel; it also comes in Red Fish, Orange Dream and Lemon Drop. They make a drink here with the Root Beer and locally made ginger ale, tastes like a root beer float…..with a kick….Yum!

Tags: Bonstelle, Hairspray, Hardluck Candy Flavored Vodka, Michigan Made Spirits, Union Street, Wayne State University Undergrad Theatre, Woodbridge Pub

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Categories Drink, Eat

DETROIT: You Gotta Have Art

11 May

There seems to be no end of things to see and do in Detroit; from places and activities that have been around forever to new things that seem to be springing up all the time. Today we were going to visit two places that may be a little lesser known, but are worth seeking out. We began with a trip to Southwest Detroit for some lunch. Mexican food is well represented in this district, but did you know there is an awesome El Salvordan place on Livernois? Pupuseria y restaurante Salvadoreno is a small cinder block building painted avocado green. It sits back off the road a ways, a large blinking arrow near the street points you to the building and adjacent parking lot. This is definitely a place for the more adventurous. Once inside you walk through an area reserved for people waiting for take-out, then into the dining room. The space is sparsely decorated; white painted walls and flags representing Central America wrap around the room, seating consists of booths and tables with metal folding chairs. As you may have guessed from the name, pupusas are the house specialty, they are delicious! The menu is filled with classic Salvadoran food; try several different things. We always like to pick a combination of dishes and share. Of course you have to have a pupusa or two; we chose the cheese and jalapeno and the pork, yum! A pupusa is made of a thick handmade tortilla with a filling in the middle, made to order they are served with curtido and a homemade hot sauce.. Curtido is a spicy cole slaw using vinegar instead of mayo, you place some curtido on top of the pupusa, hot sauce too if you like, and enjoy. We had an order of Yucca too, deep fried to a crisp light golden color, they could almost pass for french fries, also served with curtido, this one was a bit hotter with diced jalapeno. Last but certainly not least were the plantains. I’m not sure how they are prepared, but they arrive to the table all warm and golden; the outside caramelized and delightful. They are served with beans and cream, yeah, I know, sounds strange….The theory is to drag your golden plantain through the beans (they look like Mexican refried beans) then through the cream (I would describe it as a thin sour cream) and enjoy. You have to try it to appreciate it! Portions are large and prices fair so you can eat till your heart’s content, which is exactly what we did.

One place we have been meaning to go back to is the Russell Industrial Center located on Clay Street.You have probably seen the massive structure on the east side of I-75. We heard about the Spring Open House and were anxious to see what it was all about. Construction of the 7 building, Albert Kahn designed complex began in 1915 and was completed in 1925. The structure is made of concrete and large steel-framed factory windows, it has a total of 2.2 million square feet of space. Originally home to Murray Manufacturing Company, the buildings were originally used to make auto bodies and parts for numerous manufacturers such as: Ford, Packard, REO, Pierce Arrow, Auburn and Dodge; the list goes on and on. The building complex has changed hands a number of times, previous owners include: Harry & Leona Helmsly, Household International (Thermos), and in 2003 Dennis Kefallinos bought all seven buildings. His idea was to turn the complex into a mixed business community; there are currently 150 commercial tenants ranging from artists and craftspeople to printers and small businesses.

We arrived at RIC and parked. The only indication that anything was going on were a few balloons near the entrance; we opened the door, a sign directed us to the second floor. Here we found ourselves at the end of a very long hallway, miscellaneous furniture was randomly placed throughout the hall. We came upon an open door, inside was a glass studio; artists and visitors were scattered about the space, some working on a project others watching intently. We felt like we had the hang of it now, so we began the process of wandering from studio to studio, hall to hall. The building is enormous, some walls are decorated with murals, sculptures, tiny lights or signs; it’s all very avant- garde. We popped into an artists studio; over-sized paintings hung from the wall, we browsed the room taking in the view from the immense windows. In and out we went from the second to the third floor, room to room; jewelry, metal sculptures, photography and apparel. We saw vintage posters and amazing outdoor sculptures for sale. We spoke to the artists themselves about their work and the city.

We crossed over to building #2 and began the same process. A.K. Services is this incredible woodworking studio, an intriguing collection of antique chandeliers hangs from the ceiling. Alan not only does custom carpentry work, he has designed a line of furniture that he makes right there in his shop, the designs are really cool, check out his Quarnge chairs. We happened upon another glass studio where glass blowers were busy at work, don’t you just love watching them? The pieces here were awesome, they have a large display area and make everything from bowls and vases to windows and outdoor pieces. The artwork and paintings we saw were unique and funky, done by talented artists. We came across one section where a huge sculpture of found objects stood, as we walked toward it we saw another one in the distance, then another and another, finally leading us to the studio itself. We were invited in by a voice somewhere in the room, it was hard to tell where it initiated from at first due to the mass quantities of stuff that filled the space. We found our way to the person belonging to the voice and got an introduction to his work; pieces are eclectic, whimsical, and fun. They are brightly colored range in size from a few inches to many feet tall. The buildings are also home to graphic designers, architects and writers, there is a very creative vibe about the place. It was fascinating to be able to freely investigate this extremely cool old building. The place has an amazing history; this is the project that first brought attention to Kahn’s work, and a true industrial hub. The People’s Art Festival takes place here each September, I highly recommend a visit.

Tags: Art In Detroit, Pupusas, Russell Industrial Center, Salvadoran Food, visit detroit

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Categories Eat, Visit

Roadtrip Ohio: Maumee River

8 May

Today I will finish up our spring tour of Ohio with a trip along the Maumee River. We begin our journey by hopping on I-75 south to Toledo. On the west side of the city is the Toledo Botanical Garden. This is a lovely place to walk around; free to the public year round it consists of 60 acres of display gardens, sculpture and Crosby Lake. We come in through the Elmer Drive entrance; the Tulips were Stunning! Tall yellow and purple Tulips create a border the length of the garden wall. Once inside we got ourselves parked and were drawn to another Tulip bed; these were a magnificent orange. We began exploring the grounds in the shade garden; Azaleas were in full bloom showing off blossoms of hot pink in contrast to the white Dogwoods. Daffodils had come and gone but replacing them were Anemone, hostas and Forget-me-nots. This area is lush, you can have a seat at the nearby gazebos and relax while watching the fish swim in the pond beside it. Traversing the grass we joined up with the paved path passing several large pieces of sculpture provided by Toledo’s Art In Public Places program. We crossed over the water on the wooden bridge to gently rolling grassy hills dotted with fragrant Crabapple trees. The informal gardens are divided by a stone wall; the flowers here were just beginning to come up, the pergola already covered in Wisteria vine in bloom…. much to the delight of the local bees. We meandered around the grounds encountering a herb garden that smelled fantastic, and several other Tulip displays. Each time we come it looks completely different, but it is always a place of beauty and tranquility.

Back in the car we make our way to River Rd, as we pass the zoo we have to remember to veer left at the Harvard Circle Cloud Fountain to continue on the scenic byway. The river flows from the Maumee Bay of Lake Erie through northwest Ohio into northeast Indiana. This section of the drive, through the city of Maumee is picturesque; stately homes sit back from the road, large front yards lend themselves to exceptionally well-tended landscapes. It has a very Grosse Pointe feel to it and all the while the river is in view. The unique thing about taking this trip in the spring is that Walleye come here to spawn from the west end of Lake Erie, the Detroit River and Lake St Clair. As a matter of fact this is one of the largest migrations of river bound Walleye east of the Mississippi. It starts in early March and continues through the end of April. You are probably saying “so”. What that means is, fishermen come from all around to catch themselves some Walleye, it is quite a spectacle. Instead of using boats men wade out into the river and cast their lines, when I say men, I mean lots and lots of men, on a weekend there may be 1000 fishermen out in the water. It’s a whole to-do complete with waders, fishing caps, coolers and hibachi’s. Not getting any bites? No problem, just stroll on over to the nearest truck selling fishing lures and try something new.

In the town of Waterville we cross over to the south side of the river. Here the terrain becomes a little more country in feel; houses are farther apart, and we start to see farms. Our next stop was the charming hamlet of Grand Rapids; main street looks like a picture on a postcard. Victorian style brick buildings, tiny shops, restaurants, an ice cream stand, and a wonderful view of the river. We meandered in and out of storefronts; the general store has a fun variety of vintage style candy in large glass jars, along with chocolate and other treats. New stores seem to be opening all the time; if you like those girlie home decor shops grab your girlfriends and make a trip down. Antiques from furniture to jewelry are in abundance, they even have an old fashioned book store. It was a pretty day so we picked up a few slices of pizza from Pisanello’s and ate at a picnic table overlooking the Maumee. Grand Rapids has done a marvelous job making the town a wonderful place to visit; they even have an original lock from the Miami Erie Canal, it’s fascinating to see. As a matter of fact throughout much of the drive there is evidence remaining from the old canal.

We continued to follow the river westward and now there are even fewer homes; farmland is abundant, fields have been turned over and look ready to plant. The scenery was stunning; Redbuds are planted every few feet and were loaded with purple flowers, the scent of lilacs and honeysuckle drifted in through the car windows. It’s a beautiful drive on winding, hilly roads. In Napoleon we see the landmark that reminds us to cross back over the river; a giant can of Campbell’s Tomato Soup! Campbell’s has a plant here and the icon stands on the grounds. Before we know it we have arrived in the city of Defiance; with a population of over 16,000 this is a good size town. In 1845 a canal system linked Defiance with Toledo to the north and Cincinnati to the south, the town exploded with growth. Homes and buildings are built in Greek Revival, Italianate, Queen Ann and Colonial Revival styles. Downtown is still in tact and rich with historic buildings. We stopped in the local coffee shop for refreshments and wouldn’t you know it, we stumbled right into the annual Chocolate Walk, yay! The coffee shop was giving out tasty samples of Ohio’s own Buckeye candies, a combination of chocolate and peanut butter. We walked through town a little, both to stretch our legs and find more chocolate……

Back in the car again, this time heading toward home. Ohio is known for its wonderful park systems; the Maumee river valley is loaded with wonderful metro parks. Each one we explored had free admission and great views of the river. Independence Dam State Park offers a hiking trail that was once the towpath for the Miami/Wabash/Erie Canal, it is three miles long and winds between the old canal and the river. We journeyed back the same way we had come; the fishermen were gone now and towns were coming to life on this mild Friday evening. When we arrived back in Grand Rapids we stopped for an ice cream. For the remainder of the way we followed 65 on the south side of the river through Perrysburg and back into Toledo. We said farewell to the Maumee while enjoying a picturesque downtown view. We took it all in, glad to have had an amazing day and a wonderful ride.

Tags: Defiance Ohio, Detroit Blog, Grand Rapids Ohio, Maumee River, Napoleon, Ohio, Roadtrip, Toledo

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Categories Road Trips

More Columbus: Victorian Village & Short North

2 May

Our second day in Columbus was sunny and warm, the sky was almost turquoise in color, provided a beautiful background for our exploration of a neighborhood known as Victorian Village. Located in northwest Columbus, Neil Ave is the main street through the district. Because of the close proximity to Ohio State University and the fact that a street car line ran through the area, Victorian Village was a very desirable place to live. Most homes were built between the late 1800’s and early 1900’s and as the name implies they were Victorian in design. I have to say, these are not the typical homes one envisions when you hear the word “Victorian”; for one thing they are almost all brick. The homes are grand, elegant, and ornate; porches are large and welcoming, windows are beveled or stained glass. The shapes are unique to each home as are the colors of brick and trim. Features such as gingerbread, tile roofs and turrets grace the neighborhood. The distance between porches and the sidewalk are short, many opt for gardens instead of lawn, the landscape is designs are wonderful. This is one of my favorite historic urban neighborhoods; it’s the kind of place I can walk all day and my feet never get tired. We couldn’t have picked a better time to visit, all was in bloom; Tulips, Dogwood, Azalea and Lilac, it smelled as pretty as it looked!

The next neighborhood on our list was Short North. Just a short walk from Victorian Village, this district is home to some of Columbus’s most eclectic shops and restaurants. Nestled along High Street the area is known for its signature arches. Yes, arches! Back in 1888 Columbus was chosen to host the centennial celebration of the Northwest Territory, thus installing a series of 17 lighted arches running about a mile down High Street. Somewhere along the line they disappeared, in 2002 a new set of arches were put up, high-tech and LED technology allow a range of colors and programmable light shows on the hour after dark giving Short North a distinct personality. If you like to browse, this is the place; galleries, fashion and home decor are well represented. We parked on High and walked the length of the district stopping in a variety of shops along the way. We hit a chocolate store first, you have keep your energy up….from here we traversed High and the little off-shoot streets running perpendicular to it; quirky boutiques, candles, funky art, a flower shop and cooking store. We saw jewelry, wine and baked goods. Flower Child is two levels of vintage finds; if you miss the days avocado green, bell bottoms, kidney-shaped tables, lava lamps and shag carpeting you can get your fix here. The window of Karavan Treasures lures you in with its stunning collection of mosaic lanterns. The Grandview Mercantile Co features fine antiques and vintage items, this place is huge! The outside of buildings can be as interesting as the inside; a whimsical take on the classic “American Gothic” painting can be found on the corner of High and Lincoln, check out the Mona Lisa mural at Lincoln and Pearl.

Being a weekday we headed out-of-town a bit early and decided to look for an interesting place to have a late lunch along the way. It didn’t take long; just outside of the city on 5th Ave we found the Cambridge Tea House. Housed in an enchanting old brick building known as Marble Cliff Station, the place just oozed charm. We were seated at a table window-side, sunlight streamed in from three sides of the room. Brick and stone walls, white tablecloths and Victorian accents give the room personality. The menu is a lovely selection of teas, scones, sandwiches, salads and soups, our waitress was outgoing and friendly. We selected the spinach salad topped with thinly sliced pears, spiced pecans and goat cheese crumbles, delicious. The fresh veggie sandwich sounded appealing, at the waitress’ suggestion we added bacon to it, yeah, I know….but I’ll tell you, it was the perfect combination! The house iced green tea was wonderful. We were nourished, hydrated and ready to take the scenic route home.

Kris knows a great route; from 5th Ave we take 33/257 north, which follows the scenic Scioto River. It’s gorgeous in springtime; Redbuds are in full bloom. We stopped in at Griggs Dam; at 500 feet long and 35 ft high it’s impressive. Watching the water tumble over the drop and into the river is mesmerizing. Back in the car, we follow the river into the tiny village of Prospect. We continue our route north through the countryside, dotted with pretty houses and farms, horses and cows it’s serene and relaxing. From Upper Sandusky we take 199 into the Toledo area, and finally I-75 back to Detroit. Columbus is a short drive from the D and has so much to offer;one-of-a-kind districts, cool shops and great food. Perfect for a weekend getaway!

Tags: Cambridge Tea House, columbus road trip, Columus Ohio, Detroit Blog, Short North District, Victorian Village, Visit Columbus

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Categories Road Trips, Visit

COLUMBUS: Deco, Dirt Bikes and Dining

29 Apr

Every Spring, just before Easter,Kris and I make a trip down to Columbus Ohio. This trip we had a specific destination in mind: the Ohio Judicial Center. We have been driving by this extraordinary building each time we come to the city, this time we wanted to tour the inside. That meant we had to hop on the freeway instead of taking our usual leisurely route, that’s ok, this place is worth it! The official name of the building is The Thomas J Moyer Ohio Judicial Center, it is home to the Supreme Court of Ohio and it’s affiliated offices, along with the Ohio Court of Claims, the Ohio Judicial Conference and the Law Library. It is SPECTACULAR!! Really….The building opened in 1933, it was referred to as “Ohio’s Pride”, with good reason. Once inside we were greeted at the front desk, we inquired about looking around the place and were told we could. We handed over our driver’s license, copies were made and badges created, ah yes, the post 911 world. Next up security; we placed our metal objects on the conveyor belt as we ourselves walked through the metal detector, no beeps, we were free to roam!

The interior is an Art Deco wonderland; floor to ceiling it is a masterpiece. The Grand Concourse is an architectural gem and a tribute to the craftsmen of the time. Marble lined walls run the length of the building. Bronze images of Ohio governmental leaders line the east and west walls. Meeting Room 102 is stunning; 11 murals swathe the walls. Scenes painted in bright colors tell us the story of Ohio’s growth and development. The courtroom is next; the room is ornate and complex, a mix of Rococo, Art Deco and Renaissance styles, it is best to look at it one feature at a time. The ceiling is the most ornate; divided into five sections it represents Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Michigan and Wisconsin. Gold leaf sparkles on the coffered ceiling details, elegant light fixtures hang from above. 15 murals and walnut panels encase the walls, public seats are refurbished originals. Hearing room 106 is adorned with 11 murals titled The Progress of Industry, they have a bit of a Diego Rivera feel to them and again they are wonderful. To the elevator lobby; both ends of the stairwell feature lavish mosaics, elevator door panels are bas-relief bronze carvings, vestibule ceilings are embellished with murals, even the cornices are garnished! The ground floor decor is dedicated to Ohio’s American Indian history; again we have mosaic ceilings, carved elevator doors, and these fantastic bow-and-arrow light fixtures, a visitor education center tells the story of Ohio courts. The 11th floor is the home of the Law Library; oil paintings represent the evolution of law in western civilization. The Law Library reading room is another knock-out; here the murals represent the history of the printed word, Dale Chihuly blown-glass sculptures grace the east and west ends of the room. The light fixtures are fabulous, the wooden door frame is exquisite. There is a wonderful atrium on the 13th floor; from here you can gaze up to the 14th and 15th floors. In this particular area the decor leans more toward the moderne style; the light fixtures and decorative railings are superb. While we were up here we took advantage of the wonderful view of the city and the river.

Click HERE for Deco slideshow

We had built up a hearty appetite, we decided to have lunch the iconic restaurant in German Village called Schmidts. The Schmidt family has been in the food business since 1886, the restaurant is located in a historic brick livery stable. When you step inside you are face to face with the desserts, most famous are the jumbo cream puffs; 1/2 lb of whipped filling stuffed inside a delicate pastry shell, save room for this one. The interior is much of what you’d expect from a traditional German restaurant; wood furnishings, German flags, traditional costumes, beer and of course German fare. For an appetizer we had the sauerkraut bratwurst balls, coated in a crispy batter and served with a mustard dipping sauce, they were delicious. For the entrée we chose the saurbraten; tender braised beef sliced and served with spatzel and the unique gingersnap gravy, there’s nothing like it.

There was enough time in the day to make the short drive to Pickerington and check out the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum. The main floor hosts the Hall of Fame inductees; legends of the track, road and trails in the motorcycling world. Rotating exhibits fill the remainder of the floor space, it makes the experience new each time you visit. The new display was all about dirt-track racing in America; the photos are amazing. I was open-mouthed as I read the details of the riders feats and accomplishments. Kris is always excited to check out anything mechanical so this place is right up his alley. He fondly remembered the uncommon dirt bikes of his youth; Hodaka, Yankee, Bultaco and Husquvarna, names he had long forgotten. Vintage Harley Davidson’s seemed to be everywhere; from dirt to street in every decade. The museum is laid out in an easy to follow manner, lots of bikes on display to ooh and ahh over, they do a wonderful job telling the story of the motorcycle community.

After a little relaxation in our room we were ready for dinner. We headed to Haiku in the Short North District on High Street. They have a lovely setting for outdoor dining, but it was too chilly so we settled for the indoors.The vibe at Haiku is mellow, the decor modern Asian, the menu is large with a nice variety of items. There were a few special rolls for the evening, not knowing which to choose we asked the couple at the next table for their recommendation. With their suggestions and a couple of our own choosing we placed our order. Service can be hit or miss here, this visit it was on the slow side. At last, our food arrived and everything was quite good. It had been a long day so we stopped for a nightcap before going back to our room for the evening. As much as we like the different districts in Columbus, we are always drawn back to German Village. This time we stopped in at Club 185 on Livingston Ave. The place is gorgeous inside; vintage everything from the spectacular and unusual tin ceiling to the red brick walls, hardwood floors and furnishings. Though it has served many purposes through the decades, it has been a bar since 1954. It has a great laid back and welcoming feeling, making it a popular destination; the photo booth is a fun addition. We sat at the bar and enjoyed our drinks as we talked with the bartender about the building and the city, it was the perfect ending to a great day.

Tags: Club 185, Columbus Ohio, German Village, Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, Ohio Judicial Center, Schmidts, Short North District

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Categories Road Trips

Feeding Detroit; Gleaners to Coneys……

24 Apr

Over the past year we’ve taken you to many of Detroit’s hidden gems; architecture, art, food, all types of beauty. Today we’d like to introduce you to a gem whose beauty lies in its accomplishments instead of its aesthetics. Hidden among a bevy of industrial buildings on Beaufait St in Detroit sits Gleaners Community Food Bank. Founded in 1977 Gleaners was among the first food banks in the country. The goal was to solicit surplus food, store it safely and distribute it to local agencies that provide to the hungry of our communities. Gleaners helps our neighbors in need by giving them access to high quality, healthy food. Here are some amazing facts of what Gleaners accomplished in 2011: 94,997 children were fed and educated through children’s programs, 7.9 million pounds of fresh produce was distributed to the community, 26 Client Choice pantries supplied 5.7 million pounds of food, absolutely incredible! Very important to know: Of every dollar donated 94 cents is spent directly on food and food programs. Only 6% is used for operation costs.

We arrived at the massive distribution center for a fundraiser, once inside, we took a peek around. The interior is designed to look like the great outdoors where our food is grown and raised; walls are painted in pretty scenes. Canned goods are stacked high on pallets then shrink wrapped. Rows and rows of food are organized by numbers and letters marked on walls. In another section of the warehouse, signs hang from the ceiling identifying the company that has donated the food in that area. Everything a family needs for a healthy meal can be found here.With canned goods in hand, we rode the elevator up to the event; Wayne State University Press was celebrating the launch of the book “Coney Detroit“. Immediately off the elevator were displays about Gleaners and the wonderful things they do for the community. Each guest was asked to bring either three canned goods or a donation of $3, the total collected for the evening was 411 lbs of canned goods and $924.00 which provided a total of 3,084 meals, awesome!

We made our way into the room where all the activity was taking place; a slide show of mouth-watering coneys filled a screen. Around the perimeter of the room were coney stands representing National, American and Kerby Coney Island; lines formed from each table. The back of the room offered bags of Better Made Chips in several varieties, oh how I love the Salt & Vinegar. What better way to wash down a dinner of Detroit’s finest offerings than with an icy cold can of Faygo pop! Large round tables filled the space, we grabbed a seat and demolished our food. As we wandered around the room we paused at the large windows that overlook Earthworks Urban Farm; soon volunteers will begin the planting that will provide fresh vegetables for those in need. At the front of the room Katherine Yung and Joe Grimm sat at tables signing their book Coney Detroit and answering any questions one may have. Photographers who contributed to the book were also on hand to sign books, answer questions and some even had mouth-watering photos of coney dogs available for purchase.

By now you may be asking, so what exactly is Coney Detroit? Written by Detroiter’s, it is a book that plays homage to all things coney; from the hot dogs and chili topping to the men and women responsible for concocting these delicious dogs. The preface of the book begins,”Detroit is the heart of the Coney Nation, as you are about to see. Nowhere else in the world will you find as many coney island restaurants, as many ways to eat coneys, or as many people who love them.”. I can’t argue with that! The book takes us across Detroit and across Michigan introducing us to over 18 different coney island restaurants in Detroit, Flint, Jackson, Port Huron on beyond. It is both fun and informative. Warning: Do not look at this book when you are hungry, it will send you out the door and to your favorite coney island after only a few pages; come to think of it, I think it will have the same effect even if you’re not hungry! While the book feeds our love of coneys, the revenue from this book will be donated to Gleaners Community Food Bank, so in turn, helping to feed others.

We capped off the evening with a stop at Motor City Brewing Works on Canfield, what better way to follow-up a couple of coneys than with a nice cold local beer. Crowded as usual, we managed to find a couple of empty seats at the bar and enjoyed a beer. The variety of products offered continues to grow, from flagship varieties like Honey Porter and GhettoBlaster to the seasonal Corktown Stout. The Cass Farm Series includes Hard Cider and Pumpkin Ale. The Muscle Series is automotive themed; Old Gear Oil, 90W-40, 120W-60 and Motor City Ale, the labels are as cool as the beer! The Elixer Fixers are unique blends of fermented fruit juices produced in their farmhouse style winery, labels are decorated with gears. In fact, things like gears wrenches, headers and blowers show up on labels throughout the product line; after all this is the Motor City!

Tags: Coney Detroit, Detroit Blog, Feeding America, Gleaners Food Bank

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Categories Happenings

WOODWARD; Science, Sliders & Sweets

18 Apr

Southeast Michigan is loaded with fascinating, engaging and entertaining places to visit; one such place is the Cranbrook Institute of Science. Situated in Bloomfield Hills, the museum invites us to take a fun and thought-provoking look at science, technology and natural history. The museum expanded over the years, which is architecturally evident on the exterior of the building. The original structure is complimented by a reflecting pool complete with Mermaids and Tritons sculptures designed by Carl Milles. The main entrance is located in the museums newest wing; the architecture here is modern, large windows allow natural light to pour in. Once you purchase your ticket at the desk you are free to roam. The exhibits are laid out in a manner that enables you to traverse them as you desire. Dinosaurs are ever popular, the Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton gets lots of attention. Did you know the Mastodon was plentiful in Michigan during the last ice age?

Further on we are introduced to anthropology through the guidance of a virtual holographic-like woman named Meg, it’s amazing how life-like she is! There’s a wonderful collection of objects from the Great Lakes native peoples; beautiful items like traditional clothing really caught my eye. I think my favorite area is the Mineral Study Gallery; I can remember coming here as a child and being captivated by the shapes and incredible colors. George Booth (founder of Cranbrook) started this mineral collection in 1926, there are currently over 11,000 specimens. Case after case I stop and stare at the samples, I like to read the names and try to remember my favorites….it never works….Be sure and check out the Michigan Minerals. As we continued walking we found ourselves in the Hulbert Observatory, we lucked out as it was the first Sunday of the month so it was open to visitors. This is really cool! The observatory is home to a six-inch refracting telescope, I have no idea what that means, but from what I gather, it’s pretty impressive in the telescope world. The motion gallery is also well-liked, here adults and children can participate hands-on. Throughout the museum we are taught about the world in simple ways we can relate to, they really do make learning fun!

If you have driven down Woodward near 15 mile road you have probably seen the little white porcelain diner known as Hunter House. Established in 1952 by the Papazian family they have been serving up delicious sliders for over half a century, daughter Susan now runs the restaurant. We arrived late afternoon so seating was plentiful, we placed our order at the counter, paid, then took our seats in the front window overlooking one of America’s most well-known streets: Woodward Avenue. The diner seats only 28 on vintage black and chrome stools, either at the counter or facing the windows. After a brief wait our order was ready, I went over to the grill to retrieve them; 2 plates of burgers and an order of fries, I could hardly wait to dig in. After the addition of mustard for me, I replaced the warm steamed bun back atop the hamburger with the grilled onions smashed right into the patty. The first bite is always the best; the soft bun, crunchy pickles, a bit tart to go with the sweet onion, and the burger itself, delicious high quality beef tender and moist…awesome! The fries are the skinny variety, friend to a golden crisp, they are the perfect complement to the slider. Whether you’re in the mood for a little nostalgia or just have a hankering for a plateful of excellent little burgers, this is the place.

We made one more stop, this time for something sweet, at another Michigan original, Kilwins on Old Woodward. Opened in 1947 in Petoskey Michigan, Don and Katy Kilwin perfected their recipes for delicious chocolate, fudge and ice cream and shared it with the public. Their original recipe ice cream is still made at the dairy in Hudsonville. Kilwins now has 80 stores across the US, many of them situated in tourist-type towns. The Birmingham location is housed in a 100-year-old building that still retains the original hardwood floor. As soon as you walk in the door your senses are delighted with the sight and smell of ice cream and confections. It was just before Easter so chocolate rabbits and foil wrapped eggs decorated shelves. A batch of fudge was being made, oh how I long to dip my finger in and have a taste. The candy counter is filled with tempting treats, milk, dark and white chocolate all call my name. We just wanted a bite, so we split a Milk Pecan Snapper. Picture this: a large gob of rich chewy caramel pressed into a pile of crisp pecans, topped with a thick coating of luscious milk chocolate, Yum! UPDATE: This location is now closed.

Tags: Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Cranbrook Institute of Science, Hulbert Observatory, Hunter House, Kilwins

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Categories Visit

YPSILANTI: Fire Trucks & Food

14 Apr

There is a wonderful ritual that takes place each spring; no it’s not the Tulips and Daffodils emerging from the cold ground or the blossoms and sweet scent of flowering trees….It’s the official opening of our beloved Drive-In restaurants! If you have ever eaten at Bill’s Drive-In located in Ypsilanti, you totally get what I am talking about. Though Bills had been open for a few weeks, it was our first opportunity to make the trip out to Ypsi.

Best known for being the home of Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti has a lot to offer; from beautiful historic neighborhoods and a downtown on the comeback to independent shops and restaurants that have called Michigan Avenue home for decades. Our first stop in Ypsi was the Michigan Firehouse Museum located on Cross St. This gorgeous building was the original 1898 firehouse, in 2002 a multi-level addition was added. The museum takes you through the history of firefighting; from technology used to fight fires to the equipment and tools. When you step into the main exhibit space you are greeted by rows of impressive vintage fire trucks. There are no ropes to prevent you from getting right up close to these magnificent vehicles; it’s fascinating to see the evolution of the equipment through the years. The museum possesses the largest collection of fire truck bells in the country, and you know what else? You can try them out! Glass cases line the walls detailing the evolution of helmets and breathing apparatus, some of them are pretty creepy looking….The second level overlooks the main floor giving a wonderful overall view of the firetrucks. You will find display cases filled with hats, toy fire trucks and other interesting memorabilia, remember Smokey The Bear? From here cross over into the original building; this is the original bunk area complete with brass pole! Unfortunately, the pole is off-limits, so you have to take the stairs back down to the main level. Being someone who loves old things, this is my favorite area. Large wood cabinets hold vintage lanterns, it seems everything from the trucks and decoratively painted wheels to the accessories are he handsome and elegant. An original switchboard hangs on the wall, there’s a stunning 1910 ladder wagon, and an amazing example of a 1878 fire engine steamer complete with horses. The lower level is host to a group of original vehicles belonging to fire chiefs and a children’s area. The museum brings back the old childhood fascination of fire trucks!

The short drive down Michigan Avenue to Bill’s Drive-In was filled with great anticipation; would it be as good as we remembered? The small wooden building is appropriately painted Mustard Yellow and Root Beer Brown, you eat from a tray that hangs on your car window, or a picnic table in the lot. I read that Bill’s has been around since the early 50’s and the recipe has always stayed the same, why mess with perfection? As soon as we were parked a car-hop came over to take our order; there are no menus here, they only serve coneys, plain potato chips and their own homemade root beer, perfect for the indecisive diner. I’ll start with the coneys; the hot dogs are made with a special recipe by Dearborn Sausage, they are placed in perfectly steamed buns and given a blanket of, in my opinion, the perfect chili topping. I would describe it as a more mild, sweet and smooth chili sauce, dressed with yellow mustard and minced onion, it arrives wrapped in white tissue. It is the tastiest coney I’ve ever had, they’re one of Kris’s favorites too. Then there’s the Root Beer, if you like Root Beer, you have to try Bill’s. With one big pull on the straw your mouth will be in Root Beer heaven; it’s like drinking one of those old-fashioned root beer barrel hard candies that has been rolled in superfine sugar…..outstanding! Many patrons buy a gallon of the stuff to take home. The day was mild so we ate our dogs outside using the trunk as a table, they were even better than I remembered!

It’s always worth a drive through downtown Ypsi to see what’s new, we noticed a couple of new things so we parked to take a look. We first checked out a retail shop named Mix, it has a wonderful blend of new and used items; women’s clothing, furniture, accessories, household goods and even some art. The shop is laid out attractively and is fun to browse through. Across the street is Mix Market Place, as you may have guessed, it is owned and operated by the same owners as the retail Mix. The marketplace is an indoor collection of local entrepreneurs in a farmer’s market type setting. There was a definite buzz of activity when walked in the door; food vendors offered up samples of their specialized goodies, The Ugly Mug Cafe filled the air with the aroma of fresh brewed coffee. From gourmet food and hand-made stationery to antique goods and artisan soaps there was a little bit of everything. Vendors vary from week to week, so you never know what you may discover.

There was one more new place we wanted to check out: B-24’s Espresso Bar, just a little way up Michigan Ave. Named in honor of Ypsilanti’s heritage, B-24’s were built locally at Willow Run, the cafe features coffee, tea, fresh-baked goods and Guernsey Ice Cream. The cafe seems to be a popular gathering spot for locals of all ages. Though the baked goods looked very good, between the coneys, root beer and free samples at the marketplace, we were unable to partake in any of them. Instead we got our beverages to go and began the journey home.

Tags: Bills Drive-In, Depot Town, Michigan Firehouse Museum, Road Trip, Ypsilanti

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Categories Eat, Road Trips, Visit

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