A few weeks ago, I ventured out to New York City. I stayed with a friend of mine in the Bushwick neighborhood in Brooklyn. I went all over the city, from Brooklyn, to Battery Park, to Central Park, to (accidentally) Queens. It was a pretty cool trip and New York is a pretty cool place but some aspects of the city really made me appreciate some of the cool things Detroit has that you really don’t get in NYC. Read ‘em after the jump.
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No sneaking into Movement: Detroit’s Electronic Music Festival this weekend.

I’ve been out of town since Friday and been down south where the weather is warm and the world seems to be playing out in slow motion. I was glad to land and realize that the sun decided to reside in the city for the summer. I was also thrilled to see that Detroit appears to have official street meat. While this term sounds crude, it is really a term of endearment for the hotdogs sold by vendors on the streets of many fabulous cities. I have spotted a vendor on the west side of Campus Martius and on Cass near Lafayette. There is nothing more satisfying than encountering a street vendor after a long day of trekking in the city or clubbing or bar hopping. I don’t know exactly what the Detroit vendors’ hours are, but I’ll be sure to report after this weekend. I’m so hungry . . .

Finally the bus drivers have had enough! As I wrote in April, the City Council is sitting on an $11 million grant for security on our buses and refused to award it to the Wayne County Sheriffs Dept. to pay for deputies to ride the DDOT buses. Last night another driver was assualted and, this morning, they walked out in protest. I can not blame them one bit. The city has cancelled all morning routes and they are quoted as saying “they are not happy” with this development. Huh??

When are the citizens of Detroit going to say enough is enough with this council? It’s not only the assualts and stabbings, my sources told me two bus drivers have been raped! You won’t read that in the press. Now, those people that depend on the bus for their transportation to get around are stranded this morning and the city has no one to blame but themselves! Recall all of them that voted no on this issue!

It isn’t unusual for my husband and me to stay at a hotel the night of a wedding, especially if the wedding is in the ‘burbs or far away from our home in Detroit, and we did just that on Saturday evening after enjoying my cousin’s nuptials at Fox Hills in Plymouth. The thing that was different for us this time, though, was that along with booking a hotel for us, we also had to find a place for our dog, Bagley, to stay while we were away.
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Welll, the Wings’ season is over, folks. Once again they were the number 1 seed during the regular season, and once again, they aren’t going to the Stanley Cup Finals. What gives?

Rodin’s “The Thinker” was removed this morning from the outside of the DIA. They are making room for the $50 million remodeling so they loaned it to the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sulpture Park in Grand Rapids. The staue wieghs in at 2000 lbs and has never been removed before. My thoughts on this work of art is that every time I see it, I think, we probably get into that positon at least once a day! LOL Especially when Wikipedia describes it as “a man. . .battling a powerful internal struggle.” I think Auguste Rodin came up with the idea of carving this bronze giant during one of those daily routines if you know what I mean. A little humor on Tuesday never hurts.

The 2007 “4th Fridays with Ford” series begins this coming weekend on May 25th. Guess who kicks it off? Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels! Yea baby. “Devil in the blue dress, blue dress, blue dress. . .” This is a rare Detroit performance and it precedes his new CD release later in the year. The Hamtramck born rocker is one of my favs. In addition, my good friend Thornetta Davis will be on hand with Phil Hale and his band.

For this event, those in attendance will recieve a free DPM pass which will be good for the entire 4th Friday’ season. It will provide all day access beginning at noon each day of the event. The card will also offer discounts at 50 different downtown venues. They are even going to have live music at several of the DPM stations! Wow, looks like we’re in for another great summer in the city. I can’t wait and I don’t think I will. I’m ready right now.

The 2007 Downtown Hoedown is this weekend and tomorrow I am pulling a double-header. Tigers at 1 p.m. and the Wings at 3. Geez, I love this town!

It’s Hoedown weekend and you’d think after the Don Imus outrage, they would change the name. LOL Not even Santa Claus is safe anymore. (think “Ho, Ho, Ho”) Hey, I’m getting off the beaten track here. In this weeks “My Time” Detroit News magazine there is an article about where to eat Sunday brunch. They mention Moe’s on Ten in Novi and La Dolce Vita, north of Six mile on Woodward. The most expensive brunch was at the Whitney in the DMC area at Canfield.

I have had the privilege of enjoying Sunday brunch at the Whitney and it was terrific but my brunch of choice is Fish Bones. Only $22 and they put the feed bag on. You can get omlettes to order, a huge aray of pastries and the longest buffet you have ever seen. Rinse it down with a really good cup of coffee and your are golden. In addition the dining room hosts the highest indoor waterfall in the U.S. Hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. If you’re coming downtown for country music this weekend, check it out before you go.

Offering everything from stationery to things completely out the ordinary. Everyone out there who appreciates a good homemade craft should check out the Etsy Craft Extravaganza at the Main Art Theatre in Royal Oak tomorrow. If you are familiar with the Detroit Urban Craft Fair at the Majestic Theatre, or Sunday Crafternoons at the W.A.B., you know to expect innovative goods at pocket friendly prices. This free show features the works of Handmade Detroit, Glass Action!, and Dang Argyle among others. Go Get Your Craft On!