Lots has happened in the D since this world wide web failed me, but at least this weekend will give me a good opportunity to jump right back in. The Detroit International Festival is happening, on way more streets and way bigger area than I though. Just drive to Midtown and pull over when you see people milling around and white tents set up.

As usual, I’m pretty geeked for the food and drink, but there’s something that will keep everyone busy.

Even hair sculptures. Only in the D, folks…

I work with quite a few volunteers and make sure to nominate each year for this event. It’s a really great celebration that honors those who provide much needed services around Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. This is the first time that voting has been open to the public.

The sale, which actually began today for members, will be open to the public on Saturday from 10AM to 5PM and Sunday from 12Noon to 6PM. Pewabic is at 10125 E Jefferson, which could not be a more perfect location on our first weekend of truly gorgeous weather. Once you finish your shopping head on over to the water and start enjoying the spring!

I drove on over to the new Zaccaro’s Market on Friday - only to be super embarrassed when I learned that the store, on Watson and Woodward, is less than two blocks from my office, but oh well.

It was so worth the drive. While I still think it’s wacky that the addition of a mere grocery store can drive the Detroit blogosphere into a frenzy, we latch on to what we can get in this fair city.

I ordered my sandwich (very good), strolled around the store (very cute) and checked out some of the merchandise (very nice). This still isn’t the kind of place where I’ll be able to do my weekly (ok, monthly) grocery extravaganza but it’s going to be the place where I run in on the way home and grab something for dinner.

Zaccaro’s has staples like pasta, sauces, dairy, fruit and veggies and then some of the kitschy items that you’d want to find in an upscale grocery store. A coffee bar, some bistro tables, and what looks like it will become a wine room in the rear of the store. And the best part? It’s all pretty reasonable. My fear was that it was going to be a commodity in the area and charge $4 for a box of noodles or something, but I was pleasantly surprised. Of course my favorite item was little single use packets of spices, which will cut down on my buying a bathtub of cumin when I really need a teaspoon, but that’s just me.

I’m definitley going to be a regular at this place. I think I’ll even walk next time.

Well, go find it yourself.

I peeked around a bit on Detroit’s new Metromix site today, and while the layout isn’t my absolute favorite kind of user friendly, it is packed with some good places to check out, and events that are happening in the area. As with most Detroit-happenings sites, the focus is pretty heavy on Downtown (if you’re like me and can’t help but cry “There’s a whole city here!” hit up the Contact button and submit other sites and events for coverage), but there’s enough to keep you busy for quite awhile. These Metromix sites are already running for cities like Chicago and New York, so Detroit’s addition is another baby step toward glamour city status.

It’s no Metroblogging (!), but it is a pretty neat site.

Scandal? Nope! Gas prices.

After forking over a big percentage of my paycheck at the pump, I realized that my measly 7 mile drive to my office is far (far!) less than most people have to travel. I polled some co-workers who live out in exurbia and they admitted to having to fill up every three or so days. At time, this amounted to about two days pay per week! I’m amazed that people out there are working just to be able to afford to drive to work!

I’m blessed with having a bus station right at the end of my street as well as right across from my office. Last summer, when gas prices hit $3.50, I went out an bought a bus pass. I loved not having to weave around traffic, got to read a book while someone else drove, and really fell in love with what little public transportation we have here in Detroit. While I’m kind of a baby about the cold and don’t want to trek even the couple yards to the bus stop, I’m more of a cheapskate than anything else, which means - come tomorrow? Look for me on the Woodward bus. I’ll be the one with the smile on my face, and a book in my lap.

I’m a bit bummed, however, that for the second year in a row I’ll be out of town for the Home and Garden Show at Ford Field. Check out the website for some of the exhibitions and promotions (you can get some really neat free stuff at this show!) at www.fordfieldhomeshow.com. (I’m still stumbling through the shiny new MetBlog site, and links are not yet in my repetoire) And since you’re already downtown at the show, stick around and use your ticket to get discounts at some great local restuarants like Small Plates and Vicente’s. The website has a list of all participating eateries.

Head on over to Monopoly’s website to write in Detroit as a wildcard city.

That’s right - those folks at Monopoly didn’t think enough of The D to place it on their list, so it’s only hope it to qualify for a wildcard spot.

Why?

Potholes!

I’ve seen some really nasty road holes in my travels (8 Mile at the 75 interchange? Yeeow.) but these busters today (VanDyke and 12 Mile - stay away) were seriously rocky. After I finished checking my molars, dear old Mom tells me that if I would have had the foresight to take pictures of the road, I could have won me some free tires. Now, while I’m pretty sure that pulling over and trying to photograph the road in rush hour traffic would have put my grill in more danger than just bouncing along VanDyke, but the lure of free stuff might be worth it.

So, find the worst pothole in Macomb County and go win those things! Head to this gentleman’s website to submit your photo. You’ve got until March 5.

Are you cynical like me? OK, then. Stand up for the little guy? Me too. That said, I can’t vouch for the definition of “residents” that will benefit from this concert. A few of the relief funds that I’ve seen started have been to benefit those residents who were university students. About 40 or so Wayne and CCS students were residents of this building, but that leaves about 60 or so folks (many who were senior citizens) who aren’t receiving as much attention or funding. Being a Wayne student myself, I don’t speak small of their loss, I just want the wealth spread evenly. I’m crossing my fingers that this event will end up helping all involved so that their rebuilding process can begin.

Either way, the concert sounds like it’s going to be a good time - and the suggested door charge is only $5, which is a lot less than it could be, and it’s for a good cause - plus Atwater has some seriously good brews and snacks, including a soup made from the two most heavenly things on earth, cheese and beer. It does NOT get much better than that.

The shin-dig starts at 7:00pm, hope to see you there!

And…Formative Edit - the concert is this Friday.