Detroit Essentials

Bigtime Pre-Superbowl Festivities

As one of the many participants in yesterday's Superbowl festivities, I can tell you it felt like Detroit had become a "bigtime city".  The air of excitement and anticipation overcame the winter weather.  People were out in full force trying to (and succeeding at) having a good time.  From Cobo to the Renaissance Center to Greektown, activities food and alcohol kept people occupied.  The sponsored tents were a great way to warm up, have some fun, and have the fine vehicle of Detroit's Big 3 showcased to people that may not have seen them before.

I especially enjoyed the Motorola tent AlohaMoto in which there was sand volleyball, quarterbacking contests, and surfing on an artificial wave machine, (done by the professionals).  Marc Bulger, quarterback of the St. Louis Rams was also there to speak and sign autographs.

All in all, I couldn't be more proud of Detroit after last night.  It was a smooth operation with security presence everywhere.  People were having a good time without getting into trouble.  The Steelers and Seahawks fans seemed to get along without incident.

- Atul

Parking Problems

It seems like the activities happening in Detroit this weekend in preparation for the Superbowl can only be enjoyed the townies and the wealthy.  Because who else will be able to find parking in the city?!  The official Detroit city website offers a map with possible parking places, but let's be honest, if I want to go into the city today, will there be parking at any of these spots, (and affordable parking at that)?  NO! I just heard from a coworker who is supposed to be spending the day giving massages at the Superbowl Playboy Bunnies party (I'm a massage therapist by the way, check out Relaxstation where I work) and she was 50 minutes late because there was NO PARKING and apparently the bunnies and their handlers failed to give her a spot.

~bEckY

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Super Winter Wonderland

Brace yourselves, residents and visitors alike.  A snow storm is on its way to Detroit, just in time for the Superbowl.  Expect 5 to 9 inches on Saturday according to the Weather Channel...

http://www.weather.com/weather/local/USMI0229?from=search_city

The white stuff will lead to traffic snarls, but inside the dome of Ford Field, it will be a nice and cozy 72 degrees.  That's not how real football used to be played.  But this is commercial football, and those who can afford the high-priced tickets to the game need to be coddled to a certain degree.

Surely, certain members of the press will complain about our weather and how the Superbowl shouldn't be held in cold climate cities.  To that I say, "toughen up".  Football isn't meant to be played in resort cities.  It's a grind it out, down and dirty kind of sport.  I just hope the visitors from Seattle brought the appropriate winter clothing and will learn quickly how to drive in the snow with their rental cars.  As for the Pittsburgh fans, they can always keep their heads warm with their "Terrible Towels."

My Superbowl prediction, (from a non-expert, and a Cleveland Browns fan)...

Pittsburgh  23  -  Seattle  13

+ Atul

No love for Piston starters

Is anyone mad that none of the Piston's have been selected to start for the All-Star team East?  How can NBA fans not recognize the Pistons with the best record in the league?  I know that Rasheed is likely to take J. O'Neal's place, but come on now.  Chauncey and Rip and the best backcourt in the league and Ben is the best defensive player.  I guess we'll see the reserve list next Thursday. 

-Jovina

Da Day

At some of the major Super Bowl events downtown you may notice a few people picketing and handing out flyers for Da Day,that is The Day After The Big Game.  It's a grassroots campaign aimed to proclaim the day after the Super Bowl a national holiday.  While this turns out to be a White Castle campaign to eat more slyders, it a pretty interesting concept.  I know I'd love to have the Monday after the Super Bowl off.  Check out the online petition for Da Day.

http://www.whitecastle.com/daday/

-Jovina

Pre-Winter Blast

I had the chance to walk around the central business district today during my lunch hour.  What a difference a few days make.  The Winter Blast is almost ready to roll.  The mood in the air was very cheerful.  The lunch crowd was walking around with smiles on their faces and looking at the buildings and tents with amusement. 

I had the chance to see the sled dogs and ice sculptures on display.  But the activities and tents will not be open to the public until 4PM today.  I did notice the multiple new store fronts and new signs.  It was like a new town, but a little eerie.  Some things seemed a little fake, almost like the fake town in the Truman Show.  Many store fronts had images of people and places.  The building next to the one I work in is usually adorned with broken windows, but today they were covered with black painted wood and a sign that said "Under Construction." 

Still, you can't help but feel the excitement and happiness in the city.  This weekend is sure to be a memorable one. 

I took some pictures on my camera phone.  They're not the greatest, but here's a glimpse.

-Jovina

ESPN at the Ren Cen

Winter Blast

Big night for B-B-B Ben Wallace!

What a game for Big Ben Wallace last night against the Minnesota Timberwolves. 

Stats: 17 Rebounds, 4 Steals, 3 Blocks

Rip Hamilton on Ben Wallace:

"He was everywhere that ball was. He was stealing the ball, blocking shots and getting rebounds.” http://www.nba.com/pistons/news/MINDET_060201.html

Photo Credit: Clarence Tabb, Jr. / The Detroit News

What a show the Pistons put on for the Steelers and celebs in the house.  But Ben's performance was truly amazing, and he did it without scoring a single point.  The best play was when he snatched three offensive rebounds in the 4th quarter and led to a 3-pointer by Rip.  The crowd was up on their feet for his defensive game play as one normally sees for an amazing dunk.  Absolutely deserved, Ben was player of the game.

While it was the Big Ben show last night, the other players were fantastic.  Tayshaun was strong from the start. His hot hand scored 13 of his 20 points in the first quarter!  Billups as usual was quarterbacking the team and creating plays that had the Timberwolves tied up in knots.  Evans forced a few Timberwolves turnovers and Rip was the high scorer with 21 points. 

The game was played in true Deeetroit Basketball style.  Next up, the Sixers in Philly on Friday.

-Jovina

Pure Detroit Design Lab

I knew that it had to be there, homegrown Detroit fashion talent on display. 

The Pure Detroit Design Lab is a hot studio and retail boutique dedicated to showcasing the work of Detroit's up and coming (and some already well known) fashion designers. It features one-of-kind clothing, accessories and art for sale and the designers and artists actually do some of their work in the studio space so you can see them in action.

If you are looking for something a little racy to do on February 14th (and I know I am--I mean, what else am I going to do on V-day?)  check out the grand opening of Casey and David's Adultery Collection.  They don't give many details (if anyone from Pure Detroit Design Lab is listening, please give us more!) but maybe it's just to peek my curiosity?

Pure Detroit Design Lab
156 W. Congress @ Shelby
Detroit, MI 48226
313.961.8320

Motown Winter Blast

All the stuff that I would like to see happening year round in the D-town is at least happening in anticipation for the superbowl.  It makes me sad that it takes football to get all the good stuff happening, but at least it's happening so take advantage of it while it's here.

IE:  check out Motown Winter Blast happening Tuesday Feb. 2 -  Sunday Feb. 5th.
Along with live music (including the fantastic Black Bottom Collective playing Friday at 6 pm) 
they have a 200 foot snow slide and dog sledding (is the theme Alaska?) for which I hear they are creating fake snow!
GM is setting up an ice garden while Ford is providing and ice skating rink!  Don't you love it when the auto companies start competeing for the attention of Detroiters again?! 

~bEckY