Detroit Moxie's Weekend Roundup

As I mentioned last week, I started a new job a few days ago. And I love it! But that’s not what I want to talk about here.

I used to love this time of year. Why? For the “Back to School” shopping of course! New clothes, new pencils and notebooks—I loved it all.

So, I did go shopping for some new clothes last weekend and it felt so good. I felt like a kid again mixing and matching all of my different options. I even laid them out the night before my first day.

The icing on the cake was finding all sorts of new office supplies on my new desk when I arrived for work the first day. Pens and notebooks and Post Its, oh my!

Yep, it’s the little things.

I’ll stop blathering on—there are so many cool things to do in Detroit this weekend. Get out there and enjoy it!

Weekend Roundup

1. August Critical Mass (Facebook link) - Meet at the corner of Trumbull and Warren and take a leisurely bike ride around Detroit with a huge group of cool people. August 26th.

2. Fashioned to a T - Fancy yourself a fashion designer, model or fashionista? Head to the Bronx Bar and take part in this team event designing a t-shirt. August 26th.

3. The People's Arts Festival - The Russell Industrial Center will be hopping with over 140 artists, 40 bands, filmmakers, fashion, food and beverages. August 27—28.

4. KEM Live @ Mack & Third - This food drive and fundraiser to benefit the homeless and Detroit area shelters features a free live concert by KEM and special guest, Morris Day & the Time. August 28th.

5. Social Michigan Birthday Soirée - Be social! Participate in a free Detroit scavenger hunt—explore Detroit and win prizes. Interactive meal and drink discounts plus live DJ's. August 27th.

Do you know of a great event going on in Metro Detroit this weekend? Add it to the comments and share it with us!

5 things to do in Toledo

Toledo is such a short drive from Detroit and its cultural institutions shouldn’t be overlooked for a fantastic day trip. I’ve shared a fun date night down Toledo way and there’s the best amusement park in the world, Cedar Point, to spend your summer days. Our neighbor to the south has many more options too.

5 things to do in Toledo:

1. Imagination Station – A hands-on science museum that’s fun for both big kids—like my husband an me—and actual little kids too. I had a blast riding the High Wire Cycle 20 feet above the ground. The distorted gravity room and the hurricane simulator were also great fun.

Riding 20-feet above the ground and Andy in the hurricane simulator.

2. The Toledo Zoo­ – They have a few new baby animals that were born this summer. Lucas, an elephant, was born in June and a baby giraffe was born in late July. This is a great zoo to take small children to as the habitats and amusements are close together.

Lucas, the baby elephant, and his mom.

3. The Glass Pavilion – This striking building sits across from the Toledo Museum of Art and houses over 5,000 works of glass. I loved being able to watch glass being blown in the demonstration area and seeing a piece evolve from beginning to end. Pill Spill is a current installation by Beverly Fishman, an artist-in-residence and head of painting at Cranbrook Academy of Art.

4. Toledo Museum of Art– Art lovers will appreciate the free admission and a world-famous collection of Old Masters paintings. They also have an extensive children’s program and the “Meet me at TMA” program for people in the early stages of Alzheimer’s.

5. Toledo Botanical Garden – 60 acres of beautiful gardens are perfect for a leisurely walk, a picnic, birdwatching or a photowalk. It’s free and open year round. They also have docent-guided tours for $5 for a more informative and educational experience.

The next time you want to take a short jaunt and explore another city give Toledo a try.

Disclosure: Destination Toledo and Cedar Point sponsored the media tour of Northwest Ohio. All of my expenses for the trip were provided except for transportation and incidentals. The opinions and words expressed here are my own. 

Detroit Moxie's Weekend Roundup

This week has been pretty extraordinary for me.

I had a whirlwind trip up to Traverse City to be on set with GMC Trade Secrets and got to meet Carter Oosterhouse, Eric Stromer and Sam Talbot. More on that in an upcoming post (with some photos and video, of course).

OK, just one picture for now.

Carter Oosterhouse sitting on his porch in Traverse City.

Then I accepted an awesome job and will be starting next week.

Finally, I head back up north on Friday for the Traverse City Wine & Arts Festival.

Sadly, I’ll be missing all the amazing events going on in Detroit this weekend. Enjoy them for me, will ya?

Weekend Roundup

1. Woodward Dream Cruise - Hot rods, muscle cars and beautiful classic autos will be cruising up and down historic Woodward Avenue in this annual celebration car culture. August 20th.

2. African World Fest - Enjoy free family fun at Hart Plaza with entertainment, food and more. Jessica Care Moore's "Black Women Rock!" is scheduled on Saturday. August 19—21.

3. Selfridge Air Show - Watch the coolest flying machines soar overhead while performing demos and maneuvers. August 20—21.

4. Dodgeball in the D - Head to Belle Isle on Saturday and you could help set a world record for the largest dodgeball game. Tons of other family-friendly activities. August 20th.

5. R. Park Fest '11 (Facebook link)- Enjoy an amazing day in Detroit at Roosevelt Park. The fest features live music, skateboarding, games and over 30 craft beers on tap. August 20th.

Bonus: Motor City Tap Fest

Do you know of a great event going on in Metro Detroit this weekend? Add it to the comments and share it with us!

Driving to a new destination

Last Friday I got some exciting news that I’ve been dying to share with you. I mean, I did a Snoopy dance in my living room in the middle of the afternoon! And I’m pretty sure that I’ve had a perma-smile on my face ever since.

So what is this fabulous news?

Next week I’ll be driving to a new destination. And no, it’s not another trip. My zippy little car and I will be pulling into the employee parking lot at Crain Communications in Detroit where I will be starting my new job.

I’m SO stoked and overjoyed to tell you that as of next week I’ll be the new Community Manager at Autoweek and shopautoweek.com.

Don’t panic!

Detroit Moxie will still be here shining a light on all the cool things going on in Detroit. Yes, there will be a transitional period and I might miss a beat here and there while I get my bearings.

But—I’ll be here! I promise. You, Detroit Moxie and I have been together for over two years and we still have a long way to go.

Many people manage blogs and websites while working full time and I’m sure that I can do the same. I’ve done it before.

You might be hearing from a new voice or two along the way but Detroit Moxie and I are entwined. We’re one.

The new job is a challenge that I’m ready to tackle and I’m delighted to continue on this path in my life.

Have a ball on Belle Isle

This Saturday—August 20, 2011—you’ll have a chance to help break a world record on Belle Isle by participating in “Dodgeball in the D.” Event organizers, Justin Jacobs and Marlowe Stoudamire, are hoping for over 3,500 people to play in what could be the world’s largest dodgeball game.

But “Dodgeball in the D” isn’t just about setting a record. “‘Locally, we know Detroit is a great place to live, work, and play, but across the country, not enough people are aware of the opportunities Detroit has to offer, socially and professionally,” said Jacobs.

This is a free family-friendly affair featuring free food and entertainment. There will be a Detroit Red Wings Interactive Fan Experience, a NHRA Funny Car Drag Racer car display, an Arts and Scraps Activity Table, face painting, Book Mobile, a Detroit Fire Department fire truck and much more.

“‘Dodgeball in the D’ will show the world the very best of Detroit, not just that we know how to have fun, but that we can work together to achieve great things, regardless of age, ethnicity or religion,” Stoudamire said. “We want to smash the current record and bring some positive attention to Detroit.

The event is a collaborative effort from Detroit Harmonie, ComePlayDetroit, The Youth Connection and Unlimited Xperiences Detroit. Stoudamire is founder of Unlimited Xperiences Detroit. Jacobs is founder of ComePlayDetroit.

In order to break the current record of 3,500 players they are asking participants to register in advance. There are also opportunities to volunteer and sponsor the event.

Belle Isle is one of Detroit’s true assets and this event is a great way to show off our island park and have a blast.

So what do you think Detroit? Can we do this?

Photo credit.