We're hitting the road & taking the Moxie south

We’ve got a crazy couple of weeks coming up here—we’re going on a road trip! Actually, we’re going on two separate road trips.

The Fiat 500. First impression: very cute and stylish.

First, we’re heading out today in a new Fiat 500 and taking it on a test drive to Nashville with a stop in Cincinnati. In Nashville, we’ll attend the Fiat FreakOut, an annual event of Fiat Lancia Unlimited Club members.

My husband and I will be in one car and my buddy Brian Ambrozy from Icrontic.com will be in a separate car. It’s not a race, though. But I might sing "Convoy."

‘Cause we got a little ol’ convoy

Rockin’ through the night.

Yeah, we got a little ol’ convoy,

Ain’t she a beautiful sight?

Much of our time in Nashville is spoken for but if you have any must-do’s please let me know. We’ll also have an evening in Cincinnati (which I can finally spell correctly—three N’s & one T) so I’m looking for suggestions there too. I’ve already got quite the list for both places but I don’t want to miss anything.

I hate missing cool things to do!

We fly back from Nashville on Sunday, July 24^th getting in just around midnight. We’ll have a day back in Detroit before heading out on our second trip on July 26^th.

The second trip is a tour of Northwest Ohio, Toledo and Cedar Point. Yes, they had me at Cedar Point!

I’ve been wanting to get down to Toledo and hit up a Mudhen’s game and try out this Tony Packo’s I keep hearing about. The Toledo Zoo is also on the list and I have fond memories of my grandmother taking me there to see the pandas when I was young.

Crazy little factoid: My husband and I haven't been out of the state of Michigan since we arrived in December of 2008. I know, weird! But when you have the beauty of Pure Michigan why would you go elsewhere? Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee—you are on notice—dazzle me. We're coming at ya!

So stay tuned and follow our adventures here, on Facebook, Twitter, and possibly even the new-fangled Google+.

Disclosure: Fiat USA has provided a Fiat 500 for me to use for the trip down to Nashville as well as accommodations, airfare home, gas, and some meals. Destination Toledo and Cedar Point are sponsoring the media tour of Northwest Ohio. All of my expenses for that trip are provided except for transportation and incidentals. The opinions and words expressed here are my own. 

Animal House Party: Partying it up for the Detroit pups!

There’s a new house party in Detroit and it’s truly for the animals. Animal House Party is a new event happening at the historic Whitney on August 6, 2011 and will raise funds for the Michigan Humane Society.

Hubert and Eliza Sawyers, of SorSaw Enterprises LLC, wanted to bring music, charity and community together and combine it into one lively evening.

The party on the Garden Patio includes drinks, hors d’oeuvres and entertainment. Detroit’s own DJ Kim Sorise (of WDET fame) will open for internationally known DJ Graffiti from Ann Arbor.

“We’re grateful for the creativity and support of SorSaw and its interest in helping the Michigan Humane Society care for the more than 100,000 animals that come through our doors every year,” said Mike Robbins, vice president of marketing and communications for the Michigan Humane Society. “Events like Animal House Party are critical as we strive to reach our goal of providing a loving home for every adoptable animal in our care by 2015.”

That’s a pretty lofty goal but one that every animal lover will want to see reached. If you follow me here or on the social networks it won’t be a surprise that my furry family members are a huge part in my life.

My boy Frankie, Stoney and Owly. Stoney and Owly were feral cats that my mom rescued and domesticated.

“The goal of AHP is to raise awareness beyond the usual animal-focused crowd and have a little fun along the way,” explained Hubert Sawyers III.

Besides the big party at the Whitney, AHP is also bringing people together to talk about animal issues in the community. Tonight is a special Tweetea at Red Oaks Dog Park (dogs are invited too) and be sure to check out other discussions they have planned.

Animal House Party is sure to be a boisterous time at one of Detroit’s beautiful establishments. If you love your pets or want to help the less loved animals in the community please show your support and attend the wildest party of the summer.

To buy tickets or learn about ways to get involved in Animal House Party, please visit animalhouseparty.com. 

The state of food trucks in Detroit

Tacos from Darcy's Cart in Ann Arbor.El Guapo Fresh Mexican Grill—the city of Detroit’s first recognized mobile food truck—hits the streets today and will set up shop on the corner of Monroe and Randolph. The newest truck on the block was able to attack and conquer Detroit’s red tape and should be sizzling up fresh Mexican food for the rest of the season.

The food truck craze has taken other cites by storm for years. But just as in other ways, Detroit seems to be left in the dust in this foodie phenomenon.

The Grilled Cheese Truck and Kogi out in Los Angeles and New York Cities’ Big Gay Ice Cream Truck and Schnitzel & Things have had my mouth watering for ages!

So why can’t Detroit have these nice and shiny food trucks too?

Due to antiquated laws in the city of Detroit, food trucks have been not allowed to legally operate in the city limits. Other food trucks have been operating in the area but have had to steer clear of downtown Detroit, Midtown and anywhere within the city.

I’m sure the hungry workforce in the downtown area—with swarms of new additions from Blue Cross Blue Shield and Quicken Loans—would welcome new lunch options close to their workplace.

The lowdown on food trucks in Detroit

• El Guapo promises fresh Mexican fare and they are working with other local food businesses including Faygo and Great Lakes Coffee Roasting Company.

• The Pink FlaminGO! recently refurbished the old AirStream and is now fully-compliant but has yet to post locations this year.

•  Jacques' Tacos who—to my knowledge—has never entered the city limits of Detroit. He has a few regular locations and is regularly posting his wherabouts on Twitter & Facebook.

• Concrete Cuisine entered the scene just a short while ago but is another one that doesn’t venture into the city limits. Their playing field is mainly the western suburbs and the menu looks good enough for me to track them down. They have poutine!

• Taco Mama is waiting in the wings and has yet to launch into the food truck landscape of Detroit. We’re still waiting for her to update us with her first location. My gut feeling is that she’ll be sticking to the suburbs as well.

• The taco trucks of Southwest Detroit are the veterans and have been a mainstay in Mexicantown. Their only disadvantage is that they’re not mobile.

• Further afield, Mark’s Carts serves up street food in Ann Arbor in a courtyard setting. This set-up allows for a commissary kitchen, which solves one of the many issues surrounding food trucks. Again, they aren’t mobile.

I’m hoping that El Guapo—and all the other food entrepreneurs who have been working hard with the city—have finally opened up a door to creative food initiatives in Detroit. The road won’t be paved with gold but is it too optimistic to wish that they’ve made it somewhat easier for the next guy?

Food trucks are not needed in Detroit, we will get by without them. But damn it, I want them! Sometimes it’s the little things that can brighten your day. Peter Kageyama, the author of For the Love of Cites, said, “The things that we tend to love about cities are small. The cherry on top of the sundae.” Food trucks are just the cherry. Give me the cherry!

For all those out there who have aspirations of food truck ownership in the future, please gather around and listen.

Tantalize my taste buds with quirky concoctions. Wow me! Do something different. Don’t do the standard taco truck fare; we have a few of those already.

Take notice of all the brilliant food trucks around the country and Canada and do them one better! Do it so well that when people tell me that they’re coming to visit Detroit your food truck is the first must-do I mention. Deal?

Have I missed any other food trucks in the Detroit area? What would your ideal food truck serve?

Detroit Moxie's Weekend Roundup

Happy Bastille Day! We won’t be storming the Bastille here in Detroit but it’s a good time to remember our roots. Detroit was first settled by the French when Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac set up fort on the Detroit River in 1701.

If you’d like to celebrate the day head, over to Orleans and Atwater for a picnic and procession for the Second Annual Bastille Day Detroit.

Vive le Detroit!

Weekend Roundup

1. Concert of Colors - Detroit's annual diversity music festival features musical acts from around the world. In addition to world music, the fest also offers ethnic food and vendors and a children's area. July 14-17.

2. Mr. B's Joybox Express - Part of the Concert of Colors series at the DIA, this whimsical quartet has been traveling through Michigan by bicycle—piano included—to raise money for children's organizations across the state. July 15th.

3. Quidditch Tournament - How often do you get to watch a Quidditch match? Michigan State University takes on Oakland University in this game of snitches and broomsticks. There will also be clinics for those who wish to learn this fast growing sport. July 15th.

4. Live Green Fair - Ferndale is the place to be this weekend if you're looking to make your life more eco-friendly. Energy conservation, green art, veggie taste fair and more. July 15-17.

5. Chords for a Cure - This family-friendly charity concert features indie pop band Rabbit!, local news anchor Stephen Clark's band The Trending Topics, The Blaine Fowler Experience and Donny Brown, the drummer from The Verve Pipe. Funds raised will benefit the MPN Research Foundation to combat rare blood disorders. July 17th.

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

Believe in Detroit & live rent-free in an Albert Kahn-designed building

Imagine yourself living rent-free in downtown Detroit in the beautiful Albert Kahn-designed Garden Court Condominiums. Would you soak up the nightlife, spend your time on the RiverWalk, immerse yourself in our cultural institutions or picnic and play on Belle Isle?

Yes, you could live rent-free in a historic property in Detroit for a year!

Albert Kahn designed the Garden Court building in 1915 for J. Harrington Walker (of Hiram Walker & Sons, Distillers). The building was rumored to have been constructed so the son of Whiskey giant Hiram Walker could view Detroit River traffic from his deceased father’s distilleries in Canada during prohibition. Today, the buildings two distinctive towers, with elegant entryways and lobbies, offer spectacular panoramic views of the Detroit River and the vibrancy of cross-border city skylines.

Garden Court Condominiums have launched their “Believe in the D” video campaign. Shoot a short video sharing your passion for Detroit and your favorite people, places and events in the city and you’ll be entered in the contest.

Last year, Garden Court did a similar campaign called “I Love Detroit.” Brandi Keeler shined as the winner and it landed her a beautiful spot in the city to call home for a year.

The “Believe in the D” campaign is slightly different, reaching out to participants from all around the country. They are looking at it as a “try-before-you-buy” trial of sorts. Detroit has so much to offer and it’s a city that is on the move.

“I was born and raised in the D. I’ve made a conscious decision to keep my businesses headquartered in the region,” said David Farbman, Garden Court Condominiums representative. “We have an unmatched pool of talented and creative people living here. Detroit offers such energy, culture, food, music and inspiring architecture. It is time to discover and rediscover this city, its different neighborhoods and hardworking residents. What better way to view Detroit’s treasures than though the eyes of those who love it?”

Besides living rent-free for a year at Garden Court, the winner will document their life and time in Detroit through a blog. They’ll share the things they love about Detroit and what makes the city unique.

Hurry up!

The contest closes on this Friday, July 15^th and all video submissions must be received by 11:59 p.m.