Follow Team Detroit SXSW on Epic Road Trip

The online community in Detroit has been an integral part of the success of Detroit Moxie. Many of the people I’ve met online, mainly through Twitter, have become “real life” friends of mine. These days when I attend tweetups and other events most of the faces are familiar, these aren’t twitter friends they’re just friends. 

Yesterday, a few of these friends set out on an epic road trip to Austin, Texas to attend the annual South by Southwest Interactive Festival.

Henry Balanon, David Murray, Audrey Walker, and Brandon Chesnutt make up Team Detroit SXSW. I know the 3 guys pretty well and they are crazy funny and whip smart. I haven't met Audrey yet, although we have attended the same events, but I’m sure she’s just as fabulous as the guys.

Why is this an epic road trip?

This is the 2010 Chevy SXSW Road Trip Challenge. Eight teams from around the country are being sponsored by Chevy to not only make their way to Austin but also to complete challenges along the way and interact with their local communities on Twitter and Facebook.

Team Detroit, Brandon Chesnutt, David Murray, Audrey Walker, & Henry Balanon, completing mission #5.

The digital/tech community in Detroit is strong and growing. These people are the innovators, entrepreneurs, and big thinkers that will lead Detroit into the future. If they win, Detroit wins.

How YOU can help:

If you’re on Twitter:

1. Follow the Team Detroit hashtag, #DETChevySXSW, and check out some of the things they are doing while on the road.

2. Tweet and Retweet using the team hashtag LIKE MAD starting on Monday, March 8^th. There are supporting agencies tracking the volume of tweets for each team hashtag. The higher the number, the better. Participation is critical. They cannot win without our support.

If you’re on Facebook:

1. Become a fan of Team Detroit SXSW on Facebook.

2. Comment and “like” their posts.

What do YOU get out of this?

1. They have tons of awesome sponsors that have given them cool stuff to give away on their trip. They have sweet t-shirts from the Ann Arbor T-Shirt Company, Detroit Pistons tickets courtesy of Fist of Detroit, delicious Biggby Coffee, a wine tasting at Vitner’s Cellar and many other prizes. Pay attention to their hashtag and follow their blog and you just might win something!

2. If Team Detroit wins Chevy will throw an epic tweetup in Detroit.

So, put your hands up for Detroit and follow along on their crazy antics!

Driving Around Detroit

The snow is melting and Detroiters are enjoying the warm weather that March has bestowed upon us. And all I can keep thinking is, ah, Construction Season is right around the corner. Yep, just as the trees start sprouting their blooms the concrete will also start flowering the orange construction barrels (Ampulla fabricatio barrelus).

Try not to think of construction season as the pain that it is. Instead, think of it as extreme driving. Don’t forget to avoid the potholes!

Now, as you know, my husband is not from around these parts. He is used to driving on the wrong side of the road and shifting with his left hand.

Driving in Detroit has some unique particularities that I had to explain to him.

The Michigan Left

In the Detroit metropolitan area you can’t just turn left whenever your heart desires. No, sometimes you must either turn right and then make a U-turn or you must go straight, past where you wanted to turn left, and then make a U-turn and then turn right.

A street sign on Telegraph Road that attempts to show how to make a Michigan Left.

Easy enough, right? If that confused you take a look at this animated explanation of the Michigan Left from MDOT.

The first Michigan Left was installed at 8 Mile and Livernois in Detroit in the 1960’s. More on Livernois later.

The Lay of the Land: Mile Roads

The mile roads run east and west and it’s a pretty simple system. Although, I’m still not sure that my husband understands. Apparently, when giving directions in the UK they don’t use north, south, east, and west. At least he still has "Little Miss Garmin" to help him out.

The first few months he was here I gave him directions to everywhere via 15 Mile Road (Maple Road). One day he declared, “all roads lead to Maple.” Um, no they don’t but thanks for playing.

The only time the mile roads can be confusing is when they change names as they cross city and county borders like 15 Mile & Maple as stated above. 6 Mile Road is also McNichols and 5 Mile is also Fenkell.

Eight Mile Road is always Eight Mile. It is also somewhat of tourist attraction to non-locals who only know of it because of the movie. Thanks, Eminem. So, a bit of a PSA to all the tourists: It’s just a road! Move on, there’s nothing to see here.

My "Big Beaver Road, Exit 69" t-shirt.16 Mile Road probably has the most names; Metro Parkway, 16 Mile Road, Big Beaver, and Quarton. Our exit off of I-75 is Exit 69, Big Beaver Road. It always gets a chuckle and I even bought the t-shirt.

How Do You Say That?

For those of you who are new to the area or are visiting, the easiest way to stand out as someone ‘not from around these parts’ is to mispronounce the following street and city names. The husband still giggles every time we pass Schoenherr, like he’s in on an inside secret.

• Grosse Pointe, the E’s are silent people!

• Schoenherr Road is pronounced SHAY-ner.

• Livernois is pronounced LIVER-noise. Yeah, we pronounce the S.

• Gratiot Avenue is pronounced GRASH-ut.

• Notice that the h is before the s in Lahser Road. It’s pronounced LAH-ser. If you say Lasher to me I’ll punch you. Seriously.

Now, as far as the driving goes you’re on your own. However, I will say that if you are going the “suggested” speed limit on the major freeways then you’re going to have some trouble.

Detroit Moxie's Weekend Roundup

The old saying goes, “March comes in like a lion, and goes out like a lamb.” This is very troubling to me. March came in like a lamb this year and I’m wondering if we’re going to hear a loud roar by the end of the month. Baa!

Photo from Alan Vernon via Flickr.

Weekend Roundup

1. The Moth Story Slam - The theme for the once-a-month event at Cliff Bell's is "busted." Tell a story about being busted or busting someone or just watch and be entertained. You can also become a judge. March 4th.

2. Metro Times Blowout Festival - 200 local bands will be playing at 15 venues in Hamtramck. Crawl from bar to bar and immerse yourself in the local music scene. March 3-6.

3. Detroit Kennel Club Dog Shows - In addition to the normal judging, the show also includes demonstrations of search and rescue, canine first aid, Leader Dogs for the Blind, flyball, and much more. March 6-7.

4. Detroit Independent Film Festival - In its first year, this 5-night film festival is dedicated to showing short films from Michigan and around the world. Now through March 7th.

5. Rain: A Tribute to The Beatles - Transport yourself back in time and follow the Fab Four from their first appearance in the U.S. through to their hippie stage, featuring nearly 200 songs. March 7th.

Bonus: Are you in Olympics withdrawal? Don't fret; there is a Benefit Figure Skating Exhibition for CARE House of Oakland County (Facebook link) on Saturday, March 6th. 2010 Winter Olympics ice dancing silver medalists Meryl Davis and Charlie White will make a guest appearance.

Double Bonus: Don't forget that the Academy Awards are on this Sunday, March 7th. If you're sick of the normal Oscar ballots check out these free Oscar Bingo cards.

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

Book Love: The Detroit Public Library

My love of books and libraries runs long and deep. So, when the people at the Detroit Public Library (DPL) asked me (and a bunch of other people) if I wanted to learn about the library and go on a walking tour my heart skipped a beat. Yes, please!

When I move to a new city one of the first things on my to do list is to secure my bright and shiny library card. I love to learn and a library card means knowledge and opportunity.

All this library love and I had never stepped into the main branch of the Detroit Public Library. Actually, as far as I know, I’ve never been in any of the branches of the DPL system.

The main branch of the Detroit Public Library is nestled in Midtown, the cultural hub of the city, and the first thing you notice is the amazing architecture, both inside and out. Cass Gilbert designed the early Italian Renaissance-style structure, which opened in 1921. The building expanded in 1963 when wings were added to both the north and south ends of the library.

The Detroit Public Library at night.

Our meeting began in the Old Fine Arts Room on the third floor. It’s a grand room with lovely views of the Detroit Institute of Arts, which is directly across Woodward Avenue.

A view of the DIA from the Old Fine Arts room.

The DPL system houses approximately 7 million books, second only to Boston. It boasts 23 branches throughout the city. The city of Detroit ranks low for being wired so the computers and internet accessibility at the libraries are incredibly important to the residents of the city.

Steve Teeri showed off the new and improved Detroit Public Library website. The new site, still under construction, is fresh and user friendly. I particularly liked that in certain sections, such as new arrivals, the image of the book jacket is shown.

After the reveal of the website, Conrad Welsing led our tour throughout both the old and new sections of the library. Conrad knows this building inside and out and his love and knowledge of the building was infectious.

It was great to see that renovations are currently in progress. The designs for the new children’s area look fabulous.

One part of the library that has already been updated is the teen center, H.Y.P.E (helping young people excel). With listening stations, computers and gaming consoles this is the place to be. The room is comfortable and contemporary. The husband wanted to hang out in here but I had to drag him away.

There were two areas of the library that I had never heard of. The Harwell Room (officially called “The Lulu and Ernie Harwell Room”) is an ode to our favorite Detroit Tigers announcer and the genealogy section were the highlights of the tour.

The Harwell Room includes a mock broadcast booth, seats from Tiger Stadium, and a portion of the Ernie Harwell Sports Collection, which is the second largest public collection next to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY. Conrad told us that Mr. Harwell has been known to make appearances and sign autographs in the room.

The genealogy section is quite amazing. This is one of the few places in the library that you’ll see the old card catalogs. If you are interested in your family history this is a great place to start or continue your research. The librarians are experts and will help guide you and they have the research materials and software to get you on your way.

The Detroit Public Library is a fountain of knowledge. All libraries are. The DPL hosts special events including lectures, classes, and live performances. The library also participates in the Museum Adventure Pass program.

If you haven’t been to the Detroit Public Library I suggest you visit. I know I’ll be going back soon to explore.

(Check out An Evening at the Detroit Public Library by Juanita Chronowski, who also attended the event.)

Detroit Moxie's Weekend Roundup

I don’t have anything wise or witty to say today before presenting today's top picks for things to do in Detroit this weekend. I’m not saying that I usually say something wise or witty, just that I don’t have anything to say today.

So you won’t get any snow or Olympic updates today. Not from me, at least.

All I have to say today is enjoy Detroit.

The Enjoy Detroit mural is off of Jefferson Avenue.

Weekend Roundup

1. Young Frankenstein - The classic Mel Brooks movie is now a musical and Dr. "Fronkensteen" is live on stage. Now through March 14th.

2. Disney on Ice presents Let's Celebrate! - More than 50 characters from 16 Disney stories hit the ice at The Palace of Auburn Hills. February 25-28.

3. Spring Artists' Market at Leon & Lulu - 38 Michigan artists will be showing their wares at this fanciful home furnishings store housed in the former Ambassador Skating Rink. February 28th & March 2nd.

4. Great Lakes Shipwreck Festival - Programs will feature exciting sessions on Great Lakes shipwrecks, as well as exhibits from the Dossin Great Lakes Museum and others. February 27th.

5. 2010 Outdoorama - If you're into hunting, fishing, boating, canoeing, hiking, mushroom hunting or bird watching this is the place to be! February 25-28.

But wait! There's more! Don't forget about Word-Up! Talking Trash for Kids on Saturday, February 27th. That's where I'm going to be on Saturday night.

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