The Summer of '69

The summer of 1969 was an amazing time in our history. I share my 40^th birthday with many memorable moments and I’ve always been proud that I was born in '69. And pleased that I wasn’t a 70’s baby.

A man walked on the moon in the summer of 1969. 

Woodstock happened in 1969.

And in 1969, Sesame Street was born.

 I also tread very lightly that some not so great things happened the year I was born. Chappaquiddick. The Stonewall Riots. The Manson Murders. And British Troops were sent to Northern Ireland. 

As I approach my 40^th year I find it interesting to reflect on life way back when. And I’m looking forward to and embracing the big 4-0, happy to have reached such a milestone.

Is this what they thought the internet would look like back in 1969?

I’ve had a little piece of paper that I cut out of a National Geographic magazine about 20 years ago. It says, “André Kertész led a fortunate life, though he always vehemently argued otherwise."

I don’t remember the article that the quote came from and I’m not sure what I was thinking when I tore this piece of paper out. But it has had a permanent place in my Filofax all these years, taped to a picture of my brother and me.

It is a reminder, to myself, that I have led a very fortunate life. And, unlike André, I'm not arguing otherwise. I am blessed with incredible people around me. And I'm pretty damn happy about turning 40.

The Detroit Historical Museum

We Hope for Better Things...It Shall Arise from the Ashes

The Detroit Historical Museum

One of the first exhibits you see when you walk into the Detroit Historical Museum is "Detroit’s Official Symbols." The flag of Detroit and the official Seal of Detroit are displayed. The seal pays tribute to the fire of 1805 that burnt Detroit to the ground. The seal reads, “We hope for better things…It shall arise from the ashes.” 

From the Detroit Historical Museum website:

“The seal shows two women.  The woman on the left represents Detroit at the time of the fire.  She is weeping. The woman on the right, who is comforting her, represents hope and the future.  The background scene shows the city in flames on the left.  On the right, a new and brighter city is shown.  On the sides are Latin words which translated into English read “We Hope for Better Things…It Shall Arise from the Ashes.” This motto captures the real spirit of Detroit – one that meets challenges and evokes images of Detroiters working and building together.”

The motto, though adopted in 1827, is as relevant today as it was then. I will not be that woman weeping. I choose to be the woman looking to the brighter city, hopeful of what may arise from the ashes.

Next to this exhibit is the "Fabulous 5: Detroit’s Snack Food Superstars." This features Better Made Snack Food Company, Sanders Confectionery, Stroh’s Products, Vernor’s Ginger Ale, and the Germack Pistachio Company. Frank Germack, Sr. added red vegetable dye to the pistachio’s to attract customers and hide imperfections.

I loved this exhibit but I’m not sure about the gift shop selling Better Made potato chips. People were walking around the museum with open bags of chips, chomping away. It just seemed wrong.

Other noteworthy exhibits:

•  Hero or Villain? Metro Detroit’s Legacy of Leadership.  This exhibit takes individuals such as Ty Cobb, Jimmy Hoffa, Henry Ford, and Coleman Young and presents an argument for them both as a hero and a villain.
• Detroit Trivia. I wished this exhibit was larger, in all there were about 20 questions featured arranged by degree of difficulty. They have a “Play Detroit Trivia” card game available for purchase in the Museum Store.
• VeloCity: Detroit’s Need for Speed. This exhibit celebrates speed and movement on land, water, and in the air. The Red Bull Air Race and the Detroit Grand Prix are featured.
• Motor City. The history of Detroit cannot be told without exploring the auto industry. This exhibit includes the early years, the role the labor unions played in Detroit, and the body drop machinery from the Clark Street Cadillac Plant.

Motor City Exhibit

We had a great day out and learned quite a bit about Detroit. We went on a free weekend but you have until October 24 to use your Museum Adventure Pass for free entry.

Since the Detroit Tigers have a big game tomorrow, I’ll leave you with one of the Detroit Trivia questions from the exhibit:

Tiger Stadium went by 3 other names. What are they?

Detroit Moxie's Weekend Roundup

Yay! It’s October, which happens to be my favorite month of the year. “Why,” you ask? Well, first of all, it’s my birthday month. In just over a week I’ll be 40. I know, I don’t look it, thank you. But it’s true. Secondly, I love pumpkin seeds. Not the kind you buy in a package, those won’t do. I love pumpkin seeds that you roast yourself. And October is the month of pumpkins. Third, I also happened to marry my fabulous husband during the month of October.

Ok, enough about me (for now), lets get on with today’s business.

Weekend Roundup:

1. Fashion IN Detroit - This two-day fashion event makes its debut at the Detroit Zoo featuring 12 fashion shows by top designers. October 1-2.

2. The 14th Annual Great Lakes Regional Chili Cook-off and Motorcycle Bike Show - This competition in Plymouth features categories in red chili, green chili, and salsa. And there's a bike show too! October 4th.

3. The Pioneer Building 9th Annual Open Studios - The Pioneer Building is a former factory that has been converted into artists' studios. Twenty-seven artists are welcoming visitors into their workspaces. Visitors can observe how they work, see works in progress, and buy original art. October 3rd. (Hat tip to @CatherineHilker)

4. Fall Farm Festival at Kensington Metropark - Cirque Amongus will be teaching children how to juggle and walk the balance beam and traditional carpentry skills will be demonstrated. Other activities include a corn maze, hayrides, and learning about Michigan's cultural history. October 3-4.

5. The Fantasticks - The Hilberry Theater opens the season with this simple American musical about love. This happens to be one of my favorite musicals and it's the longest running Off-Broadway musical of all time. October 2-24.

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

The Lions Win! But did you see the game?

Did you see the Detroit Lions game yesterday? Yeah, I didn’t think so. The good news is they won; the bad news is that you probably didn’t get to see them win their first game since December 23, 2007.

If you live in metro Detroit and weren’t one of the 40,896 fans at Ford Field you missed out on watching a Lions win. The NFL blackout rule meant that the game wasn’t televised in our area.

Outside Ford Field looking towards downtown Detroit.

And that really sucks. The fans missed out on the excitement of the win and normal Monday morning quarterback chatter. You won’t hear the normal football talk, “Oh my God, did you see that play?” Nope.

I know, they didn’t win the Superbowl. It’s just one game but it broke a 19-game losing streak. They got the monkey off their back. Let’s move on, let’s celebrate! After all, it has been a long time since we heard the phrase, “The Lions win!”

What better way to celebrate than with free pizza?

Shields Restaurants are giving away free pizza on Tuesday to celebrate the win over the Washington Redskins. This deal is for dine in only, from 5pm-8pm on Tuesday, September 29^th. The four Shields locations are in Troy, Southfield, Macomb Township, and Rochester Hills.

So, what do you think of the NFL blackout rule? And how about that win?

Detroit Moxie's Weekend Roundup

Summer is officially over although you might not have noticed it with the humidity we had this week. In metro Detroit, we’re now headed into that time of the year when we feel the need to take advantage of any good weather Mother Nature bestows on us. In light of that, I’ve picked both indoor and outdoor activities for this weekend.

Weekend Roundup

1. Detroit Historical Museum - The museum will offer free admission Saturday and Sunday to kick off a few new exhibits. Check out VeloCity:Detroit's Need for Speed, Detroit Trivia, and Detroit's Snack Food Superstars. September 26-27.

2. Kiss Alive 35 Tour - The legendary band returns to Cobo Arena this weekend. Put your makeup on and sing along to "Detroit Rock City." September 25-26.

3. Pecha Kucha Night Volume 5 - Pecha Kucha Night is a place for young creatives to meet, network, and show their work in public. It's designed to keep the presentations short and sweet; each presenter is allowed 20 images, each shown for 20 seconds each. The Gem Theatre, September 25.

4. The Villages Bike Tour with Wheelhouse Detroit - Ride your bike through the Detroit RiverWalk, the Berry Sub (home of the Manoogian Mansion), the cluster of Gold Coast apartment complexes, the stately manors of Indian Village and the quirky charm of West Village. September 27.

5. Sheep and Wool Festival - Come out to the country (Romeo) and see demonstrations of border collies gathering and herding a flock of sheep, watch sheep shearing, talk to a spinner, and other family activities. September 26-27.

Speaking of sheep, I just love this video:

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