Support local entrepreneurs with Kiva Detroit

Kiva Detroit launched this week in the historic Eastern Market raising over $11,000 in its first 3 hours, according to Crain's Detroit. Kiva.org is a non-profit connecting people and businesses through its micro-loan initiative.

The “Kiva City” program chose Detroit as the first city in the United States to take part as it rolls out nationwide. This is about fellow Detroiters supporting other Detroiters in their entrepreneurial efforts.

Michigan Corps, the Knight Foundation, ACCION USA and Kiva have joined forces to make this venture possible. The Knight Foundation has promised a $250,000 matching fund where individual loans will be matched dollar-for-dollar.

The first 5 local companies are already fully funded.

At the launch, I talked with Crystal Lecoy from Detroit Brunch. Detroit Brunch offers a vegan breakfast option one Sunday a month. Crystal said with the Kiva loan she’ll be able to take a business class through Tech Town in Detroit. They’ll be able to fully develop their business plan and perhaps expand to a food truck after completion.

Janet Jones, the owner of Source Booksellers in Midtown, hopes for expansion as well. “I need more walls,” said Jones. She’s currently in a 600 square foot space and hopes to either move or expand to a 800-900 square foot space. The bookstore specializes in non-fiction with an emphasis on health and well being.

Individuals can lend as little as $25 to the local business of their choice.

“ACCION USA is the vital link between Kiva lenders, communities and the small businesses owners in Detroit who need our help,” said Paul Quintero, CEO of ACCION USA. “With the visibility, community group connections and committed loan funds provided by Kiva, we believe Kiva City and its launch in Detroit will serve as a model for bringing solutions to more cities across America.”

It’s often said that the greatest asset of Detroit is its people. Now we have the opportunity to help fund the small businesses in our community that will help our city thrive.

And the Slows Bar BQ gift card & swag bag goes to...

There can only be one winner of the Slows Bar BQ gift card & fantastic swag bag of grilling goodies from Oscar Mayer. The grill is super cute and perfect for tailgates and camping trips. Plus you get a fashionable apron to wear while grilling, coupons for free Oscar Mayer Selects, grilling accessories and a Wiener Whistle. Toot, toot! Oh yeah, there’s that $25 gift card to Slows Bar BQ too!

So who is the lucky winner?

Your comments on your favorite food or snack during your childhood were so much fun to read! I’ve got to say, some were “OMG, gross!” But I won’t judge. Oops, I already did.

Other entries brought my own childhood memories fleeting back (cinnamon toast, raspberries from grandma’s garden, grilled cheese and hot dogs).

The winner, which was picked randomly (entry 51), was one of the most creative of the bunch. Her favorite meal as a kiddo was a concoction her dad made up called Matsamootsio.

Favorite childhood food was matsamootsio -- a meal my dad made up when my mom was going to nursing school. My brother, sister, and I would each get to put one ingredient into a pot of macaroni and/or rice-a-roni, stir it up, and enjoy before my mom got home! I think the weirdest combination yet was snickers, ice cream, salami and rice-a-roni matsamootsio. (Matsamootsio was my dad's attempt at making up an italian word to make it sound like a real meal).

Sounds yummy, right? OK, maybe not.

It reminded me of my own dad and how he got us to eat non-sugared cereal. My mom would only let my brother and I eat Cheerios, Rice Krispies, or Corn Flakes. Not much fun. Dad made our breakfast much better by showing us his little trick: add 2 tablespoons of sugar! The best part was the milk-sugar combination at the end of the bowl.

OK, I’ve waffled on enough. The winner of the Oscar Mayer swag bag and Slows Bar BQ gift card is…. Rachel Kuptz. Congrats Rachel! Enjoy your goodies.

Be sure to stop by next week as the “summer of giving” on Detroit Moxie continues. We’ll be giving away a pair of tickets to A Sip of Michigan. Drink Michigan is celebrating their first birthday in grand style and one lucky reader will get to join in on the fun.

Detroit Moxie's Weekend Roundup

The 4^th of July holiday is always fun in my household. I get to razz my English husband on how this is a celebration of independence from his homeland. Sometimes I chant, “U.S.A, U.SA. U.S.A.” And sometimes I just hope he'll take on the BBQ duties.

I found this fun infographic about the 4th of July.

Fun facts:

• The 4^th of July is the #1 holiday for beer sales followed by Labor Day, Memorial Day, Father’s Day and Christmas.

• Americans spend $111 million on popsicles and $63 million on dips per year.

• 26% of Americans don’t know which country the U.S won its independence from.

• 155 million hot dogs will be consumed over the 4^th of July weekend.

Detroit Moxie hopes you all have a safe and happy Independence Day weekend!

Weekend Roundup

1. Salute to America - This annual event celebrates Americana and has become a family tradition for many Detroiters. Have a picnic and listen to the Detroit Symphony Orchestra in this magical setting. June 30—July 3.

2. Jazzin' on Jefferson - Head to Detroit's lower eastside for jazz, arts & crafts, food and more. The festival highlights the strong community in this vibrant Detroit neighborhood. July 2—3.

3. Far East Side Ride - The four hour bike tour will take you by many east side landmarks and ends at the Jazzin' on Jefferson festival. July 2nd.

4. Stars & Stripes Festival - The free festival features musical acts that will take you back to the past: Ace Frehley, Rick Springfield and Smash Mouth! Carnival rides, fireworks and food too. July1—4.

5. 4th of July Rock n Roll Pig Roast - Nancy Whiskey's in Corktown is hosting this Independence Day bash filled with tons of music and food. July 4th.

Bonus: Bacon Street Fair - Bacon, bacon and more bacon!

Thursday Night: Theatre Bizarre - Documentary Fundraiser and Website Launch Party

Looking to find firework displays in your area or across Michigan? Check the Michigan Fireworks website.

Don't forget: After the long holiday weekend, Detroit Moxie is presenting Tweetea at the Ford House.

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

Wienermobile wrap-up & a giveaway!

The Wienermobile made a stop in Detroit last week and it brought out the newest member of its family, the Wienermobile Food Truck, to join in the fun. Free Oscar Mayer hot dogs were given away with special toppings created by Brian Perrone, chef at Slows Bar BQ.

I’ll admit, I went up for seconds and had two dogs topped with chorizo queso fundido. I’m still craving them.

Chef Brian Perrone from Slows Bar BQ & his chorizo queso fundido hot dog.

Besides the franks, the highlight of the day was taking a ride in the legendary Wienermobile. The first incarnation of the hot dog on wheels was introduced in 1936 and it’s been through many versions since. There’s even a Mini Wienermobile built on a Mini Cooper Chassis. How cute!

Of course, Detroiters might be familiar with the 1952 edition that is housed at The Henry Ford. That edition is built on a Dodge chassis and was the first fleet to have a sound system and sunroof.

The Hotdoggers, Ketchup Kylie and Delicous Dylan took Elena from Mommyisintimeout.com, her two sons and myself on a spin around the streets of downtown Detroit.

Ketchup Kylie & Delicous Dylan took us for a ride in the Wienermobile.

The one-way streets confused our driver, Kylie, for a bit. As we were heading west on Jefferson, I leaned over to Elena and said, “we should have them take the tunnel.” Kylie seemed pretty excited about taking the vehicle through a tunnel until I casually mentioned that it led to Canada. Then her and Dylan freaked out about not being able to leave the country. I was just kidding!

The Hotdoggers had just graduated from Hot Dog U a few days prior and were full of fun and puns. It’s a much sought after position with only 12 Hotdoggers chosen each year to tour around the country in the 6 Wienermobiles.

Want to win a swag bag of goodies?

The summer of giving continues on Detroit Moxie and the lovely people at Oscar Mayer have put together this pretty cool swag bag for one lucky reader. The swag bag includes:

• An Oscar Mayer T-shirt
• Coupons for free Oscar Mayer Selects
• A Bodum Mini Grill
• A cute apron
• Grilling accessories
• A Wiener Whistle
• And, in my best Oprah voice, a $25 gift card to Slows Bar BQ!

How to win:

Hot dogs remind me of childhood. And if you ask my brother, that’s all we ate when we were kids.

Add a comment to this post with your favorite food or snack from your childhood. You must leave your email address when leaving the comment or you won’t be eligible. (Your email won’t be published, I just need to contact you if you win!)

For an additional entry, tweet the following:

I want to win free @SlowsBBQ & an Oscar Mayer swag bag from @becksdavis & Detroit Moxie. http://bit.ly/l4Eak8 #moxiebbq

For the additional entry, you must have already left a comment on the post with your favorite childhood eats.

The contest ends on Thursday, June 30^, 2011 at 11:59 p.m. EDT. The winner will be announced on Friday, July 1, 2011. I will select the winner using random.org. Prizes can only be shipped to U.S. addresses.

So, what was your favorite food when you were knee high to a grasshopper?

Detroit Moxie takes Tweetea to the Ford House

The Edsel & Eleanor Ford House in Grosse Pointe Shores, Michigan. 

Detroit Moxie is excited to present Tweetea at the Edsel and Eleanor Ford House in Grosse Pointe Shores on Tuesday, July 5, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. Join us for a docent-led tour and a lively discussion.

What is Tweetea, you ask?

Tweetea was founded in 2009 by Hubert Sawyers as a way to connect the online community offline. The original Tuesday night Royal Oak location has now expanded to include Detroit, Grosse Pointe, Plymouth, Franklin and Ann Arbor.

TWEETEA is a weekly gathering of a diverse group of web savvy types. Focused on building relationships online and in real life, we meet up in multiple locations around the same time, which allows us to connect on a deeper level as neighbors and friends. ~ Hubert Sawyers

I wouldn’t call myself a Tweetea regular but I try and make it to the gatherings as much as I can. It’s a great way to meet others or reconnect with online friends while discussing interesting topics.

For this special installment of Tweetea at the Edsel & Eleanor Ford House we will be given a tour of the magnificent property by docents. The Albert Kahn-designed house is where the Ford's raised their children. The grounds were designed to resemble a Cotswold village.

After the tour, we will gather on the terrace for a discussion on Detroit landmarks.

“As we are bombarded with (sob) stories about Detroit's glory days, let's discuss how certain landmarks get saved, protected or put on life support,” said Sawyers.

What is the balance of when we fight to save our historical treasures and when we demolish them to make room for the new? The Ford House has a strong support system to keep it relevant and vital in the community. What about buildings and treasures that don’t have a support system?

This is sure to be a provocative discussion with a brilliant backdrop. This installment of Tweetea is a perfect partnership for Detroit Moxie as we have the opportunity to explore and celebrate one of Detroit’s gems while discussing other properties that might not be so lucky.

Coffee and tea will be provided and a cash bar will be available.

See the Facebook event page for more information. I hope you’re able to join us!

*UPDATE* The Edsel & Eleanor Ford House will be giving away a pair of tickets to the Detroit Symphony Orchestra's concert at the Ford House during the event.

Photo courtesy of the Edsel & Eleanor Ford House.