Where to go while at the 2010 Auto Show

All eyes are on Detroit as the 2010 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) kicked off this week. The press preview is now over and has left me salivating for more. The overall feeling I’m getting from what has been covered so far is optimistic.

Big props to Ford! First of all, the new Focus looks fabulous. Also, they won car & truck of the year with the Fusion and the Transit Connect. Let’s not forget about the Fiesta, I mean it had a movement after all. My personal love is the Ford Flex but I haven’t heard much from the show floor about it.

GM is also making headlines with Buick, the GMC Granite, and Cadillac. The GMC Granite won the designers choice for best concept vehicle. I’ve been hearing a lot of talk about Buick and the Cadillac XTS Platinum. Oh, and can I say something about Susan Docherty? She rocks.

Chrysler has been kind of quiet but I hear their models are hot. So they’ve got that going for them.

The press has now departed and we move on to the industry preview, charity preview, and finally the public show.

All of this makes me happy because it means:

• Our Detroit automotive industry looks so much better than last year
• Detroit is receiving positive press
• People are exploring Detroit

Are you going to the NAIAS?

If you are descending on Detroit from afar or if you’re a local who just doesn’t go into Detroit very often I’m going to share a few of my favorite places.

Need a drink? Try the Anchor Bar, the Park Bar, Foran’s, Centaur, or the Town Pump Tavern.

Foran's Grand Trunk

Hungry? I love Roast’s Cocktail Hour, Slows Bar-B-Q, Tom’s Oyster Bar, and many eateries in Greektown.

Speaking of Greektown, most cities have a Little Italy and a China Town. Not in Detroit. We have Greektown and Mexicantown. If you're craving Polish food head to Hamtramck.

Looking to take a gamble? We have 3 casino’s here in Detroit: Greektown, MotorCity, and the MGM Grand.

Oh, someone dragged you to Detroit for the Auto Show and you could care less about cars? No problem! Drop them off at Cobo and make your way to Midtown where most of our cultural institutions call home.

A few last pieces of advice

Take the People Mover, it’s only 50 cents and circles downtown.

Talk to some locals. They are the biggest assets of this community. They have incredible strength and are known for their friendliness.

If you’re looking for more cool places to go in Detroit check out 40 Things to Do in Detroit Before You’re Dead and Detroit Dive Bar Tour with Inside Detroit.

More coverage of the North American International Auto Show coming soon from Detroit Moxie! I’m heading down for a sneak peek tonight and will also be attending the public show.

Detroit Moxie's Weekend Roundup

You know how I usually start the Weekend Roundup with a paragraph about something or other? Well, today I’ve got nothing.

Except, that I’m guessing we’re going to hear something along the lines of “the first snow storm of the decade” being bantered about in the media. Come on people, it’s Michigan, we’re used to this.

I am slightly worried that the husband will be driving home in “the first snow storm of the decade” from Ann Arbor. He’s not from around these parts and isn’t used to driving in snow.

In other news, did you know that Detroit is second in the nation in the sale of fishing rods? Weird.

The Dequindre Cut, just add snow.

Weekend Roundup

1. The Riverfront Canine Club - It might be cold out but your dog still needs his exercise! Explore the Riverfront and the Dequindre Cut with your pup. January 10th.

2. The Moth StorySlams - This event at the legendary Cliff Bell's is dedicated to the art of storytelling. It has become very popular so get there early! Read more about The Moth here. January 7th.

3. Wild Winter Carnival at The Detroit Zoo - Bundle up and enjoy carnival games, ice sculptures, face painting and more. January 9-10.

4. Seasonal Open House of America's Largest "O" Scale Model Railroad & Railroad Artifacts - The model railroad covers 8300 square feet! January 9-10.

5. An Evening of Illusions - Impersonations of famous females by an all male cast. Real Detroit describes it as, "a night filled with more fanfare than the bastard child of a prom and a wedding." January 8th.

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

Secret Photos of The Belle Isle Ice Tree!

The Belle Isle Ice Tree, star of such posts as the self-titled The Belle Isle Ice Tree and Postcards from (old) Detroit, secrets revealed!

The Belle Isle Ice Tree was caught naked with no ice to be found! The former Christmas trees were leaning against each other haphazardly and looked sad and ashamed at their appearance, Detroit Moxie has learned.

The shocking images could cost this local phenomenon everything.

“It’s the Ice Tree’s worst nightmare,” a close source told Detroit Moxie.

An anonymous tip sent Detroit Moxie out to Belle Isle on January 1, 2010 and we snapped these tell-all pictures.

The Belle Isle Ice Tree before the ice:

The photos show the simple, almost childlike, engineering that goes on under the magical ice.

Even more amazing is that the water, the sprinkler like contraption at the top of the Ice Tree, wasn’t turned on. With the cold weather and snow we’ve been having all of this embarrassment could have been avoided had someone just turned on the water!

Digging deeper, Detroit Moxie found more pictures. Taken at the end of last season (March 14, 2009) this photo shows the mighty giant melting and beginning to bare all.

The fans of the Belle Isle Ice Tree are anxiously awaiting it to return to its former, beautiful self. The shame must end.

So we ask the powers that be:

Can someone please turn the water on!

My 7 Favorite Posts of 2009

I was going to do a “most popular posts of 2009” post but I already have that on the side bar on the right. The “Most Viewed” right now happens to be the most popular posts of the past month and of 2009.

Admiring the Detroit skyline from Windsor.

Instead, I decided to show you some of my favorite posts. They are my favorites for different reasons.

1. On Not Winning The Stanley Cup

2. There is Another Woman in My Marriage

3. Bad Things Happen Everywhere

4. 40 Things to Do in Detroit Before You're Dead

5. The Belle Isle Ice Tree

6. Fighting the Blight

7. Hello Detroit

That last one is the very first post on Detroit Moxie. Am I delivering? Which are your favorite posts? If there is anything you’d like to see more of (or less of), please let me know.

I wish you the best in 2010! Thank you so much for reading and for your support.

Detroit Moxie's Weekend Roundup

Whoa! 2009 is just about over. I can’t believe how quickly the year zoomed by. Even New Year's Eve kind of snuck up on me.

The husband and I won’t be venturing out on New Year's Eve; which is dubbed amateur night in my house. We’ll spend the evening at home with family. A standing rib roast and Yorkshire puddings are on the menu.

See how good I am to that English bloke of mine!

Well, actually, my mom planned it. I'm the one with the special Yorkshire pudding pans though, that I thoughtfully purchased before we left the UK. And haven't been used yet.

Photo from foxypar4 on flickr.

Weekend Roundup

1. I'm assuming you've already made plans for New Years Eve. If not, you better get on that! Check this list and this one for best bets for New Year's Eve. December 31st.

2. National Hangover Day (Facebook link) - Dino's Lounge in Ferndale is screening the movie The Hangover as well as serving brunch with bottomless Bloody Mary's and Mimosas. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., January 1st.

3. Jersey Boys - The Tony-award winning musical biography of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons is at the Fisher Theatre. Now through January 23rd.

4. Detroit Lions - Yes, our hapless team hosts the Chicago Bears this Sunday. Maybe they'll have better luck in 2010. January 3rd.

5. Harlem Globetrotters - Unlike the Lions, the Globetrotters always entertain. I'm pretty sure they usually win too! January 2nd.

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

P.S. Happy New Year from Detroit Moxie! I wish you the best in 2010.