By: “Hurricane Duane” Thomas
For the Week of: April 1st, 2007
This Week: "Detroit Summer's Comin"! What's up? You're joking, right?!__________________________________________________________________
Hello friends. No, this won’t be an April Fools Day column. There’s enough foolishness in the world without me adding to it!
Aside from all the people rushing around cutting grass, and buying flowers already, with a couple of near 80 degree days this week, spring has hit Detroit . That means summer is just around the corner. And, yes, I can think of about 20 jokes that are either offensive, restrictive, prejudiced, stupid or just plain WRONG about summer coming on in the Motor City…but I’m not gonna go there.
Every year, warm weather seems to bring people out of their homes around here. Either they’re washing the dirt, salt and grime of winter off of their cars, walking their dogs, pruning their yards, or if teenagers, burning rubber and blowing stop signs like the Devil himself is chasing them. With that alone, Traffic Cops have their hands and ticket books full. And those dog-walkers out there better have a bag or “pooper-scooper” with them, because in some suburban cities (like mine), it’s the law and only right. Try stepping in the “deposit” of a very large Bull Mastiff!
With many places to go and things to do here in the warm months, Detroit and our suburbs has a lot to offer. I know I’m bound to get chastised here for not mentioning any city parks, and I’m also sure there are some good ones, but they seem to be few and far between. County parks and State parks, along with the Riverfront, give us and visitors here the best options for a great time outdoors. We have Hart Plaza and Chene Park , and of course, Belle Isle…our jewel of an island upriver. The views of the freighters along the river between Windso and Detroit are something to behold, motoring up and down to places and countries all around the world. All up and down the river, its fun to watch the people and traffic just a mile or so across the water going about their business in that foreign country over there they call Canada.
Sadly, though not wholly unexpectedly, with its nature trails and river views and skyline, Belle Isle has declined in recent years to a boom-box haven for city teenagers. With the lack of funding, the Aquarium and Belle Isle Zoo has had to close. There seems to be no-place there for us “regular folks” and kids unless it’s the International Freedom Festival Fireworks display, then there always seems to be a place on the island for everyone (as long as you get there early before they shut it down). Then we have the Detroit Zoo. A great place for family in the sun. There's also Cranbrook Institute with its Harvard looking ivy and fabulous architecture and grounds. Of course one cannot forget Greenfield village with it's original home of Thomas Edison, Daniel Webster and the Wright Brothers shop, all moved there into the historical area by Henry Ford and Thomas Edison himself, whose workshop is still there as well. have the Eastern Market with its vendors, flowers, foods and local products of every kind, and it’s packed from early morning weekends right through. And we have Greektown (my favorite place), with its wonderful smells and aromas, summer Art and Concert Festivals and Casino. Don’t forget the MGM Grand and Motor City Casinos, also a couple of great places to get out of the heat of “hot-time-summer-in-the-city” And maybe you just might win a few bucks too!.
We have spring and summer concerts of all kinds in the downtown area and along Hart Plaza and the Riverfront. There are different types of “ethnic festivals” every weekend in Hart Plaza, along with The Detroit International Jazz Festival at the Campus Martius, the New Center Area’s Taste Fest, the Art Festival near the Detroit Institute of Arts, Festival of Colors, and of course, the world renown Detroit Techno Fest. There’s the Fox theatre with it’s wide spread of concerts, shows and stage plays and musicals, Comerica Park and the Tigers, Ford Field and the Lions (in Fall though), Joe Louis and it’s concerts and Disney Ice shows and Red Wings games (in winter months). Except for the Pistons who are out in Pontiac at the Palace of Auburn Hills, all the rest of the above is in the Downtown area alone. We also have Hamtramick, the traditional Polish Town along Joseph Campau Street , and Mexican Town along Vernor Hwy , and East Dearborn with its Arabic community. If I’ve missed any nationality, hey! I’m sorry! But this is a big place. So big that the Michigan State Fair is one of our prize possessions as well.
The Dream Cruise is number 1 on things to do in the warm months. Thousands of classic cars from the 50's, the 20's, '30's and 40's even...and the 60', '70's, 80's and '90's are all represented in classic colors such as candy apple red metal flake, and black forest black with gold and red metal flakes underneath. And cars with chromes and neon tube lighting. Out of the city-proper, there are many favorite places and things in the area to visit, do and see. There is the Michigan State Fair at the end of summer on the 8 Mile Rd. that Eminem made famous…or notorious. We have DTE Energy Ampitheatre (the old Pine Knob) for all kinds of concerts and Lollipalooza, the Warped Tour and Wine Tasting Fests, the Meadowbrook Ampitheatre for concerts as well, and Freedom Hill Ampitheatre coming in at third in the list of outdoor venues. I should also mention the Rennissance Festival up in Holly. We have Metropolitan Beach, Island Lake, Stoney Creek, Kensington Metro Park, Pontiac Lake, Silver Lake, Proud Lake , Camp Dearborn , and way over in Jackson County , Irish Hills and Wampers Lake Park. If you like canoeing, it's within reach in the city on Belle Isle, or just a little way out of it in Milford, or along the Hurron river.
Of course we have Ann Arbor and its too many attractions to mention, besides the Ann Arbor Art Festival and Top of The Park Concerts. Also with this list, I would be amiss not to include the cities of Plymouth and Northville with their Art Festivals, and downriver, the city of Wayndotte with its river views and own summer Art Festival as well. All of these places are within a stone’s throw (or ½ tank of gas), from the city limit signs “Welcome to Detroit ”.
Detroit …Motown…the Motor City … has come to be called many things, by many people, from many different places. But I don’t think anyone can ever call it “boring”. With so much to do and see, if you live or just visit here, you had better make a list, and make one early. You’ll be hard-pressed to do it all, but be sure of one thing. With the Detroit Free Press Weekend section, The Real Detroit and Detroit Metro Times newspapers and Detroit Hour Magazine, everyday…someplace…somewhere here, there will be something you can find to do. So, if you can't find something here to interest you? You just aren’t lookin’! But right now, I gotta find a baggie and walk the dog! Now, go play!
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Well, thanks all! Till next week….tank’s full….revvin’ engine….just remember….Keep your hands on the wheel, and your foot to the floor, when you’re…“Drivin’ Sideways in Detroit !” C’ya! ZOOOOOOOOM!
