Noel Night 2012: Part Two

My friends and I ventured down to Detroit to experience the entire buzz about Noel Night. In tow, we had me and 4 other adults as well as two children.

We arrived in midtown around 6 Saturday night. Surprisingly, we didn’t have too hard of time parking. Once we were parked we ended up grabbing dinner at the Majestic. The staff was very friendly and for 7 people our bill was about $120.00, which included gratuity. We had an excellent experience, even though the restaurant was pretty busy.

Next we went to a place called CityBird. This place was super cool. They has a lot of items that were about Detroit, and they even had items that were made in Detroit. Santa was also there, and the kids were able to to take pictures and tell him what they wanted.

We then ventured down Woodward towards the DIA and DPL. By the time we got there, we missed most of the action, but we were able to snap a couple of cool photos, and hear the Marine band play a couple of Christmas songs. There was also an ice sculpting competition earlier that day, so the sculptures were on display.

We ran into the Delectricity group, who had electric symbols attached to their bicycle, which was quite the sight to see.

Overall, we had an excellent time, and plan on attending again next year. Although the crowd was a bit much at times, we were still able to experience Detroit in a different light than before. Going to events, such as Noel Night, helps people appreciate Detroit and the good things that it has to offer. Follow @NickiInTheCityTweet to @NickiInTheCityTweet

Noel Night: 2012

Have you ever heard of Noel Night?

http://midtowndetroitinc.org/events/noel-night/noel-night

Noel night, 2012, will mark the 40^th anniversary since the tradition started. Although started in 1972, Noel Night offers plenty of fun activities and games for the family, single people and children. Noel Night, located in Midtown-Detroit will feature a lot of different venues and activities for people of all ages.

Noel Night will offer a lot of fun activities this year. Some of the highlights include cookie and ornament decorating for the kiddos. Santa will also be at a couple of different venues in midtown. The Detroit Institute of Arts and Detroit Public Library will have extended hours for visitors. DPL will also have activities for children. Several venues will have free coffee and refreshments as well. The Detroit Symphony Orchestra will be performing, although this performance may cost some money. Several shops and organizations will have story-time for the children, as well as art shows by local artist, including student from the College of Creative Studies. 

The Michigan Science Center will be open for the public as well. This would be a good place to get children interested in science and how cool it really can be. Noel Night will also feature horse-drawn carriage rides. Several local boutiques and shops will have extended hours. There will be a reindeer run, or scavenger hunt that starts at 5pm sharp. The Heidelberg project will have some art on display and lastly, Delectricty will be in tow, as well as fire performers. 

This is a great event for the kids as well as the family. There are several bars and restaurants that will be open to accommodate the public. Go to the Noel Night website for more information. Be sure to check out the map for tips on parking and locations.

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Is this debauchery really true?! #SUPPORTCOMMAND

It was a cold a gloomy black Friday morning… all of the crazy shoppers had already ransacked the stores on what is the busiest shopping day of the year. This all happened while the rest of us, who were fortunate enough to have the day off, were snug in bed, sleeping in past 830 am…

That is when the devastating news hit that Detroit’s most beloved morning radio show, Dave and Chuck the Freak have quit the local 89X (88.7) radio morning show. 

From what I have read and been told by friends and family, D&CTF left 89X on their own will. Reports indicate that they are leaving because 89X, run by Bell Media, could not match an offer made by another radio station. 

From speaking with my friends who listened to the show, we have all agreed that this may be a hoax… Does anyone recall Operation Dark Stall? This was a few years ago, when a situation got out of hand and management stepped in. D&CTF were off the air for only one morning (a Friday), but were back on the air on Monday. 

My speculation (unfortunately) is that this is in fact not a hoax… if D&CTF knew what was good for them, they wouldn’t let a joke of this magnitude go on for this long... listeners would be pissed (for lack of a better term). Within an hour or so, there was a Boycott 89x Facebook page. The page reported that they had 200 “likes” within 30 minutes. 

Listeners are so upset, there is even a petition to bring them back to 89X. The petition was short lived because listeners learned that they in-fact got a job at another station. Right now, the rumor has been two radio stations. The first is 100.7, which is a Canadian based station. The other, which seems more likely, is 106.7, The D. 

Well, here is to hoping we see (actually hear) them sometime soon. Detroiters miss you D&CTF!
 Viewer Discretion Advised: Mature Language

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Halloween: Part Two

So after the stellar Halloween party my friends and I went to, we decided to head out into the Clem and show off our costumes. We met up with our friends and went from bar to bar to see what all the fuss was about.

Zebra Attack

Earlier that day in Mt. Clemens, there was a Zombie walk, so a lot of people stuck around to get some of the cocktail specials. The town was literally filled with Zombies. Every bar we went to in the town had at least a dozen zombies in it. Mt. Clemens did a very, very good job promoting the zombie walk and filling the town with people who were ready to celebrate Halloween and the quirky zombie fad that’s been going on.

So we spent some time at Frittss’ pub which is a pretty cool, laid back dive bar. Every Wednesday during the summer Mt. Clemens host a car show and a lot of the car guys hang out there. You can find a great burger joint a few doors down called Seeburger's-Cheesebuger (you really should stop in there if you get a chance).

Giraffe

The next stop was Johnny G’s. I’m pretty sure that this particular bar has been around a lot longer than most of the ones located in downtown Mt. Clemens. There are typically drink or shot specials here and the service is friendly. In our case Saturday night, the service was a Giraffe. In my circle of friends, Giraffes are a huge inside joke, so seeing this waitress was one of the funniest events of the night.  My friends and I even entered the costume contest, but a couple of crazy looking zombies won. Boo. (Pun, intended).

Ditty's In The City

My friends and I were planning on stopping at Madison’s Pub (see previous blog) because we knew some other people there… but we decided to head over to Ditty’s In the City. Ditty’s is a great low key bar during the week, but on the weekend it really gets packed. We arrived around 1:15 am, and the staff at the door would literally not let us in the door. The bouncers told us that they were over capacity. Of course we knew the owners so they eventually let us in for last call and we had a great time. If you want to dance, let loose and just have a great time, this is really a great place to go.

Overall we had a great night. There were so many people out and having a great time. So many people had awesome costumes, that it was really a sight to see.

NITC

Halloween: Part One

Halloween turned out to be a fabulous success. There were lions, tigers, giraffes, 70s disco people, devils, men that light up and a ZEBRA. Eventually the only thing the zebra would say was ‘mmuurrrrrrrrrrrr,’ exactly in that way. 

My friends and I started out at the house party I told you all about last week. I was actually very impressed. We entered through the backyard where there was a huge tent. The tent was all decked out with music and a heater for people who wanted to smoke. Outside of the tent, there was a bonfire. The backyard was pretty big and there is a tiki bar in the back for the parties that the owners throw during the summer. We entered the house through the back and into the living room. There were a lot of people there and costumes were mandatory. Even Adam and Eve were there (BOOM). 

There was plenty of food and drinks to go around. The cost to get in the party was $10.00 and it was well worth it. The kitchen had a fruit punch (blood) fountain, and you could spike it yourself if you wanted. The owners had plenty of liquor from downright cheap stuff to top shelf.  

Next, the host had gotten plenty of food. There were submarines sandwiches which I’m not sure where they got, but they were fabulous. They also served ghoulish monster cupcakes and spooky eyeballs deviled eggs. And of course, they had hot-dogs to bring in the Tigers playoff theme. They also had the game streaming the entire night. 

The house itself was absolutely beautiful and the hosts told me how much time and money they put into it since they bought it a few years ago. They said that the house was a disaster when they bought it out of foreclosure. Anyway, the basement was also finished and gorgeous. The basement had a fully stocked wet bar with a mini fridge and all the top shelf liquor you could imagine. There was a dance area and the hosts even ordered in a DJ for the party. They also held a costume contest but we had already left when they awarded costumes. 

Overall the party was really cool and well worth a $10.00 entry fee. The hosts were amazingly nice and seemed to truly enjoy entertaining their guests. If they throw another Halloween party I’ll definitely attend. 

NITC

Oh, one more thing… there was keg beer, and I’m pretty sure it wasn't orange. I’m also pretty sure it was good because people were chugging it down. 

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Halloween- Where is the par-tay at?

Halloween is a spooky time for all types of family and friends gathering to celebrate being anyone other than themselves. This year I'm going to be a.... Ahh, not telling you all just yet. It's still a little soon for that, but I'll be sure to post some picture of me and my crazy galavanting friends when we get dressed up. This year we have decided to go to a couple of different places. First and foremost, there is a house Halloween party. While I have not attended this particular party, the friend, Natasha, who invited me says it is outstanding. I'm not 100% sure how the hosts are planning on pulling this one off, but I'm sure looking forward to it.

To attend this party, there is a $10.00 cover charge and this apparently includes all of your food, which is catered as well as cocktails. I'm guessing that whomever these Halloween party-throwers are, are going to have to buy extremely cheap liquor or are going to have keg beer (eww). Maybe at least they'll dye the beer orange to be more festive. There is also a costume contest, but I'm not sure of the categories yet. While I'm definitely looking forward to this party, its not my only stop Saturday.

I'm considering stopping at Luna this Thursday to check out the Halloween show they put on... I've never been there, but I hear that it is a fabulous place to be, so this is high on the list. In addition to this, I will probably leave the (assumed-to-be-crazy) house party Saturday and head over to Madisons... yes I'm a sucker for the eastside.

Aside from showing off my costume this weekend, there are some other fabulous events that you may want to check out:

• Mt Clemens Zome Walk ($100 Prize for best Zombie!)
• Haunted Monster Truck Rides ($10 per person)
• Spooktacular (For the kiddos)
• Madisons (Mt. Clemens) 'Huge Halloween Party'
• Luna (Royal Oak) Halloween Dance Show

 If you have any recomendations for the list let me know! I'll leave you with this mind-tripping imagine of what my costume may involve. I'll be sure to follow up with some Halloween photos!

NIC

The Engine House: Choo-Choo

Looking for the most delicious pizza on the east side of town? Look no further than the Engine House located at 309 Cass Avenue in Mt Clemens, the pizza is sure to keep your mouth watering for more.

This local gem was founded over 100 years ago and has gone through many transitions throughout the years. Originally located on the opposite side of the street that it is today, the venture began as a grocery store and meat deli from about 1899 to 1940. Later during the 1960s, it turned into an Order of the Moose Lodge for the Mt Clemens, lodge 127. There were meetings rooms in the second story and a bar and social room on the first floor. The establishment was passed through a couple more owners in which it was turned into a bar from around 1980 to 2002. In 2006 a new owner purchased the building and turned it into the Engine House, which is a highly thriving establishment.

Engine house features some amazing weekly specials. Their weekly happy hour is Monday through Thursday 3 to 6 pm with HALF off drinks and $2.00 domestics beer. Half off drinks? Yes, it even says so on their website. Domestic beers are only $2.50 all day and night and even cheaper when home sports teams are playing: only $2.00. Shot specials are $3.50 cherry bombs, all day, every day.

Aside from the awesome drink specials the food is absolutely amazing and the staff makes the experience very enjoyable.  I’ve been here several times and would highly recommend the specialty pizzas. My all time favorite is the White Pizza which is made with onions, tomato, and olive oil, spices, parm & moz cheese. It is absolutely thee most remarkable pizza ever. I usually put my own twist on this yummy monster by adding bacon… everything is better with bacon isn’t it? Well, this pizza definitely is. Another classic I would recommend is the BBQ chicken pizza. The Engine House pizza chefs just know how to make this pizza, and make it well. Two last favorites of mine is the Mediterranean pizza and the BLT pizza.

The food, atmosphere, drink specials  and friendly staff are sure to make your stop at The Engine House pleasant and memorable… oh and don’t forget, if you go there and a train passes by, you get free jello shots.

Thanks for reading,

NITC

Engine House Website

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