“The” Weekend Is Finally Here! Time to ‘Discover the D’

Here is the final itinerary. Be sure to follow/participate on Twitter, using the hashtag: #DtheD

Download the itinerary: Discover the D Itinerary or view here (3 pages):

View this document on Scribd

I Miss You…

Hello friends,

Well…it’s been an exciting whirlwind since we got back to Detroit. Between a new job, new home, and re-integrating to Detroit life, there’s been a lot going on.

I really hope to have some interesting content up soon, but apologies to my WordPress. I’ve been neglecting you.

Be well, and stay thirsty my friends.

Until then, greetings….from the mitten.

Continuing to “Do It For Detroit”…& ‘Detroit Nation’ News

Hello friends!

On behalf of CommunityNEXT and Detroit Nation, we really wanted to thank you for coming out last Thursday night to Declan’s Irish Pub! We were all very pleased with the turnout. We’d also (again) like to thank Declan’s Owner, and Detroit ex-pat, Jeff Nash, for being so hospitable. I don’t know about you, but I definitely had some great conversations about Detroit, life in Chicago, Lollapalooza, and how excited people were to “Do It For Detroit“!

It’s pretty unbelievable that CommunityNEXT has raised over $20K, and they’re going strong en-route to $100K! While we met our goal last Thursday of getting people together and the conversations going, we fully support their fundraising efforts and want encourage you all to think about donating (or passing this along to anyone who may be interested): www.DoItForDetroit.com

‘Do It For Detroit’ events are still going on throughout the month of August, and the next stop is in New York City, again in partnership with Detroit Nation. If you have any friends/family in the area, definitely let them know about THIS SUNDAY, August 14th: http://doitfordetroitnyc-eorg.eventbrite.com/

Also:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Dodgeball in the D: Saturday, August 20th - Detroit                                                                                                                             Kick For Detroit: Sunday, August 21st – Los Angeles

The month-long initiative culminates on Sunday, August 28th, with ‘Pitch For Detroit‘. This event will be held at Inglenook Park, in Southfield, Michigan.                                                                                                                                                            

“Pitch For Detroit is a softball tournament and community-wide event for the whole family.
  Pitch For Detroit brings young people together to drive the enthusiasm around rebuilding Detroit!”

Thanks again for hangin’ with us last week and doing it for Detroit!

In other Detroit Nation news, our website is alive and kicking, so don’t be shy! We are working on some really cool integration with social media, blogging, message boards, and other ways to connect and keep you up-to-date with the latest and greatest. Definitely stop by, sign up, and create a profile: www.DetroitNation.org

Cheers!

Rest In Peace, Eleanor…

 Focus: HOPE  |  Mission Statement

Recognizing the dignity and beauty of every person,
we pledge intelligent and practical action
to overcome racism, poverty and injustice.
And to build a metropolitan community where all people
…may live in freedom, harmony, trust and affection.
Black and white, yellow, brown and red
from Detroit and its suburbs of every economic status,
national origin and religious persuasion we join in this covenant.

— Adopted March 8, 1968

Eleanor Josaitis; Co-Founder of Focus: HOPE

You have touched the lives and inspired so many. There is no doubt that your legacy will live on and inspire future generations to be the change they wish to see in this world.

I wish I had known you.

Much Love, and Rest In Peace, Eleanor.

The Skyway to Chicago [Photo (3)]

Cara and I had another fantastic trip to Pokagon; an annual trip her family has welcomed me into, where they meet with several families and have done so for 22 years. Great people, incredible story-telling and laughs…great fun.

On our way back on the Skyway, I started to look at the usual sites that strike me with each pass, every time we drive back from the east. These photos take on a whole new meaning, seeing that we’re packing up in a few weeks to head back to Michigan. Anyway, I wanted to share some of them with you. Enjoy!

*Photos taken with an iPhone 4 and edited with Instagram.

Some of you may know this bridge well, after paying the last toll on the Skyway.

Approaching The Loop; Horrendous traffic, but great for picture-taking if you're riding passenger-side!

I love this bridge. I don't know why, but I do. It's just north of the Ashland and Webster intersection.

TONIGHT in Chicago: Detroit Nation “Does It For Detroit”

Greetings friends, far and wide!

The day has finally arrived, and tonight, we’ll be gathering at Declan’s Irish Pub in Old Town. We’re very excited to see everyone. There’s no catch, just a night out with friends. If you didn’t see the update on the event page, drink specials include $3 domestic drafts/$4 import drafts, and $5 well-drinks.

Detroit Nation is very proud to be partnering with CommunityNEXT for this bar night, where we’ll be gathering in the spirit of their ‘Do It For Detroit’ initiative. If you haven’t done so, we’d love for you to RSVP for tonight’s event, here.

The Kickoff Party was a success last night, and the next stop is our event in Chicago! Let’s keep the momentum going, have some fun, and continue the conversations going about why we “Do It For Detroit”. For you folks who take to the social streams, you can follow ‘Do It For Detroit’ on Twitter and Facebook, and be sure to us the hashtag #DoItForDetroit during tonight’s event.

With so many events happening in different cities and with so much energy and investment in “Detroit 2.0″, there has been a lot of buzz around the city regarding this month-long initiative being carried out. In case you missed it: The Director of CommunityNEXT, Jordan Wolfe, recently sat in-studio with Stephen Clark and Carolyn Clifford of WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC – Detroit), for a feature on ‘Do It For Detroit’ and the Live Detroit Fund.

Lastly, and on a separate note
Don’t forget to set your DVR’s tonight to Green Planet, as they’re premiering a back-to-back three-part series titled: ‘Detroit in Overdrive’. It premiers tonight, at 7pm (CST). Here’s an excerpt about the series:

“This August 4 at 8 pm (EST), only on Planet Green, follow the inspiring stories of several individuals as they do their part to not only bring Detroit back to a place of stability, but progress it forward to a new city full of hope and innovation. The three-part documentary, “Detroit in Overdrive,” will introduce a melody of creative thinkers and the skills they bring to the table in hopes of strengthening the community they call “home.” Avant-garde art projects, radical new food systems and integral technology for the homeless are just some of the highlights that wait to be seen.”

Here’s looking forward to seeing you all tonight, representing Detroit Nation and continuing to do it, for Detroit!

City of Blinding Lights

U2 360 Tour – Live at Soldier Field in Chicago, during ‘City of Blinding Lights’ – Tuesday, July 5, 2011.