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.

Thousands queue up to witness history

This is a guest post by Jennifer Richmond.

Civil war and other history buffs lined up in droves at The Henry Ford for a glimpse of the Emancipation Proclamation, the historic document implemented January 1, 1863 by President Abraham Lincoln, which formally declared the freedom of all slaves.  The Proclamation has not been displayed in Michigan since 1948.

The Proclamation created a frenzy of interest during a historic stop at The Henry Ford in Dearborn for a brief showing June 20-22 for a mere 36 hours. Fans of the document were willing to wait in line for up to 4 hours for the opportunity to see the priceless piece of Americana.  

The Proclamation is on loan from the National Archives in Washington, DC, as a part of the Discovering the Civil War exhibition. The priceless document was flown into Detroit in the dark of night with the assistance of an archivist. Following the exhibit the Proclamation will return to Washington.  The last time the museum remained open around the clock followed the death of Henry Ford in 1947, during which time thousands of people came to pay their respects.

The document is considered to be one of the most important tangible pieces of American history.  In the Proclamation, President Abraham Lincoln took a bold move in declaring “all persons held as slaves within any State... shall be then, thenceforward and forever free,” a controversial position during the bloodiest war on American soil.

The document itself is five pages in length and is hand written by Lincoln himself. Oddly, despite the length and magnitude of the document, it applied only to states that had seceded from the Union and the freedom it promised relied upon Union military victory, creating a challenge to measure the victory and narrowing the scope of its powers.

However, the document changed the face of the Civil War. After its release, each advancement of Union troops resulted in a greater geographic region of freedom for African Americans. In addition, the proclamation encouraged acceptance of men of color into the Union military. By the end of the war, almost 200,000 black soldiers and sailors had fought for the Union and the freedom of their families.

Despite the controversy and limited scope of the Proclamation, the document remains one of the most important in American history in support of equal rights.

The Discovering the Civil War exhibit at The Henry Ford celebrates the 150^th anniversary of the momentous event and includes a vast array of artifacts from the National Archives. The exhibit includes treasures rarely presented to the public and runs until September 5, 2011. The current exhibit also includes a civil war encampment on the front lawn of the Henry Ford.  For more information, visit thehenryford.org.

Jennifer Richmond resides in SE Michigan and does volunteer work for the American Red Cross. You can find her at JRichmondDC@hotmail.com or on Twitter at DCisnotDetroit.

Win tickets to BRU Fest!

If you read this blog with any regularity you know that I love Michigan beer and I like to chomp down on some tasty food. This time I’ve got an opportunity for you to do just the same.

BRU Fest takes place on June 18^th at the Royal Oak Farmers Market and features burgers from Bagger Dave’s, wings from Buffalo Wild Wings and 13 craft beers from Michigan’s Bell’s Brewery plus live tunes from DJ Mike Anthony.

BRU Fest is a fundraiser to benefit the Children’s Leukemia Foundation of Michigan and proceeds will go to help children and adults affected by leukemia, lymphoma and other blood related cancers throughout the state.

Tickets are $35 in advance and $40 at the door. They include 10 tokens for 10 beers (5oz pours) and all the burgers, wings and ice cream from Treat Dreams that you can eat! Additional tokens for beer can be purchased for $1 each.

Featuring the following Bell’s beers:

Bell’s Oberon Ale • Bell’s Amber Ale • Third Coast Beer • Bell’s Oarsman Ale • Bell’s Porter  Bell’s Pale Ale • Bell’s Lager of the Lakes • Bell’s Kalamazoo Stout • Two Hearted Ale • Bell’s Batch 9000 • Bell’s Batch 10000 • Bell’s Cherry Stout • Bell’s Consecrator Doppelbock

Now the fun part!

I have a pair of tickets to give away to one of you lovely people. I love giving things away—it makes me feel like Santa!

How to win:

To enter, simply leave a comment on this post telling me what your favorite burger topping is. Make sure you leave your email address when you post the comment so I can get in touch with you if you win. (Your email address will not be published.)

For an additional entry, tweet this:

I entered to win tickets to @BRUfestMI from @becksdavis & Detroit Moxie. http://bit.ly/lP5CFQ #BRUcontest #BRUfestMI

For the additional entry, you must’ve already left a comment with your favorite burger topping.

You must be 21 years of age or older to attend BRU Fest.

The contest ends on Wednesday, June 8, 2011 at 11:59 p.m. EDT. The winner will be announced on Thursday, June 9, 2011.

I will select the winner using random.org.

So, what's your favorite burger topping?

A taste of old world charm at Eagle Tavern in Greenfield Village

I have a confession to make. Although I have been to The Henry Ford Museum many times since moving back to Detroit I haven’t stepped foot into Greenfield Village since I was a young whippersnapper. It was probably a school field trip or perhaps my parents took me there. I remember the old houses and quaint shops but that’s about it.

My husband has never been to Greenfield Village and I keep putting this destination on our list, for whatever reason it hasn’t happened over the last two summers. This year will be different. I had the opportunity for a short visit this week to have lunch in the historic Village.

The idyllic Eagle Tavern sits on the edge of the 80-acres of Greenfield Village and takes you back to a slower, quieter time. The tavern was originally built in 1831 in Clinton, Michigan. Greeted by costumed staff, we were sat in the comfortable room with no harsh lighting, just candlelight and sunshine streaming through the windows.

The lady of the pub came over for a quick chat and joked that the three women at the table should head out to California where there are 10 men to every 1 woman due to the gold rush. She also explained the sleeping quarters above the tavern and warned that, “we don’t let people sleep with strangers here,” to giggles from the very mature adults at the table.

The food and drinks at the Eagle Tavern are locally sourced, either from within 150 miles or the state of Michigan.

“Our menu reflects both the seasonal nature and availability of foods in mid-19^th-century Michigan and offers a selection of both alcoholic and temperance drinks of the period.” ~ from the menu at the Eagle Tavern

The recipes are authentic, taken from the cookbooks of the 1860’s and such, and every thing is made from scratch. Even the cocktails are subject to the historian’s critical perspective. No, you’re not going to be able to get the trendy drink of the moment but the cocktails and beer they do have are tasty.

Top: Salmagundi. Left: Savory Noodles. Right: Motor City Brew Works beer.

The menu changes seasonally three times a year. The spring menu included a fabulous dish of Savory Noodles with peas and lettuce, Chicken Croquette, and Beef Steak Pie. The stewed mushrooms were a standout side dish and Salmagundi plate is a must have. The Midnight Cake was heavenly, a chocolate dream.

Of course, we had to sample some cocktails too. The authentic Mint Julep packs a punch. Motor City Brew Works brews special beer and ale specifically for Greenfield Village. The Menlo Light Beer is a perfect sitting-on-the-porch beer. The bottle is even designed to resemble a light bulb. The Steam Station Beer is a bit hoppy and goes great with food.

After lunch, I had a few minutes to wander the grounds. Even though I had been here before it was all new to me again and I walked around with child-like wonder.

I watched as two young men sheered a lamb the oldy-worldy way as they told me about Merino wool. The lamb was very well behaved considering it takes hours to accomplish the task. And I even got to witness the baby lambs first day out of the barn, wobbling around and exploring new territory!

Baby lamb in mid baa and with all its lamby friends.

Yes, this year I’ll finally get my husband to Greenfield Village for the first time! Stay tuned for further tales from Greenfield Village. 

Mark's Carts serves up street food in Ann Arbor

Mark’s Carts, an outdoor food courtyard, opened in Ann Arbor yesterday to sunny skies, long lines and juicy morsels of street food. The food carts are individually owned and operated and serve up creative fare. Mark Hodesh, the owner of Downtown Home and Garden, created this gathering place, a social hub of food and conversation.

Mark Hodesh of Mark's Carts (center).

Five carts were in operation on the opening day with two more slated to start soon (People’s Pierogi Collective and San Street weren’t open as of Monday.):

• Darcy’s Cart – Offering up dishes featuring local ingredients.

• Debajo del Sol – Spanish-style tapas and paella.

• eat – Hot meat on a bun.

• Humble Hogs – Slow cooked food served fast.

• The Lunch Room – High quality vegan fare.

• Peolple’s Pierogi Collective – Traditional and experimental Polish pierogies.

• San Street – Asian street food.

We perused each menu in the courtyard before making our choices. We decided to start at Darcy’s Cart, which had the longest lines.

I had two tacos, one black bean and one carnitas and my husband had the Perro Caliente, a chorizo sausage topped with sauerkraut and crema. The tacos were small but full of fresh flavor and for $2 it packed a punch. The Perro Caliente was a huge concoction of interesting tastes. The warm mushroom salad, which we didn’t order, looked amazing!

For a last small bite and to satisfy my curiosity for different takes on corndogs, we tried the chorizo corndogs from Debajo del Sol. Two individual balls of corndog goodness were served on separate sticks with an aioli for dipping. The outer shell was soft and slightly sweet which contrasted nicely with the spice of the chorizo.

For the first day, everything seemed to go rather smooth. Yes, the wait in the lines was long, there were few places to sit, and the carts started running out of food. But those are all good things! It proves that people need and want innovative, fresh and local food at a decent price.

If you’re in Ann Arbor be sure to check it out. I’d like to hear what you think.

Would I love to see something like this in Detroit? Do I dream of food trucks motoring around Detroit like they do in other major cities? Heck yeah! But that’s fodder for another post.