Corktown

Iridescence: A Rock Star in Detroit’s 4 Diamond Kitchen

Think of this as a little appetizer for Detroit Restaurant Week. Foodie Nicole Rupersburg goes ga-ga as she interviews one of her local culinary idols, Don Yamauchi of Iridescence.

24HRS: Detroit — From Next American City and Model D

Next American City asked Model D to map out a Detroiter's day in the city. We tracked community development star, businesswoman and bike enthusiast Karen Gage. Read the story, which also appears in this month's NAC magazine.

Sports come through for Detroit in the clutch, NYTimes says

When times are tough sports seem to come through, especially in Detroit, NYTimes writer says.Excerpt:In 1968, when I was young, Detroit was in shambles. Its soul had been wrenched open the summer before by riots that pitted angry black residents against a mostly white police force. The city’s newspapers were on strike. Auto industry leaders were beginning to worry about a threat posed by the Japanese.Only one thing kept the city together, or so it seemed: the Tigers.On the beaches of its metropolitan parks and in the kitchens and backyards of homes across Michigan, like the one where I grew up, we heard the voices of Ernie Harwell and Ray Lane broadcasting the play-by-play on WJR-AM and its sister stations.When the Tigers beat the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series, we were all united in more than just delight. The community, young and old, needed the success for spiritual reasons as much as for the sheer pleasure of seeing a sports team prevail.Read the entire article here.

NPR: Despite tough times, some see opportunity in Detroit

Though Detroit continues to lose population, there is a contingent coming to the city with big eyes and a lot of hope, NPR reports.Excerpt:Meghan McEwen, a magazine editor and mother of two small children, says you can find a family-friendly life inside the city of Detroit. Her husband is Ryan Cooley, the developer. She admits that the city lacks basic urban conveniences, but because she and her husband were able to find real estate so cheap, she's able to work part time. And she says it's exciting to be part of an effort to rebuild a city. That enthusiasm gives Lou Glazer, president of Michigan Future Inc., hope. He says the city will never return to its past vibrancy without young, talented professionals. Glazer says the brain drain from the city has been devastating. It may not be a flood of artists, business owners and young professionals coming back to Detroit, but many in the Motor City say those trickling back in are giving many during these tough times something they haven't had for a long time ... hope. Read the entire article here.

Back to the City: Stylista Piper Carter Sees a Fresh Detroit

Internationally known fashion photog Piper Carter has traveled the world with her camera for almost two decades. Family brought her back to Detroit, but once here she's discovered a city far cooler than she expected.

The Lot in Corktown is Detroit’s latest in public art

Detroit's newest public art exhibit "The Lot" in Corktown could only exist in Detroit, creator Kathy Leisen says.Excerpt:"Kids in the neighborhood always ride by on their bikes and give us the thumbs-up; sometimes they stop and ask questions but sometimes they just yell, 'Yeah, that's the Lot, man!' Leisen says, noting that, because of this project, she's gotten closer to everyone in the neighborhood. "I don't think that what they are saying is, 'Yeah, experimental outdoor art spaces that reclaim unused land are cool!' I think they just like the letters, and that it makes them feel like they're a part of something." Vandalism is a concern, but Leisen is confident that people generally respect what's going on there. She also says the Lot could only exist in Detroit.  "Space is readily available here. We are crawling with empty lots — but what's more important is the attitude here, that's what makes it possible," she says. It's this sentiment that informs the Lot's slogan: We live here for a reason.  "Living in Detroit is very different from living in other cities — we have different expectations," Leisen says. "Just living here is a radical notion to some people, but a concept such as putting art in an empty lot is something that people in Detroit are quicker to embrace." Read the entire article here.

Writer has hard time explaining why he loves Detroit, so he decided to move here

Travel writer David Landsel writes about falling in love with Detroit.Excerpt:How do you tell everyone how wonderful Detroit is, without them assuming you have completely lost your mind? Unable to solve this dilemma, I remember handing in a story that told readers precisely nothing. Nearly a decade later, I find it difficult to communicate just why I love the city. It’s not for lack of trying. Whenever anyone will listen, particularly these days, with Detroit’s troubles all over the news, I chew their ear off. Do they know about the Detroit Institute of Arts, with its stunning Diego Rivera murals? What about the beautiful summers, or Saturdays in the historic Eastern Market district? How about that Michigan beer, that Detroit-style pizza, the annual electronic music festival on the Detroit River. What about the nearby Great Lakes? Yes, the nightlife really is that interesting. And all within an hour’s flight of New York. And did I mention that the locals are half-crazy but mostly harmless, and always amusing to talk to?Read the entire article here.

Kids pitch ideas to save Michigan Central Station to City Council

Even the youngsters of Detroit want to save Michigan Central Station. Excerpt:"They should turn the train station into multiple places since it's about 18 stories," Elkins said. "In the basement they could have a theater or maybe a swimming pool."Marcos Valdez, 12, said he wanted the train station to reopen so it could benefit him in the future. "I was thinking about making it into a military training facility," he said.Timothy McKay, executive director of Greater Corktown Development, said he thinks chances to save the depot may be greater now that people of all ages are involved."We are going to use the ideas as a part of our message to whomever," McKay said. "If they see young people and the community wanting to save the train station, it would help."Read the entire article here.

Vintage clothing shop opens in N. Corktown