COMMUNITY
MAN ON THE STREET
Oh, Detroit, How We Love Thee
From hidden gems to helping our future,
Detroiters tend to agree on more
than they don't.
it
ed Thread, your house call-making opinion doctor, takes the temperature this month by asking three
questions about Detroit's present and future. It's interesting to ask"the street" what is happening in
— and about — our community.
Question No. 1: What is the single greatest issue facing Detroit's Jewish community in the coming decade?
Question No. 2: Should the revitalization of downtown take precedence over improving the city's neighborhoods?
Question No. 3: What restaurant or bar is the Metro Detroit area's best-kept secret?
By Jaimee Wine
Emily Cohen, 23, West Bloomfield; freelancer
Spotted at 5th Avenue in Royal Oak
1.Diversity
2.Yes, we're all Detroit, and we need to work together.
3. Luna in Royal Oak; I guess the secret's out.
Ian Weiner, 22, Franklin; financial analyst
Spotted at JVS in Southfield
1. Giving back to your community, from volunteering to attending Shab-
bat services.
2. We need to continue to revitalize the whole community, which includes
our city of Detroit.
3. Nothing beats Buddy's Pizza.
Jeremy Crane, 33, Farmington Hills; real estate
Spotted at Jewish Family Service in West Bloomfield
1. Strong Jewish identity to develop into our future leaders.
2, There are efforts already taking place by neighborhood organizations,
but they will not get the funding they need if downtown doesn't continue
to revitalize.
3. I could tell you, but then I'd have to ... (cough, cough) ... Russell Street
Deli and Supino Pizzeria in Detroit's Eastern Market.
Amy Wechsler, 37, West Bloomfield; criminal defense attorney
Spotted at J Alexander's in West Bloomfield
1.Marrying outside of the religion.
2. No, because neighborhoods are also being ignored; and if we put pre-
cedence downtown, there will be no attraction elsewhere.
3. Cliff Bell's in Detroit.
Stephanie Blair, 24, Farmington Hills; hairstylist
Spotted at 12 Oaks Mall in Novi
1.Young people moving away to find jobs.
2. Improving Detroit should take precedence over improving neighbor-
hoods because people should take responsibility for improving their
neighborhood.
3. Cafe Muse in Royal Oak.
Daniel Stein, 23, Franklin; business development
Spotted at JVS in Southfield
1. Availability of jobs; recent graduates, in turn, desire other cities.
2.Yes and no. It will be great to offer more vibrant opportunities for Metro
Detroit young adults; however, there is a much greater issue in regard to
the residents of the city.
3. Luna in Royal Oak. It's a neighborhood dance bar with great drink spe-
cials and awesome DJs.
Dr. Genise Kerner, 50-something, Orchard Lake; physician
Spotted at Honey Tree, West Bloomfield
1. How to entice young people to stay here and use their education/skills
to improve the state of Michigan. Otherwise, it will be like the state of
Florida with bad weather.
2.They go hand in hand.
3. Uptown Grille in Commerce.
Bradley Steel, 33, Birmingham; real estate investment
Spotted playing volleyball at the JCC, West Bloomfield
1.The post-college exodus is the obvious No. 1. The remaining metro
population must find a way to connect as one community.
2. Don't guess. Study similar and dissimilar cities from around the
globe. See what has worked and what has not. Then apply.
3. I consider Plum Market (locations in West Bloomfield, Bloomfield Town-
ship and Ann Arbor) and its prepared foods area to be my kitchen.
Jon Stone, 31, Birmingham; business development
Spotted at Tam-O-Shanter Country Club in West Bloomfield
1. Good jobs that keep educated and talented young kids here and
possibly attracting young people from other places.
2. The two go hand in hand. Fantastic city neighborhoods happen
automatically when good paying jobs attract upwardly mobile people.
3.The Gallery Restaurant in Bloomfield Township!
Julie Wolf, 47, Huntington Woods; special education
Spotted at the grocery store
1. Keeping the young Jewish community strong by making sure Jewish
employers hire young Jewish people."
2.You have to do both.
3. Redford Fish on Joy Road and Telegraph in Redford.
HIGHLIGHTS
Rockin' Around the Menorah — This December!
I
t's the most wonderful time of the year ... With eight crazy nights and latke bites, and sour cream
scoops and dreidels to boot, yes, it's the most wonderful time of the year. And then there is the rest
of the month, Oy! Happy Chanukah and a healthy New Year!
ART: YOU GOTTA SEE IT ...
In its 38th year, the city of Detroit opens the
doors to its venerated cultural landmarks
on Noel Night, a once-a-year evening
when our celebrated museums make their
offerings available to the public — free of
charge. Held in the midtown cultural center
area, more than 60 venues, including the
Detroit Institute of Arts, the Detroit
Public Library, the Detroit Historical
Museum, and others keep the doors
unlocked for your viewing pleasure. Noel
Night will take place this year on Saturday,
Dec. 4, from 5-9:30 p.m.; activities (in addi-
tion to all the eye-candy) include horse-
drawn carriage rides, family craft activities
and performances by more than 120 area
music, theater and dance groups.
Activities take place in and around cul-
tural center institutions, primarily between
Cass and John R, and Kirby and Willis. Free
shuttle service is offered between partici-
pating venues. Parking is available in area
lots. For more information, go to
detroitmidtown.com .
GET JAZZED
Ensconce yourself in the smooth sounds of
jazz at Baker's Keyboard Lounge. Its fa-
mous keyboard-shaped bar has hosted the
likes of Dave Brubeck, John Coltrane, Nat
King Cole and Ella Fitzgerald. Low key and
as cool now as when it opened more than
70 years ago, Baker's is the real deal for jazz
aficionados and novices alike. Check out
6 December 2010 I
in TIMM
Detroit jazz staple Ben Sharkey Quartet
on Saturday, Dec. 18, when the group per-
forms two shows for home crowd. Shows
are at 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. 20510 Livernois,
Detroit. (313) 354-6300; bakerskeyboard-
lounge.com .
ART: YOU GOTTA HAVE IT ...
Founded in the midst of the Great Depres-
sion, a group of local art patrons opened
the Detroit Artists Market to showcase
the city's talented artist community.
Now through Thursday, Dec. 23, the
DAM presents Art for the Holidays, a gift
shopping experience for Detroiters by
Detroiters. Items include jewelry, glass,
metal, ceramics, photography, books, prints
and (if you can believe it) more. Gallery
hours are Tuesday-Saturday, from 11 a.m.-
6 p.m., Sundays in December from noon-
5 p.m. 4719 Woodward Ave., Detroit;
(313) 832-8540; detroitartistsmarket.org
WINTERVENTION
Narrated by skiing icon Jonny Moseley,
Warren Miller's cinematic thrill ride Winter-
vention follows skiing and snowboarding
idols like Chris Davenport, Moseley and
Lindsey Vonn on a global tour of extreme
runs in Alaska, Norway, Canada, Antarctica
and beyond.
The tour shushes to Royal Oak on Friday,
Dec. 10, and Saturday, Dec. 11, at the Royal
Oak Music Theatre; shows for both days are
at 6:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. 318 W. Fourth
St., Royal Oak; (248) 399-2980.
DANCE, DANCE, DANCE
Volume Saturdays,
at MGM Grand's V
NightClub. is one of
the Top 100 night-
clubs in the country. Boast-
ing state-of-the-art sound and
lighting, resident deejay Capt'n20
delivers the best beats in dance.
Check it out and see if it's worth
the hype. Doors open at 10 p.m.
every Saturday. Dress to impress and
get some love from the bouncers.
1777 Third St., Detroit; (877) 888-2121;
mgmgranddetroit.com .
LAUGH YOUR ASS OFF
Nothing beats laughing for
charity, so this event should be a
hoot for you. Mark Ridley's Comedy Cas-
tle presents "Comedy for KAT," a fundraiser
for Kids All Together, on Thursday, Dec. 9 at
8 p.m. KAT is an inclusion program that
offers children and teens with special
needs the opportunity to be fully
included in the Jewish Community
Center programming we all appreciated
growing up.
Headliners are Jim O'Brien and Alex
Valdez; this Chicago Irishman and his L.A.
Latino foil execute witty repartee making
them featured players on the comedy
circuit. $25 in advance, $30 at the door.
310 South Troy Street, Royal Oak;
(248) 432-5538; comedycastle.com .
LET IT BREATHE
The first of many wine
bars to open for business,
Royal Oak's Vinotecca
still sets the standard for
atmosphere with its stylish
decor and tons o' atmosphere.
Urban chic, the selection of
wines by the glass and half-glass
(50 by our count) will give you
a wine tour experience without
breaking the bank.
Bring yourself back to a time
of big belts, skinny ties and huge
hair every Thursday night with
'80s night. Happy hour prices
and "totally gnarly" music from
10 p.m. to 1 a.m. 417 S. Main
Street, Royal Oak; (248) 544-
6256; vinotecca.com .
NEW YEAR'S EVE
New Year's Eve is kinda like senior prom,
you feel like you HAVE to go. Well, if that's
how you feel ... with no shortage of options,
the coolest one we found is at the Fillmore
Theatre, NYE 2011: Resolution Ball.
Entertainment includes high-wire
acrobats and roving illusionists.The
Ball also features a midnight buffet and
a Champagne toast, as well as six big
screens tuned to New York's Times Square.
Admission varies from $30 for a late-
night pass to $100 for V.I.P. seating. 2115
Woodward Ave., Detroit; (313) 961-5451;
fillmoredetroit.com .
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