Aug
14
2008
There has been a lot going on in the Mayor’s life lately, so Kwame Kilpatrick announced today that he needs a “two-week vacation“. But because of the court-ordered travel restrictions placed on him–he must stay in the Wayne-Oakland-Macomb Tri-County area, Mayor Kilpatrick will have plenty of time to stay at home in the Manoogian Mansion, the official residence of the Mayor of Detroit since 1966.
Why is the official mayor’s residence called “The Manoogian Mansion”? Simple, the palacial home belonged to Alex Manoogian and the Manoogian Family for almost 30 years before they donated it to the City of Detroit in 1966. Alex Manoogian was an Armenian immigrant, businessman, and philanthropist who founded the Masco Corporation, most well-known for the development of the Delta faucet, as well as Merrillat and Kraftmaid Cabinetry. Masco is still located in Taylor, Michigan.
The Manoogian Mansion, which was built in 1928 at a cost of $300,000 and purchased by Alex Manoogian in 1939, certainly is spacious enough and has the beautiful views people love to see on vacation: the Spanish Colonial Revival-style home has over 4,000 square feet, 15 rooms, 2 dining rooms, 4 bedrooms, 3 1/2 baths, and 2 bedrooms and a bath for servants. There are huge windows on most sides, and of course a view of the Detroit River which is actually part of the home’s “back yard”. It is located in the Berry Subdivision, one of Detroit’s Historic Districts.
It sounds like a beautiful place to have a “staycation”, and after all, just like any vacationer, Mr. Kilpatrick is only “visiting” the Manoogian Mansion, as the home belongs to the City of Detroit–all mayors live there only during their tenure. Our next mayor will enjoy it just as much.
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Jul
27
2008
We took a long walk around the park after dark…we found a place for Detroit jazz/fusion lovers to spark…
Just about every paid seat was filled; people were in their lawn chairs in the spacious and meticulously maintained green spaces, and lots of lucky boaters parked their watercraft on the
Detroit River.
The night was perfect; the weather was perfect; the venue was perfect; Jill was perfect! Major props to
North Philly!
Opening for Jill was an awesome musician named
Bilal Sayeed Oliver–also from Philly–we could have listened to more of him.
You can get Jill Scott’s latest album,
The Real Thing, here; and Bilal’s wonderful jazz/soul/fusion album,
Soul Sista here.
Check out the remaining artists slated for
Chene Park, and have some wonderful staycations right here in the “D”!
Shameless plug for my husband’s blog: Read The “D” Spot…
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Jul
24
2008
If you’ve lived in Detroit long enough, you remember fondly summer excursions to
Bob-Lo Island Amusement Park on the
Bob-Lo Boat with
Captain Bob-Lo! (Obviously, I remember!)
In the years since Bob-Lo Island Amusement Park closed, several unsuccessful attempts have been made to bring back the “Bob-Lo Magic”. For those of us who remember, it is a toss-up of which was more fun, the rides at the Park, or the voyage down the River by way of
Amherstburg Ontario on the boat! (Remember, Bob-Lo is actually a part of Canada…always has been…)
Well, Bob-Lo Island is now a marina resort community (still only accessible by boat or plane), but we in Detroit can still experience that cruise up and down the Detroit River under the Ambassador Bridge by booking a lunch or dinner aboard the new Detroit Princess Riverboat.
The Detroit Princess is a true riverboat, with five levels (the top two levels almost totally outside), and perfect for summer fun. Both lunch and dinner public cruises are available every day of the week in warm weather; charters are available for private parties and special events.
If you are looking for a great way to enjoy your summer in Detroit with family and friends, cruising the Detroit River, seeing the beautiful sights of the skylines of both Windsor and Detroit, book a 2 1/2 hour on the Detroit Princess. Unlike Gilligan and the SS Minnow, you’ll be back on land in less than 3 hours!
Jul
23
2008
Just about every day of the year, even in winter, the
Detroit River has long and low freighters making their way around the
Great Lakes. Of course, the freighters have people working on them for long periods of time…did you ever wonder how the workers got their mail? (
View a live Detroit River webcam and see freighters going up and down the River in realtime…)
Betcha didn’t know that Detroit has the world’s only floating United States Post Office! Located just south of the Ambassador Bridge is the headquarters of the J.W. Westcott II Mailboat. Founded in 1874 by Great Lakes Captain J. W. Westcott who originally used just a rowboat to deliver orders to passing vessels, the company began its unique and official mail service in 1895.
The J.W. Westcott has its own ZIP Code (48222), to send mail to a vessel, one just addresses the mail to the vessel in care of the the “Marine Post Office, Detroit MI 48222″. If you need to send an invitation to your next party to a sailor on the Detroit River, you can find the schedule of the freighters from the Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority, where you can also view a live webcam of the freighters on the Detroit River.
(All MailBoat/Westcott Pictures by Jim Hebert)
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