Introduction to Detroit

Want to learn more about Detroit?

One of the best ways to do just that is through the Detroit Orientation Institute (DOI), a three-day program put on by Wayne State University.

Now in its 17th year, the DOI -- whose next session runs April 15, 22 and 29 -- offers a historical perspective and candid look at Detroit and metro Detroit. Think of it as a "Motor City-style boot camp", where you'll hear from community leaders, tour neighborhoods and visit landmarks. Participants will also receive a CD containing more than 200 pages of background information on Detroit and metro Detroit.

Who benefits most from DOI sessions? Definitely newcomers to the area, but anyone who wants to learn more about Motown and the metropolitan area is welcome and encouraged to sign up. Typically, business executives, professionals from nonprofits, university faculty, high school teachers, government administrators and journalists attend. The program is limited to 50 participants per session and is offered once in the fall and once in the spring.

Meals and transportation are provided for a tuition cost of $900 per person. Registration is accepted by phone or fax. Registration forms are available here.

For more on the DOI, check out Clare Ramsey's great Model D feature article on the subject here.

Happy learning!

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Nominate your favorite volunteer!

Do you know a tireless volunteer in the community?

Consider nominating him or her for United Way's annual Volunteer Recognition program. Not only will your little helper appreciate being recognized, they'll have fun with the process. That's because, this year, things are a little different; instead of just filling out a form, 2008 nominees have the opportunity to showcase their volunteerism via a two-minute video. Community members will select this year's winners by voting during National Volunteer Week -- which runs from April 27- May 3 -- on United Way's website.

Nomination categories include youth, young adults, retirees, businesses and groups. Nominee's volunteer efforts should fall under one of United Way’s Agenda for Change categories, which include Educational Preparedness, Financial Stability, and Basic Needs.

The deadline for nominations is 11:59 p.m. on April 11, 2008.

For more information and complete guidelines, please click here.

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Entrepreneur lecture series

Entreprenuers, take note: the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit is hosting a free entrepreneurial lecture series this spring.

Sponsored by the Chrysler Minority Dealers Association, the free lectures are scheduled for the fourth Thursday of the month in March, April and May.

Guest speakers include Ken Carter, the inspiration behind the movie "Coach Carter", on March 27; Michele Hoskins, owner of Michele Foods Inc., on April 24; and Dr. Farrah Gray, money coach and best-selling author, on May 22.

Located at 315 East Warren Avenue in the heart of Midtown, the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History is open Wednesday and Thursday, 9:30 – 3:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 9:30 – 5:00 p.m. and Sunday, 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. Admission is $8.00 for adults (ages 13-61) $5.00 for seniors (ages 62+) and $5.00 for children (ages 3-12). Museum members and children under three are admitted free. Every first Sunday of the month through October 5, 2008 are Free First Sundays at the museum, sponsored by Target. There is no charge for admission on Free First Sundays.

For more information, visit the museum's Webpage here.

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DDOT and CVS Team Up

In an effort to make local mass transit easier for Detroit residents, the Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT) is now selling bus passes at all CVS stores in Detroit.

According to Transportation Riders United (TRU) executive director Megan Owens, "weekly, bi-weekly, monthly and regional bus passes are available. That's in addition to all the other locations that sell bus passes, including the Cadillac Tower lobby store, all neighborhood city halls, Comerica Bank branches in Detroit, and several city supermarkets."

You can also buy DDOT passes online here. Passes for SMART buses are available online here.

Also, in case you hadn't heard, SMART announced last week that it has partnered up with Google and is now offering the incredibly helpful Google Trip Planner to its riders.

Get the low-down on the Trip Planner and what it means for you here.

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March Madness comes to Ford Field

In just 8 days, March Madness hits Ford Field in downtown Detroit!

Beginning Friday, March 28, four of the 16 remaining NCAA teams will compete for a chance to win the Regional Competition - and you have a chance to be there when it happens. The schools selected to the Midwest Region in seed order are: Kansas University, Georgetown, Wisconsin, Vanderbilt, Clemson, USC, Gonzaga, UNLV, Kent State, Davidson, Kansas State, Villanova, Siena, Cal State at Fullerton, University of Maryland Baltimore College (UMBC) and Portland State.

If you live in or near Detroit, you have it easy: just purchase your tickets and head to Ford Field for the games. It isn't hard for non-Michiganders to root for their teams, either; students from 11 of the 16 schools playing in the Regional are within a 13-hour drive of Detroit. Wisconsin, Georgetown, and UMBC are an 8 hour drive away, and Kent State fans can reach the area in a short three hour trip.

Although the Midwest regional at Ford Field has already established an attendance record by selling 50,000 tickets, you can still get tickets to the Sweet 16 and Elite 8 games in Detroit.

Available online or by calling Ticketmaster at 248.645.6666, tickets -- which cost $45, $75, $100 and $150 -- include admission to two Friday games and one Sunday game. Fans also have the opportunity to see the Regional teams in action during open practices on Thursday, March 27 from 12–4pm at Ford Field.

Home of the Detroit Lions, Ford Field is a state-of-the-art sport and entertainment venue. Since opening in 2002, it has hosted over 4,000 events and welcomed over 5 million fans. In addition to the NCAA Midwest Regional this year, Ford Field will play host to the 2009 Men’s Final Four Tournament and the 2010 Men’s Hockey Frozen Four Tournament. Please visit Ford Field on the Web for more information.

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