Antique chairs and sideboards and tubs -- oh my!

Gail Geer appreciates the unique architectural elements that characterize many of Detroit's older homes and buildings - and she knows that other people in the area do, too.

So when she and members of her development company, Renevatio, realized they couldn't reincorporate all of the original features inside the El Moore, their current restoration project, Geer came up with an idea: hold an auction.

Scheduled for Saturday, April 28 from 1 to 3 pm, the auction will feature a number of items from 1890 - 1920, including solid oak paneling and doors; claw foot tubs; oak fireplace mantles; sideboards; mirrors and more. Photos and measurements of some of the pieces up for grabs can be viewed here, but other items -- wrought iron fencing, radiators, hardware and fireplaces -- are being kept under wraps until auction day.

Besides being a cool event for local antiques-lovers, proceeds from Renevatio's auction will benefit Affirmations and Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit, two local non-profit organizations.

Interested in attending? Prospective bidders should arrive at the El Moore Condominiums located at 624 Alexandrine in Detroit's Midtown area (Google map) by 1 pm to preview items; the auction begins at 1:30. No RSVP is required, and the auction is open to the public.

Need more information? Click here or call 248.398.7105, extension 27.

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Ralph Nader at DFT this week

If its exquisite, one-of-a-kind interior isn't reason enough to catch a flick at the Detroit Film Theatre (DFT), perhaps Ralph Nader is.

Nader will make an appearance at the DFT this Thursday, April 19 following the screening of An Unreasonable Man - a 121-minute documentary chronicling the highs and lows of his life as lawyer, corporate critic, consumer advocate and more.

Audience members are invited to stick around after the film for a Q&A with the former presidential candidate. Following the discussion, Nader, 73, will sign copies of his new autobiography, The Seventeen Traditions.

Admission to the DFT is $6.50 for DIA members, senior citizens and full-time students with ID, and $7.50 for all others. Please click here for information on parking or to reserve tickets by phone.

Can't make it Thursday night but still want to see the film? Catch one of two DFT encore presentations, scheduled for 9:30 pm on Friday, April 20 and Saturday, April 21.

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Upcoming Events

Show 'em Detroit, win $10,000

Good news, all of you video-uploading-fanatics: the Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau, or the DMCVB, (what's that?) is pulling out all the stops in its quest to capture the essence of Metro Detroit.

What's it got to do with you? Well, if you're creative enough, this little competition could mean a nice chunk of spending money in your pocket. Nice as in $10,000 nice.

Now that I've got your attention ... here are the details: you have until April 20, 2007 to shoot and upload an original, 2 to 4 minute video showcasing the coolness, authenticity and vibrancy that is metro Detroit. Your video should focus on the DMCVB's new target audience -- childless, early-adopter types in the 21 to 34 age group -- and display metro Detroit in a positive light.

Your finished product will also take into account that, as a tourist destination, metro Detroit is perceived as an urban setting where adults have fun with cars, culture, gaming, music and/or sports.

Before you start filming your winning video, take note of these important contest rules:

*You must be 18 or older to enter;
*Videos must not exceed 30MB;
*Keep it clean and respectable; no obscenities, nudity, etc;
*Accepted file formats are .wmi, .avi, .mov, and .mpg;
*Winner is responsible for all prize taxes;
*Winning video becomes the property of the DMCVB;
*You must upload the video to YouTube first and then enter the contest.

Important note: at the top of the contest website page, it says "Detroit Podcast Contest". This is incorrect; entries should not be podcasts, only videos.

One last thing: last week, I overheard a little bird from the DMCVB say that there were hardly any entries for this contest. My advice? If you're even the least bit creative, give this a shot. You could walk away with $10,000!

For full contest rules and regulations, click here, or visit the DMCVB on the Web.

WWE and Opening Day in the D

Opening Day 2007

For most people across the country, tomorrow will be just another Monday. But for Detroiters, April 2, 2007 will be one of the best Mondays of the year.

Time to break-out the baseball hats and dust off that Mags jersey, because another invigorating season of Detroit baseball is upon us.

Opening Day 2006

The AL Championship Tigs take on the Orlando Blue Jays in their home opener tomorrow, with the first pitch scheduled at 1:05.

But the festivities around town kick off much earlier. Die-hard fans can access Comerica Park as early as 10:30 am, but Opening Day-vets know the best place to pre-game is at a bar or restaurant -- the DBC, Cheli's, Town Pump, Detroiter Bar, take your pick -- downtown.

Most establishments open at 9 am, though some, like Proof, start off the day at 7.

Wherever you end up on Opening Day, have fun and be safe. Go Tigers!

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E-mail me at girl.in.the.d@gmail.com