BINZ Run coming up

I don't know about you, but the return of the sun this week makes me want to be outside from dawn until dusk.

A great way to get outside and enjoy the sun in southeast Michigan later this month is by participating in Detroit Synergy's Spring Into Nature 5k Run/Walk. Now in its third year, this annual event benefits the Belle Isle Nature Zoo, a special hands-on site on Belle Isle dedicated to teaching kids about nature.

Spring Into Nature 2008 costs $20 in advance, $25 on the day of the event. All registered participants receive a free t-shirt. Visit Great Lakes Champion Chip to register, or for more information, click here.

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Detroit: It's Worth It Exhibit

A few weeks ago, I posted on Detroit Synergy Group's (DSG) newest project, Detroit: It's Worth It. The photos are in, so I wanted to do a quick follow-up and announce the details of the exhibition.

More than 120 photographs will make up the program, which takes place at the Lofts of Merchants Row (in the former Mark England de Mode space) from 6-10 pm on Friday, February 29.

Photographs were solicited from the public in January. The only condition was that submitted images show the beauty and singularity of Detroit.

"Watching the photos come in, it's been fascinating to see what it is that makes Detroit worth it to people," said Christi Carpenter, project lead.

"We received stunning shots of local landmarks, but also intimate images that show personal connections to the city. The beauty and variety of the photos reveals a city that rewards exploration rather than a judgment based on initial impressions."

All are invited to Detroit: It's Worth It. The one-night-only program opens at 6, with live music and refreshments beginning at 8. Visit DSG on the Web for more information.

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Detroit: It's Worth It photo contest

I wanted to pass along news of a cool project local non-profit Detroit Synergy Group (DSG) is cooking up, called Detroit: It's Worth It.

The project is an invitation for Detroiters, metro Detroiters or anyone that loves Detroit to share photographs that show off the best of our glorious Motor City.

Whether it's an image of Detroit's underdog beauty or one of Detroiters having fun at a local landmark, anyone with a camera and a love for capturing cool Detroit moments is encouraged to enter this fun local challenge.

Photo submissions, which cost a mere $5 each, will be displayed at an upcoming photo exhibition about Detroit. Participants attending that event will enjoy great food and music, plus they'll have the opportunity to choose the best photos of the bunch.

Top vote-getters will be featured in a special Detroit calendar, and included in a set of Detroit-themed note cards. Both products will be available for purchase at a later date.

The deadline for submitting photos for the contest is Thursday, January 31, 2008.

Click here for a complete list of submission guidelines.

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Help Build the Belle Isle Nature Trail

One of the reasons I love Detroit Synergy Group (DSG) so much is that they are always thinking of cool projects for metro Detroiters to get involved in.

Today, for example, I received an email from DSG entitled "Help Build the Belle Isle Nature Trail". What a cool thing to be involved in!

As you can guess, the project is about helping create a brand new nature trail on Belle Isle, Detroit's island park (and the largest city-owned island park in the country).

Anyone may participate, and the first meeting, a brainstorming session of sorts, is Thursday, December 6. Interested parties should head to the Belle Isle Nature Zoo (BINZ) at 6 pm that day.

The meeting will last about an hour and BINZ staff will be on hand to discuss the project and how DSG members can help bring it to fruition.

For more information, visit DSG on the Web. Click here for directions.

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SHOP Detroit December 1

With only 26 days until Christmas, many metro Detroiters will be scrambling in the weeks ahead to finish their holiday shopping. The rest of us, however, will be relaxing in front of the fireplace, enjoying the holidays. What’s our secret? We're shopping early at SHOP Detroit.

Now in its fourth year, SHOP Detroit features more than 80 Downtown and New Center retailers, special discounts and promotions, free shuttle service between Compuware and the Fisher Building, a free one-day People Mover pass and entry into the "The Ultimate Night Out" giveaway, worth more than $500.

To participate, head to Compuware (meet in the Atrium) at Campus Martius Park between 10 am and 5 pm on Saturday, December 1. Once there, you will be given a SHOP Detroit map/directory of participating stores with coupons, and, shortly after, will be off on your own Detroit shopping extravaganza!

Parking is available in the Compuware Parking Deck (validated with purchase from Compuware retailers). Or, take advantage of two free hours of parking at meters and city-owned parking garages during December courtesy of the city of Detroit.

So, don’t procrastinate on your holiday shopping another year -- participate in SHOP Detroit this Saturday, December 1.

Visit Detroit Synergy on the Web for more information.

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Detroit residential development tour at SHOP Detroit

Plan on heading to Shop Detroit 3 tomorrow? Consider joining City Living Detroit for two free residential bus tours highlighting four new Detroit housing developments.

The first bus tour, which leaves Campus Martius Park at noon, features two Midtown properties: the historic Park Shelton on Woodward Avenue and the brand new Ellington project at Mack and Woodward.

The second tour leaves Campus Martius Park at 2 pm and features the Grinnell Place Lofts and the Riverfront Towers. Grinnell is located in Corktown, while Riverfront Towers is on the West Riverfront near Joe Louis Arena.

Both of tomorrow's tours depart from Campus Martius Park at the corner of Cadillac Square and Woodward, though tour-goers need to register before boarding the bus. Registration for tomorrow's City Living Detroit home tours will be inside the Compuware Atrium next to the Shop Detroit 3 registration booth.

Capacity on each tour is limited to 25 people, so sign up early!

City Living Detroit is a non-profit, 501(c)(6) organization, dedicated to promoting Detroit as a vibrant place to live. For more information about City Living Detroit, please click here.

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SHOP Detroit This Saturday

Shopping for gifts doesn't have to be a chore. Ditch the long lines at the mall and enjoy holiday shopping for a change - with SHOP Detroit 3.

Browse unique finds from 70+ stores, take advantage of merchant discounts, and savor the season with holiday activities this Saturday in downtown Detroit.

It's easy to participate in SHOP Detroit 3. Head downtown (the event begins at 10 am), grab a parking spot near Campus Martius Park (try the Compuware parking garage; validation available with a $5 purchase from participating shops) and walk to the Compuware Atrium.

Once there, volunteers from Detroit Synergy - the Detroit-loving non-profit group responsible for the event - will arm you with the goods you need to make SHOP Detroit 3 your best holiday shopping experience yet: a map, a list of participating shops, a free all-day People Mover pass, and a list of discounts and promotions. In addition, you'll receive info. on area-breakfast and lunch spots.

SHOP Detroit 3 is full of goodies this year including the addition of the New Center Shopping District (free shuttle to the area will be available), a free bus tour of new Detroit residences by City Living Detroit, ice skating at Campus Martius Park, and more. You'll also have the chance to win a special Detroit-themed prize worth $1000.

What are you waiting for? Put the happy in your holidays with SHOP Detroit 3 on Saturday, December 2, from 10 am - 5 pm.

Visit Detroit Synergy for more information.

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Michigan brews go center stage

Love beer?

Then you'll adore A Taste of the D, a beer-tasting event scheduled for Friday, October 20, at the Detroit Historical Museum.

Put on by the Detroit Historical Society's Junior Benefit Committee, this year's Taste will feature brews from 10 awesome Michigan breweries - Bell's Brewery of Kalamazoo, King Brewing Company of Pontiac, Kuhnhenn Brewing Company of Warren and Motor City Brewing Works of Detroit, to name a few - as well as samples of area cuisine from Metro D hotspots like Twingo's, Hunter House, Zumba and more.

Don't like beer? No worries; Gala Rouge will be on hand with wine samples.

Other highlights at the event, which runs from 7 pm - midnight, include a silent auction, tarot and astrology readings, and music by DJ Scott Brandon.

Advance tickets for a Taste of the D are $15 for Detroit Historical Society members and $20 for all others and can be purchased here. Tickets will be available at the door for $25 each.

Sponsored in part by Greektown Casino - other event partners include GTS, Go & Do Michigan, After 5, Six Degrees, CreateDetroit and Detroit Synergy - A Taste of the D is open to individuals 21 and over.

All proceeds benefit the Detroit Historical Society, a non-profit organization founded in 1921 to preserve the history of the Detroit region. For more information, please click here or call 313.833.1980.

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