THE BELLE ISLE AQUARIUM

The entryway of the aquarium

Sadly, it looks like another glorious Detroit landmark will soon be closed. According to numerous articles, the 101-year old Belle Isle Aquarium has been a financial drain on the already fiscally-troubled city of Detroit.


Crowds gathered at the aquarium on Saturday afternoon

In this week's issue of Metro Times, Jack Lessenberry writes that the aquarium costs approximately $500,000 per year to operate, yet only brings in about $115,000, making it a prime target for shutdown. To make matters worse, the Albert Kahn-designed building would need a new roof, a fixed cost that would add another $500,000 to the bill.


This aquatic creature gives new meaning to the term "Big Fish"

Although the dedicated members of the group Friends of the Belle Isle Aquarium have made numerous pleas to Mayor Kilpatrick, Governor Granholm, and the Detroit City Council to keep the nation's oldest aquarium up and running it has struggled to raise the half a million dollars it needs for the next year. As of tonight, the FOBIA has raised about $22,000, an amount that would stave off closing only for a few weeks.

The bright spot in this whole story, though, is that the aquarium is not closed yet, meaning you still have time to visit. I went with my fiance last Saturday and we had a blast. So whether you live in the city or the suburbs, go alone or with a group, get there and enjoy this treasure before it closes on April 3.


The Belle Isle Aquarium Celebrated its 100th Birthday in 2004

Although the Mayor's office has repeatedly stated that the aquarium will close, the Friends of Belle Isle Aquarium has generated much local interest within the short month that it has been in existence, thereby lending the small chance that the property could stay open. To donate, lend your ideas, or talk to others that are trying to help stave off the aquarium's closing, please visit the Friends of Belle Isle Aquarium website.

Tour the Renaissance Center

The Renaissance Center

Ever wonder what the inside of the Renaissance Center looks like? Although the unique towering property appears to resemble some sort of outerspace hub, real people do work there. Don't believe me? Go see for yourself. You can now take a guided tour of the magnificent building, which houses the global center of General Motors, a branch of the IT firm EDS, and several retail establishments.

Free tours are offered every Sunday through Wednesday at 4:30 pm. Interested "tourists" should go to the Wintergarden where they will be met by a Martian - um, I mean, a guide : )

Yes, there are Grocery Stores in Detroit

Farmer Jack on East Jefferson

Despite what you may have heard, there are grocery stores in Detroit. I am always surprised to hear outsiders of the Motor City tell me that they could never live in the city, because they "wouldn't have any place to do their grocery shopping". This statement - which I had someone tell me at a bar in the D in January - always unnerves me, because it just isn't true.

In fact, the Farmer Jack on East Jefferson in Rivertown is a great example that proves the fallacy of this Detroit myth, often held by city-outsiders.

Built in 2003, this FJ is, according to New Detroit's website, the largest and most advanced store of its kind in the entire state of Michigan. Along with the Detroit grocery chain, the plaza also contains other retailers such as Payless Shoes, Rainbow kids, DOTS, Sally Beauty Supply, a Standard Federal bank branch, and an Athlete's Foot, amongst others.



There are two Farmer Jack grocery stores located in the city of Detroit, as well as three Food Basics stores, which were all previously Farmer Jack stores; they were converted last year as a cost-cutting measure by the chain's parent-company, A&P.


The One-and-a-Half Year-Old Farmer Jack on Jefferson Avenue

Along with the above-mentioned stores, Detroit also has a Kroger, and many other non-franchised grocery stores, such as Harbortown Market. And lest we forget the 200-year old Eastern Market, the original metro Detroit farmer's market located between Rivard, Division, Gratiot and Riopelle.

Detroit to be highlighted on "The View"

Monday's Show Selects Detroit as One of America's Up and Coming Cities

It turns out that I am not the only one who thinks Detroit's real estate market is white-hot - a pool of 3700 real estate brokers also agree. According to this press release issued today, the brokers' opinions were utilized to pinpoint the nation's five most "up and coming cities" - of which Detroit is one.


Campus Martius Park is one of the spots in Detroit to be highlighted on Monday's episode of "The View"

Barbara Corcoran, an author and high-profile real estate broker in New York, will be featured on Monday's episode of ABC's "The View", where she will discuss the hot property market in Detroit, as well as the four other cities.

The press release I mentioned above noted that Campus Martius Park, the Lofts at Merchant's Row and the Riverwalk. These are all great reflections of Detroit's revitalization, but I am equally excited to see the part of the segment featuring my favorite Detroit-bar, Bookies, which played host to filmmakers of the piece last Friday night.

Look for the segment on the growing popularity of real estate in Detroit on Monday's episode of "The View".

Launch Party for Metro Times Blowout Tomorrow

Detroit music-lovers are in for a big treat the next few days: the 2005 Metrotimes Blowout. Featuring over 200 acts at 20+ Detroit-area venues, the MT Blowout is sure to put some spring in the steps of this city's snowed-in residents. The musical extravaganza kicks off Wednesday night at Detroit's eclectic hot spot, The Majestic. The property - located along Woodward in downtown Detroit - is three-party-spots-in-one: it houses the Majestic Theater, the Magic Stick, and Garden Bowl. Tomorrow night, each will play host to a different type of musical genre. For those plan-ahead people out there, you've been reading the ads in MT every week and have already snagged your event-required wrist band, which only cost you $10. For the other 90% of you, the special is over, meaning you'll have to cough up the regular price of $20. With full access to the entire show, though, it'll be well worth it.

For band schedules, venues and times, visit http://www.metrotimes.com/blowout/schedule.asp.