November 2008
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Get Back to Basics
Reduced budgets force smarter decisions. Like a simmering sauce reduced to its piquant essence, less is more in a number of regards.
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Chill Out
This month, the National Weather Service issues its seasonal forecast, which is an educated attempt to predict whether our winter will be harsh or mild.
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Family Tree
Before anyone ever imagined interim Mayor Ken Cockrel Jr., Detroit was captivated by attorney, blazing radical sensation, and mayor-expected-to-be Ken Cockrel Sr.
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Exotic Windsor
If a riverfront idea goes ahead, you won’t have to travel to Venice for a gondola ride on a canal.
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Do the Math
A program at Wayne State makes every Detroit Public School student count.
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Shooting Star
Filmmaker Sam Logan Khaleghi acts, directs, produces, and writes, and the West Bloomfield Township native is also giving Detroit a starring role on the big screen.
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Rumor Had It
In the 1980s, gossip girls (and boys) held catty court at Detroit’s dailies, making scandalous tidbits required reading.
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Rat Race
They’re wily, smart, and can swim like Michael Phelps.
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Easy as Pie
Any way you slice it, a wedge of pumpkin, apple, or berry is as important a part of the Thanksgiving meal as the turkey.
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Shooting Gallery
DIA photography exhibit puts artists in the frame.
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Parade Leader
As the new director of The Parade Company, David Danielson tries to keep everything afloat while preparing for America’s Thanksgiving Parade.
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Rockette Science
Two of the leggy lasses tell how they attain their precision work.
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Joe Faris
‘Project Runway’ designer Joe Faris keeps it simple in basic black.
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Facing Facts
Let yourself glow with a high-end facial at beauty oasis Bluemercury.
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Face Lifts
These spa products can help give your mug the boost it needs, whether you need hydration, cleansing, nourishment, or exfoliation.
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Boots Made for Stylin’
Step into high fashion — and don’t forget the tights.
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Cold Comfort
Fashionable and functional make a good pair for winter.
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Waging a Final Battle for Forgotten Vets
The cremains of those who served in the armed forces sit languishing on the shelves of funeral homes, a sad scandal as we mark Veterans Day this month.
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Going Global
El Barzon’s Mexican and Italian menu is the best of both worlds.
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Upper Crust
Pizza in Italy inspired Dave Mancini to aim for the top at his Supino Pizzeria, located in Eastern Market.
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Tracy Parlangeli and Frank Grippi
Their stylish menus are enticing enough to attract a loyal clientele of discriminating diners, but no matter how expert they are, restaurant people like to take a break from their own kitchens for a taste of someone else’s cooking.
Forest Grill
Brian Polcyn’s long-anticipated Birmingham restaurant is a hit.
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Salvatore Scaloppini and Ocean Prime
Larry Bongiovanni’s appealing trattorias are scattered around town, but the Grosse Pointe Woods outpost seems to have caught the imagination of the neighborhood and Cameron Mitchell certainly has the knack of creating crowd-pleasing restaurants, and his newest in a free-standing building on the golden corner of Big Beaver Road and Coolidge.
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Gone Fishing
Whitefish and ratatouille make a delicious duo at Old Stone Bar & Grill.
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Appetite for Travel: White Dog Café
Philly’s White Dog Café has a collar on fresh food.
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A Cook’s Tour
Guided by Rina Tonon, owner of Café Cortina, we take a culinary excursion through the Italian section in Windsor.
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The 29 Best-Dressed Detroiters of 2008
It’s something retailers and the international couture community have known for years: Detroiters know fashion.
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Big Rock Chophouse
Grilled ostrich, spaetzle, arugula salad, and blueberry reduction.
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Sweet on Dessert
These metro Detroit pastry chefs take the cake when it comes to creating confections that serve as memorable finales.
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Eateries Wake Up to Breakfast
The enduring appeal of eggs and bacon is prompting more metro Detroit restaurants to add morning service to their menus.
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American Harvest
Pan-Roasted Shrimp with Lobster Sauce. Crisp potato-truffle chips, potato purée, and frizzled leeks.
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Iridescence
Sashimi Wrap. With ponzu dipping sauce.
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Raise Your Spirits
This year, the hottest gifts are decidedly practical, yet far from dull.
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Tre Monti Ristorante
Veal Chop Alla Sammarinese. Center-cut provini veal chop lightly floured with herb bread crumb crust, sautéed in extra virgin olive oil, and served with radicchio tossed in white truffle oil
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Andiamo Restaurant Group
Bistecca di Lombo di Vitello. Marinated and aged prime veal rib chop, served with house potatoes and Andiamo zip sauce.
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Hong Hua
Pumpkin and Chicken in Phoenix Nest. Chunks of pumpkin and chicken breast stir-fried with red peppers, onion, and brown garlic sauce in a Phoenix nest.
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The Hill Seafood & Chop House
Hawaiian Ahi Tuna. Sesame and nori-encrusted sashimi-grade tuna presented over udon noodle stir-fry with papaya salad.
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Pegasus Taverna
Greek Trio. Combination of traditional spanakoteropeta (spinach-cheese pie), pastitsio, and moussaka — thinly sliced and layered eggplant, topped with béchamel.
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The Brookshire at Royal Park Hotel
Pan-Seared Filet of Beef with Florida Grouper. Chimichurri, heirloom baby tomatoes, Moroccan-spiced sauce.
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St. Florian Church
As Detroit spread and prospered during the booming 1920s, its need for more houses of worship grew, too.
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Celani Family Vineyards
On Oct. 29, a wine unveiling for the Celani Family Vineyards’ newest wine, Tenacious, took place at the Andiamo Banquet Center in Warren.
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Gourmet Gala Benefit
On Nov. 2, Crittenton Hospital Medical Center held its annual Gourmet Gala Benefit at the Marriott Hotel in Troy.
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Ring of Hope Dinner
On Nov. 1, Homes for Autism held its 12th annual Ring of Hope Dinner at The Reserve in Birmingham.
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Top Docs Gala 2008
On Nov. 5, Hour Detroit held its third-annual Top Docs Gala at the Westin Book Cadillac in Detroit.
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A Night of a Thousand Stars Gala
On Nov. 9, the Michigan Parkinson Foundation held “A Night of a Thousand Stars Gala” at the Marriott in Troy.
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Metals in Time Gala Night
On Nov. 6, Metals In Time celebrated a decade in Royal Oak by hosting a “Gala Night.”
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Arts Alive
On Nov. 8, the Detroit Institute of Arts presented Arts Alive!, a reprise of last year’s gala, but with a French twist.
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A Night to Embrace
On Nov. 8, the 25th anniversary of the Judson Center’s signature black-tie fundraiser was held at The Townsend Hotel in Birmingham.
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Parisian Beauty Bash
On Nov. 8, Parisian Laurel Park Place in Livonia held its annual Beauty Bash. The afternoon event included professional makeovers, samples, and raffles.
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Top Docs Gala 2008 Video Recap
On Nov. 5, Hour Detroit held its third-annual Top Docs Gala at the Westin Book Cadillac in Detroit.
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The Little Black Dress Charity Soiree
On Nov. 14, The Little Black Dress Charity Soiree was held at The Townsend Hotel in Birmingham.
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Stomp Out Diabetes
On Nov. 12, Stomp Out Diabetes was held at the Radisson Kingsley Hotel in Bloomfield Hills.
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Mistletoe Madness
On Nov. 14, the Junior League of Birmingham kicked off the holiday season with Mistletoe Madness at Metals In Time in Royal Oak.
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Don’t Just Sit There Foundation Event
On Nov. 16, the Don’t Just Sit There Foundation held a wine tasting and fall harvest at the Ford Field Hall of Legends in Detroit.
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International Celebration of Life
On Nov. 15, World Medical Relief held its 55th anniversary, an event it commemorated with the “International Celebration of Life” at the Max M. Fisher Music Center in Detroit.
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A Season of Thanks
On Nov. 18, Habitat for Humanity Detroit held its annual awards event, “A Season of Thanks,” at The Detroit Institute of Arts.
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The Capital Grille $1,000 Luxury Martini Pre-Party
On Nov. 21, The Capital Grille in Troy held a pre-party for its $1,000 Luxury Martini, which is served with a very special garnish: a white topaz-and-diamond caviar rope bracelet from Steven Lagos.
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Holiday Tables Benefactor Party
On Nov. 19, a benefactor party was held to kick off the 33rd annual Holiday Tables display at Cranbrook House in Bloomfield Hills.
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Big Fun Party
On Nov. 21, the Christ Child Society held its annual “Big Fun Party” fundraiser at Ford Field in Detroit. The evening included dinner, dancing, and entertainment.
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Arthritis Foundation Tribute to Excellence
On Nov. 22, the Michigan Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation held its 60th anniversary “Tribute to Excellence” event at the Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center.
We’ve Got Mail… November 2008
Praise us or pan us, but just put it down in words. Bravos or boos, we want to hear from you.
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Contributors: November 2008
Chuck Bennett, Joe Vaughn, Jim Mcfarlin, Pat Kinsella
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It’s a Wonderful Life! Gala
On Nov. 14th, Presbyterian Villages of Michigan hosted their fifth annual It’s a Wonderful Life! Gala at the MotorCity Casino Hotel in Detroit.
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Chocolate Jubilee
On Nov. 23, the Alzheimer’s Association held its annual Chocolate Jubilee at the Ritz-Carlton Dearborn. The afternoon included a luncheon and the sampling of chocolate treats.