The 7th Annual Belle Isle 5K Run/Walk was a success thanks to your participation and your generosity. Special thanks to Allison Bieri, Kimo Frederiksen, Paula Turner and all of the Belle Isle 5K crew for all of your work. A special thanks to our sponsors as well. This event could not have occurred without your support.   

RACE RESULTS:
Take a few minutes and look at the race results!

 
In the next week we will share with you photos of the race and celebrate our fundraising efforts for the Belle Isle Aquarium.   
 

Detroit Synergy, Detroit AM Rotary and Detroit Rotary invite you to an evening celebrating collaborative engagement and independent business in the city of Detroit.  Shop, dine and mingle in the historic Park Shelton building.  Throughout the evening, you’ll have the opportunity to learn about how these two great non-profits can connect you with community events in Detroit.

SHOP
Peacock Room
Rachel Lutz, of the Peacock Room, will serve as hostess on behalf of the Shops of the Park Shelton.  Her shop is an original boutique featuring a collection of brand new, vintage and quality consignment clothing & accessories.

Leopold’s Books
Leopold’s Books features a curated collection of books, ranging from graphic novels and art monographs to  local zines, literary fiction, and nonfiction. They also sell a wide range of magazines, with a focus on art and design.

Goods Tshirt Bakery
Goods Tshirt Bakery highlights made to order apparel, whimsical jewelry and collectibles, and gifts that celebrate Detroit and Michigan.

POP-UP
In addition to the Shops at the Park Shelton, the Park Shelton lobby will feature a one-night only pop-up.

PARTICIPANTS
The Capuchin Soup Kitchen’s On the Rise Bakery will sponsor a bakery sale featuring breads and sweets made by participants in their R.O.P.E. (Reaching Our Potential Every day) program

Eclectic Eats, a Midtown-based culinary microbusiness, will offer citrus marmalades, sweet & savory preserves and nut mixes

Artists Amanda Box and Israel Nordin (Detroit Design Center) will install a temporary gallery for the evening featuring individual and collaborative works, that employ glass, metal and other media in inventive, sculptural works inspired by forms in nature.
 

DINE
14 East
Enjoy coffees, teas, sodas and pastries in a café that celebrates art

Good Girls Go To Paris
Enjoy sweet and savory crepes, a mouthwatering nibble or a filling meal

Wasabi
Sit down for a cocktail and hors d’oeuvres with an Asian flair or a complete meal highlighting Korean and Japanese cuisines

MINGLE
Meet others engaged in the city of Detroit and learn how Detroit Synergy and Detroit Rotary can support your support of the City.

The course will feature two stops, one at the Lincoln Street Art Park and then an opportunity to tour The Alley Project in Southwest Detroit.  We will be sure to include Halima Cassells’ "American Beauty" in Tech Town (on the soon-to-be-torn-down Iron Works building).  We’ll also travel through various neighborhoods (Midtown, Woodbridge and MexicanTown) to see works by:  Katie Craig, Phillip Lauri, Carl Oxley, Marianne Audrey Burroughs, Deco, Brown Bag, Two Square, Jennifer Quigley, Juan Carlos Hearn, Dasic Fernandez, Hubert Massey, Vito Valdez, and Katie Yamasaki among others.

We’ll stop at the edge of Clark Park for food and a rest stop.  Participants can pick up espresso, the best hot chocolate in Detroit and a wide variety of fresh offerings at Café con Leche or hop down the street for brewed coffee, warm pastries or a bag of tamales perfect for sharing at Mexicantown Bakery.  We’ll conclude at the Detroit Institute of Arts where participants will be invited to dialogue about the art of the day and Diego Rivera's world-renowned Detroit Industry frescos.  (You might have lunch at the Café DIA of a drink in the Kresge Court.)
 

BIKE RIDE INFORMATION

• What: Motor City Muralism

• Date: May 12, 2012

• Starting Point: Detroit Institute of Arts | John R Group Entrance | Meet at the staircase

• Car Parking: Street parking or public lot across from the DIA John R Entrance ($5.00)

• Starting Time: 10:00AM – Please leave time to park & gather; we’ll leave promptly at 10.

• Approximate Ending Time: 2:00PM

• Length of Ride: 19 miles-ish

• Pace:Leisurely

• The Route: Detroit Institute of Arts – Midtown – Woodbridge – MexicanTown

• Helmets: REQUIRED

• Cost: The ride is free

• DIA Admission: Admission to DIA: $8.00; free for DIA Members

• Rain/Snow Date: None; please dress for the weather

• Reservations: None required; RSVP email or Facebook RSVP encourage

NEEDS: As always, we can use help in taking care of the following tasks: obtaining waiver sigantures at the start; emergencey bike repairs, primarily fixing flats; tour group integrity, such as sweeps; SAG support, photographing the event.

For further information or to RSVP (optional but encouraged), contact us : Joanna Porvin, meetup@detroitsynergy.org  OR Tom Page, at detroitbikes@detroitsynergy.org  or 313-473-7118.

ADD THIS EVENT TO YOUR CALENDAR!

Start this Spring with a brisk walk or run at the 7th Annual Spring into Nature Belle Isle 5k Run/Walk. This year, our 5k to benefit the Belle Isle Aquarium.
DATE: April 28, 2012.

ENTRY FEES:

• $20 pre-registration on-line and mail-in (Must be postmarked by April 16, 2012)
• $25 on event day
• Children under age 12 are FREE!

REGISTER:

• Click here to register online
• Click here to download a registration form

EVENTS DAY DETAILS

• 8:00 – 9:30 a.m. – registration and packet pickup
• 10 a.m. – run/walk begins
• Dog walk sponsored by Canine to Five and features a dog water stop and prizes for 4-legged runners!
• Chip timing provided by Great Lakes Champion Chip
• T-shirts for all registered participants

VOLUNTEERS AND SUPPORTERS NEEDED:

If you are part of an organization looking for something positive to back and support, this is a wonderful event to become a sponsor of. For more information on how you can become a sponsor, please email runbelleisle@detroitsynergy.org

We are also in need of volunteers for the day of the event. If you are interested in volunteering, also email runbelleisle@detroitsynergy.org

Join Detroit Synergy Thursday, April, 12, 2012 for a mini tour as we show off a few gems in Southwest Detroit. The tour will include food, art, culture and history of this vibrant Detroit neighborhood. The meeting spot and our first tour stop will take place at Honey Bee la Colmena (www.honeybeemkt.com ).

We will enjoy food samples, shop a little, and learn about this family owned and operated business that has been serving the community for more than 50 years! The Matrix Theatre Company (www.matrixtheatre.org ) will be the second stop on the tour. Matrix uses the transformative power of theatre to change lives, build community, and foster social justice. It creates opportunities for children, youth, adults and elders, especially those in isolated or challenged communities, to become creators, producers, and audience of original and heritage theatre.

From there we walk the newly constructed  1-75 crosswalk and end up at El Zocalo Mexican restaurant (www.elzocalodetroit.com). Synergy guests will enjoy appetizers and have the chance to network and mingle. There will be a full menu and guests will also be able to purchase $4 beers (domestic or imported) and $5 sangria/mixed drinks/regular margaritas. Come see what Southwest Pride is all about!

_____________________________________________________________________________

EVENT BREAKDOWN:
Thursday, April 12, 2012 6:30p.m. ( Meet Up at Honey Bee Market,  2443 Bagley Ave., Detroit 48216)

Honey Bee (6:30pm-7:15pm)

Matrix Theatre (7:15pm-8:00pm)

El Zocalo (8:00pm-?)

_____________________________________________________________________________

ADD THIS EVENT TO YOUR CALENDAR!

Written by Tom Page

Start the Spring with Detroit Bikes! The Detroit Bikes Spring Training Ride V, Saturday, March 24, 2012, 10 AM start.

Urban bicyclists know that there is no better way to experience our City than on a bicycle. Even better is riding with a group of like-minded folks. Please join Detroit Bikes on our first ride of 2012!

One of my very favourite events of the year is changing my clocks as we spring ahead to Daylight Savings Time! Another fave is the Corktown St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Both these events signal to me that it’s time to finalize the details for our annual Spring Training Ride!

So, put some air in your trusty bicycle’s tires, throw some lube on the chain, dust the cobwebs off the spokes, and get ready to ride! Because, as Arnold would say, “We’re Baaaaaaaaccccckkkkkk!!”

The Fifth Annual Detroit Bikes! Spring Training Ride (STR for short) is a sports themed event in which the riders will cruise past current and past Detroit sports venues, including Comerica Park, Ford Field, Tiger Stadium (RIP), Olympia Stadium (RIP), Recreation Park, Veterans Memorial Park in Hamtramck (former home of the Detroit Stars) and others. Wear something that represents your favorite Detroit City team (professional, college, futbol, high school, CYO, etc.), such as a T-shirt or bandanna and help us welcome the warm weather!

RIDE FACTS AND INFO:

• The Spring Training Ride V: A bicycling tour of past and present Detroit sports venues
• Cost: FREE! But bring cash for beverages, food and the Bicycle Show
• and Swap Meet (optional).
• Ride Starts: 10 AM sharp at the Millennium Bell, Grand Circus Park,
• downtown Detroit.  Registration at 0930.
• Distance of ride: approximately 16 miles (about 26 kilometers)
• Length: approximately two and a half hours (150 metric minutes for our
• Canadian friends)
• Pace: Relaxed, non-competitive pace, suitable for all experience levels
• Needs:  As usual, we need all the help we can get! Some of the dutiesare: event photographer, Emergency Financial Manager, ride integrityhelpers, SAG (support and gear vehicle), folks to assist with minor bike repairs,  etc.
• Helmets: Required!
  
• Dress:  Show your Detroit sports pride by wearing your favoriteDetroit team’s T-shirt, hat, bandanna, flag, socks, wristbands, whatever!
  
• Rain Date: NONE!  The ride will take place regardless of rain, snow, earthquakes, federal indictments, and consent decrees. There is no rain date! As long as one person shows up (in addition to me, of course!) the show will go on!

Special Event After the Ride:
Around 12:30  we will ride over to Cobo Hall/Center to attend the Bicycle Show and Swap Meet that’s sponsored by our good friends from Detroit Bike City! Check out the announcement at www.detroitbikecity.org.  There is a small charge (about $10) to attend this event. A discounted rate is available if you register on-line.

SAVE THIS EVENT IN YOUR CALENDAR!

Pecha Kucha Night, devised by Astrid Klein and Mark Dytham (Klein Dytham architecture), was conceived in 2003 as a place for young designers, performers and artists to meet, network, and show their work in public.

The key to Pecha Kucha Night is its patented system, each presenter is allowed 20 images, each shown for 20 seconds each – giving 6 minutes 40 seconds of fame before the next presenter is up. This keeps presentations concise, the interest level up, and gives more people the chance to show.

____________________________________________________________________________

DOWNLOAD AND SHARE FLYER!

ABOUT GREEN GARAGE:

The Green Garage is actually three things: a building located in the Midtown area of Detroit, a business enterprise, and a community of people dedicated to Detroit’s sustainable future. The building dates back to 1920, when it was a showroom for Model T-based automobiles, and is on the National Registry of Historic Places (see building history). It was purchased in 2008 by Tom and Peggy Brennan, who, with a wonderful community of over 200 individuals, have completed a green, historic renovation. The renovation work can be seen on the construction page. Our principal business focus is helping triple bottom line businesses grow naturally.

Detroit Synergy Meet Up – at the Green Garage
Thursday, March 8, 2012 | 6:30 PM

Join us at 6:30 for an opportunity to tour this magnificent example of innovative and sustainable renovation.  Click here for more event details.

Detroit Bikes! is a grassroots advocacy project associated with Detroit Synergy, aimed at promoting cycling within the urban city, specifically the “Motor City”.

Our goal is to become a volunteer group that:

• Identifies opportunities, existing groups/businesses and special events that promote city cycling.
• Educates both young and old of the benefits of cycling as a means of transit, along with understanding proper bike safety and maintenance.
• Promotes the potential of a dynamic city of cyclists with activities to create an awareness of biking.  Our groups’ actions create the push for cycling infrastructure, and our events benefit those who share the goal of a diverse, and healthy city of transit, recreation and positive energy.

What can one expect from a Detroit Bikes! tour?

Our guests can expect to gain a unique appreciation of Detroit, whether they live in the city, were one time residents, or just lived through stories of the old neighborhood from parents or grandparents.  Best of all, Detroit Bikes! and Detroit Synergy gives back positive energy for the city and our group makes all attempts to bring together all interested individuals who want to be involved in the future of Detroit’s city cycling scene, the opportunity to participate and lead by example.

A Detroit Bikes! tour is excellent for those interested in cycling through Detroit’s great historic neighborhoods, or for cyclists whom enjoy seeing Detroit’s destinations at a more personal scale.  Our group tour provides an avenue to make the urban lifestyle accessible in one of the most important cities that changed the 20th century.  Simply put, a bike tour with Detroit Bikes! can become a history lesson about the “Modernization” of the American Metropolis, while leaving urban explorers with the mode of transit necessary to truly experience a city full of transformation.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

UPCOMING BIKE TOUR:

Detroit Bikes! Spring Training Ride
Saturday, March 24th
Meet at the Millennium Bell @ Grand Circus Park, promptly at 10AM.
Registration begins at 9:30AM | Ride begins promptly at 10:00AM