Is Michigan the Ice Dance Capital of the World?

Davis and White at Skate America 2013 in Detroit, Michigan

Congratulations to Charlie White and Meryl Davis  who won the US Figure Skating Ice Dance title for a record 6th time.  They will be heading to Sochi to face the 2010 Olympic gold medalists Canadians Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir; who incidentally train at the same rink as Davis and White in Canton, Michigan.  In fact all 3 dance teams from the United States and all 3 dance teams from Canada that are heading to Sochi train in Michigan.  3 teams train at the Arctic Figure Skating Club in Canton, Michigan, 2 teams train at the Detroit Skating Club in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan and 1 team trains at the Skating Club of Novi in Novi, Michigan.

 FYI - The University of Michigan will also be well represented in Ice Dancing, as 5 out of the 6 US Ice Dancers are students or graduated from the University of Michigan. 

Additionally, we would like to congratulate Patrick Chan, who won the Canadian Mens title and Jeremy Abbott who won the US Mens title.  Both men will be heading to Sochi to compete for Olympic gold and both men train at the Detroit Skating Club.   

 US Ice Dance team = Charlie White and Meryl Davis - Evan Bates and Madison Chock - Maia & Alex Shibutani
Canadian Ice Dance Team = Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir - Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje - Alexandra Paul and Mitchell Islam

Arctic Vortex? Arctic Ring of Life at the Detroit Zoo

Since we are experiencing an Arctic Vortex I thought I'd post a few pictures that I took when #Gadflyin at the Detroit Zoo.  One of the best habitats at the Detroit Zoo is the Arctic Ring of Life where you can see Arctic Foxes, Seals and of course Polar Bears. No animal pictures today, I want you to enjoy the other features of the Arctic Ring of Life.

Arctic Ring of Life Detroit Zoo

 Beautiful tile work as you enter the Frederick and Barbara Erb Polar Passage

Arctic Ring of Life Detroit Zoo

Arctic Ring of Life Detroit Zoo

Kids of all ages enjoy touching the 'ice wall' as they exit the Polar Passage.  Well, maybe not this week :^)

Arctic Ring of Life Detroit Zoo

If you enter the Exploration Station after exiting the Polar Passage and there is a Docent there then you will get to see some Polar Bear Bio facts like this Polar Bear skull.

Preview of Wild Lights at the Detroit Zoo

Last night I worked a volunteer shift at Wild Lights at the Detroit Zoo - AWESOME!  I was lucky that I got to see some of what there is to see at this event before and after my shift.  I'll be volunteering again, but will also go one night so I can thoroughly enjoy this magnificent event and take more pictures to share with you.  Here is a little preview of what I saw.

I worked in the Otter House.

Otter House Wild Lights at the Detroit Zoo

They had carolers, who were very good.

Carolers at Wild Lights at the Detroit Zoo

Lego exhibit in the Ford Education Center by the Michigan Lego Users Group.

Lego exhibit at Wild Lights at the Detroit Zoo

Of course there were LOTS of lights.

Wild Lights at the Detroit Zoo

Needless to say the lights were probably the 'star' of the show.

Love the Lego made iconic Detroit Zoo water tower.

Lego Detroit Zoo water tower

 If you get the chance get out to the Detroit Zoo and see this awesome event up close  http://www.detroitzoo.org/events/wild-lights

Well It is Michigan and Baby it's Cold Outside

 As a rule, man is a fool

When it's hot, he wants it cool

When it's cool, he wants it hot

Always wanting what is not.  
Anonymous

Last night I came up with 3 new designs that I put on sweatshirts.  They are kind of in response to 'Why Michigan?' - particularly in the winter.  I got this idea when someone I know, who had  moved to Florida from Michigan was posting on Facebook about the cold weather.  It also brought back memories of people questioning my decision to move to Michigan.  The constant, 'Why Michigan?', 'Why not somewhere warm?'  These 3 designs are my response to 'Why Michigan?'

WHY MICHIGAN? BECAUSE...

Michigan Weather Pullover Sweatshirt by GadflyInvestigations
Custom print shirts online at zazzle.

Michigan Weather Pull Over Sweatshirt by GadflyInvestigations
Browse Michigan T-Shirts online at Zazzle.com
 

Michigan + cold weather pullover sweatshirt by GadflyInvestigations
Browse other tees made on zazzle

When at Bronner's it is Wise to Look Up

Bronner's is such a BIG store ('The world's biggest Christmas store'), that you couldn't do it justice with just one blog post.  If you go there you'll find yourself overwhelmed by all the merchandise to look at, but don't forget to look up.  The store has such great decorations all over the store to look at, and you'll miss so much if you don't look up.  Here is a sampling of what you'll see:

As you walk in there is a beautiful "Welcome' designed to look like a weather house.

Bronner's Welcomes You

A Bronner's Santa wishes you a Merry Christmas.

A Bronner's Santa

Are Santa and his reindeer #Gadflyin??????

Bronner's Santa in Flight

Santa and his reindeer #Gadlyin in a helicopter.

Bronner's Santa Catches a Helicopter Ride

 Awesome, right?  Don't worry there is more on our Pinterest page.

http://www.pinterest.com/pisamindad

Gadflyin Frankenmuth Michigan Shirt by GadflyInvestigations
Create a unique photo tshirt.

An Almost Magical Place in Michigan

If you live in or have ever been to Michigan than you know of and may very well have visited an almost magical place called Bronner's.  It is billed as 'The Largest Christmas Store in the World".  What makes it special?

Where else would you be greeted by elves who are tickled red and green to see you?

Bronner's Frankenmuth Michigan

Where you are greeted in just about every language you can think of...

Bronner's Frankenmuth Michigan

Trash cans too, are language friendly...

Bronner's Frankenmuth Michigan

Where Coke machines are adorned with Santa Claus...

Coca Cola at Bronner's Frankenmuth Michigan

And Santa's parking space is reserved for him year round...

Bronner's Frankenmuth Michigan

Why Bronner's of course and these are some of the reasons it is special. More tomorrow.

Bronner's Frankenmuth Michigan

#Gadflyin Shirts by GadflyInvestigations
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B is for Bankrupt, But it is Also for Much, Much More...

BPositive Detroit Coffee Mugs by GadflyInvestigations
Shop for Detroit Mugs online at Zazzle.com

BPOSITIVE Detroit

 

Today a Federal Judge ruled that Detroit is eligible to file for bankruptcy making it the largest municipality in US history to enter into bankruptcy.   So, yes B is for Bankruptcy, but it is also for:

BPostive Detroit

BProud Detroit

Begin Anew Detroit

We at The Gadfly Investigations Newspaper Believe in Detroit and that is why we often blog about Detroit. We want everyone to see that there is more to Detroit than the bankruptcy and ruin porn.  We hope that in a small way we can contribute to the resurgence of this Beautiful city.  So The Gadfly Investigations Newspaper will continue to BPositive about Detroit and ask that everyone say something positive about Detroit whenever they can. 

#Gadflyin #Detroit #Michigan T-shirts by GadflyInvestigations
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