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
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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
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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

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B is for Bankrupt, But it is Also for Much, Much More...

BPositive Detroit Coffee Mugs by GadflyInvestigations
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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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Will You Have Cider on Your Thanksgiving Table?

Franklin Cider Mill

Today The Gadfly Investigations Newspaper was #Gadflyin at The Franklin Cider Mill located at7450 Franklin Rd Bloomfield Hills, MI.  They press and bottle their cider right there on the premises; however due to space you can not tour that area and watch the process.

Franklin Cider Mill

I picked up some cider for Thanksgiving and also some Northern Spy Apples (I think these apples make the best pies) to bake an apple pie (Spies 4 Pies).  Love the ambiance of The Franklin Cider Mill. 

Rouge River Franklin Cider Mill

Here is an interesting fact about the mill:  the mill was completed in 1837, the same year Michigan became a state. 

Michigan Apples at Franklin Cider Mill

I admit I was disappointed as I wanted to get a 'Cider Dog', but they only have them on the weekends :^(  and this weekend is the last weekend they will be open.  Maybe I'll make a quick stop over on Saturday or Sunday.  
An interesting cider fact:  the average yield is approximately 3 gallons of cider per bushel of apples.
Head over to our Pinterest boards and see more pics of the fun and delicious - Franklin Cider Mill.   http://www.pinterest.com/pisamindad

#Gadflyin Bumper Stickers by GadflyInvestigations
View more Detroit Bumper Stickers

Thanksgiving is Almost Here and The Parade Company is Ready

Clown welcomes you to The Parade Company Detroit Michigan

As you know The Gadfly Investigations Newspaper took the tour of The Parade Company - an incredible fun, interesting time.  With Thanksgiving only days away I thought I would post some additional pictures from our tour, and of course they will be pinned on our Pinterest boards.  http://www.pinterest.com/pisamindad
As you can see Penguins aren't just at The Detroit Zoo, you can also find them at The Parade Company in Detroit Michigan.  :^)

Penguin at The Parade Company Detroit Michigan

Will you be going to America's Thanksgiving Parade or just watching on TV?  Whichever you decide, I can tell you to definitely be #Gadflyin at the Studio Tour of The Parade Company to your 'to do' list.
This was one of my favorite floats as the 'Dream Neighborhood' came from school children.    

'Your Dream Neighborhood' float at The Parade Company

#Gadflyin in the D Tshirts by GadflyInvestigations
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Historic Baldwin Theatre Royal Oak Michigan

Baldwin Theatre Royal Oak Michigan

I have been attending Stagecrafter shows at the Baldwin Theatre since I moved here from NY.  While it may not be "Broadway", I have rarely been disappointed.  The productions and talent is first rate.  Sunday the theatre had an open house to celebrate their being designated a local historic site.

Baldwin Theatre Royal Oak Michigan

   Fun afternoon with refreshments, show tunes on the Wurlitzer organ and a tour of the theatre.  Here are some facts I learned about the Baldwin Theatre:

Wurlitzer Organ Baldwin Theatre

1. Built in 1922 for $125,000
2. Featured silent films and vaudeville acts
3. Older than the Fox and Fisher Theatres
4. In 1984 the theatre was closed and demolition was considered
5. Stagecrafters purchased it in 1984 for $70,000
6. Members did most of the renovations and the theatre reopened 09/20/1985 with The Music Man
7. Baldwin Theatre Alumni - Sutton Foster, Jeffrey Seller and Kristen Bell 

If you ever get the chance - catch a show at the historical Baldwin Theatre.

www.stagecrafters.org

View form the stage at the Baldwin Theatre

Look for more pics on our Pinterest page:  http://www.pinterest.com/pisamindad

#Gadflyin and We're Giving the Answers for Yesterday's Celebs

Welcome The Parade Company Detroit Michigan

In case you didn't know the answer to yesterday's celebs at The Parade Company, here they are:

1) - Tom Selleck

2) - Diana Ross

3) - Sparky Anderson

The Parade Company Detroit Michigan

And for your enjoyment some additional pictures from our visit to The Parade Company with even more pictures on our Pinterest page.  ENJOY!  www.pinterest.com/pisamind

2 Black Cats at The Parade Company

#Gadflyin With the Big Heads at The Parade Company

#Gadflyin in the D Coffee Mugs by GadflyInvestigations
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Thanksgiving is coming and you know what that means - America's Thanksgiving Parade.  Thanks to The Parade Company of Detroit, Michigan this is a great parade.  PI Sam and I took the tour that they offer at The Parade Company - it was a lot of fun and very interesting.  The Gadfly Investigations Newspaper will blog more about this soon, but for now here is a little quiz for you.  Can you name who these famous people are?

The Parade Company Detroit Michigan

The Parade Company Detroit Michigan

The Parade Company Detroit Michigan

Need some hints?  #1 played one of PI Sam's favorite television Private Investigators.  #2 is a Detroit native who gained fame singing at Motown.  #3 Managed The Big Red Machine before he managed the Detroit Tigers.

#Gadflyin Embroidered Hat by GadflyInvestigations
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A Bit of the Blarney on Woodward in Berkley

The Blarney Stone Pub

Yes, I know PI Sam posted about The Blarney Stone in Berkley, including a nice video, but I am going to give you a little of my view and review the pizza - as it is my pizza quest.

Pepperoni Pizza at The Blarney Stone Pub

I loved The Blarney Stone nice atmosphere, great service (our waitress was super), and good food.  Oh and they have 28 beers on tap.  We ordered wings and peperoni pizza.  The wings were fabulous.  The pizza was cheesy (love when you pull off a piece and the cheese just stretches), but the crust was thicker than I like.  The pizza was good 4 out of 5, but the wings were like a 6 out of 5  :^)  I also ordered a beer, did I mention they have 28 beers on tap.  I told the waitress to bring a Michigan beer and she brought me a Frankenmuth Oktoberfest - yum.

Frankenmuth Oktoberfest

Definitely will be making a return trip here.  I hope the next time the Detroit Dog Rescue will be there, so I can get a T-shirt and I think I will get a Blarney Stone T-shirt.  Yes, T-shirts are something I collect and why not they are fun, comfortable and practical.

NO Sam- you can NOT use that door.

The Blarney Stone Pub

See more pics on Pinterest http://www.pinterest.com/pisamindad

#Gadflyin in the D Tshirts by GadflyInvestigations
Find other Detroit T-Shirts at zazzle.com