Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with detroit

Looking for a good women's doctor in Detroit (east side)

lolo341 — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 19:45:17 -0800

I'm new to Detroit - can anyone recommend some good internists or ob/gyns on the east side or maybe ferndale/royal oak areas? Indian village, eastpointe, grosse pointe, st. clair shores, roseville would be most ideal. I have a HAP HMO, not that I expect you to know what your doctor accepts, but just in case anyone answering happens to have it. Also, my idea of a "good" doctor is someone who actually listens and partners with you by presenting options rather than ordering tests without discussion. I'm looking for someone who is open to or practices integrative or alternative medicine; a focus on women's health would be great too. For the record, I don't get sick often, and other than uterine fibroids, I don't have any major health issues. Since I am new, the HMO assigned me someone whom I never want to see again. I need a doctor in whom I can have faith that s/he is looking out for my best interests, and someone who is not threatened by patients who are proactive about their own health. I should add that while I prefer a woman, I'm not opposed to having a male doctor if he fits the aforementioned criteria.

Used clothes in Detroit

lolo341 — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 18:42:34 -0800

What are your favorite used clothing/thrift stores in the Detroit metro area and/or Ann Arbor?

Rust Belt! Yes!

gerryblog — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 10:28:38 -0800

Rust Belt Boogaloo: What to do in Detroit, Indianapolis, and/or Cleveland this week? We're heading up North for a wedding and will be visiting each of those cities: Detroit Thursday and Saturday; Indianapolis Friday; Cleveland Sunday. (My college roommate lives in Indianapolis and I went to school in Cleveland. It's been years since I've been up this way and I want to make the most of it, rental car mileage be damned.)

We already have some ideas, but your suggestions for things to do or see while we're up there would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Where to go for a midwest photography trip?

hijinx — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 10:51:50 -0800

I want to go on a photography weekend trip next month. I'm in Chicago, and want to drive no more than 6-8 hours to a destination. With my preferences (inside) in mind, I'd like advice on where to go. Help? Already asked a few friends and got some ideas... looking for more.

The primary focus of this trip (no pun intended) is photography, and secondarily it's just time to sightsee and laze around. I'm looking to shoot nature and also urban goodness - architectural photography and people watching. When I was first researching a trip, SF and Yosemite were the ideals. But plans have scaled back and I'm not going that far, and I'll be driving instead of flying.

Bonus items:

* Walkable city, decent public transit (might use)
* Good food
* Good coffee houses

Friends recommended Nashville, St. Louis, and Detroit. I considered Minneapolis and like it a lot, but have already been there twice. Been to Madison, Milwaukee. In looking at these cities, I have yet to see anything to really tip me over and say, "Wow - I need to go there!" So, any advice on where those things are would be great.

Could a large influx of culturally-similar refugees help save Detroit?

jjjjjjjijjjjjjj — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 08:58:55 -0800

St. Louis, Missouri lost over half its population from 1950-1990. Since the mid-1990s, 80,000 Bosnian immigrants (coming to represent over 20% of the city's population) have established communities that have saved large areas of housing stock from decay. In which other instances have large, permanent groups of non-migrant, non-domestically employed immigrants been settled en masse helping to shore-up a city that is losing population but otherwise has the infrastructure to accommodate more? Has there been any debate or discussion about hypothetical proposals to encourage something similar in Detroit? To clarify: I'm looking for "pull" factors, not "push" factors. (In other words: not "there are a lot of Irish in Boston because of the Irish potato famine".) Not (just) "[specific group]'s needs for X caused them to come here", but "our [individual city]'s desire to stave-off atrophy caused us to incentivize large numbers of [specific group] relocating here." And specifically: examples where a city with waning population is to be rejuvenated, not where a booming city is to be expanded

Additionally, because my curiosity is specifically in its applicability/inapplicability for the problems in Detroit, I'm less interested in things that have brought only certain types of professionals over (Southern Asian medical personnel would be one example of many), or things that've brought populations of people to fill (semi-)rural labor-intensive industries (Latin-American workers in Midwest meat-packing CAFOs, early-20th century Appalachian coal-mining, or Chinese rail workers would be examples).

Have people proposed, discussed, or debated the applicability of encouraging similar things? Where are these proposals or debates?

As always, thanks for your ideas and your expertise. I am not a professional in this field, but I am willing to read challenging things.

Advice for the first time at a hockey game?

Silvertree — Thu, 28 May 2009 10:10:08 -0800

What advice to you have for long-time hockey fans at their first live game? Mrs. Silvertree was kind enough to buy us tickets for game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals in Detroit. Despite watching a lot of hockey on TV, neither one of us has actually been to live hockey game. What kind of advice do you have for us? Anything we need to know?

Joe Lewis Arena advice is welcome too. As huge Pittsburgh fans, we will be pilgrims in an unholy land. :-)

Seeing a greening Detroit

ryanshepard — Mon, 04 May 2009 12:52:11 -0800

Detroit MeFites - help me watch Detroit rebuild/regreen, and also see the best of the "urban prairie" I'll probably be spending a week in Detroit in late June / early July and, after reading through the Detroit-tagged posts, still have some questions:

1. I'm interested in urban farming / gardening projects like Earthworks - what lesser-known projects should I look into visiting?

Are there particularly beautiful or impressive community gardens or farmers' markets that I shouldn't miss? Restaurants serving locally-grown food that I need to hit?

2. I'd like to see some of the much-hyped "urban prairie" - what spots / neighborhoods are especially worth checking out? Anything beyond the usual precautions that an out-of-towner blundering around in a rental car needs to be aware of?

3. Although it's not much to look at, 2126 Pierce Street caught my eye - are there other experiments with green / salvaged materials buildings or land re-use that I should check out?

Bookstore, Greek and vegetarian restaurant, coffee place, thrift/junk shop, gallery, and June/July event recommendations will also be gratefully accepted!

Are there any archery instructors in the Toledo/Detroit area?

biochemist — Fri, 01 May 2009 14:18:20 -0800

Are there any archery instructors in the Toledo/Detroit area? All I've been able to find is the YMCA, and I'm too old for their classes.

Are there doctors who use Methlyene blue for Alzheimer's treatment?

Anonymous — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 06:35:02 -0800

I'm looking for a doctor (possibly within driving distance from Detroit), who might be comfortable talking about off-label treatments for Alzheimer's. Specifically, I'd like to get some qualified, knowledgeable info about Methylene blue. Thanks everybody.

the most detroity thing to do in detroit

dahliachewswell — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 21:31:12 -0800

What is your favorite thing to do in Detroit (the Detroit-iest thing you can think of!)? I'm going to be in Ann Arbor for a wedding with an excursion to the Motown Museum. I'll be limited on time in Detroit proper, but I was just wondering if there is any other fantastic thing I just HAVE to see while I'm there? I know Detroit is an insiders town, so spill the beans! I will not have a car of my own, but will be with others who have cars.

desired possible characteristics (does not have to fit all criteria):
unique/hole-in-the-wall
greasy eatery
related to motown
artsy
interesting churches
where someone famous lived or ate or something
good beer
near the motown museum

if you like, i would also be pleased to hear your more general suggestions for ann arbor, as i'll have more time to explore there, following the above criteria or just any old thing.

Detroit Green City

blapst — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 09:09:35 -0800

Sometime in the last year I read an article in a print magazine about Detroit becoming the model sustainable city of the future. Help me find it. The first part of the article detailed how Detroit has crumbled since the 70s. The second part argued that because Detroit is so totally ruined and unprofitable and abandoned, it may be the only place where it is possible for a new model city to emerge with a much greater focus on local agriculture, green technology, and small business. There were also some photos of areas so neglected that meadows are sprouting and wildlife is returning.

I thought I saw it in the Utne Reader, but a search of their online archive has proved fruitless. If it's not UR, it's likely some other liberal/progressive monthly. Did anyone else see this article?

Does good beer exist at an MLB ballpark?

mjp — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 07:18:51 -0800

I'll be attending a Tigers baseball game tonight at Comerica Park in downtown Detroit and I'm sick of drinking crappy beer. Does anyone know if there are any vendors in the park that sell beer with flavor? If so, where are they? I'm looking for something inside the park that I can buy and take back to my seat. Even a Sam Adams will work, pretty much anything but the usual Bud, Miller, or Labatt's.

How much will a bankruptcy cost?

Bjkokenos — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 11:59:06 -0800

How much should a personal bankruptcy cost in Michigan? I know that bankruptcy is not a good idea and believe me I have exhausted all other options. I am going to file a Chapter 13 bankruptcy which includes me and my wife. One attorney that does television advertising in my area told me over the phone that my only out of pocket cost would be $594.00. I have heard from a few other people that this type of thing should cost around $2000. Unfortunately, no other attorney will give me any type of price without an in person consultation. I just want to know what the ball park price for this is going to be and also if anyone has any experience with a reputable bankruptcy attorney in the Metro Detroit area.

Are we six months from the Freep just reprinting the AP feeds?

boombot — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 13:09:49 -0800

What's going on at the Detroit Free Press? Terry Lawson and Mike Duffy have apparently accepted buyouts, and Susan Ager writes that she was going to, but then decided against. This is wild stuff - essentially the identity of the lifestyle section for the last decade+. Massive cost-cutting, some sort of housecleaning, or what? And if anyone has recommendations for how they keep in the loop about this sort of Detroit-specific stuff (my blog searches haven't turned up much), I'd love to hear it.

Where to watch the Detroit Lions in NYC/BK?

gettingpaidforthis — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 13:30:07 -0800

Do you know any [insert NFL team here]-centric bars in NYC/BK? Specifically, I'm looking for a Detroit Lions bar. I mean a bar where the Lions game will always be on the biggest TV, with the sound way up. Usually only the biggest out-of-market teams have such safe havens in NYC (Red Sox, Cowboys, et. al.), unless a particular bar's owner happens to be a die-hard fan. Typically, I find the Lions on the smallest TV in the joint, and I have to try to separate the action on screen from the Jets/Giants audio feed being pumped into the bar, which gives me some mild form of vertigo.

Sadly, I doubt the existence of such a silver and honolulu-blue haven, and this will be more useful to more people if you list any bars that cater to a particular fanbase. For example, there's a bar called Reservoir somewhere downtown that gets a comically-rowdy crowd for every Steelers game. I would love to watch the Lions with a similar group of (sad, embittered) die- hards. It's hard enough to choke down 3 hours of Detroit football every Sunday; it's downright masochistic to do it by one's self.

Bonus points if someone can breakdown the following:

Cost (in American $$$) of the NFL Sunday Ticket package

vs.

Cost (in $$$ and calories) of 16 week's worth of pub-priced beer (~4 a game) and appetizers (WINGS).

Advice Sought on Yet Another Speeding Ticket Questions

tuxster — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 12:29:24 -0800

SpeedingTicketFilter: I just got a ticket for going 85 at a limited highway (70mph speed limit), outside of Detroit, MI (on I275). The problem is I had my cruise set at 74, so I know for a fact that I couldn't be going that fast. How do I fight it? Ok, here are more facts:

1) Not my first speeding ticket, I've gotten others before: never on a highway, usually for going 30 on a 25mph road (none of my tickets are more than 5 over the limit, which has no points associated with it in Michigan). I seem to average about a ticket per year, not all speeding but all very minor - failure to yield at a stop sign, etc. I've never been involved in accidents. I always pay the tickets, because I know I'm guilty, but this time it's different.

2) I had my 10-month old baby in the car and I was in no hurry, so I was going at the speed of the traffic and not doing any aggressive stuff like changing lanes, etc. I know that Michigan is an absolute-speed-limit state, so "going at the speed of traffic" is not a valid reason (at least not one you argue in the court). But, the fact of the matter is I was going at a safe speed, with other cars on the traffic. As part of the normal traffic flow, I passed some cars, and other cars passed me. In fact, just 30 seconds before I got stopped, a car passed me on the left, and two other cars zoomed passed me on the right, so I know I wasn't going THAT fast, nor was I the fastest on the road.

3) When I saw the sirens at my back, I looked at my speedometer and indeed it was at 74. I had my foot of the gas pedal too, so I couldn't have accidentally been speeding either.

4) The cop told me that he clocked me first at 88 and then at 85. Very respectfully, I told him that I didn't see how it was possible, and explained to him everything above (cruise set, baby in the back, in no hurry, checked speedometer, cars passed me 30 seconds ago). He said he didn't care and that I could argue that in court if I wanted to, and wrote me a ticket for 85; so 15 over the speed limit.

This was on the 29th of the month, so I am convinced that he was trying to meet his quota and was on the hunt (again, I know this isn't something I could use in the court). It was also dusk, so it is quite possible that he confused me with one of the other cars that passed me moments before.

However, even though I'm convinced that I wasn't going that fast, all of the above arguments is "you said - he said", obviously I have no documentation to prove anything I said and I wouldn't be surprised for the judge to believe the officer's word over mine.

I don't mind paying the fee, but 15 over also comes with 2 points. So if I was able to have it reduced to 5 over, I get no points and thus no impact on my insurance (plus that was really what my speed was, so it would be fair).

I read the dozen or so AskMF threads on the topic, and did some Googling. As usual, there is more misinformation on the Internets than real info, but there was some good stuff on ExpertLaw, and WorldLawDirect and Nolo, among others.

I called the court and they gave me two options: "appear before a magistrate with the officer present and argue your case; It's all-or-nothing. Or, appear before a prosecutor and the judge, and try to negotiate a lesser fine". I chose the latter.

What should my strategy be at the court? I know I need to dress nicely and be humble that I shouldn't piss off the judge, the prosecutor, or the officer. But, do I tell the truth and hope that they listen to me to negotiate a lesser penalty? Or, do I follow some of the harsher --and time consuming-- tactics of reading up on the case law and questioning things like the calibration and maintenance records of the device, the training of the officer, etc. to try to find a technical way to have the case dismissed? I don't have a lawyer training, nor necessarily the time to become a self-designated lawyer in the 15 days I have before appearing at the court. I could read some of the stuff but obviously will never be as knowledgeable as the prosecutor.

So, to summarize the questions are:

1) Does anybody have experience with the 35th District Court in Plymouth to give me an idea how things go at that court?

2) Is it worth getting a lawyer for this and how much would it cost?

3) Do any of those e-books sold on the Internet for fighting speeding tickets worth buying (personally they all look like scam, but I would be interested to hear if anyone tried them)? (1) (2) (3) (4) etc.

4) How do you negotiate with a prosecutor? Before, the date of the court? Early that morning? During the court? What do you say? How do you approach him? Is this the same everywhere, or does it change from state to state, court to court?

5) If I should argue it myself, what should my strategy be? Go for the honest truth and hope for justice, or try to win on a technicality, or a third strategy?

Thanks, if you've patiently read so far :)

Detroit after 5:00 p.m.

eviltiff — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 10:50:54 -0800

What is there to do in Detroit after 5:00 p.m. with two teenagers in tow. (Forgive me for posting this question to MeFi earlier today. I am indeed a freakin' newbie.) I will be in Detroit on a work related gig from July 10-13th. I will only have a few hours in the evening free... and one of those evenings I will have two 13-year-old boys in tow. Any suggestions on stuff to do?

Detroit

contog — Sat, 16 Jun 2007 06:24:59 -0800

In a few months I will be relocating to Ann Arbor, MI. Located only about 45 minutes outside of Detroit, I am planning to volunteer at a couple of teen organizations. My family however is adamant that Detroit is too dangerous to work in. What can I tell my family to counter their fears?

Will my cellphone know I've moved from Detroit to Windsor?

wreckingball — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 10:35:06 -0800

I'm moving to Windsor, ON from the US, this fall, for grad school. I'm presently roped into a three+ year wireless contract with Cingular, here in the States. Given the proximity of Windsor to Detroit (I will be able to see Detroit from campus), is it at all possible that I'll be able to continue using my Cingular plan without paying $0.79/minute international roaming fees or acquiring a new plan? My only other experiences of bringing my phone into Canada have been in the Toronto airport and in Winnipeg, both of which are, of course, far enough away from any US city that I would no longer be receiving a Cingular signal. In those instances, my phone kicked over to Rogers, and I paid through the nose each of the few times I used the phone. But Windsor is so close to Detroit that I feel like I should be able to "trick" my phone into thinking I never left the States. Is this a case of wishful thinking, pure and simple? I'm having a hard time imagining that there's some kind of wireless-signal-blocking forcefield that runs the length of the Detroit River, but what do I know?

At this point it should be clear that I've never actually been to Windsor, so, on top of any phone-related advice, if people have any general, Windsor-related tips and/or tidbits, those would be greatly appreciated, as well (any "Windsor blows" type responses... aren't really helpful, since I'm moving there whether it blows or not). Thanks so much.

Rock City is DOOM!

bastionofsanity — Sun, 04 Feb 2007 18:26:18 -0800

NYCFilter: Detroit totally sucks compared to NYC... Someone I know from Detroit recently graduated from college with a degree in Film and Video Production. Recently (Thursday) she visited NYC and now (Sunday) she has decided she'd like to stay and look for a job related to photography or her degree. Does the hive mind have any resources I could point her towards and facilitate this transition?

Will I be able to enjoy a White Christmas?

sLevi — Sat, 09 Dec 2006 10:49:06 -0800

I'd like to buy someone tickets to White Christmas at Fox Theatre in Detroit. Where are the best seats? Seats are available in Row A, but is that too close to enjoy the show? Any reviews of the show are welcome too...

Best of Detroit?

dirtynumbangelboy — Wed, 01 Nov 2006 13:38:25 -0800

DetroitFilter: Great stuff to do in Detroit? I'm looking for some cool things to do in Detroit in the first two weeks of June. I have gone through the 'Detroit'-tagged posts and found some neat things (Detroit Beer Co, etc).

The criteria:

1) Older crowd. Mid 30's to mid 40's, mostly male.
2) Higher end. These are cigar & high-end poker types, not necessarily brandy & opera--but definitely not beer & strippers.
3) Exclusivity would be great--somewhere that's high-end, hard to get into, etc.
4) Hands-on stuff. I'm talking about driving badass cars, that sort of thing.
5) The best golf courses in the area.
6) Best restaurants

Thanks all!

Can you recommend a Detroit-area DJ?

argus — Mon, 14 Aug 2006 04:59:45 -0800

Can I get a DJ? Need a good recommendation for a disc jockey to play at my September 23rd wedding which will be held in Detroit area. Looking for a fun yet tasteful dj that will play old school jazz during cocktails and all the standard party favorites at dance time. Cost is not a huge factor but I would like to spend less than $1000. The gig will be about 5 hours in length. Suggestions?

What to do/see in Detroit for Six Weeks?

sandmanwv — Sun, 06 Aug 2006 08:33:47 -0800

In Detroit for six weeks... what should I do? I'll be working for downtown, at the HSBC building, and probably staying downtown as well. I'm a young single guy who enjoys partying and cultural stuff. I'm looking for: Detroit eats, Detroit outs, Windsor suggestions. I figure I'll catch some MLB leading Tigers games, blackjack at casinos. I won't have a car, but I think taxis will be easy to get.

Tiger mascot mauls 2nd baseman... or does it?

indiebass — Wed, 12 Jul 2006 16:39:05 -0800

Am I Crazy-filter: Did the Detroit Tigers used to have an actual Tiger as a mascot AND do they not have one now because it mauled a player? My friends and I were sitting around watching the All-Star Game last night, and someone mentioned that the Yankees used to have a bald eagle that would fly around during the 7th inning stretch, but they got rid of it because it attacked Jeter. I mentioned that the Tigers used to have a real tiger, but they had to get rid of it because it attacked an infielder, and that footage was used in the Naked Gun on the "blooper reel". They told me I was crazy, but I remember reading that or hearing the story SOMEwhere at some point. My Google-Fu cannot find any mention of the attack, but I couldn't have just made it up. AskMe, help me please! I've had taunting e-mails all day asking for the proof. Does anyone out there at least also remember this?