Imported From Detroit

I'm a sucker for anything that promotes Michigan and especially, much-maligned Detroit. So, when the Chrysler 200 commercial started last night saying, "I've got a question for ya, what does this city know about luxury?" amidst the backdrop of the factories in the Motor City - I was a bit nervous as to how this spot would turn out. Then, the stark images turned to famous Detroit landmark's such as the Joe Louis Fist, Spirit of Detroit, Campus Martius, and the Fox Theatre among many others. Gradually, the riff from Eminem's "Lose Yourself" started getting louder and then Eminem got out, walked into the Fox Theatre, and looked straight into the camera saying, "This is the Motor City, and this is what we do", I was hooked.

Incidentally Rockford, Michigan resident, Kevin Yon, provided the voice-over for the spot.

Anyone else catch the glimpse of the flag pole at Tiger Stadium?

Footage of the 1931 J.L. Hudson's Thanksgiving Day Parade

I love coming across old footage like this. It's a real treat to get a snapshot of certain time periods. This 1931 footage is of the J.L. Hudson's Thanksgiving Day Parade in Detroit.

Give the Detroit Gift Box this Christmas! - $28.79

Sparky Anderson 1934 - 2010

God Bless you, Sparky. Tell Ernie, we all say 'hi'. Here is Sparky and some of the players from the great 1984 World Series Champions talking about what Sparky meant in their lives, not just what he meant to them in terms of baseball.

A great roundup of Sparky Anderson articles and tributes can be found over at BlessYouBoys.com.

A parade of tractors on board the SS Badger Lake Michigan car ferry

The "Joe's Trip" Tractor Group recently took the S.S. Badger Lake Michigan car ferry from Wisconsin to the West Michigan Old Engine Club in Scottville, Michigan. What could be better than old tractors and the S.S. Badger car ferry? My son would have loved to have been on this trip across the lake.

Two more new Pure Michigan commercials

Two new Pure Michigan commercials from the 2010 Pure Michigan ad campaign have made their debuts this week. "The Perfect Spot" plays towards the numerous fishing opportunities abounding in our state. After watching it I wanted to hop in a boat and take my son fishing :).

The second (much anticipated - for me anyway :) ) ad is "Fresh" and I have been waiting for this since hearing about the topic of the commercial last year when it was being filmed. "Fresh" is all about the wonderful things to eat and drink that are grown right here in Michigan.

Here is the text of the wonderful voice-over work by Tim Allen for "Fresh."

When was the last time you stopped to taste an apple? Not just eat it, but taste it? Ever try an ear of corn that was just picked?

Enough said.

If happiness is a bowl of cherries, then all this must be heaven. Spread the jam, taste the wine, live and eat well.

And at thousands of farms, orchards, and vineyards life just plain tastes better when it's Pure Michigan.