Cliff Bell's

Cliff Bell's was opened in Detroit on Park Avenue in 1935. It was originally a super club, the bar featured an art deco atmosphere with vaulted ceilings and plenty of mahogany. The highlight of visiting Cliff Bell's recently was finding the first drink on the cocktail menu, "La Sophia". Doreen's mother, Sophia, worked there many, many years ago. Cliff Bell's has food, drink and the best jazz music in town --and it's live!

Swedish Bakery in Harbert

This was, beyond a doubt, the most memorable breakfast we had in 2009. Located in the village of Harbert, this one hundred year old little Swedish Bakery makes divine edibles. Luisa's Café is part of it also, and it all comes out of the same kitchen. Luisa is really Italian, but she retains the Swedish ambiance and goodies. Suzie recommends the buckwheat crepes with lingonberries.

Carl Sandberg lived in Harbert for 15 years. Bet he watched the fog come in on little cat feet!

Joe Louis Fist

The Joe Louis Fist is a prominent sculpture in downtown Detroit across from Hart Plaza on Jefferson Avenue. It was dedicated on October 16th, 23 years ago. The "Brown Bomber" was our beloved heavyweight boxer world champion from the Motor City. The artist of the fist is Robert Graham. It is 24 feet long and weighs 8,000 pounds. It is de rigueur to have your photo taken with it, like T-Wo, here from Germany.

St Andrew's

St Andrew's Hall on Congress in downtown Detroit used to be a church. Now it's a trendy place where concerts are held. It has seen the likes of legendary performers Nirvana, Iggy Pop, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Eminem, etc. The main floor holds about 1000 and the basement (The Shelter) is smaller and more intimate. The Burns Room on the third floor is open on weekends as well. The venue is known for rock concerts as well as techno, hip-hop and alternative bands.

El Rancho Restaurante in Ludington

Hola amigos..... All the beautiful homemade furniture and decorations in the El Rancho Restaurant on US 10 in Ludington come directly from south of the Rio Grande. The bright decor adds to the festive environment in this cute Mexican restaurant. ¡Ay chihuahua! And gringos, you must try the burrito loco. The service is good, the decor is great and of course they have the obligatory cervezas and margaritas. ¡Vámonos!

Our Lady of Fatima graces St Josaphat's

St Josaphat's was a cool visit yesterday! One, the statue of Our Lady of Fatima was on display there and two, what an opportunity to visit an historical church in Detroit that is nationally registered! You know this lovely place. Everyone drives by it heading south on I-75 by the Mack Avenue exit. Haven't you always wondered about this looming red orange brick tower and wanted to go in? It's a beautiful edifice, Polish in origin, and over 100 years old. The Black Madonna behind the altar (also known as Our Lady of Czestochowa) is one of the church's treasures. They celebrate a Mass every Thursday at noon in her honor. But, Our Lady of Fatima is on a perpetual traveling journey! We are blessed to have her in Michigan for the next couple of weeks. Here's her Michigan schedule: fatima

Win Shuler's Celebrates 100 years

That famous tavern Win Shuler's in Marshall is 100 years old in 2009. That's a milestone. We enjoyed their infamous bar cheeze and some delicious French onion soup on a recent visit. This beer pump outside the entrance is a historical piece that used to belong to the Eagle Brewery dating back to 1886. Marshall is a wonderful small town to visit with their historical home tours and candlelight walks.