While exploring twitter recently I came across Twitter profile of Scott Westerman.  Being an avid Spartan fan I instantly fell in love with his Twitter background.  I thought it was one of  the most fun, and entertaining backgrounds that I have seen.  On the urging of Scott, I would like to see how creative Michigan can be.  So I am announcing the first WonderMichigan Twitter Background Contest.

Contest Rules:

1. Submissions will be taken from November 10 – November 19, 2011
2. Submissions  can be an existing twitter background or designed just for the contest
3. Please Submit backgrounds on the Contest Page
4. A panel will decide top 5 submission for public vote
5. On November 21 the finalist will be announced and voting will take place for the next 7 days (Nov 28)
6. There will be 3 methods of voting: (1) Tweet Title and #MIbackground to @WonderMichigan (2) Comment at WonderMichigan Facebook page with title of submission (3) Vote contest page at WonderMichigan.com  You may vote once per day per method
7. The background chosen will be displayed on WonderMichigan.com and will get a $100 Visa Gift Card.
8. The theme for the contest is “What makes Michigan Great”
9.  Background must include elements of Michigan
10. Please do not use any copyrighted images
11. Backgrounds must be original
12. To track nominations please use hashtag #MIbackground

Moosejaw is one of my favorite Michigan retailers.  Not only do they have great products, their staff also really knows what they are talking about.  It is always so much fun to be at the stores.  If you have ever to called their customer service, you are always greeted by a resounding MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSEJAW.  If I was looking for a job with a great company culture, Moosejaw would be first on my list.  Well you are in luck.  They are holding a job fair September 16th, for Holiday positions.   See below for more information.

Moosejaw.com Job Fair
Holiday Staff Needed:
Customer Service Representatives • Warehouse Shippers• Lion Tamers

A variety of schedules are available. Dogs.  And parrots.  This is so confusing.

Friday, September 16th
11am – 4pm

Moosejaw
32200 North Avis
Madison Heights, MI 48071

We’re hiring at Moosejaw.com.  You’ll love it here.  You will want to live here.  Sorry.  That can’t happen.  Please don’t bring your own sleeping bag to work.

Customer Service Reps have an enthusiastic and positive attitude while assisting customers over the phone and through IM with internet orders and questions. We have a reputation for giving the finest service in the world and having tons of fun while doing it.

Warehouse Shippers pack and ship Moosejaw merchandise to customers, handling each package with care and love. TLC folks.  We also have a reputation of playing great music in the warehouse. And sometimes taking breaks to shoot hoops.

Please tell six friends, one ex-girl/boyfriend and two enemies. If you can’t make it to our job fair, feel free to submit your resume to csjobs@moosejaw.com for Customer Service.  Or whjobs@moosejaw.com for Warehouse. Visit our website for more information or if you’re bored.

If you see a quartet band riding down the street being pulled by bicycles, you are not hallucinating. You are witnessing Mr B’s Joy Box Express tour across Michigan. Starting in the beginning of July they will be cutting across Michigan, to help raise money for charitable organizations that help introduce and expand children’s involvement in the arts and athletics. If you have never had the privilege of seeing Mr B’s Joy Box Express, I would highly recommend trying to see one of their events, or cheering them on while they pass through your town. The journey starts on July 1st in
Saugatuck and will be finishing in Detroit on July 15th at the Detroit Institute of Art. During the ride through the state they will have many stops. Check out their schedule here. They still have many dates available, so if Joybox Express is coming through your city, and they may be available for a show or fundraiser.  Joybox Express has raised money for many organizations, to see a list of who they have helped.

Bryan Fenster is a Detroiter living in Chicago. He’s an aspiring blogger and recent addition to the Social Media Club Editorial Team.   Bryan, along with Adam Babcock , are organizers in Chicago for Detroit Nation . ‘Respecting the Past and Embracing Tomorrow’s Promise in Detroit’ is nostalgic childhood recollections, coupled with his thoughts on current happenings in Detroit that are shaping it’s future. Ultimately, this is what he loves about Detroit.

Ahhhhh, Remember When…..
I can’t tell you exactly where this love, attachment, and undying devotion sprouted from. I must have been seven or eight years old, I remember my brother and I always buzzing with the anticipation of the trips we’d often take to the city with our parents and Uncle.

Trips to Buddy’s Pizza on the northeast side before heading to some type of festival on the campus of Wayne State, Hart Plaza, or jaunts to the bleachers at “The Corner“ ring in my mind.

 I remember an afternoon lunch with my family in Greektown in 1992, and my Dad nonchalantly prompting us to the People Mover, to take a lap (as youngsters, this was THE highlight of our trips to town). Even after exiting at the “Joe Louis Arena” station, my excitement blinded me to the fact that my Dad was surprising us to our first ever Red Wing game (which I was even more excited for since they were playing the Vancouver Canucks….I was absolutely obsessed with Pavel Bure at the time, as were all young hockey players my age). I will NEVER forget that Detroit energy I felt when witnessing my first ever NHL goal, live. The late Steve Chiasson scored on a one-timer from the point. Top-shelf. Seeing 20,000 faithful rise instantly in unison, fist raised, singing, has stayed with me. Any rock shows or sporting events I attend are now met with that standard.

I remember seeing “Topper” at the Old Redford Theatre.

I remember being a teenager and roaming the streets of Royal Oak with friends. Coffee houses filled with the haze of cigarette smoke, record stores, cafes, the punks, goths, protesters, and preachers converging on 4th and Main. Friday night gigs at St. Andy’s (pre LiveNation, of course) and “the Shelter”, checkerboard slip-ons, hipsters, and rudies (Definition 1). 

Entering and exiting Trappers Alley (may she rest in peace) to sincere and enlightening conversations with Travelin’ Blues. Russell Street Deli, and Turkey Trotters thumping up the ramp like gladiators into Cobo Hall. Thanksgiving Turkeys giveaways on behalf of Honest John’s Bar when they were anchored on E. Jefferson. School field trips to the Science Center, The Masonic Temple, Cranbrook, the DIA, Belle Isle, and Greenfield Village.

 For me, I always felt a responsibility to my city, and pride, that we made the best of what we had that kept us grounded, humbled, and content yet starved for the possibilities of tomorrow. I always knew Detroit was a jewel in the rough and on the cusp, but it wasn’t time for her to step up just yet.

 Detroits Promise: The Future
While I’m often struck with nostalgia for the childhood and “old” Detroit, that pride, devotion, and promise of tomorrow is as loud as it’s ever been in Detroit. With that, I (like so many of her own) try my best to honor the past, but more importantly, look to the future. Detroit is now filling over that cusp with the foundation of it’s creative minds, community leaders, and resources beyond it’s borders.

I am often starstruck by friends who have been doing important community work in Detroit. Mike Medow and Jenny Lee I’ve had the pleasure of knowing most of my life, and have been holding it down in Midtown for years, running the Allied Media Conference and AMP. This past June saw the annual Allied Media Conference in conjunction with the 2010 U.S. Social Forum in Detroit (kudos to Adrienne Maree Brown). The forum saw around 15,000 attendees from across the nation, rural and urban, and even hosted folks from other countries (South Africa, Palestine, Israel, and Nepal to name a few). Detroit was used as ground to unite the thousands to attend workshops, lectures, and community building in the realm of social and economic issues we face in Detroit and across the U.S., while aligning with the international community to learn from each others experiences and struggles.

Considering the depth of these issues, it’s quite something that the event was held in Detroit this year, with the collaboration of so much diversity and knowledge.

Down the street and over the Fisher Freeway, Roosevelt Park is showing promise thanks to so many residence, artists, and business owners in Corktown. One of those leading the way, Jeff DeBruyn: President of the Corktown Residence Council, and a partner and founder of the Imagination Station. Whether he’s drafting grant proposals, rallying volunteers, or meeting with fellow community and business leaders, he keeps himself accessible to anybody in the community, even an “expat” such as myself. Jeff is doing great things and works tirelessly to serve his community. It’s so nice to see his efforts (and results) recognized, as he is this years recipient of the 2011 Community Leadership Award.

I don’t have to tell you about the bustling of culture, art, and expression in Detroit. It’s great to see my good friend D.Allie making noise in a current project so timely, dubbed ‘Progress Report‘. D has been making music, writing, and performing for years, always staying true to his roots, speaking about his experiences in all his ups and downs. Whether he’s playing on the road, at a Detroit club, or gatherings at warehouses in the Eastern Market, his approach and work ethic never falters. If there’s a show on, he’s there, always a performance and a message, whether it be 15 guests, or 1,500. He leads a very eclectic life and opens himself to the possibilities of every new day. I have a deep respect for the man and his motto: “BE YOURSELF AND LET THE MUSIC BE THE MUSIC”. 

Detroit is a hot spot and has the resources for burgeoning creative, small business ventures, and social media enthusiasts. The social media seen in Detroit is one of the most active and loyal in the country. Social Media Club – Detroit (SMC) meets monthly, not to mention all the TweetUps, meetups, Tweetea, TedX, and #140Conf that 2010 was a banner year for.

SMC-Detroit fosters relationships with an array of professionals and individuals loyal to bettering Detroit. This is so important, and ultimately, it’s going to take the relationships that are harnessed in the region to create a more sustainable, self-reliant, happy, creative, and economically sound Detroit. The great thing is, it’s already happening! The social component is so important and so unstoppable, especially in Detroit.

The pride factor among Detroiters ranks amongst the highest in the nation. A ’2010 Soul of the Community’ study conducted by the Knight Foundation found that Detroit’s young people are consistently among the most attached age group in the community. Outside of the region this rings true for myself and the countless others who although are committed and happy in their current place, still have their hearts in Detroit and want to be active. Detroit Nation has given us an opportunity to have a support group of expats to meet with at events and to raise money to send to Detroit organizations. Most importantly, we can engage with the community in Detroit neighborhoods, volunteer, and collaborate to promote and have an impact on the economic development and cultural identity of our great city.

The future is so bright for Detroit, and NOW it’s her time to step up. There’s movement, there’s curiosity, there’s faith, love, optimism, and hard work being put in. That will never cease and no doubts, it won’t be easy, but it never was. That’s what makes us who we are.

It’s for this and so many more reasons that I love my city…OUR city. Let’s get to work!

This post was written by Adam Babcock, my partner with NxtGen Marketing.

A couple months ago, I posted a piece titled “Michigan…Worth Another Look”.   In this post, I talked about how I fell back in love Michigan after getting to spend some time there in between my move from LA to Chicago.  Since then, I have completed my move, and am now residing in Chicago.  While I am no longer back in Michigan, I still want to do my part to support my community back home.  But how?  After all, writing a flattering piece on Michigan is all well and good, but what effect does that have on bringing economic stability to an area that so desperately needs it? Is it possible for someone to be an integral part of the revitalization effort taking place in Michigan without living there?  Thanks to Detroit Nation, the answer is yes!

Shortly after moving to Chicago, one of my best friends, Bryan Fenster, who is a passionate supporter of Detroit, came to me with an opportunity.  He had heard about this organization out of New York called 635 Mile Rd (the name of the organization has recently changed to Detroit Nation to incorporate more of a national theme).  635 Mile Rd (which stands for the number of miles between New York and Detroit) is an organization of Detroiters who have left Michigan, but who remain dedicated to using the energy, creativity, and fundraising potential of the expat community to promote economic development and cultural innovation in Southeast Michigan.  While 635 Mile was started in New York, they had always envisioned it being a national organization.  So after a few successful events in New York, Rachel Jacobs, the founder of the organization, reached out to see if anyone in other states would be interested in expanding the organization.  6 weeks later, Bryan and I, along with the help of fellow ex-Michiganders Tanya Silverstein and AJ Chalom, were hosting the Chicago Chapter Kickoff Event for Detroit Nation!

The event took place a couple of nights ago and was a huge success.  We were able to raise over $1,000 for Motor City Blight Busters, which is a great organization that has been doing amazing things to help stabilize and revitalize the communities of Detroit for over 20 years.  But I do not want to focus so much on the event itself.  What I want to talk about, and what makes me truly proud and excited, is the unbelievable amount of passion and support that has been expressed towards Detroit, and Michigan as a whole, since we started planning this event.   From the moment we sent out notifications about the kickoff event, the positive sentiments started coming in.  Local business owners who grew up in Michigan were reaching out to see how they could get involved in this and future events.  Friends, and even strangers, were sending emails and Facebook messages saying how great this is and that they can’t wait to get involved.  At the event the other night, I can’t even tell you how many times people came up to me and said “I have been waiting for something like this for years.  How can I get involved now?”  In a time where so many outsiders look down on the State of Michigan, it was extremely refreshing and encouraging to be in a room filled with so many people who not only love Detroit for what it is, but believe in what it can become once again. I have had the pleasure of traveling all over the world.  I have lived in other states, and even other countries, and I can honestly say that the connection and sense of community that people from Michigan feel for their home state is unlike any other.

Now, I am by no means trying to say that Detroit, and Michigan as whole, will be able to get back on its feet without people moving back there, and people not leaving in the first place.  As I said in my previous post, I myself do plan on heading home when the time is right, and would encourage others to do so as well.  But until then, there are still so many ways you can get involved and make a positive impact.  And organizations like Detroit Nation will only help us to get back on track more quickly.  The Michigan expat community is very large and can be an extremely powerful tool in the revitalization effort going on back home.  Chicago and New York have answered the call to show everyone what it truly means to be a “Detroit Nation”.  Who’s next?

If you would like more information on Detroit Nation or have any questions, you can leave a comment or email us at detroitnation@gmail.com.

On October 20, 2010 I spent my day at 140 Conference Detroit.  This was another very successful social media event in Detroit.  The speakers were very inspiring, they highlighted some of the amazing things that are going on in Detroit.  From Lemonade Detroit  “a film about the disarming resilience of those who are moving Detroit beyond automobiles into an era of entrepreneurism.” (via www.lemonadedetroit.com) to Mayor Dave Bing, welcoming everyone to Detroit and telling the audience that good things are happening in Detroit just wait and see.  In a very innovative step, Lemonade Detroit is trying to raise money to produce their film.  They are offering for $1 that anyone can buy a single frame of the movie.  After just over 48 hours, they have sold 5,316 frames.  I own 24 frames, so should you.  http://buyaframe.lemonadedetroit.com/

I also attended the TEDxDetroitin the beginning of October, again there were great speakers and I left very excited about the possibilities of what could be coming out of Detroit.  As Chris Brogan stated, “Detroit has a lot of little boats in the water, but to move an elephant, you need a bigger boat”   The idea was that there needs to be collaboration between the companies to bring the next big industry to Detroit.  I disagree with Chris Brogan on one point, Detroit does need some big players, but as with any industry, out of the small a big will emerge.  The speaker that I think was on the right path was Charlie Wollborg from Curve Detroit.  His speech on Combating Apathy in an Unsocial Detroit, was right on.  In a closed society of Michigan social media, it looks like we are doing a very good job.  Detroit is not, we are a top 12 media market, but are not even in the top 20 social media market.  Charlie’s message of ”Retweeting and mentions don’t do anything for Detroit.  Do something to make it better”.  Detroit has had two really high profile conventions here in the past month.  The true question is how are we going to take the next step.  Detroit needs to get off it ass and lets do something to make our city a better place. 

I have been working on perfecting the WonderMichigan program, to help small businesses in Michigan to attract new customers through promotion and deals, for over a month now .  I am done perfecting it, I am going out and hitting the streets.  The loose ends will come together, but sitting around is getting nothing done.  DETROIT WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO, TO MAKE YOURSELF BETTER?

After attending the TEDxDetroit conference on September 29th at the Detroit Institute of Art, I left in a daze.  There are so many great things going on in and around Detroit.  The mix of established businesses, up and coming companies along with the artist that inhabit the city, left me with a great sense of hope and excitement  Since the event happened a week ago, I just wanted to give a quick overview of what got me excited.

Artist
Jocelyn Rainey-Founder – J Rainey Gallery:  Jocelyn Rainey teaches art and culture to Detroit Youths, in here looking for the Mona Lisa Project.  Not only are they learning about art and culture but she takes them to see the art in their native land.  So fare they have been to Paris, Spain, Japan, and Egypt.
Joybox Express: In 2010 4 musicians completed the 2nd Annual tour across Michigan hauling instruments on bicycles for 300 miles, raising money for children’s charities.
Anuja Rajendra-Creator and CEO-BollyFit: A great wake up after lunch, she had us dancing in the ailses.  A great story of coming home to Michigan to find yourself.
Dave Blair: My favorite poem of the day, “Detroit while I was gone”.  A moving poem about how Detroit calls to him while he is gone.  He sees beauty is all aspects of Detroit.

Inspiring Businesses
Geoff Horst-Algal Scientific Corporation: A Michigan born company, that is working to clean up our water system through filtering waste water from factories.  The company in their second year, is not only helping to preserve one of Michigan’s natural resources, but also working to make the world a better place with clean energy.
Will Smidlein: He is 13 and building a business.  There is not much more to say.  He mostly talked about the advantage of starting at a young age when he has not financial obligations.  Soon his parents will be asking him for an allowance.
Jerry Paffendorf & Mary Lorene Carter- LOVELAND:This is the presentation of the day.  They used imagination and innovation to sell an inch of Detroit real estate at a time.  They have since moved on to rehabbing two houses in Detroit to an Imagination Station.
Erik Proulx-Flim Maker-Lemonade: The preview of Lemonaid Detroit, how there is great stories in Detroit that just need to be told.  It was very inspiring, and I cannot wait for the movie to come out.

I can’t believe that Wonder Michigan is turning  1 year old.  Did Wonder Michigan live up to everything that I wanted it too?  I started this journey with A Marathon is Won with the First Stepand have tried to experience all that Michigan has to offer.  Just as the state that we love, we are not perfect, but am really working to be better.  It took a little bit of time to find our voice, we did not post as much as we would have liked.  Although on average we did post about once a week, there still where many lags in our post.  The passion is still here.  We have encountered many new Michigan businesses that we did not know exist a year ago.   There have been many proud moments for the Great Lakes State in the past year.  We have enjoyed Wonderful Michigan wines and beers, eaten at some amazing Michigan restaurants, made delecious food from Michigan products, and met some amazing people who are working to make this a better state. 

I am so excited to see what the next year has in store.  I am looking forward to exploring more of the Wonder of Michigan.  There are many things that I look forward to trying out, and also many new businesses that are opening in Michigan every week, that are going to help rebuild our beloved state.  Michigan is a little better, the auto companies are looking healthier, but there are still too many people out of work.  2010-11 will be a big year for Michigan, we have an election coming up, many other exciting events coming to the state.  Hopefully you will come a long for the ride with me to see the Great State of Michigan.

The weather has been great so far this spring. Last night I had an amazing dinner at La Dolce Vita and got to sit outside.  The food was amazing, but sitting outside in April for dinner, was a great surprise.  What a great time of year, to get out and enjoy the restaurants in our area.  Another great opportunity to get out and enjoy some of the finest restaurants is coming on April 16-25.  Detroit Restaurant week is having a Spring Edition.  17 Detroit Establishments in the Midtown, Corktown, New Center, Downtown and Eastern Market will be participating this spring.  The deal this time is very similar to the winter edition, $27 for a three course meal (exclusive of beverage, tax and gratuity).  The toughest part of Detroit Restaurant Week, is deciding which one to go to first.

Over the past 30 years, the most beloved sports teams in Detroit, are the underdog team that has a blue collar work ethic.  The 1984 Tigers, 1989 and 90 Pistons “Bad Boys”, 2003 Pistons, and  the Red Wing’s just about every year.  These teams were our teams.  They came to work everyday, did not have any problem getting dirty. Their leaders are legends in Detroit lore, Isiah Thomas, Joe Dumars, Bill Lambeer, Steve Yzerman, Kirk Gibson, Alan Trammel, Chauncey Billups, and Ben Wallace.  Detroit embraces the teams were they can see themselves being just like the guys on the team out there.  Last year during the 2009 Final Four in Detroit there was a lot of talk about how Michigan State Universities Men’s Basketball team was helping the city of Detroit.  Even if it was for a few days, they were up lifting the city.  It was a great event, and downtown Detroit, never looked better in my lifetime.  The city was alive.  I am still a believer that sports are a great escape from life for a few hours, but they are just entertainment.  But maybe there are lessons to be learned from sports that can effect a city. 

Last night again Michigan State’s Men’s Basketball team made it to the Final Four, this year in Indianapolis.  Out of the 6 Final Fours that they have made in the past 12 years, this may have been the toughest, and the most rewarding.  MSU started the year as the number 2 team in the country, and had a very up and down year.  Sometimes looking really good, while other times looking like a mediocre team.  Then in the second game of the tournament, their best player had a season ending injury.  The team rallied around each other to play as a team again, and began winning games that most thought were not winnable.  They worked together, picked each other up when needed, and as time ran down in the games they stuck together through the tough times.  If they do not win the NCAA National Championship on Monday April 5, they still deserve a standing ovation, and they leave the college basketball world excited for next year to see what this team can really accomplish.

Can the people of Detroit learn something from the 2009-10 Spartans.  I think that it only takes a few to start a trend.  Neighbors shoule work together to help improve their block.  The metro Detroit area can help pick up Detroit while it is down.  Make an extra trip to Detroit to go shopping, eat dinner, see a show.  Try to purchase products that are made in Detroit.  Work on not talking bad about Detroit, instead try to tell something nice about Detroit to everyone you meet.  Nobody else is going to help Detroit make a comeback, it is up to us, team Metro Detroit.  We all know there is a lot to offer in this area, lets just spread the word.