Connections | DSG Update

February General Meeting

Join us for our monthly meeting at the Detroit Historical Museum's Cadillac Cafe. Network with project teams and get involved in the good things going on in Detroit! Food and beverages available for donation. 

Date: Thursday, February 8th

Time: 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

Location: Detroit Historical Museum | Cadillac Cafe in the Streets of Old Detroit | 5401 Woodward Ave, Detroit | Corner of Kirby and Woodward

Parking: Free parking in the museum lot on Kirby

Contact:  Allison finance@detroitsynergy.org 

Shop Detroit: Winter Blast Edition

Following a successful Shop Detroit 3 for the holidays, the team is rolling out a three day invite to Shop Detroit during Detroit's Winter Blast.

Be, Shop, Independent! Why not come in from the cold and discover all the wonderful shops of Downtown Detroit? With over 50 participating retailers you are sure to find old favorites and a few new stores to add to your shopping repertoire.

Date: Friday, February 9th - Sunday February 11th

Location: Check in at the Compuware Atrium and get your map to Shop Detroit

To volunteer or for questions, contact: Nicole shopdetroit@detroitsynergy.org

^{Checking in for Shop Detroit 3 in last December;  Shop Detroit 3 Toy donations for COTS shelter.}

Detroit Bikes!: Pedal for Power

Detroit Bikes! joins the Pedal for Power benefit for THAW: The Heat and Warmth Fund of SE Michigan at the Boll Family YMCA in downtown Detroit.

The Challenge: To keep the “eternal flame” of the Radiothon, a light bulb to be powered during the entire 31 hours of the Radiothon. The Catch: The light bulb is powered by a generator hooked up to a set of exercise bikes and a treadmill. Riders must continuously pedal the bike in order to keep the lights and heat on for Southeast Michigan Families. Detroit Bikes! has been asked to cycle for 3 hours of the cycling.

The drive will in turn spur on donations for THAW. To donate use this link: http://www.active.com/donate/pedalforpower.

Date: Saturday, February 10th

Location: Boll Family YMCA lobby | 1401 Broadway | Detroit

Time: 7:00 - 10:00 am (Detroit Bikes! shift)

Contact: Charles Myers-WWJ Newsradio 950 | Charles.Myers@cbsradio.com | 248-455-7264

For more information about the Detroit Bikes! project, contact Alex detroitbikes@detroitsynergy.org

Malice Aforethought: The Sweet Trials

Following a successful Coffee Talk on "Arc of Justice", the DSG invites you to attend the play, Malice  Aforethought: The Sweet Trials by Arthur Beer, staged by University of Detroit Mercy's Theatre Company. At the play's conclusion, the actors will remain on stage, and will be joined by the director and/or playwright.  There will be a brief Q&A session between the audience and the actors. After that, the DSG discussion will take place in the Gallery room.

Date:  Sunday, February 11th

Time:  2:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Location:  Marygrove College Theatre | Liberal Arts Building | W. McNichols (6 Mile Rd.) at Wyoming

Tickets: MUST BE PRE-PURCHASED!  www.shop.detroitsynergy.org

Contact:  Tom   coffeetalks@detroitsynergy.org

Just Say Hi!

As we strive to transform SE Michigan, many citizens ask, "So, how can I help?" This DSG project invites the four million residents of Metro Detroit to make a special effort to just say "Hi!" to strangers for a week. 

This simple greeting as we go about our daily business can reach across percieved boundaries to acknowledge others, thereby creating an atmosphere of community. Saying "Hi!" can be the first step to other dialogue.

When: Week of February 19th

What: Just say Hi! and spread the word about the project to others in your circle.

Contact: Orlando obdoyle@impactseminars.org

Transit Project

Are you interested in public transit? Do you want to learn more about transit in the Motor City -- including today's options, tommorrow's opportunities?? Do you want to discuss what that all means to you and connect with others who share your interest? If so, Detroit Synergy has three events for you!In fact, we have three of them!

In partnership with Transportation Riders United (TRU) http://www.detroittransit.org/ , Detroit Synergy will be hosting three coffee talks. Each will introduce the concepts, merits and latest news on transit before opening up the floor to moderated discussion. All three will allow for a general transit discussion, but each will emphasize a particular piece of the transit puzzle.

Here is info on Talk 1. For more information about the project and full details on all three talks, contact Jim at transit@detroitsynergy.org or visit www.detroitsynergy.org/projects/transit

Transit Talk 1: Buses 101
When:     Wednesday, February 21st - 6:30PM
Where:   Traffic Jam & Snug | 511 W. Canfield | Midtown Detroit | www.traffic-jam.com

We already have transit in Detroit! This discussion begins with existing busing options, how to use them, what people think of them, what improvements are in the works and what would improve them further.   Find out about Bus-to-Work, the Commuter Challenge and potential DSG Scavenger Hunts and Pub Crawls by bus.  Learn to Dodge the Lodge construction too!

March Idea Generation Meeting

The March General Meeting on Thursday, March 8th will be held at the Wayne State University Student Center. Join us to turn "What Detroit needs is...." into a concrete project idea and a team to make it happen! More details to follow.

Discussing Differences Coffee Talk

January's Coffee Talk on the book "Arc of Justice: The Ossian Sweet Trials" at the Java Exchange Cafe in Tech Town caused people to think, to laugh, to cry, to discuss, and to leave inspired. Thank you to all who attended and shared their thoughts and perspectives.

^{photos by Ramone Crowe, owner Java Exchange Café}

New Design Chair

Welcome to Michelle DiMercurio, who has accepted a position on the DSG Steering Team working as our Design Chair! Michelle will add her flair for graphics to the organization and projects.