Caesars Windsor
Photo © Laura Sternberg, Licensed to About.com

Windsor is closer to downtown Detroit than many of its suburbs and is separated by only a tunnel, bridge or boat ride. While it sits in the shadow of its larger neighbor, Windsor has a character all of its own, influence by both its proximity to the United States and its status as a Canadian municipality. There is a lot to do and experience in Windsor, a city with a definite European flavor.

More Information:

• Tips for Travel to Canada from Detroit
• Border Crossings into Canada from the Metro Detroit Area

No matter your point of origin when coming into downtown Detroit, there is likely a construction closure you should know about this summer:

• I-96 is closed from the I-94 intersection to I-75 intersection until October 9th, 2008 as part of the Gateway Project. MDOT's Detour Information suggests the following alternatives:
  • Take I-696 in Oakland County to the Lodge Freeway South
  • Take I-96 to the Davison Freeway (east) to the Lodge
  • Take I-96 to I-94(east) to the Lodge
• Southbound I-75 is closed at Rosa Parks until October 9th, 2008
• Gration/M-3 connection to I-75 is closed until October 9th, 2008
• I-75 is closed -- as part of the Gateway project -- from Clark Street to the I-96 split
• Last, but not least, the people mover is closed to replace part of its track until August 18th

For a detailed map that will help you figure out your route, check out MDOT's Interactive map that highlights all construction obstacles.

The multiple, un-staggered closures sure make it hard to get downtown, which is a shame considering how hard the city is working to increase its downtown attractions, including the RiverWalk, the New DIA and Comerica Park. One downtown freeway seems relatively unaffected by construction and is listed by MDOT's Guide to the Ambassador Bridge Gateway Project as the main detour route during construction: I-94. Note that the alternative routes designated are different for truck and commercial traffic.

MDOT provides a lot of detour and construction information online. How are they doing on the roads?

Plymouth's Art in the Park
Photo © Laura Sternberg, Licensed to About.com

Plymouth's Art in the Park has steadily grown through the years. While Saturday was something of a wash out with periodic rain storms, Sunday proved perfect. A few of the vendors had to batten down their art work against the wind, but the breeze made the event a lot more comfortable.

Plymouth's Kellogg Park
Photo © Laura Sternberg, Licensed to About.com

Art in the Park is traditionally more about craft products than art work, although there are always a few tents among the 400 or so that display traditional paintings. This year's fair introduced performance art by way of a living statue. There was also something for the younger crowd: aerial bike and skateboard stunts on a half pipe.

Capri Sun's Respect the Pouch Half Pipe
Photo © Laura Sternberg, Licensed to About.com



Living Statue
Photo © Laura Sternberg, Licensed to About.com

Next up? The Ann Arbor Art Fair, which is currently underway.

I could be following along with each twist and turn of the FBI investigation into the city council and/or the charges against Mayor Kilpatrick. Each new allegation or development in ongoing investigations, however, is just more of the same.

Instead of riding the downward spiral, I prefer to consider what comes next. David Bing is considering a bid for the Manoogian. Who else would you like to see throw their hat in the race for Mayor in November of 2009? Who or what would it take to follow through on Detroit's successes of late -- RiverWalk, sporting events, Quicken -- and get out of the mire that is Detroit politics?