I stuck my head out this morning and it was snowing again, so here I am back under the blankets and pretending I’m in Havana or San José (Costa Rica) or anywhere that these sandy beaches, palm fronds, and drinks with little umbrellas might actually exist. Somehow that sounds better than more snow plowing and pothole damage.

I did come out from hiding long enough yesterday to attend Lafayette Market’s Edible Wow open house. This was really pleasant, not just because it was warm in the market, but because Phil May provided a nice musical backdrop to the tasting of the excellent wares of numerous local merchants. Everything from jams to hot sauce to cakes, toffee, beer, and wine were being grazed by the fairly large herd of locavores who showed up.

It’s February in Michigan and we don’t have a lot of events to cover at the moment (ok, there were a couple of freeeeezing ones that we could have covered if we had a polar bear for a photographer), but we also know that this is the calm before the storm. Spring is around the corner (it is, isn’t it?) and there will be more happening in SE Michigan than anyone could hope to do. We’re looking forward to seeing you all out there in T-shirts and shorts, sweating in the hot sunlight. I’ll come out from under the blankets then.

The 2014 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Cobo Hall, Detroit, is upon us. Today is, in fact, the second day of the first weekend that the public can get in to the exhibition. We encourage you to go and show your love for Michigan’s primary industry and for awesome cars in general but, if you would like a sneak preview, we’ve posted 132 photos from The Main Event, held at the Max Fisher, and the Press Preview Days (the cars themselves!), in addition to a video of the models on the runway at The Main Event. It’s right here:  http://detroitmm.com/events/2014/01-NAIAS/

This show is drawing a lot of interest, which is particularly cool because Detroit, and Michigan in general, seem to be heading in the general direction that leads to the “comeback trail.” Here is the press release about the first day of the 2014 NAIAS that we received this morning:

Strong auto show open extends “Detroit’s most exciting week” 

First day attendance of 106,560 beats 2013 opener

Detroit, Mich., Jan. 18, 2014 - Despite typical low January temperatures outdoors, more than 100,000 people enjoyed perfect 72 degree weather inside Cobo Center, where the mood was upbeat and more than 500 new vehicles shined brightly on Detroit’s world stage.

“Extending the celebration of new cars and one of Detroit’s most exciting weeks ever is a surprise to no one,” said Bob Shuman, chairman, 2014 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS). “People want to be a part of the positive vibe that’s been evident here all week.”

Shuman said the show floor was packed all day, as enthusiasts photographed beautiful vehicles and participated in dozens of entertaining and interactive exhibit activities. He said this year’s opener of 106,560 represents an increase of 3,434 people over the 2013 opening day, and was the strongest in five years.

“Everyone feels good about where the auto industry is today,” he added. “The auto show is a reflection of the industry as evidenced by the fabulous automotive technology, amazing new exhibit architecture, and tremendous confidence on display inside Cobo Center. Look around - you can see it and you can feel it.”

NAIAS continues through Sunday, Jan. 26. Public Show ticket prices: Adults: $13; Seniors: $7 (65 and older); Children 7-12: $7 (6 and under: free when accompanied by parent or guardian). For show hours and more information visit naias.com.

It seems as though I just blinked at Dally in the Alley and suddenly it was freezing cold with holiday lights going up everywhere and 24-hour shopping with automatic wallet extraction for our convenience. Now here we are in the brief gap between Yule/Christmas and New Year’s Day and I realized I should write something between bouts of blowing snow into the stiff arctic air.

First, no one ever found Jimmy Hoffa in our photo galleries so no one got a free DMM t-shirt or mug. Hopefully we will make these available sometime soon on the website and you can just pay for them. I thought Hoffa was easy to spot, but I was the one who modified the photo and that might have biased me some. Well, here he is just below, from the Waterford Township Memorial Day Parade 2013. If you still can’t find him, he’s driving the car. I’ll try to make it easier next time, if there is a next time. Perhaps I’ll add a glowing neon Jimmy Hoffa Sign with an arrow. It’s pretty clear that’s what the FBI needs anyway.

Second, it’s been a long time since I posted a blog here, but our photographers haven’t given up (except perhaps on me) and have covered a lot of events since that post. Recent events covered that are relevant to the waning holiday season are the Rochester Bright Lights Show (http://detroitmm.com/events/2013/12-The-Bright-Light-Show/) and the Holiday Extravaganza held in Pontiac (http://detroitmm.com/events/2013/12-Holiday-Extravaganza/). Both are loaded with colorful photos of these fun seasonal events.

December is crashing to a close, with the bearded old geezer of 2013 wheezing his way out to make way for the chubby cherubim-like newborn of 2014. What this always means for SE Michigan is that it’s nearly time for the North American International Auto Show! We have the press release at http://detroitmm.com/events/2014/01-NAIAS/ and we are looking forward to another year of great auto show coverage. To wet your whistle, check out our photos from the 2013 NAIAS (http://detroitmm.com/events/2013/01-NAIAS/). Here’s an example:

Please check back for a list of events we plan to cover in 2014 that we should get up in early January. Also, expect even better photos from Detroit Metro Mashup because we have all gotten Merry Christmas camera upgrades and some software additions! Have a happy New Year; see you on the other side of the annual divide.

So no one has won any of our gear by finding Jimmy Hoffa in our events photos yet. Sheesh, I knew it would be tough, but didn’t expect it to be impossible. The Feds can’t find him either, so maybe everything about him is elusive, even his photo. So read on and I’ll drop a clue a bit later to help you in your quest for a t-shirt or drinking device. 

This past weekend we went to the Detroit River Days festival along the River Walk in Detroit. We go to this every year because it is not only a cool event, but a great opportunity to walk along the river, feel the breezes, watch the boats, and observe people representing every possible type of human concoction. The event is awesome, but it’s the people who really make it, from the folks who put it on and run it through the wide-eyed kids who splash in the fountains to cool off after the carnival rides. There was a lot of really good artwork this year, photos, paintings, and sculptures, with some of the painting bordering on being sculpture due to their spatial arrangement and a three-dimensional impression that they individually had; a nearly mysterious appearance of depth. We captured a lot of the art, most if not all of it, in our photos from the festival (see the kitty, above) (http://www.detroitmm.com/events/2013/06-detroit-river-days/) along with a lot of other interesting things and people.

In addition to River Days we’ve covered the Berkley Art Bash (http://www.detroitmm.com/events/2013/06-Berkley-Art-Bash/), the Royal Oak Clay, Glass, and Metal Show (http://www.detroitmm.com/events/2013/06-Royal-Oak-Clay-Glass-Metal-Show/), 50 Shades, The Musical! (http://www.detroitmm.com/reviews/2013/50-shades-the-musical/), and Cruisin’ Gratiot (http://www.detroitmm.com/events/2013/06-cruisin-gratiot/), all in the past 2.5 weeks and there’s more to come! This weekend we will be at the Downriver Cruise and the Waterford Log Cabin Days, hopefully we’ll see you there.

Oh, right, the Find Jimmy Hoffa contest; I recently promised a hint, didn’t I? Well, Hoffa was the head of the Teamster’s Union and they deal with transportation, their logo has a wheel in it. That’s at least two hints, now go find him and win some swag! Our previous blog post has the rules, so scroll down to it. 

Detroit’s Metro Mashup contests have no monetary value and prizes awarded cannot be substituted for any other or for any cash value. The cash value of the prize is $0.01 U. S. One winner per contest only, winner to be determined by Detroit Metro Mashup to be the earliest email received meeting all the requisite criteria, including the correct photo, the sender’s email address, the subject “I found Jimmy Hoffa,” and the prize selected. If you are under 18 please have your parent or guardian submit your entry for you. Detroit Metro Mashup is not responsible for any errors or omissions either in the contest or your entry. Detroit Metro Mashup has no association with Jimmy Hoffa’s family, estate, or any businesses.

Would you like to have a Detroit Metro Mashup gear logo t-shirt, coffee mug, or drinking glass, but really don’t want to pay for it? Well, be the first one to spot Jimmy Hoffa’s picture in one of our “recent event” gallery photos (recent events only, for now) and we’ll send you your choice for free. You don’t even have to pay the shipping! Not only that, you’ll be the first to get DMM swag, because the link to the store isn’t up yet.

When you find the photo with the picture of Jimmy Hoffa in it, just take a screen shot of the entire photo or copy the photo and send it, along with your email address (we’re not selling your info or giving it away or anything) and we’ll let you know if you are the winner. Winners will be announced shortly after the photo is found and submitted. Send it using the contact button below (bottom of page) and use the subject header “I found Jimmy Hoffa.” Don’t forget to include your email, attach the photo, let us know what prize you want and, if it’s the t-shirt, what size. The first entry received meeting all these criteria will be the winner.

Here’s a hint, the Hoffa photo that was inserted into the recent event photo is a black and white photo of Hoffa from just above the waist up, taken in 1957. Having said that, there’s no guarantee that he’s still in black and white or that the entire original photo is included in the photo you are seeking.

Good luck!

Disclaimer:

Detroit Metro Mashup contests have no monetary value and prizes awarded cannot be substituted for any other or for any cash value. The cash value of the prize is $0.01 U. S. One winner per contest only, winner to be determined by Detroit Metro Mashup to be the earliest email received meeting all the requisite criteria, including the correct photo, the sender’s email address, the subject “I found Jimmy Hoffa,” and the prize selected. If you are under 18 please have your parent or guardian submit your entry for you. Detroit Metro Mashup is not responsible for any errors or omissions either in the contest or your entry. Detroit Metro Mashup has no association with Jimmy Hoffa’s family, estate, or any businesses.