This week, we’re getting our bodies moving, no matter what! I just finished my last week of outdoor runs before I move my fitness indoors for the winter, but I might show out at the Detroit Free Press Marathon on Sunday (just to watch).
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, shoutout to the multiple readers — Matthew Nahan, Jen Rusciano, Shellie Jones, Katie Byerly and Josef Backstrom — who correctly guessed last week’s mystery spot: “The Girl with the D Earring” mural by Sydney G. James on the Chroma Building on East Grand Boulevard.
Think you can guess this week’s spot? Email me at samya@outliermedia.org for bragging rights, or to share your favorite running routes, go-to workout plans, fun fitness classes or anything else making you sweat. Now, onto this week’s culture and community roundup.
Plus-size running community
Martinus Evans said he doesn’t know what he’d be doing if he wasn’t running — a lot — and spending his time leading Slow AF Run Club.
It’s a full-time job. The online community Evans started in 2012 has more than 20,000 members worldwide.
Read more about Evans and the Slow AF Run Club.
Get sweating
Just getting into running? RUNdetroit hosts free group runs every Saturday, routes range from three to 10-miles. All paces are welcome … Atwater Running Club meets every Thursday at Atwater Brewery for a four- to six-mile run … Running for the camaraderie? Detroit Downtown Runners and Walkers meet on Tuesdays for four- to six-mile runs across Detroit, then gather for an after-run social hour. … Looking for a fellow runners who will build you up? WeRun313 runs two miles each Tuesday, with longer runs on Thursdays and Sundays.
If running isn’t your thing, hike, bike, kayak and skate with Active in Detroit or Explorer Chicks of Detroit. Black fitness enthusiasts can reconnect with the outdoors with Outdoor Afro. Join Hot Girl Walk Detroit for regular group walks. Or get in some solo steps indoors — one low-key option is to take a few laps on a track, like at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center in Dearborn (see membership info).
What’s your favorite way to get your heart pumping when temperatures fall? Let us know! (RUNdetroit, Atwater Running Club, Detroit Downtown Runners and Walkers, WeRun313, Active in Detroit, Explorer Chicks of Detroit, Outdoor Afro, Hot Girl Walk Detroit, Ford Center)
Made here
This one’s a tip for the Detroit ex-pats on the West Coast — Jeff Meyer is bringing some of the Motor City to Los Angeles. Meyers, the owner and head chef of Motor City Deli in the city of Angels, is serious about Detroit-style sandwiches (down to the caraway seeds) and offers staples like Vernors, Faygo and Better Made potato chips.
Meyer grew up in Detroit in the ’70s and ’80s before his family moved to Southfield. The chef moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting, but he’s got plenty of hometown pride for Detroit’s food scene. (BridgeDetroit)
‘Yoncé on the screen
Detroiters who *tragically* missed Beyoncé’s “Renaissance” tour may have a chance to go mute with Queen B one last time. AMC movie theaters will screen “Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé.” Nov. 30 to December 24.
The nearly three-hour film follows Beyoncé on her just-completed 39-city tour. Nearly 2.7 million fans attended the tour, which grossed nearly $500 million.
TIckets for the movie are a little more budget friendly, starting at $22. The closest AMC to Detroit is AMC John R 15 in Madison Heights. (Detroit News, Billboard, AMC)
Place matters
The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History and the Detroit Historical Society are seeking a millage to plug pandemic losses. A proposed millage in Oakland and Wayne counties could generate an estimated $43 million a year for the Wright Museum, the Detroit Historical Museum and the Great Lakes Dossin Museum on Belle Isle.
House Bill 4177 would establish history museum authorities, a required first step towards the millage. The bill cleared the House Government Operations Committee in September. If it’s signed into law, the museums will have to negotiate with the counties on millage rate, length and benefits for residents before putting the issue on the ballot. So far, Oakland County leaders seem less than eager to move forward.
Voters in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb have passed and renewed millages for both the Detroit Zoo and the Detroit Institute of Arts. (WDET, Detroit Free Press, Michigan Legislature, Crain’s Detroit Business, Outlier Media)
Solar-powered livin’
The Manistique Community Treehouse Center is working to bring solar energy and know-how to Detroit’s neighborhoods.
Founder and CEO Tammy Black was awarded a $75,000 grant from CIV:Lab to create the Eastlawn Solar Training House Project, which will offer Detroiters solar installation training from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners and other services. The house, which Black purchased from the Detroit Land Bank Authority, will be energy efficient, running strictly off heat pumps and solar power.
Eighteen businesses, nonprofits and individuals donated or volunteered to support the renovation project, which is expected to be finished by next summer. (Manistique Community Treehouse Center, Detroit Free Press, CIV:Lab)
Do you know this Detroit spot?
Back again with another mural to test your Detroit knowledge. This one should be a very familiar sight. Where is this mural (and what was it before)?
