Plymouth MI Ice Festival Wrap Up

The 2009 Plymouth International Ice Sculpture Spectacular is a wrap!

Warmer weather on Friday probably worried organizers, but cold weather was back on Saturday....and so were the crowds!

The local economy had an impact as there were fewer ice sculptures, particularly in front of local merchants. Also missing this year were the live reindeer.

Here's some photos showing the highlights:



This Saturday, January 31st is Northville MI 4th Annual Fire & Ice Festival running from Noon to 4 PM.

Get Set for the Plymouth MI Ice Sculpture Spectacular

If it's going to stay as cold as it is this year, we might as well enjoy an event that celebrates it. The Plymouth MI Ice Sculpture Spectacular comes to Kellogg Park in Downtown Plymouth this weekend.

Starting at Noon on Friday, January 27th and running through Sunday, January 29th, the event features ice carvers from local high schools, colleges, and professionals from around the United States and some from as far away as Japan.

Over 100 sculptures are expected to be carved, mostly from single blocks of ice weighing over 300 pounds. Several sculptures will be constructed using between 5-100 blocks of ice, and you can watch the carving process from the beginning of stacking the blocks of ice to the finished works of art.

Besides the ones filling Kellogg Park, the customized sculptures standing outside the local merchants were some of my favorites last year. From whimsical, like one on the left outside Compari's (my favorite restaurant) to corporate, there's surely a sculpture to please everyone.

One of the most popular places to visit will be "Fantasyland" with entertainment and education for the younger crowd. Each day's events include competitions and an evening light show at dusk.

For recommendations on where to eat during the festival, check out the Plymouth Living blog. Then check out the schedule of events, print out a downtown walking map, and plan to be impressed.

It's an experience you won't soon forget!

Downtown Halloween Festivities

The streets of Downtown Plymouth were blocked off tonight for the The Great Pumpkin Caper.

Between 3,000-4,000 kids lined the streets to trick-or-treat from store to store.

Special awards were given for the best costume, but ...

the pumpkin princess pups got my vote!

Meanwhile, Downtown Northville hosts Rock 'O Ween tomorrow evening from 3-6 PM in the Downtown Square followed by trick-or-treating in the City.

Plymouth's Chili Cook-off Serves Up Crowds

The 13th Annual Great Lakes Regional Chili Cook-off and Motorcycle Show took over Downtown Plymouth, Michigan on Sunday, October 5th. Sponsored by Motor City Harley-Davidson, the event featured live entertainment, a dog costume contest, children's activities, and performances from area dancers.

Under sunny skies, the large crowd included nearly 6,000 bikers with their bikes lining several downtown streets and filling the parking lots. With all the leather in town, it was hard to tell the lawyer bikers from the true blue bikers.

Speaking of true blue bikers, check out the Big Blue bike to the right which was custom designed by Mikey and Paulie Teutul of Orange County Choppers. The headlight helmet was a crowd favorite. This was one of the many bikes on display during The Chili Bike Show.

Chili cook-off contestants competed by selling samples of their chili and hoping to garner enough votes for the chance to advance to the 2009 World Championship Cook-off next Fall. Visit the Great Lakes Chili Cook-off website for a list of winners.

All proceeds support local charities, and this year's recipient was the Western Wayne Habitat for Humanity.

Plymouth All Decked Out in Pink

The Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk came through Plymouth last Saturday and Kellogg Park was awash in a sea of pink.

Even the fountain was flowing pink in honor of those whose lives have been impacted by breast cancer.

More than 3,000 participed in the 3-Day, 60-Mile walk to raise money for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund.

Starting the trek in Farmington Hills on Friday the 26th, participants came through Plymouth on Saturday. According to the official website, Plymouth residents and business owners turned out to cheer on and support the walkers.

The Walk ended on Sunday with celebratory Closing Ceremonies at The Henry Ford.

Plymouth's Chili Cook-off Returns Sunday

This Sunday, October 5th, the 13th Annual Great Lakes Regional Chili Cook-off and Motorcycle Show returns to Downtown Plymouth.

Participants can compete in the red chili, green chili, or salsa competition. Winners from each category will move on to the 2009 World Championship Chili Cookoff next Fall.

More than 15 restaurants will be competing in the Restaurant Chili Challenge where attendees will judge who serves up the best chili. The chili sampling will be held in The Gathering across from Kellogg Park.

Besides lots of great chili, the streets will be filled with motorcycles, live entertainment, and Kid's activities.

Proceeds from this year's event support the Western Wayne Habitat for Humanity.

The 2008 Plymouth Fall Festival Wrap-up

Last weekend was the 53rd Annual Plymouth Fall Festival. For the entire weekend, Downtown Plymouth was transformed into a car show-carnival-entertainment-eating extravaganza.

Even though it rained early Sunday, the event culminated under sunny skies with The Rotary Club's Chicken BBQ. An amazing 12,000 chicken dinners were prepared and served.

If you've never attended this wonderful community event, be sure to check it out next year!

Come Celebrate Northville's Past

Fall is in the air and Northville's 20th Annual Victorian Festival is just around the corner.

Kicking off with a Parade through Downtown Northville Friday, September 12th, the Victorian Festival celebrates a simpler time. The downtown area is transformed into a Victorian Village with period costumes, horse-carriage rides, storytellers, musicians, and entertainment.

A highlight of the event for pet owners is the Pooch Stroll and Great Dog Expedition from 9:00-11:15 AM Saturday morning at Ford Field. The event is free and there will be prizes awarded, like the best dog Victorian costume.

Other events include a Victorian Fashion Show and Tea, AAUW Sponsored Home Tour, vintage baseball all three days at Ford Field, and lots of games and contests at Mill Race Village.

This year's festivities run through Sunday, September 14th with lots of food, tons of entertainment, and fun for everyone.

Get Decked Out For Upcoming Victorian Festival

In preparation for the upcoming Victorian celebration, the Northville Historical Society is hosting a Victorian Festival Clothing Sale this Thursday, September 4th from 12 Noon to 7 PM and Friday, September 5th from 12 Noon to 5 PM at Mill Race Village.

Mill Race Village is located at 215 Griswold in Downtown Northville. All proceeds from the sale are used to maintain and support the Village.

This is the perfect opportunity to line up your attire for the festival held the following weekend of September 13th and 14th.

Preserving Plymouth History

The Plymouth Historical Society has created a virtual photo library of images created by early Plymouth resident Charles Draper.

Through photographs, postcards, negatives and glass plate negatives, Draper captured images of Plymouth life and real estate from 1890-1930. With more than 500 images, this fascinating collection presents a glimpse into what life was like in Western Wayne County as the area transitioned from the horse and buggy days into the 20th Century.

Visit the Plymouth Historical Society Museum to view a special exhibit of the inaugural ball gowns of presidential first ladies, now through November 5, 2008

Image courtesy of the Plymouth Historical Society.

2008 International Plymouth Ice Sculpture Spectacular

Make a slideshow - it's easy!

Change Rings In The New Year

The MichiganMoves.com Team is excited to announce our new Downtown Plymouth location.

RE/MAX on the trail at 1000 West Ann Arbor Trail Road recently finished a complete renovation of their historic 1874 building. A large addition and remodeled interior has kept the unique character of the office, and an expanded parking lot to be built in the Spring will complete the renovations.

One of the reasons we made the change was we missed a downtown location, and we searched for a brokerage that didn't charge the administrative fees other brokers have resorted to, saving our clients money.

We're proud to join the 9 other agents in the office, and look forward to sharing our wonderful new location with our clients.

We wish you a very happy and prosperous 2008!

Michigan Real Estate Reflections on 2007

As the old year passes and we prepare to cross the threshold of another, I've been reflecting on many changes in the past year.

I was licensed in 2001 and since Michigan never fully recovered from the downturn after 9/11, I've never experienced a Michigan 'hot' market. Through the years, I've been reminded that real estate is cyclical and that what goes up must come down.

But even those who have weathered the many cycles over the past 30+ years haven't seen a market quite like this past year. The reasons are well documented everywhere, and so is the fallout:

• Brokerages closing their doors. Mayfair Realty, a well known real estate office in Livonia had been around for years


• Rumors of consolidation and buyouts of smaller brokerages by the big-name brokers in the area


• Agents working other part/full time jobs just to earn a living or abandoning their licenses and leaving the business altogether

While many states face challenges, ours are uniquely Michigan because of our motor-city identity. As we forge into an unknown future, I have to believe that while the present is painful, we'll emerge stronger and wiser.

Personally, a few positive things have occurred which give me hope for the new year. I teamed up with top producer Jo Steuwe and we're building the MichiganMoves.com Team. Together we focus on leveraging our knowledge of the internet and technology to continuously expand our property marketing efforts in this new Web 2.0 era. We're also excited to begin the new year at a great new Downtown Plymouth location.

We look forward to new beginnings with the promise of a fresh new year. Please join us bidding goodbye to 2007 and wishing "Cheers" to a great 2008!