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Ten Fun Facts About Woodward
1) Detroit-Windsor Vehicular Tunnel opened to the public in 1930. Until recently it was the world's only underwater, transnational vehicular tunnel. An average of 24,000 vehicles pass through the tunnel daily.
2) The 1904 Ford Piquette Avenue Plant is the "birthplace of the Model T," the most significant car of the twentieth century that "put the world on wheels."
3) Woodward Avenue the only street where automobile engineers "street tested" new models adding unique significance to "Cruising Woodward" in the 1950's - late 1960's.
4) Davison Limited Expressway built in 1941, the first urban highway in the United States intersects Woodward Avenue in Highland Park.
5) The world's first electric traffic light was installed at Woodward and Michigan Avenues in 1920.
6) Woodward is the birthplace of the Shrine Circus.
7) Section 10 of the Woodlawn Cemetary includes the final resting places of several notable figures including Joseph Hudson, Roy Chapin, C.J Whitney, Clayton Grinnell
8) Prior to founding Durant Motors in 1920, William Durant founded General Motors in 1908.
9) The foot of Woodward, the narrowest point of the Detroit River, served as the end of the road and a crossing to freedom into Canada for many runaway slaves using the Underground Railroad.
10) Woodward Avenue is north of Canada.
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Get Connected
Get Your Museum Adventure Pass & Discover the World
Discover a world of art and culture that inspires creativity, learning and more with the Cultural Alliance of Southeastern Michigan's program, Museum Adventure Pass. The program in its third year brings together more than 20 cultural institutions to bring their work to new audiences with this promotion.
So how does it work? By visiting your local public library and showing your library card, you can receive a pass. The Museum Adventure Pass provides various discounts for admission to the participating institutions. Some participants include Birmingham Historical Museum & Park, Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit, Cranbrook Institute of Science and more. For more information please visit www.detroitadventurepass.org.
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Quick Links
Want to know how to grow your business along the byway? Need to have your voice heard regarding governmental issues that affect your business? Just want to help Woodward Avenue grow? Then become a member of the WA3. For more information please visit www.woodwardavenue.org.
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Upcoming Events
Ballet Hispanico
2/13 Detroit Opera House
Young Frankenstein
2/27 Detroit Opera House
Sesame Street Live: Elmo's Green Thumb 2/13 Fox Theater
B.B. King & Budy Guy
2/16 Fox Theater
Alicia Keyes & Melanie Fiona
3/6 Fox Theater
Justin Towers Earle
2/28 The Magic Stick
Pierced Arrows
2/26 Majestic Cafe
The Wizard of oz
2/14 Fisher Theater
Wild Beasts
2/20 Crobar
Detroit Red Wings vs. Ottawa Senators
2/13 Joe Louis Arena
Michael Franks
2/14 Music Hall
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 Greetings!
Welcome to the February eNewsletter of the Woodward Avenue Action Association! Its a great time to be in Michigan and on Woodward Avenue!
Celebrate African-American History Along Woodward This Month!
Explore the contributions made by African-Americans to our great state and county in celebration of Black History Month.
 Did you know that Detroiter and inventor Elijah McCoy invented a lubricator for steam engines? Check out his contribution to Woodward's rich automotive history this month and take the Woodward Avenue Action Association Automotive Heritage Trail Audio Tour. Tour of over 70 sites that helped shape the automotive industry. A free downloadable tour from the WA3 website via cell phone, mp3/Ipod or CD, the full tour takes two days to complete your own pace. Some of the highlights include the Ford Piquette Plant, Cranrbook, Detroit Historical Museum and much more. To download the tour please visit www.woodwardstore.com.
Explore the rich history of African-Americans at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African-American History. Throughout the month in addition to current exhibits, Crowning Glories- Status, Style & Self Expression, Joe Louis - Hometown Hero, Who am I; My DNA Story and more there will be a number of special events. On Wednesday, February 17 Stafford U. Bailey's latest project, "Black Without Boarders" a film that plunges into the lives of African-Americans traveling South Africa and shows the boundries that they face in America are no longer in South Africa. Also that evening Civil Rights pioneer, Clarence B. Jones, who was a personal lawyer and advisor to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. will be signing his new book "What Would Martin Say". For more information on the Charles H. Wright Museum, please visit www.maah-detroit.org or call 313-494-5800
B.L.A.C Magazine Brings John Legend For One Night Only
 Songwriter, performer and producer John Legend is known throughout the world for his talent what many may not know is how passionate he is for change. Join B.L.A.C Magazine for this special Black History Month event, "John Legend: For One Night Only", Thursday, February 25 at the Max M. Fisher Music Center.
In this intimate session Legend will perform songs close to his heart and introduce you to some of the causes he is most passionate about. This event will change how you look at the world, inspire and empower you to make a change yourself in the community around you.
For more information please call 313-546-5111 or visit www.detroitsymphony.com.
Get Your Authentic Woodward Gear Here!
 Show your Woodward pride with authentic WA3 Woodward merchandise. Visit the Woodward Store at www.woodwardstore.org to view the full collection of merchandise that will fit all of your gift giving needs. Show your love of Woodward no matter where you are in the world with a full line of gear from golf shirts to tee's in women's and men's sizes S - 3XXl, hats, totes and more. 100% of the proceeds from the sale of merchandise go to support the ongoing maintenance of Woodward Avenue. For more information please contact the WA3 at 248-288-2004. |
| Byway Feature: The Majestic Theater
 The Majestic Theater was built in 1915 and the Garden Bowl bowling center in 1913. They are located on the byway between Alexandrine and Willis streets near the Detroit Medical Center. The Majestic was billed as the largest theater when it was constructed featuring motion pictures and special features as dimmers on the house lights. The theater's auditorium is currently used for concerts such as rock, blues, jazz, reggae, folk and other. It is the "hot" location for any up and coming musical artist.
The Garden Bowl
The Garden Bowl was built in 1913 making it the oldest bowling center in Michigan and among the oldest active bowling centers in the world! The Garden Bowl was originally a ten lane house with a billiard room on the second floor that featured a tournament-size table complete with four grandstands all around for viewing billiard tournaments. In 1926 the second floor was renovated to add more lanes, now totaling 22. Over the years the building was cut back thirty-five times in order to widen Woodward and the storefront became the Garden Bowl Bar. Building renovations in 1966 made way for more first-floor lanes and a billiards area. In 1992 the second floor was renovated leaving four lanes of bowling plus a new billiard area featuring ten tables and a stage for live entertainment and became known as The Magic Stick. Within one year, the last four lanes were covered to make room for growing audiences attending local and national live shows in.
 The Majestic Theater complex is open seven days a week so stop in and experience Woodward heritage at its finest. For more information call 313-833-9700 or visit www.majesticdetroit.com.
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Winter's Blowing Into the D!
 Kicking off Friday, February 12th - Sunday 14th is the 5th annual Motown Winter Blast in the heart of Downtown Detroit. Developed as one of the activities for Superbowl XL and is now one of the biggest winter events in the state.
This year the Jonathan Witz & Associates,producers of MWB are bringing back a bevy of family fun activities including:
- Quicken Loans Ice Garden
- Oakland Press/Macomb Daily Marshmallow Roasting Stations
- Free ice skating at Campus Martius Ice Rink
- Movement Electronic Music Festival with performances by John Johr, Dan Bain, Chuck Flask and Rex Sepulveda
- Real Detroit Bar Blast
There is truly something for kids of all ages at MWB. This year admission is a canned good, book or a gently used piece of clothing. All donations will be given to Matrix Human Services.
Getaway with a Romantic Stay at the Townsend
Now that the holidays are over, take some time with your significant other celebrate Valentine's Day in town at the Townsend. Located in beautiful downtown Birmingham enjoy an overnight stay in a luxury suite complete with champagne, chocolate covered strawberries and in room breakfast for two. To make your stay even more spectacular the Townsend has partnered Margot European Day Spa to offer a variety of specials. To Book your lovers getaway visit the www.townsendhotel.com.
What's A Byway
Woodward Avenue is a All-American Road, a member of an elite collection of roads in the United States, the America's Byways®, honored by the U.S Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration. This designation is administrated through the FHWA's, National Scenic Byways program. Woodward Avenue not only tells the story of innovation in America, but the world. What makes Woodward a one of a kind road is that it is the birthplace of the automotive industry and is home to historical sites and events that have shaped the world we live in. From the Ford Piquette Plant to the world's first mile of concrete highway, it's full of experiences that can't be duplicated anywhere else in the world. Come and explore Woodward Avenue's story and discover how the people, places and events along this road changed America forever.
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Sincerely,
Nicole Brown , WA3 Outreach & Promotions Coordinator |
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