Colgate & Starbright foundation are sponsoring a really neat event, the construction of Fun Centers at children’s hospitals all over the country.  There are 8 major hospitals that are already going to receive one, but a second fun center is up for vote, and right now Detroit Children’s Hospital has just moved into 1st place.  To vote, you only have until visit the site by February 29th.  Read more from Fox News, or you can just vote now.

There has been a lot of hype in the local Detroit media about hosting this Second Creative Cities Summit October 13-15th since Governor Granholm announced it and blogged about it February 15th. No location for the event has yet been identified. Neither the link in the MiLifeMiTimes article nor the Cool Cities page of MSHDA seem to provide any detail. MiLifeMiTimes goes on to say the first Summit was held in St. Petersburg Fl. in 2004, which is also listed in the Freep article released in the same media salvo on this issue. Digging in a bit further, I find that an organization called UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) hosted what they thought was the first one in Philadelphia last year, partnering with a local organization called Innovation Philadelphia. So I am confused - when was the first summit? From MiLifeMiTimes, the Michigan State Housing Development Authority’s (MSHDA) Cool Cities Team is a key organizer of the event. Freep also mentions Creative Cities Productions, which doesn’t seem to exist, at least to Google. Peter Kageyama, who is mentioned in conjunction with Creative Cities Productions is very active in Creative Class activities, more of which you can read about here. I am hoping to get some people engaged in this worthy effort, so I hope more information on this event is provided soon!

Detroit Renaissance wants to know what you think and where you live - if you are creative.  They have asked New Economy Strategies LLC to conduct a survey to gauge obstacles to build a creative environment and Crain’s Detroit to survey the community to create a map of all the creative sector businesses in our Metro area.

For the Creative Business Climate survey (which they will email you the results of) click here.

For the asset map survey (which they won’t send you results of), you can read Mary Kramer’s intro to the survey, or jump to the survey.  If you even remotely suspect that you or someone you may work with can loosely be defined as creative - take this survey.  This survey is aimed at business, not individual, so fill it out for your company, even if you are a company of one!

There are few options (1) if you are in the music industry, and there may be others that are not completely represented.  Go ahead and pick the ‘other’ checkbox - don’t be intimidated to explain how you don’t fit into any of the pigeon holes!  What is most important is to stand up and be counted!

No, this isn’t another Die Hard movie. A geeky group in Detroit called Motor City Connect is sponsoring a Red Cross drive called ‘Red, Green and Warmth to provide blood, money & blankets in this holiday season that is a dry spell for the Red Cross.  The day to act is Friday, December 21.  Check out either site and do what seems best.

Another celebration of urban living is happening again this Friday at Willy’s Lofts, 444 West Willis in Midtown. Illuminate highlights recent urban residential developments in Detroit. Starts at 7, lasts till at least Midnight, and showcases food, music and art - what more do you need?

Making it happen: Contemporary Art Institute of Detroit, Slow’s BBQ, Majestic Cafe, R. Hirt Jr., Cost Plus wines and music courtesy of Detour Magazine.

$10 at the door helps StandUp for Kids and CAID. If you can’t afford the ten bucks, volunteer - Detroit Synergy can still use help on the day of the event.

Formerly known as TasteFest, this re-engineered music and food event that draws huge crowds downtown is also sporting a new Gallery Preview Party in the Fisher Theater lobby tonight at 8. Eleven artists work will be featured, kicking off a 5 day, 4 stage, 40 restaurant eating, drinking and merry making time. CityFest highlights the ‘D’s musical and entertainment diversity with local rock, rap, R&B, jazz, and more in the main music categories. Highlights include Weird Al and lots of local talent, including Revolva, displaying her exotic hoop routines & leading the way with the World Hoop Day July 7th (who knew the hoola hoop could get upscale!) If food, drink, music & entertainment aren’t enough, their is a skateboard exhibition area, the Detroit Derby Girls, and way more that you can see on the site. Head down to the D!

Rumor from DetroitCity.com is that St. Andrews Hall, famous for Eminem’s rap battles featured in the movie 8 Mile, is a purchase target for the rapper/future real estate magnate.  No comment from Eminem’s camp on the discussions with Live Nation, formerly Clearchannel Communications, on what is going on.  You can read more about it from Rap Basement, here.  Thanks to DetroitCity and Rap Basement!

There is never a shortage of reasons to head for the ‘D’ on any given weekend, and this one is no exception!  With over 50 live performances, 6 stages, and way over a hundred individual artist booths, the Detroit Festival of the Arts will be a celebration of the creative!  In it’s 21st year, the Festival is located in the heart of the Wayne State area, and is easily reached from several major freeways.  If live music, tons of sand, and just about every type of live performance you can imagine sound like a good time, hit it!

Come to the DYC at 8am tomorrow to hear Smart Cities Radio host and CEO’s for Cities President Carol Coletta discussing what it takes to make a city successful and how Detroit measures up. Register here, get more info here, and get directions here. Joining Carol will be Detroit’s own Lou Glazer, president of Michigan Future.

Detroit stands second to none when it comes to Techno!  From the beginning, Techno was invented by Detroiters, and the former Techno Festival this year will feature over 75 of the worlds leading electronic artists.  This event is known all over the world - I could start naming names, but essentially everyone is here!  Now dubbed Movement 2007, Paxahau, the event’s principle promoter has established a website with the amazing lineup for this 3 day weekend!  If you are into electronic music, this will be your event this year.  If you are into parties, besides all the entertainment there are a series of pre and post events guaranteed to keep you in the spirit!  Check the site for more details, and be there May 26, 27 & 28!