Rock Center with Brian Williams talks about Costco Craze

I don't have the details on what they're covering but it airs tonight at 9 PM ET. Here are some links to some related stories.

http://rockcenter.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/04/25/11376778-no-frills-retail-revolution-leads-to-costco-wholesale-shopping-craze

http://video.msnbc.msn.com/rock-center/47149442/

More Pictures of Construction

Just found this picture on Jackson Dean Construction's site. There are a bunch more that can be found here.

Why I look forward to the Costco opening #4

Here's a secret for the guys out there and reason #4 I look forward to Costco opening in Ann Arbor. Costco has great flowers at a very good price. This means I can pick up a huge bunch of flowers for the wife for no particular reason and brighten her day. Unfortunately, there's not a Costco nearby to snap pictures so a quick search of the interweb turns up this picture. Credit for the photo goes to Traci Zeller, you can see more pictures at her blog.

Guys, figure out what types of flowers your significant other doesn't like and don't get them. Or, get a bunch of flowers with the offending blooms and reuse them somewhere else.

Foodie Roadtrip Detroit Style

Mexicantown Churros and Tacos, Eastern Market, and Michigan Central Station

This past Saturday, we jumped in the family truckster to check out Eastern Market in Detroit and finish up with lunch in Mexicantown. If you've never been to Eastern Market, imagine the Ann Arbor Farmer's Market is Danny DeVito's character in the movie Twins compared to Arnold Schwarzenegger as Eastern Market. The place is huge with vendors hawking everything from fresh cut flowers to butchered pork and Angus beef. The unseasonably cold weather kept us moving quickly from stall to stall and Shed to Shed sampling tasty bits along the way. Eastern Market is definitely on the repeat visit list, especially as the weather warms up again.


Our next stop was Taqueria Lupita's in Mexicantown, next to the site of Tiger's Stadium. They're known for their Tacos Al Pastor and fresh salsas but everything on the menu looked good. Their tacos are authentic with two corn or flour tortillas and your choice of Pastor, Carnitas, Asada, Pollo, Buche, Chorizo, Lengua filling with optional onions and cilantro. There are more fillings I can't remember but that should give you a good start. The meal was rounded out with a refreshing horchata.


For dessert, we popped down to La Gloria Bakery to pick up some goodies. You can see the picture of my churro below, which was very tasty. They also had a caramel filled churro if you're the type that needs more cowbell.

Along the way we passed Michigan Central Station. This is one of the landmarks visited in Palladium Boots video 'Detroit Lives' hosted by Johnny Knoxville. The scale of this building is a clear indication of the level of train traffic through Detroit during it's heyday. Detroit was the fourth largest city in America in the 1920-1940 census.

Our final stop on our trip to the "D" was Belle Isle. I could imagine this island park rivaling the likes of Central Park in New York, or Golden Gate Park in San Francisco or even Forest Park in St. Louis in amenities, attractions and accessibility not necessarily size. The Detroit Grand Prix is only 37 days away. Grand stands, barriers and "candy canes" are showing up around the Isle. It was neat to drive parts of the course before the race.

Lunch!

Not necessarily related to Costco but definitely related to Ann Arbor. I took the wife downtown to Mark's Carts for lunch today to get out and enjoy the weather.  Picked up Shanu Chaat from Hut-K Chaats and pork buns and a mushroom bun from San Street with some Sriracha on the side. I liked everything but next time I'll order a chorizo corndog and duck fat french fries to try something different.

Entrance photo

Here's a recent photo of the entrance with the sign up. The parking lot hasn't been paved yet, but will probably be one of the final items completed before the opening. I hear the Ann Arbor location will have a gas station as well.

Why I look forward to the Costco opening #3

These aren't in any particular order but another reason I look forward to the Costco opening are the free samples.

One of the best samples I've seen and tasted was a cheese tasting station, mmmmm!

What's been your favorite sample at Costco?

Two Things I Like Are Better When Put Together

TED and Michigan Football

TEDxUofM video of long time Equipment Manager Jon Falk
Jon Falk talks about Bo, getting hired at Michigan and tradition.

Updates

To everyone giving me a hard time about my lack of posts:

I will post more updates on the Ann Arbor Costco blog. I will post more updates on the Ann Arbor Costco blog. I will post more updates on the Ann Arbor Costco blog. I will post more updates on the Ann Arbor Costco blog. I will post more updates on the Ann Arbor Costco blog. I will post more updates on the Ann Arbor Costco blog. I will post more updates on the Ann Arbor Costco blog. I will post more updates on the Ann Arbor Costco blog. I will post more updates on the Ann Arbor Costco blog. I will post more updates on the Ann Arbor Costco blog. I will post more updates on the Ann Arbor Costco blog. I will post more updates on the Ann Arbor Costco blog. I will post more updates on the Ann Arbor Costco blog. I will post more updates on the Ann Arbor Costco blog. I will post more updates on the Ann Arbor Costco blog. I will post more updates on the Ann Arbor Costco blog.

Ok, back to regularly scheduled programming.

Costco to Open June 29!

Ok, annarbor.com reports that Costco will open on June 29 instead of July 26. That must mean road construction is ahead of schedule...

So apparently we're getting a roundabout in Pittsfield Township. I love it! I think I'm the only one that likes these things except the urban planners.

Washtenaw County has a webpage on how to navigate roundabouts.
Here's a video that illustrates the use of a roundabout. Hoonage and shenanigans may ensue.

I wonder if they'll show this video at the Pittsfield Township Senior Center?

Why I look forward to the Costco opening?

Alright, here are a couple reasons I'm looking forward to the Costco opening.

1. Churros. Costco churros are a good way to get your fix between trips to XOCO in Chicago. Here's a tip, try a churro with hot chocolate. Awesome!
2. Dipped Ice Cream Bar with Almonds.  These are great in the summer, spring and fall. They're also great in the winter. Giant chocolate dipped ice cream bar, good. Covered with large almond chunks, even better! Bonus tip, don't try to eat in the car while moving unless you want almond chunks everywhere. Ask me how I know...