[Prosper] The Uptown Film Festival returns with three days of thought-provoking films

A world-premiere film and several others making their Michigan debuts are among the highlights of the second annual Uptown Film Festival (UFF), which begins Thursday at the Palladium 12 and Birmingham 8 theatres in Birmingham.

Brothers on the Line, the story of the Reuther brothers and the history of the United Auto Workers as told by Frank Reuther’s son, is making its world premiere.

Bully, a documentary that addresses the emotional and psychological tolls of bullying, is among several films premiering during the Uptown Film Festival, which celebrates both Michigan-based filmmakers (and films shot in Michigan) as well as other domestic and international films of significance.

Read more.

[HOT LIST] Eat to do good

Fresh Food Share box (photo from Gleaners Food Bank)

Some people eat to live. Some live to eat. And then there are those who eat to do good. While people are becoming more conscious of what they eat in terms of environmental and economic sustainability, still others see food as an opportunity to make a political statement and enact social change. Whether that is getting involved with food activism targeting specific legislation (such as the Michigan Good Food Charter), operating an urban farm through a nonprofit organization, or helping to make inexpensive fresh food available in urban areas, now more than ever you are what you eat.

#1 Fresh Food Share (Detroit)
The Fresh Food Share (FFS) is a community food program in the city of Detroit that is part of the Green Ribbon Collaborative - a partnership between Gleaners Food Bank, Eastern Market, the Fair Food Network and Greening of Detroit. The Hannan Center is the local distribution and volunteer center. Through this program, community members can participate in a monthly fresh food program (similar to a CSA) payable by cash, check, or Bridge card. Shares of fresh fruits and vegetables are available in a variety of sizes up to 30 pounds ($17), or you can choose to support a senior with a 20-pound mixed fruit and veggie box for only $14. Orders are due by noon on the second Thursday of the month through December 8 (the next order is due in by September 8); distribution is on the third Friday. For more information or to place an order, call 313-550-8034.

#2 SEED Wayne (Detroit)
SEED Wayne is a program administered through the Wayne State University College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (Department of Urban Studies and Planning) designed to help build a sustainable food system on the WSU campus and in the local community. They partner with other area nonprofits to create a culture of awareness and access, and the education starts with their own students. Since its launch, the program has planted three urban vegetable and herb gardens and now hosts a weekly on-campus farmers' market on Wednesdays (through October 26). They are also involved with fledgling programs such as Detroit FRESH (an effort to get fresh produce in corner stores), as well as host an annual Harvest Dinner.

#3 Forgotten Harvest (Oak Park)
The mission of Forgotten Harvest is to fight hunger and waste in metro Detroit by rescuing surplus prepared and perishable food and donating it to emergency shelters. They have hundreds of regular donors in addition to community food drives organized by private entities such as corporate offices and community groups (especially during the holidays). Their efforts benefit over 150 food pantries, soup kitchens, homeless and domestic shelters, senior citizens' and group homes, and children's homes all over Oakland, Wayne, and Macomb Counties. They also partner with other local businesses and organizations for a number of fundraising events including an annual charity golf outing and charity fashion events.

#4 Gleaners Community Food Bank (Detroit)
Gleaners Community Food Bank also strives to fight hunger in Southeastern Michigan through community outreach, education, and food distribution. They deliver 36 million pounds of donated and purchased food to agencies and people in need annually, and hope to raise that number to 50 million by 2013. To assist their fundraising efforts they host special events (such as the Bernie Smilovitz 2011 Harvest Classic this Sunday, September 11) and organize food drives. They also sponsor programs like "Cooking Matters," which teaches families how to shop for and prepare economical and nutritious meals at home.

#5 Capuchin Soup Kitchen and Earthworks Garden (Detroit)
The Capuchin Soup Kitchen is an 82-year-old organization founded by Capuchin friars to tend to people's basic needs, especially the need for food. The organization is inspired by the philanthropic works of St. Francis of Assisi, and serves the people of metro Detroit through a number of programs including the On the Rise Bakery and the Earthworks Garden. They also offer clothing, shelter, and rehabilitative services. You can start doing your part by attending the Earth Works Garden Annual Harvest Dinner on September 17.

Bubbling under Fair Food Network Detroit, Slow Food Detroit, Feedom Freedom Growers, ROC-United

Detroit Restaurant Week Prelude at Iridescence

It's next week! Already! Let the games begin!

This "Prelude" party sounds fab...I'll be there with bells on. (You never know. I might have bells.)

Detroit Restaurant Week festivities begin on Thursday, April 15 at 5 p.m. with a prelude party at Iridescence and Amnesia located on the top floor of the MotorCity Casino Hotel to benefit Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan.

“We wanted this year’s prelude event to be a party with a purpose,” said Detroit
Restaurant Week Executive Director Jason Huvaere. “The partnership we have
formed with Gleaners Community Food Bank and the Nino Salvaggio
International Marketplace will help to provide less fortunate individuals
and families from our region with nutritious foods.”

Entry into the Detroit Restaurant Week prelude party is FREE, however attendees are encouraged to either make a monetary donation to Gleaners upon entry, or bring canned food items to donate.

Upon entering Iridescence guests will be treated to much more than just the reathtaking views of the Detroit skyline, they will be greeted by models in custom-crafted chef coats restyled by FEMILIA, emerging Detroit couture fashion designers, and enjoy the sounds of the John Arnold Trio.

Guests will immediately be drawn to the four avant-garde food installations. These works of art will be the centerpiece of food stations that will offer party-goers an array of delicious appetizers. The visually stimulating installations will be:

1. A massive Spring onion tree delicately arranged with spring onion flowers.
2. Carrot curls submerged in water and set off by flickering candles.
3. Layers of asparagus covering oversized vases wrapped in leather, lace metal chains and safety pins.
4. A 3-foot POP ART themed artichoke log studded with industrial metal scales,
incorporating both sand art and candlelight.

“We have an ongoing relationship with Gleaners Community Food Bank,” said Rhonda Cohen, COO of MotorCity Casino Hotel. “We value them as a community partner and this event was another opportunity to help advance their mission. We didn’t hesitate to get involved for such a great cause.”

Next door at Amnesia guests will find a fifth food station devoted to decadent desserts, all of which are hand crafted by the 2007 American Culinary Federation’s Pastry Chef of the Year, Patricia Nash.

Soft drinks and warm beverages will also be available along with a cash bar. The menus for each restaurants participating in the 10-evening dinner promotion will
be on display for party-goers to review. Guests should RSVP to rsvp2010@detroitrestaurantweek.com and put “DRW Prelude” in the subject line. Each guest will also receive a small take home gift while supplies last.

Donations to Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan

Party-goers will be encouraged make a donation to Gleaners upon their arrival -- by
cash, check, credit or debit card. The donation amount will be left to the discretion of the guest. Donations will then be processed by Gleaners and the order will be placed with the Nino Salvaggio International Marketplace, which will deliver the items to a designated Gleaners location.

“We are pleased to be part of Detroit Restaurant Week – an exciting event that celebrates what Detroit has to offer,” said W. DeWayne Wells, president of Gleaners. “Many of our neighbors still struggle to put food on the table, so we are especially grateful to DRW, Nino Salvaggio’s and MotorCity Casino Hotel for stepping up to help those in need.”

Guests may also bring canned and dry goods for donation. Gleaners suggests the following items because they are nutritious, easy for their clients to use, and
continuously requested by their partners for distribution:

Tuna Fish
Dry Beans
Canned Meat
Noodles, Macaroni
Beef Stew
Pancake
or Baking Mixes
Meat Soups, Hearty Soups
Rice
Canned Spaghetti or
Pasta Cereal
Granola Bars
Peanut Butter
Jelly (in plastic jars)
Oatmeal
Canned Beans (kidney, pinto, green, yellow, refried or black
beans)