One of my goals this year with Challenge Detroit is being and buying local – local food, local goods, local activities. This December I was able to go above and beyond when buying local food and goods as I prepared myself for the gift giving season. However, there is one thing I should mention. Even though I have been participating locally, my fellow fellows have been teasing me about not only Challenging Detroit, but “Challenging the Country”. To elaborate, this month I traveled to Indianapolis, IN for the Big Ten Championship Game and to Pasadena, CA for the 100th Anniversary Rose Bowl Game as a Michigan State University Alumnus in addition to returning home to the Tri-State Area for the holiday season. It’s been a whirlwind of a month and definitely the way I wanted to close out 2013. I don’t think I’ve been “Challenging the Country” through every pillar associated with Challenge Detroit, but I have enjoyed the travel, the company, and the experience.

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December Recap

Events
–          2014 Rose Bowl: 100th Anniversary Game – Michigan State University vs. Stanford – game held at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA*
–          Big Ten Championship Game – Michigan State University vs. The Ohio State University –      game held at Lucius Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN*
–          Challenge Detroit Alumni Presents: Holiday Happy Hour – hosted at The Town Pump Tavern
–          In Unfamiliar Territory – event held at Wayne State University
–          Misfit Mingle and Jingle – event held at Detroit City Apartments
–          Menorah in the D – event held in Campus Martius in downtown Detroit
–          Winter Festival Outdoor Public Open Skate – hosted at Comerica Park

Restaurants
–          Good Cakes and Bakes
–          Little Caesars Pizza
–          Louie’s Ham and Corned Beef
–          HopCat*
–          Hudson Cafe
–          Potbelly Sandwich Shop
–          Roma Cafe
–          Vicente’s Cuban Cuisine

Bars
–          Campus Matrius Holiday Beer Garden
–          Jacoby’s German Biergarten
–          Kilroy’s Bar and Grill
–          Slippery Noodle Inn*
–          Town Pump Tavern

Shops /Offices/CoOp Buildings
–          Boll Family YMCA
–          ChalkFly.com
–          Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan
–          Renaissance Center – GM Headquarters
–          Eastern Market Antiques
–          Library Street Collective
–          Madison Theater Building
–          Northwest Activities Center
–          Rock, Paper, Scissors
–          Salon Detroit
–          Skidmore Studio

Please note: Events & places marked with * were attended outside of the Detroit area.