When things are meant to be, they come together pretty seamlessly. This is exactly how Mentobe Cafe got its name and why downtown Farmington has a great new coffee shop. Former marketing professionals, the Mentobe owners met a man that worked in construction, specifically restaurants. One of the partners wanted to own a bookshop; Mentobe is located in the space a resale bookshop was located. Another partner’s father owned a pub; Mentobe is located next to Cowley’s Irish Pub.

Setting aside the coincidences, Mentobe is a fine addition to the downtown Farmington street scene. Located between Cowley’s and the Civic Theatre, Mentobe offers sidewalk seating and cool, comfortable seating inside. Exposed brick walls, chic dark stained wooden tables and chairs and a fireplace all add to the comfort of Mentobe’s atmosphere.

As cool as the atmosphere is, the coffee is extraordinary. This is because they roast their own coffee beans on-site; one of the few coffee houses around that does this. Baked goods and chocolate confections are also on the menu.

Want to learn more? Check out the Mentobe Cafe´ Facebook page and website. Looking for their schedule of events and performers? Check out their calendar.

Let’s hear from one of the owners, Kim, why Mentobe Cafe´is a Cool Place in South East Michigan:

Check out downtown Farmington’s coolest coffe shop:

When it comes to Detroit, there are some locations that are continuing to draw attention and business. Never mind the theatre district and the areas around Comerica Park and Ford Field. As long as music and sports are played, these areas will continue to be destination points in the City of Detroit. Let’s consider Corktown, shall we?

Previously, 500CoolThings covered Slow’s BBQ on Michigan Avenue in Corktown. It truly is an excellent restaurant and would be a destination all its own, no matter where it had opened for business. Now, a couple doors down, is Astro Coffee.

Did Someone Say Coffee?

A couple doors down from Slow’s is Detroit’s most anticipated coffee shop, Astro Coffee. Started by folks that love and lovingly prepare coffee, you will be hard pressed to go wrong finding a cup of coffee here that does not satisfy.

Here is a look inside Astro Coffee and an interview with Ben, one of the most energetic and passionate baristas I have ever encountered:

Ok, so Cadillac is not in southeast Michigan.  However, if you live in southeast Michigan, or visit in the winter months, chances are good that you are familiar with destinations “up north.”  And Caberfae Peaks is one of our premier “up north” destinations.

Located in Cadillac, about 2.5 hours northeast of Detroit, Caberfae Peaks is a destination ski lodge and golf resort, and one of Michigan’s oldest ski destinations.

From the Pure Michigan website:

Caberfae Peaks Ski Resort boasts Michigan’s highest lift-served peaks and some of the state’s biggest vertical drops. With 34 runs, skiers and riders will enjoy the best advanced, intermediate, and novice ski runs in the state. As Michigan’s closest up-north ski resort, you’ll spend less time in the car and more time on the slopes. Ski Magazine called us “Michigan’s #1 Ski Value” and the “Alta of the Midwest,” because we have exceptional terrain, a dedicated & friendly staff, a relaxed homespun atmosphere, all at very affordable prices. We are proud of that and want to share it with you!

This being winter, Brendon hit the slopes, instead of a golf ball.

Check out Caberfae Peaks’ website for up to the minute ski condition reports as well as their latest ski/golf/lodging specials.  They can also be found on Facebook.

For those “in the know,” Slows is THE Bar-B-Q destination in Detroit.

Located in the “Corktown” section of Detroit (see map below), Slows has gone from zero to sizzling in terms of its popularity in a very short period of time and almost entirely via word of mouth. Don’t believe us?  Check out what Yelp! has to say about Slows.

While attending a conference recently, I had the pleasure of having lunch at this establishment and was blown away by the food and ambiance.  As you will see in the video below, you will need either a reservation or a lot of patience.  This place is jumping, and a line forms almost literally every day at 11:00 am, when Slows opens.

Check out Slows Bar-B-Q online and be sure to “like” them via their Facebook page.  Their website features their menu and beer list.  In addition to a fabulous restaurant atmosphere, Slows has recently started a “to-go” locale on Cass.

Can’t wait to get to Slows?  Point your car in this direction:

With two stand up comedians working here at 500CoolThings.com, I kind of feel like the odd man out.  Maybe I can simply be the straight guy… the Abbott to their Costello, the peanut butter to their jelly.

That being said, somehow and against all manner of fairness and logic, I ended up being the guy to write this post about comedy. Cruel, cruel fate! LOL. Or not LOL. That will be your decision. Ha ha. Ha. *sigh*

Go Comedy! is a local, improv theatre located on Nine Mile, just East of Woodward, In Ferndale, Michigan.  Not only does Go Comedy! feature local improv acts, they have a schedule of written and directed comedy shows.  If you have an interest in learning about improv yourself, they also have classes about improvisational comedy.  An intimate setting, Go Comedy! is proving to be a great locale for a first date.  As one Yelp! commenter states, chances are good for a second and third date if you start off here.

Connect with Go Comedy! on their Facebook page or via Twitter.  Here’s a quick video to get a feel for the theatre and its vibe.

Looking to find Go Comedy!? Point your car here:

The fact that the movie industry has exploded in Michigan in the last few years is a very cool thing.

A number of movies have been shot in and around downtown Plymouth, Michigan, where 500CoolThings.com is headquartered. In fact, a film starrting Clive Owen was shot in downtown Plymouth in a home owned by a close friend of ours.

But we digress.

Back to the fact that the movie industry has become a fixture in Michigan – Hollywood East, anyone? A key part of this story is the Michigan Film Office, which was created to showcase the assets Michigan offers to the film making industry. Serving in the capacity of the Vice Chair of the Michigan Film Office, Jim Burnstein is the subject of this 500CoolThings.com post.

As the Vice Chair, Jim is – for lack of a better way of expressing it – a primary ambassador on behalf of Michigan to Hollywood.  As you will see in the clips below, as a professor at the University of Michigan (his alma mater), he has had the bittersweet experience of teaching future screen writers…and then watching them leave Michigan immediately after graduation due to the fact that the film industry has historically been based in New York, or, more typically, Los Angeles.

One side benefit to the Michigan Film Office and the incentives offered to film makers to create their movies here in Michigan is that this “brain drain” has slowed.  No longer do Jim’s students automatically leave the state upon graducation.  In fact, it sounds as though a fair number are not only staying in Michigan, but moving into Detroit!

Brendon recently caught up with the writer/producer/professor/Vice Chair for an in depth interview.  Here is a brief clip on why Jim feels the Michigan Film Incentive is a cool thing for the state of Michigan:

In April of 2010, I had the opportunity to hear Jim speak at the TEDx Conference put on at the University of Michigan.  Jim definitely has a passion for seeing this state, and its resources, utilized in the film making industry.

TEDxUM Speech:

In the video below, I take you on a walking tour of part of Main Street and Kellogg Park, where the bulk of the festive decorations are located.

This is just one more reason that Plymouth is such a magical place to live, work and play.

Come down and check it out!

Curious to experience downtown Plymouth and Kellogg Park?  Point your car to Plymouth, Michigan with this map:

A Scottish-American tradition, the “Kirking of the Tartans” is a ceremony during which family tartans are blessed or recognized by the local church.  There is some discrepancy as to whether this is a tradition dating back to the 1740′s when Prince Charles Edward Stewart returned from exile, or whether it was revived/created to encourage Scottish-Americans to enlist and help save Great Britain during World War II.

Regardless of which history is correct, the end result is a tradition within the Scottish community enjoyed by many here in Southeast Michigan.

In this 500CoolThings.com post, our videographer Brendon, himself a Scot, drops by the Jefferson Avenue Presbyterian church to observe the Kirkin’ o’ the Tartans.

Here are the directions to Jefferson Presbyterian Church:

Downtown Plymouth has a plethora of neat businesses that simply need to be highlighted!

In this 500CoolThing.com profile, we are featuring Cellar 849, located at 849 Penniman.  Cellar 849 is a great place to meet friends for a glass of wine and wood fired pizza.

Going further than other wine bars, Cellar 849 even boasts the ability to help you create your own signature vino!  Want to create a family Cabernet Sauvignon for the next family gathering?  Cellar 849 can help you choose, age, label and even bottle your hand-crafted wine.

Drop by Cellar 849, grab a glass of wine, a stone fired pizza and enjoy the laid back atmosphere and intimate setting.

Check out the video below to get a feel for what Cellar 849 has to offer:

Looking for more information on Cellar 849?  Check out their reviews on Yelp!

Here’s where Cellar 849 is located:

A little different than most 500 Cool Things posts, today we’re highlighting a community service that has sprung up from the Southeastern Michigan Social Media circles.

Beginning today, November 1, 2010 and running through December 6th, 2010, “Laptops for Ladies” is accepting your laptop donations.  If you have a used-but-functional laptop that you’re no longer using, please make an appointment at one of the six local drop locations (see below) and donate your laptop to help someone less fortunate enjoy the wonder of personal technology.

Laptops for Ladies is a community service idea from the minds at Girls in Tech – Detroit:  Audrey Walker, Trisha Verma, Nikki Stephan, Jenni Muray and Sarah Worsham From the Laptops for Ladies website:

Please help us in collecting used and new laptops. Our goal is to support the technology needs for ladies who are underserved this holiday season by supplying them with laptops. The machines will be given to mothers at Lighthouse and to girls from the Detroit Public School District via Reality Check Detroit. The goal is to inspire them to see the value in literacy, art and technology.

Here are the drop off locations.  Be sure to call first before dropping off your laptop. And thanks so much for your generous donations! From everyone at 500CoolThings.com, we wish you the finest of holiday seasons!