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CGB DESIGNS: THE SPRING/ SUMMER & FALL 2018 WOMEN’S COLLECTION WWW.FUZIONDETROIT.COM
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Photo Courtesy of Pure Michigan
C ntents
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For All Foodies
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Temple Anointing Working Out Hard Is More Effective...Or Is It? The Art of Yoga.
Thee Immaculate Palate Reviews on Churchill’s in Birmingham and Flowers of Vietnam in Southwest Detroit.
Paparazzi Pics Behind the scenes at Fuzion Magazines March - April Cover Photo Shoot.
C.Grantston Bullard Fashionably Fabulous in Detroit! From Ebony and Vogue, Woman’s Wear Daily and Pellicle Mode (Italy), to Vibe, Essence, and GQ are some of the publications he’s “Covered.”
FUZION MAGAZINE Fuzion Magazine will serve as the informational resource of choice for a public wanting to stay current on cultural events; social, economic, financial, parental, relationship matters, entertainment, fashion, legal and health issues. The common thread woven throughout our content is the concept of living a diversified lifestyle with ‘Fuzing’ our community together as one.
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Power 2 Our People 10 Ways to Come Up on Snyder’s Plantation!
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Editor’s Words
FUZION MAGAZINE
Humble Thank You’s and Eternal Gratitude Wow! The response to our print issue of Fuzion was incredible, to say the least. With having to do 5 press runs, I think we are off to an excellent start! I must thank my dedicated staff, my right hand and business partner Deon Yates for “Making things dowhat- they- do.” Most importantly, I give All Graces to my Lord and savior for making all things possible for which I am eternally grateful! Our goal with Fuzion Magazine-Detroit is to embody the Spirit of Detroit in efforts to deliver new, original, innovative and thought-provoking content for our readership, all while highlighting the continual evolution of all things “Grand” in our city. In this issue of Fuzion, Fashion is Our Focus, showcasing the extraordinary designs of Detroit’s own C.Grantston Bullard with select pieces of his Spring/Summer and Fall, 2018 lines for Women and Men. Learn about his rich history in the fashion industry as the ONLY Global African American Owned and Operated Luxury platform; providing everything from head-to-toe.
Publisher & Editor-In-Chief Coire D. Nichols Houston chouston@fuziondetroit.com Associate Publisher Deon Yates dyates@fuziondetroit.com Marketing/Sales Director Bedelia Brown bbrown@fuziondetroit.com Senior Editor Kimberly Allen Bradfield kabradfield@fuziondetroit.com
Assistant Editor Monique Guest-Schuh mgschuh@fuziondetroit.com Assignment Editor Kelly Terrell kterrell@fuziondetroit.com
Our columnists: Rachel, Jimmie, Herman, and Daniel will provide you with spiritual uplifting, good eats, all while “Keeping it Real,” with what’s really going on right here and right now! As always, we welcome your feedback. Please feel free to email me at chouston@fuziondetroit.com. If you can’t find the print issue of Fuzion, there are no worries just visit our website at www.fuziondetroit.com for our digital versions of this and the previous issues. “LIKE US,” on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter as we continue to grow. Stay tuned for our next endeavor as we bring the FuzionVizion Network
Layout and Design Deon Yates dyates@fuziondetroit.com Web Development Norvell Molex Jr. nmolex@fuziondetroit.com
of Programing to a local television station near you!
Social Media Brieon Houston bhouston@fuziondetroit.com
We hope that you enjoy the March/April installment of Fuzion Magazine-Detroit.
Photographers and Videographers Norvell Molex Jr. nmollex@fuziondetroit.com
With Peace, Love and Prosperity, Always…
Michael Ragland mragland@fuziondetoit.com Mario Small msmall@fuziondetroit.com
Contributors
Advertising Sales Darrell Dyer ddyer@fuziondetroit.com Michael Ragland mragland@fuziondetoit.com Operations Mechelle Dunbar mdunbar@fuziondetroit.com
HERMAN DAVIS
“Herman Davis is The Greatest,” is synonymously known with our locally known businessman, civil rights, and political advocate. We are honored to have Mr. Davis as a contributor with his prolific inclusions and years of historical incites to Fuzion as the columnist of “Power 2 Our People.” Mr. Davis can be emailed at hdavis@fuziondetroit.com.
RACHEL ORANGE
Rachel Orange, The Hippiediva was born well before her time. “All things are possible by God,” is her mantra and lives her life in that manner with healthy eating, exercising, inner peace, with spirituality encompassing her well being. Her Blog on Facebook offers various healthy food options as her column will provide a variety of your mind, body, and soul. She can be reached at rorange@fuziondetroit.com
JIMMIE DREW
Jimmie Drew is the Founder & COO of Mac’s Chix-NBonez located Clarksburg, West Virginia is a Chief and Grill Master specialising in various spices, smoked meats and wild game! VOTED #1 Best Damn Ribs & Chicken in Clarksburg! When not cooking, in WVA he travels nationally and personally documents his restaurants visits as a continual effort to hone his craft while enhancing his pallet. He can be reached at jdrew@fuziondetroit.com.
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Deborah Oates doates@fuziondetroit.com
Printer R &L Color Graphics Inc 18709 Meyers Detroit, MI 48235 313-345-3838 www.randlcolor.com Fuzion Magazine-Detroit PO Box 21564 Detroit, MI 48221 Phone and Fax: 313-397-3118 www.fuziondetroit.com ISSN: 1552-7123 Advertising and Content Info@fuziondetroit.com Fuzion Magazine-Detroit is a Division of CDN Communications, LLC © 2018
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Model: Lisa La Don Photographer: Monica Morgan
On The Cover: Black and White Super Wax Cotton Print from Dakar, Africa $375.00. Black Leather and Suede Bustier $500.00. Black Asymmetrical Leather Fringed Skirt $1100.00. FUZION MAGAZINE MARCH / APRIL 2018 ISSUE 02
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C. GranTsTon Bullard Fashionably Fabulous in Detroit COIRE NICHOLS HOUSTON
Ebony and Vogue, Woman’s Wear Daily and Pellicle Mode (Italy), Vibe, Essence, and GQ. These are some of the publications he’s “Covered” just to name a few. As one of the first African Americans endorsed by the Fur Information Council of America (FICA), Detroit’s own C. Grantston Bullard is indeed a fashion force to be reckoned with globally! With a specialty in leather skins and exotic furs, Bullard’s fashion lines are carried at many luxury retailers around the world.
However, Detroit has the honor of housing his design studio right on our Avenue of Fashion! It’s been 20 years since Bullard conducted a photo shoot in his hometown and Fuzion Magazine-Detroit has the distinct honor of showcasing his Spring/ Summer collection with a sneak peek of his Fall 2018 line just for our readers. Upon entering CGB Designs on Livernois, you are either greeted with a friendly welcome from his lovely wife Kimberly or his namesake Grantston, Jr.
With the sounds of Earth, Wind, and Fire on rotation bellowing in the background, you might be ever so lucky to be approached by the man himself and depending on the moment or mood he may humbly take you down his personal Memory Lane of Grandeur! His interest in fashion was piqued at a very young age due to his mother being a designer/ seamstress at a high-end boutique ironically on the Avenue of Fashion. “She was a dressmaker for one of the finer dress shops here on Livernois. Unfortunately, she has since passed away, and I don’t remember the name the store, but as a child, I was sitting in the shopping cart going up and down the fabric isles pulling spools of thread off the shelves. She kept me dressed like a Little Lord Fauntleroy
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(an American elite form of fashion for young boys, as illustrated in the book of the same title in the late 1800’s) with embroidered jackets, dress shirts, knickerbocker pants and she made everything in sight.” It was at Samuel E. Mumford Senior High where he ventured into entrepreneurship with making and selling the infamous skinny leather ties for men (often worn in in the 1980’s) with colorful suit jackets and shirts, that could be dressed-up or down according to the occasion. “I took my leather tie collection to what used to be Hughes and Hatchers Clothier (which was located in downtown Detroit on Woodward Avenue) with probably 10 or 11 colors, and they wanted 500 units. They asked me when and if I could deliver them in
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Continued...
the next four or five days. I told them no problem, we had them in the warehouse (laughing since there was no warehouse!) So, I was up for the next four or five days making 500 ties to sell at $5 a tie., At 21 years old, I made $2500 in three days! I was like, this was a good look!” Grantston began working for a childhood friend as a sales rep for his store, Fun Clothes by Wheeler, where he started designing and making leather jackets. While employed at Fun Clothes he met and credits his introduction to his now known as play sister; Illustrator and owner of Art Impact Net PR, Alyson Curd. “I started drawing comic books as a kid. I was already familiar with drawing the anatomy with muscles, so all I had to do was put clothes on the bodies. That’s how I started my illustrating, and she was instrumental in showing me how to apply that to garments.” With the help of Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator (created in 1988), he was able to scan his drawings/sketches on the computer with some manipulation allowing them to be placed into actual photos. He explains the process which his continues to use to this day, “I would do tech packs (sheets created to provide pertinent information to manufacturers for the components of design)
which means I would illustrate and also spec it out just like an architect. I could hand it to the builders which would be the sewers so they could create the patterns. I would work with them on creating the patterns and counting the samples.” After getting a taste of success in the industry, following suit of one of his personal hero’s Jean Baptiste du Sable, he jetted off to Chicago, Illinois where he received his first real gig! A side note for those that may not know: Jean Baptiste du Sable, a Haitian immigrant who moved his family to the northern part of the U.S. settling off the shores of Lake Michigan in the late 1700’s. Around 1790 du Sable was pivotal in establishing and implementing the fur trade in the Western Hemisphere and has been recognized as the (founder) Father of Chicago! Hence the
classification of the “Sable Fur.” A little known Black History Fact! PETA what? Housed on Michigan Avenue between Cartier and Tiffany it was at Adrianna Furs where the manifestation of CGB Designs would come to full fruition. Starting as an apprentice, as there were no courses at any design schools regarding fur, the self-taught Bullard received much of his tutelage from the Tebyanian family. “I was friended by the Italian, the Jewish and the Greek fur manufacturers and became a technician at that time. On top of that, I was able to sell my merchandise along with the primary designers on Michigan Avenue which in turn exposed me to the fur manufacturers and designers that were soliciting their merchandise to Andrianna. They would come to the showroom, see my merchandise, and of course, inquire as to who was the designer. They (the owner) would say this is an
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in-house designer. In turn, they solicited me to design with them, always under my label, with using their manufacture(s). That’s how I got into wholesale.” Accrediting du Sable with being the first Black Furrier in the world, he is, in fact, the only African American to have his CGB Design line of furs reproduced throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe. In addition to the Fur Information Council of America, Grantston also sits on the Saga Fur design team, a division of the International Fur Federation, where he also takes the honor of being a first. In conclusion, he shares, “They are a premier auction house in fur. The United States, Canada, and Europe were all founded on the fur trade. So, this was a little more than a coincidence!” Read more about Building of the CGB Brand in the April issue of Fuzion.
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Sleeveless Black Lamb Fringed Dress $2800.00. White Sheep Wool Boa $375.00. WWW.FUZIONDETROIT.COM
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HOT women’s
fashion
Swing into Spring with this Bright Canary Yellow Super Wax Floral Printed Trench Coat from Dakar, Africa $475.00. FUZION MAGAZINE MARCH / APRIL 2018 ISSUE 02
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Model: Lisa Jackson Photographer: Monica Morgan Make-up: Brieon Denise Styling Assistant: Sheroks by Diaab
Black Wing Stretch Knit Blouse $180.00 and Black High Waist Silk Gabardine Pencil Skirt $375.00. WWW.FUZIONDETROIT.COM
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Silk Wool Brocade Jacket with Queen Collar $575.00 and High Low Satin Skirt $275.00. FUZION MAGAZINE MARCH / APRIL 2018 ISSUE 02
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African Super Wax Print Jacket with White Linen Tuxedo Lapel from Senegal $225.00. White Linen Palazzo Pant $150.00. WWW.FUZIONDETROIT.COM
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African Super Wax Geometric Print Jacket with Princess Pleated Skirting $ 250.00. Matching Leather and Print Bag $425.00 FUZION MAGAZINE MARCH / APRIL 2018 ISSUE 02
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T
he Art Of Yoga
Photo Credit: ellarslie.org
Temple Anointing
WORKING OUT HARD IS MORE EFFECTIVE…OR IS IT? BY RACHEL ORANGE Normally, I enjoy adrenalinerushing, heart-pumping workouts such as targeted weight training, a sweat-drenching run on the track (and/or the stairs), or shaking my hips — vigorously dancing merengue in a Zumba class. But this wasn’t a typical day for the Hippiediva. In the past, my interest in yoga was non-existent because I prefer thrill exercises; I want to go millions of miles an hour — no time to sit, stretch, and twist my body like silly putty (plus it seemed painful and tedious).
Yoga definitely wasn’t the highest priority on my bucket list. So I buckled down and incorporated discipline into my regime. It was time to delve into the spiritual well waters of my soul and tap into yoga- (Youthfulness, Oneness, God Almighty)! Or as the ancient’s would describe “Yuj” — from the Sanskrit root” to join,” “yoke” unite. I quickly discovered that combining being one with Yoga was the perfect choice for my next soul searching body & mind experience. Soon as I walked through the door of Elevated Yogi to try the slow burn technique,
I was greeted by a serene atmosphere of tranquility. With safari music, subdued lights, bellows of aromatic smoke and an inspiring yoga teacher that offered a spiritual approach, I found the movement and intensity I was looking for in stillness. Krista, one of the instructors, said something which really stuck in my mind: “through the chaos and heat, growth appears!” And here I go on my quest to reach a higher level of self via meditative stretches, body toning, balancing and prana (breathing) techniques (vital energy)!
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Yoga actually made me feel more grounded, present and confident, the poses taught me to relax and release. I will continue to practice at least 2 times a week. To stretch, restore and prepare myself for all the other sports I participate in, as I am admittedly a (cross-fit addict). I hope this article inspires you to try yoga. The sheer vast deliciousness of elasticity, creativity, wellness, and happiness will give you external and internal benefit. From my mind, body, and soul to your’s, ~ The HippieDiva
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Power 2 our People
Ten ways to Come-Up on Snyder’s Plantation
Herman Davis
I was listening to Detroit Radio, and the subject was the 50th Anniversary of Dr. King; “Why black people have not succeeded more as a group in Detroit.” Bankole Thompson, the talk show host, played a tape of Dr. Martin Luther King. A listener called in crying about Detroit’s children who are walking from door-to-door with buckets to beg for WATER! The water shut off crisis is a terrible truth. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT SUCCEEDING AS A GROUP AS DR. KING & CIVIL RIGHTS LEADERS DREAMED BECAUSE OF THE SELL OUTS. I am keeping it straight, no chaser and if you want to stay comfortable in your slumber, then it’s time to de-tag and block me (On Facebook). Here is my SATIRICAL response to how you too, can single-handedly COME-UP, by yourself, WITHOUT your people. 1. Conform and stay in your lane: Follow your oppressor’s example. Limit yourself to very few things which set you apart from your oppressor. If you leave one thing that he can joke and tease you about, don’t be offended. Conform.
2. Do as you are told, and only as you are told: The oppressor is put in a position of power because he is smarter than you and entitled by God to be your superior. If the enemy who other black people call an oppressor entrusts you with a task, then he is your friend. Help him, and he will help you. Report other Negroes who get out of line. Allow yourself to be sometimes shorted; he will make it up to you. Don’t ask questions. Let him use you. Work on any project you are assigned. 3. Be subservient to your oppressor’s beauty standards: Remake yourself in the image of your oppressor. Look down on big noses, nappy hair and dark skin. Pinch your children’s nostrils every morning. Lighten your hair and skin with lemon juice and baking soda. If you have any money, get a nose job. 4. Don’t rock the boat: Allow yourself to be sexually harassed, if your white boss wants you to bleep then bleep bleep bleep. Be intimidated, humiliated, dehumanized and say, “Yes Sir, can I have another?” 5. Emulate the Head Negro: FORGET DR. KING! The Head Negro conspires
with what Governor Snyder or Betsy DeVos wants to do. Snyder is going to “consult” his head negro. Snyder asked if the 700,000 people in the 13th Congressional District needed a Congressman? People in Flint tell me there’s a citizen working for Snyder. Folks in Muskegon have one. Inkster has one. Find Master’s head Negro, in your community, and help him keep the other Negroes in line. 6. Don’t rock the boat: Don’t complain. Don’t ask questions. Don’t bring up things that the oppressor doesn’t care about. If someone confronts you with the truth that children in Detroit are going door to door, BEGGING FOR WATER, while the Nestle Corporation (located in Fremont, Michigan) gets to suck up 800 million of gallons of water from Lake Michigan for free, SHUT YOUR MOUTH! Don’t picket, don’t march, don’t organize, don’t send a letter to the editor, don’t do a radio show, don’t do SH*T! Sit on your squat and be THANKFUL for the crumbs you get. If somebody DARES bring up a topic that won’t please Mastah, you say, “I am praying for you, and God can’t put nothing on you that you can’t handle!” and change the subject!
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Photo Credit: history.com
7. Put all your money on your back: Don’t dare save a nickel, dime or quarter. Spend that money. Make sure you look like money in the streets, at work, and in church every Sunday. White folk’s own houses, black folks rent. It’s more important to have a nice car than a house. 8. As you climb up, pass out a few crumbs, but don’t be generous: If you’re on the Candie-Land Plantation (The fictional plantation from the movie Django Unchained), and you want to stay head Negro, keep the Negroes so hungry you can crack a whip with those crumbs. Do you see a boy who wants an internship? Teach him to get on his knees. 9. If Mastah blesses you to take you off the plantation and puts you up in a little house, or a field out the way, forget them other Negroes: You don’t have anything in common with them. Remember who took you from that shack. You earned your freedom on
your back, and no one earned it for you. The only role another Negro can play in your life is to please your master. 10. Remember, nothing must ever change for Negroes in America: If nothing changes, you can always be the overseer on the Candie-Land Plantation. Make sure those other Negroes respect you. Keep that fear with a whip in one hand, a handful of crumbs in the other, make sure the zipper on your pants is open, and always be ready to get on your knees. PLEASE NOTE: YOU DON’T NEED TO BE QUALIFIED! When the Master Head Negro says, “send your daughter to be the cook, she don’t need to know how to cook!” When the child who is not qualified shows up for that interview, she will smile nervously. They both know she really needs this job. You don’t have to be qualified to run a town to be the Master’s Head Negro Emergency Manager or Head WWW.FUZIONDETROIT.COM
Negro Democrat. Now don’t worry, if you just do as you are told, you will be rewarded. A Negro who is qualified and who do not follow orders will be sorry. As for the child who comes to you with a complaint of unfair treatment, do like Roy Roberts (Former Detroit Public Schools Emergency Manager), and look the other way. You are put in place to advance the Master’s agenda, not your own. AND TO KEEP IT REAL, Mastah SNYDER, SCHUETTE AND BETSY DEVOS don’t care about poor whites either. But they will USE them. If Mastah can get them to join the KKK, to hate you if he can divide and conquer he will. Always know that MASTER’S PLAN IS USED TO KEEP SOME OF US IN LINE. Reprinted and edited for Fuzion Magazine-Detroit posted on Facebook April 4, 2018
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10th Anniversary of Concerts in Mansions, Historic Homes & Gardens in Detroit’s Palmer Woods
All concerts include locally prepared cuisine — delicious meals, beverages and desserts
Saturday, February 24, 8 pm Honoring Black History Month A. Spencer BAreField Sextet Saturday, March 24, 8 pm pAMelA WiSe World Music Sextet featuring Naima Shamborguer & 2018 Kresge Eminent Artist Wendell Harrison Sunday, April 29, 7pm eASon trio featuring 2017 Kresge Eminent Artist Harpist Patricia Terry-Ross Saturday, May 26, 8 pm latin Jazz: orqueStA lA inSpirAcion Friday, June 15, 8 pm plAnet d nonet Salute to Billy Strayhorn Saturday, June 16, 8 pm Father’s Day Tribute to Jazz Legend Harold McKinney GAyelynn McKinney McKinFolK Septet Presented by Palmer Woods Association and Creative Arts Collective with support from Be Well Medical Center, Blossoms, Barefield DesignWorks, City Living Detroit, DMC Sinai-Grace Hospital, DetroitPerforms.org, Michigan Chronicle, and WRCJ-90.9 FM
Tickets: palmerwoods.org • 313~891~2514
Tickets must be purchased in advance. Address of homes revealed to ticket holders. May and June concerts are held in a spacious tent in the gardens of a home; you may tour a portion of the home prior to the concert. If weather is severe, garden concerts will relocate to the art deco Detroit Unity Temple or other nearby venue. Free Concerts for Chlldren are presented with the February and March concerts.
Terry-Ross photo courtesy of musician / design & photos: ©Barbara Barefield
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Fall Designs You Need In Your Closet Cashmere Wool Cropped Cape with Fox Fur Hood $1600.00. WWW.FUZIONDETROIT.COM
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Fall Fling
Ocelot Print Pony and Distressed Leather with Tuscany Lamb Collar Jacket $3200.00. Lamb Leather Pencil Skirt $850.00. Embossed Crocodile Bag $875.00. Dyed Shadow Fox Hat $675.00.
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Black Broadtail with Python Cape, Sheared Mink Collar Jacket $5400.00. Black High Waist Silk Gabardine Pencil Skirt $375.00.
Black Full Length Beled Italian Lamb Leather and Chinchilla Fur Queens Collar Coat $2700.00.
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For More Information Visit: www.yourpremiertravelservice.com Novi, Michigan
+1 [248] 259-2715
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THEE IMMACULATE PALATE
CHURCHILL’S BIRMINGHAM
ne of Michigan’s fine Cigar Bars & Bistro is definitely a pleasure for smoking a stogie or having something from their spectacular menu. With Signature sandwiches, Oyster Rockefeller, Oysters on the half shell, Pasta, Seafood & Steaks. You’re in for a surprise if you like Grilled Salmon. The Blacked Salmon Club Sandwich has to be the only place you’d ever want to experience the explosion of flavors in your mouth with a lemon butter sauce with capers topped with applewood bacon and arugula on Texas toast. It’s simply to die for, as well as everything else they have to offer. The professionalism of the staff provides excellent service and hospitality during lunch or dinner. They are a WINNER!
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Churchill’s Cigar Bar & Bistro 116 S Old Woodward, Birmingham, MI 48009
4.5 Stars!!
FLOWERS OF VIETNAM
SOUTHWEST DETROIT his hideaway in Southwest Detroit is a hidden treasure. Their Vietnamese inspired Noodle dishes and one of a kind beverages will surely please firsttime visitors. The moment you walk inside you are greeted with friendly service. The menu can be a little tricky with the pronounciations of the dishes but upon observing and smelling other orders being served, just ask. That’s exactly what I did with my two selections. The Chicken with a Carmel Honey glaze was delish, although I sent the first order back, due to being
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Flowers of Vietnam @ Vernor Coney Island 4430 West Vernor Hwy, Detroit, MI 48209
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BY JIMMIE DREW under cooked, there wasn’t a problem reordering. This pork noodle dish (Yes I said PORK) was truly outstanding with charred grilled strips of meat laid over a cold bed of noodles with a special plum sauce poured ontop. All that’s needed is grabbing your chopsticks and diggging in!
4 Stars...
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Grant Bulla rd &
Monica Mo rgan
. b on The Ave Model J. Cob
ve. b on The A b o C . J l e d Mo
Paparazzi Pics
Behind the scenes of our March/April Cover Photo Shoot
Model Lisa Jack son checking out th e Furs LaDon aver & Lisa e B l il B ls e Mod On The Set
It’s A Wrap…
Monica & Lisa in action Bill & Lisa picture perfect
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