Jer here.
I'm running a bit behind, so let's do this.
đź’ť 6 Last-Minute Valentine's Day Plans
Look, I get it. For whatever reason, you haven't been able to get your plans squared away for V-Day (or you're on your own and looking to maybe meet new friends). So I did some work for you!
I think New Orleans has a kind of spiritual kinship with Detroit, and I wish we had more Mardi Gras-style events here. So I'm glad to report that Batch Brewing Company in Corktown is throwing a New Orleans–themed Mardi Gras party on Valentine’s Day, Saturday, Feb. 14, with special beers, cocktails, and Cajun-inspired food. The celebration runs at their taproom at 1400 Porter St. in Detroit. [Batch Brewing Company]
If you want to be pantless in public and run to raise money for charity, I got you. Cupid's Undie Run raises awareness of neurofibromatosis (NF), a genetic disorder that causes tumors to grow on nerves throughout the body, and fundraises for NF research through the Children’s Tumor Foundation (CTF). Party starts at noon at Tin Roof in downtown Detroit, and you should register ahead of time. [Cupid's Undie Run]
Eastern Market Brewing Co. in Eastern Market is teaming up with Pietrzyk Pierogi for a Valentine’s Day pączki and pierogi pop-up on Saturday, Feb. 14, running from 10a to 4p at the taproom on Riopelle. It’s a casual, drop-in option with plenty of sweet pączki, savory pierogi, and beers. [EMBC]
POST is a cute former Post Office turned shop and classes studio on Detroit's east side. They have a selection of classes this weekend in case you're looking for crafts, not craft beer. Plus, floral bouquets! [POST]
If you're looking for a Valentine who actually listens, loves unconditionally, and won’t judge you for eating a second cinnamon roll — check out the Friends of Detroit Animal Care and Control's "Love at First Sniff" dog-themed speed-dating adoption pop-up at 313 Cinnamon Rolls! 12p-4p. [Friends of DACC]
Pączki Season Hits High Gear with the Return of Detroit City Distillery’s Beloved Pączki Day Party on Saturday, Feb. 14
Ah, Pączki Season in metro Detroit — a time of freezing temperatures, intermittent snow, and delightfully buttery, crispy-creamy pastries known as pączki. Detroit City Distillery, known for its cult-favorite Pączki Day Vodka — a limited-release spirit distilled with real pączki sourced from Hamtramck — will once again host its annual Pączki Day Party on Saturday, February 14, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
This year’s celebration will be bigger than ever, featuring expanded activities and vendors made possible by the move to the distillery’s brand-new event space, 100 Proof, located at 1000 Gratiot Avenue in Detroit. Admission is free and open to the public.
Note: Guests must be 21 or older to purchase or consume alcohol.
Party highlights include:
- Live music by Crampton Brothers (11 a.m. – 3 p.m.)
- Polish ice luge
- Ice carving
- Shotski
- Pączki Day Spirits for Sale – Original Raspberry, Orange Cream, Poland X Detroit, Polish Daisy Bottled Cocktail and Jeżynówka Bourbon
- New PÄ…czki Day merchandise
- Appearances by Mr. PÄ…czki Head
- Food by Srodek's Campau Quality Sausage Co. and other Polish favorites
How PÄ…czki Day Vodka Is Made
PÄ…czki Day Vodka is created by distilling pÄ…czki in a blend of 100 percent Michigan and Polish potato vodka, using a 500-gallon copper pot still. The result is a crystal-clear, one-of-a-kind spirit that is smooth, buttery, and finishes with unmistakable pÄ…czki character.
Free of artificial ingredients, flavors, or sweeteners, PDV is designed to showcase the authentic taste of handmade, glazed raspberry pÄ…czki from Hamtramck. It can be enjoyed chilled, over ice, mixed into cocktails, or as a traditional pÄ…czki chaser.
🌾 $240K for Detroit Farmers
Detroit farmers got a boost this week. Eastern Market and the City of Detroit are dropping $240,000 in grants on local farmers and farming collectives.
The list of recipients highlights some of who's doing the work of keeping Detroit fed and green.
The grants prioritize Black- and Indigenous-led farms, youth-focused projects, and initiatives in historically underfunded neighborhoods.
"These farmers and collectives represent the heart of Detroit's agricultural community," said Katy Trudeau, Eastern Market's President and CEO.
Here's who's getting funded:
- Brightmoor Artisans Collective — A nonprofit co-op providing business development services for food and farmer entrepreneurs.
- Chang Hill Tribe — A new Hmong-operated urban farm focusing on community programming and shared agricultural heritage.
- Foster Patch Community Skills Co-Op — A Brightmoor-based garden and farm founded by Brenda Mae and Alfonzo Sharpe, dedicated to culturally relevant food and youth empowerment.
- Grow Moore Produce Cooperative — Twelve Black-owned Detroit farms pooling resources and offering training on land work and farm development.
- Leilú Gardens — Kirsten Kirby-Shoote's urban farm increasing access to culturally relevant foods and land-based education.
- Neighbors Building Brightmoor — A resident-led collective managing gardens, orchards, and a tool library since 2006.
- N.E.W. L.E.A.F. Detroit — An environmental nonprofit teaching sustainable food systems and climate adaptation.
- Nurturing Our Seeds — An urban farm offering plant-based cooking classes with sponsored CSA shares.
- One New Humanity — A Banglatown farm building a resource hub with classes in Arabic and Bangla.
Council member Angela Whitfield-Calloway (District 2) said that Detroit's urban farmers essential to "feeding families, strengthening neighborhoods, and equipping the next generation."
The work runs through December 2026. It's part of Eastern Market's broader push to support small-scale growers with vending space, cold storage, and the ongoing Shed 7 redevelopment.
🏛️ Wayne County State of the County Highlights
Last night was the 2026 Wayne County State of the County. With 1.75 million people, what happens at the county level doesn't get a lot of press — but impacts a lot of daily life.
Contributor Luciano Marcon covered it for us as I can't be everywhere. This year County Executive Warren Evans spoke at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center in Dearborn.
Likely of most interest to our audience is an update on a massive railroad crossing project.
Crews are working to move utilities and lower Allen Road in Woodhaven by more than 20 feet and build a rail bridge so trains pass over traffic.
The intersection currently experiences significant delays when freight trains block traffic. More than 30,000 vehicles pass the intersection daily, with a school and a hospital nearby.
Completion on the $85 million project is now expected sometime in 2028.
According to the county website, here’s what it’s going to look like when it’s done:
Here are four other things he noted:
Evans wants the county to build up its Aviation and Aeronautics Career program with the Wayne County Regional Educational Service Agency to prepare teens and young adults for jobs in the field. Evans said, "A world class airport should have a world class feeder system." There are currently 11 schools involved.
The County partnered with Rx Kids, supporting six municipalities in the county through a direct cash program to support expectant mothers during pregnancy and for the baby’s first six months; and Vision to Learn, providing free glasses and eye exams to children.
Wayne County will partner with Savi to help residents with student loan debt by lowering monthly payments and pursue loan forgiveness at no cost for personalized services. This is similar to what’s done in Oakland County today.
The County had its 11th balanced budget in a row. That’s compared to an $82.8 million deficit in 2015 when Evans started. The current 2025-26 budget has a $30.9 million surplus.
More stories coming tomorrow... including something funky!
Our members on Patreon really help make this newsletter and podcast possible. Thanks to Jon for being an awesome person today and getting himself a custom Daily Detroit-themed sticker sheet in the process.
If you can't swing that, totally cool. When you have a minute share the newsletter with a friend. Word of mouth is how this thing has been growing lately, and it's much appreciated.
Tomorrow Devon and Norris will join me on the Daily Detroit podcast talking about where we've been, some of the stories around town and otherwise having fun.
Remember that you are somebody,
-Jer
