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| THIS SATURDAY JULY10; Cruisin' Michigan west side's answer to Woodward Dream Cruise | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Jul 9 2010, 11:21 AM (248 Views) | |
| Mrs.M | Jul 9 2010, 11:21 AM Post #1 |
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Veteran
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THIS SATURDAY July 10 http://www.cruisinmichigan.com/index.htm Promoter revs up for Michigan Avenue cruise July 8, 2010 By Linda Ann Chomin http://www.hometownlife.com/article/20100708/NEWS10/7080518/1027/Promoter+revs+up+for+Michigan+Avenue+cruise CORESPONDENT There wasn't a lot of cruising on Michigan Avenue when Don Nicholson was growing up, but he's changing that. For the third year, the 1973 Livonia Churchill High School graduate is gearing up for an upcoming event that's sure to burn rubber. Classic car lovers can get a jump start on the Woodward Dream Cruise by Cruisin' Michigan Avenue Saturday from Wayne to Dearborn. The daylong event is expected to draw 20,000 cars and 150,000 spectators to five communities along the route that includes Westland. “This end of town doesn't have a lot of events going on. Michigan Avenue is so perfect for cruising. It's a lot wider,” said Nicholson of Westland. “Last year, we saw license plates from Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio. It's bringing business from out of state.” Nicholson has always been a car lover. In high school, he drove a 1970 LTD. In the 1980s, he helped a friend build a car one winter. Today, Nicholson owns a 1968 Triumph Spitfire, but don't expect to see it at the cruise. He says “all the parts are there it just needs to be put together.” And Nicholson won't have time because he's too busy organizing not only the Michigan Avenue, but the Telegraph cruise July 24. Telegraph was the place to be in the late 1960s for teens in cars. “On July 10, there'll be everything that's ever been built and ones you never knew were built,” said Nicholson. “We'll have the Monkee Mobile, Model Ts.” FESTIVE TIME A number of activities add to the festivities. Seven free concerts along the route feature music by bands from the past and present. Alexander Zonjic jazzes up the corner of Michigan Avenue and Inkster road as part of the Inkster Jazz Festival while Frigid Pink and Salem Witchcraft play at the Michigan Vet Fest. Both coincide with the cruise. The Michigan Vet Fest, at the Elks Lodge on Michigan Avenue in Dearborn, raises money for veterans in need. The concert is free, but donations are requested for Veterans Haven. Over the years, Nicholson's Charity Car Shows have raised thousands of dollars for nonprofits. This year, vendors like Community Living Services, Wayne Rotary Club and St. John's Lutheran Church in Redford will be selling a variety of items, including T-shirts at Cruisin' Michigan Avenue. Nicholson originally became involved with car shows and event photography at the Detroit and Milan dragways in the early 1990s. Nicholson raced cars there in the mid-1980s. He jokes, “Dyno” Don Nicholson is “not me.” “Dyno” Don, who raced in the 1960s and 1970s, is listed among the top 50 drag racers by the National Hot Rod Association. Don Nicholson of Westland prefers promoting classic cars. After gaining experience in track car shows at Milan, Nicholson put on his first event. He is the originator of Autos for Autism, a fund-raiser for the Burger School for Students with Autism in Garden City. In 2001, he founded Don Nicholson Charity Car Shows and held the event at the Automotive Hall of Fame. The main show each year benefits the Western Wayne Skills Center in Westland. It takes place the last Monday in June. The school trains young adults with special needs. “This is our eighth one, “ said Nicholson. “All proceeds go to the program. I love working with special needs. All of the plaques this year were made by students.” In addition to the plaques awarding recognition to vehicles in 40 different classes, one owner wins the People's Choice Award. Redford sculptor Sergio De Giusti designed the bronze trophy. RAISING FUNDS “Our biggest goal is to surround ourselves with charities,” said Nicholson. “Last year, we raised $97,000 the day of the cruise to help different charities. We also award a scholarship for the T-shirt design.” Nicholson's especially proud of the fact that the Michigan Avenue Cruise is gaining recognition. It is now a part of Autopalooza, a celebration of Southeast Michigan's automotive heritage. The website, www.autopalooza.org, lists cruises, races and shows during summer, including Cruisin' Michigan Avenue. Nicholson is active in community service in a variety of areas. On July 1, he became president of the Wayne Rotary. In the meantime, he and his wife, Gayle, are busy organizing the Churchill High School Reunion Sept. 11 at the Nankin Mills Pavilion. He and Gayle were high school sweethearts. They married seven years ago. Cruisin' Michigan Avenue starts at noon and runs to 9 p.m. Saturday, July 10. Cruisers have been known to show up as early as 7 a.m. For information, visit the website, www.cruisinmichigan.com, or call (734) 658-5296. |
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