This time of year, when trees dangle gems the color of rubies and garnets, I'd rather wind along M-22 in Leelanau County than on M-1 in Oakland. But when reality favors travel of five minutes rather than five hours, Birmingham shines with plenty of fall jewels.  1. Rouge River trail: A wood chip trail meanders scenically along flowing water for more than a mile between Booth Park and Linden Park, with a brief return to reality as you cross Maple 2. Quarton Lake Park: The eight-acre park just west of downtown has a sinuous path around the lake, with a walk-out viewing platform on the east …

It's worth checking out the local public-access cable channel at least occasionally to see gems that shine with down-home earnestness not always visible on national networks. Program hosts who are also our neighbors introduce small business owners, demonstrate recipes, share health information, talk about hot-button topics and showcase people with interesting jobs or talents. Hip-hop music discussions even have a home here.     These half-hour shows, taped on location or at a Bloomfield Hills studio with trained volunteer technicians, have varied levels of pacing and liveliness. What all …

You have often walked down these streets before, But you may not know just who they're named for A first name clearly is all I share with Alan Jay Lerner, but his adapted lyric fits this look at pioneers who earned permanent places on Birmingham addresses and signposts. Street markers and pavement were things of the future when some of these folks settled here. They opened the way for the Birmingham of today, so read on to connect first names and personal details to last names you know.      1. Augustus Woodward: Nearly two centuries before his last name preceded Dream Cruise, he was the …

Salud! Prost! Cin-cin! Santé! Na zdrowie! Skål! Cheers! Here's looking at bar bargains when the working day is done. Local choices include a pair of Wednesday wine promotions, half-off appetizers and a weekly oyster night. Most happy hour deals are weekday-only, some spill into weekends and a few apply in the dining room as well as on bar stools.    Incidentally, our state draws a line that happy hours can't cross. Unlimited refills, two-for-one specials or free cocktail capers of any sort are forbidden. That still leaves room for creativity and value in pursuit-of-happiness specials. Look …

For mornings when "What can I get you" is more appealing than your coffee maker and toaster oven, Birmingham offers appealing destinations for grab-and-go breakfasts or the more leisurely kind.  Thanks to reader Martin Reisig for suggesting today's topic and $5 cutoff, which includes coffee and excludes tax/tip.  1. Whistle Stop: This locally owned South Eton tradition, open since 1965, has an on-site bakery. Two eggs and toast are just $3 and a pair of larger breakfast specials are $4. The menu also includes potato pancakes, cinnamon French toast, a walnut-raisin cinnamon roll and standard …

"And now for something completely different," as a British funnyman used to say. (Readers of a certain age know the phrase. For others, Wikipedia is your friend.) This list turns away from a single theme to meander through Birmingham's oddities, surprises, footnotes and quirks. To know our city — to really know it — you first have to take a dive into its trivia.    1. Name in lights: You can go Hollywood by spotlighting a birthday, anniversary, retirement or wedding with a personal message on a marquee panel at the Birmingham 8 or Palladium 12. A one-day display at either theater costs $150. …

Life is a playground for those whose age is a single digit. That's especially true in summer, when daily adventure choices locally include backyards, day camps, Baldwin Library activities, Forest Hills Swim Club and public parks. Slides, climbers, tunnels, swings and bouncy seats in primary colors are in or near all neighborhoods – part of what makes "walkable city" appeal more than just a slogan. Here's a sampling of funscapes for the youngest park visitors, each with brightly colored equipment and soft surfaces underneath. Booth: The city's largest, most popular playground was designed …

Age-spanning summer treats around here start with bike routes, leafy trails, movies, nine free Shain Park concerts (starting tonight) and ice cream shops up and down Woodward. Here's a frosty taste tease. 1. Dairy Mat: This seasonal shack is as much of a local tradition as Hunter House across the Woodward Avenue, and visiting both on a balmy evening is an all-American nostalgia trip. (Bonus points if you're in a convertible.) Menus flanking two sliding-screen windows are long, and lines usually are too — leaving time to pick hard-pack or soft-serve, ice cream or frozen yogurt. A dizzying …

It's called a lunch break for a reason, so break out of your routine and break away from the workplace or the kitchen at least once a week. Step away from that microwavable tray or plastic bag, and step out for something different. A roundup of in-town and nearby options could fill a sizable directory, which is what Patch compiled here, with five dozen restaurants searchable by cost or cuisine. Today's roundup focuses on diverse picks for budget-friendly mid-day meals. Some selections leave room for a beverage without exceeding $10. Pizza is skipped because there are enough choices for a …

In the un-hibernation spirit of spring, this month's last Discover Birmingham explores several of the city's workout locales that work our arms, legs, heart and lungs. Local choices abound, with 17 listings for gyms, yoga and Pilates studios right here in Birmingham. Principal Shopping District members include 15 providers of health and fitness services in the city's commercial center.  These are among places to sweat, stretch, tone, energize, balance and soothe yourself: 1. Powerhouse Gym: Spacious, airy facility on East Brown is part of an international chain founded in 1975 in Highland …

Come along — outdoor recreation season finally is here. It's time to put on golf shoes, bike pants, tennis sneakers, Rollerblades or whatever fits a fresh-air activity. Here are some local fun zones. 1. Nine holes: Half of Birmingham's public golf courses are open and the other half open soon. Yes, that's a teasing way to say Lincoln Hills can be played now and Springdale remains a bit waterlogged but should be ready soon, a Department of Public Services representative said this week. Hours are 10 a.m. to dusk. Rates and other details can be found at the Parks and Recreation website.  2. …

Call them electronic scrapbooks, personal time capsules or even love letters to a city. The eclectic set of websites below could be considered an attic trunk full of keepsakes or a family photo album from childhood. What they all share is a deep affection for Birmingham places and experiences.    1. Birmingham in Retrospect: This group of nine well-illustrated pages is subtitled "A Collection of Historic Photos and Tales from the Past." The site, created by former Birmingham Historical Board member Hartland B. Smith in 2006, provides a show-and-tell tour of the 1920s Dixie Diner at Woodward …

Welcome back to Discover Birmingham, where we've been around town to see "hidden" treasures, historic sites, restaurant treats, enrichment classes and more. This time we'll stay in to watch videos with familiar backdrops and treats you may not have seen yet.    Only the first exceeds three minutes, so come along on a brisk Tour de Birmingham. Click on bolded title to watch the video on YouTube. 1. Classic cruisers: Take a virtual Dream Cruise with scenes of muscle cars, creampuffs and other vintage collectibles parked along South Old Woodward last August and a fittingly classic soundtrack — …

We've all been inside or gone past restaurants, shops, a theater, a school and other sites that represent important chapters in Birmingham's story. Some wear Historic District plaques as downtown stars, while others are supporting players in the city's saga.  As part of our ongoing appreciation of local history, here are buildings that are a distinct part of Birmingham's identity. Just a note: We didn't forget them, but City Hall and Baldwin Library are sidestepped to give others a nod.)     1. Wallace Frost houses: At least 44 local homes are designed by Wallace Frost, who worked with noted …

Ways to build skills and expand knowledge are available throughout Birmingham, and not just in schools. Without leaving the city, we can develop artistic sensibility, get musical, learn or improve our foreign-speaking ability, do more with computers and eat well. These are among opportunities for adults to learn something new.   1. Digital photography: A two-hour introductory class (March 1) and four-hour hands-on workshop (March 8 and 15) are taught by Michael Greer of Farmington at The Community House in partnership with the school district's Community Education program. Greer also has a …

Let's talk food — a tasty topic right before Birmingham Restaurant Week, 10 days of three-course bargains at 20 local hot spots. This stirs an appetite to share 10 distinctive items — all from Restaurant Week participants, though not necessarily on $15 lunch and $30 dinner menus during the popular promotion from Jan. 31-Feb. 4 and Feb. 7-11. There are just two meat dishes because my list reflects my leanings, but carnivores won't feel adrift at any of these places.   1. Ahi Tuna Ceviche: To start, I'll have a briny appetizer treat at Café Via, flavored with citrus, cilantro and chives. A …

Sculptures, statues and wall hangings add to downtown's sophisticated appeal. We've got art of all sorts—from vivid abstracts, to nature-inspired forms, to realistic images. Materials include bronze, stone, steel, aluminum and glass. Some are here to stay, others loaned by their creators.   Bold, provocative installations enliven parks, plazas and parking structures because of eight volunteers on a Public Arts Board, chaired by Barbara Heller.  This year they'll consider placement of a white steel sculpture entered in the 2010 Grand Rapids Art Prize competition, which creator Christopher …

A fresh calendar is as inviting as a pristine composition book at a school year's start, or as promising as a Tigers schedule feels each spring. Anything can happen, surprises will come, discoveries are ahead. I've already jotted notes on my 2011 calendar (yes, the paper kind) to mark trips, a summer wedding, a book club date and events to consider. Not all are in Birmingham, naturally, though the months ahead are full of local activities for all tastes and ages. Here are 10 ways to discover something new or revisit a few cherished Birmingham traditions. 1. Play somewhere new: Shake up your …

Local opportunities for festive fun fill these next two weeks, and not all involve cash, checks or card-swiping. Here are 10 ways to celebrate community, family and faith in Birmingham. 1. 'City sidewalks, busy sidewalks': The magic of December lasts two more weeks, but a Magic of Birmingham promotion wraps up Saturday. Lucky pedestrians along downtown sidewalks will get surprise gifts between 11 a.m.-5 p.m. from Principal Shopping District representatives wearing Santa hats. One fortunate passerby will take home a shiny item from Astrein's Creative Jewelry.   2. Original horsepower: …

Think you've found most treasures and pleasures in our city? I did too, until looking through "Discover Birmingham" eyes uncovered hidden gems. These 10 are open to any explorer all year: 1. Uncaged baboons: Delight a child, tease your dog or simply admire the artistry of world-renowned sculptor Marshall Fredericks at a street-access terrace alongside The Community House. A pair of life-size bronze baboons, created in 1996, add a museum garden atmosphere to the landscaped patio with nine stone benches—an inviting refuge to rest, reflect, read or pause near a pair of five-foot-tall monkeys …