blog - Michael Perna

GM’s Sharper 2025 SUV Lineup: Small and Midsize Models You Should See

General Motors (GM) has given its small and midsize SUVs a serious makeover, turning them from forgettable “dad bod” designs into head-turning rides with muscle. Once known for misfires like the Pontiac Aztek, GM’s designers have transformed their compact and mid-size SUV fleet from “AI-generated blobs” into some of the automaker’s most valuable offerings. In fact, these smaller SUVs have become GM’s No. 2 asset by sales, second only to the company’s famous pickup trucks. This shift comes as Detroit’s Big Three (GM, Ford, Stellantis) back away from traditional sedans and double down on crossovers and SUVs, a trend plenty of Metro Detroit drivers have witnessed in their own neighborhoods. Families who might have driven sedans a decade ago are now upgrading…

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Detroit’s Black Entrepreneurs Get $4M Boost from Gilbert Family Foundation

Detroit’s small business scene just got a major shot in the arm. In a move that has local entrepreneurs buzzing, the Gilbert Family Foundation is investing over $4 million to uplift Black-owned businesses and developers in the city. Announced during National Black Business Month, this initiative isn’t just another grant announcement, it’s a community-driven effort to build wealth and opportunity in Detroit’s neighborhoods. For a city that proudly hosts roughly 50,000 Black-owned businesses, this influx of support comes at a crucial time. What does $4 million mean for Detroit’s Black entrepreneurs, and how will it shape our communities? Let’s dive into the details in plain English, from one lifelong Detroiter to another.

Black Leaders Detroit, Facebook

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Where to Eat Birria Tacos in Metro Detroit: 12 Local Favorites

Metro Detroit loves a good food trend, but birria isn’t a trend here. It’s part of everyday eating, tied to neighborhoods and families that have been slow-cooking meat and pouring rich consommé long before social media caught on. From Southwest Detroit to Royal Oak and down the river to Wyandotte, this list highlights where the broth is deep, the tortillas crackle, and the red-tinted queso pull makes you pause before the next dip.

What follows is a local’s guide to birria tacos, quesabirria, ramen twists, and classic bowls. Expect precise details that match search intent: hours, addresses, phone numbers, service notes, and whether consommé comes standard. Use this as your short list when you’re mapping dinner, a Saturday crawl, or a first visit to…

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Michigan’s Best Fall Road Trips: 12 Scenic Drives for Peak Color

Fall in Michigan is a season worth planning around. Colors charge down from the U.P., the air gets crisp, and every two-lane seems to lead to water. This guide collects twelve routes that deliver Michigan at its best in October. Each one includes a plain-English summary, a tight set of stops, and Detroit-friendly planning notes so families and savvy locals can turn a weekend into a memory.

This is Michigan, Facebook

1. M-22 around the Leelanau Peninsula

Primary anchor: Philip A. Hart Visitor Center | 9922 W Front St, Empire, MI 49630
Google Maps: see “M-22 loop” route
Website: M-22 Scenic Drive

Michigan’s most famous fall shoreline loop earns the hype with dune-top overlooks, historic harbors, and slow curves between vineyards and maples. The…

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Michigan’s Outdoor Public Art: A Local’s Guide to the Most Walkable, Photo-Ready Spots

Families, weekend explorers, and anyone curious about Michigan’s creative side do not need a ticket to see world-class art. Across big cities and small lakeshore towns, public pieces anchor plazas, brighten alleys, and turn waterfront paths into open-air galleries. From Calder’s towering “La Grande Vitesse” in downtown Grand Rapids to the playful Walk of Art on Elk Rapids’ bayfront trails, these works say as much about their communities as they do about the artists.

This guide is written for how locals actually explore. It sticks to verified, official sources, names each piece precisely, and gives quick pointers on how to see more with a simple loop, stroller in tow, and camera ready.

Southeast Michigan
West Michigan
Mid-Michigan
Northern Michigan
Upper…

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Where to Go Apple Picking in Metro Detroit: Top Local Spots

Fall in Metro Detroit isn’t just a season. It’s a ritual built around crisp air, weekend drives, and the holy trinity: cider, donuts, and u-pick apples. This guide maps every major cider mill and orchard across Oakland, Macomb, Wayne, Washtenaw, and Livingston Counties so families and die-hards can plan smart. Expect honest, on-the-ground details that make days easier, crowd patterns, what’s kid-friendly, pet notes, and where to park. Bookmark it, share it, and build your route.

Alber Orchard & Cider Mill LLC, Facebook

Alber Orchard & Cider Mill

Open: September 3, 2025; closing date varies by season
13011 Bethel Church Rd, Manchester, MI 48158
Phone: (734) 428-9310
Website: Alber Orchard & Cider Mill

A heritage-rich spot known for heirloom…

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Watch Detroit Tigers Games With Kids: The Complete Comerica Park Family Guide

There’s something magical about a Detroit Tigers game at Comerica Park, an outing that blends the excitement of Major League Baseball with pure Detroit community spirit. The Tigers have roared in the Motor City for well over a century, making them the oldest American League team to never change hometowns. For generations of Michiganders, taking the kids “down to the ballpark” isn’t just an afternoon of entertainment; it’s a rite of passage. From the moment you pass the iconic tiger statues guarding the gates to the final cheer of the night, a Tigers game offers families a chance to create memories steeped in local tradition and fun. This guide, written in the voice of a lifelong Metro Detroiter and real estate expert, will walk you through everything you…

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Top Things to Do in September: Exploring Metro Detroit

September flips the switch from summer to sweater weather with a packed calendar of metro-wide happenings, from marquee festivals and art fairs to arena concerts, theatre, and big-league sports. Labor Day weekend sets the tone with multi-day city traditions, followed by neighborhood celebrations, Oktoberfests, film and street fairs, and block-party energy across Oakland, Macomb, Wayne, Washtenaw, and Livingston counties. Stages light up at Little Caesars Arena, Pine Knob, the Fox, and more, while Comerica Park, Ford Field, and the rink downtown add must-see games to the mix. Cider mills open in force, offering classic presses, donuts, U-pick orchards, corn mazes, and family-friendly grounds that turn crisp afternoons into easy day trips. For those…

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Why Michigan Is Affordable for Millennials: Prices, Rents, Programs

If you’re a millennial who feels like homeownership is a distant dream, you’re not alone. Across the U.S., younger buyers face high prices and rising interest rates that make buying a home harder than ever. But here’s a Midwest secret: Michigan is emerging as a haven of affordability for millennials looking to put down roots. In a time when many peers in coastal cities are stuck renting tiny apartments, millennials in Michigan are finding they can actually afford spacious homes and a comfortable lifestyle. The Great Lakes State offers an appealing mix of lower home prices, local support programs, and a reasonable cost of living that’s turning frustrated would-be buyers into happy homeowners. Written in the voice of a lifelong Michigander and Metro Detroit…

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Where Michigan Really Ranks Among the Best States to Live

Michigan didn’t top this year’s national “best places to live” lists, and that headline stung some locals. But once you look at what the rankings measure, how they weigh each factor, and what they don’t capture, the full picture of life in the Great Lakes State is a lot more nuanced, and in many ways, encouraging.

The headline result, plainly stated

WalletHub’s 2025 “Best States to Live” list places Michigan at No. 30 overall. Michigan scores well on Affordability (No. 12) and Quality of Life (No. 13), with lower marks in Education & Health (No. 33), Safety (No. 33), and Economy (No. 36). Michigan also ranks No. 3 for homeownership rate among its detailed metrics. Within WalletHub’s 12-state Midwest grouping, Michigan sits at the bottom this…

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