Patch Picks: Festive New Year's Drinks

Which drink do you fancy for toasting the new year?

Hosting your own New Year's party and won't be able to make it to any of the local events? Make sure you're prepared. Champagne is a classic drink for toasting the new year, but there's no reason you can't mix it up a bit when you celebrate Saturday night. Patch found some festive drinking options from All Recipes that could be as much fun to make as they are to drink with friends and family. Click the names of the drink to find out the ingredients. Champagne Punch: Great for large parties—mix it in a large bowl and make sure there's enough cups. It's fruity but not too sweet. Dan Fay Martini: Can't decide between gin or vodka? Try a mix in this celebratory concoction. Stay classy with the proper glassware for this one. Party Mimosa: You …

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Notes from the Editor

Patch Picks: Five Local Ways to Honor JFK During Assassination Anniversary

Today is the 48th anniversary of President Kennedy's death in Dallas, Texas.

  The anniversary of President John F. Kennedy's assassination in Texas on Nov. 22, 1963 is upon us once again. The shock of seeing the charismatic president murdered in a Dallas motorcade was an unimaginable event, one that continues to have resonance among generations of Americans, movie makers and conspiracy theorists. In a tribute to the 35th president of the United States, here is a look at some ways you can honor JFK locally. 1. Plant a tree Believe it or not, President Kennedy was an advocate for "going green." Like many Americans at the time, Kennedy was reportedly influenced by Rachel Carson's groundbreaking book Silent Spring, according to The Daily Green.com. As a result, the president established a committee to investigate the …

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Patch Picks: Relax at a Spa

Dexter Patch takes a look at five local spas that will give you a break from the daily mundane.

1. Mona Lisa Salon & Spa This spa, located in Dexter Village, is a great way to spend an afternoon after a long week of work. The spa offers massages, spa packages, facials, nail care and waxing. For information, call 734-268-6585. 2. Fran Coy Salon & Spa This spa is located at 418 S. Wagner Rd. in Scio Township and offers massages, hair services, nail services, makeup, hairpiece and wig services, and pedicures. Various discounts are available on the spa's website. 3. Advanced Esthetics Spa The Scio Township spa offers complete skin and body care. Located at 1785 W Stadium Blvd., the spa offers facials ranging in price from $50 to $150, as well as bikini waxing and other waxes. Call 723-277-7221. 4. Identity Salon & Spa This spa is located…

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Patch Picks: Best Places to Celebrate St. Patrick's Day

Go green with the luck of the Irish at some of your favorite Dexter-area restaurants and pubs.

1. Dexter's Pub Come enjoy St. Patrick's Day with your friends and neighbors in Dexter. In addition to its normal menu items, including its famous hamburgers, Dexter's Pub will also offer a special corn beef and cabbage dinner. For information, call 734-426-1234. 2. Red Brick Kitchen & Bar The Red Brick is opening an hour earlier on Thursday. Beginning at 10 a.m., patrons can enjoy dinner specials including corn beef and cabbage, shepherd's pie,  Irish stew, as well as specials on Guinness ales, Irish car bombs and other drinks. The restaurant will stay open until 11 p.m. 3. Hazel's Home Cookin' The gals at Hazel's Home Cookin' in downtown Dexter are serving up heaping helpings of all your favorite traditional Irish foods. Meals include …

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Patch Picks: Summer Camps for Youth

Dexter Patch takes a look at five local summer camps that will keep your kids busy all season long.

1. Rocks and Robots Summer Day Camp Rocks and Robots Summer Day Camp combines challenging outdoor activities with fun and engaging technology and expert staff. Classes are open to students ages 6 to 17. The camp is located at Honey Creek Community School, 1735 S. Wagner Rd. in Ann Arbor. Classes kick-off on June 20. Classes include robotics and engineering, robot sumo and rock climbing, experienced robot sumo and rock climbing, and build your own flying robot. For more information on registration, call 734-645-0211. 2. Mostly Music Camp The Mostly Music Camp is organized and run by the Ann Arbor Area Piano Teachers Guild. The camp is held at Grace Bible Church, 1300 S. Maple Rd. in Scio Township. It is open to students ages 4 through those…

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Patch Picks: Celebrate Read Across America Day

Here is a list of the top five books for children and adults at the Dexter District Library.

It’s time to celebrate the National Education Association’s Read Across America Day and Dr. Seuss’ birthday. Here are the top five ways you can enjoy the day, because as Dr. Seuss says, “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go!” For this week's Patch Picks, the librarians of the Dexter District Library submitted the top rented books. 1. The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger Plot: For Tommy, the only question is whether or not Origami Yoda is real. Of course he's real as a small puppet on Dwight's finger. But does the oracle possess magic power? In order to find out, he decides to compile scientific evidence from the experiences of those who asked Origami Yoda …

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Patch Picks: Boutiques Offer Hidden Gems

Local shops offer name brand clothes and accessories for low cost.

Patch is running a new weekly feature called Patch Picks, highlighting editor and reader picks of great local businesses, destinations, services, organizations, ways to spend a day off, and more. This week Patch Picks: Top 5 boutiques in the area. 1. Vintage To Vogue, Ann Arbor The Scene: Besides housewares, lavish body products, and accessories, this two-story boutique offers a wide range of unique clothing choices for nearly every occasion and age.  2. Poshh Boutique, Ann Arbor The Scene: Poshh is the ultimate fashion boutique that offers the best of women's clothing and accessories. Poshh remains true to the meaning of a boutique by carrying staple designer wear and dresses as well as T-shirts and accessories. 3. Perpetua Boutique, Ann …

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Patch Picks: Nonprofits Making a Difference

Here's a list of the top five nonprofit groups in the area who benefit the community.

Patch is running a new weekly feature called Patch Picks, highlighting editor and reader picks of great local businesses, destinations, services, organizations, ways to spend a day off, and more. This week Patch Picks: Top 5 nonprofits making a difference. 1.Dexter Lions Club The Scoop: The Dexter Lions Club recently chipped in to purchase a new digital camera to conduct eye screenings for children in Washtenaw County. The eye screenings are part of the club's core mission to help the blind and visually impaired. 2.Dexter Rotary Club The Scoop:  The Dexter Rotary Club in connection with Dexter Community Schools Interact Club is working to help poor communities ravaged by natural disasters by raising funds to build temporary shelters called…

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Patch Picks: Romantic Eats for Valentine's Day

Here's a list of the top five best places to enjoy a romantic dinner with your significant other.

Patch is running a new weekly feature called Patch Picks, highlighting editor and reader picks of great local businesses, destinations, services, organizations, ways to spend a day off, and more.  You’ll find useful lists to help you, your family, friends, and significant others find the best places for everything from Sunday brunch to New Year’s Eve celebrations, pumpkin patches, date night destinations, florists, girlfriend nights out, kids party places, parks and more. Patch Picks: Most Romantic Restaurants The Scene: A Valentine’s dinner at the Earle isn’t just a romantic meal. It’s a getaway. The Earle serves award-winning French and Italian country cuisine and features a wine list with more than 1,000 selections. Sultry jazz music …

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Patch Picks: Super Bowl Crawl

Here's a list of the top five best places to watch the Super Bowl on Sunday.

Starting today, Patch will run a new weekly feature called Patch Picks, highlighting editor and reader picks of great local businesses, destinations, services, organizations, ways to spend a day off, and more.   You’ll find useful lists to help you, your family, friends, and significant others find the best places for everything from Sunday brunch to New Year’s Eve celebrations, pumpkin patches, date night destinations, florists, girlfriend nights out, kids party places, parks and more. Next week's Patch Picks: The Most Romantic Restaurants for Valentine's Day. Submit your idea in the comment box. Patch Picks: Super Bowl Crawl The Scene: The pub's pizza and bloomin' onions are a great compliment to enjoying the Super Bowl game on the pub's…

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