Toast of the Town …

When it comes to good food and great times, Hamtramck has plenty to offer. In this column, we’ll talk about what’s happening at our bars, restaurants and other events that can be found throughout the city.

By Charles Sercombe

Remember when you were a kid and before you rode a bike, you had to endure those hideous training wheels?

Yes, they were effective in teaching you how to balance. But even as a kid, it seemed, sort of, well, dorky.

This Saturday (Feb. 18), from 1 to 6 p.m., it’s time to hook up those training wheels again. But this time, forget the bike. We’re talking about a bar crawl to practice up for Tuesday’s Paczki Day and the following week’s “Hamtramck Blowout.”

What we’re really talking about is the bending of elbows and all-day libation endurance.

For you non-imbibers, you can still participate and order up on the soda side of things.

There’s a fun bunch of folks in town who occasionally hold a bar crawl with a special theme. Last time it involved a poker game of sorts.

This time, it’s a scavenger hunt that’s officially being called “Training Wheels Bar Crawl Scavenger Hunt.”

Here’s what their Facebook site says:

“Get your training wheels on! This is a pre-Paczki Day pre-Blowout bar crawl and scavenger hunt. Teams of 2 – 5 people. Get your clues at New Dodge at 1p.m. Bring a digital camera/phone. $10/person. Proceeds will benefit crime prevention programs in Hamtramck.”

So far, said co-organizer Nadine Gazik, 30 folks are on board. Here’s what else she had to say about the event in an e-mail she sent us:

“A fun and challenging scavenger hunt for teams of 2-5 people. Each participant is asked to give $10.

“All proceeds will benefit crime prevention programs in Hamtramck. At 1p.m., teams will meet at New Dodge Lounge and receive their lists of items to find in Hamtramck.

“Teams will travel up Jos. Campau and must check in every hour. Check in points include: Motor City Sports Bar, Suzy’s, Baker Streetcar Bar and Belmont Sports Bar.

“The team that finds the most items will win. In the event of a tie, a Hamtramck history quiz will decide the first place prize.”

For more info, go to their Facebook site at: http://www.facebook.com/events/336835393023789/

They could also use some donations of the following items:

o Five gift certificates for prizes (recommended amount $5, each)
o Merchandise for prizes
o Cash donations
o Food for a group of up to 50 people

You can call Nadine at (313)778-2428, or fellow organizer Kevin LaPointe at (734) 552-9883.

Do you know of a cool bar, a great restaurant or just a nice place to hang out? If you have tips on special events or just want to shine some light on your favorite spot send a message to news@thethehamtramckreview.com or call us at (313) 874-2100.