A midsummer's update on Johnny's trip back to Ypsilanti

I woke up at 7:30 am Sunday for the drive back to Jersey City sad that my first vacation in a while was over but I also know I did everything I could to see everyone I could. I went all over and had a blast. It really was like I picked a good spot in MICHIGAN to vacation and spend money. Michigan is still a great place to go and see people, and do things like hang on a lake or drive real fricking fast down I-696 from I-75 to I-275 at 80-85 just to DO IT as I don't GET to do that kind of thing here. Running with the bulls if you will but only for highly skilled drivers who know what the look in the other drivers eyes mean. Until you live in a big city you have no idea how cathartic some fast driving is after you done growed up in SE Michigan. As you all know but they sometimes miss here, it's in our blood.

So I leave through Ypsilanti which logic says is wrong because from where my best friend and "host family" lives in Canton I'd go quickly around the block to I-275 to I-75 into the Ohio turnpike, I-80 eastbound and down. I wanted to drive the old way (Michigan Ave. out to 23 south to the I-80 in Maumee) and take another look at the majestic form that is Ypsilanti and unknown to me (until the night before) the brand new Mongoloid Barbecue right downtown on Michigan Ave. Ha Ha Ann Arbor, now we have one more thing in common with you, a Mongolian Barbecue and an atrocious 3-9 football team. As for the football, haha, the jokes on you, we wear 3-9 seasons like comfy sweatshirts and ballcaps on a fall football Saturday with a small bottle of liquor in our back pockets....going to watch Michigan lose to Toledo. Sheeeeeeeit, been there done that before our Brothers in Blue. Yes, that Rocket mascot does look like a penis. Losing to Toledo ain't no nuthin'.

Ypsi, you still looked good, great in fact. Even the construction on Washtenaw Ave wasn't all THAT bad. The burger with goat cheese on it at Sidetrack is still the best burger I've ever had. Johnny's old neighborhood on N. Adams between Forest and Cross still looked the same but what can ya change in 7 months really? Sure gonna miss that midwest college football mindset to be certain. Heading down to a Rutgers game? It could happen but let's face facts, the Big East isn't the Big Ten and the Ivy League/Patriot League isn't the MAC. Well a Lehigh game might well be aces and I'll let you know on that one.

Driving by Fuller fields in Ann Arbor last Tuesday while they were cutting the grass was another thing greatly missed. Not a lot of fresh cut grass smell around these parts. The biggest visual difference about town was the castle of a building rising at Huron and State St. in Ann Arbor. They were just welding the third and fourth floors when I left and to come back and see it all fleshed out and as giant as it is now was a jaw dropper.

Nothing was more of a jaw dropper by the way than the fact Ypsilanti is THE new filmmaking capital of the world. Robert DeNiro? Jimmy Fallon? I remember Drew Barrymore's flick shot there but DeNiro? Go Ypsi go!

Jersey City is treating me well and New York City is an awesome playground but don't ever sell yourself short Ypsi/Arbor, you have a whole lot to see and do and an educated interesting populace with which to it with.

I'll try to do a better job checking in from time to time but you always know where to find me...

Rob Schneider is the latest star to begin filming a movie locally

SNL alum Rob Schneider is filming parts of a movie in Ann Arbor called "The Virgin on Bourbon Street" (we here at YCD are just tickled the producers would pick Ann Arbor for a knock off of New Orleans). Filming began at the Ingalls Mall yesterday. Filming is also being down elsewhere in Southeast Michigan but we don't care about THOSE parts, those'll be the worst in the whole entire movie. We just care about the Ann Arbor shots which should continue for a couple more days.

More on this developing celebrity situation HERE in the A2 News

We're about to find out how many die-hard Michigan football fans there are

If you show up today, on this utterly miserable rainy, 40 degree and dropping, north winds at 20 mph, in a nightmare season against a non rival foe, you ARE a die-hard Michigan fan. If you don't make it (unless you are on your deathbed, or moving away, or out of town, or at your kids soccer game), die-hard status DENIED. These are the types of games that define a die-hard fan.

Oh and since it's now at 40 degrees or below, the no hard liquor in the stadium rule has been waived.

Go Blue

Likewise if you're a crafter and you're not at the Detroit Urban Craft Fair today, you're just dabbling.

Now here's a creepy Halloween type mystery, courtesy of the Ann Arbor News

Headstones used as walkway steps? How could this happen? Was it nefariously made? Were gravestones stolen? From where?

Some, but not all these mysteries will be answered HERE

Well done! Ann Arbor wins 'Clean City' award

According to the Ann Arbor News, the city won for it's Green Fleets Program, implemented in 2004.

"The city's fleet has been reduced in size and increased use of biofuels, compressed natural gas and electric vehicles."

Well done A2.

Cupcake Station opens downtown in Ann Arbor tomorrow

Do you love cupcakes? Wanna get a free cupcake? The Cupcake Station will open tomorrow (located right next to Champion House on Liberty) and will be giving away cupcakes to the first 500 lucky customers.


Mmmmm cupcakes, is there anything they can't do....

Ann Arbor police have arrested a suspect in the jogger attacks

We sure hope they have the right guy and it sounds as if they may. An officer recognized the wanted poster image as someone he'd previously had contact with. The 40 year old lifelong Ann Arbor resident was arrested without incident at his home.

Updates as they become available

Police are flooding the Packard and Independence area today

As well as last evening in an attempt to thwart or capture the attacker from Sunday night who attempted to abduct two female joggers. He assaulted both but both were lucky enough to escape.

Remember too, if he has a van there is no reason he couldn't turn up anywhere in the city of Ann Arbor or Ypsilanti or Saline or really anywhere joggers (or children) make easy targets.

We interrupt this day off with serious news about two attempted kidnappings on joggers

And one of the women attacked while jogging was able to break free another 16 year old jogger was dragged into a van and struck several times by the attacker with his fist but she too, and we are all very relieved, was able to escape and get help.

The story is over at the Ann Arbor News so check it out and be safe. These attacks took place near Packard Street and Independence Boulevard but if this guy has a van he could obviously show up anywhere. In both cases the joggers noticed the open van door first

Go read the story but the description of the attacker is as follows:

The van was described as dark-colored, possibly a Chrysler product, with a bench seat behind the driver's and passenger's side seats.

The attacker was described as white, 35-45 years old, 5 feet 11 inches tall, medium build, with crooked teeth (possibly missing a tooth in the front), facial stubble and dark hair with some gray in it.

With ANY info please, these are our neighbors and friends--734-994-2911, the tip line at 734-996-3199 or Detective Chris Fitzpatrick at 994-2869

Since we're all about upcoming schedules today, here's the Performance Network schedule for 2008-09

"Heather Raffo's 9 Parts of Desire," by Heather Raffo (drama). Sept. 18-Oct. 26

"Geoffrey & Jeffrey," by Kim Carney (comedy) - world premiere. Nov. 6-Dec. 28

"Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead," by Tom Stoppard (comedy). Jan. 8-Feb. 22

"A Feminine Ending," by Sarah Treem (comedy). March 5-April 12

"Fences," by August Wilson (drama). April 23-May 31

"A Picasso," by Jeffrey Hatcher (Drama). June 11-July 12

"The Blonde, the Brunette and the Vengeful Redhead," by Robert Hewitt. July 23-Aug. 30

You can call the Performance Network about ticket plans and packages by calling 734-663-0681.

Ann Arbor News has a handy dandy voter guide for YOU

And with the local primaries coming up--and some real good important races--this will help you be prepared for the voting.

You can find the Ann Arbor News voter guide HERE

A hat trick of vehicle crimes

Ypsilanti, Ann Arbor and Superior Township, come on down....

First, Ypsilanti where a 15 year old misguided ute (and a real jackass) carjacked a woman in the 800 block of Huron Street. Police later saw the vehicle driving around Washtenaw and Oakwood, right by EMU and tried to pull over Captain Homeroom, but he drove down a dead end street on EMU's campus, and then jumped out only to be caught after a short foot chase.

Next up, Superior Township where a Nissan Murano was driven into a home. Residents appear to be OK, and some of the losers in the vehicle were apprehended but police still are seeking the driver. The Ann Arbor News has cool pictures HERE

Finally, University of Michigan police (and we're guessing Ann Arbor) are looking for the idiots who smashed in the windows of 3 U-M vans and made off with $1000 worth of power tools. The crime took place over the weekend. The vehicles were parked at 328 Hoover.

If you have any information that could help locate the driver of the car who slammed into the house or the person or persons who stole the tools, please help out and make sure YOU aren't their next victims.

A ban on plastic bags in Ann Arbor?

Ann Arbor City Council Member Stephen Rapundalo wants to ban plastic shopping bags because they wind up as litter, or so he says. Discussing the bag situation, he said "... they're everywhere. Blowing down streets, hanging in trees.".

This would seem like a problem of PEOPLE who let said bags blow away. I see an awful lot of hubcaps and yet no worries about ensuring they are bolted tighter onto cars. What about cigarette butts Mr. Rapundalo? There are a hundred times more cigarette butts lining the A2 streets and sidewalks and you don't take on smoking.

We were also told that we couldn't use paper bags because we were killing trees the plastic would be a godsend. Guess somebody was fibbing huh?

The City of Ann Arbor is FINALLY cracking down on bikers

And handing out some hefty fines for bikers who break the rules. Good for them. Frankly we're sick and tired of hearing from bikers about how they are ENTITLED to do certain things then run stop signs, red lights and turn any and everywhere.

Now if we can get them off the sidewalks it could be mission complete.

The Socialist Party will be holding an event in Ann Arbor this weekend

The National Socialist Party will be holding an organizing event this weekend. Their national candidate for President, Brian Moore will be on hand to run one of the workshops.

All totaled there will be 15 workshops and the event will be held at the Inter Cooperative Council on Hill Street.

The Socialist Party isn't just talking about politics, there will also be a workshop on the benefit of open source software.

If you'd like more info, feel free to click HERE

City of Ann Arbor buys Tios property, promises 30 minute delivery will continue

OK, Tios never promised 30 minute delivery, but with the police now delivering tasty Tios chow, can it be more than 30 minutes?

It's true, the City of Ann Arbor has bought the property that Tios now sits on near Fifth and Huron, but will honor the new lease Tios just signed.

You better believe the minute that new lease is up, the city will move to destroy Tios and wrap that property into the new unnecessary city/police/ministry of ticket money building.

Welcome to 'Doritos Presents Huron High School', we ain't kidding

Ah yes, as money is THE most important thing we have, the Ann Arbor School Board's Planning Committee decided to go ahead with selling naming rights to schools as well as classrooms. The A2 School Board will receive the plan tonight which allows anyone with the money, to buy a name. For example, if you have just 25% of what it would cost to build a school (The Ann Arbor News used an example of Skyline High School which would cost you $23 million to slap a name on). No word on how much classroom sponsorship would go for.

The Matt Drudge Journalism Classroom

The Rightway Baptist Church Biology Creationism Lab

The Woody Hayes Memorial locker room

The Sara Lee lunchroom

Vitamin Water presents US History in room 212


What's that old line again? Oh yes, Anne Arbor is a whore......

Water prices in Ann Arbor are: A) Going Down or B) Going Up

If you guessed B, give yourself a gold star and get out your wallets. The local water bill in Tree City will be going up roughly $30 bucks a year. Water rates will go up 4.62 %, wastewater 3.2 %, and stormwater 11.09 %.

Be ever vigilant, armed robbery near U-M's North Campus last night

Police are saying a woman was robbed at gunpoint on Freesia Court near Maiden Lane last night around 11 pm. A woman reported being approached by a man who held a gun to her head and demanded valuables. The asshat took the purse and fled east on Maiden Lane.

Mr Laughs was described as black, 6 feet tall with a medium build, 25 to 30 years old and clean-shaven. He had on a dark baseball cap, dark clothing and shorts.

Again, community addition by subtraction:

734-763-1131 or the Ann Arbor police tip line at 734-996-3199.

The horror that was graduation on the Diag

Now we've read what some members of the People's Republic of Ann Arbor, and it's secret society, The University of Michigan had to say about graduation, that it was PERFECT. Everything was without flaw. But what happens when you move beyond the party line? Johnny was there, and snuck away from his official U-M handlers and this is what he really found and what the oppressed were really saying:

*Rats, weasels, and wombats running amok on campus, under the folding chairs and around buildings
*Thousands of crows, toucans and screech owls in all the trees disrupting the PA system
*Young toughs collecting protection money on the shuttle busses
*Trash bins overflowing with caps, gowns and sequines

"It was awful" said Janice Peavey, LS&A Grad, "a weasel bit my grandma"
"A toucan flew down, grabbed my diploma and flew away" said Dakota Hillman, another LS&A grad
"I spent thousands on my son's education" said Mrs. Candy Rhodes, "and look at this, the wombats are shitting everywhere".
"There is nowhere to play hacky sack on this stupid campus today" said Moonbeam Greenie

Well, Huron Valley, as you can clearly see, the claims of a wonderful and flawless graduation are much hooey. There were real people getting attacked by real weasels, and that's too bad considering St. Harkema led the weasels out of Ypsilanti in the late 1980's.

Jusy sayin'

Actual photo of rabid Diag weasel waiting to claim another victim