Friday, February 29, 2008

Late night open thread

Over at Yost tonight the Michigan hockey team clinched the regular season CCHA title. It LOOKS like a hockey night outside tonight.

The snow's gonna fall on Cool City and Tree City until about 1 am.

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with NO DOUBT!

It's covers night tonight at YCD and here's No Doubt covering the Talk Talk hit 'It's My Life'. Johnny loves this video. Johnny loves when this band does videos they all seem to enjoy working together. And yes, Johnny loves watching Gwen Stefani.

Unlike the Cowboy Junkies, No Doubt has no upcoming tour dates around here.

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with COWBOY JUNKIES!

Who by the way will be coming to the Ark in old Ann Arbor town March 21st. Talk to the scalpers at this point friends. Both shows, sold out. Nary a ticket to be found. Here are The Cowboy Junkies with a cover of the Velvet Underground classic 'Sweet Jane'. Sing it Margo.

Looking out over downtown Ann Arbor on a snowy snowy day

If you click the picture it'll get big, but if you're dialing in today, it may take a minute. DSL and cable surfers dig in

Friday Leap Day, Snow Day morning open thread

Johnny's got business to tend to this morning so feel free to discuss whatever ya wanna on this snowy February 29th.

Thursday, February 28, 2008

Late night open thread

Tomorrow is February 29th as we've mentioned here, Leap Day. In keeping with the sprit of a day coming once every four years, the very good people at Domino's Pizza have a special offer for parents to be (and soon). If you have a baby on Friday, Domino's will PAY YOU $1000 in PIZZA COUPONS, to NAME your baby Brooklyn, after their 'Brooklyn Style Pizza'. That's right, just name your child after a marketing gimmick and Domino's will pay you the one grand in magic bea---er pizza coupons.

Jenny Fouracre, a spokesweasel for Domino's Pizza actually uttered these here words:

"We think they are very special and deserve a memorable birthday with a good story about how they were named.''

#1 They already have a memorable birthday, hell we ALL do

#2 This is not a good story as to how they were named. It is a sick and sad story.

#3 If you name your newborn child after a pizza slogan, isn't that where the government steps in and puts you to sleep?

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

Everyone keeps asking "What was the deal with John Travolta's hair"?

Evidently, John Travolta's hair has been causing quite the buzz on the interwebs (a series of dump trucks connected by tubes) and so ever vigilant Johnny went out and grabbed some video of Mr. Travolta and asks:

"So, what's the big deal, it looks fine and fluffy to us"

Get married for free on Leap Day.....IN HELL

That's right thrillseekers, tomorrow, February 29, leap day, weddings are being performed for FREE in Hell.

What's that, you haven't made plans already? Too late Bucko, the small township hall, which will serves as the wedding chapel of your dreams (in Hell) is booked solid from 8:30am to 9:30pm tomorrow. Hair dressers will be there to gussy up the ladies, photographers will be available as will a wedding dinner at the Dam Site Inn.

So to those of you who are getting hitched tomorrow in Hell, we wish you nothing but the best in your new marriage. After all, what's the worst thing that could happen?

Oh yeah, we forgot

Huron Parkway bridge work is FINALLY DONE!!

All four lanes across the Huron River on Huron Parkway are now open! Nearly SIX MONTHS late, it's now open for business.

Now we begin to ask WHY it was delayed by half a year. Construction crews said they ran into far more rust on the bridge than anticipated. Which, if true (The amount of steel that needed replacing went from 3,500 pounds to 27,000), it DOES call into question the preliminary reporting done by consulatants. How do you miss THAT MUCH rust?

Either the city got taken for a few extra thousand pounds of steel and labor (and we doubt it) or the consultants who looked over the bridge did a piss poor job.

The snow monster returns tomorrow

Of course he does, it's the old February 29th snowday. Actually it'll be just 2-4" more of the powder but fun on a Friday February 29, LEAP DAY.

Did you know that a person born on February 29 is called a 'leapling'?

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Late night open thread

It's illegal to drink beer out of a bucket while you're sitting on a curb in St. Louis. So, be thankful you live in a town where you CAN sit on a curb and drink beer out of a bucket.

It's the little things that make up the quality of life here.

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

The "Jimmy Eric Green needs a going away fruit basket fund" is now open

Jimmy Eric Green was recently convicted of the 1983 rape and murder of Laura McBride. Green continues to claim innocence and frankly we're a little tired of hearing it.

See Mr. Green is ALSO suspected in the murder and rape of Toni Goodson in 1993. Police have Green's DNA on the victim in that case too (as well as DNA in the McBride case).

We're REALLY sorry your DNA turned up on two dead women Mr. Green, geez, what ARE the chances? We suppose it's just really bad luck or timing on your part when these women "chose" to have sex with you, and then had to go and get themselves killed.

Guess what? You're a LIAR, a disgraceful, stinking rapist and murdering LIAR. We're glad you're heading to prison where you belong. And yes, we ALL have closure from this now.

Bomb threat at Washtenaw Community College

A bomb threat was written on the wall of a restroom there and discovered Tuesday. The veiled threat mentioned an event for next Tuesday "on campus".

"The college takes threats of this nature seriously and is cooperating fully with law enforcement. Staff and student safety is the college's highest priority." Spokeswoman Janet Hawkins said in a statement.

We're sure the College IS taking things seriously and the Washtenaw County Sheriffs have investigated. Sounds to us like Mr. Crankypants has a big exam next Tuesday he's planning on not studying for.

So what would YOU do to help downtown Ypsi

There was a big pow wow last night downtown to collect suggested improvements for downtown Ypsilanti, and YCD wants to know, what would YOU do. What is YOUR plan and why should we implement it? Understand from time to time the powers that be in our fair city DO read this blog in their underwear sipping coffee so let 'em know what YOU would like to see done.

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Late night open thread

Frantic Finish at the Crisler Arena tonight. Anthony Wright missed the potential winning 3 point shot right at the end as Michigan drops a game they sure should have won to Northwestern 62-60. The Wolverines are 5-11 in the Big Ten and 9-19 overall.

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

Domino's Pizza can't avoid the earnings Noid

Higher interest payments on restructuring loans drove profits down 64.3 percent to $37.9 million, from $106.2 million in 2006. The pizza behemoth paid out 1.03 a share last for 2007, down from $1.56 in 2006. Analysts had forecast earnings of $1.09 a share.

On the good side Domino's worldwide sales increased by 6.6% in 2007.

In a prepared statement, Domino's CEO David Brandon said "The combination of unprecedented cost inflation and cautious consumer spending continues to create significant challenges for us in our domestic market"

Earnings!

Ypsilanti Mountain, or "Mt. Ypsi" to locals, looked beautiful this morning

Always a welcome wonderful sight, Mt. Ypsi, snow covered and gorgeous.

Monday, February 25, 2008

Late night open thread

The Exacto-Doppler Wind Shear 5000 weather module says right about 3.5 inches of snow through tomorrow. Tonight will also be dark with areas of light towards morning.

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

Police still seeking public help in Lindsay Graygo murder

While releasing precious little information that could be considered helpful, the Washtenaw County Sheriffs office is still seeking your help with clues and tips to Ms. Graygo's murder last week in the Lake Shore apartment complex off Grove Road.

Did you see anyone strange around her building say on Monday (she was found Tuesday), did you notice anyone around her car, did you see anyone waiting to be let into her building, did you notice a strange vehicle circling around, did you notice a car leaving the area really fast? Any of these questions you may have an answer to, please call the sheriff's tip line at 734-973-7711.

Well, when his lengthy JAIL TERM is over we'll ship him home

Because right now he's gonna have to work off the DUI, leaving the scene of an injury accident, and whtever else they can think of to add and THEN ship his dumb, irresponsible ass back to Mexico.

From the Ann Arbor News this morning:

Pittsfield Township police said an illegal alien with a long history of driving violations, including two prior drunken driving offenses, was arrested after fleeing the scene of a car crash that sent three people to a local hospital Sunday night.

The suspect, a 25-year-old Mexican national, has a driving record that dates back to 2002 in Michigan, even though he is apparently in the United States illegally, police said.


First off, all three people were taken to the hospital with minor injuries thank god. The idiot himself took off, another motorist reported his smoking husk of a vehicle, and police caught up to it in an apartment complex where they found Mr. Brains trying to hide under another parked car, bleeding from the mouth, and in bad need of new underwear.

Stick him jail, and since Johnny thinks only legal residents (not just citizens but legal resident too) should get time off for good behavior, let him rot, then when he gets out drop him back across the border with a tracking ankle bracelet he can't take off so we can keep an eye on him electronicaly like a bear or walrus on a nature show.

Sunday, February 24, 2008

Late night open thread

February has one more snowstorm for us before going on it's merry way. Tomorrow will look good early, with a high around 40, then tomorrow night it all changes. 3-5" of snow Monday night, another 2-4" on Tuesday.

You know how many of us have made or heard the comment 'we just don't get winters like we did when I was a kid'? Well we got one this year.

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

Here now, your Academy Awards open thread

It's Oscar night in America so feel free to discuss favorite movies of all time, favorite stars (the hotties and dreamboats), or make your predictions on this years nominees.

And OF COURSE feel free to make snarky commentary on what they are wearing.

"You get a lot more for your money in Bolivia, I checked"--Paul Newman as Butch Cassidy

According to Borders that new concept store is going great guns

It's SO NICE to have a good economic story to run with especially about a local company. "It's running substantially ahead of our plans,'' George Jones, Borders CEO. The new concept store in the Waters Place on Lohr Rd. (Think Best Buy, and Joe's Crab Shack) opened on February 14th.

"We are absolutely thrilled with the reaction we're getting from customers, and that's what it's all about".

This now qualifies as the Business Section of your Sunday Paper.

U-M softball pitcher throws perfect game in Florida

Nikki Nemitz joined a very elite group of baseball and softball pitchers by throwing a perfect game Saturday in a tournament in Orlando. The Michigan lefty beat Birmingham Southern 8-0 in a five inning MERCY MERCY MERCY. Nemitz fanned 7 of the 15 batters she faced.


The Wolverines are 9-2.

Saturday, February 23, 2008

Late night open thread

Michigan basketball gave Illinois the back of their hand over at the Crisler Arena 59-53. Manny Harris had 14 while Kelvin Grady had 12. The Wolverines are 9-18 overall and 5-10 in the Big Ten. Also tonight Michigan's hockey team squared their weekend series with Sparty, rebounding from last night's loss with a 4-2 win at Joe Louis Arena.

Scores before bed
(17) Michigan State 66
Iowa 52

(14) Indiana 85
Northwestern 82

(2) Tennessee 66
(1) Memphis 62

Navy 71
Army 63

Tulsa 77
Presbyterian 58

Texas-San Antonio 103
Texas State 96

And tonight's FEATURE GAME
Towson 73
High Point 72

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

EMU dumps Southeast Missouri State 86-82, thus busting their brackets

That's right college hoops fans, Eastern Michigan topped Southeast Missouri State's Redbirds at the ACC this afternoon 86-82. As the Redbirds slowly trek home to Cape Girardeau Missouri, no doubt the sounds of yet another Jarred Axon jumper raining through the nets will haunt them. Axon led EMU with 27, while Carlos Medlock dropped in a strong 20. EMU is now 11-15 overall and since this is not a conference game there's no change in the 6-7 MAC record.

EMU is home again next Saturday, March 1st, at 2pm vs The Cardinals of Ball State.

EMU has won 4 of 6 and the final three games of the season are all against teams behind Eastern in the standings.

Saturday afternoon matinee with Dean and Lex Hair

A Kids in the Hall classic with Dave Foley as the slightly excitable Lex Hair and Kevin MacDonald as the insufferable Dean.

Jamaican Jerk Pit restaurant robbed at gunpoint

Last night, the Jamaican Jerk Pit restaurant at 314 S. Thayer, was robbed by two men about 9pm. Ann Arbor police Sergeant Mike Lance said one robber grabbed the cash from the register before bolting out the back of the restaurant with his criminal colleague.

No further information is available currently.

Friday, February 22, 2008

Late night open thread

EMU is at home at the ACC tomorrow at 4pm vs Southeast Missouri State on BRACKET BUSTER SATURDAY.

Go Green

Go White

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

YCD would like to share a very special story on Lindsay Graygo

The CEO of Logistic Plus Inc., Jim Berlin wrote on his company blog about the wonderful person named Lindsay Graygo, taken from us this week. Did you know she was one of the first to volunteer to go help victims of Hurricane Katrina? She was a very special person indeed.

Berlin’s Wall by Jim Berlin

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with JOAN JETT & the BLACKHEARTS

As promised, a third hot tune to wind you up and send you out the door this Friday night in Cool City. It's almost not fair to the barkeepers around town to have this song pounding in your head on the way, you'll wanna get there and start breaking things. And fighting. And pushing nerds. Joan Jett and The Blackhearts with 'I Hate Myself for Loving You'. It's OK, you can punch at the air and do the Joan Jet sneer, you can.

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with ETTA JAMES, CHUCK BERRY, KEEF RICHARDS, & ROBERT CRAY!

My goodness, all this greatness on ONE SONG? Sorry about the time stamp on the bottom but some things are worth in. DAMN she's great! Wake the kids for this one.

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with NICK LOWE!

The Jesus of Cool, Basher, Nick Lowe. One of the great music producers of his time and a rock steady performer. Get ready to get your groove on and turn up the speakers. Here's Nick with 'Cracking Up'

You've all been so good and patient, how about a Threefer tonight?

That's right, a Threefer of music, an extra one for being so well behaved.

Friday morning open thread

Johnny's all tied up this fine Friday morning. You're gonna have to gab and chit chat without him until this afternoon.

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Late night open thread

Michigan led at halftime, but on this night the men calling themselves Golden Gophers were tip top.

Minnesota 69
Meeechigan 60

Also, and we don't spend any time on high school basketball but YCD knows the district pairings are important so here goes:

No. 4 AT DEXTER
Mon. - Ann Arbor Pioneer vs. Ann Arbor Huron, 5:30; Dexter vs. South Lyon, 7
Wed. - Pinckney vs. Ann Arbor Pioneer/Ann Arbor Huron winner, 5:30; Jackson vs. Dexter/South Lyon winner, 7
Fri. - Final, 7

No. 9 AT GRAND BLANC
Mon. - Holly vs. Flint Southwestern, 5:30; Ortonville-Brandon vs. Grand Blanc, 7
Wed. - Fenton vs. Holly/Flint Southwestern winner, 5:30; Swartz Creek vs. Grand Blanc/Ortonville-Brandon winner, 7
Fri. - Final, 7

Go Blackhawks! Go give those guys from Grand Blanc what for!

No. 13 AT TEMPERANCE BEDFORD
Mon. - Monroe vs. Adrian, 6; Tecumseh vs. Temperance Bedford, 8
Wed. - Saline vs. Monroe/Adrian winner, 6; Ypsilanti Lincoln vs. Temperance Bedford/Tecumseh winner, 8
Fri. - Final, 7

No. 15 AT WAYNE MEMORIAL
Mon. - Belleville vs. Ypsilanti, TBA; Wayne Memorial vs. Garden City, TBA
Wed. - Romulus vs. Belleville vs. Ypsilanti winner, TBA; Westland Glenn vs. Wayne/Garden City winner, TBA
Fri. - Final, 7

No. 37 AT MILAN
Mon. - Milan vs. Chelsea 5; Ida vs. Monroe Jefferson, 7
Wed. - Erie Mason vs. Milan/Chelsea winner 5; Onsted vs. Ida/Monroe Jefferson winner, 7
Fri. - Final, 7

No. 68 AT JONESVILLE
Mon. - Jonesville vs. Manchester, 6; Hillsdale vs. Addison, 7:45
Wed -Hudson vs. Jonesville/Manchester winner, 6; Hanover-Horton vs. Hillsdale/Addison winner, 7:45
Fri - Final, 7

No. 70 AT ANN ARBOR RICHARD
Mon. - Ann Arbor Richard vs. Ann Arbor Greenhills, 6; Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central vs. Clinton, 8
Wed. - Romulus Summit vs. Monroe St. Mary CC/Clinton winner, 6; Dundee vs. Ann Arbor Richard/Ann Arbor Greenhills winner, 8
Fri. - Final, 7

No. 101 AT ADRIAN LENAWEE CHRISTIAN
Mon. - Adrian Lenawee Christian vs. Ypsilanti Calvary Christian, 5; Ann Arbor Central Academy vs. Deerfield, 7; Washtenaw Christian vs. Britton-Macon, 8:30
Wed. - Ann Arbor Steiner vs. Lenawee Christian/Calvary Christian, 6; Ann Arbor Central/Deerfield winner vs. Washtenaw Christian/Britton-Macon winner, 8
Fri. - Final, 7

Hope we remembered everyone. And remember, if winning wasn't important nobody would keep score.

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

Updates on the Lindsay Anne Graygo murder

Washtenaw County Sheriff Dan Minzey updated the media on the case this evening. He said Ms Graygo was beaten before she was strangled. There were also signs of sexual assault. Minzey said the autopsy showed "tremendous trauma to the body" Her apartment did not show signs of a struggle, however. Police also collected several items that could have been used to strangle her but did not say if any of the items was actually used. There was also some water found in the tub.

In a press release Sheriff's Cmdr. Dave Egeler said that Graygo may have known he killer as there were no signs of a break in and the apartment was then locked when they left. [We at YCD would hope if the keys were taken and used to lock up upon leaving all the locks in that building would have been changed for resident safety, something EMU could learn from] Neighbors did not report hearing anything unusual and police did not notice anything missing.

Simply heinous.

Tips gladly accepted 734-973-7711

It's a Friday Night Happy Hour BITCHSLAP with The Ypsitucky Colonels!

Col. Will reports that he's so pilled up on cold-eze that he rattles when he walks.

But that's only to ensure that he's hale and hardy when the Ypsitucky Colonels turn up the garage country soul at the Heidelberg's Club Above Friday night. Col. Will reports that he and his cohorts have been woodshedding a bunch of new tunes for the Happy Hour gig -- 5:30 to 8:ish -- in addition to their usual collection of cool power-pop, revved-up classic country and maudlin AM one-hit wonders. There will even be an original tune or two! Best part? It's only $2 and you can be home in time for "Simon and Simon" reruns.

Capice?
If you're a COOL KID, why not check out the Ypsitucky Colonels on their MySpace page before they get banned. But only go if you're cool...

Police seeking clues in Ypsilanti Township murder

A beautiful young woman named Lindsay Anne Graygo was murdered in her Ypsilanti Township apartment and police need your help in solving this case so we can all sleep a little easier knowing scum like the kind who did this go where they can be best put to use---in a state prison.

The 29 year old was found in her apartment, lying in such a position police feel the cause of death was murder but are not releasing much more info at this time (It WOULD behoove the Washtenaw County detectives to release as much information as they can as soon as they can to the public---we know they hate this but it's proven to work).

Graygo lived in the Lake Shore apartment complex off Grove Road. Her body was discovered around 5:15pm Tuesday after co-workers began to worry when she did not show up for work. Her autopsy will be performed today.

People, citizens, friends and neighbors, we need this to stop NOW. Yesterday, if possible. If you have ANY information, you're doing no favors by protecting the piece of garbage who did this. They'll only serve to put YOU at risk if you continue to allow them to breathe the free air. Murder is always awful, think of her parents driving in from Pennsylvania to collect the remnants of their daughters life, as Laura Dickinson's parents did, and Karen Sue Bieneman's parents did before them. We need to, as a community and as a county and as responsible citizens to take back OUR streets, and OUR homes and OUR neighborhoods. Treat this criminal scum like the intruder into your neighborhood they are. Treat them like the CANCER they are. Let's start ratting these assholes out. The healing of this area begins as soon as we eliminate the societal fleas that try to feed on all of us.

734-973-7711 with info

Garrison Keillor to bring "A Prairie Home Companion" to Hill Auditorium in June

Radio storyteller and host Garrison Keillor brings his radio variety show "A Prairie Home Companion" to Hill Auditorium for a live performance June 14 at 5:45 p.m.

This engagement is part the Ann Arbor Summer Festival's 25th season celebration.

Tickets are to go on sale Monday, April 21 at 9 a.m. through the festival ticket office, 734-764-2538, and online. Tickets are $65-$25.

If you're heading into Ann Arbor, avoid Washtenaw Avenue--Water main break

On the north side of Washtenaw Avenue, just past Arborland and before Huron Parkway. Messy, slow, and a real clusterthingie.

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Late night open thread

Some show out there tonight eh?

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

Your lunar eclipse headquarters unless you work for NASA

Then you could probably care less about YCD offering lunar eclipse timetables for tonight.

Now, onto the particulars

First off, Eastern Michigan University's Sherzer Observatory WILL be open for star and planet and moon gazers tonight (the eclipse begins roughly 8:45). This could afford you a supreme view of Saturn as well. As the recording for Sherzer says, if you're going, it's DAMNED COLD up there on top of the old building so dress WARMLY.

Why will the Moon change from gray/white to a reddish color? According to NASA:

During an eclipse the moon changes color, going from a light gray color to an orange or deep red shade. This is totality. The moon takes on this new color because indirect sunlight is still able to pass through the Earth's atmosphere and cast a glow on the moon.

Now for the timetable:

Around 8:42PM EST the earth's shadow will begin it's trip across the face of the moon. At 10:01 EST the eclipse will reach totality and the moon will remain a reddish color for about 51 minutes before the shadow starts moving off the moon. The next total lunar eclipse visible from North America will not happen until December 21, 2010.

Make note as the eclipse reaches totality the number of stars that will suddenly make themselves available for viewing. Remember the glowing yellow 'star' to the upper left of the moon is really Saturn.

Assault and robbery reported on Packard at Arch St.

A citizen was assaulted and robbed early Tuesday near Packard and Arch.

As the pedestrian walked by 725 Packard, they were approached by two men, when suddenly one swung and hit the pedestrian and then announced they were armed with knives. After robbing the victim, these two jerks (and this is where you can help) got into a dark green or black Toyota with a Michigan license with 728 in it.

So, if you're in parking lot, or behind someone at a stoplight and you see a car fitting this description, and a guy who was described as white, with short brown hair, maybe a dark colored jacket, see what ya can't do to lend police a hand, you know the number.

The other man is described as white, just white, no further description.

OK, who planted the mary jane in the Botanical Gardens?

Monday, employees at U-M's Matthaei Botanical Gardens, found 11 marijuana plants growing among other projects for a student biology class.

Kids, these people LIVE to identify plants. They KNOW weed when they see it. Hell, most people know weed when they see it. Now you're gonna bring down the man on everyone in the biology class.

Linda Green, a spokeswoman for U-M's Division of Student Affairs, said officials have no reason to suspect students were involved. Yes, perhaps a group of senior citizens touring the Botanical Gardens planted them in hopes they could come back with scissors and collect the sticky icky later this summer.

Kids, if you're gonna grow such things, do like smart hippies do, plant them way away from professional botanists and law enforcement officials.

Michigan Student Assembly wants MANDATORY student insurance

Now, mind you they're not saying the University of Michigan should cover the costs, no, they are saying ALL students should be REQUIRED to get at LEAST a basic health insurance plan which the University will provide for a mere $2,183 per year. Students used to buy a lot more of this coverage before it hit the magic $1000 mark in 2002.

Are you guys serious? REQUIRE students to carry health insurance that will simply be (and oh so conveniently) rolled into their tuition and financial aid costs? What if they simply don't WANT the added cost? Is this still not a free state where someone over the age of 18 can decide these things for themselves? YCD fails to see ANY need of mandatory at cost to students insurance.

We understand Michigan Student Assembly President Mohammad Dar's contention that foreign students MUST buy health insurance at $81 a month. But Mr. Dar, the best way forward isn't to saddle everyone with mandatory insurance (which we can clearly see is a plan to bring down premiums for those opting in by mandating everyone opt in) but to release foreign students from having to buy a socialized plan.

The plan actually calls for students applying for more state and federal (you know YOUR tax dollars) financial aid to get this health insurance.

Here's the kicker: aid would not be guaranteed.

Sorry Michigan Student Assembly, this plan is tantamount to putting a dress on a pig. Maybe a few more free market classes in the B School would do the job, and you don't need insurance to sit in on those.

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Late night open thread

The Big Ten Network said they have not yet reached an agreement with Comcast about tomorrow night's lunar eclipse and may try to block it's showing.

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

YCD knew the reason behind U-M hockey player Kevin Quick's dismissal wouldn't be good but IDENTITY THEFT?!

Former Michigan hockey player, Kevin Quick was arraigned this morning on identity theft charges for allegedly stealing bank account information from his teammate.

Quick, 19, stood mute during the arraignment in 15th District Court.

Quick nor his attorney, had anything to say to the media as he left.

A tip of the YCD cap to U-M head coach Red Berenson for treating this like the crime it is. Too often these days coaches let players slide until well after the court case is heard or seek to bury hurtful info that could be embarassing to the program in question.

So, Ypsilanti, are you ready for tomorrow night's Lunar Eclipse?

What's that? You didn't even know there was going to be one? That's right, tomorrow night, roughly 8pm the shadow of Earth will creep across the moon. To make things even more worthwhile standing out under clear skies and 7 degree temps is that the bright 'star' up and to the left of the moon is really Saturn.

Johnny will have his telescope out tomorrow night so if you see some fool bundled up peering into space, drop by and say hello.

This is a Lunar eclipse, where the earth shadows the moon, and a Solar eclipse is where the moon shadows out the sun. Do you know what the eclipse is called when the Sun goes between the Earth and the moon?

Surprise! Lincoln Schools Superintendant resigns

Fred Williams surprised an entire school district by resigning Monday night as superintendent of the Lincoln Consolidated Schools.

The seven school board members unanimously approved Williams' resignation, and then a separation agreement and it was over.

Board President Kim Samuelson told the Ann Arbor News this was Williams' choice and he was not asked to resign.

Williams said he was headed home to Grand Ledge to spend more time with his family. Williams became head of Lincoln Schools on August 1, 2005 and his contract ran until June 30, 2010.

Monday, February 18, 2008

Late night open thread

Get well soon Nick Lidstrom, real soon

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

BREAKING NEWS--YCD will recognize Kosovo as independent country

So probably Russia will be falling in line before too long, once this news gets out. The United States of America beat YCD to the punch on this one by a couple hours as 'All Hat No Cattle' Preznit Bush said today:

“The Kosovars are now independent.”

YCD will probably not be sending a permanent correspondent to Pristina, the capital.

Google is having a little issue with the interface right now

Johnny had to call on his bag of tricks and proxy in for some reason but wanted to let you the valued YCD reader know we're aware of the slow updates.

EMU student, trained in martial arts, has a surprise for would be robbers

An EMU student, was walking near Pray-Harrold just before 2am Sunday when he was approached by two low lives, one with a knife who demanded money. The student, using their martial arts training kicked the knife out of the robbers hands and then proceeded to punch and kick him. The other loser couldn't run away fast enough.

YCD will let YOU fill in for Nelson Muntz, what say you Ypsilanti?

Sunday, February 17, 2008

Late night open thread

Johnny has given the YCD staff President's Day off tomorrow so they can furniture shop as Washington and Lincoln had hoped the celebration of their lives would center around end tables.

Be careful on the way in to work tomorrow, to borrow a phrase Johnny heard as a kid from the very southern parents of one of my buddies: "Y'all be careful out there, those roads are slicker than a greased baby's ass".

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

Rivalry weekend in Washtenaw County--U-M 80 OSU 70

Did you hear it takes Ohio State students an hour and a half to watch 60 Minutes?

So Rivalry Weekend is deemed a huge success as both U-M and EMU win their respective ballgames. Michigan just dusted off OSU 80-70, with another big effort from Manny Harris (27 points 8 rebounds) and DeShawn Sims (22 points 7 rebounds). The game was tied at halftime but face facts, Michigan was just better in the second half and really had no trouble securing this win.

Michigan improves to 8-17 overall and 4-9 in the Big Ten. Michigan visits the Minnesota Golden Goofers Thursday night at 9pm.

Eastern Michigan University club hockey nationally ranked

Sure the Wolverines are tearing it up in the CCHA and Michigan State is defending National Champs, but there is other hockey to discuss citizens, namely EMU's club hockey team being ranked the No. 15 team in Division I of the American Collegiate Hockey Association. Eastern Michigan (21-11-5), at one point this season won 13 of 14 games, including a win over then #9 Kent State and #4 Ohio State. Former NHL and Red Wing alum Lee Norwood WAS coaching the EMU hockey team before stepping down this week. Joe Fosbender will lead EMU's charges the rest of the way.

Because of its ranking, Eastern has earned a bid to the ACHA national tournament to be held in Rochester, N.Y., in March. EMU has not decided if they will go (again the differences between club hockey and CCHA hockey).

Rivalry weekend in Washtenaw County--U-M vs OSU 1pm

Crisler Arena is the place to be, away from the freezing rain and sleet, at 1pm today for Ohio State vs the Manny Harris Show. It would sure be nice to throw a monkey wrench into OSU's post-season plans. This year OSU employs no freak of nature one year wonders for those scoring at home.

Saturday, February 16, 2008

Late night open thread

#1 Michigan completed their sweep of Lake Superior State at Yost tonight 4-2. In college hoops it was mighty Lehigh beating Army 58-53.

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

Rivalry weekend in Washtenaw County--EMU 67 CMU 64

How many CMU undergrads does it take to screw in a lightbulb? Four, but it's a three credit course.

EMU 67 and CMU Chumpewas 64. And with the football finale falling in EMU's favor as well, EMU is 2 of 3 against CMU in the so called big sports (and don't make us bring up women's softball). It's OK though CMU grads and fans, you can take solace that soon the weather will warm and your casinos will be in bloom.

EMU got an overwhelming boost from their bench with their three game high scorers all coming off the pine for Head Coach Charles Ramsey. Justin Dobbins with 15, Jarred Axon with 14, and Travis Lewis with 13 led the way for Eastern Michigan who improve to 10-14 overall, and a VERY respectable 6-6 in Mid American Conference play. Eastern has won 3 of 4 and next play at MAC and in state rival, Western Michigan. 9pm Wednesday from the Zoo. Western is only a game back in the MAC race having previously lost to Eastern on January 12, 81-71. Go Get 'Em Eastern, nothing says 'schadenfreude' like Bronco tears. OK maybe Chumpewa tears.

Rivalry weekend in Washtenaw County

EMU hosts rival Central Michigan today at the ACC at 2pm while Michigan hosts Ohio State at the Crisler Arena tomorrow at 1pm. Get your rivalry on! Say bad words at the other team. Tell time tested jokes to their fans:

*What's the first thing a girl from Central Michigan does in the morning? Walks home.
*How does a girl from Ohio State turn on the light after sex? Opens the car door.

We could have used the one about "CMU, where the men are men and the sheep are nervous" but since it's a family website we chose not to. Lucky for you.

Late night open thread

#1 Michigan topped Lake Superior State (Sorry Trixielovesypsi) over at Yost tonight 4-2. Tomorrow night's rematch will be televised on Fox Sports as part of Hockey Day in Michigan. Puck drops 7:35. Johnny used to be a regular over there but then it just got way too rude and too stupid. Can anybody give us a status report on if things have improved at Yost?

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

Friday, February 15, 2008

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with U2!

The Berlin version of the video for the song 'One'

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with LIZ PHAIR!

Liz snaps off a hot on site performance at a Vintage Vinyl in 2003 of 'Polyester Bride'.

University of Michigan Professor loses bid for presidency of Czech Republic

University of Michigan Professor Jan Svejnar fell short today in his bid to become president of the Czech Republic, as incumbent Vaclav Klaus was reelected for a five-year term.

The Associated Press reported Klaus received the support of 141 deputies and senators in the third round of voting at a joint session of the upper and lower chambers of the Czech legislature; 140 votes were needed for re-election. Svejnar received 111 votes.

Svejnar is a professor of economics, business administration and public policy at U-M.

Ypsi pic for no good reason, other than to warm you up

From Haabs, looking East up Michigan Avenue

The Proclaimers will be playing The Ark April 30th

Scottish brothers Craig and Charlie Reid who make up the band The Proclaimers will play the Ark on April 30th. The band had their biggest hit with the song "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)".

Tickets on sale February 23

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Late night open thread

Ha ha, Iowa, All UR Corn R Belong to us. Wolverines got power up and win the game

Michigan 60
Land O' Goshen it's Iowa 52

Michigan just crushed Iowa in the second half, outscoring the Hawkeyes (Hawkeyes should shoot better than 36% from the floor or lose the name Hawkeyes) 44 to 25. Manny Harris led the Big Blue effort with 15 while DeShawn Sims chipped in 10. Michigan is now 7-17, 3-9 in Big Ten play. Michigan hosts Maurice Clarett's old High School on Sunday at the Crisler Arena, with tipoff at 1pm (right after church, riiiight?)

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

Another song of big love, Louis Jordan with his girl 'Caldonia'

The very first rock and roller with the big back beat, here's Louis Jordan, live from, well, somebody's living room, with the timeless song of devotion, 'Caldonia'

It's not REALLY Valentine's Day until we hear from the 'Walrus of Love'

Ladies and Jellyspoons, Barry White with 'Can't Get Enough of Your Love'

OK, Kiki went to get ready for her 'other' job so it's Marvin Gaye on Valentine's Day

Let's Get it On, from the 1980 Montreaux Festival

In perhaps the worst example of a love song ever

Specially hand picked for all of you by intern Kiki, here now, maybe even the worst SONG ever, Muskrat Love

Happy Valentine's Day from YCD

We like heart you and stuff

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Late night open thread

Hear those sirens gentlemen? It's the:
















That is all. You are welcome

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

Take that Woodsy Owl, EMU 78-BGSU 68

Back in the day, Bowling Green's mascot looked like a fat owl, not a falcon. Hence Woodsy Owl. EMU bounced Bowling Green right back down US 23, to I-75 and right back to Wood County tonight with a smart 78-68 victory. EMU, who is undermanned for both health reasons and a dismissal from the team, keeps fighting hard and have now won 2 of 3, and both wins were against teams at least two games up on Eastern in the conference standings. Charles Ramsey has his guys working hard through these dog days of February, and that's a sure sign a team is buying into what he has to say. EMU isn't gonna win the MAC or barring a Cinderella run in the MAC Tourney they're not going to the dance. But they ARE going out and representing, which has been missing the last few seasons.

Junior Carlos Medlock was just phenomenal tonight, 26 points and 5 for 5 from threeball land. He could have hit some from the bench area he was so hot tonight but he didn't want to show off. They also wouldn't have counted since that's out of bounds. In one of the stranger stats lines you'll ever see, Junior Wendale Farrow, according to the ESPN game stats, had ZERO minutes credited, was 0-1 from the field but chipped in with 6 points on 6 for 6 shooting from the free throw line.

EMU is 5-6 in the MAC and 9-14 overall. EMU is home Saturday at the ACC against the CMU Chumpewas. 2pm tipoff

Borders gets ready to bring you the store of the future---TOMORROW

That's right fans of books, a closely guarded secret, the Borders Concept store opens tomorrow for all your futuristic shopping needs. The NEW Borders (Ann Arbor's preeminent bookstore) Concept store opens at 9am and is located off of Lohr Rd alongside Kohl's, Best Buy and Linens-N-Things in the Waters Place Shopping Plaza.

The festivities will begin with a ribbon cutting ceremony and then book and video and music fans, get ready to be blown away. Johnny has a mole he's been talking to and this place will be all that and a bag of chips.

The store will have a digital center where people can make custom CDs with the help of Borders staff or all on their own. They can also buy a digital camera there, learn how to turn their digital pics into books or publish their own book. Maybe taking those pictures and researching your family tree suit you, Borders has partnered with Ancestor.com and Shutterfly to help you do just that. All this and much much more.

Borders CEO George Jones has said another dozen or so concept stores will open around America in 2008.

Are ya ready? Can ya stand it?

OK, for one minute pretend this is the Rothbury City Desk

Rolling Stone's Daily Rock and Roll News tidbits tell us of THIS AMAZING concert on Michigan's west side over the July 4th weekend. Johnny's in-laws live like 3 miles from this so he's got a place to crash, and you'd better get working on one too, Rothbury is no Ypsilanti when it comes to rooms to let.


New Rothbury Festival to Hit U.S. in July: Matthews, Mayer, Snoop, Modest Mouse

2/13/08, 6:00 am EST

A new, environmentally conscious music festival is about to hit the ever-growing U.S. market July 4th weekend: AEG Live (the folks behind Coachella) and Madison House Presents are introducing the Rothbury Festival, to be held in Rothbury, Michigan on July 3rd through 6th at the idyllic Double JJ Ranch near Lake Michigan. Dave Matthews Band, John Mayer, Widespread Panic, Phil Lesh & Friends, Modest Mouse, 311 and Snoop Dogg are among the many confirmed acts, and organizers say the festival’s goal is to draw attention to climate change and clean energy alternatives. To wit, the weekend will feature a think tank featuring panel discussions on those climate concerns, an energy fair where attendees can get their hands on related technology and products, and the festivals’ campgrounds will strive for a zero-waste experience via composting, carbon-offsetting and more strategies (alternative lodging will also be available for festival-goers who don’t want to pitch a tent). For the initial lineup announcement — the fest promises more than seventy bands on eight stages — keep reading. The first batch of tickets go on sale February 27th at the fest’s official site.

Dave Matthews Band
Widespread Panic
John Mayer
311
Phil Lesh and Friends
Primus
Thievery Corporation
Snoop Dogg
Modest Mouse
Michael Franti and Spearhead
Gov’t Mule
Sound Tribe Sector Nine
Colbie Caillat
Slightly Stoopid
The Black Keys
Yonder Mountain String Band with Jon Fishman
Gogol Bordello
Citizen Cope
Keller Williams and The WMD’S
The Disco Biscuits
Medeski Martin & Wood
Ray LaMontagne
Derek Trucks & Susan Tedeschi Soul Stew Revival
Drive-By Truckers
Of Montreal
The Dresden Dolls
Gomez
Brett Dennen
Taj Mahal
Mike Gordon
Zappa Plays Zappa
Crystal Method DJ Set
JJ Grey & MOFRO
The Greyboy Allstars
The Secret Machines
Beth Orton
Jakob Dylan and the Green Mountain Rebels
A 3
Bettye Lavette
Lotus
Yard Dogs Road Show
State Radio
The Beautiful Girls
Sage Francis
Tea Leaf Green
Emmitt Nershi Band
EOTO
Panjea with Michael Kang
Railroad Earth
Bassnectar
Pnuma Trio
Diplo
Flosstradamus
The Juan Mclean
The Dynamites featuring Charles Walker
Dead Confederate
DJ Rekha
Motion Potion
DJ Rootz
SOJOURN
Busdriver

Rothbury Festival Online.

Don't forget, the movie Jumper, parts of which were filmed in Ann Arbor, opens tomorrow

Some of the movie was shot in Gallup Park and at Huron High School.

About the movie:

Starring Hayden Christensen, Samuel L. Jackson and Rachel Bilson, "Jumper" is about a young man who discovers he can teleport himself. Huron High School graduate David Goyer is one of the screenwriters.

Check out the trailer here HERE.

If you are an Ann Arbor taxpayer and or homeowner and you're not embarrassed by the condition of your roads today, you should be

Ann Arbor would be scoring a D- today if this were a test. Huron Street, one of your main thoroughfares, still ice and snow covered and people creeping along sliding around corners. So is Main Street. It looks as if virtually nothing other than a plow went through. It was warm enough last night for salt to work (like it did in Ypsi) and yet the roads in A2 are still a disgrace.

We'd start asking some hard questions of the people who take care of your roads and who have no problems telling YOU where and when to move your cars and park on the snowiest of days and are quick with the tickets for said. It's time you demand more from THEM.

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Late night open thread

We're not gonna drop quotes on you every night but intern/"I'm a serious performer not just a stripper" Kiki left the page of quotes open to Yogi Berra and Editor in Chief Johnny saw one in particular...

"The towels were so thick there I could hardly close my suitcase."

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

As of 2pm, westbound I-94 at Jackson Rd is CLOSED

The big curve is claiming many fenders this afternoon so police have decided to temporarily close I-94.

Let's be careful out there

Washtenaw County agrees to pay 4 million to family of deceased man involved in struggle with Washtenaw County Sheriffs deputies

Washtenaw County has agreed to pay $4 million to the family of Clifton "Pete" Lee Jr., who died after a struggle with Washtenaw County deputies June 1, 1996. Clifton Lee died from "asphyxiation by respiratory restriction", but the manner of death remains unknown.

The family filed suit in Detroit claiming that Lee's civil rights were violated because unnecessary force was used.

A criminal case over the death is still ongoing.

YCD has not followed this case as closely as some but two things jump to mind; Isn't excessive force simply excessive force? Why bring a racial/civil rights aspect into it unless something was said along those lines, in which case bring the hammer down on whomever said it. Second, it's kinda tough for the County to claim it was ever in the right by settling. They either knew something stunk to high heaven OR they threw some cops under the bus on this.

Michigan hockey regains #1 national ranking

After a win and a tie (which should have been a win), down in Oxford Ohio last weekend (where the evolution is optional) U-M's hockey team regained the #1 ranking they had before tough weekends against MSU and oddly, Northern Michigan.

1 Michigan
2 Miami
3 North Dakota
4 New Hampshire
5 Colorado College
6 Denver
7 Boston College
8 Michigan State
9 Notre Dame
10 Wisconsin

Monday, February 11, 2008

Late night open thread

"An escalator can never break: it can only become stairs. You should never see an Escalator Temporarily Out Of Order sign, just Escalator Temporarily Stairs. Sorry for the convenience." --Mitch Hedberg

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

You go, girl

OK woman, but in either case, well done.

An Ann Arbor woman was walking along Main Street, near Madison late Sunday night when a stupid criminal wannabe approached her from a business parking lot and commented on why a "pretty thing like you has no purse". She kept walking, and a half block later (and this is where it gets SO CHOICE) he grabbed her arm, swinging her around and at this point she kneed him right in the family jewels (but as we all know for robbers they are small jewels). She was able to run to a friends house while Mr Robber wannabe got in touch with his feelings. Luckily for him there was a bountiful supply of ice lying about.

This degenerate is described as: black, in his 30s, about 6-foot-2 with a stocky build. He wore a black coat with small white lettering on the front and dark jeans.

And walking hunched over today.

Ypsilanti American Legion building destroyed by fire overnight

American Legion Hall Post 282 in Ypsilanti, at 117 S. Huron St., was destroyed by fire overnight, causing police to close off Huron St. from Woodward to Michigan Avenue as the water used to fight the fire turned the street into an ice rink. Huron St. was still closed early this morning.

City workers were salting and scraping Huron St. this morning to get it repoened. Firefighters didn't leave the scene until just after 7am today.

Two measures of good news from this fire, the building IS insured and according to Post Sr. Vice Cmdr. Amir Fawzy, the post's scrapbook safe at his home.

The cold? It's all relative

It was 0 when Johnny checked the YCD Weather Station this morning, and that's cold BUT

Marquette -6
Sault Ste Marie -9
Wawa Canada -18 (No, Farenheit)
Henry, Antarctica -41 (with a HIGH today of -22)
Menominee -9
Eagle Harbor (tip of the Keewenaw) -1
Ypsilanti, North Dakota -8

So, it ain't that bad, it could be worse, it could start snowing.......Oops

Tonight
Mostly cloudy. Snow likely overnight. Accumulations less than an inch. Temperatures remaining nearly steady around 10...with wind chills around 5 below. Southeast winds 5 to 15 mph...turning to east. Chance of snow 70 percent.

Tuesday
Periods of snow. Accumulations 2 to 4 inches likely. Highs 16 to 20. East winds 5 to 15 mph...turning to north. Chance of snow 90 percent.

Sunday, February 10, 2008

Late night open thread

Did you know that Jimi Hendrix opened for the Monkees on their 1967 US Tour? It's a fact. Here are a couple more:

As Monkee Micky Dolenz recalls "Jimi would amble out onto the stage, fire up the amps, and break into "Purple Haze," and the kids in the audience would instantly drown him out with, "We want Daavy!" God, was it embarrassing."

After a handful of gigs, Hendrix grew sick of the "We want the Monkees" chant that met his every performance. Finally, he flipped the bird at the less-than-enthusiastic crowd at Forest Hills Stadium in New York and stormed offstage.

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

EMU falls just short in Buf Town today

EMU dropped a tough game, one we think they should have won, to Buffalo, 68-64. After seeing EMU dust off a superior Ohio squad earlier this week we knew effort wasn't going to be a problem but today EMU fell behind, surged back in front, only to fall short at the end. We hope today's loss is nothing more than growing pains.

EMU falls to 4-6 in the MAC and 8-14 overall. They're at home Wednesday night vs. Bowling Green, 7pm tip.

For Sunday discussion--Should U-M (and others) open up huge endowments before passing increases onto students?

Recently, Governor Granholm has asked universities in the state with massive endowments to cut students some slack and dip into that before seemingly automatically simply raising college costs for students. A Congressional Research Service study found U-M spent 1.3 percent of its endowment on undergraduate financial aid in the 2004-2005 academic year, which is considered very low.

Michigan State University sits on a 1.2 billion dollar endowment while U-M sits on, are you ready, a 7.1 billion endowment fund.

At U-M, tuition went up 7.4 percent in the fall.

Saturday, February 9, 2008

Late night open thread

We're closing up shop early tonight but figure you can find other websites to keep you going well into the night

Scores before bed edition:

Michigan 68
Penn St. 63
Manny Harris and DeShawn Sims scored 16 points each to give Michigan a much needed victory. The Wolverines are 6-17, 2-9

#10 MSU 70
N'Western 55

Army 59
Colgate 57 OT

Columbia 58
Princeton 53

# 20 Vanderbilt 66
South Carolina 65

And tonight's YCD feature matchup

Tennessee-Martin 73
Eastern Illinois 62

Michigan hockey is tied now in the third period 5-5. Miami scored two late goals to tie it.

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

Boy, when did YouTube start getting sound like this

Johnny was perusing the video vaults on YouTube and heard this file and it's far better than the sound you usually hear. It's the fabulous Neko Case and partner in crime Kelly Hogan on vocals with "If You Knew".

Put on the woolies, At midnight tonight we're under a wind chill advisory

Wunderground says:

Wind Advisory in effect from midnight Sunday until 7 PM Sunday...

Sunday
Partly sunny and cold and windy. Scattered light snow showers. Temperatures remaining steady around 9 early...then falling to around 1...with wind chills around 20 below. West winds 20 to 30 mph...with gusts to 45 mph. Chance of snow 30 percent.

Now would be a very good time to take your last precautions and run errands, check on pets, check on the elderly and their heat situation, and the like. Johnny saw some weather models that show gusts of over 50 mph tonight are likely.

OK, so tomorrow's gonna be really cold, what do you do on snowy cold days to beat the weather?

And you know when YCD is asking such questions we're really waiting for a huge fire or shooting or volcano eruption around town to sink our teeth into. But seriously, on really cold days, do you have a routine to break up cabin fever? Still fire up the BBQ? Still go for a jog? Cuddle under blankets and watch a movie?

Tell us how you handle rotten cold days...like tomorrow

Showdown--#2 U-M 4, #1 Miami 2

U-M's #2 nationally ranked hockey team went on the road last night to play #1 ranked Miami (Oh) and defeated the Red Hawks 4-2. The two sides will have at it tonight in Oxford.

Also of note, the Red Wings are playing an old enemy we rarely see anymore today with a SPECIAL starting time. The Wings are in Toronto as Canada simply CANNOT have a Hockey Day in Canada without Detroit. 3pm from the Air Canada Centre. CBC channel 9, Windsor (99 on your cable dial) will have all the festivities.

Friday, February 8, 2008

Late night open thread

U-M has decided to hold spring graduation in the Diag on April 26. Hopefully the leftover smoke from the Hash Bash will have wafted away. No word on if the site of the Hash Bash is sacred enough for some U-M Seniors.

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with THE CARS

Johnny has zero idea today, and he will have zero idea next week how Ric Ocasek ever was given the time of day by a supermodel. But Johnny loves the Cars and that's what matters.

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with HANK WILLIAMS

NO, not Jr. A cornerstone of not just American music, but an American culture.

Ypsilanti Township's getting some shiny new fire engines

The Ypsilanti Township Board of Trustees said A-OK in buying three new fire engines at a cost of $750,000. Township Fire Chief Larry Morabito said the trucks were badly needed as the old ones they are replacing are 18 years old. Replacement parts were also becoming hard to find.

Look times are tight everywhere, and nobody knows this better than the residents of Southeast Michigan. BUT, for the safety of the community, and the fact the prices on these things will not most likely fall in the next few years, sometimes you HAVE to make hard decisions on infrastructure. YCD guarantees that anybody who has their homes or offices saved by one of these new trucks will find the money well spent indeed.

A smart but tough call by Ypsi Township on this we think.

Thursday, February 7, 2008

Late night open thread

Hate to be the ones to break it to you, but this weekend's weather will bite AND chew.

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

Some EMU football recruiting news and one player in particular we're interested in

Jeff Genyk's EMU football squad has added a few players from yesterday's big recruiting haul. YCD would like to welcome local standout Marvon Sanders from Ypsilanti High School (Marvon, the crowds were bigger at Shadford, see what you can't do to change this) who will play wide receiver. YCD would like to send out a special HEY-YO to linebacker in training Josh Williams, from the storied (ha) Ortonville Brandon High School program.

Welcome to Ypsilanti Josh, from a fellow Blackhawk.

Leopold Bros brewpub leaving Ann Arbor for Denver

One of Ann Arbor's favorite brewpubs and hangouts will be closing by June and heading off to the mountainous hell that is Denver. Despite good sales numbers, Leopold Bros. will be closing up shop due to a rent increase by the new owners of the building.

Todd Leopold, who owns the pub with his brother Scott said the rent is going up and there is nothing much they can do. Todd Leopold says not to hold it against the landlord though:

"That's the one misconception that people seem to have that it's some evil landlord and it's not like that at all."

Godspeed Leopold Bros., and thanks for the fun and the darts.

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Late night open thread

It sure is pretty out tonight in Cool City

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

Last man sought in Myrick shooting has been captured

As you'll recall, police were looking for one last suspect in the home invasion turned shooting death last January 16. Michael Bailey, 20, was arrested in Ypsilanti Tuesday.

Prosecutors have not said as of YCD press time, what, if any charges Andrew Myrick will face for shooting at the home invaders.

Looks like the weather is about to go from bad to worse

From Wunderground:
Winter Weather Advisory in effect until 1 am EST Thursday... A wintry mix of snow and sleet will continue this afternoon...with even rain and freezing rain at times over Washtenaw County. With temperatures continuing to hover around freezing...any ice accumulations will be light. Snow accumulations of 1 to 3 inches is are expected this afternoon.

Tonight
Snow and a chance of freezing drizzle until around midnight...then scattered snow showers. Accumulations 1 to 2 inches. Storm total snow accumulation 3 to 5 inches. Lows 20 to 24. North winds 10 to 20 mph. Chance of precipitation near 100 percent.

Here now, the three year framework of how Ypsilanti starts to cut back

With the budget woes facing our fair city, City Manager Ed Koryzno has been busy drawing up a framework of cutbacks, changes and black magic. A quick look at some proposed changes:

*Police: Reduce police staffing from five to four per shift, participate in a regional police authority, freeze four jobs in the department and reduce lobby hours to allow officers to spend more time on road patrol.

*Fire: Keep three firefighter jobs vacant, contract out fire marshal duties and participate in a fire district with the city of Ann Arbor.

*Public works: Eliminate the parks department, allow residents to maintain small parks or sell some of them and freeze three vacancies in the department.

*Planning and community development: Reduce staffing from three to two, contract out major planning and zoning tasks, prioritize ordinance enforcement to maintain healthy neighborhoods and reduce services to the Historic District Commission.

And the BIGGEST possible cutback that everyone will want to know about, the Bus Service funds.

*The AATA has been subsidizing half of the cost. The authority could stop funding bus service in the city next year, and Ypsilanti would have to pay the entire cost. No final decisions have been made on this or any of the other possible cuts.

YCD Realizes we HAVE to keep the busses running in and out of Ypsi. We'd also not ever like to consider the Parks Department SELLING any of OUR city treasures. Johnny once said woe be to the City Council person dumb enough to sign off on that. If he ever sees "Frog Island presented by Olive Garden" he's gonna drag some council members to the banks of the Huron River for a 'come to Jesus' meeting. Dick Cheney will be invited as an official witness to make sure it's being done right.

Keep the busses, keep the parks (yes WE can mow them) and past that it sounds good thus far.

UPDATE: Paul Schreiber reminds us that Mr. Koryzno is following the lead of Ypsi City Council. We apologize for any misunderstanding.

The penalty for which should be a community wide ass kicking

Some MORONS with no brains at all decided to go on a rampage in the Arb this past weekend and uproot benches, destroying computer equipment and leaving it strewn all over, dumping garbage and in general being assholes. This really makes YCD mad.

"This is actually the worst vandalism we've seen in years," said Sarah Dunn, marketing and development associate at the Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum.

If you have ANY information, or ANY tips, PLEASE call U-M Campus Police at 734-763-1131

EMU receives a wonderful $2.2 million dollar gift

From the Ann Arbor News:

Administrators of the estate of a renowned potter and sculptor and longtime faculty member at the Interlochen Center For The Arts have given Eastern Michigan University $2.2 million in trust. It is the largest estate gift in EMU's history.

Jean Noble Parsons had no affiliation to EMU, but trustees of her estate donated the money to establish a center for the study of art and science on 86 wooded acres near Traverse City and Interlochen.

Parsons' trustees solicited proposals following her death in 2000 to establish a center in her name. The trust includes $1.75 million in cash and $489,000 in property.


The money is being used to establish a research center and wildlife sanctuary, offer programs for graduate students and hold public seminars. Parsons, who worked 38 years at Interlochen, also envisioned discussions by researchers and professors, along with nature walks for observation of flora and fauna. The gift was to be announced this morning at a press conference.

Professor Tom Venner, chairman of the EMU Art Department, said the center offers the chance for interdisciplinary study between the arts and sciences. "I'm thrilled to death,'' he said. "It's opened some really exciting possibilities for us."

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Late night open thread

Is there some kind of say, Ark, for city residents to go to should this weather keep up?

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

The YCD Weather Center interrupts this Mardi Gras celebration for a weather alert

Freezing Rain Advisory in effect from 1 am Wednesday until 10 am Wednesday...

Tonight
Cloudy. Widespread rain with scattered thunderstorms through developing this evening...then freezing rain with scattered thunderstorms. Lows 28 to 32. Northeast winds 5 to 15 mph...increasing to 10 to 20 mph. Chance of precipitation 100 percent.

Wednesday
Cloudy and brisk. A chance of freezing drizzle during the morning...then snow likely. Snow accumulations less than an inch. Highs 31 to 35 around noon...then temperatures slowly falling. Northeast winds 15 to 25 mph...diminishing to 10 to 20 mph late. Chance of precipitation 60 percent.

How about a real Zydeco classic with Buckwheat Zydeco

Now the video is a tribute to the Crescent City of Nawlins. Buckwheat Zydeco with "Ma 'Tit Fille" to get you to quitting time today.

How about some more MUSIC!?

CJ Chenier with Bow Legged Woman

How about some New Orleans flavor with Sheryl Crow

The video for her new album 'Detours' which is out today has a song called 'Love is Free' and the video for which, was shot in and around Nawlins. Enjoy!

It's Carnival Time with Al Johnson

Here's a toe tapper to keep you jumping around and working off the paczki's.

Al Johnson, It's Carnival Time

Welcome to Zydeco/Cajun Day on YCD

Lots of Mardi Gars/Carnival fun today with lots of local New Orleans flavor. Let's start the day with a night time parade our friend Oddzy taped some of last night.

To start your Fat Tuesday, some of the Orpheus parade

Monday, February 4, 2008

Late night open thread

On St. Patrick's Day people wake up and go drinking almost immediately, party, dance and sing all the live long day. On Mardi Gras people wake up and go drinking almost immediately, party, dance and sing all the live long day. Sounds like we need to import at least one more European inspired holiday. August is free, there's nothing in August at all. Nothing. So we need a tradition that meets the requirements above.

Put your thinking caps on Washtenaw County

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

As we stumble closer to Mardi Gras on Bourbon Street....or Cross Street

A little more flavor of the season. When Johnny was young he saw a very violent thus very cool movie called Southern Comfort and Ry Cooder did the soundtrack and it blew his young ears away. Cajun and zydeco are a long time hobby of his. Here's Queen Ida and the Bon Temps Zydeco Band with 'Rosa Majeur'. The same Queen Ida who graced Frog Island many times.

Happy 'Lundi Gras'!

Johnny has a friend who lives near all the action down in New Orleans. She's been favoring a few of us with videos of the floats and bands and the essence that is New Orleans on this, "Lundi Gras" the day BEFORE the Carnival.

As these clips will show New Orleans is ALIVE and KICKING and OPEN for business!

Thank you Ms. Oddzymandias!
The Iris Parade


Mid City Parade


Anybody have any Mardi Gras stories to share?

Just WHOM is the contractor on the Fuller/Maiden Lane construction?

Since it's now taken you TWO MONTHS longer than what you claimed the bridge work would take (Electronic signs had been flashing "Fuller-Maiden Construction October-December". Then when the company (and we see a few DeAngeles trucks sitting around doing NOTHING) can't get the job done, they just change the sign. It was October-January, now guess what, the guys who just can't seem to get the job done will soon just change those same flashing signs to October-February.

Boy, how easy life becomes when you're responsible to no one and can just keep changing the sign. Nothing like zero accountabilty eh guys?

Sunday, February 3, 2008

Late night open thread

YCD was very disappointed in the lack of monkeys in the Super Bowl ads.

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

Winter Weather Advisory in effect tonight

So take extra care coming home from Super Bowl parties. From Wunderground:

Winter Weather Advisory in effect from midnight Monday until 7 am Monday...

Tonight
Cloudy. Light snow possibly mixing with sleet after midnight continuing through 4 am...then light rain with a chance of light freezing rain. Total snow accumulations around an inch. Temperatures remaining nearly steady around 30. East winds 5 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation 80 percent.

Monday
A chance of freezing drizzle or light rain or freezing rain through 10 am...then a chance of drizzle or light rain during the morning...then areas of fog with a chance of rain. Otherwise cloudy. Highs 41 to 45. East winds 10 to 15 mph...turning to southeast. Chance of precipitation 50 percent.

Official Super Bowl XMLCXVPAXILIIDCVL thread


"SPORTS!"

As football pregame coverage since yesterday sometime would indicate, today is the most overhyped, over fawned upon, overblown day of the year, it's the Super Bowl, dahlink.

Here's your spot to give the straight dope on all the ads you love, the ones you hate, the coverage of the game that's either working for you or not, and of course how the Patriots may or may not be video-cheating today.

So, citizens, what's YOUR favorite Super Bowl recipe?

Anything you make for the yearly Super Bowl party you wanna share? What makes YOUR nacho dip the best?

Super Bowl Sunday flashback--Career Builder monkeys

Like Tony Kornheiser of the Washington Post says, 'monkeys are gold'

Super Bowl Sunday flashback--Dave and Oprah

Wasn't even an ad for a product.

Super Bowl Sunday flashback--Apple's '1984' commercial

It aired only once but became a commercial icon. The 1984 corporate mindset Apple was trying to mock in the ad was not Microsoft, but IBM.

Saturday, February 2, 2008

Late night open thread

League leading Akron was just too much for Eastern tonight. The Ypsilanti Five dropped the game 80-61.

It's now 11:17 EST, Saturday February 2. The Super Bowl Pre-game show starts in 43 minutes. FOX has the big game this year and plans on integrating their news division in with the sport-o's which means no doubt John McCain and Mitt Romney will figure heavily in the production. Perhaps five good minutes between Terry Bradshaw and Mike Huckabee.

Sparty was upset by Penn State tonight in Happy Beaver Creek Valley in Paterno County 85-76.

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

Ypsi City Desk presents: Clearinghouse O' Newsy Tidbits

Defenseman Kevin Quick of Michigan's highly ranked hockey team was bounced from coach Red Berenson's program Friday. This leaves Michigan with ONLY 6 defensemen the rest of the season. This hurts, it really does. We'll try to find out what happened and let you know but it must have been serious. Coach Berenson had this to say: "Obviously, it was serious enough that we had to let him go. It was just a total violation of our team trust and our rules...''

When the JURY asks to make a statement of apology to the plaintiffs in a case, the defense is about to SERIOUSLY have it's ass handed to it, and today rightfully so. A Washtenaw County jury awarded 10 current and former Michigan female correctional inmates 15 million dollars. The inmates claimed and have proven their case of years of abuse, humiliation, harassment and sexual assaults at the hands of male guards. Where have our morals gone when we feel it's OK to engage in this kind of behavior because "well they shouldn't have put them selves in such a position of not knowing what yadda yadda yadda." Was the waterboard station being used or something?

Good news in the economic realm as Mercedes Benz is expanding it's Tech Center in Research Park. Isn't it interesting that so much research goes on in and around RESEARCH PARK? It's like they KNEW or something. Mercedes Benz is adding 6,663 square feet to their facility. Approval pending.

One rodent saw his shadow today, one rodent did not. So much for weather predicting rodents. Everyone knows that winter is officially over when the Dairy Queen opens on Michigan Avenue.

EMU is at Akron in 40 minutes

Late night open thread

Johnny is gonna be tied up a lot of tomorrow so you're looking at tomorrows big post right now.

We'll hopefully have something for our loyal readers later tomorrow.

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

Friday, February 1, 2008

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with The White Stripes

Legend has it The White Stripes played the 'shortest live show ever' on July 16, 2007 on George Street, St. John's, Newfoundland. Jack played a single C# note accompanied by a bass drum/crash cymbal hit from Meg. At the end of the show, Jack announced, "We have now officially played in every province and territory in Canada." They then left the stage and performed a full show later that night in St John's.

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with GORILLAZ

Johnny needs the utes of Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor and points west and south to know he's a hep cat and not a dinosaur. If he's gonna report on them, he'd best give 'em a little something. Johnny tried to get the uncut version for you, he did.

Wireless Ypsi, a website you need to know about

Perusing our good friend Trusty Getto's blog, YCD learned up on a program called 'Wireless Ypsi'. The goal? FREE wireless internets all across our fair city. It's becoming a reality.

Ann Arbor Greenhills boys basketball team, Take a bow!

It's OK, every so often in life you have to spike the ball. Greenhills got their first hoops victory last night since 2006.

Junior guard Alex Kuwada sparked a 17-9 run that delivered the Gryphons a 65-57 win over Washtenaw Christian. Greenhills is now 1-11.

YCD gives the last word to Greenhills coach Andrew Wright:

"I'm just happy for our guys. They've been working hard and getting close. They deserve it."

The Food Network episode on Crazy Jim's Blimpy Burger now playing on YCD

Here's the five minute segment from The Food Network's profile on Blimpy Burger from their show 'Diners, Drive Ins and Dives'.

The Ann Arbor school district will ask you to renew three mills

Voters in the Ann Arbor School Districts may be asked as early as May to RENEW three mills.

Amazing, they just decided they had an EXTRA 80-90 THOUSAND dollars to impose cameras in Ann Arbor Pioneer High School and now, just like YCD said they would, come hat in hand back to the voters. You know, the same voters they paid lip service to and basically ignored in the camera decision.

Send THEM a message this time. This is a "proactive budget move", that's all it is.

If you have an extra 80-90 large, you don't NEED proactive renewals. You need to learn to CUT elsewhere first.

Snow day open thread

Johnny and the YCD staff may have an issue getting into the offices for a while today so feel free to tell some of your old snowstorm tales.