Late night open thread

Apparently, our friends over at the FOX teevee in discussing the recent revival of the idea of Lincoln-Douglas style debates, felt they needed some kind of graphic to show a picture of the debaters for the US Senate in 1858. Yep, there's Abraham Lincoln and there's, wait, what the? Is that FREDERICK DOUGLASS and not STEPHEN DOUGLAS?

Looking back in American history we think it's safe to say in 1858, Frederick Douglass wasn't running for US Senate.

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

Street closing info

Tis the season for construction from U-M to bleed into the city streets inconveniencing you.

State St. will be closed between Washington and Huron streets starting Monday. This will be closed until May 8. Washington St will then be closed between State and Fletcher until May 13, so workers can put up two crane units for the North Quad residence project.

Dear Kristoff Wennersten, the Huron High School lacrosse team and Carolyn Campbell

Kristoff, we think what you did was original and brings the kind of fun to life we're glad to see. Don't worry about people like Dottie Davis in life, they will always exist to simply use their own moralistic viewpoint on things and so they to suck the life and fun out of our very beings. What you and your teammates did to get a prom date with Miss Campbell in college or adulthood would have been called sweet and ROMANTIC.

Don't let idiotic suspensions or claims you were disrespectful to women (trust us, you were NOT disrespectful to women, Dottie Davis is being disrespectful to romance) get you down.

Life will give you back exactly what you put into it. Even if it's a bare ass or five looking for a prom date.

Late night open thread

How's your US trivia?

Good, let's play

"I'm known as The Gem State" Did you guess correctly?

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

This is a Public Service announcement

BOOZE, not for children.

Yeah yeah, say it in comments

Domino's has another bad quarter, considers lowering prices

With sales of pizza dropping off, Domino's is looking into both lower prices and offering new menu items, not just dinner-centric, to it's menu.

"We're taking aggressive action to create a stronger value positioning for our brand." said Domino's CEO David Brandon

Yes, better TASTING pizza might help too. YCD feels it way past time to work on a new pizza crust and better tasting sauce for Domino's.

Ypsi City Desk traffic copter reports local roads are all clear

Except where they aren't.

Smooth sailing around the Ypsi/Arbor Metroplex this morning according to Captain Kenny in the YCD traffic copter.

Late night open thread

Comedian Stephen Wright night

*What's another word for "thesaurus"?
*I replaced the headlights on my car with strobe lights. Now it looks like I'm the only one moving.
*I bought some powdered water, but I didn't know what to add.
*Last week I forgot how to ride a bicycle.
*I stayed in a really old hotel last night. They sent me a wakeup letter.
*There's a fine line between fishing and just standing on the shore like an idiot.
*I remember when the candle shop burned down. Everyone stood around singing "Happy Birthday".

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

Soccer Hooligans right here in Washtenaw County!

Good GOD. Who would have thought that inviting British nationals here to help teach youth (ute) soccer would lead to this kind of crime and destruction? A soccer coach and hooligan from the land of hooligans got pissed (British for DRUNK) and stole a towtruck, until they figured out they couldn't handle right side driving and crashed into 4 parked cars and the curb at S. Forest and Hill.

The genius RAN from the scene of course after crashing but his masterplan was foiled when he left his passport in the stolen towtruck.

He's in the Washtenaw County lockup we're sure he's learning some wonderful American customs that involve kicking things, just not soccer balls.

Deport his sorry ass, we can't have this kind of hooligan behaviour about town.

When Jason Jones was drafted in the second round, he became the third highest EMU draft pick....ever

Some of you hardcore EMU football fans out there know the other two who were drafted higher than Jason, but in case you didn't; Ron Johnson (1977, Pittsburgh) and L.J. Shelton (1999, Arizona) were both first-round draft picks.

Best of luck Jason, except when you play the Browns.

Late night open thread

Did ya know then, the average person has over 1,460 dreams a year.

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

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

Late night open thread

A cool Saturday night in Cool City. The EMU softball team won at Miami (O) today 2-1.

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

So, the city of Ypsilanti wants to destroy some buildings along Michigan Avenue

To help jumpstart the River Street project, the city wants to destroy some buildings along Michigan Avenue. Cool, can we use the wrecking ball? We realize it's not going to solve the problem of still owing 15 million on the deal, but it will help cut through something that will need to be done sooner or later anyway. The fact the county will cover most of the cost is frosting.

Some top flight advice from Johnny to the Eastern Michigan graduates

As you head out from Ypsilanti and EMU, and go stake your claim in this world, remember Johnny's advice to you, and remember to apply this wisdom wherever you can in life.

Late night open thread

People this is not gloating, this is a public service announcement at this point. Be prepared tomorrow. You could get caught outside in very adverse weather at some point at graduation. Take every precaution.

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

Friday Night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA WITH PETER MURPHY!

Bauhaus alum Peter Murphy, and one of the forerunners of the goth movement (hey when you show up on stage dressed as vampires this kind of label can stick, you kids pay attention), also had a successful solo career. Here is Peter Murphy with his big hit 'Cuts You Up' which ironically at the time displaced his former bandmates song on the charts, 'So Alive' by Love and Rockets.

Friday Night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA WITH ELTON JOHN!

Has it really taken us thing long to get around to featuring old Reginald Dwight? Gracious. We know lot of people give Elton hell these days for being such a cranky old queen, but hey, then just pop back to the 70's and it's all good. In fact a lot of the stuff he did was GREAT. We tend to give him a pass.

Here's Elton John from 1971 with 'Tiny Dancer'

Friday Night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA WITH BON JOVI!

The kids down at Joe Louis Arena have been going nuts over this song during the playoffs. Johnny knows to play what the kids want. Here's Bon Jovi with the anthem 'It's My Life'

Now, is God smiting the U-M gradzillas or upholding the honor of Rynearson Stadium?

Now there's a real poser huh? First off, let's check tomorrow's weather report shall we:

Saturday
Showers likely with a chance of thunderstorms during the morning. Otherwise mostly cloudy through mid morning...then becoming partly sunny. Windy. Cooler with highs 59 to 63 early...then temperatures slowly falling. West winds 15 to 25 mph...with gusts to 40 mph...increasing to 20 to 30 mph...with gusts to 40 mph through late afternoon...then diminishing to 15 to 25 mph...with gusts to 35 mph. Chance of rain 60 percent.

40 mph gusts? Hold onto grandma eh?

So, again, is God upholding Rynearson's honor or smiting Michigan? In our opinion it's payback for Michigan hiring Rich Rodriguez...

Let's treat ourselves to the far away sounds of New Orleans this afternoon

That's right music fans, the New Orleans Jazz Festival is going on right now. How about for a Friday treat we tune in a way down to the N'awlins sound.

Gotta love those red beans
And collared greens
In a city called
New Orleans

If you were stranded on a desert island...

And could only bring say 3 albums with you, what might they be?

Late night open thread

On this day in 1898, Spain declared war on the United States.

How's that working out for you....SPAIN?

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

EMU's Jason Jones expected to be selected in Saturday's NFL Draft

Eastern Michigan's standout defensive end, Jason Jones, is projected to be drafted in the 3rd or 4th round of this year's NFL Draft starting Saturday.

Jones is listed at 6-5 and 273 and projects as a power pass rushing end in the eyes of NFL scouts. Jones had 50 tackles for loss the last three seasons.

Best of luck and we hope you go to a team you love Jason.

To borrow a phrase--Overheard in Ann Arbor

In Starbucks this morning two manly men were discussing using cranes to bring in air conditioning rooftop units which would mean blocking off Liberty. One said something and the other said it had to be done today as "The're a $5,000 road closing fee".

We had no reason to doubt the man. 5 large to close a street in Ann Arbor. You learn something new every day

Late night open thread

Eastern Michigan baseball bombed Olivet at Oestrike Stadium this evening 15-1. Tim Combs, welcome to the bigs. EMU's true freshman starter tossed five and a third innings giving up 3 hits and fanning 2. Mike Boyd was large on offense for the Ypsilanti 9 going 3 for 4 with 4 RBI's and Todd Graves was 3 for 5 and hit a ball so far out to left field St. Joseph Mercy hospital turned on the air raid sirens after the ball hit the Life Flight helicopter. It was the kind of home run Chris Hoiles used to hit here.

Eastern Michigan softball senior Ashley Strauss was named MAC player of the week. Ashley (can we call you Ashley?) hit .615, going 8-for-13 from the plate. She had three doubles and four RBI's for the week, with an .846 slugging percentage and .563 on base percentage, AND she didn't get eliminated on American Idol. You can't stop Ashley Strauss, you can only hope to contain her. The EMU softball team is on a bus tour of the greater Indiana and Ohio areas this weekend. Look Ashley, cows.

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

We don't get out Saline way much with news but this is important

A 12 year old girl reported a sexual assault in Saline's Brecon Park in the early part of March. The girl said her attacker looked to be of high school age. The girl also said her attacker was white, with dark hair and blue eyes.

Now we know you cool cats and kittens out there going to Saline High spend endless hours reading the Ypsi City Desk and if you can help out in any way, or perhaps drop off an anonymous tip you can do that here OR call Detective Don Lupi at 734-429-7911.

Can you smell that? That awful smell that blew in this afternoon

West to east, it just blew in and....wait, YCD knows what that accrid smell is. Oh boy oh boy, that smell means the Colorado Avalanche are in town. Smells like dead raccoons on a hot summer day. Somebody close Metro Airport before their fans start showing up. Unwashed masses indeed.

Bob Cole and Harry Neale with the call on Hockey Night in Canada

U-M graduation on Saturday, no worries SMOOTH SAILING

Seriously, there will be TONS of free parking and endless shuttle busses everywhere to drop you off right next to the diag. Valet parking along State Street, yeah, valet parking ALL FREE. Just pull up whenever and turn over your keys. No worries, feel free to bring in food, and beverages, beachballs, frisbees, remote control airplanes, ANYTHING you want. The University has made Saturday FOOLPROOF for you. Bring your tripods for your video cameras as those are encouraged and look good blocking aisles. Remember, YOU are in charge Saturday. Parking signs are only suggestions. Jam as many people as you can into Hill Auditorium. Free parking with valets there too.

Have a GREAT day on U-M's campus where graduation NEEDS to be.

Oh, and ignore the rain and temps in the upper 40's.

Ann Arbor police release suspect drawing from mugging......in February

That's right crimestoppers, AAPD released this rendering of a suspect in a strongarm robbery in the 700 block of Packard....on February 19. Timely, no?

Anyhoo, this idiot attacked a man and took his money and escaped in what might be a green Toyota with a Western Michigan University license plate. Mr Mugger is described as husky and about six feet tall.

If you see this trash, call Detective Dave Monroe at 734-996-3281, and then tell us here where you saw him so we may get the torch and pitchfork brigade worked up so we can club this weasel.

Chances are he won't have stripes on his face in real life--that's a crimestoppers tip

Late night open thread

Predictions made in the 1950's about life in the year 2000:

*The cans that food comes in will be edible too
*With a flip of a switch your car will automatically follow a route on an electronic highway
*Unmanned satellites will allow forecasters to control the weather
*We will watch television on a flat screen that hangs on the wall
*Stoves will have controls that prevent food from burning

Flat TeeVees on the wall, preposterous

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

If you used a credit card at the Burger King on Washtenaw, you may have been scammed

The Ann Arbor News is reporting that a Burger King employee recently pulled a pathetic stunt in skimming credit cards used at the Burger King at 4885 Washtenaw Ave. The management at the BK Lounge found the issue themselves and bounced the crook. The problem is, they don't have record of who used cards.

The Ann Arbor News has the full story

And people wonder how the Laura Dickinson case got so messed up EMU Campus Police-wise

Eastern Michgan has settled a sex discrimination suit with former Sgt. Stacy Cain of the EMU Campus Police. But much like Arlo Guthrie singing 'Alice's Restaurant' that's not what we came here to talk about.

No, the allegations about slackers and gun wavers on the EMU police force were far more disturbing and it really tells us the culture there that led to EMU's Department of Public Safety make such a hash of the Laura Dickinson case under former Chief Cindy Hall.

What we learned in court:

*Cain, in 1986, was dismissed for leaving campus to provide mutual aid to the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Department and then taking her break at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, leaving the campus unprotected

*Cain contended that another officer who left campus was only suspended for three days

*An officer lied about being in court and missed a hearing

*Another officer who waved a gun in a bar while off-duty was reinstated and promoted

*Cain was terminated and later reinstated for alleged use of a university password to make personal and long-distance phone calls

Any questions?

Protect YOUR catalytic converter

A spate of recent thefts from under cars in the Ypsilanti area centers on very expensive to replace catalytic converters. Two were stolen from an apartment complex on Huron River Drive last night. These jackasses steal them from OUR cars so THEY can make a little coin from the precious metals in the cat converters.

If you see ANYONE under a car ANYWHERE other than a registered garage, CALL 911. In this case it IS better safe than sorry.

Tuesday Moanin

OK, in comments, you get ONE sentence to complain about ANYTHING in the world. But you only get one sentence.......

Lay it on us, we're listening

Late night open thread

Music trivia challenge

She was a background vocalist on the Righteous Brothers' "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling". Think you know? Click HERE to check your work.

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

Another big time star to perform FREE at Borders, this time it's Jewel!

That's right, you needn't be from Alaska or have the abilty to yodel to enjoy the song stylings of Jewel, you can head over to Borders, THIS THURSDAY, at 4 pm at Borders downtown store, 612 E. Liberty. It's totally FREE but the good folks at Borders say get there early as space to see Jewel will fill up fast.

Jewel will be performing songs from her new country music CD entitled 'Perfectly Clear'.

Update on the REC/IM fight of stupidity

We told you we'd be giving FULL CREDIT to the fraternities involved in the disgraceful display of brawling early last week over, are you ready, a pick up basketball game. According to the Eastern Echo (and the EMU Department of Public Safety) those involved and in need of some public humility are:

Kappa Alpha Psi and Iota Phi Theta

There you have it. Of course a 'representative' of Kappa Alpha Psi said "It wasn't really a fight"

Uh huh, which is why it took three police departments to break it up.

Late night open thread

Get breakfast
Go watch softball game
Go watch baseball game
Watch Wings eliminate Nashville
Go feast at Red Hawk
See Joe Jackson concert

A damn fine Sunday

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

AND some pics from EMU's 6-5 victory over Western

Which means a SWEEP of the Sissy Broncos and Eastern Michigan is now 9-2 in MAC West play, alone in first.

EMU softball Senior Day pics

A few shots from this afternoon's EMU softball game at Varsity Field. A game WON by EMU 1-0

**UPDATE since we HATE how this Blogger program lays out pictures and text we're rearranging the softball shots so the text is up here and corresponds down below**
1) Jaclyn Caro lets one fly while Ashley Strauss looks on
2) Stephanie Sabo make a nice grab of a rising line drive as Jenny Scherer moves in to backup the play
3) Jenny Scherer lays into one
4) Sentiments left for EMU Seniors

Look Sharp! Joe Jackson tonight at the Michigan Theater

Yep, Johnny and the staff will be on hand signing autographs. Corndogs for the kids. Double fun huh? Here's Joe Jackson with the video for 'Steppin Out'.

7:30 pm at the Michigan Theater

Late night open thread

Eastern's baseball team beat Western again today at Oestrike Stadium 12-9. EMU increased their lead in the MAC West by improving to 9-2 in conference play. Eastern also remained perfect at home in the conference.

First pitch tomorrow at Oestrike Stadium vs. WMU is at 1 pm.

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

Eastern Michigan softball takes the beating stick to Ohio U

In a game that just finished up over at Varsity Field, EMU skunked Ohio U 8-0 on Alumni Day. Jaclyn Caro was brilliant, in 6 innings she scattered four hits and issued no walks. Even more impressive was the fact she had only one strikeout and induced 10 ground balls and 5 pop ups. Masterful pitching. The team had plenty of offense to go around and plenty from Jenny Scherer who was 3-4 with a home run and RBI, Lauren Delapaz who was 2-3 with an RBI and Stacie Skodinski who homered and knocked in 2. EMU also got RBI's from Stephanie Sabo and Brooke Carpenter. Eastern improves to 11-23 and has won 2 in a row.

Eastern is home again tomorrow in their final Varsity Field appearance in 2008. First pitch 1 pm.

What a gorgeous day here in Cool City

Good day for a ballgame, no?

Mayor Paul Schreiber, your top priority of keeping AATA running here is SPOT ON

Fantastic, we completely agree with you. That SHOULD be the top priority. To let Ypsilanti somehow lose the generous AATA subsidy and have issues running busses into and out of Ypsilanti would be crippling.

"We need to work it into the budget because it is a priority" said the Mayor this week.

We're not even going to go into the numbers and or nuts and bolts of this. Our Mayor is right on this. This IS the biggest priority.

Well represented Mr. Schreiber!

We'd be remiss if we didn't mention the softball win yesterday

The softball team bounced the Zips of Akron yesterday in the second game of their doubleheader 7-1. Heather Han mashed a three run home run in the second inning and Eastern was in control after that. Jaclyn Caro went the distance for the win, even after taking a nasty looking shot off her leg. Eastern improved to 10-23 overall and 2-6 in the MAC.

EMU is at home for a single game today at 2 pm at Varsity Field. It's also alumni day today.

Eastern's baseball team also won yesterday at Oestrike Stadium vs those sissy Broncos from Western Michigan 5-4. Junior Sean Hoffman picked up the win and 5 different EMU players had RBI's. EMU is home as well this afternoon at 3 pm.

Eastern Michigan baseball is now 8-2 in MAC play

Late night open thread

Wings win in overtime! Open bar all night. Lock up when you're done.

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA WITH HARVEY DANGER!

Ms trixielovesypsi favors us with one more song tonight. Send a set list, we'd love to play some of your favorites. Give us some back story, tell us about the band or a singer. Whoo Pee Doo Pee, we have fun

This is Harvey Danger, who had a huge hit with 'Flagpole Sitta' a few years back. This is a cover of a classic English Beat song, 'Save it for Later', and was used in the movie '200 Cigarettes' - this video for the movie features the band. It's one of the rare cases of a cover working on a completely different level from the original - and working well.

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA WITH FREEDY JOHNSTON!

Another favorite artist, singer-songwriter Freedy Johnston, in a video from 1997, 'Bad Reputation'. This song was a single from his album 'This Perfect World.' He's at work on a new record and it's slated for a fall release. I wish more people knew about Freedy.

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA WITH WHISKEYTOWN!

Friends and neighbors, tonight we have a guest VeeJay, one of you in fact. Ms Trixielovesypsi asked (and said the magic word) if she could have a shot at the Friday Night concert series and we've always said this is your site too and what better way to prove it. So here we go with a thriplicate from Trixielovesypsi:

This is one of my all-time favorite bands, Whiskeytown, in a live performance in 1998. Ryan Adams and Caitlin Cary have gone on to successful solo careers; Ryan Adams has not changed his hair since 1998.

Eastern Michigan softball suffers 7th inning meltdown, loses to Akron

In what can only be called one abysmal inning of softball, EMU managed to give up 3 unearned runs on NO Akron hits in a 7-3 loss at Varsity Field this afternoon. EMU managed just 6 hits and committed 3 errors in falling to an atrocious 9-23 overall and 1-6 in MAC play.

Ashley Strauss and Heather Han had RBI's for Eastern. Kari Chambers when the distance for EMU in the loss striking out 6, walking 3 and was only responsible for 4 earned runs.

Eastern is home tomorrow at Varsity Field, 2 pm start time vs the Bobcats of Ohio University.

Four citizens running for Willow Run School Board make their opinions known

Again, the Ann Arbor News has more on these candiates but we wanted to make you aware of their answers to questions the News put forth. The four candidates are:

* Incumbent Brenda Clay
* Incumbent Dorothy Stewart
* Mark Wilde
* And write in candidate Joi Jenson

Find out their opinions on helping the Willow Run District HERE

All hail A2 City Council members Stewart Nelson and Vivienne Armentrout

Stewart Nelson and Vivienne Armentrout understand a democracy apparently. They have both put their names to a plan to ensure a city-wide vote on the new police and courts building. Both Nelson and Armentrout have lent their names to "Ask Voters First", a citizen group who wants a vote on the $47 million dollar project, not just a city council vote since $31 million in bonds would be required.

Ed Amonsen, a leader of "Ask Voters First" said "We hear we're facing budget problems and then are told we can afford to take this project. I had no desire to be in politics, but as an Ann Arbor citizen for 25 years and a property owner, I have to take some responsibility when I see the direction of city finances."

Imagine that. Letting VOTERS decide whether or not to take on almost 50 million in debt. Novel approach and one we here at YCD support.

You can find "Ask Voters First" at their website

Cut it out, Illinois!

We don't WANT your stupid earthquakes here. You keep them there. If you broke something, you're paying for it:

(CNN)-- A magnitude-5.2 earthquake, centered 131 miles east of St. Louis, Missouri, shook southern Illinois early Friday, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

There were few reports of damage immediately after the predawn quake, which struck at 4:36 a.m. (5:36 a.m. ET), but CNN affiliate WHAS-TV in Louisville, Kentucky, showed footage of rubble left in a street after a cornice fell off a brick building there.

The epicenter of the earthquake was about three miles below ground, six miles northwest of Mount Carmel, Illinois, and 38 miles north-northwest of Evansville, Indiana, according to the USGS.

People as far north as southern Michigan and as far west as Des Moines, Iowa, reported feeling the quake, according to The Associated Press.

Late night open thread

The Dalai Lama never showed up. There must have been some kind of scheduling foul up. Still, in America you call when you can't be somewhere.

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

Ypsi City Desk is proudly sponsoring this year's Earth Day "Ypsilanti Tire Fire and BBQ"

That's right earth friendlies, crunchies, hippies, environmentalists, greens, friends of the earth and Sierra Club members, Ypsi City Desk will be putting our money where our rather sizeable mouths are and sponsoring the "Ypsilanti Earth Day Tire Fire and BBQ". We weren't around to sponsor it these last couple years but we're really excited about it this year.

April 22nd is Earth Day and we're celebrating with a tire fire and some awesome moo and oink and cluck on the grill. We'll have a soot pit for the kids and all the smoke you wanna put in a jar and take home to enjoy all year long.

Please bring a tire and a dish to pass.

April 22nd, Frog Island, or just follow the plume

Last year's Ypsilanti Earth Day Tire Fire and BBQ

Eastern Michigan in the FINAL FOUR! Well for the new University President search anyway

That's right, Eastern has named the FOUR finalists for new University President:

*Kenneth Burnley, senior resident fellow and director of the Education Leadership Center at the University of Michigan's School of Education.

*Michael Flanagan, Michigan's superintendent of public instruction.

*Susan Martin, a provost and vice chancellor at the University of Michigan-Dearborn.

*Donald Shelton, a Washtenaw County Circuit Court judge and former EMU regent.

They will be looking to improve upon the abysmal performance of EMU's last two Presidents, John Fallon and Samuel Kirkpatrick which shouldn't be exceptionally hard to do.

The Ann Arbor News has MORE, yes even color pictures

We're expecting the Dalai Lama in here at the Ypsi City Desk offices any minute

The Dalai Lama will be stopping by the YCD offices to chat with us about some things, worldy, spiritual, and just kicking it old skool with Johnny the Lama.

Yessir, his car should be arriving any minute and we'll of course have our interview with him later on.

Yep, ANY minute.

Any minute.

Pick up basketball game between two EMU frats turns violent, THREE police agencies needed to break it up

Boy, we don't have the names of the fraternities involved but we will and we will post them here for the entire world to see. What the hell is wrong that a pickup basketball game at the REC-IM building on the campus of Eastern Michigan turns into a melee?

EMU police chief Greg O'Dell said several HUNDRED people refused to disperse. Police from EMU, Ypsilanti, and the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Department were needed to move people outside where, you guessed it, the cement-heads started fighting again.

Gee, guys, what part of your honor were you fighting over involving a BASKETBALL GAME? Can you embarass your frat and your school any more?

We can, we can't wait to get the names of the fraternities involved posted here. They should be ashamed and we're here to help.

Late night open thread

Music trivia night

What was the first album to be pressed into CD format? Answer HERE

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

Yeah, we saw that

Once in awhile you can let a bad loss slide when you write a blog and cover a team or a season in a blog kinda way like we do here. EMU's softball team lost 11-1 to Notre Dame a while back and ya know, you let it go and try to be positive.

We can't do that at Eastern Michigan tonight. The baseball team lost to Michigan 20-5 and the softball team were victims of the mercy rule by Michigan 11-0. That's not good. At all. Coaches never lose a blowout nor really factor in them. It's not really our place to try to rally the troops (or maybe it is) and say you're BETTER than that. We hope we're not THAT far behind Michigan. There were some tournament champs here last year.

Johnny spent every summer from the time he was 5 until he was 18 in a dugout traveling somewhere. You all have 24 hours to get it out of your systems and then kick somebody's ass this weekend.

Since both the Pope and Dalai Lama have found their way to America...

...And sprituality is in the air, we thought we'd share a video clip with everyone.

Would YOU commit original sin and take an apple from a serpent? Would you? Are you suuuuure?

Time for: What Have We Learned From History (and those easily offended by religious jokes can tune out now but it really IS funny)

Dear Ypsilanti City Council---you sure blew that one

Tabling the truancy ordinance? How hard is it to understand? Was it not explained properly to you? Are you having trouble grasping that fact we NEED to have kids in school between 9-3:30 and yes there SHOULD be penalties, STIFF penalties for those who simply won't follow the rules?

Ypsilanti residents don't ask a lot out of our city council, we're a fairly live and let live bunch but with all the crime going on as the economy bottoms out, should we also have to worry about teenagers causing mischief of worse when you could simply hold their parents accountable? DO SOMETHING and tabling the issue is NOT what you should have done.

Lois Richardson, D-1, felt that a fine could be bad for parents. Uh, Lois, that's the damned point. If it's voluntary or has no teeth why even bother? Each and every city council member who voted to kick this down the road let down the very city residents you are paid to look after. That would be ALL Of them except William Nickels, D-2, who did the RIGHT thing in not voting for the delay.

Stop mollycoddling truant teenagers, stop mollycoddling inept or uninformed parents, stop worrying about each and every person being notified, just do it and stop being so soft on something that requires some teeth.

Simply gutless...

Yesterday was baseball, today is EMU vs. U-M in softball

Eastern Michigan will travel over to Tree City this evening for a 6 pm game vs the #6 ranked Michigan women's softball team. EMU is 0-4 vs ranked opponenets this year but DO have a history of being able to pull the upset beating #21 Louisville in 2006 and #2 Florida State in 2004.

Michigan has a phenomenal lineup with 5 hitters with better than a .300 average and top flight pitching with the tandem of Jordan Taylor (20-2, 0.51 ERA) and Nikki Nemitz (18-2, 0.75 ERA). Pick your poison. Offensively Eastern is led by Jenny Scherer with 7 home runs and a cool .315 average, alongside Ashley Strauss, Heather Giroux, and Stacie Skodinski.

Eastern will have to play a near perfect game to win but then again, that's what they said about the 1980 US Olympic hockey team vs Russia.

EMU returns home this weekend for THREE big games on Friday vs Akron at 1pm, Saturday at 2pm vs Ohio and then again Sunday at 1 pm vs Ohio.

Late night open thread

Michigan hit two home runs in the bottom of the ninth to beat Eastern Michigan 5-3 in Ann Arbor this evening. Michigan catcher Nate Recknagel, aka the Lake Orion Bomber, hit the walk off dinger for the Wolverines.

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark.

On this date in Ypsilanti History

Dateline April 15, 1897

Jebediah Ingalls and his family were lost to the Huron River near the big bend by what some locals are calling 'River Monster' (See YCD coverage of the river monster here). The family was travelling by small water craft up the river when suddenly onlookers described screaming, thrashing in the water, chewing noises then a giant gulping sound. "I never seen nothing like it, like some kind of serpent" said Alfred Woodruff "Swallowed 'em up it did". Constables are investigating.

EMU and Michigan to face off on the diamond today and tomorrow

Eastern Michigan will make the long trek down Washtenaw Avenue to play Michigan today and tomorrow at Fischer Stadium on the campus of U-M.

Gametime today is at 6:30 pm and the first pitch tomorrow is at 3:05. No, PM

Eastern Michigan will also head back into MAC play this weekend hosting Western Michigan in a triple header of action. EMU will host the sissy Broncos Friday, Saturday and if that weren't enough, Sunday as well. Respective gametimes at Oestrike Stadium will be Friday at 6, Saturday at 3 and Sunday at 1.

EMU is 10-22 overall and yet 7-2 in MAC play.

3 more school board candidates go on record

3 more candidates are on record at the Ann Arbor News on why they are specially qualified to sit on the board and help choose a new superintendant. Tom Reiber, Sarah Devaney, and Edward Jackson give you their vision over at the Ann Arbor News

The TAX Man Cometh today

And here are a few tax day primers. If you're getting a refund, there is NO PENALTY if you send your forms in after today. If you OWE, you better get the return in the mail before midnight, citizen. You can apply for an extension on paperwork ONLY if you owe. You'd better have the payment ready today.

Luckily, The downtown Ann Arbor Post Office will be open until 11:50 pm tonight to help get those returns mailed on time.

If you have questions or concerns try these numbers and websites:

*Internal Revenue Service: www.irs.gov or 1-800-829-1040.

*Michigan Department of Treasury: www.michigan.gov/treasury or (800) 827-4000.

*U.S. Post Office: www.usps.com or 800-ASK-USPS (275-8777).

Late night open thread

Strange but true factoid edition

* A mole can dig a tunnel 300 feet long in just one night
* A hummingbird weighs less than a penny
* A quarter has 119 grooves on its edge, a dime has one less groove
* The original name for the butterfly was 'flutterby'
* A duck's quack doesn't echo
* Barbie's full name is Barbra Millicent Roberts
* Debra Winger was the voice of E.T.
* What is the only planet not named after a God? Click here when you think you know

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

Ypsilanti candidates for school board go on the record

Two candidates for Ypsilanti School Board, Kira Berman and Katherine Weathers, submitted answers when asked by the Ann Arbor News two questions:

* What do you see as the top two issues facing the district and how would you address them?

* What qualities would you look for in a new superintendent?

You can read their answers here

Monday morning open thread

Johnny got some bad food last night. He's illin and you're on your own for now.

Late night open thread

And some days the news room just mails one in....like today

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

Sunday morning open thread

In lieu of church you can simply comment here. We'll put in a good word for you. Don't think we have that kind of pull? Ask Notre Dame, they lost the title game last night 4-1. Prayers can be answered.

Late night open thread

Ann Arbor has 809 liquor licenses available. Let's see, The Fleetwood, Starbucks, KFC, The Varsity Barber Shop and of course Le Dog come to mind as obvious candidates. Lobster bisque soup and a snort of Glenlivet please.

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

Saturday afternoon open thread while SOME people head to Detroit for a Wings game

We're not saying whom exactly, it could be an intern who pinched Johnny's tickets, but the YCD offices will be empty this afternoon so you will have to amuse yourselves. We trust you will.

If you are of REAL hearty stock, the canoe liveries open this weekend

What could be finer than cold rain, sleet and overcast skies to enjoy the view from the middle of the Huron River? Both the Argo and Gallup canoe liveries are now open for public consumption. So go make like George Washington and pretend that crossing the Huron River is like crossing the Delaware River is hideously cold conditions, and you'll feel patriotic.....or something.

734-662-9319 for info.

Congratulations to U-M hockey standout AND 2008 Hobey Baker winner Kevin Porter

For those of you who don't follow college hockey, the Hobey Baker award is college hockey's answer to the Heisman Trophy, and U-M's Kevin Porter is this year's recipient. Porter joins Brendan Morrison (1997) as the only other U-M Hobey Baker winner. Porter even got a congratulatory letter from his new boss to be next year in Phoenix.....Wayne Gretzky.

Well played Kevin, big ups to you.

Late night open thread

The Eastern Michigan women's tennis team skunked Northern Illinois today in DeKalb 7-0. Congrats ladies, and now take a bow.

Singles
1. Vanessa Frankowski (EMU) def. Nao Umemura (NIU) 6-0, 6-2
2. Aditi Krishnan (EMU) def. Lilian Asuaje (NIU) 6-4, 7-5
3. Tina Bestehorn (EMU) def. Brooke Forsberg (NIU) 6-2, 6-3
4. Sandra Wikstrom (EMU) def. Jenny Edner (NIU) 6-3, 6-3
5. Aleksandra Stankovic (EMU) def. Dora Delgadillo (NIU) 6-3, 6-1
6. Joanna Woo (EMU) def. Stephanie Okuma (NIU) 6-0, 6-2

Doubles
1. Umemura/Forsberg (NIU) def. Frankowski/Bestehorn (EMU) 8-6
2. Wikstrom/Stankovic (EMU) def. Edner/Asuaje (NIU) 8-5
3. Krishnan/Woo (EMU) def. Delgadillo/Okuma (NIU) 8-4

The EMU Athletics site tells us EMU won doubles by winning 2 of 3 matches. Eastern is 3-3 in MAC play and 7-12 overall.

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with KT TUNSTALL!

Johnny wanted three videos tonight and so we're gonna have three videos tonight, ya follow? KT Tunstall, who will be at The Power Center on May 17, chooses to go by KT in lieu of her given name Kate, which she's not all that into performance-wise. KT was discovered after one appearance on 'Later with Jools Holland'. She was an unknown but literally stole the show and by the next day the UK was asking who is this KT Tunstall? Now we all know.

Here is KT Tunstall with 'Black Horse & The Cherry Tree'

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with THE HAPPY MONDAYS!

Say it with us now, "You speak so hip you're twistin my melon man". The Manchester born band the Happy Mondays have worked with quite a few top flight producers in their day. This song, was produced my none other than Paul Oakenfold a way back in 1990. The Mondays have also worked with Tina Weymouth and Chris Frantz of Talking Heads. The Happy Mondays were also a part of the Madchester scene back in 1990 that was all about the newfangled 'rave' culture.

Here are the Happy Mondays, twistin your melon man, with 'Step On'

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with THE GO GO'S!

It's like, they're girls, and they play all the instruments and everything. Like a real live band, but only with girls. You get the point. And we hope you realize we're kidding. We love the Go Go's. So here's Jane and Belinda and Charlotte and Gina and Kathy with 'Our Lips are Sealed'.

Did ya know then, Belinda Carlisle, under the name Dottie Danger, was briefly a member of the L.A. based punk band The Germs.

Ypsilanti, Ann Arbor and the entire Huron Valley is under a TORNADO WATCH until 9pm

That's right weather-heads and those interested in avoiding, say, a tornado. The National Weather Service just issued the watch until 9pm.

Be prepared, tornadoes can bring all kinds of unwanted consequences.

Of weather worries and OT hockey

First off, Michigan did stage a couple stirring rallies last night to send the game to overtime but alas, Notre Dame scored 5:44 in and won the game. They will play Boston College in the national championship Saturday. Red Berenson is a great coach who took this team much further than anyone thought this year but we at YCD would have liked to see Sauer back in net for Michigan to begin the OT. Let the debate begin.

On the weather front, we're about to jump 30 degrees in a couple hours today, going up to close to 74 degrees by early afternoon before THE STORMS hit. Some could be severe, hitting the Huron Valley with hail the size of pumpkins. Keep your eye to the sky today after 2pm.

Late night open thread

The Wings win and all is right with the world. Except Michigan being down 3-0 in the third period.

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

Michigan vs Notre Dame in national semi-final tonight at 7 pm

OK puck fans, tonight is an overload of great hockey. Michigan's Wolverines and Notre Dame's Fighting Irish will play tonight in the second national semi-final game SCHEDULED (Overtime in the first game could change this time) for 7 pm. The game will be carried locally on ESPN 2 (Channel 36 or in HI DEF on 203).

Here's tonight's hockey rundown:

Boston College vs North Dakota 4 pm (ESPN 2)
Notre Dame vs Michigan 7 pm (ESPN 2)
Boston vs Montreal 7 pm CBC (Channel 99)
Nashville vs Red Wings 7:30 pm on FSN (32 or on HI DEF on 201)
Calgary at San Jose 10 pm on CBC (Channel 99)

Not only is the Dalai Lama visiting Ann Arbor, no he's got groupies coming too

Actor Richard Gere and "composer" Philip Glass will also be joining the Dalai Lama in his two day visit and a discussion of Buddhism and art at Hill Auditorium on April 18.

On April 19, the Dalai Lama will give two speeches on "Engaging Wisdom And Compassion," from 10 am-noon and from 2-4 pm at The Crisler Arena.

You want tickets to any of these events? Talk to the scalpers and or the Chinese Olympic Organizing Committee...

OK, here's the deal....

Johnny's a sped today since his beloved Red Wings start the playoffs tonight. He'll put out news today as only a caffienated squirrel can...

Update on the Lindsay Graygo clues, the bag that was stolen from her was BURGUNDY in color with SNAKE SKIN trim. Robbery however was not the goal of the attacker. 734-973-7711 with info.

Late night open thread

EMU baseball pulled one out of the fire today at Oakland University. EMU trailed The Griz 7-4 going into the top of the ninth but then Aaron Powell hit his second home run of the game which sparked a 6 run uprising and that sent Eastern to a 10-7 win. Jordan Goldschmidt got the win and Robert Wendzicki (he is powerful in Scrabble) got his third save. EMU is now 8-21 on the season. The softball team dropped a pair at Notre Dame today which leaves their record at 8-18.

Hopefully better days are straight ahead

Time for Ypsilanti, after dark

We're hoping to assist the Lindsay Graygo investigation with pictures

As we know, The Washtenaw County Sheriff has given information to the effect that when Lindsay was killed, her Via Spiga handbag with shoulder straps, burgundy and black in color with snakeskin trim was stolen. Our researchers here at YCD hit the interwebs to find an image of such a bag. What we found down below is a Via Spiga bag (and these are NOT cheap items people) and the snakeskin pattern used by Via Spiga. We could not find the item described after several retail site searches including the Via Spiga site itself. Please use these as broad guidelines. If anyone out there can hip Johnny and the staff to more info on this thanks in advance.

The snakeskin pattern is very easy to spot. And while you run these questions through your mind, keep an eye on the bag and pattern. Did you receive a bag similar to this as a gift with no real explanation behind it? We're not calling your guy a cheapskate, but these are pricey. Did someone you know get a similar bag with no story behind it. A relative, a co-worker maybe? Sadly people who kill sometimes take souvenirs to give as gifts to those in their lives. Maybe 6 weeks ago to recently would have been the timeline. Are you a resale shop owner, a pawn shop owner who recently had a motivated customer with a similar bag?

734-973-7711

For Lindsay

Police offer $10,000 reward for help in capturing the murderer of Lindsay Graygo

The Washtenaw County Sheriff's Department has announced a $10,000 reward for information in the slaying of Lindsay Anne Graygo. She was found in her Ypsilanti Township apartment on Feb. 19.

Washtenaw County Sheriffs have also offered up MORE clues in the search for the scum who killed her. They say her purse, a Via Spiga handbag with shoulder straps, burgundy and black in color with snakeskin trim was stolen at the time of her murder. PLEASE call 734-973-7711 if you have ANY info.

This is where our frustration boils over with the police in this case. Washtenaw County Sheriff's Cmdr. Dave Egeler is on record a few times saying they cannot release anything more than they already have and won't discuss suspects if there are any. Look, YOU are asking US for help. We WANT to help. WHY did you sit on this purse clue until now? Before you said you had nothing further to offer us as clues. THIS we'd say is a pretty important clue. It would also have helped to give the general public this information MUCH SOONER.

We will always do what we can but we also expect when police have info they can share they DO SO.

A tip of the YCD cap to Katie Everett, Huron High School senior AND...

...first-place winner receiving a $50,000 college scholarship in the Young Epidemiology Scholars Competition in Washington, D.C.

Well done Katie, well done indeed. Huron High School can use some good PR and well, you're it.

Katie won the award for her work on research on the human papillomavirus vaccine and adolescents.

And as an added honor, we're giving her the coveted YCD last word:

"I was really excited (about winning) and the presenters were all phenomenal"

Ypsilanti police seek your help in solving a murder last night

Melvin Dobbins Jr, 28, was shot to death in his Ford Mustang as he tried to back out of a driveway, and away from assailants last night in the 400 block of East Ainsworth about 11:15. Relatives suggested he was there for some kind of drug transaction and Ypsilanti Police Chief Matt Harshberger said "It appears there was a robbery".

Come on folks, two men were seen running from the scene, hopefully somebody knows SOMETHING. Let's be heroes and rat these assholes out. If you live in that neighborhood you'd do well to practice addition by subtraction if you get our drift. 734-483-5849 if you have info and there is also a reward number, 800-773-2587, through the State of Michigan.

You bet you can leave confidential tips here and we'll pass them along, just like we did before. If we're gonna clean up the city it starts with YOU making a call or sending an email.

Remember the speed limits A2 Mayor John Hieftje didn't want and the State Police did? Victory for drivers

We really do have to wonder if the Ann Arbor Mayor really is out of touch with Ann Arbor (and others elsewhere who may visit Tree City or work there) drivers and voters. The state has done intensive testing on these stretches of roads, on North Main Street and Washtenaw Avenue and decided to raise the speed limits:

The speed limit on Washtenaw Avenue will become 40 mph from Hill Street to Brockman Boulevard and 45 mph from Brockman to East Stadium Boulevard. The existing speed limits along that stretch of Washtenaw currently are either 30 mph or 35 mph.

But here's the Mayor's take:

"I don't think we should be subjecting our residents to any higher speeds than are there now"

SUBJECTING? Are you serious!? In fact, the Ann Arbor Mayor, who we can't find any background in policing or road engineering for, said he doesn't believe the state models for speeds. GREAT John, we're glad you can so easily dismiss years of study because you don't want to agree with speed limits going up.

We here at YCD have a pretty good idea why the Mayor is against raising speed limits no matter how safe----his Ministry of Ticket Money that he currently lords over. Less tickets for speeding cuts into the city budget. Tell us again a large portion of money doesn't come from the MoTM. If it was a drop in the bucket the Mayor wouldn't be so opposed.

This is a victory for all of us, sans one....

A Frozen Four primer for Michigan puckheads

The first national semi-final will be North Dakota's Fighting Sioux vs the Eagles of Boston College. The nightcap will pit two longtime rivals in other sports as well as hockey, the Wolverines of Michigan and the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame.

Michigan advanced by defeating Clarkson in the East Regional final. Notre Dame advanced by upsetting CCHA rival and defending National Champion Michigan State. Boston College beat Miami (O) 4-3 in overtime and North Dakota advanced by winning in overtime as well over Wisconsin.

Michigan and North Dakota are the only two remaining #1 seeds. Boston College has been the national runner up the last two years running, losing both. In fact, despite a title in 2001, Boston College remains snakebit. No team has a better winning percentage in the NCAA tournament the last 11 seasons and yet, they lost in 1998 in OT to Michigan and lost last year to MSU with just 19 seconds to play.

Michigan has ben playing short on defense since the dismissal of Kevin Quick earlier this season and yet keep waiting for this perceived deficiency to show up. Michigan has had difficulties with Northern Michigan, a skating team that hails from an Olympic sized home rink and in looking ahead to the Frozen Four, only BC could even be considered such a team. Michigan, for one game anyway should be able to impose their will on ND.

The Fighting Sioux survived a very hostile crowd environment over last weekend to tip Wisconsin in OT. North Dakota struck twice quickly in the third to erase a 2-0 defecit. North Dakota, once they had gotten the momentum used their size to play havoc with the Badger defense and were able to get their forecheck going and take advantage of their size.

Relive the exciting finish from last year's final in St. Louis and see why college hockey gives tremendous bang for the buck.

Late night open thread

Did you know Donald Duck actually has a middle name? If you'd care to know the answer will be in comments. If you'd just rather know him as Donald Duck, skip it.

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

Eastern Michigan softball WINS home opener!

EMU defeated Cleveland State 3-1 in their home opener this afternoon at Varsity Field. EMU got RBI's from Jenny Scherer, Ashley Strauss (who also had 2 stolen bases), and Heather Giroux. Lauren Delapaz also had 2 hits and a stolen base for Eastern. Kari Chambers got the win, scattering 3 hits and striking out 7. Next game is right now!

Eastern improves to 8-15 overall

Ann Arbor City Council's empty blather and capitulation

The Ann Arbor City Council last night expressed frustration, anger, invictives and consternation.....then rolled over like trained pets as they capitualted to the closing of one lane of Main Street outside Michigan Stadium to construction crews who have been driving city residents batty with noise. Since the University is under state law, allowing them to work on Michigan Stadium from 6am-10pm SEVEN days a week, the city council could do nothing about the noise or work schedule. But when U-M showed up hat in hand to close the lane on Main Street, the City Council yowled and pewled and then did what the University wanted with assurances from the U that they'd TRY to keep it down.

NICE, well played City Council. Way to back your residents up on that. The University never even alerted the city they'd need the lane closed when the project started. They just simply assumed that the City Council would capitulate......and they did.

And because the University simply decided to go ahead and screw over their neighbors, the city now cannot start work on a planned $7 million city project to replace water and sewer mains and rebuild Pauline Boulevard.

ALL so U-M can have their precious football stadium done in time. They've said as much. University of Michigan talking head Jim Kosteva said the intensive construction is NEEDED to have no interruption in the football schedule. YOU suffer so U-M can make money.

The lane will be closed on Main Street from May of this year to July of 2009. The city council did require U-M to pick up costs related to fixing the strip of road that will bear the brunt of heavy traffic from trucks.

Attention you teenage hoodlums, nere-do-wells and slackers, your days in Ypsilanti are numbered

The City of Ypsilanti is looking to pass a truancy ordinance (we didn't already have one? Why the hell not?) to ensure kids under 16 are in school from 9-3:30 each school day or they and their parents would have a not-so-fun-day-in-court. Are you FOR this ordinance? Are you AGAINST this ordinance? Make your voice heard, April 15th 7:30 at City Hall.

Ya know who hated truants? This guy

Don't forget, EMU softball at home today at 3pm

Varsity Field in the softball HOME OPENER! The Eastern Michigan club will be playing Cleveland State's Vikings.

Dear people who put up the yard signs for this past weekend's Pow Wow at Crisler

You can now go around and pick up the signs you posted all over town. Please do not simply put placards in the ground around town and walk away from them. Please help keep OUR positive image of YOUR event.

Late night open thread

Time is the justice that examines all offenders.
--William Shakespeare

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

BREAKING NEWS: Orange Taylor III GUILTY

Orange Taylor III has been found guilty of murdering EMU student Laura Dickinson in December of 2006 in room 519 of Hill Hall. In fact, Taylor was found guilty of EVERY COUNT against him.

Justice for Laura Dickinson has come and we here at YCD couldn't be happier.

See ya all in comments

Uh oh, we've got a floater......

Police in Ann Arbor are fishing a floating body out of the Huron River near Main and Depot Street. Police are roping off the area and awaiting the Medical Examiner.

Roundabouts as intersections, who chose this newfangled idea?

Recently, Washtenaw County has decided to put in 'roundabouts' instead of traditional intersections. A new one is going on at Geddes Rd and Superior (more on that later). Just WHO decided roundabouts were where WE as a county were at? Is this being based on studies of how badly midwesterers handle these things? Is it because the enviro-crowd is screeching like barn owls over the oil and gas wasted waiting at stop signs? For one, Johnny is not really plussed by these east coast intersections. So WHOM is the person or persons who decided this is what WE WANTED?

If we get one or two more proposed we're gonna need to change out some county road commission jobs. That's OUR opinion, what's YOURS?

Should the Orange Taylor III jury come back with a verdict today we'll be all over it

We'll have post trial discussion and analysis of this very important case. The jury will begin deliberations in a few minutes and if and when they come back with a verdict, your voice will matter here.

A couple traffic notes this morning

If you read YCD before heading out, you'll appreciate us telling you there are accidents this morning at I-94 at Freer Road and one at Westbound I-94 west of US 23.

Let's be careful out there

Late night open thread

EMU's baseball team is off to a hot start now 5-1 in MAC play. They bested Akron today 12-6. Eastern softball, 0-2 in MAC play, dropped a pair this weekend to CMU. Eastern softball is home for a twinbill with Cleveland State on Tuesday at Varsity Field. 3 pm start time.

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

Sounds like the Ugly Mug cafe is going through some changes

First off, they're going to close down for a short period to redecorate and expand their coffee bean roasting abilities. That is one of the unique aspects of the Ugly Mug, fresh home roasted beans. The cafe will close, expand it's roasting capabilities and will shift the smoking section outside under the awning and next to the new outdoor heat-lamps, which will now be year round seating.

The Ugly Mug now provides the coffee used by Arbor Brewing Company for their 'Espresso Love' and Dark Horse Brewing Company's Perkulator Coffee Dopplebock.

The new Ugly Mug is expected to open again April 20th.

Late night open thread

A 30 minute Hash Bash today? As in a timed Hash Bash? That's just wrong. John Sinclair spoke, then the emcee said go home. That's a real buzzkill, mon.

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

What a show by the Ypsitucky Colonels last night! Riots afterwards

Just have a look see at this video taken outside the Lager House Tavern in Detroit last night. You can't BUY publicity like this. The Colonels whipped the kids into a frenzy and then they all had to meet outside and show how much they enjoyed the show with ancient tribal rituals.

Ypsitucky Colonels, you'll pay for the whole seat but you'll only need the edge.

Saturday afternoon matinee with Paul Newman & the Hanson Brothers

OK, first off, language warning. Secondly with hockey in the air, Michigan in the Frozen Four next weekend and the Red Wings set to start the Stanley Cup playoffs later this week, let's get ready to rumble.

Last weekend to catch 'Brecht on Brecht' at EMU Theater

Sponberg Theater will host the last weekend of 'Brecht on Brecht' this weekend. For tickets, call 487-2282, or pick them up at the Convocation Center, the Student Center Ticket Office or the Quirk Box Office.

Michigan softball is home at noon today vs Iowa

A great chance to enjoy this fine day on tap.

Late night open thread

The jury in the Orange Taylor III case will begin deliberations Monday morning.

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with THE CURE!

We actually got a suggestion in the Ypsi City Desk mail sack for a Cure video on a Friday. You got it citizen. Here is the Cure live at Wembley Stadium in 1991 with Pictures of You. Sure it's a little long but it sounds good and do you REALLY have anything better to do than watch videos on YCD? We think not.

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with ALISON KRAUSE & ROBERT PLANT!

Johnny and the Mrs. missed bumping into Robert Plant 2 years ago by maybe a minute and a half (Johnny set out looking over the series of stores that is the Loveless Cafe in Nashville, but never did find him). The sales clerk of the store was already on the phone with her friend in full on "You'll never believe who was just in front of me" speech on the phone. She retold the story of what he bought and how nice he was. We're not into spilling on celebs as Johnny detests things like Access Hollywood but let's say he bought something that was critical of the current administration in Washington. At the time he was actually recording his sessions with Alison Krause when we had our near brush with celebrity. The results of those sessions is probably already legendary in music history, it's just that good.

Here are Alison Krause and Robert Plant with the Everly Brothers song Gone Gone Gone (Done Moved On).

Friday evening traffic mess at N Adams and W Cross

Johnny was, well, Johnny on the spot to see this accident this evening. Ambulances on the scene, one person at least being transported. The vehicle facing you, the viewer, according to witnesses ran the stop sign heading north on N Adams into the Cross Street intersection and BLAM-O

Wow, informative AND disgusting

About 1000 people went to St. Joseph Mercy Hospital CAFETERIA lobby to see the giant inflatable colon. Yes, you read that right, GIANT INFLATABLE COLON. 8 feet high, 20 feet long and oh so graphic. The giant inflatable colon (and it skeeves Johnny out to write that each time) is part of a travelling display that was at St. Joes yesterday. Visitors got up close and personal looks at the workings of a colon, complete with healthy tissue, non-malignant diseases, and colorectal cancer (are you still with us or did you quick run over to Ypsi~Dixit's site?).


The Super Colon is owned by the Prevent Cancer Foundation and is at St. Joe's courtesy of Sanofi Aventis.

We haven't done this before---a Friday morning RIDDLE

What happens twice in a week, never in a month, and once in a year?

Answer in comments

Yet another movie to be filmed locally

After the success of the movie Jumper, parts of which were filmed in Ann Arbor, the Weinstein Group has confirmed "Youth in Revolt" will be shot here in May and June. The movie will star Michael Cera, of Superbad and JUNO fame.

If you'd like to get your foot in the door of a big movie, why not apply for a job on the set? Try here for more information.

Late night open thread

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

We hate Huron Acres but LOVE the idea of the A2 Skate Park

A skate park, as proposed, would be a BENEFIT to the community. Kids could go meet up with others who share their love of skating, less skaters would be on the sidewalks downtown, and you'd be giving these kids a place to call their own. We love that it's out in the open air of Vets Park where bad influences would be out in the open with many people around to see it.

Hey, we've got three little morons out there running around with loaded guns, it would make sense to try and alleviate more of them by giving them somewhere cool to go and something cool and fairly safe to do when they got there.

Check out the A2 Skate Park website for more info. You can check out just how serious these skaters really are, how they have all the pertinent City Council meetings on a calendar and a petition of support for you to sign.

Because traffic around here isn't bad enough, let's build more unneeded crap

This new ginormous proposal to build up on the north side of Arborland is just CRAP. No, make that complete CRAP. We have hotels we don't fill now, we have MUCH empty retail space, and no lack of housing for seniors but try getting that through builders thick heads. Builders could give two shits about you, and your commute and your quality of life as long as they get the money to build.

Here's the proposal from Bacall Development in Farmington Hills:

First off, they'd call it Huron Acres. No word on if Eastern Michigan University would want it named Eagle Acres. Two hotels, with a total of 240 rooms, which would share room with a medical building, mixed use office space, two restaurants, and 58 single family townhouses with attached one car garages.

Yes, because we don't have a GLUT of these things here now. YCD says NO to this boondoggle. We HAVE housing, we HAVE restaurants, we HAVE medical offices out our asses, we HAVE hotels that go unfilled. Just IMAGINE the extra traffic headaches. You know how it looks in front of Arborland NOW on football game days, now double that as cross traffic starts appearing.

The Planning Commission could consider this plan in the next two months.

Your free speech here vs free speech on the Detroit Free Press site

Johnny was just over at the Detroit Free Press website (for most likely the LAST time---poorly formed javascript among other things we're about to discuss) and would love to compare and contrast free speech and freedom to comment. You are ALWAYS free to say what you want here. We may not like it, readers may not like it but you're free to speak your mind. The Free Press website is allowing commentary on EVERY story BUT the Debbie Stabenow/husband/hooker story. Why? Seriously? What kind of censorship in commentary is that? Who does Debbie have naked pictures of on the Free Press Editorial Board?

This is simply POOR FORM in today's digital age. Shame on the Detroit Free Press. Besides, like a columnist said, we just want to talk about Debbie and how she NOW knows, thanks to her husband, what it feels like to the rest of us when she voted the way she did on the bankruptcy bill and telecom immunity.

Our little teenage thugs with guns have been charged

Three Huron High School students, you remember the ones with loaded guns on a B&E spree the other night, got their first day in court and what CLASSY young men they are. Jonathan Blanks, 14, Woodrow White-Bey, 15, and Brandon McIntyre, 17 are your citizens of the year. According to the Ann Arbor News:

"White-Bey was already on probation for stealing cars but had taken his electronic tether off, police reports said. Police said he had marijuana on him when he was arrested and also had a loaded .38 caliber handgun."

Niiiice. GREAT parenting. FIFTEEN and he's learned to take his ankle tether off and carry a bag of weed around with a loaded gun breaking into OUR homes.

Police say these morons had a loaded .22 and .38 caliber handguns when they were arrested. No gun charges were filed but could be added (and YCD would HOPE they are) at a later date.

Ann Arbor police said the teens had stolen laptops, knives, cellphones, coins and cameras from homeowners. Huron High School did confirm the three are students.

Again, when the parents are found, charge them with being idiots too.

YCD didn't THINK we needed to go into coffee eitquette around town but apparently we do

OK, coffee FAUX PAUX of the highest order. One DOES NOT stand in front of the coffee fixins bar at the local coffee house adding a dash of milk, then stirring, then tasting, then adding another dollip of milk, stir that then taste, and repeating this ad nauseum. You sure as hell don't repeat this with sugar/sweetener. You may say "This is my time to fix my coffee and I can do what I want to". Sure, just like the rest of us reserve the right, no OBLIGATION, to tell you what an anchor you're being. We also reserve the right to pour half and half on your head if you take more than a minute.

Late night open thread

EMU took the double ziggy to MSU today in both baseball and softball. The softball team lost 4-2 but did see Jenny Scherer hit her fourth home run of the campaign. Eastern is being forced to play in Mount Boring this weekend. MSU's baseball team scored three late runs to top the Ypsilanti 9 by a final score of 5-3. EMU is in scenic Akron this weekend.

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

Bankrobber alert, bankrobber alert (Updated 5:38pm)

The Chase Bank, right near St, Joseph's Hospital, where Clark and Huron River Drive meet was robbed this morning. See, the Ann Arbor News wouldn't identify the bank in their story, saying only "St. Joseph Mercy Hospital campus", so Johnny whipped some intern ass and got the research, and tears flowing.

Chase Bank, robbed this morning, and we're guessing an undisclosed amount of money was taken.

The thief was seen leaving in an aqua colored compact car. Anybody recognize this man? You know what to do...

Ypsitucky Colonels show now WITH cool artwork and links

Boy, did the interns mess up THAT show roll out. Let's try again.

The Ypsitucky Colonels make their Motor City debut this Friday, April 4, at that most-venerable of hipster havens, the Lager House tavern. Come thrill to the pub-rock stylings of the Colonels, while knocking can after can after can of ice-cold Stroh’s and chasing them down with shots of Old Crow. That’s right kids, the Colonels chase their cheap beer with cheaper whiskey.

That’s just how we roll.

The Lager House is located on Michigan Avenue, just a stone’s throw east of the old Tiger Stadium in the fashionable, yet still quaintly dangerous, Corktown neighborhood.

Check out the Colonels at their BRAND NEW BLOG!

Now, for some concert artwork!

EMU as discount landlord "We're crazy, everything must go, we're DEALING!"

Sounds like a used car dealer or other late night TV huckster doesn't it? But, if you're looking to live ON campus next year, EMU has a deal for you. They are NOT raising on-campus rents in student apartments for 2008-09. The EMU Board of Regents voted to keep rents the same this upcoming year for returning lessees.

Now for the crazy car dealer part, if you're willing to live in one of the Hill dorms, EMU is ready to front you a cool $1000 dollars (in grants mind you, going towards the cost of the room and board). Word on the street is that Eastern will also pass these amazing savings along to those looking to live in the dorms (Excuse us, Residence Halls) next year. At these rates, you can't afford NOT to live on EMU's campus. Who knows, maybe you will have Johnny as a suitemate in Best Hall next year (his old EMU on campus haunts) and Johnny has an ID to legally procure alcohol.

Bitchin'....

For debate, the Orange Taylor III jury has no African Americans on it

Unlike the last trial, the jury makeup in his current trial has no African Americans in the jury. Do you feel this is a good and fair representation of Washtenaw County? Do you feel the defense lawyer had her chance on jury challenges and still didn't seat an African American? Did the prosecution get rid of African American in their jury challenges?

Your thoughts.....

Late night open thread

Pitcher Sean Hoffman threw a perfect game and Eastern Michigan defeated Cleveland State 44-0 today at Oestrike Stadium. 7 Eastern starters had 2 or more home runs in the ridiculous wind. Cleveland State might have been able to hit a home run with the wind but never made contact with anything. Strikeouts, all. What a great game for an April 1st in Ypsilanti...

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

Move and groove with the Ypsitucky Colonels

The Ypsitucky Colonels make their Motor City debut this Friday, April 4, at that most-venerable of hipster havens, the Lager House tavern. Come thrill to the pub-rock stylings of the Colonels, while knocking can after can after can of ice-cold Stroh’s and chasing them down with shots of Old Crow. That’s right kids, the Colonels chase their cheap beer with cheaper whiskey.

That’s just how we roll.

The Lager House is located on Michigan Avenue, just a stone’s throw east of the old Tiger Stadium in the fashionable, yet still quaintly dangerous, Corktown neighborhood.

Noted Chef Bobby Flay to make in store appearance at Borders

That's right foodies, Chef Bobby Flay will be signing copies of his new book "Bobby Flay's Grill It!", at the new Borders concept store in the Waters Place shopping center (think Best Buy and Joe's Crab Shack) on Lohr Rd. on May 12.

Flay is on almost every show on the Food Network, including "Boy Meets Grill", "Iron Chef America" and "Throwdown with Bobby Flay."

Bobby Flay wouldn't last a minute in the throwdown with Johnny's spice rubs, nosiree. Rachael Ray and Giada would be choosing Johnny's pork spice rub in a New York minute.

Orange Taylor III trial moving along quickly

The witnesses are flying off the witness stand according to the Ann Arbor News. The trial is expected to last at least through this week. Once again this morning the defense attorney, Laura Graham, put forth the idea that Laura Dickinson died of natural causes before Taylor let himself into her room and masturbated on her (look it's not pretty language but it's the truth) and took some of her things.

One question we'd LOVE for Ms. Graham to answer us here at YCD or in open court:

How many people place a pillow over their faces before dying of natural causes from some kind of heart arrhythmia? Yes, if you could hip us to that, that would be grand....

NOT GOOD AP-John Norman Collins has escaped--UPDATED 11:23 AM

Yikes! From the AP:

Convicted serial killer John Norman Collins escapes from Marquette Prison in Marquette, Mich

Filed under: MARQUETTE, Mich. , Prison Escape

APR 1, 2008 3:31 AM (5 hours ago) AP
MARQUETTE, Mich. (Map, News) - Authorities say convicted killer and suspected serial killer, John Norman Collins (Who changed his last name to Chapman), convicted in 1971 of murdering Karen Sue Beineman, has escaped from Marquette State Prison.

Lt. Dave Meinert of the Michigan Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation says guards at the Marquette County facility noticed Collins missing at the 12:00 a.m. count early Tuesday. Meinert says Collins was in maximum security and the escape is being considered an ongoing prison investigation. Tracking dogs followed then lost a scent trail near a hiking trailhead over a mile away.

Collins is 60 years old, six foot one, weighs 220 pounds and has graying brown hair that is shoulder length.

The prison has an escape detail working with local law enforcement to find Collins.

UPDATE (10:30am)-Prison officials have released this image of John Norman Collins as seen in a recent jail photo:
















UPDATE (11:23am)-Police have released this image as police check cars approaching the Mackinac Bridge into the Lower Peninsula early this morning