Late night open thread

Arizona tipped U-M tonight 4-3. Michigan will play Kentucky at 2 pm tomorrow.

On a happier note the big silver thing will be at Joe Louis Arena Monday night. Those are always great nights.

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

Oh boy, awful news for Michigan baseball, Big Ten player of the year Nate Recknagel is injured and done

The Ann Arbor News is reporting Recknagel is done in this weekend's regional action. In this morning's continuation of last night's weather delayed game, first baseman Recknagel was forced to make a catch into a runner and left the game clutching his left hand.

Again, Michigan and Arizona on a cool, clear night in the 60's at 7 pm

EMU bows out of the NCAA baseball tourney with a 4-3 loss to Kentucky

EMU fought hard, even outhitting the Kentucky side 9-7 but on the left side of the ledger where it matters it was Kentucky one better today. Whereas yesterday the pitching gave up too many runs, today the pitching was excellent. Matt Shoemaker went 7 and a third strong innings giving up 7 hits, striking out 4 and walking only 1. EMU's offense was paced by Steve Bradshaw and Jeff Davis. Senior Andrew Albers was most effective in relief for Kentucky. Eastern finishes up the 2008 campaign with a 25-34 record and back to back MAC crowns.

So Kentucky's Wildcats await the loser of tonight's 7 pm tilt between Michigan and Arizona. That'll be the first game on the morrow.

Hey party cats and kittens, don't forget you're grooving to the Ypsitucky Colonels tonight

The Corner Brewery tonight, the Colonels will be on stage from around 8:30 to 11:30 with what Colonel Will assures us will be a couple of awesome sets. Something about the water in Washtenaw County agrees with the Ypsitucky Colonels and their set lists.

Actually the fun kicks off at 2 pm today at the Corner Brewery as they celebrate their Terrible Twos Anniversary Blowout. The Corner Brewery website can be found here

Eastern Michigan men's athletics wins coveted Reese Trophy

Not to be confused with say the Reese Witherspoon Trophy Wife Award, this was awarded to EMU men's athletics by the Mid American Conference for having the TOP MENS ATHLETIC PROGRAM in the MAC. Athletic Director Dr. Derrick Gragg had this to say about the award:

"Eastern Michigan University has one of the most comprehensive athletic programs in the Mid-American Conference, therefore, it takes a tremendous amount of time, effort and hard work to accomplish such a feat as winning the Reese Trophy. I commend our coaches and student-athletes for this outstanding achievement."

The win is the fourth for Eastern Michigan. They also won last year.

"Green and white is the new pink"

Late night open thread

Well, the Eastern Michigan baseball team played bravely but didn't get the key outs when they needed them and gave up far too many big innings in a 13-7 loss to Arizona this afternoon. EMU was down 5-0 before rallying to a 6-5 lead. EMU just couldn't seem to get Arizona hitters out at the right time to stay ahead or keep it close. EMU will play the loser of the SUSPENDED game between Michigan and Kentucky, which Michigan leads 5-1 in the bottom of the 5th. Interesting scenario is this, whomever loses that game will now turn around almost immediately to play Eastern at 2 pm. The re-start will begin at 11 am.

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with ROMEO VOID!

All the way back in time to 1982 with this one. Debora Iyall, the band's lead singer and songwriter really lays done of the the great lines in rock history with 'I might like you better if we slept together'. Here is the band from San Francisco California with 'Never Say Never'.

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with YAZOO!

Yes, or Yaz, but officially this came out under the name Yazoo. Either way we're using it because it's ladies night here and we LOVE Alison Moyet's vocals on this song. In 1983 Alison signed with CBS records after Yaz had run it's course partly because she's such a Janis Joplin fan and CBS was Janis' label. Yazoo has recently reformed and is going to embark on a Reconnected world tour, this is a clip of Alison and Vince Clarke (He of Depeche Mode fame) in their first show back together and damn she still sounds great. Here is Yazoo with 'Don't Go'.

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with KELLY HOGAN!

Yep, Kelly Hogan, the best voice you've never heard. Former Pine Valley Cosmonaut, former Mellocreme, former Rock*A*Teen and sometimes Neko Case sidekick, Kelly Hogan has those delicious pipes that sound good singing country, rock or the blues. Here is the Atlanta Georgia native with 'Gone'.

A question for the powers that be in Ypsilanti

What would it take to get the Gus Macker tournament back downtown? Those were fun filled community events. Loved walking around downtown seeing everyone having fun.

Just asking.....

Why not nominate Ypsi City Desk in the 'Breastfeeding-Friendly awards'

Hey, we have, well, interns, three in fact. Two are women. They could breastfeed if they had kids and or wanted to. We're OK with that. We're not neanderthals here in the YCD palacial offices, we don't look cross at women breastfeeding. So why not make the right call and nominate Ypsi City Desk for an award.

Nomination forms can be found here, or call 734-975-6626.

You can nominate us until July 7. What are you waiting for? Get going!

James Taylor will perform at the downtown Borders on June 5. That being said...UPDATE

A hat tip to Mr Steve Pierce for hipping us to the fact this shindig has been cancelled. We could take credit for it but won't. Also you can forget the rest of this fine post except for the Borders idiot savant leadership part

Get this, all the great live performances Borders has held in house have been free. This time you need a wristband which you can get beginning at 9 am on June 5th. Here's the rub and it's a big one---you have to BUY James Taylor's new CD to get a wristband so you can go upstairs and hear the mini concert.

OK, first off, LAME. We realize James Taylor and Borders CAN do this, it doesn't make it any less lame. Secondly, what if you want to go shop for music when the 1 pm concert is going on? Are you not even allowed upstairs to shop for music and DVD's?

Look we realize the upper management has failed the company for years (this means YOU George Jones and your merry band of idiot savant board members) but this really sends a bad message. Is this the first of many "you must buy the CD before you can go upstairs" moments?

Shopping at Borders is fun, they have game in those stacks, and James Taylor is a talented guy who we like, we just think this idea is right from the song "the Last DJ" by Tom Petty:

As we celebrate mediocrity all the boys upstairs want to see
How much you’ll pay for what you used to get for free

Late night open thread

We've got this NCAA baseball regional covered. This is a big deal around here. Lots of extra folks in Tree City from out of town enjoying the flora and fauna and foie gras and Fosters, maybe some for the first time.

The Eastern Michigan baseball story can be found here with a pre game with all the trimmings. Now that's a press release. No flies on the EMU Athletic Department or SID.

The Michigan baseball coverage from MGoBlue.com can be found here. And a beautifully done PDF on the regional by Michigan's Athletic Department and SID can be found and or downloaded here

Now that's fine coverage and if that was all you got you'd be pretty pleased. But baseball fans there's more, much more on this, go see what the enemy camp is saying...

Arizona Wildcats baseball release here
Kentucky Wildcats baseball release here

EMU baseball fans, see if you can't get over to a game or two.....or three. The names of the guys who play on the inside of Oestrike Stadium did the name on the outside proud this year.

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

Ladies and Gentlemen, the Ypsitucky Colonels, local and live

Okay, the charmingly yuppified confines of the Corner Brewery might not evoke the true spirit of the northward migration of Kentuckians that resulted in the original concept of “Ypsitucky.” We admit that. But we’re not here for a history lesson, either, so let’s not get all hung up on semantics, shall we?

The fact remains that spotting the Ypsitucky Colonels in their native habitat is an all-too-rare event and one worth mentioning. So, to recap:

The Ypsitucky Colonels
@ The Corner Brewery to celebrate the Corner's Two Year Anniversary
Saturday, May 31
Two long sets from 8:30-11:30 p.m.
Free (although there will be a pitcher at door for donations to the band's Legal Defense Fund)

Get there early before that potent beer takes hold of Col. Will and makes him do things he’ll regret come Sunday morning, er … afternoon.

NCAA baseball regionals tomorrow at U-M

Buy Johnny some peanuts and Cracker Jack, we're talking college baseball and specifically the regional starting tomorrow featuring Eastern Michigan, Michigan, Kentucky and Arizona. Eastern Michigan plays Arizona's Wildcats at 2 pm and Michigan plays Kentucky's Wildcats (what, couldn't Northern Michigan have been invited too?) at 7 pm.

#1 seed Arizona actually started out ranked #2 overall at the beginning of the season. They finished 38-17 (12-12 Pac-10, fourth place). Fourth place? Seriously? And they are the #1 seed here?

#2 Michigan won the Big Ten and has Big Ten player of the Year 1B Nate Recknagel. Michigan finished 45-12 (26-5 Big Ten, first place).

#3 Kentucky who starts a Canton product, Chris Rusin, started the season at 19-0 before finishing at 42-17 (16-14 SEC, third place in East Division).

#4 Eastern Michigan started the season the opposite way of Kentucky, at 0-17 before rallying to win both the MAC West regular season title and the MAC tournament. EMU finished at 25-32 (15-8 Mid-American Conference, first place in West Division).

OK, we like Michigan to beat Kentucky. Michigan is a solid offensive team, has been playing extremely well of late, get to sleep in their own beds and play at home. We also like EMU to spring a huge upset over Arizona in game 1. Why? Simple, EMU has been tearing the hide off of the ball and if you think Eastern is going to see Arizona's top two pitchers in what to them is a walkover game, you're fooling yourself. Arizona will save their aces for later games vs teams they think will give them trouble. We're not picking EMU to come out of this region (we pick Michigan) but we DO think they can steal game 1. Incidentally this would set up a game between U-M and Eastern, their third this year, one was close, won by the Wolverines on a Nate Recknagel walkoff home run and Michigan destroyed EMU in the other. Hey, Eastern beat Arizona last year after all so why not tomorrow?

Michigan to win the region, EMU to upset Arizona in game 1. Past that you're gonna have to watch.

All games are being played at the University of Michigan's Wilpon Baseball Complex. Ticket info available HERE

You never know what you'll find online--The 1961 EMU football helmet

How is this for a historical find? Almost like football archaeology. Like Indiana Jones and the Curse of the Missing Mascot.

Enjoy, the 1961 Eastern Michigan Huron helmet...

Thursday morning open thread

Seems to be plenty to talk about around here for now. We'll be back with a look at the Eastern Michigan baseball team in Ann Arbor in the NCAA tournament team later today.

Late night open thread

Hollywood trivia night. Did you know Mike Myers was not the first choice to voice Shrek? In fact, another actor had begun doing voice work. Any ideas? Answer HERE

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

Lois Richardson D-1, um, where were you?

The City of Ypsilanti just had a pretty big vote ya might have heard. The City Council voted 4-1 to approve $274,000 to pay AATA in full for the 7 routes in an out of Ypsilanti that service 578,000 people each year, getting to and coming home from work, going shopping or other errands. Now, Brian Robb D-2 felt the city should have held out and seen what AATA was going to ask for first before committing that much money. We disagre with him on this and want the busses funded fully BUT he makes a good point, a very defensible point and one that who knows, um, Trudy Swanson and Lois Richardson could have chimed in on. But they were nowhere to be found. Now we're SURE they'd both have a good excuse for not being at one of the more important City Council meetings this year and giving the 1st Ward NO REPRESENTATION on this vote. Basically the 1st Ward had no say on this topic.

If it were us and we lived in the 1st Ward, we'd be on the phone right now finding out why they weren't there and what was so pressing they would both miss the vote.

Betcha Megan Turf wonders why too.

EDITORS NOTE--We were informed by Brian Robb that Trudy Swanson is recovering in the hospital and has a fine excuse and thusly we took her name off the headline.

We wish Trudy Swanson the fastest recovery

The best football team in Ann Arbor you don't know about

Not the Michigan Wolverines, no, the Treetown Spitfire. Now, admit you've never heard of them. They're 2-3 and coming off a BIG 12-0 victory. And they are women.

Yes, you read that correctly, the Treetown Spitfire is Ann Arbor's women's football team (in the National Women's Football Association) and they have a HOME GAME coming up June 7, vs Minnesota (probably not the Vikings). Home games are played at Ann Arbor Pioneer's Holloway Field.

The Spitfire are led by Maria Cieslikowski, Holly Horodeczny, and Sarah Sharpe.

The Spitfire website can be found HERE

Do you love EMU football? Do you also love golf? Then read on...

EMU will be holding their fifth annual golf outing Monday June 16, at teh Eagle Crest Golf Course in Cool City. The event will help support EMU football (Who is gonna win the MAC this year believe it or not) and is put on by the E-Gridiron Group. During the last two years alone the E-Gridiron Group has helped raise over $600K to help build facitilites to help Eastern Michigan level the financial playing field so to speak.

The particulars, from emueagles.com

The cost for this year’s EGG Football Golf Outing is $150 for an individual golfer and $600 per foursome. In addition, there are several sponsorship opportunities, and the dinner will feature a silent auction with numerous autographed pieces of memorabilia. For more information on the event or to register for the outing, please contact EMU Director of Football Operations Matt Patterson at 734.487.3420.

Late night open thread

If your birthday is today you share it with "Wild Bill" Hickok, Henry Kissinger and Siouxsie Sioux. Also on this day, in 1660 Denmark & Sweden signed a ceasefire. Thank God for that. That was getting way out of hand.

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

Keep an eye on your garden and plants tonight--FROST ADVISORY

It's gonna get cold out there. There IS a FROST ADVISORY tonight from midnight until 8 am Wednesday. Temps could reach record levels of 34-38º by dawn.

Two local reminders to keep your guard up

An attempted abduction and a pickpocket incident should serve as reminders to be very careful of your surroundings. In Ypsilanti a woman at 219 Pearl street bent down to check the air in her tires when a man pulled up in a van, and at gunpoint ordered her inside. She refused, he got distracted and she bolted. The van is dark green in color.

In Ann Arbor a woman was walking in the 300 block of Maynard Street at 1:15 in the afternoon Friday, when she was bumped into by a group of men. She soon noticed her wallet missing from her purse and police arrived, caught up to the group, and found her wallet in their posession. The idiots arrested were a 19-year-old Westland man and 18-year-old Taylor man.

Eastern Michigan AND U-M both start the NCAA baseball tourney Friday, in Ann Arbor

More on this later in the week but the four team in Ann Arbor this weekend's regional action are #1 Arizona who will play #4 seed EMU at 2 pm Friday and #2 seed Michigan vs #3 seed Kentucky at 7 pm. Winners play winners and losers play losers in this double elimination event.

Late night open thread

Watch your plants, could get frosty Tuesday night.

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

Happy Memorial Day!

You've got things to do, we have things to do but let's make sure we remember today. Consider it Thanksgiving in May.

Late night open thread

Memorial Day Eve edition. And since it is, we're going to honor their service with a great movie clip cause trust us, you don't want to see the real clips of war on YouTube. This here is war with Oscar winners, all cool and stuff. Here's a cornerstone of battle scenes on film from Apocalypse Now. Language, death, blood, it's all here, be ye warned.


Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

Memorial Day doings around Ypsilanti

Of course there is the wonderful Ypsilanti Memorial Day parade which starts at 9 am at the corner of Michigan Avenue and Huron Street. It will proceed up Huron to Cross Street and from Cross to River Street. Bands from Ypsi High, Willow Run and Lincoln will perform, along with a flyover, Civil War actors, The Daughters of the American Revolution, and Gold Star mothers.

Also at the Yankee Air Museum at Willow Run Airport, a pancake breakfast that will run 8 to 11 a.m., followed by a hot dog lunch. According to the Ann Arbor News the day at the Yankee Air Museum will include:

"At 8:30 and 9:30 a.m., a presentation of the Willow Run story and the past and future plans of the Yankee Air Museum will run, and a model of the World War II bomber plant will be on display all day."

Also of note at the Yankee Air Museum will be a chance to meet former astronaut Jack Lousma. There will also be a $1 dollar raffle to win a flight to Ann Arbor and back in a Stearman G2 World War II biplane.

Late night open thread

4-0 Red Wings in game one of the Final does the soul good. Welcome to reality Penguin fans. The teams you'd been beating out east the Wings would have beaten in three games.

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

Eastern Michigan baseball--MAC CHAMPIONS!! NCAA Tounament here we come!

EMU started the season 0-17. That's not very good ya know? 0-17. Cripes. But it's not how ya start, it's how you finish and EMU won the MAC West regular season crown and by merit of a 12-4 pasting of Kent State, they have won the MAC Tournament title as well and are off to the NCAA Tournament. Eastern won their fourth tournament title and first since 2003. Eastern skipper Jake Boss becomes only the second MAC head coach to win the title in their first year. Zack Leonard hit a home run so hard it almost knocked the scoreboard over.

Eastern Michigan will await the NCAA tournament show on ESPN2 tomorrow at 7 pm to find out their fate.

ROCK ON!

You can tell the economy is in the crapper--Yet ANOTHER bank robbery

What is this the fourth in a couple months?

The National City Bank at 3252 Washtenaw near Huron Parkway, was robbed around 1:15 pm Friday by a man who walked in, and demanded money. Most importantly nobody was hurt.

The thief is described by police as male, black with a dark complexion, about 6 feet tall and had a stocky build. He wore round frame prescription glasses and had a light gray goatee/beard, black baseball cap, a tan quilted jacket and blue jeans.

Late night open thread

Oh lordy, do not spend money, hard earned scratch on the new Indiana Jones movie. Discerning people can disagree on aspects of a film but this one stinks outloud in so many levels.

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with SNEAKER PIMPS!

Named after a mention of a sneaker pimp in a Beastie Boys interview, Sneaker Pimps formed in 1995 in Hartlepool England. The sassy kitten singing is Kelli Dayton who was asked to leave the band shortly after this track was released. The band wanted one of the guys to sing.

Uh huh, and how's that working out?

Sneaker Pimps, 'Six Underground'

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with TALKING HEADS!

We haven't seen the Talking Heads around these parts in quite a while. Here's a dapper David Byrne singing 'Girlfriend is Better' from the flick Stop Making Sense.

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with FRANKA POTENTE!

Yeah yeah, the actress Franka Potente. The Bourne Movies, Blow and of course the 'Citizen Kane of music videos', Run Lola Run. This video is taken from that movie, or more accurately filmed in addition to the movie. Franka was dating the film's director Tom Tykwer, he cast her in the role of Lola quite intentionally and felt it would propel her to stardom. Tykwer also refused to allow anyone else to create a soundtrack for a movie he'd also written so he wrote one of his own. The whole techno heart thumping soundtrack which, Johnny would argue, is one of cinema's best ever.

Did ya know then, Run Lola Run was spoofed on the Simpsons with Lisa playing Lola.

Here is Franka Potene with 'Believe'

So, did you see Drew Barrymore here in Ypsilanti?

Apparently, some citizens saw Ms. Barrymore scouting locations for a new roller derby movie she may be looking to film here. Do you have a Drew Barrymore story to share? Want to invent one?

Memorial Day Friday--you going anywhere or are gas prices keeping you close to home?

Gas prices keeping you around town this weekend? Are you planning a "staycation" this year because of them?

Tell us

Late night open thread

Which rock star was reading 'The Scientific Search For Jesus' when they died? Answer HERE

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

OK, this ONE time we're gonna talk about Belleville...Olympic Demolition Derby tryouts in Belleville Friday

The newest Olympic medal sport, Demolition Derby is having tryouts this Monday at the Sumpter Country Fest. A SIXTY car demolition derby with LOCAL drivers, meaning Michigan drivers, meaning the best drivers. SIXTY cars laying that Detroit steel on each other.

Friday night it all starts with a 7:30 ENDURO DERBY which is a cross between motocross and demolition derby. It sounds fantastic but it doesn't sound like anybody is gonna go for the gold in this in China.

The corner of Sumpter and Dunn is where you need to be IN YOUR SEAT READY TO SCREAM by 6 pm Monday and 7:30 pm tomorrow. Adults are two Abes and two Georges. Kidlings only four measley dollars and you can find that in your couch.

Sumpter Country Fest, you'll pay for the whole seat, but you'll only need the edge...

Splish Splash, Rutherford Pool opens tomorrow!

Yes, we realize the temperature (we have a handy weather satellite hook up on the side of the blog) isn't exactly sweltering, but it IS Memorial Day weekend and the Rutherford Pool, located at 975 N. Congress right here in Cool City, is open for business. Hours are 6-8pm and if you can, try to help out the Friends of Rutherford Pool who are collecting money to build a new pool. June 14th said Friends of Rutherford Pool are holding a fundraiser, details to follow.

Call pool with questions. Pool have phone 734-482-4401

It is not, it's from Caddyshack

New AATA commuter bus now running between Chelsea and Ann Arbor

So, gas prices got ya down bunky? Do you live in Chelsea and commute to Ann Arbor? Well then, your prayers have been answered. A new bus service running twice in the morning from Chelsea to A2 and twice in the afternoon from A2 to Chelsea have started up.

Here are the bus particulars (including the cost) from the AATA:
Morning
*First bus leaves Arctic Coliseum ice arena in Chelsea at 6:09 a.m. and stops at Huron and Ashley streets at 6:33 a.m., Huron Street and Fifth Avenue at 6:34 a.m., Huron and Fletcher streets at 6:37 a.m. and Ann and Observatory streets at 6:40 a.m.

*Second bus leaves the Arctic Coliseum at 7:08 a.m. and stops at Huron and Ashley streets at 7:36 a.m., Huron Street and Fifth Avenue at 7:37 a.m., Huron and Fletcher streets at 7:42 a.m. and Ann and Observatory streets at 7:45 a.m.

Afternoon
*First bus leaves Huron and Fletcher streets at 3:44 p.m. and stops at Ann and Observatory streets at 3:47 p.m., Huron Street and Fifth Avenue at 3:50 p.m., Huron and Ashley streets at 3:51 p.m. and the Arctic Coliseum at 4:15 p.m.

*Second bus leaves Huron and Fletcher streets at 5:12 p.m. and stops at Ann and Observatory streets at 5:15 p.m., Huron Street and Fifth Avenue at 5:19 p.m., Huron and Ashley streets at 5:20 p.m. and Arctic Coliseum at 5:44 p.m.

Free parking is available at the Arctic Coliseum ice arena. There's a free, two-week trial period for taking the bus, after which an introductory monthly pass is available for $125. Complete information is available at the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority Web site.

A pretty strange understanding of 'respect'

Two locals are on their way to prison, forever, because someone didn't want to lose something that's not even tangible, respect. Kyron D. Benson, 20, of Ypsilanti Township shot Stephanie McClure five times, killing her, because he didn't want to lose 'respect' in the neighborhood over a stolen laptop, an old video game console and a pair of shoes which weren't even his. McClure stole the items from her old roomate, Paula Rena Bennett, who is now also on her way to prison forever.

Respect, Benson didn't want to lose respect over things that weren't even his. First off this assumes Benson HAD any respect in said neighborhood. Secondly, what kind of warped mindset does someone employ who thinks somebody needs to die for taking electronics? We will NOT excuse a mindset such as this. Never. This is in no way justified or excusable, no matter what was taken.

See what kind of respect you get in prison Kyron, our guess is you're about to be passed around like an old video game console.

And for what?

So earlybirds, what's your take on the new Indiana Jones movie?

Tell us oh early adopters of movies, is it better than the last offering? "Indiana Bob and the Flying Chair?"

Late night open thread

Pittsfield Township police said today they have forwarded charges against parents in the now infamous 'booze bus' case of the century of the week. Police are seeking charges under the following statutes: 'misdemeanor charges for violating state liquor law and any other changes that might apply".

Punishment can range from 20 years in Leavenworth to a paddling.

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

Et tu, Ypsi High lacrosse?

After the moonery by the Ann Arbor Huron High School lacrosse team, which seemed to cause so much economic downturn in Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti High School administrators have forfeited a lacrosse match by Ypsi High to Grosse Ile and the cancelled of the remainder of their season. Players say this is but another case of overreaction by higher ups (the tipping point was the duct taping of a freshman players hands and feet who then lost balance, fell and hurt their wrist), the school says it's only one incident in a laundry list of 'incidents' with the Ypsi High lacrosse team, including vandalism to a bus used for an away trip.

We don't know for sure who is right, we suspect it's a little of both. But what is it with the lacrosse teams around town and this impish behavior? Spring Fever? Yeah, we'll buy that.

Michigan's Nate Recknagel named Big Ten player of the year

Kudos and huzzahs to Michigan's Nate Recknagel, Big Ten baseball player of the year. Nate has been putting up stupid good numbers this season; a .381 average, 23 home runs, 68 RBI's and 9 doubles.

Just an amazing season by Nate and a well earned accolade.

Late night open thread

Tonight, the genius of Eddie Izzard, and a language warning, as he explains world religion.


Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

Pittsburgh Penguins hockey, really popular since the 2005 draft!

Now we're sure there are some people who enjoy watching Cindy Crosby, we're not one of them. We'd rather watch the better players, the ones in Detroit. The ones who play for the franchise that didn't snivel and cry like babies over the way the old NHL was run.....like Pissburgh. Men of steel, yeah right

Again, Pittsburgh Penguins hockey, real popular since the 2005 draft.

New details have emerged in the death of Clifton Lee Jr at the hands of Washtenaw County Sheriff Deputies

The Ann Arbor News has new information on the case against three Washtenaw County sheriffs who, depending upon your point of view, either used excessive force resulting in the needless death of Clifton Lee Jr., OR were simply carrying out their sworn duties. Sgt. Shawn Hoy and Deputy Eric Kelly and Joseph Eberle MAY have their trials delayed but all charges stem from this case. Sheriff's Deputy Aaron Hendricks who also was on the scene is not being charged and is expected to be a prosecution witness

Dash video, witness testimony, and charges and counter charges in a rather in-depth and lengthy A2 News story found HERE.

A sordid case that the county has already settled a civil case over, for 4 million dollars.

Your thoughts?

Louie DePalma's been losing at the track, Ann Arbor cab fare to go up

Ann Arbor Cirty Council gave the OK to raise rates for taxi's around town. According to the Ann Arbor News the rate increases will unfold thusly:

The initial charge will increase from $2.50 to $3 for the first 1/7th of a mile.

The charge for subsequent 1/7th of a mile increments will also increase and a temporary 25 cents surcharge per trip added.

What does a yellow light mean?

Late night open thread

Johnny was never worried about the Red Wings, never had a doubt. On to the Finals, where the March of the Penguins comes to a brick wall stop in 5 games.

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

We warned you of this 826michigan robot invasion!

And now, well now the robots have assimilated and joined us. They are blending in and will be voting in no time. Here are a couple found walking around Ann Arbor...Oh why didn't we listen to agents Scully and Mulder?

RIP Hawkins Place BBQ

A fire has caused over $100,000 in damage to Hawkins Place BBQ restaurant at 97 Spring St. Ypsilanti firefighters began battling the blaze about 3:30pm and needed the assistance of the Pittsfield Twp and Ann Arbor fire departments. Ypsilanti Fire Capt. Dan Cain said the damage would have been worse but for the fact the building was made of 'constructed block'.

Don't forget, 'Bike Ypsi' meets tonight

Bike Ypsi will be holding their general meeting from 7:30-8:30 pm tonight at 1015 N Congress at the Ypsilanti Senior Center.

Bike Ypsi on the web

Late night open thread

Eastern Michigan's baseball team will open the Mid American Conference tournament Wednesday in Chillicothe, Ohio. #2 seed EMU will play the sissy Broncos from WMU, the #7 seed.

First pitch 12:30, first Eastern Michigan home run, shortly thereafter.

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

Can we make the woodpecker the official Ypsilanti city bird?

For the last few springs, Johnny has noticed a preponderance of woodpeckers in his neighborhood. Early in the morning, mid afternoon, even in the evening the wonderful sound of the woodpecker tapping off his hunt for food, echoes through the neighborhood. This year there sure seem to be more of them and that's a good thing.

So, can we make the woodpecker the unofficial official city bird?

Late night open thread

The Eastern Michigan men's track team took second in the MAC Championships, finishing one point out of first. Johnny has a couple 'associates' on their way to the judges homes right not now to make sure there were no scoring errors they might want to correct.

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

An amazing story about a local Ypsilanti boy, only 11, who saved his family in harrowing car ride

Just a brilliant and amazing story about Michael Ramsey-Viezaga, an 11 year old Ypsilanti hero, who when thrust into a very scary and dangerous position did what he had to do. His grandmother was driving and had a stroke while doing so, and Michael had to wrest control of the car going the wrong way at times.

Take a few minutes and read his story in the Ann Arbor News HERE

Late night open thread

The Eastern Michigan baseball team clinched their second straight MAC West championship. EMU is guaranteed no worse than a #2 seed in the upcoming MAC tournament and with another win can clinch the overall #1 seed. Fantastic job by first year skipper Jake Boss Jr. Eastern was picked to do no better than fifth in the preseason poll, instead they're champions with bigger fish yet to fry.

Eastern Michigan University Baseball--2008 MAC West Champions

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with PETER GABRIEL!

Genesis founder Peter Gabriel doesn't get nearly enough credit for being one of rock's more flamboyant characters. People know the Sledgehammer type videos and consider him a video age product. Oh, kids. Peter Gabriel was Elton John before there was an Elton John. He was the New York Dolls before they showed up on the scene. Crazy theatrical costumes, long often strange stories in between songs, he was quite an originator.

Here is Peter Gabriel with 'Digging in the Dirt'. Johnny loves the snarl in his voice in this song, the sheer venom of it is aces.

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with PETE TOWNSEND!

Yes, we could have gone with The Who's version of Baba O'Reilly. It's out there, it's awfully damned good but we're choosing this clip, one where Pete Townsend sings it and you get an extremely delicious treat at the end. Her name is Debbie Lester, she's incredible. Brings the audience to their feet she does.

Here's Pete Townsend from a show he played a lot of his Lifehouse project on, with Baba O'Reilly

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with CHEAP TRICK!

Johnny saw Cheap Trick when they were on top of the world in 1979 at the height of the Budokan rage with KISS at the Pontiac Silverdome with his buddy "Paco" and 80,000 of their closest friends and some asshat threw a bottle at Rick Nielsen and hit him in the head. Like the trooper he is, Rick came back out to finish an amazing show for a very appreciative crowd. Bun E. Carlos, the drummer with the cool cigarette dangle going? He stole that from Colonel Will.

Here's Cheap Trick with 'I Want You to Want Me' from 1978 on the Old Grey Whistle Test

BREAKING NEWS--Robots to invade Ann Arbor this weekend!

But they're good kinds of robots, both human and, well robots. These robots will be helping 826michigan, a local non-profit group who helps kids with their creative writing skills via workshops and tutoring and the like. 826michigan also helps teachers inspire students to write.

The robots will be found wandering around Tree City without ANY human handlers (but feel free to feed the robots). These robots will have escaped from the Liberty Street Robot Supply & Repair, located at 115 East Liberty. Drop in at Liberty Street Robot Supply & Repair for the best in both human robots and the real kind.

On a related note, 826michigan will have a table at the Ann Arbor Book Festival this weekend in Kerrytown.

If you could have dinner with 3 people, living or dead, who would you choose?

We've been dealing with some important issues here this week so let's take a few minutes to have some fun reflection. If you could have dinner with ANY three people, alive or dead (yes we KNOW, but it's all in fun), who would be at your table?

Famous, not famous, infamous, it's YOUR call

Lester Bates, sir, you ROCK!

Lester Bates, an employee of Motawi Tileworks in Scio Township, and who was born and raised here in Ypsilanti, did something VERY nice for his community recently. Lester had saved over $1,300 in Motawi company coupons. The Ypsilanti City Library had previously been looking to add a tile mural made by Motawi Tileworks of a young girl sitting under a tree reading a book. That mural however cost $2,600 dollars the library just didn't have to spend.

Lester Bates, who spends a lot of time at the library, decided to cash in his company coupons and Motawi family picked up the rest of the cost AND paid to have the mural framed and mounted and hung in the Ypsilanti Library. It is now in the children's section of the library.

A tremendous tip of the YCD cap to both Lester Bates AND Motawi Tileworks.

You can view the image HERE (An Ann Arbor News photographer took the shot and we want Lon Horwedel to get credit)

Late night open thread

Is today your birthday? You share it with Wizard of Oz author L. Frank Baum. The L stands for Lyman.

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

Former Eastern Michigan defensive back signs with Cleveland

Whadda ya know, Johnny checks out the news on his beloved Cleveland Browns to find out Jereme Perry has signed on. Perry is out of Saginaw and began at EMU in 2000, was injured and bounced back strong from what we remember to be a ruptured spleen. He was named EMU's most improved DB in 2003. He finished his Eastern Michigan football career with 121 tackles, 58 solo and 3 forced fumbles.

Perry spent last season with the Miami Dolphins but did play 2006 with the Browns, recording 12 tackles and recovering one fumble.

Ann Arbor schools worry about racial gap in school suspensions

OK, we're gonna catch HELL for this but here goes.

Ann Arbor schools are focusing on a racial gap in suspensions handed out to students who do something to get a suspension. Our question is WHY is this statistic even kept? Who keeps 'score'? We're of the opinion if you do something suspension worthy, it shouldn't matter what color you are, go deal with your days off. At that point it's a PERSONAL issue, Jimmy Smith or Susie Jones was suspended for X. We should be worrying how MANY times Jimmy Smith gets suspended NOT whether Jimmy is black, white or green. Are there two check boxes on the suspension form for name AND race?

Here are the numbers:

...black students received more than half of all suspensions handed out in both the 2005-06 school year (54.5 percent) and the 2006-07 school year (55.7 percent). In those years, black students made up less than 15 percent of the district's student body...

But to hear school board President Karen Cross speak it IS important to care about what race a misbehaving kid is (and we think THAT perpetuates stereotypes):

"The numbers don't lie, we've made limited progress."

In WHAT exactly? Telling kids what?

If you do something SO STUPID that the school thinks they NEED to suspend you, your skin color matters not. IF you are suspending them BECAUSE they are black, you have NO PLACE in our school systems, it's that simple.

Flame away...

Ruth Jamnick vs Brenda Stumbo, who ya got?

It appears to the be the most hyped early contest if not the most intriguing. So minions, campaign advisors, fans, frienemies, and digusted voting populace, who ya got? Tell YCD why one would be better than the other...

Late night open thread

Cartoon trivia night...

What did Charlie Brown's father do for a living? Answer HERE

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

So, citizens, you looking forward to any summer blockbuster movies?

Indiana Jones? Sex and the City? Batman part pi? Tell us movie mavens, the balcony is open...

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream....just not at the Dairy Queen on Packard

YCD was going over some restaurant info in the Ann Arbor News on local restaurant inspections. Most did very very well. The Fleetwood only had 2 critical violations. SO, when your restaurant is deemed twice as skeevy as the Fleetwood, it's time for us tell the general public. The Dairy Queen on Packard (not nearly as cool as the Dairy Queen on Michigan Avenue) had four critical violations. Now, you may or may not think that's a bad thing, after all you say, it's just a Blizzard or soft serve cone. Is it?

From the Ann Arbor News report:
Critical violations: The spray nozzle hung too low into the sink. The facility had several areas that were unclean: The previous night's tongs used to handle hot dogs; the can opener tip had hair/fuzz and older food debris; a front counter blending machine had food debris from the previous night; food surfaces needed to be cleaned, sanitized (corrected). Chili was stored at an improper temperature. The bulk misty syrup container had debris floating in it (corrected).

Ewwww, hair on the can opener? Floaters in the syrup? Yikes....

Late night open thread

Not just baseball, Eastern Michigan baseball, thank you.

Eastern scored 4 runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to get power up and win the game vs Oakland U's Gizzards at the venerable Oestrike Stadium 8-7. Jeff Davis got the big hit for Eastern to win it. If it's better to be lucky than good EMU was both as they committed 5 errors and still made their breaks at the end.

They can also clinch a second straight MAC West title this weekend. The Ypsilanti 9 hold a game and a half lead over Northern Illinois and a three game lead over Ball State with just three to play. EMU is in Mt. Boring this weekend for three games against Central Michigan. The way we see it, suppose you wrap things up on Friday or Saturday, YCD would say go get drunk (Legal team insisting we print 'only if of age') and hit the casino. Sometimes ya gotta celebrate. Plus maybe that'll be the night George Clooney and Brad Pitt rob it.

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

Ypsilanti man to challenge John Dingell

John J. Lynch, from right here in Cool City, is going to run against the Democratic Pope of Congress, John Dingell. Lynch is running under the Republican colors. Mr. Lynch, we have a pretty good idea how this turns out but we love the defiance you launch your bid with.

(Updated 2:50 pm) Pittsfield Township police investigating possible homicide in Glencoe Hills

A possible homicide is being investigated by Pittsfield Township Police along with the Michigan State Police. Police have cordoned off sections of the 2100 block of Glencoe Hills Drive

As usual, police say it's early but there APPEARS to be no immediate danger to residents there.


UPDATE: The resident's address was 2133 and the person who was killed was a victim of a stabbing. Police say the victim's name and age have not yet been determined.

Fireworks to return over Ford Lake? Sounds like it

With a $20,000 donation from Lake Shore Apartments, all that stands between a July 2nd fireworks show over Ford Lake in Ypsilanti Township is the township board's approval. That meeting is scheduled to be held today. The Township plans to hire on enough State Police and Washtenaw County Sheriff deputies to cover crowd control.

When the fireworks over Ford Lake were dropped 4 years ago, it had become the second biggest fireworks show in Michigan, with upwards of 100,000 people attending.

Late night open thread

Tomorrow night would be a real good night to eat in Depot Town, Specifically Frenchie's. Tuesday night fifty percent of all the food and beverage money and HEY, get this, ALL THE TIPS are going to help restore the Ypsilanti Freight House. Friends of the Ypsilanti Freighthouse are stepping up in a big way on this and you can restart your diet on Wednesday but tomorrow, we're eating at Frenchie's, capice?

"When I read about the evils of drinking, I gave up reading"
--Henny Youngman

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

Saline High Varsity Lacrosse coach was on the 'booze bus'

Parents SHOULD know better, faculty and staff HAVE to know better.

Saline High School has suspended first year lacrosse coach John Harris who was seen with parents on the sensationally named 'booze bus'. He was allegedly seen consuming adult beverages on said bus.

Saline Athletic Director Rob White described the situation as a "wrong place, wrong time" situation.

Fair enough, things sound like they are moving along on this no need to pile on, but the situation continues to unfold. Besides we have all summer to pile on while there are no university sports to cover.

New Rules: Bill Maher to play the Michigan Theater August 15

HBO host and sometimes stand up comic Bill Maher will perform at the Michigan Theater on August 15th at 8 bells. Tickets will be $55 and $45.

Uptight religious folk, and right wing kooks need not apply.

CALLER: "Hi. Well, my question is, the Lord spoke to me approximately three years ago, and if the Lord spoke to you, I was wondering if you'd become a believer."

MAHER: "No, I'd check into Bellevue, which is what you should do..."

Police still seeking help in solving the Lindsay Graygo case

We will never let this one go. Somebody has to be the driving force behind keeping this on the front burner and that's YCD.

Washtenaw County Sheriff officers still need your help in the February 19th (or so) murder of Lindsay. She lived in the Lake Shore apartments in Ypsilanti Township. She worked at Splash Universe, in Dundee. Her purse and keys were stolen and there is STILL a $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. There was no forced entry meaning most likely the person who killed her didn't alarm her at the door, she may have known them on some level.

SOMEBODY knows something out there, and you can drop a tip off here and WE will send it along. We will. If it works we'll make sure YOU get the reward money (we're honest like that).

Email Johnny at the address here or call 734-973-7711, please, for Lindsay

So, what's YOUR take on the new Eastern Michigan President Susan Martin?

Your thoughts? Good? Bad? Indifferent? Glad it's a woman? Right person right time?

Tell us

Late night open thread

The ark ran aground and some animals got loose. Be alert for two rhinos in the greater Dixboro/Geddes area.

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

Susan Martin named new President at Eastern Michigan University

Susan Martin will be named as the next president of Eastern Michigan University, the Board of Regents have announced. Martin is currently provost and vice chancellor of the University of Michigan-Dearborn.

Martin will be the very first woman president in the entire 159 year history of EMU. Susan Martin also joins Mary Sue Coleman as a female President of a Division 1 university right here in Washtenaw County. Mother's Day indeed.

The official vote by the Regents will be at 9 am Welch Hall on Wednesday and that meeting is open to the public.

We here at the YCD wish Susan Martin nothing but the best in her endeavors at Eastern. She'll be a welcome addition and a breath of fresh air.

Giant Ark caught under US-23 bridge over Huron River

Could this day suck any more if it had lips? What kind of world is this where a man cannot plant tomato and pepper plants in the good earth without making rich nutrient filled dirt mudpies? Stupid nature.

Without the expressed written consent of the National Hockey League

No commissioner's office no nothing. Here's a very short clip of former U-M standout goalie Marty Turco making a save last night.

Late night open thread

Boy, those Ypsi City Desk corporate tickets for the Red Wings sure are great. And the food always tastes better when they win. Oh, and Mike Ribeiro is a jackass.

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

Saturday open thread

So much to do so little time here at the YCD offices today. Feel free to speak your mind, Johnny will be, from 10 rows up over one of the face off dots tonight.

Viva Ypsilanti!

Late night open thread

Tomorrow afternoon is supposed to be 64º and sunny and the FIRST PLACE Eastern Michigan baseball team is at Oestrike Stadium for a 3 o'clock post meridian ballgame. Show 'em some love.

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with NEKO CASE!

Haunting. Brilliant. Turn the lights down low, get settled and let this masterpiece take over your system. From the album of the same name, here is Neko Case and Her Boyfriends with 'Furnace Room Lullaby' also found on the soundtrack of the movie 'The Gift' (which you don't HAVE to see as Katie Holmes is in it).

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with R.E.M!

Ah yes, Dan Rather's favorite band. Michael Stipe met band-mate-in-waiting Peter Buck in an Athens Georgia record store Buck was working at. As Stipe recalls he was buying all the records Buck was saving for himself.

Here is R.E.M., and a Greek mythology lesson, with 'Losing My Religion'

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with SMASHING PUMPKINS!

One of Johnny's all time favorite bands. Did you know when the Smashing Pumpkins temporarily kicked drummer Jimmy Chamberlain out of the band for drugs problems, it was because he may have been the one who supplied a deadly dose of heroin to touring keyboard player Jonathan Melvoin in 1996? Melvoin was also the brother of Prince band member Wendy Malvoin, yes, of Wendy and Lisa fame.

Here's the Smashing Pumpkins with 'Ava Adore'

Is the University of Michigan preparing to pay off Rich Rodriguez's lawsuit with West Virginia? All 4 MILLION dollars of it? Read on

Now, Rich Rod's accountant, some schlub named David A. Hammack, out of Maumee, Ohio, said if Rodriguez loses his case against West Virginia (and that's looking increasingly likely) the University of Michigan should simply pay his court losses.

Some balls huh?

But wait, let's hear from Michigan officials:

Representative Bruce Madej said in an e-mail he could not "say for certain" athletic director Bill Martin has ruled out making such a payment for Rodriguez.

And "Michigan officials did not deny that possibility exists".

So just to keep the idiot football coach happy, and pay off his stupidity with West Virginia, you're willing to extract 4 MILLION dollars from SOMEWHERE at U-M to cover his ass?

Wonder how much tutiton increases will be after this takes place...

A FINE example some parents set in Saline

Hey, you wanna help chaperone the prom, GOOD parental involvement. Well planned. It appears SOME parents who had paid for some kind of bus to transport their kids to and from prom safely (again, good thinking) let the goodwill go right to hell by jumping on said bus after the kids went inside to the prom and turned it into the BOOZE BUS. Yep, as many as a couple dozen parents sat in the bus outside, on school property, drinking beer. To make matters worse, one kid inside, busted for booze had been on the bus earlier. It's too early to tell if this student got beer while the parents were living 'the High Life' but it's under investigation.

Hey, parents, you all helped set up the draconian systems of ZERO TOLERANCE for so many things in life. Here's hoping that comes back to bite you all in the ass.

Accordng to Superintendent Scot Graden:

"They (the students) are embarrassed by this"

They should be, the parents are being investigated for violating state liquor laws that prohibit alcohol consumption on school grounds, misdemeanor charges.

What was the #1 song when you were born?

Thanks to the magical internets you can now check what the #1 song was at the time you were born. Simply click HERE, work their magic and report back and let us know (unless you feel it would date you too much).

Late night open thread

We're gonna give the last word on tonight's Red Wings dominant 4-1 victory over Dallas to Jasper:

"That's a paddlin..."

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

2008 Michigan Football Schedule

After Charlie 'Front Butt' Weis' comments yesterday from the depths of South Bend we realized it's never too early to plan those tailgate parties. Michigan is facing a little bit of an uphill climb this year. You can see they dropped Eastern Michigan after last year's 33-22 game ;)

Aug. 30 Utah
Sept. 6 Miami (OH.)
Sept. 13 at Notre Dame
Sept. 27 Wisconsin* (#15)
Oct. 4 Illinois* (#12)
Oct. 11 Toledo
Oct. 18 at Penn State*
Oct. 25 Michigan State (#23)
Nov. 1 at Purdue*
Nov. 8 at Minnesota*
Nov. 15 Northwestern*
Nov. 22 at Ohio State* (#1)

New Main St. seafood joint and martini bar to open

It must be foodie day here at Ypsi City Desk. A new martini and seafood bar, named Black Pearl (really?!) has announced they are looking for good help. The location is the old kinda skeevy Subway (Subway was kinda dirty and run down inside, not the location) right next to Coffee Inc, Starbucks.

So for all of you looking for yet another Main Street after work (or during work) watering hole, this may be right up your alley.

Johnny plays food critic--Cafe Habana, you'd think they could make a decent Cuban sammich

Johnny LOVES Cuban sandwiches. Loves them, if done right they are flavorful, juicy and have a mixture of some great tastes. The pork and ham and pickles and in some places salami and or turkey should be bursting with a flavorful experience. Sadly, at Cafe Habana, it's almost as if McDonald's had started serving McCuban Sandwiches. Johnny has had FOUR Cubans from Cafe Habana, hoping against hope they NEXT one would be better.

It seems like that's just not going to happen. The bread is most often stale, and the ingredients that should be bursting out from the bread seems somehow compressed, and flat tasting, very bland in fact. The meat itself tastes unseasoned and hardly noticeable.

Johnny cannot stand a bland sandwich and the Cuban sandwich from Cafe Habana is one you too can steer clear of.

Late night open thread

Brian Filipaik isn't running for another term on city council throwing the third ward wide open. Ypsi City Desk gladly accepts 'tributes' to help get top billing around here. We already have a traffic copter.

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

Beautiful view of our fair city compliments of the Ypsi City Desk Traffic Copter

How about this one boys and girls, taken from HIGH ABOVE Ypsilanti by Captain Kenny in the YCD Traffic Copter.

And the winners are...

Ypsilanti:
School Board winners were Sarah Devaney, Edward Jackson and Kira Berman. Ypsilanti also voted yes on a millage renewal on nonhomestead property.

Willow Run:
School board winners were Mark Wilde and Dorothy Stewart.

Lincoln:
The .25 millage increase failed by a vote of 736 to 656.

Ann Arbor:
Helen Gates-Bryant won re-election to the Ann Arbor school board. All three millage proposals passed.

Dexter:
By a vote of 1589 votes to 799, the Dexter bond proposal passed.

Saline:
Lisa Slawson and Chuck Lesch were both elected to the Saline School Board.

York Township:
The public safety millage passed by a vote of 573 to 410

Late night open thread

A few partial election returns tonight. The Lincoln millage appears doomed. The Ann Arbor millage is trending yes. In the Ypsilanti School Board races Sarah Devaney and Edward Jackson lead for the full terms while Kira Berman is leading in the race for the partial term.

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

60's rock legends Roger McGuinn and John Sebastian will play the Michigan Theater

That's right hep cats and kittens of all ages. Come one come all to see two rock and rollin legends, Roger McGuinn of the Byrds and John Sebastian of Lovin' Spoonful. Tickets for this event will go on sale Saturday at 9 bells at "We can't believe this is somehow still legal Ticketmaster locations". Or, feel free to call Hades directly for tickets at 248-645-6666.

Ticket prices have not yet been announced.

Some of the younger readers should now partake of Googling and or YouTube research. Yep, square glasses.

The Ann Arbor 'chicken ordinance' gets the go ahead to advance

Over the objections of two members, the Ann Arbor City Council voted to hold public hearings on the possibility of keeping up to four hens, with proper fencing and shelter for the chickens and tacit approval from nearby neighbors.

We find this interesting, amusing, but in a way, we can also see that the next door neighbor who may not want to live near chickens, could be cast as the 'heavy' in all this (As Mayor John Hieftje who we dog on a lot brought to light, very correctly). "Everything was fine until my jackass neighbor said no". So we'll keep watching, and listening to those on both sides and see where this goes.

We DO wonder the press this might get in mmmm, say the Columbus Post-Dispatch as Ann Arbor becomes "Chicken Town"...

Late night open thread

The Eastern Michigan Men's golf team won the MAC Tournament by ONE shot. Yep, one shot. Long story short, Kent State's David Ludlow missed a putt, one now seared forever into his memory, and EMU won the tournament 1171-1172. Guess which school came in second, Kent State. EMU's coach Bruce Cunningham was named coach of the year, and well done there.

Peter Sauerbrei, Christopher Ross, Marty Jeppesen, Graham Hill, and Brad Larente, you know the rules, you have brought power and glory to your school in the form of a championship. You now have 48 hours to loot and pillage.

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

All hail award winner and Ypsilanti High School senior Emanuel Gombos

Emanuel will compete at the national Skills USA, after placing FIRST at the state competition, a competition of career and vocational skills in which Emanuel excelled at carpentry.

Now, the days in school you may remember in wood shop? Yeah, this is MUCH more specialized. Emanuel has been working thru Ypsi High at the Regional Career Technical Center, or RCTC. Besides the written portion of the exam, Emanuel topped 15-20 other competitors in rough framing, dry wall, steel-wall framing and roofing.

Emanuel expects to attend WCC this fall and get his builders license by the time he starts there.

Three Saline school students will also compete in the Skills USA competition;
Rob Law
Nick Schineman
James Jeffery

We wish all the competitiors the very best of luck and congratulate them on their top flight work thus far.

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

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

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

Again, community addition by subtraction:

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

Lilacs, is there anything better?

Oh Johnny's neighborhood is overflowing with wonderful lilacs, one of our favorite times of year.

You a lilac person? Getting your garden going? Tell us your spring gardening tips.

Late night open thread

Factoid grab bag:

111,111,111 x 111,111,111 = 12,345,678,987,654,321

Q. What do bulletproof vests, fire escapes, windshield wipers, and laser printers all have in common?
A. All invented by women.

The average number of people airborne over the US any given hour: 61,000

The phrase "rule of thumb" is derived from an old English law which stated that you couldn't beat your wife with anything wider than your thumb.

The first couple to be shown in bed together on prime time TV were whom? Answer HERE

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

Companies these days line up to tell us how green they are

Because it's a good image to project and of course there is money to be made or in 99% of the cases it wouldn't happen. But how many companies are putting their money where their mouths are and allowing HUGE energy saving by letting workers telecommute? Obviously it wouldn't work at Kai Garden and say Blimpy Burger or Tuptim but it's our guess it could be used a lot more if companies were TRULY trying to be green.

Ypsi/Arbor, what about you, would or could your job allow telecommuting? Do they already? You don't have to mention them if you don't want to but tell us if telecommuting is in your company's green plans.

Late night open thread

Eastern Michigan sophomore Clint Allen ran the third fastest time in EMU history in the 100 meters by winning the 23rd Annual Jesse Owens Classic in a time of 10.28. That's beyond comprehension fast.

The great CBC Hockey Night in Canada analyst Harry Neale once said "Oh but to be able to take a trip around the rink in Paul Coffey's skates just once..." of the speedy and extremely agile defenseman. Could you imagine just one trip down the track, one time to be able to call on yourself and go THAT fast in a full on sprint?

10.28

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

Is it the first Saturday in May already? The crowds are heading over to Ypsilanti Downs today

For the 114th Ypsitucky Derby. Ypsilanti Police are expecting overflow crowds of 100,000 at Ypsilanti Downs later today. Oddsmakers list the pre-race odds as such:

Water Street Project 100-1
Disgraceful Abortion Protestors on Michigan Avenue 60-1
George's Huron Inn 35-1
Johnny Action Space Punk's Horse 12-1
Intern Zoltron 6-1
Secretariat 1-3


Here is last year's exciting Ypsitucky Derby

Willow Run teacher/counselor David Blinn, that was so cool

David Blinn is and or WAS a guidance counselor at Willow Run high school who has his professional life turned upside down in August when the Willow Run school district bumped him to teaching sixth grade English and sixth grade Social Studies. Certainly not anything he asked for. Both he an another school counselor sued the school district over the change in assignments.

Fast forward to Thursday night. Superintendent Doris Hope-Jackson and the school board, who helped create this mess of moving qualified high school counselors to the newly created position, done solely for the benefit of WIllow Run, "high school placement and career guidance facilitator", told everyone they were awarding Mr Blinn a Silver Star award. These are awarded to an employee who has gone above and beyond in their day to day work.

In his speech, Mr. Blinn began to relate how he speaks with his students all the time about character. He tells students their character is one of the few areas they can have full control over in life. Mr Blinn obviously lives his words.

Instead of accepting the award, he told Hope-Jackson and the rest of the board:

"The way I've been treated this year ... it would be unprofessional for me to accept this award"

As he went back to his seat he received a standing ovation from his fellow teachers.

And Doris Hope-Jackson and the rest of the Willow Run School Board got a hard lesson in character.

We think what David Blinn did was outstanding. Too often people are afraid to stand up for their beliefs and simply play along with the powers that be. We could all learn a lesson in standing up for our beliefs from Mr. Blinn, the WR School Board sure did.

Late night open thread

If your birthday is today, May 3rd, you share it with Niccolo Machiavelli. Bet you're younger than him. He'd be 539 today.

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA WITH THE BEATLES!

Johnny recently read an article on the BBC recently where Paul McCartney was out horseback riding with his daughter who looked at him for a while before exclaiming "You're Paul McCartney!". Amazing how the rest of us can have complete confidence in knowing our parents and this young one suddenly realized, dad was a Quarryman, a Silver Beetle, a Beatle and a Wing. We wonder how long it then took her to start checking her bank account.

Here are the Beatles from 1965 with 'The Night Before'

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA WITH THE FACES!

Let's see, Rod Stewart, Ron Wood, Ian McLagan, Ronnie Lane and Kenny Jones. Not a real bad place to start. Well they WERE the Small Faces before Wood and Stewart joined them, and dropped the name 'Small' as it was in direct relation to the diminutive height of McLagan, Jones and Lane. With Wood and Stewart both near 6 feet tall, they simply became The Faces.

Rod Stewart went on to an amazing solo career, Ron Wood is currently a Rolling Stone and Kenny Jones replaced Keith Moon as the drummer for The Who.

Here are The Faces with 'Maggie May' from 1971

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA WITH ECHO AND THE BUNNYMEN!

Ah yes, Echo and the Bunnymen. Many people think the band used the name 'Echo' since that was the name of their drum machine. Not so says the band. The band had a friend who kept dropping crazy names for them to use (a la Miles Copeland who as de facto manager of the Police came up with the odd sounding album titles such as 'Outlandos D' Amour'). Some of the ideas originally tossed out were:

The Daz Men
Glisserol
Fan Extractors

We like Echo and the Bunnymen ourselves. Here they are with their 1984 hit 'The Killing Moon'

Dateline Chelsea: When plastic bags are outlawed, only outlaws will have plastic bags

Well the enviro crowd is pushing a plan in Chelsea to ban plastic bags. Chelsea City Council Member Frank Hammer wants to consider an outright ban on plastic bags in the village. This means no more stores like Krogers or Polly's giving out any plastic, regardless what it's for, frozen foods included. Council Member Cheri Albertson is on board for looking into the ban as is Chelsea Mayor Ann Feeney.

Seems to be, a while back all the grocery stores dumped paper bags in favor of the cheaper plastic bags. So which is it?

Look if you wanna go all green and not use plastic bags, do so. If you wanna drive a hybrid, do so. If you wanna volunteer time to the local recycling programs, do so. Just stop involving the rest of us in YOUR causes. If say 70% of the shoppers at Store X stopped using plastic bags, the store would then in turn order less plastic bags. There is gonna be a terrific backlash against all things green if more MANDATORY laws and or programs like these persist.

Green is good, but it shouldn't be used as a blunt instrument.

Flame away

Friday morning open thread

YCD is busy upgrading servers and new computers for the interns this morning. This thread is yours. Play Grand Theft Auto IV yet? How about those Wings and Pistons?

Speechify

Late night open thread

Sometimes, it's nice to feel better than people in other cities. It's not polite to laugh at others who live elsewhere, or maybe it is, you be the judge:

FORT WORTH, Texas - Charles Ray Fuller must have been planning one big record company. The 21-year-old North Texas man was arrested last week for trying to cash a $360 billion check, saying he wanted to start a record business. Tellers at the Fort Worth bank were immediately suspicious — perhaps the 10 zeros on a personal check tipped them off.

Fuller, of suburban Crowley, was arrested on a forgery charge. He was released after posting $3,750 bail.

Wow, pretty stupid huh? Nobody could be dumber than that. Or could they?

MANCHESTER, N.H. - The first clue that something might have been wrong was when a car pulled into a parking lot in with a "No Parking" sign and post stuck to the front end. A Cumberland Farms clerk called around dawn on Thursday to report the car. When officers showed up, the sign had fallen off, and they found a sleeping driver inside.

The 23-year-old Manchester woman was arrested on marijuana charges, and officers were trying to figure out where she hit the sign.

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

On the Ypsilanti School Board ballot for Tuesday

Ypsilanti Public Schools - Trustee

One 1-Year Term
Kira Berman (kira.berman@gmail.com)
Katherine Weathers (klweathers10@msn.com)

Two 4-Year Terms
Sarah Devaney (sarahjdevaney@gmail.com)
Edward Jackson (shoto36@yahoo.com)
Thomas Reiber (techtom@comcast.net)

Email addresses listed should you have questions of the fine candidates

Don't forget the School Board elections this upcoming Tuesday May 6th

Update and our first big OUR BAD--School Board elections. We STILL mean what we said about those running for office, that hasn't changed but thanks to anonymous for the update!! So here's the millage wording:
Ypsilanti Public Schools - Proposal
OPERATING MILLAGE PROPOSAL

This proposal will enable the school district to levy the statutory rate of 18 mills on all property, except principal residence and other property exempted by law, required for the school district to receive its revenue per pupil foundation allowance.

Shall the limitation on the amount of taxes which may be assessed against all property, except principal residence and other property exempted by law, in the School District of Ypsilanti, Washtenaw County, Michigan, be increased by 2 mills ($2.00 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) for a period of 6 years, 2008 to 2013, inclusive, to provide funds for operating purposes; the estimate of the revenue the school district will collect if the millage is approved and levied in 2008 is approximately $420,066 (this millage is to restore millage lost as a result of the reduction required by the Michigan Constitution of 1963 and will be levied only to the extent necessary to restore that reduction)?

__ YES
__ NO
____________________

The polls are open from 7 am to 8 pm.

Now, for the bad news. There is only one competitive race, that being in the third ward, the others are running unopposed.

1st Ward-Lois Richardson, the Southside Pope is running unopposed for her second four year term. We'd like to see Lois take a broader view of city issues and not simply worry about Ward 1.

2nd Ward-John Gawlas is also running unopposed for his third 4 year term. Hey John, two terms under your belt, another on the way, we're holding you accountable in a BIG way.

3rd Ward-Brian Filipiak will be running against Ted Windish. If you win Brian, we're gonna expect more from you too. Anybody in their second 4 year term needs to produce results. If Mr. Windish wins we'll give him some time to get his feet wet but these days voters in Ypsilanti expect things to get done yesterday.

We make no endorsements one way or another. Down the road this will ensure we're not backing someone at the expense of another Ypsi citizen. We will call out anyone not doing a great job. You can't do that after endorsing someone. We don't play "We know we supported them but..."

We also hope there aren't a lot of 'victory' parties around town on election night. Too much damned work to do to lose ANY time. OUR victory party will be the day the busses are paid for, the police and fire are paid for, the River Street debacle is sold or handed off, that crushing bond paid off and we've attracted some new jobs to our fair city.

Good morning Dexter, we see you have a job opening....

That's right folks, Dexter has a job opening they are looking to fill. Township board member, Marcia Ottoman, was tossed from said board after thinking she had become a Federal Agent (hey, it happens) and plead guilty to such.

So, if you're interested in serving your community, or you simply want to pass laws to hurt your next door neighbor, here's the Dexter mumbo jumbo about this postion and how we go from here:

"The township has 45 days to appoint a trustee to fill the vacancy, Kelly said.

This person will serve until the Nov. 4 general election. The deadline to file as a partisan candidate for the Aug. 5 primary is May 13.

Anyone interested in filling the trustee position is asked to submit a letter of interest and a resume to Township Clerk Harley Rider at Dexter Township Hall, 6880 Dexter-Pinckney Road, Dexter, 48130."

OK rock and rollers, here's fabulous information for you

A delightful look back on the musical history of Detroit and Ann Arbor was released this past Tuesday which covers ALL the coolest stuff around. "A-Square: The Story Of Michigan's Legendary A-Square Records" was released by Ace Records as an import CD.

You'll groove to the sounds of Scot Richard Case, MC5, Ypsi Township's Iggy Pop, and the entire Grande Ballroom crowd.

There's more, MUCH MORE on this story here