Late night open thread

Johnny's celebrating Labor Day by doing as little labor as possible. He even gave Kiki and Zoltron the day off. Kiki said she was going up to Mackinaw City for the annual Labor Day Mackinac Bridge walk. Our resident exotic dancer thought the walk was over to Mackinac Island. Johnny told her to stick to the bridge.

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

A really good story from Geoff Larcom in the Ann Arbor News today, don't miss it.

With hurricane season obviously in full swing (Hang in there Oddzymandias--YCD's New Orleans correspondent come Mardi and Lundi Gras. We're happy to tell you she's safe and riding it out in Baton Rouge, took her 5 hours to get 80 miles nawth), and Gustav roaring through the Gulf, Ann Arbor News reporter Geoff Larcom interviews a man who rode out Hurricane Cleo in 1958 in a sailboat at sea and lived to tell the tale.

Catch this great story HERE

Washtenaw County football rankings for week 1

Time now for the Ypsi City Desk Sports Amalgamated Poll, ranking the best football teams in Washtenaw County

1) Eastern Michigan
2) Chelsea Bulldogs
3) Ann Arbor Pioneer
4) Michigan

EMU with a huge 52-0 victory over Indiana State on Thursday, coupled with Michigan's uninspiring loss to Utah keep Eastern #1 this week while Michigan drops from #2 in our preseason rankings to #4.

Late night open thread

August 30 (even though technically we're at the 31st as of now), was the day Cleopatra committed suicide in 30 B.C.

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

A little subversive political humor this morning

We don't get too political on a national stage here but we saw an IDEA last night and Johnny got to Photoshopping and is happy to present you with this topical 'humor' depending upon your political leanings...

Feel free to distribute

Michigan football GAMEDAY

So, anybody telling you they KNOW how U-M is gonna do today or this season are fibbing. What a wildcard this season shapes up to be. WIll the offense click with guys not recruited to run it? Will the defense be able to cover for the kinds of mistakes that can plague a spread offense? Does the defense have some gamebreakers who can change a game's course?

Not in a generation has Michigan football been at such a crossroads. With all the improvements, and nobody in Ann Arbor wants to talk about this, with all the improvements in East Lansing with their gorgeous new football building and the top flight (yes in some cases better than Michigan) recruits of this year and especially next, this is a dangerous time. Maybe things come together and Michigan doesn't miss a beat, goes 9-3 in his first year and wins a bowl game. Maybe things are tougher and they go 6-6. That sends alumni into a panic in the offseason, hoping against hope it doesn't happen in 2009.

What a wild ride it will be this year and a great example of a spread offense shows up today in the form of Utah. Is today another disappointing Appalachian State game? Oregon? That's what we mean, nobody knows nuthin.

We'll take a guess that Michigan has had enough time to get things together and eeks out a 28-27 win today in Michigan Stadium.

Get there early, construction is like a tough defender out there today.

Late night open thread

Final scores tonight

Chelsea 35
AA Huron 27

AA Pioneer 24
Saline 19

Adrian 62
Dexter 21

Milan 20
Ypsilanti 8

We couldn't get the Ypsi Lincoln final before signing off--Update Ypsi Lincoln's Railsplitters 38 Tecumseh 22

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with STEELY DAN!

Johnny loves Steely Dan. He also realizes they're either a love or hate band. Like coconut, it's a love it or leave it relationship. For our musical money, no band has ever made better use of backup singers. They are worked in so brilliantly in their music, always perfectly arranged. Plus these two, Donald Fagen and Walter Becker and top flight artists and musicians.

Here now, a video shot at Pine Knob of Steely Dan performing 'Black Cow'

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with SONIC YOUTH!

Kim Gordon as a sock puppet, seriously. You probably thought you might just never see that. Yep, they DID get the 'Sonic' portion of their name from Fred 'Sonic' Smith, husband of Patti Smith. We know, less talk, more puppets. Sonic Youth with 'Drunken Butterfly'.

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with THE SHIRELLES!

Here's Johnny's wildcard VP pick of a video. A way back to 1960 with the Shirelles from Passaic New Jersey with 'Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow'. This became a #1 hit for the Shirelles making them the first all female group to accomplish this feat.

Friday Pigskin Parade

We'll dust off the old High School football template and let you know who is playing where locally tonight...

Ypsi Willow Run already has a WIN in the barn as they win by forfeit over Warren Conner Creek West.

Ypsilanti Lincoln is home to Tecumseh

Chelsea is at Ann Arbor Huron

Ann Arbor Pioneer is at Saline

The Dexter Dreadnaughts are at Adrian.

Ypsilanti is home to Milan

Sorry, no MHSAA football page for Ann Arbor Skyline yet, who made their football debut in Fowlerville last night. The MHSAA page seems to not reflect this matchup...

In alma mater news, Ortonville Brandon skunked Holly 20-0

Late night open thread

One last picture from the game tonight, Johnny's favorite on the Terrence Blevins 61 yard touchdown run. EMU 52 Indiana State 0, man that's good stuff

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

In the words of Zorak from Space Ghost, "That was a red assed beat down"

Now THAT'S what we're talking about. We're not gonna get too far ahead of ourselves but Eastern Michigan just got done mopping the Rynearson field turf with the carcass of the Indiana State Sycamores (and we were pretty spot on referencing them as Suckamores all week) 52-0. You read that right. EMU stomped Indiana State like narcs at a biker rally. Oddly, it didn't start out so ducky as after an EMU Offside on the opening kickoff, they re-kicked to ISU who promptly ran it all the way back for a touchdown. So, how did they wind up with zero points? One of the more excitable Sycamores took off his helmet during the runback. He'll enjoy the longest ride home tonight to be certain.

Andy Schmitt was brilliant and really showed leadership and a total confidence in his game. He was 15-20 for 160 yards and 1 TD. The workhorse on the night was Terrence Blevins who DOMINATED the ISU defense and trashed them on 20 carries for 180 yards and 2 TD's. Johnny was fortunate enough to catch his 61 yard burst for a touchdown in the first quarter all the way and look for those in the game shots. Also got a swell one of John Bonner making a great grab that set up Eastern's first score on the night.

The defense was tough and smart and held Indiana State to 132 yards....TOTAL.

Johnny was also impressed that when Coach Jeff Genyk had a chance to put a boot on ISU's throat, he DID SO. Going with a no huddle up 21-0 to keep the defense further off balance showed great confidence in his team in the first game.

Next up, Michigan State in East Lansing next Saturday. We'll know more about EMU than we do tonight but tonight--it was perfect. The BIGGEST crowd we've seen at Rynearson in a LONG time too.

On to the game pictures (with thanks to Eastern for giving us a sideline pass so we could share them with you all)

As has become common in Cool City--movie stars and movies downtown

Ypsilanti's newest BFF movie star/director Drew Barrymore has shifted filming for her directorial debut film 'Whip It' to the Wolverine Grill on Michigan Avenue and a house on South Summit. Ypsilanti means movies anymore, and it's a natural match. Our fair city wears it's architectural greatness on it's sleeve. We LOOK like a town movies should be made in.

Now, if you want to KEEP movies coming here here's a hint--don't STOP in front of the Wolverine and look in. Like Director Francis Ford Coppola, performing in his own movie, advised Martin Sheen in Apocalypse Now "Just keep going, just keep walking, act natural".

Good advice, we think....

Eastern Michigan football GAMEDAY!

Normally we roll these out on Friday night or Saturday but it's a special kickoff edition today as the Indiana State Suckamores are in town at venerable Rynearson Stadium on this fine August night. Rynearson Stadium celebrates it's 40th season beginning tonight.

Indiana State's Suckamores are in town to provide EMU with some tough competition and since Larry Bird has used up ALL his ISU eligibility, he won't be playing for the Suckamores. EMU holds a 9-3 advantage over ISU historically though the last time Eastern beat Indiana State they were the Hurons, September 23, 1978.

EMU has a pretty good record in home openers historically, going 70-41-4 all time. Under Jeff Genyk, Eastern is 2-2.

Thanks to the generosity of the Sports Information Office, Johnny will be snapping shots of the game for all of you later tonight.

Nerves, mistakes, and anxiety all run high in the opener. It's possible EMU could be TOO fired up early on but we expect them to right the ship and get a strong defensive effort, enough for the offense to get going. We'll call it like this:

Eastern-27
ISU-17

Late night open thread

Can we get some applause for Eastern Michigan University here please? For the SIXTH straight year EMU has received a 'Best in the Midwest' designation handed out by the Princeton Review.

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

Eastern Michigan University Football 2008 Season Preview

Yes EMU fans, it's that time again this year to look at the upcoming football season. A word that has not been used very often, if at all the last decade has reappeared: EXPECTATIONS. Yes, expectations. Expectations of a possible winning season. Expectations of another round of beating both WMU and CMU in the same season (like last year) and the expectations of playing MEANINGFUL games in November.

Let's see how we get there from here:

Coach Jeff Genyk enters his fifth season as EMU top man. Five years at EMU is a long time indeed. Two years ago Genyk was leading a 1-11 team and a lot of us thought it was time for him to go. Johnny sure did. He'll admit it where others who cover EMU will not. Last year showed a heap of improvement and this year, well let's just say a .500 record in conference play is a MUST. The MAC isn't the beast it was say 5-7 years ago. It's down slightly, which should give Eastern and the coaching staff time to improve. They're picked fifth in the MAC West by the media, we say bullshit. This team is better than that. The coaching staff has to be ready to handle success. EMU could have a very good September, they can't let that turn into a bad October. Jobs are most likely on the line if things go south and stay there.

Offensively, Eastern looks to be in good shape. Returning QB Andy Schmitt is a dual threat to run or pass and appears to have command of the entire offense right now. His passing game vastly improved last season. The offensive line looks solid. They'll be a fine run blocking team should EMU find a back ready to carry the ball 20-25 times a game. Chances are, running by committee will be the norm. Still, an experienced QB with the ability to run a complex offense could open holes that can change games.

Defensively, EMU is led by NFL star in the making linebacker Daniel Holtzclaw. He's a game changer, the kind EMU hasn't seen in a while. He's also on three NCAA award watch lists. If Eastern can get a top flight effort from the defensive front which was fantastic at times last year, leaving Holtzclaw free to do what he does, good things will happen. The Eastern Michigan secondary, recently a strength, has question marks, but question marks that can be answered more easily with a great push from the front seven. You hate to put too much pressure on just one player, but in the MAC one impact player can have a HUGE impact. Daniel Holtzclaw, go get 'em.

Our analysis: Eastern will improve their record to 6-6, up from 4-8 a year ago. We like EMU to beat Indiana State, Toledo, Northern Illinois, Army, Western Michigan and Temple. No big winning streaks, but also, no bad losing streaks. If Eastern Michigan can pick up that extra bonus win somewhere in the conference, maybe at Bowling Green or at home to league favorite Central Michigan, this season goes from improvement, to out and out success.

Expectations are back in Ypsilanti this fall, OR in the words of Ted Knight in Caddyshack, we say to the EMU football team:

"Well, we're WAITING"

Happy Birthday to, well, the Ypsi City Desk

We began this grand experiment one year ago today with just Johnny connecting to somebody's open wi-fi from under the Forest Street bridge over the Huron River where the original YCD office was. But spiders and bats not wanting us there chased us off to bigger and better things. We now have two interns and a giant office downtown. Not bad for a handful of dedicated readers, who we truly appreciate.

Thanks for reading, or, at least pretending to while looking at the pictures!

--Johnny

Mid American Conference ABSOLVED!!! Johnny was MISLED to by the Eastern Michigan SI Office--UPDATED

Johnny just got off the phone with Gary Richter, Assistant Commissioner for Media Relations at the Mid American Conference. He told us that the MAC has NO Policy as stated by EMU. He said the credentials are the school's to use as they wish. We still wonder why the MAC lists it's bloggers as ONLY beat writers from around the league, we vehemently disagree that beat writers are bloggers but for right now, we're gonna find out why we were misled by EMU....

The MAC is good to go....

UPDATE--Eastern DOES wanna play ball. We just got off the phone with the SID office and they told us we COULD get a press credential to take photos. This came after they learned (or were sternly reminded) that the MAC offices said there was NO SUCH POLICY to not credential bloggers. The EMU SID office had no idea the MAC had no such policy (the person we spoke with anyway). They also said they'd never had a request like ours before (which we can easily believe---EMU isn't Michigan or Notre Dame after all). A lesson here, don't take NO for an answer and in the new digital age, make sure your school knows the conference policy or lack thereof when it comes to new media. And for now we'll also call Eastern Michigan ABSOLVED.

So, Johnny will be snapping hopefully some great football photos tomorrow night for you all to enjoy.

Go EMU, go go EMU EMU

Here's a stick in the eye---EMU, citing MAC policy refuses to give press credentials to bloggers--UPDATED

Johnny just got off the phone with Eastern Michigan's Sports Information office. He simply requested the ability (even offering to pay for a ticket) to get down on the sideline to take some pictures to talk UP the EMU football program. He was DENIED by someone spouting MAC policy.

See above

Good news, kinda sorta, for Borders

Well, OK while sales are down, the losses are way down too. Borders reported out a loss of 9.2 million BUT down from 25.1 million this time a year ago. Yes, sales are down, down 3% but that's not that uncommon these days. Hopefully, the new Super Stores will become a part of the collective book and E-products mind across America.

We gotta pull hard for local businesses ya know...

Late night open thread

If you have the baseball cable ticket, you can watch every MLB baseball game played that night. All because on this day in 1939, from Ebbets Field in Brooklyn New York, the Dodgers and Cincinnati Reds played the first game ever on television. There were only about 400 TeeVees in all of New York City at the time.

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

Bank Robber alert on Ann Arbor's north side

The Comerica Bank at 2665 Plymouth Road was robbed by an armed man this afternoon just after 2 pm. The robber, a real looker by the description given, is being sought right now by police and K-9 units.

The description of the man is a 5 foot 7 white male with a scruffy gray beard and cracked and rotting front teeth (this may be the only guy 'safe' in prison).

734-994-2911 if you've seen the dream date...

We failed to include Ann Arbor Skyline High School's football schedule

And since they'll be playing some football this year, here ya go. Sadly, they chose the name 'Eagles' which doesn't show much, if ANY creativity (right EMU?).

2008 Schedule
Aug. 28 @ Fowlerville
Sept. 4 @ Cath. Central
Sept. 13 VS. BROTHER RICE
SEPT. 17 @. NORTHVILLE
SEPT. 25 VS. SALEM
OCT. 2 @ LAHSER
OCT. 10 VS. LIV. STEVENSON
OCT. 15 VS. BRIGHTON
OCT. 23 @. DEXTER

Attention Ypsilanti, student move-in is Saturday, wrong way drivers alpenty

Don't forget, the first couple days, which can stretch into the first couple weeks students are back fill our city with drivers unfamiliar with local roads and customs. Don't get caught ONLY checking one way on Hamilton or Cross Street. These directionally challenged noobs and parents can put a crimp in your insurance bill if you're not careful.

Saturday from 8am-1pm is move in, be ye warned...

Late night open thread

"As if you could kill time without injuring eternity."
--Henry David Thoreau

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

Until we get some rain, Ypsilanti Township has banned outdoor burning of yard waste

A large field fire that resulted form a spark in a barrel burning yard waste was enough for Ypsi Township to pass a ban on outdoor burning this morning, until, in the words of Fire Marshal Phil Stachlewitz we get some 'substantial rain'.

Augusta Township has also now passed an outdoor burning ban because of dry conditions.

The next rain around here could be Thursday.

'Ypsi the Wombat says only YOU can prevent brush fires'®

Coming this week--An EMU football season preview

Since the season starts Thursday night in Rynearson, it's time to take a look at the 2008 Eastern Michigan football team. We'll have analysis and predictions for you, the EMU fan. We just can't tell you when.

Late night open thread

A couple good minutes with Bruce McCulloch with a Kids in the Hall hilarious critique on America. It's pretty funny. So is 110 USA medals in Beijing compared to Canada's 18.

In America


Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

Is this YOUR cat? It got into the neighbors garbage last night

No, we don't mean it got into the neighbor's garbage as in it was digging Shirley Manson's singing, no we mean it was digging and rooting around in trash bags. If this is YOUR cat you should really do something about it. Note the well behaved cat behind him or her NOT ripping into the trash.

Late night open thread

"Anyone who lives within their means suffers from a lack of imagination."
--Oscar Wilde

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

Saturday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with THE CRANBERRIES!

So, if the Cranberries are Irish, and lead singer Dolores O'Riordan is Irish, how come Swiss tennis star Martina Hingis gets the gig lip synching in the video? Wacky, simply wacky. Er, wait...

Here are said Cranberries with 'Just My Imagination'

Saturday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with THE SMITHEREENS!

New Jersey lads the Smithereens, but we knew that before the tart in the crazy lid told us on the video. They're still around you know. These guys who made so many hot power pop songs with almost a grunge edge before there was grunge. They still tour and word has it they'll have a new album out in 2009.

The Smithereens with 'Blood and Roses'

Saturday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with SHERYL CROW!

One of our Super Happy Fun Time movie image trivia winners requested the gal from Kennett Missouri and we love their choice. Such a great video of Ms. Crow as an exhibit in a natural history museum, plus, let's face it, she's easy on the eyes. Sheryl is from Kennett but did you know that Fred Lasswell, the guy who did the old Snuffy Smith and Barney Google comics is too? You do now..

Sheryl Crow, with 'If it Makes You Happy'

Late night open thread

Early bird special tonite as Johnny is off to a Lugnuts game. Minor league baseball games are tops on the fun chart...

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

So, the Touchdown Cafe is now the 'Blue Leprechaun'?

Johnny's Irish, the HELL with a BLUE leprechaun. We hope every God fearing Irishman and Irishwoman will avoid that dump like the plague. Now, Conor O'Neill's is Irish. Real Irish. Putting a dress on a pig and calling it Irish ain't gonna cut it, not in Johnny's Washtenaw County....

We proudly add a new friendly to our links--Please Stop It

So go take a look around at this happening NEW blog about town...

Please Stop It

Late night open thread

Vote Johnny for President, he'll always know how many houses he owns.

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

Sometimes the fun just never stops at YCD, MORE Super Happy Fun Time movie image trivia

Johnny had a lot of fun with yesterday's movie image trivia, and we're hoping you did too. So, let's try again, with the same prize, you can choose one of this week's videos like 'jimmy cav' who won yesterday's contest.

Ready, Steady, Go:

We wish our good friend Melanie from Fake Plastic Noodles all the best in London

If you are a regular reader of her blog, you know she's off to live her dream in London. We wish her nothing but the best and we'll just bet if you keep checking back on her page you'll enjoy the sights and sounds of London yourselves.

Melanie, watch out for werewolves, popular culture says they hang out in Chinese restaurants.

WOW, big smashup at 5th and Packard this morning, we'll throw in the flames for free

Ypsi City Desk reader CP hipped us to this WILD accident at the corner of 5th and Packard this morning. Feel free to cause a gawker delay from behind the safety of your computer screen.

Thanks CP!

Late night open thread

The previously announced David Byrne show at the Michigan Theater on October 24 now has ticket info available. The tickets go on sale at 10 am this Saturday at all How-is-this-even-legal-Ticketmaster outlets. Prices are $62.50 and $45.

OK, why not....Talking Heads from 1978 with 'Psycho Killer', Quest que cest


Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

Super Happy Fun Time movie image trivia, name the movie this image is from

Lay it on us, show us your movie knowledge, tell us which movie this image is from and you can choose a Friday night video:

Oh yeah, Welcome back to school, we're adding some new links, like the Echo for example

That's right hipsters, cool kids and burners, we're adding the Eastern Echo to our links and since the Ypsi City Desk is nothing if not aware of what goes on in lecture halls, we'll be adding a link to flash games you can play on your laptops instead of paying attention in class. It's the least we can do...

What?! It's morning already? Wednesday morning open thread

We're busy like doing other things here in the palacial YCD offices. Talk about whatever makes you happy, so suppose you're Julie Andrews or something...

Late night open thread

On this day in 1981, the show Charlie's Angels came to an end. Word, it ended when Farrah Fawcett left. You kids can get your Google on over the phenomenon that was Charlie's Angels the TeeVee show.

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

Ann Arbor City Council delays decision on two development plans

So, they didn't say yes and they didn't say no. Residents near the proposed sites don't want them and whiny developers who think they can do whatever pleases them have threatened to sue the city.

Let's break out the two proposals as the YCD is really really against one of them.

#1 A 120 four-bedroom units at 1430 S. Maple St., known as 42 North, would include 494 parking spots.

#2 A 64,314 square foot apartment complex that could rise some 25 stories and would cater to students at the corner of the corner of Forest and South University.

The #1 we don't have much of an opinion on, the #2 would be an abomination and the city of Ann Arbor should tell sniveler developer Dan Ketelaar to stop the crybaby act and bring his little lawsuit. In NO WAY SHAPE OR FORM would developing this into a giant student housing tower help the city. This is all about Dan Ketelaar's checkbook. Imagine if you will 342 apartments there, with say 2.5 students living in each. You do the math, can the city handle the parking around there? Another few hundred or so students in the neighborhood drinking, carousing perhaps making mischief.

Tell us Mr.Ketelaar, once you get paid, you're done with it aren't you? You don't care about the homeowners there, you never did. Can they call you at home at 4am when all hell is breaking loose after a victory over Ohio State one night? Can the Ann Arbor police call you at home when the crime rate goes up in the neighborhood where it ALWAYS does in student areas? Of course not, you got paid, you could care less what happens after the check clears.

Sometimes the best moves are the ones you don't make

Johnny has no voting abilities in Tree City, but he's telling the city council they'll regret giving a building license to build this mess. Deep down, if you throw out the threat of lawsuit, you know you'd vote against it. So follow that little voice and vote NO. Listen to the residents and NOT the developers. We can find nary a listing in any phone book for a Dan Ketelaar in Ann Arbor or even Washtenaw County for that matter. We can find one in Northport, Michigan, 4 hours away at the tip of the Leelanau Peninsula, out of earshot of drunken students in Ann Arbor.

Northport is closer to Green Bay Wisconsin than Ann Arbor Michigan.

Some very good reading about a cold case that mentions, you guessed it, John Norman Collins

Johnny's a cold case buff and read a very interesting story about a cold case from Good Hart Michigan (up near Mackinaw City) some 40 years ago rehashed today in the Detroit News. A family was murdered in their cabin in 1967 and some people seem to think there is a connection between the slayings and John Norman Collins and the family. It really is a good read but our crack research staff has found an even better article HERE from a site called Hour Stories.

If you're not into these kinds of evil doings, you can skip it but if such articles or shows on the TeeVee intrigue you, you best commence to reading...

Late night open thread

Which US state has the loon as it's state bird?

Answer HERE

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

OK, we've made it past Heritage Festival, and you know what that means...

FOOTBALL!

Do you have any expectations for EMU this fall? U-M? Both are intriguing story lines this fall. EMU is much improved and should be better than we've seen in eons, and U-M for the newness of things, the like of which we haven't seen for a generation.

Your thoughts?

Late night open thread

It's a rubber duck world, we just live in it

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

Scenes from the 2008 Ypsilanti Heritage Festival

Under Construction--Michigan football gameday will be a real headache

The Ann Arbor News is reporting on a few changes this year to Michigan Stadium seating and crowd movement as the stadium is under a LOT of construction. They are telling fans not to enter the gate closest to where they parked but to use new designated gates shown on the tickets. It's a real headache and you can read about the whole thing HERE.

In what can only be considered comical, ALL entrants to Michigan Stadium, per OSHA rules and being in an ongoing construction site WILL be required to either bring a hard hat or will be given one at they enter and there will be attendants with drop boxes on the way out.

FUN!

Late night open thread

Fireworks over Frog Island tonight as Ypsilanti celebrates the 30th Anniversary of Heritage Festival

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

Just in time---new 'Bear Blimps' helping patrol Washtenaw County for man eating bears

You may have seen the blimps around town and overhead this week in Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor. Those were not for show. YCD has learned form the office of Disaster Preparedness that these are 'Bear Blimps' flying overhead looking for the man eating ferocious black bears that have invaded Washtenaw County. They wanted to use the YCD Traffic Copter too but we said no, our readership would go through the roof if we were writing about residents being mauled by these perfect killing machines.

Late night open thread

A full moon and Heritage Festival, no doubt the police are thrilled.

Time for Ypsilanti After Dark

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with MARSHALL CRENSHAW!

Local guy, Marshall. Something about local guys and that first name having some musical chops huh? Now, we normally try to feature the artist performing the song live or from the video. Tonight we're going to try something different as this video is so well done. It's the song 'Cynical Girl' set to just about every femme fatale actress in Hollywood history. It's great fun we find trying to name the movies. Zoltron got like 5 right but if it's not the last five years he's hopeless and dancer Kiki knew quite a few.

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with MADONNA!

Yeah, the blonde girl. People make a lot of jokes and crack wise about Midgey, but there is no harder working person in show biz. Good fortune seems to follow those willing to put in the work. Johnny is of the mind that the older she's gotten the more interesting her music has become. Rock on Madonna, you still have straight white male fans.

The question vexing us is which banned on MTV video should we show? Executive decision, the very banned (but it's not that bad truthfully) remix of 'What it Feels Like for a Girl'.

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with THE STOOGES!

Heritage is what it's about this weekend. The theme is heritage in Cool City this weekend as we put our best foot forward to SE Michigan. Maybe a couple wind up here following links from the Heritage Festival tags. Ypsilanti heritage, musically starts with Iggy Pop (We've discussed this and done the research, he LIVED in Ypsilanti Township). As we all know, the Stooges were the shit. An absolute stunning catalog of music. So, to honor our Heritage Festival, here are The Stooges with 'No Fun'

Giant man eating black bear sighted in Washtenaw County, this is NOT a drill

Migrant workers have seen a bear, suspected by the DNR to be a male black bear nosing through Manchester and south of Chelsea. This demands our immediate attention. Can you imagine a black bear attacking good citizens at the Ypsi high football games? Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor must prepare now, this bear is but the first man eater (and that flying giant cat head hasn't eaten anyone yet we KNOW OF) of many to come.

Local residents are advised to carry bear spray and be on the lookout. Remember, if you and your friends are confronted by these heinous beasts, you don't have to be faster than the bear, you merely need to be faster than your slowest friend.

Still tickets available for Bill Maher tonight at the Michigan Theater

Yep, HBO and stand up comedian Bill Maher is playing the fabled, storied, and legendary Michigan Theater tonight at 8pm. If you're not hanging out at the Heritage Festival in Ypsilanti, Bill would love to see your smiling face.

Tickets are $45, $55, and $89.50

Late night open thread

On this day in 1936 in Berlin basketball debuted as an Olympic sport. In the inaugural game the United States defeated Canada 19-8. 4 of Canada's points were by a beaver. India and Mongolia have more medals than Canada right now. That's made frontrunner Brian Williams on CBC all the more scarce. As Martha Stewart would say "That's a good thing".

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

Today is the FIVE year anniversary of the BLACKOUT, share your blackout stories

What were YOU doing when it hit? How did you cope?

Johnny ran down to the Keg when it happened and bought ice and batteries and then the entire neighborhood had one whopping 'empty the freezer and fridge of meat' BBQ. Then we got the telescope out and with no ambient lighting had a delightful look at Mars.

What's YOUR story?

30th annual Ypsilanti Heritage Festival primer

It's that time again, time for the festival of festivals, the Ypsilanti Heritage Festival and it kicks off tomorrow. It's more than just Playboy bunnies, booze and feats of strength.

There will be fireworks, the Nightmare car cruise (bring your worstest junker to Depot Town), a soccer tournament, an OLD TIME baseball exhibition, a 10K run, the rubber duck race, the parade, a millionaaire's tent, and all the elephant ears you can eat.

If by chance you'd like to be in a pie eating contest, you need to contact Haabs restaurant at 483-8200, there are only 16 spots available and Haabs is providing those scrumptious blueberry pies, MICHIGAN blueberry pies.

Seriously, there is so much more than we could include in this space, just go to the Ypsilanti Heritage Festival website for ALL the info.

See ya there!

Suspicious package found by our famed Water Tower (UPDATED)

Police are on scene at the Water Tower today as YCUA workers found a suspicious package, a plastic container wrapped in duct tape, and the bomb squad was brought in.

Chief Matt Harshberger of the Ypsilanti PD said "It's better to be safe than sorry"

Anybody messes with OUR tower, they pay.

Will update as information becomes available

UPDATE--A Michigan Sate police bomb robot has collected the suspicious package and it will be taken away to be detonated.

2 weeks from tonight, EMU football home opener!

Get your tickets now, they're going fast......quick.....medium speed.......OK just buy your tickets! If EMU can get off to a fast start with wins over Indiana State and Toledo, who knows what'll happen. The fun, or as the sign says, 'the hunt' begins two weeks from tonight at the house excitement built, Rynearson Stadium.

Late night open thread

The dot over the letter "i" is called a 'tittle'.

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

Attention all pizza delivery stores, STOP delivering to Tuscan Creek Apartments

A Mr. Pizza driver was robbed at gunpoint last night at the Tuscan Creek Apartments, bringing the number of pizza delivery robberies to, well, a BUNCH lately. Mr Pizza and other pizza delivery stores should simply STOP delivering to places this kind of thing goes on. We WILL NOT wanna hear crocodile tears from ANY elected official, pizza store owner or apartment management group talk about what a tragedy it is when one of these guys and gals, simply doing their jobs, is shot to death.

From this moment on, it's on YOU the pizza places and apartment complexes to protect these people. They can't carry guns, they can't fight back, so what are we as a community gonna do for them? They're simply doing their JOBS.

STOP delivering to places that have had robberies, we've talked about this before, simply STOP delivering to these criminal element complexes and areas. Is a pizza place willing to lose a driver to gun violence to make some coin? These complexes will ONLY do something about the predators inside their property lines when people call a pizza place, and are told NO, we don't deliver to YOUR complex, take it up with your management company.

Rest assured, if this comes to pass and someone is killed, we're gonna be in the face of, and down the shorts of, the parties involved, this means pizza shops and apartment complexes.

Good to see the Huron High School football team practicing this morning

Johnny went by a few minutes before 7 am and saw them out there working hard, in helmets, no pads yet. That's the best part about August, getting ready for football, like these guys were...

Late night open thread

Eastern Michigan alumni George Cogar and his wife Darlene Shaw are most generously donating 1 million dollars to EMU. MISTER Cogar visited EMU and liked what he saw with the new President and especially the work of the students. He didn't just visit once, he visited four times and really got to know the whole story at Eastern.

We'd like to thank both of you very very much. And then again. Cogar and Shaw live in Charleston, South Carolina a city Johnny and Mrs Johnny fell in love with last year.

TIme for Ypsilanti, After Dark

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

High School pigskin schedules from around the Ypsi City Desk viewing area

YPSILANTI
Aug. 29 MILAN 7 p.m.
Sept. 5 DEARBORN EDSEL FORD 7 p.m.
Sept. 12 at Garden City 7 p.m.
Sept. 19 DEARBORN HEIGHTS CRESTWOOD 7 p.m.
Sept. 26 at Melvindale 7 p.m.
Oct. 4 at Inkster 1 p.m.
Oct. 10 ROMULUS 7 p.m.
Oct. 17 HIGHLAND PARK 7 p.m.
Oct. 24 DEXTER 7 p.m.

WILLOW RUN
Aug. 29 WARREN CONNOR CREEK ACADEMY WEST 7 p.m.
Sept. 5 at Dearborn Heights Crestwood 7 p.m.
Sept. 12 ECORSE 7 p.m.
Sept. 19 at Redford Thurston 7 p.m.
Sept. 26 DEARBORN HEIGHTS ROBICHAUD 7 p.m.
Oct. 4 at Dearborn Heights Annapolis 1 p.m.
Oct. 10 RIVER ROUGE 7 p.m.
Oct. 17 at Dearborn Edsel Ford 7 p.m.
Oct. 24 DETROIT OLD REDFORD ACADEMY 7:30 p.m.

LINCOLN
Aug. 29 TECUMSEH 7 p.m.
Sept. 5 at Dexter 7 p.m.
Sept. 12 PIONEER 7 p.m.
Sept. 19 at Chelsea 7 p.m.
Sept. 26 HURON 7 p.m.
Oct. 3 SALINE 7 p.m.
Oct. 10 at Temperance Bedford 7 p.m.
Oct. 17 GRAND BLANC 7 p.m.
Oct. 24 at Adrian 7 p.m.

CHELSEA
Aug. 29 at Huron 7 p.m.
Sept. 5 NORTHVILLE 7 p.m.
Sept. 12 at Saline 7 p.m.
Sept. 19 LINCOLN 7 p.m.
Sept. 26 DEXTER 7 p.m.
Oct. 3 at Adrian 7 p.m.
Oct. 10 at Pioneer 7 p.m.
Oct. 17 TECUMSEH 7 p.m.
Oct. 24 TEMPERANCE BEDFORD 7 p.m.

DEXTER
Aug. 29 at Adrian 7 p.m.
Sept. 5 LINCOLN 7 p.m.
Sept. 12 at Huron 7 p.m.
Sept. 19 SALINE 7 p.m.
Sept. 26 at Chelsea 7 p.m.
Oct. 3 PIONEER 7 p.m.
Oct. 10 TECUMSEH 7 p.m.
Oct. 17 at Temperance Bedford 7 p.m.
Oct. 24 at Ypsilanti 7 p.m.

GABRIEL RICHARD
Aug. 29 DEARBORN HEIGHTS STAR INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY 5 p.m.
Sept. 6 ALBION Noon
Sept. 13 MADISON HEIGHTS BISHOP FOLEY Noon
Sept. 20 DETROIT LOYOLA Noon
Sept. 27 SAGINAW NOUVEL Noon
Oct. 3 at Pontiac Notre Dame Prep 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 10 at Riverview Gabriel Richard 7 p.m.
Oct. 17-18 Detroit Catholic League crossover
Oct. 24 DUNDEE 4 p.m.
or
Oct. 25 Detroit Catholic League Prep Bowl* 4 p.m.
* at Ford Field, Detroit

HURON
Aug. 29 CHELSEA 7 p.m.
Sept. 5 at Tecumseh 7 p.m.
Sept. 12 DEXTER 7 p.m.
Sept. 19 at Temperance Bedford 7 p.m.
Sept. 26 at Lincoln 7 p.m.
Oct. 3 PINCKNEY 7 p.m.
Oct. 10 ADRIAN 7 p.m.
Oct. 17 at Pioneer 7 p.m.
Oct. 24 SALINE 7 p.m.

MANCHESTER
Aug. 28 at Clinton 7 p.m.
Sept. 5 MICHIGAN CENTER 7 p.m.
Sept. 12 NAPOLEON 7 p.m.
Sept. 19 at Vandercook Lake 7 p.m.
Sept. 26 at Addison 7 p.m.
Oct. 3 HANOVER-HORTON 7 p.m.
Oct. 10 at Grass Lake 7 p.m.
Oct. 17 EAST JACKSON 7 p.m.
Oct. 24 at Onsted 7 p.m.

MILAN
Aug. 29 at Ypsilanti 7 p.m.
Sept. 5 at Flat Rock 7 p.m.
Sept. 12 CARLETON AIRPORT 7 p.m.
Sept. 19 GROSSE ILE 7 p.m.
Sept. 26 at Monroe Jefferson 7 p.m.
Oct. 3 at New Boston Huron 7 p.m.
Oct. 10 at Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central 7 p.m.
Oct. 17 RIVERVIEW 7 p.m.
Oct. 24 BELLEVILLE 7 p.m.

PIONEER
Aug. 29 Saline* 8 p.m.
Sept. 5 ADRIAN 7 p.m.
Sept. 12 at Lincoln 7 p.m.
Sept. 19 HOWELL 7 p.m.
Sept. 26 TEMPERANCE BEDFORD 7 p.m.
Oct. 3 at Dexter 7 p.m.
Oct. 10 CHELSEA 7 p.m.
Oct. 17 HURON 7 p.m.
Oct. 24 at Tecumseh 7 p.m.
* at Eastern Michigan University's Rynearson Stadium

SALINE
Aug. 29 Pioneer* 8 p.m.
Sept. 5 at Temperance Bedford 7 p.m.
Sept. 12 CHELSEA 7 p.m.
Sept. 19 at Dexter 7 p.m.
Sept. 26 TECUMSEH 7 p.m.
Oct. 3 at Lincoln 7 p.m.
Oct. 10 at Milford 7 p.m.
Oct. 17 ADRIAN 7 p.m.
Oct. 24 at Huron 7 p.m.
* at Eastern Michigan University's Rynearson Stadium

Late night open thread

We've been saving this one, sheer late night bedlam...

Archie Bunker meets Sammy Davis Jr, and for you kids, this is one of the five funniest TV moments ever


Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

Today we proudly add 'Loose Tea' to our links

Yet MORE good Ypsi writing. Sadly they found us before we found them but as soon as we did, we wanted to link to them.

Welcome Loose Tea!

Very disturbing story this morning out of Ann Arbor

Two students, sitting in their apartment near central campus, had their door kicked in and were bound and robbed at gunpoint this morning. No knock, just their door being kicked in while two African American males wearing masks and hoodies pulled guns, tied them up, pointed the guns at their heads and stole what they could.

This took place in the 1300 block of S State St.

ANYONE with ANY info please call 734-996-3281 or the tipline at 734-996-3199.

Late night open thread

Elsewhere tonight Johnny made mention of an Olympic boxing match he saw on CBC where the ONLY Canadian boxer was losing at the end of the second round 19-1. Yep, one boxing entry, losing 19-1. A couple wise people put forth these thoughts:

1) Of course he lost that badly, he didn't have anybody to practice with

2) Canada must no longer partake in Boxing Day

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

Perfect day for the grill

And make book on it, Johnny IS gonna be firing up the coals later. Maybe a nice spice rub on some ribs or perhaps a slathering of Jack's BBQ sauce on some chicken. What about you, what makes your BBQ great?

Late night open thread

Maybe Michael Phelps would buy the River Street property.

Time for Ypsilanti, after Dark

EMU hires new top man for baseball

Eastern Michigan has hired Jay Alexander to run the resurgent EMU men's baseball program as former head man Jake Boss left for Michigan State after only a year. Mr. Alexander comes to Ypsilanti from Wayne State where he compiled a 161-148 record. He also took Wayne State to the NCAA Division II regional championship game, and a 34-19 record overall this past year.

Alexander was a standout player for Wayne State in the mid-90's. We wish him nothing but the best. EMU as you'll recall are riding a two year consecutive MAC tournament and MAC West regular season title win streak.

Late night open thread

That was quite an impressive opening ceremony for the Olympics tonight. Very appealing to the eyes.

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA WITH ROSE ROYCE!

So just now Zoltron, intern Zoltron, pipes up and says "How about the next song that comes on the iTunes mix on the office PA is the last video tonight"

Address your commentary to Zoltron in the comments section

Rose Royce with 'Car Wash'

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA WITH THE FOUR TOPS!

Johnny will be damned if Kwame Kilpatrick is gonna ruin his impression of a city he loves. How about a little something SO RIGHT about Detroit. Here are 'The Four Tops' with one of the bestest songs ever, 'Standing in the Shadows of Love' and a plea to remember this part of Detroit. Holland-Dozier-Holland will always be a greater representation of Detroit than a spoiled child mayor.

If you ever find it, the Barry White cover of this song is brilliant as well

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA WITH GRAHAM PARKER AND THE RUMOUR!

One time long ago, almost in dinosaur times, Johnny had a girlfriend in high school. She wanted to see Journey. Johnny didn't. Then he saw Graham Parker and the Rumour were the opening act. Johnny liked Graham Parker very much. He owned the fine album 'Squeezing Out Sparks' and played it often. Then it hit him--go watch and listen to Graham Parker and make out during Journey.

Thank you Graham Parker and the Rumour! Here they are with 'Local Girls'

Dearest Ypsilanti, don't plan on sleeping in tomorrow--It's THUNDER OVER MICHIGAN at Willow Run!

Gooooood Morning Ypsilanti, it's Saturday August 9th and those loud as hell aircraft overhead ARE staging a dogfight. Yep, a VERY ambitious Thunder Over Michigan will kick off tomorrow morning at Willow Run airport with a gazillion things to see and do. A World War II remembrance will be held with paratroop drops, tank battles and dozens of different planes from the era.

Now, 45,000 people are expected and some camper areas are filling up NOW, Friday. It's gonna be a beautiful weekend with a slight chance of showers later tomorrow afternoon so plan on heading out. To that end we have this info for you:

Admission
Tickets, available at Meijer stores, are $20 through Friday and $25 at the gate.
Parking is $5 through Friday and $10 at the gate. Admission to a special tent seating area are $25 through Friday and $40 at the gate.

Saturday:
10 to 10:30 a.m. - WWII ground battle re-enactment.
12:15 p.m. - F-18 demonstration and legacy flight.
12:40 p.m. - C-130H Hercules demonstration.
1:20 p.m. - WWI dogfight.
1:40 p.m. - C-47 paratrooper drop.
2 to 2:40 p.m. - WWII ground battle re-enactment.
2:40 p.m. - F-16 demonstration and heritage flight.
3:05 p.m. - Navy warbird flight.
3:25 p.m. - MiG-17
3:40 p.m. - B-17s and B-24s.

Or, for ALL the information, head on over to the website for the Yankee Air Museum

Late night open thread

Danville leads Bluefield 4-1 tonight in the Appalachian Rookie League. Chris Shehan has a home run for Danville. One day Chris will Google himself and wonder why the hell the Ypsi City Desk would mention him, or the Appalachian Rookie League for that matter. Chris is out of Strasburg, PA.

Chris you are our favorite player on the Danville team. They're paying you way too little. You should mention that to management on a night you hit a home run, like tonight.

Danville Braves, woo, go team

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

Michigan football MAY or MAY NOT have a steroids problem on it's hands

Former Michigan defensive end, Rondell Biggs, was recently pulled over near I-94 and State Street. We'll now cut to the chase; Biggs told police he was in town HELPING the Michigan football program with the 'training and conditioning' of the team. What MAY be troubling here is what Biggs was found with after being stopped. Police say they found 10 yellow pills in the center console of the vehicle in a bag that had a label indicating it contained 50 pills. Now, a Michigan rep said Biggs was merely an hourly employee back under Lloyd Carr's tenure and has no connection to the new coach, Rich Rodriguez. The pills in question came back as 'positive for stanozolol, a Schedule III prescribed synthetic anabolic steroid'.

Troubling yes, now whether we can determine Biggs' exact role with the team remains to be seen but if he's still having anything to do with the team in any official capacity, the NCAA will be all over this. If he's only working with FORMER U-M athletes, the heat would be off except for those stupid enough to use steroids to begin with.

Simple question--Who's got the best pizza in town?

We wanted to throw this open to the public today and see who around town has the tastiest pizza pies. We're not handing out any kind of award, we just wondered if some of the newer pizza houses were as good as the established Ypsi/Arbor pizza places...

Late night open thread

If today is your birthday, you share it with Lucille Ball, who was born in 1911.


Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

David Byrne will perform at the Michigan Theater October 24

No ticket info has been announced other than Mr Byrne will be at the Michigan on October 24th. Byrne has been working with former Roxy Music member Brian Eno on his/their latest album called 'Everything That Happens Will Happen Today'. Byrne's website doesn't make it sound like you're gonna go get to hear Talking Heads music so be ye warned.

Post Primary YCD Hangover Edition

First off, we're glad we'll have a new sheriff. We were never THAT impressed with Dan Minzey. We got the definite idea he never wanted to hear from any voters unless he was putting up a sign in their yard (and the commenter on the Ann Arbor News who said the signs would win the day and that they were all put up by request legally, we simply give a big Nelson Muntz 'ha ha'). We hope Jerry Clayton brings a renewed vigor to the Washtenaw County Sheriff position. Judging from the numbers you have a mandate Mr. Clayton, don't waste it.

In Ypsilanti, we were happy to see old warhorse Pete Murdock win the Democratic nomination in Ward 3. You can say what you want to about Mr. Murdock but he understands this city, he knows what needs to be done and brings a consensus building ability with him. In the Second Ward, the Water Street Project claimed John Gawlas who lost to Michael Bodary. Mr. Gawlas, we wish you well but that Water Street Project will claim a lot of people before it's done. The biggest loser on the night was our Mayor, Paul Schreiber who wasn't on the ballot per se, but backed not one, not two but three losing city council candidates. His work as mayor looks to be all the more difficult now. We also think his time as mayor might well be up next time he runs. Between the Water Street Project and the OBVIOUS throw the bums out mood of Washtenaw County yesterday, folks aren't shy about a house cleaning.

In Ann Arbor, John Hieftje not only won reelection to the Mayor's office but the candidates he supported won the night. He looks to have council on his side going into the next year. Sandi Smith in the 1st Ward, Tony Derezinski in the 2nd Ward, Christopher Taylor in the 3rd Ward, Carsten Hohnke in the 5th Ward all won.

In Ypsi Township, besides the big win by Brenda Stumbo, the three incumbent trustees, Jean Hall Currie, Dee Sizemore and Stan Eldridge and Mike Martin, got the most votes.

Pittsfield Township was in the mood for change in a big way, tossing out the incumbents and voting for Mandy Grewal, clerk candidate Alan Israel, treasurer candidate Patricia Scribner and trustee candidates Stephanie Hunt, Gerald Krone, Tom Sherony and Chol Yi.

In the 15th District Judge race, the two who plastered their faces on transportation, came in 3rd and 4th respectively. The two top vote getters, Chris Easthope and Eric Gutenberg will face off in November while Joan Lowenstein and Margaret Connors. the faces on the busses, lost.

Results as we get 'em

Oakland 3
Toronto 1

All unofficial but it looks like Brenda Stumbo has defeated Ruth Ann Jamnick in Ypsi Township tonight comfortably, and Karen Lovejoy-Roe was out ahead of David Ostrowski in the Clerk's race.

The Ann Arbor News will take it from here (like they were doing anyhow) ...

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

Big rush hour accident on US 23 between Washtenaw Ave. and Geddes

Quite the backup this afternoon, going northbound as few as 15 minutes ago traffic was at a dead stop. Traffic traveling southbound had a gawker delay. State Police and ambulances were on scene.

YCD is Election Central for Washtenaw County

Johnny voted early, or like he calls it, he put the hay in the barn early, and we can now concentrate on YOU, the Washtenaw County voter.

Were there long lines when you voted? Candidates gladhanding? Any gossip you'd like to share with us? Don't touch that dial, we'll go with one long election day thread today with results as they are known...

Late night open thread

Valuable information to help you get your vote on tomorrow can be found HERE. Best of luck to all candidates.

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

Sadly, another construction death on the U-M campus (UPDATED 1:37PM)

A construction worker fell five stories to his death this morning at the Stephen M. Ross School of Business. This is the second death this year at a construction site on U-M property. Last February, a worker died in a fall at the U-M Museum of Art site.

Hopefully a full investigation is done. In the tragic February fall the Michigan branch of OSHA fined the masonry company some 60K for knowingly disregarding proper safety procedures.

Update: (AP) 31-year-old David J. Smith of Jackson fell down an empty elevator shaft about 6:30 a.m. Monday. He worked for Schindler Elevator Corp.

Last chance to post your thoughts on the primaries

Before we vote tomorrow. If you'd like to, say it anonymously...

Late night open thread

His real name is Vincent Furnier, but you may know him by his stage name. Answer HERE

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

Sunday afternoon before the primaries--speak your mind

Like we said at the beginning of this venture to keep the city ill informed and share a good chuckle, we weren't going to endorse candidates for offices. We'll tell you what happened and why we think it did but do the research and make up your own minds. They're Johnny's neighbors and this obviously isn't a serious news laden CNN type site. So, we'll call out those we think deserve a scolding or high praise, but, we love you all equally. We don't play favorites. Don't listen to your father's new girlfriend...

So, what say you? Who are you supporting and why?

Have at

Hats off to Ypsilanti's own Junior Olympic runner

Myles Griffin is fast fast fast. He just got done running a 29.80 in the 200 yard dash which placed him sixth in the AAU Junior Olympics over at Rynearson Stadium this week. Did we mention Myles is 9 years old? Yep, sixth in the nation in his age class at age 9. Sounds like he's taking after another Ypsilanti speedster, Tiffany Ofili.

Well run Myles, well run indeed.

Late night open thread

The Amtrak just rolled through Ypsilanti and Depot Town. Comfort food for the ears, hearing the trains roll through our fair city.

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

Summer Saturday in Cool City open thread

Let's get outside and enjoy Ypsilanti on this fine summer day.

Late night open thread

Michigan football is ranked #24 in the USA Today preseason poll. Far better than many were guessing we think.

Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with THE B-52'S!

And of course the official soundtrack of summer, Rock Lobster. The video is a tad skippy in a couple spots however is shows the B-52's performing this song in their infancy, and rare look back at the very beginnings of such an iconic band 30 years later.

B-52's Rock Lobster

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with THE B-52'S!

From 1983, the B-52's with Planet Claire, probably THE coolest song dealing with space, and there are a LOT of great ones. This is just soooo spot on and hip and spacey all at the same time. They've immortalized a very forgettable car, that's the level of greatness in this song.

B-52's with Planet Claire

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with THE B-52'S!

Friday funtime with America's fa-vo-rite fun band. We're gonna run three times the funshine with the B-52's tonight. It's summer, kids love fun summer tunes and we can all use a good uplift of great music every so often.

B-52's with Channel Z

The NATIONAL Weather Service, as opposed to the DEXTER Weather Service, has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the Huron Valley until 9pm

Could be some rough sailin' mateys. Batton down the rum.

YCD asks--How's your garden growing?

What's working? What's not? Got any tips as we move into the growing season? Cherry tomatoes are going great guns in Johnny's garden, as are cucumbers and herbs. Peppers are a touch slow this year...

Pittsfield Township shaking down senior citizens?

Oh course they're NOT shaking down senior citizens, but with this bank account takeover there is PERCEPTION and there is REALITY and right now the powers that be in Pittsfield Township are facing PERCEPTION of taking over a senior citizen group's finances, even with the legal-ese over the private tax ID number snafu.

The senior citizen group, Pittsfield Seniors, have three bank accounts plus six certificates of deposit totaling roughly $219,000. Township Treasurer Christina Lirones claims she was 'legally obligated' to take over the money. According to the Ann Arbor News "The tax identification number is something issued to all employers by the Internal Revenue Service for purposes such as tracking Social Security withholding tax." Pittsfield Township thought the seniors had their own tax ID. They had a Pittsfield Township tax ID.

Pittsfield Township can talk until they are blue in the mouth, the perception is they took a lot of money from a senior citizen group. Senior citizens vote. Senior citizens also realize this is an election year.

Christina Lirones, you're in quite a pickle, and that's reality, not perception...