The last post of 2007 - Happy New Year!

I have tried my best to stay away from the computer during the holiday break while the kids are off school. With the exception of checking email after they go to bed, and a client project that needed to be wrapped up before the end of the year, I've been doing pretty well.

Funny how many extra hours I have in a day when I'm not distracted by electronics. Ironically, now that I have dedicated to spending more time with them, the kids have been distracted with their new Leapster games and Webkinz pets. Ah well, it has given me time to read a book I received *last* Christmas.

Updates for www.Chelsea-MI.com
The Things To Do In Chelsea events calendar is now completely database driven, which means that it has freed up hours and hours of my time each week to finish up the newest addition. This is a comprehensive directory of all businesses, organizations, and fun places like parks. The engine is done, and now it is a matter of adding more and more information to it. If you have a few minutes or an hour to volunteer to help out, your efforts will help benefit the whole community! Just send me an email if you have some time to spare.

For my last post of 2007, I wish you all a very happy new year!

~Leslie

Chelsea to become Tree City USA?

In the Ann Arbor News this week, there was an article about the city of Chelsea considering becoming a Tree City USA.

• Chelsea debates need for tree board - 'Tree City USA' status requires one (Ann Arbor News, 12/20/07)

Apparently, it was suggested by a Chelsea resident that our city become a designated Tree City USA, and the City Council is researching and considering it. The debate being whether or not we need yet another layer of government.

I'm not sure what to make of this. I am a strong proponent of environmental initiatives, but also an opponent of making day to day operations more complicated. I get a little impatient with the time and cost of meetings and paperwork involving "ordinances" and "proclamations" -- especially when the benefits are attributes like "image" and "pride". I'll be interested to follow this story and learn more about how this will benefit our city.

More information about Tree City USA can be found on the Arbor Day Foundation website. Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Saline and some of our other neighbors in Washtenaw County have already earned this designation.

Another unique gift idea... hadn't thought of this one!

I received an email today from the Friends of the McKune Memorial Library (that is the Chelsea Library to most of us), which had a couple great ideas for last-minute gifts. The message is as follows:

This season is a perfect time to remember that you can select a present of an engraved paver brick at McKune Memorial Library, with your name, or commemorating someone else, before the December 31 2007 deadline. This brick campaign has been ongoing, and this order will be processed for bricklaying in Spring 2008, if enough orders are received in time. You can write your name in Chelsea community history or pay tribute to others through this wonderful gift, an important fundraiser for the library.

Get the form to complete at the library. A basic brick at $100., 4"x8", 3 lines, 12 characters per line. You may also order two or more individual bricks. A Builder brick is $500., 8"x8", 6 lines, 12 characters per line. Your gift is tax-deductible. Questions? Call (734) 475-8732, ext 216, for Wendy Smith.

Another very timely and ideal holiday gift is the Friends brand new "Chelsea Cooks! Heritage Cookbook". This unique cookbook includes great recipes along with memorable stories about them, from many local cooks in the Chelsea community. They are available for sale at the library circulation desk, and at the New Chelsea Market, for $10 per copy.

Now in all my shopping local suggestions, I hadn't thought of these things. I have yet to pick up my own copy of the 'Chelsea Cooks!" cookbook (which I reserved a loooong time ago), but I know I submitted a recipe or two. It would in fact make a great last-minute gift for a few people I can think of. I only wish I had thought to include it in the great Michigan gift basket I had made up at the Chelsea Market this week!

City of Chelsea Town Hall Meeting on Dec. 18

A couple of notices from the City of Chelsea offices:

Townhall Meeting on Dec 18th

NOTICE OF TOWN HALL MEETING FOR THE CITY OF CHELSEA

Notice is hereby given that the Chelsea City Council will hold a Town Hall Meeting on Tuesday, December 18th at 6:30 p.m. The meeting will take place at the Washington Street Education Center (Boardroom), 500 Washington St. This is a chance to meet the new City Council Members.

Public Hearing for the Draft Comprehensive Plan

The City of Chelsea's draft Comprehensive Plan is now available for review online under Planning and Zoning. The public hearing regarding the draft Comprehensive Plan will be held on December 18th in the Boardroom of the Washington Street Education Center, 500 Washington St. at 7:30 p.m.

Source: City of Chelsea website

Shopping locally in Chelsea - my favorite holiday topic!

In today's Chelsea Standard, I was very pleased to see a note from the editor encouraging people to shop locally for the holidays.

• Let's buy at least one present from a local merchant (Chelsea Standard, 12/13/07)

This is a concept I have been promoting since 2005 on the Things To Do In Chelsea website. I think we can do a lot better than buying 'one present from a local merchant', but point taken, it is a good place to start.

Local Toy Stores
Much as I'd love to buy handmade and locally produced items for all my gift giving, you just can't get around the fact that kids are going want toys from Nintendo, Hasbro, Disney and Mattel. But here are some helpful tidbits.

• Our local Pamida has a pretty good selection of toys. They also participate in local events like Hometown Holidays, and support Chelsea organizations through donations and sponsorships.
• If you can't find what you need here in town, Meijer is a Michigan based company who gives back the local communities in many ways, including the Rewards Program in which most Chelsea schools participate.
• Of course, at risk of repeating myself, if you don't have to buy the kids in your life an electronic toy or action figure, make your first stop at Cranesbill Books. I can't say enough good things about the high quality and creative selection of toys and games to be found there. As I've said before, their brilliant decision to start carrying toys last year has saved me countless trips to Ann Arbor or Jackson for toy shopping.
  

Shopping Local From Out of Town
I was pondering the concept of shopping locally as I shopped online this morning. "Huh?" you may say. Well, I was searching for a gift basket to be delivered out of the country. Rather than paying extra shipping charges, dealing with international customs, etc., I searched for a local company in *their* town who can deliver something good. I thought it would be a nice gesture to help support my loved one's own community. But the key to this being a successful transaction is the local small businesses must have an internet presence. As a website designer in my own small town, I feel strongly that *every* business needs to be on the web, whether it is a comprehensive directory listing, a small website, or a full fledged e-commerce experience. I'd venture to guess that anyone who is reading my blog probably uses Google a whole lot more often than they look in the phone book.

I'll spare you the plug for my own website design business, but I will take the opportunity to mention that the new Chelsea e-Directory will be launched in a few days. It will include every business in Chelsea who wishes to be included (for free!) and provide users comprehensive listings by category and searchable by key word. This directory will make it even easier for people to plan their shopping trip in Chelsea, or find a place to eat while they are in town. Oh, and also help you find an accountant, plumber, bank or local park... but that is a topic for another day. (Let me if you want to learn more, otherwise watch for the announcement on the front page of www.chelsea-mi.com)

Chelsea shoppers are also very lucky to have the option to purchase Chelsea Cash gift certificates. I'm always surprised to hear that people don't know about these. You can buy them in any amount and use them at tons of places around town. They can be bought online or at the Chamber of Commerce office, which is in the Clocktower.

More Information and Holiday Links

• Shopping Local in Chelsea, Michigan 2005
• Shopping Local in Chelsea, Michigan 2006
• Shopping Local in Chelsea, Michigan 2007
• Also of interest: Christmas Tree Shopping in the Chelsea Area
• List of Places To Worship in Chelsea, MI - for those seeking a church to attend Christmas services. For other denominations, you may have to expand your search to the rest of Washtenaw County, including Ann Arbor, Dexter, Saline and surrounding areas. If you're coming from out of town, I'm happy to help you find what you're looking for. Just ask!

If you don't hear from me as much as usual on The Chelsea Blog, be assured that I'm still around... just busy shopping and celebrating, too. Happy shopping and happy holidays!

Hometown Holidays (aka the Festival of Lights) in Chelsea

Chelsea's Hometown Holidays celebrations (formerly known as the Festival of Lights) begins today and runs through the weekend. My personal focus leans toward the family activities, but there really is something for every one. And nearly everything is FREE. Our own "must see" highlights of the Hometown Holidays weekend will be:

1. On Friday night, the Tree Lighting Ceremony at Pierce Park and a visit with Santa at the depot.
2. A craft class for families called "Home for the Holidays" at the Chelsea Center for the Arts on Saturday morning. I'm looking forward to seeing what treasures the kids will make for their grandparents. Maybe I can even cajole them into making Mommy something.
   
3. Decorate a gingerbread house workshop for families. We went last year, and had a lot of fun! The best part (for me) is that there is no frosting or sprinkles for me to clean up at home!
   
4. And the holiday Light Parade Saturday evening-- which marks the second day of the year where our house is premium property in Chelsea. ;-)

Other events that we love are all the make and take crafts at stores around town, such as a birdseed ornaments at Gigi's Flowers and sculpey ornaments at Cranesbill Books. There will also be carols and live music performances throughout the weekend, including the annual holiday performance by the Chelsea Chamber Players.

See the full schedule on the Event Itinerary on the Hometown Holidays website.

After Thanksgiving ... Shop Local!

Happy Thanksgiving!
Surrounded by the smells of Thanksgiving supper cooking, I sat down in front of the computer to wish you all a happy day. I hope each of you find a moment of peace and lots of laughs with company you enjoy. [You don't have to tell anyone if that part happens *after* the guests leave. ;-) ]

After Thanksgiving ... Shop Local!
Before you head out to the mall, or to the super stores, remember to check out some of the great stores we have right here in Chelsea. If you are shopping for relatives out of town and need something shipped, just ask! Some suggestions for gift shopping in Chelsea:

• Cranesbill Books and Toys - Ever since Cranesbill began selling toys last year, I have not had to drive to Ann Arbor for a single gift-giving occassion. For every birthday and holiday since then, I have found perfect presents for all the kids on my lists. Very often, I've found a book AND a toy that go perfectly together. How about a fairy making doll kit plus a book like "Airy Fairy" for the little girl on your list? Or a magic kit with a fantastic story about wizards and dragons for the boy on your list?


• The Garden Mill - Not only can you purchase your fresh wreaths and greenery, but you can also find handmade ornaments and decorations at the Garden Mill. You can easily find the perfect present for anyone who loves gardening, feeding birds, or unique decor and hand-crafted items. They have everything from huge wrought iron arbors, to tiny little fairies.


• Mission Marketplace - If you are tired of the hype and commercialism of the holidays, but can't quite get away from purchasing gifts for family, check out the Mission Marketplace. All the items at this non-profit retail store -- from gourmet coffee to hand-crafted nativity pieces to instruments and textiles -- are fairly traded. This means that they were not made in super sized factories, but were hand crafted by individuals, families and community members from around the world. Not only that, the prices at the Mission Marketplace are *very* affordable. If you like items from Pier One or World Market, try the Mission Marketplace first.


• Vogel's and Foster's - This department store in Chelsea has been around since 1910. The first time I visited the store, I was suprised to see how big it is and what a great selection of high quality items they carry. It is the perfect place to pick up a great sweater for your Dad, a new piece of jewelry for your sister, a colorful raincoat for your neice or nephew, or a great fitting pair of pants for yourself. And unlike department stores at the mall or big box stores, at Vogel's and Foster's you will be treated with good old fashioned friendly customer service.

All of these stores are locally owned by Chelsea residents. Their time, money and efforts go right back in to the Chelsea community.

There are many more great merchants in Chelsea. What are some of your favorites?

Faith In Action Needs Your Help

I had a witty blog planned out when I received an email from a friend about something more important than what I had in mind. So I hope to reach out to friends and neighbors and ask that you take a few items from your pantry or cupboards, or add some extra items to your shopping list, to help Faith In Action. This local organization helps people in the Chelsea and Dexter areas who are struggling to make ends meet this fall and winter.

Faith in Action has EMPTY PANTRIES
The following is a partial list of the staples they are completely out of:
Canned or frozen meat
Canned fruit and vegetables
Spaghetti Sauce
Juice
Chili Beans
Pancake mix and syrup
Peanut butter and jelly
Pasta
Macaroni and cheese
Healthy snack foods

Non-food items:
Laundry and dish soap
Shampoo, shaving items and deodorant

I happen to know that thanks to the generosity of the kids and families at North Creek Elementary school, Faith In Action will be getting a carload of groceries next week. But a carload of groceries only lasts a week or two at my house, so I'm sure that they will need much, much more from the community to help make ends meet for the families who use their services.

A Challenge
Last year, I was a bit behind on my to do list and missed the drop-off date for the school canned goods collection. In a pinch, I took my kids and a friend to the grocery store, gave them each $10, and let them choose boxed and canned goods to bring directly to Faith In Action. It was a spur of the moment activity, but turned out to be beneficial in so many ways.

For the most part, I let them choose all the items on their own. I helped them with the math, and suggested we opt for foods that could make a meal like pasta, tuna, peanut butter, baking mix, etc. We tried to keep in mind if you don't have much food, the food you DO eat should be healthy. But being 6 years old, some of their choices included gummy bears, and Pringles chips (on sale). At the sight of my raised eyebrow, they explained to me that some of the families might have little kids like them, and those kids might really like these treats. Of course, they were absolutely right. The lessons in menu-planning, budgeting and math, not to mention charity and thoughtfulness have had lasting effects on all of us.

How to Help
Faith In Action accepts donations Monday - Friday from 9 til 4. And on Wednesdays until 7 p.m. Visit their website at www.faithinaction1.org for more information.

Faith In Action
603 S. Main St.
Chelsea, MI 48118
Tel: (734) 475-3305

P.S. Not In Chelsea?
If you're reading my blog and are not anywhere near Chelsea, Michigan, I challenge you to find your own local assistance organization and take them a nice donation of food and necessities.

Wine, Women and Shopping this Saturday

This Saturday, November 10, is the second annual "Wine, Women and Shopping" event in Chelsea.

Wine, Women and Shopping in Chelsea, Michigan
Special Events & Demonstrations

Event times are listed after listing, Store hours are listed in (parenthesis)

1. Merkel Furniture & Carpet One (9:30am - 5pm)
   Decorated cookies, 2:00-4:00
2. New Chelsea Market (8am-9pm) - Food Tasting & Sampling
3. Vogel’s and Foster’s (10:00am-8:00pm)
   Wine & Snacks
   French Dressing Jean Fit Clinic representative on hand, 12:00-3:00
4. Cranesbill Books, Music & Toys (10:00am – 8:00pm)
   Laureen Prophett of Graham Henry Design will be introducing her new ‘Signature Line’ and making color prints for your home. Ms. Prophett will talk about starting a small business & share tips for photographing the family over the holidays, 1:00
   
5. West of the Moon Gallery (10:00am – 8:00pm)
   Meet the Artists & Demos, Jewelry, Glass, Fiber, Pottery and More
   Kumihimo: ancient art of braiding ropes, belts, ribbons and decorative sashes, 12:00-2:00
   Origami Folding: learn to fold a paper crane for a small pin, 2:00-5:00
6. The Village Shoppe (10:00am – 8:00pm)
   Wine & Stonewall Kitchen Sampling
   Laura Gravelyn Jewelry, 10:00–6:00
7. Stidwill’s Decorative Antiques (10:00am-8:00pm)
   Coffee, 10:30-12:00
   Wine, Appetizers & Punch, 2:00-6:00
8. Uptown Antiques and Littlewares (11:00am-5:00pm)
   Mother Trude’s Ginger Cookies & Salted Almonds
9. Chelsea Woodworking Antiques (10:00am – 8:00pm)
   Wine & Hors d’oeuvres, 10:00-6:00
   Mary Kay Facial & Make-up
   Antique Car, get your picture taken!
   Free appraisal of your treasure, bring a photograph, 12:00 – 2:00
10. Mule Skinner Boot Shop (10:00am – 8:00pm)
    Wine & Homemade Fudge
11. Garden Mill (10:00am – 8:00pm)
    Wine, Crackers, Cheese & Fruit
    Demonstration forcing paperwhite bulbs & music
12. P3 - Pierces Pastries Plus (5:30am –6:00pm)
    Come and greet Margaret the new owner
    Mornings Mochas & Melodies, 10:30-12:30
    Pumpkin donut sampling, 5:30am-6:00pm
    Cosmo Reader & Tarot Card Reader, 12:30 --6:00
13. The Potting Shed (10:00am –8:00pm)
    Sipping Chocolate & Fall Treats
14. Middle Bead (10:00am – 8:00pm)
    Wine & Appetizers
    Demonstration on Earring Making, 2:00-3:00

And in other area news... is it just me or is this funny?

As you know, I keep up with local news via online news sources. This came in today from the Jackson Citizen Patriot:

I-94 stop nets more than half ton of pot

A Michigan State Police motor carrier officer making a routine stop found 1,200 pounds of marijuana concealed in the back of a semitrailer Sunday in Grass Lake Township.

The bust, which netted pot with a street value of about $1.2 million, is believed to be the largest single-stop marijuana find in Jackson County history, said state police Detective 1st Lt. Timothy Gill at a Monday news conference. ...

[read more]

I supposed I should be shocked and appalled that there are mass quantities of illegal drugs being transported right past my house between Ann Arbor and Grass Lake... but wait... grass in Grass Lake? C'mon, that is just a wee bit funny.

City of Chelsea election results for City Council

The votes are in for today's election in Chelsea for city council.

• Incumbant Jason Lindauer will be keeping his council seat for another 4 years.
• Newcomers Rod Anderson and William Holmberg will fill the other two seats on the council
  

For details, see election coverage from the Ann Arbor News:
http://blog.mlive.com/annarbornews/breaking_news/election/

More details

• Results from the City of Chelsea website
  
• Election Results from eWashtenaw

November 7, 2007
Update: And for a bit of drama... a recount!
With a difference of 5 votes between candidates Lindauer and Myles, and the same number of absentee ballot issues, the County Clerk will be checking and double-checking the election results.

• Absentee ballot discrepancy causes call for recount (via the Chelsea Standard website)
• Chelsea Election Isn't Over (Ann Arbor News)
  

The Ann Arbor News article states that if there is a tie, the final result will be determined by pulling a name out of a hat. Wonder if they'd do that at the White House? ;-)

Don't forget to vote on Tuesday!

Tuesday, November 6 is voting day. Chelsea residents have a big decision ... who will sit on our City Council for the next 4 years? This is very important for our city, so please stop by the Washington Street Education Center on your way to work, while out running errands, or at some point during your day.

For more information on the candidates, visit the Chelsea Voting Guide on the www.chelsea-mi.com website.

Speaking of voting...
The Chelsea Bulldogs are up for the Football Frenzy Team of the Week through WDIV Channel 4. To vote for our hometown team, visit this link and place your votes! http://www.clickondetroit.com/highschool/index.html
*Yes, you can vote multiple times! As far as I can tell, that is how these online games are played!*

Dancing with the stars... Craig Common?

Found this news snippet in today's Detroit Free Press online [click for article on freep.com]:

DANCE: Local folks to compete

Call it "Dancing with the Make-A-Wish Stars," an event starring local celebrities like Debbie Dingell, vice chair of the GM Foundation; Craig Common, owner of Common Grill in Chelsea; and Susan Lerch, chief executive officer of Make-A-Wish Foundation of Michigan. They'll be battling on the dance floor in front of a panel of judges.

The event runs from 6:30 to 11:30 p.m. Saturday at the Michigan Theater, 603 East Liberty in Ann Arbor. Tickets are $75 and include dinner. Call 734-994-8620.

Additional Information
The Ann Arbor News printed this article on their website this afternoon, which has more details on the upcoming event.

• Local celebrities to dance for children's charity (Ann Arbor News, 11/1/07)

Trick or Treat from Chelsea!

Happy Halloween! My little fairy princess and king have been counting the days until Halloween since the end of September. And it seems to be a week long celebration around here. My son's preschool had a party last week, and my 2nd grader will be joining her classmates for a costume parade and party this afternoon. Halloween is one of those holidays that are fun all over again once you become a parent!

Trick or Treating for Halloween in Chelsea takes place from 4:00 until 6 p.m. (Don't ask me.... I agree that it's a strange time, and awfully inconvenient for working parents, too. When I was a kid we didn't even *start* trick or treating until after dinner.) Afterwards, there is a party on the lawn of the McKune Memorial Library, sponsored by the Chelsea Kiwanis. This is the new location for the annual that previously took place in the Common Grill parking lot.

This year we are going to try something a little different than hitting up neighbors for goodies. We plan to trick or treat our way downtown Chelsea to meet some friends, check out Cole Funeral Home and local merchants, then spend some time at the party at the library. Up until this year, my children have not had enough stamina for all that fun -- YES... it was the kids, not me who got tired first (for once). So it will be fun to try something new.

Trick or Treating Hours in the Area:
In case you want to go out a little later, here are the posted hours for trick or treaters in communities in our area:

• Ann Arbor: 5-8 p.m.
• Chelsea: 4-6 p.m. - Party afterwards on library lawn
  
• Dexter: 5:30-7:30 p.m.
• Manchester: 5-7 p.m. - Downtown merchants. Stop at the red mill for free caramel apples.
  

For other communities, see the Trick or Treat list from the Ann Arbor News.

And you?
I know there are a lot of lurkers that read my blog. Now's your chance come out of hiding and add a comment. What are you and/or your kids doing for Halloween this year? More importantly, what is your favorite Halloween treat? Me? I love Almond Joys and anything with dark chocolate. :-p

Who Will Speak for YOU?

Vote on November 6, 2007
On November 6, it is up to residents of the city of Chelsea to decide who will sit on our City Council for the next 4 years. To help you make your decision, Things To Do In Chelsea is currently featuring a 2007 Voting Guide:

• 2007 Voting Guide for Chelsea, Mich. - Includes location, candidates, new articles and resources
  

Why Vote?
Most of the big news these days is about presidential candidates for 2008, but I can't think of another voting decision that affects your day-to-day life as much as who sits on your City Council. We choose these folks to represent our own best interests, and make choices about our taxes, our sidewalks, our downtown, our garbage pick up, our water system and many things that we take for granted until something goes amok.

This is the only item on this year's ballot, so take a quick detour to the Washington Street Education Center on Nov. 6, to choose the candidates who will be speaking for you during the next 4 years.

Related News
In related news, this tidbit was in today's Ann Arbor News:

Chelsea
Council to consider budget timetable
The Chelsea City Council will consider something new at its next meeting - a budget preparation calendar for the fiscal year 2008-2009. It would include specific goals, a council retreat and several public hearings. City Manager John Hanifan proposed a timeline for budget deliberations that begins in early December and ends in May with the adoption of a new budget. Included is the distribution of a goal survey to both the City Council and staff in early December, a completed draft in March, budget hearings in April and May and a millage rate adoption in June before the new budget year starts on July 1.
From News staff reports
Ann Arbor News In Brief (Oct. 25, 2007)

P.S. Think you could do better? November 2nd at 4:00 p.m. is the deadline for anyone who is interested in running as a write-in candidate for City Council positions.

Jeff Daniels discusses small town life in Chelsea

In an upcoming issue of Guideposts magazine, Chelsea's own celebrity, Jeff Daniels discusses life in a small town.

Here is the description from a recent newswire release:

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The new November issue of Guideposts magazine features a cover story by award-winning actor, Jeff Daniels, about what his hometown of Chelsea, Michigan has that Hollywood doesn't. Jeff readily admits that, sure small towns are a great place to raise your kids, but he's happy to correct the misperception that places like his hometown are set in their ways and not very stimulating. Certainly his inspiration to perform started right there in Chelsea High School and, now that he's back living in Michigan full time, he sees a lot of new ground being broken in local theater, performing arts, music and community activities. Jeff tells Guideposts readers that he's convinced that small towns are wonderful places to be free to dream, to try new things and to just be yourself. [link to source]

---

And here is a snippet of the article, from GuidepostMag.com:

Hometown Boy

By Jeff Daniels
Chelsea, Michigan

Let me tell you about the small town where I come from: Chelsea, Michigan, population nearly 4,700, just west of Ann Arbor. It has one hospital, three elementary schools, a high school, a train depot, golf courses, several churches and a tree-lined Main Street. And right out of central casting there’s the lumber company (where my folks still work), Zouzou’s coffee shop, a hockey rink and a first-rate theater (more about that later). With its small-town atmosphere and solid Midwestern values, it’s the sort of place where an actor with both promise and ambition grows up and then leaves, never to return…unless he’s the grand marshal in the annual Fourth of July parade and his agent or studio needs to buff up his image.

Well, I left Chelsea when I was 21 to try my luck in the theater, which was pretty good. I appeared on the Broadway stage and in a couple of Hollywood films, and after bouncing around between the East and West Coasts, my wife, Kathleen, and I asked ourselves where we wanted to raise our children—our one son was almost two years old. The answer was easy: “Michigan.” We knew Michigan. And if it was going to be Michigan, it would have to be Chelsea, where we’d met. ..... [read the rest of the article on www.guidepostmag.com]

---

Would you believe that for as much as I promote Chelsea, and am involved in so many events and projects, that I have never met -- or even seen -- Jeff Daniels? I mentioned as much to some other moms when I was waiting for my daughter to finish her ballet class, and they all said, "REALLY?! I see him all the time!" Which turned into a "Jeff-Daniels-sighting" conversation, leaving me to wonder if I spend too much time at the computer? For as much as he loves Chelsea, sometimes I wonder if he reads my blog? Or knows about my Things To Do In Chelsea website? Definitely things that make me go "Hmmmmm....."

Interesting stats for the Chelsea Blog

I started writing the Chelsea Blog earlier this year, as a spin-off of the Things To Do In Chelsea website. Things To Do In Chelsea ranks very highly for search engines, and I have intentionally set it up to be easy for visitors to find. The Chelsea Blog on the other hand, continues to be an outlet for both personal and community observations, so I haven't done much to "optimize it" for searchability. For this reason, I find it entertaining and educational to pay attention to *how* people find my blog.

So far, the hottest topics (found via web searches) to date include:

• Fireworks in Michigan
• Must See Things To Do In Michigan
• Chelsea blog or blogs in Chelsea (generally land on the front page of the blog)
• Why Is The Flag at Half Mast
• What Should a 4 Year Old Know
• Attack of the Fairies
• and more recently Development of Federal Screw Works property
  

These are in no particular order, and are only ranked by my mental notes, not scientific methods.

But I do find it interesting that most of the topics are not Chelsea focused. This probably means that people other than my friends and neighbors are visiting the blog. So perhaps they are stumbling on Things To Do In Chelsea, too(which gets more like 100,000 visits each month). Perhaps they might even venture out to Chelsea for a visit. If so, my dog is quite likely looking out the window and barking at them as they drive right past my house. The Internet makes the world even smaller, doesn't it?

Maybe I'm getting carried away with my assumptions, but then again, maybe not! At this point the blog is getting 300-500 visitors each week, and I'm fairly sure they are not ALL me.... lol

New owners and development of Federal Screw Works property

The first time I visited Chelsea, Michigan back in the early 90s, it was to dine at the Common Grill (of course!) with some colleagues. As we drove on Main St. toward downtown we passed a non-descript old building with FEDERAL SCREW WORKS in large letters across the front. Someone said, "What's that? The IRS???" Everyone laughed.

Next time I visited Chelsea (to visit the Common Grill again!) with a different group of people, we drove by the building and someone said, "Hey, I didn't know the IRS had an office here!" Everyone laughed... again.

Years later, we moved to Chelsea (about 2 blocks up from the Federal Screw Works). My in-laws came for a visit, and we took them downtown to show off our new community. We walked by the building, and my father in law said, "Uh oh.. you didn't tell me the IRS was in Chelsea, too!" Hmmm, yes. Polite chuckle. Anyhoooo.....

The Federal Screw Works factory was always a bustling place during the day, with many strange noises and unfamiliar smells hitting your senses as you walked by. Friendly workers on break would always smile and say hi as I walked by with my children in the stroller. The plant shut down a couple of years ago, and it has been a bit eerie walking by the place now that it is quiet and empty. I'm not particularly nostalgic about it, because frankly some of those chemical odors were a little disconcerting. But because I pass by there several times each day, I have been very curious to learn what will become of the old FSW building.

Today, I found my answer in the Ann Arbor News:

Developer Magellan buys downtown Chelsea building

Ann Arbor News, 10/11/07
Ann Arbor developer Magellan Properties has bought a vacant factory in downtown Chelsea and plans to redevelop the site as a 31,750-square-foot retail and office project.

Magellan bought the former Federal Screw Works facility Sept. 21 for about $550,000 from the fastener maker. Federal Screw closed the site about two years ago, and it's been dormant since.

[click here to go to the full article]

It's good to hear of projects like this -- reduced urban sprawl and not leaving us with an old abandoned building as an eye sore. I hope this development is as successful as McKinley's revitalization of the Clocktower complex.

But first I'd better go take a photo of that old building before they tear it down. I wouldn't want to forget all those lame jokes. Haha!

Haven't visited e-Washtenaw lately? You should!

Having woken up with a bit of sore throat -- which is hopefully due to the fact that I'm suffering from major allergies right now -- my perfectly logical self immediately thought, "What if it's measles!!!"

In case you haven't been keeping up with the news, there has been a measles outbreak in Ann Arbor. With my minor ailment and this news in mind, I was compelled to visit the e-Washtenaw Public Health website to learn more. Ok, no high fever. Check. No rash. Check. Let's move on. So now that I don't have measles, I started browsing the rest of the Health Pages and the e-Washtenaw site as a whole. I have been there plenty of times before, but usually it was a quick visit to find the location of a local park, or the address of the County Clerk to get a birth certificate.

The e-Washtenaw site is definitely worth a peek. It is easy on the eyes, well organized and choc full o' useful information. Here are some links to get you started:

• e-Washtenaw.org home page
• Map of Washtenaw County - with links to city and township websites
• Restaurant inspection reports - what they look for, how they score, who got what rating
  
• Services for Homeowners - water quality, radon testing, home repairs, plant and insect identification, tips for 'green living' and lots more
  

It's a great resource for anyone who lives, works, or visits the Ann Arbor, Chelsea, Dexter, Saline and Ypsilanti areas.

October Newsletter from the City of Chelsea

The City of Chelsea's October newsletter is now available online at http://city-chelsea.org/news/october

For your convenience, the full text is copied below:

---

OCTOBER NEWSLETTER

CITY OF CHELSEA

Water Hydrant Flushing ~ The City Water Department will begin water hydrant flushing on Monday, October 8th. This flushing will take place for the next several weeks. The hours of flushing will be between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Water customers are asked to please check your water condition/color prior to doing laundry to avoid any problems. If you should experience discolored water, please allow the water to run for several minutes until it becomes clear. Thank you for your cooperation.

Electric Power Interruption – Sunday, October 7th ~ Chelsea Electric crews will be conducting work on the Industrial Park transformer in order to increase electrical capacity to the north side of the City. Residents and businesses on the north side of the railroad crossing received notices indicating that power will be discontinued for a period of time between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Your cooperation during the course of this project is very much appreciated. This would be a great day to take the family to the apple orchard or go pick out your Halloween pumpkin.

Brush Pick-up ~ Brush pick-up continues to be conducted by the City Public Works crews. Brush should be neatly stacked on the lawn extension (please cut limbs no longer than 4 feet). Schedule for brush pick up is the second Monday of each month (October 8th would be the 2nd Monday). Please stack your brush separately from your leaves on the lawn extension. Thank you.

Autumn Leaves Begin to fall ~ Chelsea City Public Works crews picks up leaves in the fall. Residents are asked to please rake leaves onto the lawn extension (not into the street, please). City crews will pick up leaves as their schedules permit throughout the fall months.

Fire Station Open House ~ Sunday, October 14 from 12noon to 4:00 p.m. [Leslie's note: see details on Things To Do In Chelsea]

Old U.S. 12 Road Resurfacing Project ~ Washtenaw County Road Commission has given the City notice that resurfacing work will begin October 1 on the stretch of roadway between Main Street (M-52) west to Gene Drive. One lane of traffic in each direction will be maintained during construction activities, with intermittent traffic delays occurring. The project is scheduled to be completed in November. A temporary construction speed limit of 35 MPH is being established in this area.

Trick or Treating ~ Trick or Treating is scheduled to happen in the City on Wednesday, October 31 from 4-6 p.m. The Chelsea Kiwanis Club along with the Chelsea District Library will have activities planned on the front lawn of the library beginning at 6:00 p.m. All are invited.

Temporary Change in City Office Hours ~ The City is currently reviewing its office hours schedule to provide the best service to our residents. As part of this change, the City has temporarily changed its hours to 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday through December 21, 2007. The offices will also be conducting a customer service survey in November to obtain your input regarding how we can better service your needs. Watch for those surveys in your November utility bill.

November Election ~ The City Clerk’s office is reminding residents of the November 6th election date. The final day to register to vote for the November 6th election is Monday, October 8th. Absentee ballot applications are available at the City office for this election. City residents are reminded that you will vote at the Washington Street Education Center (cafeteria), 500 Washington Street. According to new state law, voters are required to present photo identification at this election. November 2nd at 4:00 p.m. is the deadline for anyone who is interested in running as a write-in candidate for City Council positions. If you should have any questions, please contact the City Clerk at 475-1771.

Please remember ….

• No Parking between 2-5 a.m. on City streets.
• Curbside garbage pick-up takes place on Tuesday. Orange garbage bags are available at the City Office as well as Aco Hardware, Chelsea Village Hardware, Chelsea Pharmacy and Vogel’s Party Store.
• Recycling Curbside pickup takes place on Wednesday and Thursday of each week – Wednesday for residents in Lanewood subdivision, Pierce Lake Condos, Main Street and everything west of Main Street. Thursday for the remaining eastside of Main Street. For questions on recycling, please contact Western Washtenaw Recycling Authority at 475-6160.
• Chelsea Transfer Station (which is located on Werkner Road) is open to the public on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 12noon to 4:30 p.m. and on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Bulk Item Pick-up is available through the Solid Waste Department. Residents may contact the Transfer Station (475-7955) to make arrangements for pick-up of your item(s). A disposal/pick-up charge will be quoted and arrangements will be made for a pick-up date. Items such as appliances, furniture and mattresses may all be disposed of in this manner.
• City Automatic Utility Bill Payment – forms for direct payment withdrawal for utility bill payments of city utilities are available at the City Office or on the City’s web site: www.city-chelsea.org. For additional information, please contact the City billing office at 475-1771.
• Now that school is back in session, please remember to drive safely in school zones during times when children are traveling to and from school. Thank you.
• Daylight Savings Time Ends – November 4, 2007 – please remember to set your clocks back 1 hour.
• Dogs are not allowed to run at large in the City. If you are out walking your dogs, please make sure you carry your "doggie bag". Dog owners are also reminded to be considerate and not allow your dog to disturb neighbors by habitual barking, yelping, growling or howling. Thank you for being a responsible pet owner.

---

Please contact the City Office at (734) 475-1771 for more information about any of these items.

Probable cause detemined for helicopter crash of Sumner and Tuttle

Chelsea's Police Chief Scott Sumner and Fire Captain Matt Tuttle were tragically killed in a helicopter crash in April 2006. Today, news comes from federal transportation investigators who have discovered what may have caused the accident. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reports that there may have been water in fuel tank, causing the engine to fail.

News Sources:

• NTSB releases probable cause into fatal helicopter crash (WoodTV.com Lansing, Michigan 10/2/07)


• Water In Fuel Blamed For Fatal Helicopter Crash (WHMI.com, Livingston County's 93.5 FM)

This news comes directly from the AP wire, but I'm surprised to find it coming from Lansing and Brighton before seeing it in the Ann Arbor News. If any other details become available, I will add the links here.

Although it has been a year and half since this tragedy occurred, the news is still painful to hear. Many continuing blessings to their families and loved ones.

EDITED TO ADD:
The Ann Arbor News posted a few more details in their article a short time later.

• Water in fuel tank caused copter crash that killed 2 (Ann Arbor News, 10/2/07)

News from the Michigan's State Capitol from Rep. Pam Byrnes

Michigan State Representative Pam Byrnes sent out this letter to her e-mailing list today. Pam Byrnes represents District 52 in Michigan, which includes much of Washtenaw County including Chelsea.

Dear friend,

I have some long-awaited news to share with you from the Capitol. House Democrats today put Michigan on the road to recovery by passing a bold plan to solve our unprecedented fiscal crisis. This bipartisan plan has all the right components -- it makes necessary cuts and common-sense reforms, it raises much-needed revenue, and it has support from both parties.

I have said from the beginning that a budget solution would have to include a mix of cuts, reforms and revenues. The plan that passed today will give the state a long-term savings of hundreds of millions through cuts and reforms.

This plan does not rely on one-time fixes; it is a lasting budget solution that cuts wasteful and inefficient spending while also making critical investments in public safety, education and job creation. To be a magnet for businesses that will bring good-paying jobs to our state, we must get our economy back up and running – and this budget plan will do just that.

Tough times call for tough choices. We have moved needed reforms and cut $433.3 million from the state budget. These are the cuts and reforms Michigan needs to fix the structural problems that have left our state in fiscal crisis.

But I am proud that we refused to "fix" the state budget through cuts alone. By slashing funds for police protection, we would have fewer patrol cars on the street, jeopardizing the safety of all residents. By gutting education funding, class sizes would balloon and children would be denied the education they need to succeed in the 21st century economy. And by raiding the health care budget, we would be denying medical service to our most vulnerable residents.

That is not a Michigan I would want to live in.

Today, the buck stopped in the Michigan House. We stopped the finger-pointing, put our differences aside and worked together to move Michigan forward. Rest assured, House Democrats will continue to do what's necessary to protect Michigan's working families and get our state back on the road to recovery.

Sincerely,

State Representative Pam Byrnes
District 52

Received via email 10/1/01 5:01 p.m.

Power Tools, Lawn Equipment and More

There is a new business in Chelsea called Turf & Timber. They are located in the Oak Tree Plaza, which is located near the I-94 exit off of Old US 12 -- you'll also find Bearclaw Coffee here. Turf & Timber sells outdoor power equipment and lawn tools such as riding mowers, chain saws and more. Sounds like a perfect new toy store for the husbands in town.

Read more about Turf & Timber in this week's Chelsea Standard:

• Riding into town: New business helps trying to take the work out of your yard work (Chelsea Standard, 9/27/07)
  

Turf & Timber Power Equipment
12855 E. Old US 12 [map]
Chelsea, MI 48118
Tel: 734-475-4345
Owners: Phil and Jennifer Tolliver

Oh, and thank you to the owners of this new store for giving me one more reason to not go to a big box store or the mall!

Happy 100th Anniversary to the Clocktower

Today is the 100th anniversary of the iconic Chelsea Clocktower. McKinley Properties now owns the Clocktower building and the surrounding complex, and has done a fantastic job in recent years making it a new destination for Chelsea residents and visitors.

In addition to the Clocktower itself, which now houses many offices including the Chelsea Chamber of Commerce, the rest of the complex offers a variety of food, fun and boutiques, with more to come. The courtyard behind the Clocktower is a great space to gather for music, art, celebrations or just relaxing at one of the umbrella tables.

When we moved to Chelsea in 2001, there wasn't much to do once you passed the Jiffy Co. But now, that part of Chelsea is not to be missed!

Learn More:

• Chelsea Clocktower Centennial Celebration (Things To Do In Chelsea event listing)
  
• Residents turn out to celebrate Chelsea's Clocktower (Ann Arbor News, 9/29/07)
  

Vegetarian Wednesday blog from Chelsea

I am always on the look out for interesting blogs from Chelsea, Michigan. Yesterday's Ann Arbor News led me to a great one called "Vegetarian Wednesday".

As a former vegetarian and someone who strives to eat healthily, I think this is a great idea. Coincidently, I read the article just after finishing my vegetarian dinner of a black bean and corn quesadilla.... on Wednesday no less. Weird! Ok...maybe not so weird. But anyhow, kudos to the Vegetarian Wednesday blog. I'm proud to be your neighbor. :)

• Vegetarian Wednesday (vegetarian-wednesday.blogspot.com)
• Once-a-week vegetarianism: Father, daughter promote meatless Wednesdays (Ann Arbor News, 9/25/07)
  

Fundraiser set for Chelsea Center for the Arts

Recently, there has been some talk on the Chelsea-MI parenting group about the classes at Chelsea Center for the Arts. One of the moms was inviting others to join an art and music class for toddlers, which led to a discussion about all the wonderful classes and staff over at the CCA.

Coincidently, just moments after I had sent a message to the group talking about the great art classes my daughter took this summer, I received an email from Leslie Greeneisen, the program director at the CCA. It was a press release announcing their upcoming annual fundraiser, which is set to take place at the Dale Fisher Gallery and Reception Center in Grass Lake, MI on October 20 at 6:30 p.m.

Here is the official information:

Annual Fundraiser set for Chelsea Center for the Arts

October 20 is the date for this year's Autumn Jubilee celebration to benefit the Chelsea Center for the Arts. Proceeds from the event help to support quality arts and music programs for preschool to adult age students at the center which is located in one of the fastest growing arts communities in Michigan.

"Denim & Diamonds" is the theme for the 6:30 pm event being held at the Dale Fisher Gallery and Reception Center in Grass Lake. Attendees are encouraged to dress up their casual denim attire with anything that sparkles and enjoy a fun evening while supporting the arts. The facility affords barrier free access and ample parking.

The evening activities will consist of a strolling dinner with beverages catered by Simply Scrumptious. A silent auction will make available wonderful art, pottery, jewelry, entertainment, and baskets full of different items, followed by a live auction with Joe Merkel as auctioneer. Fabulous door prizes including a stay at the Grand Hotel, dinner at the Common Grill, and tickets for the Purple Rose Theatre will be given out during the night. Finally, music and dancing featuring "In the Pocket" band, will play from 9pm to midnight.

Co-chairs, Sally Wetzel and Barbara Ruth have brought together a terrific team of volunteers to gather donations and coordinate the party, making this whole evening an event not to be missed. Sponsorship and donation opportunities are still available for those interested in being a part of the benefit.

Honorary chairs for the event are Jim and Linda Cramer in recognition of their many years of contributions. Artist, Janet Alford, will also be honored for her dedication to the Center.

Tickets for the Autumn Jubilee are $100 per person. Groups of 8 or more will receive a 10% discount. After October 10th, all tickets will be $120 per person. For more information or to reserve your space, please call the CCA at 734-433-2787.

The Chelsea Center for the Arts is located on quiet street in historic Chelsea. Their contact information is as follows:

• Chelsea Center for the Arts
  400 Congdon Street
  Chelsea, MI 48118
  Tel: 734.433.2787
  On the web: www.chelseacenterforthearts.org
  Email: info@chelseacenterforthearts.org
  

The Things To Do In Chelsea website moves and improves

The Things To Do In Chelsea website has moved to a new home at www.chelsea-mi.com, complete with new features and improved technology.

I'm very excited about this change! Not only because of the easier-to-remember domain name, but also because the event listings are now part of an easier-to-use database system. It simplifies the process for users to submit events, and allows me more time to make additions and improvements to the rest of the site.

It's hard to believe that what started as a few pages with a few links has turned into such a huge part of the community in Chelsea, Michigan. In July 2005, the site had 796 hits and in July 2007 the numbers had gone up a just a bit ... to 140,816 hits. Wow!

Learn more about the recent changes and things to come on Welcome to Our New Home! See all the latest happenings in Chelsea, Michigan on the chelsea-mi.com website.


P.S. For those of you who are keeping track, or are curious about the technical details, here is the genealogy of the site location:

1. Things To Do In Chelsea was born in 2005 at chelsea.surelutions.com
   
2. The easier-to-rememember domain name www.thingstodoinchelsea.com was created in 2006 as a forwarding address
   
3. Our current home, www.chelsea-mi.com, was launched in August 2007 and is now our permanent home.
4. Both chelsea.surelutions.com and www.thingstodoinchelsea.com will bring you to chelsea-mi.com.
   
5. www.surelutions.com (also recently improved!) continues as the main site for Surelutions, which is my website and graphic design business.
   

Bear Claw Coffee - article and review

I found this article about Bear Claw Coffee, our local coffee drive-thru, on the web today. The focus is on the Farmington location, but the Chelsea and Dexter locations are good too. :)

• Comfy coffee shop (Observer & Eccentric Newspapers, 9/16/07)

Renewing a license at the Michigan Secretary of State Office

Renewing anything at the Secretary of State is a task I dread. In days gone by, the process meant taking time off work or school and/or dragging kids to the most boring place ever, dealing with unfriendly clerks, waiting in long lines to complete task A, finding out I filled in the wrong form, and shuffling to another line to complete task B and so on. At best, it meant 90 minutes of my life spent in dreariness.

Hate to admit it, but this is why I procrastinated until this week to renew my drivers license. In case you are just joining us, my birthday was in August. Frankly, I might have procrastinated longer, if it weren't for the fact that Polly's almost didn't accept my check the other day, and my father-in-law (aka "voice of reason") reminded me that driving without a valid license can get you a big fat fine... or worse.

So I took a deep breath, found my paperwork, canceled all my morning meetings and arrived at the Secretary of State office's in Chelsea at 9:51 a.m. Monday morning. I walked in the front door, took a number, and glanced over at the seating area, when a friendly voice said, "Can I help you?" I looked up... and to my amazement, she was talking to me. Threw my number in the trash, and walked over to the counter to tell the clerk I need to renew my drivers license. She takes my paperwork, asks me to sign a couple things, and tells me how much to write my check for. Then, amidst a bit of chit chat about jewelry, while I was still wondering "Why is she being so nice? What's the catch?", she says, "OK! You're all set. Meet me down at the end of the counter to get your new photo."

She takes the photo, and says, "Have a nice day!" Whoa... I'm done? The time? 10:02 a.m. Woo hoo!

Wow, if it's always like this, maybe I won't procrastinate so much next time!

Secretary of State Branch Office in Chelsea, MI:
1113 S. Main St.
Chelsea, MI 48118
888-767-6424
Hours: Mon/Tue/Thu/Fri. - 9 til 5 & Wed. 11 til 7

Also see: Michigan Secretary of State website

A Vision for the Future of Chelsea

Last night, I attended a Downtown Development & Visioning Session organized by the Chelsea DDA (Downtown Development Authority). The purpose of the meeting was to gather qualitative information from residents and business owners, that will be used as a resource for planning the future of Chelsea.

The session was led by DDA president Mike Jackson, who owns Vogels & Fosters, and city manager John Hanifan. The process involved small break out sessions, where groups of 6-8 people brainstormed topics such as (pardon my paraphrasing):

• "What aspects of Chelsea are you most proud of?"
• "What trends -- both good and bad -- are affecting Chelsea's future?"
• "What would you like to see in Chelsea's future, 20 years from now?"

The small groups then voted for their top picks, and then those top picks were voted on by all the participants. One aspect of Chelsea that most everyone agreed on is that we are proud of our city's small town charm and historic character. Now, how to manage growth, traffic, transportation, utilities and the rest of the details is where the questions remain.

Being both a resident and business owner, it was very interesting to learn and discuss the ideas and complaints. I can't speak for anyone else, but I enjoyed the process and have continued to think about the topics long after the meeting ended.

I'll be curious about the rest of the process and see how the city and the DDA will use this information moving forward.

• Read more in the Ann Arbor News: Residents share their visions for Chelsea future (9/13/07)
  

To learn more, contact city manager Mike Hanifan at the Chelsea City Offices, (734) 475-1771.

Is it the small town or is it just a great dentist?

We have family from out of state visiting this week (yes, again!). If I recall correctly, Murphy's Law dictates that certain things only happen when a) it's after hours and b) you are far, far from home, doesn't it? Not being one to break a rule, my mother-in-law had a run-in with a Tootsie Roll last night, which pulled out some dental work.

At this point, it's 6:30 in the evening. I say, "Do you want me to call our dentist to see what you should do?" She says incredulously, "You mean they're OPEN?" I said, "Pretty sure, yeah. They have later hours so people can go after work."

So, I call Chelsea Family Dentistry. They ask questions about which tooth, what has she tried, etc. The receptionist puts me on hold for a minute, then comes back and asks, "Can she come in now?" I myself now incredulous, look at the clock once more and say, "Um, sure! We can be there in 5 minutes."

They gave her a good temporary fix-up that should keep her tooth just dandy until she returns home to her own dentist.

It was one of those little snapshots in time that that made me feel very proud of the people in my home town.

Thanks, you guys!

Chelsea Family Dentistry
Todd A. Napieralski
Brian P. Wisniewski
123 South St.
Chelsea, MI 48118
Phone: 734-475-8500

Lions and Bulldogs and Wolverines... oh my!

My automated Google searches and RSS feeds help me keep up with news in Chelsea, Washtenaw County and the state of Michigan. This morning as I read news briefs from the last couple days, I marveled at how there were more articles on football than anything else. If the leaves changing colors and the start of school wasn't enough, I guess it really and truly is autumn now.

I love the enthusiasm in the community for our Chelsea Bulldogs. On game day Fridays, stores around town put up signs rooting for the home team and "Go Bulldogs!" can be seen in windows and front lawns. Not only that, but the community also raised a ton of money to build a new football field. The local newspaper is full to the brim with scores and photos. We know where to go if we want to read about the NFL or Big 10, but the Chelsea Standard does a really nice job highlighting our school sports teams. This is one of the things I love about living in a small town: that our school athletes are plastered all over the sports section of the paper.

Although I don't pay much attention to football scores, I can't deny the fact that my blood runs a bit maize and blue. How can I help it with my husband, brother, father and mother all having attended U of M? Of course if I know what is good for me, I don't mention the Wolverines to my husband this week. Maybe we should watch Lions football instead.

Come to think of it, maybe the Wolverines should play the Bulldogs next week.

Garage Sale Finder retires for the season

The experimental Garage Sale Listings feature on the Things To Do In Chelsea website is retiring for the season. I received A LOT of positive feedback from people on the street about this handy tool, so I hope next year it can continue.

If you like the Chelsea Area Garage Sale Listings and would like to see it continue in the spring of 2008, then please help spread the word that I need a volunteer to help keep it updated. My most capable and generous volunteer, who updated the listings all summer, is now planning to move out of state. And unfortunately, without a replacement for her, this feature on the Things To Do In Chelsea website will probably not continue.

Job requirements are simply an ability to peruse various garage sale resource listings, login to an administrative account and enter relevant information. If interested, please email me at contact@thingstodoinchelsea.com.

If you can't grow 'em... visit the Chelsea Farmer's Market

My battle to grow tomato plants grows tiresome. After the 'oogy*' discovery of the tomato worms, my plants have once again been picked over by some force of nature. We are guessing that deer ARE getting up on the deck. Ugh.

Although we expect a few more tomatoes to ripen, I am really craving a big pile of farm fresh tomatoes --- so many that my counter overflows and I get these delicious inspirations of marinara, salsa, BLTs....

So, after I picked my daughter up from school today we went to the new farmer's market at the Chelsea Community Hospital. This is not the first time I've been there, but once again I was quite happy with my excursion. I spent just over $10 and got two bags full of vine-ripened tomatoes, some really beautifully ugly heirloom tomatoes, cucumbers, hot peppers (for the salsa), and lovely new potatoes. I also filled out a survey and got a nifty tote bag. Bonus!

If you haven't yet visited this Wednesday farmer's market in Chelsea, I'd highly recommend it. Plenty of shade, plenty of parking, and a good selection of produce, baked goods and crafty stuff. Just go in the main hospital entrance near Pierce Park, and take your first left. The market is right there in the lot. You can't miss it!

Other Options for Fresh Produce and Yummy Stuff
Usually, if I miss the Saturday Farmer's Market in Chelsea, I drive down Dexter-Chelsea Rd. to Rodger's Corner Produce. This is still a great option, but I love having this middle-of-the-week farmer's market at the CCH as another choice -- and it's closer to my house, too.

Another way to find local farm markets in the area is to visit this website: Food System for Economic Partnership (not very catchy, is it?). You will see an interactive map of Chelsea area farms and markets.

Also check out some of the resources listed in my post from earlier this summer: Eating Local Food... ONLY local food?

The Chelsea Farmer's Markets (May through October)
Wednesday
Chelsea Community Hospital
2:30 until 6:30 p.m.

Saturday
Downtown Chelsea on Park St.
8:30 a.m. til noon


* oogy (adj) - I think I invented this word, but we use it so often in my household that I could swear it's a real word by now. It refers to the feeling that some people call "the willies". A 'wet willy' for example is most definitely 'oogy.' Synonyms include: icky, gross, yucky.

Chelsea's 2007-2008 budget available on City website

The budget for the City of Chelsea's fiscal year of 2007-2008 is available on the City's website.

• City of Chelsea website
• 2007-08 City Budget (direct link to PDF file)

Also available is the Q&A document mentioned in a previous Chelsea Blog post.

Chelsea Featured in Today's Free Press

Today's Detroit Free Press featured an article entitled, "Charming Chelsea: Take a drive to a small town with big appeal" (FP, 9/1/07) Very cool!

I wonder how many travelers will get lost taking "the scenic route" they mention in the article, though. LOL.

I think they missed a few great spots for visitors. The first I would mention is Cleary's Pub, which has surprisingly great food, as well as Zou Zou's for a European cafe look and feel, where you can sit outside and people watch. In addition, I think they should have mentioned the fun and unique shopping at the antique shops, and stores like Cranesbill Books and The Garden Mill.

But all in all, I thought it was a nice article to sum up my home town.

"Must See" Things To Do In Michigan

Most days, I am happily up to my ears with lists of things to do in Chelsea, Michigan. But what if we wanted to do something fun outside the city limits? [Gasp!]

Earlier this month, I posted a message on a local parenting board to inquire about "must see" things to do in Michigan. My brother and his family were visiting from California, and previously had only visited us for "the holidays", so I wanted to show them that Michigan isn't always cold and dark.

I have lived in southeastern Michigan my whole life, and in Washtenaw County since 1988. But I was still greatly impressed with this long list of suggestions for old favorites, and many places I had never heard of! Hope you find it useful as well.

Local Parents List of "Must See" Things To Do In Michigan

(NOTE: The original responses are included below, and were edited as needed. My own comments are the "Editor's Notes")

• Warren Dunes in Sawyer, MI right on Lake Michigan. It’s a state park so you will pay for the day or free if you have a sticker. It’s about 2.5 hours away, right off I-94. The dunes are fun to climb and the lake is nice, with a great beach. They also have a trail leading to mud pits. The kids love to go and play in the mud and walk back to the lake to wash it all off.
• If you want to stay close to home, don’t forget the Ann Arbor Hands On Museum.
  
• Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village - My kids have loved to
  go there over and over again. It's a great place for all ages. [Editor's note: I received more suggestions for the Henry Ford Museum than any other place!]
  
• There are lots of great parks close by: Kensington, Independence Lake, Rolling Hills, Hudson Mills. I love to go to Independence Lake on a hot day. It is perfect for kids within that age range, because it also has a nice splash zone.
• The Leslie Science Center should be fun, too.
  
• Cabela's - The mounted animals are pretty neat, as well as the fish tanks.
• Ask your visitors if they have apple orchards where they are. I think that apple picking season is just starting, and it’s fun for kids to go to an orchard and pick some apples.
• Downtown Detroit is fun as long as you don't get lost!. You could go to a Detroit Tigers game, see Ford Field, visit Greektown, etc.
• Of course, a day on the beach at Lake Michigan is beautiful any time. The lack of salt water may surprise the kids. South Haven, Saugatuck or Holland (Hoffmaster State Park) make for wonderful day trips to see Lake Michigan and feel like you are worlds away.
  
• I’d definitely say Sleeping Bear Dunes!
• We went to the Corner Brewery in Ypsilanti with [our of town guests] last night, and that was fun because you can take kids and it’s very relaxed, with board games and stuff.
• There’s the arboretum, checking out the University, etc.
• If they're going to be here on a Sat., the Southern MI RR is fun. It goes from Clinton to Tecumseh, then back. You get a nice look at agricultural countryside, walk around a typical small town, etc.
  
• Of course there are also the Zoos (Detroit Zoo, Binder Park Zoo in Battle Creek, Potter Park Zoo in Lansing and the Toledo Zoo is also within easy driving distance).
  
• The Detroit Science Center has a new exhibit called Fun Factory. It is sponsored by Great Lakes Steel and is supposed to be pretty cool.
• In Plymouth we have a very fun little restaurant in old village called The Caboose right by the train tracks that has corned beef sandwiches that are FAB (IMHO) minus the Zingerman's price tag! [Editor's note: price tag or no, Zingerman's is also a great place to bring guests!]
  
• The UM Botanical Garden is good – lots of native plants on the outside “Ethnobotanical” trail, garden area.
  
• Farmer’s markets – Chelsea, Ann Arbor or other local markets are a nice activity on a Saturday morning. Blueberry or raspberry picking might also be a nice outing for them.
  
• Canoeing or paddle boating on the Huron at Gallup Park.
  
• And there’s always the Historical Museum in Lansing.
• The 'Dinosaur Museum' in Ann Arbor (aka the Exhibit Museum of Natural History) - It's a great size for families. Not too big, not too small. Kids love the dinosaur bones!
  

Michigan Event Resources

• Michigan.gov website and the Michigan.org website
  
• GoCityKids
• Roadside America Online Guide to Offbeat Tourist Attractions!
• Manchester Community Calendar
• Michigan 2007 Fairs List
• Locate Festivals and Events around Michigan!
• Summer Activities in Washtenaw County
• Absolute Michigan – All Michigan All the Time
• “Things to Do In Chelsea” website [Editor's note: I love it when people recommend my own site to me!]

And Us?
Partly because the weather was so crazy (hot, humid, cold, thunderstorms... we had it all!), and partly because the kids kept begging to go again and again, we spent more time than anticipated at the TreeHouse. I think we went 4 or 5 times in less than 2 weeks. Not that I'm complaining. Any time I can sit back and drink good coffee and let the kids have a blast is just fine with me!

We had a fantastic dinner --as always!-- at the Common Grill for my birthday. We visited Mike's Deli and Zou Zou's for more good food and coffee. We went to the Chelsea Fair twice (once for shows and animal viewing, and the other for rides and eats) and had our annual Parade Day celebration. We went to the 'Dinosaur Museum' in Ann Arbor. Another big event was going to the Huckleberry Railroad to take a ride with Thomas the Train. But most of all, the kids spent hours and hours and hours playing legos, pirates, dress-up, swinging and making mud-pies in the backyard. We watched some movies, played some cards. Enjoyed my husband's fabulous grilling skills and sat on the back deck.

The "Must See" things for families to do in Chelsea that we missed? Just a few...

• Timbertown
• Tour of Jiffy Mix (my nephew loves to see how things are made!)
• Visit to Chelsea Teddy Bear Factory
• Sounds and Sights on Thursday Nights
  

Needless to say, despite a lot of negativity about our lovely state these past months, Michigan is a great place to live and a fun place to visit.

Kids who like to break things

Back in the early 1980s, I went to my little brother's room and found him sitting hunched over his desk looking either very busy or very much in trouble. I sneaked closer and saw he had a screwdriver in hand and his radio in a million pieces. (This is the part when my brother says, "Actually, it was only 258 pieces.")

I exclaimed, "What did you DO!?! You'll never get it back together again!" Without looking up he replied, "So?" I asked him WHY in the world he would do such a thing to a perfectly good radio, and he said simply: "I wanted to see how it worked." That 8 year old boy grew up to be a disgustingly successful software engineer in the heart of Silicon Valley.

Today, I read an article about a 17 year old from New Jersey who hacked the iPhone so it would work on other networks. Despite the number of hours I spend in front of a computer, my life is surprisingly gadget-free, so this iPhone update doesn't really interest me. But I did get a kick out of reading his blog. If you start from the first post, you see that he begins the process by taking apart this expensive toy with a guitar pick, with bits and parts all over his desk. After about the 8th post, I have no idea what he is talking about. But apparently, he traded this summer project for a brand new car and is now 'retiring' to start his college career. Good for him!

In the end, it makes me feel a little less edgy when my four year old son disassembles things (I call it 'breaking') to see what is inside. Now, if only I could find a good reason that he dips any food into any condiment. Waffles and ketchup anyone?

Links:

• Teen Trades Hacked iPhone for New Car (Yahoo News article)

• Finding JTAG on the iPhone - Blog

Tuesday Morning's Lunar Eclipse

If you're awake in the early hours on Tuesday, watch the sky for our second lunar eclipse of the year.

• Read more on Yahoo News: Viewer's Guide: Tuesday Morning's Lunar Eclipse

Unwelcome visitors are finally gone

This past week, we had some very unpleasant visitors at our home. They ate too much, destroyed my property and were oh-so-very ... GREEN. Neon green to be exact.

Oh, The Devastation
In a mere day or two, the guests to whom I'm referring devastated the lovely, fruitful tomato plants I had growing on our deck. I noticed it on Saturday, while enjoying a summer evening with friends and family. As I admired my potted garden, I noticed a few stalks looked a little bare. On closer inspection, I saw that MANY of the stalks looked completely bare. As my 6 year old nephew would say, "What THE...?!?"

Having dealt with deer eating tomato plants in our backyard garden the last two years, I thought I'd be smart and put them on the deck this time. But now... more damage? Would a deer really climb up the deck stairs to eat a tomato plant? I wasn't sure what was worse, the plant being damaged or the thought of deer on my deck.

My husband missed this dinner-time drama, and went out later that night to inspect the plants. He returned with two plump green caterpillars and said, "I found your deer." We looked on the Internet to learn more about these strange creatures.

What THE...?!?
This is what we've learned and observed.

• They are called tomato horn worms (see the sinister looking horn on his back end?) or tobacco worms. Did you know tomato and tobacco plants are related? Both are part of the nightshade family. [Cool website link: www.whatsthatbug.com/tomato.html]
  


• Tomato Horn Worms are not worms at all, but caterpillars that will eventually turn into a very large moth, lay eggs and make more caterpillars. [Another informative link about Tomato Worms: organicgardensite.com]
  


• The recommended way to get rid of them in small gardens is to pick them off. This is challenging because they blend in so well, and hide under the leaves during the daylight hours when it gets hot.


• They look very much like the star of Eric Carle's famous children's book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Makes me wonder if this happened to his tomato plants, too. Because I can totally see how this voracious creature could eat through one apple, two oranges, three strawberries, a slice of salami, a piece of cake... etc.

Not again!
Unfortunately, I went out to check my tomatoes Sunday morning and found they had once again been attacked. The plants were in really bad shape, and lost about half of their foliage. I found three more tomato worms.

I clipped off the mostly bare stalk and a caterpillar along with it -- I wasn't gonna touch that thing! -- put it in on a paper plate and brought it in to show the kids. It was an interesting and somewhat entertaining morning, as we watched the caterpillar munch on the leaves, take a poo, and inch around looking for more to eat. But I'm still mad.

As of Monday afternoon, the plants are at status quo. Which hopefully means we found all of the accused.

What About My Treasures?
Now, what about the harvest? After getting rid of the green visitors, I am trying to remain optimistic that we will enjoy a few more home grown tomatoes. There are quite a few green ones, so I hope they will ripen properly. There is little hope of new tomatoes growing though.

I am no farmer, but I do enjoy gardening. But after three years of having disappointing crops of tomatoes and other vegetables due to unseasonably cold weather, deer eating vegetables down to the nubs, and now caterpillars stripping plants clean, I'm about ready to give up. There is always Chelsea's Farmers Market, right?