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.