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)