Chelsea Freecycle and the Community Elves Project

The Community Elves Project is well underway again this year. This project began three years ago as a spin off of our local freecycling group, Chelsea Recycle, and has since taken on a life of it's own. This grassroots effort is organized by friends and neighbors in Washtenaw and Jackson Counties who want to help other families during the holidays.

Here is a message with more details from santa_freecycles@yahoo.com

-----------------------
Ho! Ho! Ho!

The Community Elves (formerly Santa Freecycles project) are seeking items to ensure that all children in Washtenaw county will have something to unwrap this coming Christmas morning. List below. *Anyone* in need may request assistance and elves will be delivering clean, wrapped gently used or better toys by Christmas eve. No income guidelines.

We have donation drop boxes located in Chelsea and Ann Arbor:

• CHELSEA: Scrapbook Memories store at 1101 S. Main has a donation boxinside their *new* location which is at the intersection of Main andOld US 12. Stop by anytime during business hours.
• ANN ARBOR: Drop box is inside the Residence Inn by Marriott (800Victors Way) in Ann Arbor which is across the street from Briarwood Mall. Open 24/7.
• We also have elves who have offered their homes as drop sites or are willing to do pickups in Chelsea, Dexter, and Saline. Just let us know you have items to donate and we can make arrangements for pick up or drop off.
  

SUGGESTED ITEMS

• TOYS - gently used or better for infants to teenagers
• ITEMS FOR TEENS- gently used CD's, DVD's, jewelry, electronics,makeup, and anything else a teen might be interested in.
• STUFFED ANIMALS (from non-smoking homes only please)
• BOOKS or COLORING BOOKS- infants to teens (not written in)
• BATTERIES - even partially used!
• COFFEE MUGS & TEA CUPS
• PACKETS OF TEA, HOT CHOCOLATE, OR COFFEE (maybe you bought a brand you didn't like?)
• CANDY CANES!!!
• MISC FOOD- Boxed or canned goods or more (cleaning the pantry?)
• WRAPPING PAPER, GIFT BAGS, TISSUE PAPER, TAPE, BOWS (scraps and end pieces ok)
  

Thank you from Santa and the elves!

-------------------
Editor's Note - this is no way should deter from the wonderful work done by our local charitable organizations such as Faith In Action. The Santa Freecycles group was started as a supplement to these programs with a focus on families who would not otherwise ask for or be eligible to receive assistance.

Chelsea Hometown Holidays ... and more!

Many people have already bought and wrapped their presents, hung their stockings with care, and are fully into the holiday spirit. Me, I tend to be the one who is desperately checking local stores to see how late they are open on Christmas Eve because I'm just not quite done.....

This is one of the many reasons why I love Chelsea's annual Hometown Holidays celebration, which is going on this weekend. It is a big celebratory announcement with lights and bells (literally) that gets me fully into the holiday spirit in the first week of December. A full 2 weeks before I'd do so otherwise.

Tonight is the official tree lighting at Pierce Park, a visit from Santa at the Chelsea Depot, free concert, cookie decorating and much more. Saturday and Sunday are full of so many activities and events that I can't list them all here. Check out the full itinerary on the Chelsea Festivals Hometown Holidays website. Here are a couple suggestions for those who love art and hand-made gifts:

• TWO Holiday Art Shows - (1) All the Trimmings Art Show is held at the Fairgrounds and (2) Darwin's Glass Studio Open House is at the Depot - both from 10 til 4 on Saturday. If you are looking for unique gifts, check out the work from some of our highly talented and creative people in our area.
  
• Make your own gifts - If you or the kids like to give handcrafted gifts to loved ones, visit the Chelsea Center for the Arts from 1-4 on Saturday. All the supplies and work space will be provided, and you can make and take creative gifts or decorations for $5 each.
  

This is a great time to either get started or finish up with the your holiday shopping, too. Just about all of our local merchants are in the holiday spirit, offering excellent sales and many are having events, music and activities, too. These are all outlined on the Hometown Holidays website. Off the top of my head, here are some suggestions:

• The Garden Mill - for your fresh holiday greenery, in addition to the fun and high quality gifts.
• Pierce's Pastries - order your baked goods for the next holiday party and it saves you from having to do "one more thing" in an already busy week. Or stop by and relax!
  
• The Chelsea Market - holiday gift baskets with your choice of items. I sent an all Michigan basket to the in-laws last year and it was a huge hit.

Check out more local stores by searching for in the Chelsea Directory - Retail / Shopping category. Also visit our Shop Local page for WHY shopping local is a better deal than shopping big box stores.

Shop Local AND Online
But if you're too cold or tired to leave the comfort of your own home this weekend, you can shop local AND online at:

• Vogels and Fosters - Great gifts both big and small, including everything from suede coats to mittens to funky umbrellas. They are having some great sales, and will also gift wrap and ship for you. If you forgot what customer service is *supposed* to be like, visit V&F.
  
• Cranesbill Books and Toys - Offering 25% off ALL inventory through the end of the year. Visit the store for some fun shopping, or shop online. One great thing about shopping local is that if you don't see something you want on line, just call the store and they can help you out that way.

More suggestions? Where are you favorite places to shop for the holidays?

Chelsea in the news: Big charm in a little package

Article from Lansing State Journal
November 17, 2008

The Lansing State Journal website featured an article about our own little town of Chelsea, Michigan yesterday - Chelsea: Big charm in a little package.

"What [Chelsea] lacks in population, it makes up for in culture and character," writes Stacy Hanna. I couldn't agree more.

The article is a nice, if brief, introduction to many of our local and tourist favorites, including: (click for contact info and links)

• The Common Grill
• Jiffy Mix (Chelsea Milling Co.)
  
• Timber Town Park
• The Chelsea Gallery
• Purple Rose Theatre

Don't forget the SRSLY meeting tomorrow

A Message from Reily Lewis, Executive Director of SRSLY
NOVEMBER 17, 2008

Hi everyone - Just a quick reminder that tomorrow night is the SRSLY Community Forum. Here are the pertinent details:

When: 6:30 - 8pm, Tuesday, Nov. 18th
Where: Washington St. Education Center cafeteria
Why: Because you care about Chelsea youth and want to do your part to keep them safe and healthy.

Plus, we'll have free food and child care, so why not make it a date night, and bring your significant other? Everyone can play a role in prevention!

Btw (that's text-speak for "by the way"), if you have or know kids that wanted to come to the youth meeting on Thursday night but couldn't make it, they are totally welcome to participate tomorrow night. The child care is for the wee-ones. (Also btw, I think it's important for us, as adults, to be able to communicate with kids. So I'll be incorporating more text-speak as we go along. If anyone has any examples they find particularly amusing or important, please feel free to send them my way for inclusion in future emails.)

See you tomorrow night!

Reiley Lewis, MPH
SRSLY Program Director
Chelsea Community Hospital
775 S. Main St.
Chelsea, MI 48118
Phone: (734) 475-4078
Cell: (734) 660-8864
www.srslychelsea.org

Action. Prevention. Seriously!

Shopping: Good. Cheap. Convenient. Local. Can we have it all?

There is a well-known saying: Fast, cheap or good. Pick two. In my realm of expertise, this is often repeated to describe the website design process. What brings me to this topic today is in thinking of gift buying and shopping locally.

We have family members from coast to coast, and during the holidays it is always a challenge to find the perfect gift that is fun and unique, fits into our budget, and is easy to ship. It would seem that online shopping at Amazon, Best Buy or Toys R Us is the answer. But I'm throwing a wrench into the scenario. Small communities and formerly vibrant downtowns are disappearing all over the country. To do my small part to help preserve the Chelsea community, I have a strong desire to shop locally. But my own personal needs inevitably outrank the needs of the nebulous "community", and sometimes it does come down to taking the easier, cheaper or more convenient option. But then I feel guilty that I didn't try harder, start sooner, or pay a couple bucks more to support a local store owner. So my corollary for holiday shopping is:

Good, cheap, convenient, or local. Pick three.

My question is... do we really have to choose? Admittedly, it is not always easy to accomplish these goals. But I think with some creative thinking and asking around, we will find some excellent options. It will be my goal this holiday season to provide tips and suggestions for how you can find gifts that are good, affordable and convenient to purchase while still supporting local businesses.


COMING UP: Toys and books ... you know where this one is going, don't you?

Wine Women and Shopping... Fun!

Saturday, November 8 from 10 am until 8 pm.
The annual Wine, Women and Shopping event is going on in Chelsea today. What started as a pre-holiday sales in the downtown area has really caught on and become a "must do" event that we look forward to year after year. Merchants in Chelsea are offering fun activities, wine and snacks, great sales and demonstrations throughout the day, from 10 am until 8 pm. [click here for full details]

Get a head start on your holiday gift list and bring your friends along for a fun day of shopping and festivities. You may even want to go for dinner and cocktails afterwards at one of the local restaurants or bars. To join in, just come and visit downtown Chelsea and start wandering around! Participating merchants will have signs and/or balloons on display.

P.S. It's not just downtown merchants, so check out some of your south town favorites, too!

MORE Chelsea businesses moving in and around town

In addition to the updates and moves mentioned in my previous post, here are more news tidbits regarding Chelsea businesses moving around:

• Accountant Susan Jacobs, CPA, recently announced that she will be moving at the end of November from the Sylvan Offices (upstairs from Scooples) to the previously mentioned iconic office formerly occupied by Bill Ballagh's State Farm Agency. I'm very glad that a Chelsea business will be filling this spot so quickly. It would be a shame if it sat empty. [Source: letter from Sue Jacob's office].
  
• Aberdeen Bike and Fitness will be moving from their current location next door to Chelsea Lanes, across the street to the former Polly's store.
  

Sounds like that old grocery store of ours is going to be quite a busy place, what with the bike shop, scrapbook store and post office all moving in.

Chelsea businesses moving in and around town

There are a lot of businesses moving in, out and around in Chelsea. Some of the news is not so new, but the moves themselves have either only recently happened or are still pending. Please note that I haven't personally verified all of these news tidbits, so take my updates as community chit-chat rather than hard news. :) Here is a summary of the ones I'm aware of:

• Chelsea's Post Office will be moving to the space formerly occupied by Polly's. This building, located at the corner of Main and Old US-12 has been vacant for quite some time. It was hoped that the move would take place before the holiday season, but that remains to be seen. [Read story: Chelsea Post Office will move, Ann Arbor News]
  
• Scrapbook Memories will be moving in to the other half of the old Polly's location. This move will bring them from one side of the strip mall to the other. The owner describes the move in her online newsletter as a smaller space, but improved store. [Read more: Scrapbook Memories newsletter]
  
• It is rumored that the Chelsea Pharmacy will be moving to the space that Scrapbook Memories is vacating, but I have not been able to verify whether this is a fact or not. Interestingly, this space was originally set up to be a pharmacy/store and was occupied by Rite Aid (?) Arbor Drugs some years ago.
• Fabulous Finds, a resale clothing store located upstairs from the Chelsea Market, is moving to Saline. Too bad for us! I'll be sorry to see them go. [Read story: Fabulous Finds leaving Chelsea for Saline, Chelsea Standard]
• The New Chelsea Market continues to work on expanding their store to occupy the space next door, which was formerly occupied by the Chelsea Gallery which moved to a larger location a few doors down. [Verified by casual chat with the owners]
  
• The new party store is now open in the Oak Tree Plaza, near Bearclaw Coffee. My husband is from the East Coast, and he would call this a package store. I'm told they sell beer, wine, liquor and convenience grocery items. Have yet to stop by myself, but it is a handy location to pick up a gallon of milk on the way home from work if you use the Fletcher Rd/Old US 12 exit off I-94.
  
• Also new to the Oak Tree Plaza is Bill Ballagh State Farm Insurance, who recently moved from their iconic location at Main/Middle.
• The Potting Shed is moving from their current location on Middle St., to a new location literally across the street where the Chelsea Collection was located.
  
• The Chelsea Collection antiques stores is moving to a new location on Sibley Rd, next door to the Tree of Life Studio, not far from Timber Town Park.
  

Please let know if any of this information needs updating -- or if you know of other news in and around town that you'd like to share with Chelsea Blog readers. You can comment below or email me at contact@chelsea-mi.com if you'd prefer.

Election Results for Chelsea and Washtenaw County 2008

By the time you are reading this blog, you will undoubtedly know who won the presidency. Here are the results for the other candidates and issues we voted on yesterday:

• (As of yet unofficial) Election Results for Washtenaw County (eWashtenaw.org)
  
• Election news coverage (MLive.com)

According to the Washtenaw County Election Results, 69.33% of registered voters in Washtenaw Country cast their ballots yesterday. Full results are available on the eWashtenaw.org website, but here are a few highlights:

• U.S. President: Barack Obama
• U.S. Senator: Carl Levin
• Congress 7th district: Mark Schauer
• Supreme Court Justice: Diane Marie Hathaway
  
• State House 5nd district: Pam Byrnes
• State Board of Education: John Austin and Kathleen Strauss
  
• County Commissioner District 1: Mark Ouimet
• County Sheriff: Jerry L. Clayton
  
• Michigan voters approve stem cell research measure
• Michigan voters approve medical marijuana measure
• Washtenaw County Parks Proposal A - YES (65%) / NO (35%)
• Washtenaw Community College Proposal H - YES (66%) / NO (34%)
  

What a whirlwind of activity the last few months have been. I for one am looking forward to no longer receiving junk mail, unsolicited phone calls and visits to my house from political activists.

Whether or not we agree on the candidates or the issues, I think this election has been outstanding for getting people of all ages and economic statuses interested in what is going on with local, state and national government. The high numbers of people voting in this year's election is very encouraging. Now just remember to vote NEXT year, too! :)

Voting Guide 2008 - Get out and vote!

Just in time for some last minute studying and cramming before election day, the 2008 Voting Guide for Chelsea MI is now available on the Things To Do In Chelsea website.

Included in this annual guide is information about where to vote as well as links to resources and articles that provide (hopefully) non-partisan information about the candidates and the issues.

If you're short on time and aren't able to review all the links in the Voting Guide, check out michigan.gov/vote to see a sample ballot before you go to the polls. This is a big election year, and it's not just U.S. President that we will be choosing.

Hope you find it helpful!

Photo source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/emzee/180639714/

Pamida store in Chelsea reopening

Chelsea's Pamida store, located in the shopping center at Main St./Old US 12 is reopening at last. It took a long while to get back on track after a fire destroyed most of the shopping complex earlier this year. I did miss the convenience of having the store open, but I am glad they took the time and effort to make sure everything was in good shape before opening for business.

Pamida's original plan was to have a grand reopening ceremony on October 31. Today's Ann Arbor News reports that the store is opening a few days earlier than planned. Just in time to buy our Halloween candy, I hope! I'm not sure what this means for the ribbon cutting celebration. I will drive by there this afternoon and see what I can find out.

I'll be looking forward to hearing the good news of the other businesses in the complex reopening as well.

Links:

• Pamida Store website
• Pamida back in business - Fire closed store in Chelsea in May (MLive.com 10/22/08)
• Chelsea's Pamida store directory listing on Things To Do In Chelsea website

UPDATE at 5:29 p.m. - Yup! They are open!

Your house is on fire! Do you have a plan?

Every school morning, one of our tasks is making sure the kids' backpacks are stocked for the day. Lunch? Check. Gym shoes? Check. Homework? Check. Show-and-tell item? Check. Planner signed? Whoops....

My third grader has a daily planner which lists her homework tasks, study list and any items that need to discussed with Mom and Dad. This morning I read my daughter's note: "Check with family: Do we have a family plan in case of fire? Do we have a CO detector? Are our smoke detector batteries in working order?" Um... No, No, and I think so?

It was one of those rare mornings when we were all up on time, and had about 15 minutes to spare before rushing off to school. So we sat down at the dining room table and made a plan. In case of fire, or if you hear the smoke alarm, this is what we'll do.... We talked about which doors and windows were available for escape routes. My 5-year old reminded us NOT to grab any toys first. "I learned that at Safety Town," he said. My daughter reminded us to get out as quickly as possible and not to look for pets. Uh... ok. (All the while I'm here thinking how hard that would be for me....) She said the firefighter who visited their school explained that pets will usually get out of the house faster than the people will. So we talked about leaving the door open when we leave so our pooch can find her way out, too.

We also discussed where a fire might start in our home (likely culprits being the kitchen or fireplace), and what that would mean for which escape routes would be safest. We decided as a family which neighbor's house would be our meeting place.

Admittedly, this is something that should have been discussed numerous times long ago. But today was as good of a day as any.

On my to do list for today:
1) Check batteries in our smoke detectors
2) Purchase one more smoke detector for better coverage
3) Purchase a carbon monoxide (CO) detector [Learn about Carbon Monoxide on NFPA website]
4) Check prices on escape ladders for bedroom windows

Another item that was not on my daughter's list, but should certainly be addressed is whether there are fire extinguishers in the house. Here are some tips from NFPA about choosing and using a home fire extinguisher

What about YOU?
Do you have a fire escape plan for your family? Do you have working smoke detectors? Are there enough of them? Do you have a CO2 detector?

• Learn about fire safety at National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) website - download tips, educational activities for kids, and learn about hazards in the home
  
• U.S. Fire Administration website for Kids - games, online fun lessons, family checklists and more
  

Chelsea Fire Station Open House
The Chelsea Area Fire Authority (CAFA) is having a station open house this Sunday, Oct. 12. This is great fun for the kids, and an opportunity to learn about our local fire station and safety in your own home.

• Fire Station Open House - event details
• Chelsea Area Fire Authority website
  

Silver Maples of Chelsea launches new website

Silver Maples is an active retirement community here in Chelsea offering numerous living options for senior citizens. The first time I visited Silver Maples was for a Chamber of Commerce networking function earlier this year. I was fortunate to receive a tour of the newly designed apartments, and couldn't help but wish I could retire and live there. :-)

Some time after that initial meeting, Surelutions (that's me!) was hired to redesign their website. The new site was launched last week, and (if I do say so myself) shows off their vibrant, caring and welcoming environment, while providing lots of good information for Silver Maples residents and visitors. Check it out at www.silvermaples.org

Links:

• Silver Maples of Chelsea website
• Silver Maples Feature Page on Things To Do In Chelsea
• Search for events matching keyword: Silver Maples

Silver Maples Open Houses:

• Saturday, October 11th (11AM – 2 PM)
• Thursday, October 16th (3PM - 6PM)
  
• Sunday, November 9th (1PM - 4PM)

SRSLY... this is worth noticing

Have you heard about the new Chelsea group called SRSLY? (That's short for 'seriously' in case you must now silently admit you didn't know that already. Uh... you didn't? Seriously?) In a nutshell, it's an anti-drug campaign, but this one is a bit different than the ones I grew up with. Yes, they provide education and community outreach programs, which is of course essential. But the cool thing about SRSLY is that the intiative promotes fun, creativity, community involvement, hanging out with friends, being smart and respectful.... WHILE getting the rest of us involved, too. [photo source: www.srslychelsea.org]

After all, you can teach kids that drugs are bad, underage drinking is dangerous and that you might ruin your life in more ways than one with risky behavior. But the reason so many turn to drugs and alcohol? Because they are b-o-r-e-d. Getting the community involved is key. Like, kids and teens so need something to do. Sure, there are lots of things to do in Chelsea (insert gratuitous link here), but honestly, there is not much of a night life and very few places for teens to hang out. As a community, we can help by getting involved -- we need to provide places to socialize, interesting things to do on Saturday nights, mentoring programs to help provide an outlet for all that teenage angst (art, music, computers, sports...), and respect and interaction with young people.

Whether or not you have children of this age, I think taking a look at what this program is addressing is an important part of helping our own neighborhood. If you're attending Friday's Chelsea High School football game, be sure to visit the SRSLY information table to get more details. If you're interested in getting involved in SRSLY, contact program directory Reiley Lewis (rlewis@cch.org) or advisory board member Angie O'Neill (angelaoneill@aol.com).

Links:

• SRSLY Chelsea website
• SRSLY Blog

P.S. Hey... any technologically savvy or web talented teens reading my blog? I'd love your input on putting together a teen page and adding more teen-friendly events to Things To Do In Chelsea. The pay is not stellar, but the gratitude and community spirit is way up there. ;-) Email me at leslie@surelutions.com if interested.

Watch for Chelsea and other Michigan cities on Thursday's Today Show

The Today Show is highlighting the coming election's "Battleground States" this week. As part of this series, they are visiting various places in Michigan, including Chelsea. I first heard this news from an email from Nancy Paul, director of Chelsea's Faith In Action:

Following the 9/6/2008 publishing of an article in the Washington Post, written by Ann Arbor writer Vickie Elmer, in which Faith in Action was mentioned, we received a call late Tuesday from the Today Show staff (NBC-Ann Curry). As part of their series on the "Battleground States" for the November election, they want to come to small town Michigan, i.e. Chelsea, to talk about the troubled economy. And they want to come to Faith in Action.

They will be here to conduct some interviews and film around. I believe they will also film downtown, talk with the mayor, maybe Jiffy folks, etc., after talking to some auto workers in the Detroit area, to give the story the angle that the state's woes have filtered down even into the small communities.

Although our initial reaction was that there are probably harder hit communities in Michigan than Chelsea, we thought that any attention to our issues and the needs of the population we serve would be good, and we prayerfully hope that this is what will come through.

Nancy emailed the day after the filming with this update:

The filming was pretty straightforward--a local staff person asked the questions and the NY people will re-ask the question on the actual show. It's my impression that you get the "impression" of a live interview. It will be shown Thursday, 9/25, and will include many other stops/interviews from around the state.

More Information and Links

• The Today Show is on NBC at 7 a.m. on weekdays. This episode is scheduled to air on Thursday, 9/25.
• Faith In Action - offering assistance and resources for those in need in the Chelsea and Dexter Communities
  
• The Today Show website
• 'Today Show' to broadcast from Detroit Thursday (Crain's Detroit Business)
• As Auto Jobs Vanish, Rust Spreads (Washington Post, 8/30/08)
  

Local children's furniture designer featured in national magazine

This week, Olliebabble (a spinoff of Olliebollen.com - an online store based in Ann Arbor with "cool stuff for kids") mentioned that Cookie Magazine's October issue features hand crafted children's furniture made right here in Chelsea, Michigan by Roebuck Studio. Their whimsical chairs, tables and decor are modern, clever, bright and made by hand. No need to worry about lead paint, shoddy materials, or working conditions on the other side of the world when you buy these products. Just good old fashioned hard work and creative energy from one of our very own neighbors. From their website:

“Our goal is to create beautiful, functional, affordable, and durable furniture in an environmentally responsible way. We are proud to contribute to the Michigan and U.S. economy by manufacturing locally and buying materials from local sources. No one wants to worry about lead paint and other problems with offshore goods. We have complete control over the fabrication process, so we know that only the best and safest products will reach your doorstep.”

It's great to see a local company featured in a national magazine. Good work you guys!

Now... I wonder how one of those little birdy chairs would look in my office?

Links:

• Roebuck Studios e-Directory listing
• See more products from Roebuck Studios
  
• List of websites and blogs featuring items by Roebuck Studios
• Cookie Magazine
• Olliebollen.com - online retailer locally owned Ann Arbor
  

It would be very cool to feature more of Chelsea's family owned businesses on the Chelsea Blog. If you have any suggestions for other locally owned places, please let me know!

Birthday party ideas for kids in and around Chelsea

Autumn begins a 6 month season of gift giving in our house with birthdays and holidays. (Oh, and in case you didn't know, the gifting holidays begin with Halloween if you ask the grandparents.) Therefore, I assembled a list of kids' birthday party locations in and around Chelsea as a quick reference guide for other parents looking for creative and fun ideas.

Many of these places are great for any age, from toddlers to teens. But since my own kids are under 10, I may have missed some fun places for the tween or teen crowd. If anyone has suggestions for places I may have missed, please let me know!

Children's Birthday Party Venues in Chelsea, MI

• The Chelsea TreeHouse - indoor playground
• Arctic Coliseum - ice skating
• Chelsea Center for the Arts - arts or music activity
• Chelsea Teddy Bear Factory
• Cameron Pool at Beach Middle School - through Chelsea Community Ed
• Chelsea Lanes - smoke-free bowling alley
• Timber Town - no cost, first come-first served
• Chelsea Fire Station - no cost
• The Middle Bead
  

Birthday party locations near Chelsea (10-15 min. drive)

• Dancer's Edge Studio (Dexter)
  
• Putt and Glow (Jackson Rd. area in Ann Arbor)
  
• Quality 16 Movie Theater (Jackson Rd. area in Ann Arbor)

Other lists of party ideas:

• Ann Arbor Family: "Boundless Birthdays"
• Ann Arbor Family: Your guide to Ann Arbor's birthday entertainment
  
• Ten Places to have a birthday party for kids an Ann Arbor, Michigan by Edward Vielmetti
• Having a party at home? Check out some of the cute theme ideas at FamilyFun.com.
  

Are there more?
I was curious if Eddy Discovery Center and Scrapbook Memories do birthday parties. Does anyone know? I'll try to find out this week if I can.

If you have other ideas, please add a comment below. I'll put everything together and add a permanent feature page to the Things To Do In Chelsea website for future reference.

News brief: May 1 to be Silver Star Banner Day in Chelsea

I saw this news blurb on MLive yesterday regarding a proclamation by Chelsea City Council:

Chelsea

Chelsea has proclaimed an annual Silver Star Banner Day each May 1 in the city.

By unanimous vote, the Chelsea City Council adopted a proclamation to recognize Silver Star Families, a group formed to "remember the blood sacrifice of our wounded and ill by designing and manufacturing a Silver Star banner and flag."

Source: MLive.com Regional News. 9/11/08

I've read this blurb a few times, and but don't really understand what in the heck they are talking about. Perhaps the A2 News didn't quite understand it either, and that is why the editor left the description in quotes, without elaborating further. Can anyone fill me in on the who's and why's?

Police Briefs...this one hits a little close to home

In this week's Police Briefs in the Chelsea Standard, I found the following blurb (I condensed it for brevity):

Disorderly conduct

Police were called ... at 7 p.m. Aug. 23, where they found a ...woman being combative, loud and belligerent. ... Witnesses said they tried to calm her but she was being threatening and uncooperative, and disrupting other patients. (In case you were worried, the blurb goes on to say that the police eventually drove her home.)

All that I could think of when reading this news brief was that "combative, loud and belligerent" sounds like just about every 2-5 year old child that I know. Fortunately, most situations with people of the younger variety don't involve calling the police. Though I did wonder at times when my children had tantrums in the grocery store or mall if someone was going to "intervene". I guess you have to be a grown up having a tantrum in public to get that kind of special treatment.

Somber thoughts - local and national tragedies

Today we acknowledge and remember the tragedy of September 11, 2001. This national tragedy brought us together in sorrow and patriotism. I'm sure every one of us who has loved ones who lost their lives, or watched it happen live on TV from afar will remember it like it happened yesterday.

• Ceremony honors those who died on 9/11 (MLive, 9/11/08)
  

Closer to home and more recently, a huge number of family, friends and loved ones gathered this week to mourn the loss of 22 year old Ben Rodgers. For those who may not have known him personally, you have more than likely crossed paths with him or members of his family at Rodger's Farm, at the farmer's market, the Chelsea Fair, or numerous other places and events in town. A young life lost is the worst kind of heartbreak, and when it happens in a small town like ours it is all the more poignant. I don't have anything wise or helpful to say. Simply that my thoughts and prayers are with the Rodgers family and friends.

• Chelsea man, 22, dies in car crash early Saturday (MLive 9/6/08)
• Victim of fatal accident remembered as 'honest to goodness nice kid' (Chelsea Standard, 9/11/08)
  

Congrats to Chelsea's 2008 Citizens of the Year!

The Chamber of Commerce and Chelsea Standard recently announced the winners of the annual Citizen of the Year award.

2008 Citizen of the Year
Chelsea's 2008 Citizen of the Year is Sheila Morrison-Patrias, who established a Washtenaw County branch of Ele's Place. This is a wonderful organization that helps children and their families deal with grief.

• Patrias wins 2008 Citizen of the Year award (Chelsea Standard, 8/28/08)
  

• From the Chamber of Commerce website:
  Citizen of the Year: Sheila Morrison-Patrias was awarded this year's Citizen of the Year Award for her tireless efforts to establish Ele's Place, a healing center for grieving children. The non-profit community-based organization serves Chelsea, Dexter, Ann Arbor, Manchester and greater Washtenaw County. Sheila's fundraising abilities, leadership recruitment, and community outreach have raised nearly $500,000 in gifts and pledges. In May, 2007, Ele's Place launched programming for the children of Chelsea and throughout Washtenaw County.

2008 Lifetime Achievement Award Winner
The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Art Dils, who has spent many years highly involved in the community and local causes.

• Dils honored for his Lifetime of Achievement (Chelsea Standard, 8/28/08)
  

• From the Chamber of Commerce website:
  2008 Lifetime Acheivement Award: Art Dils is among those special people whose professional and volunteer contributions over a long period of time have helped make Chelsea the great community it is today. His numerous volunteer positions include Board Member and Pres. of the Chelsea Area Chamber of Commerce, Pres. of Chelsea School District Board of Education, Chelsea Community Hospital Board Trustee, Huron Valley Ambulance Board, and many other Board positions and community committees.

Congratulations to these two worthy recipients! Thank you for your contributions to our great community.

Mentions of Chelsea and Dexter in the Chicago Tribune

In my daily news and blog search for "Chelsea, Michigan", I ran across a mention of my very own website in the Chicago Tribune. I guess I shouldn't be suprised, but I am!

The article was about berry picking and trout fishing in Michigan, and is worth a read, even though if you are a local, it won't tell you anything you didn't already know. It mentions local farms, including Makielski's as well as Dexter Blueberry Farm, plus the trout fishing farm in Dexter (which I have yet to check out). The mention of my www-chelsea-mi.com website is in a sidebar called "If You Go".

Very cool!

Time for the Chelsea Fair!

The 2008 Chelsea Community Fair begins Tuesday, August 19. With the great weather we've been having all summer, this is sure to be a good one! (They always are, come to think of it.) Although, every year we have at least one thunderstorm, so be sure to have both a Plan A and Plan B for attending the fair this year.

Here are some details to save you from looking it up:

• Location: Chelsea Fair Grounds
  20501 Old US-12
  Chelsea, Michigan 48118
  [MAP]
  
• Admission: $7 per day. Children 10 and under are free; Senior citizens get in free on Thursday. You can also buy a season pass for $25 which is good all week. ($15 for students and senior citizens)
• Schedule: 10am until 10pm Tuesday 8/19 through Saturday 8/23. See the Schedule of Events on ChelseaFair.org website.
  
  Highlights:
  Rides open on Tuesday at 10am
  Children's Parade and Tricycle Pull - Tuesday 5:30pm
  Animal exhibits, including baby animals
  Demolition Derby
  Chainsaw Carving
  Horse Shows
  Colors the Clown
  Tractor Pull
  Selection of Fair Queen - Friday 7pm
  Chelsea Fair Parade - Saturday 1pm
  

Just so you know, the Chelsea Blog will be back in full swing at the end of the summer. Believe it or not, I have actually been on vacation! (Yes, I do leave Chelsea every once in a while....)

Enjoy the fair!

Summerfest this weekend - July 25 and 26

Chelsea's annual summer festival, SummerFest is going on this weekend, July 24 and 25. With young kids, my family has traditionally spent the most time at the Kid Zone which has kids entertainment and activities, bouncy tents and tons more stuff. Last year, the SummerFest art show (ARTicipation) was also placed near Kid Zone, which worked out great for me. While the kids were watching a magic show or bouncing around, I could take a peek at art, jewelry and other cool stuff and still be within eye contact. Those two parts of SummerFest take place down by the Clocktower. And when you head that way, say hi to me! For a lot of the weekend, I will be volunteering at the info booth near the railroad tracks.

Another favorite at SummerFest is all the music. Not only are there free performances throughout the event at various locations, but the food and entertainment tent (aka the beer tent) is a whole lot of fun at the end of the day.

There are lots of details on the SummerFest website (another one of my projects). I also posted a link to my FlickR account in the left hand column of my blog, which has tons of photos from last year.

Busy weekend in Chelsea, isn't it?

Some good ole fashioned rock 'n roll this Thursday

I have never seen so much press about an event in Chelsea before, but in case you somehow missed it, Mitch Ryder and his band will be performing in Chelsea on Thursday Night. Pretty cool, huh? Last I heard, VIP tickets were close to sold out, but there is still time for the rest of us to get in on the concert. Tickets are available by going online at www.chelseacenterforthearts.org or by calling the CCA at (734) 433-2787. The performance will be in the entertainment tent behind the Common Grill, which will be set up similarly as during SummerFest concerts (which is this weekend, too!).

Mitch Ryder, dubbed a rock and roll legend by many, is most famous here in Michigan because he is a Detroit rocker born in Hamtramck. His best known hits are "CC Rider" and "Devil with a Blue Dress & Good Golly Miss Molly", which is listed as one of the 500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Search for Mitch Ryder videos on YouTube to see some great clips and vintage performances.

This is a special event organized by the Sounds & Sights on Thursday Nights committee, and funds raised will go to help keep great musicians and entertainers coming to Chelsea on Thursdays throughout the summer.

Learn more:

• Official website of Mitch Ryder - videos, albums, music downloads, photos and tons more
  
• Mitch Ryder biography on Answers.com
• Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels on Michigan Rock and Roll Legends website
  
• Mitch Ryder on Wikipedia
• Sounds & Sights on Thursday Nights
  

New babies at the house

We have newborn twins at our house. What!? Nooooooo....... don't look at me! Think I'd have time for blogging if that were the case? Thankfully, someone besides me is responsible for taking care of these babies.

Our new babies are birds. A mother robin has made herself at home in one of the hanging baskets on our front porch. A month or so ago, I had been wondering why half the flowers in my hanging basket were not growing, and peeked in there to find a nest. Wasn't sure if it belonged to anyone, but I knew it must be recently added because those baskets were only just hung up on Mother's Day. So I have been very carefully watering the non-nest side of my flowers since then.

A couple weeks later, I glanced over to the basket when I was headed out the front door and was startled to see a new face:


The kids and I were happy and excited to see new life unfold before our eyes. We keep checking out the front window for when Mama Bird grabs a lunch break so we can go out and peek in the nest and snap a photo.

As you might guess... this is what we found next (below):

A few days later.... babies! My 7 year old said, "Awww... cute! No wait. They look weird!" (below):

Another day or two later, they are still looking very strange and alien-like (below):

The NEXT day I took the following photo. They look a little like Muppets to me:

By the NEXT day, they have nearly doubled in size. Mama Bird is gone a lot. It must take extraordinary work to feed babies that grow this fast. They are almost cute now, and starting to look more like birds than the prehistoric creatures that were their ancestors (photo below was taken today):

If I take too long with the photos, I get an angry Mama Bird squawking at me from the nearby tree:

Sometimes the little things in life are the most fun. I find it comforting to be reminded that life is not all about gas prices, politics, and credit card bills.

I'll keep adding photos as I take them, so check back if you're interested in the progress! :) Here is the permalink to this page: http://chelsea-mi.blogspot.com/2008/07/new-babies-at-house.html

Manchester Chicken Broil This Week

Wait... for the second time this month I am blogging about an event NOT in Chelsea (fireworks being the first). Well, that's ok. It's the neighborly thing to do, and it is actually one of the reasons I started this blog in the first place.

The 55th Annual Manchester Chicken Broil takes place this week. It will be held on Thursday (7/17) from 4 til 8 p.m. Have you ever been to it? I haven't... yet. It is said to be the largest event of its kind, serving over 12,000 meals in 4 hours. Proceeds raised go to help out the library, parks and other local organizations.

If you'd like to buy tickets here in Chelsea, you can get them at one of these places: Key Bank, Edward Surovell Realtors, Chelsea State Bank (both locations), and TCF Bank. Tickets are $7 in advance and $8 at the gate. For the price, you get a half chicken, coleslaw, bread and drink. I'd say that is a pretty good deal. You can either order it to go, or stay at the park and enjoy your meal outdoors along with some musical entertainment.

Visit www.manchesterchickenbroil.org for all the details.

And if I want to go really crazy mentioning events outside of Chelsea, I could mention that the Ann Arbor Art Fair is this week as well. But you probably already knew that. :)

Chuck wagon, donkeys, cowboys and a bit of American history

Did you know that the Fourth Annual National Day of the American Cowboy is being celebrated this month? The first national observance was on July 23, 2005 as a way to acknowledge and preserve the heritage, history, and culture of America’s Cowboy. [see www.cowboyday.com to learn more]

Celebrate National Cowboy Day on July 19 in downtown Chelsea
The official date this year is July 26, but you can celebrate a little early here in Chelsea thanks to the Mule Skinner Boot Shop. Our local Cowboy Day celebration takes place on Saturday, July 19 from 10am until 2pm. The event features an authentic chuck wagon, miniature donkeys, and real cowboys and cowgirls. So dust off your boots and shine up your spurs and head on downtown to celebrate the cowboys who helped make this country great.

See event details: National Cowboy Day Celebration

Mission Marketplace owner named "Retailer of the Month" ... in Chicago

If you've noticed the news links on the right side of my blog or visited the Chelsea News Tidbits on the Things To Do In Chelsea website, you'll know that I have an RSS feed to search news matching keywords "Chelsea Michigan". From there, I pick relevant articles to share with you. (Have I mentioned how glad I am that Hilary Clinton and her daughter Chelsea are not making news in Michigan much lately?)

Anyhow, this bit of interesting news came across my desk this morning. A Chicago organization called The Chicago Market: Living and Giving has named Kevin Frahm of The Mission Marketplace in downtown Chelsea as the July 2008 Retailer of the Month. There is a feature article about the store and Kevin:

The Chicago Market's Retailer of the Month: JULY 2008

With a passion for a world where there is “enough for everyone” Kevin Frahm, Executive Director, started The Mission Marketplace as a physical manifestation of that vision. By sourcing Fair Trade and Green vendors from around the world The Mission Marketplace has created an inviting store that also invites change. .... [click link below to read more]

Read full article here Retailer of the Month: July 2008 on shopchicagomarket.net

The Mission Market Place, has been one of my favorite stores since they first opened in that tiny store near the Clock Tower, to where they are now in the heart of downtown Chelsea. It's nice to see a genuinely nice guy and hard worker get some nice press.

Chelsea restaurant reviews - old and new favorites

The Ann Arbor News has featured two Chelsea restaurants in the past week. Our old favorite, Cleary's Pub, and our newest restaurant, Las Fuentes.

• Cleary's Pub, which is one of my favorites, has really tasty food and is a great place to hang out either with or without the kids: Cleary's Pub attracts all kinds (Ann Arbor News on MLive, 7/3/08)

• Las Fuentes, our new Mexican restaurant located in the Clocktower Complex, is family-friendly and will soon be another option in town for drinks with friends: Las Fuentes opens in Chelsea (Ann Arbor News on MLive, 7/3/08)

The Big Storm of June 2008

Wednesday night we had an impressive and scary storm in our area. I was working away at the computer, when my 7 year old said "There is lighting outside, Mommy. You might want to shut down." I took a glance outside and said, "Ok. Thanks. I think it will be fine." I saved my files and continued on. Next thing I know.... INSTANT SHUT DOWN due to a power outage. Whoops.

From our front window, the kids and I watched the eerie sky change from gray to green to black. Winds whipped down Main Street, water poured down from the sky... except that it wasn't really "down" because it was more horizontal. After the worst of the storm seemed to have passed and we realized how incredibly dark our house was, we lit candles and had crackers and cheese for dinner. My friend next door came by and said that our neighbor had some remodeling done courtesy of Mother Nature. Their front porch was hit by a falling tree, and it was in shambles.

See more storm photos from Chelsea photographer Burrill Strong on his blog

After we had been without power for a few hours, I must say it was slightly annoying to be sitting in the dark, and seeing the neighbors across the street with full power! Oh well... they are probably on the Chelsea Community Hospital grid, and I'm sure they needed it more than us.

But we made the best of it. Having no TV and no computers, we just sat and talked and giggled about comparing and contrasting weather with bodily functions. (Oh, you thought I was a mature adult? Fooled you! -g-) Power came back on by midnight (Yay to Chelsea Power! Read more about them in this 2005 article on the Chelsea Report), just in time for bed.

The next morning we were awoken bright and early by the sound of chain saws and grinders from Arbor Care Tree Surgeons, who made efficient and tidy work out of cleaning up the downed tree on our neighbor's lawn.

Chelsea Planning Commission Mtg Tonight

The Planning Commission is holding a work session tonight (Tuesday) at 7 p.m. One of the topics of discussion is the Walgreen's site plan.

• See related news brief on MLive

PC work sessions are held in the lower level conference room at the Chelsea City Offices, 305 S. Main St, and are open to the public.

Celebrating Independence Day in the Chelsea area

If you're looking for a place near Chelsea, Michigan to enjoy fireworks on or close to the 4th of July, here are a few options (sorted by date):

Ypsilanti Township Fireworks at Ford Lake
Wednesday July 02, 2008 at dusk
Over Ford Lake

Manchester Fireworks Display
Thursday July 03, 2008 at dusk
Carr Park

Jackson Summer Celebration
Thursday July 03, 2008 at dusk
Cascade Falls Park

Grass Lake Annual Celebration
Friday July 04, 2008 at dusk
Grass Lake County Park

Gregory Parade and Fireworks
Friday July 04, 2008 at dusk
Gregory softball diamond

Whitmore Lake Fireworks
Friday July 04, 2008 at dusk
Whitmore Lake

Pinckney / Portage Lake Fireworks
Saturday July 05, 2008 at dusk
Portage Lake

The Hudson Mills fireworks in Ann Arbor were a little too early in my opinion, and took place on June 28. If you miss the 4th of July fireworks altogether, you might want to go down to Comerica Park for a Tiger's game on a Friday night during the summer. They have fireworks weekly! See related article: Coming to Comerica Won't Break the Bank. I also saw on the list that Jackson has an end of summer fireworks display on August 30.

All this information came from michiganfireworks.com, which is run by a local woman as a "hobby site". Now that's someone I can related to!! :)

New carseat law for Michigan goes into effect July 1

As reported on the Car Seat Safety Laws article on the Things To Do In Chelsea website, and our Moore Pediatrics Feature Page, there is a new car seat law in Michigan that goes into effect next week. Beginning July 1, all children under the age of 8 and not yet 4'9" tall are required to be in a vehicle booster seat. Previously, this was the recommendation but now mandated.

There are also numerous links from both places to find out more. Another great resource about child passenger safety seats is www.michigansafekids.org.

Here is a blurb from a recent press release:

Booster seats are nothing new, and experts have long recommended their use up to age eight, but beginning July 1 a new Michigan law mandates that all children be in a booster seat until they are 8 years old or 4'9" tall. Children must be in a seat until they reach the age requirement or the height requirement, whichever comes first.

"This law is a real win for Michigan's children," said Michigan Department of Community Health Director Janet Olszewski. "The combined use of booster seats and seat belts will save lives and decrease injuries."

When used correctly, child safety seats are 71 percent effective in reducing fatalities and 50 percent effective in preventing minor injuries.

This is a primary enforcement law so a police officer can stop a vehicle if the officer sees an improperly restrained child and issue a citation which could end up costing parents $65 to $165 in fines and fees for each unrestrained child in the vehicle.

The legislation, which was introduced by Sen. Michelle McManus, R-Lake Leelanau, was signed by Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm on March 27.

Las Fuentes in Chelsea is now open!

We went downtown for a playdate at the TreeHouse today and were excited to find that Las Fuentes is NOW OPEN! I asked at the TreeHouse if they had been busy over there and was told "They just opened an hour ago!" I was very happy to be one of the first to know. :)

I immediately called my husband and we arranged a dinner date tonight with friends. Las Fuentes was quite busy at dinner time (How did everyone know to go?), so we had to wait a while for a table of eight to become available. However, the weather was so lovely that it was kind of nice to relax in the Clocktower Courtyard while we waited.

The bad news: (a) no liquor license just yet which meant no margaritas (should just be a week or so for that) and (b) our timing coincided with a grill going down, so we had to wait longer than we would have liked for our meal.

The good news: (a) first and foremost... YUM! (b) pleasant ambiance and decor (check out the very cool glass lamps over the booths) (c) good location with plenty of parking, as well as the courtyard (d) staff was very friendly (e) did I mention the food was good?

Still waitin' on that margarita though..... :)

Updates on Walgreen's Issue

In regards to the Walgreen's coming to Chelsea issue, this article was in today's Ann Arbor News:

• Chelsea planners put Walgreens drugstore on hold (Ann Arbor News, 6/18/08 via MLive.com)
  

Also a couple quick updates from friends who attended the meeting:

-----------
Just passing on info from the zoning board mtg. tonight. The Walgreen's variance will be postponed, the planning commission did not give special use approval for it to go on to the zoning board. Lots of opposition against the project, however it will come to Chelsea. The developers, Ron Jona people will consider all the opinions expressed last night and review their plans. The Gateway District has a lot to do with the look of the building site. They are being tabled till next meeting July 1st. At this time they are not compliant with the overlay of the district.

------------
Unless there is a public participation when it is presented to the council there is nothing more to do. When/if that meeting is going to happen I do not know but if someone knows let me know and I will be there. The variances were for the “area plan” and affects all parcels with the same zoning -- not just the one site. There were stipulations for a traffic study to occur prior to accepting/recommending a “site plan” which effects just the one parcel. Some of the variances include:

• Parking: not as many and smaller (good luck parking your F150)
• Setbacks
• Ground/floor ratio (currently 20% soon to be 23%

The Gateway District mentioned is interesting. Anyone know anything about that? Is it a committee, an ordinance, or what?

Got perfectly good stuff you no longer need? Come to the Free4All!

The Chelsea Recycle group is having a FREE4LL at Chelsea's Timber Town Park on Saturday, June 21st from 1-4pm. You will be able to dispose of mega amounts of your unwanted/unneeded treasures all in one big swoop at this FREE4ALL. Tell your friends, tell your neighbors, and tell your family!! The Chelsea Recycle & Free Exchange group is a online freecycling group founded in 2003 by a Chelsea area resident as part of the freecycle movement. The group is now 100% locally run by the original owner (Kelly) and myself.

This fun "trash-into-treasure" affair features an afternoon of freebie shopping. Attendee's are encouraged to bring their unwanted but usable items to share with one another. Drop off anything you bring at the picnic shelter area. Attendees are welcome to take home all the "new-to-you" loot they can carry (or could reasonably expect to use).

So what exactly is a FREE4ALL? It's a meet-up of freecycling folk who bring their unneeded, unwanted items together, put them onto picnic tables or place larger items around the picnic shelter so others can take what they want. Similar to a swap or yard sale but there is no trading or exchange of money.

Items that can be brought to the FREE4ALL include just about anything that you can CARRY that still has some life left in it. Clothing, coats, office and school supplies, bikes, toys, baby
equipment, books, magazines, videos, music, lamps, linens such as curtains and blankets, exercise equipment, pet supplies, fans, sports equipment, holiday decorations and more. All we ask is that you do not use this as a place to bring broken items that actually *do* belong in the landfills. Please contact a moderator in advance if you question what can be brought.

At the end of the event the Salvation Army truck will arrive and take all leftover items. So feel free to bring enough to share with your community AND fill their truck!

What are you waiting for? Start filling some boxes!!

LINKS:
Chelsea Recycle home page - to join or learn more
Chelsea Recycle Feature Page
Free4All Event Listing

Walgreen's coming to Chelsea, Michigan?

In case you haven't yet heard, Walgreen's Drugstore is seeking approval to move in across the street from CVS, on the corner of Old US 12 and Main St./M-52 in 'southtown' Chelsea. The plan would mean demolishing the two buildings on the site, where the Wolverine restaurant and Chelsea Standard office are located. They are also seeking a variance for off-street parking and a drive-thru.

Please attend the Planning Commission's Public Hearing if you want your voice to be heard on this matter.

• Public Hearing Regarding Walgreen's - Tuesday, June 17 at 7 p.m. Washington Street Center Board Room (NOTE that the correct day is TUESDAY... I had mistakenly put Wednesday when I first published this blog.)
  

The pride and care taken by the City of Chelsea, the residents, local businesses and organizations in the community to retain our city's charm and integrity is admired by many. We do NOT need another box store in our town. Not only that, but this one forces the loss of part of our own community in the process. The Wolverine restaurant is practically an icon in our town and is owned by a Chelsea family, the Merkels. And for better or worse, the Chelsea Standard is *our* paper. It's where we have articles about school kids doing community projects, local government elections and updates, our sports section all about school teams, spotlights on our friends and neighbors, and local opinions. They may very well put other local stores out of business in the process, too.

We do not need another pharmacy in Chelsea. We have more than enough options available now. And what happens when our small city can't support Walgreens and help keep them profitable back in Illinois? Are they going to stay here and fight the good fight to support us? No, they will move on and leave an empty parking lot, and an abandoned building in it's place. In fact, there is an eyesore of an empty box right across the street in the old Polly's. (so much for reusing existing resources, huh?) And why did Polly's move? Because Farmer Jack built a huge store and then abandoned ship shortly after.

How much of Walgreens $50 billion in revenue do you think they will spend to support our high school football team or sponsor a float in the Chelsea Fair Parade or donate to the Chelsea Education Foundation or Faith In Action? I'm guessing not even as much as my small business does ... and well, I don't think I make quite as much as they do.

MORE INFORMATION

• Newspaper 'not going anywhere' despite Walgreens site plan (Chelsea Standard 5/15/08)
• Walgreens seeks OK for Chelsea site plan (MLIVE.com, 5/10/08)
• NO Walgreens in our town! (Letter to the editor, Chelsea Standard, 6/12/08)

Also of particular interest:

• The Impact of Chain Stores on Community - mentions when Chelsea citizens prevented Rite Aid from moving in town in 1999
  
• Shop in Chelsea, Michigan - See resources listed in left-column under "Get the Facts" for more links about why chain stores weaken local economies
  

Summer Reading Program Kicks Off Today

The Chelsea District Library begins their summer reading program for kids today at a big kick off party from 12pm til 3:30pm. Bring the family for crafts, snacks, entertainment and a big bouncy tent ... oh and to sign up for the program too. LOL. If you miss the event, don't worry! There are fun things to do all summer long.

In all honesty, the kick off is a big party, but the program itself is also a lot of fun for kids. They keep track of the books they read (or that are read to them) and return to the library periodically to collect fun little prizes. Throughout the program, the library is showing movies, doing really cool crafts, demonstrations, storytimes, games (Guitar Hero, DDR, Magic the Gathering), a fairy tea party, and more. I remember giving my mom the big eye roll when she signed us up for our community reading program, but I really don't remember it being as interactive and fun as they are these days.

The adult reading program is also in full swing, with the opportunity to win great prizes. I'm all signed up, but in the middle of reading a 1,200 page book that might take me til the end of the summer at this rate....... :)

Library events are listed on the Things To Do In Chelsea website thanks to the hard work of library volunteers who take the time to submit them all. And of course, you can always go right to the source, and visit the McKune Memorial Library website for complete details.

Links:

• Library helps keep kids reading (Chelsea Standard, 6/12/08)
• Summer Reading Program 2008 - guidelines and events for kids, teens and adults (be sure to check out the little videos!)

P.S. Kids and teens get points for books or attending a library events. Grown-ups get a bit of a break (whew!) — we get credit for books, newspaper, magazine, watching a movie, listening to an audiobook or music CD, using the library's online resources, or attending a library event.

Congratulations to CHS class of 2008!

Chelsea High School graduation commencement takes place on Sunday at 3 p.m. at the high school. The public is welcome to attend. Congratulations to all of our graduating seniors! Enjoy your summer and best of luck in whatever your future holds!

Update

• View CHS 2008 Commencement Photos by Burrill Strong

Chelsea Painters 35th Art Fair this weekend

The Chelsea Painters Art Fair takes place this weekend on the wooded grounds of the Chelsea Community Hospital. It is in a peaceful setting, and a nice way to spend a couple hours of your day. From what I remember from last time we went, it is mostly shady, too. If you can't stand the hot, crowded art fairs, but love to peruse the work of local artists, be sure to check this one out. Here are more details:

Help Us Celebrate Our 35th Year! The Chelsea Painters 35th Annual Art Fair will be held Saturday, June 7th and Sunday, June 8th, 2008 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the grounds of the Chelsea Community Hospital. The event will be held rain or shine in a delightful, wooded setting.

Award-winning artists will display original fine art and cards in a variety of media including watercolor, gouache, acrylic, oil, pastel, encaustic, monoprint, mixed media. In celebration of our 35 years of Art Fair, and to recognize and encourage promising young artists, the Chelsea Painters will showcase the finest examples of art created by Chelsea High School Art Students.

Live entertainment will be provided by folk musician Sharon Dressen McKnight. Hands-on art activities for children will be offered for free during the Art Fair free of charge, courtesy of the The Chelsea Center for the Arts (CCA).

A percentage of proceeds will be donated to the Chelsea Center for the Arts (CCA) and to the Chelsea Community Hospital Auxiliary Scholarship Fund.

LINKS

• Chelsea Painters Art Fair - listing on Things To Do In Chelsea
• Chelsea Painters website
• Chelsea Center for the Arts

WUOM's Charity Nebbe visits Cranesbill Books on Saturday

Got this news from an email from Cranesbill Books, about a visit with author and host of Michigan Radio, Charity Nebbe:

When WOUM's Charity Nebbe visits Cranesbill Books on Saturday, she will bring a friend along. Not Kirby, the main character in her new picture book, "Our Walk in the Woods", but her own 12 year-old white fluffy dog Sara, who makes a cameo in the book. Nebbe, who is known as the host of All Things Considered on Michigan Radio, had often thought about writing a children's book. With her broadcasting career definitely established, now she has written a wonderful story that contrasts the way a child and her dog experience a hike.

"Nothing is more enjoyable than a walk in the woods on a sunny spring day. Abby and her dog Kirby getup early every Saturday to explore the hills above the river, but they don't always see things quite the same. The author and illustrator provide a fun look at just how different two views of the same walk in the woods can be." Come meet Charity, Sara, and share this story with your family and friends.

DATE: June 7 @ 2 p.m.
LOCATION: Cranesbill Books

Also see:

• A visit with author and radio host Charity Nebbe - listing on Things To Do In Chelsea
• Charity Nebbe writes children's book (A2 News, 6/1/08)

Chelsea TreeHouse nominated as Best in Detroit Area

More great press for a locally owned business in Chelsea!
Congratulations to the Chelsea TreeHouse! The TreeHouse is one of the Detroit nominees for Best Indoor Playplace/Partyspace as part of Nickelodeon's ParentsConnect's First Annual Parents' Picks Awards. This came as a very exciting surprise to owner Michele Balaka, who recently called to tell me the news. Michele is a friend of mine, and I also do the TreeHouse website, so we wanted to put up the logo and link so people can vote. In the email she sent me with the links, she summed it up perfectly: “Yeah for the TreeHouse!”

• Vote for the TreeHouse as "Best Indoor Playplace/Partyspace" at ParentsConnect.com
  

More About the TreeHouse
The TreeHouse opened in December 2006, and very quickly became a very popular destination to bring kids for playdates, birthday parties, tours and any reason at all. Members and visitors come from all over southeastern Michigan and beyond, bringing thousands of families to Chelsea to play at the TreeHouse and explore our town.

In case you aren't familiar with the TreeHouse, it is an indoor playground featuring a huge play structure where kids can climb, swing, crawl, slide. Unlike many other play places I have brought my kids, I myself can comfortably climb up the structure and go down the slides as well. They also serve very good coffee (and I know my coffee), and tasty, freshly made food. They do have the requisite hotdogs, as well as great sandwiches, soups and other "real" food.

Located in the historic Clocktower complex in downtown Chelsea, the interior of the TreeHouse features much of the original architecture and design, with exposed bricks, super high ceilings, a very old bank vault (you'll have to ask the owners about that). It's just a very cool building, and nice place to hang out. They even have private area upstairs for meetings and parties. The TreeHouse is also available for private party sleepovers -- how awesome would that be for older kids and teens?

More About the Award
The ParentsConnect's First Annual Parents' Picks Awards will identify winners in 52 major U.S. cities. Categories include: best kids' museum; best toy store; best playground/park; best green space; and many more. Users can vote for nominees online at http://www.parentsconnect.com/parentspicks until June 30 to help determine which nominees are "top picks" in their city. On July 15, the ParentsConnect.com site will publish the Parents' Picks winners and the winning venues' information will remain featured on the site for a year. All Parents' Picks businesses are nominated based on recommendations from ParentsConnect.com local city editors that live and work in the cities they cover, in conjunction with ParentsConnect users' feedback. Users' votes and rankings ultimately determine which venues are selected as winners in their respective categories.

Links:

• ParentsConnect
• Nickelodeon
• Chelsea TreeHouse

Memorial Day Parade and Celebration

Chelsea's annual Memorial Day parade will be held on Monday, May 26, 2008 beginning at 10 a.m. Afterwards, from 1 til 5 p.m. there will be a celebration at the American Legion Post #31 with food and refreshments. If you have any old flags to retire, bring them along. The American Legion is planing a ceremony to dispose of them with honor.

See the Things To Do In Chelsea event listing for details:

• Memorial Day Parade and Celebration - Chelsea, MI

Also of interest are these articles from MLive.com:

• Patriotism gets passed down (Ann Arbor News, 5/24/08) - features the family of Chelsea resident and city council member Jason Lindauer
• Area Memorial day events (Ann Arbor News, 5/24/08) - for listings in Ann Arbor, Ypsi, Dexter and many other surrounding areas.
  

Memorial Day holds a special place in my heart because many of my loved ones have served in the military, during wars, conflicts, and also quieter times. My most heartfelt thanks to all of you and your own loved ones who have served to protect our country.

Follow up
Great photos of the Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony from local photographer Burrill Strong:

• Chelsea's Memorial Day Ceremonies (26 May 2008)
  

Increase in gas prices makes for easy math ... and incentive to stay home

It cost me $74 to fill up my gas tank. Yeouch. I couldn't help but ponder what else I might have spent that $74 on... dinner for two, new shoes, signing up for an art class or Rec sport. Not being very mathematically inspired, I don't often calculate the cost of a trip. But nowadays, the dollars add up to enough to make me think twice before running a unnecessary errand. I calculated that it costs me $8 in gas to go to Ann Arbor and back.

My minivan gets approximately 20 miles per gallon. For the sake of easy math, estimate that Ann Arbor is 20 miles away from Chelsea, and gas is $4.00 per gallon. That means I'll use 1 gallon of gas to get to Briarwood Mall (see Google map for the route) and the roundtrip cost is 2 gallons x $4 per gallon = $8. In other words, 20 cents per mile.

That is good incentive to shop, eat and play locally before driving to Ann Arbor, Jackson or Brighton. Either that, or be sure that your savings add up to more than the cost of gas.

How to Save Your Gas Money
For those of you who are commuting for work, school, recreation or shopping, here are some calculations for you: *Calculations based on my numbers above: $4 per gallon of gas, 20 miles to A2, average 20 mpg

• Five days a week commute: Commute to work 5 days a week and gas will cost you $40 a week, or $160 a month. Perhaps that Chelsea-Ann Arbor commuter bus at $125 per month is looking more tempting!
• Share a ride / work from home ONE day each week: $128 per month (save $32 each month or $384 a year)
• Share a ride / work from home TWO days each week: $96 per month (save $64 each month or $768 a year)
• Commute 5 days a week, but drive a more fuel efficient car: If you drive a car that gets 30 mpg instead of 20 mpg, your gas cost will be 13 cents per mile, or $104 per month. (save $56 per month, or $672 per year)
  

If driving a different car, or fewer miles is not possible, here are some more tips:

• Drive a more fuel efficient car, when possible. (Instead of the minivan, we can take the other car, which gets 30 mpg)
  
• Turn down the A/C (not a problem during our cool weather this month!)
• Drive the speed limit (saves on those speeding tickets, too!)
  
• Keep your car tuned up and tires inflated to the correct level
• Minimize idling your car. Turn off the car while you wait in line, or better yet, park and go in.

Driving out of your way for cheaper gas?
Think again! You may be driving away the savings, unless the cheaper gas station is already on your route. For example, it makes sense for my husband to fill up at a gas station on Baker Rd. because he has to drive that way to go to his office. If I do that solely for the purpose of getting gas, it is actually *costing* me money. Do your own calculations at ComputeGasSavings.com

More Resources:

• Local Gas Prices for Chelsea, Michigan
  
• Top 10 Ways to Improve Your Truck or SUV's Gas Mileage
• 11 Car Care Tips That Save Gas
• Tips to Save Gas and Improve Mileage (PDF file, from epa.gov website)
• How To Save Money on Gas
• Tips to Improve Your Gas Mileage
  

On the plus side, I'm getting more exercise because I'm taking my bike everywhere!