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.

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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)