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)