Midwest Literary Walk in Chelsea - Saturday!

Spend your day in Chelsea this Saturday for the very first Midwest Literary Walk. The event is free and open to the public, and features award-winning fiction writers and poets, along with internationally-acclaimed writer and playwright, Michael McClure. These very special guests will present a sample of readings in numerous locations in downtown Chelsea:

Featured guests and locations:

• 1:00pm: The River Gallery - Keith Taylor & Macklin Smith
• 2:00pm: The Chelsea Gallery - Michael Zadoorian & Bill Harris
• 3:00pm: Cranesbill Books - Bret Lott & Janet Kauffman
• 4:00pm: Zou Zou’s Cafe - Community Open Mic with ML Liebler’s Workshop
• 5:30pm: The River Gallery - Reception & Book Signing for Michael McClure
• 7:00pm: Chelsea District Library - Michael McClure & ML Liebler

The event is sponsored by the Chelsea District Library and the Chelsea Center for the Arts

For More Information
Visit the Chelsea District library website for details, links to authors and a flyer and map to download

Why Walk for Poetry?

Citizens seeking to address city ordinances regarding backyard chickens

I received this email from a group of Chelsea residents who are interested in addressing the city ordinance restricting the ownership of chickens. Here is more information:

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Interested in owning chickens (hens only!), but live in town?
We're looking for fellow citizens interested in addressing the current ordinance which restricts chicken ownership within City limit to properties 5 acres and larger. We are putting together the paperwork necessary to be added to the May 26th city council meeting. We will present the 'Agenda Item' requesting city council to revise the current ordinance restrictions on ownership of chickens within the city limits of Chelsea. The current ordinances allows chicken ownership, but only on a minimum of 5 acres. Please pass this along to like-minded chicken-supporters and feel free to contact us with any questions, comments etc!!

The contact info below is brand-new, please include with the post and feel free to join us!

• Group home page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ChelseaChickens
• Group email address: ChelseaChickens@yahoogroups.com

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Also of interest:
In June of 2008, the city of Ann Arbor passed an ordinance allowing residents to keep chickens (hens) in their backyards. Residents can keep up to four hens, if neighbors ok it.

• See A2 City Chickens to learn more.
• Read the backyard chickens permit for Ann Arbor (pdf file on a2gov.org website).
• Backyard chickens approved for Ann Arbor (Michigan Daily, June 8, 2008)
• Ann Arbor residents aren't rushing to bring chickens home to roost (MLive.com 9/10/08)

Related links:

• Chelsea City Council home page
  
• City of Chelsea, MI list of zoning ordinances

I called the city offices to inquire about the ordinance. The exact wording is this: "A minimum land area of five acres shall be required for raising or keeping of animals or poultry." (Source: CITY OF CHELSEA ZONING ORDINANCES ARTICLE 4 - ZONING DISTRICT REGULATIONS)

For myself personally? After taking care of the house, the kids, the dog, the business and more.... the last thing I need is one more thing to feed and clean up after. You'll see me at the Farmer's Market. :)

What do you think?

Auditions for Sounds & Sights on Thursday Nights

Got Talent? Don't miss Chelsea’s Sounds & Sights Open Auditions

Calling all musicians, entertainers & Idol diehards – Sounds & Sights on Thursday Nights, the popular summer concert series in downtown Chelsea, is holding auditions for this year’s entertainment lineup on MONDAY, APRIL 20th, 5-8pm. [See event listing]

Now in it’s fifth season, Sounds & Sights on Thursday Nights features performers at various outdoor locations around downtown Chelsea. Crowds as large as 1,500 people attended the free concert series each Thursday in 2008. This year’s schedule kicks off June 25 and runs every Thursday through September 3rd.

“This event has really caught on with not only visitors, but musicians from all over the state”, says Craig Common, event co-organizer and owner of The Common Grill. “We get calls all year from people who want to try out and be a part of our success. We expect to see a lot of talented performers again at this year’s auditions.”

There are 70 paying spots available on the schedule. Auditions are open to musicians, singer/song-writers, jugglers, magicians, performers, dance troupes, artists, and other street arts performers, and will be judged before a panel of local artists, committee members and merchants. Performers should be prepared to share a 3-5 minute sample performances in front of these judges. Selected performers can sign on for a number of performances throughout the summer. Applications available ONLY on day of audition and there is no charge to audition.

For more information visit www.chelseafestivals.com/soundsights or call the Chelsea Center for the Arts (CCA) at 734-433-2787. Sounds & Sights is presented by the downtown Chelsea Merchants, the Chelsea DDA, and the Chelsea Center for the Arts.

Source: Chelsea Center for the Arts press release