Quantcast
Channel: MLive.com/ann-arbor
Viewing all 3641 articles
Browse latest View live

MDOT project to close nine miles of I-94 in Ann Arbor for four weekends this summer

0
0

042313_NEWS_94_TruckAccident_DJB_0113.jpg

Interstate 94 seen from the Platt Road overpass looking west on April 23 when a truck accident caused traffic delays in the eastbound lanes. MDOT is planning to close one direction of traffic on the roadway at a time on select weekends this summer for resurfacing.

Daniel Brenner I AnnArbor.com

A major repair project on Interstate 94 along the south side of Ann Arbor will separately close the road to eastbound and westbound traffic over four weekends this summer.

The Michigan Department of Transportation has allocated about $3.5 million in state and federal funds for the work, which is slated to begin after the July 4 holiday weekend.

The project, which will resurface about nine miles of I-94 from the M-14 split to the Carpenter Road overpass, is still out to bid.

One direction of I-94 will be entirely closed per weekend within the project limits, beginning with the eastbound lanes.

“No two directions will be closed at the same time,” said Mark Sweeney, manager of MDOT’s Brighton post.

The closures will begin late on a Friday and extend to the early hours of a Monday morning.

However, the specific dates for construction have not been set - and likely won’t be announced until about four to five days before the closure is set to start, according to MDOT officials.

As a part of the contract, MDOT has specified certain weekends that the contractor cannot close the roadway because of major events happening in Ann Arbor - including the Ann Arbor Art Fairs, University of Michigan football games, college move-in weekends and graduations, Sweeney said.

It’s up to the contractor to determine the schedule, Sweeney said. The contractor must finish the entire project by mid-November, Sweeney said.

Work will be weather-dependent. Crews can operate in a light rain, Sweeney said, but downpours will prevent work from happening.

“Ideally we want to make sure we’re putting down quality work,” Sweeney said.

Detours for the road closure will route drivers to take U.S. 23 to M-14 around Ann Arbor to continue on their east-west route.

I-94 is a composite roadway a layer of hot mix asphalt on top of concrete.

During the weekend closures, crews will be patching the concrete base of the roadway by cutting out concrete joints and re-pouring them, Sweeney said. MDOT anticipates the patching work on one direction of I-94 can be completed in two weekends’ time.

“If we did this under traffic, we could take (I-94) down to one lane (on the weekends),” Sweeney said, explaining that it would take about seven weekends for the work to be completed on one direction of I-94.

Doing the work under traffic would create an unsafe work situation and would severely congest the area, Sweeney said. It would also push the project’s completion date well into 2014, Sweeney said.

After the patching is completed on the roadway, MDOT will be announcing nighttime lane closures on I-94 so crews can mill about 1.5 inches of the road surface and re-pave it.

Sweeney said there will not be nighttime lane closures on one direction of I-94 when the other direction is completely closed over a weekend for the patching work.

Recognizing the brevity of the scope of the project, Sweeney said MDOT has met with emergency responders and business owners in two separate meetings to address questions they may have about the project.

Emergency responders were most interested in what the dates would be for construction, Sweeney said -- a detail that is still to be determined.

MDOT has set a public information session on the project from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m. on June 13 at the Pittsfield Township offices at 6201 West Michigan Ave.

At the same time that MDOT will be initiating the I-94 project, it will be balancing another resurfacing project on one of its detour routes for the project: M-14 between U.S. 23 on the north side of Ann Arbor; known by some as the “tri-levels.”

The contractor for the tri-level project has been patching the roadway with hot mix asphalt since mid-May during nighttime lane closures seven days per week.

After July 4, that contractor will only be able to work during nighttime hours Mondays through Thursdays so the lane closures won’t conflict with the detoured traffic from the I-94 project, Sweeney said.

“It’s worth a little longer construction time to not affect the commuting traffic,” Sweeney said.

After patching the roadway, crews will begin milling about 1.5 inches of the surface off the road and then re-paving it. The $1.5 million project is being funded using a mix of federal dollars and state money from the Michigan Transportation Fund.

For up-to-date information on scheduled lane closures:


View 2013 MDOT road construction in a larger map

Amy Biolchini covers Washtenaw County, health and environmental issues for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at (734) 623-2552, amybiolchini@annarbor.com or on Twitter.


2nd Ann Arbor Marathon hits streets Sunday: City officials confident good strategy in place

0
0

Ann_Arbor_Marathon_map_2013.jpg
The second-annual Ann Arbor Marathon takes place this Sunday, starting on Main Street near the Big House and finishing at Elbel Field off Hill Street.

Between those two points, runners will make their way through a 26.2-mile course that promises to shut down portions of several city streets throughout the morning.

That means getting around town might be more of a challenge than usual, but city officials say they're hopeful a good plan is in place this year.

John_Hieftje_headshot_July_12_2011.jpg

John Hieftje

"I was somewhat unhappy with the marathon last year," said Mayor John Hieftje. "It created some real problems for our residents, so I set up some goals for the organizers and city staff and others who are working with them to minimize some of those problems.

"They've worked hard to remedy some of the problems and we're going to have a chance to see how it works," he said. "I hope they have great weather and a great run."

Last year's 26.2-mile trek shut down streets throughout the city on Father's Day, catching many residents and business owners off guard and disrupting traffic.

Organizers of the race, a group called Champions for Charity, have planned the route differently this year to minimize disruptions. They've been working to get the word out about the street closures and detours and are hoping no one is surprised this time.

"I think they've done a reasonably good job planning for it, but there will be inconveniences," said City Council Member Sabra Briere, D-1st Ward. "Anyone who needs to travel through town on Sunday really needs to look at the map of the street closings and get a sense of their options."

Organizers say the good news is some of the major arteries across town will be open all morning: Washtenaw Avenue, Huron Street, Stadium Boulevard and Plymouth Road.

But at different times, portions of Liberty Street, Geddes, westbound East Huron River Drive, southbound Huron Parkway, westbound Fuller Road and Fuller Court, southbound State Street and northbound Main Street will be affected.

Complete details of the street closures and instructions for how to get around Ann Arbor on marathon morning can be found on the Ann Arbor Marathon website.

The marathon begins at 6:30 a.m., with a half marathon and 5K at 7:30 a.m., and a 1.2-mile kids run at 8:30 a.m.

Runners from 45 states and seven countries are expected to visit Ann Arbor to run the marathon events. Among them is Jerry Johncock, who plans to celebrate his 85th birthday by running his 150th marathon. He's running to help raise funds for Big Hearts for Seniors.

The marathon is raising funds for a number of local charities. A portion of the entry fees go to the Ann Arbor Public Schools Educational Foundation.

Mike Highfield, founder of race sponsor Champions for Charity, told AnnArbor.com in April in the aftermath of the Boston Marathon bombings he potentially would be talking with local police about heightening police presence during the upcoming race.

He said already there were a number of security measures in place, including private overnight guards, but he was interested in seeing what more could be done.

Hieftje said he couldn't comment on the Ann Arbor Police Department's strategy, but he's confident there will be an appropriate level of police presence on Sunday.

Roughly 3,300 people participated in last year's Ann Arbor Marathon. City officials noted that's much smaller than the 20,000 participants and half-million spectators the Boston Marathon draws.

AnnArborMarathon_Start.JPG

Marathon runners make their way from the start line on Main Street next to Michigan Stadium during the Ann Arbor Marathon last year.

Jeffrey Smith | AnnArbor.com

Hieftje pointed out the Ann Arbor Marathon doesn't even begin to compare to the crowds local police are used to dealing with when 100,000-plus fans pack into the Big House on football Saturdays.

"Our police officers are extremely well-trained and highly educated and they will be, as a matter of course, doing everything that needs to be done," Hieftje said.

"I would hope there wouldn't be anybody who would be dissuaded by what happened in Boston," he added. "This is a much lower-profile event, and I think as Americans we need to keep doing what we do and not allow our lifestyles to be affected by terrorism."

City Council Member Sally Hart Petersen, D-2nd Ward, has been training for the marathon and said she looks forward to Sunday's race.

"I'm excited to get it done and to do it," she said. "I'm excited there is a marathon in Ann Arbor because I've been to other cities and run marathons and I've seen what it does for a community."

Petersen also said she hopes what happened in Boston doesn't prevent anyone from wanting to run Sunday's marathon. She said her main concern is the weather.

"I'm just keeping an eye on the weather," she said. "June 9 is a little late for a marathon. I'm worried about the heat, obviously, but right now it looks like it will start out in the high 50s."

The Ann Arbor City Council took action in March to approve a series of street closures for the marathon. But after Champions for Charity had the course certified by USA Track and Field, it was determined the course was seven-tenths of a mile short for a true marathon.

The additional closing of one lane of eastbound Plymouth Road between Huron Parkway and Bishop was approved by the City Council in May to make up for the discrepancy.

Organizers said the new route for this year's marathon has been designed to minimize the impact on traffic and pedestrians, as well as bus services. The most significant change is the complete removal of Washtenaw Avenue from the course.

AnnArborMarathon_Group.JPG

Hundreds of runners make their way down Main Street during the first-ever Ann Arbor Marathon last June.

This year's route also takes advantage of the East Stadium Boulevard bridges being reopened. The route follows the northern sidewalk over the bridges and down to Main Street.

With the bridges closed last year, the course went down State Street to Briarwood Mall, and then up South Main Street to Ann Arbor-Saline Road, and through the Stadium/Main intersection. Runners still will go down to Briarwood Mall, but they'll just go out and back on State Street this time.

"It's unfortunate there were a lot of challenges to last year's marathon with regard to notification of street closures on Father's Day on a Sunday morning," Petersen said. "But I think the street closings are for good reason here, and the word is out."

Ryan J. Stanton covers government and politics for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529. You also can follow him on Twitter or subscribe to AnnArbor.com's email newsletters.

Ypsilanti Township Kmart demolition may be nearing conclusion following delays

0
0

Its been about three months shy of two years since a Washtenaw County Circuit Court judge ordered Ypsilanti Township’s Gault Village Shopping Plaza's owners to demolish an abandoned former Kmart in its center.

On May 28, the owners — Sylvan Township-based Union Lake Associates — were given yet another extension to complete the demolition. It must now be properly wrapped up by June 18.

It comes just a month after Union Lake’s managing partner was held in contempt of court for not fully completing the project. At that hearing, Michael McGlothin, was given another 35 days to complete the project or he would be fined $100 per day retroactive from April 24.

Township Attorney Dennis McLain said McGlothin met with township staff after the last court date and came to an agreement that was entered into the latest order by Judge Donald Shelton on May 28 and must be completed in June.

“On June 18, assuming that they will have completed the work to township’s satisfaction, hopefully we can submit an order ending the case,” McLain said.

McLain added he is pleased the project appears to be nearing its conclusion after a nearly two-year legal struggle.

“It has been a really long, tortuous process to get Union Lake to fully bring the Kmart building down,” he said.

K_Mart_demo.jpg

The physical demolition of a former Kmart in Ypsilanti Township is stretching into its sixth month.

Tom Perkins | For AnnArbor.com

The store, on Grove Road near Interstate 94, had been abandoned for more than 22 years.

Shelton ordered the building demolished within 30 days in early September 2011. After a year and half of stalling and several hearings later, demolition work began in December of 2012.

But more deadlines were missed and the project was never completed to meet township building codes. The demolition site was to be leveled with the area and parking lot surrounding it. But in a March inspection, township officials found a cinder block perimeter running throughout the site, hydraulic fluid on the ground, open sanitary pipes and other issues.

McLain said inspectors requested the remaining issues be addressed, but Union Lake dumped concrete on top of the cinder block and sewage pipes, leaving the area bumpier and more uneven than it was before.

McLain said in April, Shelton gave Union Lake the option to either level the site or place a 10-foot chain link fence around it, but the township had concerns the fence would be an eyesore as well as ineffective.

Under the new agreement, Union Lake will put up several smaller fences to keep people off the site and level it.

“The proposal was satisfactory to our building director (Ron Fulton), and if he’s happy, I’m happy,” McLain said.

The issues with the demolition of the former Kmart are far from the only problems at the shopping plaza. A judge ordered the closure of a Value Foods in March 2011 after building officials found a collapsing roof and spoiled food.

Mold has been a common issue throughout the plaza, and overhangs above pedestrian walkways have been deemed dangerous by building inspectors. Most recently it was announced an ACO Hardware store would be closing, which leaves one less anchor tenant in the plaza.

The parcel on which the former Kmart sits is separate from the rest of the plaza, and several township officials have said Union Lake intends to sell the property.

“The township has accomplished a significant amount of good here, culminating with where we’re at now,” McLain said. ‘Hopefully residents recognize that and hopefully we wont have to return to court over the Kmart.”

Washtenaw County may seek more authority over $18.6M trial courts

0
0

Washtenaw County’s virtually independent trial court system could soon be subject to the authority of the Board of Commissioners as a result of an impromptu set of votes and discussion at the board’s two back-to-back meetings Wednesday night.

The county’s trial court -- which include circuit court, juvenile court, friend of the court and probate court with seven elected judges lead by Chief Judge Donald Shelton -- operate now with the power to determine how its annual lump sum budget allocation from the county of about $18.6 million is used.

060513_BoardOfCommissionersMeet2.JPG

Commissioner Alicia Ping, R-Saline, speaks at a board retreat in March.

Andrew Kuhn | For AnnArbor.com

Commissioner Alicia Ping, R-Saline, made a motion at the end of the board’s Ways and Means meeting to terminate that lump sum budget agreement between the county and the trial court.

The item was not on the written agenda for the Wednesday meeting and several of the commissioners, including Board Chairman Yousef Rabhi, said they didn’t know they would be facing a vote on this issue.

Ping cited a need for the trial court to submit a line item budget for its expenditures instead of just requesting a lump sum each year from the county board to hand over for operations.

The trial court’s $18.6 million budget accounts for about 20 percent of the county’s general fund spending.

“As a responsible body, we need to go where the money is going,” Ping said.

It’s not the first time the Board of Commissioners has discussed the issue.

Commissioner Conan Smith, D-Ann Arbor, attempted to get the trial court to submit a line item budget three times unsuccessfully in his previous terms on the board.

The trial court system is formed as a result of Michigan state law and the county is obligated to fund it. However, under that law, the trial court is not mandated to adhere to the county’s policies.

As a trade-off, Washtenaw County’s trial court had agreed to follow the county’s policies - regarding hiring of employees, for instance - in exchange for the county giving it total control over its budget through a memorandum of understanding between the two parties.

That’s not a good trade, Smith said. The trial court is operating now as an independent branch of government with complete control and no check on its functions, Smith said.

The trial court submits a line item budget to the county administrator each year as a part of its process - but per the memorandum of understanding, the Board of Commissioners has no authority over how the court chooses to move its money between line items.

Ping said her reasoning behind bringing the motion was to have the court adhere to the same line item budget process that the board asks every other elected official to do in the budget cycle, though Smith said he saw the move as a way to place a check on the court’s operations.

“I’ve struggled with the courts with what their budget is and how it affects the systemic operations of Washtenaw County,” Smith said.

Ping said terminating the lump sum budget agreement would require the county to issue a six month notification period. Given that the county is in the middle of preparing a new four-year budget by Dec. 31, Commissioner Dan Smith, R-Northfield Township, advocated for moving forward on the vote as quickly as possible so the county could meet its budget deadline.

Chairman Rabhi and several other commissioners expressed their hesitance on voting on the issue Wednesday, citing potential unintended repercussions of demanding more control over the trial court budget without talking with the trial court administration first.

There was no representative from the trial court at the Wednesday meeting.

“We need to be respectful of our partners on the court system,” Rabhi said. “I don’t want to create a confrontational atmosphere. I know that some of that has already been done.”

Rabhi said he anticipates some county court staff will wake up feeling angry and alienated Thursday morning.

“The fact that we’re having this discussion tonight will raise tensions,” Rabhi said.

Commissioner Ronnie Peterson, D-Ypsilanti, said the trial court would not roll over for the Board of Commissioners and that the court needs the flexibility to manage their own operations.

“We may be starting a fire here that we’re not able to put out,” said Commissioner Rolland Sizemore Jr., D-Ypsilanti Township.

Commissioner Felicia Brabec, D-Pittsfield Township, said she felt the board’s process to be lacking because she was being asked to vote on an item without a complete discussion.

Ping said that she had been researching the motion for about six weeks and had copied the board members on email communication.

“Maybe no one took it seriously, but I have been talking about it for six weeks,” she said.

After much discussion and a failed attempt by Peterson to table the measure, the item was approved in a 5-4 vote with Commissioners Peterson, Rabhi, Sizemore and Brabec voting against it.

The Board then voted 6-3 to move the item to the following regular meeting Wednesday night for final approval. Commissioners Sizemore, Brabec and Peterson voted against it.

In the 10-minute break between the Ways and Means and regular board meeting, the county’s corporation counsel Curtis Hedger looked up the memorandum of understanding between the county and its trial courts.

During discussion in the regular meeting, Hedger stated the document actually required a yearlong notification process, not six months.

With the pressing time element of the county’s budget cycle off the table, Rabhi moved to postpone the final vote on the matter to the board’s July 10 meeting. The board approved the measure in a 6-3 vote, with Commissioners Dan Smith, Kent Martinez-Kratz and Ping voting against it.

Amy Biolchini covers Washtenaw County, health and environmental issues for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at (734) 623-2552, amybiolchini@annarbor.com or on Twitter.

Owners of Knight's Steakhouse sign lease to open restaurant in downtown Ann Arbor

0
0

knights_restaurant_downtown.jpg

Don Knight, Colliers International's Jim Chaconas, Jeff Knight, Colliers International's Brendan Cavender and developer Ron Hughes outside the former Borders building in downtown Ann Arbor.

Courtney Sacco | AnnArbor.com

The owners of Ann Arbor’s Knight’s Steakhouse and Knight’s Market plan to bring their acclaimed meat products and strong cocktails to downtown Ann Arbor.

The Knight family, which also owns a Knight’s Steakhouse location in Jackson, signed a lease this week for 3,500 square feet of the former Borders flagship store. The restaurant will anchor the corner of East Liberty and Maynard streets.

knights.jpg

The downtown restaurant will be similar to the Knight's Steakhouse on Dexter Avenue, including the black chess piece sign.

File photo

“We’ve been looking for the right location for about five years,” said Don Knight, who runs the restaurant on Dexter Avenue. “When we saw this spot become available, we thought it could be really cool.”

The move comes 61 years after Ray Knight opened Knight’s Market at 420 Miller Ave., and nearly 30 years after he purchased Annie’s Dugout at 2324 Dexter Ave., opening the now-iconic Knight’s Steakhouse. Ray’s five children run the family businesses after Ray died in February.

Despite the economic downturn and construction that closed Dexter Avenue for months, the strong business at Knight’s fueled the decision to open a second restaurant in Ann Arbor.

“We’re excited about it,” said Jeff Knight, who oversees the business side of things. “It’s a little different for us, and it’s a big financial commitment for the family, but we're comfortable with it.” Although there will be some differences at the downtown restaurant, the Knights said the important qualities — good food, strong drinks and a sense of community — will stay the same.

“It’s going to be comfortable and casual,” said Jeff. “It’s not going to be like you’re walking into a new world, you’re going to be walking into a Knight’s.”

Knight’s is the first announced tenant for the first floor of the former Borders building, which is being redeveloped by Ron Hughes of Hughes Properties and is listed for lease with Colliers International. Hughes is subdividing the vacant space into five restaurant and retail spaces on the first floor, with office space on the second floor.

In January, technology company PRIME Research North America signed a lease for 16,000 square feet of office space on the building’s second floor. Colliers International’s Jim Chaconas said negotiations are underway with several other tenants for space in the building.

“People were fighting over the corner space,” Chaconas said. “You can’t find a better tenant, a stronger anchor, than Knight’s.”

Added Hughes: “This is such a high-profile building. It’s great to have a generational family come in and take this cornerstone location in the building.”

Hughes said the building is undergoing renovations, with plans to turn space over to tenants in early fall. If all goes as planned, Knight’s could open in January.

The new restaurant will likely feature the iconic black chess piece sign, although it will also include lettering. It will have Knight’s in the name, but won’t necessarily be called Knight’s Steakhouse. It will have the same community-focused atmosphere, but will be updated to target the downtown clientele.

Changes include: different kinds of cocktails, some menu updates, and the restaurant will be open seven days a week.

knights_interior.jpg

The interior of the Knight's restaurant on Dexter Avenue.

File photo

“We’re not going to go far away from our concept, but I think we recognize the market (downtown) is slightly different,” Jeff said.

“I think the people who go to the Dexter Avenue restaurant go there for certain reasons, and hopefully, we won’t be stealing from our own customers. I don’t think it’s going to hurt our business on Dexter Avenue,” he continued.

The restaurant will have about 150 indoor seats, with an outdoor patio that wraps around Maynard and Liberty. The family plans to hire about 40 or 50 employees to staff the new restaurant. The prices, Jeff said, will be competitive with other restaurants in town.

“We’re competitive with everybody in town at our current location, and we’ll continue that. I think people appreciate that,” he said.

Lizzy Alfs is a business reporter for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at 734-623-2584 or email her at lizzyalfs@annarbor.com. Follow her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/lizzyalfs.

So your pet drinks from the toilet? Really, it's okay if they do

0
0

cattoiletbowlartgoeshere.jpg

Flickr photo by artgoeshere

Most of us who share life with dogs can attest to the all-to-familiar noise coming from the bathroom: the "slurp slurp slurp" from our pooch getting a refreshing drink from the toilet bowl.

Many people are aghast at the mere thought, and others, like some clients that I chat with on a meet and greet, sheepishly admit that their four-legged friends enjoy a few laps of cold water from the commode if they aren't careful about ensuring that the lid is closed.

Most of those in the latter group seem somewhat relieved when I tell that that not only do my pets do it if given the chance, but most of my charges — both canine and feline — do too.

In fact, a couple of them have stated, "I purposely leave the lid open, just as a backup."

I'm nonplussed when they say that. In fact, for some clients, it's probably not a bad idea.

Are you cringing, gagging, wrinkling up your nose at the notion that I don't have a problem with a dog drinking from the toilet? Considering all of the other stuff that I regularly see pets readily gobble up, spew, emit and do, I say that falls pretty low on the list of disgusting things.

I admit I would rather see them grab a drink from a commode than a dirty pond or an errant outdoor trash can lid that might get filled with rain water after it rains.

In fact, after the experience of having owned a cleaning service for 18 years, I can tell you that with so much emphasis on making sure the toilet bowl is sanitary, It's likely one of the cleanest things in the bathroom. The most germ-laden? The flush handle on the toilet, and any toothbrushes in the room. (Kitchen sinks rank right up there, too -- think of all of the stuff that comes into contact with that surface.)

Quite honestly, I don't encourage the practice of drinking from the toilet, but, no, I don't freak out.

I have yet to find a dog or cat that has decided to quench their thirst with dirty toilet water that someone has forgotten to flush, so that must say something!

I mean, to a companion animal, the prospect of having a content source of cold (thanks, porcelain), clean water in a ginormous bowl has to be terribly tempting.

So if you forget to close the lid (I'm not pointing fingers), don't cringe too much when you hear that familiar sound coming from the other room.

And although there is a risk for stomach upset should you use toilet cleaning tablets in your commode's tank, anything dangerous beyond that is rare.

Evidently, one veterinary professional shares my view on the topic. Patty Khuly, DVM recently addressed this topic on Vetstreet.

Lorrie Shaw leads the pets section for AnnArbor.com. Catch her daily dog walking and pet sitting adventures or email her directly and subscribe to AnnArbor.com's email newsletters.

Police: Ann Arbor Subway robbed at knifepoint

0
0

AAPDbadge.jpg

Courtesy of Ann Arbor police

The robbery of a Subway by a knife-wielding suspect in Ann Arbor on Wednesday afternoon could be related to two other similar crimes, police said.

A man with a knife walked into the Subway located at 885 W. Eisenhower Parkway in Ann Arbor and demanded money from the employee just before 4:29 p.m. Wednesday, according to a release from the Ann Arbor police.

The clerk complied and the suspect fled with an undisclosed amount of cash, Detective William Stanford said.

The suspect was described as a black male in his 20s, with short dark curly hair and a medium build, between 5-feet 8-inches and 5-feet 10-inches tall, 150 pounds, wearing a dark plaid shirt and dark pants.

It could be the same suspect who robbed the GameStop on Washtenaw Avenue and the Biggby Coffee on Stadium Boulevard in April and May, Stanford said. Investigators were still reviewing the Subway's surveillance footage Thursday to better determine any link.

On April 30, a man walked into GameStop, located at 3225 Washtenaw Ave., and robbed the store at knifepoint.

A few days later, on May 2, a man walked into Biggby Coffee, located at 2550 W. Stadium Blvd., with a knife and demanded cash. He was given an undisclosed amount and walked out.

In those two robberies, the man was described as black, 6-feet tall, between 160 and 180 pounds, wearing a black or gray hooded sweatshirt and black or gray pants. He’s approximately 25 years old.

Anyone with information about any of these incidents is encouraged to call Stanford at 734-323-2628 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK UP (773-2587).

Neutral Zone to host adults-only 'Twist and Shout' fundraiser dance

0
0

Ann Arbor's teen center, the Neutral Zone, at 310 E. Washington, will host an adults-only "Twist and Shout" dance fundraiser this Friday at 7:30 p.m.

Two local bands, the Oh Uh's and the Breakers (with lead singer Rick Cohen, who is Mayer Hawthorne's father), will offer live entertainment, and between sets, Vicky Honeyman will be the DJ for the event.

Beer, wine, and snacks will be on offer, and door prizes will be awarded. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door. To RSVP or get more information, check out the event's Facebook page.

Jenn McKee is an entertainment reporter for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at jennmckee@annarbor.com or 734-623-2546, and follow her on Twitter @jennmckee.


WISD to administer Head Start for 2013-14 school year

0
0

The Washtenaw Intermediate School District will be taking the reins of the federally funded Head Start program from Washtenaw County in the 2013-14 school year.

The program has been seeking a new administrative agency for months after the county stopped funding its match -- a process that is up to the federal government to carry out through a request for proposals.

030113_HEAD-START.JPG

The federal government has chosen the Washtenaw Intermediate School District to be the new administrator of the Head Start preschool program in the 2013-14 school year.

AnnArbor.com file photo

The federal office that oversees the Head Start program has issued the notice to grant the WISD the local Head Start funding, County Administrator Verna McDaniel said Wednesday night.

“We’re under negotiations to turn over the assets of the program,” McDaniel said.

Head Start provides a comprehensive preschool program to children from low income families and serves more than 500 children in the county.

After the county cut its $528,000 general fund allocation for the program from its budget in November 2011, the program has been relying on the federal $4 million grant to operate since August 2012.

The decrease in funding meant there were fewer teachers in Head Start classrooms for the 2012-13 school year.

The program is also one that could be at risk for a cut in funding due to federal government budget sequestration. In Michigan, about $20.9 million of Head Start program funding could be on the chopping block.

Amy Biolchini covers Washtenaw County, health and environmental issues for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at (734) 623-2552, amybiolchini@annarbor.com or on Twitter.

Police: Woman sprays ex-boyfriend in the face with pepper spray

0
0

A woman sprayed her ex-boyfriend in the face with pepper spray and then physically assaulted him during a chance meeting at an Ypsilanti gas station Tuesday, police said.

Ypsilanti-police_car.jpg

AnnArbor.com file photo

Detective Sgt. Thomas Eberts said police responded at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday to the 500 block of South Huron Street for a report of an assault. Eberts said the man and the woman happened to be at the gas station at the same time.

The woman still holds a grudge against the man and approached him, Eberts said. There was no verbal argument before the woman took out pepper spray and sprayed it directly into the man’s face, Eberts said.

The woman then began hitting the man before getting back in her car and driving away before police arrived on scene, according to Eberts.

Police attempted to contact the woman but were unable and the case has been turned over to the Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s Office for potential charges, Eberts said.

The man refused medical treatment and the investigation into the incident continues.


View Larger Map

Kyle Feldscher covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at kylefeldscher@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.

Images from Huron High School's class of 2013 graduation

0
0

Ann Arbor Huron High School's class of 2013 held its graduation ceremony Wednesday evening at Eastern Michigan University's Convocation Center. A replay of the ceremony will be made available online by Community Television Network later this month.

AnnArbor.com staff photographer Courtney Sacco was there to capture these images.

HSHV hopes to sterilize 50 more pit bulls free of charge before July

0
0

Since Ypsilanti Township passed an ordinance requiring its residents to sterilize their pit bulls, the Humane Society of Huron Valley has offered to do so for free through grant funding from PetSmart.

The township and HSHV are hoping to receive another round of funding, but must use the remaining grant money to sterilize 50 more pit bulls by June 30.

red_nose_pitbull-t2.jpg

In October 2010, Ypsilanti Township passed an ordinance requiring sterilizations for Staffordshire bull terriers, American Staffordshire terriers, American pit bull terriers or certain mixed-breeds.

Photo by Photos8.com

To sweeten the deal, the HSHV is offering the chance to win a flat-screen television for residents who bring in their pit bulls.

The grant provided $72,000 for 900 sterilizations, and so far 850 pit bulls have been spayed or neutered as part of the program. The HSHV would be able to point to the program’s success in its effort to secure more funding if it can complete all the sterilizations before the deadline.

Jenny Paillon , HSHV director of operations, said the agency loves the breed, but pit bulls make up 50 percent of their intake and one breed dominating that statistic means there is a problem with their value in the community.

“Making sure our companion animals are spayed/neutered is an important and positive step toward stopping overpopulation, which creates neglect, homelessness and needless euthanasia,” she said.

In October 2010, Ypsilanti Township passed an ordinance requiring sterilizations for Staffordshire bull terriers, American Staffordshire terriers, American pit bull terriers or any mixed breed exhibiting five out of eight physical characteristics outlined within the ordinance.

There was a two-year sunset clause built into the ordinance and the Board of Trustees made the law permanent in October of 2012.

The number of pit bulls brought into the HSHV, either for running loose, being involved in dog fights or just to be euthanized, prompted the ordinance.

According to Humane Society statistics, pit bulls accounted for 50 percent of the dogs euthanized in 2010, and Ypsilanti Township accounted for nearly 50 percent of the shelter’s pit bull intake.

In 2009, 237 pit bulls were brought into the Humane Society from Ypsilanti Township. That number dropped to 135 in 2012 after the law’s implementation.

The number of dogs euthanized during that time frame also decreased from 139 to 58.

“If we sterilize this heavily overpopulated breed, then we will have safer communities from a public health and safety standpoint, and a community consciousness,” Paillon said. “Sterilized dogs live healthier lives, communities have less unsocialized stray dogs roaming freely and we have less pit bulls coming to our shelter for possible euthanasia.”

Mike Radzik, director of the township’s office of community standards, said the township also fully supports the ordinance and feels it has been a success.

“This law has made a substantial impact on the pit bull population, which was the whole point,” he said. “We continue to want to encourage sterilization of pit bulls and continue to control their population in the township, so it’s important that the funding source can be renewed.”

Residents who violate the law face criminal misdemeanor charges punishable by up to a $500 fine and/or 90 days in jail.

Ypsilanti's Estabrook Elementary evacuated after water line breaks in building

0
0

Students at Estabrook Elementary School were evacuated from the building Thursday morning, after a heating and cooling issue caused a water line to break.

estabrook-elem.JPG

Estabrook Elementary School

From Arborwiki.org

Officials with the Ypsilanti Fire Department said an air chiller motor in the school's air conditioning system overheated, causing the water line to burst. Firefighters said water was flowing out from the inside of the air-conditioning unit.

School officials said the district's maintenance crew is cleaning up from the water mess.

The incident occurred at about 11 a.m., and the majority of students were given the "all clear" to return to the school safely around 11:30 a.m.

School officials said during the evacuation, staff walked the elementary students across the street to Ypsilanti Middle School, which had a half-day Thursday.

Fourth- and fifth-grade students had to remain at the middle school through their lunch period so staff could clean their wing of the elementary, which saw the most water as it was where the heating and cooling issue occurred, school officials said.

Danielle Arndt covers K-12 education for AnnArbor.com. Follow her on Twitter @DanielleArndt or email her at daniellearndt@annarbor.com.

Take in the parks and try your hand at the State Park Motorcycle Run

0
0

Combine your love for riding with a little game of chance at the State Park Motorcycle Run in the Pinckney Recreation Area.

Motorcyle Run
Ride through the countryside and draw a card at five of seven parks in the area. The day will end at Hell in a Handbasket where participants will play their hand to win.

Check in time is 11 a.m. for the official start at the Pinckney State Recreation Area -Halfmoon Lake Beach Day Use Area off Glenbrook and Hankerd Roads. At Halfmoon Lake, riders will be given all seven locations that are dealing cards, pick up some "swag" and get last minute details.

Riders can start wherever they like, but they must check in at Halfmoon Lake no later than 12:30 p.m. to pay the entrance fee.

Everyone will have until 8 p.m. to finish the ride and play their hand on the front porch of Hell in a Handbasket located in Hell.

Proceeds from the $20 entry fee per bike will be donated towards the Livingston and Washtenaw County Veterans Councils. A $5 motorcycle Recreation Passport is required for park entry. Recreation Passports will be available for purchase when you arrive.

Sunday, June 9, 2013. The rain date will be Sunday, June 16. 11 a.m. $20 donation. $5 for park entry.

Robert Altman Symposium to celebrate the director and the opening of the Altman Archive

0
0

He directed "M*A*S*H," "Gosford Park" and the "The Player." He has lifetime achievement awards, the Palme d'Or and multiple Academy Awards. He even has University of Michigan connections.

Robert Altman
In honor of those ties, the university purchased the Robert Altman archives and will celebrate the opening of them with an Altman Symposium - Altmannerisms: Conversations Celebrating the Opening of the Robert Altman Archive at Hatcher Graduate Library.

The symposium will bring Altman collaborators and scholars from around the world to discuss his craft and what made him stand out as a director. There will also be screenings of "Secret Honor" (which was filmed at the U-M), "Tanner ’88: The Dark Horse," "Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean" and "Nashville."

Get a complete schedule and more information at http://www.lib.umich.edu/hatcher-graduate-library/announcement/altman-symposium.

Be sure to also make time to check out the exhibit "The Many Hats of Robert Altman: A Life in Cinema."

The symposium is free and open to the public. Attendees must purchase tickets to view the films, which are presented in conjunction with the Cinetopia International Film Festival. Purchase tickets, voucher booklets, and passes online via TicketWeb.com by clicking on the “Buy Pass” or “Buy Voucher Booklet” links above, clicking on the “Buy Ticket” link on each individual film page, or calling 866-777-8932. All tickets, voucher booklets, and passes purchased online will be available at each theater’s will-call table beginning one hour before the film start time.

June 7-9, 2013. See schedule for exact times. Free, except for screenings. Unless otherwise noted, all events are held in the Gallery of the Hatcher Graduate Library, 913 S. University Ave., Ann Arbor.


Gas station robbery suspects both held on $200K cash bonds

0
0

The two men accused of robbing three gas stations earlier this week are being held in the Washtenaw County Jail on $200,000 cash bonds, records show.

tylervenema.jpg

Tyler Venema

Courtesy of WCSO

Tyler Venema, 24, is charged with two counts each of armed robbery, being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and a single count of assaulting, resisting or obstructing a police officer, according to court records. He was arraigned at the jail on Wednesday.

Andrew Morales, 29, is accused of robbing the Shell Station at Eisenhower and State Street Tuesday morning. Morales faces a single charge of armed robbery and was arraigned on Wednesday, according to court records.

Venema, of Sebewaing, Mich., is suspected of robbing two BP gas stations with a shotgun on Washtenaw Avenue on Saturday and Monday.

The first incident took place at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at the BP station at 3720 Washtenaw Ave., in Ann Arbor. Police said the man, believed to be Venema, was wearing a ski mask when he entered the store, showed a long gun and took cash from the clerk. The man fled on foot before police arrived.

Two days later, Pittsfield Township police arrested Venema after he allegedly robbed the BP station at 4975 Washtenaw Ave. Police responded at 9:58 a.m. Monday to the station for a report of a person in a ski mask with a shotgun robbing the clerk.

Venema fled on foot as police arrived and he was arrested after a short chase, according to police. Police initially said a 25-year-old Sebewaing man was arrested, but court records show Venema is 24 years old.

andrewmorales.jpg

Andrew Morales

Courtesy of WCSO

Ann Arbor police confirmed Venema was the suspect in their robbery as well after Pittsfield Township officers arrested him. Venema also is a suspect in a Bay City gas station robbery, according to Ann Arbor police.

The Bay City Times reported a BP gas station on Garfield Avenue was robbed at 4:30 a.m. Friday in a similar fashion. A white man in a ski mask brandishing a long gun demanded cash from the register. The man fled the area on foot.

Police in Bay City said Tuesday they had not confirmed Venema was the suspect in both cases with investigators in Ann Arbor or Pittsfield Township, according to the report.

Venema previously has served prison time for charges of second-degree home invasion and larceny from a building stemming from a 2006 offense, according to state records. He pleaded no contest to the charges and was sentenced in April 2009. He was released from prison in October 2011.

Morales was arrested Tuesday morning after he allegedly held up the Shell station. According to police, Morales pointed a gun at the clerk and demanded money.

He drove away in a minivan that was stopped by police a short time later. Morales was arrested, and the money and gun were both recovered, according to police.

Both men face a maximum sentence of life in prison and will return to court for preliminary hearings at 8:30 a.m. June 13, according to jail records.

Kyle Feldscher covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at kylefeldscher@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.

Cinetopia gets postive reviews on opening night, continues all weekend

0
0

Cinetopia Marquis.jpg
Opening night of Cinetopia International Film Festival was a hit. The growing annual event, just in its second year, is already drawing a large and enthusiastic audience. And it was only day one.

Over the course of the weekend, through June 9, more than 40 feature-length films selected from big film festivals around the world will be screened at Ann Arbor's Michigan Theater, State Theater, UM's Angell Hall, and the Detroit Film Theatre at the Detroit Institute of Arts.

At an opening night after-party hosted by the Michigan Theater, audience members sounded off their impressions. They all had really positives things to say about their Cinetopia experience. The general vibe was that people want more where that came from.

Friends Martin Fischhoff and Milton Curry, who work at U-M, saw French comedy "Let My People Go!" at UM Angell Hall on opening night. The film will play again at the State Theater June 9 at noon.

Cinetopia opening night.jpg

A crowd at the Cinetopia opening night after-party discusses film and socializes

Looking around the packed Michigan Theater lobby, Fischhoff commented; "There is obviously a lot of demand for something like this. People want to have a choice of dozens and dozens of independent and art-house movies. I hear a lot of buzz about it. It's only in its second year and it's already a big tradition."

Fischhoff was out of town last year, "but I heard nothing but great reviews when I got back. I made sure my schedule was clear this weekend to get the total Cinetopia experience."

Curry added; "I came last year, and I think Cinetopia is developing well. It went from 20-some odd films to over 40. And they are engaging Detroit. I think, as they engage more of the region, it will be incredible to expand the number of films and the number of sites with potential audiences."

Mary King of Ann Arbor saw 11 films at last year's debut. Now she is shooting for 14.

King is impressed with the variety—dramas, comedies, love stories, documentaries, and more. "These are polished films, but they're still cutting edge. They haven't been big releases yet. So, I get the feeling that we're getting to do a sneak preview of something that just might hit the masses," she said.

King, along with David Reynolds of Ypsilanti and Shirley DuPrey of Belleville saw one of the 3 films screened on opening night—Canadian thriller "Haunter", starring Abigail Breslin. It showed at the State Theater, on Thursday night, including a special Q & A session with writer Brian King.

"Haunter" will screen again on June 8, beginning at 7 p.m. at the Michigan Theater.

Reynolds came back for more after attending last year. "My hope was that it would grow enough to continue. It was so much fun that I wanted this to be something I look forward to every single year. There was a lot of variety last year, and I'm really looking forward to that this year," he said opening night.

As for the ghost story "Haunter," DuPrey liked that "it was the subtle things that scared you, like in old time horror movie techniques," she said. Nothing is gory, they said.

Tom and Kathy Cotter came from Dexter to relive the memorable Iggy and the Stooges concert, "A Tribute to Ron Asheton," which was filmed live at the Michigan Theater in 2011. The recently released DVD of the show made its world debut there this Thursday. Sister of the late musician Kathleen Asheton made a special guest appearance.

"A Tribute to Ron Asheton featuring Iggy and the Stooges" will screened again, on June 9 at 7 p.m. at Detroit Film Theatre at the DIA.

The Cotters' first time at Cinetopia, they were drawn in because they were at the historic 2011 reunion concert. "It was awesome to relive it," Kathy Cotter said after the screening. The incredibly high-energy, ruckus show (one of the best I myself have ever attended, hands down) was mostly as she remembers it, "except I remember more crowd surfing. Maybe it got cut or maybe I just remember it that way," she laughed. She brought her copy of the DVD just in case Iggy Pop were to show up and give out autographs, but no luck.

Coming to opening night made them interested to see more of the over 40 films showing this weekend.

"We have been looking at the line-up," leading up to opening night, Tom Cotter said at the after-party. "I wasn't aware it was such a big festival with so many venues and so many films," he says. But now that they are in the know, they plan to return for more.

Images from Pioneer High School's class of 2013 graduation

0
0

Pioneer High School's class of 2013 graduation was held at Eastern Michigan's Convocation Center Thursday evening.

Courtney Sacco is an AnnArbor.com photographer.

Historic preservation in Ann Arbor: 19 awards announced in 6 categories

0
0

1331_Hill_Street.jpg

The members and alumni of Delta Upsilon at the University of Michigan pulled together after a major fire in 2008 and did a complete restoration of this 1903 building at 1331 Hill St.

Courtesy photo

The Ann Arbor Historic District Commission has announced winners of its 25th annual Preservation Awards, with "Preservation Project of the Year" going to Delta Upsilon and Jeffrey A. Scott Architects for a five-year restoration of the fraternity's fire-damaged house.

The members and alumni of Delta Upsilon pulled together after a major fire in 2008 and did a complete restoration of the 1903 building at 1331 Hill St.

The restoration has won the prestigious “Building Award” from the Michigan Historic Preservation Network, a statewide organization that encourages historic preservation.

Pauline_Walters_preservation_award.jpg

Pauline Walters of the Washtenaw County Historical Society was recognized as this year's "Preservationist of the Year" for her 35-plus years of service to the preservation community.

Courtesy photo

The building, located in the Washtenaw-Hill historic district, was designed by Albert Kahn, a noted Detroit architect, and is said to be the oldest fraternity in Ann Arbor still using its original building. It reopened in the fall of 2012 with a public open house.

The HDC presents its awards annually during National Preservation Month to honor buildings preserved and rehabilitated in accordance with federal standards.

The HDC gave out 19 awards in six categories this year, including awards for special merit, a centennial organization, preservationist of the year and preservation project of the year.

The awards were determined by a committee appointed by the HDC. Committee members included Chairwoman Susan Wineberg, Ellen Ramsburgh, Patricia Austin, Grace Shackman, Francis Wright, Tom Stulberg, Ina Hanel-Gerdenich, Patrick McCauley and Louisa Pieper.

Jill Thacher, the city's historic preservation coordinator, staffs the committee.

The following is a list of other 2013 honorees with award descriptions provided by the city. The honorees were recognized at Monday night's meeting of the Ann Arbor City Council.

REHABILITATION AWARD

School_of_Yoga_rehab_award.jpg

This building was restored using archival photos by developer Ed Shaffran in 2005 and is now the Ann Arbor School of Yoga.

Courtesy photo

420 W. Huron St., Free Methodist Church, 1921
Winner: 420 W. Huron Associates LLC

Built in 1921 as the Free Methodist Church, this building served as the Washtenaw County Shelter for the Homeless for 30 years, from 1984 to 2004. The building was restored using archival photos by Ed Shaffran (420 W. Huron Associates LLC) in 2005 and is now the Ann Arbor School of Yoga, whose owner Laurie Blakeney has been an excellent steward of the building.

PRESERVATION AWARDS

120 Packard St., William W. Wines House, 1848
Winner: Lottie Van Curler

Built circa 1848 by William W. Wines, an early pioneer from Connecticut, this house has been home to many important people in Ann Arbor’s history. One family in the 1880s was that of Sedgewick Dean, whose daughter, Elizabeth, willed $2 million to Ann Arbor to take special care of its trees in 1964. Since 1965, it has been home to Lottie Van Curler, who has maintained it in excellent condition. Former Individual Historic Property.

1425 Pontiac St., Guy Beckley House, 1842
Winners: David and Bethany Steinberg

Long recognized as an important stop on the Underground Railroad, this house was built by Rev. Guy Beckley, publisher of the Abolitionist newspaper the Signal of Liberty in the 1840s. This New England-style Georgian house, with center entry and symmetrical facade, also housed U-M architecture professor Ralph Hammett in the 1930s. Hammett restored what was then a run-down house and added the front portico. It has been lovingly maintained by David and Bethany Steinberg since 1997.

719_W_Washington_award.jpg

719 W. Washington St.

Courtesy photo

719 W. Washington St., David F. Allmendinger House, 1890
Winners: John Mouat and Lisa Mouat Snapp

This simple Queen Anne home was built in 1890 by David Allmendinger, who founded the Ann Arbor Organ Company. The home featured an elaborate garden in the rear with ponds and a gazebo. He raised his 13 children there, and a descendant lived here until 1992. John and Lisa purchased it from the original owners and updated it with preservation in mind.

Historic aspects of the interior were kept. They also did significant landscaping, including the reintroduction of a spring-fed pond. Old West Side Historic District

1850 Washtenaw Ave., Edward L. Adams House, 1917
Winners: Gregory and Margene Henry

This Georgian Revival house was built in 1917 for Edward Larrabee Adams, professor of French at the University of Michigan. He hired local architect Samuel Stanton to design it. Stanton created something reminiscent of an 18th century New England house with a porticoed central entry, balustrated porch with Palladian windows and eyebrow dormers It was occupied by Adams descendants until 1986. Since 1987, it has been the home of Dr. Gregory and Margene Henry, who have maintained it in pristine condition. Former Individual Historic Property.

212_Third_Street_award.jpg

212 Third St.

Courtesy photo

212 Third St., Katherine Staeb House, 1895
Winner: Susan Fisher

This Queen Anne style home with many decorative bands of wood and shingling and an open front porch showcases some of the defining features for Old West Side houses. It was built by Staeb, the widow of J. George Staeb, who lived here until the 1930s. It has been well maintained by Susan Fisher since 1987 and has just been painted in vivid contrasting colors making the original designs pop out. It is one of the few houses on the Old West Side with its original porch and spindles. Many OWS houses altered the porches in the early 20th century, so this original one is very special. Old West Side Historic District.

222 N. Seventh St., Julius Niehaus House, 1917
Winners: Christine Stier and Tom Fricke

Julius Niehaus, a machinist, and his wife lived here from 1918 (the house is listed as “vacant” in the 1917 city directory) until the 1930s. This lovely arts and crafts house has been maintained in super condition by current owners Tom Fricke and Christine Stier since 1992.

1550 Washtenaw Ave., Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity, 1921
Winner: Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority

This grand Tudor nestled in a deep setback off Washtenaw near "The Rock" was built in 1921 by the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity. Three pairs of brick pillars line the driveway and feature the Greek letters of the fraternity and the initials of law Professor Jerome C. Knowlton who lived next door. It was purchased in 1971 by the Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority who has maintained it with loving care and touts it on its website. Washtenaw-Hill Historic District.

711_W.Washington.jpg

711 W. Washington

Courtesy photo

711 W. Washington St., William H. and Julia Murray House, 1909
Winners: Jayne Haas and Mari Coppa

Judge Murray married Julia Allmendinger and built his Tudor house next door. He was the developer of both Murray and Mulholland Streets in the early 20th century. This house has been lived in by Jayne Haas and later Marie Coppa since the 1970s. It was on the Old West Side Homes Tour in 1977 and 1985. Old West Side Historic District.

1115 Woodlawn St., Christian Eberbach House, 1863-68
Winners: John and Christa Williams

Christian Eberbach, an immigrant from Germany who trained as a pharmacist before coming to the U.S. in 1838, built this house in what was then the country to provide a healthful atmosphere for his children. In 1842, he founded the Eberbach & Co. to manufacture equipment used by pharmacists and the company is still in business today. This Italianate villa style house was originally named "Woodlawn" (hence the name of the street) and faced Packard Road when it was a stagecoach route.

The building was constructed in the popular Italianate villa style with an L-shape and large tower. Workers from Germany were imported to build it.

It has been the home of Christa and John Williams since 1987. They have maintained it in excellent condition, updating the kitchen and bathrooms and building a garage, and converted a mud room into a sun room while keeping the same design elements. The Williams have also aided architecture and design students who have written papers about the house. Former Individual Historic Property.

2505_Geddes_Ave.jpg

2505 Geddes Ave.

Courtesy photo

2505 Geddes Ave., Crozier Farmhouse, 1887
Winners: Martha and Gene Burnstein

This 1887 Queen Anne farmhouse is a hidden gem, set far back from Geddes making it almost invisible in the summer. It was home to the Sleator Family for many generations, and old photos of it exist. It has been the home of Gene and Martha Burnstein since 1973 and they have kept it in wonderful condition with many historical elements preserved and enhanced.

Especially notable is the lattice work on the porch, probably from the early 20th century, and their preservation of the old outhouse with three seats.

3081 Glazier St., David Osler, 1960
Winners: David and Constance Osler

Local architect David Osler constructed this house for his own use in 1960 and continues to live there today with his wife, Constance. He raised his family here and has altered it only slightly to accommodate his aging-in-place ideas.

SPECIAL MERIT AWARDS

Lena_preservation_award.jpg

The Lena marquee at 226 S. Main St. is a throwback to the old Cunningham's Drug Store.

Courtesy photo

226 S. Main St., Cunningham's Drug Store, 1940. Marquee restoration
Winners: Jon Carlson and Greg Lobdell, doing business as 2mission design & development

The winners have restored the 1940 marquee and green color, which was part of the Cunningham Drug Store chain's signature color. It is now their new Lena restaurant which, although totally modern on the interior, respected the exterior to preserve the 1940 design. Curtis Commercial of Ann Arbor owns the building. Main Street Historic District.

Winner: Kristi Gilbert

Volunteer for the HDC Awards Committee, Kristi Gilbert has handled the public presentations for this committee for more than five years and has added professionalism to our mission to educate the public with beautiful graphic designs for our invitations, power points and handouts.

Cobblestone Farm Association Board
Winners: George Taylor, Tracey Miller, Jane Carr and H. Scott Diels

These members of the Cobblestone Farm Association Board have dedicated themselves to this city-owned museum for more than a decade. Cobblestone Farm Historic District.

bus_depot_award.jpg

First Martin Corp. has restored the back-lit, blue neon signs and marquee that have graced the Ann Arbor Bus Depot since 1940.

Courtesy photo

116 W. Huron St., 1940, Ann Arbor Bus Depot marquee restoration
Winner: First Martin Corp.

First Martin Corporation has restored the back-lit, blue neon signs and marquee that have graced this Art Deco Bus Depot since 1940. Former Individual Historic Property Historic District.

CENTENNIAL AWARD

Hill Auditorium, 1913, 825 N. University Ave.
Winner: University of Michigan

Hill Auditorium opened in May 1913 and has been in use ever since as a concert venue, graduation space, lecture hall and anti-war protests. It was restored to its original appearance in 2004 and kept its perfect acoustics while upgrading bathrooms, adding air conditioning, and other important infrastructure improvements.

PRESERVATIONIST OF THE YEAR

Winner: Pauline Walters, Washtenaw County Historical Society

Pauline Walters is being recognized for more than 35 years of service to the preservation community. She has served as president and secretary of the WCHS since the 1980s and has maintained its viability by being there daily since the museum opened in 1999.

She has also served as a coordinator for the Washtenaw County Historical Consortium, on the board of the Kempf House and as a director of the Ann Arbor Historical Foundation.

Ryan J. Stanton covers government and politics for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529. You also can follow him on Twitter or subscribe to AnnArbor.com's email newsletters.

Darren Criss talks about U-M, Team StarKid, and 'Glee'

0
0

Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for Darren_criss.jpg
“Glee” may have recently wrapped up its fourth season, but 2009 University of Michigan grad Darren Criss, who plays Blaine on the hit show, is busier than ever—launching his first-ever national solo concert tour, called “Listen Up!,” which will include a free Sonic Lunch show at the Michigan Theater.

The tour kicked off May 29 in Criss’ hometown, San Francisco—so you might wonder what brought the California boy to the University of Michigan’s department of theatre and drama.

PREVIEW

Darren Criss’ Sonic Lunch concert

  • What: Criss - a U-M grad and star of “Glee” - will appear with a band made up of fellow Wolverine alums, including Theo Katzman, who will offer an opening set.
  • Where: Michigan Theater, 603 E. Liberty St.
  • When: Thursday, June 13 at noon. (Katzman's set will start at 11:30 a.m.; be at the theater by 10:45.)
  • How much: Free. Attendees must have a wristband to enter; 1,000 wristbands will be distributed before the show date at various times and locations, announced via Sonic Lunch’s website, Twitter feed, Facebook page, and newsletter. The remaining 800 wristbands will be distributed on June 13, for those lining up no earlier than 6 a.m. at the Michigan Theater. One wristband per person in line.
“I think the gateway drug was my dad,” Criss said during a recent phone interview with AnnArbor.com. “ … It’s one of the beautiful accidents of my life, given that Michigan played such a massive role in my life. My dad kind of lived all over the place when he was growing up, but his father worked for GM, and so he grew up going to Michigan games. So getting that sense of Michigan’s grandeur from him appealed to me, and I auditioned and got in.”

This acceptance altered Criss’ view entirely. “It’s like that girl or guy at the bar that you’re not thinking about too much, but then a friend tells you she’s interested, and you’re suddenly like, ‘Oh, really?’ and your whole perspective changes, … and you’re interested back,” said Criss. “Then I visited the campus and fell in love instantly.”

At the time of Criss’ phone interview, a group of 6 of his old U-M friends—musicians who are performing as his backup band on the “Listen Up!” tour—were camped out at his home in L.A.

“There’s a whole lot of chainsaw juggling happening right now, because I’m essentially running a Wolverine orphanage in my house,” said Criss. “Plus, I was trying to get home early from rehearsal so we could watch Michelle Chamuel on ‘The Voice.’ I knew her in school (at U-M), and I played with her a few times. So Michigan is alive and well and running rampant in my house right now.”

Criss claims that he’s wanted to play with his touring crew of U-M musicians—including Theo Katzman (who will open Criss’ Sonic Lunch show); Tyler Duncan and Joe Dart, formerly of My Dear Disco/Ella Riot; Tomek Miernowski; Buddy Paul; and Jack Straton of Vulfpeck—since he was in college.

“I’m not even saying this because I’m sentimental about my time in Ann Arbor,” said Criss. “But every one of these guys … I met in college, and I would have done anything to be in a band with them. … I don’t use hyperbole often, but I’ve never met or known people like these guys. And I didn’t know if I’d ever be able to do it, but it was my dream to put these guys together, … and here they are.”

So although Criss may have learned a good deal inside U-M’s classrooms, he feels most indebted to “the Ann Arbor scene.”

“Me and the guys always talk about it—and maybe this is just our delusions of grandeur talking, but to us, there’s something palpable about the music and arts scene there,” said Criss. “We may be tooting our own horn, … but there’s something magical about the town. It does something to bring certain kinds of artists together. I don’t know if it’s something in the water or what. And maybe it just feels that way because we were all so excited to meet each other and play music there. … But the greatest thing for me was feeling like part of that community, and to have that community be open to what I was interested in.”

Criss even made a recent, short, spontaneous trip to Ann Arbor on his own.

“I didn’t know it was graduation weekend, so I couldn’t get a hotel room,” said Criss. “So that was an oversight on my part. But I loved it.”

Criss got his first taste of fame, of course, when he starred in (and, with A.J. Holmes, co-wrote the music and lyrics for) the original U-M Basement Arts production of “A Very Potter Musical,” which was produced and filmed in April ’09, and then went viral when the show became available online a few months later. This led to the formation of the (now Chicago-based) theater troupe Team StarKid, which followed up with “A Very Potter Sequel,” as well as a world premiere, puppet-filled production of “Starship,” which featured music and lyrics by Criss.

Most recently, StarKid presented a staged reading of the last part of the musical trilogy, “A Very Potter Senior Year,” starring Criss in the lead role, at the Harry Potter fan event LeakyCon in Chicago on Aug. 11, 2012. (The full show appeared online in March 2013.)

Criss’ “Glee” schedule, as well as his music pursuits (he’s getting an album together), keep him from being very involved with StarKid these days. “I’m a cheerleader at this point,” said Criss. “ … I’m now more on the sidelines with pompons going, ‘Yay!’”

crisshowtosucceed.jpg
But Criss was center stage when he assumed the lead role, for three weeks, in the Broadway production of “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying,” taking the reins from—prepare for yet another Harry Potter connection—Daniel Radcliffe, star of the Potter movies.

“Broadway veterans probably wanted to just punch me in the face,” said Criss. “My run in the show was very, very short, and knowing that, I could conduct myself accordingly. From the start, I could already see the light at the end of the tunnel, so I could just go all out, knowing I didn’t have to sustain it all for several months.”

Criss found the day-to-day experience of working on Broadway to be the exact opposite of working in television.

“In television, you’ve got these long hours, sometimes 13 to 15 hours a day, and a lot of times, you don’t know when you’ll be working, so you can’t really make plans,” said Criss. “ … But there’s something new every day, and things shift just enough to keep you on your feet. In theater, you sleep in for much of the day, and it’s the same thing every day, so you don’t have to be on your toes all the time. But you have to take that with a grain of salt, because you can kind of go into some semblance of auto pilot, and you have to be careful with that, too. … But I was so spoiled, and it was so great to be on stage. I thrive in live performance—the immediacy of it, the symbiosis of each person feeding off each other.”

Many of Broadway’s biggest stars, of course, have appeared in guest roles on “Glee” during Criss’ run, as have major television and film stars.

“I never got to do anything with Gwyneth Paltrow on the show, but she has been lovely to me every time I’ve run into her,” said Criss. “She’s everything you think she would be. She’s just as angelic as she looks.”

One of Criss’ all-time favorite “Glee” guest stars is Matt Bomer, who played Blaine’s older brother Cooper. Significantly, Criss confessed that when the character he’s playing is supposed to be close to another character, he likes to get to know the actor playing that role off-stage/set by asking him/her to dinner; but he often holds himself back from doing just that, because “I don’t want to be weird.”

“But Matt got in touch with me, because we were going to play brothers,” said Criss. “It’s not like we were doing intense Mamet play for a year together. It was just a guest spot on one episode. But he called me and said, ‘Do you want to go to dinner with me, and I said, ‘Yes, I would love that.’ … We became fast friends. I love Matt Bomer, and I would gladly do any other project with him.”

Criss’ post-college television career began with roles on “Cold Case” and a short-lived show called “Eastwick,” and these worked as a kind of introductory course to the medium.

“But nothing can prepare anyone for ‘Glee,’” said Criss, who originally auditioned for the role of singing football star Finn before the show premiered. “There’s no learning curve. It’s just a learning experience all the time. And after a show is done, I feel like I can do anything.”

For while all shows have dialogue and blocking, “Glee” also requires dance rehearsals, recording sessions and lots of wardrobe fittings.

“It’s just a lot, all the time, and the machine never turns off,” said Criss. “ … But I say this all while acknowledging that I wouldn’t have it any other way. There’s no way anything in my career lives up to this experience, and I get a pain in my stomach at the idea of it being over one day. … But inevitably, even things you love become work at some point. Like when you’re a college student, and the 7 a.m. alarm goes off, and you were up the night before having a drink with a friend, so you think, ‘Oh, I don’t want to go to class. I hate this.’ But by the time you graduate, you don’t want to leave. That’s the same thing with ‘Glee.’ I have a job, and it’s so fun, and such a great platform for all of us, but it’s a lot of work. … It’s been an extraordinary boot camp. … I feel like I’m getting a master's degree at McKinley High.”

Jenn McKee is an entertainment reporter for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at jennmckee@annarbor.com or 734-623-2546, and follow her on Twitter @jennmckee.

Viewing all 3641 articles
Browse latest View live




Latest Images