Michigan Craft Distilleries

Earlier this week, Lester Graham, had a great segment on Michigan Radio about our state's emerging craft distilling scene. The piece is definitely worth a listen. Last spring, I met Lester at a Tammy's Tastings event (Serious Tiki Drinks). I assume he must have really enjoined doing the research for his investigation into Michigan's craft cocktail and distilling scenes. I can't help but wonder if this means my dream of sugar beet rum, or brum, isn't too far off. Maybe someone can start working on that.

Lester Graham with @TeacherPatti at Serious Tiki Drinks last spring.

Old Couple

Similar to Ben's pixel poster post, this was found on church behind TCF. Who is this couple? Should I know them?

Old Fourth Ward stencils

The Old Fourth Ward seems to be a pretty reliable place to find stencils. Seems like someone especially likes painting on street signs.

Literati reflects on their first few weeks

On their website, Literati Bookstore, has a new blog post about their opening weeks. Sounds like things are going pretty well, which really makes me happy. From the blog:

Our opening week, we were planning on doing it very softly. However, the Ann Arbor community was so supportive, as soon as we opened our doors, people were buying books. This is a good thing. Though we have had some hiccups (like running out of receipt paper on Day #1 or thinking we had lost all our sales when really we just weren’t pressing a computer button) so far, so good. We’ve learned a lot so far, both about ourselves, our business, and what Ann Arbor is buying. Thank you to everyone who has had the patience with us as we’ve stammered and stuttered our way through getting our computers up and our special order system (which we are still smoothing out). Here are some other things we’ve learned so far:

-Customers themselves are each others’ salespeople. We were thinking that we would have to do a lot more individual hand-selling to customers than we’ve done. While we get many customers asking for recommendations — which we LOVE — many more people simply browse with a companion and pick up books and say, “Oh have you read this? It’s the best. You have to get it.” And they buy it. That peer-to-peer book interaction, so frequently overheard here, is part of what is lost when you buy online. By far this has been the biggest surprise, just listening to people excitedly talk about books.

-On a similar note, the basement is perfect for couples’ browsing. Many people we’ve noticed just grab a drink at Arbor Brewing or Grizzly Peak or Amadeus, head over to the bookshop, and just wander. Sometimes there are more people in the basement than upstairs, which is something we never expected. We’re planning on putting a few chairs outside so people can just read on the sidewalk. No fuss, no hassle, just a place to sit and read.

Farmer's Market Book Club

This was spotted over the weekend. I haven't done a book club since elementary school but I remember them fondly. Supposedly a majority of people never read another full book again after they leave college. A book club is a good way to guarantee that won't happen to you. 

Go! Ice Cream Demo at Mallets Creek

Pretty Sticker Photo from Go!'s Fbook

I am pretty serious about becoming the ice cream correspondent for Damn Arbor. There is little resistance from any other human being on this matter, but I'll cement my title within the next couple weeks. Tonight at the Mallets Creek library, Go! Ice Cream's Rob Hess is holding a summer popsicle demo (as opposed to Winter Popsicles). Actually the information says fruit popsicle. This would be a good opportunity for the community to meet Rob before Go! gets up and biking later this week. The demo starts at seven and more information can be found here.

The reach of SAES' tagging

I noticed this SAES tag in downtown Detroit over the weekend. It's nice to know our taggers are doing outreach in Detroit.

Ann Arbor Tortilla Factory tour

Ann Arbor Tortilla Tortilla Factory from AndraFilm on Vimeo.

Check out this cool video of the Ann Arbor Tortilla Factory. Unlike seeing sausage being made, understanding the inner workings of the tortilla factory does not diminish my desire to consume tortillas.

Pixel poster

Saw this pixelated poster of Marilyn on State and Linerty.  

See Paperhaus at Woodruff's on Sunday

DC based Paperhaus will be coming to Ypsilanti on Sunday the 19th to promote their new EP Lo Hi Lo later this month. You should check out their song, Helicopters, above--it has a pretty crazy music video. If you're digging Paperhaus' post-psychedelic pop, you should totally check out their show on Sunday at Woodruff's. Doors are at 8, bands start at 8:30, cover is $5. By the by, Paperhaus is also playing tomorrow night at the Loving Touch in Ferndale if you're reading this on the West Side.