Thursday, March 31, 2011

More things to do this weekend



Wolverine State Brewing Co. is hosting delicious night of fun this Sunday. They will be paring their beers with delicious southern food. I'm fasting now in preparation.

Michigan Microbrewery March Madness: Foamy Four



Folks, it's here: the Foamy Four. Today Founders Brewing Co. is taking on New Holland Brewing Co. for the Western League Championship. Damn Arbor was fortunate enough to have Senior Sports/Beer Correspondent, Chris Primeau, in the locker room, pre-game to record the coaches speeches:

Lois Lowry on campus today

Lois Lowry will give a talk called "In the Dreamworld, It Doesn't Matter" at the Rackham Amphitheatre today at 4 PM.

I have class at that time, but my eight-year-old self who read "Number the Stars" with a flashlight under the covers has teamed up with my ten-year-old self who read "The Giver" under her desk during history class to slap some sense into me: What? So all of a sudden school is sooo important? Don't you remember when Annemarie had to hide her friend's Star of David necklace, gripping it in her hand so hard it left an imprint? Don't you remember trying to do that with your jewelry? Don't you remember gasping aloud when you figured out Jonas was the only person in his community who could see color, and then Mrs. O'Neill holding you after class because no one else gasped audibly about Ponce de Leon's quest for the fountain of youth? Priorities, woman!

Anyway, I hope one of our readers can make it and let us know how it goes.

Spring 1972 Ann Arbor, Michigan



From the YouTube description:

Wendy Wilson and Rick van Valkenburg walk through the woods to the Huron Parkway and contemplate a creek flowing thru a culvert. They return with some hubcaps past kids and pets on the Newcastle Rd cul de sac and are joined by Gary Lowe with a quick cameo by Rodney Van Valkenburg in this 1972 8mm film shot by Eric van Valkenburg and transferred to VHS and digitally captured. No sound.

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Bike Porn: Maize and Blue



Spotted this Schwinn Le Tour fixie-conversion behind Angell Hall today. Like the Maize rims. Makes me wonder though, is someone cranking out fixies from old 10-speeds and leaving the extra cog in the front?

Alejandra O'Leary at Crazy Wisdom this Friday



Damn Arbor reader and Chris Primeau asked me to pass this along to you all. His ex-band mate Alejandra O'Leary will be playing a show this Friday at Crazy Wisdom's Tea Room. The show starts at 8:30 pm and no cover to boot!

Michigan Microbrewery March Madness: Game 14



Yesterday in an intense match New Holland managed to beat Arcadia at the buzzer. ABC and Jolly Pumpkin are still slugging it out for the Ann Arbor Division Championship. Today, Atwater plays Woodward Avenue Brewers for the Motor City Division Title and a coveted spot in the Foamy Four.



Come back tomorrow for the Foamy Four! More.

Where to live in Ann Arbor



Advice for grad students, by grad students. Seriously thought, does this seem a little sterile to y'all? Are these even grad students, or are they actors? I like the last guy who basically says people don't like to live on North Campus.

Festifools

Photo by Myra Klarman

As I have stated previously, I am excited about Festifools. You should be too.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

You should read this

Edward Vielmetti writes a blog, Vacuum. He writes about cool things like power outages and the global distribution of Oberon. You should read it.

Michigan Microbrewery March Madness: Game 13



New Holland and Arcadia are still slugging it out in an exciting match. Today's game promises to be just as enthralling with hometown heroes Arbor Brewing Company (and Corner Brewery) taking on Jolly Pumpkin. Both breweries have loyal followings, but only one will can be the Ann Arbor Division Champion.



Come back tomorrow to see Woodward Avenue Brewers take on Atwater in the Motor City Division Championship. More.

Ignorance is bliss



The federal building, with its windowless walls, is the ugliest building in Ann Arbor. That's not so bad. What really gets you is what they tore down to make the parking lot for this monstrosity. Follow the link at your own risk.

Photo credit: Phil Dokas

Monday, March 28, 2011

Here Comes the Sun


My favorite Shakespearean play, A Midsummer Night's Dream has a character who shares a name with Bell's seasonal summer beer Oberon (my colleague Mr. Connor Barrie has already briefly highlighted it).*

I have loved Oberon since my earliest days living in A2. It's a great summer beer, but it inspires a lot of activity as its release date (the final Monday in March, I believe) draws close, culminating in the release night parties like the one last night at Ashley's. It's a little hard to say why it gets such love. I mean, no one does release night parties for Bell's Winter White (aka Snow-beron).

Happy Oberon Day!

Lawyers Club



JS just sent me this little gem from Wired

Photo credit: Harald Groven

Michigan Microbrewery March Madness: Game 12



Today's Kalamazoo River Division championship sees New Holland take on Arcadia Ales. It should be an interesting game. New Holland was very effective at leveraging new media in their victory over Bell's. Nevertheless, Arcadia was able to secure a commanding first round victory over Dark Horse.



Come back tomorrow to see Arbor Brewing Company take on Jolly Pumpkin for the Ann Arbor Division Championship. More.

A weekend of exciting events

Luminaries for the Foolmoon, 4/1

To put it bluntly, this weekend will be full of fun things to do. First we have the Foolmoon Friday night. Starting around 7:45 groups will gather in front of the U of M Museum of Art, Kerrytown and Slauson Middle School. These groups will parade towards Washington (between Main and Ashley). Bring your luminary (see above), or kazoo or whatever you want and celebrate.

Saturday is Hash Bash (40th annual) and along with that comes the Monroe Street Fair. Traffic coming in and out of downtown will be terrible, so plan your travel accordingly. Also, if you have ever wondered why, despite overwhelming evidence that prohibition causes more harm than good, marijuana is still illegal, come to Hash Bash and look at who it brings out of the woodworks. Not necessarily the best spokespeople for marijuana decriminalization.

Sunday is Festifools, a giant, puppet filled celebration of April Fools on Main Street between Washington and William. Be there 4 pm sharp. Giant Puppets only come to town once a year.

Come out and celebrate April Fools, maybe we will see you there.

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Homeless Dave sighting



The majestic Homeless Dave captured in his natural environment. Seen at the Planned Parenthood Rally on the Diag yesterday.

Michigan Microbrewery March Madness: Game 11



In today's game, we have two heavy hitters playing for the Northern Division Championship. Short's Brewing Company had an early victory against North Peak. Do they have what it takes to beak the powerhouse that is Founders? Only time will tell. Both breweries make excellent beer and have well deserved followings, but only one can move on to the foamy four.



Come back tomorrow for the Kalamazoo River Division Championship and see New Holland take on Arcadia. More.

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Food carts are coming


And I'm hella excited.

You've probably heard murmur of Mark's Carts, the food cart emporium that will be opening behind Downtown Home and Garden at the end of April. If you haven't, this is your chance to get as excited about it as I am.

Michigan Microbrewery March Madness: Game 10



Continuing with the Motor City Division, today we see tournament newcomer, Traffic Jam and Snug, goes against Woodward Avenue Brewers who are hot off their victory against Detroit Beer Co. In 1992 Traffic Jam became the first brewpub in the state. They have great food, great beer and a unique ambiance. Will this be enough to beat Woodward Avenue Brewers and their Pint-O-Rods? Only time will tell.



Come back tomorrow to see Short's take on Founders in the Northern Division Championship.

Friday, March 25, 2011

Michigan Microbrewery March Madness: Game 9



Our Star Wars saga is wrapping up and it looks like Anikin will defeat Obi-Wan. That's right, barring something unforeseen, it appears that Grizzly Peak will fall to Jolly Pumpkin. Today's game sees a tournament newcomer, Kuhnhenn Brewing Co., take on Atwater Brewery. Kuhnhenn came about after a big box hardware store threatened to drive the Kuhnhenn's mom and pop hardware store out of business. Rather than throw in the towel, Bret and Eric decided to convert their store into a microbrewery. Their opponent, Atwater, is not to be taken lightly. They are coming hot off their victory over Motor City Brewing Works.



Come back tomorrow to see Woodward Avenue Brewers take on Traffic Jam and Snug. More.

Praise for Damn Arbor



Via The Com

Thor



Thor, Norse God of electrical safety.

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Real Talk: Jerusalem Garden & Earthen Jar

You guys. Okay. I know it's been cold for months and you didn't want to leave the house because you had to put on like ten layers of clothing. And I know everyone's broke.

But look, here's the deal. Jerusalem Garden and Earthen Jar are struggling because of the construction next door on the old library lot. So SERIOUSLY, go out and eat at these awesome restaurants and Ann Arbor landmarks this weekend! Not just this weekend, go next week and after that, too. Assuming they haven't fallen into a sinkhole because construction made some god angry.


Honestly, Ann Arbor's going to be a much sadder place if these places go under. Who wants to lose kick ass sag-dal by the pound (vegan and non!), and rad falafel? When I first lived in California, my fellow Ann Arbor-ite roommate and I got a free drink for knowing about that falafel!

So ignore the dust, and Cthulu, and get your asses over there. Do you really like Buffalo Wild Wings that much? 'Cause that's what you're going to be left with if places like these are gone.

Thanks to Mouse for the tip.

[photo via urbanoasis, thanks!]

Breaking News: Cthulhu stirs beneath the library lot

Damn Arbor has received unverified reports that Jerusalem Garden and the Earthen Jar have been evacuated due to concerns over a sinkhole. This can mean only thing: the digging at the Library Lot has caused The Great Old One Cthulhu to stir as he sleeps in the ancient city of R'lyeh. You heard it here first friends. All hail our new Mayor Cthulhu.

An unverified cellphone picture of this afternoon's event.

Image via Floating Lush.

Update, we have confirmation:

PSA: Oberon Day



We here at Damn Arbor would like to take a second and remind you that Oberon Day is this Monday, March 28th. Yes, spring is really just around the corner.

Michigan Microbrewery March Madness: Game 8



Folks, we have a real Obi-Wan versus Anakin match up for you today: Grizzly Peak is taking on Jolly Pumpkin. Ron Jeffries of Jolly Pumpkin cut his teeth as a brewer for Grizzly Peak in the 90s. Both of these breweries have strong followings in Ann Arbor and abroad. What remains to be seen is whether this will be a "Revenge of the Sith" or a "New Hope" type game.



Come back tomorrow to see Atwater take on Warren's Kuhnhenn Brewing Company. More.

Rant!



I remember when Ann Arbor Craigslist was cool. This scene is over. Well Rants and Raves is at least.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Film Fest!

The 49th Ann Arbor Film Fest started last night and continues through Sunday. Because of various commitments I'm not going to make as many screenings as I'd like, although my friend Jacob Mendel recommended the Sam Green Retrospective on Saturday night, so I might make it to that. But you should definitely try and see a few if you can make it. Most screenings are at the Michigan and the State Theaters at State and Liberty.

Michigan Microbrewery March Madness: Game 7



Game 6 is finishing up with Right Brain surging against Founders. Will it be enough to put them over the top? Only time will tell. Game 7 takes us back to the red-hot Kalamazoo River Division where two solid teams are going against each other. Arcadia opened its doors in Battle Creek in 1996. They produce a line of award winning English-style ales that have won the admiration of many fans. Dark Horse hails from the small town of Marshall. Since opening in 1997 they have impressed fans and critics alike with their dedication to the craft. This could be a tough match for both teams.



Tomorrow takes us back to the Ann Arbor Division where we have a real Obi-Wan versus Anakin. That's right, Grizzly Peak is taking on Jolly Pumpkin (Tanks Phil). More.

Little skull guy

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Green Technology and Economic Revitalization



Much like Ben did in January, I'm tooting my own horn in promoting an upcoming symposium at the Law School on Green Technology and Economic Revitalization in Michigan. The Symposium is this coming Friday, March 25, starting at 9:00 AM at 100 Hutchins Hall, 625 S. State St. My journal, the Michigan Telecommunications and Technology Law Review, is organizing the symposium.

We've got a wide array of panelists from both the private and public sectors, and I think it'll be a great conversation regarding what we might expect as Michigan works to develop sustainable industries - and what challenges lie ahead. More information can be found at the MTTLR symposium site.

New Slang: Tweetentary

Tweetentary - Comments made on public meetings via Twitter. (Thanks @a2chronicle!)
Example:

@juliewbee post hilarious tweetentary about Ann Arbor City Council meetings.


Understanding today's forecast

Dang!

Today's forecast is incredibly crappy, especially for those of us that were hoping that winter was finally over. If you want to understand this forecast A little better, I recommend checking out Ed Vielmetti's post about today's weather.

Image via WeatherSpark

Michigan Microbrewery March Madness: Game 6



With 3 hours left to play, Woodward Avenue Brewers and Detroit Beer Co. are neck and neck. Today we are heading back to the Northern Division where Right Brain Brewery takes on Founders Brewing Company. Right Brain Brewery from the good old Cherry Capital and offer a line up of exciting beers that keep fans coming back. Founders hails from G-Rap and is the southern most brewery in the Northern Division. Their selection of flavorful ales have built a loyal following. Some analysts believe Founders is the team to beat in the Northern Division.



Come back tomorrow to see Arcadia take on Dark Horse in the Kalamazoo River Division.

Megaptera out to get cha!



Megaptera novaeangliae is the humpback whale. Zoologically accurate graffiti is my favorite type of graffiti.

Monday, March 21, 2011

Rep. Weiner v. Click and Clack



C-SPAN is hardly ever this entertaining.

Get off my lawn!



Posting an anonymous complaint to Craigslist may not be the best way to address this issue.

Towsley town hall meeting

Rick Snyder for Governor Yard Sign

Obviously beer is more important/exciting, but if you feel like Brick from "Anchorman" and don't know what all the yelling is about, you should probably come to the town hall meeting today at Washtenaw Community College that will go over Gov. Rick Snyder's budget.

Snydie-poo won't be there, but State Sen. Rebekah Warren, D-Ann Arbor, superintendent of Ypsilanti schools Dedrick Martin, Ypsilanti Mayor Paul Schreiber and Eastern Michigan University professor Howard Bunsis will be. I'm most interested to see what Bunsis has to say, especially since he's also chairman for the American Association of University Professors Collective Bargaining Congress.

It's from 6:30-8 p.m. in Towsley Auditorium, inside the Morris Lawrence Building. Warren will go over a presentation, and then the floor will be opened for a panel discussion and a Q&A session with the other people listed.

Photo credit to Bill Rice.

Michigan Microbrewery March Madness: Game 5



What an upset we had yesterday. In the last hours New Holland pulled away from Bell's to secure their place in the Kalamazoo River Division finals. And with just a few hours left, it looks like ABC/Corner Brewery will score a win against Wolverine State Brewing Company. Today we are heading back to the Motor City Division where Woodward Avenue Brewers goes up against the Detroit Beer Company. The WAB, as it's affectionately know to patrons, opened its doors in 1997. Since that time they have grown into a Woodward Avenue institution serving their delicious beers and food to a dedicated group of fans. The Detroit Beer Company is a more recent addition to the Motor City's brewery landscape, opening in 2003. Located in the heart of downtown Detroit, it's a popular spot before and after sporting events.



Tomorrow we head back to the Northern Division where Right Brain takes on the powerhouse that is Founders. More.

Paging Dr. Brilliant



It's nice to see grad students get some well deserved praise.

Via Ann Arbor Craigslist Missed Connections

Sunday, March 20, 2011