Carbon footprint by ZIP Code

@AlMcAlMcAl tweeted a link to these cool maps from Berkeley's Cool Climate website. It shows average household carbon emissions by ZIP Code. Values for Ann Arbor range from about 43 Metric Tons CO2 equivalent in 48104 to about 55 MT CO2 Eq. for 48103. U of M's ZIP, 48109 has super low average emissions at just 21 MT CO2 Eq.

New Wurst Menu

The Wurst Bar in Ypsi is one of my favorites, mostly due to the sweet potato tater tots. Today the debuted a brand new menu and I was first to order the cocktail weenies. It is a big shoe to fill, to be the first customer to do something, but I am able to fill it.

News in Brief: ACLU and ICP unite against DOJ

Sorry. I just wanted to write that headline. I'm sorry. But it was really fun, and I'd probably do it again.

The Michigan Radio is reporting that everyone's favorite local clowns, Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope, are teaming up with the ACLU to sue the Department of Justice for classifying Juggalos as “a loosely organized hybrid gang” whose members were “expanding into many U.S. communities.” For more on Juggalos, listen to Sarah Hulett's interview with Violent J:

You tell'em Violent J. It's hard enough walking around with clown paint on your face without the FBI classifying you as a "loosely organized hybrid gang." This is not the first time the DOJ and ICP have clashed regarding the classification of Juggalos. In 2012 the duo filed a lawsuit that contended the FBI violated the Freedom of Information Act in failing to turn over information that led the agency to classify fans of the group as a gang.

WaPo documents Happy's fire

So you're reading the news and you see a link to the photos of the day in the Washington Post and you're all, "Man, I know every town has a Main Street, and most have a Madison, but hot damn does that look like my town," and then you feel like a fool for clicking because, come on, you narcissist, it's just another town that isn't yours and this whole crazy world isn't all about you. Run-on sentence. But then! You see it is your town! And thus you have no reason to question the fact that it all really does spin around you.

Yesterday's first photo of the day in the Washington Post was taken by Courtney Sacco and, sadly, was yet another documentation of the downfall of Happy's Pizza.

Are you ready for some flooding?

Tomorrow, it is forecast to climb above freezing for the fist time this year. We will stay above freezing until Saturday evening. We are also supposed to get a good amount of rain. With the soil frozen, and all the snow we have now, this can only mean one thing:

Happy's Pizza on Main has burnt down

Happy's Pizza on Main has suffered extensive damage in an early morning fire. Props to the AAFD for battling the blaze in -15 degree weather. Tumblr user, shipwrecktrain sent in some pictures of the firefighters battling the blaze. Thanks shipwrecktrain.

Happy's Pizza, I will always remember the color temperature of your interior lights and your decent beer selection.

UPDATE: Here's a video of the scene this morning:

Happy's Pizza on fire

Happy's Pizza on Main Street caught fire last night, and is still smoking. Folks downtown are reporting seeing huge plumes of smoke right now. There aren't a whole lot of details on this yet, but I've been told to avoid driving on Main (as if driving out of my little cul de sac is an option right now).

M-Live has some photos of the blaze.

Best thoughts for the owners and employees. Having your business burn down is some scary, scary stuff.

h/t to Brian Larsen.

Lucky's Farmers Market to replace South Industrial Kroger?

Ed Vielmetti thinks it's a distinct possibility. But I'm getting ahead of myself. The South Industrial Kroger is closing later this month year due to a failure to reach a lease agreement. There is some speculation that the building might become part of Boulder based Lucky's Farmers Market's Midwestern Expansion. Rest assured, Gentle Reader, we'll keep you apprised of the situation as it develops.

Olde U of M: Medical School Class of 1881 and a Cadaver

In 1881, the University of Michigan Medical School class decided to don their top hats and take a picture with a cadaver. For good measure, they put a top hat on the cadaver too. These guys have some robust facial hair.

Via: vividlaughter

On the need for a warming center

Tuesday's high is forecast to be just 0 degrees. Over on his website, Mark Maynard has a timely discussion on the need for a warming shelter for Washtenaw County's homeless population. Sounds like folks are organizing tomorrow at St. Andrews at 7:30 to have a post breakfast meeting to organize for the public commentary at tomorrow's City Council meeting.