Question Block on Diag

I wonder if this is related to those Mario Kart stencils from a year ago.  I tried punching it, but no coins came out.

Michelle Chamuel in the Top Six

 So last night on the Voice Michelle Chamuel sang a Taylor Swift song. She made Swift much more likable for me, considering Taylor's sordid/pouty songwriting techniques. According to people who watch more TV than I do, Chamuel topped her competitors. Anyways, vote for her, because maybe her success and Usherness can fill the gap that left by the dissolution of My Dear Disco/Ella Riot.

edit: I am not gonna fan girl too hard, but I keep listening to this song over and over. She holds the number four spot on iTunes. She has support from Usher, Darren Criss and maybe the whole of tumblr. You will now be receiving weekly Voice updates from me, whether you like it or not.

Free Pie tomorrow in Liberty Plaza

Just saw this on r/annarbor:

Hi r/annarbor! We are Sarah and Chris, formerly of Brighton and Ypsilanti, now of Pie It Forward, a traveling revolution all about sharing and kindness. We have been traveling the US for the last 3 months, giving away free pie wherever we go, and we are back in Michigan this week! Please join us in Liberty Plaza, Wednesday at 6 pm, for a slice of our homemade apple crumb top pies. We always encourage folks to bring a dish to pass if they are able, but it's not required. Hope to see you there!

You can read more about Pie it Forward on their blog.

Taco Tuesday at Isalita

It is a problem as old as time itself: Isalita has so many delicious tacos but you have to order them in groups of three. Fortunately, during hora feliz (4-6pm) each martes at Isalita, all tacos are a la cart and just $2. Do you want two carnitas tacos and two forest mushroom tacos? If it's Taco Tuesday, go right ahead. In all seriousness, I think this is a great way to sample Isalita's diverse array of tacos without committing to three of a single type of taco.

Previously: Guide to Taco Tuesday at Sabor Latino

First Fridays at Bona Sera

Bona Sera has been hosting First Fridays for a bit now. The work has been consistently good so far, and based on this poster, this upcoming friday's show seems to be keeping up the standard.

Juneberries coming soon

Looks like these juneberries are almost ripe. Keep your eyes peeled for them so you can get some before all the squirrels and birds do.

Taste of Ann Arbor

To really add to my cred, I must admit I don't know how long this event is going on. But it is, so come get tastlings before it gets rained on.

Bacon Street Fair

I have no clue how much longer this lasts but there is a bacon street fair going on at the market right now. It would be a shame to miss. If Ben already posted about this I am sorry, I haven't looked.

The Kings of Summer, 2013's best summer movie

There's something about the first few weeks of summer that makes anything seem possible. The days are long, the air is fresh, the world is full of possibility, and everyone is prone to youthful flights of fancy. The Kings of Summer, the first feature film from director Jordan Vogt-Roberts (Successful Alcoholics, Mash Up), begins in this place. Jim Toy (Nick Robinson) is not having a great time: he's fed up with his dad (Nick Offerman); he has a crush on Kelly who is dating a senior; and he might have just failed shop class. His best friend, Patrick (Gabriel Basso), is just as fed up with his overbearing parents, played by Marc Evan Jackson and Megan Mullally. One fateful night, after fleeing a kegger by the lake, Nick and Biaggio (the weird kid from school) stumble upon a strange clearing in the woods. Nick hatches a plan to build a house in the woods and recruits Patrick and Biaggio. The boys attempt to live on their own in the woods so that they can become "real men."

There are, of course, complications. Lack of food, snakes, weather and girls eventually take their toll on the boys. I won't spoil any of it, but I will say that The Kings of Summer is one of the best movies I've seen in a long time. The cast is really strong and the performances come off as very authentic. This may be because someone had the audacity to cast three teenagers to play teenagers. The cast also spent several weeks taking improve classes together and the onscreen chemistry really shows. If you see one movie this summer, see Kings of Summer; you won't regret it. It somehow manages to be funny, and sentimental without being stupid.

But wait, you must be asking yourself, why are you reviewing this movie that was shot in Ohio of all places? Well, first of all, The Kings of Summer is an awesome movie. Secondly, it has tons of connections to Southeast Michigan. Director, Jordan Vogt-Roberts, is from Royal Oak. Also, his best friend from high school and good friend of Damn Arbor, Jon Wilcox (Journal of a Shut-In), did the concept artwork, designed the boy's house and helped Jordan scout locations for the film. Three of the actors, Marc Evan Jackson, Mary Lynn Rajskub, and Eugene Cordero are also from the region. In short, you should see The Kings of Summer when it comes out in Detroit on the 7th. It is a really great movie and by supporting it, you are striking a blow against all of the terrible dreck that Hollywood tries to cram down our throats. Maybe if we're lucky, the Michigan or State Theater will show it.

NAPA Yard Sale today

NAPA, the Normal Park Neighborhood Association, is having a huge multi-yard yard sale today in Normal Park, Ypsi. Hurry though, cause this sale ends at 4pm.