Discover Larrytown Ann Arbor

Gentle readers, have you been to Larrytown? Centered around the section of Packard between Stadium and Jewett, the Larrytown Corridor is a trendy commercial district and home to several local businesses including: eat, Morgan and York, Garrett Scott, Bookseller, Fraser's Pub, and Ricewood BBQ. According to the Larrytown website, the name Larrytown, was selected for the neighborhood "for its obvious euphony, the faint echo of another local destination district..."

Previously:

Ricewood BBQ is open for the 2016 season

Ricewood BBQ is now open for the 2016 season

Ricewood BBQ opened for the 2016 season at 11:08 a.m. on Wednesday, March 2. Frank Fejeran and his crew took the order for ticket number 50, a order of brisket (spicy) on rice ($12), with a side of cucumber salad and a Kool Aid ($1) to drink, at 11:38 a.m. About six minutes later my order was up, packaged to go in a sturdy container.
The line at that time still stretched from the truck next to the Morgan and York entrance in the courtyard at 1928 Packard Road south through the snowy parking lot out to Jorn Court. At 12:43 p.m. there was still a line, albeit a shorter line, and ticket 102 was served to Dan Freidus, a numismatist from Barton Hills known for his 1994 study of the Higley Coppers who joined me there¹.
At about a minute a ticket, the line was moving at a deliberate and steady pace. Parking behind Morgan and York was tight, with Michigan State Police patrol car 1221 taking advantage of an open spot in front of the dumpster. The patrolman had an animated conversation with an MLive reporter, Jessica Webster, who was covering the event, and they exchanged cards.
Frank spent some of his time in the truck, a black Grumman, and some tending to his two smokers: a Meadow Creek that had been in use in 2015, and a new smoker acquired that had been put to new use preparing 16 orders of BBQ chicken. The chicken is an addition to the 2016 menu;

Washtenaw County emergency siren tests begin Saturday; Ann Arbor siren tests begin Tuesday

ArborWX has details on outdoor emergency siren tests which begin this month in the City and County, plus what to do when they sound for real (spoiler: take cover and tune to WEMU 89.1 FM or WWWW 102.9 FM).

Washtenaw County operated sirens will be tested at noon on the first Saturday of every month from March through October. This means that this Saturday, March 5, at noon is the first Washtenaw County siren test of the year. 

The City of Ann Arbor’s sirens are tested every second Tuesday of the month at 1:00 pm. Testing of sirens is performed from March through November. This means that this Tuesday, March 8, at 1 pm. is the first City siren test of the year.

Mark your calendar: Presidential primaries and county-wide ballot proposal on Tuesday, March 8

There's an election next Tuesday, March 8! Here's what you need to know.

• City polling places will be open from 7am until 8pm on March 8.
• Find your polling place at the Michigan Voter Information Center. (You can also verify you're properly registered and view sample ballots there.)
• As we previously reported, February 8 was the last day to register in Ann Arbor and be eligible to vote in this election. If you're not registered, you should register to be sure you'll be ready next time.
• The city clerk has information on absentee ballots, accessible voting, and voting ID requirements. (The city clerk's office Saturday hours for absent voter ballots will be March 5, 2016, 8am - 2pm.)
• The Secretary of State has Elections and Voting FAQs available.

Election information from the City of Ann Arbor (click to view full-size)

In addition to voting for presidential primary candidates, there's a countywide proposal on the ballot on renewing a .20-mill levy to fund our county's enhanced emergency communications system.

#A2Council Viewing Party March 10

During the March 10 City Council meeting, we’ll be hosting a viewing party at Workantile, the Main St. coworking space. Join us!

City council meetings start at 7pm, so we'll gather at Workantile around 6:45. We'll have a video feed of the meeting running on a big TV, and many of the #A2Council Twitter folk plus our friends will be there for real-time commentary and socializing.

Whether you're heavily invested in local politics or just curious, this should be a fun and useful event. All are welcome.

Please bring your own drinks & snacks, if you're so inclined.

Workantile's address is 118 S. Main St.
Facebook event: City Council Viewing Party.

Feeling Haunted?

Spooks, specters, or spirits got you down? Look no further than the Ann Arbor Paranormal Research Society. If your house is haunted, this scrappy band of ghost hunters is offering free investigations. Sounds fascinating.

Last day to register to vote in Primary

Gentle reader, if you wish to vote in Michigan's presidential primary next month, today is your last chance to register. You can do so at a Secretary of State branch office or at your local clerk's office. More info here.

City Council Viewing Party Tonight

Gentle reader, no need to watch the #a2council meeting home alone tonight. We're going to be posting up at Workantile starting at 6:45 to watch the meeting. There will be snacks and City Council Bingo. Tonight's agenda is pretty light, but considering the ongoing deer cull, public commentary could be heated. Should be a fun meeting to watch.

#A2Council Viewing Party Feb. 1

During the February 1 City Council meeting, we’ll be hosting a viewing party at Workantile, the Main St. coworking space. Join us!

City council meetings start at 7pm, so we'll gather at Workantile a few minutes before then. We'll have a video feed of the meeting running on a big TV, and many of the #A2Council Twitter folk plus our friends will be there for real-time commentary and socializing.

Whether you're heavily invested in local politics or just curious, this should be a fun and useful event. All are welcome.

Updated Jan. 26: Some snacks for the party will be provided by CivCity, a great local nonprofit dedicated to expanding residents’ knowledge of how local government works and increasing participation in civic life. Thanks, CivCity!

Please bring your own drinks, if you're so inclined.

Workantile's address is 118 S. Main St.
Facebook event: A2 City Council Viewing Party.

Mega Nerd Nite tonight

Gentle readers, the first Nerd Nite of January is here. Presentations will cover everything from anxiety to agriculture and back again. Cover is free, thanks to the AADL so you really have no excuse not to attend.