Fall fun at Dexter Cider Mill

Yesterday, EJ and I made our autumnal pilgrimage to the Dexter Cider Mill. It was awesome. The cider they were pressing was superb. We picked up a gallon and a half-dozen fresh donuts. We consumed them at the park on Huron Creek but not before checking out a free wine tasting from Sandhill Crane Vineyard. It's hard to beat a free wine tasting.

Missing Lion

Did someone loose a small lion in Maryfield Wildwood Park?

Interesting use of a bike rack

I guess it beats lugging your longboard to class.

Not all cyclists are jerks

Jim Saksa has a article in Slate that makes an argument that cyclists are becoming more courteous and violating traffic rules less frequently. The article goes on to explain why people often lump cyclists into a single category as inconsiderate jerks with a death wish. From the article:

I'm an asshole cyclist. I'm that jerk weaving in and out of traffic, going the wrong way down a one-way street, and making a left on red. I'm truly a menace on the road.

But it’s not because I’m on a bike—I'm an asshole on the road no matter what. I’m also a stereotypical Jersey driver, someone who treats speed limits as speed minimums and curses those who disagree. And I'm just as bad as a pedestrian, another jaywalking smartphone zombie oblivious to the world beyond my glowing screen. If I’m moving, I’m an accident waiting to happen.

Biking is my primary means of transportation, so when someone defames cyclists, I feel particularly bad. The fact is, unlike me, most bicyclists are courteous, safe, law-abiding citizens who are quite willing and able to share the road. The Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia studied rider habits on some of Philly’s busier streets, using some rough metrics to measure the assholishness of bikers: counting the number of times they rode on sidewalks or went the wrong way on one-way streets. The citywide averages in 2010 were 13 percent for sidewalks and 1 percent for one-way streets at 12 locations where cyclists were observed, decreasing from 24 percent and 3 percent in 2006. There is no reason to believe that Philly has particularly respectful bicyclists—we’re not a city known for respectfulness, and our disdain for traffic laws is nationally renowned. Perhaps the simplest answer is also the right one: Cyclists are getting less aggressive.

Get ready for Harvest Fest

The U of M Sustainable Food Program is celebrating its first Harvest Fest next Tuesday at the Botanical Gardens. There will be local food, local music and even a free shuttle from campus. I think one of the best parts of fall is eating tons of delicious food in preparation for winter.

Oktoberfest at ABC

Gentle readers, do you like to polka? If so, you wont want to miss the Oktoberfest Block Party this Friday and Saturday at Arbor Brewing Company. It's always a super fun event. There's beer, brats, veggie brats, music from the Rhinelanders and you might even see Matt and Rene in lederhosen and a dirndl, respectively.

Have you guys heard about College Fashion Week yet?

This is kind of low hanging fruit, but here goes. Come to College Fashion Week Ann Arbor on October 6th at the Necto. Check out this seasons hottest Ugg and legging combinations. You won't want to miss these super high-wasted shorts/crop top combos.

I like how the application for the guest list just directly asks how many Facebook Friends and Twitter followers you have.

Classy DIY privacy screen

Spotted this window privacy screen in the apartment on the corner for Forest and Hill. Great use of recycled cans. Also, if you're ever short on cash, you can just return the cans.

Earth Tones

Next Tuesday, the Michigan League of Conservation Voters is throwing a benefit concert at the Ark. Lots of cool bands will be there including Match by Match, Dragon Wagon and Brennan Andes and Ross Huff of the Macpodz with special guest Chris Good.

Life imitates art

This headline on the Com makes me think of the fictional town of Pawnee, Indiana on Parks and Recreation. Where "The raccoon problem is under control. They have their part of the town and we have ours."