iSPY September

iSPY

The Ypsilanti Area Events and Entertainment Guide

september 2010

www.ispyypsi.com

get with it!

Explore Ypsi’s Vintage and Antique Shops

Meet the Ann Arbor Derby Dimes

www.ispyypsi.com

puffer red’s “new era” enters

WELCOME

BACK

2010 10 Must Do’s for EMU

SEPTEMBER 2010

free free

i SPY

CORNER BREWERY

september

Labor Day Sep 6, 2010 @ 02:00 PM Normal business hours. We'll be open all day for the holiday!

Jackhammer Release Party Sep 7, 2010 @ 06:00 PM

Rat Pad Release Sep 15, 2010 @ 6:00 PM Join us for a unique and special small batch beer, you can only get it once, so come early!

Corner Brewery Oktoberfest Sep 17, 2010 @ 6:00 PM Join us for a night of eating, drinking and dancing Bavarian-style. We have our favorite German band Spass and we will be grilling up a boat-load of brats and putting on our polka shoes. Children welcome with parents until 9pm. No Cover. Rain or Shine.

Halcyon Sundaze Sep 19, 2010 @ 2:00 PM

734-340-6793 720 norris street ypsilanti, mi 48198 www.cornerbrewery.com

We're stretching out the summer season as long as we can~ Join us in the beer garden with rotating dj's and a small batch of Halcyon Summer Wheat.

Cousins vinyl will bring you an ever changing and growing selection of lost and forgotten favorites for you to dig through. As always, no cover.

contents Publisher Tim Adkins Editor Dan DuChene Sales Christine Laughren and Bilal Saeed contributing Writers & Photographers Tim Adkins, Katie Bertam, Laura Bien, Natalie Burg, Dan DuChene, Christine Laughren, Jenise Pettibone, Amanda Slater, Janis Tsai, Raj Mehta.

Art Director Kari McLeod Ad Design Ashley Crawford Sales information sales@ispyypsi.com Content information dan@ispyypsi.com Web information tim@ispyypsi.com

Thanks to Veronica Mathews Join our online community!

www.ispyypsi.com www.facebook.com/ispyypsi @iSPYYPSi www.myspace.com/ispyypsi

i SPY - The Ypsilanti Area Events and Entertainment Guide Proudly brought to you by Pakmode Publications, LLC and the MOJO News Group

05 13

09.10

Snap Shot Bulletin Board September Events

features

10 “New Era” at Puffer Red’s 15 Ann Arbor Derby Dimes 16 Welcome Back Students

sneak peak

06 Ypsi Antiques 08 Ypsilanti Song Writing Festival

scene

16 Fairy Doors Arrive in Ypsi 18 Unseen SCENE:

Traxside Recording Studio

19 Fashion: Back to School Style 20 Welcome Back 2010

review

17 Verizon Ally 22 Food: Garam 23 Todd Osborn:

The Ghostly Remixes

124 Pearl St. Suite 307 Ypsilanti, MI 48197 info@ispyypsi.com © 2010, iSPY. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part granted only by written permission of iSPY in accordance with our legal statement.

The first copy of iSPY is free, additional copies are .25 and can be purchased

www.ispyypsi.com

+Exclusive online content at www. ispyypsi.com Winding Road Magazine Bartender of the Month: Matt Hurd, Keystone Underground Riverside Arts Center Exhibit: Small Works

SEPTEMBER 2010

i SPY

the students are back in town The summer festival season in Ypsilanti has come and gone, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t anything to do in Ypsi.

By the time the students get back, I find myself missing them in town. Ypsilanti actually becomes more of a bustling urban center when they’re here.

Though, driving through town definitely becomes more frustrating for a while.

If you’re a student, please check out the events and locations around town. It took me some time after enrolling at EMU to get acquainted with the community. Once I did, however, I fell in love. There are hidden gems all around Ypsi that will make you appreciate your new locale even more, if you take the

time to discover them.

We’ve got plenty to choose from, so take your pick!

If you’re already an active Ypsilantian, then I only have one request. Please tell us what you’re doing. We have space in our calendar for any event you’re planning, but we can’t print it if you don’t tell us about it.

Did you take some photos the last time you went to an event or hung out at the bar? Don’t keep them to yourself. Our Snap Shot section is there for you, and we want you to be featured there. We can’t be everywhere, so if you want your beautiful mug smiling in our magazine you have to send us your photos.

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FREE RENTALS 56 E. Cross St., Ypsilanti, MI (734) 483-1035 Sidetrack (734) 483-5230 Frenchies www.sidetrackbarandgrill.com

As always, thank you for picking up iSPY this month. There should be plenty of intriguing articles to keep your interest. If you have any questions or comments, please don’t hesitate to drop me a line. I’m always open to hearing our readers’ feedback. If you’ve got a compliment, complaint or just want to tell me about your day, I’m always willing to listen.

Thank you,

Dan DuChene

dan@ispyypsi.com

snap shot

ispy september Photo Gallery

From left, Courtney Mandarino, Jason DePasquale and Richard Retyi at Savoy’s Hairy Karaoke.

Miranda Simmons, Cōlleen O’Brien, Ethan Blustein, Tim Colbeck, Tracy Lewis and Jessica de Blacam paint six-word memoirs on the planters on Washington Street downtown for the Downtown Development Association, Ozone House and 826Michigan.

nard and Naia Venturi, owner of Ypsilanti’s Dreamland Theater, at Savoy.

From left, Jeff Allen, Ypsilanti Township’s

frey Tosh, volunteers at the Michigan Roots Jamboree, take a quick break to dance.

Linda Yohn of WEMU (left) and Corinne Sikorski, general manager of the Ypsilanti Food Co-op, at the Ypsilanti Heritage Festival opening reception held at The Polo Fields Washtenaw.

makes an appearance during Manhole’s set at Savoy.

Local blogger Mark May-

Jennifer Albaum,

Ypsi Food Co-op board member, member of the Michigan Design Militia and vegan food blogger (scrumdilly.com) at the Ypsilanti Heritage Festival opening reception.

Jim Cavanaugh at Savoy’s

Hairy Karaoke.

The Lovemonster

Cathy Bennett and Congressman John D.Dingell at the Ypsilanti Heritage Festival opening reception.

director of residential services and Robin Ellison, owner of Profiles Hair Salon, with friends Noreen Mallin and Paige Pawson at the Ypsilanti Heritage Festival opening reception. www.ispyypsi.com

Adrienne Ziegler, iSPY contributor, and Don Sicheneder, festival director for the Michigan Roots Jamboree, at Savoy’s Hairy Karaoke.

Dustin McDonald mans the Ugly Mug booth at the Michigan Roots Jamboree.Michelle Kayj and Jef-

SEPTEMBER 2010

i SPY

sneak peak

the antique underground

by Dan DuChene

Shopping vintage in ypsilanti has never looked so good.

i SPY SEPTEMBER 2010

There are plenty of reasons customers choose to purchase second-hand, vintage items instead of new items off the shelf.

Shopping at antique stores can provide shoppers with quality goods made from durable materials, interesting and unique designs not found in larger retail chains, an ability to benefit the environment by cutting on waste and finally – and sometimes more importantly – a chance to support the local economy.

In Ypsilanti, it seems there has always been a place for customers to realize these benefits, as there has been a collection of stores in the area for several decades. Current store-owners throughout the area haven’t been able to pinpoint a specific cause for the constant market that has been

seemingly uninterrupted in the area for nearly 75 years.

The owners of Apple Annie’s & Jim MacDonald Antiques, the oldest surviving antique store in Depot Town, said they weren’t even the only store peddling antique merchandise when they opened their doors more than 30 years ago. There were antique stores where Frenchie’s is currently located, and a storefront in the longvacant Thompson Block still has “antiques” written above the doors.

The oldest antique store in town, by the way, is Schmidt’s Antiques. The business was already 27 years old when it moved into the big red barn on Michigan Avenue, between I-94 and US-23, in 1938.

“Rents are reasonable,” said Maryellen Antonelli, who owns Silver Spoon Antiques in Depot Town. “That’s one thing we have going for us.”

This was the usually the first response given by business owners as to how Ypsilanti could have amassed such a constant selection of antique retailers. However, cheaper storefronts don’t necessarily attract just antique stores.

Lower overhead costs could attract any form of business.

When pushed a little further, the shopkeepers deliberated between the historic culture of Ypsilanti and plain old luck.

“It was the natural place to open up,” MacDonald said.

“Ypsilanti has a large historic base,” he said, “The ideas of antiques and historic preservation were already here.”

MacDonald pointed to Ypsilanti’s historic district, which is the second largest in the state, as an example.

Carol McEachran, who owns Salt City Antiques downtown, said she moved into Ypsilanti more than six years ago to create a second location for the original Saline store she bought in 1999. However, as

www.ispyypsi.com

the deal was going through to add a Depot Town location, the Saline store’s landlord terminated the lease. So, McEachran was able to keep her business running, but only at the one location.

She later moved the store from Depot Town to a larger location downtown on Michigan Avenue. She has been there for more than a year.

“The more the merrier,” McEachran said when asked if there may be too many antique stores in Ypsilanti. “It gives a destination for people to shop.”

Every shop-owner agreed, the more stores that are located in Ypsilanti the better. With each store in the area, more antiquing tourists from further away would be willing to visit Ypsi to take advantage of the number of shops in town.

With the four already mentioned, Ypsilanti is also home to Bower Bird Mongo, Materials Unlimited and the Mix. No one seems to be worried about competition.

“Always, the more shops you’ve got the more people you get,” said Lynn Radtke, co-owner of Apple Annie’s & Jim MacDonald Antiques.

“We never carry the same items,” she said. “The more people find, the happier they are.”

Antonelli said people are willing to travel great distances to visit an area where they can spend a lot of time antiquing and may be able to make some good finds.

“If you’re not in the antique community, it’s hard to understand how hardcore some of us are,” she said.

In fact, Antonelli thinks more could be done to attract more people to Ypsilanti from further away.

She, along with most other shop-

keepers, said there are already enough places to buy antiques that Ypsi could already be treated as an antique destination.

“I definitely think we should hype [Ypsilanti] up as [an antique destination],” she said. “We should do some more marketing out of the area.”

She pointed to Holly as a good example of how a Michigan town can create a campaign to attract out-of-town antique shoppers to the area.

“They do a good job of it,” Antonelli said. “We need to take some clues from them.”

While the store owners did say they will talk to each other about business, or send over business, there is no formal organization to the stores’ communication, something that could lead to the creation of an Ypsilanti antiques campaign. They just said, someone has to do it.

“We just run our business,” McEachran said. “I send people their way, they send people my way.”

That isn’t to say there isn’t some formal cooperation. There have been hand cards, some joint advertising. However, nothing has been done that could be labeled as a campaign.

MacDonald said, “Usually it just takes one person who is well organized.”

He said whatever campaign takes place, it shouldn’t focus on just antiques. He pointed to the local bars, restaurants and museums as other aspects that make Ypsilanti a larger, more broad destination.

“There is a bit of a larger package of what Ypsilanti has to offer,” MacDonald said.

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sneak peak

books bring the hooks

The 2010 Ypsilanit Songwriting Festival inspires local WRITERS while generating traffic in Ypsilanti libraries.

by Natalie Burg

Graham Parker headlines this year’s Ypsilanti Songwriting Festival.

Thousands of records!

Rock, soul, jazz, dance and more. Come dig the dollar store or check out the new $5 store that's now open. Fill up one of our new messenger bags for a discount on multiple records.

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13101 Eckles Rd. Building #2

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734 968-0019

What do librarians and rock stars have in common?

While the question might initially conjure up mismatched images of reading glasses and dusty books next to wailing guitars and metal dudes with huge hair and tiny pants, the answer is a no-brainer at the Ypsilanti District Library.

“At their most elemental, libraries are houses of stories and expression,” said YDL Assistant Director Lori Coryell.

“What are songs but a way of communicating a story or thought or feeling?”

Well, touché, library lady. It would seem that songwriting and libraries have a natural, if overlooked connection. It was this tie-in that lead to the birth of the Ypsilanti Songwriting Festival.

It was more than four years ago when the Coryell and her colleagues at YDL realized there was a certain segment of the population who weren’t utilizing the library as much as their older, more female counterparts.

How would the YDL encourage males and teens to spend more time reaping the benefits of library’s three locations and bookmobile? Didn’t they know what they were missing, including the ability to request and checkout CD’s to their hearts’ content?

If Ypsi-area music lovers didn’t realize this four years ago, they sure should now.

On Oct. 2, the YDL will host its fourth annual Ypsilanti Songwriting Festival – “a true celebration of the art and craft of songwriting,” as Coryell stated, “[with] opportunities to experience songwriting from different perspectives – song crafting, performance, recording and plain and simple enjoyment.”

While the enjoyment might be plain and simple, the festival itself is anything but.

In their first year, the YDL secured acclaimed songwriter Freedy Johnston as the headliner and have since welcomed such names as Jon Langford, Paul

Burch, and Jason Ringenberg. This year’s festival promises to be extra special with the legendary British rocker Graham Parker headlining.

Parker will be interviewed about his eclectic, 35-year career and he’ll take questions from festival attendees. Parker will also perform in a free concert at the Keystone Underground that should not be missed.

The Ypsilanti Songwriting Festival is not, however, all about the big names; it’s all about Ypsi.

“We have had an overwhelmingly positive response from the community,” Coryell said. “The festival is a real opportunity for the library to work with community organizations – from Community Records Foundation to VG Kids to the Keystone Underground – and local talented songwriters, performers and music lovers to make it a success.”

In fact, one of Coryell’s personal favorite parts of the day is when local songwriters, from aspiring to experienced composers, get a chance to sit down with accomplished musicians for one-on-one sessions.

“It’s such a diverse mix of people, and they come out of those sessions so charged up about their art,” she said.

The opportunity to hone their craft is only one benefit to local artists who participate in the festival. The other is exposure.

Local radio stations have gotten on board with the songwriting festival and it has become a great chance for talented songwriters to show off their stuff. One case in point is the Local Songwriter Showcase. Artists can learn how to be a part of the event at http://ypsilibrary.org/events-classes/songwriting-festival.

The best way to find out all there is to do, learn and experience at the YDL’s Fourth Annual Ypsilanti Songwriting Festival, is to go! Clear your schedule on Oct. 2, and join the Ypsi community for music celebration of unrivaled caliber, hosted by your friends at the Ypsilanti District Library.

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W W W. G O B E A L . C O M

feature

a “new era” for Puffer Reds Local fashion destination to increase standing as exclusive retailer

by Dan DuChene

Puffer Reds in Ypsilanti has long stood as a mecca for “sneakerheads” in the region, but as urban fashion evolves to include specialty hats Puffer Reds is evolving to establish itself as a destination for headwear aficionados.

Eric Williams opened the store in

1979. Tandra Williams, his wife and the store’s co-owner, credits her husband’s keen eye for fashion and forward vision for trends with the company’s ability to make inroads with major sports apparel companies in order to garner special releases of

i SPY SEPTEMBER 2010

limited edition shoes.

“This has been a long process over the years,” she said. “My husband is a phenomenal buyer with a great insight into fashion.”

Customers lining up outside the store in anticipation of a new shoe release isn’t unheard-of.

Last year, Nike selected the store to help launch its Kanye West-designed Air Yeezy line. One shoe was released per month for three straight months. On each release, Williams said more people waited outside the store for longer periods of time to get the first chance to buy a shoe. Buy the last release, she said people started

lining up a week before the shoes were scheduled to go up for sale.

“Sneakerheads know us,” Williams said.

She said the people lining up to be the first to purchase the designer shoes are driven by the same motivations as any one who collects art, stamps or coins.

She said the shoes offer additions to personal collections, resale value and bragging rights within certain circles.

This is hardly the only recognition the store has received from the inudustry.

In 2007, Puffer Reds was also selected by Nike as one of 24 retailers across the country – and the only in Michigan – to feature the Air Force One Door, which displays several rare, limited edition shoes.

A year later, the store was one of only four in the country selected by Adidas to design their own custom shoe to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Adidas Forum. The shoes were personalized with the store’s name and logo.

Building on its success in the sneaker industry, Puffer Reds is beginning to garner similar in-roads within the hat industry.

“With the culture that we’re in right now, the hats tie in with the shoes,” said

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Brandon Norfleet, the store’s manager. “Once [customers] get their shoe, they’re looking for a hat to go with it.”

While people haven’t yet taken to hats as much as they have with shoes, Norfleet said he can see similar behavior amongst consumers in the future. With the store’s already wide variety of unique headwear, he said people already come into the store just to shop for hats.

“We definitely have a couple people that come in looking for a Detroit Tigers hat,” he said.

With Norfleet envisioning a developing market for designer hats that could one day rival that of sneakers, Puffer Reds is already well on its way to establishing itself within that community.

New Era, which has already put out a line custom-designed Ypsi hats for Puffer Reds, is now set to unveil a new concept wall in the store later this month. Norfleet said it will feature a

“new colors, new everything...”

wide variety of designs from every Major League Baseball team, as well as some professional football, basketball and hockey teams.

The wall will be used to test new products and designs that aren’t available in other stores, a selection that the store arguably already bolsters. The difference is where Puffer Reds already carries unique and hard-to-find styles, many of the hats in the new display wall will be exclusive to the region.

“New Era won’t go into just any store,” he said. “[Other stores] won’t have this display.”

To accompany the launch of the new wall, New Era will be putting out a new custom-designed Ypsi hat for Puffer Reds. He said people have already come in looking for the new locally-themed hat.

“They’re looking for the new Ypsi hat,” he said. “It will have a new design, new colors, new everything.”

AL HO W K U AR N S P N A R ERSIDE A H N C RIV T 4 1 P H A 6, 2010 O R MBER 2 SEP

TE

For more information contact the Ypsilanti Convention and Visitors Bureau 106 W. Michigan Ave. Ypsilanti, MI 48197 (734) 483-4444 www.visitypsinow.com

Ypsilanti Food Co-op

At the Ypsilanti Food Co-op, fresh, delicious food is just the beginning. Nourish your family. Discover local foods.

Connect with others and help build a strong community.

It all comes together here.

Hours 9 am - 9 pm Phone (734) 483-1520 312 N. River Street

$5 OFF

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Limit one coupon per customer Alcohol not included Offer expires Sept. 30, 2010

d r a o b n i t e l l u b e h t Thursday, 09.02 Growing Hope Community Potluck Ypsilanti Senior Center, 6pm-8 pm Matt Jones, The High Strung, and Jeni Lee Richey Hairy Karaoke Savoy, 8pm-2 am

Wednesday, 09.08

Growing Hope New Volunteer Orientation 32 N Washington Suite 11, 2pm- 3pm Gray, the New Black and Mason’s Case Savoy, 10pm- 2am

Thursday, 09.09 Friday, 09.03 Blue Snaggletooth, Jehova’s Witness Protection Program, and The Holy Hounds Savoy, 10pm- 2am

emYOU! The Magazine presents College Night Theo’s Bar and Grille, 9pm- 2am

Monday, 09.06 LABOR DAY

Tuesday, 09.07 EMU Women’s Soccer vs.

Detroit Scicluna Field, 4pm Jackhammer Release Party Corner Brewery, 6pm-12am

Mother Culture, Ryan Traster, and White Ravens Savoy, 8pm

Wednesday, 09.15

Rat Pad Release Corner Brewery, 6pm-12am

Saturday, 09.02 Rynearson Stadium, 7pm

Little Miss YTRD & Little Jr. Miss YTRD Ypsilanti Township Community Center , 3pm- 6pm

Growing Hope New Volunteer Orientation 32 N Washington Suite 11, 2pm3pm

Bike Ypsi Friday Morning Ride Meets at Beezy’s Café, 8am- 9am

EMU Home Football Game vs Army

Tuesday, 09.14

Thursday, 09.16 Friday, 09.10 Bike Ypsi Friday Morning Ride Meet at Beezy’s Café, 8am- 9am EMU Friday Night Movie, Toy Story 3 Student Center Auditorium, 8pm

Jason Mraz EMU Convocation Center, 7pm

Friday, 09.17 Bike Ypsi Friday Morning Ride Meet at Beezy’s Café, 8am- 9am

EMU Friday Night Movie, Iron Man 2 Student Center Auditorium, 8pm

Alcohol Available -

Music -

Costs Money -

Theater/Play

Food available -

Art -

College Poster Sale EMU Student Center, 8am11pm

Family Friendly e at

Corner Brewery Oktoberfest Corner Brewery, 6pm-12am

Third Coast Kings and The Apollo Rhythm League Savoy, 10pm-2am

i SPY SEPTEMBER 2010

ge.

All events shown are subject to chan

Humane Society of Huron Valley, The Sugar People, and Killer Night Out Savoy, 10pm

MetroPark Bicycle Rides Riding to Kensington MetroPark (60 miles) Depot Town Farmer’s Market, meet at 9am

Sunday, 09.19

Ann Arbor Antiques Market Washtenaw County Farm Council Grounds, 8am- 4pm

Wiards Orchards & Country Fair Grandparent’s Weekend Wiards Orchard, 10am- 6pm

EMU Home Football Game vs Central Michigan Rynearson Stadium, 4pm

Ann Arbor Antiques Market Washtenaw County Farm Council Grounds, 9am- 4pm

Halcyon Sundaze Corner Brewery, 2pm- ?

Wiards Orchards & Country Fair

Monday, 09.20 American Red Cross Blood Drive EMU Student Center, 9am- Close

2011 MISS MICHIGAN USA Pageant Power Center for the Performing Art @ The University of Michigan

Dawn Farm 37th Anniversary Jamboree Dawn Farm, 1pm- 6pm

Submit your event for FREE! onlin www.ispyypsi.com

Saturday, 09.18

Saturday, 09.11

Sunday, 09.12

key

Tuesday, 09.21 American Red Cross Blood Drive EMU Student Center, 9am- Close Grandparent’s Weekend Wiards Orchard, 10am- 6pm

EMU Women’s Volleyball vs. Youngstown State Convocation Center, 7pm- 8pm

Bike Ypsi Taco Tour Recreation Park, 1pm- 4pm

www.ispyypsi.com

Wednesday, 09.22 Growing Hope New Volunteer Orientation 32 N Washington, Suite 11, 2pm- 3pm Ben Hardy’s show Dreamland Theater, 8pm12am

EMU Friday Night Movie, Karate Kid Student Center Auditorium, 8pm EMU Women’s Soccer vs. Ohio Scicluna Field, 4pm

Wiards Orchards & Country Fair Soccer Weekend Wiards Orchard, 10am-6pm 14th Annual Orphan Car Show Riverside Park, 9a,-4pm

The New Green, Tim Monger, and Singing in the Abbey Savoy, 10pm

Thursday, 09.23 EMU Laugh Lounge EMU Student Center, Room 300, 9pm-11pm EMU Women’s Volleyball vs. Central Michigan Convocation Center, 7pm8pm

Friday, 09.24 Bike Ypsi Friday Morning Ride Meet at Beezy’s Café, 8am9am

Saturday, 09.25 EMU Women’s Volleyball vs.Kent State Convocation Center, 7pm8pm

Wednesday, 09.29

Wiards Orchards & Country Fair Soccer Weekend Wiards Orchard, 10am-6pm

Growing Hope New Volunteer Orientation 32 N Washinigton, Suite 11, 2pm-3pm

Sunday, 09.26

Thursday, 09.30

EMU Women’s Soccer vs. Akron Scicluna Field, 1pm

EMU Storyteller’s Lounge EMU Student Center, Room 300, 9pm-11pm

You can find these happenings every week throughout the month. +Have a weekly event you’d like us to include? Send an email to events@ispyypsi. com and we’ll include it next month and online!

Monday Laith Al-Saadi Savoy, 10pm-2am

Motorcycle Mania Depot Town, 6pm-9pm

Wednesday Name That Tune

Pub 13, 10pm-2am

Tuesday 80’s Night

Pub 13, 10pm–2am

Downtown Farmer’s Market

Key Bank Lot, 2pm-6pm

Open Mic

Keystone Underground, 10pm-2am

Thursday Cruise Nights

Depot Town, 5pm-9pm

Hairy Karaoke Savoy, 11pm-2am

College Night w/emYOU! The Magazine Theo’s, 9pm-2am

Friday Underground Roots Keystone Underground

Saturday Depot Town Farmer’s Market Market Plaza, 8am- 1pm

Depot Town Crafter’s Market Market Plaza, 3pm-7pm

Hellova Dance Party Keystone Underground, 10pm-2am

Sunday

Bike Ypsi Sunday Rides Recreation Park, 1pm-2pm

Todd Osborn

Savoy, 10pm-2am

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feature

ypsi derby girls unite

The Derby Dimes bring roller derby to area

By Amanda Slater

Last year, Drew Barrymore’s film “Whip It” introduced Ypsilanti, Ann Arbor and the nation to roller derby—a contact sport played entirely on rollerskates and often by women with an affinity for fishnets and punk chic fashion.

The film was shot partially in Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor, and just may have inspired a new generation of derby girls.

Enter the Ann Arbor Derby Dimes.

The Derby Dimes are Ann Arbor’s very own (and very first) roller derby league.

According to Cristin Colling, Derby Dimes derby girl and board member,

www.ispyypsi.com

it was the league’s chairperson and president, Kellee Gellardo, who first thought up the concept of an Ann Arbor league. And, after some organization and an open meeting (that brought out more than 50 prospective skaters and volunteers to the Arbor Brewing Co), the pieces are falling into place.

“I skated a lot in high school and always wanted to do derby,” said Colling.

Other board members expressed similar sentiments. Ypsilanti natives Courtney Dana and Kristina Flaishans – both of whom are also Derby Dimes derby girls and board members – said derby was always something that they wanted to do, but they didn’t have the opportunity to be part of it until now.

“I always liked skating, but when I was little I was always so intimidated to do derby with the Detroit derby girls,” Dana said.

She said one of the things that she loves about the Derby Dimes is that the league is composed primarily of novice and even beginner skaters, making it much less intimidating than the advanced Detroit league.

“Derby just seems like something I’m

“i tried pilates, but it really wasn’t my thing ...” supposed to do,” Flaishans said. “I grew up in the punk scene. It’s the most fun exercise I’ve found.”

“I tried pilates, but it really wasn’t my thing,” she joked.

Flaishans, Dana and Colling pointed out that derby really is a sport that it is “more complex than it looks.”

“It’s a real game. It’s not just fighting.

There are real rules and a real objective and a point-scoring system,” Flaishans said.

“There are strategies on how to fall so you don’t hurt yourself and how to work together,” Colling said.

The league is a non-profit league, requiring members to pay monthly dues.

Currently, prospective Derby Dimes girls have been getting together to practice and build their skating skills before tryouts. The Derby Dimes are hoping to start the league with approximately four teams and to begin competing in the summer of 2011.

“We’re having a lot of fundraisers, too,” said Colling. “We also will be doing some community service as an organization and will donate our time to Ozone House during their big dinner fundraiser in September.”

Those who are interested in supporting or becoming a part of the Derby Dimes can contact board members through the Derby Dimes’ Facebook page.

SEPTEMBER 2010

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scene

fairies migrate east fairy doors arrive in Ypsilanti

If you are new to the a Visit Us at patients. out our website for information just give us a call.

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Phone: Phone:734-434-3820 734-434-3820 Fax:734-434-5977 734-434-5977 Fax:

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We provide professional family dental care with an emphasis on prevention. We welcome new patients. If you are new to the area, please check out our website for information and directions or just give us a call.

This year, United States Census workers have been walking door-to-door in Ypsilanti streets, asking who exactly lives there. Some might have noticed, and many more have not, that on Grant Street there might be another kind of Ypsilanti neighbor whose residence needs to be noted.

Fairy doors have been a whimsical and exclusive part of Ann Arbor culture until now. Perhaps the fairies have heard about the Ypsilanti’s bed races, beer-battered pickles and obsession with celebrating

Elvis Presley. Maybe they want to join in on the Ypsi fun and escape Ann Arbor’s high property taxes.

“Why shouldn’t they [move to Ypsi],” said Deborah Ruthven, owner of the fairy door, who just wanted to put something up for the kids to exercise their imagination. “I think the reason why some fairies left Ann Arbor is why a lot of people leave Ann Arbor. They want more sense of community. The whole area is developing into something cool.”

They can be found all over various Ann Arbor businesses, such as Sweetwater’s Café, the Ark and The Ann Arbor District Library. There is even a book for sale at Sweetwater’s about it.

Ruthven said, “We didn’t want to tell anybody about it. We wanted it to be

i SPY SEPTEMBER 2010

529 N. Hewitt Road, Ypsilanti, MI 48197 fairy steps he made in the new cement very viral and let the kids discover it themselves. We wanted to make Phone: leading to the tree. Children around their 734-434-3820 it seem like it appeared and have Fax:neighborhood 734-434-5977 have helped to decorate too, but in a less permanent way. people figure out why it appeared.”

Ruthven’s fairy door has been atwww.kimberlyricedds.com “Little boys sometimes will leave a nickel or a dime,” said Ruthven. “Somethe base of her tree since June.kimberly@kimberlyricedds.com The one left a little heart charm and someone scarlet fairy door, She purchased the door at Red Shoes in Ann Arbor, left a butterfly bracelet. Sometimes they’re there, sometimes they’re gone. We don’t attracts the curiosity of her neighknow how it disappears.” bors, particularly the children, who With a smile and a small laugh, Ruthhave taken the appearance of the ven admits that she glances for fairy Ruthven’s tree decoration to enchantingly doors in the Upper Peninsula, near the new heights.

Pictured Rock area.

“A little boy walked by and said a princess lived there,” said Deborah Ruthven.

“With the moss on the ground, I think “Little girls around the corner walk by and it is kind of magical, kind of mystical. It is when I think I see something fly by,” think there are 300 hundred bedrooms and 100 bathrooms. Our friend’s daughter Ruthven said.

The response from the neighborhood said the fairy’s name is Lily.”

Ruthven does not confirm or deny the has been positive and the Ruthvens love mystery surrounding her fairy door. When their fairy door. The maintenance is low; just light clearing of debris. Sometimes people ring her doorbell, or stop her as she gets the mail to ask about the specifthey glue the door knob back on after the kids try to open the door. Her husband is ics, she turns the questions around by asking them what they think. talking about adding a solidified mushWhen she bought the fairy door, it room as an overhang.

Ruthven said, “We think it would be came with a story, a tricycle and fairy dust. Since then, her husband has added really great if the dentist put one in down the street. That can be the tooth personal touches of his own, like the fairy. We’ll see.” steps he carved into the tree, or the

www.ispyypsi.com

Experience

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Simply put, I’m spoiled. I get to play with all these great Verizon toys every month.

Sometimes I forget that not everyone has an iPhone, Blackberry or Droid. With this in mind, I decided to let our social media manager, Katie Bertam, take the Verizon Ally for a test drive.

Katie is the quinissential anti-Gen Y’er.

She couldn’t be further from the stereotype, and she’s never had a smart phone. Considering the Ally is a great phone to break into the geek world, I thought she’d really enjoy it. Here’s her review: If I had to describe Verizon’s LG Ally in one line, I would probably go with “Best of both worlds.” I thought it was surprisingly easy to navigate and very intuitive. I loved that there was all of the cool properties that come along with a touch screen but it still had a physical keyboard that didn’t add too much bulk.

Considering I’ve never had a smart phone, I expected to have to learn to use it. This wasn’t the case, because all of the functions and commands were exactly where I would expect them to be, so it was a snap to figure out. I was also relieved that it was so easy to sync the phone with my Gmail, Facebook, Twitter, and Google Calendar.

Each time I did take a moment to explore the phone’s features and applications I

found something new to make my life a little easier. I also learned through reading about it (although I didn’t get a chance to figure out how to actually do it) that you could customize the home screens to different profiles which is wonderful for me since I have several different lives (personal, work, school, other work).

As for the design, it was perfectly sized – big enough to press the buttons and use as a planner but actually slim enough to slide into my back pocket. I also became quickly obsessed with the camera and photo album features. The picture quality was super clear and I loved that it had a flash function.

What was cool about the album is that you could slide through the pictures as usual, view them as a slide show, or put them in a pile. You could also switch to video just by sliding a little touch screen button on the top of the screen, which was really convenient. It was almost too easy to share pictures and video through messaging, e-mail, and social medias. It took practically one touch. Naturally, I felt it necessary to upload and share every extraordinary or ordinary thing I encountered.

Overall, the Ally added an incredible amount of convenience to my typical day and if I decide to switch to a smart phone I would definitely chose this or something really similar to it.

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scene

give me a beat...

Turning misfortune into a big hit, this Depot Town studio knows how to lay down a track.

by Natalie Burg

Though he may have had some worries a year ago, when his job disappeared along with the Ann Arbor News, Jeff Kuhns is feeling pretty good about his decision to open Traxside Recording Studio in Depot Town last December.

Like so many before him, Kuhns was able build his life-long dream from misfortune. Now he comes to work, a newly remodeled studio space in the heart of a thriving arts community, to make pop, hip-hop and rap tracks with nationallyrenowned and up-and-coming artists.

Best of all, it’s successful.

“We have been blessed with a ton of exposure from all the festivals and general foot traffic the Depot Town business community generates,” Kuhns said. “We are sure we can credit some of our rapid growth to this.”

It wasn’t just a hearty flow of passersby that has launched Traxside into a successful venture, however. Kuhns’ own musical background and contacts couldn’t have hurt much either. The new business owner and engineer has been involved in the music industry since the mid 1990’s, starting out as a music producer for the pop, hip-hop and rap genres. During this time he had the opportunities to work with such artists as the late MC Breed, Ric-a-che (Universal Records 2004) and Tone Tone.

“Music creation has always been a passion in [my] life, whether just playing around on the piano as a child or creating music on keyboards and drum machines as a teen,” Kuhns said.

For Kuhns, choosing to locate Traxside in Ypsilanti had multiple benefits. As he and his wife were both born and raised in Ypsi, building his business here was a means for them to contribute to their home community in a positive way.

And then, the fact that it’s the perfect place for a music business was a nice bonus.

“Ypsilanti is a great and very diverse music community,” Kuhns said. “Whether it’s the Tap Room, Elbow Room, Pub 13, Savoy or the newest spot in town – Smarty Catz – you can find a sound that fits your needs [here]. Then you add in the Elvis Fest, music festivals and the other events that provide music entertainment throughout the year and you can’t go wrong in Ypsilanti.”

So what’s next for Kuhns? These days he and Traxside are helping a variety of artists in virtually any genre with audio services such tracking, mixing, mastering, overdubbing, voice-overs and prerecorded music known in the industry as “beats.” The studio is currently working on local rap star P.L.’s upcoming

i SPY SEPTEMBER 2010

album “Turning Lane,” as well as rapper Don Juan’s next mixtape, set to release this fall. They’re also working with artists Young Ra, Yung Celebrity and TWOZ. “‘Turning Lane’ is turning out to be a great album that is becoming very anticipated,” Kuhns said. “We are very excited for it’s release.”

Even with all that keeping them busy, Traxside is always looking to work with new artists. Anyone interested in rates or tours can contact Kuhns by phone at 734-657-2624, e-mail at info@traxsiders.com, Facebook at www.facebook. com/traxsiders and Myspace at www. myspace.com/traxsiders.

www.ispyypsi.com

back-toschool style scene

BY Jenice Pettibone

Perhaps the biggest challenge to being fashionable when trekking all over campus is looking stylish without sacrificing comfort.

Leaving an impression amongst a crowd of other students is another big one.

For the sake of standing out, skip the mall and instead explore your local options with clothes ranging from unusual to one-of-a-kind. The perfect destinations in this case are the LezleyAnne boutique and

Mix, adjoining each other at 128 W. Michigan Ave. and connected from within, allowing shoppers the convenience of wandering back and forth between the two. Mix sells gently used clothing priced very reasonably.

LezleyAnne primarily offers dresses designed by owner Leslie Austin.

Remember to take advantage of the warm weather while it lasts and skip the jeans. Choose footwear with low heels that still makes walking easy.

The Look: Feel youthful in this comfortable plaid schoolgirl dress paired with strings of colorful buttons.

The Cost: $35 Dress – LezleyAnne

$26 Necklace – Mix

The Look: This casual formfitting cotton dress has an edgy look when combined with a leather belt and boots.

The Cost: $35 Dress – Lezley Anne $18 Belt – Mix $68 Harley Davidson Boots – Mix

$42 Necklace – Mix

The Look: Chic but relaxed, this outfit is made up of a cream-colored crocheted Banana Republic top and a green skirt that falls around the knees.

The Cost: $20 Banana Republic Top – Mix

$24 J Jill Skirt – Mix

$45 Boots – Mix

$60 Necklace - Mix www.ispyypsi.com

SEPTEMBER 2010

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10 Must Do’s for the EMU’s

By Amanda Slater

Welcome back, EMU students! It’s September, which means it’s time to start spending the majority of your time on campus. However, in between attending classes and studying, take some time to check out what Ypsi has to offer.

The Tap Room

According to its site, the Tap Room is home to “everyone from hipsters to hippies to musicians.”

This chill bar is one of Ypsi’s less EMU-studentfrequented bars, yet contends with Sidetrack for the best burger in town. The Tap Room’s offers a unique atmosphere and change of pace from typical “college bars.” And you don’t just have to take our word for it. Celebrities like Jamie Lee Curtis have made The Tap Room one of their Ypsilanti haunts.

Ypsi museums

relax with a book in-between classes or surf the Internet (compliments of Wireless Ypsi).

The Rocket

Where can you find giant Pez dispensers, a remote control zombie and the leg lamp from “A Christmas Story?” The Rocket. This Ypsi store features a variety of humorous novelty gifts and more, making it one of the best places to buy birthday and holiday gifts for your most-difficultto-buy-for-family and friends—or just yourself.

Savoy

The former Club Divine has been converted to the new and improved Savoy—and is now Ypsi’s classiest club and venue. At Savoy, you can drop in to see some of your favorite bands play, dance the night away, sing karaoke or just enjoy a more sophisticated night on the town.

Riverside Arts Center

Take some time out to enjoy some of Ypsilanti’s rich history at one of its local museums.

Choose from the Ypsilanti Historical Museum, the Michigan Firehouse Museum, the Ypsilanti Automotive Heritage Museum or the Yankee Air Museum.

Enrich your life with some Ypsilanti art. The Riverside Arts Center is a great place to see a play or see what Ypsilanti artists are up to. Featuring an array of productions at its theater and exhibits in its art gallery, the Riverside Arts Center is the perfect place to spend a lazy afternoon downtown.

Locally owned cafés

Dom’s Bakery

Why should you spend your money at Starbucks when there are so many unique and wonderful cafés all around town? Café Luwak, Beezy’s and the Ugly Mug are all small, homey cafés that serve some of the best sandwiches Every one is a great place to meet with a friend,

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The best Ypsilanti spot to get breakfast onthe-run or a late-night snack is Dom’s Bakery.

Located on Cross Street, just west from EMU, Dom’s is open all night and makes the best doughnuts in town. Need we say more?

Puffer Reds

Puffer Reds is one of the hottest clothing stores around, having received national recognition for its urban-aware style. Although celebrities such as Chauncey Billups, Notorious B.I.G. and Keri Hilson have stopped in the downtown store to shop, many EMU students haven’t heard of it.

In addition to clothes, shoes and hats are Puffer Reds specialty.

The Bomber

Located on Michigan Avenue, just east of downtown Ypsi, this small diner is home to the best breakfast in town and was even featured on Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives” and “Top Five Over Indulgences” for its Bomber Breakfast, consisting of a whopping four eggs, pound of potatoes and pound of meat. But those without huge appetites need not worry – there’s something for everyone at the Bomber. Less hungry patrons should try the Nature Lover’s Pancakes made with pecans, blueberries and raspberries.

Disc golf courses

With two courses located in Ypsilanti, there is a disc golf course here for either an afternoon of play or a quick game on your lunch break. Water Works Park, a city-owned park on Catherine Street, just south of downtown, offers nine holes that should keep that quick game interesting.

If you’ve got more time to dedicate, consider visiting Rolling Hills County Park on Stony Creek Road in Ypsilanti Township. It’s a well-maintained, nearby course that offers 18 holes of fun.

www.ispyypsi.com

cut

I

colour

I

texture

I

style

To be free to be you . . . be Blondi

36 N. Huron Ypsilanti MI 48197 734-961-8152

www.thomasblondisalon.com

review

garam offers home-style korean cooking

by Dan DuChene

I have a set standard I hold Korean restaurants to when dining. It’s the same standard my girlfriend holds them to – her mother.

I don’t think many Irish-Americans have the same familiarity with kimchi or bibimbap as I have, as home-cooked Korean cuisine is prepared for me every time I visit my girlfriend’s parents. It’s usually loaded in containers and sent home with us as well.

Her mother immigrated to the U.S. from South Korea after marrying her Iowan husband.

My favorite when I visit is what she calls “hot pork.” It’s thin-cut pork cooked with various veggies, usually on the grill.

So, when I saw a similar description listed for Garam’s je yook bokum, I knew what I had to order, as I had something in my palette for comparison.

Wayne Chung and his wife Inok Shin, both originally from South Korea, opened Garam in May 2006, after they learned of the Hyundai-Kia Technical Center’s planed construction in Superior Township. While the restaurant does serve a customer base from the autoworkers down the road, Chung said it has also attracted customers from across the street – Eastern Michigan University students.

Located on Huron River Drive, in the same shopping center as Campus Books and Subway, Garam’s natural wood décor highlights the cleanliness of the restaurant. The Asian decorations are limited to a few plants, flowers and paintings on the wall, no meditation fountains or dragon murals here. You won’t find the same plucky, pentatonic melodies often over-played at Asian restaurant’s either.

The music at Garam was more contemporary. It almost sounded like an Asian version of the Eagles.

The best signal that I was in a Korean restaurant was the smell of Shin’s cooking coming in from the kitchen.

Chung said his restaurant has to maintain a home-cooked menu with quality ingredients to continue bringing in the fickle customers from HyundaiKia. He said all the food is natural, with no monosodium glutamate, or MSG. Chung said the couple try to promote wellness and nutritional diets with their restaurant. There are even some popular Korean dishes they do not serve, such as jja-jang, because it is “too greasy.”

Home-cooked is what they’re selling, and home-cooked is what they served.

The je yook bokum I ordered held

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up well against the “hot pork” I had anticipated. There were only subtle differences in flavor between my favorite home-cooked Korean dish and the meal I ordered from Garam. Everything from the cut of meat to the manner it was served seemed spot-on.

I will say it could have been spicier, as it took a bit of consumption to make me draw at my drink. There was also a certain sweetness lacking from the flavor as well. However, when I reached my chopsticks across the table and snagged some of my girlfriend’s bulgogi, Koreanstyle barbecued beef, I realized that the faults did not lie with the cooking, but with my ordering.

The service at Garam was exceptional as well. The food came within minutes of our ordering it. When a glass was emptied, it was filled again quickly and unprompted. The best part was when I had a question about our side dishes – cabbage kimchi, radish kimchi, a potato salad and a pancake-like dish – it was answered completely and with a smile.

As for the side dishes, which were served literally in little dishes on the side – as to Korean custom, they were quite good and interesting. I’ve had both forms of kimchi and know to avoid the

radish variety out of experience. Kimchi is a popular Korean side dish made by pickling a vegetable with seasonings and spices. It can be quite spicy and pungent, depending on the main vegetable in the kimchi.

What the Chung described as potato salad may be better described as various vegetables mixed into mashed potatoes. It was good, but was a little too familiar for what I had come to the restaurant expecting.

Finally, the pancake dish. This was by far the most interesting thing I had eaten at the restaurant. Chung had difficulty describing what it was or how it was made.

“Sometimes there is no English word,” he said.

From what I could gather, it is made mostly of a flour-based batter and then mixed with vegetables and fried. When the word pancake is used to describe it, I assume it’s the thin, European-style pancake – or crêpe – people have in mind. It was also served cold, which might have added to the interest I took in the taste.

Chung said it can be served hot or cold.

It was good and unfamiliar, which is why I visit restaurants like Garam. I will be going back to Garam for both the food and the reasonable prices.

www.ispyypsi.com

review

todd osborn: the ghostly remixes

Album Art: Philistine DSGN

by Janis Tsai

After listening to Todd Osborn’s “The Ghostly Remixes,” ghosts swagging in Adidas and oversized headphones do not come to mind. Released Feb. 2, 2010, this album would fit right in to a collection that contains Eiffel 65 and Daft Punk.

The style of music is similar to Eiffel 65, but less blatantly male, like the chime of bells peppered throughout the song “There.” Whereas the singers in Eiffel 65 sound like they are commanding from a bullhorn, the voices in “The Ghostly Remixes” are tampered to sound like they are heard from another realm. Too much

www.ispyypsi.com

music on the radio nowadays is secondary to the singer. In The Ghostly Remixes, singing is only used to make the music sound better.

The song most reminiscent of Daft Punk’s influence to dance music can be found in “Outta Site.” The title words sound like they were taken out of Daft Punk’s phrase book and they are sung as if they were lines from “Boogie Nights.”

For those who do not prefer Daft Punk’s exclamatory sass, what Osborn produces is gentler. Although many consider his work dance music, its calm sounds are more suitable as walking music.

His more memorable remixes sound like jazz imagined through the lens of electronic music. “The Ghostly Remixes” does to jazz what Jackie Chan did to Pat Morita, keeping jazz (and Mr. Miyagi) relevant for a new generation of music fiends.

New and refreshing, the jazz-electronic theme is most prominently heard in “Afrika” and “Ruling.” Although “Afrika” is accessorized with tribal yelps and brief incomprehensible phrases, the song’s medium tempo is held by a beat that sounds like a strongly plucked double bass. The beat takes you back to a time of wingtipped shoes and smoky basement bars.

“Ruling” is the more experimental of his remixes, with the double bass once again taking the lead role. This time, he blends what sounds like muffled percussion with bass to achieve a haunting scattered sound.

Osborn owns an electron microscope, the type that can see viruses. Like this scientific tool, Osborn strives to get to the absolute particles of music. It lets us appreciate how different instruments can sound. It is a break from the tired piano, guitar and drum marriage that currently dominate the music charts.

The little white Pac-Man ghost on the album cover (the logo of the record label, Ghostly International) best holistically represents “The Ghostly Remixes.” Its tracks do not mirror Pac-Man’s giddy, eager quest. The songs would be what are playing if the game were played from the ghost monster’s point of view. It’s steadier, contemplative – as if Osborn was deciding how best to corner the elusive essence of a nighttime walk.

You can hear Todd Osborn every Sunday live at Savoy from 10pm-2am. For more info visit ghostly.com/artists/osborne

SEPTEMBER 2010

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