iSPY - October

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Y R E W E R B R CORNE

Alt Release Party Oct 5, 2010 - 6:00 PM There will be finger food and plenty of Alt to go around. It's free for mug club members, $10 for nonmembers. Special discount on 6 packs for anyone in attendance!

happy hour all day every monday 4-7pm tuesday -friday and sunday 8-close

SE

rat PAD RELEA

- 6:00 PM Oct 20, 2010 cial ique and spe un a et it r fo s on Join u u can ly g yo , er be h small batc ome early! once, so c

CORNER BOO-ERY’S COSTUME PARTY Oct 30, 2010 - 08:00 PM Come join us for a spook-tacular costume party! Will have all of your favorite brews on tap along with som e small batch brews brewed just for the occasion! Costume contest, Prizes, Music, and lots of dancing!

lub!

join the mug c

sonalized mug, f Perks include: Per liters, $1 off o discounts on half free admission 6 all growler fills, ties, discountedhen to all release par se parties AND w packs during relea the same perks at you join you get i Ann Arbor! Arbor Brewing Co n

720 norris st. ypsilanti, mi 48190 734-480-2739 www.cornerbrewery.com

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, Jonathan Knight, Jenise Pettibone, Amanda Slater, Janis Tsai, Raj Mehta. ART DIRECTOR Kari McLeod AD DESIGN Joey Brandt SALES INFORMATION sales@ispyypsi.com CONTENT INFORMATION dan@ispyypsi.com WEB INFORMATION tim@ispyypsi.com Special thanks to Ms. Shela for an awesome cover shot and Kellie Howe for some great photos in Snap Shot. JOIN OUR ONLINE COMMUNITY!

www.ispyypsi.com

05 13

Snap Shot Bulletin Board OCTOBER EVENTS

features 09 10 14

LLIC Magazine

Sheila Palkoski

sneak peak 06 07 08 12

Ypsifest 2010

Haab’s goes back to the future Ypsilanti Halloween Festival Bulletin Board

scene 17

Unseen Scene - River Street Bakery

@iSPYYPSi

18

Night Terrors at Wiard’s

www.myspace.com/ispyypsi

review

Proudly brought to you by Pakmode Publications, LLC and the MOJO News Group

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. ;OL ÄYZ[ JVW` VM P:7@ PZ MYLL HKKP[PVUHS JVWPLZ HYL HUK JHU IL W\YJOHZLK by emailing info@ispyypsi.com

PG.8

Rollin’ Along with Jim Roll

www.facebook.com/ispyypsi

i SPY - The Ypsilanti Area Events and Entertainment Guide

10.10

19 20 22 22

G’s Caribbean Delights Elbow Deep The Droid 2 ‘Does’

)HY[LUKLY 7YVÄSL :OHUUVU Rusin

PG.20

+Exclusive online content at www.ispyypsi.com The 6th Extinction, by Evil Genius Entertainment Graves and Ghosts of Ypsi’s past Antique Truck Show at Riverside Park

www.ispyypsi.com

PG.5

OCTOBER 2010

i SPY

october

is by far my favorite month of the year. IT REALLY DOES HAVE EVERYTHING. OUTSIDE, SWEATER-­WEATH-­ ER IS FULL-­ON, AS WELL AS THE COLOR IN THE TREES. WINTER MAY BE JUST AROUND THE CORNER, BUT I’VE STILL GOT HAUNTED HOUS-­ ES, ORCHARDS AND COSTUME SHOPPING TO LOOK FORWARD TO BEFORE I HAVE TO START PULLING OUT CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS. THIS MIGHT ALSO BE MY FAVORITE ISSUE OF ISPY AS WELL. THE PICTURE ON THE COVER THIS MONTH WAS SHOT BY LOCAL PHOTOGRAPHER AND CELEBRATED POST-­CARD PED-­ DLER SHEILA PALKOSKI. YOU CAN READ ABOUT HER EFFORT TO TURN A DIME AS A LOCAL INDEPENDENT ART-­ IST IN THIS ISSUE. FITTING IN WITH THE COVER PHOTO, WE’RE CON-­ TINUING THE HALLOWEEN THEME ONLINE AT ISPYYP-­ SI.COM, WITH LOCAL IN-­ DEPENDENT ART. THERE’S A REVIEW OF A VAMPIRE MOVIE BY YPSILANTI HOR-­ ROR PRODUCERS EVIL GE-­ NIUS AND OUR RESIDENT HISTORIAN, LAURA BIEN, HAS COMPILED AN ARTICLE OF SOME OF THE SCARIEST REAL-­LIFE STORIES FROM THE AREA THAT COULD MAKE YOUR SKIN CRAWL. I’VE BEEN IN THE AREA FOR A

Michigan’s Best Costume Shop Is In Ypsilanti!

FANTASY ATTIC COSTUMES

WHILE, AND SHE SURPRISED ME WITH SOME OF THE PAST OCCURRENCES SHE WAS ABLE TO UNCOVER. IF YOU NEED MORE THAN A MOVIE OR A STORY TO SCARE YOU INTO THE HOLI-­ DAY SPIRIT, WE’VE GOT AN ARTICLE ABOUT THE LOCAL HAUNTED ATTRACTION. FINALLY, WE’VE GOT A LINE ON THE MOST IMPOR-­ TANT PART OF HALLOWEEN – TRICK-­OR-­TREATING. THE ANNUAL YPSILANTI HAL-­ LOWEEN FESTIVAL WILL BE HELD DOWNTOWN THIS YEAR, AND THERE IS INFORMATION ABOUT THE COSTUME CONTEST AND CANDY DISPENSING FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. ASIDE FROM THE CONTENT DEDICATED TO HALLOWEEN IN YPSI, WE’VE GOT ARTI-­ CLES ABOUT OTHER EVENTS, CONCERTS, RESTAURANTS AND BUSINESSES IN TOWN. THE KIND OF INFORMATION YOU’VE COME TO EXPECT FROM US AND USE TO PLAN OUT YOUR MONTH. AS ALWAYS, THANK YOU FOR READING.

FANTASY ATTIC COSTUMES 19 E. CROSS ST., YPSILANTI, MI 734.482.5409 www.fantasyattic.com

SIMPLE, FRESH, HANDCRAFTED FOOD & BEER BEST HAPPY HOUR IN WASHTENAW COUNTY Plenty of Patio Seating Top Ten Burgers in the U.S. by GQ Magazine

FRENCHIE'S From weddings to prison release parties, Frenchie's is your place to celebrate

DAN DUCHENE dan@ispyypsi.com

In-­house and off-­site catering from 5 -­ 500 people

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

snap shot

ISPY OCTOBER PHOTO GALLERY

LEFT TO RIGHT: SARA THOMAS, DAVID ARQUETTE, KELLIE HOWE, ROB GLUCH, CHRISTINA POINDEXTER POSE FOR A PHOTO AT SAVOY AFTER ARQUETTE FINISHED SHOOTING THE MOVIE “SCREAM 4” IN THE AREA.

AFTER HER WEDDING TO JESSE SINATRA, TANYA “YPSI GIRL” BROWN, HER NEW HUSBAND AND HER DAUGHTER DRIVE OUT OF DEPOT TOWN IN THE SIDE-­ TRACK’S HUDSON.

DAVID ARQUETTE AND HAYDEN PANETTIERE DANCE AT SAVOY

WE’RE YOURS JASON MRAZ, AT THE EMU CONVOCATION CENTER. www.ispyypsi.com

KRISTINE THOMAS NEXT TO THE DIA PAINTING BY MARY CASSATT, “IN THE GARDEN”

MEMBERS OF THE EMU CROSS COUNTRY TEAM POSE AT THE EMU V ARMY TAILGATE.

WELCOME BACK! -­ COLLEGE NIGHT @ THEOS

OCTOBER 2010

i SPY

sneak peak...

not to miss; ypsifest 2010 AFTER A TWO-­YEAR HIATUS, YPSIFEST IS COMING BACK TO HIGHLIGHT LOCAL BANDS FOR THREE DAYS AT SAVOY. BY DAN DUCHENE

The event, which ran annually for four years until 2007, will feature more than 20 bands Oct. 14 – 16. “YpsiFest was meant to be a celebration of what was going on in Ypsi,” said event organizer Anthony Gentile. “It was an attempt to bring in bands from Detroit that weren’t playing in Ypsi at that point.” The event was held at the Elbow Room, which Gentile said was “just starting to get chugging along” to its current status as a local live music destination. He said it attracted a lot of bands from the region that had not yet played in the city, many of which came back to the Elbow Room and other venues upon performing during the festival. “I think this year at Savoy offers us a lot of possibilities,” Gentile said. “It just seemed like a good time to rev it back up.” He pointed to Savoy’s size and management team as factors that could lead to increasing Ypsilanti’s role in the local music scene. “[Savoy] is a sweet new venue that allows them to play pretty decent-sized shows,” Gentile said. Among other bands playing the three-day event, are the Muggs, Blue Snaggletooth, Lettercamp and Gentile’s own band – Ypsilanti-based Jehovah’s Witness Protection Program. “Friday night is mostly straight forward and heavier rock and roll,” Gentile said. “Saturday more on the indie side. Maybe a little bit mellower, but awesome.” Due to the volume of bands over the three days, YpsiFest will be taking advantage of Savoy’s new second stage. Gentile said the construction of the stage, closer to the bar, wasn’t planned just for the event, but for smaller shows played at the venue. However, the timing sure is helpful. “We’ll be using both of them,” he said. Cover for the event is $6 each night. Doors open at 6 p.m., with music starting at 8 p.m. Don’t wait for the music to start to show up, however. During the gap between the doors opening and the bands starting, there will be drink specials offered. For more information in the event, visit the Savoy website at http://www.livesavoy.com/ or search for the event on Facebook.

i SPY OCTOBER 2010

www.ispyypsi.com

haab’s goes back to the future BY DAN DUCHENE

AS  THEY  HAVE  DONE  EVERY  YEAR  FOR  THE  PAST  23,  THE  OWNERS  OF  HAAB’S  ARE  OF-­ FERING  SELECT  ITEMS  ON  THE  MENU  FOR  THE  ORIGINAL  PRICES  THEY  WERE  SOLD  AT  WHEN  THE  RESTAURANT  FIRST  OPENED. For one day only, Oct. 18, customers can get a chicken dinner for 50 cents, a spaghetti dinner for 40 cents or a barbecue pork sandwich for 20 cents. But get there early, as a steady line of customers are expected all day, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. In 1976, Mike Kabat purchased the restaurant from brothers Oscar and Otto Haab, who opened the store in 1934. Mike’s son, David Kabat, partnered with his father in 1987. He said the restaurant is the oldest in Washtenaw County. David said his father started offering the discount as a way to celebrate the anniversary of when the restaurant’s doors opened, but mostly as a way to thank the local customers who have kept the doors open for so long. “[Mike] had realized how much support he got from the community,â€? David said. “It is really a locally driven restaurant.â€? He said the event has attracted throngs of customers since the deal began. He said they serve as many people as possible and there is always a constant line of custom-

ers down Michigan Avenue. While everyone in line gets served, wait times can last about an hour. The restaurant does advertise the event through press releases to local media outlets, but David thinks its the deal to customers and word of mouth that drive the event. “It’s been that way since the beginning,â€? KH VDLG q:LWK LQÄťDWLRQ WKH GHDO KDV EHHQ getting better and better.â€? With the full staff of 35 people needed to NHHS D FRQVWDQW ÄťRZ RI SHRSOH VHUYHG in the restaurant at a time, the revenue generated from the Great Depression-era prices does not meet the cost of putting the food on the plates. “The more people you serve, the more lose,â€? David said. “It’s never really been a factor.â€? The 50-cent meal includes an entree of chicken in the rough, shoe string potatoes and a biscuit with honey. The Italian spaghetti dinner with meat sauce goes for 40 cents. And the barbeque pork sandwich comes with fries.

(734) 483-8200 Monday - Saturday 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Any luncheon entree

only $5

Must present coupon for discount offer expires 10/31/2010

sneak  peak...

HALLOWEEN BALL AT BUFFALO WILD WINGS THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2010 9 P.M. - 2 A.M.

$5 COVER OR DONATION OF 2 CANNED OR BOXED FOOD ITEMS

trick ‘er treat

THE  YPSILANTI  HALLOWEEN  FESTIVAL  WELCOMES  LOCALS  TO  LIBRARY  PARK  FOR  A  HALLOWEEN  CELEBRATION. BY NATALIE BURG Do you remember Halloween ever being a bit of a let down as a kid? You know, you’d plan your costume for weeks, get all dressed up, walk around your neighborhood, and then two hours later you were back in your living room with some candy, a rented movie and some smeared face paint. Not true for Halloweeners in Ypsilanti. For the lucky kids in this neighborhood, Halloween is a whole-community kind of thing. Each year, 800-1,500 kids cram into the Library Park and South Washington for the Ypsilanti Halloween Festival hosted by the Downtown Association of Ypsilanti, or DAY. This year, the big event will take place on Oct. 29 from 5 – 7 p.m. “Everyone is invited,â€? said DAY member and Ypsilanti District Library Outreach Coordinator Donna DeButts said. “There will be a costume contest, a DJ t /DZUHQFH :DUWOH\ -U ÄşUH WUXFNV +9$pV Andy the Ambulance, face painting, candy and popcorn.â€? If that sounds like a lot more fun than simply pounding on neighbors’ doors for Tootsie Rolls, that’s because it is. And there’s a pretty good chance that there will be Tootsie Rolls aplenty at the festival too. No one is really sure when the Ypsilanti Halloween Festival began, but it’s been going on for awhile – at least 20 years or so, according to DeButts. It was back in the 1990’s when she got involved with DAY - then the Central Business Commu-

nity - and she realized that the Halloweeners were a familiar crowd. “As a library employee I recognized that of all the downtown activities, this one most closely matches our target audience,� she said. “We know many children who come out for this event live within walking distance of our downtown library.� Now the YDL hosts a complimentary event prior to the festival. At 4:30 p.m., kids can meet at the library for a free, “slightly scary� story-time. While the Ypsilanti Halloween Festival is directed toward kids 12 and under, there’s fun for parents and all community member as well. “The kids are so adorable in their costumes,� DeButts said. “And with the advent of the costume contest I have seen some really innovative costumes. It is a way for DAY and volunteers to give back to our community.� As there will be no trick or treating store to store, there’s plenty of room for volunteers to help with candy stations. Anyone interested in helping can call DeButts at 734-879-1303 or e-mail Debutts@ypsilibrary.org. “This is a perfect opportunity for sororities/fraternities, honor societies, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts to do something for the children of Ypsi,� DeButts said. “We could use face-painters, jugglers, people in costume to wander the area making everyone feel welcome.�

PORTION OF PROCEEDS TO BENEFIT

COME CELEBRATE HALLOWEEN WITH US! Costume Contest Silent Auction

Karaoke Contest & More...

Call For Details 734.480.7410

216 James L. Hart Pkwy 734.480.7410

*MUST BE 18 OR OLDER TO PARTICIPATE

feature...

get creative with llic ERIK Â SIMMONS Â LOOKS Â TO Â PUT Â THE MIDWEST Â ON Â THE Â ARTISTIC Â MAP. BY NATALIE BURG

“LLICâ€? stands for “Live, Learn, Inspire, Create,â€? and this mantra is a perfect representation of founder Erik Simmons’ efforts to get the new Midwest art and music culture magazine off the ground. Part of the challenge is LLIC is more than just a publication – it’s a vision. What began as an assignment in his design entrepreneur class while pursing his MFA in graphic design from EMU, turned into a brainchild worth sinking his teeth into. Simmons’ idea was to launch a nonSURÄşW TXDUWHUO\ DUWV PDJD]LQH WKDW ZRXOG also function as a member of the community. LLIC hosts events for local artists, as well as supports area charities. Oh, and it’s other unique selling point? It concentrates exclusively on Midwest creatives. “I am always reading art culture magazines that gear towards the east and west coast, but nothing really ever examining the creative energy thriving in the Midwest,â€? Simmons said. “There doesn’t seem to be much of a focus on the Midwests’ creative culture.â€? In fact, Simmons credits Ypsilanti’s own “creative elementâ€? as an inspiration for LLIC, as well as a demonstration of how much the Midwest has to offer the arts world. The idea, it would appear, is a good one. Though the lifespan of LLIC has included just one printed publication, Simmons now coordinates a staff of 13 and has hosted and participated in a handful of successful events. Those events include the Art at the Laundromat collaborations between LLIC and set of DJ’s going by the name “The Laundromat.â€? “They’re a group of guys that wanted to do a dance party that would pretty

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much be like a roller disco but with no roller skates,â€? Simmons said. Throw in some art and Art at the Laundromat, which kicked off at the Keystone Underground on Aug. 7, was one bustling good time. “We had about 100 people come on RXU ÄşUVW QLJKW UHDG\ WR HQMR\ ORFDO DUW dig for records and dance the night away,â€? Simmons said. The event recurred on Sept. 4, and the hosts intend to continue the fun on a monthly basis. For all its community elements, LLIC has some serious goals in the arts publication department. “I want to not only make it fun, whimsical and lighthearted but also explore art and music culture on an intellectual scale,â€? Simmons said. “I want the magazine to examine the connections between people that are creatively minded in Michigan and the whole Midwest.â€? Lofty as their goals may be, the LLIC crew plans to set their sights high and simply make it happen. Simmons was motivated by the words of well-known graphic designer Carlos Segura, who said one has to fail a lot before becoming successful. “I had to follow through with my passions because no one else is going to do it for me,â€? he said. “If I fail, at least I can walk away knowing I tried.â€? Fortunately for LLIC and the Midwest arts community, Simmons’ trial is looking pretty successful thus far. The next issue will be released on Oct. 31 and will be sold in stores located between Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti. The issue will include a wide collection RI DUWLVW SURÄşOHV EDQG SURÄşOHV PXVLF art review column, short stories, food recipes, poetry, and music features.

To suggest a story idea, ask a question or to just say hi, you can reach LLIC at llicmagazine@gmail.com. Past issues and up-to-date info on the publication can be found at llicmagazine.tumblr.com. LLIC wants you to connect with them, because when it comes down to it, con-

nection is what the project is all about. “We want to suggest a common connection within the creative community,� Simmons said. “We want to give that connection a voice so that readers can be inspired to go out and be motivated to do something creative.�

OCTOBER 2010

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feature...

the face behind the postcard ARTIST Â PROFILE:

SHEILA  PALKOSKI BY DAN DUCHENE Though she grew up in Dexter and currently lives in Ann Arbor, local photographer Sheila Palkoski’s 10 years at Eastern Michigan University have given her an DIÄşQLW\ IRU <SVLODQWL q,WpV GHÄşQLWHO\ P\ VSRW r VKH VDLG Palkoski is the artist behind the suggestive photograph of two feminine legs straddling Ypsi’s iconically suggestive water tower. She has turned what was created for the Dirty Show, an annual erotic art exhibit in Detroit, into a recognizable and hard-to-forget post card sold in the area. Sold at the Rocket in downtown Ypsilanti, Palkoski has created different postcards based on the same theme for various occasions, such as St. Patrick’s Day, Christmas and graduation. Though the postcards have become a good selling product in the stores where it has been put on the shelf, the number of stores has been decreasing. “The Rocket is the biggest seller,â€? Palkoski said. “They sell my stuff like crazy “It ain’t nothing like it used to be,â€? she said. “Everyone is going under or going out of business.â€? 3DONRVNL KDV D EDFKHORUpV GHJUHH LQ ÄşQH DUWV IURP EMU, with a minor in art history. Aside from her postcard work, she has been shooting photos for Real Detroit Weekly, writing for Examiner.com and has covered a lot of events in the Ann Arbor area for a variety of other publications. She does all this while working as a toolmaker for the Ford Motor Company. “I can’t quit my day job,â€? she said. “I keep reminding myself I do it because I love it, not for the money.â€? Palkoski said she has become frustrated with the market for independent artists in the region. Aside from her Ypsi-centric postcards, she has designed buttons and a line of Detroit-centric post cards that she has tried to get in stores throughout the area. She said she has tried gift shops in major Detroit attractions, trendy shops in Detroit and Ypsilanti bookstores. She said she has been repeatedly told they only

i SPY OCTOBER 2010

SHEILA  AND  THE  ONE  AND  ONLY  SLASH. purchase products from corporate suppliers. “Nobody wants to take on my product,� Palkoski said. “Trying to get people to sell my shit is really tough.� Through her sales at the Rocket and various art shows in and around Detroit, she knows her items sell. She has a lot of pride in her work and has enjoyed the success she has created for herself. “It’s fun to just sit there and watch people’s reaction,� Palkoski said of attending various art shows in the area. “My work is appealing and entertaining for a lot of people.� After seeing her postcards, she said many people who have never been to Ypsilanti say they plan to come visit just because of her postcards. She said she also receives e-mails from people who had previously lived in Ypsi and get a postcard mailed to them by a friend.

“They are sent around the world,â€? Palkoski said. “It’s just really neat that it helps get my images around the world.â€? She is also entertained by the mystery surrounding the original 8-by-10-inch print created for the Dirty Show. After the show, she said people from the Elbow Room had asked her to hang the photo in the bar. It’s life at the Elbow Room was short-lived however. Palkoski said a group in the bar created a diversion and after the situation was cleared up the photo was noticed missing from the wall. “It only lasted a couple of weeks and somebody stole it,â€? she said. However, since it was the only print created that wasn’t signed or numbered, she said she’ll notice it when she sees it. q,WpV DOPRVW OLNH D OHJHQG QRZ r 3DONRVNL VDLG q, ÄşJure it’s probably hanging in some frat house.â€?

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BETR O T C YO REE FRIDAINGTON ST

M 29 5P

Ypsilanti Antiques

7PM

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Antique and period furniture, clothing, jewelry, collectibles, retro

& more!

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 Â

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. Â

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Bowerbird Mongo

210 West Michigan Ave. Ypsilanti, MI (734) 482-4595

Salt City Antiques

115 West Michigan Ave. Ypsilanti, MI (734) 487-1259

Materials Unlimited 2 West Michigan Ave. Ypsilanti, MI (734) 483-6980

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sneak peak...

OCTOBER bulletin board OCT 2ND... CONTINUED YPSILANTI SONG WRITING FESTIVAL

DREAMLAND THEATER, 3:30PM

EMU HOMECOMING

THE WHITE RAVENS, SKY DROPS, BLIND LIARS

CHECK EMICH.EDU FOR ALL EVENT DETAILS

SAVOY, 7PM-11PM

CHRIS BATHGATE, MISTY LYN, LAKE FOLK

YPSIFEST

OCT 3RD BIKE YPSI SUNDAY RIDES RECREATION PARK, 1PM-2PM

ANTIQUE TRUCK SHOW RIVERSIDE PARK, 10AM-4PM

PUPPET SHOWS FOR CHILDREN

“PIANOS ‘ROUND TOWN”

DREAMLAND THEATER, 3:30PM

OCT 5TH ALT RELEASE PARTY

NELSON AMOS STUDIO & AROUND CORNER BREWERY, 6PM DEPOT TOWN & DOWNTOWN YPSI, EMU WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL V IPFW ALL DAY OCT 14TH CONVOCATION CENTER, 7PM

OCT 1ST BIKE YPSI FRIDAY MORNING RIDES MEET AT BEEZY’S CAFÉ, 8AM-9AM

‘NIGHT, MOTHER BY MARSHA NORMAN RIVERSIDE ARTS CENTER, 8PM

UNDERGROUND ROOTS KEYSTONE UNDERGROUND, 10PM-2AM

OCT 2ND ‘NIGHT, MOTHER BY MARSHA NORMAN RIVERSIDE ARTS CENTER, 8PM

VETERANS FOR PEACE CHAPTER 93 CORNER BREWERY, 7PM-11PM

JOHN LENNON BIRTHDAY CONCERT FUNDRAISER CORNER BREWERY, 7PM

DUELING PIANOS RETURN! PUB 13, 8PM-2AM

i SPY OCTOBER 2010

PUPPET SHOWS FOR CHILDREN

KEYSTONE UNDERGROUND, 7PM-2AM

SAVOY, 10PM-2AM

SEPT 24TH-­ OCT 11TH

OCT. 10TH

OCT 7TH THE HAND GRENADES, SATIN PEACHES, THE BLUE SQUARES SAVOY, 7PM-11PM

OCT 8TH EMU WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL V WMU CONVOCATION CENTER, 7PM

OCT 9TH ARTOBERFEST PUB 13, 11AM TO 7PM

DREAMLAND FUNDRAISER DREAMLAND THEATER, 7PM

ZOMBIE BALL SAVOY, 9PM-2AM

EMU WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL V NIU CONVOCATION CENTER, 7PM

THE MUGGS, THE BOYS THEMSELVES, WRATHGATE, AND MARC COGMEN SAVOY, 8PM

OCT 22ND ANIMAL FARM - A FAIRY STORY BY GEORGE ORWELL DREAMLAND THEATER, 7PM

HAMLET EMU QUIRK/SPONBERG THEATER, 7PM

DIVIDING THE ESTATE RIVERSIDE ARTS CENTER, 8PM

OCT 15TH EMU WOMEN’S SOCCER V NIU SCICLUNA FIELD, 3PM

EMU WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL V MIAMI (OH) CONVOCATION CENTER, 7PM

OCT 16TH DREAMLAND TONIGHT!- THE SCARY SHOW! DREAMLAND THEATER, 7PM

EMU WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL V BGSU CONVOCATION CENTER, 7PM

OCT 17TH EMU WOMEN’S SOCCER V WMU SCICLUNA FIELD, 1PM

OCT. 23 SWEET DREAMS EVENT

THOMAS BLONDI SALON 2 YEAR ANNIVERSARY PARTY SILVER CARPET, MODELS, MUSIC, DRINKS AND MORE! 6PM-­?

PUPPET SHOWS FOR CHILDREN DREAMLAND THEATER, 3:30PM

OCT 18TH TRIVIA WITH NAME THAT TUNE PUB 13, 10PM-2AM

OCT 20TH RAT PAD RELEASE CORNER BREWERY, 6PM

OCT. 21ST DIVIDING THE ESTATE RIVERSIDE ARTS CENTER, 8PM

OCT 23RD PUPPETRY IN THE ALLEY BEHIND DREAMLAND THEATER, 2PM-10PM

HURON GUN COLLECTORS SHOW WASHTENAW COUNTY FARM COUNCIL GROUNDS, 9AM-4PM

SWEET DREAMS EVENT 2 YEAR ANNIVERSARY PARTY THOMAS BLONDI SALON, 6PM

HAMLET EMU QUIRK/SPONBERG THEATER, 7PM

DIVIDING THE ESTATE RIVERSIDE ARTS CENTER, 2PM AND 8PM

www.ispyypsi.com

OCT Â 24TH

OCT Â 28TH

OCT Â 30TH

FAMILY FRIENDLY SHOWS

ISPY HALLOWEEN BALL

DREAMLAND THEATER, 2PM-4PM

A  BENEFIT  FOR  SOS  COMMUNITY  RYNEARSON STADIUM, 4PM SERVICES DREAMLAND PUPPET TROUPE PRESENTS: BUFFALO  WILD  WINGS,  9PM-­2AM

HURON GUN COLLECTORS SHOW WASHTENAW COUNTY FARM COUNCIL GROUNDS, 9AM-3PM

HAMLET EMU QUIRK/SPONBERG THEATER, 3PM

CHILDREN OF THE CORN

DREAMLAND THEATER, 7PM

HAMLET

HAMLET

EMU QUIRK/SPONBERG THEATER, 7PM

EMU QUIRK/SPONBERG THEATER, 7PM

DIVIDING THE ESTATE RIVERSIDE ARTS CENTER, 2PM AND 8PM

EMU FOOTBALL V UT

DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS RIVERSIDE ARTS CENTER, 7PM

OCT Â 29TH DOWNTOWN HALLOWEEN FESTIVAL AND SOS

DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS RIVERSIDE ARTS CENTER, 7PM

CORNER BOO-ERY’S COSTUME PARTY CORNER BREWERY, 8PM

OCT Â 31ST

FOOD DRIVE YPSILANTI DISTRICT LIBRARY PARK, AND ON NORTH AND SOUTH WASHINGTON STREETS, 5PM7PM

HAMLET DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS RIVERSIDE ARTS CENTER, 7PM

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  NAME THAT TUNE – PUB 13, 10PM-2AM

TUESDAY

OPEN MIC – KEYSTONE UNDERGROUND, 10PM-2AM

EMU QUIRK/SPONBERG THEATER, 7PM

EMU Â CONVOCATION Â CENTER, Â 8PM

+HAVE A WEEKLY EVENT YOU’D LIKE

WEDNESDAY

DREAMLAND THEATER, 7PM

DEADMAU5

YOU CAN FIND THESE HAPPENINGS EVERY WEEK THROUGHOUT THE MONTH.

80’S NIGHT – PUB 13, 10PM–2AM DOWNTOWN FARMER’S MARKET – KEY BANK LOT, 2PM-6PM MOTORCYCLE MANIA – DEPOT TOWN, 6PM-9PM

DREAMLAND PUPPET TROUPE PRESENTS: CHILDREN OF THE CORN

OCT Â 25TH

THE Â GOODS Â

HAPPY HALLOWEEN! PUPPET SHOWS FOR CHILDREN DREAMLAND THEATER, 3:30PM

THURSDAY CRUISE NIGHTS – DEPOT TOWN, 5PM-9PM LIVE JAZZ – KEYSTONE UNDERGROUND, 9PM-12AM HAIRY KARAOKE – SAVOY, 11PM-2AM COLLEGE NIGHT W/EMYOU! THE MAGAZINE – THEO’S, 9PM-2AM

FRIDAY UNDERGROUND ROOTS – KEYSTONE UNDERGROUND

SATURDAY

1294 Anna J Stepp (S. Huron Street) :QTJMBOUJ .* m FIND US ON

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 DUELING PIANOS - PUB 13, 8PM-2AM

SUNDAY BIKE YPSI SUNDAY RIDES – RECREATION PARK, 1PM-2PM KARAOKE WITH GYPSY – PUB 13, 10PM-2AM TODD OSBORN – SAVOY, 10PM-2AM

feature...

rollin’ along FROM BACKSEAT TO DRIVERSIDE, JIM ROLL OWNS THE LOCAL CREATIVE HIGHWAY. BY AMANDA SLATER

i SPY OCTOBER 2010

You can’t be involved in Ypsi’s creative scene without at least having heard of Jim Roll. One minute he’s on stage performing with Matt Jones. The next he’s recording Frontier Ruckus’ new album. When he’s not on stage or in the studio, you might see him around Ypsi sipping a cup of coffee at Beezy’s or teaching at Washtenaw Community College. Or perhaps you caught a JOLPSVH RI KLP DFWLQJ LQ RQH RI WKH ĺOPV featured in the 48 Hour Film Festival. There’s no denying that Roll wears many hats, to say the least. And, it seems he’s always open to adding more. Currently, Roll runs his own recording studio (Backseat Productions), plays in two bands (Drunken Barn Dance

and Misty Lyn and the Big Beautiful), teaches recording at Washtenaw Community College and, in his spare time, does some acting on the side. He also is a solo recording artist, who hopes to eventually return to the studio. Normally, when someone is involved in so many projects, it’s almost impossible to be successful at any of them. However, each of Roll’s roles is remarkably successful—and each holds a special place in his heart. q, WKLQN WKDW >HYHU\WKLQJ , GR ĺWV@ WRgether,” he said, as he listed off his various endeavors. “The acting thing is a creative outlet. Playing in bands is a creative outlet that keeps me in tune with music. Recording is the technical side of that. I really

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enjoy teaching. And, I suppose the ultimate creative outlet would be getting back in the studio to do my own record.â€? Originally from Chicago, Roll came to the Ypsi-Ann Arbor area almost 20 years ago for school. He received a master’s degree in social work from the University of Michigan in the early 90’s, and hasn’t left since. An Ypsilanti resident for the last two years, Roll said that the city feels like home. “I think what I like about Ypsi and the Midwest is that there’s a slightly gritty, beatup feel to it,â€? he said. ,WpV DQ HOHPHQW WKDW KH WKLQNV LQÄťXHQFHV the region’s music for the better. “I don’t think I’m a person who is speakLQJ IURP D VPDOO ÄşVKERZO ZKHQ , VD\ WKDW the talent in this area per capita is more than I’ve ever seen before – people who I’ve been lucky enough to record,â€? he said. Located in Ann Arbor, Roll’s studio, Backseat Productions, has serviced a number of well-respected musicians ranging from Frontier Ruckus and Breathe Owl Breathe to Chris Bathgate and Nervous But Excited. “I’m really lucky to work for all my favorite musicians,â€? he said, adding that bands like Frontier Ruckus are among his favorite people in the world. In fact, Backseat Productions is so successful that Roll is planning to expand his studio. After purchasing studio space attached to Backseat Productions’ existing space, Roll plans to make the addition into a self-serve studio called Driverside Productions, where bands will be able to rent out studio space and recording equipment. “Nowadays a lot of bands record at home or have a member of the band who knows about the recording industry,â€? he said. “I ÄşJXUHG WKLV ZRXOG EH D UHDOO\ LQH[SHQVLYH option. Rather than hiring me and engineering a bigger studio, people can come in and record their drums or whatever they need all in a day and have it be a lot more inexpensive than a traditional studio. It seems like the most talented musicians are often the ones who don’t have a lot of money.â€? 5ROO VDLG KH ÄşUVW VWDUWHG UHFRUGLQJ ZKHQ he was young, in an attempt to record his own music. “I recorded one part into one boombox, then played that boombox back and recorded another part into another boombox, and kept going back and forth,â€? he said. He said it was around the time he was ready to record his own full-length album that the digital revolution hit. Thus, Roll decided to buy the equipment necessary to record an album instead of paying someone else to do it for him. As the word began to spread that he owned recording equipment, more and more artists began to ask him to

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record their albums as well. Although Roll says the ultimate payoff of playing music is a good song, according to Roll, one of the best things about having a recording studio is the opportunity he has to “encourage people and not squash their creativity, but to make an environment where people can create and express themselves.â€? “The song that comes out of it is a huge rush for me and happens to use all my skills along with it,â€? he said. “But, for me, it’s about bringing people together and creating an environment where people can create.â€? If all that weren’t enough to make Roll a local celebrity, he’s also dating Bee Mayhew, a fellow who’s-who of Ypsi and owner of Beezy’s CafĂŠ in downtown Ypsi. The two, who he said met at a New Year’s Eve party at Matt Jones’ house, have now been together for almost two years. He said Bee is a constant source of encouragement and inspiration in his creative endeavors. “Bee is a very creative, expressive person. I get a lot of creative support, feedback, advice and all-around business ideas from her,â€? he said. “She’s very talented at community organization, which is a lot of what she’s done at Beezy’s – build a place for people to gather, combining cool personalities.â€? Roll said places like Beezy’s and the community that forms around them is part of what makes Ypsilanti a great place to be an artist. “Ypsi is more affordable [than a lot of other places] and artists often gather to the most affordable areas because they don’t get paid well and there is no infrastructure for them, so you make your own,â€? he said. “Then a community will build where creative people gather and you’ll get energy from that. Then a place like Beezy’s or something will open and you’ll meet a lot of different kinds of creative personalities.â€? Roll said it’s a community that he KDV JUHDWO\ EHQHÄşWHG IURP SDUWLFXODUO\ in the opportunities he has had to rub shoulders and collaborate with so many talented musicians. “I’m very lucky because I play in two bands with two separate groups of people who are amazing musicians,â€? he said as he encouraged members of the Ypsilanti community to come out and support their local musicians. “It’s easy to say, ‘They’re just a local band.’ But they’re not. There are not many people out there like Matt Jones and Chris Bathgate. I’ve just been really lucky to be in a place where there are world-class musicians. I hope people don’t take for granted how good the musicians in this scene are.â€?

OCTOBER 2010

i SPY

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scene...

half baked

RIVER Â STREET Â BAKERY BOUNCES Â BACK Â FROM Â A Â JUNE Â FIRE Â WITH Â HOPES Â OF Â ROLLING Â IN Â THE Â DOUGH. BY NATALIE BURG

In the food world, there’s organic, whole food from sustainable systems, and then there’s actual organic, whole food from really sustainable systems. The River Street Bakery prefers the latter. Anyone can produce delicious, preservative-free baked goods, but how RIWHQ GR \RX ÄşQG UHDO ZKROH EUHDGV DQG goodies baked in an honest-to-goodness, .HHEOHU (OI VW\OH ZRRG ÄşUHG EULFN RYHQ" If you think that sounds impressive, keep listening. This oven is fueled by wood chopped by employees, who then control WKH WHPSHUDWXUH ZLWK WKH ÄşUH 7KH EULFNV JHW VR KRW WKDW ZKLOH WKH RYHQ LV RQO\ ÄşUHG on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, it’s still warm enough on the off days to bake FRRNLHV JUDQROD DQG PXIÄşQV Now that is baking. The River Street Bakery’s amazing brick oven has been around since the business began in 1989, but unfortunately, both it and all of its tasty output have been in the “unseenâ€? category since spring. Ypsilanti has been without its ZRRG ÄşUHG EDNHU\ IRU IRXU PRQWKV ,W ZDV supposed to be out of commission for upgrades and repairs for a few weeks, but right after operations resumed, a -XQH ÄşUH SXW LW ULJKW EDFN RXW RI EXVLQHVV No one has felt the absence of the bread baking more than Corinne Sikorski,

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the general manager of the Ypsilanti Food Co-op, which owns and operates the bakery next door. “It’s been really sad to be without it,â€? Sikorski said. “There’s a quality to the crust - a texture and nuttiness - that you just can’t experience bread made any other way.â€? Sikorski compares the style and quality of River Street Bakery bread with that of Zingerman’s Bakehouse, a company she talks about with the kindness and respect of a friend rather than a competitor. “They have a really good, high-quality bread,â€? she said. “Ours are also made with whole grains and are sourdoughbased, so they are similar in that way. The difference is our oven, but they make great bread too.â€? Like its parent organization, the River Street Bakery began as a volunteer-driven, community effort. It was 1989 when the RUJDQL]HUV RI WKH :LOGÄťRZHU &RPPXQLW\ Bakery in Ann Arbor decided to create a bakery in Ypsilanti using the same model. “The only problem was,â€? Sikorski explained, “because it was communityRZQHG ZKHQ LW IHOO LQWR ÄşQDQFLDO WURXEOH no one had enough of an investment to save it.â€? Fortunately, there was a communitydriven business right next door ready to

make the investment themselves. At the time, in 2005, Sikorski had been with the co-op for more than 25 years, and she, her staff and community of consumers owners looked at the River Street Bakery as a remarkable opportunity. “The biggest thing was the potential for really great bread,â€? she said. “It was a really great addition for our product mix to have our own fresh bread. “And it was there. The equipment was there, the space - it was literally next door.â€? With all of that potential, and all of the bakery’s success since, this year’s June ÄşUH DQG EUHDG OHVV VXPPHU LV MXVW D OLWWOH bump in the road for the River Street

Experience Â

Lezley Anne An  Ypsilanti  Dress  Shop  128  W.  Michigan  Ave.  Ypsilanti,  MI  (734)  485-­0113 Â

Open  every  day  11  a.m.  -­  7  p.m. Â

Bakery. The breads are back in the oven and on the shelves for the delight all Ypsilanti Co-op customers. Their selecWLRQ RI EUHDG FRRNLHV JUDQROD PXIÄşQV pies, tunovers, brownies, and more can also be found at the People’s Food Coop in Ann Arbor, as well as both Ypsilanti Farmer’s Markets. The re-opening of the River Street Bakery is also perfectly timed for its famed, annual cranberry sage holiday bread. “It will probably be ready in November,â€? said Sikorski, “maybe late October. It’s just... it’s so good.â€? Either way, it sounds like it’s been worth the wait. One  of  a  kind  Designer   Created  Apparel  at   Affordable  prices    Designs  made  with  Cotton  Jersey,  Woven  Cotton,   5HSXUSRVHG )DEULF PRUHÂŤ    Original  designs  printed  by  'DYLG +HLNNÂśV 'HFRUDWHG  Apparel  Studio    T-­Shirts  by  David  Austin  and  David  Austin  Gallery Â

OCTOBER 2010

i SPY

scene...

ypsi night terrors BY JANIS TSAI

ON  HALLOWEEN,  WHY  SHOULD  KIDS  GET  ALL  THE  TREATS? Starting 7 p.m. on Sept. 25, Wiard’s Orchard transform from a wholesome cider mill and apple orchard, into a dark and scary haunted theme park called Night Terrors. With six haunted attractions and live monsters, Night Terrors is full of tricks to treat even the most composed adults. “Wiard’s Orchard haunted attractions DUH GHÄşQLWHO\ QRW JHDUHG WRZDUGV \RXQJHU NLGV r VDLG 7KRPDV 9RJO RQH RI WKH OLYH monsters employed by Wiard’s. “Wiard’s is in a farming community, so there are a lot of teenagers and college kids looking for something to do.â€?

i SPY OCTOBER 2010

Night Terrors began with just a barn across the street from Wiard’s Apple Orchard that Mike Conners decided to GHFRUDWH DQG ÄşOO ZLWK OLYH PRQVWHUV WR scare guests in 1985. For Conners, working at Wiard’s is an act of love. “I built it [the scenes] with other guys,â€? Conners said, “There is constant maintenance. There have been times I felt a gust of wind and hear things. There have been times my skin crawls.â€? Currently a manager at Wiard’s, Conners has been working there for 20 years, DIWHU ÄşUVW FRPLQJ WR :LDUGpV ZKLOH WDNLQJ NLGV RQ D ÄşHOG WULS 7KDW LV ZKHUH KH PHW the owner and he has come back every season since. “There have been times when I get a radio call telling me someone is inside [a haunted house] screaming and freaking out,â€? Conners said. “That is when I’ve

got to turn on the lights and I see someone standing there, refusing to move, and I have to say, ‘It’s OK. It isn’t real, we’re all humans’� What sets Night Terrors apart from other haunted houses are the live monsters, who are trained Wiard’s employees taught to put terror in guests’ faces. They are not allowed to touch the guests. Night Terrors is the largest haunted thrill park in Michigan, and enjoying all six attractions takes about two or three hours, and not because of the lines. One particularly interesting attraction is Alien Caged Clowns, which plays up people’s phobia of clowns. Another one is The Asylum, where the scene is a crazy house. Some of the live monsters are in cages, but some have escaped. “Fear of the unknown is a great human curiosity. I think if you enjoy the season,

\RX VKRXOG GHĺQLWHO\ FRPH FKHFN LW RXW r 9RJO VDLG q:DONLQJ WKURXJK D KDXQWHG attraction goes by so quick, it’s worth seeing it all if you can afford it. It’d a cool place to go on a date.� The Labyrinth, which is a corn maze where the live monsters’ one responsibility is to make sure guests do not go the right way. Other attractions are the original haunted barn, The Mined Shaft, and a hayride. Free cider and donuts are served at the end of the hayride. Each haunted attraction is $15, but for $29, guests can experience all six attractions. The haunted amusement park runs every Friday, Saturday and Sunday in October. The last day it runs is Oct. 31. For more information, contact Wiard’s $SSOH 2UFKDUG DW 9LVLW Night Terrors online at www.nightterrors. biz/index.htm.

www.ispyypsi.com

review...

g’s caribbean delights BY JANIS TSAI

Trinidad. That word does not come up often, except maybe in a game of Trivial Pursuit. It’s a small island nation, so small it needs “and Tobagoâ€? to ring a bell. I don’t know what comes from Trinidad, but I found out at G’s Caribbean Delights. Located next to Lover’s Lane on WashtHQDZ $YHQXH LW ZDV KDUG WR ÄşQG EHFDXVH they still don’t have a sign for their store, even though they have been open since December 2009. The sign they do have says Eagle’s Nest. As soon as I stepped in, I was immediately out of my comfort zone. The owners, a mother and daughter team named Jane 9DOHQWLQH DQG .LP &DUULQJWRQ ZHUH EXV\ gossiping with customers who spoke in heavy vowels, just like them. As I waited in line the owners and one of the customers broke out in reggae, which they sang loudly and proudly. “The ‘G’ stands for my grandmother, Gwendolyn,â€? Carrington said. “Without her there would be none of this. She taught me to make the dishes I cook today.â€? The restaurant had limited seating, with four small plastic tables and two chairs for each table. The walls were decorated with steel drums and a sequined Carnival RXWÄşWV 7KH NLWFKHQ ZLWK LWV VWHHO SRWV DQG rows of burners, was in direct view, right behind the cash register. “Because the Caribbean is a mixture of people – the Caribbean has Indians, Chinese, Africans, Syrians – everybody HDWV HYHU\ERG\pV IRRG r 9DOHQWLQH VDLG “Roti is supposed to be Indian, channa

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and potatoes are an Indian dish, but we cook that because of the ,QGLDQ LQÄťXHQFH LQ 7ULQLGDG r 7KHLU PHQX ZDV KDUG ÄşQG because it competed for attention ZLWK RWKHU Äť\HUV DQG PDJD]LQHV OLWWHUHG on their one counter. I gave up looking for their paper menu and I just ordered my food from a whiteboard on the ground. :KHQ , ÄşQDOO\ IRXQG WKHLU PHQX LW ZDV well organized, full of food I never knew existed. I puzzled over choices, like cassava pone, a sweet cake similar to bread pudding that uses cassava root. My only regret is I found the menu after I had ordered my dinner of macaroni pie, fried plantains, jerk chicken and white rice for $7.42. “The key ingredients are the spices,â€? 9DOHQWLQH VDLG q:KHUH ZH OLYH 7ULQLGDG is cosmopolitan, so east and west meets. We use a lot of Indian spices and we use African spices. It’s a combination of stuff.â€? My food was alright. It was well-cooked and simply served in a take-out box. It worked out, because the portions were so large, I took half of my meal home. The wait was not too bad. The people who patron G’s are friendly and welcoming. I had a brief conversation with a complete stranger and in a matter of minutes, I found out he went to EMU for construction management and his wife is a Spanish professor there. He said that at G’s, “we’re friends, but we’re family.â€? The jerk chicken was covered in sauce similar to the smoked dark taste of barbeque sauce. Jerk is a spice blend that originated in Jamaica, where it is dry

rubbed or marinated into meat. The jerk at G’s was a blend of allspice, cinnamon, and nutmeg. The chicken was messy to eat because of the bones and the sauce. They only have plastic utensils and it was easier to eat the chicken with my hands. The jerk chicken left me craving some water, which they did not offer. I was about to ask for a glass of water but I changed my mind at the last minute to buy banana pop instead, for $2. It was from a brand I never heard before, called Solo. They are a popular brand in Trinidad and it cannot be found in the United 6WDWHV 9DOHQWLQH DQG &DUULQJWRQ KDYH WR order it from Canada. What stood out were the fried plantains. They wait until the plantain is ripe before LW LV UHDG\ WR FRRN 7KRXJK 9DOHQWLQH GHscribes making them as easy and simple, the result deceives a different story. Fried in butter and canola oil until they were blackened, they were crisp on the outside until you bite into them. Then they crumbled LQWR D WRWDO PXVK RI ULFK ÄťDYRU DQG WH[WXUH It was a guilty pleasure. I am glad I had the less complicated macaroni pie and white ULFH WR EDODQFH WKH GRPLQDQW ÄťDYRU RI WKH jerk chicken and fried plantain. I went there with Amanda Parks, a vegetarian, and she ordered curried channa, garbanzo beans, and curried potatoes with red beans and rice for $7.42. “There weren’t very many options, but

they were accommodating, and the channa and potatoes were super delicious,â€? Parks said. “It was cooked just right and ZDV MXVW VSLF\ HQRXJK WR EH ÄťDYRUIXO DQG not overwhelming.â€? Carrington served the dish with humor and accommodation. She said, “I put in a little extra for you to make up for the protein.â€? I enjoyed the red beans and rice. G’s seasons their red beans with onion, garlic powder, salt and sugar. Ketchup was added when preparing the rice. It reminded me of Taiwan, where many people put ketchup in their fried rice too. There is not a Caribbean community within Ypsilanti, but I have seen more people from the Caribbean in my 30 minutes at G’s than I have seen in the three years I have lived in Ypsilanti. There is a book on the counter of G’s where people from all over the Caribbean leave their contact information. This might be the start of a greater Caribbean presence in Ypsi. “I thought that it was really good, and I hope that they get more business,â€? Parks said. “According to the people who frequent there, the cuisine is very close to what you would get in the Caribbean.â€? When you are eating G’s, you are eating culture, you are eating heritage. Ypsilanti is proud of celebrating its own heritage, but G’s reminds us to try others – the rewards can be delicious.

OCTOBER 2010

i SPY

review...

elbow deep BY ADRIENNE ZIEGLER

CALL  IT  NAĂ?VETÉ  OR  IGNORANCE  OR  PLAIN  OLD  CREATIVE  APATHY,  BUT  BEFORE  WRITING  THIS  STORY,  I  ACTUALLY  BROWSED  OVER  TO  URBAN  DICTIONARY  TO  READ  UP  ON  THE  MAINSTREAM  MEANING  OF  THE  TERM  “ELBOW  DEEP.â€? Not that I didn’t have a rough idea of the popuODU GHÄşQLWLRQ RI WKH WRQJXH LQ FKHHN PRQLNHU IRU Ypsilanti’s only gay night, but we journalists try to check and re-check our facts. My hunch was corUHFW q(OERZ GHHSr GRHV LQGHHG UHIHU WR ÄşVWLQJ $QG LI \RX GRQpW NQRZ ZKDW qÄşVWLQJr LV , KLJKO\ urge you to look that up on Urban Dictionary, too. But on the last Saturday of every month, ElbowDeep means so much more to us here in Ypsilanti than an idiom that would make my mother blush. ElbowDeep is one of Washtenaw County’s most energetic gay nights, and it happens right here on Washington Street in Ypsilanti. Once a month and with considerable fanfare, you can swagger into Savoy and fully immerse yourself in a diverse crowd of people, lush decorations, bumping dance PXVLF E\ '- +XPDQÄť\ DQG SHUIRUPDQFHV E\ RQH of Southeastern Michigan’s premiere drag revues, The House of Chanel. “We normally cater to a gay establishment as a form of gay entertainment,â€? said Jennifer, a drag performer with House of Chanel. “With ElbowDeep, it allows it to be more mainstream, and I think that’s good in this day and age.â€? ElbowDeep started at the Elbow Room in the summer of 2009, but has grown exponentially since its initial introduction. After Andy Garris moved from the Elbow Room to manage Savoy, he invited the divas to come with him to the new digs. The upgraded ElbowDeep offered the same great ÄťDYRU LQ D PRUH VRSKLVWLFDWHG VSDFH

i SPY OCTOBER 2010

“It’s gone down really well,â€? said Dave LaFave, one of event’s original organizers. “The people that show up here are looking for an alternative to The Out Bar and The Nectarine and maybe they don’t want to drive all the way to Detroit to go to GiGi’s or Gold Coast. I’ve been really impressed and pleased.â€? LaFave, the event’s decorator extraordinaire, and KLV ER\IULHQG .XUW 5XVVHDX $ . $ '- +XPDQÄť\ partnered from the beginning with House of Chanel to provide some glam entertainment and bring some glitz to the event. Jennifer and Maxi, mainstays of ElbowDeep, said they love performing in their hometown for this particular crowd. “It’s a special show because it’s not like any of the other ones that we normally do,â€? said Maxi, an Ypsi local. “This one is different because the crowd is completely different. It’s completely mixed‌ and I love that.â€? ([SHULHQFLQJ D GUDJ VKRZ LV GHÄşQLWHO\ RQH RI WKRVH things that you have to do at least once in your lifetime. Each of the bedazzled ladies go all out for the crowd, lips-synching, gyrating and dancing to some RI WKHLU IDYRULWH GLYD WXQHV LQ RXWÄşWV WKDW ZRXOG PDNH Cher jealous. We’re talking swaths of crystals, Tina Turner wigs, feather boas, papa-don’t-preach baby bumps, and some truly brazen shoes. And this is not your amateur drag revue, either. Jennifer and Maxi recently celebrated their 20th anniversary as The House of Chanel. “I used to watch a lot of the girls back in the day and I would always be sitting out in the audience talking all kinds of shit about them. ‘OOH her hair is bad, da da da, blah blah blah,’â€? Maxi said of her life before her drag career. “On a dare, [a friend] told me he’d take me shopping and buy all the stuff for me to do it once, and I did it once and the rest is 20 years ago.â€? So round up your friends on Oct. 30 (and by the way, we mean all your friends – gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer and even the straight ones), and strut your stuff down to Savoy for Ypsilanti’s only gay night. Experience for yourself all the YLYLG JOLWWHULQJ ÄťDPER\DQW IXQ RI (OERZ'HHS

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cut

I

colour

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texture

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style

To be free to be you . . . be Blondi

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

www.thomasblondisalon.com

review...

dissecting the Droid 2 THE  MOTOROLA  DROID  2  IS  THE  SECOND  GENERATION  OF  DROID  THAT  REALLY  ‘DOES’. Â

BARTENDER Â PROFILE: Â

shannon rusin of Bistro BY AMANDA SLATER

BY TIM ADKINS Being someone who’s big on perceptions, simply holding the Droid 2 makes the phone feel like it’s a quality product. It’s got some weight to it. That’s probably the thing I least like about any Blackberry, they have no weight to them. They just feel cheap. I know that seems like a petty thing to complain about, but having a phone in my pocket that I know is there, is a feeling I like. I guess that was more of a rant about KDWLQJ %ODFNEHUULHV DQG OHVV DERXW P\ ĺUVW impression of the Droid 2. Either way, you get the point. The Motorola Droid 2 isn’t a new and exciting idea of a phone. It’s not going to change the future of mobile. It’s simply a relatively nice upgrade from the original Droid, which did all of the above. It comes packed with all the regular Droid goodies, but the Droid 2 does have a few new features that are worth expounding upon. FLASH Yes, that’s right, the Droid 2 comes pre-loaded with Adobe Flash Player. This means you can virtually view any website right from your phone. I especially enjoyed this because I like browsing different art and photography sites, most of which are EXLOW ZLWK ĝDVK DQG , KDG QR LVVXHV DFcessing the content. AESTHETICS As I previously mentioned, I like the weight of the phone, but it feels nice as well. It’s got that soft touch-grip ensuring feel to it. It’s pretty much exactly the same size as the original Droid, but the keyboard has been updated with more modern and user-friendly features and it also feels nice on your thumbs. No text blisters here.

i SPY OCTOBER 2010

ESSENTIAL FACTS:

ANDROID 2.2 Faster performance, improved browser and an android market update. There are a lot of improvements for developers as well, but I’m not a developer so I can’t tell you much about it from a personal experience level. There were really only a couple things I think Motorola got wrong with the Droid 2. I don’t for the life of me understand why they only equipped it with a 5 mega-pixel camera. It’s not bad, but it’s not as good as some of it’s competition that have the 8 mega-pixels and in my opinion for the average person buying a phone the 3 mega-pixel difference, makes for an easy purchasing decision. The other thing I didn’t care for was the tiny on/off switch DW WKH WRS RI WKH SKRQH ,W ZDV KDUG WR ĺQG at times and it’s on a weird angle of the phone that doesn’t allow it to always work as easy as it should. I guess it was more annoying than an actual problem. The Motorola Droid 2 is the perfect phone for those of you trying to get away from the Blackberry or those who have the original Droid that just want the upgrade. I enjoyed

my time I had with the Droid 2 and I’m FRQĺGHQW \RX ZLOO WRR

SIGN: Cancer STATUS: Single BIRTHDAY: July 11, 1988 HOMETOWN: Canton, Mich. SCHOOLS ATTENDED: Salem High School, Schoolcraft College FAVORITE DRINK: Red Stag whiskey & Michelob Ultra LIKES: Going out to the country & driving around in mud trucks. FAVORITE MUSIC: Everything, from country to rock FAVORITE MOVIES: “Really lame dancing movies like Center Stage & Step Up.� 3 WORD SELF-DESCRIPTION: Unpredictable, outgoing & blunt BAR: Bistro Q: HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN WORKING AT BISTRO? A: Three years. Q: WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT BISTRO? A: The people that come in. I’ve been here so long that I know everyone that comes in now. I have fun with all of them. That’s why they like coming back.

Q: WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT YPSI? A: A lot of my friends live out here. It’s a nice area. I’ve been out here for a long time. I used to come out and just hang around the bars out here. Q: WHAT DRINK DO YOU THINK BEST DESCRIBES YPSI? A: A Long Island Iced Tea. Q: BEST PICKUP LINE YOU’VE GOTTEN? A: When I ask guys what they want to eat and they say, ‘Chicken Caesar salad and some wings and your phone number.’ That’s when I tell them it’s not on the menu. Q: FOR SOMEONE WHO HAS NEVER BEEN TO BISTRO BEFORE, WHY SHOULD THEY COME? A: It’s nice and open. There’s a lot of TVs, and it’s just a nice place to hang out. It’s a good place to relax and have a few drinks. It’s not like you’re shoulder to shoulder with people. There aren’t people dancing all around you in a sweaty mess. It’s a nice, clean environment where you have your space. And the drinks are priced well.

BISTRO IS LOCATED ON THE NORTH SIDE OF WASHTENAW AVENUE BETWEEN GOLFSIDE AND HOGBACK. ADDRESS: 4735 WEST WASHTENAW AVE, ANN ARBOR, MI 48108, PHONE: (734) 572-0912 www.ispyypsi.com

FREE Life Time Membership! (734) 484-‐5100 www.washtenawfcu.org

Call or Stop in for Benefits of Membership! f f f f f f f f f

Low to No Service Fees Great Rates on Savings & Loans FREE Checking No Per Check Fees VISA with NO Annual Fee FREE Online Bill Pay FREE 24-‐Hour Online Banking FREE E-‐Statements Checking Account Overdraft Protection

New Location September, 2010 1861 Whittaker Rd. Ypsilanti, MI 48197

Main Office 424 S. Mansfield Ypsilanti, MI 48197 (734) 484-‐5100 info@washtenawfcu.org Branch Office 5421 Whittaker Rd. Ypsilanti, MI 48197 (734) 961-‐0506 24 Hour ATM Available at Main And Branch Office

Membership Information Anyone who works, lives, worships or attends school in Washtenaw County is eligible to become a member of Washtenaw Federal Credit Union. Once you become a member, your immediate family is also eligible to join. If you change jobs or relocate, you can still maintain your membership in the credit union.

www.ispyypsi.com i SPY is federally OCTOBER 2010up to $250,000 by the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund, which is administred by the National Credit Union Administration. Each WFCU account insured

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