iSPY December

Page 1

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The Ypsilanti Area Events and Entertainment Guide

DECEMBER 2010

Drive Off with

Daniel Zott

of Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.

frontier ruckus & their return to the mitten

UNSEEN SCENE

Exploring Ypsi for the Holidays

Mittenfest V Rock in the New Year for 826 Michigan

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DECEMBER 2010

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720 NORRIS ST. YPSILANTI, MI 48190 734-480-2739 WWW.CORNERBREWERY.COM

The Original Downtown Ypsilanti Fall/Winter Farmers' Market Nov 9, 2010 -­ Dec 21, 2010 @ 3:00 PM The Downtown Ypsi WINTER Farmers' Market Tues-­ day, December 7th & 21st from 3-­7pm in the Corner Brewery Lounge, the bar WILL be open so you can also partake in our tasty local brew. We are starting Happy Hour at 3pm! Holiday Sale Nov 26, 2010 -­ Dec 3, 2010 @ 02:00 PM 9OUgVEÏWAITEDÏALLÏYEARÏANDÏITgSÏlNALLYÏHERE ÏOURÏAN-­ nual Holiday Sale We will be marking down all of our gift items includ-­ ing clothing, glassware, mug club memberships, gift sets, and gift cards 10-­40% off. Flamboyant Wild Red Release Dec 1, 2010 @ 04:00 PM Arbor Brewing Co, is proud to offer this exclusive, limited edition, hand packaged and bottle conditioned ale in the Flemish Red Tradition. 750 ml bottles may be purchased as singles or by the case. Beerware Art Exhibition "See Howe It's Done" Dec 3, 2010 @ 06:00 PM Jay Howe's exquisite show celebrates utilitarian brewhouse ware. Mugs, pitchers, growlers, jugs, tasting vessels and even tap handles are some of the examples of ceramics in this natural environ-­ ment. Jay also just happens to be our mug guy.

Stop out to "See Howe It's Done " 6pm-­11pm as he throws mugs for our very own mug club. Jay has signed up to make a rat pad for the occasion and in case you missed out on that Thanksgiving turkey, we're roasting a few for the event with other special menu items. "Howe" could you miss this? Whip Stitch Art and Craft Fair Dec 5, 2010 @ 02:00 PM #ORNERÏ"REWERYÏISÏEXCITEDÏTOÏANNOUNCEÏTHEÏlRSTÏ Whip Stitch Art & Craft Fair on December 5th in the Lounge from 2-­10pm! Whip and Stitch is a fundraising event hosted by the Ann Arbor Derby Dimes. Booth fees will contribute the Ann Arbor Derby Dimes roller derby league. A portion of proceeds will be donated to the FLY Children Art’s Center. Winter Shadow Art Fair “The Krampus Costume Ball" Dec 11, 2010 @ 08:00 PM This year there is something new happening at the Winter Shadow Art Fair.There will be no vendors, no vendor applications, no deadlines, no jury process. The Krampus Costume Ball will feature DJ Soleper-­ cusion/ Erik Simmons, dancing, a "prom pic" booth, cash prizes for the best costumes, parading through the streets of Ypsilanti, another fabulous Shadow Brew, and more. The Costume Ball will happen at the Corner Brewery, just like past Shadow Art Fairs,

on the evening of December 11, 2010. They will be asking for the usual 2 cent admission at the door at the brewery, which goes to the arts grant. For more information visit http://shadowartfair.com/ Rat Pad Release Dec 15, 2010 @ 6:00 PM Join us for a unique and special small batch beer. You can only get the rat pad once, so come early! This months rat pad will be: "The Naked Gift" Its “naked” due to only 1 malt being used in the grain bill. Easy drinking at 5.6% ABV 47 IBU’s. This simple single malt ale is brewed with all Halcyon Malt ANDÏÏISÏTHEÏlRSTÏINÏAÏSERIESÏTHATÏWILLÏREAPPEARÏAGAINÏ on December 19th at Halcyon Holidaze, and follow through the Halcyon Sundaze season in 2011. Halcyon Holidaze Dec 19, 2010 @ 05:00 PM Join us as we bring Halcyon indoors for the wintery season. We're screaming baby it's cold outside! So we'll be bundled up in our warmest PJ's, sipping hot cocoa under the crazy fantastical Holidaze tree, listening to stories, while dj's spin melodic seasonal tunes. There will be a special Halcyon Holidaze brew. Put the kids to bed and sneak out for this adults only show from 5-­10. As always no cover.

New Year's Eve Bash Dec 31, 2010 @ 08:00 PM This New Year's Eve Corner Brewery is throwing a Beer Bash that you will not want to miss!! Featuring THIRD COAST KINGS and we'll have a series of special Rat Pads that we'll tap at 8:30, 9:30, 10:30 and 11:30 to ring in the New Year with. The festivi-­ ties start at 8pm and go til 1am. No Cover Rat Pad Release Jan 19, 2011 @ 6:00 PM Join us for a unique and special small batch beer. You can only get the rat pad once, so come early! Rat Fest "The Original Home Brew Fest" Jan 22, 2011 @ 2:00 PM We are once again inviting our amazingly talented local homebrewers and home brew clubs to come in and brew small batch specialty beers that will be showcased at this very special tasting. From 2-­ 5pm WEÏWILLÏOFFERÏOVERÏ ÏBREWSÏTHATÏWILLÏDElNITELYÏRUNÏ the creative gamut. Tickets are good for entry, beer samples, commemorative glass and snacks. Must be 21. Event will be held in the lounge. Tickets are $20. Advance tickets are recommended and will be available 12/15/10 at the brewery or over the phone by calling 734-­480-­2739.

contents

12.10

features 08 08 10 14

ThanksGIVING

Frontier Ruckus Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. Mittenfest V

sneak peak 06 07

Ypsi Holiday Happenings Krampus and DIYpsi

scene 12 16 17 18

Bulletin Board Adventures in Local Food

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 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

Unseen SCENE: Winter in Ypsi Top 5 Holiday Stores

review 20 22

Food Review: Fattoush Grill Bartender Review: Kristy DePaul, Tap Room

visit www.ispyypsi.com: ALL ACCESS AREA

+ ACCESS TO 1/2 OFF GIFT CARDS TO YOUR LOCAL FAVORITES!

COMPLETE LIST OF MONTHLY EVENTS + VIEW AND SUBMIT EVENTS.

A DAY IN THE LIFE

+ IPHONE, MUSICIANS, INTIMATE, REAL, GOOD.

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DECEMBER 2010

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letter from the editor THE  HOLIDAYS  ARE  ONCE  AGAIN  UPON  US  AND  YPSILANTI  IS  ONCE  AGAIN  PACKED  WITH  EVENTS  SO  THAT  NO  ONE  PERSON  COULD  POSSIBLY  BE  AT  EVERY  ONE  OF  THEM. Once again, we’re here to help you navigate through everything so you can plan accordingly. 7KH ĺUVW WKLQJ RQ HYHU\RQHpV PLQG right now is most likely Christmas. If one of the reasons it’s on your mind is because you still need to pick up gifts for the loved ones in your life, I encourage everyone to shop local. 0\ ĺUVW \HDU DV ERWK D &KULVWPDV gift purchaser and an Ypsilanti resident, I made it a point to purchase each and each and every one of my gifts from a locally run business right here in my community. Finding an item for everyone in my large IrishCatholic family was admittedly challenging at times, but I got the job done and it really had some positive unintended consequences. I was DEOH WR ĺQG YHU\ XQLTXH JLIWV IRU HYeryone on my list, gifts you couldn’t ĺQG DW D PDOO RU D ELJ ER[ VXSHU store. It also got me acquainted with most of the shops around town and I got to know a lot of the business owners in my community from it. All this while keeping my money in the community where I live.

PUBLISHER Tim Adkins EDITOR Dan DuChene SALES Christine Laughren and Bilal Saeed

While I do encourage those who haven’t tried this yet to take the challenge, I also understand that there are still some gifts that you FDQpW ĺQG LQ D ORFDO VWRUHIURQW 6R while you may not be able to jump in with both feet, you should at least get your feet wet. To help you with this, make sure and check out our list of top shops for the holidays in this month’s issue. The article highlights a store and even picks out a few items you may consider gifting to friends and family. In addition, there are more arts and crafts fairs this year than you can shake a stick at. Make sure to look up the information we have RQ WKRVH HYHQWV VR \RX FDQ ĺQG something not only locally made, but hand-crafted. Finally, you may be wondering what there is to do in Ypsilanti during the holidays. Well, Ypsi offeres everything from holiday activities for the whole family to the parties that only adults should be attending, and all the winter fun in between. We’ve got a story in here for everything and we hope you enjoy this issue.

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS & PHOTOGRAPHERS Tim Adkins, Katie Bertam, Laura Bien, Natalie Burg, Dan DuChene, Christine Laughren, Bruno Prostigo, 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 Cover Photo of Frontier Ruckus taken by Maren Hoopfer 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

124 Pearl St. Suite 307 Ypsilanti, MI 48197 info@ispyypsi.com Š 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 Ă„YZ[ JVW` VM P:7@ PZ MYLL HKKP[PVUHS JVWPLZ HYL HUK JHU IL W\YJOHZLK

DAN DUCHENE dan@ispyypsi.com

by emailing info@ispyypsi.com

December 3rd & 4th Friday & Saturday

Come enjoy starlight shopping and discounts at a variety of local retail stores in downtown Ypsilanti’s three districts: Downtown, West Cross and Depot Town.

Christmas Lighting ceremony and festivities

Friday night at 6:30 p.m. at the Downtown Ypsilanti Library Park; 229 West Michigan Avenue

WASHTENAW DENTAL ASSOCIATES DENNIS DONOHO D.D.S. CREATING HOLLYWOOD SMILES COSMETIC & FAMILY DENTISTRY

From routine dental health to extreme makeovers for children to adults, special care for all our patients. Experience Anxiety-Free dentistry in a relaxed, easy state where dentistry can be accomplished in the most comfortable way possible.

WE WELCOME NEW PATIENTS WWW.WASHTENAWDENTAL.COM

734-485-4600

2100 WASTENAW YPSILANTI (1/4 MILE WEST OF EMU)

MOST INSURANCE PLANS ACCEPTED

hands on

MORE  LOCAL  EVENTS  THIS  WINTER  IN  WAKE  OF  S.A.F.’S  ABSENCE. BY DAN DUCHENE

i SPY DECEMBER 2010

In case you haven’t heard, the annual second installment of the 6KDGRZ $UW )DLU ZRQpW EH KDSSHQLQJ this December. OK, calm down. The news isn’t as bad as you think. You and your beloved art community in Ypsilanti DUH JRLQJ WR EH MXVW ÄşQH The announcement came earlier this fall. The Michigan Design Militia, which started putting on the event twice a year in 2006, said the what would have been 10th consecutive juried art show organized by the group was off. Instead, they announced a costume party based DURXQG D P\WKLFDO $OSLQH DQWL 6DQWD demon. Militia member and local EORJJHU 0DUN 0D\QDUG ODWHU H[plained in his blog. “Those of us responsible for the 6KDGRZ MXVW GHFLGHG LQ WKH ZDNH of last summer’s big, multi-venue event, which was our most ambitious to date, to give ourselves a little break and try something new come winter,â€? Maynard said. “I know it may not seem like it, but it’s really a lot of ZRUN WR SXOO RII D 6KDGRZ $UW )DLU DQG after doing about ten of them backto-back, we needed to have a little change of pace.â€? The word “ambitiousâ€? could be XVHG WR GHVFULEH -XO\pV 6KDGRZ $UW Fair. Incredible is another. Crazy PLJKW DOVR ZRUN 6R WKH UHDVRQLQJ LV certainly understandable. However, KH DOVR IHOW KH QHHGHG WR H[SODLQ WKH event the MIDMI will host in place of Ypsilanti’s beloved art show – the Krampus Costume Ball. “I’ve heard Krampus referred WR 6W 1LFNpV qGDUN DVVLVWDQW r ,Q the parlance of American popular culture, you could say that he’s the EDG FRS WR 6W 1LFNpV JRRG RQH r Maynard said. “And we’ve decided to celebrate him, in all his gruesome, child-eating horribleness.â€? The back story is Maynard developed an interest in the darker half RI WKH 6LQWHUNODDV OHJHQG WKDW QHYHU PDGH LW RYHU IURP (XURSH 6R KH wanted to import the tradition of dressing up like scary monsters and parading around town to compel naughty children to change their ways. This year, with the help of MIDMI, he got his wish.

The evening begins at 8 p.m. on Dec. 11 at the Corner Brewery. There, a familiar 2-cent admission (which goes to the art grant awarded at the VXPPHU 6KDGRZ $UW )DLU JHWV \RX LQ WR D qJODP VFL Äş PRQVWHU GDQFH party.â€? Until 11 p.m., party goers can GULQN WKH VSHFLDOW\ q1DXJKW\ 1LFHr beer, dance, compete for cash prizes awarded to the king and queen of the ball and meet the horned, forktongued beast in the fur. After the ball, the Detroit Party Marching Band will be leading the parade across town to Woodruff’s, where there will be a special after-dance party dance party with entertainment from Elbow Deep, with free admission to those coming from the ball. I know what you’re thinking. But what about the art and crafts? Where are you going to get those JLIWV \RX XVHG WR EX\ DW WKH 6KDGRZ Art Fair. Well, you can have the best of both worlds on the same day. The D.I.Ypsi Handmade Holiday Fair is being held 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. on Dec. DW 6DYR\ ,W ZLOO IHDWXUH QHDUO\ local artists bringing you the best in ÄşQH DUW KDQGZURXJKW FUDIWVPDQVKLS and independent apperal. You could spend all day at the event and still have enough time to change into your devilish costume for the ball. $QG IDQV RI WKH 6KDGRZ $UW )DLU should be able to appreciate the new fair, as D.I.Ypsi is not only promoting high-caliber art from community artists, but also promotes the same spirit of a locally driven culture and economy. “D.I.Ypsi is the newest event in a series of handmade fairs that are SXWWLQJ 6RXWKHDVW 0LFKLJDQ RQ WKH do-it-yourself map,â€? the organizers of the event said in a recent press release. “While consumer attitudes continue to shift to more authenWLF ORFDO VKRSSLQJ H[SHULHQFHV these events are quickly gaining popularity both in Michigan and around the country.â€? 6R ZKLOH WKLQJV PLJKW EH D little different than winters past in Ypsilanti, change seems to have EHQHÄşWHG WKH DUHDpV DUWLVWLF FXOWXUH In the absence of one great event, there is now more going on this year than ever.

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ypsi holiday happenings BY JANIS TSAI

HOLIDAYS Â ARE Â ABOUT Â CELEBRATING Â WHAT Â IS Â GOOD. Â THAT Â IS Â WHY Â YPSILANTI Â IS Â GIVING Â CITIZENS Â A Â REASON Â TO Â CELEBRATE. Â STARTING Â IN Â DECEMBER, Â THERE Â WILL Â BE Â EVENTS Â TO Â ATTEND Â IN Â DOWNTOWN Â YPSILANTI Â AS Â WELL Â AS Â DEPOT Â TOWN.

*Attend  Midsummer’s  Night  Dream  Ballet

:KHQ )UL 'HF Where: Pease Auditorium, College Pl. and West Cross, Ypsilanti, MI, 48197 7KLV LV D WZR DFW EDOOHW FKRUHRJUDSKHG E\ *HRUJH %DODQFKLQH WR )HOL[ 0HQGHOVVRKQpV LQFLGHQWDO PXVLF IRU 6KDNHVSHDUHpV SOD\ RI WKH VDPH QDPH 6KDNHVSHDUH ZURWH WKLV SOD\ DERXW WKH HYHQWV VXUURXQGLQJ WKH marriage of Hippolyta and Theseus. One of these events is a group of amateur actors being manipulated by fairies. Admission: $10 adults, $8 students and seniors, $6 children under 12. 6FKRRO JURXSV DGPLWWHG IUHH EXW UHVHUYDWLRQV UHTXLUHG &RQWDFW

*Attend  Pippi  Longstocking

S P RQ 'HF S P RQ 'HF Where: Quirk Building, Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI 48197 This is a play about an eccentric red-head girl who lives life to the EHDW RI KHU RZQ GUXP 6KH OLYHV LQ D KRXVH DORQH E\ KHUVHOI DQG KHU pets as she waits the return of her pirate-father, who is lost at sea. 6KH EHIULHQGV WZR QHLJKERUKRRG FKLOGUHQ DQG WKHLU OLYHV ZLOO QHYHU EH the same again. Watch Pippi thwart thieves and the children’s welfare board in this hilarious, family-friendly musical. $GPLVVLRQ DGXOWV VWXGHQWV 0DLQ VWDJH PHPEHUV &KLOdren 12 and under. &RQWDFW

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*Santa  Breakfast  and  Tree  Lighting

6DWXUGD\ 'HF D P S P :KHUH )UHQFKLHpV ( &URVV <SVLODQWL 0, 'HSRW 7RZQ &RPH GRZQ WR 'HSRW 7RZQ DQG KDYH EUHDNIDVW ZLWK 6DQWD 6SHQG VRPH TXDOLW\ WLPH ZLWK \RXU FKLOG DV \RX HQMR\ D WDNH RQ 'U 6HXVVpV JUHHQ HJJV DQG KDP bacon, fruit and bagels. It is two seatings per breakfast. The event is free, but SOHDVH EULQJ GRQDWLRQV IRU %ODQNHW ([SUHVV D FKDULW\ RU FDQQHG IRRG IRU 626 When you are done with breakfast, walk two stores down to the Enchanted )ORZHU 6KRS WR JHW \RXU NLGpV SLFWXUH WDNHQ ZLWK 6DQWD DQG JLYH KLP D OHWWHU &RQWDFW

*Taste  of  Ypsi  Candlelight  Tour

Dec. 4, 6-10 p.m. Downtown Ypsi. :KHUH ( &URVV 6WUHHW <SVLODQWL 0, This event is an interior design-lover’s dream. The evening will be spent touring uniquely decorated Ypsilanti homes, while enjoying the delicious food prepared by amazing Ypsilanti restaurants. The end of the tour will feature a dessert UHFHSWLRQ DW &URVV 6WUHHW 9LOODJH ZKHUH JXHVWV ZLOO DOVR HQMR\ WKH PXVLF E\ .RULQ Amos, a classical pianist. $GPLVVLRQV D WLFNHW %X\ WLFNHWV JHW WKH IRXUWK RQH KDOI RII 7KH SURFHHGV will go to Ypsilanti Meals on Wheels, a local organization that delivers prepared food to those with disabilities. &RQWDFW

*Holiday  Concert Â

'HF S P Where: Pease Auditorium, College Pl. and West Cross, Ypsilanti, MI, 48197 Annual joint concert with the Ypsilanti Community Choir. Following the Choir’s portion of the program, the Band will perform the Widor “Toccata,� for organ and band, with Dr. James Wagner at the Pease organ console. Among other festive holiday pieces, the Band will perform Anderson’s “Christmas Festival.� The program will close with the two groups combined, conducted by YCC conductor Ariel Toews-Ricotta, concluding with the “Hallelujah� chorus. Admission is free. &RQWDFW

DECEMBER 2010

i SPY

PHOTO Â CREDIT: Â JULIE Â ROBERTS

start a ruckus FRONTIER Â RUCKUS Â COMES Â HOME BY AMANDA SLATER

MATT  MILIA  IS  A  MAN  OBSESSED. Frontier Ruckus just got off an eight month tour, and frontman and songwriter Milia has wasted no time getting back to writing. In fact, he says that he can’t help but write. “I’ve just become this nocturnal beast that stays up all night. I’ve seen the sun rise the SDVW ÄşYH GD\V r KH VDLG

i SPY DECEMBER 2010

“I’ve been home for maybe a week now, and I’ve been filling up notebooks with the minutia, the smallest detail of WKH H[SHULHQFH WKDW ,pYH NQRZQ P\ HQWLUH life up to this point—whether it’s a gas station that I’ve passed a million times or a liquor store or a piece of my landscape WKDW , IHHO D SK\VLFDO H[WHQVLRQ RXW RI ,W really has to do with an obsession with the land, an obsession with the suburban landscape that I know.�

This obsession is what has fueled most of Frontier Ruckus’ music, and consequentially their recent widespread success. In fact, the band’s unique blend of bluegrass-infused folk evolved out of Milia’s insatiable appetite for WKLV NLQG RI H[SUHVVLRQ WKURXJK ZULWLQJ “When we started the band, we didn’t foresee where we would be today. We didn’t have any sort of long term plans. We really just started off with these songs that I had,� Milia said.

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6RPHWLPHV FDOOHG LQWR TXHVWLRQ IRU their band name, Milia said the very reason, to some, their name doesn’t seem to quite match up with their music is due to the fact that Frontier Ruckus was a name that Milia and band co-founder, Davey Jones, thought up back when they were “just two kids playing bluegrass.� “[The name] really has no application to modern day Frontier Ruckus. It was just a name we called ourselves,� he said. But now gone are the days when Frontier Ruckus just consisted of two kids playing bluegrass or when they were among the first in a string of opening bands playing at the very first Mittenfest, five years ago. 1RZ )URQWLHU 5XFNXV KDV UHFHLYHG attention from publications across the country—even earning a mention LQ 5ROOLQJ 6WRQH $QG DW WKLV \HDUpV Mittenfest, they will be headlining on 1HZ <HDUpV (YH However, to Milia and the rest of Frontier Ruckus, playing at Mittenfest doesn’t feel like just another gig. It feels more like going home, because that’s H[DFWO\ ZKDW LW LV “There’s no show like playing at home,� Milia said. “It all constantly overwhelms us and amazes us every

time we come back to the Blind Pig or some place in Michigan like Mac’s bar and we remember what it’s like to play for these people who have known about us since our start and are really behind us. It’s like nothing else. You start a song, and you can just feel it. You don’t feel that anywhere else you play around the country or in Europe.â€? Milia said that Frontier Ruckus is actually friends with most of the artists that will be playing at Mittenfest— Chris Bathgate, Mat Jones, Drunken Barn Dance, Misty Lyn and the Photographers (which, upon mentioning, he paused and added, “They’re great SKRWRJUDSKHUV DV ZHOOr If there’s something that Milia and the band take pride in, it’s their Michigan roots and the area’s music scene that has cultivated artists like those featured at Mittenfest. Milia said he is often asked during interviews for outRI VWDWH SXEOLFDWLRQV WR H[SODLQ KRZ D sound like that of Frontier Ruckus can come out of Michigan. “In every interview, I say the same thing,â€? he said. “Michigan is a very robust folk scene with rich instrumentation and very prominent, talented, folky bands making really good music that no one really knows about. It’s a very rich music scene where everyone cares about everyone else’s music.â€? It is partly this comradery that makes the Mittenfest so special to Frontier Ruckus. q:KHQ ZH ÄşUVW SOD\HG DW WKH Mittenfest, we were one of the lower bands in the totem pole. :H ZHUH VXSHU H[FLWHG MXVW to be a part of this Michigan scene that was just starting to welcome us in. We could already sense how magical this whole scene was, how tight knit it was, how everyone supported each other’s PXVLF :HpUH H[WUHPHO\ SURXG to have been nurtured by the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti scene. [‌] It’s kind of a badge of honor,â€? Milia said. “[The Mittenfest] is like a beast of enjoyment—maybe too much enjoyment sometimes. Everyone’s having a great time. It’s for a good cause, and, at the end of the day, it’s one of our favorite parts about every year of life.â€?

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM

THE YPSILANTI CVB Dec. 11 The Shadow Art Fair presents: the Krampus Costume Ball 11 a.m. -­ 8 p.m. at the Corner Brewery D.I.Ypsi Handmade Holiday Fair 11 a.m. -­ 7 p.m. at The Savoy

'HF A Holiday Concert Tradition with the Ypsilanti Community Choir and the Washtenaw Community Concert %DQG %HJLQQLQJ DW S P at Pease Auditorium

Dec. 30 -­ Jan 2 0LWWHQIHVW $ EHQHĂ€W IRU 0LFKLJDQ At The Savoy

For more information contact the Ypsilanti Convention and Visitors Bureau 106 W. Michigan Ave. Ypsilanti, MI 48197 (734) 483-­4444 click on events at www.visitypsinow.com for a complete listing of local happenings.

Lights, sweat, dancing, spontaneity DQG 1DVFDU RXWÄ&#x;WV MEET Â DANEIL Â ZOTT Â OF Â DALE Â EARNHARDT Â JR. Â JR. BY AMANDA SLATER

IF

there’s one thing that Michigan is good at, it’s surprises. )URP KLS KRS WR URFN LWpV LPSRVVLEOH WR SUHGLFW ZKDW WKH QH[W ELJ thing will be to emerge from the mitten. However, we know that it will be good, and it will be unique. The Great Lakes region specializes in artists who create genuine, catchy VRXQGV WKDW KDYHQpW TXLWH EHHQ KHDUG EHIRUH 6RPHWLPHV WKHVH VRXQGV PDQLfest in tunes like the wistful, yet upbeat vocal, musical and electronic harmonies produced by Daniel Zott and Joshua Epstein. And sometimes these DUWLVWV MXVW KDSSHQ WR ZHDU IDNH 1DVFDU VXLWV DQG VSRUW KRPHPDGH FDUV Enter Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr—just one of the many greatly anticipated bands WR JUDFH WKH 0LWWHQIHVW VWDJH EHWZHHQ 'HF DQG -DQ :H KDG WKH RSSRUtunity to discuss Mittenfest and more with Daniel Zott of Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. himself. Here’s what he had to say:

i SPY DECEMBER 2010

iSPY: I’m sure you get this question a lot, but how did you think of the name Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.? I can’t help EXW WKLQN RI 6DPP\ 'DYLV -U -U IURP “Everything is Illuminated.� Is this at all related? Daniel Zott: 1RW UHODWHG , GLGQpW KHDU RI that dog until after we had the name. Josh really came up with it. I think we wanted to pay tribute to the underdog sport and also teach adults to not judge a book by its cover.

iSPY: I know you were in the band The Great Fiction, and I know that you’ve also released a lot of solo music. How was the transition from these projects to being part of a duo? Daniel Zott: 6HDPOHVV -RVK LV D QLFH dude that can write really good songs. To partner yourself with someone like that is always an easy transition. iSPY: Musically, how is Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. different from your other projects?

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Daniel Zott: It’s more fun. There are no rules to where we can go with the sounds. 7KH RWKHU SURMHFWV ZHUH GHĺQLWHO\ PRUH serious and intentional. Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. is very instinct based. iSPY: Have you learned any interesting lessons through your journey? If so, what are they? Daniel Zott: Always be thankful and gracious. People are starting to listen to the art that I make now, and it has little to do with me. iSPY: Are you continuing to work on any solo music or music with The Great Fiction? Daniel Zott: Yes. The Great Fiction has a QHZ DOEXP EDVLFDOO\ ĺQLVKHG :HpUH QRW sure what to do with it right now, but ,pP VXUH ZHpOO ĺJXUH VRPHWKLQJ RXW <RX can check some of the new tracks out at ZZZ P\VSDFH FRP WKHJUHDWĺFWLRQ iSPY: Have you been working on any new acoustic rap covers? Daniel Zott: 1RSH , PDGH DQ DOEXP RI the songs I was doing back then called q6KRUW\ :KDWpV +DSSHQLQJ"r , WKLQN ,pP

going to start covering Top 40 pop. There are a lot of really bad lyrics that make Top 40. We’ll see. iSPY: With all of your recent success and publicity, why did Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. decide to play at Mittenfest this year? Daniel Zott: We wanted to play some Christmas covers. iSPY: Who is your favorite band in the Mittenfest lineup? Daniel Zott: This is Deer Country. (We wanted to meet people that think up WKDW QDPH

iSPY: :KR GR \RX WKLQN WKH QH[W ELJ DUWLVW will be coming out of Detroit? Daniel Zott: 7KH $PHULFDQ 6HFUHWV RU &KULV Wills. iSPY: What should audience members H[SHFW RXW RI \RXU OLYH VKRZ" Daniel Zott: A show that is as fun as our music sounds—lights, sweat, dancing, VSRQWDQHLW\ DQG 1DVFDU RXWĺWV DV ZHOO DV *UDYH 'LJJHU RQ VLWH WR UHY KLV HQJLQH

Leasing Available Now & for Fall ! " # ! # !

Dec  10

DECEMBER

bulletin board *Please  excuse  the  lack  in  events,  with  the  recent  and  sudden  closing  of  Pub  13,  Best  Damn  Sports  Bar,  Savoy,  JNeil’s  Mongolian  Grill  and  Keystone  Underground  we  did  our  best  to  put  the  pieces  together  for  December.  To  our  knowledge  any  and  all  events  that  were  to  take  place  at  Savoy  will  now  be  held  at  Woodruff’s.  Please  check  our  website,  www.ispyypsi.com  and  our  Facebook  page  for  an  up  to  date  and  full  event  list.  Don’t  forget  to  add  your  event  to  our  events  calendar  by  visiting:  ispyypsi.com/contact-­us/ post-­event.  Our  apologies  for  any  inconvenience.  Have  a  safe  and  happy  holiday  season!

JAZZ W/ ALEXANDER GRAHAM

Tap Room, 9pm

BIKE YPSI, FRIDAY MORNING RIDE

Meet at Beezys CafĂŠ, 8am-9am

Dec  8  PIPPI LONGSTOCKING

EMU Quirk Theatre, 7pm TYVEK, WEIRDING MODULE, BAD INDIANS AND BETTER LATE THAN PREGNANT

Dreamland Theater, 9pm

'UHDPODQG WKHDWHU SP SP HURON GUN COLLECTORS SHOW, SALINE

Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds, DP SP BIKE YPSI, SUNDAY RIDES

Recreation Park, 1pm-2pm Dec  13 Â

Dec  11 EMU MEN’S BASKET BALL VS DETROIT

EMU Convocation Center, 2pm EMU WOMEN’S BASKETBALL VS DETROIT

EMU Convocation Center, 6pm MEN’S BASKET BALL VS DRAKE

EMU Convocation Center, 8pm

EMU WOMEN’S BASKET BALL VS CANISIUS

(08 &RQYRFDWLRQ &HQWHU SP PIPPI LONGSTOCKING

(08 4XLUN 7KHDWUH SP

LAITH AL-SAADI

Woodruff’s Bar, Doors @ 8:00 PAUL KELLAR ORCHESTRA

.H\VWRQH 8QGHUJURXQG SP Dec  14 JAZZ W/ ALEXANDER GRAHAM DIYPSI BRYAN GREENBERG

Woodruff’s, 11am

Blind Pig, 8pm

Tap Room, 9pm Dec  15  RAT PAD RELEASE

Dec  9

WINTER SHADOW ART FAIR “THE KRAMPUS COSTUME BALL�

TABLE MANNERS- LIVE THEATRE

Corner Brewery, 8pm-1am

Dec  16 Â

HURON GUN COLLECTORS SHOW, SALINE

YPSILANTI COMMUNITY CHOIR & WASHTENAW COUNTY CONCERT BAND

Riverside Arts Center

Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds, 9am-4pm TICKLED FANCY BURLESQUE CO., 3RD ANNIVERSARY

%OLQG 3LJ SP Nov  2nd-­Dec  3rd

Dec  12

HOLIDAY SALE ON ALL GIFT ITEMS Corner Brewery, 2pm

PIPPI LONGSTOCKING

October  28  -­  December  10

COLLEGE NIGHT WITH EMYOU! THE MAGAZINE

1HZ )LEHUV EMU University Gallery, Gallery hours at art. emich.edu

PUPPET SHOW FOR CHILDREN

Corner Brewery, 6pm-1am

3HDVH $XGLWRULXP SP SP Dec  17  BIKE YPSI, FRIDAY MORNING RIDE

Meet at Beezys CafĂŠ, 8am-9am THE SWAYBARS, LIVE MUSIC

7DS 5RRP SP

EMU Quirk Theatre, 7pm COMPARTMENT, PISTOLBRIDES, FIELDS OF INDUSTRY AND TEAM ETHIC

Dreamland Theater, 9pm

Theo’s, 9pm-2am

Dec  18  THE MARTINDALES, LIVE MUSIC

7DS 5RRP SP

Dec  7

NERVOUS BUT EXCITED 12 INCHES OF CHRISTMAS:

THE DOWNTOWN YPSI WINTER FARMERS’ MARKET

&RUQHU %UHZHU\ /RXQJH SP SP

THE FAMILY GUY TRILOGY OFFICIAL

6FUHHQLQJ 3DUW\ $QQ $UERU

(08 6WXGHQW &HQWHU SP SP

i SPY DECEMBER 2010

%OLQG 3LJ SP

$ 9HU\ 6SHFLDO *KRVWO\ +ROLGD\ 6SHFWDFXODU Woodruff’s Bar, Doors @ 8:00

www.ispyypsi.com

Dec  25 CHRIS BATHGATE

Woodruff’s Bar, Doors @ 8:00 Dec 19 HALCYON HOLIDAZE

&RUQHU EUHZHU\ SP DP PUPPET SHOW FOR CHILDREN

'UHDPODQG WKHDWHU SP SP

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Dec  26 PUPPET SHOW FOR CHILDREN

'UHDPODQG WKHDWHU SP SP BIKE YPSI, SUNDAY RIDES

Recreation Park, 1pm-2pm Dec  28

BIKE YPSI, SUNDAY RIDES

Recreation Park, 1pm-2pm Dec  21  EMU WOMEN’S BASKET BALL VS TEMPLE

EMU Convocation Center, 7pm THE DOWNTOWN YPSI WINTER FARMERS’ MARKET

&RUQHU %UHZHU\ /RXQJH SP SP

EMU WOMEN’S BASKET BALL VS NIAGARA

EMU Convocation Center, 7pm JAZZ W/ ALEXANDER GRAHAM

Tap Room, 9pm Dec  29 YPSILANTI HISTORICAL SOCIETY, NIGHT OF MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT

Ypsilanti Historical Museum, 6pm-9pm JAZZ W/ ALEXANDER GRAHAM

Tap Room, 9pm

Dec  30

Dec  22

DREAM DIARY

Woodruff’s Bar, Doors @ 8:00 Dec  23 BARS OF GOLD

Woodruff’s Bar, Doors @ 8:00

MITTENFEST V

Woodruff’s, 4pm F  Dec  31 BIKE YPSI, FRIDAY MORNING RIDE

Meet at Beezys CafÊ, 8am-9am EMU WOMEN’S BASKET BALL VS. ILLINOIS CHICAGO

NEW YEAR’S EVE BASH, CORNER BREWERY

EMU Convocation Center, 1pm

Corner Brewery, 8pm-1am

Dec  24

MITTENFEST V

BIKE YPSI, FRIDAY MORNING RIDE

Woodruff’s, 4pm

Meet at Beezys CafĂŠ, 8am-9am

www.ispyypsi.com

DECEMBER 2010

i SPY

mittenfest

THE Â BEST Â MUSIC Â THAT Â MICHIGAN Â HAS Â TO Â OFFER Â AND Â THE Â BEST Â PARTY Â OF Â THE Â YEAR BY AMANDA SLATER

There was a time when Michigan was nationally famous for more than soaring unemployment rates and million dollar auto company bailouts. There was a time when, instead, Michigan was associated with Motown and the IDVW WUDFN WR PXVLF VXFFHVV 6LQFH WKHQu despite birthing musicians ranging from (PLQHP WR 6XIMDQ 6WHYHQVuWKH SHUFHSWLRQ has changed. Michigan began to be seen as the freckled-faced stepbrother of the more glamorous coastal music scenes. Even the Detroit-born-and-raised :KLWH 6WULSHV SDFNHG XS DQG UHORFDWHG WR 1DVKYLOOH 7KXV LW ZRXOG EH HDV\ WR assume that it is a dark day for the Great

Lakes music scene. However, the truth is that it’s just gone underground. From rap to indie rock, some of the best new sounds in the industry are currently being produced in Michigan. But, every once in awhile, the secret is let out. 6RPHWKLQJ VXUSULVLQJ DQG IUHVK ZLOO SRNH its way into the national conversation, letting everyone know that not only are Michigan musicians still alive and well, but are producing music that the rest of the country hasn’t even thought of. And, once a year, some of the best musical talent that Michigan has to offer is showcased at Ypsilanti’s own Mittenfest. Mittenfest is an annual music festival

i SPY DECEMBER 2010

and “good time holiday get together,â€? according to the festival’s website, that EHQHÄşWV 0LFKLJDQ DQ $QQ $UERU EDVHG QRQSURÄşW WXWRULQJ DQG ZULWLQJ FHQWHU 1RZ RQ LWV ÄşIWK \HDU 0LWWHQIHVW keeps growing larger and larger—and so do its 826 Michigan donations, with last year’s donation reaching $12,000. This year’s Mittenfest is a four-day HYHQW ODVWLQJ IURP 'HF WKURXJK Jan. 2 and featuring 60 bands on two stages, including Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr., Matt Jones and the Reconstruction, The Juliets, This is Deer Country, Frontier Ruckus, Chris Bathgate and the Young %XFNV 6NHOHWRQ %LUGV 'UXQNHQ %DUQ

Dance, Misty Lyn and the Big Beautiful, Photographers, Gun Lake and more. In addition to being a concert, Mittenfest doubles as the party of the year, so even if you’re not a fan of live music, there’s something for everyone—including a great atmosphere and lots of fun SHRSOH 1R PDWWHU ZKDW \RX ZLOO EH VXUH to have a good time. This year’s Mittenfest will be held at WKH 6DYR\ 'RRUV DUH DW S P HYHU\ GD\ during the festival. Tickets are $7 a night RU IRU DOO IRXU GD\V DQG ZLOO EH DYDLODEOH DW WKH /LEHUW\ 6WUHHW 5RERW 6XSSO\ and Repair. For more information, visit www.mittenfest.org.

www.ispyypsi.com

style in 2011 BY JENICE PETTIBONE

$V IDU DV 1HZ <HDUV (YH RXWĺWV JR nothing beats a one-of-a-kind dress. 1RUPDOO\ SXUFKDVLQJ VXFK D WKLQJ would result in a painful chunk of credit card debt, but as long as LezleyAnne remains one of Ypsilanti’s best-kept VHFUHWV LW ZLOO EH SRVVLEOH WR ĺQG XQLTXH GUHVVHV WKDW DUH YHU\ LQH[SHQVLYH 7KLV particular dress is from LezleyAnne’s repurposed line, which consists of dresses made from gently used clothes. Leslie Austin, who runs the boutique DQG GHVLJQV WKH FORWKHV WKDW ĺOO LW ZDV inspired by the dress worn by the last winner of Project Runway, Gretchen -RQHV GXULQJ WKH ĺQDO HSLVRGH -RQHVp dress, much like the LezleyAnne, was unlined and transparent from the ZDLVW GRZQ $XVWLQ VDLG VKH ĺJXUHG LI someone could get away with that in 1HZ <RUN VKH GLGQpW VHH DQ\ UHDVRQ LW couldn’t work in Ypsilanti. However, even Austin would agree that Jones was showing a little too much skin by wearing only what appeared to be booty shorts underneath the dress. Leggings don’t detract from the sultry look at all, especially since the top consists only of lace – which a quick look at the runways will show is

in style right now. Leggings or no leggings, this is hardly an ensemble for the H[WUHPHO\ PRGHVW A pair of black peek-a-boo stilettos compliments the dress perfectly. This pair of White House Black Market KHHOV FDQ EH IRXQG DW 0L[ IRU RQO\ $OWKRXJK WKH VKRHV DUH FODVVLĺHG DV JHQWO\ XVHG WKH\ DUH LQ SHUIHFW condition and look as though they have never been worn. 6WXGLR *ODPRXU )DVKLRQ LV WKH ULJKW location for accessorizing in this case. Choose jewelry that’s either black or gold, and keep it simple or it will be overwhelming. The matching black sparkly bangle and necklace shown work well with the pattern of the top, and they make a great addition to any ZRPDQpV MHZHOU\ ER[ EHFDXVH WKH\ would be easy to work into a lot of difIHUHQW RXWĺWV When you’re celebrating the end of 2010 and the beginning of 2011, make VXUH WR ĺQG D FODVV\ SDUW\ WKDW ZLOO FDOO for such a dress. Better still, if you want, pick a location that really makes the dress pop. Look for a room with EULFN ZDOOV t SLFWXUHG LV &URZpV 1HVW XSVWDLUV IURP 6DYR\

THE  COST: $65  dress  â€“  size  medium,  LezleyAnne $30  White  House  Black    Market  stilettos  â€“  size  7,  Mix $14.99  black  lace-­trimmed  leggings  â€“  Studio  Fashion  Glamour $10  bracelet,  $22  necklace  â€“  Studio  Fashion  Glamour

www.ispyypsi.com

DECEMBER 2010

i SPY

adventures in local food TALES Â OF Â A Â FOOD Â FIGHTER

|$; 56'(#0+' 6 56#7(('4 } :KHQ , ÄşUVW VWDUWHG JURZLQJ P\ RZQ IRRG DW the Frog Island Community Garden back in the spring of 2009, I would’ve never predicted that PRQWKV ODWHU P\ OLWWOH XUEDQ IDUPLQJ H[SHULment would spawn a local hot sauce and salsa business. Ypsi-Grown, Ypsi-Made, y’all!! But it took much more than growing a whole lot of hot peppers and hanging out at the farmer’s market to make my personal local food dream a reality. 6RPHWLPHV LW DFWXDOO\ IHOW OLNH PRUH RI D QLJKWPDUH trying to navigate the mysterious and confusing ZRUOG RI IRRG VDIHW\ DQG IRRG GLVWULEXWLRQ 6R WR VKHG D OLWWOH OLJKW RQ KRZ GLIÄşFXOW LW LV IRU ORFDO growers and producers to get their food out there in a viable and sustainable way (and to hopefully PDNH LW HDVLHU , GHFLGHG WR GHGLFDWH P\ ÄşUVW installments of ‘Adventures in Local Food’ to CotWDJH )RRG DQG )RRG 6DIHW\ OHJLVODWLRQ The Cottage Food Bill has been on people’s minds since July when Governor Granholm signed it into law at the Growing Hope Center KHUH LQ <SVL 6LQFH WKHQ WKH SDVVDJH RI WKLV OHJislation has been widely celebrated as a triumph IRU ORFDO IRRG SURGXFWLRQ $QG LWpV GHÄşQLWHO\ D step in the right direction as it allows people to make jam, bread, fruit pies, and other items in their home kitchens for sale at the farmer’s PDUNHW DQG HOVHZKHUH %XW P\ H[SHULHQFH DQG WKH H[SHULHQFHV RI RWKHU ORFDO IDUPHUV VKRZ me that the law clearly doesn’t go far enough. It’s still pretty rough out there for small-scale growers who want to turn their end-of-season VXUSOXV LQWR SURGXFWV WKDW EULQJ H[WUD LQFRPH For instance, to sell hot sauce, a food that is SUDFWLFDOO\ WKH GHÄşQLWLRQ RI IRRG VDIHW\ GXH WR LWpV high acid content, I had to get the products labWHVWHG DW SHU UHFLSH WR HQVXUH VDIHW\ EHIRUH I would even be considered to receive a license. Aside from the fact that I have to use a commercial kitchen to produce it. And did I mention that WKDWpV RQO\ WR VHOO DW WKH IDUPHUpV PDUNHW " 6R DOO this brings me to ask: who does this legislation really help? Farmers? Bakers? Jam-Makers? It seems to me that if we want local food to be

i SPY DECEMBER 2010

D VXVWDLQDEOH UHDOLW\ DND YLDEOH DOO \HDU ZH want to make it as easy for local farmers to process and sell their surplus as it is for someone’s grandmother to make and sell a cherry pie... But before we can talk about the long-term viability of local food production, we need to push past the fundamental fear of food that PDNHV LW VR GLIĺFXOW IRU ORFDO SURGXFHUV WR EH VXFFHVVIXO LQ WKH ĺUVW SODFH $ IHDU RI PLFURscopic pathogens as invisible as they are deadly. A fear fueled by the constant outEUHDNV RI ( &ROL 6DOPRQHOOD DQG RWKHU IRRG borne illnesses that are an unfortunate reality RI LQGXVWULDO DJULFXOWXUH 6R WKH RQO\ ZD\ WR be safe is to irradiate our meat supply and eat triple-washed pre-bagged lettuce, right? Oh wait. Wouldn’t it be more effective to buy from local producers that us consumers can hold accountable with our dollars if something JRHV ZURQJ" ,pOO JHW PRUH LQWR WKDW QH[W WLPH but for now, I’ll play your food safety game Michigan Department of Agriculture but it’s time to change the rules so small growerproducers like me can play to win... If you’d like more info on the Cottage Food Bill check out: http://michigan.gov/ PGD B ,00.html www.ispyypsi.com

When local children have a day off from school on a snow day, \RXpOO ĺQG GR]HQV LQ the park near Cross 6WUHHW WR HQMR\ RQH of my favorite winter activities, sledding. The hill there is free of WUDIĺF DQG IDU HQRXJK away from the River where you can ride a rather steep and long ride down to the bottom. While you’re there, you might do those of us walking around the fair city a favor and construct a nice snowman or woman for us to enjoy while on our journey. The park is a perfect place to showcase your craftsmanship and creativity.

all couped up UNSEEN Â SCENE: Â WINTER Â IN Â YPSI BY DAN DUCHENE

‘Tis  the  season Â

*Exploring  the  winter

 wonderland where  people  usually  Whether you walk around your neighstay  home  to  escape  borhood or drive around the city, winter the  cold.  However,  is a great time to go out and enjoy one of there  are  plenty  of  WKH RQO\ EHQHÄşWV WKDW FRPH IURP IUHH]LQJ activities  around  town  temperatures, the beautiful surroundings. *Rolling  Hills  Park This county-operated park might be to  keep  cabin  fever  This month, make sure to check out known for its water park and disc-golf from  setting  in. all the Christmas lights and decoracourse when it’s greener outside, but These  are  fun  things  tions throughout the community. Take a the ground is covered in white, the to  do  in  the  area  that  drive to a nearby neighborhood, or walk when park comes alive again. through your own. Let’s not forget the you  can  enjoy  all  If you’ve got a little bit of money to winter  long,  even  after  lights and window displays that come spend for a vehicle pass, or if you’ve out when Depot Town and downtown the  excitement  of  the  got one left over from the summer, visit Ypsilanti deck the halls. holidays  leaves  you  WKH SDUN ORFDWHG DW 6WRQ\ &UHHN When Christmas is over, the winter 5RDG LQ <SVLODQWL 7RZQVKLS IRU WKHLU with  less  energy  and  FHUWDLQO\ LVQpW 6RPH RI P\ IDYRULWH ZDONV IRRW ORQJ VOHGGLQJ KLOO 7KH\ DOVR your  wallet  with  less  have been just after a snow storm, when rent toboggans for those without the weight. the blanket of fresh snow is unmolested foresight to purchase their own sleds It  doesn’t  have  to  and dampers any noise made by an and inner-tubes for those sledders with already quieted city. be  festival  season  to  a wild streak. stay  busy  in  Ypsi,  and  I know what your thinking. You’re Riverside  Park * this  list  should  get  If you need more action than a leisurely looking down your nose at me and sayyou  started. LQJ q6OHGGLQJ +RZ MXYHQLOH r stroll, head on down for some cheap thrills at Riverside Park.

www.ispyypsi.com

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viduals who still want the thrill of gliding across frozen precipitation, Rolling Hills also offers three miles of groomed crosscountry trails. They also offer a mile of torch-lit trials at night. Like the sleds, if you don’t have equipment you can rent it from the park.

*Local  cafÊs

6XUH <SVLODQWL KDV D SOHWKRUD RI ORFDOO\ owned cafÊs when the weather is warm, but they’re so much more delightful when the weather outside is frightful. As long as we’ve got warm espresso, let... it... snow. Beezy’s, CafÊ Luwak and Ugly Mug all offer their varying food and drink. And DIWHU D IXOO GD\ RI ĝ\LQJ GRZQ D KLOO RQ DQ inner-tube or slipping on icy sidewalks, a KRW FXS RI ĝXLG DQG D SODWH RI IRRG LV MXVW what the doctor ordered. Or, if you have no time for tomfoolery in the chilling cold, just bring your laptop and mock everyone outside who isn’t smart enough to duck in and keep warm.

*Winter  Farmers’  Market

Like everything else in Ypsilanti, what’s good in the summer is usually good in the winter too. The Farmers’ Market is no H[FHSWLRQ +HOG t S P RQ 'HF DQG DW the Corner Brewery, the market offers food and crafts from local growers, bakers and artists. Organized by Growing Hope, it’s an event you should miss. If you haven’t been to the market during the summer months you should really come out and see what it’s all about. Or, if you did visit when the weather was QLFHU \RX VKRXOG UHDOO\ H[SHULHQFH WKH market with beer. 7KH DGPLVVLRQ LV IUHH DQG WKH EHQHĺWV to your health and the community are great.

DECEMBER 2010

i SPY

top knotch OUR Â TOP Â 5 Â YPSI Â HOLIDAY Â STORES BY JANIS TSAI

This  holiday  season,  shop  locally  instead  of  buying  impersonal  corporate-­made  products. %X\LQJ ORFDOO\ LV IXQ DQG SHUVRQDOO\ IXOÂżOO-­ ing,  because  of  the  passion  and  knowledge  the  shop  owners  have  for  their  products.  It  also  leads  to  a  richer  gift  giving  experience,  be-­ cause  there  is  often  a  fascinating  back  story  to  how  the  gift  was  made. The  power  of  a  gift  isn’t  in  the  gift  it-­ self;Íž  it’s  in  what  the  gift  has  been  built  up  to  be.  Here  is  a  group  of  eclectic  Ypsilanti  shops  that  have  a  unique  and  affordable  selec-­ tion  of  products  that  would  look  great  wrapped  in  paper  and  ribbons.

MIX : 0LFKLJDQ $YH <SVLODQWL 0, Downtown Ypsilanti 7KH VWRUH LV FDOOHG 0L[ EHFDXVH LW VHOOV D PL[WXUH RI DUW IURP ORFDO DUWLVWV DQG KLJKHU HQG gently used clothing. The shop owners are friendly and very knowledgeable of just about everything in the store. They have a gift registry and they also do layaway.

CONTACT: (734) 961-8704 FUN GIFTS: s

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i SPY DECEMBER 2010

)DQF\ %LUG *LIW %R[HV 7KH\ DUH VPDOO PL[HG PHGLD ER[HV WKDW DUH JUHDW for storing odds-and-ends. They are GLVWLQFW LQ WKDW LW LV D VPDOO ER[ ZLWK KXJH wood and plastic decorations that take XS WKH HQWLUH ER[ WRS (FR &RWWRQ 6RFNV 7KH VRFNV DUH made out of recycled cotton from knitting mills. They go over the knee, and they are RQH RI 0L[pV EHVW VHOOHUV EHFDXVH WKH\ stay in place even when you move. 6SOXUJH %DD%DD=X=X %OL]]DUG 0LWWHQV 7KHVH IDQWDVWLFDOO\ VRIW DQG ZDUP mittens are handcrafted in Michigan. 7KH\ DUH OLNH VQRZÄťDNHV EHFDXVH QR SDLU is alike. They are made using recycled sweaters and jackets.

THE ROCKET 122 W. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti, MI, 48197, Downtown Ypsilanti This shop sells novelty gifts that you will have WURXEOH ĺQGLQJ DW PDOOV RU FKDLQ VWRUHV 7KH most striking thing about this store is the variety DQG TXDQWLW\ RI JRRGV VROG 6KHOYHV VR KLJK are stocked with bright immaculate curiosities. It is like stepping into Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium.

CONTACT: (734) 483-2291 FUN GIFTS: s

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Accoutrements’s Flavored Lip Balm and Floss. $4. They come in the craziest ĝDYRUV LPDJLQDEOH 'DUH WR WU\ ZDVDEL EDFRQ DQG DEVLQWKH ĝDYRUHG OLS EDOP Disappearing Cheshire Cat Mug. $12. The mug is made out of heat-sensitive plastic. When hot water is poured into the mug, it makes the cat disappear, and only its huge grin remains. s

6SOXUJH 2ZO Leather Purse. $70. This is a beautiful handmade purse with a clever play on owl parts. The wings serve as small pockets, and each leather feather is individually tacked on.

www.ispyypsi.com

WORLD OF ROCKS 1RUWK +XURQ 6WUHHW <SVLODQWL 0, 'RZQWRZQ Ypsilanti This brightly lit shop is a visual and tactile surprise. ,W LV OLNH ZDONLQJ LQWR D PXVHXP EXW ZD\ PRUH UHOD[LQJ because there is no stuffy sense of formality, and you can WRXFK VWXII 7KLV VKRS LV ÄşOOHG ZLWK EULJKW URFNV VKHOOV bones, and meteors. The back of the store is for the bead enthusiast.

SILVER SPOON ANTIQUES ( &URVV 6WUHHW <SVLODQWL 0, This shop is a treasure trove of affordable hats, costume jewelry and clothes. Every nook and cranny is stuffed with something pretty to brighten your day. Gift registry and gift certificates are available.

CONTACT: (734) 484-9960

CONTACT: (734) 481-9981

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)RVVLOV 7KH SHWULÄşHG GLQRVDXU ERQH LV PLOOLRQ \HDUV ROG &RSUROLWH ZKLFK LV SHWULÄşHG VQDNH GXQJ LV PLOOLRQ \HDUV ROG Petosky Christmas ornaments. $16. Petosky stone is the state stone of Michigan. It can only be found near Petosky, Mich. The stone is polished and carved into hearts, stars, and the shape of Michigan. 6SOXUJH &XVWRP -HZHOU\ 3ULFH YDULHV DURXQG Make your own jewelry using stones and designs of your choosing. The price also depends on the cost of labor and level of intricacy.

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+DWV 0RVW RI WKHLU KDWV GDWH EDFN WR WKH pV 7KH\ DUH LQWULFDWHO\ PDGH ZLWK ODFH DQG EHDGV Perfect to wear to church. $QWLTXH %RRNV 7KHVH GDWHG KDUGFRYHU ERRNV tell the tales of yesteryear with their aged pages and comforting musty smell. Among the collection are poems by Longfellow and Tarzan of the Apes. 6SOXUJH +LJK HQG FRVWXPH MHZHOU\ 6RPH RI WKH EUDQGV WKH\ FDUU\ DUH +REH 6DUDK &RYHQWU\ DQG :HLVV 0RVW DUH IURP WKH pV 7KH TXDOLW\ RI VWRQH DQG workmanship is fantastic.

THE LOVE BOUTIQUE 1 :DVKLQJWRQ 6W <SVLODQWL 0, 'RZQWRZQ <SVLODQWL Holidays are about showing those most important to you, just how PXFK \RX ORYH WKHP 2QO\ DQG ROGHU DUH DOORZHG LQ VR EULQJ D 6WDWH ID or a driver’s license, because they check.

CONTACT: (734) 487-2110 FUN GIFTS: s

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www.ispyypsi.com

Kitty Kits. $22. This is a small case, about the size of an eyeJODVV FDVH IRU ZRPHQ ZDQW WR EH SUHSDUHG WR KDYH VH[ DW D moment’s notice. It includes a condom, lube, breath mints, razor, feminine wipes and candy cigarettes. Romantic Couples Coupons. $4. This is a small booklet of 10 coupons that include activities like a slow striptease, mutual shower, and a massage with lots of oil. 6SOXUJH /LEHUDWRU 7KLV LV VH[ IXUQLWXUH WKDW XVHV FDUHIXOO\ FDOLEUDWHG DQJOHV DQG LQFOLQHV WR PDNH VH[ EHWWHU ,W DOVR KHOSV FRXSOH H[SORUH QHZ SRVLWLRQV

DECEMBER 2010

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food review

fattoush grill BY DAN DUCHENE

It  may  not  be  a  regular  part  of  my  diet,  but  I  do appreciate  a  good  Middle  Eastern  meal  ZKHQ , FDQ ÂżQG RQH I’ve seen a few come and go over the \HDUV 7KH ODWHVW , WKLQN ZDV $O 1RRU which I was sorry to see go. However, I was happy when I saw what was replacing the former Tios on Washtenaw and Hewitt, just across the street. ,W ZDV DERXW VL[ PRQWKV DIWHU WKH WKH $QQ $UERU EDVHG 0H[LFDQ UHVWDXUDQW which I never really favored compared WR WKH SOHWKRUD RI RWKHU 0H[LFDQ UHVWDXrants in Ypsi, when the signs announcing the coming of Fattoush Grill were posted on the building. It’s been open for five week now and the restaurant’s owner, Dearborn resident and Lebanon native Ahmed Ahmed, said things are going well. Ahmed, who has spent most of his life in the food industry, has owned three other restaurants in southeast Michigan. He says he enjoys cooking Middle Eastern Cuisine because the food is both tasty and healthy. And

i SPY DECEMBER 2010

he makes all of his food from scratch, with fresh ingredients. With its location near both a university and hospital, he said its the building’s location that attracted him to Ypsilanti. He likes the area and hopes the restaurant, which offers dine-in, take-out and delivery, can find its place in the community. It’s not hard to forget you’re in the former Tios when you’re at the place. The outside is nearly the same as the old restaurant Fattoush replaces, and there are still some chili peppers on the wall in the restroom. Aside from some banners with the new name on the outside and some Middle Eastern music playing subtly in the background, there isn’t much of a theme to the restaurant’s ambiance. However, it’s really the food that does all the speaking for Fattoush. I ordered the chicken shwarma lunch plate for about $7. It came with the entrÊe, fries, a side salad and hummus. I could have saved a dollar and got the sandwich combo, which would have turned my entrÊe into a wrap and sacrificed the salad and hummus. I’m pretty sure I made the right decision. 7KH VDODG FDPH ĺUVW 7KH YHJJLHV – lettuce, onions, tomato and cucum-

ber – were cut into large, yet bite-sized chunks. They were fresh and crisp and swimming in a house vinaigrette version of fattoush (a Lebanese salad where WKH UHVWDXUDQW JHWV LWV QDPH GUHVVLQJ , liked both the dressing and the quantity in which it was served, but if you don’t you might want to let them know. 1H[W FDPH WKH KXPPXV ,pP D IDQ of hummus, but I usually find myself purchasing the special blends and flavors from the store because I find the regular stuff too bland. I’m not sure if I’d call Fattoush’s hummus tangy or tart (or some other word my unsophisticated palette can’t send to my EUDLQ EXW WKH KXPPXV ZDV FHUWDLQO\ not bland. I didn’t feel anything was lacking as I ate it. Finally, the chicken shwarma arrived. The meat was served on a bed of lettuce with a side of the garlic sauce (like hummus, but with garlic instead of FKLFNSHDV , FRXOG KDYH ZUDSSHG HYerything in a pita, which were provided, but I chose to dip. The chicken was breast meat and cooked quite well – juicy and tender. 7KH ĝDYRU ZDV PLOG \HW SOHQWLIXO 8QOLNH $O 1RRU WKH JDUOLF LQ WKH VDXFH ZDV QRW overwhelming and complimented the

FKLFNHQpV ĝDYRU TXLWH QLFHO\ The menu features many items you ZRXOG H[SHFW WR ĺQG DW D 0LGGOH (DVWern restaurant, such as shish kabob, falafel and baba ghannouj. However, LW FDQ EHFRPH UDWKHU H[SHQVLYH DIWHU OXQFK ZKLFK ZDV TXLWH ĺOOLQJ 'LQQHU SODWHV UXQ WR <RX PLJKW JHW around this by avoiding that section and ordering just a sandwich, which run $4, and sharing an appetizer or salad. There are several vegetarian dishes available, but the most interesting offerings came from the menu’s juice bar. I did not sample this, but they offer fruit juice from apple and orange to guava and papaya. These can be combined with beet, cucumber and green pepper juice. They also offer fruit smoothies blended with carrot, celery or milk. I’ll be giving one of those a try when I come back again. The service was attentive and friendly. My food came quite quickly and the waitress was patient with my many questions. I found a good Middle Eastern meal at Fattoush, and I hope this restaurant stays around for a while.

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To be free to be you . . . be Blondi

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

www.thomasblondisalon.com

EDUWHQGHU SURğOH Kristy DePaul – Tap Room BY DAN DUCHENE NAME: Kristy DePaul STATUS: Single SIGN: Aquarius HOMETOWN: Trenton, Mich. EDUCATION: EMU ‘04: Bachelor’s in communication FAVORITE DRINK: Labatt Blue THREE WORDS TO DESCRIBE YOURSELF: Optimistic, happy and kind BAR: Tap Room How long have you been working at the Tap Room? Two years. I worked at T.C.’s IRU ¿YH \HDUV XQWLO WKH\ closed. What do you like about the Tap Room? My co-­workers. I have some re-­ ally, really cool co-­workers.

What drink best describes the Tap Room? A simple Jack and Coke. It’s down-­to-­earth, easy with no frills. Why should customers come to the Tap Room? It is a very comfortable place to sit down and have a nice strong drink. You can meet with friends and have a very laid-­ back night if you want it. Do men try to pick you up while you’re working? No, not really.

What was the worst line anyone has used on you at work? What do you like about Ypsilanti? A guy walked by me, turned The diversity. There are so many around and looked me up and different kinds of people. You down. He said, “Damn baby, could literally have a conversa-­ you’ve got big arms. I like tion with a rocket scientist one that.” It was weird. minute and a hooker the next. You have a different conversa-­ tion every time you turn around.

i SPY DECEMBER 2010

www.ispyypsi.com

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