Now Where Did I Put That Darn Iguana? (1 Update)

South-Side Ypsilanti resident and YpsiNews.com managing editor Steve Pierce sent an interesting inquiry via email today:

If you lost an iguana (we think that is what it is) I may know where it is.  Give me a brief description of what it looks like and where you last had it.  ~Steve

Steve can be contacted at [email protected]

If the AWOL iguana is not claimed, perhaps there is a new belt or a pair of boots in Mr. Pierce’s future.

UPDATE:

June 22, 2010 @ 18:15

Approximately 20 responses were received regarding the little lost lizard.  This impressed Steve Pierce because as he put it, “You know, when you are the guy that wrote the (April Fools Day) stories about crocodiles in Riverside Park and oil discovered at Water Street… well, it is fair that some were skeptical about a report of a lost iguana.”  (http://ypsinews.com/index.php/200804-crocodile-spotted-in-riverside-park)

According to Pierce, the iguana’s owner has been found.  The owner was able to ID “Marissa” from pictures.  Marissa has been missing since May 28, 2010 and began her journey in the Normal Park area.  To make her way to Ypsilanti’s south side neighborhood, she would’ve had to cross busy Michigan Avenue.  Well done, Marissa!

Although the iguana’s owner has been found, the iguana herself has eluded capture so far.  Apparently it’s not easy to track a green iguana in a green tree.

YpsiNews.com does not anticipate CNN trucks lining the streets and doubts Nancy Grace will be reporting from Ypsilanti.  However, a small volunteer watch has been formed to locate Marissa.  YpsiNews.com will keep you posted on the Great Ypsilanti Iguana Hunt.

If you happen to spot “Marissa”, please contact YpsiNews.com and be informed that Marissa likes cream cheese.

It Takes A Town To Make A Video – How Was I To Know?

This is the story of  the making of a music video.  Before reporting how it was made, YpsiNews.com is proud to report where it was made – In Ypsilanti, Michigan.  Ypsilantian Ken MacGregor is a strong proponent of supporting local businesses.  With this music video he is trying to do his part to bring national, perhaps even global, attention to our city as a place of “enormous creative potential.”

It started with an idea for a song, but since MacGregor, the man with the idea, couldn’t write  music, play music, or even sing – he needed help.  He found it in Adam Dahl: singer, songwriter, guitarist. Together, they hashed out the lyrics, and within an hour had completed “How Was I To Know?” They played the song for friends and family with positive response.  Dahl & MacGregor both got the song stuck in their heads and figured that was a good sign.  Adam commented, half-joking, “We should make a music video!”  Ken responded, “You know… I know people who do that.”

MacGregor sent out emails and used his connections with local Ypsilanti talent to set things in motion.  He said, “I could see it in my head, and once I could do that, I knew I could make it happen in the real world…or at least on camera.”  Ken contacted videographer Scott Hatkow, who agreed to work pro bono saying, “I’ve always wanted to do a music video.”  MacGregor also called upon Kelly Jean Passage, the female lead in a zombie horror / comedy he’ll be  shooting this summer.  Passage loved the song and was enthusiastic about being in the video.  Matthew Fulton,  a buddy from high school, now a Kung Fu instructor happily agreed to choreograph the fight scenes.  A recording session was scheduled, filming locations were confirmed and they were ready to go.

Kelly Jean Passage had never studied martial arts, a key element of the video.  After a month of rehearsing fight choreography, Matthew Fulton had her looking like a mighty warrior, very convincing on camera as a competent Kung Fu practitioner.  Matthew also provided the armor used in the video and appeared as an extra.  The first day of shooting was devoted entirely to the fight scene, and was shot over five hours on a day with intermittent rain showers. They had to stop taping often to run into the garage out of the rain.  Shooting would resume when there was a break in the clouds.  MacGregor ended up ill after shooting scenes where he repeatedly had to fall  on the wet grass.  His enthusiasm still evident he remarked, “It was totally worth it. We got some great footage!”

The gym scene was shot at Ypsi Studio, a small fitness and wellness center in Ypsilanti on Michigan Avenue.  Julia Collins, the owner, donated the use of the space and agreed to fill in as an extra.  MacGregor also called in Dave Rahbari at the last minute as an extra-extra-extra playing three different parts.   The final location was Haab’s Restaurant, an Ypsilanti landmark.  There, the production was aided by a very helpful staff, including the bartender who made the actors fake cocktails to drink.

The video went up on YouTube on June 1, and is  already closing in on  1,000 hits.  YouTube has begun putting ads on the video, which can be assumed means  they think it’s doing pretty well.  It’s definitely a positive statement about the local talent in Ypsilanti.

WATCH VIDEO:  How Was I To Know?

Ton-Up Festival Premiere

On June 26, Ypsilanti’s Depot Town will be invaded by possibly 1,000 motorcycles.  It’s the welcome and friendly invasion of The Ton-Up Motorcycle Show and Music Festival.  Parts of Cross and Rice Streets will be closing for the event which will feature motorcycles and scooters of all types from all eras, with a focus on vintage bikes.

Cafe’ Racer at 10 Cross Street acts as “Mission Control” for the free festival.  There will be live music on stage from noon to 11pm with a lineup of local musicians such as The Reefermen, Ypsitucky Colonels and Rattlebox.  A beer tent will be set up and motorcycle accessories & parts will be available from vendors.

A $5 entry fee gets your bike into the Mods Vs. Rockers bike competition.  Entrants have a chance to win in many categories:

Directors Awards

Directors Choice – The Directors Favorite

The Future’s So Bright – Exemplifies Hope For The Future

Dedication Award – Someone Who Has Contributed To Making The World Safer For Motorcyclists

Class Awards

Best Scooter

Best Mod – Scooter/Rider Combination

Best Café

Best Rocker – Bike/Rider Combination

Best Brit Bike

Best Japanese Bike

Best European Bike

Best American Bike

Best “Bitsa” Bike – Bits Of This, Bits Of That

Best Original/Un-restored Vintage Bike

Maybe One Day It’ll Be A Bike

What Were You Thinking?

Trailer Queen

Longest Distance Ridden

Iron Man – Oldest Rider

Wet Behind the Ears – Youngest Rider

Peoples Choice – Chosen By Popular Vote

During The Ton-Up Motorcycle & Music Festival, Cafe’ Racer is holding a contest to find a  model to grace a page of their 2011 Pin-Up calendar.  Contestants will model vintage 40s, 50s, & 60s pin-up attire.

Ton-Up is a British term that refers to a motorcycle capable of speeds of 100mph or more.  Organizers expect between 2,500 and 3,000 people to attend this first-time event.  To find out more about this event, sponsorship opportunities, the pin-up competition, or to register your bike for the show, visit The Ton-Up Web site at http://thetonup.intuitwebsites.com.

Your Ypsilanti Weekend June 18-21, 2010

Depot Town Cruise Night:  Thursday, 5pm-9pm; Cross Street – Enjoy live music while strolling Ypsilanti’s historic Depot Town amongst classic, new and unique automobiles.  No Admission Charge – Free

The Waiting Room:  Thursday, Friday & Saturday 8pm, Sunday 5pm; Riverside Arts Center, Ypsilanti  – An intriguing dark comedy exploring what would happen if three women from three different time periods and cultures met in a doctor’s office today to discuss their maladies.  Ticket Prices – General Admission: $16,  Students & Seniors: $11

Crossroads Music Fest:  Friday, 7pm-10pm; Washington Street, Downtown Ypsilanti – Barbara Payton and Just Jill perform.  No Admission Charge – Free

Depot Town Farmer’s Market:  Saturday, 8am-1pm; Freighthouse Plaza, Depot Town Ypsilanti – The market offesr fresh fruits and vegetables, plants, flowers, meats, bread and other baked goods, and craft items.  No Admission Charge – Free 

Ypsilanti Relay For Life:  Saturday – Sunday, 10am to 10am; Riverside Park, Depot Town, Ypsilanti – To benefit American Cancer Society.  No Admission Charge – Opportunity For Donation

 

The Girl in Centerfield

In May of 1973, a 12-year-old girl in pigtails from Ypsilanti, Michigan made history by taking on the largest youth sports organization in America.  Carolyn King was simply looking to play baseball when she tried out for a spot in the Ypsilanti American Little League.  She went to the tryouts with her younger brother, and impressed the coaches with her strong throwing arm and her speed.  The coach of the Orioles was looking for a center fielder, and he thought that Carolyn might fit the bill, so he drafted her.  One problem: In 1951, the National Little League organization in Williamsport, Pa., had enacted a rule that specifically said girls were not eligible to play.  National officials felt the sport of baseball was too dangerous for girls, so they decided to restrict their leagues to boys.  The National Little League threatened to pull the local league’s charter if Carolyn played, but the City of Ypsilanti said that if she didn’t play, the league couldn’t use the city’s fields. When she suited up for the Orioles in their first game – making history in the process – the National Little League followed through on its threat to pull the local league’s charter.   That set up a summer of controversy and showdowns in Ypsilanti that strongly divided the community as the case headed to federal court.  It made national headlines in 1973, and landed the story on the evening news. In the middle of it all was a 12-year-old in pigtails who simply wanted to play baseball.  Carolyn’s case and the national uproar it caused prompted National Little League officials to drop their boys-only rule.  In 1974, thanks to Carolyn King, girls became eligible to play Little League baseball.  The Ypsilanti American Little League founded in 1953, is the oldest Little League in Michigan and the first in the world to include a female player

“The Girl in Centerfield,” a feature-length documentary produced by Detroit-based Stunt3 Multimedia, is the story of Carolyn King’s fight to play Little League baseball. Using interviews, stock footage, and re-creation, Stunt3 will weave together the drama of the summer of 1973 when the nation watched as the city of Ypsilanti went head-to-head with Williamsport, Pennsylvania and the institution of Little League Baseball.  The film is scheduled for release in the summer of 2010. On Thursday, July 19, 2010, 7-8:30pm Ypsilanti District Library will premiere the trailer for the documentary and host a personal appearance by Carolyn King Minot. 

Carolyn King Minot being interviewed for”The Girl in Centerfield”

Ypsilanti Ladies, Take The Field!

Eastern Michigan University is offering “Football 101” –  a skills clinic for women Saturday, July 24, 2010 from 10 am-3 pm.  Participants will experience what it’s like to be a player as coaches teach them the importance of different positions and run them through practice drills.  At the end of the day, they will have the basic knowledge and skills needed to enjoy the game of football.

Registration for the event is $30 per person ($15 for EMU students) which includes lunch, a “Football 101” t-shirt, and photo opportunities with Head Coach Ron English.  Each participant will also receive a season ticket to the 2010 EMU Football season.  Additionally, for each Football 101 registration, $5 will be donated to support EMU Volleyball’s “Dig Pink” fundraiser to benefit breast cancer research, which will take place in the fall.  For more information about the EMU Football 101 Skills Clinic, call 734.487.8109 or visit EMUEagles.com.

Ypsilanti Parks & Rec. Seeks Commissioners

There are several seats open on the City of Ypsilanti’s Parks & Recreation Commission, and the Ypsilanti commissioners are seeking committed citizens from all areas of the city to apply to be considered for an appointed position.  The Commission works to:

1) Collaborate to create & implement a Parks & Recreation Master Plan
2) Recruit/recommend/promote Parks & Recreation use and activities
3) Coordinate the Adopt-A-Park Program
4) Assist in recommendation and implementation of related city/area plans (non-motorized plan, border-to-border trail, etc)
5) Coordinate with other government units for area-wide collaboration (Washtenaw Parks & Rec, Ypsi Twp, School District)
6) Other governance as relevant to parks & recreation

Meetings are generally monthly (currently on Thursday evenings), and terms are four years. Adults and high-school aged youth are both welcome to serve.  Interested citizens should contact Mayor Schreiber at  [email protected] to discuss their interest in being considered for an appointment.  The Mayor will take multiple factors into consideration, and interest in the position will not necessarily lead to an appointment at this time.

Picture of the Week

Construction continues on the Ypsilanti Freighthouse.
For more information on the Freighthouse restoration, visit www.foyf.org

Crossroads Concert Schedule

The Downtown Association of Ypsilanti welcomed local blues acts Chris Canas and the Martindales for the opening weekend of Crossroads.  The free outdoor summer concert series takes place 7pm-10pm every Friday through August on Washington Street in downtown Ypsilanti.

06.11           Hullabaloo

                     Dragon Wagon

 

06.18         Barbara Payton

                     Just Jill

 

06.25      FOLK / ROOTS  FEST  (8:30pm)

                    Washington Street Stage

                    Back Forty

                    David Rossiter

                    Julianne

                    Dave Boutette

                    Library Stage

                    BJ Walraven

                    Michael Lipson

                    Eric Moore

                    Norm DeAngelis

 

07.02        First Class Band

                    Martin Simmons

 

07.09   (8:30pm)

                    Rattlebox

                    Six Foot Poles

                    Swaybars

 

07.16    (8:30pm)

                    Bill Bynm & Co.

                    Corndaddy

                    Hillrays

 

07.23         Horse Cave Trio

                    Tracy Mack & The Magic Land Band

 

07.30        Dave Sharp Seven

                    Tracy Kash Thomas

 

08.06       Bugs Beddow Band

                    Paul Miles

 

08.13        Jill Jack

                   Detroit Luddites

 

08.20      Harper

                   Flying Latini Brothers

 

08.21   (3:00pm)

                   Lady Sunshine & The X Band

                   Eddie Hughes

Just In At The Ypsilanti District Library

I’ll Mature When I’m Dead: Amazing Tales of Adulthood

By Dave Barry     New York:  G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2010

The popular humorist tackles the rocky challenges of adulthood, from technology and the battle of the sexes to parenting and unmentionable medical procedures.

 

Contact Ypsilanti District Library to check availability:

Whittaker Road: (734) 482-4110 

Michigan Avenue: (734) 482-4110

Superior: (734) 482-3747 

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