It's Friday here are some things for you. 2-5-10

[Kurt A]

Hello Neighbors, 

Below you will find some updates and some things to do. I'd like to thank The Sidetrack for a lot of this good information. If you aren't on their mailing list I suggest you sign up http://www.sidetrackbarandgrill.com/ they have a great monthly newsletter with great coupons. Aubrees also sends out good coupons and you get a free pizza on your birthday (at least it has been for years) if you sign up http://www.aubrees.com/ . If you are looking for local coupons I'd suggest the Haab's list as well. I'd also like to thank Pete Murdock who sent out some very good updates and always keeps me informed. 

I'd like you to know that the Community Garden idea for Prospect Park is in good hands and gaining momentum if you'd like to get involved just let me know. 

We are also in the planning stages for the 2nd Annual Luna Lake Hoedown at Prospect Park, June 26th 9am-4pm, and it will be fantastic . Right now we have commitments from two of the best local bands, Black Jake and the Carnies and Hullabaloo, The YMCA is going to put on some kids programs, Washtenaw County Parks and Rec department will be on hand to talk about Rain Gardens and some of the plants in the park, We should have some other events and speakers on hand. If you want to help out or have ideas contact me (kurt) prospectparkneighborhood at comcast.net . We are also going to need volunteers to help repaint and repair the pavilions at Prospect Park. 

Here is the list of what you will find below. 

    • Things to do Tonight 
    • Thompson Block Update 
    • Chili Challenge - Feb 21st 3-6pm 
    • Chili Challenge - Feb 21st 3-6pm - The Bike Ypsi Way 
    • Luna Lake Fundraiser / My Birthday Party - F eb 25th MANDATORY ATTENDANCE IF YOU RECEIVE THIS EMAIL 
    • Freighthouse Fundraiser Organizational Meeting 
    • Detroit A2 Train Update - The truth comes out. 
    • Queen of Hearts Pastries is having an open house from noon until 4 p.m. on Saturday February 13 th . Everyone is invited to stop in for some scrumptious samples! 

That's a lot to go through but you should. 

Take care, 
Kurt Anschuetz 
prospectparkneighborhood at comcast.net 



TONIGHT - As always there is live music at the Elbow Room and Tap Room plus these other exciting things. 




“Starry Night in Depot Town” – Friday, Feb 5 th from 5-9 pm Six local artists will be setting up and selling their artwork (jewelry, photographs & more) from 5 - 9 p.m. next Friday, Feb. 5th at the first of many upcoming first Friday events called, "Starry Night in Depot Town," which will be held at Potts Studio, 25 E. Cross Street! It makes for a perfect date night or an excellent outing with friends for shopping, art, music and festivities in Ypsilanti's very own "Hip"storic Depot Town! So swing by after work or even after dinner....the artists will be there waiting for you (at least until 9)! 

Don't forget ~ Valentine's Day is right around the corner, so treat yourself and/or a sweetheart with something unique & beautiful made by a local artist this year! 
Event: First Friday Gallery Night 
Start Time: Friday, February 5 at 5:00pm 
End Time: Friday, February 5 at 9:00pm 
Where: Mary Potts Studio, 25 E. Cross Street, Ypsilanti MI 


Keystone - (Under J Neils) 10pm - 1am - Great Music $1.00 Cover - $1.25 Pabsts and other Drink Specials 



Stand with Haiti Fundraiser – Friday, Feb 5 th from 6-9 pm 

Several community members have joined forces with Pilar’s Tamales to raise funds to help alleviate suffering for Haiti’s earthquake victims. We felt moved by the near unfathomable devastation of this event and feel compelled to take action. 

Please join us for a benefit dinner on Friday, February 5 th , 2010 (6-9 pm) at the First United Methodist Church in Ypsilanti, with live music, a silent auction, and members of our community coming together to support those in need (see attached flyer). 

Proceeds from this event will go to Stand With Haiti/Partners in Health (PIH), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which has been working on the ground with Haiti for over twenty years. 

**Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for children. Tickets must be purchased in advance and can be purchased through Pilar's Tamales, 2261 West Liberty or by contacting me (Jessica Faul, jfaul at umich.edu or 483-4690).** 












Thompson Block Update from Councilman Pete Murdock 
Hi All - 

Tuesday, Mr. Beal unveiled his plan for the Thompson Building. (attached.) 

It consists of two parts: 

The first is a process, in four phases, to move off of the streets and public areas, that consists mainly of stabilizing and rebracing the walls from the inside. This would be complete by November 2010. 
Long term his plan is to develop the building by maintaining (restoring?) the existing facade envelope and building a completely new structure inside of it. There is no definite time schedule for that project. 

The second, deals with the north end of the block which was virtually undamaged by the fire will be renovated for a single tenant 400-500 capacity bar/restaurant/ club with a live entertainment venue. This is similar to a proposal he was working on pre-fire with the same tenant. He is hopeful that the prospective tenant will get his financing and a Special DDA Liquor license and sign a lease by this Spring. 

At the City Council meeting on Tuesday, February 16th Council will be asked to extend the street closing to accommodate this plan. 

Pete 

485-7799 











Another FREE event for cyclists? You know it. Its winter people and anything we can do to motivate the masses to get out on their bikes, we're there. So grab your bike and lets ride! NO, this is not a race, its a RIDE. That doesn't mean you have to ride slow, just do what you do and be nice to other riders doing what they do. 




Big Sunday, February 21st is when it will go down. Starting at Cafe Luwak , smack down in the center of Depot Town, Ypsilanti . Ride your bike down and get some grub before the ride. If your driving in, there is plenty of parking in Depot Town and you can park up at the Corner Brewery and roll down to Cafe Luwak. All routes will end at the Corner so you'll be all set. 



Thanks to Tom Lennon & Bike Ypsi we have some good routes picked out. We have start times below and you can do with those what you want. We'll be at Cafe Luwak handing out maps for the routes up until about 3:30pm. These times will give you enough time to ride and get back for the Chili Challenge (see below). If eating great chili and helping out a great charity is not your thing, you can roll off your bike and into the Corner Brewery , into your car, back home on your bike, or whatever. 

2:30pm 28 Mile Route http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=3449949 




3:00pm 12 Mile Route http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=3449933 




3:30pm 4 Mile Route http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=3449959 

We'll have Bike Ypsi crew out on the rides leading the way and making sure no one gets lost. 

At the Corner Brewery we'll have bike parking and people to watch out for your rigs and keep would be bike thieves away while you eat your chili, drink your beer, or whatever. The Corner will offer Happy Hour drink prices for the duration of this event! 




3-6pm February 21st 


Sposored by SOS Community Services , this event brings the community together for a good cause and dishes out the best chili around. All proceeds go to SOS Community Services. 
What you do is pick up your bowls ($10) at Cafe Luwak and roll around to the 7 resturants participating this year and fill your bowl, empty your bowl, & then vote. All the votes will be counted and the winner will be announced at the Corner Brewery at or round 6:20pm. Once again, the Corner will be offering Happy Hour prices on drinks for the event. 


There may even be some live music after the winner is announced. (still working on that one) 


Restaurants competing for this year's title: 


Cafe Luwak 
Aubrees 
Sidetrack 
Queen of Hearts 
Ypsi Food Coop 
Ugly Mug 
Corner Brewery 




Also, Luwak will be offering a 15% discount on their breakfast buffet to anyone who has a bicycle helmet . 





IT'S A CHILI CHALLENGE 
Come help Sidetrack defend their title! 

operaThe annual DEPOT TOWN CHILI COOK OFF will be held on F ebruary 21st 
from 3pm to 6pm . The cost is $5 for the chili tasting/ judging kit, as well as 10 different types of chili.. The kits will be available from SOS volunteers at Cafe Luwak on the day of the event. 





What : Funky Fun Fundraiser for "Friends of Prospect Park Luna Lake 
When: February 25th. 2010 8-11pm 
Where: Frenchie's- The Place to PARTY! 
--Music by DJ Dannyboy-- 

Come on down to Frenchie's and have dinner and drinks for a good cause! A portion of the evening's proceeds from Frenchies will to go to Friends of Prospect Park for the Luna Lake Garden. Eat great food, meet good friends and help support this local group! 

Can't make the Frenchies event? On the 26th, customers who bring an invite or mention they wish to support the Luna Lake Garden Project will have a portion of proceeds from their bill at the Sidetrack donated to the Friends of Prospect Park. 







>From Steve Gross of Friends of the Ypsilanti Freighthouse (FOYF) on the organizational meeting for the FOYF Auction Fundraiser planned for the spring. This should be a fun event and will provide needed resources for getting the Freighthouse ready for the train arrival in the fall. 


Here we go! Not as much notice as we would like, but....First meeting for the "The Train Stops Here" fundraiser to benefit the Freight House is this Monday, 7pm,February the 8th at Frenchie's! This will be the most important meeting we have as we will present event overview and talk in depth about soliciting sponsorships and the special, unique gift acquisitions for both the live and silent auctions. Oh yes, there will be hand outs. 
We would like as many people as possible, and all those interested to attend with the understanding that your involvement does NOT obligate you to attending meetings on a regular basis. This will be fun and exciting (for a meeting)! 


nformation on the Detroit-AA comuter train from The Ann Arbor Chronicle report of a presentation to Ann Arbor City Council by SEMCOG 
http://annarborchronicle.com/2010/02/04/council-talks-transportation-budget/ 
Looks like still on target for Fall 2010 start but with a scaled back schedule. 

Pete 

485-7799 

East-West Commuter Rail 


A presentation to the council at the start of the meeting on the east-west commuter rail project was followed up by discussion by councilmembers East-West Commuter Rail: Presentation 


Carmine Polombo, transportation planner with the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG), gave the council a presentation on proposed commuter rail service between Detroit and Ann Arbor. 

Polombo pointed the council to SEMCOG’s website, where monthly updates on the east-west Detroit-to-Ann Arbor commuter rail project could be found. He described the project as a partnership among various government entities including SEMCOG, the Michigan Department of Transportation and the governor’s office. Certain elements of the project had started to become concrete, he reported, which include the leasing of locomotives and the award of a contract to refurbish nine train cars for the east-west project, plus an additional six cars for WALLY – a separate north-south commuter rail project. Refurbished cars, Polombo said, would start rolling off the line by June of this year: “That’s a go,” he said. 

Two additional stations, he reported, would need to be constructed – one in Depot Town in Ypsilanti, and the other in Westland. Of the six environmental documents required by the Federal Railroad Administration, Polombo reported that four had been completed. He described how computer simulations that had been run – in order to minimize potential conflicts between the commuter service and other existing service – had shown that even a five-minute window adjusted in one direction or another could mean the difference between needing to add more track and not. 

He stressed the importance of the need to coordinate with other transit agencies so that passengers could get access to the stations, and from the stations to their final destination. He described it as needing to make sure that we can “feed this beast.” The linchpin to the system, he said, is in Detroit – there is a section of track that goes from two tracks down to one track, and back to two tracks again – that would need around $12 million worth of improvements, he said. 

As far as next steps, he said, finding more money to fund the project was crucial. The Federal Railroad Administration had awarded through the stimulus package some money to construct two new stations. But Polombo said that they were “sort of hoping for a few more dollars.” They would, therefore, be exploring plans B, C, D, and F. He alluded to the federal TIGER grants (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) that involved the awarding of $1.5 billion nationally – announcement of those grants is expected by Feb. 14. In addition, he said they were preparing for the possibility of yet another stimulus package being offered by the federal government. 

They have secured a request for proposals to select an operator for the service – the contract cannot just be given to Amtrak, he said. Because of the federal dollars being used, a bidding process for the service was necessary. Later, in response to questions from council members, Polombo said that the Detroit railroads might have issues if anyone other than Amtrak were awarded the contract to operate the service. East-West Commuter Rail: Deliberations 


Mayor John Hieftje led off conversation among councilmembers by stating that he had been receiving regular updates from SEMCOG. Hieftje then prodded Polombo to express some confidence that the service would actually begin this year. Polombo confirmed that something would be rolling, but seemed interested in lowering expectations of what the early service might look like. 

Polombo described it as involving individual day trips – University of Michigan football games, events like Restaurant Week in Ann Arbor, Thanksgiving day, or trips to the Henry Ford Museum. Polombo also stressed that the Norfolk Southern part of the route needs track work. What is really important, Polombo said, is reliable, safe, on-time service. 

Hieftje then stated that he had been part of those conversations for a long time, whereas some people have not. Hieftje said he appreciated the idea that the strategy would be to grow into the service, not start it all at once. 

Sabra Briere (Ward 1) asked about a $3.5 million federal earmark for the project, which required a 20% match. She asked where the match would come from. Polombo explained that one possibility would be that the Michigan Department of Transportation would provide cash for the match – that would be the best possible situation. However, another strategy would be to use a “soft match” – the construction of stations in Westland and Ypsilanti, which would not be done with federal funds, could be used as soft match money. 

Tony Derezinski (Ward 2) asked about some preliminary awards for high-speed rail links that had recently gone to other parts of the country – were we now excluded? Polombo said no, there was still a possibility for that. 

Sandi Smith (Ward 1) asked if the proposed Fuller Road transit station would qualify as a soft match. Polombo’s answer was that the station had been submitted as part of a TIGER grant and that it would all depend on the timing. The point is, Polombo said, we have a station now [the Amtrak station], we can use it, and make it work. If the new station were to be built, he said, the service can be made to work there, too. 

Carsten Hohnke (Ward 5) asked Polombo about the challenge of getting people the last mile to their destination – Ann Arbor had a plan that involved construction of the Fuller Road station. What are other communities doing, wondered Hohnke. Polombo described how SMART , the metro Detroit transit agency, was mapping their services – in Dearborn for example. 

Mike Anglin (Ward 5) asked what discussions with Amtrak had been like. Polombo said that Amtrak had been a partner from the start of the project and that they would like to be a service provider for the project. But because the project was using a substantial number of federal dollars, the contract for operation of the service would need to be bid out. One potential problem, he said, was that the Detroit railroads say that if the service provider is not Amtrak, they might have a prob lem. 


Crossroads Festival Survey - Don't forget to tell them their sound guys are horrible 

We need your help selecting performers for 2010 Crossroads. Please use the 
following link to send us your feedback. Thank you to all of the local 
musicians who submitted your press packs to be considered for 2010 
Crossroads. The application process is now closed. 
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CVN2QV8 






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