AnnArbor.com News

Self-defense or 'execution'? Jury deliberating Ypsilanti murder case

2013-09-11T19:15:35-04:00

At 3:51 p.m. Wednesday, six men and six women began the task of deciding if Leonard Ware shot and killed Bhagavan Allen in a broad-daylight murder on an Ypsilanti street or in an act of self-defense.

Continue reading Self-defense or 'execution'? Jury deliberating Ypsilanti murder case...

Portion of Holmes Road to be closed for repaving in Ypsilanti Township

2013-09-11T19:11:49-04:00

Traffic on a portion of Holmes Road in Ypsilanti Township will be restricted for nearly a week while the road is repaved, beginning Thursday.

Continue reading Portion of Holmes Road to be closed for repaving in Ypsilanti Township ...

Chicken jerky for dogs recalled after health officials link product to outbreak of human illness

2013-09-11T16:20:45-04:00

flickr photo courtesy of nutloaf

According to a press release by The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), one brand of chicken jerky for dogs is being voluntarily recalled because of possible salmonella health risk.

The strain of bacteria found to sicken 21 people in one state has been identified and linked with the same strain found in the product, which is manufacturered by Kritter’s Kitchen Kreations, LLC, of New Hampshire.

No deaths have resulted from infection.

The link was discovered after officials at the DHHS Bureau of Infectious Disease Control interviewed those who had become ill. One common thread that was shared, was that each person had handled the same brand of jerky treats.

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Auction yields no sale of Smith Furniture Building in Ypsilanti after owner rejects high bid

2013-09-11T14:59:15-04:00

The owner rejected the high bid for the former Smith Furniture Building at an auction in Ypsilanti Wednesday.

Tom Perkins | For AnnArbor.com

And the winner is….

No one.

The historic downtown Ypsilanti Smith Furniture Building was set to sell at a billed-no-minimum-bid auction today, but a bid entered by Ann Arbor-area developer Phil Conlin for $50,000 was rejected by the building’s owner, James Pate.

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Cold front to come through Ann Arbor Wednesday night, severe thunderstorms possible

2013-09-11T14:57:43-04:00

The days of warm weather may be numbered in Ann Arbor, thanks to storms and a cold front that will come through the area Wednesday night and last through the weekend.

Continue reading Cold front to come through Ann Arbor Wednesday night, severe thunderstorms possible ...

Michigan Theater marquee to run on sun power

2013-09-11T14:30:00-04:00

The solar array being installed on the Michigan Theater's roof this week. The power generated by the array will light up the theater's marquee.

Melanie Maxwell | The Ann Arbor News

Here comes the sun-powered Michigan Theater marquee - and it's all right.

Yes, installation of a rooftop solar array - an electrical device made up of connected solar cells - should be completed this week at Ann Arbor's historic Michigan Theater. Once the system is in place and operational, it should generate enough electricity to power the marquee, after its incandescent bulbs are replaced with light-emitting diode (LED) lamps.

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AAATA to propose expanded bus service, longer contract to Pittsfield Township

2013-09-11T14:11:26-04:00

Pittsfield Township and the Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority will begin discussions on a possible expansion of service and extended contract term.

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With new CD 'Creole Soul,' jazz trumpeter Etienne Charles taps into Afro-Caribbean background

2013-09-11T14:00:00-04:00

Trumpeter/bandleader Etienne Charles may only be in his 20s, but he has already recorded three well-received albums, and has just released another.

He’ll offer local fans a taste at a CD release party Saturday night at Kerrytown Concert House.

Continue reading With new CD 'Creole Soul,' jazz trumpeter Etienne Charles taps into Afro-Caribbean background...

Ann Arbor schools officials launch blogs as district ramps up communications

2013-09-11T13:33:00-04:00

Ann Arbor Public Schools Superintendent Jeanice Kerr Swift walks through a class at Logan Elementary School on the first day of school, Tuesday, September 3, 2013.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

Both the superintendent and Board of Education president for Ann Arbor Public Schools have launched blogs this year to discuss school issues.

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Chelsea City Council sets deadline for bids on old police station

2013-09-11T11:47:34-04:00

Bids will be accepted for the old chelsea police station until 10 a.m. September 20.

The Chelsea City Council set a deadline for bids to purchase the city’s old police station building at its meeting Tuesday night, Chelsea Update reported.

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The Lunch Room does vegan food in a way that even non-vegans can enjoy

2013-09-11T10:40:33-04:00

With the publication a couple of years ago of the epic vegan tome Veganomicon and more recently Mark Bittman's VB6: Eat Vegan Before 6pm to Lose Weight and Restore your Health, vegans (i.e. people who abstain from using animal products) are gaining ground in numbers and in national conversations around food.

Since the August opening of a brick-and-mortar location in Kerrytown after years as a popular food cart, now Ann Arbor has its second 100 percent vegan restaurant with The Lunch Room.

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Tell us why your team should be in our Week 4 Game of the Week poll

2013-09-11T10:09:42-04:00

Saline High School sophomore Jeb Palka looks for a hole in Ypsilanti High School's defense on Friday, Sept. 6, in Saline.

Patrick Record | AnnArbor.com file

We’ve got a full 10 games on next week’s Washtenaw County high school football slate, but only one can be the Ann Arbor News/Mlive Game of the Week.

Continue reading Tell us why your team should be in our Week 4 Game of the Week poll...

Pet Photo Friday is a fun way to show off your well-behaved pets - find out how to partcipate

2013-09-11T09:42:07-04:00

Lorrie Shaw | Contributor

Knowing that there are many fun-loving pets living in the area, we're anxious to see what they've been up to.

Have you captured a really fun photo of your pet? Why not submit a favorite photo of them?

Any pet or animal in the family is welcome in the slideshow we feature each Friday.

Continue reading Pet Photo Friday is a fun way to show off your well-behaved pets - find out how to partcipate...

Amy Dixon-Kolar brings her 'Rosa Sat' and other tunes to lucky Friday gig at Crazy Wisdom

2013-09-11T09:16:00-04:00

Even though Friday the 13th is coming up, Chicago singer/songwriter Amy Dixon-Kolar is convinced that will be a good day for her. She makes her debut at Crazy Wisdom that night.

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Syl's mandel bread

2013-09-11T08:00:00-04:00

Mary Bilyeu, Contributor

You say "biscotti," I say "mandelbrot."

According to Wikipedia: "The Yiddish word mandelbrodt literally means almond bread." But not every version contains almonds; the term has simply come to encompass any variety of the traditional treat that's baked as a log, sliced, and then baked again to crisp each individual cookie a bit.

I've been going through Craig's late mother's recipes, and particularly focusing on the handwritten ones (such as the family favorite Helen's Apple Cake). Craig's father, Sid, says that some of those recipes come from several generations back, though he unfortunately doesn't particularly know which ones were passed down from which relatives.

But that doesn't matter so much as knowing that these are a legacy. And the treats prepared from these treasured family recipes are ones that Craig would have enjoyed when his mom baked them, as they were both noted for having a sweet tooth.

Craig's Aunt Syl, his mother Helen's twin sister, seems to have been a particularly noted baker. And her recipe for mandelbrot - Anglicized to "Mandel Bread" - is excellent. I've prepared a lot of biscotti and mandelbrot in my many years of baking, and this one is absolutely the easiest to mix, to shape, and to slice that I've found. The finished cookies aren't too crisp, either, as some variations on this treat require dunking rather than merely being enhanced by a dip into coffee or wine; these can be eaten "as is."

And, best of all, the mandelbrot taste really great, too!

Continue reading Syl's mandel bread...