Due to a technical error, the June 6 a2view didn’t reach many of our readers. We are resending to the entire list, with our apologies to those of you who already received it. 

Twenty-two years ago this month, I reported for USA Today on a national “building boom” of public libraries. It was 2002 and the Internet was in its meteoric ascendance so it felt ironic and newsworthy that anyone would be reinvesting in an institution dedicated to one of our oldest technologies.

I thought of this today – and looked up just how long ago that was – because of the peculiar excitement I’m feeling about news that the Michigan Ave. branch of the Ypsilanti District Library reopens in August. Until very recently, I had probably gone many years without walking into a library for any reason other than perhaps a public lecture.

Then I had two children and I realized that the libraries of my youth – drafty mid-century buildings full only of books and stern overseers insisting on quiet – have been replaced with bright, spacious, happy places with every kind of media. Almost without fail, they all have splendorous children’s sections replete with toys, games, sometimes aquariums, and often wonderful artwork. And there are smart, lovely people who program an astonishing array of activities from kiddie exercise programs to nature walks. I borrowed a special knife last month to get rid of a nightshade weed infestation! “From the library?” a friend asked. Yep. From the library.

Everywhere we go now, we look up the local library to see if there’s a kids area. We’ve yet to be disappointed – and they’re all different. That’s why we’re eager to see what YDL has done after its catastrophic flood. I suspect it’ll be fabulous, top-of-the-line, state of the art.

The news of the week is below. It looks like the AAPS’s severance offer isn’t attracting many teachers, anti-Israel demonstrators vandalized regent Jordan Acker’s law firm, the city made an important real estate move, and three U-M gymnasts may be Paris-bound.

– Steve Friess, editor, writing from YDL’s Superior branch.
With assistance from Miles Anderson.

Corrections: Last week, we incorrectly indicated which parent of Harper Mathis, a namesake of a charity lemonade sale, is a police officer. It is Harper’s mother, Shelly Mathis. Also, we listed the wrong students on Skyline High’s national championship-winning crew team. They are Keira Hale, Sophie Ricci, Megan Sherry, and Alex Harrington. We regret the errors.

Low response to AAPS teacher offer likely means more layoffs: School district spokesperson Andrew Cluley tells a2view that, as of Wednesday, just forty-six qualifying teachers had taken an offer to retire or resign in exchange for at least a $15,000 payment into a 403b retirement account. Under the deal with the teacher’s union, though, AAPS only has to pay that money if at least seventy-five teachers accept the deal by tomorrow. Teachers who agreed to quit, however, cannot rescind their resignations even if the incentives disappear, Cluley says, Meanwhile, MLive reports the district began notifying some teachers Tuesday that they are being let go. The district aims to cut more than ninety teaching positions as part of a plan to reduce expenses by more than $20 million a year. 

U-M regent’s Southfield law office vandalized with pro-Palestine graffiti: Jordan Acker, who is Jewish, decried the tagging of “Divest Now,” “Free Palestine,” and some obscenities on windows, signage, and the sidewalks as an antisemitic attack, according to The Michigan Daily. Images of the vandalism were posted on X in a video on Monday. On Instagram, the Tahrir Coalition, a consortium of U-M student groups opposed to Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, insisted the incident was the work of an “autonomous group” but that they supported the message. Southfield police, U-M police, and the FBI are investigating the incident. The American Federation of Ramallah, Palestine, a Palestinian-American group based in Westland, condemned the incident, the Detroit Free Press reports.

City to sell blighted, polluted site across from YMCA: In a 7-2 vote, council gave staff the go-ahead to negotiate a price with 4M, a developer that has offered to pay up to the 2019 appraised value of $5.5 million, MLive reports. The city wants whoever takes the derelict former city garage to remediate it and then build a six-story affordable housing project with as many as 157 units. Residents who spoke at the meeting questioned why there was no request for proposals for the site, and noted that 4M co-owner Heidi Poscher has given thousands of dollars to the campaigns of mayor Christopher Taylor and his allies. 

Divisive high-rise plan falls through: A proposed complex that would have replaced homes and apartments between Packard St., Fourth Ave., Fifth Ave., and Madison St. has been abandoned, according to MLive. Subtext, the St. Louis-based developer, had proposed rezoning the block last year, but residents objected and city staff had told the company it would need to resubmit its plan with different zoning. Subtext did not give a reason for stopping the development, but councilmember Jen Eyer said she understood the cost of revising the plan was the sticking point. 

Affordable senior complex proposed on Packard: The planning commission reviewed plans this week for Packard Place, a four-story development west of US-23 that would have forty-nine one-bedroom apartments, according to city records. Of that, twelve units would be set aside for people with incomes up to 30 percent of the area median, five for people at or below 40 percent, nine at or below 60 percent and twenty-three at or below 80 percent. The plans also call for 4,000 square feet of retail. Developers MHT Housing Inc. and Issa Properties say they will seek state low-income housing tax credits.

Council approves $4.25M for green energy rebates: An application portal is due to open this month where residents can apply for money back for investments in e-bikes, home battery systems, air-source heat pumps, electric heat-pump water heaters, electrical panel upgrades, and energy-efficiency improvements, according to city records. The rebates will range from a few hundred dollars to $3,500 depending on the project and the applicant’s income.

A2 Greenbelt closes first land sale: Raindance Organic Farm owner Kristen Muehlhauser and Feral Flora owner Matt Demmon will split a fifty-four-acre property in Northfield Twp. the city bought in 2002, according to a press release. The land now has a conservation easement prohibiting its use beyond specified agricultural activities. Muelhauser is paying $204,000 for thirty-four acres and Demmon will pay $122,000 for twenty acres, per an agreement approved by council in December. The money will go into the fund to purchase more greenbelt property.

Suicide falls to five-year low: A new report from the Washtenaw County Health Department found thirty-seven people died by suicide last year, 22 percent fewer than in 2021 and the lowest total since 2018. Thirty-three, or 89 percent, were White people and 74 percent of suicides since 2021 were men, the report says. Since 2021, suicide rates fell by 18 percent among females aged ten to twenty-four and 12 percent among males in that age bracket. Anyone considering self-harm should call or text the national Suicide and Crisis Hotline toll-free at 988.

Road closure updates: The intersection of Whittaker and Willis roads is closed until June 17 for the installation of a roundabout, the county says. Hill St. from Tappan Ave. to E. University Ave. will shut down Monday through July 12 for reconstruction, the city says. Also, Platt Rd. between Washtenaw Ave and S. Huron Pkwy. is expected to reopen at 5 p.m. Monday following paving work.

Council OKs $157,000 for nine speed humps: Four will be on Henry St. between E. Stadium Blvd. and Packard St., and five will be on Bird Rd. between Newport Rd. and Huron River Dr., according to city records. The work is expected to be done next year.

Automated vehicle testing to start on I-94 corridor: Three miles of freeway between Belleville and Rawsonville roads now has a technology-enabled express lane thanks to a partnership between the MDOT and Cavnue, a self-driving vehicle infrastructure company, MLive writes. The lane will be open to all vehicles except semis, with autonomous vehicles to be tested on that stretch during non-peak hours. The goal is to collect data for a potential autonomous-vehicle corridor between Ann Arbor and Detroit. 

Motorist who went viral did not have a license at all: Judge Cedric Simpson’s bemused reaction to Corey Harris appearing for a May 15 virtual court hearing while driving his car became an Internet sensation because of the twist that the hearing was about Harris’s suspended license. Then it seemed like a big mistake after WXYZ reported that that suspension was lifted two years ago by a Saginaw County judge as part of a statewide amnesty program, but that information never made it to either police in Pittsfield Twp. who ticketed Harris or to Simpson. Now it turns out, according to MLive reporting at a hearing on Wednesday, that Harris, forty-four, never had a Michigan license at all. His right to have one was suspended in 2010 because of a failure to pay child support and that right was restored in 2022, but he never obtained one, Simpson explained. Harris was then arrested and taken to Allen Park, where he had another active warrant for driving without a license.

Eighteen-year-old charged in two homicides: Daniel Lamar Franklin had been on the run since March, when he was sought in connection to the murder of twenty-two-year-old Alonzo Hollie in Ypsilanti Twp., MLive writes. After he was caught, Franklin was also charged with open murder in the 2022 death of eighteen-year-old Sean Longoria, who also in Ypsilanti Twp. Franklin, of Belleville, is being held without bail.

Ypsi man pleads no contest to murder of ex-girlfriend: Thirty-one-year-old Junius Dawan Caver faces life in prison for second-degree murder charge in the 2022 death of twenty-eight-year-old Aleisha Archer, MLive reports (paywall). Police say Caver shot Archer in the neck during an argument in Superior Twp. and then burned her body in a Flint garage. He’s scheduled to be sentenced on July 17.

Therapy dog to remain with AAPS amid ownership dispute: Judge Timothy Connors denied a request for custody from Wines Elementary teacher Lexi Fata who insists the animal, Gracie, belongs to her because she lived with and cared for her for two years, MLive reports. The school district and the Wines PTO say the dog is owned by the school. Gracie is currently in the care of the school’s principal.

Emerson School celebrates a half-century: Founder Jean Navarre, who died in 2021, opened the private school for high-achieving kids in 1973 with eleven students. It now has 340 pupils from young 5s to eighth grade whose families pay as much as $27,000 a year in tuition to attend the campus in Scio Twp., Jan Schlain reports in this month’s Observer. Emerson once required IQ tests for admission but has scrapped that for a broader approach to selecting its student body. They also offer $1 million a year in need-based financial aid and say 41 percent of students identify as people of color.

Flooded library branch to reopen in August: The Ypsilanti District Library announced that the historic Michigan Ave. building, gutted by stormwater last summer and shut down ever since, will host a community party to celebrate its return on Aug. 3, according to the YDL newsletter The Loop. The night before, the library will host an event featuring a “teen showcase of performance art, visual art, and entrepreneurship.”

Superior branch seeking artwork: YDL’s Superior branch is now accepting applications for artists who want their work considered for its permanent collection, the Eastern Echo reports. The library, which opened in 2022, has $6,000 to spend and is looking to buy pieces to go at the main entrance and in two of the study rooms. Applications are due by Sept. 6 and winners will be chosen by Oct. 25. To apply, click here.

Ypsi residents can now park RVs in the driveway: The city council eased restrictions on storing boats, motor homes, and campers, according to city records. Vehicles can be up to twelve feet tall, but all vehicles over eight feet long must be stored at least ten feet from the front property line. Previously, RVs had to be stored in enclosed buildings, out of sight of the street, or in a rear or side yard.

A2 offers free tool to gauge water consumption: City water customers can log onto AquaHawk here using their account credentials and receive alerts about possible water leaks or other consumption irregularities. Users can request notifications via email, text, or phone calls when a specified amount of water is used or nearly used in a given month.

MIFarmLink helps owners find buyers, tenants: The state’s new online program is already responsible for the sale of two Washtenaw County farms since its launch last year, Trilby MacDonald reports in this month’s Observer. In addition, one owner in Manchester tells MacDonald she found a lessee seeking grazing land for his sheep who shares her preference for sustainable agricultural practices.

Three U-M gymnasts heading to Olympic trials: They’re among twenty who’ll compete in Minneapolis this month for five spots on the USA men’s national team for the 2024 Summer Games in Paris, according to the Michigan Daily. Michigan coach Yuan Xiao says the three – junior Frederick Richard, grad student Paul Juda, and volunteer assistant coach Cameron Bock – are the largest group U-M has ever sent to the final trials. “It’s big for us as a program,” Xiao said.

Campus chef to compete in national competition: Bouakhanh Greene, executive chef at Bursley Dining Hall, is one of six finalists in the National Association of College & University Food Services 2024 Culinary Challenge in Louisville next month, MLive writes (paywall). Greene, forty-seven, has been cooking since she was three; her parents were Laotian refugees who emigrated to Traverse City after the Vietnam War. At U-M, she’s infused the cuisine with a southeast Asian flavor, including a Filipino dessert called ube. If Greene wins, she’ll be the first woman to do so in almost a decade.

M Den may lose Briarwood berth amid unpaid rent: The retailer received a court-ordered eviction order on May 20 on account of being $66,766 in arrears, MLive reports. It’s one of several creditor lawsuits the official partner of U-M Athletics faces including one in which Kansas-based Branded Custom Sportswear is seeking $4.2 million in unpaid invoices and expenses since June 2022. Owner Scott Hirth did not respond to the outlet’s attempts to obtain comment but, in a court filing, blamed “delayed and surprise shipments” from the Kansas company that arrived too late for the 2022 football season.

Fast-growing Pita Way chain adds Scio Twp., downtown A2 locations: The west-side store opened last month in an outlot of the Meijer at Jackson and Zeeb, and the other is under construction in the former NeoPapalis space at the corner of William and Thompson streets, Dave Algase writes in this month’s Observer. The fast-casual Middle Eastern restaurant now has twenty-nine locations, and founder Brandon Bahoura wants to get to 100 locations in the next three years. 

Chick-fil-A to replace former Denny’s – without drive-thru: The new location will be the fast-food chain’s first location without a car-friendly takeout window, the Detroit Free Press reports. Denny’s, which closed in 2022, will be demolished. The company says it hopes to open the new restaurant in fall 2025. 

Five-mile trek for restorative justice program is Saturday: The annual Bridging US-23 Unity Walk between A2 and Ypsi seeks to connect the cities and fund the Dispute Resolution Center, ClickonDetroit writes. The DRC helps those who commit crime make amends outside of the legal system, often through direct contact with victims. The event includes a five-mile hike starting at 10 a.m. at the United Way for Southeastern Michigan at 2305 Platt Rd. in A2 and terminating at Brown Chapel AME Church, 1043 W. Michigan Ave. in Ypsi. The 1.5-mile walk starts at 11:30 a.m. at Ypsi High’s football field at 1801 Packard St. in Ypsi. The church will host a celebration with speakers, food, and more starting around noon. Register here.

MSU alums to pitch in at Food Gatherers: Spartans will don green and white on Saturday as they sort food, repackage bulk items, and clean the warehouse and trucks from 1 to 3 p.m. at the regional food bank’s headquarters. It’s part of Spartans Serve, an annual community outreach effort. Volunteers can sign up by emailing kassofka@msu.edu or calling (734) 546-4487.

County opens tenth Senior Café: This time it’s in Manchester, the Sun Times News reports. The cafes, where people over sixty can socialize over a free meal, are a county initiative that also include three sites in Ann Arbor and two Ypsi. Younger people can also attend for a suggested donation of between $3 and $5.50. For the days and times of meals or to reserve one, call the site of choice at least 48 hours ahead of time; phone numbers and addresses for each site are posted here. 

By Jennifer Taylor

Friday: Enjoy the Ypsilanti Pride Celebration featuring free live outdoor performances from Detroit soul singer Alise King, the local Out Loud Chorus, and more. Vendors and organization tables. Food for sale. 5 to 10 p.m., Depot Town, E. Cross from the Huron River and N. River St. & the Freighthouse, 100 Market Pl. For event and lineup details, visit facebook.com/ypsipride.

Saturday: Take a stroll at Ann Arbor Farm & Garden’s 31st Annual Ann Arbor Garden Walk. This year’s tour includes a certified organic vegetable and flower farm and seven private gardens. Also, the Treat Truck from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and plants for sale. ​​10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Various locations. Advance tickets $20 (ages 13–18, $5; under 13, free), at annarborfarmandgarden.org and cash/check at the gate. 

Sunday: Eat, dance, and be merry at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church’s 2024 Ya’ssoo Greek Festival featuring food from pastitsio to souvlaki, live music by the Detroit band Enigma, folk dance performances, and open dancing (Fri. and Sat. 9 p.m. to midnight). Church tours, raffles, and a sale of Greek jewelry, ceramics, and more. 11 a.m. to midnight (Fri. and Sat.), noon to 5 p.m. (Sun.), St. Nicholas, 3109 Scio Church Rd. $5 cash only (free admission for kids age 12 & under.) (734) 332–8200. 

See the Observer’s online calendar for many more local events. 

Tell a friend about a2view

For Sponsorship and Advertising information 
Email:  a2view@aaobserver.com

Did this email get forwarded to you? 
Sign up to receive a2view direct to your inbox.