Author: Alvey Jones

Recent Posts

Sunday Funnies: Bezonki | May 6, 2012

The May 2012 adventures of Bezonki take flight for a brief moment of winged ecstasy before dashing back to Earth, where our green, scaly hero must contend with law enforcement, mysterious underwater surveillance, and the harsh judgement of history. At least, that’s one interpretation. [Full Story]

Sunday Funnies: Bezonki | April 1, 2012

The April 2012 episode of the adventures of Bezonki finds a thoughtful contemplation of fine art interrupted by a stellar explosion (of course!) that leads to a wild chase through space, a pumpkin-headed stranger, a twilight tromp, giggling, and the turning of a calendar. What does this April Foolishness mean?! [Full Story]

Sunday Funnies: Bezonki | March 4, 2012

In the March 2012 adventures of Bezonki, our green friend dines, reads signs, shoots a raygun, looks forlorn, and in general is up to his usual antics. This month’s installment also appears to introduce a new character – what appears to be a scruffy-looking cat. [Full Story]

Sunday Funnies: Bezonki | February 5, 2012

In February 2012, Bezonki takes us on a cosmic ride to find his furry minions. Are you strapped in? Do you play chesskers without mercy? Perhaps you are worthy of Bezonki’s roasted marshmallows after all. [Full Story]

Sunday Funnies: Bezonki | January 1, 2012

Bezonki and his purple pals greet 2012 with banana peels, falling pianos, prat falls, slugfests and assorted other merriment. Happy New Year! [Full Story]

Sunday Funnies: Bezonki | December 4, 2011

In the December 2011 adventures of Bezonki, our scaly green friend explores the mysteries of gift-giving, UFOs, the U.S. postal service, and Christmas trees. [Full Story]

Sunday Funnies: Bezonki | November 6, 2011

The inscrutable Bezonki returns for a November 2011 adventure, taking an autumn stroll that leads to all sorts of unexpected encounters. [Full Story]

Sunday Funnies: Bezonki | October 2, 2011

The October 2011 adventures of Bezonki begin in the lab, continue in the alley, travel into outer space and end up close to where we began – though we’re not sure exactly where that is. [Full Story]

Sunday Funnies: Bezonki | September 4, 2011

In the September 2011 edition of Bezonki, drawn by local artist Alvey Jones, the purple red-bowed creature learns an important lesson: If you offer a drink to a guy with his hands full, make sure it has a straw. As always, Bezonki’s hands are completely full. [Full Story]

Sunday Funnies: Bezonki | August 7, 2011

In the August 2011 adventures of Bezonki, our stalwart green friend finds himself in a bit of peril, but escapes by impersonating an officer and goes on to discover the secret of the universe. Or does he? [Full Story]

Civic News Ticker

Brown Recommended for N. Main Group

At its May 23, 2012 meeting, the Ann Arbor public art commission (AAPAC) unanimously recommended that Connie Rizzolo Brown be nominated for a position on a task force to study the corridor along North Main Street and the Huron River. That recommendation will be forwarded to mayor John Hieftje.

The task force was established by the city council at its May 7, 2012 meeting, with membership to include the following: one member of the park advisory commission, one member of the planning commission, one resident representing the Water Hill neighborhood, one resident representing the North Central neighborhood, one resident from the Old Fourth Ward, one resident representing the Broadway/Pontiac neighborhood, two business and property owners from the affected area, and one member of the Huron River Watershed Council.

At its May 21 meeting, the two sponsors of the resolution that created the task force – Ward 1 councilmembers Sabra Briere and Sandi Smith – proposed adding three additional representatives: a member of the city council, someone from the boating/fishing community of river users, a representative from the Huron River Citizens Association. Tony Derezinski (Ward 2), who also serves on AAPAC, then proposed an amendment to add an AAPAC member to the task force. The AAPAC addition was passed by council on a 6-5 vote. [See Chronicle coverage: "Positions Added to North Main Task Force"] Appointments are expected to be made at the council’s June 4 meeting.

At AAPAC’s May 23 meeting, Derezinski told commissioners that “basically, we need someone at the table.”

The task force is charged with delivering a report to the city council more than a year from now – by July 31, 2013 – that describes “a vision to create/complete/enhance pedestrian and bike connection from downtown to Bandemer and Huron River Drive, increase public access to the river-side amenities of existing parks in the North Main-Huron River corridor, ease traffic congestion at Main and Depot at certain times of a day and recommend use of MichCon property at Broadway; …”

Earlier than that – by the end of 2012 – the task force is to make recommendations on the use of the city-owned 721 N. Main parcel.

Brown has served on AAPAC since early 2009, and has chaired the commission’s projects committee. She is a principal of Rizzolo Brown Studio, an Ann Arbor architecture firm.

This brief was filed from the basement conference room of city hall at 301 E. Huron, where AAPAC held its meeting. A more detailed report will follow.

Annexation Rezonings Get Final OK

Water, Sewer Rate Bumps Get Initial OK

Ann Arbor Accepts Sustainability Grant

Allen Creek Preschool Site Plan OK’d

Positions Added to North Main Task Force

Council Gives Initial OK for Sidewalk Repair Law

Old Media Watch

A2: Race for the Cure

The Detroit News published a column by Jenn McKee, entertainment writer for AnnArbor.com, about why she’s not participating in Saturday’s Race for the Cure, a fundraiser for the Susan G. Komen Foundation: ”This past February, when news broke about the Susan G. Komen Foundation’s decision to pull grants from Planned Parenthood – grants that fund breast cancer screenings for low-income women – I felt angry, betrayed and disappointed by an organization I’d supported for years. Even though Komen eventually reversed its decision, after days of heated debate and pushback, I didn’t feel elated about, or even satisfied with, the reversal. Not because I suspected that the fight wasn’t over for good but because I lost my innocence regarding an organization that has had great personal meaning for me.” [Source]

Scio: Camp Take Notice

Pittsfield Twp.: Plane Crash

A2: Restaurant Review

Serious Eats reviews the burgers and patty melts at Zingerman’s Roadhouse. The reviewer praises both, but writes: “As good as the burger was, the gut-busting patty melt was better. …The thick slices of rye bread, which naturally comes from Zingerman’s Bakehouse, is simply the best I’ve ever had the pleasure of eating. It’s loaded with flavor, has a particularly thick and chewy crust around a soft interior, and will make virtually any sandwich ever invented taste better. The mountain of grilled onions and wild mushrooms add a sweet and juicy umami bomb to the patty melt, and the baby Swiss from Deppeler Cheese Factory in Monroe, Wisconsin, brings a nice coating of creaminess.” [Source]

Washtenaw: Skunk Rabies

A2: Music

A2-Ypsi: May 8 Election

Coordinated Funding Clarified

An article about the May 16, 2012 meeting of the Washtenaw County board of commissioners included a mention of the coordinated funding model – a partnership of the county, city of Ann Arbor, United Way of Washtenaw County, Washtenaw Urban County, and Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation. We clarify here that the funds are not “pooled” together in a way that makes it impossible to associate funding from a particular agency with a particular nonprofit. Rather, the coordinated funding model allows for each of the funding partners to make specific allocations to specific nonprofits, at the discretion of the funding partner. We note the clarification here, and have changed the wording of the original article.

His Name is Ralph

2008 Ward 5 Was Hohnke vs. Floyd

UM Parking Structure: 700 Spaces

Current 618 S. Main Proposal Clarified

Name Spelled Wrong

City Council Approval Not Required