Stopped. Watched.

DTE’s “SmartCurrents” meters are being installed on Washington Street near the YMCA!

Nearly a packed hearing room on the fourth floor of the state house (rooms 402 and 403) and three speakers opposed to SB 971 as well as three in favor. I spoke as University of Michigan graduate student body president on a neutral platform. Many people submitted comment cards to the committee voicing their opinions on this issue for the record.  Democrat members in opposition and Republicans seemingly in favor of codifying rules that have been in place since the 1981 MERC ruling. [See also: "UM Regents Oppose GSRA Senate Bill"]

SB 971 was amended and recommended for passage by the full senate.

Cars sliding on the icy hill up Washington. Welcome back, winter!

Line of people at table set up selling Girl Scout cookies.

Kayakers enjoying the new Argo rapids. [photo] [Editor's note: The city has set up an online survey for gathering input on a name for this new amenity.]

Eastbound Packard at Henry. Two or three car rear-ender. 10:15 p.m. Feb. 16. Two young women sitting on curb with arms around each other. Lots of broken glass and crumpled cars but no injuries. Not sure if pick-up was involved or just helping. [photo]

[Construction of City Place project status update: Three levels framed.] The city of Ann Arbor called the third level of this building a “dormer” which allowed the building to be six feet taller than would otherwise be allowed.  Does it look like a dormer to you? [photo]

Shiny sign on a house facade containing one word of a fav sentiment: MORE TUBA ENTHUSIASM! [photo]

Malicious vandalism to a home, observed by a neighbor, police called, police arrive in minutes, looking for kids who did it. Police cars in the area, all about 4:30 p.m. Hurray for neighbors watching out!

Snow owl? [photo]

Red rose petals scattered along the sidewalk across from the YMCA. It was either a very good Valentine’s Day, or a very bad one. [photo]

Multiple police and fire trucks at Campus Inn. Battalion Chief indicates a third-floor water leak triggered a false alarm.

Model Ann Arbor citizen clearing snow from sidewalk leading to AATA Route 12A bus stop on south side of Liberty, as well as the area around the stop. Thank you, ma’am, it made catching the bus from there a bit easier this morning.

Liberty Plaza is no longer occupied.

After gas line was broken by construction activity earlier this afternoon, as of 9 p.m. Bar Louie is open. Wait staff removing “Closed Gas Leak” signs from door. An ABC Brassiere Blonde will sustain me after attending the second in series of city of Ann Arbor sustainability forums at Ann Arbor District Library.

Guessing a gas line was punched, by Google building on Division. Fire department just leaving now.

City Place project sprouting above ground at an alarming rate: [photo]

A WAVE bus sitting at the side of the road, near a bus stop with a number of people waiting for an incoming bus (to Ann Arbor).  Countywide transit in action.

Dave Brandon media scrum following Wednesday’s special UM regents meeting. [photo]

Blue Tractor closed Tuesday and Wednesday (Feb. 7-8). Spotted some patrons looking for alternative options after Tuesday night’s planning commission meeting.

City of Ann Arbor road patching crew rolling slowly along searching for potholes, dumping patch into them. [Time stamp is correct] [photo]

Michael Jackson guy dancing in his accustomed spot in Graffiti alley next to the Michigan Theater.

Snowdrops in bloom. [photo]

Knight’s Market finished its exterior renovation. New meat counter, too. [photo]

Today at Selma Cafe, having an incredible breakfast and talking with Alexander Jarosev, who said: “I find Ann Arbor cleaner, more decent, more affordable, a place with tastier food and superior civic architecture (not to mention more culturally vibrant) than Oxford, England – similar but no contest.” Alexander is a literature scholar and former archeologist from Oxford University.

Avoid this area. Construction. [photo]

As of Jan. 31, crocus bulbs had sprouted in my garden.

Looks like the city’s taken delivery of a bunch of new canoe/kayaks.

The City of Ann Arbor is doing a good job of putting in pedestrian walk signs. [photo]

Mom pushing bundled toddler on swing. Yes it is warm out.