Stopped. Watched.

A peek through window of University of Michigan’s Art & Design studio reveals many lovely examples of new art and design.

Near Espresso Royale: Huge mountain of snow all piled up in space for handicapped parking – bet it won’t melt until March.

A murder of crows has moved into the neighborhood, roosting, cawing and flying all around.

Filming on West Liberty Street between Main and Ashley by Drunken Pig Productions.

People in short sleeves standing in line at Le Dog. 50 F on Jan. 17.

Store-closing sale at Sole Sisters – merchandise is 30% off. [photo]

A sign at the entrance to the surface lot at 415 W Washington says that parking rates will increase from $3/entry to $4/entry on Feb. 1st.

Capacity has also been increased by filling in the center aisle with parking spaces.

At the Recycle Ann Arbor drop-off station, a community service detail under supervision of sheriff’s deputies unloads my bicycle trailer full of Styrofoam.

Snow plow spreading salt and a shower of sparks – a pretty noisy and dramatic night time sighting. The plow was trying to plow a street lacking snow, going first east then west. That can’t be good for the blade or the street, but nothing caught on fire at least. About 10 p.m.

A pack of bicyclists having fun practicing their snow-covered street skills.

Vanity license plate that’s appropriate for this weather: ANRBRRR

Word from the contractors working the buildout: Failed @Burger location will be the new Grand Traverse Pie Co.

Signs at the entrance to the parking structure warns that beginning Feb. 1, parking will be charged in increments of whole hours, half hour increments will be discontinued. This means, for example, that 55 minutes will cost $1.10, 65 minutes will cost $2.20. [Chronicle coverage]

Apparently the retaining pond at Ann Arbor Transportation Authority headquarters is not very deep. [photo]

Stream of runners in the night, many wearing headlamps or red flashing lights.

Whirlydoodles lighting up the block! Seven or eight on the south side of the street.

Hundreds of crows overhead.

Yogo Bliss on S. University near Forest has closed.

Whirlydoodle on lightpost. QR code nearby with info: [link] (see Dec. 25, 2011 Stopped.Watched. item) [photo]

I saw a guy post this unusual “lost dog” sign on our corner this morning. [photo]

A large tree along Seventh has an ominous green paint spot, indicating that it won’t be long for this world.

Two happy kayakers, lovely sunset, nearly full moon and a great blue heron all visible along the new path for the canoe portage. Very exciting to see the kayakers out playing in the new rapids. Perfect evening and place for kayaking in January!

Outdoor dining area full at Bar Louie. (Outdoor heaters in use – but still, it’s January in Michigan!)

I stopped into the Kingscourt Barbershop in the Plymouth Road Mall to get a haircut recently, and found out they are closing January 8. Bob (Burton) is an old man, but he said he’d keep going if business were better.  The closure of Pfizer and the high number of vacancies in the Mall have decimated his walk-in clientele.  I discovered Kingscourt (then Kingsmen) in 2002 when I worked in that area of town, and have kept going there even though I no longer work (or live) nearby.  Bob is a real character.  Stop by for a haircut or just to shoot the shit, as Bob would say.

Two boys about 6  and 8 years old running down the street.  Younger boy says, “I’m in second place.” Older one responds “You’re in last place.”  Tough world out there.

Please help. This little Dachshund puppy was found this morning around 9:30 a.m. in the 300 block of Catherine, near Community High School.  He is warm and safe now but would love your help in trying to find his owners, who I’m sure are freaking out.  You can contact me at mft653 at gmail.com as well as my cell 734-323-7152. [photo]

Looks like a minivan turning from First onto Jefferson slid and plowed into a parked car near the corner. Police on the scene. The side streets are deceptively slippery, as are sidewalks. Be careful out there!

Out for a New Year’s Eve test run just to see what the fitness gap looks like if I were to attempt a June marathon. Was reduced to walking a stretch. Busted by city of Ann Arbor staffer who was out running … training for June marathon.

Joe O’Neal, owner of Kerrytown Market & Shops, pointed out a new alcove outside the building – with benches and a plaque – honoring Ginny Johansen, a former Ann Arbor city councilmember and farmers market supporter who died last year. The plaque reads, in part: “Ginny left Ann Arbor a better place and we are all grateful to her.” [photo][photo]

Ann Arbor K-9 unit pulling into the Wheeler Service Center. Play date at the dog park?