Stopped. Watched.

Shiphead rehearsing for Water Hill Music Festival. [photo]

Long lines of people outside the various record stores on Liberty are celebrating Record Store Day.

Bridge over the mouth of the Argo Cascades is in place. Saw a steam roller preparing the path for pavement, hopefully soon. [photo]  [photo]

Why we tolerate the other 50 weeks (lilacs): [photo]

Our table offered a close-up view of drummer Robert Warren’s kit as the Rick Burgess Trio played The Earle tonight. Warren said he’d seen everything from marriage proposals to the beginnings of a divorce at our two-top. [photo]

Encountered this tiara-wearing woman outside the county administration building, on her way to get married. Her adorable daughter had the job of holding the bouquet of flowers. [photo]

Violin monster is around town again but he’s looking a little thin – howls when you feed him a dollar. [link]

The NCRC Guard Goose has a new lookout position – on top of a Michivan. [photo]

Heard skidding sound. Looked. Guy using foot on pavement to brake bike.

Lilacs. I will admit to sticking my face right in these. [photo]

“Pot bust.” [photo]

Tree is fatality from high winds [on April 16]. It took out a large chunk of the maple next to it when it came down. A small red oak just planted by the city was missed – and suddenly that new oak tree will have an advantage to growing strong and tall. Neighborhood kids take advantage of the new play structure. [photo 1] [photo 2] [photo 3] [photo 4] [photo 5]

The sidewalks on the south side of Washington and the east side of First, alongside the construction project, are blocked off.

Ducks on the Pond: a pair of mallards bathing in the parking lot of First Baptist Church, in a depression filled with cherry-petal-strewn water. Perhaps someone should light candles. [photo]

Tree down. [photo]

Today’s strong wind gusts are giving whirligigs a workout, including this one atop Muehlig Funeral Home. [photo]

Man waiting at the bus stop across from the Meri Lou Murray rec center, with a toddler who’s clutching a large bouquet of dandelions.

Black Jeep Laredo with New York plates blowing through four-way stop while stopped others wait their turn to go.

Clerk at the Party Center – at the fork of Dexter and Jackson/Huron – says business is down since the start of the Dexter Avenue road reconstruction between Huron and Maple. Says they are bracing for another hit with the likely resurfacing of Jackson Ave. in 2013 or 2014.

Pedestrian-friendly city. While attempting to cross Fifth Avenue with the light, I narrowly avoided being flattened by a drop-handlebar bicyclist running the red light at a high rate of speed. At least she was in the bike lane.

Mid-block on the west side of Main, window display at Workantile features flowchart you must witness in-person to appreciate fully.

Public meeting convenes to provide info on the upcoming Ann Arbor park maintenance and capital improvements millage renewal, which will be on the ballot in November. Attendees include two park commissioners, four parks staff, one city councilmember (Jane Lumm), two media types (from WEMU and The Chronicle), and one actual member of the public – a board member for Project Grow. Consensus reached to skip presentation and pack up early. Next public meeting is on Monday, April 23, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Leslie Science & Nature Center’s Nature House. Or see Chronicle coverage: “Park Commission Briefed on Millage Renewal.”

Truckloads of whatever is left inside the Parthenon being carried out in preparation for new restaurant’s tenants.

A guy is clutching tulips that appear to have been plucked from the flowerbeds along Main Street. He’s trying to sell them to passersby for 25 cents each.

Newly planted city trees: birch, yellowwood, and two types of oaks. On Liberty Street and also Seventh Street some new trees appear to be serviceberry trees. Diversity! Great long term plan. I’m especially in favor of planting those with edible fruit.

Canada goose on a nest tucked in the corner of Building 550 at NCRC (North Campus Research Complex – aka “Old Pfizer”). [photo 1] [photo 2]

Sad roadside reminders that texting while driving can be deadly. [photo 1] [photo 2] [photo 3]

Temporarily and unofficially, one car decided that Depot was three lanes westbound.

View of central campus over the 1/2 leafed-out trees in the neighborhoods on either side of Summit, between Hunt Park and central Ann Arbor. North Quad is the most prominent building. [photo]

Door hanger for the 2012 Water Hill Music Fest left on my doorknob. The event is Sunday, May 6, 2-6 p.m. Sign up at http://www.waterhill.org.