Stopped. Watched.

Man on the corner selling Groundcover News calls out to passers-by: “Enjoy the liquid sunshine!”

Bouquet hanging on door of Cloverleaf. “You will be missed.” [For Nick Stamadianos, co-owner who passed away late last week.] [photo]

Ann Arbor fire department dive team doing an ice rescue drill, pulling each other out of cold water and then jumping back in. [photo1] [photo2]

Lighted sidewalk sign at Seva’s new location and people visible inside. Sure enough, website says they’re open.

Red Shoes is closed. Sign on the door directs customers to the shop’s website. [photo] Unclear if fairy shop is closed too. [photo]

Inside Old Town Tavern a guy arrives with a tube of caulk and asks the barkeep: “Is Scotty here yet?” “No.” “Give him this, he’ll know.” Live music later was The Webbs with Scotty Karate on banjo. For the record, I did not observe Scotty caulking his banjo before they played their set. [photo 2] [photo 1]

FoolMoon‘s luminary workshop is rocking at the Workantile. [photo]

I was taking a photo of Leslie Raymond, director of the Ann Arbor Film Festival, for a Stopped.Watched item when we were approached by two women. They cheerily offered to take a photo of us together – assuming, I think, that we’d just been married around the corner at the county administration building earlier today. We looked at each other, paused, then said: “Sure!” We’d met only about 5 minutes before, but we do make a cute couple. Raymond was out publicizing this year’s festival, which runs from March 25-30. [photo]

Spotted on Brooks Street: Black squirrel chasing a grey squirrel.

Three weeks late, but here at last: Winter Aconnites [photo]

Sign for Blank Slate Creamery in front of empty storefront at the northwest corner of First & Liberty. Work crew say it’ll open this summer. [photo]

At the railroad tracks, two beagle-type dogs investigate fresh odors on both sides of the street and criss-cross Liberty. Owner tries to corral them with the aid of passers-by on each side of the street and the cooperation of motorists who wait in an increasingly long queue. I did my part. I left the scene as the two hounds were brought under some kind of control.

Two guys cruise by in a convertible with the top down, blaring what sounds like klezmer.

Spring is here! Snow peas and other things popping up at the Museum on Main Street.

Water coursing diagonally across the pavement with nowhere to go. Storm drains all covered.

Truckbed of Downtown Home & Garden’s red pickup is filled with snow – presumably not for sale. [photo]

(Natural area) The true harbinger of spring: first trill of a redwing blackbird heard Tuesday, March 11.

Found David Zinn of zinnart.com creating an optimistic chalk scene. [photo 1] [photo 2] Here is an idea that wouldn’t have any controversy. I noted that David’s home sidewalk was one of the best in the neighborhood for snow removal. He acknowledged he has a personal feeling for sidewalks. If the city paid lots of sidewalk chalk artists people would have another reason to keep sidewalks clear – for art. Two problems solved – not enough art and not enough clear sidewalks in the winter.

Signs of warm weather: People enjoying tea sitting on Liberty Street [photo 1]. A cross emerges from the snow in front of the Federal Building [photo 2][photo 3] and on William near Division someone has abandoned a tool that was put to lots of use this winter [photo 4]. A great day to be out walking!

At Downtown Home & Garden I notice finger puppets for sale. [photo] Now I will need to spend the rest of the afternoon testing the feasibility of finger puppet re-enactments of Ann Arbor city council meetings.

Activity at city clerk’s counter includes dog license and dog park registration. Sign of spring.

Sign at entrance to Murray off of West Liberty: “This street requires additional snow removal. Please remove all vehicles Friday 12 a.m.-6 a.m.” [photo]

This very large igloo appeared sometime over the weekend. At least 5 feet tall outside. [photo]

Whenever a developer coyly shows a birds-eye rendering (or says “townhouse”), expect this: [photo]

Lots of FoolMooning underway at the Workantile [photo]. Taking shape: Moonface [photo] and a future bunny [photo].

Ninth grade Skyline-Pioneer basketball. Halftime lead for Skyline 32-21. JV is in the other gym. [photo]

Timothy Busfield and friends enjoying a drink at Bar Louie prior to taking in shorts at the Michigan Theater … No sign of Melissa Gilbert.

Holy crap! Just saw a hawk snatch up a something-like-a-starling mid-flight!

House next to Mr. Roof on Ellsworth is actively on fire. Lots of responders on the scene. [photo] Added after initial publication: Apparently it is a training exercise, according to random firefighters we met elsewhere.

Second grader scientists report giant puddle is nearly knee deep. [photo]