WELCOME TO YPSI ALL OF YOU ALLEN ELEMENTARY STUDENTS, STAFF AND PARENTS.

So, as of now the former vacant Ypsilanti Middle School is now the temporary home to none other than Ann Arbor's Allen Elementary. Such an interesting twist. As much as I hate to admit, think about, contemplate, and acknowledge it, the truth is that after all these years there is no doubt that many, not all, but many Ann Arbor residents negatively stereotype Ypsilanti. As an Ypsilanti resident and homeowner this has always annoyed the heck out of me to say the least. But as I'm from Flint, MI I'm used dealing with the negative stereotyping and false assumptions people often make when being from an underdog town. I have lived in Ann Arbor in the past and have lived in Ypsilanti with my wife and two kids for the last 12 years. I love all of the wonderful things Ann Arbor has to offer and I love Ypsilanti. I have nothing but positive things to say about living in Ypsilanti.

Oh boy, I didn't want this article to be a rant on the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti dynamic! So anyway, Allen Elementary in Ann Arbor had a big time flood recently. Ypsilanti Community Schools offered Allen use of our old and now defunct Ypsilanti Middle School to use temporarily while they fix up Allen: A very nice gesture on the part of YCS I think.

Yes, this is all about what is best for the kids of Allen Elementary, but today, as the streets in our Normal Park Neighborhood here in Ypsi became lined with cars of Ann Arbor's Allen Elementary parents for what I assume is an open house for the temporary Allen Elementary I can't help but wonder and speculate as to what is going on in the minds of our new Ann Arbor guests as they stroll through the Normal Park Neighborhood in route to  the former Ypsi Middle School. Are they thinking, "Oh, it's not so bad in Ypsilanti after all." I couldn't help myself recently from reading the dreaded reader comments from Ann Arbor residents commenting on the two articles about Allen Elementary's temporary move to Ypsilanti in the Ann Arbor News/Mlive. I try and try not to read comments in the A2 News on articles regarding Ypsilanti because so many times the comments are filled with ignorant and hateful remarks about Ypsilanti and residents. There I go again on the Ypsi/Ann Arbor thing!

Well, it has proven difficult to find out how long Allen will need to use the old Ypsilanti Middle School. Apparently the flood they had did a whole lot of damage. It could be weeks or months before Allen can move back to Allen.

In the end, forget all the Ypsi vs Ann Arbor junk. I'm glad Allen students and staff have a great school building here in Ypsi to use. And I bet a lot of Ann Arborites are going to be saying to each other, "Hey, Ypsilanti is a great town!" Lets just hope a bunch of gluten free green wheat grass infused doughnut shops don't start opening up around these parts!

Jeff Brown
Editor/Publisher
PWP

Allen Elementary temporary location in the old Ypsilanti Middle School. Photo Purple Walrus Press.

BEHAVIOR WORKSHOP IN YPSILANTI TO HOLD COMMUNITY FUN DAY FOR WEST WILLOW RESIDENTS.

When I think of community work in the Ypsilanti area I think of Tyrone Bridges. I have recently had the good fortune of getting to know Tyrone a bit this year and am glad to say so. Tyrone and his Ypsilanti based organization Behavior Workshop organization have been doing wonderful things for the community for quite some time and deserve a lot of credit.

On Saturday September 3 Behavior Workshop will be presenting an event called West Willow Area Community Fun Day. The event will feature family tournament games like kickball, volleyball and softball, as well as a flash mob dance. Very cool! There will also be free food and music. Not a bad combo!

The event will be held Saturday, September 3 from 11 am to 6 pm. The location is West Willow Park on Tyler Road in Ypsilanti. According to a flier the event is for West Willow residents only. Also, there will be no parking allowed in the park.

This promises to be a wonderful event for the West Willow community.

Jeff Brown
Editor/Publisher
Purple Walrus Press.

West Willow Park Ypsilanti TWP. Photo Pinterest.com

HOLLYWOOD ROCKS: RAVE MOTION PICTURES BY PWP CONTRIBUTOR BOB RESCH

The RAVE MOTION PICTURES, located at 4100 Carpenter road, just across
from Lowe's,  is our next stop on our tour of cool things to do and
places to go in the YPSILANTI area.

The Cinemark folks have done a marvelous re-do here of the former
Showcase Theatre complex.  You've come to the right place if you're
looking for LARGE HIGH QUALITY SCREENS, STATE OF THE ART SOUND
TECHNOLOGY AND COMFY SEATS WITH CUP HOLDERS.

Not only can you see the latest releases in 3D and IMAX, but also
Bollywood, 90's Marathons, and other theme shows at fairly cheap
prices.  Early bird general seating specials are $6.00. Senior rates
on Wednesday morning for general seating are as low as $5.75.  Having
worked in the entertainment & restaurant industries, I understand the
necessity for pricing concessions. This is where companies have to
push hard for a profit.   I still say "Ouch" when I'm buying a medium
popcorn and coke for well over $11.00.  THERE IS RELIEF!!   Cinemark
does offer coupons for concessions by getting on their E-mail list.
There's also discounts for Smartphone users.

Speaking of pushing the profit button....and you just had to know this
was coming sooner or later, INTRODUCING THE D-BOX seat!  If your
particular movie offers this option, $8.00 will put you in a special
row of  D-BOX seats.  This is a chair THAT MOVES, IT SHAKES,  AND  ALL
IN SYNC WITH THE ACTION ON THE BIG SCREEN.  Now, you can feel like
YOU'RE RIGHT INSIDE THE MOVIE. Dare I say it??   HOLLYWOOD ROCKS!!

Now, it's true that special effects have come light years from 1933's
'King Kong' and later The Wizard of Oz, but,  here's a note to
Hollywood:  KEEP IT SIMPLE!  There's been such a heavy reliance on
special effects that often times the story line is muddled and it's
difficult to follow the plot.  Hmmm,  was that triple double agent
working for the good guys or the bad guys???

Without a doubt, the minute you walk into the Rave, you know you're in
a special entertainment venue.  It's neat and clean from the lobby to
the restrooms. Movie posters of coming attractions continue to be
special works of art and are proudly displayed throughout the theatre.
For instance, 'Suicide Squad' has a massively beautiful cardboard cut
out that must be 8 or 9 feet tall and 20 feet long.  One of many works
of art that help pump up the excitement factor.

For me, and for many people, going to the Movies has always been an
escape.  A time to relax and enjoy all the action, adventure, comedy,
drama, science fiction, horror and their accompanying sights and
sounds.  And, in my humble opinion, there's no better placed to do
that than at the Rave.  Day in and day out, they're proving that
HOLLYWOOD ROCKS!!

Bob Resch
Purple Walrus Press contributor.

picture.com

DIYpsi INDIE ART FAIR COMING AUGUST 27 & 28.

The DIYpsi Indie Art Fair will be taking place at the Arbor Brewing Company Microbrewery in Ypsilanti on August 27 and 28. This is a handmade Art Fair that will feature the best indie artists in the area, and will be a fascinating and unique shopping experience. Support the local community and find that special gift for that special someone, someones or even yourself!

Don't miss this event!

August 27 11am-8pm (bands till 11)

August 28 12pm-6pm.

Admission $1  Holy smokes!

Arbor Brewing Company   720 Norris Street Ypsilanti.

Jeff Brown
Editor/Publisher
Purple Walrus Press

Arbor Brewing Company Microbrewery.  Ypsilanti.

OUR FABULOUS YPSI WATER TOWER BY PWP CONTRIBUTOR BOB RESCH.

Designed & erected by famed construction engineer William Coats,
Up to 250,000 gallons of water in it's steel chamber still floats.

In '76 and '84 updates were made to shingles, barriers and beams,
The Ypsilanti Utilities Authority keeps the Tower working like a dream.

Another award in '87,  bestowed by The Ypsilanti Heritage Foundation
Gave the Water Tower an official "Historical Architecture" designation.

The Tower's folklore runs wild through generation after generation,
Creating all kinds of stories that threaten to crumble it's foundation.

But, fear not, the Tower will continue to stand like a beacon in the night,
Guaranteed to make you smile and feel alright!!

PWP contributor Bob Resch.

Ypsi Water Tower. Eoin Ryan.