06 Aug 2009
by ryanin Ann Arbor, Food, Restaurants Tags: Ann Arbor, Food, restaurant, Zingermans
Ever since one summer as a college student in Paris, sipping cappuccino on the Champs Elysees, I’ve been looking for that same type of European, al fresco atmosphere that makes you feel like you’re on vacation. But so often, outdoor dining means you’re just steps from a busy street, inhaling car exhaust.
What’s the best place to capture that feeling in Ann Arobr? Zingerman’s Roadhouse, of course. You know, the one at the corner of Jackson and Stadium, less than 300 yards from I-94. So what makes it one of the best outdoor dining establishments (aside from the food)?
…wobbly tables and hard, rather uncomfortable seats…
…the descent of tiny bugs on our remaining food at the end of the meal…
…noise can be a problem outside. When crowded, it is virtually impossible to hear your fellow diners amid the din.
I think there should have been some standards set forth before reviewing restaurants where you’d dine al fresco.
Don’t get me wrong, we drop a C-note at that place once a year because of the food. We don’t, however, go there for the atmosphere. Putting Zingerman’s on a list of the best outdoor dining establishments in Ann Arbor is disingenuous at best.
via Restaurant review: Zingerman’s Roadhouse – AnnArbor.com.
09 Feb 2009
by ryanin Ann Arbor Tags: Ann Arbor, Wolverine Tower
Looking north from the tenth floor of Wolverine Tower in Ann Arbit, MI.
13 Jan 2009
by ryanin Ann Arbor, News, Technology, Work Tags: automobiles, electric, electric cars, employers, future, hybrid
This week is the North American Auto Show, the annual circle jerk of the automotive superpowers, as they demonstrate the latest and greatest in Detroit. Despite it precarious status as the center of the automotive world, Detroit still holds sway over the direction of the industry and, if this year is any indication, the future is electric. From the Chevy Volt, to the Cadillac Converj, to the new Prius, to an unknown Daimler electric, full-electric cars are destined to hit the market very soon.
At almost half the total operating cost of a standard vehicle (at 12,000 miles per year), these are financially attractive vehicles. But, what would it mean to actually power one? In today’s world, filling up is a task done once, maybe twice, a week for the average commuter.
But, with electric, you have to top off daily, if not more than that. The expected range for a Volt upon release is somewhere in the neighborhood of 40 miles per charge. If I live 25+ miles from work, I have a dilemma; round trip exceeds my round-trip range. Let’s do a mental experiment…
Fast forward 5 years. It’s now 2014. 25% of the vehicles on the road are full-electric (yes, it’s optimistic. Deal). In 2006, there were 250,851,833 registered vehicles (wikipedia). Assuming a zero growth rate, that means that 62,712,958 cars will be full-on electric in 2014 (it’s an experiment). Ignoring distribution, socio-economic factors, et al, this means that each state has to deal with 1,254,259 vehicles likely purchased for daily commuting. (Ok, not Arkansas, but you get the idea.) In reality, vehicles would be concentrated around metropolitan areas, large employers, and ideological centers (Berkeley and Ann Arbor).
Which leads to my question. Assume that I, the conscientious consumer and commuter, purchases one of these Messianic vehicles to drive to and from my job 25+ miles away.
How do I charge it while I’m at work?
As a potential driver/charger/employee, I propose the following:
- Let me pay. Wire up spots, chip my badge and let me scan-in every day. I park at the first available spot, scan my badge at the terminal for my parking spot, and you bill me via payroll for the energy I consume.
- You pay. Wire the lot, let me park wherever I can and plug in. Since it costs less than $1 to charge the car for a 40 mile trip, you eat the sub-$30 per month cost to get me to work, making up the difference in “parking fees”.
- We share. You up the parking fee to cover the under $360/year/vehicle cost to charge my car. Since only 25% of driver need the power, you can balance the cost against the drivers who don’t suck down the electric, normalizing the costs.
Which ever method you choose, there are a few things you need to consider now.
- How will you measure the cost of charging electric vehicles for your employees (they’ll need it)?
- What is the value of your employees driving electric vehicles? Can you market or enhance your brand by demonstrating your commitment to non-fossil-fuel-based vehicles? Might that not be worth something?
- What are the tax implications for “fueling” your employees?
- If you compensate employees for business use of personal vehicles, what are the tax/legal implications of electrics?
- Do you have the systems or technology in place to accommodate the next generation of drivers? (I’m guessing no.) How fast can you accommodate them?
The heavily-electric world is being sold to your employees today. It will be your problem tomorrow. Are you ready?
30 May 2008
by ryanin Ann Arbor, Made Me Laugh Tags: Ann Arbor, cheescake, superiority
The Old World Bakery in AA has Ann Arbor-style cheesecakes. What, pray tell, are these things? As always, we check the font of all knowledge, Wikipedia:
Ann Arbor-style cheesecake Old World Bakery in Ann Arbor, Michigan, features a graham cracker crust which covers both the bottom and the 8 cm (3 inch) high side of the cheesecake. The lighter and creamier texture, which comes from a cream cheese and sour cream base, exhibits Ann Arbor’s famous air of superiority. [cite]
Bwuhahahahha! That made my day. Thanks AAiOR and leighton for the laugh.
04 Feb 2008
by ryanin Ann Arbor Tags: Ann Arbor, idiocy
Damn it, is there anything Ann Arbor can do right? Cool business? Check. Favorite place at which townies and student alike hang out? Check. Greedy-assed landlords pricing out successful 10-year-old business? Double-check.
Straight from Todd, Leopold’s is gone by this summer. Thanks a lot as-yet-unnamed landlord; you’ve made Ann Arbor a little more soulless than before, which isn’t saying much, really.
As the first commenter in the thread linked below says, there will be a huge backlash against the NIMBY’s; it’s already happening.
ann arbor is overrated. » Blog Archive » Mistakeholders
31 Jan 2008
by ryanin Ann Arbor, Politics Tags: Ann Arbor, football, Michigan, pandering, Politics
Good to see some old fashioned pandering going on at the State capital. Rebekah Warren (D-Ann Arbor) has proposed “Bo Schembechler Day” as an official State day (whatever that means). It would be the same day as the first UM football home game (natch), as if that day isn’t already a High Holy Day in AA already.
Bo’s was a nice guy and all, but I think the hero worship angle is pretty well covered at this point.
WOODTV.com – Schembechler might get own official day in Michigan
09 Dec 2007
by ryanin Ann Arbor, Cool!
I can’t believe I missed this.
TubaChristmas!
03 Dec 2007
by ryanin Ann Arbor, Politics
“Chickens lay eggs,” Kunselman said. “I want fresh eggs. It’s just a simple ordinance change.”
“I want to have fresh milk,” Rapundalo said. “Let’s change the ordinance to allow cows or goats.”
Yes, because the equivalent of an easily confined, flightless mammal is a medium to giant-sized, free-roaming one. Is this seriously the slippery slope that Ann Arbor City Council fears? Chickens are a starter animal for larger, more insidious animals? Warning, Councilman Rapundalo, many people in Ann Arbor legally own dogs; this, to me, implies it’s legal to own an armored polar bear. Looks like ryan doesn’t have to worry about parking downtown anymore.
Mich. councilman pushes chicken law
17 Sep 2007
by ryanin Ann Arbor
A fixture in Ann Arbor, Shaky Jake, died Sunday of an unspecified cause. If you know someone who knew Jake, they’re probably lying.
Shaky Jake dies Sunday at the age of 82 – MLive.com [via DataWhat?]
07 Aug 2007
by ryanin Ann Arbor, News
Looks like fun driving in the city for the next few days.
- Today, the westbound I-94 ramp to U.S.-23 and the entrance ramp from eastbound I-94 to Ann Arbor Saline Road.
- Wednesday, the westbound I-94 ramp to State Street.
- Thursday, the westbound I-94 ramp to Ann Arbor Saline Road and the eastbound I-94 ramp to U.S.-23.
- Sunday, the eastbound I-94 ramp to State Street.
- Monday, the eastbound I-94 ramp to Ann Arbor Saline Road.
- Aug. 14, the westbound I-94 ramp to Jackson Avenue.
- Aug .15, the eastbound I-94 ramp to Jackson Avenue.
24-hour shutdowns scheduled for Ann Arbor I-94 ramps
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