Avocado

Excellent game thus far tonight, heading into the second OT...

I'm no fast foodie, but I can't imagine Arby's would give up the brand recognition of the Wendy's name. I'd guess it will be like the Taco Bell/KFC marriage. Same ownership, seperate franchises, some over-lap in distribution, promotions, and advertising.

I'd love to see the Wealthy Market transformed, but I hope the furniture store stays exactly as is.

Is 1019 Wealthy the tan brick building next to the future Electric Cheetah?

The most reliable figure I've heard for Michigan is $10M (Florida is estimating a cost of $25M). Less expensive options (relatively) include a mail-in primary or caucus. The state party seems to be waiting for the national party to provide funding, but all indications are that the states are on their own if they want to try again. A second vote seems like a longshot at this point unless an individual steps up to foot the bill. The New York Times has a front-page piece about Michigan and Florida today.

Amsterdam has apparently run out of space to grow out, and has decided to build a new 'underground city' providing more than 1,000,000 square feet of new retail, parking, and leisure grounds. Full article and pictures can be read here, more pics here.

Can we get the city to cover the police station with that too? I'm waiting to see a few renderings of the tower before making a verdict, but it looks like there are a number of things to like about the latest design.

What happens to the greenery during the winter months?

It showed up in one of these threads (maybe this one) a few months ago. If I recall correctly it met with general approval. I believe the indented doorway, and the gaps between it and the existing buildings (both physical and design-wise) were among the issues brought up.

Something is going on in the skies over Texas. Two weeks ago, residents of Stevensville reported seeing an object 'bigger than a Wal-Mart' hovering over the community before racing off into the distance followed by two fighter jets. At the time the Air Force denied having any planes in the area, now they report having several planes on a training mission in the area, but state that

Is that related to the Super Happy Funtime Burlesque Troupe I see advertised around town?

No promises, but this was probably one time only. Based on all the states trying to leap-frog one another this year, it's a problem that will have to be addressed nationally. Either we'll go back to a system similar to that of the recent past, or possibly switch to a national or rotating regional primary. Either way, all candidates should be on the next preseidential ballot. And I believe the ACLU has filed a complaint to keep the state parties from using the voter information gathered during this years primary.

Also, the Michigan primary got the candidates talking about the economy, which means more economic coverage. The last two times I turned on NPR, they were talking about UFO sightings in Texas, anyone got an explanation for those?

Nationally, the indicators are looking rather bleak. The Fed is gearing up for another interest rate cut, but that won't help much with an already rising inflation rate. One reason it might be in the news is a number of milestones that make for good discussion ($100/Barrel Oil, lowest number of new houses built in a generation...).

The democratic primary is representative, rather than winner-take-all. Any candidate garnering more than 15% of the vote gets proportional delegates. The 'Uncommitted' delegates are sent to the national convention without a set nominee and can vote for whomever they (or the State party that chose them) choose. Disenfranchising? Somewhat. Then, the national party is still threatening not to recognize any of Michigan's delegates. Bigger problem, the state parties get voter information for everyone who votes in their primary this year. That means more personalized robo-calls and campaign literature.

I heard rumors of bankruptcy a few months ago, but I assumed they were only rumors when nothing else came of it...I hope not, I like that place.

One quick clarification, proceeds go to the Water Festival, an event co-sponsored by Clean Water Action.

From my local do-gooder... Saturday, January 5th Wealthy Street Theater Doors open at 6pm Shows start at 7pm Tickets $10 *Hawks and Owls *Rachel Davis *Seth Bernard and Daisy May There'll be Speakers on important Water Issues before and between the bands, tables with info on Water Quality issues, there'll be beer and wine for sale. Don't know much about the first two performers, but Seth and Daisy are always charmers. Proceeds go to the local Clean Water Action chapter.

I was going to put home plate at the NE corner, right on Fulton and Division. Then right handers could aim for that big wall, with the Coca-Cola ad. Sort of a Grand Rapids scale version of Fenway. And once they get around to building it, maybe we could stage an annual game on that green roof.

We've been treated to oodles of pretty designs for this corner... The design has remained fairly consistent, but no momentum seems to develop with any of the proposals. What's holding all of these up? Trouble finding a lead retail tenant with adequate funding? No demand for the residential portion? If this key corner of downtown is still a prairie in the summer of 2008, I'm staging the Grand Rapids All Star Wiffle Ball Bash there.

I should have mentioned all those measurements are estimates. I think 4T of mayo is about equal to the scoopful I take out. Also, that's enough sauce for about one pound of fish.

I like this sauce with Lake Superior white fish, but it should work fine with salmon too... 2T melted butter 4T mayonaise Juice and zest from one lemon 1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan 2T chopped fresh herb (I like dill, but parsley or maybe even mint would work) Dash of cayene pepper Salt and pepper Stir them all together and bake over fish (10-15 minutes at 425) It works even better if you bake the fish over a layer of sorta mashed up potatoes and leeks (or some mild onion). The potatoes soak up all the juices nicely. You could really gussy it up by topping with some capers, fresh chopped herbs, and lemon wedges too.

Oops! Thanks for catching that, not sure how that didn't get copied over. Tonight (Thursday), 5:30 at the Wealthy Street Theater.

Thought I'd pass this along. Wealthy heights includes Donald, Robey, Freyling, Calkins, and Visser (Wealthy Street Theater/Jamaican Dave's Neighborhood). StreetWise! Raising the bar to improve our streets Neighborhood-Based Planning To Make Wealthy Heights Streets More beautiful and More Functional Would one-way traffic make things better or worse? How about connecting some streets at the north end? Can we make Wealthy Heights greener? WHO: Wealthy Heights Residents WHAT: Meet with city staff members, architects and planners to share street improvement ideas WHEN: Planning sessions at the Wealthy Theater, 5:30 p.m. Thursday, November 29 Refreshments will be served! WHY NOW? In 2008 Wealthy Heights streets will be torn up for sewer work. This provides a great opportunity to have other street improvements made at the same time-if we plan ahead and let the city know what we want. Join the experts responsible for this work to create ideas for how Wealthy Heights streets can be improved. For more information: Contact KC or Cherry at East Hills Council of Neighbors. 616.454.9079 Wealthy Heights includes Donald, Robey, Freyling, Calkins & Visser Streets Grand Rapids Community Foundation

Are these the Bear Manor properties near Jamaican Dave's?