What does a mayor do? It's something that I've been thinking and discussing with friends lately. If you haven't heard (big national news) Ypsilanti is in the midst of a heated Mayoral Election. I've never really been educated on local politics, and I guess as I grow older, I find myself becoming more and more interested in what is going on in the community. I have children in the public schools, we support local businesses, and we go to every single parade this parade loving town offers! I want to see Ypsilanti succeed and continue to live here into old age. So I care about the city. What I need to know is, what does a mayor of a city the size of Ypsilanti do???
Looking online, I found the following:

The Mayor is elected for a term of four (4) years. The powers and duties of the Mayor are as follows:

*Presiding Officer. Act as the the presiding officer of the City Council, supervise all departments of the City, except for supervisory duties delegated to the City Administrator, give direction to department heads concerning the functions of the departments, and have the power to examine all functions of the municipal departments, their records and to call for special reports from department heads at any time.

*Proclamation of Emergency. Have authority to take command of the police and govern the City by proclamation, upon making a determination that a time of emergency or public danger exists. Within the City limits, the Mayor has all the powers conferred upon the Sheriff to suppress disorders.

*Special Meetings. Call special meetings of the Council when the Mayor deems such meetings necessary to the interests of the City.

*Mayor's Veto. Sign, veto or take no action on an ordinance, amendment or resolution passed by the Council. The Mayor may veto an ordinance, amendment or resolution within fourteen days after passage. The Mayor shall explain the reasons for the veto in a written message to the Council at the time of the veto.

*Reports to Council. Make such oral or written reports to the Council as required. These reports shall concern municipal affairs generally, the municipal departments, and recommendations suitable for Council action.

*Negotiations. Represent the City in all negotiations properly entered into in accordance with law or ordinance. The Mayor shall not represent the City where this duty is specifically delegated to another officer by law, ordinance, or Council direction.
Contracts. Whenever authorized by the Council, sign contracts on behalf of the City.

*Professional Services. Upon order of the Council, secure for the City such specialized and professional services not already available to the City. In executing the order of the Council, the Mayor shall act in accordance with the Code of Ordinances and the laws of the State.

*Licenses and Permits. Sign all licenses and permits which have been granted by the Council, except those designated by law or ordinance to be issued by another municipal officer.

*Nuisances. Issue written order for removal, at public expense, any nuisance for which no person can be found responsible and liable

*Absentee Officer. Make appropriate provision that duties of any absentee officer be carried on during such absence.

The Mayor appoints the following officials:

Mayor Pro Tem
Police Chief
City Attorney, with Council approval
Library Board of Trustees, with Council approval
Cable Television Commission, with Council approval
Health Officer
Park and Recreation Commission, with Council approval
West Branch Preservation Commission, with Council approval

It seems to me that the members of council have most of the power. I know the Mayoral post in Ypsi is part time, the present Mayor Farmer is a doctor, which I guess could be a part time job if you chose. I know our city is in a load of financial trouble that I can't begin to understand, but how much power does the Mayor have in creating new opportunites for getting us out of this situation?
These are just some questions that have been going through my head as I speak to friends. I missed the last debate, and I'm not sure if my questions would of been answered anyway. I have faith that with all the pride and support that the Ypsilanti residents have in this city we'll be able to make the best of whatever the outcome will be.

I got my fabric from

Kitty Craft

It was the first time I had every ordered anything from her, and I absolutly love the fabric. It's like a dream come true to be able to order Japanese prints and have them arrive only a few weeks later. Now to figure out what I want to do with them all. I think I'll just stare at them for awhile.
I had some really great finds at the thrift shop this week. The first thing I spotted was a Ballerina paint by number which I snapped up, along with a set of light blue fire king mugs and saucers. I was also lucky enought to add another cute apron to the collection. This one is a feedsack print with little boys and girls playing on a blue background. I'm feeling lazy about photos, so perhaps if it gets sunny out later I'll get around to it.
I found a nice pile of old "Woman's Day" Granny Square magzines, as well as these beautiful photographed "Reynolds" pattern books. The models are so sweet, and the sweaters are very contemporary. I got 4 total, 2 on sweaters, one for socks, and one for children. Here are few from the first book




I will have to scan some of the second book, they are a lot more modern, and the hairstyles are adorable.

I noticed today that I have alot of bevereges in my fridge. It's been sooo hot lately that I can't help myself. I feel like I want to just drink nice cool drinks all day long. I don't drink soda, but recently I've been craving cherry coke, real cherry coke like from a soda fountain at the pool hall. I haven't even had any coffee in over 2 weeks! that's really really odd for me, it's just been too hot! Now I see that it's going to be in the high 90's for the next week, I guess I'll stock up on more sweet tea. Which, Shawn was happy to see that Sweet Leaf tea now comes in big jugs. I know I could make some for pennies compared to what the jug cost, but it's so darn easy to just buy it.
Check out my friend Julie's blog

Ypsibites

it's quite lovely, and i really want to make the cherry tart she has pictured.
Shawn came accross another great local food blog

Kitchen Chick

I love her recipes, and the resturaunt reviews are very helpful. I especially like her last entry on "corn smut". I'm not quite as daring in my cooking, but I would eat it if she made it.

I knew there was a reason why I saved all that leftover easter candy. The girls and thier friends made summer candy houses. I made up a batch of icing for the glue and let them go at it with any and all stale cookies and candies I could dig up. The results were very cute.

Today is quite gloomy and rainy. i feel sorry for the girls. they are supposed to go to a water park today with their camp, it's like the big ta-doo at camp week, so i'm hoping that they will postpone it til tomorrow. i like the rain. it feels good to not have to water the plants. i'm listening to the

Craftsanity

interview with Heidi from

My Paper Crane

I've been reading Heidi's blog for a long time now, and am always amazed at what she is able to make with fabric. I always wonder where moms get the energy to do so much, especially moms with small children. My girls are older now, and they are pretty self sufficiant, they can run the cable tv better than I can...so I have large chunks of time to myself to get things done. But I get so occupied with cleaning!!!! ug, it drives me crazy....it's not like i'm OCD or something, but i just like things to be in their place. Right now, since i have basically ALL DAY to myself, i'm really trying to get some things done that I would normally not be able to get around to, like large chunks of sewing. I take breaks and put away toys and dishes, but for the most part, i'm really trying to ignore the piles of stuff here and there. I had this friend years ago who NEVER cleaned. she was a stay at home mom artist, a wonderful painter and crafter, really talented, and that's what she did with her day. we would go over and there would be just stuff everywhere, dishes, laundry, crap, everywhere, and she would just be like, whatever. i kind of admired her ability to ignore the mess.
so this week, i have been able to get alot done. I made some bags, and have some cute little notebooks and phonebook covers on the way to the cutting table. I ordered some fabric from

Kittycraft

that I can't wait to get my hands on.
I just noticed that craftsanity is going to be at the Detroit Urban Craft Fair! So cool, can't wait to listen to the podcast.
Shawn skipped out of work yesterday to take me out for lunch, and get me these cool shoes:

i don't deserve such niceness. he's also hanging out with our friend Gerry and the kids this weekend while his wife and I and many others attend the Beer Festival.
here is a funny photo of me from last weekend, i look like i'm appalled about something, i don't recall what stacey was talking about, but most likely something about the Ypsi Mayoral canidates, it tends to occupy our conversations lately.

If you are curious, I like Pierce.

Today we headed on over to the

Shadow Art Fair

at the Corner Brewery in Ypsilanti. It was really great to see how many people came out. We were there for atleast a couple hours with an unending crowd rolling in and out. There were 30 vendors in all, and I thought all the stuff was great. I had no idea there were so many great local artists. We got the girls t-shirts from

Feather Weight Goods

and adorable chokers from

Pixelgirlshop.com

There were also really adorable dolls called Lullaboos made by this womam, Margaret. They are made of socks and are the softest, cutest things. I really loved the little pockets on the back, and the faces were so sweet.

Lullaboos.com

Cheers to Jennifer at

www.henriettafahrenheit.com

and Mark Maynard

www.markmaynard.com

for organizing the fair (perhaps there are more people, but I'm not sure who they are)....we had a great time. the kids made out like bandits, i didn't even have a chance to grab a beer.
I almost forgot, Molly Mast,

www.mollymast.com

I loved her stuff. cute designes and adorable shirts, my oh my.
AND

www.lekkner.com

was there making t-shirts on the spot. Her patterns are really cool, what a great idea. i'm at a loss for adjectives.
next up is the

www.detroiturbancraftfair.com

I've never been, but there was a table at the Shadow fair set up with some of the vendors with some cute stuff.
It would be really cool to participate in these fairs. Perhaps I'll be able to get myself some items going for next year. It was quite inspirational.

I've found the best way to locate local yard/estate sales is through

www.mlive.com

go to the classified section, and from there you can choose what area newspapers you would like to search from.
What is really cool, you can choose which sales you want to save, then print them all out in the end. I then go to mapquest and get the directions. It makes my yard sale'n so much easier.
Hey locals! Don't forget to attend the Shadow Art Fair

www.shadowartfair.com

Just another reason why I love to live here.
Oh, and have you got your ticket to the Summer Beer Festival?

www.michiganbrewersguide.org

Here's a peek at my almost finished craft room. it's in the basement, so we don't really have any natural light. that kind of bums me out, so i need to find a solution. I organized my fabric in two layers, most of the solids are behind the prints. Then I put all my little scraps in the polka-dot boxes.




I still have to go through all my notions, buttions, ribbons, and knitting stuff. I also set up a shelf on my bookcase for all my crafty books, right next to all of Shawns nerdhammer, computer, oh and tatting books. so many hobbies, so little time.
Now, what to do with the desk.



what a mess.

Off to park!

I finished the free amigurumi patten from Roxycraft. I had to tweek her a little bit since i'm new at following patterns. I really love to crochet now, lots more than knitting! I think because it's so fast, and i'm such a instant gratification type personality. I'm going to try and make up some patterns of my own today.
Craftroom update.......ummm yeah,

the latest news around here is the newest addition to our animal kingdom. Chloe saved her pennies and finally got a cornsnake. as much as i wanted to veto the whole idea, i now am totally in love with the little guy.



We also adopted 2 little hamsters. I know, a snake and 2 hamsters don't really go together, throw in the 3 cats and dog and we have a whole food chain. Anyway, they are a little bit sassy, but fun to watch run around the table with the exception of the little turds they leave for presents.



I have been busy rearranging my craftroom. last night i got a burst of energy and was able to get almost all my fabric organized. when i'm finally done sometime in this century, i'll post a photo.