Resurrecting “Beer with Bloggers”… May 31, 7:00 to 9:00, at the Corner Brewery

A long time ago, in the early days of blogging, back before most of you were born, I used to host events designed to lure painfully-akward bloggers out of their parents’ basements, so that they might drink beer and attempt to mate with their readers. This reoccurring event was called Beer with Bloggers, and, from what I can recall, it was popular. For some reason, though, I stopped doing them… Well, I’ve recently been corresponding with a wildly successful blogger by they name of Chris Savage, and he’s been trying to get me to dust the concept off, and, once again, walk among the anonymous folks out there, like you, who so terrify me. (Chris is the man behind Eclectablog. If his name sounds familiar, it’s probably because Rachel Maddow is constantly talking about him.) So, in a few weeks, Chris and I, and some other bloggers, will be at the Corner Brewery, drinking beer, answering your questions, and, when the opportunity arises, stealing your ideas. As of right now, we’ve only put the word out to a few folks, but it looks like we’ll be joined by they likes of Ben from Damn Arbor, Anne from The Savage Feast, and Christine from Blogging for Michigan, to name a few. (While they haven’t confirmed, I’ve also been talking with Juan Cole, from Informed Comment, and Hillary Cherry from the Hamtramck Star.) So, if you’ve got a complaint that you’d like to submit to one of us in person, here’s the chance you’ve been waiting for.

And, I should add, this event is open to all bloggers, no matter what they might cover, or where they might be from. So, if you know of someone with a blog, please feel free to pass along this information, and encourage them to come, and invite their readers. (Anyone is welcome to use the graphic above, if they’d like to, or create one of their own, promoting the event.)

Blogging is a super-isolating pastime, and, I think I speak for all of the bloggers who will be attending, when I say that it’s good, on occasion, to be reminded of the fact that we have readers who, even though they may not leave comments, appreciate what we do. So, if you can come out, please do. We’d love to meet you.

And, speaking of folks who don’t leave comments, I should add that lurkers are welcome, as are trolls.

See you on the 31st.

This entry was posted in Ann Arbor, Mark's Life, Ypsilanti and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink. Post a comment or leave a trackback: Trackback URL.

54 Comments

  1. Sally
    Posted May 14, 2012 at 11:07 pm | Permalink

    I’m so sorry Mark! I scheduled my “shots with shut-ins” community senior care event on the same night! I know this will likely ruin your event. Maybe you can reschedule??? Next time let’s coordinate!

  2. dragon
    Posted May 14, 2012 at 11:13 pm | Permalink

    Man, you just don’t get it. There’s a lot of people who are “cool” and agree with most of your posts, but refuse to support the Corner.
    I am pretty sure you voted for Snyder, but that being said, your guilt shows through, and you post as though it never happened. But getting spinal democrats to spend money at the corner is a bridge too far.
    Not gonna happen.
    Fuck them.

  3. Status Update
    Posted May 14, 2012 at 11:15 pm | Permalink

    Dude. That’s the date for the official unsanctioned “new friends hookup night free-for-all” on Facebook. WTF?

  4. Elvonia
    Posted May 14, 2012 at 11:25 pm | Permalink

    I would like to invite you all to the “after party.” Coincidentally, the last Thursday of every month we host “Cordials with Corpses” at Highland Cemetery. It is a discreet yet open invitation to the select where we partake the wisdom of the ages and celebrate all that lives and grows below. BYO.

  5. Edward
    Posted May 14, 2012 at 11:35 pm | Permalink

    Playing “spot the troll” will be fun. I wonder what kind of disguise EOS will be wearing. I’m picturing a denim vest with a peace sign.

  6. dragon
    Posted May 14, 2012 at 11:50 pm | Permalink

    ed
    Why don’t you try playing spot the cock sucker.
    Avoid mirrors.

  7. Posted May 15, 2012 at 12:10 am | Permalink

    The last one of these things that I did, a few years back, was at Frenchie’s. I’m not adverse to moving it around. The Brewery offered us the space for free this time, and they had an evening available that worked for us. Chris and I also like their beer, which is a plus. Am I thrilled that Matt and Rene supported Snyder, and encouraged their friends to do likewise? No. Do I think that they do enough good in the community to deserve a second chance, though? Yes.

    I’m not going to boycott a local business based on one vote… For what it’s worth, I also dislike the politics of the guy who owns the building that Beezy’s is in. I still eat there, which, although indirectly, puts money in his pockets. I also use Wireless Ypsi, even though Steve and I disagree on a lot of stuff. That puts money in his pocket… There are bigger things in the world, in my opinion, to be pissed about.

    When I first me the Greff’s, I believe they were working on the Dean campaign. They’re good progressives. In the case of Snyder, they voted for a guy that they knew. And I don’t think they suspected he’d be as bad as he is. And, I’m not going to carry a grudge the rest of my life because of it. Life’s too short… And I’m sorry you won’t be there. Maybe you could stand outside the window and shout in.

  8. Posted May 15, 2012 at 7:02 am | Permalink

    I am sad that I will not be able to attend. This could be the only social event this year that I would willingly attend.

  9. Edward
    Posted May 15, 2012 at 8:07 am | Permalink

    My “spot the troll” comment wasn’t directed at you, Dragon, you paranoid narcissist.

  10. Kristin
    Posted May 15, 2012 at 8:35 am | Permalink

    Not much of a conversation when you only interact with people who vote just like you.

  11. Posted May 15, 2012 at 9:00 am | Permalink

    Sounds great Mark! Looking forward to it.

    Also great comments about the Grefs. I too strongly disagree with their support of Snyder but they do far more than enough for our community to make it clear that they’re good folks and a good presence both in A2 and Ypsi.

  12. Posted May 15, 2012 at 10:05 am | Permalink

    I will be there! I think this is a great idea and yes, the Grefs were working on the Dean campaign. I don’t want to speak for them, but I think they saw Snyder as likely winner (I think anyone with half a brain and 1/4 of an eye saw that) and they, like me and many others, thought he wasn’t a total NeoCon crazy nutjob antiunion fuckity fuck fuck fuck. Again, not speaking for them.

    I’m not a famous blogger like the other folks going, but I will be there to talk about my beer blog with others :) :)

  13. Bob
    Posted May 15, 2012 at 10:25 am | Permalink

    How does one even go from working on the Howard Dean campaign to being the areas biggest donor to Rick Snyder? Philosophically, morally, however you want to frame it…it doesn’t make a bit of sense.

    Funneling more money to him than anyone else in Washtenaw county is also considerably more significant than casting one mistaken vote.

    Screw the Corner. I haven’t spent a dime on Arbor Brewing Co. products since.
    Why would you continue to defend and promote them?

  14. Dan
    Posted May 15, 2012 at 10:35 am | Permalink

    lol. nobody runs businesses out of town like ypsi hipsters. incredible.

  15. EOS
    Posted May 15, 2012 at 10:46 am | Permalink

    My parents don’t let me stay out that late – it’s a school night.

  16. anonymous
    Posted May 15, 2012 at 11:13 am | Permalink

    We all know you’re home schooled, EOS. Just ask mother to start Bible study an hour later the following morning.

  17. Posted May 15, 2012 at 12:07 pm | Permalink

    Were they really the biggest donors to Snyder’s campaign? I’m not being antagonistic…I really would like to see that.

  18. Dan
    Posted May 15, 2012 at 12:39 pm | Permalink

    patti,

    no that is not true. They weren’t even the biggest donors in Ypsilanti.

    http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/contributor_details.phtml?&c=116652&s=MI&y=2010&summary=0&so=a&filter%5B%5D=&filter%5B%5D=&filter%5B%5D=ypsilanti&filter%5B%5D=&filter%5B%5D=#sorttable

  19. Dan
    Posted May 15, 2012 at 12:45 pm | Permalink

    i take that back. Their combined contributions were the highest in Ypsi.

    However there were bigger contributors in An Arbor.

    The Brust family, for instance, donated almost twice as much, and I only got the B’s

  20. Bob
    Posted May 15, 2012 at 2:34 pm | Permalink

    I’m pretty sure that the A2Politico piece that sparked the whole CB thread to begin with listed them as the biggest contributors in Washtenaw. Maybe I’m remembering it wrong or it was reported incorrectly to begin with. It was reported correctly enough that the owners were quick to defend their support for Snyder.

    I argued from the beginning that it was their money and votes and they don’t owe anyone an explanation. I’m just puzzled and annoyed by stalwarts who are so defensive about all things Ypsi, local, indie & progressive and still promote the Corner Brewery.

  21. Dan
    Posted May 15, 2012 at 3:07 pm | Permalink

    http://www.a2politico.com/2011/02/the-politics-of-party-washetnaw-dem-leaders-donated-big-to-snyder-stiffed-bernero/

    “Local brewing politicos, John and Rene Gref, stalwart Dems about town, donated nothing to Bernero’s campaign, but rather clocked in among Snyder’s top 20 individual donors. ”

    #1 how can 2 people be individual donors?

    #2 Im pretty sure if you pooled family members together, the Gref’s wouldnt be anywhere near the top 20 donors. They donated a total of roughly $3900. Scrolling through the list of 240 pages of donors in alphabetically order, there are tons of people with the same last names that contributed $3400 each.

  22. Posted May 15, 2012 at 3:19 pm | Permalink

    Dan, thank you! :)
    And I forgot about the A2 Politico thing…that did stir the pot, didn’t it?

    I think the phrase “throwing the baby out with the bathwater” applies here (I think…I sometimes misapply phrases). In other words, I don’t boycott Arbor/CB because of one political decision. Hell, if you look at my credit union account, it sort of looks like this:
    car payment, gas, Corner, mortgage, Corner, groceries, Corner, gas, dog stuff, Corner, etc. Unless they resurrect Hitler and feature him dancing around with a burning swastika, I probably won’t be boycotting them any time soon.

  23. Dan
    Posted May 15, 2012 at 3:56 pm | Permalink

    Bob,

    “Screw the Corner. I haven’t spent a dime on Arbor Brewing Co. products since.”

    Your tone in the original CB thread was much different.

    “Again, I never advocated boycotting the Corner ”

    “I certainly did not advocate boycotting their product, just the opposite in fact.”

    “They don’t deserve to lose their business over supporting Rick Snyder, even if their explanation for playing both sides is kind of weak.”

  24. Anonymous Mike
    Posted May 15, 2012 at 6:04 pm | Permalink

    Jesus, people, it’s a free room at a brewery. We aren’t electing these people to the senate. They voted for a douchy friend who ended up being worse as governor than anyone had imagined. I’m sure they’re embarrassed by it. Do we have to continue to drag them through the mud?

  25. koosh
    Posted May 15, 2012 at 8:49 pm | Permalink

    Who cares about the Greff’s politics? If there’s one reason to boycott the Corner, it’s because their beer sucks.

  26. Dan
    Posted May 15, 2012 at 10:35 pm | Permalink

    Anonymous Mike

    Dont you see? Any business that isnt a co-op or a non profit or run by a local hipster is not welcome in the city? Even if that business has a lengthy history of donating money, time and space to progressive and democrat movements? Obviously Ypsi has too much business going on, that people need to weed out those scumbags that dont agree with us 100% of the time

  27. Lovialutoat
    Posted May 15, 2012 at 10:39 pm | Permalink

    I’m with Dragon. Boycott is a time honored and effective American tradition. We should boycott assholes.

    Which is why, according to my algorithm of assholes, I’m boycotting Dragon. Which means that although I had no intention of going to this event, I’m going, drinking heavily and tipping lavishly. To boycott an ass. (No kidding.)

    By the same logic, I’m boycotting Dragon by refusing to buy Hot Pockets from Kroger.

    Dragon, can you provide a complete list of “Dragon tested and approved” establishments that you feel confident about supporting? Maybe one?

    Am I presumptuous to assume you flush your toilet with municipal water? If so, I have no choice but to flush mine with bottles of Ice Mountain. Logically speakin’. Dudes peakesque green to the whitewall. Wrap it spence twice then reply.

    Talky talk. Baaaaah.

  28. Lovialutoat
    Posted May 15, 2012 at 10:40 pm | Permalink

    Maybe one. Baaaaaaaaah,

  29. Bob
    Posted May 16, 2012 at 8:20 am | Permalink

    Dan,
    I also said that repeatedly buying beer that sucked and wound up getting poured down the drain was the reason I quit buying Arbor beers. I still don’t think I said anyone else should boycott anything. My “screw the Corner” opinion is how I feel about it. I think that’s pretty obvious from what I wrote. And thanks for archiving my quotes, I’m flattered.

    Maybe my real point is that we should stop pretending that businesses are altruistic to begin with. If you want to hold your art fair or left-wing fund raiser in a place, so be it. You should probably just assume that the owners are Republicans at heart and willing to support anything that will put butts in the seats to sell more beer.

  30. Ypsi Man
    Posted May 16, 2012 at 8:51 am | Permalink

    Damn you all. This is a good event, designed to bring cyber communities together, into the real world. This is about creating real-life connections between people at a time when we’re becoming incredibly isolated. Stop pissing on it because you don’t like the owners of the venue, or the beer that they make. It’s irrelevant.

  31. Hector Solon
    Posted May 16, 2012 at 9:08 am | Permalink

    “Much that once was is lost, for none now live who remember it. (break) And some things that should not have been forgotten were lost. History became legend. Legend became myth.” – LOTR Intro

    There has never been a more critical time in this state for blogging, there is so much “evil” that never makes the “news”, and there is a dangerous trend toward “captured” journalism by purely political orgs that reprint their content in MSM outlets as “the news” (CapCon (DetNews) and MIBridge (MLive) examples come to mind).

    Way-back-when Matt F, founder of MichLib also had get-togethers for the MI left-leaning blogosphere that were popular back in late 2004 into early 2007. These were great events and certainly helped to build the early community in those days. Sure there were heated debates over this or that, a few grudges to be aired, etc – but overall they were a positive activity for the exchange of ideas & tricks of the trade, development / promotion of new bloggers, and for building of IRL relationships.

    Glad you (Mark) are willing to bring back this tradition (regardless of the politics of the final location) which is long over due. Support it 100%. Hope folks will be open and tolerant of the diversity of opinion that exists these days, but you might bring a whistle (or extra $$ to buy rounds), just in case. ; – )

  32. maryd
    Posted May 16, 2012 at 10:10 am | Permalink

    I love all the beer the Corner serves…I can easily enjoy any of them. Strawberry Blonde, Bliss, Dubel (SP?) and Trippel, IPA, YUM! As for politics…I’ll support any Ypsilanti business despite which side of whatever argument applies. As for bloggers, they seem to be helping to fill in the gaps with the loss of a paper press. Don’t always agree with postings but most always enjoy the discussion.

  33. Posted May 16, 2012 at 10:33 am | Permalink

    I don’t get this boycotting nonsense. It’s not like the Corner donated money to the KKK.

    If I had to boycott every business that gave to a Republican interest, I wouldn’t be able to buy anything at all.

    Who cares?

  34. EOS
    Posted May 16, 2012 at 11:05 am | Permalink

    I care. If you spend your money at businesses that promote specific political views, then you are essentially contributing towards their greater profit and indirectly providing monetary support for their political causes. The Gref’s actually hold a celebration each year to rejoice over the 50 million plus children slaughtered in the womb since Roe v. Wade. I won’t spend a penny in their establishment. It would contribute to a culture of death and make me complicit to murder.

  35. Lovialutoat
    Posted May 16, 2012 at 10:34 pm | Permalink

    I care, too. Let’s not forget that business owners don’t just pay themselves, they pay employees who do who-knows-what with their earnings. I worry less about what the Waltons will do with my Wal-Mart dollars as much as I do about their employees. If I buy a TV at Wal-Mart, who knows how much of my money is going to kill babies from employees who may contribute to Democrats?!

    Every time I make a purchase anywhere, I look at the store clerk and I’m like, you’re going to use that money to finance baby killing, aren’t you?

    EOS, I’ll ask you essentially the same question I asked Dragon. But, since you have a longer attention span, I’ll expand it. It should be an easy question.

    Can you please list the top 10 businesses/services you do frequent (grocery, gas, dancing and dining, electric, grooming, etc.)?

    Since every penny counts, I’m sure you’ve counted. Or are you carelessly throwing dollars to slaughter?

  36. Lovialutoat
    Posted May 16, 2012 at 10:38 pm | Permalink

    By the way, it makes me sick siCK SICK to think the gas station clerk might go to the Corner Brewery to spend his paycheck which is MY MONEY being used to finance THE KILLING OF CHILDREN!!!!!

  37. Lovialutoat
    Posted May 16, 2012 at 10:40 pm | Permalink

    Thankfully this discussion will end soon now that we have super packs.

  38. dragon
    Posted May 16, 2012 at 11:17 pm | Permalink

    In the 10-11 year history of mm.com you take the time to comment on one thread (attention span) and expect anyone to take you seriously makes you look like an obvious paid troll. Spend those Greff dollars wisely.
    The fact Mark writes passionately for state spending on education and more favorable revenue sharing for older manufacturing cities, yet continues humping for a business that financially supported all of his complaints comes off wrong to some of us.
    To jump to the conclusion that those of us who would rather support other bars or restaurants in Ypsi are rejecting local businesses is ignorant on your part. Believe it or not there is more than one bar in Ypsi.
    AnD WhAt ThE HelL DoEs WalMaRt HaVe To dO WiTh This?

  39. Viktor Zulu
    Posted May 17, 2012 at 12:29 am | Permalink

    Geez, I guess some of you people won’t be going to Suds, Snacks and Stories with the Greffs

  40. Lovialutoat
    Posted May 17, 2012 at 10:57 pm | Permalink

    drag on. guffaw. identity. time. ego. burn. bleat. ergo baaaaaah.

    Wheyete are you strangely now addicted to sense? Plain spake?
    Ooohs. Aaahs? Identity. Ego. Reputation for Ego. !!
    Reputation for baaaaah. Wat goes poetre? Sumple slain you go so proud to spade?

    Blip,. Stun gun. Fart.,. EWwction. Fake. Pony,. Petwatwaah.

    attack! attACK! (fart/flirt) ATTACK:

    Or just answer the question:

    “Dragon, can you provide a complete list of ‘Dragon tested and approved’ establishments that you feel confident about supporting? Maybe one?”

    Ooooooooooooh! Was all that “troll” talk just avoiding an answer? Pube? Got one? (Not a pube, an answer?)

  41. Lovialutoat
    Posted May 17, 2012 at 11:03 pm | Permalink

    “Dragon, can you provide a complete list of ‘Dragon tested and approved’ establishments that you feel confident about supporting? Maybe one?”

  42. EOS
    Posted May 18, 2012 at 5:22 am | Permalink

    My top ten: Walmart, Meijers, Lowe’s, Costco, Kroger, BestBuy, Pizza Hut, Subway, BoRic’s, and whatever gas station is cheapest without added ethanol. I also buy a lot online. Please let me know if any of these establishments encourage and celebrate abortions so that I can avoid them as well.

  43. Posted May 18, 2012 at 6:33 am | Permalink

    WalMart, Costco, Meijer and Lowe’s products are overwhelmingly shipped in from China, which most certainly does promote and fund abortion, forced sterilizations and an official line which discourages religious activity.

  44. Mr. X
    Posted May 18, 2012 at 7:10 am | Permalink

    China’s one child policy is probably responsible for more abortions that any one thing on earth. EOS loves his cheap Fiddle Faddle and though, so he’ll keep right no supporting Wal-Mart.

  45. EOS
    Posted May 18, 2012 at 10:43 am | Permalink

    Yeah, I don’t like the practices of the Chinese government either but I’m not transacting business with that country, I’m buying at American owned stores that promote family values and capitalism.

  46. Posted May 18, 2012 at 10:48 am | Permalink

    Bullshit. You are supporting businesses that talk out two sides of their mouths.

    They tow moralistic lines when it suits them publicly, and the support forced abortions and poor working conditions (i.e. completely unfree markets) when it suits their stockholders and profit margin.

    You’re truly pathetic.

  47. EOS
    Posted May 18, 2012 at 11:59 am | Permalink

    Peter,

    You work for an institution that supports the Chinese government far more than any retail establishment. The University is engaged in transferring sensitive military technologies to China. http://www.manufacturingnews.com/news/07/0615/art1.html

    It has a 14 million dollar health research agreement with China’s Peking University.
    http://www.annarbor.com/business-review/university-of-michigan-established-joint-institute-with-chinas-peking-university-health-science-cent/

    They have academic agreements with Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Peking University, Fudan University and Tsinghua University to share visiting professors and student access. http://president.umich.edu/china/

    Chinese students are the largest fraction of international students studying in the United States and the University of Michigan has the 6th highest enrollment in the nation of these students. http://www.michigandaily.com/content/chinese-students-university

    But that’s right, you don’t care other than to point fingers at others.

  48. anonymous
    Posted May 18, 2012 at 12:04 pm | Permalink

    EOS promotes abortion in every aspect of his life. He doesn’t think that kids should be taught sex ed. He doesn’t think that contraception should be readily available. He doesn’t want to fund public education. (The more educated you are, the less likely you are to have an unwanted pregnancy.) And everything he buys comes from China. But he’s been “saved” so he’s entitled to spout hypocritical nonsense.

  49. EOS
    Posted May 18, 2012 at 12:21 pm | Permalink

    Except I think children should be taught sex ed, and that contraceptives that prevent fertilization should be readily available. I fund public education and have every right to express my viewpoint that those funds should be spent wisely. Higher levels of education are correlated with lower incidence of unwanted pregnancy. Education does not cause one to become less fertile, rather pregnancy and child care responsibilities make it less likely that one takes advantage of the free education offered.

  50. dragon
    Posted May 18, 2012 at 10:41 pm | Permalink

    Lovialutoat: And when it comes to establishing your food and beverage view, I was curious, what restaurants and bars did you regularly frequent before you slandered the good job creators, like the Greffs — to stay fed and to understand the world?

    dragon: I’ve ate and drank at most of them again with a great appreciation for the local owners , for the bartenders–

    Lovialutoat: But what ones specifically? I’m curious.

    dragon: Um, all of them, any of them that have been in front of me over all these years.

    Lovialutoat: Can you name any of them?

    dragon: I have a vast variety of sources where i get my beer.

  51. Posted May 18, 2012 at 11:21 pm | Permalink

    EOS, you’re really not that bright.

    China doesn’t figure much in my consumer decisions.

    In fact, I don’t think about China much at all, unless it’s to point out that EOS’s shopping dollars are helping to support the Chinese abortion machine.

  52. Greg Pratt
    Posted May 19, 2012 at 5:20 am | Permalink

    Wow. This will be great. I am going to bring with me plenty of sarcastic metaphors, a helmet, and maybe a towel to clean up the blood on the floor after I’ve had a chance to make some of the people on this thread feel bad about themselves. Fun!

  53. Posted May 19, 2012 at 6:52 am | Permalink

    This beating up the Gref’s is childish and absurd. You give political contributions (of the size we are talking about) for the purpose of acquiring political influence. It does you no good to contribute to a loser (I know–my contributions to the Cherry and Bernario campaigns was just throwing money down a rat hole). The Gref’s got some thing for their money. One of them was appointed by Synder to the state board that regulates breweries. If as a result of that appointment, Michigan’s micro brewery renaissance continues, everyone who champions “buy local” becomes a winner. Politics is not all about partisanship. If on the other hand they act to restrict entry into the market, or in other ways promote policies that retard our growing Michigan beer industry—then a boycott has some meaning.

  54. Dan
    Posted May 19, 2012 at 10:01 am | Permalink

    well said wobblie

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Connect

BUY LOCAL... or shop at Amazon through this link Banner Initiative Linnette Lao