Remember how, a few weeks ago, I told you about the local campaign to increase public transportation options by 44% in Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor? Well, now that we’re just a a month away from the May 6 vote, things are beginning to intensify, and both the pro-public transportation More Buses folks, and the anti-public transportation Better Transit Now folks, are doing their best to get their messages out. And, as I’m sure you know, that takes money. So, the fundraising has begun in earnest… which is why I’m writing to you today.

I’d like to invite you to a short, painless fundraising happy hour this Thursday evening at Ypsilanti’s Ladies’ Literary Club (218 North Washington Street). The event runs from 5:00 to 7:00, and, thanks to the generous contributions of the Corner Brewery, Bona Sera, Beezy’s and Sidetrack, there will be plenty of good food and good beer… which, I’ve found, always makes philanthropy a little easier.

If you’re planning to attend, let the Keep Ypsi Rollin’ folks know on Facebook, so they can better plan for the event, and be sure to tell your friends.

And, if you do come, be sure to stop by the bar, where I’ll be ladling out beer as one of four “celebrity bartenders,” and say hello.

Yeah, that’s my face superimposed over Tom Cruise’s. I know it’s terrifying, but, without Photoshop, it was the best that I could do… Hopefully it won’t keep you from coming out and making a contribution.

If I’m not mistaken people will be on hand to take credit card contributions at the event. If you’d like to bring a check, though, please make it out to the “Washtenaw Partners for Transit ballot committee.” And, if you can’t attend, you can also contribute online at the MoreBuses.org site… All funds raised will go toward the printing of materials, and everything else that needs to be done up to the time the polls close on May 6.

Lastly, for those of you still on the fence about the millage, check out my recent conversation with Alexis Blizman, the Manager of the More Buses campaign, Martha Valadez, More Buses Field Organizer, and Richard Murphy, the Co-Chair of Keep Ypsi Rollin’. I think, after you read it, you’ll come to realize, as I did, that this is the right thing for our community.