Category Archives: Special Projects

Ypsilanti Immigration Interview: Erika Hess

By Mark | May 12, 2013

A few weeks ago, I received an email from a young woman who’d just moved to Ypsi from Brooklyn, after a brief layover in Ann Arbor. She was looking for studio space, and thought, I guess, that I might be able to help. I couldn’t. But, one thing led to another, and I ended up [...]

Also posted in Ann Arbor, Art and Culture, Uncategorized, Ypsilanti | Tagged A Field Guide to Getting Lost, Ann Arbor Derby Dimes, artists, bandanas, bikes, Boston, bowling alley, Brooklyn, Brooklyn Bowl, comics, container gardening, Corner brewery, Erika Hess, FEASTMass, gardening, images of Mark, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, pasta salad, portrayals of Mark Maynard in popular culture, Rebecca Solnit, Riverside Park, Rob Hess, roller derby, Sherlock Holmes, Spur Studios, The Warriors, unflattering portraits, University of Michigan, University of Michigan School of Art and Design, Ypsi immigration interview | 30 Comments

May Day in Ypsilanti… a beautiful success

By Mark | May 1, 2013

I’m sunburnt and in much need of sleep, so this won’t be as exhaustive of a post as perhaps it should be. I did, however, want to say, before passing out, just how happy I am about the way things went today. What I saw unfold this afternoon on Water Street, I’m certain, will keep [...]

Also posted in Agriculture, Uncategorized, Ypsilanti | Tagged community, community coming together, community development, community organizing, community potlucks, defining community, Doug Coombe, seed bombing, Water Street | 24 Comments

Billy Bragg addresses his Ypsilanti comrades

By Mark | May 1, 2013

Well, it would seem that Billy Brag received our invitation to join us on Water Street this evening, as we gathered to celebrate May Day. I received the following email from him, just as the seed bombs started raining down on the site. A big thank you to everyone who went out of their way [...]

Also posted in Art and Culture, Ypsilanti | Tagged Billy Bragg, famous people, May Day, native species, seed bombing, Water Street | 10 Comments

Wanted: Billy Bragg in Ypsilanti on May Day…. spread the word

By Mark | April 30, 2013

As I mentioned yesterday, Billy Bragg is going to be in Ann Arbor tomorrow for a show at The Ark, and we’d love to steal him away for an hour or so, before he takes the stage, to join us in Ypsi for our May Day festivities at the Water Street Commons. With that in [...]

Also posted in Art and Culture, Uncategorized, Ypsilanti | Tagged Billy Bragg, commons, community potlucks, May Day, seed bombing, wanted posters, Water Street | 11 Comments

Making seed bombs with the awesome kids of Ypsi Middle School, and plotting to bring Billy Bragg to our May Day celebration

By Mark | April 29, 2013

I skipped breakfast this morning and headed over with Jeff Clark to make seed bombs with 7th and 8th graders at Ypsi Middle School. It was an incredible experience. The kids were enthusiastic, inquisitive, and just all-around awesome. And, thanks to their hard work, we now have over 500 seed bombs prepared for Wednesday’s big [...]