ypsi~dixit

Told you I was a night owl. Gracious, time for bed!

Laura, great work tonight at the meeting (I was the guy talking about Habitat for Humanity before you) You really had very strong arguments, and presented very effectively. I am glad that there is someone standing up for not only your bus service, but for all of us EMU students who use the bus system frequently.

Thanks, great work, and congratulations on a successful campaign thus far!

Mr. Haynes: Thank you for your kind words. Please know that I am only the bullhorn, as it were, for the unrecognized efforts of now hundreds of community members devoting work to this campaign. I just distilled their thoughts into the presentation, and was thankful to be the person to do so.

I thought your H for H project was very laudable. If someone would like to contribute money, is there a website or email? You mentioned one, but I was chatting with another community member and I didn't write it down--please excuse me.

The highlight of the council meeting, however, was the presentation on a subject near and dear to Y.'s heart, URBAN CHICKENS.

The presenter presented persuasive arguments as to why Ypsilantians should amend the whatever and allow URBAN CHICKENS.

Dang nab it, it's enough to make me want to move into Ypsi proper, instead of being a townshipper.

Let's make like Flint, whose rabbit-meat-raiser was famously profiled in Michael Moore's film, and start the Ypsilanti backyard chicken industry!

Here's a promise. If Ypsi agrees to allow URBAN CHICKENS, I'll pull up stakes and move into the city. Yes, sir, I will. My valuable if paltry tax dollars will stream into Ypsilanti's spiderwebbed coffers if the gentlefolk guiding our rapidly sinking ship allow URBAN CHICKENS.

Hey...Go easy on Flint....Its reputation is bad....and Saginaw Street is much the same as it was in ' Rodger and Me ' but there are alot of good folks who live there and they don't eat rabbit....but the rabbit hunting is great just outside Flint....

"If Ypsi agrees to allow URBAN CHICKENS, I'll pull up stakes and move into the city"

I have only been following the bus thing through your blog, so I don't fully comprehend the whole issue, but has anyone approached the township about kicking in some money for AATA?

CRR: You're right. I think Moore kinda harped on the rabbit woman. But she's there, nonetheless. I'm sure Flint and Ypsi have a great deal in common.

I really liked the urban chicken idea, as well. The chicken guy talked about how Ypsi originally decided to ban urban chickens in the 1950s because people thought the chickens would be happier in the country. He cleverly juxtaposed this concept with a picture of chickens crammed together in a factory farm today.

Hamilton, welcome to the blog. Don't recall seeing your name.

No, the city has not approached the Twp., which has plenty of cash. It's worth noting that the 10, 11, and 20 would be useless if there were no buses coming into the downtown. But the Twp. already pays its own POSA that is even more than Ypsi's: $175,877 as opposed to Ypsi's $170,504.

Ingrid,
The urban chicken presentation was completely charming. I've read about the "tractors" he showed, the moveable chicken houses. They are good for the earth; chicken poo is very rich in nitrogen. You can move them around your yard.

Sounds like the meeting went great! Sorry I wasn't there to share in the glory, but at least I can read about it. I think this really is a testament to what a community can do. I say community organizing is alive and well and we witnessed it right here in our community! It's really great that we can show people that they can make a difference, even when the issue seems a bit daunting. I applaud everyone who has helped make this happen and just feel so proud to live in this area!

The offer to move into the City if Ypsi allows urban chickens is nothing more than a cheep rhetorical ploy. I'd be more impressed if you offered to change the name of the blog to Ypsi-Chixit or Ypsi-Chicks-It. ;-)==

Nice work by KYR at Council.

Nancy, the meeting went well. There were at least 175-200 people there I'd say. I was terribly nervous until I thought of the trick of regarding the whole room as one of my classes (I used to be a teacher). That worked.

HD, I'd reply but I feel like I'm walking on eggshells. And I don't want to egg you on.

Having spent a lot of time in Flint for our group's masters project last semester, I have to say that I'm very impressed with the amount of stuff that's happening there. It's still hurting, and the recent (and coming) plant closings aren't helping matters any, but it's definitely a much more optimistic picture than it was when Moore made his movie. UM-Flint and Kettering are both moving to help downtown, rehabbing some of the historic buildings into student housing and otherwise encouraging their students to move into the city - there are some coffee shops on Saginaw that I've seen packed with students surrounded by their books and laptops. Several empty buildings are being converted into loft space - what would be a $400k condo in Ann Arbor rents for $650 month on Saginaw. There are a couple of major businesses moving back downtown, and there are plans to rehab their historic theater. The Genesee County Land Bank is amazing. So, yeah, just my two cents that Flint is not wholly a downwards comparison.

As for the rabbit-raising woman in the movie, I personally saw her depiction as positive - here she was, finding a way to eke by, and the County comes in and shuts her down

Murph: you're right, it was positive. Ypsi should take a far-sighted view and allow the beneficial effects of URBAN CHICKENS. A city full of happy, clucking chickens! Just imagine it!

I sense another Giant Petition in the pipeline.

My valuable if paltry tax dollars will stream into Ypsilanti's spiderwebbed coffers

I meant poultry tax dollars.

We need a slogan for this chicken thing. Dang it, I was up till all hours and got up at the crack of...7:19 a.m....and now I'm all fired up again! Articulate and urbane chicken man, whose name I didn't write down, you have a loyal ally here in Ypsichixit!

Keep Ypsi Hatching?

(returns to drawing board)

Murph, I meant to say it sounds like there is a vibrant new streak to Flint. The filled coffeeshops are hopeful, as are the real estate developments.

Just build on your successful KYR brand, but change the logo from a bus to an egg.

Meanwhile, I suggest you pick a vacant storefront in downtown and start Ypsi-Chixit as the freshest chicken dinner in the County. Raise chickens on a green roof, with a little periscope in the restaurant so that you can pick your own chicken.

(jaw drops at the brilliance of this idea).

Hey, this could *actually be done*. Set up a local network from Ypsi chicken ranchers for the supply of birds.

And I LOVE the idea of "The 'Pick Your Chick' Periscope." I can just picture it swiveling around.

"I'll take the smiling happy brown one. Kill that one."

Murph: Good idea on the logo. I'll just swap out the green clip art bus and dig up a clip art egg.

Folks, if we get this rolling, we can do a big tie-in at Easter.

Ypsichix update: I just heard from a Ypsilantian who emphatically said that she does NOT want chickens next door to her and if any do appear next to her yard, she's heading down to City Hall.

I just heard from a Ypsilantian who emphatically said that she does NOT want chickens next door to her and if any do appear next to her yard, she's heading down to City Hall.

And I thought we were waking up from the long nightmare of segregation.

(bursts out laughing)

Ahem. Yes, you are right on, Shupac. The Ypsichix movement seeks to celebrate the remarkable diversity of our city. There's no room for speciesism here, no sir.

The "articulate and urbane chicken man" is my neighbor and long-time Ypsilanti resident, Peter Thomason. I can tell you that all the local children are very excited about the project and hopeful that the ordinance will be changed.

My husband, who attended last night's meeting, said both presentations were very well-done and convincing.

These puns are cracking me up.

Yes--Mr. Thomason--that's it. Thank you.

Can you imagine all those fresh young hopeful little faces changing from eager, expectant smiles to tear-streaked disappointment?

My God, I'm getting miserable just imagining that.

Won't somebody please think of the children?

I really like the idea of urban chickens. I probably wouldnt keep them because I think my dogs would harass them. Still, it would be nice to have fresh eggs. Also, the baby chicks are pretty cheap as is the chicken feed. That would mean some cheap chicken dinners for a person willing to pluck the feathers.

It is really only the roosters who make a lot of noise and it is a problem that can be easily solved (by a cheap chicken dinner).

The children are definitely an important part of the Ypsichix restaurant business plan. (p.s. "The pick-your-chick periscope" has an excellent ring to it.) You see, in addition to the restaurant, there will be a "Hands-On Museum"-style section where children can learn first hand the meaning of "running around like a chicken with its head cut off," in addition to receiving valuable lessons in hatchet safety and the opportunity to make their own down pillows.

Hey, it's not child labor if _they_ pay _you_ for it.

The Pick-Your-Chick Periscope! Remember, that was *your* brilliant idea, Murph.

Your other ideas are just wonderful. A fabulous way to teach kids an instructive lesson about the natural cycle of life.

None of this sappy Lion King stuff.

Ms. Doyle, may I ask, do you think Mr. Thomason might be convinced to take a second to email me at ypsidixit@gmail.com? Not that he has anything better to do. I'd appreciate it. Thank you.

I just called and left him a message.

Sure, but you _named_ it.

Tell you what - we can share the patent.

Am I the only one picturing all those chicken yards full of chickens with bird flu? I wonder about the timing of this, chicken in such close proximity to humans would not be too prudent, eh?

Am I the only one picturing all those chicken yards full of chickens with bird flu? I wonder about the timing of this, chicken in such close proximity to humans would not be too prudent, eh?

I put bird flu on my freakin toast in the morning. You're gonna die someday, but not from chickens.

I'd rather die on my feet than live on my knees.

"Am I the only one picturing all those chicken yards full of chickens with bird flu?"

No, there's at least two of us.

Well, we should start by collecting data on the subject, like this CDC page on avian flu and poultry.

More info from here:

A safe home

Allowing poultry to have free access to their environment (roads, stagnant waters, plastic, cats and dogs) is perhaps the most difficult aspect to overcome when attempting to control disease and apply some level of biosecurity. In these cases, biosecurity should commence with making loose chickens truly backyard chickens (not "front-yard" or "under-house" chickens), in a place that they can be observed and properly cared for. Being in a known and comfortable enclosure is also likely to reduce their stress (competition with vehicular traffic and potential predators) and therefore gain weight, lay more eggs, and have less risk for contact with diseased animals.

Conceptually, biosecurity is most successful when a group of neighbours, commercial operators, or villagers practice it.

Here's a very informative and helpful page from a group called Bird Flu Beacon:

Hidden Bird Flu Hazards of Backyard Chicken Farms

I hate to mention it because 1. I think bird flu has been blown completely out of proportion and 2. this page totally undermines my dream of backyard chickens, BUT in all fairness, you have to make a decision based not on whimsy but information.

Though I prefer whimsy, dangit.

On the other hand, there have been 100 deaths worldwide from bird flu, none in the U.S.

Out of 6.5 billion people, you could argue that this is having an incredibly microscopic, even vanishingly small, if not almost totally insignificant, effect on people as a whole.

Bird Flu Threatens American Troops In Iraq: Story

Excerpt: "Bird flu instructions for US troops are reported in the March 3 issue of Stars and Stripes. Soldiers are told to seek medical attention, particularly if they have flu symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat or muscle aches), or an eye infection or difficulty breathing, especially after contact with poultry. They're also told to avoid contact with birds of any kind. In particular, troops are instructed not to handle sick or dead birds, and to even avoid eating poultry originating in Iraq. They are even told to stay away from others who are sick, and to sleep in cots in a foot-to-head pattern with maximum possible distance between cots."

NPR had a story on commercial operators' preparations for bird flu - apparently, they involve things like, "If any case of bird flu is discovered within x distance, all poultry in this five-county area will be slaughtered and burned on site."

I would expect any ordinance allowing urban poultry would similarly involve,
a) a permitting process
b) a requirement that all birds be destroyed within 48 hours of any case of bird flu or similar being discovered within 100 miles of Ypsilanti.

Enforcing part a makes part b enforceable.

(suddenly more hopeful)

Hm. Good idea, Murph. If such safeguards are in place, then that makes the idea of backyard chickens much more palatable to the average person, I'd say.

We used to have a mini horse in our city neighborhood that was not zoned for "farm" animals. It was listed as a large dog. The family did move to a farm a few years ago and aquired more horses. I used to drive the kids by to see the horsey daily on the way to preschool.

Mary's given me an idea. How about campaigning for a non-avian backyard food animal? Just spitballing, here.

Ypsichix update: The aforementioned community member who was ready to go to City Hall if chickens move in is OK with quail. But not pigeons.

Llamas? (I mean - Llamas?)

"Albino Blacksheep": heh.

Being of an analytical turn of mind I must note that some of the relationships between some of the items in the song were...oblique. Potato. Duck. Fresh lemony drink. But I might be overthinking it, for a change. I love the lines "I once was a treehouse, I lived in a cake," though.

Charming.

how about emus

I can picture an emu sanctuary, consisting of fencing in Frog Island and Riverside Park. I'm just imagining walking over the Tridge and hearing the approaching thunder of Ypsi's emu herd pounding over the Tridge from Frog Island to Riverside Park.

Emus can pack a punch, however. So I've heard (and are they edible?)

Mary's given me an idea. How about campaigning for a non-avian backyard food animal? Just spitballing, here.

Guinea pigs. They can't climb, they're friendly, and they're already allowed as pets: http://www.abc.net.au/sunshine/stories/s1499675.htm

I like guinea pigs, have had 'em as pets (they can be LOUD).

They raise them as food animals in South America. Recipe for fried guinea pig (Ayacucho style).

It says "Have cold beer on hand." Yes, I'd think I'd need some to wash this tidbit down.

So guinea pig farming (we'll call the meat, um, "free-range garden calflet") is one possibility.

It might have to be a secret guinea pig farm. We don't want to end up with Highland Cemetery disturbed.

Maybe i'm a little naive, but...why don't you just encourage people to have gardens on their property?

...and, I should add, as it was recently deleted:

1918

Oops, no, Brett*, didn't delete it, but I've noticed that your comments are, for reasons unknown to me, often flagged by Movable Type and held in a waiting area till I approve them. I was frantic trying to get work done today since I left early today, and I stayed late till 8 p.m. I didn't have time to approve all the comments in the waiting area. I do remember getting the usual email note when you posted the bird flu thing. Didn't realize it'd been flagged. I never delete comments, with one small exception recently with some slanderous comment that some fool was re-posting over and over.

That's fine.

Since, as you've all probably suspected, I'm actually a Spammer operating from an offshore server near Korea, I usually expect to get flagged by blog software.

Now, who wants some \/1aga7a?

Brett*: Wait, now I'm confused. I thought you were purchased by Disney?

Yes, of course we were, on April 1st.

But I still send out spam, just as a hobby. I find it very relaxing.

Brett*: I see. Thanks for the explanation. One wonders if you are not concerned about getting sued, as a Disney-owned spammer. But these complicated business structures are beyond my ken.

(I'm so late at coming into these discussions... grant proposals tend to take over life and all else for chunks of time.)

I saw preliminary plans for the Ypsichickens idea several month ago, and it was at that point about urban livestock overall... which includes bees, chickens, and goats (if there's a certain amount of square footage)... Not sure if the ordinance change Peter is focusing on right now is just for the chickens initially. Part of that initial plan was for a pilot where neighbors would have to approve of your chickens (I've already talked to mine, who, despite having many many dogs, cats, and birds, are okay with me having them)... and that there would be a complaint process. I'm elated that Lois Richardson has gotten on board with it-- she remembers having chickens when she was growing up in Ypsi.

If anyone is interested in seeing model urban chicken/livestock ordinances from other cities, let me know and I can email them to you. Heifer Project International's Urban Ag Program (the regional office that serves us is in Chicago) have been big advocates... And they are being involved in a big urban ag center development in Toledo-- though I haven't been keeping close touch with them lately.

Personally, I'm most interested in urban worm farming-- Heifer considers worms livestock, and Growing Power in Milwaukee has shown how it can be done on a big scale. The worms and castings are both very marketable... And while I have plenty of worms already, bringing it up to a farming scale would be awesome. Look for Growing Hope to do such a thing in the next year or so-- home grown worm poop!