Local Bloggers Write Ypsi’s Kick-Ass Anthem

by Julie Cook

March 3rd, 2008 in Ann Arbor, Art, Creative, Digital, Entertainment, Events, Lifestyle, Newsletter, Talent, The Reinvention Issue

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Word of mouth has given Ypsilanti its hip cred for years. Refusal to fall in line with Ann Arbor — the polished, overpriced and squeaky clean neighbor — finds many young people living and working in Ypsi.

The “it” stuff that makes a place charming — unique housing, independent restaurants, shopping, history, off-the-beaten-path fun and walkable downtown spaces — has been around for years. But the loyal residents of Ypsilanti transform the old by shouting their praises through a concept more modern: Web 2.0.

Flickr ID: maproomsystems

Technology has empowered urban devotees in love with their cities, big and small, to get the word out about the newest can’t-miss eatery or local band. MySpace, Facebook, Friendster and Second Life all up the ante on “city cool” for young, digitally-inclined people looking for a less cookie cutter existence.

At a quick glance, there are more than 30 active Ypsi bloggers and six LiveJournal communities covering topics from local politics to Michigan Vegetarians to arts and crafts to real estate. For a city of 22,000, that’s not a bad blogger ratio.

Corralled by prominent online voice Mark Maynard, a handful of writers and readers meet monthly to catch up at Frenchie’s in Depot Town.

Both ArbCamp and the Wireless Ypsi initiative represent a progressive and tech-savvy crew that’s rounding up the troops and moving us all closer to a point when virtual living will be as seamless as your morning cup of coffee.

Until then, we have our trusty troupe of blogging friends to keep us in know about everything: where to live, how to dress and who’s the next Google.

Blogs-away: Prospect Park N.A., Ypsi~Dixit, Matt Callow, Leighton Rhymes With Satan, Henrietta Fahrenheit, East Cross Street, Brian Cors, The Lynne Show, Women of Color, Mann About Town, Trusty Getto, Eric 3.0, Barry LaRue, Sam’s Thoughts, Steve Pierce, (2), (3), Steven Krause, Anchored Nomad, Ypsilanti Airship Works, Loose Tea, Out of the Woodwork, Common Monkeyflower, David Kircher, Thomason Family Farm, Verbal Garbage, bjenright , Seat of the Revolution, The Bunker, The Great Wallnut, EMU Talk

Need more Ypsi?
- City: cityofypsilanti.com
- Culture: Hipsilanti, Crimewave
- Writing: Ypsilanti - Write Where You Know
- Fun: Take a piece of Ypsi with you everywhere
- Links galore: Maproom Systems