Wednesday, March 29, 2017

Ken MacGregor's scary, freaky creepy book launch at Dreamland Theater in Ypsilanti...If you can handle it.


Alright folks, lets see. How to begin this article? Ok, I've got it. Ahem... It is with great trepidation that I relay to you the Ken MacGregor book launch at Dreamland Theater in Ypsilanti April 15. Why the trepidation? Well, because I'm a big chicken when it comes to creepy, scary, Gory stuff! Listen, any horror or book created after about 1970 is too scary for me, ok? I mean The Day The Earth Stood Still is my speed.

This leads me to the new Ken MacGregor book titled Sex, Gore, and Millipedes, and by all accounts its, um, weird, and full of all kinds of erotic super freaky, scary, and gory stuff! Erotic? Maybe I'll take a peek. But seriously. according to the author, this event is NOT FOR KIDS.

MacGregor is celebrating the launch of his second collection at the Dreamland Theater from 5 to 9 pm on April 15. But, as stated above, the event is definitely not for children. This is clearly stated in the press release.

According to the press release, "The cover has nudity and graphic gore." Yike. The release also states, "The stories within are even more brutal. Anyone 17 and older is welcome, but please leave the kids at home." Double yikes.

According to MacGregor, "This is all the truly sick stuff I've written in the last six years." Sex Gore and Millipedes is comprised of 14 stories specially selected to make the reader uncomfortable. Actually, I'm already uncomfortable just writing this. Oy.

Well, if you can stomach it, check out this event on April 15 at Dreamland Theater located at 26. N. Washington Street in Ypsi from 5 to 9. I think I'm going to pass on it on account of I'm so chicken, but you go ahead. You can tell me all about it while I'm sipping coffee at Cross Street Coffee.

Jeff Brown
founder & editor
Purple Walrus Press.

Tuesday, March 28, 2017

Friends with the Weather let the good vibes flow at the Ark in Ann Arbor Tuesday night.

Anyone who took a chance at Take a Chance Tuesday at the Ark in Ann Arbor Tuesday evening March 28, was treated to one fantastic show! Friends with the Weather brought their brand of folk, rock and funk to the stage and serenaded the Ark with a set of strong, upbeat and downright inspirational music. At its core Friends with the Weather consists of three singer-songwriter multi-instrumentalists. The trio includes Seth Hendricks, Chris Good, and David Hupp. They have recently released a new self titled album and its awesome! I know because I reviewed it last month!

From the moment the band took the stage Tuesday night the good vibes began to flow as song after song brimmed with soul funk infused inspirational and positive messages about life and all of its nuances. We are living in cynical, and frightening times in the United States these days. Its pretty darn scary out there with the repressive policies of the Trump administration. That being said, much of the subject matter in Friends with the Weather songs performed Tuesday night revolved around the messages of hope, understanding, positivity, and not being afraid to be yourself. Important and relevant themes in this day and age.

But at the heart of the groups performance was impeccable, passionate, and inspired musicianship on the part of each musician. Vocalist and multi instrumentalist Seth Hendricks was particularly impeccable! His singing was assured, soulful and reminded me a lot of James Taylor.

I'm sure that everyone left the Ark Tuesday feeling as uplifted and inspired as I did.

Jeff Brown
founder & editor
Purple Walrus Press.




Friends with the Weather at the Ark in Ann Arbor Tuesday night. Photos Purple Walrus Press.


Monday, March 27, 2017

EMU names Christian Spears as interim Athletic Director.


Eastern Michigan University has named Christian Spears as interim Athletic Director according to a press release from EMU. The news was announced Monday, March 27 by EMU President James Smith. As of Monday Spears will be taking over the reins as AD. Former EMU AD Heather Lyke decided to leave EMU and has accepted the position of AD at the University of Pittsburgh. Monday was Lykes's last day as director of athletics at EMU. She will be missed.

For the past three years Spears has served as
the Deputy Director of Athletics at Eastern. Prior to coming to EMU Spears spent five years with the athletic department at Northern Illinois.

According to Spears, "It is such an honor to be named interim AD and I am grateful to President Smith for the opportunity and to Heather Lyke for preparing me to lead."

Jeff Brown
Purple Walrus Press.
photo Purple Walrus Press.

Car accident at corner of Mansfield and Cross in Ypsilanti.


As of 5:10 Monday afternoon there has been a serious car accident at the intersection of Mansfield and Cross Street in Ypsilanti. I was at the scene minutes ago and can report a two car accident with both vehicles showing extensive damage. I did see that the air bag was deployed in one vehicle, and would imagine that the air bag also deployed in the other vehicle based on the amount of damage.

The driver of a tow truck at the scene told me that one female has been taken to the hospital by ambulance. He was not sure of her condition.

I spoke to one man who told me he was the driver of one of the vehicles in the accident. The details he gave me are a little unclear as he was quite shaken from the accident though he said he was not injured. According to the driver who told me his name was Montez, he was driving North on Mansfield, proceeding through a green light. He stated that the other vehicle struck his car as it was turning left onto Mansfield from Cross Street. This according to Montez. This is my understanding of what I was told by the driver of one of the vehicles. To be clear, this information is unconfirmed. Purple Walrus Press was unable to get a statement from police at the scene.

Jeff Brown
PWP.
5:15 pm Monday, March 27. Cross and Mansfield in Ypsilanti. Photos Purple Walrus Press.

Sunday, March 26, 2017

Rep Debbie Dingell thanks 12th district for speaking out against repeal of the ACA.


What a week for our bitterly divided country and discombobulated political system! The tumultuous week was capped by the rejection of the GOP'S proposal to repeal the Affordable Healthcare Act. On Friday the House of Representatives rejected the Republican  proposal to repeal the ACA.

Locally, in a press release, Debbie Dingell thanked residents of Michigan's 12th district and others across the state for making their voices heard and speaking out against the proposal to repeal the ACA. According the Fridays press release, "Today's victory shows how engaged citizens can make a difference. It is now time to work together in a bipartisan way to build off the progress we've made and find real solutions to improve the ACA for the American people."

Who knows what kind of political chaos will occur in this nation during the coming week? Fasten your seat belts!

Jeff Brown
PWP,
http://purplewalruspress.blogspot.com/
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