OleA idigan aitl New Student Edition
AN
N
,Ax RB O R
Thursday, September 8, 1994
SectionE
uIIrm KAFKA
Win Ann Arbor
And it ain't
New York City
either
omeone told me once that he
thinks Ann Arbor is just like
ewYork City.
"New York City?" My friends
from the East Coast shrieked when I
repeated the conversation, incredu-
lous and slightly offended by the
comparison. "No, no, no, no,"
sputtered one. "Obviously this guy
has never been to New York City."
Of course, she was right. The
erson who shared this thought with
e, the person who equates good
ol' A-squared to the famed me-
tropolis for insomniacs is from a
small town in Michigan and has
never left the state. But I felt a need
to defend him anyway.
I don't even really know this
person - his comment arose during
one of those conversations that
develop so easily in the laziness of
S Ann Arbor summer, the type of
casual talk that rolls without
direction between people who
haven't actually met and may never
speak again, the discussions that are
remembered later precisely because
they were so obviously brushed
aside at the time.
I was having an outdoor grill
with a few friends, enjoying the
concept of sun in Ann Arbor, when
Widdenly he appeared. He must
have smelled the steak or seen the
beer, I don't know, but he made
himself at home, cracked some
jokes, and shared a few words of
wisdom along the way.
He told us about his family, his
hometown, the sexual practices of
his roommates, and, most impor-
tantly, his view on living in Ann
rbor. He said while at times he
missed the "party" atmosphere of
other state schools (I need not name
names), he appreciated the culture
that he found here. Ann Arbor, he
noted, has something for everyone
- even the "weirdos." It was this
aspect of the city that he compared
to New York.
Hailing from west of the
ississippi myself, I can't say I'm
expert on New York City. Yet I
understand what my brief acquain-
tance was getting at. In fact, I often
boast to outsiders that Ann Arbor
has all the advantages of a big city
with few of the problems.
First of all, while it's not
perfect, the crime rate here is pretty
low and many walk the streets at
night without a second thought (I
Stink the most common form of
robbery is bicycle theft). Sometimes
See KAFKA, Page SE
ich oin2
r .'
,k J . < . " " lam.'
*Aglow at night,
ti downtown An
Arbor offers
plenty of
Sshopping and
entertainment
opportunities
for students.
The State
Theatre with its
historic
marquee is an
immortalized
part of the Ann
Arbor night
scene.
DOUGLAS KANTER/
Daily
We're not a lttle town, but we're not a big city either
By MICHELLE LEE THOMPSON
Daily Staff Reportcr
Ann Arbor: Where else can you find Take
Back the Night rallies, fraternity parties, Art
Fair, the Naked Mile, world-famous medical
care, Hash Bash, and the 11th highest per capita
income, all in the second-ranked city to live and
retire in the United States? A little overwhelmed?
Well, the City of Trees is a little overWhelming
at first, but you'll get used to it.
A2 Stats
Just 35 miles west of metropolitan Detroit,
Ann Arbor has earned its own place on the map.
While downtown can be reached right off US-
23, motorists can get on 1-94 by taking Liberty
Street or Main Street to the southern city limits.
The Huron River flows through town, forming
Geddes and Barton Ponds and shaping many of
thecity'sparks, including Huron Hills GolfCourse.
Michigan is notorious for its unpredictable
weather, and Tree Town is no exception. Cold,
snowy, winters keep the average temperature right
around 16 degrees, and hot, wet summers stay
close to 79 degrees. But there's no telling-it can
be 40 degrees in June or 60 degrees in November.
Ann Arborites
Of Ann Arbor's growing population of
110,000 people, 21.6 percent are under 18.
Most are white, but Blacks, Asians and Hispan-
ics make up 9 percent, 7.7 percent and 2.6
percent of the local population, respectively.
The University is Washtenaw County's largest
employer, with more than 16,000 employees on.,
the payroll. Unemployment in Ann Arbor is 5.1
percent, 3.7 percent below the Michigan aver-
age. The average household income of $66,228
ranks as the 11th highest in the nation.
Government
Mayor Ingrid B. Sheldon presides over the
11-member city council - seven Democrats
and four Republicans. The five wards in Ann
Arbor have two representatives on the council.
Meetings are held at City Hall on the first and
third Mondays of each mcrith. One point now
facing the city council is the Rock located on the
corner of Hill Street and Washtenaw. Com-,
plaints by area resident concerning the noise
and pollution made when students paint the
Rock have pushed the city to clamp down on
"painting' rules.
Parks and Recreation
With 124 parks, you'll soon understand why
Ann Arbor is called the City of Trees. Fuller
Park and Gallup Park are two of the biggest. The
University's nature preserve, Nichols Arbore-
tum, dubbed "The Arb," is a favorite strolling
spot for couples. Located behind Mary Markley
Residence Hall, students have been known to
spend hours in this 123-acre nature preserve.
Crime
The Ann Arbor Police Department patrols
the streets of Ann Arbor and leaves campus
safety to the University's Department of Public
Safety. As part of the city's new community
policing program, some city police officers now
patrol on bicycle..
Ann Arbor has one of the highest per capita
burglary rates in the country, with 1,168 re-
ported in 1992. Forty-six forced and attempted
rapes were reported, which is higher than the
national average, partially due to community
support of rape victims.
Storefronts and Malls
Arborland and Briarwood Mall provide in-
door, suburban-type shopping and have many
chain stores. However, the downtown feeling of
Main Street, Kerrytown, South University and
State Street areas seem to lure more student
shoppers. Bookstores, including the "Big Three"
-Urich's,Michigan Union Bookstore and Michi-
gan Book & Supply--are all located near campus.
But not everything is academic. Farmers' Market,
Condoms 101 and Urban Outfitters are only a few
of Ann Arbor's shopping landmarks.
Wining and Dining
Ann Arbor residents drink thousands of gal-
lons of alcohol each year spending $234 million
each year at bars and restaurants.
If alcohol is not the "beverage of choice" for
Ann Arborites, then coffee is. Coffee houses
thrive on campus and in the surrounding areas
Restaurants are even more varied. The Gandy
Dancer, a very-fine dining experience, isn't much
like Taco Bell, although both are landmarks. To
turn a phrase which most accurately reflects Ann
Arbor's restaurant scene, "The only thing that is
constant is change." Restaurants turn over all the
time, and there's always a new place in town.
Education and Campus'
When all is said and done, Ann Arbor is a
university town. With 37,000 men and women
See ANN ARBOR, Page 10E
Founded: 1824. The University was
founded in 1837.
Location: 42' 18' N and 830 43' W, 186
miles closer to the Equator than the
North Pole.
Weather: Erratic,
unpredictable, terrible. Last
year's record low was -22
degrees. .a
Population: 109,592.
Area colleges: 5
High School Graduates: 94 percent.
Four or more years of
college : 2 in 3
(nationally 1 in 5)
Average Income:
$66;228 peryear.
Burglaries: 1,100 in
1993.
Famous names: Rock
singer Bob Seger, violinist Catherine
Cho, rock iconoclast Iggy
Pop, serial killer Ted
Bundy:.
Government: Republican -
Ingrid B. Sheldon was
elected mayor two years
ago. The city, however,
leans Democratic in voting
patterns. Seven of 11 city council
members are Democrats.
INSIDE
FASHION 7E
While it's not New York City or Paris, Ann Arbor boutiques satisfy
any shopper's taste from Michigan paraphernalia to recycled jeans.
By Julie Chang.
OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING 3E
An often inexpensive alternative to the residence halls, there are
apartments and rooms available to fit any budget. By Frank C. Lee.
STASHING YOUR CASH 3E
Consider the location of ATMs when opening, in all likelihood, your
first bank account. By Cathy Boguslaski.
Getting over the academic blues
By JOHN R. RYBOCK
Daily Staff Reporter
Coming to Ann Arbor for the first
time, many new students wonder, what
is there to do at night? Well, when one
considers that we are here for an educa-
tion, an expensive one paid for through
grants, loans, parents and jobs, there is
really only one choice to select from on
a Saturday night - studying at the
library.
Forget all that. That was for the
benefit of any parental-type people who
may have been reading this over your
shoulder. Sure, you should study at
some point. But if you don't blow off
some steam occasionally, you will end
up at the top of Burton Tower with a
sniper's rifle shouting "I used to have a
as a drain on your wallet -not just on
a slow night, but between classes, too.
To save a little money and to take
advantage of the University, one can
always spend time at the computing
sites playing even more video games.
This is risky, people, because they are
more addictive than cigarettes. You may
go to the center to write a midterm, say
to yourself:
"Just one game of Minesweeper."
The next thing you know, a German
Shepherd is sniffing your foot, pointing
you out to the search party your room-
mate called when you nevercame home
(just kidding - your roommate will
never call in a search party). If you or a
friend like computers, you'll probably
discover network games, such as
WHERE TO EAT 6-7E
AND DRINK
Tired of dorm food? Need a
place to take the folks? You'll
never go hungry or thirsty in
wo.,
.-
looffimo