Steve and I had lunch yesterday at this restaurant on Caniff. We split the Bosnia Plate. It comes with chevapi (like breakfast sausages), a veal kebob, a ground beef kebob on a skewer (like kafta), a ground sirloin patty, french fries, coleslaw, and bread that reminds me of english muffins. It was more than enough food for 2 people.
I would definately recommend Bosnia Specialties to someone in the mood for a hamburger and fries. My favorite were the ground beef kebobs.
Bosnia Specialties at 3028 Caniff is open 11-8, 7 days a week.
Monthly Archives: February 2005
Antique electrics
In preparation for an electrical upgrade from 60 amp service, we began replacing our antique wiring with modern NM 12/2. We knew some of the original knob and tube was still in service but not to this extent.
We decided to address the homespun sub-panel and the in-service knob and tube wiring first. We disconnected and replaced one circut at a time taking into account the plan for the new breaker panel.
As we pulled the old wiring we found some disintegration on runs from both the 20s and 50s. This evidence confirms our mistrust of old wiring.
Fishing new wiring through the walls is a two person operation. We’ve had some luck attaching new wiring to old and pulling it through the walls. The fish tape has been a great help in some circumstances.
Many of the the recepticle boxes needed to be removed to allow the new wiring. Unfortunately this means removal of some of the adjacent plaster to access the fasteners. This means more patching later but all the recepticles will be upgraded.
Still ahead we’ll be running new wiring for the ceiling fixtures. I imagine that we’ll have to take up boards in the attic to gain access to these lines.
Mid-century upgrade.
Homespun sub-panel.
Knob and tube.
50s NM retired from service.
Images from voting
Yesterday at around 4:30, I cast the 50th ballot in the 3rd precinct. The ladies working the polls were very helpful. They even labeled my gloves with my name and address when I left them on the table.
City Charter passes by 153 votes | Hamtown Confidential
The unofficial numbers have been posted at City Hall, and they look like this:
“Shall the City Charter proposed by the City of Hamtramck Revision Commission approved by resolution on November 8, 2004 be adopted?”
YES………………………….604
NO…………………………..451
Total Votes Cast……………..1055
Here’s the breakdown by precinct:
PCT 1…Housing Administration Bldg
Yes…………………………..70
No……………………………54
PCT 2…St. Ladislaus Parish
Yes………………………….121
No……………………………91
PCT 3…Community Center
Yes………………………….112
No……………………………48
PCT 4…City Hall
Yes………………………….132
No……………………………96
PCT 5…Senior Plaza
Yes………………………….113
No……………………………67
PCT 6 …People’s Community Services
Yes…………………………..21
No……………………………52
PCT 7 …Holbrook Cafe
Yes…………………………..35
No……………………………43
Remember, these are unofficial numbers from the City Clerk’s office, pending certification by the Canvassing Board. Don’t expect them to change much, though.
Wayne County says Hamtramck must refund $4 million | Free Press
DETROIT (AP) — Wayne County officials want Hamtramck to refund nearly $4 million in overpayments, a burden the struggling city says it can’t afford.
The county says it overpaid Hamtramck for 15 years as part of an agreement that compensates the city for revenue lost in connection with the county jail. The error was discovered after the county’s longtime accounting director retired.
In December, the county said the annual overpayments would stop and paid Hamtramck only $500,000 of the $1.36 million it was expecting.
Hamtramck has a $15 million annual budget and was under the control of an emergency financial manager until a few months ago.
Hamtramck controller William Barnett said the city is prepared to sue the county to get the $867,442 balance and won’t discuss the $4 million until that payment is made.
Sharon Banks, a spokeswoman for county executive Robert Ficano, told the Detroit Free Press that the county probably will try to work out some kind of refund agreement with Hamtramck.
“We don’t find them at fault with anything,” Banks said. “We’re not going to do anything that’s going to be punitive.”
At the same time, she said, the county will insist on being repaid.
“These are the times where revenue is at a premium, to say the least,” she said.
Under the agreement dated April 25, 1989, the county has to pay the city $500,000 a year plus a percentage increase based on the annual change in the county’s state equalized value. The former director of accounting had been annually compounding the increases, causing the annual payments to rise from $500,000 in 1989 to $1.36 million in 2004.
Blowout Tickets Available
Blowout organizers announce early bird wristbands going on sale February 21st. They’re only $10 but mysteriously only available in Detroit. Go get some.
Pure Detroit-Downtown (Guardian building)
500 Griswold Suite 250, Detroit (313) 963-1440
Pure Detroit-New Center (Fisher building)
3011 W. Grand Blvd Suite 101, Detroit (313) 873-PURE
Pure Detroit Design Lab (156 W. Congress st.)
156 West Congress, Detroit (313) 961-8320
Pure Detroit-GM Collection (Ren Cen)
In the Wintergarden (313) 259-5100
Incognito – Royal Oak
323 S. Main, Royal Oak (248) 548-2980
Magic Bus – Dearborn
24334 Michigan Ave., Dearborn (313) 565-7941
SOL :: BLACK BOTTOM COLLECTIVE :: DJ K :: NICE :: THUNDERBIRDS ARE NOW :: LEE MARVIN COMPUTER ARM :: TINY STEPS :: THE EXPATRIATES :: BLOWOUT 2004 DVD SCREENING :: PARIS ’68 :: TEAM DORKWAVE ROB THEAKSTON MIKE DOYLE JON OZIAS MIKE SERVITO ALLEN GOODMAN & FRIENDS SAM CONSIGLIO (TAMION 12″) MIKE TROMBLEY (THE SIGHTS) JIMMY EDGAR (WARP RECORDS RECORDING ARTIST) :: DEVIN SCILLIAN :: SOUTHERN HARMONY :: COMPANY OF STRANGERS :: TRACY MAREE & ROBYN LEE :: AUSTIN SCOTT :: CHAMPTOWN/TEKNEEK/SHORTCUT/SWEETS :: MAIA NONI :: YANG KU :: KEHOA :: DPHUZION ALBUM LISTENING PARTY :: WAX TAX’N DRE :: LORETTA LUCAS :: BIRDGANG :: PRIME MINISTERS :: ALL RIGHT TOKYO :: THE MYDOLS :: NITRO DYNAMITE :: THE BEGGARS :: CANDY BAND :: URBAN FOLK COLLECTIVE :: JELLY ADAMS :: THE WOEBEGONES :: WHITEY MORGAN & THE WAYCROSS GEORGIA FARM BOYS :: GOLD CASH GOLD :: MAN INC. :: AERIAL SPIES :: BRAILLEHOUSE :: BLASTERNAUT :: TIDES :: CRASHING ATOMS :: CRUD :: POWERTRANE :: THE UNHEARD :: KRYME :: COTTON MUSEUM :: METAL DUNGEON :: NOMO :: HIS NAME IS ALIVE W/ FARUQ Z. BEY :: LAST DAYS :: SUPER TC :: DETROIT WOMEN :: ALL NIGHT PUSH :: SPY RADIO :: TEENAGE ALCOHOLICS :: JOHNNY HEADBAND :: POLISH MUSLIMS :: THE EARWORMS :: SOUNDS OF THE CZARS :: DEAD HEROES :: DISGRAZIATA :: STARE INTO THE SUN :: BLIND LEADS NAKID :: DESOLATION ANGELS :: SMASHBANDITS :: PROXI :: CATALOG ONLY :: PHAT KAT :: BIG HERK :: FAT KILLAHZ :: MIZ KORONA :: PURPLE GANG :: DJ K :: NICE :: SOUTH NORMAL :: THE SMARTIES :: WEATHERVANE COCKS :: MOTORD BOB :: WILDFIRE :: HUNTER BRUCKS :: THE HUMMINGBIRDS :: GRIEVOUS ANGEL :: AMERICAN COSMOS :: PAIK :: THE STRANGE ::
Continue reading
I’d rather walk
This past weekend, we finally got rid of our second car. I can’t say I’m sad to see it go.
- The switch for the heater fan never worked.
- The doors stopped locking almost immediately.
- The windshield is broken.
- The muffler is disconnected.
- The roof and hood are dented from a tree falling on it.
- One of the tires is on a bent rim and leaking air.
- The back hatch can only be opened from the inside.
- The bumper fell off and Steve duct taped it back in place.
- The replacement bumper never got painted.
- The parking break is disconnected.
- The glove box doesn’t shut.
- The windshield wipers can’t be turned on without activating the rear wiper.
- One of the marker lights is missing.
- The rear view mirror is glued on upside-down.
- The lights in the dash don’t work.
- The trim is held down with windshield caulk in 2 places.
- The horn doesn’t work.
Despite all these problems, our semi-annual premium increased $400 on each car when I changed our address. They wanted the same amount for PLPD in Hamtramck that we were paying for full coverage in Ypsilanti. At that rate, we could buy another car just like it every year.
Recent Council Meeting
The following are some notes I took from the City Couincil meeting that aired February 14th.
Copies of citations against the owner of the former Mother Waddles warehouse on the south side were requested by council so demolition can begin. Apparently, there was some problem with the paperwork from the last time the building caught fire and the city was left unpaid for fire suppression.
The building at 2013 Caniff is being demolished and rebuilt by the owner, Caniff Electric. I haven’t seen the plans or the building, but council seemed excited about it.
The Planning Commision is working on changing the ordinance governing outdoor cafes. The ordinance was not read, but I gather that it is to allow more of them. Great!
A parking lot behind The Clock is owned by the city and has been leased for some time by the US Postal Service. USPS will no longer needs the lot and Councilman Klein suggested that the lot be sold. I agree. Information about the lot is being gathered.
Neighbors may have noticed a cement block structure rising at Caniff and Conant. The owner requested that Council approve a change in facade materials from EIFS to brick as the Planning Commision meets only once a month. Approved!
St. Florian requested that they be allowed to close Poland Street between Brombach and Latham for the annual Strawberry Festival, April 29-May 1. They also requested that they be allowed to sell alcohol on the sidewalk. Council approved! I’m a little disappointed that strawberries are out of season during the festival, but if they’re going to allow drinking on the street, it’s already better than the Belleville Strawberry Festival.
Councilman Klein suggested Council invite a local judge to talk about the possibility of a parking ticket amnesty. He explained that the state suspends a person’s license after six unpaid tickets resulting in cluttered city books. Council agreed that the matter should be discussed. I think amnesty is a good idea so long as the cost of the original ticket is paid. Otherwise, people may put off paying tickets in hopes of getting a reduced rate through future amnesty programs.
The mayor apparently vetoed the proposed position of Economic Development Director. We need someone to write grant proposals and a balanced budget. I don’t see how creating this position would accomplish either.
Twice Councilman Klein tried to move Council to vote on issues in order to avoid specific public comment. I am disappointed that Councilman Klein would attempt to restrict public comment by his constituents.
Should we eat the squash?
We thought we would have plenty of time to photograph the “Crazy Deals” sign at Food Basics on Joseph Campau, but it looks like we’ve missed our opportunity.
They’ve been closed down due to rat infestation.
Removing eighty years of paint
We’re stripping eight to twelve coats of paint off the woodwork in our smaller bedroom. It has what I call the “new york apartment” look: all the details melt into eighty years of dodgy painting.
We’re using Savogran Strypeeze which is fairly nasty stuff but it’s doing the job. Three applications got us down to the original primer coat in most places. Cleanup goes easy with warm water and TSP.
The doors have been removed and will be stripped and re-painted in the shop. Next we’ll finish making the walls good and TSP the ceiling.