​From: D&B Strategic Marketing
 
Tuesday, March 16 is a huge day! The Common Grill, including online ordering, will be opening Tuesday, March 16 at 4 pm. One year from the date of the initial Covid-19 closing.
 
Craig Common said, “I am beyond words excited about this day! I was born to be a Chef occupied with preparing food. I don’t know anything else. I am ready!” The restaurant will continue to follow state and CDC safety guidelines. Masks are required for in-restaurant dining. The Common Grill will also continue to offer robust online ordering with a curbside pickup option at www.commongrill.com. 
 
The Common Grill started taking reservations on March 8 for the reopening on the 16th. Common shared, “We have had a tremendous response to reopening and thank everyone for their patience and support.” Reservations are strongly recommended.
 
The Grill has a few new menu items that will delight your taste buds and complement their all-time favorite dishes. New menu items include:
 

• Grilled miso ahi tuna with shrimp dumplings
• Wasabi mashers and dashi broth
• Sauteed hazelnut crusted scallops with honey-lime butter
• Grilled three-cheese flatbread pizza
• Spicy fried lake smelt with red bell mayo 

 
Craig Common and his wife Donna have been operating the restaurant since 1991, which means this is their 30th year! They are committed and resilient. The Common Grill adapts to change and continues to present fresh, imaginative American dishes while providing outstanding service.
 
During the pandemic, The Common Grill introduced a new ‘Back Door Market’ which features fresh fish, seafood, pasta by the pound, and wine by the bottle. Available through online ordering at www.commongrill.com and curbside pickup. The Back Door Market also includes Common Grill rolls, either baked or unbaked, house dressings, and homemade cookies. The unique wine offerings can be purchased by the bottle at extraordinarily moderate prices. With ingredients from the Back Door Market, guests can recreate restaurant favorites following recipes in Chef Craig’s Common Grill Cookbooks.
 
Please check the website for new hours at www.commongrill.com. Everyone at The Common Grill looks forward to serving you again. The Common Grill is indeed a cornerstone of what makes Chelsea a great place to live, visit, and dine! 

From: D&B Strategic Marketing
This week a large white tent appeared  behind Cleary's Pub. Last summer Cleary's, like many other Chelsea restaurants, had created outdoor seating environments. The tent will be heated during the cooler shoulder months and the sides will be removed  late spring through mid-to-late October. The added space will create an open-air covered dining and socializing experience for everyone to enjoy during these lingering Covid days and beyond.
Cleary's Pub remained open throughout the pandemic, offering online ordering and curbside pick-up. Pat Cleary, one of the three owners, said, "We had an online ordering system setup, but because we are a sit-down establishment, we didn't use it. But on March 17, we knew how to use it!"
Since they opened their doors in 1991, Pat Cleary and his sisters Joan (Cleary) Henry and Meg (Cleary) Boomer have worked to make every visit to Cleary's Pub an enjoyable event… from the food to the ambiance. Joan retired from the business two years ago; Pat and Meg are working in the restaurant most days of the week. Cleary's has been about quality - from the handcrafted beers to the spirited atmosphere. You are greeted and served by the friendly, knowledgeable staff who have a love for the community. Cleary's Pub has an extensive menu that combines quality fare with a host of locally sourced specials that keep you coming back again and again.
Cleary's is also known for combining the best of great food and live music. On St. Patrick's Day, the outdoor tent will house Wes Fritzmeier performing live music, and a Bagpipe performer will be passing through in honor of the day!  
 

Cleary's Pub is a family-run, full-service bar featuring classic dishes, a grill, an impressive wine list, and a full bar — all at affordable prices! www/clearyspubchelsea.com
​

​By Dave Merchant dmerchant9701@yahoo.com
 
Chelsea basketball has had many good players over the years. Senior player and one of the top scorers on the team, Emily McCalla will be playing at the next level.
Emily plays basketball and softball.
 
Highlights:  
“Winning regional championship for the first time in program history my sophomore year,” Emily said.
 
Favorite class for her is Economics. Her Favorite coach: Coach Scheffler or AAU Coach Cathi Powell.
 
Future plans: 
“To play basketball at Concordia University Ann Arbor and study business,” she said.
 
Why hoops: “Both my parents have played in high school, my mom played basketball at Hope while my dad played football there, and that’s how I got started,” she said. “I then got my own passion for the game and pushed to be better because it just brings such joy into my life and makes me a better person and leader.”
 
Parents and siblings: Parents are Case and Amy McCalla. Her siblings are Megan McCalla who is a sophomore on the team and William McCalla an 8th grader at Chelsea.
 
Hobbies include: “Pretty much playing sports and going to my grandparents farm up north and spending time with my friends and family,” she added.
 
Advice for younger athletes is strong.
“Take advantage of every opportunity you get to play in any sport you love,” she said. “You never know when your time will be done or get shortened. Push yourself every day to be the best you can because it’s a gift if you get to be able to play and compete, even if you aren’t thinking that it could be over. Life happens and really play every game and practice like it’s your last. Appreciate your parents, coaches, grandparents, or any support staff you have because they really will go to the end of the world for you. Lastly always push and work for your goals even if people don’t see that, keep working it will be worth it always!!”
 

​By Dave Merchant dmerchant9701@yahoo.com
 
Chelsea senior Jordan Fansler has two passions in sports. He loves basketball and soccer..
 
“The highlight of my high school sports career was probably winning districts in soccer this past fall,” Jordan said. “I had the assist on the game winning goal, so that was a really exciting moment for me. We had 10 or eleven seniors on the team and it was our last ever home game as well, so it made it really special.”
 
AP Economics is his favorite class. His favorite coach since his sophomore year is Josh Tropea.
 
He has big plans next fall. “I plan on going to University of Michigan to Study engineering,” he said.
 
“My mom and dad are Krisha and David Fansler and I have three younger brothers; Josh, Braden and Logan.”
 
Sports are his hobby. “Playing basketball is probably my favorite hobby, I also spend a lot of time with my friends.,” he said.
 
Advice for younger athletes is strong: “My advice to young athletes would be to stick with it even when things aren’t going well,” he said. “Putting in the work from a young age will pay off in the end, sometimes all it takes is a little patience.”

From: D&B Strategic Marketing
 
Chelsea Area Festivals & Events (CAFE) has been awarded a minigrant of  $2,750 from the State of Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs (MCACA). CAFE is one of six organizations that received grants in the final round of funding for Region 9 that includes Hillsdale, Jackson, Livingston, Lenawee and Washtenaw counties. Creative Washtenaw administers this program on behalf of MCACA.
 
Crystal Scott, Visual Arts Coordinator for CAFE commented “This grant is important and will assist CAFE in the management and oversight of the exhibition. We are continuously seeking ways to enhance visitors' enjoyment of SculptureWalk Chelsea.” CAFE recently invested in larger, more visible plaques at each of the sculptures.
 
This annual outdoor exhibition will be celebrating its 12th anniversary.  Fourteen juried sculptures, the majority created by Michigan Artists continue to be showcased throughout historic downtown Chelsea. Each exhibiting Artist receives a stipend of $850, an increase from the previous year.
 
The exhibition has a history of strong community partnership and support. A recent example is the purchase of a sculpture, one of two that have been on display at the
 

Chelsea District Library. "The Chelsea District Library is pleased to add the metal sculpture, Elk Bugling, to its art collection. This intriguing acquisition created with a wide variety of found objects will continue to invigorate the public space surrounding the library and embody the library's mission to engage and inspire the community. It is sure to delight visitors for years to come!" commented Lori Coryell, Library Director.
 
Artist Kyle Burnett, from Battle Creek, was inspired by the Elk in Northern Michigan in creating Elk Bugling with recycled metals.
 
 
 
Photo of Elk Bugling courtesy of Crystal Scott, Visual Arts Coordinator
 
Community support also comes in the form of sponsorships; each of the 14 sculptures is financially sponsored by local businesses. The City of Chelsea has provided financial assistance and support with the installation and removal of the sculptures in this rotating annual exhibit.
 
Craig Common, President of CAFE shared his appreciation, “We are thankful for MCACA’s confidence and ongoing support of this visual art project that has become an integral part of the visual and cultural arts community in Chelsea.”  
 

2020 Sculpture Collage Photo courtesy of Crystal Scott, Visual Arts Coordinator
 
SculptureWalk is free for all visitors and community residents. The sculptures are available for purchase, with most of the proceeds going to the Artist and the balance reinvested into the program. This outdoor exhibition has been especially appreciated during this past year. Anyone interested in purchasing a sculpture or arranging for a docent-led tour can contact Visual Arts Coordinator,Crystal
Scott visualarts@chelseafestivals.com.
​

From: D&B Strategic Marketing
Rick Taylor is embarking upon his 20th year at Charles Reinhart Realtors with well-deserved recognition and awards. Taylor received the #1 Individual Realtor award for the 5th consecutive year; he is the recipient of the Charles Reinhart Realtors President's Award for the 18th successive year and has maintained his ranking among the top 1% of Sales Nationwide. These awards are reflective of Taylor's experience in selling and buying homes for people.
 
Selling a house can be a complicated process. A trusted Realtor can help you at every stage, from preparing your house for sale to determining the best price in today's market. Buying and selling a home is one of the most important financial investments for most people during their lifetime. Taylor shared the following critical items and essential steps to consider when engaging a qualified Realtor.
 

• When a property is marketed with a Realtor’s help, they will prescreen and accompany qualified prospects through your home and property. A significant consideration as we work our way through the lingering effects of COVID-19. 
• Consider the scale of your transaction. As highlighted above, selling your home is one of the most significant financial decisions most of us make. As reported by the Ann Arbor Area Board Of Realtors®, in 2020, the average home sold for $342,000 in Chelsea and $474,000 in Ann Arbor. Consider the relatively small cost of hiring a Realtor versus the potential risk of not hiring one. It's smart to find a professional to help sell your home, just as you would employ a CPA to help with tax-related questions and a lawyer for legal services.
• Consider that Realtors spend their own money on marketing and advertising, photographers, and listing sites.
• They manage the offer and counteroffer process, especially in overheated competitive markets.
• They also ensure that the transaction has legs from various vantage points, not the least of which is financial efficacy.

 
Buying or selling a home can be a very prolonged, taxing, and emotional part of the process for both buyers and sellers. A seasoned Realtor like Rick Taylor can provide reassurance. You know Rick Taylor for his support of the local community and the real estate signs that say SOLD! Contact him directly to learn more www.ricktaylorrealestate.com., (734)-223-5656.  

​From D&B Strategic Marketing
The Chelsea Area Festivals & Events (CAFE) Committee has been carefully considering the next steps for the 2021 summer series of events. CAFE continues to remain steadfast in its mission to promote quality performing and visual arts throughout the year.
“Together, we are committed to bringing fun and vibrancy to downtown Chelsea in a way that is flexible, adaptable, and prioritizes the well-being of our community,” said CAFE Board President Craig Common.
The committee outlined their re-imagined 2021 events as follows:

• The 2021 Sounds & Sights on Thursday Nights (SSTN) summer concert season will be shortened to tentatively run from July 1 - August 12, with seven stages instead of 10.
• The Sounds & Sights Festival weekend at the end of July is canceled for 2021 due to concern for public health and the long range-planning process.  Plans have begun for a revamped return in 2022.
• The 12th annual SculptureWalk Chelsea is on schedule with fourteen new installations planned in June throughout the downtown area.

“It was a difficult decision to not move forward with the Festival weekend,  but there are still too many what-ifs associated with any go-forward plan. Safety is the most important criteria in our decision-making process, we don’t want to risk the safety and health of volunteers, vendors, participants, and guests in any situation that we don’t have answers for today,” said Common. 
Given the changes outlined above, the committee also decided not to hold a formal sponsorship drive in 2021 for Sounds & Sights.   Fortunately, the expected costs for the limited 2021 Sounds & Sights on Thursday Nights can be covered thanks to sponsorships and grants collected in 2020.
“We look forward to enjoying Sounds & Sights on Thursday Nights and SculptureWalk together in 2021 and to the return of the Summer Festival including the Social Tent and Main Stage, KidZone, Chalk Art Contest, Art Market, and the Classic Car Show in 2022,” said CAFE Boardmember Gary Munce. 
CAFE is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that coordinates "SculptureWalk Chelsea," "Sounds and Sights on Thursday Nights," and "Sounds and Sights Festival.”  Their open-air events are known for music, dance, comedy, art, and family entertainment, which contribute to Chelsea being a great place to live, work and visit. Their events are possible thanks to the support of local businesses, residents, non-profits, and many volunteers in the community.
For more information visit www.chelseafestivals.com.