About Chelsea's City Of Chelsea

Chelsea Center for the Arts in Chelsea, Michigan was formed in 1994 and is well underway to becoming one of the best new community non-profit organizations in the area. Their primary goal is to “enhance the quality of life in Chelsea and the surrounding area with programs that encourage participation and appreciation of the arts.” They are working in conjunction with the Chelsea School District; the local Businesses; the Art Galleries; and the Chelsea District Library to form a complete community connection to the Arts.

Chelsea Center for the Arts is so successful due to a dedicated group of like-minded people filled with energy and really making a difference in their community. They are busy offering creative programs to children, teens and adults in music, art instruction and literature. Here is a list of just some of the programs offered.

You just may want to take your artistic talents and soar to new heights, so take some time to review The Chelsea Center for the Arts Scholarships and Tuition Assistance programs that are being offered.

• A wide range of Music programs such as Parent & Child Music Lessons; Chelsea Children’s Choir; Youngest Singer; Music Together®; and a fun class called 88 Fingers. Read more about these talented music Instructors and their areas of expertise. To see of list of all the music courses offered at the Chelsea Center for the Arts click here. You may also schedule private lessons for adults and students.

• Visual Arts - Students and Adults can sign up for age appropriate art classes which will open up all your creative senses. Classes start out with art for the preschooler’s as well as after-school art clubs. They also have classes for Teens and Adults.

• For those wanting to work with Clay, they have classes at different levels that will give you confidence in working and manipulating your own clay designs.

• Or how about Photography – one of my favorites. In this digital age, learn how to take your digital camera pics to a whole new level. I just may be signing up for this class.

• And don’t forget Painting with classes that will stretch your imagination in a ‘no pressure’ environment using watercolor, acrylic or oils. And as they say at the Center, “All painters are welcome.”

• Do you want to express yourself with the fiber arts, they offer knitting and crocheting, adding a fresh new perspective.

• In the Literary Arts, just this past September and October of 2011, they offered a great course for Writers entitled, “Mastering the Point of View.” Keep an eye out for other literary courses that the Chelsea Center for the Arts may offer.

Non-Profit organizations grow through sponsorship and their patrons. Fund raising efforts are ongoing. Thanks to the generous support from contributors, non-profit organizations like The Chelsea Center for the Arts can exist to "Develop, Foster, and Promote the Arts in Chelsea, Michigan and the surrounding area."

As an excursion on Friday, my wife and I returned to re-visit The Mule Skinner Boot Shop in Chelsea, Michigan.

What is ‘The Mule Skinner Boot Shop'? The Mule Skinner Boot Shop is where I ordered some magnificent boots a few weeks ago, and it is simply the best known boot and western wear store in the region.

I went back to the Mule Skinner Boot Shop this time to pick up my boots, and get fitted for them, as well as show the store to a friend.

The place was established in 1973, The Mule Skinner Boot Shop is a family owned business with a passion for quality leather boots, handmade holsters, cowboy hats and western wear. The brands they carry are among the best quality boots available: Lucchese, Nocona Boots , Tony Lama, Justin, Justin Workboots, Chippewa Boots and Double-H Boots to name a few brands. When searching for boots, at the Mule Skinner Boot Shop, this is more than just an ordinary retail outlet.

The owner Bill Conn and his wife will take time to help you choose the right boot for you, and make recommendations based on what fits your style. They have the selection, I am telling you! You can see from these photos that they are stocked! Also, they can take any boot and adjust it to fit you personally, because they are experts.

If you try on a boot at The Mule Skinner Boot Shop, and it is tight around the ankle, or calve, the owners will make the adjustment right there! While I was waiting for my boots to get stretched, Bill Conn told some great stories and showed me pictures of John Wayne and Ted Nugent! Ted Nugent actually came to his store, and bought boots, and Bill has a photo with him.

I also learned that many of the local and regional stars in rodeo frequent the Mule Skinner Boot Shop often, and I overheard one rodeo competitor relaying his tales from a recent competition when I was there. Cool stuff! Bill and I swapped political stories, and although we did not solve all the world's problems, we came close. I know that if men like Bill Conn and his wife, who have experience running a successful business, were running our country, things would be a lot better! Just look at this store!

The Mule Skinner Boot Shop also carries a wide selection of cowboy hats with featured brands like Stetson and Milano hats. They also carry historically correct leather holsters for colts and single action handguns. You can even get sheep skin slippers, and quality concealment garments. If you have old boots hat need repairs or adjustments, they can help you with that too! A great place to visit!

The Mule Skinner Boot Shop is located right in downtown Chelsea at 118 South Main Street, right next to the Common Grill. You can also visit them on the web: www.muleskinnerboots.com

This last photo is the photo of the boots that I bought, all fitted and they are so comfortable! Nothing like a good pair of boots!

Finally some good news in the Ann Arbor housing market. Local housing activity took a favorable

turn upwards. December residential sales are up over last year according to statistics released by the Ann

Arbor Area Board of Realtors®. The 6% increase in single family residential sales and 63% increase in

condo sales reflect the momentum of increased activity spurred by the home buyer tax

credit incentives offered through November 30, 2009 and still low interest rates. The average residential

sales price rose for the third month in a row, to $178,059, showing strong year-end activity, after a

sluggish start to the year. Overall dollar volume was up 8% for the month of December, as compared to

last year, yet another indicator of a strong year-end market.

Information provided by the Ann Arbor Board of Realtors

http://www.aaabor.com/downloads/News/HousingStats/2008-2009/12dec2009.pdf

Currently there are 121 active residential listings available in the Chelsea School System and 21 pending residential homes. There are 11 active condos and 1 pending condo respectively.

The first time home buyer tax credit continues to improve the market. Spring will continue to show improvements.

FHA and Rural Development Loans in the last 2 years have been the staple in my market. Over 60% of home buyers closed in 2009 were one of these loans. Why? Because these loans options continue to provide 1st time home buyers the ability to buy a home with as little as 0% down.

FHA LOANS

Just 5 years ago it was rare to see a buyer use FHA financing for two reasons. First because there were so many other options available with less closing costs. Second because many markets home values were surpassing FHA loan limits in areas. Which made obtaining an FHA loan in good school districts impossible.

There are many benefits of using FHA loans now. Mainly, Buyers with less than perfect credit can still get FHA loan approval. Credit scores can be less than those approved for conventional loans.

RURAL DEVELOPMENT LOANS

Rural development loans were designed to help families attain home ownership in rural communities with populations of 20,000 or less.

Either loan program is a win win in any community.