Live from Ann Arbor

Mon, 04/30/2007 - 3:12pm by Debbie G.

The Ann Arbor Farmer’s Market kicks off Wednesday market days this week on May 2nd with a special Live broadcast of the Martin Bandyke Show from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the market. Following Martin's live broadcast Whole Foods Market will feature a tasting of locally grown produce from 10:30 a.m. to noon. So come on down Wednesday to the best Farmer's Market anywhere.

See a Moon Rock in Michigan!

Mon, 04/30/2007 - 12:44pm by anned

On Saturday, June 9, the Kalamazoo Air Zoo will be opening its new Michigan Space Science Center. You can visit Ann Arbor astronaut Jack Lousma’s space suit (he spent 59 days in space on the crew of Skylab 3 and was spacecraft commander on STS-3. Russian Cosmonaut Alexandr Kalri's suit will also be on display, along with a Moon Rock, a full-size replica of a Gemini space capsule, a Gemini crew-training simulator, F1 rocket engine, J-2 rocket engine (both from a Saturn V rocket), plus a bunch of interactive exhibits.

National Bike Month and Bike to Work Day

Sun, 04/29/2007 - 5:30pm by amy

Need inspiration to participate in getDowntown's Commuter Challenge beginning May 1? May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Awareness Month. It's also National Bike Month and May 18 is Bike to Work Day. Get ready by reading The Bicycle Commuting Book or any of our many books on bicycle maintenance and repair, such as last year's Bicycle! A Repair and Maintenance Manifesto. For additional inspiration, watch The Bicycle Corps: America's Black Army on Wheels, Breaking Away or Curious George Rides a Bike.

"The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page. " ~ St. Augustine

Sat, 04/28/2007 - 1:53pm by muffy

Frustrated that you could never get to those unbelievable low airfares advertised by the airlines? You are not alone.

Michelle Higgins's recent article in the New York Times "If It’s Good, Is It Too Good to Be True?" explains why.

The real bonus of the article is its tips on great websites that help consumers navigate through the maze of advertised come-ons and "special fares". She especially likes Airfarewatchdog.com which scours the Internet for the best bargains; FareCompare.com shows the lowest prices offered by month for the next 11 months between 77,000 North American and 200,000 international cities; and Farecast.com which predicts domestic ticket prices for air travelers. Happy Clicking.

2007 KIRIYAMA PRIZE

Tue, 04/24/2007 - 1:27pm by muffy

Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman by Haruki Murakami has been named the 2007 fiction winner of the Kiriyama Prize.

Following on the heel of his inventive and 'daringly original' Kafka on the Shore, Blind Willow is a collection of 24 stories, from the surreal to the mundane, that 'exhibit his ability to transform the full range of human experience in ways that are instructive, surprising, and relentlessly entertaining'

The Kiriyama Prize was established in 1996 to recognize outstanding books about the Pacific Rim and South Asia that encourage greater mutual understanding of and among the peoples and nations. The Prize consists of a cash award of US $30,000, which is split equally between the fiction and nonfiction winners.

Mr Murakami has declined to accept the award for reasons of personal principle.

Run Spot Run

Fri, 04/20/2007 - 2:53pm by Debbie G.

But where, Spot, where? A public meeting to discuss a proposal for an off-leash dog park at Ward Park will be held on Wednesday, April 26, 7 p.m., at Ann Arbor Church of Christ. The Swift Run Off-Leash Park, a collaboration between the City of Ann Arbor & Washtenaw County is still under construction.

Earth Day Festival at Matthaei

Fri, 04/20/2007 - 2:15pm by Debbie G.

Sunday, April 22, will be even more beautiful when you attend the Earth Day Celebration at Matthaei Botanical Gardens. From noon to 4 p.m. take in animal demonstrations, live entertainment, hands-on activities and of course miles of nature trails and outdoor gardens. Start your visit with a nature walk at 12:30 led by the Huron River Watershed Council, then head over to the All Species Parade at 2 p.m. Admission is FREE thanks to donations from area businesses, so take this opportunity to get acquainted with Matthaei.

Walking and Talking about Huron River Drive

Fri, 04/20/2007 - 8:16am by Debbie G.

The weather's going to be perfect Saturday, April 21st, so get out the bike or get on your walking shoes and enjoy a vehicle-free portion of Huron River Drive from Bird Road to North Main between 9:00 a.m. and noon. The City is developing a Plan to improve that section of the roadway and they want your input on balancing the needs of different users of this beautiful stretch of Huron River roadway.

2007 Orange Prize for Fiction - Shortlist

Thu, 04/19/2007 - 1:24pm by muffy

Orange Broadband Prize for Fiction, the UK’s only annual book award for fiction written by a woman, announces the 2007 shortlist

Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Arlington Park by Rachel Cusk (A perosnal favorite)

The Booker Prize winner The Inheritance of Loss by Kiran Desai

A Concise Chinese-English Dictionary for Lovers by Xiaolu Guo.

The Observations by Jane Harris

Digging to America by Anne Tyler.

This year’s shortlist honors both new and well-established writers and reflects the international reach of the prize with authors from Nigeria, China, India and America represented. Your vote?

Extra! Extra! Last Call for Student Films

Thu, 04/19/2007 - 9:13am by Mazie

Student Films Across America is coming to the the Michigan Theater this summer. On June 26 the traveling festival will feature films by college and high school students from around the world.

Local area students can submit their films right now. The last date for entry is this Saturday April 21, 2007. Go to the official web site for entry information.

In August celebrity judges will hand out awards for Best of the Fest and Audience Choice films ($10,000!). There will also be $2000 cash prizes for best comedy, best drama, best documentary, best high school film, and best college film.