Imagining Eden: Connecting Landscapes

Tue, 04/17/2007 - 5:36pm by muffy

Imagining Eden: Connecting Landscapes, an exhibition by photographer Lyle Gomes is on view at the University of Michigan Museum of Art Off/Site (through June 3, 2007)

Created over a sixteen-year period, this project represents a long-term study of “idealized human-made landscapes of parks, golf courses, gardens, and garden cemeteries (and) explore the enduring human impulse to shape the landscape and to strive for a harmonious balance between humankind and nature.”

Many of the images in this exhibition reflect Gomes’ personal journey and professional development. His Fulbright Scholar Award allowed him to spend time in Britain and a Rockefeller Foundation residency took him to Bellagio, Italy. He continues to reside in the San Francisco Bay Area and heads the Photography program at College of San Mateo. He is represented locally by the Halsted Gallery.

Composting Extravaganza

Thu, 04/12/2007 - 1:14pm by Debbie G.

Yes, composting can be extravagantly entertaining to watch when the science wizards at the MRF turn 12,000 tons of leaves into dark, yummy mulch. Join them this Saturday, April 14th, from 10:00 a.m. - noon, and receive a coupon for a free, yes free, bushel of compost. But wait there's more. You can also tour the recycling center for free.

Sol LeWitt, American Artist

Thu, 04/12/2007 - 11:13am by muffy

Sol LeWitt, 78, sculptor and muralist died April 8th, 2007 in New York.

Most often associated with his early sculptures Incomplete Open Cubes (image) seen in museums all over the world, LeWitt will be remembered for his dry humor (see New York Times Obituary} and his efforts to usher in Conceptualism and Minimalism as dominant art movements of the postwar era.

In 2000, a retrospective organized by the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, which traveled to the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York and the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago showcased a new direction for LeWitt with newly colorful wall drawings that critics called "eye candy".

“A life in art is an unimaginable and unpredictable experience.”~ Sol LeWitt

Millers Creek Film Festival Awards

Thu, 04/12/2007 - 10:09am by Mazie

Back in the fall there were a couple of blogs about the Millers Creek Film Festival. The Huron River Watershed Council was soliciting and accepting short, locally-made films about the Huron River for their second annual event.

At the awards ceremony held at the Michigan Theater on March 27, 2007 a large, appreciative audience viewed all eighteen entries.

And the winners are? Check out the Festival web site for the names of these talented filmmakers.

Raves for Jeff Daniels on Broadway

Thu, 04/12/2007 - 8:50am by Debbie G.

A rave review from none other than Ben Brantley of the New York Times for Jeff Daniels performance in the Broadway play, Blackbird, "a drama that promises to be the most powerful of the season." The New York Times is available full-text online via the AADL Research database page.

Welcome News on Wireless Washtenaw

Tue, 04/10/2007 - 10:21am by Debbie G.

Wireless Washtenaw is almost ready for prime time. And to get you up to speed and ready to log on, CTN Channel 19 will be talking to the movers and shakers behind this county-wide initiative on Conversations beginning Wednesday, April 11th at 10:30 a.m. with daily replays. Check the CTN schedule for full details.

Expedition 15 Launch!

Sat, 04/07/2007 - 10:58am by anned

The launch of Expedition 15, the next crew to the International Space Station, is scheduled to takeoff today at 1:31PM (EDT) from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. You can watch it live on NASA TV. On board will be the fifth space tourist to be launched into space, Charles Simonyi. He is President, CEO, and co-founder of International Software and worked for Microsoft from 1981 to 2002. While onboard ISS, Simonyi will be performing a series of experiments for the European Space Agency (ESA), Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and Hungarian Space Office.

In addition to paying $25,000,000 for his seat on the mission, Simonyi is bringing a six-course meal to share with the crew. The food was selected by close friend Martha Stewart (who is reportedly dating Simonyi). You can visit Simonyi’s website to keep track of his progress.

Viva la Vino

Wed, 04/04/2007 - 6:03pm by Debbie G.

April is Michigan Wine Month and there are events for wine enthusiasts and novices alike: classes, weekend vineyard getaways, wine trails, tastings, festivals. For a complete list of Michigan wine events, wineries, and to preview the new Michigan Wine Country magazine, visit the Michigan Wines web site.

And the Survey Says

Wed, 04/04/2007 - 5:37pm by Debbie G.

That 90% of Tree Town residents surveyed in 2007 rated Ann Arbor's quality of life excellent or good. Results on safety, city services, priorities and more are available online. You can watch replays of the presentation of the survey on CTN Channel 16 throughout April and May.

Who's Finding It Easy to Be Green in Washtenaw County?

Wed, 04/04/2007 - 4:09pm by Mazie

Where are all the green businesses in Washtenaw County? To answer this question the award-winning staff members at Washtenaw County have developed an online directory.

The 3-R Business Directory is organized by business type and location. It also provides basic info about each listing and its sustainable practices.

If your business or organization is not included and you are interested in being recognized as a good environmental neighbor, visit the Wasteknot Program online or call 734-222-6874.