showcase cinemas

Did you know that you can watch a newly released feature film that is described for people with visual impairments? Showcase Cinema in Ypsilanti shows a film with described video every week. It is noted by the letters RWC or DVS next to the film that will have this feature. Go to nationalamusements.com, enter the zip code for Showcase Cinemas (48197). This week the film being shown is The Bounty Hunter. Beginning Friday, March 19th through Thursday March 25. Show times are: noon, 2:40, 5:20, 8:00 and 10:40 PM DVS films are always shown in theater 14. Running time: 1 hour 46 minutes. Rated PG 13. showcase cinemas

filmfest
The Ann Arbor Film Festival, the longest running independent film festival in the U.S., will hold its 48th festival on March 23 - 28. At this pre-Festival event, Saginaw Valley State University Associate Professor Mike Mosher will discuss Bison Boys & Famous Monsters of Michigan: the 1970s Super-8mm Films of Jimm Juback and Cary Loren. Loren and Juback were teenagers in the early 1970s, as well as eager viewers of the Ann Arbor Film Festivals.

The discussion will take place in the Downtown library from 7:00-8:30 p.m. downstairs in the Multi-Purpose Room.

rideconnect logo
Now there's RideConnect, a new transportation coordination center serving Washtenaw County residents. Sponsored by Western Washtenaw Area Value Express or WAVE, the Washtenaw Area Transportation Study or WATS; People's Express, Washtenaw County, and Ann Arbor Transportation Authority, RideConnect also coordinates services among existing public, private, and non-profit transportation as well as county human service agencies.

Last week, Google added an interactive bicycle route mapping feature to their popular Google Maps. Still in its beta version, the feature is designed to "include as much bike trail data as possible, provide efficient routes, allow riders to customize their trip, make use of bike lanes, calculate rider-friendly routes that avoid big hills and customize the look of the map for cycling to encourage folks to hop on their bikes," according to Peter Smith.

The good news for Ann Arbor bike commuters and bike enthusiasts is that Tree Town is already part of their mapped data, so you can try out their suggested routes right away. Although I wasn't in love with the route they mapped for my commute to work, the map did highlight -- in bright green -- some paved trails that I would definitely use for commuting on two wheels. The AADL also has books on the rise of cycling, such as Pedal Power by J. Harry Wray and Bicycling Magazine's Guide to Bike Touring by Doug Donaldson.

census

Schools, pools,
Day care, rideshare,
Traffic lights, historic sites,
Farmland, dunes sand,
Senior centers, reading mentors,
Nutrition, adjudication,
Sanctuaries, libraries . . .

Are funded by counting heads.

Starting today, Census 2010 forms will be mailed out to every residence in this county and state. 10 questions, 10 minutes. That's all it takes to make sure Washtenaw County and Michigan get their fair share of funding for thousands of programs and services vital to the well-being of all our residents. Fill it out, mail it back. Be counted!

Laughs and adult comedy are abundant in Beyond Therapy, being staged by PTD Productions in Ypsilanti. Written by Christopher Durang, the play is set and was first performed in the ‘80s. Impressively it manages not only an account of a bisexual man’s pursuit of romantic happiness, but also a send-up of psychotherapy. A review of the local production is here. The show runs through March 20, and Thursday is pay what you can. Durang's other plays include Baby with the Bathwater, Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All For You, and The Marriage of Bette and Boo.

The 52nd Annual Southeast Michigan Science Fair is taking place this Saturday and Sunday, March 13 - 14, from Noon - 4pm. Middle and High School students from the area compete at WCC’s Morris Lawrence building for the top two individual and team prizes in a variety of projects, from models and collections at the middle school division to microbiology and chemistry at the senior division. Top science projects will move on to the Intel International Science Fair in San Jose, CA in May.

If your child is working furiously on an upcoming science fair project, check out the AADL's robust collection of science fair books, ranging from encyclopedias of project ideas to specific project ideas for different forces in the physical world. To find out what your local branch has right now, follow the link earlier in this paragraph, and then click the check box next to "limit to items available at," and then click on the drop down menu to find your branch name. Create this list by clicking "Search."

westpark

Hold the Teddy Bears! The bad news is . . . West Park will be closed March - September 2010. The good news . . major improvements to every aspect of the park. In addition to the nitty gritty stormwater, flood control and bioswale improvements, there will be new pathways, access stairs, bandshell seat walls, basketball court and parking lot. The City is even planning a native prairie and wetland planting with a boardwalk and overlook. Until West reopens, visit nearby Maryfield Wildwood and Waterworks parks. For more info on the improvements to West Park contact Amy Kuras at akuras@a2gov.org or at 734.794.6230, ext 42590.

A valuable local resource is The Center for the Continuing Education for Women. Not just for University of Michigan students and staff, the Center provides classes, counseling and panel discussions on a range of topics including balancing work and other demands, re-entering the workforce, and resume and interviewing skills. Their lecture series features women who have overcome obstacles to become successful like activist, Ai-Jen Poo who drafted a bill of rights for domestic workers. On Friday, March 5, CEW will host their annual career conference which is open to the public. There is a registration fee. For more information, call 734-764-6005.

The Library has a great selection of books for women making career decisions or just starting out after college. One that's been published recently is The Anti 9 to 5 Guide: Practical Career Advice for Women Who Think Outside the Cube. It's full of straightforward strategies for making it on your own and has a "snappy," upbeat tone. Note: CEW serves men as well.