Blog Post
Free Holiday Classic Film Series at The Michigan Theater!
by manz
The Michigan Theater is topping off the holiday season with a series of FREE holiday movies shown on Sundays at 1:30pm. The State Street Area Association Holiday Classic Film Series presented by Sesi Lincoln and Old National Bank. The films start showing this Sunday!
This year’s classic holiday films shown will be: Home Alone on 11/30, Miracle on 34th Street on 12/7, Elf on 12/14, and It’s a Wonderful Life on 12/21. How fun! It’s a great way to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the season and sit down for a free movie in a beautiful theater! Want to just stay home? The library has you covered with the DVDs of the films.
Blog Post
For the Birds!
by aadl staff
Do you keep bird feeders in your yard for the winter? Do you ever see a type of bird that you want to know more about, or can't identify? AADL subscribes to Birds of North America Online powered by Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the American Ornithologists' Union. This subscription-based resource is available through our website for all library users. You can learn the behaviors, eating habits, migration, and more, of hundreds of birds. You can even listen to recorded samples of their bird calls!
Blog Post
The First Movie Theatre in Ann Arbor
by aadl staff
Did you know the first movie theatre in Ann Arbor was built on Main Street?
Have you ever wondered how Ann Arbor got its name? Did you know the University of Michigan began its tradition in Detroit? Are you curious about Ann Arbor's activism roots? Or maybe you want to know about the history behind the arts, music, and culture in your city.
You can find out all of these facts and more on AADL's Ford Gallery of Ann Arbor Founders.
Blog Post
Game On!
by Sunny29
Looking for something to do in your spare time? The wind, snow and frigid temperatures make it challenging to enjoy the outdoors this time of year, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun! The AADL has more than just books to keep you and the family entertained.
If you’re looking to get out of the house, there are two great events coming up for you! Saturday,November 22, there is a Family Board Game Bash at 2:00 at the Pittsfield Branch. The following Saturday, December 6th, you can join us at Traverwood to Learn To Play Mahjongg with a local enthusiast to help you learn along the way.
Maybe you want to keep it cozy at home? Check out the Unusual Stuff in our catalog- maybe you’d like to go big and play Giant Dominoes or Giant Checkers? Or, get your warm weather game on point and borrow a Portable Disc Golf Basket. Whatever your fancy, game on friends!
Blog Post
AA/Ypsi Reads 2015 Book Chosen!
by aadl staff
The votes are in and it's been decided this year's book for the Ann Arbor / Ypsilanti Reads 2015 will be A Tale For the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki.
The theme was A Very Good Read. A five-member panel consisting of: area blogger Mark Maynard; Ann Arbor News Entertainment Reporter Jenn McKee; Musician San Slomovits; Ypsilanti City Council Member Dan Vogt; and Ann Arbor City Council Member Chuck Warpehoski - chose the book earlier this month from two finalist titles.
A brilliant, unforgettable novel, A Tale For the Time Being is an inventive, beguiling story of our shared humanity and the search for home. Published in 2014, the novel won the Medici Book Club Prize the L.A. Times Book Prize and was shortlisted for the Booker Prize and the National Book Critics Circle Award.
Ozeki is a novelist, filmmaker, and Zen Buddhist priest. She is the award-winning author of three novels, "My Year of Meats," "All Over Creation," and "A Tale for the Time Being." Her critically acclaimed independent films, including "Halving the Bones," have been screened at Sundance and aired on PBS.
Read "A Tale For the Time Being" with your community and be sure to see the author who is scheduled to appear at the annual Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads event on Wednesday, February 11 from 7 – 8:30 pm at Rackham Auditorium!
Blog Post
Delonis Warming Center
by Sunny29
Michigan weather may be unpredictable, but we know it's going to get cold. And fast.
Unfortunately, not everyone in Washtenaw county has the option of throwing on an extra layer or avoiding the weather altogether by staying warm at home. According to a Point In Time survey conducted by the Washtenaw Housing Alliance and the Washtenaw County Office of Community and Economic Development, "in 2011, the count found 426 individuals living in homeless shelters and 43 individuals living on the streets -- a total of 469 people. The 2013 count found 344 individuals living in homeless shelters and 166 people living on the streets -- a total of 510 people."
This year the Warming Center at the Delonis Shelter starts at 7 p.m. on Monday, November 17th. For those facing a housing crisis, you must first contact Housing Access for a phone screening at 734-961-1999, or stop by in person at the Delonis Center from 5:30pm to 8:30pm Monday thru Friday, and 2:30pm to 5:30pm on Saturday. A referral to Warming Center will be given to those who meet the criteria. For more information, click here or contact:
Ellen R. Schulmeister
Executive Director
Shelter Association of Washtenaw County
Office – 734-662-2829 ext 225 (assistant)
Blog Post
November Holiday Markets
by annevm
Mark your calendars and plan to take in a holiday market during the month of November. Here are a few to consider:
The Ann Arbor Fiberarts Guild Holiday Sale is Saturday Nov. 8 from 10am - 4 pm., in WCC Morris Lawrence Buillding., 4800 E. Huron River Dr.
The Holiday Art Fair of the Guild of Artists & Artisans is Saturday, November 15, 10am - 6pm and Sunday, November 16, 11am - 5 pm, in the Eastern Michigan University Convocation Center.
The Sunday Artisan Market Holiday Open House is Sunday, November 16, from 11am - 4pm in Kerrytown Shops on Detroit St.
Blog Post
Expanded Eligibility for Step Forward Michigan
by monkk
Catherine McClary, the Washtenaw County Treasurer, announced that the U.S. Department of Treasury has approved expanded guidelines for the Step Forward Michigan program. Step Forward Michigan was funded in 2010 through $498.6 million from the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP), and is administered by the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA). Assistance is targeted to help eligible homeowners who are facing difficulties keeping up with mortgage and/or property taxes. Three programs are available:
Loan Rescue—Payment assistance for homeowners who are behind on property taxes, mortgage payments, or condominium association dues.
Unemployment Mortgage Subsidy—Subsidized mortgage payments for homeowners who are unemployed or underemployed.
Mortgage Modification—Permanent modifications for homeowners who have fallen behind with payments, or whose home values have slipped below the mortgage amount.
The Unemployment Mortgage Subsidy has been expanded to consider underemployment and to include self-employed applicants. The Mortgage Modification now considers higher loan-to-value ratios and higher mortgage payment-to-income ratios. Up to $30,000 in assistance is available per household. Funds are provided as a 0% interest loan with no payments required. Loans are forgiven at 20% per year as long as the property remains the homeowner’s primary residence. Interested homeowners are encouraged to start the application process immediately as the funds are expected to end next year. For more information visit www.StepForwardMichigan.org or call (866) 946-7432.
Blog Post
Provide feedback on plans for an Allen Creek trail!
by mariah
All Ann Arbor residents are invited to share their opinions on the trail, which will provide green space and help reduce flooding in Ann Arbor. This short survey has been designed to capture ideas and feedback.
Looking for more information on the trail? See last week's MLive article, and take a look at a map of the trail.
Blog Post
Tiny Expo: Ann Arbor's biggest little indie arts & craft fair — Downtown, December 13th!
by mariah
Ann Arbor's biggest little indie arts & craft fair is back! After a few years of hopping around to different locales, Tiny Expo will land at the Downtown AADL this December 13th, 11am—5:30pm!
Just what IS Tiny Expo? It's a fun local, and handmade shopping experience that began with a small group of artists in 2010. As the initial group of creative folks banded together to hold a fun, informal little fair, expo-goers responded, and the show grew just a teeny bit each year. Finding a location that could fit everyone was a perennial challenge, though, and so Tiny Expo jumped around town — from Kerrytown to Felch Street and back again.
This year, the Downtown Library will host Tiny Expo's marvelous collection of local indie artists and crafters, including a few audience favorites from past Tiny Expo editions! We'll be announcing the final artist roster in mid November, but if you or an artist you know might be a good fit, you can apply here to be a part of things!
So, get excited, get ready, and mark your calendar — for the biggest little indie arts and craft fair, this December!