Blog Post
A2 Kidical Mass
by Beth Manuel
Have you heard of Kidical Mass? This national (even International: Budapest, Hungary) biking group promotes bike safety, fun and fosters community among bike riders & families. In Ann Arbor they meet on the 3rd Saturday of the month, Rain or Shine! The first 15 minutes may include bike decorating or a mini-safety lesson. The group always uses a short & safe route to a family-friendly & fun destination afterwards. Check out their blog to see where the route begins this Saturday, June 16th at 10:15 AM!
Blog Post
VA for Vets Hiring Fair
by monkk
The Department of Veterans Affairs is hosting the VA for Vets Hiring Fair showcasing careers for veterans in the public and private sectors. This event is June 26–28 at Cobo Center in Detroit and includes on-site job coaching, career and resume-building classes as well as interviews with both federal agencies and private companies. The free hiring fair has over 5,000 jobs committed to veterans. When you register to attend the hiring fair, a coach will call you to help you build your resume and you can sign up for training available during the event. Good luck!
Blog Post
AADL at Taste of Ann Arbor!
by StoryLaura
Join us during the delicious Taste of Ann Arbor at the library tent on Liberty and Fourth to meet friends, hang out and let the kids play. The party lasts from 11 am to 5 pm on June 3rd . Learn all about the Summer Game, create a colorful street chalk design, hula hoop, jump rope and play games!
Blog Post
Financial Planning for Adults & Children with Disabilities
by iralax
Are you a parent or guardian of a child or an adult with a disability? To help you prepare for the financial implications of possible upcoming life transitions Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living will host a group of experts including an attorney, a financial adviser, bank and insurance representatives, and a disability advocate to discuss ways to plan for successful transitions for children and adults with disabilities. Topics regarding trusts, power of attorney, social security, investments, banking options and life insurance will be covered. Families should bring their questions and any necessary documents to address their concerns. Light refreshments will be served, and there will also be an art and social area for respite for all families who need their children or dependents to attend in order to participate in the meeting. Walk-ins are welcome, but RSVPs are helpful for planning the event. For more information, to RSVP or to request accommodations please contact Carolyn Grawi at 734-971-0277 ext. 16 or at Carolyn@aacil.org.
Tuesday, June 5, 6-7:30pm | Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living | 3941 Research Park Drive | Ann Arbor, MI 48108
Blog Post
Cancer Survivors' Day Celebration
by Beth Manuel
The University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center is pleased to announce its 18th Annual Cancer Survivors' Day Celebration. The event takes place this Sunday, June 3rd from 1:00-3:30 at the Morris Lawrence Building on the campus of Washtenaw Community College. Presenting will be Lori Hope, motivational speaker & cancer survivor. There will also be exhibits & information, light refreshments & door prizes! To register, complete this form or call 734-998-7071.
Blog Post
From Tiny To Mighty: The History, Uses, And Cultural Relevance Of The Strawberry
by K.C.
Tuesday, May 29 -- 7:00-8:30 PM -- Downtown Library -- Multipurpose Room
It’s strawberry time! Join Ecology by Design owner William Kirst as he kicks off Strawberry Week with an exploration of one of the world's most amazing fruits.
With his unique sense of humor and palpable love of all things botanical, William will trace the strawberry from ancient Rome, through extensive breeding over 3 continents and hundreds of years, over wild berry patches to manicured gardens, bringing us to an understanding and appreciation of the strawberry in our own lives.
Ecology By Design's mission is to promote the growth of sustainable communities through ecological education and the design and installation of beautiful, functional, and highly productive perennial landscapes. The company provides landscape design, garden creation, ecological restoration and consultation focusing on building home landscapes that support the ecology of the Ann Arbor region.
Blog Post
Ann Arbor Mini Maker Faire: Call for contributors!
by OneillT
We are excited to announce the Call for Makers for the 4th Ann Arbor “Mini” Maker Faire, to be held Saturday June 2, 2012, at the Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds, Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Faire features exhibits and activities in robots, green tech, science, radio, rocketry, unusual tools/techniques, fixing and/or taking things apart, and other areas, all with an emphasis on “do it yourself.” Last year’s Faire drew over 1,400 people to engage in activities such as learning to solder and silk screening t-shirts, and saw exhibits such as hearing the neural activity of a cockroach leg, a giant “Simon Says” game, a DIY satellite to test an ion engine in space, pop-up books with a master of paper folding, gigantic vortex cannon, robots galore, computer vision, and much more.
Apply now to be an exhibitor! Additional information and an online application form are at http://www.a2makerfaire.com. The application deadline is May 13, 2012.
The Faire is free to exhibitors and visitors alike. It is organized by the group a2 geeks (http://www.a2geeks.org), a newly organized Ann Arbor area non-profit foundation promoting the informal technology culture in the greater Ann Arbor area. The Faire is a local, community version of the major Maker Faires in the Bay area and in New York City.
The mission of the Ann Arbor Mini Maker Faire is to present interesting or unique exhibits, individuals, and demonstrations in DIY science, technology, engineering, and art that excite, motivate, and educate. The emphasis is on cool things, skills, and knowledge. As a shorthand, the exhibits should be the kind of thing you’d see in Make Magazine.
Blog Post
Break Your Curfew this Friday at the Power Center
by Bertha
If you haven't made plans for Friday, May 11th, or even if you have, check out Breakin' Curfew a show produced by Neutral Zone teens. Talented teens from all over southeast Michigan will be taking the stage at the Power Center. Performances by singer songwriters, string musicians, poets, fiddlers, hip hop artists, and violinists are not to be missed. Put together by creative hard-working teens all year, who have said, 'the show this year will be, unpredictable, remarkable, and unforgettable.' May 11, 8 pm, at the Power Center.
Blog Post
Spend Your Summer Fighting Dragons!
by Spectacular Reference-Man
Need something to do Wednesday nights this summer? Why not try playing the fantasy role-playing game, Dungeons and Dragons? Local comic and gaming shop, Vault of Midnight, sponsors a weekly game called D&D Encounters which has a new season starting May 16th.
The “Dungeon Master” and other players are always welcoming to help newcomers get into the game, and the library has everything you’ll need to create a character: Heroes of the Forgotten Kingdoms and Heroes of the Fallen Lands have all the information needed to create your own human wizard, dwarf cleric, elf ranger, halfling thief, and many more.
Dungeons and Dragons is a cooperative game from Wizards of the Coast where a group of players take on the role of heroic adventurers and travel to distant lands and work together to battle monsters and villains to save the day. A “Dungeon Master” (or Game Master) runs the game for the players, usually telling a story along the way. The game combines the team-building and strategy of sports with creativity and imagination. Kids of all ages learn to work together and use their particular skills to help solve problems.
If you’re still unsure about joining the game, I’d encourage you to check out Everything I Need to Know I Learned from Dungeons and Dragons by Shelly Mazzanoble, or one of the graphic novels that follow the adventures of Fell's Five, starting with Dungeons & Dragons. Volume 1, Shadowplague
Blog Post
Bruce Conforth wins the Golden Apple
by andrewjmac
Bruce Conforth, professor of American Culture at the University of Michigan and former curator of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, has won the 2012 Golden Apple Award. The Golden Apple is given each year to an instructor who "strive[s] not only to disseminate knowledge but to inspire and engage students in its pursuit." Students nominate and vote on which professor should win the award, focusing on teachers who bring subjects to life and make learning a process in which everyone is involved.
Bruce shared some of his expertise with us last year when participating in Freeing John Sinclair. Bruce hosted our panel discussion with members of the Hill Street commune/Rainbow People's Party and brought both a depth of knowledge and an ability to keep the conversation accessible for those unfamiliar with the time period. Bruce also did a podcast on the topic with us, putting the John Sinclair Freedom Rally into context both within Ann Arbor and the larger cultural atmosphere of the early 1970's.