Blog Post
The Westside Farmers' Market Is Back In Action
by manz
Due to zoning restrictions the status of the 2009 season for the Westside Farmers’ Market was in limbo. The City of Ann Arbor has resolved the issue and the Market will run from June 18th – Sept 24th in the Zingerman’s Roadhouse parking lot each Thursday from 3-7pm. For an inside scoop of the larger Kerrytown market, check out Ann Arbor Fresh: recipes and stories from the Ann Arbor Farmer's Market and the Kerrytown Historic District. Hooray for local produce!
Blog Post
Parks in Washtenaw County
by ErinDurrett
Memorial Day weekend signifies more than just the remembrance of departed veterans, but also as a non-meterological beginning to Summer. Most students are making their way through their final weeks of school, daydreaming about the possibilities this Summer offers. This is also the time when County Parks and Preserves open to the public. Soon, AADL will be offering a program called "Park and Read," which is similar to the Museum Adventure Passes, that will be good for a free one-day admission to any Michigan State Park. Fortunately, Washtenaw County proudly boasts 12 parks and 16 preserves, including the ever popular Rolling Hills Water Park, which supplies the County with a great place to cool off, get together with friends and even play a round of disc golf.
Come and visit one of Washtenaw County's Parks or Preserves today!
Blog Post
Why Ann Arbor needs a photowalk?
by mayankgarg
... and Why you should be there?
Since this is my first post on the AADL blog, I contemplated on what would be the best way to catch your attention. And that was all I came up with. Instead, lets talk about the idea of a photowalk.
Describing the photowalk is as simple as breaking the words apart. Walking is a part of our daily routines. And for some, photography is too. The simple act of walking brings us in contact with what we see around us. Try and carry a camera, the next time you're taking a coffee break and see if you end up capturing a city about its way.
Capturing the place I am in gives me the feeling of a visual connection with it. I stop slightly longer to observe it but the wait is all but a drop in the ocean. I'm now slightly more aware of the intricacies of the city, I've come to love. Walk down East Liberty Street, venture down the Alley of Art and ponder at the verse by Carl Sandburg. See if you can make any sense of it or just enjoy the pure reasoning of having a beautiful verse hidden from sight.
Photowalking is not just about walking and taking photos. Its about connecting with the environment. Now, if you could imagine a collective group of photowalkers discovering, conversing and sharing a city in the social element - my idea would be complete.
For those of you who are afraid to stand up against the heavyweights in the audience, be the least afraid. The best camera you need is the one you have. There was a recent story about the photographer Chase Jarvis who struck home this philosophy by releasing an iPhone photo gallery. Do check out his work here. Chase Jarvis' iPhone Photography
The AADL is planning to organize a city photowalk on June 27th, 2009. I think they couldn't have picked a better time of the year. The weather over the past few weeks has been tumultuous. However, it has been an absolute treat. I had a full hour to try and capture the lightning on Friday night. The cloud formations and the cycles of rain have left a vibrant glow to the city.
So do join us in making this endeavor a success. Ann Arbor needs a photowalk. More people need to see what this city truly has to offer. Everyday I discover something different in the city. To some it may seem banal information but to me its the trinkets of the city as it has evolved.
About Me: My name is Mayank Garg. I'm a photographer and designer in Ann Arbor. I am currently designing interfaces for a local startup - Mobil33t. I write a photography blog at munkybizness. Follow Mayank on Twitter!
Blog Post
2009 Short Story Teen Writing Contest WINNERS!
by Bertha
CONGRATULATIONS and applause to all 216 teens who used their creativity, talent and courage and entered this year's short story writing contest. Below are listed the top three winning writers in the 3 grade categories:
(stay tuned for the list of finalists and bio's of this year's judges. . .)
MIDDLE SCHOOL WINNERS:
1st Place - Christy Choi - "Stynkchro Boy"
2nd Place - Christina Bartson - "Four Rolls of Toilet Paper"
3rd Place - Hannah Clague - "Brothers, Calendars, and Lies"
Blog Post
Air handlers have arrived downtown
by Clarence Cromwell
Get ready to feel more comfortable when using the downtown library.
Our contractors have a portable crane set up on the city parking lot next to the library. They have just about finished removing the old air handlers from the building, depositing the pieces in a large roll-off container in the parking lot. The parts had to come out of the basement through a large pit on the north side of building that provides access to the basement through wide double-doors--intended for just such purposes. Those two pieces of equipment have been heating and cooling the building since it was originally constructed in the 1950s; the new units are expected to do a better job.
The library had a total of five air handlers, but the others are of more recent vintage.
Blog Post
An Enduring Gift of Art
by muffy
If you have visited the Traverwood Branch, it is likely that you would have admired the still life painting near the program/playroom. It is the work of longtime U-M professor Mignonette Cheng who died April 23rd at the age of 76. (See news article). The painting is a gift of the Ladies Library Association.
A gifted artist, a respected educator and a gracious individual, Professor Cheng will be greatly missed. You can see more online images of her recent work and check out her Watercolors of Italy (the catalog from her one-woman show at the University of Michigan Museum of Art ) in the library's collection.
A memorial service will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 1432 Washtenaw Ave. in Ann Arbor.
Blog Post
Free Computer and TV Recycling at Pioneer High School May 5
by cecile
Dig out your old computer systems, monitors, speakers, printers, cell phones, televisions and modems and take them to the Ann Arbor Pioneer High School Parking lot (Map) this Saturday, May 5th, from 9am-2pm.
The Ann Arbor Public Schools and the Climate Savers Computing Initiative at the U of M are co-sponsoring a free e-waste recycling event in cooperation with Apple Computers.
For a complete list of accepted materials go to ClimateSavers@M.
All equipment collected will be destroyed and recycled in the U.S. in accordance with all local, state and federal guidelines, regulations and laws pertaining to the collection, transportation and recycling of electronics equipment.
Blog Post
getDowntown Commuter Challenge
by shannon riffe
For the month of May, employees at all Library branches will be participating in the getDowntown Commuter Challenge. The month-long Challenge pits Ann Arbor area businesses against each other in a friendly competition to encourage their employees to use sustainable transportation for their commute. This month, participating Library employees will be walking, biking, carpooling and taking the bus to work. Click here to find out more about the Challenge.
Blog Post
Fifty Years of Books and Authors
by annevm
Since about 1958, a lively local book group -- under the umbrella of the U-M Faculty Women's Club -- has been reading favorite books and meeting to discuss them. Several years ago members hosted Peter Ho Davies, and last night, Michael Byers, author of Long for this World, who even received a copy of the group's 1958-2009 reading list to take home with him. For an idea of this group's tastes, visit LibraryThing.
Blog Post
'A Performance Poetica' by Jeff Kass
by Bertha
Don't miss an opportunity to hear Jeff Kass, one of Ann Arbor's most amazing poets, who also teaches creative writing at Pioneer High School and does workshops at the Neutral Zone. The Stages Theater Company presents, "Wrestle the Great Fear" a 'Performance Poetica' written and performed by Jeff Kass, directed by Ben Cohen and music from the Macpodz.
Wednesday, April 29th @ 7:00 pm, in the Lydia Mendelssohn Theater (in the Michigan League, 911 N. University Ave.) All tickets $5 and can be purchased at the door.