SEMCOG, the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, will hold public meetings next week to discuss five proposals emerging from the 'Ann Arbor to Detroit Transit Study' which outlines rapid transit alternatives for the area. The Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti area meeting will be held at Washtenaw Community College (Morris Lawrence Building, Room 103) 4800 East Huron River Drive on Monday, December 4 from 4:30 to 8:00 p.m. The organization is seeking public comment on the proposals. Additional background to the proposals is also available at the SEMCOG site.
This is a good time to become informed and make your voice heard on a vital regional issue for commuters and the economy.

leaves

Weekly curbside collection of residential yard waste compostables ends next Friday, Dec. 1st. If you don’t have time to make the deadline but still have leaves to get out of the way before we’re buried in snow, take them to the Drop Off Station for only $2 a bag. And don’t forget, due to Thanksgiving, trash collections will occur one day later than the usual weekly collection date.

Is NOT, repeat NOT hunger, according to the Committee on National Statistics. Instead, 35 million Americans last year experienced “low food security” and 10.8 million experienced “very low food security” per the 2005 Household Food Security in the United States report by the USDA. “Hunger” has been banished from the federal government lexicon as “too amorphous.” The U.S. Conference of Mayors, however, continues to count hungry people as “hungry.” Look for their new report in early December. Speaking of banished words, check out the annual lists of banished words from Lakes Superior State College.

church

The City of Ann Arbor is holding public meetings to discuss proposed revisions to the Historic Preservation ordinance, Chapter 103. The meetings will be held on Thursday, Nov. 16th at 7 p.m. in the City Council Chambers and Tuesday, Nov. 28 at 7 p.m. at Bach Elementary School. The meetings will explain the proposed changes, how they will affect our community and provide an opportunity for residents to comment on the draft ordinance.

The City of Ann Arbor took home a 2006 Gold Star from Michigan’s Promoting Active Communities Collaborative for encouraging residents to get out and get moving. Our favorite reason Ann Arbor won? The Border-to-Border Trail that links AA with Ypsi and beyond. The City also won for making Getting Downtown healthy for you and the environment. Congratulations.

Local governments provide a cornucopia of information for residents on the Internet. Here’s one that will help you make informed decisions about eating out. Washtenaw County provides Restaurant Inspection Reports for local restaurants, bars, night clubs, school cafeterias and more. Then you can check out the restaurants section at Arbor Web and leave those pots and pans for another night.

cwcc

The Community Collaborative of Washtenaw County has published
Community Needs Assessment 2006 , a comprehensive look at the socio-economic well-being of county residents. Data on unemployment, health care, child poverty, homelessness and more are presented in the report. A Plenary Session for the public to discuss the findings will be held on Tuesday, November 14, 2006, 7:30 a.m. – Noon at the Morris Lawrence Building, Washtenaw Community College.

Planning to do a little home improvement this fall? The City of Ann Arbor Planning & Building Department has Info Sheets to help your redo pass the test – the city code test that is. Have an historic home? Check out the Historic Preservation FAQ.

If you're planning a trip outside the U.S. after January 7, 2007 that includes re-entry through an airport or seaport, remember that U.S. citizens will need a passport for travel to and from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean. This new rule could mean a 6 – 12 week processing wait so start your preparation now.

AccuVote

Voters can judge for themselves when CTN Channel 19 airs candidate debates sponsored by the League of Women Voters. On Tuesday, Oct. 17th, Ann Arbor City Council Ward 3 candidates will square off at 7 p.m. followed by Mayoral candidates at 8 p.m. On Wednesday, Oct. 18th, 18th District State Senate candidates will debate at 7 p.m. followed by the 53rd District State Representative candidates.