O Christmas Tree

Fri, 01/05/2007 - 10:37am by Debbie G.

The City of Ann Arbor will collect holiday evergreen trees from the curbside during a one-week period, Monday Jan. 22 - Friday, Jan 26, 2007. Remember to remove all ornaments, nails and tinsel and don't put the trees in plastic bags. You can also drop off your undecorated Christmas trees in the parking lot adjacent to the Drop-Off Station through January 31st.

Hello Mudda, Hello Fadda

Wed, 12/27/2006 - 4:09pm by Debbie G.

Here we are at … the City of Ann Arbor’s Holiday Break Camp for kids ages 6 – 10 years old. The Bryant Community Center is the place to be 10:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Jan. 2 – 5, 2007. Lots of activities, lunches, snacks and field trips are included in the $50 resident fee. For more information contact Community Outreach at 994.2722.

A Plan for Ann Arbor’s Future

Sat, 12/23/2006 - 12:11pm by Debbie G.

Every year the City of Ann Arbor produces a 5-year plan for Capital Improvement projects – bridge repairs, street construction, utility upgrades. Even fun stuff like non-motorized trails, bike lanes and street lighting are included. You can read the newest Draft online and attend a Public Hearing and give your input, Thursday, January 4th at 7 p.m. in the City Council Chambers.

And Through the Metropark Woods

Mon, 12/18/2006 - 3:33pm by Debbie G.

Add a ride over the meadows and through the woods on your Christmas Day travels this year. Entry fees will be waived on Christmas Day, Monday, December 25, at all 13 Metroparks for “Christmas Appreciation Day.”

All Metroparks will be open, including use of all trails and paths, on Christmas Day. The eight Interpretive Center buildings and two Farm Learning Centers will be closed. Sledding hills and cross-country ski trails will be open if there is snow.

For more information, call the Huron-Clinton Metroparks at 1-800-477-2757.

Sancho’s Scene: Community Events that Wander off the Path

Wed, 12/13/2006 - 11:20am by Sancho Panza

Early birds (har har!) gear up: the Washtenaw Audubon Society is conducting their 60th annual Christmas Bird Count this Saturday, beginning at 6am. Experts and novices alike are welcome, so grab one of our bird watching books, and join the holiday fun!

Those Tibetan prayer flags on your porch looking worn and faded? For something truly off the beaten path, hit up the Himalayan Bazaar in my Garage, also this Saturday, hosted by Of Global Interest’s Heather O’Neil, who stocks the bazaar with brightly colored items from her travels. Happy trekking!

Santa Takes Your Calls

Mon, 12/11/2006 - 4:05pm by Debbie G.

Watch Santa take calls from boys and girls LIVE on Thursday, Dec. 14, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. on CTN Station 17. Call Santa at 734-997-1050 with your list (after you've checked it twice) during this special 2-hour telecast from the Santa Satellite Network.

Buy Local Week, December 4-10

Mon, 12/04/2006 - 4:52pm by muffy

Organized by Think Local First of Washtenaw County, Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti will celebrate Buy Local Week, December 4-10 along with many other communities across the country. Click here for a list of events.

During Buy Local Week,, you'll have a chance to win a $250 gift certificate to ANY of the independent, locally-owned businesses in Washtenaw County, as well 10 runner-up prizes.

Why buy local? Here are seven reasons to Think Local First.

While you are shopping at one of our wonderful independent, locally owned bookstores, don't forget our local authors. Happy Shopping!

Ann Arbor Now Offers Online Property Tax Payments

Mon, 12/04/2006 - 2:09pm by Debbie G.

Save time and stamps by paying your A2 property taxes online. There are no additional fees for using the ACH online option. Want to find out more about your property? Check out the city’s Assessment and Property Tax Data site and the county’s Property/Parcel Lookup site. You’ll find plenty of data including assessment history, sales history, parcel description and more.

Public Parking Workshop

Mon, 12/04/2006 - 9:47am by Debbie G.

The Downtown Development Authority will hold a Community Workshop on Wednesday, Dec. 6th, 6-8 p.m. to discuss a comprehensive strategy for downtown parking. Citizens are invited to participate in the open meeting in the Community Room of the DTE Building, 425 S. Main Street.

Bag Those Leaves!

Wed, 11/22/2006 - 1:47pm by Debbie G.

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.