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City Of Ann Arbor 2015 Sustainable Ann Arbor Forum: Sustainable Buildings
This series will include four events (held monthly and ending in April) with each focusing on a different element of sustainability from Ann Arbor’s sustainability framework (www.a2gov.org/sustainability).
The first event in this series centers on Sustainable Buildings and includes a discussion of how to increase efficiency of new and existing building and projects underway in the community.
A think tank of local stakeholders including representatives from community organizations, staff from both the City of Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County will join the public to discuss local sustainability efforts and challenges in our community. Each program will include a series of short presentations followed by a question and answer session.
The forums offer an opportunity to learn more about sustainability in the community and tips for actions that residents can take to live more sustainably.
Speakers for the Sustainable Building discussion include:
• Christopher Taylor, Mayor, City of Ann Arbor
• John Beeson, Architect, Resident, and Commissioner for the Ann Arbor Historic District Commission
• Jason Bing, Healthy Buildings Director, Ecology Center
• Nate Geisler, Energy Programs Analyst, City of Ann Arbor
• Knox Cameron, Principal Marketing Specialist Residential Programs - Energy Efficiency, DTE Energy
Details of this series will be posted online at www.a2gov.org/sustainability.
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League Of Women Voters Public Forum On The Transportation Millage Proposal
What do you know about the upcoming Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority's millage proposal? Did you know it's going to be on the ballot on Tuesday, May 6? Did you know there was going to be a referendum at the polls in May? The League of Women Voters of the Ann Arbor Area (LVW-AAA) host this public forum on the upcoming proposal.
The focus is on the proposal, which asks Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti and Ypsilanti Township voters to approve a millage of 0.7 mills for five years. The increase would generate a total of $4.3 million annually through 2019. Representatives from both More Buses (proponents of the proposal) and Better Transit Now (opposing the proposal) speak.
The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.
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Up From Ashes: The Making of the Traverwood Branch
What goes into building a Library? Concerned with sustainability, the developers of the Traverwood Branch of the AADL took a unique approach to the building process by harvesting hundreds of ash trees devastated by the Emerald Ash Borer and reusing the trees in the construction of the building. 'Up From Ashes,' produced by KDN Films in Madison Heights, Michigan, captures each step of the Traverwood Branch construction process, a process that combined both primitive and modern construction methods.
In this hour-long documentary, director Bill Kubota treats viewers to a behind-the-scenes look at drawing board designs, deadlines, and one-ton draft horses harvesting the lumber. Also captured on film is the anxiety of the development team as design and structure challenges arise and are dealt with.
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City Of Ann Arbor 2014 Sustainable Ann Arbor Forum: Healthy Ecosystems
The City and the AADL are hosting the third annual Sustainable Ann Arbor Series, which will include four events (held monthly and ending in April), each focusing on a different element of sustainability from Ann Arbor’s Sustainability Framework.
This second event in the series centers on Healthy Ecosystems, including an overview of Ann Arbor’s urban and community forest, tips for sustainable landscaping, yard design, and stormwater management at home.
A think tank of local stakeholders including representatives from community organizations, City of Ann Arbor staff, and Washtenaw County staff discuss local sustainability efforts and challenges in our community. Panelists for this session include: Bonnie Bona, Project Manager, Clean Energy Coalition; Commissioner, City of Ann Arbor Planning Commission; Kerry Gray, Urban Forestry & Natural Resources Coordinator, City of Ann Arbor; Roger Moon, Master Rain Gardener,Washtenaw County Master Rain Gardener Program; Evan Pratt, Water Resources Commissioner, Office of the Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner; and Harry Sheehan, Environmental Manager, Office of the Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner.
Each program will include a series of short presentations followed by a question and answer session, offering an opportunity to learn more about sustainability in the community and tips for residents.
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City Of Ann Arbor 2014 Sustainable Ann Arbor Forum: Equality In Planning
The City and the AADL are hosting the third annual Sustainable Ann Arbor Series, which will include four events (held monthly and ending in April), each focusing on a different element of sustainability from Ann Arbor’s Sustainability Framework.
This first event centers on Equality In Planning, and includes a discussion of countywide projects supported by Washtenaw County’s recent three-million dollar Housing and Urban Development grant. The projects aim to expand existing affordable and energy efficient housing options, engage underrepresented residents, and foster community development in the region.
A think tank of local stakeholders including representatives from community organizations, City of Ann Arbor staff, and Washtenaw County staff will join the public to discuss local sustainability efforts and challenges in our community. This month's panelists include:Amanda Edmonds, Executive Directors, Growing Hope; Jennifer Hall, Executive Director, Ann Arbor Housing Commission; Jamie Kidwell, Sustainability Associate, City of Ann Arbor; Charo Ledon, Executive Director, Casa Latina; Sarah Teare, Community Development Director, Habitat for Humanity of Huron Valley; and Stephen Wade, Management Analyst, Washtenaw County Office of Community and Economic Development.
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AADL Talks to Bob Dascola
Dascola Barber Shop has been a fixture of downtown Ann Arbor since 1938 when Dominic Dascola first struck out on his own as a business owner. Bob Dascola, his son, has been a part of this tradition for the past 45 years, keeping shop first in his father's original location on E Liberty St and now in his own space on S State St. In that time, he's grown from being one member of the family business to being a small business owner, then a community leader, and now a candidate for City Council in the 3rd Ward. When Bob sat down with us, we talked about going into the family business, how a community member can make a difference, and the things he's learned just by talking with people who come in and sit down in his chair.
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Lessons From Tubingen, Germany
Last summer a delegation of architects, urban planners, and interested citizens visited T?bingen, Germany to learn about Architecture and Sustainable Urban Development, in a trip co-sponsored by Huron Valley AIA and the T?bingen-Ann Arbor Sister City Partnership. Come see a presentation of trip highlights presented by some of the participants including: Janis Bobrin, Anne Cox, Celeste Novak and Grace Shackman. This event was originally scheduled for April, and had been postponed.Concepts noted included a well-defined and protected historic core complete with a pedestrian zone; sustainability requirements including green roofs and solar collection panels; and the adaptive reuse and infill housing of the building cooperatives. Side trips to Stuttgart and the Swabian Alps were also fun and instructive.
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City Of Ann Arbor 2013 Sustainable Ann Arbor Forums: Planning For Change in Our Community: Diverse Housing
This third in a series of four discussions (held monthly and ending in April) centers on Diverse Housing, including how to meet the current and future needs of the community with changing housing demographics, such as older residents, a high rental population, and affordability. Building on the public forums from last year, the 2013 forums focus on planning for change in the community. A think tank of local stakeholders, including University of Michigan faculty, representatives from community organizations, and city commissioners, join City of Ann Arbor staff and the public to discuss local sustainability concepts and efforts--past, present and future. The presentations discuss conditions that are changing in the community and past and potential actions to adapt to change. Each program will also include tips for individual actions that residents may take.Speakers include: Steve Bredernitz, Bredernitz Professional Services; Eunice Burns, Ann Arbor resident and former Ann Arbor City Council member; Ryan Cowmeadow, HomeShare Coordinator, Housing Bureau for Seniors; Karen Kafantaris, Associate State Director, AARP; and Wendy Rampson, Planning Manager, City of Ann Arbor.
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Detroit News Fine Arts Writer Michael Hodges Discusses Michigan's Vanishing Train Stations: Architecture, History And Sense Of Place
In this lecture and slideshow, Detroit News reporter Michael H. Hodges discusses the functional and stylistic evolution of the train station over the 19th and early 20th centuries, and the range of styles architects employed to both tame and exalt rail transportation. With references to news accounts, literature and film, he will also examine the central role the train station once played as the nation's principal crossroads -- a much-used, much-loved public space that has no real analogue in American life today. Michael H. Hodges covers art and architecture for The Detroit News, where he's worked since 1991. His new coffee-table book, Michigan's Historic Railroad Stations photographs and profiles 31 depots (including Ann Arbor) across the state, from Detroit to Three Oaks to Iron Mountain).
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Ann Arbor's Greenbelt Program
Join representatives from the City of Ann Arbor's Greenbelt program and landowners involved with the program for a dynamic discussion on land conservation, farming and why land conservation is important. During this event, a variety of landowners (both long-time and new farmers) will discuss their farms, farming rewards and challenges; why they chose to protect their land and how the Greenbelt Program has helped to keep farming viable in the Ann Arbor area. Representatives from the City of Ann Arbor's Greenbelt Program will also cover how the program is working with landowners in the Greenbelt District to protect the agriculture and natural resources in the area for future generations. As of February 2012, the Greenbelt has expended funds to protect 27 working farms through the purchase of development rights and 3 open space parks, in collaboration with Washtenaw Natural Area Preservation Program. Collectively, these properties comprise over 3,500 acres protected using Greenbelt funds.