City Of Ann Arbor 2014 Sustainable Ann Arbor Forum: Equality In Planning

Come join the conversation about sustainability in Ann Arbor!

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.

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.

Being Homeless In Washtenaw County

In 2011 in Washtenaw County, more than 3,000 children and their parents were homeless. Rates of homelessness among families increased at a faster pace than any other homeless sector. Local minimum wage jobs are harder to find, family incomes are decreasing, and rental prices are increasing.

Join service and housing providers from across the community as they discuss the current state of homelessness in Washtenaw County, the innovative partnerships that have been created to address the need, and the next steps needed to end homelessness in our community.

Panelists include: Nicole Adelman, Interfaith Hospitality Network @ Alpha House; Carole McCabe, Avalon Housing; Greg Pratt, Michigan Itinerant Shelter System Interdependent Out of Necessity (M.I.S.S.I.O.N.); Tenetia Pulliam, Housing Access of Washtenaw County (HAWC); and Ellen Schulmeister, Shelter Association of Washtenaw County.

Martin Bandyke's Moving Pictures: Academy Awards Preview With Special Guest Russ Collins!

Movie buffs!!!! Oscar fans and experts!!! Do not miss this event!!!

Will it be Cate or Sandra? McConaughey or Dern? Gravity or 12 Years A Slave? Will Jennifer Lawrence win twice in a row? Who was left out? Who did not deserve to be included?

Martin Bandyke, morning host and movie maniac at Ann Arbor's 107one, hosts a lively discussion with Russ Collins of the Michigan Theater about who should win and who will win the 2014 Oscars.

Martin & Russ will also take questions from the audience and give a preview of hot films coming to the Michigan in 2014.

Naturalization: A Step To Citizenship With Attorney Ruby Robinson

Are you, or is someone in your family, one of the 140,000-plus lawful permanent residents living in Michigan who are eligible to naturalize today? Did you want to begin the steps to become a citizen? What are your waiting for?

Ruby Robinson, a staff attorney with the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center (MIRC), will be providing an informational session on the benefits of and requirements for naturalization, along with the process. There is no better time than right now to learn about or apply for naturalization and begin the steps to become a citizen. Following the presentation, Mr. Robinson will be available to answer your questions!

Ruby Robinson is an attorney with the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center (MIRC), a resource center for advocates seeking equal justice for Michigan's immigrants. MIRC works to build a thriving Michigan where immigrant communities are fully integrated and respected.

The Affordable Care Act: What You Need To Know

Want to know more about the Affordable Care Act?

Representatives trained by the Washtenaw Health Initiative discuss how the Affordable Care Act will change insurance coverage options at the local level. The presentation is meant to inform individuals about existing and new insurance coverage options through an educational and interactive session .

Specific topics include coverage and general eligibility requirements for the new Marketplace insurance exchanges as well as Medicaid expansion in the state of Michigan. Questions are highly encouraged and resources will be provided to those who may additional questions after the session ends.

This event will be repeated on Saturday, February 15 from 1 – 3 pm in the Downtown Library Multi-Purpose Room

The Affordable Care Act: What You Need To Know

Want to know more about the Affordable Care Act?

Representatives trained by the Washtenaw Health Initiative discuss how the Affordable Care Act will change insurance coverage options at the local level. The presentation is meant to inform individuals about existing and new insurance coverage options through an educational and interactive session .

Specific topics include coverage and general eligibility requirements for the new Marketplace insurance exchanges as well as Medicaid expansion in the state of Michigan. Questions are highly encouraged and resources will be provided to those who may additional questions after the session ends.

Never Give Up with Internationally-Acclaimed Musician Romel Joseph

Internationally- known musician Romel Joseph embodies both success and resilience in every aspect of his life. He lost his eyesight as a child, learned to play several musical instruments, graduated from one of the nation's top music institutions, The Juilliard School and founded an elementary and music school in Port-au-Prince Haiti for children that was destroyed twice -- once by fire in 2000 and by earthquake in 2010.

Four years later, his spirit remains persistent on accomplishing his life's mission - creating Haiti's first music conservatory and performing arts center.

Mr. Joseph has served as keynote speaker for the National Industries for the Blind in Cincinnati, and the United Nations Human Rights Day Assembly in Geneva. Both the State of Connecticut and the city of Miami have established Romel Joseph Days in their communities in his honor.

Mr. Joseph wants to share his positive spirits with everyone who struggles with the challenges they face by never giving up -- no matter what! Join us for Romel Johnson's words of inspiration followed by a musical performance and question and answer session.

Author and Early Childhood Expert Peter Gray Presents Free to Learn: How Children Educate Themselves Through Play

Over the past 60 years, we, as a society, have gradually turned childhood into a time of resume building rather than a time of joyful play. The consequences of this include a dramatic rise in a wide variety of mental disorders in childhood, a rise in feelings of helplessness, a decline in empathy, and a decline in curiosity.

Nationally-known Childhood Expert Peter Gray, author of Free to Learn: Why Unleashing the Instinct to Play Will Make Our Children Happier, More Self-Reliant, and Better Students for Life will show how children are biologically designed to educate themselves through play. Free play with other children—lots of it—is essential to children’s healthy intellectual, social, and emotional development.

Peter Gray is a research professor of psychology at Boston College who has conducted and published research in neuroendocrinology, animal behavior, developmental psychology, anthropology, and education. His recent research has focused on the role of play in human evolution and how children educate themselves through play. He also authors a regular blog for Psychology Today entitled Freedom to Learn.

This event, co-sponsored by AADL and Acorn Glen Center for Self-Directed Learning, will include a book signing and books will be on sale at the event.

Go! Ice Cream Presents the Story of Delicious Ingredients!

Rob Hess of Ypsilanti’s Go! Ice Cream will share the story of the ingredients behind your favorite ice cream flavors.

From the story of vanilla and its variations around the world to the science of brown butter, learn about delicious flavors and then taste some of Go! Ice Cream’s delectable flavors!

Go! Ice Cream is a small company that crafts artisanal ice creams in small batches using local ingredients, and delivers them right to your door.
Whether it gets to you from the back of their bike or you find it in your favorite grocer’s freezer section, you can be sure you’re eating all-natural products without preservatives, emulsifiers, stabilizers, or other multi-syllabic chemicals.

Go! Ice Cream was founded by Rob Hess on the belief that dessert is a good thing, a sweet enhancement to a life well-lived. His goal is to bring more flavor to life through bold versions of classic ice creams and adventurous new flavor combinations.

Words That Can Make You Money: How to Write a Winning Scholarship Essay

Learn to present your best self and use your background to stand out from the crowd when you submit your scholarship application. Get inside information on what reviewers are looking for in an application and the DOs and DON’Ts in writing your essay.

Representatives from Washtenaw Community College and the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation will be here to discuss their scholarship requirements, too. If you’ve started your essay, bring it with you. If not, we’ll help you get started.

This event is co-sponsored by AADL and Washtenaw Community College