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.

The Ann Arbor Film Festival is celebrating its 50th year - and AADL is excited to unveil its new digital archive, chronicling the Festival's history. Join Donald Harrison, AAFF Executive Director, and other voices from the Festival's past as they share behind-the-scenes stories from the longest-running independent and experimental film festival in North America! This event features the premiere of AADL's digital archive of the Festival, which will provide online access to posters and program guides from the Festival's half century of film exhibition history. The evening will conclude with light refreshments and the opportunity to mingle with Film Fest fans. THE ANN ARBOR FILM FESTIVAL ARCHIVE @ AADLThis website will document the history of the Ann Arbor Film Fest and its 50 years of experimental cinema. Festival programs, photographs, promotional materials, and behind-the-scenes documents from the Festival's half-century history will be featured.Original interviews with festival organizers and participants from over the years and media coverage of the event including articles from the Ann Arbor News and Ann Arbor Sun will paint a portrait of the longest-running independent and experimental film festival in North America.Join us for a look in the past and an introduction to this valuable online collection!

Disturbing facts on homelessness in Washtenaw County: 2, 756 people will experience homelessness within a year in the county; 26% of these are families; 41 people in the county in any given week become homeless.Join service and housing providers 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.The Washtenaw Housing Alliance (WHA) is a unique coalition of 28 non-profit organizations that serve those experiencing homelessness or those at risk of homelessness. The WHA and its member agencies have created a collaboration that harnesses the commitment, energy and resources of a major hospital system, the cities of Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti, Washtenaw County, three major institutions of higher education, the private sector and the community at large to end homelessness in Washtenaw County.

The 2011 Ann Arbor Ypsilanti Reads 2011 book Life Is So Good is the story of George Dawson, a man who learned to read at age 98. Dawson's story of becoming literate at a late age is truly inspirational. What are the learning stories of local residents - and what are their successes? Be inspired as a panel of local literacy learners share their experiences. Discover how you can engage in learning that makes life worth living as a learner or volunteer. This event is co-sponsored by the Literacy Coalition of Washtenaw County.

Michael Erlewine, the award-winning archivist of popular culture, who founded and built the largest music review database in the world, All-Music Guide, has written a fascinating new book that chronicles the Ann Arbor Blues and Jazz Festival.The first Ann Arbor Blues Festivals, in 1969 and 1970, brought together the greatest-ever selection of blues performers and helped bring modern blues music to a wider audience. Never before had such a far-reaching list of performers been assembled. These groundbreaking festivals were the seed that grew into the Ann Arbor Blues and Jazz Festival, which was continued annually for many years.

If you want to know more about your local neighborhood business, are curious about how a business gets started, or want advice on how to start your own business from people who have found success - this is the event for you.The panel will include several business owners - including: Scott Huckestein- Schakolad Chocolate Factory, Ann Arbor; Kevin Riley- New Chelsea Market, Chelsea; Breanne Stuart- Home Watch Caregivers, Ann Arbor. Each panel member will give a summary of how they got their ideas, followed through with them, and where there business is now.

People with disabilities face challenges of accessibility and transportation that many other individuals simply don't encounter. Whether it's crossing a busy street, getting to a job or a cultural or athletic event, or moving from class to class in school, quality of life issues depend on how easy these everyday acts are to accomplish. At this panel discussion, moderated by Carolyn Grawi, the Director of Advocacy and Education at the Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living, four people with disabilities will discuss how they fare navigating around Ann Arbor.

This film, produced in 1991 by Lola Jones of Another Ann Arbor, chronicles the history of African American women in Ann Arbor from the mid-nineteenth century to the late nineteenth century. The film uses interviews with prominent African American women of Ann Arbor and historical photographs to illustrate the complex history of Ann Arbor from the Abolitionist Era to Desegregation. Another Ann Arbor is an organization founded by Lola Jones and Carol Gibson to document the history of African Americans in Ann Arbor. Through two documentaries, a long-running television series, and a book, Another Ann Arbor has brought the story of African Americans forward and made that story a conscious part of Ann Arbor's identity. Another Ann Arbor continues their work today with their website and work in the community and schools.

Geoff Larcom, Dave DeVarti and Coleman Jewett all grew up in Ann Arbor and each has intricate personal stories about the city and its residents. Come hear about the city as they knew it and how they view changes in Ann Arbor over the decades. Along with the discussion, the Library will show a sampling from 'Picture Ann Arbor' (aadl.org/pictureAnnArbor), the online collection of local photos. Find out what these 'townies' have to say and gain an intimate look at Ann Arbor.

Downtown Ann Arbor is about to experience change: the City Council is poised to adopt the first major zoning changes to downtown Ann Arbor since 1966. Ms. Rampson will review the history of downtown planning and zoning in Ann Arbor and provide an overview of the draft zoning and parking amendments recently recommended by the Planning Commission. These zoning changes seek to implement the community vision for downtown developed in 2006 with the assistance of Calthorpe and Associates.