Bicentennial projects underway for community participation & support

Along with events, several projects are planned to commemorate the Ann Arbor Bicentennial, welcoming the community to participate, contribute and experience the historic occasion. Find out what?s happening in February!?

The bicentennial mural design is another initiative underway to commemorate the occasion. Murals will be installed later this year onto two Ann Arbor parks basketball courts. The deadline for artists to submit their design proposals, to [email protected], is 5 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 5.?

Learn more about more projects underway and in need of community support ? new features to Bicentennial Park (formerly Southeast Area Park); a statue honoring Kathy Kozachenko, the first openly gay person elected to political office (Ann Arbor City Council) in the United States; and restoration of the James L. Crawford Elks Lodge, the fraternal organization founded in 1899 by Black men denied entry into existing fraternal groups.?

On time(?) to your inbox

Are you receiving this publication in a timely manner? Or are you finding some of the information is getting to you late or later than expected, that featured events have already passed? When you signed up to receive these bulletins from the city, you may have selected to receive as a "? weekly digest." If that's the case, you may consider changing your settings to either "send immediately" or "send daily" to help bulletins reach your inbox more quickly and to ensure you don't miss any opportunities.

You can double check your settings, and make any changes, also linked toward the very bottom of this message. Have questions or need assistance? Message the city at [email protected]. We're happy to help!

Why wait? Early voting centers open Feb. 17

City of Ann Arbor early voting centers will open Saturday, Feb. 17, ahead of the Presidential Primary Election. Voters will be able to tabulate their ballots on site through Sunday, Feb. 25, at any of the six designated early-voting locations.?

To kick off early voting, voters can join Ann Arbor Mayor Christopher Taylor 8 a.m. Feb. 17 at Larcom City Hall, 301 E. Huron St., as he casts the first ballot in the city. Be among the next in line ? at city hall or another designated center ? to vote early!

The option to vote early is new this year. Michigan's Constitution requires cities and townships to offer early voting in each statewide and federal election for at least nine consecutive days, beginning on the second Saturday before the election and ending on the Sunday before the election.

Registered voters can still choose to cast an absentee ballot in advance or to in person at their polling location on Election Day.??

Learn more and stay up to date

Visit www.a2gov.org/elections for complete details about voting in Ann Arbor, including how to register to vote, to apply for an absentee ballot and much more.?

Also, the Michigan Voter Information site shows your voter registration status, absentee ballot status, your polling place location, your specific ballot for the current election, and more.?

Plus, follow the Ann Arbor City Clerk on Instagram; follow the City of Ann Arbor on Facebook, X, and city residents can find ?City of Ann Arbor? on NextDoor.??

Receive updates right to your email inbox by subscribing for free to ?elections? bulletins.

The city clerk?s office is here to help

In addition to regular business hours on weekdays, the Ann Arbor City Clerk's office will be open Saturdays, Feb. 17 and 24, for voter registration and absentee ballots as well as to answer questions. Stop by, or email [email protected] or call the city clerk?s office at 734.794.6140.

Snow Match ? Volunteers needed!

The City of Ann Arbor Snow Match Program pairs residents with nearby neighbors to assist them with snow removal on their sidewalks. Recipients of the volunteer services must be city residents, 55+ years of age OR self-identify as having a disability; AND who do not have resources nearby to assist with snow removal (financial such as a hired service, or family, friends, neighbor, other). Almost a dozen residents are still in need of volunteer support! Register to volunteer today before the next round of winter weather ?or? sign up if you are a homeowner/tenant that would like assistance with shoveling. The city thanks all who have joined this community-building program to date!

City reaffirms support for unarmed crisis response program

In April 2021, Ann Arbor City Council passed resolution R-21-129 directing the city administrator to create an unarmed crisis response program. City Council has appropriated $3.5 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds (April 2022) toward this effort and an intensive community outreach program occurred throughout 2023, which yielded a final report in March 2023 (City of Ann Arbor Unarmed Crisis Response Team: Community Feedback and Recommendations).?

The city received one submission during its request for proposal process, in August 2023, which was deemed unacceptable for several reasons, including the projected five-year implementation timeframe.

Work continues and the city remains in support of the unarmed crisis response program. Visit the program webpage for details.

Attend a sustainability forum

The Ann Arbor Office of Sustainability and Innovations A²ZERO Sustainability Series is underway! Once-monthly forums take place on Wednesdays, 6?7:30 p.m., at the Ann Arbor District Library Downtown Branch. Each forum focuses on a specific topic and practical ways you can get involved in the carbon neutrality goal. While attending in person is encouraged, forums are also available to attend via Zoom. Save the dates, and join OSI and special guests by registering for any or all forums!?

Upcoming forums:

• Feb. 28 ? Home Energy Rating Disclosure.
• March 27 ? Circular Economy and e-Waste.
• April 24 ? Equity in Action through A2ZERO.
• May 29 ? Rebates and Home Energy Advisor Services.

A²ZERO ambassadors wanted

Become a champion for carbon neutrality! The City of Ann Arbor Office of Sustainability and Innovations (OSI) is accepting applications for its sixth group of 25 A²ZERO ambassadors, which will assemble in March 2024. The deadline to apply is Wednesday, Feb. 14.?

The 12-week course covers a broad range of topics including:

• Equity and environmental justice.
• Community sustainability, climate change and climate action.
• Renewable energy.
• Water resources.
• Transportation.
• Circular economy.
• Local food systems.
• Resilience and emergency preparedness.
• Carbon neutrality.

Ambassadors will also work as a group to implement an outreach project or a sustainability-related project supported by OSI and a community mentor.

Ann Arbor adds new sister city to family tree

The City of Ann Arbor has accepted an invitation from Lubny, Ukraine, to become sister cities for the purpose of establishing greater friendship, meaningful bonds and understanding through cultural exchanges. Lubny, in central Ukraine, has a population of approximately 45,000 people.

Ann Arbor?s other sister-city relationships include with T?bingen, Germany, and Hikone, Japan. The Ann Arbor District Library documents more sister-city history.

CTN highlights

Discover CTN?s wide range of programs available to watch online now!

A2 Bicentennial ? Martin Luther King Jr. Day.?

A2 Bicentennial ? Kickoff event.?

AAPS Fall 2023 Community Resource Students Final Projects.?

Cooking Marathons on CTN Channel 18, fourth Saturday of each month, 5?10 p.m.?

CTN Sports ? Huron at Skyline Boys Basketball, Jan. 19.

CTN Sports ? Saline at Huron Boys Basketball, Jan. 26.?

CTN Sports ? 50th Year Anniversary.

CTN Tour ? Livingston Homeschoolers Tour.

FYI? Anthony Tomey with Born in Detroit shares details on the official apparel company of the 2023 National Champion Wolverines; Ann Arbor Honors Martin Luther King Jr.; U of M brings hometown pride to the streets of A2; and how to prepare for winter weather.?

FYI? Lilliane Webb with the Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority shares how to Conquer the Cold; Ann Arbor Bicentennial Kickoff at the Michigan Theater; and tips to stay safe in the winter months.?

Soapbox? Groundcover Live event?

U of M National Football Championship Parade.?

Ward Talk? Councilmember Linh Song.