Autumnal Green Fair

Don't miss the first Autumnal Green Fair Friday, Oct. 1, 6-9 p.m. on Main Street in downtown Ann Arbor with A2ZERO! The event will feature local green businesses and non-profits to highlight what you can do to help achieve carbon neutrality for a cleaner, greener future for our planet, including:

• Energy-saving appliances.
• Interactive solar displays.
• Q&A with solar installers.
• Green commuting options like electric vehicles, e-bikes and The Ride.
• Plus, for the first time, A2ZERO is partnering with a2Tech360 - a weeklong celebration of innovation in Ann Arbor, organized by Ann Arbor SPARK.

There will also be live entertainment for all to enjoy! Learn more at https://www.a2gov.org/departments/sustainability/Newsletter-Events/Pages/Green-Fair.aspx.

Quality Water Matters

The October issue of Quality Water Matters focuses on drinking water infrastructure updates, a new drinking water quality video and October drinking water-related events. Read all about it at https://www.a2gov.org/departments/water-treatment/PublishingImages/Pages/default/quality_water_matters_newsletter_october.pdf (PDF).

November election prep

The next election in Ann Arbor is the Special Election Nov. 2. Here?s what you need to know to make sure your voice is heard.

Voter registration

Not sure whether you?re registered to vote in Ann Arbor? Check online at https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/Voter/Index. Here, you can also locate your polling place, view your sample ballot and more.

If you need to register to vote in Ann Arbor in time for the Nov. 2 Special Election, you can do so at the Ann Arbor City Clerk?s Office (301 E. Huron St., second floor, Ann Arbor 48103), or at any Secretary of State branch office, the Washtenaw County Clerk's Office, designated state agencies such as Family Independence Agencies or military branch offices, as well as by mail, until 15 days before each election. During the 14 days prior to an election, those registering to vote will need to do so in person with the city clerk's office and provide proof of residency.

The Ann Arbor City Clerk?s Office hours are 8 a.m.?5 p.m. Monday?Friday (please note, the office closes daily for lunch noon?1 p.m.). Learn more at https://www.a2gov.org/departments/city-clerk/Elections/Pages/Voting.aspx#voter.

Absentee voting

Polls will be open on Election Day 7 a.m.?8 p.m., but why wait? All registered voters have the option of voting absentee. Absentee ballots are starting to reach mailboxes for residents who have submitted a completed application to the Ann Arbor City Clerk?s Office. Registered voters interested in voting absentee who have yet to request an absentee ballot can fill out an absentee ballot application online at https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/AVApplication/Index, or a fillable PDF version at https://www.michigan.gov/documents/sos/AVApp_535884_7.pdf (PDF). The completed and signed application can then be returned to the Ann Arbor City Clerk by mail or in person at 301 E. Huron St., second floor, Ann Arbor 48103; by fax at 734.994.8296; or email at [email protected].

Once you receive your absentee ballot, fill it out, sign the envelope, and you're ready to return it. Drop it off or mail the postage-paid envelope to the city clerk's office; or ballot drop boxes are again open around the city for easy and secure ballot returns. See the ballot drop box location map at https://www.a2gov.org/departments/city-clerk/Elections/Documents/offical_ballot_drop_box_map%202021.pdf (PDF).

Learn more about absentee voting at https://www.a2gov.org/departments/city-clerk/Elections/Pages/Voting.aspx.

For complete Election Day information, including the four City Charter amendment proposals on the Nov. 2 ballot, visit www.a2gov.org/elections.

A2 satellite site at UMMA featured

The work of municipal clerks is the focus of the September-October issue of the Michigan Municipal League magazine, The Review. Ann Arbor City Clerk Jackie Beaudry is a contributor, on page 20, highlighting the unique collaboration with the University of Michigan Museum of Art, which brought a satellite office to campus and increased student-voter participation in the 2020 presidential election. Read on at https://www.mml.org/pdf/TheReview_Sept_Oct_2021_FINAL-LoRes.pdf?(PDF).

Shop the parks

Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation has launched the new Ann Arbor Parks Shop! T-shirts, tote bags and more are all available to purchase, featuring designs from your favorite programs including Goats at Work and the annual Buhr Park Dog Swim and facilities including Argo and Gallup Canoe + Kayak! In the coming weeks, even more designs from your favorite locations and programs will be available, including Mack Pool, the Ann Arbor Farmers Market and Veterans Memorial Park Ice Arena. The city is partnering with a local screen printer to create these unique items.

?So many people love the parks and they have been more popular than ever this past year,? said Colin Smith, parks and recreation services manager. ?As a result, we're excited to bring a line of merchandise to park enthusiasts who want to express their connection to their favorite park, facility or program.?

Visit the shop online at https://merch.undergroundshirts.com/collections/ann-arbor-parks-shop. Sizes run from XS to 3XL. Measurements are true to size, but it?s recommended you size up for a more comfortable fit.

Once you shop, Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation encourages you to share your new parks gear on its social media accounts,?http://www.instagram.com/annarborparks or http://www.facebook.com/a2parks.

?Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety?? for Fire Prevention Week and beyond

Turning clocks forward and back for daylight saving time and standard time in the spring and fall can serve as ideal reminders to change the batteries in your home?s smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. But beyond routine maintenance, how much do you know about these critical safety devices?

The Ann Arbor Fire Department and the National Fire Protection Agency are sharing some important information to help you ?Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety TM,? as a part of 2021 Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 3?9.

• A continuous set of three loud beeps means smoke or fire. Get out, call 9-1-1, and stay out.
• A single chirp every 30 or 60 seconds means the battery is low and must be changed.
• Chirping that continues after the battery has been replaced means the alarm is at the end of its life and the unit must be replaced. All smoke alarms must be replaced after 10 years.
• Make sure your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms meet the needs of all your family members, including those with sensory or physical disabilities.
• Make sure everyone in your home understands the sounds of the alarms and knows how to respond.
• To learn the sounds of your specific smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, check the manufacturer?s instructions that came in the box, or search the brand and model online.

For more information about Fire Prevention Week, visit https://www.nfpa.org/fpw. Find the Ann Arbor Fire Department online at https://www.a2gov.org/departments/fire/Pages/default.aspx.

Celebrate Halloween safely

Planning to celebrate Halloween? The Washtenaw County Health Department is providing general and COVID-safe tips to help you get through the scariest night of the year.

• Do not go out if you are sick (or in quarantine).
• Do not give out candy if you?re sick (or in quarantine).
• When giving out candy, do so from outside rather than from the front door so distancing is possible. Consider placing candy out on a table outdoors.
• If gathering indoors, wear a face covering over your mouth and nose.
• Stay 6 feet away from people who are not in your group.
• Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer often and especially before eating.
• If trick-or-treating:
  • Carry a flashlight, use glow sticks or add reflectors to clothing/costumes.
  • Make sure costumes are the right size to prevent trips and falls.
  • Only walk on sidewalks or paths.

Learn more at https://www.washtenaw.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1830.

CTN highlights

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

• Adventures in Parenthood ? Kathy Bergh with the Autism Society of Michigan discusses spectrum disorders and her own autism story: https://youtu.be/vCGNMDBQb6M.
• Ann Arbor Inclusive ? Ms. Wheelchair Michigan Laura Jackson shares her life story and experiences: https://youtu.be/yHk6shW25vs.
• CTN SPORTS 2021 ? Skyline at Pioneer women's field hockey, Sept. 27: https://youtu.be/p_bRKlw3ESY.
• CTN Sports 2021 ? Pioneer at Huron football, Sept. 10: https://youtu.be/398dN1wsVtM.
• FYI ? City of Ann Arbor Sustainability and Innovations Manager Missy Stults discusses easy ways to reduce your carbon footprint; flu prevention tips; and the Little Creature Co.: https://youtu.be/11eUh9vBdAo.
• FYI ? Mayor Christopher Taylor shares details on the upcoming Autumnal Green Fair; vote absentee in the Nov. 2 Special Election; and Tiny Lions Cat Caf?: https://youtu.be/cEvInx7d-nQ.
• Green Room ? Hear from Juliet Berger, City of Ann Arbor ornithologist and president of the Washtenaw County Audubon Society, about tips on bird identification: https://youtu.be/oxcVtJVSc-w. See also this news feature at https://patch.com/michigan/saline/washtenaw-county-government-green-room-bird-identification-tips.
• Senior Moments ? Brittany Patton, City of Ann Arbor recreation supervisor/Ann Arbor Senior Center director, talks about events and activities at the center and ways the center has been continuing services during the pandemic: https://youtu.be/FpxbzMD8qY8.
• Ward Talk ? Ward Talk is back with Ann Arbor Councilmember Erica Briggs from Ward 5: https://youtu.be/IwUbxrL1poc.

Solarize celebrates bright beginnings

The Ann Arbor Office of Sustainability and Innovations Solarize initiative just hit 2 MW of new solar installed through the program ? in under two years! This equates to an upfront savings of $927,000 for residents who participated in the program. And over the life of these installations (25 years ? which is the warrantied life of panels), it?s anticipated residents will save over $11.9 million.

A total of 285 households purchased solar through the program (and growing), in addition to the many community members who learned about solar through Solarize and purchased outside the program.

The program has created a toolkit to help other communities facilitate group buys using resources created by Solarize Ann Arbor. The toolkit has been launched statewide via Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), and regionally through the Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association (GLREA), who is also assisting other communities with pilot programs.

Solarize participation is open to anyone in Washtenaw County. Details are available at www.a2gov.org/solar.