All invited to Ann Arbor Mayor?s Autumnal Green Fair Oct. 7

Whether new to the A2ZERO cause, a full-fledged advocate or just curious about carbon neutrality, the second annual Ann Arbor Mayor's Autumnal Green Fair has something for everyone, including for homeowners, renters and community members of all ages. The event takes place Friday, Oct. 7, 6?9 p.m. in downtown Ann Arbor, along Main Street. The Mayor?s Autumnal Green Fair is free, fun, family-friendly and informative. Learn more at https://www.a2gov.org/news/pages/article.aspx?i=917.

City introduces new leadership, new position

The City of Ann Arbor is making progress with efforts to strengthen the organization?s internal operations as well as ensuring city processes and services are conducted in a positive and inclusive manner. In July, the city hired Debra Buckson as its new chief human resources and labor relations officer. Buckson oversees organizational development, recruitment, employee development, and serves as chief labor negotiator.

Shortly after Buckson?s arrival, Ann Arbor hired its first director of organizational equity. Laura Orta started with the city Sept. 19 and will lead efforts for diversity, equity and inclusion. Orta will focus on strategic planning as well as working with community stakeholder groups and the city?s workforce for cultural competency and greater diversity in participation.

Please join the city in welcoming Buckson and Orta to Ann Arbor!

Pictured here:?Ann Arbor Director of Equity Laura Orta (left), Chief Human Resources & Labor Relations Officer Debra Buckson (right)

Indigenous Peoples Day

City of Ann Arbor municipal offices, including the customer service center at Larcom City Hall and the 15th Judicial District Court at the Ann Arbor Justice Center, will be closed Monday, Oct. 10, 2022, for Indigenous Peoples Day. Safety services and utility operations will maintain 24-hour schedules. Curbside trash, recycling and compost service will also continue without interruption. Visit https://www.a2gov.org/departments/trash-recycling/Pages/default.aspx for more information on disposing of leaves, composting, trash and recycling.

Pictured here: 1931 map, by W.B. Hinsdale and Eugene Stock McCartney showing the network of Native American trails in our area: https://www.a2gov.org/departments/Parks-Recreation/administrative/Pages/Park-History.aspx.

City launches Ann Arbor Water

The City of Ann Arbor is introducing a new brand for its water services: Ann Arbor Water. The mission of Ann Arbor Water?s now-unified approach is to ensure the health of the community by providing high-quality drinking water, advanced wastewater recovery and robust stormwater management that protects and preserves the Huron River and the environment, for which, the city notes, we all are stewards. Stay up to date with news and information via a new monthly newsletter starting Nov. 1; and meet Ann Arbor Water team members at upcoming events: Mayor's Autumnal Green Fair Friday, Oct. 7, 6?9 p.m. in downtown Ann Arbor, the Ann Arbor Farmers Market Wednesday, Oct. 12, and the Wastewater Treatment Plant Open House Saturday, Oct. 22. Find all the details on the new Ann Arbor Water website, www.annarborwater.org!

A plan for emerging and unregulated compounds in the city?s drinking water

The Ann Arbor Water Treatment Plant (WTP) is conducting an evaluation of alternatives to identify the preferred approach to meet the drinking water needs of the community, as well as constructing a pilot plant to test recommended technologies in the real world. An online survey is now available to gather input from community members. Learn more at https://www.a2gov.org/news/pages/article.aspx?i=918.

Fire Prevention Week celebrates a century

The National Fire Protection Association^? (NFPA^?) is celebrating the 100th anniversary of Fire Prevention Week^TM (FPW). Taking place Oct. 9?15, this year?s theme, ?Fire won?t wait. Plan your escape ^TM?, shares simple but important actions everyone can take to prevent and stay safe from home fires.

NFPA^? and the Ann Arbor Fire Department, https://www.a2gov.org/departments/fire/Pages/default.aspx, are emphasizing the importance of these safety steps for fire escape planning:

• Make sure your plan meets the needs of all your family members, including those with sensory or physical disabilities.
• Smoke alarms should be installed inside every sleeping room, outside each separate sleeping area, and on every level of your home. Smoke alarms should be interconnected so when one sounds, they all sound.
• Know at least two ways out of every room, if possible. Make sure all doors and windows open easily.
• Have an outside meeting place a safe distance from your home where everyone should meet.
  Practice your home fire drill at least twice a year with everyone in the household, including guests. Practice at least once during the day and at night.

Learn more about Fire Prevention Week at https://www.nfpa.org/Events/Events/Fire-Prevention-Week.

Get ready for State General Election Day, Nov. 8

The Ann Arbor City Clerk?s office is gearing up for the State General Election, taking place Nov. 8, and working to get voters prepared as well. Residents wanting to register to vote and voters who want to apply for/pick up/turn in absentee ballots can do so now at the Larcom City Hall city clerk's office or at a satellite location on the University of Michigan campus. Secure, official drop boxes are also located throughout the city to return completed and signed absentee ballots (only). Note: drop boxes are only for returning absentee ballots, NOT for applications for absentee ballots. Ballot applications must be turned in to the city clerk's office or at a satellite location.

The two satellite city clerk?s offices on the University of Michigan campus will provide greater convenience and accessibility for students and residents alike. The satellite office at the U-M Museum of Art (UMMA), 525 State St. opened Sept. 27; and a new, north campus location, at the Duderstadt Center, 2281 Bonisteel Blvd., opens Wednesday, Oct. 12, at noon. The satellites offer extended hours and, just like the city hall location, friendly, knowledgeable staff who can answer all of your election questions.

Find information; office hours; reminders; tips on voter registration, voting absentee, in-person voting and more at https://www.a2gov.org/news/pages/article.aspx?i=915. Visit?https://www.a2gov.org/departments/city-clerk/Elections/Pages/Elections.aspx for complete voting and Election Day information.

National Community Survey results

In June and July, 2,800 randomly selected residents were asked to provide opinions on city services, amenities and their quality of life in Ann Arbor via the National Community Survey? (NCS). The City of Ann Arbor has conducted this statistically valid survey bi-annually since 2008 to capture opinions of a representative sample of Ann Arbor residents. According to the NCS, ?Overall quality of community life represents the natural ambience, services and amenities that make for an attractive community.? The NCS notes how residents rate their overall quality of life is an indicator of the overall health of a community. In the case of Ann Arbor, 93% rated the city as an ?excellent? or ?good? place to live.

Find the 2022 survey results online at https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/polco.nrc/viz/TheNCSReport-AnnArborMI2022/About.

Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation roundup

Temps may be falling but the parks are heating up with activity. Autumn is one of the best times of year to enjoy the Ann Arbor parks. The place to start is the Ann Arbor Farmers Market. It?s open Wednesdays and Saturdays, 7 a.m.?3 p.m., at 315 Detroit St. At this time of year, you?ll find gourds, pumpkins, fall d?cor, apples, apple cider pears, plums, heirloom tomatoes, sweet corn, dahlias, leafy greens, garlic, onions, peppers, microgreens, herbs, plants, honey, eggs, poultry, meat, cheese, bread, baked goods, maple syrup, beverages, prepared food, artisan products and so much more! The market accepts cash, and tokens for credit cards and SNAP/EBT/P-EBT are available at the market office window. To learn more, visit https://www.a2gov.org/departments/Parks-Recreation/parks-places/farmers-market/Pages/default.aspx. You?ll also not want to miss the last food truck rally of 2023, Oct. 19, 5?8 p.m. Enjoy 14 of the best local food and beverage trucks! Check social media at https://twitter.com/a2market leading up to the event for a list of who is joining the fun in October.

The City of Ann Arbor canoe liveries are open in the fall offering river trips and stillwater paddles Wednesday?Sundays until Oct. 23. The Gallup Canoe Livery is open Wednesdays?Sundays until Oct. 23 and offers the 1.5-hour river trip on weekdays and stillwater paddling on the weekends. The liveries are closed Mondays and Tuesdays in the fall months. Details on hours and prices can be found at https://www.a2gov.org/departments/Parks-Recreation/play/Pages/Canoeing.aspx or by calling 734.794.6240.

The Veterans Memorial Park indoor ice arena, 2150 Jackson Ave., offers open skating, learn-to-skate and beginner hockey lessons and rentals for special events including birthday parties. For additional information and registration details, visit https://www.a2gov.org/departments/Parks-Recreation/parks-places/veterans/Pages/default.aspx.

Every Thursday this fall at Liberty Plaza (310 S. Division St.) now?Oct. 20 (8?10 p.m.) features a free silent disco! "What is a silent disco?" It's three music sets being played into a group wearing wireless headphones. Once you put on these special headphones, you are linked up with a ?WHOA!? The Whoa Silent Disco will have a different set of tunes to vibe with or dance to. Reserve your headphones at https://www.whoasilentdisco.com/events today, for a unique experience, complete with glow stick, power ballads/rap and 80?s versus 90?s versus 00?s!

Spend Sunday, Oct 16, any time between noon?5 p.m. (last boat leaves at 3 p.m.), enjoying the haunting fall beauty of the Huron River while trick-or-treating by canoe or kayak. As you paddle up and down Gallup Pond, you will encounter creatures handing out treats and candy. Keep an eye out for ducks, swamp monsters, witches and pirates on your adventure on the river! Feel free to join in and dress up! Bring a bag for your candy and your own water bottle. Enjoy lawn games, activities and more. Cost: $22 /boat. No preregistration required. All ages welcome (children must be 1 year or older). Find details at https://www.a2gov.org/departments/Parks-Recreation/Pages/trickortreat.aspx.

Halloween tips + times

For participating residents, trick-or-treating will take place in Ann Arbor neighborhoods 5?8 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 31. As a safety reminder, adults should supervise their trick-or-treaters, and children should stay in neighborhoods that are well lit and familiar to help keep this holiday fright free and full of fun. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also provide tips ? 13, to be exact ? for a healthy Halloween, including treat smarts, street smarts and costume cautions. Learn more at https://blogs.cdc.gov/publichealthmatters/2019/10/halloweentips/.

Good news!

Ann Arbor has secured the No. 1 spot on the Fortune list of 25 Best Places to Live for Families! What factors earned A2 top honors? Read on at https://fortune.com/well/ranking/best-places-families/2022/ann-arbor/.

CTN highlights

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

CTN SPORTS 2022 - Pioneer at Skyline Football, September 16: https://youtu.be/RkdrRML6FC8.

CTN SPORTS 2022 ? Huron at Pioneer Football, September 9: https://youtu.be/Qx1VcvoDv2A.

CTN SPORTS 2022 ? DEXTER at PIONEER Football, September 23: https://youtu.be/v-Fgbu0S9_U.

CTN Sports Throwback Thursday ? September 98 ? October 13 on CTN Channel 18 and online: www.a2gov.org/watchCTN.

FYI ? Susan Westhoff, executive director of Leslie Science & Nature Center, gives an update on LSNC Nature Playscape, the Ann Arbor Bikeway and the Westside Art Hop: https://youtu.be/bIFSXTKQYhQ.

FYI ? Local restaurateurs, Andy Mignery of Thrivery and G-Ho Park of Kanbu Sushi, discuss the new location at the 777 Building now taking orders; the Farmers Market Food Truck Rally; and the Tiny Lions Cat Caf?: https://youtu.be/q6qA0lcp79g.

FYI ? Derrick Miller, executive director of Community Action Network (CAN), shares the organization's vision on closing the socio-economic gap in Washtenaw County; the Ann Arbor Housing Commission hosts a meeting on the Catherine and Fourth Street development in the city?s historically Black business district; and Storyfest: https://youtu.be/WTUW3WfjYdo.

Adventures in Parenthood ? Washtenaw County Foster Grandparent Program Supervisor Sandy Bowers and foster grandparents Nehemiah Thomas and Rubye Ogburn share details on this program that benefits school-aged children and seniors alike: https://youtu.be/di55a5Z_FGw.

Ann Arbor Bikeway ? Learn how to safely and successfully navigate the Ann Arbor Bikeway (protected bike lanes): https://youtu.be/hkoVloI3NQM.

Ann Arbor Inclusive ? Guest Jessica Crider discusses mental health challenges based on her experience specifically with generalized anxiety disorder and when it developed into a disability impacting day-to-day life: https://youtu.be/98YdhnBbXuU.

League of Women Voters Wash. Co. 2022 ? Ann Arbor Public School Board Candidate Forum, Part 1 of 3: https://youtu.be/TqrBjC7_g28.

League of Women Voters Wash. Co. 2022 ? Ann Arbor Public School Board Candidate Forum, Part 2 of 3: https://youtu.be/OBZEMU2HopY.

League of Women Voters Wash. Co. 2022 ? Ann Arbor Public School Board Candidate Forum, Part 3 of 3: https://youtu.be/aXN4Kn2Brtc.

League of Women Voters of Wash. Co. Candidates Forum 2022 ? Ann Arbor Mayor: https://youtu.be/NIZLyXlwcBY.

League of Women Voters of Wash. Co. Candidates Forum 2022 ? Ann Arbor City Council Ward 5: https://youtu.be/w57Y0RG52PQ.

League of Women Voters of Wash. Co. Candidates Forum 2022 ? Washtenaw Community College Trustees: https://youtu.be/epLaBqlWnY4.

Soapbox ? Ann Arbor resident La Shaw Courtwright: https://youtu.be/koED1v0dz_8.

Soapbox Sept 26 ? Arbors Wellness Weekly Workshops: https://youtu.be/ZNa_oylwWtA.