407 Affiliates Sign Open Letter to Change the University of Michigan Mask Policy

407 Affiliates Sign Open Letter to Change the University of Michigan Mask Policy

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A group of 407 faculty, staff, and students at the University of Michigan has sent an open letter to U-M President Santa Ono regarding health and safety concerns in connection to the mask policy. The group is asking to meet with the president to discuss a change that allows instructors to decide if their students should wear masks in class. “We have written an open letter addressed to President Santa Ono about our health and safety concerns,” Sovoya Davis said, a second-year doctoral student and first-year Graduate Student Instructor (GSI) at U-M. “We emailed this letter on Oct. 19, along with testimonials from community members. In addition to the open letter, there is currently a social media campaign. Anonymous testimonials of community members who have been impacted by UM’s current…
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Prison Creative Arts Project Holds 2022 Auction

Prison Creative Arts Project Holds 2022 Auction

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The iconic arts organization, Prison Creative Arts Project (PCAP), will hold its silent auction from December 1-3—in-person and online—and preview their 27th Annual Exhibition of Artists in Michigan Prisons, scheduled in March. A live “winter soiree” will be held on Dec. 3 to welcome those who are interested in PCAP’s work and the community at the University of Michigan will be held at the Michigan Union Courtyard from 6:30-9:30 p.m. and is free and open to the public.  The events showcase some of the most notable artists from around the state, inside and outside of prison, further establishing PCAP at the forefront of intersecting social justice and the art world. The 2022 Art Auction includes the highly sought-after impressionistic paintings of Oliger Merko and Andy Wynkoop, expert line work by…
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Understanding the Ins and Outs of Solar Panels

Understanding the Ins and Outs of Solar Panels

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Going green, saving money, and a hands-on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) educational project are all potential positive outcomes of going solar—even in Michigan, including many parts of Ann Arbor IRA encouragement Thanks to the recent passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, there is growing interest in installing solar panels because they are now eligible for extra financial credit.. Proponents of solar energy point out that costs to install solar power have significantly gone down in the past 10 years, and the technology has improved. Furthermore, the Inflation Reduction Act increased the federal tax credit to 30% for the next decade.  Lower costs, in the long run, Bob Royce moved to Ann Arbor in 1981 and is currently the president of “The Understanding Group,” a digital design firm.  He has…
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“Concert for Peace” Raises Funds for “Vets for Peace”

“Concert for Peace” Raises Funds for “Vets for Peace”

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The anxiously awaited annual Concert for Peace, formerly known as the John Lennon Birthday Concert, will be held November 3 at 7:30 p.m. at the Ark and will feature 16 performances.  This community-focused event brings together like-minded people from different backgrounds with the common goal of peace. “It is really a wonderful community event because you can come and see 15 or 16 different acts,”  “And the peace community has a pretty nice cross-section of humanity there.” Buhalis has been an instrumental person in the Concert for Peace since its inception. Peace Concert History Chris Buhalis, musician, emcee, and founder, said, “I’ve been involved with every one of the Vets for Peace Chapter 93 peace concerts since 2008. All of the money raised goes to Vets for Peace Chapter 93…
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Girls Group Empowers Young Women as Whole Persons

Girls Group Empowers Young Women as Whole Persons

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The nonprofit “Girls Group,” started in 2003, continues to empower young women to become self-sufficient, whole persons: educationally, emotionally, and economically.  We interviewed Sue Schooner, its Executive Director for 19 years, to learn more about the pivotal work they perform.  “The mission of Girls Group is to empower young women to achieve emotional and economic self-sufficiency by ensuring they graduate from high school and begin their college or career journeys,” Schooner said There are three main elements of Girls Group, including middle school, high school and college programs which last through student’s careers. Girls Group’s year-round comprehensive programming focuses on academic readiness, social/emotional life skills, financial education, and community service. Participants are also mentored by experienced staff and interns. Girls Group provides weekly in-school programming to 450 middle school and…
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Ann Arbor Storytellers Tell Tall Tales and True Stories

Ann Arbor Storytellers Tell Tall Tales and True Stories

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Ann Arbor Storytellers’ Guild (AASG) is currently striving for an in-person comeback from the pandemic, but has entertained children and adults alike since the 1990s.  AASG, also referred to as “the Guild,” puts on many events throughout the year to keep its oral tradition alive. Storytellers also called “tellers,” attest to bringing joy and positive emotions to audiences via their performances, sometimes sharing personal memories. Coming up soon for AASG is a “StoryFest” on October 8 and a children’s concert on Sunday, October 9. Some members choose to focus on fiction, some non-fiction. Some focus on children’s stories, some more on adult audiences—but all are entertaining and seasoned tellers with a wide variety of backgrounds. Retired Teacher: Kathleen Wright Kathleen Wright is a retired teacher and has lived in Ann…
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Learn About Downtown Ann Arbor’s Vibrant Murals

Learn About Downtown Ann Arbor’s Vibrant Murals

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  Ann Arbor Art Center (A2AC) is finishing up its scheduled live, in-person “Mocha + Murals: Walking Mural Tours,” but has a related upcoming talk on Oct. 2 for all ages.  The purpose of the tours was to educate attendees about the array of murals throughout downtown Ann Arbor as well as to highlight the artists themselves. [caption id="attachment_789" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Detailed organic flowers and engineering gears share space to pave the road ahead. Photo courtesy A2AC Mural Activity book.[/caption] It was titled “Mocha + Murals” because Zingerman’s Community of Businesses supplied the chocolate java drinks and pastries while the artwork and artists were featured. We interviewed Thea A. Eck, Exhibitions Director, to find out more information. “The Mocha + Mural program corresponds with the current Main gallery exhibition, ‘Beyond…
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Clonlara Makes a Series of Major Changes This Year

Clonlara Makes a Series of Major Changes This Year

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[caption id="attachment_708" align="alignleft" width="200"] Photo credit: Ben White Two girls reading in a field may be more conducive to learning than in a classroom.[/caption] This school year, Clonlara made changes to its leadership staff, re-opened Ann Arbor’s physical school, and expanded global initiatives. “I am grateful that we have an amazing team that will continue to handle the day-to-day operations while I keep a bird’s eye view to ensure that the strategy is strong and our history is protected,” new Chairperson Chandra Montgomery Nicol said.  Nicol has been with Clonlara since 1967 as a student, parent, and has held many staff positions—most recently as the Executive Director. Major changes  “It is a major change that Clonlara’s programs will not be run by a Montgomery family member any longer. This reality…
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