Parks & Rec: Plenty of things to do this weekend in Ann Arbor parks
The place to be on Saturday: Ann Arbor Farmers Market
Did you know the Saturday market runs all year! We’re currently open Saturdays, 8 a.m.-3 p.m., at 315 Detroit Street. You’ll find seasonal produce, pastured meat and poultry, eggs, bread, baked goods, cheese, maple syrup, mead, coffee, cheese, artisan items and more! We accept cash, and tokens for credit cards and SNAP/EBT/P-EBT are available at our market office window. Service animals are welcome. Accessible restrooms are available. For more information visit the website.
Food Truck Tacos El Mariachi Loco will be joining us this Saturday, Jan. 21, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Ann Arbor Senior Center programs
Duplicate Bridge
Non-sanctioned Duplicate Bridge, directed by Ray Gentz, attracts players of all ages with varied levels of expertise including life masters to beginners. Not familiar with how to play Bridge? We offer a variety of bridge lessons too. Mondays, 12:30-3:30 p.m., drop-in fee: $2, member; $3, nonmember. Questions? Call 734.794.6250.
Workshop: Take charge of your health and medication use
Join staff, Wednesday, Jan. 25, 9:30 a.m., to learn secrets to playing a more active role on your healthcare team. In this day and age of big health systems, multiple doctors, and the overwhelming use of medications, it can be hard to feel like we’re in charge of our own health. Join Betty Chaffee, PharmD, of BetterMyMeds to talk about why taking charge is important to our well-being and what steps you can take to make it happen. Please call 734.794.6250 or email hnordenbrock@a2gov.org to register. Free of charge.
Art Exhibit: Head, hands and heart
Currently on display through March 30 at the Ann Arbor Senior Center. Art exhibit by renowned local artist Elena Townsend-Efimova (http://talkingcolors.com/) featuring her exquisite, intricate mosaics and vibrant watercolor paintings. Exhibit may be viewed Monday-Friday between scheduled programming. Click here to be directed to our calendar to find a time to enjoy the exhibit. Questions? Call 734.794.6250. Free of charge.
Care management by Natalie from Senior Support
There are two time slots available for individual, private sessions: Wednesday, March 8, 9:30-10:30 a.m. and 10:30-11:30 a.m. A care manager is a senior resources expert that can assist clients with: Discharging from the hospital, starting or stabilizing caregiving structure in the home, remaining independent at home, choosing and preparing to move to a senior community, creating medical stability or a new diagnosis roadmap, and support, education and future planning. To learn more about Care Management by Natalie, visit this link. Sign up for a free 1-hour initial consultation a $150 value, free of charge. RSVP to 734.794.6250 or bpatton@a2gov.org.
Project Grow Classes
Herbs for the Michigan garden
Online. Anytime. Introducing herbs benefits both you AND your garden! In this class, we’ll learn how to grow and use 20 culinary and medicinal herbs suited for the southeast Michigan garden. We’ll cover preservation techniques, basic medicine making and crafting such as herbal oils, poultices, infused honeys and vinegars plus more! We will also learn to identify and use common edible “weeds” and even a few plants to avoid. Class includes 16 lessons to learn at your own pace. Questions? Contact info@projectgrowgardens.org. Click here for access. Free of charge.
Top 10 tips for Winter sowing sessions
Learn how to use inexpensive recycled containers to grow perennials and certain annuals using Winter sowing. The cold, quiet days of midwinter are an excellent time to try this mini-greenhouse method that capitalizes on freeze thaw cycles and the natural germination schedules built into each and every seed that thrives via this method. Winter sowing can be a successful way to start new perennial beds and a variety of garden annuals, herbs and grasses. Questions? Contact info@projectgrowgardens.org. Click here for access. Free of charge.
Your input is importnat
Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation staff are seeking residents/students/visitors to share their experiences using the new tool designed to help find City of Ann Arbor parks. Participants are being invited to attend a 30-minute interview (in-person at Fuller Park or virtually) to test the website (http://www.a2gov.org/parkfinder).
Interviews are being conducted by University of Michigan School of Information Civic User Testing Group (CUT) students on Thursday, Feb. 2, 4-8 pm. If you’re interested please complete this form (https://forms.gle/kpuGfggCBrXGenWi6).The CUT group’s philosophy is “if it doesn’t work for you, then it doesn’t work.”
Natural Area Preservation news
Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation’s Natural Area Preservation unit just released the 2022 annual report. To learn more about staff and volunteer efforts in the parks system and ongoing efforts in the natural areas, click here.
