Parks & Rec: Plenty of things to do this weekend in Ann Arbor parks
Halloween themed skate this weekend!
Dress in costume and skate to the spooky sounds of Halloween, Sunday, Oct. 31, 1-2:30 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Indoor Ice Arena. All ages welcome. Candy will be handed out. 2150 Jackson Ave.
Shop for any last minute Halloween items on Saturday at the market
The Ann Arbor Farmers Market is open for onsite sales Saturdays and Wednesdays, 7 a.m.-3 p.m., at 315 Detroit St. You will find Halloween products like pumpkins, decorative gourds and spooky clothing. We also have a bounty of apples, pears, apple cider, winter squash, decorative corn, mums, tomatoes, peppers, fresh vegetables, cut flowers, herbs, plants, bread, poultry, eggs, meat, cheese, baked goods, prepared food, beverages and artisan products. We accept cash, and tokens for credit cards and SNAP/EBT/P-EBT are available at our market office window. Preordering from select vendors continues with curbside or walk-in pickup, 8 a.m.-noon. For preorders, contact the vendor directly from our directory. Please follow all physical distancing and safety guidelines posted and communicated by market staff. More information can be found on the website.
Ann Arbor Senior Center programs and events
* New! Artists open studio
Calling all artists and craft enthusiasts. Join us every Friday beginning Nov. 5, noon-2 p.m. for a weekly open studio where we invite you to bring your own projects and art equipment to work in a socially distanced gathering space. Don’t have your hands on a project or equipment? Not to worry – we have a collection of materials and craft projects that you can choose from. Masks are required. Call 734.794.6235 to reserve a space. Cost is $5.
* Cobbler-gobbler drive-thru
Please join the Ann Arbor Senior Center, Wednesday, Nov. 17, noon-1 p.m., for a drive-thru where staff will hand out festive goodie bags, snacks and beverages. Our special guest this month is the City of Ann Arbor’s (Office of Sustainability and Innovations) Aging in Place Efficiently program. Meet its program coordinators and have the opportunity for Q&A. We will also be collecting non-perishable food donations for Bryant Community Center’s Emergency Food Pantry. To RSVP, contact Brittany (bpatton@a2gov.org) to reserve your spot today! Free of charge.
* Live trivia
Don’t miss live trivia Wednesday, Nov. 3 and 17, 1-2 p.m. Each game will have questions based on weekly themes. We will keep a tally of winners and at the end, will have prizes that you can pick up. Zoom meeting ID: 979 1239 9740. Passcode: 194912. For information email, bpatton@a2gov.org. Free of charge.
We’re hiring!
Is it your dream job to drive a Zamboni? We have the job for you. Click here to read the job description and apply to work at Buhr Park Outdoor Ice Arena this season.
There are a variety of other jobs in the Ann Arbor parks with openings including at Mack Indoor Pool and Veterans Memorial Indoor Ice Arena. Visit the website to learn more.
Natural Area Preservation stewardship workdays
Preregistration is required. Please stay home if you are feeling ill. NAP continues to monitor recommendations from health officials, volunteers registered for events will be notified in advance of any changes to the workday. Please wear long pants and closed-toed shoes and bring a water bottle and leather gloves. All minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools and know-how provided.
Saturday, Nov. 6, 9 a.m.-noon, Lakewood Nature Area.
Join us to remove invasive exotic shrubs that threaten the habitat depended-upon by Cooper’s Hawks and other native species. Meet at the park entrance on Sunnywood Dr. (map). Register here.
Sunday, Nov. 7, 9 a.m.-noon, Foxfire South Park
Foxfire South needs some help from NAP volunteers to thwart invasion of exotic shrubs. Join us to cut and remove such threats, like buckthorn and honeysuckle. Meet at the Dhu Varren Nature Area entrance on Dhu Varren Road. (map). Register here.
Sunday, Nov. 7, 1-4 p.m., Barton Nature Area
Wild seed collection is one of the easiest conservation activities you can do with NAP. It’s appropriate for all ages, and with more than 250 native plant species recorded at Barton, it’s an optimal place for NAP to collect wild seeds. During this workday we will also be cutting and removing invasive shrubs. Meet at the Barton Dam parking lot on Huron River Drive (map). Register here.
Sustainable Energy Utility (SEU) report
The City of Ann Arbor has released a report describing the feasibility of a Sustainable Energy Utility (SEU) — a new construct that would give city residents and businesses the opportunity to supplement their service from DTE with locally sourced, reliable, renewable and cost-effective energy. Staff in the Ann Arbor Office of Sustainability and Innovations along with five technical advisors prepared the report, which envisions a 100 percent renewably powered, reliable, local, shared and publicly owned municipal energy utility, built by the community for the community. Want to learn more? Go to this link for the full report: www.a2gov.org/a2seu
Climate, coffee and converation
Join us every 2nd Thursday of the month for an open community chat about anything and everything A2ZERO and sustainability in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and abroad. Attendance if free, but registration required. https://a2gov.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMsduCurjojHdxJiIQ2Y84CQF3zSa9RQPUv
Sustaining Ann Arbor Together Grant
The City of Ann Arbor administers a grant program for residents to advance community-wide sustainability, known as Sustaining Ann Arbor Together (SA2T). SA2T is currently accepting applications for this year’s grant program. Successful applicants can receive up to $10,000 to advance social or environmental sustainability in the community. Learn more at: www.a2gov.org/sa2t.
