News
READ, LEARN, EXPLORE…WIN! - The YDL Summer Challenge is Here
The Summer Challenge is back and better than ever with new badges to earn. From June 10 - August 27, hunt for Ypsi Bicentennial-themed geocaches, take pictures in front of wing murals at each YDL branch, go on storywalks, and take part in a fairy door scavenger hunt. You can even ride the bus for free on the weekends. This year's activities kick off at the Superior Branch on Saturday, June 10 from 1-4pm and will feature a drumming performance by the Sazanami 漣 Taiko Arts Ensemble. Then try out
Highlights of SPARK's 2022 Annual Report
Ann Arbor, MI, May 25, 2023 — The 2023 Annual Meeting of Ann Arbor SPARK took place today at Eastern Michigan University’s Student Center. The event celebrated the organization's accomplishments over the past year, featuring a review of SPARK's 2022 annual report, an awards program recognizing noteworthy projects and contributions, and a keynote address by Dr. Santa Ono, president of the University of Michigan. Paul Krutko, CEO and president of Ann Arbor SPARK, extended his gratitude to the community,
EMU College of Business Summer 2023 Professional Development Book Read
Again, this year EMU is excited to announce the EMU College of Business Summer 2023 Professional Development book read, Designing Your Life: How to Build A Well-Lived, Joyful Life by Bill Burnett & Dale Evans. The first session is on July 12 at noon and will be led by Kimberley Barker, Management faculty. This summer professional development book read is open to anyone and everyone - faculty, staff, students, community members, friends, neighbors, and all of the community! Registration is free, but
Metroparks Needs Volunteers for Planting Day at Indian Springs Metropark as Part of Planet Award Grant from the Consumers Energy Foundation
[White Lake, MI] – Thanks to funding from the Consumers Energy Foundation through their Planet Awards grant program, the Metroparks are completing work to heal the headwaters of the Huron River. This work will include invasive species removal, tree plantings, and native prairie/meadow plugs and seed plantings at the river’s headwaters. The headwaters of the Huron River are in Indian Springs Metropark at a heavily forested wetland called the Huron Swamp. The restoration will substantially improve important
Michigan Radio Wins three Regional Murrow Awards and two SPJ Excellence in Journalism Awards
ANN ARBOR, Mich.— Michigan Radio has been recognized with three regional Edward R. Murrow Awards in the Large Market Radio category along with two SPJ Excellence in Journalism Awards from the Detroit Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. Edward R. Murrow Awards The station won Edward R. Murrow Awards in the News Documentary, Podcast and Excellence in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion categories. The Edward R. Murrow Awards are presented by the Radio Television Digital News Association
HBCU Day expected to draw up to 400 high school, community college students June 2
Area families and community members are invited ANN ARBOR, Michigan (May 22, 2023) – As many as 400 high school and community collegea students from throughout the region are expected to attend the first-ever HBCU Day at Washtenaw Community College on June 2. High school students are invited to attend to learn more about WCC’s HBCU Pathway, a robust program with transfer agreements to five Historically Black Colleges & Universities. In addition to WCC credits seamlessly transferring toward a
April Housing Market Statistics
U.S. existing-home sales declined 2.4 percent month-over-month as of last measure, according to the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), reversing February’s sales gain of 14.5%. Fluctuations in mortgage interest rates have caused buyers to pullback, with pending sales dropping 5.2% month-overmonth. Meanwhile, the median existing-home sales price declined for the second month in a row, falling 0.9% nationally from the same time last year, the largest year-over-year decline since January 2012, according
Comcast RISE Program Expands to Washtenaw County
Ann Arbor, MI, May 10, 2023 — Comcast, one of the largest media and telecommunications companies in the world, has announced the expansion of its Comcast RISE program to Washtenaw County. Comcast RISE, which stands for "Representation, Investment, Strength, and Empowerment," is a multi-year, multi-faceted initiative. Comcast RISE is committed to supporting the growth of all small businesses, while advancing the objectives of diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as community investment. The program
The Ann Arbor Jaycees are Transforming their 33rd Annual Fourth of July Parade to Become a Festival
Parade, Food Trucks, Entertainment, and more ANN ARBOR, MI, May 15, 2023 — The Ann Arbor Jaycees have given their annual Fourth of July parade an exciting revamp by adding food trucks and entertainment. The Briarwood Mall will be hosting their first ever Fourth of July Festival on Sunday, July 2nd from 8am-12pm. The parade starts at 10am in the parking lot with entertainment, food trucks, and more starting at 8am. Due to construction in downtown Ann Arbor, the usual route for the Ann Arbor Jaycees
TRUE Community Credit Union and American 1 Credit Union Partner for Police Week
The funds raised by the credit unions will be donated to Police Week Michigan Fund. JACKSON, MI, May 15, 2023 – TRUE Community Credit Union and American 1 Credit Union are partnering to help raise funds for Police Week Michigan. The Police Week Michigan Fund celebrates law enforcement throughout our state, educates the public on law enforcement programs, and supports law enforcement through other programs. "National Police week is a collaborative effort of many organizations dedicated to
Washtenaw Community College launches accelerated semiconductor technician training program, joining KLA and imec to advance the electrification and automotive industry
ANN ARBOR, Michigan (May 16, 2023) – Washtenaw Community College will launch a new semiconductor technician training program to advance the electrification of the automotive industry. WCC’s new short-term program will launch over the next year in partnership with the Semiconductor Talent and Automotive Research (STAR) initiative announced today by KLA Corporation (NASDAQ: KLAC) and imec, the Belgium-based global R&D hub uniting key players in the semiconductor industry. The goal of the STAR
BRAG Ann Arbor Foundation Gives $9K in Scholarships & Go-To-Work Grants!
ANN ARBOR - As graduation season nears, ten high school students in Ann Arbor were selected to receive scholarships and grants to support their pursuit of construction related careers. Five scholarships and five Go-To-Work grants totaling $9,000 were provided by the Builders and Remodelers Association of Greater Ann Arbor Foundation (BRAGAAF), a 501 (c) (3) organization. At the annual event, held at BRAG's Little Lake Event Center, around 100 industry leaders and family members cheered as students were
Metroparks Working with Partners to Offer Free Swim Lessons for More Than 1,300 Children in Southeast Michigan Again this Summer
Metroparks continuing efforts started in 2022. Partnerships offer opportunities for youth to learn to swim and be safer around water. Southeast, MI - May is National Water Safety month, a time to reflect on water safety practices ahead of peak swimming season here in Michigan. Every summer, more than 25 people drown in Michigan, and that number has nearly doubled over the last years. Teaching children to swim is essential to decreasing the likelihood of water-related injuries and deaths. In 2021 the
YSO Season Finale Outdoor Concert with Gemini Includes Popular Favorites and Fun for the Whole Family
Ypsilanti Symphony Orchestra Presents Free “Pops in the Park!” Concert with Special Guests “Gemini” on Saturday, May 27 at Riverside ParkYSO season finale outdoor concert with Gemini includes popular favorites and fun for the whole family. Maestro Adam C. Riccinto and the Ypsilanti Symphony Orchestra (YSO) will celebrate the conclusion of a successful 2022-23 season with their much anticipated, annual “Pops in the Park!” concert over Memorial Day weekend. The free outdoor concert will be held at Ypsilanti’s
A2SF Announces Its Full 2023 Season Lineup at Top of the Park
ANN ARBOR, MI (May 4, 2023) — The Ann Arbor Summer Festival (A2SF) has announced their full season of events taking place at Top of the Park for the 2023 season. The 2023 music lineup features Dames Brown on the Rackham Stage and Sarah D’Angelo on the O&W Grove Stage on First Friday (June 9), as well as local favorites throughout the season, including Peter “Madcat” Ruth’s C.A.R.Ma. Quartet (June 21), Erin Zindle and the Ragbirds (June 24), Salsa Night with Orquestra Ritmo (June 17), and another Athletic
Ypsilanti Bicentennial Commission invites you to co-brand your special event in 2023
In 2023, Ypsilanti celebrates 200 years since its incorporation in April of 1823. The Ypsilanti Bicentennial Planning Commission has organized community events that are free and open to the public throughout the year. We are excited to welcome residents, visitors, and everyone with ties to Ypsilanti to be a part of history in the making. The Bicentennial Commission invites you to ‘co-brand’ your special event in 2023, commemorating 200 years of Ypsilanti. These one-time events will be featured on the
Michigan Notable Authors visit YDL in June
This year, the Michigan Avenue branch is a stop on the 2023 Michigan Notable Books tour! On June 5 Ghassan Zeineddine and Sally Howell, two of the editors for Hadha Baladuna: Arab American Narratives of Boundary and Belonging, will join us to read and discuss their work. “Hadha Baladuna is a very unique and important book that shines light on our Arab American community in Michigan,” said Michigan Avenue branch Librarian Aaron Smith. “It is an honor for the Michigan Avenue branch to collaborate with
Food Gatherers Invites Washtenaw County Residents to Help Stamp Out Hunger on May 13th
Ann Arbor, MI (May 8, 2023) — Food Gatherers invites all residents in Washtenaw County to donate food on Saturday, May 13th, during Stamp Out Hunger, the nation’s largest one-day food drive. Donations made in Washtenaw County will benefit Food Gatherers, the food bank and food rescue program serving the community. Stamp Out Hunger is coordinated by the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC). Postal customers can simply leave their donation of non-perishable food items next to their mailbox
YDL receives $30,000 from Toyota to boost STEM learning
Get ready for more STEM at the Ypsilanti District Library! A $30,000 grant from Toyota will fund Project STEM@YDL which will bring more kits, activities, and talks from experts in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and math. The grant, which will cover a year of programming and tools, is designed to make STEM learning accessible to everyone, and will help enhance YDL’s STEM programming across all three branches. "The library is thrilled to partner with Toyota to augment our STEM offerings,"
Express Employment Professionals Personal Branding Workshop
Ann Arbor, MI – Express Employment Professionals of Ann Arbor is holding a Free Personal Brand Workshop on Thursday, May 11 at 10am. This event will be held live on Facebook, Instagram and Zoom. Pre-registration for Zoom is encouraged and can be found on JobsAnnArbor.com As a follow up to their February Resume workshop, Express Pros of Ann Arbor is facilitating this branding workshop so that job seekers learn how they can use their personal brand to create more career opportunities. This discussion will
Michigan Radio a 2023 Pulitzer Prize Finalist
Ann Arbor, MI – The Pulitzer Prize is generally regarded as being the most prestigious award in the fields of American journalism, books, drama and music. The Pulitzer Prize Board today announced that the Michigan Radio news story, Nine Days in a Michigan Abortion Clinic, as Election Looms was a Finalist for a Pulitzer Prize in the Audio Reporting category. The Pulitzer Prize names two finalists and a winner in the Audio Reporting category. The winner selected in this category was Stolen: Surviving St.
National Travel & Tourism Week – Statewide Press Conference with Pure Michigan
Monday, May 8, 2:00 p.m. Jack Roth Stadium Club, The Big House, Ann Arbor WHAT: National Travel & Tourism Week Kick-Off Celebration Hosted by the Tourism Industry Coalition of Michigan (TICOM) and Pure Michigan FEATURING: Access to the Jack Roth Stadium Club. Join statewide travel and tourism industry leaders including Dave Lorenz, VP of Pure Michigan; Sarah Miller, President/CEO of Destination Ann Arbor and Chad Wiebesick, TICOM President. They will provide brief remarks about Michigan's travel
TRUE Community Credit Union Announces 2023 Scholarship Award Winners
Five winners will receive $1,000 each for their postsecondary education JACKSON, MI, April 24, 2023 – TRUE Community Credit Union is pleased to announce the recipients of five scholarships. The scholarships are awarded each year as part of TRUE Community Credit Union’s education program. This year, five students were each awarded a $1,000 scholarship, paid to the college, university, or technical school they are attending in the fall. The winners are: • Alivia Smith from Jackson will be attending Jackson
WCC receives $2M grant from Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation to create prosperity in Ypsilanti through job training, education
Advance Ypsi initiative is part of Detroit Regional Chamber’s $30M Detroit Drives Degrees Community College Collaborative ANN ARBOR, Michigan (April 24, 2023) – Washtenaw Community College (WCC) has been awarded a $2.09 million grant to launch a jobs and education initiative to boost the quality of life and outcomes for underrepresented populations in Ypsilanti. The Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation grant will fund WCC’s new Advance Ypsi initiative to strengthen pathways to prosperity through
A2SF Announces 2023 Annex Series
ANN ARBOR, MI (April 20, 2023) — The Ann Arbor Summer Festival (A2SF) has announced the 2023 Annex series taking place at Top of the Park from June 9-25. Additional event announcements will be made in the spring, including the complete season on May 4. THE ANNEX Kick off opening night with a silent disco, celebrate hip-hop’s 50th birthday with a “Dirty 30” producer competition, peep the stars through telescopes, and assemble for Ann Arbor is Burning: A Celebration of Radical Queer Imagination.
YDL receives $30,000 from Toyota to boost STEM learning
Get ready for more STEM at the Ypsilanti District Library! A $30,000 grant from Toyota will fund Project STEM@YDL which will bring more kits, activities, and talks from experts in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and math. The grant, which will cover a year of programming and tools, is designed to make STEM learning accessible to everyone, and will help enhance YDL’s STEM programming across all three branches. "The library is thrilled to partner with Toyota to augment our STEM offerings,"