We’ve mentioned many aspects of green living in Ann Arbor, and it’s important to note that an environmentally conscious lifestyle always begins at home. When you think about recycling, what comes to mind? For many people recycling seems like a daunting prospect; maintaining different bins for glass, plastic, metal, and paper, lugging bins to the end of the driveway, and spending time separating recyclable waste can feel like an overwhelming task!

Beginning yesterday, Ann Arbor residents now have an easy solution. Thanks to a commitment by the city to single stream recycling, and a partnership with RecycleBank, homeowners can put all their recyclable materials in one convenient wheeled recycling cart. As an additional incentive, RecycleBank provides vouchers and coupons to residents based on the amount each household recycles. The new carts will have radio-frequency identification (RFID) cards to electronically track how much households are recycling and award points accordingly. The vouchers and coupons can be used at certain businesses, or donated to charities. The RecycleBank program will begin on September 1.  

The combination of the single-stream program with the RecycleBank incentive program will substantially increase the city’s recycling rate, while lowering solid waste costs. The city is spending $3.25 million to upgrade their Materials Recovery Facility and $1.4 million for the new recycling carts. It is anticipated that the program savings will pay back this investment in less than six years.  
Read the rest of this entry

While it’s always easy to find fun weekend activities in Ann Arbor, the long holiday celebration of America’s independence promises to be cram-packed with excitement. There are loads of events planned throughout the weekend and, even if you’re not a “fireworks person,” you can make plans now to get out of the house and enjoy the beautiful summer weather. Our community is offering up as much excitement or relaxation as you can handle!

Things kick off on Saturday morning at 10:30am. Take the kids to downtown Ypsilanti, where they can actually participate in the annual Independence Day Parade. Bring along a decorated bike, wagon, or tricycle and lead the library’s bookmobile (the Navigator) in the parade.

Read the rest of this entry

Summer is the time when Ann Arbor really struts its stuff.  Beginning with the Ann Arbor Summer Festival, June 18 – July 11, downtown Ann Arbor is particularly welcoming to visitors as the area plays host to over 100 events.  This festival centers on music, while the Ann Arbor Art Fairs, which start next month, shift the emphasis to art. 

Originally a showcase for classical music and theater, the Summer Festival now features a mix of all styles, from jazz to disco, rock to ethnic genres, plus other family entertainment.  Held in the area between Thayer, North University, and Fletcher streets, the festival includes an exciting mix of music, movies, dance, food, and hands-on activities for all.  There will be paid-admission indoor performances at Power Center and Hill Auditorium and free outdoor concerts on Ingalls Mall.

Read the rest of this entry

Ann Arbor is a great city for fitness and health.  There are many opportunities for walkers and cyclists to work exercise into their daily lives, but nothing completes the picture of healthy living better than fresh foods, grown locally, on your table.  Even though modern food processing methods assure us that food will taste almost-fresh picked, there’s nothing like fruits and vegetables right from the vine.  That’s why lots of Ann Arbor residents grow a few tomatoes or zucchini for their families, but unless you have lots of land or lots of time, you cannot supply all the fresh produce your family needs, much less your requirements for dairy and meat. 

Fortunately, for Ann Arbor residents, the Ann Arbor Farmer’s Market is nearby at 315 Detroit St. in Kerrytown.  In business for over 90 years, the market is open Saturdays year-round.  From May through December, it also serves customers on Wednesdays from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Needless to say, the offerings change with the seasons.  Currently, you can find flowers, hosta, herbs, horseradish, spinach, green onions, rhubarb, asparagus, eggs, duck eggs, jam, bread, pastries, and meat at the market.  As the summer progresses, the selection of fruits and vegetables will increase.  There is also a selection of coffee, honey, crafts, jewelry, art, and apparel. 

Read the rest of this entry