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Events in January 2023
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January 31, 2023
“Playgroups for Babies”: AADL.
Every Mon.–Wed. For kids up to 24 months (with caregiver). No older siblings. Mon. 10:30–11:30 a.m. (Malletts Creek), Tues. 11 a.m.–noon (Traverwood), & Wed. 10:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m. (Westgate).
Preschool Storytimes: AADL.
Every Mon.–Fri. & Jan. 17. Half hour program of stories and songs for kids ages 2–5 (with caregiver). Mon. 10:30 a.m. (Pittsfield), Tues. 11 a.m. (Downtown), Wed. 10:30 a.m. (Malletts Creek), Thurs. 11 a.m. (Traverwood & Pittsfield), Fri. 1 p.m. (Westgate), and Jan. 17, 7-7:30 p.m. (Westgate).
“Conquer the Cold Walks”: Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority.
Jan. 31–Feb. 3. City of Ann Arbor transportation planners lead 1.63-mile walks from Veterans Park to City Hall as part of a local cold weather commuting challenge that runs Jan. 10–Feb. 10. 7:15 a.m., Veterans Park parking lot on Dexter Ave. To participate in the challenge, sign up at getdowntown.org/events/conquer-cold LWebb@TheRide.org, 219–6596.
“Coffee Hour”: Rudolf Steiner School of Ann Arbor.
All invited to learn more about the school’s liberal arts & place-based Waldorf education philosophy, chat with parents, and get a glimpse inside the school. 8:45 a.m., Rudolf Steiner Lower School, 2775 Newport Rd. Free. SteinerSchool.org.
Mahjong: Pittsfield Township Senior Center.
Every Tues, 9-11 a.m. Free (except as noted) in person weekly activities. Check meeting status before coming. 9-11 a.m., Pittsfield Township Senior Center, 701 W. Ellsworth Rd.. Free. recreation.pittsfield-mi.gov. 822–2120.
“Sensory Story Time”: HSHV.
Stories, sensory play, and a tour of the shelter. Also, a chance to make a toy or treat for the animals. Geared to autistic and other neurodivergent kids ages 2–5 (but all children welcome), accompanied by an adult. 10–11 a.m., HSHV. $5 per kid (babies under age 1, free). Preregistration required at tickettailor.com/events/hshv, humaneed@hshv.org, 661–3575.
Online Meditation Drop-In: U-M Turner Senior Wellness Program.
Free. Events are either in person at 2401 Plymouth Rd., or via Zoom. For Zoom links see calendar at bit.ly/UMTurnerCal. 998–9353.
Today:
Online Meditation Drop-In (Tues. 10–11:30 a.m.) via Zoom.
“Investigate Labs”: U-M Natural History Museum.
Every Tues.–Sun., except Jan. 1. All age 6 & up invited into the museum’s Nature Lab and Micro Worlds Lab to use scientific tools and museum specimens to answer questions and solve problems. Schedule subject to change. 11 a.m.–3 p.m., MNH, 1105 North University. Free. 764–0478.
Duplicate Bridge: Ann Arbor City Club.
Every Tues., Thurs., & Fri. All invited to play ACBL-sanctioned duplicate bridge (Tues. & Fri.) or a 499er game for players with no more than 499 ACBL master points (Thurs.). 1–4 p.m. or so (arrive by 12:45 p.m.), City Club, 1830 Washtenaw Ave. $6 per person. If you plan to come without a partner, email kahanae@yahoo.net or ronmeade@comcast.net beforehand.
Euchre: Pittsfield Township Senior Center.
Every Tues., Jan. 9- Mar. 31. Free (except as noted) in person weekly activities. Check meeting status before coming. 1-3:30 a.m., Pittsfield Township Senior Center, 701 W. Ellsworth Rd.. Free. recreation.pittsfield-mi.gov. 822–2120.
“Crafty Coyote: Early Release Day”: Pittsfield Township Parks & Recreation.
Kids in grades K-12 invited to take a walk with a township naturalist to learn about coyotes and how to observe them safely. Dress for weather. 2–3:30 p.m., Lillie Park North Pavilion, 4365 Platt Rd. $12 (Pittsfield residents, $7). Preregistration required at recreation.pittsfield-mi.gov or 822–2120.
“Una Tertulia”: U-M Turner Senior Wellness Program.
Free. Events are either in person at 2401 Plymouth Rd., or via Zoom. For Zoom links see calendar at bit.ly/UMTurnerCal. 998–9353.
Today:
“Una Tertulia” (Nov. 1, 3:30–4:30 p.m.) a chance to socialize with other Spanish speakers via Zoom.
“The crisis of human collective decision-making in a social media world”: The Center for the Study of Complex Systems - UM-LSA
Frequently consulted authority on disinformation, evolutionary biologist Carl Bergstrom will give a public talk in Rackham Amphitheatre - 4th floor. A reception will follow in Assembly Hall. He will will look at what social media and information technology more generally are doing to society, consider how we ended up here, and explore some possible suggestions for what we can do about it.
915 E Washington St, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, Ann Arbor. You will find registration and webinar information on our website.. Free and open to the public. cscs@umich.edu. lsa.umich.edu/cscs. 734-763-3301.“D & D Adventures”: Sylvan Factory.
Every Mon., Tues., Thurs., & Fri. All age 16+ invited to play Dungeons and Dragons role-playing games. 5–8 p.m. (Mon. & Tues.), 6–8 p.m. (Thurs.), & 6–10 p.m. (Fri.), Sylvan Factory, 2459 W. Stadium Blvd. $10. Preregistration recommended. info@sylvanfactory.com, 929–5877.
Ypsilanti Death Cafe: Acacia - End of Life Services
This group is an in person roundtable gathering. Folks from all ages and walks of life gather to talk about all things death related. Our goal is to help get the conversation going about death, to educate and to help end the taboo of death talk.
For more info visit www.deathcafe.com OR email Hanna at Hanna@AcaciaEndOfLife.com
110 W Michigan Ave , Ypsilanti. Free - donations accepted. hanna@acaciaendoflife.com. AcaciaEndOfLife.com. 7345445177.Ypsilanti Death Cafe: Acacia - End of Life Services
Last Tuesday of every month
A Death Cafe is an open conversation about all things death related. This is NOT a support group or grief counseling, but a space to open up the conversation around death to help normalize and make this reality less taboo.
Location: The Gallery at Stone & Spoon
For more info check out www.deathcafe.com or email Hanna at Hanna@AcaciaEndOfLife.Com
5878 Cary Dr, Ypsilanti. Free - donations accepted. hanna@acaciaendoflife.com. AcaciaEndOfLife.com. 17345445177.Ann Arbor Group Runs: Fleet Feet.
Every Tues. & Sat. Runners of all abilities invited to join a run of 3–5 miles along varying routes from different Fleet Feet (formerly Running Fit) locations. Rain or shine. 6 p.m. (Tues.), 123 E. Liberty & 8 a.m. (Sat.), 5700 Jackson Rd. Free. 769–5016 (Tues.) & 929–9022 (Sat.).
BattleTech: Classic: Sylvan Factory.
Every Tues. All invited to play this fast-paced tabletop miniatures war game. No experience needed; materials provided. 6–9 p.m., Sylvan Factory, 2459 W. Stadium Blvd. Free. info@sylvanfactory.com, 929–5877. sylvanfactory.com/event-schedule.
Magic: The Gathering: Sylvan Factory.
Every Mon.–Wed., Fri., & Sat. All invited to play various forms of the collectible card game Magic: The Gathering. Mon. 6:30–10 p.m.: Power Cards, $10. Tues. 6–9 p.m.: MTG Pauper, a fun and fast format for all skill levels, $5. Wed. 5–8 p.m.: Casual Commander, the most popular form of the game, free. Fri. 6:30–10 p.m.: Magic rotating draft, cost varies. Sat. noon–3 p.m.: Intro to Magic: The Gathering, free. Sat. 6–10 p.m.: Commander Pods, casual groups of 4 players, free. Prizes paid in store credit. Various times. Sylvan Factory, 2459 W. Stadium. info@sylvanfactory.com, 929–5877.
“Blk Art”: Literati Bookstore.
Ohio writer Zaria Ware discusses her new book that tells the stories of the hundreds of faces of Black men and women featured in the art held within museums and private collections around the world, arguing that contemporary museums must recognize that Black people have been a part of the Western art world since its beginnings. 6:30 p.m., Literati, 124 E. Washington. Free. 585–5567.
“Food Literacy for All”: U-M Sustainable Food Systems Initiative.
Every Tues. (except Feb. 28), Jan. 10–Apr. 4. Lecture series. Jan. 10: Panel discussion on “Roots: Food, Power, and the Climate Crisis” with U-M Afroamerican & African studies professor Jessica Kenyatta Walker, U-M School for Environment & Sustainability lecturer shakara tyler, and U-M Sustainable Food Systems project manager Lilly Fink Shapiro. Jan. 17: Climate Justice Alliance coexecutive director Bineshi Albert on “Community Food Systems for Climate Justice.” Jan. 24: Writer and filmmaker Raj Patel, a University of Texas public affairs professor, on The Ants & The Grasshopper. Jan. 31: British chef and writer Fozia Ismail on “Food Culture as Companion.” 6:30–8 p.m. Free. Preregistration required at sites.lsa.umich.edu/sustainablefoodsystems/foodliteracyforall. Free.
“Capture the Flag”: All Hands Active.
Every Tues. All invited to try to capture a virtual flag by solving a computer security problem (or series of problems), ranging from basic computer to some programming. Led by AHA usage members. Beginners welcome. 7 p.m., for URL preregister at meetup.com/AllHandsActive/events. Free; donations welcome. info@AllHandsActive.org.
“Capture the Flag”: All Hands Active.
Every Tues. All invited to try to capture a virtual flag by solving a computer security problem (or series of problems), ranging from basic computer to some programming. Led by AHA usage members. Beginners welcome. 7 p.m., for URL preregister at meetup.com/AllHandsActive/events. Free; donations welcome. info@AllHandsActive.org.
English Country Dance: Ann Arbor Community of Traditional Music and Dance.
Every Tues. Historical and traditional English dancing to live music. All dances taught; no partner or experience needed. Bring flat, clean-soled, nonslip shoes (running shoes okay) and your own water bottle. First-timers are asked to arrive at 6:45 p.m. 7–9:30 p.m., Concourse Hall, 4531 Concourse Dr. Mask, proof of vaccination, and release of liability required. Suggested donation: $8 (students, $4; kids age 13 & under with caregiver, free). aactmad.org/english-country, 665–7704.
Huron Valley Harmonizers Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society.
Every Tues. All male and female singers invited to join weekly rehearsals. 7–8:45 p.m., Interfaith Center, 704 Airport Blvd. Masks encouraged, vaccination required to join. Free to visitors (annual dues for those who join). bit.ly/hvharmonizers. info@HVharmonizers.org, 796–7467.
Virtual Trivia Night: Ann Arbor Adventure Club.
Every Tues. All invited to form teams of 4 or so persons to compete (via Zoom) in a family-friendly 2-round trivia contest featuring questions in a range of fields from entertainment and history to pop culture and geography. Solo competitors are matched up together. 7 p.m., for URL email burrbarr7@hotmail.com. Free.
Voices in Harmony.
Every Tues. Female singers invited to join the weekly rehearsals of this local 40-member a cappella barbershop harmony chorus. 7–8:30 p.m., UAW Local 898, 8975 Textile Rd., Ypsilanti. Mask policy follows CDC guidelines; proof of vaccination required. Free to visitors ($26 monthly dues for those who join). info@voicesinharmonychorus.org, 765–3611.
