What’s this, free Internet service and stronger community? Sounds like a winning combination. Steve Pierce and Brian Robb are working diligently to make this a reality in Ypsilanti, Michigan, and I had the pleasure of hearing them speak recently at my neighborhood association meeting. Wireless Ypsi is calling on businesses and citizens to participate, and they’ve made great strides in recent months. Learn more about the organization, and the Meraki technology it uses.
Belated kudos to the University of Michigan women’s gymnastics team for a resounding victory last Saturday at the Big Ten Championships, its 16th conference title. I took my 4-year-old daughter to the event, and she loved it, as did so many other kids and (mostly) young women. We sat in a section filled with Iowa fans — two of whom (men) were in black & gold face and body paint! — and the enthusiasm for all seven competing teams was terrific to experience first-hand. I’m a huge sports fan, but I’m used to hearing terms like “screen pass” and “icing.” Here it was “fly-aways” and “back walk-overs.” Good stuff, and I hope to take in this event again. Check out these photos.
A friend and I used to joke about how you could get arrested in Michigan for saying ‘mass’ and ‘transit’ in the same sentence. But it’s an issue that, no pun intended, is gaining momentum in this state. Nettie Boivin of Mi Life Mi Times offers an insightful article on the topic, one deserving not only of further discussion but, more importantly, immediate action. In January, Metromode tendered a piece on an aspect near and dear to me: The Detroit-Ann Arbor commuter rail line. I’ve been banging that drum for some time, as the days when Detroit is separated from Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti, both physically and psychologically, are long gone, no matter what certain residents of either region may think. Let’s get moving on this, folks. Do it for the planet and for your kids.
It’s nice to see one of my Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti area brethren in the spotlight. As far as I know, I’ve never met Harry Dolan, but he is a finalist for the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award. Read an excerpt from “Bad Things Happen“ (look for the “Download for Free” tab), then consider voting for Dolan, about whom you can learn more. As I keep saying, there’s plenty of talent here in Michigan, where the news isn’t all about political malfeasance.
The Ann Arbor Film Festival remains one of the world’s premier cinematic happenings. I’ve had the pleasure of attending numerous times, and the 46th annual event carries on its long tradition of cutting-edge invention. Learn more about the festival, which runs from Tuesday, March 25 through Sunday, March 30, and please attend, if possible. Here is this year’s schedule, a program sure to provide you a memorable experience. Great slogan: It’s Time to Watch.
