Around Town

Mark your calendars for First Friday Ypsilanti on November 1st. Check out their Facebook page for a map of all the participating businesses and attractions. First Fridays Ypsilanti is a monthly, free, self-guided tour that confidently promotes arts and culture for both residents and visitors. It invites people to explore various area businesses where they can shop and get exclusive discounts, attend pop-up events and galleries featuring Ypsilanti area artists and performers, and experience the Ypsilanti arts scene in all its forms. So, don't miss this exciting opportunity to witness the best of Ypsilanti's arts and culture!

First Friday Ypsilanti Facebook

$500,000 and Counting: My Future Fund Celebrates First Year with Plans to Give More Dollars to Students in 2025

In its first year, the My Future Fund program opened more than 1,500 free college and career savings accounts for second through seventh grade students across Ypsilanti. Ypsilanti area students already have over $500,000 in their My Future Fund accounts, with more on the way soon. As the program shifts its efforts toward bringing on the next cohort of 1^st grade students and the addition of National Heritage Academy (NHA) schools to the program, it paused in October to celebrate its initial successes at the Rise and Shine Celebration.

“This celebration is more than just a milestone – it represents a generational change in how we support our youth and their futures,” shared Justin Hodge, Washtenaw County Commissioner. “This achievement couldn’t have happened without the dedicated school districts that have partnered with My Future Fund to ensure that every child has the opportunity to pursue higher education.”

The program gave out awards at the breakfast to recognize school leaders for their support. The “Big Dream Award” award represents the school from each school district with the highest family engagement or largest percentage of families who claimed their $475 bonus deposit. The inaugural award winners from the Ypsilanti area were:

• Estabrook Elementary School (Ypsilanti Community Schools)
• Perry Early Learning Center (Ypsilanti Community Schools)
• Childs Elementary School (Lincoln Consolidated Schools)

“Above and Beyond Awards” were given to individuals who championed the program in their school communities including to Kelly Mickel, Principal of Erickson Elementary School in Ypsilanti Community Schools. 

Don’t miss out, take action today!  Ypsilanti area students enrolled in a participating school can still claim their piece of the additional $800,000 set aside for their My Future Fund accounts this year. Families of 1st through 7th grade students in Ypsilanti can learn more and unlock all the benefits of the My Future Fund program, including the $475 bonus deposit if they qualify, by completing the information form available on www.myfuturefund.org.

Ypsilanti Performance Space

218 N. Adams St.  Ypsilanti   TheYPSI.ORG

Upcoming Events: 

Home Slice Comedy Show  

  November 9  
8:00 pm 

Whatabout Theatre's Revolving Stage invites you to The YPSI for Home Slice, authentic slices of life in a new house each performance! Discover the magic of unscripted theatre, where talented actors breathe life into characters and situations created on the spot. Paired with dynamic live music, each evening promises laughter, insight, and poignant moments that resonate long after the curtain falls. Each show will also feature an opening performance from a local improv team - two great acts for the price of one!
Tickets $15 online or cash at the door. 

http://whatabouttheatre.org

Depot Town Comedy

Come and check out the finest comics from the Ypsilanti area and discover the up-and-coming stars of the Southeastern Michigan comedy scene. Join us every Wednesday at 734 Brewing Company Depot Town for a night of laughter. For all the latest information on the venue, parking, and food, please check out the Depot Town Comedy Page.

If you're interested in performing, we offer "show-up go-up" spots, or you can sign up with our monthly Google Docs, which are available on our Facebook page. We strictly prohibit any racist jokes as we strive to create an inclusive community space. We're committed to maintaining a safe and welcoming environment for everyone. Hope to see you there

WCC Adult Transitions Flyers

Nearly every well-paying job demands some level of college education. However, navigating the path to education can be challenging due to various obstacles. Don’t’ let not having a high school diploma be an obstacle. The Adult Transitions Pathways Program is here to help you earn a GED.

NEW! GED Preparation Class at Parkridge Community Center in-person: on Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays at 6-8:40 p.m.

2024 Ypsi Walks!

Join local historian and naturalist, Stefan Szumko, on any of several guided walks through Ypsilanti this year.  

Learn about the history of places in Ypsilanti.  Observe natural phenomena along the way.  Make new friends as you walk and talk.

Walks range in distance from 1.5-7 miles, so please dress accordingly and bring snacks/water.  Public restrooms may be few and far between, depending on the route.  For all, but especially the longer routes, participants may feel free to cut their walk short and head back to the start point early.

All walks meet and end at the Ypsilanti Freighthouse (100 Market Pl, Ypsilanti, MI 48198).  Free parking is available in the Frog Island Parking Lot across Rice St.

The cost is $5, and children under 12 are free. Digital routes with turn-by-turn voice navigation and pictures of interesting points will be provided to all in-person participants for future use.  

For those unable to attend the in-person event or would prefer to walk at their leisure, purchase a digital route map by emailing Stefan Szumko at slugwhisperer@gmail.com and pay $5 via Venmo or PayPal. 

Ypsi’s Eclectic Architecture

November 9 (Saturday) 10am - OR - November 10 (Sunday) 2pm

•   We’ll walk from Depot Town to Downtown Ypsilanti and see homes and buildings from a wide variety of building styles.

•   Discover why the Ypsilanti Historic District, Ypsilanti Heritage Foundation, and Ypsilanti Historical Society were all formed in the early 1970s.

•   Route distance TBD - less than 3 miles estimated.

Ypsilanti Historic District

December 14, 2024 (Saturday) 10 am - OR - December 15, 2024 (Sunday) 2 pm

•   Ypsilanti is home to one of Michigan's oldest and largest historic districts, with some of the earliest-built structures still standing.

•   Check on the progress of Dorsey Estates - the first new building project in Ypsi in decades.

•   Check on the progress of the Water Street Redevelopment Project - decades in the making; polluted soil to be removed.

•   The route is approximately 4 miles.

Growing Hope

Food Sovereignty Film Series: Join us on November 21 and December 19 at 5:00 PM for Growing Hope Teen Leadership Program's Food Sovereignty Film Series. This documentary highlights the importance of heirloom seeds in agriculture and the inspiring efforts of seed keepers and activists worldwide. Seating and refreshments will be provided, but feel free to bring your own blanket, food, or snacks to share. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with the community and learn more about the vital role of seeds in food sovereignty! Visit growinghope.net/events for more information.
 
Indoor Winter Farmers Market: The countdown to the Indoor Winter Market is on! From November 9th to December 21st, join us every Saturday from 10 AM to 2 PM at the Ypsilanti Farmers Market Place (16 S. Washington). Enjoy fresh local produce, baked goods, and artisan treasures! 

Ypsilanti District Library

Riverside Arts Center Updates

Anything But… Canvas. Juried Exhibition.

10/18/24 – 11/17/24 | North Gallery at Riverside Arts Center | Reception: 11/1/24, 5 – 7pm | Visit riversidearts.org/gallery for open hours | Poster Artwork: “Leather” by Adri Friebel

“Anything But… Canvas” exhibition is the first in the annual “Anything but…” series curated at RAC. This exhibition series asks artists to omit various prominent art materials. This show challenges both artists and audiences to direct value and focus onto art crafted out of non-traditional materials. 

This year, we asked artists to submit work not created on canvas. Often we assume canvas to be the de facto base blank page of an artist. With this show, RAC celebrates and highlights the work of 39 artists who have found their blank page elsewhere, whether that be wood, paper, other fibers, found objects, metal, and more. These artists have chosen to breach the limiting

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THE WINTER HOLIDAYS ARE APPROACHING ONCE MORE!

RIVERSIDE ARTS CENTER’S HOLIDAY ART FAIR RETURNS FOR ITS SECOND YEAR.

Join us Sat. November 23rd from 11-6 pm and Sun. November 24th from 11-4 pm.

This fair focuses on handmade art, vintage goods, and self care products. Get a start on your holiday shopping, stock up on upcoming birthday gifts, or treat yourself! This year we will have about 60 vendors taking part in the festivities, spread throughout our North Gallery and Off-Center spaces. While you shop, make sure to stop by the bar for a delicious beverage

Entry Fee: $1 suggested donation.

On the first and third Wednesday of every month, artists can bring two pieces of original art to present. Artists, art lovers, collectors, curators – everyone is welcome from Ypsi and beyond! Attendees are not required to present. Anyone is welcome to simply gather with our community and enjoy the incredible artwork. Presentations occur on a first-come first-served basis. Doors open at 5:00 PM, and presentations start at 5:30 PM. Sign up by 6:00 PM to present.

Homebuyers Summit

hosted by the Ann Arbor Housing Commission, will take place on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, at the Washtenaw Community College, Morris Lawrence Building.

Ypsi Friday Movies At The Museum Archives

Ypsilanti Historical Museum - 220 North Huron Street (map at https://goo.gl/maps/bf5cySQjecu) – 7 pm - Free Admission! Free Popcorn! Hosted by local historian and film aficionado James Mann! Please park in the lot on the south side of the Museum. The theater is in the Museum Archives basement annex (ADA accessible) on the north side of the building. All movies are in the public domain.

This Friday’s (November 1st) Movie: A Face in the Crowd, 1957, Running Time 2 hours 5 minutes - Radio journalist Marcia Jeffries encounters Larry Rhodes while recording a program in an Arkansas jail. Rhods, with Jeffries help rises to national fame, and influence. As his fame grows, so does his ego and arrogance. In the end, those who help him up the ladder to fame tune against him. The cast includes Andy Griffith, Patricia Neal, and Walter Matthau.

Next Friday’s (November 8th) Movie: Command Decision, 1949, Running time 1 hour 42 minutes - A journalist visits a U. S. Air Force base in England in 1942 to find out why losses are so high, as 48 bombers were lost over one target. Can any target, the reporter asks, can be worth such high losses? Cast includes Clalrk Gable, Walter Pidgeon and Van Johnson.

Friday, November 15th – Movie: An Ordinary Killer - 2003, Running Time 1 hour 44 - Three law enforcement officials are in conference discussing a case from years before. Why does it matter, one asks. Those concerned are dead, so who cares. The answer, “He’s still out there.” Based on a true story, the film follows the case from abduction in 1973 in Shiawassee County, Michigan, to its conclusion in 2001.

Friday, November 22nd – Movie: Shanghai Express, 1932, Running Time: 1 hour 20 minutes - British army doctor Donald Harvey is about to board a train in 1931 in China. Friends kid him as

another passenger is “Shanghai Lily,” a prostitute. The friends do not know that Harvey and Shanghai Lily were once a couple but fell apart years before. China is in the gripe of a civil war. During the journey, government troops stop the train and arrest a civil leader. Another rebel force stopped the train and took the passengers hostage.

The Ypsilanti Death Cafe for November 19th will be shortened to 11:30 a.m.—12:30 p.m. Death Cafe is a free event, but donations are appreciated!

After Death Cafe, we will celebrate Acacia End of Life Services + Ypsilanti Death Cafe's 3-year anniversary—12:30- 2:30 p.m.! With our switch to Bloodroot, this feels like the perfect time to celebrate! Come for one event or both!

While the store will remain open to the public, this event requires a ticket for entry. Please choose from the early bird sliding-scale prices below. We encourage those with the financial means to afford the higher tier to do so in efforts to help fund this event as well as more death cafe meetings. Tickets will be $15 at the door after early bird sale ends (11/15).

Your ticket includes:

-A presentation by Michael Marie from Hickory Nut Farmstead on death burial rights, her work with weaving with willow to create green burial caskets, and more

-Light snacks and hot herbal tea on tap made by Bloodroot Herb Shop

-To-go goodie bags with a tea sample, copy of The 5 Wishes booklet, death cafe bookmark, stickers, and more

-Participation for an ancestor altar and writing station for "Postal Service to the Dead"

-Access to private tarot readings by our lovely Madame Brute (additional $20 service)

Plenty of mingling, and more!

Please DM Hanna or email at Hanna@AcaciaEndOfLife.Com