FEBRUARY 2010

 

Chocolate 101: An introduction to Great Chocolate – Emily Duffelmeyer (aka “Duff”) of Zingerman’s Delicatessen will lead a presentation and tasting on the topic of great chocolate. By the end of the evening you will know where chocolate comes from, the main categories of chocolate products, what distinguishes fine chocolate from mass-market sweets, and (most importantly) how to taste and evaluate chocolate like a true connoisseur! Duff is the chocolate and confectionery buyer for Zingerman’s Delicatessen in Ann Arbor.  Monday, Feb. 1, 7:15pm $5, $6 per couple

 

Family Led Funerals - Caring for our own at death: Remembering and reclaiming the historically traditional home wake and funeral as an alternative to conventional practices

The empowerment that many families have found in reclaiming birth, with the help of midwifes and doulas, and in reclaiming their final illnesses, with Hospice organizations, can also extend into the period of time after someone we love has died.  Conventional funeral practices encourage us to hire, at significant expense, a funeral director to embalm, dress and casket our loved ones for a funeral at a funeral establishment.  A more simple, less costly, family-led experience is possible.  The home funeral movement in this country is helping people understand that it is our right, our choice and our honor to care for our own, on our own terms, after death.  As a licensed funeral director and a geriatric social worker with hospice experience, Erika Nelson understands this movement as few others in Michigan do. She would like to share her experience and education with you, her neighbors.  She will start with a presentation of the PBS Documentary A Family Undertaking, and will follow with a question and answer session, including clarification of Michigan laws and environmental concerns for funeral practices.  Wednesday, Feb. 3, 7:15pm $5, $6 per couple

 

Book Club - The book The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas will be discussed. Monday, Feb. 8, 7:00 PM at J. Neils Mongolian Grill  Delayed, new date, Monday, March 1.  Same time and place.

 

Community Song Writing Workshop The Community Records Songwriting Process starts with a discussion of how music is energy.  When we write a song together, we send energy out into the community, positive or negative.  Our discussion of how to send positive energy out into the community begins to yield lyrics, which determine the mood/tone of the song and then...we're off and running.  Community Records L3C is a social mission organization that builds community through music.  Community Records runs songwriting programs and workshops in area schools, including Ypsilanti, Willow Run & Wayne-Westland schools.  CR helps people write songs collaboratively. For this special session, you are invited to write a song with your neighbors.  CR will facilitate the process (which is guaranteed to be lively) and send you home a bona fide songwriter.  Musicians and non-musicians alike are invited to participate.  A final, mixed copy of the song in .mp3 format will be emailed or mailed to you soon after our songwriting/recording session.  Presenting will be Akili Jackson, Development & Learning Officer & Jesse Morgan, Creative Operations Officer for Community Records. Musicians are encouraged to bring their instruments.  Wednesday, Feb. 10, 7:15pm $5, $6 per couple

 

The Family Budget Candace Pinaud, a local mortgage lending and real estate professional with 14 years of experience, will share information she has used to help clients get in a position for buying a home.  The work she has done with potential home buyers is useful information for all families.   These useful tips include organizing finances, grocery shopping information, setting up a consistent savings pattern, setting a personal allowance and tips on keeping your credit rating score high.  Candace has a Finance degree from Eastern Michigan University and has spent the last nine years working with clients on credit score improvement and helping them manage their personal spending and saving. Candace asks participants to bring a calculator and the last two  months of bank statements.  (these will be for your eyes only) If you do your banking on line and you have a lap top, the Center has internet access.   Mon., Feb 15, 7:15pm (Given the nature of the topic, this one is FREE)

 

Music In The Neighborhood – Keystone Underground Martini Bar at 200 W Michigan Avenue will be hopping.  Come and listen to some of the area’s best musicians in the happening new downtown club located in the J. Neils Mongolian Grill at the corner of Michigan and Washington.  Bring your friends, meet your neighbors and support the musicians.   Discounted drinks and fantastic music!! What a great way to spend a winter Wednesday night!  Wednesday, Feb. 17, 7:00- 9:30 PM, NO COVER CHARGE!!

Talk of the Neighborhood Presents:

Six Foot Poles

 (Theo Smith, Dave Brzezinski, Mark Brzezinski, Jolene Brzezinski, Matt Brzezinski)

Hullabaloo

 ( Jim Weyman, Terry Carpenter, Mike Porenta, Alan Diez)

Walk Chicken Walk

 (Mark Palms, Mike Zivsak, Randy Markey, Beate Williams, Chuck Anderson, Peter Lynch)

Bill Bynum & Co

. (Bill Bynum, Mary Seelhorst, Dave Keeney, Chuck Anderson)

And Your Emcee for the Evening:  Paddy Ash

 

Big Budget or No Budget - How to Maximize Your Real Estate Investment  Kristi Charles, local Property Manager, Real Estate Investor, Realtor, and house flipper will give away the secrets and sources she uses to improve, update, and market the homes that she has renovated over her over 15 year career in real estate.  Featured in the Ann Arbor News for renovating blighted homes, she has done it all from light remodels and home staging to complete down-to-the-studs remodels. A graduate of Eastern Michigan, she fell in love with Ypsilanti while in school and bought and renovated many homes in the city, including the flip she has just completed in Normal Park.  Mon., Feb. 22, 7:15pm $5, $6 per couple

 

What's New, What's Old, What's Hot, What's Cold a Panel Discussion of Antiques and Collectibles .  Wed., Feb 24, 7:15pm CANCELED