Ann Arbor News - A2 Summer Streets Returns

Thursday, June 1: More live music coming to Ann Arbor, fire destroys 2 duplexes, local runner sets record, air quality alert, and milk fuel

June 01, 2023

 

 

Morning, Ann Arbor! If you’re like me and also mourning Ted Lasso ending, here’s a list of ways you can distract yourself this weekend:

 

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ANN ARBORITES SHOULD KNOW

Facebook | Main Street Area Ann Arbor

🎶 A2 Summer Streets: On the heels of last week’s Sonic Lunch season kickoff, more Thursday live music is coming to Ann Arbor. A2 Summer Streets, a collection of local musicians performing on Thursday nights from 7 - 9 pm throughout the Main Street area, returns tonight. From ‘30s-inspired swing music to bluegrass folk songs, four live bands will be stationed around downtown.

🧑‍🚒 Fire Destroys Duplexes: A Memorial Day fire destroyed 2 adjacent duplexes on the 800 block of North Maple Road. Officials say the fire was caused by a resident burning cardboard in a firepit too close to the building. In the end, 1 resident was taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation, 7 residents were displaced, 4 cars were destroyed, and 3 cats were rescued. Officials are reminding residents to only burn natural wood in campfires 25 feet away from structures.

🏃 Local Running Phenom: Hobbs Kessler, the 20-year-old Ann Arbor native and former Skyline High School student, has set the record for the fastest 1500 meters ever run by an American on U.S. soil. Kessler completed his run in a time of 3:32:61 over the weekend at the Los Angeles Grand Prix. Kessler also holds the U.S. high school record for the fastest indoor mile with a time of 3:57:66.

🎸 Today’s Sonic Lunch Concert: The Heavy Heavy

MICHIGANDERS SHOULD KNOW

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🐄 Milk Fuel: Ontario-based Dairy Distillery has announced plans to build a $40 million facility in Michigan that will convert a milk byproduct into ethanol. Dairy Distillery, best known for its Milk-based vodka, has been producing ethanol from dairy waste since 2018 with “half the carbon footprint of traditional corn ethanol”. Dairy Distillery has partnered with the Michigan Milk Producers Association (a collection of 1,000+ dairy farmers) on the project.

🌤 Air Quality Alert: Due to several hot days with little wind, a handful of Michigan counties (including Washtenaw) are experiencing poor air quality brought on by elevated amounts of ground-level ozone. Ozone (the main ingredient of smog) can cause harmful health effects for groups sensitive to respiratory issues. Officials are encouraging children, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory diseases to avoid excessive time outdoors until the advisory is lifted.

🏡 Housing For Employees: At the 2023 Mackinac Policy Conference, Michigan business leaders discussed how a lack of affordable housing has caused them to purchase homes for their employees. Bob Sutherland, CEO of Glen Arbor-based Cherry Republic, shared how the company has been purchasing homes up north to house its seasonal workforce.

📚 Battle Creek Teacher Raises: Under a newly agreed upon contract between the school district and the teachers union, Battle Creek Public School teachers will see a $10,000 average salary raise next year. The raise will bring starting salaries well above the state and national average:

  • U.S. Average: $42,844

  • Michigan Average: $38,963

  • Battle Creek Average: $50,000

ON THE MARKET

1124 Arella Blvd, Ann Arbor, MI 48103

3 Bed | 1 Bath | 1,041 Sqft | $418,000

1358 King George Blvd, Ann Arbor, MI 48108

3 Bed | 2 Bath | 2,157 Sqft | $505,000

410 N 1st St #203, Ann Arbor, MI 48103

2 Bed | 2 Bath | 1,138 Sqft | $698,000
That's all for now! Next Michigander comes out Monday.
- Andrew

P. P. S. - The Bonsai and Penjing Garden at Matthaei Botanical Gardens is turning 10. The bonsai tree hype video you didn’t know you needed.

P. P. P. S. - The Hot Chick at Ypsilanti's Ma Lou’s Fried Chicken was named the best chicken sandwich in the state