Community Corner

🌱 How much could Ann Arbor’s new solar utility actually save your household?

Make time for Free Bra Fittings to Support Breast Cancer Awareness on the Ann Arbor Patch calendar

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Tuesday September 22nd Patch AM
Tuesday September 22nd Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Cheers Ann Arbor! We're back, helping you stay up to date with what's happening. Let's take on the day together! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How much could Ann Arbor's new solar utility actually save your household?
  • How U-M's childcare crunch is straining Ann Arbor faculty families.
  • How is Carpenter School's student body changing in Ann Arbor?

Also on today's calendar: Free Bra Fittings to Support Breast Cancer Awareness and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What did one wall say to the other? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Tuesday: Some sun, then clouds, with a high of 65 and low of 52 degrees.
  • Wednesday: A couple of showers, temps: high: 64, low: 49.
  • Thursday: Plenty of sun, with a high of 69 and low of 41 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Ann Arbor launches community-owned solar utility with battery backup (clickondetroit.com) — Ann Arbor has begun installing its new community-owned Sustainable Energy Utility, offering residents solar panels with battery backup that can cut DTE bills and keep essentials running during outages. After a pilot in the Bryant neighborhood, city leaders plan to expand the optional program citywide in 2027, with the city owning and maintaining all equipment while customers pay a predictable monthly fee.
   

2. Senate Assembly discusses childcare at first meeting of year (michigandaily.com) — University of Michigan faculty leaders met in Ann Arbor to tackle mounting concerns over scarce and costly childcare, especially for infants, despite the city ranking best in Michigan for overall access and affordability. Staff detailed long waitlists, limited infant slots, and steep fees that can equal one parent's entire take-home pay, while the Senate Assembly also approved its committee priorities for the year.
   

3. Carpenter School enrolled 64 multiracial students in 2024-25 (annarbortimes.com) — Carpenter School in the Ann Arbor Public Schools district enrolled 64 multiracial students in 2024–25, making up 17.6% of its 363-student body. While multiracial enrollment dipped slightly from last year, it has generally trended upward over the past decade, even as overall statewide enrollment has declined.
   

4. Accessible Activities for Adults in Ann Arbor (ecurrent.com) — If you're in Ann Arbor and need accessible outings, this guide highlights local escape rooms, museums, theaters, music venues, gardens, and farmers markets that work well for wheelchair users and others with mobility needs. It also flags specific spots like Decode Ann Arbor, the U-M museums, Kerrytown market, and Michigan Theater, noting where access is strong and where parking or crowds can be challenging.
   

5. Lodi Twp: Planning Commission Notice of Public Hearing 10/15/26 (thesuntimesnews.com) — Residents near Ann Arbor are invited to a Lodi Township Planning Commission public hearing on October 15 about a proposed sand and gravel extraction permit at 4095 Scio Church Road. The meeting at the Pleasant Lake Road township hall will accept public comments, and written feedback is also welcome during weekday morning office hours, with accommodations available for people with disabilities.
   

📸 Around Ann Arbor

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Ann Arbor

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📣 Ann Arbor Shout Outs!

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Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Lost cat.
    Also lost collar but microchipped. Our 4-ish yo tuxedo cat has been missing for a few days. He was adopted from HSHV and is pretty feral and can't… (Nextdoor Northfield Twp SouthEast)
  • For those of you who couldn't make it to the tour of my rain garden/native-plant garden, here is an online version of the flyer I handed out, which lists all the benefits of these gardens and some companies that can create them for you, if you
    prefer not doing the work yourself: https://drive.google.com/file/d/15giF0vN5A1ehYYQE5xF_Sxf-UrpzfN0u/view?usp=sharing In addition, please remember… (Nextdoor Water Hill)
  • Busch's, Inc. posted a job opening for Stock Associate (Full Time) in Ann Arbor. Apply here.
  • The Buckle, Inc. posted a job opening for Freight Coordinator (Part Time) in Ann Arbor. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Ann Arbor here.

Ok Ann Arbor! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I'll meet you at the corner! (Thank you Gary M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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