Washtenaw County emergency siren tests begin Saturday; Ann Arbor siren tests begin Tuesday

ArborWX has details on outdoor emergency siren tests which begin this month in the City and County, plus what to do when they sound for real (spoiler: take cover and tune to WEMU 89.1 FM or WWWW 102.9 FM).

Washtenaw County operated sirens will be tested at noon on the first Saturday of every month from March through October. This means that this Saturday, March 5, at noon is the first Washtenaw County siren test of the year. 

The City of Ann Arbor’s sirens are tested every second Tuesday of the month at 1:00 pm. Testing of sirens is performed from March through November. This means that this Tuesday, March 8, at 1 pm. is the first City siren test of the year.

Mark your calendar: Presidential primaries and county-wide ballot proposal on Tuesday, March 8

There's an election next Tuesday, March 8! Here's what you need to know.

• City polling places will be open from 7am until 8pm on March 8.
• Find your polling place at the Michigan Voter Information Center. (You can also verify you're properly registered and view sample ballots there.)
• As we previously reported, February 8 was the last day to register in Ann Arbor and be eligible to vote in this election. If you're not registered, you should register to be sure you'll be ready next time.
• The city clerk has information on absentee ballots, accessible voting, and voting ID requirements. (The city clerk's office Saturday hours for absent voter ballots will be March 5, 2016, 8am - 2pm.)
• The Secretary of State has Elections and Voting FAQs available.

Election information from the City of Ann Arbor (click to view full-size)

In addition to voting for presidential primary candidates, there's a countywide proposal on the ballot on renewing a .20-mill levy to fund our county's enhanced emergency communications system.

#A2Council Viewing Party March 10

During the March 10 City Council meeting, we’ll be hosting a viewing party at Workantile, the Main St. coworking space. Join us!

City council meetings start at 7pm, so we'll gather at Workantile around 6:45. We'll have a video feed of the meeting running on a big TV, and many of the #A2Council Twitter folk plus our friends will be there for real-time commentary and socializing.

Whether you're heavily invested in local politics or just curious, this should be a fun and useful event. All are welcome.

Please bring your own drinks & snacks, if you're so inclined.

Workantile's address is 118 S. Main St.
Facebook event: City Council Viewing Party.

Feeling Haunted?

Spooks, specters, or spirits got you down? Look no further than the Ann Arbor Paranormal Research Society. If your house is haunted, this scrappy band of ghost hunters is offering free investigations. Sounds fascinating.

Last day to register to vote in Primary

Gentle reader, if you wish to vote in Michigan's presidential primary next month, today is your last chance to register. You can do so at a Secretary of State branch office or at your local clerk's office. More info here.

City Council Viewing Party Tonight

Gentle reader, no need to watch the #a2council meeting home alone tonight. We're going to be posting up at Workantile starting at 6:45 to watch the meeting. There will be snacks and City Council Bingo. Tonight's agenda is pretty light, but considering the ongoing deer cull, public commentary could be heated. Should be a fun meeting to watch.

#A2Council Viewing Party Feb. 1

During the February 1 City Council meeting, we’ll be hosting a viewing party at Workantile, the Main St. coworking space. Join us!

City council meetings start at 7pm, so we'll gather at Workantile a few minutes before then. We'll have a video feed of the meeting running on a big TV, and many of the #A2Council Twitter folk plus our friends will be there for real-time commentary and socializing.

Whether you're heavily invested in local politics or just curious, this should be a fun and useful event. All are welcome.

Updated Jan. 26: Some snacks for the party will be provided by CivCity, a great local nonprofit dedicated to expanding residents’ knowledge of how local government works and increasing participation in civic life. Thanks, CivCity!

Please bring your own drinks, if you're so inclined.

Workantile's address is 118 S. Main St.
Facebook event: A2 City Council Viewing Party.

Mega Nerd Nite tonight

Gentle readers, the first Nerd Nite of January is here. Presentations will cover everything from anxiety to agriculture and back again. Cover is free, thanks to the AADL so you really have no excuse not to attend.

Midnight Madness and KindleFest tonight

Gentle readers, two of my favorite holiday events are tonight: Midnight Madness and KindleFest. I'm sure by now you know the drill. Downtown stores will stay open late. Kerrytown will be overtaken by a Christkindlmarkt. There will be carolers, both Victorian and robotic. Hopefully we will see you there.

Nerd Nite tonight at 7

Gentle readers, Nerd Nite is tonight. Friend of Damn Arbor, Sam Firke, will be delivering a super interesting talk about harassing people on twitter to get them to vote in local elections. It should be super interesting. The event is at Live. Doors are at 6:30 and the talks start at 7. Cover is free thanks to the AADL.