8 GROUNDCOVER NEWS WINTER Protect yourself — be "winter-wise" EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR With the risk of high snowfall and extreme low temperatures, the Executive Office of the Governor encourages Michiganders to make a plan for winter weather emergency preparedness. To learn more about how to prepare for winter weather emergencies, check out the MIREADY Winter Weather Preparedness online page at www.michigan.gov/miready/be-informed/winter-prep. Driving during bad winter weather recommended, but often is not unavoidable. If you have to drive in bad conditions, drive slowly, follow tips from the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning on how you can be safe on the roads, and stock your car with emergency supplies. The Michigan Public Service Commission also offers excellent tips on how we can all be proactive about conserving energy and being “winter-wise.” Some of these tips include: 1. Shut-Off Protection: Senior citizens, low-income customers, those with a medical emergency or in critical care, and military personnel may qualify for heat shut-off protection. Contact your utility company for more information. 2. Plan Ahead: Many utility companies have Budget Billing Plans that can spread out your peak winter heating bills, allowing for a more affordable monthly bill during the heating season. Contact your utility company for more information. 3. Use Energy Wisely: Reduce your energy use using the helpful tips: www. energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2017/10/ f37/Energy_Saver_Guide-2017-en.pdf. 4. Request Assistance: Qualifying seniors and low-income customers may be eligible for financial assistance. Call 2-1-1 or visit mi211.org to learn about agencies in your county that can help you with your utility bill. 5. Be Proactive: Contact your utility company as soon as you know you will be unable to pay your bill on time. Do not wait for a shut-off notice. 6. Be Helpful: Share this information with family and friends! If you are able, you can donate to organizations that provide energy assistance for families in need. Utility Assistance Programs Winter can become stressful with high utility costs. Low-income Michiganders may qualify for assistance through the Michigan Energy Assistance Program (MEAP). We are prepared to ensure everyone across the state stays warm this winter. • State Emergency Relief: State Emergency Relief is a crisis intervention program that provides assistance for energy-related expenses like heating, fuel, electricity and home repairs. Those who can demonstrate need are encouraged to apply online through MI Bridges. • MEAP: The Michigan Public Service Commission administers the MEAP. The purpose of the MEAP is to establish and administer statewide programs that provide energy assistance and self-sufficiency services to eligible low-income households. To seek help, contact 2-1-1 or your utility company to find programs in your area. • Weatherization Assistance Program: This program provides free home energy-conservation services to low-income Michigan homeowners and renters. These services can reduce energy use and lower utility bills. Some of the services include insulation, air leakage reduction, smoke detectors, and dryer venting. These services are conducted by local Community Action Agencies and non-profit organizations. You can visit www.michigan.gov/en/mdhhs/ assistance-programs/emergency-relief/ home-services/weatherization/ state-map-of-weatherization-operators to contact your local weatherization JANUARY 10, 2024 exp. 06/31/2025 operator process. to start the application ART page 6 downtown area. With their public art projects, they paint on all the planters across the downtown area and the murals on the buildings and in the alleys. A2AC has memberships and drop-in art shows for the public. What I found amazing is that this gallery just about does it all as a very active space. You don't just get art but also classes for the public and many camps for teens to further art education. The classes help bring art into each home across Ann Arbor as well as new art ideas for artists. I always wanted to take their ceramics classes and the jewelry classes. There are adult classes such as ceramics, comics, printmaking, jewelry and 2D sculpture. Art classes show the public the time it takes to be an artist and the complexity. Artists, both local and national, are showcased within the gallery. A2AC also has ongoing social events for fundraising This gallery truly takes care of the artists in the gallery by giving them full public exposure, and also places art around Ann Arbor in offices and corporations. The Gutman Gallery The Guild of Artists and Artisans was created in 1973 with the mission of bringing artists to the public in an art fair. This small annual event became what is today the Ann Arbor Art Fair, helping hundreds of artists from across the nation earn a reasonable living from their art. Art fairs have popped up all over the United States. Many artists travel from fair to fair for months on end. The Guild also helps local fairs across Michigan, and through its affiliated Gutman Gallery helps local and international artists get shown. I’ve also been to their holiday events and many independent shows focused on themes such as masks or watercolors. U-M Art Spaces The Stamps Gallery located on Washington Street and South Division that shows many world renowned artists as well as work from University of Michigan art students. Last but not least, the University of Michigan Museum of Art (UMMA) shows many international works of art and national artists from many cultures such as native artists from the Ojibway nation, as well as classical art.
9 Publizr Home