What’s Inside:
Back from Spring Break Welcome back, off-campus students!
Back from Spring Break…………………...1 Pi Day: 3/14 …………………………………....2 Just 4 Fun........................................... 3 Saint Patrick’s Day Weekend Activities ………………………….…………….. 4 4
Physical Activity; It’s Easier than You…. Think!...............................................…5 Get Your Fool on At Festifool………....6 FoolMoon………………………………………..7 Staying in the Blue on Saint Patrick’s Day…………………………………………………..7
We hope you all had a safe and relaxing Spring Break and are ready to get back into the groove of the semester. As Saint Patrick’s Day approaches, remember to Stay in the Blue if you choose to celebrate, and take note of the various activities for this weekend that we’ve listed in this newsletter! Additionally, the South University and Oxbridge Neighborhood Ambassadors are holding a potluck for any residents living in the Oxbridge and South University neighborhoods. This potluck will take place on Thursday, March 14. Join your neighbors for some free food, and if you can cook, bring a dish to pass! There will be several main dishes, but we welcome any additional dishes. The potluck will take place at 1608 Geddes (Near the corner of Linden and Geddes). Feel free to contact SouthUniversity@umich.edu to RSVP or with any questions. Welcome back and Go Blue! Stephanie Karaa and Matt Lonnerstater Beyond the Diag Program Assistants
Pi Day: 3/14 Every year on March 14th while thousands of college students celebrate spring break, mathematicians around the world unite for their party of the year. Instead of tan lines, these celebrations consist of gathering their compasses and protractors, spending a day commemorating everything 3.14. The first official Pi Day celebrations took place in 1988 at the San Francisco Exploratorium, a science and art museum, led by physicist Larry Shaw. The events of that day included publically marching the circumference of a room and extensive fruit pie consumption. Although that sounds like a full day of excitement, Pi Day celebrations have continued to evolve from their meager beginnings. Celebrations now include parties, contests, pie baking, and Pi-related learning at high schools and universities across the country. So on March 14th, keep Pi in mind and occu-pi your time with these fun π facts: • Since the number, π, is infinite, in theory, any series of digits can be located inside of it. That means your phone number, your social security number, and your birthday can all be found somewhere in Pi. • But, thanks to the power of modern computers, mathematicians have found ways to determine the first 10 trillion numbers of π. You could be searching for a while. • In 2009, the United States House of Representatives first officially recognized Pi Day. • Every year on March 14th, Princeton University throws a Pi Day party, complete with Pi recitation and Pie eating contests. • MIT is known to mail application decision letters on Pi Day, making this holiday even more special for the lucky accepted students. • Fittingly, Albert Einstein was born on Pi day. His birthday was March 14 th, 1879
Contributed by Brandon Putz Photo from http://www.piday.org/2011/things-to-do-for-pi-day/
Just 4 Fun You’re a student at Michigan, but that doesn’t mean you know everything that Michigan has to offer. Here are 4 cool things you can do that you might not have known about: 1. Climb to the top of the Burton Memorial Tower Nestled between Hill Auditorium and the MLB is the University’s iconic Bell Tower. While many students walk by the tower every day, few are aware of the fact that visitors can hike to the observation platform for a stunning view of the campus. Visitors are welcome each day class is in session from Noon-12:45 PM, and encouraged to see the carillon recital from Noon-12:30 PM each day. 2. Visit Matthaei Botanical Gardens Located at 1800 N. Dixboro Road, it’s a short drive from campus, but well worth a visit. In addition to the outdoor trails and gardens, visitors are invited to tour the indoor conservatory. The conservatory is divided into regions, each featuring plants from a distinct environment. The conservatory is open 7 days a week and FREE to the public. 3. See the night sky from the Angell Hall Planetarium Visit Angell Hall during one of the Student Astronomical Society’s Friday night open houses for a free planetarium show and telescope viewing (weather permitting) on the roof. The planetarium seats 28 people and 30 minute shows are given by astronomy students. This is a great way to explore the night sky without having to brave the weather. The observatory, located on the roof of Angell Hall, features a 0.4 meter telescope along with several 8 inch scopes. Check our the full schedule. 4. Museums and Outdoor Art You probably know about the Museum of Natural History and the University Art museum, but those aren’t the only museums on campus. Stop by the Kelsey Museum of Archeology to see something really unique. The University also features numerous outdoor exhibits, like the wave field on North Campus (located along the SE side of Francois-Xavier Bagnoud Building). Contributed by Alex Blaty Photo from http://www-personal.umich.edu/~jensenl/visuals/album/annarbor/ Photo from http://www.lsa.umich.edu/mbg/see/matthaei.asp# Photo from Pat Seitzer Photo from http://www.hr.umich.edu/um/um-isms.html
Saint Patrick’s Day Weekend Activities Looking for something to do the weekend of St. Patrick's day? There are a lot of things to do around Ann Arbor this weekend that do not involve drinking; here are a few things you can look forward to: March 14-17: Grab some friends and turn on the TV to watch the men’s basketball team compete in the Big Ten Tournament.
March 15: The Friday before St. Patrick's day the University is hosting another UMix at Yost Ice Arena. This is a free event with your Mcard so come for free food and a good time with friends. There will be a courtesy UMIX shuttle service to the Arena from 9:30PM to 2:30AM. You are welcome to bring your own skates!
March 17: • If you're planning on getting up early on St. Patrick's Day, stop by one of the Beyond the Diag tables for free bagels, games and to meet some neighbors. Tables will be located near Ulrich’s on South U., in in front of the Union, and at the intersection of East U., Tappan, and Oakland Streets. We hope to see you there. • “Bash on the Diag” will take place from 10AM to 2PM with free food and gifts. Hosted by CSG, this event will have tons of music and various student organization performances. Whether you're spending the day studying, walking around Ann Arbor or spending time with friends there's lots to do without drinking. However if you choose to drink, remember to Stay in the Blue. Contributed by Julianne Stieber Photo from http://alumni.umich.edu/sports/basketball/big-ten-mens-tournament Photo from http://kjhk.org/web/event/st-patricks-day-replay-patio-w-dj-kimbarely-legal/ Photo from http://campusinvolvement.umich.edu/article/umix-yost-ice-arena
Physical Activity; It’s Easier than You Think!
Spring is on the way, and everyone is looking for ways to maintain their newly-acquired “spring-break bods” in Michigan. Undergraduate students often become involved with so many extracurricular activities that exercise takes a lower priority the daily schedule. However, in addition to being beneficial to your long-term health, regular physical activity can help fight the stress of mid-term exams.
The Center for Disease Control recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week, with 2 or more days of muscle-strengthening activities for adults (Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2008). If getting outdoors or the typical work-out at the gym is not cutting it for you, there are a few other resources on campus to get you moving:
1. Public Skate at Yost Ice Arena, Thursday night 8-10 p.m. 2. UMove Fitness Classes held at the CCRB, NCRB and IMSB. Buy a semester pass to all classes for only $250, or check out the Drop-in Wednesday schedule for only $3/class. 3. MHealthy Exercise and Relaxation classes are open to all U-M employees, students and the general public. Check out the schedule! 4. Try walking or riding your bike to class instead of hopping on the bus every day. Becoming more active may seem like a chore the first few weeks, but will pay dividends on improving your attitude and overall health. Try to keep a journal of your physical activity to track how far you have come, and remember that every time you move is a step in the right direction! Contributed by Margaret Murphy Photo from http://www.umflint.edu/reccenter/images/mhealthy.jpg Photo from http://www.hr.umich.edu/mhealthy/programs/activity/classes/index.html Photo from http://rossblogs.typepad.com/.a/6a011571161133970b017ee51d4dbb970d-pi CDC info: http://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/everyone/guidelines/adults.html
Get your Fool on at Festifool What is Festifool? Ann Arbor draws visitors from around the world for many reasons, and a new tradition is quickly becoming a local staple. Festifools is a parade that showcases giant paper- mâché puppets that march down Main Street. This annual celebration was started in 2007 by University of Michigan professor Mark Tucker. Mark traveled to Italy and was inspired by the float builders. He wondered if such paper mâché creations had a place in Ann Arbor. Since 2007, the large and colorful “puppets” have drawn increasingly larger crowds each April. I am designing and constructing a puppet for the Parade as a student in Mark’s Art in Public Spaces class, a class devoted almost entirely to the construction of the paper mâché giants that will take over Main Street. A significant amount of time is spent designing their puppets to be a message or reflection of something important or interesting to the artist. Others find interesting adaptations of the year’s theme to bring to life in puppet form. Many artists use the parade as a means of public expression. Such foolery actually serves as the perfect medium for making public the often taboo or politically incorrect. Others find interesting adaptations of the year’s theme to bring to life in puppet form. You will have to come to this year’s parade to see what my puppet is! Anyone can join in the foolery! One reason Festifools may have become an expected Ann Arbor event is the high level of community involvement. Volunteers are needed to help with the puppet-making process and puppet-making workshops are held throughout the months leading up to the parade. Local libraries usually have days where kids can come to create robot, box helmets to participate in the parade. Community members and university students are invited to attend workshops, make their own puppets, or help out the day of the parade. Learn how to get involved! When and What to expect : Come to Main Street between Washington and William in Downtown Ann Arbor Sunday, April 7, from 4-5pm. The puppets and puppeteers usually make their way into the crowd and interact with bystanders. FestiFools is, quite literally, for everyone! “Kids, adults, babies, college students, astronauts, bus drivers, thoracic surgeons, short-order cooks, barbers, xylophone prodigies, dairy farmers, restaurateurs“ — Invitation from the Festifools website You need a reason? Get outdoors. Come downtown. Get reacquainted with your neighbors after those long, gray, slushy months of winter. Feel the sunshine on your face. Shout “Yes!” to the spring. Marvel at the towering, papier-mâché creations. Dance. Sing. Clap. Stomp. Smile. (You gotta love this town.) We work 364 days a year for this one-hour show, so don’t be late!” Contributed by Sabrina Palombo Photo from http://festifools.org/get-involved/come-to-event.html
FoolMoon FoolMoon is an even newer community event which stems from Festifool. While Festifool is an organized parade, FoolMoon is a street party which takes place at night and serves as a precursor to Festifool. Luminary sculptures are used to light the night streets of Ann Arbor. Anyone can make these luminary sculptures and join in the festivities. Many hardware and art stores around Ann Arbor sell FoolMoon Luminary Sculpture Kits with the materials and instructions to create a paper lantern like sculpture that goes with the year’s theme. Get more information here. “Every Sunday in March at Workantile:We Fools are hosting luminary-making workshops at Workantile (118 S. Main St., Ann Arbor). The workshops open at 10am and wrap up at 5pm. Feel free to pop in at anytime for a couple of hours — that’s all it takes to make a simple luminary.” Last year, students and community members started at three locations around town and joined together with their luminary art and ensembles on West Washington Street to party. Local establishments set up sidewalk and street tents to host guests their art and to continue the festivities. Contributed by Sabrina Palombo Photo from http://www.annarbor.com/entertainment/images-from-foolmoon-in-downtown-ann-arbor1/
Staying in the Blue on St. Patrick’s Day While you might be wearing green on St. Patrick’s Day, you can choose to stay true and stay blue. Here are some tips for having a fun weekend, while staying safe and legal. "Staying in the Blue" means keeping your blood alcohol content (BAC) at .06 or below. A reminder that there are a lot of students who choose not to drink, and they are always in the blue.
Reminders: • Expect Respect: GIVE it and GET it. Behave with integrity and consideration for others. • Plan a safe, sober way home before the celebrations begin. • Avoid walking around with open containers. It is illegal to be on public property with open containers of alcohol. • Eat food (with protein) prior to and during the festivities and alternate non- alcoholic beverages with alcoholic beverages. • Measure your own drinks. Avoid shots. Pace yourself. • If impaired: use a taxi, call a sober friend or use public transportation. • If a drunk driver is spotted on the road, don't hesitate to contact local law enforcement. • Know the signs of an Alcohol Emergency and know what to do. Contributed by Joy Pehlke, UHS Photo from UHS
For more safety tips and information about Beyond the Diag, visit http://offcampus.umich.edu Like us on Facebook @ http://facebook.com/Umbeyondthediag Follow us on Twitter @umbeyondthediag Still have questions? E-mail us at beyondthediag@umich.edu