VF North American Gathering: Ann Arbor. Planning Committee
This Event will take place in Ann Arbor, Michigan, from Thursday August 13th to Sunday August 16th.
I've been putting the planning for this event into overdrive for the past weeks, for
an event that started with this thread: click here.
Please suggest additions, subtractions, or changes in scheduling. Nothing is set in stone, but I do have verbal commitments from some local venues. I may need to have donations or a fee to recoup some fees for this event.
What I've got so far:
Thursday, August 13th
Folks that can, begin to arrive at mid-day.
6pm: Home-cooked vegan meal at the
Common House at my my place. It can hold up to 30 people.
Free lodging at several co-ops and at local homes for the first 6 to 8 people interested. There might be more free space (for up to 6 to 8 more folks) if there is need. Otherwise, there is a lot of available lodging in the area for pay, as well as lots and lots of camping.
Friday, August 14th
First full day of Activities.
10am: get-to-know-you all levels Anarchist Soccer.
noon-ish: Lunch at
Silvio's Organic Pizza
early PM: Weight's and Lifting TBA. (I don't have much planned for this part, but suggestions would be great). This is very open.
Later PM: Perhaps we can go to the Velodrome? or hiking? This later afternoon depends on interests.
Dinner:
Seva
Saturday, August 15th: Everyone's here!
9am: Morning Bike Ride(s). 30 mile, 60 mile, and 12 mile routes led by local cyclists. Open to all skill levels. The 30 mile ride will have some very fast riders, as well as some very easy going riders.
noon: Lunch at
Earthen Jar
early PM: Swimming, H2O polo, and more at
Fuller Park Pool.
later PM: Run Time! Run Routes through local parks that total either 3mile road jog, 6 mile trail run, or longer (?). If there is interest, I can get access to a track.
Dinner:
Either Chia Shang or
Ann Arbor Brewing Company
Sunday August 16th:
8am: Volunteer at
Sasha Farm Animal Sanctuary
Noon: Lunch at either Sasha Farms (with local donations from Whole Foods or other markets), or at
Jerusalem Gardens.
Early PM:
Group Canoe down Huron River.
~3pm: People start to leave.
6pm: optional last dinner at Heiwa House (veg*n co-op where many people will stay) with vegan deserts donations from
Big City Small World bakery.
Right now, the only pay events are 1) All food at local restaurants 2) Pool Entry (discounted), 3) Velodrome (optional), 4) Track (optional). The free stuff are all road biking, running (trail and road), and dinner at my place.
Q: I was thinking that parallel events instead of sequential events might work best. What are your thoughts? Right now it is all organized sequentially. Anything missing? This event calendar will change with the interests of those attending.
Other activities that are easy to arrange that I didn't include are: hiking, moutain biking, dirt biking, skate boarding, lake swimming, lake sports (Great Lake Surfing, wake boarding, water skiiing, ect.), volleyball, ultimate frisbee, strongperson competitions/events, tennis, competitive eating.
If anyone wants to help more, my email is:
dolfo@umich.edu, and my phone number is +1 (734) 218-4474, and my name is "Rodolfo". ;)
