A2 ' ACE DEUCEe TREE TOWN AA A

NEW STUDENT EDITION 2006

WELCOME HOME

THE LIST
Five reasons why A2
is its own country
lthough the city itself is geographically minute
A- it measures less than 30 square miles - it's
unique in culture, politics and history. As such,
many have come to know this spot on the map as "The
People's Republic of Ann Arbor."
S
Historically, the Ann Arbor populace has been considered one of the
most politically liberal communities in America, and this is perhaps
best reflected in its markedly lenient marijuana laws. The laws stipulate
a penalty of only $25 for first-time possession, and $50 and $100 for
second-time and further offenses, respectively. These regulations allow
marijuana possession to remain a civil infraction rather than a misde-
meanor or felony as state and national laws deign. Basically, the civil-
infraction ticket issued for the possession of marijuana is comparable to
a traffic ticket. But there's a catch: The University campus is under state
jurisdiction, and therefore those caught with marijuana on campus are
prosecuted under state law, which provides for up to 90 days in jail as
well as a $2,000 fine.
Due to our college town's staunch support of a woman's right to
choose, the city charter in 1990 was amended to protect access to abor-
tion if the procedure ever became illegal in the state of Michigan. Voters
mandated that, in that case, abortion should be punishable with only a
$5 fine. The state legislature has since been declared the city a "zone of
reproductive freedom."
Ann Arborites produce enough solid waste to fill The Big House (the
largest stadium in the world) just more than once each year. But not
surprisingly, our environmentally conscious city recovers more than 50
percent of its residential solid waste through recycling and composting.
This high percentage gives Ann Arbor one of the best waste-recovery
rates in the country.
Ann Arbor ranks at the top among U.S. cities in the number
of booksellers and books sold per capita. In fact, the Liberty
Street Borders Books and Music location is the flagship store
of the country's largest bookstore chain. We know we're well-
read, but it's always nice to have statistics to prove it.
The city gained a reputation as a center for liberal politics dur-

ing the 1960s and 1970s, and has likewise been a spot favored by
a variety of politicians - especially Democratic ones. In 1960,
President John F. Kennedy unveiled his plan to form the Peace
Corps on the steps of the Michigan Union, and the city heard Lyn-
don B. Johnson's first call for a Great Society in 1964.
- Jeremy Davidson and Ashlea Sudles

You think you
know, but you
have no idea
here's more to the city of
Ann Arbor than the Univer-
sity. Yes, the campus blends
into the city and vice versa
-evidence of this symbiotic rela-
tionship is seen in everything from
campus culture to city character.

But unlike our Big Ten Conference
counterparts such as Michigan State
University and IndianaUniversitythe
city maintains its ownlong-cultivated
identity. Not only is Ace Deuce con-
sidered one of the nation's best col-
lege towns, it also consistently ranks
in national top 10 surveys including
the "Best Community to Live and
Work""Best Outdoor Cycling City"
and "Best City to Retire In."
Treetown's veins are rich with
political and social breakthroughs.
Among the notables,the development

of the polio vaccine here in 1953, and
Ann Arborites voting the nation's
first openly gay candidate into office
in the 1974 city council elections.
Ann Arbor pulls in more than
130,000 people annually to its
events, including acclaimed jazz
and folk music festivals, the world-
renowned Hash Bash and its mas-
sive summer art fair.
The bottom line? Ann Arbor has
far more to offerthanjust the Univer-
sity.Just ask one of the 115,000 locals
who call the city home.

KLEIBOER AND PETER SCHOTTENFELS
ABOVE: Different views of Ann Arbor, clockwise from top left: A Hash
Bash reveler outside the Harlan Hatcher Graduate Library, the State
Theater sign on State Street, a bird's-eye glance of the Summer Art
Fair, in line at Le Dog and Burton Memorial Tower. BOTTOM: An aerial
view of the city.

WHAT'S INSIDE
Tanked treats
Quick hunger solutions for the drunken
college student. PAGE 8F

LIVIN' FOR THE CiITY:~f
One resident's view of
Kerrytown. PAGE 2F
Saving A2 palates one
Reuben at a time. PAGE 3F