Welcome back to the Eastern Echo Podcast! Today is the last episode for 2019, but don’t worry. We’ll be back in the new year to continue bringing you the news. On today’s episode, we’ll be discussing Ann Arbor’s City Council decision to approve two affordable housing developments. We’ll also be discussing the fall commencement ceremony, and how EMU’s LGBTQ resource center honors the lives of transgender individuals. I’m your host Liz Hornyak and you’re listening to The Eastern Echo Podcast.

On November 18th, Ann Arbor’s City council approved two affordable housing developments intended to help with the housing inequality in Ann Arbor. The resolution that was passed by the council will amend downtown zoning laws. This issue was first brought to the council’s attention in 2015. Back then, the council promised to add 150 affordable rental units every year until 2035; but since 2015, there have only been 50 affordable rental units added to the Ann Arbor Metro area. Ann Arbor Metro is the eighth most economically segregated metro area in the United States.

On November 20th at McKenney Hall, the LGBTQ resource center hosted the Transgender Day of Remembrance or T.D.O.R. This celebration honors the lives of transgender people and trans women of color who have passed away this year. TDOR first began twenty years ago when a black trans woman, Rita Hester, was murdered in Allston, Massachusetts. Local media at the time didn’t respect Rita’s life or identity. A year later, Gwendolyn Ann Smith founded T.D.O.R. 

Here’s what you can look forward to this week:

Today from 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. in Room 219 of Pray-Harold, Áine Keefer will be giving delivering her lecture, titled ”What is a Woman?”. Keefer will attempt to answer this question while simultaneously respecting the gender identities of transgender individuals and advocating women’s liberation. This event is free and LBC approved. 

On Tuesday, activist, lecturer, writer, and award-winning documentary filmmaker Byron Hurt will be delivering a presentation titled, “Locker Room Talk or Toxic Masculinity”. This event will be taking place in the Student Center Ballroom from 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. This event is free and open to the public, but is not LBC approved for students. For information you can go to our webpage, or contact Susan L. Wood. You can reach Susan at swood18@emich.edu or call 734-487-1107.

If you are thinking about becoming an event coordinator or hospitality professional, then you don’t want to miss the tour of the Eagle Crest Hotel and Resort on Wednesday from 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. This event is free to the public but is not LBC approved. If you’re interested in participating in this event, you can visit their website eaglecrestresort.com or contact Wes Belvins at wblevins@eaglecrestresort.com.

“Stay Frosty” is taking place at Quirk Sponberg Theatre from 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. on Thursday. This event is an opportunity for students to perform and explore their acting aspirations. The session is free and is LBC approved. For information about this workshop you can contact Callison Coburn at ccoburn4@emich.edu.

This Friday, EMU will honor students of color and their accomplishments at the Multicultural Graduation celebration. This ceremony is taking place at Pease Auditorium from 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. This event is sponsored by the Center of Race and Ethnicity and the Department of Diversity and Community Involvement. The registration page to participate in the graduation is now closed, but if you still have questions about registration you can email core_dci@emich.edu.

On Saturday, December 14th, the Holiday Candlelight Concert will be taking place at Pease Auditorium from 7:30 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. The concert will feature performances from students, faculty,  staff, and community members performing Christmas and holiday music. Tickets for this event cost ten dollars and can be purchased at eventbrite.com. The concert is LBC approved. If you can’t make it Saturday, there will also be an encore presentation on December 15th, at the Detroit Orchestra Hall at 3:30.

The Convocation Center will be packed on Sunday for Fall Commencement. The ceremony starts at 9:30 a.m. Graduating students have to pick up the tickets for their family and friends prior to the ceremony. Students can pick up the tickets at the Convocation Center or the Student Center.

In sports news, EMU’s men’s basketball team beat Valparaiso University with a final score of 85-79.

On December 10th at the Convocation Center, EMU’s women’s basketball team faces Purdue Fort Wayne. The game starts at 2:00.

And last but not least, we’ll be cheering on the football team in their bowl game against the Pittsburgh Panthers in the Quick Lane Bowl at Ford Field. The game starts at 8 p.m. on December 26th.

Thank you to all of our listeners who tune in and listen every week! On behalf of the entire Eastern Echo Podcast family I would like to wish everyone a Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year! We’ll be back in 2020 with an updated news briefing and more stories straight from our EMU and the Ypsi community. For the last time in 2019, this is your host Liz Hornyak, signing off. 

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