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Hello Ann Arbor! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: U-M Health’s top ranking, spy academy, and read to the library dog + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Today’s sponsor, Goldco, is helping folks around Ann Arbor help protect their savings after a remarkable few years for gold and silver. Their free guide explains what's behind the run… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Top marks for U-M Health: Ann Arbor’s University of Michigan Health was named Michigan’s top hospital and the state’s only U.S. News Best Hospitals Honor Roll member, placing among the nation’s top 20 for 2026–27 -- see the full rankings.
Transit service updates ahead: Seven TheRide routes will change starting Aug. 23 to boost on-time performance, including Route 3 shifting to McAuley for the Alpha House Center, while Blake Transit Center remains closed -- read the full route changes.
Sweet expansion in Michigan: The Peach Cobbler Factory announced Monday a new Ypsilanti shop serving greater Ann Arbor, led by franchisees Tony and Mary Burton, featuring warm cobblers, banana pudding, cookies, and Bundt cakes -- see the sweet expansion.
The bill everyone over 50 should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $1,500 this year. Case in point: Shopping around could cut your premium in half — this free comparison tool makes it easy*
Watch your credit card balance drop. Here's a rare one: this card lets you skip interest charges until nearly 2028, and you won't pay a cent in annual fees to do it. On top of that, every purchase earns at least 1.5% cash back, with some categories as high as 5%. Spend a little early on and there's up to a $200 bonus waiting too -- take a look.*
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest -- this one's $150 off right now.* Highlights this week: |
02 — From our sponsor Gold posted one of its strongest runs in decades...Silver has been right there with it, and after a few remarkable years both metals have become some of the most talked-about assets for those looking to stay ahead of market volatility. While many are still sitting on the sidelines, others are quietly repositioning. If you’re wondering whether you’re missing something, Goldco has a free guide explaining what’s driving the renewed interest… and how people are approaching precious metals right now. It’s free and worth reading before the next move.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Local history, unlocked: The African American Cultural & Historical Museum of Washtenaw County dives into the people and places that shaped Ann Arbor, from oral histories and family collections to exhibits and tours that center Black narratives. Go get a fresh perspective this week, then bring a friend who thinks they already know the story.
Upgrade your cookspace: Expo Kitchen & Bath is a local design studio and showroom helping Ann Arbor folks plan kitchens and baths that actually work for how you live. This week, peek at their clever space planning and fine cabinetry, and let their designers map out a remodel or new build that looks good and functions better.
Treasure hunt, anyone?: Kiwanis Thrift Sale is basically Ann Arbor’s giant community garage sale, with everything from antiques and furniture to clothing, books, LPs, housewares and sporting goods. New merchandise rolls in every week, and your haul helps fund scholarships and support for local kids and families.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial walk-in-the-door fee to x-rays, surgery, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade →
Home insurance premiums jumped 12% last year alone: That's on top of years of increases that have outpaced inflation. Before you blindly renew with your current insurer, a free comparison tool matches your home with top-rated insurers so you can see quotes side by side, in about two minutes. Some homeowners find hundreds in savings, and if you don't find a better policy, you stay put knowing you checked. *See your options →
The fitness trend that doesn't require leaving your living room: Chair yoga is having a moment, and for good reason. It's low-impact, easy on the knees and back, and you do the whole thing seated. No floor, no equipment, no studio. A quick quiz turns it into a personalized plan built around your body and goals, then adjusts as you build the habit. *See your plan →
One plug-in drives bugs out of your home, no spray required: For every bug you see along the baseboards, more are nesting out of sight, and traps and poison only reach so far. This one works differently: patented pulse technology runs through your home's wiring to make the whole place uncomfortable for insects and mice, so they clear out on their own. No fumes, nothing on the floor near the kids or pets, just plug it in. Over 3.5 million sold, it's silent, and there is a money-back guarantee. *Get yours 40% off →
The real retirement risk isn't a bad year. It's a long life: 40 years of saving, and the hard part is making it stretch across 30 more. SmartAsset's free quiz matches you with vetted fiduciary advisors who serve your area and are legally required to act in your best interests. The plan is built around you, not their commission. No obligation to hire anyone. *Start the quiz → |
Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🍅 Pittsfield Township Farmers Market @ Pittsfield Charter Township Admin Building | Thursday (8/6) at 2:00 PM – Thursday afternoons call for a stroll through Pittsfield’s market, where peak produce, artisan goods, and food trucks meet live music. Kids score free crafts, you score the good tomatoes. Vendors take EBT and Double Up Food Bucks, so consider it grocery shopping with a soundtrack.
🚗 2026 Depot Town Cruise Nights @ Sidetrack Bar & Grill (Ypsilanti) | Thursday (8/6) at 5:00 PM – Roll into Depot Town for a classic and special interest car cruise, the kind where chrome gleams and conversation lasts longer than the stoplight. Park on street, sample eats, browse the shops, let the DJ coax sidewalk dancing while the kids hula hoop, plus giveaways.
🏡 Rentschler Farm US 12 Yard Sale @ Rentschler Farm Museum (Saline) | Friday (8/7) at 9:00 AM – Nothing beats treasure hunting at Rentschler Farm during the US 12 Yard Sale. Individuals, crafters, vendors, and church groups roll in, you stroll out with a vintage toolbox, a pie plate, and a story. Empty the garage, then fill it right back up.
🐶 FMAR August Adoption Event @ Petco | Saturday (8/8) at 11:15 AM – Nothing beats meeting your next roommate at Petco Arborland, where Friends of Michigan Animal Rescue rolls in with adoptable dogs and cats, plus a rotating lineup of charmers. Think less impulse buy, more lifelong upgrade, with wagging tails, polite purrs, and zero HOA drama.
🎉 Funfest 2026 @ Frog Island Park (Ypsilanti) | Saturday (8/8) at 1:00 PM – Six years in, Fun Fest at Frog Island feels like that neighbor’s party that somehow booked real musicians. Expect a breezy mix of local bands, art, and vendors, plus shady trees, lawn chairs, and the kind of good vibes you do not have to fake.
🌿 Groovin' in the Garden @ West Side United Methodist Church | Saturday (8/8) at 5:00 PM – Groovin' in the Garden is serving up a free outdoor concert with local artists you recognize, a food truck for the munchies, and lawn games that count as cardio. Expect blankets, claimed patches of grass, and the satisfaction of calling it culture with snacks.
🕵 Spy Academy! @ Ann Arbor District Library - Malletts Creek | Sunday (8/9) at 12:00 PM – Give your inner 007 a tune-up at the library’s Spy Academy, where you’ll learn to carry secrets, master disguises, and write in code. It’s wholesome mischief, Ann Arbor style, and far cheaper than night-vision goggles.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Skip credit card interest until nearly 2028You know the feeling: you make your credit card payment, check the balance, and it's barely moved. That's interest quietly eating most of what you pay. Here's a rare chance to stop it. This card lets you skip interest charges until nearly 2028, so for over a year every dollar you pay goes straight to what you owe, not the bank's cut. And you won't pay a cent in annual fees to do it. The rewards are where it gets even better. Every purchase earns you at least 1.5% cash back, with some categories climbing as high as 5%, so the card pays you back on the spending you're already doing. Put a little on it early and there's up to a $200 bonus waiting. Between the break on interest, the cash back, and no annual fee, it's a lot of card for nothing to hold. *Take a look → |
07 — Ann Arbor report Weather forecastToday — High: 88°F — Low: 65°F — Precip: 1%
Sunny. High near 88, with temperatures falling to around 86 in the afternoon. Southwest wind 1 to 7 mph. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 65. West southwest wind 2 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Tomorrow — High: 84°F — Low: 63°F — Precip: 74%
Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 84. West southwest wind 2 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 8pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8pm and 11pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11pm and 2am, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63. Chance of precipitation is 70%. This house is wildThis nearly new downtown Ann Arbor condo pairs sleek luxury with everyday ease, featuring Scavolini cabinetry, Thermador appliances, and a built-in wine fridge in the chef’s kitchen. An open living area with gas fireplace flows to a private deck with city views, while both bedrooms offer Carrera marble baths, custom storage, smart-home controls, and secure garage parking.
Take a peek inside → |
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