• Free
    Observer Editor

    “The Bone Tree”: Carrigan Cafe

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    On the hour, every hour, author Charles K. Campbell reads from and discusses his latest children’s fantasy book, an illustrated book about a dog, as well as his earlier books, and leads games. 6 a.m.-2 p.m., 101 S. Ann Arbor St. #107. Free.

  • Observer Editor

    Huron Gun Collectors

    Huron Gun Collectors
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    Oct. 17 & 18. About 100 dealers and collectors offer guns, knives, ammunition, and other hunting equipment for sale, including antiques and collectibles. Youth age 17 & under must be accompanied by an adult. 9 a.m.–4 p.m. (Sat.) & 10 a.m.–3 p.m. (Sun.), Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds, 5055 Ann Arbor–Saline Rd. Admission $5 (kids age 12 & under, free). (517) 546–4710.  

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    Michigan Folk School Folk Festival: Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation

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    Live traditional old-time music TBA. Display and sale of folk art and crafts, and demos of traditional crafts like blacksmithing, stained glass, leathercraft, basket weaving, and more. Also, participatory field games and food trucks. 10 a.m.–3 p.m., Staebler Farm County Park, 7734 Plymouth Rd. Free. (734) 926–0060, [email protected], mifolkschool.com.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    U-M Physics Department Saturday Morning Physics

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    Oct. 3, 17, & 31. A popular series of talks aimed at general audiences by U-M and visiting scholars.

    Oct. 3: “Do People Really Believe That? The Science of Survey Research.” U-M communication professor Yanna Krupnikov discusses how seemingly small survey design decisions can have big consequences when measuring public opinion.

    Oct. 17: “Dark Matter, Dark Energy, and Einstein’s Cosmological Constant.” Kansas State University physics professor Bharat Ratra discusses the astronomical data that persuades cosmologists that dark matter and the as-yet-undetected dark energy are by far the main components of the universe.

    Oct. 31: “Spooky, Spectacular Halloween Demo Show.” Family-friendly Halloween-themed physics demonstrations by U-M physics faculty.

    10:30 a.m., 170 Weiser Hall, 500 Church St. Also via livestream; see bit.ly/saturdayphysics. Free. (734) 764–4437.

  • Community Listing
    Free

    Ann Arbor & Ypsi Neighbors on a Calmer Local Board: Project New Ann Arbor

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    Online, Ann Arbor (online event)

    Project New Ann Arbor (Future Music Online).

    A relaxed online weekend chat for Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti neighbors about what a calmer local online board should be: lost-and-found, giveaways, road closures and everyday questions. Cameras optional. Free, online, 30 min, 19+. Register for the join link. Hosted by Fox Parton (Future Music Online). AllSpace is a prelaunch pilot and is not in app stores.

    https://luma.com/amga1uh4

    Free
  • Free
    Observer Editor

    “Death Café”: Crazy Wisdom Bookstore Gathering Series

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    All invited to join a frank conversation about death led by Ann Arbor Death Cafe representatives. 11 a.m.–1 p.m., Crazy Wisdom, 114 S. Main, upstairs. Free. (734) 665–2757, crazywisdom.net.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    U-M Kelsey Museum of Archaeology Saturday Sampler

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    Every Sat., except Oct. 3 (different times). Hour-long docent-led tours exploring “Magic in the Ancient World” (Oct. 10, 11:15 a.m.), “Egyptian Gods and Animals” (Oct. 10, 2 p.m.), “Egypt 101” (Oct. 17, 11:15 a.m.), “Spooky, Weird, and Magical: Halloween with the Kelsey” (Oct. 24, 2 p.m.), and “Dangers Lurking Around Every Corner” (Oct. 31, 2 p.m.), a look at artifacts that people in ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Rome believed could help protect them from various diseases and dangers. Various times, 434 S. State. Free. (734) 764–9304. 

  • Community Listing
    Free

    Free Expungement Fair: Safe & Just Michigan, Legal Services of South Central Michigan, Washtenaw County, Michigan Works! Southeast

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    4135 Washtenaw Ave., Ann Arbor

    Having old items on your criminal report can hold you back from getting a good-paying job or finding a place to live. But new Michigan laws make it easier than ever to get those old items removed. Get free help on a fresh start from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17, at the Washtenaw County Learning Resource Center, located at 4135 Washtenaw Ave. in Ann Arbor. This event is co-sponsored by Safe & Just Michigan, Legal Services of South Central Michigan, Washtenaw County and Michigan Works! Southeast. To pre-register for this event, please go to https://bit.ly/Oct17AA

    https://www.bit.ly/Oct17AA

    Free
  • Observer Editor

    Country Fair: Wiard’s Orchards

    Country Fair: Wiard’s Orchards
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    Every Wed.–Sun. A carnival atmosphere with a variety of family-oriented fall activities on this family farm, including wagon rides, a petting farm, a corn maze, and more. For an extra charge on Sat. & Sun., an apple cannon, paintball, apple or pumpkin picking, and other activities available. Cider & donuts available. Also, on Oct. 3 & 4, local artisans & crafters sell their items at the Craft Show Weekend, and on Oct. 24, young entrepreneurs sell homemade items at the Kids Market (noon–4 p.m.). No pets. 11 a.m.–6 p.m., 5565 Merritt (east of Carpenter), Ypsi. Weekend admission: $27.50 (babies under 2, free). Weekday admission: $18 (babies under 2, free), online only at wiards.com. (734) 482–7744.

  • Observer Editor

    Blast Corn Maze: Nixon Farms

    Blast Corn Maze: Nixon Farms
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    Every Fri.–Sun., Sept. 19–Nov. 1. A large corn maze with 3.5 miles of trails and 3 exits to allow for routes of various lengths. Also, a U-Pick pumpkin patch, hayrides, petting zoo, pedal cars, straw maze, and yard games. On Sept. 27, Family Fun Day (11 a.m.–3 p.m.) features ice cream, balloon art, kids activities, and live music from the Saline Fiddlers. 11 a.m.–9 p.m. (Sat.), 11 a.m.–7 p.m. (Sun.), & 5–9 p.m. (Fri.), 6175 Daly, Dexter. $16 (ages 5–12, $13; age 4 & under, free with adult admission). blastcornmaze.com.

  • Observer Editor

    Blast Corn Maze: Nixon Farms

    Blast Corn Maze: Nixon Farms
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    Every Fri.–Sun. A large corn maze with 3.5 miles of trails and 3 exits. Also, a u-pick pumpkin patch, hayrides, petting zoo, pedal cars, straw maze, and yard games. The corn maze is illuminated and guests get a free glow stick on Glow Maze Nights (Oct. 9, 16, & 23, 5–9 p.m.). On All You Can Carry Pumpkin Day (Oct. 25, 11 a.m.–7 p.m.), for $10 you can purchase all the pumpkins you can successfully stack and carry down the lane. On Pumpkin Smash Day (Oct. 30, 5–9 p.m.), each guest receives a free pumpkin to smash, which is then composted or fed to the farm’s animals. Costumes encouraged for the Halloween Spooktacular (Oct. 31, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.). 5–9 p.m (Fri.), 11 a.m.–9 p.m. (Sat.), 11 a.m.–7 p.m. (Sun.). 6175 Daly, Dexter. $16 (ages 5–12, $13; age 4 & under, free with adult admission). blastcornmaze.com.

  • Community Listing
    Free

    NAMIWalks Washtenaw County

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    Gallup Park 3000 Fuller Rd., Ann Arbor

    NAMIWalks Washtenaw County is open to everyone, and strives to increase awareness and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health. All funds raised will stay local to help support and grow NAMI Washtenaw County’s free mental health programs.

    In addition to walking together to increase visibility, participants will have the opportunity to connect with peers and learn about community resources and initiatives. The event will feature resource tables from local organizations, guest speakers, food and warm drinks from Tacos El Panda and Happy Camper Café, a 2-mile walk within Gallup Park (wheelchair- and stroller-accessible), lawn games, and craft stations. Participants can register, create a team, or donate at namiwalks.org/washtenawcounty. Registration is free but required.

    namiwalks.org/washtenawcounty

    Free
  • Observer Editor

    “Creature Encounters & Adult Open Hours”: The Creature Conservancy

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    Fri. Oct. 2 & 16 and every Sat. & Sun. (See review) During the Friday Adult Open Hours (age 18+ only), conservancy staffers show some animals that live in the rainforest, including a two-toed sloth, a Dumeril’s boa, an iguana, and a red-footed tortoise at 7:30 p.m. On Sat. & Sun., staffers show a two-toed sloth, a Dumeril’s boa, and an iguana at 1 & 4 p.m., and a red-footed tortoise at 2 & 3 p.m. All tickets include a chance to see the conservancy’s other animals. 7–9 p.m. (Fri.) and noon–5 p.m. (Sat. & Sun.), 4950 Ann Arbor–Saline Rd. $15 (kids ages 2–12, $13; under age 2, free) cash or credit at the door only. (734) 929–9324, thecreatureconservancy.org.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    Walking Tours: U-M Detroit Observatory

    Walking Tours: U-M Detroit Observatory
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    Oct. 3, 10, 17, 23, & 30. Student docents lead walks to historically rich areas of the U-M campus.

    Oct. 3 (1–2:30 p.m) & Oct. 23 (4–5:30 p.m.): “Key Moments in U-M’s Early History.” A tour of the original 40-acre campus and stories of U-M’s history in the early 1800s.

    Oct. 10 (1–2:30 p.m.): “Invisible to Indispensable: Black Legacies.” Focuses on the legacy of Black students and academics and the social movements they led on campus.

    Oct. 17 (1–2:30 p.m.): “The Origins of the Law Quadrangle.” A visit to the law school campus, with discussion of its architecture and important historical moments.

    Oct. 23 (6–7:30 p.m.): “Paths of Protest: Stories of Campus Activism.” Visits to places on campus that were sites of important protests.

    Oct. 30 (4–5:30 p.m.): “Forest Hill Cemetery.” A trek to the final resting place of numerous figures from U-M history.

    Various times & locations. Free, preregistration required at detroitobservatory.umich.edu. (734) 763–2230.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    “Tree Appreciation Walk”: Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation Commission

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    WCPARC naturalist Elle Bogle leads a walk through Whitmore Lake Preserve’s forest, fields, and wetlands to learn about trees. 1–3 p.m., Whitmore Lake Preserve, 1551 Seven Mile, Whitmore Lake. Free.  Preregistration required at washtenaw.org/registerparks; #811009.