• Observer Editor

    Country Fair: Wiard’s Orchards

    Country Fair: Wiard’s Orchards
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    Every Sat. & Sun., Sept. 12–Nov. 21; and Wed.–Fri., Sept. 16–Oct. 30. 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 and donuts available. Also, on Sept. 12 & 13, the season opens with a food truck rally, and on Sept. 19 & 20, view classic cars at the Fall Car & Jeep Show. 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

    Just Between Friends Sale

    Just Between Friends Sale
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    Sept. 16–19. Semi-annual consignment sale, eagerly anticipated by parents of young children, offering a chance to buy & sell used maternity items, baby & children’s clothes, toys, and baby gear. Prices drop Sat. at 2 p.m. Doors shut 30 minutes before closing. 3–9 p.m. (Wed., tickets required), noon–9 p.m. (Thurs.), 9 a.m.–7 p.m. (Fri.), and 9–11 a.m. & 2–7 p.m. (Sat.), Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds, 5055 Ann Arbor–Saline Rd. Free if reserved online, $3 at the door; $5–$25 early access. For preregistration, discounts, and to sell items, go to annarbor.jbfsale.com.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    U-M Center for Emerging Democracies Lectures

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    Sept. 9 & 16. Talks & panel discussions by visiting scholars. Sept. 9: The State and the Soldier: A History of Civil-Military Relations in the United States. American Enterprise Institute fellow Kori Schake discusses her new book. Sept. 16: “Democracy Against Workers?” A panel discussion with Vanderbilt University political science professor Noam Lupu, Duke University public policy professor Nicholas Carnes, and George Washington University political science professor Adam Dean. 4–6 p.m., Michigan Union, Kuenzel Rm. Free. (734) 764–0351.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    Michigan Marching Band Practice

    Michigan Marching Band Practice
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    Every Mon.–Thurs. (except Sept. 7). The U-M’s highly disciplined 200+ member marching band or sections thereof can be seen and heard practicing on the new Elbel field, across the street from the old Elbel field. All welcome to find a spot in the bleachers and get a sneak preview of upcoming halftime shows. Rehearsals usually last 12 hours. 4:45 p.m., new Elbel Field, Hill at Fifth Ave. Free. (734) 764–0582.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    “Button Lab”: Ann Arbor District Library

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    A chance for adults and kids age 12 & up to make fun buttons using AADL 1.25-inch or 2.25-inch button makers. Participants may bring or draw their own pictures, or use images from the AADL collection of old magazines. 5–6 p.m., AADL Downtown, Secret Lab. Free. (734) 327–4200.

  • Observer Editor

    Magic: The Gathering (MTG): Sylvan Factory

    Magic: The Gathering (MTG): Sylvan Factory
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    Every Wed., Fri., & Sat. All invited to play both casual and tournament forms of the collectible card game MTG.

    Wed. & Sat. (5 p.m.): “Commander.” A drop-in session of the most popular form of the game. Free.

    Wed. (6 p.m.): “Pauper.” A fun and fast format for all skill levels, three rounds. $5.

    Wed. (6:30 p.m.): “Standard.” Three rounds, with competitive tournament rules, prizes of store credit. $10.

    Fri. (6:30 p.m.): “Friday Night Draft.” Cost and format vary. Various times, 2459 W. Stadium. (734) 929–5877, sylvanfactory.com.

  • Nightspots

    Paul Sprawl.: North Star Lounge

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    North Star Lounge 301 N. Fifth Ave., Ann Arbor

    Rootsy blues- and folk-style singer-songwriter from California known for his wry, quirky lyrics and inventive guitar style that incorporates lots of alternate tunings and rhythmic tapping.

  • Observer Editor

    “Community Table”: The Washtenaw Food Hub

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    Every Wed. Food- and agriculture-related discussions and demos.

    Sept. 2: Harvest to Pantry.” Dehydrating vegetables with Tantré Farm co-owner Deb Lentz. Free.

    Sept. 9: “Herbal Syrups.” Making syrups for drinks and teas with Unity Vibrations cofounder Rachel Kanaan. $7.

    Sept. 16: “Seasonal Salad Dressings.” Food Hub instructor Robin Lehman teaches simple, adaptable recipes. Free.

    Sept. 23: “Wet Felting Basics.” With local fiber artist and shepherd Mitch Fehrle. $15.

    Sept. 30: “Black Walnut Revival.” Billy Sullivan covers collecting and processing black walnuts for the table. Free.

    6–7 p.m., 4175 Whitmore Lake Rd. Cost varies. Preregistration required for all events at tinyurl.com/a2-foodhub. thewashtenawfoodhub.com.

  • Observer Editor

    “Ann Arbor Fire Department to the Rescue”: Evenings with OLLI (U-M Osher Lifelong Learning Institute)

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    AAFD chief Mike Kennedy discusses the department’s operations, capabilities, and service model, along with the challenges that come with increased density and vertical growth in our community. Light refreshments at 5:30 p.m. 6–7:30 p.m., Kellogg Eye Center auditorium, 1000 Wall St. $25 for nonmembers (members, $15) in advance at olli-umich.org (create an account) & at the door. First OLLI event, free. Membership, $50 a year. (734) 998–9351.

  • Community Listing

    Drop-In Line Dancing: Pittsfield Recreation Center

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    Adults and children (eight & up, if accompanied by parent or grandparent) are invited! Wear comfortable clothes, soft-soled shoes or boots. Learn three or more, absolute beginner line dances.

    6-7:30 p.m., Pittsfield Recreation Center, SW corner of Ellsworth and S. State St, Ann Arbor.The price is $7 if pre-registered at: www.recreation.pittsfield-mi.gov or $10 at door.
    www.recreation-pittsfield-mi.gov, www.recreation-pittsfield-mi.gov

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    Drop-in Knitting: Spun

    Drop-in Knitting: Spun
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    Every Sun.–Thurs. (different times). All invited to work on their knitting, crochet, weaving, and embroidery projects. 6–8 p.m. (Mon.–Thurs.) & 1–3 p.m. (Sun.), 401 N. Fourth Ave. Free. (734) 780–7867.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    “A2 Crokinole Club”: Lowertown Bar & Cafe

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    Every Wed. All invited to play this century-old Canadian game. Players flick discs across concentric scoring rings on a circular hardwood board. All skill levels welcome; boards provided. On the patio, weather permitting. 6–8 p.m., 1031 Broadway. Free, but purchase of food & drink encouraged. lowertowna2.com/events.  

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    “Poetry, Traumatic History, Memory: Thinking about the Armenian Genocide”: U-M Center for Armenian Studies Haidostian Annual Lecture

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    Pulitzer Prize winning poet and Colgate University professor Peter Balakian discusses the impact of the Armenian Genocide on his work, exploring the transmission of trauma across generations and how poetry’s resources can ingest the past. Balakian examines how his ancestors have provided a grounding for his work, ancestors like his great-great uncle, Krikoris Balakian (Bishop in the Armenian Church), one of the 250 cultural leaders arrested on April 24, 1915, and his grandmother, Nafina Shekerlemdjian who along with her two young daughters survived the Genocide enduring a harrowing death march into the Syrian desert.

    6-8 p.m., UMMA Helmut Stern Auditorium, 525 S. State. Free.

    https://ii.umich.edu/armenian/news-events/all-events.detail.html/150146-21908257.html

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    “Saoirse”: Literati Bookstore

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    Irish writer Charleen Hurtubise discusses her new novel about an American-born artist living in Ireland whose newfound acclaim threatens to unearth secrets from her past. 6:30 p.m., 124 E. Washington. Free. (734) 585–5567.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    Group Runs: A2 Runners

    Group Runs: A2 Runners
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    Every Wed. & Mon. Runners of all abilities invited to join a beginner or advanced 3- to 5-mile group run, followed by socializing at a downtown coffee shop. 6:30 p.m., meet at the Kerrytown Clock Tower. Preregistration requested at meetup.com/a2runners. Free. [email protected] 

  • Observer Editor

    “The Passion of the Christ”: Fathom Entertainment

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    (734) 973–8424 (Cinemark), (734) 3165500 (Emagine). Tickets $12.50 (except as noted) in advance at fathomentertainment.com/events and at the door. Cinemark (4100 Carpenter, Ypsi) & Emagine (1335 E. Michigan Ave., Saline). 

    Sept. 10–17: “The Passion of the Christ” (Mel Gibson, 2004). Graphically violent dramatic depiction of the arrest, trial, and crucifixion of Jesus. 6:30 p.m. Cinemark only.