GREAT FOOD OUTDOORS
The Simple Goodness of Kids and Pets
Have you ever seen a baby touch grass for the first time—and witnessed their wonder and awe at this sharp yet soft surface on their skin? It’s something we take for granted every day, but to them, it’s brand new and astonishing. And when we step back from the busyness of life and experience the world through their eyes, we realize the joy in the “everyday.”
Or have you ever had a bad day completely erased by the welcome you receive from your fur babies at home? It’s a moment when your pet seems to believe in you more than you believe in yourself.
Kids and pets have an incredible ability to bring beauty, joy, and a grounded perspective to our daily lives. That’s why we’re celebrating these important beings in our lives with the Kids & Pets issue of Ann Arbor City Lifestyle. We start by kicking the adults out of this month’s “City Scene” and letting the kids and pets take over the spotlight throughout the city.
We then highlight the incredible legacy of the Ypsi-Arbor Little League (formerly the Ypsilanti Little League – American Division), which was the first in the country to allow female players. The bravery of a 12-year-old girl—and the town of Ypsilanti that stood behind her—is something we can all be proud of.
Next, we spotlight Guardian Tree Experts, whose scientific approach to tree and plant health matters not only to the most complex arborist projects in Ann Arbor, but also to the budding young arborists they engage through school outreach programs.
From there, we make way for the golden retrievers—not just any goldens, but the dogs of the Lipschutz-Danzansky Family Paws4Patients Program. These therapy animals provide comfort and healing at Michigan Medicine, showcasing the profound power of the human-animal bond for those who need it most.
We wrap up the issue with fun DIY ideas for connecting with our kids during the final weeks of summer, and we feature a remarkable local artist who brings art with heart to children and adults alike.
We hope you find inspiration, warmth, and a few smiles in the stories of our community shared throughout this month’s issue. Enjoy these last few weeks of summer, get ready for football season (Go Blue!), and celebrate—with intention— the simple goodness of kids and pets.
MARIA KARPIEL, PUBLISHER @ANNARBORCITYLIFESTYLE
August 2025
PUBLISHER
Maria Karpiel | maria.karpiel@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR
Rebecca Voigt | rebecca.voigt@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Morgan Burgard, Leann Parker, William Walker Orr
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Abbie Buhr, Meg Dula, Erin Kirkland
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
COO Matthew Perry
CRO Jamie Pentz
VP OF OPERATIONS Janeane Thompson
VP OF SALES Andrew Leaders
AD DESIGNER Jenna Crawford
LAYOUT DESIGNER Lillian Gibbs
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Hannah Leimkuhler
Proverbs 3:5-6
Stilger
city scene
WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN
1: Ariel Hurwitz-Greene’s dog, Stuart, with her son, Gabriel. 2: The Dixboro Project is full of nature and family fun—like catching frogs on Father’s Day. 3: Cora and Alice Ufer with their pet gecko, Polo. 4: Everett Matich with his pet cat, Ollie. 5: Eleven-year-old Echo can often be found in studio with her mom, Core Collective owner Emily Hollon. 6: Sydney Aldrich competing with her horse, Sirius. 7: DGY Dentistry in-house dogs Blu and Bibo after a hard day at work.
Want to be seen in the magazine?
CHARLOTTE OULANOFF, TRUE PHOTO
Exceeding our clients’ expectations since 1989.
business monthly
Introducing Sava’s New General Manager
Sava’s is proud to welcome Malcolm Richardson as the new general manager of The Pulpo Group’s flagship location. Having relocated from Atlanta with his family, Richardson brings a rare blend of Southern hospitality, strategic development, and a warm, steady leadership style that has already inspired enthusiasm throughout the Sava’s team. “He embodies what we value in hospitality, and we’re excited for what’s ahead with him now leading our restaurant and incredible team,” Sava Farah says.
Scan to read more
Summer of Ghibli at the Michigan Theater
Step into a world of imagination with Summer of Ghibli—a film series celebrating the beloved works of Japan’s legendary animation studio, Studio Ghibli. From fantastical adventures to tender coming-of-age tales, each film offers breathtaking visuals and timeless storytelling for all ages. All films will be shown with Japanese audio and English subtitles unless otherwise noted.
Scan to read more
Literati Bookstore Presents: Dan Brown at The Michigan Theater
Literati is thrilled to welcome Dan Brown, bestselling author of The Da Vinci Code, to celebrate the release of his newest Robert Langdon novel, The Secret of Secrets. All tickets will include a signed copy of The Secret of Secrets. Mark your calendar for Friday, September 12 at 7 p.m., and visit literatibookstore.com/upcoming-events for ticket information.
Scan to read more
Photography by Ben Flythe
SINGLE TICKETS ON SALE NOW
UMS brings the very best music, theater, and dance artists touring the world to Ann Arbor each September through April — and offers discounted rates for families & kids, students, seniors, and groups! We invite you to reserve the edge of your seat, experience something extraordinary, and take time to be present.
Tickets to all individual events go on sale Tuesday, July 29 at 10 am! Visit ums.org for a full 25/26 season listing or call us at 734-764-2538
BASEBALL, A BRAVE GIRL, and a Supportive Town
Carolyn King © 1973 MLive Media Group. All rights reserved. Used with permission.
YPSI-ARBOR LITTLE LEAGUE WAS THE FIRST TO ALLOW FEMALE PLAYERS
ARTICLE BY MARIA KARPIEL | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ABBIE BUHR
Top: Thanks in part to Carolyn King, a new generation of girls—including pitcher Riley Bolaños—can play Little League Baseball. Photo by Edward Karpiel.
Bottom: Carolyn King © 1973 MLive Media Group. All rights reserved. Used with permission.
Travel back in time to 1973—a time with no internet, no cell phones, no 24/7 news channels, and…no real organized sports leagues for girls. For Carolyn King, summer meant pick-up games of baseball, basketball, or tennis with her brothers and neighborhood friends at the park across the street from her house. So, when her 10-year-old brother Greg decided to try out for the Ypsilanti Little League, 12-year-old Carolyn decided to try out too.
Looking back, King said she had no idea the impact that decision would have. “I didn’t know the rules or the headlines going on at the time,” she says. “I didn’t set out to change anything. I just wanted to play baseball.”
At the time, Little League Baseball was strictly for 10-, 11-, and 12-year-old boys. In the Ypsilanti area, hundreds tried out, but not everyone made a team. When King went to register, league officials were unsure what to do—a girl had never tried out before. Ypsilanti Little League President Bill Anhut had to give her the news: girls were not allowed to play in Little League.
Defeated, King began to walk away— but stopped when she felt something on her back. It was Bill Anhut pinning a number to her shirt. “If you really want to try out,” he said, “I’m going to let you. I’m going to give you a shot.” King was given a chance, but a spot on a team wasn’t a given—it had to be won.
That evening, all the coaches gathered for the Little League draft, basing selections on the player evaluations CONTINUED >
they’d conducted earlier in the day, as they always had. But something unprecedented happened—Wayne Warren, head coach of the Orioles, selected Carolyn King. A girl had been drafted to a team in the Ypsilanti Little League division.
On May 1, 1973, the Ypsilanti Press ran a frontpage story on King playing Little League. The story was picked up by the Associated Press and soon covered nationwide—including by Walter Cronkite on the CBS Evening News. When Little League headquarters in Williamsport, Pa., found out, they threatened to revoke the league’s charter if King played in a game. This was serious: without a charter, the league couldn’t form an All-Star team or enter playoffs for a chance at the Little League World Series.
“She’s very good, and that’s the crime of the whole thing,” said Ypsilanti Little League Vice President Robert Taylor at the time. “If she was a mediocre player you could say, ‘Forget it,’ but she puts most 11- and 12-year-olds to shame.”
“ She’s very good, and that’s the crime of the whole thing… she puts most 11- and 12-year-olds to shame.”
Initially, the Ypsilanti Little League Board and coaches voted to keep King on the team. They also contacted each of the 12-year-old boys in the league, since they would be affected if the All-Star team was disqualified. Eighteen boys said King should stay; 23 said she should go. But every single player on the Orioles—King’s team— voted to keep her.
But King’s story didn’t end there. The City of Ypsilanti got involved. Led by Mayor George Goodman—who had followed her story with earnest— the city council voted unanimously that if King was prohibited from playing, the league could no longer use city-owned fields or equipment. One newspaper headline said it all: “No Carolyn, No Ballpark.” Faced with this decision and knowing their charter would likely be revoked, the Ypsilanti Little League made a historic choice: they would let King play.
Robert Taylor, former Ypsilanti Little League vice president
On May 10, 1973, Carolyn King—a sixthgrade girl from Ypsilanti who just wanted to play baseball—started at center field in Candy Cane Park. The game made national headlines. Afterward, Little League International officially revoked the Ypsilanti Little League’s charter.
Under renewed pressure from Williamsport, the board held an emergency vote and reluctantly decided to remove King from the team—trying, as they put it, to consider the good of the entire league.
King and the City of Ypsilanti went on to sue Little League Baseball for discrimination. Though they lost the case on a technicality, the pressure from public opinion made a lasting impact. In 1974, Williamsport dropped its “no-girls” rule, and by spring 1975, girls were officially allowed to play Little League Baseball.
“It was heroic what they did,” said Buddy Moorhouse, one of Carolyn’s former teammates. “There’d been plenty of other girls who had tried to play Little League, and who had gone to tryouts. A girl in New Jersey played three games, and then Little League Baseball said, ‘You need to kick her off,’ and they did. But Ypsilanti stuck up for Carolyn. If not for that, her story would be like all the others.”
Carolyn’s bravery—and the support of her city—are featured in a documentary, The Girl in Centerfield: The Story of Carolyn King and the Summer That Changed Youth Baseball . Created by Brian Kruger and Buddy Moorhouse, the film includes game footage, audio recordings, and interviews with the key figures who helped make history. It captivates from start to finish.
King’s story has opened the door for millions of girls to play Little League across the nation. Today, in the ballclub now known as the Ypsi-Arbor American Little League and beyond, if a girl loves the game, there’s nothing holding her back from playing it. And it’s all thanks, in part, to one brave girl and the town that stood by her.
Stream the full documentary and experience this powerful story for yourself on Amazon Prime Video or AppleTV+. To learn more about the Ypsi-Arbor American Little League, visit ypsiarborll.org.
Current Ypsi-Arbor
Little League players Riley Barrett, Solé Ramirez, and Xochitl Carrasco.
Solé Ramirez.
ARTICLE BY WILLIAM WALKER ORR | PHOTOGRAPHY BY MEG DULA PHOTOGRAPHY
The Guardians of Tree Town
Jack Richardson and his dedicated team of arborists are protecting Ann Arbor’s canopy, one tree at a time
For more than a decade and a half, Guardian Tree Experts has fought tirelessly to preserve Ann Arbor’s status as the one-and-only “Tree Town.” Blending scientific tree care with community education—including school outreach programs, neighborhood tree walks and an esteemed woodchip recycling process—Guardian Tree Experts’ founder Jack Richardson has continually taken bold steps throughout his career to ensure that our city’s beloved canopy thrives for generations to come.
Prior to founding Guardian, Richardson worked for Bartlett Tree Experts—a company internationally recognized for its scientific approach to tree preservation—where he fell in love with the methodology and precision behind proper tree care. “Being able to understand the physiology and chemistry of the tree made it all the more meaningful… you start feeling connected to your community and the tree itself,” he says.
Richardson launched Guardian in 2008 after moving from Arlington, Va. to the Ann Arbor area with his wife, Emily. Once in Ann Arbor, Richardson saw a gap in the community’s local tree care, and he sought to fill that void by creating a company that brought higher standards to the community’s preservation efforts. Nearly 20 years later, Richardson’s vision has more than paid off, as Guardian’s arborists are the go-to experts on tree health in the greater Ann Arbor area.
From the beginning, Richardson has stressed the importance of a scientific and ethical approach to tree care, never letting his team lose sight of their roles as caretakers not of mere timber, but real, living organisms. According to Richardson, true
professionals in the industry both understand their craft and respect each tree as “a living thing… [with] something special and alive” inside it. This philosophy is more than a feel-good tagline or greenwashing PR slogan—it’s the chief guiding principle of every cut, consultation, and thorough risk assessment the Guardian crews carry out to achieve the overarching goal of doing no harm.
This company-wide respect extends beyond Guardian’s work before and during a job. Under Richardson’s leadership, Guardian strives to ensure that nothing removed goes to waste—the company recycles limbs, branches, and even woodchips that would otherwise end up strewn and squandered entirely into mulch or natural compost. One recent sustainability effort Richardson is particularly excited about is the transformation of waste wood into “biochar,” a charcoal-like material that enhances soil health while leaving a lower carbon footprint. On giving wood a newfound purpose, Richardson calls it “a win-win-win” since it provides Guardian with a further avenue to both promote sustainability and repurpose its biodegradable materials.
CONTINUED >
Another cornerstone of Guardian’s mission lies in educating the public on the ins-and-outs of caring for and preserving tree health. To accomplish this, their team hosts free tree walks and community outreach events in both elementary and high schools to spark engagement and foster a more outspoken tree-conscious generation. Additionally, Richardson also urges Ann Arbor residents to be proactive in their stewardship
of the city’s trees, insisting that even the smallest acts of care—like watering newly-planted street trees or spreading mulch around the bases of tree trunks—will help our city’s canopy flourish for years to come.
“You do a lot of little things,” he says, “and they can spread.”
guardiantreeexperts.com
Preserving Tree Town
To help maintain Ann Arbor’s status as “Tree Town,” invest in the health and safety of your trees with these recommendations from Guardian Tree Experts:
• Prescription Fertilization: Soils in urban environments often lack the nutrients necessary for the proper growth and development of trees.
• Soil Aeration & Amendment: Soil compaction, pH imbalances, low organic matter, and competition with grass are additional stressors that often need to be addressed to improve the vigor of trees.
• Insect & Disease Management: Targeted treatments and monitoring can prevent minor infestations and infections from developing into situations that lead to decline or death.
• Pruning: Proper pruning to remove dead, declining, diseased, and damaged tissue and to reduce the length and weight of overly extended limbs in the outer canopy decreases the risk of infection, failure, and property damage.
• Cabling & Bracing: Some trees with significant defects need to be removed. For many others, installing a cabling or bracing system can reduce risk significantly and allow for preservation.
• Arborist Appointment: Consult with one of Guardian’s ISA Certified Arborists to learn about the condition and value of your key trees and discuss plans for addressing current issues and preventing future problems.
MICHIGAN MEDICINE’S MARVELOUS THERAPY DOGS
The hardworking canines of Paws4Patients offer comfort, lower stress, and bring a sense of calm
ARTICLE BY WILLIAM WALKER ORR
PHOTOGRAPHY BY ERIN KIRKLAND AND MICHIGAN MEDICINE
Michigan Medicine’s Lipschutz-Danzansky Family Paws4Patients program is a donor-funded initiative that puts full-time therapy dogs in hospital units for the purpose of supporting families, patients, and staff. These specially trained dogs work alongside clinicians to help foster calm,
Fawn, one of the Paws4Patients therapy dogs. Photo courtesy of Michigan Medicine.
“These dogs have such a high emotional intelligence that watching them work [and] how they're able to help families, patients and the staff has been incredible.”
—
Jessica Doletzky, Paws4Patients program coordinator
reduce anxiety, and bring a sense of joy to an intimidating environment. Ann Arbor City Lifestyle spoke with Paws4Patients Program Coordinator Jessica Doletzky to learn how the program began, what a typical day looks like for the dogs, and why the program continues to grow.
HOW DID PAWS4PATIENTS START, AND WHAT INSPIRED ITS CREATION?
Paws4Patients launched in 2016 with a grant and two full-time hospital dogs: Anna and Denver. Anna worked with spiritual care, and Denver supported the pediatric ICU. However, we quickly saw that two dogs weren’t enough to meet the hospital’s demand—that’s when we started expanding. Today, we have seven dogs—Anna, Fawn, Bugle, McCoy, Barney, Dash, and London—each assigned to specific hospital units based on their temperament and the needs of their handlers.
HOW DO THE THERAPY DOGS HELP PATIENTS AND FAMILIES? DO THEY HELP THE HOSPITAL STAFF AS WELL?
When a facility dog walks into a room, they often gravitate toward whoever needs support most— sometimes that’s the patient, but often it’s a parent or even a staff member. The dogs are trained to assess the space, check in with everyone, and then settle where they’re most needed. It’s powerful to watch, especially in pediatric settings, where parents tend to put their own well-being aside. The dogs offer comfort, lower stress, and bring a sense of calm. They help staff, too—often attending meetings or simply showing up during difficult times. Some handlers track daily interactions, and it’s not unusual for a dog to connect with hundreds of people in a single shift. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.
CONTINUED >
The Paws4Patients therapy dogs. Photo by Erin Kirkland, Michigan Photography 2024.
WHAT DOES A TYPICAL DAY LOOK LIKE FOR A PAWS4PATIENTS DOG?
They come to work like a 9–5 job. When they put their vests on, they’re professional. They might attend therapy groups, check in with patients, go on rounds, or sit through meetings. They have break times, outdoor time, and places to rest in the office. And when the vest comes off at the end of the day, they’re just regular dogs again—playful, goofy, relaxed.
WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD FOR PAWS4PATIENTS? ARE THERE ANY PLANS TO EXPAND?
Yes, we are continuing to expand. Our goal is to add at least one team every other year. We have, I think, close to 30 areas that have requested dogs or placements within Michigan Medicine, so we have a lot of units, a lot of staff, and a lot of teams that are very interested in getting their own facility dog. My job is to help walk through that process—interview teams, work with development, and see where the next placement might be the best fit. We’re in the process of placing a dog we hope to have by the end of this year, and I’m already looking ahead to the next couple of years to figure out where those placements might land.
FINALLY, WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE IS THE MOST REWARDING PART OF PAWS4PATIENTS?
Just seeing how intelligent and how incredible these dogs are. They’re really well trained, but more than that, these dogs have such a high emotional intelligence that watching them work—each of them have their own personalities and how they act outside of work—but just watching what they’re able to do and how they’re able to help families, patients and the staff has been incredible.
Top: Paws4Patients therapy dog, McCoy. Photo by Erin Kirkland, Michigan Photography 2024.
Bottom: Fawn at work in the hospital. Photo courtesy of Michigan Medicine.
W A T C H THEM GROW
The days are long, but the years go fast. So they say with raising children. I have to agree with that sentiment. Each year as summer ends I find myself looking at my kids and reminding myself to “Watch them grow!” Both as a reminder to not miss the growth (with all the distractions and responsibilities that adult life brings) but also as reflection on how far they’ve come since the last time we turned the calendar page to August. Whether there are children in your life or not, I’m sure we can all agree that childhood is fleeting. Instead of stopping to smell the roses, I need to remind myself to “stop and watch them grow”—you can’t see it if you stare, but you’ll surely miss it if you blink! It helps me to set aside intentional time to be present with these fast little growers.
For us that looks like setting a special table to spend time sharing (or drawing) how we’ve seen them grow over the summer before jumping back into school routines. Making DIY game boards together and then having a family game night. Making snow cones for an after-dinner treat or, for a bigger wow factor, for breakfast! They will never forget that one, I promise. (Psst! my snow cones are made with fruit juice so it’s Mommy approved too!)
As August rolls in and the calendar tells us that it’s time for back-to-school shopping, the weather does not usually agree that the times are changing. I find that it’s such
a weird dance between what looks like the change of seasons when I open my calendar but not when I walk out my back door (heat wave!). On one hand, we’re still in full throttle of blazing temperatures in the Midwest and with no end in sight. At the same time, being thrown into back-to-school shopping, Meet-the-Teacher nights, resuming the regiment of packing school lunches, and if you’re a homeschool parent, all the to-do lists and lesson plans in order to launch into another school year. As we find ourselves
with one foot in summer and the other in a classroom, how do we embrace and (dare I say) celebrate this month? Instead of feeling ungrounded in the juxtaposition of August, I am inviting myself, and anyone who would join me, to embrace the opportunity to celebrate the in-between seasons that this month brings. My hope is that these ideas help spark your imagination on how to keep you cool in the heat, launch your kiddos into a new school year, and to set aside time to watch them grow.
DIY GAME BOARDS
Welcome more play into your life with this little DIY project. At our house we like to keep outdoor game boards around for short moments together as well as full blown game nights. These game boards are meant to be kept outside but could also be brought indoors as well.
Materials
• Pebbles for Checkers, 24 similar sized
• Small stones for Tic-Tac-Toe, 8 similar sized
• Acrylic paints (black, red, yellow and white)
• Paint brush
• Raw wooden boards + black paint marker
• Reclaimed wood + black acrylic paint
• Polycrylic spray
Instructions
1. Game Pieces: Paint your rocks with acrylic paint. For Tic-TacToe you’ll need a total of 8 rocks, 4 of each type (here I’ve painted 4 lady bugs and 4 bumble bees). For Checkers you’ll need a total of 24 rocks, 12 of each color (here I’ve used black stones, painting half of them red).
2. Game Board: For raw wood (such as our Tic-Tac-Toe board), use a ruler and black paint marker to create board lines. For reclaimed or treated wood, use paint. Let game pieces and game boards fully dry. Seal with a polycrylic spray for protection from heat and moisture.
SNOW CONES
We adore snow cones at our house! If you’ve been to our house then we’ve probably served them to you. A shaved ice machine makes it oh-so-easy! You can purchase premade snow cone syrup flavors or make your own healthier version by using fruit juice concentrates. Simply thaw the frozen fruit juice concentrate and put the liquid into squeezy bottles for an easy way to pour over shaved ice.
Assemble
• Ice, lots of ice!
• Snow Cone Machine
• Snow Cone Cups
• Snow Cone Straws
• Snow Cone Syrups (or frozen juice concentrates, thawed)
Use a snow cone machine to shave ice into snow cone cups. Top with your favorite flavor—either store bought snow cone syrups, homemade syrups, or our favorite—fruit concentrates. Stay cool and celebrate the last days of summer heat!
Photo credit: Neil Weaver
events
A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS
AUGUST 3RD
20th Annual LEGO Contest
Sheraton Hotel | 4:00 PM
Ann Arbor District Library’s annual LEGO contest returns on August 3. Doors open for public display of all projects at 4 p.m., with prizes awarded in six categories: Preschool, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12, and Adult. And for those who play the Summer Game, don’t miss the LEGO Badge and game codes! For more info, visit aadl.org/LEGO.
AUGUST 8TH - 9TH
Dexter Summer Festival
Downtown Dexter
Featuring a fun-filled parade down Main Street; live music, vendors, food trucks, a dunk tank, and more in Monument Park; a Kid’s Action Zone with live entertainment, balloon animals, bounce houses, games and activities; a vibrant mix of entertainment, shopping and activities in the Broad Street Social District; and more, the Dexter Summer Festival is a delight for all ages. Learn more at dextersummerfestival.com.
AUGUST 9TH
Music & Moves for Kids
Hudson Mills Metropark | 3:00 PM
With live music, an inflatable obstacle course, games galore, face painting, and fantastic performances by a juggler, a fire dancer, and a magician, this jam-packed afternoon of activities offers non-stop fun for kids of all ages. Get ready to groove, move, and make memories at Hudson Mills Metropark. Learn more at metroparks.com.
AUGUST 10TH
Aventura Paella Master Class: Verduras Edition
Aventura | 12:00 PM
Unlock the secrets of Aventura’s vegetable paella and classic sangria with a lively, hands-on culinary adventure led by Chef Partner Raul Cob and Bar Manager Mike Sweet. In a fun, communal setting, you’ll craft your own paella from scratch, mix up classic sangria, and enjoy a shared feast, just like in Spain. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned cook, this class is packed with flavor, learning, and great company. Learn more and purchase tickets at aventuraannarbor.com/#events.
AUGUST 11TH - 13TH
Kids Camp: Lasagna Love
Zingerman’s Cornman Farms | 9:00 AM
Children ages 9 to 12 will learn to make homemade pasta and Chef Kieron’s signature Bolognese sauce at this three-day camp at Zingerman’s Cornman Farms in Dexter, Mich. Children will also assemble lasagna for the Ronald McDonald House, write cards to be distributed to homeless neighbors, and decorate packaging. On the last day of camp, each participant will leave with a complete meal for four to finish at home. Learn more and register at zingermanscornmanfarms.com.
AUGUST 16TH
Little Paws Toddler Time
Humane Society of Huron Valley | 10:30 AM
Bring your animal-loving little one to HSHV for a paws-itively fun time designed for children ages 2 to 5. The program will include stories, crafts, a tour of the cat area, and an animal meet and greet. Preregistration is required and there is a $5 fee per child. Learn more and register at events.hshv.org.
AUGUST 19TH - 23RD
Chelsea Community Fair
Chelsea Community Fairgrounds
With midway rides, games, livestock, horse shows, live music, tractor pulls, a demolition derby, and more, the Chealsea Community Fair offers something for everyone. For a full schedule of events, visit chelseafair.org
AUGUST 28TH
Sonic Lunch: JR JR
Liberty Plaza | 11:30 AM
Bank of Ann Arbor’s outdoor summer concert series, Sonic Lunch, ends the season with a performance by JR JR and special guest Absofacto at Liberty Plaza in downtown Ann Arbor. Sonic Lunch concerts are free and suitable for all ages. To learn more visit soniclunch.com.
AUGUST 30TH
Michigan vs. New Mexico
Michigan Stadium | 7:30 PM
The 2025 college football season kicks off August 30 at the Big House as the Michigan Wolverines take on the New Mexico Lobos. See the full 2025 schedule and purchase tickets at mgoblue.com
ARTICLE BY MORGAN BURGARD
Art With Heart
MEET ARTIST AND THERAPIST MORGAN BURGARD
A Mission for Art in Education
Joining the Doodles Academy board is a true honor. Their mission—delivering high-quality visual arts education to every child—is inspiring. I’m thrilled to be a part of something that fosters social-emotional growth in young minds right here in our community.
Supporting Neurodivergent Young Adults
Beyond the canvas, I'm a therapist who works with neurodivergent young adults. My focus is on creating a supportive space where they can understand their emotions, step back from judgement, and thrive. This role perfectly complements my artistic philosophy of holistic well-being and personal growth.
Community Creativity
I was recently involved in collaborating with the amazing students at Abbot Elementary School and local artist, William Burgard, to create a mural. I was thrilled to have my design chosen, and the kids brought it to life with their own paintbrushes!
Art as a Path to Wellbeing
My art explores emotions and human connection through vibrant colors and expressive forms. I believe art offers a unique language for feelings and is vital for our well-being. My dog, Rosie, also helps me around the studio.
An Engaging Fall Art Event is Brewing
Get ready for some artistic fun! I'm currently developing a family-friendly art event for this fall that promises an immersive and engaging experience for all ages. Details are still in the works, but you can expect interactive art and creative exploration right here in the Ann Arbor area. Stay tuned for more! morganburgard.com
Photo: Jeff Garland