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Morning, Ann Arbor! Summer apparently isn't done with us yet, we're headed into the mid-70s and 80s this week before fall creeps back in. Plenty to get into while you enjoy it: Michigan dominated Iowa everywhere but the scoreboard, U-M is destroying tumors with sound waves, and 20 acres off State Street just got the green light for more than 1,000 homes. Add UMMA's big reopening, Middle-earth at Hill, and the Folk Fest turning 50. Let's roll!
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🎓 U-M Is Now Killing Tumors With Sound Waves
Michigan Medicine just put $10 million into a new Histotripsy Center on North Campus, built around a technique that tears tumors apart with focused sound waves, no radiation, chemo, or incision required. Professor Zhen Xu co-invented it at U-M in 2002, and it's already FDA-approved for liver tumors with about 5,000 patients treated. President Domenico Grasso predicts it'll one day rank alongside U-M's polio and flu vaccine work. Michigan Engineering
🏈 Michigan Falls to Iowa on the Final Play
A brutal one at the Big House. No. 17 Iowa drove 91 yards and scored with two seconds left to stun No. 18 Michigan 20-19 in the Big Ten opener. Michigan outplayed them for three quarters (outgaining Iowa 429 to 285), but couldn't run out the clock, and a costly personal foul kept Iowa's final drive alive. Michigan (3-1) hits the road next week at Minnesota. MGoBlue
🏗️ Arbor South Clears Its Last Big Hurdle
The state signed off Tuesday on the largest tax-capture deal in Washtenaw County history, clearing the way for Arbor South, a $651 million project on 20 acres off State and Eisenhower. The plan: about 1,069 housing units (150-plus affordable), a 150-room hotel, three parking decks, over 100,000 square feet of retail, and a public plaza for markets, music, and tailgates. Arbor South
🎊 UMMA Is Reopening, And You’re Invited!
After a major renovation, UMMA’s historic Alumni Memorial Hall is ready to welcome Ann Arbor back. Celebrate on Saturday, October 10, from noon to 5 p.m. with new exhibitions, hands-on art making, exclusive giveaways, behind-the-scenes building tours, and conversations with artists Holly Bass and Rick Lowe. Free History & Architecture tours will depart throughout the afternoon, offering a closer look at the building and its beautifully restored marble floors. Admission is always free. See everything happening during UMMA’s Fall Opening Celebration.
🚴 New Designs Are Out for the Division Street Bikeway
The latest design extends the protected bikeway north from Community High toward the bridges, with fixes like a raised crossing at High and Carey and flashing signals. Feedback stayed mixed at Wednesday's open house, and the trickier bridge section got pushed to a Nov. 9 meeting. Construction is planned for 2027. Engage Ann Arbor
💰 How the City Plans to Spend the Kline's Lot Millions
Council unanimously signed off Tuesday on a 12-item spending plan for the $14.2 to $17.4 million, prioritized in case the final number lands low. The biggest chunk, $4.6 million, seeds a fund to buy strategic properties quickly, with the rest spanning affordable housing, the energy utility, two homeless shelters, police upgrades, and $1 million to keep the downtown Throne restrooms running. Engage Ann Arbor
🎻 The Lord of the Rings score, live at Hill
Journey to Middle-earth as the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra brings Howard Shore’s unforgettable Lord of the Rings soundtrack to life at Hill Auditorium along with mezzo-soprano Kaitlyn Lusk and the U-M Men’s and Women’s Glee Clubs. Friday, October 23, at Hill Auditorium at 7:30 PM. Tickets range from $30 to $85. Students save 50% off tickets. Please note this performance does not include film projections. Visit a2so.org to learn more.
🎤 What's Next for Concerts at the Big House?
Two summers in, Michigan Stadium's concert experiment is a hit: last year's Zach Bryan/John Mayer show set the U.S. record for largest ticketed concert (112,408 fans), and July's Morgan Wallen shows drew ~75,000 a night. Both were country, but the athletic department says they're open to pop, rock, or legacy acts too. The speculation runs wild: Coldplay, Taylor Swift, a Madonna or Eminem homecoming, even WrestleMania. As one official put it, "We're not going full honky-tonk." mLive
🧖 A Longevity Spa Is Coming to West Stadium
Ann Arbor Holistic Health is moving into a bigger space at 2370 W. Stadium Blvd. and turning it into a Wellness Center & Longevity Spa, with a VIP launch Sunday, Oct. 17. After 20-plus years of testing and wellness plans, the new spot adds the hands-on stuff: infrared sauna, red light therapy, lymphatic compression, microcurrent therapy, plus acupressure and massage. À la carte or by membership. Ann Arbor Holistic Health
⚾ A Batting Cage Built for People Who Aren't on a Team
Two little league dads tired of driving to South Lyon opened Hot Shots in July at 670 Airport Blvd. Six cages: scan a QR code, pick a speed from 35 to 70 mph, and choose soft-pitch, fastball, or curveball. No members-only feel, they want couples on dates, retirees, and after-work crews. Outside food welcome. Open noon to 9 p.m. weekdays, 10 to 9 weekends. Hot Shots
🫀 A Trinity Health First: Robotic Heart Valve Surgery
Surgeons at Trinity Health Ann Arbor completed the hospital's first robotic-assisted aortic valve replacement. Instead of cracking the breastbone open, they went through a few small cuts between the ribs, the largest about 3 centimeters. Dr. Robert Lyons led the procedure, and the patient recovered without complications. The upside: less pain and a faster recovery. Trinity Health
🌳 Ann Arbor Keeps Landing on "Best Places to Retire" Lists
Ann Arbor recently topped Jackson financial group's list of the ten best U.S. retirement cities and landed No. 8 on SoFi's "Happiest Cities to Retire." The draw? The same things everyone loves: the university, music and theater, walkability, great health care, and a cost of living that beats the coastal cities. Sofi
On the Market
901 Gott St
901 Gott St — $425,000 2 bed | 1 bath | 1,214 sqft - A 1946 Water Hill ranch with an updated kitchen and bath, a basement music studio and a deep backyard with room for a potential ADU or garage. Cute, small, and under $500K.
1452 Rosewood St
1452 Rosewood St — $619,000 3 bed | 2 bath | 1,648 sqft - A 1922 bungalow with original hardwood floors and a modern rear addition, featuring an open kitchen with a Viking fridge and oversized island that opens to a large fenced backyard. The front porch and kitchen definitely has our attention.
1575 Earhart Rd
1575 Earhart Rd — $1,650,000 5 bed | 3 bath | 3,549 sqft - A circa-1840 stone estate on roughly an acre, with original pine floors and exposed stone alongside a redesigned kitchen, plus four historic outbuildings used for wellness, crafts and gardening. Video tour
Adoptable Humane Society Pets
Quinn — 9 years 4 months | Large Spayed Female | Terrier / Shepherd. A friendly senior who loves belly rubs, fetch, cozy naps, and spending time with people. Meet Quinn
Luffy — 4 months | Medium Neutered Male | Domestic Shorthair Mix. A shy, sweet kitten looking for a quiet home where he can settle in at his own pace. Meet Luffy
Pretzel — 9 years 1 month | Medium Neutered Male | Chinese Shar-Pei Mix. A senior who knows what he wants and is ready to be an open book from the start. Meet Pretzel
That's all for now! Have a great week in Tree Town!
— Ryan, James, and the Michigander Team
P.S. - The Ark dropped the lineup for the 50th Ann Arbor Folk Festival, Jan. 29–30 at Hill, with Jeff Daniels emceeing. The bill runs deep: Trampled by Turtles, The War and Treaty, and gospel legend Mavis Staples. Tickets from $56.50. The Ark
P.P.S. (SPONSORED) - Ann Arbor is about to get extra nerdy (in the best way). a2Tech360 runs Sept. 22–Oct. 2, wrapping up with Tech Trek + Tech Talk on Liberty Street on Friday, Oct. 2. Robots, drones, XR, AI, autonomous vehicles, and plenty of "wait, THAT's happening in Ann Arbor?" moments. Free, 1–5 p.m., curiosity the only prerequisite. Come see what’s next → a2Tech360
P.P.P.S. - National Geographic just spotlighted Ann Arbor as a "charming college town that delivers big-city culture," giving love to UMMA, the Ark, Zingerman's, the Farmers Market, and paddling the Huron. National Geographic
P.P.P.P.S. - The city wants your take on getting around town, and the 2026 Transportation Survey takes about five minutes. Got opinions on the Stadium bridge or the Division bike lanes? This is the place to put them. Take the survey
P.P.P.P.P.S. - Grab a tissue for this one. Tigers legend Justin Verlander made the final start of his 21-year career Saturday, and manager A.J. Hinch sent his 7-year-old daughter to the mound to pull her dad from the game. A perfect sendoff for a Detroit great. Video
P.P.P.P.P.P.S. - Huge thanks to this week's sponsors, the University of Michigan Museum of Art, the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra, and a2Tech360. Support local, go check them out!
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