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Police are investigating the theft of air conditioning units at businesses in the 6500 block of Jackson Avenue of Scio Township reported Tuesday.

Continue reading Police: Air conditioning units stolen from businesses...

Families, friends and neighbors gathered at Cobblestone Farm for the first farmers market of the season on Tuesday. Vegetables, jams, bread, meat and much more were offered from a variety of local organic farms. Additionally, there was story reading, musical entertainment and bubbles for everyone to enjoy.

Indianapolis Colts fans grew accustomed to seeing former Michigan quarterback Jim Harbaugh leading his team back from large fourth quarter deficits. Harbaugh's penchant for leading his team back from behind earned him the nickname of "Captain Comeback."

Continue reading 'Captain Comeback' Jim Harbaugh will be in unfamiliar spot - the lead - at Indy 500...

• Read more on MLive: Michigan's next abortion battle could be over health insurance coverage

Michigan's election board has approved a petition form for a proposal to ban Michigan health insurance plans from covering elective abortions unless individuals or businesses buy a supplemental policy.

Continue reading Michigan election board OKs petition form for abortion proposal ...

The Friends of the Rutherford Pool have raised more than $1 million to go toward the construction of the pool.

The Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation commission has awarded $150,000 to go toward the construction of Ypsilanti's Rutherford Pool, pushing the amount raised past the $1 million mark.

In 2011, the parks and recreation commission agreed to pledge a $50,000 grant and a $75,000 loan — $125,000 in total — to the Friends of the Rutherford Pool for the project. The commission unanimously voted last week to rescind the loan and previous grant total, and to instead award a full grant amount of $150,000.

Continue reading Ypsilanti's Rutherford Pool surpasses $1M fundraising goal with recent $150K grant ...

Bloom! Garden Center and Elemental Design at 1885 Baker Road in Dexter opened in April, Concentrate Media reports.

What was once Sloan’s Nursery and Dexter Gardens is now a nursery, garden boutique, art gallery, and center for landscaping and design business.

Continue reading Art gallery, gardening boutique and landscaping business opens in Dexter ...

The lemongrass mojito - a refreshing summer cocktail.

Jessica Webster | AnnArbor.com

Sometimes things just don’t work out the way you planned.

Last weekend was our friend Colleen’s birthday, so we invited her over for a night of Thai food and board games. We usually order Thai out, but I was feeling adventurous, so I hit the grocery store and stocked up on lemongrass, cilantro, galangal, red chiles and the like. I got out my Thai cookbooks and started planning.

But first, I decided that Colleen needed a signature cocktail for the evening. Something that incorporated some of the same flavors I was going to be cooking with. The experiments began.

Continue reading Thai-inspired lemongrass mojitos with basil...

A year and a half after Borders shuttered its bookstores, one of its competitors is finding opportunity in Michigan, the Detroit News reports.

Continue reading National book chain sees opportunity to grow business in Michigan...

Courtney Sacco | AnnArbor.com

Pretending to know what you're doing some Wednesday night in the near future, enter the unmarked doorway of a nondescript house and hie yourself to the top of some ill-lit stairs. Take a seat in the shadows of a room decorated in David Lynch lumberjack noir. Notice: curved wood paneling resembling the interior of a mid-century Airstream trailer, obscure framed art, antlered things.

Music is playing loud, hugging the line between fun and frustration. Watch the bar man measure, muddle, squeeze, shake and pour your drink.

Then consider food, listed on a brief handwritten menu. It's the Wednesday night pop up dinner from Central Provisions, the newest of several pop-ups hosted at The Bar at 327 Braun Court in Ann Arbor.

Continue reading Central Provisions offering amazing 'pop-up' fare in the Bar at 327 Braun Court...

Celebrate 50 years of bawdy and hilarious entertainment with Super Happy Funtime Burlesque at the Blind Pig. Sexy clown extraordinaire Mabel Syrup will be a special guest.

Continue reading Super Happy Funtime Burlesque to celebrate 50 years at the Blind Pig...

Judge Wade McCree testifies in Washtenaw Circuit Court before Judge Charles Nelson in Ann Arbor, Mich, on Tuesday, May 21, 2013. During his misconduct hearing, McCree talked about his affair with Geniene La'Shay Mott who appeared as a witness in a child-support case in his court.

AP Photo/The Detroit News, David Coates, Pool

Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Wade McCree conceded this week that much of the affair he's on the hot seat for played out like "bad television," according to an MLive.com report.

Continue reading Wayne County judge's colorful testimony chronicles steamy affair with witness...

• For complete Tuesday results, visit Mlive's High School Sports Network

Continue reading Skyline girls soccer one win from league title and more Tuesday results...

• Related story: Teacher firing upheld: Former Huron orchestra teacher Chris Mark's appeal denied

The idea that "boys will be boys" didn't fly in William Harris' gym class.

Continue reading Case closed against Ann Arbor gym teacher fired for shutting students in dark supply room...

There's a warrant out for my arrest, and I need your help to raise bail!

Fortunately, it's for a good cause. And my "jail" on June 13, the day of the Muscular Dystrophy Association's annual Lock-Up, will actually be Outback Steakhouse ... a far better place, offering much better food, than a cell with bars where I'd only get bread and water.

Every year, the MDA "arrests" people and asks them to raise "bail" — contributions to the very good cause:

The Lock-Up is the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s premier fundraising program. These high-profile events occur all across the country at various times throughout the year. Business and community leaders agree to be "put behind bars for good," where they utilize their vendors, co-workers, family and friends to get donations that will go toward their “bail.”

Each Jailbird has weeks to raise his or her donations. That way, on the day of the Lock-Up event, they can enjoy the Lock-Up experience by networking with other business leaders and meeting with the individuals and families that they’re helping in their community. All funds raised by the MDA Lock-Up assist the Association in providing lifesaving research, a nationwide network of medical clinics and accessible summer camp experiences to individuals and families affected by neuromuscular diseases.

So, what are you waiting for? Please, please, please go to my personal donation page and help me make bail!

Continue reading Muscular Dystrophy Association Lock-Up - getting arrested for a good cause...

Two of Washtenaw’s premier productions head into the home stretch this weekend, leaving just a few more chances to catch both of these much-lauded productions.

The Purple Rose’s production of “33 Variations” has been called “an uplifting experience," and a “perfect play,” while Performance Network’s “The Mountaintop” has garnered kudos like “excellent,” “an impeccable production” and “not to be missed.”

Both of these plays are compelling dramas about renowned historical figures with a modern-day twist, a dash of humor, and some astonishing performances by Michigan’s finest actors. No matter which one you choose, you're bound to have an experience you won’t soon forget.

Continue reading '33 Variations' and 'The Mountaintop' continue at The Purple Rose and Performance Network...

Most tickets available from Ticketmaster.com or Ticketmaster retail sites. The Michigan League Ticket Office, 911 N. University Ave., sells tickets in person or by phone at 734-764-2538 for University Musical Society, University of Michigan and Ann Arbor Summer Festival productions; these tickets are also available online: UMS; the U-M School of Music, Theatre and Dance; and the Ann Arbor Summer Festival. Tickets for The Ark are available at the box office; Michigan Union Ticket Office, 530 S. State St.; Herb David Guitar Studio, 302 E. Liberty St.; or online from the Michigan Union Ticket Office. Major Eastern Michigan University events can be ordered online. Kerrytown Concert House reservations may be made online or at 734-769-2999. Green Wood Coffee House reservations: 734-665-8558. Ann Arbor Symphony: www.a2so.com or 734-994-4801.

Upcoming ticket sales:

• Bruno Mars - July 11 at the Palace of Auburn Hills (on sale TBD)


• Blake Shelton "Ten Times Crazier" Tour with special guests Easton Corbin and Jana Krame - Sept. 28 at the Palace of Auburn Hills (on sale TBA)


• City and Colour; Sleepy Sun - Nov. 8 and 9 at the Fillmore Detroit (on sale TBD)

Continue reading Tickets on sale: Lyle Lovett at Meadow Brook, Backstreet Boys at DTE; and more...

Photo of Little League by Ed Yourdon, released for public use via Wikimedia Commons.

Editor's note: This post is part of a series by Dr. Baker on Our Values about core American values. This week Dr. Baker is discussing the common good.

How do we find the common good?

Jim Wallis, in his new book On God’s Side, says that we have lost sight of the common good—but we can find it again. “The common good and the quality of our life together,” he argues, “will finally be determined by the personal decisions we all make.”

What are those personal decisions? Wallis offers 10 personal decisions in his book. Today, I focus on the first one.

He tells a warm and touching story about how it plays out in Little League baseball with his sons. Here’s how he describes the decision: “If you are a father or mother, make your children the most important priority in your life and build your other commitments around them. If you are not a parent, look for children who could benefit from your investment in their lives.”

Continue reading Common good: Is Little League baseball the answer?...

Lorrie Shaw | Contributor

Knowing that there are many fun-loving pets living in and outside of our area, we're anxious to see what they've been up to.

Have you captured your pet taking advantage of all that the outdoors has to offer? Why not submit a favorite photo of your pet?

Any pet or animal in the family is welcome in the slideshow we feature each Friday.

Continue reading Pet Photo Friday is a fun way to share the happiness that your pet gives you - send in your submissions...

A rendering of the proposed Kerrytown condo project shows two of the three proposed buildings viewed from North Main Street.

Huron Contracting LLC

Tom Fitzsimmons' plans to build new upscale condos in Kerrytown received unanimous approval Tuesday night from the Ann Arbor Planning Commission.

The project, which spans the block between North Main Street and Fourth Avenue at the former site of a Greek church that was demolished last year, now heads to City Council for approval.

Continue reading Kerrytown condo project headed to Ann Arbor City Council for approval...

Ypsilanti Township is asking a woman proposing to open a daycare along South Grove Road to develop safe parking plans before it will consider allowing her business to move forward.

At its May 20 meeting, the Planning Commission tabled approval of a special use permit to allow the daycare to operate in a residential zone.

Continue reading New Ypsilanti Township daycare plans halted over traffic safety concerns...