Zingerman's Launches Bracket-Style Tournament Menu Madness

Morning, Ann Arbor! It’s Film Festival week. Here’s a schedule of events and here’s a funky hype video to get you pumped up. Happy viewing!

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🥪 Menu Madness: Last week, Zingerman’s launched ‘Menu Madness’, a bracket-style tournament where 32 sandwiches compete head-to-head until one is crowned champion. In addition to voting for their favorite sandwiches, participants have a chance to win free sandwiches, gift cards, and even the opportunity to create and name a sandwich for the menu. You can click here to vote.

🌳 B2B Pedestrian Tunnel: This week construction begins on the pedestrian tunnel that will connect Bandemer Park to Barton Nature Area. The new tunnel, which will run under the Amtrak rail line, will offer a safe and legal (people were previously walking on the train tracks to cross) means of accessing both parks. The project includes trail detours, temporary closures, and eventually, public art inside the tunnel. The tunnel is expected to be completed by this fall. Here’s a good link with more information on the project.

🎓️ U Of M Picks The Captain: Last week, U of M announced Derek “the Captain” Jeter will be this spring’s keynote graduation speaker. A Kalamazoo native and briefly a U of M student before being drafted by the Yankees in 1992, Jeter is also being considered for an honorary Doctor of Laws degree. Jeter’s legendary career includes five World Series titles, 14 All-Star selections, and induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2020.

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🪪 REAL ID Deadline: Starting May 7, Michigan residents will need a REAL ID or valid passport to fly domestically. A REAL ID is a driver’s license or state ID with a gold star in the corner. You can upgrade to a REAL ID for free at renewal, or pay $10 to convert early. As of last month, only 73.5% of Michiganders had a REAL ID.

🌽 Nonresident Land Ban: Michigan Republicans are fighting for a package of bills that would ban residents and entities from “countries of concern”—including China, Iran, and Russia—from owning farmland or property near military or key infrastructure sites. Critics, including the ACLU of Michigan and Asian American advocacy groups, call the bills xenophobic and discriminatory, comparing them to historic "alien land laws." While supporters say the legislation would strengthen national security, opponents argue it could force immigrants to sell homes and damage Michigan’s real estate market and reputation. The bills face an uphill battle in the Democrat-controlled Senate.

🏀 March Madness: After defeating 12-seed UC San Diego and 4-seed Texas A&M, 5-seed Michigan takes on 1-seed Auburn this Friday in the round of 16. If the Wolverines win, they could face MSU Sunday in the Elite Eight. The Wolverines are 7.5-point underdogs heading into Friday’s game.

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That's all for now! Have a great week in Tree Town!

- Andrew

P. P. S. - A new Verizon store opened on Plymouth Road (across from Sweetwaters)

P. P. P. S. - What looks more like Michigan, this brisket or this cat paw?

P. P. P. P. S. - One Michigan Redditor wanted a two-character license plate, so they manually checked all 1200+ possible combinations with the state site. Here are the 194 still available.

P. P. P. P. P. S. - Thanks to Whoa Silent Disco for sponsoring this week’s Michigander.

Interested in sponsoring a Michigander? Fill out this form.