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Alexa Stanard

Frequent ������ϲ�ͼ������ contributor Stanard gained a new interest in taking care of her own heart after reporting on women’s cardiac health (page 30). “It was an eye-opener to realize that more women die from cardiac disease, which is largely preventable, than from any other cause by far,” says Stanard, an Oak Park resident. “We can buy packages of cookies emblazoned with a pink ribbon to fight breast cancer, yet 10 times as many women die of heart attacks and strokes each year — and it’s hard to get medical studies to even focus on women.” Stanard says she depends on regular yoga, her love of olive oil, and a boyfriend who makes her laugh to keep her heart healthy.

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Adam Nickel

An artist with an educational and working background in animation, graphic design, and advertising, Nickel says he draws from the illustration styles of the 1940s, ’50s, and ’60s. Nickel lives with his wife, Kathryn, on the Sunshine Coast of Australia, and when he’s not wasting time on eBay, he likes to work on his motorcycle. For this issue, he tackled the topic of dialects and accents (page 56), which was a natural for him. “I’m an Australian living in Australia, but my wife is Canadian. We both work from home, and the majority of my interaction is with her. This has caused my Australian accent to become much less pronounced — to the point where many other Australians think I no longer have an Australian accent.”

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Patrick Dunn

An avid comic-book fan in high school, Dunn enjoyed many small-press underground comics in addition to the bread and butter of Batman, Spider-Man, and friends. However, he had never been introduced to the work of local underground-comics godfather, Matt Feazell. Now, having interviewed the cartoonist for a look at his life and work (page 38), Dunn is glad he finally discovered the world of “The Amazing Cynicalman.”�� “Matt makes funny, topical comics right here in Detroit,” Dunn says. “And he draws the best stick figures I’ve ever seen.” Dunn is set to graduate from Wayne State University’s journalism program this spring. In addition to freelancing for Detroit publications, he also has written and directed a popular online sitcom, Public Access.

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Heather Saunders

As a toddler, Saunders loved to pore over the pages of Vogue magazine, studying the stylish and polished images. “I always knew that my creative outlet would be photography,” says Saunders, who focuses on weddings, portraits, and travel scenes. Saunders taught herself her craft with the help of a mentor, and now maintains a studio, Heather Saunders Photography, in Royal Oak. “I’m blessed to have a career for which capturing lovely celebrations is the job description (page 60),” she says. “Creating memories for my couples, even as their families grow, is a true honor.” A native of metro Detroit, she lives in Southfield with her husband, three children, and two pugs.

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