Academic Trivia Night
There’s something wonderful about people in Ann Arbor wanting to share everything they know—unless you’re at a cocktail party, of course. Our contest is no cocktail party.
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Fake Ad and I Spy
The Engine House
“The picture in the January issue is part of the old fire house,” writes first-time entrant Amy Saalberg. Also known as the Engine House, says Justine Geidosch, it “is now part of the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum.”
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Omar’s Kebabs
Not many people know this, but the Fake Ad Czar’s single favorite line ever on Saturday Night Live was when Kate McKinnon, portraying an Australian actress playing a death bed scene, was asked if she had any last words. In a terribly exaggerated, inaccurate Australian accent, McKinnon responds, “Kangaroo, I guess.”
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313 S. State Doorway
“Those flowers (I always think of them as asparagus) flanked the door next to a long gone and lamented bookshop on State St.,” says Spencer Thomas. “I really like that doorway design,” writes David Karl, adding that it always makes him smile remembering the late Karl Pohrt’s “amazing” Shaman Drum Bookshop.
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McCarran-Ferguson Insurance
“The November Fake Ad is for McCarran-Ferguson Insurance on page 64,” Walker writes. “The clue is cleverly hidden in the combination of insurance company mascots ‘Gecko or Hank the Emu’ (I hadn’t heard of Hank the Emu so that was the first doubt I had about this little ad). Clever hint in the name of the insurance company, named for the 1945 act that confirmed the rights of states to regulate insurance companies. Well played.”
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The Standard Mural
It “was painted by Mike Ross … [who] states that he works ‘heavily with color and pattern, painting largely abstract work … [using] eye catching but subtle color combos,’” shares Dave Karl. It’s “much better in color!” adds Barnett.
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Hunted House
“Very clever, Czar. Our minds read haunted even though it says hunted house. This one really had me cackling! Put on your camos, grab your broom and fly over there today.”
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Ruthven Building
Birds and monkeys and geckos, oh my! One finds themself surrounded by them—more noticeably, post-cleaning and renovation—when entering the Ruthven building and rotunda.
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Aztec Rentals
“Bonkers but brilliant” is a wonderful description. We wish Mayer had made that comment before The Fake Ad Book was published. We would have put it on the cover for sure.
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Fleming Building
“Okay, I was wrong last month, but this month really does look like the Fleming,” concurs Jacqueline Courteau, about the “Dow building that formerly housed U-M administration.” “As of August 27,” adds Ken Koral, it’s “entirely torn down.”
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Botter’s Organic Creamery
Wow, that was close! We almost reached 200 entries correctly identifying last month’s Fake Ad for Botter’s Organic Creamery on page 29 of the August issue. We had to settle for 198, but it’s always a joy to hear from so many Fake Adders.
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Plymouth Building
The Plymouth Building (1969–70) “was designed and built by” Dow, an architect who Frank Lloyd Wright named his “‘spiritual son,’” writes David Karl.
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Joey Salamon’s Mural
“Salamon created a dazzling geometric mural,” writes Barb Tester. “His work brought vibrant color to a previously drab [back] facade.” Salamon’s work “‘exudes joyfulness and brings pride to the community,’” says David Karl, citing the artist. “I think he has succeeded in his quest as it’s a fun mural to behold.”
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Missus Smanson’s
We received 199 entries identifying the Fake Ad for Missus Smanson’s Restaurant on page 69 of the June Observer. The winner’s name, “Sussman,” was barely hidden in the establishment name.
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Embracing Our Differences
I spy “the art installation at the SE corner of Huron Parkway and Geddes,” writes Ellen Bauerle. “These are the ‘Embracing Our Differences’ banners in Gallup Park,” says Marilyn Knepp. “Wonderful billboard-size pieces on diversity and equality,” adds Amy Barnett.
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The African American Cultural and Historical Museum of Washtenaw County Portico
“This portico is on a new trail,” says Deirdre Spencer, citing May’s clue. The “detail is on the African American Cultural and Historical Museum of Washtenaw County, 1528 Pontiac Trail.” David Karl adds that it was “built by Albert Polhemus in 1848” at 411 E. Washington.
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604 E. Washington
“The gingerbread trim is … gone,” says Pamela Kittel about April’s feature, the house at 604 E. Washington—one of four demolished “to allow developers to put up another monstrosity,” says Dan Romanchik, or as Lelia Raley coins it, “the latest Megalopolith Brat Castle.”
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