Fun Stuff
Rotation is Quantized
Feb 24, 2026 | Fake Ad and I Spy, Fun Stuff |
“This is the last artistic/scientific sculpture by Jens Zorn commemorating Elmer Imes’ trailblazing discovery of the quantum nature of molecular rotation in 1918.”
Read MoreYour Name In Print
Feb 24, 2026 | Fun Stuff, What She Said |
“I am writing a memoir based in Ann Arbor and would like some advice on how to publish it. Should I look for publishers within town or self-publishing companies either in town or online?”
Read MorePrescient Precious Metals
Feb 24, 2026 | Fake Ad and I Spy, Fun Stuff |
“The connection to last month’s winner is the basketball card of former U-M basketball stand-out Roy Tarpley (same last name as the winner). I checked and his rookie card with the Dallas Mavericks usually only goes for between $1–$4, so maybe the sports memorabilia market has taken a dip.”
Read MorePinball Pete’s
Feb 24, 2026 | Fun Stuff |
What began in an East Lansing Garage with a $125 pinball machine became an A2 institution.
Read MoreThe Wallenberg House
Jan 27, 2026 | Fake Ad and I Spy, Fun Stuff |
“I Spy: the Wallenberg House,” writes first-time entrant Marley Kalt.
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Proof Rock
Jan 27, 2026 | Fake Ad and I Spy, Fun Stuff |
“While I’m sure their musicians are very talented, I’d much prefer my love to sing it for me themselves,” writes Savannah Van Buren.
Read MoreCreative Meetups for Creative People
Jan 26, 2026 | Fun Stuff, What She Said |
“I know Ann Arbor is teeming with brilliant creatives, but I can’t find the place where they connect and support one another. Are there any regular gatherings in town where artists, writers, or designers meet consistently just to talk shop and get plugged into the scene?”
Read MoreMichigan Theater
Dec 22, 2025 | Fake Ad and I Spy, Fun Stuff |
“This month’s I Spy is the Michigan Theater with the new high rise looming in the background,” writes Michael McGraw.
Read MoreM Trade
Dec 22, 2025 | Fake Ad and I Spy, Fun Stuff |
“As one who is concerned about a future lacking adequate skilled trades workers I wish your December fake ad wasn’t fake,” wrote Robert LaJeunesse.
Read MoreOld-School Street Maps
Dec 22, 2025 | Fun Stuff, What She Said |
“I have been searching for an Ann Arbor street map on behalf of a friend who’s thinking of moving to the area. Evidently, they don’t make them any more, but phone maps are so limiting. Used book stores don’t have any. Chamber of Commerce doesn’t. Any chance you know where I can locate one? The AA Observer seems to be connected to everything Ann Arbor! Help!”
Read MoreRestraint Matters, but it Sure is Elusive
Nov 24, 2025 | Fun Stuff, What She Said |
“There is always so much going on around town this time of year! Can you help me figure out how to balance fun time with downtime?”
Read MoreFormer Le Dog Location
Nov 24, 2025 | Fake Ad and I Spy, Fun Stuff |
“Finally, I got the I Spy clue! It’s the old Le Dog location on Liberty [at] Thompson,” writes Linda Kentes. “They had that wonderful lobster bisque!” “I still miss walking a block from work to get soup” from the stand, notes Spencer Thomas.
Read More“Mt. Whitmore Family Ski Resort”
Nov 24, 2025 | Fake Ad and I Spy, Fun Stuff |
We received 153 entries correctly identifying the Fake Ad for Mt. Whitmore on page 57 of the November Observer.
Read MoreRecipe for Tension
Oct 24, 2025 | Fun Stuff, What She Said |
“My in-laws will be staying with us over Thanksgiving this year for the first time. They’re lovely people, but I really struggle with houseguests. How do I get them out of the house as often as possible, while not hurting their feelings?”
Read MoreAnns’ Arbor Plaque
Oct 24, 2025 | Fake Ad and I Spy, Fun Stuff |
“Lovely, but highly unlikely,” says Dave Bicknell of the plaque’s romantic tale. Still, “when I … moved here for grad school in 1987,” writes Susan Whitlock, “I came upon that plaque … and decided I was in the right place: few cities can claim such a feminist origin myth.”
Read More“G.I. BBS: Serving Those Who Serve”
Oct 24, 2025 | Fake Ad and I Spy, Fun Stuff |
People are funny. Okay, maybe not all 131 of you who correctly identified the Fake Ad for the Government Issue Bulletin Board System (GIBBS) on page 73 of the October issue, but enough to give us a few chuckles.
Read MoreUpcoming Events
- March 13, 2026 “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze”: Fathom Entertainment Various Times
- March 13, 2026 Craig Santos Perez: U-M English Department Zell Visiting Writers Series 10:00 am
- March 13, 2026 “Investigate Labs”: U-M Museum of Natural History 11:00 am
- March 13, 2026 Carillon Concert Series: U-M School of Music 12:00 pm
- March 13, 2026 Chime Concert: Kerrytown Market & Shops 12:00 pm