The Fleetwood Diner
Opened in 1949 as the Dag-Wood Diner, Ann Arbor’s iconic Fleetwood began life as a prefab steel lunch counter built from a Toledo diner kit.
Read MoreMar 25, 2026 | Fun Stuff |
Opened in 1949 as the Dag-Wood Diner, Ann Arbor’s iconic Fleetwood began life as a prefab steel lunch counter built from a Toledo diner kit.
Read MoreMar 25, 2026 | Fake Ad and I Spy, Fun Stuff |
“Oh Lord, this is so absurd!” writes Sonja Srinivasan. “I knew from the moment I saw the word ‘Unter’ that this was the Fake Ad on page 83.”
Read MoreMar 25, 2026 | Fun Stuff, What She Said |
I really screwed up! I missed the deadlines for signing my first- and fourth-graders up for summer camp and now I’m freaking out. My husband and I both work from home, so they’ll be spending a good amount of time on their own. How do I keep them safe and engaged, but off screens?
Read MoreMar 25, 2026 | Fake Ad and I Spy, Fun Stuff |
“I spy an egret, located in Gallup Park,” write both Bryan Magnuson and Lisa Pasbjerg. “The photo is of the Guardians of the Huron River sculpture,” says Marilyn Knepp.
Read MoreFeb 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 MoreFeb 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 MoreFeb 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 MoreFeb 24, 2026 | Fun Stuff |
What began in an East Lansing Garage with a $125 pinball machine became an A2 institution.
Read MoreJan 27, 2026 | Fake Ad and I Spy, Fun Stuff |
“I Spy: the Wallenberg House,” writes first-time entrant Marley Kalt.
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 MoreJan 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 MoreDec 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 MoreDec 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 MoreDec 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 MoreNov 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 More