Fun Stuff
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 MoreNothing’s off the Table
Oct 16, 2025 | Fun Stuff, What She Said |
Are these questions from actual people? Can I really ask you anything, like, even about my love life??
Read MorePractice Your High Steps
Oct 9, 2025 | Fun Stuff, What She Said |
“My ten-year-old daughter is learning to play clarinet, and she’s obsessed with marching bands. How early is too early to start training to be in the Michigan Marching Band?”
Read MoreThe Shivering Elephant in the Room
Oct 2, 2025 | Fun Stuff, What She Said |
“I moved to Ann Arbor last spring from California, so this will be my first Michigan winter. Is there anything I can look forward to?”
Read More