Life + Culture

Grateful Hearts

Five members of the Ann Arbor community share what they’re thankful for this holiday season Article by Rebecca Voigt A Neighborhood Full of Life "Every autumn, I’m reminded how thankful I am for where I live. The neighborhood feels especially alive in the fall, and I feel incredibly lucky to be surrounded by such great neighbors." — Ann Arbaugh, Alex Milshteyn Real Estate   Building Community “I’m thankful my husband and I have been able to raise a wonderful family while also...

Life + Culture

The Next Chapter

Independence, friendship, and connection are the foundation of the community at Clarendale Ann Arbor Article by Emily Klimas | Photography by Meg Dula Step through the doors of Clarendale Ann Arbor and “retirement community” may be the last thing that comes to mind. Light spills across richly decorated gathering spaces, where bold patterns, unexpected artwork and distinctly Michigan touches — from vintage memorabilia to a wolverine tucked among the décor — give each room a personality of its...

Arts + Culture

A Sound of Our Own

In his fifth season with the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra, Music Director Earl Lee is still listening — to his musicians, his audiences and the city around him Article by By Lindsey Dodge When Earl Lee first came to Ann Arbor, one of the earliest signs that he might like it here was that he couldn’t find a parking spot.   Lee, now in his fifth season as music director of the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra, was visiting as part of the orchestra’s search for its next conductor back in 2021. A...

Sports + Recreation

Home Ice

At the Ann Arbor Figure Skating Club, athletes of all ages are given space to achieve their full potential Article by Emily Klimas Step through the sliding doors of the BIGGBY Coffee Ice Cube, home of the Ann Arbor Figure Skating Club (AAFSC), and the space quickly takes on a rhythm of its own. Tables beside tall windows overlooking the ice fill with skaters and families moving between homework, conversation and practice. Some arrive tentative, still learning to trust the blades beneath their...

Food + Beverage

The 140th Season

The Dexter Cider Mill, Michigan’s longest continuously operating cider mill, marks 140 years of apples, cider, doughnuts and tradition Article by Maria Karpeil Imagine a place that makes you smile the moment you hear its name. A place layered with generations of family memories, the kind you hope to pass down to your own children or share with someone visiting. A place that invites you to slow down and savor something historic, while somehow making the arrival of fall feel new again. In our...

Life + Culture

The Legends of Ann Arbor

Three exceptional leaders came together for a night of inspiration, conversation, and community at the inaugural Legends of Ann Arbor event Article by Maria Karpiel | Photography by Stacy Anderson It was a night.   A night to be inspired, challenged, energized, to laugh, and to remember what makes this city remarkable: the people and the minds within it.   On September 10, 2026, Ann Arbor City Lifestyle presented the inaugural Legends of Ann Arbor event, a fireside conversation and...

Food + Beverage

Ann Arbor’s Five-Star Dining Scene

These landmark restaurants invite you to slow down, pass the plate, and celebrate the art of connection. Article by Emily Klimas Echelon Technical Brilliance, Grounded Warmth   Since opening its doors, Echelon has rapidly become one of Ann Arbor's defining culinary sanctuaries, earning a prestigious James Beard Award Best New Restaurant semifinalist nod in under two years. The restaurant was built on a commitment to elemental craftsmanship and local terroir: honoring Washtenaw...

Food + Beverage

The Fine Art of Pastry

At Orijin Bakery, croissants and cakes share space with an old-fashioned idea: lingering over coffee with people you love Article by Lindsey Dodge | Photography by Shelby Robinson On a busy weekday morning in downtown Ann Arbor, there’s a new way to start your day: Orijin Bakery, the brainchild of Chef Jin Gorian Capobianco and Sava Farah (of Sava’s, Aventura, and The Dixboro Project renown). A neighborhood bakery with the quiet confidence of a classical French pastry background, its mission...

Life + Culture

Nourishing the Neighborhood

With a focus on compassion, dignity, and community, Food Gatherers combats food insecurity in Washtenaw County Article by Emily Klimas She didn't need to bring her grandchildren along, prove her income, or fill out stacks of paperwork. Pulling up to a Food Gatherers Grab-and-Go site in Washtenaw County, Grandma only had to answer one question: “How many?” With two fingers raised, boxes containing a week’s worth of breakfasts, lunches, shelf-stable staples, and milk were loaded into her car. As...

Food + Beverage

Well-Crafted Cocktails

The talented teams at The Last Word and Peridot share their favorite sips of the season Article by Rebecca Voigt | Photography by Calder Fong, Elisabeth Beer, and Ellen Beaty Space Bird The Last Word General Manager Samantha Hamrick says this blend of Roku gin, cardamom-infused Aperol, lemon, passion fruit, and Aquafaba is “refreshing, big juicy citrus, aromatic, slightly sour, velvet froth in all the right ways.”   Baggage Claim Peridot bartender Calder Fong describes this blend of...