Current - Blue Book - September 2017

MUSIC

Game Day on A Budg et

FOOD

n a g i h c i M 5 2 Musts

BEER

Book Current’s guide to college

2017

d n e k e e W s t o p S t o H

L

ook, school is hard. You’ve got classes and homework. You have to decide how late you’re going to stay up, how early you’re going to wake up, who’s worth talking to on the way to class (or at a party) and who’s worth ignoring, who you want to stay in contact with from back home and who you’re going to cut off. These are tough tasks. Add the fact that Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti, while fun and exciting places to explore, can overwhelm with options about where to eat and drink, where to dance, where to go for the freshest fit, or where to catch your breath and relax. Current narrows things down a bit, offers some suggestions, making your decisions about where you’re going to spend your time and money a bit less of a tax.

You already know about the national franchises so we’ll skip those and instead clue you in on some local venues.

25 Michigan Musts A bucket list you cannot miss

by Current Staff

The beauty of memories is that whatever ones you make remain uniquely your own. That said, our collective journeys lead us to believe the following experiences are the kinds you’re bound to hold onto and treasure. Check them out, twist, tweak, delete or add to them in any way you want, weave your own dynamic story.

a game at The Big 1you’llSee House (win or lose, be part of the biggest crowd at any football game anywhere on the planet on any given Saturday).

Eat at Blimpy Burger 2 (preferably at least a triple, if not a quad)

3 Drink Sangria on the 4 porch at Dominick’s (don’t wait for January for

Eat a Chipati (we recommend Pizza Bob’s)

this one)

Skate at Yost Arena 5weekdays (public skates are most @ noon) Eat at Zingerman’s Deli 6weekend (avoid the long lines on mornings)

7

See a concert in Hill Auditorium (take advantage of the UMS student rate)

2

september

Munch on baked Visit the Matthaei 15 avocados @ Maiz 8 conservatory on a winter Mexican in Ypsi. (Baja day (great solo, but even better Cobb salad too)

with someone special)

Paint The Rock (and See a show at the Blind Pig 16 be re-painted over 9 (discover up-and-coming within a few hours) hip hop or rock legends of the future, say hi to the Thursday night bouncer)

Visit the Rare Book 17 Room at Hatcher (see parenthetical note

10

Drink a Fishbowl at Charley’s (leave your car keys at home)

for #8)

11 Picnic in The Arb (see 12 parenthetical note for #8), bring a blanket Float the Huron River (find your inner inner-tube)

13

Eat a slice at The Brown Jug (thin crust recommended

14 Spin The Cube

2017 / ecurrent.com

Scoops from 21 Two Washtenaw Dairy Check out the view of 22 Ann Arbor from Cedar Bend Drive off Broadway Attend the Ann Arbor 23 Youth Poetry Slam Finals at The Neutral Zone (have your heart broken and mended with hope all in the same night)

Attend at least Go to Bill’s Drive-In 24 one competition of 18 or Kluck’s Drive-In the following U-M sports in Ypsi (both on Michigan Ave., don’t miss Bill’s homemade root beer)

– softball, field hockey, volleyball, wrestling, men’s or women’s gymnastics, women’s lacrosse.

sledding at Vet’s 19 Go Park Visit German Park in 25 the summer (bring your Crash a tailgate own beer & brats) 20 (preferably one with a dude in canarycolored pants)

Find more must-do events online!

ecurrent.com

-JWF %+ 5VFTEBZT 5IVSTEBZT UP 4BUVSEBZT

by Robyn Green Gearing up for Football Saturdays, upperclassmen warn against the perils of being a ‘WalMart Wolverine,’ but we’re not all in a position to drop a couple hundred dollars on The M Den’s “Victor’s�

Brand.

Start instead at the PTSO Thrift Store (2280 S. Industrial Hwy) or the Salvation Army (behind the CVS off S. Industrial). The extra digging through scuffed bowling shoes and piles of duplicated “Bring It On� VHS tapes will be well worth it. Don’t be overwhelmed by the store’s size, just head to the men’s shirt section for a worn-in National Champs t-shirt or vintage jersey. While you’re at it, buy yourself a pair of high-waisted Levi’s to make into cutoffs. You know Urban Outfitters buys them in bulk and resells them for 60 bucks a pop, right?

If human interaction isn’t your thing, a number of stores like Victoria’s Secret and American Eagle have created online-only college apparel lines with hoodies, t-shirts, and hats, and, somewhat begrudgingly, I admit, most of the AE pieces are really cute.

For something trendier, Underground Printing’s ‘Bo Shembechler’ store in the Busch’s shopping center at South Main and Ann Arbor Saline Road, has both your standard striped Maize and Blue overalls mixed in with higher quality cozy sweatshirts for those colder game days, a younger-targeted alternative to The M Den with better pricing. (currently writing this wearing the Bo SIG Cozy Crew in denim color).

Check out d n a in e C om Specials! our Daily

Tuesdays:

$2 Coronas, $2 Tequila Shots & $2 Tacos

Wednesdays:

$2.75 All Pints & $6.99 Burger & Beer

Thursdays:

$2 Long Islands & $5 Coors Light Pitchers

Fridays:

$3 Miller Lite Bottles & $4 Jack Daniels Drinks

Saturdays:

$8 32oz Liquor Pitchers Happy Hour:

Tuesday-Friday 5-7pm drink specials:

$1.00 off all drafts. $1.75 bottles of PBR, Labatt Blue Light, Carlsberg, Heineken, Amstel Light, and Bud.

CLOSED Sundays and Mondays 310 Maynard St, Ann Arbor $FOUSBM $BNQVT

ecurrent.com / september 2017   3

food

Try these spots for the best (most convenient, and [mostly] not outrageously priced) food

breakfast Breakfast/Brunch on a Budget

A Bit More Bougie and Maybe Boozie Breakfast:

Antonio’s Coney Island

Bona Sera

Benny’s

Sava’s

Frank’s Restaurant

Vinology

2896 Washtenaw Ave., Ypsilanti Antoniosconeyisland.business.site 1952 S, Industrial Hwy, Ann Arbor bennysfamilydining.com 334 Maynard St., Ann Arbor

Fleetwood Diner

300 S. Ashley St., Ann Arbor Thefleetwooddiner.com

The Golden Egg

2660 Washtenaw Ave.,Ypsilanti facebook.com/goldeneggypsi

200 W. MIchigan Ave., Ypsilanti bonaserarestaurant.com 216 S. State St., Ann Arbor savasrestaurant.com 110 S. Main St. (brunch is weekends only) vinologya2.com

Weber’s Inn

3050 Jackson Rd., Ann Arbor webersinn.com

Zingerman’s Roadhouse

2501 Jackson Ave., Ann Arbor Zingermansroadhouse.com

Late Nite

Late-Nite Delivery Benito’s Pizza

1088 N. Huron River Dr., Ypsilanti 734-961-0707 delivery until 2am orderbenitospizza.com

701 E. Cross St., Ypsilanti 734-487-4000 delivery until 2am towerinncafe.com

Pizza House

618 Church St., Ann Arbor open until 4am pizzahouse.com.

Sidetrack Bar & Grill

Late-Nite Sit-Down and Chill

56 E. Cross St., Ypsilanti 11am - 2am Sidetrackbarandgrill.com.

Blue Tractor BBQ and Brewery

The Brown Jug

207 E. Washington St., Ann Arbor 11am - midnight bluetractor.net

1204 S. University Ave., Ann Arbor 11am - 2am brownjug-annarbor.com

546 Packard St., Ann Arbor 734-769-5555 delivery until 4am cottageinn.com/pizza/ann-arbor-packard

Fleetwood Diner

The Wurst Bar

300 S. Ashley St., Ann Arbor open 4am - 3:59am Thefleetwooddiner.com

705 W. Cross St., Ypsilanti 11:30am - 2am wurstbarypsi.com

New York Pizza Depot

Frita Batidos

Tower Inn Cafe

BTB

810 S. State St., Ann Arbor 734-222-4822 delivery until 4am btbburrito.com

Cottage Inn

605 E. William St. 734-669-6973 delivery until 4am newyorkpizza-annarbor.com

Pizza House

618 Church St., Ann Arbor 734-995-5095 delivery until 4am pizzahouse.com

4

Tower Inn Cafe

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117 W. Washington, Ann Arbor Sun. - Weds., 11am - 11pm, Thurs.- Sat. 11am - midnight Fritabatidos.com

Maiz Mexican Cantina

36 E. Cross St., Ypsilanti 11am - 1am maizmexican.com

701 E. Cross St., Ypsilanti 11am - 2am towerinncafe.com

Vegetarian Earthen Jar

Seva

Hut-k-Chaats

The Lunch Room

Salads Up

Vedge Cafe

3022 Packard Rd. Ann Arbor hut-k.com 611 E. Liberty St. Ann Arbor saladsup.com

2541 Jackson Ave. Ann Arbor sevarestaurant.com 407 N. 5th Ave. Ann Arbor thelunchrooma2.com 205 N. Main St. Ann Arbor vedgecafea2.com

Tio’s Mexican Cafe

BTB Cantina

401 E. Liberty St., Ann Arbor, tiosmexicancafe.com.

Price: $2 per taco, choice of Americano, Autentico or Tingas

1140 S. University Ave., Ann Arbor btbcantina.com.

Price: $2.50 per taco, 7 options.

Los Amigos Fiesta

Isalita

4855 Washtenaw Ave., Ypsilanti.

Price: $1 per taco hard shell, $1.50 soft shell.

341 E. Liberty St., Ann Arbor, isalita.com.

Price: $2 tacos, $3 fish tacos, 4-6:30pm (bar only)

Maiz Mexican Cantina

36 E. Cross St., Ypsilanti, maizmexican.com.

Price: $2 per taco.

Agave Tequila Bar

Where To Get Your Drink On Last Word

Mash

Raven’s Club

Tap Room

301 W Huron St, Ann Arbor thelastwordbar.com 207 S Main St, Ann Arbor theravensclub.com

Good Time Charley’s

211 E Washington St, Ann Arbor mashbar.net

Red Rock

8 Ball Lounge

Sticks

310 Maynard St., Ann Arbor, facebook.com/scorekeeprs.arbor.

Price: $2 per taco.

207 W Michigan Ave, Ypsilanti, redrockypsi.com

Now Serving Eggs From CAGE FREE, VEGETARIAN FED HENS br

114 E Washington St, Ann Arbor, arborbrewing.com

yo

u

251 E. Liberty St., Ann Arbor, afternoondelightcafe.com

Broken Egg

Angelo’s

2080 W. Stadium Blvd Ann Arbor, holidaysrestaurant.com

1100 Catherine St., Ann Arbor angelosa2.com

Bomber Restaurant

306 E. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti, bomberrestaurant. net

24

t in g se

years

Beyond The Basics

Afternoon Delight

at in g se r

a forr Br

ng

Ce l

e

39 E Cross St #1972, Ypsilanti aubrees.com

vi

Arbor Brewing

Scorekeepers

201 W Michigan Ave, Ypsilanti taproomypsi.com

1140 S University Ave, Ann Arbor good-time-charleys.com 208 S 1st St, Ann Arbor blindpigmusic.com/8ball

211 N. Main St., Ann Arbor, agaveannarbor.com.

Price: 4 tacos for $5; hard and soft shells available, 10 filling options!

st

311 S. 5th Ave. Ann Arbor earthenjar.com

Taco Tuesdays

(in case you wake up Tuesday mornings – as we often do – anticipating the day’s taco specials)

eakf

Br

a

eak

221 N. Main St., Ann Arbor

Holiday’s Restaurant

Northside Grill

1015 Broadway St. Ann Arbor, northsidegrill.com

Open 7am-3pm, Seven Days a Week Outdoor Patio seating everyday!

Weather Permitting

Nick’s Original House of Pancakes

3030 Lohr Circle, Ann Arbor, nickshouseofpancakes.com

IN WASHTENAW COUNTY IN 2017 "ROADWAY s (at the foot of the Broadway Bridge)

View the full menu at NorthsideGrill.com

ecurrent.com / september 2017   5

How to tip your delivery driver Gratuity Acuity

by Jeff Kass

Look, delivery drivers could be fellow students working after class to try to make rent, or they could be older dudes working a third job to pay child support. Or they could be peers on a gap year (or three) trying to figure out how to become who you already are, a student taking a break from writing a paper to smash some savory nourishment from a local establishment.

No matter who they are, you gotta tip ‘em.

The math goes like this: most drivers make between $5 and $6 an hour, plus tips. If they don’t get tipped, they’re screwed. They delivered your food, but they don’t go home with enough money to feed themselves, or, worse, their families.

tip. That’s fair. But, look at it like this – on a good night, a driver makes three-to-four deliveries an hour. If the typical bill is sixteen bucks (for a pizza, say, or a couple sandwiches and a two-liter), and the tip is 15% ($2.40) for each run, then at an average of 3.5 runs and, say, a $5.50 per hour salary, the driver’s taking home $13.90 an hour. Not great, but a driver might be able to make regular car payments, or cover health insurance with that kind of take-home. But let’s say one customer doesn’t tip – now the driver’s at $11.50 an hour. Say one customer doesn’t tip and another one only throws in a buck, now the driver’s at $10.10 an hour. If two customers don’t tip, it’s down to $9.10 and bills aren’t So, how much should you tip? getting paid. See how it works?

A good general rule for tipping is between 15 Also a lot of people think a couple bucks is fine, regardless of and 20 percent. Every driver knows if they’re the size of the bill, or how long a driver waits at the door (or in late, or they mess up the order, they’ll lose their the apartment lobby), so have no problem making a driver wait five minutes, and then tipping two dollars on a 28-dollar bill. If that’s one of the driver’s three-to-four runs an hour – well, better make it three because that extra five minutes cost her that fourth run – it makes for a lousy hour.

And not all hours are created equally. Dinner rush between 6 and 8pm is when most drivers make most of their money. If you order a pizza at 10pm and don’t tip, or tip too little, you might have messed up that driver’s sole run that hour, the one 715 North University Ave | Ann Arbor MI time the driver had a chance to make some decent cash instead of just pulling that $5.50 to wash dishes in the backroom.

Also, don’t confuse the delivery or service charge When you 16” CYO Your Entire with a tip. The driver doesn’t see that money. It goes to the employer. The driver works for a low spend $40 Large Pizza Purchase hourly wage plus tips, period.

$10 off 25% off 15% off 734-214-6666 *All Offers Exclude Alcohol and are Valid though

15% off

June 5, 2018

Your Entire Food Purchase

$1 off Any Organic Beverage

Buy 1 Calzone Get 1 Calzone

Free

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september

2017 / ecurrent.com

One last tip about tipping

Be careful when you pre-pay for an online-order.

Most ordering systems (grubhub, eat street, etc.) allow for the tip to be added when you make your selections. But if you don’t add the tip when you make the order, a lot of times if you don’t have cash on hand, you won’t be able to tip because the driver typically can’t process a credit card. Remember, those drivers are out there in the night when you’re sleeping, studying, or Netflixing. They have to navigate traffic, all that construction that bugs everybody, and drunk people. They deserve the money. If you have it, tip it.

Need to take a step back from studying?

Here are some sweet spots to de-stress:

Yoga A2yoga

2030 Commerce Blvd, Ann Arbor a2yoga.net

Tiny Buddha, (three locations)

338 South State Street, 2nd Floor, Ann Arbor 1717 Pauline Boulevard, Ann Arbor 19 East Cross Street, Ypsilanti Tinybuddhayoga.com

AUM

1220 South University Suite 215, Ann Arbor aumyogaannarbor.com

First Class is

Free!

Red Yoga

2450 W Stadium Blvd, Ann Arbor redyogaannarbor.com

734.786.1260 2007 S State St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104

Massage Relax Station, (two locations)

300 W. Huron St. 117 N. First, Suite 30, Ann Arbor relaxstation.com

Body Conscious

2201 Medford Rd., Ann Arborodyconsciousmassagetherapy.com

Massage Mechanics

13 E. Cross Street, Ypsilanti ypsimassagemechanics.com

Sha Zen Massage

3365 Washtenaw Ave. Suite 203, Ann Arbor shazenmassage.com

Hand and Stone

233 N. Maple Rd., Ann Arbor HandAndStoneAnnArbor.com

Personal Training Semi-Private Training Trampoline Fitness Barre Classes Mix Total Body Zumba Yoga

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Apartment Hunting in Ann Arbor – a Cautionary Tale

By Heidi Philipsen

Every fall, thousands descend upon Ann Arbor and its environs, seeking student housing. Many end up searching Craigslist for options.

Unfortunately, some of the so-called options turn out to be scams.

According to a 2016 NYU study, researchers reviewed more than 2 million for-rent Craigslist posts and found 29,000 fake listings.

My own research on the subject was accidental, and a bit more personal.

It happened to me, it can happen to you too

Recently, I went on a housing search on Ann Arbor’s Craigslist site and, after scouring through rows of houses and apartments, I found two, separate, beautiful, downtown homes to rent that stood out: they were much cheaper than the rest.

I emailed the contact connected to the house and received the following email in return: My house is Available for Rent and Move in ASAP. I relocated from my Home 4 Months ago when I got a better job out of state..I’m giving the rent out low because I just need someone to help take care of the house. It’s not about the money..It’s about finding someone that will take care of the house like they own it‌.PS:- I’m no longer selling so kindly ignore the for sale sign in the yard because i would like to create a good landlord tenant relationship so i’m putting it up for rent to get a serious tenant to rent the house and take care of my property which there will be no application fee as i am now managing the property as the owner. “Wow!â€? I thought, “Lucky me, I better move quickly or this will go fast!â€?

But then I received a similar email from the second posting and something didn’t seem right. I searched the address for the rental house and came up with a Trulia and Realtor.com listing for it under a local realty group.

“If it seems too good to be true, it probably is‌â€?

Downtown Ann Arbor 203 E Washington St 734-997-5399

IBZNBLFSQVCMJDIPVTF DPN

8 

  september

2017  /  ecurrent.com

Several follow-up phone calls later, I found out the house actually was for sale, that the sellers of the house were NOT relocated out of state, and that the scammer had basically posted the photos from the realty listing on Craigslist.

The scam uses the cheaper price to lure unsuspecting renters into filling out an application complete with sensitive personal information, such as names, addresses and social security number. Then the prospect is asked to send money to “secure” the agreement.

Though such practices clearly are not legal, according to the Ann Arbor Police Department, unless there’s a crime to report, there isn’t really anything that can be done to stop the cons from posting.

So , according to the Better Business Bureau, here are some steps you can take to protect yourself when looking for housing options via Craigslist:

BACK TO

FOOTBALL.

Better Business Bureau’s Guide on How to Spot a Rental Scam:

• Don’t wire money or use a

prepaid debit card to pay a security deposit or first month’s rent. Such payments are the same as sending cash - once you send it, you have no way to get it back.

• Watch out for deals that

sound too good. Scammers lure in targets by promising low rents, great amenities and other perks.

• See the property in person. Don’t send money to

someone you’ve never met for an apartment you haven’t seen.

If you can’t visit an apartment or house yourself, ask someone you trust to go and confirm it’s as advertised.

• Don’t fall for the overseas landlord story. Scammers often claim to be out of the country and instruct targets to send money overseas.

• Search for the same ad in other cities. If you find the same ad listed elsewhere, that’s a huge red flag.

• If you do find a listing that is more-than-likely a

scam, flag it on the Craigslist site. There are instructions on exactly how to do so at: https://www.craigslist.org/about/ scams. You’ll be doing yourself — and the broader housing community — a great service.

PJ’ S

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Weekend Hot Spots

Where To Get Your Groove On

Live, 102 S 1st St, Ann Arbor, livea2.com

Necto, 516 E Liberty St, Ann Arbor, necto.com Aut Bar, 315 Braun Ct, Ann Arbor, autbar.com Rick’s, 611 Church St, Ann Arbor, ricksamericancafe.com

Alley Bar, 112 W Liberty St, Ann Arbor, alleybarannarbor.com Study Hall Lounge, 1220 S

University Ave Suite.9, Ann Arbor, studyhalllounge.com

Bab’s, 213 S Ashley St, Ann

Arbor, babsundergroundlounge.com

L

Live music Blind Pig

208 S. 1st St., Ann Arbor, blindpigmusic.com

Club Above

215 N. Main St., Ann Arbor club-above.com

The Ark

316 S Main St, Ann Arbor theark.org otographics

Maidstone Theatre 1425 Ecorse Rd, Ypsilanti facebook.com/maidstonetheatre

: a2 ph o credit phot

Indie films/ movies

Michigan Theatre 603 E Liberty St, Ann Arbor, michtheater.org

State Theatre

233 S State St, Ann Arbor statetheatrea2.org

Live theater The Purple Rose Theater 137 Park St, Chelsea purplerosetheatre.org

Ann Arbor Civic Theatre 322 W Ann St, Ann Arbor a2ct.org

The Penny Seats Theatre Company

2720 White Oak Dr, Ann Arbor pennyseats.org photo credit: Misty Lyn Bergeron

10

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Encore Theatre 3126 Broad St, Dexter theencoretheatre.org

hael

vin Mic

// Ke ive DJ

Art UMMA

525 S State St, Ann Arbor umma.umich.edu

WSG

306 S Main St, Ann Arbor wsg-art.com

A2 Art Center

117 W Liberty St, Ann Arbor annarborartcenter.org

Author Readings

Literati Bookstore 124 E. Washington St., Ann Arbor literatibookstore.com

Nicola’s Books

2513 Jackson Ave., Ann Arbor nicolasbooks.com

Ann Arbor District Library 343 5th Ave., Ann Arbor aadl.org

Ann Arbor Poetry Series

every 1st and 3rd Weds.

7pm @ Espresso Royaleon State St. Ann Arbor info via email @ smermels.wccnet.edu

Skazat Poetry Series every 4th Tuesday, 7pm @ Sweetwaters on Washington, Ann Arbor skazatpoetry@wordpress.com

Zell Visiting Writers Series U-M Art Museum lsa.umich.edu

Searchable lists updated daily at

ecurrent.com

ecurrent.com / september 2017   11

Where to go to get fly

by Robyn Green

‘The biggest little city in the middle’ is about as far from the Parisian runway as you can get. Not to say this city doesn’t have flair, but Ann Arbor’s style is a mixture of Midwestern Birkenstock meets East Coast College Student. It meets neatly in the middle of trendy and comfortable, rarely opting for heels over sandals and usually sporting some sort of block M.

Old School Ann Arbor Where might you find a few items to create this comfychic look? Tucked into the main line of State Street is townie staple Bivouac; built like a fashionable ski lodge, where else could you find fine jewelry and cargo shorts (apart from maybe Costco) in the same establishment? With a couple floors and more than a few racks to look through, Bivouac has a lengthy selection of chic pieces to mix and match. You may have to sift through a few pairs of Chacos to find the Dolce Vita sandals you’re looking for, but the nice thing about the range in clothing is that unlike some other stores on State Street, you won’t leave feeling like a walking advertisement for the brand.

12

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New School Second stop on the list can be found in Arbor Hills on Washtenaw Ave. The outdoor mall,

which opened only a couple years ago, has a few shops along the strip for the same quality and price range as Bivouac. Usually less crowded than downtown Ann Arbor, it’s a nice way to spend an afternoon if you stop for lunch at Zola Bistro. My argument for the price of Madewell’s jeans is this: They have just enough stretch, petite lengths and longer lengths, and the color doesn’t fade over the years. If providing a 10% Student discount isn’t enough to sway your opinion, should your jeans wear out in an unusually short time, you can return them for a completely new pair free of charge. But, as the name suggests, the clothing is usually ‘Made well,’ with terrific modern pieces that will last a few seasons without looking outdated – well worth the price.

Namaste

All Month

!

NEW Student Special! $20 for UNLIMITED week trial pass** Check the website for more information!

2030 Commerce Blvd., Ann Arbor, MI 48103 | a2yoga.net | 734-216-4006

One (Wo)Man’s Trash ...

Yet, there’s no place quite as rewarding to find clothing as a thrift store. Salvation Army (1621 S. State st.) is a warehouse of finds. With every season represented at once, the only limitation on uncovering treasure is the patience of the person searching. Best advice is to go early in the week. A Monday/ Tuesday thrifting experience varies wildly from a Friday trip. Think about it, people have more time to drop their discards off on weekends. Store employees sort clothes within a couple days (Salvation Army is closed on Sundays) and have it out on the racks by Monday or Tuesday.

There are more than a couple thrift stores in Ypsilanti/Ann Arbor, with a better selection of clothing than most other cities. Other thrift stores of note are the Ann Arbor PTO on South Industrial, Ypsilanti’s Goodwill (3782 Carpenter Rd.) and occasionally, for more current clothes, Plato’s Closet off Eisenhower in the Cranbrook Village shopping center. Plato’s will provide a good selection of last season’s apparel and more current shoes.

All in all, if you’re willing to do the work and search for good finds, you’ll come away with some gems. Ann Arbor’s style may not require as many rain jackets as Seattle or a shoe-game comparable to New York’s, but it does have it’s own distinct personality.

Just be grateful that personality doesn’t wear stilettos.

Monday 9:30 - 10:45 AM 6:00 - 7:15 PM 7:30 - 8:30 PM 7:30 - 8:45 PM Tuesday 9:30 - 10:30 AM 9:30 - 10:30 AM 10:45 - 12:00 PM 11:00 - 12:00 PM 6:00 - 7:00 PM 7:15 - 8:30 PM 7:15 - 8:30 PM Wednesday 9:15 - 10:30 AM 10:45 - 11:45 AM 6:00 - 7:15 PM 6:00 - 7:15 PM 7:30 - 8:30 PM Thursday 9: 15 - 10:30 AM 9:15 - 10:30 AM 6:15 - 7:15 PM 7:15 - 8:30 PM Friday 9:15 - 10:30 AM 9:30 - 10:30 AM 5:30 - 6:30 PM Saturday 7:30 - 9:15 AM 9:15 - 10:30 AM 11:00 - 12:15 PM 11:00 - 12:00 PM Sunday 9:00 - 10:15 AM 9:15 - 10:15 AM 10:30 - 11:30 AM 10:30 - 11:45 AM

Classes (H) Hatha & Meditation (H) Heart-Centered Hatha Yoga (H) Gentle/Restorative Yoga (V) Vinyasa Classes (H) Hatha (All Levels) (V) Slow/Gentle Flow Yoga (H) Mindful Yoga & Meditation FREE Community Yoga: Onã Flow Vinyasa (DW) * NIA (V) Vinyasa (H) Pre-natal Yoga: Mommy Time Classes (H) Heart - Centered Hatha Yoga (H) Basic/Yoga Fundamentals (V) Vinyasa: Movement Flow (V) Ashtanga: Primary Series I/Foundations (H) Hatha Flow Classes (H) Gentle Yoga & Meditation (V) Classical Vinyasa Yoga (Preferably No beginners) (V) Vinyasa: Movement Flow (V) Vinyasa Classes (V) Vinyasa (H) Gentle/Restorative Yoga FREE Community Yoga: Onã Flow Vinyasa (DW)* Classes FREE Community Yoga: Ashtanga Primary Series (DW) * (V) Vinyasa I & II (H) Traditional Hatha Yoga (All Levels) FREE Community Class: NIA (DW)* Classes (V) Heart - Centered Vinyasa Yoga (H) Hatha Yoga Foundations (Great for beginners) NIA (H) Pre-natal Yoga: Mommy Time

Teacher Kevin Carter Tina Ana Teacher Carter Sarah Dina Ana Megan S. Wendy Lisa T. Teacher Carter Ouafa Natasha Wendy Sarah Teacher Dina Samantha Isa Jo Teacher Wendy Lisa T. Ana Teacher Self Lead Rachel P. Natasha Ana Teacher Natasha Carrie Megan S. Dina

* Donations Welcome: CommUNITY Class **(Washtenaw County residents, starts 1st class visit & must fill-out W² Form)

ecurrent.com / september 2017 13

You swiped right, now what?

Best Places to Dine Out on a First Date

by Robyn Green

et me first get out of the way my opinion that there are very few bad places for a first date. I would say there are some that can work against you and some that can work for you. Let’s use a 5-star ranking (5 being the best) for each category below:

L

 Volume (How many times do I have to ask ‘Whaaat’ over a blaring Despacito before I get annoyed?)

 Vibe (How interesting is this date spot? Can I take Grandma here or will I need a some quality tattoo artwork in order to fit in?)

 Ease of eating (Will I smile and have something stuck in my teeth? How easy will it be to spill cheese on myself at this establishment?)

Personal favorites

Unfortunately for me, VVE doesn’t spell out a clever moniker but you understand the gist. Let’s start with Tomukun (505 E. Liberty St.), one of my personal favorites in Ann Arbor, great for a quick bite or a lengthier meal. The appetizers are small enough to share one or two before a main course, and the beer list has a few very affordable options. It’s also the perfect amount of loud, earning it a 5 for Volume and 4.5 for Vibe.

I have personally taken my Grandmother here and not been concerned about the appropriateness of the atmosphere, but do think it could use a little more color on the walls to help with small talk. The biggest downfall of Tomukun is the Ease of eating category. Ramen noodles really don’t scream first date unless you’re fond of spilling broth on your outfit. All in all, I would highly recommend it as long as you’re willing to stride fearlessly into the ramen options, if not, the Bi bim bop is delicious, too.

Isalita (341 E. Liberty), only a couple blocks from Tomukun, offers a world’s difference in the three categories.

Always crowded and always loud, a first date on a quiet weeknight would be your best bet if you care about conversation. Otherwise, it’s hard to hear over the upbeat music, birthday singing, and plethora of families dining. It is, however, a consistently fun and lively experience. Portions are easy to eat without spilling and are delicious as well.

Be advised, their version of an after-meal aperitif is Tequila served neat. Isalita earns a 2.5 for Volume, a 4.5 for

Vibe, and a 5 for Ease of eating.

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As long as you’re not risk-averse

If you want to show off your adventurous side, then Blue Nile (215 E. Washington St.) is your answer. With live music on Saturday nights, the Ethiopian restaurant is the only one of its kind in the city and has the best of all three categories. Never too loud, friendly to all potential dates, and most importantly, diners eat without utensils. What could first come off as mildly intimidating becomes weirdly freeing. Let’s give it a 5, 5, 4 on the VVE scale.

Plus, it’s a great conversation starter to experience a new type of dining – authentic Ethiopian food. Little tip: their coffee is amazing. I highly recommend a cup to top off the evening.

In Ypsi

Whether you live in Ypsilanti, Ann Arbor, Saline, Dexter or Chelsea, go to school at EMU or U-M, or just happen to be passing through the area, don’t miss Sidetrack (56 E. Cross St.) for a great pub-dining restaurant with the comforts of a hearty meal, lengthy beer list and friendly staff. A charming restaurant any time of the year, the patio on a later summer or early fall evening adds additional atmospheric delight. Sidetrack offers more than a few vegetarian options and burgers that have earned a ton of accolades. If you manage to snag a patio seat, Sidetrack earns a 5 for Vibe, a 5 for Volume and a 4 for Ease of eating (these are definitely two-handed burgers).

Classic Ann Arbor

For a drastic change in price and vibe, who says you can’t get to know someone over a plate of Chili Cheese Fries? The Fleetwood Diner (300 S. Ashley St.) still has the best in town, and arguably the best people-watching. Grab a seat outside or inside and get a plate of the hippie hash if you’re vegetarian (add bacon if you’re not, trust me) and enjoy a uniquely Ann Arbor meal. Yes, the hash can get slightly sloppy, but, let’s be honest, you’re not going to The Fleetwood in your fanciest garb. It can be loud sometimes too, with a frenetic chatter that feels like the city is alive. If you’re a native like I am and you’re courting someone from out of town, you can’t beat it (outside of Blimpy’s and The Big House) as a place for feeling the city’s heartbeat. Let’s give it a 4, 5, 4 on the VVE scale.

As luck would have it, this area has a ton of high-quality and fun restaurants to choose from, making it fairly difficult to choose poorly.

Last advice for a first date? Make sure your companion isn’t allergic to half the menu before picking a destination. From personal experience, it’s not fun to wash down an appetizer with an antihistamine after a shellfish reaction.

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