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P6 travel log:
Forty Years Across America P8
cannabis corner:
How Legalization Affects Access P34
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contents
January 2019 vol. 29/no. 01
health & wellness p10
Buying Local is a Vote for Community by Ainsley Davis
P6
40 years across America by Nick Roumel
P8
5 nonviolent communication: A New Plan for the New Year by Lisa Gottlieb
15 food: Ascending Everest Sherpa by Jeff Glick
19 chef’s corner: Binod Dhakal of Cardamom by Sonny Forest
20 music: Louis Picasso by Jeff Milo
26 art: YpsiAlloy 27 film: The Grinch by Jennifer Kellow-Fiorini
28 lit: Grown Up Anger by Daniel Ackerman
33 person of interest: Akili Jackson by Mary Gallagher
34 cannabis corner: Legalization and Medical Marijuana How Legalization Will Affect Access to Medical Marijuana by Dr. James Neuenschwander
36 current love: Choosing the One by Nina Swift
CORRECTION: Photo credit was mistakenly omitted for two photos in the story “What’s in the Water?”. Brett Moyer took the photos of Mr. Steglitz and the Barton Dam.
Vie Fitness Opens Two Locations Vie has opened two fitness studios in Ann Arbor, Downtown at 209 S. Ashley Street, and an Arbor Hills location at 3050 Washtenaw Avenue. With a wide range of classes at each location, including Pilates, spin, barre, and yoga, Vie also offers the services of nutrition specialists and personal trainers for a highly tailored fitness experience. For more information, visit viefit.com
MD Bagel Fragel Forced to Move In October 2018, MD Bagel Fragel owners, mother Patricia and son Michael Rockette, were given a 48-hour notice to vacate their shop at 1760 Plymouth Road on the north side of Ann Arbor. The Rockettes requested and were granted an initial extension until November 30, but thanks to public outcry and community organizing, the move out was extended until December 30. At this time, the Rockettes are still looking for a new location on the north side of Ann Arbor, and the community has raised $7,000 to help with the move. The new owners of the Plymouth location are based in Ohio and plan to open a cannabis dispensary. To donate and support MD Bagel Fragel’s search for a new location, visit www.gofundme.com/save-bagel-fragel
Uru Sports Developed in Ann Arbor U-M graduate and field hockey player, Ainsley McCallister, is pairing players with teams through her online platform “Uru” (pronounced “YOU-roo”). The platform helps to showcase players and their stats to prospective teams, coaches, and recruiters. McCallister’s project, initially designed for field hockey players, will expand to include basketball, soccer, and potentially rugby. For more information, visit www.urusports.co
by K.A. Letts
3 bizz buzz 29 arts & culture 37 astrology 39 classifieds
By Ainsley Davis & Erin Holden
Most Read Online
1. Your Guide to New Years Eve in Ann Arbor and Ypsi
Restaurant Depot to Open in Ypsilanti Restaurant Depot is opening its first location in Washtenaw County (its third official store in Michigan), in Ypsilanti at 1347 James L. Hart Parkway in early February. Restaurant Depot is a food wholesaler which allows customers to sample and make purchases of food and related items directly, without a distributor. The Ypsilanti store will offer everything from kitchen utensils and equipment to fresh food and produce for local and independent restaurants, nonprofits, and catering companies. —AD For more information, visit www.restaurantdepot.com
Lo-Fi Neon Nights The newest venture from Micah Bartelme and Andy Garris, Lo-Fi is a laid back bar located just below their more upscale spot (Nightcap). With a space designed by Synecdoche Design Studio, a mural by French artist Nelio and a bright neon dragon showcased behind the bar, Lo-Fi’s neon motif bathes the night with arthouse ambiance. Look forward to enjoying bottled and draft beers, cocktails, and live entertainment. The owners are also considering adding karaoke, art shows and stand-up comedy to their regular line-up. —EH 7pm-2am. 220 S. Main St. (lower level). 734-369-6070.
2. Happy Hour Guide 3. Best of Washtenaw Winners 4. 10 Best Venues for Live Music
ecurrent.com / january 2019 3
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Adams Street Publishing Co. What winter projects help you pass the long chilly nights?
Publisher/Editor in Chief
Collette Jacobs (cjacobs@adamsstreetpublishing.com) CATCHING UP ON MY READING.
Co-publisher/Chief Financial Officer Mark I. Jacobs (mjacobs@adamsstreetpublishing.com) EDITING COPY.
Editorial
Assignment Editor: Trilby Becker
(annarboreditor@adamsstreetpublishing.com) KNITTING AND BAKING.
Families Against Narcotics Opens Washtenaw Chapter As the opioid epidemic continues to spread, more families with members who are struggling with addiction are in need of support. Families Against Narcotics, a community-based organization of people who have lost loved ones to opioid addiction, is working to raise awareness, help addicts and their families to find treatment and prevent the further spread of the disease. Mario Nanos, president of the Washtenaw County chapter, lost his son Yanni to a heroin overdose in March, 2018. According to the Washtenaw County Health Department, 68 Washtenaw County residents died of opioidrelated overdoses from January to November of this year. Though high, that number is similar to 2017, which may be a sign that new measures such as lower opioid prescription rates and increased national dialogue are having some positive effect. Families Against Narcotics meets at 7pm at 242 Church on the second Monday of every month. -TB 242 Church, 648 S. Wagner 734-707-4995, 242community.com/annarbor, familiesagainstnarcotics.org, washtenaw.org/opioids
Republican Lawmakers Undermine Paid Sick Time and Minimum Wage Laws Democratic lawmakers and members of One Fair Wage, the civic organization that spearheaded the legislation to raise Michigan’s minimum wage laws, are outraged over what they call a cynical maneuver to reduce increases to the minimum wage and paid sick time law adopted by the Republican-led state legislature in September. By adopting the law rather than allowing it to go to the ballot, Republicans could later amend it with a simple majority instead of the two-thirds vote it would have taken to make changes had the law passed at the ballot box. On November 28th, the Republican-led legislature approved an amendment to the law passed in September, slowing the increase of the minimum wage to $12 an hour by eight years, from 2022 to 2030. Under the new paid sick time law that was adopted in September, Michigan workers would be able to accrue one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked, capped at 72 hours per year for larger businesses and 40 hours per year for small businesses. The amendment slows accrual to 1 hour of paid sick time for every 40 hours worked, capped at 36 hours per year. The amended law exempts businesses with fewer than 50 employees from having to offer paid sick leave, which affects more than one million Michigan workers. -TB
Calendar Editor: Courtney Probert, Sarah Emily (calendar@current.com)
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Staff Writers: Erin Holden and Athena Cocoves. Contributing Writers: Daniel Ackerman, Ainsley Davis, Mary Gallagher, K.A. Letts, Nick Roumel and Lisa Gottlieb.
Digital Media
Web Guru: Deanna Woods (digitalmedia@adamsstreetpublishing.com) CROSSWORDS. AND SWEEPING UP CAT HAIR.
Art/Production
Production Manager: Imani Lateef (imani@adamsstreetpublishing.com) AUDIO BOOKS AND CHILL. Senior Designer: Leah Foley (leah@adamsstreetpublishing.com) MOVIES AND INTERNET SURFING! Designers: Kelli Miller (kmiller@adamsstreetpublishing.com) PAINTING, MAKING SOUP, AND HORROR MOVIE MARATHONS. Anita Tipton (atipton@adamsstreetpublishing.com) COMPUTER ART PROJECTS AND WATCHING A GOOD MOVIE. Norwin Lopez (nlopez@adamsstreetpublishing.com) DESIGNING NICAMERICANO HOODIES.
Advertising
Sales Trilby Becker (tbecker@adamsstreetpublishing.com) KNITTING AND BAKING. Ron Katz (rkatz@adamsstreetpublishing.com) READING. Sales Coordinator Jen Leach (sales@adamsstreetpublishing.com CREATIVE COOKING.
Administration
Accounting: Robin Armstrong (rarmstrong@adamsstreetpublishing.com) BINGE WATCHING THE TWD.
© 2019 by Adams Street Publishing Co., All rights reserved. 3003 Washtenaw Ave., Suite 3, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, Phone (734) 668-4044, Fax (734) 668-0555. First class subscriptions $30 a year. Distributed throughout Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti and neighboring communities. Also publishers of: Mature
For more information, visit One Fair Wage, at mionefairwage.org Member
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NON-VIOLENT COMMUNICATION
A New Plan for New Year’s Resolutions By Lisa Gottlieb It’s a new year, how about a few new resolutions? Every year we make them, and mostly, we aren’t successful at keeping them. Here’s why, and here’s how to win at making and keeping resolutions. If your resolutions are driven by “shoulds” for yourself, other people, or the culture at large, and if your goals are motivated by shame, or are too vague and too overreaching, your chances of success are slim. Focussing on what’s wrong with yourself, instead of what you want more of in your life, limits energy and motivation and isn’t much fun.
SMART resolutions
Instead, notice what you’d like to achieve and then break the goal down into small, doable steps. Back in the 1980s, businesses used the acronym SMART to make goals more successful. Resolutions can benefit from the same approach.
SMART GOALS Specific: be clear about what you want and frame it as positive action. “I don’t want to be so lazy” is a vague, judgemental, generalized goal. Instead, focus on what brings you joy: “I’d like to be more active on a daily basis, doing things I enjoy”. For example, “I will take a brisk, 15 minute walk five days a week” is a great place to start. Increase the personal challenge as you gain momentum. Measurable: The more specific your goal, the easier it is to measure. At the end of the week, did you take those walks?
green corner Sustaining Ann Arbor Together Grant Program The City of Ann Arbor’s new Office of Sustainability and Innovation has initiated a grant program to help neighborhood groups develop, fund, and complete small scale projects that advance the City’s Sustainability Framework goals. The four main areas of the Sustainability Framework are Climate and Energy, Community Development, Land Use and Access, and Resource Management. The projects must be located on city-owned property, including Ann Arbor Public School property. The targeted amount for each grant is under $10,000, however the city will accept applications for larger projects. The total annual grant program funding is $100,000. Applications will continue to be accepted, as long as funds are available. -TB To apply for a Sustaining Ann Arbor Together grant, go to: a2gov.org/departments/city-administrator/Pages/CommunityGrant-Application.aspx
Achievable: Is your ambition realistic? Maybe you can begin with a more modest goal so that you don’t give up. Relevant: Make sure your resolution is something that is important to you. Time-bound: New habits take time to create. Work on small wins to keep yourself on track.
Good luck keeping those resolutions in this New Year!
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PHOTO COURTESY OF MIKE GUSTAFSON
feature
Literati Bookstore
By Ainsley Davis There is a sign outside of Rock, Paper, Scissors on Main Street in Downtown Ann Arbor. Written in large, florid calligraphy, it reads, “Shop Local.” It is as much a badge of honor as it is an appeal. Washtenaw County is a destination for tourists, a magnet for young professionals with families, and increasingly, a favored retirement community. The allure of our abundant local shops is part of the draw, and our residents have plenty of money to spend. But retail is struggling. 2018 has seen many notable local businesses close in Ann Arbor, including Moe Sport Shops, The Peaceable Kingdom, Vogel’s Lock and Safe, Common Language Bookstore, and PJ’s Used Records. In Dexter, Country Market also closed at the end of 2018, six years after another Country Market in Saline closed. Chelsea lost its River Gallery in the fall. Each of these businesses were a part of the community for a decade or more. It gives the impression that the “shop local” spirit may be more of an ideal than a reality.
Noticeable trends
Mike Gustafson, co-owner of Literati Bookstore on Washington St., observed, “I’ve seen many locally-owned businesses close in recent years, and many national chains move in Downtown.” Some of those major chains that have moved into the Main Street area of Ann Arbor include Shinola Detroit, which opened in 2015, Fjällräven, which opened in 2016, and Warby Parker, which opened in 2018. These luxury brands have major backers and can afford soaring downtown rents. Locally-owned shops rarely have the deep pockets of national brands and increasingly find themselves priced out of the market. Vault of Midnight, a comic book and game shop, is in the enviable position of being able to purchase the building it currently rents on 219 S. Main St.. The building owners are retiring and gave Vault of Midnight the first option to buy. With outside investors frequently offering double the asking price for prime Ann Arbor real estate, the local retailer jumped at the chance to own their own building and cement their presence in the neighborhood. Rising rents is among the biggest challenges for independentlyowned retailers. According to the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority, the average rent asked for retail space in 2018 was $35.90 per square foot, a $1.20 increase from 2016. Some retailers, however, pay as high as $50 per square foot.
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Lisa Roberts, owner of Rock Paper Scissors, and Diana Marsh, owner of Thistle & Bess, also cite parking as an issue for shoppers in the Main Street and Kerrytown districts of Downtown. These districts have been under construction—in part, to create more parking— which adds to the difficulties in accessing their stores.
Online shopping and consumer ethics
Of course, the biggest hurdle local retailers face is online shopping. For the sheer convenience of shopping in your pajamas and the savings that retailers with no storefront and little staff can pass on to their customers, the popularity of the online marketplace has spelled doom for many local retailers. Many shoppers still prefer going to a store to see and learn about a product before buying it. Dave Huntoon, a Principal at Intalytics who assists Diana Marsh, owner and advises prospective of Thistle and Bess businesses in Washtenaw County, says some of these consumers feel no obligation to give their business to a brick and mortar store, often gladly taking advantage of the service and knowledge of a local retailer about a product, and then buying online. This practice is called showrooming. “It’s not ethical,” Huntoon says, “but it’s not illegal.” Diana Marsh of Thistle and Bess has had this experience numerous times. “I often have customers look up products on Amazon that we carry, while they are in the shop, to see if they can get it at a lower price. I also often hear customers say, ‘I love that! I will get it on Amazon later.’” Frustrating, right? So how do local retailers compete?
Unique experiences
The advantage brick and mortar shops have over ecommerce is the experience they offer shoppers who come to their stores. “The types of stores that do well are the unique ones,” Huntoon observed. Stores that offer a unique atmosphere, things to try, one-of-a-kind
PHOTOS COURTESY OF DIANA MARSH
Buying Local is a Vote for Community
PHOTOS COURTESY OF CARLOS FRANKLIN
merchandise, and special events are much The importance of community more likely to be successful. For example, Local retailers also rely on internal networks, Eli Morrissey, owner of The Rocket in like the Main Street Area Association in Ypsilanti, said, “We do not try and compete Ann Arbor or the Depot Town Merchants [with online stores]. We focus on creating a Association in Ypsilanti, to promote their destination shopping experience with good, business districts together. These organizations old-fashioned customer service and an unite local retailers under common goals excellent product assortment.” and provide critical support. Lisa Roberts of Hanna Runge, a resident of Ann Arbor Rock Paper Scissors is part of the Main Street and a supporter of independently-owned Area Association. “We are all focused on the stores, says she is drawn to local retail same goal—continuing to grow Main Street shops because of the exclusivity of their and make it a must stop for people that are merchandise. “If I’m buying a gift for living in or visiting Ann Arbor. Events like someone from a local store, for example, Ladies Night, Restaurant Week, and Midnight I love that [the gift] is unique to Michigan. Carlos Franklin, Madness allow like-minded businesses to work That’s special to me, and that’s something I owner of Blackstone Books together to generate foot traffic and provide our get to share with whoever I’m giving the gift community with fun and unique events.” to,” Runge explained. On the larger community scale, Ypsilanti Mayor Beth Bashert Carlos Franklin, co-owner of Black Stone Bookstore and weighed in. “The more we shop locally, the more we keep our Cultural Center, says he wants his customers to spend time in money circulating in our community,” Mayor Bashert said. It’s his store, and this is one of his primary reasons for not having an not just money that is circulated, though. As both a local shopper online shopping component. “You don’t get the real experience of and elected official, Mayor Bashert said she feels that “local intimacy [online] that comes from a bookstore.” retailers seem to center on selling both a unique experience and Sherri Schultz, co-owner of Brick and Mortar General Store the local culture,” which contributes to bringing customers back. in Depot Town, said that she and husband Zachary personalize Customer loyalty, therefore, also creates an investment in keeping their store down to the shelving. Zachary does woodworking a community distinct. and builds custom furniture and frames, and Sherri does custom Jessica Goniea, owner and esthetician at Jessica’s Apothecary hand lettering. They make these services available to customers in and Spa in Kerrytown, sees shopping as a form of civic engagement. addition to their merchandise. “Buying local is like a vote,” she says. By investing our money in Special events are also key to retail success. Gustafson said local businesses, we are promoting the values we believe in. Buying Literati hosts hundreds of events and author readings throughout local is about more than getting great stuff. It’s about maintaining the year. Pop-up shops with guest vendors, parties, and hosting the unique character and feeling of our towns, and supporting the workshops are a big part of how local shops bring in new customers livelihoods of families that make our community strong. and excite their established client base.
www.treasuremart.com 529 Detroit Street • Ann Arbor 734-662-1363 • Office 734-662-9887 ecurrent.com / january 2019 7
feature Forty Years Across America
EIL
F BRUCE W
URTESY O
Bruce and Nick with the “Green Artichoke”.
“Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing at all.” -Helen Keller
PHOTOS COURTESY OF BRUCE WEIL
PHOTO CO
by Nick Roumel In 1978, I graduated from the University of Michigan with no job, no plans, and a 1973 Pontiac Catalina my father got me for graduation. It was artichoke-green, with a black vinyl roof, and whitewall tires. With a 400 cubic inch 2-barrel V8 engine, it managed 13 miles to the gallon. I immediately drove it to Cincinnati with my friend Mike. He had a six-pack of Heineken and I had a jug of homemade Pina Coladas (hey, it was the 70’s). I revved my new car over 100 MPH on I-75, repeatedly. It was sweet, and the freshly installed cassette player was a bonus. In Cincy, we visited my best friend Bruce, and hatched a plan to take my car across America. Mike was commited to a real job, but Bruce was game. After working a few months of double shifts at Ann Arbor’s Campus Inn, in “Victors” restaurant, I returned to Cincinnati on September 23, 1978, with $400 cash, some savings bond (gifts from from my grandmother) and a Rand McNally road atlas. Twenty-five states and two months later, the Giant Artichoke limped back into Ann Arbor, with two broke and weary travelers, still without any real plans. As life went on, I started bugging Bruce about recreating our 1978 trip. We had the old journals and photographs, and even a few bits of contact information, like first names and phone numbers. “We’ll call it 33 Years Across America,” I told him. Then it became 34, or 36. Bruce remained unmoved. But with blessings from my wife and law firm, I determined that it was time to hit the road solo. Thus began my Bruceless “40 Years Across America.” I took the same back roads and blue highways we traveled in 1978, thanks to my meticulous journals.
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Becky and Travis in 1978 and 2018.
Flying solo without an artichoke
With the Giant Artichoke abandoned to the scrap heap many years ago, my 2014 Dodge Challenger would have to do. I visited the same towns and sought out the same people. For example, when our journey began on September 23, 1978, on the Main Street of a small town in Indiana, I recorded this encounter. I approached and asked the name of the town. One man said – “This little quagmire? You call it a town?” Another gave in: “This is Kirklin – population 712, or 714.” A third: “Yeah, if you count the dogs and cats.” We told them we were headed for California, “The long way.” One replied, “You can’t get there from here.” I showed the photo to a woman on the street and she recognized one of the fellows as “Red”, but I wasn’t able to track him down. Down the road, a ways, I turned into tiny Bearmouth, Montana (population 2) where I learned the extraordinary story of a young woman Bruce and I had met in 1978. Later beset with health problems so unusual that she was featured on NPR, she became an inspirational speaker on the Montana church circuit. Deep in the Oregon’s backcountry was where Bruce and I had
one of our most interesting 1978 encounters, picking up a young woman hitchhiking with her three-year-old son. I tracked down Becky and Travis, and learned that the precocious boy taught himself to play the spoons by watching the “Spoonman” featured in Soundgarden’s eponymous hit song, and performed at carnivals, toured with the Flying Karamazov Brothers circus act, and was featured in an ad campaign for Friendly’s Ice Cream. He and his mom recreated one of our 1978 photos for me: I continued down the California coast, where we had encountered several additional hitchhikers. I didn’t pick any up this time, but I did have a harrowing experience trying to sleep in my car in a Motel 6 parking lot in Castroville, California, the “Artichoke Capital of the World.” I awoke at 3 AM to a loud and threatening argument two spaces away, over something that two men couldn’t find in a slammed car trunk. I slunk away to sleep in a muddy artichoke field. I revisited San Francisco, Hollywood, and Las Vegas, where I had met a real one-armed bandit in 1978 – a man who brought me tremendous luck in the casino until the police took him away. Alas, I wasn’t so lucky this time. More rewarding was my time away from populated areas. I camped in Joshua Tree National Park and awoke to a beautiful sunrise.
Returning to a fork in the road
My final destination: Boulder, Colorado, where Bruce and I lived at the Youth Hostel while working as busboys in a Mexican restaurant. We made many friends, and I managed to track a few down. We both thought we might return to live in this beautiful and vibrant city. We didn’t, and the only reason I can think of is that we were just itching to get on to the next place. In one of those nice twists of life, my daughter now lives there. She attends Naropa University (which I thought I would attend), and has fully embraced Boulder, hiking and cycling in the mountains, busking on the Pearl Street Mall, and learning to rock-climb. She works in a coffee shop/bookstore while attending classes, and shows no signs of wanting to live anywhere else though she does enjoy driving her 1999 Subaru Forester, “Joni”, on back roads to places like the South Dakota Badlands. So yeah, maybe I returned to Boulder after all, just not in the exact form I envisioned!
Nick revists the Grand Canyon
My 8788 miles across America did nothing to sate my wanderlust. I’m already planning my next trip - along the Alcan highway to Alaska - the only state I have yet to visit. So while my own journey will continue as long as I can, I can’t predict what the next forty years will bring for America. That’s a journey for our children to take up, and their own book to write. Nick Roumel is a civil rights lawyer by day, a restless traveler and foodie by nature, and a long-time contributer to Current. Read the full tale of his adventures at FortyYearsAcrossAmerica.blogspot.com.
Humanity is a mess, but people are good at heart
This is what I learned about America in 2018: It’s as beautiful as it was in 1978, and in many ways timeless. Main streets in small towns look pretty much the same now as they did back then. They may seem indistinguishable from one another, but when you look closer, there is often a unique “sense of place” that you won’t find anywhere else. It may reflect pride in the natural features, or local culture sustained by native tribes. In the western states, there is a palpable sense of the “rugged individualism” that runs through their politics. (Example: billboard with a candidate posing with a cowboy hat and Winchester rifle while hugging a steer.) Discerning these differences helped me to understand the people I met. I might ask about their family, describe how their town has changed, what they like doing for fun, or the local food specialties. Almost all the people I met seemed good at heart. It’s humanity that’s a mess - then and now. We muddle through, most of us trying to make ourselves and the world better, the best way we can.
ecurrent.com / january 2019 9
health & wellness SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
It’s the beginning of the new year and many people may be starting a new work-out routine or diet to get their resolutions started. We talked to some heath experts who shared their insight so that anyone can fullfil their goals of becoming healthier.
Mary Light
ND MH LMT Traditional Naturopath and Clinical Herbalist Ann Arbor School Of Massage, Herbal & Natural Medicine Wellness Clinic and Gaia Center for Herbal Studies
6276 Jackson Rd., 734-769-7794. Naturopathicschoolofannarbor.net gaiaherbalstudies.net
A commonly-held, but incorrect, belief: I encounter the belief that only allopathic (“conventional” medicine) is “primary care.” Unfortunately, unless there is trauma or an emergency, those of us practicing natural medicine likely have better solutions to healing maladies, as we work holistically with supports aimed at strengthening and supporting the actual healing forces. Thus is it incorrect to “wait” until the 11th hour when disease has progressed to finally pursue the opinion of a naturopath or clinical herbalist. What’s a great first step that readers can take to be healthier in the new year? To accept that they may need to
change what they do in terms of getting quality sleep, moderate movement (exercise), and to shift their dietary focus to a moderate
whole foods diet with increased simple vegetables in each meal on a daily basis. This alone would reap great rewards. But some people need insight and perspective, and we can help provide that. What is one fact that people would be interested to know? We really take time to listen to how they are feeling ,
what their goals are, and to connect that information to a truly workable plan- and that we are not out to exploit suffering by manipulating clients/patients into buying unnecessary and expensive products. What’s one thing that will immediately make someone feel better? Well, in any setting, stopping to center yourself
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so you can close your eyes and breathe more deeply for a few minutes. At home, an interesting thermotherapy trick, based on the laws of physics, is an alternate “hot and cold” shower. Rinse off with a nice hot shower and follow with a gradual cold rinse all over. No need to shock your system either way. Do two cycles if you are game. This is a real energy changer; it affects the nervous system, mental processes, and circulation— many holistic processes at once.
My best advice for starting a new health or wellness routine: I would really recommend seeking someone out for
advisory— a trained holistic practitioner who will at least take a basic intake. Even a brief consult can make a world of difference and is affordable. This suggestion helps avoid trends, bad internet advice, “Dr. Facebook”, exploiters, and other time wasting choices.
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A sentence, or piece of advice, that stopped me in my tracks and changed my outlook: “ If you do what you’ve
always done, you’ll get what you’ve always gotten”
My favorite fitness routine: Stretching and walking each day,
and taking the time to prepare wholesome meals.
My health goal for 2019:
Getting back on a bike and out walking- I am healing from a broken leg , and about done with that!
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
Nicholas A. Stanko co-owner Ann Arbor Running Company
AARC Colonnade: 901 West Eisenhower Pkwy., 734-662-2400. AARC Kerrytown: 200 N, Fourth. 734-997-5223. 10am-7pm, Monday-Friday. 10am-6pm, Saturday. Noon-5pm, Sunday. Annarborrunningcompany.com A commonly-held, but incorrect, belief: That running stores only help runners. We help anyone and everyone who is moving forward one step at a time on their feet. The correct shoes for your feet can make a world of a difference. What’s a great first step that readers can take to be healthier in the new year? Be consistent. Carve out “x”
minutes a day to be active. If that means getting it in at 5am or 5pm, find a time that works for your lifestyle and be consistent. What is one fact that would people be interested to know? We help people with selecting the right gear for being
active and provide training programs to keep people motivated all year long.
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2500 Packard St., 734-929-4230. mmmpdoctor.com
A commonly-held, but incorrect, belief:
What’s one thing that will immediately make someone feel better? Move a lot and stay hydrated. A sentence, or piece of advice, that stopped me in my tracks and changed my outlook: “You will continue to suffer
if you have an emotional reaction to everything that is said to you. True power is sitting back and observing things with logic. True power is restraint. If words control you that means everyone else can control you. Breathe and allow things to pass.” - Warren Buffett Three points of wisdom: Consistency, baby steps, and
That cannabis makes one want heavier drugs.
community.
What’s a great first step that readers can take to be healthier in the new year? Decrease your prescription
My best advice for starting a new health or wellness routine: There is never the perfect time to start something new.
medicine usage.
My best advice for starting a new health or wellness routine: Just start it! Hardest part is the first step. My health goal for 2019: Resume a regular 3-4 mile per
day running schedule.
My favorite method of self-care: Sleep— make sure you
get at least 6-7 hours every night.
Just get started, figure things out as you go along and work on getting a little better each week. My favorite fitness routine:
A long run or bike ride.
My health goal for 2019:
To cut back a little on the sweets. The quality that I most admire in others:
Toughness.
My favorite method of self-care: Foam rolling. CONT’D ON P12
ecurrent.com / january 2019 11
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
CONT’D FROM P11
Lori Anderson Member Services Manager The Health & Fitness Center at Washtenaw Community College
4833 E. Huron River Dr., 734-975-9950. wccfitness.org 5am-10pm, Monday-Thursday. 5am-9pm, Friday. 7am-8p, Saturday-Sunday.
PERSONAL TRAINING AT ITS BEST! PERSONAL TRAINING AT ITS BEST!
Corrective Exercise Specialists
GIFT THE GIFT OF HEALTH & FITNESS
ONE FREE
What is one fact that would people be interested to know? The Health & Fitness Center at WCC is a medically
ONE FREE
integrated fitness center. Our fitness staff is not only certified in a variety of specialties but also have degrees in exercise science or a related field. Our facility is certified by the Medical Fitness Association.
PERSONAL TRAINING SESSION
What’s one thing that will immediately make someone feel better? Studies show that regular exercise can reduce
stress, ease anxiety, increase your energy level, boost your selfconfidence and help you sleep better.
ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY!
734.929.4106
5060 Jackson Rd, ste. G, Ann Arbor, MI 48103 Facebook.com/ThriveMartialArtsAndFitness january
What’s a great first step that readers can take to be healthier in the new year? Boost your physical activity!
Physical activity helps keep your heart and lungs working efficiently, reduces the risk of a variety of illness, improves balance and may even reduce pain.
FITNESS EVALUATION &
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A commonly-held, but incorrect, belief: You have to exercise every day for it to be “effective”. Research has proven that going from a sedentary lifestyle to even a moderate amount of exercise has a profound effect on overall health. The American College of Sports Medicine recommends a goal of 150 minutes of moderate physical activity, or 60 minutes of vigorous physical activity, per week.
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Our best advice for starting a new health or wellness routine: To take that first step. Go for a walk, take the stairs
instead of the elevator, take a tour of the fitness center close to your work or home and see what they have to offer. Our health goal for 2019: To keep MOVING!
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
Amir Rad owner Thrive Fitness
5060 Jackson Rd., Ste. G. 734-929-4106. Thrivemaf.com 6am-9:30pm, Monday-Thursday. 6am-6:30pm, Friday. Noon-5pm, Saturday-Sunday. A commonly-held, but incorrect, belief: A common myth in the fitness industry is that strength training is good for your overall health. I always emphasize that a PROPER strength training regimen is good for your health and wellness instead. Don’t just go through the motions. Seek the proper coaching needed to reach your fitness goals in the safest and most efficient ways possible. What’s a great first step that readers can take to be healthier in the new year? Be sure to live your life to the
fullest. Focus all of your energy on living a happy and healthy life, and that is the best way to ensure that you’re living and have lived a truly rich life. Eat healthy foods, exercise frequently, and get enough rest. Be confident in yourself and your abilities and spend time with your loved ones doing the things that you love. Life can be short, move on and learn from your past experiences, and live each day to the fullest like it’s your last. Love your family and love your friends. Live to Thrive! What is one fact that people would be interested to know? Thrive Fitness is one of the only gyms in town
that specializes in corrective exercise. We help fix problems throughout the body, help get rid of aches and pains, help relieve stiff muscles, and strengthen the muscles throughout the body that need it the most. What’s one thing that will immediately make someone feel better? Stretching, without a doubt. Getting older doesn’t
make you stiff, getting stiff makes you old.
My best advice for starting a new health or wellness routine: Always start your program with a fitness evaluation
A sentence, or piece of advice, that stopped me in my tracks and changed my outlook: The Thrive mantra: “Every
individual, regardless of their athletic ability, age, or skill level, deserves to obtain the highest quality of life.” In other words, they deserve to thrive. Three words of wisdom: Live to Thrive! My favorite fitness routine: Variety makes exercise fun
for me. Running, strength training, boxing, stretching, rowing, sprinting, wrestling, and more!
or an assessment. This way you can track progress through your measurements to make sure that you start your exercise program off correctly, and at the right phase and pace that’s right for you.
My health goal for 2019: To attain my pro-card in the
The quality that I most admire in others: The ability to set goals, and create a plan to achieve it. I admire people that follow through with their goals, versus just talking about them.
My favorite method of self-care: Exercise, strength training, stretching, eating healthy, cardiovascular workouts, reading, writing, sunshine.
bodybuilding division for men’s physique.
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PHOTO CREDIT ERICA PERRY
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
Vic Andrade Jim and Sue Cox Manager
Owners
Anytime Fitness Ann Arbor 3393 Plymouth Rd., Ste. D. 734-418-3338. anytimefitness.com Open 24/7 to members. A commonly-held, but incorrect, belief: One has to spend
hours in the gym every day to make progress. Also, just get moving! Don’t be a couch potato.
What’s a great first step that readers can take to be healthier in the new year? Set measurable fitness goals with
a solid plan of action in place.
What is one fact that would people be interested to know? We have personal trainers to motivate and coach you to
help meet your fitness goals. This month we offer a free one on one as well as group training for new members Three words of wisdom: Fun. Discipline. Perseverance.
Our best advice for starting a new health or wellness routine: Do not over think it… JUST DO IT!! Our favorite fitness routine: Military Presses followed by
weighted chin ups and some type of cardio.
Our health goal for 2019: Set new personal records. The quality that we most admire in others: Their ambition. Our favorite method of self-care: Exercise.
Andrea Gruber Owner, Massage Therapist
Massage Mechanics 7 S. Washington St., Ypsilanti. 734-408-1648. ypsimassagemechanics.com Noon-8pm, Monday, Wednesday, Saturday-Sunday. 1pm-8pm, Tuesday. 10am-8pm, Thursday-Friday. A commonly-held, but incorrect, belief: That Massage Therapy is a luxury item, for relaxation only, or an expensive day at the spa. At Massage Mechanics we promote therapeutic massage as a form of preventative maintenance for one’s health. Massage can be very effective at helping chronic pain or injuries and when received regularly can make a consistent positive effect on a person’s health. What’s a great first step that readers can take to be healthier in the new year? Remember the 80/20 rule. What
you do 80% of the time is what sets the tone for your health, and because we are all human, be forgiving of what you do the last 20% of the time.
What’s one thing that will immediately make someone feel better? Drink more water! Chronic dehydration can have
the same symptoms as depression. I personally try to drink 1/3 of my body weight in ounces of water a day, and when I do that I feel really great both physically and mentally.
My best advice for starting a new health or wellness routine: Pick something small but achievable, consistency has
the most impact. Set a small goal you know you can keep up, like taking a long walk with a friend or loved one once a week, going to the gym but only 2-3 times per week to start instead of 5, or drink a big glass of water in the morning before you have your coffee. A sentence, or piece of advice, that stopped me in my tracks and changed my outlook: “It is possible to commit
no mistakes and still lose. That is not a weakness. That is life.” Realizing this inspired me to take action, try new things, and explore more ideas. I used to stop myself before I even started because I was afraid of failing, now I’m worrying less about the possibility of failure and actually doing the things I always wanted to do.
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food Ascending Everest Sherpa’s Flavoral Medlies
(clockwise from top) The climbing suit owner Pem Dorjee wore to summit Mt. Everest, chicken Momos, and hearty Sherpa Stew.
Delicious for natives and tourists alike By Jeff Glick
The mundane strip center location belies the adventure behind the signage that reads Everest Sherpa restaurant. Accompanied by an expedition of Nepalese food virgins, I entered the restaurant. On artistic display are a variety of bowls and urns, including samurai bronze coffee pots, each with a distinct Asian sensibility, preparing us for family recipes authentically transported to Ann Arbor from the Himalayas. The alpine motif is replete with photos of majestic peaks, after being greeted by a mannequin dressed in the climbing suit worn by restaurant owner Pem Dorjee when he and his then-fiance Moni Mulepati summited the 29,029-foot peak to be married at the top of the planet. Soft, calming music laden with sitars and chimes combines influences from India, Nepal and Tibet.
Trekking through the menu
The menu boasts cuisine that employs authentic spices and bold flavors, and the kitchen definitely delivered on these proclamations. We began the meal with chicken Momos, a spiritual cousin of potstickers filled with Nepalese spices and ground chicken. The accompanying achar dipping sauce laced with tumeric, cumin, and coriander, bolstered the momos with a spicy kick. Members of our culinary expedition ordered the Butayko, a traditional sherpa dish cooked with bell peppers, onion, tomatoes, and Himalayan spices, served with rice. We also sampled the Polayko, a dish of boneless chicken (our selection, or lamb) marinated in yogurt with fresh herbs and Himalayan spices, roasted in a tandoori oven and served with rice and dal soup. Tumeric and cumin made consistent appearances in dishes throughout the meal.
The Sherpa Stew with lamb came with an abundance of root vegetables, some less often seen in Midwestern cooking. Rutabagas and turnips accompanied the carrots, broccoli and potatoes alongside the stew’s elongated rectangles of thick, freshly made dumplings. An order of Garlic naan served as a scoop to coax the various foods onto a fork. Other offerings, perhaps more familiar from experiences at locally operated subcontinental-style restaurants included Curries, Saag (spinach) dishes, Tikka Masala, Makhani (with protein options tandoori roasted and served with a sauce of tomato and cashews), Matter Paneer (soft ripened cheese), Aloo Cauli and Biryani (basmati rice with spices). Menu items are generally available with a choice of chicken, lamb or shrimp or as a vegetarian preparation. More adventurous explorers can dial in the spice level of their dish from mild to hot.
From a land far away
The looping video of the Nepalese countryside playing throughout our visit depicted villagers in daily life activities including threshing grain and landing a plane on one of the world’s shortest runways.
Dessert options included Kheer rice pudding and Lal Mohan, a dish of spongy dough spheres bathed in a sweet syrup, each providing a pleasant retreat from the pronounced spices of the entrees. Perhaps the ambitious portions contemplated the caloric needs of alpine climbers. Nonetheless, we found the compostable to-go containers for inevitable leftovers altogether fitting for an eatery that salutes the wonders of our planet’s highest peaks. Pem Dorjee and his wife Monii have created an Himalayan getaway in Ann Arbor. Everest Sherpa’s blends of spices and variety of dishes will compel us to make a return visit. Visit Everest Sherpa at 2803 Oak Valley Dr. Ann Arbor. everestsherparestaurant.com. 734-997-5490.
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food Ongoing Tuesdays
Fundamentals of Mixology Noon-2:30pm. $95. The Sugar House, Detroit. sugarhousedetroit.com
French Macarons 101
PizzaYOLO: How to Make Pizza
6-8pm. $63. PizzaPlex, Detroit. pizzaplex.com
Find out what makes PizzaPlex’s pizza so unique. Learn all the ins and outs of creating the perfect pizza, from getting a char-freckled crust and ratio of cheese to dough, to locking in the flavor.
Indoor Farmers Market
3-7pm. Ypsilanti Farmers Markets. growinghope.net/farmers-markets/ ypsilanti Free
The market moves indoors for the colder weather season, open the first and third Tuesday of the month. Shop locally grown produce, eggs, meat, baked goods and other foods and products.
Tuesdays and Fridays Free Tastings
5-7pm. Blue Front Ann Arbor. bfa2.com Free
Stop by to satisfy your tastebuds and try something new at this weekly tasting where selections change every week.
Wednesdays Wine Kit Wednesdays
10am-7pm. Adventures in Homebrewing. homebrewing.org
All wine kits in stock are 10 percent off!
Wine Night Wednesdays 4-10pm. Evan’s Street Station. evansstreetstation.com
Keegan C. Rodgers, Head Baker at the People’s Food Co-Op, will guide you in the delicate art of the French macaron. You will leave knowing the ingredients, the preparation method, and the proper storage for these featherweight, crisp, chewy, colorful, and indescribably delicious little sugar bombs. This event is in partnership with the People’s Food Co-Op and is part of an ongoing baking series. Kids are welcome! -TB Free. Wednesday January 31st 7pm-8:30. Ann Arbor District Library, 343 S. 5th Ave. aadl.org/events
Saturdays Soul Food Saturday Brunches
12:30-5:30pm. $6-$12. Moor Herbs, Detroit. moorherbs.com
Each week the menu changes and is made up of deliciously healthy, plant based, soy free meals. Gluten free options are also available. Plates are $12, soups are $6.
Sundays Lawless Brunch
9am-2pm. $18.29. Granite City Food & Brewery, Detroit. gcfb.com
Every Sunday, you have the choice to make your own brunch creation tailored to your taste buds. Granite City’s brunch features the bloody mary experience, the infinite mimosa, and build your own donut and egg creation stations.
1 Tuesday
Enjoy ½ off bottles of wine $75 and under!
New Year’s Day Hangover Brunch
Wine Down Wednesday
Whether you’re recovering from the New Year’s Eve parties or just want a delicious first meal of the year, head to the Aut Bar for a special brunch menu.
5-6pm. Wines on Main, Chelsea. winesonmainchelsea.club Free
Sample free one-ounce samples of various wines. Flights are also offered at varying prices.
Become a Master Rain Gardener
9:30am-12:30pm. $89. Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner’s Office, Ypsilanti. masterraingardener.org
Design your own rain garden with step-by-step instruction. This is a multi-day class that meets every Wednesday through February 13 and all dates are required to attend.
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11am-3pm. Aut Bar. autbar.com
2 Wednesday Bourbon Tasting
7-8:30pm. $35. Wines on Main, Chelsea. winesonmainchelsea.club
Come out to taste four samples of local and unique bourbons, whiskey and scotch.
Winter Boredom Busters: Spring Rolls
4:30-5:30pm. Ypsilanti District Library, Superior. ypsilibrary.org Free
Learn how to make this healthy, no-cook appetizer with different veggie fillings.
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4 Friday Northwest Table
Noon-2pm. $55. Fustini’s Oils & Vinegars. futinis.com
Seafood is a popular ingredient in the Northwest with the Pacific Ocean being the main source of food. The menu for this afternoon delight includes baked clams with casino butter, ratatouille, pan seared halibut with a lemon butter sauce and hasselback potatoes, and warm blackberry pastry with ice cream.
Pasta at Home
1-3pm. $75. Sur La Table. surlatable.com
Learn how to roll, mix, shape and cook pasta right in your own kitchen. Also offered 6:30-8:30pm Thursday, 1.17 and 10am-noon Saturday, 1.26.
Beer & Cheese
6:30-8:30pm. $45. Zingerman’s Creamery. events.zingermanscommunity.com
Join Tessie, resident Certified Cheese Professional in an evening of beer tasting paired with beer-friendly artisan cheeses.
5 Saturday Get Planted!
10am-noon. Exhalation Integrative Wellness, Detroit. linktr.ee/theblackhealthacademy Free
Join Black Health Academy founder Lisa A. Smith as she introduces the fundamentals of transitioning to a whole foods, plant based diet.
This mixology course covers the basics including liquors, liqueurs and ingredients required for mixed drinks, tools and equipment, and hands-on instruction to making three drinks. Learn techniques including shaking, stirring and straining.
Family Mozzarella & Ricotta 2-5pm. $75. Zingerman’s Creamery. events.zingermanscommunity.com
Learn all the ins and outs to making fresh mozzarella from the experts at Zingerman’s. This workshop is perfect for bringing the family along and suitable for young children 8 years old and up.
Winter Wine and Dine
7-9pm. $65-$85. Wines on Main, Chelsea. winesonmainchelsea.club
Chef Patrick Kander will serve up a five-course meal paired with delectable wines presented by Lori Moss of Little Guy Wines. Reserve your seat for dinner and wine or dinner only.
6 Sunday New Year Macaroons 9am-noon. $75. Sur La Table. surlatable.com
Impress others with your dessert-making skills after attending this workshop where participants will learn how to make the French cookies with mixing, piping and baking the shells, then adding buttercream and ganache fillings flavored with salted caramel.
Production Tour
11:30am-12:30pm. $10. Zingerman’s Creamery. events.zingermanscommunity.com
See everything that goes on at Zingerman’s from cheese and gelato making to mozzarella stretching. Try freshly made gelato, cow’s milk, and goat’s milk cheese along the way.
Winter Wellness Workshop: Winter Stew
2-4pm. Voices for Earth Justice, Detroit. voices4earth.org Free
The harsh, cold season calls for warming dishes, such as a healthy stew. Learn how to make these stews with local organic ingredients during this workshop by VEJ garden leader L’Oreal Hawkes-Williams.
food
Imbibe and Design 7 Monday Immersive Mystery Dinner
7-10pm. $78. Red Dunn Kitchen, Detroit. onthetownriddles.com
Presented by On the Town Riddles, diners will immerse themselves in a mystery riddle on the story of the unsettled spirits of the Michigan Central Station as they enjoy a threecourse dinner. $150 for two.
9 Wednesday Middle Eastern Touch Noon-2pm. $55. Fustini’s Oils & Vinegars. futinis.com
Enjoy cuisine from the Middle East such as beet and tahini dip with homemade pita bread, balela salad, spice rubbed roast chicken, and poached figs in orange and cardamom over ice cream.
Thinking of the Tropics
6-8pm. $55. Fustini’s Oils & Vinegars. futinis.com
Escape the cold winter blues with a tropical menu prepared by Chef Nik. The menu includes marinated fruit Goi cuon, olive oil poached rockfish, coconut glazed pork shoulder, and pineapple upside down cake. Register in advance.
The University Flower Shop and Bløm Meadworks present Tropical Nouveau, a new twist on the trend of painting while enjoying a glass of wine. This workshop involves learning the basics of floral design, creating your own tropical centerpiece, and enjoying Bløm’s tiki-themed cocktail while you work, converting the brewery into a tropical oasis in the middle of winter. This event is BYOC (Bring Your Own Container), so bring one for your floral arrangement that is 5 inches high with a mouth at least 5 inches wide. —EH $75. 6pm-8pm. Wednesday, January 9. Bløm Meadworks. 100 S. 4th Ave. Ste. 110. 734-665-6037. uniflowershop.com/workshops. Must be 21 or older.
Planting Seeds for Food Literacy
Lighter Fare for the New Year
7-8:30pm. Ann Arbor District Library, Downtown. aadl.org Free
Start eating healthy after all the food from the holidays and learn some new recipes with Keegan Rodgers.
Mocktail Madness
7-9pm. $40. Great Oak Cohousing. tammystastings.com
Not every good drink has to have alcohol in it! Explore the different recipes to make non-alcoholic spirits packed with flavor.
11 Friday Date Night
6:30-8:30pm. $45. Zingerman’s Creamery. events.zingermanscommunity.com
Take your significant other out on a date to see the makers at Zingerman’s demonstrate how local milk is transformed into cheese and gelato. The tour will also show mozzarella stretching and serve samples of freshly made gelota, cow’s milk and goat’s milk cheeses.
6:30-8:30pm. $85. Sur la Table. surlatable.com
Take your honey out for a sweet date making tasty French dishes including Steak au Poivre with flamed brandy and mustard sauce, salad verte with French vinaigrette, roasted potatoes, and dark chocolate souffle with vanilla bean creme anglaise for dessert. Also offered 4-6pm Sunday, 1.20 and Saturday, 1.26.
Winter Gathering
7:30-11pm. Cultivate Coffee & TapHouse, Ypsilanti. cultivateypsi.com Free
Come hang out with the community for coffee, brews and good times with no set agenda or set up. Your first drink is free!
12 Saturday Cider & Cheese
3-5pm. $45. Zingerman’s Creamery. events.zingermanscommunity.com
Michigan-made hard ciders from dry to sweet will be paired with various cheeses from the shop.
Learn new recipes to recreate at home and taste delicious breads with Jim Williams, founder of Seven Stars Bakery in Providence, Rhode Island.
15 Tuesday Witch’s Hat Tap Event
To celebrate Jon Cole’s birthday, Rye Whiskey BA Night Fury and other favorites will be tapped all night long.
Free. 6:30pm-8pm Tuesdays, beginning January 15. University of Michigan. Angell Hall. Auditorium B. Message the host on Facebook for more details. —EH
Date Night: Winter in Paris
6-8:30pm. $45. Zingerman’s Bakehouse. events.zingermanscommunity.com
3-11pm. The Grotto. thegrottobar.com Free
Food Literacy for All is for UM students but is also free and open to the public. Hosted by the University of Michigan Sustainable Food Systems Initiative, the event is held every Tuesday with the goal of promoting discussions about sustainable agriculture and the commitment to growing healthy foods, often with lectures by guest speakers. Formed in partnership with the Detroit Food Policy Council and FoodLab Detroit, the Initiative raises awareness of how food literacy affects us all.
10 Thursday
14 Monday Bread Baking Demo with Jim Williams
13 Sunday Along the Bourbon Trail 2-4pm. $45. The Last Word. tammystastings.com
Learn about Bourbon’s smooth flavor that originated in Kentucky during this class where you’ll make some cocktails.
Ann Arbor Restaurant Week 9am. $15-$28. Downtown Ann Arbor. annarborrestaurantweek.com
Restaurant Week (January 1318) is your opportunity to try as many great Ann Arbor restaurants as your schedule allows for one incredibly low fixed price: $15 for lunch and $28 for dinner, with many restaurants offering 2 for 1 pricing. Make reservations early!
Wine & Cheese
3-5pm. $45. Zingerman’s Creamery. events.zingermanscommunity.com
Various wines from Zingerman’s favorite vintners will be sampled along with artisan cheeses.
16 Wednesday Healthy Food Distribution
2-3:30pm. Washtenaw County Human Services, Ypsilanti. washtenaw.org Free
Individuals and families with lower incomes that have trouble purchasing food are welcome to pick up free groceries provided by the Washtenaw County Health Department and Food Gatherers. Foods include fruit, veggies, dairy products and bread.
Cooking 101: How to Shop on a Budget 7-8:30pm. Ann Arbor District Library, Downtown. aadl.org Free
Keegan Rodgers will guide this hands-on workshop and teach participants how to prepare meal plans and grocery lists, and save money while shopping.
Italian Dinner & Balsamic 6:30-9pm. $85. Greyline. events.zingermanscommunity.com
In part of Zingerman’s Food Tours Dinner Series, a traditional six-course meal and two wines to taste will be presented by Simone Tintori of La Vecchia Dispensa in Modena, Italy.
Bell’s Beer Dinner
7-10pm. $50. The Session Room. bit.ly/januarybellsbeerdinner
This four-course dinner prepared by Executive Chef Lucas will feature limited release beers paired with each course. Seating is limited, so RSVP in advance.
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food Mastering the Basics 7-9pm. $169. Sur la Table. surlatable.com
This three-week cooking class meets Wednesdays and covers the basics of cooking from knife skills and properly chopping veggies to creating sauces and desserts. Register in advance.
17 Thursday Drink Detroit: New Year, New Bars Tour
6-9pm. $20. Detroit Shipping Company. Tickets on eventbrite.com
Tour through Midtown Detroit, a foodie-heavy neighborhood with a constantly changing bar scene. Tour stops are subject to change, but include the Detroit Shipping Company, Second Best Detroit, and Sfumato Fragrances.
A Taste of Parker Village 6-8pm. $21. TechTown, Detroit. parkervillage.net
See what the solar powered cafe, Parker Village, is all about with a Q&A session with the reps and tasting of their menu items.
18 Friday Tea & Cheese
6:30-8:30pm. $40. Zingerman’s Creamery. events.zingermanscommunity.com
Just like wine, some teas pair well with cheese due to the tannins that are released once the tea leaves are exposed to hot water. Try some teas sourced from Rishi Tea to go with Zingerman’s cheeses.
Omakase Sushi Dinners
8-10pm. $136. Hard Gallery, Detroit. Tickets at eventbrite.com
Chef Nick George of Dr. Sushi will whip up a chef’s tasting menu that includes 15-20 course sushi and washoku dinner.
19 Saturday Detroit Mixology 101: Tequila
6-8pm. $30-$65. Detroit Mixology Professional Bartending School. @detroitmix on Facebook.
This workshop focuses on the fun in making cocktails with Tequila, specifically Patron. Take what you learn in class home with you!
Pairing Beer with Food
20 Sunday Of Chinese Cheese and Curds
3-5pm. Ann Arbor District Library, Malletts Creek. aadl.org Free
Miranda Brown, professor of Chinese Studies at UM will guide this tour on curd dishes stemming from China.
Mastering Mozzarella
2-5pm. $75. Zingerman’s Creamery. events.zingermanscommunity.com
Learn the secrets to making mozzarella cheese directly from the experts. This workshop covers pulling balls of fresh mozzarella from curd and milk, stretching string cheese, and creating rich, creamy burrata.
$45. 6:30pm-8:30pm Saturday, January 19. Zingerman’s Creamery. 3723 Plaza Dr. Ste. 2. 734-929-0500. events.zingermanscommunity.com. —EH
22 Tuesday 10am-1pm. Riverside Arts Center. patreon.com/wobblyebreakfastypsi Free
Join the community in a free breakfast or volunteer in serving the breakfast for those individuals and families with food insecurities.
14th Annual African American Dinner
7-9pm. $75. Zingerman’s Roadhouse. events.zingermanscommunity.com
Writer and speaker Stephen Satterfield will present the roots of rice cooking in African American culture, and share stories of current African American chefs bringing heirloom rice back into culinary trends. A fundraiser for the expansion of We the People Growers Association will also take place in addition to ticket prices.
25 Friday Cheese 101
6:30-8:30pm. $40. Zingerman’s Creamery. events.zingermanscommunity.com
Do you know your cheeses? Be introduced to seven major styles of cheeses while tasting them and gaining tips on creating cheese boards and pairings.
26 Saturday Detroit Mixology 101: Vodka 6-8pm. $30-$60. Detroit Mixology Professional Bartending School. @detroitmix on Facebook.
Unlock your inner bartender at this class where you’ll make fun cocktails and learn the recipes to make them at home. This course focuses on popular drinks made with Titos.
Discuss the basic rules to pairing beers with certain cuisines with Annette May, Advanced Cicerone, beer educator. january
In case you hadn’t noticed, fondue parties are back in a big way. Zingerman’s Creamery is hosting a fondue and raclette event, where you will learn how to make two different kinds of fondue and a traditional Swiss raclette. Taste the cheeses before they are combined in the creamy fondue. Reserve your seat, they are going fast!
Wobbly Breakfast
Noon-3pm. $55. Oath Distributing, Detroit. oathdistributing.com
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Fondue & Raclette
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27 Sunday Sour Power
2-4pm. $45. The Last Word. tammystastings.com
Explore the crucial role citrus juices play in cocktails. Lemon and lime are essentials, but so can grapefruit, orange and kumquats.
Thai Cooking
1-3pm. $75. Sur La Table. surlatable.com
The menu for this cooking class includes stir-fried wide noodles with beef, fresh rolls with poached shrimp and coconut-peanut dipping sauce, Thai pumpkin curry soup with Jasmine rice, and for dessert, coconut-lime sorbet.
29 Tuesday Joe Grimm and The Faygo Book
7-8:30pm. Ann Arbor District Library, Downtown. aadl.org Free
Martin Bandyke, morning host on Ann Arbor’s 107one joins author Joe Grimm to discuss Grimm’s book on soda pop.
31 Thursday Fondue & Raclette
6:30-8:30pm. $45. Zingerman’s Creamery. events.zingermanscommunity.com
Cozy up while enjoying some melted cheese. This tasting and demonstration features two kinds of fondue and traditional Swiss raclette.
Ultimate Lasagna From Scratch
Home Brewing Primer with Teo Watson-Ahlbrandt
Gain the skills to make homemade lasagna with fresh pasta, hearty meat sauce and creamy bechamel baked to cheesy perfection. Those who attend this class get to take home a three-quart baker.
Learn from Teo at Edelbräu Brewing as he introduces this talk on brewing at home and shares his passion and knowledge of brewing, accompanied by a light meal.
4-6pm. $95. Sur La Table. surlatable.com
6-8pm. $40. ZingTrain. bakewithzing.com
chef’s corner A peek into the minds of Ann Arbor’s culinary arbiters and their unique perspective on Washtenaw County’s dining and hospitality culture.
Binod Dhakal
Mastermind of Cardamom orchestrates a choir of Indian flavors by Sonny Forrest Cardamom (1739 Plymouth) owner Binod Dhakal attributes his food’s bold flavors to the fresh proteins, produce and house-ground spices roasted just before cooking each dish. These kitchen tenets represent one reason why Current readers voted Cardamom’s fresh Indian cuisine as the “Best of Washtenaw” this past year. Dhakal divulges his go-to local haunts, compares fresh ground spices to fine coffee, and suggests a three-course menu for Indian food newbies and veterans alike. How would you characterize the appeal of Cardamom’s cuisine for diners in the Ann Arbor area? Indian cuisine
is amongst the world’s most layered and complex flavor profiles, so many people come to us to experience something that is vastly different than what they might prepare at home. Even for home cooks of Indian food, many of the dishes we make are more complex than they might endeavor at home or capture a flavor profile they cannot replicate due to lack of specialized equipment, such as cooking in the tandoor oven. Because we are using fresh ingredients and scratch cooking techniques, all those delightful Indian flavors really stand up and sing in the finished dish. Which ingredient sets Cardamom’s cuisine apart? The spices are the foundation of Indian cooking and at our place I’m personally blending each masala (mix) so that it’s both traditional but unique. We roast and grind our spices in house just before cooking for maximum potency. One way to understand how significant that is to the end flavor of the food is to compare it to the difference between a cup of coffee made with freshly roasted and ground coffee vs pre-ground that’s been sitting in a can on the shelf for a year. Most every dish starts with fresh garlic, ginger and onion and builds from there. We use more fresh onion and fresh tomato than any other restaurant our wholesale vendor sells to. Where do you eat in the Ann Arbor area aside from your restaurant? Zingerman’s Roadhouse (2501 Jackson) is our family
favorite where we go with the kids. We live on the west side so we also frequent Juicy Kitchen (1506 N Maple) for a quick bite. Other favorites include Tomukun (505 E Liberty) and Savas (216 S State). I also enjoy cooking at home, so I like to shop at Sparrow Market (407 N 5th) in Kerrytown for fresh, seasonal and unusual meat and produce.
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Which dishes comprise the perfect three-course meal at Cardamom? For folks new to Indian food, an accessible
crowd pleaser is Momo appetizer, Chicken Tikka Masala and Rice Pudding dessert. For the adventurous foodie, I’d recommend Papri Chat appetizer, Karahi Goat and Carrot Halwa dessert. Keep in mind, too, that we offer an extensive selection of vegetarian entrees as vegetarianism in a key way of life for many Indians.
BFA2.com ecurrent.com / january 2019 19
PHOTO CREDIT: DOUG COOMBE
music Louis Picasso Keeps Balance and Continues On Live incarnation of his latest: Behind The Paintings pt 2 by Jeff Milo When asked to describe his music, he offers the terse explanation, “Alternative Lou.” And, when you listen to a new song by Louis Picasso, the Ypsilanti-based lyricist/producer/arts-collective leader, that’s what you’ll get— a new side, a new perspective, a new direction, an alternative to the motivated artist and head of Hiiigher Minds. “I don’t know how to talk to people about certain things, in person,” Lou admits, “but I know how to put it into music. I’m not one to go vent to someone, I put my feelings into that next song.” That sentiment led to the lyric (an honest warning), “this right here’s gonna hurt…,” the chorus of a standout track from Picasso’s recently released album, Behind The Paintings pt 2.
The Ypsi scene revived
Louis Picasso Gholston is a key component of a resurgence in the Ypsilanti music and arts scene, primarily creating music that would be categorized by most as hip-hop or R&B. His solo output and live events are distinguished from his captaincy of the Hiiigher Minds squad, which includes several local musical artists who each specialize in various other disciplines, such as photography, graphic design, and videography. “We’re all on the same wavelength,” said Picasso. “We all want the same thing, but we’re all also in our own lane. Nobody’s stepping on anyone’s toes. We all wanna make it. We’re all serious; we’re all professional. When it comes down to business, we lock in.” Picasso’s first major release demonstrated his proclivity for vibrant productions and intricate beat arrangements to affect a dazzling sheen over still raw lyrical themes. Behind The Paintings digs in to the unspoken angst and twisty emotions woven beneath the surface images. His first album was followed with an ambitious and cameo-heavy album, Gold.
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january
Louis Picasso performing at Mittenfest.
Picasso’s new batch of songs in Behind The Paintings, pt 2 finds him processing the end of an intense three-year relationship. Picasso was keen to keep this particular project free from cameos. He wanted to demonstrate to the listener, especially anyone that might be going through the end of a relationship, that it can be natural, even inevitable, to feel alone or frustrated. “This right here’s gonna hurt.” “I don’t mind going into the deepness of something I’m going through,” said Picasso. “(Behind The Paintings, pt 2) is probably the first project where I did more of a wavy sound, like alt-R&B, with me singing, and the vocal effects… But the whole breakup shook me! And these songs were me keeping my balance.”
Room for The Gallery
Over the last two years, his live performances have featured the versatile ensemble known as The Gallery. “It’s rap, but it’s not rap…,” said Picasso. “It’s rock, but it’s not rock; it’s indie, but it’s not indie… It’s everything combined. It’s not every day you see a rapper perform with
2019 / ecurrent.com
a band, especially with no vocals behind his track. They all do their thing and they help my sound stand out. They give it that extra emotion.” Picasso’s biggest year to date has been 2018: out on the road with the band, hitting Cleveland’s House of Blues, at the Bazaar in Brooklyn, and around the Great Lakes states to Toronto. He’s headed to Australia in February, but not before he caps off Behind The Paintings, pt 2 with an “arenascale” production with a live theatrical performance of the album. Picasso’s drive, and the drive of everyone in Hiiigher Minds, comes down to the connection he feels in the midst of a live performance. That’s something he can’t find anywhere else. “I feel like I can’t stop, that feeling is so addictive,” said Picasso. “Genuinely connecting with people can be hard in other circumstances, but not on a stage—that feeling is incredible.” Find more information about Louis Picasso and Hiiigher Minds here: hiiigherminds.com, facebook.com/LouisPicassoHM/
music Ongoing Mondays Open Mic Mondays at the Plymouth Coffee Bean 7:30pm. Plymouth Coffee Bean. Free
Join this weekly celebration of original songwriters and poets.
Tuesdays Open Mic Hosted by SwagRight
9pm. Club Above. club-above.com Free
All talents are welcome to showcase what they got on the top floor of the Heidelberg Bar. A DJ and board/card games start the night off with pool table games free of charge. Performances begin at 10pm and end at 2am.
6 Sunday
Celebrate the Ark with Folk Music
Duncan McMillan
7:30-10:30pm. $10. Cliff Bell’s, Detroit. cliffbells.com
The Ark, Ann Arbor’s beloved venue for folk and ethnic music in the heart of downtown, hosts their 42nd Annual Folk Festival, a two-day fest showcasing the talents of folk and roots artists. Friday’s lineup includes Brandi Carlile, Gregory Alan Isakov, Haley Heynderickx, Sam Lewis, Parsonsfield, Michigan Rattlers and Peter Mulvey, MC. Taking the stage on Saturday is Rufus Wainwright, I’m With Her, Joan Osborn’s Dylanology featuring Jackie Greene, Pokey LaFarge, AHI, The RFD Boys, and MC Peter Mulvey. All funds raised at this weekend concert go directly to the Ark and the continuing presentation of authentic live music. Various ticket options are available with single day and two-day passes, check online for prices. Friday and Saturday, January 25 and 26. Hill Auditorium, 825 N. University Ave. 734-761-1800. theark.org
3 Thursday Gerald Ross
Noon-1pm. Gift of Art at University Hospital. med.umich.edu Free
The talented Ross (ukulele) has shared the stages with such greats as Doc Watson and Arlo Guthrie.
Gemini 140th Birthday Celebration
8pm. $20. The Ark. theartk.org
Twin brother duo San and Laz Slomovits will be celebrating the pairs legacy of music.
Fallow Land, Fernway, Ness Lake, Parkway & Columbia 9pm. $7-$10. Blind Pig. blindpigmusic.com
Original music from four indie rock bands.
4 Friday Brad Billmaier
7-9pm. Ann Arbor Distilling Co. annarbordistilling.com Free
Classic and soft rock covers.
Heartland Trio
8-10pm. $10-$25. Kerrytown Concert House. kerrytownconcerthouse.com
Reggie Harris
8pm. $15. Greenwood Coffee House. greenwoodcoffeehouse.org
This group of local songwriters has been inspiring each other to write original songs for over 14 years. The eight songwriters will perform ‘in-the-round’, trading off songs.
First Friday Open Jam
Ralph McKee Project
8pm. Unity Vibration Kombucha. unityvibrationkombucha.com Free
Stop by with your instrument or voice and join in the collaborative open mic.
Paul VornHagen Quartet 9pm. $10. Cliff Bell’s, Detroit. cliffbells.com
Multi-instrumentalist Paul VornHagen is a six-time winner of the Detroit Music Awards.
5 Saturday Open Jam
Noon-2pm. YpsiAlehouse. facebook.com/ypsialehouse Free
Bring your instrument for a folk music jam session.
J. Dean
6-9pm. Mash Whiskey Bar. facebook.com/mashannarbor Free
Philip, Rod & Linden
6-9pm. Cliff Bell’s, Detroit. cliffbells.com Free
Enjoy the acoustic music of this local trio over a cup of tea at the Bookstore.
Sideline
8pm. $15. The Ark. theark.org
Bluegrass quintette Sideline brings it’s twangy, boisterous music to the Ark’s stage.
8pm. The Ark. theark.org
Guitarist and songwriter Reggie Harris has been touring for over 40 years, combining social justice issues and joyful meditation to his music.
The up and coming modern jazz/ folk trio will perform selections from their latest release Year One. 8-10pm. Donations. Crazy Wisdom Bookstore. crazywisdom.net
The Yellow Room Gang
Acoustic pop rock covers.
Samuel Chase Harris Duo Bassist and composer will perform standards and original jazz compositions.
Rob Crozier
Ann Arbor Distilling Co. annarbordistilling.com Free
Soft acoustic music.
8-Midnight. Guy Hollerin’s. hiannarbor.com Free
Saturday nights Guy Hollerin’s hosts local blues groups.
Mike Gentry, Monte Pride 8-10pm. Donations. Crazy Wisdom Bookstore. crazywisdom.net
Two songwriters will perform in the Tearoom.
Heartland Trio
8-11pm. Ziggy’s, Ypsilanti. facebook.com/ziggysypsi Free
The trio is bassist Hannah Marks, saxophonist Barclay Moffitt and percussionist Rocky Martin.
Pianist and bandleader McMillan will perform in celebration of his latest release, Room with a View.
Jazz Pianist Hannah Baiardi 8pm. $15. The Ark. theark.org
Baiardi’s take on jazz standards will put you in an uplifted, relaxed mood.
8 Tuesday Brennan Andes & Friends
5:30-7:30pm. Ann Arbor Distilling Co. annarbordistilling.com Free
Soft rock and acoustic originals.
Ordinarius
8pm. $20. The Ark. theark.org
Acapella vocal pop group Ordinarius uses voices in the place of the musical instruments, creating an orchestra of song using only their keen sense of arrangement and tone.
9 Wednesday William Fitzsimmons 8pm. $20. The Ark. theark.org
Songwriter William is an accomplished multi-instrumental musician, using acoustic instruments paired with electronic elements.
Shaggy 2 Dope
9pm. $20-$25. Blind Pig. blindpigmusic.com
Psychopathic Records recording artist Shaggy 2 Dope stuns the audience with his contemporary crafting of Detroit horrorcore hip hop.
Sugartips Acoustic
8-11pm. Mash Whiskey Bar. facebook.com/mashannarbor Free
Cover band performing pop rock hits.
10 Thursday Rob Crozier Trio
Deadicated
8:30pm-midnight. $7. Rumpus Room. therumpusroomchelsea.com
Enjoy a Grateful Dead tribute night by the Deadicated band.
Mike Concannon Band 9pm. $12. The Blind Pig. blindpigmusic.com
Concannon will be joined on stage by Brian Lillie and Jim Roll.
Ralphe Armstrong & the International Detroiters 9:30pm. $10. Cliff Bell’s, Detroit. cliffbells.com
Longtime Detroit composer and jazz bass player Ralphe Armstrong performs.
Noon-1pm. Gift of Art at University Hospital. med.umich.edu Free
The modern jazz trio is lead by Rob Crozier. The ensemble performs original and jazz standards.
Scott Gwinnell Jazz Orchestra
7-10pm. $10. Cliff Bell’s, Detroit. cliffbells.com
The performance marks the orchestra’s 21st Anniversary. Pianist and bandleader Scott Gwinnell is a joy to watch. From original compositions to big swingin’ versions of the standards, the music might just have you dancing in the aisles.
Cont’d on p22
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music The Truth
8pm. $25. The Ark. theark.org
Mary Gauthier, Eliza Gilkyson and Gretchen Peters form the richly talented folk trio, The Truth, bringing elements of country and americana to the Ark stage.
11 Friday Adam Labeaux
7-9pm. Ann Arbor Distilling Co. annarbordistilling.com Free
Acoustic covers.
Modern Lady Fitness, Radar Gold, Towner
7-10pm. Donations. 3rd Death Star. facebook.com/3rddeathstar
Three indie rock bands perform in the listening room setting.
John Oates
8pm. $35. The Ark. theark.org
9pm. $10. Cliff Bell’s, Detroit. cliffbells.com
Jazz vocalist Kosins brings her award-winning soulful voice to Cliff Bell’s, performing with her ensemble.
Eureka O’Hara
9pm-2am. $5-$25. Necto Pride. facebook.com/nectonightclub
Drag star Eureka O’Hara will perform at Necto Pride. Ticket options include a meet and greet pre-party.
Dirty Deville, Shindig Machine, King Under the Mountain
12 Saturday Isaac Ryder
Julia Furlong
8pm. $20. The Ark. theark.org
David Vaughn
8-10pm. $15. Greenwood Coffee House. greenwoodcoffeehouse.org
Vocalist David Vaughn performs songs from the American Songbook.
Share the Hedge
8-10pm. Donations. Crazy Wisdom Bookstore. crazywisdom.net
$10-$35. 8-10pm Thursday, January 31. Kerrytown Concert House, 415 N. 4th St. 734-769-2999. a2tix.com
Free concert featuring three local rock/jam bands.
7-9pm. Ann Arbor Distilling Co. annarbordistilling.com Free
Spend an evening in the relaxing Kombucha Tea Room with the sounds of Julia Furlong.
A new album and project, Momentum - Portraits of Women in Motion, is a tribute by jazz pianist Ellen Rowe to her women heroes in music, sports, social justice, environmental advocacy and politics. To celebrate its release, Ms. Rowe will be accompanied by other all-star female artists in a spectacular live performance, with each piece orchestrated for chamber jazz ensembles. Ingrid Jensen on trumpet, Virginia Mayhew and Lisa Parrott on saxophone, Melissa Gardiner on trombone, Marion Hayden on bass, and Allison Miller on drums join Rowe for a jazzy evening.
9pm-midnight. Tap Room. taproomypsi.com Free
Oates of the popular soft-rock duo (Hall & Oates) performs an intimate storytelling set of acoustic songs. 8pm. Unity Vibration Kombucha. unityvibrationkombucha.com Free
Women in Music
Kathy Kosins
Acoustic covers.
Jill Jack
Award-winning songwriter Jill Jack will revisit her 1998 release Too Close to the Sun.
Michelle Held, Annie Baccon
8-10pm. Donations. Crazy Wisdom Bookstore. crazywisdom.net
Singer songwriters share the evening’s performance.
Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra
8-10pm. $20-$72. Hill Auditorium. a2so.com
Bird Into Bear, The Glass City Groove
8:30pm-midnight. Chelsea Rumpus Room. therumpusroomchelsea.com Free
Bird Into Bear (Dragon Wagon) explores folk and modern jazz with a jam-band take on rock and roll.
Sessions
Max Lockwood fronts this Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers tribute group, performing the hits and the deep cuts.
Saturday nights Guy Hollerin’s hosts local blues groups.
Sessions performs traditional Irish/Celtic music.
2019 / ecurrent.com
8pm. $25. The Ark. theark.org
Speakeasy Sundays
Laura Rain and the Caesars
january
Carrie Newcomer
Accomplished jazz pianist Alexis Lombre will perform with her quartet.
9:30pm. $10. Cliff Bell’s, Detroit. cliffbells.com
The Insiders
22
Acoustic duo playing covers and originals.
Alexis Lombre Quartet
Jonathan and Melissa Gardner share their old world folk music with the crowd.
9pm. $15-$20. Blind Pig. blindpigmusic.com
5:30-7:30pm. Ann Arbor Distilling Co. annarbordistilling.com
Contemporary songwriter Carrie Newcomer transforms the acoustic genre through her experiences serving as a cultural ambassador to India and sense of spirituality.
“Mozart Birthday Bash,”featuring community choirs and pianist Alon Goldstein performing works by Mozart. 8-Midnight. Guy Hollerin’s. hiannarbor.com Free
Brennan Andes & Friends
13 Sunday 2-4pm. YpsiAlehouse. ypsialehouse.com Free
8:30pm. $20-$30. Cliff Bell’s. cliffbells.com
This monthly burlesque show pulls from over 90 years of tradition. The event showcases the talent of international stars of burlesque.
music Five Years of Radio Indie band After Hours Radio celebrates their fifth anniversary with a special live show. Brought up in the DIY music scene, the group is known for their groovy riffs and blending multiple genres, such as reggae and alternative, to create their unique sound. Joining them on stage are local acts Stop Watch, Approachable Minorities, and Summer Like the Season. $5-$8. 8pm-midnight Saturday, January 12. Club Above, 215 N. Main St. 734-663-7758. club-above.com
14 Monday Ann Arbor Symphony Chamber Concert 1:30-2:30pm. $10. Jewish Community Center.
Pianist Alon Goldstein leads the chamber orchestra in works by Mendelssohn.
Pianist Read Gainsford
7:30pm. Britton Recital Hall. smtd.umich.edu/performances-events Free
The Florida State University pianist will perform a guest recital featuring the “New Zealand Parita” which pairs Bach with seven composers.
16 Wednesday Harper & Midwest Kind 7-10pm. $12. Club Above. facebook.com/clubabove
Detroit recording artist Harper bring his roots and blues rock band to the Club.
The Ark’s Open Stage
8pm. $2-$3. The Ark. theark.org
Get there early to be part of the lottery. Those chosen randomly will get eight minutes of stage time. Show your songs off to the crowd.
Galen Bundy Trio featuring Kameryn Ogden 8pm. $10. Cliff Bell’s. cliffbells.com
Jazz composer and pianist Galen Bundy will perform their trio’s latest works with a special guest appearance from vocalist Kameryn Ogden.
17 Thursday
Twisted Pine
8pm. $15. The Ark. theark.org
Newgrass group Twisted Pine brings the mold of tradition with their modern take of the genre.
18 Friday Detroit Symphony Orchestra: “Vegas & The Rat Pack” 10:45-1:45am. $24-$105. Detroit Symphony. dso.org
The DSO presents the music of Frank Sinatra and his contemporaries. Additional performance dates, 8pm. Saturday, 1.19 and 3pm. Sunday, 1.20.
Acoustic Ash
7-9pm. Ann Arbor Distilling Co. annarbordistilling.com Free
Acoustic rock covers and more.
Mountain Heart
8pm. $35. The Ark. theark.org
The ensemble graced the stage at last year’s Folk Festival at the Hill auditorium and continue to impress the crowd with their uptempo bluegrass music.
Arnie Tanimoto
8-10pm. $10-$30. Kerrytown Concert House. kerrytownconcerthouse.com
The classical trio will feature Juilliard graduate Arnie Tanimoto (viola da gamba), James Perretta, (viola da gamba), and Nicola Canzano (harpsichord).
Juggernaut Jug Band
8pm. $15. Greenwood Coffee House. greenwoodcoffeehouse.org
The Juggernauts perform popular rock songs using acoustic and homemade instruments.
Grosse Ile Quintet
Noon-1pm. Gift of Art at University Hospital. med.umich.edu Free
The classical/pop quintet will honor Dr. Martin Luther King through song.
Cont’d on p24
ecurrent.com / january 2019 23
Detroit Symphony Orchestra: Shostakovich 8
music
8pm. $15-$100. Detroit Symphony. dso.org
Pianist Karina Canellakis joins the DSO for works by Schumann and Shostakovich.
Taylor Greenshields (Honey Monsoon)
8-10pm. Unity Vibration Kombucha. unityvibrationkombucha.com
Terraplanes
8-Midnight. Guy Hollerin’s. hiannarbor.com Free
The songwriter will perform her original songs using synthesizer and percussion instruments.
Saturday nights Guy Hollerin’s hosts local blues groups.
Free Lance
Time to get Funky
9pm-1:30am. Weber’s. facebook.com/freelancerocks Free
Cover band playing pop/rock hits.
Alex Harding & Organ Nation
9pm. $10. Cliff Bell’s. cliffbells.com
International jazz saxophonist and Detroit native Alex Harding has performed with Sun Ra, Charles Mingus, and Aretha Franklin.
19 Saturday Simon James Master Class 10am. McIntosh Theatre. smtd.umich. edu/performances-events Free
Violinist Simon James appears as part of the Master Class Series at the University of Michigan Department of Music.
Escaping Pavement
7-9pm. Ann Arbor Distilling Co. annarbordistilling.com Free
Acoustic rock and covers.
Newport Blues Band
7-11pm. $5. Zal Gaz Grotto Club. facebook.com/newportbluesband
Benefit for the Sky Foundation for cancer research.
Shari Kane & Dave Steele, Red Tail Ring 7:30pm. $20. The Ark. theark.org
This double bill concert features blues artist Kane and Steele opening for roots-Americana festival favorites, Red Tail Ring.
College Concert
8pm. $12-$34. Hill Auditorium. smtd.umich.edu/performances-events
Calling all guitarists! Cory Wong of Vulfpeck makes a tour stop in Ann Arbor this month. The musician graces the stage with up-beat riffs of funk and jazz. It’ll be hard not to dance to his high-energy compositions, so grab your friends for a night out and groove to the music. $20. 9pm Saturday, January 19. The Blind Pig, 208 S. 1st St. 734-996-8555. blindpigmusic.com Bull Halsey, Mercury Salad Sandwich
8:30pm-midnight. Rumpus Room, Chelsea. therumpusroomchelsea.com Free
Rock and roll all night long.
Sean Dobbins
9:30pm. $10. Cliff Bell’s. cliffbells.com
Detroit jazz drummer Sean Dobbins has worked with the community and performed with jazz greats all over the country.
20 Sunday Brennan Andes & Friends
5:30-7:30pm. Ann Arbor Distilling Co. annarbordistilling.com Free
Relaxing music for a Sunday evening.
21 Monday Lift Every Voice Concert
12pm and 1pm. Burton Memorial Tower. smtd.umich.edu/performances-events Free
Trevor Weston will perform jazz and gospel selections as well the world premiere “Nut”.
22 Tuesday
Students from the University of Michigan Department of Music will perform a winter concert for the public. Students receive a discounted ticket.
Gabriel Zucker and The Delegation
Saints of Soul
Pianist Gabriel Zucker makes a stop with his indie-orchestra The Delegation on his Midwest Tour.
8-Midnight. Guy Hollerin’s. hiannarbor.com Free
Saturday nights Guy Hollerin’s hosts local blues groups.
Diderot String Quartet 8-10pm. $10-$35. academyofearlymusic.org
The internationally known classical quartet will perform “Imitation and Homage: Quartets by Mozart, Haydn, and Jadin.
8-10pm. $10. Canterbury House. canterburyhouse.org
24 Thursday Karapetyan-Suarez Duo
Noon-1pm. Gift of Art at University Hospital. med.umich.edu Free
The duo will perform classical Armenian folk music for violin and piano.
The Delegation, Bishop, Taylor Duo
8pm. $10. Cliff Bell’s. cliffbells.com
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Original contemporary jazz. january
2019 / ecurrent.com
Weekend Comeback
10pm -1:30am. Mash Whiskey Bar. facebook.com/mashannarbor Free
Cover band playing pop rock hits.
25 Friday Fry from Chirp
7-9pm. Ann Arbor Distilling Co. annarbordistilling.com Free
Acoustic duo.
Wine, Women and Song
8pm. $10-$70. Kerrytown Concert House. kerrytownconcerthouse.com
Dj Psycho, Prophet Ecks, Dj Instar 10pm-2am. Ziggy’s. facebook.com/ziggysypsi
Ziggy’s transforms into a swirling dance floor Saturday night.
The Crossed Lines, Jim Roll Band
9-midnight. $5. Rumpus Room, Chelsea. therumpusroomchelsea.com
Original music with two regional rock and roll groups.
Lawrence Barris Quartet 9:30pm. $10. Cliff Bell’s, Detroit. cliffbells.com
Jazz guitarist known for his hip, bluesy numbers.
27 Sunday Faculty Recital
3pm. Britton Recital Hall. smtd.umich.edu/performances-events Free
Selections will include works by Mozart, Ligeti, and Gershwin.
The all female cast perform popular songs of Broadway and Vaudeville in the style of the cabaret. Additional dates through Saturday, 2.2.
Brennan Andes & Friends
Stuart Benbow
“Press Aflat to Play”
Acoustic musician Stuart Benbow performs in the relaxing Tearoom.
In conjunction with the current “Art in the Age of the Internet” exhibition, Matthew Thompson will be joined by piano students presenting the soundtracks to vintage video games.
8-10pm. Donations. Crazy Wisdom Bookstore. crazywisdom.net
Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center
8-10pm. $26-$56. Rackham Auditorium. ums.org
Daniel Hop, Paul Neubauer, Wu Han and David Finckel come together for an evening of classical piano pieces.
Chris Hovan Organic Trio 9pm. $10. Cliff Bell’s, Detroit. cliffbells.com
Performing both classic and contemporary jazz.
26 Saturday Shannon Lee
7-9pm. Ann Arbor Distilling Co. facebook.com/ annarbordistillingcompany Free
Acoustic covers at the bar.
5:30-7:30pm. Ann Arbor Distilling Co. annarbordistilling.com Free
Acoustic rock every Sunday.
7pm. UM Museum of Art. smtd.umich. edu/performances-events Free
Kenji Lee & Friends
7-10pm. $10. Cliff Bell’s. cliffbells.com
Jazz saxophonist and composer will light up the stage.
31 Thursday Camila Ballario
Noon-1pm. Gift of Art at University Hospital. med.umich.edu Free
Singer songwriter Camila Ballario will perform her original songs.
Lost Kings, Miller Guth, Jeff Basta 9pm-1am. $20. Necto Nightclub. facebook.com/nectonightclub
Electronic musicians and DJ Lost Kings headline.
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art Ypsi-Alloy Offers a Highly Professional Makerspace for Noisy Creatives by K.A. Letts
Ypsi Alloy Studios, an artist owned and run makerspace located in a nondescript industrial park in Ypsilanti, has delivered yet another blow to the tired myth of the artist as solitary genius. The studio currently provides working space for 17 talented professional creatives, many of them recent graduates of Eastern Michigan University’s studio arts program, who share tools, room, and inspiration to realize their individual visions, while working communally.
Left to right: Meghan Shein, Jessica Tenbusch and Elize Jekabsen stand in the shared metal and woodworking shop.
Countless tools, lots of space, always open
This coworking collective is the brainchild of artists Ilana Houten, Elize Jekabson, and Jessica Tenbusch, who conceived and organized the operation in 2015, also sharing the credit and responsibility for selecting tenants, running the day-to-day operations, and managing the paperwork required to keep over 4000 square feet of space and an array of tools and machinery running smoothly 24 hours a day, seven days a week. “We have 4 shared studios, so pretty much all the equipment in there is available for anyone who knows how to use it,“ says Tenbusch. “We have a ceramics area and a metalsmithing area [for small objects such as jewelry]. There are kilns, a full suite of woodworking tools and a metal work area that has a welder, machining tools, and drill presses. We have a really nice wood lathe that one of our artists just bought because she wanted to do wood turning, and it’s open for anyone who knows how to use it.” There’s also a printing press, a weaving loom, a nascent moldmaking station, and a 3D printer.
Congeniality and a spirit of collaboration
On a recent visit, I talked to several artists about the day-today challenges and opportunities of a collective that includes so many moving parts. They stressed a strong emphasis on professionalism and organization, and getting the right mix of people into the environment. “Part of the application process is that people submit photos [of their work]. We try to make sure that the people who are coming here are professional artists, not just people who want to ‘work on their cars.’ After all, we’re an artists’ studio. We want to make sure that everyone’s work is up to the same standard,” says Tenbusch. In fact, (the artists) find that the well-organized space and quietly competent atmosphere contribute to peak creativity. Having other artists around enhances the process, explains Jekabsen. “There are times when I purposely try to see if somebody’s here. I need someone around—just having Lorraine [metalsmith Lorraine Kolasa] knocking on something over there will make me more productive, even if she’s just doing her own thing, “ she says.
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january
2019 / ecurrent.com
Artifact/Ecofact (Yew and Plywood), by Jessica Tenbusch Plywood, sterling silver, paint, brass, burnt yew wood. 2017.
Reconfiguring natural materials into new forms
The artists of Ypsi Alloy share an impossible-to-miss preoccupation with natural materials and processes. Often, found natural materials are meticulously reconfigured with recycled post-industrial objects into new and unconventional forms. “Elize and I were both at Eastern (EMU) together, and I feel like we were kind of learning in the same environment, and picking up on the same things. There are quite a few people [here] who are from E.M.U.--there’s probably something in the water,” Tenbusch jokes. “We do have critiques together—informal ones where we say, ‘Hey can you come check this out?’ We’re so familiar with each other’s processes and work, that you can show athumbnail sketch [and say] ‘I’m thinking about doing this,’ and other respond, ‘Oh yes, I can see what you’re doing!’ I think it’s nice that we know each other [well] enough that we can give constructive feedback.” A successful working synergy among creative individuals is a mysterious alchemy. The artists of Ypsi Alloy have captured that lightning in a bottle. With gifted and like-minded colleagues, they have fashioned a place where creativity and craftsmanship are valued and encouraged, and a community that is more than the sum of its excellent parts. To find out more about Ypsi Alloy, visit ypsialloy.com 564 S. Mansfield St., Ypsilanti
film
618 Church St, Ann Arbor Open 7 days a week 10:30am-4:00am
The Grinch Reinvented by Jennifer Kellow-Fiorini
The Grinch is a 2018 update of the holiday classic How the Grinch Stole Christmas. The book by Theodor ‘Dr. Seuss’ Geisel was published in 1957, and the Christmas special directed by Chuck Jones of Looney Tunes/Bugs Bunny fame and voiced by Boris Karloff as the Grinch, first appeared on TV screens in 1966. The ‘60s version has become a staple of the Christmas season. The Grinch is a grouchy green furry creature who lives in a cave on a mountaintop above the town of Whoville, a bastion of warm-hearted, Christmas-loving people called Whos. The Grinch is bitter and can’t stand the Whos’ perpetual optimism, especially at Christmas when every Who in Whoville decorates a huge communal Christmas tree amidst the singing of Christmas Carols. The Grinch hatches a nasty plan to end the Whos’ Christmas once and for all, and forces his small dog Max to help him. The new adaptation was created by Illumination and Universal Studios, which features the voice of Pharrell Williams as the narrator and Benedict Cumberbatch as the villainous Grinch. Fleshing out the story into a full-length feature, the film relates a backstory, explaining why the Grinch hates Christmas. Cindy Lou Who, the plucky kid who tries to warm the Grinch’s heart, is the daughter of a single mom who cheerfully cares for her children alone, never letting them see that she’s tired and overworked. Cindy Lou wants to trap Santa so that she can ask him for a special favor. The Grinch’s plan to end Christmas seems destined to collide with Cindy Lou’s plan for an audience with old Saint Nick. The film is at its most hilarious when the Grinch, forced to go to Whoville to get provisions, can’t resist playing nasty tricks on the unsuspecting Whos. There’s a lot to like about this new Grinch. The film stays close enough to the original to feel authentic, while adding some fresh angles to bring it up to date. The result is a funny, warm, contemporary take on a classic Christmas tale that is sure to please even the sourest Grinch among us. It’s highly recommended Christmas fun for adults and children of all ages!
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The Grinch is playing at Goodrich Quality 16, Rave Cinemas 20 Ann Arbor, Emagine Saline, Emagine Canton
ecurrent.com / january 2019 27
lit
Grown-Up Anger
Author Danial Wolff chronicles the songs of Bob Dylan and Woody Guthrie on the Calumet Massacre of 1913 By Daniel Ackerman
Calling back and forth across time
Daniel Wolff’s book, Grown-Up Anger: the Connected Mysteries of Bob Dylan, Woody Guthrie, and the Calumet Massacre of 1913, carefully unspools the mysteries of Dylan’s early life, then Guthrie’s youth, then the early days of the copper industry in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. The cycle repeats, spinning through these histories one after the other until a profound defiance rises from the text. Wolff’s characters are engaged in a fight for self-worth and self-determination in a fast changing world. In every inevitability, someone searches for purpose, and in every finality, someone turns their collar toward the future. Instead of trying to solve the riddle, the book explores these “connected mysteries” to better understand them. It presents evidence piece by piece before honing in on Christmas Eve in 1913, which left 73 people in Calumet, Michigan dead. Occurring a year after Guthrie was born in Oklahoma, and thirty before Dylan’s birth, the lives of the singers shed light on the tragedy which echoes into the present day. Following the folk tradition, Guthrie turns the event into a song. Decades later, Dylan rewrites Guthrie’s song into one of his own. Wolff chronicles the events surrounding these songs as they call back and forth across time to show how they inform each other along with the larger struggle of working people in a changing world.
Singing the unsayable, saying the unsingable
Woody Guthrie’s song “1913 Massacre” serves as the book’s guiding transmission. Like Grown-Up Anger, the song lays out the story step by step. “1913” starts at the scene of the crime: at “Italian Hall / where the miners were having their big Christmas ball.” Guthrie offers to “let you shake hands with the people you see,” and Wolff’s rendition does the same. The history of labor relations, from the ideals of visionaries like Guthrie and Dylan to the struggle of the copper miners and their families, runs mineshaft deep in the book and in the song. Guthrie’s lyrics tell the story of the miners and their families throwing a party to save their spirits in an uncertain time before “copper boss thugs” scream “fire!” in the packed building. Blocking the only exit, the thugs trap the panicked crowd in a stairwell which results in scores of deaths, many of them children. Guthrie’s voice conveys a solemn weariness and his rubato performance slows down and speeds up to say more than seemingly possible in a three minute song, concluding with “look what your greed for money has done.” In the examination of the long history that precedes the song, and the longer history that follows, Wolff uncovers a latent indignation that Guthrie leaves unsung.
Who is Bob Dylan?
The answer seems obvious to anybody with even a cursory knowledge of American pop music, but Wolff makes it clear that Dylan was never so certain. Dylan’s life is a few generations removed from the events of 1913. When the sympathetic characters
in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula begin a struggle for human dignity in the face of harsh working conditions, and those in Guthrie’s time sought to bring the nation together in the same struggle, Bob Dylan arrives to a movement dismantled by political and economic changes. The heroes of Guthrie’s life, like Pete Seeger, buried their politics to keep their jobs during McCarthyism and the red scare and Guthrie himself is hospitalized with a terminal disease. Wolff follows Dylan as he finds his own expression of identity amid a new exaltation in the face of his disillusionment. Grown-Up Anger ends with the author travelling the streets shaped by the copper industry in Northern Michigan. He takes the reader to the gravestones of those who died on Christmas Eve, 1913 and the copper mines’ abandoned machinery that mark the industry’s own grave. The struggle of the strikers in Calumet to determine the worth of the life and labor of the working class, carried by Woody Guthrie, seems to have vanished. The book suggests that this struggle must live on somewhere. But where? Wolff leaves the reader with endless clues, and the reader feels compelled to follow them. The soundtrack is bound to be pretty good along the way.
Searchable lists updated daily at
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arts & culture
Women’s March on Ann Arbor This peaceful protest by grassroots organizers Progressives at the University of Michigan and Women’s March Ann Arbor is a show of solidarity with those rallying across the U.S. The event marks the third anniversary of the monumental women’s march on Washington and other marches that took place nationwide in January 2016. Put on your pussy hat, make some signs, and join like-minded people for the Ann Arbor Women’s March. —EH 2pm-4pm. Saturday, January 19. Gathering will begin outside the Federal Building at 5th and Liberty. Search event on Facebook for updates and message hosts for more details.
2019 A2 Tech Film Showcase Fans of Black Mirror will love this showcase of eight short films about the effects of technology on society and individuals. Followed by panel discussions with the filmmakers, shorts like “The App,” which tells the story of a phone application that leads to happiness, and “Real Frame,” a cautionary tale of online fame gone wrong, are just a couple of examples themes explored by the event. —EH 5pm-9pm Friday, January 18. Michigan Theater. 603 E. Liberty St. Free. RSVP at a2techfilm.com.
Martin Luther King Day Holistic Health + Eco Pop-Up Part of an ongoing series, Third Coast Herbal Collective is co-hosting this pop-up event with eco-friendly vendors. Find products like handbound books, ceramics, woodwork, and holistic health items. There will also be a free tea station and a donation-based make n’ take: learn how to make your own tea, no-sew t-shirt bags, and beeswax wraps. Held every second Saturday of the month through March, this pop-up is both a learning and shopping experience for the whole family. —EH 10am-4pm Saturday, January 12. Ann Arbor School of Massage, Herbal, and Natural Medicine. thirdcoastherbal@gmail.com. thirdcoastcollective.com.
Ann Arbor District Libraries will be celebrating Martin Luther King Day, January 21st, with a full slate of activities. Videos of Dr. King’s speeches will be running all day at the Mallett’s Creek branch, an “I Have a Dream” collaborative sculpture will be created from 1-5pm at the Pittsfield branch, an MLK Day drum and dance concert with GOREE Drum & Dance and a conversation with Veterans for Peace will take place at the Westgate branch. ––TB Visit aadl.org for a detailed schedule.
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arts & culture Ongoing Mondays [art] Knitting Night
6-11pm. Cultivate Coffee & TapHouse, Ypsilanti. cultivateypsi.com Free Meet with others working on knitting projects and share your insights.
Tuesdays
[health] Yoga with Cats
7:30pm. $10. Tiny Lions Lounge and Adoption Center. tinylions.org
Practice yoga with furry feline yoga masters! Hatha-style classes will help bring peace to your mind and body, while filling your heart with joy as you help support the animals in the community. Ages 12 and over. Preregistration required.
5 Saturday
[comedy] Comedy Jamm
7:30pm. $5. Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase. aacomedy.com
Watch a variety of rising-star comedians perform their standup routine.
[misc.] Game Night at Cultivate
7:30-10pm. Cultivate Coffee & TapHouse, Ypsilanti. cultivateypsi.com Free
New and unique games are introduced every week, so there’s always a new game to play with a group.
Fridays
[lit] Freelance Friday
10am-noon. Cultivate Coffee & TapHouse, Ypsilanti. cultivateypsi.com Free
Creatives gather to share their work and collaborate/learn from others in the community.
2 Wednesday
[comedy] 4th Annual 50 First Jokes
8pm. $10. The Ark. theark.org
Fifty regional comics come together for a fast and furious retelling of the artist’s first joke of the year.
3 Thursday
[comedy] Matt Broussard
7:30pm. $10-$16. Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase. aacomedy.com
Winner of Houston’s Funniest Person in 2012, Matt Broussard’s playful comedy incorporates physics and grammar to the hardships of looking like a villain from an 80’s movie. He makes additional performances 7:30pm and 10pm Friday, 1.4 and Saturday, 1.5.
[misc.] An Introduction to Synthesizers 1-4pm. Ann Arbor District Library, Westgate. aadl.org Free
North Coast Modular Collective, a group of musicians, makers, artists, coders and technologists, presents an introduction to synths to help participants get started on making electronic music.
[dance] 1st Contra Dance
6-10pm. $11-$12. Pittsfield Grange Hall. facebook.com/aactmad Get yourself on the dance floor. Contra dance is similar to a square dance. Hosted by AACTMAD.
[comedy] Free Comedy Show
9pm. Om of Medicine. omofmedicine.org Free
The Om of Medicine hosts a free monthly comedy show the first Saturday of every month. This event is open to the public. Come on out for some laughs!
6 Sunday
[art] Bob Ross Paint-Along
3-4:30pm. Ann Arbor District Library, Downtown. aadl.org Free Paint a happy landscape scene in the style of Bob Ross. Also offered at 1pm.
[film] Screening Live Hot Cat on a Tin Roof
7pm. $18-$22. The Michigan Theatre. ums.org
The National Theatre’s production of the Tennessee Williams play will be screened live at the Michigan Theatre. Starring Sienna Miller and Jack O’Connell.
[music] Hand Drumming Class
3-5pm. $15. Rumpus Room. therumpusroomchelsea.com
All ages welcome at this introduction to hand drumming with instructor Randall Moore (Ragbirds).
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8 Tuesday
[art] Pen and Ink Illustration
Noon-2:30pm. $200. Ann Arbor Art Center. annarborartcenter.org
Learn the art of taking a complex object and breaking it down to simple parts through pen and ink techniques. This is a multi-class series that meets every Tuesday through February 26.
[lit] Jennifer Traig
7pm. Literati Bookstore. literatibookstore.com Free
Author Jennifer Traig will discuss and share her new book Act Natural: A Cultural History of Misadventures in Parenting.
[film] Egypt to Gibraltar
7:30pm. $5. Tecumseh Center for the Arts. thetca.org
This travel features explores the diverse geography, towns, and major cities around the Mediterranean with award-winning filmmaker Marlin Darrah.
9 Wednesday
[art] Basics of Screenprinting
6:30-9pm. $130. Ann Arbor Art Center. annarborartcenter.org This four-week class focuses on the basics of screenprinting and uses stencil techniques to create designs for fabric and paper.
[lit] Muslim Cool: Race, Religion and Hip Hop in the United States 7-8:30pm. Ann Arbor District Library, Downtown. aadl.org Free
In conjunction with the Becoming American series, Dr. Su’ad Abdul Khabeer presents her latest work, which is an ethnography on Islam and hip hop and how they intersect, challenging the meanings of race in the US. Book signing is included in the event.
[lit] An Evening of Poetry and the Written Word
7pm. Crazy Wisdom Bookstore and Tea Room. crazywisdom.net Free All writers are welcome to share and discuss their poetry or short fiction. Bring six copies of your work with you. Also on Wednesday, 1.23.
[lit] Sid Smith
7pm. Literati Bookstore. literatibookstore.com Free
Sid Smith shares her husband’s book Canio’s Secret: A Memoir of Ethnicity, Electricity, and my Immigrant Grandfather’s Wisdom, which tells the life of his grandfather Canio Grieco.
[networking] LA2M Marketing Education
11:30am. $5. Buffalo Wild WIngs. la2m.org
LA2M is a marketing education nonprofit that meets during lunch on the second Wednesday of every month to discuss latest digital and marketing trends, strategies, and techniques.
10 Thursday
[misc.] Animation Using Processing
6:30-8:30pm. Ann Arbor District Library, Downtown. aadl.org Free
Explore simple and advanced animation techniques using the coding language Processing.
[film] Becoming American Film & Discussion: Immigration and Popular Culture
6:30-8:30pm. Ann Arbor District Library, Downtown. aadl.org Free
The Search for General Tso will be screened, followed by a discussion moderated by professor Frances Kai-Hwa Wang.
[art] Resin Art Jewelry
7-8:30pm. Ann Arbor District Library, Downtown. aadl.org Free
Using tinted resin with basic color theory and harmony practices, decorate jewelry pieces and create rings, beads and bracelets.
[lit] Starting from San Francisco 7pm. Nicola’s Books. nicolasbooks.com Free
Author Nusbaum presents his most recent book Starting from San Francisco: Thomas Rain Crowe in Conversation with Third Mind Books along with featured poets in the book and read their works.
[lit] Fiction at Literati: Peter Leonard 7pm. Literati Bookstore. literatibookstore.com Free
After altercations with his superiors in Harlan County, Kentucky, Deputy US Marshal Raylan Givens is transferred to Detroit to finish his career on the fugitive task force within Leonard’s new book, Raylan Goes to Detroit, which will be discussed.
[comedy] Eddie Ifft
7:30pm. $10-$14. Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase. aacomedy.com Eddie has made his rounds around the world headlining the stage in over 15 countries with his edgy, politically incorrect and dirty show. Additional shows 7:30pm and 10pm Friday, 1.11 and Saturday, 1.12.
[theater] Oliver!
7:30pm. $15-$28. Ann Arbor Civic Theatre. a2ct.org
The musical adaptation of the Dickens novel featuring music and lyrics by Lionel Bart, young Oliver flees to London where he falls into trouble with the artful Dodger and shady Fagin. Additional performances 8pm Friday and Saturday, 1.11 and 1.12, and 2pm Sunday, 1.13.
11 Friday
[misc.] Musicology Lecture with Professor Sonia Seeman
5pm. McIntosh Theatre. smtd.umich. edu/performances-events Free
Seeman will give a public lecture “Reconsidering “Labor” - Theorizing Music as Affective Work: Case Studies from the German Bach and the Turkish Roman Sesler families”.
[art] Works in Progress Opening 6-9pm. Ann Arbor Art Center. annarborartcenter.org Free
On display through February 1, this exhibit showcases the journey of bringing ideas to life from what goes on in the studio and workshop to the factory floor.
[theatre] Arbor Opera Orpheus & Euridice
7:30pm. $10-$32. Kerrytown Concert House. kerrytownconcerthouse.com Soprano Monica Dewey stars in this modern adaptation of the Greek myth written by Ian Gordon. Directed by Colter Schoenfish. Also, Sunday at 2:30pm.
[film] Film & Discussion: The Price of Providence
7-8:30pm. Ann Arbor District Library, Downtown. aadl.org Free
Watch a screening of Imran J. Syed’s documentary that spotlights Dwayne Provience who was wrongfully convicted of murder in Detroit. After a decade in prison, he is finally released, but continues to work toward justice.
[theater] Our Town
7pm. $12-$15. The Village Theater at Cherry Hill, Canton. cantonvillagetheater.org
Plymouth Christian Academy Theatre presents Thornton Wilder’s classic play, Our Town about the mundane, fantastic and eternal soul of ordinary lives. Additional performance 7pm Saturday, 1.12.
arts & culture
[art] 1980s Tripendicular Crafting Party
2-4pm. Ann Arbor District Library, Downtown. aadl.org Free
This evening is dedicated to 80’s crafts such as ribbon barrettes, woven loom potholders, Chinese jacks, lanyard keychains, Shrinky Dinks and more.
12 Saturday
[dance] Saturday Contra Dance
7-10:30pm. $11. Cocourse Hall. facebookcom/ 2ndSaturdayContraSeries
Dance the night away at the Contra Dance. Basic square instructions will be provided by caller Kirsten Planeauz. Live music courtesy of the Saline Fiddlers and Luke Panning & Friends.
13 Sunday
[film] National Theatre Hamlet Screening
7pm. $22-$26. michtheater.org
Benedict Cumberbatch stars in the National Theatre’s production of Hamlet, screened live at the Michigan Theater.
14 Monday
[art] Drawing the Human Form: Observing Creatively
16 Wednesday
17 Thursday
[lit] Washtenaw Reads: Michelle Kuo
[film] Filmmaker Meetup
Harvard graduate and child of Taiwanese immigrants, Kuo will read her latest work on mentoring a remarkable student in the town of Helena, Arkansas, followed by a Q&A.
This monthly gathering welcomes filmmakers, storytellers and creatives to meet one another and talk about inspiration for ideas and projects.
7-8:30pm. Rackham Auditorium. aadl.org Free
[comedy] Rodney Laney
7:30pm. $10-$16. Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase. aacomedy.com
Since 1997, Rodney has brought the world his smart and edgy style of comedy to audiences around the country. Catch his hilarious show at any of his weekend performances. Additional shows 7:30pm and 10pm Friday, 1.18 and Saturday, 1.19.
7-10pm. Cultivate Coffee & TapHouse, Ypsilanti. cultivateypsi.com Free
18 Friday
[misc.] Danish Hygge Cozy Winter
6:30-8:30pm. Ann Arbor District Library, Downtown. aadl.org Free
Enjoy a cozy evening at the Library with a virtual fireplace, warm drinks, sweet treats, and mellow music. Beth Battey, local crafter, will be on hand to help with knitting and crocheting projects if you wish to work on them. Additional date, Friday, 1.25.
cont’d on pg 32
7pm. $25. Literati Bookstore. literatibookstore.com
With a live model, learn the experimental techniques for basic drawing and creative expression.
15 Tuesday
[art] Printmaking Workshop
6-8:30pm. Ann Arbor District Library, Downtown. aadl.org Free
Join Sajeev Visweswaran in learning the art of relief printmaking with the linocut technique.
[film] Becoming American Film & Discussion: Promise and Prejudice
6:30-8:30pm. Ann Arbor District Library, Downtown. aadl.org Free
Promise and Prejudice explores the historic and current tension between Americans acceptance of immigrants and the concern of economic and cultural effects of newcomers.
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arts & culture ROAD TRIP
[misc.] An Introduction to NonviolentCompassionate-Communication 7pm. $20. Literati Bookstore. literatibookstore.com
Join Lisa Gottlieb, MSW, Certified Trainer with the Center for Nonviolent Communication to build the skills and practical tools to enhance your relationships and reduce conflict.
24 Thursday
ART FOR THE SAKE OF IT
Often, the history of the art is the history of the muse— the enigmatic, beautiful and notorious women who inspired, taunted, and delighted male artists. For artists Ruben and Isabel Toledo, the muse is the mission, as husband and wife work in synergy to produce a shared vision. Isabel, a fashion designer, inspires her husband’s sculpture, painting and illustration, and together they have created unconventional, humorous, and surreal work for over three decades. See their work, together in tandem, as the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) presents a major exhibition of their new works, Ruben and Isabel Toledo: Labor of Love. -AC Opening Sunday, December 16 and on view through July 7, 2019. 5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit. 313-833-7900. Dia.org
19 Saturday
[dance] Wild Irish Roses Dance
7-9:30pm. $5-$10. facebook.com/LeimIrishDance
Leim Irish Dance presents the Wild Irish Roses, an Irish dancing production.
[misc.] Trivia with Cats
7:30pm. $15. Tiny Lions Lounge and Adoption Center. tinylions.org
Cuddle up to furry friends, drink an adult beverage, and snack on popcorn while you play trivia at the Ages 18+ only. Pre-registration required.
21 Monday
[misc.] Canton Celebrates Martin Luther King Jr.
6:30pm. $2-$5. The Village Theater at Cherry Hill, Canton. cantonvillagetheater.org This event features a punch and cookies reception, a special program with keynote speaker Martin Philbert, Ph. D., Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs at UM, and a performance by the Dodson Elementary School Choir.
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[art] Speaker: Dean Rogers
7pm. AAWA Headquarters. annarborwomenartists.org Free
Dean Rogers is a fine artist from Commerce, MI who will speak on his art. His work centers on fantastical characters and themes in portraits. Dean’s work has appeared in numerous colored pencil magazines and books of collected art such as CP Treasures, and in many regional, national and international art shows.
[misc.] What We Have Forgotten: MLK and Miltiarism
7pm. Ann Arbor District Library, Westgate. aadl.org Free
Join in this discussion on MLK’s speeches and actions relating to defense versus militarism.
23 Wednesday
[misc.] Smell and Tell: The First American Designer Perfume
6:30-8:45pm. Ann Arbor District Library, Downtown. aadl.org Free
Learn about Norman Norell and his deliverance of fragrances in America and get a whiff of various aromatic materials.
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[film] Becoming American Film & Discussion: Help Wanted? Immigration and Work
6:30-8:30pm. Ann Arbor District Library, Downtown. aadl.org Free
This film tells the story of the Irish, Norwegians, and the Mexicans who fled their countries to come to America and what contributions they have made. A discussion moderated by Professor Cristhian Espinoza-Pino will follow.
[misc.] Chinese New Year Celebration
2-3:30pm. Ann Arbor District Library, Downtown. aadl.org Free Watch a Lion Dance, make crafts, listen to a traditional Yaogu Drum performance, and watch a calligraphy demonstration.
[comedy] Andy Sandford
7:30pm. $10-$15. Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase. aacomedy.com
Andy makes his debut at the Comedy Showcase. He has been featured on “Conan” and his “Me the Whole Time” album made several best of lists. Additional performanced 7:30pm and 10pm Friday, 1.25 and Saturday, 1.26.
26 Saturday
[misc.] Mindful Decluttering Workshop 2:30pm. Ann Arbor District Library, Downtown. mindfulcityannarbor.org Free
Create a personalized action plan for decluttering at this free workshop with Molly Boren, Certified Professional Organizer and founder of Simplicity Works Organizing in Ann Arbor, and Julie Woodward, MSW, Mindfulness Instructor and Life Coach, of Mindful City Ann Arbor. Space is limited, so email molly@sworganizing.com to reserve.
27 Sunday
[misc.] Learn to Play Mah-jongg
2-3:30pm. Ann Arbor District Library, Downtown. aadl.org Free Stuart Baggaley will instruct on how to play the Chinese game resembling Gin Rummy.
[misc.] Cannabis Patient Education Group
4:30pm. Om of Medicine. omofmedicine.org Free
Are you interested in learning more about the benefits of using medicinal cannabis? This group offers an opportunity to meet others in the cannabis community, as well as ask questions and discuss cannabis topics like methods of administration, cannabis policy and reform, and many other topics.
28 Monday
[dance] Korotech Dance Workshop
5pm. UM Dance Building. smtd.umich. edu/performances-events Free
Dancer and instructor “H” Patten will give a workshop on Korotech Dance, which draws from Jamaican culture and African/ Caribbean dance.
[lit] Transformation, Aesthetics, and Beauty 7pm. $25. Literati Bookstore. literatibookstore.com
Translators Sarah Messer and Kidder Smith will interpret Zen Master Ikkyu poetry, written in classical Chinese which upended gender roles and transformed the esthetics of medieval Japan.
31 Thursday
[comedy] Nick Gaza
7:30pm. $10-$15. Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase. aacomedy.com
Making fun of himself and anyone he comes in contact with, this comedy show is a must see if you love laughing at things you probably shouldn’t. Nick has performed all over the world and is known for his appearances on “The Drew Carey Show, “Malcolm in the Middle”, and “Becker.” Additional shows 7:30pm and 10pm Friday, 2.1 and Saturday 2.2.
person of interest By Mary Gallagher
“It’s not just the school systems that have this job of developing youth. We all have that job.”
Akili Jackson Poet, musician, teacher, activist by Mary Gallagher
Akili Jackson has worked for over fifteen years as a youth development worker, specializing in programs that inspire positive character development in youth. Akili is a founding member of Radiant City Arts Collective in Toledo, and worked for seven years as founder and Chief Development and Learning Officer for Community Records L3C. Akili is a former member of the Board of Directors at New Beginnings Academy (NBA), and is part of the Akoma Culture School of Ypsilanti. He is currently an Executive Coordinator for the Resource Development Institute (RDI) of Maryland, which focuses on capacity building and leadership development for urban communities throughout the United States and Africa. How did you get started in poetry? I left school, initially,
because I didn’t think the sports brotherhood, or camaraderie, was sustainable enough for me. It didn’t feed my cultural sensitivities. It didn’t feed my ability to connect with other human beings. It kind of marginalized me, in a way... I was not in it for the victories or the wins. I was in it to connect and to self-express. So, when I met William James at Washtenaw Community College, he reignited my love for literature, because his literary style was engaging. It was asking you the large questions... Within that, a lot of stuff came out, and after a few lectures, he started just letting me teach the class. He was so supportive. And from that, I wrote tons of poems. From those poems, I was discovering that I was connecting to people in a stronger way than I thought. How did you move from poetry into doing community work? Eventually, you write enough that you have to ask: who
are you, and what are you doing? I wanted to put that energy into people. Actual actions, forming relationships, you know: verbs. That became my way of being. Through [Pinelake Village Cooperative], we started having a poetry night in that community, and we built a sense of pride, dignity, and camaraderie with the youth there for four or five years… It wasn’t about the resources we were bringing in. We were communicating with people and letting them know that they were the resource.
What made Community Records different from other labels? What [Jesse Morgan, founder of Community Records
L3C] and I really worked on in terms of Community Records was we understood that it’s not about getting an album out. It’s really focusing on the process of attaining one’s voice, and that’s where I specialized. Community Records wasn’t just about being a record company for the community -- we are here to record the life experiences of a community, the trials and tribulations, the hopes, dreams, and aspirations of our community. What do you think is the importance of music and poetry in the broader world? Creativity is not this off-the-cuff side
thing that we just do in our leisure time. It’s actually in the base of not just what we do, but what we need to evolve our society. In a lot of the work I’ve been doing recently, I’m looking for a way for young people to engage with actual creative careers and jobs, and using creative technology... leveraging that in a way to create actual jobs and incomes. People are using these things to promote social engineering on us anyway, so I want to engage youth and marginalized people in these sciences, so that they can start to empower themselves and use this data to talk about how to solve their problems, and... find more connections, create more networks that are healthy, and not just utilize them for consumption. Where do you see your artistic journey taking you in the next five years? One of the things that I aspire to create in
the future is a performing arts and science academy for Ypsilanti… I’ll still be working with organizations like Ozone House, and just creating more programs to really engage youth and to boost them up on different levels. We have to understand that it’s not just the school systems that have this job of developing youth. We all have that job.
ecurrent.com / january 2019 33
cannabis How Legalization will Affect Access to Medical Marijuana By Dr. James Neuenschwander On December 6th, Michigan’s cannabis legalization law went into effect. It is now legal to possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis as well as to grow 12 plants per household. Until recreational marijuana licenses are issued by the State of Michigan, people still need medical marijuana cards to legally purchase cannabis products from a dispensary licensed to sell medical cannabis. Without medical marijuana cards, the only way to legally obtain cannabis is to grow it yourself or receive it as a gift from a grower. The new law is an opportunity for those of us physicians who understand the medicinal uses for cannabis and want to freely recommend it to our patients for indications other than the 11 that the State of Michigan has approved. Indications such as insomnia (THC improves the quality of deep sleep) and anxiety (both THC and CBD play a role) are not on the list of 11 indications, but many cannabis users have found success by treatment with cannabis use in these areas.
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Cannabis can provide medicine that is not mind-altering
People looking to begin growing their own cannabis will not only save money, they will be able to take advantage of one of my favorite ways to deliver cannabis: fresh juice. Most of my clients are not interested in the mind altering components of cannabis—that is what drives many of them away from the herb. The THC in fresh juice is not mind altering. This allows for the consumption of the high doses of THC needed to treat certain conditions (like cancer) without the negative mind altering effects of THC. The juice can be made from the leaves of the plant, so maintaining plants in a vegetative/non-flowering state and pruning them will provide a long term harvest. Simply run the leaves through a juicer or a high speed blender and you have your medicine. This new law allows anyone to do this without interference from the state or the need to meet s tate requirements. Cannabis juice is a wonderful way to treat chronic inflammatory conditions like arthritis as well as any peripheral pain syndromes (like neuropathies). Hopefully, the Michigan legislature will move forward quickly to allow the legal purchase of cannabis products at dispensaries for those who don’t have medical cannabis cards and don’t want to grow at home. We have a huge opportunity here to do this the right way so that it benefits both the individual users as well as the State as a whole. Now we need the legislation to make it all run smoothly.
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current love Choosing The One By Nina Swift
In this age of endless choice and overconsumption, it’s easy to treat romantic partners like more stuff. When we hit a rough patch in our relationships, it’s tantalizing to think that a better match may only be a swipe away. But is finding The One a numbers game, or a decision we make? I have multiple fantasy lives running parallel to this one. They’re just comic book sketches- colorful, bright, and exciting. In each of these lives there is a different man at my side, and we are madly in love. Whenever my real life goes into a slump, I imagine how my fantasy lives and loves might be getting along. Each path lights up a different part of me, and each Mr Right answers a different set of desires.
So many men, so little time
Obviously there isn’t time for me to have all of these lives and all of these loves. Choices have to me made, and no life is perfect. So which man is the best partner for the life I have? I already had one “true” love, but the burdens of real life proved to be more truth than our love could bear. So next time, how do I keep love strong? Finding love, though miraculous, is really the easy part. Maintaining love in the face of struggle and change has nothing to do with miracles. That’s work. I met him a year and a half ago, and the timing could not have been worse. I had just split up with my husband when my friend invited me out on a double date. Maybe my friend thought I could simply dispense with the post-breakup sad phase and skip joyfully ahead to new relationship energy. But this guy, let’s call him Jay, was definitely not rebound material. He was handsome, smart, successful, and kind, and I could do absolutely nothing with him. So I filed him in the back of my mind and slinked off to mend my broken heart. It was more than a year before I emerged from my convalescence and I had forgotten all about him. I got out there in internet land and started swiping. The results were as fun as they were fruitless. Kind of like swinging: a ticklish excitement in my stomach moving forward, followed by the inevitable backslide. And then I remembered Jay.
It’s always something
Fast forward five months and we are smitten. This guy is amazing. I feel overcome with joy, lust, and gratitude to be with him. I find myself imagining a life together. But all is not perfect in Loveland. We’ve both been around enough to have accumulated some baggage. And I’m not talking about small personal items. I’m talking checked luggage. While I’m pretty sure I can handle his baggage, he doesn’t know if he can handle mine. We’re still together, hoping that time will bring clarity. Meanwhile our stuff isn’t going anywhere. It’s how we think about it that has to change if we’re going to make it. We’ve both been married before and are determined not to repeat the mistakes of our pasts. But is it always going to be something? At some point you’ve just got to throw down your chips and say, “I choose joy and sorrow in this life with this person”, because you know some sorrow will find you no matter what. In that case, is The One someone you find by luck, or someone you find by choice?
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JANUARY free will astrology © Copyright 2018 Rob Brezsny
ARIES (March 21-April 19): I suspect that in 2019 you’ll be able to blend a knack for creating more stability with an urge to explore and seek greater freedom. How might this unusual confluence be expressed in practical ways? Maybe you’ll travel to reconnect with your ancestral roots. Or perhaps a faraway ally or influence will help you feel more at home in the world. It’s possible you’ll establish a stronger foundation, which will in turn bolster your courage and inspire you to break free of a limitation. What do you think? TAURUS (April 20-May 20): On the average, a total eclipse of the sun happens every 18 months. And how often is a total solar eclipse visible from a specific location on the planet? Typically, once every 375 years. In 2019, the magic moment will occur on July 2 for people living in Chile and Argentina. But I believe that throughout the coming year, Tauruses all over the world will experience other kinds of rare and wonderful events at a higher rate than usual. Not eclipses, but rather divine interventions, mysterious miracles, catalytic epiphanies, unexpected breakthroughs, and amazing graces. Expect more of the marvelous than you’re accustomed to. GEMINI (May 21-June 20): “The world’s full of people who have stopped listening to themselves,” wrote mythologist Joseph Campbell. It’s imperative that you NOT be one of those folks. 2019 should be the Year of Listening Deeply to Yourself. That means being on high alert for your inner inklings, your unconscious longings, and the still, small voice at the heart of your destiny. If you do that, you’ll discover I’m right when I say that you’re smarter than you realize. CANCER (June 21-July 22): Jackson Pollock is regarded as a pioneer in the technique of drip painting, which involves drizzling and splashing paint on canvases that lie on the floor. It made him famous. But the truth is, Pollock got inspired to pursue what became known as his signature style only after he saw an exhibit by the artist Janet Sobel, who was the real pioneer. I bring this to your attention, because I see 2019 as a year when the Janet Sobel-like aspects of your life will get their due. Overdue appreciation will arrive. Credit you have deserved but haven’t fully garnered will finally come your way. You’ll be acknowledged and recognized in surprising ways. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): As the crow flies, Wyoming is almost a thousand miles from the Pacific Ocean and more than a thousand miles from the Gulf of Mexico, which is part of the Atlantic Ocean. Now here’s a surprise: in the northwest corner of Wyoming, the North Two Ocean Creek divides into two tributaries, one of which ultimately flows to the Pacific and one that reaches the Gulf. So an enterprising fish could conceivably swim from one ocean to the other via this waterway. I propose that we make North Two Ocean Creek your official metaphor for 2019. It will symbolize the turning point you’ll be at in your life; it will remind you that you’ll have the power to launch an epic journey in one of two directions. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): I have come to the conclusion that softening your relationship with perfectionism will be a key assignment in 2019. With this in mind, I offer you observations from wise people who have studied the subject. 1. “The perfect is the enemy of the good.” —Voltaire 2. “Perfection is a stick with which to beat the possible.” —Rebecca Solnit 3. Perfectionism is “the high-end version of fear.” —Elizabeth Gilbert 4. “Nothing is less efficient than perfectionism.” —Elizabeth Gilbert 4. “It’s better to live your own life imperfectly than to imitate someone else’s perfectly.” —Elizabeth Gilbert
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): A typical fluffy white cumulus cloud weighs 216,000 pounds. A dark cumulonimbus storm cloud is 106 million pounds, almost 490 times heavier. Why? Because it’s filled with far more water than the white cloud. So which is better, the fluffy cumulus or the stormy cumolonimbus? Neither, of course. We might sometimes prefer the former over the latter because it doesn’t darken the sky as much or cause the inconvenience of rain. But the truth is, the cumulonimbus is a blessing; a substantial source of moisture; a gift to growing things. I mention this because I suspect that for you, 2019 will have more metaphorical resemblances to the cumulonimbus than the cumulus.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): In 1682, Peter Alexeyevich became co-Tsar of Russia. He was ten years old. His 24-year-old half-sister Sophia had a hole cut in the back of his side of the dual throne. That way she could sit behind him, out of sight, and whisper guidance as he discussed political matters with allies. I’d love it if you could wangle a comparable arrangement for yourself in 2019. Are there wise confidants or mentors or helpers from whom you could draw continuous counsel? Seek them out. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): The body of the violin has two f-shaped holes on either side of the strings. They enable the sound that resonates inside the instrument to be projected outwardly. A thousand years ago, the earliest ancestor of the modern violin had round holes. Later they became half-moons, then c-shaped, and finally evolved into the f-shape. Why the change? Scientific analysis reveals that the modern form allows more air to be pushed out from inside the instrument, thereby producing a more powerful sound. My analysis of your life in 2019 suggests it will be a time to make an upgrade from your metaphorical equivalent of the c-shaped holes to the f-shaped holes. A small shift like that will enable you to generate more power and resonance. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Sagittarian singer-songwriter Sia has achieved great success, garnering nine Grammy nominations and amassing a $20 million fortune. Among the superstars for whom she has composed hit tunes are Beyoncé, Rihanna, and Flo Rida. But she has also had failures. Top recording artists like Adele and Shakira have commissioned her to write songs for them only to subsequently turn down what she created. In 2016, Sia got sweet revenge. She released an album in which she herself sang many of those rejected songs. It has sold more than two million copies. Do you, too, know what it’s like to have your gifts and skills ignored or unused or rebuffed, Sagittarius? If so, the coming months will be an excellent time to express them for your own benefit, as Sia did. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): A hundred years ago, most astronomers thought there was just one galaxy in the universe: our Milky Way. Other models for the structure of the universe were virtually heretical. But in the 1920s, astronomer Edwin Hubble produced research that proved the existence of many more galaxies. Today the estimate is that there are at least 400 billion. I wonder what currently unimaginable possibilities will be obvious to our ancestors a hundred years from now. Likewise, I wonder what currently unforeseen truths will be fully available to you by the end of 2019. My guess: more than in any other previous year of your life. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Author Elizabeth Gilbert offers advice for those who long for a closer relationship with the Supreme Being: “Look for God like a man with his head on fire looks for water.” I’ll expand that approach so it applies to you when you’re in quest of *any* crucial life-enhancing experience. If you genuinely believe that a particular adventure or relationship or transformation is key to your central purpose, it’s not enough to be mildly enthusiastic about it. You really do need to seek your heart’s desire in the way people with their heads on fire look for water. 2019 will be prime time for you to embody this understanding.
Homework: Forget what *Time* magazine thinks. Who is your “Person of the Year”? Tell me at Freewillastrology.sparkns.com; click on “Email Rob.”
ecurrent.com / january 2019 37
GROSS RECEIPTS Across 1. Mid-back muscle 4. Indian living abroad 8. Martial art discipline 14. “Hadn’t thought of it that way� 15. Court leg up 16. Raging full on 17. Trash collector 18. Hog’s office supplies? 20. Writer’s approach 22. Just peachy 23. “As a heads up here,� briefly 24. The world’s shortest relationship? 28. Compost heap material 29. Illinois city on the Fox River 33. Swell body 35. Gave to the church 40. Pretentious 41. Rent-a-mob practitioners? 44. Geometry problem 45. City Terrace and City Mar neighborhood, briefly 46. Approving word 47. Checks to see if it works 49. Cat call 51. Writer Charles’s nickname after he picked up a nasty morphine habit? 58. UB40 singer Campbell 61. Put on a pedestal 62. Lying over 63. Cricket bowler’s night time vision? 67. Carnival city 68. Bernie’s wife Jane ___ Sanders 69. Bounce back 70. “Just ___� 71. Drinks with pictures in them 72. Uno card 73. It’s #1 Down 1. Rainbow flag letters 2. Group in univocalic words 3. Serving specialists
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4. Fish with a hook 5. “The Blacklist� actor Gathegi 6. Big campaign expenditures 7. Section of a map 8. Space Invaders company 9. Cozy nook 10. The sort 11. Wild lock 12. Black Panther Newton 13. “That would be me� 19. Chess master who said “There are two types of sacrifices: correct ones, and mine.� 21. Tourism startup? 25. Beach toy 26. Like the best of the best 27. The only commercial carrier that comes equipped with missile defense systems 30. Restaurant drain accessory 31. “Just doing my job� 32. 4:00 bell ringer: Abbr. 33. Little fight 34. Cork’s spot 36. Cozy cup 37. Appt. book slots 38. D.C. winter time 39. Lotus Temple city 42. The Green Hornet’s valet 43. Like those in the pews 48. Realm 50. Genre whose bands tend to use the genre in punny band names 52. Small specks 53. German connector 54. Social practices 55. Schlock 56. Statistical ___ 57. Got the word out 58. Off base? 59. Kind of bean 60. Rapper whose Twitter handle is @finallevel 64. Singer/actress Cunning 65. Tuna on a sushi boat 66. Hardwood cleaner
2019 / ecurrent.com
FOR CROSSWORD ANSWERS, GO TO ECURRENT.COM
Š2018 By Brendan Emmett Quigley (www.brendanemmettquigley.com)
crossword
10:53 AM Wednesday July 11, 2018
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