December 2018 - Current Magazine

DECEMBER 2018 | FREE

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Please Celebrate Responsibly.

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Adams Street Publishing Co.

contents

December 2018 vol. 28/no. 12

What’s in the Water? 6

What’s your favorite holiday movie?

Publisher/Editor in Chief

Collette Jacobs (cjacobs@adamsstreetpublishing.com) POLAR EXPRESS.

Co-publisher/Chief Financial Officer Mark I. Jacobs (mjacobs@adamsstreetpublishing.com) IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE.

by Erica Bloom

Editorial

Assignment Editor: Trilby Becker

NONVIOLENT COMMUNICATION

Home for the Holidays 8

by Lisa Gottlieb

(annarboreditor@adamsstreetpublishing.com) NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS. Editorial Assistance: Athena Cocoves

(editor@adamsstreetpublishing.com)

HOME ALONE 2: LOST IN NEW YORK.

10

Courtney Probert

18 food: Poke Fish and more

by Jeff Glick

23 chef’s corner: Juicy Kitchen’s Susan Todoroff

by Sonny Forest

(cprobert@adamsstreetpublishing.com) ELF.

Calendar Editor, Staff Writer: Sarah Emily (calendar@adamsstreetpublishing.com) SCROOGED. Contributing Writers: Erica Bloom, Ainsley Davis, Erin Holden, Sonny Forest, Mary Galagher, Jeff Glick, Lisa Gottlieb, Jennifer Kellow-Fiorini, Jeff Milo, Dr. James Neuenschwander, Emily Slomovitz, and Nina Swift.

24 music Feature: Zzvava’s Zen

Digital Media

31 film: Suspiria

Art/Production

32 theater: Hello Dolly!

Senior Designer: Leah Foley (leah@adamsstreetpublishing.com) MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET.

by Jeff Milo

Production Manager: Imani Lateef (imani@adamsstreetpublishing.com) BEST MAN HOLIDAY.

by Jennifer Kellow-Fiorini

by Emily Slomovitz

34 art: K.A. Letts solo show “The Strangeness of Everyday”

by Ainsley Davis

35 lit: Emergent Strategies

by Mary Galagher

A Physician’s Perspective on Legalized Cannabis

by Dr. James Neuenschwander

44 current love: How Not to Open Up Your Relationship

4 bizz buzz 19 food events 25 music events 36 arts & culture

41 person of interest 45 astrology 46 crossword 47 classifieds

Designers: Kelli Miller (kmiller@adamsstreetpublishing.com) GREMLINS. Anita Tipton (atipton@adamsstreetpublishing.com) SCROOGE WITH ALBERT FINNEY. Norwin Lopez (nlopez@adamsstreetpublishing.com) IN BRUGES.

Advertising

Sales Trilby Becker (tbecker@adamsstreetpublishing.com) NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS.

42 cannabis corner:

by Nina Swift

Web Guru: Deanna Woods (digitalmedia@adamsstreetpublishing.com) A CHRISTMAS STORY.

Most Read Online

1. Happy Hour Guide 2. 2018 Dining Guide Winners 3. Taco Tuesdays in Ann Arbor 4. We Ate Michael Phelps’s Gold Medal Breakfast In Ann Arbor

Ron Katz (rkatz@adamsstreetpublishing.com) CHRISTMAS VACATION. Sales Coordinator Jen Leach (sales@adamsstreetpublishing.com NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS.

Administration

Accounting: Robin Armstrong (rarmstrong@adamsstreetpublishing.com) THE GRINCH.

© 2018 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

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Compiled by Ainsley Davis  Ann Arbor’s Pieology Closed The popular pizzeria Pieology at 620 E. Liberty St. in Ann Arbor has closed. According to a handwritten note on the door of the establishment, the location has closed “due to unfortunate circumstances.” Of five former Pieology locations in Michigan, only the Grand Rapids store remains open. Ann Arbor’s Pieology opened in 2015 as Michigan’s first Pieology location.  California-based Company to create 500 jobs in Washtenaw KLA-Tencor Corp., a Californiabased semiconductor company which provides process control and yield management systems, has plans to create 500 new jobs and eventually invest up to $71.1 million in Washtenaw County. KLA-Tencor Corp. has initial plans to lease space in Ann Arbor and then to build a permanent research-and-development center in Ann Arbor or Pittsfield Township.  Oxford Companies aims to create “Alternative” A2 downtown Oxford Companies recently purchased the office building at 777 E. Eisenhower Parkway in Ann Arbor. This purchase is the first step of the real estate service company’s plans to create an “alternative downtown” for Ann Arbor around the State Street-Eisenhower Parkway corridor. Oxford Companies owns 37 other buildings in southern Ann Arbor.

 Domino’s Farms aids Ann Arbor’s need for office space Domino’s Pizza and Arbor Research are both launching new office building projects at Domino’s Farms. Domino’s Pizza is creating a 33,000-square-foot building on the north side of Domino’s Farms, expanding to their current space. Arbor Research is creating a new 49,500-square-foot headquarters building on the east side of Domino’s Farms. Both buildings should be completed by summer 2019.  New tenants in Downtown Ypsilanti Formerly long-vacant buildings in Downtown Ypsilanti are experiencing revitalization as small businesses and nonprofits are rapidly filling up spaces. Michigan Advocacy Program (MAP), a nonprofit organization that, “provides access to the justice systems for those that need it most,” recently purchased the Smith Furniture building at 15 S. Washington Street which became their headquarters. Decode Ypsilanti, an escape-roommeets-scavenger-hunt “mini-game,” opened recently at 16 N. Washington Street. Unicorn Feed and Supply, a unique gift store, opened at 114 W. Michigan Avenue. Cocoa Healing Collective, which offers massage services, recently opened at 32 N. Washington Street, Suite 2.  Common Language bookstore closing After being open for three decades in Kerrytown’s Braun Court, the beloved Common Language bookstore is closing its doors due to the owners’ retirement and a changing market. The LGBT bookstore is known for its inclusive atmosphere and for being an outlet for people to discover stories that speak to their experience. Owners Keith Orr and Martin Contreras point out that their store is one of only 10 remaining LBGT bookstores in the U.S. and Canada, likely due to readers increasing gravitation toward buying online.

Common Language will close its doors at the end of the year.

LOCALLY OWNED, LOCALLY GROWN SINCE 1975 For the upcoming Holidays, we have

Michigan Grown

Evergreen Trees and Wreaths

delicious Our Bakery is making ie Boxes ok Co s, Pie s, Organic Cake and Stolen

Great Foods for your Holiday Parties and Gifting

312 North River Street | Ypsilanti | (734) 483-1520 | ypsifoodcoop.org

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green corner Border to Border Trail moving forward

Tiny Expo at Ann Arbor District Library A curated holiday gift fair with flair

By Trilby Becker

A successful partnership between the Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Committee and the Huron Waterloo Pathways Initiative is responsible for accelerating the completion schedule for the Border to Border (B2) trail. Dvelopment in Dexter pushed the Huron Waterloo Pathways Initiative to form in 2015 to connect Dexter, Chelsea, and Stockbridge. The B2B’s Chelsea-Stockbridge connector will be open before the end of the year. The Dexter portion of the trail is extremely popular, with 360,000 passes in the two years since sensors were installed. Eventually, bikers and pedestrians will be able to take the B2B Trail across all of Washtenaw County, and then in the future, onto Jackson and Wayne Counties as well. More than 40 of the planned 75 miles of the trail are complete.

For more information, visit the Parks and Recreation website washtenaw.org/334/Border-to-Border-Trail

fyi

Arsenal Handicraft, by Dennis and Christina Jacobs.

“We’ll Sleep When the Fire Dies”.

EMU Senior creates resource for black students

To help orient new university students of color, Eastern Michigan University senior Honoré Washington created a resource called the BlackBook, which lists local black-owned businesses and goods and services providers aimed at the black community. She hopes the guide will help students of color feel more at home in Ypsilanti by quickly connecting them to the black community.—TB To receive an electronic version of the BlackBook, email emu.bma@gmail.com.

Ypsilanti holds Master Plan visioning workshop

Ypsilanti Township invited community members to participate in a four-day master plan workshop called Ypsilanti Township 2040, held Oct. 16-19. The workshop, organized by township officials and facilitated by consultants from Carlisle/Wortman Associates, consisted of a mix of panel discussions, tours, and workshops.

From these events and conversations, a vision for what Ypsilanti could look like in the next twenty years is emerging. Ideas for a walkable, vibrant downtown filled with retail, services, residential, and recreational opportunities were shared along with plans for abundant resources and events promoting community unity. A new conference center, improved public transit, and revamping the Gault Village shopping center also were explored as elements for supporting this vision of future prosperity. -TB For more information, visit the Master Plan website: ypsilantitownship2040.com

The Tiny Expo is a gem of an indie arts and crafts fair for vendors with original and unexpected products that make wonderful gifts but may not be an obvious fit for Ann Arbor’s mainstream art fairs.

Shoppers who crave artistic, high quality products with diverse price points will find a rich variety of unique, handmade products to choose from.

Tiny Expo was founded in 2010 by the same artists who founded the DIYpsi Indie Art Fair. The artists approached the Ann Arbor District Library (AADL) in 2013 to take over the event, and Tiny Expo has been hosted and organized by the downtown branch ever since. Tiny Expo has steadily grown in popularity, and this year the AADL received a record-breaking 190 booth applications. Fortynine were accepted, many of them new, offering items ranging from silk screen tea towels and t shirts to plush toys, ceramics, knitted goods and wall art.

Amanda Schott, Library Technician and co-organizer of the Tiny Expo, says “There is nothing like buying a beautiful, one-of-a-kind craft directly from the person who made it.” Seeing so many beautiful crafts may inspire some to get creative themselves. This year, Schott and her colleagues decided to offer patrons the chance to make their own creations. Alongside the Expo the Library will provide handson, family-friendly activities like silk screening and paper crafts. All activities, together with admission to the fair, are free.

Free. Saturday, December 8th from 11am to 5:30pm.

AADL 343 S. 5th Ave. aadl.org/tinyexpo 734-327-4200

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feature

Brian Steglitz, City of Ann Arbor Water Treatment Manager.

What’s in the Water?

Ann Arbor Water Department deals with PFAS in city water

By Erica Bloom

Ann Arbor is trying to stay ahead of the curve on a class of chemicals called PFAS. Perfluoroalkyl and polyfuoroalkyl substances, referred to as PFAS, are a family of more than 3,000 manufactured chemicals that were put into production in the 1950s. Used globally to manufacture household products and fire-fighting foam, the substances are also found in stain-resistant and waterproofing carpets, plastics, and even body care products. They do not break down in the environment and can accumulate in the bodies of fish and wildlife.

Studies show that exposure to PFAS, even at levels below those allowed by federal guidelines, have been linked to certain kinds of cancer, kidney disease and may affect learning and development in children. Exposure can occur through drinking contaminated water, eating fish caught in contaminated water, inhaling contaminated dust, or using consumer products that contain PFAS. Some studies also suggest that topical exposure (getting PFAS on your skin), can lead to negative consequences.

Ann Arbor’s activated carbon water filtration system

Since November, 2017 the Ann Arbor has been piloting a new granular activated carbon filtration system to protect local drinking water. This system can filter out two PFAS compounds that comprise the EPA’s lifetime health advisory level. According to Brian Steglitz, Ann Arbor’s Water Treatment Manager, the

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Foam on the Huron River may indicate the presence of PFAS chemicals.

best available technology is being used to ensure contaminants are filtered out of the city’s drinking water. Ann Arbor and Plainfield Township are the first two utilities in the state to use this type of filter to remove PFAS. After replacing five filters with a new carbon media that proved effective at removing contaminants and lowering PFAS levels to below EPA guidelines, the City Council approved a $850,000 investment to replace the water treatment system’s remaining 21 filters with the same carbon product.

We’re targeting our treatment to meet future regulations.”

- BRIAN STEGLITZ, CITY OF ANN ARBOR WATER TREATMENT MANAGER.

Laura Rubin, Executive Director of the Huron River Watershed Council.

Testing and regulating PFAS

Ann Arbor has been testing its surface and drinking water for PFAS since 2014 and continues to test regularly. The EPA sets a non-enforceable lifetime health advisory level at 70 ppt (parts per trillion) for PFOS and PFOAs, which are two particular PFAS chemicals. The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality tested 24 PFAS chemicals in Ann Arbor drinking water and found that together they were at 39 ppt. According to the city, some of the chemicals tested have no health advisory level making it difficult to know and measure an acceptable health level.

Though the city’s drinking water has always been below the EPA health advisory level for PFAS, when the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) tested surface water and fish in Norton Creek (a tributary to the Huron River) this year, they found readings of 5,500 ppt of PFOS, a particular chemical in the PFAS class. This prompted a ‘do not eat fish’ advisory. About 85% of Ann Arbor’s drinking water is sourced from the Huron River. Because Michigan is one of the states leading the charge in PFAS testing, more communities with drinking water containing very high levels of the chemicals are being discovered.

Where drinking water originates  In smaller Washtenaw County towns like Dexter, Saline, Chelsea, Milan, and Manchester the primary source of drinking water comes from groundwater (wells). Michigan has been testing groundwater separately, and so far no PFAS have been detected in these towns.  The City of Ann Arbor gets 85% of their drinking water from the Huron River, the rest comes from groundwater.  Ypsilanti gets their drinking water from the Detroit River and no PFAS have been detected.

To learn more about your water source, call or visit the Health Department of Washtenaw County. The Environmental Health staff can provide personalized information and guidance: 734-222-3800 www.washtenaw.org/2704/PFAS

“The DEQ is doing a lot of testing, but we need better regulation and enforcement,” says Laura Rubin, Executive Director of the Huron River Watershed Council. The DEQ identified Tribar Plastic Finishing Plant in Wixom as at least one of the sources of the PFAS contamination in the Huron River watershed. The company says it stopped discharging PFAS in 2015, but trace amounts of the chemicals are still found in their discharged water.

Rebecca Meuninck, the Ecology Center’s Deputy Director, agrees with Rubin and other state legislators who have been calling on Governor Snyder to take more immediate action to stop discharge that contains any contaminants. “From our perspective, even if a company stops using one type of PFAS chemicals, there are thousands more in that class of chemicals that are not regulated and could still be in use.”

Is there a Safe Level?

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently suggested that the 70 ppt standard for surface water be lowered to 10 ppt. Yet, the EPA and the White House blocked this health study from publication for six months. Currently, Michigan sets its standards by adopting EPA health advisory guidelines but there are no enforceable drinking water rules for PFAS. “We’re targeting our treatment to meet future regulations,” says Steglitz.

“We continue to measure the effectiveness of our filters because we’ll need that information to inform future replacement plans.”

Though there is agreement that PFAS have widespread effects on the environment and human health, federal regulatory agencies, advocacy groups, and scientists continue to debate about safety standards. “We don’t even know what levels are safe for humans,” says Rubin.

Given these uncertainties, entities like the Ecology Center are working on preventative solutions like finding safer chemicals to manufacture certain products. “It’s about the health of the whole ecosystem. Prevention is key,” says Meuninck.

Get Involved!

Learn More!

Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families A national effort to protect families from toxic chemicals www.saferchemicals.org

Aquasana www.aquasana.com/drinking-water-filter-systems

Join the movement for healthy water and a clean environment

The Environmental Working Group Driving consumer choice and civic action through research and education www.ewg.org Michigan Environmental Council A leader in Michigan’s environmental movement to achieve positive change through public policy solutions. www.environmentalcouncil.org/pfas_in_michigan

The following companies sell certified household filters that can remove PFAS. Look for granular activated carbon or reverse osmosis filters.

Culligan www.culligan.com/home/water-filtration eSpring www.amway.com/at-home/eSpring

ecurrent.com / december 2018 7

feature Home for the Holidays with NVC How to navigate the emotional pitfalls of a not-always joyous season with family

By Lisa Gottlieb For many, the holidays are less a time of joy and excitement than a season marked by provocation and disappointment. On Instagram, Facebook, and other social media sites, it can look like everyone is having a wonderful time out there except for you.

Even though we all know that what people typically post online is a highly selective slice of life, it can still create longing for the happy holidays of movie and TV lore.

Mix all that with today’s political climate, the societal pressure to overspend, and the stress and aggravation of travel, and being with family during the holidays can often be a scene of conflict rather than contentment. Apart from dealing with all of the difficult people that seem to be part of every family, the aspect of getting together with family that can be the most troublesome is falling back into the familiar roles we have played with each other since childhood.

A new approach to old grievances

In previous Current articles, I have offered suggestions for using Nonviolent Communication to manage aggravation and annoyances by having empathy for oneself, while considering other people’s experiences so that we may build connection and understanding. Because the holidays are like everyday life challenges on steroids, let’s up our game.

First step: When you have a negative story in your head about someone, shift the criticism to imagine what the person may be longing for that they don’t have. Here are a few examples.

Criticism: Cousin Billy is such a loud mouth. He’s always

interrupting, hogging the conversation, and bragging.

Imagine what it might be like for Billy: Billy may be lonely and insecure.

Unmet Need: Billy wishes to be respected and seen for his efforts.

Criticism: Aunt Claire is judgmental and selfish. She always has

something bad to say about people different from herself-- and worse, she’s a bigot!

Imagine what life is like for Claire:

she doesn’t have much life experience other than her small town friends. Maybe she is frightened and worried.

Unmet Need: Claire wants to know she is safe and

secure.

Identify common needs

Once we can imagine what life may be like for someone else, it’s easier to imagine what they might long for in their lives, like respect, connection, safety, predictability, and care. You may realize that you have the same needs as the person you are criticizing, but are using different strategies to meet those needs. When you understand that all humans have the same needs, it becomes easier to relate to other people. NVC may not work for every person in every situation, but it is a way to bring more peace to yourself and more connection with others as you navigate the holidays with your family.

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Get into the holiday spirit, start shopping early and support your community while buying from local businesses. Whether you need the perfect present for a party host, or to find a unique gift for people who have everything and say they want nothing, we’ve solved your holiday shopping problems by doing the hard work for you. So, sit back and let us show you some of the great options from local businesses.

Lewis Jewelers 2000 W. Stadium Blvd., 734-994-5111.

LewisJewelers.com 9:30am-5:30pm, Monday-Wednesday & Friday-Saturday. 9:30am-8pm, Thursday.

Want to add a little sparkle to the season? Make the holidays bright and merry with a gift that always puts a smile on someone’s face: jewelry. Since 1921, Lewis Jewelers has served the Ann Arbor and Detroit region with quality products that offer a sophisticated, traditional aesthetic. Find a timeless piece, or help start a collection of Sterling Silver Stackable bracelets, which start at $99.

Fresh Forage 5060 Jackson Rd. 734-887-6655, Freshforage.com 11am-8pm, daily.

Fresh Forage gift cards are a great gift to give your family so you know they’re eating right.

They use locally sourced and foraged ingredients to craft delectable seasonal combinations for lunch and dinner everyday!

Give your loved ones the gift of fast casual farm-to-table dining in a family-friendly restaurant!

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Abracadabra Jewelry & Gem Gallery 205 E. Liberty St., 734-994-4848. Abragem.com 11am-6pm, Tuesday-Thursday & Saturday.

11am-8pm, Friday.

Hypnotize those on your list with the magic of gift-giving by finding a gift at Abracadabra, a family owned custom jewelry boutique located in downtown Ann Arbor since 1974. Inspired by nature, art, architecture, lore, love, mineralogy, music and beyond, this unique jeweler offers over 13,000 unique gems perfect for custom jewelry design and repair.

Find environmentally-friendly metals and lab-grown gems for any budget, plus jewelry made by local artists, exclusive national designers, and fair trade international artisans. Consider a custom ring— they’ve created over 11,000 during their 44 years in business— or browse the boutique to see what other enchanting items catch your eye.

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www.treasuremart.com 529 Detroit Street • Ann Arbor 734-662-1363 • Office 734-662-9887 Open Sundays from 11-4pm for the Holidays

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

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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 Got someone running through your mind? Take things one step at a time and race right into their heart with a gift from Ann Arbor Running Company, which has been supporting running, fitness and health in the Ann Arbor and surrounding area since 2014. Voted a top 50 store in America, this fitness shop has everything from running shoes and athletic wear to accessories that your favorite fitness nut needs to keep moving. Fans of the Run Fast Cook Fast Eat Slow cookbooks, by worldclass marathoner and 4-time Olympian Shalane Flanagan and chef Elyse Kopecky, will want to join Kaylin Russeau Fitness on Tuesday, December 4th at AARC Kerrytown for a 4-6 mile run followed by a potluck.

The Treasure Mart 529 Detroit St., 734-662-9877.

Treasuremart.com 9am-5:30pm, Monday-Saturday.

Is there a person on your list that’s a little hard to shop for? Get all hands on deck and satisfy even the most eclectic tastes with eccentric oddities and unique home decor at The Treasure Mart, Ann Arbor’s favorite consignment shop since 1960, tucked away on a quiet street in Kerrytown. Explorers can navigate the large store’s bounty of rare and unusual antiques, furniture, and decor, and find everything from quirky kitschke to midcentury accent pieces to fine art, with presents available in every price range. If you don’t discover treasure fit for your friend here, well, shiver me timbers— they just have bad taste!

Adventures in Homebrewing Ann Arbor: 6071 Jackson Rd., Taylor: 23847 Van Born Rd., 313-277-2739. homebrewing.org At Adventures in Homebrewing we have everything you need to brew your first batch of beer or craft your first bottle of wine!

This holiday season we are featuring our beginner equipment kits starting at just $79.99. And as a special bonus, you will receive a free recipe with each beginner kit purchased! Order online or stop into our store at 6071 Jackson Rd, Ann Arbor MI 48104 and consult with one of our brewing experts to pick out your perfect kit!

Gift Cards Available!

Values $10 and up, good for any service!

E-Gift Cards also available on our website.

Open 10a - 8p 7 Days a Week 300 W. Huron, corner N. First

(734) 623-1951 relaxstation.com •Voted Best Massage 2018 •Walk-ins Welcome •Appointments Available FREE PARKING

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Full Body Massage in Individual Rooms at our Second Location

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

RelaxStation 300 W. Huron St. 734-623-1951. relaxstation.com 10am-8pm daily Since 2002, massage therapist, Eileen Bristol, has dedicated her business to providing on-the-spot massages and other spa services. The holidays can

get stressful, so a RelaxSation gift card is a great gift for anyone. Clients can relax with a full body massage or targeted area messages such as neck and back or feet. Scheduled appointments are required for full body massages, but all other services welcome walkins at any time during business hours.

If you’re looking for more reasons to look forward to summer, RelaxStation also offers outdoor massages in the warmer months.

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

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Humane Society of Huron Valley 3100 Cherry Hill Rd., 734-662-5585.

Hshv.org 11am-6pm, Monday-Wednesday, 11am-7pm, Thursday-Friday.

11am-5pm, Saturday-Sunday.

Tiny Lions Lounge & Adoption Center 5245 Jackson Rd., Suite A1.

734-661-3530. tinylions.org/gifts 10am-7pm, Tuesday-Saturday.

10am-5pm, Sunday.

Rock Paper Scissors

Keep track of animal-friendly holidays (“Ask your cat a question day” anyone?) in the new year with the Furever Favorites 2019 calendar ($15). The calendar features photos of Humane Society alumni and proceeds go to support the most vulnerable animals in our community.

216 S. Main St., 734-531-6264.

Rockpaperscissorsshop.com 11am-6pm, Sunday-Tuesday.

11am-8pm, Wednesday-Thursday.

10am-10pm, Friday-Saturday.

Or how about a gift certificate for the Tiny Lions Lounge and Adoption Center! They never expire, and they give back; every purchase helps the needy cats in our community. Choose a 5-hour punch-card that can be used in any combination for $25. Or get a gift certificate for Yoga with Cats classes in denominations of $10.

Show your love for Michigan makers when gifting DIY decor, quirky ornaments, home items, and more, at this adorable Ann Arbor boutique. Find cheeky seasonal cards, stylish stationery, kitchen items, and other cute treats that are sure to charm anyone on your list. As an added bonus, we know you’ll have a blast pursuing the eclectic selections inside this cozy, eccentric shop.

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MANI OSTERIA: 734.769.6700

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ISALITA:

734.213.7400

MIKETTE:

734.436.4363

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Fa-la-la-la-local!

Shop local at Rock Paper Scissors this Holiday Season!

216 S. Main St. | Ann Arbor 24/7 at rockpaperscissorsshop.c om 16

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION CONTD FROM P14

Vosenna 2386 E. Stadium Blvd., 734-929-4356, vosenna.com 10am-8pm, daily.

Vosenna is the perfect place to pick up gifts for the holidays. A better for you, 100% crueltyfree yet affordable beauty store featuring products created by independent beauty, body care, fragrance, and skin care brands.

We have a variety of gift boxes available, items that make the perfect stocking stuffers, and gift certificates. Stop by to pick up ethically conscious beauty and self-care products to pamper your friends, coworkers, family members, or yourself!

Service you can trust Our Gift To You

$25.00

OFF

Any Jewelry Repair/Watch Repair With Coupon. Cannot be combinded with any other offer. Expires 12/31/18

Family owned & operated since 1999.

FREE

Jar of Jewelry Cleaner and Ring Inspection With Coupon. Cannot be combinded with any other offer. Expires 12/31/18

Specializing in Beer Making, Kegging & Wine Making Adventures in Homebrewing is a brewing supply company offering Craft Beer Brewing, Wine Making, Liquor Making and Soda Making Equipment and Supplies. AIH also offers a full line of Kegging Equipment and Commercial Beverage Supplies.

10% OFF YOUR ENTIRE PURCHASE WITH THIS COUPON! In-store only

WE REFILL CO2 TANKS! 6071 Jackson Rd, Ann Arbor (313)277-2739 • HomeBrewing.org

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food Poke Hawaiian Fishinflected andfaremore

by Jeff Glick

Surprisingly modern and airy, belying its location tucked into a strip center on Washtenaw Ave. across from Arborland, the dark wood and clean lines of Poke Fish run soothing and happy. The murals lining the walls depict joyful characters creating an active and colorful ramen meal in muted pastels.

The eatery’s affable owner, Adam Chen, indicates that his Poke Fish restaurant is the first in what he anticipates will eventually be a chain. With prior experience operating restaurants in New York and elsewhere, Chen chose Ann Arbor from the map of the entire US as the spot to locate his Poke Fish venture in 2017. The first to serve this Hawaiian dish in Ann Arbor, though others have followed suit, Chen’s remains the preeminent place to visit and enjoy.

Just say “poh-kay”

“Poke,” pronounced POH-KAY, means “to cut crosswise into pieces” in Hawaiian. While it’s unclear exactly where the dish originated, poke began as a local creation, melding a taste for raw fish with an Asian, particularly Japanese, sensibility to forge a new presentation. Traditional poke, a simple concoction of cubed raw ahi (tuna) with a bit of shoyu (soy sauce), now encompasses other varieties.

Poke Fish’s menu, a relatively brief listing, includes three primary options, Poke Bowls, Ramen and Hibachi Grill Bowls.

The Poke Bowl combos are comprised of pre-selected ingredients and range in price from $9.95 to $11.95. There is also a create-your-own option with a list of proteins including various preparations of raw tuna, salmon and yellowtail, cooked versions of shrimp and scallops and for those not inclined to experience the seafood poke, grilled chicken. Mix-ins, in the form of vegetable additions, include edamame, fresh jalapeño, cilantro, kale and other varieties. These are all available with a choice of sauces ranging from spicy to ponzu to gluten free soy as well as toppings like seaweed salad, sesame seeds, pickled ginger and a variety of others.

The ramen is also available with adequate, but limited variety, including chicken, pork, beef and seafood. All are served in a pork bone broth, which has been simmering for some time. The additions in each Ramen bowl include the expected noodle and other treasures like bamboo shoots, fish cake, egg and veggies along with the selected protein. Ramen is $9.95 and $11.99 for the seafood version.

The Hibachi Grill bowls offer a stir-fried selection with choice of rice, including chicken, steak or shrimp. These run from $7.95 to $8.95.

For a light but filling meal that leaves you feeling clean and healthy, Poke Fish is a great addition to the Washtenaw County culinary landscape. Like pho and ramen before it, this dining option migrated from Asia, across the Pacific, finally arriving here from the Left Coast. We’re glad Adam Chen picked Ann Arbor for his poke vision, and we will visit again soon to make certain that he knows it.

Poke Fish 3500 Washtenaw Ave., Ann Arbor. 734-922-2207. poke-fish-sushi.business.site

BEER GUIDE read exclusively on

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food

Ongoing Mondays

Tastings at the Produce Station

$5 Growler Refills

11am-midnight. $5.

Arbor Brewing Company. arborbrewing.com

1-4pm. Produce Station. producestation.com Free

Half gallon refills on all craft beer is discounted on Mondays.

Choose from seasonal brews like the smoked stout “Cherry Collusion”, “Buzzsaw IPA” or fruity “Strawberry Blonde.”

This weekly wine tasting will feature select vintages from regional and international vineyards.

Mac n Cheese Mondays

11am-2pm. Prices vary. Detroit Filling Station. detroitfillingstation.com

Sundays Jazz Brunch

5-7pm. $10. Zingerman’s Deli. zingermansdeli.com

Musicians Andrew Brown, Ryan Shea and Michael Harrington will play jazz Sundays during brunch.

Each meal includes a side salad and toppings to choose from.

Take home deliciousness. Order online for easy pickup.

$4 Drafts

5-9pm. $4. The Earle. theearle.com

Drafts at a discount.

Whitefish entrees are $12.

Special runs 5-9pm. Mondays through Wednesdays. Stop by the Earle’s Wine Bar for more Happy Hour specials.

Tuesdays Half off Craft Beers

3pm-midnight. Prices vary.

Craft Breww City.

Ann Arbor. craftbrewwcity.com

Try a new beer at half the price or enjoy an old favorite.

Tuesdays’ special does not include the beer of the month.

$2 Taco Night

11am-11pm. $2. Grizzly Peak. grizzlypeak.net

Stop by Tuesdays for a special edition to the Grizzly Peak menu - tacos! All tacos are offered at a discounted price.

Ypsilanti Indoor Market

3-7pm. Ypsilanti Farmers’ Market. growinghope.net Free

The market has moved indoors, but will stay take place weekly through the end of December.

There’s no better place to shop for dinner on a Tuesday.

Taco Tuesdays at Gravity 5:30-11pm. Prices vary.

Original Gravity Brewing. ogbrewing.com

The Cosa Sabrosa Taco Truck will make it’s weekly stop at OG.

Wednesdays Gratzi Wine Wednesdays 4-10pm. Prices vary. Gratzi. facebook.com/gratizrestaurant.

Enjoy a discounted wine with your meal. All bottles of wine are half off Wednesday evenings. Reservations recommended.

Pancakes in the Park

Cider and Cheese, Please If you can’t say no to an ice-cold hard cider, make it a point to go to the Cider and Cheese tasting at Zingerman’s Creamery.

From dry to super sweet, Michigan hard ciders will be paired with various cheeses, bread, and other refreshments from the Cream Top Shop. Learn how to select cider-cheese pairings for holiday parties, a skill your guests will surely appreciate.

Skip dinner and load up on deliciousness from the Cream Top Shop with cider samples a-plenty. —EH $45. 6:30pm-8:30pm Friday, December 7. Zingerman’s Creamery. 3723 Plaza Dr. Ste. 2. 734-929-0500. events. zingermanscommunity.com. 21 and older.

9-10:30am. Liberty Plaza. facebook.com/pancakesinthepark Free

This winter series continues with free pancakes being served.

Donations and volunteers are welcome. .

1 Saturday

Cheese & Beer

3-5pm. $45. Zingerman’s Creamery. events.zingermanscommunity.com

With so many new types of beer it can be a challenge pairing each brew. Learn while you sample craft selections with regional cheeses.

BLØM Tour Bar Louie Beer Wednesdays All day $1.50-$5.50. 11am-2am.

Bar Louie. barlouie.com

Discounted pours all day. Choose from domestics, drafts and martinis for the cocktail fan.

Red Brick Wine Wednesdays 11am-10pm. $3-$5. Red Brick Kitchen. redbrickkitchen.com

Enjoy happy hour prices on all glasses of wine.

Thursdays Trivia at the Pub

8-10pm. Arbor Brewing Company. arborbrewing.com Free

Show off your skills. Games run one hour.

Bluegrass & Beer

6-9pm. Detroit Filling Station. facebook.com/ detroitfillingstation.com Free

The Pontiac Trail Blazers will perform Thursdays through 12.20. There’s nothing like upbeat music to get the party, and dancing, started.

Noon-1pm. $10. Blom Meadworks. drinkblom.com

Fridays French Toast Fridays

7-11am. Prices vary. Zingerman’s Deli. zingermansdeli.com

Nothing is better than french toast served up the Zingerman’s way. Zingerman’s Challah and Bakehouse White are just a few breads perfect for the dish. The event runs through 12.28.

Fancy Fridays

5-7pm. Everyday Wines. everyday-wines.com Free

Visitors are invited to sample expensive wines.

RoosRoast Burrito Mornings

7-11am. Prices vary. Roosroast Coffee. roostroast.com

Roos gets creative on Fridays when the shop comes alive with savory smells from the kitchen.

Choose for seasonal selections or build your own breakfast burrito.

Saturdays Ann Arbor Farmers’ Market 7am-3pm. Farmers’ Market. a2gov.org/market Free

Winter has come to the Market, but there’s still plenty of vendors selling artisan baked goods, organic produce, cheeses and more. Holiday evergreens will also be available.

Take a look behind the scenes a the Meadery. Find out what’s new and sample different seasonal brews.

Hops & Hats Craft Show

3-8pm. Prices vary. Cultivate Coffee. facebook.com/cultivateypsi

The Cultivate Knitting Group will be selling handmade items to benefit Ozone House. Brewery Vivant will be on tap.

Holiday Home Tour

5-11pm. $70. Back Office Studio. ymowhometour2018.ticketleap.com

Tour five decorated homes and sample treats at each stop.

The reception will be hosted at the Back Office Studio and will include live music, appetizers and desserts and wine, beer and coffee drinks. The event will benefit Ypsilanti Meals on Wheels.

2 Sunday Mystery Bingo

6-9pm. Arbor Brewing Company. arborbrewing.com Free

Contestants can win fun prizes and enjoy discounted beers.

Cont’d on p20

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Santa-Con

6 Thursday Vanilla Deth Release

6-9pm. Prices vary. The Grotto. facebook.com/thegrotto

Get to the Grotto to sample the unveiling of Revolution Brewing newest craft beer.

Lisa Ludwinski Author’s Talk

Barrels of Holiday Fun Bells & Barrels Artisan Holiday Market, hosted by the Ann Arbor Distilling Company, is the perfect opportunity to buy holiday gifts for friends who enjoy craft spirits. With music from Brennan Andes and Friends beginning at 4pm and a variety of artisan vendors in the tasting room, the ambiance is perfect for discovering something new. The focus is on wintery cocktails, like the distillery’s own Spaulding’s Peppermint and Schnapps. —EH 2-6pm. Sunday, December 2.

Ann Arbor Distilling Company. 220 Felch St., Ann Arbor, MI. 734-882-2169. Find more information on the Bells & Barrels Artisan Holiday Market Facebook page. Free.

food

Cont’d from p19 Gelato 101

3-5pm. $30. Zingerman’s Creamery. events.zingermanscommunity.com

Tour the gelato making process, sample seasonal flavors and find out how to make your own batch.

Introducing Aquavit 5-7pm. $45. The Last Word. tammystastings.com

Learn about this stunning liquor from the Netherlands. You will learn to make a variety of cocktails along with sampling treats.

3 Monday Baking Demonstration

7-8:30pm. Ann Arbor Library. facebook.com/peoplesfoodcoop Free

Head Baker of the People’s Food Coop will lead an instructional cooking lesson involving candies and cookies. Come to the 4th floor meeting room.

4 Tuesday Atwater Brewing Take Over 5-7pm. Blue Front. facebook.com/bluefrontannarbor Free

Atwater Brewing makes a stop at Blue Front for a tap take over.

7-8:30pm. Crazy Wisdom Bookstore. facebook.com/peoplesfoodcoop Free

Keegan Rodgers from the People’s Food Coop will talk about various spices using a hands-on teaching style. december

5:30-6pm. Prices vary. Skinny Farm of Scio. michiganfarmtofamily.com

The Farm to Family delivery service connects home cooks with produce, dairy, meat and other speciality products like honey or maple syrup, and delivers to a central, public location. Just order and pick up your groceries.

Game Night

7:30-10pm. Cultivate Coffee. cultivateypsi.org Free

Plans made, stop by and join the fun. Play a new or classical board game with the community.

5 Wednesday Cheese Pairing

6-7:30pm. $20. Everyday Wines. everyday-wines.com

Sister Pie (Detroit) owner and lead baker, Lisa Ludwinski, will talk about compiling her first cookbook and share favorites recipes.

Girls’ Night Out

3-10pm. Prices vary. Aubree’s Pizza. facebook.com/aubreesdexter

Ladies receive discounts on all drinks including wine pours and bottles.

7 Friday Cider & Cheese

6-8pm. $65. Fustini’s Oils & Vinegars.

Chef Andy will serve and discuss the perfect holiday dinner. Learn how to make the coarse meal which will include oysters and a Buche de Noel desert.

6-8pm. $50. Salt Springs Brewery. saltspringsbrewery.com

Take a course in modern calligraphy while sipping a beverage of your choice. Materials will be provided to make a decorative sign to take home.

2018 / ecurrent.com

Create chocolate pretzels with friends from the community.

Please bring a copy of your favorite holiday recipe to share with the group.

Slow Cooker Meals 1-2:30pm. Dexter Library. dexter.lib.mi.us Free

Chef Mary Spencer will demonstrate how to use a slow cooker and what kinds of meats, and pairing go into a classic meal.

Open to all ages.

Winter Marketplace

9am-1pm. Dexter Winter Marketplace. dextermarket.com Free

Holiday Lighting Ceremony

The menu will include lamb lollipops, fondue and Flaming Plum Pudding. Each dinner will be prepared in front of the diners in the open kitchen. No cancellations.

The evening will be filled with song, and gourmet treats while visitors watch the farm come alive with thousands of decorative lights.

6-8pm. $55. Fustini’s. fustinis.com

Monroe First Friday

6-9pm. Downtown Monroe. facebook.com/ firstfridaydowntownmonroe Free

Downtown Monroe comes alive with this holiday-themed celebration. Stop by local restaurants, cafes and bars for specials, demonstrations and a good meal.

The Chef will teach diners how to make the perfect spread for entertaining guests. The menu includes French onion dip, a seven layer salad and desert.

Holiday Dinner

11am-noon. Ypsilanti Library.

Ypsilibrary.org Free

Fustini’s Holiday Dinner

Michigan ciders will be paired with select cheeses made in-store and around the world.

Odd Side Ales Take Over Selections will include Nitro Rye Hipster, and Hipster Brunch.

Holiday Treat Share

Shop locally made artisan crafts and food, like White Lotus Farms goat cheese, organic produce and eggs. Additional date, Saturday, 12.22.

Holiday Potluck

5-10pm. Prices vary. The Grotto. facebook.com/thegrotto

It’s that time of year again when UM students dress up like Santa and cover the streets with red and white. The bar crawl will hit all the locals spots.

6:30-8:30pm. $45.

Zingerman’s Creamery. events.zingermanscommunity.com

Sample cheese and wine and learn how to pair the two.

Brushes & Brews

Spice of Life

20

Farm to Family Pickup

7-8:30pm. Literati Bookstore. literatibookstore.com Free

1-8pm. $15. MLife Sports. mlifeevents.com

Noon-2pm. $55. Fustini’s. fustinis.com

8 Saturday Wine & Cheese

3-5pm. $45. Zingerman’s Creamery. events.zingermanscommunity.com

Learn how to expertly pair wine and cheese from master cheesemongers.

Cooking with Scraps 4-5:30pm. Everyday Wines. everyday-wines.com Free

Author Lindsay-Jean Hard will be discussing her new cookbook.

9 Sunday 5-7pm. $20. Cornman Farms. events.zingermanscommunity.com

Sawyer Homestead Christmas Dinner

3-6pm. $15. Sawyer Homestead. facebook.com/TheSawyerHomestead

Visit the Historic homestead for a tour and dinner. The Victorian home will be serving up turkey, mashed potatoes and desert.

Reserve your seat at the table today!

10 Monday Suckling Pig-Party

6-8:30pm. $40. Miss Kim. events.zingermanscommunity.com

Celebrate the holidays with Chef Ji Hye. Thanksgiving gets a twist on traditional fare when a suckling pig takes center stage.

Miso butter mashed potatoes, yes please.

Cookie Art

6:30-8:30pm. $40. Edible Art by Gisha. edibleartbygisha.com

Learn to make holiday cookies from scratch with teacher Gisha Pucheta. The class will make royal icing, cookies and decorate them to take home.

11 Tuesday Italian Dinner

7pm. $75. Zingerman’s Roadhouse. zingermansroadhouse.com

Guest chef and Chicago restaurateur John Coletta will treat diners to a feast celebrating Italian rice and Parmigiano Reggiano. Full menu online.

12th Tasters’ Guild Holiday Brunch

Noon-3pm. $59.90-$67. Dessous. villagecorner.com

This annual brunch will feature a coursed brunch with renowned Chef Eve Arnoff. Champagne will be served. Reserve your seat early.

Odd Side Ales Tasting

5-7pm. Blue Front. facebook.com/bluefrontannarbor Free

Craft beers from Odd Side will be featured.

Secret Santa w/Bells

6-9pm. The Grotto. facebook.com/thegrotto Free

Bring a gift to be part of the exchange. Kalamazoo’s Bell’s Brewing will be featured.

French Macarons

7-8:30pm. Ann Arbor Library. facebook.com/peoplesfoodcoop Free

Learn the intricate process of making a macaron from scratch.

Sample and discuss flavors.

Entrepreneurs Meetup 6pm. Cultivate Coffee. cultivateypsi.org Free

Every second Tuesday local business owners are invited to Cultivate to mix and mingle with the community. Troubleshoot problems and discuss the future together.

12 Wednesday Ari’s Greatest Hits Series

6:30-8:30pm. $55. Zingermans Deli. events.zingermanscommunity.com

The mastermind will bring you into his world with a night of storytelling, sampling and food discovery. Additional dates offered: 6:30-8:30pm. Thursday, 12.13, 12.19., and 12.20.

Unlocking the True Hunger 7-8:30pm. Crazy Wisdom Bookstore. facebook.com/peoplesfoodcoop Free

Author Ellen Livingston will discuss emotional eating disorders, how to decode your cravings, and offers healthy alternatives.

Barrel-Aged Beer Dinner

7-11pm. Prices vary. Session Room. sessionrooma2.com

A four course meal will be paired with limited release beers from Odd Side Brewing. See what foods pair best with these hearty brews.

13 Thursday Cocktails with Creatives 8-10pm. Cultivate Coffee. facebook.com/cultivateypsi Free

The event is a monthly meetup for creative professionals. Beverage options range from espresso to craft beer. Get out there and network.

Holiday Cookie Decorating 3:30-4:30pm. Schultz-Holmes Library.

Free

Decorate and sample delicious cookies with members from the community. This event is open to all ages.

14 Friday Brewery Vivant Tasting

5-7pm. Blue Front. facebook.com/bluefrontannarbor Free

Sample select Belgian-style beers.

Understanding Food Justice Pt. 1

7-8:30pm. Canterbury House. facebook.com/peoplesfoodcoop Free

This four part series will look at the current food chain, our buying habits, food deserts and how we as consumers help by making changes to our lifestyle.

Onesie Bar Crawl

6pm-midnight. $12-$28. Bar Louie. crawlwith.us

This customed crawl will cover a lot of ground from Haymakers to The Heidelberg. The event is sure to gain a lot of attention from spectators. Ticket includes two free drinks.

Healthy Food Distribution 2pm. Atrium of Washtenaw County Human Services Building. foodgatherers.org Free

Pick up free health groceries such as fruits, veggies, dairy products and bread. No proof of income of ID required. Also offered 12.19.

16 Sunday Mastering Mozzarella

2-5pm. $75. Zingerman’s Creamery. events.zingermanscommunity.com

Take a three hour class learning to make cheese out of fresh milk and cream.

Spice Cabinet Cocktails 5-7pm. $45. The Last Word. tammystastings.com

What spices go into a great cocktail? The class guide visitors through the cocktail making process along with samples and snacks.

618 Church St, Ann Arbor Open 7 days a week 10:30am-4:00am

Dine In $10.00 OFF Purchase of any two entrees Please present coupon or mention offer to server when ordering • Not valid with any other offer 1 per table • expires 12/31/2018

Carry Out 12” Cheese Pizza only $8.00

(Toppings and Deep dish style pizzas extra) Online ordering only Enter coupon code 8CURRENT upon checkout Not valid with any other offer • Expires 12/31/2018

Delivery $7.00 OFF any order of $20 or more Online ordering only Enter coupon code 7OFF20 upon checkout Not valid with any other offer • Expires 12/31/2018

Call (734) 995-5095 or Order Online at pizzahouse.com

Cont’d on p22

ecurrent.com / december 2018 21

food Cont’d from p21

24 Monday Food Gathers’ Holiday Meals

18 Tuesday Drink & Draw

8-10:30pm. Cultivate Coffee. facebook.com/cultivateypsi Free

Artists can bring supplies to this monthly meetup. Share you sketches with the group.

19 Wednesday

3-4pm. Food Gatherers Community Kitchen. foodgatherers.org Free

Free community meals will be served to people experiencing homelessness and food insecurity. Volunteers and donations welcome. Additional dates, 3pm Tuesday, 12.25, Monday, 12.31 and Tuesday, 1.1.

30 Sunday

Chef Bardt Dinner

Harvest Kitchen Brunch

This demo/dinner features Chef Nikolas of Fustini’s for a coursed dinner. The menu includes chipotle chocolate cake and mild mushroom pizza. Come watch a chef work.

Every last Sunday of the month the Harvest Kitchen at the Packard St. location serves up a gourmet brunch menu to first come, first served guests. This popular brunch sells out!

Noon-2pm. $55. Fustini’s. facebook.com/fustinisannarbor

21 Friday Steve’s Food Truck

5-9pm. Prices vary.

Canton Brew Works. facebook.com/cantonbrewworks

Steve whips up a the best grilled cheese sandwiches that pair perfectly with craft beers.

10am-1:45pm. Argus Farm Stop. argusfarmstop.com

31 Monday Budget Bites

5-7pm. Ypsilanti Library. ypsilibrary.org Free

Local mom Alice Oakes will share her thoughtful time management tips and budget-friendly recipes with the community.

Santa Claus is Coming to Town Don your Santa apparel for downtown pub crawl Santa Con, where you can roam the streets with other partying Kris Kringles.

Enjoy $3-$5 drink specials, VIP after parties at The Circ Bar and LIVE nightclub, Christmas karaoke, and a photo booth. You’ll also receive some sweet holiday swag and a Santa hat while supplies last. Other participating bars include Blue Tractor, Beer Grotto, Alley Bar, and The Pretzel Bell. You can dress as Santa or any other holiday character your heart desires. —EH $15 pre-ordered. $20 at door. 1pm-8pm. Saturday, December 8. Register and pick up lanyard at The Circ Bar, 201 S. 1st St., 2nd floor, or The Pretzel Bell, 226 S. Main St. Registration also available at MiLifeA2.com. Must be 21 or older.

HEALTH& Regional French Cuisine

WELLNESS

Artisan Butchery Crafted Cocktails Private Events Terribly French Wine Call 734/263-2543 to book your holiday party! thestandardbistro.com

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issue date january 2019 CALL TO ADVERTISE 734.668.4044

chef’s corner

(L-R) Juicy Kitchen’s Kelly Behan, Susan Todoroff, Aaron Zoila, Libby Fry, Beth Ellis, and Robert Craig.

A peek into the minds of Ann Arbor’s culinary arbiters and their unique perspective on Washtenaw County’s dining and hospitality culture.

Susan Todoroff Beyond the Juicy Kitchen owner’s feel-good food

by Sonny Forrest

Simple and vibrant with color-coded menu chalkboards boasting dishes laden with berries, greens, eggs, and chunky breads, Juicy Kitchen (1506 N. Maple) channels a sense of gastric multiplicity into a complete café environment. Designer of eminently Instagram-able dishes awash in natural hues, Juicy Kitchen owner Susan Todoroff shares, in her words, what makes Juicy Kitchen pop for health foodies craving local ingredients.

How would you characterize the appeal of Juicy Kitchen’s cuisine for diners in the Ann Arbor area?

We provide fresh, healthy, gourmet breakfast and lunch that you can feel good about eating. We serve breakfast all day so you can have our healthed-up version of eggs benedict any time. We care about getting to know our regulars on a first name basis and warmly welcome newcomers. We also provide a cozy, colorful atmosphere with really good coffee and espresso drinks. It’s the whole package, not just the food, although the food is definitely a highlight.

Which ingredient sets Juicy Kitchen’s cuisine apart? I don’t know that an

ingredient sets us apart, but the fact that we source some of our produce from our local farmers and put vegetables at the forefront of our menu sets us apart. We want people to be able to come to us and eat a delicious, creative meal and still maintain healthy eating habits. Also, we use whole grain everything and our baked goods are sweetened with a touch of pure maple syrup.

Where do you eat in the Ann Arbor area aside from your restaurant?

I think Mani (341 E. Liberty St.) does a consistently nice job. Jerusalem Garden (314 E. Liberty St.) is delicious and a good value. I also like Cafe Zola (112 W. Washington St.) for dinner.

Which dishes comprise the perfect three-course meal at Juicy Kitchen?

We don’t really do courses, but I love when someone comes in and they want a savory breakfast, along with a “dessert” breakfast because that’s how I love breakfast. So something savory like our version of an Eggs Benedict with poached eggs atop house made corn cakes with spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, mushrooms, and a roasted red pepper/goat cheese sauce or our Hot Mess sandwich with an over-medium egg, avocado, roasted red pepper, goat cheese and sriracha sauce on toasted multigrain. Then have a dessert breakfast of our French Toast, sprouted raisin bread stuffed with almond butter and bananas, served with maple syrup or our Oatcakes, oatmeal pancakes topped with blueberry compote, served with fresh fruit and maple syrup, and be totally satisfied for the first half of the day.

ecurrent.com / december 2018 23

music Zzvava’s Zen & the Art of Indie-Rock Improvisation

by Jeff Milo

We don’t wanna say they’re old pros, ‘cause they’re not old, but they’ve been around these blocks already. In fact, each of them have their hands in other creative outlets, like photography/ videography (Freer), painting/drawing/design (Parker—who designed the cassette layout). And I’ve almost lost count of how many times I’ve mentioned Zomparelli as an auxiliary contributor in previous band features. So they certainly got their feet wet long ago and continued playing/working through the music scene’s quasi-dryspell after the once-very-active Woodruffs venue closed in Ypsilanti; they each remarked enthusiastically about what they sense as a general rejuvenation in the local music & arts scene.

“A sense of community is really important,” said Parker. “Not just feeling that sense within our own band, but across the scene as a whole.”

PHOTO CREDIT: JEFFREY FREER

Zzvava is pronounced (zee-zee-vah-vah), but we’re pretty sure they’re not stressed about you mispronouncing that. This band’s preternaturally wired to be harmonious. Bassist Anna Parker, who has more than a passing interest in astrology, certified that harmony when her charts showed each member was born under mutable moon signs. But if you knew Parker and her bandmates, Nick Zomparelli, Jeffrey Freer, and Jordan Collingridge, then their adaptability, their easy-going, neverstagnant natures, would be a given.

Over the last decade or more, each of these Arbor/Ypsi-music makers have leaped to a few different creative lily-pads around the local pond, and each would essentially be “the easygoing one” in whatever respective project or collaboration they took on. Zzvava has four super-flexible cogs spinning together.

Zzvava has more than just an edge to their music (…which is a hybrid of boogie-ready surfrock, jangly psychedelia, riffy power-pop and snappy indie-punk). Their edge is also that their first album is out after only 10 months of the band’s existence, produced by Ann Arbor’s own Fred Thomas, no less. They’re each songwriters who can bring material to the table, and when you see them live, they’ll rotate around the stage and swap instruments/vocals. “We don’t really hold still too well,” said Zomparelli. And “..you never get bored,” assured Freer. Zomparelli adds that “We all have an eclectic appreciation for music and it’s hard to write just one style. I like that split-personality kinda thing.”

Creating together

The spirit of rock n roll

Collingridge follows this by encouraging us to consider the spirit of rock n roll as being something that is untamed, improvised, and created out of nothing. “I like albums where you don’t know what’s going to happen next,” he said.

Their debut, Mutable Moons, came out in early November.

Their next gig will be at this year’s Mittenfest XII at the end of December in Ypsilanti.

“Jeff, Jordan and I live together,” Zomparelli said. “I played in a prior band (Ping Pong) with Jordan and we all had solo projects, so we had a lot of material we could bring to each other.

I was drumming for a short stint in Anna’s other band, Electric Blanket, and said: ‘…Hey, you wanna come over and play bass with my roommates?’ Six months later we’re recording an album with Fred (Thomas).”

The only point of stress might be that Collingridge is the only one with a car. So while everyone else currently Ubers- or bussestheir way to a venue, Collingridge brings all the instruments. Yes, althought each band member can play each instrument, all of the instruments arrive in Collingridge’s car. “Hey! We’re a public transportation-kinda’ band,” Zomparelli deadpans.

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These indie rockers consider their music untamed, improvised and created out of nothing.

Along with that, Zomparelli said, their consistent output creates a bit of a timestamp, or musical memoir, to look back on their own, and each other’s, previous songs and lyrics and appreciate it as a narrative, a developing consciousness, a record of experimentation. “It’s all about self-expression,” Collingridge said. “Working hard and experimenting—whatever you want it to be, put yourself out there.”

Zomparelli knows that in some bands, all it takes is one contrarian or ornery member to break it up or to stop a good idea from growing. With Zzvava, it’s an echo-chamber of reciprocal encouragement: “…we have a new song that’s jazzy, with a bossanova beat. So who knows what we’ll come up with next? I think we’re all trying to figure it out just as you’re trying to figure it out…”

Zzvava’s recording Mutable Moons is out now.

See them at this year’s Mittenfest (Dec 28-30) at Bona Sera (200 W Michigan Ave, Ypsilanti) zzvava.bandcamp.com The lineup is available at mittenfest.org

music Four Corners Ensemble Presents World Map Concerti

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 Reigna Reign

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.

Wednesdays Open Stage

8pm. $2-$3. The Ark. theark.org

8pm. Kerrytown Concert House. kerrytownconcerthouse.com Free

This show features multicultural and multinational collections in four dynamic mini concertos. $10 suggested donation.

Battle of the Bands Supports the Humane Society of Huron Valley

Bars of Gold

9pm-1am. $10. The Bling Pig. blindpigmusic.com

Loyal, friendly, authentic, and adorable- let’s be real, some of the best creatures we know are animals. Help them out while enjoying a raging battle of the bands in support of the Humane Society of Huron Valley! Some pretty sweet incentives lure the strongest young Michigan rock and roll gladiators to the stage.

Come raise your solo cup for a cause and listen to up and coming bands in this most musical of states! -TB

Local band Bars of Gold headlines the show featuring groups Minihorse and Dogleg. Grab a drink and enjoy some live music.

Annual Croissant Concert with Today’s Brass Quintet 11am. $10-$30. Kerrytown Concert House. kerrytownconcerthouse.com

Suggested donation of $5 or more. 5pm-12am.

Saturday, December 22.

Maidstone Theater, 1425 Ecorse Rd. Ypsilanti. hshv.org

Welcome the holiday season with one of Ann Arbor’s favorite quintets.

Enjoy croissants, coffee and juice while watching the performance.

Maxwell

Wednesdays starting the 19, musicians are welcome to share their music and perform on stage for an eight-minute set.

Fridays Open Mic featuring MC Jacob Gibson

Handel’s Messiah

Jazz Wednesdays

Take your talents to the stage and share with the community what you’re made of. Sign up in advance online.

The UMS Choral Union and Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra perform this nearly 300 year old oratorio filled with emotion and charm. Additional performance 2pm Sunday, 12.2.

6-9pm. Prices vary. Detroit Filling Station. detroitfillngstation.com

Wine specials are on the menu.

The Detroit Street Hot Club will perform.

Open Mic at 734 Brewing 9pm. 734 Brewing Company. facbook.com/734brewing Free

Showcase your talents at this weekly open mic. Poets, singers, musicians and comic welcome!

Bluegrass with Thunderwüde

8-10pm. Chelsea Alehouse, Chelsea. chelseaalehouse.com Free

Pick yourself up on hump day with a pint and good tunes from Thunderwüde. The traditional Wednesday nights continue at the Alehouse’s new location.

Thursdays Bluegrass & Beer Thursdays 6pm. Detroit Street Filling Station. thelunchrooma2.com Free

Join for the best in local bluegrass! Weather permitting, music will be on the patio. Food and drink specials throughout the night!

Open Mic with the Martindales

9pm. Tap Room, Ypsilanti. taproomypsi.com Free

The Martindales open up the stage for a half-hour set, followed by an open mic for musicians to play a three-song set.

8pm. The Rumpus Room, Chelsea. therumpusroomchelsea.com Free

Sundays Sunday Jazz at the Alehouse

6-8pm. Chelsea Alehouse, Chelsea. chelseaalehouse.com Free

8pm. $16-$40. Hill Auditorium. ums.org

8pm. $30-$150. Fox Theatre. musze.com

Artist Maxwell is celebrating the 20th Anniversary of his album “Embry”. The album was re-released on collector’s white vinyl and includes remastered tracks and a full color 12 page photo insert. The concert will be a mix of favorites and new songs.

Cont’d on p26

Affordable Vet Services

Grab a pint and end your weekend off on the right note with live jazz from area artists every Sunday.

1 Saturday Hot Tuna Acoustic

8pm. $45-$75. The Ark. theark.org

Duo Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Casady perform groovy tunes mixing the sounds of acoustic and electric blues.

Celebrating 12 years

JD McPherson and his band

9pm. $20. El Club, Detroit. theark.org

JD and his band perform their retro rock n’ roll tunes.

Brotha James wsg Jacob Gibson

8pm. $6. The Rumpus Room, Chelsea. therumpusroomchelsea.com

After many accomplished musical projects, the once kitchen-knife salesman formerly known as Jeremy Reisig, reinvented himself into a musical entity with a positive message, Brotha James. His brother Sean, an accomplished drummer, recently joined him on his journey to the stage.

Full Medical and Wellness Services Teeth Cleaning ◆ Radiology Surgery ◆ Vaccines Heartworm and Flea Preventative Comprehensive Laboratory Fully Stocked Pharmacy Prescription Diets Ultrasound

Affordable Vet Services

Dr. Maja Fontichiaro • Dr. Tara Hansen Dr. Paul Glineburg • Dr. Courtney Cutright Dr. Madeleine Erba

2117 West Stadium St., Ann Arbor 734.926.0114 • affordablevetservices.com ecurrent.com / december 2018 25

music

Cont’d from p25 Anastaci, Interstate Revival, Detroit Trouble

8pm-midnight. $5. Maidstone Theatre. facebook.com/maidstonetheatre

Fans of hard rock and progressive rock will have a field day at one of Ypsilanti’s most concert venues.

Wind Conducting Symposium

8:30am. $50. Alexander Music Building. emich.edu/musicdance/events

The EMU Bands presents the 10th Annual Wind Conducting Symposium featuring Craig Kirchhoff, guest clinician.

2 Sunday Classical Chinese Poems and Songs

2-3pm. University of Michigan Museum of Art. umma.umich.edu Free

This concert features selections from the Classic of Poetry (Shijing) and Tang Song Poetry (Tang Song shici) with musician scholars from the Shanghai Normal University.

Hand Drumming Workshop & Circle with Randall Moore 3-5pm. $15. The Rumpus Room, Chelsea. therumpusroomchelsea.com

Percussionist for The Ragbirds and other local acts, Randall Moore leads this workshop focusing on the fundamentals of hand drumming, hand technique, rhythms from the West African Diaspora, team and community building, listening skills, and drum maintenance.

8pm. Kerrytown Concert House. kerrytownconcerthouse.com Free

2pm. Kerrytown Market & Shops. tubachristmas.com Free

This free, annual event brings together over 40 tuba and euphonium players in a fun and festive musical showcase. Holiday carols are heard as never before as these instruments showcase their melodic and harmonious qualities.

Griffin House

7:30pm. $20. The Ark. theark.org.

Nashville-based songwriter Griffin House will play his original pop-rock at The Ark.

Alberto Rojo Trio

7pm. $10-$30. Kerrytown Concert House. kerrytownconcerthouse.com

The repertoire of this trio is comprised of traditional Argentinian folk and jazz.

3 Monday Chirp

7pm. Arbor Brewing Company Microbrewery. arborbrewing.com Free

Hear original jam band Chirp at this weekly series featuring the best in local music.

Bill Kirchen’s Honky-Tonk Holiday

8pm. $20. The Ark. theark.org

Celebrate the days of the Ann Arbor honky-tonk scene with Bill Kirchen, rockabilly and country songwriter. After performing with Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen, Kirchen continues his journey on his solo career.

4 Tuesday

Ypsilanti Symphony Orchestra

3:30pm. $6 - $12. Towsley Auditorium. ypsilantisymphony.org

Enjoy a musical afternoon with the Ypsilanti Symphony Orchestra as they celebrate their 20th anniversary! Don’t miss the “Local Treasures” Season, with 20 years of music making with local arts treasures.

Melissa Etheridge

8pm. $35+. Michigan Theater. michtheater.org

One of rock music’s greatest female icons, Melissa takes the stage to perform a special holiday show.

Mad about Chamber Music

Students from the University of Michigan School of Music, Theater and Dance Piano Chamber Music will perform Mozart’s G Minor Piano Quartet, Schumann’s Piano Trio in D minor, Mendelssohn’s Piano Trio in C minor, and Brahms Trio for Clarinet, Cello and Piano, Op. 14. Donations accepted.

Jonas Berzanskis’ Open Mic

7-9pm. Unity Vibration Kombucha. unityvibrationkomucha.com Free

Get there early to get on the list.

Bring your acoustic guitar or easy to set up instrument. Be ready to play two songs.

5 Wednesday Emerald Flutes in Concert 8pm. Alexander Recital Hall. emich.edu/musicdance/events Free

The Emerald Flutes presents a flute ensemble featuring both music old and new.

6 Thursday The Beach Boys

7:30pm. $65+. Michigan Theater. michtheater.org

For more than 50 years, the band has brought us rockin’ tunes to dance to. The Beach Boys make a stop in Michigan during their Reason for the Season Christmas Tour.

Juice WRLD, Neisha Neshae, Stooki Sound, Polo Frost

7:30pm. $35-$50. EMU Convocation Center. emich.edu

Chicago native rapper Juice WRLD headlines this concert featuring high-energy hip-hop and rap artists.

A Legendary Christmas 8pm. $50-$225. Fox Theatre. johnlegend.com

Singer, songwriter John Legend will perform classic holiday numbers along with his soulful hits.

The concert is in promotion of his latest release Legend’s Christmas album.

EBird and Friends Holiday Show

8pm. $25-$50. The Ark. theark.org

This family-friendly concert takes a creative twist on holiday tunes and features performers Erin Zindle (EBird), Joshua Davis, Joe Hertler (Joe Hertler & the Rainbow Seekers), Luke WinslowKing, Madelyn Grant, Jen Sygit, and may more! Additional shows 8pm Friday and Saturday, December 7 and 8, and also 3pm show Saturday.

Larry Fuller Trio

8pm. $10-$30. Kerrytown Concert House. kerrytownconcerthouse.com

Internationally acclaimed jazz pianist, band leader, and clinician Larry Fuller is joined by his bandmates George DeLancey on bass and Jason Tiemann on drums.

Andrea Doria

9pm-1am. $7-$10. The Blind Pig. blindpigmusic.com

Andrea Doria, the band, will headline the show. Seaholm, Labour Day Weekend and Stopwatch will share the Blind Pig stage for a fun Thursday night concert.

Broo’d Up

9-11pm. 734 Brewing Company. facebook.com/734brewing Free

Musical hosts Regina Regign and Broo’d Up will perform smooth jams with a date-night vibe that seamlessly mix spoken word with music.

Harrington & Brown 7-10pm. Cultivate Coffee. cultivateypsi.com Free

The duo plays old tyme jazz, swing and jive for the Cultivate crowd.

Laura Rain & the Caesars 10pm. Mash Bar. mashbar.net Free

For fans of Buddy Guy, Bobby Blue Band and Wilson Pickett, Laura Rain & the Caesars take the stage for a late night of original soul r&b. The Detroit-based group connect funk and soul to create their own sound.

Tuba Christmas

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7 Friday Jolyon Pegis and Maria Schleuning

8pm. $10-$30. Kerrytown Concert House. kerrytownconcerthouse.com

The theater will fill with classical hymns as Pegis performs on cello and Schleuning on violin.

The program includes Duet in D Major and Poco Adagio - Tempo di menuetto by Haydn, Piazzolla’s Cafe 1930, and Duo for Violin and Cello by Kodaly.

Good Old War

7pm-Midnight. $16-$18. The Blind Pig. theblindpigmusic.com

On tour promoting their fourth release “Broken Into Better Shape”, Good Old War will share their modern take on alt-country with the Ann Arbor crowd. Beta Radio and Allman Brown also appear.

Dani & Garrett

9pm-midnight. Bridgewater Bank Tavern. facebook.com/ bridgewaterbanktavern Free

The acoustic duo will perform originals and favorites.

Don White

8 Saturday Charles Lloyd & The Marvels wsg Lucinda Williams

8pm. $40-$64. Michigan Theater. michtheater.org

Lloyd is best known for his intense, emotional performance of jazz. He brings his recently formed band for a show featuring song selections new and old.

Making Spirits Bright

7pm. $10-12. The Village Theater at Cherry Hill. cantonvillagetheater.org

The Canton Concert Band and Fireside Singers celebrate the holiday season with a family Christmas show featuring some beloved songs of the season, as well as new ones you may haven’t heard before.

Cold Tone Harvest

8-11pm. $15. Stony Lake Brewing. facebook.com/stonylakebrewingco

The four piece outfit Cold Tone Harvest combines the backwoods sounds of the dobro and lap steel guitar with the upbeat chords of the banjo, upright bass and acoustic guitar.

8-10pm. $20. Green Wood Coffee House. greenwoodcoffeehouse.org

LSO Concert: A Trip to Vienna

Day Oshee

The sounds of the U-M health and science community will help take audience members on a trip to Austria. The bill includes works

by Johann and Richard Strauss and an orchestral arrangement of a piano quartet

by Brahms, conducted by Schoenberg.

Massachusetts comedian and singer-songwriter combines heartfelt lyrics with laughs to create a memorable performance and a night you won’t forget.

8pm-midnight. Ziggy’s. ziggysypsi.com Free

Songwriter Day Oshee will share Ziggy’s stage with Dani Darling and Electric Blanket. Stop by for a night of original music.

Julia Furlong

8-11pm. Unity Vibration Kombucha Tea. unityvibrartionkombucha.com Free

The singer songwriter will perform an acoustic concert in the Unity tasting room.

Daynites, Las Drogas, Mercury Salad Sandwich 9pm-1am. Tap Room. taproomyspi.com Free

These three acts will perform for First Fridays in Ypsilanti, a citywide celebration featuring live music and special events at local small businesses.

Julia Furlong

8pm. Unity Vibration Living Kombucha Tea. unityvibrationkombucha.com Free

Singer-songwriter Julia Furlong makes her debut on Unity Vibration’s stage. Grab a glass of Kombucha beer or tea and enjoy the show!

8-10pm. Hill Auditorium. lso.med.umich.edu Free

Plastic Passion Reunion 9pm. $5-$10. Necto Nightclub. necto.com

Get your celebration on as Plastic Passion returns to Necto’s Red Room for a rare reunion dance party. DJ Josh Burge will heat up the dancefloor with 80s/90s alternative, new wave, post-punk, electro-funk, industrial and many more musical concoctions.

7:30pm. $15. The Ark. theark.org

The Weepies

7:30pm. $30. The Ark. theark.org

Powerful husband and wife duo Deb Talan and Steve Tannen return to the stage after several years. Enjoy their comeback performance with live indie-pop music, and opening act Matt the Electrician.

Ann Arbor Ballroom Party

6:30-9:30pm. Ann Arbor Ballroom. facebook.com/annarborballroom Free

The night will feature polka lessons, a potluck, and live music by the Mike Wolverton Band.

Bring a friend to dance and a budget gift to participant in the white elephant exchange.

13 Thursday Ypsilanti Community Choir Christmas Concert 7:30pm. Towsley Auditorium. ypsicommchoir.org

The Ypsilanti Community Choir will perform a special program of Christmas music with the Depot Town Big Band!

Tish Hinojosa

Through heartache and pain, country artist Tish Hinojosa’s music has been reborn with the creation of her new album “West”. Her emotional and physical healing reflects in the powerful sounds of this new collection.

escapeVelocity

8pm. $10-$20. Kerrytown Concert House. kerrytownconcerthouse.com

This classical duo features Giancarlo Latta on violin and Robert Fleitz on piano.

Desmond Jones

8pm-2am. $8. The Blind Pig. blindpigmusic.com

Desmond Jones take inspiration from eclectic acts like Frank Zappa and Phish. The band’s original music transports the listener to another time and place. Pajamas from Ann Arbor supports.

Steve Somers Band 7-10pm. Cultivate Coffee. cultivateypsi.com Free

Somers and crew will perform a mix of jazz and funk, playing popular instrumental selections.

His guests include students and alumni.

Cont’d on p28

Keep cozy for the holidays and beyond

with new collections from...

9 Sunday Jon McLaughlin: The 2018 This Time of the Year Tour 7pm. $21-$51. The Ark. theark.org

Contemporary songwriter Jon Mclaughlin is known for making heartfelt music that fans can connect to. Joining the bill as opener is jazz and country swing composer Vilray.

10 Monday Dave Menzo

7pm. Arbor Brewing Company Microbrewery. arborbrewing.com Free

Hear the sounds of singer/ songwriter Dave Menzo for this weekly series featuring the best in local music.

rt as A g n i h Clot

MON-SAT 10-6, SUN 1-4 303 Detroit St., Suite 107 Ann Arbor (Across From Detroit Street Filling Station) 734.995.4222 collectedworksannarbor.com ecurrent.com / december 2018 27

8am-1am. $7-$10. The Blind Pig. blindpigmusic.com

Cont’d from p27 Dave Menzo

10pm. Mash Bar. mashbar.net Free

Join Menzo and the Mash crowd for electrifying and pleasing psychedelic pop music. Menzo’s expressive performance is sure to get everyone amped up.

14 Friday The Richard Thompson Electric Trio

7:30pm. $35-$95. Majestic Theatre. theark.org

Audience members can never know what to expect at Richard Thompson’s shows. Versatile in many genres including rock and rockabilly, the guitarists has been named one of the top 20 guitarists of all time by Rolling Stone.

Over the Rhine

7:30pm. $30. The Ark. theark.org

Linford Detweiler and Karin Bergquist, husband and wife team, travel from Cincinnati, Ohio to bring their fun folk music to the Ark stage.

Nightmare Before X-Mas

The night gets wild at this costume party concert featuring Black Note Graffiti. Also on the bill, Knives are Quiet, Stick Shift, and Dark Serenity. Prizes for best costume.

Katie Geddes & Friends

8pm. $16. Greenwood Coffee House. greenwoodcoffeehouse.org

Geddes’s vocal trio All About Eve includes Deb Wood and David Vaughn, who deliver a variety of styles from pop covers and traditional and contemporary folk to gospel songs.

Ursula Walker & the Buddy Budson Quintet

8pm. $10-$30. Kerrytown Concert House. kerrytownconcerthourse.com

This husband and wife duo are both award-winners in jazz music. For 60 years, Walker has performed in various clubs within the Detroit metro area, while Budson has been playing jazz piano since he was 15 years old–– a 50 year career so far.

Go Ice Cream Open Mic 6:30-9pm. Go Ice Cream. facebook.com/goicecream Free

December’s open mic theme is “Bring on the Night”. Share songs of winter and darkness at the shop.

15 Saturday Holiday POPS with the Phil

7:30pm. $17 - $22. Brighton Center for the Performing Arts. brightonperformingarts.com

What better way to celebrate the spirit of the season than with holiday music? Join the Michigan Philharmonic as they perform a special program fit for this special time of year. Enjoy music from the movies, Broadway, and from all around the world.

Blackthorn

7:30pm. $20. The Ark. theark.org

For over 30 years, Blackthorn has provided Southeast Michigan with Celtic music and songs of emigration, ballads, shanties and jigs. Catch them on the Ark stage and have a bit o’ crake!

Grateful Dead Night with Deadicated

8pm. $6. The Rumpus Room, Chelsea. therumpusroomchelsea.com

Join the town in this psychedelic dance party! Enjoy pizza, drinks, and live music with great people.

Antiserum

9pm-1am. $20. The Blind Pig. blindpigmusic.com

Leonard Bernstein 100th Anniversary Tribute featuring Alvin Waddles

8pm. $10-$25. Kerrytown Concert House. kerrytownconcerthouse.com

Detroit pianist Alvin Waddles performs favorite Bernstein arrangements. Songs include selections from West Side Story, Wonderful Town, Candide and Mass.

Kameryn Ogden

7-9pm. The Owl, Morning ‘til Night., Milan. theowlmilan.com Free

Vocalist Kameryn Ogden will be accompanied by jazz pianist Galen Bundy for a laidback duo set at the Owl. Their dark ambient sound could have been featured on Twin Peaks.

16 Sunday Joyce DiDonato and Yannick Nézet-Séguin

4pm. $14-$70. Hill Auditorium. ums.org

DiDonato makes her UMS recital debut performing Schubert’s Winterreise, a dramatic song cycle of 24 poems. Joining her is Nézet-Séguin on piano. This special duo recital will be performed in German with English supertitles.

Take to the dance floor for a night of hard and heavy, danceable tracks from Antiserum, DJ Brexx, Approachable Minorities and 2 Bear Crew.

Searchable lists updated daily at

ecurrent.com

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Jazzistry Jive for 25

3:30pm. $20. The Ark. theark.org

This show combines jazz and history to create an educational evening full of stories on America’s integration of history and culture, and performances by top Detroit-area musicians.

Celebrate 25 years of Jazzistry at this special showcase.

Joel Schoenhals & Drew De Four

7pm. $10-$20. Kerrytown Concert House. kerrytownconcerthouse.com

The couplet style it out on piano to deliver the beautiful sounds of classical music. Joel Schoenhals is Professor of Piano at EMU, and Drew De Four is a Belgian-American singer-songwriter and dueling pianists from Ann Arbor.

18 Tuesday Delbert McClinton

7:30pm. $50. The Ark. theark.org

The King of the Texas honky-tonk blues makes his traditional December stop to deliver deep blues tunes.

19 Monday Major Dudes

8-11:30pm. $10-$12. The Blind Pig. blindpigmusic.com

The ensemble will be honoring Steely Dan as the group will play the entire “Aja” album in order along with holiday songs to lighten up the evening.

Barker & Broski

7-9pm. Ypsi Alehouse. yspialehouse.com Free

The storytelling, acoustic duo will perform for the Alehouse crowd.

Adam LeBeaux

8pm. Mash Bar. mashbar.net Free

Self-taught multi-instrumentalist brings his soulful work to the Mash stage. Since 1992, LeBeaux has proved his dynamic talent with years of experience and live performances.

20 Thursday Joe Hall & The Cane Cutters 7:30pm. $20. The Ark. theark.org

Opening up the night is rising New Orleans star Natalie Mae, followed by headliner Joe Hall and his band performing Zydeco sounds from Louisiana.

Trembling Earth

9pm-1am. $10-$12. The Blind Pig. theblindpigmusic.com

The band Trembling Earth will share the bill with Jive Colossus and Nick & the Buffalo Riders.

Spend your night listening to original music.

Al Bettis

7-10pm. Cultivate Coffee. cultivateypsi.com Free

Bettis, who’s influences include Kim Taylor and James Morrison, will change up his game with a set of holiday songs that will pair perfectly with a coffee or craft brew.

21 Friday The RFD Boys

7:30pm. $10-$11. The Ark. theark.org

The legendary bluegrass band have performed alongside other greats such as Bill monroe and Ralph Stanley. Even after almost 40 years, The RFD Boys know how to keep a show new and fresh.

Kari Holmes

9pm. Bridgewater Bank Tavern. facebook.com/bridgewaterbanktavern Free

Enjoy an acoustic performance by Kari Holmes. From 80s classics to modern country, Kari plays all the hits.

22 Saturday Decemberween

9pm-2am. $8-$11. The Blind Pig. blindpigmusic.com

Santa will be there to take creepy photos with. The costume party will feature Counter Cosby, The Lucid Furs, The Loveseats and ZZava. Let’s get weird.

6-9pm. Cultivate Coffee. cultivateypsi.com Free

Composer and jazz musician Brad Billmaier will give a free concert, part of the Live Music Thursdays series at the coffee shop & taproom.

Jazz Dinner

6:30pm. $75. The Standard Bistro. thestandardbistro.com

Enjoy live jazz from Louis Johnson with a four-course Acadian inspired dinner.

28 Friday Dan Orcutt and Nobody’s Business

6pm. Mash Bar. mashbar.net Free

The night plays out with original tunes starting with Dan Orcutt at 6pm until 9pm. Nobody’s Business finishes the night out starting at 10pm.

29 Saturday Laith Al-Saadi

7pm. $25. The Blind Pig. blindpigmusic.com

Ann Arbor favorite Laith Al-Saadi transforms the electric guitar into a portal to another world. A world filled with soulful blues and transcendental rock and roll. Watch a living guitar god get to work.

Two shows, 3pm. & 8pm. $63-$114.

Little Caesars Arena. trans-siberian-orchestra.info

TSO will put on a spectacular light show complete with their famous electric versions of classic Christmas songs on steroids.

30 Sunday Brother Joscephus and the Love Revolution 7pm. $20. The Ark. theark.org

Songs full of grit, heart, and complexity are what’s produced by this gospel jazz group.

31 Monday New Year’s Eve with Pete Siers

7pm. $10-$45. Kerrytown Concert House. kerrytownconcerthouse.com

Join the party and welcome the new year in style with drummer Pete Siers and his friends has they perform jazz selections.

Mike May & the Messarounds

8pm. Mash Bar. mashbar.net Free

Dance the night away as Mike May & the Messarounds play their one-of-a-kind rock and blues tunes.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Thunderwüde

8-10:30pm. $15. Stony Lake Brewing. facebook.com/stonylakebrewingco

The bluegrass band brings down the house with its vivacious chords and befitting sad lyrics.

The trio’s tight sound will have you wanting more.

26 Wednesday Reeds-n-Steel

8pm. Mash Bar. mashbar.net Free

Enjoy a late night happy hour as Ann Arbor’s own Reeds-n-Steel play acoustic sets to accompany good food and friends.

27 Thursday Seth Glier

7:30pm. $20. The Ark. theark.org

Singer-songwriter Seth Glier has mastered the playing of piano and guitar, accompanied by his powerful tenor to bring audiences acoustic songs and pop melodies.

Greta Van Fleet

8pm. $70-$128. Fox Theatre. gretavanfleet.com

The Michigan based band will perform new songs from their October release “Anthem of the Peaceful Army.”

Brad Billmaier

ecurrent.com / december 2018 29

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film Suspiria

The trailer is hot, the movie is not.

by Jennifer Kellow-Fiorini

Luca Guadagnino’s remake of Dario Argento’s horror masterpiece Suspiria finally landed in theaters this week with a limited run. With three years in the making, a two and a half-hour running time, and a big push from Amazon studios for a limited release film, there has been much anticipation surrounding this 2018 adaptation. Was it worth the wait, and does it live up to the hype?

The dance piece the company performs for an audience in the second half of the film has real power, as does the first three minutes of the ritual of the witches toward the end, but the later scene goes on too long. Unfortunately,, when bad computer generated imagery gimmicks and an absurd subplot immerge, everything goes downhill.

See Suspiria 2018, and then see the original.

Suspiria began a run at The State Theater in November.

Too many subplots, too few thrills

There are some very good moments in the new Suspiria, but it takes more than moments to make a movie. This movie strives to be everything, but with too many storylines to sift through, it never quite takes off, instead remaining grounded by plotline complexity.

Suspiria has a backstory about the protagonist, a backstory about the professor, a side story about real-life terrorism happening in 1977 Germany, a message about female rebirth, a warning about cults, and Nazis, all of which fail to ultimately tie together into a cogent story. The film Suspiria wants to be could succeed with one theme with a strong, consistent visual style. However this Suspiria is more confusing and grotesque than scary.

Suspiria opens by announcing itself as, “Six Acts and an Epilogue set in divided Berlin,” which could be interpreted as a nod to Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill. Spoiler alert — this movie is not Kill Bill. Telling your audience this is going to be a very long movie, the film had better deliver a strong, scary opening; alas, it’s dreary and lacks consistent tension.

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Less scary than cringy

There are many fun references to characters from the original film, but they don’t make much sense, even if you have seen the original Suspiria. The entire first act bleeds pretentiousness in every frame; so shockingly self-aware, it’s cringe worthy.

Suspiria borrows a lot of ideas from other, truly brilliant films — Possession, Black Swan, and The Shining for starters -- but the borrowed concepts fell flat here because the film lacks something passionate and personal from its director. Auteurs have depth.

They know how to capture a theme, use a strong visual language to guide their audience, and have an ability to pull something more from their cast and crew than what they could give alone.

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ecurrent.com / december 2018 31

theater Encore’s “Hello, Dolly!”

Spirited and brimming with talent

by Emily Slomovitz

Love the cast

A uniformly excellent Encore cast includes Keith Kalinowski as the deliciously grumpy and gruff Horace Vandergelder, exhibiting just the right amount of character change throughout the show to become lovable by the end. Sarah Brown, as the graceful,

32

Josh England and Marlene Inman

mischievous and honey-voiced hat shop owner Irene Molloy, is paired well with a sweet and bouncy Doug Atkins, seemingly a little too young to play Cornelius Hackl, who, nonetheless, finds the proper mix of gravitas and vitality in the musical.

Cole Thompson, playing Cornelius’ nervous but exuberant coworker Barnaby Tucker, and Katy MacCutcheon, as Irene Molloy’s easily excitable (read: frequently screaming) shop assistant, are well-matched, offering some hilarious moments as the more comedic of the two young couples. Anna Dreslinski Cooke’s character, Ermengarde, is another comic gem, hysterically crying at, well, everything, and showing off some beautiful dancing with the exuberant Connor Giles as Ambrose.

Mitchell J. Hardy, Angela Hench, Bryana Hall, Dale Dobson, Isaac Orr and the rest of the superb ensemble each earn the title of “triple threat”.

Well, Hello Dolly

Despite the talents of the cast, the bulk of the show belongs to, and is carried by the Dolly Levi character, and boy, does Marlene Inman carry it. Vocally, she’s made a name for herself in more operatic roles, such as her Wilde-Award-winning turn as Francesca in the Dio’s The Bridges of Madison County. Here Inman is all brass, shining bright while hardly ever showing off her magnificent opera voice. Her character’s comedy is bold without being overbearing, but, in her quieter moments, such as the tender and loving monologues where she addresses her late husband, Inman really shines.

When I first heard that the Encore was doing Hello, Dolly!, I assumed they would get a big name from out of town to star as Dolly, but was pleasantly surprised and excited to hear that Inman was cast as Dolly Levi. Seeing Inman hold the audience in thrall— or in stitches— it is clear that no better choice could have been made to fill the part. A bonus is seeing her interactions with Kalinowski, her real-life beau; their witty banter at the beginning and softer moments toward the end, are some of the more touching moments of the show.

All aspects of the production’s design— lighting, sound, set, costumes— were well balanced and attuned to the talents of the actors: grand enough to honor their work without upstaging them.

The orchestra sounded full and bright, if slightly underprepared.

The musicians sat on stair-like platforms to one side of the stage, which was a nice effect, but took away from the already limited space the actors have on the set to move around.

Despite some amusing mechanical mishaps, the production hummed along nicely, thanks in part to the steady guiding hands of director Jamie Colburn, choreographer Rachel Constantino, and music director Casey Baker. By the end of the performance, all I could do was quote the show, saying “Wow, wow, wow, fellas”.

Encore Musical Theatre Company’s “Hello, Dolly!”

3126 Broad St., Dexter, until December 23rd.

For tickets and more information, please visit www.theencoretheatre.org.

december

2018 / ecurrent.com

PHOTO CREDIT IS TO MICHELE ANLIKER PHOTOGRAPHY.

If a night of high-energy entertainment with poignant and eleganttouches entices you, The Encore Musical Theatre Company’s Hello, Dolly! is a perfect evening of theatre. The 1964 musical tells the story of a widowed matchmaker, Dolly Levi, who feigns setting up famed Yonkers half-a-millionaire Horace Vandergelder with a wife, while planning to marry him herself.

Along the way, she manages to sprinkle thoughts of love over several others, wreaking havoc and creating new partnerships, all in a highly entertaining couple of hours.

Jerry Herman’s music is sublime, and Michael Stewart’s book is filled with delightful quips. At times, Hello, Dolly! shows its age, with such lines as “Marriage is a bribe to make a housekeeper think she’s a householder”, which got a boo from the opening night audience. But mostly, it holds up as a delightful romp that gives us hope for a world full of more love.

ecurrent.com / december 2018 33

art Letts’ “The Strangeness of Everyday”

Costume designer-turned painter creates a world of wild style

by Ainsley Davis

K. A. Letts’s exhibition, “The Strangeness of Everyday,” opened at the Connections Gallery at the University of Michigan’s North Campus Research Complex on September 20th and runs through December 21. Letts says of her art: “My work looks both forward and back in time. I employ techniques and strategies from painting’s history to describe the present Anthropocene age where all of nature is touched by humans and all humans are touched by technology.”

“The Strangeness of Everyday” is an intimate exhibit. Entering the gallery, the art seems to move in tandem with the flora outside the gallery’s floor-to-ceiling windows, adding to the organic movement of Letts’s subjects, ranging from animals, the book of Jonah, the age of surveillance, the female figure, and others. Each painting is simple in its construction: almost all are acrylic on paper and either monochromatic or of a limited palette. Upon close inspection, viewer can see pencil lines of Letts’s original sketch, the ghosts of her creative process.

Biblical themes reimagined in a graphically vivid sequence

Her most captivating pieces in the exhibit are the three-part retelling of the book of Jonah, with monochromatic palettes and crowded abstract faces faintly reminiscent of Picasso’s “Guer-

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nica.” The first piece, “Extreme Measures,” shows an internally empty Jonah being cast into the sea by fearful sailors and an anticipatory whale edging close to the prophet. The second piece, “Myth of Agency,” shows Jonah in the belly of the whale, with the whale’s clamped jaw pointing heavenward. The third piece, “Rabble Rouser,” shows Jonah—with shapes filling his once empty frame—on a beach, preaching to the lost souls of Ninevah. Each piece draws the viewer in and out of itself, mirroring the undulation of the water, constructed with a masterful use of pointillism.

Compelling commentary

Each piece can be viewed individually, but taken together with other works in their series, Letts’s work creates compelling commentary. For instance, the “Some of Her Parts” series provides a feminist lilt on the idea of the female figure. In each painting, certain parts of the figure’s anatomy are gilded with gold paint: a mouth, a buttocks, feet, legs, and breasts. Calling attention to such attributes constructs a dual message: that women are so often diluted to just these parts, yet they are more than just these parts.

Another example is “Eye in the Sky,” which shows a group of people sitting together with drones hovering above. The drones and all but one of the individuals have the same eyes: abstract yet startlingly lifelike as the viewer continues to gaze at them. Staring at the one individual without the drone-like eye, a sense of vulnerability creeps into the piece, causing the viewer to question the lack of privacy in the age of constant surveillance of self and others.

Letts’s art possesses contrasting qualities: simplicity and complexity, stasis and movement, geometry and the organic. The viewer is constantly pulled into the piece, roving to collect inconspicuous details, then pushed back out again to appreciate each piece in its entirety. This art is not to be taken in by simply strolling by and glancing at it; rather, it touches the viewer, demanding time to take in the moments, commentaries, and visions depicted in Letts’s work.

Connections Gallery, UM North Campus Research Complex, Bldg. 18 9am-5:30pm, Monday-Friday. Through December 21.

lit

Emergent Strategy What nature’s underdogs can teach us about surviving against the odds

By Mary Gallagher

Writer and Detroit-based black community activist adrienne maree brown envisions a better future built not through the strategies of charismatic leaders, but through collective work from everyone. In Emergent Strategy, brown, who chooses not to capitalize her name, doesn’t downplay the extent of the world crisis, nor does she get bogged down in pessimism. Instead, she draws inspiration from many sources to present a vision of how humans can draw from the natural patterns of the world to adapt to change. She’s influenced by the philosophy laid out in Octavia Butler’s Parable series. The basic idea: We can’t escape change, but we can try to shape it as it shapes us.

Looking for another experience

brown is an avid science fiction fan who finds in the genre inspiration for how to collectively “practice the future”. We could use the practice. The future today can appear grim, and it’s tempting to mentally check out rather than struggle toward something better. brown started reading science fiction when her family moved back to the southern United States from Germany. As a Black girl, she says that the cultural shift and white supremacist norms she witnessed in the American south made her long for another experience. Reading Butler’s novels opened her up to other possibilities, because Butler wrote science fiction starring young Black women who were working toward a better world. “I often feel I am trapped inside someone else’s imagination,” brown writes, “and I must engage my own imagination in order to break free.” brown’s understanding of emergence was shaped by Detroit author and activist Grace Lee Boggs, whose organizing was focused on grassroots leadership, built from the small-scale

up. Emergence is a concept used across many disciplines, from evolutionary biology to architecture, to explain how complex systems arise out of small interactions in what looks like chaos.

Resilience in the face of drastic change

Much of the book is built around the idea of biomimicry, or the application of biological processes to the man-made world.

Humans have always used nature to shape our self-image, and brown notes that while we tend to relate most to apex predators like wolves and lions, animals at the top of the food chain are among the most vulnerable to environmental destruction and climate change. Instead, brown draws her lessons from the bottom of the food chain; species that look weak, but show resilience in the face of radical environmental change. She examines ferns and fungus, ants and starlings, searching for what makes their groups succeed and how humans can incorporate those traits to improve our own chances of survival.

In each chapter, she ties those elements to lessons from her years of activism, as well as the thoughts of other organizers, writers, and religious thinkers. For instance, in the chapter titled “Resilience,” she jumps from mushrooms that turn toxic waste into nourishment to the way that emergent strategy manifested in the German soccer team at the World Cup, and then brings them both into a discussion on transformative justice.

Facilitating activism

brown says that Emergent Strategy is ultimately about facilitation, which she defines as the art of “making it easier for humans to work together and get things done.” If the first half of the book is a zoom-out, looking at broader patterns, the second half zooms in, with activities for the reader to put emergent strategy principles into practice and improve the sustainability of individual and collective work. If you find yourself paralyzed by the news, Emergent Strategy can offer hope. It’s a book worth returning to over years, as we build our communities into a world we want to live in.

Currently, adrienne maree brown’s work is focused on black community activism and organizing. For more information about how to engage with brown and her work, go to her website adriennemareebrown.net and FaceBook page facebook.com/adriennemaree

ecurrent.com / december 2018 35

arts & culture Detroit-based muralist Pat Perry

Ypsi Storytelling Night

Detroit-based muralist Pat Perry created a large-scale mural on the north side of the Grizzly Peak building (near 117 S. Ashley St.).

The work, commissioned by the Ann Arbor Art Center on behalf of Grizzly Peak Brewing Co., is part of the Art Center’s new Art in Public initiative. Perry, who has created high-profile public art around the world, avoided the often politically-charged themes of his past work to capture a peaceful moment where a man, overlooking a meadow, simply contemplates the beauty of nature. -TB

Join Concentrate and On the Ground Ypsilanti for a night of storytelling, laughter, and reminiscence about Ypsilanti and the place it holds in the hearts and minds of its residents. Beloved local storytellers will share the mic with new storytellers making their Ypsi debuts. Featured storytellers include: Cherisa Allen, Keith Jason, Alice Kepchar, Dyann Logwood, Yodit MesfinJohnson, Heather Neff, Robin Newell, Caroline Sanders, and Muddasar Tawakkul. -TB

The mural is located on the north side of the Grizzly Peak building, near 117 S. Ashley St.

Free, RSVP requested. Wednesday December 5, 7pm. Riverside Arts Center Off Center, 76 N. Huron St., Ypsilanti. getlocalhop.com/ ypsi-storytelling-night

Thank You for Voting Us Best Falafel!

Place your order online:

jerusalemgarden.net/order-online

Thank You Current Readers for 20 Years of Support!

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314 E. Liberty, Ann Arbor, MI 734.995.5060

2018 / ecurrent.com

arts & culture Ongoing Tuesdays

[misc.]

Game Night at Cultivate

7:30-10pm. Cultivate Coffee & Taphouse. cultivateypsi.com Free

Come check out the selection of games, some new and unique.

Gather your friends and family for a fun night of gaming!

Wednesdays [poetry] One Pause Poetry Salon 8-10pm. Argus Farm Stop. onpausepoetry.org Free

Through December 19, poets and writers alike meet to experiment with creative writing, read from their works and play writing games.

[literary] AADL Weekly Letterpress Lab 6pm. Ann Arbor District Library. aadl.org Free

Learn the process, materials, and machines of printing by hand on a cylinder press and small platen press. Come every week to work on a lengthy project, or start something new.

Thursdays

[health & wellness] Aerial Boot Camp

10:30-11:30am. $15. The Ann Arbor Aviary. a2aviary.com

Get ripped and have fun doing it!

Supplement your aerial training with this all levels conditioning class, which focuses on building strength, alignment, flexibility, and technique

Saturdays [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!

1 Saturday

[misc.]

14th Annual Chelsea Lights Parade 6pm. Downtown. chelseamich.com Free

The parade will include lights, floats, bands, and of course Santa. Parade starts at Chelsea State Bank and travels north on Main Street to Jackson. Join Lights Out After the Parade at the Clocktower Commons for music, s’mores fire pits, hot chocolate, and a photo booth.

[theater] Ballet Chelsea’s The Nutcracker 2pm. $10 - $30. Chelsea High School. balletchelsea.org

Ballet Chelsea proudly presents its 21st Annual performance of The Nutcracker, a Christmas Eve tale about a young girl named Marie and her magical journey to the enchanted Kingdom of Sweets. Additional date, December 2.

[theater] The Elves And The Schumachers

By Carla Milarch And R. Mackenzie Lewis World Premiere 3pm. $10-$22. Theatre NOVA. theatrenova.org

Theatre NOVA’s holiday tradition continues with another fun-filled.

Bring the whole family to laugh, boo, hiss, and sing in this overthe-top evening of heroes and villains, funny songs and extreme merriment. Showtimes are Fridays at 7:30pm, Saturdays at 3pm and 7:30pm, and Sundays at 2pm through December 30.

[misc.]

Get Started with the Arduino Microcontroller

10am. $50 - $75. All Hands Active. kb6nu.com

In this class, you will learn the basics of Arduino hardware and software, including installing software and connecting the board, programming basics, digital input and output, analog input and output, and how to use simple sensors. Bring your own laptop (Windows, Mac or Linux), and download the Arduino Integrated Development Environment (IDE). Students will also need to purchase an Arduino starter kit for $25.

[misc.]

Holiday Home Tour

5pm. $50 - $70. Ypsilanti Meals on Wheels. ymow.org

The 22nd annual Holiday Home Tour offers guests the unique opportunity to tour some of the most striking homes and buildings in the Ypsilanti area, each dressed in their holiday best.

After, guests are invited to the Back Office Studio, 13 North Washington St., Ypsilanti, for an Afterglow reception of beverages, heavy hors d’oeuvres and desserts provided by some of Ypsilanti’s finest eating establishments from 8-11pm.

Come Browse Our Unique Selection of Gifts & Jewelry!

Specializing in Homeopathic Remedies, Medicinal Herbs & Oils, Aromatherapy Essential Oils, and High-Quality Nutritional Supplements 2345 S. Huron Pkwy. | Ann Arbor | 734-973-8990

Cont’d on p38

CastleRemedies.com ecurrent.com / december 2018 37

arts & culture ROAD TRIP

Downtown Detroit Markets Glass huts, s’mores galore, and a bar!

The hugely popular Downtown Detroit Market will be bigger and better this year, with twenty new vendors in glass huts arranged along Cadillac Square and Capitol Park. In between the glass huts will be hot chocolate and s’more stations, along with an outdoor bar. A handful of shops from outside the Detroit Metro Area were invited to participate, included Ann Arbor’s own Rock Paper Scissors. Take in a redesigned winter lodge, more street decorations, and loads of food and drinks. Dan Gilbertowned Detroit-based businesses sponsor the markets, which launched together with the city’s annual tree lighting ceremony in November The market will continue through the month of January with a goal to draw shoppers and tourists from across the region into downtown Detroit, to find a slew of new shops, restaurants, and music venues to enjoy. -TB Free. Through January 28, 2019. Tuesday-Thursday: 11am-8pm, Friday 11am-9pm, Saturday 10am-10pm, Sunday 10am-7pm.

Closed Monday. Cadillac Square, Capitol Park and 1441 Woodward Ave. Cont’d from p37

1 Saturday [misc.]

Midwest Classic Boxing Tournament

5:30pm. Downtown. salinechamber.org Free

4pm. $10. Central Academy.

The Midwest Classic is a two-day boxing tournament for youth and adult fighters. Fighters from all over the country will come to compete in this event.

[theater] Playwriting Workshop 1

1pm. Ann Arbor Civic Theatre. a2ct.org

Learn the basics of playwriting with experienced writers.

[art] Potters Guild Winter Sale 10am. Potters Guild. pottersguild.net Free

Treat yourself and your friends to functional and decorative ceramics made by over 40 of Ann Arbor’s finest ceramic artists.

[misc.]

Rockin’ for the Hungry 6am. Kroger (Maple Rd). foodgatherers.org Free

december

The 43rd Annual Christmas Parade has lots of lights, music and entertainment including a visit by Santa, more than 100 parade participants from animals, dancers and musicians, and even a hot air balloon.

[theater] It’s a Wonderful Life

by James W. Rodgers

2pm. $15-$18. The Village Theater at Cherry Hill. cantonvillagetheater.org

This heartfelt play tells the story of George Bailey and his dreams to escape the small town of Bedford Falls. His guardian angel reminds him on Christmas Eve how precious his life is and how the world would have been without him in it. Additional showtime at 7:30pm, and 2pm Sunday, 12.2.

2 Sunday

Ann Arbor’s Food Gatherers will be broadcasting live outside of the Maple Road Kroger store and accepting donations of food and funds for hungry people in our community. You can make a donation at any Washtenaw County Kroger or online at any time!

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[misc.]

Saline’s 43rd Annual Christmas Parade

[art] Country Christmas

12pm. $1 - $5. Cobblestone Farm & Museum. cobblestonefarm.org

Join museum volunteers in celebrating the season! The house will be decorated for a 19th century Christmas. There will also be a craft show and kids activities in the barn. $5/ family or $2/adult, $1/child, $1.50/senior, free/3 & under.

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[art] Winter Artist Market

10am-4pm. Matthaei Botanical Gardens. mbgna.umich.edu

Shop from local artists for an array of nature-inspired and garden-centric pieces whether it’s paintings, photography, textiles, jewelry and more.

3 Monday

[art] Beginning Acrylic Painting

6:30pm. $150. Flipside Art Studio. flipsideartstudio.com

Experiment with acrylic paint application and blending techniques, learn how to use color and make exceptional works of art! Discover techniques that will help you to convey what you see as you create your own unique paintings.

[film] [art] Deluge

9am. Institute for the Humanities. Free

Deluge, a five-channel video installation, is a culmination of Mendel’s ten years of work on the Drowning World project, shooting video and stills in thirteen different countries.

It depicts a variety of individual stories, positioned with a synchronous global narrative in a way that is both personally intimate and deeply political.

[art] Sculptural Needle Felting

11am. $150. Flipside Art Studio. flipsideartstudio.com

Join Lia for this in depth look at her favorite medium and discover all the marvelous things you can create with sculptural needle felting. Each week will we learn to create a different form using needle and wet felting techniques. All levels encouraged, but students must be able to gently handle needles.

[literary] Adam Becker: What is Real?

7pm. Literati Bookstore. literatibookstore.com Free

Astrophysicist and science writer Adam Becker presents his new book, What is Real?: The Unfinished Quest for the Meaning of Quantum Physics.

4 Tuesday

[dance] English Country Dance Party 7pm. $4 - $8. Chapel Hill Condo Clubhouse. aactmad.org

Join for live music, friendly informal instruction in an intimate acoustic setting with a great community. No partner or dance experience needed!

5 Wednesday

[literary] Transformations of Ovid in Late Antiquity, A Conversation with Ian Fielding and Peggy McCracken 5:30-7pm. LSA Graduate Library. lsa.umich.edu Free

Ian Fielding (classical studies) and Peggy McCracken (French, women’s studies, comparative literature) discuss Fielding’s new book, followed by a Q&A.

[misc.]

ACBL Bridge

12pm. Ann Arbor Senior Center. calendar.a2gov.org Free

ACBL open sanctioned games are played with pre-dealt hands from Dealer 4, which offers players immediate hand records and player analysis printouts.

[misc.]

Beginning Aerial Sling

5:45pm. $25 - $215. The Ann Arbor Aviary. a2aviary.com

Aerial Sling (also known as aerial hammock), is a single loop of fabric hung from above that is climbed, wrapped around the body, and/or tied to create dramatic drops, poses and movements in the air.Learn basic climbs and descents, how to apply foot locks, and work towards inversions, as well as dynamic warm up methods and cool down stretching.

[film] CatVideoFest

7pm. $8-$10. Michigan Theater. michtheater.org

In efforts to raise funds and awareness for cats in need, the theater will be screening hilarious shorts of the best online cat videos.

[literary] Louise Penny

6pm. $30. EMU Frederick H Pease Auditorium. literatibookstore.com

Literati welcomes Louise Penny to the stage to discuss and read from her latest book Kingdom of the Blind. Your ticket includes a hardcover copy of the book.

6 Thursday

[art] Animal Portraits

4pm. $150. Flipside Art Studio. flipsideartstudio.com

Master the colored pencil in this drawing class focused on teaching the illustrator process on how to draw a realistic animal portrait.

arts & culture

[dance] Beginning Pole Dance

7pm. $25 - $215. The Ann Arbor Aviary. a2aviary.com

Learn beginning pole skills and have the opportunity to string them together in upbeat, fun choreography.

[misc.]

CEW+ Inspire: Mindful Meditation Sit

12:15pm. CEW+. cew.umich.edu Free

As part of the CEW+Inspire initiative, CEW+ will hold regular drop-in mindful meditation sits throughout the academic year.

Free and open to all levels of practice. No registration necessary.

[literary] Lisa Ludwinski: Sister Pie

7pm. Literati Bookstore. literatibookstore.com Free Head baker and owner of Detroit’s Sister Pie Bakery Lisa Ludwinski shares insight from her new cookbook Sister Pie: The Recipes and Stories of a Big-hearted Bakery in Detroit.

7 Friday

[misc.]

Big Little Holiday Party

5:30pm. $25 - $125. Eagle Crest Marriott.

Celebrate the holidays in style with elegant setting, festive dining and beverage selections, live music and dancing all night, featuring Your Generation.

[misc.]

First Friday Ypsilanti

5pm. Downtown. firstfridaysypsi.com Free

Explore Downtown and Depot Town with special community activities, entertainment, and sales!

[misc.]

First Fridays After Party with Mercury Salad Sandwich 9pm. Tap Room. firstfridaysypsi.com Free

Come join First Fridays Ypsilanti for their last event of the season, with a free concert at the Tap Room featuring great local live music along with good drinks and food!

[art] Yourist Studio Gallery Holiday Show and Sale

9 Sunday

5pm. Yourist Studio Gallery. youristpottery.com Free

[theater] The Madness of George III

[film] Warren Miller’s “Face of Winter”

Written by one of Britain’s wellknown playwrights Alan Bennett, the epic play graces the stage with a new cast comprised of Olivier Award-winners Mark Gatiss and Adrian Scarborough. Set in 1786, King George III is increasingly losing his mind, causing problems to arise in keeping his crown.

If you like pottery, beautiful tableware, original and lovingly handmade objects, then this is the perfect holiday event for you. The sale continues on Saturday, December 8, 10am6pm and Sunday, December 9, 11am-5pm.

7:20pm. $15. Michigan Theater. michtheater.org

Miller captured the pure joy of winter and the magic of skiing in his film. Watch as the world’s best skiers and riders cover legendary destinations.

8 Saturday

[theater] Playwriting Workshop 2

1pm. Ann Arbor Civic Theatre.

A2ct.org

This more advanced workshop explores the art of playwriting.

Must have completed Playwriting Workshop 1.

7pm. $18-$22. Michigan Theater. ums.org

11 Tuesday

[misc.]

Reset Your Career for Women 10am. Ypsilanti Spark East. amycelltalent.com

This program was developed to meet the needs of women at career crossroads: professionals looking for their next opportunity after being away from the workforce as a caregiver, employees looking for a new job to accommodate changes in their personal lives, and those established in their careers looking to make a dramatic move.

Cont’d on p40

EVENT CATERING!!

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Dickeys.com Delivery thru

Meat smoked on-site daily

WE CATER

Any Event • Any Size • Any Time 3500 Washtenaw Ave. | Ann Arbor, MI (Across from Arborland) | 734.263.0436 ecurrent.com / december 2018 39

arts & culture Cont’d from p39

12 Wednesday

[poetry] An Evening of Poetry and the Written Word

7pm. Crazy Wisdom Bookstore and Tea Room. Free

All writers welcome to share and discuss their poetry or short fiction.Bring copies of your work with you.

[misc.]

LA2M Marketing Education

11:30am. $5. Buffalo Wild Wings. la2m.org

LA2M is a marketing education non-profit that meets during lunch on the second Wednesday of every month to discuss latest digital and marketing trends, strategies, and techniques. This event is a dynamic and fun place to learn from engaging speakers on hot topics every month, stay involved with current and upcoming events, and meet and network with other professionals!

13 Thursday

[literary] Story Night

7-9pm. Crazy Wisdom. crazywisdom.net Free

Join the Ann Arbor Storytellers Guild for old and new tales, and adult stories. The Guild performs during the first hour, with an open mic to follow in the second hour.

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14 Friday

16 Sunday

21 Friday

[health & wellness] Yoga & Tea Social

[misc.]

Pet Loss Support Group

[theater] The Nutcracker

This is a very gentle, beginner yoga session to build strength and flexibility. Q&A and tea social after.

HSHV and Blue Dog Counseling have partnered to provide a support group on preparing for and dealing with the loss of a pet.

Colleen O’Brien, founder of Blue Dog Counseling will facilitate the group. A minimum donation of $10 per session is suggested.

Treat your family to Ann Arbor’s 33rd year of this delightful holiday classic at the Power Center for the Performing Arts!

Beautiful dancing, gorgeous sets, and exquisite costumes.

10:30am. $20-$30. Finding Roots. findingroots.net

[misc.]

Metaphysics, Emotional Intelligence, and Personal Empowerment 7:30-8:30pm. Crazy Wisdom. crazywisdom.net Free

G. Arthur Weidman explains metaphysics, teaching us how to be in harmony with the Universal forces and how to use those powers through thoughts, emotions, beliefs, and expectations.

15 Saturday

[theater] The Nutcracker

6:30pm. $35 - $45. Michigan Theater. michtheater.org

Presented by the Academy of Russian Classical Ballet and the Michigan Classical Ballet, join Clara on her magical journey through the enchanting Land of Snow to the Kingdom of the Sweets.

2018 / ecurrent.com

1pm. Humane Society of Huron Valley. hshv.org

[misc.]

Songwriters Workshop Group 7pm. Great Oak Cohousing. meetup.com

The Songwriters Workshop Group (aka Third Sunday Songwriters) is a group for songwriters that meets the third Sundays of the month for discussion, open mic, and critique/support

20 Thursday

7pm. $15 - $30. The Power Center for the Performing Arts. annarbornutcracker.org

[literary] Monthly Book Discussion 7:30-8:30pm. Crazy Wisdom. crazywisdom.net Free

Discuss with other bookworms on this month’s book, How to be Married: what I Learned from Real Women on Five Continents About Building a Happy Marriage

by Jo Piazza.

23 Sunday

[film] Filmmaker Meetup

[film] Family Mew-vie Night

Local filmmakers, storytellers and creatives get together in a casual setting for networking and brainstorming ideas.

Snack on popcorn and cozy up with adorable, adoptable cats as you watch an animal-friendly movie. Proceeds benefit the shelter and their efforts to find home for cats in need.

7-10pm. Cultivate Coffee & Taphouse. cultivateypsi.com Free

7:30pm. $10. Tiny Lions Lounge & Adoption Center. tinylions.org

person of interest Interview by Mary Gallagher

Lillian Li How has having a book out changed your day-to-day life? My coworkers at [Literati] bookstore said, “Oh, we’re

not going to be seeing you after the book comes out,” and I explained, my day-to-day has not really changed. I still teach at the University, I still work at the bookstore, pretty much the same hours. I heard that a lot of authors tend to feel depression because there’s all this hubbub around your book and then, of course, the next month’s books come out and you’re not in the spotlight anymore. I haven’t experienced that dip, and I think it’s 100% because I work at Literati, where they have my book (displayed) in seven different places, and I can just pretend that every bookstore is doing that for my book!

Your book is set in and around Washington, D.C., near where you grew up; are there any traces of your time in Ann Arbor that readers might see in it? One thing

that was definitely influential was living in a town that was not my hometown, which allowed me to see that my hometown is strange and unique and has its idiosyncrasies. Later I looked up statistics and it turns out that where I grew up in North Potomac, 1 in 3 people is Asian American. I realized that I was part of a community (as an Asian American) which, outside of my hometown, is marginalized in a lot of ways. But inside that hometown (that Asian American Community) is almost equal to the majority. It definitely colored my experience growing up, and those are things I would not have known until I had settled in Ann Arbor.

How is the process of working on a second novel different from the first? I don’t feel like I’ll be that lucky again!

As soon as I started writing (my first novel) it felt like it was going to be finished. Of course, that might be some re-writing of history looking back, but I think it’s also because I hadn’t failed with a novel before. Now it feels different, because now I know that novels can die on you. Everything feels very superstitious, like I’m taking these precautions in how much I talk about what I write.

Before, I truly knew nothing and therefore feared nothing.

In the bigger picture, what do you think is the role of fiction? I read this wonderful essay on Buzzfeed about how her

mother is a fortune teller, and she realized that she wasn’t retaining customers because she would just tell them the straight truth, like “Break up with this person,” or “This person doesn’t love you.”

The people would (listen to the advice) but not really hear it, and not come back. Then, she realized that if she built a story and a ritual into it….So, if the correct advice is “You need to forgive your family,” you could spin a story around a plant that’s dying, and they go to the riverside and bury the plant, and that kind of leads them to the understanding that they need to forgive their family. It’s the same place that you wanted them to get to, but they wouldn’t have been led there just by saying it straight. Fiction taps into people’s ability to hear what they might not otherwise want or think that they need to hear. It sneaks underneath our defenses.

ecurrent.com / december 2018 41

Cannabis A Physician’s Perspective on Legalized Cannabis

by Dr. James Neuenschwander

On Tuesday, November 6th, Michigan became the 10th state to legalize cannabis for recreational use. Ten years ago, we had become the 13th state to legalize Cannabis for medical use. I voted for the medical cannabis law years ago because, in my view, cannabis is not a dangerous product, and too many people were being imprisoned for its use. At that time, however, I did not subscribe to the argument that there were legitimate medical uses for cannabis. How things have changed.

Prescribed for centuries

Driven by the needs and requests of my patients, educated myself on the benefits and uses of cannabis. I discovered that cannabis has been used for medical purposes for hundreds (if not thousands) of years. In the 1930’s when legislation made cannabis illegal, one of the proponents of keeping it legal was the American Medical Association. With few useful medications at the time, the Association argued that cannabis represented a safe, useful treatment for a variety of conditions from muscle spasms and anxiety to multiple forms of pain. Driven by a campaign to demonize cannabis, the substance was ultimately relegated to the most restrictive schedule (Category I) by the Controlled Substances Act of 1973. This category, limited to substances that have no recognized medical use, includes heroin and LSD. Many national leaders have spoken out, saying that cannabis should remain on this restrictive schedule — that it is a dangerous drug that is addictive, serves as a gateway to other drugs, and has no medical use. None of those statements has merit or has been shown to be true.

A gateway drug or safe substitute for opiates?

In January, 2017, at the behest of Congress, the Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (in this case also known as the Institute of Medicine, or IOM) published a report, “The Health

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2018 / ecurrent.com

Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids,” which commented on the over 10,000 scientific studies that had been published on cannabis to that point. The report’s conclusions found multiple indications for medical cannabis use, including treatments for pain, mental health issues, cancer and respiratory diseases.(National Academy of Sciences, 2017). Other studies have demonstrated that states with medical cannabis laws have experienced huge reductions in the use of narcotic pain medications. A study from Michigan in 2016 demonstrated a 64% reduction in the use of narcotic pain medications in patients that were using medical cannabis (Boehnke, Litinas, & Clauw, 2016). The key to ending our current opiate epidemic definitely will include the use of medical cannabis

What legalization means for cannabis as medicine

So what does the new law mean for physicians recommending the use of cannabis as medicine? The most important thing is that it allows us to consider its use for more than the 11 medical conditions currently on the statutory list in Michigan. Laws passed in 2016 also mandate that all cannabis grown in Michigan for sale in authorized dispensaries be tested for THC, CBD, and terpenes, as well as a list of contaminants. All of this makes cannabis much more compelling for recommending physicians — physicians who are used to recommending specific amounts of drugs or herbs, which has historically been difficult with a natural product like cannabis where, previously, the amount of active ingredient can vary widely depending on the plant and how, and where, it was grown. Hopefully, the combination of the increased demand that legalization should produce along with the mandated quality control measures will allow patients greater access to quality products without contaminants that will improve the treatment of medical conditions.

Boehnke, K. F., Litinas, E., & Clauw, D. J. (2016). Medical Cannabis Use Is Associated With Decreased Opiate Medication Use in a Retrospective Cross-Sectional Survey of Patients With Chronic Pain. J Pain, 17(6), 739-744. doi:10.1016/j.jpain.2016.03.002 National Academies of Sciences, E., and Medicine. (2017). The health effects of cannabis and cannabinoids: The current state of evidence and recommendations for research. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.

ecurrent.com / december 2018 43

current love Love My Way

How not to open up your relationship

By Nina Swift

For most of us, have sexual attraction for many different people at once is a normal part of life that we have to accept and move past if we are going to maintain successful long term relationships. But for the polyamorous person, the pursuit of new lovers is an emotional necessity. “The only way to get rid of temptation is to yield to it,” Oscar Wilde famously said. Is it possible to yield to passions, not knowing where they might lead, without jeopardizing a long term relationship?

A woman who has a boyfriend, no kids, and is poly-curious, emailed this comment: I would like you to explore how to

navigate a change to the “contract” of marriage. It seems what was unforgivable (to you) was that this contract was not renegotiated before (your husband) just did what (he) wanted. I think this is your overall point. Don’t use polyamory as your excuse for being slutty.

But it would be interesting to explore what happens when one partner feels feelings that are not monogamous. Are they unfaithful for wanting to explore being poly if done correctly? Is there a way to renegotiate your contract?

A polyamorous person would argue that we can’t have all of our needs satisfied by one person, and by restricting ourselves to monogamy, we are limiting our opportunities for personal growth and putting too much pressure on one romantic partner to give us ev-

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erything we need and desire. Might there have been a way for my husband and I to open up our relationship that allowed us to be true to the spirit of our vows of fidelity while giving us the freedom to satisfy our desires for romantic variety?

In our case no, for the simple reason that I am completely uninterested in taking time away from my family to pursue romantic relationships with other people. Honestly, I would have preferred to deep clean the kitchen than go out in pursuit of sex with a relative stranger. So this meant that my husband was asking me to stay home alone with our young children while he had sex with other women. That is a Big Ask. But he didn’t frame it that way. He “came out” to me as poly, stating that he couldn’t be happy without his sexual freedom. This left me with no choice but to accept his misery, accept his infidelity, or leave. I tried all three. It was the last one that stuck.

Listen up: for all you would-be polyamorists in monogamous relationships, I would suggest taking a more humble tact. Acknowledge to your partner that you are asking to change your relationship contract, that you understand the significance of this, and are prepared address all the feelings and concerns that come up for your partner around it. The successful polyamorist has to be a consummate communicator. They also have to be prepared to take “No” for an answer. This might mean ending the relationship. If so, own your part.

A mother in a monogamous relationship had this to say:

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Part of the strength of my relationship with my man comes from the sheer amount of time we spend together. Especially now that we have a kid, I cannot imagine him trying to stretch himself or me trying to take time away from them in order to meet and sleep with other people. I think the argument that someone cannot truly (be satisfied) with one partner is bogus because we all feel that way sometimes. We just deal with it, in the same way we don’t all eat chocolate cake for dinner, even if it’s what we desire.

I have to agree. How someone could choose to spend time with a lover instead of their young family seems nothing short of immoral, not to mention exhausting and childish. But I wonder how I would react if society told me that I had to give up something I was passionate about because it took time away from my family. Do we have to put our single selves on the shelf to be good spouses and parents?

To what extent can we reasonably ask our partners for the space to maintain our interests and identities outside of our family lives? I think maintaining separate interests is important, but I don’t believe extramarital romantic relationships qualify as interests in the same way a hobby or passion might. I personally believe that, particularly in the case of marriages with young children, side romantic relationships are inherently a threat because of the time, attention, and emotional energy they consume. What do you think?

Please email your comments and personal stories to Nina Swift at smash@ecurrent.com

2018 / ecurrent.com

December free will astrology © Copyright 2018 Rob Brezsny

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Every year the bird known as the Arctic tern experiences two summers and enjoys more daylight than any other animal. That’s because it regularly makes a long-distance journey from the Arctic to the Antarctic and back again. Let’s designate this hardy traveler as your inspirational creature for the next eleven months. May it help animate you to experiment with brave jaunts that broaden and deepen your views of the world. I don’t necessarily mean you should literally do the equivalent of circumnavigating the planet.

Your expansive adventures might take place mostly in inner realms or closer to home.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): When the American Civil War began in 1861, the United States fractured. Four years later, the union was technically restored when the northern states defeated the southern states. At that time, African American slavery became illegal everywhere for the first time since the country’s birth decades earlier. But there was a catch. The southern states soon enacted laws that mandated racial segregation and ensured that African Americans continued to suffer systematic disadvantages. Is there a comparable issue in your personal life? Did you at sometime in the past try to fix an untenable situation only to have it sneak back in a less severe but still debilitating form? The coming weeks will be an excellent time to finish the reforms; to enforce a thorough and permanent correction.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Does an elusive giant creature with a long neck inhabit the waters of Loch Ness in northern Scotland?

Alleged sightings have been reported since 1933. Most scientists dismiss the possibility that “Nessie” actually exists, but there are photos, films, and videos that provide tantalizing evidence. A government-funded Scottish organization has prepared contingency plans just in case the beast does make an unambiguous appearance. In that spirit, and in accordance with astrological omens, I recommend that you prepare yourself for the arrival in your life of intriguing anomalies and fun mysteries. Like Nessie, they’re nothing to worry about, but you’ll be better able to deal gracefully with them if you’re not totally taken by surprise.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Does moss really “eat” rocks, as Cancerian author Elizabeth Gilbert attests in her novel *The Signature of All Things*? Marine chemist Martin Johnson says yes. Moss really does break down and release elements in solid stone. Gilbert adds, “Given enough time, a colony of moss can turn a cliff into gravel, and turn that gravel into topsoil.” Furthermore, this hardy plant can grow virtually everywhere: in the tropics and frozen wastes, on tree bark and roofing slate, on sloth fur and snail shells. I propose that we make moss your personal symbol of power for now, Cancerian. Be as indomitable, resourceful, and resilient as moss.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Let’s shout out a big “THANKS!” and “HALLELUJAH!” to the enzymes in our bodies. These catalytic proteins do an amazing job of converting the food we eat into available energy. Without them, our cells would take forever to turn any particular meal into the power we need to walk, talk, and think.

I bring this marvel to your attention, Leo, because now is a favorable time to look for and locate metaphorical equivalents of enzymes: influences and resources that will aid and expedite your ability to live the life you want to live.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): “Every dreamer knows that it is entirely possible to be homesick for a place you’ve never been to, perhaps more homesick than for familiar ground,” writes author Judith Thurman. I’m guessing you will experience this feeling in the coming weeks. What does it mean if you do? It may be your deep psyche’s way of nudging you to find an energizing new sanctuary.

Or perhaps it means you should search for fresh ways to feel peaceful and wellgrounded. Maybe it’s a prod to push you outside your existing comfort zone so you can expand your comfort zone.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Blackjack is a card game popular in gambling casinos. In the eternal struggle to improve the odds of winning big money, some blackjack players work in teams. One teammate secretly counts the cards as they’re dealt and assesses what cards are likely to come up next. Another teammate gets subtle signals from his card-counting buddy and makes the bets. A casino in Windsor, Ontario pressed charges against one blackjack team, complaining that this tactic was deceptive and dishonest. But the court decided in the team’s favor, ruling that the players weren’t cheating but simply using smart strategy. In the spirit of these blackjack teams, Sagittarius, and in accordance with astrological omens, I urge you to better your odds in a “game” of your choice by using strategy that is almost as good as cheating but isn’t actually cheating.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Venice, Italy consists of 118 small islands that rise from a shallow lagoon. A network of 443 bridges keeps them all connected. But Venice isn’t the world champion of bridges. The American city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania holds that title, with 446. I nominate these two places to be your inspirational symbols in the coming weeks. It’s time for you build new metaphorical bridges and take good care of your existing metaphorical bridges.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): To aid and support your navigation through this pragmatic phase of your astrological cycle, I have gathered counsel from three productive pragmatists. First is author Helen Keller. She said she wanted to accomplish great and noble things, but her “chief duty” was “to accomplish small tasks as if they were great and noble.” Second, author George Orwell believed that “to see what is in front of one’s nose” requires never-ending diligence. Finally, author Pearl S. Buck testified that she didn’t wait around until she was in the right mood before beginning her work. Instead, she invoked her willpower to summon the necessary motivation.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): What has become of the metaphorical seeds you planted during the weeks after your last birthday? Have your intentions flourished? Have your dreams blossomed? Have your talents matured? Have your naive questions evolved into more penetrating questions? Be honest and kind as you answer these inquiries. Be thoughtful and big-hearted as you take inventory of your ability to follow through on your promises to yourself. If people are quizzical about how much attention you’re giving yourself as you take stock, inform them that your astrologer has told you that December is Love Yourself Better Month.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): If you want to play the drinking game called Possum, you and your friends climb up into a tree with a case of beer and start drinking. As time goes by, people get so hammered they fall out of the tree. The winner is the last one left in the tree. I hope you won’t engage in this form of recreation anytime soon—nor in any other activity that even vaguely resembles it. The coming weeks should be a time of calling on favors, claiming your rewards, collecting your blessings, and graduating to the next level. I trust your policy will be: no trivial pursuits, no wasted efforts, no silly stunts.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): In his song “Happy Talk,” Academy Award-winning lyricist Oscar Hammerstein II offered this advice: “You gotta have a dream. If you don’t have a dream, how you gonna have a dream come true?” Where do you stand in this regard, Pisces? Do you in fact have a vivid, clearly defined dream? And have you developed a strategy for making that dream come true? The coming weeks will be an excellent time to home in on what you really want and hone your scheme for manifesting it. (P.S. Keep in mind Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s idea: “A goal without a plan is just a wish.”)

Homework: Hug yourself as you tell yourself your biggest secret. ecurrent.com / december 2018 45

SHOUT OUTS Across 1. “Like... Yesterday, if you can swing it�

5. Stop to a Buccaneer 10. Ear cleaner 14. Handed over 15. Lady killer 16. Story that takes a long time to tell 17. Tell 18. Real lulu of an loser?

20. Abodes with zippers 22. Hill, in Israel 23. Forerunner to cable 24. Something that tips you off that you’re on a turnpike?

28. Prefix with Pen and center 29. Polished off 30. “Do, ___ ...�

31. Little something extra 33. Build up 34. Adorbs 35. Unannounced record releases, and a hint to this puzzle’s theme 40. Simply the best 41. Shredding company 42. Waze instructions 44. Prima donnas’ selections 45. Feathery neckpiece 48. Pick up the tab 49. Real enormous movement after drinking too much?

51. Stupefy 52. Genre for American Football and Modern Baseball 54. [Bor-ring] 55. Moth that discovered the New World?

60. Slay 61. Trench makers 62. Methuselah’s father 63. Squeezed every last drop from 64. Work that includes the “SkĂĄldskaparmĂĄlâ€?

65. Eye problems 66. Rooms with foosball tables

46 

  december

Down 1. Creator of the detectives Harley and Hercule 2. “That’s enough out of you�

3. Seek retribution 4. City outside of Fremantle and Joondalup 5. “___ is either revolution or plagiarism�

(Gauguin) 6. Pledge 7. Trudeau’s bro 8. Lab, e.g.

9. Gym freebie 10. It might be replaced after getting one’s identity stolen: Abbr.

11. Bunched, as TP 12. Dermatology topic 13. Musical staff edge 19. Stewpot 21. D.C. politics, in a phrase 25. Jewish month that Moses supposed was born and died in 26. “___ heard you the first time�

27. Piece of bathroom tile 32. Bug-killing brand 33. Big show spot 35. Tree with white belllike leaves 36. Dropped the bass?

37. Square ___ (“Final Fantasy� game company) 38. Colorless 39. 15-Across’s offering 40. Case holder 43. Wineglass part 44. Check line 45. Shields on a screen 46. “Conan ___ Needs A Friend� (podcast) 47. Makes some changes 50. Wrapped things up 53. U.K. honors 56. It has roughly 1/3rd of the world’s wealth 57. Ingredient in natto 58. Cooling block 59. Started cries removed from this puzzle’s theme

2018 / 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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