Ann Arbor, MI February 2026

The Love Local Issue

Locally ba ked, Madelovingly

C A K E S

Our Town, Our People

Across the country this month, City Lifestyle magazines are celebrating their “Love Local” issues. But I’d be lying if I didn’t say I think ours is the most special. Let me make my case.

How many cities can claim a theater built for silent film nearly a century ago that still stands and thrives—hosting everything from film festivals and concerts to speaker series and ballet performances? The Michigan Theater is a living, breathing piece of our cultural identity. Speaking with Executive Director and CEO Molly Rowan-Deckart left me proud of its history and energized for its future as a true third space for creativity and connection.

And where else do you find a realtor like Ariel Hurwitz-Greene—a townie through and through who sees her work not simply as real estate, but as helping families feel rooted in the place they’re choosing to call home? Ariel is the definition of loving local: committed, engaged, and deeply invested in the heartbeat of Ann Arbor. In this issue, she shares some of her favorite spots in the town she loves.

Then there’s John Daniels, the fourth-generation leader of Chelsea Lumber, carrying forward a Daniels family legacy built on trust, service, and steady vision. He honors the company’s deep roots while transforming it into a modern design destination—proving that tradition and innovation can thrive beautifully together.

Beginning with this issue, I’m also honored to share that we’ll be spotlighting a local nonprofit each month. We’re starting with one close to home: the ChadTough Defeat DIPG Foundation, whose advocacy helped drive the first-ever FDA-approved drug for DIPG treatment, even as they face new challenges in federal research funding. Their impact is profound, and their mission is urgent.

And because it is February, you’ll also find local gift ideas for your beloved, a cocktail crafted with romance in mind, and an introduction to content creator Jacqueline Wisor, who captures Ann Arbor—and everything that makes it so loveable—one thoughtful post at a time.

It remains the professional honor of my career to help elevate the businesses, people, events, and causes that make this community remarkable, because these stories and the people behind them are what make this town unlike anywhere else. We are no “suburb of”; we ARE Ann Arbor! And there’s no place more special—at least to me.

MARIA KARPIEL, PUBLISHER @ANNARBORCITYLIFESTYLE

February 2026

PUBLISHER

Maria Karpiel | maria.karpiel@citylifestyle.com

EDITOR

Rebecca Voigt | rebecca.voigt@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Anna Barnes, Lindsey Dodge, Jacqueline Wisor

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Stacy Anderson, Anna Barnes, Meg Dula, A. J. Saulsberry

Corporate Team

CEO Steven Schowengerdt

President Matthew Perry

COO David Stetler

CRO Jamie Pentz

CoS Janeane Thompson

AD DESIGNER Jenna Crawford

LAYOUT DESIGNER Lillian Gibbs

QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Brandy Thomas Proverbs

Ann Arbor’s iconic Michigan and State Theaters

Building Community

Realtor and ultimate townie Ariel Hurwitz-Greene sees Ann Arbor as a place worth investing in—emotionally and financially

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FEBRUARY 2026

city scene

WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN

1: Found at Found! Kelly and Lindi Walter spotted Ann Arbor City Lifestyle while shopping small for the holidays 2: The A2SO lit up with holiday spirit at Hill Auditorium for the sold out Holiday Pops concert. 3: The wonder of the holidays at The Groves house on Shadford Road in Burns Park. 4: Santa made a stop in Ann Arbor during Kerrytown KindleFest. 5: Happy Holidaze from the Mothfire team at their Ugly Sweater Party. 6: Dixboro House x Maker’s Mark Private Selection, a limited, one-of-a-kind bourbon crafted exclusively for the restaurant. 7: Marking the celebration of Hanukkah, this custom menorah at a home in Burns Park was made of PVC pipes.

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business monthly

Upcoming Winter Wellness Experiences at Core Collective

Looking for something to do this winter? Join us for Date Night on February 13, featuring a partner-friendly Pilates class, refreshments, and a Newlywed-style game. No experience needed. Or join us February 22 for our Winter Retreat with Face Foundrie, featuring a guided reformer stretch class, sound meditation, mini facials, mulled cider and curated goody bags. All are welcome. Learn more and book at corecollectiveA2.com/studio-events

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The Classic King Onstage Now at The Purple Rose Theatre

A world premiere comedy by former print editor of  Automotive News, Richard Johnson, and directed by Jeff Daniels, The Classic King paints a comic and heartbreaking portrait of three veteran used-car salesmen at a Metro Detroit dealership, struggling to cope with a changing industry and modern customers. When a sharp Gen Z salesman joins the team, he proposes a daring scheme to save the dealership—and its “dinosaur” salesmen—from extinction. The Classic King is onstage now through March 8. Learn more and reserve your tickets at purplerosetheatre.org.

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Chef Quique Franco Brings His Passion and Expertise to Aventura

Aventura is thrilled to welcome Executive Chef Quique Franco. Born and raised in Madrid, Franco brings more than 20 years of global culinary experience, from cooking for royal families to opening his own restaurant in Miami, all rooted in the inspiration he found watching his mother cook. His philosophy centers on classic technique and exceptional ingredients elevated with Spanish flavors. Franco says he’s excited to “bring a little piece of my homeland to the United States. Having the opportunity to work in one of the best Spanish restaurants outside of Spain is really incredible.”

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Your Neighborhood Pilates Studio

Ann Arbor’s largest independent Pilates community. Locally owned & operated. Your first class is $15.

ARTICLE BY MARIA KARPIEL | PHOTOGRAPHY BY A. J. SAULSBERRY AND STACY ANDERSON

THE NEXT 100 YEARS

ANN ARBOR’S ICONIC MICHIGAN AND STATE THEATERS EVOLVE TO CHAMPION A NEW ERA OF CREATIVITY AND COMMUNITY

It takes just one Google image search of “Ann Arbor” to see it—the glowing marquees of the Michigan and State Theaters, splashed across the screen like the city’s own calling card. And it makes perfect sense. At 98 years young, these beloved venues are stitched into Ann Arbor’s cultural DNA.

But according to Executive Director and CEO Molly RowanDeckart, they’re far more than historic venues. “These theaters are emotional landmarks…they hold people’s memories,” she says. “It’s a place for first dates and family traditions and midnight movies. And it’s been the backdrop of a century of community life here.”

Now, under Rowan-Deckart’s leadership, the theaters are entering a new chapter—one that honors their legacy while reimagining what community, creativity, and connection can look like in the years ahead. When it comes to the Michigan Theater specifically, one cannot talk about the future without acknowledging its storied past. Designed by Detroit architect Maurice Finkel, the theater opened in 1928 as a silent movie house with its now-iconic Barton Pipe Organ providing music and sound. Despite its age—and the fact that it’s still played almost daily—Rowan-Deckart says the organ is one of the theater’s most innovative tools. “It’s kind of the bridge

between the arts,” she says. “It is a bygone era, but it’s a great way to experiment with sound and history and live performance in a way that just isn’t common anymore.”

With the past as her foundation, Rowan-Deckart is turning her attention to what the next 100 years will look like inside these theaters’ walls—imagining how the venues can evolve into a true third space for the community. Her first focus is accessibility, both financial and physical. “We want to make sure the arts truly are for everyone,” she says—and she’s making it real by pushing to make 30 percent of all programming free next year.

Physical accessibility enhancements are also underway, including improvements to the hearing loop and audio amplification systems, and ultimately the installation of an elevator to reach the mezzanine—a significant undertaking for a nonprofit stewarding a historic building. It remains a vital priority for RowanDeckart and her team as they create a theater that offers new and meaningful ways for the community to gather.

Accessibility is only the beginning. Central to Rowan-Deckart’s vision is transforming the theaters into spaces where the community doesn’t just attend programming, but helps shape it. She

“THE BREADTH AND DEPTH OF WHAT WE ARE DOING IS ENORMOUS, AND IT’S DESIGNED WITH ANN ARBOR’S ARTISTIC SOUL AT THE CENTER OF IT. THESE THEATERS DON’T JUST SHOW MOVIES—THEY SHAPE THE CULTURAL LIFE OF OUR CITY.”

“Partnership is going to be our superpower,” Rowan-Deckart says, and it’s clear she intends for these historic venues to amplify the community’s voice, not just present content.

This shared-ownership mindset is already reshaping what audiences experience. While classics like Casablanca and White Christmas will always draw nostalgic crowds, Rowan-Deckart is equally committed to fostering discovery, opening the theaters to a wider mix of voices, genres, and creative expressions. That evolution includes the Michigan Theater producing more of its own live events, with a goal of 35 performances each year by 2027.

“The breadth and depth of what we are doing is enormous, and it’s designed with Ann Arbor’s artistic soul at the center of it,” she says. “These theaters don’t just show movies—they shape the cultural life of our city.”

imagines local filmmakers, musicians, nonprofits, and creatives using the Michigan and State theaters as platforms for their own stories and ideas. To support that, the theaters are layering their spaces to serve multiple purposes, including a new stage in the Michigan’s screening room that will open the door to far more than film. The ultimate goal is a future where residents can self-program these spaces, curating cultural experiences themselves.

As Rowan-Deckart looks to the future, the glowing marquees serve as a symbol of what the theaters mean to Ann Arbor. They’ve always been beautiful, but under Rowan-Deckart’s direction, they are becoming something more: a beacon drawing residents to a shared cultural home. She calls it a “community living room”—a place where Ann Arbor can come together, exhale, and find a place to belong.

For the Michigan and State Theaters, the next 100 years aren’t just about preservation—they’re about expanding what community can look like inside these storied walls.

And the invitation is open to all of us to help shape what comes next.

To learn more visit marquee-arts.org

REALTOR—AND ULTIMATE TOWNIE—ARIEL HURWITZ-GREENE SEES ANN ARBOR AS A PLACE WORTH INVESTING IN EMOTIONALLY, NOT JUST FINANCIALLY

BUILDING COMMUNITY

“YOU DON’T JUST MOVE TO ANN ARBOR. YOU PARTICIPATE IN ANN ARBOR.”

When Ariel Hurwitz-Greene of @properties REMI Christie’s International Real Estate talks about Ann Arbor, she doesn’t start with housing trends or market forecasts. She starts with people. “Real estate is a big investment, but it’s also a big life choice,” she says. “I want people to feel rooted here.”

A lifelong Ann Arbor townie who grew up on Morton and later Cambridge, Hurwitz-Greene’s relationship to the city stretches back through generations. Her mother, Susan Hurwitz, was a beloved producer for the Burns Park Players and a pillar of the Burns Park PTO. “I was raised with ‘if you’re part of a community, you give back to it,’” Hurwitz-Greene says. “That’s how it works—you show up.”

That ethos informs every part of her work. Yes, she finds people homes, but more importantly, she guides them toward belonging.

Hurwitz-Greene believes Ann Arbor’s magic is both real and fragile. It’s walkable neighborhoods wrapped around elementary schools. It’s families meeting at drop-off and pickup. It’s kids sledding at Pattengill Field, post-preschool tea at Teahaus, and shared rituals passed down through decades of community involvement.

“I worry sometimes,” she says. “Ann Arbor is changing. Housing costs, new development, less connection between the city and the university.

“JOIN YOUR PTO. VOLUNTEER SOMEWHERE, EVEN IF IT’S JUST TWO HOURS AT THE ICE CREAM SOCIAL. GO TO YOUR LOCAL SHOPS, MEET THE OWNERS. YOU KEEP THIS TOWN ALIVE BY SHOWING UP.”

I don’t want us to lose the charm that makes people move here in the first place.”

Her answer isn’t nostalgia, though. It’s action.

“Join your PTO. Volunteer somewhere, even if it’s just two hours at the ice cream social. Go to your local shops, meet the owners. You keep this town alive by showing up,” she says.

She laughs that newcomers often tell her they want “walkability,” but what they’re really searching for is community. “When you walk your child to school, you meet your people. That’s Ann Arbor,” she says.

ARIEL’S ANN ARBOR

So many of Hurwitz-Greene’s touchstones begin in childhood with her mother’s baking. “We were at the Farmers Market every Wednesday,” she says. “Pitting cherries, picking apples, knowing the farmers by name.”

She still goes to the Ann Arbor Farmers Market weekly with her own children. “That’s what keeps a place real: ritual.”

Sparrow Market in the Kerrytown Market & Shops is another generational favorite. It’s her source for Thanksgiving turkeys, prime rib for New Year’s, and steady culinary inspiration. “The owners are amazing. You always end up in a conversation when you’re there,” she says. Also located in the Shops, Mudpuddles is her kids’ longtime haunt, a place “where my child runs right up and they know his name.”

At Today Clothing, she lights up talking about owner Adrian’s curatorial eye. “He features designers you don’t see everywhere. He has a real vision.” She loves Sandy’s Boutique for similar reasons. “Her personal touch,” she says of shop owner Jillian Bean Greco. “The way she shares her own story—it feels intimate.”

And then, of course, there’s YORK— “our coffee shop,” she calls it—where her family knows owner Tommy York and where neighborhood friendships are cemented.

These businesses aren’t just places she shops. They’re civic anchors. “When you walk in and someone says hi because they actually know you, that’s community,” Hurwitz-Greene says. “These owners work so hard. We lose them, we lose Ann Arbor.”

REAL ESTATE AS STEWARDSHIP

For Hurwitz-Greene, these beloved local spots and rituals aren’t separate from her work—they’re the reason she does it. Helping people find homes is, in her view, inseparable from helping them find community.

Hurwitz-Greene learned real estate during her decade living in Chicago. “If you can survive Chicago real estate, you can survive anything,” she says with a grin.

But Ann Arbor is where she discovered the heart of the work.

For her, clients aren’t transactions. They’re long-term relationships. She sends “hundreds of holiday cards,” keeps up with

families years later, and often works with clients across five to 10 moves.

“Buying a home is daunting, especially now,” she says. “My job is to make it less stressful. To help people make good decisions, not just fast ones.”

That means being honest about the market and realistic about long-term planning. “It’s balanced now. Buyers finally have a fair shot,” she says. “People come in talking about a ‘forever home,’ but life throws curveballs. I always say, ‘Let’s make sure this is a smart investment even if life changes.’”

More than anything, she wants her clients to see Ann Arbor as a place worth investing in emotionally, not just financially. “I want families to stay here, to put down roots, to see this as home for the next generation—my kids, their kids,” she says.

“PLEASE — SHOP LOCAL. PRESERVE THIS TOWN.”

For Hurwitz-Greene, her personal and professional missions coalesce around a message she hopes rings out louder than anything else.

“Shop local. Support these businesses. Preserve what makes Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor,” she says. “Old isn’t bad. Change is healthy, but we have to protect the things that make people move here in the first place.”

It’s not a sales pitch. It’s a plea from someone who has lived every side of this community—as a child running through Burns Park, as a PTO mom, as a volunteer, as a neighbor, and now as the realtor who sees the heart of Ann Arbor from every angle and every neighborhood. Hurwitz-Greene isn’t just helping people find homes. She’s helping build connections that sustain our community.

To learn more visit arielhurwitzgreene.com.

“SHOP LOCAL. SUPPORT THESE BUSINESSES…CHANGE IS HEALTHY, BUT WE HAVE TO PROTECT THE THINGS THAT MAKE PEOPLE MOVE HERE IN THE FIRST PLACE.”

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A Legacy of Trust

Chelsea Lumber Co. is shaping its future on a foundation of trust, service, and a willingness to grow

There’s something unmistakable in John Daniels’ voice when you hear his radio ad for Chelsea Lumber Co.—a warmth, a steadiness, a sense of trust. But if you have the chance to talk with him, in person, you realize it’s not just an ad. This is a man—along with his team—who knows what he’s doing. That’s no surprise for a business that’s been trusted for 117 years, but what is remarkable? They still love doing it.

Chelsea Lumber, Grain & Coal Company, now known as Chelsea Lumber Co., opened its doors in 1908 and has been a part of the Daniels family since the 1920s. While John’s grandfather, Warren, helped shape the company’s early identity, it was John’s father, Bob Daniels—a Korean War veteran and former Mayor of Chelsea—who shepherded it through five decades of growth and changing consumer needs.

“Dad always had time. He always had time for people,” John says, adding that his father would often say, “If you want something done, go to the busiest person in town.” And Bob embodied that saying, helping businesses and organizations in his hallmark quiet and humble way while building a reputation for trust that customers still feel today.

But kindness and trust alone do not help a company weather wars, recessions, and

ARTICLE BY MARIA KARPIEL PHOTOGRAPHY BY MEG DULA

shifting habits. That takes vision. “He always seemed a step ahead of what we needed to do…he was a very strong advocate of growing and not staying complacent,” John says. That belief fueled a major leap in 1983—when interest rates hovered around 20 percent—as Bob and John opened a new location with a large showroom. It was a bold risk, but one they knew the company needed to take in order to evolve. “Dad always wanted a showroom to show the different styles, what’s current… and we really branched into that heavily,” John says. John officially took over the business in 2012, after Bob’s passing. And while Bob dreamed of that first showroom, it’s John who has expanded and modernized the vision to match how people shop today. Under his leadership, Chelsea Lumber recently renovated its Chelsea showroom down to the studs. “It’s all about people being able to visualize,” he says. “Open the doors, open the drawers, be in front of it.”

The growth continued into Saline, where Chelsea Lumber unveiled a revamped kitchen design center this fall, further cementing its

role not only as a supplier but as a full-service design partner. With professional designers in both locations who understand cabinetry, countertops, and finishes—and who collaborate closely with trusted builders—customers receive a level of expertise you can’t find at a big-box retailer. “It’s spiked interest from consumers that we’re more than just a lumber company,” John says. “We are a kitchen and design center, and we know what we’re doing.”

Many first-time visitors still walk in expecting a small-town lumber

store—and their surprise is one of John’s favorite things. “We still get, ‘Wow. We’ve never been here,’” he says. “They walk in the door and go, ‘We didn’t realize what you guys had.’” The breadth is extensive: hardware, tools, home products, specialty items, and—in Bridgewater—feed and supplies for the rural community.

What truly elevates the experience, though, is the team. “It’s the knowledge, experience, and the service,” John says. “People want answers. They want someone who knows the product. And our employees, they’ve been here 10, 15, 20, 25 years.” Customers quickly learn this is not the big-box shopping experience. It’s personal, informed, and rooted in decades of relationships and quality workmanship. “Quite frankly, the employees enjoy working there, which is a terrific thing for me as an owner, that

they like what they do,” John says. “They come in with a great attitude…and they’re able to help because they’ve simply been there and experienced it year after year after year.”

Leading a business with such history is something John doesn’t take lightly. For him, the responsibility as the fourth generation is both humbling and energizing. “It’s something—you take a lot of pride in it,” he told me. “You want to sustain it, and if at all possible, you want to grow it. You want to leave your own piece of the legacy.”

That desire is grounded in gratitude—for the foundation his grandfather and father built, for employees who have dedicated their careers to the company, and for the customers who continue to choose Chelsea Lumber.

At 65, John has no plans to step aside. “I don’t have any desire to retire,” he says with a smile. However, with his son Spencer recently joining the business, the fifth generation is already stepping forward.

There is something rare and deeply meaningful about a family legacy that doesn’t just endure but evolves. As Chelsea Lumber Co. continues to expand

“It’s something you take a lot of pride in. You want to sustain it, and if at all possible, you want to grow it. You want to leave your own piece of the legacy.”

its footprint and evolve its offerings, the company remains anchored by the principles that have guided it for more than a century. Under John’s leadership, its future is being shaped much the way its past was built—with a commitment to trust, a focus on service, and a steady willingness to grow.

To learn more visit chelsealumber.com

Hope Rises on Angel’s Wings

IN THE FIGHT AGAINST PEDIATRIC BRAIN CANCER, FUNDING MATTERS NOW MORE THAN EVER

ARTICLE BY MARIA KARPIEL

PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED BY CHADTOUGH

It’s hard to find a last name that embodies our local area more than “Carr.” Lloyd Carr’s national championship and College Football Hall of Fame coaching career left an indelible mark on Michigan football. His son Jason once played quarterback for the Wolverines, and Jason’s wife, Tammi—also a Michigan alum—comes from her own lineage of All-American talent.

Jason and Tammi Carr’s children were destined to carry on that tradition of greatness. Their eldest, CJ Carr, just finished an exceptional season as Notre Dame’s starting quarterback. Their middle child, Tommy, led Saline High School to the Division I regional finals and graduated early to begin his quarterback journey at the University of Michigan.

And then there is their youngest, Chad—uniquely himself in every way, with a legacy that unfolded in a way no one could anticipate, yet brought light and hope far beyond his years.

Chad was born on September 26, 2010, bursting with personality. With a University of Michigan heritage as thick as they come, Tammi says he would joke, “Oh, my favorite team is Alabama. My favorite team is Michigan State. I wear GREEN!” He thought it was hilarious.

Three days before his fourth birthday, Chad was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor called diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG). He spent his birthday that year at the Coach Carr Pediatric Cancer Unit at Mott Children’s Hospital—named for his grandfather in recognition of his decades of service at Mott.

DIPG forms in the pons of the brainstem, which controls essential functions like breathing and heartbeat. Due to its location and fast-growing nature, it is inoperable, with no effective treatment and, bluntly stated, no hope for survival. These tumors are almost always found in children.

For the Carrs, everything changed with Chad’s diagnosis. From that moment, it was family first. Jason, who previously traveled often for work, quit his job so the whole family could be together for every moment.

They also recognized an opportunity—not one they wanted, but one pediatric cancer desperately needed. Their last name gave them a platform the disease lacked. “Jason told me, ‘I hate to say this, but we are a good family for this disease. I hate it. But we have reach. Chad has reach,’” Tammi recalls.

With that, #ChadTough was born—first as a hashtag, then as a foundation. The community came out in droves, including the Harbaughs, the Beileins, and schools that competed fiercely on the field but united when it came to raising awareness for this disease.

DIPG had what it needed most: an ambassador. And that ambassador was a sweet, hilarious, smiley little boy with the last name Carr.

On November 23, 2015—14 months after his diagnosis and at just five years old—Chad earned his “angel wings.” But that wasn’t the end of his story. It was the beginning of a movement for every child who would face this devastating disease.

The Carrs founded ChadTough alongside the Mosier family, whose son Michael was diagnosed around the same time. Along with 45 “Family Partners” who have also lost children to DIPG, their first goal was to dispel the “rarity” misconception that often blocks funding. “Pediatric cancer is rare–thank God,” Tammi says. “But within pediatric cancer, DIPG has devastated so many families. We can’t ignore it. We have to do hard things.”

In the 10 years since Chad’s passing, ChadTough has done many hard things. The foundation has funded more than $44 million in research at more than 50

“We are a good family for this disease. I hate it. But we have reach. Chad has reach.”

institutions worldwide and supported more than 550 families. To ensure dollars go to the strongest science, a peer-reviewed scientific advisory council guides all funding decisions. “They collaborate. They argue. They change their minds,” Tammi says.

This past August, the FDA approved the first ever drug for DIPG—Modeyso™—a watershed moment for ChadTough and a remarkable milestone in a field where most therapies originate as adult treatments and only a select few are designed for children. For a disease long defined by “no options,” this accomplishment is extraordinary. ChadTough invested $6 million into the research behind it and helped drive the advocacy needed to push it forward.

The foundation also supports families through its Navigator Program, pairing each family with a compassionate nurse who

helps interpret options, access tumor boards, evaluate clinical trials, and guide families through decisions no parent imagines facing. “Our nurses bring help; our research brings hope,” Tammi says.

While progress is undeniable, Tammi says, “We’re at a crossroads. We finally have momentum, but federal funding is being cut.” For a disease that waited decades for its first FDA-approved drug, the timing couldn’t be more fragile. This is the moment to push—not pause—and donations are what ensure breakthroughs continue rather than stall.

Chad wasn’t any different from the thousands of children who have received—or will receive—this diagnosis. What made his story different was the platform his family recognized they had and chose to use. In their grief, they ignited a movement carried on the angel wings of Chad, Michael Mosier, and every family with a child who has faced this disease.

As CJ Carr writes in “100 Years of Love in 5 Years of Life,” an article that appeared in The Players’ Tribune, “I think about [Chad] all the time, and at the end of the day, he is a huge source of inspiration for me. For him to go through that tough time, and all that pain, and  still keep a smile on his face and keep that positive attitude? I can’t explain to you how much that drives me to push through any challenges that I might face.”

Chad Carr’s life was short, but his legacy lives on in every step toward a future where DIPG is finally curable.

LEARN MORE: In the fight for a DIPG/DMG cure, the ChadTough foundation helps patients and families by funding game-changing research and providing navigation throughout their journey. Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) is a rare and aggressive brainstem glioma which usually affects children. This pediatric brain tumor is located in the brain stem and is notoriously difficult to treat. To get involved, donate, or learn more about ChadTough’s fight for a cure, visit chadtough.org.

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ROMA gifts NTIC 5

Shop local for gifts your valentine will love

1. DINNER AT LA SERRE BRASSERIE

Indulge in classic French-inspired cuisine, world-class wine, and lively cocktails at The Vanguard’s romantic restaurant. vanguardannarbor.com/la-serre

2. JOHN HARDY LOVE KNOT EARRINGS AND RING

Say “I love you” with pieces from the iconic Love Knot collection, available at Lewis Jewelers. lewisjewelers.com

3. PIGEON BRIGHT & BEAUTIFUL STATIONERY SET

Available at Found, this set includes six gorgeous sheets that fold into their own envelopes, perfect for sending love notes to your valentine. foundgallery.com

4. STAYCATION AT THE DIXBORO GUEST HOUSE

Plan a romantic getaway in the heart of Dixboro Village at this cozy, refined retreat just steps from The Dixboro Project. thedixboroproject.com/guest-house

5. FRENCH LOVE POEMS, EDITED BY TYNAN KOGANE

Who knows love better than the French? This pocket-sized book of poems, recommended by Literati Bookstore owner Hilary Gustafson, fuels you with 100 passionate verses. literatibookstore.com

LOVE POTION #9

ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY

BY ANNA BARNES

A PINK COCKTAIL PERFECT FOR CELEBRATING VALENTINE’S DAY

WHO NEEDS FLOWERS AND CHOCOLATE WHEN YOU CAN HAVE FLOWERS AND COCKTAILS?

This Valentine's Day, whether you plan to treat a loved one, treat your girlfriends, or treat yourself, I can promise you'll want to serve up this perfectly pink cocktail; one I like to call Love Potion #9. It looks as fabulous as it tastes. You can't beat the bright, fresh grapefruit juice and the bubbles add a lively kiss on top. Each sip is dreamier than the next. Cheers, here's to love!

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

• 1.5 oz rosé

• 5 oz fresh grapefruit juice

• 5 oz simple syrup

• 1 egg white

• 3 oz bubbles (champagne or sparkling wine)

THE HOW-TO:

1. Pour the rosé, simple syrup, egg white, and grapefruit juice into an ice-filled shaker.

2. Shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds, until chilled.

3. Pour into a coupe glass using the strainer.

4. Top with champagne or sparkling wine.

5. Garnish with edible flowers and grapefruit peel.

6. Enjoy!

FEBRUARY 3RD

A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS

The Moth Live: Love Hurts

The Blind Pig | 6:30 PM

The Moth StorySLAM brings an evening of open-mic storytelling to The Blind Pig, featuring tales of love that made you go “Ouch”— the agony of deferred love, the misery of good love gone bad, or the anguish of unrequited love. Learn more and purchase tickets at themoth.org/events/love-hurts-ann-arbor-2026

FEBRUARY 4TH

Audrey Ray

The Ark | 8:00 PM

Michigan-native and rising country music singer-songwriter Audrey Ray takes the stage at The Ark for a special vinyl record release concert. The Minor Pieces will open. For tickets and more information, visit theark.org

FEBRUARY 5TH - 7TH

UMS Presents Wynton Marsalis

Hill Auditorium

Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra bring their signature brilliance back to Hill Auditorium for an extended residency that includes a schoolday performance for grades K-12, a classical concert with the U-M Symphony Orchestra featuring Marsalis’ Symphony No. 4, and a jazz performance honoring Duke Ellington. Visit ums.org for tickets and more information.

FEBRUARY 7TH

6th Annual Galentine’s Day

Downtown Ann Arbor

Gather your girlfriends and take to the streets of Downtown Ann Arbor for a small business crawl featuring dining specials, exclusive deals, in-store events, and more. Collect stickers from participating businesses in your passport for a chance to win a special gift basket. Learn more at mainstreetannarbor.org/galentines-day

BY RICHARD JOHNSON

FEBRUARY 14TH

Lunar Love with Danny Koo

Michigan Theater | 7:30 PM

Violinist and vocalist Danny Koo joins the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra for a special Valentine’s and Lunar New Year-themed concert, featuring Prokofiev’s  Romeo & Juliet Suite, Li Huanzhi’s  Spring Festival Overture, and Koo’s own original arrangements. For tickets and more information, visit a2so.org.

FEBRUARY 15TH

Mardi Gras on Main

Conor O'Neill's | 6:00 PM

Get ready for a night of sizzling New Orleans vibes right on Main Street! Enjoy dancing to lively jazz by The Alex Belhaj Crescent City Quartet, a Second Line parade, delicious food, and festive Mardi Gras cocktails and mocktails—all to support the Michigan Ovarian Cancer Alliance. Learn more at mioca.org/events-programs.

FEBRUARY 15TH

Stuntboy, In the Meantime

Michigan Theater | 2:00 PM

Based on Jason Reynolds and Raúl the Third’s award-winning graphic novel of the same name, Stuntboy, In the Meantime follows middle-schooler Portico Reeves, whose superpower is making sure his parents and best friend, Zola, stay safe. This live musical theater performance is part of the Michigan Theater’s Not Just for Kids series. For tickets visit marquee-arts.org

FEBRUARY 19TH

University of Michigan Jazz Ensemble

Rackham Auditorium | 8:00 PM

Free to the public, this concert features a performance by the University of Michigan Jazz Ensemble, the most competitive of the University’s jazz ensembles. Learn more at smtd.umich.edu/performances-and-events.

FEBRUARY 22ND

Polar Plunge for Special Olympics Michigan

HOMES Campus | 12:00 PM

This family-friendly event raises funds in support of Special Olympics Michigan athletes. Whether you’re taking the plunge or not, watch the plunging spectacle and awards ceremony, and enjoy warm beverages from Dozer Coffee and Roman-style pizza from Campo Pizza. Learn more and donate at classy.org/event/washtenaw-county-polar-plunge-2026/e732780.

ARTICLE BY JACQUELINE WISOR

The Storyteller

CONTENT CREATOR JACQUELINE WISOR

EXPLORES ANN ARBOR ONE POST AT A TIME

Community Building

It's unique that Ann Arbor is surrounded by towns like Dexter, Chelsea, and Saline that have their own charm. Through @GoAnnArbor, I love encouraging people to explore and connect with different areas of their community.

Local Finds

Promoting local is easy because local ranks supreme. It's small businesses that make those Saturday morning walks around downtown so much fun. I love creating content strategies for local businesses because there's so much to say.

Summer Vibes

Ann Arbor has a buzz in the summer— something about Summer Streets, kayaking on the Huron, and fighting over which local shop has better iced coffee renews my energy.

Library Love

Finding community and supporting local doesn't have to cost money. My son loves playing with toys at AADL Downtown—after he saw the fish tank, it was game over.

Outdoor Living

Ann Arbor has stunning parks and trails. Whether I’m running or taking a walk with my son, I’m outside all four seasons. It’s no hidden secret, but Nichols Arboretum in the spring is breathtaking.  Follow Jacqueline on Instagram @goannarbor

A LEGACY BUILT ON CRAFTSMANSHIP

“The fireplace in this project was especially memorable for us — it was a fully fabricated, oneof-one steel piece, custom in every aspect. The installation alone took a ten-person crew and was a highly complex, technical process. It’s the kind of project that showcases what’s possible when design, craftsmanship, and execution align.”

- Jake Johnson