Issuu

The Healing Power of

Music A R T S + C U LT U R E

TH E PRO FOU N D BEN EFITS O F MUSI C TAKE CENTERSTAGE AT TH E A2SO

JA N UA RY 2 02 6

SUPPORT LOCAL FLAVOR. ANN ARBOR RESTAURANT WEEK January 18th - 23rd

Ring in the New Year WITH TACORI

300 S Maple Rd., Ann Arbor 734.994.5111 LewisJewelers.com

TMJ PAIN RE LI E F

ST U N NI NG, CONF I D E NT

S MI LES R EFR ESHE D LO O K W I TH I NVISALI G N & BOTOX

REL I EF. CO NF I D ENCE. TRANSFO RM ATI O N . TO P 1 % I NV I SAL I G N P ROV I D ER.

Dr. James Olsen, DDS W W W. J A M E S O L S E N D D S . C O M 734.9 96 .020 0 | 340 0 TRAVIS P OINTE RD, ANN ARBOR, MI

Designed with Intention. Crafted with Expertise. From custom Hunter Douglas window treatments and draperies to custom-made furniture and flooring, Esquire Interiors offers a personalized, commission-free design experience—thoughtfully tailored to your home and built to last with trusted craftsmanship. esquireinteriors.com 734.663.7011

Design Showrooms Located in Ann Arbor & Plymouth Ann Arbor: 6235 Jackson Rd, Ann Arbor, MI | Plymouth: 863 W Ann Arbor Trail, Plymouth, MI

LIFESTYLE LETTER

To a Year of New Beginnings! “And now let us welcome a new year, full of things that have never been.” — Rainer Maria Rilke When I was a kid—and long into adulthood—I never liked New Year’s. Can you believe that?! I’m almost embarrassed to admit it. Where some saw a moment for a great party or a fresh start, I saw it as another year gone. Obviously, this nostalgic, deep feeler could have used some therapy in the ’80s and ’90s. And when I look back, it makes sense: I was the youngest of five kids, and my older brothers started heading off to college when I was still in the fourth grade. Each departure made the house feel a little different and gave me an early awareness of how quickly time moves. It wasn’t until the year after I got married that I was sent a crisp white card with two red cardinals on the front and the quote above. It completely changed how I saw January. “A year full of things that have never been”—even the most sentimental person can get behind that in the most hopeful and joyous way. So Happy New Year, Ann Arbor! In this issue, we’re diving into the timely topic of Health & Wellness, but in true Ann Arbor fashion, we don’t approach it in the usual way. Instead, we’re taking a holistic look at what it really means to be well: mind, body, spirit, community, and even financial health. We start by chatting with the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra—one of only two professional orchestras in the state of Michigan—as they position themselves to bring wellness programming to the forefront. Their work highlights the profound healing power of music. Music brings people together, creates awe, and, in many ways, heals the soul. Next, we talk with Dr. James Olsen, whose dental practice specializing in Invisalign and TMJ treatment has become a haven for people seeking relief from chronic pain. If you’ve ever experienced—or know someone who has endured— chronic pain, you understand how transformative real relief can be. We then sit down with Charlie Cook, founder of Coriander Financial Group, whose grounded philosophy rooted in preparation, not prediction instills calm in an area where many feel overwhelmed or uncertain. Finally, we round out the issue with Core Collective owner Emily Hollon, whose love for Ann Arbor, her team, and the joy of movement inspires all of us to move a little more. So, here’s to a year full of things that have never been—a year of possibilities, wellness, and new beginnings! MARIA KARPIEL, PUBLISHER @ANNARBORCITYLIFESTYLE

January 2026 PUBLISHER

Maria Karpiel | maria.karpiel@citylifestyle.com E D I TO R

Rebecca Voigt | rebecca.voigt@citylifestyle.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Christopher Ankney, Emily Hollon, Ana Meyer, Will Walker Orr C O N T R I B U T I N G P H OTO G R AP H E R S

Stacy Anderson, Kelly Ridenour

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

Learn how to start your own publication at citylifestyle.com//franchise. Proverbs 3:5-6 Ann Arbor City Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Ann Arbor area’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle

Visit our Instagram CITYLIFESTYLE.COM/ANNARBOR

L I F E ST Y LE LE T T E R

Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in Ann Arbor City Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

inside the issue JANUARY 20 2 6 | HEA LT H & W EL L N ES S

20 16

Featured

20 26 38 10

The Healing Power of Music

The A2SO brings the profound benefits of music to the Ann Arbor community

Restoring Smiles—And Lives

Dr. James Olsen has created a haven for people seeking relief from chronic pain

Personal Wealth Care

Charlie Cook helps clients plan for the future while living in the present

The Joy of Movement

Get to know Core Collective owner and founder Emily Hollon

26 On the Cover

Departments

Music and the arts play an important role in the health and well-being of our community. Since its founding, the A2SO has brought music's profound benefits—as well as world-class talent, including soprano Juliana Zara—to Ann Arbor.

Lifestyle Letter

City Scene

Business Monthly

Must See ARTS + CULTURE

Local Limelight HEALTH + WELLNESS

Money Matters FINANCE + LEGAL SERVICES

Culinary Creations FOOD + BEVERAG E

Realty Report REAL ESTATE

Events

Locals Only LIFE + CULTURE

Photography: Provided by the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra

D GY D ENT I STRY OFFIC E OF D R . Z ER R I N YI LM AZ

Artful Renewal + Remarkable Results DGY Dentistry delivers Ann Arbor’s most elevated cosmetic and comprehensive dental experience through exceptional artistry, precision, and personalized care. From smile design and veneers to implants and full-service dentistry, every treatment is tailored to achieve refined, natural, and truly remarkable results.

Photography: www.betsysphotography.com

Schedule a consultation today. WWW.DGYDENTISTRY.COM | 734.971.3450 | 3100 E EISENHOWER PKWY #300, ANN ARBOR, MI 48108

JANUARY 2026

city scene WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN

PETER SMITH PHOTOGRAPHY

7 6

1: Ginger Raymond, co-founder of House N2 Home, with Dave Raymond at the Burns Park Wall of Pumpkins. 2: UMS hosted a jazz performance by icon Herbie Hancock and the Count Basie Orchestra. 3: The first place winner of Literati's annual bookish Halloween costume contest was a perfect take on the children's classic Caps For Sale. 4: Ann Arbor City Lifestyle Publisher Maria Karpiel, Jake Johnson of Johnson Brothers Construction, and Melissa Matich of Kapnick Insurance courtside at the Pistons vs. Bulls. 5: Originally launched as a mobile coffee business, Hazel Coffee Co.'s brick-and-mortar cafe recently opened on Packard. 6: King Matthews and Joy Gaines, Neutral Zone co-board presidents, at the NZ Engage fundraiser soiree. 7: Detroit favorite Slows Bar BQ is now open—and serving up its iconic barbecue—in Ann Arbor.

Want to be seen in the magazine? TA G Y O U R I N S TA G R A M P H O T O S W I T H @ A N N A R B O R C I T Y L I F E S T Y L E

C I T Y SC E N E

elevating your love of home

Reimagining what home can be – with spacious remodels and thoughtful additions.

Plan Your Project with Us

rochmandesignbuild.com | 734.761.6936

JANUARY 2026

business monthly A R O U N D U P O F N E W S F R O M LO C A L B U S I N E S S E S

A New Look at Chelsea Lumber’s Saline Showroom Chelsea Lumber’s Saline location is unveiling a fully refreshed and expanded showroom—crafted to give customers a modern, inspiring space to explore the latest in cabinetry, countertops, hardware and accessories, and kitchen design solutions. The renovation reinforces the company’s century-long commitment to exceptional service, deep expertise, and unmatched quality from a locally owned team you can trust. Visit the new showroom or learn more at chelsealumber.com.

Scan to read more

Ann Arbor Folk Festival Returns for Its 49th Year Presented by The Ark and Bank of Ann Arbor, the 49th Ann Arbor Folk Festival returns January 30–31 to Hill Auditorium with two nights of unforgettable music. The Ark’s largest annual fundraiser, the festival brings together standout folk and acoustic artists, including Amos Lee, Dawes, The Crane Wives, Jon Muq, Rabbitology, and MC Ryan Montbleau. Plus Friday night's opening event is an evening with Michigan favorites Greensky Bluegrass. All proceeds support The Ark. Tickets at theark.org.

Scan to read more Photography Provided by The Ark

A Culinary Adventure in Spain with Aventura Join Aventura June 8-15, 2026, for a food and wine tour by The Catalan Table. Travel through Catalonia with local chefs as your guides. From bustling Barcelona to sun-soaked vineyard lunches, this immersive culinary experience offers a true taste of Spain’s food, culture and hospitality. View the full itinerary and reserve your spot at aventuraannarbor.com/spain-2026.

Scan to read more Photography Provided by The Pulpo Group

Want to be featured? G E T I N T O U C H AT C I T Y L I F E S T Y L E . C O M / A N N A R B O R

B USIN E SS M ON T H LY

BAN K O F AN N AR BO R PR E S E NTS Hill Auditorium

Friday, Jan. 30

OPENING NIGHT CONCERT EVENT WITH

Greensky Bluegrass

Saturday, Jan. 31

Amos Lee Dawes The Crane Wives Jon Muq Rabbitology Ryan Montbleau, MC

theark.org

program subject to change

M u e t i n g Lyc z a k G r o u p - U B S

N o T h a i!

Ann Arbor Carpets Flooring America

THE Healing Power of MUSIC The A2SO brings the profound benefits of music to the Ann Arbor community ARTICLE BY WILL WALKER ORR

It’s undeniable that music is one of the most powerful mediums of human expression. Varied in both form and breadth across the many cultures it unites, it has a profound capacity to conjure the sublime— sometimes with the sweep of something grand, other times with the quiet intimacy of a familiar melody. What many people may not realize is that music also carries lasting benefits for our health and well-being. Research shows it can lower blood pressure, heart rate, and cortisol levels—effects that have inspired many musical organizations to give back to their communities by promoting wellness, joy, and awe through their uniquely evocative art form. The Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra (A2SO) recognizes both of these truths and has long embraced its role as a source of inspiration and connection throughout our community. Its dedicated ensemble of musicians has traveled beyond the concert hall to perform in libraries, parks, and even the quiet wings of senior centers and children’s hospitals. Today, the A2SO is poised to expand its outreach efforts, forge new community partnerships, and redefine the role of its orchestra as it steadily approaches its centennial milestone. Since its establishment in 1928, the A2SO has built a legacy around artistic excellence and community engagement that has secured its reputation as one of the finest symphony orchestras in the Midwest—a feat accomplished in no small part thanks to its diverse, genre-spanning programming, ranging from the masterworks of Mozart to the imaginative music of seven-time GRAMMY® Award-winner Jacob Collier. One of only two professional symphonies in the state, alongside the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the A2SO reaches more than 70,000 listeners each year.

M UST SE E | ARTS + C ULT U RE

A2SO Executive Director Sarah Calderini. Photo by Stacy Anderson.

This season, the A2SO brings world-class talent to the stage—including soprano Juliana Zara, violinist and vocalist Danny Koo, and virtuoso cellist Maximilian Hornung. All photos provided by the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra.

The A2SO is also notable for the breadth of its community initiatives, which extend far beyond the scope of similar outreach programs. According to A2SO Executive Director Sarah Calderini, some of the activities the orchestra engages in include offsite concert performances, free concert tickets for SNAP recipients, and hosting “Instrument Petting Zoos,” unique events that invite individuals of all ages to interact with the symphony’s diverse array of instruments. “One of the things I love about [Instrument Petting Zoos] is that you may be in a different part of the lifespan but still have never played the cello and always wanted to, right? It’s very CONTINUED > JANUARY 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM / A N N A R BO R

different from the connections we’re making with the younger kids,” Calderini says. “For us to be able to offer this program to people of different life stages is really a wonderful way to connect with people—and connect the music to people.” This belief in music’s innate resonance is the heart of Calderini’s mission at the A2SO, a mission shaped as much by research as by deeply personal experience, as she has seen firsthand the art form’s profound impact. “My mother had Alzheimer’s, and that disease ultimately took her life about 10 years ago,” she says. “In her final days, I would just lay in bed with her, and we’d listen to music on my iPhone together, since [people with Alzheimer’s] never lose that sense.” Music has proven uniquely effective in helping dementia patients recall joyful memories from their past—one of the many healing phenomena that the A2SO has recognized in its work with patients across a wide range of healthcare settings. In a broader sense, this principle has formed the basis of the orchestra’s upcoming expansion of its wellness program—an initiative that Calderini promises will both enhance the institution’s present outreach efforts and the experiences of audiences through the integration of innovative technology. “For us to ignore technology would not be the right thing to do,” Calderini explains. “Instead, it’s, ‘How do we take a tradition of music that’s hundreds of years old and integrate it with technology to enhance the audience experience, whether on or off the stage?’… We’re not ready to officially announce anything yet, but we do have partnerships underway throughout the community, as well as collaborations at the university, that are very, very exciting.” In this way, the A2SO’s work nods to something timeless—that music has always been both an art and a lifeline, capable of grounding, healing, and connecting us across every stage of life. Learn more at a2so.org.

The A2SO Onstage In Recital: Aristo Sham January 17

Enjoy a captivating piano matinee as 2025 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition winner Aristo Sham makes his Ann Arbor debut, performing signature works by Ferruccio Busoni and Johannes Brahms.

Mozart & Beethoven January 24

2025 GRAMMY® Award-winning pianist Michelle Cann (above) joins the A2SO to perform Mozart’s agile and elegant Piano Concerto No. 23 in a concert that takes place days before the composer’s 270th birthday.

Imagined Worlds: Debussy, Chin & Mahler March 14

Opus Klassik’s 2023 Singer of the Year, soprano Juliana Zara, stars in Mahler’s Symphony No. 4, a musical expression of a child’s view of heaven, plus Unsuk Chin’s Alice in Wonderland-inspired Puzzles and Games.

M UST SE E | ARTS + C ULT U RE

CRAFTSMANSHIP X

buildwithmomentum.com 734-929-4946 @momentumconstruction

design

Dr. James Olsen has turned a neighborhood dental office into a haven for people seeking relief from chronic pain

ARTICLE BY CHRISTOPHER ANKNEY PHOTOGRAPHY BY STACY ANDERSON

Restoring Smiles—And Lives

LOCA L LIM E LIGH T | HEALT H + WE LLN E SS

One patient who Dr. James Olsen remembers most vividly could barely manage the walk from the waiting room to the exam chair during her first appointment. She was a young mother, recovering from a car accident, whose world had shrunk to the two hours a day she could stand to be out of bed. There were headaches and dizziness, numbness in her arms, and her neck never stopped hurting. Specialists had scanned, tested, adjusted, and prescribed. No one could quite say what was wrong. “She told me every doctor thinks she’s crazy,” Olsen recalls. “But her pain was very real. I mean, she couldn’t raise her kids, could barely get out of bed.” By the end of her first appointment with Olsen, something shifted. After a session of neuromuscular TENS therapy and the placement of a device in her mouth, “she got up and walked down the long hallway into the waiting room, tall and more painfree than she had been in months,” he says. Her husband stood up, stunned. “She’s crying, he’s crying, we’re all crying.” It was one of his first advanced TMJ disorder cases when he had recently opened his dentistry practice more than 20 years ago. Seeing firsthand the relief he was able to provide sparked a passion. “She got her life back,” Olsen said. “It was amazing to see. Talk about getting hooked.” Since then, he’s built a dental practice in Ann Arbor that specializes in people whose lives have been rerouted by pain: migraine sufferers who can’t make it through a workday, singers who can no longer sing, professionals who can barely talk on Zoom without their jaw locking. CONTINUED >

JANUARY 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM / A N N A R BO R

“From my perspective, the tears we get from patients come from really listening. I work hard to be a good listener for people. And I think that’s the unusual thing that people find in our office. We take a lot of extra time to just take it all in. And patients bring everything to us, and we sort it out for them and find solutions.”

“I am focusing my practice on TMJ and Invisalign,” he says, though the route there wasn’t always the plan. When he graduated from the University of Michigan’s dental school in 1988, he was drawn to the new frontier of cosmetic dentistry. “My vision was to have a high-end cosmetic practice, because that was the dawn of the cosmetic dentistry age,” he says. He wanted to do “really quality aesthetic work”—the kind of full-mouth reconstructions that could transform a smile in a single visit. The problem was that many of the people who wanted perfect smiles also had chipped and broken teeth from grinding, clenching, and misaligned bites. “We had to solve that, or the new stuff was going to break as well,” Olsen says. Digging into the mechanics of the jaw led him into the world of TMJ dysfunction and chronic pain, and he never looked back. TMJ, in Olsen’s telling, is less a single diagnosis than a cascade. “TMJ dysfunction can present as simple muscle soreness

and limited opening of the jaw,” he says, “all the way to trigeminal neuralgia [shooting pains in the face], and closed lock, where they can’t open their mouth at all.” Often there are “severe and frequent headaches, stuffiness of the ears. Even vertigo and tinnitus.” For many patients, it starts as a constant low-level pain, which then bubbles up to be quite disabling. “People reach a tipping point,” Olsen says, “All hell breaks loose, basically, and we have to dial it back.” His approach is time and attention, first, and technology second. “From my perspective, the tears we get from patients come from really listening,” he says. “I work hard to be a good listener for people. And I think that’s the unusual thing that people find in our office. We take a lot of extra time to just take it all in. And patients bring everything to us, and we sort it out for them and find solutions.” CONTINUED >

LOCA L LIM E LIGH T | HEALT H + WE LLN E SS

Experience

French-inspired dining in the heart of Ann Arbor Valet Parking Available

| 213 Glen Avenue at The Vanguard Ann Arbor Hotel | 734.926.5944

JULIA

KEEFE

INDIGENOUS BIG BAND January 29

8 pm

Michigan Theater

This powerful 16-piece Indigenous ensemble revives the overlooked history of Native American reservation bands. See the vibrant tradition that deepens and challenges jazz. UMS.ORG

734-764-2538

JANUARY 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM / A N N A R BO R

This highly personal work happens in a setting that’s also deeply local. Olsen grew up in Ann Arbor, left briefly for Traverse City, and came right back when he had kids. “There isn’t any other city in Michigan that offers families what Ann Arbor does, in terms of opportunity and atmosphere,” he says. “It is something special.” What he’s built on the west side of Ann Arbor is, in many ways, a classic neighborhood practice: family-oriented, patient-centered, the kind of office where staff know your kids’ names (and your football allegiances). The difference is that woven through the cleanings and crowns are people arriving with years of accumulated pain, hoping this is the place where someone finally listens long enough, and knows enough, to help. And in Ann Arbor, those stories don’t stay in the exam room. Olsen runs into former patients on Main Street in the summer, at football games in the fall, and, most predictably, in the aisles at Meijer. “My wife jokes that I’m the mayor of Meijer,” he says. “It takes us three times as long to shop as it probably should.” Olsen still does cosmetic dentistry, still straightens teeth. But the stories that make him most excited now are the ones that begin in that long hallway between the waiting room and the chair: the patients who arrive exhausted, skeptical, a little desperate—and the ones who walk back down it, crying with relief, feeling, maybe for the first time in years, like themselves. Learn more at jamesolsendds.com.

LOCA L LIM E LIGH T | HEALT H + WE LLN E SS

L A N D S C A P E D E S I G N & I N S TA L L AT I O N | G A R D E N S T E WA R D S H I P S T O N E W O R K & M A S O N RY | W O O D W O R K I N G

SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION kcrunciman.com | 734.429.5200 10821 SALINE MILAN RD, MILAN, MI

Photo credit: Neil Weaver

Expertise. Empathy. Relief.

-Through ketamine therapy-

Michigan Progressive Health is a physician-led ketamine clinic helping people with treatment-resistant depression, PTSD, and chronic pain find lasting relief. Now also offering Spravato® treatment.

Dr. Kathryn Chilton and Dr. Megan Oxley Not sure where to start? Call us —

we’re happy to answer your questions at no cost.

michiganprogressivehealth.com Ann Arbor (734) 585-5587 | Royal Oak (248) 291-7709 JANUARY 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM / A N N A R BO R

PERSONAL ARTICLE BY MARIA KARPIEL PHOTOGRAPHY BY STACY ANDERSON

Wealth CARE

Charlie Cook helps clients plan for the future while living in the present January has arrived! And with it, gyms around Ann Arbor are filling up, recipe book sales are surging, and conversations around healthy eating—and mental health—are taking center stage. It’s a moment when many of us naturally pause to consider what we want to feel different in the year ahead. And while we often focus on the physical or emotional aspects of “wellness,” there is another essential layer that shapes how we sleep at night, how we plan our futures, and how freely we breathe in the present: financial wellness. With that in mind, we turned to Charlie Cook, CEO of Coriander Financial Group. Both a CPA and a CFP® with a business degree and a Master of Accounting from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business, Cook has worked with families through moments of joy, unexpected transitions, and everything in between. She’s the phone call when a child gets accepted into a different college than planned, the steady hand during market turbulence, the person who can translate complexity into understanding—whether she’s reviewing a tax return line by line or sitting alongside clients in meetings with their estate planning attorney. “I love being a resource—I love people counting on me,” Cook says. “I want them to not feel overwhelmed. I want to be their first call.” That desire to help people inspired Cook to found Coriander Financial Group. She wanted to build a firm where she could spend more time with clients, offer more clarity, and support families through every part of their financial lives—helping them truly live in the present while also preparing for the future. Instead of scaling for volume, she chose to design a

boutique, high-touch practice that puts depth, transparency, and personalized planning at the center. Central to her approach, Cook encourages clients to begin the year with a “Financial Wellness Check-In.” This practice, which she embraced herself long before founding her firm, helps clients gain perspective on their financial health in two important ways. First, the goalpost of “what’s enough” shifts over time because it’s often arbitrary, so it’s important to take time to reassess what that looks like in this moment. And second, “life is short and unthinkable things can happen, and it’s heartbreaking,” Cook says. “I want to encourage people to live their life now.” To help you prepare for the year ahead, Cook offers financial advice that feels both calming and empowering, grounded not in prediction, but in preparation:

1. BEGIN WITH A PLAN.

According to Cook, clarity comes from preparation rather than reacting to headlines. “If you do an annual check-in with your finances, you can feel confident in the plan,” she says. Understanding why a plan is structured the way it is becomes an anchor—one that helps families “tune out some of the noise.” She often reminds clients that common benchmarks aren’t always personal; many people “just plow money into their 401k,” unaware they may ultimately leave their children with a significant tax bill and unintentionally limit their own flexibility for retirement, since the majority of those funds can’t be accessed before age 59½ without penalty. CONTINUED >

M ON E Y M AT T E R S | FI NAN CE + LE GAL SE RVICE S

“I love being a resource, I love people counting on me...I want to be their first call.”

JANUARY 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM / A N N A R BO R

Financial wellness isn’t about perfection. It’s about 2. REFLECT—HONESTLY AND WITHOUT JUDGMENT.

Reflection is as essential as strategy. “Reflect on what you’ve done well… and then reflect on what makes you feel uneasy,” she says. This habit shifts people from avoidance to empowerment, helping them adjust, course-correct, and ultimately “live now…and enjoy now.”

3. HOLD YOURSELF ACCOUNTABLE.

For Cook, accountability works like any wellness practice—it is strengthened through repetition. Write down your goals, and schedule regular check-ins. “Have something that’s measurable,” she says, and “be brutally honest” about where you stand. Accountability, to her, isn’t restrictive; it’s clarifying.

4. DON’T WAIT TO START YOUR TAXES.

“Don’t wait to start your taxes,” she says, noting that early preparation can reveal opportunities to improve your situation. Many people fear owing, but as she reminds clients, “it’s not the worst thing. It means you kept your money…longer.” A refund simply means the IRS held it for you.

5. BE VULNERABLE WITH YOUR HOPES, FEARS, AND QUESTIONS.

Above all, Cook believes trust fuels every strong advisor–client relationship. “Ask me this question as many times as you need to ask me this question,” she tells clients. “Be vulnerable with your hopes, fears, questions,” because transparency allows an advisor to truly serve in the moments that matter most. She also offers straightforward guidance when choosing an advisor: “I recommend choosing someone with a CFP® designation because they’re required to advise you in your best interest.” Financial wellness isn’t about perfection. It’s about breathing room, clarity, and the peace that comes from knowing you don’t have to navigate life’s complexities alone. In a world where finance often feels impersonal, Cook offers something refreshingly rare: steadiness, empathy, and genuine care—proving that financial wellness is as much about partnership as it is about planning. Learn more at corianderfg.com.

M ON E Y M AT T E R S | FI NAN CE + LE GAL SE RVICE S

breathing room, clarity, and the peace that comes from knowing you don’t have to navigate life’s complexities alone.

ANN ARBOR GARDENS design • build • grow 313.274.1356 annarborgardens.com

Natural Stone | Custom Metal Work | Concrete | Plantings | Outdoor Living

Designing beautiful homes with our clients for over 35 years 734.998.0735 | w w w.angeliniarchitects.com Builder: Jensen Custom Homes Photographer: Jeff Garland Photography

Winter is the best time to prune trees. Want to know why? Scan the QR code to find out more.

C A L L T O S E T U P A W I N T E R P R U N I N G C O N S U LT A T I O N w w w. g u a rd i a n t re e ex p e rt s . c o m | 7 3 4 . 7 8 6 . 1 6 8 8 JANUARY 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM / A N N A R BO R

Feel Confident. Look Amazing. Love Your Photos. FAMILIES | SENIORS | BRANDING HEADSHOTS | EVENTS s t a c ya n d e rs o n p h o to.c o m | 3 85. 3 1 2 .4 039

Helping you find clarity and confidence in your financial life

Take a cozy stroll through Found in Kerrytown! Charlie Cook CFP®, CPA, CDFA®

415 N. Fifth Avenue Ann Arbor foundgallery.com 734.302.3060

Schedule a consultation www.corianderfg.com

Historical literary walking tours Exclusive book collections Hands-on experiences Author interactions

CURATED LITERARY TRAVEL ADVENTURES

First Stop

PARIS 6 April 202 26 0 2 r e b Octo

Exceptional Living, Every Day. VISIT CLARENDALEANNARBOR.COM OR CALL 734-318-1700 TO LEARN MORE.

BOOK NOW

literatitours.com

Independent Living ■ Assisted Living ■ Memory Care

Clarendale Ann Arbor 2830 South Main Street Ann Arbor, MI 48103

JANUARY 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM / A N N A R BO R

ARTICLE BY ANA MEYER PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

HAVE A FRESH NEW YEAR! NUTRITIOUS AND DELICIOUS FLAVORED WATER INFUSED

WITH ANTIOXIDANTS AND VITAMINS FOR A HEALTHIER YOU!

If there is one change you can make for your overall health, it is to drink more water! Our bodies need water. Water helps fuel every cell, tissue, and organ, keeps you hydrated, and helps with weight loss, healthy skin, bone health, and digestion. Take it to the next level and create infusion beverages by mixing and adding these ingredients to your water. Fruits, vegetables, and herbs are rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals. You will love the flavors and the added health benefits!

BLUEBERRY & ORANGE STRAWBERRY & ORANGE INFUSED WATER: INFUSED WATER: INGREDIENTS • 1 ½ cups of blueberries • ½ cup sliced thin orange rounds • 8 cups filtered water

INGREDIENTS • 1 ½ cups of diced strawberries • ½ cup sliced thin orange rounds • 8 cups filtered water

DIRECTIONS Pour ingredients into a pitcher. Refrigerate for 3 hours.

C ULIN A RY C R E AT ION S | F OOD + BE VE RAGE

ORANGE, LEMON & LIME INFUSED WATER: INGREDIENTS • ¼ cup sliced thin lemon rounds • ¼ cup sliced thin lime rounds • ½ cup sliced thin orange rounds • 8 cups filtered water

BENEFITS:

DIRECTIONS Pour ingredients into a pitcher. Refrigerate for 3 hours.

CUCUMBER, LEMON, AND MINT INFUSED WATER: INGREDIENTS • 1 cup of sliced thin cucumber rounds • ½ cup sliced thin lemon or lime rounds • 10 mint leaves • 8 cups filtered water DIRECTIONS Pour ingredients into a pitcher. Refrigerate for 3 hours. Make it a healthy New Year!

• Blueberries: Low in sugar and high in antioxidants, blueberries are very nutrient-dense and contain fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K and Manganese. They can help with bones, skin, and blood pressure health. • Cucumbers: Cucumbers are about 95 percent water, have antioxidants that help lower blood pressure, contain vitamin A and are high in vitamin K. • Lemon/limes: Both are high in vitamin C, an antioxidant, which can benefit your skin, blood pressure and immune system. • Mint leaves: Mint’s anti-inflammatory properties can help your digestion, fresh breath and are rich in nutrients and antioxidants. • Oranges: Loaded with vitamin C, which can help your skin and immune system. They are anti-inflammatory and have potassium which can help with blood pressure levels and calcium for healthy bones. • Strawberries: Are loaded with antioxidants, low in sugar, may help improve blood sugar and cholesterol, and inflammation. Strawberries are rich in phytochemicals, vitamin C, vitamin A and Potassium. Try these delicious and healthy recipes or choose your ingredients and create your own!

JANUARY 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM / A N N A R BO R

realty report A S A M P L E O F R E C E N T LY S O L D P R O P E R T I E S I N A N N A R B O R .

ADDRESS

SOLD PRICE

%SOLD/LIST

DOM

Sq.Ft. (Above Grade)

Abbot

415 Pinewood Street

$465,000

2,088

223

Ann Arbor Hills

2969 Heather Way

$1,420,000

3,477

408

Glacier Highlands

3523 Larchmont Drive

$600,000

100

2,472

243

Kerry Town

639 N 4th Avenue

$1,250,000

2,206

567

Lakewood

3177 Sunnywood Drive

$509,000

106

1,268

401

Landsdowne

2171 S 7th Street

$690,000

2,900

238

Nielsen Square

1183 Freesia Court

$405,000

927

437

Pattengill

1905 Crestland Drive

$601,000

105

1,580

380

Tuomy Hills

1535 Stonehaven Street

$775,000

100

2,023

383

Upper Water Hill

1320 Orkney Drive

$1,084,000

3,810

285

Upper Water Hill

1122 Mixtwood Street

$539,900

1,288

419

Vernon Downs

1729 Weldon Boulevard

$575,000

106

1,102

522

Walnut Ridge

2861 Walnut Ridge Drive

$1,385,000

5,376

258

Woodcreek

1690 Meadowside Drive

$600,000

100

2,899

207

NEIGHBORHOOD

This data is a sampling of recently sold properties. Source: IRES MLS System

Ann Arbaugh Your Ann Arbor Realtor Representing Sellers & Buyers Relocation Specialist ann@alexmi.com | 734.585.6518 alexmi.com/agent/ann-arbaugh

R EA LT Y R E P ORT | REAL ESTAT E

Price Per Sq. Ft.

JANUARY 2026

events A S E L E C T I O N O F U P C O M I N G LO C A L E V E N T S JA NUA RY 1 0 T H

Time Travel Half Marathon Rolling Hills Water Park, Ypsilanti | 9:00 AM Lace up your sneakers and prepare to dash through the Time Travel Half Marathon (5K/10K)—a family-friendly race that’s truly timeless! Whether you’re a future sprinter or a blast-from-the-past jogger, this event is all about fun, fitness, family, and a little bit of funky flair. Costumes encouraged, time machines optional. Learn more and register at runsignup.com/bodiesrc. JA NUA RY 1 6T H

A Hygge Evening at the Library Downtown Library | 5:30 PM Hygge is a Danish word that describes a feeling of coziness and comfortable conviviality that can be created on a chilly winter evening. Come to the library for peaceful puzzles, coloring, slow Scandinavian television programs, and knitting and crochet instruction by Beth Battey, or bring a book and cuddle up with a cozy blanket to read by candlelight. Learn more at aadl.org. JA NUA RY 1 6T H - 1 8T H

UMS Presents: GRAHAM100 Power Center The Martha Graham Dance Company celebrates its 100th anniversary season with three unique programs at Ann Arbor’s Power Center. Legendary dancer and choreographer Martha Graham is recognized as a primal artistic force of the 20th century. Founded in 1926, Graham’s eponymous company exemplifies her timeless and uniquely American style of dance. For tickets visit ums.org. JA NUA RY 1 7 T H - 1 8T H

Ski & Snowboard Super Swap Sun & Snow Ann Arbor Join Michigan’s biggest staffed ski and snowboard swap, presented by Sun & Snow Sports. Shop hundreds of skis, snowboards, and boots, all checked, sized, and fitted by professional boot fitters and ski technicians. Don’t miss your chance to gear up for the season and get fitted by the Midwest’s best. Visit sunandsnow.com/service/swap for details.

603 East Liberty St. Ann Arbor, MI 48104 603 East Liberty St. Ann Arbor, MI 48104

TIME FOR A CHANGE WITH THE

NEW YEAR’S

RESOLUTIONS? 36

EVE N TS

WE CAN HELP WITH THAT! TREAT YOURSELF WELL THIS YEAR WITH A MEMBERSHIP OR VOLUNTEERING!

JA N UA RY 1 8T H - 23RD

Ann Arbor Restaurant Week Throughout Ann Arbor Ann Arbor Restaurant Week is an annual celebration of the city’s vibrant culinary scene, bringing together food enthusiasts and local restaurants for an unforgettable dining experience. Participating restaurants offer specially curated prix-fixe menus at affordable prices, allowing diners to explore unique dishes and flavors. Learn more at annarborrestaurantweek.com. JA N UA RY 2 3 RD

Literati Presents: Jennette McCurdy Rackham Auditorium | 7:00 PM Literati welcomes Jennette McCurdy to Ann Arbor to celebrate the release of her debut novel, Half His Age. From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of I’m Glad My Mom Died comes a sad, funny, thrilling novel about the (oftentimes misguided) lengths we’ll go to get what we want. All tickets include a signed copy of Half His Age. Learn more at literatibookstore.com. JA N UA RY 2 5T H

Sun In Ya Hands Michigan Theater | 11:00 AM The Brothers Grimm's classic fairy tale The Frog Prince gets a contemporary spin in Sun in Ya Hands, an original theatre work from Detroit-based theatre artist and University of Michigan playwriting instructor Emilio Rodriguez. Join the Arts Academy Theatre Division as they bring this funny, charming, and poignant story to life in a family-friendly production bursting with heart and energy. Learn more at marquee-arts.org. JA N UA RY 2 9 T H

The Classic King World Premiere The Purple Rose Theatre | 7:30 PM A world premiere by 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. Learn more and reserve your tickets at purplerosetheatre.org. JA N UA RY 3 1 ST

Washtenaw County Celebration of Girls and Women in Sports EMU George Gervin GameAbove Center | 12:00 PM Join the Ann Arbor Sports Commission for an exhilarating day dedicated to championing the spirit of girls and women in sports. This annual event is tailored for athletes and parents alike, combining the thrill of physical activity with valuable educational insights. Learn more at annarbor.org/sports-commission.

PURPLE ROSE THEATRE presents a WORLD PREMIERE COMEDY about CLASSIC CARS:

THE

CLASSIC

Tickets Going Fast!

JAN 29 - MAR 8

King

BY RICHARD JOHNSON DIRECTED BY JEFF DANIELS

PurpleRoseTheatre.org | 734-433-7673 | @PurpleRoseTheatre | Chelsea, MI JANUARY 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM / A N N A R BO R

ARTICLE BY EMILY HOLLON PHOTOGRAPHY BY KELLY RIDENOUR PHOTOGRAPHY

The Joy of Movement GET TO KNOW CORE COLLECTIVE OWNER AND FOUNDER EMILY HOLLON

St u di o Phi l o s ophy

My Happy Place

I’ve always believed that when movement feels good, people want to come back. That idea built Core Collective, now a thriving community of thousands of clients and more than 25 instructors. The studio keeps me deeply connected to Ann Arbor, which feels like a treasured privilege.

Amidst the chaos of running two studios, my happiest moments are simple—long walks with our two pitbulls, exploring local trails, paddleboarding the river, or relaxing in the backyard. I love how Ann Arbor transforms through the seasons—each one feels like a fresh start.

Why An n A rbor Ann Arbor is full of doers. It’s a city where ambition doesn’t live in competition but in inspiration—where seeing someone chase their goals makes you want to chase yours, too. That collective drive, paired with a genuine sense of connection, is what makes Ann Arbor extraordinary, and why I can’t imagine being anywhere else.

My Te am I’m endlessly grateful for the team that brings Core Collective to life. Our instructors each bring something unique, but what unites them is their energy, creativity, and genuine care for clients. Working alongside them is the best part of my job.

LOCA LS ON LY | L I FE + C U LT U RE

Ne ighborhood Favorites We recently moved to Burns Park and love that we can walk everywhere, with Argus Farms and Vertex Coffee being a couple of our neighborhood favorites. We’ve never owned a second car, and my husband has walked to his job at Michigan Medicine every day for 14 years. It’s our favorite kind of commute. Learn more at corecollectivea2.com.

Arrive in style. Leave an impression. INTRODUCING THE 2026 LINCOLN CORSAIR® SUV The Jet Appearance Package, available on all models, enhances the exterior of your Lincoln Corsair® SUV with blackout details including the fender badge, upper grille design, doorframe molding and 20-inch wheels. It’s the epitome of private travel in style.

SESI LINCOLN

Family-owned since 1946

3990 Jackson Road

734.668.6100

sesilincoln.com

A LEGACY BUILT ON

CRAFTSMANSHIP

PHOTO: JEFF GARLAND PHOTOGRAPHY ARCHITECT: ANGELINI & ASSOCIATES ARCHITECTS

S C H E D U L E A CO N S U LTAT I O N W W W. J B CA A .CO M