Marijuana Goes Mainstream In Michigan

There was excitement in the air as the first legal recreational marijuana retail sales in Michigan began at 10 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019. Long lines formed outside Ann Arbor dispensaries for the historic occasion, including the scene here outside Arbors Wellness, 321 E. Liberty St. Celebrating the start of a new era, cannabis enthusiasts chanted "10, 9, 8 ..." to count down the final seconds before erupting with cheers and applause as the clock struck 10. Police were on hand to observe. Michigan voters legalized marijuana in November 2018.

Day At The Museum

The University of Michigan’s new Biological Sciences Building at 1105 N. University Ave. was a $261 million project that brought together the Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology and the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, as well as the museums of Natural History, Paleontology and Zoology. As the university describes it, this new complex “revolutionizes how we teach, learn and research biology” and “helps us to tell the story of natural history and biology to the general public.”

Here’s a small taste of what’s inside the new Museum of Natural History.

Bob Dylan Comes To Town

Fans of legendary folk singer-songwriter Bob Dylan poured into the University of Michigan's Hill Auditorium in Ann Arbor on Nov. 6, 2019, to hear the 78-year-old musician perform. As has been Dylan's policy for years apparently, no photography was allowed, so here's the scene outside the venue just before showtime.

Vanguard Reed Quintet

Vanguard Reed Quintet live at The Argus Farm Stop on Liberty Street as part of the Third Place Concert Series on Monday night.

Ben Folds In Ann Arbor

Ben Folds, one of my all-time favorite songwriters, rolled through Ann Arbor on Monday night to promote his new memoir, "A Dream About Lightning Bugs." The Literati Bookstore organized the event, which took place at the Blind Pig, featuring a conversation about the book with WDET's Ann Delisi, followed by a couple songs performed solo on piano and a book signing.

Watch his performance of "Rockin' The Suburbs.”

Big Alien Bug

Breakfast Is Served

The squirrels are often ready and waiting, peeking around the side of my catalpa tree, when I put out a fresh frisbee full of sunflower chips in the morning. They will come up to me and give me that look to guilt-trip me if I go a few days without giving them a refill. It's a peaceful co-existence and I greatly enjoy their playful presence. My dog even accepts that we share our yard with these critters.