1/13/2025

TOGETHER WITH

Good morning, Ann Arbor!

This is the Ann Arbor Minute - small town news that packs a big punch 🥊

What’s on tap for today:

• Nearly 7,000 apply for just 20 housing slots 🏠

• U-M boldly cuts ties over security concerns 🌐

• Multi-million dollar condos coming to Ann Arbor 🏠

Ready to dive in? Let’s do it…

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NEWS DIGEST

🏠 7,000 Applicants for Just 20 Affordable Housing Units Highlights Ann Arbor's Housing Crisis  

Avalon Housing, a nonprofit in Ann Arbor, is facing an overwhelming demand for affordable housing. At its new Groves at Viridian complex, approximately 7,000 applications were submitted for only 20 available units. While the nonprofit is expanding efforts to build supportive housing, including 30 additional units for individuals experiencing homelessness, the staggering number of applications underscores the urgent need for more affordable housing in Washtenaw County. Avalon is advocating for solutions like revising zoning regulations and addressing income-based discrimination to make housing more accessible. To manage demand, a lottery system will be used for the applications, and plans are underway to construct more complexes in the Ann Arbor-Ypsilanti-Dexter area.

(Source)

🌐 U-M severs ties with Chinese university over national security concerns  

The University of Michigan has officially ended its two-decade-long partnership with Shanghai Jiao Tong University, citing national security issues. The split follows federal charges last fall against five U-M students with ties to the Chinese university. These students were accused of photographing the Northern Strike military training in Camp Grayling, which hosts international exercises. This development underscores growing caution within U.S. institutions about foreign collaborations that might intersect with security risks. The decision marks a significant shift in U-M’s international academic partnerships.

(Source)

🎤 Late-night Korean eats and karaoke take over downtown Ann Arbor  

HanJan Pocha, a Korean-style gastropub, has brought a vibrant social dining experience to 106 S. First St., the former home of Miki Japanese Restaurant. Opened by Jamie and James Lee in June 2024, the restaurant is modeled after Seoul's street food carts and offers tantalizing dishes like Jokbal (braised pig's feet) and whole fried chicken perfect for sharing. With a lively bar featuring soju, beer towers, and boba cocktails, the late-night hot spot also caters to K-pop fans with music videos and a karaoke room. Open until 2 a.m. on weekends, it’s a hit with students and nightlife-goers seeking great food, drinks, and some entertaining sing-alongs.

(Source)

🏡 Exclusive Condos to Bring Luxe Living to Ann Arbor  

A new development along Longshore Drive promises to redefine luxury in Ann Arbor, with 15 high-end condos overlooking the Argo Cascades. Priced between $2.8 million and $4.9 million, these massive units (2,700-3,600 sq. ft.) will feature private terraces, floor-to-ceiling windows, and Italian hardwood floors. The eco-friendly design includes geothermal heating, solar energy, and EV-ready garages. Inspired by Ann Arbor’s history and natural beauty, the building combines elements from the city’s railway heritage and the Huron River's industrial past. With private elevators, four bedrooms, and open-concept designs for entertaining, residents will enjoy a blend of elegance and comfort. Construction is set to begin once two-thirds of the units are sold, with a potential groundbreaking in 2025.

(Source)

🏀 Wolverines Dominate Washington for Fifth Straight Win 

The Michigan men’s basketball team is on fire, notching their fifth consecutive double-digit victory with a 91-75 win over Washington on Sunday. Guarded by foul trouble throughout, the Wolverines leaned on a balanced attack led by Vlad Goldin’s 19 points and Nimari Burnett’s perfect 6-for-6 shooting, including four three-pointers. Michigan's fast pace and sharp ball movement shined again, as they shot over 50% from the field for the 10th time this season. Bench players like Sam Walters added crucial sparks, and Michigan’s depth allowed them to maintain control even when Washington tried narrowing the gap. Now sitting at 5-0 in Big Ten play, their hottest start since the 2020-21 season, the Wolverines are giving fans plenty of reasons to pack Crisler Center this winter.

(Source)

WEATHER

Today

☁️ High: 25°F, Low: 13°F

Overcast skies with chilly conditions throughout the day.  

Tomorrow

☁️ High: 19°F, Low: 15°F

Cloudy skies persisting, with no significant snow or rain expected.

AROUND TOWN

🥧 Baking Greatness Awaits

Get ready to roll (literally) at the Sweet & Savory Galettes Baking Class at Zingerman’s Bakehouse (3723 Plaza Drive) on January 15, 2025, at 1:00 PM. For $75, you’ll master the art of crafting rustic, elegant galettes—think free-form pies that wow every time. Learn to mix, roll, and shape buttery pie dough, then create individual savory galettes with herbed goat cheese and tomatoes, plus a stunning sweet galette with almond frangipane and seasonal fruit. Leave with recipes, newfound skills, and your delicious creations to share (or not). Bonus: enjoy a tasting and some great coupons! 🍅🍑✨

📚 Read, Relax, Repeat

Looking for a quiet, cozy escape? Join the Silent Book Club at Plant Based Coneys (42 E Cross St, Ypsilanti) on January 13, 2025, from 5:30–7:30 PM. Bring your favorite book and enjoy the peaceful company of fellow readers, followed by casual conversations about your literary journey. It’s the perfect way to connect, unwind, and celebrate the joy of reading—without the pressure of a traditional book club. Grab your book and let’s turn some pages together! 🌱✨

🎶 G. Love & Special Sauce Live

Get ready for a night of genre-bending grooves with G. Love & Special Sauce at The Ark (316 S. Main St.) on January 14, 2025, at 8:00 PM. Known for their unique fusion of folk, blues, and hip-hop, the band burst onto the scene in 1994 with their gold-selling debut and have been pushing musical boundaries ever since. With critically acclaimed albums and a career spanning 25+ years, G. Love’s sound is the ultimate "musical melting pot." Don’t miss this chance to catch a true pioneer live on stage! 🎤🎸✨

🛠️ Fix-It Fun at "Repairsday Thursday"

Every Thursday night, the makerspace All Hands Active opens its doors for "Repairsday Thursday," a chance to breathe new life into your broken gadgets, furniture, or toys. From 6–8 p.m. in the basement of 255 E. Liberty, Suite 225, you can team up with knowledgeable AHA members to troubleshoot and repair items you’d otherwise toss. While fixes aren’t guaranteed, the collaborative DIY spirit often saves the day. Can't make it in person? A livestream is also available via Meetup. The event is donation-based, but it’s free to join in—so gather up those broken pieces and head over.

🔭 Stargazing Sessions Await at U-M Observatory  

If you’re looking for a free, out-of-this-world experience, the U-M Detroit Observatory is hosting its “Astronomy Night Open House” every Friday evening. Visitors can explore the Observatory’s rich history and get up close with its antique telescopes during one-hour guided tours. Astronomy enthusiasts can also enjoy presentations on celestial wonders and, if the weather is clear, admire the night sky through telescopes. Tours kick off at four different times between 8:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., but pre-registration is highly recommended since space is limited. The event is family-friendly and a perfect way to dive into the universe without leaving Ann Arbor.

Please verify event details with the organizers before attending, as schedules may change.

SMARTER EVERY DAY

For today’s column, we would like to give a special shout out to eagle-eyed Ann Arbor Minute Subscriber, Pam S.! 👏

Pam wrote us last week and pointed out a grammatical error in the title for this section, which was formerly called “Smarter Everyday” and which should have been written as “Smarter Every Day”.

So what’s the difference?

"Everyday" (one word) is an adjective that means ordinary or routine—something that’s typical. Meanwhile, "every day" (two words) means each day and is all about things that happen daily. Here are two examples:

• These comfy sneakers are great for everyday errands.

• I drink coffee every day—sometimes twice a day!

(Pro tip: If you can replace "every day" with "each day," you’re golden. If not, stick with the one-word version. Easy, right? ✨)

We would like to give Pam a big thanks for bringing this to our attention!

As always, we are humbled and grateful for your support. ❤️

THANK YOU!

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