Current Magazine

Here’s what’s happening locally this month in Washtenaw County: openings, closings, and business updates in Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Plymouth and more. Openings Galy’s is now open at 20 N. Washington Street. This is a West African restaurant opened by Chef Bangaly Kaba. Jimmy Johns and Dunkin Donuts will be coming soon to Milan at 1000 Dexter. This space has been vacant since JR’s closed in 2024. Construction is in the works. Cottage West Assisted Living is now open at 85 N Wagner Rd, Ann Arbor.

Aries (March 21-April 19) Aries artist Vincent van Gogh lived in Arles, France, for 15 months in 1888 and 1889. It was the most prolific time of his career. His buoyant genius overflowed, pouring out over 200 paintings, including the lavish “Sunflowers” series. I suspect you will enjoy your own surge of splashy productivity in the coming months. It may not be as manically generative as van Gogh, though. I think your creativity will be rather relaxed and deeply healing.

When ultramarathoner Dion Leonard chose to run through the Gobi Desert for seven days straight for 155 miles, he did not anticipate finding a furry friend to run with him. His now-adopted dog, Gobi, is the subject of a picture book, a young adult story and adult novel.

When most people hear the word “longevity,” they think about extending life expectancy. Dr. Sheng-Hung Lee hopes to change that conversation. Instead of asking how people can simply live longer, Lee wants audiences to consider a different question: How can communities help people live better throughout their lives?

Researchers urge caution as AI becomes a trusted confidant for some users Artificial intelligence chatbots have quickly become part of daily life, helping people answer questions, brainstorm ideas and even talk through personal problems. But experts at the University of Michigan say there is a growing need to understand the psychological risks that can arise when people begin to treat AI as more than a tool.

Ann Arbor Local Food Festival On Thursday, August 27 from 5-8pm, the Ann Arbor Local Food Festival will be held at the Ann Arbor Farmers Market. This free event will celebrate local food and farming. There will be free produce tastings, food trucks, vendors, live music and more.

For Mary Collins and Kaye Hamada, returning to Ann Arbor to perform at The Ark is much more than another stop on a concert tour. It is a homecoming that traces the arc of a friendship, a creative partnership and a dream that began years ago in a high school choir classroom. The Brooklyn-based folk-pop duo Moonmill will take the stage at The Ark on Friday, Aug. 7, bringing audiences the close vocal harmonies, thoughtful songwriting and intimate storytelling that have earned them growing recognition.

Walk through the doors of Zingerman’s Delicatessen on almost any day, and you may encounter Daniel Berman enthusiastically introducing someone to a cheese they’ve never tasted, offering a sample of an exceptional olive oil or explaining why one chocolate bar deserves a place in your shopping basket over another. For Berman, those interactions are far more than customer service—they’re the highlight of his day.

Downtown Ypsilanti’s dining scene continues to diversify with the arrival of Tanduri Korner, a family-owned Pakistani restaurant that has brought authentic halal cuisine to 6 S. Washington St., the former home of Dolores and the Elbow Room. he garlic and sesame naan are both very fluffy, fragrant, and textured—almost like a plain Neapolitan pizza. After relocating from Canton, the family-operated restaurant opened in late 2024 and has quickly become a welcome addition to the neighborhood.

With less than two weeks remaining for Ann Arbor’s mayoral race, voters may be interested in learning more about the candidates before making their choice. The election on August 4 will determine the democratic nominee. This year, Washtenaw County Commissioner Yousef Rabhi will run against incumbent mayor Christopher Taylor. Our team connected with Rabhi and Taylor to gain a deeper understanding of their backgrounds, perspectives, visions and concerns for the City of Ann Arbor.