The Ann Arbor Independent - A locally owned newspaper in Ann Arbor

by Betsy McMillin My five-year-old son and I were playing Star Wars charades. Again. Same thing, every time.  He played out some scene or action. I, with little emotion, tiredly went through the few characters I knew at the time: Luke.…

by Chris Savage Unknown to many Americans outside of Michigan, our state is hardly one of just auto manufacturing, Motown, snow, and sports. In addition to these things, we have some of the most beautiful natural places in all of America.…

by Erika McNamara Now. Replace "puppies" with "children," and "shelters" with "public assistance." One morning last week while I made coffee and semi-listened, Good Morning America announced its exclusive new series HUNGER AT HOME: CRISIS…

Representative Jeff Irwin, a Democrat, served for a decade as a Washtenaw County Commissioner. In January 2011, he began his first term in the Michigan House of Representatives. In his regular column, House Calls, A2Politico will pose a…

by Wilson Diehl We just returned from a mini-vacation with friends who have a daughter the same age as ours wherein we drank some wine, played in the sand, ate tons of berries, sang many rounds of “Take me out to the ballgame,” polished…

by P.D. Lesko In July, all of Michigan's Republican Senators voted to put a 48-month time limit on public assistance. The same Bill passed the Michigan House on August 24, 2011. If Governor Rick Snyder signs it, on October 1, 2011, an…

David Chang. The New York eatery momofuku. Ring any bells? David Chang is the chef and owner of the momofuku restaurants — Noodle Bar, Ssäm Bar, Ko, Milk Bar and Má Pêche. Prior to opening Noodle Bar in 2004, Chang worked in the kitchens of…

Analogy Alert: President Obama is buying books (and playing golf) on Martha's Vinyard. In Sunday's New York Times, Maureen Dowd took the President to task as only she can. Dowd writes: "Is Obama so isolated he can’t see that Americans are…

by Erika McNamara If asked, the average person would probably describe a homeless person as a thirty-something male, addicted to some substance, too lazy to go out and find work. But thanks to the Great Recession, this demographic of the…

We must all be vigilant as we move forward to ensure that we keep the voice of Michigan citizens one that can be heard and one that is listened to. The Michigan Planning Enabling Act, PA 33, was intended to improve planning in Michigan…