Washtenaw

When you go on holiday or fall ill, someone needs to look after the cat, dog or rabbit. Neighbours are ideal: short distances and a familiar face for the animal. It's best to meet beforehand for a quick visit. Are you l…

For some older people the trip to the supermarket is hard work, especially when it's icy or very hot. If you're going shopping anyway, it's often easy to pick something up for someone else. A note in the hallway or a qu…

Guitar, drums, singing or beats on your laptop: music brings people together. Many towns have rehearsal rooms, music schools or open-mic nights where you can try things out. And bands are often looking for exactly the i…

Looking for an apprenticeship can feel huge at first. A good start: think about what you enjoy and ask local businesses directly about a work placement. Many companies welcome speculative applications even when nothing …

Spring brings blossom everywhere, summer calls you to the water, autumn leaves glow and winter gets cosy. Which season do you love most in Washtenaw County, Michigan, and what do you like to do then? Let us know!

Some words only make sense if you grew up here. Which local expression from Washtenaw County, Michigan do you love, and what does it mean? Post it in the comments, ideally with a short explanation for everyone who moved…

Moving somewhere new often means not knowing anyone yet, and that's exactly when a neighbourhood can show how welcoming it is. Just arrived in Washtenaw County, Michigan? Tell us where you're from and what you're lookin…

Red-winged Blackbird, vocalizing. Ford Lake. Ypsilanti, MI

Great Egret, closeup. Matthaei Botanical Gardens. Ann Arbor, MI USA

Great Egret. Matthaei Botanical Gardens. Ann Arbor, MI USA

The "most phallic" building in the world, apparently, according to readers of Cabinet magazine in 2003: the water tower in Ypsilanti, at the corner of Cross and Washtenaw, also locally called the "brick dick" or the "aq…

=== Native American territories === The first peoples occupying the central portion of what is now Michigan included: "the Pottawattamies, the Chippewas, the Ottawas, the Wyandottes and the Hurons". Native Americans who…

Washtenaw County ( WAWSH-tə-naw) is a county located in the U.S. state of Michigan. At the 2020 census, the population was 372,258. The county seat and largest city is Ann Arbor. The county was authorized by legislation…

A street party brings together people who otherwise just walk past each other. Check early with the council whether you need permission, share out tasks like tables, music and activities for kids, and everyone brings so…

Almost every region has a dish you won't find anywhere else, or a recipe handed down through the generations. What food simply belongs to Ontario? Tell us your favourites and where to try them!

Not every day is sunny, and with kids you need good ideas when it pours. Where do you go in Ontario when it's wet outside: the library, the swimming pool, a board-game café, or puddle jumping after all? Share your rainy…

Every place can become a little nicer to live in, and locals often have the best ideas. What would you improve in Ontario: more benches, better cycle paths, a meeting place for young and old? Share your suggestions in a…

Sport doesn't have to mean pressure. Bouldering, skating, volleyball in the park or running with friends: the main thing is that you enjoy moving. Many clubs offer free taster sessions. What sport is popular in Ontario …

Moving for training or university is exciting, but it can feel a bit lonely at first. Sports groups, choirs, youth clubs or volunteering are great ways to meet people quickly. And sometimes just saying hi here is enough…

Snow and ice are a real challenge for older or unwell neighbours. If you're clearing your own path anyway, you can often do a few metres more. Sharing a bag of grit between several houses saves effort too. Who in Ontari…