Premed student Ashlee Spokaeski, 21, reads while holding her 7-month-old Yorkie named Sophie. “It’s awesome!” said Spokaeski of the summer-like weather on this first day of spring that found her working on some biomechanics homework waterside in Ann Arbor’s Gallup Park. “It makes studying a little easier,” she said of her impromptu alfresco classroom.

Beneath a painting of Dodge Motor Car Company heiress Matilda Dodge Wilson, Mary Maas admires the opulent Christopher Wren dining room at Meadow Brook Hall, an 88,000 sq. foot, 110 room mansion in Rochester, Michigan that Tuesday was named a National Historic Landmark. Inspired by English manor homes, the Tudor Revival, built in 1926-29, is … Continue Reading →

Kindergartener Taylor Hurst, 5, carries her tray to a seat in the gym during lunchtime at Roosevelt Primary School in Ferndale. Voters on Tuesday approved a $22.8 million bond proposal that will upgrade technology and facilities for Ferndale public schools. Roosevelt is presently using an old storage room off the gym as a kitchen; the … Continue Reading →

Donald Ray, 18, cuddles his girlfriend Karlee Agnew, 16, left, in front of POP painter Andy Warhol’s 1967 self portrait, while strolling the contemporary galleries during a recent Sunday afternoon at the Detroit Institute of Arts.

In the walk-in cooler, Heather Wallace pieces together, stem by stem, a “presentation bouquet” as half a dozen floral designers, wielding tulips, roses and lilies like magic wands, conjure up 400-500 custom arrangements for Valentines Day at Thrifty Florist Design Center in Southfield yesterday.  The finished arrangements will wind up in the hands of moms, wives, sweethearts and lovers … Continue Reading →

Noting its “gooseberry green eyes,” Judge Rachel Anger flaunts a beautiful Egyptian Mau, named Mary Kate Danaher, for crowds checking out the competition at the Midwest Persian Tabby Fanciers 48th Allbreed and Household Pet Show  at the Community Center in Allen Park, Michigan on January 29, 2012.