The Huron River travels 130 miles from White Lake Township in Oakland County all the way down to Lake Erie - meandering through Dexter, Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Belleville, Flat Rock, and Rockwood. Since Ann Arbor's founding, the river has been used as a method of transportation and source of power, helping the city prosper and grow. Here's a dam fine history of Ann Arbor's dams, which includes death, floods, and the odds of a coming watery apocalypse.

Listener warning: This episode contains references to drowning, dead people, and liberal use of the word "dam."

Music by Chris Bathgate, from his new album Dizzy Seas

What is an iconic Ann Arbor restaurant? Ask anyone who has ever spent time there as a student, traveler, or townie, and they are likely to name several favorites in an instant. From debating the best places to celebrate or console on football Saturdays to deciding where to eat after the bars close, the choices have always sparked passionate conversation.

Through rare photographs and advertisements, coauthors Jon Milan and Gail Offen revisit favorite area dining spots and discuss their book Iconic Restaurants of Ann Arbor. Milan and Offen, authors of Grand River Avenue: Detroit to Lake Michigan, rekindle some tasty memories, and perhaps even some of the local foody debates.

No matter what, these iconic places will always be an important part of Ann Arbor's shared past and palates.

There was a time in Ann Arbor’s history when the Fourth Avenue area of downtown was known as the red light district. Lined with prostitutes, adult bookstores and massage parlors, Ann Arbor’s red light district was presided over by the Pied Piper of Porn, Terry Whitman Shoultes. Take a trip into the seedy underbelly of Ann Arbor’s dirty past.

Learn more about this topic in the AADL Old News Archives.

About Rich Retyi and Brian Peters: These gents produce Ann Arbor Stories, a podcast featuring stories from Ann Arbor’s distant and not so distant past. Rich runs digital and social media strategy for the University of Michigan hospitals and enjoys writing, playing with his kids, and Friday beers. Brian is the Operating Officer for Ghostly International, a multi-platform cultural curator and record label, as well as co-owner of local indie label, Quite Scientific; he enjoys fishing, camping, mustard, and surprise surprise – Friday beers.

Ann Arbor loves hosting dignitaries, celebrities and heads of state like any other Midwestern city. In 1966, Ann Arbor had the pleasure of hosting newly-elected Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos and his lovely wife Imelda. He wasn't a dictator yet. Hadn't murdered 3,257 of his own people. Tortured 35,000 more. That would come six years later. In 1966, when the president and his wife enjoyed lunch in the Michigan League, they still looked at him like Southeast Asia's JFK, rather than one of the most brutal modern-day dictators.

Music by Ben Benjamin, courtesy of GhoLicense

Parental listener warning: Contains references to torture, murder, beauty pageants and hidden World War II treasure.

See photos from Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos' trip to Ann Arbor in the AADL archives

If you've seen the Embassy Hotel since 1951, you'll know it doesn't look like anything special. It's wrapped in dull grey siding and the signs on the side of the building are old, and its clientele probably wouldn’t be welcomed with open arms at too many other Ann Arbor hotels. But the Embassy is special. It's been a haven for people down on their luck since the Great Depression. It survived when so many other hotels in that area didn't. And it was once blessed by His Holiness, Baba Hardev Singh Ji. Take some time to get to know this historic diamond in the rough.

Music by Hollow & Akimbo

Parental Listener Warning: This episode contains brief references to prostitution, the Great Depression, and the problem of homelessness in America.

See photos of the Embassy Hotel building and learn more in the AADL Old News archives.

Dozens of cities tried - hundreds of lawmen failed. Ann Arbor was the only place in the world that could cage punk rock’s most anarchic, violent and revolting personality. Think Iggy Pop crossed with Charles Manson - the crossed with Charles Manson - the voice of Randy Macho Man Savage with enough of a connection with serial killer John Wayne Gacy to develop a father-son bond. Public animal number one. The man, the infamous legend: GG Allin.

Music by GG Allin.

Parental Listener Warning:This episode is definitely rated R and is not suitable for most people, let alone little ones. It contains swear words (even the big ones) and contains references to poo, throwing poo, eating poo, violence, torture, drug use, blood, suicide, and Peoria, Illinois.

Learn more about this story in the AADL Old News archives.

On February 23, 2017, Swisher Commercial listed the Blind Pig and 8-Ball Saloon for sale. 6,970 square feet, two stories, two half baths, no bedrooms, and no list price. Best offer only. Liquor license included. The origins of the building, the Blind Pig and how this isn't the first time Ann Arbor has freaked out about the future of the Pig.

Music by Lightning Love.

Parental Listener Warning: This episode contains references to alcohol, topless go-go dancers, Soundgarden, and blues music.

Learn more about this story in the AADL Old News archives.

The conversation on sustainability in Ann Arbor continued as the City and the Ann Arbor District Library hosted their annual Sustainable Ann Arbor series. The series of four events each focused on a different element of sustainability from Ann Arbor’s Sustainability Framework.

The final event in this series was Grow Your Own. Local gardening experts shared tips and tricks to help you grow your own fruits, veggies, flowers, and more. Panelists included:

Jason Frenzel, Ann Arbor City Councilmember
Monica Milla, Master Gardener
Drew Lathin, General Manager of Creating Sustainable Landscapes, LLC
Caitlyn Dickinson, Biodynamic Beekeeper

Emily Springfield, Founder of Preserving Traditions

The forums offer an opportunity to learn more about sustainability in the community and tips for actions that residents can take to live more sustainably. A think tank of local stakeholders including representatives from community organizations, and staff from both the City of Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County join the public to discuss local sustainability efforts and challenges in our community.

This event was cosponsored by the City of Ann Arbor and details of the series are posted online on The City of Ann Arbor's Sustainability site. For information and videos from current and past Sustainable Ann Arbor Forums, please visit the City’s Sustainability website.

In the pre-dawn hours in August 1931, a farmer in Ypsilanti reported a car on fire at the edge of his property. When police and firefighters arrived and extinguished the flames, they found a grisly scene that shocked the state. Four bodies, burned nearly beyond recognition, were found inside the vehicle, which was intentionally set on fire.

They called them the Torch Murders, and the entire story—from the crime itself to the manhunt that apprehended the killers to the insane criminal proceedings, would forever change law enforcement and the justice system in the state.

For more on the the Torch Murders, visit oldnews.aadl.org.

The most powerful person ever to live in Ann Arbor was Harry Bennett—Henry Ford's right hand man, union buster and general enforcer. Bennett lived behind the walls of Bennett's Castle at 5668 Geddes Road, where he ran the Ford Motor Company security division by fear and intimidation. He employed murderers, gangsters, and bad men of all types, and he was a signature away from becoming the president of Ford so many years ago. This is his story.

Music by Chris Bathgate