Are you one of the 48% of US adults who resolved to get fit in the new year? One of the top Google searches at the end of 2023 was for Pilates studios in Detroit—and who are we to stand in the way of your goals? We put writer Britteny Dee on the case. Read about the 10 places locals love to do Pilates below.

Plus—After-school programs can have life-changing positive impacts on Michigan students. Learn how more kids will soon get access to them.

JUDGE TO ALLOW TESTIMONY AT CRUMBLEY TRIALS (link): An Oakland County judge is allowing prosecutors to present testimony and video from the 2021 shooting at Oxford High School at the upcoming involuntary manslaughter trials of the killer’s parents. Attorneys for James and Jennifer Crumbley had argued that the evidence would unfairly prejudice a jury. Separate trials for the parents are scheduled to begin next week.

HEAR THEIR ROAR (link): The excitement of Lions fans broke a record on Sunday, as chanting during the team’s first playoff win in 32 years (against the LA Rams) clocked a record-high decibel level of 133.6—about as loud as a 747 jet engine at takeoff. Let’s see if fans can top the noise this Sunday during the Lions vs. Buccaneers game.

MI MAN CREATES 7-FOOT ORCA SNOW SCULPTURE (link): While a lot of ‘Ganders spent last week’s winter storm cuddled up indoors, a Lansing man seized the opportunity to create a 7-foot-long snow sculpture of a killer whale—colors and all. The sculpture has drawn droves of folks to Jeffrey Kosloski’s yard for photo ops. Kosloski welcomes visitors and says the sculpture will stick around until Jan. 24 (weather permitting). See photos here.

Image via Canva

Does the beginning of the new year have you wanting to get in shape? Or you might just be thinking about shaking up your current fitness routine. Consider Pilates: fans of the exercise swear by its health benefits.

From traditional Pilates classes to those incorporating cardio, equipment, or infrared heat, writer Britteny Dee has your list of the top studios offering something for everyone.

Pilates Detroit

Hot Bones Detroit

Warehouse Pilates

Hustle Flow Lab

Sculpted by Bee

Innerverse Studios

go-toPILATES

The Pilates Method

Midtown Yoga

Rock Your Body Pilates

Click here for the full article.

Image via The ‘Gander

Did you know: Children who attend OST programs, or “out-of-school time programs”—programs that run before and after the school day and over school breaks, like the Boys & Girls Club—are more likely to experience improvements in their performance at school, in their behavior, and have a higher earning potential as adults.

LaToya Turner of Benton Harbor can vouch for that—she says her son Eric, who’s now a 22-year-old at Albion College, grew by leaps and bounds during his time at the local Boys & Girls Club.

Unfortunately, not all kids have access to these programs—more than 751,000 in Michigan, particularly in communities of color and low-income neighborhoods, have a hard time getting these resources.

The good news? Recent state grants will allow more than 67,000 students to get access to OST programs at 780 locations across the Mitten this year.

To read the full story, click here.

Image via Canva

Where: Cadillac

When: Jan. 21, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Price: $30

If you’ve ever been curious about ice fishing, here’s your chance. This one-day clinic will teach you what you need to know with a hands-on learning experience from pros. Cost includes instruction, lunch and a goodie bag.

This email is written by Karel Vega, community editor at The ‘Gander. Have a question or comment? Reply back to this email!