Arbor Update

Ann Arbor Area Community News

Michigan Economic Development Corp. names new head

Posted by Murph on 15. February 2009

Ever since Jim Epolito announced his departure as Michigan’s top economic development material, speculation has flown over who would succeed him (at least, among we geeks who read the business press). Ann Arbor SPARK‘s own Mike Finney was among the leading names, but MEDC has recently nominated Greg Main.

Grand Rapids area native Main formerly worked in Michigan’s Commerce Department in the 1980s sees familiar issues: “We were talking about diversification back in the 1980s. As soon as the auto industry started coming back we sort of forgot about that. I think what has changed is the world has changed… As the economy comes back, the places that prosper are going to be strong, innovative economies.”

Main will be moving home from Oklahoma City, where he recently retired from economic development group i2E, Inc.

Comment [1]

What will you be doing for Earth Hour 2009?

Posted by Nancy Shore on 13. February 2009

For the second year in a row Ann Arbor will be observing Earth Hour.

Earth Hour happens on Saturday, March 28th, 2009 between 8:30-9:30pm.

More information and a flyer on this international observation are posted here.

Started in Australian in 2007 to increase awareness on saving energy by simply turning off lights for an hour, the concept swept around the world. Find out more and take the lights-out pledge at www.earthhour.org.

What will you be doing for Earth Hour?

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Labor Violations May Cost UM Apparel Producer its License

Posted by Chuck Warpehoski on 13. February 2009

According to the Ann Arbor News and Michigan Daily, Russell Corp. may lose its license to produce UM-branded apparel because of labor violations in its factories in Honduras.

Tonight Students Organizing for Labor and Economic Equality is hosting workers fired from the Russell Athletic factory for a speaking event

These labor abuses are in violation of the University Code of Conduct.

Does this proposed enforcement show that the code is working, or does it show that more pro-active efforts such as the proposed Designated Suppliers Program?

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What to do for Valentine's day?

Posted by Chuck Warpehoski on 10. February 2009

Sure, you can do the standard dinner out for Valentine’s Day (and do it quite well), but why would you want to be that conventional.

They say “it’s better than even money that the guy is only doin’ it for some doll.” Wanna bet why the Michigan Theater is having a Valentine’s Day member reception

The Exhibit Museum knows how to celebrate Valentine’s Day, their hosting a lecture on The Evolution of Sex , complete with chocolate cake!

As that event points out, there’s something about Valentine’s day that’s about getting physical, so why not catch a sporting event, or catch a dance party that night.

Of course, Valentine’s Day isn’t happy for everyone. You could co-opt the holiday with a nice hippie validation day, or you could really give the corporate Hallmark Holiday a kick in the teeth with an anti-Valentine’s Day party

As for me, I want my love to grow. That means fertilizer. And if that doesn’t work, there’s always beer.

So what are you doing?

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Ann Arbor Radio Lays Off Martin Bandyke and Brian Larsen

Posted by Nancy Shore on 7. February 2009

As reported in the Ann Arbor News, Cumulus radio station 107.1 WQKL laid off local radio personality Martin Bandyke as of Friday afternoon.

Doesn’t look like anyone is going to replace him as of now.

News Director Brian Larsen was also let go.

According to the Ann Arbor News, the layoffs appear to be part of a nationwide reduction in staff by Cumulus.

National company Cumulus Media also owns country station WWWW (102.9 FM), liberal talk station WLBY (1290 FM), which now hosts the Lucy Ann Lance Show, and sports station WTKA (1050 AM), where Michigan football games are broadcast.

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Should local government have "buy local" or "buy Michigan" policies?

Posted by Chuck Warpehoski on 4. February 2009

In tonight’s State of the State address, Governor Granholm proposed:

Since I issued an order creating a preference for Michigan firms, over 85 percent of your tax dollars spent on state contracts have gone to Michigan businesses. In the year ahead, we will require other units of government in Michigan – our cities and townships, our counties and school districts, our colleges and universities – to adopt their own Buy Michigan First policies.

At their November 6 meeting, the County Commission voted against having County Council Corporation Counsel draft language for specifying a local vendor preference.

In light of the Governor’s challenge, should the County and other units of government consider “Local First” and/or “Michigan First” policies?

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State of the State

Posted by Matt Hampel on 4. February 2009

Liveblogging Governor Granholm via the Michigan Radio live stream

Published text of the speech

External coverage:

[click through for the full page]

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Yes We Can: Preserving Traditions Fills The Void with Local Goodness

Posted by Nancy Shore on 3. February 2009

In response to a post on Canning, Freezing and Drying in Ann Arbor, a commenter made the following remark:

As an increasingly committed ‘locavore’, I’d like to see some sort of group effort (formal or not) in canning, preserving, etc. to capture the local harvest (not just our own individual efforts). Seems like it will be more important in tough economic times and high fuel prices.

Well although gas prices have gone down, interest in local foods is still on the rise.
So I was excited to hear about a new group for all of us home preservers.

It’s called Preserving Traditions, and according to their blog, the group is

a non-profit club based in Ann Arbor, Michigan for people who like to cook from scratch, especially local foods, plant, harvest, and U-Pick, can, pickle, and dry food, share skills, equipment, and knowledge to make all these things easier and more fun!

The group will be holding events at the Pittsfield Grange

The first event is on February 8th from 2-5pm and will be all about pasta making.

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Lucy Ann: Back on the air (and online, too)

Posted by Nancy Shore on 3. February 2009

It was about a year and a month ago when Arbor Update reported that local radio icon Lucy Ann Lance had been fired from WAAM.

Well now she’s back.

Lucy Ann has a new 3 hour show on WLBY (1290 AM) Saturdays from 11am-2pm. It debuted on Saturday, January 24th.

But don’t worry if you miss the live show. You can also check out each one-hour chunk at lucyannlance.com

In addition to the shows, the website/blog has the following:

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City Council: Police and Courts Construction Agreement

Posted by Juliew on 3. February 2009

Monday, February 2 at 7:00 pm.
Ann Arbor City HallAgenda

Highlights:

  • Wintermeyer Office Building phase 2 planned project site plan
  • Resolution to approve amendment to the Construction Manager Agreement with Clark Construction Co. for the Courts/Police Building
  • Resolution to modify fees at the City Golf Courses

Comment [1]

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