Arbor Update

Local

Downtown Parking Meeting

Posted by Bruce Fields on 1. December 2006

From the Ann Arbor Chamber of Commerce:

The Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority and the Ann Arbor Area Chamber of Commerce invites all members of the public to participate in a public workshop on Wednesday, December 6 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the DTE Community Room, 425 S. Main, Ann Arbor, to discuss downtown parking conditions.

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Local

Google, Google, Everywhere

Posted by Juliew on 30. November 2006

The Ann Arbor News says “sources say” Google to move to McKinley Towne Centre:

Google is on the brink of announcing that it will move into the McKinley Towne Centre in downtown Ann Arbor as it continues to expand its local operations, sources say. Sources told The News that the refurbished Towne Centre, the former TCF Bank building at the corner of Washington and Division Streets, will be Google’s second home after it outgrows its current space on South Main Street. Sources also say there may be a third and final destination for the company, which announced this summer it was locating its AdWords division in the Ann Arbor area. Grady Burnett, head of online sales and operations for Google’s Ann Arbor office, said this morning that he could not confirm the company’s location plans. He said Google’s search for a location has been exhaustive and that the company would like to make an announcement as soon as possible, but it’s not at that point yet.

Not enough Google for you? Read about Google and net neutrality in Michigan.

How about an update on Mbooks and Google Book Search? Attend the lecture Thursday afternoon which will discuss MBooks and Google Book Search, led by Ben Bunnell, Library Partnerships Manager for Google Book Search, and Perry Willett, Librarian, University of Michigan Digital Library Production Services. Thursday, November 30 2:00pm West Hall Room 411, 1085 South University.

But wait, there is more! Don’t miss Grady Burnett (and Ben Bunnell) Thursday night at the Ann Arbor District Library with the talk: Google Comes to Ann Arbor: Grady Burnett Discusses The Company’s Plan For Growth. Thursday November 30, 2006: 7:00pm to 8:30pm Downtown Library Multi-Purpose Room.

Comment [30]

Holiday Shopping Alternatives

Posted by Chuck Warpehoski on 29. November 2006

If you avoided the mobs on Black Friday, you may still have a bit of shopping to do. Where to turn if you don’t want to go to the out-of-town chain stores?

First up is Buy-Local Week from December During 4-10. The Living Economy Network is organizing great events, a movie showing, prizes, all sorts of good stuff.

If your tastes are a bit more indy-artsy, you can check out the Shadow Art Fair at the Corner Brewery in Ypsi on December 1 from 8-12 p.m. on December 2 from 11 am to 8 p.m.

If folk art/fair trade is your thing, the Alternative Holiday Fair at First Baptist Church of Ann Arbor on Sunday, December 3 from 4-7 has you covered. This is the place to be for peace gear and fairly-traded goods from around the world.

Local blogger Ypsidixit recommends that you Say I Love You with a Worm Bin from Growing Hope.

Personally, my favorite place to shop for the holidays is Ten Thousand Villages. They’ve got a great selection of beautiful hand-made goods from around the world. Their prices are great, and the money you spend really does get to the people who make the goods. And this Monday, December fourth 11 from 5 to 7 they’re having a benefit for Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice. Twenty percent of your purchase helps work to bring people of faith and conscience together to work for a better world (yes, that was a shameless plug for where I work).

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Local

The book sale is back

Posted by Bruce Fields on 29. November 2006

The book sale is back, this Saturday and Sunday: “the Friends of the AADL have entered into an interim agreement with the Board of the Ann Arbor District Library that allows the sales of used books to resume in all library locations.”

Any details on how the conflict is being resolved?

Comment [1]

Regional

A "virtual Research Triangle" for Michigan

Posted by Murph on 28. November 2006

The University of Michigan, MSU, and Wayne State are announcing the creation of a new partnership, the University Research Corridor. Their vision:

Each of us features complete graduate and undergraduate education, as well as professional degrees in medicine, business and the law. Our research laboratories produce hundreds of patents each year, and our hospitals develop innovative medical treatments that save lives.

The combined experience and know-how of the URC universities are the hope of Michigan’s economy, producing new ideas and bright young minds to lead us all to a better future.

“Talent is our future,” says Wayne State University President Irvin D. Reid. “We are proud of our accomplishments today, but success depends upon our ability to equip tomorrow’s students with the knowledge and diverse learning experiences they need to succeed in a global economic environment.”

From the DetNews:

The greater focus on technology transfer is expected to increase retention of the state’s young creative minds, [WSU President Irvin] Reid said. The alliance builds on the 1999 Life Sciences Corridor initiative, where the three collaborated to help develop a biotechnology industry. Then in an unprecedented move earlier this year, the three university presidents testified together before a state House committee on university funding. Since then, the project for a University Research Corridor has been in the works, according to MSU President Lou Anna Simon.

“People want to invest in a place that they perceive is strong,” Simon said. The universities need to show that “we represent a strong market and we are as competitive as other markets,” she said.

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Local

transit tidbits

Posted by Bruce Fields on 28. November 2006

Don’t forget the rescheduled Transit Riders United meetup at the Ann Arbor library tonight (Tuesday) at 7pm.

Scott TenBrink continues to maintain his Carfree Ann Arbor blog. See the recent crosswalk buttons exposé.

Edward Vielmetti points out an Eastern Echo articles on changes to AATA route 33.

Comment [1]

Local

Bob Guenzel on jail overcrowding

Posted by Bruce Fields on 23. November 2006

Larry Kestenbaum points out County Administrator Bob Guenzel’s letter to the Ann Arbor News:

I am writing to you today to make you aware of a very real perception – mine as well as others’ – that the people of Ann Arbor and surrounding communities are not being well served by the Ann Arbor News in your coverage of public safety and justice, namely the need for expansion of the Washtenaw County Jail.

The complete text is available from Larry’s Blog.

Comment [51]

City Council

City Council: Thanksgiving Edition

Posted by Juliew on 19. November 2006

Monday, November 20 at 7:00 pm.
City Council Agenda

Highlights:

• Organization of New Council
• Resolution to have a public hearing for the new police and court facility on November 27, 2006 at 7:00pm.

Planning Commission
Thursday, November 21 at 7:00 pm.
Planning Commission Agenda

Highlights:

• Public Hearing and Action on 200 South Ashley Street Site Plan, 0.11 acre. A proposal to construct a 29,512-square foot, eight-story, mixed-used (retail/restaurant/office/residential) building with parking below ground.
• Public Hearing and Action on Barton Green Zoning and Area Plan, 31.93 acres, west side of Pontiac Trail north of Skydale Drive. A request to zone this parcel R4A (Multiple-Family Dwelling District) and a proposal to develop 253 residential units in 19 buildings, a community building, and 545 parking spaces (tabled at 5/16/06 meeting).

Comment [1]

Campus

Bo Schembechler dies today, at age 77

Posted by Murph on 17. November 2006

Laura e-mails us with the text:

This seems like it might be community news.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/college/4343158.html

Bo Schembechler, who became one of college football’s great coaches in two decades at Michigan, died Friday after taping a TV show on the eve of the Wolverines’ No. 1 vs. No. 2 showdown with perennial rival Ohio State. He was 77.

The Dead Schembechlers ( a Columbus-based band) had this to say:

“The band is crushed to learn of the death of Bo Schembechler. We named this band after Coach Schembechler to honor him as the face of Wolverine football. We have never wished ill will upon him in any way and have always wished him the best. When we learned that Bo had seen our web site and was amused by it we were delighted. We were simply delighted. He said to those with him as he read it, “See, I still matter in Columbus!” That may have been the greatest understatement in football history. We believe that he took the band’s name as the compliment that it was meant as and that he was flattered by it. We wish to extend our deepest and most heartfelt sympathies to his family. We are truly sorry for their loss.”

Their site is down due to bandwidth, but it’s here:
http://deadschembechlers.com/deadschembechlers_002.htm

Perhaps the band can continue the tribute with a name change. I suggest “Schembechler Lives”.

Comment [6]

Local

Friday Night Lights

Posted by Juliew on 15. November 2006

Looking for something to do this Friday?

How about a Public Vehicle Auction?

If a car isn’t on your holiday shopping list, try one of these stores:

• Red Shoes Holiday Open House 4:00pm-8:00pm
• Heavenly Metal Holiday 2006 Cocktail Party #1 5:00pm to 10:00pm Girlfriend’s Night Out: Grab your galfriends and join us for wine, chocolate, and heavenly gifts plus get a little gift from us for you.
• Voila’s Last Day

And of course, don’t forget the Tree Lighting and Children’s Holiday Parade in Liberty Plaza beginning at 5:30pm. Watch Mayor Hieftje flip the switch to light up downtown and then follow the children and cavorting giant animals in a festive parade down to Main Street.