Archive for July, 2008

PrideSource.com reports on Sandi Smith’s bid for Ann Arbor City Council representing the First Ward. “I think I have very strong connections to the (gay and lesbian) community. But the coolest thing is that my orientation is not an issue. It’s not like I’m a gay candidate, a lesbian candidate running. I’m a candidate first and I happen to be a lesbian. Nobody mentions it, which is, I think, the coolest part because it doesn’t matter to anybody here.” [Source]

The 2008 Ann Arbor Blues and Jazz Festival is among those listed as casualties of the economy in a Detroit News article about festivals and other events that have been canceled this season in Michigan. The B&J Fest, originally set for Aug. 1-2, cited a lack of sponsors. [Source]

Former UM lineman Justin Boren, unhappy under new coach Rich Rodriguez, transferred to Ohio State – and tells The Cleveland Plain Dealer that he’s looking forward to taking on his former teammates. “I think about (that game) almost every day. It will be the happiest day of my life. It’s going to be crazy. That’s what I’m looking forward to, and it’s all the better it’s in Ann Arbor.” [Source]

Tom Walsh’s business column in the Freep features Bizdom U, “a one-of-a-kind boot camp for young, would-be entrepreneurs” started by Quicken Loans founder Dan Gilbert. The column notes that Dan Izzo, who formerly ran the Improv Inferno in Ann Arbor, is Bizdom’s training director. [Source]

Ann Arbor’s office weighs in on the Official Google Blog. Highlight of the post: A pretty cool photo of the entire local staff. [Source]

The Antrim County News (near Grand Traverse Bay, Michigan) reviews the Ann Arbor trio My Dear Disco. “Creating a louder buzz than their sustainable method of travel may be the musical sound of a band free from the confines of mainstream genres.” [Source]

Reuters interviews Gerry Meyers, a UM professor and former CEO of American Motors, about the future of Detroit’s automakers. [Source]

Trenda Rusher is this week’s Concentrate guest blogger, and writes about a local program that helps train faith-based and community organizations to provide job-searching services. The “access points” include libraries, churces and nonprofit centers, including Jewish Family Services, Mt. Olive Baptist Church and SOS Community Services. Trenda is executive director of the county’s Michigan Works program. [Source]

In lingering Art Fairs posts, Vicky Honeyman reports on some of her favorite artists who exhibit both at the fairs and in her store, Heavenly Metal. [Source]

The blog for Joan Lowenstein, Ann Arbor City Council member and candidate for 15th District Court judge, reports that she’s been named a “Super Lawyer” in intellectual property law by Super Lawyers Magazine.

[Source]

Senior Daily Housing questions the AARP’s recent pick of Ann Arbor as the healthiest city for seniors. “Doesn’t AARP know how cold it is in Michigan come December, January and February?” [Source]

Dr. Jeffrey Jentzen, president of the National Association of Medical Examiners and UM’s director of autopsies, is quoted in a Detroit News article about an increase of accidental drug overdoses from prescription medications. “When we see overdoses, we’re seeing many more mixed drug overdoses,” he says. [Source]

The NYTimes Freakonomics column features UM economist Mark Perry, who’s put together a list of items that are cheaper now than they were 10 years ago. Top on the list? Computers. [Source]

USA Today quotes Pamela Smock, a sociologist at the UM Population Studies Center, in an article about the impact of living together before marriage. “There’s been a sea change in societal, cultural and individual acceptance of cohabitation,” she says. [Source]

The Freep reports that Linens ‘N Things is closing its Ann Arbor store at the Waters Place center, one of 57 underperforming stores targeted by the company. [Source]

The Mama Spark’s World blog gives a report on the recent Ann Arbor Quilt Guild Show, and includes several photos of the quilts on display there. [Source]

The Horse.org hawks it’s a new Web site – HorsesCountinMichigan.com – and notes that “The greatest number of equines is located in Oakland, Washtenaw, and Livingston counties, respectively.” [Source]

Just passing through….and making a pit stop at Zola. [Source]

On Playbill.com, Kenneth Jones writes about the inspiration behind a new play that premieres this fall at Performance Network. [Source]

Crain’s Detroit Business has highlights from the quarterly MoneyTree report, noting that Michigan has moved up in nationwide rankings for venture capital investments – from 24th to 19th – thanks to a large investment in Ann Arbor-based HandyLab. [Source]