Work by Ann Arbor artist Janice Milhem, on exhibit at Cafe Verde.
When a Chronicle reader saw our article on graffiti art, she shot us an email saying we should check out Janice Milhem’s work, too.
Milhem isn’t a graffiti artist, but she documents urban landscapes – in Detroit, Berlin, New York, Marrakech and Ann Arbor, among other locales – through photographs that reflect both the grit and gravitas of life on the streets.
Streetsweeper cleaning up the dirt and gravel laying on Plymouth Road.
Conan Smith tottered with me the day after Christmas in 2005 and at the time he was the County Board of Commissioners’ representative to the Washtenaw Development Council, which was then merging with SPARK, another economic development entity. Because I figured Conan might have some clout on this issue, I suggested to him on the totter that the name SPARK could be changed to SPARQ. I think pretty much anything with a “K” or a “C” sound could be improved by replacement with a “Q”. [Full Story]
The Denver Post publishes a feature on Todd and Scott Leopold of Leopold Bros., who moved there from Ann Arbor earlier this year. “Both, for now, live in their parents’ Littleton house (which embarrasses them quite a bit) although they spend most of their time in the distillery, a 6,000-square-foot purchase in an industrial park a few miles east of downtown Denver.” [Source]
A Freep article looks at how companies are paying tailgaters to market products. Frank DiMaggio of UMTailgate.com got $250 last weekend to hand out 1,500 bottles of Cholula hot sauce and brochures. Says the Toyota engineer: ”I was excited about it from the get-go to do this. The money was the main thing -that pays for one tailgate on my end.” [Source]
The Crescendo from the Corner blog gives a review of UM’s digital music library. “The collection allows searching by Boolean operators, keywords, and proximity searches. For those that are not looking for anything in particular, one can also browse the collection by title, author (composer), and subject. The subject option is very interesting. Many of the subjects that are used are genres, styles, and instruments. However, they also include subjects of the pieces themselves. For example, the subject Edgar Allen Poe brings up a song entitled ‘To Helen.’ This song is written by Phillip Greeley Clapp with words by Edgar Allen Poe.” [Source]
Renaissance moving into retail space. Seen through store window: racks of suits in plastic bags, headless nude mannequin.
Tom Partridge. Partridge described himself as a “proud and determined Democrat,” stressing the importance of electing Democrats in general and specifically Mark Schauer to replace Tim Wahlberg in the 7th Congressional District. He said that he is running as a write-candidate for state representative in the 52nd District because he’s not convinced that any of the other candidates, including the incumbent Democrat, are running on truly progressive platforms.
Jim Mogensen. Mogensen reiterated his remarks made at the previous night’s caucus about student occupancy at The Courtyards. The situation is reflected in a document that was included in the “communications to council” section of the agenda packet, which is a letter from the University of Michigan to … [Full Story]
A USA Today article about how younger generations are transforming the way charities raise money includes the example of the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra using YouTube. Says Guy Barast, the orchestra’s development director: “It’s becoming more and more apparent with our future donors that we’re going to reach them electronically.” [Source]
A Freep article about desk treadmills quotes Katarina Borer, a UM professor of kinesiology: “It’s a terrific idea, if you can sell it to people. You’re really trying to re-engineer human motivation – asking people not to be comfortable in a chair, but asking them to lift their legs and move.” [Source]
On the Seeking Alpha website, Todd Sullivan posts an extensive interview with George Jones, CEO of Ann Arbor-based Borders Group. An excerpt from Jones: “When it comes to the book business, it is certainly not a dying business. I personally believe that people will always want books to be informed and entertained. The format their books take may evolve over time, but books will always be a part of people’s lives.” [Source]
NewScientist.com reports that NASA’s Cassini probe will be buzzing Saturn’s moon on Oct. 9, allowing scientists to analyze the moon’s geysers. Says Tamas Gombosi, a UM researcher involved in the project: “This fly-by will fill in some critical elements of the puzzle.” [Source]
Very large tree being removed by very large machinery and chainsaws.
Note found on floor after Oct. 6 city council meeting, written on back of printout of walking directions to council chambers from a UM neighborhood address: “Mostly older people – seem like ‘regulars’ – talking to each other – about 40 people in attendance”
(Detailed meeting notes of the Oct. 6 city council to be published in a separate article. Conceptual plans of 601 S. Forest are here.)
The blog for the KHAS-TV “StormChase Team” posts an item ruminating about the connection between the Weather Underground (1960s-’70s radical activists recently in the news thanks to Sarah Palin/Barack Obama) and Weather Underground (an Ann Arbor weather service firm and UM spin-off co-founded by Jeff Masters). “Around our Tracking Center, the name Jeff Masters is spoken almost everyday, considered by our team to be one of the most accurate sources for weather forecasts. Well, all that to say… I am very relieved to find out that one of our favorite weather monitoring sources has not been compromised by terrorists…for a minute there, I was worried…” [Source]
The Ann Arbor News reports that the city is flushing water hydrants today and tomorrow in an area bordered by Seventh Street, Washtenaw and Glen avenues, Depot Street and Sunset Road, and Stadium Boulevard. Water might be discolored, though it’s still safe to drink. [Source] Here’s a link to the city’s press release.
Lap pool at the downtown YMCA is closed until further notice. [Chronicle note: word from YMCA via Edward Vielmetti suggests the time line for reopening will be measured in hours not weeks]
YMCA lap pool is closed for now. No info on when it will reopen.
People that receive federal food aid will soon be able to make purchases at the Ann Arbor Farmers Market, using these wooden tokens.
If you’re getting government aid to put food on the table, you know all about the Electronic Benefits Transfer, known in Michigan as the Bridge Card. You already know that this debit card – which replaced paper food stamps and other assistance – looks pretty much like any other debit or credit card. And you also know you can’t use it at the Ann Arbor Farmers Market.
Yet.
Molly Notarianni, the city’s market manager, has a box of 1,000 wooden tokens and a new system that will allow people to use their Bridge Cards to shop at the market. While some logistics still need to be worked out, Notarianni hopes to launch the program within a month or two. [Full Story]
A Michigan Contractor & Builder article gives details on the $1.5 million repaving project on Washtenaw Avenue this summer. The piece quotes Wanda Dwyer, project administrator and estimator for Barrett Paving Materials Inc. of Superior Township: “The area where we had the biggest problem was the residential section from Stadium Boulevard to Geddes Road, where the lanes are very narrow and we had to maintain two lanes of traffic. They are only 11-foot lanes.” [Source]
Councilmembers listened to concerns from citizens related to the 601 S. Forest project, an alley off Fourth Avenue downtown, odd easement conditions put forth by the University of Michigan, the city’s long-term financial health, and ballot language limiting sale of park land. [Full Story]
Beth Freitas of Ann Arbor and her twin, Meg Crandall, are featured in a Minneapolis Star Tribune article about the Twin Cities Marathon. The 61-year-old Freitas says: ”We can inspire people to run.” She finished in 4:55:26. [Source]
In a post on InformIT.com, Paul Kimmel interviews Bill Wagner, co-founder of Ann Arbor-based SRT Solutions, about his new book, “More Effective C#.” Says Wagner: “Writing a book is similar to shipping software. It’s an incredible amount of work, but it’s extremely satisfying when you complete it. As an economic activity, it’s not a great decision. You won’t make the amount of money to justify the work. However, if you really want to dive deeply into a particular subject, it’s very rewarding.” [Source]
Sign on YMCA door “lap pool closed for maintenance until further notice.”
Chris Buhalis played the Old Town Tavern‘s regular show this past Sunday night, and I caught the second half of his set, which started at 8 p.m. I arrived during the break just as a crowd of little kids, maybe eight or nine strong, burst into the Old Town handing out cards announcing Bruce Springsteen’s Change Rocks concert on the EMU campus, Monday, Oct. 6. (Gates to Oestrike Baseball Stadium open at 3 p.m. with the show, which is free to all students and residents, scheduled to start at 4 p.m.) [Full Story]
The Detroit Shock won its third WNBA championship on Sunday by beating the San Antonio Silver Stars 76-60. The Windsor Star reports: “With ‘Disney on Ice’ occupying the Palace of Auburn Hills and the Detroit Red Wings playing in nearby Joe Louis Arena, Detroit was forced play at Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, Michigan, approximately 40 miles outside the Motor City. The celebration no doubt will reach back to Detroit proper. [Source]
dollar store at ellsworth and stone school has a 50% off sale
Peoples Food Co-op salad bar closing at 2pm today.
A Boston Globe article on consumer confidence and the upcoming holiday shopping season quotes Richard Curtin, director of the Reuters/University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers. “Lost confidence cannot be easily regained. Now the only issue is how deep and how long the cutbacks in spending last.” [Source]
The Toledo Blade profiles the Sphinx Organization, an advocacy group founded by Ypsilanti resident Aaron Dworkin and aimed at developing black and Latino musicians. Says Dworkin: “Our goal is not to pursue affirmative action in music but to achieve diversity.” [Source]
