Media Watch Section

The Center for Michigan’s Bridge magazine publishes an opinion piece by Andy Buchsbaum, director of the Great Lakes Office of the National Wildlife Federation in Ann Arbor. Buchsbaum describes an “indoor childhood epidemic” and advocates for education that gets students outside. “If the well-being of kids and our conservation future demand kids get outside, let’s open the door. If we want to cultivate engaged students, let’s do that, too. Yes, it will be a challenge, but it is infinitely possible – and without breaking the bank. It’s possible, that is, if we are willing to chart a new course.” [Source]

A National Public Radio report looks at how presidential candidates Mitt Romney and Barack Obama are addressing the issue of housing. The report quotes University of Michigan professor Michael Barr, a former Treasury official, who describes Obama’s approach in his first term and plans for a second term. Barr concludes: “There is no silver bullet. There are lots of things that need to get done. Each homeowner’s circumstance is somewhat different. And trying to figure out how to get them help is, I think, a more complicated and difficult task than would be reflected in a bullet point or a sound bite.” [Source]

The blog for JR Magat Photography posts dozens of photos of a wedding held at Ann Arbor’s Cobblestone Farm in August. [Source]

The Detroit News reports that legislation for a metro Detroit regional transit authority covering Detroit and four counties, including Washtenaw, is seeing new signs of life in the state House of Representatives. The bill would allow for creation of a rapid transit bus system, which would include routes between Ann Arbor and Detroit. From the report: “One point of contention is the governance of the authority. … State Rep. Doug Geiss, D-Taylor, said suburban Wayne County should have two sole votes and proposed giving one of Washtenaw County’s votes to Detroit to equalize city-suburban representation.” [Source]

A column by Robert Bullard posted on OpEdNews.com salutes University of Michigan professor Bunyan Bryant, as a preview to the Oct. 4-6 conference at UM honoring Bryant’s 40 years of scholarship. Bullard writes: “Finally, kudos to Professor Bryant for starting the Environmental Justice Initiative (EJI) in the SNRE [School of Natural Resources and Environment] at Michigan, the only university in the United States that offers an M.A. and Ph.D. in environmental justice. And because of his longevity in the academy, the goal of building an intergenerational movement is much further along. Brother Bunyan, environmental justice leaders and emerging leaders salute you!” [Source]

Len Niehoff, a Chelsea resident and University of Michigan law professor, has started a new poetry blog – Dishevelled Stars. The first poem on the site is titled “Discourses.” [Source]

The Detroit News profiles Paige Comrie, a University of Michigan sophomore who’s working for Rent the Runway, a company that “leases” designer dresses. From the report: “Rent the Runway requires Comrie to make a serious commitment – she is responsible for at least 25 dresses. Each month, she must sign up at least 20 new subscribers, known as ‘key holders,’ for her closet of high-end clothing. Comrie needs to consult with the key holders to ensure they look their best and select new inventory to meet their individual styles. Key holders pay a monthly fee of $80 to have unlimited access to the closet’s inventory. One-time rentals are available to nonmembers for $30.” [Source]

The Dayton Daily News publishes an investigation of expenses related to Ohio State University president E. Gordon Gee. The report makes comparisons to other universities: ”At the University of Michigan, President Mary Sue Coleman’s travel and entertainment expenses from 2007 through 2010 totaled $410,235. Upkeep and utilities at the university-owned house runs an additional $100,000 a year and if Coleman takes someone to lunch or dinner, she pays the tab out of her own pocket… Coleman’s compensation package is $860,782 a year and includes housing and a car. Her employment contract does not call for first class airline tickets or private jets, as Gee’s does.” [Source]

Photographer Myra Klarman documents a recent Friday morning at Selma Café, the weekly breakfast fundraiser on Ann Arbor’s Old West Side. Lisa Gottlieb’s home, where the event is held, will be on the Old West Side Homes Tour on Sunday, Sept. 23. Selma organizers are also holding a local music fundraiser on Saturday, Nov. 17 to support the café’s efforts to become a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. [Source]

Tom Ivacko, a program manager at the University of Michigan’s Center for Local, State and Urban Policy, writes a guest column in Bridge Magazine that looks at how transparency in government is affected when local units of government consolidate services. He writes: “As public services are increasingly delivered through a web of temporary agreements among differing sets of local governments, what happens to accountability and transparency? If your police protection is provided by a consortium of cities A, B, and C, while your fire services are provided by cities A and B with Township D, and your parks are maintained by City A along with County E and Township F, a new fog of government could descend. Who is responsible, … [Full Story]

Writing in The Atlantic, Alexis Madrigal describes his experience hanging out at TechArb, a “start-up accelerator” for University of Michigan students: ”What I couldn’t help thinking, while talking to these brilliant students, was how deeply start-up culture has penetrated general culture. The idea that building a business is something exciting and rewarding rather than a way to pay the bills is startling. ‘You ever been to a U of M football game?’ [Shiva] Kilaru asks me. ‘That’s the energy we bring to entrepreneurship.’” [Source]

Bloomberg News reports on the small percentage of women who lead the nation’s top university athletic departments. The article quotes David Brandon, athletic director at the University of Michigan, who says that about 40% of his leadership team is female: “Succession planning is a huge part of a senior executive’s job in the corporate world. In higher education, it’s something that isn’t emphasized. When you don’t have a plan driven by strategy, you become more of a victim of the marketplace.” [Source]

Matt Callow is putting together a Google map that shows ”drinking fountains, public bathrooms and other water stops in Ann Arbor MI. For runners, walkers and cyclists.” The map is collaborative – anyone can put in additional locations. [Source]

In a profile of poetry critic and Harvard professor Stephen Burt, the New York Times quotes Laura Kasischke, a poet who teaches creative writing at the University of Michigan. Speaking of Burt, who has championed her work, Kasischke says: “He hasn’t put my poetry on the best-seller list, but I think people read him. And because he goes everywhere and speaks, and has mentioned my name, it has made a difference with other poets and with readers.” [Source]

Voting applications printed by the Washtenaw County clerk will not include a question asking voters to affirm their U.S. citizenship on Nov. 6, following a decision by the Washtenaw County board of election commissioners. The Detroit News reports that clerks in Lansing and Macomb County are also resisting the citizenship question, which Secretary of State Ruth Johnson, a Republican, wants voting applications to include. From the article: ”Washtenaw County Clerk Larry Kestenbaum, a Democrat, had planned to order two different forms – one with the question and one without – and let election inspectors in the county’s five cities and 20 townships decide which one to use. But in a 2-1 vote, Kestenbaum was overruled Thursday by the other members of … [Full Story]

The University of Michigan has started a bike rental program called Blue Bikes. From a report in the University Record: ”Thirty blue bicycles, featuring a ‘blue bike’ decal, are available to students, faculty and staff for daily, weekend and semester rentals. Rates begin at $5 for a daily rental, $11 for the weekend and $75 for the semester. The bikes are available at two campus locations: Outdoor Adventures and the North Campus Recreational Building.” [Source]

In a post on Chicago Parent, Amy Bizzarri describes the possibilities of a day trip to Ann Arbor, with young kids in tow: “Ann Arbor, college town par excellence, is home to a pedestrian-friendly downtown, a wealth of tree-filled parks, and a funky, Midwestern vibe. Many alums drag their kids back to their alma mater to catch a game in the Big House, but there is so much more to see, do and eat in this green and family-friendly city.” [Source]

Writing in The Atlantic in a column titled “In Praise of Rupert Murdoch,” Charles Eisendrath – director of the University of Michigan’s Knight-Wallace Journalism Fellows – explains ”why I converted the Gospel of Rupertism.” He writes: ”Murdoch – and Warren Buffett, too – will do just fine, thank you. In their ninth decades, they remember what others have forgotten or ignore – that over the long haul, vibrant news, printed page included, makes pots of money.” [Source]

In a letter to the editor of the Chelsea Standard, Jeff Daniels thanks the community for their support following the death of his father, Bob Daniels. He notes that a memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Oct. 7 in the Chelsea High School auditorium. Bob Daniels, who died on Sept. 1, owned Chelsea Lumber Co. and was well-known throughout the community for his work in local government, nonprofits and other Chelsea area organizations. [Source]

The Dexter Cider Mill is among Michigan’s many orchard businesses that are struggling after this year’s weather decimated about 90% of the apple crop, according to a Detroit Free Press article. From the report: ”The Dexter Cider Mill is buying apples and trying to pass on as little of the price increase as possible to customers, but it’s a tough balancing act, said owner Richard Koziski. He said he is concerned that smaller orchard businesses won’t be able to compete with the mass merchandisers this year. ‘This is a tradition that we want to preserve,’ Koziski said. ‘And we want to protect our business.’” [Source]

Chef Alex Young, founder and managing partner of Zingerman’s Roadhouse, is among the first chefs inducted into the U.S. State Department’s American Chef Corps, according to a report on National Public Radio. The NPR report quotes a Washington Post article that describes the corps as unpaid “food ambassadors” who will be part of a broader Diplomatic Culinary Partnership to “elevate the role of culinary engagement in America’s formal and public diplomacy efforts.” [Source]

In a column published on the Business Insider website, Jim Price – an Ann Arbor entrepreneur and adjunct University of Michigan business lecturer – gives advice to those who are concerned that someone might steal their business concept. Price writes: “Don’t worry about somebody stealing it. Your business concept isn’t what’s going to differentiate you from your competitors. What’s going to spell success for you is your ability to build a high-performing team, set and meet goals, and build lasting customer relationships.” [Source]

The Detroit Free Press looks as the tenure and accomplishments of University of Michigan president Mary Sue Coleman, who was appointed to the position 10 years ago. [Source] A separate article talks to several UM regents about plans for selecting Coleman’s successor when her current contract expires on July 31, 2014. The report quotes board chair Larry Deitch: “It is important to ‘never say never.’ However, I am highly doubtful she will stay beyond (her contract). I believe she is ready for new opportunities and challenges – both personal and professional.” [Source]

A post on the Mother’s Kitchen blog reflects on whether there’s an image that describes the essence of Ann Arbor. Deciding that there’s not, the writer lists several words and phrases that capture the city. Here’s one: “Open minded – say you want to do something a little out of the mainstream, like have a blessing ceremony for your same sex union on the vernal equinox presided over by a warlock, you can do it in Ann Arbor. It would be easy to pull together in a few hours. You want to walk down the street wearing a bishop’s mitre and a racoon skin coat and orange corduroys? Go right ahead – no one will bat an eye.” [Source]

State Rep. Jeff Irwin, the Ann Arbor Democrat who represents District 53, was a guest on “Off the Record,” a talk show hosted by Tim Skubick that focuses on state government. Irwin’s segment starts about halfway through the 30-minute show. He is interviewed by panelists about leadership issues, state ballot proposals, and Democratic efforts to take back control of the legislature. Irwin is co-chair of the House Democratic Campaign Committee. [Source]

In the context of five new colleges being added to the Football Bowl Subdivision this season, the Associated Press looks at the influence and impact that football programs can have on higher education. The article quotes former University of Michigan president Jim Duderstadt, who likened major college football programs to risky, little-understood credit-default swaps. ”Do you really want to put not only your institutions but yourself at risk for something that you’ll have so little control over, that you really will not understand?” [Source]

The University Record reports that Google Earth is on the University of Michigan campus using a 360-degree camera mounted on a tricycle to photograph street-level views. The tricycle is traveling along paths and sidewalks. [Source]

Previewing the college football season, the New York Times profiles University of Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson, and describes how the death of his older brother Timothy, who died when they were both children, has driven him to succeed. From the article: “The second and third youngest of seven children, Denard and Timothy had dreamed ‘just to make it, make it somehow’ out of their hardscrabble neighborhood in Deerfield Beach, Fla., Robinson said. That way they could provide for their family. When Timothy died, Denard promised he would make it for both of them. ‘I was young when I said that, but to this day, I still think about him,’ Robinson said. ‘I took everything more seriously after that.’” [Source]

In a guest column published by the Detroit Free Press, Rebekah Warren – a Democratic state senator from Ann Arbor – reflects on Women’s Equality Day in the context of the upcoming Nov. 6 elections. Warren writes: “There is no doubt that the disproportionate number of men holding elected office in this country creates an unbalanced debate on women’s issues. For example, if Missouri re-elects Sen. Claire McCaskill instead of Rep. Todd Akin for U.S. Senate, we will have one fewer voice in the discussion throwing around words like ‘legitimate rape’ without concrete understanding of their consequences. Female elected officials make up just 20.9% of the Michigan Legislature and 16.8% of Congress, which is a statistic that must change.” [... [Full Story]

The Ann Arbor Newshawks are back with their August 2012 report. Highlights include a unique suggestion for screening debris at the Dreiseitl water sculpture, a review of the “Elder Tats” tattoo parlor, and the game show “You Can’t Get There From Here,” which gives contestants 20 seconds to navigate between two locations – like Washtenaw Dairy to Knight’s Restaurant – without hitting construction blocks. Enjoy! [Source]