Concentrate - In the News

U-M grad's film, "Zug", wins Student Academy Award

Wed, 22 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

And the Oscar goes to...

Excerpt:

"The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences has selected a University of Michigan graduate's undergrad thesis film (Perry Janes' "Zug") as one of 15 winners in this year's Student Academy Awards competition. This is the first time in the history of the Student Academy Awards (which began in 1972) that a film by a U-M student has won.

Janes, who grew up in different parts of metro Detroit (most recently Royal Oak), based "Zug" on a short story he’d written about two young men who are dared by classmates to visit mysterious Zug Island.

"That's the coming of age, narrative, literal story of the film," Janes said. "The thematic idea of the film is that Detroit is a really polarizing place that people talk about in terms of extremes, when the reality of the place is … that these are regular people just living in the city, living their lives. These are two boys who, by virtue of having one foot in the city, one foot outside of it, get sucked into those mythic narratives. And then Zug becomes an allegory for testing them, and affirming the maybe more comforting reality underneath the way that people talk about (Detroit)."

More here.

Duo Security product selected for major online banking platform

Wed, 22 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Online banking security may be getting a little tighter with Ann Arbor-based Duo Security's product behind it.

Excerpt:

"Duo Security, a cloud-based two-factor authentication company, announced today that Computer Services, Inc. (CSI) (OTCQX: CSVI) has selected Duo two-factor authentication (2FA) for its online banking platform. With Duo Security, CSI will deliver 2FA as an opt-in service to more than 140 financial institutions currently leveraging its Internet Banking platform."

More here.

U-M Health System touted for leading-edge green practices

Wed, 22 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

For seven years running, U-M Health System has ranked among the top hospitals in the country for healthy green infrastructure, garnering an Environmental Leadership Circle Award from Practice Greenhealth.

Some reasons why:

"In 2012, 3.5 million pounds of trash were diverted from the landfill through UMHHC’s recycling efforts. This resulted in an overall recycle rate of 28 percent for 2012...

UMHHC requires all new buildings, additions and construction projects with a budget of $10 million or more to meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver level. LEED is one of most widely accepted international rating systems for measuring the environmental impact of new construction."

More here.

Cinetopia International Film Festival is showtime in Ann Arbor

Wed, 22 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

From June 6-9, Ann Arbor venues will be showing over 40 feature-length films culled from the world's major film festivals, many of which are making their North American or Michigan debut. Catch them at Michigan Theater, State Theater, University of Michigan's Angell Hall, and, for the first time, at the Detroit Film Theatre.

Click here for more info.

Daily Beast ranks Saline High School in America's Top 300

Wed, 15 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

And yet another set of national stats on public high schools, this one from Newsweek's Daily Beast, puts Saline High School, Chelsea High School, and Ann Arbor's Community, Huron, and Pioneer in the nation's top 1,000, with Skyline High School just a few slots behind.

See the full list here.

Solar power in limelight at TedX EMU event

Wed, 15 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

In a quest to put 1,000 solar roofs over Ypsilanti heads, solar extraordinaire Dave Strenski spoke out at the recent TedX EMU event.

Catch the video here.

Ann Arbor 8th cheapest city for new grads

Wed, 15 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Unlike many other cities, it seems college grads can afford to live in Ann Arbor without being packed into apartments four-deep. Ann Arbor makes another nation's top 10 list, this time getting the shout-out for its reasonable cost of living.

Excerpt:

"Luxury high-rises are sprouting up like weeds in downtown Ann Arbor, so it may come as a surprise to some that the city is apparently one of the cheapest places in America to move after college. Appearing on yet another “top 10” list, Ann Arbor came in at No. 8 on Complex’s guide for thrifty recent college graduates which was headlined by No. 1 Spokane, Wash.

According to the pop-culture website, typical monthly rent for one bedroom outside of the “city center” costs about $600. The costs for utilities, public transportation and “annual income needed for a living wage before taxes” (estimated at $19,738 for Ann Arbor) were also factored into the decision process."

More here.

Madame Fromage finds Zingerman's cheeses tasty

Wed, 15 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

We think cheese maven Madame Fromage, whose blog is followed by the likes of Zagat and the New York Times, finds Zingerman's cheeses to her taste. You'll want to try the Charloe, Sant Mateu, and Bitto after reading.

Excerpt:

"Last weekend, a pair of hobbits couriered some cheese from Ann Arbor, Michigan to Philadelphia in their luggage. The hobbits are a petit couple who, like mice, can eat their weight in cheese without gaining girth, and before coming to Philadelphia they scouted out the best shnibbles at Zingerman’s — thanks to some help from a cheesemonger named Chad....

I have never been to Zingerman’s, but I am intrigued by their catalogue and their books on cheese and service. I think fondly of the company as the “granola” Dean & Deluca; they are ruled by a Jerry Garcia-esque genius named Ari Weinzweig who has managed to turn the cheese retail industry into a kind of cult jam band, based on his anarchist approach to business. Cheese retailers flock to Michigan to study at his feet."

More here.

Domino's "Pizza Theater" stores spread nationally