In the News

Ann Arborite featured on National Storytelling Blog

Storynet.org Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Longtime Ann Arbor resident Barbara Schutzgruber has been spinning yarns (the vocal kind) for nearly 30 years. Her Acme Tattoo Parlor gets spotlighted on the site.

Excerpt:

"‘Acme Tattoo Parlor’ is my own story of resilience after a turn of events changed my life forever. It is part of a longer program called “Parts is Parts” which uses folktales, family stories and personal narrative to explore the questions: Are we the sum of our parts? If so… what if we don’t have them all? How do we see ourselves then?"

Listen here.

A daily commuter train from A2 to Detroit in our near future?

Deadline Detroit Wednesday, October 03, 2012

Most American metroploitan areas have several daily commuter trains between the region's largest city and the surrounding suburbs. Wouldn't it be nice if we could join them? Finally?

Excerpt:

"The paper reported that the Michigan Department of Transportation "is in the process of spending more than $500 million to purchase the tracks between Dearborn and Kalamazoo from Norfolk Southern and improve them, according to officials at the meeting." "

Read the rest here.

Zombies in Ann Arbor

Detroit Free Press Wednesday, October 03, 2012

The Freep has a great photo slide show of Saturday's zombie walk.

Excerpt:

"The undead came to life Saturday for the annual Zombie Walk to benefit Food Gatherers of Ann Arbor. Participants met at Pinball Pete’s in Ann Arbor to drop off nonperishable food donations. From there, they hobbled and crawled to the Three Corpse Circus Horror Film Festival at the Michigan Theater. Organizer Bambi Slevin, 32, of Ypsilanti said about 60 people participated this year and donated two bins of food."

Check it out here!

Hacker Tour stops in Ann Arbor

AnnArbor.com Wednesday, October 03, 2012

The SF start-up ReadyForce has decided that the current job search process is broken. With that in mind they've launched HackTour 2012,"n 8 week national bus tour designed to connect fast growing startups and tech companies to top computer science and engineering students across the country." Ann Arbor U-M was one of its 27 stops.

Excerpt:

"At the College of Engineering career fair Tuesday, the van was parked outside emblazoned with the logos of the 26 companies sponsoring the eight-week swing through 27 campuses across the country. The website is a cross between LinkedIn, Match.com and Monster.com that connects college students with companies interested in hiring them."

Read the rest here.

Ann Arbor AutoBike seen as a "promising disruptive technology"

The Disruptive Investor Wednesday, October 03, 2012

What is the Disruptive Investor? Well, according to their site they are "dedicated to uncovering the most commercially promising disruptive technologies. Our mission is to connect the most disruptive technologies to the investment, licensing and acquisition communities." Get it? Ann Arbor's AutoBike gets singled out for notice.

Excerpt:

"For most people, the purpose of a bicycle is to take leisurely rides and have fun. Some riders, however, do not shift gears at the right time. They therefore exhaust themselves faster or may have to walk their bicycles up otherwise manageable hills. These situations tarnish the entire cycling experience and make people less likely to ride. The AutoBike solves this problem by automatically shifting gears for the cyclist."

Read the rest here.

Arbor Brewing gets more praise for going green

FuelFix.com Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Having one solar-powered, green-minded brewpub in your community is pretty awesome. Having two is twice the awesome.

Excerpt:

"The Corner Brewery’s $250,000 “Green Brewery Project” includes solar-thermal, photovoltaic, and geo-thermal technologies along with new windows, awnings and energy-efficient chiller equipment. It is expected to provide almost all of the brewery’s hot water needs and up to 15 percent of its electricity, while knocking $20,000 each year off energy bills."

Read the rest here.

Ann Arbor makes the list for young entrepreneurs

Business2Community Wednesday, September 26, 2012

It looks like thirteen is a lucky number. On its guest list of 13 awesome cities for start-ups, Business2Community ranks Ann Arbor alongside Chicago, Portland, and Madison.

Excerpt:

“Ann Arbor has a thriving entrepreneurship community due to the University of Michigan, Michigan economic development initiatives and, most importantly, entrepreneurs that choose to grow their companies here. Plus the quality of life is fantastic: There’s plenty of art, culture and shopping, but it only takes 15 minutes to get from the edge of town to city center (unless there’s a football game!)."

Read the rest here.

TechArb represents a generational shift in thinking

The Atlantic Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Visiting TechArb, writer Alexis Madrigal of The Atlantic witnesses a seed change in the way college students view entrepreneurship. THe name of his article says it all, "These Students Love Startups Like the Animal House Guys Loved Beer"

Excerpt:

"I mean, I'm not even in Generation X and I find it easy to be cynical about this kind of excitement for putting one's shoulder to the capitalist wheel. At the same time, their excitement is infectious. I spent the rest of my time at TechArb excitedly talking with students about the companies they're trying to build and before I knew it, two hours had gone by and I was still not quite ready to leave. These are kids who probably first heard "Start Me Up" on a Microsoft commercial. You say you want a revolution? Well, you know, we all want to change the world."

Read the rest here.

The word is out about Zingerman's "bake-cations"

Indianapolis Star Wednesday, September 26, 2012

As we reported back in June, Zingerman's classes aren't just yummy, they're attracting out-of-town tourists.

Excerpt:

"Students in the four-day program, which costs $1,000, can specialize in breads, pastries or a combined "world tour" course of international baked goods. Two-day courses, at $500, focus on either pastries or breads.

Bake-cation classes are limited to 12 students to allow for one-on-one instruction, and Zingerman's staff members take care of measuring the ingredients and cleaning up afterward."

Read the rest of the story here.

Jeb Bartlet endorses U-M prof for Michigan's Supreme Court?

AnnArbor.com Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Have you seen the West Wing video that careening around the Internet? In it the cast talks about nonpartisan elections (Ie. judges, etc) and the importance of casting your vote. Bridget Mary McCormack gets name-checked by actor Martin Sheen.

Excerpt:

"McCormack's younger sister, Mary, appeared in 48 episodes of West Wing between 2004 and 2006, playing the role of deputy national security adviser Kate Harper. She appears as her character in the video and, for a laugh, acts as clueless as the rest of the cast when they mention her real name."

Read the rest here. Watch below...

Visiting Ann Arbor with kids

Chicago Parent Wednesday, September 19, 2012

The fairy doors were a hit, of course. And the Kelsey Museum of Archaeology, Frita Batido, and Zingerman's. Where did they stay? Webbers, duh. Can you say "pool-side suites?"

Excerpt:

"My children, ages 2 and 11, had a blast trying to find the many intricate and colorful fairy doors located in shops, cafes and restaurants throughout town. Follow the fairy map, available at Urban Fairy Operations (urban-fairies.com) and see if you can spot the tiny entrances that lead to hidden fairy dwellings. I was happy to have a chance to browse the boutiques while they gazed through the miniature windows and doors."

Read the rest here.

60 Minutes shoot at Zingerman's?

The Ann Arbor Chronicle Wednesday, September 19, 2012

An expose on bagels? Or is it because Food & Wine Magazine listed Zing's Reuben as one of the best sandwiches in the country?

Mary Morgan of the invaluable Ann Arbor Chronicle adds this tantalizing snippet in the publication's "Stopped. Watched." ticker.

"A staff member from Zingerman’s Deli reports that a producer and camera crew from “60 Minutes” were there earlier in the day shooting footage."

I guess we'll know when we know. In the meantime, be sure to check out the Chronicle for the goings-on in Ann Arbor city government.

U-M ranked 29th by U.S. News and World Report

U.S. News and World Report Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Once again the list comes out and once again universities and colleges start the bragging/bitching process. Are these rankings accurate? Please. Still, interesting to see that a public school didn't break the top 20. Check out all the rankings here.

On the other hand, QS World University Rankings rated U-M as the top American public university and 17th overall. Read about it here.

Ypsilanti to welcome return of Pianos 'Round Town

The Ypsilanti Courier Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Time to get your fingers ready and raring for Pianos 'Round Town, the public art project that places 8 sets keyboards in locations around Ypsilanti. Expect instances of true musical inspiration, random plunking, and more than few kids banging away.

Pianos arrive Sept. 21 and can be found in front of Sidetrack, Nelson Amos Studio, The Ypsilanti Co-op, Tower Inn, Red Rock Barbecue, Café Racer, the Depot Town Dispensary and Mix until Oct. 9.

Excerpt:

"During Pianos 'Round Town eight pianos are placed in front of various businesses around the city for public use. Anyone who is having a musical whim can sit down and play.

The event is inspired by the "Play Me, I'm Yours" public artwork project by British artist Luke Jerram. Jerram travels to large cities around the world and places pianos in public areas for people to play. The project began in 2008 and has traveled from London to New York and even Grand Rapids, Mich. "

Read the rest here.

Murder and intrigue in Ann Arbor

NPRNews Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Harry Dolan sees a different Ann Arbor than you or I. In his crime novels it's not uncommon for bodies to stack up like cord wood, as his mystery magazine editor / sleuth David Loogan uncovers our community's murders most foul. NPR catches up with the author and puts the spotlight on The Deuce.

Excerpt:

"Ann Arbor residents would easily recognize their city in Harry Dolan's crime fiction, but the likeness ends with murder; while Dolan can pack several homicides into each book, the real Ann Arbor is much more peaceful."

Read/ Listen to the rest here.