2009 – Page 17 of 98

David Alan Grier talks about his college days at U-M

By Newsroom

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October 21, 2009

One of the stars of "In Living Color" reflects on his colorful days in Ann Arbor.Excerpt:David Alan Grier is an actor and comedian who became famous as a member of the cast of the groundbreaking TV series “In Living Color” from 1990-1994, and went on to land roles in a range of movies and TV shows. Born in Detroit in 1955, he started acting while attending the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor in the mid-1970s.Grier has another Ann Arbor connection, too. In 2007, he hosted an NBC improv show, "Thank God You’re Here" – a cast member of that show, Nyima Funk, grew up in Ann Arbor and is the daughter of former city councilmember Wendy Woods.Read the rest of the story here.

Ann Arbor’s “Acoustic Café” attracts a global crowd

By Newsroom

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Arts and Culture

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October 21, 2009

Ann Arbor-made music radio has an international appeal at the "Acoustic Cafe."Excerpt:Rob Reinhart has the kind of voice — rich and resonant — that's made for radio, which is where you'll find the producer/host of the weekly, made-in-Ann Arbor, nationally syndicated radio program "Acoustic Café."Reinhart's guests over the 15 years since the show launched have included top talent as well as up-and-comers from a variety of musical genres."Beck, Joan Baez, John Prine ... we consider Pat Metheny a singer-songwriter, even though he’s working in the jazz world. James Taylor; his brother, Livingston; his son Ben — all of those people are in that category. … Ani DiFranco was one of our earliest guests back in the '90s. John Mayer was on the program, Norah Jones was on the program early on ... It's been fun to watch their careers launch over time.”The show is heard on more than 75 stations, commercial and non-commercial, around the country. Voice of America carries the show worldwide to Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe and South America. Acoustic Café can also be heard on the web, or fans can “friend” them on Facebook, where video is also included.Read the rest of the story here.

Seattle Times interview with Ann Arbor’s Mayer Hawthorne

By Newsroom

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Arts and Culture

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October 21, 2009

People from coast to coast in the U.S. are starting to recognize Ann Arbor music-product Mayer Hawthorne these days. It's a classic case of suburban white boy making good by channeling Motown soul. Thank goodness Mayer does it it so well.Excerpt:The artist known as Mayer Hawthorne plays Fisher Green stage at Bumbershoot Saturday, September 5th. His style: Motown. His pedigree: hip-hop. His phone manner: Affable.The singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist/DJ/producer is as yet mostly unknown to the public at large. I predict this will change.In his Matson on Music interview, Hawthorne (known to the government as Andrew Mayer Cohen) mentions a surprise upcoming album with Seattle hiphop producer Jake One (!), and touches on topics like listening to Motown with his dad, the joys of being signed to Stones Throw Records -- the only label that would let him release his single on red, heart-shaped vinyl without batting an eye at how expensive that is (his idea) -- and whether he's had more success with the ladies as a hiphop DJ or soul singer.Read the rest of the story here.

Ann Arbor DDA green program makes businesses more sustainable

By Newsroom

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Economic Development

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October 21, 2009

Green has several meanings in downtown Ann Arbor, and the city's DDA is out to promote both in local businesses.Excerpt:About 50 businesses were approved by an Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority committee today to enter the second year of a program designed to bolster the energy efficiency of downtown buildings.The businesses, large and small, represent about 560,000 square feet in downtown Ann Arbor — roughly 200,000 square feet more than last year, when the DDA launched its Downtown Energy Saving Grant Program and had 40 downtown businesses participate. Susan Pollay, executive director of the DDA, says the program has clear environmental benefits."More importantly, this is about saving money," she said. "If we can get our businesses and our building owners to rein in some of their overhead costs, some of their energy costs, that may be some of what helps to keep them going. ... This is absolutely about helping businesses and building owners get through this tough time."Read the rest of the story here.

Local libraries see uptick in popularity with down economy

By Newsroom

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Community Development

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October 21, 2009

Dexter and Saline's libraries are watching more and more people take advantage of their services these days. Those free DVD rentals are an obvious hook, but could it mean we'll see an uptick in literary appreciation?Excerpt:Library directors across the area are reporting increases in usage, in part, they say because of the economy, and in some cases because of new or expanded buildings.Computer usage is at an all-time high in area libraries with people job hunting or applying for unemployment benefits.Read the rest of the story here.

Ann Arbor’s Sisters of Mary expect big numbers for retreat

By Newsroom

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General

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October 21, 2009

Ann Arbor's rapidly growing convent is attracting people from all over the U.S. these days.Excerpt:Ann Arbor, Mich. - The Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist have announced the dates for this year's 24-hour discernment retreats for young women. The rapidly growing religious community says that the current average of participants is 100 per retreat and that they continue to see a steady uptick in interest. Read the rest of the story here.

NIGHT AND DAY: Our Cultural Plan, Mike Doughty

By Jeff Meyers

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Arts and Culture

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October 14, 2009

Yeah, the Wilco show is sold out, but that doesn't mean there isn't plenty to do in A2. Editor Jeff Meyers weighs in on efforts to bring the local arts community together, as well as his six picks for your entertainment consumption. Top of the heap: ex-Soul Coughing lead Mike Doughty, whose stop-start guitar and layered lyrics are a special kind of singer-songwriter poetry.

AATA pilot project gets real-time bus info to riders

By Newsroom

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Development News

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October 14, 2009

Few things are as depressing as waiting and waiting and waiting in inclement weather for a bus named Godot, ...except, of course, watching your bus pull away just as you get to the bus stop.The Ann Arbor Transportation Authority is trying to eliminate such things with a new pilot program via Shepherd Intelligent Systems. The University of Michigan spin-off is testing technology that would let users see exactly where buses are located in real time."This iis really focused around the riders," says Adrian Fortino, CEO of Shepherd Intelligent Systems.The mobile technology lets bus riders see the real-time location of the bus they want to catch through active maps on a website or smart phone application. It also supplies accurate predictions (within a minute) of when a bus will arrive at its stop using text messages. The technology comes from the Magic Bus program U-M uses for its buses.The pilot program will focus on Route #6 for the rest of this year. It could be spread throughout the rest of the AATA bus system next year.Source: Adrian Fortino, CEO of Shepherd Intelligent SystemsWriter: Jon Zemke

U-M plans to upgrade Central Power Plant, Admin Services Building

By Newsroom

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Development News

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October 14, 2009

The University of Michigan's perpetual construction cycle is about to continue now that the university's Board of Regents intends to approve two more multi-million dollar projects.The university is planning to upgrade the mechanical systems at the Administrative Services Building and make the Central Power Plant more energy efficient. The combined cost of the two projects is set at $4.6 million.The Administrative Services Building was built in 1963 as the Data Processing Center. Today its 91,000-square-feet houses the university's IT services, using the original electrical system. The university plans to replace the existing 2.4 kilovolt system with a 13.2 kilovolt system at a cost of $2 million.Also receiving some TLC is the university's Central Power Plant, which utilizes steam to heat and cool the buildings on the Central and Medical campuses. The university plans to spend $2.6 million replacing water demineralizer with two reverse osmosis systems. The end result will provide better water quality with fewer chemicals and better energy and operational efficiency. Source: University of MichiganWriter: Jon Zemke

U-M opens MiSo to tours at Botanical Gardens

By Newsroom

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Development News

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October 14, 2009

The past, present and future of solar research at the University of Michigan will be on display tonight at the Matthaei Botanical Gardens.The past is the Michigan Solar House (MiSo) that U-M students, faculty and volunteers built for the 2005 Solar Decathlon in Washington, D.C. There will be tours given between 5:30 and 7 p.m.The present is the Shadow Pavilion installation courtesy of Professor Karl Daubmann. The installation utilizes computer-generated architectural forms inspired by botanical models. The clustered paper-thin, reflective aluminum cones provide shade and a vista point for the Sam Graham Trees Trail overlook. The future will be Profs. Daubmann and Harry Giles talking about what's coming down the pike for solar energy research at the university.The star of the show is MiSo. The 660-square foot, solar-powered home showcases the future potential of modular and energy efficient housing. More than 150 people built the energy neutral home, meaning it produces as much energy as it uses. It was moved to the Matthaei Botanical Gardens earlier this year.The reception will be held in the visitors center of the Conservatory of the Matthaei Botanical Gardens, 1800 N. Dixboro Road. For information, contact Janice Harvey at jrharvey@umich.edu or (734) 764-1340.Source:Writer: Jon Zemke