Ann Arbor

White Pine Systems to create 10 jobs in Ann Arbor this year

The internet has helped empower consumers by putting valuable information at their fingertips. White Pine Systems plans to do the same thing, but with medical records and patients.The company gives its customers access to their medical records, allowing them to help become more knowledgeable of their conditions so they can work with their doctors more effectively. The idea is to help them get a better picture of their health, thus helping eliminate unnecessary medical care and ensuring they get the right treatment."We are on the cusp of empowering the consumer and consumers' families to do some important things," says Doug Dormer, president of White Pine Systems.This goes beyond people struggling with chronic illnesses who regularly visit hospitals. White Pine Systems works with long-distance races, such as marathons and half- marathons, so a runner and potentially first responders have access to important medical information.White Pine Systems got its start in 2006, but was shelved until late 2007 so society could catch up to the technology. It now employs 10 people who work virtually from all over Ann Arbor. White Pine Systems plans to add some interns this summer or at the latest by this fall. Another 10 people are expected to come on board by the end of this year."We expect to grow," Dormer says.Source: Doug Dormer, president of White Pine Systems Writer: Jon Zemke

Two U-M faculty members receive Guggenheim Fellowships

Say the word Guggenheim in artistic circles and its likely a head or two will turn. More than a few heads are turning toward a couple of University of Michigan faculty who have been awarded 2009 Guggenheim Fellowships.The world-recognized, prestigious honor went to a poet, Laura Kasischke, and an artist, Heidi Kumao. Kasischke is an associate professor in U-M's Department of English and the Residential College, while Heidi Kumao serves as an associate professor in the university's School of Art & Design. They are two of the 180 artists to make the Guggenheim in 2009 out of 3,000 applications.Kasischke will use her Guggenheim fellowship to take the year to write and revise a collection of poems tentatively entitled "Space, in Chains." Kumao will continue to research and develop her current project of video sculptures called "Timed Release" for exhibition in 2010. The John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation has granted more than $273 million in Fellowships to more than 16,700 individuals since 1925.Source: University of MichiganWriter: Jon Zemke

A123Systems receives financing, expands Michigan operations

A123Systems' latest announcement to build new lithium ion battery factories may seem on the surface like a win for Novi, where one of the plants will be built.The Massachusetts-based firm also has a research facility in Ann Arbor. The facility has grown significantly in recent years (the company went from 300 to more than 1,000 employees in one year) and expects to mushroom more soon as the company looks to expand in Michigan.The money for this expansion is coming from a $69 million investment from GE. That money will primarily go toward growing the lithium ion battery and smart grid technologies. This is GE's seventh investment in the company, upping its ownership stake to more than 10 percent.A123Systems hopes to use this money to help leverage more investment from federal and state government sources. Billions in federal tax dollars have already been set aside for the development of lithium ion batteries. That has let A123Systems aim to help put 5 million hybrid or plug-in electric vehicles on the road by 2013.Source: A123SystemsWriter: Jon Zemke

Foreclosures aid Ann Arbor residential infill construction

Developers are finding innovative ways to make the foreclosure crisis work for them in Ann Arbor.Excerpt:Low lot prices caused by foreclosures are making Ann Arbor-area infill home construction easier economically. Building activity within existing neighborhoods - including teardowns and new construction - has continued relatively steadily through the housing slump, local builders said, thanks in part to the availability of cheap land through foreclosures.Tom Fitzsimmons of Huron Contracting has specialized in infill since his company began in 1991, and said lower prices on land have allowed him to sell his homes at the lower rates demanded by the market."It allows us to continue doing what we've been doing," Fitzsimmons said.Read the rest of the story here and how building small houses may be the next big trend here.

U-M fans huddle for look inside refurbished Michigan Stadium

University of Michigan diehards got a sneak peek of the newly refurbished Michigan Stadium.Excerpt:Rich Rodriguez realized his mistake almost immediately on Saturday.After being stopped by a parking attendant and asked if he had a reserved space outside Michigan Stadium's tunnel, Rodriguez showed his special parking pass and was able to slide into a spot, steps from the Junge Champions Center, where recruits waited.But getting from his car to the Junge door, a distance of about 30 yards, was difficult as he was mobbed by the fans waiting in line for the free locker room tour. Rodriguez patiently posed for photos, signed autographs as he tried to walk, only getting through once a police officer helped clear a path. He insisted he didn't want to be rude but had business inside.While he didn't expect that reception, it showed how loyal the Michigan fans are, as the line for the tour wrapped three-fourths of the way around the building for most of the 2 1/2 hour availability, with thousands being turned away simply because of time."This is why I wanted to bring my son," said Ty Coleman, an Ann Arbor resident, who had seen the old locker room 30 years ago when his cousin, Ron Simpkins, played. "It's an opportunity to see what Michigan football is all about, especially in an up-close view of the stadium."Read the rest of the story here.

Ann Arbor buildings may only grow so tall

Ann Arbor is moving on up, but not too high.Excerpt:At city council’s meeting Monday evening, there was a clear consensus among councilmembers that they wanted to amend the rezoning package for the downtown that had been recommended by the planning commission. The consensus was to include an absolute building height limit.Read the rest of the story here.

GoKnow software says learning goes on cell phones

GoKnow knows it's going somewhere fast in Ann Arbor. Excerpt:An Ann Arbor-based company's cell phone software that allows students and teachers to work on the go fits a new national mandate to improve U.S. education, says the founder of GoKnow Inc. Elliot Soloway, co-founder and chief strategy officer of the University of Michigan spinout, said his company's software lets K-12 students and teachers use cell phones to manage school work. Smartphones, Solowsay said, "are the next evolution of computers." Now he predicts an explosion on the national and global market for the new educational cell phone software niche. Read the rest of the story here.

Cool Spaces: Loft Living in Downtown Ann Arbor

How to attract and keep young talent? That is the question. Concentrate asked three young professionals who live in the city's hottest living commodity – the symbol of all that is youthful, urbane and hip-- the downtown loft --what they think of their digs, their town, and how Ann Arbor can attract and retain more young people just like them.

Tuning in to Greenovation.TV

Need practical advise on how to green your home? An Ann Arbor couple has launched the world's first Internet TV channel dedicated to helping you green it yourself.

Ghostly International moves to downtown Ann Arbor storefront

Ann Arbor's most famous record label has found a new home, luckily in its native city. Ghostly International is moving into a storefront on Maynard Street in downtown Ann Arbor. The storefront is the same location that the Obama campaign worked out of last year. The start-up record label plans to start the move in May. It's currently located in a small space in the second floor of the East Liberty Plaza building. For the time being, it's planning to just use the space for its office work, however, it's looking at the possibility of toying with some retail.Ghostly International is currently playing with a pop-up shop in Berlin. A pop-up shop allows the record label to see merchandise and records and other swag temporarily from a storefront. Such an idea is also a possibility for its Ann Arbor headquarters."If there is an interest then we would consider it," says Sam Valenti, CEO of Ghostly International.Source: Sam Valenti, CEO of Ghostly InternationalWriter: Jon Zemke

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