Logic Solutions Develops Mobile Application for Midwest Technology Leaders 2010 Symposium
Friday, April 30
Organizers for the Midwest Technology Leaders annual symposium, the ultimate destination for bringing together the Midwest's best and brightest in the technology industry, tapped Logic Solutions, Inc. of Ann Arbor, Michigan to develop a mobile web interface for the 2010 event. Smartphone users can view the application on their mobile browsers at http://www.midwesttechnologyleaders.com.
The application uses WAP (Wireless Access Protocol), an interface that is accessible over a mobile browser and does not require any component be downloaded. Midwest Technology Leaders (MTL) chose to use their home page URL as the application’s address, rather than creating a new subpage of the website. Logic set up a “sniffer” on the parent website to detect when a mobile device requests the home URL. This activates the new interface, which is easily viewed on any Smartphone, including iPhone, Droid, BlackBerry, and Windows Mobile products.
MTL customized the information available on the application to include a symposium agenda, biographies of the executive board members, descriptions of event partners, and venue details. Logic’s designers branded the interface to MTL’s specifications.
Logic’s mobile development experts completed the application work in just one week. Curtis Daneker, from MTL creators Arzika LLC, states, “We are really trying to separate our events from the rest. Logic Solutions has developed the tool to help us in that journey.”
Site visitors and attendees can expect a rich experience using the application, as Logic will add event updates to the interface in the weeks approaching the symposium date, May 26, 2010.
Logic Solutions is a proud sponsor of the Midwest Technology Leaders 2010 symposium.
About Logic Solutions
Founded in 1995, Logic Solutions, Inc. is a privately held minority-owned corporation with headquarters in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and offices in Shanghai, Beijing, Nanjing, and Hong Kong. A Midwest leader in mobile development, Logic’s global team designs custom mobile solutions for both simple and complex needs. Logic also provides distinctive software applications and web sites, IT outsourcing, and China Services to help companies cost-effectively realize their business strategies across the globe.
More information is available at http://www.logicsolutions.com.
About Midwest Technology Leaders
Midwest Technology Leaders Symposium is an exclusive gathering of the Midwest’s top information executives–those committed to innovation, excellence and results. Unrivaled in its quality content and strategic focus, MTL provides a peer-to-peer forum that promotes forward thinking and workforce retention. Through keynote presentations, panel discussions, roundtables and executive networking assemblages, the delegation addresses the critical issues impacting the local and regional IT industry.
Ann Arbor SPARK and Eastside Innovation Campus Host Business Plan Competition
Friday, APRIL 30
On June 4, 3:30-6:30 p.m., Ann Arbor SPARK, the region’s driving force of business location, expansion and retention, is hosting a business plan competition in conjunction with EIC, the Eastside Innovation Campus. The pitch competition, hosted by SPARK East, will showcase five innovation-based entrepreneurs; the competition winner, as judged by a panel of noted funding and business experts, will win prizes to support their venture, including a one year incubator lease at SPARK East and up to $50,000 in business acceleration services.
“The EIC collaboration is helping to expand the region’s entrepreneurial success by delivering critical services to start-ups. The pitch competition is a celebration of that success to date and signifies a continued commitment by SPARK East and its partners to growing start-up businesses,” said Michael A. Finney, Ann Arbor SPARK CEO. “The EIC pitch competition provides opportunities for start-ups to pitch their business to investors and the community, and receive feedback that can further their business development.”
Pitch competition finalists will have three minutes to deliver a business pitch to the panel of judges. The winning pitch will be selected based on identification and articulation of market need, how the product meets the need and business model. Companies will pitch their business idea in front of an audience at SPARK East. .
To qualify for the pitch competition, businesses must be registered as a Michigan business. The winner of the competition is required to establish the SPARK East business incubator as its primary business location.
Applications to compete in the EIC pitch competition are due by close of business on May 14, 2010. The five finalists who will compete at the pitch competition event will be notified by e-mail or phone by May 21, 2010. The online application is available at http://www.annarborusa.org/start-ups/new-business-pitch-competition/pitch-competition-application/.
EIC is a collaborative effort of Ann Arbor SPARK, Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Regional Chamber, Small Business and Technology Development Center, Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC), Washtenaw County etcs/Michigan Works!, and Eastern Michigan University’s College of Business. Drawing from these regional resources, EIC offers start-ups a unique combination of local expertise, business incubation, export assistance, meeting space, marketing services, and education.
The Ann Arbor SPARK EIC pitch competition is a free event. For more information, or to register to attend, visit http://www.annarborusaevents.org/EventDetails.aspx?e=10416.
About Ann Arbor SPARK
Ann Arbor SPARK, a non-profit organization, is the driving force in establishing the Ann Arbor region as a destination for business expansion, retention, and location by identifying and meeting the needs of business at every stage, from startups to large organizations. Ann Arbor SPARK represents all communities in the Washtenaw County. Ann Arbor SPARK collaborates with business, academic, government, and community investor partners including the University of Michigan, Eastern Michigan University, Washtenaw Community College, Michigan Works!/ETCS, Washtenaw County, the City of Ann Arbor, the Bank of Ann Arbor and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. For more information, please call (734) 761-9317 or visit www.AnnArborUSA.org.
Small Businesses to be Honored at Michigan Celebrates Small Business, April 29 in Lansing
Thursday, April 29
Michigan Celebrates Small Business (MCSB), the state’s premier awards event celebrating small business excellence and the importance of small business success to Michigan’s economy, will be held April 29th at the Lansing Center.
“Michigan Celebrates Small Business fosters the entrepreneurial spirit in Michigan,” says Carol Lopucki – State Director of the Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center. “The event is an opportunity to celebrate the success of small business in Michigan by highlighting over 60 small businesses that have helped build Michigan’s economy in 2009. Now in its sixth year, we are expecting over 1,000 guests to celebrate this success.”
Well-known green energy entrepreneur Maria Thompson, President and CEO of T/J Technologies, Inc., a nationally recognized Michigan company for proprietary alternative energy technologies, is the keynote speaker.
The evening will consist of light jazz in the opening reception, dinner, awards presentation and a post event reception to allow guests to mingle and congratulate the award winners. For more details on Michigan Celebrates Small Business event and to purchase tickets, visit www.michigancelebrates.biz.
Five founders that support and celebrate entrepreneurialism in Michigan banded together in 2005 to create Michigan Celebrates Small Business, the state's premier awards ceremony for entrepreneurs and small business leaders. The event’s founders are the U.S. Small Business Administration – Michigan, the Small Business Association of Michigan, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center and the Edward Lowe Foundation.
Underwriters for this year’s Michigan Celebrates Small Business event are National City (now a part of PNC), Clark Hill PLC, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the Michigan Certified Development Corporation, Accident Fund Insurance Company of America, Comcast Business Class/Comcast Spotlight and Dynamic Edge Inc.
Media partners for Michigan Celebrates Small Business are MiBiz, Crain’s Detroit Business, Upper Peninsula Business Today, the Traverse City Business News, Michigan Radio, Mitechnews.com, WWJ Newsradio 950 and the Greater Lansing Business Monthly.
About the Winners
Michigan 50 Companies to Watch
“Michigan 50 Companies to Watch” is an awards program (list of winners attached) sponsored by the Edward Lowe Foundation and presented by Michigan Celebrates Small Business.
“Now 300 strong, the second-stage businesses that comprise the Michigan 50 Companies to Watch have not only persevered through challenging times, but also found opportunities to grow,” says Penny Lewandowski, director of entrepreneurship development at the Edward Lowe Foundation. “They continue to hire and develop new markets for their products and services. Some have attracted significant amounts of venture capital, while others have been awarded prestigious federal grants. They are making a substantial difference in their communities — and their industries. Our 2010 inductees are proof that entrepreneurs are, and always have been, the future of Michigan’s economy.”
Companies nominated for the “Michigan 50 Companies to Watch” list must be second-stage companies, defined as having 6 to 99 full-time-equivalent employees and generating $750,000 to $50 million in annual revenue or working capital from investors or grants. In addition, the companies must be privately held and headquartered in Michigan.
Winners were selected by judges from the banking, economic development, entrepreneurship development and venture capital communities. Judges evaluated the nominees’ demonstrated intent and capacity to grow based on one or more of the following:
• Employee or sales growth.
• Exceptional entrepreneurial leadership.
• Sustainable competitive advantage.
• Other notable factors that showcase the company's success.
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) of Michigan Small Business Awards
“Michigan’s entrepreneurs and small businesses are becoming increasingly important contributors to our economy,” said Richard Temkin, SBA Michigan District Director. “I am very proud that one of our Michigan award winners has won SBA’s Midwest regional award.” Charles Reid (Charter House Innovations, Holland) is Michigan’s Small Business Person of the Year and is in contention for the national award, which will be announced during National Small Business Week, May 22-25.
The other award winners for Michigan are: Michigan and Midwest Region Young Entrepreneur of the Year: Stewart W. Beal, President, Beal, Inc., Ann Arbor; Michigan Jeffrey Butland Family-Owned Business of the Year: DeWitt Barrels, Inc., Marne; Michigan Financial Services Champion: Derek Edwards, Vice President Huntington National Bank, Mt. Clemens; Michigan Minority Small Business Champion: William R. Ross, President, Booker T. Washington Business Association, Detroit; Women in Business Champions: Carrie Hensel, Co-Founder and Co-President, Debra Power, Co-Founder and Co-President, Women’s Exchange of Washtenaw, Ann Arbor; Michigan Veteran Small Business Champion: Daniel P. Whisnant, Government Sales Specialist, Stryker Medical, Portage; Michigan Small Business Counselor: James D. Beauchamp, Senior Business Consultant, Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center, Escanaba; Small Business Journalist of the Year: Lucy Ann Lance, Co-Owner Lance & Erskine Communications, LLC, Ann Arbor.
For more information on the SBA award winners, please contact the SBA Michigan District Office at (313) 226-6075, x225 or e-mail annette.hall@sba.gov.
Other Awards
Innovation Award: ElectroJet of Brighton’s Electronic Fuel Injection systems for non-automotive applications including motorcycles and scooters (contact CEO Kyle Schwulst at 743-272-3101.) To be eligible for this award, a product or service must have been developed and earned revenue during the past three years and be nominated to the Small Business Association of Michigan.
Best Small Business – Main Street USA Award: Maestro eLearning of Kalamazoo designs online training courses that maximize the advantages of distance learning through revolutionary e-learning principles (contact owner Josh Little at 269-488-7236). To be eligible for this award the small business must be a client of the MI-SBTDC who participated in a substantial amount of MI-SBTDC programs that resulted in a positive impact on the company in areas such as access to capital, development and implementation of a strategic plan and entry into new markets.
Government Contracting Award: GS Engineering of Houghton (contact Glen Simula at 906-482-1235) provides complete engineering of lightweight structures for military and commercial vehicles. They develop the structural systems, then build and field test prototypes to validate the design. To be eligible for this award the small business must be a client of a Michigan Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) and received a minimum of one year assistance to help the business win or come substantially closer to winning a government contract.
BCBSM has Good News for Spring 2010 College and High School Graduates
Thursday, April 29
A diploma won't be the only thing carried away from high school and college commencement ceremonies in Michigan this spring. Young adults also will be carrying their parents' Blue Cross health insurance card.
A major cooperative effort between the White House and national health insurance carriers is under way to immediately end the insurance industry practice of dropping young adults from their parents' coverage — either when they graduate from college, or when they turn 19 and are not enrolled in college.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan applauds the effort — because it has been BCBSM's longstanding policy of allowing college graduates to remain on their parents' BCBSM health insurance coverage for the remainder of the calendar year after graduating; or if they turn 19 and choose not to attend college. BCBSM has sent a communication to its self-insured customers — businesses that rely on BCBSM for administrative services and network access, but not for insurance underwriting — to join the effort since they write their own eligibility rules for coverage.
"Our longstanding policy of preventing young people from getting their diploma and immediately becoming uninsured is another example of why the Michigan Blues are a model for national health care reform," said Blues President and CEO, Daniel J. Loepp. "We welcome participation by the rest of the insurance industry ahead of national health reform changes scheduled for later this year."
The newly enacted Patient Protection and Affordability Act requires all insurers — including self-insured businesses — to maintain coverage eligibility for dependents up to the age of 26. This requirement does away with many insurers' practices of dropping young adults from their parents' coverage. But the requirement goes into effect in September 2010 — too late for this year for spring's college and high school graduates.
Neutral Zone, Ann Arbor’s Teen Center, Receives $10,000 Grant From Comcast Foundation, Benefits From Volunteer Support During Comcast Cares Day
Thursday, April 29
Comcast, one of the nation’s leading providers of entertainment, information and communication products and services, today announced that it has awarded the Neutral Zone, Ann Arbor’s Teen Center, a grant for $10,000 to support the center’s Students Educating Each other about Diversity (SEED) program. The grant was announced during the company’s ninth-annual Comcast Cares Day in Ann Arbor on Saturday, April 24, after volunteers helped enhance the community center through interior makeover projects, as well as beautifying the center’s exterior.
“The teens and staff at Neutral Zone are grateful to the Comcast Foundation for the opportunity to sustain the success of the SEED program,” said John Weiss, Neutral Zone’s Executive Director. “With the financial and volunteer support of given at Comcast Cares Day, we will be able to accomplish a number of projects that would otherwise not be feasible. We are thrilled to have the generous support of Comcast’s caring employees.”
SEED trains high school students to develop workshops and facilitate groups of middle school youth with the aim of combating discrimination. By utilizing older teens instead of adults to spread positive messages, the result is a higher response to the lessons, and the younger students are able to focus on meaningful decision-making while the older students learn the value of mentorship and leadership. With an ethnic makeup of participants that includes 51% Caucasians, 29% African Americans and the remaining 20% of various other backgrounds (bi-racial, Asian, etc.), the program is able to promote diversity awareness to area youth.
”It’s great to see corporate partners, such as Comcast, step up to the plate and provide financial support to important social programs, such as Neutral Zone’s SEED Program,” said Speaker Pro Tem Pam Byrnes. “It’s amazing what can be accomplished in one day when you bring together 50 volunteers for a common cause – Comcast Cares Day does help make a difference.”
Comcast Cares Day Brings Out Volunteers
Twenty-four nonprofit organizations in the communities Comcast serves throughout Michigan benefited from the efforts of more than 2,400 Comcast volunteers during the week of April 19, which culminated with Comcast Cares Day on April 24. Nationwide, more than 55,000 Comcast volunteers participated on this annual day of service, which is one of the largest single-day corporate volunteer efforts in the country. Comcast Cares Day is one way that Comcast helps to power dreams and demonstrate a year-round commitment to making a difference in the communities it serves.
“The Ann Arbor area is home to one of Comcast’s customer call centers, so we appreciate the opportunity to give back to the community in which our employees work and live,” said Tom Coughlin, Senior Vice President for Comcast’s Michigan Region. “There is nothing more rewarding than helping those in need and I’m grateful to the Comcast Cares Day volunteers who will be donating their time to make a difference.”
In the Ann Arbor area, Comcast employees also donated blood during a week-long American Red Cross blood drive at the Comcast Call Center in Scio Township. The call center, home to approximately 500 employees, also partnered with the Kids Against Hunger national food organization. Employees packaged approximately 12,000 adult meals (the equivalent of 24,000 meals for children), 8,000 of which were delivered to the Food Gatherers in Ann Arbor. The remaining 4,000 meals were sent to families in Haiti and Chile.
About The Neutral Zone, Ann Arbor’s Teen Center
Founded in 1998, The Neutral Zone is a diverse, youth-driven teen center dedicated to promoting personal growth through artistic expression, community leadership and the exchange of ideas. The Neutral Zone would be an excellent organization to receive grant funding from the Comcast Foundation given the focus area of youth development – they operate with a positive youth development approach by encouraging youth in activities that take place during at-risk hours, and they are committed to providing participants with educational and leadership skills that will prepare them for a successful future. Initiatives such as their Community Leadership Programs support collectives of young people to engage in their community, with one of the focuses on diversity building through education outreach.
About Comcast Corporation
Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK) (www.comcast.com) is one of the nation’s leading providers of entertainment, information and communication products and services. With 23.6 million cable customers, 15.9 million high-speed Internet customers, and 7.6 million Comcast Digital Voice customers, Comcast is principally involved in the development, management and operation of cable systems and in the delivery of programming content.
Comcast’s content networks and investments include E! Entertainment Television, Style Network, Golf Channel, VERSUS, G4, PBS KIDS Sprout, TV One, 11 regional sports networks operated by Comcast Sports Group and Comcast Interactive Media, which develops and operates Comcast’s Internet businesses, including Comcast.net (www.comcast.net). Comcast also has a majority ownership in Comcast-Spectacor, which owns two professional sports teams, the Philadelphia 76ers NBA basketball team and the Philadelphia Flyers NHL hockey team, and a large, multipurpose arena in Philadelphia, the Wachovia Center, and manages other facilities for sporting events, concerts and other events.
Comcast’s Michigan Region serves more than 1 million customers statewide and employs more than 4,000 people. Comcast has three major call centers located in the state and houses its Michigan Region headquarters in Southfield.
About the Comcast Foundation
The Comcast Foundation was founded by Comcast Corporation in June 1999 to provide charitable support to qualified non-profit organizations. The Foundation primarily invests in programs intended to have a positive, sustainable impact on their communities. The Foundation’s focus areas are expanding digital literacy, building tomorrow’s leaders and promoting community service. Since its inception, the Comcast Foundation has donated more than $77 million to organizations in the communities nationwide that Comcast serves. More information about the Foundation and its programs is available at www.comcast.com/inthecommunity.
Huron Valley Ambulance Reaccredited
Thursday, April 29
Huron Valley Ambulance has received reaccreditation by the national Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services (CAAS) for its compliance with national standards of excellence. This is HVA’s fifth reaccreditation since their original 1993 accreditation. The nonprofit service is accredited through February 2013.
“The public should expect accreditation of their ambulance service, just as they would expect it of a school or a hospital,” states Dale Berry, HVA President and CEO. “By meeting this set of standards in all areas, we’re showing our community that HVA is a leader in high quality pre-hospital care. Everyone who works at HVA contributes to the success of the reaccreditation process. We couldn’t do it without them.”
Originally accredited for five years in 1993 and reaccredited in 1998, 2001, 2004 and 2007, HVA was one of the first 21 ambulance services in the nation awarded this distinction. To date, 159 ambulance services in the U.S. are now nationally accredited. In order to be considered for reaccreditation, services complete a voluntary review process that includes completion of a comprehensive application and on-site review by national experts in emergency medical services.
The Commission is a nonprofit organization that was established to encourage and promote quality patient care in America’s medical transportation system. The primary focus of the Commission’s standards is high-quality patient care. This is accomplished by establishing national standards which not only address the delivery of quality patient care, but also the ambulance service’s total operation and its relationships with other agencies, the general public and the medical community. The Commission’s standards often exceed state or local licensing requirements. HVA also serves as a role model for other ambulance services hoping to become accredited.
Based in Ann Arbor, Huron Valley Ambulance is the nonprofit community service covering Washtenaw County, western Wayne County and southwest Oakland County.
Kids: Submit Your Art to be Juried for the 2010 Kids Art Fair
Thursday, April 29
The Kid’s Art Fair is Back!! Young artists aged 6 – 14 from Washtenaw County are invited to submit their artwork to be juried for this year’s 2010 Kid's Art Fair held at the Townie Street Party – the kick-off to the 2010 Ann Arbor Art Fairs!
Jurying will take place at the Ann Arbor District Library’s Pittsfield Branch - You need to attend only one of these two sessions. Interested young artists should arrive with samples of their work and be prepared to talk to judges.
• Sunday, May 23 from 1 pm to 4 pm,
• Thursday, May 27 from 5 pm to 8 pm
Jurors from the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, The Original will score the work. Artists will have ample opportunity to show and discuss their art work with each Juror.
Young artists invited to exhibit at the Kids’ Art Fair will be notified by email or phone the week following the second jury session. These artists will be allowed to sell their work under a large tent at the July 19 Townie Street Party (5:00 – 9:30 pm), which will take place on North University Avenue and around the Fountain on Ingalls Mall.
This is a great chance to see the jurying process at work – and a unique opportunity (if yours is chosen) to be able to actually sell your art!
The Pittsfield Branch is located at 2359 Oak Valley Drive in Ann Arbor. For more information on this event call 327-4200.
AATA Board Approves Selection of Transit Master Plan Consultant
Thursday, April 22
The Ann Arbor Transportation Authority (AATA) board of directors took another step forward this evening in the process of exploring the possibility of countywide public transit. The board voted 6-1 to approve conducting contract negotiations with planning consultant Steer Davies Gleave (SDG) to develop a transit master plan for Washtenaw County.
“Washtenaw County is facing a number of challenges that require a long-term transit planning solution. Urban sprawl, job attraction and retention and environmental sustainability are all greatly impacted by our transit choices,” said AATA Board Chair Paul Ajegba. “With the help of SDG, we will create a transit master plan that will allow us to prepare for our future needs rather than facing challenges only as they come to us.”
Projected changes in population density, demographics and job growth patterns over the next 20 years include an increase in the senior population of almost 450 percent in Washtenaw County townships and an increase in total population of 38 percent.
“Our projected population changes and job growth patterns mean increased traffic congestion and travel times, fewer parking spaces and more frustration for commuters if we don’t start planning now,” said AATA CEO Michael Ford. “And our aging baby boomer population will need viable transportation options to ensure they can have access to the services they need on a daily basis.”
It is expected that SDG will first begin the development of a transit master plan by working with AATA staff to create a community dialogue about public transportation in Washtenaw County.
“It’s very important that all Washtenaw communities provide input so that a common vision for public transit can be established,” said Ford. “If the community doesn’t first decide where it wants to go and how their public transit systems should look in the future, it’s very hard for us to create a plan that tells them how to get there.”
Information gathered from public discussions will then be combined with demographic data and transit modeling statistics to create a transit master plan that will guide the development of a long term plan for public transportation as well as provide short range (3 to 5-year) implementation plans.
AATA staff interviewed three planning firms before selecting SDG as its transit master plan consultant. During the selection process, AATA CEO Michael Ford commented that SDG’s response to integrating transportation into the lives of the community was a refreshing take on transit solutions for the region.
“Their creative response to Washtenaw County’s current transit situation was fresh and compelling,” said Ford. “SDG’s experience and technical knowledge, combined with their enthusiasm and commitment to producing a plan that can be easily understood by the entire community made them the perfect choice.”
SDG is a leading independent transportation planning consultant with more than 30 years experience in master planning, sustainable transportation solutions, and transportation modeling. With offices around the world, including New York, Boston, London and Sao Paulo, SDG is able to learn from global best practices and apply them to local situations.
AATA will use federal formula funds, dedicated to planning purposes, to fund the development of the transit master plan, which is estimated to cost up to $400,000.
The AATA, a not-for-profit unit of government, operates the local public transit system for the greater Ann Arbor-Ypsilanti area. AATA enables the area's residents to reach their destinations at a reasonable cost, and offers the region efficient, environmentally sound transportation alternatives. For more information, please visit www.TheRide.org.
Humane Society of Huron Valley Offers Free Monthly Pet Loss Support Group Counseling
Tuesday, April 20
Many people experience great heartache when a beloved pet passes away. In fact, hundreds of visitors to the Humane Society of Huron Valley (HSHV) tell us that they simply are not ready to bring another pet home because they are still grieving. HSHV is proud to be able to offer assistance for people in mourning.
“Our collaboration with Blue Dog Counseling will offer a free monthly support group for people who have experienced or are about to experience the loss of a pet,” said Tanya Hilgendorf, HSHV Executive Director. “Our companion animals are very important to our lives. The death of a beloved animal can be emotionally traumatic, but our culture lacks proper outlets for those feelings. People without pets tend to have a ‘Get over it. It’s just a cat kind of attitude.’ But we at HSHV understand the strong bond between people and their animals. A pet loss support group acknowledges and can help heal the pain people experience during this difficult time. We are delighted we can bring this service to our community.”
Colleen O’Brien, LMSW, the founder of Blue Dog Counseling who has over fourteen years of experience, will be leading the support group sessions at HSHV. Ms. O’Brien is clinically trained in providing therapy and support to pet owners, animal lovers, and animal care providers around the complex issues of trauma, grief, and loss. Her personal commitment to animal welfare, her own experience as a devoted pet owner, and a passion for supporting people led her to create Blue Dog Counseling. Colleen is dedicated to providing a safe, open, and creative space for discussion.
The Pet Loss Support Group will meet the third Sunday of every month at the Humane Society of Huron Valley from 1 to 2 pm. The group is offered as a drop in service and is free to the public. Donations are welcome and will benefit the homeless pets at HSHV. Go to www.hshv.org for more information.
Scheduled Dates:
May 16
June 20
(NO MEETING IN JULY)
August 15
September 19
The Humane Society of Huron Valley (HSHV) is an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization serving all of Washtenaw County, Canton, and Plymouth, and relies solely on donations from businesses and individuals to support our community programs. The mission of HSHV is to promote responsible and compassionate care of all animals in our community. For more information, call (734) 662-5585 or visit www.hshv.org.
AATA and WCC Reach New Agreement
Tuesday, April 20
The Ann Arbor Transportation Authority (AATA) and Washtenaw Community College (WCC) have signed an agreement to continue support for students and staff who use AATA buses to travel from the WCC campus.
Under the new agreement, WCC will pay for all trips taken by students and staff with valid identification cards from the main campus bus stop in front of WCC’s Occupational Education Building. Beginning with the WCC spring/summer semester on Monday, May 10, students and staff will need to swipe their WCC identification cards through the fare box when they board the bus at the WCC bus stop. WCC will pay the fare for trips leaving campus, but students/staff will be responsible for paying the fare for trips to campus.
“Finding a parking spot at WCC can be a challenge. The WCC administration has been looking for ways to ease the pressure on parking at certain times of the day,” said Michael Ford, AATA Chief Executive Officer. “WCC wanted to maintain its commitment to supporting alternative transportation options for students and staff despite a tightening budget. We believe the new agreement accomplishes that.”
Semester transit passes currently in use by WCC students and staff will be valid through Monday, May 3. Beginning on May 10, students and staff will need to begin using their new WCC identification cards to board buses at the main campus bus stop.
The latest AATA route, schedule and detour information is available at www.TheRide.org or 734.996.0400.
Ann Arbor-Based Tea Company Celebrates Earth Day by Launching New 100% Backyard Compostable Packaging
Monday, April 19
Arbor Teas celebrates Earth Day 2010 by releasing new 100% backyard compostable packaging for its entire line of USDA certified organic teas.
100% COMPOSTABLE PACKAGING BEGINS APRIL 22
Arbor Teas will start delivering its full line of organic teas in new 100% backyard compostable packaging beginning this Earth Day, April 22, 2010! With the release of this next generation packaging, Arbor Teas will continue to lead the tea industry through its staunch commitment to environmental business practices, becoming the first tea company to package its entire tea catalogue in this exciting new material. With the launch of the new packaging, Arbor Teas’ customers will be able to compost their tea leaves and tea packaging together in their home composting system!
ABOUT THE NEW COMPOSTABLE PACKAGING
The new packaging is composed of a cellulose film made from wood pulp sourced from sustainably-managed trees. Most compostable packaging available in today’s marketplace is only truly compostable in industrial settings optimized for rapid breakdown. By contrast, the films used for Arbor Teas’ new packaging are backyard compostable. Because of greater variation in moisture and temperature, backyard composting environments have historically been incapable of breaking down so-called “compostable” packaging materials. However, the material chosen for Arbor Teas’ new packages requires a less optimized environment for biodegradation, representing a major advancement in low-impact packaging. The film is certified to both the European (EN13432) and American (ASTM D6400) standards for compostable packaging, and has been submitted to an additional independent test protocol (Miti Test ISO14851) confirming its biodegradation at ambient temperatures and in aqueous environments, relevant for home composting in bins or compost heaps.
Not only are the new packages compostable, but they’re also lighter than their predecessors, reducing the weight of Arbor Teas’ packaging by 60%! This translates to a meaningful reduction in the carbon footprint of the Arbor Teas operation. And, in response to customer requests, the new packaging accommodates more tea than before. On average, Arbor Teas packages contain 28% more tea. The result: MORE TEA, LESS PACKAGING! Previously, Arbor Teas packed its teas in a recyclable, parchment-lined paperboard canister and in a biodegradable kraft bag.
NEW LOGO AND SLOGAN LAUNCH with PACKAGING CHANGE – organic to a tea™
The launch of Arbor Teas’ new packaging offers the perfect opportunity to reveal the company’s new look! Designed by the Ann Arbor-based design company, Pryor Design, Arbor Teas is thrilled to unveil its new logo (see above), new slogan (“organic to a tea™”), as well as an updated look on its online store, www.arborteas.com. All of these will be released with the new packaging on April 22.
ABOUT ARBOR TEAS
Arbor Teas is a limited liability company formed by husband and wife tea enthusiasts (and Ann Arbor locals) Jeremy and Aubrey Lopatin in April 2004. Arbor Teas’ daily mission is to find the world’s most
fantastic organic teas and deliver them to their customers as sustainably as possible. From its exceptional collection of organic and Fair Trade Certified® teas, to its Carbonfree® business practices, to its new backyard compostable packaging, Arbor Teas’ passion is steeped in a desire to do worldly good, and its vision is to remain “organic to a tea.” Arbor Teas sells its organic teas nationwide through its online store, and offers free delivery to its customers in the City of Ann Arbor. Arbor Teas supplies tea to such local establishments as eve: THE RESTAURANT, Pacific Rim, and the Coffee House Creamery. Arbor Teas is a member of the Specialty Tea Institute.
COMMERCE WITH A CONSCIENCE
Arbor Teas is an official licensee of TransFair USA, enabling it to retail Fair Trade Certified™ teas. TransFair USA, a non-profit agency, is the only organization providing independent, third-party certification of Fair Trade products in the US. TransFair promotes mutually-beneficial relationships between farmers and tea companies, and educates consumers about international trade and economic development. Through regular visits to Fair Trade farmer cooperatives, and partnerships with participating tea companies in the US, TransFair guarantees that globally-accepted fair labor and sustainability practices have been observed in the production of Fair Trade Certified™ products. By monitoring trade from crop to cup, TransFair guarantees that Fair Trade Certified™ products were grown and traded responsibly.
WHAT EXACTLY IS TEA?
The word “tea” is commonly used in reference to almost any botanical ingredient infused in hot water, and with the continued popularity of herbal infusions (such as chamomile, peppermint, rooibos, yerba mate, etc.) in today’s marketplace, a whole gamut of brews are now referred to as such. Technically speaking, however, only those beverages derived from the plant Camellia sinensis should be called “tea.” To distinguish them from true teas, herbal infusions are referred to as tisanes (pronounced TEE-san). Camellia sinensis is an evergreen shrub indigenous to Southeast Asia that thrives in subtropic and highland tropic regions. The leaves and buds of Camellia sinensis are harvested and processed in various fashions to produce the range of tea varieties available today (such as black, oolong, green, white, and pu-erh).
Washtenaw County’s Newest Venue to Hold Grand Opening Weekend
Monday, April 19
Ypsilanti’s newest venue, Savoy, will officially be celebrating their Grand Opening this weekend, April 23rd and 24th.
The weekend will kick off on Friday evening at 8pm with Jamie Register and the Glendales hitting the stage with their groovy sounds that will make you want to dance the night away! Ages 18 and up are welcome with cover starting at $5 for 21 plus ($8 for 18-20).
“Jamie Register and the Glendales are a true representation of what you can expect from Savoy; energy, passion, soul and an all around memorable experience that’ll leave you wanting more! We’re thrilled to have them as our special guest Friday night,” says Savoy Booking Manager, Don Schneider.
The Grand Opening weekend will continue with Ann Arbor’s own Dragon Wagon taking the stage on Saturday evening with a VERY special guest which has yet to be announced. On top of great music, patrons can enjoy the evening FREE of cover charge, as well as ½ off select appetizers and drink specials all night long.
“There’s no cover on Saturday so people can come check us out and really see all that we have to offer. I definitely think we’re going to surprise some people,” said Kim Anderson, Savoy General Manager.
To purchase tickets, visit http://www.neptix.com/events/2380/ or http://www.livesavoy.com or call (734) 485-4444.
Savoy is a brand new music venue in the heart of Downtown Ypsilanti. Booming top of the line sound equipment, an incredibly warm and visually appealing landscape, patrons of Savoy are in for a surprise with this new venue. Formerly, Club Divine, Savoy looks to be the future of entertainment in the Washtenaw County area for years to come. For a full list of upcoming shows and more information, visit Savoy online at www.LiveSavoy.com.
Manchester & Associates Grows Firm with Acquisition of Firm and New Hire, Nicole Mackmiller
Friday, April 16
Manchester & Associates, an Ypsilanti, Michigan law firm serving Washtenaw County for over 40 years, is pleased to announce the addition of Nicole E. Mackmiller as an associate attorney to the firm on April 19, 2010, and the acquisition of the Law Office of Helen Conklin Vick.
Mackmiller has significant experience representing clients in hearings and trials before the U.S Immigration Court and throughout the appeals process before the Board of Immigration Appeals, various Federal Courts of Appeals and other immigration agencies. Prior to joining Manchester & Associates, Nicole was an associate attorney at the Law Offices of Robert M. Birach where she practiced in the area of immigration law.
Mackmiller received a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Madonna University in 2003, a Juris Doctor from Ave Maria School of Law in 2006, and was admitted to the State Bar of Michigan, also in 2006.
The Law Office of Helen Conklin Vick is a single attorney firm in Ypsilanti, Michigan, founded by Helen C. Vick in 1997. For more than 20 years, Ms. Vick has provided clients in Washtenaw and surrounding counties with exceptional service, developing a seasoned understanding of the legal practice, particularly within the area of family law.
The acquisition of Ms. Vick’s practice by Manchester & Associates will be complete upon her departure on June 30, 2010, to pursue opportunities out of state.
Prior to her departure, Vick will work closely with Ms. Mackmiller to help her transition into Ms. Vick’s family law practice. Mackmiller will draw on her previous experience and will continue to practice in the area of immigration law as well as expand her practice into the area of family law.
“The acquisition of Ms. Vick’s law firm coupled with the hiring of Ms. Mackmiller is a tremendous opportunity for Manchester & Associates,” said Thomas Manchester, founder of Manchester & Associates. “It is rare that a firm has the opportunity to expand its practice through the acquisition of such a healthy, thriving practice. We are very pleased to have Nicole join our firm at this juncture. The immigration skills she brings to our firm and the family law practice she will assume from Ms. Vick will allow us to better serve our clients and will also help fill the growing need for immigration counsel in Washtenaw County. They will work closely together before Helen’s departure to ensure continuity of high quality service for Ms. Vick’s existing clients, both during and after the transition of the firm, and for future clients to come.”
About Manchester & Associates:
Led by Thomas C. Manchester, who has practiced law in Ypsilanti for more than 40 years, Manchester & Associates is committed to providing its clients exceptional representation, helping its clients meet their needs efficiently and effectively by developing creative, innovative, and practical solutions. The addition of Mackmiller brings Manchester & Associates to a four-attorney law firm. The firm offers services in the areas of business, real estate, probate, estate planning, immigration, and family law. For more information please contact Manchester & Associates at (734) 482-7012.
AATA to Implement Fare Adjustment on May 2
Friday, April 16
The Ann Arbor Transportation Authority (AATA) will implement Phase 2 of a two-year fare adjustment for both fixed-route bus and A-Ride and Senior paratransit services, beginning May 2, 2010.
In March, 2009, following an extensive effort to gather public input, the AATA Board of Directors approved implementation of a new fare structure to be implemented in two stages.
The basic adult bus fare will adjust to $1.50. The new fare structure includes maintaining the free fare for Senior and A-Ride card holders on fixed-route service. AATA will continue to offer reduced fares for K-12 students, seniors ages 60-64, Medicare and Medicaid card holders, and income-eligible individuals at half the basic adult fare.
In announcing the fare change, AATA CEO Michael Ford said, “Despite cutting more than $900,000 to balance the 2010 fiscal year budget, AATA still faces the challenges of reduced revenue at a time when the demand for quality public transit solutions is greater than ever.”
Ford explained that a five-year projection showed a decrease in property tax revenue due to lower property values, removal of the Pfizer property from the tax rolls and continued pressures on state operating assistance.
Fares represent a portion of the cost to operate transit service, with total fares covering 23.4 percent of the cost on fixed-route service and 15.2 percent of the cost for the demand-response service for Senior and A-Ride passengers.
Fares are paid directly by passengers and indirectly by organizations like the University of Michigan, City of Ann Arbor’s Downtown Development Authority and Washtenaw Community College.
In addition to increasing fares, over the past several years AATA has taken the following steps to improve efficiencies and reduce projected future deficits:
• Converted employees’ post-retirement health care plan to a portable defined contribution health care savings plan, reducing AATA’s unfunded liability from $10.5 million to $2.0 million.
• Continued to purchase hybrid electric buses to reduce diesel fuel consumption.
• Eliminated 15 employee positions, or 7.5 percent of the workforce, since 2006.
• Increased the hiring of part-time drivers.
• Switched to Voice-Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) phone service.
• Changed to a more cost-effective health care plan.
Upcoming steps to continue this effort include:
• Switching from #1 ultra-low sulfur bio-diesel (10 percent) to #2 ultra-low sulfur bio-diesel (20 percent) fuel
• Upgrading its energy management system to control natural gas and electricity costs at AATA facilities
“AATA is not alone in facing these financial challenges,” Ford said. “The American Public Transportation Association reports that, since January 1, 2009, 84 percent of public transit systems have either raised fares or cut service, or are considering either of those actions.”
Additional adjustments to AATA bus fares include:
Cash fare, Fare Deal card holders and K-12 students – 75 cents
30-day Flex Pass – $58
30-day Value Pass – $29
Day Passes – $4.50
Full-fare tokens – $15 (bag of 10)
Half-fare tokens – $75 (bag of 100)
Fares for A-Ride and Senior paratransit services include:
Advance reservation – $3.00
Same-day trip – $4.00
Scrip coupons – $30 (book of 10)
Questions on the new fares may be directed to aatainfo@TheRide.org, or 734.973.6500.
The Ann Arbor Transportation Authority (TheRide) was chartered in 1969 by the City of Ann Arbor, Michigan, as a not-for-profit unit of government. AATA operates the local public transit system for the greater Ann Arbor-Ypsilanti area, enabling the area’s residents to reach their destinations at reasonable cost, and offers the region efficient, environmentally sound transportation alternatives. For more information, please visit www.TheRide.org.
Festival Announces 2010 Top of the Park Schedule
Friday, April 16
The Ann Arbor Summer Festival is pleased to announce the entertainment schedule for Top of the Park, which runs from Friday, June 18 through Sunday, July 11, 2010. One of Ann Arbor’s favorite community celebrations, Top of the Park offers admission-free concerts, movies under the stars, open-air performances, street arts, family attractions, and a wide variety of cultural activities for the whole community to enjoy. Focusing primarily on local and regional artists, this annual outdoor performance series and social gathering is the perfect complement to the national and international scope of the festival’s indoor, ticketed performances held at different venues around town.
This year’s Top of the Park season is anchored by 49 music and dance acts, 8 guest DJs, and 13 feature films. In addition, a dozen area teen bands will play the Grassrootz Stage on Saturdays. The lineup features 26 acts making their festival debut, as well as many returning local favorites, with three-quarters of the artists based in Ann Arbor and surrounding communities. Highlights on this year’s Rackham Stage include The Sun Mes senger s, Lady Sunshine and the X-Band, NOMO, Black Jake & the Carnies, Saoco, Misty Lyn & The Big Beautiful, Juice, The MacPodz , Orpheum Bell,
Mr. B, Twis tin’ Tarantulas, FUBAR, Yoshi, Madcat & Kane, The West Side Winder s, and national recording artist JJ Grey & Mofro. Although the event will be “dark” on Monday nights, this year’s music schedule features earlier start times, more bands on weekend evenings, and longer set lengths for select artists. Once again, films will be shown at 10:00 pm on the inflatable outdoor screen.
The festival’s Top of the Park activities will continue to be presented at Ingalls Mall, located directly in front of the Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies on Washington Street near the Burton Memorial Tower. The festival opens at 6:30 p.m on Tuesday through Thursday, with expanded weekend hours on Friday through Sunday, this year opening at 5:00 p.m. As announced earlier this year, Top of the Park will be closed on Monday nights.
Although Top of the Park continues to be admission-free and open to all, the festival will once again be encouraging attendees to make a per visit donation of $3 per individual or $5 per family. All attendees making an onsite donation will receive a sticker showing their financial support. The festival has set a goal of raising $45,000 from Give 3 donations this year, which is slightly higher than the $40,000 it raised last year from onsite collections.
The Ann Arbor Summer Festival remains an important cultural destination that continues to present accessible and affordable arts and entertainment experiences to the broadest audience possible. With over 80 percent of its events free to the public, the festival’s community impact is far-reaching. Featured attractions this year include: Gras sroot z Stage, an emerging artist space specifically designed to showcase local teen talent; After Dark @ Top of the Park, a series of late-night DJ sessions mixed by local artists in The Grove area of the beverage garden on Friday and Saturday nights; KidZone, an activity tent for children and their parents to discover and explore a wide variety of hands-on arts activities; and ReTreat, a new health and wellness program being launched at Top of the Park this year, featuring mind/body sessions such as yoga on the lawn, tai chi, Pilates, and more.
Other notable events include the festival’s opening night celebration, First Friday, which takes place on June 18, and includes a colorful 30-piece marching band procession with Chicago based circus punk ensemble Mucca Paz za, followed by a street dance party with local favorites My Dear Disco. Other special programs this year include an opening weekend return engagement with extreme face painting troupe Body Masterpiece from June 18-20; a 25-foot portable climbing wall on Ingalls Mall staffed by Planet Rock from June 25-27; and an extreme sports thrill show performed by Craz-E-Crew Stunt Team that features professional BMX riders, skateboarders, and in-line skaters on July 3 and 4. The closing night festivities of So Long Sunday are scheduled for July 11, and will feature George Bedard & the Kingpins playing the traditional last set of the season, followed by a screening of the musical classic West Side Story.
In addition to the Leonard Bernstein masterpiece, this year’s movie lineup features a mix of genres, ranging from classics and cult favorites to more recent blockbusters. The festival’s outdoor cinema schedule was selected by online voters in a promotion that ran earlier this year where the festival asked the community to select the movies that would be screened at Top of the Park. Close to 1,500 participants voted for their favorites films, choosing such titles as Raiders of the Lost Ark, Casablanca, Avatar , The Princess Bride, Star Trek, among others. The winning write-in Wild Card choice was Ed Wood’s legendary Plan 9 from Outer Space, considered by many to be one of the worst films ever made. This sci-fi classic will be screened at Top of the Park on July 1, the night prior to the festival’s Mainstage engagement with Cinematic Titanic, the masters of B-movie riffing, which will play the Michigan Theater for two performances. Also added to this year’s screening schedule, the festival will partner with the Ann Arbor Film Festival to show 15 minutes of shorts each Thursday night, prior to the evening’s feature film.
Another new program this year is Acoustic Café Live @ Top of the Park. The popular syndicated radio show, heard around the country and worldwide on Voice Of America, hits the road and travels to the festival for a series of live concert tapings with host Rob Reinhart and surprise musical guests. Hosted in a tent within the beverage garden on Sunday afternoons from 4:00-5:00 p.m., these performances and interviews will give patrons an intimate musical experience with national touring artists in the genres of folk, acoustic rock, roots, country, and more. Admission is free, but tent seating is extremely limited, and is taken on first come, first served basis approximately one half-hour before each performance. Regularly scheduled entertainment on the Rackham Stage begins at 5:00 p.m., immediately following the Acoustic Café tent performance. Surprise guests for Acoustic Café will be revealed on the day of show.
In addition to an eclectic mix of entertainment, Top of the Park’s Culinary Row features a variety of food offerings available for purchase from some of Ann Arbor’s favorite eateries and caterers.
Vendors at Culinary Row include: Oasis Grill, Rendez-Vous Café, Stucci ’s , Sugar Shack, Silvio’s Organic Pizza, Sweetwater s, Ray’s Red Hots , Tios Mexican Café and others. Many of the food vendors offer special kids menus and picnic dinners available for purchase.
As announced last month, the festival’s Mainstage series features a wide variety of established and emerging artists that include: Patty Grif fin, Chr is Isaak, Bernadette Peter s, Capitol Steps,
Caravan Palace, Die Roten Punkte, Marc Broussard, John Piz zarelli, Afro-Cuban All Stars , and more. Tickets are currently on sale through the festival ticket office at (734) 764-2538.
A detailed schedule of Top of the Park events follows. Additional activities and attractions will be added to the website in the coming months. For the latest updates on season information, patrons are encouraged to visit the festival website at: annarborsummerfestival.org.
The Ann Arbor Summer Festival’s mission is to present a world-class celebration of arts and entertainment that enriches the cultural, economic, and social vitality of the region. Started in 1983, the festival attracts more than 60,000 people each year from the local community and throughout Southeast Michigan.
Festival Ticket Information:
In Person: Michigan League Ticket Office, 911 N. University Avenue
By Phone: (734) 764-2538
Online: annarborsummerfestival.org
Festival Venue Information:
Hill Auditorium 825 N. University Avenue
Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre 911 N. University Avenue
Michigan Theater 603 E. Liberty Street
Power Center for the Performing Arts 121 Fletcher Street
University of Michigan Museum of Art 525 S. State Street
The Ann Arbor Summer Festival is made possible with support from the 2010 Series Sponsors: Bank of Ann Arbor, Benard L. Maas Foundation, O&W, Inc., Sesi Motors, and Toyota. Additional support is provided by Allergy and Immunology Associates of Ann Arbor, Edward Jones, Elastizell Corporation of America, First Martin Corporation, Highlander Graphics, Howard Cooper Import Center, Miller Canfield, Phire Branding Company, State Street Area Association, University Lithographers, U.S. Wine Imports, and Whole Foods Market. Media partners for the season include: AnnArbor.com, Ann Arbor Observer, Michigan Radio 91.7 FM, WEMU 89.1 FM, WDET 101.9 FM, and WQKL 107.1 FM. The Ann Arbor Summer Festival’s 2010 season is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts.
Project RED - Rural Education Days To Offer Public Program
Thursday, April 15
All interested individuals and families are invited to a special evening session of Project RED (Washtenaw County Rural Education Days), on Wednesday, April 28 from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. This educational program takes place at the Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds, 5055 Ann Arbor-Saline Road, Ann Arbor.
The purpose of this unique program is to educate youth and adults about local agriculture and natural resources. Participants will learn about agricultural products produced in Michigan, they will have a better understanding of where food & fiber comes from and have the opportunity to learn about animals and their care, as well as being up close and personal with the animals. A special Project RED 20th anniversary celebration will be held in conjunction with the evening program. In the past 20 years, Project RED has reached over 43,000 students, teachers and chaperones. The program is made possible by more than 300 volunteers and over 30 organizations, businesses and local farms.
There is no cost for this program, which is sponsored by Washtenaw County MSU Extension, the Washtenaw County Farm Bureau, and the Washtenaw Farm Council. For more information contact the MSU Extension Office at 734-997-1678. All sessions are held inside. Join us as we celebrate 20 years of Project RED – a program which started in Washtenaw County and has been a model for similar programs throughout the state as a way to educate youth about agriculture and celebrate the contributions of local farmers and agriculture related industries to our State of Michigan.
Over 2600 third grade students and teachers from around the county have registered for the school portion of the Washtenaw County Rural Education Day/Project RED which will be held during the day on Tuesday, April 27, Wednesday, April 28, or Thursday, April 29.
Women’s Exchange of Washtenaw Announces Wine Tasting Event and Networking Hour
Tuesday, April 13
Join WXW and meet acclaimed winemaker Laurence Feraud on Friday, May 7th for a wine-tasting happy hour and Networking event at the Ann Arbor Art Center from 5:00 – 6:00 (registration at 4:30). Laurence founded Domaine du Pegau with her father in 1987, and has more than doubled the acreage of the family business. The vineyard produces 7000 cases per year of Châteauneuf du Pape, ninety percent for export, and 18% to the United States. Attendees will hear Laurence speak about her experience as a woman in a male-dominated field; ticket price includes hors d’oeuvres and a taste of Cotes du Rhone Villages Seguret Rouge 2008, Selection Laurence Feraud. 21 and over please. Cost is $16, registration is available at http://www.eventbrite.com/event/640947090.
The WXW is delighted to take advantage of this opportunity to meet Laurence Feraud. Laurence is visiting Michigan to serve as an Honorary Chair for the Ann Arbor Art Center’s Wine Fest 2010. You can learn more about Laurence and what other events where she and her wine will be featured at: http://annarborartcenter.org/wf2010/
The mission of the Women’s Exchange of Washtenaw (WXW) is to host unique events where women business leaders talk through their issues, share experiences and ideas, and form lasting connections. Ann Arbor businesswomen Carrie Hensel and Debra Power founded WXW in 2007. They saw the need for an organization dedicated to women who are building strong and growing companies. Today, the WXW serves over 800 women with interactive events and networking opportunities.
AATA to Implement Service Changes
Tuesday, April 13
The Ann Arbor Transportation Authority will implement service changes and spring-summer schedules on several bus routes, effective on Sunday, May 2, 2010.
Service changes will be implemented as follows:
Routes 2A/2B – from Downtown
Weekdays:
The trip scheduled to leave the Blake Transit Center at 5:48 p.m. will be changed to use 2A routing.
Saturdays:
• Trips leaving the Blake Transit Center at 48 minutes past the hour will be changed to use 2B routing. These trips will arrive at the Green Road Park & Ride Lot five minutes earlier at 13 minutes past the hour.
• Trips leaving the Blake Transit Center at 18 minutes past the hour will continue to use 2A routing. These trips will arrive at the Green Road Park and Ride Lot one minute later at 49 minutes past the hour.
Sundays:
All trips will be changed to 2B routing. Buses will arrive at the Green Road Park & Ride Lot five minutes earlier at 13 minutes past the hour.
Routes 2A/2B – to Downtown
Weekdays:
• The trip currently scheduled to leave the Plymouth Road Park & Ride lot at 7:24 a.m. will be changed to use 2A routing and will leave the lot five minutes earlier at 7:19 a.m.
• The trip currently scheduled to leave the Plymouth Road Park & Ride lot at 8:24 a.m. will be changed to use 2A routing and will leave the lot one minute earlier at 8:23 a.m.
• A new trip will be scheduled to leave to Plymouth Road Park & Ride lot at 9:28 a.m. Buses making this trip will use 2B routing.
Saturdays:
• Trips currently leaving the Green Road Park & Ride Lot at 18 minutes past the hour will be changed to use 2A routing. These trips will leave the Park and Ride Lot five minutes earlier at 13 minutes past the hour.
• Trips currently leaving the Green Rd. Park and Ride Lot at 48 minutes past the hour will continue to use 2B routing. These trips will leave the Park & Ride Lot one minute later at 49 minutes past the hour.
Sundays:
All trips will be changed to 2A routing. Buses will leave the Green Road Park & Ride Lot five minutes earlier at 13 minutes past the hour.
Route 2C – from Downtown
• The trip currently scheduled to leave the Michigan League at 7:31 a.m. will leave five minutes earlier at 7:26 a.m.
• The trip currently scheduled to arrive at Glacier Hills at 2:27 p.m. will arrive one minute earlier at 2:26 p.m.
• The trip currently scheduled to leave the Michigan League at 3:06 p.m. will leave five minutes earlier at 3:01 p.m. This trip will now serve Glacier Hills before ending at Greenhills School.
• The trip scheduled to leave the Michigan League at 4:04 p.m. will now serve Glacier Hills before ending at Greenhills School.
Route 2C – to Downtown
• The trip currently scheduled to leave Greenhills School at 7:59 a.m .will leave eight minutes earlier at 7:51 a.m. This trip will now serve Glacier Hills before continuing to the Green Road Park & Ride Lot and UM Central Campus.
• The trip currently scheduled to leave Glacier Hills at 9:33 a.m. will leave one minute later at 9:34 a.m.
• The trip currently scheduled to leave Glacier Hills at 2:32 p.m. will leave two minutes later at 2:34 p.m.
• The trip currently scheduled to leave Greenhills School at 3:35 p.m. will leave three minutes earlier at 3:32 p.m.
Route 5 – to Ann Arbor
The afternoon school trip currently scheduled to leave Packard/Platt at 3:40 p.m. will leave ten minutes later at 3:50 p.m.
Route 22 - South
Weekdays:
The last four trips of the evening will be scheduled to arrive at Meijer on Carpenter Road one minute later at 7:25 p.m., 8:25 p.m., 9:25 p.m. and 10:25 p.m.
Route 36
Weekdays:
Due to construction of the Central Campus Transit Center, Route 36 will be detoured and service will be reduced to every 20 minutes mornings and afternoons, and to every 40 minutes in the evenings from May through August.
The following routes will operate on their spring-summer schedules:
• Selected trips on Routes 2, 3 and 4 will be suspended from Monday, May 3 through Friday, August 27. Affected trips are identified in the May 2 issue of AATA’s Ride Guide route and schedule book, indicating that these trips only operate during the University of Michigan fall and winter semesters.
• The Route 33 EMU Shuttle does not operate from May through August. The service will resume operation on September 8.
Complete route and schedule information will be available in the May 2 issue of the Ride Guide and on the AATA web site, www.TheRide.org.
The Ann Arbor Transportation Authority (TheRide) was chartered in 1969 by the City of Ann Arbor, Michigan, as a not-for-profit unit of government. AATA operates the local public transit system for the greater Ann Arbor-Ypsilanti area, enabling the area’s residents to reach their destinations at reasonable cost, and offers the region efficient, environmentally sound transportation alternatives. For more information, please visit www.TheRide.org.
Joseph Rosa Appointed New Director of University of Michigan Museum of Art
Tuesday, April 13
Joseph Rosa, the Art Institute of Chicago's chief curator of architecture and design, will become the new director of the University of Michigan Museum of Art, the university has announced today.
The appointment, pending approval by the U-M Board of Regents, is effective July 1.
"We are so pleased that Joe Rosa has agreed to lead the University of Michigan Museum of Art at this particularly auspicious and exciting moment in its history," said U-M President Mary Sue Coleman. "A year after its landmark expansion and restoration reopened to the public, UMMA has more than lived up to its promise of becoming a dynamic meeting place for the arts, offering a diverse range of lively exhibitions, performances, and programs and boasting record attendance.
"As an accomplished scholar, teacher, thinker, and leader with wide-ranging museum experience and numerous publications to his credit, Joe has dedicated his career to bringing the visual arts, design, and culture to life for a broad range of audiences," she said.
The selection came after an international search conducted by a 14-member search advisory committee appointed by Coleman. Rosa will become the seventh director of UMMA.
"I am thrilled and honored to be given this wonderful opportunity to lead the University of Michigan Museum of Art into the future at this very special time in its history," said Rosa, who is the John H. Bryan Curatorial Chair of Architecture and Design at the Art Institute of Chicago.
Rosa has curated more than 30 exhibitions on contemporary architecture and design and is the author of 14 books. His writings have appeared in Praxis, Architectural Design, Assemblage, Casabella, The History of Photography Journal, Oculus, Architekur & Bauforum, and Progressive Architecture. He is also a noted scholar on the architect Albert Frey---the first disciple of Le Corbusier to build in America---and Julius Shulman, the highly acclaimed 20th-century architectural photographer.
Prior to joining the Art Institute of Chicago, Rosa was the Helen Hilton Raiser Curator of Architecture and Design at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the curator of architecture at the Heinz Architectural Center at the Carnegie Museum of Art in Pittsburgh, the chief curator at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C., and the director of the Columbia Architecture Galleries in New York.
He has been a visiting scholar at the Getty Center for the History of Art and the Humanities, and a recipient of grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Graham Foundation for Advanced Studies in the Fine Arts. He has been a juror for the Pew Trust, USA Fellows and the James Beard Awards. He has also been an adjunct professor teaching architecture and design in schools for the past 15 years, most recently at University of Chicago's Department of Art History.
Rosa received a Bachelor of Architecture from the Pratt Institute, a M.S. in Architecture and Urban Design from Columbia University's Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation, and was a doctoral candidate in the Department of Art and Archaeology. He has worked in the architectural firms of Gwathmey Siegel and Associates, Peter Eisenman, and Agrest & Gandelsonas.
U-M's art collection is among the oldest university collections in the nation. In March 2009, UMMA opened a $41.9 million expansion and restoration project, designed by Brad Cloepfil and Allied Works Architecture. With the addition of the 53,000-square-foot Maxine and Stuart Frankel and the Frankel Family Wing and the restoration of historic Alumni Memorial Hall, UMMA ushered in a new era of the university art museum as a town square for the 21st century.
The expanded museum includes dramatic new collections galleries highlighting works drawn from the museum's holdings of more than 18,000 works of art, with strengths in Western, Asian, African, and contemporary cultures and representing more than 150 years of collecting at the university; expanded special exhibition spaces; new open storage galleries, object-study classrooms, and auditorium; and lively new programs in music, dance, film and the spoken word.
Rosa succeeds James Steward, who left UMMA in 2009 after nearly 11 years at Michigan.
For more on UMMA, visit: www.umma.umich.edu
2010 ATHENA Award Recipient of Washtenaw County Announced
Friday, April 9
Michelle Richards is the Founding Board Member and Executive Director of CEED since it’s inception in 1984. Under Michelle’s leadership CEED provides entrepreneurs and business owners with the administrative, financial and professional enrichment support services necessary for business success. A nonprofit organization, CEED prides itself in meeting the needs of Michigan’s women and minority business owners with initatives to educate business owners in business growth and development and seeks to create economic justice for women and assist women and minorities in small business development expansions in Michigan and Northern Indiana.
Michelle has grown CEED to include the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council since 1998 locally representing WBENC for the purpose of providing women owned business enterprises with procurement opportunities with government agencies, and leveraging its certification program to open doors for local women business owners, with the automotive industry.
Under Michelle’s leadership, Ceed was elected as one of the first Women Business Centers and Intermediary Microloan Program award recipientd in the United States. CEED’s Microloan Program has awarded more than $4,million in microloans, creating more than 1,700 jobs. CEED was awarded a grant from the City of Detroit in the amount of $1.5 million to develop Detroit’s first comprehensive microloan program. With Michelle’s commitment to provide access to capital for women entrepreneurs, she worked with the city of Ann Arbor to assume sdministration of the business development loanfund significantly impacting the economic development of new business in Ann Arbor with loans ranging from $60 to $1.2 million.
To bring women business owners together in an atmosphere of networking, education and marketing, Michelle founded the Michigan Women’s Business Expo and aligned with Crain’s to honor accomplished women business owners throughout the Michigan region at an annual gala.
Michelle’s further expansion of CEED’s programs include WISE, a twelve week business educational course to include strategic alliances with numerous Community Colleges throughout Michigan, training more than 5,000. Bringing Michigan into the 21st Centry, Michelle embarked on a new project “The Michigan Women’s Marketplace” an internet marketing tool for businesses. She obtained sponsors to pay for the service, which now provides serviec to business women at no cost, with 60 women’s organizational partners and 6,000 women enrolled.
Michelle has a quiet strength, she leads by example.Highly principaled, she exhabits the integrity she expects from those who learn from her. She is committed to working with women to develop their potential to the fullest.
Michelle has earned recognitions through several organizations and the State of Michigan. Two of her most pride awards are, Michigan Small Business Administration Women Business Advocate of the Year and Business Direct Weekly’s Most Influential Women in Washtenaw County.
3.7 DESIGNS & The City of Howell Launch Website for Howell Mellonfestival
Friday, April 9
3.7 DESIGNS of Ann Arbor, Michigan has worked with the Howell Downtown Development authority to design and launch a website promoting the Howell Mellonfestival. The Howell Mellonfestival occurs every year from August 20th to the 22nd. The event features three days of activities, performances, sales and specials. Over the years it has become a local favorite and has higher attendance every year.
The new website allows users to stay apprised of the latest news and developments, as well as browse through information regarding the different events and look through the schedule. Additionally the website features the event sponsors as a way to thank them for their continued support.
“It is great to see cities like Howell understanding the importance of the web. Rather than create a single page on their existing website, they decided to build an entire site which will be more effective and draw a larger crowd.” CEO of 3.7 DESIGNS Ross Johnson had to comment.
3.7 DESIGNS is a tireless four-man team of designers and developers from Ann Arbor, Michigan. 3.7 is not your typical, oversized, all-you-can-eat interactive agency. Rather, we focus on doing our favorite things very well. What does this mean for you? Higher quality work. Expert advice. A good working relationship. Sparkles and cupcakes.
They are widely known for our planning and strategy skills, as well as our overriding focus on improving conversion. We’ve solved problems for some incredible clients--from large multinational companies and local governments to small businesses and school districts.
Allegra Print & Imaging Honored with International Awards For Achieving Sales Milestones
Thursday, April 8
Allegra Print & Imaging of Saline recently received the International Gold, Silver and Top Ten International Sales Performer awards from the Allegra Network franchise system. The awards are presented annually and are based on sales volume and providing an outstanding level of client service.
“Our commitment to providing printing solutions and outstanding service has earned the respect of our clients,” said Joe DiMauro, general manager of Allegra Print & Imaging of Saline. “Our sales staff exemplifies the true service professional.”
Kelly Parkinson received the International Gold Milestone and Top Ten International Sales Performer awards. Parkinson, a resident of Pinckney, joined Allegra 18 years ago and has completed several training programs that address topics ranging from mastering customer service and new marketing and digital printing techniques to better understanding the needs of today’s print buyers. Many of the programs focus on determining each client’s unique printing needs and formulating a total solution to enhance the client’s print communications and reduce overall printing costs.
Jane Dillard, Michael LaBeau and Wes Siegrist received the International Silver Milestone awards. Dillard, a resident of Ann Arbor, has been with Allegra for 20 years. LaBeau, a resident of Manchester, joined Allegra 15 years ago. Siegrist, a resident of Jackson, has been connected with Allegra for five years.
Allegra Print & Imaging of Saline provides full range of marketing services for area businesses including printing, mailing services, fulfillment, promotional products and graphic design. They offer traditional and digital solutions, offset printing, short-run affordable color with options for 5th color and aqueous coating. They can help plan and execute projects to meet most budgets. Allegra has been recognized for their existing environmental commitment by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality - Michigan Great Printer Project and are designated by the Washtenaw County Department of Planning and Environment as a Washtenaw Waste Knot partner. A branch office is located in Madison Heights, Mich. servicing the Detroit area. For more information, please contact Allegra at (734) 944-1404 or visit their Web site at www.allegra.net.
VISIONS 2010 Vendor Fair: What’s New In Technology and Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Thursday, April 8
Ann Arbor District Library (which also serves as the Washtenaw Library for the Blind and Physically Disabled) will present VISIONS 2010 Vendor Fair: What’s New In Technology and Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired on Wednesday, May 12, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Washtenaw Community College, Morris Lawrence Building, 4800 E. Huron River Drive, Ann Arbor.
This event, cosponsored by the Michigan Commission for the Blind and Washtenaw Community College, will feature a variety of Michigan exhibitors who will demonstrate and discuss the latest products and services for the blind and visually impaired. There is no admission charge and ample free parking is available.
Visions 2010 Highlights:
• Hands-on demonstrations and conversations with vendors. Magnifiers, support services for the blind, electronic readers, Braille devises, library services, CCTVs, leader
dogs, and transportation services are just a few of the many outstanding services and products that will be on display.
• A variety of sandwiches, snacks and beverages available on-site, sold by the Michigan Commission for the Blind Business Enterprise Program.
• Sighted volunteers available to assist throughout the day.
• Special group demonstrations offered every hour in our program room:
• 11:00 am The Kellogg Eye Center: What’s new in vision research?
• Noon Leader Dogs: Leader Dogs for the Blind
• 1:00 pm Low Vision Devices: Demonstrated by MEE, Inc.& GW Micro
• 2:00 pm Downloading from BARD and other library updates presented by the Washtenaw Library for the Blind and Physically Disabled. Learn how to download Braille
Audio Reading Download (BARD), the National Library Service’s online catalog of over 17,000 downloadable titles.
• 3:00 pm Newsline: Over 300 newspapers available online for the blind
Doors will open at 10 am. There will be a special Opening Session at 10:30 am, which will feature remarks by the Michigan Commission for the Blind, and AADL Director Josie Parker, who will highlight features and services of the Washtenaw Library for the Blind and Physically Disabled.
WASHTENAW LIBRARY FOR THE BLIND AND PHYSICALLY DISABLED
In Washtenaw County, this free service is administered by the Ann Arbor District Library, which loans books, magazines, and videos in alternative formats (recorded cassette, digital cartridge, Braille and descriptive video) to individuals of all ages who are certified as unable to read or use standard printed materials as a result of temporary or permanent visual or physical limitations. A cassette or digital player and materials are mailed at no cost as Free Matter for the Blind.
In addition to mailed materials, all eligible individuals also have access to over 16,000 titles available for download through the National Library Service's Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD) site. An application for access to BARD is required and available through the NLS website www.loc.gov/nls/
The WLBPD collection is housed in the Downtown AADL location at 343 South Fifth Avenue in Ann Arbor at the corner of Fifth Avenue and William Street Visit the website at aadl.org/wlbpd for information on all WLBPD services.
THE MICHIGAN COMMISSION FOR THE BLIND
The Michigan Commission for the Blind provides training and other opportunities for individuals who are blind or visually impaired to achieve independence and/or employment, annually serving more than 4,500 state residents. Call toll-free at 1-800-292-4200 (voice) or 1-888-864-1212 (TTY), or visit the website at www.michigan.gov/mcb for more information about MCB.
The Michigan Commission for the Blind is part of the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth (DLEG), which is investing in Michigan's future by helping to create the jobs of today and tomorrow, ensuring that our children and adults have the skills these jobs demand, making Michigan a better place to do business, and training and placing those who need jobs now. . Visit the department's website at www.michigan.gov/dleg for more information about DLEG.
Washtenaw Community College is located at 4800 Huron River Drive in Ann Arbor Township. For more information about VISIONS 2010 visit aadl.org or call the Ann Arbor District Library at 734-327-4555.
Ann Arbor Public Schools Educational Foundation Kicks Off “One Million Reasons” Campaign
Thursday, April 8
Ann Arbor Public Schools Educational Foundation announces a new city-wide campaign to raise $1 million in funds for the schools’ 2010-2011 academic year, starting today with a target completion of August 1, 2010. The Foundation is an independent non-profit 501(c)3 organization that raises private money for the Ann Arbor Public Schools.
The announcement comes just two weeks after the district’s administration spent more than seven hours laying out the best/worst case 2010-2011 budget scenario to the Ann Arbor Public Schools Board of Education. Depending on the final cut in per-pupil funding from the state of Michigan, the AAPS school district could face as much as $20 million in cuts from next year’s budget. Although the “One Million Reasons” campaign cannot make up for that large of a budget shortfall, the Foundation’s Board of Directors wants to secure funds that can be relied upon by the district for the coming academic year.
Executive Director Wendy Correll explains that the campaign’s title refers to “one million reasons to support Ann Arbor Public Schools.” Donors will be able to post their reasons for supporting the schools on the Educational Foundation’s website. “We know that the citizens of Ann Arbor have always supported public education, well above the national average. We believe that concerned community members, parents, grandparents, foundations, corporations and citizens of the greater Ann arbor area will take part in this campaign. But it will take a lot of work – and generous participation by all of us,” said Correll.
Historically, support from the Educational Foundation has been given in the form of grants to teachers and through the “Initiatives for Excellence” program. Since the crisis in school funding has escalated, resulting in mid-year and multiple budget cuts, the Educational Foundation is broadening its direct support to programs that secure the margin of excellence in Ann Arbor’s nationally well-respected system. Funding will be provided in the areas of Arts & Humanities, Math & Science, Early Childhood Education, College and Career Readiness.
The November defeat of the school millage gave impetus to those who had voted for it to examine what they would have paid in taxes, based on their property’s taxable value, and use that dollar figure as their guide for a tax-deductible contribution to the Educational Foundation. The Educational Foundation received over $30,000 in contributions directly following the millage defeat. For information about suggested donations based on the taxable value of property, visit the Foundation’s website at www.aapsef.org.
According to Correll, “Parents who have a child in our schools may be interested to know that the one million dollar goal set by the Educational Foundation is an average of $60 per student per year, or about $5 per month. We are asking that families who can make a gift also consider giving on behalf of those who cannot.”
Donations to the “One Million Reasons” Campaign can be made online by visiting the Ann Arbor Public Schools Educational Foundation website at www.supportannarborschools.org, or by sending a check payable to AAPSEF to 2555 S. State Street, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104. Contributors can also arrange for a scheduled draft from their checking or credit card accounts by contacting Foundation staff at (734) 994-1969 to complete the necessary forms.
The Ann Arbor Public Schools Educational Foundation (AAPSEF) is an independent, community-based, non-profit organization committed to helping all Ann Arbor Public Schools students achieve their highest potential by providing community support for innovative and excellent educational opportunities which cannot be funded through the core budget.
For more information and interviews, contact Wendy Correll at wcorrell@aapsef.org or (734) 994-1969. For a list of FAQ’s about the “One Million Reasons” Campaign, go to http://www.aapsef.org/faq/1million_faq.pdf
May Exhibits at the Ann Arbor District Library
Wednesday, April 7
Each year the Ann Arbor Public Schools come to the Ann Arbor District Library to showcase the work of their students. Once again, the developing talents of students from across the city will be shown throughout the Library.
Both two-dimensional and three-dimensional art in many mediums will fill the display cases and cover the walls of our art display areas. Come and enjoy the wonderfully creative projects of the students of the kindergarten through fifth grade art classes.
Malletts Creek Branch
BIRDS: COLLAGES BY SUNANDA MALLICK (May 5 – June 15)
These collages utilize dried tissue paper, wax paper and water color paper with Dr. Ph. Martin Tech Inks and fluid acrylic paint to create backgrounds.
Rice paper is used to capture the feathery look of the birds. The artist uses her own photos (or sometimes photos from books) as a reference point before beginning the process.
Sunanda Mallick is originally from India (Kolkata) and came to the US in 1970. She studied fine arts at the American Academy of Art in Chicago, and holds a degree in advertising design from the Center for Creative Studies in Detroit.
She retired from advertising in 2003 and decided to pursue her love of painting. Love of nature, birds and animals inspires her and birds are one of her favorite subjects. She likes their color, movement and sound, and the way their colors blend into each other as well as the way they communicate with each other in their own language.
The Downtown Library is located on 343 S. Fifth Avenue in Ann Arbor. The Malletts Creek Branch is located at 3090 E. Eisenhower Parkway in Ann Arbor. The Downtown Library and all Branches are open Monday 10 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.; Tuesday through Friday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday noon to 6:00 p.m. All locations will be closed on Memorial Day, Monday, May 31. For more information, contact the Downtown Library at 327-4555.
HIV/AIDS Resource Center 15th Annual Dining For Dollars Fundraising Dinner
Tuesday, April 6
The HIV/AIDS Resource Center (HARC) will hold its 15th Annual Dining for Dollars fundraising dinner at Zingerman’s Roadhouse in Ann Arbor on Wednesday, May 19, 2010. Join us for a night of festivities and enjoy great food prepared by Chef Alex Young, a strolling raffle for a chance to win some fabulous prizes, a silent auction and the famous homemade donut sundae bar!
This exclusive event is HARC's largest fundraiser and aims to raise money to support local HIV/AIDS prevention and care services. Event tickets are $100 per person or $75 for a group of four or more, This year, sponsorship opportunities are available for local businesses that want to get involved and show their commitment to addressing HIV/AIDS in our community.
During these challenging economic times, people living with HIV/AIDS rely on HARC to help them with medical care, treatment, and housing. As one client wrote, “Throughout my struggle with HIV, HARC has been more. They provided transportation to and from doctors, food and shelter...and most of all a voice when my own could not be heard.” Like most members of our community, our clients have loved ones and family members that depend on them. Events like Dining for Dollars raise important funds to ensure that people with HIV/AIDS continue to get the medical care and housing services they need.
Tickets for Dining for Dollars may be purchased through HARC by visiting www.hivaidsresource.org or contacting Laura Zain at 734-572-9355.
The HIV/AIDS Resource Center (HARC) is a private non-profit organization that provides a range of HIV prevention services, as well as case management and support services for people living with HIV/AIDS. HARC is the only comprehensive AIDS service organization in a four-county service area that includes Washtenaw, Jackson, Lenawee and Livingston Counties. HARC's mission is to provide HIV related services to the community through compassionate direct care, prevention and outreach activities.
Real Estate One’s 2009 Top Producers
Monday, April 5
Real Estate One would like to congratulate their top producers for 2009. Matt Dejanovich earned All Company Top Producer and also Ann Arbor Office Top Producer. Michelle Vedder earned the Dexter Office Top Producer while Danielle Grostick is the Saline/Milan Office Top Producer. The Ann Arbor office was presented with the President’s Award for the 10th straight year.
Real Estate One is the largest Real Estate Broker in Michigan and was recently named the 10th largest Real Estate Company in the United States.
Women’s Exchange of Washtenaw (WXW) Co-Founders Receive ‘Women in Business’ Award
Thursday, April 1
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) recently announced the winners of its 2010 Michigan Small Business Awards. Carrie Hensel and Debra Power, Co-Founders and Co-Presidents of the Women’s Exchange of Washtenaw (WXW), received the prestigious “U.S. Small Business Administration’s Michigan Women in Business Champion of the Year for 2010” award.
WXW is a nonprofit women’s business organization which develops and hosts educational and networking events for women business leaders. In its two year history, WXW has helped women find jobs, create connections, generate referrals, and grow their companies. The vision of WXW is to build the strongest, most-connected and vital women’s business network in the country. WXW is run by volunteers and its success would not be possible without the ideas and efforts of hundreds of women in Southeast Michigan.
“We are honored to accept this award on behalf of the volunteers, attendees, and supporters of WXW,” said Debra Power, Co-Founder and Co-President of WXW. “Their enthusiasm has empowered us to create a vibrant resource for women in business.”
“Women business leaders have really responded positively to the mission of WXW and the unique format of our meetings,” said Carrie Hensel, Co-Founder and Co-President of WXW. “It’s so important to provide a venue for business leaders to talk through their business issues, adapt to a changing economy, and continue to grow strong companies in Michigan.”
The U.S. SBA awards will be presented on April 29, 2010, during the sixth annual Michigan Celebrates Small Business awards event at The Lansing Center. Keynote speaker, Governor Jennifer Granholm, will address the critical importance of small businesses to the future of Michigan’s economy.
The mission of the Women’s Exchange of Washtenaw (WXW) is to host unique events where women business leaders talk through their issues, share experiences and ideas, and form lasting connections. Ann Arbor businesswomen Carrie Hensel and Debra Power founded WXW in 2007. They saw the need for an organization dedicated to women who are building strong and growing companies. Today, the WXW serves over 800 women with interactive events and networking opportunities.
iFred Announce New Project ‘Rebranding Depression’ Aimed at Reducing the Stigma of Depression
Thursday, April 1
iFred, the International Foundation for Research and Education on Depression, is thrilled to announce the new project ‘Rebranding Depression’ aimed at reducing the stigma of depression. Eighty percent of depression is treatable yet less than 25% of those affected are receiving treatment due to the stigma of depression and lack of funding. The campaign for depression includes using the color yellow to symbolize depression, the sunflower as the symbol inspiring joy and happiness, and the month of April to be celebrated as the Global Month of Hope for depression. The 2010 Pick Up the Phone Tour kicking off with Blue October for 1-800-SUICIDE is celebrating with us by selling happiness Mood-lites for $5, with Mood-factory donating $3 of each sale to the suicide hotline and concert goers to light their porch yellow after the show.
Leatrice Eiseman, Director of the Pantone Institute and Educator on Color Psychology, discusses the choice of yellow in association to depression: “The color yellow makes sense, as it represents joy, hope, and happiness – the outcome of successfully treating a depressive episode. This hue will remind people on a daily basis to focus on these positive attributes which in turn should help others feel ok about asking for help”.
The Kristin Brooks Hope Center and Suicide Hotline is launching their 10th Anniversary Reason to Live Tour on April 7th along with the PostSecret 2010 Tour: To Write Love on Her Arms. There will be concerts across the nation that will distribute yellow Mood-lites for $5, and for each light bulb sold $3 goes to the cause. We encourage all to light their porch yellow for depression awareness during the month of April.
Larry Kleingartner, President of the National Sunflower Association, thinks the relation between sunflowers and depression survivors has an obvious symbiotic relationship “Sunflowers are the most human like flower there is- with the stalk (body), head (face), petals (hair), and leaves (arms / legs). Humans with depression and sunflowers both have a stigma. The sunflowers, like humans, need air, water, nutrients, care, and space to flourish. They both grow towards the light and thrive in the sun. There is also the color yellow of sunflower, which color researches associate with happiness and the depression survivors, when properly cared for and treated.”
Join us this April to celebrate our Global Month of Hope. To find out more about these new programs and events, visit www.depression.org. iFred is a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to help reduce the stigma of depression by bringing hope and For all press inquiries, please contact Kathryn Goetzke at 734.358.9335 or press@ifred.org.
Humane Society of Huron Valley Announces 2010 Celebrity Spokesdog Winner
Thursday, April 1
The Humane Society of Huron Valley has found the face of the 2010 Walk & Wag, dog walk and family fun day. Harley, a nine-year-old beagle, is the winner of the Celebrity Spokesdog Contest. The Walk & Wag is HSHV’s biggest fundraiser and will take place on Saturday, May 22, 2010 at the County Farm Park in Ann Arbor.
Harley was seized by HSHV Cruelty and Rescue Staff along with four other beagles when they were abandoned. Harley was the oldest of the group at 9 years old. He sat at HSHV for over 2 months while the other beagles that came in with him found caring homes.
Then, one day last July, Grace Wu and Ted Ressler came to HSHV to look at adopting a cat. The rest they say is history. Harley now lives with his guardians, Grace and Ted, and his beagle sister, Helen.
“It was a connection at first sight,” said Grace. “He looked up at us and started doing his famous Harley shuffle. He came home with us the very next day. If we were to describe him in one word, it would be LOVE. He is just a bundle of joy. He’s gentle, affectionate, sensitive, sweet and just happy to be around us. His resiliency is truly amazing.”
The Walk & Wag is the largest annual fundraiser for HSHV, featuring lunch by Busch’s, doggie games and contests, prizes, and many more family-friendly activities. Ann Arbor’s 107one’s morning host, Martin Bandyke will be the emcee for the day, and of course Harley the 2010 Celebrity Spokesdog will be there to greet his fans.
Event participants collect donations and come to the County Farm Park (with or without your dog!) and have fun supporting a worthy cause. To register for the Walk & Wag, visit www.hshv.org or call (734) 661-3525.
Net proceeds from the Walk & Wag benefit the Humane Society of Huron Valley, the only humane society serving all of Washtenaw County, Plymouth and Canton.
The Humane Society of Huron Valley (HSHV) is an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization serving all of Washtenaw County, Canton and Plymouth, and relies solely on donations from businesses and individuals to support our community programs. The mission of HSHV is to promote responsible and compassionate care of all animals in our community. For more information, call (734) 662-5585 or visit www.hshv.org.
Logic Solutions Successfully Supports Multiple US Companies in China
Thursday, April 1
Logic Solutions announces the latest achievements of its China Services division, which supports US Companies with their operations in China. Recent successes include staffing for technology giant Cisco, and facilitating commerce between Business Automation Center® provider LogicLink and hoteliers Sheraton Shanghai Hongqiao, Howard Johnson All Suite Hotel Shanghai, Holiday Inn Shanghai Pudong, and Jin Jiang Y.M.C.A Hotel.
Logic Solutions has provided three staff members for Cisco, bolstering their efforts at the Shanghai World Expo. Candidates will manage logistics for the massive event that begins on May 1, 2010. The Expo’s website reports an expected 70 million visitors, however only 200 companies will serve as presenters, including Cisco.
Logic Solutions’s comprehensive staffing process provides reliable, professional resources for a multitude of staffing needs, including logistics managers, business development experts, network engineers, IT systems support, software implementation experts, application and web developers, project managers, call center/help desk personnel, sourcing and procurement professionals, and graphic designers. All candidates are screened through a rigorous vetting process by the firm’s multilingual, multi-industry experts.
The firm also assisted US-based LogicLink, developers of hospitality automation products and services including the Business Automation Center® (BAC), with selling their products to Chinese businesses. Within six months of the initial sales push, Logic was able to place BAC systems in four hotels.
BAC is 24-hour automated touch screen office system that offers hotel, airport, and cruise line guests a self-contained, professional area to do business while away from the office. BAC multi-station, multi-user hubs offer a high-speed internet connection and print, fax, copy, and Microsoft® Office capabilities, and each station is fitted with customized office furniture. Users pay for services at a central credit card kiosk. Because of the streamlined automation, BAC systems are a cost-efficient means of increasing revenue for the hospitality providers.
Jimmy Hsiao, CEO, states, “This is a prime example of our ability to help North American businesses expand their footprint in Asia. There is nothing like LogicLink in China—and we believe that a great US-based product is also a great China-based, product with proper localization. While the process of selling a unique product in the US is very intuitive for North American companies, replicating that practice in China can be fraught with complications if you don’t understand how to do business there. Without the help of business and cultural experts, many companies are significantly delayed getting their goods or services to market.”
LogicLink is currently working with Logic Solutions to expand services to other hoteliers.
Logic Solutions co-developed the Business Automation Center® solution, however the two companies are not under shared ownership. For more information about BAC and other LogicLink products, please visit www.LogicLink.com.
About Logic Solutions
Founded in 1995, Logic Solutions, Inc. is a privately held minority-owned corporation with headquarters in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and offices in Hong Kong, and Shanghai, Beijing, and Nanjing, China. Logic provides services in China to US companies seeking assistance expanding their Asian presence, including staffing, business development, IT support, application development, and more.
Also a Midwest leader in web and mobile application development, Logic’s global team designs custom technology solutions for both simple and complex needs. Additionally, Logic offers domestic managed IT services, and eLearning solutions to help companies cost-effectively realize their business strategies across the globe.
More information is available at http://www.logicsolutions.com.
