tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74364549090352687622024-03-13T00:11:36.340-07:00Inside the Newsroom @ A2 JournalWelcome to Inside the Newsroom @ A2 Journal, a blog written by the newspaper's staff at A2 Journal, a new, weekly, community newspaper covering Ann Arbor. This blog is a place for members of the newspaper's staff to write their thoughts, observations, opinions and other informative pieces they put together while covering the rich history, interesting people, institutions and traditions that make Ann Arbor such a unique community.Michelle Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12928503583422208570noreply@blogger.comBlogger415125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436454909035268762.post-40940536477905576882013-01-23T13:09:00.001-08:002013-01-23T13:09:15.420-08:00Peace Neighborhood Center former director, Rose's Good Company founder dies at age of 70<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzH9k3U_g83IEwtPHdUYPAxBt6gCY0xTZn40uIR2V_aFxZbXsz9FfogGn-5poxMwh8KBMtOtyAB21Hln8QMRX-U8CMnJ2koLo_gY_Vwoz4ZZZ1bf80QHAtlbtJtNebwyiqPSvr0z5h3IYE/s1600/webRose+Martin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzH9k3U_g83IEwtPHdUYPAxBt6gCY0xTZn40uIR2V_aFxZbXsz9FfogGn-5poxMwh8KBMtOtyAB21Hln8QMRX-U8CMnJ2koLo_gY_Vwoz4ZZZ1bf80QHAtlbtJtNebwyiqPSvr0z5h3IYE/s200/webRose+Martin.jpg" width="162" /></a>Rose Martin, who was heavily involved in the nonprofit organizations Peace Neighborhood Center and Rose's Good Company, passed away Tuesday.<br />
<br />
The <a href="http://heritage.com/articles/2013/01/23/ann_arbor_journal/news/doc5100302348aa0084260907.txt">Ann Arbor Journal has posted a story</a> on the loss and about the many efforts she contributed to.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436454909035268762.post-1926042948514318142012-11-01T12:02:00.001-07:002012-11-01T12:02:39.345-07:00Some local decisions voters will be asked to make at polls Nov. 6One question that will be put to Ann Arbor area residents on ballots for the Nov. 6 general election is <a href="http://heritage.com/articles/2012/10/01/ann_arbor_journal/news/doc5069ab89ee455852020621.txt#.UGnHfHSA4V0.twitter">whether to fund a new downtown library</a>. The proposed library would replace the current building, which is considered outdated. Five candidates are also <a href="http://heritage.com/articles/2012/10/01/ann_arbor_journal/news/doc5069a4a0a708a769014976.txt#.UGnHx5GK1DQ.twitter">running for the Ann Arbor District Library board</a>.<br />
<br />
Voters will also be asked <a href="http://heritage.com/articles/2012/10/01/ann_arbor_journal/news/doc5069ac8bed41a807932013.txt">whether to authorize two city millage proposals</a>. One is to renew a millage for park maintenance and capital improvements, and the other is for a new millage for art in public places.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436454909035268762.post-54450026380847133732012-04-26T12:30:00.003-07:002012-04-26T12:32:26.139-07:00PPT repeal legislation sounds like good idea, but isn'tThe legislation aimed at Michigan's Personal Property Tax is one of the most straightforward documents I've read out of Lansing, which its drafters should be lauded for and proud of.<br />
<br />
But there's nothing to be proud of when it comes to boiling this legislation down to its core components.
<br />
<br />
Obviously the idea is thus:
<br />
<br />
1) I'm a business owner with $x of personal property at my place of business that I'm paying $y of taxes on to local units of government, while I could be spending $y on business expansion in the form of hiring and purchasing more equipment.<br />
<br />
2) So I take $y and spend it on some new people and buy some new equipment to better serve my customers or serve more of them.
<br />
<br />
3) My business expansion actually grows local and state tax revenues in other ways by improving the economy. I win and everyone wins.
<br />
<br />
The problem is that this isn't always going to happen. It may not even happen a great deal of the time -- it's a huge assumption that gives local governments absolutely no comfort or stability. From what I gather, the above is an assumption based on legislators talking to business owners about their pie-in-the-sky ideas about how to "grow their business," which doesn't necessarily mean hiring people and buying equipment.<br />
<br />
The element missing from the equation is the means to increase demand for the products that these companies produce, and it just isn't there in the statewide and local markets right now, and national and global markets are still only looking good relative to the financial collapse of 2008. The only thing I can gather is that we're expected to bet it all on black in the hopes of a recovery feeding into this assumption and paying out a jackpot to Michigan and all of its residents.
<br />
<br />
While there's a lot to be pleased about if you watch Bloomberg or Mad Money, the real economy is still showing only anemic signs of recovery and none of the reforms that needed to happen to ensure we don't have another market breakdown were put into place. <br />
<br />
It's unreaasonable to ask school districts and municiple governments at the local and county levels to expose themselves to markets outside of their boundaries like this, and that's exactly what this legislation will do.
Why should your school district be so directly punished by the ups and downs of markets half a world away -- that is if your local governments are even lucky enough to have big commercial and industrial taxpayers in the first place. <br />
<br />
Otherwise, giving small busineess owners a break on PPT isn't going to do any good but slightly boost yearly revenues and profits, which isn't going to translate into new jobs or new equipment purchases.
This thing is only designed for the heavy hitters, and I just don't see them biting, at least in the way that the guys and gals in Lansing have been led to believe.Sean Daltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05516383370019633929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436454909035268762.post-51375093134689254822012-04-19T06:55:00.000-07:002012-04-19T06:58:18.969-07:00Gizmodo recognizes Ann Arbor for marijuana, not tech innovationHow does Ann Arbor get mentioned on major gadget-tech-random site Gizmodo?<br />
<br />
You'd think it was for some new innovation launched at U-M, or a product or service developed by the engineer at Google's Ann Arbor headquarters.<br />
<br />
No, it took a <a href="http://heritage.com/articles/2012/04/19/ann_arbor_journal/news/doc4f8f166376402734185827.txt" target="_blank">pot bust at the Meijer on Carpenter Road</a> for mention on the site. This tweet from Giz, the site famous for discovering the iPhone 4 before it was officially launched, says it all:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Hacking Bikes, Finding Weed in Malawi, and Growing Weed in Meijers <a href="http://t.co/IV3Tk9fX" title="http://gizmodo.com/5903289//gallery/">gizmodo.com/5903289//galle…</a></p>— Gizmodo (@Gizmodo) <a href="https://twitter.com/Gizmodo/status/192824096172670976" data-datetime="2012-04-19T03:57:01+00:00">April 19, 2012</a></blockquote>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
From <a href="http://gizmodo.com/5903289/hacking-bikes-finding-weed-in-malawi-and-growing-weed-in-meijers/gallery/5" target="_blank">the post</a> on the website's Stoner Channel," it links to a write-up from The Consumerist, saying:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Liberation Serif', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">Ann Arbor Police were summoned to a Meijer supermarket in the wee hours of Tuesday after a store employee unwittingly discovered a 70-plant hydroponic operation in a nail salon operating within the supermarket.</span> </blockquote>
Obviously, there's one small error: Pittsfield Township police, not AAPD, were summoned.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436454909035268762.post-19703307630031959692012-04-16T11:08:00.000-07:002012-04-16T11:08:06.595-07:00An evening with the Glee Club at Cottage Inn downtown (where were they when I needed them?)Another gem from Ann Arbor recently received more recognition this weekend.<br />
<br />
Detroit Free Press columnist Mitch Albom <a href="http://www.freep.com/article/20120415/COL01/204150475" target="_blank">wrote a column</a> about his experience with the Men's Glee Club at the original Cottage Inn in downtown Ann Arbor (the place I took my girlfriend to dinner before proposing to her, although there was no glee club that night. Darn).<br />
<br />
In addition to his column, a YouTube video of his personalized performance accompanied. Take a look below:<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/EW1M8Arq0TA" width="560"></iframe>
<br />
<br />
<b>Have you ever heard the Glee Club perform? How are they?</b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436454909035268762.post-46212318701177291672012-04-06T13:51:00.001-07:002012-04-06T13:51:56.898-07:00University of Michigan the 13th-most buzzed about university and college on the InternetThe University of Michigan is quite the attention-grabber on the Internet.<br />
<br />
In a recent study, U-M ranked No. 13 in the list of most buzzed-about colleges and universities on the Internet, according to <a href="http://mashable.com/2012/04/05/mit-most-buzz/" target="_blank">this Mashable article</a>.<br />
<br />
U-M ranked ahead of such schools Princeton, Duke, Georgia Tech, and (most importantly) Ohio State University. It ranked below schools like Harvard, Yale, Cornell, UCLA and the No. 1 most-buzzed about school, MIT (??).<br />
<br />
What was the measuring stick? The Global Language Monitor used several ways of gauging the buzz around U-M, including blog and social media posts and several thousand media outlets.<br />
<br />
Here's betting we can pin a lot of buzz on the Wolverines' football team making a splash into the BCS last year, as well as the buzz around Brady Hoke.<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436454909035268762.post-46376879160221839512012-04-06T13:40:00.002-07:002012-04-06T13:48:33.229-07:00Fracking in Washtenaw CountyIt was incredibly informative attending a town hall on the fracking issue in our state's Brooklyn last night, where Dr. Christopher Grobbel of Grobbel Environmental discussed the history of resource recovery in our state.<br /><br />He also discussed a number of terms and several cases in which oil and natural gas recovery efforts have gone horribly, horribly wrong. I'm in the process of compiling notes and research for the article, which I hope folks spread around to friends and neighbors in Washtenaw.<br /><br />If there's even a small chance that some of the worst case scenarios that have happened around the state under the current regulatory framework could happen in this county, I think it's worth resisting the oil companies.<br /><br />I'm not opposed to drilling outright, but it's pretty clear after spending my evening in Brooklyn hearing Grobbel and several local officials like the Supervisor of Norvell Township recount their experiences dealing with the DEQ, that there's something wrong with how oil and gas recovery is regulated by the state.Sean Daltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05516383370019633929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436454909035268762.post-84735516872676757062012-03-30T21:52:00.001-07:002012-03-30T21:56:53.170-07:00How did you do in the lottery tonight, Ann Arbor?<div><p>I caved.</p>
<p>I bought my very first lottery ticket that wasn't a scratch-off tonight with my fiance, two easy picks for the $640 million Mega Millions drawing. </p>
<p>Sadly, I matched one number, and it wasn't the Megaball, meaning my investment was worth nothing. </p>
<p>The big question is: how did you do?</p>
<p><b>Any winners out in Washtenaw County tonight? How much did you win?</b></p>
<br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC6s34HRyE2gF3ovN7R61EPovHv7Aji5dK7vaOqQ4kE5gyxLxCbm1zV3eHh4MBSYe3ED7FsiMfwPHkr0dIEVMVm8KHcowy_MWKh0WezfD6pBY3Ki1VJPoki7qCEmRwl9U9V8X7WhLB5UOF/' /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436454909035268762.post-14067282865975309432012-03-28T12:56:00.005-07:002012-03-28T13:11:19.338-07:00Who cares?According to an article on the CBS News website, Starbucks is now using cochineal extract or dried bugs as dye in its strawberry frappucinos.<br /><br />The information was posted on thisisvegetarian.com after a Starbucks barista notified the site.<br /><br />Also known as carmine or crimson lake, the extract has been used for thousands of years to color fabric and is deemed safe by the FDA.<br /><br />So, what do you think? Do you think this is safe? I'd love to hear your thoughts on this! <br /><br />See the link below for other interesting things that might be in your food.<br />http://www.cbsnews.com/2300-204_162-10004411.html?tag=page;previous.Amy Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991000148824462483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436454909035268762.post-42127964401933094752012-03-22T14:07:00.001-07:002012-03-22T14:07:45.182-07:00Hey President Obama, that's not how you attract Michigan votersI saw this tweet today from <a href="http://www.twitter.com/ohiostate" target="_blank">@OhioState</a> (it was retweeted by the White House) and thought "He's shooting himself in the foot with voters up here."<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>We’re excited to welcome President <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%2523Obama">#Obama</a> to campus today! He’s a Buckeye at heart—here’s the proof. <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%2523ObamaOSU">#ObamaOSU</a> <a href="http://t.co/N8qKEv0y" title="http://twitpic.com/8zqyd4">twitpic.com/8zqyd4</a></p>— OhioState (@OhioState) <a href="https://twitter.com/OhioState/status/182824965224153089" data-datetime="2012-03-22T13:44:03+00:00">March 22, 2012</a></blockquote><script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><br />
<br />
That's not the type of thing Michigan voters will want to see come November, President Obama.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436454909035268762.post-67711633855586597642012-03-21T12:30:00.002-07:002012-03-21T12:37:42.570-07:00Yay for spring!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEnbfK53NPsIg-60BClJpEp0FI3czziek3xZ1NuMU9IpIilYFY0hkDaN4YBdPRBb4gJDtWns-4lYTSgqFYoPXDTbWgEnLvuYtRK3nVnQa3KThCrKPdat19y8EY1C6s6FbIuI47JTPW2nw/s1600/spring+is+here+blog+post.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEnbfK53NPsIg-60BClJpEp0FI3czziek3xZ1NuMU9IpIilYFY0hkDaN4YBdPRBb4gJDtWns-4lYTSgqFYoPXDTbWgEnLvuYtRK3nVnQa3KThCrKPdat19y8EY1C6s6FbIuI47JTPW2nw/s200/spring+is+here+blog+post.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722436723808956818" /></a><br />As I am writing this today, it's 83 degrees in Washtenaw County...and it's the second day of spring. I am definitely not complaining but I hope it's not an indication of what we are in for this summer.<br /><br />Warmer weather always makes me want to eat healthier foods. I am more apt to eat a salad as opposed to wanting comfort food, I crave an apple as opposed to french fries. It always seems that in the winter, I put on a few pounds but shed them in the summer.<br /><br />Do your eating habits change with the seasons? Do you plan on eating better to shed some pounds for the warmer weather that is now upon us? Tell me, I'd like to know!<br /><br />Photo by JudecatAmy Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991000148824462483noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436454909035268762.post-17078690178307921402012-03-18T07:49:00.000-07:002012-03-18T07:49:35.012-07:00Ann Arbor's 'Pure Michigan' television ad is out, take a lookThe Pure Michigan campaign has launched a new ad cycle, and has included one for the City of Ann Arbor.<br />
<br />
Earlier this year, the city and area business leaders pledged to spend nearly <a href="http://www.heritage.com/articles/2012/02/20/ann_arbor_journal/news/doc4f42a68ebdd8c612447806.txt" target="_blank">$500,000 on the ads</a>, which include television and radio ads.<br />
<br />
The television ad was recently released, and is below. Take a look and let us know what you think. Does it represent Ann Arbor well?<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ejZjzgPoVUk" width="560"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436454909035268762.post-26480770086249370602012-03-13T10:24:00.004-07:002012-03-13T10:50:06.348-07:00What a crock<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjRYV8ikoCuBQXYl8D0E24s5Bj29jIaw660NJYxDeWaOAFk6hjaeJfYU0MjW5rfSkM6GWB1iWWk2UQfVIOwUIYRgdAXD9FTDRlCfYnxEyMkH0vuh9b5tyCcQTS2HU0noXFUQtYuS1V4WY/s1600/crockpot.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 194px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjRYV8ikoCuBQXYl8D0E24s5Bj29jIaw660NJYxDeWaOAFk6hjaeJfYU0MjW5rfSkM6GWB1iWWk2UQfVIOwUIYRgdAXD9FTDRlCfYnxEyMkH0vuh9b5tyCcQTS2HU0noXFUQtYuS1V4WY/s200/crockpot.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719436965934850674" /></a><br />Oh Crock-Pot, I think I've found a new friend. It's so nice to be able to throw random ingredients into a pot, turn it on and come home to the house smelling oh so good. And yes, I guess it's even better because that means I don't have to cook after being at work all day.<br /><br />Recently, I began asking my friends for recipes and was pretty shocked at the number I received. I think the slow cooker may be more popular than what I was giving it credit for.<br /><br />What kinds of recipes do you like? Any particular websites that you go to or do you have some good ole' tried and true recipes that you use?<br /><br />Tell me, I'd like to know!<br /><br />Photo by SaucyGloAmy Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991000148824462483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436454909035268762.post-61555653197443685002012-03-05T11:59:00.003-08:002012-03-05T12:10:21.196-08:00How much does food matter anyway?So is anyone looking forward to the new Food Matters movie due to come out at the end of March? It's called "Hungry for Change" and judging from the trailer, it looks like there are going to be many more interviews with experts along with information about natural healing and nutrition.<br /><br />So what does everyone think about these movies anyway? Do you think it's legit information or just a spiel to make money?<br /><br />To view the trailer, visit www.hungryforchange.tv.Amy Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991000148824462483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436454909035268762.post-70117131035138231532012-02-23T11:16:00.006-08:002012-02-23T11:43:44.238-08:00Cookbooks, shmookbooks<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxCywjW6MhOQxmIzBSWGQBR-N1L_xpksA_Bxkj7aGjEXnTrr5a5aya8hqRCa4Ql2Lu2V-5qedGm5Yi_yRUcjUOQYf96kQsCtJmk6Nw_s6juQziuKw6w_9wdSkHjnilDkJmAkGMjqniA_w/s1600/food+blog+3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxCywjW6MhOQxmIzBSWGQBR-N1L_xpksA_Bxkj7aGjEXnTrr5a5aya8hqRCa4Ql2Lu2V-5qedGm5Yi_yRUcjUOQYf96kQsCtJmk6Nw_s6juQziuKw6w_9wdSkHjnilDkJmAkGMjqniA_w/s200/food+blog+3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712416573216304530" /></a><br />Admittedly, I am a novice when it comes to cooking. I am the type who follows recipes but am slowly becoming more confident in creating my own. With the vast array of foods available, it increases my options even more but it also can be quite confusing. For example, I have millet and lentils and I have no idea what to do with them. I've tried quinoa and that's pretty tasty but with millet, I honestly have no clue.<br /><br />And not to mention produce, I have never quite figured out how to use eggplant. It sure is pretty to look at but when I cooked with it before, it was, well, not very tasty to say the least. Sure, I love going to farmers markets but once I get home, it can be overwhelming to try and figure out how to use the produce in a week before it all spoils.<br /><br />So where does everyone find their recipes? Do you have any favorite websites? Cookbooks? Family favorites? Or are you just one of those Rachael Ray types that thinks up recipes, doesn't measure anything and it comes out awesome. If you are, please respond to this post!<br /><br />Photo by Rene S.Amy Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991000148824462483noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436454909035268762.post-79912219038030851542012-02-15T11:58:00.000-08:002012-02-15T12:50:16.819-08:00Buying organic?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgayfDm8NvU2VGPqsn-W3uMLkPQlORu65pPtoXSNdfB6qVRNS5dn9uzUDx8DACRoH7bPbt0EAJwE73TTkyG3QzakT_dHBRJeCnnws7ZRJPQocX2gmlY6ZiBUSfb6MuwYXmtONOxnJFBiag/s1600/farmers+market+blog+photo+2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 151px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgayfDm8NvU2VGPqsn-W3uMLkPQlORu65pPtoXSNdfB6qVRNS5dn9uzUDx8DACRoH7bPbt0EAJwE73TTkyG3QzakT_dHBRJeCnnws7ZRJPQocX2gmlY6ZiBUSfb6MuwYXmtONOxnJFBiag/s200/farmers+market+blog+photo+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709466957741226946" /></a><br /><br />According to the Environmental Working Group, there are 12 types of produce that contain the most pesticides and should be purchased as organic. <br /><br />Labeled as the "Dirty Dozen" these items are apples, celery, strawberries, peaches, spinach, imported nectarines, imported grapes, sweet bell peppers, potatoes, domestic blueberries, lettuce and kale/collard greens.<br /><br />The EWG also lists certain types of produce as the "Clean 15", which contain the least amount of pesticides. These items are onions, sweet corn, pineapple, avocado, asparagus, sweet peas, mangoes, eggplant, domestic cantaloupe, kiwi, cabbage, watermelon, sweet potatoes,grapefruit and mushrooms. <br /><br />What types of organic produce do you buy? Do you find it's worth the extra money?<br /><br />Photo by Natalie MaynorAmy Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991000148824462483noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436454909035268762.post-27469301451578509612012-02-14T06:13:00.000-08:002012-02-14T06:13:50.942-08:00Valentine's Day in Ann Arbor: what people are saying about the romantic holidayWhat are your plans for Valentine's Day?<br />
<br />
Ann Arbor is abuzz with the thoughts of candy, flowers and love (at least for most people). Here's a look at what's being talked about around town about the holiday.<br />
<br />
<script src="http://storify.com/davidveselenak/ann-arbor-preps-for-valentine-s-day.js">
</script><noscript>[&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://storify.com/davidveselenak/ann-arbor-preps-for-valentine-s-day" target="_blank"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;View the story "Ann Arbor preps for Valentine's Day" on Storify&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;]</noscript>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436454909035268762.post-41387335005123149032012-02-08T16:47:00.000-08:002012-02-08T16:47:00.511-08:00Going loco for local food<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUzv4RAgyBFJd-OVJCjkx4B1M_fWwvsn7os0mH_jCHA0CSIJ5iJUCyMciRNd4_2f5x8rqecr7R4_yejS-2_RK1BzzcYE1PEZdL0dYsQdW2TVw5EaeGVXMQhlwd8EeSaCSN310yJAh3MuM/s1600/farmers+market+blog+pic.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUzv4RAgyBFJd-OVJCjkx4B1M_fWwvsn7os0mH_jCHA0CSIJ5iJUCyMciRNd4_2f5x8rqecr7R4_yejS-2_RK1BzzcYE1PEZdL0dYsQdW2TVw5EaeGVXMQhlwd8EeSaCSN310yJAh3MuM/s320/farmers+market+blog+pic.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706884135237841410" /></a><br />For the past month or so, I've been doing a lot of research regarding the local food movement. From what I've seen, it seems that everyone has the same thing in common: they want fresh, safe food and they want to know where it's coming from.<br /><br />With an ever-growing number of farmers market vendors, CSA's and restaurants supporting local agriculture, it's hard to keep track of the vendors, know what to cook and even how to cook it. I am a vegetable lover, but I honestly get quite confused with the vast array of produce that is available. Where should one even begin?<br /><br />With this blog, I'd like to get an idea of what everyone else does, share some ideas, even some recipes. What farmers markets do you shop at? Do you participate in a CSA? Do you own a hoophouse? Where do you get your recipes?<br /><br />I look forward to hearing from you and sharing your insights, ideas and recipes in the near future!Amy Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991000148824462483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436454909035268762.post-62180887245248947222012-01-28T09:01:00.000-08:002012-01-28T09:11:18.176-08:00If/when the president returns, can we please get some wi-fi?With President Barack Obama coming to Ann Arbor, it's expected that dozens of journalists will descend onto campus and report on the speech.<br />
<br />
It's also expected that they'll use the most modern tools they have available to help send the message out, and that is the Internet.<br />
<br />
So, why hold <a href="http://heritage.com/articles/2012/01/28/heritagewest/news/doc4f22e37fc01e0618767041.txt" target="_blank">a presidential speech</a> in a place where journalists can't access the Internet?<br />
<br />
Our <a href="http://heritage.com/articles/2012/01/28/ann_arbor_journal/news/doc4f229ae1af9fc144112372.txt" target="_blank">live coverage Friday</a>, which mostly consisted of a live tweet stream from Al Glick Field House, saw several delays in posting, partially due to lacking 3G internet speeds (our netbooks have 3G built in them, allowing us to access the web anywhere we have a 3G signal, which should include Ann Arbor). But being on a college campus that I would assume has WiFi access, why not allow journalists to access it?<br />
<br />
While we could have brought a MiFi hotspot, I'm not so sure it would have helped. Using our 3G access, my colleagues could barely send a text file for filing, and photos took even longer, even though they were compressed.<br />
<br />
The best summarization of how many reporters there must have felt came from a tweet from Chris Gautz, a reporter with Gongwer:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>No wi-fi at UM for President Obama's speech. Unacceptable.</p>— Chris Gautz (@ChrisGautz) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChrisGautz/status/162887347585822721" data-datetime="2012-01-27T13:19:04+00:00">January 27, 2012</a></blockquote><script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><br />
<br />
There must be a way for the University to give guest access to those requiring the internet to properly do their job on a public university's campus. It hurt our live coverage, and I'm sure it hurt others' as well.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436454909035268762.post-77919052504934170972012-01-23T08:24:00.000-08:002012-01-23T08:27:37.349-08:00How should we remember Joe Paterno?<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm2.staticflickr.com/1367/1307767162_0ddd1f0206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="303" src="http://farm2.staticflickr.com/1367/1307767162_0ddd1f0206.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Former Penn State football coach Joe Paterno. (Flickr photo </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">courtesy of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/acaben/1307767162/sizes/m/in/photostream/" target="_blank">acaben</a>)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's a concept I've been struggling with since Saturday night when the news was reported <a href="http://www.poynter.org/latest-news/mediawire/160270/how-false-reports-of-joe-paternos-death-were-spread-and-debunked/" target="_blank">(falsely)</a> that former Penn State football coach Joe Paterno <a href="http://heritage.com/articles/2012/01/22/heritagewest/news/doc4f1c54172e87e847760802.txt" target="_blank">had died</a>:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How should I remember Joe Paterno?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He led the Nittany Lions to 409 wins during his tenure, good for the most of any coach of all time. He was also fired from his job in November for not doing enough to prevent alleged child molester Jerry Sandusky from abusing young boys.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Since his death, I've discovered and read all the statements and columns left by coaches and writers, including <a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/bigten/post/_/id/44180/brady-hoke-statement-on-joepas-passing" target="_blank">Brady Hoke's statement</a>. ESPN had several pieces, including <a href="http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/7487990/joe-paterno-penn-state-legacy-more-scandal" target="_blank">one from Ivan Maisel</a>, saying the coaching icon should be remembered for his achievements and not just what transpired the last 12 weeks. Locally, <a href="http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120123/OPINION03/201230340" target="_blank">a similar column appeared from The Detroit News</a>, saying very similar things.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But then I read the comments, and it gets me thinking.</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Like it or not, the story centers on the rape of 10 kids and cover up over a decade. Football and "legacy" are outright disrespectful to even discuss, and discussing it in comparison and even as greater than the issue at hand is downright depraved.</span></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When young children are around, you protect them from harm. Where was the protection? Penn State what were you thinking? Joe where were you, these kids were molested in your home. Yea, the campus area they were molested in was his responsibility. </span></blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Of course Sandusky is innocent until proven guilty, and he could be acquitted for everything. But the Penn State Board of Trustees saw enough reason to fire him for his role and not allow him to finish the season.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, how should we remember him? As a man who was a coaching and statewide icon in Pennsylvania? Or as someone who was fired for not doing the right thing? Can we remember him as both?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The closest example I've been able to think about is <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Nixon" target="_blank">Richard Nixon</a>. Nixon did several positive things, such as opening the doors to China during his tenure. But, to most Americans, Nixon will always be known as the president who resigned because of the Watergate scandal.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It will take some time for history to decide Paterno's fate. It could take me even longer to figure out how I should remember him.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How will you remember Joe Paterno?</span></b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436454909035268762.post-45374327547215655802012-01-18T07:42:00.000-08:002012-01-18T07:42:26.809-08:00Protests go from the streets to the screen around Ann ArborIt seems the protest bug has bitten many people around Ann Arbor this week.<br />
<br />
It began with hundreds <a href="http://www.heritage.com/articles/2012/01/16/ypsilanti_courier/news/doc4f14da0f8855a062340418.txt" target="_blank">marching to Gov. Rick Snyder's home in Superior Township Monday</a> on MLK Day. The protest, designed to show opposition to the state's emergency financial manager bill, attracted hundreds and made headlines across the state.<br />
<br />
It had been planned for several weeks, and its participants seemed clear in their message: EFMs can damage democracy and leave one individual with too much power.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1yrUKWCqQJd7Arg7Ft3cU2nkwl8ByzkTfFTuqmInutsskoyuA3H6PX-HcwFygnXtOlNAC0ihN-4H5UYXPt2WF211g2oGgm8Th414BS2EUuDUdrU3Bwhe8HhpYC8KbZHJvhbTbJAIgUNIh/s1600/wikipedia.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1yrUKWCqQJd7Arg7Ft3cU2nkwl8ByzkTfFTuqmInutsskoyuA3H6PX-HcwFygnXtOlNAC0ihN-4H5UYXPt2WF211g2oGgm8Th414BS2EUuDUdrU3Bwhe8HhpYC8KbZHJvhbTbJAIgUNIh/s320/wikipedia.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I hope we don't get in trouble to using this image if SOPA<br />
becomes law. We'll claim fair-use on it, though.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>And if that protest wasn't enough, <a href="http://www.heritage.com/articles/2012/01/17/heritagewest/news/doc4f15cb84c5a71005371893.txt" target="_blank">plenty of people from around the area</a> are chiming in about the <a href="http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c112:H.R.3261:" target="_blank">Stop Online Piracy Act</a>, or SOPA, a bill designed to curve online piracy and protect copyright for intellectual property owners.<br />
<br />
This protest has gone more virtual, though, given the nature of the legislation. Several sites, including <a href="http://www.wikipedia.org/" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>, <a href="http://reddit.com/" target="_blank">Reddit</a> and <a href="http://www.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Wordpress</a> have "blacked out" their sites, with Wikipedia denying access to simple searches on its English site. It'still accessible through mobile phones and through mirrored sites.<br />
<br />
Several other sites, including <a href="http://pressthink.org/blackout.html" target="_blank">one owned by an adviser to our company, Jay Rosen</a>, have followed suit. <br />
<br />
<b>Have you participated in any protests this week? How do you best send a message to those in power of something you disapprove of?</b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436454909035268762.post-51551146293814073302012-01-12T05:07:00.001-08:002012-01-12T06:14:07.286-08:00Looking for a way to celebrate MLK Day? Speech from NPR personality happening at U-M Monday<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Here's one way to learn more and observe Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Monday. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The University of Michigan will host NPR personality Michele Norris, as she serves as the keynote speaker for <a href="http://detroitcenter.umich.edu/news/2011/12/martin-luther-king-jr-day-detroit-center" target="_blank">the day's MLK events</a>. A panel discussion wil</span>l follow her speech, which will take place after her speech. The discussion, entitled "It's Going on in the Hood" and will "address the perception that Detroit significantly lacks community involvement in its neighborhoods."<br />
<br />
The keynote speech will take place at 10 a.m. at the Hill Auditorium. The panel discussion will take place at 1 p.m., after a one-hour lunch break.<br />
<br />
In addition, the speech will also be simulcasted at U-M's Detroit Center on Woodward Avenue in Detroit, in case you're not in Ann Arbor that day.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436454909035268762.post-9523420596601142682012-01-10T07:08:00.000-08:002012-01-10T07:10:09.068-08:00Auto show confessions from a reporter who's called southeast Michigan home all his lifeTrue story: I have never been to the <a href="http://heritage.com/articles/2012/01/10/heritagewest/news/doc4f0c4223880c3859715220.txt" target="_blank">North American International Auto Show</a>.<br />
<br />
I'm not sure how many others in southeast Michigan will say the same thing, but I've never been able to or taken the opportunity to go to Cobo Center and see the newest and greatest concept cars.<br />
<br />
It's not that the cars aren't fascinating; they are. I've never been a huge car enthusiast, and grew up in a household that wasn't big on cars (My grandfather did work for Chrysler, though, so I am slightly biased when it comes to favorite brand).<br />
<br />
So, I ask you, Washtenaw County: what are the best parts of the auto show I've been missing? I'm curious to know. I'm not sure I'll venture up to Cobo this year, but I hope to.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, here's a collection of photos, videos and other tidbits of what's being said about the auto show locally. Enjoy!<br />
<br />
<script src="http://storify.com/davidveselenak/washtenaw-county-talks-about-the-north-american-in.js">
</script><noscript>[&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://storify.com/davidveselenak/washtenaw-county-talks-about-the-north-american-in" target="_blank"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;View the story "Washtenaw County talks about the North American International Auto Show" on Storify&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;]</noscript>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436454909035268762.post-51390411222137333952011-12-30T06:41:00.000-08:002011-12-30T06:41:17.151-08:00Washtenaw County preps for New Year's EveAs Frank Loesser asked: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7wdqo7zPtU" target="_blank">What are you doing New Year's Eve?</a><br />
<br />
We were curious to see what Washtenaw County was talking about for the celebrations, and we rounded up some postings on Twitter, which you can see below.<br />
<br />
What are some of the big events happening around town? (And do you care to invite any of us? :))<br />
<br />
<script src="http://storify.com/davidveselenak/washtenaw-county-preps-for-new-year-s-eve.js">
</script><noscript>&amp;amp;lt;a href="http://storify.com/davidveselenak/washtenaw-county-preps-for-new-year-s-eve" target="_blank"&amp;amp;gt;View the story "Washtenaw County preps for New Year's Eve" on Storify&amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;gt;]</noscript>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436454909035268762.post-58241113194785244782011-12-19T09:06:00.000-08:002011-12-19T09:07:28.256-08:00Story of Ann Arbor businessman shared through the White HouseWe published <a href="http://www.heritage.com/articles/2011/12/16/opinion/doc4eeb9eaa64a5f481469341.txt?viewmode=fullstory" target="_blank">a guest column from Mark Hodesh</a>, a businessman who owns Downtown Home and Garden in Ann Arbor, Friday about some of the tax credits in the new health care law. He talked about how the act is going to help his small business by receiving a $15,000 tax credit.<br />
<br />
Fast forward to today: A tweet from the official White House Twitter account gets sent out, and looks like this:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Mark Hodesh, small business owner from MI on how tax credits from the Affordable Care Act help mom-and-pop businesses: <a href="http://t.co/pCl2Tpgr" title="http://ow.ly/8447a">ow.ly/8447a</a></p>— The White House (@whitehouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/whitehouse/status/148804206445346816" data-datetime="2011-12-19T16:37:42+00:00">December 19, 2011</a></blockquote><script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><br />
<br />
Being the curious person I am, I think, "I wonder where in Michigan he is. Could be cool if he was in our area." Sure enough, the tweet provides a link to the same column posted Friday. It's a very cool feeling to see.<br />
<br />
A curious coincidence: the Supreme Court also set <a href="http://www.theatlanticwire.com/politics/2011/12/supreme-court-sets-date-health-care/46382/" target="_blank">oral argument dates for the health care law</a> right around the same time. Arguments will take place March 26, 27 and 28.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0