Blogs

Moving from the west coast to the third coast is a major life change, one that Emma Wendt, entrepreneurial services connector at Ann Arbor SPARK, has handled with resourcefulness. Among many ideas, Emma writes on how Michigan winters make for good local food and networking, and how an ABC (Anything But a Car) philosophy builds a closer community.

"The things I want to know are in books; my best friend is the man who'll get me a book I ain't read," -Thomas Jefferson. Add the organizers of Kerrytown's Bookfest to this week's list of recommended reads. Gene Alloway, Robin Agnew, and Bill Castanier will survey Ann Arbor's literary and book arts community and the city's book shop culture.

Saline Mayor Gretchen Driskell has put her stamp on a multitude of development and transportation projects during her seven terms in office. This week she writes on why loitering is welcome in downtown Saline, the personal property tax, and mass transit coming to lower Michigan.

Is it worth paying a 6% sales tax to keep jobs in Michigan and build vibrant downtowns? Ingrid Ault, executive director of Think Local First, writes a series on how to not just talk local, but how to live local.

Who are the Ann Arbor region's new entrepreneurs? What do they need? Jan Gensheimer and Gerry Roston do more than just offer consulting services. They also help run the New Enterprise Forum, a non-profit organization committed to assisting local business innovators through mentoring programs, networking events and monthly forums. Guess what they'll be blogging about?

Jason Bing manages Recycle Ann Arbor’s Environmental House, facilitating healthy, energy efficient home and workplace construction in Southeast Michigan. He holds a graduate degree in architecture and is a LEED accredited professional. Jason will be writing about local and national energy initiatives, issues and ideas.

Michigan may be a peninsula, but it's no island. Entrepreneur Jason Molesworth writes this week on closing Michigan's "capital gap" and embracing international trade and competition.

Jason Stewart is a student at U-M, pursuing his Master's Degree in Human-Computer Interaction. Jason weighs in with his thoughts on young talent in The Deuce - whether it's high tech or music.

Jeff Helminski has a few ideas about how to keep and attract young professionals in SE Michigan. He is the founder and Managing Partner of The Moravian Companies, co-founder of the Young Professionals Leadership Council, and a founding member of the Center for Michigan’s Emerging Leaders Forum.  Go on, click the link. You know you want to read what he has to say.

Faltering English grades don't bode well for a state trying to foster a permanent class of young professionals. Author and teacher extraordinaire Jeff Kass delivers up Knuckleheads for the young men who'd rather work a backhoe than read a book. Jeff, writing program director for the Neutral Zone, also explains how the Ann Arbor Book Festival was revived by partnering with other non-profits.

Food, glorious, food... as long as it's local. Jeff McCabe is all about the stuff you put in your belly - where it comes from, how it's grown, and what you know about it. It's why he started the Selma breakfast salon and why he's involved with the Local Foods Summit and the Homegrown Festival. If you can't guess what Jeff will be blogging about you haven't read a thing we've just written.

Managing editor Jeff Meyers offers up his thoughts on why Ann Arbor needs to aggressively develop an arts identity, and how the city's Art Commission and long overdue Percent For The Arts program can establish a creative vision for its future.

The go-to-girl for new economy public relations and proud co-owner of local fitness club, Joust, Jennifer Cornell is a daily fixture in Ann Arbor's biz scene. She volunteers at several non-profits and sits on the Governor’s Council for Labor and Economic Growth. Jenn will be writing about being an entrepreneur in today's economy and what she sees on the local horizon.

The stage can be a role model for youth struggling to find their voice. Jenny Koppera, a founding director of the CrossTown Theatre Troupe, together with Erin McDonald, director of the theatre, will be writing about the need for youth programming and dialogue in the community.

Jeremy Peters has the kind of cool downtown job others long for. He's Ghostly International's Director of Licensing and Publishing. He also has strong opinions about how Ann Arbor views its downtown and the importance of arts and culture. So, guess what he'll be blogging about?