Young & Entrepreneurial: A Q&A with Switchback
By: Jon Zemke, 9/1/2010
Offering a Word for the web solution for the
pains of website maintenance are Mike Monan and Stephen Colson, the founders of Switchback, an internet business based on Drupal technology. This week they dish with Concentrate's Jon Zemke on downtown workspaces and the wilds of entrepreneurship.
Ann Arbor By Way Of Boston
By: Michelle Martinez, 8/25/2010
Trailing spouses. It's not uncommon to find them in Ann Arbor. When Mark Shalinsky's wife landed a position at U-M, this top tier academic couple left Boston for the Mitten. But rather than beat the pavement looking for employment, Shalinsky brought his job with him.
A Festival All Our Own
By: Constance Crump, 8/18/2010
Communities like Austin (music), Sundance (film), Aspen (comedy), and now Grand Rapids (ArtPrize) have discovered the economic opportunities that come with developing an internationally recognized festival. Though Ann Arbor doesn't lack for cultural events, it has yet to find one that inspires half as much interest as U-M football. Concentrate's Constance Crump looks into why, and what might be next.
Know Y: Michigan, The Nation's Ex
By: Kate Rose, 8/11/2010
For the last year or so writer and Googler Kate Rose has waxed poetic about living the Gen-Y experience in Ann Arbor. Each month she's offered up thoughts on how our region can slow the migration of ambitious and innovative young professionals elsewhere. Now Kate has become part of that migration, and using the film High Fidelity as her inspiration, she takes a bittersweet last look at the place she used to call home.
Pure Entrepreneurship: A Q&A with Catherine Juon and Linda Girard
By: Jon Zemke, 8/11/2010
How do you get to the top of Google's first page? Catherine Juon and Linda Girard have a few ideas. It's why they started the successful website optimization firm Pure Visibility. Jon Zemke sits down with these Ann Arbor entrepreneurs to talk about sharing leadership, running a company in downtown A2, and teaching school kids more about business (among other topics).
Concentrate Speaker Series Event: Young & Sticking Around
By: Concentrate Staff, 8/10/2010
One of Michigan's mantras is that we need to do a better job of attracting and retaining young professionals. And Ann Arbor is not immune to the challenge. For our next Speaker Series Event Concentrate has invited a group of ambitious young professionals to discuss why they've decided to live and set up shop here. Think of it as a beer-fueled brainstorming session on Ann Arbor's future. Sign up now for tomorrow's event!
Ann Arbor's International Welcome Mat
By: Constance Crump, 8/4/2010
With nearly 20% of Ann Arbor's population speaking a foreign first language, the city's diversity is clearly rooted in immigration, international students, and global business development. So, how do we engage these strangers in a strange land? Enter SPARK's Cultural Ambassador program, an effort by local business leaders to attract and retain foreign-born talent.
Law School Goes Global
By: Michelle Martinez, 7/28/2010
Trade agreements, copyright, multinational corporations - it was inevitable that U.S. law schools would start to orient themselves toward the global market. With multiple campuses in Michigan (the newest is here in Ann Arbor), Cooley has not only become the largest law school in North America, it also boasts one of the biggest foreign-born student populations.
Electrified: A Q&A with the Founders of Current Motors
By: Jon Zemke, 7/28/2010
John Harding and Erik Kauppi turned their tech co-op prototype into a microloan investment and now Current Motor Company is poised to achieve electric scooter world dominance. Okay, we're probably getting ahead of ourselves on that
last part, but the duo's transition from Ford engineers into innovative entrepreneurs is a good indication that southeast Michigan has begun its economic evolution.
Real Time Farms
By: Michelle Martinez, 7/21/2010
Once upon a time Karl and Cara Rosaen were living the digital dream, working for Google in its Mountain View wonderland. Then the start-up bug bit and the couple moved to A2 to launch Real Time Farms - which just might become the IMDB of locally grown food.
Wheeling And Dealing: Bike-Based Businesses Hit the Road
By: Leia Menlove, 7/14/2010
Freddy Mercury once sang: "I want to ride my bicycle. I want to ride it where I like." With that in mind, Ann Arbor's bike-based entrepreneurs are pedaling and peddling their services around town. But they're not just cycling for profit, they see their efforts as a greener, healthier, intrinsically local way of doing business.
Sign Up For Concentrate Speaker Series Event: Why Public Art Matters
By: Concentrate Staff, 7/14/2010
Whether it incites community discussion, helps establish a sense of place, or fuels economic development, Marc Folk believes that public art matters. As executive director of the Arts Commission of Greater Toledo, he oversees the oldest Percent For The Arts program east of the Mississippi. Marc is our featured guest at tomorrow's Speaker Series event at the Michigan Theater. Sign up now!
MASTERMIND: Michael Daugherty
By: Tanya Muzumdar, 6/30/2010
From Elvis to Jackie-O to Superman to Diego Rivera, Michael Daugherty has composed an impressive musical career out of popular culture and classical orchestration. In fact, last year he was the third-most performed living American composer. Concentrate caught up with Ann Arbor's musical tour de force to discuss his life, work, and inspirations.
Happy Independence Day!
By: Concentrate Staff, 6/30/2010
The editorial staff of Concentrate would like to wish you a happy and safe fourth of July. We'll be spending the week barbecuing, avoiding the throngs of teenagers attending the latest Twilight film, and sampling Michigan's finest microbrews. Some time in a hammock may also be involved. We'll see you again on July 14th with a brand new issue!
The Young & Entrepreneurial: David Merritt
By: Jon Zemke, 6/23/2010
Optimism, entrepreneurship, and community service. If someone could bottle David Merritt's drive they'd make a whole lotta money. From co-captain of U-M's basketball team to a budding captain of industry, Merritt has made Ann Arbor his home and inspiration his business. Jon Zemke chats with the can-do founder of IMU clothing company to find out what makes him tick.
Ann Arbor's Video Game Librarian
By: Richard Retyi, 6/16/2010
Library Of Alexandria meet the Library Of Galaxia. U-M is now home to a growing archive of video games, treating them as an important chronicle of our cultural, technological and artistic identity. From Pong to Pac Man to Grand Theft Auto, over 2000 games are available for study, recreation or nostalgia. Who knew history could be so fun?
Concentrate Is Hiring
By: Issue Media Group, 6/16/2010
Concentrate is looking for a publisher. If you've got a background in sales and client
relations and are seeking a part time position, then give us a holler.
Sign up for Concentrate's Speaker Series: Home Here, Business There
By: Concentrate Staff, 6/10/2010
Success in business means venturing outside Michigan, even U.S., borders. More and more companies here are learning to do business there. At our next Speaker Series event Ted Dacko, former president and CEO of Healthmedia, will talk about going global but staying local. It's TOMORROW. Join us by signing up!
Zingerman's Seeds Entrepreneurship
By: Julianne Mattera, 6/9/2010
It's no surprise that Zingerman's breeds a love of food in its staff, but entrepreneurship? Julianne Mattera talks to a trio of former employees who have taken what they've learned from Ann Arbor's beloved deli and turned it into successful businesses across the country.
MASTERMIND: Jason Frenzel
By: Constance Crump, 6/9/2010
Ann Arbor is known for its parks... and we're not just talking baseball diamonds and soccer fields. The city has lots and lots of natural spaces to maintain. Enter Jason Frenzel, who is part of the Natural Area Preservation Unit. Combating incursions by non-native plants, rallying local volunteers, and coordinating controlled burns, he's the city's go-to guy for green spaces.
Know Y: Three Things European Cities Do Better
By: Kate Rose, 5/26/2010
Good doesn't mean we can't be better. Kate Rose returns from her European vacation with a trio of suggestions for Michigan's cities. From public art to historic preservation to urban development, she sees an opportunity to learn from our friends across the pond.
Concentrate Takes A Holiday
By: Concentrate Staff, 5/26/2010
We're taking a break next week. Partly for business and partly for pleasure. It's Memorial Day weekend, so if you're like us you'll be honoring those who've served our country while manning the backyard barbecue. We're also indulging in some site upkeep, tweaking our content and changing some features. Look for a spruced up version of Concentrate when we return on Wednesday, June 9th.
Mastermind: Mark Maynard
By: Tanya Muzumdar, 5/19/2010
What Mark Maynard does from 9-5 is important but not nearly as interesting as what he does the other 16 hours a day (beside sleep). From The Shadow Art Fair to a popular blog to planning a bike-powered film fest to a local talk show that features a puppet stand-in, Maynard personifies Ypsilanti's do-it-yourself creativity. You might even call him the ultimate marionette about town.
Ann Arbor's Second Story
By: Terry Parris Jr., 5/19/2010
To the casual visitor, downtown Ann Arbor is ground zero for restaurants, bars and artsy boutiques. But that's only part of the story. Climb the stairs to the floors above the bistros and gift shops and you'll find a community of new economy creatives. Concentrate's Terry Parris Jr. visits the people you might not meet every day.
Ann Arbor's Backlot
By: Leia Menlove, 5/12/2010
Welcome to Hollywood on the Huron! With Michigan's ambitious film incentive package bringing movie sets to Ann Arbor, both U-M and the city have had to develop strategies for accommodating (and capitalizing) on their presence.
Could Film Be Michigan's Gold Rush? A Q&A with Harvey Ovshinsky
By: Jon Zemke, 5/12/2010
"It's in our DNA to do amazing things," says Harvey Ovshinsky. Metromode's Jon
Zemke sits down with the veteran video producer and screenwriter to talk
about Michigan's Film Incentives and their potential impact on the
state's investment opportunities, job growth, and brain drain.
Sign up for Model D's May Speaker Event: Higher Ed's Role in City Building
By: Model D, 5/12/2010
"Creative Class" researcher and professor Kevin Stolarick will speak at
Model D's Speaker Series on May 12 at the Book Cadillac in Detroit. The topic will
be how higher education institutions play a role in transforming cities.
It is free to attend, but you must register in advance.
Ann Arbor Companies, Global Markets
By: Terry Parris Jr., 5/5/2010
It's less about world conquest and more about smart business. Ann Arbor firms are reaching out into the global marketplace and finding great success. Some even call the Mitten home but do little to no business here.
The Land Of Small Giants
By: Dennis Archambault, 5/5/2010
Sometimes bigger isn't better. In Ann Arbor the "small giant"
movement is catching on. Their philosophy? Profit is good but the bottom line
should not be the be-all, end-all of your company's existence.
NIGHT & DAY: It's a busy week!
By: Richard Retyi, 5/5/2010
Richard Retyi says, forget Mother's Day, there are monster robots and famous authors to meet. FilterD's guest editor grabs you by the shoulders and points you toward the best of the best in this week's events.
MASTERMIND: Peter Allen
By: Constance Crump, 4/28/2010
Whether you agree or disagree with him, developer and U-M prof Peter Allen has had his fingers in many of A2's pies. Concentrate's Constance Crump calls shotgun in his drive through the city and gets a candid view of downtown development.
Know Y: Part II of Young and Entrepreneurial
By: Kate Rose, 4/28/2010
Kate Rose returns with the second half of her investigation into what makes young entrepreneurs tick. Thrill to the other-worldly philosophies of Ghostly International's Sam Valenti! Gasp at the cutting edge tribulations of Henrietta Fahrenheit! Shudder in anticipation over what Davy Rothbart has found with FOUND! Is it passion, opportunity or cold calculated economics that spurs these local risk-takers on? Discover the truth by clicking
NIGHT & DAY: A New Voice For FilterD
By: Richard Retyi, 4/28/2010
To paraphrase Mr. Jagger: Please allow him to introduce himself... Richard Retyi takes over FilterD duties for the next six weeks, pointing you, our fearless readers, toward the half dozen best event bets for the week. What tops his list? Click and find out...
From Meat To Muscle: Sparrow Gym Is Prime
By: Leia Menlove, 4/21/2010
Butcher and body builder Josh Johnson demonstrates the kind of quirky entrepreneurship that inspires people to say, "Only in Ann Arbor." Wedged between Kerrytown's beloved meat counter and Sweetwaters Cafe is his Sparrow Gym, a private work out space that attracts a distinctly eclectic Treetown clientele.
The Next Generation Of Music Is Here In Ann Arbor
By: Richard Retyi, 4/14/2010
Meet the architects of the first youth-run recording studio in the world (if rumors of that teen punk studio in Russia are untrue). Concentrate's Richard Retyi gets the skinny on the Neutral Zone's latest and greatest innovation: The Orpheum.
The Generational Divide Over Ann Arbor's Downtown - Redux
By: Jon Zemke, 4/14/2010
Nearly 100 people spoke before the vote on Ann Arbor's Moravian development, and many of them were young. The evening illustrated a generational divide in what people want out of their downtown. News Editor Jon Zemke considers what's next for our current class of young professionals, how this latest chapter in development will shape the city's future, and whether this politically energized group will have a voice at City Council's table.
Underground Eats
By: Amy Whitesall, 4/7/2010
Why go out for a great meal when you can create one yourself? Why eavesdrop on strangers at the next table when you can sit next to them and strike up a conversation? Underground breakfast salons, supper clubs, and soup making meet-ups are using locally produced foods to create great meals ...and a sense of community.
An Open Ceiling for Ann Arbor Non-Profits
By: Leia Menlove, 3/31/2010
Shoot the moon! There are over 900 non-profit organizations in Washtenaw County, and most are headed up by women. Concentrate talks to a quartet of young women about the personal and professional rewards of non-profit leadership.
MASTERMIND: Bart Bund
By: Constance Crump, 3/31/2010
Rep houses like The Purple Rose and Performance Network tend to get all the attention, but often it's the fringe companies that deliver the most interesting work. Enter Bart Bund and his Blackbird Theater troupe. For nearly a dozen years this little company-that-could has been producing offbeat and challenging work.
Incubating Creativity & Entrepreneurship: Sign up for Concentrate's April 20th Speaker Series Event
By: Concentrate, 3/31/2010
In our growing culture of disconnected artists and 1099 workers community can be hard to come by. James Marks and Mike Kessler decided to do something about it, creating unique work spaces for creatives and entrepreneurs. Learn the how, why and what's next for Ypsilanti's Spur Studios and Ann Arbor's Workentile Exchange at Concentrate's next Speaker Series Event. Sign up now!
Know Y: Young and Entrepreneurial (a.k.a Doin' Stuff)
By: Kate Rose, 3/24/2010
Throw a stone in the air in Ann Arbor and if you miss a student or professor you're bound to bruise an entrepreneur. Concentrate's Kate Rose decided to seek out a few of the city's young start-up types to better understand what drives them to succeed and how they turned obstacles into opportunities.
MASTERMIND: Rich Sheridan
By: Constance Crump, 3/17/2010
Rich Sheridan feels your pain. As the co-founder, president, and CEO of Menlo Innovations, he's turned a passion for computers and customers into a successful company that produces kinder, gentler, user-friendlier software.
NIGHT & DAY: 48 Years Of Independent Film
By: Jeff Meyers, 3/17/2010
After nearly half a century, the Ann Arbor Film Festival is undergoing a renaissance of sorts. Audiences and submissions are up as the festival solidifies its reputation as the home for truly independent cinema. Its opening night tops this week's FilterD recommendations, and Concentrate gets the fest's executive director to answer a few burning questions.
In Ann Arbor, Beer Begets More Beer
By: Julianne Mattera, 3/17/2010
Ann Arbor's brew family tree is more intimate than you might realize, producing an impressive array of lagers, porters, stouts, and sours. Concentrate traces the local lineage and samples what's best and where.
Pure Fantasy In Ypsilanti
By: Leia Menlove, 3/10/2010
More than just a place to buy Halloween costumes, Fantasy Attic offers an epic selection of dress-up options year round. It's also an indelible part of Ann Arbor's past, and now Ypsilanti's future. Learn what the coolest shop in Depot Town does the other eleven months of the year.
Bridging The Generational Divide Over Downtown
By: Tanya Muzumdar, 3/10/2010
New developments or older housing stock? Young professionals or older residents? Density or sprawl? Last Thursday, Concentrate's Speaker Series Event asked: Can't we all just get along? Here's a short summary for those who missed an intelligent and informative conversation about the future of Ann Arbor's downtown neighborhoods.
Ann Arbor's Beagle Brain Gain
By: Constance Crump, 3/3/2010
Ben Falk did what many U-M grads do after graduation - moved somewhere else. But a year and half ago he returned from NYC to open his computer repair business in Ann Arbor's downtown. It's hard not to see Beagle Brain's presence in Nickels Arcade as the perfect metaphor for how the city honors its past while embracing its future.
Hole In The Wall Nightlife
By: Richard Retyi, 2/24/2010
Joints. Dives. Holes in the wall. They're the kinds of bars that trade in cheap beer, cranky rules, at least one customer without a full set of teeth, and a jukebox filled with music you'd better not tell the bartender you don't get. Concentrate steers you toward the best places and nights for an authentic, no frills night of unpretentious bliss.
Pizza 2.0
By: Terry Parris Jr., 2/17/2010
It was only a matter of time before pizza went high-tech. From web tracking to on demand orders from your TiVo, Ann Arbor-based Domino's has created a brave new world of snarfing.
Cultivating Cooperation: The Michigan Political Leadership Program
By: Constance Crump, 2/17/2010
Can't we all just get along? True leaders understand the value of compromise. Unfortunately, term limits tend to encourage partisan opposition. Every year, the Michigan Political Leadership Program brings together 24 fellows of varying political stripes in order to foster a new generation of solutions-based leadership.
Turning One Into Deuce In Ann Arbor
By: Leia Menlove, 2/10/2010
Baby, it's cold outside. Need someone to share that blanket with?
Finding soulmates (or even just good company) can be challenging for A2's young professionals. In honor of Valentine's Day Concentrate points you toward the best places to discover your significant other.
MASTERMIND: John Rosevear
By: Constance Crump, 2/10/2010
Inventor, author, former Marine and Ann Arbor original, John Rosevear has the kind of biography that makes misfits proud. And now, after 45 years of development, his greatest invention --the Skyclock-- may finally earn him his due.
NIGHT & DAY: Who's Got the "Chops"
By: Jeff Meyers, 2/10/2010
This week's FilterD brings you cultural events to make out to or break up over. There's stuff to do for both singles and doubles, the lovesick and the lovelorn. Plus editor Jeff Meyers chats with U-M alum and documentary filmmaker Bruce Broder about his love letter to the process of making jazz, Chops. Click on the link and get some!
Zingerman's U
By: Nicole Rupersburg, 2/3/2010
A bakehouse, a creamery, a coffee roaster, a candy manufactory... As the Zingerman's food empire expands, they want to make you a more informed citizen. From mozzarella cheese-making to four-day baking intensives, the little deli that became a culinary kingdom offers its customers a long list of mouthwatering classes. It's Yum 101.
MASTERMIND: Todd and Janice Ortbring
By: Amy Whitesall, 2/3/2010
There are citizens and then there are members of your community that are like a force of nature. Meet the Ortbrings, Chelsea's über neighbors. Not only do they run a successful local advertising and marketing firm, they also bring new meaning to the phrase civic engagement.
Big Ideas For Georgetown's Mall
By: Constance Crump, 1/27/2010
All over Michigan it's the same story: Suburban-style shopping malls going under and boarding up. Could the failure of strip centers like Ann Arbor's Georgetown Mall be an opportunity for innovative ideas about mixed-use development and walkablilty? Concentrate talks to neighbors and developers about what could be.
NIGHT & DAY: Park City Comes To Ann Arbor
By: Jeff Meyers, 1/27/2010
We may not have the mountains, but we've definitely got the snow. For two days this week the Michigan Theater becomes a venue for the Sundance Film Festival. It's just one of the half dozen events we spotlight in FilterD.
Know Y: PSA For The D
By: Kate Rose, 1/20/2010
Some say Ann Arbor has it all. Kate Rose, Concentrate's generational correspondent, says it's time locals swam across the cultural moat and learned to take pride in what's great about Detroit.
MASTERMIND: Neel Hajra
By: Constance Crump, 1/20/2010
It took a bit of bouncing around but Ann Arbor native Neel Hajra finally found a home at NEW Center, where he's the CEO of the nonprofit that lends a hand to other nonprofits. Combining entrepreneurship, organizational guidance, and technological support, NEW has proven to be an invaluable asset for local boards and organizations.
Building A Startup City
By: Terry Parris Jr., 1/13/2010
Adversity is the mother of invention. Or so they say. And Michigan is proving them true. While the rest of the country has seen a decline in business formation, cities like Ann Arbor are experiencing a startup spike.
NIGHT & DAY: A Good Start
By: Jeff Meyers, 1/13/2010
Along with a recap of this week's six FilterD selections, editor Jeff Meyers opens the new year with some good news about local arts and culture organizations.
The Best Stories of 2009
By: Concentrate Staff, 12/16/2009
As we stand on the threshold of a new decade, it's useful to glance back at the local stories that defined 2009. New innovators, unsung visionaries, evolving technologies, the generational divide over downtown development and a new respect for food were all part of the year that was. Concentrate takes you on a whirlwind tour of this year's stand out stories.
NIGHT & DAY: Theatrical Inspiration
By: Jeff Meyers, 12/16/2009
Amidst the half dozen cultural events spotlighted in this week's FilterD, editor Jeff Meyers finds inspiration from a film about Orson Welles and connection to Ann Arbor's ongoing discussion of public art.
Happy Holidays from Concentrate
By: Concentrate Staff, 12/16/2009
As we ring out the New Year, Concentrate wishes you, our faithful readers, the warmest of holiday wishes ...before crawling under
the covers for a three-week rest. But fear not, we'll be back January 13th with more tales of creative innovation and new economy developments.
Going Green
By: Concentrate Staff, 12/9/2009
With all the talk of going green and clean, just how sustainable is the Ann Arbor area getting? Since Concentrate launched in April of 2008 we've run across a growing number of businesses, leaders, and initiatives that are trying to nudge Michigan's economy and lifestyle toward the greener end of the spectrum. This week we round up evidence that our region is doing its part.
NIGHT & DAY: Goodnight Keith Moon
By: Jeff Meyers, 12/9/2009
This week FilterD goes locavore with a trio of must-see indigenous acts (amidst its half dozen picks). Then editor Jeff Meyers gets the inside scoop from a local writer-artist team whose spoof of a childhood classic has hit the Internet buzz mill.
Powered By Michigan
By: Dennis Archambault, 12/2/2009
Ann Arbor is all about customer satisfaction. But not the way you think. It's the scientific method behind evaluating customer satisfaction that was developed here at the U-M. and spun off into successful companies. They are reminders of how university, state, and local efforts are working together to transform our region into a breeding ground for innovation and entrepreneurship.
MASTERMIND: Tony Lupo
By: Leia Menlove, 12/2/2009
In just a few short years, Tony Lupo, Director of Sales and Marketing for Salon Vox, has become the poster child for youth involvement in Ann Arbor's downtown business and social scenes. And he's gearing up to help the city better understand the needs and desires of young professional talent when planning for its future.
NIGHT & DAY: A Shadow Art Culture
By: Jeff Meyers, 12/2/2009
This week's FilterD is filled with secrets and shadows and... gasp!... puppets. Editor Jeff Meyers points you toward six cultural events worth checking out and chats with Shadow Art Fair co-founder Mark Maynard about Ypsilanti's fringe arts scene.
From Scratch: Mandy & Pandy
By: Michelle Martinez, 11/18/2009
A trip to the bookstore becomes a business which may turn into a cross cultural TV phenomenon. Chris Lin, author of Mandy And Pandy, has developed a series of Chinese language books for kids that might just give Dora a run for her dinero.
MASTERMIND: Chrisstina Hamilton
By: Constance Crump, 11/18/2009
The Penny W. Stamps lecture series brings 24 thought-provoking artists to the Michigan Theater each year to talk to Ann Arborites (and U-M students) about their work, ideas, and inspiration. And Chrisstina Hamilton is the program's director, tasked with choosing who will attend and how to keep it chugging along.
Happy Thanksgiving
By: Concentrate, 11/18/2009
"Gratitude is the sign of noble souls." Or so says Aesop's Fables. Concentrate will be taking next week off for Thanksgiving. We hope our readers enjoy this time with their families, friends, football, and good food. Not necessarily in that order. We'll be back December 2nd.
Double Lives: Josh Weston
By: Tanya Muzumdar, 11/11/2009
See that speck on the Lake Michigan horizon? Rolling across choppy waves, skateboard on one foot, surfboard on the other, Josh Weston does double time as a web designer for Ann Arbor's MS&L and as the founder of Einfach Skate. Concentrate chats with the man who's struck a balance between pavement and PC.
NIGHT & DAY: More Information Than You Require
By: Jeff Meyers, 11/11/2009
Another week, another FilterD: All the week's events distilled into six attention-worthy offerings. Editor Jeff Meyers reviews the cultural happenings worth happening upon, while following up on last week's musings about the state of creative real estate.
Here, There, Then Back Again
By: Leia Menlove, 11/4/2009
Born and schooled in Michigan, Greg Schwartz did what most ambitious U-M graduates do: He moved to New York City to find success. But then the digital biz director for Warner Music Group did something few Big Apple bigwigs would ever consider: He moved back to Michigan to run a start-up.
Know Y: Pure Washtenaw
By: Kate Rose, 11/4/2009
It all comes down to turn ons and turn offs. What makes the A2 region attractive to 20-somethings? Where do we fall short? Kate Rose grills her peers on which of our "Third Places" make the grade.
NIGHT AND DAY: Ann Arbor Ignites (but lacks space to innovative)
By: Jeff Meyers, 11/4/2009
This week is chock-a-block with cool and interesting events. Editor Jeff Meyers points you to the creme de la creme as well as the also-rans. Top o' the list? IGNITE... which leads to thoughts of Ann Arbor's lack of accessible creative space (and possible solutions).
Grafaktri: A2's Unseen Hand of Creativity
By: Jon Zemke, 10/28/2009
In WAP John we trust. From Zingerman's menus to U-M building names, the Grafaktri is Ann Arbor's best kept secret, a one-of-a-kind creative studio bursting at the seams with innovation.
MASTERMIND: Jake Suski
By: Constance Crump, 10/28/2009
Though it's always a challenge to get a political operative 'off message', Concentrate sits down with the 26-year-old communications director for Rick Snyder's gubernatorial campaign. A California transplant (he served as deputy CD for Arnold Schwarzenegger), Jake Suski offers his thoughts on living and working in Ann Arbor's downtown.
NIGHT AND DAY: A Virtual Halloween and Dracula Before He Was Cool
By: Jeff Meyers, 10/28/2009
It's that time of year again, where drunken adults play dress up and neighborhood kids beg for candy. Editor Jeff Meyers points you toward some groovy Halloween apps, Nosferatu - the original movie vampire, lesser known horror flicks and the mad love some A2 streets show for All Hallow's Eve.
Healing Arts
By: Constance Crump, 10/21/2009
With nearly 10K people a day encountering its paintings and sculptures U-M's hospitals might just be the biggest arts audience in the state. From patients to visitors to staff, its Gifts Of Art program provides music and culture to an amazingly diverse audience on a minuscule budget.
MASTERMIND: Sava Lelcaj
By: Constance Crump, 10/21/2009
After living in four different countries, 26-year-old Sava Lelcaj has decided to make Ann Arbor her home, taking over the former Zanzibar space and turning it into a mealtime destination for downtowners. Not only does this young 'restaurantpreneur' have energy to spare, she's smartly plugged into the university marketplace.
NIGHT AND DAY: Fringe Theater, Fringe Thoughts and Evil Dead
By: Jeff Meyers, 10/21/2009
What is the value of fringe arts? Editor Jeff Meyers discusses how seeding the ground for a new generation of arts and culture means providing more accessible creative third places. He also weighs in on this week's eclectic entertainment opportunities.
Love Ypsi? Let The World Know
By: Concentrate, 10/14/2009
The clock is counting down on the I Love Ypsi Video Contest. Local film auteurs who can translate their community crush into a two minute YouTube masterpiece stand to earn cash and prizes. Details inside!
The String's the Thing
By: Tanya Muzumdar, 10/14/2009
Ann Arbor has an international and rarefied reputation for violin making. Concentrate visits the studios of two local masters --David Burgess and Joseph Curtin-- for a look at the skills, technology and artistry that produces some of the most beautiful sounds in the world.
NIGHT AND DAY: Our Cultural Plan, Mike Doughty
By: Jeff Meyers, 10/14/2009
Yeah, the Wilco show is sold out, but that doesn't mean there isn't plenty to do in A2. Editor Jeff Meyers weighs in on efforts to bring the local arts community together, as well as his six picks for your entertainment consumption. Top of the heap: ex-Soul Coughing lead Mike Doughty, whose stop-start guitar and layered lyrics are a special kind of singer-songwriter poetry.
Know Y: A Place For Us?
By: Kate Rose, 10/7/2009
Kate Rose is part of a coveted demographic. An employee at Google and in her late 20s, she represents exactly what Ann Arbor needs more of. But is our community doing what it needs to keep her, and young talent like her, here? Concentrate went straight to the source for the answer. Each month Kate will chime in on what her generation is looking for when it comes to housing, cultural amenities, and work opportunities.
EVENT OF THE WEEK: David Cross
By: Jeff Meyers, 10/7/2009
It's one of those weeks... too many damn choices. Editor Jeff Meyers winnows the long list of boffo local events into six must-not-miss nights out. Who says you can't eat your cake and have it too? Click on the magic "more" button to read about the also-rans, as well as a brief reflection on Grand Rapid's ArtPrize.
A Strange Brew Of Beer And Community
By: Julianne Mattera, 9/30/2009
Michigan has the fifth highest number of microbreweries in the nation, and the Ann Arbor area is doing more than its fair share to keep those numbers up. From Ypsi to Dexter to Milan, locally brewed ales, lagers and stouts are not only becoming the beverage of choice, but also bringing community together in unexpected ways.
EVENT OF THE WEEK: MC Chris
By: Jeff Meyers, 9/30/2009
Tis the season for great concerts and performances. Along with the recent rain has come a steady down pour of A-list acts hitting the Ann Arbor area. Editor Jeff Meyers points you to six events worth scoping out while lamenting the shows that sold out too quickly. Et tu Carolina Chocolate Drops?
The Best Of B3 In A2
By: Constance Crump, 9/23/2009
It's restaurant week in Detroit, but that's no reason to ignore cuisine in The Deuce. Instead of putting the spotlight on the usual fine dining subjects, Concentrate has decided to visit Ann Arbor's strangely popular bi bim bop scene; sampling, snarfing, and scoring the very best.
MASTERMIND: Lou Glazer
By: Leia Menlove, 9/23/2009
Lou Glazer's think tank, Michigan Future Inc., has been sounding the bell for Michigan's economic transformation for more than a decade and a half. And a vital component of that transformation means keeping and attracting young professionals. Glazer sees some promising trends but has a candid view of what Ann Arbor needs to do to maximize success.
EVENT OF THE WEEK: Grizzly Bear
By: Jeff Meyers, 9/23/2009
Grrrrr, it's a bear market for entertainment at the Michigan Theater this week. The jewel in Ann Arbor's downtown crown hosts a bevy of bitchin' shows, including psychedelic neo-pop folksters Grizzly Bear. Heck, even Jay-Z likes 'em. Editor Jeff Meyers ponders the growing hipness of UMS, points you toward the YP Underground and gives you the good word on what's worth checking out.
How To Be An Ann Arborvore
By: Nicole Rupersburg, 9/16/2009
Want to go native but don't know how? Concentrate offers you an inside guide to eating and drinking local. It shrinks your carbon footprint, supports the local economy and tastes a heckuva lot better than produce from half way around the world. Come on, all the cool kids are going locavore.
EVENT OF THE WEEK: An Evening With Kevin Smith
By: Jeff Meyers, 9/16/2009
Jeff Meyers thinks Kevin Smith is one of those rare Hollywood types who's managed to dodge the self-important douche bullet. More importantly, he's a damn funny guy. It's why his Saturday night show at the Michigan Theater is one of the six events spotlighted in this week's FilterD, your guide to what's worth checking out.
Ann Arbor's Got Apps
By: Jon Zemke, 9/9/2009
Over a billion downloads served. iPhone apps are the new gold rush of software development, turning backroom start-ups into overnight successes. From companies to college courses, Ann Arbor is cashing in on the smart phone trend while preparing for its future.
EVENT OF THE WEEK: Hoots & Hellmouth
By: Jeff Meyers, 9/9/2009
It's a roots revival at the Ark this week as Phillie-based Hoots & Hellmouth bring their acoustic-gospel-psychedelic-rockin' songsmithin' to the stage. Brimming with passion, soul and energy, these guys put on a helluva fun show. And they're only one of six blink-and-you'll-miss-it events spotlighted in this week's filterD.
Density Talks: Ann Arbor Should Listen
By: Michelle Martinez, 9/2/2009
As the debate over density rages in Ann Arbor, perhaps the city should consider looking to other similar university communities that have navigated the political twists and turns of urban renewal and found success on the other side.
EVENT OF THE WEEK: Are You Manly Enough For Maddox?
By: Jeff Meyers, 9/2/2009
There are people with X and Y chromosomes, and then there are MEN. Maddox knows the difference. Want to know how you (or the man you love) measures up? Come see the master of masculinity read from his hilarious The Alphabet Of Manliness. Chuck Norris haters need not attend.
A Tale Of Two Cities
By: Terry Parris Jr., 8/26/2009
As Brooklyn is to Manhattan. Or Oakland is to San Francisco. Or just plain Ypsitucky. Over the years Ypsilanti has been endlessly compared to Ann Arbor. But now, with the elbow grease of its growing creative class, the former factory town is creating an identity all its own. Terry Parris looks at the community's emerging DIY arts identity and how it squares with Ann Arbor's more established institutions.
filterD Event Of The Week: Great Lakes Swimmers
By: Jeff Meyers, 8/26/2009
Toronto's Great Lakes Swimmers run the emotional spectrum from heartache to heartbreak. Drenched in reverb and boasting luminous melodies that evoke such artists as Nick Drake, Emmy Lou Harris, and Gary Lightbody (Snow Patrol), this new-to-you band is only one of six scintillating events we spotlight in this week's filterD, your local guide to what's worth checking out.
A Passage From India
By: Constance Crump, 8/19/2009
With a population of nearly 1.2 billion, India occupies a rather large corner of the world. And with its growing technological industries it was bound to discover Ann Arbor's deep well of innovation. But is our region making the kinds of international connections that are necessary to thrive in today's global economy?
MASTERMIND: Linda Meloche
By: Amy Whitesall, 8/19/2009
As corporate mass media severs its ties to local communities homegrown media steps in to fill the gap. Meet Linda Meloche, Chelsea's very own version of Barbara Walters. Four times a week she captures the more-interesting-than-you-might-think stories of town residents. And people are watching.
filterD Event Of The Week: Brendan Benson
By: Jeff Meyers, 8/19/2009
We only pick 6 events each week (after all, even the big guy in the sky took a day off) and Michigan-born, Raconteurs bandmate Brendan Benson is the tasty foam at the top of this week's cultural cappuccino. A master of sublime powerpop, he's celebrating the release of his first solo disc in 4 years with a free show at A2's Borders then a gig at The Blind Pig.
Downtown Ypsi: Old school, New Scene
By: Julianne Mattera, 8/12/2009
Why should Ann Arbor's downtown get all the attention? Cool things are afoot in neighboring Ypsilanti as artists, millennials, and young families move in. Could this be the beginnings of a downtown renaissance?
Cheap Ways To Revitalize Our Downtowns
By: Jon Zemke, 8/12/2009
From households to businesses to city government, everyone is in belt-tightening mode. But if there's one thing Concentrate believes, it's that necessity is the mother of invention. A few local communities have come up with innovative and inexpensive ways to revitalize their downtowns. Time to take notes!
A2D2: Evolution Or Status Quo?
By: Jon Zemke, 8/5/2009
Faced with a stagnant and aging population, some Ann Arborites are looking for ways to attract more residents to downtown. Historically, developers and urbanists have had to battle with fractious city interests and, now, a proposed cap on building heights. Concentrate looks at whether A2D2 (Ann Arbor Discovering Downtown), the latest initiative to reform downtown's zoning and architectural guidelines, will increase density and create a 24/7 downtown or keep A2 the same as it ever was.
FROM SCRATCH: ThinkStretch
By: Tanya Muzumdar, 8/5/2009
Summer break is a plus for students' bodies but a minus for their minds, according to research from Johns Hopkins University. Enter Donna Lasinski, an Ann Arbor entrepreneur and the brains behind ThinkStretch, a summer learning program for public and private elementary school students.
The Original "Third Place" - Diners
By: Leia Menlove, 7/29/2009
New urbanists like to wax poetic about the importance of coffee houses and cafes as society's "third place," a urban destination for social interaction. Once upon a time these places were called diners. Concentrate takes you on a whirlwind tour of A2's and Ypsi's homiest.
RADIO CONCENTRATE: The Energy Gospel According To T. Boone Pickens
By: Chris McCarus, 7/29/2009
July 8 was Energy Independence Day….according to Texas oil tycoon T. Boone Pickens. That's when he began his campaign to wean Americans from foreign oil. He came to Ann Arbor to promote it in October and returned to Michigan again recently. More from Michigan Now’s Chris McCarus
Reinventing The Farm Stand
By: Julianne Mattera, 7/22/2009
From street side fruit seller to upscale food market, The Produce Station has become a local favorite for Ann Arbor foodies and gardeners. With a focus on Michigan grown produce and products, owners Craig Schmidt and Rick Peshkin have turned the concept of the neighborhood farm stand on its head.
Young Guns On Board
By: Constance Crump, 7/22/2009
Traditionally, non-profit boards were the domain of the... um... more mature. But organizations are discovering the advantages of attracting young professionals into leadership positions. Not only do they bring new ideas and energy, they also ensure the next generation of investment and support.
Startups That Stay
By: Terry Parris Jr., 7/15/2009
In Ann Arbor a buyout doesn't always mean a sellout. Though innovative startups like Fry, Healthmedia, and T/J Technologies have been snapped up by larger out-of-state companies, they have decided to stay in the city that birthed them.
A Place Geeks Can Call Home
By: Constance Crump, 7/1/2009
Sometimes you need more than just a SPARK. If Ann Arbor wants to compete on the national tech stage it needs to do a better job of developing its geek culture. Enter Tech Brewery and the Workantile Exchange, a pair of private, entrepreneurial hothouses. These two co-working spaces are at the center of a growing geek movement that believes that united, techies stand, divided, they fall.
MASTERMIND: Aubrey Martinson
By: Amy Whitesall, 7/1/2009
When political leaders talk about getting Millennials to invest in Michigan's future, they're talking about people like Aubrey Martinson. The 30-year-old executive director of the Chelsea Center for the Arts not only brings fresh ideas and perspective to her job, she's proof positive that keeping our young creative talent is not only good for the community, it's good for the bottom line.
Concentrate Takes A Holiday
By: Jeff Meyers, 7/1/2009
In celebration of the Fourth, the Concentrate staff will be indulging in some hard-earned R and R. But fear not, we'll be back July 15th with more tales of growth, innovation, sustainability & entrepreneurship from the front lines of Ann Arbor's new economy.
Local Brain Gain
By: Jon Zemke, 6/24/2009
They're two 30-something creatives who moved from North Carolina's storied Research Triangle and set up shop in... Ypsilanti. Thought we were going to say Ann Arbor, didn't you? Not only do these young professionals (and parents) love their new home, they've embraced Metro Detroit in a way few in Washtenaw County ever bother to try.
MASTERMIND: Peter Sickman-Garner
By: Kimberly Chou, 6/17/2009
"Connecting the dots" for Zingerman's community of businesses by day, depicting the earthly adventures of Satan and Jesus by night, marketing manager and comic book artist Pete Sickman-Garner could be the new Wallace Stevens — only funnier.
It's Not Summer Until Top Of The Park Says So
By: Dave Lewinski & Jeff Meyers, 6/17/2009
From the top of a parking garage to the oh-so comfy confines of Ingall's Mall, for 26 years Top Of The Park has been the official signal that summer has finally come to Ann Arbor. Concentrate's Dave Lewinski captures the run up and opening night of this unique and beloved townie institution.
Virtual Health, Real Success
By: Leia Menlove, 6/10/2009
Michigan could take a lesson from Healthmedia. From it's early struggles to find local investment to its recent purchase by Johnson & Johnson, the innovative software-as-service company has stayed committed to remaining in Ann Arbor.
MASTERMIND: Brian Spence
By: Jennifer Eberbach, 6/10/2009
Inventing a successful game isn't, well, all fun and games. It takes creativity, persistence and luck. Former Ann Arbor school teacher Brian Spence has those attributes in spades,allowing him to take his passion for invention into the product lines of toy companies like Hasbro and Mattel.
A River Wild Or Tamed?
By: Jon Zemke, 6/3/2009
The Huron River is Ann Arbor's defining natural feature. From kayakers to fishermen to rowers, its waters have become a vital blue park. And like most parks, the balance between recreational use and environmental health has become a tricky one. This is the debate facing Argo Pond and the decaying dam that created it.
Learning From Ann Arbor's Big Sister
By: Kimberly Chou, 5/27/2009
Authentic German pretzels—and some ideas on high-density land use and sustainability to boot. Forget the symbolic cultural exchanges, there's much more Ann Arbor can learn from her sister city, Tübingen.
MASTERMIND: Bill Harmer
By: Amy Whitesall, 5/20/2009
Bill Harmer sees Chelsea's Library as something more than just a warehouse for books. He sees it as a rock venue and comedy club and career center. More importantly, he sees it as an opportunity to connect with his community in new and innovative ways. No wonder Chelsea was named home to the Best Small Library in America.
Dude, Where's Our Skate Park?
By: Julianne Mattera, 5/20/2009
Innovative cities across the country are rethinking their public spaces, adding off-leash dog runs and skate parks to the traditional mix of softball diamonds and tennis courts. An enthusiastic and eclectic group of local skate park supporters are pushing Ann Arbor to join the trend.
MASTERMIND: Myra Klarman
By: Leia Menlove, 5/13/2009
If Ann Arbor has a community photographer it's Myra Klarman. Not because she takes wonderfully vibrant snaps of kids and families (she does). Or because she's the official photographer for A2's Summer Festival. It's because she seems hellbent on capturing the spunk and soul of the city in projects like her blog, Relish.
The De-Evolution Of Local Development
By: Jon Zemke, 5/12/2009
Ann Arbor touts itself as sustainable, progressive and anti-sprawl. And yet almost every proposed development meets heated opposition. The end result: Buildings that aren't as dense or green as they could be. Are uncooperative developers to blame? Or stuck in amber NIMBY neighborhoods? Can these warring factions make peace?
Art Funding Takes It On The Chin: What's The Impact?
By: Constance Crump, 5/6/2009
The arts are getting pretty roughed up in the current economy. How do local arts and culture groups survive in a state that cuts all its funding? And, more importantly, what are the implications for our region as it struggles to attract and retain new economy workers?
Concentrate On Culture, Place And Jobs
By: Jeff Meyers, 4/29/2009
Jobs Landed. filterD. Insider guides. What's with all the new features in Concentrate? And, come to think of it, what the heck is Concentrate trying to accomplish? Wonder why we do what we do? Write what we write? To paraphrase our favorite poet and playwright, "Read on, MacDuff."
The World Comes To Packard And Platt
By: Julianne Mattera, 4/29/2009
Slow down and smell the curry. Or falafel. Nestled at the corner of Packard and Platt, a well-worn strip mall is home to a surprising mix of ethnic bakeries, grocers and restaurants.
MASTERMIND: Al McWilliams
By: Daniel Johnson, 4/22/2009
Forget Nike, Al McWilliams is really the 'Just Do It' guy. From pro cyclist to all media mini emporer, the founder of Quack! Media has gotten his fingers into every nook and cranny of media content. Music, magazines, movies and marketing are his company's domains and he has no shortage of ideas and opinions about how to make them grow.
Photo Essay: New Biz In A Bad Economy
By: Dave Lewinski and Jeff Meyers, 4/22/2009
In case you hadn't noticed, it's bad out there. And yet, there are always those bold souls who pull on their waders and get down into it. Concentrate's resident View Master, Dave Lewinski, takes snaps of six businesses who've opened in the last six months and found success.
RADIO CONCENTRATE: U-M Graduates Michigan's Next Generation Of Green Leadership
By: Chris McCarus, 4/22/2009
A few days from now, U-M student Leslie Garrison will buck at least two trends: She’ll remain in Michigan after graduation (though she's not a native). And she’ll take part in a growing local industry. Garrison thinks the state has what it takes to lead the nation in sustainable innovation. Right down to the first composting toilet.
Cool Spaces: Loft Living in Downtown Ann Arbor
By: Leia Menlove, 4/15/2009
How to attract and keep young talent? That is the question. Concentrate asked three young professionals who live in the city's hottest living commodity -- the symbol of all that is youthful, urbane and hip-- the downtown loft -- what they think of their digs, their town, and how Ann Arbor can attract and retain more young people just like them.
Tuning in to Greenovation.TV
By: Kelli B Kavanaugh, 4/15/2009
Need practical advice on how to green your home? An Ann Arbor couple has launched an Internet TV channel dedicated to helping you to GIY -- green it yourself.
MASTERMIND: Todd Osborn
By: Jennifer Eberbach, 4/8/2009
Who would trade New York or London for Ypsilanti? DJ and music producer Todd Osborn would. From owning a local record store once upon a time to filling the virtual vinyl bins of Ghostly International's ever-growing music scene, Osborn has carved out a successful career from his native soil. Oh, and he once built a hovercraft.
What's Next for The Ann Arbor News Building?
By: Jon Zemke, 4/8/2009
For nearly 75 years the A2 News Building has been an iconic cornerstone on the downtown's northern edge. But it's a section of the city that has struggled to achieve vibrancy. Could the demise of the publication and sale of the building mean the kind of redevelopment that promotes business and walkability?
MASTERMIND: Eve Aronoff
By: Amy Whitesall, 4/1/2009
When it comes to Ann Arbor restaurants there's eve and then there's everyone else. Since opening in 2003, Eve Aronoff's initmate bistro has emerged as an ambassador to the city's hipster/ foodie scene. From her curried mussels to Thursday night's popular cocktail scene to the sublime ginger-lime martinis, Eve has help redefine the local culinary landscape.
Sweet Dreams Are Made Of These
By: Megan Pennefather, 4/1/2009
Noise rock. Experimental theater. Puppets. Dreamland Theater is the very defintion of fringe, cementing Ypsilanti's growing reputation as the city where starving artists don't have to go hungry in order to make their art.
Home But Not Alone
By: Amy Kuras, 3/25/2009
Cohousing - It's not just for hippies anymore. Sure, suburban condo complexes are the last place you'd expect a cooperative living community, but Scio Township (of all places) actually boasts three. And they focus on the virtues we've been taught since kindergarten: participation and sharing.
Ann Arbor's Tweet
By: Terry Parris Jr., 3/18/2009
Are you a follower or do you have a following? Who's tweeting who? Social Media is this year's buzz word and Twitter is its newest doo-dad. Our story would end here (if we stuck to the 140 character limit) but Twitter has only just begun in the Ann Arbor area.
MASTERMIND: Eli Cooper
By: Leia Menlove, 3/11/2009
Google "Eli Cooper" and you're bound to get lots of transportation references. Then there's the inevitable and unofficial moniker: "Czar". As Tree Town's Transportation Program Manager, however, Cooper's title and catchy sobriquet do little to explain his passionate mission to help Ann Arbor rethink the meaning of transportation.
Downtown and Underground
By: Jon Zemke, 3/11/2009
Parking in SE Michigan usually means surface lots, driveways and the occasional garage. Ann Arbor's leaders are turning local conventional wisdom on its head, choosing to store cars underground and out of sight as a way to grow development, commerce and urban vibrancy.
Toyland 2.0
By: Julianne Mattera, 3/4/2009
Hans and Tricia Masing take their toys seriously. But that wasn't always the case. Once upon a time they made their living in engineering and IT. Then their son took an interest in Thomas the Tank Engine and everything changed. Combining tech savvy with a love for toys, the couple has built a small Internet empire that still understands the value of community connection.
MASTERMIND: Bee Mayhew
By: Amy Whitesall, 3/4/2009
Bee Mayhew is out for world domination. But she's happy to start with some really great soup. In less than six months the 31 year-old owner of Beezy's Cafe in Ypsilanti has become an indelible downtown fixture, attracting fans at a breakneck pace and establishing the benchmark for how to build a locally-owned business.
WCC Is Cookin'
By: Leia Menlove, 2/25/2009
Food, glorious, food. What more could we ask for? Washtenaw Community College is cashing in on the culinary craze, attracting more and more students to its Culinary And Hospitality Management Program. While their grads might not be destined for Iron Chef, there's a good chance they are destined for a job. Plus they get to eat their homework. How cool is that?
Ann Arbor's Yoga Pose
By: Amy Whitesall, 2/18/2009
No posers, please. Ann Arbor holds tight to its illustrious yoga history, but it's no longer a one-guru town. Vinyasa. Iyengar. Russa Yog. With nearly 16 million Americans now practicing some form of yoga, The Deuce is riding high on the wave, offering over 40 studios to choose from.
MASTERMIND: Carrie Hensel
By: Kimberly Chou, 2/18/2009
From chemist to web developer to co-founder of a growing business organization, Carrie Hensel clearly prefers the road less traveled. And the Women's Exchange Of Washtenaw reflects her unconventional approach, creating a unique series of events that encourages professional women to collaborate with and empower one another.
Ann Arbor's Retail Incubator
By: Jon Zemke, 2/11/2009
From small things, big things one day come. That's the philosophy of tech incubators like SPARK. But with all the attention Ann Arbor gives to start-ups, one has to ask: Where's the love for small downtown retailers? Some entrepreneurs are finding it at East Liberty Plaza.
Middle Managers Learn To Shift Gears
By: Constance Crump, 2/11/2009
Sometimes size does matter. Working for a large company like Visteon can be very different than taking a position at a start-up. As Ann Arbor's new economy seeds the ground with small tech firms, transitioning employees must adapt to changing job expectations.
Border2Border
By: Terry Parris Jr., 2/4/2009
Imagine commuting by bike between Ypsi and Ann Arbor, along an idyllic trail, no motor vehicles in sight. How about Dexter? Or beyond? The Border To Border Trail is nearly that route. Almost 60% complete, this ambitious multi-use thoroughfare could offer more than just a nice ride al