Ann Arbor

Michigan alum in the top three on 'The Voice'

Michigan Radio Newsroom — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 18:06:09 +0000

Last week, Michelle Chamuel was one of five remaining contestants on NBC's The Voice.

Now, she's in the top three.

Chamuel was in two Ann Arbor bands, My Dear Disco and Ella Riot. She also is a graduate of the University of Michigan.

If she wins, she'll get a record deal with Universal Music Group and $100,000.

Ann Arbor to cut 30 teachers from district

Michigan Radio Newsroom — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 12:21:19 +0000

At a meeting that lasted until almost 2 a.m., the Ann Arbor School Board voted to cut 27 full-time teachers from schools across the district. The school board also voted to eliminate three teachers from Ann Arbor's reading intervention program.

The board had to make some tough decisions for the 2013-14 school year, according to Board President Deb Mexicotte.

Restaurant Week is back in Ann Arbor

Michigan Radio Newsroom — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 22:01:27 +0000

"One price dining, one week, several options."

It may not be the catchiest slogan, but Restaurant Week offers some enticing deals for foodies

Watch Michigan change over time using Google's 'Earth Engine'

Mark Brush — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 20:58:25 +0000

My kids love using Google Earth. With the push of a button they "fly" from Ann Arbor, Michigan to Newfoundland, the Panama Canal, the Great Barrier Reef, or some other place they're curious about.

Now Google has mined satellite images from the U.S. government that allow us to fly back in time.

The intergenerational 'Legacies Project' shares stories you'll want to hear

Stateside Staff — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 21:23:23 +0000

When Jimmy Rhoades was 26-years-old, his father was diagnosed with cancer. Rhoades was told he would have between six months and a year left with his dad. He went home, and really got to know his father.

"I found out more about his biography in the last six months of his life than in the previous 26 years," Rhoades said.

With the loss of another family member after his father passed away, Rhoades realized the therapeutic value in having your story heard.

Old Borders flagship store in Ann Arbor to be new location for local steakhouse

Mark Brush — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 14:31:37 +0000

The shell of one old Ann Arbor institution will become a new home for another, still thriving, Ann Arbor institution.

The owners of a local butcher and steakhouse, Knight's, plan to open another restaurant downtown. The new restaurant will be in the space once occupied by the Borders flagship store.

After Borders went bankrupt, the downtown space has been empty - a hole in the middle of an otherwise busy downtown.

AnnArbor.com's Lizzy Alfs has more:

“We’ve been looking for the right location for about five years,” said Don Knight, who runs the restaurant on Dexter Avenue. “When we saw this spot become available, we thought it could be really cool.”
The move comes 61 years after Ray Knight opened Knight’s Market at 420 Miller Ave., and nearly 30 years after he purchased Annie’s Dugout at 2324 Dexter Ave., opening the now-iconic Knight’s Steakhouse. Ray’s five children run the family businesses after Ray died in February.

You wouldn't know Knight's Steakhouse on Dexter Ave. is there unless you looked for the sign - a black knight chess piece. With a location downtown, you won't miss it.

U of M grad is one of six singers left on NBC's 'The Voice'

Michigan Radio Newsroom — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 19:58:12 +0000

Michelle Chamuel, of Ann Arbor, is one of six remaining contestants on NBC's show, The Voice. Chamuel is originally from Amherst, Massachusetts, and is a graduate of the University of Michigan.

This is her most recent performance:

Commission puts brakes on money for expanded bus service between Lansing and Detroit Metro Airport

Steve Carmody — Thu, 30 May 2013 03:19:28 +0000

A federal grant to expand bus service between Lansing and Detroit Metro Airport is stalled.

The Tri-County Regional Planning Commission split nine to nine on authorizing a $600,000 grant to help the Michigan Flyer expand its daily trips from eight to twelve. The commissioner with the potential tie-breaking vote did not attend Wednesday night’s meeting.

State and federal transportation agencies have already approved the grant, which would essentially help offset the costs for the first few months of the added service between East Lansing an

Sorting out the confusion over local marijuana laws, Ann Arbor's experience

Mark Brush — Fri, 03 May 2013 15:10:04 +0000

It starts this week in Grand Rapids.

As of May 1^st, 2013, if you celebrate 4:20, you’re less likely to get jail time.

Instead, you’re subject to a $25 fine for your first offense ($50 for your second, and $100 for three or more).

WKZO reports Grand Rapids police have issued tickets already:

The first tickets were issued Wednesday when the voter-approved ordinance took effect. The first one went to a 28-year-old man from the northwest side of Grand Rapids, who was cited around 3 a.m. Wednesday.

The marijuana law in Grand Rapids mirrors the one in Ann Arbor.

The only difference is “selling marijuana” is not listed as a potential civil infraction in Grand Rapids as it is in Ann Arbor (organizers felt Grand Rapids voters wouldn’t be THAT lax).

Ann Arbor nuns going to finals on 'American Bible Challenge' game show

Mark Brush — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 18:00:52 +0000

Sure, the three sisters from Ann Arbor's Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist are probably going to beat you in a game of trivia about the Bible.

But you wouldn't expect them to take you on the physical challenges as well.

It turns out Sister Evangeline, Sister Peter Joseph and Sister Maria Suso are pretty darn good at flipping forks into glasses:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwRK4T5lBg4

"American Bible Challenge" airs on the Game Show Network at 9 p.m. Thursdays.

Ann Arbor Public Schools Superintendent Patricia Green retiring

Steve Carmody — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 23:49:51 +0000

Ann Arbor Public Schools' Superintendent has resigned.

Patricia Green has been on the job in Ann Arbor since 2011.

In her letter of resignation, Green cited her 43 years in education. Green’s resignation becomes effective in three months.

The Ann Arbor Board of Education president praised Green’s service to the community as well as her advocacy for public education.

Michigan Stadium will host the NHL's Winter Classic next year

Steve Carmody — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 16:22:17 +0000

Professional hockey is coming to Ann Arbor after all.

The National Hockey League announced today that the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Detroit Red Wings will play next year at Michigan Stadium.

The NHL's Winter Classic was scheduled to be played in Ann Arbor this past January. But the game was canceled due to a contract dispute between team owners and the players.

When this year's event was canceled, the league had said it would schedule the next Winter Classic at the stadium, which holds more than 100,000 people.

Ann Arbor high school orchestra named 'Grand Champions' of National Orchestra Festival

Michigan Radio Newsroom — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 18:02:20 +0000

A student-run and conductorless 20 piece orchestra from Ann Arbor's Pioneer High School was named Grand Champion of the 2013 National Orchestra Festival in Rhode Island.

The group started just this year.

Silicon Valley entrepreneur says go to Ann Arbor to start your company

Mark Brush — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 17:42:44 +0000

This photo has been making the rounds on Facebook.

The photo was pushed out on Ann Arbor SPARK's Facebook page - a group dedicated to building business expansion in the area.

Just two years ago, Blank published an article about the venture capital climate in Ann Arbor.

In a post he wrote in 2011, "What's Missing For Entrepreneurs In Ann Arbor, Mich.," he described the climate as the sound of 'one hand clapping.'

He felt there was plenty of talent, but money and a risk-taking culture were missing in the city (below he mentions VCs - 'venture capitalists').

Stateside: A story slam competition for entrepreneurs

Michigan Radio Newsroom — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 22:47:31 +0000

The following is a summary of a previously recorded interview. To hear the complete segment, click the audio above.

Tired of giving the same pitches in the same offices?

Do you have a great idea but lack the environment in which to present it?

Then try Entre-SLAM!

Kansas company has deal to buy Ann Arbor Railroad

Associated Press — Sun, 30 Dec 2012 22:15:42 +0000

A Kansas-based company says it has a deal to buy the short line Michigan rail company Ann Arbor Railroad Inc.

Pittsburg, Kan.-based Watco Companies LLC says the deal awaits approval from the Surface Transportation Board, which is expected in late January or early February.

The Ann Arbor Railroad serves southeastern Michigan and the Toledo, Ohio, areas, mainly shipping auto and other manufacturing goods. It operates 50 miles of track between Ann Arbor and Toledo and has Toledo-area terminals serving General Motors Co., Chrysler and Ford Motor Co.

Ann Arbor plan could reduce greenhouse gases by 90 percent

Michigan Radio Newsroom — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 21:21:39 +0000

Ann Arbor has just announced a plan to reduce greenhouse gases by 90 percent by 2050 - and they'll need residents' help to do it.

Nathan Geisler helped author the plan and says the almost 200-page plan suggests dozens of strategies for the community to reduce its carbon footprint. “The climate plan is an energy plan and a transportation plan and has land use elements and a variety of things to look at how as a community we can reduce energy consumption and therefore greenhouse gas emissions.”

Blimpy Burger searching for new location after U of M buys building

Michigan Radio Newsroom — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 22:20:39 +0000

The passage of right-to-work legislation in the state House and Senate may have Lansing in turmoil, but residents of Ann Arbor learned yesterday of a more immediate concern.

Krazy Jim's Blimpy Burger, a staple for U of M students and townies alike, is looking for a new home.

AnnArbor.com has more:

Owner Rich Magner said a deal between the University of Michigan and the property’s owner, Patricia Shafer, means he will have to close Blimpy Burger in summer 2013. He wants to find a new location for the restaurant.
Shafer is the widow of Blimpy Burger's original founder, Jim Shafer.
“I don’t know what the plans are,” Magner said. “But basically, in a nutshell, we will be able to operate in this location into summer 2013 and we will be trying to put a deal together and look for a new location.”

Magner said the University made Shafer an offer "she couldn't refuse."

Jazz great Dave Brubeck dies at age 91

Michigan Radio Newsroom — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 21:46:04 +0000

In 1954, jazz went to college.

That's thanks to music legend Dave Brubeck.

He was looking for a way to bring jazz to a wider audience, and decided on a North American tour of colleges and universities.

One of those schools was the University of Michigan.

The tour resulted in the album Jazz Goes to College, with five of its seven tracks recorded in Ann Arbor. Here's one of the tracks recorded on the campus of the University of Michgian, The Song is You:

http://youtu.be/bDQNgFU8IBc

Grand Rapids voters decriminalize marijuana, Kent County prosecutor sues

Lindsey Smith — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 00:28:48 +0000

Update 9:00p.m. - There's a growing crowd of people who say they'll protest the prosecutor's decision in Grand Rapids on Thursday. The event was posted on facebook this evening.

The City of Grand Rapids was ready to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana this week. But a Kent County judge issued the city a temporary restraining order Monday afternoon at the request of the Kent County prosecutor to prevent implementation.