The Pulice Report

The Final Chapter: Borders to Liquidate

By now, many of you have heard the news. AnnArbor.com is one of the many publications across the country and around the world running articles tonight about the demise of Borders. Many of you also know that I worked for nearly a decade at Borders, first at the Birmingham, Michigan store (#180) on Woodward Avenue, then for more than seven years at the corporate office in Ann Arbor.

Look for updates here in the Pulice Report about liquidation proceedings.

Charles Woodson defends Wisconsin workers

Note: I posted this article earlier tonight to my page on Examiner.com: 

Known for his tenacity while guarding opposing receivers, Charles Woodson has displayed another kind of strong defense, joining Green Bay Packers teammates who have voiced support for belegauered union members in Wisconsin.

On Sunday, the University of Michigan alumnus and veteran cornerback issued a statement through the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) in which he backed workers embroiled in a showdown with Republican governor Scott Walker, who has called for the end of collective bargaining rights for the majority of public employees in Wisconsin, a proposal that has generated a week of protests in Madison, the state's capital. Woodson, one of his team's elected NFLPA representatives, joins several present and past Green Bay players that include Brady Poppinga, Jason Spitz, Chris Jacke, and Bob Long in backing the workers, and it comes at a time when the NFL players union and league owners are engaged in their own tense negotiations over a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA). The current CBA is set to expire on March 3, and has led to speculation that owners may lock out players if no agreement is reached beforfehand.       

Woodson's complete statement: "Last week I was proud when many of my current and former teammates announced their support for the working families fighting for their rights in Wisconsin. Today I am honored to join with them.

Thousands of dedicated Wisconsin public workers provide vital services for Wisconsin citizens. They are the teachers, nurses and child care workers who take care of us and our families. These hard working people are under an unprecedented attack to take away their basic rights to have a voice and collectively bargain at work.

It is an honor for me to play for the Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers and be a part of the Green Bay and Wisconsin communities. I am also honored as a member of the NFL Players Association to stand together with working families of Wisconsin and organized labor in their fight against this attempt to hurt them by targeting unions. I hope those leading the attack will sit down with Wisconsin’s public workers and discuss the problems Wisconsin faces, so that together they can truly move Wisconsin forward."

 

Arresting Site of the Month, May: OnInnovation

The brainchild of an organization whose name is synonymous with our region and its most famous product, a recently launched website is dedicated to the concept of "Visionaries thinking out loud." Gathering the insight and the stories of numerous innovators, it affords those who visit its pages an opportunity to learn from some of the world's foremost authorities in a wide range of fields. Given the breadth and depth of bracing materials it presents, I've selected OnInnovation as the "Arresting Site of the Month" for May.    

The folks at The Henry Ford say the concept sprang from a 2008 interview with race car driver and businessperson Lyn St. James, and grew from there, the content that it now holds designed to help users grow both personally and professionally. Peruse video interview segments with St. James as well as with entrepreneur Elon Musk, inventor Stan Ovshinsky, architect Toshiko Mori, Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, and other industry leaders. Explore the Topics & Playlists page, be a part of the discussion, simply enjoy this magnificent portal.  

Learn how to use the site and more about OnInnovation. Also check out the Henry Ford's information-rich main website, to find out how this organization continues to make an impact on the community, and why its physical location in Dearborn remains a vital, year-round destination for people who live in -- and visit -- Michigan.

48th Ann Arbor Film Festival

One of the premier cultural events in Michigan, the Ann Arbor Film Festival -- which runs Tuesday, March 23 through Sunday, March 28 -- is set to begin its 48th annual presentation of independent and experimental film, the longest-running gathering of its kind in North America. On Tuesday, the popular opening night reception kicks off the proceedings, inside the Michigan Theatre, from 6-8pm. Following will be the initial festival screening, a collection of short films designed to offer audiences a vivid snapshot of the creativity that will ensue over the next five days.

Themed programs and special guests abound on a highlights-filled schedule, which also includes panels, lectures, and after-parties. Each of this year's acclaimed jurors has their own presentation (Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday at 1pm), and will choose what they deem the best films of the 2010 festival, to whom awards will be given in two programs that close out the festival on Sunday night.

As was true of the 2009 AAFF, I had the pleasure to work as a volunteer pre-screener, helping Executive Director Donald Harrison and his top-flight staff pore through 2,500 submissions from visionary filmmakers across the U.S. and around the world. 170 films representing more than 20 countries made the final cut, and include animation, narrative works, music videos, documentaries, experimental visuals, and more. I interviewed Harrison before last year's event, a conversation that explores such topics as his vision for the festival and what first-time attendees can expect.

Ticket information is available on the festival's magnificent, interactive Web site. as are details about AAFF membership, and much more. Hope to see you in Ann Arbor this week.

Michigan Creatives - First Anniversary

One year ago today, February 4, 2009, I founded Michigan Creatives, "A place for those in Michigan's creative industry, whether as an artist, photographer, filmmaker, writer, musician, actor, designer..."

If you've already joined, thank you. If you haven't, please consider signing on today, then tell a fellow creative. It's still early in 2010, and I plan to help our social network grow significantly this year, both in terms of membership and scope. We're now on Facebook.

Look for an announcement about a group event soon. 

"Job Search 2010" event in Grand Rapids

I posted an article this afternoon to my page on Examiner.com regarding the "Job Search 2010" event being held this Thursday in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I'd say this is a big deal, as U-M is partnering with Michigan State and Grand Valley State. Hopefully many people on the western side of our state will land new jobs as a result.

Arresting Blog of the Month, February: The Detroit Bureau

Given the recent North American International Auto Show, and the growing woes at the world's largest automaker, it's only fitting that an online destination which zeroes in on the auto industry grabbed my attention here in February. The brainchild of automotive expert and journalist Paul Eisenstein, along with business partner and fellow authority Ken Zino, The Detroit Bureau earns my nod for "Arresting Blog of the Month." 

As Eisenstein explains, "it’s some of the world’s brightest writers and commentators using the latest web-publishing format, but with traditional editing and journalism techniques behind it — new format, old values." Moreover, anyone with automotive knowledge or interest is encouraged to participate. Recent posts have focused on the Toyota recall, General Motors' position that its Vibe is safe, and more. Eisenstein, a frequent guest on WDET-FM, is ever insightful and to the point, as are Zino and the guest writers who share their perspectives.

Although the Motor City is slowly weaning itself from that description, this blog that bills itself as the "Voice of the Automotive World" does a terrific job of doing just that, and is a highly recommended starting point for those seeking to learn about developments in Detroit and Michigan to news from around the U.S. and the globe. 

Video from 2010 North American International Auto Show

An overview of vehicles on display at the 2010 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Arresting Site of the Month, January: Michigan Future Inc.

It has a mission "...to be a source of new ideas on how Michigan can succeed as a world-class community in a knowledge-driven economy." The non-partisan, non-profit Michigan Future Inc. features a leadership council with members from a wide range of area organizations, and its online component is filled with opinion and statistics that zero in on the challenges -- and the opportunities -- the present economic downturn presents. As such, I've chosen it as the "Arresting Site of the Month" for January.

Lou Glazer is the group's president and a co-founder, and is a frequent contributor to the site's blog. Glazer offered up his take on Michigan as a whole, and Detroit in particular, in a revealing metromode piece from September 2007, well before the financial meltdown in the fall of 2008. He has made 2010 predictions, which include his belief that Michigan's economy will improve only when we make strides in higher education.

Read about Michigan Future Inc's initiatives in three core areas, its numerous reports, and other information from an organization that clearly has a deep commitment to, as its motto states, "helping build a more prosperous Michigan."

Arresting Site of the Month, December: Let's Save Michigan

 

At the end of another trying year for our proud state, it's fitting to conclude with a note of hope, and spotlight an online destination whose "main goal is to inspire Michiganders to take ownership and get involved with our future." Given the passion with which Let's Save Michigan speaks about our two peninsulas, I've selected it as the "Arresting Site of the Month" for December.

Once inside its pages, you'll see what the authors are for, like smarter transportation policy, and against, including misguided tax breaks and tax credits, The site has teamed with the Detroit Institute of Arts for a poster contest designed to elicit from our deep pool of creative talent inspirational works that will be a "call to action" for Michigan. Submission deadline is February 15, 2010.

Learn more about Let's Save Michigan, read their blog, and take advantage of the opportunity to share your Michigan story. Finally make sure to join the cause, as I have, and to tell a friend. It takes just a minute. Consider it your gift to the Great Lake State this holiday season.