The Pulice Report

PLAY time at the University of Michigan

I wrote a piece today for Examiner.com on the PLAY Web site at the University of Michigan. PLAY is a bracing experience, so dig in.

Global Michigan online portal

 

Earlier today, I published a piece to my page on the Examiner Web site about Global Michigan, an online portal the University of Michigan offers. It's quite a resource, and I was pleased to learn it's available to students, alums, and more. Even if you don't have any direct ties to the school, there is much to glean from its pages.

University of Michigan Jazz Festival

I wrote a piece today for Examiner.com about the University of Michigan Jazz Festival, which happens tomorrow in Ann Arbor. The festival has quite a lineup, and will focus largely on the music of Charles Mingus, so please consider attending. I also had the pleasure of speaking by phone with Sue Mingus, who gave me permission to use a famous image of her late husband in my article, a gracious offer.  

Census 2010 Video Ad Contest

The University of Michigan announced a video ad contest this week to increase the awareness of, and particpation in, the 2010 Census, which I wrote about today on Examiner.com. It's a terrific idea, and I hope many people submit entries.

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.

"As I See It" photography competition at the University of Michigan

I just posted a piece to my Examiner.com page about the "As I See It" photography competition at the University of Michigan. It looks like an interesting event, and I plan to see which finalists are selected.

Big Ten Blood Challenge

As many of you know, I write about the University of Michigan for the Detroit edition of Examiner.com. I posted a piece there today about the Big Ten Blood Challenge, which is a terrific collaboration.  

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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, September: Michigan eLibrary

School is back in session, which means that once everybody has met their new teachers, students, and classmates, it's time to crack the books...and, increasingly, navigate the Web. No matter one's age or interests, there are so many online resources that it's difficult to isolate just one for special mention. Still, the state of Michigan administers a site that more than makes the grade. Filled with knowledge on a range of subjects for adults and kids, the Michigan eLibrary (MeL) makes for a magnificent virtual destination. Thus, I've selected it as September's "Arresting Site of the Month."

MeL has a host of databases, gateways, and featured resources, including the Educator's Reference Complete (for both instructors and parents), details on green jobs and business, and a comprehensive section perfect for the younger set: Kids InfoBits. The latter is a place I plan to peruse often with my first-grade daughter, with fact-filled sections on geography, science and math, and plenty more. It's important to immerse kids in subjects like these at an early age and I'm glad that, given all the budget cuts that have befallen the Great Lake State, this site remains packed with relevant material. (Note that, when they want to explore MeL on their own, little ones will need to log into databases using either their library card number or a parent's Michigan driver's license/state ID number) Finally, I'd be remiss if I didn't cite the comprehensive Michigana digital projects, and the numerous tests and tutorials available.

It's yet another reason to enjoy learning, and here's hoping you do.