The Pulice Report

Portable North Pole

'Tis the season...to be incredibly busy. Even so, I wanted to give parents and grandparents an opportunity -- albeit, late in the game -- to send the youngsters in their lives on a journey to the Portable North Pole. This year, Santa is offering a tour of his famed workshop and he'll introduce kids to his fleet reindeer, just some of the site's innovations for 2010. Video download is available, as is a free iPhone app. Merry Christmas! 

Arresting Site of the Month, June: Miracle League of Michigan

 

It's been too long since I wrote in this space. Thus, I'm planning to publish several pieces in the near future, and wanted to include one (that should have run here in June) about an organization focused on two of my favorite subjects: kids and sports.

The Miracle League of Michigan "provides children with mental and/or physical challenges to play baseball as a team member in an organized league." Its origins are in Conyers, Georgia, where a custom-built facility known as the "Field of Dreams" afforded youngsters there a chance to play, and to do so safely, due to its soft, accomodating surfaces. Here in Michigan, the city of Southfield plays host to both competitive and non-competetive teams at Miracle Field, located at 26000 Evergreen Road, just south of 11 Mile Road. This season's schedule runs until late August.

A former colleague of mine, Vic Doucette, has been involved for some time now, and was the person who first told me about this wonderful alliance, which has been featured on programs like the Today Show and HBO's Real Sports. Learn more about the history of the Miracle League, and how you can volunteer to make a difference. Plenty of businesses have signed on as sponsors, and there are many opportunities in that regard, too. See the kids in action, and you'll understand why this is such a worthy endeavor.    

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.

University of Michigan Press Author Series - Annie Lehmann

 

Earlier this month I wrote about Michigan-based author and parent Annie Lubliner Lehmann's The Accidental Teacher: Life Lessons from My Silent Son, the first Open Text Project book from the University of Michigan Press. Lehmann will participate in a U-M Press Author Series event tomorrow (Tuesday) night, April 27, from 5:30-7 p.m. in the Gallery/Room 100 of the Harlan Hatcher Graduate Library. Not only will she discuss The Accidental Teacher, which centers on raising a severely autistic son, Lehmann also will answer questions from the audience and sign copies of the book, which will be available for purchase after her presentation.

It's easy to find the library, situated in the heart of the school's Central Campus. Learn more about the author and her deeply personal memoir, and I hope you can attend the event.

Happy Earth Day

Today is the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, and there are numerous related activities throughout Michigan. Examples include the MI Earth Day Fest in Rochester, which takes place Friday-Sunday, a free event that organizers hope will draw 100,000 people. The state's Department of Natural Resources and Environment has a guide by which you can find events near you so, if possible, get out and celebrate the planet.

The Accidental Teacher

 

I just published a piece to my Examiner.com page about The Accidental Teacher: Life Lessons from My Silent Son, the first-ever Open Text Project book from the University of Michigan Press. It's from author Annie Lubliner Lehmann, who lives in Michigan, and who chronicles the journey she and her family have had while learning to help her son Jonah, who was born with severe autism.

The Open Text Project is quite an interesting concept, and I encourage readers to participate in the discussion surrounding this heartfelt memoir.

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.

Ray Riker, 1959-2010: In Memoriam

 
My wife and I were fortunate to call Ray Riker a friend. Ray and his partner Jim Gowran -- our friend, as well -- have run the Kirby House for more than a decade. Mary (who took the wonderful photo of Ray above)  and I stayed at this magnificent B&B numerous times since we were married in 2000. A few years ago, Ray and Jim even asked us to house-sit while they went on a rare vacation, which helped solidify our friendship, and gave our daughter Zoë (who was conceived in one of the Kirby's rooms) a chance to enjoy its many charms and comforts.

Tragically, Ray passed away on January 3rd from cardiac arrest, following a bout with colon cancer. So many people who knew Ray posted memories of him on the funeral home's Web site, and many of these writings, like ours, centered on his companionship and his smile. As the chef at the Kirby, Ray also crafted sumptuous breakfasts that put a smile on our faces, and jump-started our day as we made plans to venture into Saugatuck or Douglas for an afternoon of sightseeing, shopping and eating, often made even more pleasant due to tips and suggestions from our gracious hosts. Afterward, we would return, pour a cool drink, then chat, laugh and relax with Ray and Jim by the pool. Mary and I have always felt at ease, and at home, when in their company.

This past week has been a reminder to spend more time with loved ones, and we'll be there to support Jim as he goes through the grieving process. Thankfully, he plans to re-open the B&B in February, and Mary and I will be there to help, as our schedules permit. In fact, she has offered to assist with some of the cooking, since Mary, as was true of Ray, puts together wonderful feasts. Based on the comments of those who attended the funeral last Friday, the house will soon be full again, which always put a smile on Ray's face.   

Official NORAD Santa Tracker

 

As I write this, Santa Claus is working his way quickly through Australia, leaving presents for all the good boys and girls in Melbourne before moving on to do the same in Hobart, Tasmania. Of course, the folks Down Under are many hours ahead of us here in Michigan, but no matter where you call home, it's easy to follow the travels of the fabled gift-giver and his fleet reindeer with the Official NORAD Santa Tracker.

View tips on using this handy tool, remember to leave out milk and cookies, and Merry Christmas.  

Portable North Pole

 
The clock is winding down toward the start of Santa's annual sojourn around planet Earth. Even so, there still is time to thrill youthful ones in your life with a personalized video message from the jolly man himself. Kids the world over will be relieved to know they've made the 'nice' list, as I found when my daughter opened her message this evening. Smiles like the one that ensued are priceless.