The Pulice Report

U-M Health System adds three new Survival Flight helicopters

The piece I wrote about the three new helicopters the University of Michigan Health System recently added was easily one of my favorite Examiner projects this summer.  

The Horses of Greenfield Village

My wife and photographer extraordinaire, Mary Potts, has created an amazing book on an important, though under-explored, subject: The Horses of Greenfield Village. Huron River Press is the publisher, and Mary collaborated on the book with our friend, Pamela K. Smith, who wrote its highly informative text. Mary photographed -- in all four seasons -- the impressive Percheron and Morgan horses who live and work in the Village, and the results are spectacular, as seen in approximately 300 images. 

Earlier today (April 30), Mary and Pamela were guests on the the The Craig Fahle Show, heard on WDET-FM in Detroit, and their engaging interview is found about 75% of the way into the podcast available on the radio station website. Check out this conversation.

The book is already being sold at The Henry Ford gift shops -- located in the Museum and in the Village -- and online. On June 9, there will be autographed copies of the book available at the venue's William Ford Barn, after which the book will be released nationally, including to Amazon and Barnes & Noble.  

Coingratulations to both Mary and Pamela! 

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."

Michigan Central Station - 1987

A history of Michigan Central Station, shown in 1987 on a program called Sunday Times. Illuminating, yet painful to watch in light of this Detroit landmark's demise not long after the piece aired.