Crain's Detroit Business back issues from March 2008:
Expansion isn't always growth.(Opinion)(Brief article)
Mar 03, 2008 ... Two new hospitals are under construction in Oakland County, while as many as three others are being contemplated if state approval can be won. This in a county that is growing only modestly and in a metro area that is growing not at all. (See story, Page 1.) It's the ...
Get outdoors.(Business Lives)(John Hieftje is a true outdoorsman)(Brief article)
Mar 03, 2008; ... Byline: Leah Boyd John Hieftje Mayor Ann Arbor John Hieftje, 56, is a true outdoorsman. When the Ann Arbor mayor isn't immersed in city work, he stays far away from fluorescent lights. Hieftje enjoys hiking, kayaking, ...
Cupcake therapy.(Business Lives)(Korin Sharp of DTE Energy Co.)(Occupation overview)
Mar 03, 2008; ... Byline: Constance Crump A tidy compact kitchen in Dearborn is the world headquarters of a new cure-all: cupcake therapy. Chief Cupcake Therapist Korin Sharp wears an "I (heart) cupcakes a lot'' T-shirt as she organizes apple-cinnamon cupcake ingredients. What is ...
Bistro Randall.(Business Lives)(Randall Fogelman of Eastern Market Corp. )(Occupation overview)
Mar 03, 2008; ... Byline: Nathan Skid Randall Fogelman understands the interplay between fresh ingredients, culinary excellence and robust conversation. His connection to Eastern Market Corp. offers him a unique view of the best Detroit has to offer. "People talk about Detroit as ...
Fear no food.(Business Lives)(Jim Edelman of Clear Channel Radio Detroit tells aspiring domestic chefs not to be afraid to try new things)
Mar 03, 2008; ... Byline: Marti Benedetti Jim Edelman's advice to aspiring domestic chefs: Don't be afraid to try new things. "It's food, and as long as you don't burn it or over-salt it, everything can be fixed - or at least laughed about later.'' Perhaps he can't ...
Baking with love.(Business Lives)(Michelle Fanroy's baking skills)
Mar 03, 2008; ... Byline: Constance Crump Many kids have a couple of household chores. Michelle Fanroy's was baking two sweet potato pies a week. "I come from a family where Sunday dinners are important,'' she recalled. "I've always been expected to bake the pies.'' ...
The power of presentation.(Business Lives)(Annabel Cohen of Eagle Ottawa Leather Co.)(Occupation overview)
Mar 03, 2008; ... Byline: Marti Benedetti Every dinner party deserves an ornate tablescape. Annabel Cohen's has a spring motif. Vases filled with pastel tulips and gerbera daisies; green leaf-shaped plates; and strategically placed bunches of green grapes, limes and green apples ....
2007's top verdicts and settlements.(Focus)(Brief article)
Mar 03, 2008 ... A quarter-century-old criminal case involving millions of dollars in bank fraud losses, several huge patent battles, and squabbles between major health care institutions marked the 2007 legal scene for Detroit lawyers and judges. One lawsuit that began as a bid by fired Detroit ...
Communities negotiating new water contracts.(News)
Mar 03, 2008; ... Byline: Chad Halcom Suburban communities are getting in early on negotiations with the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department to adopt tailored versions of the new model contract recently approved for all of the department's municipal customers. The contract, ...
Nominate Power Sellers.(News)
Mar 03, 2008 ... Are you a Power Seller? Do you know one? We're talking about the kind of salesperson who makes the most of every opportunity and demonstrates sincere concern for customers. If so, let us know. Crain's Detroit Business will profiles a selection of the region's top sellers in its ...
Seeking case studies.(News)
Mar 03, 2008 ... We'd like to know which local companies are using diversity initiatives to improve their bottom lines. Crain's Detroit Business will publish a special report on diversity April 14. We'll have extra emphasis on how companies of all sizes put their ethnic, generational and other categories ...
Nominations sought for 40 under 40.(News)
Mar 03, 2008 ... Crain's is seeking nominations for the 2008 class of "40 under 40,'' which recognizes young achievers based on factors such as financial impact and civic and community leadership. Winners will be profiled in the Sept. 29 issue, and Crain's will celebrate their ...
Fight over glass.(Focus)
Mar 03, 2008 ... Guardian Industries Corp. vs. AFG Industries Inc. Protecting its niche in energy conservation, Guardian Industries Corp. went to court in a battle over its basic patents on low-emissivity glass. This is glass with a microscopically thin, virtually invisible metal or ...
Collecting expired taxes.(Focus)(Brief article)
Mar 03, 2008 ... Briggs Tax Service L.L.C. vs. Detroit Public Schools et al. The Detroit Public Schools were sued by a proposed class of business taxpayers for collecting more than $150 million during 2002-2005, a period in which a school operating tax had lapsed. The tax was renewed in 2005. ...
Commissions dispute.(Focus)
Mar 03, 2008 ... Votar L.L.C. vs. HS R&A Co. Ltd. In a dispute over sales commissions, Votar L.L.C., an independent sales representation firm in the auto industry, claimed that HS R&A Co. Ltd., a South Korean company, had granted it a five-year exclusive sales contract for North America. ...
Unpaid commissions.(Focus)(Brief article)
Mar 03, 2008 ... Pamela Anton, Cheryl Freeman Snipes vs. SBC Global Services Inc. It has been almost seven years since two saleswomen at SBC Global Services Inc. filed lawsuits, claiming they were underpaid on a huge wholesale DSL contract they had landed for the company when they got a total of ...
Quick approval sought for airport, education spending.(News)
Mar 03, 2008; ... Byline: Amy Lane Members of Michigan's aviation industry are pressing lawmakers for speedy action on legislation that would enable Michigan to collect nearly $163 million in federal funding for airport projects around the state. Officials say the funding needs to ...
'Green' auto products plant opens in Detroit; Car wash, motor oil in pipeline.(News)
Mar 03, 2008; ... Byline: Jay Greene Green Earth Technologies, a Stamford, Conn.-based maker of consumer products safe for the environment, has opened a manufacturing plant in Detroit to bottle and package automotive appearance and performance products in the emerging $20 billion "green'' auto ...
Gonzalez buys out joint venture.(News)(Company overview)
Mar 03, 2008 ... Byline: Brent Snavely After a partnership that lasted 10 years, Gonzalez Design Group has bought out 49 percent of a joint venture it had with Comau Inc., giving Gonzalez more control. Gonzalez Design Group and Comau owned Gonzalez Production Systems, a supplier of ...
Corrections.(Correction)(Correction notice)
Mar 03, 2008 ... * A story on Page 6 of Crain's Feb. 25 edition was incorrect in saying that Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson "had vowed to skip'' a Feb. 22 meeting called by Gov. Jennifer Granholm to discuss Cobo Center expansion plans. Patterson in fact had a previous commitment but was able ...
Bankruptcies.
Mar 03, 2008 ... The following businesses filed for Chapter 7 or Chapter 11 protection in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Detroit Feb. 22-28. Under Chapter 11, a company files for reorganization. Chapter 7 involves total liquidation. Ansbury Cleaners Inc., 54156 Van Dyke Ave., Utica, voluntary Chapter ...
Fast lane to light rail; Private-sector money could cut years from process.
Mar 03, 2008; ... Byline: Bill Shea Private-sector money behind a $103 million light-rail transit loop on Detroit's Woodward Avenue could mean decades trimmed from the project's planning and could reinvigorate other transportation projects already in the works, mass transit insiders say. ...
Homeless center planned for Roseville.(News)(Macomb County Rotating Emergency Shelter Team)
Mar 03, 2008; ... Byline: Sherri Begin The Macomb County Rotating Emergency Shelter Team hopes to break ground this fall on a new, one-stop shop for the homeless on its Roseville property. The group has received a $600,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban ...
Mayor may not be only lawyer under scrutiny; City, others review lawsuit, settlement.
Mar 03, 2008; ... Byline: Robert Ankeny Nearly a dozen Detroit-area lawyers, including Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, ultimately could be under scrutiny by at least one of four different agencies for their conduct in the police whistle-blower lawsuit, its settlement and the subsequent text message ...
Someone really ought to see the light.(Column)(Column)
Mar 03, 2008; ... Byline: KEITH CRAIN I've never had a particular aversion to lobbyists. I figure that if I can't get around to all the folks in Washington I am supposed to talk to on behalf of my position, whatever that might be, then what's wrong with hiring someone to do it for me? ...
CORE Partners co-founder joins Staubach Co.(News)(CORE Partners L.L.C)(Brief article)
Mar 03, 2008; ... Byline: Daniel Duggan Nearly two years after co-founding the CORE Partners L.L.C. real estate firm, Barbara Eaton and a three-person brokerage team will join the Detroit operation of Staubach Co. effective today. Hiring Eaton is part of an effort for the Addison, ...
Business Diary.(Briefs)(TriMas Corp acquires Parkside Towbars)(Willis Building Co contracts with Eden Foods Inc.)
Mar 03, 2008 ... ACQUISITIONS TriMas Corp., Bloomfield Hills, announced its Cequent group acquired Parkside Towbars, in Western Australia. Parkside Towbars manufacturers and distributes towbars, hitches, roofbars and other related vehicle accessories. Cequent is also a designed, manufacturer, ...
Letters.(Letter to the editor)
Mar 03, 2008 ... Better transit center needed Editor: For over two years, I've traveled between Birmingham and Chicago on Amtrak. I find the service to be cost-effective and convenient, for the most part. There are, however, some definite shortfalls. This summer I sat ...
Cultural Alliance pioneers online clearinghouse for members.(News)(Cultural Alliance of Southeastern Michigan)
Mar 03, 2008; ... Byline: Sherri Begin The Cultural Alliance of Southeastern Michigan has launched a Web-based clearinghouse for its members to share resources. The Sharing Resources Clearinghouse at www.culturalalliancesemi.org offers assets from filing cabinets, tables, buses with ...
Construction to begin to expand Detroit Science Center for school.(News)
Mar 03, 2008; ... Byline: Chad Halcom Within a month and without much fanfare, construction will begin on a $15 million expansion to the Detroit Science Center to make room for the newest charter school backed by the Thompson Educational Foundation. The foundation confirmed last week ...
Sales soar amid slump; Corrosion Fluids: `It's all positioning'.(News)(Corrosion Fluids Products Corp.)(Company overview)
Mar 03, 2008; ... Byline: Nancy Kaffer Corrosion Fluids Products Corp. has had decades of steady growth. But in the past four years, the business has more than doubled its sales. With Michigan's economy ailing, Corrosion Fluids' 2007 sales totaled $71.9 million, well on the way to ...
'2-1-1' program good news for our region.(United Way)(Column)
Mar 03, 2008; ... Byline: Mary Kramer Forget the debate over Washington's "economic stimulus'' package. The quickest way to put money into the hands of working, low-income residents in metro Detroit is through their tax returns. Mike Brennan, CEO of the United Way of Southeast ...
Death in drug detox.(Focus)(Susie Oppenheim vs. Dr. Aeneas Guiney)(Brief article)
Mar 03, 2008 ... Susie Oppenheim vs. Dr. Aeneas Guiney, Project Straight Clinic In the largest reported 2007 medical malpractice verdict in Michigan, an Oakland County Circuit Court jury returned a wrongful death damages verdict against a doctor who operated a rapid drug-detox clinic called ...
Power Breakfast founder to step down.(Business Lives)
Mar 03, 2008; ... Byline: Julie Yolles Dulcie Rosenfeld's baby is turning 15 on March 12, and it's not Jim, or Jill, or Nancy or Hank. It's the Women's Power Breakfast - the annual fundraiser Rosenfeld founded shortly after joining the board of Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern ...
'Textgate'.(Focus)(Brief article)
Mar 03, 2008 ... Harold Nelthrope, Gary Brown vs. City of Detroit, Detroit Police Department, Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick This was the underlying lawsuit in what has become "Textgate'' for the city of Detroit and Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick. The Detroit Free Press, later joined by The Detroit ...
A Conversation With Brian McKeen, McKeen & Associates P.C.(Focus)(Occupation overview)(Interview)
Mar 03, 2008 ... Byline: Bob Ankeny Brian McKeen began practicing law in 1982, started his own firm in 1998 and has become one of Michigan's foremost medical malpractice attorneys. In 2001, McKeen won what is believed to be the largest malpractice verdict ever in Michigan, a $55 million judgment ...
People.(Alix Partners L.L.P.)(St. Joseph Mercy Oakland Hospital)(Forbes Co.)
Mar 03, 2008 ... FINANCE Jeffrey Johnston to managing director, financial advisory services practice, Alix Partners L.L.P., Southfield, from senior managing director, Conway MacKenzie and Dunleavy, Birmingham. Also, Jeff Forman to director, from director of corporate development, Ciba ...
Etkin project has Il Posto expanding.(Business Lives)(Il Posto Ristorante)
Mar 03, 2008; ... Byline: Brent Snavely Tony Gioutsos, owner of Il Posto Ristorante in Southfield, is eager for spring to arrive. That's when Etkin Equities L.L.C., Il Posto's landlord, plans to begin tearing down a former Tom's Oyster Bar at Franklin Center, giving Il Posto ...
A clothier collared.(Focus)(United States vs. Ilene Moses )(Brief article)(Case overview)
Mar 03, 2008 ... United States vs. Ilene Moses When former Grosse Pointe fashion designer Ilene Moses was sentenced to 17-1/2 years in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Patrick Duggan last July, it ended a saga that began more than 25 years ago. Moses had founded Michelle's ...
Best practices from the best-managed nonprofits.(News)(Conference news)(Brief article)
Mar 03, 2008 ... Learn about making the most of limited resources, plus hear remarks and table discussions with nonprofit leaders. It happens 8:30-11:30 a.m. March 10 at Lawrence Technological University, Center for Nonprofit Management, Southfield. The keynote speaker is Scott ...
Calendar.(Calendar)
Mar 03, 2008 ... Tuesday March 4 Is the Michigan Business Tax Friend or Foe? 1:15-5:15 p.m. The Wayne Law Review and Wayne State University Law School. Includes three panel sessions: "Overview of the MBT: What Changes and Why Now?'' "Incentivizing Doing Business in Michigan,'' and ...
Fourth-quarter earnings are mixed for local companies.(News)
Mar 03, 2008; ... Byline: Tom Henderson "It was a very mixed bag,'' said Dana Johnson, chief economist for Comerica Bank, about fourth-quarter earnings reports for public companies in Southeast Michigan. Auto suppliers added nearly $1 billion to their bottom lines, with seven of nine ...
Week in Review; From www.crainsdetroit.com, week of Feb. 23-29.(Briefs)(Detroit Medical Center (Detroit, Michigan) decides to withhold $12 million in annual Medicaid payments )
Mar 03, 2008 ... DMC moves to solve dispute with WSU The board of The Detroit Medical Center voted Tuesday to address several points raised by the Wayne State University School of Medicine over the DMC's decision to withhold $12 million in annual Medicaid payments to the medical school. ...
In the spotlight.(People)(Miller, Canfield, Paddock and Stone appoints David Robson )(Brief article)
Mar 03, 2008 ... David Robson has been named COO of Detroit-based law firm Miller Canfield Paddock and Stone P.L.C. He replaces Robert Post. Robson, 47, had been senior vice president, CFO and chief investment officer of Boston-based Pembroke Real Estate Inc. Robson earned a bachelor ...
Double billing.(Focus)(Chun Wing Wong vs. T-Mobile USA Inc. )(Brief article)(Case overview)
Mar 03, 2008 ... Chun Wing Wong vs. T-Mobile USA Inc. The lawsuit alleged that Bellevue, Wash.-based T-Mobile USA Inc. violated the Michigan Consumer Protection Act, double-billing subscribers by charging them for data access services when they paid a flat rate monthly fee of $4.99 or $9.99 that ...
Teams look north to fill downtown office space.(News)
Mar 03, 2008; ... Byline: Daniel Duggan Businesses in the suburbs should be expecting more calls from a 313 area code. New leasing teams at three Detroit office buildings are all launching campaigns to fill vacant office space with suburban companies willing to bring their businesses ...
Systems vie for Oakland patients; Yet coveted county has excess beds, flat growth.
Mar 03, 2008; ... Byline: Jay Greene Competition between hospitals for good-paying patients in Oakland County is heating up. Over the past several years, five major hospital systems in the Detroit area have targeted Oakland County for expansion with up to five acute-care hospitals and ...
Rumblings.(Absopure Water Co.)(Bernard Financial Group )
Mar 03, 2008 ... Executives behaving badly is OK at roast After tonight, you're going to fire me, aren't you?'' Bernard Financial Group President Dennis Bernard shouted while parading around a stage in a short-sleeve dress shirt, clip-on tie and rainbow-colored wig meant to imitate his good ...
Spend less on prison, more on higher ed.(Opinion)(Brief article)
Mar 03, 2008 ... For the first time in history, more than 1 percent of all American adults are in prison, an all-time high. And the burgeoning prison population isn't driven by skyrocketing crime rates. It has more to do, according to a report released last week by The Pew Center on the States, ...
This Just In.(State House introduces film-industry stimulus bills )
Mar 03, 2008 ... State House introduces film-industry stimulus bills A long-brewing package of incentives to boost Michigan filmmaking heads for committee this week. House Bills 5841-5856 are intended to give Michigan the most competitive incentives in the U.S. The House bills were ...
Aastrom to ask shareholders to OK reverse merger.(News)
Mar 03, 2008 ... Byline: Tom Henderson Ann Arbor-based Aastrom Biosciences Inc., which has several stem-cell-based products in trials for bone, skin and tissue regeneration in both the U.S. and Europe, will ask shareholders to approve a reverse merger to drive its stock above $1 a share. ...
Food fare.(Business Lives)
Mar 03, 2008 ... When life gets busy, it's easy to let cooking take the back seat. Although it sounds somewhat animalistic, we eat whenever, wherever and however we can. Sometimes it's boxed, other times it's defrosted, and more times than we'd like to admit, it's branded by the golden arches. Come on, who ...
Salad Creations to open 2nd location.(News)(Brief article)
Mar 03, 2008; ... Byline: Brent Snavely Salad Creations is planning to open its second location in Michigan on March 10 at 18349 Hall Road in Macomb Township. Last May, franchisees Anthony Ciotti and Luciano Gonzalez opened the first Salad Creations in the state at 1043 Woodward Ave., ...
Small Plates opens.(News)(Small Plates Express)(Brief article)
Mar 03, 2008; ... Byline: Brent Snavely Small Plates Express opened Feb. 8 in the First National Building in Detroit. It is a carry-out version of Small Plates, a tapas restaurant ...
Cuisine, court battles among new Web offerings.(News)
Mar 03, 2008; ... Byline: Kevin Hill We have plenty on our menu at www.crainsdetroit.com this week. First, you can check out the fare cooked up by metro Detroit's best domestic chefs. The profiles of our five picks begin on Page 19, but you can see them in action at our Web site. ...
Moving a hospital.(Focus)(Brief article)
Mar 03, 2008 ... Detroit Medical Center vs. Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Gershwin Drain granted The Detroit Medical Center an injunction to stop the move of the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute to St. John Riverview Hospital, based largely on an ...
You can fight city hall.(Focus)(Transwestern Fountain Walk L.L.C.)(Brief article)
Mar 03, 2008 ... Transwestern Fountain Walk L.L.C. vs. City of Novi Fountain Walk contested the assessed and taxable values of its real property, which Novi had assessed based on a true cash value of $74.5 million. The case was settled based on revised true cash values of $57.5 ...
Corrections.(Correction)(Correction notice)
Mar 10, 2008 ... * A story on Page 26 of the March 3 edition incorrectly stated the size of the staff at CORE Partners L.L.C. Before the recent departure of four brokers, there were 14 brokers working for the firm. * In a story on Page 14 of the March 3 issue, Susie Oppenheim was erroneously ...
ESD hosts conference on dispute resolution for contractors, owners.(Focus)(Engineering Society of Detroit)(Conference news)(Brief article)
Mar 10, 2008 ... A March 18 event seeks to help contractors and building owners resolve disputes. The Engineering Society of Detroit is offering the conference to help shed light on the topic and offer tips. The event, which runs 8 a.m.-noon at The Detroit Golf Club, will address the ...
Spending on innovation down sharply in state; State's shaky tax structure, lending crisis likely causes.(News)
Mar 10, 2008 ... Byline: Chad Halcom Investment in innovation is off sharply for Michigan, according to the latest Innovation Index to be released today by the University of Michigan-Dearborn School of Management. The school's index figure to measure economic innovation activity in ...
Revenue shortfall leads to budget uncertainty.(Briefs)
Mar 10, 2008; ... Byline: Amy Lane Clouds are emerging in Michigan's revenue picture, sending a cautionary message to lawmakers as they craft the state's upcoming budget. The Senate Fiscal Agency said last week that a variety of revenue issues may lead to a $134 million shortfall in ...
A new election would mean a revolution.(Column)(Column)
Mar 10, 2008 ... Byline: KEITH CRAIN It looks like the Democratic Party pulled a fast one on us. "Us'' being the residents of Michigan who wanted to participate in a primary to help select a Democratic presidential candidate. It's all fallen apart, and now someone is going to have to ...
What will green power cost? Surcharge, spending cap considered.
Mar 10, 2008; ... Byline: Amy Lane Michigan's drive to renewable energy is generating concern about higher electricity prices. The issue: How, and at what price, will utilities or other energy providers build or purchase renewable power to meet a proposed state mandate that 10 percent ...
Mix well, then sell; Developers find demand for blend of retail, residential, office space.(Focus)
Mar 10, 2008; ... Byline: Daniel Duggan There aren't many retail developments in the pipeline these days. And a lot of the condo and office projects have dried up. But mix the three, and developers see some demand. Mixed-use development has become a national real estate ...
Construction companies think smaller, find niches as projects become fewer.(Focus)
Mar 10, 2008; ... Byline: Daniel Duggan When the biding process for a $1 million gun range in Novi was opened to construction firms, 12 bidders stepped forward. Five years ago, a job of that size likely would have drawn four, maybe five, bidders, said Bill Lichwalla, CEO of Plante & ...