Crain's Detroit Business back issues from September 2008:
Orientation Institute offers fall sessions.
Sep 01, 2008; ... Byline: Bernadine Stallings The Detroit Orientation Institute, sponsored by Wayne State University, is accepting registrations from newcomers to the city interested in learning more about the history and culture of Detroit. DOI is taking applicants from business, ...
Buildings take the LEED in conservation, recycling.
Sep 01, 2008 ... Byline: Jay Greene When it came time in 2006 to install a roof on Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan's nine-story parking deck in Detroit, Blues' executives chose an environmentally friendly option. The 52,000-square-foot green roof a layer of vegetation and light ...
Photo caption.
Sep 01, 2008 ... Byline: NATHAN SKID Rick Plewa, in charge of sustainability efforts ...
Zack's Hotdogs reaches area franchising deal.
Sep 01, 2008; ... Byline: Nathan Skid Renaissance Brands L.L.C., a subsidiary of Detroit-based Renaissance Construction Group L.L.C., has struck a deal with Baltimore, Md.-based Zack's Hotdogs with an Attitude to bring 15 of the fast-casual restaurants to Southeast Michigan. The deal ...
HIGH-TECH DRIVING.(new technologies for automobile safety)(Brief article)
Sep 01, 2008 ... Automotive companies are testing new technologies at local intersections that could lead to safer driving. The intersections are rigged with wireless communication hardware that transmits information between vehicles, and between vehicles and the road infrastructure. Here's just ...
3 tactics to fight corruption, repair city's reputation.
Sep 01, 2008 ... How many public corruption investigations are under way in Detroit? We've lost count. Detroit has become synonymous in the national lexicon for corruption as stories mount about the mayor's legal problems and new revelations of probes of contracts and possible kickbacks at Cobo ...
State picks heavyweight for business Web portal.(briefs)
Sep 01, 2008 ... A Web portal that will be a "one-stop shop'' for business is getting an assist from global management consulting firm A.T. Kearney Inc. and is expected to launch by year-end. The State Administrative Board recently approved a nearly $1.3 million, one-year contract for Vienna, Va.-based ...
Help wanted for green jobs.('Green Jobs Initiative' program)
Sep 01, 2008 ... Over the last year, Michigan has helped displaced workers get the training they need for new careers, in high-demand areas such as nursing and accounting. Now, the No Worker Left Behind program is also going green. The state is putting $6 million toward jobs in ...
Keep up with the mayor and the convention.
Sep 01, 2008 ... It's the case that all of Detroit is talking about. As of press time for this issue, Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick's removal hearing before Gov. Jennifer Granholm was scheduled to start on Wednesday. Crainsdetroit.com has a two-pronged strategy for covering this ...
CRAIN'S SEEKS BEST MANAGED NONPROFITS.
Sep 01, 2008 ... This year has seen continued challenges in the nonprofit arena that have included changes in United Way funding in addition to a weak economy. Therefore, this year's Best Managed Nonprofit Contest will continue to look at nonprofits that have taken specific steps to improve operations and ...
Bopping in Baroda; Music, boutique beverages help brothers grow family winery.
Sep 01, 2008; ... Byline: Maureen McDonald In the sweltering heat of late August, the Moersch brothers from Baroda converted their giant round Amish barn into a one-weekend blues club as part of their annual harvest party. The 2,000 adult attendees sampled wines, microbrewed beer and ...
"Green teams'; Groups formed to reduce energy use.
Sep 01, 2008; ... Byline: Jay Greene You've heard of the A-Team? Now meet the Green Team. Local companies are increasingly following the advice of specialized staff members about how to adopt sustainable business practices. Besides easing so-called "green guilt'' by promoting efforts ...
Connecting all cars; Technology can alert drivers to red-light runners and other driving hassles. It's a good argument for ...
Sep 01, 2008; ... Byline: Ryan Beene On Nine Mile Road between the Southfield Freeway and Northwestern Highway service drives, automotive companies can now test new technologies that could lead to safer driving. The intersections in the area are rigged with wireless communication hardware to ...
A FINE WINE TIME.
Sep 01, 2008 ... Crush Michigan 2008 Wine and Food Classic To benefit: Children's Leukemia Foundation of Michigan. Chairs: Honorary chairs Steve and Lisa Yzerman; event co-chairs Cindy Obron Kahn and Dr. Marc Kahn; and Susan and William Seklar. When: Patron receptions 5-6 ...
Crush Michigan event to benefit leukemia foundation.(Children's Leukemia Foundation of Michigan)
Sep 01, 2008 ... The folks at the Children's Leukemia Foundation of Michigan have lots to wine about. Should they pair an Austrian gruner veltliner with a zesty shellfish dish or go classic and serve a Sancerre? Will their guests be more impressed with a great wine from Portugal or a California ...
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Sep 01, 2008 ... Byline: kresge foundation and blue cross blue shield The Kresge Foundation headquarters in Troy, left, and ...
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Sep 01, 2008 ... Byline: NATHAN SKID Meskerem Gebreyohannes of Taste of ...
Football Classic MIA again, probably DOA.(Detroit Football Classic)(Detroit Lions' Robert Porcher)
Sep 01, 2008; ... Byline: Bill Shea Noticeably absent from the Labor Day weekend's marquee slate of events the Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix, Chrysler Arts, Beats & Eats and the Detroit International Jazz Festival was the Detroit Football Classic. The season-opening clash at Ford ...
New medical centers may struggle for staff.
Sep 01, 2008; ... Byline: Jay Greene Hospital industry folks like to say, "If you build it they will come.'' "They'' usually are patients. But what if "they'' are employees? Given the dire shortage of health care professionals in Michigan, health care experts are raising questions ...
If convicted, mayor may regain law license in future.(Kwame Kilpatrick)
Sep 01, 2008; ... Byline: Robert Ankeny A prominent Michigan political figure, a lawyer who'd held several public offices, was convicted of perjury in a court proceeding, spent 60 days in a halfway house and was disbarred. But his license to practice law in Michigan was reinstated, and ...
Ilitches seek a retraction - of seats at Cobo.(expansion of Cobo Center)
Sep 01, 2008 ... Part of the current plan for expanding Cobo Center will include creation of 6,000 retractable seats in the Cobo Arena, said Geoffrey Harrison, president of Detroit-based SDG Associates L.L.C., the architect consulting with the city. Through use of retractable seating, the space ...
THIS JUST IN.(National Defense Industries Association meetings)(CitiMortgage Inc. moves its office)(Doshi Associates expands its office)(Conference notes)
Sep 01, 2008 ... Defense industry meeting in Troy Sept. 15-17 The National Defense Industries Association, Michigan chapter, is holding a conference Sept. 15-17 for defense contractors, subcontractor firms, local government officials and other businesses interested in the defense industry. ...
A simple guide to wine snobbery.(Brief article)
Sep 01, 2008; ... Byline: Maureen McDonald You sniffed the grapes and tasted the products, now you want to impress your friends with your newfound expertise. But you wonder how someone can find excessive oak character and black olive tone in Chateau Saint Martin de la Garrigue Coteaux du ...
Talks continue for Kilpatrick plea deal.(briefs)(Kwame Kilpatrick)(Cadence Innovation L.L.C.)
Sep 01, 2008 ... At press time Friday, Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick was still in office, but various news outlets reported that negotiations for a plea agreement were taking place. Dan Webb, chief lawyer for Kilpatrick, refused to discuss specifics of the negotiations, but had recently said the main ...
UM, DTE sponsor clean-energy contest, will ante up $450,000.(DTE Energy Co. and University of Michigan teams up to research renewable energy)(Brief article)
Sep 01, 2008; ... Byline: Tom Henderson A new annual contest through the University of Michigan and DTE Energy Co. aims to help move clean-energy technologies from the laboratory to the marketplace. The DTE Clean Energy Prize will actually be a series of cash prizes in each of the ...
2Q earnings down, but better than national performance.(General Motors Corp.)(Ford Motor Co.)(Financial report)
Sep 01, 2008; ... Byline: Tom Henderson Earnings of public companies in Southeast Michigan were battered in the second quarter, while housing and housing-related stocks continued to struggle. Auto suppliers managed to do better than a year ago despite earnings meltdowns by General ...
Names behind rail plan emerge; Ilitch, Karmanos among those pledging funds.(Peter Karmanos Jr.)(Mike Ilitch)(Rip Rapson)
Sep 01, 2008; ... Byline: Bill Shea The slow unraveling of Detroit's worst-kept secret continued last week with the unveiling of three more key players in the closely guarded private-sector effort to construct a $103 million light-rail loop on Woodward Avenue. Peter Karmanos Jr., ...
I-94 roadwork slows drive to Blue Water Bridge.
Sep 01, 2008; ... Byline: Bill Shea The $230 million Ambassador Bridge Gateway Project that's shut down I-75 in Detroit until 2009 gets all the headlines and grumbling, but significant roadwork continues on I-94 in Macomb and St. Clair counties. That means both area bridges to Canada ...
Merit raises beat bosses' predictions; Survey finds optimism for '09.(Survey)
Sep 01, 2008; ... Byline: Sherri Begin Michigan employers were more generous with merit pay increases in 2008 than they predicted they would be last January, according to a new study from the American Society of Employers. "Employers are doing everything they can to stay in ...
American Axle lays its bets on growth outside U.S.(American Axle and Manufacturing Holdings Inc.)(Financial report)
Sep 01, 2008; ... Byline: Robert Sherefkin and David Barkholz Detroit-based American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings Inc. plans to slash its U.S. investment and pursue growth overseas as part of a recasting of the company, according to internal documents obtained by Crain's Detroit Business' sister ...
Michigan is the November battleground.
Sep 01, 2008 ... In case you thought there might be a little relief from all the political activity of the last year or so, well, you can forget it. It seems that everyone has decided that the election is going to be decided by a few states. Michigan is front and center. If you want a ...
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Sep 01, 2008 ... Byline: william pugliano Ron Lilek of William Beaumont ...
WHAT ARE CARBON CREDITS?(Brief article)
Sep 01, 2008 ... WHAT ARE CARBON CREDITS? A way to help individuals and companies offset the impact of carbon emissions. A monetary value is assigned that can be bought and used toward funding green efforts like renewable energy development. Offsetting one ton of harmful emissions can ...
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Sep 01, 2008 ... Above, Matt Moersch draws a sample of wine to check its progress. Below, a tasting room at ...
Photo caption.(Joshua Barsaleau and Jennifer Bainbridge appointed at St. John Providence Park Hospital)(Brief article)
Sep 01, 2008; ... Byline: REBECCA COOK Joshua Barsaleau and Jennifer Bainbridge, both registered nurses, are new hires at St. John ...
Golf resort builders pony up own funds.(Glencorp Inc.)
Sep 01, 2008; ... Byline: Daniel Duggan Developers are most comfortable when they're working on a sure-shot development, using other people's money. A four-person investment group from Shelby Township, building a $52 million residential community around two West Michigan golf courses, ...
IN THE SPOTLIGHT.(appointment of Greg Braun)(Brief article)
Sep 01, 2008 ... Greg Braun has been named executive vice president and executive creative director of Dearborn-based marketing and communica-tions agency Y&R-Team Detroit, effective this fall. Braun, 40, has been senior vice president and group creative director at ...
Push it, then smoosh it.
Sep 01, 2008; ... Byline: Maureen McDonald So you've tried step aerobics, zumba fitness and weight training. You want to flex your muscles? Try grape stomping. Burn calories and embarrass yourself before 25,000 spectators. Come to Paw Paw. At least 30 teams of five sign up annually ...
NSF's new division will test, validate green claims.
Sep 01, 2008; ... Byline: Sherri Begin NSF International Inc. is positioning itself for more business in green testing and certification with the creation of a new sustainability division. Petie Davis, who had been overseeing NSF's sustainable forestry certification and ISO 14001 ...
Company grows with table settings you could eat - sort of.(Michigan Green Safe )
Sep 01, 2008; ... Byline: Constance Crump If more restaurants and sports stadiums decide to serve starchy snacks on plates made of starch byproducts, Michigan Green Safe has just the right business niche. The Detroit distributor of recyclable restaurant supplies sells customers on the ...
TechTown company helps others become carbon neutral, reduce costs.(Carbon Credit Environmental Services)(Company overview)
Sep 01, 2008; ... Byline: Doug Brown Save the environment and save on your energy bill. That is the concept of Detroit-based Carbon Credit Environmental Services. Located in Detroit's TechTown, CCES provides services to companies looking to give more than lip service to becoming carbon ...
CALENDAR.(Calendar)
Sep 01, 2008 ... MONDAY SEPT. 8 A Conversation with Ford Motor Company President and CEO Alan Mulally. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Inforum, Woman's Day magazine. Ford Conference & Event Center, Dearborn. $45 members, $60 others. Add $10 to registrations received after Sept. 4 and at the door ....
BANKRUPTCIES.(Public notice)
Sep 01, 2008; ... Byline: Compiled By Christiana Schmitz The following businesses filed for Chapter 7 or 11 protection in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Detroit Aug. 22-28. Under Chapter 11, a company files for reorganization. Chapter 7 involves total liquidation. Davison Plaza Shopping ...
Supino, Taste of Ethiopia open in Eastern Market.(Supino Pizzeria)
Sep 01, 2008; ... Byline: Nathan Skid Detroit's Eastern Market welcomed two new restaurants to the neighborhood last month. The additions, Supino Pizzeria and Taste of Ethiopia, also happen to be next-door neighbors. Supino, 2457 Russell St., hopes to bring a touch of Italy to the ...
BUSINESS DIARY.(Public notice)
Sep 01, 2008 ... ACQUISITIONS Fata Automation Inc., Sterling Heights, has acquired Fata Aluminum Inc., Farmington Hills. CONTRACTS Advisicon Inc., Farmington Hills, has become a designated Safran authorized reseller for Safran North America L.L.C., an Albuquerque, ...
Doctors hoping to buy hospital yet to pick leaders.(Oakland Physicians Medical Center L.L.C to acquire North Oakland Medical Centers )
Sep 01, 2008; ... Byline: Chad Halcom In a way, the proposed buyers of bankrupt North Oakland Medical Centers hope to salvage the contents of an old and sinking ship, in order to outfit a newly commissioned one. But who will be the new captain? Anil Kumar, a urologist in ...
GREAT GRAPES.(Brief article)
Sep 01, 2008 ... Six chefs and one Crush Michigan co-chair name their favorite wines (from left and moving clockwise): * Jim Balogna, Townsend Hotel: Regusci Cabernet Sauvignon, Stags Leap. * Don Yamauchi, Forte: California chardonnay. * David Gilbert, Forest Grill: Siduri ...
CORRECTIONS.(Correction notice)
Sep 01, 2008 ... * A story on Page 18 of the Aug. 18 edition should have said that Walter Zimmerman, president of Climate Technologies Corp. in Northville, is among the entrepreneurs approved for the first year of the Product Realization and Technology ...
PEOPLE.
Sep 01, 2008 ... ARCHITECTURE Brian Craig to education practice leader, college/university business line, URS Corp., Southfield, from senior vice president, Progressive AE, Grand Rapids. CONSTRUCTION Tim Honoway to chief estimator, Braun Construction, Farmington Hills, ...
Material cost hikes bring lawsuits.(Coupled Products L.L.C. v. Mando America Corp.)
Sep 08, 2008; ... Byline: Ryan Beene Like nearly all automotive suppliers, Coupled Products L.L.C. has been dealing with rapidly increasing costs of steel, fuel, copper, petroleum-based resin and other raw materials. And like many suppliers, the Rochester Hills-based company recently ...
New plan to revive McLouth; NY investor involved; up to 500 jobs expected.
Sep 08, 2008 ... Byline: Ryan Beene The long-shuttered former McLouth Steel Products Corp. mill in Trenton may see new life if efforts to revive the Downriver plant continue to make progress. Trenton Mayor Gerald Brown says a New York investor is working with the owner to modernize ...
Local philanthropists to be honored for efforts.
Sep 08, 2008; ... Byline: Sherri Begin The Association of Fundraising Professionals, Greater Detroit Chapter plans to honor individuals and organizations for the 23rd Annual National Philanthropy Day Awards before about 800 philanthropists, volunteers and nonprofit leaders Nov. 13 at the Hyatt ...
Negotiations, funding slow commuter rail projects.(Brief article)
Sep 08, 2008; ... Byline: Bill Shea The watchword for a pair of commuter rail projects that eventually would link Livingston and Washtenaw counties to Detroit is waiting. As in waiting for negotiations with railroad companies skittish about sharing tracks with passenger trains. And, ...
Media coverage mostly praised.(Brief article)
Sep 08, 2008; ... Byline: Bill Shea Media coverage of Kwame Kilpatrick's tribulations last week drew mostly praise from industry observers and from the media itself. "It's been thoroughly covered, and over-covered, by media looking for extra angles,'' said Ben Burns, director of the ...
BANKRUPTCIES.(Brief article)
Sep 08, 2008 ... Byline: Compiled by Bernadine Stallings The following businesses filed for Chapter 7 or 11 protection in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Detroit Aug. 29 - Sept. 4. Under Chapter 11, a company files for reorganization ....
Slicing the real estate pie.
Sep 08, 2008 ... Brokers can slice and dice metro Detroit's industrial real estate really fast using original-equipment manufacturers as a guide. The near-west side: Ford Motor Co. The I-75 corridor: Chrysler L.L.C. turf. And Detroit: General Motors Corp. Follow that rough logic for ...
S3 Entertainment starts subsidiary.(S3 Entertainment Group L.L.C.)(Brief article)
Sep 08, 2008; ... Byline: Bill Shea Troy-based S3 Entertainment Group L.L.C. has launched a subsidiary aimed at cataloging metro Detroit vehicles for potential use in television and movies. Cars For Movies L.L.C. was at the Woodward Dream Cruise with a film-transportation expert that ...
When should you hire a staffing agency?(Brief article)
Sep 08, 2008 ... If you run your own business, you know how hard it can be to find good employees. So is it worth it to get some help in the hiring process? This week in Small Talk, we'll look at whether it makes financial sense for a small business to use a staffing agency to fill ...
Our new mayor will need a good cause.
Sep 08, 2008 ... At this point, I'm not sure just how long our temporary mayor is temporary. If the Detroit City Council, at a cost of some millions of dollars, votes to hold a special election, then we could have an election early next year for a term of six months. Otherwise, our temporary ...
Hearings spark talk of judgeship for Granholm.
Sep 08, 2008 ... The spotlight has faded from Gov. Jennifer Granholm's hearing on removing Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, but her performance could serve her well in the future, say Capitol observers. They say a state or federal judgeship might not be a stretch for Granholm to consider in the wake of ...
Bazaar adds to creative mix at Russell Industrial Center.
Sep 08, 2008; ... Byline: Nancy Kaffer When the Russell Bazaar opens this weekend, the storied history of the Russell Industrial Center will add a new chapter and Detroit will get more than 100 new retailers. Designed in 1915 by legendary Detroit architect Albert Kahn, the Russell ...
Price to cut mercury emissions: $734 million; Utilities, manufacturers group balk at draft rules.
Sep 08, 2008; ... Byline: Amy Lane Michigan's two largest utilities may need to spend some $734 million to install equipment to comply with proposed new state regulations to reduce mercury emissions in Michigan. The draft rules would require the Detroit Edison Co. and Consumers Energy ...
CRAIN'S SEEKS BEST MANAGED NONPROFITS.(Brief article)
Sep 08, 2008 ... This year has seen continued challenges in the nonprofit arena that have included changes in United Way funding in addition to a weak economy. Therefore, this year's Best Managed Nonprofit Contest will continue to look at nonprofits that have taken specific steps to improve ...
Maize and Blue building boom; UM spending more than $1B on construction.
Sep 08, 2008 ... Byline: Chad Halcom The University of Michigan is rolling out the orange as in construction barricades after raising most of the green for a $500 million capital campaign to help fund several Ann Arbor campus construction projects. The university's campus and ...
BUSINESS DIARY.(Auto-Lab Complete Car Care Centers and Henderson Glass into service agreement)(Llamasoft Inc., Ann Arbor Computer Div. and Ciber Inc. to introduce new ssuite)(DesignHub Inc. designs website for Vinylife Hose Co.)
Sep 08, 2008 ... CONTRACTS Henderson Glass, Rochester Hills, announced an automotive service agreement with Auto-Lab Complete Car Care Centers, Plymouth. Auto-Lab will offer its customers glass repair and replacement services using Henderson Glass' technicians and products. 3.7 ...