Inside the Newsroom

Social media in the classroom: a total taboo 6 years ago

2012-01-31T10:24:00.000-05:00

I'm not one for inspirational quotes. I don't get inspired by them, they don't do much for me.

But one stuck out to me yesterday while beginning my Monday morning routine of story linking and sharing. It was in a tweet by Saline Area Schools superintendent Scot Graden:

If a school prohibits social media, should they have to cross out the words "create responsible citizens" in their mission statement?
— Scot Graden (@SuperScot) January 30, 2012

This attitude toward social media is radically different than what many of us are used to in schools even younger people like me. It's incredible to think how the space has changed since I graduated high school in 2006, when MySpace still ruled the market. Educators are now embracing the change instead of rejecting it.

I'm curious how exactly teachers plan to use social media in the classroom. If any of them are reading this, I'd be interested in sharing some of the ways you use it in the classroom.

Ride along with the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office

2011-12-23T22:25:00.003-05:00

I went on a ride along with a deputy of the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday this week. I have been looking forward to it for awhile. As the police and court reporter covering Washtenaw County, I wanted learn more about the sheriff’s department and its methods. I was assigned to ride along with Deputy James Roy, who has been with the sheriff’s department for about five years. He is part of a violent crime unit stationed in Ypsilanti Township, but there are a number of aspects of his job. Deputy Roy explains it himself in this video:

Deputy Roy showed me around Ypsilanti Township and the different areas he regularly patrols, which include neighborhoods like West Willow, some apartment complexes like Village Grove Apartments, and trailer home parks. Part of the reason for the patrols is simply to have a visible police presence in the community. I’m still pretty new to the area so I was seeing quite a few things for the first time. He also talked about the different technology and techniques he uses, and about his own experience as a law enforcement officer.

The different kinds of technology used by police are among what I learned about on the ride along. Recording equipment is heavily used. Deputy Roy showed me a body microphone held in patrol vehicles. When he leaves the vehicle he clips it onto his uniform, and it provides an audio record such as for interactions with residents and suspects. Patrol vehicles have cameras in them. Footage gets downloaded wirelessly when a vehicle gets to the station, which for him is usually the Ypsilanti Township Civic Center on Huron River Drive.

The sheriff’s department also looked into portable video cameras for deputies to keep on themselves like the microphone. Deputy Roy said he tested a few of these cameras out over the summer, trying to find something that works out good. It needs to be easily portable, he said, because deputies carry plenty of equipment already.

From my own understanding, recording equipment is used both as a record of what happened if needed in court and as a means to protect officers from accusations.

I was also shown the computer deputies connect to their vehicles while on the road. They look like heavily armored laptops. There’s all kinds of features, such as a touch screen and easy to navigate screens that allow deputies to look up information even while on the move. Systems are in place capable of pulling up any driver’s license photographs and mug shots a person may have, allowing deputies to cross reference – useful for determining if somebody has a fake ID. Some of the computers even have a print reader, which is able to pull up this information with the imprint of a finger or thumb.

I also learned quite a bit about Deputy Roy during the ride along. I could tell he was passionate about being part of the sheriff’s department and working to make the community a better place.

“I could do this every day,” he said. “It’s what I always wanted to do.”

Three members of his family are also in law enforcement, two cousins and an uncle, so one explanation for his interest in law enforcement is that it’s simply in his bloodline.

Overall the ride along was a good experience. I’m glad I got to know Deputy Roy. He invited me to do another ride along pretty much whenever, but there were some suggestions like a midnight shift in July. I was told that’s one of the most active times in the year for law enforcement – mostly because people are themselves more active and get out more when its warmer, and this activity peaks in July.

A different kind of Christmas (well, Advent) decoration in Saline

2011-12-22T16:22:00.001-05:00

Driving from Milan on Saline-Milan Road, I spotted a unique Christmas decoration in one front lawn.

It was four "candles" in some bushes made to look like an Advent wreath.

It was something I hadn't seen before that big, and thought it would be worth the share.

The Advent wreath is useful by Catholics and some Protestants to mark the four weeks leading up to Christmas. It has four candles, one new one is lit each week until the week before Christmas, where all four burn.

Blogging at the Saline Senior Center

2011-12-12T13:56:00.000-05:00

We're at the Saline Senior Center with a blogging class of 11 people. They are setting up their own blogs currently (those with computer access, anyway).

Is it a myth that icy roads cause accidents?

2011-12-11T20:18:00.002-05:00

I recently received an e-mail from a reader in regards to a story I wrote on the accident on M-52, the accident that led to the death of former Manchester village president David Little. She disagreed with the following sentence: 'At this time it looks like icy roads and improper driving caused this accident, according to the sheriff's office.'

She told me this furthers a myth that icy roads cause accidents. I almost thought it wasn't a serious comment at first because I'd never heard that some believe that this is a myth. Even after thinking a bit about it I didn't really see the arguement that could be made. Icy roads can lead to accidents, sounded about right. I asked the reader to elaborate, which she did, and I can now say I can see where she's coming from.

She wrote: "Inability to adjust your driving to the road conditions is what causes the accidents. If one was driving at a prudent speed, able to maintain control of their vehicle under the present conditions, there wouldn't be all these accidents.

"Icy roads don't cause accidents. People not adjusting their driving to the road's conditions causes icy roads."

She also told me drivers with technology like electronic stability systems drive like they're exempt from slipping when they're not, and that when road conditions are so bad the answer is to just not drive. I'm not entirely convinced that its a myth that icy roads cause accidents. Improper driving given road conditions plays a role in many situations, I would imagine, but I think there are situations like a rare patch of black ice on a day of otherwise clear roads would present a problem for all but the most cautious drivers.

I try to drive carefully, but occasionally I will lose some control over my car during bad road conditions. Fortunately it's never led to an accident. Personally I try to be the most careful about turning and stopping, because that's where the majority of problems seem to happen.

I spoke with Saline Police Chief Paul Bunten about icy roads and he shared some traffic safety tips.

Feel free to share what you think about whether or not it's a myth that icy roads cause accidents.

Introduction: New general assignment reporter

2011-11-28T11:57:00.004-05:00

Hi, I'm Krista Gjestland and as of today I am the general assignment reporter here at Heritage Media West. I'll be covering news and life events all across Washtenaw County, filling in whenever and wherever the other beat reporters can't be.

For the past eight months, I have been freelancing at Heritage, mainly The Chelsea Standard and Dexter Leader. I've spent time covering a wide range of events, from township and city council meetings to last summer's black bear sightings.

Before coming to Heritage, I worked at The Eastern Echo, while I studied toward my journalism degree at Eastern Michigan University. There, I spent time as a news writer and copy editor, and ended my 3.5-year stint there as chief copy editor before graduating last April.

Although I've lived in Washtenaw County for almost five years now, I am most familiar with Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor. Therefore, I am really looking forward to getting to know the other communities and people that make up the county.

Feel free to contact me with any ideas or suggestions, and I look forward to meeting you all!

Staff Writer Krista Gjestland can be reached at kgjestland@heritage.com.

Introduction from police and court reporter

2011-11-23T10:35:00.003-05:00

Hello, my name is Ben Baird, and as of earlier this month I am the police and court reporter covering Washtenaw County for Heritage Media.

My beat includes the local police and fire departments, the Michigan State Police, the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office, the county trial court, and the county's three district courts. I have established a nice level of contact with many of these agencies, while others are still a work in progress. Regardless I want to do my best to pass on information so that residents have a better idea of what is going on in their communities.

Previously I wrote for two other Heritage Media publications, the News-Herald and Press & Guide. I primarily wrote about Flat Rock for the News-Herald, but I also covered Huron Township and Trenton at times. Dearborn Heights was my focus with the Press & Guide.

One upcoming event I wanted to mention is that I am trying to arrange a ride along with an officer of the sheriff's office. I can't say for sure yet when this will occur or what sorts of things I might encounter during the ride along, but it should offer some valuable insight into local law enforcement. I will be writing about the experience and I plan to get some good video too.

If anyone has anything they are curious about or any questions they would like me to ask during the ride along, feel free to share them.

Staff Writer Ben Baird can be reached at bbaird@heritage.com.

And then I met a man who had no feet

2011-09-15T11:24:00.000-04:00

Many moons ago, I was perusing a gift shop after dinner in a nearby restaurant.

The walls of the shop were filled with corny aphorisms on plaques or plates that are at times amusing, sometimes even trenchant, but just as often cause you to wince at the sometimes-cloying sentiments for sale.

One that I have remembered, and likely will always remember as a reminder to impose perspective on the importance of events in one’s life, went as follows: “I felt sorry that I had no shoes, until I met a man who had no feet.”

A brief search on the Internet suggests it is a Jewish proverb.

I was reminded of the saying late Sunday morning, as my wife and I watched CNBC on television, in which the survivors of those who had perished on Sept. 11, 2011 read the names of the deceased.

Just a few hours earlier, I was in a foul mood late Saturday night into early Sunday morning, and woke up on Sunday still out of sorts, as a result of a football game.

My beloved Fighting Irish, with a 17-point lead going into the final quarter, allowed Michigan to score 28 points in a single quarter of football, enabling them to win the game 35-31.
Let me congratulate my friends who are Michigan fans, as my son Matthew did in a Facebook post on Sunday.

It was a weird, improbable victory, but it’s the only thing that matters in these contests, especially as your team is 0-2 as the season begins.

But it’s a game, right? Easy to say, and the intellect recognizes the wisdom of the saying, but it’s hard to forget a discouraging, frustrating loss in a contest over which you have no control.
Like the scene in the television show Seinfeld where someone runs up to Jerry and says, “We won, we won!”

To which Jerry Seinfeld replies, “No. They won. You watched.”

How true.

So, as Jan and I watched the unspeakably sad, tragic ceremony in New York City in which the names of the victims were read, I was reminded yet again of just how lucky I’ve been in my 60 years walking this earth, and the memory of a lost football game receded. What emerged in its place was thankfulness and gratitude, and more than a little embarrassment at my small-mindedness and skewed priorities.

I’m working on it. And maybe, depending on the context, it helps to laugh at yourself a bit.
Like the late comedian George Carlin’s edgy take on the proverb: “I felt sorry that I had no shoes, until I met a man who had no feet.”

“I took his shoes. Now I feel better.”

Gerald LaVaute is a staff writer for Heritage Newspapers. He can be reached at glavaute@heritage.com or call 1-734-429-7380. Check out our staff blog at courierviewnews.blogspot.com.

New smart phone is changing how I gather information

2011-09-07T13:45:00.000-04:00

Since I was in my teens, I have enjoyed reading newspapers.

One of my jobs during high school was at the Syracuse Post Standard newspaper, Syracuse’s morning daily.

I was a copyboy, probably the low man on the totem pole at a newspaper. One of our duties was to get coffee for the editors, but it was a great experience.

The large, brightly lit newsroom just outside the tiny, dimly lit room in which we worked was filled with bright, energetic people. It seemed as if the air that surrounded these busy, smart people in the newsroom was charged with electricity.

I developed a taste for reading the Sunday New York Times, and, combined with reading dozens of books over the next several years as I completed high school and went to college, I developed a deep affection for good writing.

When I moved to Michigan, I brought with me the affection for reading good writing and the daily pleasure of a morning newspaper over coffee, and subscribed to the Detroit Free Press for many years.

And I continued to go out each Sunday morning to get a copy of the Times. At times, I would have to travel as far as Canton, and pay $4 or $5 for the privilege. The current price for a copy of the Sunday Times is $6.

In the last decade or two, newspapers across the country began to struggle as the world changed around them. The Free Press cut back its home delivery to three days each week, on Thursday, Friday and Sunday. It wasn’t the same, and when I was able to resume daily home delivery I jumped at the chance.

But then, a few weeks ago, I got a smart phone, and things really began to change.

I had been thinking about a smart phone for the last two or three years. My children had long since begun to use them, and I was increasingly surrounded by them at work and in daily life.

I thought, it would make me more productive. That thought process, combined with a generous gift card from my family for my birthday, pushed me over the edge. I now gather news using the phone, from any of a plethora of news and opinion websites. I think that there’s a bit less depth in my news gathering, but it is satisfying, and I’ve learned more about how to substitute Internet news resources for the information formerly provided by the Free Press.

USA Today, for example, has an Internet site that enables you to find out what football games are being played that weekend, when and on what television channel. It was one of the things I most looked forward to with the Free Press each Wednesday.

And if I want to keep up with Notre Dame football (admittedly an alloyed blessing, after the loss to USF), I’ve bookmarked a Google search on “Notre Dame football,” and can read several stories about the Irish each day, published in newspapers or magazines across the country.

Ironically, the new phone has enabled better, more timely information for an interest sometimes associated with older people – information about the weather forecast.

I now have at my fingertips instant information about the weather forecast, and can find information by the hour if needs be – when will it begin raining later today, for example?

After the excitement over the new, admittedly amazing technology quells a bit, I hope that I will revert to a hybrid way of gathering info, in which print and digital information sources combine to give me the best of both worlds.

But for now, having a world of continually updated information at my fingertips is a heady, exciting experience. It’s truly an amazing thing.

Gerald LaVaute is a staff writer for Heritage Newspapers. He can be reached at glavaute@heritage.com or call 1-734-429-7380. Check out our staff blog at courierviewnews.blogspot.com.

Recalling 9/11 via interviews

2011-09-07T09:38:00.002-04:00

I'm often emotionally detached from an issue, including when I write a news story. In fact, many years ago in supervisor training at Ford, I was criticized in a role-playing exercise for not appearing sufficiently empathetic to a subordinate's problem. I realized afterward that my critics were right, but it took some time for me to come around. I was genuinely surprised by the feedback.

It's not that I don't care; better, I think, to approach the issue analytically, in order to resolve it most effectively.

For a recent story on the tenth anniversary of 9/11, I interviewed seven people over the phone, recorded the conversations on iPadio software, and published a two-part story.

Part of the fun of writing the story was weaving together the disparate stories, identifying common ground while highlighting the uniqueness of each person's experience.

As I listened to them tell their stories, I was emotionally affected, although I was surprised by it. Parts of their stories responated with me, because I too faced that awful day almost ten years ago. I am grateful to my interview subjects for sharing their stories with me, and for helping to bring yet another new satisfaction with my new career to life.

Saline Fair Helping Kids Learn About Agriculture

2011-09-06T11:14:00.004-04:00

While I was at the fair this past week, there was one recurring thought that kept coming up in my conversations with people. They wanted the kids in the area to be aware of farm life and agriculture.

I can perfectly understand where they are coming from. During the Miss Saline Pageant one of the contestants was asked why she was active in clubs especially 4H and she responded in length but the part that stuck out to me was, "Saline used to be a farm town." I grew up in Okemos, a town similar to Saline in many ways. One of those ways is that well before I was around on this Earth, Okemos too was a farming community. Until the 70's and 80's that's basically all Okemos was. However, by now, there is scant a farm within the district lines of Okemos. Right when i moved away, the big farm located across the street from Okemos high School was sold so that more subdivisions could be built. AS far as I'm aware the only farm left is Cook's where my family has been buying our sweet corn since I was eight.

This caused problems. Being a nice community, still surrounded by farm communities (sans East Lansing) I see more similarities to Saline, another nice community (granted there is still more farming in Saline and Pittsfield) surrounded by more agriculturally oriented communities (sans Ann Arbor). When I was in high school, some of the more elitist and socially harsh kids would make fun of the neighboring communities for being, "hicks" or farm kids. This is just mean. I obviously don't know the inner-workings of Saline High School, and whether this kind of taunting exists, but i would not be too surprised I guess. Again, growing up I was, and similarly neither were my classmates, schooled in agriculture even though we lived 10 minutes away from one of the biggest agricultural schools in the region. I can't speak for those hurtful kids, but I feel as though if they had truly understood the benefits of agriculture and farming and such, then possibly they would not have been so cruel.

Besides all of that, it just makes sense for kids to be aware of where their food comes from, especially in these times. So much processed and unnatural food is being served to our nation's children, if they knew that they could be supporting local families and neighbors by buying different foods that not only support people, but is actually better for them, who's to say they wouldn't? We need to have faith in our children, and teach them things like this. I know for one, that after high school, I became much more interested in learning where the food I put in my body came from. How hard would it have been to take a field trip in elementary and middle school to a local farm to teach kids that? Not very. Plus, kids are impressionable, and some love to take what they learned at school, and especially on field trips and tell their parents everything they learned.

Parents are also a root cause of this problem, and with enough insistence from their children who knows what differences we could see. The one positive aspect out of all of this that I have noticed in the last few years in the growing trend of non-farm oriented small communities with farmers' markets popping up. That's great in my mind. You can't know where your food is coming from any better than if you're buying it from the person who grew or raised it.

I talked to the fair President Kevin Ernst at the end of the fair and he said thanks in part to the baby animal exhibit and the fact school had not started, they had much more interest and excitement from area children. I asked him if they talked at all with the school district to help promote and he said they had talked with Superintendent Scot Graden. However, since school had not started yet it makes it hard for the schools to help promote the event.

Basically, it seems important to me that kids in areas not focused on farming learn more about it and where there food comes from. Not only from a healthy eating perspective but also from a community building and knowledge perspective.

Anatomy of a photo

2011-08-26T10:10:00.001-04:00

I had not been to the Taste of Belleville in a long time, maybe a decade or more, when I agreed last year to cover the event with my wife Jan.

It was among the earliest of our joint reporter/photographer assignments, and we were in the early stages of learning to work together. I recall suggesting photo angles for her during last year’s bridge walk, as the walkers began to march toward us, crossing the bridge.
Jan had a different perspective on the photos than I did, and I quickly realized that she was correct, even as the walkers approached us.

By then, she had begun to develop an eye and a sense of how to compose an effective scene with a photo, and I backed off. I still make suggestions, but she can take them or leave them – I trust her judgment, and it’s one less thing I have to worry about. She’s a good partner out there.

We mixed business and pleasure last year, as our children and our grandson Noah, who was only three months old at the time, joined us for the event. It worked out OK, but I felt I shortchanged them and me by covering the event.

This year, I suggested to Austen that someone else cover the event, and he agreed. I had in mind a visit to the Taste of Belleville with my family, this time without the responsibility.
We had a wonderful time. Matthew arrived a bit early with Noah, and we traveled to Belleville after spending a little time at home.

What a difference a year made – no longer in a stroller, Noah walked around Horizon Park under supervision, and he had a wonderful time, as did I.

At one point, he picked up a stick lying in the grass, and proudly showed it to me, with a look of anticipation. When we go for walks, he’s keen on grabbing a stick on the sidewalk and dragging it on the sidewalk below as he rides in the cart that I push. He's in front of me, and as we walk I can watch him.

Later, Noah and I walked on the sidewalk on High Street, in the direction of the gazebo.
I followed close behind, but I’d just as soon he explore with minimal help from me. My job is to keep him safe, and to direct as needed.

At one point, he came upon a little girl happily seated in a child’s cart. She gave him a friendly smile, but I realized in a moment what was about to occur.

He has a similar cart at home, and he wanted to enjoy it. He walked up to the little girl, gabbed the steering wheel at an angle, and began to climb into the seat.

I think he would have sat down on her had he been allowed to continue, and would clearly have preferred that the little girl remove herself altogether, enabling him to more comfortably enjoy her cart.

I picked him up, apologized to the little girl, and we walked on.

After a bit, Noah got hungry, and we went for something to eat. My daughter Kelly joined us shortly thereafter, and it was a great visit – it’s so good to see my children.

After dinner, the kids took Noah down to the lake, walking out on the docks below Johnny’s Grill to see the water and the ducks.

Noah was fascinated, and they spent several minutes down there, just enjoying the scene and the delightful summer weather.

My daughter Kelly took some photos of the scene, including the one that you see, with my son Matthew on the left, and his son Noah on the right.

It was a striking image, one that I will remember for some time.

For me, it conjures images of summer, of time with family, of community, of nature, and the ongoing process of discovery for the little guy on the right, who will do so under the guidance of people who love him.

Many thanks to the sponsors and supporters of the Taste of Belleville for providing a fun, welcoming context in which this can occur. Like the commercial says, it was priceless.

Gerald LaVaute is a staff writer for Heritage Newspapers. He can be reached at glavaute@heritage.com or call 1-734-429-7380. Check out our staff blog at courierviewnews.blogspot.com.

Watching three brothers grow a privilege

2011-08-18T11:38:00.001-04:00

In 1970, singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell authored a song, one of whose taglines was, “You don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone.”

How true. But its converse is equally true: that often you don’t know what you’re missing until you’re introduced to it by others.

Both my grandfathers died before I was born, so I never knew or appreciated the value in such a relationship.

But no more – because I have fallen madly in love with my 15-month old grandson Noah. I look forward to seeing him each week, and have actually begun to plan around our visits a bit, anticipating our time together.

The other day, I downloaded a song on my phone that Noah and I could dance to. I’m looking forward to introducing it to him, and having some fun with him and my wife on our next visit.
In like fashion, I never had a brother as I was growing up, although I had a good relationship with my sister.

Likewise, Jan and I raised a son and a daughter, so, although I witnessed a pair of siblings who developed a great relationship with each other and matured into fine people in their own right, I didn’t see in them a relationship among two or more brothers, or sisters for that matter.

But, slowly, I discovered a relationship among three brothers that I have come to enjoy and to appreciate, and I realize that I have begun to look forward to seeing them together.

They are the three sons of our good friend Anne Hassel, with whose family we visit every so often, often vacationing with them at the Atlantic shore.

Over Memorial Day weekend, Anne’s son David was married, and we attended the wedding, tagging along for the rehearsal, the dinner that followed, and the informal family get-togethers that weekend.

It’s great to be invited into a family. When Jan and I moved to Michigan from central New York in 1977, we left behind our ancestral families, whom we still visit twice each year, and share together major rites of passage like graduations, weddings and baby showers.

But we became for 90 percent of our lives a nuclear family, the four of us, reliant mostly on ourselves, but benefiting greatly from the kindness of our friends over the years, who have invited us into their lives and family events.

We have witnessed much love and interesting relationships among these families, but among the family relationships I’ve found most interesting has been among Matt, David and Allen Scalese.
They each have a great sense of humor, and you won’t spend much time among them before you begin laughing.

The humor with each other often teases and pokes, or challenges, as boys and men will often do among themselves. It’s great to watch the interplay of wit and humor among them.
And that accent. It’s like their mother’s – it’s a charming way of speaking whose declarative sentences end up sounding very much like questions, inviting the other to respond, to engage with each other.

And they’re fun not only to listen to, but to watch as well. They’re young, they’re energetic, and they’re witty. On my last visit, their appearance reminded me of the British actor Jason Statham, who has recently imbued alopecia with a masculine toughness.

But, despite the energy, despite the cheekiness with each other and those who would engage in their banter, they are good boys, nay, they are good men.

It’s been a hoot and a privilege to have watched them grow and develop over the years, and much of the credit goes to their mother Anne, who raised three sons and brothers who have allowed me to recognize and at times to experience what I missed in brothers’ relationships as I grew up.

Gerald LaVaute is a staff writer for Heritage Newspapers. He can be reached at glavaute@heritage.com or call 1-734-429-7380. Check out our staff blog at courierviewnews.blogspot.com.

Young Writer's Learning Experience at the 2011 Milan Bluegrass Festival

2011-08-16T15:26:00.004-04:00

Okay, I'm not going to sit here and lie to you all and say that I'm a big fan of bluegrass music. I'm not. (For reference, if I was writing this to a group of my friends its very possible I wouldn't say "lie" in the previous sentence, but instead say "front." Sorry.) But I also don't dislike bluegrass music. Its influences can be seen in some of the music I listen to in the terms of prevalent vocal harmonies and finger-picked acoustic guitar. See: Fleet Foxes, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.

Plus, I really like "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" That's a really great movie! And that was my first real experience with bluegrass, and some of those songs were really good! But as a I sat and walked around KC Campground on Saturday at the festival, there was something there that to an uninitiated observer hit me more than the music: the atmosphere and the people. I got a chance to talk with one of the bands that performed on Saturday, HeartTown, and they talked a lot about precisely that: the crowd at the Milan Bluegrass Festival is a group of people who love and really know their bluegrass. I've been to shows where there's people there who really care about the band, or at least appreciate their style of music, and then there are people there posturing or just trying to look cool. (I feel like the moral of this post is: Kevin is still kind of young.) For the record, at shows I'm usually near the front shouting along with all of the lyrics, so obviously not one of the people trying to "look cool."

But there was certainly nobody at the Festival who wasn't there to enjoy a long day (or weekend) of bluegrass music. Even when i asked people what acts they liked the best, no one could pick one. "I like them all," was a very common response. "We see these guys basically every week," said Tim Laughlin of HeartTown. "Bluegrass is like a traveling carnival, and we're the carnies," said HeartTown's Darren Beachley.

Beating the Heat at Music in the Park

2011-07-22T11:47:00.005-04:00

Hey everyone, guess what? It's really hot outside! ("Thanks for the tip, I was wondering why I've been sweating every time I step outside," Everyone). Temperatures yesterday, Thursday, July 21 reached into the hundreds. That's pretty, pretty, hot. Definitely not my region. But while the heat may have seemed near unbearable during the day, I went to check out Bill Bynum & Co. at Wilson Park in Milan during Music in the park, and you know what? It was very pleasant over there. There was a nice breeze coming in off of Ford Lake and the park provided a nice,shady setting to listen to some fine music.

So lets talk about the music for a second. Bill Bynum and Co consist of Bill Bynum on acoustic guitar and lead vocals, Mary Seelhorst on fiddle, and John Lang on the pedal guitar. The group also ha a bass player but, "He's got a lady back home... He's probably sitting in some air conditioned bar right now," said Bynum. At the end of their set Bynum describes their sound as "hillbilly music" but also relented to the fact that it is more well-known as "Americana" but Bynum did not seem to appreciate that distinction a lot.

Personally, saying I dabble in this style of music is probably overstating things a bit. I've heard it before. I've seen bands incorporate elements of Americana in their music (one of my favorite shows to this day, was seeing Iron & Wine after they became a real band with a fiddle player and pedal guitarist in tow,and not just an awesome singer/songwriter with an awesome beard). I've also listened to some southern rock which incorporates lyrics about whiskey-tinged memories, aging, and the law (all of which were prominent themes in Bynum's songs and the covers they chose). But that's about it, and southern rock I speak of really only entails Skynard radio singles and oeuvre of the Drive-By-Truckers.

I've found as I've gotten older (relatively speaking of course) I enjoy this style of music more, probably because I can relate to the themes more now, if nothing else. But there was also something about the setting and the music combined on Thursday night that just kind of seemed to fit. The southern-esque style of music mixed with heat and humidity was nice, the only thing I was missing was some lemonade and sweet tea blended. After the set Rena Gibelyou, co-owner of the lighthouse who has had these guys perform before, told me that Seelhorst plays her fiddle completely by ear, and does not read sheet music. For that fact, she was very good. Bynum himself can't exactly set the world ablaze with his guitar playing, but he has a great twang in his voice and he doesn't need to stretch any sort of guitar-playing virtuosity. Lang was good sitting at the pedal guitar, but in all honesty, I just love the sound that thing makes. Especially outside on a hot day, I wish they'd allowed him a couple more solos just to let that sound vibrate throughout the park.

Now I would like to talk a little bit about the setting. It was very nice,specially being in the shade, but I really only have one main qualm. I thought about it while snapping pictures and taking some video and it was reiterated to me by a concert-goer who came up to see Bynum from Toledo. "It's really nice, I enjoy the shade from this huge cottonwood,but I think the back-drop could be a little nicer," Mike Weintraub said. What he was getting at was the fact that the band was situated right in front of the basketball court,next to the big cottonwood. And on the court were multiple trucks and such. Seeing as the park is filled with beauty, and could be absolutely gorgeous on a night like last's, it was a little disappointing. However, this is a minor setback on what was a great evening of free music in the city of Milan.

P.S. I'm still going to put a video here, even though there's already one at the top. I' hope that 1:30 clip is done by the time you get to this point in the post :)

The End of Harry

2011-07-18T10:22:00.005-04:00

So I attended a midnight showing of the final movie in the Harry Potter franchise on Thursday night. I feel like many people will look at back at this movie in a bittersweet manner; enjoying the movie itself, but sad to see a franchise they've come to love come to an end. I am not sure if that is how I feel. While I wouldn't say that I am happy there will be no more magical hi jinx with Harry, Ron and Hermoine, but I do feel as though the series has run its course.

I say this for a couple of reasons. As a 23 year-old male I was definitely a little older and more male than a majority of the people in attendance. But I did not feel out of place in my mind because I literally grew up with the characters in the movie. The first book came out when I was ten, exactly how old Harry was at the start of the first book. The first couple of books were filled with whimsy, and a light sense of something darker. But Voldermort (who really carries the darkness) was not really around for the first two books, so the darkness that has really come alive in the last few movies was not there. This was perfect for a young boy like me.

But as I got older, my taste matured, and just the fact that there was a magical world of kids my age performing spells would not have been enough to whet my appetite. But this did not happen. As the books progressed, they started to deal with death, love, and even awkward sexual tension, odd themes if these were just kids' books. As I got older and more mature,so did the characters, and so did the subject matter of the books. people Harry truly cared about, like Sirius who became kind of the closest thing harry had to a father, die trying to protect him. That cannot be an easy thing for a boy going through puberty to deal with. A normal 15-year-old would just be worrying about Cho Chang, but no, Harry also has to deal with the fact that wizards more powerful, and greater than himself, are literally sacrificing themselves so Harry can do something he has no grasp of whatsoever. That's heavy.

In actuality, the most recent film featured so much death that it could easily have received an "R" rating had there been more blood and less wands. And while I think the movies have done a fine job in attempting to convey the same sorts of emotions that the books did while having to cut some stuff due to time constraints, i think the one part the filmmakers missed the boat in the last movie is with death. Even though they made the last book into two movies, there are several occurances where things just kind of happen and are justglanced over. I don't want to get to spoilery, so I will leave names out, but in the penultimate battle scene, members of the Order of the Phoenix and other characters who we have gotten to know over the course of now 8 movies get killed. Not only do we not actually see this occur, but there are mentioned briefly with a tracking shot showing the dead bodies and some of their friends and family weeping over them.

Then it’s back to Harry. For a series that may seem like it’s about protecting the world or whatever, it was seven books long, and while Rowling isn't the best author ever, she'd have to be literally the worst author ever for us as readers to not have a connection with these characters. Ok sorry I’ve got to get into this some more. SPOILER: the fact that we barely get a mention of Lupin and Tonks' death or the Weasley twin dying made me quite angry in fact. While these were not the main characters they have more "face time" or "page time" then Voldermort or countless other characters. Neville Longbottom gets to look like a hero in the movie, but these three characters who have done plenty of heroic things over the course of the series aren't even granted the decency of dying on screen.

Also: WHERE WAS HAGRID???? He is in the last movie for like 5 minutes and after Harry saves the world or whatever, he comes up to him, hugs Harry then walks away. That’s it. No more Hagrid.

Okay, but enough complaining. I actually did really like the last movie. It was the shortest of all of them I believe, and at no point did it drag at all. We got big action set pieces, followed with some dialogue setting up what was going to happen next, followed by another big set piece. The film was well constructed and shot very well. They were also able to mine some small humorous moments out of dark material and not come across as cheesy. I also felt they dealt with the final scenes very well, especially Harry in the White Room, which also could have been cheesy but I thought worked.

All in all, i thought it was good ending to a series I have literally grown up with. Maybe not the best film adaptation of something I love a la "The Dark Knight" but still good nonetheless.

But one more thing: couldn't they have given old Harry an actual beard instead of stubble like he was 16? Shouldn't the most awesome wizard in the history of wizards be able to grow a decent beard? I mean, come on.

Bon Iver - Skinny Love - The Colbert Report
- Watch more Music Videos at Vodpod.

My First Celtic Festival

2011-07-14T11:01:00.004-04:00

This past weekend, Saline hosted its annual Celtic Festival, and I made my first visit. While I had read all of the previews and asked around, I still was not really sure what to expect from the festival. What I saw I was very happy with.

Whenever there is a big outdoor event like the Celtic Festival, it helps to have some nice weather. And while many of the people that I talked to while there made sure to comment about the heat (it was 91 on Saturday without the heat index)the sun was shining the whole day and there wasn't even a threat of bad weather.

Aside from it being extremely hot,the other thing most brought up to me was the fact that everyone either had a smile on their face or appeared to be having a good time, which is something I noticed myself. Again,this may be the weather,but I also think it has to do with the general atmosphere of the festival. I think one of the main things that made the atmosphere so great were the people who were working as the old-time Celts. While obviously knowledgeable about what they were talking about (swords, music, birds, haggis) many of the demonstrators also had a winking sense of humor,but not to the point where they where making light of the festival. To me, this seems like a great way to make sure the general public will get a kick out of the Celtic Festival. I know there are plenty of people out there (myself included) interested in history and how people used to live back in the day, but there are also plenty of people who aren't. Plenty of people who may not be super interested in the historical aspects still go to the Celtic Festival to see what it's about. If all the demonstrations were dry, straight historical recreations and completely lacked a sense of humor, it seems possible that the general 'everyone is having a great time' feeling may not be so prevalent.

However, it also helps that the people doing the demonstrations were good anyways, so maybe my last paragraph is moot. All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed my time at this year's Celtic Festival, and look forward to next years,as well as upcoming outdoor events in Saline like Summerfest coming up at the beginning of August.

Obama back to normal

2011-05-19T18:44:00.002-04:00

My old boss used to say that even a blind squirrel finds a nut every once in a while.

As so it is with President Obama, with the recent slaying of Osama bin Laden. Kudos all around.

But today, he says that Israel must return to its 1967 borders, to return land it seized as a buffer after being attacked by Arab nations.

The man has had some issue with Israel since he's been on the national stage, but I don't understand why.

Maybe, with someone like the president, it's best to use what is sometimes called "tough love." Treat him (and the United Stares) badly, and he responds positively, or at least doesn't try to push you around, like he did today with Israel.

Shameful. Better to provide more foreign aid to autocracies. Go figure.

Netflix Dominance Continues

2011-05-19T15:40:00.003-04:00

For a while now, streaming and on-demand video has been becoming the go-to way for many people across the country to watch their favorite movies and T.V. shows. For a while now, Netflix has had more subscribers than cable giant and now NBC owner ~~Kabletown~~ Comcast. Now, according to a report by Sandvine Global, what they call "Real-Time entertainment" or streaming videos, live TV such as the NCAA Tournament or on-demand services like Netflix and Hulu comprise around 50% of all bandwidth used in North America. According to the study, Netflix itself takes up around 30% of all bandwidth and prime-time hours.
We here at Heritage, as part of the media, have been turning our focus to online stories posted daily, videos, and other interactive and Web 2.0 style storytelling techniques to reach more reader. With this information, I have a question to pose to the readers of this blog: What do you prefer when it comes to taking in media? Do you prefer to read your news with a cup of coffee and the paper, or at a computer screen? Do you like to watch T.V. shows when the air or do you record them to watch later/watch on demand or on Hulu? Do you go to a video store to rent movies or do you utilize the expansive library offered by Netflix Instant?
Personally, utilize all of these things. I like the feeling of sitting down and making a ritual out of watching a T.V show, especially something that hooks me in each week a la Lost or Showtime's Dexter. But I also enjoy the convenience of being able to watch a show I missed on Hulu a few days later whenever I feel like it in my pajamas with a bowl of Cinnamon Toast Crunch. One way that i feel I'll want to hold onto the old times is with book, however. I've read on Kindles and it is not a totally unpleasant experience. but I still feel myself missing the feeling of the pages between my fingers, or ear-marking my favorite passages so that the book will never close again. But this is just one man's feelings, what do you think?

My Experience at Discover Milan Day

2011-05-19T14:10:00.002-04:00

Discover Milan Day 2011 on PhotoPeach

As of January, I had never been to Milan. Over the past few months I have gotten more and more familiar with the city, its people and how they feel about their community. I was excited to go to Discover Milan Day this year, hoping to see a small celebration of everything Milan has to offer, put on and supported by the people who care about it the most. While it may not have been what it possibly could have due to rain, I still enjoyed myself while there.
Luckily, when it did rain it remained warm enough so that while I was getting wet, it was never to the point where I was beginning to feel like it may begin to freeze to my shivering body. I was also kept warm by the spirits of the people who stuck around, or those who sowed up once the rain ceased. Everybody there was happy to be supporting the city they call home, or supporting a city that feels like home if they weren't actually from Milan. I look forward to more events like this in the future and hope that you enjoy some of these pictures I was able to get throughout the day.

P.S. I ended my last post with a Youtube video of a song that fit the theme of my post, so I think I'm going to make that my thing for all of these blog posts

A great day, yesterday

2011-05-01T08:35:00.002-04:00

I had my birthday party yesterday with my family. We went to play miniature golf, ate some delicious wings, and went to 4:30 Mass with Matthew, Crystal and Noah.

It was the first time that Noah had been in our church, and he was great - into everything, but well-behaved.

Last night, I watched the movie "The Electric Horseman" on TV with my wife Jan. I've watched it many times, but it still impresses and touches - a fun movie.

I Can't Fight this Feeling Anymore

2011-04-11T13:59:00.004-04:00

On Tuesday night I covered a poetry reading by the author Saleem Peeradina, who is an associate professor of English at Sienna Heights University down in Adrian. Before going I looked up a few of Peeradina poems trying to get a feel for what I was going to be hearing that night.

I only found a few that were available to read online, so I went into the reading basically a complete novice on the man and his poetry. I knew he was from India and that he had been writing poetry in English for decades, but I knew nothing really of his style or subject matter.

After looking back on the evening and reflecting on my gut reactions I have come to the decision that it really didn’t matter. A lot of art takes times to digest, but listening to the author read his work with some insight on how it came to fruition meant that I got a very good feel for what he was trying to get across.

I think this mostly stems from the fact that Peeradina’s poetry comes across like a large majority of the “media” or “art that I digest on a daily basis. Personally, the media that hits me the most and leaves the most lasting impression usually has a very specific quality. The piece (whether it’s an album, movie, book, poem, etc.) has its own personal nature and story, but also provides a critique about some sort of culture or even society as a whole.

To me, this shows the utmost of skill in the writer or auteur. Not to say I don’t enjoy things that aren’t this far-reaching, but I just think that works such as these stand out above the rest. Nor am I saying that after listening to Peeradina’s reading that I consider him to be the world’s greatest poet; it just evoked something within me that hadn’t been stirred in quite some time.

Being at the reading inspired me. It inspired me to write poetry for God’s sake which I haven’t done since the summer of 2009 when I was living by myself in Traverse City and I would go out to the beach at night and tap poems into my iPod. But I had just finished reading “Big Sur” by Jack Kerouac where he did this throughout most of the book (along with slowly killing himself with alcohol.)

But sitting in that little room at the Saline library I all of a sudden had the urge to sit down and start writing creatively again. Little lines starting coming to me in my head as I was sitting there listening to the poetry. I began to think of novels and screenplays, long gestating in the annals of my brain with absolutely no place for them to go.

Something else happened to me while listening to Peeradina. He said a couple of things that struck me very personally although he was talking to the whole room. “I am very self-critical,” he said, and also, said something to the effect that he tries not to use too many words and that that is something of a curse brought on by American writers.

Both of those things hold true to me, that I too am very self-critical (I think all of my creative writing: poems, short stories, screenplays, whatever are garbage even though they probably aren’t that bad) and as you can probably tell by this rambling thing, I use too many words. But I mean I did just cite Kerouac, the King of stream-of-conscience writing, so maybe I should lay the blame on him.

Kevin's face after reading his own creative writing

But I haven’t read Kerouac in years, so the other obvious author that I have fawned over as an aspiring writer and self-appointed “deep thinker” is Kurt Vonnegut. More so than Kerouac, Vonnegut’s writing very much does what I wrote about at the beginning of this piece. The most simple of Vonnegut’s sentences can say more about humanity than I could in lets see, 850 words. He also uses potty-language and drawings which as a man-child I thoroughly enjoy as well.

Kevin's face after finishing "Breakfast of Champions" by Kurt Vonnegut

So what I am trying to get at here is that you shouldn’t let your spirit of creativity die. Whether you once thought of yourself as a creative in a different lifetime but have been toiling away as an engineer for the past 30 years, or if you’ve never written anything in your life, I have a suggestion for you:

Go to a poetry reading, or a book reading, or a movie that isn’t designed to be enjoyed with your brain switched to “off” and instead makes you think about yourself and where you sit in this crazy world. Maybe it’ll get those creative juices flowing.

Or maybe it wont, I don’t know, I’m obviously rambling, but it definitely won’t be a waste of your time.

And miles to go before I sleep

2011-03-23T13:21:00.002-04:00

The following was submitted by The View staff reporter Jerry LaVaute:

Some days just seem to go on forever.

This job as a reporter is very different from the daily rhythms of my 31-year career at Ford.

There, I would arrive at the office about 8 a.m., and leave most days by 6 p.m.

I emphasize most days because my work schedule at Ford could vary dramatically, depending on the time of month or year, or the need to prepare for meetings with Ford senior management, voracious for all things data, particularly financial data.

When I retired, I saved the hard copy of my calendar on my last day at Ford – Jan. 20, 2009.

There were about eight meetings on my calendar for that day, about half of which I attended.

And my open assignments, which I also wrote on my calendar? There were over 20 of those.

Prioritizing and re-prioritizing assignments was a daily, and sometimes an hourly necessity. The to-do list that you prepared in your head during the morning commute was often ancient history by mid-morning – the only constant, it seemed, was change.

Working for the newspaper is very different. I start a little later each day, on average, but I sometimes end the day much later. On a recent Monday, I ended my workday at around 9 p.m., and the following night I worked past 11 p.m.

I work more on weekends, most often covering events scheduled for Saturday – morning, afternoon or evening.

There is travel, with potentially unproductive time in between appointments or assignments, which needs to be filled with productive work, including people to interview, meetings to attend, events to cover – and writing.

On Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, I had an interview with a guidance counselor at Belleville High School at 9:30 in the morning. We were developing a story on teen pregnancy, and she was very helpful.

After the interview, I went to the Belleville library and got some work done, using my new netbook computer. What a helpful addition that is – it allows me to be mobile, and still get my work done. If I’m in an area where I can receive a cell phone call, I have access to the Internet.

I left the library shortly before Noon, for another interview with a teacher at Haggerty School.

I returned again to the library, and left again for an interview at 3:15 p.m. with Todd Knepper, who recently resigned his post as Director of Public Works for Van Buren Township.

I have enjoyed working with Todd for the last couple years, and wanted to chat with him before he left for his new job.

At 4 p.m., the VBT work -study meeting began, and lasted till a bit a after 5 p.m.

I headed out and drove to the city of Milan to attend a 6:30 p.m. city council work- study meeting, where the mayor and the council members discussed their upcoming budget.

At around 7:45, they began their regular meeting, which I also covered for the newspaper. I think I got home to the Belleville area around 9 p.m.

Early the next morning, I wrote a story about the council meeting in Milan, added it to our website, and sent it to my editor for publication in the newspaper.

At 11 a.m., I left again for Milan, this time for an interview with a teacher at Milan High School for the story on teen pregnancy.

Back in Belleville, I had a 2:30 p.m. interview with a teacher at Edgemont for a story on Flat Stanley, a character in a series of children’s books. After the interview, I went home for a bit.

At 7 p.m., I rousted myself from my easy chair and traveled to the VBT Board of Trustees meeting scheduled for 7:30 p.m. That lasted almost four hours, and I arrived home at 11:30 p.m.

The following day, I wrote a couple stories about the previous night’s meeting, and submitted them to my editor for publication the following day in the newspaper.

The rest of the day was spent writing, with a visit to the vet for my dog Maisie interrupting my work.

The following day, newspaper publication day, I went to my office and worked till about 2 p.m., when I left for an annual physical with my doctor in Canton.

I stayed in Canton, again visiting the library there with my computer, and wrote a bit more until a budget meeting at 7 p.m. at my church in Canton.

It was a busy week, punctuated by appointments, listening, making notes, taking photos, filming videos, travel, asking questions, and the story-writing process, that often follows some set patterns, but each story unfolds in its own unique way – part of the reason that I like this job.

Gerald LaVaute is a staff writer for Heritage Newspapers. He can be reached at glavaute@heritage.com or call 1-734-429-7380. Check out our staff blog at courierviewnews.blogspot.com

Hello World

2011-03-21T15:19:00.007-04:00

Hello readers, my name is Kevin Doby and I am the new staff writer for the Saline Reporter and the Milan News/Leader. I am a recent college graduate, having earned my Journalism B.A. from Western Michigan University at the end of August. While there, I covered University events and Kalamazoo community news for the student paper, the Western Herald.

I have actually been working for Heritage for the past couple of months in multiple capacities, starting in the middle of January. I covered local news in Chelsea and Dexter for a couple weeks followed by another couple of weeks doing news for Ypsilanti and Bellville. Most recently I have spent the last couple of months covering sports for Saline and Milan so if you've been keeping up with the Sports hopefully my name is not totally unfamiliar to you. I am excited to start this new job and stay in these two beautiful communities for the long haul. Going to sporting events and talking to parents/teachers/coaches, I have had nothing but positive experiences and I hope to add to those very soon.

Outside of the newsroom I am interested in sports (Go Lions!), music and am an absolute film buff. I attended high school at Okemos High School outside of Lansing and while there I participated in varsity football, baseball and track. I also spent the summer after my junior year of college living Traverse City working as an archival assistant on the Michael Moore movie "Capitalism: A Love Story" which was interesting in several aspects.

If anybody out there in cyberspace has any ideas for things you would like to see covered in the paper, I would love to hear to hear from you all. I can be reached in multiple ways: please feel free to comment on these blog posts which I will be posting at least once a week, maybe more. I can also be reached through email at kdoby@heritage.com.(Oh and I also love food too, so if anyone has any story ideas that include this young writer stuffing his face that would be great.)

Counting my blessings

2011-03-11T14:13:00.005-05:00

I often envy others who live in southern Caifornia, or down south in Florida, or in places nearer the ocean.

But as many are suffering in Japan and perhaps across the Pacific, I often count my blessings as a resident of the industrial midwest, here in southeastern Michigan.

I said to my wife Jan this morning that I was prepared to take a couple inches of snow, as I began to hear the news of the earthquake in Japan.

We're generally very fortunate here regarding the weather. About 50 inches of snow each year, meted out in managegeable amounts.

We get periods in spring and summer that are delightful, and our fall days - football weather - can be enchanting.

Few tornadoes, fewer earthquakes, no tsunamis. I remember years ago reading an April Fool's day story in the Free Press about recently-discovered freshwater sharks in the Lake of Michigan. A photo accompanied the story, as a menacing fin sliced through the water just behind a water skier being pulled by a boat.

We can laugh, because it's so absurd. No sharks here, right?

As I count my blessings, I pray for those who have been injured, or worse, by a horrific disaster.
I'll join my fellow parishioners in communal prayer at St. Thomas a' Becket in Canton this weekend, and dig a little deeper into my wallet to provide some financial assistance.

Because I know from past experience that we will respond to the call.

It's hard not to look

2011-03-09T14:23:00.005-05:00

Just five minutes into the video, I had to stop watching. The incoherent ramblings not making any sense at all, it was all too familiar. In the meantime, the Twitter monitor on the side of my screen kept ticking along, brimming with comments as more and more people chimed in.

Yes, I was watching Charlie Sheen’s new online video show called “Sheen’s Korner.” I had to. Sure, it was like watching a train wreck but I couldn’t help it. He was ranting about the various executives at CBS who all played a role in firing him from “Two and a Half Men.” I could only watch for a few minutes and then I had this feeling come over me.

Guilt.

I felt guilty for watching it. It became sad to me, watching a man who is clearly disturbed, ranting and raving while, in the meantime, is being cheered on by millions of followers and unfortunately, people like me who watch his shows. I compare it to a party in college. You know this kid shouldn’t do another keg stand because he is clearly wasted, but you watch. Only to see him fall.

While Sheen is clearly above college age, his situation is obviously much more serious. He’s been dealing with substance abuse issues for years. By no means am I educated in the field of substance abuse or psychology, but I can tell you one thing. He’s on the fast track and derailment is in the near future. In the words of one of my favorite Eagles’ songs “Life in the fast lane, sure to make you lose your mind.”

I’m wondering if I’m the only one who feels ashamed when I watch or read about TV or movie stars who are clearly heading for disaster? I know, it’s hard to not to, but what if we all just stopped? Easier said than done, I guess.

Kroger: Two Days Before

2011-01-31T15:28:00.004-05:00

I was in Milan this morning, heading to the senior center when I noticed something strange at Kroger.

I stopped by in order to pick up some batteries for my work camera as the old ones had died while I was taking photographs at Winterfest in Saline over the weekend.

When I pulled into the parking lot, there was barely a spot to be found. Strange, I thought, for mid-morning on a Monday.

Walking in, I could see aisle after aisle of shoppers with carts packed to the brim and lines of people checking out several people deep at each register.

It didn't click in my mind what was happening until I overheard a man and his wife talking about the coming snowstorm, predicted to drop around a foot of snow in the area Tuesday into Wednesday.

I don't know why, maybe because I live in an area where I'm walking distance to many stores and other facilities, but I never have been one to stockpile food and water in such situations beyond whatever basics my wife and I have in our pantry.

Perhaps to my detriment, but the Kroger situation just seemed highly unusual to me. How long do they anticipate being stuck at home?

Anyway, it made me wonder what other type of preparations people make prior to heavy snow.

Do you worry when you hear the weatherman predict large amounts of the heavy wet stuff, or do you go with the flow and chalk it all up to a normal Midwestern winter?

Ford legacy in Washtenaw County

2011-01-06T12:42:00.002-05:00

A colleague and I are considering reporting on Henry Ford's legacy in Washtenaw County, detailing efforts the famous automaker made to convert existing buildings in these communities into alternatively-powered production facilities.
If there is anyone out there who can remember back to the 1930s or early 1940s when Ford was heavily involved in this area, or has family and friends who do, please get in contact with me.
Any type of photos or other artifacts concerning Ford in Washtenaw County would also be appreciated.
We plan to cover our bases by utilizing several of the local historical societies, but would like to add a more personal touch as well with firsthand accounts and memories.

The Dreaded New Year's Resolution

2010-12-27T15:56:00.004-05:00

Quite a few people I know make personal resolutions around the New Year, some obligating themselves to more healthful practices, while others become devoted to nixing bad habits.
This is fairly common, even prompting cliche jokes about the prevalence of folks breaking such pledges by February.
I hear much less, however, about people resolving to better the communities they live in, or some small portion of them, as their game plan for January and beyond.
This thought prompted me to ask, here in blog form, if there are any of you out there in Saline and Milan who feel passionately about making a real difference in some way in 2011.
If you have made a New Year's resolution of this kind, get in touch with me at showard@heritage.com.
I know you're out there, as I have met some extraordinarily giving people in both of these great cities.

Unconventional career paths for new graduates

2010-12-20T08:45:00.005-05:00

We're considering beginning a new series at Heritage for our Washtenaw County papers, profiling recent college graduates who have taken unconventional career paths due to problems many have come across in finding more traditional jobs.

If you are someone in that general geographic area who has used your own creativity to start a new business endeavor, or joined an unlikely work force, we would like to hear from you.

Of course, if you know of someone who fits the bill, please let us know as well.

You can email responses to showard@heritage.com.

The Big Chill was an event to remember

2010-12-13T11:36:00.002-05:00

My wife and I attended 'The Big Chill at the Big House' over the weekend, and the event was, collectively, something I will not soon forget.

We were also able to get two tickets for my mother and father-in-law, both HUGE hockey fans, so to share in their excitement was wonderful as well.

Seeing over 113,000 people sitting outside for three hours in December was pretty amazing. Even though the temperature was in the low 40s when the game began, the weather got much colder as the sun disappeared.

The highlight for me, however, was watching as a B-2 Stealth Bomber flew over the stadium following the National Anthem.

It sort of crept up with little sound, thus the plane's name, and the roar could only be heard after it had flown past.

The Stealth flew fairly close to us, but you couldn't really see any distinguishing features such as a cockpit or landing gear. It just looked like a black triangle sweeping by.

Awe-inspiring to say the least.

116 W. Michigan Ave. comes down

2010-12-06T12:42:00.003-05:00

I had a straight shot out of my window last week as 116 W. Michigan Ave. was being demolished.

The owner of the auto shop that sits behind the former residence said he tried to rent the structure out for quite some time to no avail, and that it was blocking his business so that customers were having a difficult time finding him.

Thus, it needed to come down.

So, the building was demolished in a matter of hours, and will now become parking for the repair facility, as they were formerly renting spaces from the church next door.

I was told the home was built in the early 1900s, perhaps 1909, and would like to hear from any of you who might know something about the original family who put it up.

Even if you know of the house being occupied by another family for any significant time span, that would be of interest to.

I did an article on the demo for this week's Reporter, but would like to do a follow up with some context and history of the place.

Send me a message at showard@heritage.com

Holiday parades in Saline and Milan

2010-11-29T12:10:00.003-05:00

Doing the preview articles for the holiday parades in Saline and Milan made me think back on all of the parades I've been to over the years, both as a child and into my adult life.

I've had many wonderful experiences, such as the one my wife and I enjoyed in Detroit last week as we went to the Thanksgiving Day Parade with my mom and dad.

The temperatures were quite fine that day for late November, and the projected rain held off so as to make for near ideal conditions.

The assortment of floats, balloons, bands and the like were all fantastic as well.
Memories of times such as these seem burn themselves into my brain the way few others do, and made me wonder what parades and related holiday events of years' past have stuck with you?

A collaboration of memories would make for a wonderful article for an edition around the new year.

If you have thoughts, memories, photographs and the like that you want to share, please email me at showard@heritage.com

Coffee shop hour in Saline this week

2010-11-24T10:31:00.004-05:00

For anyone who wants to meet with me in Saline and talk about topics of interest or concern (see previous blog post), I'll be at 'My Favorite Cafe' Thursday morning (12-2) at 10 a.m. for an hour or a bit more.

I'm interested in hearing what's important to you, so be sure to join me.

Milan 100th birthday video, 1985

2010-11-18T09:12:00.003-05:00

All of you Back the the Future fans out there get ready to be jealous, as I was transported 25 years back in time last night at the Milan Senior Center.

All right, not really, but I was able to watch a video taken in 1985 by Vern Campbell at events surrounding Milan's 100 year birthday celebration.

It was interesting to see how many people were involved in various aspects of the goings-on.

A theatrical production about Milan's incorporation as a village was particularly amazing, as it seemed to involve the whole town and was said to have been five weeks in rehearsal.

At other points, kids could be seen canoeing out on Ford Lake, and the kangaroo court on Main Street seemed to make everyone laugh all these years later.

A lot of familiar faces are in the video, and some great shots of city landmarks can be seen.

The VHS technology is a bit primitive by current standards, but still well worth viewing.

The historical society is selling copies of the videos for $15 if you weren't able to make it.

You can contact the society via www.historicmilan.com

Coffee and conversation this Thursday in Milan

2010-11-15T11:22:00.005-05:00

I received a bit of feedback concerning my Facebook inquiry about having an hour or two each week set aside to meet with community members at a local business in order to discuss topics they'd like to see in the paper, or, more generally, simply what's going on in town.

I'm going to start off this week in Milan at the Lighthouse Coffee Co., 9 W. Main St.

I'll be there Thursday morning (11-18) starting at about 10 a.m. and hang around for at least an hour.

I'll just be working there if I don't see anyone show up, so drop in anytime if you can make it before 11 a.m. or so.

Bring your ideas; I can't wait to hear them.

Saline Area Schools new bond issue, your thoughts?

2010-11-11T10:20:00.008-05:00

It appears likely that a new bond issue for Saline Area Schools will be put on the ballot for voters to decide upon sometime in the near future.

With the previous bond issue failing over the summer, I'm interested to hear from those of you who voted either in favor of or against the measure, and I'd like to know your reasoning for doing so.

Also of interest would be those of you who cast a vote previously and have since changed your mind. Of course the relevant information would be why you did so.

All of this can be used in a future article to help better contextualize what all of this means to the district and surrounding community.

Thank you for your help.

Send me a message at showard@heritage.com, or call me on Google Voice by clicking the link.

Check out the Winter Farmer's Market in Saline

2010-11-06T16:05:00.002-04:00

I walked down to the Winter Farmer's Market in Saline this morning.

It certainly was cold, perhaps only in the mid-twenties, but the stroll from the Reporter only took about five minutes to get over to where the market is housed next to HSA.

City council member David Rhoads helped organize the endeavor, which is taking place for the first time this year. Rhoads said vendors from the ever-popular summer market were really wanting a place to sell their veggies for a few additional months.

He had renters move out of the building next door to his home remodeling business, and because he owns the space, Rhoads committed the location through December for use as a market.

There are some great late-season vegetables still available, such as potatoes and squash, as well as some great holiday gifts and crafts.

Check it out next Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at 199 W. Michigan Ave.

Perhaps the best part is that you can get your produce and not have to face the elements.

What's your favorite part of the Saline Community Fair?

2010-09-03T17:00:00.003-04:00

It seems all of those I've spoken too about the Saline Community Fair couldn't be more excited for this beloved annual event to get under way.

That said, different people have expressed interest in various aspects of the fair, with everyone seeming to have their own traditions associated with the event.

With this in mind, I'm considering generating an article, or two, by following around several folks, attempting to experience the fair from their diverse points of view.

If you're interested in sharing your fair-related traditions or rituals with myself and our reading audience, contact me as soon as possible at showard@heritage.com.

Milan schools are looking great

2010-09-02T13:17:00.003-04:00

I hope all of you have the chance to check out my article on the summer-long renovations that are currently wrapping up at Paddock, Symons and Milan Middle School.

http://heritage.com/articles/2010/09/02/milan_news_leader/news/doc4c7d77ac3a2c8361505521.txt

Superintendent Girbach gave me an extensive tour last week, and his assertion that most everything is new other than the cinder block walls seems very obviously true.

He said his goal in all of this was to modernize the buildings, via the millage funds approved in February of 2009, so that the district can stop spending such an egregious amount of operating funds simply maintaining failing infrastructure every year.

This way, as Girbach said, these dollars can stay in the classrooms where they belong.

He said these refurbished school buildings are something the children attending them can be proud of, and that they are safe and secure and will be ready to open September 7.

That said, Girbach also mentioned the district will hold a community open house this year in addition to the parental open house, so that all who are interested can see for themselves how their tax dollars are being spent.

Expect a date for the community open house to be announced soon. Girbach said it will likely be in October.

Renovations to the high school and the construction of a new team building will take place next summer.

Out of the Darkness Community Walk

2010-08-23T11:00:00.002-04:00

On September 19, the annual 'Out of the Darkness Community Walk' will take place at Gallup Park in Ann Arbor to benefit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

This is the local version of a national effort to raise money for various suicide prevention initiatives, including funding clinical research and providing help to those in need.

There are also several other local walks on subsequent weekends, including the Downriver walk in Brownstown on October 10 in which my wife, Jackie, and I are participating.

This is a cause dear to our hearts, as Jackie's brother, Eddie, took his own life just over three weeks ago.

We will be walking in his honor at the Brownstown event, given the location was the best fit for all of Eddie's family and friends who were looking to participate. Many live in the surrounding area.

However, if you can participate locally in Ann Arbor, or at any of the other walks listed on the Web site, please do so.

You can also sponsor a walker if you would like.

The AFSP says 90 people die by suicide every day in the United States, and that 2,300 more attempt to kill themselves.

This is staggering.

Please help in any way you can. Walk, donate, spread the word, whatever.

Our team is called 'Team Edziu.' Here's the link:

http://afsp.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.team&eventID=1052&teamID=17152

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's Web site is www.afsp.org.

My childhood was parked on Broadway Street

2010-08-02T14:40:00.003-04:00

I was driving down Broadway Street in Ann Arbor this morning after a great early interview with Kay Yourist of Yourist Studio Gallery. (They have some wonderful pieces of art there!)

The sun was shining fairly brightly and an intense glare came off of one particular car in the distance parked on the north side of the street.

As I got closer, I realized it was a Delorean. Not only a Delorean, but a perfect, flawless, manual trans Delorean. The stainless steel couldn't have been more polished.

It was just sitting there so I stopped for a few minutes and gawked, no doubt the neighbors thought I was a crazy man.

To understand my fascination with this car, one must realize Back to the Future was the absolute final word in motion picture filmaking according to my 12-year-old self.

Even now, close to 30, I can sit down on a weekend and digest the trilogy with complete attention and awe.

So needless to say, the event made my day.

But wait, there's more.

Not 200 yards down the street, parked on the same side, was an old Ford Taurus painted to resemble the Ecto 1 featured in the Ghostbusters films and tv show.

Of course, the real Ecto 1 was a Cadillac hearse, but I found this amusing non-the-less given my dad had a white Taurus very similar to this one and I always thought it would be cool as a kid if he would paint the Ghostbuster emblems on it.

I'm not quite certain what all of this means, but it made me slow down a bit and remember for a while.

Perhaps that's good enough in and of itself.

My Experience

2010-08-02T10:38:00.008-04:00

My name is Devin Bow and my experience at the B.Side of Youth program and my job shadowing at The Saline Reporter was very interesting. What I learned in the B.Side is learning how to do web development. I've learned how to use html code and ap div. I have also no how to do video production. Our group did an interview with Corey about exercising and staying in shape. We also went all over the town to shoot B roll. Journalism was all about coming up with ideas and brainstorming for your articles. We have spent two weeks on journalism. My favorite parts of the program was video production and web development.

In my job shadowing on the last day, I did an interview with Leslee Niethammer, the directer from Saline District Library, about the children's summer program. That was my first time in the Saline library. I have also learn time, date, place of an upcoming event into the heritage calendar. I also talk to a person on the phone who wrote about an upcoming event in Ann Arbor. I asked questions about the event to her.

This experience will guide me through college although my main career is to be a carpenter. I also have a back up career to be in the game designing industry. I'm still in the works of becoming a carpenter due to my experience in the Regional Career Technical Center program in high school.

Results of our recent online polls

2010-07-25T18:05:00.002-04:00

Results of our recent online polls:
How do watch newer movies at home:
39 percent: NetFlix or Blockbuster by mail
29 percent: Pay-per-view on cable
23 percent: Traditional movie rentals
10 percent: Watch on premium cable channels

Do you think summer will be:
63 percent: Hotter than normal
25 percent: End much too soon
12 percent: Quite normal
0 percent: Cooler than normal

When mowing the lawn, do you:
78 percent: Do it yourself
11 percent: Get a family member to do it
8 percent: Hire a service
3 percent: Pay a neighbor

How do fireworks figure into your Fourth of July celebration:
47 percent: Neither, not into fireworks
32 percent: Go watch professional fireworks show
13 percent: Some of both
8 percent: Do-it-yourself backyard fireworks

I need feedback on the best and brightest from Saline and Milan!

2010-07-22T10:00:00.006-04:00

I would like to put together a series of articles on the people that make Saline and Milan great cities to live in.
There are a lot of wonderful things happening in both places, and I'd like to hear about the folks who are central in putting everything together.
So, friends, family and neighbors, I'm counting on you to pass along the names and contact information of the people you know who are worthy of the spotlight given their involvement with civic functions,church groups, non-profits and the like.
Just send me an email at showard@heritage.com and tell me why the person, or people, you nominated deserve to be heard about.

A2 townie party was a blast

2010-07-20T11:19:00.005-04:00

I hope many of you had a chance last night, as my wife and I did, to attend the annual pre-art fair tradition, the townie party.

Held on the grounds just south of Rackham Hall on North University, it is a collaboration of free music, giveaways and art created by local kids and teens.

My wife bought a lovely bracelet from a young artist for only $2, and the look on the girl's face when she made the sale was very sweet. It was a mixture of amazement, joy and pride all rolled into one.

There was row upon row of similarly wonderful art, and the prices were fantastic. It is good to know Ann Arbor incubates artists from such a young age.

The music attracted a large crowd as well, as did the many booths of local businesses and organizations giving away freebies and promoting what they do.

I talked with representatives from the proposed Ann Arbor Skate Park, who were raising funds and getting the word out about their cause. Many people, in fact, could be seen sporting temporary skate park tattoos that organizers were happy to affix to them, all in an effort to help raise the $1 million said to be needed for the endeavor.

All in all, my wife and I had a wonderful time and the rain held off until the later evening.

For those of you new to town this year, and who perhaps missed the event, try it out next year. It will give you a new appreciation for the calm before the art fair storm, and provide a new understanding of some of the best things going on in the city.

Medical marijuana: What are your thought?

2010-07-15T11:48:00.003-04:00

I've covered two city council meetings in the last month in which Milan city leaders have addressed the issue of medical marijuana.
Many other cities and municipalities around the state, including Saline, have had to have similar conversations in the wake of state-level legislation that legalized the drug for those with certain health issues.
Saline imposed a moritorium.
Milan passed a resolution asking state leaders to clarify the ambiguity.
Much of the debate lies in apparent discrepancies between state and federal laws concerning marijuana, with the feds still technically able to prosecute licensed growers and users in Michigan.
I'd like to hear from readers as to what all of you think should be done about it, if anything, for an upcoming edition. Please email me at showard@heritage.com.

Facing breaking news from the other side

2010-07-14T12:19:00.003-04:00

Something serious happened last night. Not in Saline or Washtenaw County- but in Mount Pleasant, the city I reside in nine months out of the year, as a student at Central Michigan University.

There was a fatal shooting at a bar called The Cabin near CMU's campus.

I got a text message from a friend about a possible shooting at the local restaurant/bar. As a reporter for Central Michigan Life, I did what any reporter would do: forwarded it over to Central Michigan Life's Editor-in-Chief, Eric Dresden. He replied simply, "Yeah I'm here. It's bad Randi."

Even though I was in Grand Rapids, away from the scene and not involved with the development of the story, the shooting still impacted me as a reporter, especially since I work for Central Michigan Life during the school year.

The shooting also impacted me as an employee of The Cabin, the bar the shooting occurred at.

I have covered breaking news before. I've covered a fatal car crash and interviewed the father of the victim at the scene. This, on the other hand, was different.

I was afraid. My coworkers were in that building. My friends- work family. People I know, care about. Putting a face, multiple faces even, with a shooting is terrifying. It's not just a job anymore, covering breaking news. It's real.

After a terrifying drive home with a dead cell phone battery, not knowing what was going on, I tore through the front door toward my laptop and my phone charger. I found out all my coworkers were physically safe and unharmed, and then the second emotion began to jump in. Confusion.

One of my coworkers updated her Facebook status, stating that CM Life was the most "disrespectful, rude, awful publication ever" for the way the reporter and photographer at the scene covered the shooting.

This is the first time I've ever been able to somewhat put myself in a sources shoes, and gain a little bit of understanding as to how they feel after an incident this large.

When the building you work in has just been shot up, the last thing you want to do is submit to photographs and interviews from the media. When you've been working on a production day for 12 hours to put a newspaper together, the last thing you want to do is work for another three hours, covering a fatal shooting. It can't be easy for either party.

There's nothing illegal about interviewing and photographing witnesses to a murder. It's a touch insensitive, but necessary. How else is news going to be reported? This just struck me as different because it's the first time I've ever had a glimpse into the shoes of a crime witness, instead of looking at the situation from a reporter's angle.

I'm interested to see what further experiences similar to this one my career will bring.

This is the updated link to Central Michigan Life's story on the fatal shooting that occurred last night at The Cabin in Mount Pleasant, Mich.:

http://www.cm-life.com/2010/07/14/man-killed-after-being-shot-at-the-cabin/

Reality Check: Practice makes... perfect?

2010-07-13T20:53:00.017-04:00

My first assignment was, needless to say, a frantic blur of nodding heads and pen jolted upon paper.

Being on my high school newspaper staff for two years now, I was prepared for smooth, suave interviews: administration strictly stating school dress code policies and off-campus lunch privileges in slow, monotone voices as I calmly (and cooly) took their words down on paper in neat print.

Journalism was always a step-process for me.

I first discovered the appeal of it as a ten-year-old who never stopped asking questions.

The first time a dinner party guest asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I blurted out, "Journalist," watching the word sink heavily into the air as her mouth puckered up in a surprised, "Oh?"

My dad chuckled, waved it off as a mere "fad".

I mean, after all, I'd wanted to be a ballerina, SeaWorld dolphin trainer, kindergarten teacher (When I was in kindergarten), and now journalist? Give it a break.

But the fad morphed into obsessively lingering over news magazines, daily newspapers, online journals; taking a primarily seniors-only Journalism class in ninth grade, where I sat in the front row, "FRESHMAN" stamped achingly across my forehead.

I joined the school paper staff my sophomore year at Pioneer High School.

After being on the Optimist staff for two years, pursuing a career in journalism is something I've become increasingly interested in. I see it as a field I can genuinely be passionate about -- a job that's not too much office work, never dry, never monotone, a job where you're always learning something. Asking questions and being able to receive the answers to them, to understand so much about an issue you previously had limited or zero knowledge upon, is invigorating. It gives me a sense of energy that I can rarely find within the pages of a textbook. Furthermore, journalism is crucial in a community -- it should be a reliable mode of perception, and obviously, information for members.

Now, with the newspaper print business slightly wilting (Psst: AnnArbor.com), I feel it's an even more urgent and exciting time for my generation to enter the arena. In an era where I -- and other youth like me -- have grown up with mainly media and technology molding our culture. We have the potential to shape the field leaning towards two modes we're familiar with; two modes we've had access to and will have access to that past generations have never had before. By going into the field, we're essentially delving and becoming a part of something looming and large that will completely reconstruct the past definition of "journalism" and "newspaper". With the Internet, we're able to incorporate multiple forms of media -- just take a look on the Heritage Newspapers web page. Video, photography slide shows, those are just the first few forms that have ventured into the new realm of digital journalism so far.

We have so much yet to unravel.

Which is one of the reasons why I decided to start interning for Heritage Newspapers this summer.

My experience up until this point with the field has been limited. As I mentioned before, many interviews I conducted with the school paper were very well-structured: interview a few members of the student body, who throw out a couple sentences that are readily inked on paper. Interview a teacher, who purposely talks slowly for you to obtain all the right words. Interview administration, who talks extra slowly; bring in a tape recorder to make sure you get the quote exactly right.

Don't get me wrong, working on my high school newspaper is one of the best decisions I've made thus far at Pioneer. It's helped me learn how to branch out, reach out to all members of the student body opposed to just one group. And it's definitely worthy in terms of gaining time management skills, public speaking skills, and people skills. I've learned a myriad about writing journalistically, editing, leading a group of people as well. Plus, being the first in on campus decisions always has its perks.

But working on a high school newspaper provides for a very narrow point-of-view for an aspiring journalist. Up until this summer, I had never really interviewed a member of the larger (non-school) community in-depth before.

Which is the other reason why I decided to intern for Heritage Newspapers.

Coming into the internship, I had some very narrow expectations.

My first assignment was a trip to downtown Ann Arbor, where I interviewed Michigan Peaceworks members about their satirical "Bake Sale for Bombs". It was a struggle. I'd never interviewed any member of the community before, and I found myself frantically trying to keep up with note-taking, question-asking, and listening all at once; skills that had before seemed so trivial and natural. I didn't own a reporter's notebook. I ended up jotting notes down all across my folder, which later, proved painful to decipher. It took me hours to come up with a decent headline. Everything seemed so bold. The need for accuracy and perspective was suddenly ten times as much as it had been for a school paper. Everything needed to be perfect.

Or did it?

Needless to say, I've had a reality check.

The past assignments and articles I've turned in so far have all been returned with hefty editing, and, in most cases, need revision and addition of new sources. But the editing process of this internship have, so far, taught me more than a year's worth of being News Editor of the Pioneer Optimist have. The interactions I've had with people -- in-person, email, phone -- have been remarkably refreshing. It's work, a ton more than I expected. But it's work that makes you energized when you see your article in print, online, you see that your body of words -- from the interviews, the photography, the typing of the article -- all that is teaching somebody, somewhere, more about an issue than they'd previously known.

It's a field where I'm learning. And not only about issues important to the community as a whole, but the right style, the necessary point-of-views needed to construct a story that will do justice to its readers, that will help others gain a clearer picture of a dilemma, an event,

maybe change somebody's opinion on a certain issue, maybe change their decision to vote for a certain party, or donate to a certain charity.

There's so much journalists can do and I've only started to gain a huge appetite for the possibility of it all. Hopefully that appetite is never quenched, hopefully the learning never ceases -- and neither does the teaching.

I can only cross my fingers.

The excitement builds

2010-07-01T10:27:00.006-04:00

As I came into work this morning, the 20' (perhaps?) Labatt Blue bottle in the middle of South Ann Arbor Road was my first indication today was to be no ordinary day.

The bottle is part of the advertising for the Bid for a Cure event taking place at the Brecon Grille in Saline this afternoon.

I walked over a few minutes ago and talked with one of the organizers, Shani Inge, wife of Detroit Tiger Brandon Inge.

She set up an interview with Brandon and I this afternoon (sweet!) and we went over the times for the major happenings.

She told me the Verve Pipe has a pretty loyal following and their show will be a big hit and, of course, the baseball players signing autographs will be a fan favorite.

The event kicks off in about a half-hour, at 11 a.m., and runs until the Brecon Grille closes at 12 a.m.

Come on over, meet some players, listen to some music, eat some food and support a worthy cause.

The picture is of organizers Shani, Corey and Kate.

Another severe storm and tornado

2010-06-24T11:49:00.004-04:00

Last night brought another major rain storm and reported tornado to the area.

Reports suggest that a tornado touched down between Saline and Milan near Saline Milan Road and Jewell Road.

I live in north Ann Arbor and watched off of my balcony as most of the major fronts moved south of us. (See photo)

Fortunatly, my wife and I didn't have the flooding issues we had with the last major storm, and it sounds like those in the proximity of the tornado were also largely spared from damage.

I'd like to hear from those of you in Saline and Milan with tales to tell concerning last night's storm.

If you would like to share your experience for an article in this coming week's paper, email me at showard@heritage.com.

Results from our latest polls

2010-06-23T13:44:00.002-04:00

When do you start getting interested in the Primary Election?
Never: 36 percent
July, closer to the election: 23 percent
Just days prior to the election: 21 percent
After petitions have been filed: 21 percent

What qualities do you look for in a political leader?
Independent thinker: 55 percent
Rapport with 'regular folks': 17 percent
Experience: 17 percent
Agent of change: 10 percent

How did you spend Memorial Day?
Did nothing in particular: 51 percent
Attended community Memorial Day events: 21 percent
Attended a family picnic: 20 percent
Spent time at the pool or lake: 7 percent

What do you do about child care in the summer?
Family members: 40 percent
Summer camps: 32 percent
Daycare facility: 20 percent
Babysitters: 8 percent

What do you really do when there's a tornado warning?
Cautiously wait and see: 49 percent
Take cover in the basement: 31 percent
Ignore it: 11 percent
Take cover in a room without windows: 8 percent

Family Fun Day at Two Twelve Arts Center: Part II

2010-06-16T13:28:00.006-04:00

Editor's Note: Below is a story Steven Howard wrote after attending the Two Twelve Arts Center's Family Fun Day. Unfortunately, we had double coverage, as our intern, Randi Shaffer, was there, as well. We ran Randi's story on our website and in print and I thought I'd post Steve's story here so it wasn't a total waste of time. Enjoy!

The Two Twelve Arts Center in Saline held its ‘Carnival of Art’ Family Fun Day on Saturday, offering an abundance of art-related activities as well as many other forms of family entertainment.

Andrew and Deb Hamman, of Saline, brought their three children to the event after reading about all of the exciting things going on there.

Hamman said Tommy, 6, Sarah, 3, and Andrew, 1, participated in a number of the games and activities.

“We’ve done the water color, face painting, the raffle,” he said. “The kids love it.”

Art instructor Cindy Baxter was teaching children and adults how to make enormous bubbles using a special bubble-blowing device.

As she instructed Carter Baxter, 6, of Saline, Harris said good bubbles come from a good bubble mix.

“It’s all up to the bubble solution,” she said, suggesting she tried several different mixtures and percentages before arriving at an agreeable formula.

Another entertaining moment came when Pat Collins and Leo Babcock performed their classic comedy routine.

Babcock said he thoroughly enjoys enacting segments, such as the “Who’s on First” bit they staged on Saturday.

“I’ve always been kind of a sing and dance man by night,” he said,” architect by day.”

Babcock also regularly appears with the Dexter Community Players.

Collins, who can be seen with the Saline Area Players, said the pair’s act came naturally.

“We just started doing it,” said the 30 year Saline resident.

Babcock said the pair began practicing the classic comedy routine about three years ago.

Also at the event was Lillian Collins, who was collecting money for the organization ‘Milk Money for Mali.’

Collins said she decided she needed to do something about the pervasive child homelessness problem in the country after traveling there with university colleagues.

“I went to Mali on a study abroad program through Michigan State University,” she said. “It’s pretty hard not to notice the problem of childhood homelessness there.”

MMFM collects money to be sent to the impoverished nation, which goes toward the most vital staples such as milk.

“We’ve sent almost $1,000,” Collins said, indicating the funds raised are transported directly by an MSU faculty member.

Once the school where many homeless children attend received the most recent money, administrators were immediately able to buy a large supply of milk, something they had run out of recently.

“She went out and bought 14 boxes of 45 bottles of milk,” Collins said.

As with the theme of the day, Collins also offered a booth with traditional Malian textile painting.

She also sold handmade t-shirts with the organizations logo for $15.

Also on display on Saturday, were many pieces by local artist Robert Kinsey.

Gaines Collins said Kinsey first displayed his work at Two Twelve as part of a collaborative teen exhibit, but his work made him stand out from the crowd.

“He was just exceptional,” she said.
Kinsey’s collection is called ‘Rust’ and will be available for viewing at the center until June 30.

The Two Twelve Art Center is located at 212 W. Michigan Ave. in Saline.

Sometimes event coverage gets to me

2010-06-15T00:08:00.005-04:00

I've covered multiple charity events within my few years as a college reporter/ intern. Some of them include coverages of a powderpuff football game for cancer, a "jock rock" event to benefit Haiti relief, a mascot basketball game to benefit the American Lung Association and a blood drive competition for the American Red Cross.

The most recent charity event I had a chance to cover, however, was the Michigan Chapter of the ALS's Gears and Beers, ride for a cure.

This event, like most charity events, was simple. Grab some sponsors, get some money, bike a few (or many) miles and enjoy the after party.

I wasn't really prepared for the impact this event had on some of the participants though.

One woman I talked to had recently lost her father to ALS, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig's Disease. Her brother recently developed the disease and she faces a possible risk of inheriting it, since it runs in the family. Instead of accepting defeat, this woman worked with a team of about 20 other event participants to raise $15,000 toward a cure. Incredible.

Another woman, suffering herself, recently lost her mother to ALS. She told me, tears streaming down her face the entire time, all about her mother and the impact this disease has had on her family.

This isn't the first touching charity event I've had to cover. It's also far from the last. However, it's events like these that remind me of what I love: to hear people tell their stories. If I could make a living out of hearing these stories and telling them to other people... Oh. Wait. I think there's a career for that.

Original Gravity in Milan celebrates two years

2010-06-14T12:29:00.003-04:00

I went to Original Gravity Brewing Company in Milan for the first time last week to cover a fund raising effort for the Village of Dundee.

I met with the owner Brad Sancho, and found out he had to make a major career shift in order to follow his dream of brewing and selling beer.

Sancho was a mechanical engineer, testing diesel emissions, when he got bored and decided he wanted to do something he felt was more rewarding.

Having made home brews as a hobby for a few years, Sancho decided to start looking for a building that could house a beer-making operation and be purchased at a reasonable price.

When he found his location on County Street in Milan, he took the plunge and hasn't looked back for two years now.

It really is quite wonderful to see someone following their passion and doing well at it.

So, happy two year anniversary Original Gravity.

Cheers.

Blogging 101 at the Saline Senior Center

2010-06-11T12:36:00.005-04:00

Jeff Smith, our photo intern from Ann Arbor, and I headed over to the Saline Senior Center this morning to teach "Blogging 101" and instead of me teaching the seniors a thing or two, they taught me.

I must admit that I am not that knowledgeable about technology, although I hide it very well. I am on Facebook and I use Twitter, and I've been blogging for four years, but I am the type of person who sets up that stuff and I just kind of figure it out on my own, with just a basic understanding. As long as I can get done what I need to do, I am satisfied. I don't do anything really fancy or amazing. I just send out messages, and share links, photos and video.

I've been tweeting since January 2009 for The Saline Reporter, Milan News-Leader and added A2 Journal in July 2009. I've been on Facebook maybe three years and I've experimented there by uploading photos and video, and sharing links. I even expanded my horizons -- and responsibilities -- by creating a Facebook page for The Saline Reporter/The Milan News-Leader, The A2 Journal and Great Lakes Rabbit Sanctuary. I also upload all of the web content for The Saline Reporter, Milan News-Leader and A2 Journal on our website -- after training and following step-by-step instructions that I have since memorized.

So, it appears as if I am tech savvy, but I had to have our graphic arts department create my Twitter background and I don't know how to upload audio, although Jeff has offered to show me. Yes, an unpaid intern who is supposed to be learning from us (check out his photo blog) is going to teach me. And so that brings me back to this morning.

Luckily, I was smart enough to bring Jeff along because he really did all of the work. The eight seniors who signed up learned, for the most part, all they needed from him, and I tried to help troubleshoot, although I suspect I wasn't very good at that. I put together some blogging packets, with information from Blogger on how to create a blog, but we ended up showing them how on Word Press because Blogger wanted to confirm via a text and a lot of seniors don't have cell phones that have texting capabilities.

My initial thought was that I would end up with a group of seniors who weren't really familiar with the Internet and I would do more talking. But, boy, was I wrong. My little talk about blogging was less than five minutes and then surprise, surprise, they all wanted to set up their own blogs immediately. I thought maybe one person would want to and we would all huddle around that person as Jeff explained the process. Instead, poor Jeff, jumped from computer to computer and individual to individual helping them each set up a blog.

Evelyn Griffin was one of our students -- or rather, I should say, I was her student. We initially struggled with Blogger and then got her going on Word Press. When it was all said and done, she was showing me her Walgreens account, where she stores digital photos. She has a slide show on there and she has colorized photos. She even told me about the PowerPoint she is working on or had worked on, I can't remember which. She is way more advanced than me. I've never put together a PowerPoint. I don't even use a website to upload photos to be printed, such as Walgreens or Flickr. I usually go to Walmart and insert my storage device and place an order, and it has been at least a year, maybe two, since I've done that.

My intention in holding the class was to get senior citizens started on blogging in hopes that maybe a few of them would like to become one of our blogging partners, joining the ranks of local residents April Scarlett, Emily Wilson and Kristin Judge. While many of my "students" at the senior center created family blogs, the invitation is still out there and is good for anyone with an interest. I am looking for blogs of general interest, such as local history, local happenings, gardening advice, books/reading, the active life of a senior citizen, etc. So, if you're interested, send me an e-mail and we will set you up. Your blog will appear in our Blog Center and we will promote it in print. In turn, we ask that you add our headline widget so your blog followers may click over to our news site to read some of our stories of interest.

A lot of rain, a flooded apartment and a huge headache

2010-06-06T16:19:00.004-04:00

The first big seasonal storm of 2010 came through Washtenaw County last night, and left my wife and I with a flooded apartment.

We live in northeast Ann Arbor and were hit fairly hard with rain as many other people in the county were.

While we consider ourselves fortunate not to have seen damage as those in Dundee experienced via a tornado, the standing water ruined all of our carpet, as well as everything sitting on the ground.

Some of our furniture will have to be replaced due to mold concerns, and we already had a crew come by and rip out the carpeting.

It all came to pass when my dog started barking around 1:30 a.m. because he heard our neighbors outside talking loudly. I put my feet down on the floor, directly in to about three inches of standing water.

The next few hours were spent moving everything that wasn't already soaked to higher ground and trying to track down maintenance to get the ball rolling on a solution.

The carpet was removed around 8:30 a.m. after the water had subsided, but the planned equipment to dry the place could not be turned on because the power went out around 9 a.m. (And has yet to be restored)

This presented another big issue because I take a weekly drug that needs to be refrigerated at all times, so we decided to drive to my wife's office to stash the medicine, and some perishable food, in the refrigerator there.

All in all quite a mess.

A positive note in all of this is the way our neighbors have come together to extend help to one another in a trying time.

In all, around 10 apartments were flooded in our complex, and we all pitched in a little to help rectify and save whatever and wherever.

Hopefully we'll straighten the rest out this week.

I didn't like my shoes anyway.

A beautiful night at the fair

2010-06-04T20:00:00.002-04:00

I'm sitting at the Milan Community Fair right now on a breezy, warm evening.

The fireworks are to begin just after dusk, but some rain clouds in the distance look intense.

Hopefully, the wet weather will hold off at least until after the show.

I watched 'Torn' play a set earlier, and they were quite good.

All the Milan regulars are here, as well as plenty of visitors from neighboring communities.

Saturday is kids day at the fair, so be sure to bring the family down if you haven't already.

New Jim Harrison collection is a great summer read

2010-05-27T11:13:00.004-04:00

I picked up the new Jim Harrison book 'The Farmer's Daughter' a few months ago and have been meaning to blog a recommendation for it.

It's a collection of short stories that are tightly and wonderfully written, and cover a variety of subject matters.

If you're a Hemingway fan, Harrison's body of work is about as close to new Hemingway material as you're going to get.

Harrison is a Michigan author, though now he lives in the Southwest.

If you are taking a trip to the Upper Peninsula this summer, check out 'True North' as well.

It deals with the aftermath of the heavy lumbering that took place there in the latter part of the 19th century and into the early 20th century, and the familial story intertwined is absorbing to say the least.

Harrison is perhaps best known as author of 'Legends of the Fall,' which inspired a movie of the same name.

Laatsch want you to vote for Saline schools

2010-05-27T09:23:00.002-04:00

There are only five days left to vote for Saline schools in the Pepsi Refresh program.

Steve Laatsch said he is hopeful about moving up in to the top 10 (now at 15), but admits it would be horrible to come in 11th place.

The science initiative the $25,000 would pay for is innovative and will be a a wonderful asset to the district's curriculum.

Vote once a day at www.refresheverything.com.

Just search for 'Saline.'

Buckle Up and Relax

2010-05-24T13:45:00.005-04:00

Driving down Michigan Avenue in Saline this morning, I knew something was up. Several cars and trucks were pulled over by police. I had seen this before, probably last year about the same time.

Officers were on a special seat belt enforcement detail. I wasn't worried because I was buckled up. So, as I pulled into the parking lot next to The Saline Reporter and saw the patrol car, I thought nothing of it as I eased out of my roadster. He got out of his cruiser and I said, "Hello!"

He then asked me if I had my seat belt on. "Of course," I said. Then he commented that it was difficult to see because of the design of the car.

After a short awkward pause as I tried to determine whether he truly believed me, he admitted, "I really just wanted to check this out." I had to chuckle. A fellow worshiper of the BMW Z-4. I fell in love with it years ago and bought one in 2005. I know it's well made and is the "ultimate driving machine," but I just think it looks pretty and that's why I bought it.

So, drivers, take note: A special detail is in full swing. If you subscribe to Nixle, a free service, like I do for Milan, Ann Arbor and Pittsfield Township, you probably already know. See the message below, and buckle up, be safe, and don't be alarmed if a police officer just wants to check out your ride!

Hi Michelle Rogers,

Traffic Message has been issued by the Milan Police Department.

Monday May 24, 2010 1:40 PM EDT

Seat Belt Enforcement - Milan - from 5:00 to 11:00p. Please wear your seatbelt.

The Milan Police Department along with the WCSO will be participating in a ZERO tolerance seat belt enforcement effort over the next several weeks.
Tonight - 5:00 pm until 11:00 pm Offices will work a "seat belt enforcement" detail at County St. & Dexter St. Please wear your seat belt and drive safely!
.
Citizens & Police partner for a safe communtiy!

For full details, go to https://local.nixle.com/alert/2286712/.

Contact Information:

Jeff Lewis
Chief of Police
734-439-1551 jeffreyl@ci.milan.mi.us

Mayor Muckler seeks family anecdotes for Memorial Day speech

2010-05-24T11:47:00.005-04:00

Mayor Kym Muckler wants to hear from families who have, or have had, members serve as soldiers in any branch of the U.S. Military.

Muckler would also like to hear directly from active and former soldiers themselves who can lend perspective on what it is like to face the horrors of war.

Muckler is giving the keynote speech at the Memorial Day cemetery ceremony and would like to include anecdotes relevant to citizens of the city.

To prepare appropriately, Muckler asks to be contacted no later than Friday.

She can be reached by email at kymm@ci.milan.mi.us or at her blog, http://mayorkym.blogspot.com/.

Results of our recent web polls

2010-05-19T20:46:00.002-04:00

Which summer festival are you looking forward to?
Ann Arbor Art Fairs: 30 percent
Chelsea Summer Fest: 30 percent
Ypsilanti Heritage Festival: 24 percent
Saline Celtic Festival: 16 percent

What are you doing with your tax refund?
Saving it: 44 percent
Using it on household expenses: 37 percent
Spending it on something special: 15 percent
Spending it on vacation: 4 percent

How much do you donate to nonprofits each year?
$1,000 or more: 54 percent
Under $100: 21 percent
$100 to $300: 16 percent
$300 to $500: 9 percent

What do you do when you have an hour of spare time?
Read a book: 36 percent
Read a newspaper: 34 percent
Play online games: 20 percent
Update Facebook page: 9 percent

What do you think should be a priority of WISD consolidates services?
Human resources: 42 percent
Money savings: 33 percent
Students outcome: 18 percent
Service quality: 6 percent

St. Andrew the Apostle Parish

2010-05-17T10:53:00.004-04:00

I had the opportunity to attend a wedding at St. Andrew the Apostle Parish in Saline on Saturday.

Two good friends of my wife and I were wedded that day, and the setting couldn't have been more aesthetically beautiful.

I'm not a student of architecture, but the construction of the building is certainly something to behold.

The church seems to have a heavy Arts and Crafts influence in its design, but is also mixed with what appears to be traditional Gothic elements as well.

Enormous windows let in copious sunlight, filling the church with warmth and intensity.

Those who attend the parish regularly are fortunate to have such a nice church home.

1927 Chrysler 60

2010-05-13T10:01:00.003-04:00

I met a guy named Melvin Dailey while attending the Discover Milan festival. He was standing next to this 1927 Chrysler 60 which, as it turns out, has only 18,000 miles and is completely unrestored and pristine.

The story of the car intertwines with a lot of local history. Dailey said he'll have people come up to him at car shows and say they changed the oil in it while working their first job at a service station, or that they remember seeing it in various parades over the years.

The car's history is well documented, only having four owners. (All of which seem to have been meticulous about maintaining it properly, including Dailey. People around southern Michigan and Northern Ohio knew of the car and its owners very well. It seems to have become somewhat of a local legend.

Photos of the car in parades go back many years, with the original owner said to have driven Civil War veterans a few times.

Anyway, I'm doing a piece for the News Leader this month on Dailey and his Chrysler, so check it out.

What are your Memorial Day plans?

2010-05-12T12:55:00.004-04:00

I'm planning to preview Memorial Day events in Saline and Milan with several articles.

I know about the major events taking place in these communities, and they'll definitely be included, but I'm also wondering about things other residents are doing to honor our fallen soldiers.

If you have something you think I should know about, please email me at, showard@heritage.com.

Meet Randi Shaffer

2010-05-12T11:23:00.004-04:00

Hello, I'm Randi Shaffer, the summer intern for Heritage Newspapers. I am currently a senior at Central Michigan University majoring in Journalism with a concentration in News Editorial and minoring in Media Design, Production and Technology. This is the first of hopefully a few more internships I land before I graduate with my B.A. Degree in the spring of 2012.

In addition to my current summer internship, I also work as a Senior Reporter at Central Michigan Life, CMU's student-produced newspaper.

In addition to reporting, I am also interested in page design and photography.

After graduation, I would like to find a career either reporting or editing for a mid-to-large scale publication.

I'm excited to start reporting for Heritage Newspapers this summer.

Girls on the Run of Southeastern Michigan

2010-05-10T08:00:00.003-04:00

I went to a mock 5K event for Girls on the Run of Southeastern Michigan on Friday and was impressed with the young ladies' enthusiasm for the sport.

The practice run was at Saline Middle School and the actual race will take place in Ypsilanti later this month.

The organization seeks to empower preteen girls to keep fit and make positive life choices by involving them in running.

If you have any young women in your family of that age group, it seems like a great way for them to socialize and stay active.

The organization's Web site is, www.girlsontherunsemi.org.

All the information you need is there, including dates for upcoming races as well as registration forms.

Ann Arbor gets presidential

2010-04-29T09:40:00.005-04:00

I know traffic is going to be terrible. I know I won't be able to eat at an area restaurant without waiting for three hours first. I understand it might even rain.
In spite of all of this, I couldn't be more excited about President Barack Obama coming to Ann Arbor on Saturday.
To consider the magnitude and historicity of his office, one can't help but be moved in some meaningful way when the sitting US President is in our town.
I know current political positioning seems to require either a 'love em' or 'hate em' attitude toward politicians of all varieties, but regardless of his agenda, Obama is our president.
There's only been 44 of these men throughout our national history, and many residents and visitors will get to see one of them.
Those who were able to see President Bill Clinton as well in Ypsilanti in the late 90s can say they've seen two.
So, welcome Mr. President. Don't forget to stop at Zingerman's.

Dicover Milan! (which I intend to do)

2010-04-28T09:42:00.002-04:00

I've never been to the Discover Milan! festivities and am taking tips on what my wife and I should see when we visit on May 8.

The list of potential activities is enormous, so I'm soliciting fan favorites from readers to get an idea of how to prioritize the day.

I know the 125th celebration and time capsule extraction will be a highlight, but what else?

Have you driven a Ford lately?

2010-04-27T21:40:00.004-04:00

I want to say congratulations to my father, Gary, and the entire team at Ford Motor Company on the announcement of their $2.1 billion first quarter profit.

I grew up in the shadows of Ford in Dearborn Heights. My first job was at The Henry Ford Museum (now The Henry Ford). As I said, my dad is an employee of the company, doing product design work for many years. My wife and I loyally lease Ford cars and trucks.

The auto show is a sacred yearly tradition.

With all that said, Ford is in my blood and when it does well it makes me happy.

Of course, the announcement is fantastic as well to a region that has swallowed its fair share of negative news over the past few years, so I hope we continue to hear of Ford's success well into the future and that other companies are able to follow suit.

The photo is of my wife, Jackie, in her dream car.

Health department investigating E. coli outbreak

2010-04-26T17:37:00.001-04:00

From the Washtenaw County Health Department:

WASHTENAW COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH CONTINUES

E.COLI OUTBREAK INVESTIGATION

Possible Link to Similar Outbreak in Ohio

YPSILANTI, Mich., April 26, 2010 — In cooperation with multiple agencies, Washtenaw County Public Health continues investigating an outbreak of food-related illness. Preliminary results from the Michigan Department of Community Health indicate that this is a toxin-producing E. coli non-0157 strain. Seven of the local cases have been confirmed as E. coli non-0157 and are related to one another. Fourteen cases are awaiting laboratory confirmation of E. coli. Persons reporting illness consistent with the outbreak were likely exposed between April 7th and April 15th and became ill between April 9th and April 16th. Persons typically experience symptoms three to four days after eating foods contaminated with E. coli.

The process of identifying common food sources is complex. Initial findings indicated ill persons were exposed at one or more local eateries. Additional evidence now indicates there may have been a problem related to the distribution of certain foods received locally. The Michigan Department of Agriculture is conducting a traceback to determine whether a common food distributor or supplier may be involved. Similar cases are also under investigation in Ohio. Columbus Public Health in Columbus, OH is reporting five confirmed cases of E.coli non-0157, with several more pending confirmation.

“Our investigation is progressing,” says Dr. Diana Torres-Burgos, MD, MPH, Medical Director of Washtenaw County Public Health. “Outbreaks like these are incredibly time-consuming and difficult, and we continue to share the information we can confirm.”

Symptoms of E. coli infection include abdominal cramping followed by diarrhea that progressively worsens and is often bloody. Typically, there is no fever. Anyone with similar symptoms should seek medical attention. Individuals are also asked to report suspected E. coli illness to Washtenaw County Public Health at 734-544-6700.

Most persons sickened with E. coli recover within a week; however, some infections can be serious. The non-0157 strain of E. coli identified in the outbreak is less common, but it is still capable of producing severe illness.

Proper hand washing, food handling and cooking are critical to preventing the spread of foodborne illness. The Washtenaw County Public Health Fact Sheet on E. coli is available at: http://www.ewashtenaw.org/government/departments/public_health/phcontent/cd_fact_sheets/ecoli.pdf

"If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life it stays with you..."

2010-04-26T09:19:00.008-04:00

Attending the Saline Middle School's French Exchange Club welcome party last week was something of a throwback for me.

I took French in high school for several years (I'm proud of my C+ average given my memory) and enjoyed learning of a country that seemed substantially different yet oddly similar all at the same time.

My teacher teased these discrepancies out using home videos of her personal trips to France, as well as those by television travel hosts (Perhaps that's why I can't pass up a Rick Steves episode).

While some major points of cultural uniqueness did become clear, my experience could never have compared with the total immersion facilitated by an actual trip overseas as these Saline students and their French counterparts get to take part in.

It wasn't until many years later when my wife and I went to Paris on our honeymoon that I realized just how decontextualizing experiencing a foreign culture first hand really can be.

Many aspects of life seem so obviously different that you can't help but question them. Just by being there you are forced to consider aesthetic choices like clothing and architecture, the food is strange and you wonder about that. People carry themselves differently and have different values.

This intrinsic deconstruction is important for kids who have grown up in the advertising generation and can easily understand the American status quo as simply 'how things are.'

I had always considered myself a student of culture, but nothing could have prepared me for the true sense of culture shock when I got off the subway and walked up on to those ancient Parisian streets.

My first impression was that everything seemed much older than in the U.S., which is funny because many of the Parisian students said "everything is so new" when telling me of arriving in Saline.

When my wife and I got to our Latin Quarter hotel and we had to go up on the elevator one person at a time because the space could only accommodate one bag and one body, I thought "Wow, everything is so small." Again, this is antithetical to the Parisian students' reactions to Saline, which generally were, "Everything is so big."

Of course these are just surface observations, but they're the beginning of a development of a cultural lens that can help facilitate a better understanding of people outside the U.S. and, reciprocally, ourselves.

Yet in spite of all the differences, the students at the exchange party all just seemed like normal teenagers (The kids wearing Abercrombie and American Eagle were not all American).

We could just chalk this up to competent brand marketing, but really if you think of young people as metaphoric 'clean slates' their similarities to one another seem to suggest that, in essence, people are just people.

As we grow, we participate in diverse social, religious, political and economic activities which individualize us, but at some point we were the same before all of that was written into our lives.

Anyway, similarities and differences aside, I hope all of the Parisians are able to enjoy Saline for all it is worth and go home with a more finely-tuned cultural lens.

Results of our recent online polls

2010-04-23T12:40:00.002-04:00

Thank you to everyone participating in our online polls. Here are the results of our most recent questions.

Do you think Sgt. Tim Casey should be demoted from sergeant to police officer over the firecracker incident (in Milan)?
Yes: 55 percent
No: 45 percent

What does spring inspire you to do?
Get outdoors and exercise: 36 percent
Gardening work: 27 percent
Clean house: 20 percent
Home fix-it projects: 16 percent

What's your main dish for Easter?
Ham: 64 percent
Chef's Choice: 17 percent
Something vegetarian: 12 percent
Turkey: 7 percent

What kind of content would you like to see from your community this summer?
More youth sports coverage: 33 percent
Gardening content with expert advice and video garden tours: 33 percent
Local home tours with photos and video: 22 percent
A wine column by an expert with video: 11 percent

Sheriff's department warns of 'works bombs'

2010-04-21T15:22:00.005-04:00

From the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Department:
Community Engagement **Safety Alert**

On 4/18/2010 at approximately 8:00 AM, WCSO Deputy Mansell was dispatched to Bemis Road in York Township for a possible explosive device. Upon arrival it was discovered the object was an unexploded “Works Bomb” in the front yard. After Mansell cleared it away from the residence it detonated itself within 30 seconds. After leaving this residence he located another “Works Bomb” a couple doors down laying again in the front yard. Luckily no one has been hurt in these two situations; however please take this time to educate yourself and family.

The chemical reaction between the chemicals creates a volatile build up of gases and subsequently detonates the bottle with a great amount of force. Once the detonation occurs, the chemical substance that is in the bottle is actually boiling liquid. The amount of force that is generated at the time of the explosion is enough to severe fingers and also delivers 2nd and 3rd degree chemical burns to the victim. The chemicals can possibly cause blindness and the toxic fumes can be harmful.

**SAFETY**
When you are out in your yards, please be mindful of these devices, and use the following precautions.

1. If you find a soda bottle or any other bottles, examine it carefully before you touch it or get near it. If it shows signs of swelling, or melting in any way or simply just has liquid inside of it, DO NOT TOUCH IT! Call 911 and let us respond to take care of it.

Both of the bombs listed above appeared to be slightly swollen, with a dark colored liquid, inside of it. This liquid could have easily been mistaken for left over soda.

In closing, please educate your children on the dangers and consequences of making these devices. It has become popular with the youth in the past few years, to do this as a prank, but there have been some changes to the law. Not only could it be deadly to the maker or the victim, but making one these devices is called, "Possession of a Substance with Explosive Capabilities". If it causes no damage, it’s a 15 year Felony. If it causes damage, it’s a 20 year Felony. If it causes physical injury, it’s a 25 year Felony. If it causes serious injury, the penalty can be "Up to life", and if it causes death, it’s Mandatory Life without the possibility of Parole. These are statutory guidelines only. These penalties are what could be imposed but it does not necessarily mean that these penalties would be imposed.

We have included a video link to show you what happens when the “Works Bomb” detonates.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXS4TFnvg18

Derrick Jackson-Community Engagement Director
Contact Information (734) 973-4503

Dieter Heren – Law Enforcement Commander
Contact Information (734) 973-4949

A hundred years hence (and some change)

2010-04-19T09:58:00.005-04:00

I walked through what was Kelly's and The Saline Cafe with new owner Pete Toarmina a few times over the last month and found the place a storehouse of local history.

Not to be too figurative, but I began thinking how old buildings such as those are something like ancestors, in the way that they seem to embody the good and the bad of the people who came before us.

Just like fathers and mothers, these structures have aged, some better than others depending upon maintenance, and hold the wisdom of collected years. They've seen a thing or two.

So, just as we might go to our own mom or dad seeking advice, we should also look to these buildings for advice, because all of the positive and negative aspects of their history can help us to direct our own lives with more precision.

The 103 and 105 block of W. Michigan Ave. that houses what was The Saline Cafe dates to 1876 a bit more than a decade after the Civil War.

As Pete would tell you, there are many functional problems to address with a building of this age, but, for the most part, it is intact and standing up well for its years.

That's quite an accomplishment and a blessing our ancestors left. Think of all the mid to late-19th century downtown districts we have in Michigan and how much we adore them for their charm and character.

They looked to the Italians and Greeks for civil inspiration, and we can look to these 19th century leaders and admire their collective resolve to achieve great things in times of hardship.

David Rhoads spoke about his own fondness for buildings of this era at the 'Saline Salutes' award ceremony hosted by the chamber of commerce over the weekend.

He said he loves working with structures such as these because they speak to him of the tenacity of those who put them up.

Rhoads' point is a good one to consider. Why is it so important that these people built in styles such as Italianate, Greek Revival, Neo-Classical and the like?

I tend to think Rhoads is correct about their tenaciousness dispositions, in that these motifs symbolize greatness and civic pride, as well as an abiding sense that we will get ahead and be OK.

Far from being irrelevant, these concepts can help us a great deal as we consider our own contemporary financial woes among other burning issues. Will we chose to have resolve and find ways to showcase that sensibility in our town?

Our ancestors were not perfect, for from it, but their architecture seems to have many redeeming values we should most certainly attempt to learn from.

Perhaps this is why I become so sullen when I hear of another historical building torn down, or have to drive by and see one neglected for years on end.

It feels like burying a family member.

Local reporters win Excellence in Journalism Awards

2010-04-16T16:41:00.002-04:00

Three Heritage Newspapers reporters swept the sports columnist category in the Society of Professional Journalists Detroit chapter's 2009 Excellence in Journalism Awards.

At a dinner held April 14 at the San Marino Club in Troy, Jana Miller, Mike Larson and Don Richter won first through third place, respectively, in the sports columnist category in print, Class B, with a circulation less than 100,000.

In addition, reporter Gerald LaVaute won third place for investigative reporting for his piece "Police Compensation Comparison."

LaVaute is a staff writer for The View in Belleville and The Milan News-Leader.

Miller, a former Saline and Milan sports reporter, is a copy editor and reporter for The Manchester Enterprise. Judges noted that all three of her entries were award worthy. They were "Hush, hush controversy brings sex into sports," "Academics and athletics can mix" and "Gender equity in sports."

Richter, a former sports reporter for The Chelsea Standard and The Dexter Leader, now covers sports for The Saline Reporter and The Milan News-Leader. His winning piece was his farewell column to Chelsea and Dexter readers.

Larson, a sports reporter for The Ann Arbor Journal, a new publication launched July 9, 2009, by Heritage Newspapers, won for his column "Medal More than Award." This is the first award produced from the A2 Journal. The other Heritage publications have a long history of winning journalism awards in the SPJ contest, as well as in the Michigan Press Association Better Newspapers Contest and Suburban Newspapers of America editorial contest.

This year's competition was judged by the North Central Florida Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, SPJ Minnesota Pro Chapter and Chicago Headline Club.

More than 100 Excellence in Media awards were given to area journalists during the banquet.

Memories of Kelly's and the Saline Cafe

2010-04-08T11:49:00.003-04:00

Many of you have already heard the downtown storefronts that were once Kelly's and the Saline Cafe are being purchased to be converted into new food service establishments.

The closing on the properties has not yet taken place, so I'm holding back specifics until that transpires at the request of the new owners.

I'm bringing it up here because I would like to include the thoughts and memories of community members about those building that take up 103, 105 and 107 W. Michigan Ave when I write the article.

From what I understand, the Saline Cafe was a popular place for wedding rehearsal dinners and the like, and who doesn't have a good story about their favorite watering hole?

Also, if anyone has historic photos of that particular block, I know myself and the new owners will be much obliged.

"When daisies pied, and violets blue....do paint the meadows with delight"

2010-04-07T10:32:00.003-04:00

I experienced my first Saline Easter last weekend and it was certainly a conglomerate of all the good things spring has to offer.

The weather was warm and sunny on Saturday. So warm in fact, Pete Toarmina was a bit uncomfortable in the Easter Bunny costume he wears each year for the Eggstravaganza event put on by the chamber of commerce. (Of course, we all know he was just filling in for the actual Easter Bunny who simply can't be everywhere at once.)

Because of the heat, Pete was spotted behind the Mickey's Dairy Twist establishment, which he owns with his wife, enjoying one of their critically acclaimed ice cream cones.

The children, out seeking eggs filled with various candies, were able to search without the constraints of winter jackets, which are usually the norm this time of year.

On Sunday, Saline residents could be seen walking out of the various churches around town wearing pastel dresses and colorful ties, and strolling leisurely back home to celebrate Easter dinner with friends and family.

It was a pleasant and extremely memorable span of time, and seems to have truly initiated the spring season. At least in my mind.

So lets hope the traditional April snow has taken the hint and stays up there in Canada.

Help pick our cover

2010-03-31T17:43:00.009-04:00

The Saline Area Historical Society graciously provided us with some beautiful photos for our 2010 community guide. I have submitted them to our production department and asked our designer to choose the best shot(s) for our cover. Which one do you think fits the bill?

Kudos to Chef Musto

2010-03-28T14:27:00.002-04:00

I went over to Saline High School last week and had the chance to meet Chef Sam Musto who heads the culinary arts program there.

I don't know what all of you remember from home economics class, but I seem to recall the pinnacle of my experience being browning some hamburger meat for tacos.

Let's just say what Musto has done with the culinary arts program at SHS makes that stuff look archaically remedial.

Musto essentially runs a professional kitchen, moving between $1,000 and $2,000 a week in fresh food ingredients through the doors.

There's a full service restaurant actually in the school (!) in which students work the spectrum of food service jobs, from waiting tables to working as line cooks.

They cater to groups of up to 400, and have coffee and take out services as well.

Walking through Musto's kitchen, I was amazed to see teenagers eagerly performing their assigned tasks, all working like a well-oiled machine to collaborate on remarkable looking dishes.
(I'm sure it tasted just as good as it looked!)

But beyond their good manners and seemingly unending attention to their tasks, these kids just seemed to be genuinely compelled by what they were doing.

They seemed passionate!

As an educator, what more could you hope for but to have engaged students who love what they're learning about?

So, Kudos Chef Musto for your great work.

I have to say, I was a bit jealous of the students as I though back on my own taco meat scenario.

Results of Recent Online Polls

2010-03-25T19:19:00.003-04:00

Here are the results from our online poll featured on our Editorial page.

Where do you spend most of your time on the weekends?
At home with family: 67 percent
A mixture of work and home: 24 percent
Out on the town frequenting restaurants and businesses: 9 percent
Out of town with friends or family: 0 percent
*46 votes cast (this poll went online late in the week)

How often do you check Facebook
Once a day or more: 47 percent
I don't have a Facebook account: 36 percent
Once every few weeks or so: 9 percent
Once every few days: 8 percent
*156 votes cast

Is the recession over?
It won't ever end: 44 percent
No, but within a year or so: 36 percent
Too soon to tell: 15 percent
Yes: 5 percent
*125 votes cast

What were your feelings about the Tiger Woods press conference
Tired of it: 57 percent
Predictable: 19 percent
Well done: 13 percent
Disappointing: 11 percent
*116 votes cast

Saline and Milan history articles

2010-03-18T10:47:00.002-04:00

I'm considering starting to look at Walter Stimpson, the scale inventor from Milan who went on to fame and fortune because he came up with a method to weigh grocery items and price them simultaneously, according to what I've read.

His hotel is still there on Main Street, but is not occupied at the moment. If you haven't seen photos of it with its original portico, you should take a look. It was quite impressive.

Martha Churchill has several in her 'Images of America' book 'Milan.'

If anyone knows about Walter, his family, his hotel, or perhaps has a scale of his, please let me know.

Also, the Saline District Library will host Matt Lee, Director of the Michigan Firehouse Museum, this Sunday the 21st starting at 2 p.m.

Lee will be talking about common terms derived from the fire fighting profession as well as a bit about his museum and fire safety.

The event is free and is put on by the Saline Area Historical Society, so check it out!

Missing Milan Sports Section

2010-03-11T09:14:00.006-05:00

Dear Milan Readers,

I apologize for an absence of a Milan sports section in today's newspaper. As a result of human error and a tight deadline with the press, all of the Milan sports stories produced for this edition did not make it on the pages in time for our press deadline and Saline sports stories were used instead. I know how disappointing this will be to our readers. We regret the error and assure you this will not happen in the future, as we will be putting into place better checks and balances.

You can read all of our Milan sports section online at www.heritage.com and by clicking on "sports." We will publish those stories in our March 18 edition. Please contact Don Richter, sports reporter, at drichter@heritage.com or Sports Editor Terry Jacoby at tjacoby@heritage.com with any concerns or questions.

I assure you Milan sports coverage is very important to us and a vital part of The Milan News-Leader. We appreciate all of your support over the years and ask for your continued support.

Visiting EMU, remembering my student years

2010-03-09T16:06:00.007-05:00

I went back to Eastern Michigan University Tuesday to cover a story about several literature professors who started a rock band back in 2008, and are now playing shows to raise money for textbook scholarships.
I went to EMU for both undergraduate and graduate school, and had the chance to learn under, and work with, many of the faculty members in the English Department.
Needless to say, I was able to catch up with a lot of people there I hadn't seen in quite some time.
Anyway, I met with Joe Csicsila who is a member of the band, called the Ypsi Mayflys, and a Mark Twain scholar by profession.
It was interesting to hear from Joe how the band just sort of evolved out of a common musical interest shared by these guys.
My story on their music and fundraising activities will be on heritage.com soon, but the visit also prompted me to start thinking how fortunate we are in this area to have access to all of these institutes of higher learning nestled so closely together.
I'm curious by nature, so I get a profound feeling of contentment walking into places like these, dedicated to musing on, researching and documenting various aspects of life and the human condition.
It seems we're prompted to follow patterns so often in our society that these educational institutions stand out as something of a last refuge for the person seeking enlightenment.
Sure, some would argue current educational policies are based on financial figures and not the betterment of the mind. However, talking with teachers like Joe Csicsila, it is easy to reaffirm one's faith in the stability of contemporary scholastics.
Perhaps too expensive, perhaps jaded by political pandering, higher learning certainly faces challenges.
However, it seems we'll all be better in the end if we keep chasing after learning for learning's sake, even if it means facing some intimidating road blocks.

Results of Recent Web Polls

2010-02-26T12:48:00.002-05:00

An update on how our readers responded to our Web poll questions.

What's the first thing you read in your newspaper?
Front Page: 50 percent
Obituaries: 20 percent
Police Briefs: 18 percent
Sports: 11 percent
(44 votes cast)

How often do you travel for vacation?
Twice a year or more: 35 percent
Once a year: 28 percent
Once every few years: 21 percent
Once every couple of years: 16 percent
(80 votes cast)

How often do you eat out a week?
Less than once a week: 36 percent
Three or more times a week: 29 percent
Twice a week: 22 percent
Once a week: 13 percent
(132 votes cast)

What's the key to getting rich?
Hard work: 37 percent
Luck: 22 percent
Ingenuity: 21 percent:
Education: 20 percent
(76 votes cast)

What's your biggest worry in the new year?
Michigan's employment outlook: 38 percent
The nation's economic turnaround: 26 percent
Funding of local schools: 22 percent
The outcome of this November's elections: 13 percent
(76 votes cast)

How should schools address budget constraints?
Reduce staff salaries: 32 percent
Pay to play: 28 percent
Offer more online classes: 22 percent
Cut extracurricular activities: 18 percent
(108 votes cast)

An eventful visit to the Milan Community Center

2010-02-24T13:26:00.006-05:00

I had the opportunity to meet with Jennifer Michalak at the Milan Community Center this afternoon.

Jennifer coordinates the programs there and was telling me about the bus transportation services they offer for senior citizens and the disabled, as well as a brand new diabetes support group that meets at the center on the third Wednesday of every month.

They have so much stuff going on. Did you know they offer Hebrew and Spanish classes?

I also met Joan Swartz. Joan rides the bus and counts on the service to get to her hospital visits. Talking with Joan, I found out she was part of the WASP group, or Women Airforce Service Pilots, during World War II. She said she was trained by famous aviator Jacqueline Cochran.

Joan told me she has many artifacts from her time flying planes. I'm going over to meet with her on Friday to talk with her a bit more in depth and see some of the things she has kept, so look for the story about her soon at heritage.com!

Meeting people like Joan is one of the most rewarding aspects of my job.

Settling in at Heritage Newspapers

2010-02-18T10:47:00.003-05:00

Greetings to all.

I couldn't be happier to have found a home at Heritage Newspapers, writing for both The Saline Reporter and The Milan News-Leader. It's been a pleasure getting to know my new colleagues.

I've lived in Washtenaw County for ten years now, and grew up in Wayne County in a suburb of Detroit.

I bounced back and forth between Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor while attending undergraduate and graduate school at Eastern Michigan University, and have now settled in with my wife and pug in Northeast Ann Arbor.

I absolutely love the cultural gems spread so liberally throughout this community. Museums, parks, bookstores, bars, great grocery stores, theaters and many other organizations and entities make this an unrivaled place to call home.

My interests outside of work reside primarily within the humanities. I'm a life-long student of history, always striving to better contextualize my surroundings and define how it is we have collectively come to be.

My graduate research is in literature, and I've developed a fondness for American fictional writing from the realist phase through early modernism. Jim Harrison is my favorite regional author.

I spent some time commuting between Hillsdale and Ann Arbor, a huge daily drive, while I worked as a staff writer for The Hillsdale Daily News. Now that I'm back in Washtenaw County, I look forward to meeting many of you.

Just one more thing......

I'm considering beginning a series of stories concerning the founding families of Saline and Milan. If you can trace your lineage back that far, or know someone who can, I'd like to hear from you. As always, pictures and relics from this foundational era are great as well.

Best regards.

Steven Howard

showard@heritage.com

734-429-7380

Say hello to our new reporter

2010-02-17T12:11:00.005-05:00

I'd like to welcome our new reporter for The Saline Reporter and The Milan News-Leader. His name is Steven Howard and he comes to us from The Hillsdale Daily News, where he covered government, police, courts, schools and wrote feature stories. You may have seen his byline in the now-defunct Ann Arbor News, where he was a freelance reporter and photographer from October 2008 to April 2009.

Steven has a bachelor's degree in journalism from Eastern Michigan University and is a master's degree candidate in literature at EMU. He also worked as a graduate lecturer at EMU, teaching introductory English composition courses.

At the Hillsdale paper he initiated a series titled "Lost Cities" profiling old communities that no longer exist, but were identified by a street sign or were known by word of mouth. Many of the towns disappeared during the Great Depression as people left to find work. Steven has a deep interest in history and passion for community journalism.

Please join me in welcoming him to the community. He welcomes your story ideas. You can reach him at 429-7380 or showard@heritage.com.

Results of our recent Web polls

2010-01-27T21:35:00.001-05:00

Below are the results from our Web polls.
Do you think the Ann Arbor Airport should be expanded
Yes: 61 percent
No: 39 percent

How should schools address budget constraints
Reduce staff salaries: 32 percent
Pay to Play: 28 percent
Offer more online classes: 22 percent
Cut extracurricular activities: 18 percent

What do your New Year's resolutions involve
Physical fitness: 55 percent
Family: 27 percent
Career: 11 percent
Education: 7 percent

How do you plan to spend New Year's Eve
With family at home: 64 percent
Watching a New Year's Eve program on TV: 18 percent
At a party: 12 percent
At the bar: 6 percent

What's your Christmas wish
Cure for cancer: 37 percent
Health and happiness: 27 percent
World peace: 24 percent
An end to poverty: 13 percent

Have your scaled back your holiday shopping by
50 percent or more: 59 percent
None: 19 percent
25 percent or less: 15 percent
10 percent or less: 7 percent

Which types of Web sites do you frequent the most
News: 66 percent
Sports: 18 percent
Entertainment: 8 percent
Shopping: 8 percent

What do you like to watch on television
Dramas: 34 percent
News: 29 percent
Reality shows: 20 percent
Sitcoms: 18 percent

What are you thankful for
Family and friends: 57 percent
Employment: 30 percent
Good health: 11 percent
Community: 2 percent

Any surprises?

Briarwood to host Hope for Haiti fundraiser

2010-01-21T12:03:00.000-05:00

The Salvation Army of Washtenaw County has asked that we share this news release with our readers. Because of the timeliness of it, it has to be online, rather than print.

The Salvation Army of Washtenaw County (TSA-WC) has teamed up with Briarwood Mall to raise funds, disperse information and enlist volunteers to assist in providing relief for those affected by the earthquake in Haiti. The Hope for Haiti fundraiser takes place at Briarwood Mall on Friday, Jan. 22 and Saturday, Jan. 23.

Washtenaw County residents can gather information on The Salvation Army’s approach to disaster relief and how the organization has learned the best way to provide aid from past disaster efforts.

Children can decorate T-shirts and play in TSA-WC’s new red kettle bounce house that will be in front of Build-A-Bear in the Von Maur Corridor. A wide variety of musical performances will take place in front of Von Maur from 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. $10 wristbands will be available at Guest Services and the red kettle bounce house for anyone wishing to participate in the activities.

The best way to support The Salvation Army’s efforts to help Haiti is to donate by:

Giving by phone: 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769)
Texting the word “HAITI” to 52000 to automatically give $10 to The Salvation Army’s relief efforts
Giving online at www.salvationarmyusa.org

For more information about the Hope for Haiti fundraiser, contact TSA-WC at 734-668-8353 or visit www.sawashtenaw.org or www.shopbriarwood.com.

The Salvation Army (TSA), an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian church dedicated to serving people in need without discrimination. Operating in Washtenaw County for more than 100 years, the non-profit addresses the physical and spiritual needs of the area through various programs and service centers located in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti. Essential services provided by TSA of Washtenaw County include a food pantry, soup kitchen, clothing, an emergency family shelter, transitional housing and counseling for veterans, character building for youth, camp programs, emergency and disaster relief, utility assistance and eviction prevention.

You can become a fan of TSA-WC on Facebook and follow us on Twitter (@sawashtenaw).

A Fundraising Opportunity for Nonprofits

2010-01-15T10:17:00.005-05:00

Want to partner with us?

In these difficult economic times, many nonprofit groups are hurting for funds, especially schools. Thanks to statewide budget cuts, public school systems across Michigan are in trouble. Many programs that we’ve learned to take for granted over the years – athletics, band, etc. – are under a heavy budget crunch.

So why not partner with The Saline Reporter or Milan News-Leader – and help your organization, whether a school group or civic group, raise needed cash?

We are offering $10 for every NEW one-year subscription to The Saline Reporter or The Milan News-Leader that your group sells. That means $100 for only 10 orders; $500 for 50 orders; and $1,000 for 100 orders! There is no limit to our partnership. Sell 500 orders and we will give your organization $5,000!

We understand how difficult it is to raise money with the same old fundraisers year after year. After all, families can only use so much wrapping paper and candles. The Saline Reporter or Milan News-Leader is the gift that lasts. This is why our fund-raising opportunity has such great value.

The newspaper is delivered directly to the homes of our customers 52 times a year, with fresh content and local news and information that is important to the people that live and work and attend the schools in your community. We offer award-winning news coverage, including the areas best and most comprehensive sports sections. In addition, we offer discount coupons, entertainment news, classifieds and more, making a yearly subscription to The Saline Reporter or Milan News-Leader a fantastic value.

A one-year subscription to The Saline Reporter is only $32 and for The Milan News-Leader $26. (A new subscriber is anyone who has not taken the newspaper in the past 90 days).

All you need to do is sell the order, fill out a provided form, collect payment and turn in the orders to us once a month. That’s all there is to it. We will cut your organization a check!

All we need to set up your group as an official partner is the following information:

1. A contact name and number from your organization
2. A W-9 form for payment purposes
3. A logo (in PDF format) for use in the printed materials, which we will supply your group for your sales effort.

It’s that simple.

To set your organization up as an official partner, please contact Bob Riddell at 734-246-0757 or e-mail briddell@heritage.com.

Please share this information with any other groups who may be interested in this fundraiser.

Saying Goodbye

2009-12-29T12:40:00.005-05:00

It's time to say goodbye to someone you've gotten to know over the last six months. Saline and Milan reporter Krystle Dunham's last day is Dec. 30. Please join me in wishing her good luck in her future pursuits and thanking her for her contributions.

Krystle succeeded reporter Sue G. Collins, who moved out of state. She had been an intern with us and a freelancer.

In her absence, we will be assigning freelance writers to cover meetings and write feature articles. You may be hearing from April Scarlett, Art Aisner, Sheila Pursglove, Sarah Rigg, Sara Waisanen and Ellie Falaris Ganelin, as well as intern Carrie Kennedy, over the next several weeks and reading their contributions on a larger scale than usual. In addition, Belleville staff reporter Gerald LaVaute and Ypsilanti staff reporter Jeremy Allen, who used to write freelance articles for Saline and Milan, will be helping out.

As always, we welcome your story leads, press releases and photo submissions via e-mail at editor@salinereporter.com or editor@milannews.com. Your contributions over the next several weeks will help us enhance our local focus and we surely appreciate it.

Online Poll Results

2009-12-29T12:28:00.003-05:00

If you follow our online polls and are wondering the final results, here they are for the last five weeks. Weeks prior are on previous blogs.

Have you scaled back your holiday shopping by
50 percent or less (59 percent agreed)
None (19 percent agreed)
25 percent or less (15 percent agreed)
10 percent or less (7 percent agreed)
73 votes cast

Which types of Web sites do you frequent the most
News (66 percent)
Sports (18 percent)
Entertainment (8 percent)
Shopping (8 percent)
65 votes cast

What do you like to watch on television
Dramas (34 percent)
News (29 percent)
Reality Shows (20 percent)
Sitcoms (18 percent)
80 votes cast

What are you thankful for
Family and friends (57 percent)
Employment (30 percent)
Good health (11 percent)
Community (2 percent)
44 votes cast

What's your Christmas wish
Cure for cancer (37 percent)
Healthy and happiness (27 percent)
World peace (24 percent)
End to poverty (13 percent)
63 votes cast

Santa Comes to Milan

2009-12-05T21:21:00.009-05:00

Milan's annual Christmas Parade attracted a large crowd this evening as people lined Main Street waiting for Santa to arrive and accept the key to the city from Mayor Kym Muckler. Here are some photos from the annual event, which is sponsored by the Milan Area Chamber of Commerce, and included photos of Santa and local children at the Old Fire Barn.

Avery Young, 4, of Milan had her photo taken with Santa Saturday at the Old Fire Barn in Milan. Santa arrived in Milan on the Boogie-Woogie Choo-Choo during the Christmas Parade. View video of the parade at www.heritage.com

Courtney Bussell, 12, of Milan tells Santa her Christmas wish list Saturday when he stopped by the Old Fire Barn in Milan as part of the Milan Area Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade. View video of the parade at www.heritage.com

Jalen Hartmann, 4, of Milan shares his holiday wish list with Santa Saturday at the Old Fire Barn in Milan. Santa arrived in Milan on the Boogie-Woogie Choo-Choo during the Christmas Parade through the downtown. View video of the parade at www.heritage.com

Sisters Leah, 7, and Gabriella Burgess, 3, of Milan visit with Santa Saturday after the Christmas Parade in Milan. Old St. Nick arrived on the Boogie-Woogie Choo-Choo and was given the key to the city by Mayor Kym Muckler. View video of the parade at www.heritage.com

Misty Riggs, 13, of Dundee shares her holiday wish list with Santa Saturday at the Old Fire Barn in Milan after the Milan Area Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade. View video of the parade at www.heritage.com

Santa arrived in Milan on the Boogie-Woogie Choo-Choo during the Christmas Parade. He was given the key to the city by Mayor Kym Muckler before meeting with children in the Old Fire Barn, home to the Milan Area Chamber of Commerce. View video of the parade at www.heritage.com

Trisa Hubel, 1 1/2, of Milan met with Santa Saturday after the Christmas Parade in Milan. The event was sponsored by the Milan Area Chamber of Commerce. View video of the parade at www.heritage.com

Staff Changes at Heritage Newspapers

2009-12-03T14:42:00.008-05:00

Heritage Newspapers-West, which includes newspapers in Saline, Milan, Ann Arbor, Chelsea, Dexter, Manchester, Ypsilanti and Belleville, will see some changes next week as we switch some staff around to better utilize their talents.

Deputy Managing Editor Terry Jacoby has been named sports editor for all eight newspapers and will cover high school sports in Chelsea and Dexter. In turn, Don Richter, who has held the sports editor position for Chelsea and Dexter for the last nine years, will move to Saline and Milan, covering the Hornets and Big Reds. Jana Miller, sports reporter for The Saline Reporter and Milan News-Leader, heads over to Manchester to write news, serve as copy editor and special sections coordinator. Daniel Lai, who has held the copy editor and reporter position at The Manchester Enterprise since spring 2007, will serve as copy editor and reporter for The Chelsea Standard and Dexter Leader.

All press releases and photos submitted to the editor@ e-mail addresses will be forwarded to the new person in charge beginning Dec. 10 as Jana will design and paginate the Manchester paper and Daniel will do the same for the Chelsea and Dexter papers. Each also may be contacted through their personal e-mail addresses through the newspapers, jmiller@heritage.com and dlai@heritage.com. Terry can be reached at tjacoby@heritage.com and Don at drichter@heritage.com.

Terry began implementing some new design and feature components as part of our expanded sports sections in the fall and plans to take that further as he leads the sports department in the new year.

Please join me in congratulating everyone on their new positions and please feel free to e-mail them your thoughts, suggestions, press releases and photographs.

Results of Recent Web Polls

2009-11-29T15:20:00.001-05:00

If you're curious about our recent polls, here are the results of the last five of them:
What's your favorite Thanksgiving side dish
Stuffing: 54 percent; 71 votes
Mashed potatoes: 17 percent; 23 votes
Cranberry sauce: 17 percent; 22 votes
Green bean casserole: 12 percent; 16 votes
*132 total votes

How do you spend Thanksgiving
At home with family: 51 percent; 62 votes
Visiting family: 32 percent; 39 votes
Restaurants and hotel buffets: 13 percent; 16 votes
Serving people in need: 3 percent; 4 votes
*121 total votes

Where do you prefer to shop
Local merchants' shops downtown: 33 percent; 21 votes
Big-box retailers: 30 percent; 21 votes
Discount clubs: 19 percent; 12 votes
Online: 17 percent; 11 votes
*63 total votes

Which Web site do you use the most
Facebook: 82 percent; 71 votes
Twitter: 13 percent; 11 votes
MySpace: 5 percent; 4 votes
Blogger: 1 percent; 1 vote
*87 total votes

When do you start your holiday shopping
Before Thanksgiving: 37 percent; 28 votes
After Thanksgiving: 22 percent; 22 votes
December: 22 percent; 17 votes
Christmas Eve: 12 percent; 9 votes
*76 total votes

Do you have any ideas for poll questions? Let us know: editor@a2journal.com

On a more serious note...

2009-11-13T10:02:00.002-05:00

I'm not always about gimmicky cult media frenzies. I have feelings and sometimes I do things that matter, or something.

I'm deep, deep in the National Novel writing November thing... (read posts below)... which means I'm almost to the halfway point of the month where I'm supposed to write 50K words in 30 days. Right now I'm about 2.5 days behind my daily goal (1,667 words/day). That puts me at about 14.5K. So this weekend I'm going to be making some serious moves to play catch-up, and hopefully give myself some added cushion as well. By Sunday I'm supposed to have 25K. That's a lot of words my friends and I have like 10K to get there... which is so much I could cry!

Or, I could simply turn off the Michigan football game and write instead. That's always an option and it worked out quite well for me last week. Being a hermit is best, and I think I've actually managed to do quite well for myself in this whole thing considering I'm still working and maintaining some sort of social calender. I'm not sure what that means, but it does involve giggles about vampires with girlfriends and the typical ooo's and aahh's over babies and birthday cakes.

I originally thought I'd post some of my contest piece on this blog... little snippets and what have you. But I've changed my mind. Michelle is absolutely 100% to blame for this. She's to blame because, no matter how good of a writer you are, reading the excerpts on the back cover of ANY book sound contrived and silly and will result in her making fun of me for the next 12 months. No really, imagine a friend of yours. Now what was the last book you read? Now imagine they were writing it and tried to explain the plot to you. They'd seem like a nerd right? Exactly, so I'm not going there. Plus I made the mistake one day to (on a very big, big, huge whim) post some poetry I had written as a college student. She's never let me live it down and now at work I'm like the tortured sexified love poet. It's mortifying.

Also, the Ann Arbor area crowd that's involved finally got up to like 850 people before it all started. There are a few Saline, Milan and Ypsilanti people thrown into that mix. I hope they're all doing well, and better than I am! Good luck, 2.5-ish weeks to go!

Vampire love fest?

2009-11-13T09:55:00.001-05:00

This post will be short because it makes me look like an idiot.

Last night was spent viewing the newest episode of Vampire Diaries with my fellow friend and fan of blood-sucking chronicles. It was a good one.

BUT NOT AS GOOD AS WHAT'S COMING. There is going to be a vampire love fest on Thursday, Nov. 19 at 8 p.m. on the CW. The two main peeps are going to share I loves you's, and by way of modern CW television ideology that ultimately means they're probably going to do it too.

As if THAT wasn't enough (and I have to say, the trailer looks pretty sexified), the New Moon movie comes out the following day, Nov. 20. I will be in a mystical land watching it at midnight on the dot with my best friend Rachel. She moved and I was going to be darned if she had to watch Robert Pattinson pout all by herself.

If you have any ounce of interest in anything related to blood, sex, tears, teens, tweens, Brits, delayed gratification and MOAR then I suggest you buy your tickets ahead of time. Because the kids these days are nuts, and theatres are sold out already.

Shameless Twilight fan out!

Halloween is good for the soul...

2009-10-31T13:31:00.009-04:00

Halloween is good for the soul... so I added a few fun pictures from around my neck of the woods. I might add some nice pictures of the Saline foliage later. But for now... enjoy a few of my Halloween housewarming decorations. Also, yes, the pumpkin that looks impaired is mine. Chris did the "good" one. I have never and will never be good at carving pumpkins. Don't make fun of me. Also I bought the cutest gourd known to man.