The Culture Vulture: Ann Arbor Summer Festival Executive Director Robb Woulfe Talks About the Festy’s Mid-Life Crisis
The weather’s turning warm (and then cold again and then warm again, but let’s just forget the blustery part for now), the kids are clamoring to begin their video-game and amusement park-filled vacations, Leinenkugel Summer Shandy is in…
The Parent Trap: It’s Time Every Kid Made Time to Volunteer. Really.
I have written about our kids being entitled, (March 20), enabled (March 27), having poor manners (March 6). Every day I am reminded how easy our kids have it, how much is given to them, and how little we ask in return. There is a way to…
Library of Michigan Selects Ann Arbor Author Laura Kasischke’s Book For Michigan Notable Book Program
Every year, the Michigan Department of Education's Library of Michigan and its Michigan Notable Books program choose 20 of the most notable books published in the year. According to the Notable Books web site, "The selections are reflective…
A Descent Into the Maelström: Private School Diary—Closet Racists.
A2PNotes: Ann Arbor is home to some 16,000 public school students, and approximately 1,700 students who attend the city's various private schools. Those students are parented by tens of thousands of women and men who haven't a clue about…
WEEKLY WHOPPER: Ann Arbor Mayor Claims University Police At Disposal of City
On April 14, 2011, AnnArbor.com reported that John Hieftje said, "Ann Arbor has more police officers than most think. In addition to the 124 sworn officers in the Ann Arbor Police Department, he said the University of Michigan has 54…
The Politics of Buyer’s Remorse: Group Files Petition to Recall Gov. Rick Snyder
According to a piece published today in The Detroit News, "A group that wants to recall Republican Gov. Rick Snyder says it will file its proposed petition wording with the state of Michigan this morning. Michigan Citizens United, which…
The Parent Trap: Let The Parent Who Is Without Sin Cast The First Dirty Look
My salad days,
When I was green in judgment.
—William Shakespeare, Antony and Cleopatra. Act i. Sc. 5.
Sometimes I catch myself in a "parenting moment," and I don't recognize myself. How can that mom who is giving her two-year-old candy on…
Urban Exile: Ann Arbor Panhandling Task Force Recommendations Wrong-Headed, Study Shows
There is a lot of advice in recent articles about the right and wrong way to help panhandlers. Many times this advice conflicts with the on-the-spot feelings of individuals who want to give to panhandlers. Some are adamantly against…
WEEKLY WHOPPER: “35 Staff Journalists. 407 Years of Experience.”
Newspaper executives routinely exaggerate circulation numbers. They fib about pass along rates (how many people handle a single copy of a newspaper). Newspapers have a well deserved reputation of less than honest reporting when it comes to…
Foodist: The Hypocrisy of Free Range Meat
The Atlantic is at it again.
February/March thinking person's publications, including The Atlantic, Salon.com and even the Chicago Tribune took foodies and locavores to task for, well, "pomposity" and "sermonizing." It was a tough…