| | August 2008 First News Issue | Chamber Express eNewsletter |
Hello Megan, The purpose of the Chamber Express is to keep members up-to-date on all events, programs and news at the Chamber office. Please let us know if you have any suggestions, comments or questions relating to this issue of the Ann Arbor Area Chamber Express by emailing Lindsay McCarthy, Interim Marketing Director & Director of Programs and Events, or by calling 734.665.4433. Thank you for your time, Lindsay McCarthy |
| Get to Know Your Chamber Board
Newcombe Clark Bluestone Reality Advisors
Newcombe Clark specializes in the leasing and sales of class A office space, retail and commercial land for Bluestone Reality Advisors. He has a broad background in property management and investment analysis and has served in both capacities for large scale multi-tenant office and mixed use buildings. Clark is also a member of the Citizens Advisory Council for the Downtown Development Authority, a board member of the University of Michigan Museum of Art Campaign, secretary of the Main Street Area Association, chairman of the Cool Cities Task Force for the City of Ann Arbor and co-curator for the Clark/Valenti Gallery.want to learn more about Chamber Board Members? |
Leadership Ann Arbor Applications are being accepted for the 2008-2009 Class  Do you want to make lifelong connections in your community? Have you ever wanted to get firsthand knowledge of downtown economic development? Ever been on a ride along with an Ann Arbor police officer or gotten a tour of the City's recycling center? If you are looking for a way to connect with other leaders in Ann Arbor, enrolling in the Leadership Ann Arbor program is worth considering.
Once the class is full, applicants will have to wait another year so don't delay submitting your Leadership Ann Arbor application. A limited number of partial scholarships are available. For more information contact Lindsay McCarthy, Interim Marketing Director & Director of Programs & Events, at 734.214.0109. want to apply? |
Christine Mann at 734.439.2904.
The Polo Fields Golf & Country Club: 50% off room rental on Grand Ballroom for weekday event. Contact Peggy Bitondo at 734.998.1555 or visit www.polofields.org.
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AARP The Magazine Names Top 10 Healthiest Places to Live in USA
Ann Arbor, MI Takes Top Honors as the #1 Healthiest City to Live and Retire In
AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and the world's largest-circulation magazine with more than 34 million readers, today announced the top ten healthiest cities to live and retire in with Ann Arbor, MI; Honolulu, HI; Madison, WI; Santa Fe, NM; and Fargo, ND taking the top five rankings. Featured in the September/October 2008 issue, the magazine also named five additional cities that received high marks for vitality and great living conditions including Boulder, CO; Charlottesville, VA; San Francisco Bay Area; Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN; and Naples-Marco Island, FL.
"Ann Arbor's quality of life is rooted in respect: for all races, cultures, nationalities, and religions; for lifelong learning; for our health and for our environment," Jesse Bernstein, President and CEO of the Ann Arbor Area Chamber of Commerce, said. "We are all proud to receive this recognition from AARP because it testifies to our commitment to achieve the measures that define this award everyday."
AARP The Magazine evaluated over 20 measures of vitality to help make its decisions and incorporated not only the physical aspects of a community (clean air and water), but also the health and habits of people who live there, taking into special consideration the health needs of people age 50+. Communities were chosen based on various criteria including opportunities for exercise, number of doctors in the area, availability of healthcare, diagnosis of health problems, healthy eating habits, and more. The magazine also evaluated quality of life measures such as housing affordability, the local economy, educational resources, crime, climate, recreational amenities, and arts and culture to help make their selections.
"The cities we chose are ahead of the healthy living curve with access to healthcare facilities, numerous options for exercise, activities, volunteerism, and a culture that supports vitality," said Nancy Graham, Acting Editor of AARP The Magazine. "This has become one of AARP The Magazine's most popular annual features and it's exciting to be the authority on the top cities for retirement at a time when more Americans than ever are approaching that milestone."
Additional information about this year's selections can be found in the September/October issue of AARP The Magazine or online at www.aarpmagazine.org.
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Local Blood Supply at Low Levels
Donors Needed  The Southeastern Michigan Blood Services Region of the American Red Cross is facing alarmingly low blood levels and is struggling to meet the requests of local hospitals. In order to meet the needs of patients in 43 local hospitals, the Region should maintain a minimum three-day supply of all eight blood types. Eligible donors are asked to call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1.800.448.3543) or go online to find a drive. Blood donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds, be in general good health and present a valid state-issued photo ID or Red Cross donor card upon donation. The schedule for upcoming Ann Arbor area blood drives in August is: Wednesday, August 6
· 10am - 4pm, Domino's Farms, 30 Frank Lloyd Wright Drive, Ann Arbor
Tuesday, August 19
· 9am - 3pm, Altarum, 3520 Green Court, Ann Arbor
Wednesday, August 20
· 10am - 4pm, U-M Hospital Health Care, 3621 South State Street, Ann Arbor
· 11am - 5pm, Ashley Terrance Condominiums, 111 North Ashley, Ann Arbor *Chamber Blood Drive
Monday, August 25
· 9am - 3pm, Trinity Lutheran Church, 1400 West Stadium Boulevard, Ann Arbor
· 9am - 3pm, U-M Wolverine Towers, 3003 South State Street, Ann Arbor
Thursday, August 28
· 2pm - 8pm, Peace Lutheran Church, 8260 Jackson Road, Ann Arbor
· 7am - 1pm, U-M Hospital, East Hospital Drive, Ann Arbor
· 1pm - 7am, U-M Hospital, East Hospital Drive, Ann Arbor
Friday, August 29
· 7am - 1pm, U-M Hospital, East Hospital Drive, Ann Arbor
· 1pm - 7am, U-M Hospital, East Hospital Drive, Ann Arbor
Please consider donating to your local American Red Cross. |
Mix & Mingle: Connecting Startups and Talent
Thursday, August 7
SPARK Central
330 East Liberty, Ann Arbor
5pm - 7pm
If you are launching a startup, and need people to help you, come to this high energy event where you can have 1 minute to tell about your business and what kind of help you are seeking, (advisory board member, co-founder, employee that is willing to work for stock, consultant, etc.) followed by a networking session. To participate, send a one paragraph description of your business concept, along with a description of the talent that you are seeking by Thursday, July 31.
If you are interested in joining a Startup, and are looking for excitement now and pay later, attend this event where you can learn about early stage businesses, and have the opportunity to get in on the ground floor. You will also have the opportunity to complete an interest form, where you can share your contact information with as many startups as you'd like - think speed dating for startups! Question? Contact Amy Cell at 734.821.0075. |
Marketing Campaign Focus Groups
Monday, August 11, 3pm
Tuesday, August 12, 6pm
Ann Arbor Public Schools
Balas Administration Building
2555 South State Street, Ann Arbor
The Ann Arbor Public Schools Communication Department invites you to participate in a focus group to assess new marketing campaign concepts. A new marketing campaign is scheduled to begin this fall to increase enrollment by attracting students who live in the district and those who may be relocating to Ann Arbor. The campaign will also be targeted to local employers who are attempting to attract new employees into the area.
The focus groups will be asked to review and assess a series of campaign concepts. These responses will be used to select the final concept for the campaign. Two focus group times have been scheduled. You are asked to attend only one of the focus groups, the focus group session will be 90 minutes or less. Your candid assessment of the concepts presented at the focus group will be highly respected and appreciated. If you are able to participate in one of the focus group sessions please contact Liz Margolis or Judy Franklin at 734.994.2236. |
Art IN Sight
Opening Tuesday, August 12 Ann Arbor Area Chamber of Commerce
115 West Huron Street, 3rd Floor, Ann Arbor
Curated by Distinct Designs, Inc.
The beautifully adorned walls of the Chamber's office will soon have a different, but just as exciting exhibit of works by regional and local artists. We are very fortunate to have so many wonderfully talented artists in our area. So every few months Distinct Designs will be bringing in another great art exhibit for the Chamber staff and visitors to appreciate. Rotating art is a great way to have community involvement as well as improve staff morale and inspire creativity.
If you are interested in purchasing art, please contact Diane Bennett at 734.427.3824. |
Downtown Energy Saving Grant Program The Downtown Development Authority has set aside $200,000 for this Energy Saving Grant Program in 2008/09. The intention is to distribute these funds to as many locations as feasible or as there is interest. The program consists of the following:
Phase I: Energy audit of a downtown building or business space by a contractor recommended by the City of Ann Arbor Energy Office, followed by a consultation to determine the steps that could be taken to reduce building energy use and costs. Estimated cost for this phase is $2,500 - $4,000, to be fully paid for by the DDA. A qualified energy audit must be completed before eligibility for Phase II of this grant program.
Phase II: Installation of energy-saving measures, which may including such steps as new heating and cooling equipment, installation of energy-efficient windows or calking, renewable energy systems such as solar panels or geo thermal systems, etc. In this program phase, project costs will be shared equally by the business/building owner and the DDA, up to $20,000 each.
The deadline for application for the first round of grants is September 30, 2008.
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Market Research Projects with UM Ross School of Business
The Marketing Research Design and Analysis course here at the Ross School of Business; University of Michigan is looking for potential projects for the fall semester. This is an opportunity for your organization to work with a group of BBA or MBA students on your research problems of interest. The only constraint is that the project has to involve a survey.
It is possible to submit more than one proposal. It is anticipated that we can accommodate up to 20 projects across all the three classes. The precise number is impossible to anticipate in advance, although we hope to minimize the number of proposals going without groups. The deadline for proposal submission is FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2008.
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"The River Runs Through It" An exhibition of contemporary art at the Ann Arbor Area Chamber of Commerce and SPARK Central
Friday, June 6 through Tuesday, August 12  Want to see how locally created original art can transform, enliven and stimulate your environment? Want to see how art installations create a memorable impression for your visitors and clients? Want to see how art reflects your values, standards and expertise? River Gallery has an exhibition of terrific contemporary art at the recently renovated site of the Ann Arbor Area Chamber of Commerce and at SPARK Central. These exhibits are part of the growing presence of contemporary art in the business community.
River Gallery launches the expansion of the gallery's services to include business and corporate fine art consulting. With 7 years in the fine art business, River Gallery works with interior designers, architects and managers, determines art placement via site visit, and/or review of floor plans, color boards and offers framing and installation.
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Free Electronics Recycling
Recycle Ann Arbor
2950 East Ellsworth, Ann Arbor
Recycle Ann Arbor, a national leader in recycling and waste programs, announces that the Drop-Off Station will begin accepting many electronics free for recycling including: desktop and notebook computers, printers, copiers, fax machines, VCRs, stereos and microwave ovens.
"Recycle Ann Arbor has partnered with a new vendor to recycle these electronic items, and we are excited to be able to pass along the cost savings to our customers," said Recycle Ann Arbor CEO Melinda Uerling.
A pioneer in electronics recycling, Recycle Ann Arbor has collected and recycled more than one million pounds of electronics since 2003.
Many other recyclable items are also accepted for free, such as paper, metals, glass, and batteries. In addition, a wide variety of items are accepted for disposal at minimal cost. Pick-up service is available for large bulky waste items, at additional charge. The Drop-Off Station is open to the public Monday-Saturday, 9am - 5pm. For more information about Recycle Ann Arbor, please call 734.662.6288 or visit Recycle Ann Arbor.
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