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Matt Roush
When it comes to Michigan's film and video production tax credits, most of the talk has been about movies like "Gran Torino" and celebrity sightings around the state.
But the credits have also spawned a growing video game and animation production industry here.
A perfect example is Pixofactor Entertainment, where six partners and an ever-changing cast of contractor animators and graphic artists work on a wide variety of projects.
Principal and president Sean Hurwitz, a serial entrepreneur and one of the six partners, said the company was created in 2007 and took its present form in September 2009, when it took on a couple of video game creators, Michael Bolden and Jeremiah Strackbein, who are graduates of Lawrence Technological University and the College for Creative Studies respectively. The two initially set up their company in Florida but returned to Michigan in 2008 to take advantage of those much-discussed state tax breaks for the movie and video industries.
Hurwitz said the company conducts three major kinds of work:
* Work for hire on projects, in both live action films and animation for video games. "We build pieces of both of them," Hurwitz said.
* Licensing of content and getting local investors to develop that content. Pixofactor is currently working with local angel investors on project development, including Farmington Hills-based Envy Capital.
* Creating its own content and trying to develop it into films or games.
"We've got this team of experts now and we're in a position of strength and opportunity," Hurwitz said.
Projects now under way include a TV series based on a graphic novel called 'The Hunter,' which shows the aftermath of a coordinated series of terrorist attacks on the United States, including an A-bomb explosion at LAX in Los Angeles, an oil refinery sabotage in Houston, a toxic chemical release at the New York Stock Exchange and a biowar release in Boston.
"It's in development now as a pilot," Hurwitz said. "The intention is to take the pilot to several interested networks prior to distributing across digital platforms."
Other conversions of graphic novels are also in the works.
The company has also attracted local video veterans like Gary May, who is the company's head of live production, and Chris Firestone, head of creative services, who brings 20 years of experience in digital production and who has developed relationships and alliances throughout the Hollywood entertainment and production industry. They have also attracted people back to Michigan like Nancy Kelley, Pixofactor's marketing and business development leader, who spent the past 10 years at several startups in the Silicon Valley.
The company is based in some very cool real estate on the fourth floor of a downtown Royal Oak building on West Fourth Street.
Whatever your opinion of the film tax incentives, Hurwitz wanted to make one thing clear.
"Without those incentives in Michigan, this doesn't happen," he said. "We wouldn't be hiring local talent. We wouldn't be leasing this building. We wouldn't be getting investor money."
More -- including some amazing and fun demo reels -- at www.pixofactor.com. Or join their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/Pixofacto
Posted by Erin Rose at 10:29 AM Labels: Detroit Film Industry Links to this post
Jen Carlson
Over the weekend Patti Smith and Jonathan Lethem went face-to-face in the Great Hall of Cooper Union to discuss, you know, stuff. The Q&A format had Smith on the receiving end of questions from the author as well as some audience members. According to VanshingNY, one woman asked if it was still possible for a young artist to come to New York City and find a similar path that Smith and her contemporaries found themselves on decades ago.
The Godmother of Punk recalled coming to New York in 1967 when she was broke and the city was "'down and out,' and you could get a cheap apartment and 'build a whole community of transvestites or artists or writers.'" But today, she says, "New York has closed itself off to the young and the struggling. But there are other cities. Detroit. Poughkeepsie. New York City has been taken away from you. So my advice is: Find a new city."
And with that, we're now living in a world where Patti Smith and Sarah Jessica Parker are pretty much telling us the same thing. Heavy.
Posted by Erin Rose at 1:06 PM Labels: Detroit Legends, Detroit Music Links to this post
Jessica Nunez
Hugh Jackman will play a robot boxer builder and trainer in the upcoming sci-fi film 'Real Steel.'
The action movie "Real Steel," which will film in Detroit in late July, is looking for people who own military uniforms -- from any branch -- to act as extras in the film.
MichiganActing.com says to send a photo of yourself dressed in uniform to firstname.lastname@example.com, and to put your name and the word "Uniform" in the subject line. Also, be sure to include your phone number in teh email.
They are asking that no emails be sent for other inquiries at this time.
"Real Steel" takes place in the future and stars Hugh Jackman as a fighter who is suddenly without a job when robots take over the boxing industry.
He decides to reinvent himself as a robot builder and trainer. the movie is based on a story by Richard Matheson ("I Am Legend"), and is produced by Steven Spielberg and Stacey Snider.
"Real Steel" will be directed by Shawn Levy (the "Night at the Museum" films).
In addition to Detroit, filming will take place in parts of West Michigan and at a restaurant in Leslie, Mich., near Jackson.
The film has a budget of $80 million, the biggest in Michigan so far since the tax incentives were inititated in 2008.
Posted by Erin Rose at 4:10 PM Labels: Detroit Film Industry Links to this post
Real Estate Pros Articles
Despite the continued increase in Detroit foreclosure auctions, high rate of unemployment and image problems, a big portion of Detroit residents still love living in the city.
A survey conducted by Intellitrends showed that 50 percent of residents of Detroit and other areas of Southeast Michigan love living where they are and 91 percent of them believe that Southeast Michigan has been portrayed negatively by media practitioners.
Additionally, 51 percent of people who have moved to Detroit said they found what they were looking for and that their expectations were met. A whopping 31 percent even said that what they are experiencing as new residents exceeded their expectations.
With these positive feelings about Detroit, investors planning to buy properties through auctions for sale in the city and then resell them at a profit in a few years would likely achieve their investment goals as there are a lot of people still believing in the ultimate recovery of Detroit.
In the third quarter, the number of residential properties that were repossessed through Detroit foreclosure auctions and properties notified of pre-foreclosures increased year-over-year by 48 percent to a total of 13,192 units.
Similarly, the number of properties taken back by lenders through public home auctions in Michigan and properties notified of pre-foreclosures in the first quarter increased by nearly 11 percent to 45,732 units. Of these units, a total of 18,604 units became bank owned homes.
On the whole, real estate investors and home buyers planning to profit from properties listed for Detroit foreclosure auctions are right on track, as there are still a lot of people confident about the recovery of Detroit.
Posted by Erin Rose at 11:02 AM Labels: Detroit Real Estate Links to this post
A passion for both the sport of bowling and for the care of animals comes together in an annual charity event! Professional bowling champions Aleta Sill and Michelle Mullen are co-owners of Aleta Sill's Bowling World, the host of Bowl-4-Animal Rescue! This 5th annual event has a goal to once again raise thousands of dollars for the Michigan Animal Adoption Network (MAAN) and the Friends For The Dearborn Animal Shelter (FFDAS).
The event takes place on Saturday, August 7th at Country Lanes in Farmington Hills - Located at 30250 W. 9-Mile Road, west of Middlebelt Road. Sponsorship levels vary in cost but Sill points out that everyone can help.
"We look for partners to help from simply buying a ticket and bowling, to providing auction items, to pledging a donation, to being official sponsors. We have some very valuable marketing opportunities in conjunction with this event, not to mention that sponsors will be doing a good deed!"
***100% of the proceeds will benefit FFDAS and MAAN!***
To find more about sponsoring the 5th Annual Bowl-4-Animal Rescue, contact Michelle Mullen at 248-217-8275 or firstname.lastname@example.com.
Sill and Mullen share an enthusiasm for helping animals. They have adopted eight animals themselves! "The homeless animal problem in Metro Detroit has reached an epidemic level and we want to do anything we can to alleviate the problem," said Mullen. In 2009, the event raised $15,000 for FFDAS and MAAN.
Tickets to Bowl-4-Animal Rescue are $25 in advance (or $30 at the door) and include three games, food and shoe rental. There will be auctions, raffles, door prizes, music, karaoke and a cash bar. Bowlers can even have one of the professional bowlers throw a strike for them! Tickets may be purchased by calling Aleta Sill's Bowling World at 248-615-9060 or via email: firstname.lastname@example.com.
For pledge forms, photos and event flyers, please visit: www.YourBowlingCoach.com/Community.
Posted by Erin Rose at 10:50 AM Labels: Places to Go People To See, Random Acts of Kindness Links to this post
This Memorial Day Weekend 2010, come to the FREE POLISH COUNTRY FAIR on the campus of St. Mary's Prep in Orchard Lake, MI. There's no charge for admission and there are FUN activities for ALL ages. Live entertainment for dancing - great bands. Las Vegas & Bingo Tents. Over 45 Carnival Rides and games. Plenty of cold beer and great food.
Check out the Fair Website for more info: http://www.stmaryspolishcountryfair.com/
Posted by Erin Rose at 11:44 AM Labels: Places to Go People To See Links to this post
Shirts from celebrities including Kid Rock, Sandra Bernhard, Paradime, and The Dirty Americans are available for bidding at http://myworld.ebay.com/ashirtbag. Bidding ends Saturday, May 1, 2010.
"Bidding started at $100 per shirt," stated Jeff Newsom, AShirtBag founder. "We already have Kid Rock's ashirtbag's way over the asking price bid"
In addition to supporting a great cause and reducing waste placed in landfills, the purchase of each bag is a tax write off under all state and federal laws. Each bag is sent with a tax donation form with the final bid amount.
All of the proceeds raised from the sale of the celebrity bags support AShirtBag's mission of educating third, fourth and fifth grade students about the environment. Children receive eco-friendly school supplies and each classroom and school receives recycling bags and bins as part of the free project-based AShirtBag program titled "7 Things You Can Do in 7 Days to Save Our Environment".
"Introducing environmentally conscious behavior at an early age makes it easier for kids to continue eco-friendly practices throughout life," says founder Jeff Newsom.
For more information contact AShirtBag, at (800) 915-9384 or visit www.ashirtbag.org. AShirtBag is located at 1331 Holden Street in Detroit. View AShirtBag's blog at www.ashirtbagblogspot.com.
Posted by Erin Rose at 10:59 AM Labels: Keeping the planet clean Links to this post
John Buccigross
What is your problem with the Red Wings? If you are not a fan of them, fine, great, that's your right. But try not to let your feelings about them show TOO much in your columns.
Bob Moore
Madison, Wis.
A decent-sized clump of Detroit Red Wings fans is like that girlfriend/boyfriend/wife/husband who gets 99 compliments but remembers the one measured comment/opinion that didn't inject sunshine into the other half's body.
I think it's important that Red Wings Nation and I get things ironed out before the postseason begins. This is the last week of the regular season, and we all want to be in a good frame of mind as the greatest tournament in sports begins next week.
With that in mind, I have gone back to my very first NHL column here on ESPN.com and found some of the nice things I've said about the Red Wings throughout the years. This is not all of the nice things I've said, just a sample. So Detroit, put on your Snuggie and smell the bloggy bouquet of flowers I've sent you as we all prepare for the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Detroit diddy: 'Game on'
• Nicklas Lidstrom, Detroit: Finally won his first Norris last season. He might end up with five when he's done playing.
• Steve Yzerman, Detroit: He's never won an MVP, but he's everything an MVP is. He's the centerpiece of one of the best teams of all time. Eight Hall of Famers, the Gretzky of coaches, and the fulcrum of it all is a man who is 5-10, 180. What Bono is to U2, Yzerman is to the Red Wings.
Detroit diddy: 'A star is born'
Nicklas Lidstrom, Detroit Red Wings: He's just ol' dependable St. Nick. Never misses a game. Never a minus. Never takes a dumb penalty. One of the classiest players in the league. Maybe the classiest.
Detroit diddy: 'Best time of year'
Certainly, not a lock, but, the most likely to win it all. Could they lose in the first round? Sure. But, I feel they are the smartest team in professional sports. I feel their intellect, talent and savvy will carry them through. They will get better with each round. The concerns are Steve Yzerman's knee and Dominik Hasek's brain. He's been acting goofy in net recently. But, that usually means he's really into it, so perhaps that's a good sign for Red Wings fans. Can they just "turn it on" and bring their "A" game after finishing so uninspired? Yes. They displayed a greatness THAT NO OTHER TEAM CAME CLOSE TO MATCHING for much of the season. Again, they may not reach that level again and they could be bounced, but until then, they are the odds-on favorite to win.
Detroit diddy: 'Playoffs preview'
Detroit vs. St. Louis: The Red Wings are still my pick to win it all. It took them two games to get going, but now they are ready to bleed for the Cup. They just won four in a row against the team that scored the most goals in the NHL during the regular season and they didn't seem to burn much fuel in doing so.
Detroit diddy: 'Inspiration ... dreams'
We all need inspiration. Someone and some things to lift us toward our dreams. I have dreams and you have dreams and since we both spend way too much time assuming they will never come true, I suggest you watch these NHL playoffs and closely inspect the desperation, courage and perseverance the players show every night. For me, Steve Yzerman inspired me to never give up no matter what during my long day on the golf course. You might connect with a different player. Whoever it is and whatever you wish for, you will likely find the keys to achieving in the eyes of your player or players. Smarts, sacrifice, patience, enthusiasm, and a will to JUST GET IT DONE.
When I watch Yzerman on TV and when I saw his name on my golf ball it reminded me of Tennyson:
Tho' much is taken, much abides; and tho
We are not now that strength which in old days
Moved earth and heaven, that which we are, we are;
One equal temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.
Detroit diddy: 'It's your birthday!'
I find myself shoving the same CDs into the car CD player, and Lord knows nothing on the radio will move me. "... It's your birthday. We gon' party like it's your birthday. We gon' Darren McCarty like it's your birthday ..."
Detroit diddy: 'Mail call'
Mr. Buccigross,
Is there anything better than Ben Harper and Eddie Vedder on stage together entertaining fans?
Tony Wroblewski
When Pavel Datsyuk makes 47 moves in a three-foot area, and then makes one more to cause the goaltender to internally combust.
Detroit diddy: 'A look into the future'
• A week earlier, the Detroit Red Wings won their 15th Stanley Cup and fourth under the direction of president and GM Steve Yzerman, who retired after the 2003-04 season, a year in which he played the entire postseason on one leg. After scoring 23 goals, Yzerman finished the regular season in such pain that he chose to have the leg amputated. He finished the playoffs with 11 goals and 16 assists, the Conn Smythe and his fourth Stanley Cup. His career ended with his double-overtime, Cup-winning goal in Game 7 against the New York Rangers and their so-called Trade Deadline line. With his patented "row boat" style skating, Yzerman weaved past Jaromir Jagr and his linemates, Alexi Yashin and Pierre Turgeon, and beat goaltender Tom Poti five-hole. When Glen Sather was asked why started the startled 42-year-old defenseman in net, Sather responded, "Dude, I'm Slats."
• When I was senior at Heidelberg College, I cut a 2-inch by 1-inch picture of Steve Yzerman out of the newspaper and hung it on my dormitory door. I wasn't a Wings fan and had never seen Yzerman play. This was the mid-'80s, I lived in Eastern Ohio, and the NHL was on SportsChannel. I wasn't one of the 47 people who had that network as part of their cable package. But his eyes mesmerized me. I thought, this is a person who has big dreams. Big visions. He has a plan and a focus to see it through and stick it out. I knew nothing about him, had never seen or heard him speak, but something moved me to hang that picture on my door as inspiration that life's biggest joys and awards come from dealing with and overcoming pain and discomfort. Those eyes said, "Nothing good comes easy." Have a vision and stick it out.
Detroit diddy: 'Draper'
Kris Draper, C, Detroit Red Wings: Throw me a bone here. He skates like he really loves the game. Bloated plus/minus, more goals than Brendan Shanahan and Brett Hull, only one of his 19 goals is on the power play, great faceoff guy, great personality. They would have made this guy's year.
Detroit diddy: 'The Wings are flying'
Mike Babcock has really tightened this team defensively. Sprinkle in creators up front and the beautiful-to-watch Nicklas Lidstrom and Mathieu Schneider on the back end, and the Wings are flying.
Detroit diddy: 'Impressed'
I saw the Red Wings play in person in Columbus and I came away very impressed. They looked like the Minnesota Wild from the spring of 2003. Skating, surrounding the puck carrier and difficult to tell one line from the next. Also, their two best players, Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk, played hard every shift. This backbone of character will carry them a long way.
Detroit diddy: 'The awards'
Norris: Nicklas Lidstrom. Quarterbacks the best power play in the league, plays 28:34 a night, gets the puck on net low. You don't hear the puck smack off the back glass when Nick Lidstrom shoots it from the point. A calming, classy influence. If actor Jimmy Stewart came back as a hockey player, he would be Nicklas Lidstrom.
Detroit diddy: 'Stevie Y's future'
• I do think Stevie Y will retire after this season. He would never announce his retirement now because it would be a distraction to the team and he's not a rocking-chair-retirement-ceremony-while-he-is-still-playing kind of guy. After he retires, I would then make him the head of Hockey Canada for the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver.
Hey Johnny boy,
Why do you hate the Islanders?
Domenic Longo
Middle Village, N.Y.
• I swear to Yzerman I don't hate any team. I have stated here many times that broadcasters and referees don't care who wins games. If I covered a local team, they would be my favorite team, because I would create relationships within the organization and I am a sucker for the human touch. And broadcasters of teams get paid by the game, so the more playoff games a team wins, the more money they make. But since I am essentially an international columnist (Hello, Guam!), I have to look at the league and teams equally. I do tend to root for my predictions and the four-legged parlays I played in Vegas last week (boy, I did well), but my love for the 30 NHL teams is platonic. Speaking of Plato, he would have been a Red Wings fan.
Detroit diddy: 'P.D.'
I agree Datsyuk is mesmerizing. Maybe the most visually correct player in the league, especially on shootouts. The Red Wings will have a difficult time winning the Stanley Cup without a healthy and productive Datsyuk. I hope he is, because there is no player in the NHL who makes one go "holy $%#$%" more than P.D.
Detroit diddy: 'Predictions'
• Norris Trophy prediction: For 28 minutes a night, nearly every slap shot on goal, outlet pass, power-play goal and regal air -- Lidstrom is simply the best.
• Jack Adams prediction: There were many outstanding coaching performances this season. In fact, one could argue the depth of quality NHL coaching has never been better. Hence, the tight races down the stretch. But it's truly amazing how Mike Babcock elevated the play of so many players after he stepped into the culture of Detroit, with its heavy air of tradition and recent habits.
Detroit diddy: 'Yzerman's call'
Steve Yzerman said he will make his decision on retirement soon. I believe he will retire. If he wants to come back, that is fine, but I believe his knee just isn't well enough to stand up to the NHL. He's still a joy to watch and there is still so much there to take in as a fan, but I do believe retirement is best. And I believe he should be named the man in charge of Canada's Olympic team for 2010.
Detroit diddy: 'The constant'
Nicklas Lidstrom: The Red Wings are always good because he is always good. Do you know how many times the Red Wings have missed the playoffs since his first season, in 1991-92? That would be, uh, zero.
Detroit diddy: 'Worth the admission'
The majesty of Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg is still worth the price of admission for the hard-core hockey fan. They take your breath away on occasion.
Detroit diddy: 'The characters'
• Dominik Hasek: For the "Hey There, Delilah" crowd, he has won six Vezinas and two MVPs.
• Nicklas Lidstrom: When I think of him, I think of the first two lines of one of the 10 songs I would take to heaven ... or hell. It's still up in the air at this point. The song is "Mary's Prayer" by Danny Wilson. And the lines are: "Everything is wonderful; being here is heavenly."
• Henrik Zetterberg: A high-powered European sedan weaving through the pylons of life.
• Chris Chelios: The Mike Wallace of the NHL.
Detroit diddy: 'Best-coached club'
So far this season, the Detroit Red Wings are the best team. They are by far the best-coached club. Mike Babcock is hands down the best coach in the NHL. He has to be Canada's coach at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, and Steve Yzerman should pick the team. Synergy, people.
They score, they check and simply control the game. They are a little top-heavy scoring-wise and, for this game (at least at the start), will split up Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg. Jiri Hudler is coming on and has been playing at about a point-per-game rate. You can see his confidence growing.
Detroit diddy: 'Lidstrom/Flavor Flav comparison'
I LOVE Sergei Zubov. But ... not only should Nicklas Lidstrom win the Norris, I think it's time he wins the MVP. He controls a game like Flavor Flav controls Public Enemy. Yes, that's the first Lidstrom/Flavor Flav comparison. Unless Mickey Redmond already beat me to it.
Detroit diddy: 'Belichick's influence?'
• The Red Wings are King ... so far. The Red Wings are dominating the NHL, much the same way the Patriots dominated the NFL during the regular season. Their coach, Mike Babcock, confesses to reading Bill Belichick's Web site. Babcock is a much better interview, however, than Belichick and is neck-and-neck with Kings coach Marc Crawford for the league's best head of hair. We care about these things in the NHL. Hair is part of the history of the league; Derek Sanderson and the Big Bad Bruins of the '70s helped break the mold of no long hair and facial hair in hockey.
• Any Red Wings fan who has seen Detroit play this season has marveled at Pavel Datsyuk's ability to strip opponents in the neutral zone. The Red Wings are playing with machine-like efficiency. I expect them to make a major move at the deadline, if they can, and really make a hard run at the Cup. I'm a big "Ryan Kesler for the Selke" guy, as well. But keep an eye on Datsyuk during games and watch how he strips players around the blue line and turns that turnover into points.
• Detroit has been far and away the best team in the NHL, Major. If I had a vote, I would vote Mike Babcock as coach of the year and Nicklas Lidstrom as MVP and Norris Trophy winner.
Detroit diddy: 'Once-in-a-half-century knight'
• Any franchise would have basked in that success, but the Red Wings augmented the winning with interesting characters. Steve Yzerman is a once-in-a-half-century knight. Brendan Shanahan, Sergei Fedorov, Darren McCarty, Nicklas Lidstrom, Igor Larionov, Brett Hull, Luc Robitaille, Dominik Hasek, Scotty Bowman, Chris Chelios, Tomas Holmstrom, Martin Lapointe, Joey Kocur, Vladimir Konstantinov, and so on. This was an interesting group of characters who gave the Red Wings' success texture and depth to last a lifetime. Theirs was an interesting story. Talented, physical, mysterious, confrontational, comedic -- this team had it all.
• Datsyuk has the uniqueness and flair of Crosby. He lacks the physical play Crosby exhibits around the net of the opposing goalie, but he is better at defensively stripping opponents of the puck and has that knack to know when to hover and when to pounce. Datsyuk would be very adept at killing wild game if he put his mind to it. I could see him killing raccoons with ease.
• Zetterberg is a complete player who is hybrid efficient. He can create, score and provide the spectacular. His goal-scoring rate does not change in the postseason. I love that. That means his game has depth.
Detroit diddy: 'NHL's most complete team'
The Red Wings are still the most complete team in the NHL. They are a great skating team with a defense that has skill and mobility, much more so than the Hawks saw against Vancouver. The Wings' offense is a touch deeper than the Blackhawks, and Pavel Datsyuk will be more comfortable playing against the Hawks' defense than Anaheim's.
Detroit diddy: 'NHL's best, when healthy'
• I believe wholeheartedly the following statements are quite possibly absolutely true: When completely healthy, the Red Wings are the best team in the NHL.
• Red Wings coach Mike Babcock will retire with between 600 and 711 coaching wins and be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Detroit diddy: 'Lidstrom? Kobe?'
• And when Nick [Lidstrom] senses a big moment, he turns into Kobe Bryant without the trash talk and false bravado. He is a silent assassin. He stalks, he sees, he pounces. He is one of the best of all time at that. There has never been anyone like him.
• He [Zetterberg] does everything well. And, most important, he plays hard all the time with no arrogance. He is making a late charge for the Conn Smythe Trophy if the Red Wings win the Cup. He got a late start to his career at age 22 and then lost a season to the lockout. He turns 29 this fall, but has played just 432 regular-season games. He should be able to get to 1,000 NHL games if he stays healthy. That will get No. 40 to the Detroit rafters and the man to the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Detroit diddy: 'A new page'
The Wings needed a new arena 10 years ago. Joe Louis Arena is the equivalent of 1982 Chrysler K-car. I love the intimacy of The Joe and long for the days of smaller arenas, but it's time for a new home for Detroit. Imagine what kind of creativity and care could be put into a new cathedral for the Wings and Michigan hockey. I have not been to the Palace or the surrounding area to have an opinion on that. I would hope a new arena could be built downtown. I know things look bleak now, and in the immediate future, in Detroit. But there have been plenty of examples in which cities have come back strong over time.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010!
And one more, fresh sentence: I love you, Detroit. ;)
Posted by Erin Rose at 12:36 PM Labels: Root Root Root For The Home Team Links to this post
Posted by Erin Rose at 12:25 PM Labels: Places to Go People To See Links to this post
Beginning April 27, those interested can upload an image of their original design to the BravoBravo! website, www.bravobravo.org. The design with the most votes will receive two tickets to BravoBravo!, will be showcased during BravoBravo!, and will receive a feature article in 944 Magazine.
Fashion students, amateurs, and professionals are all invited to participate in the contest. All entries must be received by May 28. The contest winner will be announced June 2. Only Michigan residents are eligible to participate.
Entrants Must Provide:
1 photo - 800pixels x 600pixels; File can be up to 5 megabytes
Short Bio - up to 280 characters
Email address and contact information
About BravoBravo!
In its 11th year, BravoBravo!, presented by Bank of America, will take place 7:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Friday, June 4, 2010 at the Detroit Opera House, 1526 Broadway, in Detroit. The event, coordinated by the young professionals group of the Michigan Opera Theatre Volunteer Association (MOTVA) brings together the city's top restaurants, showcases its best live musical acts and draws thousands of revelers all in support of Michigan Opera Theatre (MOT).
BravoBravo! supports the continued success and daily operation of Michigan Opera Theatre. In 2009, BravoBravo! drew a record crowd of over 2,000 young professionals and raised over $180,000 to support MOT. For 2010, organizers aim for a goal of $250,000 to support MOT's artistic and educational programs. Since its inception, BravoBravo! has raised more than $833,000 and is considered a critical fundraising effort for Michigan Opera Theatre.
Tickets are $85 during the month of April, $95 during May and $105 during June. Tickets may be purchased at the Detroit Opera House box office, by phone at (313) 237-SING, or online at www.bravobravo.org. The event is expected to sell out.
BravoBravo! attendees must be 21 or older.
About BravoBravo! Fashion Design Contest
BravoBravo! fashion design contest is coordinated by Ohm Creative Group, provided by 323East. 323 East is a collection of creative energy materialized in a smashup of art, culture, lifestyle and creativity. Located 20 minutes north of Detroit in Royal Oak, MI; 323East is home to over 100 artists with rotating works in a variety of mediums. Recent solo exhibitions include local and international artists Glenn Barr, Ron Zakrin, and David Foox. In addition to the gallery, 323East's new boutique offers 400 square feet of extra space dedicated to handmade goods by local and international artists including jewelry, handbags, clothing and more. find out more online at www.323east.com
Posted by Erin Rose at 12:15 PM Labels: Detroit Fashion, Places to Go People To See Links to this post
Send a piece of home to soldiers serving in the United States Armed Forces!
"Operation Opening Day" is intended for transplanted Detroit Tigers fans currently on military duty at home and abroad. The DVD presentation of Opening Day 2010 is a gift from Mario Impemba that features the game telecast of the Detroit Tigers defeating the Cleveland Indians, 5-2 and all the festivities surrounding the annual Detroit holiday. This project is also made possible through the cooperation of the Tigers and Major League Baseball Productions.
"Opening Day in Detroit is a tradition that dates back over 100 years. It's a celebration that brings the city of Detroit together for the start of every baseball season. This year, in an effort to bring a piece of home to our men and women serving in the Armed Forces around the world, I would like to provide you with the presentation of Opening Day 2010 at Comerica Park in Detroit," states Mario Impemba, play-by-play announcer for the Detroit Tigers on FOX Sports Detroit.
To receive this special gift, click HERE and complete the form with a valid military address -- APO address, SPO address, FPO address, military base or ship address. "Operation Opening Day" will be mailed solely to valid military addresses as the gift is intended for the men and women currently serving our country.
"Operation Opening Day" will be shipped within 4 business days of receipt of request.
Quantities are limited. Requests will be fulfilled as received.
Should you have any questions, please email email@example.com.
Posted by Erin Rose at 12:08 PM Labels: Detroit Tigers, Random Acts of Kindness Links to this post
Find the perfect gift for mom at Pewabic Pottery's Mother's Day Shopping Event on Wednesday, May 5 from 6-9 p.m.
This evening event at Pewabic's historic landmark in Detroit offers refreshments, door prizes and specials. Pewabic Society members can double their discount up to 20 percent.
"In addition to buying mom a beautiful vase or ornamental tile, why not consider giving her a Pewabic Society membership," said Terese Ireland, executive director of Pewabic Pottery. "Membership includes invitations to member-only events, exhibit announcements, discounts and a newsletter and can be purchased on May 5 or by calling (313) 822-0954 or visiting www.pewabic.org."
Pewabic Pottery is a non-profit arts and cultural organization and National Historic Landmark dedicated to ceramic education and advancing contemporary ceramic arts while honoring Arts & Crafts ideals.
Pewabic Pottery is open to the public year round and offers classes, workshops, lectures and tours to children and adults. Pewabic continues to create tile for architectural and offers galleries that showcase more than 70 ceramic artists and a museum store for purchasing handmade items. Visitors are welcome, free of charge, during regular business hours Monday – Saturday from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. To learn more about Pewabic Pottery, visit www.pewabic.org. Pewabic Pottery can be found at 10125 E. Jefferson Ave. in Detroit across the street from Waterworks Park.
Posted by Erin Rose at 11:59 AM Labels: Detroit Art, Places to Go People To See Links to this post
"Ladies Night Out is a great way for women to get together for a night of catching up, dining and shopping," said Wendi Skolnik, Milford Business Association president and owner of Nana's Niche & Corner, one of the participating Milford businesses. "During the evening, patrons can expect specials at many of Milford's restaurants, and exclusive deals and previews of the latest merchandise at dozens of clothing boutiques, jewelry stores, furniture outfitters and more."
Besides plenty of time to shop, dine and mingle, ladies will also have the chance to win one of 40 gift certificates worth at least $20 each, redeemable at a variety of Milford spots. To enter, attendees can pick up stamps at participating businesses to place in a booklet. Once they've picked up 10, they can enter to win by dropping their completed form in any box at participating locations.
For more information on shopping and dining in Milford, visit www.meetmeinmilford.com.
Posted by Erin Rose at 11:37 AM Labels: Places to Go People To See Links to this post
Michigan Municipal League
Detroit Public Radio's Craig Fahle Show took an in depth look at Michigan's film industry's "staying power" on April 20, 2010. He interviewed a number of experts on the ins and outs of producing films, building a local infrastructure, how to get investors on board, opportunities for Michigan's universities to better educate filmmakers, and what local governments can do to support the growth of the industry. Listen to the radio broadcast online. Start the audio halfway through if you only want to hear Craig Fahle's segment on the film industry.
I found it to be a rather meaty report that hit on a number of poignant topics - from Michigan Film Investment Summit organizer Gary Bourassa's idea for how to educate investors, to "Gran Torino" producer Jeffrey Spilman's experience working in Michigan as managing partner for S3 Entertainment, to a report from Emory King about how Michigan State University, the University of Michigan and Wayne State are collaborating on a new program that will allow film students to use each school's unique resources.
Other people featured in the interview include Mark Adler of the Michigan Production Alliance, Miller Canfield's Lisa Pick, independent filmmaker Brian Hopkins, and Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano, who talks about a couple of things that local governments can do to create a local filmmaking infrastructure.
I'll leave you with the question that Craig Fahle poses at the beginning of the show; "Generous incentives from the state have attracted a number of projects, but what will it take for the industry to have deep and strong roots?"
Detroit Public Radio's Craig Fahle Show took an in depth look at Michigan's film industry's "staying power" on April 20, 2010. He interviewed a number of experts on the ins and outs of producing films, building a local infrastructure, how to get investors on board, opportunities for Michigan's universities to better educate filmmakers, and what local governments can do to support the growth of the industry. Listen to the radio broadcast online. Start the audio halfway through if you only want to hear Craig Fahle's segment on the film industry.
I found it to be a rather meaty report that hit on a number of poignant topics - from Michigan Film Investment Summit organizer Gary Bourassa's idea for how to educate investors, to "Gran Torino" producer Jeffrey Spilman's experience working in Michigan as managing partner for S3 Entertainment, to a report from Emory King about how Michigan State University, the University of Michigan and Wayne State are collaborating on a new program that will allow film students to use each school's unique resources.
Other people featured in the interview include Mark Adler of the Michigan Production Alliance, Miller Canfield's Lisa Pick, independent filmmaker Brian Hopkins, and Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano, who talks about a couple of things that local governments can do to create a local filmmaking infrastructure.
I'll leave you with the question that Craig Fahle poses at the beginning of the show; "Generous incentives from the state have attracted a number of projects, but what will it take for the industry to have deep and strong roots?"
Posted by Erin Rose at 3:11 PM Labels: Detroit Film Industry Links to this post
Amy Lane
Crain's Detroit Business
Five companies bringing $79.4 million in investment mostly to Southeast Michigan were cleared for nearly $23.3 million in state tax credits on Tuesday.
The projects were among 10 statewide to receive assistance from the board of the Michigan Economic Growth Authority.
They included:
• A $11.4 million expansion by a Farmington Hills business process outsourcing company. The expansion in Southfield by The Minacs Group (USA) Inc. is expected to create some 1,928 new jobs, with the help of a $9.1 million state tax credit approved by the MEGA board.
A MEGA board briefing memo said the city of Southfield has also proposed a three-year personal property tax abatement with an estimated value of $208,000 in support of the project.
• A $4.2 million investment in downtown Detroit by Somerset, N.J.-based information technology services provider GalaxE. Solutions Inc. Read more in the Crain's story.
The company plans to create up to 500 jobs and lease space in the 1001 Woodward building adjacent to Compuware Corp.'s headquarters on Campus Martius. It was approved for a $4.6 million state tax credit.
• A $12 million project by PSCU Financial Services Inc. to expand software development, sales and technology-based call center operations and support services in Michigan, consolidating two operations in Auburn Hills and Southgate into a single location in Auburn Hills.
The expansion by the St. Petersburg, Fla.-based company, which provides financial services to credit unions, is expected to create 837 jobs. The MEGA board approved a tax credit of up to $3.5 million for the project.
A MEGA board briefing memo said the city of Auburn Hills plans to consider a property tax abatement in support of the project. The staff at the Michigan Economic Development Corp. estimate the value of an eight-year abatement at $349,836.
• A $49.2 million expansion by Troy-based Magna Holdings of America Inc., in four Michigan communities. The project involves several Magna divisions and would create up to 508 jobs in Auburn Hills, Shelby Township, Troy and Lansing. Read more in the Crain's story.
The company was approved for a $5.6 million state tax credit.
• An approximate $3 million investment by Aeroflex/Inmet Inc. in Ann Arbor, a manufacturer and designer of microwave and wireless components.
The project would expand current operations and relocate design and manufacturing of a resistor product line from New Jersey to Ann Arbor, creating 47 jobs.
The MEGA board approved a $466,004 state tax credit. A briefing memo said Scio Township expects to approve a $42,000 tax abatement in support of the project.
Five companies bringing $79.4 million in investment mostly to Southeast Michigan were cleared for nearly $23.3 million in state tax credits on Tuesday.
The projects were among 10 statewide to receive assistance from the board of the Michigan Economic Growth Authority.
They included:
• A $11.4 million expansion by a Farmington Hills business process outsourcing company. The expansion in Southfield by The Minacs Group (USA) Inc. is expected to create some 1,928 new jobs, with the help of a $9.1 million state tax credit approved by the MEGA board.
A MEGA board briefing memo said the city of Southfield has also proposed a three-year personal property tax abatement with an estimated value of $208,000 in support of the project.
• A $4.2 million investment in downtown Detroit by Somerset, N.J.-based information technology services provider GalaxE. Solutions Inc. Read more in the Crain's story.
The company plans to create up to 500 jobs and lease space in the 1001 Woodward building adjacent to Compuware Corp.'s headquarters on Campus Martius. It was approved for a $4.6 million state tax credit.
• A $12 million project by PSCU Financial Services Inc. to expand software development, sales and technology-based call center operations and support services in Michigan, consolidating two operations in Auburn Hills and Southgate into a single location in Auburn Hills.
The expansion by the St. Petersburg, Fla.-based company, which provides financial services to credit unions, is expected to create 837 jobs. The MEGA board approved a tax credit of up to $3.5 million for the project.
A MEGA board briefing memo said the city of Auburn Hills plans to consider a property tax abatement in support of the project. The staff at the Michigan Economic Development Corp. estimate the value of an eight-year abatement at $349,836.
• A $49.2 million expansion by Troy-based Magna Holdings of America Inc., in four Michigan communities. The project involves several Magna divisions and would create up to 508 jobs in Auburn Hills, Shelby Township, Troy and Lansing. Read more in the Crain's story.
The company was approved for a $5.6 million state tax credit.
• An approximate $3 million investment by Aeroflex/Inmet Inc. in Ann Arbor, a manufacturer and designer of microwave and wireless components.
The project would expand current operations and relocate design and manufacturing of a resistor product line from New Jersey to Ann Arbor, creating 47 jobs.
The MEGA board approved a $466,004 state tax credit. A briefing memo said Scio Township expects to approve a $42,000 tax abatement in support of the project.
Posted by Erin Rose at 2:50 PM Links to this post
A Kick-Off Rally for Rob Becker, Richmond, Mich. resident who is traveling cross-country on his motorcycle in an effort to raise money and awareness for Covenant House Michigan, a Detroit-based shelter serving homeless and at-risk youth.
After 14 years as a paramedic, Becker, lost his job in 2005. He spent two years unemployed, looking for work, but in 2007, he lost his home and became homeless. Becker lived in his vehicle for a few days before a bed became available at a local shelter where he stayed for two months. He eventually found another job and began volunteering at the shelter. "I tried to give back everything that was given to me," he said.
His experience has compelled him to give back even more, so he decided on the approximately 9,000 mile cross country journey on his motorcycle to raise at least $5,000 for Covenant House Michigan. He plans to sleep in a tent and visit other Covenant House locations throughout the country. "Covenant House is doing such great things for homeless young people in a loving caring home-like setting," Becker said.
Donations can be made at www.covenanthousemi.org, donor's should designate their donation to Ride4Homeless. Supporters can visit Becker's website www.ride4homeless.com for a turn-by-turn map of his trip and updates on his journey.
Friday, April 30, 2010
10:00 am
Covenant House Michigan
2959 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd, Detroit, MI 48208
Posted by Erin Rose at 12:56 PM Labels: Detroit Inspirational Tales, Random Acts of Kindness Links to this post
Metro Detroit Eco-Friendly Non-Profit AShirtBag Readies For A Celebrity-Studded EBay Extravaganza to Support its Educational Programs
Environmentally-conscious and education-minded non-profit AShirtBag has embarked on its next major fund-raising effort. This time, founder Jeff Newsom adds Michigan born and bred celebrities into the mix.
"We've asked comedians, musicians, actors and artists – who have a connection to Michigan – to donate their used tank tops or A-shirts to our cause," said Newsom. "Each celebrity a-shirt will be crafted into a reusable tote bag. A custom AShirtBag tag will come autographed by the celebrity donor then attached to the bag." Newsom has secured participation from such stars as Kid Rock, Sandra Bernhard, Mayer Hawthorne, Paradime, The Dirty Americans, Dita Von Teese and many more.
The donated shirts have been sewn into AShirtBag's, and will be showcased at Pluto in Birmingham (400 Hamilton Row) on Earth Day, Thursday, April 22nd. The public is encouraged to stop by and preview the bags from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Each celebrity-donated bag will be available for bidding at http://myworld.ebay.com/ashirtbag on April 23rd.
100% of the proceeds raised from the sale of the celebrity bags will support AShirtBag's mission, to promote science and ecology programs in Detroit Public Schools, a district with some of the lowest standardized science test scores in the country.
The non-profit provides a free project-based learning program, titled "7 Things You Can Do in 7 Days to Save Our Environment," to third, fourth and fifth grade students in Detroit elementary schools. Children receive a tri-fold handout; an eco-friendly pencil; a Tree in a Box kit and each classroom receives a set of four recycling bags. These tools are intended to motivate the younger generations to practice earth-friendly lifestyles as well as develop an interest in science. AShirtBag also provides yearly recycling services for select schools in The Detroit Public Schools and its surrounding communities.
100 Gift bags for attendees of the event will be filled with goodies from Randy's Granola; FIGO Salon; products from TIGI's Love, Peace & the Planet Eco-friendly hair care line; discount cards from Royal Oak's Scout boutique, cookies by Pure Food 2U and a free yoga lesson and raw food consultation by Dawn Whitehorn of Dawn In the Raw.
For more information contact AShirtBag, at (800) 915-9384 or visit www.ashirtbag.org. A-ShirtBag is located at 1331 Holden Street in Detroit. View AShirtBag's blog at www.ashirtbag.blogspot.com.
Posted by Erin Rose at 11:25 AM Labels: Keeping the planet clean Links to this post
Building a Brand on a Budget
To elevate their digital profiles and carve out entrepreneurial niches, more businesses are turning to social media and other free digital marketing alternatives.
Jason Ankeny
Entrepreneur Magazine - May 2010
Chances are that anyone seeking a place to live in and around the trendy Detroit suburb of Royal Oak, Mich., eventually will come across property investment and management company Urbane Apartments. In fact, type "apartments Royal Oak" into the Google search toolbar, and the first result that pops up is the Urbane website--a destination highlighted by photos of the firm's modern, inviting rental units and the young urban professionals who occupy them.
With 16 apartment communities spanning across Royal Oak, Urbane has emerged as one of the region's fastest-growing property management companies. But the virtual prominence of its brand has little to do with its real-world scope. Credit instead founder Eric Brown's decision to extend the firm's message into the social media realm --a move that not only slashed spending on paid property listings, but also afforded Urbane the tools to more accurately communicate the contemporary lifestyle experience so integral to its business.
"When I first announced to our staff that we were going to have a MySpace account, they looked at me like I was crazy," Brown recalls. "They said, 'We can't do that. Whenever we drop the ball, our tenants are going to write bad things about us.' I said, 'They may, and we will work to make those things right.' By reaching out and addressing those complaints, those residents became Urbane evangelists and started writing positive things about us. There's no way we could have the reach we have without hooking into the customer base we have."
Urbane Apartments now boasts a resident-penned blog touting favorite Royal Oak destinations, a social networking site exclusive to tenants (dubbed the Urbane Lobby) and active YouTube, Facebook and Twitter profiles. With each new post, photo, video and tweet, the company builds and nurtures its brand at no cost while fostering the hip, forward-thinking image its target demographic finds irresistible. According to Brown, in October 2008 about 100 people were visiting the Urbane blog each month. By the following spring, traffic grew to 4,500 visitors per month, and the number now tops 16,000 per month. Those metrics are even more impressive given that Urbane offers only about 300 rental units in all.
Urbane Apartments is the quintessential example of a small business that has maximized the possibilities of social media to champion its brand online, eschewing conventional advertising and search engine optimization solutions in favor of word-of-mouth buzz. Thanks to social networking, do-it-yourself website creation software and related tools, it's never been easier or cheaper to establish a beachhead online. Of course, the same alternatives are available to your competitors, meaning it's also tougher than ever to earn virtual visibility. That's where small businesses must get creative.
"The average small business doesn't need to worry so much about SEO or spending money on a web consultant. If they're out there and relevant to their audience, that's as much search engine optimization as they need," says Mike Whaling, president of 30 Lines, an online branding consultancy in Columbus, Ohio. "There are plenty of opportunities to build a strong brand on a small budget."
Regardless of how the message is articulated and distributed, the core mission of branding remains the same: communicating to customers who you are, what you do and how you do it. The web is the simplest, most direct channel to convey that information.
"Every company should have an online presence, and the cost of developing a site has come down to relative pennies," says Craig Reiss, founder of retail web developer Reiss Media in Cos Cob, Conn. "Organic search can still drive traffic. People go online looking for [a firm's service or product], and all you have to do is get found. It doesn't matter if you're a single retailer and can't afford the time or have the expertise to drive traffic. Most people are just looking for directions to your store anyway."
Websites serve different purposes for different companies, says Nicholas Chilenko, principal of web design and Internet marketing firm Nicholas Creative in East Lansing, Mich. Sometimes the goal is generating new business, sometimes it's about relaying messages to clients and other times it's defining or even redefining the firm's image. "If someone wants to find out more information about you, they go to your website. It's the convergence of all your marketing messages," Chilenko says. "It's easy to create an identity because it's virtual."
The challenge is getting that identity across in quick, broad strokes, says Mary van de Wiel, CEO of branding and communication design consultancy Zing Your Brand in Brooklyn. N.Y. According to her, businesses have just moments to succinctly communicate their purpose and value to consumers before they click away for good.
"You've got to be bold, you've got to be provocative, and you've got to be daring. Create a language and vocabulary that allows people to get that," Van de Wiel says. "Branding is what sets you apart--it's a natural magnet. If people come to your site, they need to say, 'Yes--this is who can answer my problem.' If you make a bad impression in the first five seconds, you're toast."
The most essential component of successful online branding is the human element, she says. "People are craving a story. They want to know something about who they're buying from, and they feel like they need to like and trust you," she explains. "You've got to shout what it is that makes you special and makes you different. Our personalities are what drive our brands. Look at Richard Branson--his personality is embedded in all of the Virgin brands. You need to put a face on your business."
Perhaps no tool is more effective at putting a human face on a firm than social media--and no tool is less expensive, either. In addition to utilizing social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter, 30 Lines' Whaling recommends that small businesses introduce their own blogs as a means to pass along content that underscores the company's knowledge and expertise, with an emphasis on local information that directly affects customers. For example, an accountant might post about changes to city or state taxes that are likely to affect his clients, positively or negatively.
"Make sure you're regularly adding fresh content," Whaling advises. "Not only are you providing value, you're also adding pages to your website--that's more pages for search engines to index, and more opportunities for customers to find you."
All businesses have information to share, regardless of vertical, he adds. "Not enough companies take advantage of the opportunity to tell a story that's bigger than the company itself. There's always a story you can tell. Maybe your merchandise is made from local products or from sustainable materials. You've got to find that unique angle."
For Urbane Apartments' Brown, the bigger story is the world that surrounds his properties. "At the end of the day, I'm not sure folks really care about apartment features. What they really want to know is what's going on nearby, like where is the best corner bar and the best place for sushi," he says. "Our blog focuses on everything about the local neighborhood--it's all about new bars and restaurants. And our website traffic is off the charts."
Social media outreach also lets businesses keep tabs on their online reputations and interact directly with fans and foes alike. According to Brown, Urbane Apartments closely monitors tenant reviews and feedback across multiple websites and is quick to respond to any criticism.
"A lot of folks want to ignore the ratings and review sites, which is a huge mistake. There's no hiding from that," Brown says. "If you're getting a bad review, you need to fix it and think about how to encourage good reviews. No longer does the general public believe in ads--they believe in what is said on Facebook."
Brown is applying to his own consulting business the lessons he's learned from building Urbane Apartments' online brand. Under the Urbane Way umbrella, he works with small businesses looking to pursue digital marketing opportunities. In late 2009, Brown also joined real estate information content provider Network Communications as a social media strategist. He practices what he preaches: Urbane Apartments dropped all print advertising and premium online promotions years ago, and Brown isn't looking back.
"Internet marketing is what enabled us to compete on a level playing field," Brown maintains. "I'm not suggesting print advertising is dead, but sometimes there's no money for that. There are certainly lots of pay-per-click programs, but how many times do you click on ads on Google? Most people never do that. But you can still build your brand organically. Wherever we can expand our digital footprint, we will do it."
Chicago-based writer Jason Ankeny is the executive editor of Fiercemobile content, a daily electronic newsletter dedicated to mobile media, applications and marketing.
Although experts agree that an engaging online presence is a must for any business, a user-friendly website and compelling products and services aren't enough to distinguish your brand from the rest of the pack. "Getting your brand out there and setting yourself apart should be easy, but it's not," says Mary van de Wiel, CEO of branding and communication design consultancy Zing Your Brand. "You've got to be fearless, and you've got to live out loud--make yourself unmistakably unforgettable."
Here are some suggestions for making it happen:
Establish an identity. "If you can't work out what the unforgettable, differentiating spark is, you're a dead brand walking," Van de Wiel says. "It's a matter of working out what you want to do and working out the attitude of your brand. Your brand has a behavior and a tone. Brands like to show off and have fun. It wants to come out."
Be easy to find. "You want to make sure you're not invisible to search engines--that's why some people avoid all-Flash websites," says Mike Whaling, president of online branding consultancy 30 Lines. "Make sure you're represented in all the local directories. Go to GetListed.org, type in your business name and see where you come up on searches."
Steal good ideas and make them your own. "It's important to create a look and feel that represents your business in the best way, but not everyone has a design aesthetic, so you might need a little bit of help along the way," Van de Wiel says. "I recommend that people look around and see what speaks to them. If you can identify that, then track down the person who worked on that website. But be accountable, give the designer some benchmarks, and be clear about how you want to express your business."
Watch for opportunities. "Lots of people miss the boat in terms of call-to-action. Once you get people to your website, it's not always clear what you want them to do," says Nicholas Chilenko, principal of web design firm Nicholas Creative. "Make sure there's a clear path of motion through the site. The goal is to get customers to convert. Insert subtle cues throughout the copy, and give them some incentive to make that initial contact."
Remember other marketing channels. "Don't forget about basic digital tools--e-mail marketing still works," Whaling says. "E-mail can feature posts from your blog; repurpose content you're using elsewhere. Also, leverage your offline promotions to complement what you're doing online. For example, list your Yelp page on your business card and encourage customers to go there to let you know how you're doing."
Lighten up. "Some people are so intense about their brand, but it shouldn't be a struggle," Van de Wiel says. "We like people who are friendly and relaxed. So have fun." --J.A.
Posted by Erin Rose at 11:16 AM Labels: Detroiter Making The News Links to this post
This e-mail was sent to the Dateline NBC producer of "America Now: City of Heartbreak and Hope," which aired on April 19, 2010.
After allowing time for the dust and tempers to settle, I want to express my disappointment with the Dateline piece on Detroit. The story told was one-sided, and failed to accurately reflect the other side of the story--and Detroit. For so many who look to outlets such as yours for information, they will yet again walk away with a misperception about the city and its people.
For the access and assistance given to your organization and staff to research this story, the outcome was disappointingly shallow. Media outlets come to the city and tell and then re-tell the same things--Auto epicenter, riots, white flight, desolation. Same story, different byline.
While we acknowledge our challenges, which mirror or even pale to those in other urban cities, we also recognize our potential and accomplishments. Nowhere did the story include those who are buying into and supporting the city's rebirth. No energy or excitement surrounding the Riverfront, Eastern Market, Tech Town, Avalon Bakery, Indian Village, the DIA, Campus Martius, and the list goes on and on.
We are not perfect, nor do we desire to be portrayed as such. But, we also find no value in being incorrectly painted as a city whose residents must resort to hunting racoons for food. It is this image that contributes to fueling decisions to not return, invest or remain in our city.
In all fairness, it would be great for Chris [Hansen] to return and tell the rest of the story--where people are not struggling on $200 every two weeks to feed their families, shooting racoons to eat, contributing to government corruption, or attending a struggling school system. This may be the reality for some of Detroit, but it is not the reality for all of Detroit.
Rounding out the story would prove that NBC's interests and efforts were not to simply gain ratings at the expense of the city, its residents and supporters. You showed the heartbreak...we'd like to see the hope.
Thank you.
Karen Dumas
Group Executive/Communications
Office of Mayor Dave Bing
City of Detroit
This e-mail was sent to the Dateline NBC producer of "America Now: City of Heartbreak and Hope," which aired on April 19, 2010.
After allowing time for the dust and tempers to settle, I want to express my disappointment with the Dateline piece on Detroit. The story told was one-sided, and failed to accurately reflect the other side of the story--and Detroit. For so many who look to outlets such as yours for information, they will yet again walk away with a misperception about the city and its people.
For the access and assistance given to your organization and staff to research this story, the outcome was disappointingly shallow. Media outlets come to the city and tell and then re-tell the same things--Auto epicenter, riots, white flight, desolation. Same story, different byline.
While we acknowledge our challenges, which mirror or even pale to those in other urban cities, we also recognize our potential and accomplishments. Nowhere did the story include those who are buying into and supporting the city's rebirth. No energy or excitement surrounding the Riverfront, Eastern Market, Tech Town, Avalon Bakery, Indian Village, the DIA, Campus Martius, and the list goes on and on.
We are not perfect, nor do we desire to be portrayed as such. But, we also find no value in being incorrectly painted as a city whose residents must resort to hunting racoons for food. It is this image that contributes to fueling decisions to not return, invest or remain in our city.
In all fairness, it would be great for Chris [Hansen] to return and tell the rest of the story--where people are not struggling on $200 every two weeks to feed their families, shooting racoons to eat, contributing to government corruption, or attending a struggling school system. This may be the reality for some of Detroit, but it is not the reality for all of Detroit.
Rounding out the story would prove that NBC's interests and efforts were not to simply gain ratings at the expense of the city, its residents and supporters. You showed the heartbreak...we'd like to see the hope.
Thank you.
Karen Dumas
Group Executive/Communications
Office of Mayor Dave Bing
City of Detroit
Posted by Erin Rose at 11:06 AM Labels: Detroit Making Headlines, Mayor Dave Bing Links to this post
Randal Charlton, Chanell Scott and Matt Cullen are interviewed by CNNMoney
Posted by Erin Rose at 4:38 PM Labels: Detroit Making Headlines, Technology Links to this post
Detroit Regional News Hub
Last month Detroit Unspun broke the news about a special benefit comedy event for food rescue organization Forgotten Harvest, featuring metro Detroit native Dave Coulier and local favorite Ken Brown of the Mitch Albom Show on WJR 760 AM.
Time is inching closer to the show, to be held at 7 p.m. on May 15th at the Detroit Music Hall, and Coulier was kind enough to record a video invitation to the event himself!
Posted by Erin Rose at 11:56 AM Labels: Detroit Humor, Random Acts of Kindness Links to this post
Urban Land Institute
City's "Jewel" Demonstrates Transformative Power of Public Realm
Detroit's Campus Martius Park, a 2.5-acre thriving green space created from a desolate downtown parcel, has received national recognition as the first-ever winner of the Urban Land Institute (ULI) Amanda Burden Urban Open Space Award. The award for the park, unique in a city more often characterized by hardship than success, was based on a competition to recognize an outstanding example of a public open space that has catalyzed the transformation of the surrounding community.
The announcement was made today at ULI's Real Estate Summit at the Spring Council Forum in Boston. Detroit's park was chosen over finalists Bremen Street Park in Boston; Falls Park on the Reedy in Greenville, S.C.; Herald and Greeley Square Parks in New York City; Olympic Sculpture Park in Seattle; and Schenley Plaza in Pittsburgh for the top honor.
Known as "Detroit's Official Gathering Place," Campus Martius Park is a vibrant central square that has become the heart of the city's downtown redevelopment initiative. With extensive landscaping, moveable seating, and an ice skating rink, it serves as a much-needed recreational respite and an entertainment venue that is breathing new life into the area. The space attracts more than 2 million visitors year-round, and has catalyzed an estimated $700 million of adjacent development, including street level cafes, retail shops, and the new one-million-square-foot Compuware World Headquarters.
The selection of Campus Martius Park illustrates the power of well-designed open space to make a tangible difference in the quality of life in urban areas, said award creator Amanda M. Burden, chair of the New York City Planning Commission, director of the New York Department of City Planning, and 2009 laureate of the ULI J.C. Nichols Prize for Visionaries in Urban Development. "This park has far exceeded all expectations, in terms of the lift it has provided to Detroit's social and economic well-being," Ms. Burden said.
"It reflects a creative, innovative approach to transforming an eyesore into a jewel. What makes Campus Martius Park work so well is that quite simply, it's a place where people want to spend time. As a result, it's a magnet for investment. That's the definition of a successful urban open space."
A $10,000 cash prize is being awarded to the Detroit 300 Conservancy, which originally developed the park as a legacy gift to the city. According to Detroit 300 Conservancy President Robert F. Gregory, the organization had unwavering faith in former Mayor Dennis Archer's goal of building "one of the best public spaces in the world" in Detroit. "We had great confidence that Mayor Dennis Archer's original vision could, in fact, be achieved in Detroit. Our confidence was based on a number of critical factors including very strong community support, a model partnership between the City of Detroit and the private business and foundation community; outstanding civic leadership; a great planning team and a dedicated principle to apply best practice solutions in every facet of the design and operations of the Park. "
The park projects optimism, civic pride and hope, Ms. Burden said. "Campus Martius Park is making a difference in how people in Detroit feel about their city. All great planning comes down to the granular approach of how a building meets the street, how a street feels, how you feel walking in the city, and how it feels to be in public spaces and use public spaces that are inviting. Great cities are not about buildings. They are about people."
The creation of the ULI Amanda Burden Open Space Award immediately followed the announcement in October 2009 of Ms. Burden being selected as the winner of the ULI J.C. Nichols Prize. The Nichols Prize, awarded annually by ULI, recognizes a person whose career demonstrates a commitment to the highest standards of responsible development. The Nichols prize includes a $100,000 honorarium, which, at Ms. Burden's suggestion, ULI devoted to an annual competition honoring transformative and exciting public open spaces.
The six entries making the final round, including Campus Martius Park, were selected from 88 entries representing urban areas throughout the United States. The large number of applicants for the first competition is an "encouraging sign that an increasing number of cities are discovering the transformative power of the public realm," Ms. Burden said.
The Urban Land Institute (www.uli.org) is a global nonprofit education and research institute supported by its members. Its mission is to provide leadership in the responsible use of land and in creating and sustaining thriving communities worldwide. Established in 1936, the Institute has nearly 33,000 members representing all aspects of land use and development disciplines.
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metalshop / Jewelry / earrings / earrings POIZEN INDUSTRIES - ETES2 - Teddy Crossbone & Razorbladde - Pink
taken with earrings brand INDUSTRIES.
Dimensions approx.: Teddy: 1,2 x1, 3cm, razor blade: 1,4 x0, 7cm.
Earrings are attached to the ear by the classic "stick" which is a metal clamp and silicone tip.
Price for two pairs of earrings (four pieces).
Material: metal.
Availability: shipping in 24h

subset: commoncrawl


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how to repair a bathtub link download free bQyN full file
== Search results for how to repair a bathtub link ==
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*Year: 2015
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*Uploaded: 02/26/2015 00:46:02
*Type: WinZip
*Supported OS: All
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02/26/2015 00:46:02
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Where can I find major shareholders of public companies?
Answer:Go to EDGAR and search for proxy statements DEF-14A. This information is reported as beneficial ownership of common stocks and reports both the number and percentage of stocks owned by the executives (including the board of directors) and institutional shareholders. The proxy statement data is compiled from Schedule 13G and from Schedule 13D which are issued at various times when institutional shareholders acquire a large number of stocks. EDGAR http://www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml Mergents http://www.lib.umn.edu/get/2288 LexisNexis http://www.lib.umn.edu/get/16136


text: Posted November 3, 2001 Last night I attended a performance of The Lines Contemporary Ballet in Seattle. The were performing the new full-length work People of the Forest.I was absolutley floored by it. People of the Forest is a collaborative work between Alonzo King and a group of 16 BaAka people (aka pygmies). The BaAka provide the music, the inspiration, and much of the movement. Fusion works such as this frequently do not work. You see the ballet, you see the ethnic, you see the modern...but you don't see them together at the same time in one movement. King is able to absolutley fuse everything together without notice as to what movement come from what technique. From beginning to end I was on the edge of my seat, mesmerized. The only faults I found at all were the excessive use of excessive extensions to the side and the somtimes lack of any unison in sections that appeared as if they should have been unison (but would that have detracted from the feeling of naturalness throughout the piece?). This was one of the most moving programs I have been to, period. After the program there was a Q&A with Alonzo King. It was interesting to me the amount of people who thought that King was exploting the BaAka. The BaAka have toured Europe and the Americas for close to seventeen years before they began their collaboration with King. The work presented was definetly done with truthfullness and honor. It was a program of sharing and joy. Share this post Link to post


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Cheesy Hot Dogs
Total Time
Prep 5 mins
Cook 8 mins
My favorite childhood food - Mom made it for the kids when the adults were going out for dinner.
Ingredients Nutrition
- 4 hot dogs
- 4 american cheese slices
- 4 slices bacon
- 4 hot dog hot dog buns
- Fry bacon but stop while bacon is still soft.
- WHILE BACON IS FRYING: Slice hot dogs in half length wise.
- Cut a cheese slice in half and place end to end along the cut side of the dog.
- Put dog together.
- Wrap bacon around the hot dog and secure with tooth picks.
- Bake at 350 degrees until cheese is melted.
- Remove toothpicks.
- Put in bun- garnish- enjoy- Kids love this.
Most Helpful
What's not to love with bacon and cheese? Really simple and good hot dogs. Thanks Sweet Jane for sharing. Made for All You Can Cook Buffet Tag.
First time I've eaten bacon wrapped around a hot dog and this was great! No willpower = put rest of bacon in the freezer to stop me from making and eating more, LOL. (made for Think Pink Tag Game for Breast Cancer Awareness Month)
We had these along with mac n cheese and stewed tomatoes. Great dogs!


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Teen charged in with stealing dirt bike
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. - A Johnson City teenager is facing felony charges after an investigation into the theft of dirt bikes.
Johnson City Police tell News 5, the investigation began April 4th in the Keystone Community, after reports of two juveniles riding dirt bikes in the area.
Officers say one of the juveniles was detained by police and informed officers he found the bike in the woods. Police say they were unable to find an owner of the bikes, or confirm they were stolen, so the juvenile was released, and the bike was put into evidence.
Tuesday, April 8th, police say the owner of the bike was located, and that person confirmed the bike had been stolen.
The juvenile, a 14-year-old boy, was arrested and charged with felony theft of property. He was released to his guardian. He is expected to be in Johnson City Juvenile Court April 18th.


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Right, all this and we haven't even looked at the UE55C8000's picture-related features yet. The first thing to say is that it uses edge LED lighting, and in a first for Samsung, it follows the LG 42LE7900 in using a form of local dimming, where segments of the edge lights can be dimmed separately to other segments. Of course, I was rather unimpressed by this system on the LG set, actually choosing to leave the feature turned off. But we'll reserve judgment on the UE55C8000 for now.
Also new to Samsung's 3D TVs is an LED Motion Plus feature, designed to remove lag from fast-moving scenes, and a startlingly technical 10p white balance tool that allows you - while using the TV's movie mode - to control the white balance in 10-point intervals by adjusting the red, green and blue brightness levels.
Handy, too, are a flesh tone adjustment, offset and gain adjustments for the red, green and blue colour elements, colour space adjustment, gamma adjustment, and best of all, the facility to not only adjust the strength of the TV's 200Hz engine, but also the extent to which it applies its specific blur and judder reduction algorithms.
There's plenty more we could talk about here, but it really is high time we got into the main event of the UE55C8000: its 3D functionality.
The rather gorgeous remote control carries a dedicated 3D button, which when pressed pulls up a variety of 3D options, depending on what source you're watching. For instance, press the 3D button while watching a normal 2D source, and the TV switches into its 2D-3D conversion mode. More on this rather controversial feature later.
If you've got one of Sky's side-by-side 3D images on screen, one of the options available is a side-by-side one - clearly indicated by a simple icon - alongside an alternative top and bottom 3D mode which, so far as I'm aware, no UK 3D sources are currently anticipated to use.
Play a 3D Blu-ray into the UE55C8000 from Samsung's BD-C6900 Blu-ray player, and the TV will automatically switch into the correct active shutter playback mode.
Actually, the UE55C8000 outputs any 3D source it receives using its active shutter system; it has to, otherwise the images wouldn't work with Samsung's active shutter glasses.
No pairs of these glasses, by the way, are included as standard with the UE55C8000. This is a real disappointment given that rivals Panasonic and LG have declared that at least one set of glasses will be included with their 3D TVs. Though although Samsung wasn't able to confirm the details at the time of writing, it seems likely that you will be able to order a pair for free somehow after you've bought the TV.
While we're on the subject of Samsung's 3D glasses (which are unlikely to work correctly with other brands of 3D TV, by the way), I'm not a big fan of them. They're rather flimsy for something costing £100 or more, and they also let in too much ambient light from your surroundings, causing reflections on the lens that can detract considerably from the 3D experience. This is one reason why I recommend that you keep your room as dark as possible while watching 3D material.
Another reason is if you watch a 3D picture in a well-lit room, you tend to find the experience diminished by the visually odd relationship between the 3D image in your TV and the actual 3D world of your room. It's hard to describe here, but I'm sure anyone who gets a 3D TV will quickly understand my point.
In other words, to get the most out of 3D you have to exclude as much of the outside world from coming between you and your TV.
With this in mind, I would definitely anticipate that when it comes to 3D, size matters. Handy, then, that Samsung decided to make a monster 55in screen my first full experience of 3D. Frankly, I'm just not sure I can live with anything less now...
For a pricey unit like this they still expect you to spare the change on HiFi extras to make up for the poor audio now that is a surprise. I await the PS3 740P'ish 3D games on this big TV should be fun to truly see what 3D has to offer.
So you actually played games? With all that extra processing then, has Samsung managed to improve upon last year's input lag reduction? Or are you still not testing that?
I think the effects of Riyad leaving are already apparent, the most recent TV reviews have been shallow at best.
How does this compare to last year's B8000 model, which it replaces?
How does it compare to previous "10/10" LED sets such as the Sony X4500? If it's 9/10, I'm assuming it falls short, but where and how?
Where is this model placed in Samsung's line-up? Is this their cheapest or most expensive 3D LED TV or neither? (clue: there's a C7000 and C9000 series).
Is the Dynamic Edge lit LED technology worth recommending over standard Edge LED? How does it compare to real backlit LEDs?
etc etc. You can do better.
yup - mentioned input lag to the new editor in my welcome to him. AM still on a 34 " CRT Trinitron here for gaming. Every milisecond counts (hugs my g9x mouse)
samsung PS50C7000
please review asap as this is like only £1300
or samsung PS63C7000 is like only £2300
Yeah its not a full review if you do not Quote/Test input lag.
Regarding HDMI v1.4
I see that you state this is required to utilise the 3d features of the TV correctly. However I have an AV (Sony ES range) amplifier that only has 1.2 / 1.3 (not quite sure) ports. Does that mean that if I put a "3D source" of any kind through my amplifier I am going to have issues ?
I'm not that keen on 3d in the first place, so if I'm caught having to replace a £700 amp too then it will be a long time before I upgrade.
Finally a small point. Many of us will be buying TV's more for 2d than 3d for a long time yet. Perhaps you could separate the "picture quality" score into 2d and 3d elements in future ?
One of the main reasons a lot of people will jump onto the 3D wagon is due to gaming. Why is'nt there never any mention of input lag in these reviews?...I'm planning on buying PS3/xbox soon or link up my PC to one of these TV's - paying between 1 to 3k we need to know if games are playable surely?
Okay guys, we get the picture. We'll look into the issue and see what we can come up with.
@Gaurav Sharma: Not sure what you're on about, this is as in-depth as any other TV review we've done. Also, you're very much missing the point of, well, reviews if you think a 9/10 now makes this a worse TV than one that got 10/10 some time ago. Times change, products move on and so do our goalposts - a couple of years ago you'd be happy with at least one HDMI, now we expect at least three.
@AJ: I can't see us adding 2d and 3d image quality as we've got enough scores for TVs already. Scores are for quick reference and you should read the actual review to understand the subtleties.
@john mortimer: We'll be looking at the full range as soon as possible.
Did I just read Ed making a promise to consider the introduction of input lag figures?!
Hell has frozen over!
This is a lovely set and I'm drooling, I have to admit. But it is not exactly cheap (even allowing for the street price being lower and, one day, falling lower than that). My question: as someone who has no interest in 3D whatsoever - I've tried it enough times, really - how much extra is my wallet being penalised for a capability that is completely unwanted? Or, to put it another way (and what I'd like TR reviews to factor in), how much would/should it cost if it were just a 2D TV? I mean, is this thing worth the price just as a 2D TV?
@Metalex: Apparently so. ;)
@Ripsnorter: The premium for 3D capability is actually quite small so far as I'm aware - in the region of a £200 - £300. This is because 3D in this form is essentially nothing more than a fast framerate and a pair of glasses. However, as is often the case, the latest technology is being introduced to the top end hardware first so it's still going to be expensive. I'm not sure about Samsung's products off the top of my head but I do know that Panasonic will be releasing TVs that are identical to the 3D sets just without 3D so we'll be able to see for certain when they arrive.
I am so annoyed that when they came up with the 3D standard, they didn't think to standardise the interface between the telly and the active glasses. You just know you're going to have to put up with extortionately priced glasses from the manufacturers, which will put off people from buying into the new technology. And to make them a separate purchase is simply taking the Mickey.
I got to demo one of these 3D tellies in John Lewis today. They were playing Monsters vs Aliens 3D and well, there were some good moments for sure but much of the film (the vast majority) was very flat with little inkling of the extra depth 3D can bring to a film. That said the out of the screen moments were pretty cool.
The active shutter glasses were far more comfortable and much lighter than expected. It's hard to see where that £100+ goes build quality wise. They had rechargeable glasses that you tethered to a charging point (presumably on the telly somewhere) and non-rechargeable kinds. The glasses lowered the overall scene brightness considerably, as did they reduce sharpness to a not too insignificant degree. The TV really was very sharp though - lovely picture for standard 2D as well as a decent enough pic (with the glasses on) for 3D. The Samsung 3D Blu-ray drive was an extra £350. Anyone wanting to swap this TV for my -cough- Kuro, well, just leave your details here and I'll get back to you (pronto!).
AJ - unfortunately you will need a new amp with HDMI 1.4 to support the 3D side of pictures, as well as a new Blu ray player and a new TV of course. Definitely not a cheap upgrade. Onkyo have just released their latest refresh of their AV line that support HDMI 1.4.
Thanks @Red
I guess that's me out of the "new TV" race for a long time then. Although I take it I will still be able to update my TV sometime in the future with my present Amp if I'm not bothered about 3D.
HDMI being a moving standard is really one of the HiFi companies worst ideas ever. It's also hugely confusing and your average bloke on the street doesn't even know about it at all. Even looking at the Sony website today for their present top of the range amps it does not tell you what versions the HDMI ports support. The fact it isn't software upgradeable is just the icing on the cake.
The only bright side to this is that 3D in the home is pointless and I don't for 1 second feel the need to buy a TV with it. Sitting around in a darkened room, 5ft from a 55" screen with sunglasses on is a good idea ? I think not.
@AJ The amp might work with 3D. HDMI1.4 has the same bandwidth and data transfer speeds as 1.3. The only thing the amp would not be able to pass-through are the new flags which tell the TV when a 3D mode is being transmitted. It just might be a case of you needing to select (on the TV) which 3D mode the blu-ray player is putting out. Much like manually adjusting aspect ratio.
Jopey has a point I think - there is some debate as to whether current HDMI 1.3 amps will be able to passthrough an HDMI 1.4 signal, maybe by bypassing any amp video processing etc. For example, on my Denon AVR-2310 it's possible to switch off video conversion, which means that the HDMI signal is basically untouched from source to TV.
Red, don't forget that a firmware update is coming for the PS3 which will enable it to play 3D Blu-Ray. The PS3 isn't HDMI 1.4, so obviously some form of 3D is possible with earlier versions of HDMI. Moreover, current Sky HD boxes, which also do not have HDMI 1.4, will support Sky 3D broadcasts. However, I have no idea whether there will be a noticeable decrease in picture quality when using equipment with older HDMI ports. Maybe someone from TR with first-hand experience can answer this question.
AJ, jopey & Metalex - sorry should say I gave an unqualified & over-simplified answer since I was thinking of in-receiver processing and not simple passthrough. It gets complicated where AV receivers are concerned so please forgive the perhaps less than helpful response AJ, I was going by bare specs rather than any experience or thought for how you could find a workaround. Just assumed it would double up bandwidth requirements, more like 4K would than simple 2K extended (as with revisions of 1.3xx)? Should say I don't know about the tech side really. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H...
Thanks everyone. I actually suspected this may be the case.
Interesting to hear that the PS3 has an update coming out (from a curiosity point of view). As stated above I'm really not interested in the 3D, but just peeved off that at some point in the future I can see myself having to buy a new amp just to upgrade the ports. Still that's a long way off yet.
And to begin with HDMI seemed such a good idea too :-(
HDMI simplifying things? Yeah, didn't it just? ;) Now some are saying DisplayPort offers a better deal since (unlike HDMI) it's royalty free.
Hi guys,
I'm new to your community and because I did my homework before purchasing a 55" C8000 I am now, after 3 weeks of ownership and day and night (how much of night only my wife knows ) testing and ENJOYING in the position to express myself to the public.
First of all my location is Bellevue WA, USA (this is near Seattle); second, I must tell you that I was in the market for a 55" 240 Hz LED to replace my 42" Plasma screen.
Because I'm a Samsung fan I first looked for a Samsung, but… Surprise, the only 2010 set to fit my needs is a 3D. It has never crossed my mind to go for a 3D before that. So… Go back home and do your homework for 3D. I found out that there is a Samsung (the only 3D on the market) named C7000, but if I'll wait for seven more days I could get the C8000, much nicer better features, bla, bla, bla…
I started to look up the differences and realized it makes a whole lot of sense to wait.
The deal was a price match at the most up scaled specialty store and I got it for 2799 + the 3D Blue Ray player for 399 and the "starter kit" consisting of two pairs of active glasses and the only 3D available movie for free. You will have to add the tax of 9,5% to the package.
Because I have a high tech wiring inside the wall consisting of all you might want to hook up to your screen but two years ago's technology I thought that my HDMI (1.3) will do. WRONG!!! I didn't! And the reason why that happened is that 1.3 has no wire on pin 19.
1.4 has!!! This explains also why all devices able to get an update for 3D are able to do so. The hard upgrade is in the cable and not the device itself.
All these devices have pin 19 hooked up "for future use". I hope it does make sense. Don't get me wrong, everything works fine, but the 3D coming from the Player.
Back to the TV! It's a great piece of technology to own. And the reason for me not waiting for the competition to come up with their stuff was simple the fact that Samsung is the only company to do 2d to 3D conversion.
The 3D from the Player and the 3D disk is fabulous. The rest of HD content, no matter where it comes from (we have over 200 channels in HD), satellite or Blue Ray will show deepness depending of the type of content. Wearing glasses is no issue due to the fact that they are extremely light.
Watching in 3D is an event and not the common way to watch TV. One thing I noticed after testing a lot: You will have to change settings for 3D out of 2D comparing to watching in 2D. It was a little bit annoying before finding the best settings ever for the best results ever, but now it's only fun.
I would say go with Samsung for this conversion feature or you will spend too much for the limited content available to watch in 3D with a different brand. BTW, 46" is nothing compared to 55".
Have fun!
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text:
> Well, gee, I guess there's a law for everything, Chris. You have to protect
> yourself.
Hope I didn't come off sounding mean or anything -- I hate it when I have
to type things in a hurry. :)
To sign-off this list, send email to firstname.lastname@example.com with the
message text UNSUBSCRIBE GARDENCHAT


text:
Rockin' Rocket Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
|Sweet potatoes
|Bacon strips
|6 , diced
|Red onion
|1⁄2 Small, finely diced
|Spinach leaves
|1 Cup (16 tbs), finely diced
|Shredded cooked chicken
|2 Cup (32 tbs), or finely diced
|1 Teaspoon
|To Taste
|Black pepper
|To Taste
1) Preheat oven to 375°.
2) Wash and dry the sweet potatoes and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes or until soft all the way through.
Kid Job: Kids can do the washing and the drying of the sweet potatoes!
3) Sauté the diced bacon until crisp and pour off half of the bacon grease. Add the red onion to the bacon and cook the onion until translucent. Add the remaining ingredients and cook for
another 3–4 minutes.
4) Cut the baked sweet potatoes in half lengthwise and fluff the inside of each half with a fork. Pile each sweet potato half with large spoonfuls of the chicken mixture. Serve and enjoy.
One half-potato with chicken mixture equals one serving.
Kid Job:An older child can help you fluff up the inside of the potatoes with a folk and scoop a pile of the chicken mixture on top!
This recipe was contributed by Sarah Fragoso, author of Paleo Pals.
To purchase the book visit Amazon.com
To learn more about Sarah and her book visit everydaypaleo.
Follow Sarah on Twitter: everydaypaleo.
Connect with Sarah on Facebook: everydaypaleo.
Recipe Summary
Rate It
Nutrition Rank
Nutrition Facts
Serving size
Calories 209 Calories from Fat 82
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 9 g14%
Saturated Fat 2.9 g14.4%
Trans Fat 0 g
Cholesterol 39.9 mg13.3%
Sodium 207.5 mg8.6%
Total Carbohydrates 16 g5.4%
Dietary Fiber 2.9 g11.5%
Sugars 3.5 g
Protein 14 g28.7%
Vitamin A 232.9% Vitamin C 6.9%
Calcium 3.8% Iron 7.8%
*Based on a 2000 Calorie diet


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TripAdvisor Reviews Hotel des Prelats Nancy
Travel Blogs from Nancy
A disappointment in Nancy
... was. In the meantime, we still needed some sort of lunch, breakfast being about six hours away by now. We had to settle for a "sandwich", which in France means a foot long baguette lightly buttered and containing a slice of ham and a slice of cheese. The wine was better, but only marginally.
Well we got on the train, and then faced the final problem of an already disappointing day. The official who checked our ...
It's FRIDAY!! FRIDAY!! Gotta get down on FRIDAY!!
... me try some Lithuanian candy and sausage one of their moms mailed them. I wish my mom would ship me a care package of I don't know: Peanut Butter, Reese's peanut butter cup, Pumpkin muffins, Jolly Ranchers, or anything! (HINT HINT Laudalina ;)
Anyways the club was soo much fun!! The bands were electronic/dance! While entering the club we bumped into Marta (this girl from Spain) and her boyfriend and we all went ...
Tuesday: 3 more days until the weekend!
... I had to go to the ATM to get cash because they only took cash for the ticket. Once I got to the office there was a huge line and then they announced that there were no more tickets, but I eventually got one because 3 people ended up backing out, so I was able to get a ticket for myself. I'm really excited that I'm going to Munich this weekend because it seems really fun (like the movies.. hahaha). Basically, I base everything I see off of what ...
Finally arrived in NANCY! Yayy :)
... at the Castle stop, but half way on our second loop I wasn't feeling well. So Ellie went on and I headed back to the hostel and bought cough medicine at the pharmacy. I napped for the WHOLE afternoon and woke up just as Ellie was getting back. By the time she got back we relaxed in the room and then planned on leaving for dinner. For dinner we went to Restaurante Maracan� that was down the street and let's just say we had a very ...
To start studying or not?
... is wrong with my ears? I just want them to be normal. I talked to my friends about the flights in Europe and they were like well they don't go up nearly as high in the air as when we have to fly across the ocean. I hope that my ears do better when I go home.
Well I got absolutely nothing accomplished today and I am proud of it.