“There is no more beautiful sight than an American made car,” Pr*sident Trump said while he was in Michigan today, and that’s why he’s “going to fight to keep vehicle production in the United States.” “During my first week in office I brought automobile industry leaders to the White House,” Trump said. He went on to say that no president […]

NOTE: This post has been updated HERE with photos of the protest against Trump and analysis of his comments while he was in Michigan. All three Detroit autoworkers are busing UAW members in to Pr*sident Trump’s visit to Ypsilanti, Michigan later today and all but Ford are giving the workers food and are paying them for the privilege: The Detroit […]

The dashing young man in the photo above is Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) Charles S. Kettles. LTC Kettles, who lives in Ypsilanti, Michigan, was awarded the Medal of Honor yesterday at a White House ceremony. His story is extraordinary. Here’s an excerpt from President Obama’s remarks: May 15, 1967, started as a hot Monday morning. Soldiers from the 101st Airborne were […]

The Detroit Metro Times has a long history of doing investigative journalism about issues that are often overlooked by other media outlets. They have developed a good reputation for their reporting because of it. However, with a recent piece published this week titled “Arbor Brewing Co. presents a case study in local business ethics and crowdfunding “, they have devolved […]

Education related events are popping up all over the southeast part of Michigan over the next week. Here is a run-down on those that I have learned about. FRIENDS OF EDUCATION MEET & GREET – MARCH 8, 2014 (TODAY!) AT NOON IN ANN ARBOR Today from noon to 2:00 at the Skyline High School in Ann Arbor, a wide variety […]

This afternoon the 1,300-member Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Regional Chamber issued the following statement regarding Governor Rick Snyder’s failed education experiment with Detroit students known as the Education Achievement Authority: The A2Y Chamber’s Executive Board held a deliberation on HB 4369, legislation to expand the Education Achievement Authority (EAA). The A2Y Chamber encourages the Michigan Legislature to reject the current House version […]

Now THAT is a party!

As I wrote a couple of weeks ago, Rene and Matt Greff, owners of Arbor Brewing Company and the Corner Brewery are huge supporters of Mark Schauer to be Michigan’s next governor. This past Saturday, they held a fundraising party for him at their home in Ypsilanti and it was a rousing success.

After the jump are some photos taken by Anne C. Savage along with some choice quotes from the evening. More photos can be seen on Anne’s Facebook page.

Two of Ann Arbor’s most stalwart & savvy progressives talk politics

Anyone who has worked with me in organizing things in the Ann Arbor area knows that I’m fond of holding meetings at Arbor Brewing Company in Ann Arbor or the Corner Brewery in Ypsilanti. They have an inviting atmosphere, vegetarian-friendly food, and excellent beers. However, since 2010, I have occasionally had pushback for giving them my business from Democratic purists who can’t get past the fact that the owners, Matt and Rene Greff, donated to fellow Ann Arbor business owner Rick Snyder during the 2010 Republican primary.

To hear some people talk, you would have thought that the Greffs had gone out and campaigned for Rick Snyder. While these same critics will patronize nearly every other business in Ann Arbor without administering a political litmus test, Rene and Matt seem to get special attention and invective others do not.

A couple of weeks ago, the Greffs announced that they would be holding a fundraiser at their home for Democratic candidate for governor Mark Schauer. Anne and I sat down with the two of them last Friday night in Ann Arbor to talk about their experience in the Democratic limelight over the past few years, their long history of supporting Democrats and progressive causes, and their excitement about the Schauer candidacy. During the conversation, we joked about them doing a “Greff Apology Tour” but the fact is, they were far more level-headed and realistic about the state of the race in 2010 than most of their critics and, in fact, do NOT apologize for their decision.

Enjoy after the jump.

Beer and bloggers — it’s a match made in heaven

Exactly 10 months and few days after our last Beer with Bloggers event, Mark Maynard of the transcendent MarkMaynard.com and I have set the date and reserved the room for Beer With Bloggers 2013 (well, at least Spring 2013.)

Last year we had about 75 people (you can read about it HERE) and this year we’re pretty sure we’re going to get 76 or maybe even 77. One of those witty, attractive and highly intelligent people could be YOU.

Click through for details.

We have the smartest readers in the blogosphere

On Thursday night this past week, we had our Beer With Bloggers event at the Corner Brewery in Ypsilanti. We had a great turnout of around 75 people and the conversations were fascinating.

The event was originally started by one of Michigan’s finest bloggers, Mark Maynard from MarkMaynard.com. This is the two of us. I’m the one on the right with…

Don’t fight, it’s inevitable Last night I had the chance to have several beers with one of my local blogging heroes, Mark Maynard. His website, markmaynard.com (“For all your Mark Maynard needs”), is essential reading, particularly for anyone in the southeastern Michigan area. His support of the arts and local businesses and his charitable activities are unparalleled. Mark has been […]