Thursday, March 5, 2009

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

The new film industry in Michigan

Mitch Albom from the Detroit Free Press offers great rationale for Michigan's government to offer incentives to movie companies to make movies in Michigan. The famous movie Gran Torino was filmed in Michigan because of these incentives.

This is great analysis and if you care about Michigan's economy or the movie business in general, please watch these short clips.

Clip 1

Clip 2

Clip 3

Monday, February 23, 2009

Michigan wine is delicious

Check this out, the Govenors of the U.S. were drinking Michigan wine! This is why I'm going to a Michigan winery next month.

http://detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090223/METRO/902230406/1361

From the Detroit News:

Governors sip Michigan ice wine at White House
Associated Press
LANSING -- The sauvignon blanc was from California, the pinot noir from Oregon.

But the wine served Sunday night with dessert as the nation's governors dined at the White House with President Barack Obama and his wife was the most unusual -- a Michigan ice wine from Black Star Farms in Suttons Bay.

The frozen grapes were picked in December 2007 and crushed outside so they wouldn't thaw. The wine was released last July and sells for $80 or more for a half bottle.

The White House paired the sweet A Capella Riesling ice wine with huckleberry cobbler with caramel ice cream.

Black Star Farms managing partner Don Coe says former President George W. Bush and his wife served the winery's 2000 A Capella ice wine to a governors' dinner seven years ago.

Bet on GM coming through

Great article in the Ann Arbor News. U.S. Rep John Dingell believes GM will come through in these tough times and become strong again.

http://blog.mlive.com/svengustafson/2009/02/dingell_bet_on_gms_survival.html

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Recognizing "The Center for Michigan"

Wow. I had no idea such an organization existed. I have spent the past hour checking out the site. It is refreshing and inspiring to know that I am not the only one who has been feeling a certain way. Feeling like the citizens should do something to help the state, yet not sure how to go about it or what should be the focus. The Center for Michigan is a great group of business leaders across the state who are dedicated to improving Michigan, regardless of what the politicians accomplish or don't accomplish.

www.thecenterformichigan.net

What can you do?

1. Read the site. Check out the great articles on how Michigan is looking to be re-branded as "The North Coast." I like it, sounds great. The idea is to emphasize our Great Lakes waters and fall "on par" with the West Coast and East Coast.

2. On the website, there is a box where you can enter your email address to receive updates. The goal of the Center for Michigan is to have 10,000 people signed up for this by 2010, so that way we can get much of the public on board.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Corko the Clown!

Tennessee Senator Bob Corker -- the one with the tremendous personal integrity to fight for foreign auto companies in his own state while fighting against domestic auto companies in other states -- was singing a different tune not too long ago. Two years ago, in fact. Say it ain't so, Corko!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fd88LC4wiJo

He mentioned it was great to partner with GM and calls the plant in Tennessee a resource with smart people. Laughable! Which is it, Corko? Are you working to help GM or working to hurt them to benefit the foreign companies? Corko the Clown is like a paid entertainer when he's in front of the camera.

His supporters say that Corker was fighting for GM by "looking out for its future with respect to the UAW contracts." Everyone knows the UAW needs to work with GM to ensure long-term viability of the company, but come on, Corker was prepared to bankrupt the company to his own state's advantage! Everyone knows he would then swindle a deal in which more foreign companies would set up shop there! Don't fall for Corko's nonsense.