Crain's Detroit Business articles from September 2007

Crain's Detroit Business archives from September 2007

Gilbert starts private-equity biz; RockBridge to invest up to $200M, focus on Michigan.(RockBridge Equity Partners L.L.C.)
September 3, 2007... Byline: Tom Henderson Dan Gilbert has co-founded a new private-equity company, RockBridge Equity Partners L.L.C., which plans to invest $150 million to $200 million over the next three years to acquire controlling interest in profitable,...

Corrections.(Correction)
September 3, 2007... * An entry for JVS on a list of capital campaigns published on Page 14 in the Aug. 27 issue should have said the nonprofit's campaign is in its quiet phase. * A story on page 11 of the Aug. 27 issue should have said the Detroit Institute...

Many choose not to bid on Selfridge leasing deal.(News)
September 3, 2007... Byline: Chad Halcom An offer to lease property at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Macomb County for private redevelopment got a modest number of takers as bidding closed last week. The deadline passed last Monday for developers...

Briefly.(Briefs)(Con-way Freight Inc.)(Beaumont Hospital)
September 3, 2007... Con-way Freight to realign, add staff in Ann Arbor Con-way Freight Inc. said Aug. 22 it will align its three divisions into a single operation this year headquartered in Ann Arbor. Currently, Con-way Freight has units in Ann Arbor; Fort...

Love of opera was right tune for gift.(Business Lives)(Allison-Fisher International Inc. donates to Michigan Opera Theatre)
September 3, 2007... Byline: Aaron Harris Respect for general director David DiChiera and a longtime love for opera compelled Doug and Sarah Allison to make a $1 million gift to the Michigan Opera Theatre. The Allisons live in Bloomfield Hills, haven't...

This Just In.(BNP Media accquires Ascend Media )(Delphi Corp)(United Way for Southeastern Michigan has appointed Troy Clarke)
September 3, 2007... Some push for new look at funding for bridge study Business interests and some lawmakers are hoping to breathe more life into a study examining the creation of another bridge across the Detroit River, in the wake of recent Senate action...

McKenna Associates: Inspired by architecture, collaboration.(Focus)(McKenna Associates Inc)
September 3, 2007... Byline: Aaron Harris Senior Planner Sarah Traxler says that one of the coolest things about working at McKenna Associates Inc. is the company's building. The Northville community-planning firm is in a former Ford Motor Co. automotive...

Income-tax hike gains currency as budget fix.
September 3, 2007... Byline: Amy Lane As lawmakers look for new revenue to help close a nearly $1.8 billion gap in Michigan's upcoming budget, some Capitol observers say an increase in the state income tax is a logical choice. Economists and others say the...

Execs: Health costs still a major concern.(Briefs)(health insurance costs )(tax bills move in Legislature)
September 3, 2007... Byline: Amy Lane For the fourth consecutive year, Michigan employers say they're grappling with rising health insurance costs that outpace the rate of inflation, according to a survey of state business executives prepared for a Sept. 18...

Letters.
September 3, 2007... 'One D' work was done here Editor: I would like to point out an error in fact and clear up a few misconceptions that appeared in your Aug. 27 "Other Voices'' column by Tim Smith, "Respect Detroit's creative community.'' In citing...

Nuspire Networks: Hoops for the troops.(Focus)(Nuspire Networks L.L.C. hold video game tournaments)(Brief article)
September 3, 2007... Byline: Tom Henderson At Nuspire Networks L.L.C., an IT company in Commerce Township that offers network management, including service for General Motors Corp.'s dealers, long hours and hard work doesn't translate into no fun. The...

Dynamic Edge: Are you a pirate or a ninja?(Focus)
September 3, 2007... Byline: Tom Henderson The workday at Ann Arbor-based Dynamic Edge Inc., an IT company that offers custom database programming, server and desktop support and Web design, might include time off for bowling or a trip to a matinee. It...

United Way may aid agencies outside new focus areas.(News)
September 3, 2007... Byline: Sherri Begin The United Way for Southeastern Michigan could provide transitional money to agencies that don't fit into its new areas of focus that take effect next July. The transitional funds could help those nonprofits cover...

Computer-training company broadens horizons.(News)
September 3, 2007... Byline: Chad Halcom Livonia-based New Horizons Computer Learning Centers of Michigan plans to expand in Chicago, and to some degree in Cleveland, after completing a purchase of franchise rights and assets in both cities earlier this year....

Into the grape: Part 1 of 2; Michigan's wineries a popular destination for wine lovers.(Business Lives)
September 3, 2007... Byline: Maureen McDonald When Debra and Robert Watson packed for their July trip to the Leelanau Peninsula, they left plenty of room to bring home several cases of wine they bought from vineyards in the Traverse City area. Debra...

Harry Potter magic boosts sales for Borders, but no help on profits.(News)(Financial report)
September 3, 2007... Byline: Sheena Harrison The last installment of the Harry Potter book series caused a jump in same-store sales for Borders Group Inc. in the second quarter, but it wasn't enough to offset losses for the Ann Arbor-based bookseller. For...

Bankruptcies.
September 3, 2007... The following businesses filed for Chapter 7 or 11 protection in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Detroit Aug. 24-30. Under Chapter 11, a company files a reorganization plan. Chapter 7 involves total liquidation. Solar Stamping and Manufacturing...

In the spotlight.(People)(appointment of Anthony Caudle )(Brief article)
September 3, 2007... Anthony Caudle has been named managing director of Detroit-based Comerica Inc.'s Corporate Investment Banking Group, which provides underwriting services for businesses. In the newly created position, he will focus on increasing national...

Calendar.(Calendar)
September 3, 2007... Thursday Sept. 6 Detroit Economic Club. Noon-1:30 p.m. Ron Gettlefinger, president, International Union, United Auto Workers. Masonic Temple, Detroit. $40 members, $50 guests of members, $65 others. Contact: (313) 963-8547 or...

Week in Review.(Briefs)(Behr America Inc planning completed its restaurant construction)(Health Alliance Plan expands its online services)(Andiamo Restaurant Group of Warren plans to open restaurant)
September 3, 2007... Guardian Building purchase OK'd The Wayne County Commission passed a proposal Thursday to authorize the county to acquire the Guardian Building, a parking structure and a vacant office building for $33.5 million. The purchase from...

Rumblings.(Wal-Mart Stores Inc plans to open 17 supercenters)(Telemus Capital Partners L.L.C)(Wayne State University)
September 3, 2007... Wal-Mart plans place union in 'tough situation' The union that represents metro Detroit grocery workers seems to be taking a civil stance toward Wal-Mart Stores Inc.'s plans to open 17 supercenters in the area through 2009. The United...

NWA fixes problems - quietly; Airline focuses on flight cancellations, not PR.(News)(Northwest Airlines)
September 3, 2007... Byline: Bill Shea Northwest Airlines Corp. is taking a quiet approach to repair public-relations damage in the wake of 4,000 canceled flights in June and July that cost the carrier millions of dollars and untold numbers of customers. ...

Ex-foundation boss pays back embezzled funds.(News)(Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation)
September 3, 2007... Byline: Robert Ankeny Karen Marie Breen, former executive director of the Metro Detroit & Southeast Michigan Chapter-Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, who admitted stealing more than $225,000 from the organization over several years,...

Jervis B. Webb: Always up for an outing or game.(Focus)(Brief article)
September 3, 2007... Byline: Sheena Harrison Jervis B. Webb Co. strives to give its employees a chance to play while they're at work. The Farmington Hills-based conveyor manufacturer has a number of sports-themed activities each year, including...

I am not a robot, and neither are you.(News)(human resource management)(Brief article)
September 3, 2007... Byline: Michael Lee What's a cool place to work? In my estimation, a cool place to work isn't about free massages or pet baby-sitting or the most expensive espresso machine. It's mostly about how employees are treated. All other...

Farbman Group: A good place to stay.(Focus)(Brief article)
September 3, 2007... Byline: Daniel Duggan As a real estate services company, Southfield-based Farbman Group has a front-row view of employers and young talent leaving the area. With that in mind, the office culture is geared toward keeping talent at the...

GM Planworks: Sabbaticals, job rotations.(Focus)(General Motors Corp.)(Brief article)
September 3, 2007... Byline: Bill Shea GM Planworks pays more than lip service to its insistence that employee well-being is a priority. The Detroit company, created in 2000 and owned by Chicago-based Starcom MediaVest Group, handles all of General Motors...

Airfoil: Blow off steam with kickball.(Focus)(Brief article)
September 3, 2007... Byline: Bill Shea Kickball. Nerf guns. Curling. It's not your typical office mixture for a public-relations firm, but those are just some of the elements that make Airfoil Public Relations in Southfield a cool place to work, said Allen...

Cut out of the deal? RealComp II is lone holdout in fight over opening up distribution of real estate listings.(News)
September 3, 2007... Byline: Daniel Duggan Craig Mincy accepts that his real estate brokerage model bucks that of traditional brokerages. His Brighton-based business, michiganlisting.com, offers home sellers the option of listing their home on...

What employees said about their Cool Place to Work.(Focus)
September 3, 2007... The following are based on what employees described as "cool'' about their companies in their nominations. The companies are ranked with their category size, based on number of employees. Companies with 1-50 employees 1. Horne Travel...

Our winners promote teamwork and creativity - and provide great benefits.(Focus)
September 3, 2007... Where are the cool places to work in Southeast Michigan? Crain's asked that question in 2005 and got some surprising results. With the uncertain economy and with the state and Southeast Michigan working to stop the exodus of talented...

Business Diary.(Briefs)(Fresh Enterprises Inc. Baja Fresh Mexican Grill contracts with Curve Detroit)(R.L. Polk & Co. acquires Roadtodata)(General Purpose Vehicles Inc. announced the commercial production)
September 3, 2007... Contracts Innovative Vending Systems, Walled Lake, has acquired exclusive United States and Puerto Rico distribution rights for SmartMech, a computerized system which reports and audits the amount of cash in vending machines. IVS will also...

$300M acquisition done, Noble turns to combining with Tailored Blank.(News)(Noble International Ltd acquires Tailored Blank Arcelor )
September 3, 2007... Byline: Brent Snavely Noble International Ltd. (Nasdaq: NOBL) completed its $300 million acquisition of Tailored Blank Arcelor on Friday and CEO Thomas Saeli said it's time for the company to turn its attention to integrating the two...

People.
September 3, 2007... Architecture Brett Carte to senior associate, TMI Architecture, Bloomfield Hills, from associate. Biotech Narendra Lalwani to chief scientific officer, Cerenis Therapeutics Inc., Ann Arbor, from senior director and head of drug...

Orbis Holding Group: Don't work overtime.(Focus)(Brief article)
September 3, 2007... Byline: Aaron Harris Rachel Gottler, customer service benefits administrator at Orbis Holding Group, says her company is a cool place to work because it encourages its employees to have a work-life balance. "The atmosphere is great and...

Altair: Professional, but not formal.(Focus)(Altair Engineering Inc.)(Brief article)
September 3, 2007... Byline: Chad Halcom Jeans and casual attire are the prevailing dress code at Troy-based Altair Engineering Inc., but employees can and do also work frequently from home. Still, there's no lack of incentive to show up at the office...

Henry Ford Health: Always cooking something up.(Focus)(Brief article)
September 3, 2007... Byline: Chad Halcom Diversity in the workplace, and a variety of activities where employees cross the cultural gap, were among the enjoyable work features cited by employees of Detroit-based Henry Ford Health System. Bob Riney, COO of...

Banquet center, wine shop next for Bacco.(Business Lives)(Luciano Del Signore plans to open a wine shop)(Michigan Chefs de Cuisine Inc. gives annual Chef of the Year award )(Chuck Rocky Rachwitz palns to open Rockys Rotisserie )
September 3, 2007... Byline: Brent Snavely Since opening his fine-dining Italian restaurant in 2002, Luciano Del Signore has offered his patrons exquisite and highly acclaimed cuisine at Bacco Ristorante, his 100-seat restaurant in Southfield. Now, Del...

`Star Wars' fan.(Business Lives)(Small Plates)
September 3, 2007... Todd Stern Owner, Small Plates Todd Stern, 40, opened Small Plates, a restaurant on Broadway in Detroit in 2002 and plans to open his second location in Royal Oak in October. Small Plates was also one of two Detroit restaurants to...

In vino veritas; A recent tour of Traverse City area wineries yields some great wine.(Business Lives)(Personal account)
September 3, 2007... Byline: Cindy Goodaker On an August vacation in the Traverse City area, I thought I would undertake a long-delayed tour of northern Michigan tasting rooms, sampling both a variety of wines as well as comparable wines across a number of...

State needs coherent gambling policy.(Column)
September 3, 2007... Byline: Mary Kramer What's Michigan's booming industry? In a state struggling financially, it's ironic we seem to be winning the horse race on adding the most gambling spots in the Midwest. Detroit is getting ready to welcome three...

High stakes in the air.(Opinion)(Northwest Airlines Corp.)(Brief article)
September 3, 2007... Northwest Airlines is one of at least six airlines vying for a shot at new nonstop routes to China from its Detroit hub. The U.S. Department of Transportation may award the routes in late September. Despite Northwest's bungling of...

HR needs to take leadership.(Focus)(Fast Co.)
September 3, 2007... Byline: John Hollon Two summers ago, Fast Company made a splash with its cover story "Why We Hate HR.'' The human resources community, not surprisingly, did not respond well. The central theme of the article was that a company's human...

State investment shines light on new Ardesta fund.(News)
September 3, 2007... Byline: Tom Henderson Two of the state's most successful venture capitalists, Rick Snyder and Chris Rizik, have started a new Ann Arbor-based VC fund that will invest in nanotechnology, life-science and alternative-energy companies in the...

Into the grape: Part 2 of 2; Michigan's wineries a popular destination for wine lovers.(Business Lives)(Travel narrative)
September 3, 2007... Byline: Maureen McDonald Taste and tour Amid the 22 wineries in the Grand Traverse region, Coe says that three or four stops is the optimum number. If tourists seek fresh air and a 360-degree view, Sara and Jon Swanson recently...

A bet on state's future.(Opinion)(Viewpoint essay)
September 3, 2007... Smart business owners reinvest profits into research and product development. A strong pipeline is also a strong signal to potential investors. Michigan's need to diversify its economy requires that same kind of philosophy. At the...

Civility needed in Lansing.(Opinion)
September 10, 2007... Ann Arbor's Center for Michigan, which seeks to promote civil and solution-oriented political conversation, noted in Friday's e-newsletter the lack of such in the state's continuing inability to put together a 2007-08 budget. Sample...

New exec a win for Detroit.(Opinion)(Jim Press)(Brief article)
September 10, 2007... In a week in which Michigan lost the Volkswagen headquarters to Virginia, it was good to know that a high-level executive of a Japanese car company wants to throw his lot in with Detroit. The recruitment of Jim Press to the executive ranks...

State ruling may jeopardize some open-heart work.
September 10, 2007... Byline: Sherri Begin The open-heart surgery programs at a handful of area hospitals could be in jeopardy if the state's Certificate of Need Commission upholds current standards at its Sept. 18 meeting. The commission is expected to...

Dealers are im-Pressed; Hiring of Toyota exec builds morale.(Chrysler L.L.C. hires Jim Press)
September 10, 2007... Byline: Tom Henderson, Mark Rechtin What is it about Jim Press that sends Detroit area dealers into rapture at the very mention of his name? What you get are tales of the guy's phenomenal attention to detail - and to dealers. That's...

Press has strong Detroit ties.(News)(services of Jim Press)
September 10, 2007... Byline: Robert Ankeny Detroit's nonprofit community feels Jim Press is a known quantity, and a welcome one. He is no stranger to Detroit. After graduating from Pittsburg State University (Kan.), Press worked for two years at Ford Motor...

ITC powers forward; Company expands in Great Plains.(News)(ITC Holdings Corp.)(Company overview)
September 10, 2007... Byline: Amy Lane Years ago, at Detroit Edison Co.'s transmission unit, Joseph Welch laid the groundwork to join that Southeast Michigan system with an electricity-transmission network covering the remainder of Michigan's Lower Peninsula....

VW wasn't a big player in Detroit area, insiders say.(News)(Volkswagen of America Inc)
September 10, 2007... Byline: Brent Snavely The loss of Volkswagen of America Inc.'s headquarters is yet another blow - both symbolically and economically - to Michigan, but automotive insiders say the automaker hardly will be missed because it has...

DeVry University opens campus in Southfield.(News)(DeVry Institutes of Technology)
September 10, 2007... Byline: Chad Halcom DeVry University has 87 campuses and learning centers in 25 states, but its new education center in Southfield is its first in Michigan and an effort to tap a growing market for career training in the Detroit area. ...

Summits cast energy as future industry; Focus is on alternatives, manufacturing.(News)(Detroit Economic Club)(Conference notes)
September 10, 2007... Byline: Robert Ankeny, Chad Halcom The Detroit Economic Club is in the early planning stages of a three-day, $2.75 million energy-related conference that it hopes to turn into an annual event. The National Conference on Energy...

Wayne County may get track; Thoroughbred site would cost up to $80M.(Citizens Bank's Jerry Campbell is investing in racetrack)
September 10, 2007... Byline: Bill Shea Western Wayne County may yet become home to a thoroughbred horse race track, which would mark the sport's return to metro Detroit after nearly a decade's absence. Jerry Campbell, chairman of Citizens Republic Bancorp...

Reporters' Notebook; Romulus optimistic.(Focus)(devlopment of destination for retail, sports or entertainment)
September 10, 2007... Byline: Daniel Duggan A series of vacant parcels north of Detroit Metropolitan Airport in Romulus make up a big area where there have been equally big ideas. But not big commitments. In recent history, several big...

Other Voices: Search for cheaper goods ends up costing.(Opinion)(Mattel Inc.)
September 10, 2007... Byline: David Hemmings With quality-control issues continuing to plague China, the latest word is that the government will be sending officials to the United States to try to stem the tide of a wave of hyperventilating press and government...

Telemus gets $400M boost; Assets had been managed by PWC Detroit.(News)(Telemus Wealth Advisors L.L.C acquires PricewaterhouseCoopers L.L.P )
September 10, 2007... Byline: Tom Henderson Southfield-based Telemus Wealth Advisors L.L.C. will announce today it has added to its portfolio the management of $400 million in assets formerly managed by the investment advisory group of the Detroit office of...

Week in review; From www.crainsdetroit.com, week of Sept. 1-7.(Briefs)
September 10, 2007... Delphi plan: Creditors get equity rights, cash payments Troy-based Delphi Corp. plans to leave Chapter 11 bankruptcy by Jan. 1 by paying off creditors through an equity rights offering and cash payments, it said at a press conference...

Hispanic Business Alliance expects 5,000 at Expo.(News)
September 10, 2007... Byline: Sheena Harrison The Hispanic Business Alliance hopes to draw about 5,000 people to come to this year's Hispanic Business Expo and Economic Summit - something the organization sees as a sign of the event's growing impact in the...

Calendar.(Calendar)
September 10, 2007... Tuesday Sept. 11 The University of Michigan's Law School's Environmental Law and Policy Program Inaugural Lecture. 4 p.m. Carol Browner, administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency 1993-2001. Honigman Auditorium, University...

In the spotlight.(People)(Inforum appointment)(Brief article)
September 10, 2007... Detroit-based Inforum has named Barbara Palazzolo COO. Palazzolo, 56, had been corporate communi- cations director for Hospice of Michigan in Detroit. She had also been a strategic consultant for Inforum. Palazzolo earned a bachelor's...

Bankruptcies.
September 10, 2007... The following businesses filed for Chapter 7 or 11 protection in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Detroit Aug. 31-Sept. 6. Under Chapter 11, a company files for reorganization. Chapter 7 involves total liquidation. Parth Sarthi L.L.C., 3058...

Soft economy boosts interest in Ann Arbor's greenbelt project.(Focus)
September 10, 2007... Byline: Daniel Duggan When Ann Arbor's greenbelt plan was created in 2003 to protect farm land and open space, the booming local economy put the plan at odds with developers. As developers tried to speculate on land where growth was...

Keep standards high.(Opinion)(The state Certificate of Need Commission )(Brief article)
September 10, 2007... The state Certificate of Need Commission is taking another look at standards that affect who can offer heart surgeries and procedures in Southeast Michigan. One would continue to require hospitals to perform at least 300 open-heart...

Letters.
September 10, 2007... More money? Not the problem Editor: Whenever an event such as the bridge collapse in Minnesota occurs, you can expect politicians and bureaucrats such as Paul Tait to immediately blame the problem on lack of money and ask for an...

Rumblings.(Patrick Anderson attends seminar on terrorist attack )(Eastern Michigan University launched a branding campaign)(Leon & Lulu and Catching Fireflies win award )
September 10, 2007... Group seeks Michigan 9/11 stories Patrick Anderson, president and founder of East Lansing-based Anderson Economic Group, and Ilhan Geckil, Anderson senior economist, were attending a conference in building seven of the World Trade Center...

This Just In.(Greektown Casino Management Board suspends Fred Paquin )(GTN Inc sells its business to DG FastChannel Inc)(Advanced Photonix Inc manages investors relations)
September 10, 2007... Botsford Hospital to raze parts of Botsford Inn Botsford General Hospital plans to raze the nonhistoric portions of the Botsford Inn on its Farmington Hills campus this month before beginning construction of a cancer center on the site. The...

The next Ann Arbor? Ypsilanti hopes to learn from its neighbor.(Focus)
September 10, 2007... Byline: Bill Shea Ann Arbor's success at attracting new, diverse investment is held aloft as proof Michigan cities can blossom amid the domestic auto industry's tribulations. Now, local leaders hope, it's neighboring Ypsilanti's turn....

Proposed rail line still hasn't left station.(Focus)(Brief article)
September 10, 2007... Byline: Bill Shea Continued debate over funding has delayed a proposed commuter rail line between Howell and Ann Arbor, which backers had hoped to have running this summer. The line is aimed at the 11,000 Livingston County residents...

Coal-mining investment returns $300M for Questor.(News)(PinnOak Resources sells coal mining company to Cleveland-Cliffs Inc)
September 10, 2007... Byline: Tom Henderson Southfield-based Questor Management Co. L.L.C. has hit what company officials describe as "a home run'' in a deal that sources say returned about $300 million for an initial investment of $11.5 million in 2003. ...

Corrrections.(Correction)
September 10, 2007... * The president of Right Management was listed as the company's CEO on Page 20 of the Sept. 3 issue. The company's CEO is John Borbeau. * A story on Page 25 of the Sept. 3 issue gave an incorrect length of time that Debra and Robert Wilson...

Retail guru to speak at Ideas Before Dawn Sept. 12.(News)(Stanley Eichelbaum is president of Planning Developments Inc)(Brief article)
September 10, 2007... Byline: Sheena Harrison Retail guru Stanley Eichelbaum will speak about retail opportunities in Detroit - including the realities, potential and needs of the market - at the Sept. 12 Ideas Before Dawn. Eichelbaum is president of...

Crain's List: Washtenaw County's Largest Employers; By full-time employees.(Newsfbrf )(Brief article)
September 10, 2007... list of 25: see print copy * * * Washtenaw snapshot The top employers in Washtenaw County mostly saw declines in employment from 2006 to 2007. This year's list shows eight gainers, 15 decliners and two with no change. ...

People.(Brett Carte appointed by TMP Architecture)(Laurie Mosley appointed by Schonsheck Inc)(Kevin Asher appointed by Ernst & Young)
September 10, 2007... ARCHITECTURE Brett Carte to senior associate, TMP Architecture, Bloomfield Hills, from associate. Theo Pappas to executive director, Fanning/Howey Associates Inc., Novi, from project manager. Also, Gary Sherman to operations manager,...

Crain's List: Livingston County's Largest Employers; By full-time employees.(News)(Brief article)
September 10, 2007... list of 20: see print copy * * * Livingston snapshot Year-over-year gainers outweighed decliners by a slight margin on this year's list of largest employers in Livingston County. Eight employers on the list increased...

Crain's List: Wayne County's Largest Employers; By full-time employees, not including Detroit, Hamtramck and Highland Park.(News)(Ford Motor Co)(Brief article)
September 10, 2007... list of 25: see print copy * * * Wayne snapshot Buyouts and layoffs at Ford Motor Co. are felt keenly at the top of this year's list of largest Wayne County employers. Ford's turnaround plan resulted in a decline of nearly...

Package deal.(News)
September 10, 2007... Byline: Michael Lee In this issue, you'll find our lists of largest employers in Wayne, Washtenaw and Livingston counties. Interested in more data in a more convenient format? On our Web site, you can purchase each list with all...

2007 nonprofit contest deadline is Sept. 24.(News)
September 10, 2007... This year's Crain's Detroit Business Best Managed Nonprofit Contest will honor nonprofits that have taken specific steps to improve operations and delivery of services. This could include, but is not limited to: Collaborations,...

Credit crunch could be a hidden blessing for Agree, other REITs.(News)(Real Estate Investment Trusts)(Agree Realty Corp.)
September 10, 2007... Byline: Daniel Duggan If it's possible to hear their shouting over the din of Wall Street, commercial real estate investors, brokers and managers are saying over and over again they have nothing to do with subprime residential lending. ...

We're a nation of haves and have-nots.(innovations in consumer electronics)(Column)
September 10, 2007... Byline: KEITH CRAIN Someone was nice enough to send me a Zune recently. For those of you who might not know, it's a Microsoft product that has many of the capabilities of the popular Apple iPod. It probably would be doing them both a...

Living well is the best revenge.(Opinion)(Brief article)(Column)
September 17, 2007... Speaking of foreign-owned automakers, we read with interest a Sept. 9 column in the Washington Post, welcoming Volkswagen's U.S. headquarters to northern Virginia. As we bid auf wiedersehen to the German automaker's HQ in Auburn Hills,...

A conversation with Louis Merz, BBK Ltd.(Focus)(Interview)
September 17, 2007... Byline: Brent Snavely The forecast for the aftermarket business, according to Louis Merz, managing director at Southfield consulting firm BBK Ltd., is mostly sunny with a chance of thunderstorms. Merz, who has 45 years in the...