May 2009
Kapnick Insurance Group named member of President's Club
Thursday, May 28
The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. (NYSE:THG), a leading super regional property and casualty company, recentlyhonored Kapnick Insurance Group of Southeastern Michigan with appointment to its President’s Club, an elite group of agencies from across the country.
President’s Club agencies meet the highest level of standards with regard to customer service, advocacy, quality performance and setting themselves apart from their peers in the industry.
“It is with great pride that we call these outstanding agencies our partners,” said Marita Zuraitis, president of The Hanover’s property and casualty companies. “The Hanover’s President’s Club agencies exemplify what it means to be an independent agent. They are skilled professionals, dedicated to helping their clients make the right choices when it comes to protecting their automobiles, homes and businesses.”
Kapnick Insurance Group was formally recognized by its peers at a national conference sponsored by The Hanover.
About Kapnick Insurance Group
Kapnick Insurance Group is a full service insurance broker with a simple but, but important goal: to simplify the insurance process in order to continuously meet our clients’ needs and interests - all while lowering their overall total cost of risk. We provide a full range of services and have established excellent relationships with our carriers. We offer the following insurance solutions ; Business Insurance, Risk Management, Employee Benefits, Health Management, Personal Insurance, Financial Strategies and Global Solutions.
“People helping people...it’s what we do best.” A fundamental focus of Kapnick is to be involved in, and support organizations that benefit the communities where we do business. Specific areas of support include:
●Annual United Way Campaign
● Urban Farming
●Relay for Life
●Graze to Raise
●Education and Scholarships
●Performing Arts and many more!
About The Hanover
The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. (NYSE: THG), based in Worcester, Mass., is the holding company for a group of insurers that includes The Hanover Insurance Company, also based in Worcester; Citizens Insurance Company of America, headquartered in Howell, Mich., and their affiliates. The Hanover offers a wide range of property and casualty products and services to individuals, families and businesses through an extensive network of independent agents, and has been meeting its obligations to its agent partners and their customers for more than 150 years. Taken as a group, The Hanover ranks among the top 40 property and casualty insurers in the
United States. For more information, please visit www.hanover.com.
New FREE Lost and Found Pet Website Launched by HSHV
Thursday, May 28
Many animals end up in shelters because they get separated from their owners with no form of identification or with out-dated identification, making it impossible to unite animal and owner. The internet is filled with pet lost and found websites claiming to be the best service available, but most are run at a national level and there isn’t one clear-cut website that people can turn to.
The Humane Society of Huron Valley (HSHV) has created a FREE local website that gives community members living in and around Washtenaw County a place to post lost and found pets. “It is our hope that community members will use this free service and that it will become “the place” people will turn to when they have lost or found a pet,” said Deb Kern, HSHV Marketing Director.
HSHV services Washtenaw County, Canton and Plymouth and is the stray animal holding facility for these locations. If you have lost or found a pet, please follow these easy steps:
1. Post the lost or found pet information (including photo and your contact information) at http://hshv.convio.net/lostandfound
2. Call HSHV at 734.662.5585 and file a lost or found pet report
3. Stop by the shelter at least every other day to check for your pet
HSHV wants to remind people that sometimes unfriendly citizens use websites inappropriately. If you are contacted by someone claiming to have found your pet asking for a reward in exchange for the animal, do not comply. This is a common con and should be reported to your local law enforcement.
The Humane Society of Huron Valley (HSHV) is an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization serving all of Washtenaw County and beyond, and relies solely on donations from businesses and individuals in our community. The mission of HSHV is to promote responsible and compassionate care of all animals in our community. For more information, call (734) 662-5585 or visit www.hshv.org.
Huron Valley Ambulance honors two local school districts and two young people from Ypsilanti
Wednesday, May 27
Huron Valley Ambulance recently honored Dexter Community Schools and Lincoln Consolidated Schools with their Heart Safe Organization Awards. HVA also honored 6 year old Kyle Downey and 15 year old Jonathan Hernandez, both of Ypsilanti, with Life Saving Awards for their bravery at events in the past year. In a third category, HVA chose paramedic Glory Harris of Belleville and mechanic Bob Liskiewicz of Dexter as their 2009 Stars of Life. HVA also presented awards to employees for professional achievement and safe driving. HVA presented the awards at their Annual Emergency Medical Services Recognition Awards Dinner on May 20 in Ann Arbor.
The Heart Safe Organization Award, which HVA created last year, recognizes businesses or other organizations that have met the following criteria for creating a “heart safe” environment:
• automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in all buildings
• staff trained in CPR/AEDs in all buildings
• regularly practiced cardiac emergency response plan in place
These awards will be presented again at their respective school Board meetings in June.
The Life Saving Awards were awarded for the following acts of heroism:
In December 2008, Kyle Downey was helping his mother deliver newspapers when he heard someone calling for help inside a house. Hugh Anderson had broken his arm in a fall about an hour earlier and was unable to get up. He had crawled to his front door to wait for help. As soon as he saw Mr. Anderson, Kyle called for help and stayed with Mr. Anderson until the paramedics arrived. When they arrived, they were unable to enter the house without moving Mr. Anderson at the door. Kyle overcame his fear of the Andersons’ dog and squeezed through the doorway. He then opened the garage door and let the medics inside.
In March 2009, Jonathan Hernandez was with two adults who were digging a 5-foot trench in order to repair a sewer pipe. One of the men, Russell Stoner, collapsed and fell into the trench after the second adult left temporarily. Jonathan used his cell phone to call the other adult and 9-1-1. He then jumped into the trench and kept Mr. Stoner’s head above six inches of water until help arrived. This award recognizes him for his bravery and quick actions that helped save a life.
HVA’s Star of Life Awards honor exemplary employees from several departments. Paramedic Glory Harris has been at HVA since 1996. She is a field training officer who works with newly hired paramedics. Bob Liskiewicz is a specialized mechanic who has worked on the HVA fleet since the company started in 1981. Bob performs routine maintenance and repairs on about 60 vehicles.
The awards dinner took place during National Emergency Medical Services Week, which honors EMS providers who deliver emergency care nationwide 24/7.
Based in Ann Arbor, Huron Valley Ambulance is the nationally accredited, nonprofit community ambulance service covering Washtenaw County.
Architectural Resource Opens Doors of Award-Winning Remodeled Home for Public Tours: a “how to” for turning remodeling dreams into reality
May 27, 2009
In today’s economy, many people are looking for ways to remodel and improve their existing home in ways that match their dreams of the ideal home. On Saturday, June 13, from 9am – 5pm. local architectural firm, Architectural Resource, will provide a unique opportunity for members of the public to explore how a well-designed and planned remodel can be effective in magically transforming a smaller living space into an elegant, functional and energy-efficient home that makes those dreams a reality.
Michael Klement, Principal of Architectural Resource, will lead tours through one of Ann Arbor’s most award-winning remodeled homes, a circa-1928 Sears Craftsman bungalow. Participants will have an opportunity to explore the remodel first-hand, speak with the home-owner, and learn more about the design and remodel process.
To register for a tour, call Habitat for Humanity at 734.677.1558. A donation to Habitat for Humanity of Huron Valley is invited, but not required. The number of participants in each tour is limited in order to enhance the experience for participants and allow time for in-depth exploration of remodeling trends. Advance registration is highly recommended.
“When I walk around this house, I still get fits of giggles at how amazingly this project turned out,” says the homeowner. “It seems less the product of design, and more our dreams turned directly into reality.
Architectural Resource Open House
Built by Washtenaw Woodwrights, this renovation is featured in Sarah Susanka’s recently published book, Not-So-Big Remodeling, with Susanka’s Not So Big® design philosophy faithfully and invitingly employed. “With a smaller living space, we focused our design on creating an elegant and space-efficient home that has the illusion of a much larger living space,” says Klement. “With this particular property, we’ve given attention to period detail. This is evident in the craftsman styled interior woodwork, the glazed personalized Motawi tiles in the fireplace surround and kitchen, the inglenooks, and the clustered & cross-tied columns.”
This custom renovation was also featured in the January, 2009 issue of ‘Fine Homebuilding Magazine.’
About Architectural ResourceArchitectural Resource (AR) is a full-service, award-winning Ann Arbor architectural design firm specializing in fine residential design of new homes, cottages, additions, remodels and renovations with an emphasis on Green design. Recognized with over 89 design awards in the last seven years, AR’s work has been featured in several national and regional publications including Old House Interiors, American Bungalow, Qualified Remodeler, Professional Remodeler, Remodeling Magazine, Kitchen and Bath Design News, Place, Women’s Day – Home Remodeling Makeover, and The Detroit News. AR recently designed the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) platinum certified whole-house remodel in Michigan; only the fifth in the entire nation. The LEED Green Building Rating System™ is a voluntary, consensus-based standard to support and certify successful green building design, construction and operations.
Tower of Power / Cold Blood Concert Moved to Power Center
Friday, May 22
The June 18 concert by soul legends TOWER OF POWER has been MOVED from the Michigan Theater. The concert will take place at the Power Center for the Performing Arts, a short walk from the Michigan Theater. The date and time are unchanged. Show time is 7:30 pm. Tickets purchased for the Michigan Theater show WILL BE HONORED.
The Power Center is located at 121 Fletcher Street at Washington Street, 3 blocks east of the Michigan Theater.
The change was necessitated by the booking of the new Disney-Pixar 3-D film “UP” at the Michigan Theater for an uninterrupted 4-week run, from May 29-June 25.
TOWER OF POWER emerged from the rich San Francisco Bay Area music scene of the late 60s and early 70s. Oakland-based band has released nearly two dozen albums since then. They scored their biggest hits with "You're Still a Young Man," "Don't Change Horses (in the Middle of a Stream)" and "What is Hip?" the song for which they are best remembered.
Led by tenor saxophonist Emilio Castillo, the group is nearly as well-known for its trademark horn section, which has appeared on nearly 200 records by everyone from Santana to Elton John, Bonnie Raitt to BB King, Dan Fogelberg to John Lee Hooker, Little Feat to Aerosmith.
Opening the show is LYDIA PENSE & COLD BLOOD. Their funky hybrid of soul and rock possesses in LYDIA PENSE a voice reminiscent of Janis Joplin, who personally recommended them to rock impresario Bill Graham, leading to their record deal on Graham's San Francisco label. They released a number of strong albums, including their self-titled debut, "Sisyphus" and "First Taste of Sin." They disbanded in the mid-70s but they reformed in 1998 and by all reports, sound better than ever.
Tickets are on sale now at ticketmaster.com and all Ticketmaster outlets, including the Michigan Union Ticket Office and Macy’s. Charge by phone at 248-745-3000. Reserved seats are priced at $29.50 & $39.50. Limited Gold Circle seating is available at $75. This concert is presented with cooperation from the Ann Arbor Summer Festival. Original show tickets will be honored.
About the Michigan Theater
The Michigan Theater is Ann Arbor’s historic center for fine film and performing arts. Winner of the 2006 Outstanding Historic Theatre Award, it is located in downtown Ann Arbor at 603 East Liberty Street, across the street from Borders Books and Music. Regular movie prices are $9.00, $7.00 for students, seniors and US veterans, and $6.50 for Michigan Theater members. Please visit the theater’s website at http://michtheater.org. The 24-hour information line is (734) 668-TIME. Our media sponsors are WEMU 89.1 FM and 107one FM.
Ann Arbor Attorney Speaks at 2009 BIO International Convention in Atlanta
Thursday, May 21
Cynthia Bott, Ph.D., an attorney in the Ann Arbor office of Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione, one of the largest intellectual property law firms in the U.S., served as a panelist on May 20th at the 2009 BIO International Convention in Atlanta. The annual conference attracts about 22,000 attendees.
Dr. Bott was a member of a panel entitled, Global Intellectual Property Due Diligence. In her remarks, Dr. Bott focused on the critical importance of intellectual property due diligence - the process of investigating and determining the status and value of IP assets in anticipation of a transfer of IP assets in a merger, acquisition, or investment. Focusing on life sciences, the panel discussed a “top ten task list” outlining the major points to consider during intellectual property due diligence.
Dr. Bott has nearly ten years of experience in biopharmaceutical patent practice, which includes developing patent portfolios, patent preparation and prosecution, patent portfolio management, patent due diligence and opinions. Prior to joining Brinks, Dr. Bott served as in-house counsel for Pfizer, Inc. and also Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals.
Dr. Bott holds a Ph.D. in cellular and molecular biology from the University of Michigan, a J.D., Order of the Coif, from the University of Cincinnati College of Law, and a Bachelor of Science degree in biochemistry from Michigan State University. Dr. Bott is a resident of Ann Arbor.
Founded in 1917, Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione is based in Chicago with five additional offices across the country serving the intellectual property needs of clients from around the world. The firm is one of the largest IP law firms in the country, with more than 170 attorneys, scientific advisors and patent agents specializing in intellectual property litigation and all aspects of patent, trademark, copyright, trade secret, unfair competition, intellectual asset management, and technology and licensing agreements. Brinks routinely handles assignments in fields as diverse as electrical, chemical, mechanical, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, nanotechnology, Internet and computer technology, as well as in trademarks and brand names for a wide variety of products and services. For more information, visit www.usebrinks.com.Washtenaw County Summer Youth Employment Program
Tuesday, May 19
These principles include engaging the talents and interests of youth, developing their skills, competencies, and providing positive adult role models. SYEP participants are between the ages of 14 and 24 and are enthusiastic about not just earning some money this summer but building their resumes with good work experience. We are always looking for partners that offer work opportunities to our diverse youth population.
Becoming a SYEP worksite will allow employers to:
• Add summer employees
• Provide productive and meaningful work assignments
• Use Recovery Funds to pay wages
• Train a future workforce
• Provide training and supervision
For more information and to apply to become an SYEP worksite for this summer, please contact a Corporate Service Representative at 734.544.2952.
