AADL Talks To Ann Arbor Police Chief John Seto

Tue, 07/23/2013 - 5:58pm by oldnews

In July, 2012, Ann Arbor promoted "one of its own" to Police Chief and Safety Services Director. John Seto joined the Ann Arbor Police Department in 1990 and served as patrol officer, detective, SWAT team leader, and Interim Safety Services Director. Chief Seto talked with us about his long career at the AAPD, how he came to Ann Arbor and his vision for the Department in the 21st century. He recalled his first day in a patrol car, joining the ranks of officers signing the guest book at Drake's Sandwich Shop, and moving into the new Justice Center.

AADL Talks To Herb David

Mon, 07/15/2013 - 7:50pm by oldnews

On April 12, 1962, the Herb David Guitar Studio opened in a basement on South State and one of the great success stories in Ann Arbor and the music business began. AADL talked to Herb David shortly after the closing of his landmark studio on East Liberty, almost 51 years to the day the studio opened. Herb's influence extends beyond the students he taught to love music, the musicians who bought his handmade instruments, the local bands he nurtured and promoted, to the top musicians that visited his studio to talk "shop" and discovered David's wide range of interests in philosophy, cultures and travel. Herb's genuine concern for his community and the power of music to transform lives as well as his great sense of humor shine through in this podcast.

Karl Pohrt, Owner of Shaman Drum Bookshop

Mon, 07/15/2013 - 2:23pm by oldnews

Old News has digitized Ann Arbor News articles on Karl Pohrt (obituary), owner of Shaman Drum Bookshop.

He is remembered warmly as a community leader who took an active role in organizations such as Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority, State Street Area Association, American Booksellers Association, and the Great Lakes Booksellers Association. He was also a founding member of the Ann Arbor Book Festival.

Read Dave Askins' tribute to Karl Pohrt in The Ann Arbor Chronicle.

Opening Night Concert at the Bandshell

Wed, 06/19/2013 - 7:51am by amy

Wednesday, June 19, 2013, marks the opening concert for the Ann Arbor Civic Band summer season! All performances will take place in the West Park bandshell. As you can see from this 1943 photograph of the old bandshell, lounging in the grass before this A2 landmark is a summer tradition that goes back many years. Read about the history of West Park in Oldnews, and catch some of the recent photographs we've posted detailing the construction of the original bandshell in 1938.

AADL Talks to Ann Arbor Summer Festival Staff and Volunteers

Wed, 05/29/2013 - 7:32pm by oldnews

The Ann Arbor Summer Festival celebrates its 30th season this year. Amy Nesbitt, the Festival's Associate Director & General Manager joins us in a series of conversations with former and current A2SF staff and volunteers.

We spoke with Alan Brown who was hired as manager by festival founder Eugene Power in its inaugural year.

Susan Pollay was hired early on as the Marketing Director, and saw the Festival changed and grew over the years.

Jamie Mistry, a local businessman who started as a volunteer while a UM student, eventually chaired the Festival's Board of Directors. He now makes the annual event a family affair.

AADL Talks to Alan Brown

Wed, 05/29/2013 - 6:48pm by oldnews

In 1984, a very young Alan Brown, (a recent UM grad in Vocal Performance) was stunned to be offered the position of Festival Administrator by Eugene Power, the founder of the Ann Arbor Summer Festival - an opportunity that literally changed the course of his life. We speak to him by phone from San Francisco where he is the principal of WolfBrown, an advisory to foundations, public agencies and charitable organizations.

Alan speaks of his fond memories of Eugene Power, his firm guiding hand and generous support in the early days of the Festival. He remembers a gracious Ella Fitzgerald, a panic moment with Marcel Marceau, and his encounters with other great performers who graced the Festival stage.

AADL Talks to Susan Pollay

Wed, 05/29/2013 - 6:33pm by oldnews

Susan Pollay, a former Executive Director of the Ann Arbor Summer Festival remembers vividly her personal encounters and backstage stories of such entertainment greats such as Tony Bennett and Mel Torme.

Susan also talked about the early years of the Festival when Eugene and Sadye Power were a strong presence; the many roles she played, and changes the Festival has undergone through the years.

AADL Talks to Jamie Mistry

Wed, 05/29/2013 - 6:16pm by oldnews

A long-time supporter of the Ann Arbor Summer Festival, Jamie Mistry is proud to help celebrate its 30th season in 2013. He started as a volunteer and through the years, has taken on many roles, including as Chair of the Board of Directors. He remembers the challenges of funding an arts organization during hard times, and the sensitivity necessary in programming to remain sustainable.

These days he remains a community member of the Festival and looks forward to bringing his family to yet another A2SF season.

AADL Talks to Steve Amick

Wed, 05/15/2013 - 4:42pm by aadl staff

Author Steve Amick’s second novel Nothing But a Smile (2009) is a delightful love story of a man and a woman who choose an unconventional way to redefine themselves during and after World War II.

Called "kinetic and clever slice of 1940s cheesecake" by reviewers, it is set in 1944 Chicago when Wink Dutton, a former illustrator for Yank and Stars and Stripes (newspaper), discharged from the Service with an injury, rented a room above the camera shop run by Sal Chesterton, and became a willing collaborator once he discovered her astonishing secret enterprise.

Recently, Steve sat down with us and discussed why he picked the subject of the pin-up industry for the novel, the person very dear to him who inspired it, and how Argus Camera came to be a prominent element in the story. He also talked about growing up in Ann Arbor and being nurtured by a middle school teacher to write.

He shared his thoughts about living and working in Michigan (and his secret hideaway up north), favorite authors, parenting, and his choices for bedtime stories for his young son. We were surprised to learn that Steve is also a musician. Listen to this interview, and find out more about Steve from his website.

AADL Talks to Rhonda Gilpin

Wed, 05/15/2013 - 4:23pm by oldnews

One of Ann Arbor’s Heritage Businesses, The Caravan Shop has been an anchor in the historic Nickels Arcade for over 80 years. Opened in 1927 by Frank and Jean Karpp, it is known for its eclectic merchandize with an international flavor.

Recently, its current owner Rhonda Gilpin talked with us about the history of the shop, how she came to own it and her goal of keeping it a family business. She talked about the pleasures and challenges of doing business in a college town. Rhonda is also the owner of Arcadian Antiques and Collectibles located in the Nickels Arcade. She credits the "Think Local" initiative and the nice mix of new businesses for the improved retail climate in Ann Arbor.