Rise: Winter Warriors
We can’t give a cold reception to the latest promotion to capitalize on Ann Arbor’s bars & restaurants. Who wants to go out during the coldest days of the year? On Feb. 6, downtown establishments participating the Winter Warriors event will find out - after they make it sound fun for anyone willing to brave the season. Drink specials will be offered outside, and some food specials will be offered, too. And many stores and service providers are signing on, too, to provide discounts to participants. It’s creative and fun, and keeps building the sense of community among downtown businesses.

Fall: Borders employees
News that the Ann Arbor-based bookseller was laying off 164 more employees after years of cuts was painful to hear. Corporate staff is now regrouping, while those assigned to retail stores wait to learn plans for their locations and jobs. Borders’ strength has always been its book-loving employees, and no place knows that better than Ann Arbor, where the store launched its brand on those qualities. We’re still getting great service in the stores, too, even as the employees see the changes around them.