Consumers Energy gives $25000, gets name on downtown college center entrance

Consumers Energy Rep refuses to show badge- part 2

MUSKEGON, MI Muskegon Community College"s downtown applied technology center has received a $25,000 boost from the Consumers Energy Foundation.

In return, the college is naming the main entrance off of Clay Avenue the "Consumers Energy Atrium."

The college plans to use the gift from the Consumers Energy Foundation to pay for equipment and furnishings for the new center, which will be located in the Muskegon Chronicle"s former building at the corner of Clay and Third Street.

The Consumers Energy Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Consumers Energy. It has provided more than $1 million to Muskegon County organizations in the last decade, said David Mengebier, president of the Consumers Energy Foundation.

"We have been part of Muskegon for more than a century and look forward to many more years of continued involvement and investment," he said.

The downtown applied technology centerwill house numerous labs and classrooms, including basic machining, digital fabrication, welding, CNC simulation, automation, foundry, materials testing and electricity labs. There also will be a metrology area, machining area, pattern shop, finishing room and tool crib along with offices and classrooms.

"By providing its financial support, the Consumers Energy Foundation is participating in the economic resurgence of downtown Muskegon, assisting with the development of local talent to fill the pipeline of skilled workers, and bringing awareness to careers in manufacturing and entrepreneurial studies," said MCC President Dale Nesbary.

The college is offering numerous naming opportunities for the downtown center, from the security office to the various labs to elevator lobbies, and there already are the Alcoa Foundation Automation Lab and Canteen Vending Student Lounge, according to MCC"s brochure on naming opportunities.

The name for the downtown center itself can be had for $1.5 million, according to the naming brochure.

The entrepreneurial center, which will be adjacent to the technology center in the former Masonic Temple building, has already been named the Rooks/Sarnicola Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies. Jon Rooks donated the building to the college while Nick and Ashley Sarnicola pledged $200,000 for annual grants to institute graduates.

Among the entrepreneurial center"s features will be a makerspace, digital fabrication lab and youth entrepreneurial space.

The $14.8 million downtown center is expected to open in the late summer/fall of 2017.

Lynn Moore covers education for MLive Muskegon Chronicle. Email her at lmoore8@mlive.comand follow her onTwitterandFacebook.

Source: http://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/index.ssf/2015/12/consumers_energy_gives_25000_a.html

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Bowling Green ironman heads south in search of GoDaddy Bowl win, sweet tea

2015 MAC Football Championship: Bowling Green Press Conference

Mobile usually seems to receive high praise for its hospitality from participants in the annual GoDaddy Bowl. To keep that record of congeniality intact, someone please have the sweet tea ready when Alex Huettel arrives with the Bowling Green football team.

The Falcons are scheduled to land in Mobile on Saturday afternoon in advance of their bowl showdown with Georgia Southern at 7 p.m. CST Wednesday at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.

Huettel already has paid a brief visit to the Port City last week for an introductory press conference. It was there that Bowling Green"s right guard confided what he was looking forward to during his bowl trip -- besides the game, of course and it was what might be expected from a 6-foot-4, 301-pound man from Pickerington, Ohio, making his first trip to the Gulf Coast.

"I"m very excited about the food," Huettel said. "I"m hoping to try some sweet tea."

Huettel got a taste of Coastal Alabama cuisine during his visit last week, taking a meal at Wintzell"s Oyster House in downtown Mobile.

"It was phenomenal," Huettel said. "We had some oysters, some jambalaya. I got the pasta with shrimp."

The GoDaddy Bowl will be the final game of Huettel"s collegiate career. He"s started all 54 of the games that preceded Wednesday"s.

"It"s a blessing," Huettel said. "You have to (play when you"re hurt). It"s part of being an offensive lineman."

Huettel"s streak includes a bowl at the end of each season the Military Bowl in 2012, the Little Caesars Bowl in 2013, the Camellia Bowl last year in Montgomery and now the GoDaddy Bowl.

"It"s great recognition for the school," Huettel said of the bowl appearances. "There could be somebody at home debating whether to come here or to another school, and you see us on TV. It could change your outlook on our school.

"For our team, it"s a big thing because it"s another opportunity to win, and it"s one more week we"re together as a family before us seniors have to head out of here."

The Falcons have compiled a 36-18 record during Huettel"s career. Huettel redshirted in 2011. In the four seasons before he arrived on campus, Bowling Green compiled a 23-27 record.

The Falcons" recent success has resulted in coaching turnover. Dave Clawson left Bowling Green for Wake Forest after the 2013 campaign. Dino Babers coached the Falcons the past two seasons, but he"s left to take charge at Syracuse.

Defensive coordinator Brian Ward will be leading Bowling Green for the GoDaddy Bowl.

"There"s a lot of guys on this team, I"d say the majority of the roster, we"ve already gone through a coaching change before," Huettel said. "So we know how to handle it. We have great leadership on this team, so I don"t think we"ll miss a beat. And the coaches, they"re fired up for this game, too."

Georgia Southern has an 8-4 record. One of its losses was a 23-17 overtime setback against Georgia on Nov. 21, a game sandwiched between a 45-10 victory over Troy and a 55-17 victory over South Alabama.

Bowling Green has a 10-3 record. The losses include a season-opening 59-30 setback against Tennessee. The Falcons are coming off a 34-14 victory over Northern Illinois in the MAC Championship Game.

"I think it"s the preparation we"ve had week in and week out," Huettel said of the key to Bowling Green"s season. "With the long college season, you can lose sight of the long-distance goal. We"ve done a great job as player and coaches of staying focused on the goal at hand, and we"ve got to continue that preparation through next week."

Tickets for the GoDaddy Bowl can be purchased onlineor by calling 251-635-0011.

The GoDaddy Bowl will be televised by ESPN.

Source: http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2015/12/bowling_green_ironman_heads_so.html

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Happy Festivus, Part II: Don"t insult me!

The Festivus

Bill from Staten Island, NY

Vic, my grievance: Larry McCarrens left pinky finger. Its a distraction. Can we get him to tape that puppy to his ring finger for Packers Today?

No way! Larry was blessed with a gift. Its perfect for drinking tea with old women, and you can signal for a left turn while youre waving goodbye.

Thomas from Park Falls, WI

Vic, I know you have to tow the company line, but we as fans are not stupid. Ten wins, OK, the team has accomplished that, but its the way they have done that all year that makes fans worry this team wont be able to rise up and make a playoff run. The offense was so boring and predictable against Oakland it was almost embarrassing to barely scratch 200 yards passing. Is it as simple as our tight ends and wide receivers just arent very good, or is Rodgers not having a great year seeing the field and throwing the ball?

I dont know what the answer is. Maybe youve just been conditioned to have unrealistic expectations, because thats what Aaron Rodgers and the Packers passing attack have created in recent years. Rodgers stats are closer to realistic this season, and they are largely the equal of other quarterbacks who are being hailed for having career years. If getting all negative is your way of having fun, then go for it, but Ill tell you what really bothers me: Its that tow the company line stuff. I dont appreciate having my integrity and professionalism questioned. Its an insult I have to accept as a result of my position, but this is Festivus and were airing grievances, and thats my No. 1 grievance. I hope you find a way to enjoy what remains of the season.

Jim from Saginaw, MI

This whole bat thing with Carolina is ridiculous, dont you think? My sons played for a successful high school program and when the playoffs rolled around, one of the captains ran out holding up a maul. The players all gathered around at midfield and the captain buried the maul in the ground. It was used to fire up the team and it worked. No one went out on the field and played dirty.

I dont think the bat thing is worth a whole lot of thought or discussion, but I dont like symbols of violence being used to represent a teams mentality for playing a game. I dont like bats or mauls or spears being tossed into the ground. Its hokey and insulting, and it makes a connection between violence and football that threatens the success of the movement to change the culture of the sport. For the culture to be changed, we must regard football as we do baseball, basketball and other sports, which is to say as a game. Football is not war; it has never been war. Yes, its a physical game, and I dont want that to change, but the line that separates physical activity from violence must be distinct. Bats, mauls, spears and other such props blur that line.

Brian from Green Bay, WI

Vic, here is my specific grievance I wish to air: The season has only a few weeks left in it. The ride is nearly over and I dislike that.

This is the goal. This is the destination. This is why we lifted all those weights, to get to here. This is where the memories are. Enjoy them.

Steve from Bullhead City, AZ

Vic, the team scores 30 points and people are not happy. What do you expect to see from the Arizona defense against the Packers?

Speed and aggressiveness. Watching the Cardinals defense against the Eagles, I was reminded of the Seahawks defense. The Cardinals play NFC West defense. They fly to the ball and they arrive with stunning force. The Cardinals are the best team Ive seen this year.

Adam from Madison, WI

My grievance? Fans thinking they know more about football than the men who have devoted their entire lives to being students of the game instead of critics of it.

My grievance: Fans that demand winning but also demand signing players whose performances are in decline, for no other reason than the fans recognize the name.

Steven from Milwaukee, WI

What is the ratio of fans writing in that seem to appreciate your style and treatment of football to those that cant stand you and wish to actually talk football, Xs and Os, and not stories from your life? Despite the fact the former is heavily represented in the questions you answer, I suspect the actual breakdown skews heavily towards the latter.

I dont have that list in front of me, Steven, but my numbers are really, really good. Which kind of fan are you? Happy Festivus, everyone!

HAVE A QUESTION FOR VIC?

Source: http://www.packers.com/news-and-events/article-ask-vic-extra/article-1/Happy-Festivus-Part-II-Dont-insult-me/5ef1903e-0993-4d5c-9b63-41aaa6da771a

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Time Magazine Ranks Temple Football Seventh Academically in CFP Top-25

American Football Championship Highlights - Houston 24, Temple 13
PHILADELPHIA Time Magazine recently ranked the teams in the College Football Playoff Top 25 by their academic achievement. Of the 25 teams, Temple ranked seventh overall.

Though the work of players, coaches, and the staff of the Nancy & Donald Resnick Academic Support Center for Student-Athletes, Temple football achieved a record grade-point average in spring of 2015. The current Temple football roster also includes 26 college graduates,second most among all 2015 bowl teams.

Time used rankings compiled by New America, beginning with each school"s football graduation success rate (GSR). The GSR is an NCAA mandated number that schools granting aid to student-athletes are required to report.The GSR, unlike the federal graduation rate, doesn"t penalize schools for having players who transfer or leave for the prosas long as those players depart in good academic standing.Schools drop in the rankings if they graduate football players at different rates than their overall male student body.

#24 Temple will play Toledo in the Marmot Boca Raton Bowl on Tuesday, December 22 at 7:00 p.m. on ESPN.

Time Magazine Academic Top 25

Northwestern113Notre Dame28Stanford36Clemson41TCU511Alabama62Temple724Florida State89Michigan914LSU1020Baylor1117Ole Miss1212Utah1322Florida1419Oklahoma154Houston1618Tennessee1723Ohio State187Iowa195Oklahoma State2016Oregon2115Michigan State223USC2325North Carolina2410Navy DQ*21

Source: http://www.owlsports.com/news/2015/12/18/FB_1218155137.aspx

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Kenney blasts "stubborn" Eagles over Temple football issue

Temple Football Beats Penn State, 27-10

The Cardinals aren"t the only ones who blasted the Eagles this week.

On Friday, Mayor-elect Jim Kenney criticized the team for having a "very solid and stubborn attitude" in regards to its relationship with Temple University, the Philadelphia Business Journal reported.

Temple paid $1 million in rent to the Eagles this season to play in Lincoln Financial Field, plus a fee for stadium operations. With Temple"s lease ending in 2017, the Eagles said that they want to increase that rent to $2 million plus $12 million up front for the new 30-year lease, Philly.com reported.

That"s one of the reasons that Temple is considering building a new, $100 million stadium on campus. Kenney opposes the plan because it could disrupt "the continuing peace and harmony of the community."

Kenney said in public remarks that he believes the Eagles should give Temple a better deal. He has said before that the Steelers don"t charge rent when the University of Pittsburgh plays. A Pitt official told Philly.com that the university does actually pay rent, but it also receives some revenue from concession sales.

Related story: Kenney criticizes Temple plans for new football stadium

"The Eagles have a point of view and I dont agree with their point of view. Its all about dollars and cents, and I dont know if were going to resolve that or not," said Kenney.

An Eagles spokesperson described Kenney"s remarks as "very discouraging and upsetting."

The mayor-elect met with Temple"s president and board chairman on Thursday to discuss the issue in a meeting that the school described as "cordial."

Read the full story here.

Source: http://www.phillyvoice.com/kenney-blasts-stubborn-eagles-over-temple-football-issue/

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"Tis the season for a holiday trip

The Dex! - Tis the Season for Sawsbuck!

Morrisville, N.C. AAA has predicted a record 100 million people will be traveling over the Christmas holiday, including thousands flying through Raleigh-Durham International Airport.

RDU officials said an estimated 30,000 travelers would pass through the airport daily on Tuesday, Wednesday, Sunday and next Monday 30 to 40 percent more than a typical day. They advised flyers to arrive two hours before their flights to provide enough time to find parking and make it through check-in and security lines.

Francesca Aaron and her husband made a point of getting to the airport early Tuesday, and rainy weather, traffic and long lines haven"t dampened their Christmas spirit as they head to Chicago.

"(We"re going) to see our only daughter and our granddaughter, who just turned 3, and our daughter"s expecting a baby a month from today," Aaron said. "We"re excited. Santa Claus is definitely on the way."

Although many people might want to avoid RDU because of the holiday crowds, a number of volunteers braved the rush to help travelers.

"It"s kind of overwhelming, especially if they"ve never been here before," said Joanie Richards as she helped people navigate Terminal 2, from pointing them to the right check-in area to clueing them in on where to find a restroom or buy a sandwich.

Richards and fellow volunteer Jean Spargur said the travelers they"ve seen have been in a pretty good mood.

"I think people are excited at Christmas time. They"re looking forward to their journeys," Spargur said.

Another group of volunteers was welcoming some special travelers coming in art students from Orange High School brought handmade cards to give to arriving service members.

"I want to say happy holidays and we all care for you and appreciate you for everything. Have a wonderful Christmas and stay strong, and remember, you are always cared for and loved," ninth-grader Brittany Moore said.

Art teacher RaeAnn Daughtry, along with fellow teacher Micki Saad, said her students undertook the project as a way to thank military members for their service. Even though their school is already on holiday break and there are a lot of other places students could be about a dozen went to RDU to hand out their cards personally.

"Students, if you give them an opportunity to give back, that"s all they want to do. They want to make people happy, and the fact that they created these things, they"re so proud to give it to someone, and a lot of them have family in the military, so it means a lot to them as well," Daughtry said.

Source: http://www.wral.com/-tis-the-season-for-a-holiday-trip/15192568/

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Happy Holidays from PC&D

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays Everyone!

elenaleonova/Signature/iStock

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. In observance of the holidays, Carwash eNewswill not be published again until Tuesday, Jan. 5.

Although we will not be producing Carwash eNews, we have prepared a special e-newsletter, and you can expect to see that next week.

The Top 15 of 2015 e-newsletter will recap the most popular stories our subscribers read this past year. Be sure to check your inbox for this look back in 2015.

The entire staff of Professional Carwashing & Detailingwishes all our readers and their families a safe and happy holidays.

Follow us on Twitter here.

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And visit us online anytime at www.carwash.com for the latest news and trends impacting the carwash and detailing industry.

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Source: http://www.carwash.com/happy-holidays-from-pcd-7/

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