* HELLO, EISMAN? From the Daily:A - Shirvell s leave of In the SportsMonday Column, Sports 0absence enough. Editor Ryan Kartje says it's finally General M * time to turn on the hype machine. Cox must dismiss him. INSIDE PAGE 4A f f-I' Ann Arbor, Michigan UNIVERSITY RESEARCH 'U' develops state's first embryonic stem cell line Monday, October 4,2010 michigandaily.com Line developed by * donated embryos will be used to study stem cell growth By STEPHANIE STEINBERG Daily News Editor After spending months and long hours in University labo- ratories, University researchers announced yesterday that they have successfully created Michi- gan's first human embryonic stem cell line. Five researchers in the Univer- sity's Consortium for Stem Cell Therapies began working on the stem cell line, referred to as UM4- 6, in March. The line - completed last month - was developed from donated embryos and will be used to study how embryonic stem cells grow. Human embryonic stem cell lines are used by researchers throughout the country to study human development and poten- tial treatments for fatal diseases and debilitating injuries. Few universities and institutions have successfully generated lines for research purposes. In a press release issued yes- terday, University President Mary Sue Coleman praised the researchers' work and relentless effort to find cures for diseases. "This historic achievement opens the door on a new era for U-M researchers, one that holds enormous promise for the treat- ment of many seriously debilitat- ing and life-threateningdiseases," Coleman wrote. "This accom- plishment will enable the Univer- sity of Michigan to take its place among the world's leaders in every aspect of stem cell research." Sean Morrison, director of the University's Center for Stem Cell Biology, wrote in an e-mail inter- view that University scientists are "startingto deliver" on the human embryonic research Michigan voters approved in a 2008 ballot initiative. "This is just the beginning, we have big plans," Morrison wrote. Gary Smith, co-director of the Consortium for Stem Cell Thera- pies and professor of obstetrics and gynecology, said in an inter- view the stem cell line will be used for "basic work" like under- standing how different culture See STEM CELLS, Page 5A JAKt FROMM/Daily Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson during Saturday's game against Indiana. Robinson propelled the Wolverines toa 42-35 win, despite a lackluster performance from the Michigan defense. For more on the game, see SportsMonday, Page1B. Den adjust one smalGvor BLOOMINGTON - So, Denard. You had anoth- er pretty good Saturday. You led Michigan to a 42-35 victory. over Indiana in Blooming- ton and won your first Big Ten road game. No small feat. You had JOE 494 total STAPLETON yards. You threw three touchdowns and ran for two more. This was your second game this season in which you passed and ran for more than 200 yards - something no one else has ever done in a college career. You even orchestrated a last-second, game-winning touchdown drive (though redshirt junior wideout Junior Hemingway gave you some help). That being said, I know this is going to sound weird, but... Could you maybe, I don't know, slow down a little bit? Here's the thing: The defense, for whatever reason, is not good at all right now. I don't know if it's passing or coaching or youth - probably a combination of the three - I just know it ain't good. The Wolverines allowed 568 total yards to Indiana, 480 of them through the air. They allowed 11 third-down conver- sions. And this isn't a new rev- elation - you could argue the defense hasn't had a solid game since holding Connecticut to 10 points in the season opener. Heck, they gave up 37 points to Massachusetts, an FCS team. Like I said, I'm not sure of the cause. ButI know they need all the help they can get on the other side of the ball. Which leads me to my point. Look, I love watching you as much as the next guy. I love watching you run the ball with a speed and agility previously thought impossible for humans. Watching you reminds me of watching Lost; every week, some- thing completely inexplicable and out-of-this-world happens, and it doesn't make any sense. All Ican do is roll with it and watch as the Lost writers rewrite the script and you rewrite the NCAA record books. It's just that, well, you score so fast. Like, blindingly fast. And it doesn't really give your defense much time to restup on the side- lines. Try to put yourself in their shoes. Take the first couple drives of this game, for instance. The defense gives upa touchdown to Indiana on the Hoosiers' first possession of the game after a long, sustained drive. They finally get to the sidelines, already suck- ing wind. You trot out on the field, shoelaces flapping, and pro- ceed, two plays later, to dart into See STAPLETON, Page SA LANDMARK EXPANSION ALCOHOL AND THE ECONOMY Washtenaw Co. liquor sales booming, despite downturn Charley's tops all bars in county in sales with more than $200k worth ByLINDSAY KRAMER Daily StaffReporter Though most cope with a recession by cutting down costs, students have proven to be an exception - specifically when it comes to buying alcohol. Despite the ongoing floun- dering economy across the state and county, liquor sales in both Washtenaw County and around Michigan have grown over the last year. In 2009 Washtenaw County reported a 1-percent gain in its $31.59 million annual wholesale liquor purchasing industry. The top 16 of the 100 establishments in the county that sell single- serving drinks on premises bought more than $100,000 in liquor from the state, accord- ing to a report by the Michigan Liquor Control Commission. Seven of these 16 establish- ments cater specifically to Uni- versity students. Good Time Charley's, which ranked at the top of the list, brought home more than $200,000 in liquor sales last year and showed a 6.6-percent increase over 2008. Paul Drennan, general man- ager of Charley's, attributed the bar's big growth in liquor sales to the student population, which has continued to buy alcohol despite the recession. "The students are one of those demographics that have See LIQUOR, Page 5A W 4- -1 = 7W W-- A,. e -M The full story on A Zingerman's employee peruses the offerings at the deli on Friday. The Ann Arbor landr e cnl y * -the wir got approval to expand. For the full story on tha expansion, visit michigandaily.com/blogs/the wire. GETTING AROUND ANN ARBOR ELECTION 2010 A2 bike lane plan behind schedule Business leaders debate merits of Major portions of plan supposed to be done by Sept., but remain unfinished By JEFF WARANIAK For the Daily In order to maintain its place among the 15 most bicycle- friendly city in America, Ann Arbor is adding about 10 miles of bike lanes and improving 24 miles of the existing bike lanes around town. The new bike lanes are part of a comprehensive non-motorized transportation plan adopted by the city in 2007. The goal is to improve transportation accessi- bility for Ann Arbor cyclists and pedestrians. Federal and local funds amounting to nearly $300,000 have been used to improve the city's bike-lane system, with the most significant changes tak- ing place along Catherine Street, North University Avenue, Ashley Street and First Street. Other areas receiving updates include South University Avenue, Hill Street, East Hoover Avenue and Geddes Avenue. Though a major portion of the project was scheduled to be completed in September, many of the lanes are still unfinished. According to Ann Arbor Trans- portation Program Manager Eli Cooper, the installation of bike lanes is a complex process. "There are very specific requirements," Cooper said. "There are literally tens, if not hundreds of signs that need to go up as a result of this project." Installing proper construction signs can be a challenge depend- ing on where they need to be See BIKE LANES, Page 5A constitutional convention proposal Supporters say convention could open up Michigan for business By A. BRAD SCHWARTZ Daily Staff Reporter Come election day, Michigan residents will vote on Proposal 1 - a statewide ballot initiative that gives voters the option to call for a constitutional convention to rewrite or revise Michigan's state Constitution. Last Friday, the University, Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Regional Chamber and the Center for Michigan - a non-partisan think tank - held a public policy dis- cussion called Impact 2010 at the Kensington Court Hotel in Ann Arbor, where state policymakers met to discuss the idea of rewrit- ing the Michigan Constitution. State Sen. Tom George (R-Kal- amazoo) spoke in favor of the proposal and said the potential benefits of a constitutional con- vention - referred to as ConCon - outweigh the risks of not taking action to help the state. "Good, well-intentioned peo- ple are hamstrung by a constitu- tion that was handed to us when Michigan was a rich state," he said, adding that a constitutional convention is an "opportunity to re-open Michigan for business." Arguing that voters should reject Proposal 1, Dianne Byrum, See CONVENTION, Page 3A WEATHER HI:63 TOMORROW :. LO: 43 GOT A NEWS TIP? NEW ON MICHIGANDAILY.COM Call 734-763-2459 ore-mail Blogging Blue: Mr. Snyder goes to Detroit. news@michigandaily.com and let us know. MICHIGANDAILY.COM/BLOGS/THE PODIUM INDEX NEWS...... Vol. CXXI, No. 20 SUDOKU.. Qt0lTheMihiganDaily OPINION.. .......................2A ARTS.. . . . ........6A .......................3A CLASSIFIEDS...................... 6A ............. 4A SPORTSM ONDAY................1B