By forcing Zach Galifianakis and Robert Downey Jr. into vague revivals of the charac- ters that made them famous, 'Due Date' wastes its stars' talent. ))PAGE 6 OP-PURDUE-NITY In likely its last game as a favorite this season, Michigan takes on the struggling Boilermakers. *PAGE7 b 1idi1an 01j nn Arbor, Michigan Friday, November 12, 2010 michigandaily.com TFIE MPACT OF DEVELOPMENT Area owners say Zaragon not a major sales boost LSA freshman Hilary McDaniel tutors students in math at 826michigan yesterday. 826michigan is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting students ages to 18. McDaniel is volunteering through the University as a part of her Project Outreach class. Tutoring with a twist Behind robot storefront, University students help kids succeed at 826michigan Economic downturn may have offset any benefits, owners say ByAUSTINWORDELL For the Daily Though the East University Ave- nue community has seen an uptick in foot traffic since the construe- tion of the Zaragon Place luxury apartment complex, business own- ers are saying that the increase hasn't necessarily translated into an increase in business. In a series of interviews with The Michigan Daily, local business owners and managers reported it has been business as usual, despite Zaragon Place housing almost three times as many residents, as the Anberay Apartments, the building that was demolished to make room for the Zaragon com- plex. And whether it's the result of anupeasy economic climate - a common belief among several store managers - any positive effect of the increase in students living in the area is minimal at best, several businesses said. Nick Brudnak, manager of the local popularItalian restaurant Mia Za's, said his restaurant hasn't seen any increase in overall busi- ness since Zaragon Place went up, adding that a poor economy might be offsetting any benefits from the apartment complex. "We haven't seen any -measur- able increase that I can say is due to that building (Zaragon Place)," Brudnak said. "That isn't to say the economy hasn't balanced out what is happeningnext door." However, Brudnak said the business has seen a small increase its sales since the East Univer- sity sidewalk reopened after the demolition of Anberay and con- struction of Zaragon Place. During Zaragon's construction, the side- walk was completely blocked off by t5 feet on each side of the building, and many stores on East University did not get as much foot traffic. Sabrina Hirachian, owner of YCI Clothing, a high-end women's clothing store located on South University Avenue, said that while she hasn't seen an increase in sales, she finds the additional housing to be a positive contribution to the area. "I can't say that Zaragon is the See ZARAGON, Page 3 By MALLORY BEBERMAN Daily StaffReporter 826michigan is not your run- of-the-mill youth tutoring ser- vice. Upon entering the East Liberty Street center, visitors are met by a robot store that serves as the space's storefront. There are robot-themed stickers, color- ing books, ski hats, building kits and key chains. It is a robot lover's heaven. The magical world continues as one walks through draping red- velvet curtains into 826michi- gan's headquarters. The room is cozy and inviting with rect- angular wooden tables, shelves overflowing with books and long mustard-colored velvet couches that line the back wall. The dual purpose of the space as both a robot store and learning center is part of 826michgian's beauty, said Amanda Uhle, execu- tive director of 826michigan's Ann Arbor location. She said the robot store helps to stir children's imagination and encourages them to understand that learning isn't boring. Furthermore, the profits from the store - in addition to outside donations - help to main- tain the cost-free services of the non-profit organization. 826michigan works with chil- dren ages 6 to 18 on a range of subjects including homework assistance, college applications, creative writing skills and the English language, Uhle said. And students in a variety of programs at the University volunteer their services at the center every day. Uhle explained that 826michi- gan functions on the basis of three core values: the importance of writing, one-on-one attention and free services. Due to recent difficulties See 826MICHIGAN, Page 3 GREEK LIFE Officials: New sober liaison collaboration successful so far A FEATHER IN YOUR BRAID System requires sorority members to share safety burden at fraternity events By VERONICA MENALDI Daily StaffReporter A new initiative to give soror- ity members more responsibility for party safety at Interfratnerity Council-registered parties has been successful so far, Greek Life officials say. The new collaboration between IFC and the Panhellenic Associa- tion requires that a certain num- ber of women must remain sober at a fraternity event, fulfilling a role similar to sober monitors. The initiative began with an amend- ment passed last semester by IFC, which requires a few members from visiting chapters to serve as social liaisons alongside the sober monitors of the hosting fraternity at IFC events. The number of des- ignated social liaisons depends on the size of the registered event. The purpose of having the female sober liaisons as opposed to just male sober monitors is to allow sorority women who may need assistance at events to feel more comfortable, according to Greek student officials. LSA senior Tarin Krzywo- sinski, vice president of social responsibility for Panhel, said sorority member liaisons who she has talked to find their par- ticipation at events to be "benefi- cial." She said there haven't been any major problems with the col- laboration reported so far. "They've personally dealt with girls that needed help," Krzy- wosinski said. "Their presence overall made the parties safer. They're glad it's a requirement." Krzywosinski said she hopes this amendment will give the Greek community a more posi- tive image and show all members of the University and the larger Ann Arbor community that safe- ty is one of the organizations' top priorities. "Hopefully this will be some- See LIAISON, Page 3 ANNA SCHULTE/Daily LSA senior Barrie Schwartz sells feathers to put in peoples hair as a way to bring awareness and promote an alternative domes- tic study program for college students. The proceeds from feathers, which cost $5 to $10, will go to Engage University. EAST FOOD DOWNSTAIRS Subway to open in4 Eleven Lofts CAMPUS COUTURE With ugly sweaters and costumes, new store aims to provide theme party needs Ragstock on East Liberty sells new and recycled clothes By MELISSA MARCUS Daily StaffReporter With ugly sweater season fast approaching, a new store is hop- ing to become the go-to spot for picking out the party favorite. Ragstock, located on East Lib- erty Street offers new and recy- cled clothing, in addition to awide array of Halloween costumes. Store manager Emilie Parker said they opened the store at the per- fect moment last month - just in time for Halloween costume sea- son. "There was a really nice rush at the beginning for people buying Halloween costumes and items," Parker said. Business slowed down a bit after Halloween, Parker said, but now the store is working on switching over to clothing that caters to the holiday season like holiday party sweaters. In addition to seasonal cloth- ing and accessories, Ragstock also carries b-nsic clothing items in a variety of colors and styles, as well as vintage clothing. A family-owned company, See RAGSTOCK, Page 3 Residents, franchise owner say they expect spot will be a successful location By LIANA ROSENBLOOM For the Daily Residents of the apartment building 4 Eleven Lofts, located at the corner of East Washington and Division Streets, say they are anx- iously awaiting the arrival of a Sub- way restaurant, which is coming to the firast floor of the high-rise. Randy Munroe, owner of the, new Subwaybranch, said he signed a lease for a space on the ground floor of 4 Eleven Lofts a few weeks ago. He said he hopes this Subway branch willbecome one of the most profitable locations in the region. Munroe said he expects the final- stages of the project will go smooth- ly and anticipates a successful open- ing. The franchise was initially scheduled to open in January 2011, but due to many variables like hir- ing, Munroe said a definite opening date hasn'tbeen determined yet. Munroe co-owns several Sub- way restaurants in the area with his wife, Denise. The couple first got involvedwithSubwayin1994. Since then, the pair has owned seven Subway restaurants in the metro Detroit area, but sold their busi- nesses when Munroe's job in the railroad business transferred him to Illinois. After a two-year hiatus from the Subway business, Munroe said he is looking forward to the opening of this Ann Arbor location. "We love the area, the whole atmosphere; everything about Ann Arbor, we really like," he said. See SUBWAY, Page 2 WEATHER HI: 60 TOMORROW LO: 45 GOT A NEWS TIP? 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