Magic Johnson's group remains alive in bidding for Los Angeles Dodgers, Great Lakes Loons

Magic Johnson made his name in basketball, but the former Michigan State and Los Angeles Lakers star is making a bid to add Major League baseball to his resume. Johnson, who is a part owner of the Dayton Dragons minor league team, is part of an ownership group that is in the running to purchase the Los Angeles Dodgers. Johnson's group, which includes former baseball executive Stan Kasten, was one of approximately 10 bidders to advance to the second round of bidding. "We made the first cut, and we're in the second round," Johnson said Monday while visiting Saginaw to announce a partnership between his company, Sodexo Magic, and the Saginaw School District.

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Dow Chemical Co. releasing fourth quarter earnings report Thursday

The Dow Chemical Co. on Thursday will release its fourth quarter earnings report. The Midland-based chemical giant in October released strong third quarter results, with increased earnings and sales compared to the same period in 2010. Shares were up 24 cents from the third quarter in 2010, to 69 cents per share for the 3rd quarter of 2011. The third quarter of 2011 also marked record sales for the company at $15.1 billion, up 17 percent from the previous year, with volume growth being led by its sales in China where the company achieved record sales.

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Great Lakes Loons celebrating fifth anniversary with promotions, fan votes

via Midland Daily News

Want to be a part of choosing the Great Lakes Loons' Fifth Anniversary Team? Get on a computer and vote. Every week until the Loons' opening day home game on April 9, fans can vote on the website www.loons.com for the player they feel has been the best Loons' player at his particular position over the team's first five years.
Loons' President and General Manager Paul Barbeau is excited about this and other upcoming promotions, as nearly five years have passed since the Loons made their debut as a minor league baseball team at Dow Diamond in Midland in April 2007. "It really has flown by," said Barbeau, who was hired in the spring of 2006 just as Dow Diamond was beginning to be built. "It doesn't seem like too long ago that we were just starting up and building our staff and making all of our plans.

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New Midland salon is growing, changing, owner says

via Midland Daily News

Although Danielle Blackhurst's hair salon has been open for several months, she's seen recent milestones that remind her the business still is new. In November, she hosted a ribbon cutting with the Midland Area Chamber of Commerce for her new business, Dani B's Studio for Hair at 4308 N. Saginaw Road between Stacker's Grill and Nature's Gift Organic Market. She'd opened her doors in May. "It took awhile," she said. "I wanted to get everything going before I had a ribbon cutting." Just days ago, she put up her road sign. Then she added her second employee, a sign that she's growing. It's her plan to go slowly and steadily.

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Dow Chemical Co. hosting public virtual conference on science education, workforce readiness

The Dow Chemical Co. on Thursday will host a virtual conference, gathering leading experts to discuss the future of science education and workforce readiness. The conference begins at 7 p.m. EST, and is open to the public. More than 3 million jobs related to science, technology, engineering and math remain unfilled, Midland-based Dow Chemical said, and the only way to ensure the future of American manufacturing and competitiveness is to better prepare. Andrew Liveris, chairman and chief executive officer of Dow Chemical, will be among the featured participants. Liveris has led Dow, a private sector company, as it grew, created jobs in new sectors, and retrained displaced workers and put them back to work.

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Midland Mall welcomes kids for a day of fun

via Midland Daily News

Kids Day 2012 -- a free daylong event packed with fun activities for children -- will hit the Midland Mall from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. More than 50 area kid-oriented organizations will set up tables including the Chippewa Nature Center, Midland Gymnastics Training Center, Mid-Michigan Children's Museum and more.
"The event is held for the kids of the community and surrounding area," said organizer Linda Malekadeli. "It not only provides information as to what services are available for kids, but also as something to do on a cold, snowy day." Malekadeli said a variety of crafts and activities will be offered at each booth with center stage entertainment throughout the day. The White Pine Pipes & Drums and Highland Dancers will kick off the event at 10 a.m. followed by a martial arts demonstration by Yats' Tae Kwon Do.

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Fundraiser set for youth pastor's son

via Midland Daily News

North Point Ministries will be holding a Soup and Salad Luncheon fundraiser on Sunday, Jan. 29, immediately following the morning service. All proceeds of the luncheon will be given to Pastor Sean and Carol Rodgers, former youth pastor of North Point Ministries, for the life-saving kidney transplant needed for their son, Brandon Rodgers. At age 10, while the Rodgers family lived and worked in Midland, Brandon had one bad kidney removed. Three years ago he was diagnosed with stage I kidney failure. In October 2011 Brandon had to be put on dialysis. He is currently on dialysis every night for 10 hours awaiting transplant surgery. Brandon's mother, Carol, is a match for the transplant and will be donating a kidney for her son. Brandon is currently on the transplant list but requires bladder surgery before the transplant can be done. They are hoping to do the transplant by summer. Brandon is currently a high school senior.

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