September 1, 2011 ­– Ann Arbor, MI – The swim season never ends in Ann Arbor. With two 90-degree pools, cabana-style changing rooms and a Caribbean décor, this tropical setting opens its doors to the public for a Grand Opening party on Saturday, September 17, 2011, from 2pm to 7pm. Bring the whole family, check out the facilities and enjoy a free swim in our state of the art pool.

Children who attend the event will receive fun giveaways and those ages 12 and under who color a drawing of a goldfish will be entered in a drawing to win a birthday pool party at Goldfish.

Olympic swimmer Klete Keller will be signing autographs at the event from 4pm to 6pm. Keller is an American freestyle swimmer who won medals at the 2000 Summer Olympics and the 2004 Summer Olympics in the 400m freestyle and the 4×200m freestyle relay. He has also won many U.S. National titles and FINA World Championship medals. From 2004-2007, Keller trained at the University of Michigan under Bob Bowman and former head coach, Jon Urbanchek.

Come meet the professional staff of the swim school. The manager of the school, Chris Thompson, won a bronze medal in the 2000 Olympics and was on the swim team at the University of Michigan. Following college, he went on to the Navy to train Navy Seals to swim. Becky Burlingame, the assistant manager, was on the Rochester Hills High School swim team and was formerly on staff at Goldfish Swim School in Birmingham, Michigan.

Goldfish Swim School is Michigan’s first aquatic facility dedicated entirely to indoor swim classes and programs for children, ages 4 months to 12 years. This fun environment eliminates the anxiety that often accompanies traditional swimming lessons by providing warm-water pools, small class sizes and a focus on perpetual learning that allows children to progress naturally. Instead of lessons that start and stop with the seasons, Goldfish students go year-round, and are less likely to forget what they’ve learned and naturally build trusting relationships with the instructors.

Classes for all ages and skill levels began in August 2011. Goldfish Swim School is located 2107 West Stadium Blvd, Ann Arbor, MI 48103. For more information on the school visit www.goldfishswimschool.com, call 734.864.5555 or email swimannarbor@goldfishss.com.

ANN ARBOR, Mich., June 14, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ —

Domino’s Pizza (NYSE: DPZ), the recognized world leader in pizza delivery, today announced its Domino’s App for iPhone and iPod touch is now available on the App Store. The app gives users the ability to order from Domino’s with just a few taps of the screen.

The Domino’s App gives customers instant access to the full Domino’s menu, as well as local and national coupons. Users can also search for the closest Domino’s location, and can utilize the fan favorite Pizza Tracker to follow the stages of their order, from the oven to their door.

"We’re excited to unveil another convenient way customers can access the menu we’ve worked so hard to build and reinvent," said Russell Weiner, Domino’s Pizza chief marketing officer. "We’re confident that Domino’s is the best-tasting pizza you can order using your iPhone or iPod touch."

Domino’s incredible platform for online ordering averages nearly 25 percent of sales. Domino’s estimates it is one of the top ten e-commerce retailers when measured by number of transactions. Customers can order online at www.dominos.com.

"We are committed to making sure we’re connecting with our customers wherever they are, and now that means providing users with the convenience of ordering using their iPhone or iPod touch," said Chris McGlothlin, Domino’s Pizza chief information officer. "The Domino’s App engages customers who are looking for the easiest and most convenient ways to order online, and we’re excited to offer this new option."

The Domino’s App is available for free from the App Store on iPhone and iPod touch or at www.itunes.com/appstore.

About Domino’s Pizza®

Founded in 1960, Domino’s Pizza is the recognized world leader in pizza delivery. Domino’s is listed on the NYSE under the symbol "DPZ." As of the first quarter of 2011, through its primarily locally-owned and operated franchised system, Domino’s operated a network of 9,379 franchised and Company-owned stores in the United States and 70 international markets. During the first quarter of 2011, Domino’s had global retail sales of nearly $1.6 billion, comprised of nearly $815 million domestically and nearly $774 million internationally. Domino’s Pizza had global retail sales of over $6.2 billion in 2010, comprised of over $3.3 billion domestically and over $2.9 billion internationally.

In May 2011, Pizza Today named Domino’s its "Chain of the Year" for the second straight year – making the company a three-time overall winner, and the first pizza delivery company to receive the honor in back-to-back years. In 2011, Domino’s was ranked #1 in Forbes Magazine’s "Top 20 Franchises for the Money" list. Helped by the launch of its Domino’s Smart Slice school lunch pizza in late 2010, Domino’s is collaborating with the Alliance for a Healthier Generation to serve healthier school foods and beverages in the United States. In late 2009, Domino’s debuted its "Inspired New Pizza" – a permanent change to its hand-tossed product, reinvented from the crust up.

-Down Under Promotion offers $100 rebate and chance to win Curtis Stone products-

ANN ARBOR, Mich., March 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Durability is the number one attribute homeowners want from the cabinet under their kitchen sink, according to a recent survey commissioned by Merillat cabinetry. Secondly, they want it to be easy to clean. The new Merillat CoreGuard™ Sink Base answers these requirements by helping to keep cabinetry dry and clean for years to come. What’s more, this innovative product just became more attainable as Merillat launches the Down Under Promotion now through May 28, 2011.

"Most homeowners don’t think about the area under their sink until they have to, most likely when there’s permanent damage caused by minor leaks and spills," said Patrick Zschering, Merillat Brand Manager.  "At Merillat we try to think ahead, to come up with solutions so homeowners don’t experience the problem in the first place – that was the idea behind the CoreGuard™ Sink Base."

According to Zschering, the Down Under Promotion is a way for Merillat to get the word out about this smart kitchen solution.

What is the Down Under Promotion?

When homeowners purchase Merillat Classic® cabinetry and include a CoreGuard™ Sink Base in their new kitchen, they are eligible for a $100 mail-in rebate.  The promotion runs until May 28, 2011, at any Merillat dealer and the rebate can be downloaded from Merillat.com.

In addition to the $100 rebate, consumers also have the chance to win products from Merillat’s brand ambassador, Australian chef, Curtis Stone.  Every day until May 1, 2011 visitors to Merillat.com can register and answer a few questions about what goes on Down Under their sink for a chance to win prizes from Curtis Stone’s must-have product line including a Go With the Flow Oil Can, Hold Me Mixing Bowls and Flipper Cutting Board.

What is the CoreGuard™ Sink Base?

The CoreGuard™ Sink Base completely rethinks the construction methodology of traditional sink base cabinets by specifically addressing issues such as minor spills and plumbing leaks.  With the exception of the cabinet’s face, frame and door assembly, all the wood and wood-based materials typically used in construction have been replaced with an engineered polymer material.

The engineered polymer material used in the cabinet helps protect against damage from liquids and does not absorb, making it easier to clean and maintain.  In addition, the floor has a slight forward tilt so minor spills or leaks migrate to the front of the cabinet, making it easier and quicker to detect problems.  And the floor’s rib design helps keep bottles and boxes slightly elevated to minimize damage, without blocking spills and leaks from moving to the front of the cabinet.

Learn More About the Down Under Promotion

"According to a recent survey, 38 percent of homeowners have experienced damage under their sink," said Zschering.  "Whether it’s plumbing leaks or spills from cleaning products, CoreGuard™ is the perfect solution to this problem.  The Down Under promotion helps us get the word out and build excitement around this innovative new product."

For more information about the Merillat CoreGuard™ Sink Base, the Down Under Promotion and to enter to win Curtis Stone products visit Merillat.com.  For updated tips and trends join Merillat’s Facebook page, check out their Round Table Blog or follow them on Twitter. 

About Merillat. Merillat knows how meaningful innovation and functional storage can make prepping, cooking, entertaining and living in the kitchen easier. And to demonstrate how Merillat kitchens are highly functional and filled with a variety of smart storage solutions, the company recently launched a national multi-media advertising and public relations campaign centered around the theme of The Dream Kitchen for the Real World. Merillat is based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and part of Masco Cabinetry., All Merillat products carry the seal of the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturer Association (KCMA). A leader in environmental stewardship, Masco Cabinetry has been granted an Environmental Stewardship Program certificate by the KCMA and is ISO 14001 certified. www.merillat.com

Partnership with The Coca-Cola Company grants rights to numerous NCAA properties, including NCAA March Madness(R)

ANN ARBOR, Mich., March 9, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ —

Domino’s Pizza (NYSE: DPZ), the recognized world leader in pizza delivery, is now the "Official Pizza of the NCAA" and several of its 23 national championships. Domino’s is joining forces with NCAA Corporate Champion Coca-Cola(R), the Official Fan Refreshment of the NCAA, Turner Sports and CBS Sports in a multi-year partnership. This marks the first time Domino’s has partnered nationally with collegiate athletics, and the first national sports marketing sponsorship for the company since 2007.

"We are very proud to be the ‘Official Pizza of the NCAA,’ and look forward to a terrific opportunity to connect our brand with national and local platforms showcasing our country’s finest student athletes," said Russell Weiner, Domino’s Pizza chief marketing officer. "Hard work, commitment to winning and an emphasis on team achievement are all attributes Domino’s and the NCAA have in common, and we are excited to bring these traits to life through this partnership."

Through the partnership, Domino’s will have rights to such NCAA events as NCAA March Madness, the Men’s Final Four(R), Women’s Final Four(R), Men’s Frozen Four(R), the Men’s College World Series(R) and Women’s College World Series(R).

"Coca-Cola’s involvement with the NCAA and our championships has brought a tremendous amount of positive exposure to our long-standing partnership," said Peter Davis, NCAA director of corporate alliances. "With this announcement as the ‘Official Pizza of the NCAA,’ we welcome Domino’s Pizza to our NCAA championships, and we are excited to see the energy with this new relationship."

"We’re excited to have Domino’sas an NCAAmarketing partner,and look forward to their NCAA activation in conjunction with Coke," said Will Funk, senior vice president of NCAA partnerships and branded programming within Turner Sports Ad Sales.

"We continue to enjoy a long and successful relationship with Coca-Cola, and we are excited to partner with them to welcome Domino’s to the NCAA Corporate Marketing Team," said Devron Edwards, CBS Sports director of NCAA marketing.

About Domino’s Pizza(R)

Founded in 1960, Domino’s Pizza is the recognized world leader in pizza delivery. Domino’s is listed on the NYSE under the symbol "DPZ." As of the fourth quarter of 2010, through its primarily locally-owned and operated franchised system, Domino’s operated a network of 9,351 franchised and Company-owned stores in the United States and over 65 international markets. Domino’s Pizza had global retail sales of over $6.2 billion in 2010, comprised of over $3.3 billion domestically and over $2.9 billion internationally.

In June 2010, Pizza Today named Domino’s its "Chain of the Year" – making the company a two-time winner of the honor. In late 2009, Domino’s debuted its ‘Inspired New Pizza’ – a permanent change to its hand-tossed product, reinvented from the crust up. Helped by the launch of its Domino’s Smart Slice school lunch pizza in late 2010, Domino’s Pizza is collaborating with the Alliance for a Healthier Generation to serve healthier school foods and beverages in the United States. In 2011, Domino’s was ranked #1 in Forbes Magazine’s "Top 20 Franchises for the Money" list.

NEW YORK, Feb. 17, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — Borders Group, Inc. today announced that the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York has approved its previously-disclosed strategic Store Reduction Program to facilitate its reorganization and repositioning. Borders said that it has entered into agreements with experienced liquidators to conduct an orderly wind down of the 200 underperforming stores that are part of the program. Borders expects these stores to be closed by the end of April.

In addition, Borders announced that, as part of this Program, the affected stores could begin promotional sales as soon as this coming weekend.

Borders filed to reorganize its U.S. businesses under Chapter 11 on February 16, 2011 in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. The case number is 11-10614(MG). The company’s international franchised operations were not part of the filing.

Additional information about the recapitalization is available at http://www.bordersreorganization.com/ or by telephone at 877-906-7675.

About Borders Group, Inc.

Headquartered in Ann Arbor, Mich., Borders Group, Inc. is a leading specialty retailer of books as well as other educational and entertainment items. Online shopping is offered through borders.com. Find author interviews and vibrant discussions of the products we and our customers are passionate about online at facebook.com/borders, twitter.com/borders and youtube.com/bordersmedia. For more information about the company, visit borders.com/media.

Restaurant and Retail Expert from Bain & Co. Brings Wealth of Experience

ANN ARBOR, Mich., Feb. 24, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — Domino’s Pizza (NYSE: DPZ), the recognized leader in pizza delivery, announced today that, effective March 14, 2011 Mr. Richard (Ritch) Allison will join its leadership team as EVP of International, succeeding Michael T. Lawton, who is now Chief Financial Officer of the Company. Allison, 44, comes to Domino’s after more than 13 years at Bain & Company, Inc.

Bain & Company is a leading global business consulting firm, assisting clients on strategy, operations, mergers and acquisitions, technology and business organization, which is known for generating significant and measurable positive financial results for its clients’ businesses.

As a partner and co-leader of Bain’s restaurant practice, Allison worked with some of the industry’s largest global chains. His work covered strategy and solution development, including market segmentation and growth strategies, marketing and advertising effectiveness measures, menu development and pricing strategy, organizational design, driving operational efficiency and improving supply chain performance. Earlier in his career at Bain, he worked in multiple industries, including grocery retail, specialty services, manufacturing and logistics. In addition to his experience at Bain, Allison worked for BellSouth Corporation in strategic development and online services.

Allison commented on his new post: "I am excited to put my background in business strategy and in the restaurant industry to work for Domino’s. I am looking forward to the opportunity to work for such an iconic consumer brand; and the culture of this company is a perfect fit for me. I hope and plan to make a significant contribution."

J. Patrick Doyle, President and CEO of Domino’s, said, "Ritch is a perfect addition to the global Domino’s team. I look forward to his applying his broad experience with improving the performance of other major restaurant chains, to the Domino’s global footprint – and helping to make our great international business even better."

Domino’s Pizza International division comprised 47% of the Company’s retail sales, and had posted 67 consecutive quarters of positive same store sales as of the third quarter 2010, and is one of the largest international enterprises in the restaurant sector.

Allison received his BS in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and later earned an MBA from the Kenan-Flagler Business School, where he was named a Dean’s scholar and received the Norman Brock Award. Allison, his wife Susan, son Jake and daughter Emily will relocate to Ann Arbor, Michigan near Domino’s World Resource Center.

About Domino’s Pizza(R)

Founded in 1960, Domino’s Pizza is the recognized world leader in pizza delivery. Domino’s is listed on the NYSE under the symbol "DPZ." During the third quarter of 2010, Domino’s had global retail sales of nearly $1.4 billion, comprised of over $747 million domestically and nearly $650 million internationally. Domino’s Pizza had global retail sales of over $5.6 billion in 2009, comprised of nearly $3.1 billion domestically and over $2.5 billion internationally. In June 2010, Pizza Today named Domino’s its "Chain of the Year" – making the company a two-time winner of the honor. In late 2009, Domino’s debuted its ‘Inspired New Pizza’ – a permanent change to its hand-tossed product, reinvented from the crust up. Helped by the launch of its Domino’s Smart Slice school lunch pizza in late 2010, Domino’s Pizza is collaborating with the Alliance for a Healthier Generation to serve healthier school foods and beverages in the United States. In 2011, Domino’s was ranked #1 in Forbes Magazine’s "Top 20 Franchises for the Money" list.

ANN ARBOR, Mich., Feb. 23, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — Domino’s Pizza (NYSE: DPZ), the recognized world leader in pizza delivery, has named Richard L. Federico to its Board of Directors, effective at today’s company board meeting.

Federico, 56, is Chairman and Co-CEO of P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, Inc. He joined the company in 1996, and is responsible for the strategic growth and development of P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, as well as the company’s casual quick dining concept, Pei Wei Asian Diner. P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, founded in Scottsdale, Ariz. in 1993, operates 197 Bistros and 166 Pei Wei’s, which generated revenues of $1.2 billion in 2010.

Federico began his career in the restaurant industry as a manager at Steak & Ale, and later at Orville Beans and Bennigan’s restaurants. He went on to develop Grady’s Goodtimes, serving as co-founder/partner and vice president of operations until Brinker International acquired Grady’s in 1989. Upon joining Brinker International, he served as senior vice president and concept head for Macaroni Grill before being promoted to president of the Italian Concept division. As president, he directed operations and development for Macaroni Grill and Spageddies.

"We are extremely fortunate to have Rick joining us as a new member of our board," said David A. Brandon, Domino’s Pizza chairman of the board. "His incredible depth of experience in the restaurant industry will be a tremendous resource to us as we move forward. He adds strength to our already talent-rich board."

"I’m thrilled to become part of such an iconic, global brand," Federico said. "Domino’s Pizza has been a tremendous company to watch, especially with its ‘pizza turnaround’ campaign throughout 2010. I’m looking forward to lending my expertise to this great organization."

Active in his community, Federico is a founding director of Chances for Children, and a member of the board of directors for both the Arizona Youth Hockey Foundation and the NotMyKid organization. He also serves on the board of Banner Alzheimer’s Institute.

Federico, a graduate of the University of Tennessee, makes his home in Scottsdale, Ariz., with his wife Peggy and their five children.

About Domino’s Pizza(R)

Founded in 1960, Domino’s Pizza is the recognized world leader in pizza delivery. Domino’s is listed on the NYSE under the symbol "DPZ." During the third quarter of 2010, Domino’s had global retail sales of nearly $1.4 billion, comprised of over $747 million domestically and nearly $650 million internationally. Domino’s Pizza had global retail sales of over $5.6 billion in 2009, comprised of nearly $3.1 billion domestically and over $2.5 billion internationally. In June 2010, Pizza Today named Domino’s its "Chain of the Year" – making the company a two-time winner of the honor. In late 2009, Domino’s debuted its ‘Inspired New Pizza’ – a permanent change to its hand-tossed product, reinvented from the crust up. Helped by the launch of its Domino’s Smart Slice school lunch pizza in late 2010, Domino’s Pizza is collaborating with the Alliance for a Healthier Generation to serve healthier school foods and beverages in the United States. In 2011, Domino’s was ranked #1 in Forbes Magazine’s "Top 20 Franchises for the Money" list.

Borders Group Inc. filed for Chapter 11 protection in New York on Wednesday, a month after the operator of the Borders and Waldenbooks chains said it may have to restructure in bankruptcy court.

Borders Group Inc. is in the final stages of preparing a bankruptcy filing. Kelsey Hubbard talks with the WSJ’s Mike Spector about the book retailer’s long decline and how they fell behind in the e-reader race and digital space.

Document: Borders’s bankruptcy petition
Deal Journal: Blow to Bill Ackman, Bennett LeBow
Earlier: New Chapter for Books
Earlier: Deal Journal: Borders Bankruptcy: Everything You Need to Know

On its petition with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Manhattan, the Ann Arbor, Mich., company said it had assets of $1.28 billion and liabilities of $1.29 billion as Dec. 25.

The company plans to close about 30%, or roughly 200, stores over the next few weeks.

Borders’ five largest unsecured creditors are the book publishers Penguin Putnam Inc., Hatchette Book Group, Simon & Schuster Inc., Random House and Harper Collins Publishers.

Borders had sought to avoid bankruptcy by striking a tentative deal with General Electric Co.’s GE Capital over a new $550 million secured line of credit. But the retailer first had to hit certain benchmarks, such as negotiating more favorable store leases with its landlords and finding other lenders to take on $175 million of the credit line.

The deal also required Borders to raise another $125 million in junior debt, which the retailer sought to do by asking the publishers whose books stock its shelves to forgive unpaid bills in exchange for debt that Borders could then repay. But most publishers haven’t welcomed the overture.

To boost its liquidity, Borders last month announced it would delay payments to its vendors, landlords and other creditors. But the retailer acknowledged that and other cost-cutting moves might not be enough to keep it out of Chapter 11, so it also announced that it was exploring an "in-court restructuring."

Booksellers like Borders and Barnes & Noble Inc. have struggled to compete with Internet-only retailers such as Amazon.com Inc. and the advent of digital books and e-readers.

In the past year, Borders has tried to shift its focus away from its physical presence by halting expansion plans and identifying unproductive stores for closure. At the same time, the company reworked its customer-loyalty program, overhauled its website and introduced a digital bookstore.

In March, Borders and its lenders struck a deal to amend its debt. Lenders led by Bank of America Corp. agreed to provide a $970.5 million secured revolving credit facility, while an affiliate of liquidation firm Great American Group led another lender group behind a $90 million secured term loan.

The retailer in July sold off its Paperchase line of stationery, cards and gifts for $31.2 million, the bulk of which—$25 million—it was required to put toward reducing its debt under a $90 million term loan facility.

—Jacqueline Palank and Mike Spector contributed to this article.

By MIKE SPECTOR And JEFFREY A. TRACHTENBERG

Borders Group Inc. is in the final stages of preparing a bankruptcy filing after failing to persuade publishers and others to go along with a plan to refinance the troubled bookstore chain’s debt.

The Ann Arbor, Mich., bookseller could file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection as soon as Monday or Tuesday, said people familiar with the matter, paving the way for the closure of about 200 stores and thousands of job losses.

The people cautioned the filing could be delayed a few days. But Borders has pivoted from focusing on refinancing efforts and is preparing bankruptcy papers and seeking financing agreements that would keep it afloat during the Chapter 11 reorganization process, those people said.

"There have been constant inquiries by reporters, and stories written, regarding whether Borders is considering a Chapter 11 filing," a Borders spokesman said. "Borders is not prepared at this time to report on the course of action it will pursue."

Borders initially plans to close about 200 of its 674 stores, the people said. Liquidators have been bidding for the right to run the store closures, with an option to close an additional 50 stores or so under similar terms, the people said.

Borders has spent recent days finalizing a deal for so-called debtor-in-possession financing that would keep the company operating while under bankruptcy-court protection, the people said. The company is hearing pitches from Bank of America Corp. and General Electric Co.’s finance arm for $450 million in financing, the people said.

Borders is also negotiating a separate piece of bankruptcy financing.

The company in talks with GA Capital LLC about converting roughly $50 million in Borders’ current junior debt to bankruptcy financing and providing about $10 million in new capital, one of these people said. The company is also negotiating with other potential investors about a separate alternative piece of junior debt financing that would repay Borders’ existing junior debt, one of these people said.

Borders has been struggling amid a digital transformation rocking the publishing and book-retailing industries. Without a meaningful Internet presence or electronic-book reader, Borders has had trouble competing with rivals Amazon.com Inc. and its popular Kindle and Barnes & Noble Inc., the largest bookstore chain that has its own e-reader, the Nook.

Its stock currently trades at around 31 cents a share, giving it a public market capitalization of $22 million.

Borders warned of looming cash problems in December and stopped paying certain bills, leaving publishers, landlords and others in the lurch. The company reached a tentative deal with GE Capital for a new $550 million secured credit line that came with several tough conditions.

To get the financing and avoid bankruptcy, Borders needed to persuaded publishers or others to convert unpaid bills to $125 million in loans.

Publishers balked at the request and told Borders it wanted the company to use bankruptcy proceedings to close stores and become more viable, said a person familiar with the situation.

Borders in recent days hired turnaround firm AlixPartners to advise on the company’s restructuring, said people familiar with the matter.

Advisers at law firm Kasowitz, Benson, Torres & Friedman and investment bank Jefferies & Co. have been finalizing Borders’ bankruptcy plans this week, those people said.

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