Mitch Albom writes: "...the 76th All-Star Game, with its countless snapshots of crowded summer streets and open-air tents and rock bands and sleeveless women and men piggybacking their kids may have done more for Detroit's cloudy image than any snowy week in February will match." Read Mitch's column.

Vote Would Prevent Meijer from Building Store
The Grand Rapids Press reports that Michigan-based Meijer faces an August 2 vote in Acme Township that could bar it (or any other superstore) from setting up shop in the community just north of Traverse City. The Acme Towship Board wants to put a nine-month moratorium on the construction of "big box" stores larger than 50,000 square feet while it studies way to control commercial development.

Detroit Area Energy Efforts
The Detroit News has a feature on measures Metro Detroit communities and schools are taking to battle rising energy costs including dialing down the thermostat and experimenting with fuels made from animal fats. Interesting fact: according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, Michigan customers pay an average of 7.16 cents per kilowatt hour (midwest average is 6.53 cents).

Hot Time for a Cool City
The Mining Journal has a report on Ishpeming's celebration of their designation as a 2005 Cool Cities Michigan Main Street (where temps topped 90). Grand Haven, Howell & Midland also received this designation.
Cool Cities - Michigan Main Street overview from the MEDC

Homeworks Pays Off in SE Michigan McDonald's
The AP reports that starting this fall, the owners of two Livingston County McDonald's restaurants will pay high school and college students in their employ an extra hour before or after their shifts to do homework.

MTU Signs Downloading Agreement
The Great Lakes IT Report passes along news that for a fee of 14.95 a semester, students at Michigan Tech will have access to over 700,000 songs for legal download. The university's agreement with digital entertainment service Ruckus will also offer access to a rotating library of blockbuster movies and TV shows.

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