Missed the cut: 300 of Macomb County teachers blogging and GM Loses $1.2 billion in 1st half of 05.

Great Lakes Protection
The Lansing Pulse reports that the Great Lakes region is in the midst of an ecological and political drama that dwarfs the biggest-budget blockbuster. Two rescue efforts (the Draft Action Plan by the EPA and the Great Lakes Basin Water Resources Compact) have been released for public comment by a coalition of private and public entities.
EPA's Great Lakes Regional Collaboration
Great Lakes Basin Water Resources Compact at the Great Lakes Restoration web site

Farming Tough, but Michigan Farmers up to Challenge
The Lansing State Journal has an excellent feature exploring how rising operating costs and unpredictable commodity prices are impacting Michigan's family farms -- and how Michigan farmers are meeting the challenge. While farms nationwide decreased nearly 3% from 1999 to 2003, Michigan experienced a growth of 300 farms, to 53,300. The article reports that Michigan is the leading producer of several varieties of beans (black, cranberry & small red), blueberries (surprising!), tart cherries and cucumbers (for pickles) and several varities of flowers.
Visit our Michigan Grown page for more stories & links!

Mackinaw Trail Winery is UP's First
Detroit News wine writer Sandra Silfven has a feature on the Mackinaw Trail Winery, the first licensed commercial winery in the U.P. is off to a fine start. The tasting room is located in a renovated fisheries building on Lake Michigan with the Manistique River on one side and the city harbor on the other.
Mackinaw Trail Winery web site

Battle Creek Keeps Truth Alive
The Detroit Free Press has a feature on Thomas McLiechey of Battle Creek, a descendent of civil and women's rights activist Sojourner Truth. Truth died Nov. 26, 1883, in Battle Creek and is buried in Oak Hill Cemetery.
Sojourner Truth Institute in Battle Creek

Flip Saunders Hired as Pistons Coach
ESPN.com reports that it only took about 24 hours for the Detroit Pistons to come to terms with former Minnesota Timberwolves coach Flip Saunders. The 4 year, 20 million dollar deal was signed and the Pistons will have a news conference today to introduce him. The article concludes with Bill Davidson saying "There was too much Larry Brown and not enough Pistons. I wasn't happy with that. You've got to understand that whoever coaches the Pistons represents me."
Read Team gets third coach in 4 years: Deal gives Saunders 4-year contract at $4M-$5M a season in the Detroit News

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