The Great Lakes Radio Consortium has a report on how beach combers and beach owners are reacting to the Supreme Court's beachwalking ruling. Speaking of radio, here's a podcast of Ernie Harwell talking about the '68 and '84 Detroit Tigers and baseball's current state.

Gas Prices Hit Michigan Hard
The Detroit News reports that soaring gas prices are taking a heavy toll on Michigan's economy due to our heavy reliance on manufacturing (and SUV sales).

The Detroit Free Press reports that according to AAA Michigan, a gallon of gas in Michigan costs an average of 64.1 cents more this week than it did at the same time last year. The statewide average for a gallon of self-serve, unleaded gasoline was $2.55. Our crack team of gas price experts reported gas prices of $2.79 in both Lansing and Leland.
Also see Michigan gas prices hit record levels from the Freep
AAA Michigan's Daily Fuel Gauge Report
Also see MichiganGasPrices.com (a much more comprehensive site)

Straw Bale Project Model for Low Income Housing
The LSJ's HUB has a feature on Corunna's Keith Wright and Roland Mikan, owner of NextGen Hybrid Homes Inc. of Durand. The pair are converting a 40- by 80-foot dairy barn and its two silos into an energy efficient dwelling using straw bale construction. They hope that the project will provide a model for low income housing. Fun Fact: a straw house has a factor of R50.

Michigan Government Technology Awards
MITECHNEWS reports that Gov. Granholm will be showcasing the work done by IT professionals in Michigan state and local government organizations by presenting the first Michigan Excellence in Technology Awards. The awards will honor innovators, programmers and visionaries and will be presented during the Michigan Digital Government Summit on October 12.
Michigan Excellence in Technology Awards info and nomination forms
Michigan Digital Government Summit Event Information

Cool Cities Update
The Traverse City Record-Eagle has a well-done AP feature on how the nineteen projects across Michigan received $100,000 grants in the first year of the "Cool Cities" program are doing. The story reports that some cities are enjoying new parks, riverwalks and art centers while others are still trying to get projects off the ground.
Michigan Cool Cities web site

Michigan Ice Cream Stands
The Detroit Free Press has a feature on on metro-area ice cream stands that includes a photo gallery. (I wish they'd do this state-wide, because the stand in Suttons Bay with Moomer's ice cream deserves a mention .. so does The Chocolate Vault in Tecumseh)

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