Continuing our obsession with frozen summertime treats, we're linking to this Detroit News feature on the history of the popsicle (or "Epsicle").

Knowledge Jobs Grow in Michigan
Buried in the statistical gloom surrounding Michigan's economy is this gem from CrainsDetroit.com: U.S. Census Bureau data shows Michigan added 91,077 professional, scientific and technical services jobs from 2000 through 2003, second only to California. The "knowledge-based" sector includes legal and accounting services, engineering, environmental consulting, scientific research and development, graphic design, architectural services, custom computer programming and advertising.

Water Technology Hot, Plans to Capitalize Not
The Great Lakes Bulletin News Service reports that with 1.4 billion people worldwide without access to clean drinking water, a worldwide market for new knowledge and expertise that improve water resource management clearly exists.However, plans to open a world-class water laboratory, the Global Enterprise for Water Technology, in downtown Grand Rapids are receiving little support.

Gas Prices Impacting Tourism
The Detroit Free Press reports that while early data on the number of tourists and their spending shows this July was better than July 2004, it's not as good as expected. Don Holecek, director of Michigan State University's Tourism Resource Center says that the economy may be to blame as 60%-70% of Michigan tourists are residents and our unemployment rate is among the nation's highest. The UP and Mackinac Island appear to be slumping while Traverse City is having a great summer.
Also see WHAT HIGH FUEL COSTS?: Travelers go with the gas-price flow in the Freep

Kayakers Dance with Waterspouts
WZZM TV13 Grand Rapids has a report on the harrowing of the 8 men kayaking in the Kayak for a Cure crossing of Lake Michigan got caught in a storm and were surrounded by 8 water spouts. They made it and raised $25,000 for cancer research.
For more see Kayaking Across Lake Michigan for a Cancer Cure from the Absolute Michigan archives

Michigan Students' ACT Scores Above Average
WOOD TV-8 Grand Rapids reports that the 69% of Michigan graduates taking the ACT college entrance exam once again performed better than the national average. Michigan's students averaged a 21.4 compared to the national mark of 20.9 (scores range from 1-36).

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