The Freep's Susan Ager says Northern Michigan resident Nancy Kotting could replace Mike Brown as director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Michigan Playwright Explores the Lives of Iraqi Women
The LA Weekly has a feature on Michigan born writer-performer Heather Raffo and her play Nine Parts of Desire, a one-woman show about the lives of Iraqi women. You might be compelled to dismiss this article after a paragraph. Do yourself a favor and read it to the end.
More about Heather Raffo's Nine Parts of Desire at the Geffin Playhouse

Michigan's Winter Heating Bill Could Skyrocket
WZZM TV-13 Grand Rapids reports that before Hurricane Katrina hit, forecasts called for Michiganders to pay 25% more this winter to heat their homes with natural gas. Now, winter heating bills could rise as much as 70%. Government programs to provide emergency fuel assistance have run dry, and it's unclear if they will have enough money to meet increasing demand when the fall funding cycle starts.
Also see Winter gas bills could rise $18 to $37 in the Lansing State Journal

Batali Headlines 2005 Traverse Epicurean Classic
The Northern Express has a feature on Chef Mario Batali and others who will offer classes at the 2nd annual Traverse Epicurean Classic which will be held September 15-17, 2005 at the Great Lakes Culinary Institute in Traverse City. The event benefits the GLCI and features an amazing array of classes, food & wine tastings and other items for the "foodie" in you.
Traverse Epicurean Classic web site

The Michigan Prairie Lady
The Detroit Free Press has a feature on Aunita Erskine, a self-confessed prairie nut, who studies prairies, tours prairies, volunteers at prairies and educates others about prairies. She will be leading a prairie walk in Ann Arbor at 1 PM this Sunday at Matthaei Botanical Gardens. A prairie is a mostly treeless landscape dominated by grasses. In Michigan, some prairies have a few trees, mainly oaks, and flowering plants and sedges. They depend on fire to survive and stay open.
Also see Visit local prairies in the Freep

Great Michigan Fall Travel Stops
The Detroit News has a nice collection of their readers' favorite food, dining and shopping businesses including Clyde's Drive-In in Sault Ste. Marie, the Tawas Bay Yarn Company, the River Rock Bar & Grill in St. Louis, Goldie's Cafe on Carp Lake, Iva's Chicken Dinners in Sterling and Spike's Keg 'O' Nails in Grayling.
Also see 12 spots not to miss on your trip up north from the Detroit News

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