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Friday, July 22, 2005
Five Things You Need to Know for Friday, July 22, 2005
Nothing much exciting happened on this day in Michigan History, but Michigan History Magazine reminds us that this Sunday (July 24) is the 304th Anniversary of the founding of Detroit (Ponchartrain du De Troit) by Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac.
Granholm Blasts Universities for Tuition Hikes The Detroit Free Press reports that Gov. Granholm criticized University of Michigan and Michigan State University for tuition hikes. U of M raised rates 12.3% to $9,213 and MSU jumped 13.5% to $7,944. University officials countered that with the loss of millions of dollars in state aid over the last three years and more cuts expected for the coming year, they had no choice. Also see U-M, MSU fall tuition skyrockets in the Detroit News Satellite Radio Receiving Hype, May Be Overblown Detroit Free Press tech columnist Mike Wedland writes that while satellite radio is all the rage, the Michigan Association of Broadcasters says that only about 8% of the Michigan public has access to satellite radio and of them, fully 50% say they do not receive good reception when driving. According to the report, 70% of the 300 Michigan residents surveyed in April and May by MSU researchers said they listen to local radio stations as much now as they ever did and 95% said they expected to listen as much or more during the coming year. IPR Music Radio to Expand Coverage The Traverse City Record-Eagle reports that Interlochen Public Radio will extend its music coverage to include Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Emmet, Mackinac and Otsego counties following the purchase of a Mackinaw City radio station (88.5 FM). Interlochen Public Radio web site (online streaming available!) Green Cruise - August 13, 2005 The Detroit Free Press reports that a week before the Woodward Dream Cruise, the Green Cruise (sponsored by the Sierra Club) will hit the sidewalks of Huntington Woods and Royal Oak. They are inviting cyclists, in-line skaters, skateboarders, walkers and other vehicles that move under human power. More info on the Green Cruise from the Sierra Club Woodward Dream Cruise site Northwest Michigan Restaurant a Winemaker Favorite Detroit News wine writer Sandra Silfven reports that winemakers feel that Northern Michigan's hottest spot is Trattoria Stella in the newly developed Village at Grand Traverse Commons, a site better known for its previous occupant, the Traverse City State Hospital. The feature also has a great list of wine-friendly Northern Michigan restaurants including Amical, Lulu's Bistro & the Riverside Inn. Thursday, July 21, 2005
Five Things You Need to Know for Thursday, July 21, 2005
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 Wednesday, July 20, 2005
moon.google.com
One small step for Google...
On July 20, 1969, man first landed on the Moon. Google Moon uses NASA imagery to allow you to surf the Moon's surface and check out the exact spots that the Apollo astronauts made their landings. Be sure to zoom in to the maximum detail - the resolution is startling! Five Things You Need to Know for Wednesday, July 20, 2005
the $3 gallon gas price hike appears to be an unfounded rumor.
Project GO-Get Outdoors, July 23rd *****An Absolute Michigan Editor's Choice***** The Department of Natural Resources, together with Michigan's Surgeon General Kimberlydawn Wisdom, M.D., and nearly 90 partnering organizations, invite you to discover the benefits of outdoor recreation this Saturday, July 23. All across Michigan, state parks, state recreation areas, boating access sites, harbors, metro parks and municipal parks are hosting a series of events at 10 a.m. to encourage all Michigan residents and visitors to GO-Get Outdoors and experience the benefits of outdoor recreation. More than 90 events are planned, ranging from a boat safety inspection to interpretive hikes. Kite flying, t-ball, trail runs, sand sculpting contests, aerobics, yoga and all sorts of fun, imaginative games for all ages are planned. Nearly nine out of every ten Americans participate in outdoor recreation. But the study "Outdoor Recreation in America 2003" by the American Recreation Coalition also reports that frequency of outdoor recreation is declining, and overall, these numbers are decreasing. Most people link outdoor recreation to improved happiness, family unity, health and increased educational opportunities. Being active outdoors also decreases crime and substance abuse. Being physically active is one way to reduce a person's risk for more than 30 chronic conditions; however, three out of four Michigan adults are not getting the recommended amount of leisure-time physical activity. Another benefit is that people who enjoy and experience outdoor recreation also learn a deep appreciation for the natural resources found in our Great Lakes State. Absolute Michigan encourages you and your family to GO-Get Outdoors this weekend to enjoy Michigan's treasured natural resources and enjoy the benefits of outdoor recreation. Gov Granholm Goes to Japan, Hopes to Return with Jobs The Detroit News reports that Gov. Granholm leaves friday on a diplomatic mission to Japan. The goal: lobby Japan's leading automaker, Toyota, to build its next US auto plant on the home turf of Detroit's automakers. According to a survey by the Consulate General of Japan, Michigan has 347 facilities owned or part-owned by Japanese companies, employing 32,203 people. Also see TOM WALSH: Carmaker diplomacy -- Mission is for work in the Detroit News UM Solar Car Running Hot in Solar Race Renewable Energy Access reports that at the end of the first day of the North American Solar Challenge (NASC), a 2,500-mile cross country solar race that began in Austin, Texas on July 17 and ends on July 27 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, the University of Michigan team and their car Momentum was in first place. The UM Solar Car Team blog reports they were still in 1st place yesterday. U of M Solar Car blog & web site (great pics too!) North American Solar Challenge web site Lightning Starts UP Fires, Technology Helps Stop Them The Mining Journal reports that dry, windy weather across the Upper Peninsula kept state fire fighters busy Monday as crews worked to combat wildfires in Sault Ste. Marie, Newberry and Stephenson. The DNR uses maps showing lightning strikes from the Canadian Ministry of Natural Resources in Ontario to determine where fires are likely to start. Southeast Michigan Home Starts Decline The Detroit News reports that building permits for new single-family homes and condominiums in nine SE Michigan counties declined 13.5% from 2004 to 10,090 for the first half of 2005. Tuesday, July 19, 2005
Five Things You Need to Know for Tuesday, July 19, 2005
I'm not a vegetarian, but this Freep recipe for Grilled Tofu Kabobs Chipotle with Corn on the Cob and Asparagus looks REALLY good!
Larry Brown, Pistons Call It a Game It appears all but certain that the Detroit Pistons and Larry Brown are parting ways and very likely that former Minnesota Timberwolves coach Flip Saunders will be their next coach. Before he goes, we should (as Mitch Albom & Chris McCosky suggest) not kick him on his way out but give him thanks for his accomplishments: 104-56 regular season record, an NBA Championship in year one, almost a second this year and everything else he brought to Detroit (including helping Chauncey Billups become a true point guard). Albom says that the call was Pistons owner Bill Davidson's, which is probably the case. There are already a lot of writers opining that the Pistons will lose a lot when they lose Larry, but keep in mind that they have one of the best rosters in the NBA, are getting a coach with a rep for innovative offense (assuming Flip is the pick), and still have one of the best execs in the NBA in Joe Dumars. Read MITCH ALBOM: Why the Pistons cut Brown loose in the Freep Brown Out by Chris McCosky in the Detroit News On the road again from Sports Illustrated Brown upshot: Most get what they want by Marc Stein at ESPN.com In Season: Lettuce (and grilling!) Taste the Local Difference has a feature on several varieties of lettuce including red leaf lettuce, green leaf lettuce, Bibb lettuce, Romaine and greens like red mustard and arugula. The feature also includes a couple of vinaigrette salad dressing recipes. You also might want to check the Detroit Free Press for their vegetarian grilling tips and recipes (veggie burgers, tofu, fruit, veggies). Also check out Great garden grilling in the Freep Thunderstorms Rock Lansing The Lansing State Journal reports that strong thunderstorms ripped through the Lansing area Monday afternoon, toppling trees and cutting power to more than 400 homes. Growing Tomatoes ... and a Business The Traverse City Record-Eagle has a profile of TLC Tomatoes, a fast-growing, Leelanau County hydroponic farm that produces 35,000 pounds of tomatoes, 35,000 heads of Bibb lettuce and other crops including cucumbers, basil and flowers. They also make their own spaghetti sauce and have a new Dinners on the Farm program. Also see Dinners on the Farm Michigan Pickleball The Kalamazoo Gazette has a feature on "pickleball". The game is designed to be played by folks of all ages indoors or outdoors on badminton-size courts and uses a whiffle ball with wooden paddles. USA Pickleball Association (because pretty much any sport played by more than three people needs one) SportsKnowHow.com - PICKLEBALL HISTORY (an engaging tale of American can-do spirit) Monday, July 18, 2005
ESPN Reporting Larry Brown Out
The Detroit Pistons and Larry Brown are parting ways, sources close to the situation told ESPN.com's Marc Stein. Ex-Minnesota coach Flip Saunders is the leading candidate to replace Brown in Detroit.
Boats Reach Finish in Chicago to Mackinac
The Detroit Free Press reports that at least 15 boats finished the Chicago Yacht Club's Race to Mackinac by 8 AM this morning.
Five Things You Need to Know for Monday, July 18, 2005
Michigan History Magazine reports that on July 17, 1961 one of the greatest baseball players ever, Ty Cobb, known as the "Georgia Peach," died in Atlanta.
Michigan Farming Population Stable, But Aging The Mining Journal reports that the U.S. Department of Agriculture finds the Michigan farming population is stable after several years of decline, but farmers are aging (average age: 54). More than 14,000 Michigan farmers are part time and 9 in 10 farms are in the "up to 190 acres" category. Bills Could Restrict Michigan WiFi Efforts mLive reports that local governments in economically depressed communities Michigan are working to develop wireless hot spots, allowing residents & visitors to surf the net anywhere. Now comes word that the Michigan Legislature is considering bills that would bar municipalities from providing these services. Critics say the laws are the result of intense lobbying by telecommunication giants, including SBC Communications, Verizon and Comcast. Also read Battle brews over Wi-Fi in the Grand Rapids Press Michigan Now 2nd Fiddle in Auto Industry The Detroit News reports that although half of the world's 150 largest auto suppliers have their North American headquarters in the Detroit area, and the state (especially southeast Michigan) has more assembly plants and research and development centers than any other state or province, Ontario produced nearly 103,000 more vehicles than Michigan last year. Mandi McConnell Wins 2005 Michigan Amateur The Detroit News reports that Michigan State University junior Mandi McConnell won the 89th Michigan Women's Amateur Championship Friday afternoon by defeating Western Michigan sophomore Laura Bavaird 6 and 5 in the championship match at Radrick Farms Golf Club. West Michigan IT Hiring Increase Expected Mitechnews.Com reports that 60% of large west Michigan companies say they will hire new information technology staff before the end of 2005 - double the number of companies with more than 1000 employees that planned technology employment increases for the first half of the year. The survey also found that 50% of small companies plan to increase IT hires. Sunday, July 17, 2005
[photo] McLain Lighthouse by B. Givens
B. Givens says that McLain lighthouse is off the UP's Keweenaw Peninsula, on the north entry of the Portage canal (7 miles or so west of Hancock).
While it's from April of 2005, it looks like something you could have seen any day on the Great Lakes Note: B. has a few other photos, nearly 1200. Lots of these are of Michigan scenes but he has some really amazing flower shots and detail shots that are really worth some time! |
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