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Friday, November 18, 2005
Every Hundred Days: 5 O'Clock and all is ...
...Still in Progress
Typically, we would have the site launched at this time. Unfortunately, we may have been a mite too ambitious. We will not be launching until Monday as we have some application work yet to do and a strange design bug or two to squash. Every Hundred Days: Initial DesignEvery Hundred Days Progress
We've been toying with several design options and having some difficulty coming to a consensus.
Fortunately, Joseph McLaughlin of colossal DESIGN Firm offered to step in and try and work with the things all of us liked. He's just sent us a great design and we're working to build it out. Getting the Business by dETROITfUNK
dETROITfUNK writes: Nothing to interesting inside other than stanky human filth that stuck to my shoes for a week.
The Drum Gene by :nead files
nead files writes: Mistaking the toilet seat lid for a Doumbek drum, Mason practices ancient African rhythms.
From the Skywatch Weather Center by Adventurer: 24/7
Dcapri writes: I'm not Sky McCloud, but I can show you the first snowfall of the season in mid-Michigan
HERE'S MY CHRISTMAS WISH LIST by ypsi~dixit
ypsi~dixit writes: just one modest item. I'm telling you now so that you have plenty of time to weld up this li'l beauty. Ypsidixit would love to whiz to work on this bikeamaran.
Five Things You Need to Know for Friday, November 18, 2005
Five Things You Need to Know It's been a busy week and it's going to be an even busier day. Read on to learn why!!
Absolute Michigan Launches the Michigan Pages
Today we add a new dimension to Absolute Michigan that we hope you enjoy. It's called The Michigan Pages and we're going to use it to bring you feature articles, photography and other media about the State of Michigan designed to showcase everything great about the Great Lakes State.
Share a Memory, Win an Amazing Prize
A big part of our Gift Guide is a contest where you send us your Michigan holiday memory. It can be a family tradition, a story, what the holidays mean to you or anythinghaving to do with Michigan & the many holidays that we celebrate this time of year. The prize is a giant gift box with items from 10 unique companies.
What's With All the Leelanau County Stuff??
Astute readers will recognize that the contents of our gift box are all from Leelanau County, Michigan. The reason for this is not that we are ignoring the rest of the state, but simply that we are located in Leelanau and our friends were willing to help us out. Rest assured that next year's basket will encompass the whole state!
Every Hundred Days Today
Today the company that built Absolute Michigan, Leelanau Communications, Inc., will spend the entire day revamping the web site for Baybucks.org (at no charge) as part of its Every Hundred Days Project. More about the Project. We're also going to bring this project to the whole state next time ... stay tuned!
Are 5 Things and Daily News Articles Going Away??
Heck No!! They're too much fun and we'll be back to our regularly scheduled programming on Monday.
Thursday, November 17, 2005
A Love Letter to Sparty
...we here in Ann Arbor are about to do you a favor, so we need you to do us one in return. See, it was not us that ruined your season; it was those hated Buckeyes that flattened your tires this year!
Makes that portion of my blood that is MSU alumnus green & white boil, but the maize & blue portion that my UM loving grandmother fostered is amused. Five Things You Need to Know for Thursday, November 17, 2005
Sorry to be so late with this today ... had a lot of digging out to do this morning!! Michigan History magazine say that on November 17, 1829 David H. Jerome was born in Detroit. If you're thinking "Who??", you might want to take a look.
Winter Comes to Michigan
Most of us woke up (or went to bed) much more than a dusting of snow on the ground after Michigan's first winter storm rolled through the state. The Huron Mountains receieved as much as 20" and there was significant ice and wind in southern Michigan.
Read Storm slams U.P. in the Mining Journal Read Overnight Snow Makes Roads Slick; Power Restored To Most from WZZM Read 200 area crashes blamed on black ice in the Lansing State Journal
Michigan's October Unemployment Rate Best Since 2002
Crain's Detroit Business reports that Michigan's unemployment rate fell in October to 6.1%, its lowest level since September 2002 and more than a full percentage point lower than the year-ago October rate of 7.2%. Michigan's unemployment is still well above the national rate of 5%. But we're getting there!
Search for Soul Showcases Detroit Soul Scene
Michigan Radio's Jennifer Guerra talks with the artists on a new compilation of Detroit soul music from the late 60s and 70s called "Searching for Soul" that hits stores this week. Rather than big Detroit names like Marvin Gaye, this disc features lesser known artists like Robert Lowe, Dee Edwards Robert Jay and groups like The Black Aces Of Soul And The Eyes Of Ebony.
(requires RealPlayer) Searching for Soul information & tracks from Ubiquity Records Over a Million Travelling for Thanksgiving, Almost All by Car
AAA Michigan reports that an estimated 1.1 million Michiganians (10% more than last year) will travel during the 2005 Thanksgiving holiday period. The vast majority (83%) will visit relatives. Cars, trucks and vans will be the most popular form of Thanksgiving transportation (95%, up 51% from 2004) and far fewer Michigan residents will travel by air this year compared to last (just 5% versus 28%).
St. Julian's Blue Heron the Top Seller
Detroit News wine writer Sandra Silfven reports that Michigan's top selling wine, Blue Heron, a semi-sweet blend of Riesling, Vidal and Seyval, is slated to hit 35,000 to 40,000 cases this year. It has been designated the flagship wine by St. Julian, Michigan's oldest & largest winery. They produce 120,000 cases of wine annually. The average boutique winery in Michigan might make 5,000 cases total.
St. Julian Winery Web Site Wednesday, November 16, 2005
Saw Quite a few Deer, but Still a Slow Opener. by Curly's Web Log
Curly's writes: TRAVERSE CITY- This morning in my tree stand I saw a fair number of deer, but the woods were so quiet does got by me and hit my scent and spooked the bucks following.
Bowl security is supersized by DetNews.com
David Shepardson writes: Canada and the United States are still negotiating the extent of a "no-fly zone" during the game. This is the first Super Bowl to take place so close to an international border, and U.S. officials want Canada to restrict private plane travel near the stadium in Canadian airspace. There will be a "no-fly zone" on the U.S. side.
Baseless (By Mary Jane) by Grand Rapids - Podcasts!
Click to listen!
Dwayne by The Snowsuit Effort
The Snowsuit Effort writes: "Nothing comes to a sleeper but a dream... and sometimes a nightmare."
Black Friday spies abound by PC Mike's E-Journal
PC Mike writes: The Web sites offering early peeks at Black Friday sales lists continues to grow.
Let the shopping begin! Five Things You Need to Know for Wednesday, November 16, 2005
News bits: Michigan can't afford any delays in fixing the economy, Pistons roll to 7-0, Single Business Tax Stalemate Threatens Venture Michigan Fund.
Editorial: Detroit Free Press Web Site 'Upgrade'
ABSOLUTE MICHIGAN EDITORIAL
The Detroit Free Press launched a totally revamped web site today. Regardless of what you think of the cosmetic changes, the functional changes are profound. For many years, their online archive of Michigan news and features has been a huge public resource. As of this morning, that resource is gone, with all links from yesterday to years ago returning the dreaded "404 Not Found" message. The Freep's new policy is that stories from the past seven days will be freely available online, with past articles available on a pay-per-story basis from their Archive. Now, I'm not suggesting that the Free Press or its parent Gannett is under any obligation to provide a free and public archive of past news stories, just lamenting that one of the state's two flagship papers has chosen to go this route (and the fact that roughly 20% of a year's worth of news links has been rendered obsolete). Study Says: Recognize Agriculture, Protect Farmland
The Great Lakes Bulletin News Service's Keith Schneider takes an in-depth look at a new study to be released by the Michigan State University Land Policy Program that finds Michigan needs to not only recognize the $55 billion annually that agriculture contributes to Michigan's economy, but also to conserve enough of Michigan's 10 million acres of farmland to ensure that it thrives.
Study Finds Fewer College Grad Hires Planned in Michigan
The Lansing State Journal reports that a survey conducted by the Collegiate Employment Research Institute at MSU has found that Michigan employers are planning to hire 43% fewer new college graduates in 2005-06. The drop comes primarily from hiring cuts by large manufacturing companies and Tier 1 automotive suppliers, along with smaller losses in construction and professional services.
Michigan Reads Preschool Book Program
The Library of Michigan today announced the five finalists for the 2006 "Michigan Reads!" preschool-book program and invites preschoolers and book lovers to vote through Dec 9. The five books are "Bed Hogs" by Kelly DiPucchio, "Imogene's Antlers" by David Small, "In the Small, Small Pond" by Denise Fleming, Sheep in a Jeep" by Nancy Shaw & "Stranger in the Woods" by Carl Sams II and Jean Stoick.
Visit Michigan Reads to vote Lansing Explores Health Information Organization
The State News reports that Lansing-area health care providers, educators and state officials announced plans for a regional health information organization (RHIO). The RIHO will cost between $2.5 million and $3 million to implement and would be a networked system that would give doctors throughout the community access to electronic versions of their patients' medical records.
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
This month's dilemma: How to cook a turkey by Austerman.com
Austerman writes: In recent years, we've tried cooking the Thanksgiving bird several different ways without reaching a definte answer on how to do it each year.Austerman goes on to say: A couple of years ago we bought a turkey frier and tried that too.
Please, somebody give the Austerman family (and the rest of us) the definitive answer! One to Watch by Find the River
Find the River writes: Republican state legislators are introducing bills aimed at boosting timber harvesting in state forests. The lawmakers announced the initiative at several news conferences around the state yesterday. They say the package will be introduced in the House and Senate in the next couple of weeks. One bill would make it harder for regulators to rule certain areas off-limits to logging. Another proposal offers tax incentives to encourage private owners to allow timber cutting on their land. Still another gives incentives to the forest products industry to invest and expand operations in Michigan.
Cox hires justices' wives for staff by detnews.com
Ronald J. Hansen writes: About a month ago, Cox hired Kathleen Markman, whose husband, Justice Stephen Markman, received $34,000 in campaign contributions last year from a political action committee controlled by Cox.
And in a no-bid contract in May 2004, Cox hired Lucille Taylor, wife of Chief Justice Clifford Taylor. They're No. 1..in Fulbright fellowships; 29 UM students receive awards by CrainsDetroit.com
Crain's writes: Twenty-nine University of Michigan students have been awarded Fulbright fellowships in 2005-06, more than any other university in the nation. (most notably beating out Harvard and Yale!)
Saginaw'sTemple Theatre by Michigan History Online
Michigan History writes: A renewal of culture has arrived in Saginaw with the reopening of the Temple Theatre. As the theatre entered its seventy-fifth year, a multi-million-dollar face-lift and support from new owners and the public returned one of Michigan's greatest theatres to its former glory.
These are cool photos! Five Things You Need to Know for Tuesday, November 15, 2005Home-Grown Thanksgiving
As a premiere agricultural state, Michigan definitely does it's share to help get all that great Thanksgiving bounty into homes across the country. Why not buy local this year?
Get some great ideas for holiday food and wine pairings by reading 'Tis the Season to Taste the Bounty of Michigan Read Celebrate the holidays with Michigan Ice Wine and dry fruit brandies here Boulevard of Champion Northern Michigan Trees Proposed
AP writer John Flesher reports on the Champion Tree Project International, an organization that seeks out the biggest and oldest trees and produces clones from their buds (about 125 species so far). The project now hopes to create a "Boulevard of Champions" of trees native to northern Michigan on a 2-mile stretch along Grand Traverse Bay in Traverse City. The city is still considering the project.
Also see Champion oak felled in the Kalamazoo Gazette Champion Tree Project International web site (cool photo gallery!) New Development for Port Huron Shipwatchers
The Port Huron Times-Herald reports that freighter-watching continues to be a favorite feature of life in the Blue Water Area and has spurred new maritime-related development on Acheson Ventures' Desmond Landing in downtown Port Huron. The development is also home to boatnerd.com, one of Michigan's oldest and most comprehensive web sites.
Great Lakes and Seaway Shipping web site (absolutely STAGGERING) Desmond Landing Development Project site Bills Introduced to Encourage Logging in Michigan
The Lansing State Journal reports that Republican state legislators are introducing bills aimed at boosting timber harvesting in state forests, one of which would make it harder for regulators to rule certain areas off-limits to logging. Other proposals include tax incentives to encourage private owners to allow timber cutting on their land and the forest industry to investment in Michigan.
Great Lakes States Agree to Salmon Stocking Reduction
State fisheries management agencies for Lake Michigan have agreed to implement a 25% stocking reduction of Chinook salmon in Lake Michigan beginning with reduced stockings in 2006 (Michigan will reduce stocking by 30%). Next spring, 3.2 million Chinook salmon fingerlings will be stocked by Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana, a reduction of just over 1 million fish from 2005. It's hoped that the reduction will balance the fish community, especially available prey.
Monday, November 14, 2005
a lesson in foreshadowing by A Life Extraordinary
Amber writes: The whole thing is actually quite ironic.
I'm driving home from work yesterday talking to my friend John on the phone, and he mentions that he'd read something online about how Michigan has the highest number of deer/car accidents of all the states. We debated how this could be true, and then settled the matter. Podcast #24, November 10, 2005 by The Buddy Culver Show
Buddy Culver writes: The fantastic hard rock of Crud. Bad Canon returns to the house and the great sounds of Blowtop.
Statistical smackdown! by Michigab
Michigab writes: Next time you're at dinner you can astound your friends with these fun statistics about MI: You may have known that the State of Michigan, 9.9MM people as of the 2000 census, is the 8th most populous US state. But did you know Michigan has more people than the individual countries of Sweden, Bolivia, Somalia...and many more?
Did the vice president lie? by Detroit News Politics Weblog
George Bullard writes: Before the attack on Iraq, here's what the vice president said about Saddam Hussein and WMD: "If you allow someone like Saddam Hussein to get nuclear weapons, ballistic missiles, chemical weapons, biological weapons, how many people is he going to kill with such weapons? He's already demonstrated a willingness to use these weapons."
The same old story, with a twist. In the Scene Shop by Mike Lulsebus Photography
Mike writes: Photos taken while waiting around at the STAC where I'm getting photos for my photostory.
Five Things You Need to Know for Monday, November 14, 2005
Five Things You Need to Know It ain't over till it's over: It ain't over till it's over: Kilpatrick and Hendrix watch mayoral election recount, Hillsdale Mayor Doug Ingles weighs recount in election with Michael Sessions and Black October in the Auto Industry.
Travelling Photography Exhibit to Showcase Older Foster Children
The Lansing State Journal has a report that the Michigan Heart Gallery will unveil an exhibit of portraits of children in Michigan's foster care system. Those featured in the gallery are among about 400 who don't have relatives or foster parents willing to adopt them. Although about half of Michigan's foster kids are 12 or older, only 30% of adoptions last year were for kids 10 and up.
Michigan Heart Gallery web site State Superintendent to Recommend Tougher Curriculum for Michigan Schools
The Detroit News reports that Michigan currently requires only a high school civics course to graduate but that on Tuesday state Superintendent Michael Flanagan will likely recommend a curriculum to the State Board of Education requiring four credits of math and language arts or English, three credits of science and social studies (plus health education and fine arts or music).
Pictured Rocks Employee Receives Environmental Achievement Award
The Detroit Free Press reports that the Interior Department presented park facility manager Chris Case with an environmental achievement award. The Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore employee developed a biodiesel and biofluids program, using vegetable oil-based products as a replacement for the normal fuels, fluids and lubricants used in fleet operation & maintenance at Pictured Rocks.
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore web site Interview with Michigan Film Office Director
The Associated Press has an interview with Janet Lockwood, head of the Michigan Film Office and how after several years of shrinking budget, she hopes to use new tax credits to sell Michigan to filmmakers and producers of movies, television programs and commercials.
The Outboard Motor: A Marquette Michigan First
The Mining Journal reports that the 130-year-old Lake Shore Engine Works building in Marquette (currently being renovated into condominiums) is the birthplace of the world's first gas-driven outboard motor. The motor was likely built at the plant between 1897 and 1898 by Nels Flodin and (according to historian) likely Carl Blomstrom (who received no credit).
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