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Thursday, February 16, 2006
yaledailynews.com - Yale Organic Garden produces through winter by Thumb Thoughts - Organic Blog
Thumb Thoughts writes: "At first glance, it looks as though little happens at the Yale Organic Garden in February. Leaf-covered vegetable beds flank two plastic-covered, unheated greenhouse frames sitting roughly in the center of the football field-sized garden plot. There are few signs of life.
But every Friday and Sunday afternoons, weather permitting, a small group of University students still comes to work in the garden. From planting avocado seedlings to turning compost, these volunteers brave the cold to maintain a variety of winter garden projects." Hamas Website Features Suicide Bombers' Farewell Video by RougBlog
Rougman writes: Palestinian Media Watch reports that Hamas has placed the farewell videos of two suicide bombers on its website. One bomber brags of the Palestinian's lust for drinking Jew blood, while the other comforts his mother before departing on his quest to kill some Jews.
Apple to switch to Windows? by PC Mike's E-Journal
Mike Wendland writes: That's what John C. Dvorak writes for PC Magazine in this PC Magazine column.
"The only fly in the ointment will be the strategic difficulty of breaking the news to the fanatical users," he says. Right. STATE SCALES BACK ASH BORER FIGHT by GLRC
GLRC writes: A state has abandoned its efforts to stop the spread of a tree-killing beetle because of the cost.
Darko to Orlando? by Northern Michigan Detroit Sports Blog
Leelanau Sports Guy writes: Everyone is talking and writing about it. Some think it's a good move, others don't. I believe that if Joe D. can get a #1 pick back for him at this point, that's a good trade. I like the trade (Darko & Arroyo to Orlando for a #1 pick - maybe lottery protected - and Kelvin Cato) because it would give the Pistons a pick and also free up cap space for Ben Wallace to sign after this season. Dumars is always looking towards the future and this is no exception.
Huron River, Ypsilanti by The Adventures of a Brit Abroad
Matt Blackcustard writes: One of my favourite photos just sold for $2.9m.
Five Things You Need to Know for Thursday, February 16, 2006
Michigan Sports Questions: Ben Wallace Payback? Darko & Arroyo dealt to Magic for Kelvin Cato, draft pick, Last
Chance? Muskegon's Mark Grimmette and Brian Martin crash, potentially end of the line for most decorated doubles luge team in U.S. history, Nervous? Tigers open camp, new manager Leyland admits to nerves. Auto Industry Cuts Hit African-Americans Hardest
The Detroit News reports that as auto factory jobs have moved south of Detroit into nonunion plants over the past 25 years, African-Americans have been hit hardest by the loss. Whites and Latinos also are losing ground, but the decline in stable, high-paying union work is far greater among blacks, according to a study by the Center for Economic and Policy Research. Overall, the number of U.S. workers building vehicles and auto parts has held steady at about 1 million for the past 15 years, but more than 25 percent of U.S. auto workers are now employed by foreign automakers. Over the same period, over one-third of Michigan auto workers have lost their jobs.
Read Decline In Auto Industry Undermines Well-Paid Jobs for African Americans from the Center for Economic and Policy Research Bowen Launches AG Campaign, Evans Mulls Run
The Detroit News reports that former Grand Rapids Judge M. Scott Bowen launched his campaign for attorney general Wednesday by charging that incumbent Mike Cox is ignoring consumer protection. The Cox campaign responded that "his record of refunding more money directly to consumers than any other attorney general speaks for itself". Wayne County Sheriff Warren Evans is also considering a run.
M. Scott Bowen for Attorney General web site Working to Restore Michigan's Workforce
Jack Lessenberry has an interview with Grand Rapids Mayor George Heartwell who is among those who are asking what displaced tool and die and other manufacturing workers do when their skills suddenly become obsolete. Heartwell says that from 2001-2005 median household incomes in the Grand Rapids area fell by over 9.1%, meaning that many losing high-paying jobs are forced to take lower paying jobs. He's advocating that in addition to seeking to develop new industries, we also seek to redevelop our workforce.
Also see Essay: The Lost World from Jack Lessenberry's blog UP Sled Dog Race this Weekend
The Mining Journal reports that the annual U.P. 200 Sled Dog Championship starts in in downtown Marquette at 7 PM this Friday. The 240-mile race has mushers racing to Grand Marais and returning to finish at Mattson Lower Harbor Park in Marquette Sunday morning. Organizers say trails are in good shape. The National Weather Service is forecasting cold temps (good for the dogs) & snow (not so good).
UP 200 Sled Dog Race web site Various Experts Weigh in on Capturing SBXL Benefits
The Detroit News talks with several Detroit and Michigan officials about ideas for realizing benefits from hosting Super Bowl XL. George W. Jackson of the Detroit Economic Growth Corp. says that there was more real estate development in Detroit in 2004 and 2005 than in any period since the 1950s and that every real estate developer, entrepreneur, restaurant owner, entertainment promoter and fan of urban living ought to be asking, "How am I going to get into the action downtown?". Michael LaFaive of the Mackinac Center for Public Policy suggests cutting taxes and business regulation. Richard Blouse Jr. of the Detroit Regional Chamber suggests a regional blueprint and collaboration (something echoed by Wayne State University law professor John Mogk). Fellow WSU prof Berl Falbaum suggests a healthy dose of perspective.
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Pistons get Cato, first-round pick for Darko, Arroyo
ESPN.com reports:
The Detroit Pistons traded forward-center Darko Milicic and point guard Carlos Arroyo to the Orlando Magic for Kelvin Cato and a first-round draft pick, ESPN.com learned Wednesday. Darko's Mood: Bewildered
Deadspin writes:
We're still waiting on our friends at Free Darko to chime in, but ESPN has the story: The enigma, the monster, the wooly mammoth, the reckoning that is Darko Milicic is close to being traded, along with Carlos Arroyo, to the Orlando Magic for a first round pick and Kelvin Cato. (And who wouldn't make that same deal for Dywane Wade or Carmelo Anthony? Who's with us?!)Free Darko weighs in, as do ESPN's Daily Dime and Daily Quickie, and the Mickey Tettleton Memorial Overpass has an informative Darko timeline. Best of all is this page of quotations about Darko on the Detroit Pistons web site which has gems like: "He's going to own the game. Own the game. We're going to have to build a new arena. The only thing that could destroy a kid like that is a woman." Update: Darko deal almost done by Detroit Bad Boys
Detroit Bad Boys writes: ESPN's Marc Stein reports that the deal sending Darko and Carlos Arroyo to the Orlando Magic for Kelvin Cato and a #1 pick is almost complete.
Our Official Language by Jack Lessenberry's Essays and Interviews
Jack Lessenberry writes: Liberals are going to find it virtually impossible to risk taking a poke at State Rep. Jack Hoogendyk for his misguided attempt to make English Michigan's official language.
Even if you are an Anglophile and a conservative, it ought to be clear that his idea is a bad idea. Here are just two of the many reasons why. First of all, everyone knows that our official language is Yooper, which replaced our former official language, Chippewa. Polar Plunge by NOISE PhotoBlog
Jeremy Herliczek writes: Eighty people dressed up and plunged into the icy waters at Hawk Island County Park as part of a fundraiser for the Special Olympics Sunday afternoon. Jon Wildrom, 33, of Portland, won "Best Individual Costume" as a pink ballerina. "A friend talked me into it," Wildrom said. "The highest bidder got to pick my costume."
Made-to-Order Artwork to Fit a Corporate Budget by detroitarts
detroitarts writes: The subject of this article in the Times is a touchy subject for me. With my work and being on the corporate end of art I understand that designers/architects have budgets when buying art - especially in this economy. But what makes my skin crawl is when companies like Novo Arts (in the story) take away art sales from hard working artists trying to make it.
Five Things You Need to Know for Wednesday, February 15, 2006
A few moments with our neighbors: Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich wants a 90% cut in mercury emissions from Illinois power plants by 2009, Ontario
seeks to close all coal-fired plants by 2009, but Alberta's Energy Minister believes clean coal is poised to become the most important fuel in Canada's future, Lake Erie Committee alleged to be acting beyond its constitutional scope, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice called in to mediate. Wealth by Detroit BikeBlog
Adrian Platts writes: Graffiti has been used as the excuse to remove some fine structures in downtown deemed eye-sores in the run-up to SB-XL. I'm wondering whether a wholsale damning of it is an injustice though. Graffiti and tagging seem to go back beyond written history into a period where they shared an origin with the maker's mark. Early cuneiform glyphs developed from pictograms impressed in clay representing the writer and/or their trade.
Bing, Bettis Involved in Detroit Riverfront Redevelopment
The Detroit Free Press reports that athletes-turned-businessmen Jerome Bettis and Dave Bing were chosen Tuesday to build multimillion-dollar residential and retail projects where cement silos stood for decades. The Bing-led project, designed by Detroit-based architect Kraemer Design Group, is expected to include 108 condominium and townhouses, a pool and fitness center, retail and parking, at a total cost of $41 million. The project headed by Bettis and designed by Detroit-based SDG Design Inc., would cost $25 million and create about 64 condominiums, plus retail and restaurant spaces. A related story looks at the general upswing in development in Detroit, including the fact that the city itself leads southeast Michigan in home starts.
Also see A NEW CHAPTER: Backers say Detroit is poised to boom in the Freep Northwest Ruling Could Lead to Strike, Liquidation
The Detroit News reports that a bankruptcy judge is expected to rule by Friday whether Northwest Airlines can impose more than $500 million in wage and benefit concessions. The pilots and flight attendents unions have threatened to strike and Northwest has threatened liquidation if the ruling goes against them. Detroit is the airline's largest hub with 491 daily departures and 8,000 employees.
Case Could Weaken Michigan Dune Protection Law
The Muskegon Chronicle reports that Dune Harbor Estates LLC (a subsidiary of Nugent Sand Co.), recently filed an appeal in Ingham County Circuit Court challenging the DEQ's refusal to issue a permit needed to build a 600-foot pipeline through a 4,000-year-old dune. The company wants to lower water levels in two man-made lakes at its Norton Shores mining site by piping up to 8 million gallons of processed wastewater daily into Lake Michigan. Opponents of the pipeline said a court victory by Dune Harbor could weaken the state's dune protection law, which limits construction in coastal dunes.
Five to Enter Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame
The Lansing State Journal has brief profiles on the 2006 inductees for the Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame have been selected. They are
Federal Student Loan Rates to Increase
The Lansing State Journal reports that instead of current variable rates, students and parent will be paying higher fixed rates of federal student loans. Rates of 6.8% for students and 8.5% for parents would translate into almost $2000 in additional interest costs over the life of a 10-year loan for the typical Michigan State University student.
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
The Michigan Heart Gallery by Michigan in Pictures
farlane writes: Today's photo is from an amazing project called the Michigan Heart Gallery. ...The Heart Gallery is a photographic exhibit of children in the foster care system who are waiting for a permanent family of their own through adoption.
for my valentine by a later date
a later date writes:
I love all The many charms about you Above all I want my arms about you Don't be a naughty baby Come to me Come to me do My sweet embraceable you (thanks, Gershwin) Intel iMac bootup video by PC Mike's E-Journal
Mike Wendland writes: I've had the opportunity to have both a new Intel-powered iMac and the previous G5 model that came out last fall sitting side-by-side on my desk for the past few weeks.
In my review for the Detroit Free Press Tuesday I write: "Apple's new iMac running the new Intel Core Duo microprocessor is the finest, most reliable, stable, elegant and intuitive personal computer available anywhere." DJ by The Snowsuit Effort
The Snowsuit Effort writes: "I'm not doing good... I split up with my wife."
Elegant Windpower by mousemusings
mousemusings writes: Unlike other renewable energy sources, quietrevolution is also available in a unique model capable of creating a striking visual display that is part illuminated billboard, part artwork, part renewable energy device.
MEDC Approves Three Brownfield Redevelopment Projects in Detroit by girl in the D
girl in the D writes: The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) acted last week to keep Detroit's Super Bowl momentum going strong when it approved brownfield tax incentives for three proposed projects in the city.
The incentives -- which, together, will bring more than $724,703 to the three projects -- will be used along with private funds to turn blighted, vacant buildings into new residential and mixed-use developments. Fisher Building pt.2 by dETROITfUNK
dETROITfUNK writes: Built for the seven Fisher Brothers in 1928 by Albert Kahn. The original design called for a mirror tower on the opposite side of the Boulevard, as well as a third and larger central tower. The Great Depression stopped this project in its tracks, but thankfully we still have the completed first phase of the plan. A strong reaction to what Kahn considered "the glorification of steel and glass", the Fisher Building is rich in gorgeous materials and design.
Five Things You Need to Know for Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Ways to spend Valentine's Day: viewing Michigan Heart Gallery photos online (middle of page, click link to view these great photos of kids in need of loving homes), exercising your heart with dark chocolate, romance (or even a glass of wine), baking something for your Valentine (or buying something from Michigan!)
Alternative Energy Drawing Attention of Legislature
The Traverse City Record-Eagle has an AP feature that looks at the raft of alternative energy bills and related measures that have been introduced in recent weeks. Highlights include:
Michigan Salsa Company Running Hot
The Detroit News has a feature on Ferndale's Garden Fresh Salsa and how the city helped the company thrive. The company's salsas are distributed in 35 states and Canada and have won awards and acclaim for their "Hot," "Medium," "Mild" and "Specialty Fresh" salsas at international competitions. The company also manufactures tortilla chips, guacamole dip and other products.
Garden Fresh Gourmet web site Kalamazoo Movie Will Have Hometown Premiere
WMMT-TV reports that a hometown premiere is planned for a movie filmed in Kalamazoo and produced by two sisters, Joanna Scott and Dana Kowalski, who grew up there. "Kalamazoo?" tells the story of three women who return home for their ten year high school reunion to discover that a time capsule made on graduation night is due to be opened and read aloud. Horrified at the thought of their unfilled goals being revealed, they embark on a mission to find & destroy the capsule. The premiere is set for April 6 and the film will open the next day in limited release at Goodrich theaters in Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, Holland, Grand Haven, Lowell and Three Rivers.
Read Sisters who grew up in Kalamazoo start shooting movie in city from the Freep (July 2004, via the Internet Archive) Web site for Kalamazoo? movie A Sliver of Positive News from GM
General Motors is scheduled to annouce today that it will invest more than $500 million in five Michigan assembly and component plants in Pontiac, Romulus, Ypsilanti and Lansing. The investments will generate 200-300 jobs (depending on which of the two articles below you credit).
Read GM upgrades Mich. plants, adds 200 jobs in the Detroit News Budget Called Net Loss for the Great Lakes
The Great Lakes Radio Consortium reports that several groups are calling the President's budget a net loss for the Great Lakes. A fund that helps states update their outdated sewage treatment plants is slated to get one of the biggest cuts, but also absent is any funding to deal with the invasive Asian carp. The budget does allocate over $70 million to clean and protect the Great Lakes, including $50 million for Great Lakes Legacy Act programs, which will result in cleanup of approximately 500,000 cubic yards of contaminated sediments.
Read Bush 2007 Budget Underwrites Nuclear, Cuts Environmental Programs from the ENS Monday, February 13, 2006
No Valentines Day In Indian Kashmir by Rougblog Commentary
Rougblog writes: Today's Muslim Outrage of the Day: Valentines!
Nearly two dozen black-veiled Muslim women stormed gift and stationery shops Friday in Indian Kashmir, burning Valentine's Day cards and posters to protest a holiday they say imposes Western values on Muslim youth. Heart Disease Rally by Patrick Wellever
Patrick Wellever writes: Women draped in red gather to await the start of a rally to promote awareness of heart disease in women, held in the Capitol on Feb. 2.
Keeping Ford In The Family by DetroitWonk
DetroitWonk writes: Well, it looks like yet another Ford will be joining the family business in the next few weeks. The Freep and Detroit News are both reporting that the great-great grandson of Ford Motor Company founder Henry Ford is joining up to help out his cousins Bill and Elena.
Loads of Garbage by Essays by Jack Lessenberry's Essays and Interviews
Jack Lessenberry writes: If you are mad at Canada for shipping vast amounts of their garbage to Michigan, I've got news for you. You've been brainwashed.
Frankly I don't like Canadian trash filling up our landfills either, but it isn't their fault, it is ours. And the only real question is why Canada doesn't send all its garbage to Michigan. Not to mention every state within driving distance. Random chocolate I found by Chocolate Runner's Blog
Jon writes: The Santander milk lists it as 36% cacao, which I always thought it was odd to do with milk chocolate but ok. It has sugar as its number one ingredient followed by cocoa butter, milk, before cocoa mass. Surprisingly it doesn't come off as too sweet, but has a very heavy vanilla taste.
This a Columbian chocolate, and calls itself "single origin". I'm not sure if that means the same plantation, or same type of bean from that area. Pistons drop the ball in Miami by Detroit Bad Boys
Detroit Bad Boys writes: The Pistons lost a stomach-punch game to the Heat, allowing a double-digit lead entering the fourth quarter to dwindle before losing by two. Dwyane Wade scored Miami's final 17 points to finish with a season-high 37 to go along with eight rebounds and four assists. Shaquille O'Neal scored 21 in the first half and finished with a season-high 31.
Making Power Out of Pollution by GLRC
GLRC writes: Pollution from factories and other places might be dollars just going up in smoke. But a promising new technology turns these ordinarily troublesome waste products into something that's especially valuable these days: cheap electricity.
Valentine's Day Tips from Dave Mulholland by ypsi~dixit
Y. writes: The Trombone-Clarion persuaded Mulholland...to share some Valentine's Day tips.
"Rule number one is, you gotta make something personal," said Mulholland. "Me, I had this dead carp in the garage. So I figured, the scales are like sequins, y'know? So I scaled it and glued the scales on a piece of paper in a heart shape. It's real pretty. It kind of smells but I figure that evokes the, like, organic nature of love." Five Things You Need to Know for Monday, February 13, 2006
News Bits: If Single Business Tax Repealed, Where Will Lost Revenue Come From? (MITECHNEWS.COM), Lights out for the Pontiac Silverdome (Detroit News), Michigan Tech/Houghton break 3 wintry world records: Most snow angels (3,780), Largest snowball (6.77 ft in diameter), Biggest snowball fight (3,762).
Michigan: Green Energy Ground Zero?
The Detroit Free Press reports that the State of Michigan is planning to spend $2 billion in bond money in the next decade to ensure that it becomes the nation's alternative energy hub. "We want Michigan to be the state that lays claim to this emerging sector," said Gov. Jennifer Granholm. Research into alternative energy and renewable fuels is expected to be a key component of the governor's 21st Century Jobs Fund program. Technologies being explored include hydrogen fuel cells, biodiesel, ethanol, solar and nuclear. The article also talks about how NextEnergy, a public sector/private sector partnership in Detroit that was started under the Engler administration, is being touted as a model. Michigan currently has 51 biomass plants, 12 photovoltaic facilities, 1 ethanol plant and 7 wind-powered plants.
The Detroit News reports that soaring gas prices, new technologies and buy-in from the Oval Office have experts believing that ethanol biofuels will be powering vehicles in as little as six years. Michigan, home of the Big Three automakers and rich farmland that is already the second-biggest income generator in the state, could be uniquely position to take advantage of this. The Biomass Conversion Laboratory at Michigan State University has researched how to cheaply produce ethanol fuel from fast-growing crops like switchgrass or plant debris. Michigan farmers have one ethanol plant in production in Caro and four more planned to open in 2007. Environmentalists warn that modern farming has already made land only 50% as rich in organic matter as when the country was founded and say that removing plant debris to use as biomass fuel could further degrade the quality of the soil. Read Could biofuels be a bonanza for state? in the Detroit News NextEnergy web site Pair of Polls Find Granholm Leading DeVos
mLive reports that according to a recent poll of 600 likely Michigan voters, Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm continues to lead likely challenger Republican Dick DeVos. The poll conducted by Lansing-based EPIC/MRA showed Granholm with 53%, DeVos with 36% and 11% undecided. Numbers from a November 2005 poll had Granholm 58%, Devos 35% and 7% undecided. A second (and more wide-ranging) poll of 1200 likely Michigan voters by Strategic Vision Political found Granholm leading 48% to 34% with 18% undecided. Both polls have a +/- 4% margin of error.
Poll results from Strategic Vision NPS Finds No Sign of Cougars in Sleeping Bear
The Traverse City Record-Eagle reports that although National Park Service officials found signs of bobcat, coyote, red fox, river otter, mink, weasel, and red squirrel, they found no evidence of cougar. Researchers used motion-sensing cameras stationed around the park, investigated reports of sightings and studied animal tracks. Dennis Fijalkowski, a representative of the Michigan Wildlife Conservancy, believes the announcement could be a prelude to removing cougar warning signs from the park and said: "They are under intense pressure from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to get those signs down. Those signs are an embarrassment to the MDNR."
Mass Transit Listed as Top Priority for Revitalizing Detroit
Crain's Detroit Business asked its readers how Detroit could reinvent itself in the wake of the Super Bowl and the answer came through loud and clear: Build mass transit. Readers said that Detroit's status as home to Motown, cars and multiple sports venues make it a regional draw that could produce several annual festivals and events. Detroit Wonk asks much the same, plus offers gifts!
Read The Detroit agenda from Crain's Detroit Business Michigan Olympic Update
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