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Friday, March 10, 2006
Missouri oil company to purchase Shanty Creek
Traverse City Record-Eagle (Craig McCool) reports: Shanty Creek soon will belong to a Missouri oil company whose owner has ties to other resorts, including Colorado's Copper Mountain ski area. Read more in the TC Record Eagle and/or visit the Shanty Creek web site.
Technorati tags: shantycreek, ski, michigan 5000 Links, Music, Maple Syrup and Lots of Political Stuff
It was a big week for Absolute Michigan as we added our 5000th link on Tuesday afternoon! We're looking forward to working to promote Michigan Week 2006. Speaking of big numbers, we ran across Bethanne at Clever Titles Are So Last Summer, who posted her 500th post and spent the whole week developing an amazing showcase of Michigan bands and musicians.
Like a hibernating bear (or Godzilla) the Michigan Legislature seemed to rouse from its long slumber to begin to take action. While they did not answer a call from the Michigan Human Services League for a Michigan Earned Income Credit (Michigan is one of just five states that tax families of four with annual incomes below $14,000), they did surprise most of us by moving to raise Michigan's minimum wage. Some apparent good news that Michigan's unemployment rate dropped to the lowest level since September 2002 was tempered by the fact that the drop was due to less people in the workforce. The state signed $35.5 million in tourism and business-marketing contracts, released the results of the MEAP test and announced a collaboration with Microsoft on the development of a course to explain the global economy to our students (one for our political and business leaders was somehow not announced). Retirees showed up en masse to protest GM's plans to shift a portion of their health care burden to them and then Jack Lessenberry talked with Sean McAlinden, chief economist at the Center for Automotive Research, about GM's options. The Oakland Press suggested that Michigan might finally be in a position to get a handle on health care. Don't forget that March means maple syrup in Michigan and have a great weekend!
Something Fresh CD & Cookbooklet
The CD features Daisy May, Seth Bernard, Steppin' In It, Honest D and the Steel Reserve, Laura Bates & Brandon Foote, Sheridan Street, Don Julin, Eric Kelly, Marty Heller, Jen Sygit, Drew Howard, Glenn Wolff's Small Garage Band, John Latini, Phil Wintermute and Claudia Schmidt and is billed as a tribute to the fresh folk and the fresh food found in our Great Lakes region. Go to Spartan Edge now. Be sure to click the links at the top left to watch videos from Seth and Daisy May. Also check out Michigan artists sing of local foods radio interview on WIAA. Order the Something Fresh CD & Cookbooklet from Seeds. Five Things You Need to Know for Friday, March 10, 2006
Five Fun Finds for a Friday: Wooden canoe restoration, Michigan Motto Suggestions including "Come to Michigan to visit Paradise or go to Hell", Michigan's Billionares: Bill Davidson, Richard DeVos Sr., Roger Penkse, Ronda Stryker and others, geocaching in Michigan, All Seasons Bistro is in running for America's best bathroom.
March is Maple Syrup Time in Michigan
We have a metric ton of maple syrup goodness on Absolute Michigan (and also a great photo feature called "The Cycle of Sweetness: From Sap to Maple Syrup" on Michigan in Pictures).
If you have a suggestion for something we missed, comment below or email us! Kalamazoo Seeks to Become Life Sciences Hub
For over 100 years, scientists have been conceiving, testing, and producing new compounds in Kalamazoo County. Keith O'Brien of The Scientist has a fascinating feature that looks at how Kalamazoo business leaders weren't willing to give up when Pfizer pulled out. The story of how organizations like Southwest Michigan First (and their $50 million venture capital fund) are driving the city's quest to become a life science cluster holds value for everyone in Michigan.
Read Wish You Were Here in the Scientist Southwest Michigan First web site Also see The Promise puts the heat on seniors in the Kalamazoo Gazette Grand Rapids Company Launches Film Community Site
The Great Lakes IT Report pointed us to Grand Rapids based Spout. According to the web site Spout came about by "Four guys, hanging out in one guy's house, watching films, talking about the films they want to make, getting frustrated with the system that stands in the way of so many great films." Of course as one of the guys is Rick DeVos, they had a bit more resources than your average four hanging around guys. The goal is to create a community where movie fans can gather to find, enjoy and discuss films and the major twist is to leverage Web 2.0 style "tagging" and blogs to create that community. The company expects to generate revenue through DVD sales and is definitely worth a look!
Visit Spout Michigan Minimum Wage Going Up
MITECHNEWS.COM reports that Michigan's minimum wage workers would see their pay jump from the current $5.15 an hour to $6.95 an hour beginning in October under legislation the Senate unanimously and surprisingly approved on Thursday. The House is expected to pass the bill next week, which would mark the first increase in Michigan's minimum wage in nine years. Under SB 318, passed 35-0, the minimum wage would also jump to $7.15 an hour on July 1, 2007 and to $7.40 an hour on July 1, 2008. The initial increase alone would boost a minimum wage worker's annual pay - at 40 hours a week for 52 weeks a year - by more than 34 percent, from $10,710 a year to $14,456.
Isle Royale Wolves Feel the Pinch of Hunger
The Lansing State Journal has a report on hunger problem for wolves in Isle Royale National Park, the 45-mile-long archipelago in northwestern Lake Superior. The cause is a steady decline in the moose population which stands at 450, down from 1,100 four years ago and the lowest in nearly 50 years of study.
Thursday, March 09, 2006
Michigan Senate Passes Minimum Wage Hike
DetroitWonk writes:
In a surprise move today, the Michigan Senate voted unanimously to hike the state minimum wage from $5.15 an hour to $6.95 on October 1st and up to $7.40 by July 2008. It seems to me like this surprise move was an attempt by Republicans in the Senate to counter the possibility of a Democrat and union-led effort to place a referendum on the ballot in November. Senate and House Republicans have been very fearful that such a referendum could bring many moderate voters to the polls this year, voters who traditionally vote Democratic. More from Dawson Bell at the Detroit Free Press.
Technorati tags: michigan, government, politics, wage, exployment 43 Cents by Michigan in Pictures
Michigan In Pictures writes: [caption for today's photo] 43 Cents, originally uploaded by tgrabb.
This is the part where we open up a Goebels get all maudlin about the good old days when gas pump makers had no concept of 3 digit gas prices. Cloistered Existence by Find The River
Shupac writes: Kristine and I got back last night from a couple of days at St. Gregory's Abbey, an Anglican Benedictine monastery near Three Rivers, Michigan. We've been there before and will certainly return. It's a remarkable place for a number of reasons.
First and foremost of is the peacefulness of the place. The abbey grounds include over 200 acres of forest, set within a quiet farming area west of Three Rivers. Traffic is minimal, and most days, the noisiest thing to occur at the abbey is the ringing of the bell for the offices (i.e., gatherings for prayer) and mass. THEME WEEK!: SAY YES TO MICHIGAN! by CLEVER TITLES ARE SO LAST SUMMER
Clever Titles... writes: When I decided on this theme for the week, I really wanted to feature bands from all over Michigan. That meant finding bands from the Northern Peninsula to feature on the blog because that way, I'm not singling out bands from the "mitten" part of the state. But where do I start? Thankfully, Joel pointed me towards Algoma. And my problem has been solved. (For now!)
Google Calendar [CL2] by neadfiles
neadfiles writes: I would imagine that many of the web-based calendaring sites are cowering after recent chatter around leaked info about CL2. Adding yet another cohesively integrated feature to the Google Empire, CL2 is will no doubt bring together email, search, and an 'invitation' calendar into it's fold.
Online Universities Are Successful In Lobbying Congress by Red Tape Blog
Red Tape Blog writes: It took just a few paragraphs in a budget bill for Congress to open a new frontier in education : Colleges will no longer be required to deliver at least half their courses on a campus instead of online to qualify for federal student aid. That change is expected to be of enormous value to the commercial education industry.
Rasheed Wallace Dunks by Need4Sheed
Natalie writes: This is a video of Rasheed Wallace during the Seattle game March 3rd. The clip is of Sheed throwing down a couple of monster dunks to help beat the Sonics late in the 4th. Enjoy!
Five Things You Need to Know for Thursday, March 9, 2006
Did Michigan's newspeople just wake up this morning and say "Let's focus on bad news today!"?? More talking: "Every day we're talking about how we can make government more efficient - why don't we start with ourselves." (State Representative Glenn Steil) , "Our tax system is loony. We can do things to fix the chronic state budget deficit. We can help fix the problem of educating our citizens" (Phil Power), "The closer officeholders are to local political controversies, the easier they are to recall." (George Weeks).
MEAP Released, but What Does It Mean?
The Detroit Free Press reports that the Michigan Department of Education releases the results of the latest Michigan Educational Assessment Program tests this morning. Parents, educators, realtors and politicians will all be looking to the results o tell them things about the state of Michigan's schools.
The article also says that for all the suggestions that teaching for the MEAP has helped schools, there's some evidence that students aren't doing as well as they might on college entrance exams or national assessment tests. An example: Michigan and Massachusetts were close on the 1992 National Assessment of Educational Progress test in fourth-grade math scores: 23% of Massachusetts students and 18% of Michigan students were proficient. By last year, 38% of Michigan fourth-graders were proficient in math compared to 49% in Massachusetts. Sharif Shakrani, director of Michigan State University's Education Policy Center is quoted as saying: "Other states are not only catching up with Michigan, they are moving faster than Michigan." One potential reason is money: The state Department of Education's 1996 budget was $697.96 million. For 2006: $117.48 million. Add to that that school funding has remained relatively flat at a time when retirement and insurance costs are seeing double-digit increases. MEAP results from the Michigan Department of Education web site Can Michigan Get a Handle on Healthcare?
The Oakland Press suggests that Michigan would become a mecca for businesses and people looking for a good place to live by the simple act of figuring out how to deliver health care to a lot more people for a lot less money. While it seems like an unattainable dream, they report that the Michigan State Medical Society, representing medical doctors, is ready for radical change announced that it is putting together task forces representing all players in the system that will answer the question of what basic care should be available across the board and devise a plan to vastly reduce paperwork (which accounts for about a third of the cost of providing health care).
Michigan Unemployment Drops ... Because People Leave
The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth reports that Michigan's unemployment rate fell to 6.2% in January, the lowest level since September 2002. There were 318,000 unemployed workers in January, 24,000 less than the previous month. However, the drop in the unemployment rate didn't come from major jobs gains, but rather the declining number of people officially counted as unemployed or in the work force. Michigan lost 10,000 jobs in the trade, transportation and utilites sector, 6,000 in manufacturing sector while adding 1,000 retail jobs.
Also see State jobless rate hits 42-month low in the Lansing State Journal Republicans Move to Eliminate Single Business Tax
The Detroit Free Press reports that the House Tax Policy Committee is expected to approve a bill to repeal the Michigan Single Business Tax in October 2007, and the bill is expected to pass the Republican-dominated House and Senate. The measure includes no provisions to replace the nearly $2 billion in revenue the tax generates but Republicans hope eliminating the tax will spark discussion on alternative revenue generation. Bill co-sponsor Leon Drolet said "It's become apparent to everyone that we have a jobs-killer loose on Michigan's economy, and it's time we brought this the killer to justice". Rep. Paul Condino (D-Southfield) doubts that lawmakers could put together a new tax before October 2007, leading to massive cuts in state services.
Also see GOP takes aim at business tax in the Detroit News Lansing Latest Michigan City to Go Wireless
The City Pulse reports that the city of Lansing will provide free wireless Internet by the end of 2007 to all Lansing residents. "Wireless Lansing" will be available to any city resident at basic speeds of 4x dialup with paid broadband access available.
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
Uh-oh Barry! by Northern Michigan Detroit Sports Blog
Leelanau Sports Guy writes: Usually I try to stay on topic of Detroit sports, but this story is just way too big!
Barry Bonds might be in serious trouble. A book coming out later this month called Game of Shadows follows Bonds and his supposed steroid path since 1998. I don't know what's true or not, but they seem to have alot of evidence. Podcast by The Buddy Culver Show
Buddy Culver writes: The first anniversary of The Buddy Culver Show! We take a look back and play some tunes from bands that generated our most listened to podcasts over the past 12 months, including Havilland, Radiocraft, The Badways and Illusion. Mario the Producer is back in the house!
Congratulations Buddy! The Real Retro by Detroit Essentials
Detroit Essentials writes: Now that I am back in the states I wanted to take a moment to give a shout out to my friends at The Real Retro - a fantastic Ann Arbor based tee-shirt company that creates retro sport style tee-shirts for historical and literary figures.
I'm ok now. by The Chocolate Runner's Blog
The Chocolate Runner writes: (about his giving up Chocolate for Lent) I think I've got this thing under control. Thanks to the patch.
This is the 90% Cacao patch, for those that need extra control. There's also a primer on chocolate, the chemicals in it and how they effect your body. Very interesting! Giraffes in the Mist by The Adventures of a Brit Abroad
Matt Blackcustard writes (about this photo): And sometimes a cheap, crappy camera takes a photograph that's nothing like you expected it to be.
Beaver is a covergirl! by detroitarts
detroitarts writes: Detroit artist Kristin Beaver made the cover of Real Detroit this week so be sure to pick up a copy! See what inspires Kristin and why she is labeled a "hipster" portrait aritst.
Five Things You Need to Know for Wednesday, March 8, 2006
Blips & Quips: Absolute Michigan added our 5000th link yesterday!, Tom Greenwood says Michigan is "The needs-a-new-motto state", Livingston County farmer Will Schmidt just wants to know what Michigan's farming laws are, Michigan's Daniel Vosovic could rule Bravo's fashion Runway, Rick Coates throws more fuel on the roaring fire of MySpace and is not sure that 12-year-olds should be posting pictures of themselves making out online.
Over $30 Million in State Ad Contracts Awarded
Amy Lane of Crain's Detroit Business reports that the State Administrative Board gave final approval yesterday for up to $35.5 million in state tourism and business-marketing contracts. Farmington Hills-based DP & Co. LLC got a two-year, $19.5 million contract from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation to promote Michigan as a destination for business growth and McCann Erickson Worldwide of Birmingham received the up to $16 million contract to handle marketing for Travel Michigan, the state's tourism-marketing agency. Republicans have questioned elements of the ad-contract review, as well as what they said are ties between DP & Co. and Gov. Jennifer Granholm.
Also see MEDC ad contracts become political football from Crain's Detroit Book Reveals the Story of Covert
Patrick T. Reardon of the Chicago Tribune wrote a very interesting feature on the tiny town of Covert (just south of South Haven) where whites and blacks have lived, studied, worked, played, prayed and died together in equality and, for the most part, harmony for 140 years. The town is the subject of "A Stronger Kinship: One Town's Extraordinary Story of Hope and Faith" by historian Ann-Lisa Cox.
Also check out An Interview With Anna-Lisa Cox from Newshouse Order A Stronger Kinship: One Town's Extraordinary Story of Hope and Faith from Seminary Co-op Bookstores Michigan Officials Not Sold on National Food Safety Laws
mLive's Sarah Kellogg reports that Congress is expected to approve legislation this week to establish a national system for labeling food products, ending a 50-state patchwork of laws. But opponents of the bill, including Michigan's top state agriculture and legal officials, believe the legislation would undermine state and local food safety laws and make it harder to protect public health.
Also see California AG insults Michigan sponsor of food labeling bill from the Daily Comet Exploring GM's Health Care Moves
Michigan Radio's Jack Lessenberry talks at length with Sean McAlinden, chief economist at the Center for Automotive Research, about issues surrounding GM's plan to save a billion dollars a year on health care costs by charging hourly retirees monthly contributions, deductibles, and co-pays. McAlinden suggests that other automakers will follow suit.
Also see Essay: Health Care Crisis Saying Yes to Michigan Music in a Big Way
Check out all the bands below by clicking right here!!
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
Jim Rudicil, Muskegon Winter Sports Complex Podcast by Inside Muskegon
Inside Muskegon writes: This episode of Inside Muskegon features an interview with Jim Rudicil, Executive Director at the Muskegon Winter Sports Complex, a commentary on the interview, listener feedback and information on contacting Inside Muskegon.
Also of note: "This week we will award a (2) Luge Passes and (2) Ski Sessions at the Muskegon Winter Sports Complex for our favorite listener feedback comment via the Web site or voicemail at (231) 354-2332. When dialing Include 1-231 and leave first name and city in message." iPod Hi-Fi video review by PC Mike's E-Journal
Mike Wendland writes: I've been testing out the new iPod Hi-Fi and my initial skepticism has given way to enough appreciation to seriously consider buying one myself.
Cobblestone Structures of Washtenaw County by ypsi~dixit
Y. writes:"One would say that the settlers of Washtenaw County got off to a rocky start."
So said local history enthusiast Thomas Moore, in introducing local historian Grace Shackman and EMU historical preservation program graduate Patricia Majher. The duo gave a joint talk on cobblestone structures to 70-odd attendees at WCHS's program at Cobblestone Farm on February 19. Also read yesterday's post entitled Free Chickies. Check out that frizzle bantam! Page 2's ode to Bill Laimbeer by Detroit Bad Boys
Detroit Bad Boys writes: In honor of yesterday's Academy Awards, Patrick Hruby of ESPN Page 2 profiled some of the Association's greatest actors in "The Art of the Flop." As you can imagine, the original Bad Boy-Bill Laimbeer-was featured prominently in this piece. Hruby describes the best of all-time this way:
The Godfather. A master at appearing hurt ... then sprinting back down the floor (the picture of perfect health). Arketypical A2 by Ann Arbor is Overrated
Ann Arbor is Overrated writes: "Police pursue boot camp fugitive in Ark." Which seemed like a perfectly normal A2 headline to us; there's nothing like a little light acoustic folk after a harrowing prison escape.
Some of the comments are amusing as well! MICHIGAN PUTS CAP ON WATER WITHDRAWALS by GLRC Environment Report
GLRC writes: In the Great Lakes region, Michigan is the last state to pass laws that protect the Lakes from large-scale withdrawals.
Five Things You Need to Know for Tuesday, March 7, 2006Poll Finds Michigan not Well-Ranked as New Economy State
MITECHNEWS.COM reports that a survey of executives in Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Massachusetts and California tagged California as the state most conducive to new economy technology businesses, despite a perceived below average tax climate. Michigan placed fourth just ahead of Ohio. Interestingly, Michgan's low finish was primarily due to its less educated workforce. Among all respondents, 72% gave a well-educated work force as an important factor as compared to only 52% of Michigan executives.
Retirees Flock to Protest GM Health Care Deal
The Detroit News reports that General Motors retirees blasted a proposed settlement that will help cut the struggling automaker's health care tab by $1 billion a year by shifting some costs to hourly retirees. GM and the United Auto Workers negotiated the deal last year. Active GM hourly workers approved the settlement by a 61% margin in November, but GM needs the approval of the federal court to go forward with the plan since it covers retirees, who didn't get to vote. Under the plan retirees would be responsible for monthly contributions, deductibles and co-payments for medical services up to a maximum of $370 a year for individuals and $752 for a family (with costs rising 3% or so per year).
Fun Facts: GM is the largest single private purchaser of health care in the United States, provides health care for 1 in every 271 Americans and spent $5.4 billion last year on health care. Detroit Film City
Frank Nemecek has an excellent feature on Model D about Detroit's budding film industry, exploring resources like the Detroit Film Center, Motown's music, Hamtramak's Planet Ant Theatre.
Detroit Film Center Planet Ant Theatre Microsoft & Michigan Collaborate in Course in Global Economy
Government Technology reports that the Michigan Department of Education and Michigan Virtual University are collaborating to develop the online course, "Career Development in a Global Economy," a free, online course to help Michigan students understand how the new global economy will impact their career opportunities. The course is expected to be available for the 2006-2007 school year and development is funded by a grant from Microsoft's Partners in Learning program. It's designed to help students learn how the global economy is changing the nature of work in the United States and the importance of being an entrepreneur, whether by starting your own business or working in new ways in large corporations and organizations.
Horse Logging Makes a Comeback
The Lansing State Journal has an interesting feature on the resurgence of logging with horses in Michigan, especially for select cutting. As property owners become increasingly conscious of the damage heavy machinery does to the forest, more are choosing to have horses skid lumber cut on their property. Lachine resident Robert Strong comments: "Horses are slower, there's no doubt about that. And the guys with the horses can only make money on certain types of cutting. It has to be high valuable timber for them to make enough money to do it."
Monday, March 06, 2006
Theatrics by dETROITfUNK
dETROITfUNK writes: Some bits from the newly cleaned National Theater.
The Coolest Civil War Military Vehicle by ypsi~dixit
Y. writes: ...WAS THE CONFEDERATE SUBMARINE "THE HUNLEY." Though not the world's first sub, it was the first sub to sink a ship, and the last to do so till WWI. It did so with a bomb attached to a long harpoon on its nose. The harpoon stuck the bomb into the wooden ship's side, the sub retreated, and then detonated the bomb with a pull-string.
Autorama in Detroit, The Custom Car Show by Detroit Essentials
Detroit Essentials writes: Beginning March 3, a different kind of car show will start. It's the Autorama. Although it's not a huge international industry event, it's a showcase for people that like to hotrod or "pimp" their vehicles.
Tigers Take Field as Spring Nears by DetroitWonk
Detroit Wonk writes: It just feels right to be talking about the Tigers. Perhaps it is the promising combination of savvy veterans and up-and-coming youngsters that Dave Dombrowski and the Tigers have assembled. Regardless, the pictures and stories are beginning to surface, as Spring Training has begun.
BUDGET CUTS TO CLOSE EPA LIBRARIES? by GLRC Environmental Report
GLRC Writes: An environmental watchdog group is criticizing President Bush's proposal to slash funding for the Environmental Protection Agency's library system.
Five Things You Need to Know for Monday, March 6, 2006
Oscar Nods: Crash 2: Additional $200 may not be enough for many schools, Driving Miss USA: Billups to be Team USA point guard, Dances With Weather: forecast weather, win prizes (Thanks Great Lakes IT Report)
Group Seeks Michigan Earned Income Credit
The Lansing State Journal reports that the Michigan League for Human Services, a Lansing-based advocacy group, is asking Michigan to follow the lead of many other states and put a state earned income tax credit in place that would significantly decrease the taxes the working poor are asked to pay. Michigan is one of just five states that tax families of four with annual incomes below $14,000 (at the 3.9% Michigan tax rate). The article points out that in 2003, over 1/3 of eligible taxpayers in Michigan didn't file to collect the federal EIC, leaving $214 million in potential credits unclaimed.
Michigan League for Human Services web site Despite Cuts, Spending for Michigan House & Senate Rise
The Lansing State Journal reports that despite several years of cuts in state services and the fact that 21 states have larger legislatures, the Michigan Legislature's spending has continued to rise since 2000, making it the sixth-costliest in the nation. State records show the Legislature's budget has gone up 14 percent since 2000 During the same time, the overall state budget rose 11%.
Orange is the Color of Change
The Detroit Free Press reports that Object Orange, an underground band of Detroit artists, is painting abandoned homes in Detroit, Hamtramck and Highland Park bright orange in a project called Detroit Demolition Disneyland. Area resident Timothy Sims is quoted: "Those houses have been up too long. I don't care what color they are. I'm not looking at the colors. I'm looking at the badness of it ... Crack heads go in there to smoke. Little kids go in and play."
More information at Detroit. Demolition. Disneyland - thedetroiter.com Student Production on Hazards of MySpace Lands Teacher in Hot Water
Brian Dickerson of the Detroit Free Press has more on the video the two St. Clair Shores teens produced for their TV broadcasting class. Neil Willoughby and Scott Sobanski say they wanted to warn their classmates about the hazards of posting personal information on the internet. The video aired last week on Lakeview High School's Silver & Blue Network and featured excerpts from the MySpace Web sites of several Lakeview students and an interview with a 25-year-old Internet user who enjoys trolling the popular Web site to look at photos posted by teenage girls. Following the showing, broadcasting class teacher Devon Fralick was placed on paid administrative leave pending an investigation.
Also see Kids plug in to potential threats in the Lansing State Journal (Instant Messenger, Blogs & Diaries, email - it's a dangerous world) A Few Minutes with Helen Thomas
Michigan Radio's Jack Lessenbery has an excellent interview with United Press International's White House correspondent and Detroit native Helen Thomas. At 85, she has an observation or two to share.
Also see Essay: A Press Conference Fixture |
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