Vanishing Point by e.rabior

Business Week reports that Michigan made some major moves toward high-speed rail yesterday:

A high-speed passenger train service between Chicago and Detroit took two big steps forward Wednesday with a $196.5 million federal grant to Michigan and the state's acquisition of a 135-mile stretch of track.

The U.S. Department of Transportation announced that it has awarded Michigan the funds for signal and track improvements on the rail line between Kalamazoo in western Michigan and Dearborn in suburban Detroit.

..."Investing in rail service will spark economic development in communities along a corridor linking Detroit and Chicago, two vital Midwest cities," Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder said in a statement. "A faster, reliable passenger rail system is a priority for younger generations and vital to Michigan's ability to compete globally as businesses look to locate or expand."

Snyder added that the rail upgrades will speed freight transportation for Ford and other companies. You can read the complete release from the Department of Transportation forecasting that this will create 800 new jobs in Michigan.

You can see the Wolverine in action right here. It's the train that runs three Detroit-Chicago routes daily. That's a neat video showing just how fast a 95 MPH train is, but this fantastic timelapse from 1988 shot with a Super-8 from trainluvr is too good to pass up! Here's Amtrak's Michigan schedule too.

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The UAW and GM bargaining teams negotiate the Treaty of Detroit, 1950 (Photo courtesy of Walter P. Reuther Library, Wayne State University)

As the national debate over universal health care continues, it is instructive to look back to 1950. The “Treaty of Detroit,” signed that year, represents a pivotal moment in the offering of full medical benefits to the American worker.

Pattern Bargaining

Under Walter Reuther, the United Auto Workers (UAW) evolved the negotiating practice of pattern bargaining with the Big Three. In essence, the UAW would pick a strike target among Ford, Chrysler and General Motors (GM) during each negotiating year. The other two companies would match the concessions won by the UAW from the strike target and avert costly strikes at their own factories.

In 1950, the UAW pattern bargaining target was Ford, and among the major issues were pensions and full medical benefits. Ford quickly settled, and, after a 104 day strike, Chrysler agreed as well. GM followed suite. In what was hailed as the “Treaty of Detroit,” all autoworkers at the three carmakers would receive full pensions and full medical care. The trickle down effect was felt across the United States, as companies in the automotive and other industries followed the trend. For the first time, large segments of workers in the United States would have affordable health care, provided through their companies. Individuals and families who couldn’t afford to see a doctor, or for whom a medical emergency was an economic disaster of epic proportions, were now part and parcel of the growing health care system.

Personal Experience

Reuther himself had been forced to use the existing health care system in extreme fashion. He had been the victim of an assassination attempt in his house in northwest Detroit on April 20, 1948. After returning home after a late UAW meeting, Reuther was hit by a shotgun blast through the kitchen window as he was opening the family refrigerator. Wounded in the chest and right arm, Reuther suffered a long process of recovery and knew from first-hand experience the costs associated with the extremes of medical care. No doubt this played heavily on his mind as he negotiated the Treaty of Detroit.

Walter Reuther recuperates after the 1948 attempt on his life. His wife May watches over him. (Photo courtesy of Walter P. Reuther Library, Wayne State University)

For much more about Walter Reuther, visit the Walter P. Reuther Library. Of particular interest is No Greater Calling: The Life of Walter P. Reuther. It was developed to commemorate his 100th birthday and also has text and even audio of speeches, photos and more.

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Golden Sunset on Lake Superior by unifiedphoto

The Detroit Free Press has launched a summer-long feature on the Great Lakes, water and Michigan. It starts with an interesting read by John Gallagher entitled Water shaped Michigan's past: Now it's a key to state's future that looks at the economic impact of the lakes and their potential as a source of new jobs and technology. It begins:

Michigan grew up on the Great Lakes. It can grow anew from their cool, abundant waters -- if they are used wisely and protected.

The greatest natural resource in all of North America and perhaps on our planet, the sweet water seas brought people to Michigan's peninsulas and moved Michigan ore, timber and manufactured goods to markets around the world.

The lake waters nourish our crops, slake our thirst, cool our machinery and change our weather -- sometimes rather abruptly. They provide fun, fish and spectacular vistas for millions of people.

In a world where 1 in every 6 people lacks daily access to fresh water, the Great Lakes are a treasure of immeasurable value.

And yet they have been exploited, depleted and polluted. They are threatened by invaders, foreign and domestic, some already in the waters or on the way, others on dry lands.

Where (in my opinion) it gets interesting and requires a whole lot of thought is the point when you start to think about the Great Lakes as an exportable commodity. When I read things like "Michigan has more water than Saudi Arabia has oil," I get scared. Thankfully there are some positive signs:

In the past year or two, all sorts of efforts have begun in Michigan to create a blue economy -- purifying water, recycling it, measuring how clean or dirty it is and providing water-based expertise to the world. The market for water technology is estimated at $500 billion a year and growing.

"We're sitting on liquid gold," said Dave Egner, director of the New Economy Initiative, a coalition of nonprofit foundations hoping to steer Michigan toward a new economic future.

Read on at the Freep and have a look at the New Economy Initiative as well. If you have the time, check out the trailer for one of my all-time favorite films, Waterlife by Kevin McMahon. It's a spell-binding look at the state of the lakes shot in beautiful HD. The official trailer is below and you can watch a longer version here.

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Thanks Blogging for Michigan for the find!

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Lansing, Michigan, USA by Mario.Q

Next American City partnered with IBM and its SmarterCities initiative to encourage citizens across the nation to share how their cities are addressing the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century. The prize for the city with the most posts to the SmarterCities Scan was a profile on their website, and Lansing, Michigan, blew the competition away. Their profile of Lansing by Ivy Hughes is a great read and shows why Lansing just might be Michigan's most overlooked success story.

For years, various groups have been trying to change the Greater Lansing Region's image as another Rustbelt city, but these efforts have really taken off in the last few years. Kiplinger recently ranked Lansing as one of the “10 Great Cities for Young Adults”; several Greater Lansing Region businesses have made Inc. magazine's 5,000 fastest-growing companies; Michigan State University (MSU) was chosen as the home base for a the $500 million Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) and is ranked only second to MIT in nuclear physics; and, in 2009, MSU made Entrepreneur magazine's list of “Top Colleges for Business.”

penthouse by TerryJohnston

The author lists some of the factors that make Lansing worthy of this honor including Development, Culture, Ideas, Entrepreneurship and Sustainability, saying:

Changing a city best suited for cars into a walkable, bikeable community is, at the very least, a challenge but several organizations are working to increase the number of bike lanes, walkways and shared use paths. The region's bus system, CATA, is one of most effective transportation systems among communities similar in size to the Greater Lansing Region and is a major player in the effort to shift the ratio of cars to people on the street. Discussions regarding the incorporation of a light rail system into the region's long-term transportation plan have just begun.

Sustainability is the driving force behind these transportation efforts and is the catalyst for the region's vast community garden network and the inspiration for the city's first urban garden — Urbandale farm. Many neighborhood organizations are working to increase the visibility and viability of sustainable eating in the region.

They close with:

...a big thank you to the groups continuing to make the Greater Lansing Region a place we all want to be. They are: #lovelansing, Capital Area Michigan Works!, Accelerate Lansing, YSG Lansing, Capital Gains Media, Keep Learning, LEAP, Grand River Connection, Mid-Michigan Tweet Ups, Prima Civitas, Impression 5, City of East Lansing, NOISE, MSU Catalyst, Walk and Bike Lansing; Greater Lansing Business Monthly; Help Make Mid-Michigan Walk and Bike Friendly!; Lansing Walking & Bicycling Task Force; Arts Council; Lansing Happy Hour Club; and a plethora of hardworking neighborhood associations.

Read more at Next American City and also check out the Lansing tag at Smarter Cities for some of the Capital City's many assets! There are videos there highlighting all kinds of things about the Greater Lansing area such as the many festivals which draw over 1/2 million people a year to the region and this one from Greater Lansing. While it's definitely idealized, it shows the amazing range of offerings the region holds.

Greater Lansing from Leap, Inc. on Vimeo.

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Skyline: Lansing, Michigan, USA by Mario.Q

Spotted in the Lansing State Journal today, Kiplinger magazine Lansing has been identified as one of 10 great cities for young adults. Ranking right along side the notable locations of Austin, TX, Charlotte, N.C., Chicago, IL, Kansas City, MO, New York, NY, Portland, OR, Salt Lake City, UT and Washington, D.C.. The criteria used to identify the cities were 6 key questions.

1. Will I find good work there?
2. Who lives there?
3. What colleges and universities does the city offer?
4. How much is rent?
5. How is the commute?
6. Will I have fun there?

From LSJ.com:

The "Love Lansing" contingent is growing, with a well-known financial group touting the Michigan city as one of the best places for young people.

Lansing has been named one of "10 great cities for young adults" by financial news organization Kiplinger.

They promote their town on Twitter with the keyword "#LoveLansing," talk about it during networking events and defend their decision to live here to their peers in other cities.

And now, they have something to back it up.

Kiplinger's made note of Lansing's cheap rent well below the national average, a respectable bar and club scene, high-paying job opportunities in bio and Internet technologies and an average commute of only 20 minutes.

Michigan's capital is a little-known hotbed for young professionals," Kiplinger said. "Granted, this Great Lakes community can't quite compare to the larger cities on our list in terms of job prospects or things to do. But it has a relatively low cost of living. And its youthful population, downtown renewal projects, and emerging technology sector make Lansing a stand-out in mid-sized cities.

Read the entire article here.

The Grand Rapids Press at mlive.com also has an article on the ranking: Is Lansing the coolest city for young people in Michigan? Kiplinger says so

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The other day Ferris State President David Eisler dropped by Absolute Michigan Radio the other day to talk about new programs the university is offering, in Big Rapids and at locations around the state of Michigan.

Ferris is the fastest growing public university in Michigan right now. Listen to learn about how they're doing that through partnerships with community colleges, online education and specialized degrees like music industry management, cyber-security and alternative energy that are available through FSU and build upon needs and assets in communities around the state.

Play: Ferris State University NMC Summit
(click title to listen)

With: David Eisler

Sponsored by: Absolute Michigan

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In our first Absolute Michigan Radio feature co-sponsored by Traverse Legal, we talk with Traverse City Chamber of Commerce director Doug Luciani about Pure Michigan and its impact on Business.

If you're supportive of Pure Michigan, please call your lawmakers today! Here are links to the Michigan House of Representatives, Michigan Senate and Michigan Governor!

Childs Play by Arace

Play: AbsoluteMichigan Radio - TC Area Chamber of Commerce President Doug Luciani on Pure Michigan Campaign Funding
(click title to listen)

With: Doug Luciani

Sponsored by: Absolute Michigan , Traverse Internet Law

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Mulligans Hollow, photo by GH Patriot.

I had originally thought about a more sober and reflective photo as we head into 2010, but when I saw this one in the Absolute Michigan pool this morning, I changed my mind.

I don't think that anyone can deny that the first decade of the 21st century has been a brutal one for Michigan. We've lost a staggering amount of jobs, countless public services and tens of thousands of residents.

While we probably have farther to fall, it feels to me like we're reaching the point where we'll have to readjust to the world as it is and make some changes in what we do and the way we do it in Michigan.

My mood as we head into 2010? Happy. Hopeful. Ready for some hard work.

How about you?

View this photo bigger or check out his whole Mulligans Hollow slideshow for more big air.

PS: If you're looking for something to do tonight, here's Absolute Michigan's New Year's Eve Happenings.

PPS: Governor Granholm has proclaimed January as Michigan Snow Sports Month. I hear that Absolute Michigan will be something with that.

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Guardian by Ralph Krawczyk Jr

Our years of neglect of the ongoing structural problems in our budget has left Michigan in a position where we're cutting all kinds of services drastically. When you're taking millions from classrooms, public safety and basic human services for our most needy, it's hard to advocate against cuts for the arts.

However, after watching this video from ArtServe Michigan, that looks at the jobs & economic impact of the arts and the bigger picture of how art & civilization work together, I have to say that Michigan needs to think long and hard about how we will foster art & culture in these challenging times.

What do you think? Watch the video and comment below or over on the ArtServe blog.

Also check out the 4400 plus "art" slideshow in the Absolute Michigan pool.

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"I am standing awkwardly by caterpillars

Over half of all Michigan's public university graduates leave the state within one year of graduation. Michigan Radio Intern Lauren Silverman will probably be one of them. Lauren has launched a new series for Michigan Radio called Generation Y Michigan that explores why young adults in Generation Y are or aren't leaving Michigan. You can hear them during Morning Edition (M-F, 5-9 am) and All Things Considered (M-F, 4-6:30 pm) throughout the following several weeks.

In addition to the on-air features, there's also a blog at GenerationYMichigan.org where listeners can discuss this issue, take part in polls, and view supplementary articles, photographs and essays on the topic. It includes great features like Where Generation Y Is Headed and Why They Leave. In addition to Lauren's posts, there are also some from guest bloggers. I thought it was pretty cool that I found a now generation Y student from my hometown asking provocative questions about whether you actually leave Michigan, even when you do:

...Exposure to other environments should not be confused with brain drain. Michigan needs people who care about it but who also have perspective about how things are done in other cultures outside of Michigan, no matter how close or far.

In my opinion, convincing native young minds to stay might not always work. But travelers from distant places should know that Michigan offers opportunity. I can't put my finger on it, but I've sensed it more and more over the past few years. There's a burgeoning energy here. The cost of living isn't bad, and we have at least one of everything! If it's intelligence you crave, Ann Arbor was named the 4th smartest city in the U.S. in 2008 by Forbes.com. If it's natural beauty you want, we have 3,052 miles of Great Lakes shoreline. When you're in Michigan, it's hard to get more than a few hours away from any one of the lakes.

Furthermore, Michigan stays with you as you go. Everyone I speak to who leaves misses it. Michigan invites your return. Even if I leave after I graduate, Michigan will stay with me.

We'll close with a cool slideshow about why they leave and urge you to visit generationYmichigan.org for much more!

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The Nature Bar by SCOTTS WORLD

Time, Inc. bought a house in Detroit:

Why would we ever do such a thing? Because we believe that Detroit right now is a great American story. No city has had more influence on the country's economic and social evolution. Detroit was the birthplace of both the industrial age and the nation's middle class, and the city's rise and fall — and struggle to rise again — are a window into the challenges facing all of modern America. From urban planning to the crisis of manufacturing, from the lingering role of race and class in our society to the struggle for better health care and education, it's all happening at its most extreme in the Motor City. (Read TIME's Detroit stories.)

As a story, Detroit has been misunderstood, underreported, stereotyped, avoided and exploited for decades. To get it right, we decided to become stakeholders. Over the next year, we intend to flood the D-zone with journalists, photographers, videographers and bloggers from TIME and TIME.com, Fortune and Fortune.com, CNNMoney.com, Money, even Sports Illustrated. Some will live in the house — dubbed the "D-Shack" after Detroit-area native Kid Rock dropped by with a housewarming gift of a Gothic D (for the mantel) plus a keg of his Badass Beer — and others will stay there while reporting.

Beautiful View - MCS by MikeRyu

With questions such as "How do you survive in Detroit" (below) and What do you love or hate about Detroit answered by city residents and profiles from the Telway Diner's 85 cent burgers to urban farming supported by the kind of in-depth reporting (and national audience) that one of the world's largest news organizations can bring, I really think we'll find Assignment Detroit to be a phenomenal boon for Detroit and all of Michigan.

Be sure to visit Assignment Detroit to watch and read and explore Michigan's largest city through fresh eyes.

You might also stay tuned to AbsoluteMichigan.com/Detroit for features on the Motor City and definitely check out the Detroit Slideshow from the Absolute Michigan pool on Flickr (most recent).

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Today I'm at the Michigan Downtown Conference in Lansing. This morning I'll be posting some updates from the conference as I'm able. This afternoon I'm on a panel with Julielyn Gibbons, Ryan Knott and Bigby Coffee co-founder Bob Fish, talking about new media marketing and promoting our downtowns.

capital evening by cmu chem prof

Downtown Lansing

Flash back to last night at 9 PM. I checked into the Radisson and then went out to walk around downtown Lansing. I spent some time talking to a guard at the city jail about the "vibe" downtown (or lack thereof).   She said that when there are events, the area is humming but that on nights when there's no planned festivities, it's ghostly.

Over on Facebook, Bill Palladino noted that in his travels, state capitols are seldom (Austin TX, go get a drink of water)   happening places. Richard pointed out several others that were doing well. In any case, I think there's something a little sad about a city that is supposed to be the heart of Michigan with shuttered storefronts, perpetually torn up sidewalks and lack of life.

Durant Hotel by detroitsky

Dan Kildee, Keynote Speaker

"Our ability to make progress is determined in large part by our ability to work together"

Dan Kildee is the Genessee County Treasurer and director of the Genessee County Land Bank who has worked to use Michigan's new foreclosure law for community development and neighborhood stabilization. He's also pretty proud that he drew Rush Limbaugh's ire for his plan to reduce the size of Flint (and ultimately cities across the country) to reduce their size and increase the ability to deliver services.

Dan notes that even in our terrible economy, it's easier to build on a green field than to reinvest in our cities. He says that Michigan's foreclosure system had a large role in creating our downtown problems by setting up a system that rewarded speculators. Now, he says, the system allows cities to treat urban land as if it has value and to apply community values and vision.

He had a very interesting talk in which he looked at the toolbox that is available to Michigan downtowns and some success stories from Flint including the redevelopment of the Durant Hotel in Flint as rental housing for students and young professionals. He notes that 70% of Michigan's population lives on 8% of the land and that an overwhelming 97% of Michiganians feel that redevelopment in existing urban centers is preferable to building new. With a decent set of tools, he says all that's missing is a bias on the part of lawmakers and our laws to support this pattern of development.

Lansing Mayor Virg Benaro asked us to close our eyes and imagine when the auto industry was in its heyday and how we built great cities during that time. Now, as the auto industry contracts we are still left with these great cities, but what are we doing to preserve and restore them. He then talked about how East Lansing and Lansing - two one horse towns driven by MSU and the Capitol could be 10 times the city if they worked together. He also called for cities and their surrounding communities to cooperate and build the brand of Lansing, Grand Rapids, Detroit and other cities.

Why Live in Detroit? by Derek Farr

Niche Marketing: Success through creativity and collaboration

A panel with Elissa Sangalli Hillary (Executive Director of Local First in Grand Rapids),
Claire Nelson (Co-Owner & Operator of the Bureau of Urban Living & cofounder (with Liz Blondy) of Open City Detroit) and Liz Blondy (Founder of Canine to Five Detroit Dog Daycare) talking about what they do and how small business can be a driver of vibrant downtowns.

Elissa noted a commonly cited statistic (view graphic) that shows 73% of dollars spent at a local business stay in the community as compared to 43% if you spend your money at a national chain. She discussed some strategies they are using to give small businesses access to pooled advertising and purchasing.

Claire talked about her small business and how Detroit offered an opportunity to start a business that would have been impossible in New York City where she moved from. She talked about the importance of creating a climate that's business friendly and also - through events and collaboration - draws folks to burgeoning downtowns. She also drew a laugh by noting that small business in Detroit doesn't face too many threats from national chain stores.

When Liz Blondy came on I lost wireless, making me again think that about the best thing a downtown can do is to deliver a free wireless cloud. She explained her philosophy of focusing on free networking and and promotional efforts rather than exclusively advertising. Small actions like referring waiting customers to another business to pass the time cost nothing and reap big rewards. Wireless is apparently back.

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Saline Summer Sunflower Super Set...Sweet by Andy Tanguay

Throughout each month we post items of Michicentric interest to our Michitwitter page. In case you missed them here is a look back at just a few of those items for the month of August. If you find these interesting there are plenty more for you to check out. We encourage you to add any news items, events, links to vids, podcasts or whatever you find interesting about the Great Lakes State!

The photo featured in this post in from the Absolute Michigan flickr pool and is by Andy Tanguay. Andy has the following to say regarding his photo "Saline Summer Sunflower Super Set":

You know, I think a monkey hopped up on PCP could take a nice shot in this location. So here's mine...Ooo Ooo ooo Oooo ah ah ah.

A sunflower farm just west of Saline Mi at sun down. Literally miles and miles of blooming sunflowers right at their peak. The farmers are nice enough to post a sign saying help yourself to pictures, just don't take any flowers. The farmer came out to greet us. I guess all these go to feed...like bird seed and such.

We'd like to draw attention to two new excellent festivals that were held at the Grand Traverse Commons. Both the Traverse City Wine & Art Festival and the Traverse City Microbrew & Music Festival were great successes and we encourage to check them out next year!

A Sampling from Michitwitter August 2009

The ongoing discussion of urban farming continues as mlive.com reports in - Food among the ruins: A compelling argument for urban farming in Detroit

Detroit may be the best positioned city in the world to become a totally self-sufficient city, according to investigative historian Mark Dowie.

In a piece this month for Guernica magazine, Dowie suggests that a combination of unique factors and opportunities make Detroit a prime location for urban farming to flourish.

With electric vehicles greatly gaining momentum as the future of the auto industry, Michigan is poised to reap big rewards and jobs. The freep.com reports - Battery grants could mean big job boost for Michigan

Michigan stands to get $1.36 billion of a $2.4-billion federal grant program designed to spur manufacturing of batteries and other components for electric vehicles in the United States, creating up to 6,800 jobs in the next 18 months and up to 40,000 in the state over the next 11 years.

The Freep also unveiled the much anticipated Chevy Volt and it's mind blowing projected m.pg. rating. Read - GM touts Volt with 230 m.p.g. city rating

The electric-drive Chevrolet Volt is expected to get a rating of at least 230 miles per gallon in city driving, General Motors Co. announced this morning.

The results come as GM pushes to bring the new technology to market in late next year. Later this week, the company is officially announcing its battery assembly pack plant in Brownstown Township.

The world lost a legend that had Michigan ties specifically in Kalamazoo. Read Legendary guitar-maker Les Paul left mark in Kalamazoo on mlive.com.

When Gibson Guitar's Parsons Street factory cranked out its last Les Paul guitar, Marvin Lamb had to have it.

Lamb started working for Gibson in 1956, at age 16.

He hand-drilled holes in the tops of early Les Pauls to screw in the stop tailpiece. He installed the first tune-o-matic bridges on the single-cutaway, solid-body guitars.

He sweated at 225 Parsons St., on Kalamazoo's north side, in the late 1960s and early 1970s, when Gibson employees made 200 to 300 Les Pauls a day.

Michigan's film incentive program is being debated and WZZM13.com brings us up to date in their article Bad for Michigan? Lawmaker wants to eliminate film incentive.

A battle over whether to keep Michigan's film incentives is about to begin at the state Capitol.

Tuesday morning, several production workers will rally in Lansing to show legislators that they believe the incentives are worth continuing.

Proponents of the film incentive program have strong views of why it needs to stay. Read Backers say talk of film credit cuts costing Michigan in the Detroit News.

Film executives and producers say talk in Lansing of reducing or eliminating Michigan's aggressive film tax incentive is causing Hollywood's bankrollers to hesitate before investing in the Great Lakes State.

Already, industry insiders say, the state has lost hundreds of millions in film spending to other states since talk of cutting or scrapping the credit surfaced late last year, a charge led by Sen. Nancy Cassis, R-Novi, chairwoman of the State Finance Committee. Others warn that cutting the credit could push business away from Michigan's fledgling industry simply because there hasn't been enough time to build a sufficient infrastructure -- studios and such -- capable of supporting long-term business.

Michigan rock-roll bad boy Kid Rock is pure Michigan and continues to put his money where his mouth is. Check out Kid Rock chips in $20K to rev up Arts, Beats & Eats in the Freep.

Kid Rock has stepped up with a crucial assist for Arts, Beats & Eats.

The Oakland County rocker has invested about $20,000 in sponsor funds via his fashion line, Made in Detroit, helping defray costs for one of the area's signature fests.

AB&E, which runs Sept. 4-7 in downtown Pontiac, had lost more than $400,000 in funding this year, mostly because of Chrysler's pullout from its title sponsor role.

Also check out the vid below, "Kid Rock: Detroit's angel?" from cnn.com.

In a move that dumbfounded local residents Peta announced that they want to commandeer Grand Haven's lighthouse to promote vegetarianism and the unethical treatment of fish. The Detroit News reports PETA wants Grand Haven lighthouses for fish empathy center.

Grand Haven's Lake Michigan lighthouses are the prime location sought by an animal rights group for its anti-fishing campaign headquarters.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has applied through a federal program to take over the structures and lighted catwalk that are frequently photographed for dramatic sunsets, thick winter ice and crashing waves.

The area gets nearly 2 million annual visitors, including anglers casting lines into the Grand River channel and heading out in boats for Great Lakes salmon.

"We want to renovate the Grand Haven lights as a memorial to the billions of fish killed annually by sport fishermen, as well as for their flesh (commercial fishing industry)," said Lindsey Rajt, manager of PETA's campaigns department. "We also want to make it a fun and educational place."

AJ's Music Cafe in Ferndale made the Guinness Book of World Records in August. Read Ferndale cafe sets record for longest concert in the Detroit News.

A little cafe in downtown Ferndale has set a Guinness World Record.

AJ's Music Cafe was notified Wednesday that its 288-hour Assembly Line Concert, held in March to promote awareness of American automakers, set a new Guinness World Record for the longest continuous concert by multiple artists.

Automakers recently saw some positive movement which is good news for Michigan. Read J.D. Power predicts U.S. auto sales will hit 1 million in August.

A leading automotive research company is predicting that U.S. monthly auto sales will rise above the 1 million mark for the first time this year in August, due mainly to the government's Cash for Clunkers program.

If you like apples 2009 is offering up a bumper crop. Check out Michigan apple harvest quite the treat in the Detroit News.

Branches of Michigan apple trees are bowing under the weight of the healthiest crop in at least 10 years.

Ideal weather conditions -- cool temperatures and lots of rain -- have apple growers anticipating one of the state's best seasons since the 1990s, according to the Michigan Apple Committee, and that could mean lower prices at the grocery store.

The Detroit News reports some good news for the Great Lakes in their article $1 billion proposed in 2010 for Great Lakes restoration.

Congress is poised to nearly double its funding commitment to the Great Lakes, adding up to $475 million for restoration that would deter invasive species, clean up polluted sites and create jobs in Michigan and the region.

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The Mason House c 1872 in Carriage Town by mansardroofsf

The New York Times has taken note of an area in Flint called Carriage Town that is making a comeback due to some industrious and motivated homeowners. In the midst of an otherwise impoverished area and dire economic circumstances these people are taking advantage of real estate deals and restoring the beautiful old homes that make up the area. The article Faded Glory: Polishing Flint's Jewels also notes that as people move in businesses follow and once again becomes a community.

In a city that is synonymous with faded American industrial and automotive power, Carriage Town's success is both unexpected and inspiring. A persistent group of long-term urban homesteaders — along with newer arrivals eager to live near a downtown showing signs of life — has restored dozens of Victorian-era houses and buildings in the last 20 years. While many Flint neighborhoods feel all but abandoned, in Carriage Town home ownership has increased 10 percent over the last decade, according to Census data.

In a worldwide recession, development projects with more than $47 million in public and private financing are in progress or recently completed in the 30-square-block Carriage Town area, including the conversion of the derelict Berridge Hotel into lofts and the ongoing renovation of the long-vacant Durant Hotel into 93 apartments and commercial space. There are even plans for a neighborhood grocery store.

But there's no denying that Carriage Town is a work in progress, and that those who call it home must deal with challenges like speculators, abandoned houses and lack of code enforcement by the cash-strapped city.

For more images of Flin't Carriage Town check out this slideshow from Flickr...

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This Sunday (July 12) from 9 AM - 8 PM Mirror Dog Productions (MDP), a new independent production company based in Michigan with an office in Los Angeles will hold "Dreamin' Big", a Hollywood Block Party focused on promoting Michigan made products,businesses, and charities and to give employment opportunities for Michiganders who are hoping to break into Michigan's film industry.

In addition to raising money for United Way of Southeast Michigan's Basic Needs family assistance program, through a silent auction fundraiser featuring "Experience Michigan" packages, the event will also allow potential cast and crew for MDP's film "Fair Chase" to apply. Fair Chase is a romantic comedy with ties to Michigan history that is scheduled to begin filming in Michigan this fall.

MDP President Kim Marie is looking forward to the party and says that everything just came together with sponsors pitching in to provide Michigan food, wine and services for the benefit. She says that the event will also kick off the national Dreamin' Big contest that will allow one lucky aspiring actor to receive makeup and hair work, head shots, work with an acting coach and a role in the film! There will also be an opportunity for a 2nd prize winner to be part of the crew and a 3rd prize winner who will have all-access pass to see what happens behind the scenes on a movie production.

"Four years ago I started writing letters to the governor and even before the film incentives came through I was planning to move my business back to Michigan," Kim explained. "I think that our contest and production will help demonstrate that Michigan has the talent, technology and locations to support the development of an entertainment industry that can be part of a diversified economy."

Dreamin' Big will be held downtown on the northwest corner of Hall Road (M-59) and Van Dyke (M-53). It is located in western central Macomb County, 12 miles north of Detroit, and 11 miles east of Pontiac. Please visit the City of Utica's website for map and parking and check out Absolute Michigan's Film Page for more articles about the Michigan Film industry.

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UK Solar Power Experiment by david.nikonvscanon

The Michigan Energy Fair returns to the Manistee County Fairgrounds in Onekama June 26-28, 2009. This year is the 4th annual and the weekend offers a chance learn all about how alternative energy can and is working in Michigan.

The Traverse City Record-Eagle reports:

This marks the fourth annual event and as many as 8,000 visitors are expected between June 26 and 28.

Keynote speaker will be Larry Flowers from the U.S. Department of Energy and special tours are planned, including the first Michigan-made wind system in Manistee County and a LEED-certified home tour in Kingsley. The event will conclude with wine tasting at the Douglas Valley Farm, vineyards and organic winery and cheese factory.

Lighthouse Colors by oliviaburger08

It's fitting that the Energy Fair is held in Manistee County as it's been identified as one of the best locations for wind energy in Michigan:

The Wind Energy Resource Zone Board, created by the Legislature in an energy package passed last year, has identified the four that would be best for wind farm development. (see wind maps)

The areas are Allegan County; portions of Benzie, Leelanau and Manistee counties; portions of Antrim and Charlevoix counties, and parts of the Thumb counties of Huron, Sanilac, Tuscola, Bay and Saginaw.

Michigan Energy Fair Links

Recap of the 2008 Michigan Energy Fair

Get lodging, dining and visitor information for Manistee and Onekama from Absolute Michigan

Recap of the 2007 Michigan Energy Fair

Recap of the 2006 Michigan Energy Fair

The Michigan land Use Institute reports on the 2007 Michigan Energy Fair (with video) and also on the 2006 Michigan Energy Fair.

Check Absolute Michigan keyword energy for a gigawatt more related links and articles.

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Crooked Tree Arts Center by joseph a

Jennifer Guerra of Michigan Radio recently took a trip to northwest Michigan and produced three features on how organizations & individuals are dealing with economic challenges titled Up North in a Down Economy.

In addition to a story on the bright spot of growth that is the region's wine industry, she explored how people and nonprofit organizations are adapting. A Nonprofit Cafe Grows in Ellsworth looks at how folks in Ellsworth have banded together in the face of 16% unemployment to create a nonprofit, volunteer run cafe. In Arts Groups Press On Despite Recession, she documents how regional nonprofits are reacting to plummeting dollars by working together:

"The idea of that partnering has become greater and greater over time because there are limited dollars," says Murphy. "Even in a wonderful place like this where people support the arts, there's a limit to how many dollars there are."

In order to save money, Murphy convinced three other nonprofit arts groups, including the Traverse Symphony Orchestra, to pool there money together and create a website called TREAT. The group shares all the advertising and ticketing costs. People can just log on to one site, they can buy tickets there, and find out about all the arts events that are going on in the region.

If you have the time, I definitely encourage you to check out all three!

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I read the news today, oh boy. by Alana M. Layer

Like many in Michigan, I felt a profound sense of shock and unreality at yesterday's filing by GM for bankruptcy. It will probably come as a surprise to no one that Michigan will feel the brunt of the effects:

In the latest round of cutbacks, announced Monday as part of GM's historic move to file for bankruptcy, an estimated 8,900 jobs will be lost at GM facilities in Pontiac, Orion Township, Livonia, Flint, and Ypsilanti Township. The cuts will follow the closure of a Grand Rapids stamping plant on Friday that employed hundreds more. Nationwide, GM plans to eliminate 21,000 jobs at 14 plants, plus three warehouses, in eight states.

Michigan's share of the total job loss: 42 percent. And that doesn't count the trickle-down impact on suppliers, stores, real estate and other segments of the state's economy.

descent by b.plus

Your source for information on the Carpocalypse, Jalopnik, has a map of GM plant closures and a list of the 10 vehicles they think bankrupted GM. The Detroit Free Press lists what we know and what we don't, and Tom Walsh looks at the GM that might emerge from bankruptcy. Bloomberg looks at how little the nation appears to care about GM's bankruptcy and says that although the 2 month strike on GM in 1970 had major impacts, the nationwide effect of this filing will probably be a lot less:

...GM has been reducing payrolls for three decades. Its U.S. employment peaked in 1979 at 618,365, when it was the nation's largest private employer and auto manufacturing accounted for 4.1 percent of GDP. At the end of this year's first quarter, autos were 1.5 percent of the economy, and GM had 88,000 U.S. workers.

In Requiem for the General, Jack Lessenberry muses about General Motors' Albert Sloan and his slogan "a car for every purse and purpose" and that he doesn't think that any of GM's most vocal critics like Ralph Nader and Michael Moore ever through they'd see this. Of course Raph Nader and Michael Moore have something to say that I think you will find interesting and perhaps a little unexpected.

The Wall Street Journal headline blares GM Collapses Into Government's Arms and notes that General Motors will be removed from the Dow Jones Industrial Average (to be replaced by Cisco). The New York Times looks ahead with the ad campaign for the "new" GM which is already under way. They had a link to a YouTube video which appears to have been removed. You can see the video (replete with iconic imagery) and also read GM's FAQ on their bankruptcy at GMreinvention.com.

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I came across this very cool photo from the heyday of the American auto industry yesterday. It's interesting to me to think about how deeply our nation identified with the manufacturing and innovation represented by these cars and how much goodwill Ford, GM & Chrysler were able to squander with ill-advised production.

Slowly, it appears that they are earning it back. The Freep reports on yesterday's Ford Motor Company announcement of plans to retool their Michigan Truck plant in Wayne:

Ford is in the process of transforming Michigan Assembly, previously known as Michigan Truck, from a plant that previously built large SUV's into a plant that will build the compact European version of the Ford Focus starting next year. And, starting in 2011, Ford plans to begin building an electric version of the Ford Focus.

...“We are fighting for the soul of manufacturing in Michigan, in the United States of America and worldwide,” Mulally said.

Ford said the electric version of the Focus will be powered by a lithium-ion battery pack with a targeted range of 100 miles and can be recharged through a 120-volt or 240-volt electrical outlet.

You can read about the 47 MPG Fusion Hybrid at Ford and also check out this video on the Fusion:

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Morels ! by cedarkayak

The latest issue of Midwest Living feature on the Best Midwest Food Towns served up a platefull of restaurants in our region that might entice the culinary tourist. Their editors selected Traverse City as the #2 town and Ann Arbor #3. Also featured were a collection of recipes from Traverse City including Morel Mushroom Cream Sauce With Pasta and a Creme Fraiche from Shetler's Dairy.

The Detroit City Council's proposal to demolish Michigan Central Station as a means to bring in Federal stimulus dollars seemed to many to have all the brilliance of a plan to get rich quick by selling both your kidneys. Now the Detroit News reports that developer Manuel (Matty) Moroun is proposing to lease Michigan Central Station to the United States government for redevelopment. The Department of Homeland Security offices for Customs and Border Protection are seeking to lease almost 50,000 square feet of space in the Detroit area to house personnel.

Of surprise to nobody - outside of State government at least - the Detroit News is reporting that Michigan's agricultural industry is bucking the trend of decline:

The state's overall agricultural industry -- which includes not only farming but also food processing and biofuels, wineries and beer-making -- grew 12 percent to $71.3 billion in revenue in 2007, following several years of single-digit growth; 2008 figures are not yet available.

...Some 100 agri-food businesses have started in Michigan during the past five years, according to the MDA.

Imagine what we could do if we really invested in building and promoted our agricultural bounty.

Edward Vielmetti has a tasty post that includes Michigan's morel festivals and the book How to Find Morels by Milan Pelouch. Even more about morels at Absolute Michigan keyword morel!

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Planet Detroit by paulhitz

National Public Radio's "Morning Edition" is currently running a series titled "Remaking Michigan, Retooling Detroit" which explores Detroit's struggle to regain vitality in the face of seemingly insurmountable economic conditions. It shows that there is beacon of hope out there if approached with creative, innovative thought mixed thoroughly with a good dose of bold entrepreneurship and commitment.

Once in a while
you get shown the light
in the strangest of places
if you look at it right

~Robert Hunter

Michigan, the national leader in recession, depends on an auto industry that will never be as big as it was. So how does the Detroit area diversify? Who's hiring, or investing in something new? Morning Edition reports on Detroit's desperate race to replace the jobs that the automakers eliminate.

Features in the NPR series include:

Kalamazoo: A Potential Beacon for Detroit?

Detroit Industry: The Murals of Diego Rivera

Scholar: It's Time For The Post Automotive Era

Smaller Firms May Come To Michigan's Rescue

Michigan, Detroit Prep Themselves For A New Era

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Geithner then went on to lay out an innovative plan wherein all bonuses and pay for financial companies would now be paid in autos from the struggling Big Three. "We recognize that the major problem facing the car companies is that too few people are buying cars right now, both due to economic uncertainty and the fact that it's pretty much impossible to get a loan right now, at least until we give the banks another couple hundred billion. That's the beauty of this plan: the Government will buy cars from the Big Three which we will then turn around and give to financial companies, spurring demand and sales of pent-up inventory."

Recently ousted General Motors CEO Rick Wagoner expressed support for the plan and remided everyone to come on down this Saturday & Sunday for their 'Buy one, get one free' Sales Event.

AIG CEO Edward Liddy, reached at his private island fortress, responded "This is an outrage. We're trying to untangle the largest financial mess in history here and now the government is stepping in and trying to tell us how to pay the people who created this mess. Do you have any idea what kind of mind it takes to fritter away $173 billion? There's a lot more coming and can't just pull in any schmuck off the street and expect them to be able to blow it."

The office of Citibank's Vikram Pandit responded that while Pandit was unable to offer comment because he was busy deciding between "the red yacht or the blue one," he did feel that a partial payment in Hummers might be acceptable, especially if they could be charged to Citi's new Ratejacker line of credit cards.

If you liked this....

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Massive trade sends Legislature, Governor to Guam - things are looking up for Michigan and the Tigers

Five Things You Need to Know for Friday, April 1st, 2005 (Google, Izzo, Michael Moore & more)

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Extra! Extra! by E. Brow

The story earlier this week that the Ann Arbor News would be ceasing publication caught many by surprise. Michigan Radio's Jack Lessenberry (who also wrote an essay on newspapers last week) writes that he was shocked by the announcement:

Not downsizing, not going to Internet-only publication. Closing, as in, going out of business. This is a newspaper that has been publishing continually under one name or another since 1835.

That's before Michigan was a state. That was before the University of Michigan moved to Ann Arbor. The paper brought the outside world, from the Mexican War to the moon landings, into Ann Arbor for more than 150 years before there was a World Wide Web.

Yet in the end, the web killed the newspaper. Killed it, in large part, because classified advertising migrated to the internet.

The newspaper, like other newspapers all over the nation, speeded its death by putting its content on the web for free. To young readers, paying for a newspaper is as alien a concept as paying to see the clouds in the sky.

It's not just Ann Arbor, as the New York Times reports - 4 Michigan markets will lose their daily paper. The Center for Michigan details in their look at Michigan's amazing disappearing newspapers. Their eye-opening report includes information on Booth newspapers requesting some employees take 50% pay cuts and their thoughts on the matter.   They also linked to Ann Arbor News columnist Jo Mathis, who wrote the column she never wanted to write this week as she watched TV news crews film her building. She writes:

Most people don't realize how much of the news you see online or on TV or hear on the radio started with a newspaper reporter. But we've seen it time after time. We hear the words we've written recited on local radio. Not long ago The Detroit News reported about the crazy low cost of housing in Detroit. The next day, the "CBS Evening News" reported the same thing. Coincidence? Doubtful.

And it's also not just Michigan. Advertising Age's Bob Garfield writes that the situation is downright apocalyptic. He doesn't see it getting better anytime soon, either. The problem, he says, is that:

The (New York) Times and 99% of its brethren opted to give away all content in exchange for audience, neglecting to understand two structural facts of online life: 1) Nobody clicks on ads, because why would they? 2) The virtually infinite supply of online ad inventory will always depress the price even the best publisher can fetch. Always. Immutably. Forever. Mass media thrived on the economics of scarcity. The internet represents an economy of unending abundance.

As Philadelphia Inquirer and Daily News boss Brian Tierney told me at the end of January, "Clearly a free internet model online -- if you build it, they will come -- I don't think is working for media like ours. ... I think we're going to have to start to find a way to charge for it and not just rely on advertising."

Garfield tours all media in this very thorough article and concludes that "We have the audience. All we need is a business model."

In a recent feature, Interlochen Public Radio's Linda Steffen recently had a talked with some folks in the industry about the future. She notes that although more and more we expect our news for free, journalists cost money. The program features Dave Paulson of the Knight Center for Environmental Journalism and Michael Casuscelli, publisher of the Traverse City Record-Eagle. It strikes an optimistic tone and is well worth a listen.

At the end of this rambling stroll through an industry that might be dead before it hits the ground, I'm leftfeeling a little bit miffed that the media that I've dedicated the last decade plus of my life to is somehow the new Love Boat or the Elephant Graveyard - the place where washed out media goes to die.

I'm also wondering if a lot of what we're seeing is an industry that is way too big for the internet box it's trying to pour itself into. And of course, what you think.

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Registrants can save at least $25 by signing up today for the $110 early registration fee. The registration fee increases to $135 from April 1-May 4. Registration on the day of the event, if still available, will be $185. A limited number of student registrations are still available for only $35 for college and high school students as well.

The conference seeks to encourage workforce development and economic growth, showcase Michigan as a state that is embracing green economy and to provide a networking platform to build relationships and public/private partnerships in Michigan's green sectors. The agenda includes a panel discussion with Apollo Alliance Director Kate Gordon and numerous breakout session that explore what people all over Michigan are doing today and where we might go. The keynote speaker appears to have been a fortuitous choice:

“One reason we decided to extend the deadline is the fact we received exciting news this week that our keynote speaker, Van Jones, was tapped by the Obama administration as a Special Advisor for Green Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation,” said DELEG Director Stanley Pruss. “We know that people are excited more than ever about hearing how Michiganders of all socio-economic backgrounds can be a part of the new green economy.”

Jones believes it's time to create the Clean Energy Corps - a modern version of FDR's Civilian Conservation Corps. He will be working on the President's agenda of creating 21st century jobs that improve energy efficiency and utilize renewable resources and will also help to shape and advance the Administration's energy and climate initiatives with a specific interest in improvements and opportunities for vulnerable communities.

Looks like an interesting conference for anyone who is seeking to get involved in the growing "green wave" that is building in Michigan and across the country - register today!

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windmill (sepia) by idiot_girl

In Training Turbine Installers: A Michigan First, the blog Got2BeGreen tipped us off to:

A school in southwest Michigan called Kalamazoo Valley Community College is launching a first-of-its-kind program to train people to install wind turbines. If you want to get one of those green jobs that Van Jones and the others keep talking about, you might want to sign up.

...the KVCC Wind Turbine Technician Academy program is set to begin in October. It will run for 26 weeks, be based on a European certification standard and train people in the installation, commissioning, operation and maintenance of commercial-scale turbines, according to the Kalamazoo Gazette.

From the Gazette's article:

There is a similar program to it in Alberta, Canada, but when this program launches in October through KVCC's Michigan Technical Education Center, it will be the only one like it in the United States, said Jim DeHaven, vice president for economic and business development for KVCC.

"People are going to be coming from all over the country to get into this class because the waiting list is so long in Alberta," DeHaven said.

"It's going to put us on the national and international map," he said.

The article also notes that KVCC will be offering a program starting this summer to teach people to service commercial-grade wind turbines and Got2BeGreen called out a similar program that Delta College in Bay County is working on.

The 49ers were after gold but it looks like the 09ers will be after wind!

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Face Plant by by Rudy Malmquist

We try to be as positive as possible, but I do hope that everyone (and yes, I'm looking at you elected officials) is preparing to need to do extraordinary things to keep our state and the people in it afloat.

1. Jack Lessenberry spoke with Ismael Ahmed, director of the Michigan Department of Human Services, who worries that Michigan is nearing the cliff, staring down:

...an explosion in poverty, in need, in families slipping below the water line, just at a time when he knows he is going to have to do much, much more with less money...

(Ahmed says) "We've seen a dramatic increase in poverty in the state. More than one-fourth of children are living in poverty. "More than 2 million people are living below the poverty line, and that's still increasing. And when you count people who are working but who just don't make enough to live, that increases to about a third of the state."

2. When we look at our massive deficit, it's instructive to look at what's behind it. Peter Luke at mLive points out that tax cuts have left Michigan unable to invest in itself:

The Headlee amendment to the Michigan Constitution is simple. The state can collect up to 9.49 percent of personal income in taxes and fees approved by the Legislature. Anything over that has to be returned to taxpayers. The aim was to cap the growth of government.

...in funding essential services, state government in 2010 will collect a little more than half -- $14 billion-- of what the father of the modern conservative movement in Michigan thought appropriate.

For all the hand-wringing over how to return to prosperity, Michigan is unable to make long-term investments in its future.

Luke gets bashed in the comments on his article, but the case he makes that we have cut ourselves into a corner is worth a little thought.

3. On the bright side, the Michigan Policy Network says that our corner is nowhere near as dark as California's:

The projected FY2009 budget gap is 672 million dollars. This number is significant, and additional cuts or tax increases are needed to stabilize Michigan's economy. However, this budget deficit is only 2.9% of the size of the total projected budget, a comparatively small margin. While the situation seems significant, consider California. The nation's biggest state has an astounding projected deficit of 35.9 billion dollars. That's 35.5% of the total projected 2009 budget.

4. The Freep takes a look at a few measures designed to spark our sputtering economy.

5. Finally, I'd like to direct you over to Michigan in Pictures where you can see this photo from the pentax hammer bigger and hopefully take a little hope into your day from these words:

In the depth of winter I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.
~ Albert Camus

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People and Land (PAL) is an organization focused on growth and change in Michigan, funded by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Every day, decisions made by local officials and state leaders about how Michigan's land is used have great impact on both regional quality of life and our state's economic future. Those decisions are often chaotic and damaging.

PAL is focused on Six Pillars for Prosperity, an agenda to reinvent Michigan as a global economic player. With this agenda as a guide, Michigan needs to carefully plan how communities and regions grow so they will develop in ways that create outstanding quality of life and economic prosperity, and strategically position those communities and regions as contributors to the New Economy.

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Untitled by Vanessa Miller
Vanessa has a great set of photos from
allied media conference oh8

Wiretap's Jenny Lee has a great article called In Detroit: Arsenal of Creativity. It begins:

“Michigan will be the next film capitol of the world,” Clint Eastwood said in a recent interview following the release of his new film Gran Torino, shot in Detroit. The state's generous tax incentives for film production have spurred a boost in jobs in a year that's seen declines in nearly every other industry. While it's exciting to see the rise of film-based enterprise in Michigan, we can't rely on it, or any single industry to fill the enormous hole left by the decline of the auto industry. Amid the current crisis we have an opportunity to fill the gap in our region's economy with diverse local initiatives, including community-based media, which thrives off the city's creative past and present.

It continues and ends well as it does a great job of introducing you to Allied Media Projects (AMP) and looking at some of last year's conference recommendations like building community wireless and broadband, cultivating local music and teaching media arts. You should go read it.

AMP hosts the annual Allied Media Conference in Detroit, which attracts North America's most creative and skilled media makers and social justice organizers. The 11th AMC takes place July 16-19, 2009 - check it out!

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