It's Lansing's Birthday! by Eridony

2009 is the Sesquicentennial of the City of Lansing. The Lansing 150 Grand Finale is next Friday (Nov 20) immediately following Silver Bells in the City from 8-11 PM in the Lansing Center. This event concludes Lansing’s year long Sesquicentennial Birthday Party and will include free entertainment and a free reception.

As part of the celebration they are holding an "I AM LANSING" contest. Area residents, businesses and organizations can submit photos, videos and/or essays about Lansing and judges will decide the Best Lansing Story. The winner will receive a $500 cash prize and you can enter until midnight this Friday! Head over to lansing150.com for all the details!

The City of Lansing history page (and the City of Lansing) begins:

In the winter of 1835, two brothers from Lansing, New York plotted the area just south of downtown Lansing, naming the territory "Biddle Town." Most of this land was in a floodplain and underwater for much of the year. Despite the condition of the land, the brothers returned to New York to sell the plots to unsuspecting individuals wanting to test their fortunes in a new land. The group of settlers arrived to Mid-Michigan only to find their plots submerged under several feet of water. Nevertheless, many in the group chose to stay and established what is now Metropolitan Lansing. They christened the town "Lansing Township" after their home village in New York.

You can get a ton more great old photos of Lansing from Seeking Michigan, check out a sweet view of Lansing from the Lansing standpipe in the late 1800s on Michigan in Pictures and learn lots more about Lansing at absolutemichigan.com/Lansing!

Photo: Bird's eye view of the city of Lansing (Mich.); 1866. Courtesy Seeking Michigan.

Turkey by Vaughan

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and Michiganians will soon be hitting the road to attend family get togethers and enjoying annual traditions. To help get ready for the upcoming holiday we have compiled a bunch of informative and entertaining Thanksgiving related links for you to enjoy.

Head over to Michigan.gov and learn all about Michigan's contribution to the traditional Thanksgiving meal. You can also find some great ideas for holiday food and wine pairings in 'Tis the Season to Taste the Bounty of Michigan, Thanksgiving Dinner Wines and Celebrate the holidays with Michigan Ice Wine and dry fruit brandies. For a healthy but flavorful take on your holiday meal check out this podcast from the University of Michigan's MFit Health Division titled 'Make Thanksgiving healthy without losing flavor'. 

Check out a ton of great Thanksgiving recipes and dinner ideas on the Food Network's website.

For more Turkey Day food ideas & articles check out Absolute Michigan keyword "turkey", a search for Thanksgiving and our Michigan Grown section in Food & Dining!

2009 marks the 83rd birthday of America's Thanksgiving Parade and this year's theme is 'Together We Shine'. The theme celebrates The Parade Company bringing a spark of magic and people together to enjoy one of Detroit’s largest and free events where for one special moment, families can be entertained, share a tradition and create a memory.. America's Thanksgiving Parade is one of the country’s oldest and most celebrated parades and will step off at 9:20 a.m. on Woodward Avenue and Mack and end at Woodward Avenue and Congress in downtown Detroit on Thursday, November 26, 2009. Hundreds of thousands of parade-goers will be watching as the Parade makes its way down Woodward Avenue.

If you Motown is off your radar on Thanksgiving, how about a nice set of parade photos from the our Flickr pool, a clickondetroit.com article - "Thousands Cheered As America's Thanksgiving Parade Rolled Down Woodward " (with video), a historical look at Detroit's Thanksgiving Day Parade and a TV tuned to WDIV-TV Local 4 at 9 AM (also on for an hour nationally). If you're the prudent type, you might consider building up a calorie credit balance at the Annual Detroit Turkey Trot.

Thanksgiving Day by Dave Hogg
Dave writes: As bad as the Lions get,
Thanksgiving is always special.

The Detroit Lions’ 70th Thanksgiving Day Classic will feature the Lions hosting long-time rival Green Bay Thursday, November 26 at 12:30 p.m. ET. The Lions’ Thanksgiving Day game at Ford Field will be aired live nationally on FOX.

Via the Detroit Lions Official web site:

Four generations of fans in Michigan share a special tradition. Every year since 1934 (with a break during World War II), Thanksgiving Day in America means a time for acknowledging our nation's forefathers and giving thanks to them for blazing the paths we travel today. For Michigan, the festive turkey dinner is also accompanied with a side of Detroit Lions football.

Amaze your family, friends with what you learn about the origins and history of Thanksgiving on Wikipedia.

ArtPrize 09-Open Water no.24 by deviant_anomaly

ART PRIZE 2009-0032 by RichardD72

AND THE WINNER IS... by rkramer62

DETAIL FROM WINNERS CANVAS by bitsorf

The first-ever ArtPrize in Grand Rapids has ended with Open Water no. 24, a 6' x 19' oil painting by Ran Ortner being chosen as the winner by public vote from 1,262 artists who exhibited at 157 venues across the city. A former pro motorcycle racer, Ortner will receive a quarter of a million dollars for his finish. The Freep reports:

Ortner said he was stunned by his win. “Wow. Exhilarating, captivating, ridiculous. Can’t get my head around it.”

It means a lot to him that those choosing his work were not professional art critics but people who were moved by his work. “There’s been a heart connection here,” he said.

And it has been good for those who voted, Ortner said. “All of a sudden, those who know nothing about art have an opinion that matters,” he said. “It really has a life larger than anything anybody anticipated.”

ArtPrize 2009 Winners

1. Ran Ortner – Open Water no. 24
2. Tracy Van Duinen – Imagine That!
3. Eric Daigh – Portraits
4. David Lubbers – The Grand Dance
5. Bill Secunda – Moose
6. Nessie Project – Nessie on the Grand
7. John Douglas Powers – Field of Reeds
8. Sarah Grant – The Furniture City Sets the Table for the World of Art
9. Jason Hackenwerth – Ecstasy of The Scarlet Empress
10. Michael Westra – winddancer 2

You can get some more links to coverage at Who won ArtPrize? on the ArtPrize blog and stay tuned to absolutemichigan.com/ArtPrize for news about ArtPrize 2010!

Check out this video below for some scenes from the Winners Celebration - the close of this dance number is really impressive!

More videos can be found at ArtPrize 2009 Absolute Michigan.

Click here to view the embedded video.

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.

Dog_Parade_3 by scherbis

August Quotes:

"Whilst August yet wears her golden crown,
Ripening fields lush- bright with promise;
Summer waxes long, then wanes, quietly passing
Her fading green glory on to riotous Autumn." - Michelle L. Thieme

"August creates as she slumbers, replete and satisfied." - Joseph Wood Krutch

"Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability." - Sam Keen

"Someone's sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago." - Warren Buffett

"If you saw a heat wave, would you wave back?" - Steven Wright

August Wikipedia Fast Facts (link)

• August was originally named Sextilis in Latin.
• In the United States, August is National Goat Cheese Month.
• The middle week of August is the peak of the Perseid meteor shower.
• August's birthstone is the peridot and sardonyx. The meaning is married happiness.
• August's birth flower is the gladiolus and poppy.

Stuff to do in August

July 24 - Aug 2
Coast Guard Festival Grand Haven Grand Haven
The festival unofficially began in 1924 as a Coast Guard personnel only picnic when the local Coast Guard station held rowing competitions for those service members stationed in Grand Haven. Today the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival has become a premier event with attendance of over 350,000 people including the nations highest ranking Coast Guard dignitaries from Washington, D.C.

July 28 - August 2
Traverse City Film Festival Traverse City
The Traverse City Film Festival has grown to become one of the largest film festivals in the Midwest, and one of the most respected in the country. Last year, there were over 80,000 admissions to nearly 100 screenings, a number of them U.S. or world premieres. A special emphasis is given to foreign films, American independents, documentaries, and films which have been overlooked but deserve the attention of a public starved to see a good movie.

July 30 - Aug 2
Woodtick Music Festival Hermansville
The Woodtick Music Festival is a home-grown, Upper Peninsula style shindig featuring a variety of regional and not so regional bands who all have one thing in common....they're damn good!

July 31 - August 2
Sleeping Bear Dunegrass Music Festival Empire
We are taking the Dunegrass Festival back to its roots! We are a group of Happy/Friendly/Active folks from Empire and the surrounding area who are going to run the festival and make it work! In addition, we are going to nurture the festival, and let it align with it’s inner child, allowing the sleeping bear to dream us into existence….

July 31 - August 1
Saugatuck-Douglas Jazz Festival Saugatuck
The stars were aligned perfectly for the scheduling of New York based hard bop group One For All to appear at the Saugatuck- Douglas Jazz Festival scheduled for July 31 and August 1, 2009 in Saugatuck and Douglas, Michigan.

This high energy collaborative group described by legendary radio host Ed Love as the “baddest group out there in jazz today” will perform at Coghlin Park on August 1 at 6:15 pm. Appearing on the front line will be tenor saxophonist Eric Alexander, on trombone Steve Davis and trumpeter Jim Rotondi. David Hazeltine (piano), John Webber (bass) and Jason Brown (drums) round out the rhythm section.

August 1
Riverfolk Festival Manchester
A festival of traditional folk, bluegrass and world music continues to evolve, and features new creative artists, an array of music and dance workshops, giant mural paintings, stage shows and wonders for the kids that include instrument-making, face painting, water maze, origami and craft work area, rain sticks, drum circles, a kids' parade, and more. In addition to the stage shows, workshops and extensive children's activity area, the Riverfolk Music and Arts Festival features an art show with visual artists sharing creations of jewelry, painting, instrument making, stained glass, pottery and much more.

August 6 - 8
Ribfest Kalamazoo
Ribfest is Community Advocate’s major fundraising event. Thanks to the support of the people who attended and the businesses that sponsored, $39,000 was raised for programs that are targeted to improve the quality of life for all, but especially to improve the quality of life for our community individuals with developmental disabilities. The money raised through Ribfest supports programs in our community helping people who live in your neighborhoods, work at your place of employment, and maybe go to school with your kids.

August 6 - 9
Labadie Pig Gig Detroit
The Labadie Pig Gig presented by State Farm is a national Rib Championship Cook-off with family entertainment and nightly Concerts. It is a fund-raiser benefiting AREA FAMILY CHARITIES, INC which donates the proceeds to many local charities & organizations including The Boys & Girls Clubs.

With entry tickets you can enjoy all Concerts of the day, Pigalicious Tasting Tent (FREE Food demonstration tent), Loons Family stage activities, Pig Racing Shows, K-9 Dog Shows, The Dow Corning Fundraising Area, Special Contests, The Dow Chemical Water-ski Shows, Home Depot Kids Kraft area, Ronald McDonald on Saturday, State Farm Hospitality Tent, Covenant Health Care Hospitality Tent, plus much more….

August 7 - 8
JazzFest Lansing
Entering its 15th year, the Lansing JazzFest is a two-day FREE music festival that brings national, regional, and local acts to an audience of roughly 15,000 people from across Michigan and nearby states. JazzFest's music truly is living music, history in the making. Each artist at the festival is asked to play an original composition, something that hasn't been played at any other festival.

August 6 - 9
National Blueberry Festival South Haven
Celebrating the blueberry industry in and around South Haven. Featuring fish boil, blueberries, pancake breakfasts, chicken dinner, arts & crafts, live entertainment, pie eating contest, parade, 5k walk/run and more.

August 6 - 9
Humungous Fungus Fest Crystal Falls
Crystal Falls is "Home of the Humungous Fungus", perhaps the world's largest and oldest living organism. It covers 38 acres beneath an Iron County forest near the Wisconsin border. It is believed to be 1,500 to 10,000 years old and weigh about 100 tons - about the same as an adult blue whale. It is the species called Armillaria Bulbosa and the mushrooms it produces are commonly called "honey mushroom." The mushroom is the only edible part of the fungus. Armillaria bulbosa is very common, occurring in hardwood forests in North America, Europe and Japan.

August 7 - 9
Great Lakes Folk Festival East Lansing
This unique fusion of arts fair, music festival, county fair, multi-ethnic festival, hands-on activity workshops and celebration of cultural heritage will be held Aug 7-9, 2009 in downtown East Lansing.

The Great Lakes Folk Festival showcases the traditional cultural treasures of the nation's Upper Midwest and a sampling of the best of traditional artists from around the country and the world.

August 8
Northport Wine and Food Festival & Dog Parade Northport
A celebration of wine and local food with great music. $15 per person includes complimentary wine glass and three tasting tickets.

August 14 - 16
St. Johns Mint Festival St. Johns
Approximately 150 arts & crafts booths, 5 sports tournaments, Free day & evening entertainment, Talent Show, Kids World (crafts & games all weekend), Exotic Animals, Senior Citizens Day, Quilt Show, Tractor Show, Classic Car Show, New Vehicle Show, Horse Show, Inflatables/Carnival Rides, more.

August 18 - 23
Upper Peninsula State Fair Escanaba
The 2009 Upper Peninsula State Fair opens Monday, August 17 @ 5:00 pm. Plan now to attend to the UP's biggest event. Check this site for fair times, admission prices, and cost of specific events. The 2009 Fair: Aug. 18-23 (preview night Aug. 17th)

Escanaba received the honor of being named the location for he Upper Peninsula State Fair in April, 1927. Michigan Gov. Fed Green signed Act 89, which stated, "An annual state fair at the City of Escanaba, which shall have for its main purpose the exploiting, and encouragement of improved methods in agriculture and industrial pursuits I hereby authorize."

August 14 - 16
Woodward Dream Cruise Ferndale
The Woodward Dream Cruise stretches along a nine metro Detroit suburban area, within a sixteen mile radius,
of the historical Woodward Avenue, attracting over one million visitors and 30,000+ muscle cars, street rods,
custom and collector vehicles with Downtown Ferndale attracting 80,000+ attendees and car enthusiast alone.
Now in our 15th year, we are gearing up for another weekend of cruiz'n memories, exciting activities and live
classic rock-n-roll for all to enjoy. We hope you make Downtown Ferndale, at Woodward and Nine, part of your
Dream Cruise experience.

August 14 - 16
Melon Festival Howell
Melon Fest is an annual event in downtown Howell recognizing the legacy created by Dr. Pat May and the traditions established by the Howell Jaycees. The City of Howell and the Howell Downtown Development Authority are partnering with civic groups and community leaders to present the 2009 Howell Melon Fest. The event will feature Howell melons, melon ice cream, local entertainment and family activities.

August 20 - 23
Danish Festival Greenville
The first Danish Festival was held on August 18, 1965. Today an 23 member Board of Directors, a staff of one, over 35 committees and hundreds of other volunteers are responsible for developing and presenting the festival, which draws crowds of over 80,000. It is this total community effort that makes it possible for Greenville to host the Danish Festival annually.

August 28 - September 7
Michigan State Fair Detroit
The Nation's Oldest State Fair was officially first held in 1849, only twelve years after Michigan attained statehood. At the onset it was customary, in fact, for the fair to be held one year in one city, the next year in another, and there was always a hot contest to be the city selected. The Michigan State Fair settled down at the present fairgrounds in 1905.

Popular attractions include the FREE Concerts under the stars in the Band Shell, daily parades, competitions, horse shows, agricultural displays, arts & crafts, racing pigs, rabbits & poultry, dairy exhibits, carnival midway rides & games and the world's largest stove.

August 22
Traverse City Wine & Art Festival Traverse City
The Traverse City Wine & Art Festival will take place on Saturday August 22, 2009 from 5-10 PM in front of Building 50 at the Grand Traverse Commons under the big tent.

The 2009 Traverse City Wine & Art Festival, a landmark celebration of the wine, food and culture of our region. It will feature 20+ wineries from the Leelanau and Old Mission Peninsulas along with a selection of Traverse City and Leelanau restaurants providing food & desserts. Art Center Traverse City will be coordinating a sampling of artists and arts organizations who will display and sell their work in booths ringing the tent. Music will be offered for the duration, headlined by Michigan's own Thom Jayne and the Nomads who play a truly unique blend of world and Celtic infused jazz. The music will be punctuated by original dance from the Michigan Dance Collective.

August 22 - October 4
Michigan Renaissance Festival Holly
Festival is held on weekends and Labor Day, rain or shine. "visitors may also partake in games of skill or enjoy non-stop entertainment where belly dancers, sword swallowers, musicians, comedians and sword fighters provide merriment for all ages. The Festival is best known for it's awe-inspiring full-contact armored jousting tournaments where gallant knights defend their honor until the last man is standing!"

August 28 - 30
Porcupine Mountains Music Festival Ontonagon
The fifth annual Porcupine Mountains Music Festival will take place August 28 (Friday), 29 (Saturday), and 30 (Sunday) at the Ski Hill and Chalet Area in the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, Ontonagon County located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The festival will feature folk, blues, bluegrass and contemporary music from top-class nationally touring artists as well as up and coming Michigan artists. 1250 people per day will get to hear the over 30 artists who will appear on our outdoor stages.

August 28 - 30
Epicurean Classic St. Joseph
Come to the 6th annual Epicurean Classic which features the country's finest chefs, cheese, wine and beer experts, culinary authors and practitioners. Join us on the Lake Michigan shoreline for a three-day tasty Epicurean bonanza of cooking demonstrations, wine tastings, receptions, guest-chef dinners and more. Follow us on Twitter, or Facebook and get all the updates.

Feel the Rush by Diann

In its heyday, the Idlewild Resort area was the place to perform for musicians and other entertainers who had already "arrived" and for those that were hoping to get noticed. The Idlewild Music Fest recognizes these musical roots with a two-day celebration. Coordinated and supported by business leaders, the nonprofit community and faith community of Lake County, the Idlewild Music Fest brings an unmistakable beat back to echo across Idlewild Lake and Williams Island, if just for awhile.

Wikipedia tells us:

Idlewild is a vacation and retirement community in Yates Township located in a small rural northwestern part of the U.S. state of Michigan near the southeastern border of Lake County. It was one of only a few resorts in the country where African-Americans were allowed to vacation and purchase property before this discrimination became illegal in 1964.

Idlewild surrounds the lake it was named for. The headwaters of the Pere Marquette River run through here, with a couple of public access points adjacent to Broadway Road, where it crosses. About half of the township is contained in the Manistee National Forest.

Called the "Black Eden", from 1912 through the mid-1960s, Idlewild was an active year-round community and was visited by well-known entertainers and professionals from throughout the country. At its peak it was the most popular resort in the Midwest and as many as 25,000 would come to Idlewild in the height of the summer season to enjoy camping, swimming, boating, fishing, hunting, horseback riding, roller skating and night-time entertainment.

When the 1964 Civil Rights Act opened up other resorts to African-Americans, Idlewild's boomtown period subsided but the community continues to be an important place for vacationers and retirees and as a heritage landmark.

The Idlewild African American Chamber of Commerce was founded in the summer of 2000 by businessman John O. Meeks for the purpose of promoting existing local businesses and for attracting newer ones to the Lake County area.

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Michigan Film Festivals

TCFF 2008 by tcfilmfest

Mitten Film Project & Festival
1st Tuesday of every month, Royal Oak

The Mitten Movie Project is committed to showcasing world class movies in Detroit, headquarters of the MiniDV Revolution.

Waterfront Film Festival
June 2009 in Saugatuck
Outstanding independent films from all over the United States are screened in casual, intimate settings every June in the resort village of Saugatuck. The Waterfront Indie Screenplay Competition is seeking screenplays that can be produced for under 5 million dollars, and that can be shot in Michigan. More about the Saugatuck Waterfront Film Festival from Absolute Michigan.

Detroit Windsor International Film Festival
June 25-28, 2009 in Detroit

The Detroit Windsor International Film Festival takes place at venues all around Detroit and Windsor and seeks to engage the community in the growth of the film culture of the region and to promote storytelling through film, video, games, the web, music and other channels through panels, workshops, special events, a job fair and (of course) screenings of all kinds of films!

Traverse City Film Festival
July 28-August 2, 2009 in Traverse City

The festival presents fulls days of the best independent, foreign, and documentary films available in several indoor movie houses and free, classic movies on a giant, inflatable outdoor screen overlooking Grand Traverse Bay. Panel discussions with directors, writers, actors, and other members of the film industry are offered daily.

Ann Arbor Film Festival
March 2010 in Ann Arbor
Established in 1963, this internationally-renowned festival showcases independent and experimental film and video and is the oldest of its kind in North America. Each year the festival attracts entries from artists worldwide and screens more than 100 films. Every year they select a four-hour program of awarded and highlighted films for the Ann Arbor Film Festival Tour that travels around the country from March through December to college classrooms and auditoriums, art theaters, and museums.

American Dreamz by East Lansing Film Festival

East Lansing Film Festival
March 2010 in East Lansing
The ELFF was created in 1997 in cooperation with the City of East Lansing and Michigan State University, and is the largest and most diverse film festival in Michigan to screen independent and foreign feature, documentary, short and students films from around the world. The festival also holds the Lake Michigan Film Competition that gives cash awards to the filmmakers whose film was either filmed, produced, or financed in the states that border Lake Michigan.

Find out more about the 2008 East Lansing Film Festival right here on Absolute Michigan.

The June 10th, 2009 kickoff of the four-day festival will feature the documentary "Surfing 50 States". Actress Yeardley Smith, better known as the voice of Lisa Simpson, will be there, as will Miss America 2008 Kirsten Haglund and world renowned street artist Ron English. The opening-night party will also include a musical performance by South Florida rock band, Fallbrooke.

The festival itself will run June 11th-14th. Michigan's own Jeff Daniels will be there for the Midwest Premiere of his film, "Answer Man", and Daryl Hannah is scheduled to attend to promote her film, "Fierce Light".

Check out Absolute Michigan keyword Saugatuck for more about the festival and Saugatuck links and visit our Michigan Film Festivals page for many more film experiences!

Craftsman Home, McLean Street
Highland Park MI by pinehurst19475

A few weeks ago, the Chicago Reader had a great feature saying there's nowhere in America quite like Detroit right now. You should read the whole thing but here's a taste:

They say when the country catches a cold, Michigan gets the flu. Projects that started before the subprime crisis and ensuing global economic collapse have been either quietly completed or left to wait. New projects have shelved while the region watches the auto industry.

Yet even as GM closes plants and Chrysler faces Chapter 11, things are sprouting in Detroit. The city made the New York Times in March not for news about the Big Three but for the purchase by a Chicago couple of a house for $100, on a block being taken over by artists with plans for solar-powered art center and a vegetable garden. The city has a booming urban agriculture movement, and in April financier John Hantz, working with Michigan State University and the W. K. Kellogg Foundation, proposed building the “world’s largest urban farm” on vacant and abandoned properties, starting with a 70-acre fruit and veggie patch on the east side. Also last month, a group of local businesses began printing their own currency, the Detroit Cheer, in an effort to encourage local spending. (Model D article on the currency)

...“Detroit right now is just this vast, enormous canvas where anything imaginable can be accomplished,” wrote novelist Toby Barlow, who paid $100,000 for a Mies van der Rohe townhouse in Detroit’s Lafayette Park, in the Times piece. “In a way, a strange, new American dream can be found here, amid the crumbling, semi-majestic ruins of a half-century’s industrial decline.”

Beverly's House/1874 by Mr. History

If you are looking for a home in Detroit, check out the Detroit Realtors Association and also Southeast Michigan Realtors on Absolute Michigan. The feature references Room for 2 Million More at the Powerhouse Project, which says that although there are great deals in Detroit, don't purchase something without seeing it, no matter how cheap it is. They also call out some of the organizations in the D who are working to transform the city (if you know of others in Detroit or elsewhere in Michigan, share them below):

Georgia Street Garden
Urban Farming
Model D Media
Catherine Ferguson Academy
The Yes Farm
Motor City Blight Busters

So we present to you:

Be A Tourist In Your Own Town brought to you by the fine folks at the Greater Lansing Convention and Visitors Bureau. Consider organizing one in your area!

About Be A Tourist In Your Own Town

Fifteen years ago, the Greater Lansing Convention and Visitors Bureau created this event to increase community awareness of it's attractions and the tourism industry's impact on the area. So once again the doors are open for you to explore culture and creativity in mid-Michigan.

As Lansing celebrates its 150th anniversary, take this opportunity to enjoy attractions that highlight both Lansing’s unique history as well as its innovative and progressive future. This year they have included old favorites such as Impression 5 Science Center, Potter Park Zoo and the Michigan Historical Museum, and added new hot spots like the FRAG Center, MSU’s Breslin Center, WKAR Studios and taste the new “Capital City Sundae” ice cream flavor at the MSU Dairy Store. You can view a complete list of the participating places to go and things right here.

How it Works:

For only $1 you can purchase a “passport” which allows you FREE admission to more than 60 area attractions, local businesses, and special activities on May 30, 2009 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. **Ages 3 and under do not require a passport. Get from place to place with CATA. For only 50 cents you will receive a stamp which will allow you to ride the Be A Tourist routes for the rest of the day for no extra charge.

Check out a slideshow of the Lansing area from the Absolute Michigan Flickr pool!

morel spring 2008 by baldo1man

When an avid morel mushroom hunter stands before 250 people recounting a time when he walked out of the woods wearing only his underwear, socks and shoes, giggles burst but people listen. Finding the elusive morel is no laughing matter, but to the attendees of the morel hunting lecture at the 49th National Annual Morel Mushroom Festival in Boyne City, the entertainment was as delicious as the soup - seasoned with laughter and emboldened with rich enthusiasm.

After watching culinary guru John Sheets prepare a mouth-watering array of wild edibles, the crowd listened as native Anthony Williams recounted tales of his morel hunting lineage, sharing tricks and tips passed down through generations. Afterward, he shared a morel song accompanied by his wife, Robin Lee Berry. No one would walk away from Friday's festivities empty-handed.

Boyne City Sunset by rickrjw

What Boyne City offers this weekend is more than just words. Yesterday organizers and volunteers from the community accompanied four bus loads of hungry hunters, through private land, to search and pick as they will again today. Experts offered suggestions and visitors shared in the excitement of discovering their first morel. Not everyone walked away with something in their sack, but each person had the opportunity to inspect this elusive mushroom--some place other than their dinner plate or produce aisle. Immediately following, attendees were invited to celebrate at the Morelfest Wine and Dine, which featured an elegant five course morel-themed dinner with wine pairings. The evening ended with live music from blues artist Larry McCray on Lake Charlevoix.

Weekend events remain and there is still time to join in the fun! Saturday (May 16) offers another full day of activities, beginning with a morel breakfast, followed by a hunting competition; there will be a cooking demonstration by an award-winning chef; a craft-fair, where you can purchase morel inspired walking sticks, wood carvings, mesh morel-picking bags, jams, jellies and many other treats; a carnival to entertain the children or satisfy the inner-child, and another chance to experience great music with Twisted Finster. If you are anywhere in the vicinity of Boyne City, grab your family and friends and join in the fun!

...and just why was a morel hunter walking out of the woods in his underwear?

Apparently Tony had discovered "the mother lode" and, rather than leave them, utilized the remainder of his clothing to carry home the all the morels. Although he made no promises, with generous spirit and good humor he offered some of his secrets and instilled hope in a new generation of mushroom hunters.

Click for the all the details of the Boyne City Morel Festival or grab your Michigan map and head to Boyne City.

inducement by powerbooktrance

Yesterday the city of Grand Rapids announced the ArtPrize, a competition open to artists of all kinds from around the world that will award nearly one-half million dollars to prize winners, including $250,000 to the artist who receives the most public votes. The display and voting will run from September 23 - October 10, 2009:

“It’s time to reboot the conversation between artists and the public. ArtPrize will be a celebration of art, design, and innovation that will bring artists and the public together like never before,” said ArtPrize creator Rick DeVos.

The city of Grand Rapids will become art gallery. ArtPrize art works and performances, professional and amateur, will be exhibited at hundreds of venues, all within a three-square mile area in Grand Rapids’ downtown riverfront district. The city has offered up parks and bridges for outdoor venue displays. Scores of businesses will convert lobbies and public space for displays.

They are holding a town hall meeting on Monday (Apr 27) to explain the ArtPrize and you can view the press conference with Rick DeVos announcing the competition from mLive.

morel mushroom by Latitude 45

The Boyne City National Morel Mushroom Festival takes place May 14-17, 2009. This year is the 49th annual*, and the 4 day celebration of the morel mushroom includes a morel seminar and guided mushroom hunt on Friday and of course the Boyne Valley Lions National Mushroom Hunt on on Saturday (be sure to display your finds on the Mushroom Pole too!). In addition to the Taste of Morel event where you get to try all manner of morel dishes, there is a seminar on foraging & cooking with wild food guru John Sheets and another on hunting with local expert Tony Williams, concerts with Michigan Blues legend Larry McCray and others, there's a carnival, euchre & poker tournaments, zany car race and plenty of fun for kids.

One of the highlights of the weekend is the "Morel Taste of Boyne" featuring a Chef's Challenge along with the area's finest restaurants in the big tent on Saturday afternoon serving different morel dishes and also presenting morel cooking demonstrations. This is the largest morel cooking (and eating) event in the world!

You can grab your sweetie and get warmed up with The Mushroomers Waltz and if you're hungry,Lake Magazine has a recipe for morel & hazelnut soup that looks very simple but very tasty! Chef Eric Villegas of the TV show Fork in the Road offers a recipe for midwestern risotto of carnaroli and minnesota wild rice, morel mushrooms and white truffle oil that looks more complex but every bit as tasty.

MichiganMorels.com reminds you that you can eat any mushroom ... once. They offer tips to help keep you safe, but the biggest tip is to hunt with someone who knows what they're doing! Speaking of hunting, here's a video interview of morel expert Tom Nauman that gives you a couple useful tips for morel hunting.

If you can't attend the Mushroom Festival and can't get to any morel-filled woods, you can still get morels (and leeks and other tasty treasures) courtesy of Michigan-based Earthy Delights.

Visitors will want to visit the Boyne City Chamber of Commerce and/or try Absolute Michigan keyword "Boyne" for lodging and other information. I thought it was pretty funny that the best article online about the Boyne City Mushroom Festival is from a Pittsburgh, PA newspaper. It's from May of 2003 but has great background on the festival with a focus on the National Mushroom Hunting Championship. Check out Boyne City mushroom championship has no lack of morels.

* Next year the 50th annual takes place May 13 - 16, 2010 - they are seeking recipes for a commemorative cookbook, so send them if you have them!

Main Street Businesses by Eridony

On September 15-16, 2009 Lansing will host the 2009 Michigan Downtown Conference. The annual conference brings hundreds of civic and business leaders from across the State and features an award ceremony to recognize excellence in our Michigan downtowns.

The conference organizers are seeking an exceptional, hand-crafted, Michigan-made award to reflect the positive image of our determined downtowns.

Get all the information right here! (616k pdf)

Carefree Days in West Michigan by loungelistener

The Traverse City Record-Eagle reports that Michigan's tourism industry is expected to drop by 3-4 percent this year (this on top of last year's 6.2% drop) due to the economic downturn in Michigan and the rest of the country.

"This year will be an even more challenging year for Michigan's tourism industry because this state, which is typically the source of about 70 percent of our tourists, has slipped even further into recession, and the economies of the other states that we rely on for out-of-state visitors are far weaker than last year," said Donald Holecek, a tourism analyst for MSU.

The $30 million nationwide Pure Michigan campaign is expected to help some:

"Without this campaign, it would be worse. That's the bottom line," said George Zimmermann (VP of Travel Michigan)

In his column Sense of urgency for tourism, Record-Eagle writer Bill O'Brien notes that many people in the travel industry are excited about the campaign, but he wonders if the remedy is targeted to the problem:

In some ways, Michigan's tourism sector faces the same challenges as the automobile industry. Its mind-set of, "Just keep doing what we've done and the customers will show up," kept auto executives, workers and union bosses employed for years, and quite well-paid.

But it wasn't built to sustain that model. The rest of the world's auto industry caught and passed Michigan's stodgy carmakers with better products, prices and service. The world automobile industry became more competitive, but Michigan's car companies were slow to respond and lost market share they may never recover.

Will Michigan's tourism industry learn from those mistakes, or is it doomed to repeat them?

Good questions ... hopefully we can find the right answers.

Ice Rink by Allan M

The event started in 2005 as a tuneup to Super Bowl XL and was called the Motown Winter Blast. It's now called Detroit's Winter Blast and it happens February 6-8, 2009.

In what has become typical Michigan media fashion, the Detroit News fills the glass half full, dwelling on what you won't get. They grudgingly allow that 40 musical acts, 60 restaurants and three downtown hotels (including the newly-renovated Book Cadillac) offering discounted rates to families just might make it worth the trip. Not to be out-glummed, the Freep leads with the 2 of clubs as well but does finish nicely:

"We could have taken the philosophy, if you can't do it the way you did it in the past, then you shouldn't do it," (Festival organizer John) Witz said. "We took the different philosophy. We tried to create as much magic as we can for as little cost as possible ... "We are featuring more made in Michigan products this year. The wine tasting is going to be with Michigan wines," Witz said. "The ice sculptures will have a Michigan theme."

The festival will include ice-skating exhibitions, marshmallow roasting, ice sculptures, and an arts and crafts area. Festival-goers can skate in Campus Martius Park for free, courtesy of michigan.org.

The MetroPCS Dine in the D program is back. The program offers diners a 15% discount at some of Detroit's finest restaurants. This year, the participating restaurants will each donate up to 10% of their sales (before tax) to Michigan's Children's Center.

MSNBC adds that a major attraction will be the ice slide at Campus Martius Park. It's called the Arctic Blast and it opened last Friday and you can get a live look-in at it on the Campus Martius Park webcam.

More information and full schedule of performances are on the official site for the Detroit Winter Blast. If you want to see more photos, check out Detroit Winter Blast by Rohn Photos and Motown Winter Blast by Pasque.

Star Dream by Conlawprof

Our Michigan February Event Calendar seems to demonstrate that the more the weather tries to keep us bottled up, the more innovative ways Michiganians will find to tell the weather what they think about that!! Of course, there's still many, many more and we invite you to fill us in on other February events in the comments.

Notable February Dates from Michigan History Magazine

• February 13, 1855 The Michigan legislature protects escaped slaves. more>>
• February 24, 1863 Michigan supports the Emancipation Proclamation. more>>
• February 17, 1864 The First Michigan Colored Infantry is mustered into federal service. more>>
• February 21, 1905 The National Ski Association is organized in Ishpeming. more>>
• February 20, 1909 The Hudson Motor Car Company is organized. more>>
• February 2, 1936 Ty Cobb becomes one of the first players selected to enter the newly formed Baseball Hall of Fame. more>>
• February 8, 1985 The Stroh Brewery announces it is closing its Detroit plant. more>>

The Events
February 1 - 7
Winter Carnival - Houghton
Michigan Tech often registers more than 200 inches of snow in a season. Not content to let this abundant natural resource go to waste, students band together in an annual celebrtion of our beautiful, tough, exhilarating, and character-building climate. For complete event detail visit their website.

February 3 - 8
International 500 Snowmobile Race Sault - Sault Sainte Marie
2009 marks the 41st running of the International 500 Snowmobile Race and they invite YOU to join them for this outstanding event that is second to none! "All the thrills of NASCAR" All the excitement of I-500 Snowmobile Racing.

February 4
122nd Annual & Super Tour Ski Jumping Tournament - Ishpeming
The 122nd Annual & Super Tour Ski Jumping Tournament will take place on Wednesday, February 4, 2009 on Famous Suicide Hill. Junior jumping begins at 5:00 p.m. EST. The trial and competition rounds begin at 7:00 p.m. EST. Featuring jumpers from the U.S., Norway, Russia & Poland! There will be a bonfire with fireworks following the tournament. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the gate with children 15 and under get in FREE!

February 5 - 8
11th Annual Michigan International Auto Show - Grand Rapids
Nearly 40 car manufacturers from around the world will bring their finest traveling displays to the Michigan International Auto Show, where more than 300 new vehicles – including sedans, vans, SUVs, trucks, hybrids and sports cars – will be showcased with factory representatives on hand to answer questions.

February 5 - 8
North American Snow Festival - Cadillac
Opening ceremonies begin at 5:30 p.m. at the Fox Hill Event Center on February 5. Various events take place on Lake Cadillac on February 6, 7 & 8th.

February 6 - 8
Detroit's Winter Blast - Detroit
Detroit's Winter Blast features hip and cool winter events centered around Campus Martius Park and great city attractions throughout Detroit. Many signature winter activities are returning with free ice-skating in Campus Martius Park, Professional skating demonstrations, unique sculptures in the Ice Garden, the Meijer Kid’s Family Fun Zone and more. This year we are still working on expanding our mission to celebrate entertainment throughout Detroit.

February 6 - 8
59th Annual Perchville USA - Tawas
The 59th Annual Tawas Perchville Festival includes a Perchville queen, live entertainment, a Polar Bear Swim, a "Chilly" Cook-off, ice-fishing contest, the Perchville USA Parade, and many more fun winter events.

February 6 - 8
West Michigan Youth Wintersportsfest
Three days, 22 Sports competitions and 3,000 athletes. Open to any athletes 18 and under. This will be an awesome event with youth athletes from all over the state and Midwest! There will be 20 sporting events taking place in 3 days with 3,000 athletes in participation. There will be indoor and outdoor activities including events like bowling, target shooting, figure skating, and many more

February 7
White Pine Stampede - Mancelona
The White Pine Stampede is a major Nordic Ski race, part of the Michigan Cup series and the Midwest's premier Nordic event. The White Pine Stampede has a 50 Kilometer Event, a 20 Kilometer Event, and a 10 Kilometer Timed Tour.

February 7 & 8
Taste the Passion - Leelanau
Love is in the air as you celebrate the upcoming Valentine's Day at the "Taste the Passion" weekend February 7-8, 2009. This special weekend celebrates wine, chocolate and love in anticipation of Valentine's Day! The combination of winter's beauty in Leelanau with the special pleasures of life always makes for wonderful weekend.

February 13 - 15
Ice Carving Festival - Rochester Hills
World-class ice carving professionals will take up their laser sharp ice tools and chain saws when the Village of Rochester Hills hosts a weekend of ice sculpting, shopping and dining. Nearly 25 entertaining, and artistic ice sculptures will grace the streets and parks of the Village February 13, 14 and 15, 2009.

February 13 - 15
North American VASA - Traverse City
The VASA weekend festival of Races includes both a 27 and 50km special classic skiing race, a 12km Timed Class, and a 6km and 16km challenge. Junior VASA Races are also part of the weekend festival.

February 13 - 15
Pine Mountain Continental Cup Ski Jumping Tournament - Iron Mountain
Pine Mountain Slide is known throughout the world as one of the best jumping hills. The Kiwanis Ski Club hosts the best tournament in the United States. Year after year, they have the top foreign jumpers competing. All classes of records have been set on Pine Mountain, and the record of the U.S at 140 meters/459 feet is still held here. Annual attendance is over 20,000 spectators.

February 13 - 16
Cherry Capital Winter WonderFest - Traverse City
The Third Annual Cherry Capital Winter WonderFest is a three-day wintertime celebration chock-full of fun for all ages in the Cherry Capital of the World, President’s Day Weekend, February 13-16, 2009. Whether you enjoy outdoor activities with wintry frost nipping at your nose, or indoor activities that warm the body and soul, we have something sure to please you and your loved ones.

February 14 - 22
Detroit Boat Show - Detroit
The Detroit Boat Show is gearing up to celebrate 51 years of boating with its 2009 event. Boats of all types and sizes for fishing, cruising, wakeboarding, skiing, and other types of water fun will be on display for 9-days at Cobo Center.

February 14 - 15
Free Fishing Weekend
For many, the annual Free Fishing Weekend has become a tradition - a time to get together and have some fishing fun. While some may find time to reflect while fishing, there are no limits to variations on a great theme! All fishing license fees will be waived for two days. Residents and outstate visitors may enjoy fishing on both inland and Great Lakes' waters for all species of fish. All fishing regulations will still apply.

February 20 - 22
U.P. Pond Hockey Championship - St. Ignace
The 2009 U.P. Pond Hockey Championship will be played on the Wild Ice of Moran Bay, Lake Huron, downtown St. Ignace, Michigan! We hope to have 104 teams competing for prizes!

February 20 - 22
UP 200, Midnight Run Sled-Dog Championships and The Jack Pine 30 - Marquette
Three UP sled dog races provide a variety of challenges for mushers. The UP 200 is actually 240 miles in length and is a qualifying race for the Iditarod. Over 15,000 visitors come to Michigan's Upper Peninsula (U.P.) to see the U.P. 200! It is a favorite winter event for local residents and out of town guests. The U.P. 200 has a dedicated group of over 500 volunteers from the U.P. and the mid-west region that come together to stage this great event each year.

February 21
Frost Bite Winter Festival - Harrison
Event takes place on 5 groomed nine-hole courses, where novice and veteran golfers hit brightly colored tennis balls over the snow. Bring a partner and sign up for the two-person scramble. Prizes awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places, men's and women's divisions.

February 23
The Outhouse 500 - Coopersville
Join in with the hilarious and wacky fun of the 5th Annual Outhouse 500 on Main Street in Historic Downtown Coopersville! Hosted by the Main Street Merchants Association. Teams parade, then race their uniquely decorated outhouses down Main Street! View footage from the 2007 Outhouse 500.

February 27
The Great Wine & Food Symposium
Escape the snow with an evening of indulgence at The Great Wine & Food Symposium, west Michigan’s premier wine tasting event. You'll enjoy gourmet food selections, as well as over 300 wines and beers from around the world. Sample these tastes as classical music drifts through the halls and the snowflakes drift outside.

February 28
Winter Beer Festival - Grand Rapids
Hundres of hand-crafted beers from microbreweries across the state will serve up samples at this 4th annual outdoor event. Tickets are $35 each in advance and will be available January 1 at www.michiganbrewersguild.org, at the Fifth-Third Ballpark box office and at participating Guild member breweries. If any tickets remain, they’ll be available at the gate the day of, for $40 each. Sponsored by the Michigan Brewers Guild.

February 28
Trenary Outhouse Classic - The Outhouse Races - Trenary
The Outhouse Classic is an annual race in Trenary where outhouses are built and raced down the main street. There are categories: speed, presentation, best use of theme, most humorous, best workmanship, and most miles traveled. Families come to the event to watch and to compete, there are two different age brackets making competitions fair. A few years ago nuns came to compete and built the Vati-Can. Make sure to head on up to Trenary for the annual Outhouse Classic. Read Absolute Michigan's Sports that ARE Silly: Outhouse Racing or watch Outhouse Classic Outhouse Race in Trenary, Michigan.

Jumping over the sun by Ashley Dinges

Here's a few highlights of the many events being held around Michigan for the month of January. A lot of them are out in the snow for snowmobiles, skates, skis and sled dogs, but there's also a chance to heat up with the Ann Arbor Folk Fest, Ferndale Blues and the Detroit Auto Show. The weatherman says there's a 100% chance we didn't get them all so please add links and information for those we missed along with reviews of ones we list in the comments below!

January is named for Janus (Ianuarius), the god of the doorway; the name has its beginnings in Roman mythology, coming from the Latin word for door (ianua) - January is the door to the year. - Wikipedia

"New Year ceremonies are designed to get rid of the past and to welcome the future." - New Year's Customs

"The Old Year has gone. Let the dead past bury its own dead. The New Year has taken possession of the clock of time. All hail the duties and possibilities of the coming twelve months!" - Edward Payson Powell

All Month
Ice Skate Campus Martius Park - Detroit
Skating among the skyscrapers at Campus Martius Park. At 64 feet by 120 feet, it's a bit larger than the Rink at Rockefeller Center and showcases surround-sound music and color-changing lighting. Skaters and visitors can enjoy a warming pavilion for renting and changing skates, as well as outdoor seating. The rink is open daily though March 15.

January 10
Tahquamenon Country Sled Dog Race - Newberry
We are again looking forward to pristine trail conditions over beautiful terrain. Each year we seem to get just the right amount of snowfall, and each year our trail crews do a fantastic job of preparing great racing conditions for all our classes.

January 11 - January 25
The North American International Auto Show - Detroit
In terms of sheer news impact, the North American International Auto Show 2009 is poised to keep pace with NAIAS 2008, which featured a total of 58 vehicle debuts—44 worldwide and 14 North American. You can expect plenty of thought-provoking new technologies and head-turning designs as well as across-the-board participation from international and domestic manufacturers alike. NAIAS 2009 plans to welcome more than 700,000 attendees including hundreds of celebrity names from all walks of life, nearly 7,000 international media from some 60 countries, and approximately 40,000 industry insiders from over 2,000 companies. In addition, we expect to meet or exceed the $6 million we raised last year for children’s charities at the annual black-tie Charity Preview. The North American International Auto Show 2009 is truly where the automotive world comes together.

January 12
Motown 50 (Motown's 50th Anniversary Celebration) - Detroit
A year long national celebration of the start of Motown Records on Jan 12, 1959, in Detroit and the following success of its many music artists.

January 16-18
Hunter Ice Festival - Niles
As the snow starts to fly and the holidays are upon us, it’s time to think Hunter Ice Festival 2009. The fifth annual Hunter Ice Festival, January 16 through January 18, is a free family event offering fun-filled activities from morning ‘til night.

January 16-18 & 23-25
Tip Up Town USA - Houghton Lake
It's hard to put into words how Tip Up Town USA has come to be the very description of winter fun and enjoyment for the whole family at Houghton Lake. Thousands of Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and neighboring residents return each year to see this largest Winter Festival in Michigan, held annually the last two weekends in January. Whatever the weather, TUT will be fun, fun, fun all the way. There will be all the usual popular attractions - the carnival, parade, Polar Bear Dip, Family Fun Tent, Beverage Tent, crazy games and more! Plus, the Ice Fishing contests will be bigger and better than ever and we're adding Broomball this year!

January 17-18
Winter Warm-Up Weekend - Traverse City
Cabin Fever? Cooped up with the kids! If you are looking for an excuse to take a weekend getaway, then look no further! The Wineries of Old Mission Peninsula (WOMP) has teamed up with peninsula area businesses for 2009’s WINTER WARM UP. Guests may visit any of the five Old Mission wineries between 12-5 to purchase a souvenir mug. This mug is your “ticket” into each participating winery and business on Old Mission, entitling you to mulled wine tasting, desserts, appetizers and other special promotions. On Saturday Jan 17, 2009 each of the wineries will have a special artistic/performance offering! Some peninsula area restaurants are offering special promotions when you present your mug.

January 21-25
Zehnder's Snowfest - Frankenmuth
Zehnder's Snowfest has been host to one of the top snow sculpting events in North America for the past 17 years. Visitors have enjoyed larger-than-life snow sculptures and beautifully detailed ice carvings each year. Zehnder's Snowfest 2009 will again dazzle and excite you with snow and ice sculptures created by professional ice and snow carvers from around the world. Zehnder's Snowfest is also host to the National Collegiate Ice Carving Championship and the High School Snow Sculpting Competition. In addition, Zehnder's Snowfest will have entertainment for the entire family in the warming tent, a fireworks display, petting zoo and children's activities. Plan now to attend Zehnder's Snowfest 2009!

January 23-31
Ferndale Blues Festival - Ferndale
Created to help combat "winter blues" and benefit local charities, this year marks the 8th annual festival and will be held at various venues over the span of 9 days. Each year, the Annual Ferndale Blues Festival donates 100% of proceeds to charity.

January 24
Subaru Noquemanon Ski Marathon and mBank Half Noque - Marquette
The MGH Noquemanon Ski Marathon and mBank Half Noque, both in their eleventh year, continue to attract cross country skiers from around the nation and around the world. Thousands of skiers have taken the 51K or 25K trek from Ishpeming, the birthplace of organized skiing and home to the U.S. National Ski Hall of Fame to Marquette’s Superior Dome, the world’s largest wooden domed stadium along the shores of Lake Superior.

January 24
Heikinpäivä - Hancock
Heikinpäivä is set for January 24, 2009, with events throughout the week leading up to the primary festival day, as well as the days immediately following. Organizers keep a watchful eye on the celebration's uniquely ethnic flavor and it features Finnish crafts, music, food, films and games. Although a Hancock City event, the Heikinpaiva spirit has spilled into neighboring communities from Calumet to South Range.

January 30-31
Ann Arbor Folk Festival - Ann Arbor
The Festival returns to Hill Auditorium for two dynamic and different nights of folk and roots music on Friday, January 30, and Saturday, January 31, beginning at 6:30 p.m. each night. In keeping with the Festival's longstanding reputation, each night will feature a blend of renowned and up-and-coming performers, providing audiences with the opportunity to hear popular artists working at the top of their field while discovering terrific new talent. All funds raised through the Festival benefit The Ark, Ann Arbor's non-profit home for folk, roots, and ethnic music.

One of Those Moments by MAGICDUDE PHOTOGRAPHY

The New York Times reports that 30 states are looking at running out of funds to pay unemployment compensation in the next few months. Two states have already run out. One is Indiana. One guess as to the other:

Michigan, which has been borrowing money from the federal government for the past few years to replenish its fund, is now $508.8 million in the hole and unable to repay it. Next month the state, where the unemployment rate is more than 9 percent, will begin levying a special “solvency tax” against some employers to replenish its trust fund.

If you're like me and saying: "What? Solvency tax?" here's a Detroit News article explaining that the solvency tax will apply to  "negative balance" firms - companies whose employees have received more in unemployment benefits than the companies have paid in unemployment insurance taxes (about 34,000) and also the scintillating description of the Solvency Tax from the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency.

Speaking of news that was news to me; yesterday while checking out a startling story I learned that Ford Field in Detroit will host the 2009 NCAA Final Four (also see the official site). An amazing coup for Ford Field, University of Detroit Mercy and the city of Detroit to be sure.

The Roof, the Roof, the Roof was on Fire by pairadocs

That story (via the Freep via Michitwitter) begins:

Detroit's thinning population is vividly -- some would say disturbingly -- illustrated in a new map that is creating a buzz in local planning circles.

The map shows how to tuck the land mass of Manhattan (23 square miles), San Francisco (47 square miles) and Boston (48 square miles) -- and their combined populations of nearly 3 million people -- into Detroit. All three urban areas fit snugly within Detroit's 139 square miles with room to spare.

It ends with this map showing how you could fit Boston, San Francisco and Manhattan into Detroit and conclusions that if Detroit were to think about all that space - 30% of the city - differently, the results could be truly amazing. Please take the time to read Acres of barren blocks offer chance to reinvent Detroit in the Detroit Free Press.

Michigan's Most Enduring Settlement

Wikipedia's Flint, Michigan page says that some scholars consider the Saginaw Valley, particularly the vicinity of Flint, to be the oldest continually inhabited part of Michigan. The Flint River had several convenient fords which became points of contention among rival tribes, as attested by the presence of arrowheads and burial mounds near Flushing. The region is a microcosm for the development of Michigan, transition from lumbering in the 19th century to carriages at the dawn of the 20th and on to a prominent role in the auto industry where it became the birthplace of the UAW.

Photos from the Region

The photo above is Old Flint HDR by hemicuda8. It's one of a number of photos that can be explored in the Flint, MI group on Flickr. Other groups from the region include Tri-cities Michigan, Saginaw, Michigan and Bay City MI. Some searches you might enjoy include Flint Michigan, Saginaw (and Saginaw River), Midland Michigan and Port Huron.

Sugar & Wind

While the beleaguered auto industry gets much of the regional press, there are a lot of other industries in the region. One of the oldest is sugar. The Michigan Sugar Company's history page says that after loggers had cleared the pine forests in the area, the land was virtually unusable due to the massive expanse of tree stumps left behind and (eventually) sugar beets became the solution. Fast forward 125 years and once again the resourcefulness of folks in the region is being demonstrated. Michigan's Thumb has become the seat

What is there to DO in Flint/Tri-cities?

With its enduring history and a number of wealthy patrons of arts & culture, all kinds of cool cultural attractions have been established in the region. Some of our favorites include the Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum in University Center - home to the greatest collection of work from this longtime Michigan resident, the The Castle Museum of Saginaw, the Port Huron Museum and the Frankenmuth Historical Museum. The Flint Institute of Arts features work by Renoir, Cassatt & Wyeth and the Saginaw Art Museum boasts a collection of art and artifacts in excess of 2,500 pieces that 4,500 years of art history. If you never have, a walk through the Dow Gardens is not to be missed.

Hay on the water by Alanna St. Laurent

There's of course plenty of auto & vehicle history at sites like Junction Valley Railroad (Bridgeport - very cool) and Michigan's Own Military & Space Museum. Children (of all ages) will enjoy the Antique Toy & Firehouse Museum in Bay City, Crossroads Village in Flint, Mid-Michigan Children's Museum (Saginaw) and the Saginaw Children's Zoo.

Where do I go for more?

To explore the region, check out the county pages for Arenac, Bay, Genesee, Gladwin, Huron, Lapeer, Midland, Saginaw, Sanilac, St Clair, Tuscola Counties. You'll also want to see visitflint.org
Visit Saginaw County, Tour Bay City, The Midland CVB and Blue Water CVB (Port Huron).

The Long Crossing

A combination of Wikipedia's Traverse City, Michigan entry and the Traverse City CVB the Grand Traverse Bay got their name from 18th century French voyagers who made la grande traverse or "the long crossing" across the mouth of the bay Grand Traverse Bay. In 1853 the only post office in the region was located at Old Mission, then known as "Grand Traverse." While in Washington, D.C. in 1852, Tracy Lay convinced the U.S. Post Office to authorize a new post office at his newer settlement across the bay. The village was known as "Grand Traverse City," but at the suggestion of a postal clerk the "Grand" was dropped to limit confusion.

Culinary Delights

The Grand Traverse region earns the nickname of "Cherry Capital of the World," producing an estimated 360,000,000 pounds of cherries annually. It's not just cherries though - the wineries of the Leelanau Peninsula and Old Mission Peninsula have risen quickly to the top due to a conducive micro-climate for growing grapes. You can enjoy the region's agricultural bounty through a wide array of farm markets and food producers like Shetler Family Dairy, Moomers Homemade Ice Cream (named America's Best Scoop in 2008) and Carlson's of Fishtown. There are also at a number of great restaurants in the city and scattered throughout the area. Just a few of these to not miss are Fusion, amical, Trattoria Funistrada, The Old Mission Tavern and (of course) the Cheese Shanty.

Traverse City, in pictures

The photo above is titled Sunrise, East Arm, Traverse Bay and it was taken by Joel Dinda, who has several more from Traverse City and this set of Leelanau County photos (slideshow). As you can see from Joel's photos, the countryside and shoreline surrounding Traverse City is some of the most beautiful in Michigan. In addition to Traverse City, some things you might want to look at include Old Mission, Sleeping Bear Dunes and of course photos of Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau, Manistee & Wexford.

TJ's Pub by the pentax hammer

But what is there to DO in Traverse City?

If you enjoy the outdoors, Northwest Michigan is the place to go. The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is among the most beautiful natural areas in the nation, offering miles of untrammeled Lake Michigan coastline, hiking, camping and cultural opportunities and the world's largest shifting sand dunes. There are many more beaches offering swimming and fishing on the area's many inland lakes like North and South Lake Leelanau and Torch Lake. You can also hike the trails of the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy, bike on the many backroads and trails including the TART Trails and the Betsie Valley Trail and enjoy golf at a dizzying number of golf courses.

If the outdoors isn't your thing you can experience shopping in downtown Traverse City and at villages across the region. The State Theatre - home of the Traverse City Film Festival - has been beautifully restored and shows a variety of independent and classic movies every day. The region also boasts some excellent museums including the Dennos Museum, Music House (private museum), and Great Lakes Children's Museum in Traverse City, the Manistee County Historical Museum, the Empire Area Historical Museum, Grand Traverse Lighthouse, Guntzviller's Spirit of the Woods Museum (private) and the Carl T. Johnson Hunting & Fishing Center in Cadillac.

Where do I go for more?

You can dig deeper through Absolute Michigan by checking out Absolute Michigan county pages for Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau, Manistee & Wexford and also try the pages for Traverse City, Manistee, Cadillac and many other towns that you can see on the Absolute Michigan Map of Michigan. Of course there are tons of other web sites with useful information. Some of our favorites are the Traverse City Visitors Convention & Visitor's Bureau, MyNorth, Kalkaska County Michigan Online, the Benzie County Visitors Bureau, and our own Leelanau.com and betsiebay.net.

Untitled by diana.vermeulen

There's probably no month that is better for exploring the Great Lakes State than August, and all month we'll be highlighting some great things to do in every corner of Michigan.

Because gas prices and a soft economy are getting in the way of some folks' enjoyment, we'll be sure to include activities that are cheap to free. As always, we'll be sure to include events from the Absolute Michigan event calendar, great public parks and plenty of farm-fresh, Michigan grown goodness.

We know that we won't even scratch the surface of all there is to do around the state and we hope that you'll fill in the details and let us know about some of the hidden treasures that you know of in your backyard!

Burst by SNWEB.ORG Photography

This morning we're excited to unveil our Michigan Event Calendar.

It uses Google Calendar technology - which means you can take it with you on your phone or to your Outlook. We've also got a list of other calendars you can check for even more things to do.

We're still of course going to be doing The Week and our monthly calendars of events, but this will allow us to feature even more events and to take things a bit further into the future.

first boats in the morning by haglundc

Welcome to the Week on Absolute Michigan, the place where we (and you!) talk about the news & happenings of the week.

Now (happily) that Delegate-Gate is winding down and (sadly) that the Pistons have lost for the third straight year in the Eastern Conference Finals, lots of eyes in Michigan are focused the Detroit Red Wings and the Stanley Cup. Tonight could be the night!

In our Absolute Michigan photo group on Flickr we're seeing pictures of big and bold dandelions, bright flowers, speeding planes and people starting to "dip the piggies" into that Michigan water!!

Our Michigan June Event Calendar says that this weekend is absolutely stuffed full of events including The Mackinac Island Lilac Festival, Charlevoix Renaissance Festival, Leelanau Vintners Premium Pour,
the Upper Peninsula Championship Rodeo in Iron River, the Grand Rapids Festival of the Arts, Greek Festival in Kalamazoo and Potterville's Gizzard Fest.

Blue and Green Checkerboard by Tim Stone

I think that we're all well aware that the Economy Is Not Good and that Gas Prices Are Really, Really High. While the constant drumbeat of bad news may well make us afraid to go anywhere or do much of anything, but is that really how life should be lived?

Food prices are skyrocketing, but have you checked out your local farmers market and local food section at the grocery store? As fuel prices rise, that Michigan strawberry becomes a better deal than the one that hitchhiked in from California, and while this may not be the year for that cross-country drive you've been planning, there's a hundred things to do within a hundred miles from your back door.

Studies show that spending a dollar at a locally owned business returns 80 cents to the community, that in-state travel by Michiganders is a potent economic driver, and that local food can be every bit as good for the environment as organic. I don't know if there are studies about vacations and health, but I do know that your vacation won't take itself!

So stay tuned all month (and all summer) as we try and shake things up a little with articles, video and other features designed to help you get local!

Some Get Local! Features...

• Michigan Farmer's Market Map

The Grand by suesue2

The Detroit Regional Chamber's annual Mackinac Policy Conference is underway on Mackinac Island. Detroit's WWJ News Radio is providing live audio coverage and podcasts of the Conference, which will include speeches and interviews with Gov. Granholm, Lou Glazer of Michigan Future Inc. (check out his "Cutting through the fluff" interview), Center for Michigan founder Phil Power, Joe Schwarz, James Croce of Next Energy, Jack Lessenberry, Tim Skubick and others who will analyze the upcoming elections and a collection of Michigan legislators who will discuss "Moving Michigan Forward ".

One of the new twists this year with be a "Fusion Track", designed to give young professional an opportunity to share their ideas for transforming Detroit and the state. This is driven by Fusion, a Detroit Chamber convened group of young professionals who have been brainstorming ways to attract young people to metro Detroit. From the Freep:

"We've seen what we like in other places, what works in other places, what attracts young professionals to other cities and states. We want to bring some of that here to Michigan," said Markeisha Miner, an attorney at Dickinson Wright in Detroit who is a member of Fusion and plans to attend the conference.

Find a good story or blog about the conference or have an observation? Post it below!

Pictured Rocks Waterfall by ER Post

There's so much that I want to say about the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore that I have no idea where to start. Maybe all I need to say is that it's my favorite place on earth, and that I really hope you get a chance to visit there soon. That would probably get me in trouble for unseemly minimalism, so here's more:

The Lakeshore is located on the southern shore of Lake Superior between Munising at the west and Grand Marais at the east in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Pictured Rocks was the nation's first national lakeshore:

During 1957-58, the National Park Service, United States Department of the Interior, conducted a survey of the Great Lakes shoreline to determine areas suitable for inclusion in the National Park System. Of the almost 5,500 miles of Great Lakes shoreline studied, the survey team identified 118 miles. “By virtue of its unique and spectacular scenery unmatched elsewhere on the Great Lakes, the Pictured Rocks area of Alger County, comprising 43 miles of shoreline."

The Lakeshore was authorized in 1966. It contains 73,325 acres that boast 111 miles of hiking trails, five lakes (Miners, Little Beaver, Beaver, Chapel, Grand Sable), several major waterfalls, countless smaller falls and rivers, public beaches, sixteen campgrounds (cool municipal campground in Grand Marais) shipwrecks, lighthouses and other maritime facilities and more opportunities for hiking, biking, kayaking, sightseeing and outdoor fun than can be imagined. The main attraction, of course, are the pictured rocks themselves: spectacular and towering sandstone cliffs (up to 200' tall) that are composed of 500 million year-old Cambrian Sandstone painted a variety of colors by water running down the cliffs with oxides of copper, manganese, iron, and organic minerals. The cliffs are shaped by wind, ice and pounding waves that scour them smooth and also can shear off massive portions of the face.

Without further delay, here are 5 things to do at Pictured Rocks (please add other suggestions in the comments!):

Hike the trails. Although the NPS seems to be hiding the trails (PDFs with trail listing & trail map), there is no better way to see the Pictured Rocks than hiking along the park's woodland trails. My personal favorite is the Mosquito Falls Trail which leads past falls, through multi-leveled woodlands and down to the driftwood-strewn, sand & sandstone Mosquito Beach. Chapel Falls/Chapel Rock is another great hike.

If hiking isn't your game, consider a Pictured Rocks scenic cruise. The cruises are operated by Pictured Rocks Cruises and (especially on calm days) offer an incredible opportunity to see the rock formations. The price might seem a little expensive before the trip, but it probably won't after you've seen them. There are also airplane tours (scroll to the bottom for a cool aerial tour!)

It might seem strange to take a boat tour of shipwrecks, but the glass bottom boat tours of wrecks in the Alger Underwater Preserve don't view any glass bottom boat wrecks, so it's probably safe. There are tons of wrecks to see this way (such as the Herman H. Hettler), on guided diving tours or just walking the shoreline.

You can also connect with the maritime history of the region by visiting historical sites like the Au Sable Light Station. It's open for tours (check the times) in the summer and there are even bus transports on a few days for folks with mobility limitations. Other sites include the Munising Range Lights, the Munising & Grand Marais Coast Guard Stations and harbor and the Lighthouse Keepers House and Museum in Grand Marais. We promise not to tell if you take the extra jaunt to the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum at Whitefish Point.

To borrow a line from one of my favorite web sites, go waterfalling! You can learn all about Miners Falls and other falls in the area from gowaterfalling.com and the Park web site lists some of the larger waterfalls. While some of them require a hike, there are some like Sable Falls that are a short walk. If you take that trip above to the Shipwreck Museum, you can also check out Tahquamenon Falls. It's one of the largest waterfalls east of the Mississippi River and awe-inspiring, especially in the spring and early summer.

More Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore Links

• Get started with the Pictured Rocks slideshow from the Absolute Michigan pool on Flickr.
• Absolute Michigan keyword Pictured Rocks has a ton of articles and links and there's a whole lot more in our Destination: Michigan Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore feature!
• Photos & features at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore on Michigan in Pictures
• Pictured Rocks in Summer is just one of Lars Jensen's amazing photo tours of the Pictured Rocks in all seasons.
• Pictured Rocks photos from the Absolute Michigan pool on Flickr (slideshow)
• Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore map (PDF) from the Park Service - we'll try and get some Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore info on the Absolute Michigan Map of Michigan very soon!
• Wikipedia's Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore entry may have a thing or two we missed.

How Much?! by luna.nik

Gas is all over the news because it's apparently quite expensive, and never mind the fact that it has been pretty darn expensive for a couple of years now. Michigan hit another all time high of $3.84 per gallon last week and the numbers are rolling on at michigangasprices.com where they range from a low in Ludington at $3.63 to a high at Beaver Island of $4.99!

In Free gas offers may lure Michigan tourists, mLive reports on the Traverse City Convention and Visitors Bureau and a list of many others who are offering gas cards to entice tourists to look beyond the numbers to the prospect of actually doing something fun as Memorial Day Weekend approaches. They also have a brief article about how some Michigan state campgrounds are offering RV storage between stays, allowing you to park that gas hungry motor home or trailer for up to 30 days between stays.

Somewhere on the newly redesigned michigan.org there is a list of businesses and chambers offering gas card promotions. I couldn't find it but did find out that 2008 is being billed as The Year of the Car.

With calls rising to cut the Federal gas tax and Michigan's state sales taxes on fuel, you can be sure that gas prices are going to remain in the minds of travelers and those who are relying on travel for their livelihoods will have to work even harder this year!

Ludington State Park, Big Sable Light
by Through Joanne's eye

Last month tourism experts from Michigan State University delivered a less than rosy forecast for Michigan's tourism industry at the Driving Tourism 2008 conference. Also see the full Michigan Tourism 2008 presentation (PDF). The report projected that poor economic indicators on the state and national level and travel prices up over 7% from 2007 would likely lead to decreases in tourism of 5% in the UP, 4% in Northern Lower Peninsula, 2% in Southeast Michigan and a 3% growth in Southeast Michigan (likely due to the red-hot local economy).

Co-author Prof. Robert Richardson offered a couple of bright spots including a weak dollar potentially leading to more Canadian and international travelers, an expanded Pure Michigan travel advertising budget, and high travel prices possibly leading more Michiganians to travel within Michigan.

The message was clear that the travel industry is going to need some serious help in 2008, and right here at home is a great place to start. A few years ago, it was reported that Michigan had a nearly $3 billion dollar travel trade deficit (view the slides), meaning that Michigan residents spend nearly three billion dollars more when traveling out-of-state than non-residents visitors spend in Michigan. The authors of that report, Don Holecek & Joe Fridgen suggested:

We need to begin by accepting the fact we have a problem, which is not going away when the economy turns around or if we only tinker with what we have been doing in the past to attract more tourist dollars. Big problems require big solutions. We won’t close the deficient by simply matching the moves of our competition; rather we must strive to better them on many fronts. We will have to work harder, invest more, and invest smarter to offset our disadvantages and identify and exploit our advantages.

While Pure Michigan does a great job of reminding folks who love Michigan to come home for vacation, Michigan also needs a push (with funding) in our local media to help remind people who are already home of how much there is to do here in Michigan. We need to remember our state & national parks, our rich museums and vibrant downtowns when it comes time to plan a week or weekend trip.

Let's all try to Make it a Michigan Vacation this year!