Ernst & Young fill that kettle by kmaz

In a recent conversation about how we see need in Michigan, Rob Collier President of the Council of Michigan Foundations told us about several reasons to give charitably this year.  He said, "This is an important year to give and give big because the needs are so great.  Just as importantly, the Michigan state charitable tax credits are expiring at the end of December.  These credits are available to any Michigan resident.  On your donation you get a 50% tax credit, so if an individual gives $300 then they get a $150 tax credit back.  This encourages Michiganders to support the causes they care about in their communities while while getting something back on their State of Michigan tax returns."

You can donate in each of these three buckets:

• Endowment funds held by Community Foundations
• Support for Food Banks or Homeless Shelters
• Libraries, Public TV & Radio, Colleges and Universities

While  the holiday season is a great time to share our love, good thoughts, and Michigan-made gifts with friends & family, choosing to make donations to charities in lieu of buying gifts could be a really great way to allocate some extra funds to non-profits that desperately need it. This time of year, much of people's hard earned money is spent on frivolous bric-a-brac that they would never buy otherwise, so why not  instead make it a charitable gift?  The American Red Cross notes that nearly four in five people would rather have a charitable donation made in their honor than receive a gift they wouldn't use, so shifting ourselves (and our communities)  towards more meaningful giving can really bring the joy & holiday spirit back!

To maximize the benefits;  give to a tax-deductible charity for Christmas AND make it local.  We've compiled a list of Michigan based charities to choose from. Local money circling around our communities only strengthens our economy, as well as providing the necessary funds needed by these organizations to grow and continue to serve our communities.  A local charity gift for Christmas!   It is perfect, really. Read on for some great Michigan charities, be sure to check out our Michigan nonprofit section and add ones we've missed in the comments!

One highly rated charity to check out is The Greening of Detroit.  Their urban gardening and agriculture programs play a key role in Detroit’s blossoming green movement. Every year, the garden resource program contributes farming resources and educational opportunities to over 15,000 urban gardeners, supporting over a thousand gardens in Detroit, Hamtramck and Highland Park.  They have been around since 1989 with a mission to guide and inspire the reforestation of Detroit.

Yet another consideration this year: Gilda's Club Grand Rapids.  Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids is a free cancer support community for children, adults, families and friends. The Grand Rapids Clubhouse averages more than 600 visits per week, and over 20,000 visits per year. The club is named for the late 'Saturday Night Live' comedian, Gilda Radner.

Bay Area Recycling for Charity provides recycling services to residential customers and area businesses in the Traverse City region, and also partners with non-profit organizations in their recycling programs to provide maximum benefit for local charities. Their partnerships with these local non-profits creates a means for fund-raising for them and inspires recycling at the grassroots level. Businesses and residential customers may designate a charity of their choice to be the recipient of the revenues resulting from their recycling partnership with BARC.

Be a savvy donor and do your research too. Check out Charity Navigator's Top 10 Best Practices of Savvy Donors list.  We did our best to research this list, but you may find charities locally that we just didn't know about.
American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association - Dedicated to bringing a national focus to autoimmunity 22100 Gratiot Avenue East Detroit, MI 48021

Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute - Dedicated to the prevention, early detection and eventual eradication of cancer 4100 John R Detroit, MI 48201

Bay Area Recycling for Charities - Provides recycling services to residential customers and area businesses and also partners with non-profit organizations in their recycling programs to provide maximum benefit for local charities. 8025 S. Good Harbor Trail Cedar, Michigan 49621

Capital Area Humane Society - More than an animal shelter 7095 West Grand River Avenue Lansing, MI 48906

Coalition on Temporary Shelter - Helping homeless people help themselves 26 Peterboro Street Detroit, MI 48201

Community Foundation for Muskegon County - For good. For ever. 425 West Western Avenue Suite 200 Muskegon, MI 49440

Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan - Enhancing the quality of life in southeast Michigan 333 West Fort Street Suite 2010 Detroit, MI 48226

Cranbrook Educational Community - One of the world's leading centers of education, science and art 39221 Woodward Avenue P.O. Box 801 Bloomfield Hills, MI 48303

Detroit Science Center - Promoting science education and knowledge 5020 John R Street Detroit, MI 48202

Detroit Zoological Society - Celebrating & saving wildlife 8450 W. 10 Mile Rd, Royal Oak, MI 48067

Father Fred Foundation - Providing food, clothing, household goods and cash assistance to families in need. 826 Hastings Traverse City, MI 49686

Feeding America West Michigan Food Bank - Ending hunger in West Michigan 864 West River Center Drive Comstock Park, MI 49321

Focus: HOPE - Celebrating diversity since 1968 1355 Oakman Boulevard Detroit, Michigan 48238

Food Bank of Eastern Michigan - The food source for people in need 2312 Lapeer Road Flint, MI 48503

Food Gatherers - Alleviating hunger and eliminating its root causes in our community P.O. Box 131037 Ann Arbor, MI 48113

Forgotten Harvest - Driving hunger from our community since 1990 21800 Greenfield Road Oak Park, MI 48237

Gilda's Club Grand Rapids - Cancer support for the whole family, the whole time 1806 Bridge Street, NW Grand Rapids, MI 49504

Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan - Nourishing communities by feeding hungry people 2131 Beaufait Street Detroit, MI 48207

Grand Rapids Community Foundation - Grand Rapids Community Foundation believes that if there is anything worth doing, anything that needs to be done, any breathtaking opportunity to be realized—It Can Happen Here 185 Oakes Street, SW Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Habitat for Humanity Kent County - Strengthening families and communities 539 New Street, SW Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Humane Society of Huron Valley - Serving animals in all of Washtenaw County 3100 Cherry Hill Road Ann Arbor, MI 48105

Humane Society of Kent County - Dedicated to the protection and care of all animals 3077 Wilson Drive, NW Grand Rapids, MI 49534

Interlochen Center for the Arts - Dedicated to the promotion of world friendship through the universal language of the arts 4000 Highway M-137 Interlochen, MI 49643

International Child Care - Making a difference in Haiti and the Dominican Republic 240 W. Michigan Avenue Kalamazoo, MI 49007

ISLAND (Institute for Sustainable Living and Natural Design) - ISLAND is a non-profit arts and ecology center dedicated to connecting people with nature, art and community. 5870 Cottage Drive Bellaire, MI 49615

John Ball Zoological Society - Celebrating the wonders of our natural world 1300 West Fulton P.O. Box 2506 Grand Rapids, MI 49501

Kalamazoo Institute of Arts - Cultivating the creation and appreciation of the visual arts 314 South Park Street Kalamazoo, MI 49007

Leader Dogs for the Blind - Enhancing the lives of blind and visually impaired individuals 1039 South Rochester Road Rochester, MI 48307

Life for Relief and Development - Concerned Arab and Muslim American professionals in response to the humanitarian crises that developed in Iraq as a result of the 1991 Gulf War. 17300 West Ten Mile Road Southfield, MI 48075

Mercy-USA for Aid and Development - Helping children around the world 44450 Pinetree Drive Suite 201 Plymouth, MI 48170

Michigan Environmental Council - A collective voice for our environment 119 Pere Marquette Drive Suite 2A Lansing, MI 48912

Michigan Land Use Institute - Working with citizens, officials, and other organizations to build a prosperous new economy in Michigan, one that expands opportunity by improving our health and environment 148 E. Front St., Suite 301 Traverse City, MI

National Kidney Foundation of Michigan - Preventing kidney disease and improving the quality of life for those living with it 1169 Oak Valley Drive Ann Arbor, MI 4810

On the Ground - On The Ground's purpose is to support sustainable community development in farming regions across the world. 806 Red Drive, Suite 150 Traverse City, Michigan 49684

Senior Neighbors - Enhancing senior lives 820 Monroe Avenue, NW Suite 460 Grand Rapids, MI 49503

The Greening of Detroit - Guiding and inspiring the reforestation of Detroit's neighborhoods, boulevards, and parks 1418 Michigan Avenue Detroit, MI 48216

University Musical Society - Connecting audiences and performing artists in uncommon and engaging experiences 881 North University Avenue Ann Arbor, MI 48109

Veterans of Foreign Wars National Home for Children - Caring for the children and families of our nation's veterans 3573 South Waverly Road Eaton Rapids, MI 48827

YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids - Building strong kids, strong families, strong communities in Grand Rapids 475 Lake Michigan Drive, NW Grand Rapids, MI 49504

YouthVille Detroit - Enhancing the lives of youth 7375 Woodward Avenue Suite 2800 Detroit, MI 48202

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University of Michigan ~ West Hall
by Trish P. - K1000 Gal

The Saginaw News reports that as state support has dropped over the last 30 years, Michigan’s 15 public universities have compensated by raising tuition, fees and room and board, adding $3,000 each semester in tuition in the last decade alone. As need rises, so has student debt:

The average university student will leave college owing $20,000 to $24,000 in loans.

Over the past 10 years, the number of Michigan State University students applying for aid has gone up 23 percent, said Val Meyers, associate director of financial aid. “People who used to be able to pay themselves and didn’t bother to apply are now applying because they need some help,” she said, given rising costs and the struggling economy.

...At the same time, state scholarships and grants have been reduced. The Legislature ended the $4,000 Michigan Promise scholarship in 2009, and the Michigan Competitive Scholarship decreased its funding, Meyers said.

Tough times have forced those in Lansing to cut and cut again, and while higher education is 3rd in terms of general fund dollars:

Lou Glazer, president of the Ann Arbor-based think tank Michigan Future, notes Michigan ranks 49th in the nation in per-pupil spending for higher education.

“It’s a big mistake,” Glazer said. “Disinvesting in universities is not smart.”

Of the 15 states that have the highest college attainment rates, 13 have the highest incomes, he said.

This is an extremely interesting read about a critical issue to Michigan's future  - read more.

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It's rights for the title of the state, state champions, who's the best in the state, it's huge, big for the fans, big for the alumni and big for the players and coaches.
~Ryan Van Bergen, UM Defensive End

This Saturday at 12 noon the University of Michigan Wolverines head to Spartan Stadium in East Lansing to face the Michigan State University Spartans . The Paul Bunyan-Governor of Michigan Trophy is awarded to the winner of the game between the Wolverines and the Spartans. U of M holds the series edge at 67-31-5, but the Spartans won again last year, 34-17 comeback to hang onto the trophy for the third straight year. For the 2nd year in a row, both teams are in the AP Top 25, with the Spartans at #23 and UM ranked #11. This game is always a fierce rivalry , but mLive explains that in 2011 it takes on another aspect due to the new Legends & Leaders division structure of the Big Ten¹²:

...all you have to do beat out five other teams to win your division and you've got a shot at the Rose Bowl. Nebraska isn't what we thought they were, and Iowa just isn't that good. The winner of Saturday's game takes control of the Legends.

If you're looking for tickets, stubhub has them for $188 - $499.  The Sports Bank has a brutally honest preview that leads with Spartan DT and NFL Prospect Jerel Worthy's Anti-Michigan Wolverines Tattoo and breaks the game down very quickly and insightfully, and as always the folks at The Bleacher Report deliver with their slideshow of keys to the game and predictions for UM v MSU. The Freep calls it a smash-mouth showcase while the Detroit News lets a pair of former players, Michigan safety Marcus Ray and Michigan State quarterback Tony Banks, lay down the smack. On the blogs, A Beautiful Day for Football wonders if it's "Little Brother No More" and gives some interesting rivalry facts. As Bill Simonson says: "I hope this sports ride never ends."
MSU vs U of M Video Spirit Rally

Choose sides and get in on the discussion over at SpartanTailgate.com or MGoBlog. These are great resources with all the news and updates you need regarding MSU and U of M sports.

Michigan in Pictures has a couple of posts from awhile back about Spartan Stadium in East Lansing (where Saturday's game will be played) and Michigan Stadium aka The Big House.

Somewhere we have to note Whack-a-Wolverine from the Lansing State Journal and we definitely want to hear what YOU think about the rivalry and the game!

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The Project Shiphunt Students

mLive has a nice feature on some Michigan students who helped discover 2 wrecks in Lake Huron. 122 years ago, the 138-foot schooner M.F. Merrick was hit by the steel freighter Etruria, sinking both ships. The students used historical records and diving experts to identify the ships, and helped to document the vessels in 3-D for the newest exhibit at the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center. The article explains that:

...the crew of Project Shiphunt — which included five high school students from Saginaw — had identified two previously undiscovered wrecks in more than 300 feet of water just outside of the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary.

"That was just powerful, to be the first human eyes to look at these since they went to the bottom," said James Delgado, director of Maritime Heritage at the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration and expedition leader for Project Shiphunt. "We were looking for a ship that was sunk in a collision, and we ended up finding two other ships that were sunk in a collision."

The project was a joint venture sponsored by Sony and Intel corporations that incorporated technology, oceanography, archeology and history into a hands-on curriculum that brought history to life for the Saginaw students during six days in May. The students directed the mission, charted the map in search of the steamer Choctaw, and manned the massive research vessels as they painted the floor of Lake Huron with triple-beam and side-scan sonars.

You can learn more about Project Shiphunt in a video from Sony/Intel. Definitely watch this if you can - it's a very cool video and shows how engaged the students were with the actual work of exploration. The documentary will air on the Current cable channel at 10 PM on Aug. 30th so check that out too!

To my mind, this is what education should be. Here's a 3D visualization of the ROV exploring the MF Merrick that's pretty neat as well.

3D Shipwreck - MF Merrick with ROV from Mike Postons on Vimeo.

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The daylong event's theme is designed  to educate, inspire and connect great minds by honoring innovators who have passion, curiosity, creativity and adaptability to change the world with revolutionary ideas. Guest speakers include Carl Ganter, director and co-founder of Circle of Blue; Ellen Gustafson, co-founder of FEED Projects; environmental activist  Peter Sinclair; Dominique Jaurola, founder of Hunome; photojournalist  Paola Gianturco;  James Gartner, television and film director; Carl Erickson, cofounder and president of Atomic Object; American conductor  Kevin Rhodes; author and Great Lakes advocate Jerry Dennis, author; educator  Yong Zhao;  and marine science educator  Teresa Carey who you can learn about in the video below!

TEDx  is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience.  TED started in 1984 as a conference bringing together people from three worlds: Technology, Entertainment and Design. You can click that link for a lot more information and some amazing TED Talks that take you from the deepest caves to the planet Saturn and explore cool innovations such as transforming education with video or Google's driverless car with all kinds of luminaries including Bill Gates (state budgets), Jane Goodall (what separates us from the apes) and web innovator Ze Frank.

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Thanks Blogging for Michigan for the find!

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Darius Morris by JS_Owens || MSU Basketball #10 by Blackbeard Ben || summit league championship by elishapage

After weeks of uncertainty, the state of Michigan was rewarded with not one or two but three NCAA Tournament bids!

The University of Michigan Wolverines (20-13) received a #8 seed, higher than most expected and meet #9 seed Tennessee at 12: 40 PM on Friday in the West Regional in Charlotte. It's a high seed but a tough slot as they will likely face #1 seed Duke in the 2nd round if they advance. The good news is that Duke is considered by many the weakest of the #1s and Tennessee is 4-7 over their past 11 games.

The Michigan State University Spartans (19-14) managed their 14th straight NCAA bid, a #10 seed. They square off against #7 seed UCLA at 9:20 PM on Thursday in the the Southeast Regional in Tampa, Fla. If the Spartans win, they would probably meet #2 seed Florida on Saturday. While MSU always seems to endure some struggles, this season has been especially trying.

Michigan's third bid went to the Oakland University Golden Grizzlies (25-9). They received a #13 seed and will face one of the dominant teams of the season who fell on hard times late, #4 seed Texas (27-7) in Tulsa on Friday at 12:15. The Golden Grizzlies are #2 in the country in points per game and shooting percentage, something they will really need Friday!

You can check out the bracket on ESPN, read more at the Freep and also check out Pat Forde's Big Breakdown of the Tourney.

Here's a series of videos that includes highlights from MSU & UM tourney championships, a sweet excerpt from ESPN's Fab Five production and a very strange but funny interview of Coach Izzo by the Visigoth Sports Network.

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R.I.P. - James McMillan School (1894-2008)
by SNWEB.ORG Photography, LLC.

HB-4214 - the "local  government and school district fiscal accountability act" -  passed the Senate yesterday.  This is such a strange & sweeping bill that vests power in the executive branch to exercise extra-ordinary powers of finance, administration and even the very existence of municipalities and schools that we're still trying to come to grips with the implications. You can read stories from the right (Detroit News or any suggestions?) and left (Michigan Messenger or  AFL-CIO). The Messenger version says (in part):

According to the law, which has already been approved in the House, the governor will be able to declare “financial emergency” in towns or school districts and appoint someone to fire local elected officials, break contracts, seize and sell assets, and eliminate services.

Under the law whole cities or school districts could be eliminated without any public participation or oversight, and amendments designed to provide minimal safeguards and public involvement were voted down.

An amendment to require Emergency Managers to hold monthly public meetings to let people know how they are governing was rejected by Senate Republicans, along with proposals to cap Emergency Manager compensation and require that those appointed to run school districts have some background in education.

Hrum. Thoughts? If you're thinking that the above paragraph is hyperbole, I urge you to click to read the text of the bill. Page 34 for example. The fact that the proposed 2011 budget includes big cuts for already struggling school districts and municipalities pretty much guarantees that the Emergency Managers will see action.

FYI, Michigan law already allows for Emergency Managers, but their authority is nowhere near what it will be when these bills become law.

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We'll lead off with video of President Barack Obama's speech at Northern Michigan University in Marquette on February 10, 2011. Thanks Cat Chat TV for the great video!

Railroads, Power Lines ... and WiFi?

02102011_motorcade3-4203 by CreateWithKim
(view her NMU Obama slideshow

The New York Times has a nice report on the President's proposal to implement high-speed wireless coverage to 98 percent of all Americans within five years. They also have an answer to the question of why Marquette and Northern Michigan University.

Mr. Obama chose Marquette, a city of about 21,000 on Lake Superior on Michigan's Upper Peninsula, because Northern Michigan University has worked on ways to expand wireless access for students and the surrounding areas. For more than a decade, the university has given a new laptop to every incoming student.

The university has also joined up with business to build what Mr. Obama called “a high-speed, next-generation wireless network,” and worked with nearby towns to expand the network by retrofitting their cell towers with new equipment.

Get the full text of the White House release explaining the details of the plan from NMU.

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Huron River by Ann279

Our friends over at the Great Lakes Echo tipped us off to an interesting thing that the University of Michigan is doing. It's called The Water Semester. The semester celebrates water in all forms through courses, public lectures, exhibitions, performances, and explores water from diverse perspectives, including water in art (and music!), water in literature, the role of water in shaping human history, the origins and physics of water on Earth and beyond, and exploration of the global water crisis and water sustainability on local, regional, and global scales.

There will be a keynote "The World is Blue" on January 26th by TED Prize winner, National Geographic Explorer & Oceanographer Sylvia Earle. Earle is the founder of Mission Blue and you can see her amazing and sobering TED presentation below.

Other highlights include a Water Careers Fair on February 16, showings of movies including michigan produced FLOW: For Love of Water (Jan 27), a lecture on Art and the Environment with philosopher David Abram and dance educator Jennifer Monson (Mar 19), workshops on a variety of topics including Photographing Water, a Science Café regarding Water, Oil, and Energy at Conor O'Neill's Traditional Irish Pub (Feb 9) and family events including a Water Discovery Day (Mar 25).

Amazing kudos to the U of M for developing the The Water Semester. Click over for much, much more including how you can take steps to make a difference in one of the most important issues of our time.

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by Liz Pacheco

Michigan may be one important step closer to offshore wind energy by the end of the year.

In early November, state Rep. Dan Scripps, D-Leland introduced a bill to regulate wind farms in Michigan's Great Lakes waters. The legislation proposes that the state fully oversee offshore wind projects—from initial proposals from developers, through approval and construction.

Proponents say it ensures that Michigan controls who, where and how offshore wind projects are developed.

“If we can put together and have enacted a comprehensive framework, we'll be first in the Great Lakes region,” said Scripps. “There is a huge advantage in doing this for support for onshore job potential. If we don't, and someone else beats us, we'll have lost the opportunity from an investment and jobs standpoint.”

Both Republican and Democratic representatives support the bill. Some advocates are hopeful it can pass in the lame duck session before the new governor and many new legislators take office in January.

“The governor wants to try to get this done to have on her desk to sign it,” Scripps said. “A lot of the pieces are in place, a lot of the questions answered…I know there's going to be a big push.”

Offshore wind faces other development hurdles

It could make Michigan the first state with comprehensive offshore wind development legislation. But even if it passed, offshore wind farms likely are far in Michigan's future.

Before wind towers can be built right in the Great Lakes, “a lot has to be done to get the cost for offshore wind down; a lot of leasing and permitting has to be in place,” said John Sarver, co-chair of the Great Lakes Wind Collaborative. Speaking theoretically, “let's assume we will have legislation in place by the end of the year. There will be years of process, studies and evaluation before construction will start.”

These five Wind Resource Areas are at least 6 miles off shore
away from shipping lanes and sensative habitat and are
covered in 148 feet of water or less.
Photo: Michigan Great Lakes Wind Council

The bill is based on the policy recommendations made in an Oct. 1 report by the Michigan Great Lakes Wind Council, an advisory board created by Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm in September 2009 to explore the power source.

Michigan owns 40 percent of the water surface —more than any other state in the region. This makes the Great Lakes a huge untapped resource for the state.

Michigan State University Land Policy Institute [in a 2009 study] identified 322,000 megawatts of potential, Sarver said.

One megawatt is enough electricity for 225 to 300 homes, giving the Great Lakes the potential to provide energy to millions of Michigan homes.

The council's report presented a more realistic outlook and recommended the most favorable areas for Michigan offshore wind projects.

“Our original charge was to find the most favorable and the least favorable [locations],” said Michael Klepinger, the council's staff director. “That language was inserted there on purpose, so we wouldn't stand around arguing about all the stuff in the middle.”

Strong winds, sensitive habitats, shipping channels help define development sites

Five areas were identified as priority places for offshore wind. All are at least six miles offshore and avoid waters not fit for wind towers, like shipping lanes and sensitive fish and wildlife habitats.

The report also polled community support for offshore wind and recommended legislation for leasing and permitting lake bottoms to offshore wind developers.    

“The government made it clear to the council that they were to look at the statewide public need,” said Klepinger, “not just the needs of the people sitting on the beach or the needs of people sitting in high rises in Detroit.”

More than 575 residents attended the five public meetings held all over the state; 480 participated in the surveys. Nearly two-thirds of these participants showed support for commercial offshore wind farms with the understanding they would help meet the state's renewable energy portfolio. That's a law requiring that 10 percent of Michigan's electricity must come from renewable energy by 2015.

Those opposed to offshore wind worry about impacts on tourism, habitats, property values and the use of the lakes for private gain. Problems such as noise,were also concerns.

Other states also covet Great Lakes wind potential

Michigan isn't the only Great Lakes state working to develop offshore wind projects.

In New York, the state power authority has created a timeline for wind tower construction starting in 2013. Power would be produced in 2015-2016. Unlike Michigan, New York won't need to pass legislation to facilitate their projects, although they will still need to work with federal regulators such as the Army Corps of Engineers.

Click through to Great Lakes Echo for a poll, reader comments and other stories.

In Illinois, a grassroots organization has sparked the discussion on offshore wind energy. Earlier this month a task force under the nonprofit group Citizens for A Greener Evanston received permission from the city council to review offshore wind projects for Lake Michigan, including two submitted proposals.

Despite already receiving proposals, “we know we're not going to be the first” in offshore wind power from the Great Lakes, said Kevin Glynn, a member of the Renewable Energy Resources Task Force with Greener Evanston.

However, not being first gives Evanston the opportunity to learn from its neighbors.   “We're trying to study what's happening in the other states and…what's been going through the legislative,” said Glynn. “We told [the city council] to copy what Ohio and Michigan are doing” in terms of legislation.

Cooperation among states has been an important part of offshore wind development in the Great Lakes.   The Great Lakes Wind Collaborative was established to facilitate discussion and Sarver said that states and provinces have been talking for years, both about offshore and onshore possibilities.

While offshore wind energy is still years in the future, those involved in the projects are excited about its potential. “Everyone benefits,” said Sarver. “There's an advantage getting away from heavy dependence on coal power and diverse resource base.”

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The festival encourages cross-cultural understanding of our diverse society through the presentation of musicians, dancers, cooks, storytellers and craftspeople whose traditions are rooted in their communities.

The festival includes nearly 100 musicians or dancers in groups, who perform at least twice and sometimes as many as four times over the weekend. Also featured are traditional and other food vendors, craft vendors and many other individual artists/demonstrators. There are five performance stages (including one with a 2,400 sq. ft. dance floor), a children's hands-on activity area, crafts demonstrations, and crafts marketplace. In addition there are special programs every year, which feature some aspect of traditional culture.

Photo credit: Patrick Power

Observes GLFF founding director Marsha MacDowell, "The folk festival is a unique celebration of the histories, traditions, and cultures of the many peoples of the world, and while we have a focus on Michigan and the Great Lakes, we also present artists from around the nation and world. This is one of the few venues in the country to regularly showcase award-winning state and national artists, including recipients of the Michigan Heritage Awards and the National Endowment for the Arts' National Heritage Fellowship Awardees. "

This award-winning event is one of the region's premiere arts programs and a summer-time high note -- and is expected to draw more than 90,000 visitors throughout the weekend to celebrate culture, tradition and community. GLFF was named the state's top public humanities program by the Michigan Humanities Council and the event received an artistic excellence grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to help produce this year's activities.

Festival hours are: Friday, Aug. 13, 6 - 10:30 p.m.; Saturday, Aug. 14, noon - 10:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Aug. 15, noon - 6 p.m. For more information, call the MSU Museum at (517) 432-GLFF (4533) or learn more at http://www.greatlakesfolkfest.net and on Facebook and Twitter.

Admission to the MSU Museum's Great Lakes Folk Festival is free (donations are encouraged).

Get a feel for what the festival is like by checking out this flickr slideshow!
View Larger Map

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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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One could argue that the beautiful northern Michigan woods makes it own kind of music. Sounds of native wildlife and wind rustling through the trees can be quite pleasing to the ears. Imagine human beings adding their own beautiful music to such a scene. In 1928, three men imagined exactly that.

Founding Fathers

Joseph Maddy, T.P. Giddings and Charles Tremaine established the National High School Orchestra Camp at Interlochen, Michigan. The three men had previously collaborated on projects for the Music Supervisors National Conference. In the 1920s, the MSNC was the nation's main organization concerning public school music instruction. Many schools added music classes in the years following World War I, and Maddy, Giddings and Tremaine advocated the practice. Maddy was a University of Michigan music professor and chairman of music in Ann Arbor public schools. Giddings supervised music in Minneapolis, Minnesota schools. Tremaine, a New York businessman from a piano manufacturing family, proved adept at financial matters.

In 1926, MSNC President Edgar Gordon asked Maddy to organize and conduct a student orchestra concert for MSNC's national convention in Detroit. Giddings and Tremaine helped him in his endeavors. The concert went well, and Maddy received high praise. In the next two years, he prepared similar programs for conventions in Dallas and Chicago.

Flushed from this success, Maddy wished to gather a similar orchestra where the student musicians could live and perform together for several consecutive weeks. He discussed his thought with Giddings. Ultimately, a Detroit businessman named Willis Pennington offered to sell some land near Traverse City. Maddy and Giddings agreed and later brought in Tremaine to handle financial matters.

Evolution

The first National High School Orchestra camp convened at Interlochen in 1928. That initial class consisted of about 115 student musicians, who lived in tents and small cabins. Over the years, the camp would grow. Beginning in the early 1930s, Interlochen offered theater, dance and visual arts classes as well as music classes. Music continued to be emphasized for awhile, though, and the camp was renamed the National Music Camp in 1932.

Finally, in 1962, the Interlochen Arts Academy opened as a year-round facility. In his book Interlochen: A Home for the Arts, Dean Boal notes that it was “the nation's first independent high school for the arts.” Today, the Interlochen Arts Academy High School and the Interlochen Summer Arts Camp continue to offer instruction to arts students.

Photo: Interlochen student Patty Albinson plays a flute by a statue of the Greek God Pan (Photo by Michigan Tourist Council, 1956)

More about Interlochen at interlochen.org!

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inveiglement by TerryJohnston

In Q&A: Keith Zendler on Detroit's Tipping Point, TIME magazine interviews serial entrepreneur Zendler about his newly launched Peoplemovers.com. It's a free social media venture designed to serve as a kind of Facebook for governments, non-profits, foundations, service clubs, block clubs, school districts, churches, mosques, temples, etc.

Q: What is Peoplemovers.com and why is it needed?

A: This is the next generation of social media. It's great that Facebook and Twitter connects you to everyone you ever knew in the world and family members. But there is still a need for a place where leaders, organizations and the people they serve can connect to each other while working for a greater purpose. If you take all of the issues and challenges we've got out there, in one way or another I think it all boils down to having a “healthy” or strong community. That's what's been fractured here in Detroit and around the world, mainly because we've become so isolated from each other over the years. The idea behind Peoplemovers.com is to create a network where leaders and their organizations can connect, engage and work together to impact their communities. That's something you can believe in no matter what your faith or your politics. The key is to give people and organizations a tool that makes connecting and cooperating easy to do.

Q: What does this provide groups like the City of Detroit?

A: For leaders, it allows them to engage, mobilize and tighten up the smaller communities they already have. And they can do it in cooperation with other organizations and other communities. This way, they are all strengthened. When it comes to cities, it means that every neighborhood association, block club, business, non-profit, school, house of worship and every person can be directly connected to city hall AND EACH OTHER.

Read more at TIME.

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UPDATE: Tom Izzo chooses to stay at MSU. That wind you're feeling is a sigh of relief from Spartan basketball fans as the winningest coach in MSU history chooses to stay at State.

Final Four Homecoming #3
by Blackbeard Ben

Tom Izzo, wildly successful head coach of the Michigan State University Spartans, is certainly Michigan's top coach, so it's no surprise that the Cleveland Cavaliers are considering him   for their head coaching position. The State News says:

Reports by the Cleveland Plain Dealer on Tuesday said the Cavaliers have informally offered Izzo a 5-year contract potentially worth $30 million or more, and includes the use of owner Dan Gilbert's private jets.

Grant said the Cavaliers are looking for a coach who is “a winner” and is defensive-minded.

Also check out more about Izzo from Absolute Michigan, this piece looking at the pros & cons of Tom Izzo to the NBA from Slam Online,   this Freep article and the video below.

Izzo's possible departure sparked a big rally at MSU, as fans sought to convince the coach to state at State. If you'd like to express your support for Tom Izzo, there is of course a Keep Tom Izzo at MSU Facebook page. You might prefer, however, to head over to weloveizzo.com to do it and also to read what other folks have to say! The State News quotes Cam Gnass who set up the site:

“I was sick of everyone saying why he shouldn't take the job,” he said. “Is that really the message we should be sending him? This is just to let him know we love him and (we're) letting him make his own decision.”

Gnass said the website has received more than 1,500 messages as of Sunday afternoon, and is receiving three or four new messages per minute.

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Ready for my closeup by farlane

In MSU helps form Michigan cheese cooperative, Farm & Dairy reports on the newly formed Michigan Cheese Makers Cooperative. Members plan to work together to market their cheese, leverage their buying power and cooperate to further the art of cheese making in Michigan. The cooperative is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Cooperative Development and was brought together by the Michigan State University Product Center for Agricultural and Natural Resources. Product Center Director Chris Peterson says that cooperation is critical for small food producers:

“Each of the members has a unique product,” Peterson said. “And that's a wonderful thing. However, having your own unique product maximizes the workload when it comes to marketing, and it's difficult for one producer to develop a portfolio of products. By marketing these together, members now have a portfolio of products which make them much more attractive as a grocery supplier.”

The initial 11 members are:

• Cowslip Creamery
• Dancing Goat Creamery
• Evergreen Lane Farm and Creamery
• Four Corners Creamery
• Grassfields Cheese
• Greenbush Farms
• Greystone Farm and Creamery
• Leelanau Cheese Company
• Mattawan Artisan Creamery
• MSU Dairy
• Zingerman's Creamery

Say YES to Michigan Cheese!!

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• 230 artist exhibitors from all over the U.S. and Canada
• 8 emerging artists affiliated with Michigan universities, colleges or art schools.
• Free performances on two stages highlighting a wide variety of music.
• Free arts activities for children and families.
• An international-style food court offering flavors from around the world.

East Lansing is a charming University town with a wide variety of shops, restaurants, galleries and the beautiful Michigan State University campus across the street. The East Lansing Art Festival is produced by the Art Festival Board of Directors under the auspices of the East Lansing Arts Commission/City of East Lansing.

The East Lansing Art Festival is held the weekend preceding Memorial Day weekend. The festival operates 10am-6pm on Saturday and 10am-5pm on Sunday.

Michigan State University Arts and Crafts Show

Celebrate spring at the Michigan State University Arts and Crafts Show on May 22nd & 23rd, 2010. In its 46th year, the show has more than 325 artists from across the nation and offers something for everyone.

The MSU Arts and Crafts Show is one of the largest arts and crafts shows in the state. This year's show includes many returning favorites as well as brand new artists. There will be a broad range of exhibitors selling handmade items. Items include; candles, furniture, jewelry, home and yard décor, aromatherapy, clothing, children's toys, painting, photography, pottery, sculpture and much more.

The Arts and Crafts Show is held outside on the grounds of the MSU Union. This show is held on Saturday and Sunday with over 300 exhibitors displaying items in a park-like setting on the MSU campus. Most exhibitors utilize portable structures for their displays. The UAB office can provide current booth fee prices. The East Lansing Art Festival is staged one block north of campus with over 225 exhibitors. More than 60,000 people annually attend these two outdoor shows.

The show takes place on the grounds of the MSU Union, near the corner of Grand River Ave. and Abbot Rd. in East Lansing. The show hours are Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission to the show is FREE!

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National winner selected by President Obama for commencement speech

WASHINGTON – The White House and the Department of Education today announced Kalamazoo Central High School in Kalamazoo, Michigan, as the winner of the first annual Race to the Top High School Commencement Challenge. President Obama will travel to Kalamazoo to deliver the school's commencement address. More details on the President's visit will be released as they become available.

“I congratulate our winner, Kalamazoo Central High School, and all of our six finalists for their innovative and effective approaches to teaching, learning and preparing students to graduate ready for college and a career,” said President Obama. “I look forward to visiting and speaking at Kalamazoo Central High School later this spring.”

“The extraordinary applications we received in the Race to the Top Commencement Challenge are a true testament to the great work happening in high school across the country,” said Secretary of Education Arne Duncan who announced the winner in a video released this morning. “Congratulations to everyone at Kalamazoo Central High for setting high standards and ensuring students graduate and go on to succeed in college. I look forward to joining the President at their commencement.”

Kalamazoo Central High School was one of over 1,000 applications narrowed down by the White House and Department of Education to six high school finalists. Between April 26th and April 29th, over 170,000 people weighed in on short videos and essays from the six finalists. President Obama selected Kalamazoo Central High School as the national winner from the three high schools with the highest average public ratings.

Like each of the finalists, Kalamazoo Central goes the extra mile to provide its diverse student body the support they need to succeed in school, attend college, and go on to promising careers. More than 80 percent of the school's students graduate, and last year the school made its adequate yearly progress goals for the first time in several years for all student groups. While in school, students have the opportunity to participate in a variety of creative programs, such as theme-based schools to improve themselves and support their community. In addition, the “Kalamazoo Promise” - a pledge to pay the college tuition costs for Kalamazoo Central graduates, funded by anonymous donors – embodies a true community commitment to encourage every student to graduate from high school college- and career-ready.

In recognition of the extraordinary achievements and outstanding efforts by each of the six finalists, the Obama Administration will work to provide a Cabinet secretary or senior administration official to deliver the commencement address at each of the five schools not selected as the national winner.

The Commencement Challenge, launched in late February, invited the nation's public high schools to submit applications showing their dedication to providing students with an excellent education that will prepare them to graduate ready for college and career choices. Applications were judged based on the schools' performance, four essay questions and supplemental data. The six finalists were selected for their dedication to academic excellence and for showing how they are helping prepare students to graduate college and career ready, and prepared to meet the President's goal of having the highest proportion of college graduates in the world by 2020.

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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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President Obama at Michigan Stadium
photo by Sam Wolson/Michigan Daily
(video below)

ANN ARBOR —  President Barack Obama took a break from the constant political storms in Washington, D.C., to address the University of Michigan (U-M) 2010 spring commencement ceremony today. And thunderstorms rolling across the Midwest rewarded him with a break in the weather, as nearly 85,000 graduating seniors, U-M students, families and well-wishers enjoyed overcast skies and a humorous, but reflective speech on American politics that could well have been delivered in a political science lecture hall.

The crowd that packed into Michigan Stadium —  the gridiron popularly known in Ann Arbor as the “Big House” —  more than doubled that of typical commencement ceremonies, in no small part because of Obama's popularity and intrigue among this student body, and young Americans in general. Early morning showers dropped spring rains on southeast Michigan, but the precipitation stopped in earnest by 9 a.m., two hours before the ceremony was to begin.

Adhering to a punctual schedule, Obama entered the stage shortly before 11 along with Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm (a close ally of the President who may someday seek a cabinet position or a Supreme Court nomination once term limits end her governorship) and U-M President Mary Sue Coleman, and took a seat between the two. School of Music, Theatre & Dance senior Mary Martin then opened the ceremony with a performance of “The Star Spangled Banner,” followed by a Reflection from Samir Mohammed Islam, a senior from the College of Literature, Science and the Arts (LSA, which is U-M's largest school).

Following remarks by esteemed faculty members, the spotlight turned to LSA Senior Alex Marston, a D.C. native and third-generation Michigan student whose grandparents met in Angell Hall during the 1940s. His speech on the topic of “change” seemed fitting with Obama just feet away from him, and the cameras focused on Mr. Change whenever the word was used.

“We desire change, but we fear it too,” Marston said. “After (Obama) took office, he found resistance to change,” at which the President whispered something to Gov. Granholm and laughed. Marston alluded to changes in U-M's football program, a new coach and the team's fall from grace over the past three years. The senior also lamented that, for today's graduates, change will mean no more visits to the popular Ann Arbor bar Good Time Charlies, or Zingerman's Deli, and its world famous pastrami sandwiches. “But still, we must embrace change and follow the lead of Michigan graduates to change the world.”

Coleman then honored the nation's 44^th President with an Honorary Doctor of Law degree before thanking Obama for making the trip on Air Force One: “Congratulations to a group of graduating students so exceptional that we had to show you off to the President of the United States. … President Obama, welcome to the Big House,” she said to thundering applause.”

Just after 11:30, Gov. Granholm took the podium (adorned with the President of the United States seal) and applauded Obama: “On behalf of our 10 million citizens, thank you for supporting our auto industry — Ford, General Motors, Chrysler. They all have bright futures now, whereas one year ago much darker clouds than these loomed overhead.” Granholm mentioned a recent visit by Vice President Joe Biden to promote Michigan's electric battery sector. “We could not change Michigan from the rust belt to the green belt without your support, Mr. President,” she continued.

About 10 minutes later Obama rose and drew nearly 30 seconds of applause before opening his speech. He smiled, answered, “I love you back” and then pronounced, “It's great to be here in the Big House. Go Blue,” admitting that he wanted to start things off with a cheap applause line.

Political science

Obama began his speech on a humorous note: “I am happy to join you all today, and even happier to spend a little time away from Washington. Don't get me wrong — it's a beautiful city. And it sure is nice living above the store; can't beat the commute,” he joked. “It's just that sometimes, all you hear in Washington is the clamor of politics — a noise that can drown out the voices of the people who sent you there.”

He reads 10 letters a night from ordinary citizens, including one from a kindergarten class in Virginia, which asked the leader of the free world a series of innocent questions. “One asked, ‘How do you do your job?' Another asked, ‘Do you work a lot?' Somebody wanted to know if I wear a black jacket or if I have a beard — clearly getting me mixed up with that other tall guy from Illinois. And then there was my favorite: ‘Do you live next to a volcano?'”

But after tickling the crowd's funny bone, Obama adopted the conciliatory, unifying stance of the change-maker he's aspired to be in the White House. He admitted that the debate over the size of government is a legitimate one that has existed since this country's beginnings; he called on cable news pundits and others to keep the political debate civil, and he admitted that these issues of political tone are nothing new.

“Before we get too down on the current state of our politics, we need to remember our history. The great debates of the past all stirred great passion. They all made some angry. What is amazing is that despite all the conflict; despite all its flaws and frustrations, our experiment in democracy has worked better than any other form of government on Earth.

Obama's call for a good government, of the people, seemed suitable for a political science class, if not a campaign rally: “Government is the police officers who are here protecting us and the service men and women who are defending us abroad. Government is the roads you drove in on and the speed limits that kept you safe.”

And then the President made perhaps the only allusion to the stormy issues of the day that are certainly on his mind as he flies back to Washington.

Senator Barack Obama in Michigan #3
by radiospike photography

“Government is what ensures that mines adhere to safety standards and that oil spills are cleaned up by the companies that caused them. Government is this extraordinary public university — a place that is doing life-saving research, catalyzing economic growth, and graduating students who will change the world around them in ways big and small.

Shortly after noon today, Obama wrapped up his speech, calling on U-M's graduates to be tomorrow's leaders, and protectors of democracy. And after the seniors filling the football field in a sea of black gowns were officially declared graduates, they honored tradition and tossed their black caps into the air. Formal above the waist, many graduates wore tennis shoes — even Bermuda shorts — below.

U-M a collegiate leader

Ross Business School by JSmith Photo

President Barack Obama is the third sitting U.S. president to deliver a graduation commencement speech in Ann Arbor, following Lyndon Johnson in 1964 and George H. W. Bush in 1991. Johnson used this setting to outline the pillars of his Great Society legislation, which marked the 1960s. Bill Clinton also spoke to U-M's graduates after he left the White House. Video images of Johnson and Bush both appeared on the jumbotron during today's ceremony.

Though they weren't commencement speeches, John F. Kennedy stopped for a midnight rally at the University of Michigan 50 years ago while on the 1960 campaign trail and introduced the Peace Corps. (“Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country,” he said in that recognizable Bostonian accent.) And U-M alum and Grand Rapids native Gerald Ford (the only Michigan native to sit in the Oval Office) launched his unsuccessful re-election campaign here in 1976.

While U-M has taken its lumps on the gridiron in recent years, and all but ceded state basketball bragging rights to Tom Izzo and Michigan State, the university continues to be a national collegiate leader. University president Mary Sue Coleman, who took over the reigns in 2002 following Lee Bollinger's tenure, launched “The Michigan Difference” campaign, which raised $3.2 billion — the most ever by a public university.

The university's value to the state of Michigan is equally immense. The U-M Health System, which serves 1.7 million patients each year, boasts a medical school, three hospitals and more than 120 health centers and clinics. U-M spends over $1 billion annually on research, which has resulted in 2,521 discoveries, 1,184 patent applications and 83 startups. U-M is part of the University Research Corridor, a collaboration with Michigan State and Wayne State universities to accelerate statewide economic development.

Michigan Stadium, which opened in 1927 and was the first college stadium to use electronic scoreboards, holds a capacity of 106,201.

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Happy Earth Day, Michigan!

Tina's students took these photos. Over on Michigan in Pictures today we took a look at Michigan's ties to the first Earth Day.

2010 is the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day, and the University of Michigan has some great stories about the roots of Earth Day in Michigan. In addition to a nice story detailing Earth Day's genesis in Michigan from the Ann Arbor Chronicle, there is a very cool documentary about the 1970 University of Michigan Environmental Teach-In. (watch it!!)

View many more photos in the Earth Day slideshow from the Absolute Michigan pool.

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Gray school1 by wardmac

The Detroit Free Press reports that a group called Save Our Schools Michigan (SOS Michigan) is predicting a bleak future for Michigan schools:

Michigan public schools will lay off thousands of employees and more than 100 districts could be insolvent if the state doesn't find a way to plug a $400-per-pupil funding shortfall in funding next year.

That assessment comes today from a coalition of education groups that urged the Legislature to resolve what they call a school funding crisis by July 1, the start of a new fiscal year for schools.

Save Our Students (SOS), a coalition of 17 associations that represent school and school officials statewide, released results of a survey of 300 of the state's 540 school districts that paints a bleak picture of 4,000 additional layoffs statewide next year, school closures and elimination of programs.

The survey indicates 47 school districts could deplete their fund reserves this year, and another 60 to 80 could do so next year...

The Detroit News adds a list of more findings from the survey:

• 85 percent report class sizes will increase due to staff cuts and closing schools.
• 83 percent will freeze salaries and benefits for some or all employees.
• 76 percent plan to combine services with other districts to cut costs.
• 56 percent will reduce or eliminate extracurricular activities.
• 53 percent will cancel orders for major capital spending.
• 46 percent will reduce or eliminate bus transportation for students.

I hate to say it, but Michigan's elected officials have been turning a blind eye to this brewing storm for years. Don't believe me? Here's Jack Lessenberry from 4 years ago:

Someday we may find leaders who have the vision and courage to fix it, but in the meantime, we need to avoid destroying public education in our state.

We still haven't found leaders with the courage to make the hard choices, and Jack's still writing.

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Conversely, opposition to slavery did grow. Michigan was an active participant of the Underground Railroad even before it became a state. In 1836, thirteen former slaves organized the Second Baptist Church in Detroit. Besides allowing African Americans to worship without discrimination, the church also opened Michigan's first school for black children and it was a stop on the Underground Railroad.

Michigan's black population grew slowly but steadily during the years before the Civil War. Famed black abolitionist Sojourner Truth made Battle Creek her home in 1857. At a time when women, especially black women, did not give speeches, Truth used her remarkable speaking skills to promote equality and the need to end slavery. Truth stood six feet tall and had a deep voice. Her listeners were "melted into tears by her touching stories."

As automobiles became Michigan's central focus, tens of thousands of African American moved north, seeking employment in the auto factories. During the twentieth century, the list of African Americans who had an impact on Michigan - and the world - includes world champion boxer Joe Louis, political scientist Ralph Bunche (the first African American to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize), Motown Records' founder James Earl Jones, Congressman John Conyers Jr. and activist Rosa Parks.

For a massive listing of happenings check out: "Black History Month events: February is full of music, exhibits and cultural events celebrating African-American achievement" - via Freep.com

Photo Credit: Visual Materials from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Records (Library of Congress)

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Former NMU student Tyler Weesen getting a
GPS point on an ancient shoreline feature

Researchers from the Northern Michigan University geography department have completed a three-year project at the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore that uncovered 23 new archaeological sites and reconstructed the Nipissing shoreline as it looked about 4,500 years ago. NMU Geography Department Head John Anderton said the National Park Service supported the effort to locate cultural resources so they remain protected in future plans for road improvements and other developments.

In the first year of the project, satellite imagery was used to identify distinct land forms—notches, ridges and barriers—created by wave action to map the older shorelines. They found that the water was 30-40 feet higher than it is today.

“Today, Pictured Rocks is seen as a barrier with the cliffs and long stretches of beach," Anderton said. "It's not very habitable. But if you go back a while, there were nice places for people to live. There were embayments, or shallow water lagoons that had a variety of fish and plants; everything a hunter-gatherer would need.”

NMU student Claire Kitzman
shovel-testing in the park

In year two the satellite imagery was combined with GIS modeling archaeological sites from Robert Legg, who documented the GPS locations of established sites and made comparisons across the area to find similar sites. In the final phase final phase of the project, the model was tested by shovel testing for artifacts, mainly rock material such as quartzite flakes or shatter left behind from making tools. NMU professor Robert Regis created digital elevation models which allowed Anderton and students to key in on spots around the Miner's, Mosquito and Chapel areas and Beaver Lake.

“In the past, you might do a hundred tests and find nothing. But one out of four of ours unearthed artifacts,” Anderton said. “That's called smart archaeology. The big surprise is there were six brand new sites in Miner's and another six at Mosquito. Radiocarbon dating put them at over 2,000 years old. They were most likely small, short-term campsites where individual families stayed; it wasn't the full-blown villages that have been found on Grand Island. The implication is that springtime fishing drew people in.

“The park benefits from this study because they know where artifacts are and they can avoid, for example, putting a group campsite on an archaeological location. They can't do that legally, but they didn't know what to preserve because it had been hard to find evidence of ancient people's activities at Pictured Rocks; it's so heavily wooded. Interpreters will also be able to describe Native American use of the park. Before, they thought it ended about 2,000 years ago. Now we know it was used during the Archaic period. It would take more extensive reconstruction factoring in glaciers to explore whether human activities at the park date back to the Paleo-Indian era.”

Very cool to see the latest in computer science having a significant impact in old-school fieldwork!

UPDATE: Thanks to John Anderton for the cool photos from NMU's field work!

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Coaching philosophy - Via Wikipedia

Izzo's teams are known for guard play, toughness and rebounding. Izzo got attention when people learned of his "war" rebounding drills, in which the players have sometimes worn football helmets and shoulder pads. His motto is "Players Play – Tough Players Win". His other coaching philosophy is that "he doesn't determine playing time, players do."

We'll play anybody, anyplace, anytime. It doesn't matter, morning, noon or night, and it doesn't matter who it is.
—Tom Izzo

For more on his record breakiing accomplishment check out:

Izzo becomes MSU's all-time wins leader as Spartans blitz UMass 106-68 - The State News

Spartans blow out Minutemen - Freep.com

Izzo becomes MSU's winningest coach as Spartans rout UMass - USA Today

Izzo tops MSU win list in 106-68 win over UMass - Sports Illustrated

Izzo sets school record for wins as Spartans down Minutemen - ESPN.com

Coach Izzo is a ringer for the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame so via ESPN.com we wanted to point you to their video your of Izzo's MSU memorabilia collection at his home in East Lansing.

Just to keep the MSU coach grounded we present via YouTube: MSU Basketball Coach Tom Izzo Goes to Broadway

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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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Pumpkin Patch by Larry the Biker

In his essay Threatening Agriculture, Michigan Radio's Jack Lessenberry says that it looks as if Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm will veto funding for agricultural extension programs after witholding the October payment for extension. He quotes dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Michigan State University Jeffrey Armstrong as saying this would be devastating to Michigan's second largest industry in a variety of ways including the loss of millions more in federal matching funds.

“The Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station system and MSU extension are providing the research, development, and education for Michigan's emerging green economy,” Armstrong said.

If that funding is eliminated, or even if it is withheld, he says it would “destroy our ability to build the one economic sector in which Michigan has an advantage,” he says.

What that would mean is that MSU would have to shut down its 83 extension offices -- one per county - plus 15 agricultural and biological research stations and some other programs.

Jack notes that we're not just talking 4H here - we're talking after school programs in inner cities and a wide range of health and education issues that touch all aspects of our lives in Michigan.

I'll switch to italics to editorialize: This is about the most senseless thing I've ever heard of. Michigan is defined by what we grow and right now it seems like we're growing stupidity.

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It also looks at the proposed elimination of the Michigan Department of History, Arts & Libraries (HAL). In a move that lies somewhere between shortsighted and Visigoth, Michigan's Governor has proposed eliminating HAL to save - drum roll please - 2 million dollars. As columnist Jack Lessenberry notes in his essay Saving Our Past from Politicians, that's roughly 1/10th of one percent of the money that is necessary to close our budget gap:

Our state has its own great library too, the Library of Michigan in Lansing, which has been around, in one form or another, since before we became a state. It contains 5.6 million priceless books, documents and records, all in a wonderful building in Lansing.

Any citizen can use the library and check out material from it. Additionally, thanks to federal matching funds, the state library system is able to subscribe to online databases that allow Michigan residents to access a vast array of resources from across the world.

...(Governor Jennifer Granholm) has issued an executive order transferring control of the library to the Department of Education. And that‘s not just a meaningless bureaucratic procedure. Along with it comes dramatic cuts, and a real chance that the library's extensive collections will be scattered.

James Seidl, who directs a consortium of 49 libraries on southern Michigan was deeply appalled. “Distributing or removing these collections destroys 180 years of collecting, cataloging an preserving materials,” he told the Toledo Blade last week. (read article)

...What that would probably do is end all arts grants funding in the state, which means we would lose matching federal funds as well. The state librarian would be fired. The popular Michigan History magazine would stop publishing. The library would also stop allowing patrons to check out books, which, as respected Lansing columnist Susan Demas noted ironically (read her column), is sort of why libraries exist.

Michigan residents enjoy countless benefits from HAL. I strongly urge you to join the Save the Michigan Dept of History, Arts & Libraries Facebook group and share the link with your friends and urge them to apply some pressure to your Michigan representatives. History is a treasure that we hold for our children and as Jack notes, the lesson of Alexandria is too important to ignore.

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