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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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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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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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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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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Michigan Wine & Spirits Competition

Be among the first to try winning wines from the 2009 Michigan Wine and Spirits Competition and taste the breadth of quality from Michigan's vineyards. Sip a glass of wine while chatting with winning winemakers to learn more about their wines.

The Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center will host the 32nd Annual Michigan Wine and Spirits Competition, and a public Gold Medal Reception unveiling Michigan's top wines, on Thursday, August 6 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. This year marks Kellogg's ninth year hosting the competition, which will bring together wine experts to judge their way through nearly 400 Michigan wine entries. Best of Class wines will be perfectly paired with delicious foods prepared by the Kellogg Center's chefs. Other double gold, gold and silver medal wines will be available for sampling, along with a generous array of culinary treats. The Gold Medal Reception is expected to bring out an audience of 350 supportive consumers, industry members and industry associates. Tickets for the Michigan Wine and Spirits Competition Gold Medal Reception are $40 per person and are available through the Kellogg Center at 517-432-4000.

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Michigan State's mens cagers earned their eighth trip to the NCAA Sweet 16 in the last 12 years. The Spartans will face Kansas in the Midwest Regional semifinal TONIGHT (Friday, March 27 @ in Indianapolis, Ind). If you're stuck working or something, I think that the Basketball Gods will forgive you if you watch the game online. As the tale of the tape explains, there's a bit of grudge match element to tonight's game (and you can bet Izzo will be watching the clock!):

Kansas defeated Michigan State, 96-86, in overtime in the 1986 Sweet 16 in a controversial finish. With 2:20 left in the game and MSU leading, 76-72, the clock did not run for approximately 15 seconds. MSU led 80-74 with just over a minute to play, but KU scored six straight points, the final basket came on a tip-in from Archie Marshall with :10 seconds left - 10 seconds that should never have happened.

Fresh off a surprising but convincing upset victory over Duke, the Michigan State women's basketball team heads to California this afternoon in preparation for the NCAA Tournament Berkeley Regional and a date with No. 4-seed Iowa State on Saturday at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN. Was it really an upset though? The Spartans' have laid down the D this year:

The 2008-09 Michigan State team has a chance to finish the season as one of the greatest defensive teams in program history. Currently this year's team has allowed the fewest points per game (54.9) since 1974-75 and owns the lowest field goal percentage defense (34.5%) since records were kept for the 1976-77 season. Since the addition of the 3-point line to the women's game for the 1987-88 season, the Spartans' 26.5% is second to only the first year of the line. Also, this year's squad has the best rebound margin (+7.7) since opposing rebounds were kept in 1987-88.

Go Green, Go White!

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ballin' by Beth☮♥♬

With the 2009 Final Four taking place in Detroit, it's probably fitting that both the University of Michigan Wolverines and Michigan State Spartans have received NCAA Basketball Tournament bids

It's the first NCAA tournament bid for the Wolverines since 1998, a #10 seed in the South Region with a draw of Clemson (23-8). UM takes a record of 20-13 into the 6:10 PM game on Thursday (Mar 19).

The Spartans (26-6) secured the #2 seed in the Midwest region. This is the 12th consecutive bid and they will face Robert Morris in the opener. Despite a disappointing loss to Ohio State in the Big Ten tourney, they are expected to do well after playing one of the toughest schedules in the country.

More UM & MSU Links (add more in the comments below!)

• Green & White from the Lansing State Journal and mLive's UM Wolverine's page.
• University of Michigan and Michigan State at rivals.com
• Michigan State & University of Michigan and at ESPN's Clubhouse
• The blogs: MGoBlog & Spartan Tailgate
• YouTube: Michigan State Spartans opening video & University of Michigan team celebrates with fans on Selection Sunday

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Fallen Beauty by lorainedicerbo

Welcome to 'The Week' for October 20-26. This is where we will be posting comments such as news items, interesting blog posts, cool video and media, coming events, new web sites added to Absolute Michigan and other items of note.

We invite you to do the same!

Temps are dropping and most areas have already experienced their first frost with snow coming up in the forecast. With this change in weather it is a great week to check out the The Michigan Story Festival in Mt. Pleasant on October 24 - 25. The two-day Michigan Story Festival offers a complete showcase of the power of storytelling in all its art forms. Michigan Story Festival is one of the only storytelling festivals to integrate the stories of many cultures and traditions. There is also the History, Mystery & Haunting: THE WHITNEY RESTAURANT in Detroit on October 25th for an evening to be remembered! First enjoy a three-course meal at this beautiful, 5-star restaurant. Later, Kathleen Tedsen and Beverlee Rydel, authors of "Haunted Travels of Michigan" will tell the Whitney story and, in association with paranormal team HIGHLAND GHOST HUNTERS, will share their experience and evidence collected during a two-night investigation. You may be in for a surprise! Photographs, Video & Audio Presented. A ghost hunt will follow.

Also be sure to check out our massive Michigan Haunted Houses, Mazes & Attractions page that features all kinds of haunted houses, corn mazes and scary attractions from all across Michigan.

Also, this Saturday the Michigan State University Spartans travel to Ann Arbor to play the University of Michigan Wolverines at The Big House. Check out our Michigan vs Michigan State Football Rivalry page for a ton of information on this much anticipated annual football game!

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gothic splendor by dnj_Brian

Nathan Bomey of the Ann Arbor Business Review has an interesting piece showcasing how Michigan's three research universities have a direct and significant impact on our state's economy.

One of every $50 earned in the state of Michigan can be attributed to the economic impact of the state's three research universities, according to a new report.

"The economic impact of them is growing even at a time when the wages in the state are declining and the state budget support is declining," said Patrick Anderson, CEO of East Lansing-based Anderson Economic Group, which conducted the study.

The University Research Corridor - which consists of the University of Michigan, Michigan State University and Wayne State University - registered a net economic impact of $13.3 billion in 2007, up 3.5 percent from 2006, the report concluded.

Continue reading: State's universities drive economic development in the Ann Arbor Business Review at mlive.com

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Tonight in NCAA action, fifth seeded Michigan State will attempt to pull off an upset over the #1 seed Memphis. You can read the NCAA's preview of the game or just paint your monitor green & white with Spartan Tailgate, the Enlightened Spartan, mLive's MSU section and greenandwhite.com.

Be sure to also check out our Michpics March Madness features on the Breslin Center and Crisler Arena.

Photo courtesy MGOBLUE and in honor of the teams, we gave our header a little shake and bake:

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Ryan took this photo at Game 2 of the CCHA semifinals between Northern Michigan vs Michigan State (NMU won the series 3-2 btw).

He seems to enjoy hockey & ruins more than just a little and is also a member of Team Lazy.

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To say that sage_82 (Mark Ratliff) is a master of the art of pumpkin carving is a huge understatement. His 2006 tribute to Michigan football legend Bo Schembechler and his 2007 Sparty are simply incredible.

Take a moment and check out some of the pumpkins he's carved (view the slideshow).

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Help Justin out by Sponsoring a state, becoming/nominating a host, or by promoting The Hometown Invasion Tour through word-of-mouth and the world wide web.

"In the last week since I've been on and around I-75 I have seen several Michigan license plates. When I was out west I hardly saw them at all. I was a long ways from home. But there is always something special about seeing a Michigan plate when on the road. It always makes me smile and reminds me of home... There is nothing like seeing another one of those deep blue Michigan plates on the road. A touch of home. Oh, but wait! Terrible news was passed my way this week that Michigan is no longer going to make the classic blue license plate... There's not another plate like it, and it's simplicity has always won me over. After all, it should be full of blue; our state is beautifully unique and has access to the freshest water in the world. That blue represents the Great Lakes." - Michigan Mistake

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On the organization side, the plan seeks to build the leadership, organizational structures and political alliances needed to push Michigan's tourism industry to the top. It also talks about builing collaboration and communication systems.

From the perspective of the tourism "product," it talks about providing the research and technical assistance to enable effective private and public sector investment in tourism and also the importance of paying attention to the customer's experience.

You can get the Michigan Tourism Strategic Plan from TravelMichiganNews.org.

Also see Tourism plan: Spend more in the Traverse City Record-Eagle.

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Traverse City Images by mstephens7

They're here! Cherries, northwest Michigan's ruby red signature crop, are here in abundance and in time for Traverse City's National Cherry Festival. (Sometimes, if the weather doesn't cooperate, they're just a bit late.)

It's the sweet cherries - which promise to be a bumper crop this year - that are ripe now. Tart cherries usually ripen about the third week in July, but they may be a week earlier this year because of the heat.

Did you know?

• Tart cherries are loaded with antioxidants that are believed to relieve the pain of arthritis and gout and help fight cancer and heart disease. They're also especially high in the antioxidant melatonin, which may help prevent or reduce brain deterioration associated with aging. And to top it off, they're high in vitamin A and beta-carotene.
• Cherries were brought to America by early settlers in the 1600s. Cherry trees, in fact, were part of the gardens of French settlers when they established Detroit.
• Peter Dougherty, a Presbyterian missionary on Old Mission Peninsula north of Traverse City, started modern-day cherry production in Michigan in 1852. Now, Michigan grows about 75 percent of the nation's tart cherries and Traverse City calls itself the cherry capital of the world.
• It takes about 250 cherries to make a cherry pie; enough cherries grow on the average cherry tree to make 28 pies, industry officials say.
• Tart cherries ripen two or three weeks after sweet cherries. Look for them in mid to late July.
• Cherries are a truly ancient delicacy-explorers have found cherry pits from the Stone Age in European caves.
• Tart cherries have fewer calories and more beta-carotene than sweet cherries.
• Michigan grows 75 percent of the nation's tart cherries.

Find it!

You can find Michigan Cherry Orchards at the Taste the Local Difference Farm Network

Also see Absolute Michigan keyword "Cherries"

Ripening Cherries by Sir Frog.

Try it!

OK, here's our newest discovery: Try eating tart cherries fresh. Everybody thinks they're just for pies, but if you like lemonade, you might be surprised to find you actually like fresh tart cherries better than sweet cherries.

For the sweetest of the tarts, try local certified organic cherries - four farms listed at www.LocalDifference.org grow them. The brix, or sugar content, of organic cherries often tests higher. Another sweeter option is the Balaton tart cherry, which hails from Hungary and has been found to grow well in northwest Michigan.

Sweet and tart cherries are easy to freeze - pit them if you plan to cook them later; or leave the pits in and they'll give an almond-like flavor. Just spread them out on a tray and put them in the freezer overnight. Then, put them in bags and eat them later, partially defrosted, dreaming of cherry blossoms and summer days.

Try fresh or frozen cherries - tart or sweet - in yogurt with a bit of maple syrup for breakfast. Fruit is nature's fast food, and it's both healthy and delicious. Trade in your chips for cherries this month.

Add cherries to yogurt, cereal, or fruit salads.

Try sweet, pitted cherries with gorgonzola cheese, green onions, and baby lettuce with locally made cherry vinaigrette.

If you have access to a food dryer, try drying a batch of cherries to enjoy this winter, either as a snack or a granola ingredient.

And for a savory recipe, try this one from the Cherry Marketing Institute:

Carmelized Salmon with Cherry Salsa

Stir together 3 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 tablespoon grated orange peel and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and rub over 1-1/2 pounds fresh or thawed salmon that you've placed skin side down in a shallow pan. Cover and refrigerate 2 to 8 hours.

Place salmon, skin-side down, on a gas grill over medium heat or on a charcoal grill four to six inches from medium-hot coals. Grill for 20 to 25 minutes or until the fish flakes easily. Do not turn the fish.

Meanwhile, toss together one ripe mango or papaya, seeded, peeled, and chopped, with one cup halved tart cherries (thawed and drained if frozen) and 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint, basil or cilantro, 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar, and 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper. Spoon salsa over the warm fish and serve immediately. Serves four.

Cherry-Almond Muffins from CulinaryCafe.com:

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups cherries, pitted, coarsely chopped, and drained
• 1 cup slivered almonds, lightly toasted
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• granulated sugar
• Cream the butter and sugar until fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time.
• Sift together dry ingredients and add them to butter/sugar mixture alternately with milk. Stir in almond extract, then gently fold in almonds and cherries.
• Spoon muffin batter into 12 greased muffin cups; cups will be quite full. Sprinkle each muffin with a little granulated sugar, and bake in a preheated 375 ° F oven for 30 minutes, or until muffins test done.

June 4, 2006: Almost ripe by Matt McGee

Want to make that cherry pie? A homemade crust is much easier if you chill the fat and flour first, then pull out the food processor. Pulse the chilled flour, salt and fat (butter or shortening) together until it resembles coarse crumbs. Then pulse in a few tablespoons of iced water, one tablespoon at a time, until the dough just starts holding together. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface (chill the rolling pin, then dust it with flour so it doesn't stick), then transfer the crust to a pie pan. This basic technique will work for just about any pie recipe.

NPR recognizes Northern Michigan as a leading Cherry grower. Sour Cherries: A Tart, Tasty Michigan Treat. Listen to interview about tart cherries.
Cherries are great to eat and a great reason to celebrate. Join in the celebrations at the Traverse City Cherry Festival. As well as being delicious, cherries are also good for you, visit the Cherry Marketing Institute to read all about their benefits to your health.

Taste the Local Difference is part of the Michigan Land Use Institute's Entrepreneurial Agriculture Project, which aims to grow jobs, save farmland, and build healthier communities with food that's thousands of miles fresher. Find more than 160 farms and fishers who sell fresh foods on their farms, in farmers markets, and to restaurants and stores at www.LocalDifference.org . TLD lead sponsors are Traverse City State Bank and the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians.

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reaching to the moon by oldbrushes

As the state's auto industry takes one hit after another, Michigan residents now have one more reason to consider heading back to the farm, corn-based ethanol. Today's cover story in the Lansing State Journal looks at how corn may change the face of automotive fuel.

The rising emergence of ethanol-producing plants here in Michigan are causing motorists, farmers, and government officials all to sit up and take notice. The state's second-largest industry, agriculture pulled in $61 Billion last year, and stands to radically grow with increased demand for corn.

Economists credit ethanol with raising average corn prices more than a $1 a bushel in the past year. If crop yields stay stable, that means the harvest of an 80-acre corn field this fall could be worth nearly $40,000 more than in 2005.

Even with the good news, an MSU study released last month explains how this boom could negatively affect the price of other things like how much you pay for that steak.

For more on Michigan's Corn Industry, you can check out Michigan Corn Online and the Department of Agriculture has a fun fact-filled Kidz Korner all about Michigan's corn.

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Jack Lessenberry says that even though he voted against Proposal 2 last month, and would vote against it again and is a a proud member of the American Civil Liberties Union, he thinks that the suits filed by the ACLU and the NAACP are flat-out wrong.

Find out why over at Jack's blog.

Photo: Thirds Rule by docksidepress

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