Gateway Ghost by mellowhummer

Lost children are a recurring theme in ghost sightings. Almost everyone feels a tug to the old heartstrings at the implied death of a child, making these one of the most poignant type of paranormal reports.

A writer from Greenville sent me one of the most detailed such stories that I've received. He lived with his family in a house built in the 1920s that was rumored to once have housed two children who were later lost in the adjacent woods.

The writer was about ten or eleven at the time and was walking up the stairs at night when he saw a little boy wearing an "odd-shaped" hat. The boy, who seemed to be about six years old, was looking at him from behind a low partition between the kitchen and living room, and backed farther behind it to remove himself from view. The writer moved higher on the stairs to get a better look and the ghostly little figure crept behind the living room sofa and disappeared from view.

The sightings continued. The little boy appeared again behind the sofa, playing checkers with a little girl ghost who seemed a year or two younger. The writer had recently received the game of giant checkers for Christmas. He said both children appeared well-dressed, but in rather out-of-style clothing. The writer says he saw the children many other times over the two years the family lived there, and has always wondered if the story about the lost brother and sister was true.

The man says he is in his 30s now but has never forgotten the two little ghosts of Greenville and has told the story many times. It would be interesting to know whether anyone in that town has seen the same little children at play.

More Weird Wednesday from Absolute Michigan and also absolutemichigan.com/ghost for Michigan ghosts & ghost hunting!

Jared, Sadie and their new Mackinac Island friends Eric and Becky find themselves turning into detectives as strange events occur all over the island. Native American art and artifacts are vanishing from gift shops and art galleries. At the Governors’ Conference, Dr. Royalton is demanding that Great Lakes water be diverted for use by states in the southwest—and then he disappears! As the four teenagers explore the island and its historical sites looking for clues, they find themselves facing an evil Gi-bi who locks them in a dungeon. Will they get out in time to save Dr. Royalton? Will they discover who stole the copper turtle and other art from the island stores? Eric and Becky’s cousin Luke keeps interfering in their investigation. Is he involved or just the jerk Jared thinks he is? How is all this connected—or is there more than one mystery to solve?

Mystery of the Copper Turtle is the first of the Big Mitten Mysteries, a series of books for the young reader set in locations around Michigan. Look for Jared, Sadie and more of their adventures in The Mystery of the Voyageur’s Rendezvous, available for Christmas, 2009.

Published by Arbutus Press you can purchase the book online though Amazon.com.

The ticket giveaway is now over with and our winners have been notified.... Tickets for the show are on sale now! So even if you didn't win we urge you head to Detroit for wonderful evening of top notch entertainment.

About the Show

It's here, and it's "AN ELLE OF A SHOW" (TIME Magazine). The hilarious MGM film is now a smash hit musical, and now LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL is coming to you. Legally Blonde follows sorority star Elle Woods, an underestimated blonde who doesn't take "no" for an answer. When her boyfriend dumps her for someone more "serious," Elle puts down the credit card, hits the books, and sets out to go where no Delta Nu has gone before: Harvard Law. Along the way, Elle proves that being true to yourself never goes out of style. After turning Broadway and MTV hot pink, this “Feel-Good Song and Dance Juggernaut” (New York Magazine) is “The Best New Musical Around!” (WOR).

For complete inforamtion about the show and the national tour visit the official Legally Blonde The Musical website.

About Broadway in Detroit

Broadway in Detroit and Nederlander Detroit have been bringing the Detroit area the Best in Broadway Shows since 1961 to fabulous venues including the Fisher Theatre, Gem Theatre and the Detroit Opera House. For a full list of events go to www.BroadwayInDetroit.com.

Video from the Road

Check out Legally Blonde on Tour YouTube Channel. Backstage behind-the-scenes footage shot by cast members of Legally Blonde The Musical National Tour!

Footage of the girls taping the Bonnie Hunt Show

Also, on YouTube is the Legally Blonde The Musical channel from the Broadway production with several videos featuring scenes from the show.

You can also join Legally Blonde The Musical on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.

The contest is now complete and the winners have been notified.

If you did not win tickets they are still available for purchase online. Reviews of the tour have been very positive, so if youare a fan we suggest you don't miss Daughtry's first arena tour!

Their most recent release Leave This Town continues its impressive streak of success. The album, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, has sold more than a half million copies in it's first five weeks. The album's first single, "No Surprise," reached No.1 on the Hot A/C chart. It is the band's fourth #1 hit, a rare feat for any recording artist.

After finishing a sold out club tour, Chris Daughtry stated the band is busy preparing for the upcoming arena tour. "We dreamed about how it would feel playing these songs to packed arenas, and we're excited to get our chance," Chris says, "We have a great show planned and can’t wait to hit the road to share it with our fans."

Check out the video for daughtry's latest single "No Surprise"

Check out many more videos on Daughty's Official YouTube Channel

Join Daughtry on Facebook and MySpace

Old Town Blues Fest 2008 by ChristineElise

The Old Town BluesFest is a two-day FREE music festival that brings national, regional, and local acts to an audience of roughly 15,000 people from across Michigan and nearby states.

BluesFest's music truly is living music, history in the making. Each artist at the festival is asked to play an original composition, something that hasn't been played at any other festival.

This year's festival will take place Friday, September 18 (4pm-12:30am), and Saturday, September 19, 2009 (2pm-12:30am), in the streets of Old Town, surrounded by the best of the Capital City's art galleries as well as unique retail stores and grand architecture. Vendors lined the streets offering ethnic food, beverages, art, clothing, and crafts, and nearby galleries and boutiques opened their doors during festival hours.

BluesFest will become better stewards of our environment this year, implementing on-site recycling under the direction of a volunteer "Green Team." A green pledge booth will feature hundreds of giveaways, free watering stations are available and volunteers will wear donated organic T-shirts.

Video Flashback

From the 2008 Old Town BluesFest, 'New Hawaiian Boogie by George Bedard' shot by Scott Allman.

Dedication to Lansing

Old Town BluesFest started in 1994 under the name OctoberFest. Lansing's alternative radio station, 92.1 WWDX, signed on as media sponsor, and MessageMakers became its founding business sponsor.

The festival featured such renowned artists as Kid Rock, Marcy Playground, Duncan Sheik, Nineteen Wheels and local showstoppers such as Powerface, Knee Deep Shag, The Lash, and The Weepers.

In 2003, the festival committee decided to transform the fall music festival into Old Town BluesFest and was pleased to announce 94.9 WMMQ as the new radio sponsor.

In its early years, the festival brought out 2,000-3,000 people; now that has increased to over 15,000.

BluesFest's updated format has featured nationally recognized blues artists such as Junior Watson, David "Honeyboy" Edwards, W.C. Clark, Carl Weathersby, Sharrie Williams, Smokin' Joe Kubek, Bnois King, Reverend Raven, Toni Lynn Washington, Byther Smith, Grana' Louise, bugs Beddow band, Alberta Adams, A.C. Reid, Son Seals, plus popular performers from around the state such as Lady Sunshine and the X Band, Calvin Cooke and Sacred Steel Ensemble, Mojo Phoenix, Those Delta Rhythm Kings, Root Doctor, Doug Deming and the All Stars, JR Clark, and The Automatic Blues Band.

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

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

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

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

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

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

A Sampling from Michitwitter August 2009

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Holga: Riverside Park by Matt Callow

Wisconsin and Michigan are alike in many ways; they both border Lake Michigan, feature smallish but fierce mammals as mascots, and are shaped roughly like mittens. One more unfortunate similarity is that each harbors a stretch of river that has earned a reputation for repeated, unexplained drownings. Many of the victims in both states have been college students, leading to speculation about serial killers and supernatural causes.

Wisconsin's river of death is the Mississippi where it flows past La Crosse. Starting with the death of a doctor in the 1800s, the river has claimed frequent lives, many of them students at UW-La Crosse. The apparent cause is always simple drowning, and the most recent occurred in late September 2007. Strangely, it was three days after a man and his son reported that a man-sized, bat-winged creature almost flew into the windshield of their truck. A similar creature, Mothman, was sighted around Point Pleasant, Virginia in the 60s before a local bridge collapsed and killed many, leading some to surmise that these winged things are harbingers of death. (See Strange Wisconsin, More Badger State Weirdness)

Michigan's similarly dangerous waters flow in the Huron River near Peninsular Park, in an area where a large old paper mill once commanded the river's power. According to writer James Mann in the Ann Arbor News, drownings were a yearly occurrence there throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and many victims were students at the present Eastern Michigan University. It got to the point where the school would not permit its enrollees to dip even a toe into the Huron's chill waters.

The river then turned its siren-like attention to other citizens who were still foolhardy enough to dive in. One man whose identity was never discovered was found in late September, 1930. The red-haired man, thought to be a vagrant, had tattoos on his arm -- a lovely lady's face and an ornament in the shape of a shield -- but no one ever stepped forward to claim him.

Michiganders and Wisconsinites alike can only hope the Huron and Mississippi have had their fill of human bodies. Weird Michigan's advice? Always use the buddy system, and watch out for strange flying things overhead.

The contest is now complete and our winner has been notified. Thank you for entering and keep your eye out for more ticket giveaways!

Tickets for the shows are on Sale Now!

From KISSONLINE.com:

The KISS Army has spoken! By overwhelming fan demand, KISS has just added a second special KISS ALIVE 35 concert at Detroit Rock City's legendary concert venue, Cobo Arena. Following the incredible response to the previously announced show on Friday, September 25th, in which tickets sold out at a feverish rate, a second KISS date has been added on Saturday, September 26th

The legendary venue, a Motor City institution that is slated for closure, has hosted KISS concerts on numerous occasions, not the least of which was the series of shows that were recorded to become the KISS ALIVE! album. The band will come full circle to reprise that classic recording at these September shows, this time returning with brand new staging, costumes, pyro and more.

Gene Simmons discusses the upcoming COBO Arena show and Sonic Boom in a radio interview on Detroit's 94.7 FM on August 21, 2009.

Paul Stanley discusses the upcoming COBO Arena show and Sonic Boom in a radio interview on Detroit's 101 FM on August 21, 2009.

Gene by Jean-Luc
KISS Toronto 1976 Slideshow

KISS Visits Cadillac, Michigan

The website created by Jim Neff When Cadillac Was KISSed is the ultimate resource and there is also an excellent article The Day Kiss Rocked Cadillac on the Northern Express's website. For even more information be sure to check out Paul Roy's article at Blogcritics Music DVD Review: KISS - Kissology Vol. 1 - 1974-1977.

The documentary highlight of this package, however, has to go to the fascinating footage of KISS' trip to Cadillac, Michigan on October 9th, 1975, to take part in the town high school's homecoming celebration. They mingled with the townspeople all day before eventually performing a climactic concert in the high school gymnasium. The one or two thousand who where actually there, has supposedly grown into about one or two hundred thousand who claim they were.

The next morning, a breakfast was held in the band's honor, where the town officials presented KISS with a key to the city - this was after they graciously allowed the band to apply KISS makeup to each and every one of them. Hearing the football coach talk about how they played KISS in the locker room to get the team pumped up before each game, brought back fond memories of myself cranking Alive! on my stereo before each and every one of my high school hockey games to get myself fired up. Believe me, it worked. In true KISS fashion, a giant helicopter unsuspectingly swooped down onto the football field to pick up the band as they were saying their goodbyes to the town. The KISS phenomenon had officially begun.

For you video lovers, here's the KISSOLOGY DVD video, a live rendition of Detroit Rock City and (probably best of the three) a rehearsal of Detroit Rock City.

Detroit-based indie rockers The High Strung, whose penchant for playing live music in libraries was the subject of a This American Life feature, were invited to play a show at the Guantanamo Bay library this summer. They said yes. What followed is documented in a Vanity Fair article, written by the older brother of one of the bandmembers.

Visit their website thehighstrung.com and friend them on MySpace....

Check out the YouTube video: WATCH ME SUSTAIN: THE HIGH STRUNG LIBRARY TOUR DOCUMENTARY Promo Trailer (short version)

As always, the festival site will have a Disc Golf Course Designed by Stephanai Myers of Disc Golf Michigan. The festival site is also strategically located near various mountain biking trails and the Pine River, a National Wild and Scenic River, a world class blue-ribbon trout stream, and a renowned paddle sports playground. Kestelwoods restaurant, party store and campground is a convenient 6 minute walk from the festival grounds.

New to the Festival
New this year will be the addition of a beer tent, featuring some of the finest handcrafted brews from the great beer state, served up in a micro beer festival format. We're proud to announce our all new Farmers Market full of local produce and specialty baked goods.

Vendor Village
In Hoxeyville we understand the vendor village is the nucleus of any good festival. We always strive to feature the finest artisan, craft and food vendors from our region, with a focus on specialty foods with locally grown and organic ingredients.

Just some of the artists include:
Buddy Guy, Galactic, Bill Frisell Trio, The New Orleans All-Stars, Melvin Seals & JGB, Greensky Bluegrass, Great American Taxi, Ekoostic Hookah, Seth Bernard & May Erlewine, Steppin' In It, The Macpodz and many, many more....

Location
Located in Beautiful Northwest Lower Michigan in the Heart of the Manistee National Forest, The Festival Grounds are located just west of The Kestelwoods Store and Campground off M-37 in Wexford County (1 1/2 hrs N of Grand Rapids, 40 Min. S of Traverse City) This year the site has been expanded to 75 acres and features ample areas for shaded walk-in and car camping, and open and level fields for RVs and Campers. This year we have a new Venue area that will be home to the The Main stage, Vendor Village and a Beer Tent featuring some of the finest brews from the region.

"Les Paul brought six strings to electricity and electricity to six strings. Les Paul was an innovator, a groundbreaker, a risk taker, a mentor and a friend. Try to imagine what we'd be doing if he hadn't come along and changed the world. There will always be more Les to come. That's certified."
~ Billy Gibbons, one of many to praise Paul

Electric Blues by Rudy Malmquist

Les Paul, designer of the Gibson Les Paul and an incredibly influential musician, passed away Friday at the age of 94.

Wikipedia says that in addition to collaborting on the the guitar that bore his name, Paul is credited with recording innovations including overdubbing, tape delay, phasing effects, and multitrack recording. The "Wizard of Waukesha" was also one of the most influential guitarists ever, developing licks, trills, chording sequences, fretting techniques and timing that set him apart from his contemporaries and have carried through to the modern day.

There's so much more to be said. Start with:

• Les Paul Online is the artists official web site. Definitely go here to get a feel for the man. Paul's good humor and amazing skills shine through.
• The World Has Lost a Remarkable Innovator and Musician: Les Paul Passes Away at 94 from Gibson Guitar
• What makes the Gibson Les Paul unique and The Man Behind the Guitar from the Les Paul Guide
• See Les Paul Chasing Sound (IN MEMORIAM 1915-2009) at PBS to learn more about the video above,  read some great history and a timeline of Paul's career.
• Legendary guitar-maker Les Paul left mark in Kalamazoo from mLive is just one of the articles they have about Paul.
• Gibson Guitar in Kalamazoo, Michigan from Michigan in Pictures seems to be where people go to ask questions about Gibson guitars the have ... and has some good information about the company.

Photo: Les Paul by Thomas Faivre-Duboz Paris, France

Tasting Tent II by farlane

The 2009 Epicurean Classic takes place St. Joseph August 28 - 30, 2009. It's one of the premier annual celebrations of culinary artisanship, drawing big name chefs from around the nation and world who lead classes & cooking presentations and mingle in a relaxed and unimaginably tasty setting. Add in wines and wineries from all over the world and food & kitchen supply vendors sampling their wares and you will see why many people count this as one of Michigan's signature events.

Enjoy a taste of the Epicurean Classic in this video from Scott Allman Productions and be sure to attend - you will not be sorry!

Also in the July/August issue are stories about women who served in the Second Michigan Volunteer Infantry-one of whom was disguised as a man; an adventure of “flying boat” pilots who raced around the state in 1913; and the tragedy of two ships stranded in the worst storm ever recorded on Lake Michigan. The history of the town of Calumet, Herbert Henry Dow’s creation of the Dow Gardens and the story of European immigration to the Upper Peninsula round out the issue.

For more information or to order a subscription to Michigan History call (800) 366-3703 or visit www.michiganhistorymagazine.com. Individual copies can be purchased at Barnes & Noble, B. Dalton and Borders bookstores throughout the state.

Michigan History is published by the Michigan Historical Center, part of the Department of History, Arts and Libraries. Dedicated to enriching quality of life and strengthening the economy, the department also includes the Library of Michigan, the Mackinac Island State Park Commission and the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs.

Cover Photo: The Fallasburg Bridge crosses the Flat River in Kent County. Built in 1871, it is one of Michigan’s oldest covered bridges.

This year's festival will take place Friday, August 7 (4pm-12:30am), and Saturday, August 8, 2009 (2pm-12:30am), in the streets of Old Town, surrounded by the best of the Capital City's art galleries as well as unique retail stores and grand architecture. Vendors line the streets offering ethnic food, beverages, art, clothing, and crafts, and nearby galleries and boutiques open their doors during festival hours.

Check out the 2009 Lansing JazzFest Line-Up!!!

Lansing JazzFest continues to grow thanks to the contributions of its sponsors and volunteers.

Michigan Uncorked is a regular column by Lorri Hathaway and Sharon Kegerreis, writers who are passionate for Michigan and authors of award-winning From the Vine: Exploring Michigan Wineries. Learn all about Lorri & Sharon and their book at www.michiganvine.com.

Adam Kolodziejski made his first batch of wine from wild grapes found along the Tobacco River. A biology major at Central Michigan University in 1968, Adam picked the grapes, threw some yeast on them and drank the juice. “It was really bad wine,” Adam laughingly grins.

More than 40 years later Adam has had plenty of time to fine tune his craft. We tasted several delicious, handcrafted wines made with Chambourcin, Chancellor, Vidal, Riesling, Baco Noir and Muscat in Adam’s impressive 2,500 square foot winemaking facility in Rose City.

The high elevation of surrounding Ogemaw Hills gives Adam plenty of airflow for his vineyard located on nearby farmland. While he patiently waits for his vines to mature and tries to outsmart the deer, raccoon and birds that ate his first harvest, he brings in grapes from Lemon Creek in Berrien Springs. Soon, a small vineyard will complement his Rose City tasting room in northeast Michigan.

Married to Nationally-Acclaimed Poet Nancy Kolodziejski, Adam says they are a match made in heaven. “I’m polish; she’s a blond,” he chuckles.

While Nancy focuses on the tasting room ambiance, Adam keeps busy managing his vineyard and crafting his wines. He also runs his successful, 39-year-old Admin Industries, manufacturer of industrial dock equipment and supplies, and holds a patent on the dock leveler.

Expect familiar and not-so-familiar wine varieties when you visit Rose Valley Winery. Adam is keen on growing cold-hardy grapes, including native-to-Michigan Edelweiss, St. Pippen and Frontenac. Above all, though, expect to meet one of Michigan's newest winemakers who is passionate for making great wine.

Rose Valley’s wines can also be sampled, along with several other Michigan wines, at the inaugural Tawas Uncork’d and Untap’d event at East Tawas Harbor Park on August 1 from 12:00 to 6:00 p.m.

Visit Paolo Nutini's MySpace and Facebook pages!

Click here for directions to St. Andrews Hall in Detroit.

Interesting Facts

Paolo sang with The Rolling Stones at the Isle of Wight in 2007, duetting with Mick Jagger on the Robert Johnson classic “Love In Vain.” “At the rehearsal, Mick was like, ‘I hope we can remember it, its been years since we played that tune.’ Paolo also supported Led Zepplin in the O2 Arena as part of a tribute to Ahmet Ertegun.

About Paolo Nutini

If you think you know Paolo Nutini, think again. His two million selling 2006 debut album, These Streets, established the young Scotsman as a leading light amongst the new wave of singer-songwriters. Paolo's extraordinary follow up, Sunny Side Up, casts him in a whole other light.

"Musically where I'm at, I dont really have a genre or style that I feel a part of," explains Paolo. "It's a bit of a random mish mash. I honestly wanted it all to come out, and not harness it, not manipulate it. I just wanted it to be organic, and so immediate it's in your face and you can't help but take it all in."

The first single from the 22-year-old's new release is "Candy" - a heart tugging ballad written after an argument with his girlfriend, when it suddenly occurred to him that the fault lay with him. Watch the cinematic video below, and be sure to pick up a copy of Sunny Side Up available everywhere today. - read more

You can also check out this interview with Paolo from Isle of Wight Festival 2009 on YouTube by Absolute Radio DJ Ben Jones. Watch the clip to find out Paolo's reaction to becoming the first ever solo Scottish male to have a #1 album in the UK with his new release Sunny Side Up. The twenty-two-year-old musician also discussed what it was like to share the stage with The Rolling Stones.

Michiganders on the eastern side of the state may think they are safe from the stealthy predations of the Michigan Dog Man. But an Ann Arbor man wrote to say he has had encounters with an upright, unknown creature for the past 12 years in this vicinity. Most of the sightings have occurred on his family's property which backs up to a marshy woods, very typical terrain for this critter.

The 26-year old says although he or his friends have never been hurt, he feels they are being watched or "played with." One of the most startling incident occurred when a visting friend saw something with a head like a German shepherd or wolf that stood six feet tall as it peered into a window on the writer's property. The window happened to be on an entry to a pole barn, and the creature was "leaning down" to have a good look inside, as if checking for livestock.

Moving northward, a woman from Bay City had several experiences growing up near Essexville. She first experienced a phantom wolf with glowing yellow eyes in a corner of her bedroom at the age of 13, and began to feel "something" was after her whenever she went outside. Three years later, in 1998, she had just gotten her driver's license and was driving herself home one night at dusk past an area of cornfields and irrigation ditches when she noticed something running alongside her car, its back even with the bottom of the drivers side window on her GMC Jimmy . She was going 30 miles an hour, and so was the creature which was larger than a deer and covered in dark, shaggy fur. Suddenly, it bumped the truck and actually pushed it a foot to the right. She stepped on the gas and sped home, raced into the house and locked all the doors. The next day she found a large indentation where the creature had rammed her truck.

I've received many other reports of this type of creature chasing or running alongside cars, both upright and on all fours, so -- scarily -- her experience isn't all that unusual. And the reports continue weekly from all over Michigan, Wisconsin, the US and the world.

Something is out there. And it's not your father's werewolf!

(EXCERPTED from the forthcoming Dog Men! - Encounters with Dog Men, Man Wolves, and Other Strange Bipedal Creatures by Linda S. Godfrey. Artwork © Linda S. Godfrey

Watch for Linda Godfrey and more about unknown, upright canids on Fox News Sean Hannity show on July 2 or 10 on the feature segment, "Conspiracy Month."

After tallying the votes from an enormous number of submissions we have identified our winner. Drum roll please......

"I moved from Michigan to Florida this January for work. People said "Florida in the winter....wow, you're lucky" and "you got a job in this economy, man, you're lucky". Well let me tell you something my Michigan friends....you can take a man out of Flint, but you'll never take the Flintstone out of the Man. Give me one excuse to leave this this oceanside resort for a reunion with the best people in the world, my Michigander soul people, and I won't be taking Interstate 75 south again. This Michigan Man is ready to find a way to join all the spirited people celebrating our nations birth with some Great Times in the Great Lakes.....and I thank you absolutemichigan.com for bringing me home!!! Say Yeah to Rothbury, the best music line up of the year....Say Yes to Me in M!ch!gan!!!"

Stace S

Rothbury Snoop Dogg Crowd by Dave Vann

We are pleased to announce that just as we did last year we are having another Rothbury Ticket Giveaway thanks to the very generous festival organizers. This year we will be giving away a pair of 4 day GA Tickets camping included!

Tickets can still be purchased and just like last year's Rothbury Festival they are offering a variety of packages to suit all lifestyles. Unique to this year's festival are the 2 day Saturday & Sunday tickets.

About the Rothbury Music Festival

This year the Rothbury Music Festival takes place July 2-5, 2009 in Rothbury, Michigan (near Muskegon). Four days of music on six stages feature some of the biggest musical acts around including THE DEAD • BOB DYLAN AND HIS BAND • THE STRING CHEESE INCIDENT • WILLIE NELSON & FAMILY • THE BLACK CROWES • DAMIAN 'JR. GONG' MARLEY & NAS • STS9 • G. LOVE & SPECIAL SAUCE • GOV'T MULE • UMPHREY'S MCGEE • BROKEN SOCIAL SCENE • YONDER MOUNTAIN STRING BAND • and about a jillion others!

The festival also will be showcasing "Circus & Theater", a feature that demonstrates the festival's commitment to the performing arts and theatrical culture.

All kinds of interesting Environments & Experiences where you can wander through the Sherwood Forest and stumble upon its many mysteries. Put your hands on some great new gadgets and games at the Festival’s Epicenter or wake up and get loose in a unique yoga journey.

The Rothbury Think Tank will be focused on finding energy independence and feature the innovators, entrepreneurs, thought leaders, celebs, and rabble rousers who – in this time of economic, energy and climate crisis – are offering a green path to a brighter future.

Rothbury in Video and Pictures

Checkout more Rothbury videos on their YouTube channel!

There is also this awesome slideshow from Rothbury 2008 via Flickr...

Photo credit: Joahna Carol

Absolute Michigan contributor Scott Allman recently traveled to the Waterfront Film Festival in Saugatuck and brought back some cool footage from a record breaking year. If you didn't go this year then put it on your calendar for 2010!

About Waterfront Film Festival

Now in its eleventh year, the Waterfront Film Festival celebrates independent film and filmmakers in a noncompetitive environment. Located in Saugatuck, Mich., WFF is one of the leading destination film festivals in the Midwest, regularly hosting Midwest premieres of Academy Award-winning and -nominated documentaries. WFF is committed to education and features seminars designed to encourage the next generation of actors, writers and directors. In 2007, SAGIndie recognized WFF as one of its top five film festivals. For more information visit www.waterfrontfilm.org.

Waterfront Film Festival Boasts Record Numbers

The Waterfront Film Festival is very happy to announce that this year’s attendance levels exceeded previous years. The festival screened more than 70 independent films during its four-day run, and ticket sales topped 16,000, making this the best-attended Film Festival since its inception 11 years ago. “We are very happy that so many people were able to come out and enjoy the weekend and see so many of the films,” said Kori Eldean Rentz, one of the co-founders of the event. “This year we had increased individual ticket sales as well as day and weekend passes”.

This year Waterfront Film Festival placed more emphasis on the four seminars that were scheduled. These seminars gave anyone interested in the industry an opportunity to hear from industry professionals and attendees were able to ask questions and get valuable feedback. “We had great panel members this year and saw that the seminars were a huge success,” stated Kori. “We think that people have really wrapped their arms around the filmmaking industry and that there are more people now aware of the opportunities coming to Michigan”.

Photo credit: Joahna Carol - joahnacarol@aol.com

So we present to you:

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

About Be A Tourist In Your Own Town

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

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

How it Works:

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

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

Michigan Uncorked is a regular column by Lorri Hathaway and Sharon Kegerreis, writers who are passionate for Michigan and authors of award-winning From the Vine: Exploring Michigan Wineries. Learn all about Lorri & Sharon and their book at www.michiganvine.com.

You won’t find a Riesling on the tasting menu at Domaine Berrien Cellars. Vintners Wally and Katie Maurer prefer crafting varietals less familiar in Michigan – and more familiar of the Rhône River Valley region of France.

One of our favorites is dry, smooth Marsanne. The French grape smoothly releases aromas of honeysuckle which complement the taste of shellfish, lobster -- and even hamburgers.

“It’s a white wine that goes with everything,” Wally shares.

Domaine Berrien Cellars is located in the Fruit Belt of southwest Michigan in Berrien County. Vineyards surround the winery and tasting room, with some of the oldest vines planted by Katie’s late father, Tom, who shared Wally’s passion for winemaking. Today, Wally and Katie grow a number of varietals on their 80-acre farm and are becoming known for both Rhône-style wines and dry reds, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc.

Another Rhône-style white wine we recommend is Roussanne, a tasty barrel-aged, complex wine that is lighter in body than Chardonnay. Only 10 cases are left, so contact Domaine Berrien at (269) 473-WINE to get this unique wine delivered to your door.

For red wine enthusiasts, we suggest the Cabernet Franc, the favorite of Wally’s late mother, Kathleen, who lost her battle to breast cancer. Try this medium-body, oak-aged, elegant French-style wine with grilled steak in your backyard this summer. In honor of Kathleen, the Maurers donate $1.00 per bottle to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Michigan must seem a lovely place to UFOs, since they so often are sighted cruising the Wolverine State's night skies. The sightings hearken back to the strange "airships" flap of 1897 when vehicles that looked like lighted dirigibles (and may have been exactly that!) were reported over Galesburg, Holland, Bay City, Saginaw, Port Huron, Muskego, South Haven and other cities. One landed near Howard and treated locals to the sight of a naked giant. (See the full report in "Strange Michigan: More Wolverine Weirdness.")

More recently, Michigan skies seem almost clogged with otherworldly visitors. A recent issue of the online newsletter "Filer's Files" by George Filer (majorstar@verizon.net), issue 21-2009 profiled four Michigan sightings reported to him and to MUFON (MUFON Michigan)

On May 17, 2009, in Rogers City, a man and woman spotted a very bright round light heading east, and then saw what they thought was an F-16 jet chasing it. The man considers Rogers City a "UFO hot spot."

On May 5, 2009, a Melvindale man first spotted a white sphere heading east about ten pm, and then about twelve minutes later, another ball-shaped object moving toward the first one. In another twelve minutes, one of the lights returned

On May 10, 2009, a Waterford observer witnessed a strange sight directly over his neighbor's home, about 20 feet from him. He described the phenomenon as three spheres of white light hovering 30 feet over the house and slowly circling one another in varying patterns. The sight finally made the witness so uneasy that he (or she) felt compelled to stop watching.

Another person reported a sighting from last fall (2008) near Flint. Two people saw a bright, oddly shaped object which seemed to "flip" over as they watched.

Many other sightings, including the Dearborn man who saw 15 men dressed like elves standing near a landed craft with colored lights, and the Detroit UFO flap, can be found in both "Weird Michigan" and "Strange Michigan."

It's hard to say why Michigan seems so attractive to alleged aliens. Perhaps it's all the water. Or the Vernor's and pasties. Whatever their reason for buzzing the state, it's widely rumored that the zippy, self-reversing actions of their spacecrafts were the inspiration for another Wolverine phenomenon ... the famed Michigan Left Turn!

More Michigan UFO fun at absolutemichigan.com/ufo.

Shell Cluster by johndecember

2009 is the 50th anniversary of the opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway and while linking ports on Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario to the world's shipping hubs increased trade in the Great Lakes region, it also opened the door to zebra mussels and a host of invasive species.

Journalist Jeff Alexander has a new book titled Pandora's Locks that explores this issue. The publisher's web site says:

Pandora's Locks is the story of politicians and engineers who, driven by hubris and handicapped by ignorance, demanded that the Seaway be built at any cost. It is the tragic tale of government agencies that could have prevented ocean freighters from laying waste to the Great Lakes ecosystems, but failed to act until it was too late. Blending science with compelling personal accounts, this book is the first comprehensive account of how inviting transoceanic freighters into North America's freshwater seas transformed these wondrous lakes.

There's a nice interview with Alexander from the Environment Report where he notes that while offloading cargo in Montreal would cost an extra $55 million per year, it's a fraction of the $200 million cost of invasive species, not to mention the unknown cost of ruining an ecosystem.

You can check out the list of invasive species in the Great Lakes from the EPA and get some information about the history of the St. Lawrence Seaway and events surrounding the 50th anniversary from the Seaway's web site.

The Great Michigan Read is a book club for the entire state with a focus on a single book. This year's selection, Stealing Buddha’s Dinner by Bich Minh Nguyen, encourages Michiganians to learn more about their state, their history, and their society.

Stealing Buddha’s Dinner is a memoir that chronicles the author’s migration from Vietnam in 1975 and her coming of age in Grand Rapids, Michigan in the 1980s. Along the way, she struggles to construct her own cultural identity from a menagerie of uniquely American influences. The book was selected by a group of nearly 50 librarians, teachers, students, professors, authors, and others from all corners of the state.

I came of age in the 1980s, before diversity and multicultural awareness trickled into western Michigan. Before ethnic was cool. Before Thai restaurants became staples in every town. When I think of Grand Rapids I remember city signs covered in images of rippling flags, proclaiming “An All-American City.” Throughout the eighties a giant billboard looming over the downtown freeway boasted the slogan to all who drove the three-lane S-curve. As a kid, I couldn’t figure out what “All-American” was supposed to mean. Was it a promise, a threat, a warning?

—from Stealing Buddha’s Dinner

Michigan Humanities Council announces The Great Michigan Read 2009-2010: "Stealing Buddha's Dinner"

More information on the author and The Great Michigan Read:

Bich Minh Nguyen Official Website

2009-2010 Reader's Guide (pdf) from the Michigan Humanities Council

Book Clubs/Reading Guide and Interview with the Author for "Stealing Buddha's Dinner" at Penguin.com

Preview "Stealing Buddha's Dinner" at Google Book Search

Cancer Bats by Jesse Speelman

With the golden years of Motown now in it's rear view mirror, the city of Detroit currently maintains an impressive and eclectic mix of music venues, bands and fans. This is a city with music ingrained into the soul of it's people and culture. This is a city that has spawned some of the industry's biggest talent in past and present times. It is a hallmark of Detroit that seems to be ingrained into the people and culture of the city. In a place that has experienced such extreme highs and lows, the live music scene appears to offer solid ground to stand on, providing a much needed outlet to artists and audiences alike.

The New York Times recently ran a piece on the Detroit music scene that reveals a city with a number of impressive musical venues, a large pool of tenacious talent and an always appreciative fanbase. "In Detroit Clubs, the Music Scene Keeps on Rockin’" takes a look at the live music scene in Detroit and where to go to catch some shows.

...Motown left town a generation ago, leaving behind only the small white house that is home to the Motown Historical Museum (2648 West Grand Boulevard; 313-975-2264; www.motownmuseum.com). And while Eminem and Kid Rock still live and record there, they keep lower local profiles than their fame might suggest.

But the clubs where they and other Detroit acts got their starts are still very much a part of the city, developing performers who could join the ranks of other famous Detroit artists. Even though the city, and its auto industry, have been hit by hard times that threaten some venerable places, live music endures in the Motor City. - Continue reading

The Hard Lessons LIVE @ The Magic Stick in Detroit!

Baker's Keyboard Lounge w/Clarence Baker

Ann’s archery success led to her being featured in Life, Seventeen and Sports Illustrated. She also appeared on national television programs, including those hosted by Ed Sullivan and Dick Van Dyke. At about the same time, she was diagnosed with Type 1 juvenile diabetes. Diabetes was not considered to be a dire health risk, although it required a daily insulin injection.

In the early 1960s, Ann moved away from competitive archery and concentrated on a lucrative show business career that included traveling throughout the Midwest and Canada with a popular automobile show called Thrillcade--a surreal combination of an old-fashioned circus, auto stunt show, music concert and NASCAR event.

Despite these many successes, Ann began experiencing vision problems. She was suffering from the early stages of diabetic retinopathy, a condition that caused small veins behind the eye to rupture and bleed. Ann’s life changed again in the mid-1960s when she became a highly successful talent agent for Detroit-area rock and roll groups.

In the spring of 1969, Ann suddenly lost her sight in both eyes. She was fitted with binocular-style glasses that enabled her to see a bit more clearly, but her health gradually deteriorated. In early March 1971, she collapsed and fell into a coma. Four days later, Ann Marston died.

For more on this and other intersting stories on Michigan's past, see the current issue of Michigan History magazine, which is available on most newsstands, or call 1-800-366-3703 or go to www.michiganhistorymagazine.com.

Ginny, You Are My Shining Star by docksidepress

We have compiled an extensive list of Valentine's Day Events, Gift Ideas, Getaways & Dating Ideas, Giveaways and Parties for Singles, Couples & Kids. With Absolute Michigan's Mondo Valentine's Day Rundown you have no excuse in not charting out a stellar V-Day. Just scroll through this seemingly endless page of options and I think you will find something that tickles your fancy and hopefully that your significant other for this year and for those to come. On to the list....

Valentines Day Events Around Michigan

Brian Vander Ark
Valentines dinner and show packages! In conjunction with the special show Brian is doing, he teamed up with THE BOB in Grand Rapids to offer some package deals of dinner and show tickets. See the flyer HERE to get more info and the number to call.A Valentine's Day Celebration Of Love Songs with Brian Vander ArkWhen: February 14, 2009 - 8:30pmWhere: Grand Rapids Ballet Theatre (Wege Theatre) (341 Ellsworth Avenue SW, Grand Rapids, MI.)Tickets: $20 Reserved SeatingDescription: Brian Vander Ark performs in the beautiful Wege Theater. He will be performing love songs from his catalogue, and also classic love songs from the 60's and 70's. He'll also be taking online requests and dedications (via email). Joining him are his wife, Lux Land, Randy Sly on the grand piano and AJ Dunning from The Verve Pipe. This will be a great after dinner treat!Tickets are on sale now. Here's the link to the Ticketmaster page online: TICKETMASTER LINK People can also order by phone at 616.456.3333 or by coming in person to the Grand Rapids Ballet Company. - Visit Brian's website

LSO Pops: Broadway Romance
Wharton Center for Performing Arts
David Wiley, Guest Conductor
Christina Saffran Ashford, Soprano
Norman Large, Tenor
This Valentine's Day, join us in the Wharton Center for some of Broadway's finest love songs, including favorites from South Pacific, Guys and Dolls, West Side Story, The Music Man, Camelot, My Fair Lady, The Sound of Music, Les Miserables and Phantom of the Opera.
Click here to purchase tickets. - Visit their website

The Elixir of Love
Luscious. Humorous. Magical. Romantic. Donizetti’s charming and sentimental score spins a lighthearted vision of love, as the humble and young Nemorino pines for the breathtaking beauty Adina. His belief in the power of a magic love potion allows this tender comedy to become a gentle expose on romance, class and hope, all leading up to one of opera’s happiest endings. By Gaetano Donizetti. Sung in Italian with English Titles. Opera Grand Rapids, DeVos Performance Hall, Grand Rapids, (616) 742-6500 Devos Performance Hall

The Detroit Repertory Theatre's "RED NIGHT" BENEFIT - Celebrates the Drama, Passion, and Fun of the Color Red
On Saturday, February 14, 2009, the Detroit Repertory Theatre welcomes the public to an evening of drama, romance, a silent auction, champagne, and appetizers at the Board of Trustees' annual "RED NIGHT" benefit beginning at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $35 each, or $50 for two. All ticket buyers also get a chance at door prizes like chocolate, flowers and gift baskets by calling 313-868-1347 for RED NIGHT reservations. Proceeds from the evening will be used to support the Theatre's Guardian Fund. The Rep is located at 13103 Woodrow Wilson in the heart of Detroit, 48238. More information may be found at www.detroitreptheatre.com

My Folky Valentine at The Ark
What better time than Valentine's Day to explore how married couples make music together? "My Folky Valentine” is The Ark's annual celebration of romance! Each year we present a few of Michigan's top musical couples, in the round during Valentine's Day week. Your hosts, Annie and Rod Capps, have invited some of their most talented friends: Allison Downey and John Austin, the Milroys, J. Oscar and Lauran Bittinger, and Jan Krist and Alan Finkbeiner, to share the stage for an evening of grand collaboration and anything but love songs! . . . Okay, well, maybe a few love songs.

Tickets $15 Buy Online or Buy In Person

Detroit: All You Need is Love, Classic Mystery Tour
Celebrate Valentine's Day with the Fab Four's greatest hits; Penny Lane, I am the Walrus, Yesterday, and of course All You Need is Love. More than a just a rock show, this is a night of Beatles tunes sung, played and performed exactly as they were written. It's the best of the Beatles like you've never heard before: LIVE! - Visit their website

Heart Tugging Tunes
The Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra will perform heart-tugging classics from Tchaikovsky's "Romeo and Juliet" to "Unchained Melody" from the 1990 romantic drama "Ghost" during "Valentine Hearts." The concert, which will feature Grand Rapids guest vocalist Kathy Wagner and conductor John Varineau, is scheduled at 8 p.m. Feb. 14 at Chenery Auditorium, 714 S. Westnedge Ave. Tickets range from $10 (for students) to $40.

For more information, call 387-2300 or go to www.kalamazoosymphony.com

Breathe Owl Breathe Valentine's Day Concert
Join us for chocolates and a special concert on Valentine’s Day

Breathe Owl Breathe sounds as intimately familiar with woods and wild as their band name suggests, but there is an air of cosmopolitan sophistication, too. Micah Middaugh, Andréa Moreno-Beals, and Trevor Hobbs weave songs that are simultaneously playful and thoughtful, simple and intricate. Their layering of guitar, cello, banjo, drum set and harmonizing vocals, as well as some unusual musical uses of instruments and other found objects, results in a very creative and original sound. 8:00 pm. Tickets $12 Adults/ $5 Students available at Leelanau Books in Leland and Brilliant Books in Suttons Bay.

This event is sponsored by the Friends of Fine Arts group at Suttons Bay Schools and all proceeds go directly to fine art programs in the schools. Old Art Building

Unique Valentines Gifts

Michigan Wines for your Valentines
Valentine Wine Recommendations: Sparkling Wines - Go with anything; but especially diamonds and gold!! Or, just do the sparkling wine. Sparkling wines can be served before, during and after dinner.Michigan Wines

Basket Full of Gifts
Baskets Full of Gifts was founded in 1999 to fulfill the gift-giving needs of businesses and individuals throughout Northern Michigan. The company specializes in providing private and corporate gift solutions to:

• Celebrate holidays and weddings
• Thank employees, customers and business associates
• Commemorate birthdays, anniversaries and store openings

To order baskets call (888) 388-9404 or visit Baskets Full of Gfits

Speechless Chocolates
Alpena chocolatier Danielle Mulvena keeps winter in the Northern hinterland lively by dreaming up confections: Absinthe truffles; Medjool dates stuffed with sherry caramelized almonds and then coated in dark chocolate and smoked sea salt; tangy sweet strawberry balsamic caramels. Find her Speechless Chocolates online and in gourmet shops across the North.
For more information, please visit Speechless Chocolates

lil' Miss cupcake
lil' Miss Cupcake is bringing the Cupcake Craze to Grand Rapids, MI! lil' Miss Cupcake is dedicated to bringing you yummy homemade cupcakes that look fabulous and taste amazing! Let us do the work for your holidays, birthdays, bridal/baby showers, special events, or just because! We welcome you to experience happiness in every lil' bite with lil' Miss Cupcake! Please call 616.340.3496 or visit lil' Miss Cupcake

Patricia's Chocolates
Patricia’s Chocolate is an artisan selection of premier ganache chocolates and caramels. Handcrafted from only the finest domestic and imported French couverture cocoas in the commercial kitchen in her home in Grand Haven, Michigan, there are no artificial flavorings, additives, or preservatives in Patricia’s chocolates. For more information call 616.842.5999 or visit Patricia's Chocolates

The perfect Valentine: A love letter
Linda S Mah of the Kalamazoo Gazette gives tips on how to write your own love letter.
"If your love is incomparable, then perhaps your Valentine's Day sentiment should be, too. So you might want to pass up the Hallmark display and attempt a more singular expression of all the wonder, devotion and awe your loved one inspires in you.You might want to write a love letter." To read the rest of the article, click here The perfect Valentine

River of Glass
Elegant gifts of blown glass including ornaments, art platters and plates, bowls and vases, paper weights, and drinking glasses. Some pieces are the size of a shot glass while others are 3 feet tall. The gallery is open for buyers and browsers Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am until 6 pm and Sunday from noon until 5 pm. For more information call 586-954-4994 or visit www.river-of-glass.com/

Traverse City Central High School Choral-Aires
You can send your sweetheart something special this year by confessing your love through song. But don't worry, you aren't the one who has to do the singing. A quartet from the Traverse City Central High School Choral-Aires will do it for you. The valentine's will be delivered this Friday and Saturday. For $50 you get two songs, a truffle from Charles Layton Chocolates, a personalized card and a red rose and vase, all delivered in person. There is one stipulation, you do have to live within 15 miles of downtown Traverse City. If you live too far away or would like to spend a little less, for $10 you can get an E-Valentine. A video link attached to the e-mail will sing your sweetheart two songs. E-Valentines will be sent on the Valentine's Day. For more information call 231.590.1075.

Heart-shaped Valentine's Day Cakes
Bella Creamery

Great Harvest Bread Honey Bear
Great Harvest's Honey Bear, made out of whole wheat bread, is not sweet and that's the point. Many people don't like to receive gifts that are sweet and fattening for Valentine's Day. The bear satisfies that. The Honey Bear is only $7.95. For those who like chocolate, the bakery's Brownie Hearts, chocolate bread with dried cherries, is also popular for $8.50. - Visit their website

Stop & Kiss Card Game
Stop & Kiss, invented by Lynn Baldwin of Livonia, is a unique card game designed especially for couples. Celebrate your relationship. Connect with the one you love. Take time out of your busy lives to relive memorable moments and focus on your shared future. Stop & Kiss Card Game

Valentines Cards from Michigan Companies
Gallery 19 , Grand Rapids
Avanti Press , Detroit
Burke Design , Ontonagon
Veggie Cards , Ann Arbor

Create your own Valentine with Homemade Paper
We are your best source for all your handmade paper art and paper crafting needs. We are continually working to bring you the finest creative handmade paper, unique papers and crafting accessories you will find. Journal, notebooks, and crafting embellishments also available. Creative Papers Online, 738 Airport Blvd. Ste. 2, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48108 Toll-Free: 1-800-PAPER-40 (727-3740)

Make your Valentine's Card Stand Out with a Cloth Envelope
Our unique cloth envelopes are a new and exciting way to send your message. These colorful envelopes beg to be opened and will stand out even in a large stack of mail. Not only will they get opened but because of their beauty they will be saved to be seen by others. Made of durable cotton, they can even be reused. 5581 Trager Rd, Traverse City, 231-995-9515 Cloth Envelope

Enjoy a Gourmet Night In with A Personal Chef
The Original Wandering Gourmet Personal Chef Service, presents Michigan’s finest in fresh, home-cooked meals, ready when you are! The Original Wandering Gourmet will create your menu based on your tastes and dietary preferences; or simply link to our Menu page for quick selection ordering. On your scheduled cook day, The Original Wandering Gourmet will arrive at your home bringing all of the ingredients and equipment needed to prepare your meals. The Original Wandering Gourmet will travel anywhere within 50 miles of our office in Warren to cook for you at no additional charge. Special arrangements can be made for greater distances. Gift certificates available. For more information call 586.212.1599 or visit The Original Wandering Gourmet.

Romantic Valentine Getaways

Amway Grand Romance Plus Package
Romance Package Includes:

• Overnight accommodations for two in a Classic Guest Room featuring a plush Concierge bed with pillow top mattress, down pillows and cozy linen sheets for one relaxing evening
• Complimentary bottle of wine; choice of Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, White Zinfandel or Sparkling Wine
• One (1) $50 Food & Beverage Voucher
• Truffles
• Complimentary use of the Plaza Fitness Center
• Valet or Self parking
• Late check-out (2pm)

For more information call 1.800.253.3590 or Click here to make your reservations online. - Visit their website for more details

Valentine Lodge
Our Bed and Breakfast is a three-story Victorian situated on two acres of shady garden in a residential area within walking distance of Lake Michigan, a half mile from Douglas Beach and a mile from Oval Beach.
Call for reservations at (269) 857-4598 or visit Valentine Lodge

Country Hermitage Bed & Breakfast
Active couples who love getting out in the fresh air and enjoying Northern Michigan's winter wonderland will love the Country Hermitage Bed and Breakfast's ski and romance package. You'll enjoy two nights accommodations in the B&B's elegant rooms, a two-day rental of cross-country skis or snowshoes, a bottle of Chateau Chantal's sparkling wine, Celebrate, and two souvenir Country Hermitage B&B champagne flutes. Set out and explore the B&B's 400-acre cherry orchards, woodlands and adjoining golf courses on your cross-country skis or snowshoes. Or visit the many wildlife areas close by that have miles of trails for the novice or experienced skier/snowshoer. Want to go the extra mile for your Valentine? Add on one of the inn's special extras: an in-house massage, a bouquet of flowers or chocolates. Call 231-938-5930 for reservations.

Valentine's Weekend at Chateau Chantel
Chateau Chantal, Traverse City,
Tailor you stay with Chateau Chantal this Valentine's weekend or go for the gusto! Offerings include celebrating breakfast in bed Saturday morning, getting "naughty" as soon as you arrive, on-site side-by-side one hour massage and dinner at the Old Mission Tavern. Tailor your weekend a la carte or get it all for the special one in your life! For more information call 231-223-4110 or visit www.chateauchantal.com

Couples Retreat at Twin Gables Inn - Twin Gables Inn, Saugatuck
Juggling the demands of your busy lifestyle sometimes leaves little time for you and your partner to connect and spend some time together in a calming, restful and relaxing atmosphere. Twin Gables wildly successful all inclusive spa weekends has now been expanded to include you and your partner. You will receive the services of a professional massage therapist as well as experienced beauty professionals. Make the time for each other and immerse yourself in the indulgences that a weekend of pampering will provide. Your weekend package for rooms 5-11 - $375.00 and luxury rooms 1-4 and 12-14 - $450.00
For more information call 269-857-4346 or visit www.twingablesinn.com

Fun Valentine's Day Dating Ideas

Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides Downtown Grand Rapids
Go over the Grand River and through Ah-Nab-Awen Park as you view some of the architectural and scenic highlights of downtown Grand Rapids in one of our beautiful 19th Century Vis-a-vis white carriages. Sit back and enjoy a slower pace while viewing the lovely landscaping and fountains surrounding the Gerald Ford Museum and the Grand Rapid Public Museum. Hear the clip-clop of horse hoofs as you cross the lighted bridges over the Grand River.Reservations are recommended; cost varies. For more information call (616) 893-4984 or visit Grand Carriages

Murder Mystery Trains

1. Boards 1 hour before departure at 451 N. Cochran Ave., Charlotte, MI
2. Boards 1 hour before departure at Blissfield depot, 301 E. Adrian St., Blissfield, MI

Join us for a 5-course meal and 5-star service on the longest continuously-operating dinner train in North America. Our famous Murder Mystery Dinner Train features a leisurely 3-hour trip through the Michigan farmland while a comedic murder mystery unfolds tableside. You'll die laughing!

Reservations are REQUIRED and can generally be made up to 24-hours before departure. The train begins boarding approximately one hour before departure. Tickets are $69.95 per person, which does not include bar service or gratuity. Sorry, group discounts are NOT available for this event, since it falls on Valentine's Day.

Call 1-888-GO-RAIL-1 (888-467-2451) or visit Murder Mystery Train for more information and reservations.

Blast from the Past Prom Night - Hess Lake Rentals, Newaygo
Hess Lake Rentals is proud to present "Blast from the Past Prom Night." Girls, this is your chance to get your significant other to finally take you to the prom that you originally may have missed, step up the romance in your relationship or simply have a night away from it all with your old high school friends. What ever your situation, you definitely don't want to miss this fun time. Dress in 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s prom attire with your spouse, significant other, girlfriends, etc. There will be voting for prom King and Queen and Court, photo booth, DJ, dinner, dancing and much more! Accommodations are only a few miles from the fun at any Hess Lake Rentals-Wisner vacation home rental. For more information call 616-638-9384 or visit www.hesslakerentals.com

Cupid's Couples Course at Swiss Valley Ski Area - Swiss Valley Ski Area, Jones
Valentine’s Weekend is coming up and Saturday Swiss Valley will celebrate in style. Bring your date Saturday for 2 for 1 lift tickets and ski rental from 6:00PM-10:00PM. We will also have live music in the Chalet by Three Rivers local, Mark Higgins, and a dinner special for two! A Bloody Mary Bar, with all your favorite fixins is planned from 6:00-9:00PM. AND….We will have a Cupid’s Couples Course Challenge , connected couple compete through a obstacle for chances to win $100.00 , $50.00 and $25.00 Yesterday’s gift certificates. For more information call 269-244-5635 or visit www.skiswissvalley.com

Great Backyard Bird Count - Otis Sanctuary, Hastings
The Otis Sanctuary will be hosting activites on Saturday, February 14th, in conjunction with the Great Backyard Bird Count. Activities include guided walks (8:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.), self guided hikes (all day),
discounted birdfood sales (while supplies last! Starts at 9:00 a.m.), and we'll be counting birds at our feeders! There will be hot drinks and snacks on hand, come on out and say hi! For more information call 269-948-5777 or visit www.otissanctuary.org

9th Annual Pink Ice Game
The K-Wings' Pink Ice Game versus Port Huron, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 14 at Wings Stadium. A local couple will be married during the game and there will be a four-course meal from 5 to 7 p.m. prior to the game at The Icehouse Bar Grille. Tickets are $50 per couple and include the meal, a rose and an alcohol-free beverage. Reservations can be made by calling 345-1125, ext. 243, or 492-9319. www.wingsstadium.com

Valentine's Skate Date
Feb. 12, 6 to 8 p.m. at Millennium Park in Portage. It's $10 per person and includes skating, rental, a floral gift, a Spicy Pickle box lunch and sparkling grape juice. Pre-registration is required by Feb. 10. For more information, call 329-4522.

Non-Traditional Valentines Day Events

Valentine's Day Massacre 80th Anniversary - The West Michigan Connection
The Chicago St. Valentine’s Day Massacre 80th Anniversary - The West Michigan Connection
This year will be the 80th anniversary of one of the most notorious events in crime history – The St. Valentine’s Day Massacre. This incident has been recounted time and again in articles, books, television and the movies. On Saturday, February 14, the 80th anniversary, there will be special presentations, displays and more at The Old Jail Museum, 13 Walnut Street, Allegan, MI 49010 and The Griswold Auditorium, 401 Hubbard St Allegan, MI 49010. This special event is being brought to you by the Allegan County Historical Society. For more information call (269) 673-8292 or visit Allegan County Historical Society

ZOOROTICA: A Valentine’s Day to Remember!!
Tired of the same old dinner and a movie on Valentine’s Day? Do you want to surprise your special someone with a unique, exciting and educational experience that neither of you will ever forget? Then join Binder Park Zoo for a special “ZOOROTICA” tour and learn about the love lives of the scaly and slimy, the furry and fanged, and the feathered and flighted. Cost per couple is $50 and reservations must be made by February 10 by calling the zoo office Monday thru Friday- 8:30 am to 5 pm. Binder Park Zoo, Battle Creek, (269) 979-1351

STAR TREK Ultimate Wedding Package
POP THE QUESTION ON VALENTINE’S DAY IN ‘STAR TREK® THE EXHIBITION’ TO WIN A STAR TREK WEDDING AT THE DETROIT SCIENCE CENTER
Have you ever dreamed of getting married on the bridge of Star Trek’s U.S.S. Enterprise? This Valentine’s Day, visitors to STAR TREK THE EXHIBITION at the Detroit Science Center will have a chance to win this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Any couple who attends STAR TREK THE EXHIBITION and becomes engaged in the exhibit on Feb. 14, 2009 will be entered into an on-line contest to win a June wedding to be held in the exhibit. Couples will receive a complimentary photo in the exhibit, which will be posted on www.detroitsciencecenter.org from Feb. 16 – March 16, 2009, where site visitors will have an opportunity to vote on the couple they would like to see married in the exhibit. - Visit their website for details

Valentines Day Online Giveaways

The Valentine’s Day Anti-Recession E-Session Giveaway Contest

Epic Motion, a Michigan based wedding and event video production company, is giving an engagement session away for free.
"Email us if you’re interested AND if you meet the following criteria…

1. You are engaged to be married
2. You like to smile and laugh
3. You make a cute couple
4. You don’t mind spending an hour or two in the cold
5. You’re both pretty available the second week of February (hopefully the 11th or 13th) to film near Detroit
6. You’re tired of the recession already"

For more information, check out Wed Michigan's Valentines Day Giveaway

"In the spirit of the season... the romantic snowfalls, snuggling with your loved one, and of course, Valentine's Day, Wed Michigan is announcing it's first official giveaway! To enter, email me at wedmichigan@gmail.com with your engagement story by February 12th. Whether your story is romantic, funny, or didn't quite go as planned, Wed Michigan wants to hear them all. I will post my top three proposal picks and the winner will be announced on February 14th, Valentine's Day! "

Valentines Day Parties for Singles or Couples

Lover’s Lane
Come on down to New Holland Brewing Co. for their Lover's Lane party on February 14 from 8 pm to close! Make sure you are sending the right sign: wear red if you're taken; yellow if you're unsure and green if you're available. They will have rotating drink specials depending on what color you're wearing.
New Holland Brewing Co. Holland 616-355-6422 www.newhollandbrew.com

Ballroom Dance Valentine's Day Party
BALLROOM DANCERS - Singles and Couples Welcome to our Valentine's Day Party. Areas best place to Ballroom Dance. Voted Readers Choice Award 2008 for Favorite Place to Dance. Over 3,000 sq. ft hardwood dance floor. You are invited to our beautiful studio for an evening of dance. Celebrating our 19th Anniversary. Dress Code Required. $14.00 per person For more information call 269-383-4020 for reservations.

Bayside Travellers Dance Society Valentine's Dance,
4:30-6:30 p.m. fiddle jamboree; 7-7:45 p.m. Ceili dance workshop, 8-11 p.m. contra and square dancing, live music by Malarky, dances called and taught by Dan Gorno, $10 adults, $6 students with ID, $8 dance society members; Twin Lakes Park, Gilbert Lodge, 6800 N. Long Lake Road, TC; 313-2596. Bayside Travellers Dance Society

Valentines Day with the Kids

Valentine's Party
Jungle Joe's Family Fun Center, 7255 S. Sprinkle Road, Portage, 324-1992.

Heart-shaped pizzas
Papa Murphy's Take N Bake Pizza, Feb. 9-14. They are $6.99 for a large pepperoni pizza. www.papamurphys.com.

love from detroit by n.elle

The day for lovers, sweethearts and paramours is drawing close. Like it, love it, or hate it, Valentine's Day has become an annual tradition. Such a tradition, that according to the Greeting Card Association, over one billion valentines will be given out, and eighty five percent of those by women.

As you celebrate the holiday, consider making your day special with something from Michigan. There's plenty of delicious Valentine's Day recipes from Pure Michigan at Michigan.org. The Freep also offers up some culinary advice in their article "Whip up a romantic dinner with your sweetheart". The Detroit News has a V-Day food feature that puts forth the notion that 'chili peppers are one way to perk up your valentine's libido'. So if you like it spicy see "Put some sizzle behind the sentiment on Valentine's Day". Over at mlive.com you can check out "Valentine's Day is perfect for creating fun foods with kids".

Of course, if you're looking for something to compliment that tasty treat, consider the MDA's Wine Recommendations for that special day. According to the Wine Market Council and Merrill Research, a whopping 95 percent of wine drinkers agree that wine makes a perfect gift and 50% of both men and women said they would rather receive wine of Valentine’s Day, compared with 41% who preferred a box of chocolates. You can't go wrong with a Michigan wine!

Travel Michigan has put together a great selection of Romantic Escapes in Michigan. Their getaways and packages are perfect for couples who are looking to get away from it all (but not each other). While you're at it, be sure to check out the complete list of Winter Wine Festivals and check out the ones in early February that have a bit of a romantic angle.

If you're left scratching your head over what to buy him or her, be sure to check out WLNS.com for a Valentine's Day Gift Giving Guide for that perfect gift!

Don't forget the furry friends in your life, be a homeless pet's Valentine. WXYZ-TV 7 in Detroit is hosting their Annual Valentine's Day Telethon to support the Michigan Humane Society. Tune in or donate online!

Absolute Michigan's Mondo Valentine's Day Rundown
We have compiled an extensive list of Valentine's Day Events, Gift Ideas, Getaways & Dating Ideas, Giveaways and Parties for Singles, Couples & Kids. Check it out here!

If that's not enough and you really want to get your Valentine on, check out Absolute Michigan keyword Valentine for food & gift ideas.

For a little eye candy, you should check out the Valentine slideshow from the Absolute Michigan flickr pool!

We also have a large number of Michigan web sites to check out (though if we're missing one, be sure to add a link to it).

Flowers & Florists … say it with flowers

Chocolate … there's also candy companies

Candles … lighting the way for romance for thousands of years

Jewelry … silver & gold, platinum and bronze, pick your favorite.

Wow, you actually made it to the end of this post!
So relax, kick back, and watch one of Motown's finest, The Temptations, perform their hit song 'My Girl'. Definitely a Motown classic and a great song for Valentine's Day!

Dr. Frost will speak about her book, particularly bout the Blackburns’ experience of freedom and re-capture in Michigan. She will explain the legal debate in Canada that resulted in a refusal to extradite the Blackburns to all but certain re-enslavement. The Blackburn case was the first serious legal dispute between Canada and the United States regarding the Underground Railroad. The impassioned defense of the Blackburns by Canada’s lieutenant governor set precedents for all future fugitive-slave cases.

Mark Harvey and the Archives staff have assembled a collection of legal documents from the Blackburn case that will be on display on the first floor of the Michigan Historical Museum all weekend, Feb. 7-8. These items include copies of affidavits sworn in Louisville by those seeking to regain custody of the couple; copies of warrants issued in Wayne County for the arrest of the Blackburns under the federal Fugitive Slave Law of 1793; and documents sent to Territorial Governor Porter explaining why they were refusing Michigan’s request for extradition. This case helped to establish Canada as the ultimate haven for men, women and children who escaped slavery in the American South.

Copies of "I've Got a Home in Glory Land" will be on sale in the Museum Store and Dr. Frost will be available to sign copies of her book following the presentation.

The Lansing City Pulse has a feature interview article with Dr. Frost in the Feb. 4, 2009 edition.