Welcome to our special "Geez are we worried about the Great Lakes" edition of Five Things you need to know about Michigan...

Crown jewel of North America?

Ontario's Premier Dalton McGuinty says that the Great Lakes are a tremendous resource, it is something that people around the world recognize as being a kind of crown jewel of the North American ecosystem and we have to continue to work together to protect it. A recent report by Environment Canada and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency paints a mixed picture of the lakes: success on cleaning up the lakes, failure on invasive species.

And just where is that water going, anyway?

Pollution and invasive species aren't all we have to worry about in regards to the Great Lakes. Detroit BikeBlog tipped us off to an article in last month's New Scientist magazine that puts it pretty plainly, declaring: Global Warming is Shrinking the Great Lakes. Lake Superior, the largest body of fresh water in the world by surface area, is experiencing its lowest water levels since the record set in 1926. Michigan Radio's Jack Lessenberry talks with civil engineer and a hydrologist Frank Quinn about how Lake Superior's water level affects the other lakes and business, and whether or not the current low water levels of the Great Lakes are cause for concern.

The camera doesn't lie

Completing the triple play is today's photo: Lake Superior is disappearing by Amanda Runyon. Amanda writes that the water was at least 200 feet from shore, if not more. It was sad. This photo is part of her Michigan Camping Trip set.

Detroit Bad Boys deliver an offseason wish list

The Detroit Pistons/NBA.com are featuring a guest blog from Matt Watson of the Detroit Bad Boys Pistons blog. #1 on Matt's wish list (probably topping Joe Dumars' list as well) is re-signing Chauncey Billups. He also lobbies for more playing time for Jason Maxiell and Amir Johnson.

Traverse City, Michigan

Dubbed the Cherry Capital of the World, Traverse City is located at the base of Lake Michigan's Grand Traverse Bay and hosts the National Cherry Festival, in early July every year. Traverse City also hosts the Traverse City Film Festival, and is surrounded by wineries, beaches and farms. For wine touring information, check out the Leelanau Peninsula Vintners and Wineries of Old Mission Peninsula and and vintners at My Traverse City Wine Country. Wikipedia'sTraverse City entry has a short history of the area, as well much more. Learn all about the Traverse City area at Absolute Michigan keyword Traverse City.

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