Post-election withdrawal Wednesday

November 5, 2008 – 10:45 am

Voting is a family affair by Eye See 360
Voting is a family affair by Eye See 360

Election 2008 is more or less in the books and while we don't have complete results, we can hit the high points before politics slides off the front page and those elected get down to the very difficult challenges that await them.

CNN reports that Michigan went overwhelmingly for Barack Obama (57% - 41%). They have a nice map of the nation's results as well. The Freep notes that despite historically long lines, weather and general good cheer seemed to carry the day. In other national races, incumbents in Michigan generally carried the day from Sen. Carl Levin (D) on down. Two exceptions were Democrats Mark Schauer and Gary Peters wresting control from Republican incumbents.

The two ballot proposals also carried the day, with Proposal 1 (medical marijuana) passing by a wide margin and Proposal 2 (stem cell research) passing 53%-48%:

"This is a great night for the state of Michigan," said Sean Morrison, director of the University of Michigan Center for Stem Cell Biology and a vocal supporter of the proposal... "I can tell you this: We'll be meeting within the next week ... to expand our embryonic research program. We expect in the short-term millions of new dollars of grants to come from the federal government and private foundations to support the expanded research."

The Detroit News has a complete list of state results. One notable change was the first ever defeat of an incumbent Chief Justice of the Supreme Court as Diane Hathaway unseated Chief Justice Clifford Taylor.

Thoughts? Comments? Cool blog posts, photos or videos? Share them below!

By farlane | Posted in Articles, Blogs & Forums, Community, Elections, Government, Media, Michigan, Newspapers, The Michigan Pages | Comments (0)

Spotlight: Green on the Big Screen - An Environmental Film Festival & Fair

November 4, 2008 – 10:30 am

Michigan State University's College of Communication Arts & Sciences and the Knight Center for Environmental Journalism are partnering with the East Lansing Film Festival to present Green on the Big Screen, an environmental film festival and fair to be held November 13-16.

The four-day event on the MSU campus will reach across the university to the local community and beyond to showcase films on important environmental issues that will inform, entertain and inspire.

Highlights will include feature films, family-friendly films, documentaries, student productions, special guests, and much more. This open community event will encourage dialogue about the environment, while showcasing our community's green points of pride.

By Absolute Michigan | Posted in Articles, Arts & Entertainment, Community, Dig Michigan, Dig Michigan Features, Environment & Environmental Organizations, Festivals, Attractions & Event Calendars, Lansing, Media, Michigan, Movies, Photography & Film, The Michigan Pages, The Michigan Pages: Build Michigan! | Comments (0)

The Allen Iverson is a Piston Election Day Shootaround

November 4, 2008 – 8:19 am

Well, Joe Dumars and the Pistons have made sure we'll have something to talk about while waiting in line to vote today...

A I by thanasim25
A I by thanasim25

Here's a selection of quick hits from: Pistons get Iverson for Billups, McDyess, Samb and Pistons are bringing in Iverson to generate excitement (Freep), Pistons acquire Iverson, send Billups and McDyess to Denver (ESPN, also has a video with Steven A. Smith), It’s official: Allen Iverson is a Piston (best summary & most interesting considerations award to Detroit Bad Boys), Pistons vs. Bobcats takes a backseat to Billups and Iverson (Need4Sheed) and Joe D swings for the fences (Pistons blog):

"We are pleased to welcome Allen Iverson to the Pistons organization. Allen has proven he is one of the elite players in the league, and we like what he adds to our roster at the guard position. We appreciate everything that Chauncey Billups, Antonio McDyess and Cheikh Samb brought to the organization during their time here in Detroit, and we certainly wish them all the best." - Joe Dumars

...Joe D looks for three things in players: talent, obviously; strong desire to win; and good character. Iverson is off the charts in the first two categories. Some would argue the third, but Iverson’s issues have been almost exclusively personality clashes with strong-willed coaches.

...Power forward Rasheed Wallace said he was just hearing about the trade this morning and didn't have much to add. He did think aloud about the possibility of adding a former NBA scoring champion in Iverson. "Another scorer back there with Rip (Hamilton) ... we'll see how it plays out," Wallace said. "I can't comment too much. That's not a Guaransheed right there, so I can't comment too much."

...Iverson gives the Pistons one of the most irrepressible scorers in the NBA. In the lonely moments of the playoffs, when offenses inevitably bog down, players who can create their own shots – no matter what play is called, no matter what defense is deployed – are invaluable.

...Dumars loves to gamble on players who are reputed to possess as many minuses as pluses, as seen with the trade-deadline acquisition of Rasheed Wallace in 2004 which spurred Detroit to its first championship since Dumars was playing in 1990. If this gamble doesn't work, swapping Billups for Iverson would give Detroit financial flexibility to pursue a more aggressive makeover next summer, with the highly regarded Rodney Stuckey staying put as the long-term cornerstone of the Pistons' backcourt.

...Iverson gives Dumars much-needed salary flexibility. The Pistons could have as much as $35 million of spending money next summer if you include Wallace's $14 million, which also comes off the books.

...Sure, some of our hearts may not be in it, but wishing Chauncey all the best as he goes back and plays for his home town team and a thank you for what he has done is all we can do as fans. Is Iverson truly The Answer? We will get that question answered come June. Just think, the future is so bright we have to wear shades.

The move also gives the Pistons a core of Philly natives with Sheed, Rip & AI. Detroit Bad Boys adds that the Pistons didn't waste any time signing Rip to a contract extension.

OK, here's Piston coach Michael Curry talking about A.I. (Via HoopSoup, via DBB reader Ziggity via Detroit Bad Boys):

By farlane | Posted in Articles, Detroit Pistons, Michigan, Recreation & Sports, Sports, Television & Internet Video, The Michigan Pages, Video | Comments (6)

The Week for November 3-9

November 3, 2008 – 1:32 pm

Autumn Leaves by cedarkayak
Autumn Leaves by cedarkayak

Welcome to 'The Week' for November 3-9. 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!

Tomorrow, November 4th, is election day and we encourage everyone able to vote to get out and exercise your right to do so. Last week we published Electionpalooza Tuesday: The 2008 Election in Michigan and invite you to revisit this post and get informed about the issues and the candidates.

The weather this week looks great with temps in most areas of the state expected to reach into the 60's making it a great time to get outside and enjoy autumn. Looking at this week's events we see that the C.S.Lewis Festival in Petoskey runs from November 3 - 25. It is a four weekend festival celebrating the life and work of C. S. Lewis through collaborations by the arts, education, and faith communities. The Kalamazoo Russian Festival happens on November 6 - 8. Celebrate the partnership between Kalamazoo, Michigan and Pushkin, Russia at this years Kalamazoo Russian Festival; a unique Russian cultural event in the Midwest.

Although not happening this week we feel we should give advance notice of the Annual Fitzgerald Memorial Service in Paradise on November 10.

The Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum will present the 13th annual Edmund Fitzgerald Memorial Service at 7 pm on Monday, November 10, 2008, at the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum, Whitefish Point, Michigan. The public is invited to attend. The service includes reflections, music, and the Call to the Last Watch Ceremony in which the ship’s bell is run 29 times for each crewman who went down with this famous vessel – plus a 30th ring for all who have lost their lives on the Great Lakes.

By Absolute Michigan | Posted in Articles, Arts & Entertainment, Community, Destinations, Dig Michigan, Elections, Festivals, Attractions & Event Calendars, Government, Lodging & Travel, Michigan, The Michigan Pages, The Week | Comments (2)

Pistons to trade Billups and Dice for Iverson

November 3, 2008 – 1:15 pm

The Detroit Free Press is reporting that the Pistons are expected to trade guard Chauncey Billups and forward Antonio McDyess to the Denver Nuggets for guard Allen Iverson.

Detroit Bad Boys notes that Rick Bucher on ESPN is saying that McDyess might retire rather than go.

As a huge fan of both the Pistons and Billups, I can only say "Waaaaaaaah!"

The photo, Chauncey steps up to the line by radiospike photography, is one of my all time favorites of one of my favorite NBA players.

By farlane | Posted in Articles, Detroit Pistons, Recreation & Sports | Comments (2)

Are we there yet Monday?

November 3, 2008 – 12:28 pm

expressionism by powerbooktrance
expressionism by powerbooktrance

If you're anything like me, you're more than ready for tomorrow and an end to the arduous Election 2008 cycle. Here's a few things that can help you pass the time.

mLive notes that a record number of voters (over 5 million) are expected to vote tomorrow in Michigan. That number would be 70% of a record 7.47 million Michigan residents are registered to vote. They advise you to be patient  and offer some tips including tips for those taking kids to the polls, a look at some election day tricks and a nifty voter guide that will let you check out your ballot. They also have a cool "Election Day Dos and Don'ts" article (click for the graphic).

From the Detroit News interactive dealy-jig comparing Obama & McCain I learned that Barack Obama owns a set of red boxing gloves autographed by Muhammad Ali and that John McCain's pet collection includes two dogs, two turtles, a cat, a ferret, three parakeets and 13 saltwater fish. The News also reports that the latest Detroit News-WXYZ poll has Obama up 50-38 over McCain in Michigan (with 10% undecided). The same poll shows 18-term incumbent Carl Levin (OK, maybe not that many) cruising over challenger Jack Hoogendyk. Real Clear Politics has more polls from Michigan.

The Freep says that Election Day will be warm & sunny. They have a really nice video looking at how folks around the state feel about the issues surrounding the election. Check it out.

How about you - how will you pass the time, what are you thinking about and will you vote? Let us know in the comments and click below for much more coverage of Election 2008!

By farlane | Posted in Articles, Community, Elections, Government, Media, Michigan, Newspapers, Television & Internet Video | Comments (0)

November Michigan Event Calendar 2008

November 3, 2008 – 9:57 am


"It's A Michigan Thing" by SNWEB.ORG

Here's a few Michigan festivals & events for the month of November. As usual, there's no way to get them all, so please add links and information about the one's we've missed (or reviews of ones we have here) in the comments below.

"November is the eleventh month of the year in the Gregorian Calendar and one of four Gregorian months with the length of 30 days. November retained its name (from the Latin novem meaning "nine") when January and February were added to the Roman calendar."
- November, Wikipedia

In 1863, Abraham Lincoln, proclaimed the last Thursday of November to be a National Day of Thanksgiving.

"November always seemed to me the Norway of the year."
- Emily Dickinson

"The legend lives on from the Chippewa on down
Of the big lake they call Gitche Gumee
Superior, they say, never gives up her dead
When the gales of November come early."
- Gordon Lightfoot, "The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald"

November 3 - 25
C.S.Lewis Festival - Petoskey
A four weekend festival celebrating the life and work of C. S. Lewis through collaborations by the arts, education, and faith communities.

November 4
United States Presidential Election
The Republican Party has chosen John McCain, the senior United States Senator from Arizona as its nominee; the Democratic Party has chosen Barack Obama, the junior United States Senator from Illinois, as its nominee. The 2008 election is particularly notable because it is the first time in U.S. history that two sitting senators will run against each other for president, and because it is the first time an African American is a presidential nominee for a major party, as well as the first time both major candidates were born outside the continental United States - Hawaii for Obama and the Panama Canal Zone for McCain. - Wikipedia

Publius allows you to view your ballot, polling location, find out about candidates and proposals and how to use your voting equipment.

Two other important resources for Michigan voters are the Michigan Voter Registration Information page and the Michigan eLibrary's Election 2008 section.

If you are still undecided Google - In Quotes is a great place to familiarize yourself with the candidate's stances on key issues.

November 8 & 9 and November 15 & 16
Toast the Season Wine Tour - Leelanau Peninsula
Annual wine trail tour features a special wine pour and holiday themed gourmet food at each winery along with a holiday gift basket & ornament.

November 6 - 8
Kalamazoo Russian Festival - Kalamazoo
Celebrate the partnership between Kalamazoo, Michigan and Pushkin, Russia at this years Kalamazoo Russian Festival; a unique Russian cultural event in the Midwest.

November 10
Annual Fitzgerald Memorial Service - Paradise
The Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum will present the 13th annual Edmund Fitzgerald Memorial Service at 7 pm on Monday, November 10, 2008, at the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum, Whitefish Point, Michigan. The public is invited to attend. The service includes reflections, music, and the Call to the Last Watch Ceremony in which the ship’s bell is run 29 times for each crewman who went down with this famous vessel – plus a 30th ring for all who have lost their lives on the Great Lakes.

November 15 - 30
Deer Hunting (Regular Firearm Season)
If you think this isn't a major event, then you probably live south of Clare. ;)

November 17 - 22
6th Annual Children's Film Festival - Saugatuck
Artful, educational, funny, thought-provoking films for young audiences (made by both adult and young filmmakers).

November 21
Silver Bells in the City - Lansing
Silver Bells in the City, which attracted more than 120,000 in 2007, annually features an Electric Light Parade followed by the lighting of Michigan’s official Christmas tree and a firework show (weather permitting) over the State Capitol.

November 21 - 23
International Wine & Food Festival - Grand Rapids
Designed to be Michigan's Premier Wine & Food Experience, attendees will be rewarded with an unparalleled opportunity. Over 600 different labels of Wines, Beers and Spirits from around the world will be presented for sampling. Grand Rapids' finest restaurants have been invited to provide "small plate" samples of their prize cuisine.

November 22 - December 13
Dutch WinterFest - Holland
The city comes alive with dozens of events reminiscent of the joyful holidays of yesteryear. Events include a HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE, PARADE OF LIGHTS, SINTERKLAAS EVE, ICE SCULPTING.

November 22 - December 31
Battle Creek International Festival of Lights - Battle Creek
The six-week holiday lighting extravaganza in greater Battle Creek, Michigan, features over one million sparkling lights, special events, lighting displays, and entertainment.

November 27
Detroit's Thanksgiving Day Parade - Detroit
The Parade Company is pleased to announce that the theme for the 2008 America’s Thanksgiving Parade is Legends and Lollipops! The theme celebrates those figures in our community and country that have done so much for us. This year's parade will prove to be one that captures the imagination of a child while spreading the magic of a parade throughout Detroit.

November 28
Fantasy of Lights - Howell
Parade & Town Activities in Historic Howell, Michigan

November 28 - December 21
Santa's Village - Chesaning
Experience Santa's Village - North Pole USA.Young and old alike will enjoy a visit to the enchanged village. Nestled snugly at the North Pole (aka, Saginaw County Fairgrounds, Chesaning, Michigan), Santa's Village embodies the spirit and excitement of the holiday season.

North Pole Express Engine 1225 arrives at Santa's Village at 11 am and 5 pm daily while the Village is open. View the steam engine made famous in the movie Polar Express. North Pole Express passengers will join the festivities in the Village for approximately two hours each trip.

November 28 - December 30
Christmas at Crossroads Holiday Magic - Flint
This holiday fantasyland features thousands of sparkling lights and Michigan’s most spectacular moving light display, the Huckleberry Railroad. The entire village is aglow with colored lights and more lights decorate the railroad’s locomotive, coaches and trackside displays.

Costumed villagers prepare for the holiday season in the village’s homes and shops. The Colwell Opera House presents live entertainment and Santa Claus talks with the children. See model trains, craft demonstrations, holiday music and unique shopping opportunities delight all ages.

November 29
Great macaroni & Cheese Bake-Off - Old Mission Peninsula
The Wineries of Old Mission Peninsula will host local restaurants who have turned the classic comfort food, Macaroni and Cheese, into culinary marvels! This rich and creamy fare is paired with wines from Old Mission - Rieslings, Pinot Grigios, Chardonnays and more. Taste what our local Chefs have come up with this year!

By Absolute Michigan | Posted in Articles, Arts & Entertainment, Community, Destinations, Dig Michigan, Dig Michigan Features, Elections, Festivals, Attractions & Event Calendars, Government, Lodging & Travel, Michigan, The Michigan Pages | Comments (3)

Photo Friday: crunch by lorainedicerbo

October 31, 2008 – 8:44 am

Loraine says she's a family historian and the 13th generation of her family living in the Detroit area (wow!).

It looks like she has fun with Halloween. Some of her sets include Detroit, the Detroit Zoo, Up North and Detroit Tigers.

Also check out her Flickriver.

By farlane | Posted in Articles, Arts & Entertainment, Detroit, Michigan, Photo Friday, Photography & Film, The Michigan Pages | Comments (0)

Happy Halloween from Absolute Michigan!

October 31, 2008 – 7:27 am

PumpkinHeads! by ShaneWyatt
PumpkinHeads! by ShaneWyatt

We at Absolute Michigan hope that your candy is sweet, your costumes are cool and that you have a safe and fun evening tonight! Here's a few Halloween highlights:


By farlane | Posted in Articles, Arts & Entertainment, Detroit, Dig Michigan, Festivals, Attractions & Event Calendars, Grand Rapids, History & Libraries, Media, Michigan, Offbeat, Technology & Internet Media, Television & Internet Video, The Michigan Pages | Comments (0)

Spotlight: The Mitten Movie Project Presents 'ZOMBIE NIGHT' A Night of Independent Zombie Films

October 30, 2008 – 10:51 am

Tuesday, November 11, 2008, 7:30 p.m.
Main Art Theatre, 118 N. Main Street, Royal Oak, MI 48067

The Mitten Movie Project is a monthly film night dedicated to screening independent films the first Tuesday of every month at the Main Art Theatre (118 N. Main Street, Royal oak, MI 48067). Presale tickets are available for $8. Tickets at the door are $10. A pre-screening reception starts at 6:30 p.m. in the Main Art lobby where moviegoers can mingle with the directors, industry professionals, and film enthusiasts. After the screening, a Q&A session will be conducted with the filmmakers in the theatre. An afterglow party will be held at Mr. B's (215 S. Main Street) to end the night's activities.

TENTATIVE LINEUP

Total running time: 1 hr, 40 mins.

In order of screening:

TOO DEAD TO DIE [trailer] – Bargain Basement Productions (Michigan 2008) (1:30) Directed by Jason Roth. It's guns, ghouls, and gore galore when low-rent Mafiosos go up against the scourge of the living dead! A full-length feature film which will premiere late 2008. Also see: www.myspace.com/mobvszombies

HELL WALKS THE EARTH [trailer] – Warbranch Productions (02:19) (Michigan) Directed by Larry E. Jones, Jr. A young man, Mike Torence, has his fiancé killed by a reckless driver. During his sorrow, he discovers a book hidden by his father years ago describing a spell he put on the town of Darkside. Unknowingly, Mr. Torence unleashes the spell, leaving people not born in the town to fight for their lives.

SOCK PUPPET ZOMBIES ATTACK 2: A TASTE FOR COTTON – Directed by Taryn Shick (06:36) (Michigan 2008) Written and directed by Taryn Shick. A silent film with sock puppets and sock puppet zombies. Starring Jeremy Ponti and Jamie Pasket.

THIRD GENERATION – Directed by Todd M. Gillissie (04:11) (Michigan 2008) In the near future, humans mysteriously become sterile, forcing human cloning as the only way to continue living. Three generations into it, the clones have become less than human.

THE HUNGRY DEAD – Best Little Ever (05:06) (Michigan 2008) An homage and parody of George Romero's classic zombie movie, "Night of the Living Dead." Written and directed by Michael R. Anderson.

AFRO-ZOMBIES – Fah Kauff Bono Films (05:31) (Michigan) Written and directed by Brian Papandrea. Move over, Blackula. Walk on home, Blackenstein. Make way for the . . . AFRO-ZOMBIES!! A blaxploitation/zombie film trailer from Fah Kauff Bono Films. www.myspace.com/fuck_off_bono

"THE SITE" BY INFRASTAR [music video] - Directed by Amber Fritz (04:39) (Michigan 2008) A music video featuring zombies.

AFTERNOON OF THE LIVING DEAD – Burchwatter Productions (12:08) (Michigan) Directed by Casey Watterworth. Cameras follow one day in the life of professional zombie hunter, Vernon Wagoner.

POULTRYGEIST: NIGHT OF THE CHICKEN DEAD [trailer] – Troma Entertainment (New York 2006) Directed by Lloyd Kaufman. Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead is cinema's first chicken-zombie horror-comedy . . . with musical numbers!

THE CEMETERY PRECINCTS – Directed by Michael Einheuser & Rob Gulley (12:00) (Michigan 2008) A liberal fantasia played in the key of Z, "The Cemetery Precincts" tells the story of what happens when a couple of political dirty tricksters try a bit of old-school election fraud and scare up more than they bargained for. Includes an homage to "Night of the Living Dead" and lots of blood effects by makeup artist Dan Phillips. Written by Nancy Nall-Derringer.

DEALBREAKER – Five Clover Films and TriOmega Productions (10:00) (Michigan 2008) Can zombies be intimidated by a martial arts master? Should a pack-a-day smoker even try to run from the tireless undead? Is an insatiable hunger for human brains a relationship dealbreaker? When Mandy and Jesse take refuge from a tornado, these are just a few of the questions they try to answer. Starring Karri Farris and Phil Sholtes. Directed by Mike Madigan and Matthew Peach. Also see: www.myspace.com/triomega

RUN LIKE HELL – Finnic Films (10:48) (Ontario) Directed by Michael Jari Davidson. Shot on super 16mm film. A young college student struggles to survive with two strangers as the rescue station they have taken refuge in is surrounded by an epidemic of undead violence. Starring Christina Notto, Nicholas A. Longstaff, and Robert Nolan.

SNIPPY WALKS WITH A ZOMBIE - Skeletons in the Closet Films (02:30) (Michigan 2008) Snippy investigates the paranormal with his flesh eating undead companion. Written, directed and animated by Tom Gurisko and John Mollon.

GORDON - Sob Noisse Movies (15:00) (Michigan 2007) Directed by Joel Potykus. Gordon dies, then returns from the grave. His family has moved away. Work won't take him back. It's winter now and too cold for a dead man to be on the streets.

By Absolute Michigan | Posted in Articles, Arts & Entertainment, Dig Michigan, Dig Michigan Features, Festivals, Attractions & Event Calendars, Media, Michigan, Movies, Photography & Film, The Michigan Pages | Comments (0)