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Lake, Michigan Search ResultsPages & ArticlesLake Michigan Intervention Causes Problems The Holland Sentinel reports that Lake Michigan has been engineered by humans into a system focused on producing maximum numbers of sport fish, most of which are not native to its waters. Now there is mounting evidence the lake could be on the brink of "ecosystem shock," a food chain collapse caused by the nonstop invasion of foreign species.Ban Ocean Going Vessels from the Great Lakes? Lake Michigan Showing Signs of Ecological Breakdown This year the salmon were biting on just about anything, and commercial fisherman Dennis Hickey says he knows why: They are starving. Luring Invasive Great Lakes Species with Pheremones The Great Lakes Radio Consortium reports that University of Minnesota Fisheries Professor Peter Sorenson has discovered a chemical compound that attracts the Eurasian ruffe, an invasive fish. This could be a breakthrough in controlling harmful fish populations. 2005 Great Lakes Issues The Great Lakes Radio Consortium reports that the coming year will likely see some major policy decisions regarding the Great Lakes and that those involved think 2005 will be the year that some real progress on Great Lakes issues will be made. Kayak for a Cure, Kayakers to Attempt Lake Michigan Crossing The Grand Rapids Press reports that Bill Beland and 9 others plan to kayak 90 miles across Lake Michigan this August to raise at least $25,000 and awareness for the American Cancer Society. Great Lakes Water Levels Up The Detroit News reports that water levels in the Great Lakes are as much as 16 inches over last year's mark -- good news for boating, shipping and shoreline property owners. Great Lakes Freighter Food & the Ship's Steward A feature on the importance of the ship's steward and the elaborate meals they prepare aboard Great Lakes freighters. "A bad steward can spoil a good crew," said Steve Pringle. "There are days of monotony on these trips and sometimes the food is all you're looking forward to." Silver Lake & Dam to be Restored The Mining Journal reports that the Upper Peninsula Power Company will spend $5 million to restore the dam at Silver Lake (25 miles northwest of Marquette), which flooded into the Dead River in May 2003 and caused an estimated $100 million in damages. The lake will be rebuilt as a reservoir for hydropower generation. Great Lakes Cities Initiative Seeks Policy Voice The Associated Press reports that mayors and other city officials in the Great Lakes region are demanding more input on water policies that can affect their budgets and economy. The Great Lakes Cities Initiative was established in 2003 and over 55 member cities are using the initiative to have a voice in state, federal and international issues that impact the lakes and their city. Zebra Mussels Spread to More Michigan Lakes The Detroit Free Press reports that zebra mussels have been identified in more Michigan lakes including: Tamarack (Washtenaw County), Runyan (Livingston), Marion (Charlevoix), Spider (Grand Traverse), Long (Hillsdale), Indian (Kalamazoo), Gunn (Mason), and Corey, Fisher, Palmer, Sturgeon and Wahbememe (St. Joseph County). Ice Climbing in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore The UP Mining Journal has a feature on last weekend's 2005 Ice Fest celebration in Munising. The festival drew ice climbers from across the US to tackle ice formations in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and the feature has a great photo! 2006 Great Lakes Aid Concert Organized along the lines of the successful Farm Aid concerts, Great Lakes Aid will hold their inaugural concert in 2006. Proceeds will benefit grassroots community conservation efforts and the organization is currently seeking your support. Sport Fishing Group Urges Continuation of Lake Superior Splake Stocking The Detroit Free Press reports that the Alger County Fish and Game Alliance is urging the state not to dismantle a program that stocks Lake Superior with splake, a cross between female lake trout and male brook trout. US Fish & Wildlife Service to Seek Lake Sturgeon in Saginaw Rivers The Bay City Times reports that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service plans to begin a three-year project next month to see if lake sturgeon, a species native to the area, are swimming in from Saginaw Bay and up the Saginaw River to drop eggs in the Tittabawassee and Cass rivers. Sturgeon can grow to be 9 feet long, weigh up to 300 pounds and live to be 150 years old. Rise in Lakes Good News for Some, Otherwise for Others The Detroit News reports that snow & rain in southeast Michigan have raised the Lakes Erie, Ontario and St. Clair 18 inches above last winter's levels (and could have the same effect on the other Great Lakes by summer). Good news for shippers (who can carry more cargo), boat owners and potentially boat sellers. The downside of course is many who have had flooding problems. Aging Sea Wall Puts Great Lakes in Peril The Northwest Indiana News reports that a fracturing sea wall in East Chicago is threatening to allow tainted soil from an abandoned oil refinery to spill into the waterway linked to Lake Michigan and has put local, state and federal agencies in crisis mode. A combination of age, freezing and thawing, and this year's heavy snow and rain are likely suspects in the shifting of the sea wall. Miller Seeks Federal Study of Great Lakes Water Loss The Detroit Free Press reports that US Rep. Candice Miller has proposed a $2.5-million federal study to determine if St. Clair River erosion has permanently lowered Great Lakes water levels. An engineering study commissioned by a homeowners group concluded earlier this year that lakes Michigan and Huron have permanently lost a foot of water since 1970. Wind Farms on Lake Michigan Earthwatch Radio has an audio feature reporting that energy developers are looking at coastlines and even the surface of the Great Lakes for windmills. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory recently produced a new map of Michigan's wind resources that you can find from the link below. Great Lakes are Vast, but Still Need Our Help King Salmon Boom on Lake Michigan, Bust on Lake Huron The Traverse City Record-Eagle reports that a chinook (king salmon) boom on Lake Michigan corresponds with a bust on Lake Huron. Salmon numbers on the state's east side are falling so far, so fast that many discouraged local anglers dismiss nearby Huron and trailer their boats cross-state seeking the premier game fish. Great Lakes Folk Festival Receives Maritime Heritage Grant The Lansing State Journal reports that Michigan's maritime heritage will be on display at this summer's Great Lakes Folk Festival, thanks to an $18,000 grant from the Michigan Humanities Council. The grant will be used to bring experts in traditional skills like boat building, sail making and knot tying from across the state to the August 12-14 free music festival in East Lansing. Monster Lake Sturgeon Found by Research Team The Muskegon Chronicle has a feature on a 6 foot+, 135 pound lake sturgeon found by a sturgeon research team on Muskegon Lake. The team is catching sturgeon on the way to the Muskegon River spawning ground, attaching monitoring equipment to the giant lake-dwellers and releasing them. Lake St. Clair Report The Macomb Daily reports that a newly released federal report on improving water quality in Lake St. Clair is the most comprehensive of its kind, but it has created barely a ripple of impact. The over 200 page document (from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers) has 110 recommendations on how to fight pollution and other problems facing the lake. As a result, few officials have digested it. Coal-Burning Plants Proposed on Lake Michigan The Great Lakes Radio Consortium reports that environmentalists are concerned about two new coal-burning power plants to be built on the shores of Lake Michigan. Great Lakes Drilling Ban Blocked in US House The Detroit News reports that the House Rules Committee refused to let the full House vote to put the drilling ban into an energy bill. Wednesday's action killed a plan to permanently ban oil and gas drilling on the Great Lakes, the source of one-fifth of the world's fresh surface water. Lake Huron Salmon Disappearance Explained The Lake Express Car Ferry Tests New Stabilization The Muskegon Chronicle reported earlier this week that The Lake Express, a 192-foot vehicle-passenger ferry, was scheduled to make a trip across Lake Michigan to test its new ride stabilization system -- large "T-foils" on each of the two catamaran hulls. The hydraulic, computer-controlled devices are designed to improve the ride comfort of the ferry in high winds and heavy waves. Warm Weather & High Lakes are Good News for Michigan Boaters The Detroit News reports that the combination of high lake levels and a warm weekend has boaters excited about first week of the boating season. (of course, as anyone who knows or is a boater knows, boaters would be excited anyway) According to Michigan State University, recreational boating has an estimated $2.4 billion impact on the the Michigan economy. Lake Michigan Salmon Fishing Good The Muskegon Chronicle reports that early May is usually when salmon action picks up on Lake Michigan and that 2005 is no exception. Anglers are reporting catches of king salmon (many 15-16 pounds) off Grand Haven, Mona Lake and a few near Muskegon Lake. Coho, lake trout and a few steelhead have been reported as well. Great Lakes Higher than Last Year, Below Long-Term Average The UP Mining Journal reports that according the International Lake Superior Board of Control, although Lake Superior's level is three inches above last year, it remains two inches under the long-term average for the beginning of May. The levels of Lakes Michigan and Huron are about 11" below the long-term average for this time, up 6" over last year. Efforts to Bring Coasters Back to Superior & Great Lakes The Associated Press has a feature by writer John Flesher on the efforts of more than two dozen government agencies, conservation groups and Indian tribes in the United States and Canada are working in Lake Superior to bring back the "coasters". Coasters are brook trout that, for reasons still unknown, migrate into the big lake instead of remaining in tributary streams like other brook trout. Great Lakes, Great Michigan Campaign Launched The Oakland Press reports that the coalition of environmental groups that form the Great Lakes, Great Michigan Campaign have released their platform. They hope to reform of Michigan laws and regulations to make Michigan a leader in water conservation protect Michigan's lakes, rivers and streams from nearby water withdrawals and limit large water exports. Women's Water Walk Around Lake Huron The Grand Rapids Press reports that three American Indian women from Thunder Bay, Ontario are circling Lake Huron on foot to call attention to threats to the Great Lakes that include pollution, oil drilling and water diversion. The 5,000-mile Women's Water Walk is scheduled to end in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., in early June and reach the Mackinac Bridge this weekend. Surfing the Great Lakes Movie The San Diego Union-Tribune has an article on "Unsalted: A Great Lakes Experience," a documentary that filmmaker Vince Deur hopes will expose what could be the nation's best-kept surfing secret: great waves can be found in the Midwest. About 500-750 people surf the lakes at least once per year, with most of the activity about equally divided between Lakes Michigan and Erie. Looking to the Bottom of the Great Lakes The Canadian Press reports that a biologist from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is searching the bottom of Lake Michigan for bacteria and fungi that develop anti-bacterial chemicals that could be developed into life-saving drugs for humans. Yi-Qiang Cheng and Melissa Barman have identified bacteria and fungi that appear promising. Michigan's Biggest Asset: The Great Lakes Andy Guy of the Great Lakes Bulletin News Service and Michigan Land Use Institute writes that in the race to attract talented workers and lure new economic opportunities, one of Michigan's great advantages is a robust water supply. The 15 page report looks at a variety of issues and is highly recommended! Lack of Spring Rain Impacting Lake Levels The Soo Evening News reports that a 6" rainfall deficit so far in 2005 across northern Michigan and the Eastern Upper Peninsula is starting to impact Upper Great Lakes water levels. Select Michigan: Great Taste! Great Lakes! Last week the Detroit News reported on Select Michigan, a partnership between Michigan Integrated Food and Farming, the Michigan Department of Agriculture, area retailers, Michigan commodity groups, manufacturers and producers, and local units of government. The new catch phrase is "Great Taste! Great Lakes!" -- look for it in your grocery store. Spring Lake Heritage Festival, June 14th-19th Our goals are to bring families and communities together for fun and entertainment; to contribute a monetary donation back to the community; and to preserve area history and heritage for future generations to enjoy. Lawmakers Seek Permanent Great Lakes Drilling Ban Hearst Newspapers (via the Freep) reports that a group of lawmakers from states surrounding the Great Lakes urged Congress on Thursday to permanently bar new oil and gas drilling in the waters. The federal moratorium that currently bans new drilling operations in the five lakes (which provide drinking water for more than 30 million Americans) will expire in 2007. Silver Lake Dune Rides Celebrate 75th Year The Detroit News has a feature on the Mac Wood's Dune Rides. For 75 years the rides on Oceana County's Silver Lake Dunes have been one of Michigan's most famous and popular tourist attractions. An average of 80,000 riders a year climb aboard the specially modified 1-ton trucks. Great Lakes Governors Release Revised Water Proposals The Toledo Blade reports that Annex 2001 (revised proposals regarding future Great Lakes diversion & bulk water export) was released for public comment last week by the Council of Great Lakes Governors. The proposals included a ban on diversions and more authority at the state and provincial level for decisions affecting water usage. Great Lakes Unusually Warm This Year The Detroit News reports that average surface temperatures of the Great Lakes are at their highest in five years. Readings in the 60s and 70s from all but Lake Superior already are warmer than mid-August of 2004. Although the temps are good for swimming, they can also lead increased growth of weeds, algae and bacteria. Ambitious Great Lakes Cleanup Plan Announced The Duluth News-Tribune reports that an ambitious draft plan announced on the shores of Lake Superior by the EPA calls for an end to sewage overflows, beach closings and new exotic species invasions while also pushing for restored wetlands near the lakes and cleaning up contaminated hotspots in harbors. The plan calls for $20 billion over at least 15 years but funding remains uncertain. Kayaking Across Lake Michigan for a Cancer Cure The Detroit Free Press reports that sometime after Aug. 7, nine Michigan kayakers will load boats and gear aboard the Lake Express ferry at Muskegon, cross Lake Michigan to Milwaukee and launch their kayaks from a Wisconsin beach. With their 80 mile crossing, they'll raise money for the West Michigan Chapter of the American Cancer Society. Great Lakes Shipwreck Research The Mining Journal has a detailed feature on various efforts to preserve maritime history through the study of Great Lakes shipwrecks. Efforts include paintings and models of sunken ships and advanced remotely operated vehicles that the Great Lakes Shipwreck Society at Whitefish Point is currently using to catalog five wrecks in Lake Superior. Great Lakes Protection The Lansing Pulse reports that the Great Lakes region is in the midst of an ecological and political drama that dwarfs the biggest-budget blockbuster. Two rescue efforts (the Draft Action Plan by the EPA and the Great Lakes Basin Water Resources Compact) have been released for public comment by a coalition of private and public entities. Permanent Great Lakes Drilling Ban Close to Passage The Lansing State Journal reports that congressional negotiators agreed Tuesday to permanently ban new drilling for oil or gas in the Great Lakes as part of comprehensive energy legislation that could receive final approval this week. The ban was proposed by Rep. Bart Stupak and would bar the federal government and any state government from granting new permits to drill under the lakes. Great Lakes Folk Festival, Aug 12-14; East Lansing Deep Sea Detectives Explores Great Lakes Shipwrecks The Muskegon Chronicle reports that filmmakers from the History Channel's "Deep Sea Detectives" show are coming to Muskegon and Grand Haven today to shoot footage on the loss of two Coast Guard cutters in 1944 and the sinking of the car ferry S.S. Milwaukee and its 52 sailors 76 years ago. The program explores shipwrecks and the stories behind the sinking and will run a show on each. Schooners are the New Great Lakes Classrooms A pair of features profile a pair of schooners used as classrooms. The Wisconsin-based S.V. Denis Sullivan (on the Ontonagon River last weekend) takes people on the Great Lakes to help them learn about the science and history of the lakes. The Inland Seas will be docked at the Muskegon Channel wall Aug. 10-11, providing free dockside tours and a paid science sailing trip. Reduced Rates for Lake Michigan Ferry The Lansing State Journal reports that the Lake Express ferry has dropped the cost of transporting a vehicle on the ferry's 11 PM EDT departure from Muskegon to Milwaukee from $59 to $40 for August. It has increased the fuel surcharge $1.50. Energy Bill Passed, Includes Great Lakes Drilling Ban The Great Lakes Radio Consortium reports that the recently passed Energy Bill contains an amendment that permanently bans oil and gas drilling in the Great Lakes, affirming that drilling in the Great Lakes is not worth the risk to the environment or human safety. The President is expected to sign the bill. Canoeing Around Lake Superior The Mining Journal has a feature on Steve Wingard, a self-employed carpenter from Marquette, who is on a multi-year quest to circumnavigate Lake Superior in a 65-year-old, red, canvas and wood canoe. He's taking the journey at 200-300 mile increments. He started in 2003, journeying 325 miles from Duluth, Minn. to Big Bay and recently finished the segment of his journey from Big Bay to Sault Ste. Special Report on the Great Lakes The Sunday Detroit News had a special feature taking an in-depth look at each of the myriad ways in which the Great Lakes are under pressure: invasive pests, shoreline development, pollution, industrial waste, water diversions and sulfide mining. The report also contains a number of photo galleries and video tours and is heartily recommended. Lake Erie Steelhead Fishing Gaining Recognition The Press & Guide has a feature reporting that Lake Erie, known for its population of walleye, perch, and smallmouth bass, is starting to take its place alongside the larger Great Lakes as a steelhead hotbed. Although steelhead caught from Lakes Michigan, Huron or Superior can reach 20-plus pounds, the typical fish taken from Lake Erie is in the 8-12 pound range. Celebrate Great Lakes Traveling Show The show sweeps through Michigan events from 10,000 years ago through the late 1990s and features folk band Song of the Lakes, historians Larry & Priscilla Massie, singer/songwriters Kitty Donahue & Claudia Schmidt, dancer Sheila Graziano, storyteller LaRon Williams and a group of American Indian drummers/dancers/storytellers from the Munsee tribe in London, Ontario. Great Lakes Protection Lacking A decade-old federal push to keep some of the worst toxic chemicals out of the Great Lakes can't do much more to control pollution levels because it doesn't include some of the biggest sources of pollution, a government audit found. Great Lakes IT Report Launches Podcast The Great Lakes IT Report has launched a new podcast that will feature editor Matt Roush exploring an issue of interest in more depth and will appear several times a week. The initial cast features Compuware Corp. CEO Peter Karmanos Jr. (a certified master gardener) talking about what he likes about growing vegetables. Initiative to Restore the Great Lakes Could Also Restore Jobs The Great Lakes Bulletin News Service has a feature that explores how a multi-billion dollar proposal to restore the Great Lakes would generate hundreds of thousands of jobs in Michigan and the Great Lakes region as a whole. While ecological issues have long been central to restoration, policy experts have begun stressing that the initiative is necessary if the region is to kick aside its Rustbelt Lake Erie Wind Tower May Lead to Wind Farms Down in Cleveland, Ohio they have built a 165 foot, 6,000-pound offshore wind tower on Lake Erie. Michigan touches Lake Erie, so we'll take the leap. Wind power is one of the fastest growing means of energy production worldwide and Green Energy Ohio, a nonprofit group behind the venture, expects it to produce the kind of results necessary to take the next step: gauging the public's interest in put Astronomy Cruise on Lake Michigan Booth Newspapers has a feature on an astronomy cruise on Lake Michigan offered this fall (Sept. 23-25) on the tall ship Manitou. The cruise is one of 7 multiday cruises and in addition to assisting in the sailing of the two-masted, gaff-rigged, topsail schooner, passengers take out sea kayaks to explore after the ship has anchored for the evening and will view the beautiful moonless skies. Great Lakes Restoration Funding Could Be Slashed by Katrina The Toledo Blade reports that Ohio Environmental Protection Agency Director Joe Koncelik said yesterday that the region's hopes of getting a $20 billion investment under the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration effort could have suffered a blow from the hurricane for the simple reason that the federal government has only so much money to go around. Ohio Utilities Urge Lifting Great Lakes Drilling Ban The Toledo Blade reports that the Ohio's major natural gas utilities yesterday asked Ohio lawmakers to urge Congress to lift their bans on drilling under the Great Lakes, in Alaska wildlife preserves, and along the coastlines. An estimated 1 trillion thousand-cubic-feet of natural gas, enough to potential serve Ohio for 20 years, is under Lake Erie. Great Lakes Lighthouse Festival, Oct 2nd - 9th; Alpena U of M Announces Support for Great Lakes Center The Michigan Daily reports that University of Michigan President Mary Sue Coleman voiced support for a center at UM that would bring together five of the premier organizations that study the Great Lakes: the Great Lakes Commission, the Great Lakes Fisheries Commission, Michigan's Institute for Fisheries Research, the Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory and the Great Lakes Science Center. Great Lakes Salmon in the Spotlight Interlochen Public Radio has a pair of features regarding salmon in Lake Michigan. As fisheries biologists and anglers are discussing salmon stocking on Lake Michigan, lake managers say conditions on Lake Michigan are similar to what was observed in the late 80s just before disease killed many of the salmon and want to reduce stocking. The second feature looks at the alewife, once hated but now lo Great Lakes Restoration Up in the Air The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette has a feature from AP writer John Flesher. An EPA official stated Friday that despite an internal document suggesting money for new programs won't be available, the Bush administration remains committed to a wide-ranging Great Lakes restoration project. The Chicago Tribune reported that the memo said federal officials have "serious concerns" with a blueprint released Radio Series Looks at Threats to Great Lakes Yesterday the Great Lakes Radio Consortium started a ten-part series called "Ten Threats to the Great Lakes" that explores dangers facing the world's largest body of freshwater. The first says that aquatic alien invasive species in the Great Lakes now cost the economy an estimated five billion dollars a year and that the cost is largely born by the taxpayers of the region. Great Lakes Cleanup: Needed, but Likely Unfunded In the first of two stories, the Canoe Network says an EPA report on a long-range project to restore the Great Lakes ecosystem likely won't receive the huge infusion of US government cash supporters had hoped for. The Washington Post takes an in-depth look at how funding cuts will impact efforts and how years of studies are apparently not worth the paper they were printed on. Great Lakes Shipwreck Survivors to Ring Fitzgerald Bell, Nov 10th; Whitefish Point Benefit to Honor Great Lakes Mariners, Nov 11th; Brimley The Great Lakes Story exhibit & Great Lakes Film Series; Kalamazoo Great Lakes States Agree to Salmon Stocking Reduction State fisheries management agencies for Lake Michigan have agreed to implement a 25% stocking reduction of Chinook salmon in Lake Michigan beginning with reduced stockings in 2006 (Michigan will reduce stocking by 30%). Next spring, 3.2 million Chinook salmon fingerlings will be stocked by Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana, a reduction of just over 1 million fish from 2005. It's hoped that Jack Lessenberry interview with Great Lakes Water Wars author Peter Annin Michigan Radio’s Jack Lessenberry has an interview with Peter Annin that you will probably want to check out. In Jack’s accompanying essay, he says that water-poor states like Texas and Arizona are increasing their political clout relative to Midwestern states like Michigan and Ohio. As to where to start working to head off problems (or water wars), he suggests that Great Lakes Water Pact to be Signed Today The Detroit Free Press reports that Gov. Granholm and seven other Great Lakes governors are in Wisconsin today and expected to sign a far-reaching pact aimed at protecting the water supply. The new deal (which will require approval by all eight state legislatures, Congress and the president to take effect) would do more than block water removal. Implications of Democrats' Victory for the Great Lakes Veteran Michigan political analyst George Weeks writes that much of the Michigan media’s post-election focus has been on the “aging lions” US Representatives John Dingell & John Conyers and Senator Carl Levin. How the new makeup of the national legislature (and the Democratic House in Michigan) will affect the Great Lakes and efforts such as the proposed $20 billion Great Lakes restoration plan. Deep Rock Nuclear Waste on the Northern Great Lakes? The Bay City Times had an interesting (and alarming) article on plans to build North America’s first ‘’deep-rock'’ nuclear waste dump on the shores of Lake Huron. Ontario Power Generation Inc., the government-owned utility, operates its Bruce Nuclear Site and plant in Kincardine, Ontario - about 50 miles of open Lake Huron water east of the tip of Michigan’s Thumb. International Shipping on the Great Lakes: Does Cost Outweigh Benefit? Red Tape Blog reports on a controversial study by two Michigan transportation experts that says the ecological and economic costs of international shipping on the Great Lakes far outweigh its benefits. The study estimated a $55 million a year value for overseas shipping on the lakes. By comparison, one estimate puts the total cost of just zebra mussels for the past 20 years at about $2 billion. "Michigan, The Great Lakes State: An Illustrated History" Book Signing Sunday, East Lansing Meet the authors of "Michigan, The Great Lakes State: An Illustrated History" from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11 at Barnes & Noble, 333 W. Grand River Ave., East Lansing. For more details, call 324-3926. Environmental Groups & Scientists Warn of Great Lakes Collapse The amount represents a continuation of funding at current levels rather than the $20 billion for Great Lakes Restoration originally proposed. A report from the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition says the Lakes are deteriorating at a rate unprecedented in recorded history and their ecosystem is in danger of collapse. Southwestern States Raiding Great Lakes for Water? The Great Lakes Radio Consortium reports on the threat of large-scale water withdrawals from the Great Lakes and concludes that water withdrawals by Southwestern US states is very unlikely due to the energy required and that it would be cheaper to build desalinization plants. Gull Lake May Be Next Intelligent Design Case The Detroit Free Press reports that the next court test on whether public schoolchildren can be taught that an intelligent force set the universe in motion could move to Michigan after a federal judge barred a Pennsylvania district from teaching intelligent design. The Thomas More Law Center has threatened to sue Gull Lake Community Schools for refusing to allow the teaching of intelligent design. Great Lakes Water Resources Compact The Port Huron Times-Herald reports that (if it becomes law) the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact will require states to evaluate water withdrawal and its impact, implement water-conservation measures and regulate the removal of water from the basin. The Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River basin comprises 90% to 95% of the fresh surface water in the United States... Visit the Great Lakes Town Hall The AP has a feature about the Great Lakes Town Hall, an online forum created by the Biodiversity Project. The site is designed to provide the 42 million residents of the states and Canadian provinces that border the Great Lakes an arena where they can discuss and debate issues affecting the Great Lakes. Each week, the Town Hall features guest speakers Michigan writer Jerry Dennis Great Lakes Town Hall Features Author Barbara Spring This week's speaker at the Great Lakes Town Hall is Grand Haven author Barbara Spring, writer of The Dynamic Great Lakes, a critically acclaimed book about the ever changing Great Lakes ecosystems, and The Wilderness Within, a book of nature poetry and essays. You're invited to visit and participate in discussion. Every week, there's a new guest speaker, so sign up for their email! Great Lakes Songwriting Contest Announced MichiganBands.com announces that the 2006 Great Lakes Songwriting Contest is now open to residents of the eight Great Lakes states and the Province of Ontario. Formerly the Michigan Songwriting Contest, the new contest features a Grand Prize of $1000 cash. There will be 13 winning songs, great prizes and five of the top winners will have a chance to perform in a live concert. A Strategy for Great Lakes Action The Michigan Land Use Institute lays out a 10-point strategy for state leaders designed to inspire innovation, accelerate job growth, strengthen the economy, and enhance the Great Lakes. Recommendations include establishing a Water Resources Trust Fund, a tax shift from profits to activities like pollution & wasteful water extraction and encouraging water-friendly technologies. Tip-Up Town USA, Jan 21-22 & 28-29; Houghton Lake Great Lakes Joins Science Education Network The Traverse City Record-Eagle has a feature on a new program that will bring together research scientists and science teachers for workshops, curriculum development and other projects aimed at improving Great Lakes education. The program should help produce Great Lakes science lessons that can be used in schools across the region and that take advantage of the latest scientific information. Concentrations of Chemical Found in Lakes, Effect Unclear The Detroit Free Press reports that a little-studied fire retardant has accumulated in Great Lakes sediment and game fish for decades without detection, according to new research. Dechlorane Plus was found in the sediment of lakes Erie and Michigan, in regional air samples and in the tissues of walleye in Lake Erie. It is unclear what health impacts on humans or animals (if any) might be caused. The Lights of Northern Lake Huron Online Tour Coming The Bay City Times reports that Travel Michigan is adding the US-23 route to its list of suggested "maritime tours" for tourists interested in making road trips linked to Great Lakes history. A new Northeast Michigan tour is scheduled to make its debut Feb. 24 on the state's tourism Web site and will join Northwest Michigan Ports of Call, Historic Harbortowns & Echoes of the Edmund Fitzgerald. New Book: Great Lakes Water Wars by Peter Annin AP writer John Flesher has a review on the new book The Great Lakes Water Wars by Newsweek correspondent Peter Annin (Island Press). The books central premise is that an era of warring over the Great Lakes is under way, and that the lakes’ future and the region’s way of life hang in the balance as leaders grapple with the challenge of preserving almost one-fifth of the world’s fresh surface water. Great Lakes Pollution Increasing, Michigan to Increase Water Cleanups A new report finds that despite decades of effort cleaning up the Great Lakes, industrial discharges of dangerous water pollutants into the lakes soared 23% at US companies and 13% at Canadian ones from 1998 and 2002. The finding is unexpected because companies have spent billions of dollars trying to clean up the environment, and water quality in the lakes has improved dramatically. Budget Called Net Loss for the Great Lakes The Great Lakes Radio Consortium reports that several groups are calling the President's budget a net loss for the Great Lakes. A fund that helps states update their outdated sewage treatment plants is slated to get one of the biggest cuts, but also absent is any funding to deal with the invasive Asian carp. The budget does allocate over $70 million to clean and protect the Great Lakes. Worries Over Great Lakes Water Levels The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has an interesting piece that looks at fluctuations in lake levels over the last century. Although flucuations are indeed normal, the article examines the role dredging has played in recent years and whether the trend will continue. Diving the Great Lakes in Summer ... and Winter Traverse City Record-Eagle feature on father-daughter diving duo Christopher and Claire Morey. In summer and in frigid winter months, they plunge into West Grand Traverse Bay, free diving up to 30 feet down and photographing what they see with an underwater camera. "The Great Lakes have remarkable visibility now on par with the Mediterranean because of the zebra mussel phenomenon" said Christopher West Michigan Conservancy Takes Control of Lakeshore Jewel The Grand Rapids Press has a feature by John Tunison on the new William Erby Smith Preserve (also known as Wau-Ke-Na, a title Smith created that means "forest by the water"). The Land Conservancy of West Michigan recently took control of the preserve, which they call an environmental jewel along the lakeshore. The land is divided into two tracts of 128 acres and 237 acres separated by a mile. Midland Shipper Working Towards Great Lakes Port Association Ourmidland.com reports that Bill Webber of Sargent Docks & Terminal Co. says that despite a report from the Army Corps of Engineers that Great Lakes shipping is dying, the Saginaw River needs to be sustained as an economic resource. About 4 million tons of freight are shipped on the river each year (106,000 truckloads) and Webber is working to form a Great Lakes Port Association. Who will answer the call of the Great Lakes? No resource is more important to Michigan's future than the Great Lakes. They literally surround us, leading to our identification as the "Great Lakes State" ... We made great progress in the latter decades of the 20th century reversing the old mindset of exploiting our natural resources, including the Great Lakes, and then cleaning up the mess at a later time. -Bill Milliken Photo Friday: Walloon Lake View Michigan by artbabee Rebeka is a graduate art historian currently working with the Denver Art Museum. Most of her photos are from Someplace Other Than Michigan but she has a great set from Charlevoix, Cross Village, and Walloon Lake, Michigan. Separating Great Lakes & Mississippi Watersheds Earthwatch Radio reports that North America's two biggest watersheds, the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River, are connected to each other by an artificial canal in Chicago. With mounting evidence that invasive plants and animals can spread from one watershed to the other, some are saying it's time for that link to be severed. 'Great Lakes Ghost Stories', April 2; West Branch Saginaw native, Wes Oleszewski, spins tales from his book ''Great Lakes Ghost Stories'' on April 2 at Wiltse's Family Restaurant in West Branch for the seventh annual Au Sable Oscoda Historical Museum & Society fundraising dinner, which benefits the museum. The book is one of 14 that Oleszewski has written about the Great Lakes and its shipwrecks, lighthouses and ghosts. The Lake Michigan Doughnut A doughnut-shaped area of newly discovered plant life that covers much of Lake Michigan's southern basin may hold the key to the survival of many species in the lake. The area lies 6-10 miles offshore and stretches about 60 miles from north to south (roughly from Muskegon to Gary, Ind.) and 48 miles from east to west, with a large hole in the center. It is composed of chlorophyll... Shipping Season Opens on the Great Lakes The Port Huron Times-Herald reports that the Soo Locks have opened and the Coast Guard tender Hollyhock has begun replacing winter buoys with warm-weather versions. This means that it's freighter-watching season, a along the St. Clair River and Lake Huron (and across the Great Lakes). The article has great photos and also checks in with Boatnerd.com and the Vantage Point Maritime Center. Lake Superior Level Down, but Less than Expected The Mining Journal reports that the level of Lake Superior is 600.9 feet above sea level, below the 601.3 foot target level set by the Army Corps of Engineers. That level is expected to rise as snowpack in the Huron Mountains region (at 40-50 inches) and the Keweenaw (35-42 inches) melts and returns to the Lake. Great Lakes Submarine Photo Validated! At the April 1st meeting of the Michigan Society of Speculative Science (MiSSS), Dr. Werner Unterseeboot of the Institute for Great Lakes Submarine Research announced that his advanced photographic analysis has confirmed the validity of the famous "Windy Beach Photo". For more about the sub photo and submarines in the Great Lakes, read on! Fife Lake Man Crosses the UP on Snowshoes The Ironwood Globe has a feature on Jerry Gauld of Fife Lake, who completed a snowshoe hike in the footsteps of Bishop Frederic Baraga across the UP, traversing the North Country Trail 400 miles from the Straits of Mackinac to North Ironwood. The 57-year-old bulldozer operator said "Somewhere along the line a couple of years ago I was on that trail and I decided to go and camp out on it... Lake Huron & St. Clair Dropping, Cause Unknown The Port Huron Times-Herald says that the forecast for summer water levels of Lake Huron and Lake St. Clair is poor (at best). At 577.3 feet above sea level, Lake Huron levels are about 6" below 2005 and are predicted to peak this summer just slightly higher. At 573.6', Lake St. Clair also is below its average. As to what is causing these lower levels, theories range from continued erosion... Bill Introduced to Combat Zebra Mussels and Sewage in Great Lakes The Freep reports that although legislation was introduced yesterday in Congress by the odd couple of Carl Levin and Vern Ehlers to rid the Great Lakes of zebra mussels and raw sewage, the $23 billion price tag will be a tough sell to a stingy Congress. The major component is a $20-billion revolving low-interest loan fund to help communities upgrade their sewer systems... Probing the Disappearance of Lake Huron Salmon The Detroit Free Press reports that although salmon fishing in Lake Huron collapsed in two years with the disappearance of alewives, their primary prey fish, but some researchers think it's a temporary problem. They think Huron's prey base can be repopulated by alewives produced in the vast, rich nursery grounds of southern Lake Michigan. The article offers a look at conflicting views... Protecting the Lake Sturgeon The Traverse City Record-Eagle has a feature about researchers and volunteers who are working with the Black Lake population of lake sturgeon - Michigan's lone naturally reproducing inland lake sturgeon population. The volunteers include Sturgeon For Tomorrow, who patrol the river banks for poachers. Sturgeon are an ancient fish that haven't changed since the time of dinosaurs... Great Lakes Kite Festival, May 18-20 2007; Grand Haven The Midwest's largest kite festival features professional stunt kite teams, monster kites, kids tent and test fields where you can learn to fly FREE at the State Park. Festival is free to attend, through there is a charge to park inside the State Park. Summer Guide to the Lake Michigan Shore The Muskegon Chronicle has an excellent 16-page feature on the West Michigan Lakshore and the wide range of summer fun including festivals, parks, beaches, golf, shopping, dune rides and information about communities from Ludington to Grand Haven. Windmills in the Great Lakes This weekend's Traverse City Record-Eagle had an excellent feature on controversy building around windmills and wind energy along the Great Lakes. Energy experts are set to meet in Madison and Toledo, Ohio, next month to talk about the prospects of implanting giant electricity-generating windmills in the Great Lakes. Advocates say offshore wind turbines would be a power generation jackpot. Eagles are the Canary of the Great Lakes Just as coal miners used to use canaries to detect methane, ecologists use bald eagles to detect environmental toxins in the Great Lakes. According to Bill Bowerman, a professor of wildlife ecology and toxicology at Clemson "Bald eagles are great indicators of environmental health. By looking at contaminants in eagles, we can get a handle on what's happening with chemicals... Studying Lake Superior's "Fats" Lake trout are the dominant native predator fish in Lake Superior. The Siscowet lake trout live at depths of 250 feet or more while lake trout typically live in depths of no more than 300 feet. Siscowet translates from Ojibwe as 'cooks itself' and the fish typically carry 40-70% body fat (compared to a normal laker's 10%) Report Finds Last 5 Years Brutal for Great Lakes States A study to be released today by the Brookings Institution finds that the seven Great Lakes states have lost 1.1 million factory jobs since 2000 - the largest number of jobs to vanish so quickly from any U.S. sector since at least 1939. The report titled "Bearing the Brunt: Manufacturing Job Loss in the Great Lakes Region" found that 1/4 of Michigan factory workers lost a job between 2000 and 2005. Worry About Great Lakes Water Levels Low water levels in Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario are causing worry. Water levels have declined the most in Lake Huron and Lake Michigan: about 3 feet from 1997 and 20" below the 140-year average. Experts say that major climatic events usually coincide with water level changes. The 1930s Dust Bowl drought coincided with then-record low levels in the Great Lakes. Brothers Plan to Kayak Lake Michigan to Benefit Orphanage The Stamford Advocate has a feature on Daniel and Jeremy Fruchter, two brothers who will embark on a 100-mile kayak trip across Lake Michigan to raise money for an Israeli orphanage. Regarding his brother (16) and himself (18), Daniel said "We're not especially outdoorsmen, and we're not athletes. We're just very determined." Republican Challengers also Oppose Drilling in Great Lakes George Weeks' latest Michigan Politics column reports that although Republican challengers to Sen. Debbie Stabenow Mike Bouchard and Keith Butler back energy policies that include drilling for oil in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and more drilling off the Gulf and other mainland coasts, they side with Stabenow in saying hands off Michigan's Great Lakes shoreline... Chicago Man Kayaking Around Lake Michigan The Petoskey News-Review has a feature on Chicago native Tom Heineman. Heineman, 57, serves as a sea kayak instructor and is a member of the Chicago Area Sea Kayakers Association. He has made it all the way up the Wisconsin shore, across the UP and will be passing staying at DH Day campground in the Sleeping Bear Dunes tonight headed to Frankfort on Tuesday. Destination: Michigan Explores the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore Michigan's Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore offers countless opportunities ranging from hiking and biking, to kayaking. In addition to famous rock formations like Miners Castle and Chapel Rock, the Pictured Rocks are also home to the Au Sable Lighthouse, the Grand Sable Dunes, and many thousands of acres of forests and beaches. Vacation Cruises on the Great Lakes Numerous, multi-day vacation cruises are available on the Great Lakes. They report that while Great Lakes cruises were once the thing, it's only recently that they have enjoyed a resurgence in popularity. Travel promoters say the Great Lakes region, well-known for its recreational boating, stunning beaches and summer vacation towns, has the potential to attract more cruise ships. New Great Lakes Fish Stocking Vessel The TC record-Eagle reports that the 95-foot-long M/V Spencer F. Baird will focus on the lake trout population of the Great Lakes. The ship is based in the Cheboygan River at the Great Lakes Science Center docks and is designed to stock and monitor lake trout. It replaces the M/V Togue. Matt Rosendaul - Great Lakes Home Performance Matt Rosendaul is an energy consultant and Energy Star Business Partner. His company, Peaceful Existence, LLC, provides energy consulting services to residential and business customers in Central Michigan. He can be reached by visiting www.peaceful-existence.com. Michigan Musicians Dominate Great Lakes Songwriting Contest Jen Cass of Bay City was awarded the Grand Prize: Small Town Boy. Ann Arborite Whit Hill won first & 2nd place for Farsighted & Sandusky. Lansing singer-songwriter Rachanee also won second place for From Here. Three Michigan songwriters shared 3rd place: Roger MacNaughton of Ada for Cherry Creek, Patrick Power of East Lansing for The Heart of Mary Lou, and Rachele Eve of Plymouth for Lady in Black Great Lakes Bioneers Conferences (Traverse City & Detroit) Bioneers is a growing movement of everyday people committed to preserving and supporting the future through kinship, interdependence, cooperation, reciprocity, and community. There is a national keynote that will be broadcast at both venues! Check out information for the Detroit & Traverse City Conferences! Understanding Changing Lake Levels The Traverse City Record-Eagle has an interesting series going about environmental issues that impact the Great Lakes. In today's feature, they talk with Frank Quinn, a retired hydrologist from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Quinn talks about the factors that can contribute to changing lake levels from climate change and glacial rebound... Development in Lake Michigan's Shoreline Dunes Michigan has laws to regulate development and activity in our geologically unique shoreline dunes. The question for today is: are those laws working? Tons of links for dune mining, dune development, sand dunes, done ecology, lake michigan dunes and more. Michigan in Pictures on Snowflakes & Crystals Today on Michigan in Pictures there is a cool snowflake photo and links to some neat stuff on snowflakes including a link to an excerpt from It's Raining Frogs & Fishes on the white stuff we're supposed to have at this time of year titled Nature Baroque: Snowflakes & Crystals. A video too! Michigan Film: Unsalted, A Great Lakes Experience The film Unsalted touts Great Lakes surfing as the perfect recipe for a little winter fun - "one part obsession, one part addiction, and an unending quest for adventure makes Great Lakes Surfers a truly rare breed." Michigan native, filmmaker and surfer Vince Deur has put together an amazing film about surfers, surfing and finding the perfect wave. Lake Trout making a comeback in Lake Michigan? The Muskegon Chronicle reports that 50 years after the lake trout disappeared from Lake Michigan due to sea lamprey predation, scientists have discovered evidence that lake trout are reproducing on their own on a deep water reef in the middle of the lake. Scientists who discovered lake trout eggs hatching on a reef 30 miles offshore of Grand Haven... Lake Magazine features Absolute Michigan! Lake Magazine has a nice write-up on Absolute Michigan in their current issue. Here's an excerpt: from Monroe to Ironwood, from New Buffalo to the Soo. Absolute Michigan'™s news digest is as likely to link to a cranky blogger as a daily newspaper. Its history page will inform you "Why We Are Called The Wolverine State"¯ The daily photo goes beyond the calendar classics beaches, .... Today is Great Lakes Day ... What is Michigan doing about that? Clean Lakes Mean Good Jobs from the Michigan Land Use Institute alerted us to the fact that today is Great Lakes Day. MLUI's Andy Guy says that following the Strategy to Restore and Protect the Great Lakes would have a host of positive impacts reaching beyond the strictly environmental to deliver jobs and other economic impacts. Michigan's reps speak for Great Lakes ... but will anything get done? The Lansing State Journal reports that Michigan and Great Lakes US Reps were more than a bit testy at a hearing to examine the problems posed by the zebra mussel, the sea lamprey and other invader species. Also yesterday, a bipartisan group of lawmakers reintroduced Great Lakes cleanup legislation in the House and Senate. Iceboat vs. Chevy on Lake St. Clair The news today is kind of heavy, so how about an iceboat racing a Chevy on frozen Lake St. Clair off Mt. Clemens in the 1930 equivalent of viral video. Time for the Great Lakes State to stand tall Michigan: Stand Tall ... If you have ever crossed the Mackinac Bridge you know the feeling - the grandeur. If you have crossed the Ambassador Bridge from Windsor to Detroit you know the feeling - the grandeur of shared waters. The Great Lakes state must rise above this day's pain, and create the Michigan that will again show the world, the way. Great Lakes Kite Festival in Grand Haven The 18th Annual Great Lakes Kite Festival will be held May 18-20 at Grand Haven State Park in Grand Haven, Michigan. It features kite ballets, performances and stunt kite exhibitions from some of the nation's finest kite teams, demos and lessons and all kinds of wind-driven fun! Featured Link: Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum The Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum is located at Whitefish Point. Fitting, because the area is know as the "Graveyard of Ships," more vessels have wrecked in the area than in any other part of Lake Superior. The Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum is the only museum "dedicated to the perils of maritime transport on the Great Lakes." Michigan: Great Lakes Surfing Capital We've pulled together a collection of Great Lakes surfing videos on our Michigan Station at chime.tv including clips from the movie Unsalted: A Great Lakes Experience by Vince Deur, a visit to Grand Haven by Roxy Get Outside, surfers on the Grand River, and kiteboarding and windsurfing in South Haven. Blogs We Dig: Great Lakes Guy The Great Lakes Guy stays abreast of any news relating to the Great Lakes and is sure to comment on it, and also looks at strategies used in other areas for development and environmental protection and shows how they pertain to the Great Lakes region. While his blog has an environmental bent, Andy's also sure to point out ways in which the correlation between green policies and monetary green. Photo Friday: Cloud over Lake Superior by Mickey Finn Mickey Finn (Mike) says he enjoys trout fishing, fly tying, and the places where trout live. If you enjoy those things, you'll probably enjoy his photos! The Sleeper Lake Fire in the Upper Peninsula Ann Arbor based Edward Vielmetti has maps and links for the massive Sleeper Lake Fire that has burned about 20,000 acres in Luce County north of Newberry in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Gina Harmon of Superior Sights has some great photos and coverage of this devastating fire from a local perspective. Share your Great Lakes story or photo The July winners of the Healthy Lakes, Healthy Lives story & photo contest have been announced. The deadline for the August contest is August 20th, so there's still time to enter. They have been kind enough to allow us to reprint the 1st place story in the General category, Waves by Crystal Proxmire and the photo Sunset where Scott Falls Meets Lake Superior by Mark Rood. Michigan Restaurants: Five Lakes Grill in Milford For more than a decade, Five Lakes Grill has ranked as one of the nation's most respected restaurants. Chef Brian Polcyn and his staff create an extraordinary experience that combines the innovative culinary talents of his well-trained staff with a menu based on the freshest ingredients, including the best locally grown and produced foods. Michigan Video: Iceboating on Elk Lake Jack & Kelly added this video of ice boating on Elk Lake from March 6, 2008 to the Absolute Michigan group on YouTube. If you have a Michigan video to share, you can do the same! They have a lot more ice boating videos on their YouTube page and also run the Michigan Iceboat group. Song of the Lakes 25th Anniversary DVD An excerpt from the new Song of the Lakes DVD titled Live at Interlochen. It features a full-length movie of Song of the Lakes 25th Anniversary concert by Rich Brauer & Brauer Productions and the documentary Journey to Joy by Rebecca Glotfelty of Real People Media. From the Vine: Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail As part of our celebration of Michigan Wine Month, we'll be featuring excerpts on each of Michigan's wine trails from the Michigan Notable Book award-winning From the Vine: Exploring Michigan Wineries. For our third feature we present the Wineries of the Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail. Dig Michigan: The Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore The Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is located on the southern shore of Lake Superior between Munising at the west and Grand Marais at the east in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. It was the nation's first national lakeshore and is an amazing outdoor experience. Photo Friday: Silver Lake Trip 13 by Anthony Bergman Anthony lives in Shanghai, so as a consequence he doesn't have a whole lot of Michigan photos for me to point you towards other than his Michigan Trip 08 set and one of my favorite beach desktop backgrounds shots. Great Lakes Folk Festival: August 7-9, 2009 The roots, the rhythms and the richness of music, dance, arts and culture from across America and around the world come to downtown East Lansing for the Michigan State University Museum's annual Great Lakes Folk Festival, Aug. 7-9. Road Trip: Great Lakes Cider & Perry Festival, September 6-7, St. Johns The Great Lakes Cider & Perry Festival is set for September 6-7 at Uncle John’s Cider Mill in St. Johns. Throughout the weekend, samples of the finest cider and perry (cider made from pears) from the Great Lakes area will be available for tasting. Amphicar on Torch Lake (Mooring Not Required), photo by ( Jennifer ) A great weekend for the Great Lakes Folk Festival!, photo by Patrick T Power dock (July 4, 2008 on Whitmore Lake), photo by postpurchase. Isle Royale Sunset and the Great Lakes Sea Kayak Symposium, photo by yooper1949 Reeds, Crooked Lake from the Waters of Michigan, photo by David Lubbers Osprey Pair at Wildwing Lake, photo by C.A. Mullhaupt 50th anniversary of the launch of the S. S. Edmund Fitzgerald, photo courtesy The Open Lake Group, LLC Lake Michigan Shore, photo by Anthony Bergman Sunset for Winter: Lake Sixteen Lifesaver, photo by Arace Old Crystal Lake Trout Ice Angler, photo by UpNorth Memories Whitefish Point Lighthouse & The Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum, photo by heidigoseek along the dock at lake michigan, photo by puja Great Lakes Kite Festival, photo by oldbrushes Pier, Donnell Lake, Mich., photo by shsukatsfan Central Lake, Michigan … all week long in 1973, photo by kbreenbo lake of the clouds, porcupine mountains, photo by Apparat-chik lake of the clouds, porcupine mountains, photo by Apparat-chik Orchard Lake and the St Mary’s Polish Festival, photo by Orchard Lake Get your Green(s) at the Great Lakes BIONEERS Conference SEEDS director Sarna Salzman talks about the Great Lakes BIONEERS Conference which takes place October 17-19th, 2008 in Traverse City, Michigan @ Northwestern Michigan College (click through to view in high quality). The music is "Greens" by Seth Bernard & May Erlewine from the very tasty disc Something Fresh. Hear more at earthworkmusic.com. Road Trip: 2008 Great Lakes Lighthouse Festival, Oct 9-12 The four day event provides activities for the young and old including lighthouse tours (aerial, boat or personal vehicle), entertainment, and vendors. The festival boasts over 100 maritime related vendors including lighthouse preservation groups, artists, authors and more. Weird Photo Wednesday: Lakenenland Corporate Greed by Kristina_5 Found on the Absolute Michigan flickr pool, Kristina_5 has some interesting shots from an equally interesting sculpture park located 15 miles east of Marquette, Michigan on M-28. Click on in for more information on this photo and to see other 'Michigan Oddities' as captured through the lens of Kristina_5. Michigan Books: Historic Cottages of Glen Lake by Barbara Siepker, photography by Dietrich Floeter One of twenty Michigan Notable Books for 2009 that should be added to your reading list. Take a trip back in time and explore more than 50 historic cottages' interiors and exteriors that are documented in this beautiful publication detailing the resort community nestled in the heart of the Sleeping Bear Dunes. Road Trip: Tip-Up Town USA, January 16-18 & 23-25 - Houghton Lake For more than 20 years, Tip-Up Town USA has been acclaimed among the top ten festivals in the nation. Approximately 80,000 people turn out to enjoy the winter time festivities which include Ice Fishing contests, a carnival, parade, Polar Bear Dip, Broomball, Family Fun Tent, Beverage Tent, crazy games and more! Absolute Michigan's Wide World of Sports: 2009 DN Gold Cup on Torch Lake Just found out that the 2009 DN Gold Cup iceboat races are being held on Torch Lake today! If you go to that link during the racing, you'll be able to watch them on the webcam I'm told and you can also see some great photos by Gretchen Dorian! Michigan Video: Icy Waves on Lake Superior As winter winds down and some serious winds rage outdoors, let's head back to March of 2007 for this video of waves and ice on Michigan's Superior shore. Cruising the Great Lakes Past, Present and Future Climb aboard for a cruise on the Great Lakes from the grand passenger liners of the 1860s to what's in store for the years to come. Pandora's Locks: How Invasive Species got into the Great Lakes 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. 2nd Annual Great Lakes Cider & Perry Festival; September 12-13 Throughout the weekend, samples of the finest cider and perry (cider made from pears) from the states and provinces that border the Great Lakes will be available for tasting, while food vendors sell sweet and savory selections. Porkapalooza Invitational Cookout & Music Festival Celebrates the Bounty of the Great Lakes A day-long celebration of hog-proportion once again takes over the 14-acre Red Horse Ranch in Fennville on Saturday, October 3. The PORKAPALOOZA Invitational Cookout & Music Festival is a farm party and harvest celebration, running from Noon to Midnight (rain or shine), showcasing the bounty of the Great Lakes’ in terms of food, drink, music, art and land. Great Lakes Bioneers Conferences October 16-18 will find people from all walks of life gathering for the 8th annual Great Lakes Bioneers Traverse City Conference and the Great Lakes Bioneers Detroit conference. Bioneers is a national conference that attract people from all walks of life who care about sustainable social change, green building, environmental justice, how we educate our children, and how we grow our food! Freshwater Fury: The Great Lakes Storm of 1913 The Great Lakes Storm of 1913, also known as the "Freshwater Fury" or the "White Hurricane", was a blizzard with hurricane-force winds that ravaged the Great Lakes November 7-10, 1913. With the sinking of 19 ships, the stranding of another 19 and a death toll of at least 250, it remains the deadliest and most destructive natural disaster in Great Lakes history. weather, shipwrecks, storm Lake WebsitesCrooked Lake Resort and Bait Shop
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