MLive has a superb round-up of summer art festivals across the state.
From the Grand Rapids Festival of the Arts to the Suttons Bay Art Festival to four fairs in Ann Arbor, thousands will take pleasure in Michigan’s thriving art community. “While they differ in size and scope,” explains MLive, “each one offers the chance to connect with a creative vibe.” [ Read more ]
The Kalamazoo Gazette looks at Michigan’s great state parks in its latest “Trips with a Twist.”
In addition to five Great Lakes and 3,000 miles of coastline, our parks system provides an amazing benefit. In fact, the DNR says, “Nowhere in Michigan are you more than an hour’s drive from a state park.” With 25 million visitors each year, each of Michigan’s 100 state parks presents a unique experience.
For those people whose favorite parks are of the “theme” variety, Michigan’s Adventure is preparing for the summer season with new rides and attractions. The state’s largest amusement park will introduce the Funnel of Fear and Michigan’s first “suspending looping roller coaster,” the Thunderhawk. To learn more, visit MLive.
The Bike Ypsi Spring Ride and Festival will begin at Recreation Park Pavilion on Sunday, May 4. There’s a long ride of 30 miles, “not as long ride” at 15, and a community tour at 3-5 miles. When all the cycling concludes near noon, the festival will commence with a barbecue, bike rodeo and other fun activities.
From their website: “The Ypsilanti Bicycling Coalition (Bike Ypsi) is a group of local cyclists who like riding bikes and engaging in bike-related shenanigans.”
If you aren’t able to make it on the 4th, weekly rides begin each Sunday at 1 p.m. There’s also a Google Group for those looking for some bike-related banter. Learn more about all of Bike Ypsi’s efforts at bike.ypsi.org.
Michigan is home to hundreds of great small towns. From The Thumb’s Port Austin to the Upper Peninsula’s Newberry, character and friendliness reign between the Great Lakes.
In this essay, a Seattle-area blogger describes his hometown of Romeo. A profile of a town more powerful than numeric demographics, the author tells the city’s history before discussing its evolution into today.
A compelling read for urban, suburban and rural dwellers alike, the author concludes, “Back in Romeo I was more or less normal, if a little on the eccentric side.”
TouringMichigan is a new home to tell the tales of your travels. While “discovering where to go and what to do in a state as large as Michigan is relatively easy for those who know,” it can be “difficult for those who don’t.”
The site hopes to make things simple, allowing folks with a little knowledge to “share their stories with those in search of a new Michigan adventure.” [ Read more ]
Now in the heart of April, “lazy summer days on the water” are certainly on their way. But our vast resource can only be enjoyed when cared for properly.
Several groups have joined to form a clean boating campaign that educates their local communities and limits pollution. This Times Herald article details the efforts and provides a list of tips useful on any state waterway. [ Read more ]
While written back in April 2000, this Chicago Tribune article is still worth a look now eight years later. Famous for “a mystique with the lure of romance, bright crisp dawns over open water and dreamy sun-drenched afternoons,” Michigan’s shorelines are filled with wonderful escapes.
The Tribune features a selection of islands accessible by ferry. From the mighty Huron to the top of Lake Superior, getaways are found across the Great Lakes. Check out the story for some springtime recommendations, and find out the home of the nation’s only island national park.
To learn more, Wikipedia has a list of each Michigan island with detailed information on many. National Geographic Traveler reviews islands across North America including our very own Mackinac. The home of the Grand Hotel scores higher than Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts and Florida’s Key West to earn top honors.
While the snow is (hopefully) over, the weather business continues to be imprecise. In Northern Michigan, “a difference in 50 miles of the storm track can mean feast or famine.” Luckily, a new blog is on the scene “to put into plain language” the always fickle forecasts.
Northern Michigan Recreation Weather translates the weather into something a little more useful. The site provides an easy-to-follow explanation for people looking to celebrate the outdoors. [ Read more ]
Even if you’re an outdoors amateur, the Up North Journal Podcast is to be enjoyed. A weekly talk show about hunting and fishing, a father and son share their adventures through the Michigan woods and waters.
Despite once catching two fish on a single hook, I’ve since become more a fan of air conditioning than slimy hands. For me, the program is an intriguing look into the adventures of a family with some wildnerness lessons added for good measure. I was expecting a middle-aged son and his older father, but instead found a father and his 13-year-old son sharing their experiences together.
Check out the podcast and then visit the accompanying Up North Journal for blogs, video, photos and more.
If you’ve ever spent time in Ann Arbor on foot, then you already know that it is a very walkable city. So walkable, in fact, that Prevention magazine and the American Podiatric Medical Association recently named A2 the third most walkable city in the nation. (Cambridge, Massachusetts and New York City took the top two spots).
Along with its national walkable city list, Prevention has also released what it deems as the 10 Best Walking Cities in each of the 50 states. The Michigan rankings, in order of walkability, are: Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids, Detroit, Flint, Livonia, Lansing, Dearborn, Warren, Sterling Heights and Clinton Township. [ Read more ]
Michigan schools compete in Ford Model T University Challenge - May 15th
NTW is here - May 14th
U-M Opening new Business Engagement Center - May 14th
Historic Preservation Efforts Awarded - May 13th
SBAM Launches New Program for Entrepreneurs - May 12th
Michigan Policy Summit 2008 - May 9th
DTE Embraces Biodiesel - May 8th
Michigan’s Creative Economy Gets a Boost - May 8th
Yee-haw! - May 7th
Brush up on your elevator pitch - May 7th
Enter AIGA's Celebrate Michigan Poster Design Contest.
The Career SociaList
by Nettie Boivin
Looking for a job? This is one area where social networking shines in making life a lot easier. Here are 10 sites that will help in the "It's all about who you know" department.
The Creative SociaList
by Nettie Boivin
From DIYers to graphic designers, these sites bring you unprecedented access to artists, photographers, designers and their work in Michigan and around the globe.
The Music SociaList
by Scotter Bragg
Radio has given way to iTunes and MySpace - and bands and fans benefit with more music offerings than ever before.
The Green SociaList
by Scotter Bragg
Green is a movement. Green is a new way of living. And green is all over the internet. Here are our favorite sites that connect you to eco-friendly friends and resources.
The Entertainment SociaList
by Bradley Gula
If an exciting night means paper football and a Designing Women marathon, social media is here to help.
read and comment
trackback
share
del.icio.us
Digg
Facebook
Google Bookmarks
reddit
Newsvine
Technorati
Ma.gnolia
Stumble Upon