We're bumping the normal Absolute Michigan Photo Friday to link you in to our Rothbury 2009 coverage.

Stay tuned!

Detroit City Fest by ifmuth

Still don't have Fourth of July plans? Well look no further than Detroit for a spectacular FREE festival full of top notch musical acts, mouth watering food and loads of fun! De La Soul, Buddy Guy, Ray Parker Jr. & Todd Rundgren are just a few of those set to perform. You can check out the full schedule of performances here!

It all happens in Detroit's New Center and here is how you get there...

Comerica Cityfest is a five-day outdoor food and culture rich entertainment street festival in Detroit’s historic New Center over each Fourth of July weekend. The event exemplifies city life, (what it is and what it could be), in one of Detroit’s fastest growing 24-hour districts.

A diverse and family friendly crowd looks forward each year to our free national and local talent on four stages, over 40 Michigan restaurants selling “tastes” of their specialties, free stage shows, activities for children, and a marketplace of unique Detroit products and memorabilia. Comerica Cityfest is FREE and open to the public.

Bubble and Droplet. by G0Da

It seems that many media outlets are preaching the "staycation" this year. We say cut some corners, pack a lunch, brew your own coffee, just do what you have to do and support the festivals, events, cities and businesses that are making things happen. You might just have some fun and create some great memories in the process.

As usual we by no means have listed all the events happening around Michigan. Add ones we missed (with links) in the comments below!

July Quotes

"Many public-school children seem to know only two dates: 1492 and 4th of July; and as a rule they don't know what happened on either occasion. - Mark Twain

"Patriotism is the last refuge of scoundrels." - Mark Twain

"Live in each season as it passes: breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit." – Henry David Thoreau

"You know, when you get your first asparagus, or your first acorn squash, or your first really good tomato of the season, those are the moments that define the cook's year. I get more excited by that than anything else." - Mario Batali

"It's difficult to think anything but pleasant thoughts while eating a homegrown tomato." - Lewis Grizzard

Fast Facts - Wikipedia

• The second half of the year commences in July
• The birthstone for July is a red ruby
• July was renamed for Julius Caesar... Previously, it was called Quintilis...

Stuff To Do!

June 12 - July 5
Ann Arbor Summer Festival Ann Arbor
The Ann Arbor Summer Festival is an exhilarating celebration of performing arts, outdoor entertainment, and community spirit. Each year, this three-and-a-half-week cultural and social event offers dozens of performances, activities, screenings, and more, with eclectic music, dance, comedy, film, visual arts, and family fun.

Now celebrating its 26th season, the festival has invigorated the cultural life of the community for over two and a half decades. It brings the world to Ann Arbor: innovative artists, enthusiastic audiences, eager students, curious visitors, and anyone looking to be inspired and entertained on a Michigan summer evening.

July 1 - 5
Comerica Cityfest Detroit
Comerica Cityfest is a five-day outdoor food and culture rich entertainment street festival in Detroit’s historic New Center over each Fourth of July weekend. The event exemplifies city life, (what it is and what it could be), in one of Detroit’s fastest growing 24-hour districts.

A diverse and family friendly crowd looks forward each year to our free national and local talent on four stages, over 40 Michigan restaurants selling “tastes” of their specialties, free stage shows, activities for children, and a marketplace of unique Detroit products and memorabilia. Comerica Cityfest is free and open to the public.

July 1 - 5
Battle Creek Field of Flight Air Show and Balloon Festival Battle Creek
Twenty Six Years and Counting...The US Air Force Thunderbirds and Over 60 Hot-Air Balloons Headline Acts at the Field of Flight Air Show and Balloon Festival.

Appearing for the 26th time in Battle Creeks Field of Flight and Air Show history, will be the United States Air Force Thunderbirds. Featured as one of America’s top-precision aerial demonstration teams, the Thunderbirds, over 60 hot-air balloons and an array of aerial demonstration teams will color the skies over W.K. Kellogg Airport during the 2009 event that will be held the week of July 1 - July 5.

As one of Michigan’s largest family festivals, the event began in 1980 with only hot-air balloons and has grown to become one of the largest air shows in the country. "The hot-air balloons will always have a special place at our event, said Barbara Haluszka, Executive Director. "But adding the air shows has definitely put us on the map in the aviation world."

July 2 - 5
Rothbury Rothbury
This year the Rothbury Music Festival takes place July 2-5, 2009 in Rothbury, Michigan (near Muskegon). RothburyFour days of music on six stages feature some of the biggest musical acts around.

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

July 4
MichiganFireworks.com - Independence Day Michigan
Currently listing 372 Fireworks displays in Michigan for 2009!

July 4 - 12
National Cherry Festival Traverse City
The National Cherry Festival features over 150 events including free air shows over the Bay, colorful parades & marching bands, music shows, sporting events, rides & carnival games on the midway, pie-eating contests, clean blue skies, warm sunshine, crowds of smiling faces, and loads of luscious cherries prepared every way you can imagine!

July 6 - 12
Common Ground Lansing
Common Ground is situated in downtown Lansing along the banks of the Grand River in Adado Riverfront Park. Common Ground is an event for all your senses. This annual celebration features an outstanding line-up of musical acts, focusing on top-level, national, contemporary music performers, scores of food vendors, and a dynamic display of outdoor interactive activities for kids. With an attractive, intimate venue, state-of-art production and a comprehensive array of patron amenities, the festival is the premier special event of the summer in the greater Lansing region.

July 10 - 11
Idlewild Music Fest Idlewild
In its heyday, the Idlewild Resort area was the place to perform for musicians and other entertainers who had already "arrived" and for those that were hoping to get noticed. The Idlewild Music Fest recognizes these musical roots with a three-day celebration. Coordinated and supported by business leaders, the nonprofit community and faith community of Lake County, the Idlewild Music Fest brings an unmistakable beat back to echo across Idlewild Lake and Williams Island, if just for awhile.

July 10 - 11
Michigan Elvisfest Ypsilanti
The world-renowned Michigan Elvisfest began in 2000 in Ypsilanti, Michigan's Historic Depot Town. Beautiful Riverside Park is the place where Elvis fans flock by the thousands every July to pay homage to the King of Rock & Roll and to hear the most award-winning professional Elvis Tribute Artists in North America, as well as other talented Legend Tribute Artists.

July 10 - 12
Blissfest Cross Village
he 29th Blissfest Music Festival will present a world of innovative folk and roots music and dance at the Festival Farm in unique and picturesque northern Michigan. It is truly a blissful musical weekend to be shared with families, friends and music-lovers of all ages. This year's 29th Celebration will feature Jamband, Bluegrass, Blues, Cajun, Celtic, Folk, Jazz, Latin, Ethnic and World music and dance. Follow the links above for all the details of the 29th annual festival. Remember, Life is Bliss so follow your Bliss to the Blissfest!

July 11 - Aug 9
Silver Leaf Renaissance Faire Battle Creek
Neither heat, rain nor scary beast will shut our gates. They will open at 10:00 am to the Queen's delight and close at 7:00 pm with the children's sighs. Come spend your day with us.

Welcome to the Silver Leaf Renaissance Faire - West Michigan premier Artisan Marketplace. With over 100 vendors selling their wares and crafts, you will find everything from turkey legs to wood-carving, leather to silks, and blacksmiths to fairy wings. Silver Leaf offers vendors that will appeal to both men and women and the young and the young at heart. Shop ‘til you drop at the Silver Leaf Renaissance Faire.

July 14 - Aug 2
The Michigan Shakespeare Festival Jackson
The Michigan Shakespeare Festival has been presenting the timeless themes and glorious language of William Shakespeare since 1995, growing each year into a premier regional event that draws respected actors from across the nation, and satisfied audiences from throughout the Midwest.

Check out their Face Book page!

July 15 - 18
Ann Arbor Street Art Fair Ann Arbor
Established in 1960, the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair is the Original of the now four award-winning Ann Arbor Art Fairs:

* The Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, the Original
* The State Street Area Art Fair
* The Ann Arbor Summer Art Fair
* Ann Arbor’s South University Art Fair

Together, the fairs attract over 500,000 attendees from across the nation. The Original Fair was named the Number One Art Fair in the country by AmericanStyle magazine readers survey (October 2004) and has made the Top Ten Fairs and Festivals list every year since.

July 16 - 19
Venetian Festival St. Joseph
The name implies gracious glides on a glowing river and the gentle sounds of water rippling as gondoliers pole their slender boats and sing soft love songs to couples snuggled in the bows. Such were the hot days and long nights in Venice, Italy, where Venetian Festivals started so many years ago.

In St. Joseph, they still celebrate hot July days and long summer nights with boat rides and love songs and couples holding hands. The Venetian Festival on the St. Joseph River is all of that and so much more.

July 16 - 19
Great Lakes Sea Kayak Symposium Grand Marais
The oldest kayaking symposium on the Great Lakes welcomes paddlers of all ages and abilities for a weekend packed with fun and learning opportunities. Grand Marais has a protected harbor that is ideal for class sessions and skills practice while offering a perfect starting point for unforgettable trips along the scenic lakeshore.

July 18 - 19
Concert of Colors Detroit
The Concert of Colors is metro Detroit’s free annual diversity music festival. It is presented by ACCESS/Arab American National Museum, New Detroit Inc. and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) with the goal of bringing together metro Detroit’s diverse communities and ethnic groups by presenting musical acts from around the world. Over its 16-year history, the festival has become a beloved highlight of metro Detroit’s summer festival season.

July 17 - 19
Michigan Storytellers Festival Flint
See website for details...

July 17 - 19
Hiawatha Music Festival Marquette
The Hiawatha Festival is the only event of its size and scope in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Without Hiawatha, local performers and fans would have to travel between four and six hours to the nearest festivals of its size and type.

Each year's event features traditional-music styles that include bluegrass, old-time, Cajun, Celtic, acoustic blues and folk - including singer/songwriters - and dance. Mainstage acts include nationally known performers as well as regional and local favorites.

July 17 - 19
Quake on the Lake Waterford
Over the past 9 years, “Quake on the Lake” has gained a reputation as one of the premier summertime events in/around Oakland County, Michigan. It has become a “must attend” event for North American Inboard Hydroplane owners and drivers; and since its inception, nearly 300,000 people have witnessed world-record racing performances from the top teams in the business. The event is the proud recipient of 15 American Power Boat Association (APBA) records being set in 5 different racing classes making Pontiac Lake one of the fastest one-mile race courses in the country!

July 18 - 19
Ragtime Street Fair Dearborn
Come dance, enjoy and celebrate Ragtime in Greenfield Village all weekend long. Our popular new signature event focuses on the early “jazz age” of 20th century America’s first decades. The unique, ragged rhythms of this hugely popular genre present the background for two days of dancing, music, drama, parades and fantastic food. Ragtime Street Fair is free to members and free with Greenfield Village admission.

July 24 - 25
Michigan Brewers Guild Summer Beer Festival Ypsilanti
The Michigan Brewers Guild’s Summer Beer Festival is a showcase event featuring well over 200 beers from more than 30 Michigan breweries.

July 24 - 26
Yale Bologna Festival Yale
Every July Yale plays host to the Yale Bologna Festival, a 3 day weekend event that closes the streets and transforms this small community of just under 2,000 to a gathering of over 20,000 Bologna starved party-goers! A tradition in Yale since 1989, this festival has grown considerably since its humble beginnings. The festival draws people from all around Michigan as well as other states, eager to see who will be the next King and Queen of Bologna. The Bologna Festival includes such events as the famed outhouses races, a street dance, fireworks and a parade down Main Street that continues to grow each year.

July 25 - 26
Art On The Rocks Marquette
Located in a beautiful wooded area on the shore of Lake Superior in north Marquette. Enjoy the 51st annual Art On The Rocks at Presque Isle Park.

July 24 - Aug 2
Coast Guard Festival Grand Haven
As we celebrate the 219th birthday of the United States Coast Guard and the 84th anniversary of the founding of the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival, as we know it today, they welcome you and thank you for your support of these gallant men and women who serve us all year long...the members of the United States Coast Guard!

Enjoy your visit...There is only one COAST GUARD CITY USA and we're ready to show you a wonderful time!

July 28 - Aug 2
Traverse City Film Festival Traverse City
The Traverse City Film Festival has grown to become one of the largest film festivals in the Midwest, and one of the most respected in the country. Last year, there were over 80,000 admissions to nearly 100 screenings, a number of them U.S. or world premieres. A special emphasis is given to foreign films, American independents, documentaries, and films which have been overlooked but deserve the attention of a public starved to see a good movie.

July 30 - Aug 2
Woodtick Music Festival Hermansville
The Woodtick Music Festival is a home-grown, Upper Peninsula style shindig featuring a variety of regional and not so regional bands who all have one thing in common....they're damn good!

Scroll down to tell folks in the comments. Please keep them brief and friendly! Subscribe to Michitwitter via RSS or check out Absolute Michigan on Twitter!

Photo: You with the camera, enough pictures!! by Daylily18

Please make sure to provide your name, email address and city in which you live. We will randomly select the winner about a week or so before the show and notify them via email.

Visit Paolo Nutini's MySpace and Facebook pages!

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

Interesting Facts

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

About Paolo Nutini

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

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

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

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

urban hope by buckshot.jones

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

The photo featured in this post is from the Absolute Michigan Flickr pool and was shot by the very talented buckshot.jones. He states:

This little garden is on the near west side of Detroit. The significance for me is it may very well be on an empty lot where one of my mother's childhood homes once stood. I also find it significant because it makes a statement about the resourcefulness of the folks in Detroit- a turning lemons into lemonade kind of a thing. Around the corner, right off Cass Avenue, sits a vacant corner lot. The locals have salvaged old couches and discarded auto bench seats and have fashioned a small park with the make- do seating placed under of the shade of a few low hanging maple trees.

A Sampling from Michitwitter June 2009

The folks attempting to save Tiger Stadium lost their fight in preventing the demolition and the Freep let us know in their article Detroit commission votes to level Tiger Stadium.

A Detroit city commission has voted to demolish the section of Tiger Stadium left standing after much of the historic ballpark was knocked down last year.

The city’s Economic Development Corp. board voted 7-1 today to authorize the complete demolition of the stadium.

We often talk about how the buy local revolution and urban farming is gaining popularity and that farming is once again becoming a viable career choice. The State News ran the article More students opting to take on farming opportunities in summer, as career choices.

Growing up in metro Detroit, Adam Montri, outreach coordinator for the MSU Student Organic Farm, didn’t consider farming to be a career choice. “I definitely grew up in the suburbs and thought of agriculture as something you did on the weekend or after school or that kind of thing,” he said. Now, Montri, who graduated from MSU in 2001, owns his own organic farm in Bath, Mich.

In our state's quest to harness the power of wind a report was released that the Thumb area is ranked #1. From Crains Detroit Business West Michigan, Thumb best for wind energy, report says

Three regions in West Michigan and one region in the Thumb area have the state’s highest potential for wind energy projects, according to a report released Tuesday by a state board.

We were shown a ray of light shining through the darkness of our current economic quagmire. The Freep reported Economist: Michigan to start to recover in 2010

Comerica Bank's chief economist predicted today that Michigan's battered economy will finally start to recover next year, aided by a rebound in the national economy.

In another positive story on Michigan's economic turnaround Michigan.gov announced Granholm Announces Companies Investing Over $247 Million, Creating More Than 11,000 New Jobs in Michigan

Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced that Michigan's aggressive strategy to diversify the economy and attract investment to Michigan has resulted in 15 job-creating projects, which will generate more than 11,125 new jobs, retain another 846 and bring more than $247 million in new investment to communities across the state.

One of the more interesting and unusual biit of news came from mlive.com in their story University of Michigan researchers find clues at bottom of Lake Huron to ancient hunters

University of Michigan researchers have found the first archaeological evidence of ancient human hunting activity preserved under the Great Lakes.

Using detailed government data on lake floor topography, a research vessel and a remote mini-rover equipped with a camera, scientists found what they believe are hunting pits, camps and rock structures called caribou "drive lines" on the bottom of Lake Huron.

Much discussion has been made of late that the revitalization of our auto industry would be to go back to square one and the inventors, entrepeneurs and small company jump into the game for some fresh thoughts. Wired.com brought us Tesla Motors Founder: Let Me Run Detroit

Elon Musk has tackled electric cars, space ships and modular renewable energy stations. Now he wants a real challenge: running Detroit.

“When the mess gets sorted out, I’d like to have a conversation with whoever’s in charge at the time — the car czar or whoever — and say ‘I’d like to run your plants, if you don’t mind,’” Musk said, starting that conversation Monday at Wired’s first-ever business conference, Disruptive by Design in Manhattan.

Last but not lease Detroit's art community received some huge support and encouragement. The Detroit News reported Kresge Foundation steps up gifts to Detroit causes

Call it an artist's jackpot, or a clever gambit to help Michigan hold on to some of its best creative talent.

Today, 18 Detroit-area artists officially will win $25,000 each, the first awards of an unprecedented no-strings-attached annual fellowship program designed to keep the area's top visual artists from leaving the state in search of greener pastures.

A Handfull of Cherries by Julie70

Remember the sights, sounds, and smells of a summer celebration in your hometown when you were a kid? Well, happy days return to Traverse City's beautiful Lake Michigan shores July 4-11, 2009, during the National Cherry Festival featuring over 150 events including free air shows over the Bay, colorful parades & marching bands, music shows, sporting events, rides & carnival games on the midway, pie-eating contests, clean blue skies, warm sunshine, crowds of smiling faces, and loads of luscious cherries prepared every way you can imagine! For more information call 800-968-3380.

A Short History of The National Cherry Festival

The Cherry Festival began in 1926 as the Blessing of the Blossoms Festivals in the spring. In 1933 it was renamed the National Cherry Festival and moved to mid to late July in order to coincide with the cherry harvest. It was then later moved again to early July in order to simultaneously occur with the Fourth of July weekend. The festivals annual attendance is now over 500,000 over the course of eight days. The National Cherry Festival has played host to many special guests and dignitaries, including President Gerald R. Ford, Former Astronaut James Lovell, PGA Touring Professional Dan Pohl, Jerry Mathers, and an assortment of Michigan governors.

Global Wine Pavilion

The National Cherry Festival will feature a Global Wine Pavilion that will offer wine lovers of all levels an unsurpassed wine experience on the beautiful, tree-studded former Clinch Park Zoo property in downtown Traverse City. The three night event, Thursday, July 9; Friday, July 10; and Saturday, July 11 will feature a superb collection of over 90 wines selected by Master Sommelier Ron Edwards of Petoskey, Michigan.

The Pavilion will showcase award-winning local, domestic, and international wines covering all major grape varieties and price ranges. In addition, 15 acclaimed craft-brewed international beers will appeal to the hops lover. “This bay side Festival venue will offer the opportunity for wine, beer, and food enthusiasts to enjoy and learn about many award winning wines including several that are produced right here in northern Michigan”, noted Tim Hinkley, National Cherry Festival Executive Director.

More National Cherry Festival Links

• National Cherry Festival web site
• Area lodging, dining & more at Absolute Michigan keyword "Traverse City"
• Food Network: Top 5 Video featuring the National Cherry Festival
• Traverse City Record Eagle: National Cherry Festival Guide
• 1354 Cherry Related Recipes from FoodTV.com
• National Cherry Festival from Wikipedia
• The Unofficial National Cherry Homepage
• Michigan Cherries
• Absolute Michigan keyword search "Cherry"

Salad by by jpwbee

Taste the Local Difference says that leafy greens are ready to pick! Greens are an excellent source of iron, calcium, Vitamins A and C, and folic acid and also very high in dietary fiber and low in calories and sodium. What's not to love?? Here's a few fun facts about greens:

• Swiss chard is also known as white beet, strawberry spinach, seakale beet, leaf beet, Sicilian beet, spinach beet, Chilean beet, Roman kale, perpetual spinach, silverbeet and mangold!
• Arugula is known as “rocket” in some parts of Europe.
• Lettuce is a member of the sunflower family.

Untitled by Ken Scott

Herbed Baked Greens

2 egg whites
1 Tbsp. canola oil
1//2 tsp. Worchestershire sauce
1/3 cup lemon juice
¼ tsp. crushed rosemary
salt to taste
3 cups cooked, chopped greens
2 Tbsp. minced onions
2 cups cooked brown rice
1 ½ cups grated low-fat cheese

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Oil an 8-inch square glass baking pan. In large mixing bowl, beat egg whites with oil, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, rosemary, and salt. Gently stir greens, onions, rice, and cheese into egg white mixture, then turn into prepared pan. Cover with foil and bake 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake until lightly browned, 10-15 minutes. 4-6 servings.

While we're on the topic, here's Seth Bernard & May Erlewine singing about greens!

SashaW (Sasha Wolff) says she's an ordinary girl who loves being behind and in front of the camera. She has a cool blog with thoughts about social media called Social Sasha.

Be sure and check this out bigger. Her sets include Project 365, Summer & Fall 2008, and Explore (slideshow)

Here's Sasha's Flickriver.

You might also want to hear what the Talking Heads have to say about Heaven.

Pics 126, photo by m7k7k7.

The annual Michigan Challenge Balloonfest takes place this weekend - June 26-28, 2009. It's the state championship of hot-air ballooning and in addition to a sky full of balloons, offerings include three entertainment venues, a carnival, classic car show, medieval village and skydiving shows. 2009 is the 25th anniversary:

"Twenty-five years ago, the Michigan Challenge started with a whimper and a little burner noise," said Competition Director Dick Rudlaff. "There were only a couple handfuls of balloons that first year, all good friends who flew together often. But we managed to elbow our way into the Howell community with the help of the chamber of commerce and all their volunteers who make this a true community event to be proud of."

Of course, the highlight of the Michigan Challenge weekend is the five scheduled balloon launches Friday, Saturday and Sunday between 6 and 8 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday mornings between 6 and 8 a.m. Site host is Howell Public Schools.

Here's more of m7k7k7's Howell Balloonfest photos (slideshow). For more, check out the Michigan Challenge Balloonfest slideshow on Flickr and also this set and this one.

Here's a cool time lapse video:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bee by ssstephanie!

Agriculture is Michigan's second largest industry (maybe now it's our first), contributing more than $71 billion to the state's economy. Due to this we feel it is fitting that we bring awareness to National Pollinator Week which runs from June 22 to the 28th.

Michigan Agriculture Fast Facts

For some fast facts on Michigan's agriculture economy check out "A Look at Michigan Agriculture"(pdf document). Not mentioned in the document is our burgeoning grape and wine industry.

According to the Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council website:

Michigan's wine, grapes and grape juice products and related industries ...

... produced nearly $790 million of total economic value to the State of Michigan in 2005

... paid more than $42 million in state and local taxes in Michigan, and an additional $42 million in federal taxes

... account for more than 5,000 jobs across the state, for a payroll of more than $190 million

Info from Pollinator Partnership:

Pollination is vital to our survival and the existence of nearly all ecosystems on earth. 80% of the world's crop plants depend on pollination. Pollinators, almost all of which are insects, are indispensable partners for an estimated 1 out of every 3 mouthfuls of food, spices and condiments we eat, and the beverages we drink. They are essential to the fibers we use, the medicines that keep us healthy, and more than half of the world's diet of fats and oils. Insect pollinators, including honey bees, pollinate products amounting to $20 billion annually in the U.S. alone.

Visit their website for more information...

Also, check out the Michigan Beekeepers Association for some great information on our much needed insect friends....

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

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

Stace S

Rothbury Snoop Dogg Crowd by Dave Vann

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

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

About the Rothbury Music Festival

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

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

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

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

Rothbury in Video and Pictures

Checkout more Rothbury videos on their YouTube channel!

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

Photo credit: Joahna Carol

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

About Waterfront Film Festival

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

Waterfront Film Festival Boasts Record Numbers

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

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

Photo credit: Joahna Carol - joahnacarol@aol.com

hold on, I'm thinkin' by buckshot.jones

Lansing's inability to execute compromises deprives many other agencies of the ability to plan properly as well.

So write the editors of the Detroit Free Press, who say that this week is a crucial week for Michigan lawmakers as they address next year's budget without any kind of agreement as to the cuts. Michigan Radio's Jack Lessenberry digs into the herculean challenge they face of filling an ever-widening budgetary sinkhole and says that:

We’ve all been used to getting services from the state that come so automatically we don’t think about them.

Except now we have to. We need our elected leaders to level with us, and offer us competing and honest visions for the future. There’s less money than there used to be.

There also ain’t no such thing as a free lunch. Do we want what we are used to having?

If so, we are going to have to raise taxes.

Unfortunately, with no agreement and (worse) no will on either site of the aisle to make difficult choices, it looks as if we may be in for another long summer as everyone waits for the legislature to make the tough choices.

dcclark (David Clark) says the he's a mathematician, photographer, explorer, improviser and that the combo works surprisingly well! He lives in Houghton on the Keweenaw Peninsula and runs a cool blog called Cliffs and Ruins with photos from his journeys (and a little math). You can view and purchase his work at dcclark.net.

His sets include Spring, Winter, Shapes & Colors and Keweenaw Ruins (slideshow).

Here's Dave's Flickriver...

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

When you visit Sandhill Crane Vineyards, you're likely to meet a member or two of the Moffatt family who run the tasting room, and possibly Vintner Holly Balansag, who is carving a creative niche as one of only a handful of female winemakers in the state.

Holly crafts wines that range from traditional European varietals, like Cabernet, to meads, ports and hard cider. Wines are made with fruits available in southern Michigan, including raspberries, blueberries, apples, honey and even maple.

"All of our wines are made from fresh ingredients, and none of the ingredients come from further away than two hours," shares Heather Price, director for the winery.

The winery recently unveiled Legacy, a limited-release wine that benefits the Legacy Land Trust (formerly Washtenaw County Land Trust), which conserves land in the Waterloo Recreation Area near Chelsea and to the west to Jackson. The winery is on the western edge of this area.

The wine, a dry slightly fruity blend of Chardonnay and Vignoles, is a perfect summer wine. Four dollars of each bottle benefit the land trust.

We at Absolute Michigan are very pleased to have businesses and organizations that sponsor our site. Due to their support we like to give them a proper introduction to our readers as a thank you.

One of these sponsors is Weekend Warrior Golfer, a new web site that features reviews of Michigan golf courses like Arcadia Bluffs (pictured above).

After losing his job in the pharmaceutical industry some months ago, Brent Newhouse decided that he couldn't sit at a desk again. Brent explains:

"I worked with brilliant and committed colleagues for over 14 years creating medicines that help millions of people every day. I will always be proud of that, though sitting behind a desk was foreign to my personality and tough on my overall health. In the almost year since I was fired, I have traveled all around Michigan and have been able to meet the most wonderful people from all walks of life. Some of the best golf courses in the world are in Michigan. I am truly living the golfers dream!"

If you enjoy golf, check out Weekend Warrior Golfer for great articles, regular contests, product reviews and forums.

Edward Vielmetti tipped us off to the Miner's Revenge bicycle race in Greenland (Michigan) which takes place July 11 & 12. He writes:

Here's a novel reuse of an old copper mine - the Miner's Revenge bicycle race is using a 1/3 mile long section of the mine no longer in active use as a part of the race course. Bring your own lights - it's dark in there.

The race is July 11-12, 2009, with free on-site camping for racers and a bonfire the night before. Greenland is near Ontonagon; the mine is owned by the Adventure Mining Company which also does walking tours as well as other more extreme mining adventures that involve rappelling down a mine shaft.

You can learn more about the Adventure Copper Mine and get details on the Miner's Revenge bike race.

Escape from day-to-day routine and kick off summer with entertainment for all ages. From its humble beginnings, the Island Festival has grown to be the largest celebration of Caribbean Culture in Michigan. Also known as “A Taste of the Caribbean”, the Island Festival brings the unique cuisine of the Islands to Kalamazoo!

Entering its 14th year, the Island Festival has expanded to three days, and is slated for Thursday, Friday and Saturday June 18-20 at the Arcadia Creek Festival Place at the corner of Kalamazoo Ave. and Edwards in downtown Kalamazoo, MI. The Island Festival is sponsored by the Kalamazoo Jaycees and managed by Events, Inc.

The festival begins at 11:00am each day with regional vendors selling Caribbean cuisine and beverages. Walk through “little Jamaica” and experience the arts and crafts vendors selling items ranging from woodcarvings to handmade drums, t-shirts to jewelry and everything in between.

The music and food are complimented with Caribbean style beverages and are all served until 12:30am Thursday and 1:30 am Friday and Saturday.

This year’s entertainment line-up brings international talent to Kalamazoo with live entertainment throughout the festival.

Thursday
Mystic Rebel
Indika Tribute to Doggy Ranks
Zion Lion Tribute to Nathan Ndjharine
Dread 1 Sound System

Friday
Ras Soul Jah
Universal Expression
Ifficial Reggae Movement
Pato Banton (UK Reggae Legend)
Zareb (Straight from Jamaica/1st Michigan Appearance)
Dread 1 Sound System

Saturday
DeHurricane
The Work Shop
The Pocket Band
Taj Weeks and Adowa
Culture (Jamaican Reggae Legends)
Zion Lion
Dread 1 Sound System

Saturday afternoon will feature family activities including face painting, storytelling, hair wraps, limbo and more. Parents bring your kids down and enjoy the Family Workshop where we encourage everyone to get involved in the music!

Caribbean regional cuisine from Jerk Chicken to Mango Papaya Chutney, fresh oysters with Cajun sauces, steamed Crawfish, Coconut Shrimp, Black Bean, Veggie and Lou Lou Burgers, Chimichurri Pork, plus various breads and desserts will be served by area vendors.

In addition, many vendors from across the region will be displaying their artwork, crafts and island wares, jewelry, clothing and more.

emil hates rhubarb by yodraws

Taste the Local Difference says that rhubarb is in season. They note that rhubarb is high in Vitamins A and C, calcium and fiber and that one cup of diced rhubarb contains about 26 calories. It's often called the "pie plant and for centuries, the dried root of the plant was used for healing purposes and so prized that Russian czars had a state monopoly over "crown" rhubarb. The leaves of rhubarb contain oxalic acid and are unsafe to eat in quantity (so don't).

Whenever I hear rhubarb, I think about strawberry-rhubarb pie and also baseball announcers saying we've got a real rhubarb on the diamond". I wondered about that (because that's apparently what i get paid to do) and found the best explanation of the origins of that slang and a whole ton more about rhubarb at everything2.com:

Today a rhubarb is synonymous with melees and free for alls, but in Shakespeare's day when a play called for a crowd scene, the director gathered an assembly of actors and had them noisily mutter something akin to "Rhu-bar-bar, rhu-bar-bar ,rhu-bar-bar, which reverberated through the theatre like the sounds of an angry horde. " Try it. I'll bet you sound pretty threatening,  especially if you've got a couple of friends with you. From this "rhubarb" eventually came to be theatrical slang for "commotion." Rhubarb meant 'to make crowd noises', and actors who did it  were called "rhubarbers." This standard stage practice then became a verb "rhubarbing", eventually "rhubarb" came to mean, "fight."

I think we were talking about rhubarb as food, though, so here's a recipe for Lizzy’s Rhubarb Bread from MyNorth.com:

Tag Team by dailyinvention

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups brown sugar
• 2/3 cup oil
• 1 egg
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 1/2 cups flour
• 1 1/2 cups finely diced rhubarb (or more to taste)

Topping:

• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1/3 cup chopped nuts
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Preparation:

Mix together all bread ingredients. Pour into two 6-inch greased and floured loaf pans. Before baking, mix together and sprinkle topping over batter. Bake at 325°F for 40 to 60 minutes or until an inserted broom straw [or toothpick] comes out clean. Makes two 6-inch loaves.

For all things rhubarb visit the rhubarb compendium website...

On the photo above, Stefan writes: My grandparents do almost everything together. They're inseparable and an unstoppable team when it comes to making rhubarb pie.

UK Solar Power Experiment by david.nikonvscanon

The Michigan Energy Fair returns to the Manistee County Fairgrounds in Onekama June 26-28, 2009. This year is the 4th annual and the weekend offers a chance learn all about how alternative energy can and is working in Michigan.

The Traverse City Record-Eagle reports:

This marks the fourth annual event and as many as 8,000 visitors are expected between June 26 and 28.

Keynote speaker will be Larry Flowers from the U.S. Department of Energy and special tours are planned, including the first Michigan-made wind system in Manistee County and a LEED-certified home tour in Kingsley. The event will conclude with wine tasting at the Douglas Valley Farm, vineyards and organic winery and cheese factory.

Lighthouse Colors by oliviaburger08

It's fitting that the Energy Fair is held in Manistee County as it's been identified as one of the best locations for wind energy in Michigan:

The Wind Energy Resource Zone Board, created by the Legislature in an energy package passed last year, has identified the four that would be best for wind farm development. (see wind maps)

The areas are Allegan County; portions of Benzie, Leelanau and Manistee counties; portions of Antrim and Charlevoix counties, and parts of the Thumb counties of Huron, Sanilac, Tuscola, Bay and Saginaw.

Michigan Energy Fair Links

Recap of the 2008 Michigan Energy Fair

Get lodging, dining and visitor information for Manistee and Onekama from Absolute Michigan

Recap of the 2007 Michigan Energy Fair

Recap of the 2006 Michigan Energy Fair

The Michigan land Use Institute reports on the 2007 Michigan Energy Fair (with video) and also on the 2006 Michigan Energy Fair.

Check Absolute Michigan keyword energy for a gigawatt more related links and articles.

pablohart (Paul Hart) lives in Grand Rapids.

His sets include Labor Day Bridge Walk, Farmer's Market and Michigan Select (slideshow). He was also recently in the Big Apple.

Cast your line in his Flickriver.

by Bill Herd

Camping is as American as apple pie—oops, I mean cherry pie. It’s part of our pioneer heritage. Not too many generations back, we were all outdoor folks, hunters in the forest, shepherds on the hillsides, herders on the plains, farmer tilling the soil, fishing folk and sailors at sea. For many of us, being outdoors is part of our genetic makeup. When the weather turns fair we long to be out of the city and back in the countryside. A tent and a campfire are two of our favorite companions.

Except for recreational vehicle campers that require full hook ups, camping at Sleeping Bear Dunes has something for everyone, so you really can “have it your way.” From vehicle camping with modern restrooms and electric to backpacking on a remote wilderness island, you will find opportunities for the type of camping you seek for your next trip. Best of all, camping is inexpensive. A site with electric and a Lakeshore pass will cost just $150 for seven nights, a small fraction of what a modest cottage on an inland lake would cost for a week. In these tough economic times, camping may be just what we need.

I did not realize just how important camping might be this year until I read two articles in the same newspaper. The first article talked about the stress the current economic crisis is having on individuals and families. The article recommended that families think about alternative vacations, and have fun simply spending time together. The second article reported that a large numbers of families would not be taking a vacation this summer because of the economy. So, just when families need a vacation for their mental health, they will not be taking one. But a camping vacation to Sleeping Bear Dunes can provide an enjoyable, fun-filled vacation and still save a large amount of money, not to mention a number of activities that are available at little or no expense.

The Platte River Campground is the park’s premier campground. Campers who have camped at many different National Parks often remark that is the nicest campground in the entire system. The campground has paved roads, which keeps dust from smothering you, your campsite and the nearby vegetation. Campsites are generous and spaced well apart and take full advantage of the terrain with abundant vegetationbetween sites. Campground staff keep the modern restrooms immaculate and “These are the cleanest restrooms I’ve ever seen” is often heard by Park staff. The ultimate luxury for a camper is a hot shower, which is available for a small fee. (They are a $1 for six minutes—let your teenagers use their own money for any additional time they feel they need) Some of the Platte River Campground sites have electric hook-ups and some can be reserved ahead. From the back of the campground there is a half-mile trail that leads to Lake Michigan and a nice sandy beach. One of the big advantages of the Platte River Campground is that poison ivy is not common and most years mosquitoes are few because of the well drained sandy soil, which are actually ancient dunes.

The campground also features 25 walk-in sites, which give campers a rare opportunity to get away from vehicles and traffic and get closer to nature with a short hike that's not farther than a city block. Once set up, life at your walk-in site takes on a relaxed pace and atmosphere. Parents of young children do not have to constantly watch to be sure the kids are not in the campground road. They can also enjoy themselves as the young ones amuse themselves in nature’s playground. Campers are often reluctant to use these sites fearing the extra work required to carry their gear to the campsite. Usually, however, they are pleasantly surprised to find that the close-to-nature experience is worth the extra effort. Here is a hint: it is not necessary to carry all your gear to the campsite. Rangers suggest that campers store food in their vehicle at night, so just take the food you need for the next meal. Likewise, you will be returning to the parking area to use the rest rooms and showers so just leave your clean clothes and towels in the vehicle. I cannot think of any other place where you can camp away from traffic and still have easy access to modern restrooms and hot showers. You get the best of both worlds. If that's not enough, at the back of the restroom is a kitchen sink with hot water where you can wash dishes. I encourage you to consider the walk-in sites. However, full disclosure requires me to inform you that the walk-in sites were my idea when we were developing the design plans for the reconstruction of the campground.

The D.H. Day Campground on Lake Michigan near the Sleeping Bear Dunes provides traditional rustic campsites—no electric, no flush toilets, no showers. It has been a favorite campground for Michigan families for generations. Highlights of the campground are its simple, widely spaced campsites, airy pine and oak forest and its close proximity to the Lakeshore’s main attractions. D.H. Day Campground is named for local lumber and shipping entrepreneur David Henry Day, who owned most of the adjacent forest, and donated 32 acres of land along the shore of Lake Michigan to the state for Michigan’s first state park in 1920. You can visit his company town of Glen Haven, which is now a historic village, just a short walk from the campground. One disadvantage of this campground is the large amount of poison ivy. Just about every plant that is not a tree is poison ivy, so beware and stay on the campsite, paths and roads. Since the early part of the last century the National Park Service has provided high quality ranger programs in its campgrounds. Both campgrounds continue this National Park tradition with evening amphitheater programs or hikes.

For those who wish for a more adventurous camping experience, the Lakeshore has two hike-in campgrounds on the mainland and two on South Manitou Island. Hiking distance is about a mile to a mile and a half depending on the one you choose. On the mainland the White Pine Backcountry Campground is the most popular since its sites are near Lake Michigan. The six sites are in the pines just back of the dunes at the middle of Platte Plains, close to the lake but not so close that you will have sand in your sleeping bag and food. The Valley View Campground on the edge of the Port Oneida Historic District seldom gets used since its sites are not on a body of water. They are located in a sunny meadow surrounded by mature hardwood forest, and if you want to camp in solitude, this is your place. The hike-in campgrounds on South Manitou Island are the Bay and Weather Station; both are close to Lake Michigan. A normally overlooked hike-in campground is on North Manitou Island not far from the dock. Since most campers to the north island are backpackers who want to put some miles on their boots, you can usually have the campground to yourself. Set up camp and enjoy the beach, forest and historic village. If your family is not up to backpacking because of age, this may be the best place in the park. On one of our family camping trips to this campground, campers ranged in age from one year to 80. All campers on North Manitou need to be prepared to purify their drinking water, including those camped in the campground.

Backpackers who want to hike farther have two choices: Popple Campground on the north side of South Manitou and North Manitou Island. The Popple Campground is slightly over three miles from the dock. On North Manitou backpackers can select their own camping spot on the 15000 acre island, an opportunity not allowed on most other public lands. However, there are some important restrictions the ranger on North will tell you about when you register for a backcountry permit. Campers on either Manitou Island need to remember to take everything they need. There are no stores on the islands so if you forget batteries for your camera or insect repellant you will have to do without. On the other hand, the islands are about as safe as backcountry camping venue as you will fine anywhere. There are no dangerous animals, you can not get lost for too long before you find a known landmark, rangers are nearby if someone gets hurt or sick and, if needed, for emergency evacuation the Coast Guard helicopter is just a few minutes away in Traverse City.

For detailed information about camping fees, reservations and rules check the camping pages on the official Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore web site and also the camping fees & reservations page. Group sites are also available at both main campgrounds and on both islands.

Photos

• Platte River National Campground by rharlow
• Untitled by cyoas55
• Untitled by cyoas55
• Tent Crescent City by Arace

Crooked Tree Arts Center by joseph a

Jennifer Guerra of Michigan Radio recently took a trip to northwest Michigan and produced three features on how organizations & individuals are dealing with economic challenges titled Up North in a Down Economy.

In addition to a story on the bright spot of growth that is the region's wine industry, she explored how people and nonprofit organizations are adapting. A Nonprofit Cafe Grows in Ellsworth looks at how folks in Ellsworth have banded together in the face of 16% unemployment to create a nonprofit, volunteer run cafe. In Arts Groups Press On Despite Recession, she documents how regional nonprofits are reacting to plummeting dollars by working together:

"The idea of that partnering has become greater and greater over time because there are limited dollars," says Murphy. "Even in a wonderful place like this where people support the arts, there's a limit to how many dollars there are."

In order to save money, Murphy convinced three other nonprofit arts groups, including the Traverse Symphony Orchestra, to pool there money together and create a website called TREAT. The group shares all the advertising and ticketing costs. People can just log on to one site, they can buy tickets there, and find out about all the arts events that are going on in the region.

If you have the time, I definitely encourage you to check out all three!

Michigan Film Festivals

TCFF 2008 by tcfilmfest

Mitten Film Project & Festival
1st Tuesday of every month, Royal Oak

The Mitten Movie Project is committed to showcasing world class movies in Detroit, headquarters of the MiniDV Revolution.

Waterfront Film Festival
June 2009 in Saugatuck
Outstanding independent films from all over the United States are screened in casual, intimate settings every June in the resort village of Saugatuck. The Waterfront Indie Screenplay Competition is seeking screenplays that can be produced for under 5 million dollars, and that can be shot in Michigan. More about the Saugatuck Waterfront Film Festival from Absolute Michigan.

Detroit Windsor International Film Festival
June 25-28, 2009 in Detroit

The Detroit Windsor International Film Festival takes place at venues all around Detroit and Windsor and seeks to engage the community in the growth of the film culture of the region and to promote storytelling through film, video, games, the web, music and other channels through panels, workshops, special events, a job fair and (of course) screenings of all kinds of films!

Traverse City Film Festival
July 28-August 2, 2009 in Traverse City

The festival presents fulls days of the best independent, foreign, and documentary films available in several indoor movie houses and free, classic movies on a giant, inflatable outdoor screen overlooking Grand Traverse Bay. Panel discussions with directors, writers, actors, and other members of the film industry are offered daily.

Ann Arbor Film Festival
March 2010 in Ann Arbor
Established in 1963, this internationally-renowned festival showcases independent and experimental film and video and is the oldest of its kind in North America. Each year the festival attracts entries from artists worldwide and screens more than 100 films. Every year they select a four-hour program of awarded and highlighted films for the Ann Arbor Film Festival Tour that travels around the country from March through December to college classrooms and auditoriums, art theaters, and museums.

American Dreamz by East Lansing Film Festival

East Lansing Film Festival
March 2010 in East Lansing
The ELFF was created in 1997 in cooperation with the City of East Lansing and Michigan State University, and is the largest and most diverse film festival in Michigan to screen independent and foreign feature, documentary, short and students films from around the world. The festival also holds the Lake Michigan Film Competition that gives cash awards to the filmmakers whose film was either filmed, produced, or financed in the states that border Lake Michigan.

Find out more about the 2008 East Lansing Film Festival right here on Absolute Michigan.

The June 10th, 2009 kickoff of the four-day festival will feature the documentary "Surfing 50 States". Actress Yeardley Smith, better known as the voice of Lisa Simpson, will be there, as will Miss America 2008 Kirsten Haglund and world renowned street artist Ron English. The opening-night party will also include a musical performance by South Florida rock band, Fallbrooke.

The festival itself will run June 11th-14th. Michigan's own Jeff Daniels will be there for the Midwest Premiere of his film, "Answer Man", and Daryl Hannah is scheduled to attend to promote her film, "Fierce Light".

Check out Absolute Michigan keyword Saugatuck for more about the festival and Saugatuck links and visit our Michigan Film Festivals page for many more film experiences!

Maia warns you that she likes purple and cats. She writes that the Spirit of Detroit is the iconic statue for the city. When a Detroit team is in the playoffs, the statue is attired in the team's jersey. She says there's a reason one of Detroit's nicknames is Hockeytown (and there's a reason that Detroit is one of the greatest sports towns in the country).

Be sure to check it out bigger. She has tons of great sets including Detroit Zoo Irises 2009, Greenfield Village October 2008, Downtown Detroit and Rivera Court, Detroit Institute of Arts (slideshow).

Skate over to her Flickriver and GO WINGS!!

Craftsman Home, McLean Street
Highland Park MI by pinehurst19475

A few weeks ago, the Chicago Reader had a great feature saying there's nowhere in America quite like Detroit right now. You should read the whole thing but here's a taste:

They say when the country catches a cold, Michigan gets the flu. Projects that started before the subprime crisis and ensuing global economic collapse have been either quietly completed or left to wait. New projects have shelved while the region watches the auto industry.

Yet even as GM closes plants and Chrysler faces Chapter 11, things are sprouting in Detroit. The city made the New York Times in March not for news about the Big Three but for the purchase by a Chicago couple of a house for $100, on a block being taken over by artists with plans for solar-powered art center and a vegetable garden. The city has a booming urban agriculture movement, and in April financier John Hantz, working with Michigan State University and the W. K. Kellogg Foundation, proposed building the “world’s largest urban farm” on vacant and abandoned properties, starting with a 70-acre fruit and veggie patch on the east side. Also last month, a group of local businesses began printing their own currency, the Detroit Cheer, in an effort to encourage local spending. (Model D article on the currency)

...“Detroit right now is just this vast, enormous canvas where anything imaginable can be accomplished,” wrote novelist Toby Barlow, who paid $100,000 for a Mies van der Rohe townhouse in Detroit’s Lafayette Park, in the Times piece. “In a way, a strange, new American dream can be found here, amid the crumbling, semi-majestic ruins of a half-century’s industrial decline.”

Beverly's House/1874 by Mr. History

If you are looking for a home in Detroit, check out the Detroit Realtors Association and also Southeast Michigan Realtors on Absolute Michigan. The feature references Room for 2 Million More at the Powerhouse Project, which says that although there are great deals in Detroit, don't purchase something without seeing it, no matter how cheap it is. They also call out some of the organizations in the D who are working to transform the city (if you know of others in Detroit or elsewhere in Michigan, share them below):

Georgia Street Garden
Urban Farming
Model D Media
Catherine Ferguson Academy
The Yes Farm
Motor City Blight Busters