Don't Believe the Hype

Recently, lured by the promise of specialty pizza, I sampled the offerings of Lake City's newest dining establishment, Sylvia's.

I ordered:
Pizza w/
Sun Dried Tomato Sauce
Portobello Mushrooms
Roasted Peppers
Artichoke Hearts
Spinach

I got:
Pizza w/
Sun Dried Tomato Sauce
Canned Mushrooms
Diced Green Peppers
Spinach

I was informed that the canned mushrooms were indeed Portobello and that the artichoke hearts were merely forgotten. Additionally, I would suggest making it easy on your customers by offering a variety of specialty pizzas with set toppings on the menu such as: Four Cheese Pizza, Pesto Primavera, Margherita, Hawaiian... It would be a great idea to have some seasonal specialty pizzas based on what's available (Lake City is surrounded by farms). Hmmm, in the spring a nice morel and asparagus pizza would be tops. In the fall something with smoked ham, mmmm. Let me tell you what my favorite pizza of all time is, the Four Seasons (Quattro Stagione) with prosciutto, mushrooms, olives and artichoke hearts. I enjoyed this pizza in Italy where it was prepared with each topping enjoying its own quarter of the pie. The possibilities are endless...

At least the service at Sylvia's was friendly though I cannot say the same for at least one of my fellow diners. If looks could kill, you know?

Be warned, if you are looking for specialty pizza, Lake City still has nothing to offer...perhaps a trip to Traverse City is in order.

Now, let me ask you this, why does Lake City have four pizza joints across the street from each other (A&L, Marty's, Don's All American, BC)? It seems that pizza is superfluous while specialty pizza remains elusive. There's an opportunity here, Sylvia, take advantage of it.

Do You Know Where Your Children Are?

Rumblings about Missaukee starting near the end of July when "Men in Black" made a visit to a local child care center. At which time, it probably would have been prudent for the operators of this child care center to inform their customers about this odd visit. You know, it would just be a little nicer than having your child tell you about the men in suits who put letters in the rooms and performed a seemingly thorough search of the premises (if the youngsters can be believed, that is).

Hush, hush...

Having not heard anything regarding the results of any such investigation, this blogger performed a simple search to see if there was any news out there. Click here to share the discovery. Take a peak at the first "Investigation Report" listed and if you don't want to read the whole thing, just scroll to the final page.

Funny that a child care center, licensed to care for 60 children, can have their license recommended for revocation and there's not the slightest blip from our "media." Or...look at it this way, the state is broke, there is not enough money to go around to all the families that need assistance and this child care center, admittedly, has defrauded the state of over $20,000 and again our "media" lets this one slip.

Must be too busy getting ready for the Festival of the Pines.

It might be a good time to find a new child care provider, you can start here.

Slow Down Detroit!

Just when we start to get down on Missaukee, Wayne steps in to remind us that it's not all that bad...

Driver nabbed after license revoked 45 times
BY TAMMY STABLES BATTAGLIA
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER

Despite having her driver’s license suspended 45 times, a 33-year-old Detroit woman was arrested Tuesday in Ferndale driving a car that had been reported stolen, police said.

Renee Lashon Beavers had a 24-ounce container of beer on her lap when a Ferndale Police officer spotted the stolen car eastbound on 8 Mile near Livernois just after midnight, Lt. William Wilson said today.

She told investigators she bought the green 1999 Dodge Stratus from another woman at a shelter in Adrian for $1,000. And she took it anyway after the woman demanded another $400, she said.

Investigators found an unsigned title to the car in the glove box.

Her license, which is currently revoked, has been suspended 45 times in Highland Park, Southfield and Detroit, according to investigators.

Police expect to ask prosecutors to charge the woman with – again – driving with a suspended license as well as having an open container of alcohol in a car, Wilson said.

Lawnmowers at the Beach

Alas, no photos of the famed Titties & Beer truck but we do have this wonderful sighting on Lake Missaukee:



Obviously taking a break from moving that lawnmower to take a dip.

In a county where 99%* of the inhabitants own a truck, this is a treat indeed (well, it gets even more bizarre...there aren't ANY trucks in that pic-wow)!

Only in Missaukee...

*I just made that statistic up and maybe I'll back it up with some on-the-road research later today...I'll just count how many trucks I see...and how many minivans.

Titties & Beer

Well, now you may be wondering at the willfully irreverent title of this post but I assure you it is in the spirit of acquiring greater knowledge (unlike the cute tyke in the above photo who is obviously being exploited by parental units). A worthy pursuit. Don't you agree?

I have heard legends tell of a green truck that has been seen traversing Missaukee County, particularly in the Lake City area, with the words Titties & Beer emblazoned across the windshield. One legend actually describes the driver of said vehicle as a woman!

I have not had the pleasure of viewing this site with my own two eyes and so, I call upon you, noble reader to report any Titties & Beer sitings here (please include photos if you are photographically proficient!).

TART hosts Bicycle Commuting Classes

With great weather just around the corner (hopefully), it's a good time to think about dragging that old bike out of the garage and getting it, and yourself, into great summertime shape. If you are able to take advantage of it, TART (Traverse Area Recreation and Transportation Trails, Inc.) is offering free Bicycle Commuting Class, details as follows:

Traverse Area Recreation and Transportation (TART) Trails, Inc. is excited to be hosting Bicycle Commuting classes in Traverse City. Course dates and times are Wednesday, May 20, from 4-7 p.m. at Northwestern Michigan College and Wednesday, June 10, from 4-7 p.m. Munson Medical Center.

The classes will be taught by League of American Bicyclists Certified Instructor, Reuben Chapman. Course content will include: riding with traffic, signaling, bike attire and gear, choosing routes, and more. The class will be interactive and will include a short bike ride on main roads, peripheral streets, bike lanes and on trails. The goal of the class is to educate and encourage proper bicycle handling and increase the level of comfort of bicycle commuters.

The classes are designed for people of driving age as it assumes knowledge of basic traffic rules.

If you would like to participate in the class, please email missy@traversetrails.org or call us at (231) 941-4300 to pre-register.

Bicycle Commuting Classes at a glance:

" 2-hours of classroom instruction and 1-hour of on-road training
" Course dates and times are May 20 from 4-7 p.m. at Northwestern Michigan College and June 10 from 4-7 p.m. at Munson Medical Center.
" The classes are offered free of charge.
" Attendees must pre-register by calling TART Trails at (231) 941-4300

Did I Say One?

Yesterday morning the television news reported one case of H1N1 in Missaukee county but when I saw the Cadillac News I noticed that there were reported three cases in Missaukee.

The most interesting thing, IMO, would be to see the path that H1N1 took to reach Missaukee. Any guesses?

Swine Flu aka Influenza A (H1N1)

It's been confirmed that there is at least one case of Influenza A (H1N1) here in Missaukee county. As the hysteria has passed, well for the rest of the nation at least, this should go over fairly quietly but we'll see. It sometimes seems like it takes a bit for the news to take hold up here in northern MI. In fact, I cannot find a current story on the Missaukee county cases but I really did hear it on the news this morning!

COLUMN - State is all wrong on MEAP writing test - Holland, MI - The Holland Sentinel

COLUMN - State is all wrong on MEAP writing test - Holland, MI - The Holland Sentinel

Posted using ShareThis

Today I'm sharing something I actually came across in this weekend's Cadillac News on the OpEd page, at the bottom where they sometimes have a piece out of another newspaper. Anyhow, click the description above to read the column from The Holland Sentinel. I found it to be extremely interesting, and after reading the comments on the original post, I checked out the US News Best High Schools (click here) and was dismayed that neither Missaukee nor Wexford are represented. That's a little bit disheartening. Anyhow, US News collects their data from School Matters (click here), and after checking there, it makes me feel even worse about our high schools, see why here (click here).


P.S. I've started noting the links specifically, like this (click here), as I noticed that it is hard to determine where the links are in this layout. Hope this helps for those who like to check up on things...

Too Often

Too often we receive the news of a child's death.

Michigan authorities are investigating whether foul play led to the death of a 9-year-old quadriplegic girl whose body was found inside a public storage facility.
Shylea Thomas, 9, of Flint, Michigan, was quadriplegic and used a feeding tube.

Shylea Thomas, 9, of Flint, Michigan, was quadriplegic and used a feeding tube.

"This is a very sad and tragic case that hurts all of us involved in the ongoing investigation," Genesee County prosecutor David Leyton said at a news conference Wednesday.

Shylea Myza Thomas of Flint, Michigan, hadn't been seen in six weeks, and relatives reported her missing Tuesday, Leyton's office said. Her adoptive mother, who is also her aunt, is in custody as a suspect, special assistant prosecuting attorney John Potbury told CNN.

No charges have been filed pending the results of the autopsy, he said.

Because of her physical disabilities, Shylea used a feeding tube. She suffered from quadriplegia because of a "suffocation issue" in her crib at 3 weeks of age, Leyton said.

On Wednesday, Flint police found her body stuffed inside a garbage bag in a public storage facility in Vienna Township, near Flint, Leyton said. The bag was covered in mothballs "in an apparent attempt to mask odors from the dead body," his office said in a news release.

"For her to have to live like that, and then to die and be stuffed into a bag and plastic bin in a storage facility, just breaks my heart," the prosecutor said.

CNN affiliate WJRT reported that the suspect could face charges including murder, first-degree child abuse and welfare fraud.

The station also reported that investigators are trying to determine why the girl's disappearance wasn't reported until six weeks after she went missing.

Relatives told WJRT that they remember Shylea as a happy child, who loved music and whose smile was infectious.

"The last memory I actually have of Shylea is seeing her when she was in my care," said her second cousin, Josette Thomas. "She was on the bed listening to the radio and smiling. Those are actually the memories I want to keep in my head. I don't want that memory to leave me."

-CNN (click for story at CNN)

April is Child Abuse Prevention month and the Pinwheels for Prevention campaign sponsored by the Child Protection Council kicks off today in Cadillac. Abuse is 100% preventable and you can help by getting educated on the causes and effects of child abuse. For more information on Pinwheels for Prevention call the United Way at 775-3753.

Hoekstra Opposes Right-to-Work

US Rep. Peter Hoekstra, a candidate for Governor, has made it clear that he does not support the conservative ideals of Free-Trade and Capitalism by declaring that he would not support a ballot issue to make Michigan a "right-to-work" state. That's not very Republican.

It's also another way of saying, "too bad about your jobs, I don't give a damn." Is he getting kickbacks from his Republican Teamster buddies? We shouldn't be surprised, there is a long history between the Republicans and the Teamsters, none of it good.

Hoekstra said he has had good relations with organized labor, particularly the Teamsters union.

"There's a lot of Republican Teamsters out there," he said.

-FREEP

Why else would he oppose a measure that could attract business to Michigan, create jobs and reduce unemployment?

Ohio, Indiana and Michigan are losing auto jobs, but many of these "runaway plants" are not fleeing to China, Mexico or India. They've moved to more business-friendly U.S. states, including Texas.

-WSJ

And this man wants to be Governor.

Ohio's most crippling handicap may be that its politicians -- and thus its employers -- are still in the grip of such industrial unions as the United Auto Workers. Ohio is a "closed shop" state, which means workers can be forced to join a union whether they wish to or not. Many companies -- especially foreign-owned -- say they will not even consider such locations for new sites. States with "right to work" laws that make union organizing more difficult had twice the job growth of Ohio and other forced union states from 1995-2005, according to the National Institute for Labor Relations.

...

The challenge for our national economy in a world of competition is to become more like Texas and less like Ohio.

-WSJ

We should think hard before we elect someone that doesn't want to make positive change for the working people of Michigan. Of course, after everyone leaves the state to pursue employment elsewhere, Rep. Hoekstra can enjoy himself while governing a population of none.

The Gift of Life

April is Donate Life Month.

Your decision to be an organ and tissue donor:

-May save or enhance the lives of up to 50 people.

-Will not cost you or your family anything.

-Need not interfere with funeral arrangements, since donation does not change the body’s outward appearance.

-Is an act of caring and love supported by all major religions in the U.S.

Please consider becoming an organ donor today. You can start by clicking the link below.

Michigan Organ Donor Registry

Ouch!

This little gem of an ad was in the Cadillac News today.



Seriously though, The Sweet Shop is a charming area business. Great products, great people!

Enjoy!

Rural Housing Boost Through ARRA

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Carl Levin (D-MI) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) announced today that Michigan has been awarded $358,161,033 in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide loan guarantees to low- and moderate-income individuals for the purchase of homes in rural areas. The funding will come as part of the USDA Rural Development Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program (Section 502).

“Directing these economic recovery dollars to rural communities across Michigan will make it possible for many families to own their own homes and help put people back to work at the same time,” said Levin. “I am hopeful that providing an influx of funding for this program will help ensure that every family in Michigan has access to safe and affordable housing during tough economic times.”

“Rural communities continue to struggle from the economic and housing crisis,” said Stabenow. “By helping rural families with homeownership, this recovery funding helps provide the foundation these families need to secure a place to call home. At the same time, the program helps create good-paying jobs, making it a win-win for Michigan.”

Section 502 loans are primarily used to help low-income individuals or households purchase homes in rural areas. Funds can be used to build, repair, renovate or relocate a home, or to purchase and prepare sites, including providing water and sewage facilities.

USDA Rural Development housing programs are designed to improve the quality of life for rural Americans by ensuring that they have access to safe, well-built, affordable homes. The programs finance new or improved housing for very low- to moderate-income families and individuals in rural areas.

-April 2, 2009

I hope that some Missaukee families are able to access this assistance. If you think that you may be eligible for the USDA Rural Development Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program contact USDA Rural Development today!

By the way, if you come on over and catch a Good Morning Lake City! at Baked Beans, you might just see a representative of the USDA...

Kindness

Kindness, it's sometimes in short supply.

Let's take a cue from this duo and make kindness a daily activity.

Earth Hour

Turn out your lights tonight at 8:30 p.m. for one hour to celebrate Earth Hour. By turning out the lights for just one hour we can make a huge impact on global warming.

Go to the website now to pledge your support, download a toolkit, write to President Obama, spread the word...

There are Earth Hour communities on all the major social sites: Flickr, YouTube, Facebook, MySpace...and a fantastic number of Michigan cities have pledged to join Earth Hour including: Detroit; Lansing; Ann Arbor; and Escanaba!

Rural America is a Burden on Society

Well, at least that's what Michael Katz, former FCC economist says.

"Other people don't like to say bad things about rural areas," Katz began. "So I will."

The stimulus package includes $7.2 billion to expand broadband Internet access into "underserved" and rural areas. Katz listed ways that the $7.2 billion could be put to better use, including an effort to combat infant deaths. But he also spoke of rural places as environmentally hostile, energy inefficient and even weak in innovation, simply because rural people are spread out across the landscape.

"The notion that we should be helping people who live in rural areas avoid the costs that they impose on society … is misguided," Katz went on, "from an efficiency point of view and an equity one."

-NPR

The cost may be high, but in order for us to participate in the global market we need broadband Internet access. Dial up just won't cut it. Our jobs are vanishing quicker than you can say lickety-split and some enterprising souls are seeking opportunities using the Internet. If you find a call center job that you can do from home but you have only dial up access you are not going to get that job. What about farmers, innovation and acccessing markets outside of their geographical area may be the keys they need to survive this economic downturn. If they survive, odds are better that we will all survive. If our area farmers fail, what will happen? I don't want to know.

More data on farmers with Internet is available here.

For more opinion on Michael Katz's comments click here.

My Horoscope

From the Missaukee Sentinel, Friday, February 13, 2009:

PISCES - Feb 19/Mar 20
You're feeling eccentric and could surprise everyone with your antics. Cool down or you may alienate others who are middle of the road.

This makes me laugh; a lot!

If I might alienate others who are middle of the road, what will I do to those who are squarely on the far-right side of the road? Let me try and see...

I also think it's funny that the Missaukee Sentinel has a horoscope column. Why? You might ask, and I might tell you this:

I've noticed that there is a fair amount of Christian posturing around this county including a fair amount of intolerance. Christianity is neatly ladled into nearly everything around these parts and I never miss a cursory glance at the fabulous Missaukee Area Church Directory featured in the Sentinel and who could miss the listing of area churches as you roll into Lake City. It's always nice to know where you can go for salvation. Ah, yes, even our children get a fair amount of it, even in our public schools (that's a no-no sayeth the Supreme Court). So, I've heard it before, probably from my Pentacostal preacher grandpa, that horoscopes should not be read by Christians. A quick and cursory search of the web produced this:

Question: "Should a Christian consult horoscopes?"

Answer: The purpose of a horoscope is to gain insight into a person’s character and foretell the future. The basic belief of astrology is that planets and stars exert an influence upon our lives. Those with special knowledge—astrologers—can predict events in a person’s life. It is distressing that most major newspapers have a horoscope column, and even more distressing that many Christians read their horoscopes.

The Bible expressly forbids divination, sorcery, and hidden arts (Deuteronomy 18:10-14). God’s people are to heed God only (Deuteronomy 18:15). Any other source of guidance, information, or revelation is to be rejected outright. (See also Acts 16:16-18.) The Bible points to Jesus Christ as the only proper focus of faith (Acts 4:12; Hebrews 12:2). Our trust is in God alone, and we know that He will direct our paths (Proverbs 3:5-6). Faith in anything besides God is misplaced.

Astrology, then, opposes biblical teaching in at least two ways: it advocates faith in something other than God, and it is a form of divination. We cannot determine God's will for our lives through horoscopes. As Christians, we are to read the Bible and pray to God in order to gain wisdom and guidance. Consulting a horoscope is a violation of God's means of communicating with His children. We strongly believe that horoscopes should be rejected by Christians.

So, perhaps, if I've managed to alienate you, you can consider writing a nice letter to the Missaukee Sentinel about how the horoscope feature is un-Christian and should be removed immediately.

Hey! Did you know that the stimulus bill is anti-religious? That's what Huckabee said...

Booher Wants to Spread Like Bad Peanut Butter

Booher said he plans to explore running for the 35th Senate District, an 11-county region in northwest Michigan currently held by Sen. Michelle McManus. Like Booher, McManus won’t be able to seek another term after 2010.

...

Booher said over the last four years, he has acquired a lot of experience. Looking ahead, he said experience is something he’d like to continue to give to northern Michigan.

"With the experience we have now, we lose all that if we don’t take the shot and look at the Senate," Booher said.

-Cadillac News

Thanks but, no thanks! We don't really need your experience. You know how the public is complaining about CEOs getting bonuses just before their companies got bailout funds, that's what it would be like if Booher got McManus' Senate seat.

Another major driving force in his decision will be ensuring the Republican party holds onto the position, he said.

-Cadillac News

Spare me. It's time to vote for people who put their constituents interests and needs above the party's wants.

Sen. Michelle McManus, R-Lake Leelanau, currently holds the position. However, due to term limits, McManus will not be able to seek another term when her term expires in 2010.

...

The district includes the counties of Leelanau, Benzie, Manistee, Wexford, Kalkaska, Missaukee, Roscommon, Clare, Oscela, Lake and Mecosta.

Booher currenlty represents the 102nd District, which includes Osceola, Wexford and Mecosta counties

I've heard praise about what Booher has done down in Lansing but what has he brought back home?

Unemployment

Wexford: 15.1%
Osceola: 12.5%
Mecosta: 11.2%

Buy Michigan!

If every Michigan famly would buy just $10 a
week of local Michigan fruits and vegetables it
would keep $37 million new dollars each week
working for you right here at home.

I was sent the following list today and I wanted to share some of our fantastic Buy Michigan! options with you. Consider buying Michigan products as a reinvestment into our state!

product-brand name-company located in:
all purpose gourmet spice blend-deyoung's fore seasons-hartland
bill knapp's cake etc.-awrey battle-creek
brats-alexander & hornung-st. clair shores
bread-flatout-saline
bread and muffin mixes-jbdough-benton harbor
cereal-kellogg's-battle creek
cheese-reny-picot-benton harbor
cheese-s. serra-warren
chewy granola bars-yotta bar-maple city
chocolates-morley's-sterling heights
condiments-american spoon-petosky
cookies-archway-livonia
cookies& crackers-keebler-battle creek
dairy-bareman's-holland
dairy-calder-carleton
dairy-cf burger-detroit
dairy-guernsey-northville
dairy-melody farms-livonia
dairy-dairy fresh-taylor
soynut snack products-nature's select-owosso
extra virgin olive oil-kenzoil-ann arbor
garlic bread - frozen-cole's-grand rapids
herring-ma cohen's-detroit
hommus-basha-ferndale
horseradish-brede's-detroit
hot dogs etc-kowalski-hamtramck
juice-old orchard-sparta
lunch meat & sausages-koegel's-flint
mexican food-hacienda mexican-detroit
muffins and snack cakes-weight watchers-jackson
muffins, brownies etc-jiffy mix-chelsea
mustard-mucky duck-ferndale
natural foods-eden's-clinton township
nuts-germack-detroit
packaged vegetables-butter blends-grand rapids
pasta-al dente-whitmore lake
pasta - frozen-pierino-lincoln park
pasta sauce-sansonetti foods-holly
pasta sauce-romano's-shelby township
peanuts and snack food-kars-madison heights
peanuts and tortilla chips-great lakes snacks or festida-cedar springs
pickles-freestone pickles-bangor
pickles-topor's-detroit
pop-faygo-detroit
pop-vernor's-detroit
private label beef jerky-spartan, meijer-taylor
produce-aunt mid's-detroit
rice and tapioca pudding-spillson's-monroe
salad dressings-litehouse-lowell
salsa-sansonetti foods-holly
sausage-dearborn sausage-dearborn
snack foods-better made-detroit
sugar-pioneer and big chief-bay city
sugar free candies-dr. john's-grand rapids
tortilla chips, salsa-garden fresh-ferndale
tortillas-la michoacana-detroit
tortillas-don marcos-romulus
tortillas-la jalisciense-detroit
turkey (deli)-golden legacy, brickman's-grand rapids
tuscan italian foods-elena's-auburn hills
water-absopure-plymouth
wines-st. julian-paw paw

A note about this list:
This list is in no way complete.
It is a grass roots effort to
encourage people help the state’s
economy.
With no motive other than that.
I hope you have fun with it.

I'm not sure who compiled this list and started sending it around but I think it's a great idea and I'm going to add a list to the right side here entitled Buy Michigan! in addition to Buy Missaukee!

Booher has to Stop!

"This structural problem we have is nothing more than overspending - it has to stop," Booher said.
The state must focus on the "big four" departments that account for 82 cents on every dollar: corrections, human service, community health and higher education, Booher said.
"With the big four, the hard looks really need to come," he said.

-Cadillac News

While I agree that we need to look for ways to cut spending I’m not so sure that these departments are the ones to look at first.

Corrections: any cuts to the corrections budget need to be handled delicately. The governor has already stated that three more prisons will be closed, that’s a big cut right there and maybe that’s where we should stop until judges obtain and exercise more flexibility in sentencing. In order to do that, the prisoners residing in those facilities must be moved, either to other prisons, or paroled. If cuts are made to the corrections budget there is a good chance that they will come out of programming. Programming is the means through which offenders learn skills that they can use to be contributing members to society. You know stuff like substance abuse education, GED preparation, anger management skill building. The things that we citizens need them to learn before they return to our neighborhoods.

Human Services: we need human services now more than ever. The counties represented by Rep. Booher, Mecosta, Osceola and Wexford all have unemployment rates higher than the state average of 10.4%. (Mecosta, 11.2%; Osceola, 12.5%; Wexford, 15.1%.) So, what do you propose these jobless people live on, not all of them are receiving unemployment? Contrary to popular belief the unemployment rate does not equal the number of people receiving unemployment benefits from UIA. What will they eat? How will they cover their children’s medical costs? Family Independence Program, Food Assistance Program, Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, Medicaid…all programs administered by the Department of Human Services, all programs that your constituents NEED right now.

Community Health: when people lose their jobs they typically also lose their health insurance, COBRA is cost prohibitive even if you have a steady income. We should deny our citizens healthcare? That seems particularly heartless, even coming from Rep. Booher.

Higher Education: totally unnecessary. I mean, who needs to have a higher education to work in a factory? Oh, that’s right, the factories don’t have jobs. Where are the jobs? Medical, technology, science…all fields that typically require a little bit more education than a high school diploma or GED.

Rep. Booher doesn’t give a hoot about the people he represents. If he really did he would take a look at his own salary before trying to cut the services that his constituents need to survive right now. Yes the House voted yesterday to recommend a 10% pay cut but if approved it won’t happen until 2011. They need to vote to put the 10% pay cut on the fast track and get it implemented before October 1, 2009.

Booher said he does not support eliminating History, Arts and Libraries, as it provides necessary services that directly affect taxpayers.

-Cadillac News

So, corrections, human service, community health and higher education do not provide necessary services that directly affect taxpayers?

Since when?

State of the State

Good news for Michigan?

Last night the Governor gave the 2009 State of the State Address. One of the most exciting facets was the creation of the Michigan Energy Corps which will employ thousands of people to weatherize homes, schools and other public buildings; install renewable energy technology; and turn our natural resources into renewable fuels. Totally cool! Hopefully the Michigan Energy Corps starts swinging real soon, apparently there is some dependency on the federal stimulus package. Many wishes that the Michigan Energy Corps gets to work in Missaukee County and other rural counties like ours before focusing on Detroit, Lansing and Grand Rapids just this once. Please.

Southeastern Michigan is apparently the beneficiary of A123 Systems, a Massachusetts-based battery designer, plans to build some lithium ion plants. Detroit area: Wayne; Oakland; Macomb; Lapeer; Livingston; St. Clair counties: 10.6% unemployment.

More good news, Hemlock Semiconductor Corp. is planning an investment that will create about 190 jobs. Hemlock is located near Saginaw, so I’m guessing those jobs will be there too. Saginaw county: 10.4% unemployment.

And, even more good news! Yay! The film industry is buzzing in Michigan. They’ve created 3,000 jobs, but not here.

Now, I don’t wish anyone in the state ill. All I’m saying is it would be nice if government thought a little bit about us up here in northern Michigan. Missaukee county: 14.8% unemployment.

Tough Times

With our ever rising unemployment rates and our ever dwindling resources it is a good time to get ourselves into the right mindset for the difficult task of job seeking.


1. Things are never as bad as they seem. Remember, they are never as good either.

2. Accept uncertainty; perhaps even try to embrace it.

3. Focus on the things that you can change and do; forget about those you cannot.

4. This is the best time to try new things, make new goals and accept new challenges.

5. Get back to the basics (review your resume, cover letter, interview skills).

6. Set goals and keep track of your achievements. Use a job search log.

7. Relax. This is no time for panic and desperation. Employers are looking for confidence.

8. Tough times offer different opportunities. Think outside the box and prepare yourself to accept any opportunity that finds you.

9. This won’t last forever. Build a positive base now to provide a jumping point when things get better.

10. Spend more time with your support network in addition to beginning or expanding your professional networking contacts.

14.8%

As of December 2008, Missaukee County's unemployment rate is 14.8%, our neighbor Wexford is a bit worse at 15.1% but, hey, they always try to have more of anything, don't they? Well, at least they have a larger percentage of people in the labor market, how many Missaukee County residents have given up on employment a long time ago. No jobs, no public transportation, no hope...most of our "community resources" are located in Wexford County, so I wonder how are people getting over there to access those resources.

I know most people think of Detroit when they think of Michigan and now Detroit has sort of become a bit of a symbol of our unemployment problems. John Rich even penned a new song for us:



Take care of yourself, and if you have some extra, take care of someone else today also.

Tax Help for Seniors

Good news for Missaukee County seniors!

Tax help is on the way!

Thanks to the AARP Tax Aide program, low- and middle-income seniors over age 60 will be able to meet with a tax counselor between February 4th and April 15th.

Tax assistance

• What: Tax help for low and middle income seniors

• Who: AARP offering free help for citizens ages 60 and over

• When: Appointments for Wednesdays and Fridays ¨ begin next week

• How: Call Missaukee County Commission on Aging at ¨ 839-7839

-Cadillac News, 1/29/09

If you know a senior in the area, please pass on this great information and have them call for an appointment.

Drunk Driving in Missaukee County

We all know that a firefighter, DougShaw, was arrested for drunk driving on December 27th, and he has been suspended (but he had already called LMFD Deputy Chief Keith Lounsbery and resigned).

I've seen and heard some crazy stuff, such as:

I think it is a joke that he was allowed to drive the truck back to the fire barn than arrested. Why after everything is done and over, was he arrested. Sounds like someone had a grudge. Instead of calling police,they should have called Doug and had him pull over immmediatly, than call police if needed.

-posted by Bryan on 1/16/09 at 9&10 News

Well, idiot...let me explain, the Deputy Chief did not know until Shaw had left the scene that he was intoxicated. They should not have resorted to your little plan of calling Shaw, having him pull over and then calling the police if needed because the Deputy Chief did what he was supposed to do, call the police as soon as he became aware that there might be a crime. If my explanation isn't working for you, try this:

Deputy Fire Chief Keith Lounsbery told the board that he was too busy keeping an eye on his firefighters to be aware of a possibly intoxicated firefighter. But he says he called police as soon as it was suggested that Shaw might be drunk.

"It was reported to me and I reported it to the Sheriff's Department that a crime may be occurring," Lounsbery told the board.

-9&10 News, 1/13/09

Okay, there may be a grudge going on, but it's not against Shaw.

On one side, some firefighters say the initial reaction from at least one member of the board was to question why and criticize the department officers, Lounsbery and Chief Rick Bradley, for reporting Shaw to law enforcement in the first place.

Lounsbery's wife Michelle, also a LMFD firefighter, told the Sentinel her husband and Bradley were looking at being fired Tuesday-not for Shaw's drink driving of a department vehicle under their watch, but for bringing it to light in the first place.

-Missaukee Sentinel, 1/16/09

Now that sounds like some real Missauke County attitude. I wonder, just who was that one member of the Lake Missaukee Fire Authority Board who thought that a drunk driver should not have been reported to law enforcement. Perhaps the board needs a shake-up and some new members.

BTW, Shaw is due in court today.

Novel Concept

I have the wonderful opportunity to listen people say things like, "I won't take a job that pays minimum wage" or even, "I won't do that kind of work" quite frequently and it just baffles me. Guess what, unemployment is high, HIGH, HIGH! Too high for pride to prevent you from accepting a job, or trying to find a job. Just take a cue from Rob LeBlanc, a former restaurant manager who delivered pizzas to support his family.

After several weeks of searching, he took the only job he could get -- a Domino's pizza delivery man, a job that would cover the family's expenses.

"I had to swallow my pride and take whatever I could get," Rob LeBlanc says. "I kept telling myself one of these days something better will come along."

-CNN

Speaking of...

Let me tell you about another strange (but not so rare) event that I encountered a couple of days ago in Kingsley at the Subway. I was there with a colleague whom I consider to be of average intelligence probably above average ability. This colleague of mine really put my head in a spin when she ordered her ham and cheese on Italian bread. That doesn't sound so bad does it. It's not what she ordered, it's how she said the word Italian. She said it like this, "Eye-talian." I thought to myself, "That sounds very ignorant," but not exactly with those words.

So let me continue by saying that I often hear people saying Italian like that up here in Northern Michigan and it's time to put a stop to it. See the article below for some other common mispronunciations that get people's goats:

Say What? Common Mispronunciations that Get My Goat


I just have to add that I was in Baked Beans last week, our own cute little coffee shop and tanning salon (odd mix?) in Lake City and saw that the specials included pinnini. I just want to clarify, we have until summer to get it straight so the tourists don't think we are a bunch of rubes up here, the word is panino single and panini plural. Americans commonly use the plural form, I've grown to accept that, but please note the use of the letter A instead of I following the P. But, hey, all complaining aside, it is a good place to stop in and get a cup of Joe. They do host Good Morning Lake City on the third Friday of each month. Just stop in and ask them about it.

Blog for Choice

As our new President begins to dive deep into the numerous duties and responsibilities that we, the people, have bestowed on him through the democratic process, I turn my thoughts to the 36th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. The GOP has already begun pressuring President Obama to reconsider his position.

Republican lawmakers on Wednesday urged President Barack Obama to reconsider his support of legal abortions as anti-abortion activists arrived in Washington for a protest on the anniversary of the Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade ruling.

-The Miami Herald

Wexford Missaukee Right to Life marched this past Sunday to further their agenda against women (it's not enough that we have to look at their billboards plastered around the country every single day, or even watch them parade their agenda at the Greatest Fourth in the North). These are the kind of people who tell you that there is an alternative, adoption. I guess they just don't realize that there are thousands of children waiting to be adopted in the United States but nobody wants them. To every single person who wishes to overturn Roe V. Wade, I make this challenge: adopt one child from foster care.

Nearly One Quarter of Foster Care Children Are Waiting for Adoptive Families
In 1999, the latest year for which totals have been finalized, there were about 581,000 children in foster care in the United States. Twenty-two percent of these children -- about 127,000 kids -- were available for adoption.

Foster Care Population Down From 1999
Preliminary federal estimates indicate the foster care population decreased from 581,000 to 556,000 between 1999 and 2000. The number of children waiting to be adopted, however, increased to about 134,000 during the same period. Early estimates for 2001 show the foster care population marginally increased to 565,000.

-Adoption Institute

You don't have to tell me your excuses, I know that nobody wants those children. Those children are not perfect little infants. No, they are drug-affected babies, they are older children with behavioral problems caused by years of abuse and neglect, they are children with disabilities that require special care. Oh, so much easier to adopt an infant from some other country, sounds to me like participating in the baby trade, you know, trafficking in persons (albeit legal, it's still a little bit twisted).

President Obama, has stated in the past that he will not yield his position and I trust that he will not. My hope for the President and the new Congress is that they ensure the following:

-Fact based, comprehensive sex education
-An end to insurance discrimination for health services provided to women
-Laws to prevent the harassment and ensure the safety of health providers and their patients

Anti-abortion folk rely on fear and misinformation to bring more people into their fold, I hope that our elected politicians make their choices based on fact and their duty to uphold the civil rights of all citizens.

There's still time to Blog for Choice.

OASIS/FRC Seeks Volunteers

The Cadillac Area OASIS/Family Resource Center and Second Chance Retail Store are conducting volunteer training tomorrow, Thursday, January 22nd, from 1-5 p.m. at their offices, 118 S Mitchell Street in Cadillac.

Volunteers are needed for many areas within the agency including, crisis line workers, childcare, clerical, store workers and maintenance workers.

OASIS/FRC serves victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and homelessness and volunteers are always needed.

If you are interested in attending please call Valerie Shultz at 231-775-7299 today to reserve a spot for training.

Why should you volunteer?

We all know that the labor market is extremely tight right now and we also know that large gaps between employment are not idea on your resume. Sure, you can skip the dates but then an employer may wonder what you’re hiding. Volunteering is a great way to fill in a gap, learn new skills, gain useful experience and meet other people (you know, NETWORK). Volunteering can help you find your next job and launch a new career.

Through volunteer work, you can develop many of the “soft” skills that employers are looking for including communication and teamwork. How many times have you read a job posting for a position that you were interested in and felt that you could do only to be discouraged by the words, prior experience required? Volunteering is a great way to gain the required experience for many jobs. Don’t forget to include your volunteer experience on your resume.

Additional benefits include: meeting new people; trying new things; and having fun!

Please consider volunteering in your community.

Sen. Kuipers Visits Cadillac

Well he was a long way from Ottawa County and the 30th State Senate District but it's never too early to start campaigning for Rep. Pete Hoekstra's Second Congressional District seat in Washington. In all actuality, he's probably been groomed for the seat by his good friend Pete:

"I have had a long friendship with Pete (Hoekstra) over the years. He has represented the district well, but he is moving on to different things," Kuipers said. "You will see a lot of me over the next couple years, as well as the other candidates."

-Cadillac News

I know we've all gotten pretty used to that up here, something I like to call cronyism. Going to the polls to vote is more of a habit than any real statement. Remember last November? There were an awful lot of unopposed seats on my ballot. Competition is good. Competition makes people do a better job.

Anyway, one of the highlights of Sen. Kuipers' visit was his appearance at the Cadillac Area Chamber of Commerce Lecture Luncheon held at Baker College last Friday where he discussed "The Three E’s - Energy, Education and Economy." Three extremely vital topics for the Cadillac area and it seems to me that more emphasis on education could help out with the other two, but I digress, I really want to mention the bad guys; the Department of Environmental Quality.

Here's what Sen. Kuipers had to say:

"Why wouldn’t the DEQ want to work with businesses rather than intimidate them and get them to leave? Until we change that, if businesses have options (to leave the state), they will take them"

-Cadillac News

It's not intimidation to be expected to follow the law. For example, when I'm speeding and a cop pulls me over, I cannot use as my defense, "the police intimidated me, now I'm going to move someplace else (and spend my money there)." That's just ridiculous but apparently not taking responsibility is the way to go these days. Every state has an environmental agency and every state is required to have particular plans and programs under Federal regulations. I'm sure this quote was in reference to the bench trial currently underway between AAR Manufacturing and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. It doesn't look like either side is backing down on this one but that doesn't make anyone a bully either.

If you're interested the trial is scheduled to reconvene January 27th in the 28th Circuit Courtroom.

Pump It Up!

A colleague who uses a wheel chair introduced me to The Pump Guide recently. It's an extremely cool website from Michigan Paralyzed Veterans of America. The Pump Guide lists over 800 gas stations across the state that provide full-service to drivers who display a license plate or window placard that identifies them as a person with a disability (see the Americans with Disabilities Act). Sounds pretty neat, huh?

Here's something that's not so neat; only one gas station in Missaukee county is listed on the site, the B.S. Lounge in Falmouth. That's pretty pathetic. Lake City, your gas stations are lacking, even that brand new shiny Wesco. Every single station on M-55 & M-66 through Missaukee county should be on this list. Let me explain...the one sure thing we have here in Missaukee is a lot of visitors and passers-through, we should do everything in our power to ensure that everyone who passes through our fair county feels welcome and wants to come back again (and spend their money).

Station owners, sign up here!

Boo-Hoo-er

As the real people of NW Michigan face the reality of lay-offs and plant closings our elected officials bicker, moan, continue to think only of themselves and try to pass the buck:

The plant closing came as a surprise to State Rep. Darwin Booher (R-Evart).

Booher said he was frustrated that he found out from a friend who worked at the plant before he was contacted from anyone at the state level.

"I am getting hammered in my hometown."

"I had no knowledge other than the rumor mill," Booher said. "A friend called me who works at the plant and that is when I get the word that it is in fact happening. What’s broke here?"

Booher said after the call from his friend, he called the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. He said MEDC has representatives in the area who are supposed to stay in contact with industries.

"The word is that there was no contact with the Evart plant for several months," Booher said. "MEDC should have contacted them. They have a system to go around and talk to these businesses. Somewhere there was a breakdown."

Booher said if a governmental agency knew the plant was closing, legislators should have been notified.

"Somewhere down the line...somebody should have known this and told the legislators so we could have tried to do something.

"I am trying to find out why none of this was known until (Thursday)."

-Cadillac News

Stick around town more often, Darwin, and spend some time talking to the real people that you represent.

Darwin Booher represents District 102 (Counties: Mecosta, Osceola, Wexford) in the Michigan House of Representatives. View campaign contributors to Rep. Booher. Even more interesting check out his responses to MLive's 2008 Voter Guide. Looks like another politician in NW MI banking on his constituent's ignorance.

The Elusive Mr. Smith

Yesterday afternoon while I was elbow-deep with the plunger in the clogged toilet (thanks to the kid) the front doorbell rang. The dogs were going mad; barking, barking, barking! The doorbell rang again.

I went out through the garage so that the dogs wouldn't attack the visitor and came upon a tall young gentleman about 70 years old who I will call Mr. Smith. Mr. Smith had spryly trudged through the knee-deep snow and leaped onto our porch (without even using the steps) to our front door (we never shovel the front walk, since we just use the garage and everyone who comes over usually uses the garage as well) and trudged back through it to meet me at the front of the garage. Mr. Smith asked me if I knew where Don Something-Or-Other lived but I had no idea (come to find out later, it's that jackass that flies his plane over our cattle, but anyway...). I said, "I'm sorry Sir, I can't help you. Does he live on this road or that road. Because that road is on the other side of the lake." (As in, "you can't get there from here.") He was sure that Don lived on this road so I sent him on his way.

The old cat then proceeded to get into his car and ask me, "how do I get out of here?"

I said, "what do you mean?"

He repeated, "how do I get out of here?"

Getting a little bit frustrated I replied, "well, you back up." You see he drove his vehicle all the way up to our garage from the road, he would need to back all the way down the driveway and into the road again.

The coot sat there for a minute and said in all seriousness, "well, I can't back out of here because I can't turn my neck." At this time the man appeared to be contemplating something very serious and finally said to me, "can you back it out for me?"

"Yeah," I said. "I guess I could." He grabbed his cane and got out of the car leaving the door open for me to get in. Because the door was open, the light was on in the car and I happened to look into the back seat (actually, I thought it might be a good idea at this time). When I looked into the back seat I saw a sheet, draped over the seat and a spade shovel. I didn't know what someone was doing with a spade shovel when the ground is frozen solid and there's a foot of snow anywhere you go, yet I still got into the car and started to back it out.

The dude walked down the driveway ahead of me, with his cane, as I backed out (very slowly). I noted that it was odd that he didn't walk around and get in the passenger seat. When I go to the end of the driveway, I again expressed my sorrow that I was unable to help him.

The man got into the car and shut the door but before the dome light went out, he turned his head and looked at me as he drove away.