What do you call it when . . .

What do you call it when the former governor of a state with a horrible education record praises our current governor's antics in regards to education?

I don't know but I do wonder why I should care about what Jeb Bush says about Michigan.

First of all, Florida's graduation rate is 44th in the nation, compared to Michigan at 22nd.

Secondly, we are in a world of deep poop if Michigan starts to resemble Florida in any area.

Greater Michigan Madness aka the Corporate Takeover

Please Remain Seated

Put on your seat belts everyone, we are in for one hell of a ride!

Click below:

Corporate Politicians at Helm in Michigan Sell Out Local Democracy

What's the State Senate up to?

Well, you'd think they'd be working out the details of the Governor's "Shared Sacrifice" plan, but instead they are wasting time and money on a redundant bill, SB 160. This bill seeks to make illegal within the state of Michigan a medical procedure that is already illegal under Federal law. That's right, it's ALREADY illegal.

We, the taxpayers, are paying our state senators to do work that is already done and they get to pander to special interest groups thereby retaining those votes without actually doing anything at all.

Gee, they must really think we are stupid.

Get informed Michigan and prove that this is not so!

Click the link below to learn more about redundant SB 160.

Women’s Advocacy Groups Oppose Redundant Abortion Ban, Encourage Senators To Work On Proven Prevention Methods | ACLU of Michigan | Because Freedom Can’t Protect Itself

Boy, We Sure Showed 'Em!

Yup, we got rid of that nasty Democratic governor who led the state into this quagmire. She gets all the blame squarely. I mean, that uppity woman even encouraged people not to eat meat for one day (Michigan Meat Out Day). Sheesh, that's some socialist hoohah if I ever heard it. Encouraging people to not eat meat for one single day, that would ruin our state's meat producers, right? I didn't realize that they suffered from the same financial mismanagement that led our auto producers to be the beneficiaries of federal bailouts while thousands of families in the state are cutting back to live within their meager means. At that time Dave Camp even issued the “National American Meat and Poultry Appreciation Day” proclamation. Guess those farmers in Michigan who grow fruits and vegetables just need to stop producing such healthy fare, it's not enough that Michigan ranks as the tenth most obese state in the nation, we want to be Number One! So, when our governor attempts to inspire a healthy (and cheaper) alternative for one single day she's obviously a communist. I'm sure everyone will get skinny when the state cuts funding for food assistance programs, let's just wait for that day to come.

But wait! Our savior is here in the form of Rick Snyder, Outsourcer Extraordinaire! It is, by now, an non-disputed fact that Gateway jobs were outsourced to Asia while Snyder was there. He claims that he raised concerns, but they were unheeded, well gee, will he sit back like that and allow his concerns to go unheeded as our governor or can we look forward to "The Peggy" situation. I imagine calling a state office, such as the Unemployment Insurance Agency and hearing the following:



It is also important to note that Snyder's attempts to "save" Gateway ultimately resulted in the sale of that company to Acer (a Taiwanese corporation). Now, how much involvement Snyder had in the actual outsourcing of jobs is disputable but I do believe that he had a hand in the mismanagement of the company which ultimately led to the outsourcing and sale. This is what we want for Michigan? Oh, this is certainly change! So far he plans to split the DNR and DEQ, two departments that were joined to save the state money. I won't dissect this but there is no way that the state will save money by paying two separate directors. Nope it is always cheaper to just pay one. That's just math. Anyway, his new business plan model for the state already incorporates the hiring of persons from out of state into pet positions (John Nixon, Utah's budget director will be the new director of the Department of Technology, Management and Budget). Really? Is that because Michigan does not have people qualified for these positions? No, they're probably sitting on their fat hind-ends (because they don't need no one telling them to not eat meat for a single day or, even, that a healthy body requires a diet with variety, to include vegetables, or even, that they can get more food with their Bridge Card if they lay off the darned meat products) collecting unemployment. Gee, don't we really love his "group leader" idea even if we gave president Obama crap for the "czars" (let me know how this is different).

One final thought as it relates to the governor taking all the blame and Michigan's loud affirmation of that concept in the recent elections. Don't our state representatives and senators share in the evil downfall of great Michigan? Well, certainly we do, but instead of voting them OUT of office we vote them into NEW offices. That's quite a reward for screwing off at work for six years, just ask Darwin Booher, currently Representative for Michigan's 102nd District where he did a bang up job ensuring that their economy was rocking! No one in Cadillac is looking for work, Cadillac's businesses aren't suffering, nope, not at all. In fact, that dude did such a great job over there that we brought him over here to be our Senator. Yippee! If that's a vote for change my friend, you need to dust off your dictionary.

Cash for Lake City Schools

Hey, a great opportunity to get some cash for our local schools. Don't our children deserve this?

Vote today, click the banner above to pick any other school but if you'd like to vote for Lake City Upper Elementary you can just click here!

GRPS Promotes Farm to School Menu

Okay, not in Missaukee but it is in Michigan and it is the best idea since reusable shopping bags.

The Farm-to-Cafeteria conference is underway in Detroit this week and promoting local growers in neighborhood schools is the main push. The conversation about healthy school meals happens often in Grand Rapids. In fact, this week the district is showcasing the importance of supporting Michigan agricultural businesses.

Grand Rapids Public Schools is among 400 schools statewide that has spent the week featuring local produce on its school lunch menus. It's all part of the "Mi Products, My Michigan, Mi School Lunches" initiative created by West Michigan school nutrition services.

-WZZM13.com

Lake City Area Schools dining program is managed by Chartwells. Chartwells is a company that claims to be committed to sustainability. You can read more about their commitment to corporate responsibility here.

Does anyone know of any local farms that provide products to Chartwells for service in Lake City Area Schools?

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!