There is unrest in the Forest….., photo by RBS62.
There is unrest in the forest there is trouble with the trees
For the maples want more sunlight and the oaks ignore their pleas
The trouble with the maples and they’re quite convinced they’re right
They say the oaks are just too lofty and they grab up all the light
~ Rush (listen on Rhapsody)
Check this out as big as the trees and in his Winter in the UP set (slideshow).
Lots more winter wallpaper on Michigan in Pictures.
Manabezho Falls in the Porcupine Mountains, photo by Gittinsj
A previous post on Manabezho Falls in the Porcupine Mountains State Park offered another view of these amazing falls and some information from GoWaterfalling’s page on Manebezho Falls.
While trying to find out more about Manebezho, who also seems to be the trickster god Manabozho, I learned from Indian Names in Michigan that although Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s Song of Hiawatha uses the name of a real-life Mohawk sachem (paramount chief), the deeds are those of Manabozho. That’s enough grounds for me to bring you the Manabozho and the ultimate fish story.
Untitled, photo by Terrapin Dawg.
“The Old Year has gone. Let the dead past bury its own dead. The New Year has taken possession of the clock of time. All hail the duties and possibilities of the coming twelve months!”
~ Edward Payson Powell
Every month Absolute Michigan puts together a massive list of events from all across the state designed to help you get more out of Michigan.
Our January Michigan Event Calendar features some great events designed to help you get more out of the outdoors like Newberry’s Tahquamenon Country Sled Dog Race, Kalkaska Winterfest, Tip Up Town USA (Houghton Lake), Snowfest in Frankenmuth and the Subaru Noquemanon Ski Marathon in Marquette. If you like your events on the indoors side, there’s Ferndale’s Bluesfest, the Ann Arbor Folk Festival and the The North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
Matt took this photo in Cheboygan County. Be sure to check this out backround big or in his snowmobile trip set (slideshow).
Mulligans Hollow, photo by GH Patriot.
I had originally thought about a more sober and reflective photo as we head into 2010, but when I saw this one in the Absolute Michigan pool this morning, I changed my mind.
I don’t think that anyone can deny that the first decade of the 21st century has been a brutal one for Michigan. We’ve lost a staggering amount of jobs, countless public services and tens of thousands of residents.
While we probably have farther to fall, it feels to me like we’re reaching the point where we’ll have to readjust to the world as it is and make some changes in what we do and the way we do it in Michigan.
My mood as we head into 2010? Happy. Hopeful. Ready for some hard work.
How about you?
View this photo bigger or check out his whole Mulligans Hollow slideshow for more big air.
PS: If you’re looking for something to do tonight, here’s Absolute Michigan’s New Year’s Eve Happenings.
PPS: Governor Granholm has proclaimed January as Michigan Snow Sports Month. I hear that Absolute Michigan will be doing something with that.
winter on lake michigan, photo by haglundc.
Cathy says she didn’t get in the water this time. Here’s a shot of Kirk Park in warmer times (and info about the beach including a map).
Check this out background big or in the Michigan Woods, Water & Nature group slideshow.
Night Moves, photo by SGallagh.
At this time of year, the thought of all the people without homes weighs heavily on me. The Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness is a nonprofit association of emergency shelters, transitional housing programs, nonprofit housing and service programs, government programs and concerned citizens from across the state. Visit their web site for information about organizations & events across Michigan where your money or time can make a huge difference.
While reading some of the articles on their web site, I found it surprising that families make up more than half the homeless in Michigan. 77% of families are homeless due to a lack of affordable housing, and one out of every 3 homeless persons is a child. Here’s a Michigan Radio series on homeless teens in Michigan and a Free Press feature on first-time homelessness in MIchigan that I think are worth your time.
Check out this photo from Bay City bigger or in Sean’s Street set (slideshow).
Speaking of streets, Sean is the photo of the day editor for a cool new site for Saginaw/Bay City/Midland and beyond called 360 Main Street.
Leelanau County Farmland, photo by kuku4manitou.
The Center for Michigan has a feature on the growth of Michigan agriculture in recent years. It’s the latest in their series of Michigan success stories and like the other stories in the series, it makes for inspiring reading in these days when all we seem to hear is what’s broken in Michigan.
Check this out bigger and check out more photos from Joe’s June flight over Leelanau County.
Here’s many more Michigan farms from the Absolute Michigan pool.
Blue reflections, photo by eYe_image.
Crain’s Detroit reports that Comerica Inc. will move its remaining Detroit employees out of Comerica Tower at 500 Woodward and renovate a building it owns on Lafayette Avenue. The move follows Comerica’s moving of its HQ to Dallas and will leave the building 70% vacant. It does allow some enterprising entity to put their name on the 2nd tallest building in Michigan.
Wikipedia’s Comerica Tower entry says that:
The building was designed by noted architects John Burgee & Philip Johnson, partners influential in postmodern architecture. One Detroit Center was constructed from 1991 to 1993. To form a stylistic link to the past, it was designed in a historicist fashion, with Flemish-inspired spires.
…The building is famous for its postmodern architectural design topped with neo-gothic spires. It uses a large amount of granite. Sometimes called a “twin gothic structure”, for its pairs of spires, it is oriented North-South and East-West (as named on a plaque along the Windsor waterfront park). One Detroit Center won the Award of Excellence for its design in 1996.
A twin tower dubbed Two Detroit Center was proposed to be built directly east of the tower when the One Detroit Center was proposed, but a soft office market killed the plans, and Two Detroit Center was put on hold, indefinitely.
The photo shows the Renaissance Center (GM headquarters and Michigan’s tallest skyscraper) with Comerica Tower reflected. Be sure to check it out bigger and in Larry’s Abstract Architecture set (slideshow).
You might also enjoy the Comerica Tower slideshow from the Absolute Michigan pool.
Ren Center at night, photo by mikesophia
The Saginaw News has a nice feature on Saginaw resident Bob Heft, designer of the 50 star American flag. Heft was the creator of the longest-serving flag in US history and passed away Saturday at the age of 67:
Heft was 17 in 1958 when he received an unusual phone call from an important individual. When the caller asked for Robert G. Heft, the teenager said, “Yes, but you can call me Bob.” He didn’t realize he was speaking with President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Heft’s high school project had been selected by the president to represent the United States of America and the 50-star U.S. flag was born.
Winford said Heft would “beam with pride” because of his work and was a constant inspiration for children. He said he taught them how to follow their dreams.
Heft visited the White House 14 times under nine presidents and toured with Bob Hope.
You can get a little more about Heft from Wikipedia and at usflag.org, where they relate that his design receieved a B- because it lacked orginality. He did say that he would give Heft a high grade if he could get Congress to accept the design.
Mike says that he loves the flags in front of the Renaissance Center. Check this out bigger and in his Favorite set (slideshow).
Van Buren County Courthouse (Paw Paw, Michigan), photo by courthouselover.
Jordan writes:
The Van Buren County Courthouse was erected in 1901 with the designs of Claire Allen of Jackson, Michigan. It is similar is appearance to the Classical Revival courthouse in Hillsdale, Michigan.
Wikipedia’s entry for Claire Allen says that he was was a prominent architect in southern Michigan in the early twentieth century. He was head of the firm of Claire Allen & Sons and his resume includes the Chelsea Clock Tower.
Be sure to check this out bigger and in his Michigan County Courthouses set (slideshow)
More Michigan courthouse shots on Michigan in Pictures.
Michigan in Pictures 