A Saturday Afternoon at Canham Natatorium

A packed house at Canham Natatorium

On Saturday, my family and I attended the Michigan-Michigan State swimming and diving meet at Canham Natatorium on the University of Michigan campus. My wife and I want to expose our daughters to sports that are hard to find on television and that might interest them. Both MSU and U of M have more than 20 varsity sports (and a few high-level club sports). Most of these student-athletes are not household names, and many are not on a full scholarship. 

Other than football, basketball, and hockey, both schools charge a minimal fee, or no fee at all, for spectators to attend their sporting events. Some student-athletes might have Olympic or professional aspirations, but the remainder push themselves beyond their limits to improve their teams and to discover how much faster they than go, how much higher they can reach, and how much stronger they can be. 

Exported From Michigan: The Fall and Rise of the Great Lakes State

Exported From Michigan at the Wealthy Theatre in Grand Rapids

"There are many ways of going forward, but only one way of standing still." -Franklin Roosevelt

Over a period of a few decades, Michigan's economy went from one of the country's strongest to one its most depressed. Michigan became complacent, stood still, and lost its innovative edge. After years of its industries drying up or moving jobs out of state, many people looked around and thought, "What happened and what do we do to fix this?"

Grand Rapids native Jon Vander Pol's documentary Exported From Michigan explores the many Michiganders who are answering these questions and creating new and innovative ways for Michigan's economy to move forward. The film does not cast blame but instead preaches hope through the stories of Michiganders from varied backgrounds who believe in the state's future.

Seeing the Michigan Union for the First Time

My daughter looking out at the world

I lived in Ann Arbor during my undergraduate years in the mid-1990s. I spent many hours studying and socializing in the Michigan Union during that time, but a recent visit to Ann Arbor with my two-year-old daughter introduced me to a Union that I had never experienced before.

While my wife, oldest daughter, and our friends were listening to a Martin Luther King Day lecture that my two-year-old could not sit still through, I explored every floor of the Union with my tiny travel companion. As she looked out the Union's windows for the first time, I noticed for the first time the number and variety of window panes throughout the Union and the unique views of Ann Arbor that they provided.

State Street and the University of Michigan Museum of Art

The University of Michigan Museum of Art

Colored panes distorting the view of State Street

Angell Hall

Looking out and in

Multicolored panes distorting a view

A tour group by the Cube

Three windows. Many panes.

Opaque glass looks like ice

The Law Quad

A courtyard

Fathers, Sons, And College Football

The view from my dad's seats

NFL insiders cannot believe that Jim Harbaugh would want to take a "step down" to coach college football at the University of Michigan. Their myopic view ignores the passion of college football fans and the personal investment many of us have in our state universities.

My dad died in October, and sports are not the same without being able to share the elation of every victory and the pain of every defeat with him. My dad followed all of Detroit's professional sports teams, but he followed only one team with an almost religious devotion. Sundays were God's day, but fall Saturdays belonged to the University of Michigan football team.

My dad went to U of M in the late 50s when Michigan football was pretty much as mediocre as it has been the last few years. Everything changed in 1969 when a young coach named Bo Schembechler took over as Michigan football's head coach. Although most fans did not know how to pronounce "Schembechler" when he was first hired, his teams did what no one else did to Woody Hayes's Ohio State teams--took a punch and punched them right back in the mouth. My dad saw the fight in Bo's teams and was hooked. He bought season tickets in the early 1970s and kept them until he died.

For about 40 years, he had the same seats in section 8. From the first time my parents carried me into the stadium as an infant, I have been lucky to attend many classic games at Michigan Stadium over the last few decades. Except for the years I was a student at Michigan, I watched most of the games from those seats.

Best of the Net 3/19-3/31

A dog, a child, a family, a community

Some stories remind us of humanity's capacity for kindness while also reminding us of the unique bond between humans and dogs. The Battle Creek Enquirer recently featured one such story. Five-year-old David Facey was born with cerebral palsy and severely addicted to drugs, and doctors did not believe he would live past his first birthday. Despite his health issues, Arlen and Betty Facey fostered David and later adopted him. They then invested thousands of dollars to get Venture, a service dog, for David.

Venture and David quickly bonded. David learned to accomplish physical goals with Venture's help, and Venture alerts when David's oxygen becomes low. Unfortunately, Venture suffered a leg injury that would have made him unable to serve David. However, several charities worked to raise money for Venture's surgery. Thanks to the help of strangers, Venture is now helping David succeed again.

Rebuilding lives from crumbling buildings

Jewelry company Rebel Nell uses graffiti from crumbling Detroit buildings to make jewelry. As reported by PolicyMic, Rebel Nell's co-founders have partnered with the Coalition on Temporary Shelter (COTS) to hire women staying at shelters. Rebel Nell's ultimate goal is to help the women transition into permanent housing.

Best of the Net 3/11-3/18

Detroit is happy and kind

Detroit recently made two lists that will make Detroiters proud. First, Business Insider reports that Jetpac, a company known for its "social travel" app, analyzed millions of Instagram photos for photos of people smiling and laughing. Jetpac's analysis revealed Detroit to be the ninth happiest city on its list of the twenty happiest cities in the United States.

Maybe Detroiters are happy because they help each other out. MLive reports that OnStar's roadside safety service revealed that Detroit drivers make more "Good Samaritan" calls through OnStar to assist other drivers than the drivers of any other U.S. city.

3-D printing saves a boy's life

University of Michigan doctors and engineers used 3-D printing to create a splint for 18-month-old Garrett Peterson's bronchi, the airway that conducts air into the lungs. As reported by MLive, Garrett has a rare disorder that caused his bronchi to collapse into the size of small slits. U-M doctors performed a surgery to implant the splints, and Garrett's bronchi have remained open. This procedure will allow Garrett's parents to eventually take him to their home to Utah after he has spent his entire life in hospitals.

Here's a video of Garrett's struggles and the doctors who saved him:



Detroit Institute of Music Education

Detroit has influenced American and international music for years. Now, Detroit is adding a music college. The Detroit Free Press reports that the Detroit Institute of Music Education (DIME) will open at the Bamlet Building on Griswold in Downtown Detroit. DIME will offer students the opportunity to earn a bachelors degree in music with courses in guitar, bass, vocals, drums, songwriting and music entrepreneurship.

Two popular Michigan beers are back

It's hard to find a beer "Best of" list that does not include at least one beer from Bell's or Founders. Even if Mother Nature is not ready for Spring, each of these two brewers is celebrating Spring with the release of a popular beer. Bell's is releasing it's popular wheat ale (and one of my longtime favorites) Oberon on March 24.

Founders released its KBS, or Kentucky Breakfast Stout, today as part of KBS Week in the Grand Rapids area. Ratebeer.com recently named KBS the Best Beer in America. For a list of bars serving KBS in the Grand Rapids area, read this report by MLive.

Three Michigan schools go dancing

The NCAA men's basketball tournament starts this week, and Michigan has placed three teams in the "Big Dance." Although that might not seem like a big number, two talent-rich basketball states, Illinois and Indiana, surprisingly did not place even one team in the tournament this year.

Big Ten champion Michigan and Big Ten Tournament champ Michigan State hope to advance deep into the tournament while MAC champ Western Michigan look to make some noise by upsetting higher ranked teams.

Best of the Net 3/3-3/10

8-year-old boy feeds his peers

Cayden Taipalus, an 8-year-old elementary school student in Howell, was upset when his peers who did not have sufficient funds in their lunch accounts received a cold cheese sandwich instead of a hot lunch. The Huffington Post reports that Cayden started a grassroots campaign to raise money for his school that soon raised enough money for 34,000 meals, allowing Cayden to share the wealth with other local schools.

Young Detroiters cultivate gardens

The Detroit School Garden Collaborative allows students at 51 Detroit schools to cultivate gardens while also cultivating their minds. Michigan Nightlight explains how the program exposes some children to natural foods they have never tasted while allowing children to learn about careers in agriculture that they otherwise may not have considered. 

Michigan Tech's innovative research

Michigan Technological University is conducting groundbreaking research in the U.P. Upper Peninsula's Second Wave highlights the university's leading research in 3D printing, a bionic foot for amputees, and a snow grooming machine that allows snow to be "paved" into usable roads.

Detroit poem gains recognition

The New York Times featured a poem about Detroit in its "Poetry Pairing" on March 6. "There Are Birds Here," a poem about Detroit by Jamaal May, is paired with a Times article about blight in Detroit.

Traverse City makes another travel list

Travelpulse.com has named Traverse City as one of its "Best Wine Vacations in the U.S." The travel site praises the region's wine industry's "fruity and award-winning flavorful antiques."

Michigan basketball rises to the top

The University of Michigan men's basketball clinched its first outright Big Ten championship since 1986 with a victory over Illinois last week. They then beat Indiana on Saturday to finish the season with a three-game lead over the two teams tied for second place.

Best of the Net 2/18-2/24

I have been battling a nasty cold/cough the last several days, so here is an abbreviated "Best of the Net." As always, these are just a few of the many good stories coming out of the Great Lakes State.

Grand Rapids is Healthy

Grand Rapids always seems to be on lists of healthy places to live. MLive reports that the city ranks in the top 10 nationally for places to get healthy and to stay healthy according to Livability.com.

Wolverine Merits Recognition

Michipreneur reports that former University of Michigan basketball team captain David Merritt has started a fashion line, called Merit, that gives 20% of every purchase to fund college scholarships for underserved youth. Merit has one store in Ann Arbor, and shoppers can also visit the company's website at meritgoodness.com.

A U.P. Revolution

Upper Peninsula's Second Wave features Revolutions, a program in the Marquette area that aims to inspire kids to enjoy biking, snowshoeing and skiing. Revolutions is open to children between the ages of 11 and 18.

Inspiring Girls in Grand Rapids

BitCamp is a program in Grand Rapids that hopes to inspire young girls to pursue careers in science, technology, and computer science. Rapid Growth features the program's efforts to give hands-on technology experiences to girls here.

Best of the Net 1/13-1/26

Happy Birthday to Michigan!

Michigan celebrated its 177th birthday yesterday. Michigan became a state on January 26, 1837. After 177 years, the Great Lakes State is as beautiful as ever.

Opportunities to Succeed in Detroit

Southeast Michigan Startup features a great summary of career preparation programs for children in the Detroit area. One of the programs featured is Go-Girl, which encourages 7th grade girls to build skills in science, technology, engineering and math. The feature also highlights programs that encourage interest in health professions and entrepreneurship.

Ice Climbing In The U.P.

It may be really cold in the Upper Peninsula during the winter, but the frigid temperatures do create opportunities for outdoor adventures. Pure Michigan explores the sport of ice climbing. In the Pure Michigan story, ice climber Bill Thompson shares the thrill of climbing the Pictured Rocks along Lake Superior. The Pictured Rocks are not the only location to ice climb in Michigan. The state has the highest concentration of ice climbs in the nation. To learn more about ice climbing, daring adventurers can visit the Michigan Ice Fest in Munising this weekend.

Detroit Lives

Detroit Lives, LLC is one of many Detroit success stories. Crain's Detroit Business highlights the company's growth from a T-shirt company to video production house with new headquarters in the David Stott Building in Downtown Detroit.

104 Weekend Days in Michigan, Part IV

I already have listed weekend activities 1 through 26, 27 through 52 and 53 through 78 that I would try to do with 104 weekend days in Michigan. Today, I give you the last 26 days of Michigan fun. As with the previous posts, this list is in no particular order, and I have tried to include at least one activity from every corner of the state. 

Weekend Days 79-104

79. Play Baseball or Catch on Navin Field

Navin Field

Walking the hallowed grounds of the former Tiger Stadium (aka Navin Field) is staggering for any Detroit Tigers fan. When I visited in October, I was thrilled to be standing on the same field where so many baseball and football legends played for more than a century. I watched a pick-up game of baseball and wished I could step into the batter's box for an at bat. Thanks to the hard work of the Navin Field Grounds Crew to save the field from neglect, visitors can still play ball at the corner of Michigan and Trumbull.

For information about the old Tiger Stadium and the Navin Field Grounds crew, check out the documentary Stealing Home.

80. Kayak Copper Harbor

The Upper Peninsula offers so many outdoor activities, including kayaking. Copper Harbor is a great place for beginning kayakers to learn the ropes while taking in the natural beauty of the U.P. This community is at the farthest northern tip of the U.P. on Lake Superior. In addition to kayaking, Copper Harbor offers hiking and mountain biking trails. Read Things to Do in the U.P.'s review of a kayaking trip through the harbor here.

81. Drive M-22

The section of M-22 between Traverse City and Manistee along Lake Michigan is one of the most scenic roads in Michigan. AOL Autos named it one of the "Five Awesome American Roads to Drive in a Ragtop" this past Labor Day. The road passes by small towns, sand dunes and smaller inland lakes, providing drivers with stunning views of Lake Michigan.

82. Stroll through Dow Gardens

Midland's Dow Gardens offer "110 Acres of Nature's Beauty." Herbert H. Dow, the founder of Dow Chemical, developed the gardens with eight acres in 1899. Future generations of Dows continued to develop the gardens until they reached their current size. Dow Gardens offer a rose garden, trees, wildflowers, 18,000 tulips, a six-acre stream and a children's garden.

83. Go to a College Hockey Game

Yost Ice Arena at the University of Michigan

Michigan is a hotbed of college hockey with Division I teams at Michigan, Michigan State, Ferris State, Lake Superior State, Michigan Tech, Northern Michigan and Western Michigan. State schools have won a total of 19 NCAA championships with the University of Michigan leading the nation with 9 NCAA titles all-time. The in-state rivalries among these teams are intense and definitely worth watching.

84. See the Detroit River from a Kayak

There would be no Detroit without the Detroit River. The French chose the city's location because of its strategic location for the fur trade in the 18th Century. The river was first traveled by Native Americans and European explorers in small craft like canoes. Although the scenery may have changed in the last 300 years, modern explorers can rent a kayaks and canoes to view the river from a new angle.

Riverside Kayak is based out of Wyandotte, allowing visitors to see the Downriver section of the Detroit River, but the company also arranges tours of Detroit's canals and the Rouge River. Detroit River Sports is located on Belle Isle, allowing views of Belle Island and the Detroit riverfront.

104 Weekend Days in Michigan, Part II

Yesterday, I listed the first 26 weekend activities that I would try to do with 104 weekend days in Michigan. Today, I give you 26 more days of Michigan fun. As with yesterday, the list is in no particular order, and I have tried to include at least one activity from every corner of the state. 

The Second 26 Weekend Days

27. Spend a Saturday at Eastern Market

Shed 2 at Eastern Market

Detroit's Eastern Market is an outdoor public market that has been in operation since 1891. It spans six blocks and offers locally grown produce, jams, honey, and meat. Surrounding the market are several specialty stores, including Supino Pizzeria, Germack Coffee and Pistachio Roasters and the Russell Street Deli. I visited Eastern Market for one of their Tuesday markets in October and had an amazing time. Saturdays bring even more vendors to the market, and I imagine the only downsides to that are a longer wait at Supino and a tougher time finding parking.

28. Explore the Eben Ice Caves

The Upper Peninsula is full of natural wonders, and the Eben Ice Caves look like they might be one of the most impressive. The caves are located in the Rock River Wilderness area of the Hiawatha National Forest. I have never been, but I stumbled upon the great blog Things to Do in the U.P.'s description of the caves. It looks absolutely breathtaking. For pictures and Things to Do in the U.P.'s review, click here.

29. Awake to the Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes

Sleeping Bear Dunes Photo by National Park Service

Few things are as quintessentially Michigan as the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, so I feel ashamed to admit that I have never seen them. The dunes are one of Michigan's most famous places, having been named the most beautiful place in America by Good Morning America. The dunes offer outdoor activities like swimming in Lake Michigan, climbing the dunes, walking the beaches and camping.

30. Watch a Movie at a Drive-In Theater

Drive-in theaters have been a dying industry for years, but I loved going to movies at the Troy Drive-In as a kid in the 80s. Although the drive-in theater was not invented in Michigan, they would not have become popular without Michigan's automobile industry. A few holdouts remain throughout the state, so load the family in the car and watch a movie like your parents and grandparents used to.

For a list of Michigan drive-in theaters still operating, click here. Do not forget to support them financially by buying their concessions instead of bringing your own snacks.

31. Listen to the Beaumont Tower

Michigan State University's bell tower is one of the most famous sites on campus. It was completed in 1928 and houses a carillon with 49 bells. The carillon is one of only 170 in the United States (twelve of them are in Michigan). At 6:00 p.m. every Wednesday in July, the university holds a carillon concert. Beaumont Tower is open for tours every Tuesday during the school year at noon or by appointment during the summer. During the weekends, you can admire the tower's architecture and hear the bells play the Westminster quarters every quarter of an hour.

104 Weekend Days in Michigan, Part I

If you are lucky enough to live in Michigan, it is too easy to fall in love with your hometown and surrounding neighborhoods and to forget to explore the rest of the Great Lakes State. Despite spending the first 23 years of my life in Michigan, I did not spend enough time venturing outside of the familiar.

With 52 weekends per year, there are 104 work-free days to view the many outdoor activities and cultural attractions that Michigan offers. I have compiled the many things I would try to do with my 104 weekend days in Michigan, if I still lived there. The list is in no particular order, and I have tried to include at least one activity from every corner of the state. I have not done most of these before, and some I have already done but would love to do again.

The First 26 Weekend Days

1. Drive Across the Mackinac Bridge

Mackinac Bridge Photo by Jeffness

The Mackinac Bridge joins Michigan's two peninsulas and is the third longest suspension bridge in the world. It was the gateway to some of my favorite childhood vacations and the closest I ever came to flying while in my parents' car. If you have not seen it, you are missing out on a true engineering marvel.

2. Swim in Lake Superior

Lake Superior never gets warm, but during the late summer it becomes less cold. Unlike Lake Michigan or Lake Huron, most people probably visit the largest Great Lake to view its beauty with the understanding that they would never take the plunge into its waters. I have never swam in this lake, but it is there taunting me.

True thrill-seekers might consider jumping from a cliff into Lake Superior from the Black Rocks in Marquette.

3. Tour the Fisher Building

Detroit's Art Deco masterpiece is stunning from the outside, but it would be a mistake to see the exterior and not step inside to view its ornate interior. For an interesting review of a Fisher Building tour, read this post from Mitten History. For tour information through Pure Detroit, click here.

4. Visit Drummond Island

Michigan is known for its two peninsulas and its famous Mackinac Island, but with four Great Lakes surrounding it, the state has several islands that most Michiganders have never visited. Drummond Island sits across a small channel from the eastern tip of the Upper Peninsula. Accessible by ferry, the island is full of wildlife and a outdoor activities like camping, kayaking, fishing, hunting, birding and hiking. Visit the Drummond Island Tourism Association for more information.

Best of the Net 11/25-12/8

Hope For Young Detroit Engineers

Focus: Hope is a nonprofit that has battled "hunger, economic disparity, inadequate education, and racial divisiveness" in Detroit since 1968. One of their many education programs is the Center for Advanced Technologies (CAT). CAT allows students to earn a salary while obtaining an engineering degree tuition-free from Lawrence Technological University, Wayne State University, University of Detroit Mercy or the University of Michigan.

Management consulting firm Principia LLC's blog recently highlighted the CAT program's partnership with the University of Michigan College of Engineering. Since 2007, two Detroit students have obtained Nuclear Engineering Bachelors degrees and another obtained a Bachelors in Material Science while four students are continuing their engineering studies.

U.P. Love

Author and Michigan native Jim Harrison wrote what amounts to a love letter to the Upper Peninsula for The New York Times. The piece includes a stunning slideshow of photos, Harrison's favorite locations in the U.P. and some of his favorite childhood vacation memories. Reading Harrison's review of the U.P. makes me want to load up the car and make a trek over the Mackinac Bridge.

Kids Learn About Entrepreneurship

Michigan's support for entrepreneurs and startups is not limited to adults. Michigan's Kidpreneur offers classes, workshops and events to children aged 9 to 13 about entrepreneurship and technology. Michipreneur reports that Kidpreneur recently finished its first pilot program in Northville and Novi with 10 children finishing the nine-week program and another 40 children completing workshops.

Starting in January, the program will expand to Downtown Detroit with a possible expansion to Ann Arbor in the future.

The Real Slim Shady Stands Up

Wolverine Human Services is a Michigan-based charity that provides support to abused, neglected and delinquent children. Michigan's own Eminem agreed to match up to $100,000 for donations made to the charity on Tuesday, December 3, according to MLive. Wolverine Human Services supports youth and families throughout 38 Michigan counties with substance abuse, residential treatment and independent living programs.

Ultimately, the donations did not reach the charity's goal of $100,000, but it did raise $72,174 that Eminem's Marshall Mathers Foundation will match.

W.A.R. Against Human Trafficking

The Rapidian reports that Wyoming-based charity Women at Risk International (W.A.R. Int'l) assists in the fight against human trafficking in all 50 states and more than 30 countries. One of the ways W.A.R. raises money is through its two boutiques in Rockford and Wyoming, Michigan. The boutiques sell items made by women who have been assisted by W.A.R. The items include ornaments, jewelry, purses, books and fair-trade coffee and the proceeds go back to the organization's efforts to prevent trafficking and to the women who create the products.

All For Detroit

Detroit nonprofit All Four One strives to create more college opportunities for Detroit students. Detroit Unspun featured the nonprofit's work in Detroit and its recent roundtable discussion for 50 high school students. Wayne State University hosted the discussion about college opportunities and preparedness for college life. The article also focuses on All Four One founder and Detroit native, Ishmail Terry, and his initial struggles in college and how he eventually found success.

A Superior Youth Program

Michigan State University Extension educator Joan Vinette developed the Life of Lake Superior Youth Program 13 years ago to give Upper Peninsula children in Alger County a sense of appreciation for the largest great lake. Michigan Nightlight reports that the program gives children aged 9 to 14, and their parents and grandparents, the "opportunity to explore their community and appreciate local arts, natural resources, history, culture, recreation, and careers relevant to those who live in proximity to the lake's shoreline."

The program does not charge fees for children to attend, and it runs for four days each July with an average of 75 children participating. The program also teaches children and families to live healthier lives by providing nutritional meals as well as an introduction to the many outdoor activities available in the U.P.

Wayne State Grad Starts From Scratch

Michigan is full of entrepreneurial-minded individuals who are working to get their businesses off the ground. Crain’s Detroit Business highlights one entrepreneur, Rakesh Katragadda, who started his business with a credit card and the help of government and nonprofit economic development funds. Katragadda’s company, Ann Arbor-based AMF-Nano Corp., makes wireless environmental sensors to “monitor water and air quality, temperature, humidity, soil quality and other conditions.”

This inspirational story shows how a good idea, some risks and support from various sources can lead to a successful business.  Katragadda, a Wayne State alum, projects revenue of $500,000 to $1 million next year and up to $12 million in three to four years.

Michigan State Smells Roses

Michigan State University's football team clinched its first Rose Bowl in 26 years with a huge upset of the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Big Ten Championship game this past weekend. Do not tell the Spartans it was an upset though. They played old school line-‘em-up-and-knock-‘em-down football on Saturday night with dominating performances by their offensive line and defense. With their 34-24 victory over the Buckeyes, the Spartans finished a season in which they beat every Big 10 opponent by 10 points or more.

This Michigan fan has been impressed by their defense all year and would love to see how they would measure up against Florida State or Auburn. Instead, they will play a Stanford team in the Rose Bowl that also likes to play power football. 

Congratulations to Coach Dantonio and his Spartans on an almost perfect season. Good luck in the Rose Bowl!