Empire boasts a thriving public beach and two unique local festivals — Asparagus Festival in May and Anchor Day (this year on Saturday, July 16). But too often the cozy village fails to sustain crowds, and commerce. Business is booming at the colorful Miser’s Hoard and at hip Sleeping Bear Surf & Kayak, but what should be done about the vacancies at the hardware store, or the old Taghon’s garage and schoolhouse on the corner of M-22 and M-72.
What’s remarkable about the Baremans’ work is that, wherever possible, they’ve used reclaimed and refurbished materials to improve their home, which they call the HalSeaOn House. Mark, who together with his brother owns a commercial construction business called Bareman & Associates, believes he’s saved 75 percent of the cost of buying new materials. Using reclaimed materials has cost him time, but that he writes off as a hobby.
Like many Glen Arborites, Molly Melin is frustrated. Earlier this week her Verizon Wireless cell phone went from full strength to “no service.” She’s been hampered without phone service, data connections, and text messages. Luckily, this Friday will see service restored.
The Las-Vegas Review Journal reports that Eneliko Sean “Liko” Smith — the enigmatic former Samoan boxer who attempted to acquire Sugar Loaf resort last year — was arrested last night in Nevada for driving under the influence. Liko Smith is being held under a no-bail warrant and could face extradition to El Dorado County, Calif., where he reportedly left behind more than $100,000 in unpaid room taxes.
Northern Michigan is “bear country” and seeing one of these magnificent creatures may be a highlight of your visit to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (National Lakeshore) this summer as bear sightings have increased, particularly near the Platte River Campground. In 2010, Park Rangers received over two dozen reports of bears and bear “signs” in and adjacent to the park.
Volunteers are being sought to assist with the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore’s avian botulism beach monitoring program. An informational training program for prospective volunteers will be held from 1-4 p.m. on Thursday, June 2 at the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (National Lakeshore) Visitor Center, 9922 Front Street, in Empire.
Following his ill-fated alleged attempt to acquire Sugar Loaf resort in Leelanau County a year ago, Eneliko Sean “Liko” Smith once again finds himself in legal hot water for his role with LV Air, ultra-luxury carrier that was supposed to fly between Las Vegas and New York, and received national media attention when it was announced in February.
The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (the local branch of the National Park Service) is announcing a new firewood program established to protect park forests from invasive insect and diseases commonly spread through the transport of firewood.
This weekend, May 6-7, the Flow for Water Coalition will team up with the Great Lakes Water Studies Institute, Northern Michigan College and Michigan Citizens for Water Conservation to present the 2011 Conference “Saving the Great Lakes Forever”.
n early March 2011 I invited the Representative of Michigan’s 101st District, Ray Franz to come and speak with my students at Onekema Elementary School about his role in our State’s government, I asked him to speak of current issues in Michigan that would be of interest to a typical third grader, and to answer student questions regarding our natural resources, energy, transportation, and our civil liberties.