The Michigan Land Use Institute's Julie Hay leads with:
Spurred by intense controversy over the price, size, and need for a proposed new sewer system in their community—as well as the process local officials used to approve the project—voters in this sleepy village near the tip of the Leelanau Peninsula will decide next Tuesday whether to retain or recall seven members of their village board of trustees, who support the idea.
We'll leave it at that and direct you to read the MLUI's excellent analysis of a very complex issue and other articles.
Read Northport Board Faces Recall Over Sewer Petition from the Michigan Land Use Institute
Read Sewer Foes Out for Recall in the Record-Eagle
Village of Northport recall ballot language
UPDATE (May 2nd): Blossoms are really coming on and if you're coming up to see them, you better make your travel plans now. They should be great this weekend!
The Leelanau Enterprise reports that Jim Nugent, director of the Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Station in Bingham Township says that a warmer-than-average spring will have the sweet cherries blossoming any time now. (they're already out on Old Mission) Tart cherry blossoms can be expected about a week after the sweets. As long as we don't have a hard frost, we're looking at a great crop.
Read Blossom Time a Bit Early in the Enterprise
You might also want to check out the NWMI Hort Station's Cherry Cam.
We also have a couple cherry blossom backgrounds from years past. The one to the right is from May 2004 and available in 800 x 600, 1024 x 768, Laptop and Widescreen. There's also the closeup to the left (taken in May of 2003) at 800 x 600, 1024 x 768, Laptop and Widescreen.
The Week's News
The stories were mainly events (apparently this is a big weekend for them) with the Leelanau Children's Center Silent Auction, Exposures 2006 Opening & Exhibition and From Women's Hands in TC all on Friday night. There was also a great daffodil photo by guest photographer Joel Gaff and an interesting piece on the newspapers of Leelanau County.
The Week's Weather
The weather was very nice (except for a bit of snow Monday night) and we finally got some much-needed rain. We haven't found any morels yet, but if the nights get just a bit warmer, we should be finding lots this weekend.
Thursday, April 20, 2006: Mostly cloudy & upper 60s (73°/62°)
Friday, April 21, 2006: Partly sunny & upper 60s (72°/37°)
Saturday, April 22, 2006: Early sun, then rain & 50s (63°/35°)
Sunday, April 23, 2006: Rain & upper 40s (50°/44°)
Monday, April 24, 2006: Some sun, some clouds & 60s (72°/36°)
Tuesday, April 25, 2006: Mostly sunny & low 40s (46°/33°)
Wednesday, April 26, 2006: Partly sunny, breezy & 50s (66°/28°)
Click for the Leelanau news archive from April 21st - April 27, 2005!
Spring Is Here, photo by corremadrid.
Today's photo is courtesy Joel R. Gaff Jr. You can view more of his photos (and order them online) at Gaff Photography.
The Leelanau Post has a great feature that looks back on the many newspapers that have been published in Leelanau County. There have been quite a few more than you may expect including the very exciting sounding "Burdickville Meteor".
Read Newspapers in Leelanau County in the Leelanau Post.
The annual Leelanau Children's Center Silent Auction will be held this Friday (April 28) at the Leland Lodge starting at 7 PM. It's always a great time and is the major fundraiser for the LCC.
Click for Silent Auction item listing!
Exposures would like you to join them this Friday, April 28 at the Old Art Building in Leland from 5-8pm for the opening of a special exhibit of student work chosen for the publication of "Exposures 2006" (exhibition continues Saturday).
Live music will be provided by Big Noise Jazz Combo, along with original art and readings.
The Leelanau Enterprise reports that National Park Service officials are seeking additional public involvement in planning a large stabilization and rehabilitation project for the 3,400-acre The Port Oneida Rural Historic District. The district includes 18 historic farms and 113 structures and is considered one of the largest intact agricultural districts in the entire National Park system.
Read Input for 'Stabilizing' Historic District Sought in the Enterprise
The weather was great, with lots of sun and temps mainly in the 60s and 70s. Daffodils came out in force and the leeks pushed up. About all you could complain about was the lack of rain (and morels)
The Week's Weather
Thursday, April 13, 2006: Sunny & upper 50s (61°/46°)
Friday, April 14, 2006: Partly sunny & low 70s (75°/41°)
Saturday, April 15, 2006: Sunny & upper 50s (57°/35°)
Sunday, April 16, 2006: Mostly sunny & low 60s (64°/33°)
Monday, April 17, 2006: Sunny & upper 50s (61°/28°)
Tuesday, April 18, 2006: Mostly sunny & low 60s (64°/33°)
Wednesday, April 19, 2006: Sunny & 70s (75°/36°)
Click for the Leelanau news archive from April 14th-20th, 2005!
Next Friday through Sunday, more than 150 talented female visual artists, authors, musicians and film makers will show and sell their works at "From Women's Hands," an all-female exhibition held April 28, 29 & 30 at the Hagerty Center in Traverse City. From Women's Hands connects art, community and service of the arts to benefit the Women's Cancer Fund.
This year, "Where I Live", a breast cancer oratorio, has been added to the 4th annual show. The Trillium Singers will be orchestrating the oratorio and are thrilled to have secured Amy Wallace-Styles, noted Philadelphia mezzo soprano, for the performance. There will be two performances for the public's convenience, Saturday evening from 7:00 - 8:00 and Sunday afternoon from 11:00 - 1:00. Tickets are available in advance by calling 218-0096.
Visit the From Women's Hands web site for much more information.
