The Michigan Land Use Institute takes an interesting look at the role of the Bay Area Transit Authority (BATA) in the overall transportation mix of the region that includes a brief video. They write that:
On Tuesday, November 6, BATA is asking voters like me to approve a renewal of 0.35 mills to continue funding bus service in Grand Traverse and Leelanau Counties. It’s not a tax increase, but simply a renewal of what we’ve been BATA over the last three years. The owner of a $100,000 home, with a taxable value of $50,000, BATA says, will continue to pay $17.50 a year—about a nickel a day.
Read more and watch the video in BATA? You Bet! from the MLUI and let us know what you think in the comments.
The Traverse City Record-Eagle sent out an update yesterday saying that a Deal is in the works for Sugar Loaf Ski Resort. They have the full article today titled Shuttered Sugar Loaf may get new life:
A man with Leelanau County ties is purchasing the long-shuttered Sugar Loaf Resort property.
An attorney for resort owner Kate Wickstrom said his client approved a purchase agreement for the property with Brad Lutz, a seasonal Leelanau County resident. Lutz is working on details related to the resort's sewage treatment system before the transaction is finalized, said his attorney, Robert Parker of Traverse City.
"He's real excited about it ... he's very committed to re-opening the ski hill," Parker said.
So there you go ... let the speculation (and ski waxing) begin.
This Friday (Nov 2), Sen. Michelle McManus will deliver a talk on "Restructuring Michigan & 2008 Budget" and answer questions at the Munnecke Room at the Leland Library at 7PM. Highlights include:
- What do the new tax laws mean for you?
- What do small businesses need to know?
- How to get the state moving forward?
There is no cost, tickets nor reservations required and you can contact Dave Baldwin of the Leelanau Republican Party by email or by calling 231-334-4991 for more information.
Photo credit: Sen. Michelle McManus, R-Lake Leelanau, with her daughter Mary, weighing the fish she caught during the Michigan Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus fishing trip on June 25, 2007.
UPDATE Nov 1: The Record-Eagle reports that Muskegon Western Michigan Christian (ranked #1 in the state) defeated Suttons Bay 5-1 last night in the Division 4 soccer semifinal match - congratularions on a great season Norsemen!
UPDATE Oct 25: Suttons Bay defeated Lincoln-Alcona last night 2-0 to win the regional soccer title. The Norsemen (26-1) will favce the winner of the Bridgman vs. Muskegon Western Michigan Christian game on Wednesday at Holton.
The Traverse City Record-Eagle reports that One goal was enough for Suttons Bay to defeat North Muskegon in the Regional soccer opener.
Jason McKisson scored the only goal of the game with 9:17 remaining as Suttons Bay edged North Muskegon 1-0 Tuesday and advanced to Thursday's Division 4 regional soccer final.
Suttons Bay (25-1) will play Lincoln-Alcona at 7 p.m. The Tigers advanced with a 1-0 win over Harbor Light Christian.
To view more photos from the game, go to the Suttons Bay Schools web site, note the user name and password, click on the Norse Pix link and then select the "Suttons Bay Soccer" album.
Dawn, Looking West Across Sutton's Bay by kiddharma
News from the Week
In a addition to a few fall events: the Suttons Bay Fall Art Walk and the Leland Fall Frenzy, we also noted a forum being held in Traverse City (tonight) that will explore controversy on the Michigan Supreme Court and featured another Leelanau blog, Stories of the Purple Plate, that seeks to help folks share their appreciation for others. That Fall Frenzy article also has a photo of M-22 just south of Leland that is available in wallpaper size.
The Week's Weather
The weather was up and down, with a gorgeous weekend and fall color that was pretty darn good.
October 18, 2007: Wind, rain, storms & 70s (75Ëš/57Ëš)
October 19, 2007: Early rain, the sun & low 60s (64Ëš/53Ëš)
October 20, 2007: Morning showers, then sunny & 60s (64Ëš/53Ëš)
October 21, 2007: Sunny, breezy & 70s - an amazing day! (75Ëš/61Ëš) just 3Ëš off the record!!
October 22, 2007: Mostly cloudy, some rain & 60s (69Ëš/46Ëš)
October 23, 2007: Cloudy, rainy & low 50s (55Ëš/43Ëš)
October 24, 2007: Mostly cloudy, scattered showers & 40s (48Ëš/41Ëš)
Click for the Leelanau news archive from October 2006!
The Leelanau Enterprise reports that the League of Women Voters will hold a community forum to examine the controversy surrounding the Michigan Supreme Court this Thursday (Oct 25) at 7 PM at the Oleson Center at Northwestern Michigan College in Traverse City.
Speakers include Detroit Free Press columnist and the executive director of the Michigan Campaign Finance Network. Michigan Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Weaver of Glen Arbor has been invited. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call Elizabeth Johnson at 326-2636.
Photo: Michigan Supreme Court by Justin Maconochie
The blog Stories of the Purple Plate was started by Jolynn Paige (who also sells The Purple Plate through her web site). Her family began using the purple plate to show their love and appreciation for each other. She writes:
We put the purple plate in our cupboard with the rest of our everyday dishes. When it comes to the top of the stack, it gets set on the table at someone's spot, and then during dinner, each family member takes turns saying positive affirmations about the person who has the plate.
Currently, she's featuring Schoolship captain Tom Kelly and the entire staff at Inland Seas Education Association - click through to read!
The village of Leland invites you to visit this Saturday (Oct 27) for the annual Fall Frenzy - a day-long, town-wide, end of the season sale. Celebrate the end of the summer season in Leland and historical Fishtown with cider, doughnuts, and special sales.
Visit the Leland Chamber of Commerce for more about Leland's shops, stores & restaurants!
Photo: M-22 just south of Leland by Andy McFarlane (view bigger)
Next Friday (Oct 26) 16 village galleries & shops will host award winning regional artists and offer visitors a chance to hear live music, sample wines from ten of Leelanau County's wineries and register to win a $250 shopping spree at the end of the annual Suttons Bay Fall Art Walk.
The event is sponsored by the Suttons Bay Chamber of Commerce and you can contact Sue Ann Round at the Michigan Artists Gallery (271-4922) for more information.
Painting by Dan Oberschulte - courtesy Michigan Artists Gallery.
This Sunday (Oct 21) at 3 PM the Interlochen Arts Academy Orchestra returns to the Northport Community Art Center (NCAC). The NCAC writes:
This orchestra was programmed at the NCAC in our first year of operation back in the fall of 2001. They literally brought the house down with their magnificent playing. They perform like a professional symphony orchestra and when you look closely you’ll find they are all high school students. Obviously, they are the cream of the crop so you expect the best and you get better than the best. They will perform a varied program of listenable music that will play over and over again in your memory.
Matt Hazelwood is the conductor. He has been at Interlochen for many years and was the conductor in their initial appearance here in 2001. A great many of the young musicians you will see and hear go on to professional careers in music. You’ll find Interlochen musicians from this orchestra on the roster of many of the great orchestras in the United States and, indeed, the world.
Tickets are $15 adults, $5 students and available online at the Northport Community Art Center web site.
