Leelanau.com Blog
leelanau county news • traverse city news • michigan news

The Leelanau Enterprise notes that the Leelanau Chamber of Commerce is holding a Community Business Forum Wednesday morning (April 18) from 7-9 AM at the Leelanau Sands Showroom. The forum is designed to help local business owners develop strategies for this year and beyond.

The cost will be $10 for Chamber members and $15 for non-members and includes breakfast. Sponsor tables can be purchased for $100. Make your reservation by calling the Chamber at 271-9895 or emailing info@leelanauchamber.com.

FIM Group and Northwestern Michigan College have collaborated to present the inaugural TEDx TraverseCity on Tuesday, May 17, 2011 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the Milliken Auditorium at Northwestern Michigan College. Tickets go on sale TODAY (Tuesday, April 5) at 10 AM through the website at www.tedxtraversecity.com. They will probably go quickly!

The daylong event's theme is designed to educate, inspire and connect great minds by honoring innovators who have passion, curiosity, creativity and adaptability to change the world with revolutionary ideas. Guest speakers include Carl Ganter, director and co-founder of Circle of Blue; Ellen Gustafson, co-founder of FEED Projects; environmental activist Peter Sinclair; Dominique Jaurola, founder of Hunome; photojournalist Paola Gianturco;  James Gartner, television and film director; Carl Erickson, cofounder and president of Atomic Object; American conductor Kevin Rhodes; author and Great Lakes advocate Jerry Dennis, author; educator Yong Zhao; and marine science educator Teresa Carey who you can learn about in the video below!

TEDx  is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. TED started in 1984 as a conference bringing together people from three worlds: Technology, Entertainment and Design. You can click that link for a lot more information and some amazing TED Talks that take you from the deepest caves to the planet Saturn and explore cool innovations such as transforming education with video or Google's driverless car with all kinds of luminaries including Bill Gates (state budgets), Jane Goodall (what separates us from the apes) and web innovator Ze Frank.

April 1, 2011, Maple City, MI - Today financial magnate, reality TV star and Presidential aspirant Donald Trump unveiled "Trump Leelanau", a combined hotel, office park and high-end pet spa in Maple City. At 1723 feet, the soaring structure easily surpasses the Willis Tower in Chicago as the tallest building in the United States.

"Those who know me know that I like to dream big, and go big," The Donald explained. "Michigan has really been hurting and I wanted to make a statement that it's time for Michigan to go big or go home. I chose Maple City because everyone knows that you can't beat the jerky at Gabe's and also because I found out that Maple City residents spend an average of $67 per year more on pet recreation than the national average."

Long-time Maple City resident Lois Flaska expressed a common sentiment, telling us "Well like everyone else, it's taking some getting used to for me when I take Mr. Fluffles for a walk and all of the sudden bam! there's this giant building up there and I think I'm in New York or something.

It's really nice that Mr. Trump is offering a 50% discount to all Maple City residents on pet grooming - Mr. Fluffles really loves his new 'do!"

If you enjoyed this...

Tim Allen declares for Governor!

Foretold Pole Switch a Boon for Leelanau - a rare bonus for those "left behind" on Spring Break

Great Lakes Submarine Photo Validated - what lurks under Lake Michigan?

Sheriff's Department Announces New "Sky Eye" Program - via the Leland Report.

Stunning Cherry Discovery - Researchers find startling new health benefit for cherries.

Sleeping Bear Awakes tells the story of what happened when the legendary Mishe-Mokwa, the sleeping bear of Sleeping Bear Dunes, woke up.

Fishtown Theme Park - Michigan's newest theme park opens in Leland!

Pyramids Unearthed tells of a dramatic discovery made by a kindergarten class at Pyramid Point.

Strange Tourist is a dramatic account of a "tourist" who came from a looong way!

Leelanau County isn't the only part of Michigan to experience odd events. Click for Jeff Daniels to star in Chrysler Emigrated from Escanaba commercials, Bank bailout "tweak" to spur auto industry and Canadian Freeze Ray Wreaks Havok on Michigan!

There's a petition for county government to take a role in broadband access for Leelanau Peninsula that we strongly urge you to review and support. The preamble and text state:

Leelanau County continues to fall behind with regards to to adequate Broadband internet access, due to unserved, and under-served areas. Geographically, Leelanau County has been bypassed by affordable and accessible middle mile infrastructure upon which last-mile services can be built. As education, emergency management, telecommuting, and commerce are more and more dependent upon adequate internet access, We hereby request your acceptance of the need and necessity, and demonstrate interest and show of support as the elected representatives of the People of Leelanau County.

We, the undersigned, request the Leelanau County Board of Commissioners to support and solicit through the "Request for Proposal" for the development of a middle mile broadband open access network.

Click here to view and sign the petition!

The public is invited to a community conversation about Natural Resources and the Economy on February 23rd asking the question: Is a View of the Bay Worth More Than Half the Pay?

How important do you think natural resources are to the future of our economy? Join business leaders and the Grand Vision Natural Resources Network for a panel presentation and community conversation on Wednesday, February 23rd from 6:00 – 9:00 pm to discuss how these resources help to drive our region’s prosperity. The event will be held at the Oleson Center in Traverse City, located on the main campus of Northwestern Michigan College. It is being hosted by the Natural Resources Network of the Grand Vision, which includes businesses, civic , and environmental organizations.

The event will feature opening remarks by Derek Bailey, Tribal Chairman of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians; a panel discussion with Jim MacInnis, President and CEO of Crystal Mountain Resort, Matt Myers, Co-Owner of M-22, Deborah Wyatt Fellows - Publisher of Traverse, Northern Michigan’s Magazine, Kim Pontius, Executive Vice President of the Traverse Area Association of Realtors and Gene LaFave, Developer.

Panelists will share their perspectives on the importance of natural resources to the success of business in our region and then participants in the event will be invited to join break out groups to discuss the following questions as they relate to different topics such as recreation and access to nature, regulatory frameworks, education, energy, food, transportation, and housing.

Snacks will be served and door prizes, including several wildlife prints, will be awarded. There is no fee to participate, but pre-registration is encouraged due to limited space. You may register by contacting The Watershed Center Grand Traverse Bay, 231-935-1514 Ex. 4 or by e-mail todbaker@gtbay.org. On-site registration on the day of the event begins at 5:30pm.

Photo Credit: Pyramid Point from Van's Beach in Leland by Trish P. - K1000 Gal

(still) waiting for sugar loaf, photo by farlane.

The lift line is looooooooong today...

I posted this photo in April of 2008 after Brad Lutz announced he was pulling out of a purchase agreement. While we're waiting, here's a new poll!

 Loading ...

Discuss at Turning the page on Sugar Loaf.

The Leelanau Enterprise reports that County commissioner David W. “Chauncey” Shiflett and the county board’s Wireless Internet Subcommittee are exploring Leelanau County residents' use of and satisfaction with their Internet service and whether or not there's a role for county government in improving Internet service.

The county is seeking proposals from about a dozen Michigan internet service providers to gauge interest in setting up a wireless Internet backbone on the Leelanau Peninsula using county-owned towers and other assets which could then be utilized by providers of wireless internet service.

Rob Franzo of Mitten Communications is working as a consultant for the county and said:

“What we’re proposing will essentially complete the ‘middle mile’ for service providers ... The whole idea behind our plan would be to remove some of the barriers that have prevented companies from investing in Leelanau County and being able to provide better Internet service to more remote areas of the county."

Subcommittee chairman Shiflett said the overarching goal of the group should be to ensure that at least 95-percent of Leelanau County residents have access to wireless Broadband Internet service...

(county information technology director Ron) Plamondon said he had been in touch with representatives of several schools in Leelanau County who, he said, are very interested in the issue because students are now routinely being issued laptop computers and doing homework online.

Photo Credit: Winter in the Leelanau Peninsula. by John Levanen

The Grand Vision reports that the inaugural Regional Energy Expo was a resounding success that drew almost 1500 people to NMC's new Aero Park Laboratories to learn about all manner of issues and products related to energy.

Practical information on everything from solar power and wind energy to developing home energy sources like wood pellet burning appliances for home heating was on display. Energy experts in these and other fields were on hand to answer questions and explain new and familiar technologies to those in attendance.

CEO of Kirtland Products Leon Tupper was delighted at the turnout. Kirtland specializes in home heating devices fueled by the burning of wood pellets. A technology widely used in Sweden where wood pellets are used to heat entire municipalities, this form of energy is relatively new to the US. “The Expo is going great and we are surprised at the turnout for a first year event. People didn’t come here by accident. Everyone we’ve spoken to is interested in renewable energy and they are informed and knowledgeable which is making this really enjoyable. We are getting great feedback and perspectives.” Leon said.

Here's a video report from the Expo:

Photo Credit: 2011 Regional Energy Expo by farlane

Scroll down also for Brian Keane of SmartPower's lecture on Thursday night!

The Grand Vision Energy Network and Northwestern Michigan College invite you to the 2011 Regional Energy Expo. The Energy Expo will take place Saturday, January 15, 2011 from 9 AM to 5 PM at the brand-new NMC Aero Park Laboratories (2525 Aero Park Drive, Traverse City). This event is also the grand opening of this state of the art facility.

There is no charge to attend what will be one of Michigan's largest energy expos that features over 60 energy industry experts introducing you to new technologies and helping you understand what's what in the rapidly changing field of energy use and conservation. There will also be educational sessions on topics including Renewable Energy Systems, Energy Audits, Lighting & Geothermal Systems and Financing Renewable Energy Systems.

The Grand Traverse Insider quotes Ed Bailey, the Network's convener and Director of Technical Disciplines

“Our focus is to educate and raise awareness on issues related to energy. It's important to help people get a real understanding about the whole topic of energy. There are some very polarized opinions out there, and the more people understand, the more informed decisions they can make to move this area in the right direction.”

Head over the the Grand Vision Energy Network to learn more about this event and don't miss a lecture with Brian Keane, president of SmartPower on Energy Efficiency this Thursday (Jan 13) at 7 PM at the Olsen Center in Traverse City.

Photo Credit: Fort Dix solar panels by U.S. Army Environmental Command/a>

Jeff Smith of Traverse Magazine asks Can Sugar Loaf Mountain Come Back? After presenting a really excellent history of the resort from its founding in 1964 and through its sad demise (we're almost at the 10 year anniversary of its closing), Smith takes a look at what's going on right now. Some highlights:

Rumors are circulating that some kind of Sugar Loaf deal is in the wind involving an investment group headed by David Skjaerlund, from Owosso. Skjaerlund spent the past several months getting options on several Sugar Loaf town houses and nearby properties, according to Tony Mattar, who co-manages the town house association.

(County Commissioner Dave "Chauncey" Shifflet) has worked with county planner Trudy Galla to establish a brownfield development authority in large part to address any contamination issues at Sugar Loaf—subsequent studies of the buildings and underground storage tanks have found very little contamination. He and Galla have also laid the groundwork for a tax increment finance zone that could help the developer pay for demolition and cleanup costs.

...Shifflet has been beating the drum for a business center there for years now—high tech info-based businesses that just need a fat data pipeline to do their work. “We have an aging population. We have to figure how to attract young working families that doesn’t revolve around recreation. We need employment opportunities, like intellectual arts, multimedia content creation, maybe a film production studio. People working day in and day out, not just on the weekends,” he says.

Click to read much more at MyNorth.com, and if you have comments, please post them to our Sugar Loaf blog!

Photo credit:Sugar Loaf Mountain from Ski Michigan (see a couple more photos right here and get more Michigan skiing info at skimichigan.com!)