Majestic Michigan

Recycled Falls Crafts For Kids: Thanksgiving, Christmas

2017-11-22T18:10:00.001-05:00

Parents, do the holidays find you up to your eyebrows in kids and work? Why not put those vacationing youngsters to work making #Crafts, greeting cards and decorations for Thanksgiving, #Christmas, Kwanzaa, Chanukah, or whatever winter holidays you celebrate? These cheap, green homemade crafts save money using recycled materials while keeping preschool kids productively busy and helping prep for your celebration. Recycled Holiday Crafts For Kids: Thanksgiving, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and Chanukah

Mama June wins at weight loss but obesity earns Honey Boo Boo her own craft beer

2017-09-21T17:59:00.001-04:00

Miss Mama June Shannon is working her weight loss and plastic surgery makeover, but obesity is paying off for Honey Boo Boo with a craft beer devoted to her "avoirdupois!" Odd Side Ales "Honey Blue Blue" pays tribute to the pageant divette with a blonde-haired, blueberry-faced logo. So this is just "ale" in good fun, but it could be a portent of future health dangers. Mama June wins at weight loss but obesity earns Honey Boo Boo her own craft beer

MLK Jr. Day connects Detroit, Rosa Parks bus to New Orleans Congo Square, Kwanzaa

2017-01-30T16:25:00.001-05:00

MLK Jr. Day and Black History Month link Detroit and Dearborn's Rosa Parks bus to a New Orleans Congo Square Kwanzaa Connecting the dots to liberty and justice for all: Martin Luther King connects Henry Ford Museum's Rosa Parks bus, Hurricane Katrina and an unutterably lovely Treme Kwanzaa. MLK Jr. Day connects Detroit, Rosa Parks bus to New Orleans Congo Square, Kwanzaa

Trans-Siberian Orchestra burns off winter blues, rings in Christmas Solstice in Michigan

2016-12-21T22:53:00.001-05:00

Are you feeling Grinchy in winter snow, ice and cold, West Michigan? Got a case of the Krampus this Christmas? Then get thee to Grand Rapids, Michigan Van Andel Arena to see Trans-Siberian Orchestra perform its rock opera "The Ghosts of Christmas Eve." Think you can't afford TSO? Think again because tickets start at an affordable un-Scrooged $64. Let TSO burn away those winter blues and ring in the Winter Solstice! Trans-Siberian Orchestra burns off winter blues, rings in Christmas Solstice in Michigan

'My 600-lb Life' Teretha Hollis-Neely weight loss shows prayer, Detroit sass beat obesity

2016-10-10T13:02:00.001-04:00

An 800-lb Detroit social worker, Teretha Hollis-Neely, was daily attempting suicide and her weapon of choice was food. Ironically, the obese woman was also an anti-obesity advocate. But bedridden Hollis-Neely is walking for the first time in two years, thanks to bariatric surgeon Dr. Younan Nowzaradan of "My 600-lb Life," divine intervention, and a little Detroit spunk. Teretha's 340-lb weight loss after gastric bypass proves that prayer and moxie can beat a serious food addiction. 'My 600-lb Life' Teretha Hollis-Neely weight loss shows prayer, Detroit sass beat obesity

Free printable May Day lessons: Unions, organized labor movement from Detroit labor history and around the world

2016-03-28T16:28:00.001-04:00

Spring is a poignant time in labor history. March 25, 1911 remembers 146 workers, mostly women, lost in the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire. April 16 mourns Ireland's Easter Rising of slain Feinians. April 28 marks Workers' Memorial Day, on which the organized labor movement pays tribute to the fallen in workplace accidents or in organized labor struggles. May 1 is May Day, honoring International Workers' Day. May 4 commemorates casualties at Chicago's Haymarket riot at a 1886 labor rally. May 19, 1920 is a day when the organized labor movement grieves the Matewan and Mingo County massacre of coal miners. On May 26, 1937 those who would from unions were assaulted at Ford's River Rouge plant "Battle of the Overpass" in Detroit. Free printable May Day lessons: Unions, organized labor movement, labor history

Lenten almsgiving service project with social studies, math lessons | Examiner.com

2016-02-22T22:54:00.001-05:00

I homeschooled our children, our Catholic Lenten lesson plans centered on prayer, fasting and almsgiving, in solidarity with the poor and imitation of our Lord Jesus. A favorite Lenten service project was to help with church missions for our twin parish in Haiti. Here's a Lenten almsgiving service project. Make personal care kits and school supplies kits for those in need. Lenten almsgiving service project with social studies, math lessons | Examiner.com

Winter safety: Prevent frozen pipes, furnace trouble, power outages, house fires

2016-02-08T11:07:00.001-05:00

Big news in the US is snow and record low temperature. If there's one thing West Michigan knows, it's cold, snow and ice. And the northern upper peninsular and west Michigan area gets a special kind of precipitation called "lake effect" snow. Lake effect translates to "monster truck loads full, heaped everywhere, buried under" snow. It's so iconic that there's a beer named after it! So all that snow is pretty and good for skiers, but it also causes a plethora of winter safety hazards. Here are winter safety tips to prevent house fires, power outages, frozen pipes, furnace trouble. Winter safety: Prevent frozen pipes, furnace trouble, power outages, house fires | Examiner.com

Winter ice cream desserts, alcoholic desserts, frozen dessert recipes, yes, seriously in winter!

2016-01-07T22:29:00.001-05:00

Did you gorge on goodies this Christmas? Are you now seriously considering diet your New Year's resolution? Very commendable, but wait a moment on the weight loss regime. There's still two food blow-oust in the holiday season lineup: New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Both features feeding frenzies galore! New Year's Eve features cocktail appetizers and yummy hors d'oeuvres and New Year's Day is all about indoor football "tailgate" parties and game day buffets. So feast on Dec. 31 and Jan. 1 and diet on Jan. 2. Because here are frozen dessert recipes--suitable for New Year's Eve or New Year's Day spread--you won't want to miss! These ice cream desserts are delicious year-round, especially in a hot summer. But despite the cold weather, festive ice cream desserts, are welcome at winter holiday parties too. New Year's Eve ice cream desserts, alcoholic desserts, frozen dessert recipes | Examiner.com

Christmas trees: Evergreen tree choices for holiday decorations

2015-12-21T21:30:00.001-05:00

Shopping for Christmas trees? Shouldn't be all that difficult, right? After all, Christmas trees are pretty much the same, aren't they? Actually there are several different evergreen trees grown for use as Christmas trees. Here is a guide to choosing Christmas trees, based on style, allergic properties, ease of decorating and cost. This author's hometown of Grand Haven, Michigan is Christmas Tree Central, so you're getting this info from the "roots"--so to speak. Starting with less expensive, here are evergreen tree choices. Christmas trees: Evergreen tree choices for holiday decorations | Examiner.com

Free Thanksgiving dinners in and around West Michigan 2015

2015-11-16T16:39:00.001-05:00

In chilly November, most of us in West Michigan are planning our Thanksgiving dinners, shopping, cooking and baking. Our biggest worry is shoveling that pesky snow off our drive and walks. Others, sadly don't worry about shoveling or cooking because they don't have a drive to shovel, homes to eat in or families to enjoy. Just eating for today is their worry. But there's good news. Local groups are preparing free Thanksgiving dinners.Free Thanksgiving dinners in and around West Michigan 2014 | Examiner.com

Angler hooks cow catfish: Moo-ve over sofa shark, orca cowfish took the bait | Examiner.com

2015-10-22T16:18:00.001-04:00

Moo-ve over sofa shark, 'cause orca cowfish took the bait. An unidentified Oklahoma angler hooked a cow catfish, reported GrindTV on Oct. 21. No, this wasn't a giant catfish of cowish proportions. Nor was it a mini orca whale, as some have suggested. The skin of this catfish was patterned in signature orca or Holstein black and white! Reel-y! That's no fish tale. The handsome catfish had large, friendly cow eyes, which complete the bovine look. And he was a nice chunky fish specimen which provoked the mini orca comments. So call him "cow catfish" or "cowfish" or "orca cat" or whatever, the critter's distinctive piebald pattern certainly made a splash! Add to that, the impressive whiskers of the catfish and this is one handsome catch.Angler hooks cow catfish: Moo-ve over sofa shark, orca cowfish took the bait | Examiner.com

Michigan man pulls gun over Grand Haven, Mich., Walgreens parking spot: Pistol packing parker panics | Examiner.com

2015-10-12T19:06:00.001-04:00

Getting that special parking space is serious business. At least it was to a Comstock Park, Michigan man who pulled out a gun over a parking spot at Walgreens in Grand Haven. The pistol packing parker panicked when someone else went for his chosen spot, so he grabbed his weapon and brandished it at his opponent. The weapon-wielding Walgreens warrior wasn't named in the WOOD TV-8 Oct. 10 report, but he was said to be 58 years old. The guy he took aim at was 24. Michigan man pulls gun over Walgreens parking spot: Pistol packing parker panics | Examiner.com

Michigan plague case diagnosed: 14 bubonic plague victims in 2015 outbreak - Grand Rapids News | Examiner.com

2015-09-16T21:37:00.001-04:00

A Michigan plague case has been diagnosed, reported the Denver Post on September 15. That brings the number to 14 bubonic plague victims in the 2015 outbreak. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services found an Upper Peninsula Marquette County woman with plague after visiting Colorado's Salida music festival. The victim is being treated and health officials assure that there has been no human-to-human transmission in this case. This is Michigan's first plague diagnosis.Michigan plague case diagnosed: 14 bubonic plague victims in 2015 outbreak - Grand Rapids News | Examiner.com

Tiger roams Detroit Packard plant: Wild animals 'shot' in historic factory ruin - Grand Rapids News | Examiner.com

2015-08-18T20:45:00.001-04:00

Seeing Lions and Tigers in Detroit is no surprise when they're on the ball fields. Seeing a live tiger roaming in the vacant Detroit Packard plant is quite another. ABC News reported August 17 that the tiger wasn't the only creatures wandering the empty factory. There were also several wolves, a bob cat and a naked woman in a trench coat. Turns out wild animals were "shot" in the historic factory ruin (shot as in the photographic kind, that is). Tiger roams Detroit Packard plant: Wild animals 'shot' in historic factory ruin - Grand Rapids News | Examiner.com

Shipwrecks visible in northern Lake Michigan: Wrecked boats appear in Michigan - Grand Rapids News | Examiner.com

2015-05-07T14:38:00.001-04:00

A Michigan May means strawberries, sunshine and...shipwrecks? Several shipwrecks are visible in the clear waters of northern Lake Michigan. Live Science said May 6 that the hulls of several wrecked boats show up clearly from elevated promontories between Ludington, Frankfort, Leland and Traverse City, Michigan.

The boat wreck of the Rising Sun, a 133-foot-long wooden steamer foundered during an early snowstorm in shallow water just north of Pyramid Point on October 29, 1917. Its wreckage sits in 6-12 feet of water. The skeletal remains show up starkly in Lake Michigan's sandy bottom and vivid turquoise waters. Lake Michigan's water is gloriously blue everywhere and especially in the stretch. Shipwrecks visible in northern Lake Michigan: Wrecked boats appear in Michigan

Detroit Institute of Arts' Kahlo-Rivera exhibit gives Cinco de Mayo attitude

2015-05-05T17:57:00.001-04:00

Looking for an outside-the-pinata Cinco de Mayo experience, a celebration with attitude? Tired same-old margaritas and tacos? Why not check out the Detroit Institute of Art's Frida Kahlo-Diego Rivera exhibit? These two Mexican artists were anything but stereotypical. Their passion for communism, reflected in their individual art, provides interesting contrast to commercial Cinco de Mayo schmaltz. Detroit Institute of Arts' Kahlo-Rivera exhibit gives Cinco de Mayo attitude

Hoppy National Beer Day! Best Double IPA, Imperial IPA beers for hopheads - Grand Rapids Holidays | Examiner.com

2015-04-24T16:34:00.001-04:00

Hoppy National Beer Day! Nope that's not a typo: hoppy beer is what makes hopheads happy! They crave beers bursting with bitter, pine-resin, citrus-spice hop notes. The hoppiest tipple is an IPA (India Pale Ale). And the coup de grace is Double IPA or Imperial IPA. Here are the best double and imperial IPA beers. All are Michigan beers, oh frabjuous day! <---That's me and my pub hub pal at Odd Side! Hoppy National Beer Day! Best Double IPA, Imperial IPA beers for hopheads - Grand Rapids Holidays | Examiner.com

Satanists erect anti-Christmas demonic nativity scene at Michigan State Capitol

2014-12-17T19:28:00.001-05:00

A Satanist group put up an anti-Christmas demonic nativity display at Michigan's State Capitol. West Michigan Star 105.7's Tommy Dylan reported on the Satanic Temple of Detroit's "Snaketivity Scene," Dec. 17. The Satanists call their counter-nativity display "Knowledge is the Greatest Gift" as per theFacebook page.

The Michigan State Capitol Commission approved the Satanists request to erect their holiday display, based on first amendment rights, and pending promises to abide by on-grounds display rules. Satanists erect anti-Christmas demonic nativity scene at Michigan State Capitol

Halloween 2014 Spooktacular trick-or-treat fun in Pentwater, Michigan

2014-10-25T12:48:00.001-04:00

Pentwater, Michigan is West Michigan's place to be this Saturday October 25, 2014. It's the 7th annual Halloween Spooktacular! Enjoy a lollapalooza of trick-or-treat and fall-themed fun for the whole family. Check Pentwater's Spooktacular page for updates. Here's what to expect.Halloween 2014 Spooktacular trick-or-treat fun in Pentwater, Michigan - Grand Rapids Holidays | Examiner.com

ArtPrize Frustrations and Fails, Artprize 2014 Disappoints

2014-09-29T20:11:00.001-04:00

Well, we just visited ArtPrize 2014 (a public-juried art show/contest downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan). I go every year because I love art. But this year, ArtPrize signally failed to impress. There were very few large, 3D pieces. The prime locations--bridges, Grand River, museum lawns, B.O.B.--had few, if any, pieces. The B.O.B's parking lot, always a hot spot crammed with fascinating pieces was mostly food trucks and DJ stands this year. I feel like I called this last year, when I enumerated the fails of ArtPrize. ArtPrize 2013 Frustrations and Fails.

I got a Smartphone this year and was supposed to be able to vote (one of my biggest peeves of ArtPrize is the need to vote by phone). But the app didn't even work. Also, I just learned that some of the prizes are awarded by a panel--thus negating the concept of "public-juried" as we've always been led to believe ArtPrize was. It's kind of like the beefs with the electoral college vs. popular vote in elections. And that small panel seems to have a bias, or at least a very different idea of what constitutes art, than the general public. Take Gon Kiron, the fire breathing dragon from Detroit. That entry WAS ArtPrize 2013. It was always featured in media, newscasts, articles, etc. People came to ArtPrize specifically to see Gon Kiron. Downtown

merchants have Gon Kiron artists to thank for the huge influx of business. It was big, loud, interactive, hands-on, loved by all ages and tons of fun! It was probably expensive for operators to feed that thing all the propane it needed for nightly fire shows that people mobbed the BOB (I can attest to standing room only) to see.

But it didn't even place in the top 25. I think these problems led to fewer high-quality entries. Artists don't want to bother putting lots of energy and time into a piece when judging is so (I'm sorry to say it) incompetent. If coordinators don't fix some of these problems, they turn this around and change some of the glitches, I predict that ArtPrize will fizzle out. And that would be heart-breaking.

Travel Guide to Best Michigan Beaches, Waterfronts

2014-07-13T14:54:00.000-04:00

It's no secret I love my native state of Michigan. I've grown up practically in Lake Michigan. Our license plates used to read 'Water Wonderland' and indeed Michigan is known for beaches and water sports. A friend who hails from New York, quipped when she saw Lake Michigan for the first time--"This is a lake?? More like a small ocean!' And better than an ocean, our lakes are freshwater instead of salt. Besides our monumental Great Lakes: Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie and Superior, Michigan boasts hundreds of smaller inland lakes. Here's a travel guide for to Michigan's ten best beache rated for swimming, boating, water sports, camping, cleanliness, sand quality, safety, accessibility, water temps, DNR services, amenities. Most are located on Lake Michigan. Eastern Michigan--Lake Huron--has more industry, rock bottom and fewer swimable beaches.

Ludington: Ludington has an interesting beach configuration. If you turn off from US 31 at US-10 and go west you eventually hit Lake Michigan. At that point, you have Ludington's beautiful city beach with shady, grassy picnic area. You can also turn north there and drive along the lake to Ludington State Park. It's located along the Au Sable River which empties into Lake Michigan and connects to Hamlin Lake.

Silver Lake: A summer resort nestles on Silver Lake, which forms a sort of junction with Lake Michigan. It's famous for splendid dunes, gobs of water sport and gorgeous water.

Pentwater: Pentwater is a tiny community with a back-in-time feel. It's getting more built-up and touristy, but still retains that vintage lake resort air Michigan is famous for. Gone are several of our favorite historical establishments and in their place massive, expensive condos, but we still love it. Be sure to check out the main street antique mall.

Grand Haven: My hometown boasts the best waterfront layout on the Big Lake (what us old-school locals call Lake Michigan). Washington Street (the main drag) boasts Victorian homes and 1920s store facades. It walks you to the Grand River channel waterfront. Dewey Hill, across the river, forms a natural staging area for our Musical Fountain. Follow the river along our boardwalk to our historic pier, catwalk, lighthouse, foghouse and state park. Or turn the other way for marinas, Pere Marquette locomotive and on the Spring Lake just over the bridge.

Manistee: Explore trendy shops, antique stores, vintage booksellers, brew pubs and eateries on main street or drop down a few steps to the boat-lined riverwalk. It wends along the Manistee River and out to Lake Michigan. Manistee boasts some of our awesomest dunes!

Petosky: Named for the legendary Petosky stone (Michigan's state stone) Petosky combines upscale, cosmopolitan with charming beach themes for a delightful community.

North Muskegon: Had I written this article 30 years ago, Muskegon's beaches would have topped my list. Unfortunately, Muskegon was hit pretty hard by unemployment upheaval of its major industries. It does have some nice beaches--Pioneer Park, the oval and North Muskegon. The USS Silversides, a WWII submarine, is docked in the channel.

Remember, "if you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you" in Michigan! Oh and don't miss the old lighthouses--most every Lake Michigan beach has one!

Father's Day Activities In and Around Detroit

2014-05-31T15:51:00.001-04:00

Downtown and Metro Detroit are great places to celebrate Father's Day. There are venues for every taste and hobby. From sports to history to technology to arts, Detroit has it all. Here are suggestions for Dad. From motor musters to Motown! (Please excuse the typo in the first graph of this article--it snuck past my grammar check). Father's Day Activities In and Around Detroit

Holland Tulip Time Kicks Off, Just in Time for Mother's Day

2014-05-05T13:16:00.001-04:00

Tulip Time is the nickname for the annual Holland, Mich., tulip festival, celebrated the second week of May. It kicked off Saturday May 3 and runs till May 10 for 2014. Tulip Time events make great Mother's Day activities, especially if you can't get together on Sunday. Bring moms, wives, grandmothers, aunts, step-mothers, mothers-in-law, godmothers, girlfriends and daughters for a Mother's Day they'll treasure.

What's Tulip Time? Only one of the loveliest events in Michigan! There are three parades, including Volksparade (Folks Parade), Kinderparade (children's parade) and Muziekparade (a music and dance parade). Read on Holland Tulip Time Kicks Off, Just in Time for Mother's Day

Easy, Green Earth Day Bucket Gardens

2014-04-21T23:44:00.001-04:00

Earth Day, spring planting, summer produce--those conjure up happy green images. Do you love to garden but find yourself cursed with poor soil or a small yard? Or maybe you're one of those unfortunate apartment-dwelling green thumbs. Either way, it seems impossible to reconcile a love of gardening with a lack of basic garden essentials. You could join a community garden. In Michigan, these are flourishing (pun intended). We own our own home, but are joining a community garden in town because we love the concept (and our sumac has wreaked havoc with our soil). YIf you don't have a local community garden, start one. Or try this simple idea. You can have a produce, herb or flower garden right on your patio, deck or porch with bucket gardens. Read on Easy, Green Earth Day Gardens