MichiBlogger

MITCH ALBOM’S PLAY “DUCK HUNTER SHOOTS ANGEL” is at Circle Theater and runs through the 24th.

CLADOPHORA IS GREEN AND SLIMY: Great Lakes threatened by return of slimy algae

This form of algae faded from the Great Lakes about four decades ago but is making a comeback, according to experts.

“The nightmare may be poised to repeat itself,” the Michigan Environmental Council said in a statement accompanying a report released Wednesday.

Algae blooms have been on the rise since the mid-1990s in parts of all the Great Lakes except Lake Superior, whose icy waters aren’t as hospitable to the slimy aquatic plants.

The problems in the 60s were caused by high levels of phosphorus, and measures to cut down in the 70s are credited with solving them. But phosphorus is still around and apparently levels are rising. And I just pointed out that levels in Lake Macatawa were down a few weeks ago.

UPDATE: Meanwhile, the Feds are helping fund a scenic heritage route along a 170-mile stretch of Lake Michigan shoreline between New Buffalo and Ludington. What are we going to have? Spring Algae Tours?

HERE’S THE LINEUP for the 2006 Blues on the Mall series at Rosa Parks Circle:

• June 21 - Larry McCray
• June 28 - Jimmy Dillon with Trevor Menar
• July 5 - Nick Moss & The Fliptops
• July 12 - Ana Popovic
• July 19 - Jimbo Malthus
• July 26 - Bernard Allison

Kenny Neal kicked things off on Wednesday. WLAV-FM sponsors the series.

“THE CHILDREN THERE NEEDED SHOES”: A shoe drive honoring Eric Burri, who was killed in Iraq last June.

THE FIRST NEXT-GENERATION NUCLEAR-POWERED AIRCRAFT CARRIER, referred to as “CVN-21″, may be named after Gerald R. Ford:

Virginia Sen. John W. Warner, who is completing his final year as chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, sponsored an amendment to name the future carrier after the nation’s 38th president. The amendment to the annual defense authorization bill won Senate approval on a voice vote.

It seems like a stretch to me, but who knows? The newest carrier in the fleet is the Ronald Reagan, and the next one will be the George H.W. Bush. Personally, I think the ship (which will really be designated CVN 78) should be named America. The previous USS America was sunk last year in weapons tests.

GR PRESS EDITORIAL ON THE TERRORIST RISK AT THE BORDER:

Discovery of an apparent terrorist bomb plot in Canada ought to reverberate in the United States, particularly in Michigan.

It’s the other border that’s (rightly) getting all the coverage, but we cannot ignore the northern border, either. Why this bust of terrorists in Canada isn’t bigger news, I don’t know.

HOME: 126th Armor Battalion

14 members were training the Afghan national army. Well done.

THIS IS CRAZY: Teen flies to Mideast for MySpace rendezvous.

“Mideast”, in this case, means Tel Aviv, Israel.

She’s from Michigan.

I DON’T THINK THIS WILL HELP: Father of Slain Marine Sues Church, Pastor

WaPo:

Attorneys for the father of a Marine whose funeral in Westminster, Md., was disrupted by members of a Kansas church who displayed signs proclaiming anti-gay statements filed a civil lawsuit in federal court in Greenbelt yesterday against the church and its pastor….The lawsuit accuses Phelps and his followers of defamation, invasion of privacy and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

While it’s clear that the Westboro Baptist Church, headed by Fred Phelps, is a pack of lunatics, I have trouble believing that this lawsuit is going to be successful. And when it’s dismissed or the judge rules against the Marine’s father it’s going to be perceived among some as a vindication for the group and a validation of their actions.

For pics of the Westboro bunch outside of a military funeral, and the Patriot Rider-organized screen, see Outside the funeral for Sgt. Rick Herrema of Hudsonville, MI

–cross-posted from Murdoc Online

“EVERYBODY SHOULD SPEND SOME TIME IN HELL while they can enjoy it”:

The tiny town of Hell, Michigan got worldwide attention, Tuesday, as reporters and visitors poured in. Tuesday, June 6, 2006 is also known as 666, the mark of the beast.

This is better than the ever-popular “hell freezes over” jokes, I guess. But this might be pushing things a bit:

At 6:06 p.m. a few couples planned to get married in Hell.