Archive for July, 2008

Five Hot Dogs That Will Kill You

Wednesday, July 30th, 2008

MORE HOT DOGS: A while back I noted Grading West Michigan’s hot dog joints. For those that can’t get enough of the things, be sure to check out Five Hot Dogs That Will Kill You.

The title is an exaggeration. Barely.

LCS 1 USS Freedom on Lake Michigan

Tuesday, July 29th, 2008

NEW WARSHIP ON LAKE MICHIGAN: Freedom (LCS 1) Begins Builder’s Sea Trials

Freedom (LCS 1), put to sea for the first time, marking the beginning of Builder’s Sea Trials for the first-in-class coastal surface combatant.

The agile 378-foot Freedom, designed and built by a Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT]-led industry team, is conducting Builder’s Sea Trials in Lake Michigan. The trials - which are a coordinated effort between the U.S. Navy and the Lockheed Martin team - will include operational testing of the vessel’s propulsion, communications, navigation and mission systems, as well as all related support systems.

LCS1 USS Freedom on Lake Michigan

Army orders Lions draft pick Campbell to withdraw

Wednesday, July 23rd, 2008

LIONS SCREWED AGAIN: Army orders Lions draft pick Campbell to withdraw

Caleb Campbell will not get a chance to play for the Detroit Lions because of a change in military policy.

Campbell was a seventh-round draft pick for the Lions in April. At the time, Army policy would have allowed the West Point graduate to serve as a recruiter if he made the team.

But a subsequent Department of Defense policy has superseded the 2005 Army policy.

Not that this is really a serious blow to the Lions. Campbell wasn’t projected to have a major impact on the team. But it’s just another example of things going from bad to worse for the struggling team.

Razing Tiger Stadium

Monday, July 21st, 2008

SAD:

razing_tiger_stadium

Taken July 17th. See the whole gallery here.

2008 Meijer Festival of Races 15K Traverse City

Thursday, July 17th, 2008

15 KILOMETERS OF FUN: 2008 Meijer Festival of Races 15K at the Cherry Festival in Traverse City this past weekend:

I ran the race and it was hot and humid. Near the race’s midpoint, on McKinley Street, is a massive hill that doesn’t seem to end. Once you get to the top, it’s even steeper going down the backside. They call that stretch “Mt. McKinley”, and for good reason.

Free PBS at KDL

Tuesday, July 15th, 2008

VERY COOL: Download Free PBS Programs from Kent District Library. The price is right.

Test Post

Thursday, July 10th, 2008

THIS IS TEST. Move on. There’s nothing to see.

Hot Dogs

Thursday, July 10th, 2008

Pronto Pup

YUM: Grading West Michigan’s hot dog joints

I noticed the Pronto Pup of Grand Haven:

313 S. Harbor, Grand Haven (grandhavenprontopup.com)

Eaten: The Pronto Pup (only thing on the menu), a dog on a stick dipped in batter, cooked in 100 percent vegetable oil and served “naked,” or slathered with ketchup or mustard

Verdict: A lot like a corn dog, but oh, so much better. The use of a wheat-based, rather than corn-based, batter adds an intangible sweetness to the dog. Another classic West Michigan item — available seasonally and the third weekend in January — that’s nearly perfect in its simplicity.

Grade: A

The small Minnesota town where I grew up had a summer festival called the Pow Wow, and one of the top treats was the “Pow Wow Pup,” which many people referred to as a “pronto pup.” I’ve always thought that I liked the Pow Wow Pups more than I like standard corn dogs (which I do like very much) and wondered if it was a different sort of batter. This description of a “pronto pup” makes me think it was. Wikipedia says that the pronto pup had its origin at the Minnesota State Fair.

Reviewing West Michigan’s best hot dogs

Carnival of Homeschooling #132

Wednesday, July 9th, 2008

CARNIVAL OF HOMESCHOOLING: Let’s Go To The Ice Cream Parlor!

GRNow Weekly Preview

Monday, July 7th, 2008

THIS WEEK: GRNow Weekly Preview July 7-13