Erin Crowell
Monday, March 14, 2011
:Fight the power Ken Paulson
Features
“Fight the Power”:A Rockin’ Look at the First Amendment
By Erin Crowell
How can you marry constitutional law with rock and roll and have it make
any sense?
It’s a question Ken Paulson, president of the First Amendment Center
(FAC), says he gets often before his Freedom Sings presentation, “Fight
the Power: The Music That Changed America.” Presented by the FAC—a
non-profit, non-partisan organization—the multimedia program aims to
remind Americans of the five freedoms of the First Amendment: speech,
press, religious liberty, assembly and petition.
By Erin Crowell
How can you marry constitutional law with rock and roll and have it make
any sense?
It’s a question Ken Paulson, president of the First Amendment Center
(FAC), says he gets often before his Freedom Sings presentation, “Fight
the Power: The Music That Changed America.” Presented by the FAC—a
non-profit, non-partisan organization—the multimedia program aims to
remind Americans of the five freedoms of the First Amendment: speech,
press, religious liberty, assembly and petition.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Everybody Vogue
Features
Everybody Vogue: Manistee prepares for landmark theatre’s reopening
By Erin Crowell
Click, click, pop!
Travis Alden flips the breakers and lets the warm glow of lights fill the
cold, dank basement of the Vogue Theatre. He follows a garden hose lying
on the cement floor to the boiler room in back.
“They used the hose to drain water from the roof into here,” he says as he
sweeps the light from his flashlight over a hole in the floor, filled with
two feet of sitting water. “Last week, the water covered this whole
basement.”
By Erin Crowell
Click, click, pop!
Travis Alden flips the breakers and lets the warm glow of lights fill the
cold, dank basement of the Vogue Theatre. He follows a garden hose lying
on the cement floor to the boiler room in back.
“They used the hose to drain water from the roof into here,” he says as he
sweeps the light from his flashlight over a hole in the floor, filled with
two feet of sitting water. “Last week, the water covered this whole
basement.”
Monday, February 28, 2011
Health hazards of a desk jockey
Features
Health Hazards of a Desk Jockey: Sitting at a desk all day is hell on your body
By Erin Crowell
“Human beings were not meant to sit in little cubicles staring at computer
screens all day.” – from the 1999 film Office Space
If you work at a desk, chances are, you had to work hard to get there –
your days as a pre-teen dishwasher are as far behind as your college
tuition payments. This is the culmination of years of education and
planning. Perhaps this desk is mahogany or there’s a sleek Mac at your
fingertips, along with an expensive office chair from eBay that is as
comfortable as a cradle.
By Erin Crowell
“Human beings were not meant to sit in little cubicles staring at computer
screens all day.” – from the 1999 film Office Space
If you work at a desk, chances are, you had to work hard to get there –
your days as a pre-teen dishwasher are as far behind as your college
tuition payments. This is the culmination of years of education and
planning. Perhaps this desk is mahogany or there’s a sleek Mac at your
fingertips, along with an expensive office chair from eBay that is as
comfortable as a cradle.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Michigan Ice Fest
Features
Scaling the Falls:Michigan Ice Festival welcomes climbers to
a frozen UP playground
By Erin Crowell
I swing the axe over my head, the sharp pick slicing through air. The tip of the blade meets ice then bounces like a hammer, sending a rejected spray of snow and ice into my eyes. It’s like this for several swings until I feel the satisfying thunk of placement. I give it a few tugs before I’m ready to do it again with the other axe; but not before moving my feet a few inches higher.
I’m ice climbing… and I’m not very good at it.
I begin kicking the ice repeatedly as if it owes me money, using the sharp blades of my crampons to stab the wall for footing.
“You’ve got a little notch to your right,” John Nguyen yells from below.
a frozen UP playground
By Erin Crowell
I swing the axe over my head, the sharp pick slicing through air. The tip of the blade meets ice then bounces like a hammer, sending a rejected spray of snow and ice into my eyes. It’s like this for several swings until I feel the satisfying thunk of placement. I give it a few tugs before I’m ready to do it again with the other axe; but not before moving my feet a few inches higher.
I’m ice climbing… and I’m not very good at it.
I begin kicking the ice repeatedly as if it owes me money, using the sharp blades of my crampons to stab the wall for footing.
“You’ve got a little notch to your right,” John Nguyen yells from below.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Forever Flowers/ Lilies of the Valley
Features
Forever Flowers: Lilies of the Alley offers silk & dried flowers 1/24/11
By Erin Crowell
Planning a wedding? More than likely, flowers are on the list –
somewhere between reception location and music for the evening. And
like everything on that list, there are options: outside or inside? DJ
or live band? Chicken or fish?
By Erin Crowell
Planning a wedding? More than likely, flowers are on the list –
somewhere between reception location and music for the evening. And
like everything on that list, there are options: outside or inside? DJ
or live band? Chicken or fish?
Monday, January 24, 2011
Three birds, one stone
Features
Three Birds, One Stone: Mike Staff ‘s one-stop wedding service 1/24/11
By Erin Crowell
Aside from the all-important “I do,” no other moment of your wedding
day brings forth the culmination of such hard work and preparation
than when the bride and groom enter the reception.
It’s both a crescendo and a sigh of relief.
By Erin Crowell
Aside from the all-important “I do,” no other moment of your wedding
day brings forth the culmination of such hard work and preparation
than when the bride and groom enter the reception.
It’s both a crescendo and a sigh of relief.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Allergy... more than Achoo!
Features
Allergy: more than Achoo!: When food intolerance becomes a life or death situation
By Erin Crowell
Several years ago, Zoe Batzer sat before a gymnasium full of high school
classmates—the back of her chair at her chest, arms folded over the
top—and proceeded to have a heart-to-heart with friends and with people
she hardly knew.
By Erin Crowell
Several years ago, Zoe Batzer sat before a gymnasium full of high school
classmates—the back of her chair at her chest, arms folded over the
top—and proceeded to have a heart-to-heart with friends and with people
she hardly knew.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Travel by couch surfing
Features
Travel by CouchSurfing: Save a penny, restore your trust in humanity
By Erin Crowell
“Most of my treasured memories of travel are recollections of sitting.”
– Robert Thomas Allen
When he was young, Jesse Coots heard the story about his grandparents leaving the farmhouse back porch light on every evening.
“For travelers,” Coots said, “so they knew they had a place to stay overnight.”
He recalls stories from his father about the hand-dug well and how there was always a ladle there for thirsty passersby.
“We’ve lost that,” Coots said reflectively, now 33 and living in his grandparent’s 1826-built farmhouse in upstate New York. “Everyone’s afraid nowadays.”
In 2007, Coots continued his family’s tradition of inviting travelers a place to stay by joining CouchSurfing.org, a worldwide community that connects nomads with their hosts.
“We’ve hosted quite a few people from five different countries including Germany, Russia and France… and from five or six states,” he said.
Coots, along with his wife Jolene, have opened their home to complete strangers.
For free.
By Erin Crowell
“Most of my treasured memories of travel are recollections of sitting.”
– Robert Thomas Allen
When he was young, Jesse Coots heard the story about his grandparents leaving the farmhouse back porch light on every evening.
“For travelers,” Coots said, “so they knew they had a place to stay overnight.”
He recalls stories from his father about the hand-dug well and how there was always a ladle there for thirsty passersby.
“We’ve lost that,” Coots said reflectively, now 33 and living in his grandparent’s 1826-built farmhouse in upstate New York. “Everyone’s afraid nowadays.”
In 2007, Coots continued his family’s tradition of inviting travelers a place to stay by joining CouchSurfing.org, a worldwide community that connects nomads with their hosts.
“We’ve hosted quite a few people from five different countries including Germany, Russia and France… and from five or six states,” he said.
Coots, along with his wife Jolene, have opened their home to complete strangers.
For free.
Monday, December 27, 2010
Risque
Music
Risque’s Long & Winding Road : Masters of R&B look back on 27 years
By Erin Crowell
When shaking it out on the dance floor, there’s a pretty good chance the people surrounding you fall into the same demographic. At a club, 20-somethings challenge the term “personal space.” Casino? Probably a room full of adults chasing retirement, sporting a touch of gray.
When Risque performs, don’t count on knowing which one will be dancing next to you.
“When you’re in this business so long, you’re fortunate enough to get a diverse crowd,” said Errol Sanders, bassist for the band Risque.
Since its start in 1983, Risque has been entertaining the Northern Michigan dance scene – performing a variety of top 40 and R&B hits that span the decades.
“We play a little bit of everything,” Sanders said. “Well, not everything. We do a little rock and roll, oldies, Motown; and that varies according to where we’re playing.”
By Erin Crowell
When shaking it out on the dance floor, there’s a pretty good chance the people surrounding you fall into the same demographic. At a club, 20-somethings challenge the term “personal space.” Casino? Probably a room full of adults chasing retirement, sporting a touch of gray.
When Risque performs, don’t count on knowing which one will be dancing next to you.
“When you’re in this business so long, you’re fortunate enough to get a diverse crowd,” said Errol Sanders, bassist for the band Risque.
Since its start in 1983, Risque has been entertaining the Northern Michigan dance scene – performing a variety of top 40 and R&B hits that span the decades.
“We play a little bit of everything,” Sanders said. “Well, not everything. We do a little rock and roll, oldies, Motown; and that varies according to where we’re playing.”
Monday, December 13, 2010
The Science of Santa
Books
The Science of Santa : Flight of the Reindeer celebrates 15th anniversary edition 12/13/10
By Erin Crowell
Santa Claus is real.
We knew it when we were five and if we’re lucky, we know it now.
Being a young believer, I thought I had the answer around age five, playing in the snowy yard of my parent’s farmhouse—a few days past Christmas—when I looked up and saw a mark on the side of the chimney: a wet spot only a fat man could make brushing his snow-covered belly against the brick.
“It’s not from Santa,” my sister had said, rolling her eyes.
Despite her having three years of life experience on me, I remained confident that the Man in Red had lapsed in caution, leaving evidence of his existence (other than a trail of cookie crumbs).
It was a moment that brought the stars a little closer to earth and the magic surrounding Christmas shine a bit brighter -- and it has stuck with me to this day.
Maybe you have had one of these aha! moments...maybe you’re a doubter – a left-brained logical since birth. After all, how could one man circle the globe and deliver gifts to all the world’s children in one night?
With flying reindeer, of course.
By Erin Crowell
Santa Claus is real.
We knew it when we were five and if we’re lucky, we know it now.
Being a young believer, I thought I had the answer around age five, playing in the snowy yard of my parent’s farmhouse—a few days past Christmas—when I looked up and saw a mark on the side of the chimney: a wet spot only a fat man could make brushing his snow-covered belly against the brick.
“It’s not from Santa,” my sister had said, rolling her eyes.
Despite her having three years of life experience on me, I remained confident that the Man in Red had lapsed in caution, leaving evidence of his existence (other than a trail of cookie crumbs).
It was a moment that brought the stars a little closer to earth and the magic surrounding Christmas shine a bit brighter -- and it has stuck with me to this day.
Maybe you have had one of these aha! moments...maybe you’re a doubter – a left-brained logical since birth. After all, how could one man circle the globe and deliver gifts to all the world’s children in one night?
With flying reindeer, of course.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Biathlon
Features
Biathlon, By Golly! Hot shots combine skiing and target shooting at Crystal Mountain
By Erin Crowell
Cross country skiing. It’s a wonderland excursion, swooshing through the white woods on a freshly groomed trail – breathing with the rhythm of every push and glide, silence enveloping…then suddenly… pop! pop! pop!
Screams, laughter and a paint-plastered target.
It may not be the intense, competitive sport we saw in Vancouver this past winter, but the new biathlon course at Crystal Mountain Resort & Spa has all the same elements – just substitute bullets with paintballs and medals with high fives.
Happening every Sunday, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., participants can strap on a pair of cross country skis or snowshoes and test their marksmanship skills by shooting at a group of targets via paintball marker while walking or skiing along an off-road trail.
By Erin Crowell
Cross country skiing. It’s a wonderland excursion, swooshing through the white woods on a freshly groomed trail – breathing with the rhythm of every push and glide, silence enveloping…then suddenly… pop! pop! pop!
Screams, laughter and a paint-plastered target.
It may not be the intense, competitive sport we saw in Vancouver this past winter, but the new biathlon course at Crystal Mountain Resort & Spa has all the same elements – just substitute bullets with paintballs and medals with high fives.
Happening every Sunday, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., participants can strap on a pair of cross country skis or snowshoes and test their marksmanship skills by shooting at a group of targets via paintball marker while walking or skiing along an off-road trail.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Winter sports calendar
Features
Winter Sports Calendar: A guide to putting your best foot forward
By Erin Crowell
Hear that?
Didn’t think so – It’s hard to hear your foot landing in soft powder
as you run a snowshoe race or mid-glide in the North American Vasa.
The point is, just because the temperature has dropped doesn’t mean
you should do the same with your motivation.
Here’s a list of winter races to keep you going:
By Erin Crowell
Hear that?
Didn’t think so – It’s hard to hear your foot landing in soft powder
as you run a snowshoe race or mid-glide in the North American Vasa.
The point is, just because the temperature has dropped doesn’t mean
you should do the same with your motivation.
Here’s a list of winter races to keep you going:
Monday, December 6, 2010
Winter‘s best bets
Features
Winter’s Best Bets: Some can’t-miss events for the snowy season
By Erin Crowell
Author W.J. Vogel once wrote, “To shorten winter, borrow some money
due in spring.”
Sure, we like to complain about living in one of the frozen upper
crusts of the country, knees trembling as we brush the powder off our
cars and snap the thermostat to “blazing.”
By Erin Crowell
Author W.J. Vogel once wrote, “To shorten winter, borrow some money
due in spring.”
Sure, we like to complain about living in one of the frozen upper
crusts of the country, knees trembling as we brush the powder off our
cars and snap the thermostat to “blazing.”
Monday, August 23, 2010
Third Coast Bicycle Festival
Features
On a Roll: The Third Coast Bicycle Festival
By Erin Crowell
Just over a year ago, Bill Palladino handed his nephew the keys and title to his 2002 Saturn Vue and walked away from car ownership -- well, pedaled away is more like it.
The Traverse City independent consultant prefers cycling as his main form of transportation. Being the thorough creature that he is, Palladino broke down his vehicle-vs.-bicycle usage into two separate financial charts.
What was one of his main discoveries? “In most cases individual vehicle ownership has a negative net effect on local economies. This means that on average more vehicle-related expenses leave the community than stay locally,” he reports in the online article “Making the Leap - Going Carless” (see mywheelsareturning.com).
In other words, biking--along with other forms of alternate transportation--has very little negative impact on the local community. Actually, few will argue that the actual benefits of a biking community lies solely in the realm of economics.
By Erin Crowell
Just over a year ago, Bill Palladino handed his nephew the keys and title to his 2002 Saturn Vue and walked away from car ownership -- well, pedaled away is more like it.
The Traverse City independent consultant prefers cycling as his main form of transportation. Being the thorough creature that he is, Palladino broke down his vehicle-vs.-bicycle usage into two separate financial charts.
What was one of his main discoveries? “In most cases individual vehicle ownership has a negative net effect on local economies. This means that on average more vehicle-related expenses leave the community than stay locally,” he reports in the online article “Making the Leap - Going Carless” (see mywheelsareturning.com).
In other words, biking--along with other forms of alternate transportation--has very little negative impact on the local community. Actually, few will argue that the actual benefits of a biking community lies solely in the realm of economics.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Coolest job in the world: Jason Pratt
Features
‘Coolest Job in the World’: Microbiologist Jason Pratt uses science — and taste buds — at MillerCoors
By Erin Crowell
Jason Pratt may have one of the best jobs in the world – at least
that’s what his buddies think.
The 30-year-old Traverse City native is a yeast and fermentation
scientist for MillerCoors, meaning, he gets paid to swig beer every
day.
By Erin Crowell
Jason Pratt may have one of the best jobs in the world – at least
that’s what his buddies think.
The 30-year-old Traverse City native is a yeast and fermentation
scientist for MillerCoors, meaning, he gets paid to swig beer every
day.
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