Expired Library Cards Surprise Patrons

Manistee County Library website

If you're having trouble using the library's e-services, such as Kindle downloads or patron-only web pages, you're not alone. This morning, many tried to log in and were told that their cards had expired. And that's true. Technically, everyone's library card expired today--but only temporarily.

Today is the first day of a new library card system. The new system is meant to help library staff get rid of old and outdated paper records, and also to make sure Manistee County residents are guaranteed access.

The new library card system, however, means starting over and re-verifying residency or property ownership status. That just means a brief visit to any branch location (with driver's license/state ID, and/or local tax bill, if ID shows a different county of permanent residence). 

Manistee County Library Facebook page

   

Anyone unable to visit a branch in person soon, but needing access, can call the main branch, at (231) 723-2519, to have services extended for an extra 2 weeks. 

Under a new policy approved in September, non-residents will be required to pay $45 per year for basic library checkout services (including books, movies, music, and computer terminal use). For electronic, off-site services (including eBooks), non-residents of Manistee County will have to pay an additional $30 per year.

The library had hoped to notify its patrons of the change sooner, and staff apologized for the sudden termination of accounts without more warning. They expected to have more details, published and more widely available, soon.

Public Poetry Comes to Downtown Bear Lake

Just a few months ago, the self-proclaimed Poet Laureate of Bear Lake attempted to convince Bear Lake residents to help celebrate his birthday.

Jason Wilder Evans was not in the area at the time (he lives in Washington, D.C.) but his internet postings, YouTube videos and formal request for recognition from the Bear Lake Village Council made it clear that virtual, even unconscious celebration would count.

Tomorrow, Evans will make an appearance in his hometown of Bear Lake, with an offering of poetry.  At 9am, he'll be at the gazebo public space directly off US-31, between the Lions Club building and the Village offices. 

We sent him some written questions about his poetry project.  His responses appear below.

1. You're appearing in Bear Lake this Saturday with an offering of poetry. What can people expect? Will you be reading your own work aloud? Apparently a typewriter is involved; will it only be a non-vocal display of yourself at work? 

Yes, I will be in the public commons of the Bear Lake Village Gazebo. Like most people that day, going about their day, typing on their mobile devices, perhaps patronizing a local establishment and drinking a cup of coffee, I too will be doing the same. My mobile device just happens to be larger than the Galaxy Note 4. I hold dear memories of the gazebo. I was there when it was built. I was one of the first to perform on it and would often bring my guitar and perform for those passing by. I enjoyed that place. That's why I choose to write there this time around. Perhaps write about the place and the people. Offer personalized poems with the suggestion of a topic? 

2. Outside at 9am - what are you thinking? Doesn't poetry belong in cafes at night? 

Saturday mornings, I used to wake up and sing Raffi's version of "Rise and Shine". Sometimes, I still do. That guy's a great performer - ya know? Back then I'd watch Saturday morning cartoons. GI Joe, Thundercats, Garfield, The Real Ghostbusters, Captain Kangaroo, Pee Wee's Playhouse. Not at the same time but in general. Then I'd go out and play. 

9 o'clock seems like an appropriate time to be out and about, enjoying the community. Is that too early? Does poetry only happen at night? I see people typing into their pocket gizmos all day. What are they writing? Should they wait till the wee hours of night too? In the appropriate context, it's all poetry. 

3. After growing up here and moving to D.C., you seem to be interested in returning occasionally--both virtually and in-person--to participate in community activities. Even 6 years ago, one might have found it difficult to take part in local affairs after moving away. What possibilities do you see within social media? 

I suppose one could say that technology has enabled me to be a modern day time traveler. I spent the formidable and majority of my life in Bear Lake. It is my "home". Which is an interesting word/term: Home. Think about "home", where that is, what that means. If I could, I would participate in community activities more often. I would take nothing back. I would give. I'm after all a product of the community I was raised. 

In addition to family, teachers fostered me alongside coaches. We should hold these people to high standards. One teacher I had, Mr. Bruce Peabody, is responsible for teaching me how to type. It's a talented skill that I hope to never forget. While I practiced for years, he's ultimately responsible for leading me to the keyboard. Over and over ASDF. JKL; Teachers in general have a responsibility to uphold their end as community leaders. It's a responsibility that isn't often taken into account when entering the profession. After all teachers become proxy parents to our children. We are a village that raises children. We raise readers and modern day time travelers. 

As for social media, I personally have adapted to technology much like cavemen and women adapted to fire and tools. Technology has allowed people to see and interact more but the creation process is the same. It comes from within. 

4. A few people around town seem to be troubled by your local projects. What is the difference, in your view, between disruption or harassment for its own sake, i.e. "trolling," and your activities? 

"A few people are troubled by your local projects". I don't know who these people are? Will they be present 9am Saturday? Because they too are invited. It's a public space. Or will they only experience the event virtually and vicariously? If so, they might miss out if I have coffee to share? The burlesque dancers backed out but the coffee has yet to respond. Maybe there will be a balloon artist? Or maybe it will just be me? If I could appeal to your readers, I'm looking for a balloon artist. [Since providing his responses, a woman named Amy has been scheduled to appear and offer balloon art.  --Eds.]

To be "troubled" is often a personality issue of not dealing with ones own issues, major problems, such as anger, resentment, or some heartache they are trying to cope with or overcome. I can't respond to "trolling" or "harassing."  I'm not sure what that means. I don't spend my time figuring out what pushes people's buttons. I don't think mean spirited and surely won't be bring with me bag of trolls. I refer you to Psalms 119. 

5. Besides yourself, which poet should more people read or hear more often?

I've written poetry most of my life and I've been fortunate to teach poetry workshops to both youth and adults. It can be a very cathartic process. Like music, poetry has the power to heal the wounded and emotionally support the sick. I don't claim to be a great poet or writer even for that matter. But I do believe I have a better writing voice than verbal voice. To say I was the greatest writer of Bear Lake would be just a lie. This may however be the greatest poetry in public performance that Bear Lake has seen! But I write and I strive. 

Since becoming Poet Laureate of Bear Lake, I thought it [imperative] to do a poetry project. While this is the first, I have ideas for more should that come to fruition. Should nobody show up on Saturday and support local art, that's ok, too. The arts have always been a low priority both locally and nationally. Nobody shows up in my studio when I write or paint but be aware that our community is more than a four season resort town. Artists reside there too and promoting art is something I try to do. 

As for who I would recommend... I already conceded there are others more gifted than I. Even locally. Former hometown resident Heather Matesich Cousins has a book: Inside The Potato Room that's an insightful read. Nationally, Philip Schultz's book Failure won the Pulitzer Prize. I love the poem "It's Sunday Morning in Early November." 

Read Hemingway, Lao Tzu, Bukowski, June Jordan, Sonia Sanchez and Alice Walker. Just read until you find what you like. As in life, so too are books. It's often better to know what you don't like so you can learn what you do. If you're interested in writing with me, bring your own writing utensil and something to write on. You don't have to be a great poet, a great writer even and if you can't write, I'll help write what you would like to say. There's no shame in that.

Saturday morning's event is free and open to the public.  

House Fire Victims Need Help

Our best wishes to the Zaleski and Troppi families as they recover from the loss of their houses in Bear Lake. They will undoubtedly need support for the coming weeks and months. 
The Zaleskis' house on Stuart Rd. was severely damaged by fire on the morning of Friday, Sept. 19.  They could use your help to replace clothing lost in the fire. Women's clothes in the following sizes would be most welcome.

Shoes 8.5-9
Pants 16-18/Lg.
Shirts XL/1x
Socks 8.5-9

Donations are being accepted at Saddle Up in Bear Lake. More information on assistance needs can be obtained by calling Andrea Ware at 383-0493; Jayna Childs at 715-8218 or Waunetta Zaleski at 944-2806.

Initial 9&10 News story about the Friday fire:
http://www.9and10news.com/.../morning-fire-destroys...

* * *

Meanwhile, the Troppi family is also recovering from their own house fire, which occurred just a few days earlier, on Sunday, Sept. 14, on Potter Road, between Chief and Big 4 roads. 

Neighbor Karen Groenwald told us that the family has plans to move into a rental unit.  

Twin beds, at the moment, may be of the most help to the family. A couch has already been pledged to them.

9&10 News story about the Sunday fire:http://www.9and10news.com/story/26572753/community-steps-up-to-help-family-displaced-by-fire

* * *


The new community assistance group, Manistee Helping Manistee, directed by Lindsey Artman and Mallory Kenny, mobilized its forces within days of learning of the fires and has already delivered supplies to the Troppi family.

We plan to check in with both families soon, to find out what needs of theirs still need to be met.  

Proposal 1: A Cure Worse Than the Disease?

8/1/14,  11:28am
Correction:  A previous version of this article incorrectly gave the date of the Tuesday primary election as August 8.  The election is on August 5.


The following article contains disturbing imagery, upsetting situations and other references to state government.  If you experience nausea, please use one of the multiple exits provided for your convenience.

When the surgeon announces that he can cut out the cancer--every last bit of it, guaranteed--celebration might seem appropriate.  But the sight of a rusty chainsaw in the operating room should give one pause.

That's the scenario that Proposal 1 offers to Michigan voters next week:  a clumsy method for correcting a perceived [1] problem, a business tax called the Personal Property Tax (PPT).  Many business owners consider it a malignant tumor, since it taxes equipment that could have been purchased generations ago.      

But the method proposed for fixing the problem is so clumsy and primitive, it could destroy neighboring parts of the body politic.  That's one reason we reject it:  this attempt at a cure is worse than the disease.  

You shouldn't have to take our word for it.  We encourage you do to your own reading and research.  We've already thrown one citation at you, above.  You can find the endnotes, including pro and con positions, at the end of this article.  

You will need stamina on your side, however.  Proposal 1 is nearly impossible to understand.  It's as though our surgeon speaks only medical jargon and refuses to explain his strategy in plain English.  Transparency is critical in elections, but Proposal 1 is opaque.  We see good intentions, but they pave a road to a different horror movie altogether.

If you've run out of time to read, our stance is this:  show us another treatment plan, or explain this one better through TV ads, mailers and other media that everyone can access.  If Leatherface [1b] didn't write it and if he's fired as your spokesman, we'll consider it at the next election. 

If you do have time to read, continue on.  We invite you to read this article critically and ask your own questions along the way.  

The lights dim and we begin with a very short bit of history.  The Legislature and Governor Synder have heard and responded to the business sector's teeth-gnashing over taxes since 2011.  The law that eliminated the Michigan Business Tax, for instance, allowed for-profit enterprises to pay less money to the State of Michigan while senior citizens and families with children had to coughed up the difference.  It took two years before the coughing fit started, and it was a surprise for many when it took effect. [2] 

Now, the Personal Property Tax is on the table.  Proposal 1 seeks to eliminate this tax, which collects money based on the equipment a business owns.  Yes, it sounds like every individual's taxes might go down but unless you own a business, no such luck.  [3]

Let's take a look at the actual ballot language that will be staring you in the face on Tuesday, August 8 [4].

Looks simple, doesn't it?  It mentions many things that sound good:  local community, stabilization, modernization, grow, jobs, safety, protection, schools!

Let's look at the text again, marked-up as a teacher might do.    

Still here?  Sorry for spilling so much red ink.  Believe it or not, one news organization calls its own criticism of the language "griping" [5].  We think the poor writing is reason enough to reject the proposal, especially since the authors ought to write more clearly than schoolchildren.  They're full-time legislators, with paid staff.  It's insulting to ask the public for a decision on a question that hides its purpose.  The proper response, on the basis of the wording alone, is to throw it back and ask for a complete rewrite.  

Since that probably won't happen, we've gone ahead and found the answers for questions A-F, posed above, after a lot of reading, checking, double-checking and aspirin.  Additional commentary is offered.

A.  This particular amendatory act does have an official title.  It's called Public Act 80 [6], and it's also known as Senate Bill 822 (sponsors:  Senators Hildenbrand, Jansen, Warren, Moolenaar and Brandenburg), signed into law on March 28, 2014.  The legislators aware of Public Act 80 know that it contains the text of Proposal 1, but the Prop itself doesn't return the favor on behalf of the public:  it makes no mention of Public Act 80.  

Public Act 80 is best understood as the locomotive engine that pulls other pieces of legislation behind it (Public Acts 81, 86, 87, 89, 90, 91, 92 & 93, created by ten Senate bills)  [7].  As a whole, this legislative train cuts the Personal Property Tax and supposedly finds other money to replace it with.   

B.  "Modernization" doesn't explain anything.  We are left to wonder what else will result besides having a new system.  Microsoft Windows has taught us that "upgrading" can result in a systemic screeching halt.

Proposal 1 would certainly change the state tax system.  It would attempt to collect the same amount of money that the Personal Property Tax (or PPT) currently gathers, but through different methods.  20% of the money would (still) come from businesses, but in the form of a new fee.  80% of the money would come from the state's General Fund coffers, with some help from tax credits that the state won't pay out anymore.  Another way of putting this:  the state (and the communities that use the tax money for its own, local services) will be giving up 80% of the money coming in through the PPT.

If you've ever played landlord, well, that's like telling a tenant that you'll cover 80% of his rent while you embark on a get-rich scheme.  How to keep your spouse from flipping out?  Just say, "we'll make it all back over time, I swear!  With this new plan I have, we should break even in, oh, 14 years!"

Public Act 80--that's that one you likely haven't seen--makes the same bet.  In Section 5, it lays out a schedule, between now and 2028, meant to recoup the money lost if the PPT is eliminated. [8]    We'll find out where these scheduled payments are coming from soon.  Really, we're getting there.  I know, not soon enough.  Are you tired of reading?  We're tired of writing.

C.  Small businesses will grow!  New jobs in Michigan!  Well, maybe.  That's assuming a lot.  There is nothing in any of the legislation behind Proposal 1 that requires businesses to expand their operations or hire new people.  They'll probably have more money at their disposal (roughly $500 million, total [9]) if they pay less taxes, but we can't know if they will bank it or buy machinery that'll automate something so that they can cut labor costs. Proposal 1 does not make hiring mandatory in any way.

This is perhaps the most dishonest part of the TV ads and jumbo postcards that promote Proposal 1.  Two of the postcards even suggest "up to 15,000" good-paying, new and local jobs.  Where does such a number even come from?  The postcards cite a pro-Proposal 1 essay by the Small Business Association of Michigan.  President Rob Fowler writes, "This proposal would create 15,000 jobs in Michigan by eliminating the personal property tax on small businesses."  He does not elaborate. [10] 

One is left to wonder if the trickle-down theory--a proven, proven, and proven dead loss in the job-creating arena--might explain the sudden appearance of these jobs.  Just as Public Act 80's plan to reimburse community funds will take 14 to come to fruition, will it take 14 years for the jobs to surface?  What does "good-paying" mean to a business owner?  Is today's good wage still "good-paying" 14 years later?  One is left with no choice but to speculate and wonder.

Stretch out a bit.  Looks like the chair next to you is vacant.

D.  The Local Community Stabilization Authority.  The name is deceiving.  There will not be a new board located in each community.  There will simply be a new STATE board that distributes the money to bona-fide local entities.  This new board will have five members, who will be appointed by the Governor (not elected by citizens).  This board will also have some kind of power to determine how state "right-of-way" authority can be used for landline, cell phone or computer companies.  It's unclear:  the term "telecommunications" is used, and it doesn't seem to have any connection with taxes.  [11]

E.   Police, ambulance, fire and schools:  yes, we all need 'em.  These are good examples of "local purposes," but putting such emphasis on them implies they will automatically improve because of Proposal 1.  Again, under the best of circumstances, they will not be getting more money; they will hopefully get the same amount as now, but from the Authority mentioned above.  As we all know, it's policy, leadership, trained personnel, and on and on, that make the difference.  The promoters of Proposal 1 say that the source of local money will be "more stable."  That's hard to guarantee.  A new but smaller tax on businesses would be part of the stability plan (roughly $100 million).  The other part of it would be money held back from electric battery manufacturers and other special tax credits.  [12]

F.  The Use Tax is not actually limited by the state constitution.  The Sales Tax is nailed into place at 6%, thanks to the word "shall."  But there's a fair amount of wiggle room with the Use Tax, since "shall" and other such words don't pin it down or place limits on it.  [13]  Could the Use Tax, which most of us know as the Internet or out-of-state tax, increase, to cover any shortfalls?  It's possible--and that could mean higher taxes for the consumer.

Final Thoughts

If you've made it this far, congratulations.  You pass the citizenship test and we see the discovery of a Petoskey stone in your future.  If you like, there's more available to read from other sources.  [14]

Our critique of Proposal 1 has tried very hard not to make any judgments on the proposal's goal.  The Personal Property Tax does seem to tax business owners for a second time (after the sales tax that we all pay).  Is that truly unfair?  Business owners also have a few ways to save money, too.  When it comes to filing income taxes, there are credits and deductions that other individuals don't quality for.

We say, if the goal is to cut away the Personal Property Tax, show us another treatment plan, or do a better job of explaining this one.  Way better.  The legislature and the Governor need to hone their surgical skills and learn how to explain their strategy in plain language that isn't dwarfed by the small print (small print that isn't even provided for the curious) [15].

To go ahead with Proposal 1 would be to attempt a risky procedure based on a lot of luck and a certainty about the future that we simply don't have.  

Endnotes:

1.  We'll take business owners word for it, at least for this article.  

1b.  Leatherface is the nickname of the villain in "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" horror movie.

2.  We reported on this last spring.  http://threepinesgander.blogspot.com/2013/04/2011-tax-changes-hit-home-in-2013.html

3.  It's an old term that apparently applied to households, too, until 80 years ago.  Real Property Tax is the other main business tax, "real" as in real estate, or land owned by the business.  It's this latter tax that most people call "property tax," which would not be affected by Proposal 1.  http://www.michiganinbrief.org/edition06/text/issues/issue-47.htm

4.  http://www.michigan.gov/documents/statewide_bal_prop_status_145801_7.pdf

5.  http://michiganradio.org/post/proposal-1-asks-michigan-voters-weigh-complex-tax-issue

6.  Public Act 80.  http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2013-2014/publicact/htm/2014-PA-0080.htm

7.  Legislation is hooked, or "tie-barred" together.  http://www.crcmich.org/column/?p=659

For specific legislation, see endnote 7.  http://crcmich.org/PUBLICAT/2010s/2014/memo1128.pdf

Senate Bills 821-830, according to http://ballotpedia.org/Michigan_Use_Tax_and_Community_Stabilization_Share,_Proposal_1_(August_2014)

8.  Again, see Public Act 80, Section 5, subsections (a)-(n).

9.  http://www.mackinac.org/20246

10.  https://www.sbam.org/StayInformed/News/newsid438/1580/Proposal-1-deserves-your-yes-vote

11.  page 3, http://crcmich.org/PUBLICAT/2010s/2014/memo1128.pdf

12.  http://www.mlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2014/07/top_10_questions_and_answers_o.html

For other credits overseen by the state "MEGA Board," http://feedback.jacksonchamber.org/viewissue.php?issue=29

MEGA Board duties (including Brownfield Redevelopment credits) outlined here:  https://www.michigan.gov/snyder/0,4668,7-277-57738_57679_57726-255865--,00.html

13.  Use tax, State Constitution:  https://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(ajagoxm2m2clluflvm4nx145))/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=mcl-Article-IX-8

See also:   http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(otcdepbgvl5n3gjjg2n2dk55))/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=mcl-205-93

14.  Prop 1, opposing viewpoints:

http://www.mlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2014/07/guest_column_proposal_1_might.html

http://www.macombdaily.com/opinion/20140715/proposal-1-could-hurt-struggling-cities

Wayne County Taxpayers Facebook post:
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=10152593018197033&id=349202847032

http://www.democracy-tree.com/michigans-baffling-ballot-question-explained/

Proposal 1 popular among Metro Detroit leaders, but one outspoken mayor calls it a gamble

Prop 1, supportive viewpoints:

Newspaper and web conglomerate MLive.com's explanatory video (its editorial board has come out in favor of Prop 1):  http://videos.mlive.com/mlive/2014/07/understanding_proposal_1.html

http://strongandsafecommunities.com/the-problem/

http://Proposal1Facts.com

15.  Normally, the Secretary of State's office, which oversees elections, enforces plain language on the ballot.  The legislature skipped this requirement by inserting the language directly into the law that puts it on the ballot.  

Bear Lake Days 2014

Seafood Sale Prices Revealed

We get a little grumpy when every business screams "SALE" at the top of its wholesale lungs, without saving any air for a peep about prices.  It's hard to get too mad at the brick and mortar stores, though, when they just want a little foot traffic.  Delivery services like Schwan's, Amazon.com and hell, the internet, make it very easy to abandon the body to couch potato status, eyes glued to whatever screen is handy.

We've got legs

Decide not to use 'em.

(Apologies to ZZ Top)

Hence, "sale."  Everything's on sale.  Well, yes, of course it is.  A sale is simply what is accomplished when something is sold.  It is the noun form of the verb, "to sell."  Buyer beware:  "discount" and "reduced price" are entirely different words, if you want to get really picky (we do).  When we see the word "sale," we ask:  do you really mean that you're going to have lower prices than usual?

We frowned, we bullied, we cajoled.  Kris Buckner of Saddle Up was a good sport about it.  It looks like the answer, in this case, might be yes.*

*Yes, you certainly may drive around like a maniac, crisscrossing the state in search of lower prices.  Burn up your fuel and your time to save a dollar, if you like.  It's 2014 and we need new ways of imagining Grandmother;  what could be better than lean-and-mean Leadfoot with a stack of deer carcasses on the hood, turtle shells for hubcaps, pulling into the gravel driveway of the old family cottage at 5:30pm, exhausted, ornery and half-dead from applying non-stop scrutiny to aisles and aisles and aisles of sterile goods?

Tomorrow Belongs to (You/Me/Us)

Updated: 6/12/14, 7:40pm

Who is this guy?  Who does he think he is?  An artist proposes ownership of a day for each of us and tries out the idea for himself.

About a month ago, a former resident of Bear Lake invaded his own hometown, stamping it with "JWEDAY2014."  Jason Wilder Evans, a filmmaker now living in Washington, D.C., appeared on flyers around town.  His YouTube videos rolled in to the virtual lakeshore.  His comments on village improvement plans popped up on Facebook.  His artwork, according to Evans, was exhibited at multiple locations in the area.  Technically, he was born in Benzie County, but his family moved to Bear Lake when he was young and he grew up here.

One common theme unites Evans' proclamations:  today, if you haven't heard the news, is Jason Wilder Evans Day - meant for the individual trying to avoid groupthink.

For all of the repetition, though, Evans may never know the impact of his birthday celebration-turned-social experiment.  One concept behind Jason Wilder Evans Day is that people may very well mark the occasion without realizing it.  Buying milk, riding a bike and other everyday activities, says Evans, are just a few of the ways that others can help him celebrate his day.  There will be a parade, too - perhaps the longest parade ever.  The cars that trickle past important buildings and even your own residence are the proof.  All you have to do to make it bona-fide is wave at the drivers.  Extra points if they wave back.

Evans declined an interview request, preferring to let his physical, virtual and conceptual artifacts speak for him.  But the idea of bona-fide, legitimate behavior appears to be central to JWEDAY2014.  Who decides if one day is National Blueberry Day, after all?  Does the National Blueberry Council have such power - and do we give it to them?  Is it repetition that makes something real, whether by radio DJs looking to fill time with trivia ("Did ya hear?  Oh, I'm lovin' it.  I love blueberry pancakes!"), or by local boosters eager to find an extra reason to give a business attention?  A birthday is just as real, if not more so, than any industry PR day, and Evans invites us to claim our own day in the same manner.

One of Evans' stunts highlights the difficulty of such informal initiative, however, when translated to the world of official minutes and motions.  In one video, Evans circulates a petition that seeks official recognition of his birthday by the Village of Bear Lake.  Apparently, it was delivered to the village board members, but shot down.  It's hard to tell what they made of the petition.  Do they take it as a joke?  Can they respond accordingly, with good humor?  Do they take it as a serious request that, if they were to approve it, takes no skin off their own backs?  

Evans seizes on their reaction in another video (featuring a puppet show, set to audio from the meeting).  He looks to be genuinely hurt that Carver Edwards, Village Trustee, says the Village might recognize June 12 as a special day once Evans is dead.  Of course, most governments are long-known for honoring only a handful of people throughout the year after their deaths.  And "never kid a kidder" comes to mind, but it's a cutting remark that's hard to interpret.  Edwards is a retired undertaker and funeral home owner/operator.

It's easy to brush off a living person with a harmless, playful request, Evans seems to argue, but it's hard to be accountable and diligent when it comes to the Village's own business (the status of a Village Museum project, spearheaded by Edwards, is uncertain--and allegedly no answers are forthcoming).  Why should such a small unit of government behave in this manner?  Evans' goofball, self-important holiday seems to illustrate a potential, real-world problem with the way we treat each other while wearing the mask of an Elected Official.

JWEDAY2014 goes further than that.  While making much of impromptu activities, Evans also pokes at the quasi-formal efforts of a group of citizens interested in cleaning up downtown properties.  Recent building purchases, dilapidated structures owned by the Leckrone family, and the struggle to start new ventures amid state and local codes have all highlighted frustration that's brewed for decades.

In recent years, the Leckrones have lost the heads of the family, John and Karen, who assembled large collections of antiques, knicknacks and craft supplies while they were alive.  Karen passed away this February.  Their survivors, children and grandchildren, have attempted to sell off those items, using the Village Variety Store and other storefronts.  Many have been critical of broken items that border several of the Leckrone properties.  Just do it, Evans argues, without scheduling special clean-up days.  Respond as an individual to a grieving family, rather than as a group with long-standing grievances that surviving family members may not be able to answer for.

In claiming today as his own, and inviting us to join him, Jason Wilder Evans isn't breaking new ground.  In France and Greece, among other countries, "name days" are celebrated every day of the year.   Saint Nicholas' and Saint Patrick's days are the only ones that ring a bell for many Americans, but the Catholic calender apportions each day to a different Christian saint.  Those whose names are closest to each saint often have bigger parties for the name-connection than the event of birth.  Evans says, why not us, too?

There is one darker element at play.  As in all art, whether painting or other forms open to interpretation, one can't be sure whether Bear Lake's native son intends it.  But it's important to notice where Evans places the accent.  It's all about him, on the surface, but he takes elaborate pains to emphasize that individual variance, especially if it doesn't mesh with his own suggestions, is highly important.  Bottom-up, rather than top-down, initiative, brainstorming and action fills his speech as soon as you get past the personal headline.  Wildly different, personalized behavior is what he calls for.  One can't help but think of the polar opposite and its consequences.  Give too much ground to the authorities, wait until a deliberative, official group stamps something with its imprint, and even a popular folksong might escape the very people it belongs to.  

  

About nine four hours are left in the day.  What will you do with them?

They're Maple Seedlings, But You Knew That

(Rosemary Parker/MLive.com)

After the blood-root bloomed, the ferns/brakes shot up and the morels came and went.  Then we noticed the leaf-pairs everywhere.

One of us has lived here a relatively short time and doesn't know a hawk from a handsaw.  A few questions, posed to a select few who promised not to make fun of him, revealed nothing.

An initial search across the vast reaches of the internet was plagued with stupidity: 

• "two leaves," resulted filtered by "last month"
• "seedlings what are they michigan"
• "what are they" seedlings michigan
• seedlings everywhere what are they michigan two pair two leaves pair of them 

(These search terms are only a few of the ones used; the really dumb ones, devoid of proper vegetative descriptors, have been redacted.)

The "seedlings everywhere" phrase began to lead in the right direction, especially when coupled with a glance at the Google Images page.  Ontario, Wisconsin, Michigan and Georgia are among the states and provinces buzzing with questions about thousands of seedlings never-before seen.  Or not remembered.

They're maple seedlings, apparently quite pronounced this spring because of the many seed-pods that erupted last year.  Their seed-pods are the whirly ones that descend like little helicopters.  For many, they sat unnoticed through the fall and were protected by heavy snowfall.  The snow then gradually melted and irrigated the seeds - and, depending on where you live, something you've never seen/remembered before arrived.

There are stories about what to do with them, if they bother you.  See links at the end of this article.

Most of them come down to this:  mow 2-3 times, if you mow.  Or you can cut them down with a weed-whip*.  Or you can pull them by hand.  You can also eat them.  Several sites recommend against eating them if you use herbicide (posion) on your land.  Nuggets of meanness that dwell within us wanted to leave this last bit out, but herbicide = poison might be unknown to someone, just as the basics of maple tree propagation were heretofore unknown to this writer.

(The Elberta Alert)

*Weed-whips, sickles and other wireless, handheld devices should be used with caution, especially if you've just had them sharpened.  As with a dull razor blade, one develops the habit over time of applying more and more pressure to compensate for the dullness.  Since muscle memory is not always synced-up with your brain, a suddenly-sharp tool could result in injury, if the pre-sharpened level of pressure is applied.  

Further reading:

http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2014/05/explosion_of_new_maples_on_sou.html

http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2014/05/pesky_maples_are_clogging_gutt.html

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140530/LIFESTYLE01/305300025

http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/content/ask-master-gardener-mowing-will-eliminate-unwanted-maple-seedlings

http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1307678/#b

http://atguelph.uoguelph.ca/2014/05/environmental-change-affects-maple-trees/

http://www.eattheweeds.com/maples-how-sweet-it-is-2/

http://eattheweeds.com/forum/index.php?topic=202.0

http://eocfo.ca/about.html


  

Suppression is Not the Answer

Local Musician Recuperates From Tune-Up

Sandra McLean, bassist for Triple Shot, Wild Card and co-host (with Bob Jankowski) of the Eagles Club's jam sessions, is recuperating from a lung transplant procedure in early December. 

Her family reports that she's making steady progress, but that she'd sure like a little Facebook company until she's released (who wouldn't?). You can send Sandy your get-well wishes here - or directly, via https://www.facebook.com/sandra.mclean.7547.

New Ideas for Bear Lake Days

The organizers for Bear Lake Days 2014 are looking for new ideas and want to hear from you.  On Monday, a brainstorming meeting will be held.  All are welcome.

They say, "Committees are being formed, so if you would like to be on one of the many committees that are needed to make this annual event a huge success please message us!

"It takes an entire community to make this event happen!

"Next meeting is January 20th at 7 pm at Grille 44 [in Bear Lake]"

Bitter Cold, Snow Predicted for Next 2 Days

Temperatures are predicted to drop below zero, with the downward slide starting tonight and lasting through Tuesday.  A wind chill warning has been issued for most of northern Michigan.  By Monday night, gusts up to 15 miles per hour could make a low of -6 degrees feel like -24 degrees in Manistee County.  Additionally, a total of 4 inches of snow could fall in the meantime.

In these conditions, frostbite can set in after 20 minutes of continued exposure.  We remind you to take precautions for humans and pets.

Wind Chill Value predictions, Midwest (Graphic credit:  National Weather Service)

  
A winter storm warning has been issued for areas south of Muskegon, with 4-8" of snow predicted (yellow zone, below).  Over the next 12 hours, up to a foot of snow may hit areas south of Holland (orange zone, below).

Winter Storm/Snowfall, Lower Michigan (Graphic credit:  National Weather Service)

Updated information can be found here:  http://www.crh.noaa.gov/apx/