Here comes spring..

I've woken up at least three times now to birds chirping. That has to mean something. I know in Michigan it probably doesn't mean very much, but it gets me excited about what it would mean someplace else: that spring is almost here!

As a sports writer, I am particularly excited to see the seasons change. While my favorite spectator sport, hockey, happens to take place in the winter... my favorite participatory sports take place during the warmer months. Since I play both golf and tennis, I am stoked at the opportunity to once again cover those teams. Perhaps I'll even get out on the links and hard courts myself, for a change. Challengers are welcome.

Here are a few of the other things I look forward to with spring...
Rain, galoshes, tea roses and daisies, sunlight, long walks outside, tshirts, sandals and open-toed heels, foliage other than pine tree needles, Easter, golfing, spring fashions (J.Crew and Banana Republic always release their best items during the spring), Victoria's Secret swimsuits, warmer weather birds, taking Princeton for a walk without having to climb over snow banks, grilling burgers outside, my community's hot tub and swimming pool, summer blockbusterish movies, tennis, bicycling, and the smell of the air!

To twitter or not to twitter

Chris Matthews of Hardball had an interesting show last night. It was interesting because the subject matter of one of the debating points was Twitter.

Twitter is a new pseudo-instant-messaging program, which I'm not entirely convinced will catch on with my age group, but which seems to be taking off with those in their 30s and 40s in the business world. Twitter members release what are called "tweets." Tweets are often much like a Facebook "status" or a kind of AIM away message. The person has a character maximum of a small amount, with which they can use to post links or information about what they are currently doing or seeing.

The reason this new program caused a stir is because a large number of congressional senators and representatives were posting tweets during President Barack Obama's recent speech to Congress. One senator posted as many as 15 tweets during the hour-long speech, some of which were about a game coming up on ESPN2, and some poked fun of Pelosi's over-the-top cheering and smirking to everything that came out of Obama's mouth. I also want to add that it wasn't a Republican attack on Obama, because Democratic senators were doing the exact same thing.

So the debate question was thus: Is it rude to be doing such activities during the President's speech?

The arguments for both "sides" are essentially as follows:

For the tweets: Multi-tasking is the way of the world; I am encouraged that our political system has adopted senators who are constantly putting information out there.

Against the tweets: Are you kidding me? The information was about a basketball team, not a political agenda. Furthermore, mocking Pelosi publicly and then blaming a staff member is neither polite nor unifying.

For the tweets: But come on. Did you see Pelosi? She totally has a crush on Obama, omg.

Against the tweets: True, but it isn't Obama's fault that Pelosi likes him. He just won a tough election and there is a lot on America's plate. The fact that all the senators who appeared on the television playback were looking at their blackberries, not the President, sends a bad message to citizens watching. It looks as if Congress doesn't care what the President has to say. There is a time for instant messaging, checking mail, and tweeting. During his speech wasn't it. Rude is rude.

For the tweets: Like you never doodled during an hour-long speech.


In other words, it isn't just teenagers and college students who are sucked into new technology and losing their grasp on common decency. High school teachers and college professors often prohibit the use of electronic devices during classes/lectures because doing so is not only a distraction, it is rude. With each new gadget or program, people continue to lose the person-to-person contact that went along with life. Now employees in a lot of fields can get away with never having to talk to anyone, because they have email and AIM and Facebook and Twitter, so why would they bother?

In my opinion, whether the tweets were rude or not was never really a question. Of course it's rude. What was rude five, 10, or 15 years ago is still rude today. The only difference is that more people seem to be ok with it. That doesn't suggest the action isn't rude, it suggests a general apathy towards productive human interaction. So the real question is, are we going to condone such behavior and accept it as collateral damage of information technology?

This isn't a new question. It's basically the same question posed by the older generation to the younger from decade to decade (minus "information technology"). But in this case there is no age separation. The separation between those who know better and those who don't care is impossible to define.

The only answer may be to educate. If you see people behaving rudely or disrespectfully, say something. I'm not suggesting a lecture. I'm saying a simple, "Your president is speaking," would have sufficed, and it probably would have embarrassed the senators under question. I think they assumed it didn't matter because of the number of people in the room. I would hope those same senators wouldn't do the same thing during a one-on-one conversation, but I have seen that happen, too, so I won't hold my breath.

Our parent company files for bankruptcy protection

On Saturday, we learned our parent company, the Journal Register Company, had filed for bankruptcy protection. This morning, the official press release came for publication. This will be in Thursday's paper, but I thought I'd give our online readers a sneak peak.

JRC files reorganization plan

Journal Register Company has announced that the company and its subsidiaries have filed voluntary petitions for relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York to implement a pre-negotiated plan of reorganization with its secured lenders designed to substantially reduce its debt.

JRC, parent company of The Saline Reporter and Milan News-Leader, as well as newspapers in Manchester, Dexter, Chelsea, Ypsilanti, Belleville, Dearborn, Grosse Ile and Downriver, intends to continue to operate as usual, and does not anticipate any business interruption during the restructuring.

The company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer James W. Hall said, “Journal Register Company has taken numerous steps to reduce its debt and strengthen its balance sheet through the divestiture of unprofitable newspapers and various other means. However, due to the numerous challenges facing the newspaper industry and the overall economic downturn, our board of directors has decided, after careful consideration of all available alternatives, that a Chapter 11 filing was a necessary and best course of action for Journal Register Company.”

“We intend to emerge from the Chapter 11 process stronger, leaner and more financially viable in the current environment,’’ Hall said. “We are also pleased to have the support of our lenders in restructuring our debt obligations. Our business will continue its normal operations and we will publish content as usual throughout this process.”

The company expects to continue to generate sufficient cash flow to fund its operations. The Company also said that it has filed motions with the court to continue to pay wages, salaries and provide employee benefits to its employees and that vendors and service providers will be paid under normal terms for goods and services provided after the filing date.

Class of 1948 state champions honored

On Feb. 27 (Friday) at Milan High School, the varsity boys' basketball team will play host to an alumni group of hoops players when the 1948 Milan state champions are honored at halftime. This season marks the 60th anniversary since the championship was earned, and the five remaining players are traveling from distances short and small to be present for the ceremony. The original trophy will be re-presented to the five players, including Rolly Dunsmore, Sherman Collins, Wayne Tooman, Harlan Benjamin and Dick Trimm. For those interested in witnessing the honor, the basketball game against New Boston Huron that night begins at 7 p.m. in the Milan High School gymnasium.

4-H volunteers, youth recognized

The Washtenaw County 4-H program recently recognized its members, volunteers and community supports. Below is a press release from the organization that we unfortunately don't have room for in the newspaper. There are a few from the Saline and Milan area.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Washtenaw County 4-H Recognizes Volunteers and Youth Participants

WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI- Washtenaw County 4-H members, adult volunteers and community supporters were honored at the annual 4-H Recognition Program held on Saturday, January 18, 2009 at the Washtenaw County Farm Council Grounds. Special guests, County Commissioner Mark Ouimet from District 1 and County Commissioner Jessica Ping from District 3 helped present select awards. The following 4-H members were recognized for their accomplishments in various project areas:

2008 County Project Medal Winners
Achievement – Jamie Innis, Dexter and Keith Tenerowicz, Canton
Aerospace – John Figarra, Ypsilanti
Agriculture – Garrett Fischer, Dexter
Beef – Katelyn Horning, Manchester, Amanda Johnson, Chelsea & Kyle Olberg, Saline
Cavy – Sheri Robbins, Chelsea
Citizenship – Montana Cohn, South Lyon and Keith Tenerowicz,Canton
Clothing & Textiles – Courtney Cook, Dexter; Karis Kanitz, Milan & Ashley Thomas of Ypsilanti
Community Service – Willow Cohn, South Lyon; Jennifer Kohler, Saline; Andrea Meade, Livonia and Amy Moorman of Dexter
Dairy - Kyle Olberg, Saline
Demonstrations – Willow Cohn, South Lyon
Engines & Tractors – Jordan Bird, Saline
Fashion Revue – Emma Golding, Manchester
Food & Nutrition – Amy Jedele, Saline
Hobbies & Collections – Jamie Innis, Dexter
Goats – Aaron Johnson, Cody Robbins and Amanda Johnson all of Chelsea
Hobbies – Ashley Thomas, Ypsilanti
Horse – Molly Buis, South Lyon; Kimber Creteau, Dexter and Kristen Walters, Plymouth
Lamp of Knowledge - Krickett Luckhardt, Dexter
Leadership – Heather Cook, Emily Hattie, Jamie Innis of Dexter & Patti Vaassen, Saline
Personal Development – Emily Hattie, Dexter; Cody Robbins, Chelsea & Kristen Walters, Plymouth
Poultry – Grace Benton, Chelsea & Montana Cohn, South Lyon
Rabbits – Camille Figarra, Ypsilanti; Sheri Robbins, Chelsea & Janet Zalucha, Dexter
Sheep – Courtney Cook, Dexter; Sara Girbach and Jennifer Kohler, Saline
Swine – Jeff Baldus & Garrett Fischer, Dexter; Katelyn Horning, Manchester & Aaron Johnson, Chelsea
Vet Science – Molly Buis, South Lyon
Visual Arts – Jessie Rogers, Saline
Wood Science – Emma Golding, Manchester; Casey Hirth, Chelsea; Karis Kanitz, Milan and Andrea Meade, Livonia

One of the most prestigious youth awards, the Danforth Leadership Award was presented to Montana Cohn of South Lyon, Heather Cook and Emily Hattie of Dexter, and Keith Tenerowicz of Canton. This award recognized teens for their emerging leadership and motivation.

Twelve Washtenaw County youth were inducted as Junior Master Gardeners. To become a Junior Master Gardener, youth must complete twenty hours of instruction and donate ten hours of volunteer work in their communities. The 2008 Jr. Master Gardeners were: Alex Drain, John Florczak, Zeid Juma, Kateri Lelii, Jonathan Meier, Katie Riles, Lizzie Riles, Emma Rose, Emily Rose, Benedict Rusell, Arianna Spoor and Yoshio Wagner.

Fifteen Washtenaw County youth were inducted as 4-H Ambassadors for 2009: Shannon Bater of Chelsea, Molly Buis, of South Lyon, Melanie Burchett of Chelsea, Ellie Burt of South Lyon, Meghan Carpenter of Stockbridge, Melanie Clark of Dexter, Courtney Cook of Dexter, Melissa Cousino of Manchester, Kimber Creteau of Dexter, Allison Ferguson of Ann Arbor, Alexandra Greaves of Saline, Riley Ravary of Ypsilanti, David Reynhout of Chelsea, Ashley Thomas of Ypsilanti and Malaika Whitney of Ann Arbor.



Club Spirit Awards went to many young members for their enthusiasm, involvement and sportsmanship. They were:
Kennedy Aldrich, Chelsea Mason Horning,Manchester Bill Poet, Saline
Shelby Barnes, Dexter Natalie Horning,Manchester Robert Rasch, Manchester
Trent Barnes, Dexter Angela Jedele, Saline Adam Reynolds, Chelsea
Grant Bater, Chelsea Jordon Kanitz, Milan Amanda Richardson,Ypsilanti
Tyler Bauer, Saline Robert Kanitz, Milan Andrew Richardson,Ypsilanti
Maya Bieszki, Ann Arbor Laura Kapanowski, Chelsea Joshua Richardson,Ypsilanti
Annalie Borowicz,Ann Arbor Jacob Kern, Chelsea Colleen Roberts,Tecumseh
Elizabeth Boyce, Chelsea MaKenna Kern, Chelsea Michelle Roberts, Tecumseh
Amanda, Breuninger, Dexter Morgan Kern, Chelsea Brooke Robison, Saline
Zeke Breuninger, Dexter Angela King, South Lyon Allison Rochowiak,Dexter
Veronica Buschhaus, Ann Arbor Anna Marie King, South Lyon Blake Rogers, Clinton
Maurice Coman, Northville Katia Koerner, Saline Ryan Rogers, Clinton
Miranda Coman, Northville Korbyn Koerner, Saline Emma Rose, Saline
Samantha Dicks, Saline Dean Kuebler, Saline Sofia Rose, Saline
Chad Ehnis, Whitmore Lake Ciara Lesko, Chelsea Abby Salata, Whitmore Lake
Madison Even, Dexter Athena Lewandowski,South Lyon Casey Schmenk, Milan
Tayler Even, Dexter Alyssa Luckhardt, Saline Roy Schmidt, Chelsea
Corinne Figarra, Ypsilanti Taylor Luckhardt, Dexter Robert Sloan, Pinckney
Emma Ford, Saline Olivia McCalla, Chelsea Hollly Smith, Ann Arbor
Matthew Genereaux, Saline Abby Rose McLean, Dexter Rachael Snyder, Chelsea
Rachel Genereaux, Saline Alison McLean, Dexter Emily Sparks, Jackson
Beka Gilmore, Britton Cailin McLean, Dexter Erika Stetler, Manchester
Josie Gilmore, Britton Kristen Meade, Livonia Jackquelyn Stokes, Ypsilanti
Caroline Golding, Manchester Adam Melcher, South Lyon Samantha Stokes, Ypsilanti
Ryan Groves, Ann Arbor Allison Melcher, South Lyon Lilly Teachout, Dexter
Avalon Guenther, Dexter Andrew Milkey,Chelsea Kali Wealch, Whitmore Lake
Robert Guenther, Dexter Jordan Moll, Whitmore Lake Rachel Weidmayer,Ann Arbor
Madison Heath, Milan Sarah Moll, Whitmore Lake Sara Weldon, Whitmore Lake
Nathan Heath, Milan Sierra Moran, Whitmore Lake Trevor Wells, Ann Arbor
Megan Heydlauff,Chelsea Viktor Morris-Giraud,Dexter Hannah Wing, Dexter
Emily Hicks, Dexter MacKenzie O’Connor, Ann Arbor Nathaniel Wing, Dexter
Hannah Hicks, Dexter Amanda Paciorka, Dexter Ethan Young, Dexter
Katie Hicks, Dexter Hayden Pitts, Ann Arbor Megan Young, Saline
Shannon Hicks, Dexter Richard Poet, Saline Taelor Young, Saline




Volunteers completing 1, 5, 10, 20, 25 and 30 years of leadership to 4-H were honored for their dedication.
Recipients of First Year 4-H Volunteer Leadership Pins (name, and school district listed)

Janet Adelmann, Ann Arbor Debra Koch, Dexter
Cynthia Andrews, Ann Arbor Leslie Kucinskas, Saline
Jane Barnes, Grass Lake Sandra LaCruze, Whitmore Lake
Julie Bauer, Chelsea Judy McCammon, Ypsilanti
Brenda Betts, Ann Arbor Laurie Moll, Whitmore Lake
Roxana Block, Chelsea Julie Owdziej, Ann Arbor
Barbara Bowman, Ann Arbor Betty Recker, Ypsilanti
Beth Chamberlain, Chelsea Dawna Rice, Manchester
Kimberly Clavier, Grass Lake Allan Rochowiak, Dexter
Theresa Dayus, Ann Arbor James Smith, Ypsilanti
Barbara Eversole, Manchester Lisa Stacey, Dexter
Catherine Henderson, Ann Arbor Mark Summerville, Milan
Ann Juma-Stephenson, Ann Arbor Shelly Verbal, Whitmore Lake
Karen Kanitz, Milan Amanda Walz, Mancherster
Jill Weldon, Ann Arbor

Five Year Volunteer Leadership (name, and school district listed)

Ann Blovits, Saline Virginia Litwin, Manchester
Jay Blovits, Saline Kathy Miller, Dexter
Rebecca Bohnett, Saline Diane Teneriwicz, Canton
Grace Greaves, Saline Jennifer West, South Lyon

Ten Year Volunteer Leadership (name, and school district listed)

Robert Baldus, Whitmore Lake Leonard McCalla, Grass Lake
Martin Cohn, South Lyon Leonard McCalla, Grass Lake
Cindy Fischer, Dexter Sue Rodgers, Dexter
Diane Hammond, Saline Pam Sarlitto, Canton
Cricket Killen, Ann Arbor Melissa Sullivan, Plymouth
Nancy Kohler, Clinton Jennifer Tykoski, South Lyon
Ann Warner, Ann Arbor


Twenty Year Volunteer Leadership(name, and school district listed)

David Field, Ann Arbor
Mary Sue Gothard, South Lyon

Twenty-five Year Volunteer Leadership(name, and school district listed)
John Bihlmeyer, Manchester

Thirty Year Volunteer Leadership(name, and school district listed)
Steve Thelen, Saline


The Key Club award was presented to Heather Cook of Dexter and Patti Vaassen of Saline for outstanding performance as a 4-H teen participating in District and State 4-H events, teen leadership project, three or more years as a 4-H member in two or more project areas and with a 4-H leader recommendation.

Diane & Earl Horning of Manchester and Bill Lutz of Saline were recognized by the Washtenaw County 4-H Program as the 4-H Alumni of the Year, signifying their life-time 4-H involvement and service to this community.

Several community supporters of the 4-H program received the Meritorious Service/Friend of 4-H Award. They were: Robert Bricault, Dexter; Thelma Crawford, Ann Arbor; Einstein Brothers Bagels, Plymouth; Life Support Services, Ann Arbor and District I, County Commissioner Mark Ouimet.

4-H Angel recognition was given to Sandee Sheets of Saline and Carol Figarra of Ypsilanti.

The program concluded with the presentation of the 4-H Leader of the Year: Susan Zalucha of Dexter.

Liberty Road closed for flooding

This news release came in from the Washtenaw County Road Commission and I thought I'd share it with readers and commuters.

WASHTENAW COUNTY ROAD COMMISSION
555 N. Zeeb Road
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48103

MEDIA ADVISORY

WHO: To media representatives, the traveling public and all interested parties
WHAT: Road Closure
WHEN: Beginning Wednesday, February 11, 2009 and until further notice
WHERE: Liberty Road, between Honey Run Drive and Stags Leap Lane in Scio Township
WHY: Severe Flooding
BACKGROUND: On Wednesday afternoon, February 11, 2009 the Washtenaw County Road Commission CLOSED Liberty Road between Honey Run Drive and Stags Leap Lane in Scio Township due to severe flooding. The road will remain closed to the traveling public until further notice.
CONTACT: If you have any questions concerning this road closure, please contact Jim Harmon, Director of Operations, at (734) 327-6653, or via email at harmonj@wcroads.org.
ISSUE DATE: February 11, 2009

Get cooking

Put these ingredients on your shopping list and create a truly scrumptious dinner on Saturday. It's Valentines Day, in case you haven't checked the calendar. Christian Thompson is one of Milan's hidden gems, an amazing chef and top-shelf caterer. He kindly shared this recipe for readers, but we couldn't get it in this week's paper. (that's another story - ad revenues down...don't get me started on this sob story, but DO renew/start your subscription today).
Check out this dish and cook it up for the little lovies in your house:

Chicken Canneloni with Roasted Tomato Sauce

Roasted Tomato Sauce
· 1 lb. Roma tomatoes quartered
· 2 cloves garlic
· 2 shallots minced
· 1 Tbs. oregano
· 1 Tbs. thyme
· ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
· Salt and pepper to taste
· ½ stick melted butter for the blender

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place all ingredients in roasting pan and cover with extra virgin olive oil. Roast for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and transfer roasted tomatoes to a blender. Puree, then add melted butter and puree again.

Chicken Canneloni
· ¼ cup olive oil
· ½ cup button mushrooms (sliced and chopped)
· ½ cup shitake mushrooms (sliced and chopped)
· 5 oz. baby spinach
· 1 large chicken breast cooked and cubed
· ¼ lbs sweet Italian sausage
· ½ cup parmesan cheese
· ½ cup ricotta cheese
· 1/3 cup julienne basil
· 3 8x12 pre-made lasagna sheets
· Salt and pepper to taste

In a non-stick skillet, sauté mushrooms over med-high heat. Add spinach and cook until wilted. Remove from heat and cool. Add chicken, sausage, parmesan, ricotta, salt, pepper, and mix together.

Cut lasagna sheets into 4x6 rectangles. Place ¼ cup of the chicken mixture into the center of the lasagna sheet and roll into a tube. Place rolls in a 8xl1 greased backing dish. Ladle tomato sauce over the rolls and top with mozzarella cheese and basil.

Place in a 375 degree oven for 10 to 12 minutes.

Green tips..

In light of the post I just added about makemesustainable.com, I figured I should also post several suggestions for being Green so visitors can get a better idea of what is being talked about and what people can do to help out or be more energy and environmentally conscientious.

At home:
-Turn down heating by a few degrees in winter
-Turn up thermostat by a few degrees in summer
-Replace regular light bulbs with CFL bulbs

Shopping:
-Purchase organic or locally grown produce
-Either reuse paper bags from a previous visit or bring a canvas tote to reduce paper and plastic waste
-Recycle all newspapers, glass, plastic and cardboard in your local recycling center

On the road:
-Keep tires inflated on car so as to reduce gas consumption (this is cheaper for you!)
-Walk or use a bicycle when possible, or use public transportation
-Fill your tank with natural gas, biodiesel or ethanol

Miscellaneous:
-Unplug devices that are not in use, such as phone chargers and DVD players. Even though they are off, they still pull energy, hence the little red light that pops on when it is off
-Turn lights off when they are not needed during the daytime or in vacant rooms
-Install a water filter rather than purchase bottled water, which not only creates added waste but is economically wasteful for many brands

Facebook meets Going Green

Make me sustainable is something new I'm trying. It is essentially a social networking website (makemesustainable.com) that operates similarly to Facebook. Each member has a profile, friends, groups and a wall for posting updates or comments.

The different is that it is geared toward energy efficiency and environmentally-friendly practices. Signing up requires filling out a survey of sorts that roughly calculates that person's carbon footprint. The same applies for businesses, which can also have profile pages and can sign up on the site to calculate their emissions and carbon outputs.

The goal is to generate a database of information on how much each person and business is putting off and wasting, and to set goals on reduction. I have already reduced my carbon by 0.98 tons.

It is also a useful tool for energy saving and environment-friendly ideas. Not everyone knows how to conserve energy or how the every day actions we go through have an effect. This social networking database has suggestions to behavioral improvement and acts as a community of encouragement for changing things for the better. It is really interesting and already fairly popular within the Ann Arbor area. Try it out and test how Green you really are!

I was freaking, but not like that

I was one of the dozen or so chaperones at the Saline High School Winter Dance on Saturday evening where a few hundred students were getting down on the dance floor. Now, in my day, that just didn't mean what it does now.
Once the lights dimmed and the music cranked up, these kids got seriously down. I mean, there were gyrating hips pressing hard against other pulsating hips. The boys were pumping it, snugged up against the back-sides of the girls. Excuse me for not watching MTV at all during the last decade. I had no idea this is how kids dance now. I saw some prim and proper girls and downright nerdy boys performing serious pelvic thrusts.
Along with school administrators and staff, I walked across the dance floor, suggesting kids leave just breath of space between the booties.
Call me old-fashioned (though nobody who knows me would), but I was shocked. Mom and Dad, have you seen the way kids dance? Did you know it's common for the boyfriend or date to jam his body into the back of the girl's body, reaching his hands around her, "resting" his open palms on the front of her hips?
Well, there you go. I came away from the dance feeling:

1/ relieved my 17-year old daughter hates that kind of music and wouldn't attend
2/ scared that my younger daughter might
3/ scarred for life
4/ feeling really, really ancient and old-fashioned

But, I guess the kids "freakin" (the term used to describe kind of dance, as our adorable, young admin here at the paper informed me) is not the greatest of our troubles. The good news at the dance was that there were no boozers or waste-cases bringing down the party. Good job, kids. Good job, too, to the Saline Safe Schools Events task force for helping keep the dance clean. Now, if I can just clear my head of those images....or bring myself into the 2000's....

Internet safety tips to be offered today at open house

This didn't come in time for our print deadline, but I thought it was important enough to post online in light of the Saline teen who was lured to Puerto Rico allegedly through the Internet and/or gaming community.

To: Pittsfield Twp. Public Safety Watch Groups

From: Ritchie Coleman, PSCC

Subject: Internet Safety Tips Open House, Thursday 2-5, 6-7:30pm, Pittsfield Twp. DPS Multipurpose Room

Date: 2-4-09

The Internet and On-line Gaming safety concerns have become a challenge for all families as we increase the access to the various new forms of technology in our homes. Parents throughout our area are talking with their children and teenagers about Internet safety and tomorrow night parents are invited to stop by the agency to get access to the latest materials to enhance your knowledge of the latest trends in social networks, on-line gaming and more. Please feel free to stop by to gain access to this important information.

Joke of the day...

"Why do gorillas have big nostrils?"

"Because they have big fingers!!!"

... and also just for fun... I heard this amazing pick-up line last weekend that I thought I should share for a giggle. Here goes..

"I can't find my puppy, can you help me find him? I think he went into that cheap motel room."

Who's that lay-day!?

Ok, so Sue totally scooped me in more ways than one this week. First, she was the first to post the update on the missing girl on our website by around noon Tuesday when the mother received word that she had been found in Puerto Rico.

Her second scoop was in posting to the blog about Ladies Night before me!!! I'm so sad. I had such a good lead in, too. I was going to sing "Who's that lady"... It would have been a very special moment. Now it's ruined.

However, I will be attending Ladies Night, either solo or with my imaginary friends. If you are so inclined, you should all attend, too. If you're female, that is. Nothing like a cocktail on a thirsty Thursday!

Bill requires kids to stay in school through age 18

I found this news release interesting from state Sen. Liz Brater. What do you think?

State Sen. Liz Brater, D-Ann Arbor, has reintroduced a bill that will require every child in Michigan to stay in school until they are 18 or graduate, whichever is sooner. Senate Bill 170 raises the compulsory attendance age from 16 to 18, and addresses the urgent need to increase the high school graduation rate in Michigan.

"In our troubled economy, it’s more important than ever to make sure our kids are given every opportunity to succeed," said Brater. "Michigan needs an educated workforce, and that begins with a high school diploma. Raising the dropout age will keep students in school longer, giving them the skills needed to compete in the job market."

The bill recognizes that some students will do better outside of a traditional classroom setting. It allows alternative and vocational education as well as community college courses to count toward graduation. Apprenticeship and work study programs would qualify under this approach, as well as an option for a student to complete courses online. If this bill is adopted, it would affect students currently in the fifth grade or younger. Fifteen other states, including Wisconsin, Ohio, Minnesota, Texas and Kansas, require school attendance to the age of 18.

According to the National Center for Educational Statistics, the average male high school dropout earns only $19,000 per year while the average female drop-out makes only $12,000. The average high school graduate will have an annual income at least 50 percent higher than his or her non-graduate counterpart. This disparity grows every year.

Aside from the economic costs involved with dropping out of school early, there are also severe social costs. According to the Department of Corrections, approximately 70 percent of the inmate population in Michigan prisons last year had not completed high school. The state spends $6,700 per pupil per year to educate them, but it costs almost $30,000 per year to house a prison inmate.

Hey, Lay - dees! Come to town Thurs.

Thursday, February 5, 3-9pm
Saline Ladies Night O U T

Downtown Saline is rolling out the red carpet for ladies again! Gather up your mom, sister, daughter, best gal-pals, co-workers and cohorts and enjoy special treatment up and down the streets. Our retail stores will have trinkets, specials and drawings for goodies and our restaurants will have food and drink specials. What more could a gal want: shopping, food, drinks, and friends!
Wear your support for LNO and the SDMA!Visit the Saline Store at Cafe Press to purchase your totally unofficial LNO t-shirt and $2 will go directly to helping the SDMA fund this year's wonderful community events!
Saline Store at Cafe Press

This is a copy of the poster Stacey Rieberger made in her attempt to find her missing daughter, believed to be in Puerto Rico. She was last seen in Saline on Sat., Jan 31 at 11am.

Jasmine Adrienne Malory Rieberger Age 16
D.O.B. 1.11.93
Height: 5'4" Weight: 150 lbs. ciento cincunta libras
Eyes: Blue ojos azules
Hair: Long Dark Brown pelo mucho tiempo marron oscuro
Fair complexion
Special Identifying characteristics:
Wears Braces, (tirantes) Ears Double Pierced, (oidos perforados)
Sometimes wears reading glasses, Likes to draw, interesting in
boxing,boxers, may be around boxing clubs.

What the wreath?

I was out on a run (ok, I ran two miles, walked one) this morning with my camera and noticed quite a few Christmas wreaths still hanging, turning brown. Now, come on folks. Get off the couch, quit your moaning about the low temperatures and take down the holiday decorations already.
Now, I adore Christmas trimmings and applaud these homeowners for decking the halls. But, it's February now. Time to de-wreath.
Dig out the pink ribbons and heart-shaped wreaths. But, please take it down before the calendar turns to March.