Posted: 12/12/2010 - 1 comment(s) [ Comment ] - 0 trackback(s) [ Trackback ] - 0 Likes

Category: Community

To Make a Donation, please make
checks payable to:
The Community Foundation for
Southeast Michigan
"I'm a Believer" Campaign
333 W. Fort St. Suite 2010
Detroit, MI 48226

Welcome.

You took a leap of faith to visit this website – which already tells me a lot about you. You're here because you believe that by working together we can work wonders. You're here because you believe that Detroit can be the great city it once was.

Together we are turning vacant lots into playgrounds and urban gardens. And we are taking houses suffering from years of neglect and turning them back into homes again.

We are transforming classrooms into places where our children will be challenged and motivated. And we are making our neighborhoods safe places to live, work, play and raise a family.

We're making things happen. And you're here because you're ready to help – to offer your input, your voice and your commitment. Because you know that you and all the other Believers that come to this site have the same spirit of innovation, the same energy and the same heart that once built a city for the world to envy.

People like you working with people like us have already worked miracles in Harlem, in Pittsburgh, in Baltimore and in many other urban areas. So with your input, your voice and your involvement I know we can create a shining future for Detroit. In fact, that's why I'm a believer.

Coming soon – before the end of October – we will have a list of volunteer opportunities for Believers that will help make Detroit a great city again.

Remember – if we all do something, we can do anything.

Financial contributions are urgently needed to cover the fixed costs of producing the TV campaign. All personnel time is donated.

Help make others believers in Detroit

BY STEPHEN HENDERSON
FREE PRESS COLUMNIST

Good attitudes are infectious.

And there's no shortage of the bad attitude virus around Detroit.But bad attitudes are viral.

Mostly, it causes us to afflict ourselves with negative messages about where we live.

It may not be the city's biggest or most pressing problem, but our deleterious self-image doesn't help -- and it's a problem we can actually fix.

In many ways, no one's harder on Detroit than metro Detroiters. Simple solution: Stop it.

Stop bad-mouthing the city and the region. Stop going out of town and either denying you're from Detroit or trashing the place. Stop looking away from the opportunities you have as an individual, even small ones, to pitch in and make things better around here. At the very least, don't make them worse.

That's what Paige Curtis and Sandy Hermanoff, two suburban PR executives, believe it is time to do.

They plan to launch a campaign in January that will encourage metro Detroiters to proclaim, "I'm a believer" in Detroit.

They shot a commercial last week in which all manner of metro Detroiters -- from Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson to Detroit Mayor Dave Bing, Kid Rock and author Elmore Leonard -- say it's time to start working to make the city better.

The advocates in the commercial (who include both me and my counterpart at the Detroit News, Nolan Finley) all encourage metro Detroiters to clean up a neighborhood or tutor a child. The campaign's Web site will list opportunities for people to get involved.

"If we all do something, we can do anything."

That's my favorite line in the commercial. It cuts to the core of the way we need to think about Detroit's troubles.

In the macro sense of public policy, budgets and socioeconomic issues, there are very few ways for individuals in metro Detroit to fix the city and region.

Thinking big is the provenance of policy-makers. But all of us can do little things that matter, that snowball, that ultimately make the big things possible.

It starts with the way we talk about the place. There are other great examples.

This past week, a group of ex-pat Detroiters from New York (called Detroit Nation-635 Mile Road, because New York is 635 miles from Detroit) was in town to pitch an idea about leveraging former local residents from around the country to lend their support and expertise to rebuilding efforts in the city.

It's a wonderful idea, given the thousands of ex-Detroiters who still feel for the place and offer intellectual capital to be tapped. They hear about what's going on here, and read it about it in national publications. And lots of them want to help.

The Free Press' Gift of Reading program this year is also intently focused on a specific problem in Detroit schools: Not enough children have books of their own. So our annual book drive is centered, with the help of the Beyond Basics tutoring program, around the idea of getting 25,000 books -- one for every child in pre-K through third grade.

It won't solve Detroit schools' problems. But it will make one small difference for each of those 25,000 kids.

And like the "I'm a Believer" campaign, it just requires a little effort -- and an end to our notorious bad attitude about us.

Stephen Henderson is editorial page editor for the Free Press and the host of "American Black Journal," which airs at 2 p.m. Sundays on WTVS (Channel 56) in Detroit. Contact Henderson at shenderson600@ freepress.com, or at 313-222-6659.

'I'm A Believer' campaign gets support from wide range of community leaders and citizens

Posted: 11/08/2010

By: Diana Lewis

DETROIT, Mich. (WXYZ) - Studio ”A” here at Channel 7, has been busy all day, not with our typical WXYZ projects – but with the production of a series of public service announcements designed to make believers of all of us.

Detroit Mayor Dave Bing was there. But it’s the kind of thing you’d expect the mayor to do – to encourage everyone to get involved in promoting Detroit and making it strong.

But the “I’m A Believer” campaign is also about students.

And hometown heroes like former Tiger great, Willie Horton.

“I’m Detroit, I’m about people and my love is still Detroit and I know a whole lot of other people are about Detroit too,” Horton told us.

“I’m A Believer” is the brainchild of public relations experts Paige Curtis and Sandy Hermanoff.

Sandy was so excited about the taping she could hardly sleep last night. “There are so many organizations in Detroit that really need our help. And that’s what the campaign is all about – to turn around Detroit. Because if Detroit is strong, then the state of Michigan is strong and it makes us all stronger, and it makes us proud.”

The goal is to get people to go to a website to get a comprehensive list of opportunities to volunteer in Detroit. You can find something that matches your interests or skills…and then take action.

Former radio personality Dick Purtan has long been a volunteer for Detroit based projects.

“It’s the old thing of giving back,” he told us. “We do live here we do enjoy the benefits of living here in many ways and so it’s payback time.”

Director William Dear is also paying back. He’s directed more than a dozen feature films – including
The Sandlot and Harry and the Hendersons. He’s a believer.

Dear says, “I’m grateful for the experience and the craft that I learned, my whole craft of filmmaking was learned here in Detroit. So to come back and help Detroit was a no-brainer. Someone asked, ‘ Do you want to do it?’ I said please, please count me in.”

Dave Rexroth and Diana Lewis were both part of the recording session. Other participants included Paul W. Smith of WJR, Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano, Beaumont Hospital president & CEO Gene Michalski, Oakland County Executive, L. Brooks Patterson, Radio Host Mildred Gaddis and many more.

Detroit Campaign Aims to Create Army of Believers

Taping of PSA Brings Together Celebrities, Media Personalities and Community Leaders

DETROIT, Nov. 5, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Local celebrities, media personalities and leaders from throughout the business, political and educational communities in southeast Michigan will gather at WXYZ TV, Channel 7 studios in Southfield Monday, November 8 to film a public service announcement focused to help change the way people perceive and talk about Detroit. The station is donating production facilities for the day.

Scheduled to appear in the PSA are: Detroit Mayor David Bing, Oakland County Executive Brooks Patterson, Wayne County Executive Bob Ficano, Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel, Detroit Police Chief Ralph Godbee, Detroit Public Schools Financial Manager Robert Bobb, The Parade Company CEO Tony Michaels, rapper Trick-Trick, local composer and singer Jill Jack, veteran radio icon Dick Purtan, on air TV anchors from local stations, Redwing Coach Mike Babcock, Michigan Food and Beverage Association President Ed Deeb, Detroit News Editorial Page Editor Nolan Finley, novelist Elmore Leonard, philanthropist Al Taubman, Beaumont CEO Gene Michalski, WWJ radio personality Jayne Bower, WJR radio host Paul W. Smith, author Mitch Albom, Tiger icon Willie Horton, Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy, Free Press Editorial Page EditorStephen Henderson, and the list goes on.

The PSA is the first component in the ambitious "I'm a Believer" campaign designed to make people feel proud about Detroitand help change the hearts and minds of the people living in and around the city. The goal of the first phase of the campaign is to encourage residents of southeastern Michigan to become change-makers themselves.

"Until now, there have been dozens of campaigns designed to make people feel proud that they're from Detroit, but none have succeeded in connecting all of them together in a compelling way," said Paige Curtis of The Curtis Group, whose team created radio, TV and outdoor advertising. "'I'm a Believer' hopes to do just that with a dynamic ad campaign that features the PSA, a website and a plan that encompasses local network TV, radio, print, billboards and cable. We might not have the money to do everything we need to do to change Southeast Michigan," said Curtis, "but we do have the manpower. And if we all do something, we can do anything."

This campaign began as a collaborative effort and passion of Sandy Hermanoff, CEO of Hermanoff Public Relations, and Curtis late in 2009. It was Hermanoff and Curtis who assembled the "I'm a Believer" team and convinced them to donate their time. Since then, the team – which is comprised of staff from the Hermanoff and Curtis agencies and former Detroiters who are now Hollywood producers and directors – have logged more than 1,500 hours. Funds are presently being handled through the Community Foundation for Southeastern Michigan.

The estimated value of the campaign is $10 million; however, because everyone is working for free, the only hard costs are$30,000 for 501c3 fees, insurance and other fixed costs. All creative, meeting time, messaging, strategic planning and energy is being donated.

"The campaign talks frankly about the challenges and problems of southeast Michigan and points out how many people have turned their backs on the everyday issues and concerns that face our area," said Hermanoff. "By focusing on the positive, our belief is that when internal attitudes change, the external image begins to improve. We all need to be ambassadors if we are going to change the image inside our city."

In addition to the radio and television ads, the website (www.believeindetroit.org) is another important component of the campaign, along with a Facebook page (www.facebook.com/detroitbeliever) and a Twitter campaign (www.twitter.com/DetroitBeliever ). The website, which is not yet complete, links Believers to non-profits, school and community volunteer programs, offering mentor opportunities, encouraging donation options, and presenting other appropriate links that bring people together. It will eventually feature a link to the Believer Store with retail items for sale. Content will send visitors to legitimate, bona fide organizations that will offer ways area residents can step up and help.

"We are very excited about what the website will do for this campaign," said Mark Petroff, CEO of Marketing Associates inDetroit, creators of the website. "It offers a portal where people can visit to learn what they can do to start believing in Detroitand partnering with organizations that are working to positively change our city."

SOURCE I'm a Believer

Arise Detroit

Posted: 12/7/2010 - 0 comment(s) [ Comment ] - 0 trackback(s) [ Trackback ] - 0 Likes

Category: Community

About Us

We are a broad-based coalition of community groups. Our mission is to launch a new wave of volunteerism for the many worth while programs and activities that are struggling with the issues that trouble our community – illiteracy, high school dropout rates, crime and youth violence, drug abuse, domestic abuse, neighborhood blight and unemployment.

It is our belief that everyone can play a role and render service, thereby having a greater impact on solving these chronic problems. Our goal is to unite the entire community — nonprofit organizations, churches, schools, the business community and the media — in an unprecedented call to action.

This movement is about making a personal commitment for change at a critical time in our city’s history. We invite you to be part of this historic effort.

Click Here to Read and Print a brochure about ARISE Detroit!

ARISE Detroit! Embrace The Vision, Be Part of The Change.

Luther Keith,
Executive Director of ARISE Detroit!

About Luther Keith Arise Detroit! Be Part of the change

Luther Keith, executive director of ARISE Detroit!, is a former award-winning editor and columnist for The Detroit News. A native Detroiter, Keith served in many roles for the newspaper before retiring in 2005. He had stints as a sports writer, state capitol correspondent, city editor, state editor, business editor, assistant managing editor, public editor and columnist.

In many of those roles, Keith developed and coordinated stories and special reports on quality of life issues affecting Detroit such as crime, education and neighborhood revitalization.

"I consider working with ARISE Detroit! a logical extension of the many issues I wrestled with as a journalist," Keith says. "I have seen the passion and energy of Detroiters and others who care about the city and I'm looking forward to working with them to help create the kind of community we all want."

In 1985, Keith took a leave of absence to become the founding director of Wayne State University's Journalism Institute for Minorities, a program to recruit and train minorities for careers in the media. Keith was inducted into the Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame in 1995.

Keith is a former vice-president with the Detroit chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists and holds board memberships with the Rosa Parks Scholarship Foundation and Plowshares Theater Company. He also serves as a Detroit Public Library Commissioner.

Do you want to have Luther Keith, Executive Director, speak to your community group, church or organization about the ARISE Detroit! movement and how you can get involved?

To schedule an appearance, contact Genevieve Clark at 313-921-1955.

About Us

ARISE stands for ActivatingResources and Inspiring Serviceand Empowerment.

Our goal is to promote a greater citizen involvement and community awareness of organizations and services that help a community function better.

We are creating a permanent network of organizations and their volunteers offering programs that support children and families. Read More

Mission

Our mission is to inspire a community of active engagement, personal responsibility and hope by connecting people to opportunities and resources to transform the quality of life for all Detroiters. Join Now

Vision

Detroit will be a city where children are loved and mentored, families are healthy and strong, and everyone is instilled with a spirit of hope and engaged in community service.
Join Now

Founding Partners

to Login | Register

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

ACCESS African American Family Magazine Alternatives for Girls Art of Leadership Black Family Development Inc. Childrens Aid Society City Year Detroit Communities in Schools DAPCEP Detroit Parent Network Detroit Free Press Detroit Youth Foundation Hope United Methodist Church Legacy Associates Foundation Marshall Alexander Youth Organization Metro Parent Publishing Group Neighborhood Services Organization ProLiteracy Detroit Skillman Foundation Southwest Solutions VSA Arts of Michigan Youth Development Commission

ARISE Detroit!! has quickly grown from 22 initial metro-Detroit partners to over 200! We are always seeking to formalize new partnerships with great organizations of all sizes that are working hard to improve the quality of life for metro-Detroit residents.

Here are the benefits of becoming a partner of ARISE Detroit!! and what your organization can receive:

Publication of partner events on ARISE Detroit!! website and use of community calendar
Help in recruitment of volunteers for partner programs
Help with media coverage for organizations -- print and broadcast
Inclusion of selected activities and events in ARISE Detroit!! E-newsletter
Networking opportunities with other Metro Detroit non-profits
Co-sponsorship of selected events of partner organizations
Possible inclusion in future ARISE Detroit! advertising and promotion
Consideration for future ARISE Detroit! radio and television programming and more!

If in fact you are interested in joining the members of ARISE Detroit!! in our effort to make a better community for everyone, call us today at (313) 921-1955 and express your interest to "Be Part of the Change"

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ACCESS
AAA Michigan
Aces Program
Arts & Scraps
American RAC, LLC
America’s Charities
ARISE Cass Tech
A Bone Marrow Wish
Alternative for Girls
Adult Well-Being Services
African Dance Works
Alpha Phi Omega (WSU)
ARISE Detroit Network Radio
Adopt-A-Park, City of Detroit
Angeline Smith & Associates
Ambassadors Clubs of Americas
The Art of Leadership Foundation
Association for Strategic Planning
Architectural Millwork Specialists, Inc.
Abundant Care Training Services (ACTS)
American Diabetes Assoc.(African American Program)
Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America – Michigan Chapter
Anderson Memorial Church/Project Hope The Art of Leadership Foundation

Media Partners and Supporters

African American Family Magazine

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B
Boys II Men
Bethlehem House
Boost Mobile Rock Corps
Born2dothis Foundation
Brothers Against Guns
Black Family Development
Brownrigg Companies, Ltd.
Big Brothers Big Sisters – Detroit
Bill Sanders/Imperial Photography
Black Caucus Foundation of Michigan
Burnette Inspirational Senior Center
Boy Scouts of America (Learning for Life Programs)

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C
Chase Bank
College Prep
Charter One Bank
Credit Union One
City Year Detroit
Children’s Aid Society
City Connect Detroit
Central State University
Compuware Corporation
Crime Stoppers of Michigan
Construction Specialists Inc.
Community Legal Resources
Crowning Moments Comm. Services
Charilyn Goolsby/WGE Promotions
Christmas in Action, Oakland County
Communities in Schools of Detroit
Commuity United for Progress (CUP)
Council of Baptist Pastors of Detroit & Vicinity
CHOW (Community Health Outreach Workers)
Child Care Coordinating Council of Detroit-Wayne County, Inc.
Caleidoscope of Culture Foundation Cass Tech High School Alumni Assoc.

Media Partners and Supporters

Comcast Cable

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D
DAPCEP
Detroit Saves
Detroit Tigers
Digital Destinies
Detroit Free Press
Detroit City Council
Dazzle U Clean, LLC
Detroit Metro Airport Hotel Network
Detroit Public Library
Detroit Public Schools
Detroit Recovery Project
Detroit Health Department
Detroit Youth Foundation
Deanna Nolan Foundation
Dominion Family Services
Detroit Parent Network Group
Det. Community Health Connection, Inc.
Detroit Association of Black Storytellers
Detroit Community Health & Welfare
Destiny and Purpose Community Outreach
Detroit International Black Expo
Detroit International Jazz Festival
Detroit Media Partnership, LP
Detroit Police Department/Com. Outreach
Detroit Regional Chamber Foundation
Don Bosco Hall—DADZ Program
Down To Earth Community Outreach
Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries
Detroit Workforce Development Dept.
Detroit-Wayne County Mental Health Agency
Developing Education Awareness and Leadership (DEAL)
Donald L. Henderson/Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc.
Detroit East Inc., Community Mental Health Center

Media Partners and Supporters

Detroit Black Page
Detroit Free Press

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E
Exam Experts, Inc.
Entrepreneur Works
Experience SeniorPower
Empowerment Zone Coalition
Equity in Partnership Educational Services
Equity in Partnership Educational Services
ENOTA (Educating Neighborhoods to Obey Those in Authority)
Environmental Health Research Center/Wayne State University

Media Partners and Supporters

Empowerment News – Comcast

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F
Focus:Hope
Family Service, Inc.
Fellowship Chapel Church
For the Kids Foundation
Foundation for Comm. Inspiration Corp.
Foxworth Marketing Group
Frederick Douglass High School

Media Partners and Supporters

Fox 2, TV

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G
GDAHC: LEAP Detroit
Girl Scouts of Metropolitan Detroit
Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit
Grandmont Rosedale Development Corp.
Great Start Collaborative-Wayne

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H
HAND
Hope United Methodist Church
Habitat for Humanity—Detroit
Hartford Memorial Baptist Church
Heritage Academy (Hamtramck)
Henry Ford Hospice/SandCastles
HOPE Worldwide - Detroit Branch
Helping Individuals Succeed (H.I.S.) Agency

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I
ImagiNation Sports
Integrity Solutions
Islamic Mosque No. 1
Internatonal Association for Organ Donation
Infant Mortality Program (Parent-Infant-Partners)

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J
Jammin II, Inc.
James Tatum Foundation for the Arts
Jewish Com. Council of Metro. Detroit
Joyce Howe, CPA, West Bloomfield

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K
Kidpacks
Katina Shaw/Femipouch Inc.
KB Etiquette Consulting
Keep Detroit Beautiful
Kingdom Building Services
Katherine Dunham National Tribute (c/o Betty Appleby)

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L
Legacy Associates Foundation
Life Directions
Lichtle Consulting
Lakeridge Village
Looking For My Sister
Life Long Fitness Inc.
Lighthouse of Oakland County
Lula Belle Stewart Center, Inc.
Lutheran Child and Family Services
LTAP (Local Technical Assistance Program)
Lawrence P. Doss Scholarship Foundation
Leadership Development Institute. (U of D Mercy)

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M
Mack Alive
Mayor’s Time
Mentor Scope
Michigan LTAP
Mobile Dentists
MDUBA Associates
Marcus Garvey Academy
Matrix Human Services
Matrix Theatre Company
Minds at Work Camp
Mosaic Youth Theatre
Mentoring Solutions
Mercy Education Project
Metro Detroit Literacy Collective
Metro Parent Publishing Group
Michigan Neighborhood Partnership
Motor City Blight Busters, Inc.
Marshall Alexander Youth Organization
Marriage Resource Center of Wayne County
Motown Automotive Professionals-Nonprofit
Michigan Community Service Commission Michigan Mentors
Michigan Youth Opportunities Initiative: Dream Academy (Wayne County)
Michigan Food & Beverage Association/ Michigan Youth Appreciation Foundation
MENTOR (Minorities Empowered Nationally Through Organized Racing)

Media Partners and Supporters

Metro Parent Publishing Group

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N
Neighborhood Service Organization
NAACP, Detroit
N Power-Michigan
New Detroit, Incorporated
Northeast Guidance Center
N-Touch Communications Group
New Genesis Life Skills Center
New Horizons Computer Learning Center
Northwest Activity Center (Community Programs)
National Association of Black Journalists,Detroit Chapter
National Council of Negro Women, Inc., Metro Detroit Section
National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependency (NCADD)
National Family Justice Assoc. (Midwest Regional Office)

Neighborhoods & Block Clubs

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O
Office Depot
Origin Software Systems
Oakland Children’s Services
Office of the Mayor, City of Detroit
Official City Prep Mentoring Program
Ombudsman's Office - City of Detroit
Office of the Governor, State of Michigan

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P
Project ART
PINK Ladies
PBPC-Forever
Prison Fellowship
Proliteracy Detroit
Perk and Brew Corp.
POWER Organization
Pepsi Bottling Company
Parents Partners Network
People of Diversity Network
Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc.
Place of Change Christian Center
Plowshares Theatre Company
Partnership of Pediatricians & Mentors
Pioneers for Peace (Rehab Institute of MI)
Pioneers for Peace (Rehab Institute of MI)
P.A.T.C.H.E.S., Inc. (M.A.N.N.I.E. Project)
Peace of the World International (c/o Betty Appleby)

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R
REACH Project
Rosebush & Company
Ravendale Community, Inc.
Red Cloud Telecom Advisors
Roeper School, Class of 2008
Regent Park Community Association
Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP)
Returning Citizens Public Health Center (Detroit Dept. of Health & Wellness Promotion)

Media Partners and Supporters

Radio One: WCHB-1200-AM; WDTJ-HOT-102.7-FM; WKIS-105.9-FM

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S
Sweet Smiles Dental Solutions
Star of Hope
Simon House
Shante’ Fagans
Summer In The City
Siena Literacy Center
Samaritan Care Hospice
Second Ebenezer Church
St. Peter’s Home for Boys
Stephanie L. Jones, Author
Student Mentors Partners
Summer in the City – Detroit
Senator Hanson Clarke (Michigan)
Smart Move Leadership Training
Southeastern Michigan Music Fund Inc.
St. John-Providence Hospital System
State of Michigan/DHS-Detroit (Volunteers)
Stephanie L. Jones. LLC /Arise Case Tech.
SAFE (Sisters Acquiring Financial Empowerment)
Shrine of the Black Madonna, Akwaaba Community Center

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T
The Generation Project
The D Spot
Think Detroit PAL
Triangle Foundation
Trips for Kids, Detroit
The Skillman Foundation
The Guidance Center
The Henry Ford (Museum)
The Michigan Mall.Com
The Senior Solution Group
The Good Neighbors Garden
Thomas Scientific Corporation
TABCAT Capoeira Angola/The Matrix
The Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW)
Team Michigan Athletics (TMAC)
TEG Environmental Services, LLC
The Detroit Assoc. of Black Storytellers
The Michigan Group Realtors/Rob Schroder
The Institute for Youth Development Washington, DC

Media Partners and Supporters

The Metro Times
The Detroit News
The Michigan Chronicle
The Detroit Newspapers
The Foxworthreport.com
The Jimmy Womack Show, WGPR
The Legacy News, Highland Park
The Christian Broadcast Committee Network

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U
Urban Farming
Unite Here, Local 24
University of Detroit Mercy
United Health Organization
US Department of Treasury – Go Direct
US Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
United Way for Southeastern Michigan (George Romney Volunteer Center)
US Dept of Health & Human Services (Center for Disease Control & MI Cancer Consortium)

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V
Volunteer Impact
VSA Arts of Michigan
Vision Investment Corp./Annetta Powell

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W
Waste Management, Michigan
Wayne (County) Reads Program
Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office
Wayne State University/Go-Girl Program
Ways to Family Self-Sufficiency, Inc. (WTFSS)
Write On! Workshop 4 Girls (WOW4TG)
Wayne County Community College District
Wayne County Advisory Board for Foster/Adoptive Parents/Children

Media Partners and Supporters

WJR, Radio
WWJ Radio
WDIV, Channel 4
WJLB-FM, 97.9
WTVS-TV, WRCJ 90.9 FM

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Y
YouthVille Detroit
Yes We Cancancan
Youth Under Construction
Youth Development Commission
Y Moves Program/YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit

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Donors
Rob Schroder

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Great Lake statements: Gifts that were made in Michigan

Posted: 12/4/2010 - 0 comment(s) [ Comment ] - 0 trackback(s) [ Trackback ] - 0 Likes

Category: Community

Great Lake statements: Gifts that were made in Michigan

BY JEFF SEIDEL
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER

One way to boost Michigan's economy is to buy holiday gifts from Michigan-based companies.

The buy-Michigan spirit prompted three sisters who grew up on a farm in Arenac County -- Rejeana Heinrich, Deborah Robinson and Kathleen Clark -- to start Michigan-Made.com, a Web-based company that sells only products that are made in the state.From fine art to Kid Rock's shot glasses, everything you put under the Christmas tree could be tied to Michigan, not to mention the tree itself.

"We've shipped various merchandise around the country, as well as around the world," Heinrich wrote in an e-mail. "A lot of our stuff goes to Michigan military men and women serving overseas, especially in Iraq and Afghanistan. Their friends and family members love sending them bona fide Michigan stuff from home."

Among the products: an ice cube tray that makes mitt-shaped cubes and sells for $8.49 for a package of two. The trays also can be used to mold ice, chocolate or even gelatin for Jell-O shots, if you are so inclined. Go to http://michigan -made .com /shop .

Here are 10 other Great Lakes State gift ideas:

Around the block: The Michigan Maple Block Co. takes made-in-Michigan to another level. The company, based in Petoskey since 1881, uses wood from trees grown on 3,000 acres in the Upper Peninsula to make gourmet cutting boards. The maple 18-by-12-inch boards are 1 3/4 inches thick and cost $32.35 at Butcher and Packer Supply Co., 1780 E. Fourteen Mile Road, Madison Heights. Or you can purchase them online at www .buy butcherblock .com .

Chip, chip hooray: The Better Made 80th Anniversary Commemorative Tin is packed with 1 pound of original potato chips for $14.95. The chips won't last long, but the tin is a collector's item. Available at www.bmchips.com or at the factory store at 10148 Gratiot, Detroit.

The need for speed: If you have a seriously big budget and have to buy for the person who has (almost) everything, then you can't go wrong with a speedboat made in Cadillac from Four Winns. A 171/2-foot boat with an engine and trailer costs $18,296 at Skipper Bud's Marina, 14016 Fenton Road, Fenton. www.fourwinns.com.

Glassy-eyed: Michigan natives April Wagner and Jason Ruff use techniques developed by Italian glassblowers to create unique tabletop sculptures, vessel wall pieces, wine decanters, paperweights and lighting at Epiphany Glass, 770 Orchard Lake in Pontiac. Prices range from $34 to $5,000. The studio gallery is open to the public only twice a year. An open house is set for 2-6 p.m. today and Sunday. Details: www.epiphanyglass.com.

Old-time warmth: The Red Flannel Factory makes old-fashioned drop-down red long johns in Cedar Springs. Children's drop-seaters are $35.95. The company also offers granny gowns, booties and shirts. Go to www .redflannels .com .

Detroit pride: Detroit has always been a shot-and-beer kind of town. An orange-and-black shot glass costs $5 from Kid Rock's company, Made In Detroit. Clothing, hats and accessories carrying the Made In Detroit logo may be purchased at more than 30 authorized retailers around metro Detroit. For a complete list go to www .madeindetroit .com .

Catch m-22: Many tourist T-shirts are cheesy, but a black M-22 T-shirt carries a different vibe. They're laid-back and fun in large part because of how the company was formed and what it represents. M-22 is a highway that roughly follows the shoreline of Lake Michigan from north of Manistee to Traverse City. A few years ago, brothers Matt and Keegan Myers made some T-shirts with the M-22 logo in homage to the road that took them to the wind and waves where they went kiteboarding. Since then, the T-shirts have turned into a pop culture phenomenon in northern Michigan. The company started in the back of a kiteboarding school van, but it has moved into a store in downtown Traverse City. M-22 merchandise now may be purchased at 15 dealers across northern Michigan. M-22 wine is made in Suttons Bay and M-22 candles are produced in Leland. A classic black 100% cotton T-shirt sells for $25. Go to www .m22online .com .

Head pop: Feigenson Brothers Bottling Works might not fit on a baseball cap, but you can get one that says Faygo. In 1907, Ben and Perry Feigenson started their bottling company in Detroit. In 1921, they changed the brand name to Faygo. The pop is available wherever fine soda is sold. You can also get hats and T-shirts with the famous logo for $15, one size fits all, atwww.faygo.com.

Petoskey pretty: Liz Hawes makes Petoskey stone jewelry at Turtle Back Studios in Traverse City. Each piece is one of a kind. Prices range from $20 to $200. A laminated Petoskey stone with fresh water pearl necklace costs $190 at www .turtlebackstudios .com .

Michigan music: When the Gibson Guitar Corp. closed its Kalamazoo factory in 1984 and moved its headquarters to Nashville, Tenn., some workers stayed behind and started Heritage Guitar. "We are the only manufacturer in the state of Michigan producing guitars worldwide," said Ren Wall, who described himself as the chief cook and bottle washer. "In the old days, we had 1,000 people making 400 to 500 a day. Now, there are less than 20 people making four or five a day." Wall said the H150 electric guitar has a mahogany body with a maple cap and retails for $2,990. It's on sale for $1,899 at Joe's Music, 24525 Gratiot Ave., Eastpointe. Details: 586-777-2333.

Michigan mail-order gifts

Compiled by SUSAN M. SELASKY, FREE PRESS TEST KITCHEN DIRECTOR

BAKED GOODS

ALBIE'S FOODS, Gaylord

What: Traditional homemade beef pasty that even includes rutabaga -- a hallmark of pasty authenticity. Also veggie and chicken varieties.

Cost: A dozen pasties are $46.

Order: 877-725-2437

PASTY CENTRAL, Calumet

What: Individually handmade pasties -- even the dough and crust are formed by hand. Pasties are shipped fully cooked and frozen in meat, vegetable and breakfast varieties. The traditional is made with ground beef and pork with rutabaga, potato and carrots. The breakfast pasty has ham, egg, potatoes, onions, Swiss and Cheddar cheeses.

Pasty Central's Cornish-style pasty is the same as the traditional without the carrots. Since 1996, Pasty Central has donated a percentage of its proceeds to charity.

Cost: Four-pack $35; six-pack $45; a dozen $75; includes shipping. Each traditional pasty weighs 14 ounces. Picnic pasties (8 ounces) are available.

Order: 877-727-8911 or www .pasty .com

STONE HOUSE BREAD, Traverse City

What: Hand-formed, crusty loaves of sourdough bread.

Cost: The sourdough sampler contains a 1-pound loaf each of North Country (their most popular), cherry-walnut, Italian, 7-grain and cracked wheat, for $36.95.

Order: 800-252-3218 or www .stone house bread .com

SWEETS

GRAND TRAVERSE PIE, Traverse City

What: Pies made by hand and from scratch daily with more than 25 fruit flavors available. The company is known for its yummy crumb topping. The pumpkin pie received kudos as a top mail-order pie in the November issue of Country Living magazine. After tasting 40 pies, editors wrote: "Michigan's Grand Traverse Pie Co. delivers a dense, mousse-like texture and a crust detail that won our hearts."

Cost: The popular Grand Traverse cherry crumb, Lakeshore berry and Michigan ABC (apple, berry and cherry) 9-inch pies are $24.99 each. Mini pies, with more than two dozen varieties, are sold in threes for $29.99. New this year is Ultimate Chocolate cheesecake, added to the lineup of nine other cheesecake varieties. The 9-inch cheesecakes weigh a whopping 4 pounds and are $34.99 each.

Grand Traverse Pie has 15 locations throughout the state.

Order: 866-444-7437 or www .gtpie .com

HILLTOP RESTAURANT, L'Anse

What: Famous for its cinnamon roll that stands about 6 inches high and wide, and weighs a little more than a pound. The sweet rolls are sent out only twice a month. Holiday orders will be shipped Dec. 20 and 21.

Cost: $32.95 for a four-roll package, shipping included. Special orders upon request.

Order: 906-524-7858 or www .sweetroll .com

MID-EAST PASTRY DELIGHT, Sterling Heights

What: Middle Eastern pastries like baklava, ladyfingers and bird's nests, all baked onsite.

Cost: Standard mixed large tray is $30, including shipping, and features a combination of ladyfingers, bird's nests, mini bird's nests, baklava, Burma circles, royal twisted finger bites and half moon crunch. Special-order pastries like baklava without butter and pastries for people with diabetes available.

Order: 586-979-3960 800-643-3278 or www .mepdelight .com

PENN STREET BAKERY, Grand Rapids

What: Known for Bundt-style cakes in a variety of flavors and other all-natural baked goods made from scratch.

Cost: Individual cakes in holiday gift tins start at $24.95. A wide range of gift baskets is available. The holiday-themed gift box is $42.95 and comes with a choice of a Penn Street gourmet cake in a gold tin, signature cookies, Lavalicious Fudge cake, Chocolate Delight gourmet caramel corn and gourmet coffee. Sweet Indulgence is a basket of confections including a choice of a Penn Street gourmet cake in a tin, Penn Street signature cookies, 2 chocolate spoons, Lavalicious Fudge cake, Hershey deluxe chocolates and Chocolate Delight gourmet caramel corn. It's $65.95.

Order: 800-842-2537 or www .pennstreet .com

TOM'S MOM'S COOKIES, Harbor Springs

What: 17 varieties of made-from-scratch cookies including original chocolate chunk, chocolate cherry and white chocolate macadamia nut. Tom's Mom's is celebrating 25 years and still uses the same recipes, along with hand-cutting its chocolate chunks from 10-pound bars of semisweet chocolate. Two new varieties for the holidays are chocolate peppermint and white chocolate peppermint. Cookies are a hefty 3 ounces each.

Cost: A two-dozen cookie minimum is $35. A 17-ounce Tom's Mom's Cookies coffee mug with a dozen cookies, festively wrapped, is $18.50. A decorative tin that can hold one dozen cookies is $3.95.

Order: 231-526-6606 or www .toms moms cookies .com

ZINGERMAN'S MAIL ORDER, Ann Arbor

What: Zingerman's businesses include their well-known deli, bakehouse and creamery.

Cost: The Deli-Deluxe Bread gift box is $45 and includes one loaf each of Zingerman's Jewish rye, farm bread, Better Than San Francisco Sourdough and pecan raisin. Zingerman's traditional German-style stollen is made only during the holidays. An 18-ounce stollen is shipped in a gift box, serves 6 to 8 and is $36.

You could splurge on the Christmas Goodies gift box for $100. It features a round wooden gift box with a Zzang Original handmade candy bar, sour cream coffeecake (feeds 5 to 7), Spanish chocolate-covered figs, a half pound of aged Vermont cheddar, a small Zingerman's stollen, a tin of spiced pecans and a loaf of chocolate sourdough bread.

Order: 888-636-8162 or www .zingermans .com

SAVORY FOODS

AMERICAN CONEY ISLAND, Detroit

What: Coneys are a Detroit specialty, and former Michiganders can get hot dogs and chili shipped to them overnight. The kit comes with 12 hot dogs and buns, a sweet onion to peel and chop, a container of chili and an American Coney Island paper hat.

Cost: $49.99 and $59.99 (2-4 days for delivery) depending on where it is shipped; price includes shipping and product is shipped with dry ice in a foam cooler. Shipping dates for holiday delivery are Monday and Dec. 13. The last day for phone order for express shipping is Dec. 20; additional charges apply.

Order: 586-219-0995 or www .american coney island .com

AL DENTE, Whitmore Lake

What: More than 19 varieties of handcrafted gourmet pastas and Monique's Sumptuous Sauce created by owner Monique Deschaine. In July, the company will celebrate 30 years in business.

Cost: New this year is pappardelle pasta (the big noodles). A variety of artisanal pastas and sauces come packaged in containers ranging from useful colanders to rustic bushel baskets to fair-trade woven beauties to decorative boxes. Prices range from $15 to $58. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays during December, Al Dente's lobby will be opened to the public for gift ordering and purchasing. A free bag of pasta (1 per customer) with every gift purchase. You can customize orders in gift boxes for $15 to $70.

Order: 734-449-8522 800-536-7278 or www .al dente pasta .com

NATIONAL CONEY ISLAND, Detroit

What: Includes 24 hot dogs, 24 buns, 11/2 pounds of chili, chopped onions and mustard.

Cost: $39.95.

Order: 586-771-7744 or www .national coney island .com , or you can purchase the kits at one of National's 22 metro Detroit locations.

MCCLURE'S PICKLES, Detroit and Brooklyn, N.Y.

What: Pickle and relish products made in Troy from McClure family recipes with all natural ingredients and no preservatives. The leftover pickle brine can be used for marinating meats, poultry or vegetables or to kick up a Bloody Mary or martini.

Cost: Pickles and relish are sold only in cases of 12 jars. Pickles and relish are available in Garlic Dill or Spicy.

A case of 12 jars (32 ounces each) of pickles or Bloody Mary mix (also 32 ounces each) is $120. You can mix up the case with all three products. A case of 12 (9 ounces each) jars of relish is $75. Shipping included.

Order: 248-837-9323 or www .mcclures pickles .com

JAMS, JELLIES

& CONDIMENTS

AMERICAN SPOON FOODS, Petoskey

What: Products made with Michigan-grown fruit include fruit butters, preserves and marmalades, salsas, relishes, sauces, grilling and roasting sauces, condiments, dressings and much, much more. The company has six retail locations.

Cost: Send an Up North gift box, for which you choose a dozen products (prices vary). The Weekend Brunch gift box features products including pancake mixes, dried cherries and blueberries, Michigan maple cream, jars of fruit preserves, Michigan maple syrup and Michigan creamed raw honey for toast or tea. It's $120, all packed in a folk art box.

During the holidays the Pick of Leelanau gift box is available in limited quantities. It has a 2-pound wheel of Leelanau Raclette cheese, a loaf of cherry walnut bread from Stone House Bread and one jar (9.5 ounces) each of Early Glow strawberry and Bartlett pear preserves, packed in an American Spoon gift box. $69.95. This is a perishable gift. Orders ship Mondays and Wednesdays only.

Order: 888-735-6700 or www .spoon .com

JAMPOT, Eagle Harbor

What: The monks at Holy Transfiguration Skete, Society of St. John produce jams and jellies using wild fruit and berries harvested in the Keweenaw Peninsula. Thimbleberry jam is one popular variety. They also have an assortment of baked goods, candy, truffles and fruit cakes.

Cost: One keepsake maple gift box contains two of the monks' original fruitcakes, the Abbey (soaked in bourbon) and the walnut ginger (soaked in brandy) in a 24-ounce size. It's $56. Another has 5 jars of their most popular jams and is $62. A fruitcake sampler has four loaves (1 pound each) of Abbey cake, dried fruit cake, Jamaican black cake, lemon pound cake and traditional sourdough for $70.

Order: Orders are not taken by telephone but may be placed by fax at 906-289-4388, by e-mailing skete @society stjohn .com or at www .society stjohn .com or by mailing Society of St. John, 6559 State Highway M26, Eagle Harbor 49950.

BROWNWOOD FARMS, Traverse City

What: Known for its cherry butters, Kream mustards and products such as salsa and barbecue sauce using locally grown products, the company has been developing specialty food items since 1945.

Cost: The new Christmas Crate features a selection of all-time favorites apple Riesling salsa, Famous Kream mustard, Michigan blueberry preserves, America's Original cherry butter, pumpkin butter, pepper jelly and Northern Fruits Mixed Berries for $59.95. Or you can build your own gift box to include any of Brownwood Farms products. New products this year are Yankee Bourbon BBQ sauce, which blends in Grand Traverse Distillery's locally crafted bourbon. Michigan Red Haven peaches are featured in the new peach salsa. A sample gift package featuring a 12-inch handcrafted Michigan walnut bowl (made by the Holland Bowl company) with 8-ounce jars of Northern Fruits Old Mission blueberry, Red Haven peach and Michigan cherries is $49.95

Order: 888-772-9444 or www .brownwood farms .com

FOOD FOR THOUGHT, Honor

What: The motto of this company is "Saving the Planet 1 Jar at a Time." Signature preserves and other products are made from everything that can be harvested from the wilds of northern Michigan, such as wild blackberries, blueberries, cherries and leeks. Fruit preserves flavors wild blueberry merlot, wild blackberry shiraz and organic cherry cabernet.

Cost: Preserves and fruit butters in 9.5-ounce jars range from $6-$8.75. An 8-ounce jar of no-sugar-added apple, strawberry, mixed berry or tart cherry preserves is $8.25. There are four organic salsas sold in 12-ounce jars for $5.75 each. All sorts of gift boxes are available, premade or customized. The Savory gift box is $25.50 and includes cherry salsa Atento, salsa Virtuosa, Righteous Chipotle habañero and Righteous Cherry habañero hot sauces.

The Forest Harvest gift box is $58 and includes wild leek vinegar, star thistle honey, wild blackberry shiraz preserves and organic wild leek marinara sauce.

Order: 888-935-2748 or www .food for thought .net

MIKE'S MUSTARD, Charlevoix

What: Mike Washburne developed a recipe for a sweet and tangy cream-style mustard just seven years ago, and has added cherry, lemon dill and jalapeño flavors. Use as a dip for pretzels or spread for crackers or sandwiches.

Cost: It's $3.95 for a 61/2-ounce jar of any variety of mustard or $7.95 for a 16-ounce jar. A three-pack of 61/2-ounce jars is $14.50 and a four-pack is $18.50. A sampler box of four 11/2-ounce jars is $7.50.

Order: 231-547-0585 or www .mikes mustard .com

ROCKY TOP FARMS, Ellsworth

What: Most of the fruit that goes into Rocky Top Farms preserves, butters and toppings is grown on the farm. Specialty foods are packed in keepsake cedar boxes produced in the family's woodshop.

Cost: Preserves, butters and toppings are sold in 10-ounce jars. Gift boxes range in price $20-$50. Call for free brochures.

Order: 800-862-9303 or www .rocky top farms .com

POND HILL FARM, Harbor Springs

What: This environmentally sustainable farm grows fruit, vegetables and herbs and raises sheep, pigs, chickens and black Angus cows.

Cost: One of the hottest sellers is the hot garlic pepper jelly at $9 for a 20-ounce jar, or an 8-ounce jar for $5. The farm will make up gift packages with a selection of products such as jams, jellies, fruit toppings, dressings and sauces. Also available: custom Christmas wreaths.

Order: 231-526-3276 or www .pondhill .com

FRUIT

CHRISTMAS COVE FARM, Northport

What: Some 200 varieties of antique apples are grown on this farm in the northernmost tip of the Leelanau Peninsula.

Cost: Two choices in gift boxes: 12 apples for $36 or 16 apples for $42, including shipping. A description and history of each apple comes in the box.

Order: 231-386-5637 or www .applejournal .com /christmas cove or e-mail jkilcherman @yahoo.com

MEATS & FISH

DURHAM'S TRACKLEMENTS, Ann Arbor

What: Cold-smoked salmon in these varieties: classic Scottish highland smoked, pecan wood smoked, twice smoked, a gravlax style with dill and a Thai spice-cured flavor. For best flavor and quality, according to the Web site, it's best to order unsliced pieces.

Cost: The basic mail-order package is 11/2 pounds of smoked salmon for $65, which includes shipping. Smaller packages are available; call for information. The retail shop is in Ann Arbor's Kerrytown at 212 E. Kingsley.

Order: 800-844-7853 anytime. For pickup orders, call 734-930-6642, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Wed. and Fri., 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sat. or by appointment. Download an order form at www .tracklements .com and fax it to 734-332-9250.

MACKINAC STRAITS FISH, St. Ignace

What: Owner Jill Bentgen buys her fish direct from the source. A variety of smoked products are available, such as whitefish, lake trout fillets, smoked lake trout spread, whitefish sausages and a variety of whole fish. Also fresh local fish.

Cost: An 8-ounce container of smoked whitefish or smoked lake trout spread retails for $6.95. The whitefish sausage retails for $6.95 for a 12-ounce package. You may customize your own gift boxes with assortments of smoked whitefish and spreads along with other company products.

Order: The retail store is at 109 W. Elliot, St. Ignace, 906-643-7535 or 888-333-1823, or go to www .msfish company .com

SNACKS

CHERRY REPUBLIC, Glen Arbor

What: Michigan cherries are featured in more than 140 products.

Cost: The popular Little Six gift box is $43.70 and includes an 8-ounce bag of dried cherries, cherry nut mix, milk chocolate-covered dried cherries and 9-ounce jars of cherry jam, cherry fudge sauce and mild cherry salsa. A pine cone, birch bark and sprig of cedar are packed in each gift box. You can build your own gift box with a variety of snack, fruit or nut mixes, sauces and salsas. Order by Dec. 20 for Christmas delivery. Cherry Republic has three retail locations: Stomp House (winery) at 6026 S. Lake St., Glen Arbor; 154 E. Front, Traverse City, and 411 Bridge St., Charlevoix.

Order: 800-206-6949 or www .cherry republic .com

CHOCOLATE DEN, Traverse City

What: Owner Jeni Novakova boasts that all the truffles and creams are handmade. The truffles have only a three-week shelf life because no preservatives are used. Everything is made from scratch.

Cost: Truffles are $1.25 each and available in gift boxes. Sea salt caramels are big sellers. A box of 8 is $10. Gift boxes and tins are available for special order online. The Chocolate Den also sells sugar-free chocolates.

Order: 231-935-3618 or www .chocolate den .com

GERMACK PISTACHIO, Detroit

What: Carries more than 116 items like roasted nuts, seeds, candy, trail mixes and dried fruits. Big sellers are roasted pistachios, cashews and fancy mixed nuts.

Cost: Pistachios are $21 for 21/2 pounds; fancy whole cashews are $24.75 for 3 pounds; fancy mixed nuts are $24.75 for 3 pounds. The store has a variety of gift items and gift basket available for shipping.

Order: The retail store is at 1416 E. Fisher Fwy. on the service drive in Eastern Market, 313-566-0062, 800-872-4006 or www .germack .com

SANDERS CANDY, Clinton Township

What: Candies and chocolates under the beloved Sanders and Morley names. Sanders milk chocolate hot fudge, bittersweet chocolate fudge, Swiss dark chocolate fudge and butterscotch caramel are available in 10-ounce jars for $3.99 and 20-ounce jars for $6.99.

Cost: The Sundae Best gift box set has 10 ounces each of favorite toppings: dark chocolate fudge, butterscotch caramel, dark bittersweet fudge and milk chocolate hot fudge. It's $18.99.

New this year is the Woodward Collection boxed chocolate line. This is presented in a tower and features milk chocolate sea salt caramels and milk chocolate cashew Torties. It's $19.99.

Order: 8 metro Detroit retail stores. To order, call 800-651-7263 or go to www .sanderscandy .com

MARSHALL'S FUDGE, Mackinaw City

What: This fudge shop uses pure Caracas bean chocolate for its chocolate fudge along with Michigan beet sugar and fresh dairy cream. They also make peppermint bark, caramel corn available in tins and peanut brittle.

Cost: A half-pound slice of fudge is $7.50. Year-round, they offer 23 varieties of fudge. Several holiday gifts sets are available.

Nesting snowman crates (one medium, one large) hold three half-pound slices of fudge, 1/2 pound of assorted salt water taffy, 1/2 pound mixed nuts, 1 pecan log and 1/4 pound caramel corn. Choose from fudge flavors plain chocolate, chocolate English walnut, chocolate peanut butter. $49.

Order: 800-343-8343 or www .marshalls fudge .com

MURDICK'S FUDGE, Mackinac Island

What: Fudge from the famed shop.

Cost: A box packed with five slices of handmade fudge is $40.95. A box with three slices of fudge and 12 ounces of either cashew or peanut brittle is $39.95. Shipping included.

Order: 888-553-8343 or www .murdicks .com

R.M.G. FAMILY SUGAR BUSH, Rudyard

What: Maple syrup tapped from trees 30 miles north of the Mackinac Bridge. The glass bottles are shaped like log cabins and maple leaves, or decorated with etchings of local landmarks.

Cost: Some other maple products are maple cream, grilling sauce, maple-coated nuts and vinaigrettes. A large gift box is $35 and contains maple candy, 16 ounces of buttermilk pancake mix, 8 ounces of maple sugar and a 250-milliliter bottle of maple syrup. Bottle comes in various designs such as a moose, loon, wreath, painted leaf, cabin, Mackinac Bridge and Michigan. Or you can create your own gift box upon request.

Order: 906-478-3038 evenings or www .rmgmaple .com

COFFEE

LEELANAU COFFEE ROASTING, Glen Arbor

What: This company says it roasts only what's going out in the next 36 hours and doesn't warehouse any beans. More than 90 varieties are available.

Cost: One gift package offers 12 of the most popular coffees in individual servings for $28. Red, White and Blue is a gift set that features any 2 pounds of Leelanau coffee, a 1-pound gunny sack of its multigrain pancake mix, 8 ounces of Michigan maple syrup, a jar of cherry preserves and 1/2 pound of Michigan dried blueberries for $48.

Order: 800-424-5282 or www .coffeeguys .com

CHEESE

LEELANAU CHEESE, Suttons Bay

What: Famous for its award-winning mild and aged Raclette made by owners Anne and John Hoyt, who have been making artisan-style cheeses in Leelanau County since 1995.

Cost: Raclette can be purchased in a full wheel, half wheel or by the pound for $12.50 per pound. A quarter wheel is about 2 pounds for $25. Aged Raclette (when available) is $15.50 a pound. An 8-ounce container of Leelanau cheese spread (fromage blanc) is $5.25. available in plain, dill, garlic or peppercorn flavors. The spreads are shipped only in Michigan.

Order: 231-271-2600 or www .black star farms .com and click on the creamery.

PINCONNING CHEESE, Pinconning

What: The home of a huge assortment of cheeses in mild to super sharp flavors. Pinconning cheese ranges from a squeaky mild for $6.39 a pound to a 7-year-old super-sharp that is $9.69 a pound. A 10-year-old aged cheese is $14.99 per pound. In addition to cheeses, the company makes about 15 cheese spreads, sells smoked whitefish, herring, trout and chubs and bakes onsite every day.

Cost: A cheese box sampler is $16.99 for a 10-ounce cheese log, 8-ounce summer sausage, 6 ounces of gourmet mustard and 8 ounces of Pinconning cheese. A wooden box with 8 ounces of mild Pinconning cheese, 5 to 7 ounces of smoked cheese, 8 ounces of Monterey Jack cheese, two 8-ounce Pinconning cheeses, an 8-ounce cheese spread, an 8-ounce marble cheese and an 8-ounce flavored cheese is $42.99.

Order: 800-678-1962 or www .pinconning cheese .com

DETROIT POPCORN, Redford Township

What: The company has been using the same recipe to make its popular caramel corn since 1923. Holiday gift tins are available in 1- to 6-gallon sizes in a trio of different gourmet popcorns or one style. The company's retail location is at 14950 Telegraph in Redford Township.

Cost: The most popular is a 3-gallon original 3-way (caramel, cheese and butter), $29.99. One gallon of the Sweet Success tin contains butter-almond-pecan caramel corn, chocolate-covered almond-pecan corn, Jordan almonds, chocolate-coated mini pretzels and Hershey's Kisses for $34.99.

Order: 800-642-2676 or www .detroit popcorn .com

High speed rail in Michigan could become a reality if State Senate acts

Posted: 12/1/2010 - 0 comment(s) [ Comment ] - 0 trackback(s) [ Trackback ] - 0 Likes

Category: Community

High speed rail in Michigan could become a reality if State Senate acts

By Chris Kolb and Dan Gilmartin

Chris Kolb is president of the Michigan Environmental Council. Dan Gilmartin is executive director and CEO of the Michigan Municipal League.

The benefits to Metro Detroit of intercity passenger rail and commuter rail service are clear — economic development, environmental improvement, affordable connections between our communities and convenient travel to and from home and work.

The sticking point has been how to pay for it. Until now.

Successful funding and completion of these projects will mean trains hitting 110 m.p.h. on more than 200 miles of track along the Detroit-to-Chicago corridor — ranked by transportation planners as one of the most viable high speed rail routes outside of the coasts.

The Michigan Department of Transportation estimates they could complete the needed upgrades in less than 24 months. Once completed, metro Detroiters could zip to Chicago in four hours or less, shaving 1.5 hours off the current trip.

The corridor will also have three new or upgraded train stations, paid for with the first round of high speed rail grants.

Michigan competed successfully against other states for this money. The Federal Rail Administration warned that states needed to show political support for their existing passenger rail systems and a viable way to fund the local match money to draw the federal funds.

Fortunately, the Michigan legislature showed support for Michigan’s existing passenger rail system. For the first time in years, FY 2011 budgets passed by the state Senate and House fully funded Michigan’s existing passenger rail program from the outset. These commitments strengthened Michigan’s high speed rail grant application and helped us draw the $161 million in federal money for Michigan’s high speed rail route.

Moreover, the newly elected governors of Ohio and Wisconsin have pledged to reject almost $1.3 billion of federal high speed rail grants. When those grants are reallocated, Michigan could cash in.

The second opportunity is legislation — HB 6484 — introduced by Rep. Wayne Schmidt, R-Traverse City. This bill would help pay for our portion of the required federal match for high speed rail and other similar projects being developed. It’s critical that the state senate pass this bill and the governor sign it into law.

These funding opportunities could put our state on track. It’s a game changer for Michigan. Republicans and Democrats, chambers of commerce, labor, local governments and environmental groups are now speaking the same language.

The window of opportunity is closing. Urge your state senator to support HB 6484 so we can draw $161 million in federal rail funds (and perhaps more) and start building the regional rail we’ve talked about for so long.

'Buy Michigan Now' campaign gives boost to businesses across the state

Posted: 11/30/2010 - 0 comment(s) [ Comment ] - 0 trackback(s) [ Trackback ] - 0 Likes

Category: Community

PUTTING MICHIGAN FIRST

'Buy Michigan Now' campaign gives boost to businesses across the state

A grassroots campaign offers hope to state economy

BY KATHERINE YUNG
FREE PRESS BUSINESS WRITER

In the midst of the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, a growing number of Michigan business owners and consumers are fighting back, one Michigan purchase at a time.

Buy local groups have sprung up in cities including Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo. Entrepreneurs and large retailers also are getting in on the action, selling more Michigan-made products and services.They're part of an expanding buy local movement, a grassroots campaign that advocates purchasing products and services that are made, grown or performed in Michigan.

One Michigander has even launched a school fund-raising program that sells Michigan-produced foods and other goods.

"This is something every one of us can do," said Lisa Diggs, founder of the Buy Michigan Now campaign, which has seen more than 5,500 residents pledge their commitment to buying local products and services from local businesses. "That's really empowering to people in our state, especially now."

She and other supporters say funneling more money to local businesses helps Michigan's economy in a number of ways, from building stronger communities to increasing jobs. Evidence that the movement generates a positive effect is mostly anecdotal.

For example, when Hudsonville Ice Cream in Holland expanded into metro Detroit in May 2009, it discovered that several supermarkets were enthusiastic about offering a Michigan-made ice cream. Since then, sales have taken off and the company is planning to increase its work force.

"We wouldn't have had the opportunity that presented itself without buy local," said Bruce Kratt, Hudsonville's director of sales.

Buy in Michigan movement is gaining traction

Kelly Martin has experienced firsthand the benefits that can result when Michigan businesses and consumers support each other.

In July 2009, she launched Kelly's Karamels in Troy, making and selling caramel candies based on a recipe from her 90-year-old grandmother. Today, the start-up business is profitable, employs seven workers and plans to operate out of its own facility by year's end.

Martin, 47, credits the buy local movement in Michigan for helping her business grow.

The former pharmaceutical executive began selling her candy at a Buy Michigan Festival in Northville. She now lists her business in the Buy Michigan Now directory and holiday gift guide, and several local supermarkets that offer Michigan-made products sell her caramels.

"This has really opened up a lot of doors for people like me," Martin said. "People here are very, very conscious about supporting their own state."

What happened to Martin illustrates the power of Michigan's buy local movement. Advocates say the grassroots campaign has gained momentum during the state's deep recession because many business owners and consumers view buying local as a way to support their communities during tough times.

But whether buy local is just a fad or something that will endure after the economy rebounds remains to be seen.

A wake-up call

The movement reached a turning point in December 2008 when top executives of General Motors, Chrysler and the UAW went to Capitol Hill to plead for government help, according to Lisa Diggs, founder of the Buy Michigan Now campaign.

The criticism caused many Michiganders to realize that the only people that could help their state are themselves, Diggs said.

Buy Michigan Now has attracted more than 2,500 businesses to its company directory.

Although no one knows how large the buy local movement in Michigan is, more than 960 dues-paying members have joined groups promoting the cause that have sprung up in recent years in Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo and Jackson.

"You do have the power to affect how your community looks and feels by how you spend your money," said Ingrid Ault, executive director of Think Local First of Washtenaw County, which has 224 members.

How much of a boost?

Supporters say the movement is helping Michigan's economy, but no studies have been done to prove this.

Civic Economics, an economic consulting firm, has estimated that $68 of every $100 spent at a locally-owned business stays in the local economy in the form of wages, taxes, community donations and spending on local business services and supplies.

In contrast, only $43 stays in the local economy when $100 is spent at a nonlocal business.

In 2008, Civic Economics examined the Grand Rapids area and predicted that a 10% shift in market share from chain stores to local businesses across the retail spectrum would result in 1,600 new jobs in Kent County and $137 million in additional economic activity.

Although statistics like these have aided the movement, its growth has been hampered by consumers who feel it's too expensive and inconvenient to buy local products and services.

Consumer convenience

A March 2009 survey by the consumer and product research firm Mintel found that only 1 in 6 adults, or 17% of respondents, buy local as often as possible. That contrasts with 27% who don't care where their food and services come from and 30% who say they would purchase local goods and services but don't know where to find them.

"We are a society of convenience and price," said Kriss Giannetti, president of JXN Local First in Jackson, which has struggled to increase interest in buy local efforts.

To overcome these perceptions, several entrepreneurs in Michigan have established businesses to help consumers buy local. In September, James and Patti Travioli of Mt. Pleasant officially launched MadeInMichigan.com, an online marketplace where vendors can sell their local products directly to consumers and businesses.

"People are seeing all the jobs lost. They are getting kind of fed up and trying to do whatever little thing they can," said James Travioli.

Another company, Argent Tape & Label in Plymouth, sells "Grown in Michigan" and "Made in Michigan" stickers to help businesses identify their Michigan-made products. So far, despite very little advertising, Argent has seen a steady demand for the stickers, said Melissa Toth, the company's marketing specialist.

School fund-raisers

In Waterford, former teacher Neil Yaremchuk recently formed the Made in Michigan Marketplace, a fund-raising program for schools, churches and other groups that feature 19 of the state's products, all under $15. He is in talks with several schools interested in the program.

"We don't just make things here. We make really good things here," said Yaremchuk, who drove 16,000 miles around the state this year looking for Michigan products and meeting with business owners.

Many of the state's supermarkets also are playing a key role in the movement by featuring more Michigan produce, baked goods and other foods.

This year, Meijer is increasing its spending on locally grown fruits and vegetables to $60 million, up 20% from 2009 levels. At Wal-Mart, 4.5% of the total produce it sells in the U.S. comes from local farmers, a number it plans to double by the end of 2015.

Last year, Kroger spent more than $400 million on Michigan agricultural products, in addition to selling hundreds of Michigan-made food items.

State advantage

"I view the buy local movement as building a big lifeboat for us," said Jim Hiller, CEO of Hiller's Markets, whose seven stores sell more than 5,000 products made or grown in Michigan. Though he admits that the effort has probably decreased his company's bottom line, Hiller said he wants to help the state be successful.

Michigan has an advantage over many states when it comes to buying local. It is blessed with a large and diverse agricultural industry, with 1,588 licensed food processors, according to the Michigan Department of Agriculture. The state produces more than 200 commodities on a commercial basis.

How hard is it to buy local in Michigan? Earlier this year, Jennifer Berkemeier, special events director at the Fillmore Theater in Detroit, set out to buy only local products and services for six months, blogging about her experience on buymichigannow.com.

To her surprise, the 44-year-old Farmington Hills resident discovered that despite her busy schedule and full-time job, it only took a little bit of extra time and effort to shop at independent stores and purchase Michigan products and services. And contrary to perception, buying local didn't cost her more money.

Berkemeier estimates that she could find Michigan vendors for 80% of her purchases.

"It wasn't hard at all," she said. "The biggest eye-opener was realizing how many locally based stores there are."

Contact Katherine Yung: 313-222-8763 or kyung@freepress.com

Kelly Martin, owner of Kelly's Karamels, watches Noah Dreyer, 8, of Bloomfield Township taste treats Thursday at Plum Market in Bloomfield Township. "It's awesome. Everyone should try them," he said.(RASHAUN RUCKER/DETROIT FREE PRESS)

RELATED INFORMATION

Buy local resources

It's getting easier to buy local in Michigan. Here are some Web sites and groups that are promoting the movement:

buymichigannow.com

madeinmichigan.com

madeinmichiganmovement.com

thinklocalfirst.net

jxnlocalfirst.com

localfirst.com

buylocalkalamazoo.org

S.A.Y. DETROIT

Posted: 11/25/2010 - 0 comment(s) [ Comment ] - 0 trackback(s) [ Trackback ] - 0 Likes

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