Christmas trees: Evergreen tree choices for holiday decorations

Shopping for Christmas trees? Shouldn't be all that difficult, right? After all, Christmas trees are pretty much the same, aren't they? Actually there are several different evergreen trees grown for use as Christmas trees. Here is a guide to choosing Christmas trees, based on style, allergic properties, ease of decorating and cost. This author's hometown of Grand Haven, Michigan is Christmas Tree Central, so you're getting this info from the "roots"--so to speak. Starting with less expensive, here are evergreen tree choices.   Christmas trees: Evergreen tree choices for holiday decorations | Examiner.com

Free Thanksgiving dinners in and around West Michigan 2015

In chilly November, most of us in West Michigan are planning our Thanksgiving dinners, shopping, cooking and baking. Our biggest worry is shoveling that pesky snow off our drive and walks. Others, sadly don't worry about shoveling or cooking because they don't have a drive to shovel, homes to eat in or families to enjoy. Just eating for today is their worry. But there's good news. Local groups are preparing free Thanksgiving dinners.Free Thanksgiving dinners in and around West Michigan 2014 | Examiner.com

 

Angler hooks cow catfish: Moo-ve over sofa shark, orca cowfish took the bait | Examiner.com

Moo-ve over sofa shark, 'cause orca cowfish took the bait. An unidentified Oklahoma angler hooked a cow catfish, reported GrindTV on Oct. 21. No, this wasn't a giant catfish of cowish proportions. Nor was it a mini orca whale, as some have suggested. The skin of this catfish was patterned in signature orca or Holstein black and white! Reel-y! That's no fish tale. The handsome catfish had large, friendly cow eyes, which complete the bovine look. And he was a nice chunky fish specimen which provoked the mini orca comments. So call him "cow catfish" or "cowfish" or "orca cat" or whatever, the critter's distinctive piebald pattern certainly made a splash! Add to that, the impressive whiskers of the catfish and this is one handsome catch.Angler hooks cow catfish: Moo-ve over sofa shark, orca cowfish took the bait | Examiner.com

Michigan man pulls gun over Grand Haven, Mich., Walgreens parking spot: Pistol packing parker panics | Examiner.com

Getting that special parking space is serious business. At least it was to a Comstock Park, Michigan man who pulled out a gun over a parking spot at Walgreens in Grand Haven. The pistol packing parker panicked when someone else went for his chosen spot, so he grabbed his weapon and brandished it at his opponent. The weapon-wielding Walgreens warrior wasn't named in the WOOD TV-8 Oct. 10 report, but he was said to be 58 years old. The guy he took aim at was 24.  Michigan man pulls gun over Walgreens parking spot: Pistol packing parker panics | Examiner.com

Michigan plague case diagnosed: 14 bubonic plague victims in 2015 outbreak - Grand Rapids News | Examiner.com

 A Michigan plague case has been diagnosed, reported the Denver Post on September 15. That brings the number to 14 bubonic plague victims in the 2015 outbreak. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services found an Upper Peninsula Marquette County woman with plague after visiting Colorado's Salida music festival. The victim is being treated and health officials assure that there has been no human-to-human transmission in this case. This is Michigan's first plague diagnosis.Michigan plague case diagnosed: 14 bubonic plague victims in 2015 outbreak - Grand Rapids News | Examiner.com

Tiger roams Detroit Packard plant: Wild animals 'shot' in historic factory ruin - Grand Rapids News | Examiner.com

 Seeing Lions and Tigers in Detroit is no surprise when they're on the ball fields. Seeing a live tiger roaming in the vacant Detroit Packard plant is quite another. ABC News reported August 17 that the tiger wasn't the only creatures wandering the empty factory. There were also several wolves, a bob cat and a naked woman in a trench coat. Turns out wild animals were "shot" in the historic factory ruin (shot as in the photographic kind, that is).  Tiger roams Detroit Packard plant: Wild animals 'shot' in historic factory ruin - Grand Rapids News | Examiner.com

Shipwrecks visible in northern Lake Michigan: Wrecked boats appear in Michigan - Grand Rapids News | Examiner.com

A Michigan May means strawberries, sunshine and...shipwrecks? Several shipwrecks are visible in the clear waters of northern Lake Michigan. Live Science said May 6 that the hulls of several wrecked boats show up clearly from elevated promontories between Ludington, Frankfort, Leland and Traverse City, Michigan.



The boat wreck of the Rising Sun, a 133-foot-long wooden steamer foundered during an early snowstorm in shallow water just north of Pyramid Point on October 29, 1917. Its wreckage sits in 6-12 feet of water. The skeletal remains show up starkly in Lake Michigan's sandy bottom and vivid turquoise waters. Lake Michigan's water is gloriously blue everywhere and especially in the stretch.  Shipwrecks visible in northern Lake Michigan: Wrecked boats appear in Michigan

Detroit Institute of Arts' Kahlo-Rivera exhibit gives Cinco de Mayo attitude

Looking for an outside-the-pinata Cinco de Mayo experience, a celebration with attitude? Tired same-old margaritas and tacos? Why not check out the Detroit Institute of Art's Frida Kahlo-Diego Rivera exhibit? These two Mexican artists were anything but stereotypical. Their passion for communism, reflected in their individual art, provides interesting contrast to commercial Cinco de Mayo schmaltz.  Detroit Institute of Arts' Kahlo-Rivera exhibit gives Cinco de Mayo attitude

Hoppy National Beer Day! Best Double IPA, Imperial IPA beers for hopheads - Grand Rapids Holidays | Examiner.com

Hoppy National Beer Day! Nope that's not a typo: hoppy beer is what makes hopheads happy! They crave beers bursting with bitter, pine-resin, citrus-spice hop notes. The hoppiest tipple is an IPA (India Pale Ale). And the coup de grace is Double IPA or Imperial IPA. Here are the best double and imperial IPA beers. All are Michigan beers, oh frabjuous day! <---That's me and my pub hub pal at Odd Side! Hoppy National Beer Day! Best Double IPA, Imperial IPA beers for hopheads - Grand Rapids Holidays | Examiner.com