May 6 - "Updated Photos of PMRR Depot.
-- Updated photos of PMRR Depot Restoration taken May 4, 2008, showing progress being made on paving the sidewalks around the depot building and road system to the depot off Adams street.
  • Personals: {PMRR Restoration Pictorial}
    May 3 - "Old Switch List" Stirs Up Memories of MCRR Depot.
    -- A New York Central System "switch list document" making a transfer to the C&O railroad was recently found inside Detroit's old Michigan Central Rail Road depot. The document was signed, "7:15 PM, R. Kelly 8/23/68." The Detroit News used this opportunity to do a historical presentation on the MCCR depot, which includes an interview with Mrs. R. Kelly and many old photos of the depot.
  • Story/video/Photos: [The Detroit News]
    May 1 - They Marked Out Boundry of Seaman's Cemetery.
    While their discovery wasn't as significant any achieved by Christopher Columbus, the crew of Alan Flood, Jim Petrimoulx and Marvin Kusmierz spent the afternoon yesterday surveying Seaman's cemetery. A task that went very well thanks to an old plat map and the help of a sunny day. With tape measure, strings, stakes and paint in hand they were able to identify and mark its northern boundary adjacent to Pine Ridge Cemetery so anyone interested could now easily determine it. Even more interestly was the laying out the cemetery's roadway that disapprear at the hands of nature. That road entered off Tuscola Road into the the heart of the cemetery where a half circle turn around path once existed for returning to the entrance. One has but to walk the grounds now to get a perspective of what the old cemetery once looked like. In time it may be possible to clear the small forest and everglade like area to recreate the dirt road used over a century ago. -- View Photos
    Apr. 26 - Arbor Day Event Held at Abandoned Cemetery.
    A small group was on hand yesterday at Pine Ridge Cemetery for the planting of two trees donated by Bay Landscaping. Among those attending the event was Bay City Mayor Charles Brunner. The event was held by the Friends of Historic Pine Ridge Cemetery. a small group of volunteer citizens who have been taking care of cemetery since 1999. 2008 is the 150th annniversary year of this burial grounds for pioneer families. -- View: Story
    Apr. 21 - AT&T First to Use Microsoft Surface.
    Microsoft's tabletop computing platform moved from concept to reality on Friday, as the first wave of computers hit AT&T Mobility stores in selected cities.
  • [Microsoft Surface]

    Apr. 17 - Help Finding Best Prepaid Cellphone Service.
    By now every savy buyer knows the importance of using the internet to determine what products offer the best price value. If you've done some shopping around for a prepaid cellphone service, you may already know about "PrepaidReviews.com." A visit to their website prior to committing to cellphone service provider could save you some money, and avoid the costly pitfall that can make the cheapest per minute service actually more expensive than you thought.
  • Prepaid Reveiws: [Website]
    Apr. 10 - Never Seen Before Photos of Elvis.
    -- Around a 100 photos of Elvis Presley previously unseen by the public have been revealed by photographer George Kalinsky. The photos of the King of Rock and Roll were shot during a performance at Madison Square Garden in 1972. Only a few of the photos have been released at this time, but plans are to evenutally make them all available for the public to see.
  • Story: [Yahoo! News] (Video & Pictures)
    Apr. 6 - Dear Madonna.
    -- On March 13, 2008, Bay City Mayor Charles M. Brunner penned a letter to Madonna, officially inviting her to accept the Key to Bay City. The late breaking story appears to have been caused by a delay in sending it by "email" to her father, Silvio "Tony" Ciccone, who is expected to forward it onto Madonna. Whether or not Madonna has seen the letter yet, has not been confirmed. The story appeared in yesterday's edition of The Bay City Times along with a copy of the letter sent to Madonna.
  • The Bay City Times: [Story] [The Letter]
    Apr. 4 - Fire Leaves Dozens In Desparate Situation.
    Bay City -- The Manor House apartments on Kosciusko Avenue was totally destroyed by fire last night. While there were no fatal injuries, residents and families lost everything they possessed and are urgently in need of community assistance. Contact a local charity organization if you can donate money, clothing or any other of the daily necessities of living.
  • Stories: [The Bay City Times] [Video: WNEM TV5]
    Mar. 31 - I Love Dance Competition at Doubletree Hotel.
    -- Students from twelve dance studios from around Michigan converged at the Doubletree Hotel in Bay City yesterday for the first of three dance competitions in Michigan being organized by the Kim McKimmie I Love Dance group based in Portland, OR. The competition began at 9 AM and 138 dance routines were performed before the awards ceremony began at 7:30 PM. The three trophies were given for the best performances in each age age division and several additional awards in special categories. Governor Granholm and Bay City Major Charles M. Brunner both issued welcoming letters for the event.
  • Pictures from awards ceremony: [View]
  • I Love Dance website: [View]
    Mar. 26 - Public Invited to Lincoln-Douglas Debate.
    -- On April 9, the Seventh Michigan Cavalry Civil Roundtable will hold their annual dinner meeting, which will feature a reenactment of the historical Lincoln-Douglas debate. The public is invited to attend the event that will be held at the Atrium Restaurant, 100 N. Water St., in Bay City. Pre-paid fee is $20.00.
  • For details contact: Dee Dee Wacksman 989-892-1136.
  • { B-J Personal Page}
    Mar. 25 - Radio Station ESPN 100.7-FM Launched.
    -- The Great Lakes Loons will begin broadcasting of a new radio station today! The station, formerly owned by Citadel Broadcasting, has been rebranded as an all-sports station for broadcasting to listeners in the Saginaw Valley. The station offers regular daily programs featuring well known sports broadcasters and former pro-athletes. Toon into 100.9 FM now and catch the latest sports talk.
  • Press Release: [ESPN 100.9-FM]
    Mar. 24 - Buckeyballs Delivery of Hydrogen Promising.
    -- Science has been messing around with a new form of carbon, called "buckeyballs," ever since its discovery in 1985 by research professors at Rice University. A buckeyball is fullerene composed entirely of carbon and has the unique potential of acting as a container of other atomic structures. Most recently scientists at Rice University have found buckeyballs capable of storing hydrogen, which could expand the potential use of hydrogen to applications were it was previously not possible.
  • Reference: [CNet: Story] [Wikipedia] [Rice Univ.]
    Mar. 23 - Barber Ending 62 Year Career at Age 82.
    -- John C. "Jack" Gravlin began his career in the hair cutting business after being discharged from the service after WWII. Jack career will end next week, only a few weeks before his 83rd birthday.
    -- For fifty-one years his barber shop has been a ficture at 1213 Columbus Avenue. While "hair styling" became the vogue, Jack continued to provide his customers with the consistent and "clean look" of an old fashion haircut. That'll be missed, but what will be missed even more is end of the club house atmosphere where friendly conversations with Jack and other customers was a welcomed ritual.
    -- The photo above was taken by Alexander Cohn, of The Bay City Times. View details of this story and a slideshow on The Bay City Times website.
  • The Bay City Times: [Story] [Slideshow]
    Mar. 20 - CNET Reviews: Helpful Buyers Resource.
    With so many choices it can be difficult to determine what products are the best buy. If you are having that problem with eletronic or software products, you may want to check out CNet Reviews to see if they've reviewed it. They have a single page listing products category making it easier to find reviews that could be help you make the best choice. -- View: [CNET Reviews]
    Mar. 17 - Hulu For Free.
    -- NBC Universal and News Corp's Web video service has launched Hulu, a free video service featuring a wide variety of entertainment content that could rival YouTube in popularity. Hulu has over 50 content providers including FOX, NBC, MGM, Sony and Warner Bros. Viewers will be able to watch full length TV shows and film clips which will be ad supported.-- Story: [CNNMoney] Visit: [Hulu]
    Mar. 12 - Madonna - Bay City, Michigan.
    This past Monday Madonna accepted her Hall of Fame honor and at the beginning of her video introduction was the simple statement, "Madonna - Bay City, Michigan." In doing so, Madonna proclaimed her birth place and sentimental hometown to the millions viewing the awards ceremony. You can see this video and links others about her Hall of Fame night in our new "Media Center." It's listed under Videos as "Madonna Bay City, Michigan." Media Center: [View]
    Mar. 9 - Charging for Medical Mistakes Coming to an End.
    Expensive healthcare doesn't necessarly yield quality results. Indeed, patients have had to foot the bill for medical mistakes, but that is changing. Medicare and Medicaid will no longer pay doctors and hopitals for medical mistakes, and this can help cut cost while providing a monetary incentive for improving the quality of healthcare.
    --Story: [MSN Money]
    Mar. 8 - Big Shot Live! - Winner Haylie Miller Hollywood Bound.
    Haylie Miller, a senior at Bullock High School, came up big as a winner of the "Big Shot Live!" national contest provided to Mid-Michigan audiences on NBC25 Online. Entrants submit a video displaying their talent and viewers get to cast votes daily to determine the winner. The competition, which began in January, will run through May 2008. A video of Halie's trip to Hollywood will be available on Tuesday, March 11. In the meantime you can view, vote or upload videos daily at NBC Online.
    -- WEYI NBC25: [Press Release] Big Shot Live: [NBC25]
    Mar. 7 - State Gives Boost to Local Road Projects.
    -- Governor Granholm announced yesterday that grants have been approved to assist two local area road projects. Bay City will recieve $238,488 towards the $1,183,299 cost of improving Harrison Street leading to Carbone of America's plant. Saginaw County will receive $2,247,000 towards the cost of $2,802,144 for improving roadways leading to Hemlock Semiconductor's facilities.
    -- Story: [Michigan Newswire]
    Mar. 4 - Chef Irvine Canned by Food Network.
    -- One of my favorite shows on the Food Network will soon come to an end. Chef Robert Irvine, star of the Mission Impossible show will not have his contract renewed because of false claims made on his resume. While I don't agree with Mr. Cline's lying to get this job, its not like he applied for a job with the CIA. The man is obviously a good cook and very entertaining as well. Maybe they can rehire him for a new show -- they could with all honesty call it, "The Imposter Who Knows How to Cook!" Seems like a reasonable compromise to me.
    -- Story: [BBC News]
    Mar. 2 - William F. Buckley (1925 - 2008) Remembered.
    -- William F. Buckley's political career was inspired by his alma mater, Yale University, which was the subject of his first book, "God and Man at Yale: The Superstitions of Academic Freedom." In this book published in 1951, he was highly critical of their bias towards liberal ideology. In the years that followed became a prolific author, founded the National Review magazine, and hosted a popular TV show, Firing Line, which spanned 33 years. His legacy will be strongly tied to conservative political movement which he was largely responsible for developing.
    -- Stories: [New York Times] | [Firing Line]