|
The Beaver Island Association and the townships’ Joint Telecommunication Advisory Committee, which I chair, have an community forum set for this evening to provide updates on broadband development son the island and collect input on a community owned fiber system for the Island. B-I-A broadband committee Dick Mulvihill says the meeting is an important part of work under the Rural Readiness Grant that the state awarded to the B-I-A earlier this year. “We are just getting under way on that work,” he says. “The grant will support development of a detailed plan for bringing fiber based internet service to island homes and businesses,” says Mulvihill, “and getting info from folks on what they expect and are willing to pay is critical to a good plan,” he added. Mulvihill says that he thinks that when people look at the costs and service compared to what’s available today, they’ll be pretty interested. The meeting is this evening at the BIC Center at 5:30. Beaver Island Community School is seeking candidates to fill a vacancy on its Board of Education. Eligible applicants must be U.S. citizens and registered voters in the district. Letters of interest are due by 4 p.m. on Monday, August 4th, and should be sent to Board President Angel LeFevre-Welke. Interviews will take place August 6th, with an appointment expected at the August 18th board meeting. Meantime, down in Lansing, The Michigan House has passed a $21.9 billion K-12 education budget that includes a $2,400 per-student funding boost—but at the cost of cuts to school meals, mental health, and technical education. Republicans say it gives districts more local control. Democrats argue it strips critical support and accountability. The plan also includes controversial provisions, like penalties for schools using inclusive curricula. A separate higher ed proposal could slash University of Michigan funding by 65%, shifting funds to scholarships for in-state students. Republicans call it a rebalancing—Democrats call it unconstitutional. Final negotiations are still to come. Another just passed house bill would ban certain food additives in Michigan schools. House Bill 4369 targets synthetic dyes and chemicals like brominated vegetable oil and potassium bromate. Supporters say it’s part of a national push to make school meals healthier. Up north, Northern Michigan’s housing crisis has a new player stepping up with solutions. Petoskey-based Manthei, Inc. is investing nearly half a million dollars to help its workers buy homes — with matching support from a state pilot program. The money will help with down payments for up to 14 employees. It’s part of a broader push that includes a new 128-home development called Pine Pond, offering “attainable housing” priced under $350,000. Manthei says if workers can’t afford to live here, local businesses can’t thrive — and it’s time employers help lead the way. An artist’s rendering of on of Manthei’s company sponsored homes. Image from Pine Pond Homes |
|
Now, here’s a look at events happening on your Emerald Isle… First your meeting planner… There’s the Broadband Forum this evening at the BIC Center at 5:30. A-A meets tonight and Saturday at 6:00. More details are in the calendar entries online. On the fun front today… Thursday, the Tara’s Meadow Women’s Retreat gets underway down at Lake G. At 10:00 there’s a lot going on: Pickleball is outdoors on the Peaine Township Courts, Tai Chi in the Hangout at the BIC Center, C-O-A Cardio Drumming is on out at the Peaine Township Hall and Women’s Bible Study is at the Christian Church. Again, all of those events starting at 10:00. Thursday evening it’s Burger & a Beer at the Shamrock at 5 PM. And down at the C-M-U Bio Station, the N-M-U Archaeology Field School is hosting an open house from 7:30 to 8:30. Come see what they’ve uncovered during this year’s digs. Friday, there’s Senior + Vets Coffee + Donuts at the BIC Center from 9:00 to 11:00. Also at the BIC Center, Chair Strength Training in the Hangout at 10:00. And the C-O-A has a Walkersize walk from Heritage Park to the St. James Campground and back. Friday evening at 6:00, the annual Beaver Island Bike Festival gets under way with registration and a kick-off party at the Emerald Isle Hotel. [On the radio, Kick off your weekend with our fantastic Friday lineup! After the 6:00pm news, enjoy “That Thing with Rich Appel” featuring top forty hits from the 70s. At 9:00pm, tune into “The Titus Jennings Experience” offering music from all genres, followed by “The Midnight Special” with Marilyn Rea Beyer at 11:00pm for music, farce comedy, and late-night escape.] Highlights for the rest of the week include: Saturday, kicks off with the Artisan’s Market out by the lighthouse at Whiskey Point. There’s Pickleball outdoors at 10:00. There’s a Print Shop Open House at 11:00 with some new exhibitions on tap. Fiero Code Club is on at the library at 2 PM. Saturday afternoon, the Chamber is sponsoring a touring party at the Boat Shop, Wild Strawberry Café, Whiskey Point Brewing Company and Gregg Graphics from 4 to 6. Drop by for refreshments and appetizers. Then at 6, it’s a Dads Rock Open Mic night at the BIC Center led by Paul Lamb and Herb Ledbetter. And Saturdays are Prime Rib Night at the Shamrock. [On the radio, tune in for Country Classics at 5:00 Saturday evening with host Sheri Timsak. At 7:00, Jackson Smith and Steve Girbach are in with Songs from the Trail. Mark Beltaire takes over at 9:00 with Rockin’ the Boat and continues at 10:00 with the Blues Cruise. Cousin Dan wraps up the evening with the Too Good Radio Show starting at 11:00.] Sunday, there are services and Episcopal Mission at 9:00 and the Christian Church at 10:00, and Mass at Holy Cross at 12:15. Looking ahead to highlights for next week… Monday, Wildlife Club meets with the DNR at 7:30 in the morning at Peaine Township Hall. Summer Yoga gets underway at the BIC Center with the first session of the season at 9:30 in the Theater at the BIC Center. Northern Lake Michigan Islands collaborative kicks off their summer meetings at the BIC Center at 9:00. C-O-A has Cardio Drumming at 10:00 and a Crafter’s Workshop at 11:00, both out at Peaine Township Hall. The Tenth annual Beaver Island Sustainability Fair gets underway at 7:00 Monday evening with dual presentations out at the C-M-U Biological Station. You’ll learn about Tribal Fisheries and the Island’s Dark Skies. And, don’t forget: Monday evening is all you can eat pizza night at the Beachcomber. And in our Dark Skies, assuming it is clear, tonight will be a great night for summer constellation view. Look for Arcturus high in the east, noticeable for its brightness and yellow-orange color. Next, look for Vega rather low in the northeast. It’s a bright blue-white star. Then look for the Northern Crown between these 2 bright stars. It’s a bit closer to Arcturus. Plus, look for Mars, which will pass almost next to Regulus tonight in the West starting around 11:00 p.m. While they are roughly the same brightness, notice the color difference. Regulus shines with a bluish light and Mars is a steady reddish light. There’s more at Dark Sky Island dot org. Tuesday, there’s Chair Strength Training at the BIC Center at 9:00. Babes and Toddlers mix it up at the library at 10:00. Also, at 10:00, pickleball outdoors on the Peaine Township courts. At 10:30, there’s C-O-A Walkersize with a walk from Heritage Park out to the St. James Campground and back. At 2:00 the library’s summer reading parties continue. Treats, games, and crafts are included, and all ages are welcome! Our summer constellation hunt continues tonight. Look for Boötes the Herdsman which is shaped like a kite or an ice cream cone. Arcturus, at the base is the brightest star in the constellation. There’s more at Dark Sky Island dot org. Wednesday, Summer Yoga at the BIC Center continues its first week at 9:30 with a restorative session. The library has plenty going on. There’s Kids Storytime, Drafts and Art for three years and up at 10:00 and then for 10 years and up at 11:00. At the BIC Center, there’s Bingo at 1:00 in the Hangout at the BIC Center. At 3:00 C-O-A has Fun & Gamers out at Peaine Township Hall. The sustainability Fair continues with a session on Green Innovations and Critical Hope. That’ll be out at the Bio Station at 7:0. |
|
NAME OF DAY: The BIC Center Name of the Day is David. If that’s your name, come on into the BIC Center today to pick out a free drink of your choice. BIRTHDAYS: Grace Cushman, Brock Martin Ayden Oliver are celebrating today Happy Birthday to Grace, Ayden and Brock and, if we missed you on the list, Happy Birthday to you too from everyone at WVBI and your Beaver Island Community Center! |
|
TRAFFIC: No delays inbound or outbound to the airports. The island beltway is running smoothly with no bridge delays. Still, let’s be careful out there…especially around the school zone |
|
On this day in 1987, speaking at the 750th anniversary of Berlin’s founding, US President Ronald Reagan makes his case for ending the arms race, then directly challenges the Soviet premier with a phrase that will prove prophetic as the Cold War draws to a close: “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!”
President Reagan calling for the wall to fall. Getty image from bing.com |
|
Our Merriam Webster Word of the Day is impute (verb) [im-PYOOT]. To impute something, such as a motive, act, or emotion, to a person or thing is to assert that the person or thing is guilty of that motive, act, emotion, or other characteristic. For example, if you impute selfish motives to someone’s actions you’re asserting that they were motivated by selfishness. In the form imputed the word is often paired with income: imputed income is income calculated from the supposed value of intangible or non-cash sources, such as use of a company car, or an employee discount. What’s the connection between these meanings? Both involve considering someone or something in a particular way, tying each meaning to the word’s Latin ancestor: putare means “to consider.” |
|
Now, to wrap up for this Beaver Island Thursday… |
|
Here’s a thought for the day from Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev: “Life punishes those who come too late.” And, another from Beach Boys lead man Brian Wilson: “I believe that music is God’s voice.” |
|
On a lighter note… Did you hear about the girl who was dating the Berlin Wall? Things were going well, but it broke up. |
|
That’s the W-V-B-I Community Calendar Report for this Beaver Island Thursday, June 12th, 2025. I’m Kevin Boyle reporting from W-V-B-I’s Langford Family Studios, wishing you a great day and asking you: why not go ahead and make it the best day ever? And thanks for listening. |
|
### |
|
Today Sunny, with a high near 62. North wind 5 to 10 mph. Tonight A 20 percent chance of showers after 2am. Increasing clouds, with a low around 49. North wind around 10 mph. Friday Showers likely, mainly after 2pm. Cloudy, with a high near 58. Breezy, with an east wind 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Friday Night Showers likely, mainly before 8pm. Cloudy, with a low around 50. East wind around 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Saturday A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 61. East wind around 15 mph. Saturday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51. Sunday Mostly sunny, with a high near 66. Sunday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53. Monday Partly sunny, with a high near 66. Monday Night A chance of showers after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. Tuesday A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 67. Tuesday Night Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55. Wednesday Showers likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 68. |
|
Fire Danger Level on the Island set at Moderate. |
|
Out on the Big Drink… |
|
Today N wind 5 to 10 kt. Sunny. Waves 1 ft or less. Friday ENE wind 10 to 15 kt. Showers likely, mainly between 7am and 4pm. Waves 1 ft or less. Saturday ENE wind around 10 kt. A chance of showers. Waves around 1 ft. |
|
Water Temperature: It’s 48 in Little Traverse Bay. The North Lake Michigan buoy southwest of Gull is reporting 46 with waves less than a foot.
Mid Lake Michigan photo at time shown. Provided by NWS |
|
Photos from webcams at wvbi.net and mackinacbridge.org |
