United Shapes of America

xkcd has produced another of its excellent infographics, this one illustrating what the geographic shapes of the United States signify. Michigan is shaped like — you guessed it — a mitten.

Ohio is also somewhat predictable.

Art Fair Bingo

Here are two old versions of "Art Fair Bingo" cards. Some of them are little dated (R.I.P. Shaky Jake). Gentle Readers, what would you put on you add to Art Fair Bingo? Replace "emo kids" with "hipsters?"

First card via osric.com/bingo/

Second via Katy McGrady

Overheard at the Farmers Market

First Ward City Council Person Sabra Briere recently launched a blog. It's a good read. I really enjoyed a recent post of conversation snippets overheard at the Farmers Market.

Peaches? In June? Who has peaches?
I hear the apple crop has been basically destroyed.
First corn of the season – but $1 an ear? I guess the days of 10 cent corn come at the end of the season.
The deer eat all the broccoli and peppers. They’ve taken all the lily flowers. I’m ready for venison.

Mayer Hawthorne (at) Live

Friend of DA Patrick Dunn has tipped us off to a DJ set by local boy Mayer Hawthorne at the Live on the evening of July 26th. You can get tickets via Eventbrite here. He''s playing Sonic Lunch that day, but sadly I'll be missing both events. Tickets are just $11.54!

Energetics Composites

Cool promotional video for Holland based, Energetics Composites, by Filmic Productions.

Energetx Composites: "Wind" (AWEA Edit) from Filmic Productions on Vimeo.

It's nice to see some Michigan based manufacturing doing so well.

WUnderground Bought by the Weather Channel

Our local weather purveyor, the Weather Underground, has been bought by the Weather Channel - which some WUnderground users consider completely antithetical to WU's data-driven setup. The New York Times has an article delving into the purchase, which both parties claim won't affect the type of service WU provides, but will rather provide more resources to WU.

Frontier Ruckus at Sonic Lunch today

Frontier Ruckus and Chris Bathgate will playing Sonic Lunch today. Sidetrack is providing the food and the Ugly Mug is slinging beverages.

Hail hail

Though I'm currently on Bois Blanc Island, I'm getting reports that there is some pretty extreme weather down state. EJ sent in the following picture.

Hope y'all are staying high and dry. If you have any awesome weather pictures, feel free to send them in.

Happy Fourth of July

Happy Independence Day gentle readers. Here's a picture of a bald eagle I saw yesterday just off of Cheboygan. Don't you feel all patriotic and tingly now?

2nd Annual Rock'n'Roll Pig Roast

If you still need 4th of July plans, skip Ann Arbor for the 2nd Annual Rock'n'Roll Pig Roast at Nancy Whiskey in Detroit. There'll be great rock'n'roll bands all day, and TWO PIGS roasting!

It's $5 at the door, invite your friends here.

And don't forget to use sunscreen, drink lots of water with your beer, and stay cool, it's supposed to be hella hot out there today.