Magic Johnson's group remains alive in bidding for Los Angeles Dodgers, Great Lakes Loons

Magic Johnson made his name in basketball, but the former Michigan State and Los Angeles Lakers star is making a bid to add Major League baseball to his resume. Johnson, who is a part owner of the Dayton Dragons minor league team, is part of an ownership group that is in the running to purchase the Los Angeles Dodgers. Johnson's group, which includes former baseball executive Stan Kasten, was one of approximately 10 bidders to advance to the second round of bidding. "We made the first cut, and we're in the second round," Johnson said Monday while visiting Saginaw to announce a partnership between his company, Sodexo Magic, and the Saginaw School District.

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Dow Chemical Co. releasing fourth quarter earnings report Thursday

The Dow Chemical Co. on Thursday will release its fourth quarter earnings report. The Midland-based chemical giant in October released strong third quarter results, with increased earnings and sales compared to the same period in 2010. Shares were up 24 cents from the third quarter in 2010, to 69 cents per share for the 3rd quarter of 2011. The third quarter of 2011 also marked record sales for the company at $15.1 billion, up 17 percent from the previous year, with volume growth being led by its sales in China where the company achieved record sales.

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Great Lakes Loons celebrating fifth anniversary with promotions, fan votes

via Midland Daily News

Want to be a part of choosing the Great Lakes Loons' Fifth Anniversary Team? Get on a computer and vote. Every week until the Loons' opening day home game on April 9, fans can vote on the website www.loons.com for the player they feel has been the best Loons' player at his particular position over the team's first five years.
Loons' President and General Manager Paul Barbeau is excited about this and other upcoming promotions, as nearly five years have passed since the Loons made their debut as a minor league baseball team at Dow Diamond in Midland in April 2007. "It really has flown by," said Barbeau, who was hired in the spring of 2006 just as Dow Diamond was beginning to be built. "It doesn't seem like too long ago that we were just starting up and building our staff and making all of our plans.

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New Midland salon is growing, changing, owner says

via Midland Daily News

Although Danielle Blackhurst's hair salon has been open for several months, she's seen recent milestones that remind her the business still is new. In November, she hosted a ribbon cutting with the Midland Area Chamber of Commerce for her new business, Dani B's Studio for Hair at 4308 N. Saginaw Road between Stacker's Grill and Nature's Gift Organic Market. She'd opened her doors in May. "It took awhile," she said. "I wanted to get everything going before I had a ribbon cutting." Just days ago, she put up her road sign. Then she added her second employee, a sign that she's growing. It's her plan to go slowly and steadily.

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Dow Chemical Co. hosting public virtual conference on science education, workforce readiness

The Dow Chemical Co. on Thursday will host a virtual conference, gathering leading experts to discuss the future of science education and workforce readiness. The conference begins at 7 p.m. EST, and is open to the public. More than 3 million jobs related to science, technology, engineering and math remain unfilled, Midland-based Dow Chemical said, and the only way to ensure the future of American manufacturing and competitiveness is to better prepare. Andrew Liveris, chairman and chief executive officer of Dow Chemical, will be among the featured participants. Liveris has led Dow, a private sector company, as it grew, created jobs in new sectors, and retrained displaced workers and put them back to work.

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Midland Mall welcomes kids for a day of fun

via Midland Daily News

Kids Day 2012 -- a free daylong event packed with fun activities for children -- will hit the Midland Mall from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. More than 50 area kid-oriented organizations will set up tables including the Chippewa Nature Center, Midland Gymnastics Training Center, Mid-Michigan Children's Museum and more.
"The event is held for the kids of the community and surrounding area," said organizer Linda Malekadeli. "It not only provides information as to what services are available for kids, but also as something to do on a cold, snowy day." Malekadeli said a variety of crafts and activities will be offered at each booth with center stage entertainment throughout the day. The White Pine Pipes & Drums and Highland Dancers will kick off the event at 10 a.m. followed by a martial arts demonstration by Yats' Tae Kwon Do.

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Fundraiser set for youth pastor's son

via Midland Daily News

North Point Ministries will be holding a Soup and Salad Luncheon fundraiser on Sunday, Jan. 29, immediately following the morning service. All proceeds of the luncheon will be given to Pastor Sean and Carol Rodgers, former youth pastor of North Point Ministries, for the life-saving kidney transplant needed for their son, Brandon Rodgers. At age 10, while the Rodgers family lived and worked in Midland, Brandon had one bad kidney removed. Three years ago he was diagnosed with stage I kidney failure. In October 2011 Brandon had to be put on dialysis. He is currently on dialysis every night for 10 hours awaiting transplant surgery. Brandon's mother, Carol, is a match for the transplant and will be donating a kidney for her son. Brandon is currently on the transplant list but requires bladder surgery before the transplant can be done. They are hoping to do the transplant by summer. Brandon is currently a high school senior.

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Midland hosts a sports-themed evening of good fun

If you love sports, promise critics around the country, you’re going to love the Reduced Shakespeare Company’s “The Complete World of Sports (abridged).” And if you’re not a big sports fan, the bad boys of abridgment are going to hit this one right out of the park. “That’s the thing,” said Reed Martin, who brings the Monty Python-meets-ESPN edition Friday, Feb. 3, to the Midland Center for the Arts. “Sports is just the jumping board. We’ve done six or seven of these already, and we’re getting pretty good at it. If you like comedy, you’re going to have fun.”

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Residents learn about Midland roundabout proposal

via Midland Daily News

It was a busy day for the Michigan Department of Transportation on Tuesday as dozens of residents showed up at a public meeting in Midland to learn more about a proposed $1.3 million roundabout in the city. The roundabout would replace the crossover where eastbound traffic on Lyon Road crosses the westbound U.S. 10 Business Route to join Patrick Road. The crossover has had a high number of accidents, with 28 angle crashes in the last five years and 20 crashes with injuries in the same time period. “This is a safety project,” said Bill Mayhew, manager of the MDOT Transportation Service Center in Mount Pleasant. “The Federal High Administration and the U.S. Department of Transportation have done studies about roundabouts and they reduce crashes by 76 percent and they reduce fatalities by 90 percent. Those are real reductions. The purpose of this project is to save lives and reduce crashes.”

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Midland Public Schools to close Central Middle School in 2013

The Midland Public School Board of Education announced this week that Central Middle School will close following the end of the 2012-2013 school year. Carl Ellinger, superintendent of Midland Public Schools, said that the closure will save the district $410,000 annually.  "We will start working with staff members in preparation for the last year," Ellinger said. "There will be some celebrations and some reassurances for students — it is important to our board to continue to provide students with a high quality education in the last year of operation."

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Dave Camp, fellow Romney supporters, step up anti-Gingrich arsenal

Rep. Dave Camp, R-Midland, and others supporting Mitt Romney's bid for the GOP Presidential nomination, have stepped up their attacks against fellow contender Newt Gingrich. Camp, Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, says Gingrich endangered welfare reform from passing in the mid-1990s, according to a report from the Detroit Free Press, despite the fact Gingrich often takes credit for helping the reforms pass.

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Songwriters will again share their talents at the Midland Brewing Co.

Nothing breeds success like success, and after an enthusiastic response last weekend to Bob Hausler's first Songwriters Showcase, that means a fresh round of talent coming Sunday, March 25, to the Midland Brewing Co. Performing in the round are folk singer Jen Cass, who most recently performed at the Bay City Folk and Acoustic Music Festival; Donny Brown, a prolific songwriter and producer who also plays drums for The Verve Pipe, and roots musician Dave Boutette. "We had more than 60 people turn out," and they were an appreciative audience as well, said Beth Hausler.

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Sparking ideas provide the key to TEDxMidland's success

When Chris Moultrup and his team from the Midland-based MidMichigan Innovation Center started making plans for TEDxMidland, coming Saturday, Jan. 28, to the Midland Center for the Arts, they saw it as a creative meet-and-great. “We wanted to introduce TED — technology, entertainment, design — to the market,” the center’s program director said of the non-profit creative think tank. But with its 100 tickets nearly gone, he said, it appears that the concept of sparking ideas through thought-provoking presentations and the resulting discussions is already a hit in Midland. Richard Saul Wurman held the first TED conference in 1984 in Monterey, Calif., demonstrating the Sony compact disc and 3D graphics from Lucasfilm, along with a new way to map coastlines through newly discovered fractals. But it was a financial failure, and Wurman and his partner Harry Marks didn’t hold another one for six years.

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Trading spaces: Two downtown Midland businesses to swap in February

via Midland Daily News

Two downtown Midland businesses — one old and one fairly new — will swap buildings in February. Both owners say the change will help them. Jeff and Jo Currier, who own Ways to Wellness at 140 Ashman St., decided to buy the building at 122 W. Main St. where Meier Camera is located. Jeff said the wellness store, which opened in August 2010, needs more room. Jerry Meier, owner of Meier Camera, said his family has been involved with the business since the early 1960s. His business is changing because of the digital photo industry, so the smaller space will suit him just fine, he said. The move will occur Feb. 18, a Saturday. On the following Monday, Meier Camera will reopen. Ways to Wellness will reopen on Tuesday, Feb. 22, Jo said. “I’m thinking of doing this in a day or two and going to be open again on Monday,” Meier said. “We’ll see.

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Free music program set in Midland

Midland Symphony Orchestra presents "Inside the Music," a multi-media, educational lecture on classical music featured in the MSO's 2011-2012 season. Local music connoisseur and discographer Etcyl Blair will speak at 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 23, in the Lecture Room at Midland Center for the Arts, 1801 W. St. Andrews Road. Admission is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served. For more information contact the MSO Office at 989-631- 5930, ext. 1502 or e-mail dimond@mcfta.org.

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Athletes Against Dow Chemical

U.S. and Canadian athletes, some of whom swam for UCLA, others that were on the Canadian National Swim Team, are drawing attention to the implications of Dow Chemical's Olympic Sponsorship. The group wants to address the issue, so they drafted a letter which is circulating amongst athletes and a facebookpage was created. There are two issues at work. One, is that the IOC is saying that no one, besides a few associations (Bhopal and now Agent Orange victims), has any issues regarding Dow Chemical's Olympic sponsorship. This however, is not completely accurate since most of the athletes we have been reaching out to don't even know who or what the company does or is. Ignorance is acceptance by default.

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Midlander facing meth charges

A 47-year-old Midlander is facing multiple charges in connection with the drug methamphetamine, including operating a meth lab and conspiracy to create or deliver the substance. Midland County Prosecutor Mike Carpenter filed the following charges against Timothy Brian Sasse: Maintaining a meth lab and delivery or manufacture of meth, each punishable by up to 20 years in prison; conspiracy to commit creation or delivery of meth and possession of meth, each punishable by up to 10 years in prison; possession of firearms by a felon, punishable by up to five years in prison; and maintaining a drug house and felony firearm, each punishable by up to two years in prison. Sasse also is charged with an habitual fourth offender notice.

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Sen. John Moolenaar recognized during Gov. Rick Snyder's State of the State

Gov. Rick Snyder tonight thanks State Sen. John Moolenaar, R-MIdland, for his work in helping local veterans. Snyder mentioned Moolenaar during his State of the State address as one of the legislators that worked to help get service men and women the support they deserve. Last month, Snyder signed legislation sponsored by Moolenaar revising membership criteria for state and county veterans' boards to ensure they can fulfill duties supporting veterans.

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Dow Chemical invests $10 million in California solar cell company

The Dow Chemical Co. has made a third investment in a California-based solar cell producer to the tune of $10 million. Bloomberg is reporting Dow funded $10 million to NuvoSun Inc., a producer of thin-film solar cells, during the company's third funding round. Dow reportedly invested during the past two funding rounds for NuvoSun. NuvoSun is a second generation innovator of thin-film photovoltaic cells and modules, according to the company's website, and its mission is to redefine the cost point for photovoltaic cells and modules and to become the lowest cost producer of the products by 2012.

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Midland to host mud-slinging alphARace in June

Mount Morris might have the Warrior Dash, but Midland is bringing its own mud-slinging, intense race course to the area, too. The alphARace is coming to Midland on June 1 and 2. For those who are familiar with the Warrior Dash, alphARace is very similar. The race will begin at City Forest, 2840 Monroe in Midland. It is a 3.5-mile course of mud, dirt, water and military-style obstacles. It is meant to test participants’ mental and physical determination. On June 1, a night obstacle race will take place. Those who participate will take on the Alpha course guided by a head lamp.

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MSU professor's Midland talk addressing Parkinson's research sold out; Simulcast available at SVSU

Event coordinators say a Michigan State University professor's presentation planned for Wednesday has sold out, but officials plan to host a simulcast event at Saginaw Valley State University. MSU College of Human Medicine Professor Jack Lipton will offer his insight into Parkinson’s disease and the research that could offer new treatments during a 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 18, gathering at the Towsley Auditorium in MidMichigan Medical Center, at Saginaw and Orchard. With that event selling out, those interested in the talk instead can watch a live feed at the same time at SVSU's Ott Auditorium in the college's Regional Education Center.

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Trial scheduled for Sanford woman charged with killing Midland man in Burger King parking lot

Trial dates are scheduled for a Sanford woman charged with killing her one-time lover in the parking lot of a Midland fast food restaurant. Rachel M. Moore, 39, is slated to go before a jury on March 5. In the event the trial is adjourned, it is instead scheduled to commence March 26. Prosecutors allege Moore gunned down Brian L. Reichow, 67, in the parking lot of the Burger King at 6730 Eastman Ave. the evening of July 18. Moore fled the scene in her 2011 Ford Fusion and was arrested around 3 a.m. the following day, police have said. Moore and Reichow arrived at the Burger King in separate vehicles. Police arrived at the scene around 7:40 p.m. and found the deceased Reichow in his truck, Midland Police Officer John DuBois previously testified.

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Edenville family has new roof on house; work still ahead

via Midland Daily News

An Edenville Township family whose home was covered with blue tarps instead of a roof has a new roof now, but there remains work to do on the home before it will meet codes for its legal occupancy.
A charitable organization operated by a Midland couple bought materials for Lyle Blimka’s roof after a story about Blimka’s plight appeared in the Daily News. Blimka and his family lived in an old mobile home until he received a modular home that he believed would make a better dwelling. He hired a man to move the modular double-wide onto his property on Telegraph Road near West River Road, but the man said the home was too tall to move unless the roof were removed.

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Retired Dow Chemical employee sent to federal prison for selling secrets to China

A retired Dow Chemical Co. research scientist has been sentenced to five years in federal prison for selling to Chinese companies trade secrets he gained while working at Dow's Plaquemine, La. plant. A report from The Advocate said 75-year-old Wen Chyu Liu, also known as David Liou, sold the firm's secrets on the patent for production of Tyrin CPE, a chlorinated polyethylene polymer used in vinyl siding, plastic jackets for electrical wire, flexible automotive and industrial hoses, as well as other products for about $600,000. Liu on Wednesday was sentenced to five years in federal prison. Two other men pleaded guilty to related charges in the case and testified against Liu. Both were sentenced to probation.

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Northwood University places in U.S. News & World Report's Top Online Education Program Rankings

Northwood University ranked in two of three categories outlined in the first edition of the U.S. & World Report's Top Online Education Program Rankings. The University ranked ninth in Faculty Credentials and 15th in Teaching Practices and Student Engagement. "This is an excellent affirmation of the hard work and dedication of the Northwood faculty," said Keith A. Pretty, Northwood University president and chief executive officer. "We have invested in faculty training for the online program and courses over the past three years to better serve the evolving needs of our students." The third category — in which Northwood University did not place — is Student Services and Technology.

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Midland's 'On the Verge' a virtual whirlwhind of onstage activity

The word “whirlwind” surfaces often when talking about “On the Verge,” the Center Stage production opening Friday, Jan. 13, at the Midland Center for the Arts, and it isn’t always in reference to the turntable stage. Author Eric Overmyer’s quirky adventure in theater that includes a four-page glossary of terms for its actors — “Single-spaced,” added manager of Center Stage productions Kristen Lences — promises to challenge cast and audience alike as it leaps through time and space with reckless abandon. Three adventurous Victorian women, Fanny, Mary and Alex, set off on a wild journey when a flash of light literally throws them in a whirlwind of time and space. As they navigate their way through the changes that come with a world racing from 1888 to 1955 in a far-from-linear progression, they discover in themselves the need to roll with the times.

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MDOT to hold meetings for discussion of Midland BR US-10 improvements

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has scheduled two informational meetings about proposed intersection improvements on US-10 Business Route at the Patrick Road crossover — east of Washington Street. The meetings are open to the public and are scheduled for 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m on Tuesday, Jan. 24 at Midland City Hall, Council Chambers, 1st Floor, 333 W. Ellsworth. The proposed project includes intersection safety improvements and the construction of a roundabout. MDOT expects the work to enhance safety and access management, increase ride quality and provide congestion relief.

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The sky is no limit in a series of exhibits coming to Midland

Jim Church stood in the main gallery at the Alden B. Dow Museum of Science and Art, holding up the skeletal wing of a Cub airplane as director Bruce Winslow assembled the centerpiece of the Sky Designs II exhibit, "and all I could think was, 'This is so cool,'" said the president of the Mid-Michigan Model Makers. It was like I was building a one-to-one scale model!" And it's just the beginning of Space. Sky. Sci-Fi., a series of exhibits that opened last week with In Plane View: Abstractions of Flight. On Saturday, Jan. 14, it will continue with Touch the Sky: Cloud Photography by Fran Gardino and Sky Designs II: A Collection of Aviation and Aircraft Artifacts.

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Power of Dad turns the spotlight on "phenomenal" fathers in Saginaw, Bay and Midland counties

Every day is Father's Day for Brian Pruitt. Raised without his father in his life, the Saginaw man founded the non-profit Power of Dad foundation to make sure others didn't miss out on a strong father-child relationship. And tonight, Jan. 11, he announced eight recipients of the organization's annual Fatherhood Recognition Awards. Applauded for the role they play in their children's lives are Christopher Pryor of Saginaw Township, Donald J. McAnelly of Saginaw Township, Cassen L. Gates, 45, of Saginaw; Joseph P. Grace, 40, of Bridgeport; Brent R. Smith, 44, of Bay City; Roger J. Boylan, 49, of Hemlock; Kurt A. Cullison, 42, of Midland, and Kris D. Seals, 39, of Saginaw Township.

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MSU professor's Midland talk to address Parkinson's research

Parkinson’s disease and the research that could offer new treatments are the subjects of a Michigan State University professor’s presentation here later this month. MSU College of Human Medicine Professor Jack Lipton will offer his insight at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 18, at the Towsley Auditorium in MidMichigan Medical Center, at Saginaw and Orchard. Admission is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Call the MidMichigan Health Line at 800-999-3199. Lipton is among several researchers studying topics — including ways to overcome resistance to medications for movement disorders, possible protective effects of “deep brain stimulation,” adult stem cells and brain repair, and the effect of stress and depression on Parkinson's disease — at MSU’s Udall Center of Excellence for Parkinson’s Disease Research, a media release indicates.

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Dave Camp travels to Brazilian slum with congressional delegation

U.S. Rep. Dave Camp, R-Midland, and House Speaker John Boehner on Monday traveled to a shantytown in Rio de Janeiro, to kick off a trade-boosting trip, according to a report from the Chicago Tribune. Camp is part of a seven-member congressional delegation set to visit Brazil, Colombia and Mexico, the report said. The shantytown the congressmen visited apparently had recently been seized by police from drug traffickers.

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Dave Camp less than impressed with December jobs report

Despite adding a net total of 200,000 jobs, U.S. Rep. Dave Camp was less than pleased with the December jobs report. "Despite today’s stronger than normal jobs report, the fact that the unemployment rate remains this high this long after the Obama Administration's so-called stimulus program makes it clear that Washington is standing in the way of sustained, strong economic growth," Camp, Chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means, said in a release. The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics said the December unemployment rate was 8.5 percent, the lowest it has been in nearly three years, but Camp said it marks the 35 consecutive month of unemployment above 8 percent.

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Dow Gardens exhibit shows how nature's own can spruce up winter landscape

via Midland Daily News

To most of us, the broken tree branches, pine boughs, and acorns scattered around the yard after a wind or ice storm are just rubbish to gather and put at the curb for pickup. But for about eight area floral and horticultural designers, they are raw materials to be used in natural container gardens such as the ones currently featured at Dow Gardens. The exhibit, “Containing Winter Creativity,” is on display now through February. The containers can be seen on a leisurely walk of about 30 to 45 minutes on the loop that runs from the Visitor’s Center, through the Boulder Pass, past The Bumps, over the Sun Bridge and toward the Conservatory, over the Red Bridge, and back along the Stream Walk toward the Waterfall. All of these landmarks are indicated on a map, which is available at the counter inside the Visitor’s Center at 1809 Eastman Ave. in Midland.

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EPA report shows Dow Chemical uses preferred waste-management practices, company says

The Midland-based Dow Chemical Co. said the production related waste it managed in 2010 doesn't reflect poor stewardship of the environment, but the capacity of its operations. "Dow’s ranking on the report’s list of waste-generating companies reflects the relative size, scale, and complexity of Dow’s operations compared to other chemical producers," the company said in a release. "With more than 250 production units at 55 manufacturing sites and over 25,000 employees across the country, Dow is the largest chemical manufacturer in the United States." Dow said 97 percent of the toxics release inventory production-related waste created 2010 was managed through treatment, recycling, and energy recovery.

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A golden opportunity: Midland's Servinski officiates at Armed Forces Bowl

via Midland Daily News

We all like to be rewarded for doing a good job. And in the case of Midland's Jeff Servinski, that reward came in the form of officiating a college football bowl game for the first time --as the side judge for the Armed Forces Bowl between Brigham Young and Tulsa in Dallas on Friday, Dec. 30. "I'm still pinching myself. I was humbled to have the opportunity," Servinski said. "It was a good game between two teams battling hard. It was a fun environment." Servinski, a 43-year-old Dow High graduate and an employee of Bailey Insurance Agency, has been officiating college football games for nine years. He has worked games in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, the Mid-American Conference and the Missouri Valley Conference.

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Midland outdoor ice skating rinks not operational because of warmer temperatures

One winter activity in Midland has been put on hold this season because of warmer temperatures. The three outdoor ice skating areas at Midland's Emerson Park, Plymouth Park and City Forest, have not been operational at all this season because the weather has been less-than-cooperative. "We have no ice rinks up at this time, and based on the weather, we don't foresee any in the near future," said Marcie Post, recreation manager for the Midland Parks and Recreation.

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Midland's Schroll leaves Iowa State basketball program

via Midland Daily News

Midland's Jessica Schroll has left the Iowa State basketball program after playing two and a half seasons for the Cyclones, a member of the Big 12 Conference. Schroll, a junior guard and former Dow High standout, declined to comment when asked about her reasons for wanting to leave Iowa State. "I am looking at other schools but have not been released from Iowa State," said Schroll, who is currently living in Midland. Schroll had started 10 games this season for the Cyclones, averaging 6.9 points and 3.6 rebounds per game.

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European Union approves Dow Chemical's biotech cotton

Dow Chemical Co.'s biotech cotton this week was approved by the regulatory arm of the European Union. According to a report from Zacks Investment Research, the cotton, along with three genetically modified corn varieties from Syngenta AG, were approved by the European Commission for food and feed use, as well as import and processing. Dow did not provide any financial guidance. However, the company expects demand to improve further, especially in Asia with the global economic recovery, the report said.

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Michigan State's Andrew Maxwell in line to replace Kirk Cousins, ready for competition

Andrew Maxwell didn’t get into Michigan State’s triple-overtime Outback Bowl win at quarterback as coaches and the sophomore backup hoped. And he will face competition for the starting job from the likes of Connor Cook, Tommy Vento and highly-touted recruit Tyler O’Connor next fall. But it’s clear, Maxwell is the frontrunner to replace three-year starter and all-time Michigan State passing leader Kirk Cousins. "Andrew Maxwell is going to have an impact on this program as a leader and quarterback going forward," Spartans coach Mark Dantonio said in the days prior to Monday’s 33-30 triple-overtime win against Georgia to finish an 11-3 season for the Spartans.

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More than 230 piano students to perform in Midland

The Midland Music Teachers Association presents KeyboardFest 2012 in the Auditorium of Midland Center for the Arts, 1801 W. St. Andrews Road, at 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7. This annual event features community piano students of various ages and skill levels performing selected pieces with their teachers. More than 230 students from Midland County will perform four-handed duets. Pianos are tuned and provided by Evola Music of Michigan.

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Calvin's lecture series to be broadcast in Midland

via Midland Daily News

The January Series of Calvin College is coming to Midland. From today through Jan.24, 2012, Midland Reformed Church will be one of 34 remote webcast locations worldwide to broadcast one of the lecture and cultural arts series. The January Series will feature a lineup of nationally-acclaimed speakers including a former advisor to four presidents, a Broadway actress, one of the world's foremost New Testament scholars and one of National Geographic's 10 Adventurers of the Year. The experts will cover a wide range of topics, offering bipartisan insights into the Obama administration, the divided Congress and the 2012 election. They'll also discuss the future of the Middle East and the future of Christianity in America, share thoughts on small farms and local food systems, and much more. For a full list of speakers and topics visit www.calvin.edu/january.

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Midnight on Main in Midland filled streets, lit up the skies for New Year's Eve

Downtown Midland leaders’ aim to “create cool” with their inaugural New Year’s Eve street celebration struck the target Saturday. The family-friendly events included a pancake tent, ice sculptures, stilt walkers and live music, with an adults-only celebration in the evening. Zentx Media Group of Freeland created the lighted ball that dropped at the stroke of midnight. After the descent of Michigan's largest New Year's Eve ball, at 8 feet in diameter, came fireworks. The Downtown Development Authority spent 13 months researching and preparing the celebration, which it plans to make annual.

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Philadelphia Eagles bring back Midland native Howard Mudd as assistant coach in 2012

Midland High graduate Howard Mudd has agreed to return to the Philadelphia Eagles as their offensive line coach in 2012. Mudd took a year off from football in 2010, but returned when Philadelphia coach Andy Reid offered him the offensive line job. The 2012 season will be his 38th NFL season. Philadelphia's offensive line featured two rookies, Jason Kelce and Danny Watkins, who started more than 10 games each for the first time in franchise history.

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