What the frack? US natural gas drilling method contaminates water?

I try to include positive things in my blog but I have a responsibililty to comment when things are not as they may seem.  I can't help but believe this is one of those situations.  Protection comes from education and action.  Whatever your opinion, please take the time to make it an informed one. The honest answer is I haven't yet made a determination for myself but the items in this chart can't be good for our water and environment. - Billy

A controversial new method of natural-gas drilling, embraced rapidly across the US, has contaminated water supplies with radioactive waste, according to an investigation by the New York Times. The paper said internal documents from the Environmental Protection Agency and state regulators showed that the dangers to the public from the drilling method – hydraulic fracturing – were greater than previously understood.

Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, uses huge volumes of water, chemicals and sand injected into rock at high pressure to release natural gas. Its development has unleashed a natural gas boom in the US and around the world. But the NYT said the waste water contained dangerously high levels of radioactivity. It was being sent to treatment plants that were not designed to deal with or being discharged into rivers that supply drinking water.

The NYT said its main findings included:
• More than 1.3bn gallons of waste water was produced by Pennsylvania wells over the past three years, far more than has been previously disclosed. Most of this water – enough to cover Manhattan in three inches – was sent to treatment plants not equipped to remove many of the toxic materials in drilling waste.

• At least 12 sewage treatment plants in three states accepted gas industry waste water and discharged waste that was only partly treated into rivers, lakes and streams.

• Of more than 179 wells producing waste water with high levels of radiation, at least 116 reported levels of radium or other radioactive materials 100 times as high as the levels set by federal drinking-water standards. At least 15 wells produced waste water carrying more than 1,000 times the amount of radioactive elements considered acceptable.

The investigation comes amid growing concern about the potential dangers of natural gas drilling as it spreads from western states to the more densely populated north-east. The investigative website ProPublica has published an extensive series on the threats to water supplies from hydraulic fracturing. It has also raised doubts about whether natural gas can indeed offer a solution to climate change, noting that the mining process is extremely energy and water intensive.

The dangers of natural gas drilling were also the subject of a gritty documentary, Gasland, which was nominated for an Academy Award. The film's director , Josh Fox, told the Guardian: "All these things are starting to add up in a very clear picture of a massive failure to protect public health."

Hartwick Pines to Host Three Snowshoe-Lacing Workshops

Hartwick Pines State Park near Grayling is hosting three two-day snowshoe-lacing workshops Feb. 26 and 27. This is your chance to lace your own pair of snowshoes. All three workshops will be held at the Michigan Forest Visitor Center at Hartwick Pines. The workshop fee is $180, which includes all materials and equipment needed to make one pair of Ojibwe-style snowshoes with a pointed toe and pointed heel. Class size is limited and reservations are required. To make a reservation, call Theresa Neal at 906-492-3415. For more information about the workshops, including photos, go online to www.michigan.gov/dnrevisitorcenters and click on Tahquamenon Falls State Park.

What is a Michigan Man?

Most people who know me are aware that after high school I attended the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.  I loved every moment I spent at U of M and given the opportunity would choose to be a Wolverine every time.  (No offense to my Spartan or Buckeye friends).

I learned so much and am very proud of my accomplishments in college.  I was privileged to work directly for some of the legendary coaches like Bo Schembechler, Red Berenson, and John Urbanckek, all true Michigan men.

Over the years I have often been asked what qualifies one as a Michigan Man.  The recent search for a football coach exposed some interesting viewpoints by many although most reporters have no idea what they are talking about in this regard (or others for that matter).

For me the answer is simple...it isn't a tenure or a position or even some grand accomplishment...it is a thought process, one I have seldom seen as blatantly as I did at Michigan.  It is a whole-hearted belief that the program is above all else and that no person is more important than the team. 

It is the knowledge that doing something the right way - with class and devotion - is more important than the final outcome.  It is knowing that you can lay your head on the pillow each night knowing you did your best for yourself, your team, and your program without compromise and that you are proud of each person associated with you.  It is never about me first...it is always about:

The Team. The Team. The Team. 

It is a lesson I grasp tightly.  I hope each day I live my life this way.  I hope I pull, push, drag, carry, lead, coax - whatever it takes - each person in my life toward this mindset.  The irony is that it is exactly the value set my parents instilled in me and I saw Bo instill into many.  I am so thankful to have been taught this lesson and to have seen how to share it with others.  Go Blue!

2011 Indian River Winterfest

Fun Things to Do in Northern Michigan

The Indian River Winterfest kicks off this weekend with a variety of events for all.

Friday, January 28th
7:30 -9:00am “Business before Hours” at Citizens National Bank
5:00 - 10:00pm Winterfest Poker Run
6:00 -10:00pm Lions Club Bingo
12:00pm Downtown Business Snowman Contest Judging
 
Saturday, January 29th

9:00am - 4:00pm  Indian River Sprint Dogsled Races- Hometown Inn
12:00 - 4:00pm    “Taste of the North” at the Indian River Golf Club
                            Cross country skiing, wine tasting and delicious food
                             from local restaurants, to benefit the Wildwood Grooming Fund
3:00 - 5:00pm    Fire Department Broomball Challenge:
                          Tuscarora vs Topinabee - Ice Rink; Cooperation Park
5:00 - 6:30pm   Dusk Snowshoe Hike - Burt Lake State Park
5:00 - 8:00pm   Indian River Physical Therapy Family Skating Party Ice Rink; Cooperation Park
8:00pm             Winterfest Party at The Inn Between, River St., Indian River

Sunday, January 30th
8:00am - 12:00pm VFW Breakfast
9:00am - 4:00pm Indian River Sprint Dogsled Races- Hometown Inn
For more information - 231-238-9325 or http://www.irchamber.com/

July 4th, 2010. Indian River Schedule of Events

4th of July Parade – Sunday at 2pm

The Parade will take place downtown on Sunday, 2pm the 4th of July. 

Indian River Fireworks – Saturday Night on Burt Lake
On July 3rd, the skies over Burt Lake will once again come alive with the brilliance of the Annual Tuscarora Township firework display (with a July 5th rain date).

Good Things Do Happen

Wed May 05, 2010 2:37 pm EDT

When losing a golf tournament really makes you a winner
By Shane Bacon

There are times to be competitive. Moments when all you want to do is humiliate your opponent as you defeat him. It's the nature of sports, and what our internal competition meters usually read.
That, we all know, is how athletes feel most of the time. But, at times, and these are few and far between, we see acts that defy wins and losses. A moment when a girl is brought in on crutches to score a layup to break a record or someone being carried around the field after she twisted her ankle rounding the bases. Opponents coming together to transcend the game.

That is what happened between two collegiate golfers, vying for a spot in the NAIA National Championship.
Grant Whybark (left), a sophomore at the University of St. Francis, had locked up a spot in nationals with his team, which won the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference Championship, but was in a playoff against Olivet Nazarene's Seth Doran (right) for individual honors.

As championships go, both the winning team and winning individual are asked to move on to nationals, so if Whybark won the playoff against Doran, he'd be honoring both spots and Doran wouldn't be asked to move on.

What happened next is the type of stuff movies are made about. Whybark stood over his tee shot on the first playoff hole, looked down the fairway and back at his ball, and hit it 40 yards right of the fairway, out of bounds by a mile. He made double bogey, Doran made par, and Olivet Nazarene had a man in nationals.

What makes it so incredible? Whybark intentionally did it, because he felt Doran had earned a spot in the next round. "We all know Seth very well," Whybark explains, "and he not only is a very good player, but a great person as well. He’s a senior and had never been to nationals. Somehow, it just wasn’t in my heart to try to knock him out.

"I think some people were surprised, but my team knew what I was doing and were supportive of me. I felt Seth deserved to go (to nationals) just as much as I did.  "It was one of those things where I couldn’t feel good taking something from him like this. My goal from the start was to get (to nationals) with my team. I had already done that."
Too many times we read about cheap shots or fights or cheaters, and it is stories like this that make it all seem petty. A golfer simply knew his place, was comfortable with where he was, and thought that a senior, playing in his final tournament as a collegiate golfer, had done enough to earn one more week with the game he loved.

I'm not a big believer in karma, and I'm sure the story won't end the way it should, but if Whybark somehow won nationals, it would make for a really nice screenplay. Whybark did what most of us would never do, and although he is short a trophy in his case, he earned respect from anyone reading this story.
Nice shot, kiddo.

Spring Snow

We all knew it was too good to be true...75 and sunny during March? No snow on the grouds. Golf courses open and lawns turning green. March came in like a lamb and left the same way but this Spring Break week has been unpleasant to say the least. Like always in Northern Michigan...wait a few days and it will change...74 degrees this Thursday - during my continuing education class of course.

Click here to see more photos of the ice pushing inland from Burt Lake

 The ice is now off Burt Lake and has landed on the eastern shore.  I was taking photos of a new listing and the beauty of the ice was breathtaking.  It is like a mini-glacier moving onto land.  The ice must have been slush in the water as it is not in sheets but rather volleyball-sized pieces pressed together.

 

2010 Indian River Easter Egg Hunt

Hippity-Hoppity, Easter Egg Hunt!

Come to Indian River’s Annual EASTER EGG HUNT Saturday, April 3rd, 11 am at Cooperation Park. The Egg Hunt is open to toddlers, preschool and elementary aged children at NO COST! Prizes include bikes, Drost’s filled basket and more.  Bring the kids out for a fun time! For directions to the park, click on the title to this post.

2010 2nd Annual Indian River Walleye Tournament

2nd Annual Indian River Walleye Tournament

Mark the date! The Indian River Chamber of Commerce, Indian River Sportsmen’s Club and Cochran Roberts VFW Post #7439 are excited to announce its 2nd Annual Indian River Walleye Tournament will be held on Saturday, May 29th.

 A maximum of 75 boats (2 anglers per boat, or 3 if one is 16 years or younger) will be given the opportunity to fish for the largest Walleye on the Inland Waterway. A purse worth up to $3600 will be available for winning, based on the number of entrants. In addition, many prizes will be given away! Entrance fees are $60 per boat. The Weigh-in will be at 3pm at Fay Martin River Resort on the Indian River. For further information on events in the Indian River area, please contact the Indian River Chamber of Commerce at 231-238-9325 or 1-800-EXIT-310 or kwegner@irchamber.com

Rainbows and Sunsets

It has been a beautiful week in Northern Michigan with the shining sun and far above average temperatures. We well know a blizzard leaving 10” of snow on our lawns is possible – and another snow storm probable – but the thought of Spring leading into summer is just too exciting!  














I was thinking a round of golf and a boat ride across Burt Lake to see the sunset on another Up North day. Sunsets & Rainbow Skies………doesn't that sound like a Jimmy Buffett or Kenny Chesney song?
 

top 10 things the IRS wants you to know about the expanded credit

IRS Special Edition Tax Tip - Here are the top 10 things the IRS wants you to know about the expanded credit and the qualifications a person must meet in order to qualify for it.

Here are the top 10 things the IRS wants you to know about the expanded credit and the qualifications a person must meet in order to
qualify for it.
1. You must buy – or enter into a binding contract to buy a principal residence – on or before April 30, 2010.
2. If you enter into a binding contract by April 30, 2010 you must close on the home on or before June 30, 2010.
3. For qualifying purchases in 2010, you will have the option of claiming the credit on either your 2009 or 2010 return.
4. A long-time resident of the same home can now qualify for a reduced credit. You can qualify for the credit if you’ve lived in the same
principal residence for any five-consecutive year period during the eight-year period that ended on the date the new home is
purchased and the settlement date is after November 6, 2009.
5. The maximum credit for long-time residents is $6,500. However, married individuals filing separately are limited to $3,250.
6. People with higher incomes can now qualify for the credit. The new law raises the income limits for homes purchased after November
6, 2009. The full credit is available to taxpayers with modified adjusted gross incomes up to $125,000, or $225,000 for joint filers.
7. The IRS will issue a December 2009 revision of Form 5405 to claim this credit. The December 2009 form must be used for homes
purchased after November 6, 2009 – whether the credit is claimed for 2008 or for 2009 – and for all home purchases that are claimed
on 2009 returns.
8. No credit is available if the purchase price of the home exceeds $800,000.
9. The purchaser must be at least 18 years old on the date of purchase. For a married couple, only one spouse must meet this age
requirement.
10. A dependent is not eligible to claim the credit.
For more information about the expanded First-Time Homebuyer Credit,
visit IRS.gov/recovery.

2010 Indian River's Summer Calendar of Events

There is much to do in Indian River this summer. The Indian River Chamber of Commerce has many events scheduled:

May 29th – Indian River Walleye Tournament
June 2nd – Indian River Chamber Golf Scramble
July 3rd – 4th of July Fireworks
July 4th – 4th of July Parade
July 13th – 18th – Indian River Summer Fest
July 17th – 23rd – Michigander Bicycle Tour
July 30th – Aug. 1st – Top of Michigan Outboard Boat Races

I will post more information about these events as they get closer.

Cross In The Woods

If you happen to be near Indian River, Michigan, you may want to visit the National Shrine of the Cross in the Woods. Regardless of your faith, the largest crucifix in the world is a powerful symbol of Christianity that can be appreciated by all.
 I took these photos after a mid-October snowfall, a time when the autumn leaves were in brilliant color. Even in northern Michigan a heavy snowfall then is rare. I recall dropping my children off at school and noticing the ambient light having a beautiful blue hue. The orange, yellow and green colors shining through the sparkling white snow was just spectacular. As I exited the school, I saw the sign for the Cross in the Woods and my mind wandered to a thought, "What does the Cross look like in this snowfall?"

How glad I am that I took a moment and my camera to investigate. The scene was amazing. I have been to the Cross countless times in my life (even being married outside under the Cross) but never has it projected such a beauty for me. I treasure each photo.
 I used a Canon 35mm Digital Rebel to photograph the scene which did a great job expressing the contrasts of the colorful leaves, brightness of the snow, and blue aura. The 28 foot tall, 7 ton bronze Corpus was cast in Olso, Norway and was (at the time) one of the largest castings to cross the Atlantic Ocean. The pinnacle of the 55 foot, Oregon-grown Cross sits atop a knoll, the total structure reaching over 205 feet above ground level.

I hope you enjoy the photos. If you are traveling through northern Michigan, on your way to ski at Boyne Highlands, or visit the many other great activities in the area take a moment to visit. The Cross in the Woods is just 1 mile west of I-75's Exit 310, Indian River. You won't be disappointed.

I made a mistake...and will do better

I have been working on several blogs for a while. I have this main blog I planned to use for real estate purposes. I have experimented but really not done much with it. The posts are boring and not at all fun.
I contemplated a blog called "Good Things Happen Here" which would be a forum to talk about the fun things in northern Michigan. This is a great place to live, great place to visit and great place to vacation with so much to do all times of year.
Knowing I didn't know much about blogging, I started reading and discovered my approach was flawed. I truly felt like an idiot because I wasn't seeing what I profess each day...real estate is about relationships and lifestyle.
So I learn and adapt. Look to my blog for fun things happening in this wonderful area, stories about the "Good Things that Happen Here", and a little bit of real estate. This is my space on in the electronic world and share I shall.

Topinabee Big Chill Winter Carnival 2010 February 13th

Spend your UpNorth Saturday at Topinabee's 11th Annual Big Chill Winter Carnival.



9:00am - 11:00am Firefighter's Pancake Breakfast at the Topinabee Township Hall.

12:00 - 3:00 The Big Chill Chili Cookoff, horseshoes, BroomBall, ice skating, family games, and warming tent all on the ice.

Come see the Hovercraft Demonstration!!!!

Kid's games at Township Hall

Burt Lake Access with Dockage

Prepare Your Heart For The Hunt

Courtesy of John K. Everett, D.O. - Indian River Medical Center. It’s that time of year again. Thousands of people get up at the crack of dawn during firearm deer season to hunt down that big buck. And every year, media reports include stories of hunters suffering heart attacks while in the woods. If you’re not prepared, haven’t had a physical and haven’t exercised much in the year since the last hunt, you may be putting yourself at a risk of a heart attack. According to the American Heart Association, hunters rarely consider that their sport is actually an athletic event and that the excitement and exertion take a toll on their bodies. Hunters should start training and conditioning months before they “perform”, but most don’t and their heart and circulatory system sometimes suffers the consequences. Like everyone else, hunters should have an annual checkup. “People should take a look at their major risk factors for heart disease regularly,” says John K. Everett, D.O. “Ask your doctor to check your blood pressure, cholesterol levels and make sure that strenuous exercise is recommended.” Everett is a Family Practice physician who sees patients at the Indian River Medical Center. Everett is also an avid sportsman. “I love being out in the woods,” he stated. “But, I also know there are several precautions you have to take to be safe. It’s much more enjoyable when you’re healthy.” Smoking is another major risk factor for heart attack and heart disease. Other tips include avoiding a heavy breakfast before heading out into the woods and avoiding hunting alone. Bring a cell phone to reach emergency services if needed and tell friends or family your location and scheduled return. Other factors to consider helping reduce risk of suffering a heart attack include:

· Avoid drinking alcohol before going in the field.

· Layer your clothing. Remove as body heat rises with increased physical activity

· Weather conditions such as cold wind, deep snow, mud and even steep terrain place additional stress on the heart.



Warning signs of a heart attack are an uncomfortable pressure, fullness, squeezing, or pain in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back again. Also, the pain spreads to the shoulders, neck and arms and is often accompanied by lightheadedness, sweating, nausea and shortness of breath. Stroke is also a concern while hunting and its warning signs include a sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, and a sudden dizziness and loss of coordination. Both heart attack and stroke are medical emergencies and 9-1-1 needs to be accessed immediately. Try staying active. This will not only help with physical fitness come deer season, but also with overall general health. Studies show that being physically fit lowers heart disease risk even in people who have other risk factors like high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol. Be careful out there, and be aware. Deer season can be a rush for many hunters. Hopefully, it’s not a rush to the ER! For more information, you can contact the Cardiac Wellness Center at the Cheboygan Memorial Health Center, (231) 627-1458, or, the American Heart Association (800) 968-1793. Dr. Everett’s office is located at the Indian River Medical Center, 6135 Cressy Street, Indian River and is part of Cheboygan Memorial Hospital. For physician referral, call (800)866-9196, or go to www.cheboyganhospital.org.

Congress Passes Homebuyer Tax Credit Expansion

RISMEDIA, November 6, 2009—After the Senate gave final approval last night without a dissenting vote, the House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly this afternoon to pass legislation containing an extension and expansion of the homebuyer tax credit, completing Congressional action and sending the tax credit to President Obama for his signature, possibly as early as tomorrow.
The $8,000 homebuyer tax credit for first-time buyers, due to expire in 25 days, will be extended through April 30 of next year and buyers will have an additional two months, until the end of June, to close. First-time buyers who are in the process of making a purchase will no longer need to worry about qualifying for the $8,000 credit if they close after the November 30 deadline. The new legislation increases the income limit for couples with income up to $225,000, a nearly $55,000 increase above the level in existing law.
For the first time, the new legislation makes buyers who already own a home eligible for a credit. A $6,500 maximum credit will be available to existing homeowners who have lived in their current residence for five of the prior eight years. The legislation limits eligibility for the existing homeowner credit to homes worth $800,000 or less. The legislation takes effect December 1 and is not retroactive. Both credits are available only for primary residences, not second homes or investment properties.
In the House debate, Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) took the floor to say the homebuyer tax credit was helping a new generation of Americans live out their dream of homeownership and financial independence. Debate on the homebuyer credit was overwhelmingly positive and the legislation passed 403 to 12. However, several leading economists have voiced concern about the $16.7 billion cost of the credit and the wisdom of spending up to $400,000 per homebuyer to stimulate real estate sales and White House support for extending the credit has been lukewarm at best. However, it is virtually certain that the President will sign the legislative package, which contains an expansion of unemployment benefits as well as the tax changes.
In the Senate, the homebuyer tax credit was amended to a bill expanding unemployment benefits by 20 weeks for those who have exhausted their benefit.
The latest unemployment numbers are due out tomorrow and Congressional leaders are rushing the unemployment bill to the White House so that the President can show compassion by signing on the same day more job losses are announced.
The legislation included provisions added to address complaints of fraud. The Internal Revenue Service is given greater authority to oversee the process to root out fraud, and provisions are added in response to past abuses of false sales or underage buyers. An investigation by the Treasury Department’s Inspector General for Tax Administration found that more than 580 children, some as young as four years old, had received $627,000 in first-time homebuyer credits. The IRS has identified 167 suspected criminal schemes and opened nearly 107,000 examinations of potential civil violations of the first-time homebuyer tax credit.

email clean-up

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_________________________

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Coldwell Banker Northern Lakes

231-420-9231 mobile

231.238.9336 office

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