ELIZABETH'S CHOP HOUSE, arguably the best restaurant in the Upper Peninsula (yes, we can argue about it), is getting some serious recognition. A website, onlyinyourstate.com, recently listed it as the 7th best steakhouse in Michigan. Quoting: "Elizabeth and Tom Wahlstrom have transformed a restaurant in downtown ... Continue Reading
The Wild Rover, Cliffs Contract Talks, Mild Winter, Vajda Departure, Gym Closing, and a Driver’s Dream
DON'T EXPECT THE long-anticipated ownership change at the Wild Rover to happen anytime soon. Bill Digneit (of Double Trouble DJ's fame) is one of the partners in the purchase, and he says the closing on the bar/restaurant has been delayed. He figures the deal will close within 60 days. No later than the end of the ... Continue Reading
Vajda Resignation Rumors? Wrong
THE RUMORS SWIRLING around City Hall and throughout Marquette that city manager Bill Vajda is resigning are just that: rumors. Unfounded. Wrong. That's the word from Vajda himself. They started when Vajda took this week off--an unscheduled vacation at home, which he says is his first actual vacation since he took ... Continue Reading
Dark Stores, Bold Crosswalks, Plugged-in City Manager, Global Professor, and a Chocolate Risk-Taker
ANY LEGISLATION TO resolve the "dark store" controversy isn't going to happen until this fall at the earliest. State Representative John Kivela (D) and State Senator Tom Casperson (R) now plan to introduce their bills in both chambers in September. The UP legislators have written up two bills: One would no longer ... Continue Reading
The Cloud Over NMU, the Delay in Lansing, the Deed in the Township, Hope for the Orphanage, and Fallen Trees on 41
THIS SHOULD BE a grand time of year for Northern Michigan University. Spring's here, the sun's shining, the ice on the lake has melted, and thrilled students and proud parents will be celebrating graduation is this weekend. Woohoo. However. If you look up, you'll notice that stubborn, dark cloud that's settled over ... Continue Reading