Granholm: Detroit Three must do more to improve image with Congress

LANSING -- Gov. Jennifer Granholm said the heads of the Detroit Three automakers have to make a convincing case for federal aid when congressional hearings resume next month.

And when they return to Washington Dec. 2 to make that case, they had better fly commercial, Granholm said Friday. And she didn't disagree with criticism that this week's failed effort by the automakers to win passage of a $25 billion federal loan was a public-relations disaster.

Jennifer Harnish / GazetteJennie Bokos, left, and Nicole Keorkunian observe the elaborately-decorated trees Friday at the preview party of the 19th annual Festival of Trees at the Radisson Plaza Hotel & Suites. Proceeds from the event will go to the Junior League of Kalamazoo. The festival continues today and Sunday.

KALAMAZOO -- Some trees and gingerbread houses were so well done that onlookers cut conversations short to examine details.

It didn't matter that the swanky $45-a-ticket preview party for the Festival of Trees at the Radisson Plaza Hotel & Suites Friday night included dinner and entertainment. The exhibits, driven by creativity and infused by the Christmas spirit, had dominating power.

PORTAGE -- Eleven people have applied to fill a vacancy on the Portage Public Schools Board of Education created by the resignation of Trustee Wendy Mazer.

A look at annual job losses in Michigan since 2000, including University of Michigan estimates for 2008 and forecasts for 2009 and 2010. Michigan added an average of 88,000 jobs annually between 1991 and 2000.

KALAMAZOO -- After Thanksgiving Day sales aren't just at major retailers anymore -- they're at performance venues like Miller Auditorium in Kalamazoo.

To mark its 40th anniversary, Miller Auditorium is offering the purchase of two tickets for the discounted price of $40. The offer applies for all upcoming Miller shows, with the exception of the Willie Nelson concert on Nov. 30.

As a point of comparison, without the offer, one ticket alone is $25 to $50, depending on choice of seating, for the "Ain't Misbehavin" musical (starring "American Idol" contestant Ruben Studdard) at Miller on Dec. 6.

Courtesy of Miller Auditorium"American Idol" contestant Ruben Studdard stars in the musical "Ain't Misbehavin" coming to Miller Auditorium on Dec. 6.

Shawano Cleary | Special to the Kalamazoo GazetteFrom the left, Western Michigan University students, Jillian Dhooghe, 21, senior, Joanna McLean, junior and senior, Mallory Walters, dress in make-up for the showing of "Twilight" at the Rave Cityplace 14 movie theater, Kalamazoo, late Thursday evening, November 20, 2008.

KALAMAZOO -- Area movie theaters were flooded with females -- and the occasional male -- Thursday night, when crowds lined up for the 12:01 a.m. premiere of "Twilight," based on the first of Stephenie Meyer's popular series of four vampire romance novels.

Lines of fans, some in costumes, wound throughout Rave Cityplace 14's entire hallway, entryway and game room by 11 p.m. One group said they left a snow-riddled Lawrence at 7:15 p.m. hoping to be the first there, arriving at 8 p.m.

PORTAGE -- A Portage mom is helping to organize a support group for foster and adoptive parents and for parents who are waiting to adopt.

BANGOR -- The Bangor City Council on Monday decided to extend the test period for a plan allowing snowmobiles to be driven downtown.

In October 2004, a committee that included snowmobilers suggested a plan under which snowmobilers could enter the city on certain roads at certain hours to travel to the downtown. The council decided to try the plan out before making it into an ordinance.

City Manager Michael Selden said there hasn't been enough snowfall over the past few years to adequately test it. The council agreed with his suggestion to extend the tryout period for another year.

Al Goldis | Associated PressUp to four wind turbines, like these seen at the Harvest Wind Farm in Oliver Township, Mich., may be installed at Kalamazoo Valley Community College.

TEXAS TOWNSHIP -- Kalamazoo Valley Community College officials now have the OK to install a 150-foot-tall wind turbine on the college's Texas Township campus.

The Texas Township Planning Commission, after getting assurances that noise from the turbine would be below 50 decibels and that it would be hundreds of feet away from a nearby street, approved the college's plans Tuesday at a special meeting.

Site work will begin Dec. 1, but the turbine won't be installed until around the beginning of the new year, after a deep cement foundation has cured.

LAWRENCE -- The Van Buren Road Commission's new maintenance garage was recently named "Public Works Project of the Year for Structures" by the American Public Works Association Southwestern Michigan Branch.

The Road Commission opened its new $5.9 million, 61,206-square-foot garage at its Lawrence facility this summer. Besides maintenance, the new building can house all of the Road Commission's equipment.

The old Lawrence garage was built during the Depression in 1937 and got additions in the late 1950s and early 1970s. It will remain in service.

ALLEGAN -- It's going to cost more to rent the gazebo and pavilions in the city of Allegan's parks.

The city council has set a price of $100 for all-day rental and $50 for half-day. That's twice what it was previously. In addition, electrical use will run $10.

"Certain adjustments were made to reflect the cost of certain activities," City Manager-Clerk Robert Hillard said of the reason for the fee increases.

Among other adjustments, organized sports teams will have to pay $15 per player, up from $10, to use the sports complex.

Parking fines will be $20, while violations for improperly parking in handicapped spaces will be charged $110.

Jonathon Gruenke | Kalamazoo GazetteHoward McNees of Wolverine Lawn Services fluffs plastic branches while setting up a 12-foot Christmas tree in front of the Burnham and Flower Insurance Group building at the corner of South Street and South Kalamazoo Mall Thursday afternoon.

KALAMAZOO -- Prepare to kick up the thermostat, at least for a little bit.

While a system that produced heavy accumulations of snow near the lakeshore was to move out of the region by late this afternoon, the snow it left behind, along with a mix of cold air, calm winds and clear skies was expected to send temperatures dipping into the teens tonight.

PAVILION TOWNSHIP -- Police found an active one-pot methamphetamine lab Thursday during the raid of a residence in Pavilion Township.

KALAMAZOO -- As the fundraising campaign wound down Thursday evening, Greater Kalamazoo United Way officials revealed how much they have raised in donations and pledges so far this fall: $7.5 million, about $3 million short of their goal.

KALAMAZOO -- Two children playing with a lighter ignited a fire Thursday that damaged an apartment on the city's south side, police said.

KALAMAZOO -- The third annual Warming Hearts Campaign is collecting new and slightly used blankets for needy families.

TREES AND TINSEL: The annual Festival of Trees opens this weekend at the Radisson Plaza Hotel & Suites. The Junior League of Kalamazoo fundraiser will be open for viewing 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

WMU BASKETBALL: Western Michigan University's men's basketball team is in action at 2 p.m. Saturday against Loyola of Chicago at University Arena on the WMU campus.