Next Dark Sky event Sunday, May 20: Understanding Eclipses

International Dark Sky Park at the Headlands
7 to 9 p.m.  FREE

Every year with rhythmic consistency, the Earth and the Moon encounter one another at a specific plane of orbit that causes them to block one another relative to the Sun. If the Moon is at New phase between Earth and Sun, this causes a solar eclipse. If the Moon is Full, on the opposite side of the Earth from the Sun, it results in a lunar eclipse.

Eclipses are not random events in the cycle of the year, but throughout history they have sparked everything from passing interest to unbridled terror.

This year, the eclipse season begins with an annular eclipse of the Sun on Sunday, May 20, at 7:47 p.m. Although the eclipse will not be visible for us in NW Lower Michigan, it is the first central solar eclipse visible from the contiguous United States (Pacific Northwest) since 1994.

At the Headlands, 2 miles west of downtown Mackinaw City, we will host the event "Understanding Eclipses," to demonstrate what causes eclipses to happen, to share historical accounts of what people have done overtime to engage with and understand eclipses, and we will consider beliefs related to eclipses stemming from astrology and astronomy.

Sunset is at 9:09 p.m., so we will start with an indoor program then head out to catch the last rays of the setting Sun. For more information, click here.

Emmet awarded Michigan Humanities Council grant for Dark Sky Discovery Trail

LANSING — After reviewing an astounding 51 applications – 31 more than the previous grant cycle – the Michigan Humanities Council will award $350,850 in major grant monies to 30 Michigan nonprofits. Among the award-winners is Emmet County, which will receive $12,500 to fund a Dark Sky Discovery Trail at the Headlands International Dark Sky Park.

“We received an extraordinary number of very exciting, high-quality grant applications this spring and the Michigan Humanities Council has made the very bold decision to fund double the number of grants we usually fund this time of year as a result. This is more than double the amount of grant dollars we awarded in the fall cycle, but with such a large number of great projects on the table, we decided to get the funds out into the communities now when the need is so great,” said Council Board Chair Timothy Chester.

“On behalf of the Council board and staff, I want to congratulate those Michigan schools, communities and nonprofits that are really raising the bar in innovative programming to tell their local stories and elevate Michigan’s rich cultural heritage to a new level,” added Chester.

The grants will provide organizations with the funds needed to host cultural programming in their communities through exhibits, lectures, writing programs, festivals and more. Grantees are based in 16 of Michigan’s counties.

"We are grateful to the Michigan Humanities Council for this generous award, which will really help us as we start looking for ways to make the Dark Sky experience at the Headlands even more enriching for our visitors," said Beth Anne Piehl, Emmet County Communications Director and project co-director. "We have a really exciting project planned with the Discovery Trail."

More details about the Discovery Trail, to be developed this summer, will be forthcoming. To read the complete list of award winners, click here.

Register for "Blasts from the Past!"

Emmet County is one of the richest areas of Michigan when it comes to its history and stories, people and properties. To share this wealth of historical insight and encourage further preservation of our important heritage, the Emmet County Historical Commission and several community partners are going to begin a "Blast from the Past" video email blast.

The emails will be sent out about twice a month and they will feature a brief video (less than 2 minutes) from county historical locations, along with an interpreter describing the significance of the site. Expect to find interesting insights, historical tidbits and more information about what makes Emmet County such a unique place in Michigan and the United States.

To sign up for the Blasts from the Past, email Beth Anne Piehl, Emmet County Communications Director, at bpiehl@emmetcounty.org.

Construction Resources Committee a sounding board for contractors, public

Martie VanBerlo, Emmet County Building Official

The Committee meets next at 9 a.m. Wednesday, May 16

A committee within the Emmet County Planning, Zoning and Construction Resources Department is working hard to ensure the concerns and issues facing builders, contractors and tradesmen in the community are heard.

The Construction Resources Committee began meeting in mid-2011 with several clear goals in mind: Creating a customer service statement, better communication with those in the building trades industry, and improving consistency in code interpretation.

Its mission statement is “to provide guidance and suggestions to improve the public’s perception of the Emmet County Construction Resources Department; improve the department’s service to its customers; and to act as a communications conduit with the department for area construction-related businesses.”

“We want builders and the public to know what we are doing as a committee and that we are a resource for them,” said Martie VanBerlo, Emmet County Building Official.

VanBerlo joins 10 other area builders, tradesmen and community members on the Construction Resources Committee, which currently meets monthly at the Planning and Zoning Department offices, 3434 M-119, Suite E, Harbor Springs.

To learn more about the committee, click here.

Commuter Cup Challenge teams now forming for June 4-8 Smart Commute Week

Organizers of the Smart Commute Emmet County program are now registering workplace teams to compete in the Commuter Cup Challenge and other fun events that promote awareness of biking, walking and carpooling to work during a week in June.

The Smart Commute Emmet effort takes place June 4-8. Numerous sponsors are working the Top of Michigan Trails Council and community leaders to encourage area residents to consider alternative ways of getting to work. Promoters say Smart Commuting can save money, help participants get fit and help the environment.

Smart Commute lots will be set up around the county for those who live too far to bike to work. Free breakfasts will be held at various locales as well.

The Commuter Cup Challenge encourages workplace employees to team up and compete against other businesses for the coveted Commuter Cup. Prizes are awarded, including a new bike from Latitude 45 in Petoskey.

To register or for more information, click here for the Top of Michigan Trails Council Web site. To download flyers about Smart Commute week and the Commuter Cup Challenge, click here.

Getting ready for the Transit of Venus

Venus crosses in front of the sun in this simulated image from Transitofvenus.org.

Plans are under way for free event at the Headlands during this once-in-a-lifetime celestial event

People around the world are making preparations for the astronomical event of the century this June 5, 2012, and at the Headlands International Dark Sky Park, Emmet County staff is doing the same.

The event is known as the Transit of Venus across the face of the Sun, a phenomenon that occurs in pairs separated by eight years; this specific transit won’t occur again for nearly 120 years. The current Venus transit cycle started with the movement of Venus across the Sun June 8, 2004, and will complete the cycle June 5, 2012, starting in the 5 p.m. hour and lasting until sunset (9:24 p.m. local time). This movement of Venus will not happen again until December 2117.

From 4 to 10 p.m. on Tuesday, June 4, join county and Dark Sky staff for an afternoon and evening of free programs, entertainment and opportunities for safe Transit viewing at the Headlands. For complete information about the Transit and more event details, click here to be taken to the Transit of Venus page.