Destination: Indianapolis for the Indiana State Museum

Located in the Indianapolis' Museum Row, the Indiana State Museum has a little for everyone.  It is though the few state museums that has an entry charge (Adults: $7, Children: $4). Two on-site restaurants offer a nice break from the action.    Just outside is the famous Indianapolis canal walk. 


Special exhibits at the Indiana State Museum-
The Endurance: Shackleton's Legendary Antarctic Expedition:
through Feb. 19, 2012
Amazing Maize:
through Jan. 20, 2013
Heartland Art:
through Sept. 15, 2013


The Indiana State Museum
http://www.indianamuseum.org
650 West Washington Street
Indianapolis, IN 46204

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Great Lakes & Upper South in the News: "Museum planned in Louisville Water Co. pump station" from Courier-Journal

"The Louisville Water Co. plans a $2.35 million interior restoration of its landmark original Pumping Station at Zorn Avenue and River Road.


Part of the project will be a “Water Works Museum” designed to showcase the utility and its 150-year history.


It will be the first interior restoration of the site since 1978, with plans calling for Pumping Station No. 1 to be restored as closely as possible to its condition when it began operating in 1860. Exterior renovation of both the Pumping Station and companion Water Tower were completed in recent years.


In 1971, both were designated National Historic Landmarks.


“Louisville Water’s history is Louisville’s history, and it is rich with scientific and engineering innovation and architectural achievement,” said Greg Heitzman, the company president and chief executive officer. “This project is part of our long-standing commitment to preserve the infrastructure and stories about the people who have guided us.”


The museum will include photographs, film and interactive displays that tell how Louisville Water has helped shaped the city’s past and present."


Link:
http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20120129/NEWS01/301300030/water-company-project

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Great Lakes & Upper South in the News: "Minnesota Festival On Ice Melts Art's Boundaries" from NPR

Call it the Burning Man of the Midwest: a temporary city built around artistic expression. Only this one takes place in the suburbs of Minneapolis in the middle of winter.


Minnesota is known for its 10,000 lakes. When the lakes freeze for the winter, the state is known for its ice fishing and its ice shanties — little homemade fishing shacks full of heaters, radios and bottles of schnapps.


On Medicine Lake, 20 shanties are part of a festival called Art Shanty Projects. They're filled with art and dance parties. The festival closes next weekend, and organizers expect about 10,000 visitors before it's done.


Although it's a bitter 15 degrees, hundreds of people are out, bundled in winter coats, long underwear and the occasional neon jumpsuit.


"This whole project kind of expands people's ideas of what art can be," says Peter Haakon Thompson, who co-founded Art Shanty in 2004. "I think a lot of people are intimidated by museums and galleries, and think that they're going to do something wrong when they're there. And there's definitely not that feeling out here."


Link:
http://www.npr.org/2012/01/29/146042470/minnesota-festival-on-ice-melts-arts-boundaries

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Great Lakes & Upper South in the News: "Potawatomi Casino announces plans for hotel" from the JSOnline

Potawatomi Bingo Casino, which has grown to 2,500 employees from its modest launch as a bingo hall in 1991, would add another 230 jobs at a proposed 20-story hotel, while helping Milwaukee draw more overnight tourists, casino officials said Tuesday in announcing their plans.


In addition to generating about 1,000 construction jobs, its estimated $97.5 million cost would make the 382-room hotel Milwaukee's largest current development project.


The hotel, its employees and guests would generate $9.7 million in annual state and local government revenue, including sales, property, income and hotel room taxes, according to a study commissioned by the Forest County Potawatomi Community, which owns the casino, 1721 W. Canal St.


The hotel also would expand the casino's customer draw from what's now a 25-mile radius to a roughly 100-mile radius, said Mike Goodrich, casino general manager.


Link:
http://www.jsonline.com/business/potawatomi-casino-announces-plans-for-hotel-r13r764-137546993.html

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Great Lakes & Upper South in the News: "Lansing casino proposed (w/ promo video)" from the Lansing State Journal

LANSING -- Mayor Virg Bernero today announced a plan to bring a $245 million tribal casino to downtown Lansing.


Joined by Joe Eitrem, chairman of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, and Mark Alley, former Lansing police chief and currently a public affairs spokesman at Emergent BioSolutions' Lansing site, to discuss the project.


The casino would be adjacent to the Lansing Center near Cedar Street and Michigan Avenue.


Link:
http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/article/20120123/NEWS01/301230007

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Destination: Indianapolis for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum

Indianapolis is no stranger to major sporting events.  The city regularly hosts a number of professional and college tournaments and playoffs, and of course, the Indianapolis 500.  The Hall of Fame Museum has plenty to offer a visitor - a large auto collection, medals, videos, and the opportunity to see the massive complex from the infield.  


Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum
http://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/about/35204-Museum/
4790 West 16th Street
Indianapolis, IN
(317) 492-8500

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Destination: Indianapolis for the Super Bowl

Only three GL&US cities have hosted the Super Bowl: Detroit (1982, 2006), Minneapolis (1992), and now, Indianapolis (2012)!  According to Wikipedia 111 million viewers watched the last Super Bowl.  That is a lot of potential visitors to Indianapolis and the rest of the region.  While this week might not be a great week to visit Circle City, it is a great week to learn about the numerous activities this fun city has to offer.

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Destination: Detroit for the Greektown Casino

Detroit's three and Windsor's one casino are more than happy to take your money!  Greektown Casino is the most city-integrated of the casinos, with its own People Mover Station, frontage to the street, and surrounded by restaurants and bars. MGM Grand is located in the northwestern corner of downtown and feels somewhat isolated.  MotorCities is located only about a half mile from downtown in North Corktown in an area not yet touched by gentrification.   


Greektown Casino 
www.greektowncasino.com/
555 E Lafayette Blvd
Detroit, Michigan

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Great Lakes & Upper South in the News: "One 'Magic Room' That Links Generations of Brides" from the Wall Street Journal

"A half-century ago, long before the word "bridezilla" was part of our lexicon, saleswomen at Becker's Bridal had a secret language they used to cope with unpleasant brides.


If they liked a bride, they'd refer to her as "girlie." They'd say, "Girlie, that gown looks beautiful on you!" If a bride was difficult, they'd call her "sweetheart." That was a code between co-workers. "Would you help this sweetheart find a veil?" one saleswoman would say to another."


Link:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204124204577152830608878786.html

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