Big 'Ten' marching bands play 'Wicked' for National Wicked Day

I'm doing something new and different for today's spooky season celebration, observing National Wicked Day, the anniversary of Wicked's debut on Broadway. Of course, I'm doing it my way, which is to celebrate the day through the lens of marching music, capped by a drink.

I begin with "Wicked" - Sept., 13, 2025 - Michigan vs CMU - Michigan Marching Band, Musical Theatre, Percussion.

The Michigan Marching Band is excited to collaborate with the SMTD Dept. of Musical Theatre and Percussion Studio for a “Wicked” performance! This thrillifying halftime show will feature iconic tunes from the beloved Broadway musical and films, and showcase the artistry of the U-M School of Music, Theatre & Dance. Grab your dancing shoes and meet us at the Ozdust Ballroom as we celebrate one of the most popular musicals of all time!

Music Selections:
No One Mourns the Wicked
Popular
Dancing Through Life
Defying Gravity

Musical arrangements by Jason DeBord, Richard Frey, Matt Jordan, and Chuck Ricotta
Choreography by Sean McKnight; asst. by Raja Benz
Flag choreography by Joan Noble-Pruett
Drill by Corey Jahlas

This Michigan Marching Band would like to thank the Cozad Family for their generous support of this halftime performance.

The singers and keyboards added new dimensions to this performance, making it a special occasion. The singers steal the show, but I wish the band would keep the keyboards.

At least three other Big "Ten" bands played music from Wicked so far this season, including the University of Iowa Hawkeye Marching Band: 10.25.25 Halftime vs. Penn State | Defying Gravity: The Music of Wicked.

Together, we’re unlimited, Hawkeye Nation! For our October 18, 2025 game vs. Penn State, we brought the music of Wicked to life under the lights in Kinnick Stadium, because everyone deserves the chance to fly!

Featuring the Iowa Dance Team, Herky the Hawk, and the Nittany Lion. This show was designed by Dr. Eric Bush, with music arrangements by Drew Bonner.

The Hawkeye Marching Band made some interesting choices, including having the drum major dress up as the Wizard, inviting the opposing team's mascot to be part of the show to play Glinda, and casting Herky as Elphaba.

The other band from the conference playing Wicked was the Marching Illini: Music from Wicked | IMBC 2025 Evening Performance 10.25.2025.

That's a good pure marching band show with a preview image appropriate for spooky season. I have mixed feelings about the ending. I know it's tradition, but it's something of a museum piece. The Illini are named after the Illiniwek and the fight song reflects that. At least the university has replaced the Native American logo on the field with an outline of the state of Illinois.

The fourth and final band hails from a university that just joined the conference, USC Trojan Marching Band + USC School of Dramatic Arts Wicked halftime 10/11/25.

A Wicked wonderful halftime, combining the talents of the USC Trojan Marching Band and the USC School of Dramatic Arts. 10/11/25. Magnificent!

Well, the U$C Band can certainly put on a show and they used more technology than the Michigan band, although having the featured actors on the Jumbotron kept shifting focus.

I close with WICKED INSPIRED SHOTS by The Shot Queen.


Drink responsibly and stay tuned for one more Halloween post plus a bonus Day of the Dead entry. Trick or treat!

Ohio State and Michigan marching bands for National Horror Movie Day

As I promised yesterday, I'm going full spooky season today for National Horror Movie Day with marching band shows inspired by horror movies. I begin with Ohio State Marching Band HALLOWEEN "Halftime Horrors" Show October 29 2016 OSU vs NW by mbandfan2.

The OSUMB Halloween Horrors halftime show with pumpkins and horses and more. Theme from "Halloween", theme from "Psycho", "Dies Irae" from the "Shining", Theme from "The Fly", "OOgie Boogie Man" from "The Nightmare Before Christmas", and "Symphonie Fantastique".
The Ohio State University Marching Band, TBDBITL, The Best Damn Band In The Land. Ohio State vs. Northwester[n, ]October 29, 2016.

This works for me as a horror movie tribute.

Of course, I can't let OSU have the stage by itself, so I'm sharing my alma mater, "The Upside Down" (HC) - October 18, 2025 - Michigan vs Washington - Michigan Marching Band.

Music Selections:
Stranger Things Theme - Composed by Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein, performed by Survive
Running Up That Hill - by Kate Bush
The NeverEnding Story - composed by Giorgio Moroder, performed by Limahl
Crazy Train - composed by Bob Daisley, Ozzy Osbourne, and Randy Rhoads, performed by Ozzy Osbourne
Separate Ways (Worlds Apart) - written by Jonathan Cain and Steve Perry, performed by Journey

Musical Arrangements by Scott Boerma, Richard Frey, Andy Putnam, and Chuck Ricotta
Flag Choreography by Joan Noble-Pruett
Drill by Richard Frey

Grab a flashlight and your Walkman, because we’re taking a trip to the Upside Down ???? Join us as we embark on a musical journey through the small town of Hawkins and investigate the strange things that inhabit it. Creepy creatures, experiments gone wrong, and a rockin’ 80s soundtrack await you in this week’s halftime show: The Upside Down...

The Michigan Marching Band would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Derek (’97) and Erica Groendyk for their generous support of this week’s halftime performance.

My readers might object that Stranger Things is a TV series, not a movie. It is, but it may screen in theaters for New Year's Eve, so it will count as a movie.

I close with Hellfire Club | A Stranger Things Inspired Cocktail by Secret of the Booze.

THE HELLFIRE CLUB is a Stranger Things Inspired Cocktail that will be amazing this halloween for all those Eddie Munsons out there. Be sure to pull out your pick and rock out for our favorite character from Season 4.

Ingredients
Blueberry Concentrate
Empress Gin
Lime Juice
Simple Syrup
Tequila
Hibiscus Flower

That's a wrap for today. Stay tuned for National Food Day. New movie, new worksheet!

Marching music for the Michigan Primary — Legends, U of M, MSU, Rockford, and DeWitt

I announced today's post yesterday.

I've already decided to post this year's version of Marching music for the Michigan, Washington, Mississippi, and Democrats Abroad primaries focusing on my adopted home state of Michigan, which has the date all to itself, thanks to Democrats rearranging the dates of their primaries and caucuses to make them more representative. I guess that counts as reality through my idiosyncratic lens. Now off to select the videos to watch and listen to while waiting for the results!

Since I emphasize competitive drum corps in this series, I begin with what was Michigan's only competitive drum corps, Legends | #dci2022 | May Your Light Shine Forever from Drum Corps International (DCI).

Kalamazoo, Michigan's Legends perform a segment from the corps' #DCI2022 production, "May Your Light Shine Forever," during the 2022 DCI World Championships hosted August 12-14 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

That's the official upload. Drum Corps Library uploaded the complete show, which pays tribute to three adults who worked with the corps and were lost during the pandemic.


As the title and description of the DCI video explaining the show say, "'Three special people'...Legends' emotional 2022 production, 'May Your Light Shine Forever,' honors three individuals from the Legends community who passed away during the COVID-19 pandemic." May the same be said about Legends, who did not field a corps last year and apparently won't field a corps this year, as they are not included among the List of Drum Corps International member corps. Sigh. Legends are already missed.

I like transitions and connections and I have one for this post from DCI, From Boston to "The Big House:" Crusaders Trumpet Excels as Michigan Drum Major.

Boston Crusaders member Blake Brdak has made incredible memories on the DCI Tour and as the 58th drum major of the University of Michigan Marching Band.

Read more at DCI's website. By the way, Blake should look familiar, as he led the band in the final video I featured in Some of my favorite bands at the 2024 Rose Parade for New Year's Day.

Follow over the jump for four featured marching bands from Michigan.

Some of my favorite bands at the 2024 Rose Parade for New Year's Day

Happy New Year! I'm sharing my favorite bands in the Rose Parade for New Year's Day, courtesy of Luis at Music213. I begin with the official band of the Rose Parade, 2024 PCC Tournament of Roses Honor Band & Herald Trumpets (Day 1) - 2024 Pasadena Bandfest.

The 2024 Pasadena City College Tournament of Roses Honor Band & Herald Trumpets performing their musical selections at the 43rd Annual Pasadena Tournament of Roses Bandfest on Friday, December 29, 2023.

Two tunes stood out to me, "Fantasmic" and "Ancient & Honorable Artillery Company," the former because it works really well for PCC and the latter because it quotes "Auld Lang Syne," perfect for New Years Day.

Follow over the jump for the rest of the bands I'm sharing today.*

Dr. Fauci and Stevie Wonder address political division at commencement ceremonies in Michigan

Two celebrities speaking at graduation ceremonies in southeast Michigan addressed political division and exhorted graduates to fight its pernicious effects this past weekend. I begin with Dr. Anthony Fauci delivers University of Michigan 2020 Comeback Graduation Remarks from the University of Michigan.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and Chief Medical Advisor to the President, delivered a compelling speech to the Class of 2020 and Class of 2021 graduates at the University of Michigan Comeback Commence at Michigan Stadium on Saturday, May 7, 2022. He applauded the graduates’ adaptability, resilience, and dedication despite the difficulties and uncertainties of the pandemic, saying he is “in awe” of them.

After praising the graduates and recounting how he began researching HIV and AIDS, he remarked on the polarized political environment where those on one side of the ideological divide reject science. In particular, he warned the attendees against "the normalization of untruths." That's a message I can get behind.*

WATCH: Stevie Wonder receives honorary doctorate from Wayne State from WXYZ to see and hear the other celebrity speaker last weekend.

Motown legend Stevie Wonder received an honorary doctorate from Wayne State University on Saturday.

I'm with Wonder; it's disheartening that Americans still have to fight for civil rights, voting rights, and reproductive rights, but fight we must.

*This is only indirectly a pandemic update. I'll probably get to "more pandemic news, including global death estimates" that I promised in NBC News and MSNBC report the U.S. passed 1 million deaths from COVID-19, a pandemic update Friday or Saturday. In the meantime, stay tuned for the final retrospective of the 2021-2022 blogging year on Throwback Thursday.

University of Michigan and Michigan State combined marching bands put on a Halloween halftime show

For the final Halloween post of 2021, I'm embedding the MSU Spartan Marching Band link and video because it has better audio and preview image, but using MLive's title and description: Michigan-Michigan State marching band Halloween halftime show.

The marching bands from Michigan and Michigan State teamed up for a Halloween-themed show during halftime of the football game between the schools on October 30, 2021 at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.

As the final set says, "Happy Halloween!"

I could stop right here with this year's version of Purdue University's Marching Band performing Halloween halftime shows, including this year's socially distanced and remote pandemic edition, but Tipsy Bartender finally started uploading Halloween drink recipes yesterday, so I'm sharing New Halloween Jungle Juice. The tradition continues!



This one will scare you!
He uploaded another Halloween recipe today, but I'm saving it for next year. After all, I'm an environmentalist; I conserve my resources. That's it for Halloween and October 2021. Stay tuned for November's first post tomorrow, when I might extend spooky season one more day by writing about Day of the Dead.

CDC says 'the war has changed' against COVID-19 because of delta variant, a pandemic update

In my previous pandemic update, I reported that the CDC confirmed the largest drop in life expectancy since World War II during 2020. That was about the past. Today, I look at the present, beginning with CBS News reporting today CDC reveals "pivotal discovery" about the delta variant as cases surge.

The CDC says the "war has changed" in the coronavirus pandemic, as the delta variant fuels a surge in cases. As Michael George reports, experts say vaccinated people can spread the virus just as easily as the unvaccinated. Then, Max Bayer joins CBSN's Lana Zak with the latest on the variant and U.S. efforts to get ahead of it.

Yikes! That's scary! The only good news in all of this is that more Americans are getting vaccinated, which will help slow the pandemic in the future.

MSNBC had more news clips and reaction in last night's WaPo: CDC Document Warns Delta Variant Spreads Like Chickenpox.

The Washington Post is reporting on the details of an internal CDC document it obtained that warns the Covid Delta variant spreads as easily as chickenpox and causes more several illness than previous variants. We discuss that and more with Dr. Vin Gupta, Shannon Pettypiece, and Julie Pace.

My wife has been complaining about the CDC's guidance about vaccinated people not having masks since it came out and it looks like Dr. Vin Gupta agrees with her, although he never got around to specifics. I never stopped wearing masks indoors while out of the house even though I've been fully vaccinated since April, so I've been doing the right thing all along.

Both clips mentioned vaccination mandates for government agencies and private employers. WXYZ reported these occuring in University of Michigan will require COVID-19 vaccine for all students, faculty & staff.

The University of Michigan will require all students, faculty and staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19 ahead of the fall semester.

Not only U of M, but also Michigan State, Oakland University, Lawrence Tech, Albion College, and Kalamazoo College are requiring proof of vaccination. I expect to report more institutions and companies requiring vaccinations for their employees in future pandemic updates. Stay tuned.

Fantasy and reality about Paul Bunyan and his connections to Michigan on Paul Bunyan Day

Happy Paul Bunyan Day!

On June 28th, we remember fondly the tales of the big blue ox and a mighty lumberjack. It is National Paul Bunyan Day!

Described as a giant and a lumberjack of unusual skill, Paul Bunyan is one of the most famous North American folklore heroes. In the tales, Paul Bunyan was almost always accompanied by his companion, Babe the Blue Ox.

That's the version of the folk hero of tall tales depicted in American Legends Volume 2: Paul Bunyan from Disney Educational Productions.

Who was Paul Bunyan? Why did he hang out with a blue ox named Babe? Watch the original animated video from 1958 to find out more about this giant lumberjack and his loyal companion.

This is from the middle of the animated short, cutting off Paul's childhood before and his adventures afterwards, including losing to a chainsaw. That parallels the end of the story of John Henry. At least Paul Bunyan didn't die at the end like John Henry did (this is a Disney film for kids, after all) but moved to Alaska.*

It turns out that the legend of Paul Bunyan may have begun in Michigan. Take it away, National Day Calendar!

First appearing in print in 1906, in a story published by Northern Michigan journalist James MacGillivray, Bunyan’s character originated in folktales circulated among lumberjacks in the Northeastern United States and Eastern Canada. One account states that the tales began during the Papineau Rebellion of 1837. In 1914, William Laughhead reworked the stories for a logging company’s advertising campaign. The campaign breathed new life into the growing legendary character of Paul Bunyan. It was the 1922 edition of Laughead’s tales that inspired many others and soon the character’s plaid shirt and far-fetched characteristics spread across all of the United States and Canada.

Continuing with the Michigan connection, I'm sharing a video Andy Grant made for an educational techniques class when he was a student at Michigan State University about The Real-Life Paul Bunyan.



Story about Joe Fournier and Michigan lumbering for TE 408.
Good work, Andy! No wonder you were MSU History's outstanding senior in 2020.

MSU and Michigan both have a connection to the folk hero, as Stadium describes in Michigan-Michigan State Rivalry: History of the Paul Bunyan Trophy Game | Stadium Rivals.

The Paul Bunyan Trophy is on the line in the annual showdown between Michigan and Michigan State. Take a look back at the rivalry from Bo Schembechler to "clockgate" on this edition of Stadium Rivals.

As a Michigan alum, I appreciate this history of a rivalry that's almost as legendary as Paul Bunyan himself.

*That didn't stop people from designating various features as his final resting place. For example, I used to live across the highway from a state park that had a small hill that locals called Paul Bunyan's grave. My response to that is that he's buried in Alaska.

Michigan and Ohio State play dueling superhero halftime shows for National Superhero Day

Happy National Superhero Day!  To celebrate, I'm sharing two shows by arch-rival university marching bands, Michigan and Ohio State, from the same month, November 2016, on the same theme, superheroes.

First, my graduate alma mater, "Superheros" - November 19, 2016 - The Michigan Marching Band.

The Michigan Marching Band halftime performance: "Superheros" Marvel Studio Theme / Batman Theme (Elfman) X Men First Class Theme / Spider Man Superman / Ooh Child / Shoop / Sexy Sax Man Captain America March / Wonderwoman Theme / I Need a Hero

Next, Michigan's arch-rival, OSUMB Halftime Show in HD: Superheroes Tribute- Ohio State vs. Nebraska (11/5/16).

WOW! Best halftime show yet brought to you by BuckeyeTV, Channel 19. Ohio State Marching Band presents, "Superheroes" for the Halftime Show, Ohio State vs. Nebraska on November 5th, 2016.
...
Drill Design: Dr. Christopher Hoch Music Arrangers: John Brennan, Mark Reynolds Title from Avengers: Age of Ultron Caps Promise from Captain America Oscorp Tower and Main Title from The Amazing Spider-Man Theme from Man of Steel

Between the two shows, that's a pretty complete selection of movie superheroes from both DC and Marvel.

I'll have more on superhero movies next month when I plan on posting more about the Saturn Awards -- or maybe tomorrow when I post about how "Avengers: Infinity War" is doing at the box office.  Either way, stay tuned.

ETA: Both in honor of 'Avengers: Infinity War' having the best opening weekend box office of 2018 so far and my using it at my Dreamwidth journal as a preview of next year's post, here's Michigan State's band making the Avengers logo.  Sorry, I couldn't find a good image of the U of M band from this show other than from the preview of the video above.  At least this photo was from a show at Michigan Stadium.


Avengers assemble!

Sander Levin to retire, likely leaving Fred Upton as dean of Michigan's Congressional delegation

Conyers isn't the only member of Michigan's Congressional delegation to announce his retirement.  Stay tuned for news about another U.S. Representative leaving under more ordinary circumstances.

That's how I finished Conyers resigns, setting up scramble for his seat.  It's time to me to pass along this video from Wochit News: U.S. Representative Levin To Step Down.

On Saturday, U.S. Representative Sander Levin of Michigan said he would not run for reelection next year. He is stepping down after more than three decades in Congress. The 86-year-old Democrat is a member of the House of Representatives’ powerful Ways and Means committee. The committee deals with tax and economic policies as well as spending on programs such as Social Security and unemployment. In a statement acknowledging his decision to step down, House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi praised Levin. Pelosi said, “Since his days as a student activist, Congressman Levin has been a fearless and dedicated voice for justice and progress."

Levin does not plan to be idle in retirement.  The Detroit Free Press reported that he plans to "join the University of Michigan’s Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy, where he will continue to work on issues that have engrossed him in Congress, such as health care and trade issues."

The Free Press also noted the effect Levin's retirement will have on Michigan's Congressional delegation.

His departure from Congress at the end of 2018 is just the latest departure of veteran Michigan representatives, many of whom held powerful positions as the chairs of key committees, including U.S. Reps. John Dingell, D-Dearborn, Dave Camp, R-Midland, Candice Miller, R-Harrison Township, Dale Kildee, D-Flint and Mike Rogers, R-Brighton. When they left Congress over the last six years, they had a combined length of service of 141 years and significant clout in the halls of the nation's Capitol.

In the last three election cycles, eight of Michigan’s 14 members of Congress have retired. If U.S. Rep. John Conyers, D-Detroit, resigns from office or decides not to run for reelection in 2018 because of a sexual harassment scandal, only U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, would remain from Michigan's stable of veterans with more than 10 years of experience in Congress.

It looks like Upton will remain in the U.S. House of Representatives, as he has decided not to run for U.S. Senate, a possibility I mentioned in Whew! Kid Rock is not running for U.S. Senate.  WOOD-TV reported on that announcement in Upton seeks re-election in House, no Senate run.

After speculation of a possible run for U.S. Senate, Rep. Fred Upton announced he will not be seeking the nomination.

First Kid Rock, now Fred Upton.  If I were Debbie Stabenow, I'd be breathing a lot easier.

Enough of the Senate contest.  The Free Press also speculated on who might replace Levin.

But now, it's time to turn the reins over to the next generation. Names that have popped up as possible successors to Levin include his son Andy Levin, a Bloomfield Township Democrat and president of Levin Energy, which deals with clean energy initiatives, and state Sen. Steve Bieda, D-Warren.

This is a contest I actually will have to vote in, as Levin is my Representative.  I have a long time before I have to decide, as the primary election isn't until August, but I'm not enthused about either possible candidate mentioned above.  Fortunately, Daily Kos lists two more.

Oakland County Treasurer Andy Meisner also acknowledged he was considering, though he said he didn't have a timeline for when he'd decide. Businessman Kevin Howley, who lost a 2012 race for Oakland County executive 57-43, said he was looking at who else runs before deciding.

I like those two more than the previous two, as I know both of them.  Between the two, I'd vote for Meisner.  He has the nickname of "The Gentleman Assassin" -- he can kill while smiling and being polite.  I like that.  Just the same,  I'm hoping that Jim Townsend, who used to be my State Representative, declares his candidacy.  He's someone I could support enthusiastically.

A snail story for Black Friday/Buy Nothing Day

Happy Buy Nothing Day, my name for Black Friday!  I won't be participating in either day, as I will be buying food but won't be Christmas shopping.  Instead, I'm going to tell a story about the small part I played in making possible the building of a shopping mall.  I've told this tale to my students several times over the years as an example of how I take revenge on people who cross me.*  Follow over the jump to read it.

Dinosaurs dancing to 'Jurassic Park' theme and more science fiction music on a football field

I'm still in the hospital, so nothing very complex today.  That's O.K., as I stumbled across something both fun and on-topic for this blog, the University of Michigan Marching Band playing John Williams music from science fiction movies, "Star Wars," "Jurassic Park," and "E.T."


The dancing dinosaurs got the attention of MLive, which posted T-Rex Perform During Michigan Football Halftime.

An army of Tyrannosaurus Rex invade Michigan Stadium during the University of Michigan Marching Band halftime performance on Saturday, September 9, 2017.

That was hilarious.

Examiner.com article on Kasich campaigning in Michigan

Ohio Governor John Kasich, seen here in Virginia, is on a six-day campaign swing through Michigan ahead of the state's primary March 8.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Kasich 'phones in' first campaign stop in Michigan

Ohio Governor John Kasich's six-day campaign tour through Michigan began inauspiciously yesterday.  His charter plane from New York could not make it to his first scheduled stop, a town hall at the Student Union at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor on Tuesday morning, March 2.

Unable to attend in person, Kasich did the next best thing.  He called the approximately forty people at the venue and spoke to them over the phone.

Much more, including quotes from Kasich and a supporter, a video of Kasich about how to deal with Donald Trump, and the results of the latest poll, at the link.

As my readers can see, I was able to write the article about Kasich that I wasn't feeling earlier.  Now on to the debate!  WXYZ has a preview in GOP debate tonight in Detroit.


Stay tuned!

Michigan marching bands parade in a new year

As the sign says, Happy New Year!  To usher in 2016, I'm returning to something that I mentioned at the end of Walled Lake Central Marching Band in Macy's Parade.

Plymouth-Canton's band has their own televised holiday event to look forward to; they're marching in the 2016 Rose Parade.  This is a good year for Michigan's top high school marching bands.

Here's the story from Hometown Life: PC marching band ready for Rose Bowl parade.

Plymouth-Canton Marching Band members – approximately 176 of them – and families had bumpy flights Sunday, but arrived in California to sun and warmer weather as they prepare to perform in the Tournament of Roses Parade Friday.
...
Band and booster members and parents have fundraised since the award-winning band was invited to perform in the Tournament of Roses Parade earlier this year. In the end, about $100,000 was raised to help defray the approximate $500,000 cost of sending the band, the members and equipment to Pasadena. The equipment was hauled by truck to Pasadena.

When the 126th Tournament of Roses Parade begins at 8 a.m., (west coast time) New Year’s Day, the Plymouth-Canton Marching Band will be in the 34th place in the procession. Band members are gearing up for the five-mile parade.
...
After their arrival in California Sunday, the band practiced and then were off to see the sights, including the Santa Monica Pier. “The kids are in good spirits,” [Chris] Zygmunt [president of the marching band boosters club] said.

On Wednesday, the marching band participated in a competitive band festival. The plan is also to perform at Disneyland.

The Tournament of Roses Parade this year sports the theme “Find Your Adventure.” So the band will perform the theme of the Back to the Future film, just as the parade makes a turn and heads toward the TV cameras. Back to the Future will also be in the band’s performance at Disneyland. But it will perform its 2015 show, “E.X.O.,” described as a musical journey into alien worlds, during the band festival.

Before I share video of the band festival, I'm sharing this clip of their performance at the Macy's Parade four years ago: Plymouth Canton Educational Park Marching Band Macy's Parade 2011.


I should be a good environmentalist and recycle that for Christmas! Now, Plymouth-Canton HS Marching Band at the 2016 Pasadena Bandfest

Plymouth-Canton High School Marching Band performing their musical selections at the 36th Annual Pasadena Tournament of Roses Bandfest on Wednesday, December 30th 2015.

I'll post a video of the band at the Rose Parade proper in a couple of weeks. Should their Disneyland performance become available by then, I'll post it, too.

Follow over the jump for more Michigan marching bands in parades.

Examiner.com article on Chelsea mammoth

A woolly mammoth skeleton was recovered near Chelsea, Michigan, and may show signs of human butchering.

Mammoth remains could be oldest evidence for humans in southeast Michigan.

A mammoth whose skeleton was removed from a Washtenaw County field this week may have been butchered by humans, the University of Michigan announced in a press release issued Friday.  If the extinct elephant relative remains were indeed cut by humans and found to be older than about 12,000 years old, they could be the oldest evidence for humans in southeast Michigan.

The mammoth bones were recovered from a farm owned by James Bristle in Lima Township near the city of Chelsea, Michigan, about ten miles southwest of Ann Arbor.  A team of University of Michigan paleontologists led by Professor Daniel Fisher, along with excavator Jamie Bollinger of Bollinger Sanitation and Excavating in Chelsea, who donated his time, were able to recover about 20 percent of the animal's bones, including the skull and two tusks, numerous vertebrae and ribs, the pelvis, and both shoulder blades.

Fisher described the age of both the site and the animal. "It was an adult male, 40 to 50 years of age, and stood probably 10 feet tall at the shoulder," he told  The Detroit News.  The animal, likely a woolly mammoth instead of its larger relative the Columbian mammoth, died between 15,000 and 11,700 years ago.

In the University of Michigan press release, Fisher said that the site held "excellent evidence of human activity" associated with the mammoth remains.  "We think that humans were here and may have butchered and stashed the meat so that they could come back later for it," he continued.

Click on the link in the headline for more about the discovery and a Reuters video that is higher quality than the following clip from Wochit: Holy Woolly Mammoth!!! Michigan Farmer Unearths Prehistoric Skeleton.

A Michigan soy farmer made the astonishing discovery while he and a friend were digging in his soy field. James Bristle, from Lima township just south-west of Anne Arbor, told media that what he initally thought was a fence post turned out to be a rib bone and the first part of a woolly mammoth skeleton, including its skull and tusks.

Stay tuned for Entertainment Sunday.  I might be up for two posts.

Hurricane Joaquin as viewed from Michigan

I told my readers to "come back for a dish of either gossip or food, I haven't decided which" at the end of A 'Grand Canyon' crosses the surface of Pluto's moon Charon.  Sorry to disappoint them, but I'm serving neither this morning.  Instead, take a rain check, literally, as I write about the weather, specifically Hurricane Joaquin as viewed from Michigan.

First, WOOD-TV takes a serious view of the storm in More rain, flooding forecast along soggy East Coast.

Unrelenting rain across the East Coast showed little sign of let-up early Saturday, with record-setting precipitation expected to prolong the soppy misery that has been eased only by news that Hurricane Joaquin is no longer a threat.

Good news! The hurricane won't make landfall!  It will still soak the east coast.

Of course, what's really important to a lot of people in Michigan is what effect the storm will have on today's Michigan-Maryland game.  WXYZ reports on that in Game time changed for U of M vs. Maryland.

Game time changed for U of M vs. Maryland due to hurricane threat.

Americans demand their entertainment. Therefore, the game, like the show, must go on.

It was a good week for solar energy in Michigan

Three stories about advances and milestones in solar-generated electricity in Michigan made the newspapers this past week.  The most recent is also the one that I'm featuring first, as The Ann Arbor News via MLive reported Michigan's largest solar panel array now up and running near Ann Arbor.

Michigan's largest solar energy installation is now up and running, and Ann Arbor Township holds the bragging rights.

Under a bright, sunny sky, DTE Energy and Domino's Farms celebrated the new 1.1-megawatt array just outside Ann Arbor on Tuesday.

Big enough to cover the football field at Michigan Stadium, the 4,000-plus panels that now cover 9.37 acres of Domino's Farms property are visible from the highway on the north side of M-14 west of Earhart Road near the U.S. 23 interchange.

According to DTE, the photovoltaic panels have the capacity to generate enough solar energy to power nearly 200 homes at any given time.

I drove past this installation last July during a class field trip and was impressed by the sight.  I would have reported on it in a field trip update except that something else took priority.  Better late than never, especially now that it's finished.

That's not all.

DTE also is constructing a 750-kilowatt solar array in Romulus and planning an 800-kilowatt array in Ypsilanti, among other projects.

The company's entire renewable energy portfolio, including wind and biomass, is now capable of generating nearly 1,000 megawatts of electricity, or enough to power 400,000 homes, company officials said Tuesday. The portfolio includes facilities owned and operated by DTE, along with contracts to purchase power from facilities owned and operated by third-party developers in Michigan.

Follow over the jump for even bigger and better news about the future of solar power in Michigan.

Lowest Labor Day gas prices in 11 years both good and bad

Not only was the gas price spike a dead cat bounce, but gas prices during Labor Day weekend are the lowest they've been in 11 years.  Wochit News reports on the resulting windfall for U.S. consumers in Labor Day Gas Price Bonus: $1.4 Billion.

Labor Day is historically one of America's busiest driving holidays, but this year it's likely to be remembered for being one of the cheapest.

With gas prices continuing to move lower, the national average for a gallon of gas this Labor Day is expected to fall to $2.44, marking the lowest price at the pump since 2004.

By the time the last charcoals have cooled on the barbecue, Americans will have saved a collective $1.4 billion compared with last year.

That in turn could result in more consumer spending on eating out at restaurants and other extras.

If so, that would be good news, exactly the kind that would offset decreases in spending from the recent stock market correction.

Follow over the jump for more good and bad news caused by this year's lower oil prices from Wayne State University and the University of Michigan.

Examiner.com article on Lake Erie algae bloom prediction

NOAA, U-M predict even larger Lake Erie algae bloom in 2015

Last year, 400,000 residents in and around Toledo had their water supply shut down for three days during August because of a bloom of toxic blue-green algae in Lake Erie.  This year's algal bloom is predicted to be even more severe, according to scientists at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the University of Michigan, and could become the second largest in recorded history by the time the bloom peaks in September.

In statements released on Thursday, July 9, researchers predicted that this year's algal bloom would very likely be more severe than last year's.  This year's bloom could range in severity from 8.1 to 9.5 on a ten-point scale with the record 2011 bloom given a rating of 10.  In contrast, the 2014 bloom had a rating of 6.5.

"Last summer's Toledo water crisis was a wake-up call to the serious nature of harmful algal blooms in America's waters," said Jeff Reutter, retired director of Ohio State University's Sea Grant program and Stone Laboratory, in a press release. "This forecast once again focuses attention on this issue, and the urgent need to take action to address the problems caused by excessive amounts of nutrients from fertilizer, manure and sewage flowing into our lakes and streams."

More at the link, including this video from WXYZ.

Scientists are predicting a large algae bloom for Lake Erie this year.

I searched the blog and was surprised that I didn't mention last year's algal bloom at all!  Here's to making up for lost time.

WXYZ finds local angle on data breach

I promised reports on cyberwarfare as waged by ISIS AKA The Sith Jihad, China, and Russia in the footnote to National Donut Day 2015.  I took care of the first in Sith Jihad's use of social media a double-edged sword.  Now it's time to see how the junior partner in The CoDominion treats its senior partner.  WXYZ found the local angle to the story, beginning with Hackers target US government.

Hackers reportedly from China have targeted nearly every branch of the US government.

Follow over the jump for China's response as well as what you can do about cybercrime.