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Uncork Paw Paw ~ A Village to Discover: Friendly, Familiar, Nearby
Paw Paw is located in the heart of Michigan’s wine country and home to St. Julian Winery, Michigan’s oldest, largest and most awarded winery. This family-owned winery, founded by Mariano Meconi in 1921, is nestled in the picturesque fruit-growing region of Michigan and features wines, brandies, vodkas and more.
But, there is more! Residents and visitors alike enjoy a full-service community with its own electric, water and sanitary sewer utilities, full-time police department, a joint fire department, and over 100 acres of park land. Village Hall is one of 4 buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Fine dining at small town prices attracts locals and visitors alike. For a small town (3,363 pop.), Paw Paw is blessed with a number of culinary trained and certified chefs owning and operating their own dining establishments. Needless to say the food is great, the service is terrific, the ambience is outstanding, and the experiences are memorable. Lodging is available for everyone from choice hotels to rustic cottages.
Paw Paw meets the new economy needs by providing broadband fiber optic service to each property. Wireless service is also available. Located on the route connecting Detroit and Chicago, I-94, Paw Paw is only minutes away from Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, and Grand Rapids. More than 114,300 households within 30 minutes of Paw Paw power a large consumer demand. Terrific schools and unique ‘third-places’ make Paw Paw a great place.
In the center of town is beautiful Maple Lake. A lakefront amphitheater hosts many concerts and events. Local merchants anchor a quaint downtown shopping district. Paw Paw has a dynamic DDA and Chamber of Commerce who hosted more than 2 dozen new business opening last year! There are several great annual events in Paw Paw, but the Paw Paw Wine and Harvest Festival is the premier 3-day event for the whole family.
Paw Paw’s an idyllic setting for millennials, those raising a family, or those relaxing through retirement.
For more information on Paw Paw ...
www.pawpaw.net
www.wineandharvestfestival.com
www.uncorkpawpaw.com
Facebook.com/greaterpawpawchamber
Facebook.com/wineandharvestfestival
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| Articles from the Previous 30 Days and Category=Village of Paw Paw |
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| UPDATE on Maple Lake Saving Efforts |
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| by Larry Nielsen |
| Wednesday, January 18, 2012 |
JANUARY 2012 — Update on Lake Saving Efforts
Results of Drawdown Hearing
Following a public hearing by the MDEQ last Fall, the MDEQ has finally issued its decision from the hearing. A permit was granted for a drawdown. The drawdown could start October 15. Since the decision didn't come until January 5, 2012, a drawdown is planned for 2012. This is a change from their prior drawdown date of September 15. Those that were concerned with the prior September drawdown date have some relief knowing a drawdown will start a month later. The permit is actually for a one time drawdown in the next five years. This time limit will need reviewing to see if a new application for more frequent drawdowns is warranted. However, the MLA now has time to prepare and put together what type of study will determine whether the drawdown is beneficial or harmful to any of the following: weeds (by type), fish, amphibians, and macrophytes. This information will be helpful should more frequent drawdowns be desired. in discussing the permit with an official of MDEQ, it was learned that people in their fisheries division currently believe (if that is the right word) that back-to-back drawdowns are harmful to fish populations. Anecdotally, this seemed not true as most fishing reports following the last drawdown reported otherwise. But, again, this allows time to put together the parameters of study that will best determine the overall pros and cons of a winter drawdown on Maple Lake.
The late 2011 hearing conducted by the MDEQ was very productive with lots of comments from concerned property owners around both Maple and Ackley Lakes. In the end, the MDEQ decided there was merit to a drawdown.
319 Grant Submitted
Last year the Village along with other partners (Southwestern Michigan Commission, VB County Soil Conservation District, and the VB County Drain Commissioner) submitted a grant application supported by many others (Two Rivers Coalition, Maple Lake Association, etc.) that just missed out on being funded. That grant was just tenths of a point away from making the funding cut and if the EPA had more money to grant we would have been in. The partners reviewed the grant and have added
Strength to the application. The main focus of the grant is to reduce the very high volume of sediment & nutrient loading coming into Briggs Pond and transferring into the LaCantina Basin and on into Maple Lake. The loading comes primarily from agricultural lands upstream along the South (also called the West) branch of the Paw Paw River. In this effort, several properties that contribute significant amounts of run-off were identified. The grant requires that property owners have to agree to participate in the efforts. Happily they did. The grant proposes best management practices be implemented to reduce said sediment and nutrient loading. There are other parts to the grant such as educational outreach, but the main focus is implementing the BMP's on the targeted properties.
The Village is very thankful of the partners and of those that offered support letters for this grant application. Quite frankly, we would not be successful without their partnership and support.
The Village should hear word on the grant in late 2012.
Dredging efforts proceed
The Village of Paw Paw holds two permits for dredging. Dredging may be by long arm excavator or suction methods. Both permits allow dredging in the Months of April July, August or September 2012. The Village of Paw Paw prefers that both be done in the month of April 2012.
One permit (10-80-0066-P) is issued for what we call the LaCantina Basin. This area is below Briggs Pond, south of Michigan Avenue at the confluence of the East and West (South) branches of the Paw Paw River meet. The LaCantina Ristorante Italiano is adjacent to the east side of basin and gives the local name to the basin. The permit is to dredge up to 9,900 cubic yards of sediments from this basin each year for five years. Bid for this project could indicate two options: A bid for 2012 and a bid for 2012-2013-2014-2015 and 2016. Bidders on this project shall assume the sediments must be taken to a Type 2 landfill. We are working on other acceptable locations other than a landfill but bidders should assume the sediments must be taken to a landfill.
The other permit (10-80-0067-P) is for dredging in Maple Lake around Maple Island, along the shoreline adjoining N. Kalamazoo Street/M-40, and along the adjacent boat launch. This permit allows dredging of up to 9,900 cubic yards. The spoils from dredging are able to be placed on adjacent property – vacant land adjacent to dredging area.
The Village invited 13 different dredging companies to bid. Deadline for bid submission is 2:00 p.m. on February 10, 2012.
Lakeshore Environmental engaged to
complete a series of studies
The Village of Paw Paw engaged Lakeshore Environmental for five studies ($17,000) which will determine sediment and nutrient loading as well as the impact of the laminar flow aeration system installed in portions of Maple Lake. The studies will provide a great basis for future decision regarding continuation or expansion of the laminar flow system. Lake-Savers, Lakeshore Environmental and the Village will coordinate activities to complete and report on the studies. The studies will result in detailed report with all 2012 seasonal data and final recommendations on aeration use for Maple Lake. The report will be made at a public meeting.
It should be noted both Lakeshore Environmental’s Jennifer Jones and John Tucci of Lake-Savers (aeration company) continue to be great to work with on saving Maple Lake.
Importance of Groundwater
• In the United States, groundwater is the source of drinking water for half of the total population and 95% of the rural population. Groundwater is also used for raising livestock, agriculture, and industry. Within Michigan, approximately 50% of the population relies on groundwater to supply their drinking water needs. Community drinking water systems are at risk from many possible contamination sources and no community wants to face the loss of its drinking water.
• In an effort to protect this valuable resource, the State of Michigan established the Michigan Wellhead Protection Program (WHPP). This program is a voluntary program for communities that use groundwater to supply their wells.
• Only 3% of the tap water we use on a typical day is used for drinking. Most of the rest goes for outdoor watering, bathroom uses, and clothes and dish washing.
ON ANOTHER NOTE:
The problem with flushing prescription medications
Michigan is unique, not just because you can show somebody where you live on your hand. But, because of our intimate association with the Great Lakes. Even the name comes from an Ojibway word meaning "big water."
Most of us live within a short drive to one of the Great Lakes and usually within walking distance to a nearby stream, river or inland lake. Water in Michigan is abundant, cleaner than it was years ago but not as pure as it could be. Wherever we are in the State or in the Great Lakes region we should be concerned about the emerging issue of trace amounts of pharmaceutical compound showing up in our surface, ground water and municipal water systems.
According to the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality studies throughout the US have revealed the presence of trace amounts of pharmaceutical compounds in surface and ground water. Pharmaceutical contamination of water has a negative impact on the aquatic ecosystem including fish, birds and other wildlife.
A study by the US Geological Survey concluded that 80% of streams sampled contained detectable levels of compounds found in common medications.
According to the DEQ, wastewater treatment plants are not designed to remove or process many compounds found in medications that end up being discharged into our surface and ground water.
Even if you live in a more remote area, you are not immune to potential problems. Your drinking water may be affected. Many medications including antibiotics, can destroy the beneficial bacteria necessary for a septic system to operate properly.
The Great Lakes contain over 95% of all surface freshwater in the US. We should be leading the way in promoting comprehensive solutions to collecting and properly disposing of unused/expired drugs so as to keep them out of our water.
WATER........WATER........A CONTINUOUS CYCLE.
Water moves through a continuous cycle known as the Water Cycle. The Water Cycle is the paths that water takes through its various states as it moves throughout the atmosphere. First, a vapor becomes a liquid through condensation. Second, the liquid (rain, snow, sleet) falls to the ground through precipitation. Third, the water either seeps into the ground, forming groundwater or it runs off the surface of the land, forming surface water. Finally, the liquid converts back into a vapor and evaporates up into the atmosphere through evaporation.
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT www.pawpaw.net
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