About Howell's Downtown

OK, I admit it. I’m a big proponent of shopping local. I don’t care if you’re from Waterford or Birmingham, Ann Arbor or Brighton – patronize your local shops.

A couple of weeks ago, some business owners in Brighton got together and made a video about just that topic.

Now we have a great promo video of being in downtown Howell during the Holidays. A lot of video was shot during the Fantasy of Lights Parade (which everybody should see at least once!) and really gives you the feeling of shopping in a downtown area.

Big box stores and malls are fine for some things, but don’t forget about the folks who work right there on your Main Street. They usually do a lot more for your community than the big franchises (sorry, corporate policy doesn’t let us do that) and they really are more a part of your town than the big outfits.

Make a pledge to yourself that you’ll do at least some of your shopping at the smaller, local businesses this year. And while you’re in your downtown, why don’t you stop at a local restaurant for lunch or an appetizer and try something new?

OK, it's not exactly the Woodward Dream Cruise. (For those non-Michiganders out there, the Dream Cruise is a huge car party in Detroit's north suburbs. So large that it's actually the world's largest one day automotive event. Click the link for more info)

But the Howell Melon Festival is in its 51^st year and is quite a party, all the same. A wide range of events include the Melon Run with both a 1 Mile, a5K and a 10K, and other funs things like melon dash and melon roll and tot trots.

Get a taste of melon ice cream, take a steam locomotive ride, a river boat ride (on Thompson Lake), or perhaps a trolley tour. Try a taste of melon wine, tour the Howell Historical Museum. Add a Fine Art show, sidewalk sales and some interesting activities like a watermelon seed spitting contest, a bubble gum bubble-blowing contest and you’ll find something to do in Howell this weekend. The entire downtown area is the location.

If you’re planning to visit, check the schedule and parking maps first. This is a BIG weekend in Howell, and we want you to have a blast!

610 E. Washington St. Listed at: $81,140

Bank-owned home available "As-is" in the historic district of Howell. 5 bedroom, 2 bath, 2040 sq.ft. 1 car garage, large backyard, close to shopping, schools and freeways. Needs lots of TLC. Priced to sell quick! Hurry, this one won't last

View pictures at: http://detroit.backpage.com/online//classifieds/ViewAd?oid=717032

Please contact Team Campbell at Keller Williams Realty 2144 S. State Street Ann Arbor, MI. 48104 734-821-0733 direct e-mail: info@teamcampbell.biz

You don't have to travel to Ann Arbor to enjoy live music... 

The Acoustic Café is taking over The Opera House on Friday in a pilot program bringing music to the venue. New Age guitarist Roy Scoutz kicked things off last Friday.

The program, which will offer light refreshments, will be open at 8 p.m. Fridays through Feb. 29 in the lower level of The Opera House in downtown Howell. Cover charge will be $5. Cohoctah Township's Neil Woodward, honored by the state Legislature as Michigan's official troubadour, will take to the stage next Friday.