The Coolest Blanket I Have Ever Seen - The Slanket

I love promoting cool Michigan businesses and shops, but I have to go out of our state to mention this company. The Slanket is a huge fleece blanket with loose, oversized sleeves so you can still use the remote, read a book, or eat popcorn and not have your arms freeze. For $65 you can enjoy your Slanket while you have the thermostat turned back to save $$$. I just checked the Slanket website today, February 3, 2006, and unfortunately all of their Slankets are on backorder. Evidently these are more popular than I had thought. Rats! I was hoping to get one. It looks like anywhere from 10 days to 3 weeks before you will receive your Slanket if you order today.

Guess I'll have to plan ahead for next winter.

****** SLANKET : THE BEST BLANKET EVER ******

Kalamazoo More Promising Than Super Bowl Host Detroit

Just wanted to comment on a great little article from the Detroit Free Press about the longlasting impact of the Kalamazoo Promise versus the fleeting fame Detroit garners from hosting the Super Bowl. Unfamiliar with the Kalamazoo Promise? Basically, it is this - anonymous benefactors are giving 4-year scholarships to Kalamazoo Public School grads who attend any Michigan public college or university. If the kids start attending KPS in kindegarten they receive 100% of their 4 years of tuition. Even students who join the district up to their sophomore year receive 65% of the cost of their tuition. That is a great deal that will allow the city of Kalamazoo to reap the benefits and rewards of having more college educated people being born and raised there.

Anyway, you have to admit that the Kalamazoo Promise is going to allow Kalamazoo to reap a great investment for many years to come. Detroit being host to the Super Bowl? Five years from now will anyone outside of this region even remember that Detroit hosted Super Bowl XL?

BRIAN DICKERSON: While Detroit parties, Kalamazoo progresses

Great Wolf Lodge Deal - $149 Per Night

Just wanted to let you in on a deal that Great Wolf Lodge has going on now through March 23, 2006. If you are interested in staying at the Great Wolf Lodge in Traverse City for a great rate of $149 per night all you need to do is use the promotional code GREAT6A online or when you call to make a reservation. This is almost 50% off of the regular price of a one night stay for the lowest priced rooms.

Gov. Granholm - Wait 5 Years For A Booming Michigan Economy

Let me preface this with the statement that I am looking at Gov. Granholm's proposals and ideas unveiled at the State of the State Address with a non-partisan viewpoint. I am looking at it as a small business owner in a state that has a tough time getting new businesses to start and grow here. I am also looking at it from the point of a resident of a state with the nation's highest unemployment rate. The bottom line of her address is this - "In five years, you are going to be blown away by the strength and diversity of Michigan's transformed economy" - Gov. Jennifer Granholm.

I don't know about anyone else that lives, works, or does business in Michigan, but I don't want to wait 5 months for good news, let alone 5 years. I am not looking for a quick fix, but I am looking for marked improvement a lot sooner than 5 years down the road.

Read the full article - Granholm: State on road to recovery

Governor Granholm to Deliver State of the State Address Wednesday

Just a quick reminder that Governor Granholm will be delivering her 4th (and last?) State of the State Address. Check your local radio and tv listings to see if and where you can listen. The link below also has a list of some of the tv and radio stations carrying the address. Governor Granholm to Deliver State of the State Address Wednesday