Weekend Events 3/10-3/12

Enjoy what looks to be a balmy weekend with some of these great events across our state! Cabin Fever Flea Market - Jackson County Fairgrounds Thousands of New & Used Items, buy-sell-trade. Jackson's largest flea market/garage sale event of the year will be held on March 10-11, 2006 at the Events Center within the Jackson Fairgrounds. You can get more details by calling (517) 784-7750.

Home & Garden Show at Ford Field - Ford Field Ford Field is the site for the Annual Ford Field Home & Garden Show on March 10-12, 2006. Over 500 booths filled with new homebuilders, kitchen & bath re-modelers, landscapers, garden centers, seminars and more. You're sure to find something new and some great ideas for your home. Call for more details at (800) 328-6550.

The Michigan Golf Show - Novi Chamber of Commerce The Michigan Golf Show kicks off the season highlighting over 400 exhibitors with great deals on every aspect of the golf game! Retailers! Resorts! Travel Destinations! Over 100 Michigan Golf Courses! And a variety of hands-on activities will get you started for this season. Phone (248) 348-6942

West Michigan Women's Expo, 2006 - DeVos Place DeVos Place is a shopping extravaganza with exhibits relating to natural health remedies and prevention, finance, educational opportunities, family vacations and more on March 10-12, 2006. Call (616) 532-8833 for more details.

3rd Annual Sault Downtown Outhouse Race The 3rd annual Sault downtown outhouse race and cardboard race on Portage Ave. in downtown Sault Ste. Marie from 4:00 - 7:00 pm. Do you have what it takes to be the Big Stinker Champion? Race your outhouse to win the elusive two-holder outhouse trophies! Registration form is on-line. For more information call (906) 635-6973.

Beware of the Coast Guard's Big Guns

Due to its absorption into the Department of Homeland Security the U.S. Coast Guard has additional responsibilities these days. No longer just involved in search and rescue missions or ice-breaking duties, the Coast Guard must now protect our water-lined borders from terrorists and drug/migrant smuggling. To enforce their position the Coast Guard has added M240 mounted machine guns that are capable of firing 600 rounds per minute. Read all about it in the Traverse City Record Eagle.

Current Statewide Gas Price - $2.47

Did you know we are paying over $.40 more per gallon this year than at the same point last year? The price of gas statewide has increased an average of about $.25 in the past two weeks. I filled up my truck two weeks ago for $2.07 for regular unleaded so the increase over here is more like $.40 in the last two weeks. The current prices I have seen all hover around $2.43 per gallon in southwest Michigan. The AAA Fuel Gage Report states that Michigan's average as of today, March 9, 2008, is $2.476. These price trends don't give Michigan's tourism groups much optimism.

It won't be long and the costlier "summer-grade" gasoline will be at the pumps. The "summer-grade" fuel is manufactured to help with pollution problems with the higher summer temps. I don't want to be a pessimist, but I doubt we will see fuel prices below $2.50 this summer here in Michigan.

Are You Skipping Car Washes?

According to an article in the Detroit News it appears that high gas prices have caused drivers to pinch their pennies and have their cars washed less frequently. Car wash owners in the Detroit area believe their revenues are 30 percent lower than normal. I never realized it, but winter is when car washes make enough money to get them through the slower parts of the year. When I think on it, it makes sense that winter is their busiest time with all of the grime on cars from winter driving. The decline in revenue has caused many car wash owners to raise their prices in hopes to stay in business. The Detroit News has a poll going on that lets you place your vote on whether or not you are getting your car washed less this winter.

21-Month-Old a Natural Drummer

Julian Pavone's father, Bernie Pavone, noticed his drumming talent when Julian was just three-months-old. While Bernie was practicing the drums Julian took a turn with the sticks. Julian has a cd in the works entitled "Go Baby" and recently performed at a Cleveland Cavaliers game. I viewed a video of Julian playing the drums and was quite impressed. My 19-month-old doesn't even have the motor skills it takes to handle a drumstick properly, let alone beat out any kind of rhythm. My son did enjoy Julian's skills and showed me by boogying to the beat. There is also a website for Julian - www.littledrummerbaby.com to promote his bid for the Guinness Book of World Records as the youngest drummer and show off his talents.