What is "Up North" in Michigan?

Michigan has it all and it is a wonder that more Michiganians don't stay in their home state when they plan their vacations. We have golf courses, antiques shops, amusement parks, historic sites, great state parks, lighthouses, the Great Lakes, thousands of inland lakes, and much more. These are a mere fraction of the many reasons we are considered a tourism hotspot in the Midwest. Still, it does not answer the question of why so few Michiganians are tourists in their own state. With all of the talk of creating "cool cities" in Michigan one wonders if we don't even consider our state "cool" enough to vacation in. Are other states and vacation spots being more heavily marketed here in Michigan than our own state? Are people embarrassed to say that their summer vacation was spent in the state in which they live? I have vacationed in other states many times, but the vacations that stick in my memory the most are those that were spent here in Michigan.

At least once a year I am beckoned as if by some primal call to go "Up North." "Up North" has many different meanings for those native to Michigan. It can be very confusing to a non-native Michiganian to hear someone say they are going "Up North" for their vacation. The non-native might think they are going to Canada or possibly even the North Pole itself. The native Michiganian merely intends to point their vehicle north and stop only when their instincts tell them that they have finally reached "Up North." For some this might mean going as far as Sleeping Bear Dunes. Others might find that they need to go up to Sault Ste. Marie or even to Copper Harbor.

"Up North" is not just some physical location a little bit further up the road. It tends to be a state of mind as well. You head "Up North" and life slows down. You notice your worries slip away with each mile and your troubles seem smaller in the rearview mirror of your life. They say that life is too short. Well, if life is too short why waste so much of it driving to some other state? Head "Up North" and find your own little slice of Michigan to brag about to your friends. Especially the ones who just spent all that money to take a cruise in "paradise" or some other exotic locale.

Democrats Take Punch at DeVos at Mackinac Conference

In contrast to the beautiful and peaceful setting of Mackinac Island the state Democrats were taking the opportunity to get in a few punches against Dick DeVos the Republican challenger for this fall's gubernatorial election. Greeters met island visitors as they departed the ferries with fortune (or misfortune cookies as it were) cookies that they said outlined DeVos' economic plan. The message in the cookies? "The DeVos Economic Plan: Outsource Your Job to China" and "Unlucky Numbers 11, 7, 06" which is the date of the November election. This is in reference to DeVos expanding his company, Amway Corp., into China while at the same time it laid off Michigan workers.

Maybe the Republicans should hand out their own fortune cookies with Granholm's Economic Plan. The cookie message could be "Governor Granholm's Guide to Economic Success: Prop up the Auto Industry and Cut School Funding Statewide."

Jeff Daniels to Help Promote Michigan

A $10 million marketing campaign that will be featured nationally in radio, TV, and print advertising is now launching. With a variety of spokesmen, Jeff Daniels is the most recognizable of the bunch. Not only has he appeared in the hit comedy "Dumb & Dumber", but he is also well known as the founder of the Purple Rose Theater in Chelsea. Some of the other participants in the Michigan sales pitch are Subhendu Guha, president of United Solar Ovonic and Maria Thompson, chief executive officer of T/J Technologies. It is interesting to note that Michigan is using an actor and some of the top executives in Michigan technology companies. No representatives from the struggling auto industry to be found.

Why would you want someone selling Michigan who can't even do a good job of selling their vehicles? I think it is great to give notice to companies and individuals who are working their tails off to do their part in growing Michigan's economy and create jobs now as well as set themselves up for job creation down the road.

Read more about this in the Detroit Free Press.

Michigan Gas Prices Week of 5/29/06

The average price of regular unleaded gasoline in Michigan this week is $2.797. That is down a bit from last week's average of $2.829 as well as the inflated holiday weekend prices that hovered around $2.899. We were paying $2.869 at this time last month so we are on what I hope to be a downward and levelling off trend. Of course, last year at this time we were paying $2.079 across Michigan and I don't think we will ever see that price again.

Gas prices courtesy of the AAA Fuel Gauge Report.

Summer Energy Saving Tips

Just because winter is over doesn’t mean it is time to neglect looking at ways to continue to save in energy costs during the summer. The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) is offering tips on how to stay cool this summer while you keep your cool when your utility bills arrive. Here are a few of the top tips that appear at http://www.michigan.gov/som/0,1607,7-192--144160--,00.html

• Clean air conditioner filters and coils every month to make them more energy efficient
• Use a programmable thermostat. Setting it 10 degrees warmer when not at home can save 3 to 5 percent on electric bills
• Use fans? They can make the use of an air conditioner unnecessary. Ceiling fans, for example, can make a room feel six to seven degrees cooler
• Lower the temperature on the hot water heater to 120 degrees, a setting comfortable for most uses

You might also want to check out the Department of Energy’s website for energy saving tips at www.energysavers.gov.

Edison Electric has a list of 100 tips on saving energy at http://www.eei.org/industry_issues/retail_services_and_delivery/wise_energy_use/100Ways.pdf .