Interactive Traffic Map for Detroit

The Detroit Free Press has an interactive traffic map to help you negotiate all of the construction and detours. Check it out here and try to avoid wasting all of your expensive gas in traffic jams.

Can a Millionaire Michigan Congressman Represent the Average Michigander?

Did you know that Michigan is represented by at least seven millionaires in Congress? No, they do not receive that much as our representatives in Congress. They only make $165,200 from their congressional pay and supplement it in other ways. Oh yeah, and don't forget the free trips to such fun places as Las Vegas (Fred Upton), Mackinac (John Dingell), and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico (Sander Levin). In case my loyal readers have not noticed, I tend to stick up for the little man. Kind of like how Johnny Cash wore black to show support to the "poor and beaten down." Now, I am no Johnny Cash, but more importantly I am also no millionaire (although the extra cash would be nice ;)).

The median income in Michigan is $45,000. It takes millions of dollars to campaign for Congress these days. You can do the math in your head and easily come to the same conclusion. The "little man" is not running for Congress and winning. If the "little man" cannot afford to run for Congress, how is he fairly represented?

Thanks to The Detroit News, here is a list of those congressmen that are millionaires. I also included links to their respective contact pages so you can drop them a line and ask them what they do to represent the "little man."

• Rep. Fred Upton,R-St. Joseph
• Rep. Joe Schwarz, R-Battle Creek
• Rep. Dave Camp, R-Midland
• Rep. Joe Knollenberg, R-Bloomfield Hills
• Rep. John Dingell, D-Dearborn
• Rep. Sander Levin, D-Royal Oak
• Sen. Carl Levin, D-Detroit

Do yourself a favor and read the full article in The Detroit News. I am still trying to make my eyebrows come back down from my hairline.

Gnome and His Home Missing in Ironwood

The Ironwood Carnegie Library is a little bit less fun and whimsical today. Tom Acorn (that is the gnome's name) had dropped by the library to reside in his home (a hollow stump) a little over a week ago. He stated in a note that "I have moved here from the north to get warm." There was a place for people to leave Tom Acorn notes just below his home. Only one note was left and it was dated June 29. The gnome and his home were discovered missing on Monday, July 3, when Elaine Erickson, library director, went outside.

No ransom note has been sent by the kidnappers and it has been over 48 hours since the gnome's disappearance. Everyone knows (from watching police television shows) that the first 48 hours after a disappearance are the most crucial if the missing person (or gnome) is expected to be found. Hopefully the gnome is merely on a whimsical vacation and we will soon see photos of him at Mt. Rushmore or the Arch in St. Louis.

Perhaps the gnome, Tom Acorn, is a cousin to that wacky Travelocity gnome and the two are shooting new commercials based on Michigan vacation destinations.

You know what? That just might be a capital idea. Instead of the Pure Michigan ad campaign we could have a gnome highlighting Michigan's great travel and tourism destinations. There you go, Governor Granholm, some free marketing advice that did not cost Michigan taxpayers one thin dime. Shoot, maybe I will buy a gnome, grab our video camera, and shoot my own Michigan tourism ads.

Anyone with information regarding the missing gnome should call the library director, Elaine Erickson, at 906-932-0203. She will take the gnome back with no questions asked.

Read the Ironwood Daily Globe for all of the information regarding the missing gnome.

Jake's Are You Feeling Devilish Strawberry Cake

Our toddler is turning into quite the chef/baker. He even has his own little John Deere apron to wear when helping Mama in the kitchen. We baked this cake last week. It was perfect because he was able to help with the mixing, pouring, and poked holes in the cake and didn't get in trouble for it! What you need:

• 1 devil's food cake mix
• 2 1/2 c. crushed Michigan strawberries
• 1 small pkg. instant French vanilla pudding mix
• 1 c. milk
• 1 small container strawberry whipped topping

Directions:

• Bake cake according to directions on box. Use a 9X13 pan. Cool on wire rack. Use the handle of a wooden spoon or your fingers to poke holes all over the top of the cake.
• Pour crushed strawberries over the top of the cake. You may need to use the wooden spoon handle (or your fingers) to make sure the juice goes down the holes.
• In a medium bowl, mix pudding mix and milk until thick. Fold in whipped topping. Spread over cake.
• Chill for 4 hours. Enjoy!

Granholm and DeVos in a Battle for Governor of Michigan

We have yet to see any real nasty mudslinging (and that is a good thing) from either Jennifer Granholm or Dick DeVos in their campaigns for the 2006 Michigan Gubernatorial election. Sure, there have been small snipes and light jabs, but no malicious attacks have been launched (again, that is a good thing). It must be tough to have to campaign in Michigan in the summer. I can not imagine trying to turn people's attention to politics when there are so many fairs, festivals, and fun things to do and see. Not that Michigan voters are apathetic or unconcerned about our economy, jobs, roads, and public schools. A quick Google search (I searched this phrase in quotes "michigan politics") turned up over 73,000 results.

An article in The Detroit News highlights the battle that awaits the incumbent, Jennifer Granholm, and the challenger, Dick DeVos. Hey, while I am thinking of it. You need to register to vote (if you have not yet done so) no later than October 10 if you want to have a say (and you should) in who is Michigan's next governor.

By the way, DeVos is pronounced de-vaus. Recently, my sister was talking about somebody named DeeVoehs (her pronunciation, not mine). I thought she was talking about that rock group, Devo. Boy, did I ever laugh when I figured out she was talking about Dick DeVos :).