State of Michigan website is tops in the country

Well, it has been said here before, but now it is official. Michigan's state website, www.Michigan.gov, was voted as the nation's best by the Center for Digital Government. If you have never checked out Michigan's state website, do yourself a favor and check it out. You will be amazed at the more than 200 services available to you online.

Via WWMT News Channel 3

Update on Jim Dreyer's Mackinac Straits swim

I just checked out Jim Dreyer's website for updates on his record swim across the Straits of Mackinac this morning. The most recent post was last night at 10:08 pm. Here is an excerpt:

Jim has been fighting a very strong current all day in the middle of the Straits. He has completed 9.5 miles and is going to swim the breaker wall for the night hours to make up some time.

I am not positive, but I believe the "breaker wall" they are talking about is the causeway that juts out into the Straits from the St. Ignace side of the bridge. I had wondered how it would be in the strong currents that the Straits of Mackinac are known for. Hopefully they will have more updates this morning.

Here is another picture from the Mackinac Bridge web cam from this morning. What a difference from the fog that laced the bridge yesterday. Should be a better day for Jim to swim.

Good Luck Jim!

Swimmer looks to set world distance record at Straits of Mackinac

Michigan native, Jim Dreyer, is planning on setting a new record for distance in a continuous swim. Dreyer will be swimming the Straits of Mackinac where Lakes Huron and Michigan meet at least 31 consecutive times. If he does that he will have swam at least 125 miles beating the previous record of 122. He originally was going to begin this Friday, but he has since moved up the starting day to today, August 28. According to the current news at Dreyer's website, www.swimjimswim.org, the swim is scheduled to begin around 8 a.m. unless weather conditions dictate otherwise.

I captured this image of the Mackinac Bridge this morning from the webcam at www.MackinacBridge.org. Look at that bank of fog obscuring the middle of the towers.

Dreyer does not just make these swims in the Great Lakes to set records. He gathers pledges from people that help support the Big Brothers Big Sisters Program. Once the swim begins (scheduled for 8am this morning) you can check his progress at www.swimjimswim.org/eventupdates.htm.

Via the Traverse City Record Eagle

Michigan gas prices week of 8/28/06

Wow! Who would have thought that the average gas price in Michigan would drop $.31 from the end of July to the end of August? Today, the average price of gas in Michigan is down to $2.768. At the end of July we were paying $3.079 on average at the pump here in Michigan. One year ago the average price of gas in Michigan was $2.673. So, after all of the ups (and there seemed like more ups in prices than down) and downs of the last 12 months we are only paying 9.5 cents more than last year.

With that being said I have this feeling in my gut that these prices will NOT last. Labor Day weekend is coming. The last big hurrah before sending the kiddies packing for school.

My advice? Fill 'er up at the beginning of the week and top 'er off by Wednesday. The odds are that prices will go up this weekend.

According to www.MichiganGasPrices.com here are the current High and Low gas prices across Michigan. Highest Price - $3.38 - Wedge Oil & Gas - Allegan Lowest Price - $2.56 - Murphy USA - Fremont

Gas price data courtesy of AAA's Fuel Gauge Report.

Celebrate the 150th anniversary of Lincoln's Kalamazoo visit

On August 27, 1856 Abraham Lincoln visited Kalamazoo, Michigan. He gave a speech at Bronson Park near downtown Kalamazoo for the presidential campaign of Gen. John C. Fremont. The occasion was Lincoln's only visit to Michigan. Celebrate all weekend long in Kalamazoo. Numerous events will take place (and have been happening during the week) all weekend long culminating with a reenactment of Lincoln's speech and the rededication of the “Lincoln at Kalamazoo” Michigan Historical Marker.

Tomorrow features such highlights as 'Kid's day in the mid-1800s at Bronson Park' and a picnic in the park at Bronson Park. Bring a blanket and food for a fun family time.

For more information check out www.michiganhistorymagazine.com

Also, for more information about Kalamazoo be sure to visit the Kalamazoo Wikipedia page.

Introducing a new Michigan web gem

I don't know if any of you have heard of Squidoo or not. Squidoo is a site that lets you build a web page (for free) that focuses on a singular topic (i.e. Michigan). I have created one about Michigan (of course). It can be found at www.squidoo.com/bestofmichigan/.

I currently have a poll up asking this question - "Have you ever been to Michigan's Upper Peninsula?" It never ceases to amaze me the number of folks who live in Michigan and have never visited Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Head on over and place your vote here.

For Instance - When I was at Western Michigan University I was talking with someone about going up to "the bridge" Labor Day weekend. They looked at me like I came from another planet and asked, "what bridge?" Well, I was talking about the Mackinac Bridge and just assumed that anyone from Michigan would know what I was talking about.

Feel free to rate the Squidoo page. In the upper lefthand corner there are 5 stars and you can give it a vote by clicking on any one of the 5 stars. I'll be updating it and filling it with more information on a weekly (or so) basis.

Click here: www.squidoo.com/bestofmichigan/