The Great Debate - Granholm versus DeVos Round 2

Well the second debate took place last night between current governor Jennifer Granholm and her Republican challenger, Dick DeVos. I am not a betting man, but if I were I would have to bet that more people watched the Detroit Tigers win Game 1 of the ALCS than who watched the debate. Well, if you didn't watch the debate (hey I'll be honest - I watched the Tigers) you apparently did not miss much. More mudslinging and rhetoric was thrown from both podiums.

There really is nothing new to bring to the table for voters from this debate. These two candidates are supposed to be showing why they deserve our votes. Unfortunately, these debates are most likely turning away more voters than getting people interested in the voting process.

I hate to say it, but this looks like an election where people will choose the lesser of two evils as neither candidate has expounded on their theories as to how to bring Michigan back from the brink.

Record cold temps coming to Michigan this week

Yikes! I just saw on the internet that Chicago was expecting record cold temperatures later this week so I looked at the long-range forecast for southwest Michigan. The fun begins Wednesday night with a low temperature of 32 degrees expected. That is followed on Thursday and Friday with lows of 28 and 29 degrees respectively. Of course with temperatures at or below freezing we can expect some of the 'S' word - SNOW. Boy, it's a good thing that I never took the snow brush out of my truck. Looks like it might be getting some use a little early.

It is hard to imagine this drastic temperature swing as just yesterday I wore shorts while mowing the lawn and painting some windows. Of course, drastic weather changes are to be expected in Michigan. There is a saying that only in Michigan can you run the air conditioning and heat in the same day.

You might want to refer to my post from last month about "Quick fall maintenance tips" that will keep you warmer, safer, and hopefully save you some money as well.

WWMT Channel 3 out of Kalamazoo has a short video report (around 2 minutes) on "Tips to Winterize Your Home."

Granholm and DeVos versus the Detroit Tigers

With tonight's second Gubernatorial Debate scheduled for 8 p.m. it appears that there is now a third party taking place in the debate that just might out duel Governor Granholm and her opponent, Dick DeVos. You see, the debate is going up against the Detroit Tigers opening game of the American League Championship Series. My guess is that Granholm and DeVos will both be losers to viewers and voters wanting to watch something that does not happen every four years - the Detroit Tigers in the postseason.

I know I'll be watching the Tigers game. How about you?

Quick heating tips from the Detroit Free Press

I picked up a copy (yes, an actual copy - not just reading it online ;) ) of the Detroit Free Press yesterday because I wanted to read all of their coverage on the Tigers beating the Yankees on Saturday. I came across this article about simple steps for saving on your heating costs. After seeing the extended forecast for this week (possible sn-sn-sn-snow on Thursday and Friday - I almost couldn't say it) it seemed an appropriate time to think about home heating tips. Some of these tips appear to indirectly have something to do with home heating costs and some look like good fall maintenance projects.

• If you have a chimney, make sure it is professionally cleaned before each heating season.
• Close crawlspace vents.
• If you have a humidifier get that hooked up and running. Higher humidity makes you feel warmer without having to run your furnace at a higher temperature.
• Clean those gutters.
• Adjust your furnace dampers and registers to make sure the coolest rooms get warm air.
• Keep bare wood from rotting by painting - fall is an excellent time for painting.
• Turn off your exterior hose faucets to prevent freezing.
• I think it is safe to remove your window air conditioners. If they can't be removed at least cover and insulate them.
• October is also Fire Safety/Prevention Month so if you don't have smoke and carbon monoxide detectors - get them. For existing detectors you need to replace the batteries and if they are more than 10 years old you should replace the entire unit.

Michigan gas prices hold steady

The average price of gas in Michigan inched up from last Monday's $2.181 to a statewide average of $2.19. Here in southwest Michigan, last week was the first week in about a month that gas prices actually increased. Was it in anticipation of a beautiful weekend and the hope of catching some fall travelers that gas went up? Well, if gas prices continue to bounce up a bit that might shoot down the theory some folks have that the lower gas prices are a ploy by Republicans hoping to fetch more votes with lower gas prices.

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