American Idol Winner - Kris Allen - peforming God Of This City

Free music this week from new artist Lanae Hale

You know I like "Free". So here is an entire CD worth of music you can download for FREE. Lanae Hale is a new artist on Centricity Music, the same music label as Andrew Peterson and Downhere. They were looking for a unique way to introduce you to their newest artist and thought, "why not just give it away". So they are. You can download Lanae Hale's entire CD through MusiChristian.com by clicking here. The only thing they ask for is your email address. So enjoy this great new project from Lanae Hale for free today. This is a limited time offer that runs for one week only so get your FREE download today.

T-Shirt Resume

This is a website that is launching next Tuesday with a unique approach to finding a job. Developed by a south Michigna resident, Hired On The Spot.com offers many different helps for finding a job but the most unique is a T-shirt resume. Follow the link above to find out more about this unique way to look for work. But I wouldn't recommend wearing the t-shirt resume to an interview. Besides, you would have to wear it backwards for the interviewer to read it.

Digital TV Switchover and soft test

Today, television station across the nation will be running a "soft test" of the new Digital TV system. All U.S. TV stations must be solely digital by June 12th and today's test will allow consumers who recieve TV by antenna to see if their TV is ready for the transition. Today at 12:25 PM and 6:25 PM, TV stations will run a test of their Digital TV system. If you see a red box on your screen that means that you have not converted to digital. If you see a green box, it means your system is ready for the transition.

If you use an antenna and don't have a digital converter box, the federal government still has funds available to help you purchase one. You can apply for a $40 converter box voucher at DTV2009.gov. There is also a toll free hotline set up specifically for Michigan residents for questions about the transition to digital TV. Call 888-MI-DTV-09 (888-643-8809) with questions about the transition or to get a voucher for a converter box. You can also get information at DTV.gov.

Changes coming to Avalon

The lineup of Avalon is changing again. According to her blog, Melissa Greene (far left) is leaving the group to pursue a solo career and lead worship at a church in Nashville. Melissa Greene joined the group in September of 2002 to replace Cherie Adams. The remaining member are Greg and Jana Long along with the groups newest member Jeremi Richardson.

Keep both Melissa and the remaining members of Avalon in your prayers as they go through this transition. And if you are looking for a job as a singer....?

Read Melissa Greene's blog post about her changes at Melissa Greene Music.com.

Principles or polls

Last week, for the first time in 14 years of asking the American public, Gallup polls has found that the majority of Americans are Pro-Life. 51 percent of Americans polled said they are pro-life compared to 42 percent who are pro-choice. These numbers certainly will energize the pro-life movement, especially after this weekend Notre Dame University commencement address by President Obama.

While I think it is great that a majority of those polled are pro-life, how should that effect our government. The real problem with our government and politicians is that they govern too often by polls. We have seen many politicians swing one way or another on an issue based on what the "popular" view is. And I think this show an true underlying weakness in our nation.

Our government should be one guided by principles and not polls. Principles stand the test of time and are not ever changing like the winds. As a Christian, I believe the principles set out in the Bible are a rock that we can all build our lives on and what I believe our founding father used as a cornerstone for this great nation. But we have strayed away from principles in government, more interested in serving the "popular" over what is right. I would implore you to pray that our government at all levels will return to the principles that God has laid out. Polls are fine to see where people stand on an issue but not good for the running of a government.

Get to know Johnny Diaz

Have you heard "More Beautiful You" from Jonny Diaz? This great new song is an instant hit on Christian Radio not only here in Michigan but across the country. Today is the release day for Jonny Diaz's first national CD also titled "More Beautiful You". Here is a video introducing you to the music of Jonny Diaz and his hit song "More Beautiful You".

New Star Trek Movie

I took my wife to see the new Star Trek movie for Mother's Day. We have both grown up watching Star Trek and were excited about the renewal of this series. But could they truly start back from scratch with new characters playing our old favorites? Would they overdo the visual effects just because they could? With so many ways they could ruin Star Trek, I would have to say they didn't. In fact, I would predict we will see more movies from this new crew of the Starship Enterprise. I will not try to giveaway the movie as it is rather complex with time travel, black holes and a new enemy for the crew of the Enterprise.

I will say the action scenes were intense and the plot kept the audience glued to the big screen for almost 2 hours. There was some language that would make me 2nd guess taking kids to see this movie along with some intense battle scenes. Plus there is one scene that involves underwear clad cadets that could have been left out of the movie. Otherwise it is another exciting adventure that will keep Star Trek fans on the edge of their seats. I guess I must be a closet Trekkie because, for the most part, I enjoyed this new installment of the long time Sci-fi classic. And with more than $72 million in ticket sales this last weekend, we are almost guaranteed to see more Star Trek movies well into the 21st century.

Invest in Forever Stamps

Are you looking for a great investment? Invest in Forever Stamps from the U.S. Postal Service. Right now the cost to you is only 42 cents. But the value of your investment is guaranteed to go up on Monday as the price of a first class stamp increases to 44 cents. Where else can you find an investment like this. The value of your investment in Forever Stamps is almost guaranteed to go up as we have seen a steady increase in the price of postage through the years. And I don't think we have ever seen the price of a 1st class stamp drop. But remember, to take advantage of this great investment, you must buy your Forever Stamps before Monday when the price goes up 2 cents.

I wonder if there is anyone who bought 1000's of Forever Stamps when they were first introduced in 2007 at 41 cents and is now reaping the rewards of spending less to mailing letters and bills?

(This blog is not intended to promote any real investment advise as I am not an investment advisor and always wanted to have a disclaimer at the end of something I wrote.)

Free Chicken at KFC

Thanks to a new promotional campaign and Oprah(?), you can get a free KFC grilled Chicken 2 piece meal. KFC is hoping to get more people to try their new grilled chicken and they are even willing to give you a free meal to accomplish it.

So here is how you get your free meal. Follow this link to the KFC coupon printing page. You will have to download their coupon "software" and then print the coupon. The coupon is only printable until 10 PM today and is good until March 19th with some exceptions. Hey it's free food, right? You know I love free.

My Time at Celebrate with Jay and Laura

It is always great to getaway with my wife Cindy. And to go and stay at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island is even better. The Grand is such a romantic location for couples with the beautiful grounds, fine dining and beautiful decor.

This is our third time staying at the Grand Hotel attending Celebrate With Jay and Laura. What fun it was. Jay and Laura Laffoon have a way of bringing "fun" to a marriage conference and still help couples learn as well. They talked about Celebrating Your Marriage during troubled times and encouraged us all to let go of the past, to live now and look forward to the future. Jay and Laura also have great guests each time they are at the Grand. This time it was improv comedy couple "Happy Fun Time" and speaker Bob Lenz.

And while the laughther, learning and fun are great, it's the opportunity to get away from everyday life with my wife that has always been a great draw. This year, Cindy and I rode bikes on the island, walked the gardens of the Grand Hotel, and played Bocci ball and crocket with Aubrey Wilson her husband Nathan (Aubrey is a secretary at the station). Aubrey and Nathan beat us at Bocci Ball,twice, but I won at Crocket. In fact, I think it was the first time in my life to ever win Crocket.

We also enjoyed such wonderful food. My favorite was the salmon for dinner. Wow, incredible. And I think Cindy really enjoyed the dessert. There was so much wonderful food to really have one favorite.

If you are looking for a romantic getaway, the Grand Hotel and Celebrate with Jay and Laura is just about the best you can get. Find out more about the upcoming Celebrate with Jay and Laura May 17 - 18 and May 18 -19 that will feature comedian Ken Davis at JayAndLaura.com.

What Not To Do...

Lynn from Gaylord sent me this photo. It pretty much speaks for itself.

Remember, you can't catch swine flu by eating pork but they said nothing about licking pigs!!!!

A song just for You

Who hasn't thought that it would be cool to have a song written just for them? The group Downhere is hold a contest to do just that. Here is how to enter: Make a shirt with the name of one of their two current hits "Hope is Rising" or "My Last Amen". Then take a picture of yourself in the shirt at a "fun, interesting and exciting place". And if your picture is the most creative, Downhere will write a song specifically for YOU. The contest runs through June 28 so start designing your shirt and put on your thinking cap to find that creative place to take your picture. Make sure to get all the rules, registration info and details at their website Downhere.com. If you win we might even be able to play your song on the air here. Now wouldn't that be cool.