Furnaces

For a great and inexpensive gift on finding Morel Mushrooms, go to www.morelbook.com  guaranteed deivery before Christmas.

If you are looking for that perfect gift for $20 or under for that person who is hard to shop for, here is the perfect solution.The “Morel Mushoom Book” gives both the novice and experienced mushroomer everything they need to know about finding and preparing this highly sought after morsel including specific directions to hot morel mushroom spots.

Go to www.morelbook.com

If you are looking forf information about finding Morels, the where, when, what trees and terrain to look for, or you want to find them by the hundreds and even thousands, you need the Morelbook.  You will never regret spending $20 for a book that you will use the rest of your life.directions to several

It even gives precise directions to several thousand acres of prime Morel Mushroom ground…guaranteed.

To and order click here on www.morelbook.com

 Personal checks accepted

For complete description of how, when and where to hunt Morel Mushrooms order the Morelbook at

www.morelbook.com

The season has just started with the first gray Morels found yesterday,  A must to have is the Morelbook:

www.morelbook.com

Go to www.morelbook.com

How, when, identify, prepare, keep & know exactly where to find, with precise directions,  fo to:

www.morelbook.com

Inexpensive gift for the out of doors type person.  Delivery by Christmas.  He/she will love it!!

Go to www.morelbook.com

 Questions: e-mail morelbook@msn.com

Jim

If you are interested in totally free bingo games on line where you can actually win money with no cost to you and no registering on your info except basically your e-mail address and zip code, there are 2 types that I have found and play.

For either one, click onto www.gsn.com then if you want to play the TV version, click onto BINGO AMERICA and click onto PRINT CARDS.  then check the station  and times and play along with the tv program.  You can win $50 except on Weds when it appears that you can win $250.

OR  Instead of printing out your cards, scroll down the page until you see BINGO AMERICA-PLAY ONLINE,  then click on PLAY NOW and when the next screen comes up, click onto PLAY NOW again.  It will take several moments for the game to download.  Hit PLAY again and you are into an online game where you can win up to $25.  At new game happens every minute and 20 seconds.

These are for real games and are definately addicting with many winners.

Also check out:   www.morelbook.com

                         www.forkidsover50.com

                          www.greaterlansinghomesearch.com

Looking for a Full or Part-time Job then click on these websites:

www.aarp.org/money/work

www.aarp.org/jobtips

www.SeniorJobBank.org

www.WorkForce50.com

www.RetiredBrains.com

www.bullitin.aarp.org/yourmoney/work/articles/over_50_and_looking.html

www.morelbook.com

www.greaterlansinghomesearch.com

Here’s a site that I also enjoy.  About 6 months ago I did win a free $100 gas card in one of the contests Speedway Gas Stations were doing.  Right now they have another one in which you can win 1,000,000 speedy reward points.  It only takes 66,000 points to get a free $100 gas card, you do the math!

Log onto www.speedyrewards.com

Other sites: www.greaterlansinghomesearch.com

www.morelbook.com

www.forkidsoer50.com

This is a great site on which youi can turn in codes from your coke bottle caps and earn points which can be used for buying products or entering sweepstakes.  Recently I did win a $1,000 free gift card to Best Buy.  I highly recommend this site.  You can also use your points and donate to your local school.  Check it out at:

www.mycokerewards.com

other sites to check out: www.greaterlansinghomesearch.com

www.morelbook.com

www.forkidsover50.com

Due to the discovery and confirmation of a deer with Tuberculosis , in southern Michigan (Shiawassee County)  the DNR has established a new early doe gun season from Sept 18-22nd in Zone 3.  Doe permits can be purchased for $10.00 at any license retailer.  This is for private land and if you are hunting on someone else’s land, you will need the owner’s phone nmber.

www.morelbook.com

www.greaterlansinghomesearch.com

www.forkidsover50.com

1-Trimax Machine in excellent condition for sale.  Value $800+…Priced at $110

 Contact Jim at 1-517-204-8886  or mcksold@msn.com

1- Weider weight/exercise machine in exellent condition for sale $1,200 value…reduced to $175

Contact Jim at: 1-517-204-8886  or mcksold@msn.com

Now private showings only

Shaftsburg Rd. (just north of Bath Rd.)

Weight and exercise machines marked to sell

Bar bells, clothing, dishes, oak table , ceramic doll and much more!!

 Humungous sale with many items for everyone still remaining

Terms cash on the barrelhead

call Jim for details or mcksold@msn.com   517-204-8886

  Hope you had a terrific Morel Season this past sping.  I had a superb season, finding literally thousands of the wily morels.  I still have many frozen & dried, which not the same as fresh morels, but really great when the snow is swirling in January, etc.  Just had some thawed morels in my verison, stir fry.  all ingredients came off of my property, which I think is kindof neat.

   Now if you ar not having consistantly great Morels Seasons, you owe it to yourself to get the “MORELBOOK”, which will tell the secrets of Morels and truly guide you by both odometer and GPS readings to the very spots that I have been getting Morels for over 30 years and I still do.  Yes with this book more folks go there now, but there are so many Morels and thousands of public acres there that you will still do well. 

To buy a MORELBOOK you can oder on line at www.morelbook.com     (Yes you can send a personal check if you prefer.)  $20.00

or   e-mail  morelbook@msn.com 

or  send check or money order & address to Morelbook   PO Box 438   Haslett, Mi 48840

GUARANTEED TO PUT YOU ON MORELS IN MOREL TERRITORY

     2 really super East Lansing Homes

***627 Gunson Street *** This is a great 3 Bedroom, 2 Full bathrooms, Cape Cod with a Fireplace, in mint condition, ready to move into.  Why pay the high costs &  throw rent money out the window and then put up with the noise of dorm life, when you could build equity for yourself or your student and pay much less for house payments!!  This is not a rental but your student could live here.  Located a short but comfortable distance from campus and downtown.  This is a family neighborhood, not a student rental area.  Priced to sell at $164,000

***510 Kedzie .  Nearly 2000 square feet of ranch living with 3 Bedrooms and 1.5 bathrooms with 2 Fireplaces and unique wine celler area and loads of extras.

$209,000

mcksold@msn.com

www.greaterlansinghomesearch.com

www.morelbook.com

       Newly remodeled, this quality 3-Bedroom Ranch features New Kitchen, Ceramic & Hardwood Floors, New Roof, New Seamless Eavestroughs, full basement.  This neat, quality interior & decor are a must to see, as it is definately not a dive.  Priced to sell at $94,500

Call Jim McKibben at 204-8886 or mcksold@msn.com for more info or to view this home at a time that fits  your schedule.

Certified Buyer Representative

Go to www.morelbook.com    Free delivery within 7 days, use your credit card or Pen Pal

    Ok, I admit it, I found 43 Morel Mushrooms last Saturday the 26th April.  For directions to the exact spot, go to www.morelbook.com

Happy reading and schrooooming!

J T McKibben

Go to www.morelbook.com

Go to www.greaterlansinghomesearch.com

    In the city of Mason there are:

11 Homes for sale for under $100,000

112                          under $200,000

52                             over  $200,000

For as complete list of homes in any city go to mcksold@msn.com   or  www.greaterlansinghomesearch.com 

    Everything you need in www.morelbook.com

www.morelbook.com

    www.morelbook.com

    Everything you need to know and exactly where to go.  www.morelbook.com 

It is just around the corner.  Go to www.morelbook.com

For morelmushrooms, go to www.morelbook.com

   To to www.morelbook.com  

    There are currently 1488 homes listed for sale in the city of Lansing.  For a free list e-mail mcksold@msn.com or call 517-204-8886.

You can also search for and view homes at www.greaterlansinghomesearch.com

For Coldwell Banker Hubbell-Briarwood Real Estate contact Jim McKibben, Broker at 517-204-8886 or mcksold@msn.com    www.greaterlansinghomesearch.com  for all of your real estate buying and selling needs.  Buyer Representation and Seller Representation agreements available.

Briarwood Realty Co. Broker, James McKibben mcksold@msn.com  www.greaterlansinghomesearch.com

517-204-8886 for buying or selling your home.  Free buyer or seller booklets on website.

  If you are looking for James McKibben, e-mail him at mcksold@msn.com or call 517-204-8886

To search for your home go to www.greaterlansinghomesearch.com or e-mail or call James and he will do your search for you.

   If you are looking for Jim, you are at the right spot.  Jim has been a Realtor and Broker for around 21 years and is an ABR.    mcksold@msn.com       517-204-8886   www.greaterlansinghomesearch.com

Jim McKibben

    Looking for a home in the Greater Lansing Area, go to www.greaterlansinghomesearch.com  or e-mail

Jim McKibben at mcksold@msn.com  to have Jim, an ABR do the searching for you.

   If you are thinking about buying your fist home or your 20th home, you should find an ABR-Accredited Buyers Representative, to represent you 100% at no cost to you.  Secondly you should obtain a home buyers’ booklet as a guide.  To obtain a free buyers’ booklet on line, go to www.greaterlansinghomesearch.com  click on buyer booklet .

     Also, for aa ABR e-mail Jim McKibben at mcksold@msn.com 

    Thinking about buying a repo or a home to live in, go to:   www.greaterlansinghomesearch.com

e-mail=   mcksold@msn.com

cell= 517-204-8886

    Morel Mushroom Season is just around the corner.  For $20 you can know how to identify, care for, cook, and also exactly where to go to find them and where in the woods, which trees, plants, slopes ete to find them.  This book has both odometer readings and GPS readings to the exact spots my family has been picking thousand of Morels each year for nearly 40 years.  Why am I sharing my secret place?  My family is now all passed on and now only me and my wife fo looking and we have way more spots than we can possilby cover.  You can use your credit or debit card via Pay Pal, a secure and safe way of paying.  The $20 covers everything, including postage.  If you give me your e-address, I’ll keep you informed of when the first schrooooms are up and which stage is up.  It makes a great gift, too.

   Go to:   www.morelbook.com  

mcksold@msn.com

www.greaterlansinghomesearch.com

      Even though the snow is coming down, as I write this, it won’t be long before the Morel Mushrooms start poppingup in the Michigan woods.  In less than 50 days, I will be in some of my favorite schrrom woods looking for the tasty morsels.  In my paperback book on just Morels Mushrooms, I tell you where, when and how to find them.  I give actual, accurate odometer readings and GPS readings to the exact spots where I and my family have been findings them for over 40 years.  Everything you could need to find them is carefully laid out for you. 

      To check out and to order the book go to www.morelbook.com   To contact me mcksold@msn.com

     Over the past several years, I have noticed a unique odor, while I have been in the Outdoors, Woods and the like.  This aroma reminds me of the stable areas of our barn on our former farm in Indiana.  It also is the smell that I noticed while hunting in Southern Texas, which I recognized there as belonging to Wild Javelinas and Feral Hogs.  I never connected the two, with the smells here in Michigan, as I knew that we did not have wild pigs here in Michigan.  However, according to 2 articles that I just read, we do in fact, have Wild Feral Hogs in over 20 Michigan Counties.  In his article in the November issue of Michigan Out Of Doors Magazine, Tracy Breen clearly points out that these pigs are here, now, but also that they can destroy not only farmers’ crops, but also destroy our wildlife habitat and even the young of our large and small game animals.  According to his article, in is legal to shoot these wild Feral Hogs, as long as we possess and current hunting license.  In fact, we are encouraged to shoot them to help hold done their rapidly increasing numbers.  It would also be recommended that we check with any farmers, if we are hunting private farms, to be certain that we are not shooting the farmer’s domestic pigs.  It is also noted that these Wild Pigs are great food fare, so do have them processed and it is also recommended that we take the hogs to the DNR to be tested for disease.  They apparently can remove the head and we can then have the meat processed.   www.greaterlansinghomesearch.com  www.morelbook.com

   Last Wednesday, the 24th of October marked my 64th Birthday.  My day began at about 5:00am, at which time I got up, took my maintenance medicines (don’t you just love getting older??!!), brushed my teeth and shaved.  Then to my pole barn to change into my camouflage clothes, and out to my tree blind, with my back pack and my bow-n-arrow, arriving there about 6:15am, early enough to beat any deer getting back to their bedding areas.  Day Break was gorgeous, as I munched away on the no sugar no chloresteral oatmeal cookies which Sandi had made for me.  Then at Sunrise, I pulled my thermos out of the back pack and poured a steaming cup of Decaf Coffee, as I watched and listened to some of nature going to bed and many waking up and loudly telling the world about it.  As I sipped on the hot brew, I noticed a group of 5 deer in the distance and watched a V of Geese fly overhead, straight South.  I always love to see and hear them.  At about 9:00 am, I decided to call it a morning and got down and walked back to the pole barn to change back to civies, no luck on having a deer close enough to shoot.  Later my wife and daughter treated me to lunch at the Red Lobster, which was followed by a long power nap, for which I have become infamous for.  Soon it was time to hit the tree stand again, for the evening hunt.  As luck would have it, at approximately 6:45pm a deer appeared on the trail and it slowly made its way to the shooting lane that I had cleared several months prior.  When I came to full draw, the deer hesitated and I let the arrow fly and away the deer went, into the thickest tangle of brush and briars.  I thought that I heard that sound which was once described to me as someone falling into a dry brush pile, which generally is when the deer goes down, for good.  Waiting quietly for 15 minutes, before I got down, I proceeded over to where the deer had been, when I shot.  There was my arrow, minus the broadhead, which had buried itself in the dirt after passing through both lungs and on through the deer.  By now it was getting dark, so I walked back to our house and told Sandi and showed her the arrow, which had good blood from one end to the other.  She got her boots and coat on and with flashlights, headed back to track the deer.  Sandi is a great tracker and she found first blood in about 30 feet and tracked the deer about 30 more yards and there it was.  Having field dressed the deer, we dragged the deer back, washed it down with the hose and hung it up in the pole barn.  Needless to say it was a perfect way to start and to end my 64th birthday.  Today I will begin processing the deer myself to get rid of all bones and tallow for many very tasty meals.

      One of our Propane Gas tank fill up bills last year was over $800, which lasted about 1 1/2 months before we needed another fill up.  Even though we were on a monthly budget payment plan, this cost is just too much for us to afford.  In addition to doing several “greening” projects to our home, this year we are heating with wood, using an inexpensive wood burner and wood that I cut up, for free.  At this point in time, we have not used our furnace even once.  We are enjoying free heating and our home temperatures range from 70-75 degrees during the daytime and from 67-71 during the nite time.  The living area of our home stays several degrees warmer than our bedrooms, which is really as we would want it.  I generally stoke the fire once in the evening and once in the morning and it is good to go, for the interim.  At 64 years young, the exercise is great when cutting up and hauling the wood. 

    Well, my experience hunting my new property and new placement of deer stands has proven to be a positive experience, at least in terms of deer seen.  I need to clear a few more branches in the shooting lanes, as I couldn’t get off a clean shot Tuesday.  However, I did see 3 bucks and 5 does and could have taken a shot.  It appears from my personal observations and my readings, that we are in for an even better year than last year which did see over a 12% increase in bow taken deer.  Remember to take a youngster hunting this year.

     As I sit here looking at the huge rising sun against a “Blue Bird Sky”, without even a cloud, I give a little silent thank you for another georgeous Fall Day.  With the Archery Deer Season Opener on Monday, October 01, I am even more thankful!  I have to stop and also thank my parents for getting me involved in the out-of doors, from the time that I was in diapers.  Hunting small game including Quail, Pheasant, Rabbits, Squirrels, hunting for Morel Mushrooms, in Southern Indiana got me interested and basically set the mold for my adult passion for the out-of-doors.  Yearly vacation trips to the Baldwin, Michigan Area fishing on the lakes and trout streams cemented my love for fishing and I owe my parents much for that.  Next month, I turn 64 on October 24th and daybreak will find me in my tree blind with my bow-n-arrow, for deer season.  My point here is that I and you owe someone for getting us involved in outdoor sports and maybe it is time that we repay them for that deed by taking our own kids out or temporarily “adapt” a boy or girl and take them fishing, hunting. hiking or camping or one of the many other outdoor activities.  I have done this and I enjoy the looks on their faces as we enjoy nature.  So, take some time and do take one or two kids out of outdoors this year.  You’ll be more than rewarded for your deed.  Let me also mention that MUCC has a neat website for involving kids.  I recommend that you check out: www.mucc.org/youth/index.php

For your buying or selling property click onto”  www.greaterlansinghomesearch.com  or www.mcksoldrhome.com

    With all of the publicity that I and others have given to Scam Artists, I was actually astonished that I would be the target for Scammers.  I did actually receive an e-mail from a person in Saudi Arabia trying to get information and money from me.  The e-mail was written in “broken english”, as one might imagine how someone with poor command of English might speak.  The scammer was very polite and was simply asking for my help to get over $3,000,000 out of his account in Jordan.  To do this, all that he required or needed was my checking and savings account number and my Social Security Number, plus I was to transfer $10,000 to his account, following which he would trasfer his over $3,000,000 to my account.  Then in 2 days, I was to transfer $2,500,000 to a new account number for him in the USA.  The other $500,000 was for me to keep, for my helping him get it out of Jordan, plus I was to get my $10,000 back at that time, also.  If this sounds too good to be true, it is.  Had I bit onto his scam, I would never see my $10,000 again, I would never see his money either.  Apparently this scam does trick some folks into losing their money.  By the way, he would also have acquired my checking and Savings account numbers, plus my SS # and he would have drained both accounts.  IF IT SEEMS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE, IT IS!!

    I have been following the issue, debate, and controversy of the Rights of 5 Indian Tribe Groups, as it pertains to hunting, fishing, trapping and the commercial taking of game.  In reading an article in the Michigan Out Of Doors Magazine (October, 2007) the issue stems from the Treaty of 1836, signed by the Indian Tribes and the US Government.  While the government did pay for the lands, the treaty had a clause, that is very much open for interpretation, as while it made sense then, under the conditions existing in terms of settlement and use by Indians and Settlers, now it is being used to fit today’s conditions, which are totally changed.  The clause that is the problem states: “The Indians stipulate for the right of hunting on the lands ceded, with the other usual privilages of occupancy, until this land is required for settlement”.  Of course, some of this land mentioned is now US Forest or State Land and some is privately owned.  This is a tough issue to resolve and the Michigan United Conservation Club is one of the parties involved in the discussions.  If you would like to find out more detailed information on this issue, MUCC has an in depth article on their website:   www.mucc.org

For all your Real Estate Needs & Questions, go to:  www.greaterlansinghomesearch.com

or mcksold@msn.com

     I read an article or possibly it was an ad written by the Rottweil-Brenneke Co. regarding a recall of some of their shotgun shells.  According to what I read, some of their shotgun shells may fail to clear or leave our shotgun barrels.  This in and of itself, is not a real problem, however if you or I then fired aother shot while the first slug is in the barrel, a “catastrophic failure” of the barrel is very likely to happen (BLOWS UP) which will likely destroy the barrel and at the same time cause you or me very serious personal injury or even death.  The company is trying to recall all of these shells and to reimburse us for our cost.  This recall applies only to rifled Rottweil-Brenneke slugs which bear the letters: X,Y, or Z as the fourth digit and batches numbers 52 VW 4 & 53 KA 3, only.

    If you have questions or need more information, please contact them at 1-866-464-4767

      Having been a teacher, school Principal, and administrator with a county school district, I observed too many kids whose backs were being ruined by back packs that were ill fitting and in some cases largr than I would use to go camping.  Here are some suggestions that I would recommend for school age kids as well as “kids out of school and even those over 50″.  1.  Wide padded shoulder straps can make a world of difference as narrow straps can dig into shoulders, causing pain and restricting blood circulation.  This is true of the hunting back pack that I use for deer hunting.  2.  Choose a backpack with a padded back to protect the back from sharp edges of books, etc., inside the  backpack.  3.  Insist that your child use both straps and not just sling one over a shoulder as this can cause pain and may increase curvature of the spine.  4.  Pack light and never more that 10-20% of the person’s body weight.  5.  Organize the items with heavier items closest to the center of the back.  6.  Consider using a rolling back pack, remembering that they must be carried at times, like up and down stairs, so take it easy on the total weight.

www.greaterlansinghomesearch.com  

     In my researching and talking with mortgage companies, I have determined that there are 5 basic Factors that determine our credit scores.  **Our Loan Payment History and Pattern regarding paying on time have a Credit Balances and the available credit have a 30% Impact. 
We should not have used up more than 10% of our available Cedit Amounts Potential.**What our Credit History is, in terms of how long we have had the loan count counts at 35% of our scores.  **The type of credit that we have have a 10% effect on the total credit score.  Having a mixture of mortages, auto loans, & credit  cards is better than only credit card debt.   **How many inquiries about our credit has a 10% impact, with then more inquiries, the more negative the impact.  Generally speaking, 3 major credit bureaus scores are used by underwriters who throw out the low and the top scores using the middle score.  For more information and answers to your questions, contact me at mcksold@msn.com or 1-517-204-8886 or click onto: www.greaterlansinghomesearch.com

   Tonight, I listened to Katie Couric report again regarding how Seniors are literally being robbed by scam artists over the phones.  I’m somewhat at a loss as to what to say that I haven’t already said.  Basically anyone who calls you and asks for money or personal information, is simply not legit and is trying to get your money.  Legitimate companies, banks, credit card companies simply do not call and ask for personal information or money.  Hang up and call the number on your bank statement or credit card and tell them about the call.  NEVER, NEVER, NEVER GIVE ANY CALLER ANY PERSONAL INFORMATION OR MONEY OR PIN NUMBERS OR ANYTHING THAT A CALLER ASKS FOR.  JUST HANG UP!!

     As a Realtor and Educator for 31 years prior to selling real estate, I have seen the effects of moving to a new home has on kids.  Often a new home includes leaving good friends behind, a new school and unfamiliar territory.  Actually a move is stressful for us adults too!  For our children, the more advance knowledge and involvement in the process we all can have, the easier the move will be on everyone.  When I was a school Principal, I always recommended that parents let the kids know about the potential move as soon as possible, several months ahead or more is great.  Involve the kids in looking at new homes, so they can spot their “new” room and what the home looks like.  Drive them around the neighborhood and the new school, followed by a short visit to the school, Mall, parks and the like, when the new house has been selected.  Encourage them to srite down their friends’ addresses, phone numbers and e-mail addresses.  Let your kids know that the move is necessary and that you will also miss many things about the old home, the neighborhood, your friends, too.  Let them know, that we are all kids, it is just that some of us are a little older kids than they are.  For answers to moving from a Realtor’s, Parent’s, and Educator’s experience and viewpoint, cantact me at: 

 mcksold@msn.com    or   www.greaterlansinghomesearch.com       

      When and if you find that what is owed on a property is more than what it would sell for, you definately have a problem, but one that is resolveable.  It is possible to avoid foreclosure and bankruptcy to rid yourself of this debt.  One possible remedy is called “A Short Sale” and it is quite often an excellent solution to possible financial ruination.  Basically a short sale involves determining the worth of your home, adding up all leans against the home and the costs of selling it.  The you need to contact your mortgage company(S) and get them to agree to a short sale.  There is a lot more detail, as to what is involved.  To learn all of the requirements and details, I recommend that you log onto:  

http://www.ehow.com/how_8132_short-sale.html   

     If you would a free list, of addresses, prices, and description of all Greater Lansing Homes and properties, listed by all companies, contact me at:  mcksold@msn.com or 1-517-204-8886 No gimmicks, no catches, no cost, just FREE!! 

    To find all homes in Lansing and a 30 mile radius that are listed by any Real Estate Company, log onto:  www.greaterlansinghomesearch.com or contact me at mcksold@msn.com  or 517-8886

    As you know, you and I are entitled to 1 free credit report each year, from each of the 3 major credit companies, which would actually be a total then of 3 reports, if we get 1 from each companies.  I really recommend that y ou do this every year since as a Realtor for over 20 years, I have seen loads of errors, mistakes and wrong entries on credit reports.  Everything tghat is on your credit report affects your score, which can go from a low of 300 to a high of850 for a score.  Your score determines if you get a mortgage or not and if you do, what the interest rate will be.  If your score is 720 or higher that is wonderful…700-719 scores are excellent…680-699 scores are good credit….660-679 scores are ok …..640-659 scores are Borderline..ok if everything else is strong….620-639 scores are weak.  The rest of your file must be absolutely perfect….600-619  Scores Will need some work or a special program….If your score is below 600 it spells trouble and you might likely not be approved for a loan.  If you have questions, contact me at:  mcksold@msn.com 

     From my readings, I have discovered that a fair number of Fallow Deer, which are not native to Michigan, but are in Europe and Asia, are being brought into Michigan illegally then often times released into the wild.  There is a legal process and registration to import deer from out of state, however it is still illegal to release them into the wild lands of Michigan.  Fallow Deer, especially several that were purchased in Wisconson, which has an established existance of “Chronic Wasting Disease” (CWD) in their deer population.  This illegal importation definately poses a threat to our MIchigan Deer Herd.  The DNR wants and encourages Michigan Deer Hunters to shoot any Fallow Deer that they encounter during deer season, they are free ranging.  While Fallow Deer can vary greatly in color, they are basically brown with white spots.   Any person who does shoot a Fallow Deer is asked to immediately contact the DNR to let them know, in order that they can test for disease.  Anyone who sees a Fallow Deer or knows of or anyone illegally importing or releasing Fallow Deer are asked to contact the nearest DNR Office call the DNR’s Report All Poaching (RAP) Hotline at 1-800-292-7800.  To learn more about the law regarding the importing and raising of deer & learn more about Fallow Deer, can click onto:    www.michigan.gov/dnr  Remember that both native and exotic deer must be registered to be penned, sold, or reaised.

    Blue Cross now has an on line help called a Health Coach available 24/7 to help you learn about, answers to your questions and help you manage treatment for back pain and afflictions, at the BlueHealthConnection.  The get help and advice for your back issues, click onto:  www.bcbsm.com  or call: 1-800-777-2583 or 1-800-240-3050.

    We in the Great Lakes Areas are blessed with a major chunk of the world’s water supply and while we at least somewhat take this for granted, there are areas of the US and the other arid parts of the world that weant our water.  The day could easily come when the US Congress could be comprised of representatives that would favor the arid parts of the US and even the world, perhaps even favor an agreement of water for oil??!!  We need to take legal steps now to protect the Great Lakes’ Water.  “The solution is the proposed GREAT LAKES-ST. LAWRENCE RIVER BASIN WATER RESOURCES COMPACT”.  The compact would keep control of our water in the hands of the Great Lakes States.  This compact needs the legislative approval of all of the Great Lakes States and then the US Congress.  Several of the states have approved it, however, Michigan has not even conducted a hearing on it and this is just plain unacceptable.  We need to contact our legisators in Michigan and get them in gear to get this bill a hearing and then passed.  Please do it now!  It is SB-212,HB-4336 & HB 4343.  You can read more about it in the September issue of Michigan Out of Doors, page # 08.  Also check it out at www.mucc.org   We need to get this “WATER RESOURCES COMPACT” into law and soon.  

To sell or buy a home, contact me at 1-517-675-7923 or 204-8886 or mcksold@msn.com

www.greaterlansinghomesearch.com

www.forkidsover50.com

www.morelbook.com 

     I just read that the State of Michigan is trying to find new revenue and a proposal has been made, to tax all cellphones and all calls made.  Unless you want more taxes, please visit:  www.mywireless.org  and click onto the state of “Michigan” to protest to your legislator or to let him/her know how much you want more taxes. 

    Today’s (08/27/07) Lansing State Journal Front Page boasted an article (by Kathleen Lavey) regarding a contest being put on by Grand Magazine, with a 7-day Carriberan Cruise prize.  You can enter/nomonate a grand parent into this contest.  Entries are due September 05, 2007To enter a Grandparent and to find out more information, click onto:  www.grandcontest.com   To learn more about the “Grand Magazine”, log onto: www.grandmagazine.com    also www.grandmagazine.com/forum/default.asp To read her article go to:  www.lansingstatejournal.com  

   Remember that National Grandparents’ Day is Sept 09, 2007.

    The State of Michigan has land available for Exchange, Auction, and Direct Sale in August and October.  For more information and details, log onto: www.michigan.gov/dnrparcels  or by calling 1-517-373-1240.

      For sunglasses designed with the angler in mind, Solar Bat has one of the widest range of prices in the industry.  Offering polarized lenses to block out the glare rays at prices ranging from $40 to $150.  You can check these out at www.solarbat.com.

     Oakley is one of the sunglass giants, with products that are very well known and easily recognized.  They were not content to simply manufature a top-notch polarized sunglass lens.  They went one step further and added their own special touch:  High Definition Optics.  HDO process intends to produce a polarized lens that is crystal clear and exceptionally sharp.  The HDO system is avaiable in a variety of frames.  Check them out at: www.oakley.com 

     Smith Optics offers an array of polarized lenses and frames that anglers and non-anglers should find intriguing.  In addition to standard polarized lenses Smith Optics also offers photochromic lenses that will adjust the tint of the lens as light conditions change from bright to low light.  For more info, log onto:  www.smithoptics.com 

       In my researching for pertinent information for my Boomers and both over & under 50 crowd, I became enrolled with an automated website of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).  This is an e-mailing that gives me updated reporting on the latest scams, arrests, investigations, convictions and the like, on a national and sometimes international level.  I just received the TOP 10 FBI STORIES OF THE WEEK, and found it to be great reading.  To read these and other FBI articles and issues, log onto:  http://www.fbi.gov/pressrel/pressrel.htm   also:   http://www.fbi.gov  or call 1-800-439-1420

     To take or book a charter boat for Salmon, Lake Trout or Steelhead, go to just about any Great Lake port to do so.  If you want to climb aboard a Walleye charter boat on Lake Erie or Saninaw Bay many charters run out of Detroit or the Monroe area.  Try any of the local Tourism Bureaus in the Port of your choice or gp to www.micharterboats.co  For Lake Erie information go to www.monroeinfo.com  For information in the Upper Penninsula Area, try these sites:  www.mqtcty.org  or www.co.marquette.mi.us  or www.michigan.gov/deq or  www.nbaa-bass.com

    My wife, Sandi,  actually found this tidbit of information while reading her “Prevention” (September 2007, page #20) magazine.  It caught our attention as we had just been discussing cutting health care costs, especially for a friend of ours who has no medical insurance, for her or her family.  Michelle Katz, author of “Healthcare For Less” will be online September 4th to the 14th, to answer questions about how to slash medical expenses.  Log onto: www.prevention.com/healthcaresavings  Read “Save Thousands on Your Health Care” on page #51 for some of her money savings tips.   Also click onto:  www.prevention.com and scroll down and click onto “Diabetese” for more info.

    This past week Sandi and I were involved in making the final move of our household goods into our new home, as we are downsizing to  a smaller house and upsizing to a little more acreage, so that our cleaning and budget are downsized, yet I can do a little deer hunting on our own property.  In this process, I hired 2 high school age fellows to help with the muscles and also made reservations for a Penske Rental Truck to haul our goods.  Upon arriving onto the scene, I was informed that “my truck” would not arrive for at least 1 hour and would be much larger than the one I had reserved.  Although I was not a happy camper, I bit my tongue and indicated that while I was not very pleased with the fact that what I had reserved 2 days prior was not what I would get, plus the 2 boys were now being paid for waiting also.  This was again, stated in a low key voice and volume, and I waited patiently.  When the truck did arrive, I was told that since it was their error, my charges would be lowered to about 30%.  This did help a little.  Since on Saturdays, they close at noon, I was to drop the keys into a drop box and they would call me to tell me the final charges to my credit card.  Following my use of the truck, I did as instructed and left the truck and dropped off my keys.  After having not been called regarding the final charges to my credit card, I called Penski Rentals and inquired about the charges and why I had not been called as promised.  I was completely taken off guard when I was informed “that since we didn’t have the size of truck that I had ordered and that it wasn’t ready and I had to wait for over an hour, they did not charge me anything for my use of the truck”!!   Again this was done without my protesting very much all, and I was so taken back and so impressed, that I am compelled to share this happy story with you.  While I cannot guarantee you this kind of great service, I have never been treated so well by any other Rental Company in my 63 years.  It is up to you who you choose to rent from.

     Under the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT) homeowners who make energy related improvemets in 2006 and 2007 may qualify for tax credits.  Improvements covered include:  *Exterior Windows & Skylites *Exterior Doors  *Certain Roofing Materials  *Storm Windows  *Storm Doors  *Certain Water Heating Equipment  *Insulation  *Main Air Circulating Fans  *Central Air Conditioners  *Gas, Oil or Propane Furnaces and Hot Water Boilers  *Air Source and Geothermal Heat Pumps.  There are even higher credits saving more money for solar harnessing devices.  Always consult your Tax Professional and for a general summary and more details, click onto: www.energy.gov/taxbreaks.htm  and www.energystar.gov

     As I read about the Green Housing, it is obvious the concern for the environment is definately a driving force, however it is also true that we now can obtain more and better green products at a more competitive price, as building green no longer has the high premium that it used to have.  Energy costs are now a major driving force, especially as energy costs continue to reach record high levels.  Builders, archetects, and developers are all pauing close attention to buiding green.  Improving energy efficency with high performing appliances, heating & cooling equipment, windows and insulation and solar power are all seeing greater popularity with buyers.                                                                                 Reducing water consumption can also be very important.  Adding inexpensive aerators to faucets and to show  Theer heads save both water and the energy to heat it.  2 Flushing Buttons on new toilets, one for flushing liquids (0.8 gallons) and one for solids (1.6 gallons) save on bo h water and the amount of waste water to be treated.  Some homeowners add systems for collecting rainwater, wash & bath water, dishwashers and washing machines (grey water), which comprises 50-80% of the waste water in our homes–is collected and treated, then used for toilet flushing and lawns.                                      The National Association of Home Builders has published its, “Model Green Home Building Guidelines”         (2004) and is now moving to create a National Green Certification Program, to be released by or in 2008.  For more information, click onto:  www.nahb.org

     In my research, I came across a Joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy that is bent upon saving you and me dollars and the environment by our using energy efficient products and practices, called “Energy Star”.  To do your part to save the environment and to save money, log onto:  http://www.energystar.gov

    I also discovered a site called “The Home Energy Saver”  where we/you can type in our zip code, some facts about our home, such as size, njmber of windows, and so forth, also energy use and the calculator will show the changes we can make, to reduce energy consumption and save money.  To access this calculator, click onto: http://hes.lbl.gov/

    Having been an advid Morel Mushroom “hunter” since a young boy in Brookville, Indiana, I moved to Michigan in 1965, as a Science Teacher in Livonia, Michigan.  I soon found that Michigan was an even greater area to find these tasty little wonders of nature.  In Indiana, April is Morel month, while in Michigan, it is basically the month of May.

    Now at 63 years young, I have finally taken the advice of many of my friends and written the “Morel Book”.  It explains the basics of how and where Morel Mushrooms grow, where they grow, and when they grow.  In this 50 some page book, over 50 pictures also assist in identifying true morels, which parts of the forest they grow and which trees and plants they prefer to grow around, and even how to prepare and cook the sponge mushrooms.  It gives odometer and GPS readings to my favorite Morel Mushroom spots in Michigan, plus buyers, sellers and “referrers” get 1 years’ worth of notification via e-mail or phone, of when they are up and answers to e-mailed questions for one year.

    To receive a copy, you can send $20 to Morelbook  PO Box 438, Haslett, Mi 48840 Cashiers check or money order or  major credit cards via Paypal, as my website is up and running with Paypal.  Log onto:   www.morelbook.com

    To receive a FREE copy, you must do one of the following:

1.  List your home or property with Jim & Sandi McKibben mcksold@msn.com or morelbook@msn.com

2.  Buy a home or property with Jim or Sandi McKibben writing the offer.  517-204-8886

3.  Let Jim & Sandi McKibben refer your listing (sale) or purchase of a home or property with a top Realtor in any area of the USA, or let us refer the same for a family member or freind selling or buying any where in the good ol USofA.  There is no charge to the person you allow us to refer, however the listing or selling Realtor will gladly pay us a small referral fee and we will send you a FREE Signed Copy of Jim McKibben’s “Morelbook”.

     Inquiries to morelbook@msn.com   or mcksold@msn.com  or 517-204-8886

www.mcksoldrhome.com  www.greaterlansinghomesearch.com  www.4kidsover50.com www.forkidsover50.com

     There are several ways to terminate an agency relationship.  An agency will automatically expire, if the previously specified time period governing the relationship has been reached.  An agency can also be terminated, prior to the specified date, if either party chooses to do so.  This is because “agency” requires the consent of both the Orincipal and the Agent.  However, the party who breaches the agency contract prematurely, can be held liable for any damages incurred by either party.  If there is a mutual agreement to terminate an agency early, no damages can be claimed.

     Other ways that agency can be terminated or expire including death of either party, the destruction or condemnation of the property and completion of the agency.

    I am putting the final touches and proffreading on my paperback booklet that gives detailed directions on exactly where to find Morel Mushrooms, how to prepare and when to find them.  The book is basically completee.  For more details e-mail: morelbook@msn.com   To buy one….Charge cards and Paypal accepted…. at:   www.morelbook.com     Cost of Morel Book is 20.00

Having looked for, picked and eaten Morel Mushrooms for over 50 years, from Southeastern Indiana to the Upper Pennensula in Michigan, I am starting to get the itch to find my morel sacks and head out. I do know that it is too early, even though the time is only a month or so away here in Michigan.
Right now, I am concentrating on putting the final touches on my new paperback book on “Morel Mushrooms” scheduled to go on sale the last week in March 2007. It will take the novice and the serious Morel hunter and give the great secrets on finding loads of Morel Mushrooms, even precise directions to some of my hot and great spots, and even the trees that Morels have an affinity to. Would you pay $30.00 to insure that you would know where to go and identify and prepare Morel Mushrooms?
E-mail me at morelbook@msn.com  or Log onto:   www.morelbook.com

    We awoke this morning around 4:00 am to a house that was right around 42 degrees.  Of all times for our relatively new furnace to stop working, why do it when it is -4 degrees outside?!  In any case, we got the kitchen electric stove’s oven turned to 450 and all 4 burners turned on high and it did make a difference, but still really cold.

     Remembering that these newer high efficiency furnaces sometimes get out of sinc I tried turning the furnace off for 5 minutes and then back on.  No luck, still no go.  At 7:55am, I finally got the furnace co to answer and they assured me that they would be here by 11:00 am and also informed me that their furnace had stopped working too!  Somehow I held back several comments that came to mind.

    Meanwhile, I kept up my system of turning off the furnace and then back on and around 9:00am it actually came back on.  We decided to keep the appointment with the furnace guy.  He arrived around 10:30 and proceeded to check out the furnace.  Basically, I was told that while the furnace was installed in 2001, it had not been serviced for several years and that it really ought to be serviced every year.  Also, on these newer  models I only needed to turn it off for 3-4 seconds and back on for it to re-cycle.  He pointed out that in the future, I should take off the upper furnace door and look at this little spot that would blink a light.  I should count the blinks and then look at a chart on the lower door which would tell me what the problem was based upon the number of blinks.

     So now I know that basically I just needed to do what I tell buyers to do all the time, have my furnace serviced once a year.  Right now, it is warm and snug in here, which is something we used to take for granted.

Jim McKibben