Will the shoes help you sing & dance?

Today, June 9th, Kanye West's Air Yeezy II's go on sale.  The suggested retail price is $245, but one local retailer is expecting to start the price at $1,000.  Burn Rubber in Royal Oak is expecting to get in 8-16 pairs of these shoes, but they are already sold. 

People have been lined up outside the store for about a week now, very willing to pay anything to get these shoes.  I know the price is based on supply and demand and it is really the hype that is making the price go up (like the inital offering of facebook), but this is ridiculous.  Where are these kids getting the money?

I have been reading several articles and watching news stories all week on this and it frustrates me.  I even read one story where a kid paid $400, just to cut in line!  There is even a Mom who relieves her son for an hour so he can go home and shower.  These people are even putting there health at risk by limiting fluid intakes to limit bathroom trips.

I think its sad that either these kids are spending theirs or their parents hard earned money on a pair of shoes, especially in this economy.  I don't get it, will these things improve your singing and dancing?  Will you be able to leap tall buildings in a single bound?

I also blame the retailers, the manufactuer, and others for hyping up these shoes to keep driving the prices up.  I think something needs to be done about this.  I know I can find much better uses for a $1,000 then on a pair of shoes that will eventually end up in the trash or the bottom of the closet.

Fresh fruit, vegetables, and more

Spring is in full swing and summer is just around the corner.  This is one of the best times of the year for many reasons.  Some of them include the start of little league season, waterparks and campgrounds are opening, and the start of the fair and festival summer season.  Today though I want to talk about the popular farmers markets that are popping up in every community.

Farmers markets have been around for a long time and then they sort of disappeared for awhile and are now gaining popularity once again.  Some of the benefits of buying from your local farmers markets include:
- Your produce is ripe and freshly picked
- You can speak to the farmers to ask how and where it was grown and if they have any suggestions on how to prepare and cook it.
- The sales benefit the farmers locally instead of going through several people before the farmer get a small share, when you buy from a store.  This usually means cheaper prices for you.
- Encourages shopping local, and since most of these are in a downtown type setting, make a day of it.  Check out other local businesses and restaurants.
- Most have a wide range of fruits and vegetables available.  Some even include flowers, plants and other related items.

Most of the markets have already started or will be starting within the next week and they usually run through October.  Some of the communities that have farmers markets are Auburn Hills, Milford, Royal Oak, Farmington, Clawson, and Clarkston.  Oakland County's website has a complete list of farmers markets and more information.  If there is not one in your community contact your local government offices to see how you can get one started.

Save a life...

Two things that I think everyone should know how to do is how to perform CPR and the Heimlich Maneuver.  I am hoping that unless you are in the public safety field you will never have to use it, but you just never know.  June 1st through the 7th has been designated as National CPR week, so take a few minutes to make arrangements to attend a class.

One local company teaching CPR here in Oakland County is called Rochester Hills CPR.  They have several levels of sessions available from family and friends to healthcare provider, also refresher classes available.  They will come to your house or business for sizes ranging from one on one to groups (discounts available).  Their prices are very reasonable and the best part is the classes are taught by emergency medical workers and firefighters that have experience and actually do this in their line of work.

Call Rochester Hills CPR today at 248-660-0CPR or email them at info@rochesterhillscpr.com to schedule a class and tell them you saw it on Page's Pages.  If they are unable to accommodate you due to distance, then I suggest you contact your local fire department or ambulance provider and see if they have any upcoming classes available.

Remember you never know when you could save a life.