October 5,2006 - Westland Public Library
October 5,2006 - Westland Public Library
October 5,2006 - Westland Public Library
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
www.hometownlife.com Observer & Eccentric | Thursday, <strong>October</strong> 5,<strong>2006</strong> (*)<br />
Finding the alternatives<br />
Canton business will be one of dozens in<br />
state featured in national solar tour<br />
BY KURT KUBAN<br />
STAFF WRITER<br />
With energy prices soaring during the last<br />
couple years, there is a growing movement<br />
that is stressing the importance of investing<br />
in alternative energies. The issue has been a<br />
hot topic during this political season, as<br />
everyone from Gov. Jennifer Granholm down<br />
to candidates at the local level have been saying<br />
Michigan must be a future leader in the<br />
production of non-traditional energy sources.<br />
But fpr consumers looking for relief from<br />
the skyrocketing cost of heating and powering<br />
their homes and businesses, the<br />
future is now, according to the organizers<br />
of the National Solar Tour, which will show<br />
off homes and businesses across the country<br />
that are already using alternative energies.<br />
The National Solar Tour, sponsored mainly<br />
by the American Solar Energy Society, is<br />
from 10 a.m to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7. There<br />
will be dozens of stops in Michigan, including<br />
a number in the Metro Detroit area. One of<br />
those stops is Mechanical Energy Systems in<br />
Canton. Not only does the company sell solar<br />
powered devices to consumers, it is also<br />
housed in a building that utilizes solar and<br />
other forms of alternative, renewable ener-<br />
,gies.<br />
Alexis King, an energy consultant at<br />
Mechanical Energy Systems, said most people<br />
know little or nothing about the ways<br />
they can utilize solar power in their homes,<br />
which is why she thinks the National Solar<br />
Tour is such a great opportunity for people<br />
who are curious about alternative energies.<br />
"Alternative energy is a big thing these<br />
days. People need to know how to find out<br />
about them," King said. "Visitors will be able<br />
to walk through our building and see how<br />
solar works and understand the practical<br />
need for it."<br />
The National Solar Tour is a free, self-guided<br />
tour, though there will be people at each<br />
stop to explain how they have utilized alternative<br />
energies.<br />
Mechanical Energy Systems is one of the<br />
few retailers that will be on the tour. King<br />
said not only will they show off their products,<br />
including solar powered hot water tanks<br />
and other devices, they will also offer advice<br />
on how people can do simple things at home<br />
to reduce energy costs. They will also discuss<br />
how people can take advantage of federal' tax<br />
.Ct ,J HER<br />
Donna Napoiitano's business, Mechanical Energy<br />
Systems in Canton, will be part of the National Solar<br />
Tour on Oct. 7. Here she discusses some of the solarpowered<br />
products sold by the business.<br />
The solar-heated water is 120<br />
degrees on a fall day.<br />
c rcdits to heat and<br />
power their<br />
homes.<br />
' Educating the<br />
public is the main<br />
emphasis of our<br />
company," King<br />
said.<br />
Mechanical<br />
Energy Systems is<br />
located at 8130<br />
Canton Center<br />
Road (south of Joy<br />
Road) in Canton. For more information<br />
about the company, call (734) 453-6746 or<br />
visit its Web site at www.by-solarxom.<br />
For more information about the National<br />
Solar Tour and the featured locations in the<br />
Metro Detroit area, please visit the Web site<br />
www.glrea.org.<br />
kkuban@hometowniife.com I (734)459-2700<br />
— - — •!*--* i T 7f •**• • - I W."J—7^TP r " —*B" — J.- m £ ~ "i<br />
vff *. * 6 • ":"<br />
www cktounsm com • cktoumm a clhtthnivkent ra<br />
Free gas makes driving more fun.<br />
Not your typical bank.®<br />
Open a checking account and get a $25 gift card.<br />
Plus, be entered to win $25,000 every time you use your Debit Card.<br />
Call 1-877-TOP-RATE or stop by your local branch today.<br />
Member FDl'C. To qualify for this offer, you must not currently have, or be a signer on, a Charter One Personal Checking Account. Under the terms of this offer, you wit! qualify for a $25 Sunoco a Glff Card if you open a Circle Checking Account with funds not currently on deposit at Charter One ($1,000 to open) by. 10/06/06; SgBSjtrjBj^Gfft Card will<br />
be awarded within 30 days of account opening. All bonuses will be reported to the IRS for tax purposes for the year in which they are paid. See a banker for details and Official Rules. No purchase necessary. Open to legal U.S. residents residing in PA, DE, NJ, NY, Ml, IN, IL or OH who are 18 or older. Sunoco and logo are registered trademarks^<br />
Sunoco, Inc., and its subsidiaries. Neither Sunoco, Inc., nor its subsidiaries are sponsors of this promotion. Void where prohibited. Sweepstakes ends 10/31/06.<br />
o^os^aass^
Change language