It is all about life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, free speech and cross promotion. And it happens every week right here in this column. Most readers know I am the guy with the long beard who plays guitar in Benny and the Jets band. Most people who come to see the band also know I write a column in the paper. Every Wednesday from 5 till 7pm I do a radio show heard locally on WPON am1460 and world wide via www.wpon.com. Of course on the radio I promote the band and the newspaper column. I always promote the band web site www.bennyandthejets.com which has received over 500,000 hits. If you go to the message board on that site we have a newspaper page where I archive all the past columns.

That being said, I never want the column to be only about me. I always walk a thin line wanting to tell people where my band is performing or different projects I am involved with. While at the same time attempting to get readers to live life, to get out and have fun. To let people know about events, people, places and things to do. Even things to eat.

I always encourage readers to call or e-mail with ideas. I have received several e-mails on the food topic. I guess everyone loves food. From Green's burgers, the Chicken Kings ribs to a e-mail I received about Ruth's Chris Steak House on Big Beaver In Troy. Evidently they are famous for steaks broiled at 1,700 degrees, topped with a chunk of butter, are sizzling when they arrive to your table on a 500 degree plate. Wow.

I love inventions and great ideas. I have mentioned the guys a WWW.BRIMZ.NET. They invented sunglasses that clip to the brim of your baseball hat. They flip up out of the way when your not using them and flip down when you need them. Keeps you from loosing them or having to take them off and on every time you turn around.

I like to mention the guys a www.reverendguitars.com. They make a great guitar which is not only made in America but made in Detroit. The guitars they make are made from aluminum. They kind of sandwich a front and back plate over some sound chambers, which made for a one of a kind guitar.

I bumped into a new product called the Poop Houng. Not only do I love it, but my 15 year old daughter who is in charge of the dog messes around our house, thinks it is the greatest invention ever made. Easy to use, the unique raking arm bags the remains while you scoop from a clean, comfortable distance. You simply release the band from the holder into the garbage can and your done. Makes easy work out of a messes job. You can see www.hound-dog.com for more information.

I received several e-mails about the Recreational Leisure Corporation on Grand River at Orchard Lake, where I have my collectors Western Flyer bicycle for sale. There is that cross promotion again. Seems RLC has been a big part of Farmington for many years. One of Farmington's biggest tax payers. Possibly the only place in Farmington where you could buy a motorcycle, snowmobile, mini-bike, leather jacket or a hard to find part for a lawnmower.

To reach Ben E. Jet call (313) 730-1627 via e mail benejets@aol.com and see the web sites www.bennyandthejets.com and www.reverendguitars.com.