Swimming pools, sprinklers, scooters and ice cream help local residents beat the heat
Ann Arbor resident Ava Butzu sits in the shade and talks with a neighbor, Juan Diego Astudillo, during a garage sale Saturday afternoon at her North Seventh Street home. "We're staying cool by sitting in the shade and making new friends, " Butzu said
Jeffrey Smith | AnnArbor.com
Karen Rabeler was happy to stay home and enjoy her swimming pool in Grass Lake.
"We had friends who had a power outage from the Chelsea area visiting us," said Rabeler.
Barb and Russ Hart had to deal with a power outage at their Ann Arbor business on Eisenhower Place in Ann Arbor.
"We used dry ice and fans until the power returned yesterday," said Russ Hart.
The heat is expected top out around 100 degrees today before cooling off somewhat on Sunday.
Steve Worden of Ann Arbor bought a swimming pool last week to combat the heat.
"We put it up in the back yard, and it's helping the kids stay cool and get their energy out," said Worden.
Bicyclist Mary Hellner talks to Robin Cox and Andrea Powell at the Chelsea Farmers' Market while trying to stay cool. Hellner gravitated to shade, and the other two dipped their feet in a bucket of ice water.
photo by Lisa Carolin | for AnnArbor.com
"We knew what we were getting into here," she said while dipping her feet into a bucket of ice water at the Chelsea Farmers' Market. Her friend Robin Cox was using the same strategy.
"I'm staying hydrated and staying in the shade," added Cox, who was heading to Bishop Lake near Brighton this afternoon.
Her daughter Poppy Cox, 12, has been enjoying another cool pastime: "We set up a sprinkler under our trampoline and then slide across it," she said.
Anna Gerardi and her family are also using their sprinkler and eating a lot of popsicles. 7-year-old Alexander Gerardi says riding his scooter is cooler than walking. "I get fresh air because the wind is blowing at me," he explained.
When asked how she was beating the heat on her bicycle today, Mary Hellner of Chelsea responded, "We're shooting for the shady spots on the street," adding that she didn't realize how hot it was until she started riding.
Paul Blackford and his daughter Natalie Blackford of Dexter decided to take a less strenuous route to beat the heat: They treated themselves to ice cream.
Comments
mixmaster
Sun, Jul 8, 2012 : 11:42 a.m.
If Romney's elected, instead of clean air, water and a stable climate, we'll all be required to buy tin foil suits as part of the health care mandate.
G2inA2
Sat, Jul 7, 2012 : 11:52 p.m.
My CRAZY son has been roller-blading every day at Hudson Mills. I sure don't get it.
jns131
Sun, Jul 8, 2012 : 12:55 p.m.
They have a lot of trees and if there is a breeze it comes off the water and the trees. But yes, I agree, weird, but he must love the the heat. Might need to enjoy the heat even more if he goes to AZ.
justcurious
Sat, Jul 7, 2012 : 10:55 p.m.
87 degrees in Dexter and 96 in Ann Arbor? What's wrong with this picture? Glad I'm here in Dexter..
jns131
Sun, Jul 8, 2012 : 12:53 p.m.
I was told the heat index in Ann Arbor on Saturday was 110. Wilow Run was 105. We sat in our basement staying cool. Can't function in this heat.
81wolverine
Sat, Jul 7, 2012 : 9:49 p.m.
I think yesterday and today have been the absolute most miserably hot days I can ever remember in Michigan. I drove by a golf course today during the afternoon and the parking lot was practically empty. Normally on a Saturday in July, you'd see a ton of cars there. In weather like this, I just park myself in the basement and work on stuff.
jns131
Sun, Jul 8, 2012 : 12:52 p.m.
Friends of our were so sick of the heat? They drove out to Independence Lake for relief and found the place nearly empty. They had the place to themselves. Can't imagine.
LXIX
Sat, Jul 7, 2012 : 8:58 p.m.
More info please. How many heat-related sickness/death admissions have there been at area hospitals? What advice/help does the Humane Society have for pet owners? Boarding kennels? Does the City offer emergency shelter or free cool-down/shower areas like the schools/pools. Are there any charitable food/juice providers for families without power/refridgeration? What are the added costs to Washtenaw County residents for these "freakish" weather events? Thanks DTE repair people for your weather-beating dedication.
BernieP
Sat, Jul 7, 2012 : 9:09 p.m.
LXIX - not info on Washtenaw County, but here is what I had read; an article in the Chicago Tribune indicating the impact of the heat... http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-heatrelated-deaths-rise-to-10-20120707,0,942626.story
BernieP
Sat, Jul 7, 2012 : 8:20 p.m.
I choose the method of the whisky sour over ice while watching the Tiger game in a comfortably air conditioned room. Be careful out there, some cities are reporting deaths due to the heat aggravating medical conditions.
Marvin Face
Sun, Jul 8, 2012 : 12:56 a.m.
A Wiskey sour sounds like a waste of good Wiskey.
Ann English
Sat, Jul 7, 2012 : 11:04 p.m.
That does remind me of Chicago and the 6-7 heat-related deaths reported there. If the Cubs and White Sox have been having home games, I expect the number of spectators to be down due to the heat.
townie54
Sat, Jul 7, 2012 : 7:30 p.m.
its all Al Gores fault.I didnt mind when he invented the internet but then he has to invent global warming too and its just to hot.Darn you Al