Although spring is nice and warm and green, those sudden temperature changes also spawn lightning storms.

One lightning strike or electrical surge could destroy your major appliances and your sensitive electronic equipment. You can avoid that nightmare with SurgeSentinel™ from the Board of Water & Light.

SurgeSentinel is a whole-house surge protection program that keeps unwanted power surges from damaging or destroying sensitive equipment. The program offers two levels of protection. An external, whole-house surge protector installed on your meter (Level 1) protects all electro-mechanical devices such as refrigerators, air conditioners and stoves. Level 2 also protects sensitive electronic equipment such as stereos, computers, VCRs and DVDs from damage.  SurgeSentinel is available to residential customers who own their own homes. Click here  for more information, or call us at 702-6006.

On a much happier note about Spring and warm weather, here’s some news about the 14th Annual Michigan Parade in Lansing, which marches through downtown Lansing Saturday, May 15.

This annual springtime ritual celebrates our state and includes entries representing all of Michigan’s 83 counties. This year will be even more special than most, and will feature antique cars and trucks, hundreds of motorcycles, and just plain silliness. Here’s a quick rundown of what you’ll see:

= The 2004 parade will celebrate the 100th anniversary of Reo and Diamond Reo cars and trucks, made right here in Lansing. Reo car and truck owners are invited to join in the parade in a prelude to the Reo Centennial celebration in July.

= For the first time in the Michigan Parade history, motorcyclists from across the state have been invited to join the parade. A motorcycle unit consisting of virtually every brand of bike will roll off with a special tribute to America.

= Another “first” will feature the Michigan Parade’s  first-ever “Doo-Dah Delegation,” complete with precision briefcase units and other silliness.

Not sure what a “Doo-Dah Delegation” is? Come and see for yourself.

The Michigan Parade steps off at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 15, and moves from South Washington Avenue through downtown Lansing.

The City of Lansing’s Waste Reduction Services reminds Lansing area residents of several recycling opportunities. A free book recycling collection takes place Saturday, April 17, from 8 a.m. to noon at the Ingham County Road Commission site at 5613 South Aurelius Road between Jolly and Miller Roads. The collection will accept hard covers, paperbacks, magazines, boxboard and phone books. Lansing’s Recycling Transfer Station at 530 E. South Street will host a household computer and electronics recycling collection Saturday, May 15, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. For a fee, they’ll accept items like computers and accessories, TVs, stereos, VCRs and other home electronics. Lansing also has an ongoing athletic shoe recycling program.  For more information, including drop-off locations, call 483-4400 or click here to visit their Web site.

Chiliheads, arise and lend us your taste buds. Your time is at hand once again.

The Lansing Chili Cook-Off returns to downtown Lansing Friday, June 11, for its ninth year. You’ll savor chili samples from 30 restaurants and organizations at booths spread out for a quarter mile along Lansing’s riverfront from the Lansing Center to the City Market.

We’ll pass out trophies awarded by a celebrity group of judges, including a special panel we’re convening again this year to rate entries for our Mo’ Hotter, Mo’ Better trophy. That’s the coveted award to the chili featuring the best combination of taste and heat.

Included on this special panel will be three BWL customers with good taste, strong opinions, and iron guts. If you’d like to be one of them, click here, to let us know why you should be one of those selected for our special Mo’ Hotter, Mo’ Better chili judging panel. Print and fill out your entry form, and mail it to the BWL.

Deadline for entry is May 15.