Five Things You Should Know July 17, 2011

1. Air Quality Alert

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment has issued an Action Day alert — meaning the air quality is expected to be poor. People with breathing trouble as well as active children and adults are advised to take it easy, especially while outdoors.

Avoid: Topping off your vehicle's gas tank; using gas-powered lawn tools or charcoal lighter fluid.

Counties affected: Lenawee, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, St Clair, Washtenaw and Wayne. .

2. Cool It

Canton's splash playgrounds at  and  are open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. today. If you prefer water play with air conditioning, consider bringing the swim fins to 's aquatic center. One-day admission to $6 for adults 18 to 54; $5 for seniors and students; and it's $4 for children 4 to 9.

3. Farmers Market

Mark Reitenga is playing on the Bartlett-Travis porch today and just around the corner you can sample some Zingerman Creamery cheese with Blubard jam made in Canton's own Jam by Hand. Money could stretch further for those who take advantage of a Fair Food Network program which allows Bridge Card holders to get $2 worth of fresh food for every $1 spentas part of the Double Up Food Bucks program. The market is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This week, there's also a market boot camp from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. for those who want a fitness break.

4. Plan Ahead

Michigan Rep. Dian Slavens, D-Canton, plans to visit with constituents at two events on Monday. She's planned an ice cream social 12:30 p.m. Mnday at September Days Senior Center, 46425 Tyler Rd. in Van Buren Township. Then, from  6 p.m. to 7 p.m., she meet constituents over coffee at the , 45250 Ford Rd.

5. Gas price: $3.70 (again)

It's true, the lowest per-gallon price in Canton is, according to GasBuddy.com, $3.70 a gallon. Where? , 45001 Ford Rd; Speedway, . and ;, 41350 Ford Rd.; and , 44404 Ford Rd. and 41345 Ford Rd. But it's also true that if you head east on Ford Road and cross Canton's border, gas is about 10 cents cheaper.