Press Release – Old Town Oktoberfest

18 09 2008

From a press release….

Old Town Oktoberfest Tickets Now Available
­­­­­­­­­­­Celebrate fall at Old Town’s version of a classic German festival

OLD TOWN, LANSING, Mich. – In just a few weeks, festival patrons will be able to step into Bavaria, enjoying all the polka music, authentic German food and beer they can handle, without ever leaving Lansing. Get tickets now for the third annual Old Town Oktoberfest, Old Town Lansing’s ode to the largest festival on the planet.

On Friday & Saturday, October 3 & 4, Old Town Oktoberfest patrons will be transported into the heart of German culture. The festival features German music and dance, authentic German fare and world-renowned German and Oktoberfest-style beer.

Tickets for the event are now on-sale. One day admission is $13 in advance, $17 at the door or $15 for students and seniors (ID required). For two-days of German fun, purchase a Weekend Pass, good both Friday & Saturday, for only $25. Admission to Oktoberfest includes a souvenir Oktoberfest mug and three food/drink tickets.

Tickets are available at selected Old Town retailers including, Grace, Prespective2 and Mama Bear’s Café, as well as in the OTCA office, located at 1232 Turner St. Patrons can also purchase tickets online at www.oldtownoktoberfest.com.

This year, anyone can enjoy Oktoberfest like a VIP. Private Parties are still available for the entire Oktoberfest weekend. Great for client and employee appreciation or a night out with a group of friends, a Private Party package includes one reserved table in the VIP tent, admission to the festival and drink/food tickets for eight people, private restrooms, a great view of the entertainment and your very own satellite drink station, so Private Party guests will never have to wait in line for a drink. Parties are $400 per night or $700 for the weekend.

Old Town Oktoberfest is presented by and a fundraiser for the Old Town Commercial Association (OTCA). The funds raised from this event helps to beautify the district, recruit businesses, produce special events and preserve Old Town’s unique character.

Old Town Commercial Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to the revitalization of Lansing’s Old Town through socioeconomic development, historic preservation, business recruitment and community outreach. For additional information, please visit www.iloveoldtown.org.

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Press Release – SOS Office Accepting Donations for Harvest Gathering

18 09 2008

From a press release…..

Helping residents put a meal on the table
Secretary of State branches accept Harvest Gathering donations

Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land today announced that Michigan residents again can drop off nonperishable food items at branch offices to benefit needy families in their communities for the 18th annual Michigan Harvest Gathering.

“Your donations help put a meal on the table for someone in need,” Land said. “Of the
1 million Michigan residents expected to visit a food bank this year, 38 percent are children and
14 percent are senior citizens. I encourage you to contribute to Michigan Harvest Gathering to help your less-fortunate friends and neighbors, including our most vulnerable populations.”

The campaign, which is coordinated by the Food Bank Council of Michigan, helps supply the state’s regional food banks through donations of food and money. The regional food banks serve food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters in every Michigan county.

People can drop off donations at all Secretary of State branch offices through Dec. 12. Requested items include peanut butter, canned tuna and other meat, and canned fruits, vegetables and soups, although all nonperishable food items are welcome. Envelopes will be available for those who wish to mail cash donations, which are used to cover the cost of collecting and distributing the food.

In 2007, the Michigan Harvest Gathering collected more than $400,000 and 289,000 pounds of food. The 2008 goal is $430,000 and 300,000 pounds of food.


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Categories : Food News, Lansing, Michigan, Politics

The Soup Spoon Cafe

18 09 2008
  • 1419 E. Michigan Ave.
  • Lansing, MI 48912
  • (517) 316-2377
  • Website
  • Menu
The Soup Spoon Cafe near downtown Lansing

The Soup Spoon Cafe near downtown Lansing

The Soup Spoon is a place that Mike recommended to me months ago.  Since then, I’ve gotten a few people that have said I need to give it a shot.  I’m always a little nervous about trying places when I can’t find a menu first.  I looked and looked and couldn’t find anything about what kind of menu they have.  J and I were downtown today for the Michigan Select Buy Fresh, Buy Local Farmer’s Market (review HERE) around lunch time.  She said something about grabbing a hot dog from the cart near City Hall, but I suggested we give The Soup Spoon a try.  She thought I  meant Soup to Nutz Bistro where we’ve struck out three times trying to get a meal.  Once she figured out what I meant, she was on board, so we loaded up and headed down Michigan Avenue.

The Soup Spoon is located a few blocks from Sparrow Hospital right on Michigan Avenue.  It’s actually connected to Bancroft Flowers so you have something to look at if you have to wait.  During lunch time, that’s a pretty good possibility.  When we arrived, the restaurant was still pretty empty.  There’s only a few tables, no more than 10, in the whole place.  It’s a very small, intimate setting.  The kitchen is located in the center and it’s completely open.  There is no closed space inside the restaurant.  The tables are situated around the kitchen and coffee counter.  When we walked in, we weren’t sure if it was a restaurant or a lunch counter type of place.  A waitress saw us walk in and told us to sit where we liked.  We grabbed a table in the front and the waitress brought us menus.  I was incredibly relieved to see The Soup Spoon served a typical cafe style lunch.  With a name like The Soup Spoon, I thought maybe they’d only serve soup.  That’s what I was worried about.  I could see a place like that being successful near the hospital.  Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : Cafe, Lansing, Local Flavor, Michigan, Restaurant, Reviews, Sandwiches

Buy Fresh, Buy Local Michigan Select Farmers Market

18 09 2008
Buy Fresh, Buy Local Farmers Market in the shadow of the Michigan State Capitol

Buy Fresh, Buy Local Farmer's Market in the shadow of the Michigan State Capitol

J and I got up earlier than we normally do to once again head to the State Capitol for the Buy Fresh, Buy Local Farmer’s Market.  We went to the event in July and came home with a lot of fresh produce.  We headed downtown today not needing much, but we had such a good time at the last one, we didn’t want to miss this one.

There weren’t quite as many vendors this time, but the ones that were there had a lot more produce.  I noticed in Ann Arbor over the weekend that a lot of farmers were starting to peddle their peppers.  That trend continued today.  There were a lot of peppers including the hard to find purple peppers.  I looked at some habenero’s, but passed because I didn’t have a recipe in mind. 

We looked at apples, but didn’t buy.  J likes to take one to her with work every day so she has something to snack on other than candy, but since we’re planning on being away for the weekend, we passed.  They were a little pricey and we didn’t want to waste them.  Had this been a Monday, I’m positive we would have bought some.

She did end up buying more blueberries and raspberries.  I finished up the last two pints making a mixed berry pie, so we needed some more for salads.  I think she ended up paying around $8 for the two pints.  The raspberries were $5 and the blueberries $3.  Read the rest of this entry »


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….and Grand Rapids Recs. as Well

18 09 2008

Looks like I’m gonna need some restaurant recommendations for Grand Rapids as well.  We couldn’t find a hotel for under $100 in Traverse City, so instead of spending two days in the Cherry Capitol, we’ll just spend one then head back and spend Saturday in Grand Rapids.  Any good places for lunch and dinner….or any places between Grand Rapids and Lansing that we have to hit for dinner?

Any shops or markets we should check out in Grand Rapids as well…or just in anything in general you would suggest to first time visitors?


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Olive Garden, Red Lobster to Raise Prices.

17 09 2008

Shouldn’t come as much of a surprise to anyone.  The Olive Garden and Red Lobster are having to raise prices to stay profitable.

The company said its menu prices at Olive Garden and Red Lobster have typically gone up between 2 percent and 3 percent each year, with price increases usually falling in the middle of that range. But for 2009, Darden said it will have to raise prices by a percentage closer to the high end of that range.

“It’s not a dramatic increase,” said Chief Operating Officer Drew Madsen. “But it’s a little more pricing than we have taken in the past.”

Darden said the economy — specifically higher costs for food, energy and labor — is to blame. Most restaurants have been pressed by significantly higher costs in the past year with prices for grain and meat rising to record levels and state and federal governments boosting the minimum wage for workers.

 I don’t eat at either.  My mom looooooves Olive Garden though.  It just one of those unfortunate trends.  Not even the chains are immune from the higher prices that cause the mom ‘n pop shops to struggle.


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Categories : Chains, Food News

Traverse City Eats

17 09 2008

J and I are making up for not having weekends off together this summer.  After spending the afternoon in Ann Arbor last weekend, we’re going to take a mini vacation to Traverse City this weekend, so once again, I’m looking for food suggestions.  I’ve got a pretty good list going of places that look good. 

Cook’s House
North Peak Brewing (which I believe is the same as Grizzly Peak Brewing in Ann Arbor)
Don’s Drive In
Hanna’s Bistro
Trattoria Stella
Moomer’s
Folgarelli’s Market

Any opinions on any of those or anything else that we have to try?


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Press Release – Harvest Gathering Kick Off

16 09 2008

From a Press Release……

18th Annual Michigan Harvest Gathering Campaign To Launch at Michigan Capitol

WHAT: The Food Bank Council of Michigan will kick-off its annual Michigan Harvest Gathering campaign on the Capitol steps on Thursday. The 2008 Michigan Harvest Gathering will run through November 12.

WHEN: Thursday Sept. 18, 2008 – 10:00 a.m.

WHERE: Front Steps of Capitol

WHO: Judge Bill Schuette, Court of Appeals,  Michigan Harvest Gathering Founder

Brian Peters, Senior Corporate Vice President Michigan Health and Hospital Association

Gordon Wenk, Deputy Director Michigan Department of Agriculture

Erica Karfonta, Manager, Gleaners Community Food Bank of Livingston County; Personal Testimony as someone who has utilized the generosities of a food pantry

State Representative John Moolenaar- Midland

Jane Marshall, Executive Director

Food Bank Council of Michigan

WHY: To raise food and funds to support the nine regional food banks in Michigan. Regional food banks provide food for agencies such as food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters in all of Michigan’s 83 counties. This year’s goal is to raise $430,000 and 300,000 pounds of food.

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Categories : Food News, Lansing, Michigan

Lost Lansing

15 09 2008

Corky pointd out this gret site to me this afternoon called Lost Lansing.  It’s a trip down memory lane for those of you who have been in the area longer than six months.  I’m a big history buff and I love this kind stuff.  Not only does it have restaurants that have gone by the wayside, but it’s got a section on the old Civic Center, gas stations, theaters, and more. 

On the web: Lost Lansing


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Buy Fresh Buy Local – Select Michigan Day

15 09 2008

I noticed a post about this last week on Good Food Hunting and today I got a comment about it from Ang, so I thought I’d make a post reminding people.  Select Michigan Day on the lawn of the Capitol is this Thursday, September 18. 

We went to this event back in July and walked away with a lot of great stuff.  I’m sure we’ll make another trip downtown now that some of the fall vegetables are starting to come in.

Celebrate the 4th annual “Buy Fresh, Buy Local – Select Michigan Day” on September 18, 2008!

Celebrate the fourth annual “Buy Fresh, Buy Local – Select Michigan Day” on Thursday, September 18, 2008!

Michigan Food & Farming Systems (MIFFS) and the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) Select Michigan program, with support from the Michigan Farmers’ Market Association (MIFMA) and the Food Bank Council of Michigan (FBCM), have already partnered together to keep momentum going in Michigan for local food!

“Select Michigan Day” has gained tremendous momentum over the past three years as more consumers are realizing the taste, health and economic benefits of buying local products.

Here, you can find out about events going on around the state, how you can host your own event and other ways that you can get involved. You can also read about past years’ successes.

For more information about the Select Michigan program, visit http://www.selectmichigan.org.


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Categories : Farmer's Market, Food News, Lansing, Michigan

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