Press Release – Crosby Mint Farm To Be Evacuated Immediately

25 08 2009

The following comes from a Crosby Mint Farm press release…

JUDGE SIGNS EVICTION NOTICE, CROSBY MINT FARM TO BE EVACUATED IMMEDIATELY.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
(MINT CITY, USA/St. Johns, MI) August 24, 2009. 29th Judicial Circuit Court Judge, the Hon. Randy L. Tahvonen signed an order this afternoon to allow the eviction of Peppermint Jim Crosby from his property known as The Crosby Mint Farm. Neither the Crosbys nor their attorney were aware that the hearing was scheduled to be held this afternoon and was most unexpected. There had been no motion of hearing sent out, the Crosbys and their attorney found out about the scheduled hearing this morning while personally filing an objection with the court to the Writ of Eviction that was filed last Thursday by Greenstone Farm Credit Services.

Eviction
The Crosby Mint Farm has been in foreclosure for a year and was unable to raise the $330,000 needed to redeem the property back from Greenstone Farm Credit Services by August 14th 2009. Before an eviction takes place, the owners have the right to refuse and, according to Greenstone, should be receiving a 30 day Right of Refusal with the price set by Greenstone. However, since judge Tehvonen signed the eviction notice, this goes into immediate effect before the Crosbys receive their 30 days to raise the money to buy back the property before it will be auctioned off and processed by the bank. The latter has yet to step forward and appraise the farm with a set amount.

Government support
Peppermint Jim Crosby states that even with the series of events that have occurred, he will keep supporting and helping the local Michigan businesses he has been working with through the Get Mint Trading Company. He will continue the fight for farm preservation with the company’s growing costumer base, because of all the support he and his family have received since the beginning of this foreclosure process. “There is no need to liquidate this farm”, he proclaims.
Lack of support from the state and federal government demonstrates a true injustice towards the small American farm. Senator Debbie Stabenow’s office was contacted in 2007, but the promised follow up did not come until 2008, when Jim Crosby received a form letter. The letter stated that there were no violations by the Farm Service Agency, which is contradictory to the borrower rights for restructuring and mediation. Other offices that were contacted in 2008, were Senator Crospsey’s, Congressman Rogers’ and Congressman Levin’s, and Senator Garcia’s. The responses that came back were that the situation is “unfortunate”. “As a constituent of these leaders I am disappointed that I have to talk them into supporting and acknowledging us and the value of the farm to Michigan,” Crosby states. “I am not asking for a bail-out, just the time and opportunity to restructure and grow the business to preserve the farm.”
In the mean time, the business, the Get Mint Trading Company remains in operation. Orders are still coming in over the phone and through the website and they are being processed and shipped to costumers throughout the nation.


Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: , ,
Categories : Michigan, Press Releases, St. Johns

Legislator Wants Local Governments To Be Able to Ban Smoking

25 08 2009

It’s been a while since I’ve written about the smoking ban.  The big reason is because there’s been no movement on the statewide bill which I completely support and would rather see a ban including casinos.  There’s 14 months left in the current legislative session and most insiders don’t expect it to get any farther than it already is.

This week, Rep. Gary McDowell (D-Rudyard) is trying to introduce a bill that would allow local governments (ie. cities, villages, counties, townships, etc) to enact bans in their jurisdictions. 

A bill sponsored by Rep. Gary McDowell, D-Rudyard, would let each county, city, township and village decide if people can smoke in local bars and restaurants. Courts have said Michigan law allows only the Legislature to ban smoking in food establishments.

McDowell said that should be changed because he does not think lawmakers will pass a ban on their own.

“It’ll bring the debate back home, to every township and city hall,” McDowell said in an interview. “Once one community does it, it’ll start to spread across the state. It’s hard to imagine which community in Michigan would want the notoriety of being the last to allow smoking in the workplace.”

It’s not a unique move.  Most states that ban smoking do so after a number of municipalities enact local bans.  Again, my experience is with the Illinois ban.  I know several communities banned smoking before the statewide ban went into effect.  Some refused to enact a local ban preferring a statewide ban.  

I’m not a fan of these types of bans.  Especially in a city like Lansing.  You would really need Lansing, Lansing Township, Delta Township, East Lansing, and Okemos to work together and pass a ban.  All of the studies the anti-smoking ban groups use are from these local bans…not statewide bans.  I mean, yeah, if you could drive a few blocks and be able to smoke in a bar, you probably would. 

I know it sounds big brother-ish, but smoking is an issue that the government should be involved with.  You’re not just effecting your own life, you’re altering everyone’s life around you.


Comments : 18 Comments »
Tags: , ,
Categories : Michigan, Politics

End of an Era for Crosby Mint Farm

25 08 2009

It’s a sad day in St. John.  Via WLNS

A local farmer is forced to walk away from his property. Jim Crosby says and he and his family are packing whatever they can. A Clinton County judge signed formal paperwork which forces the Crosby family to leave their mint farm for good.


Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: , ,
Categories : Food News, Michigan

Sophia’s House of Pancakes

24 08 2009
  • 1010 Charlevoix Drive
  • Grand Ledge, MI 48837
  • (517) 627-3222
  • No Known Website
  • Menu
Sophias House of Pancakes just off M-43 in Grand Ledge.

Sophia's House of Pancakes just off M-43 in Grand Ledge.

Ah….lazy Sunday’s.  We didn’t have much to do other than grocery shop, so there wasn’t any hurry to get moving in the morning.  We needed to make a trip to Walmart and Horrocks, so I thought it was time to finally try a place in Grand Ledge that has been recommended several times in the past.

Sophia’s House of Pancakes is right on the edge of town if you’re coming from Lansing on M-43.  Even though we didn’t get there until a little before one o’clock, the parking lot was packed.  There was just one spot left which I beat another car to.  I figured a packed parking lot at one o’clock was probably a pretty good sign.

When we got inside, we found a short wait for a table.  The entire restaurant was hopping.  There was a group of seven waiting and another couple.  The couple was seated first then we got the next smaller table that opened up.  They had a lot of seating for two, but seating for large groups was limited which seemed weird to me at a place like this.  Sophia’s is definitely one of those places you take the whole family after church. 

We were taken to a table for three near the back of the restaurant.  There are a lot of booths, but not many tables.  J and I got what was probably one of the few tables that were not intended for large groups.  We started looking over the big menu and looking around us to see what everyone else was eating.  Everything that came out of the kitchen looked delicious and most of it was still breakfast.  Read the rest of this entry »


Comments : 7 Comments »
Tags: , , , , ,
Categories : breakfast, Grand Ledge, Local Flavor, Michigan, Restaurant, Reviews

Sonic Drive-In – Birch Run

23 08 2009
  • 8650 Main Street
  • Birch Run, MI 48415
  • (989) 624-4700
  • Website
  • Menu
Sonic Drive In on Main Street in Birch Run.

Sonic Drive In on Main Street in Birch Run.

A few weeks ago, I put up a press release about Sonic opening a store in Birch Run.  I knew it was just a matter of time before we would find an excuse to make the trip east.

The Sonic in Birch Run is the chain’s fifth Michigan store.  It’s located on Main Street in front of the Prime Outlets.  You can see it as soon as you get off the Interstate.  The store has an exit and entrance from Main Street which was actually closed off when we first went by because of a lot of traffic, but most people will actually enter off Beyer Road in the back. 

When we took a trip to Flint just a few weeks after the Sonic opening there, we actually had to wait in a line to get a stall.  I assumed the same thing would happen in Birch Run.

We finally made our way to Sonic a little before six o’clock.  The main entrance is accessible from Beyer Road.  Since we were coming from the Outlet Mall, we were already close.  We pulled in to the drive way and I noticed a stall right away.  Instead of having two rows of stalls on one side of the building, they have one row on either side of the building.  Read the rest of this entry »


Comments : 3 Comments »
Tags: , , , , , , , ,
Categories : Birch Run, Chains, Fast Food, Michigan, Restaurant, Reviews

Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland

22 08 2009
  • 25 Christmas Lane
  • Frankenmuth, MI 48734
  • (989) 652-9931
  • Website
Bronners CHRISTmas Wonderland in Frankenmuth

Bronner's CHRISTmas Wonderland in Frankenmuth

Christmas has always been a pretty big deal in my house.  It’s the one holiday where I do whatever is humanly possible to get home for.  We’re not a super religious family, but Christmas has kind of been that one holiday where we actually have tradition and everyone is a little reluctant to change it. 

Last fall, my parents came to visit over the Labor Day weekend.   On their way here, they saw signs for Bronner’s on I-94 and asked how far it was.  Since it’s only a little over an hour or so, J and I decided to take them.  They loved it.  They could have spent hours looking at everything.  Last Christmas was my parent’s first as grandparents, so they bought a lot of “Baby’s First Christmas” and “Grandparents First Christmas” ornaments.  J and I were a little bored.  The store was neat, but we didn’t need to spend as much time there as we did. 

Since we’re getting married this year, J wanted to get some ornaments that not only commemorated our first Christmas as a married couple but also something to remind us of Michigan should we ever decide to leave.  We decided to make a day of it and so some shopping in Birch Run and check out a few restaurants after our trip to Frankenmuth. Read the rest of this entry »


Comments : 3 Comments »
Tags: , , , ,
Categories : Frankenmuth, Michigan

Tony’s I-75 Restaurant

22 08 2009
  • 8781 Main Street
  • Birch Run, MI 48415
  • (989) 624-5860
  • No Known Website
  • Menu
Tonys I-75 Restaurant on Main Street in Birch Run.

Tony's I-75 Restaurant on Main Street in Birch Run.

I love bacon.  So much so, my favorite comedy routine is Jim Gaffigan’s King Baby show where he keeps talking about bacon (Is he still talking about bacon?). 

A few weeks ago, I was watching Sandwich Paradise on The Travel Channel and one of the places featured was a diner in Birch Run.  Sure, I’ve had a few people tell me I needed to check out and try their BLT that comes with a pound of bacon.  I thought they were just over hyping the place…..like the fish that gets bigger every time they tell the story.  I was wrong.

Tony’s I-75 Restaurant is on Main Street in Birch Run just a block or so from Interstate 75.  The restaurant has the distinction of being the only local joint in a sea of chains.  This particular area of Birch Run is very highly developed.  They have the Prime Outlets (which we of course checked out) and just about every type of chain cuisine you can imagine. 

We showed up just before noon on a Saturday.  The parking lot was packed.  There is a large lot behind the restaurant and that’s where we eventually found a spot.  When we opened the door to enter the restaurant, we were greeted with a line ten people deep.  The waiting area is actually outside the actual restaurant in a long, narrow hallway that looks like it was added on after the fact so people wouldn’t have to wait outside in the cold.  

Not long after getting in line, an employee stuck her head out and asked how big each of our parties were.  There was a group of seven, two and three in front of us.  Still, we waited in line only about five minutes.  We were asked if we would like a seat at the lunch counter.  Initially, we said no, but after reconsidering it, we took the two seats at the counter which proved to be entertaining.  Read the rest of this entry »


Comments : 25 Comments »
Tags: , , , , , , , ,
Categories : Birch Run, Diner, Local Flavor, Michigan, Restaurant, Reviews, Sandwiches

Hardees – Rantoul, IL

20 08 2009
  • 326 S. Century Boulevard
  • Rantoul, IL 61866
  • (217) 892-2606
  • Website
  • Menu
Hardees on Century Boulevard in Rantoul, IL

Hardee's on Century Boulevard in Rantoul, IL

Back in February, I put up a quick blog post about a Hardees at a rest stop in Indiana.  I didn’t really review anything because I didn’t eat.  It was more of a post to wax nostalgia and complain about the 20 inches of snow I just drove through.  Still, someone berated me for writing a post on my blog that they didn’t think should be there.  My blog.  I’ll post what I want. 

I was back in Illinois this week for work and I ended up in Rantoul, IL.  There’s not much in Rantoul anymore.  It’s a town of about 13,000 just north of Champaign.  It used to be home to Chanute Air Force Base, but when the government shut the base down, the town hit tough times.  The major employer was gone and everyone associated with the base left town. 

Since you already know that I work in TV, I’ll tell you I was in town for the University of Illinois’ Camp Rantoul.  U of I is one of two schools in the Big Ten that do a preseason camp.  They live in a hotel next to the practice facility and they’re given a strict schedule of when to eat, when to sleep, and when to practice.  It’s a great thing for the city because the practices are open to the public and people do show up to watch.  You’d think it was an NFL camp. 

Because of impending weather, I didn’t get a lunch break.  We were trying to get our show in before the storm hit and the school moved their practice up by two hours.  Once the show was over, I was starving.  I was tired though and I really just wanted to get home.  This was the first time I had been to Rantoul since the AFB closed, so I had no idea what was actually in the area.  I drove through downtown to see what was there, but I eventually ended up back on a stretch of road with plenty of fast food choices.  Read the rest of this entry »


Comments : 1 Comment »
Tags: , , , , ,
Categories : Michigan

Want to Help Local Restaurants? Pay Cash

20 08 2009

I found this Free Press article from @joefoodie on Twitter.  This jist of the article is that some Detroit area restaurants are starting to offer “discounts” to patrons who pay cash instead of using a credit card.  Why would they do that you ask?  They make more money. 

Each swipe of a card costs him a flat 15 to 20 cents, he says, plus add-ons of 2% to 3% of the transaction amount.

“If you do a high volume of credit cards, at the end of the month it adds up. It’s the volume you do, so by turning around and giving back to the customers, it’s a win-win: You’re giving back to the customer, and in return you get people coming into your restaurant and keeping you afloat.

OK.  That makes sense from a business standpoint.  From a consumer stand point, he’s walking a fine line.  According to your terms of service with your credit cards, retailers can not charge you more to use your card than they can if you pay cash.  In Michigan, doing this is not illegal.  In 10 other states, there are laws against credit card surcharges.

I said earlier the article featured in the story was “walking a fine line.”  Technically, he’s not charging more to use a credit card.   He’s giving a “discount” to use cash.  It’s sort of a grey area that gas stations have been using for sereral years to give consumers an incentive to pay with cash so they can increase their profits.  As long as they don’t call it a payment card checkout fee, they’re probably going to get away with charge YOU more to use a credit card. 

Surchage.  Cash discount.  No matter what they call it, it’s accomplishing the same thing.  My family is very big on paying in cash.  I, on the other hand, almost always pay with credit.  I just don’t like carrying more than twenty buck or so.  If I have the cash, I will pay with it, but most times I don’t.

What’s the moral of the story?  Ultimately, how you pay is up to you.  If you frequent a local joint often, think about paying cash.  You’ll be helping the owners of the place by letting them pocket that extra 2-3%.  It’s a good thing to do, but if businesses are going to accept credit cards, they shouldn’t penalize you for using one.


Comments : 1 Comment »
Tags: , , , ,
Categories : Food News

Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken – Kalamazoo South

18 08 2009
  • 4441 S. Westnedge Avenue
  • Kalamazoo, MI 49008
  • (269) 345-2151
  • Website
  • Menu
Lees Famous Recipe Chicken on Westnedge in Kalamazoo.

Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken on Westnedge in Kalamazoo.

It’s been quite a while since I’ve had to drive to my parents house.  It’s been a nice break that’s about the change.  This trip is the first of many between work and wedding related events. 

I waited until J went to work, but I didn’t eat much before I left the house.  I was on my way to my brother’s for dinner, but that was still four or five hours away by the time I hit Kalamazoo.  I was hungry, so I knew I needed to get off and get something.

I don’t know much about Kalamazoo, but I do know Westnedge is a pretty good bet if you’re looking for something quick.  I wasn’t going to go to far down, but I drove a little ways off the Interstate to see what was around.  Just as I was getting ready to turn around, I found a chicken place.

Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken has three locations in Kalamazoo.  The one I found is on the corner of Westnedge and Kilgore Road.  When I pulled into the lot, I had no idea this was a chain, but when I got inside and saw the signage, it was pretty obvious this place wasn’t your Mom & Pop chicken place. Read the rest of this entry »


Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: , , , , , ,
Categories : Chains, Chicken, Kalamazoo, Michigan, Restaurant, Reviews

« Previous Entries Next Entries »