Kellog Pulls Crackers

15 01 2009

Battle Creek based Kellog is pulling peanut butter crackers off the shelves until they can deterine whether contaminated peanut paste was used.

Kellogg gets at least some of its paste from Lynchburg, Va.-based Peanut Corp. of America, which has recalled 21 lots of peanut butter made since July 1 at its plant in Blakely, Ga., because of possible contamination from the bacteria. While not going so far as issuing a recall, Kellogg asked stores nationwide to remove the crackers sold under its Austin and Keebler brands and urged consumers not to eat those products until regulators have completed an investigation into Peanut Corp.





Restaurant Openings!

12 01 2009

Hey, here’s some good news instead of the usual “guess what closed today.”  I’ve noticed a couple new restaurants in the area recently.

First, we noticed a taco stand in the abandoned coffee place between Holt and Mason sort of near the skating rink.  I didn’t catch a name and it was closed by the time we were heading back to Lansing.  I can’t even tell you what used to be in the building to try and help pin down the location because whatever it was had been closed since we’ve been in the area.   One night when I’m on my own for dinner I’ll probably run down there and give it a try.

The other is Brother’s Grill in East Lansing.  I saw a story on WLAJ last week about the Michigan Business Tax and they talked to this place which I had never heard of.  I did a quick Google search and found a website at http://www.brothersgrillmsu.com.  It looks to be in the old Big Ten Burrito location on Grand River Avenue.  It also looks like the kind of place J and I would enjoy, so I would expect a reveiw from there fairly soon. 

Anyone else seen new places opening up in Mid-Michigan recently?





More Restuarant Closings….

9 01 2009

Noticed a few nights ago that Charlie Kang’s II on South Cedar in Lansing closed their doors.  There’s a for sale sign in the window.  I don’t eat Chinese or Korean, but I had heard from other people that the place was really good.  I drive by there pretty much every day and I never saw more than one or two cars in the parking though. 

Also, Eat! Lansing posted on his site that China Gourmet in the Lansing Mall has also closed.  That makes two places in the mall alone tha have closed up shop. 

Neither are places that I would eat at, but I hate to see restaurants…good restaurants close.  I’m sure as I drive around town, I’ll be adding more posts like this for a while.   Not good.





More Salmonella – UPDATED

8 01 2009

From WILX.com

At least once case of the nationwide outbreak of salmonella has been confirmed in Eaton County. The Michigan Department of Community Health has reported that, in addition to Eaton County, 20 cases have been confirmed among Arenac, Bay, Kent, Lapeer, Macomb, Mecosta, Muskegon, Oakland, Ottawa, Tuscola, Washtenaw and Wayne Counties and the City of Detroit.

No idea what caused it.

Update – 4:00 PM

From the Michigan Department of Community Health

The Michigan Department of Community Health and local health partners are
currently assisting with this investigation, led by the CDC. We currently
have 20 cases in Michigan, from the following 14 jurisdictions: Arenac, Bay,
Eaton, Kent, Lapeer, Macomb, Mecosta, Muskegon, Oakland, Ottawa, Tuscola,
Washtenaw, and Wayne Counties, and the City of Detroit. Among the Michigan
cases, ages range from <1-73 years, with a median of 9 years. Sixty percent
of the cases are male. Onset dates range from 10/11-12/13, and there have
been 8 known hospitalizations.

Symptoms for Salmonella include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12 to
72 hours after infection. The illness usually lasts four to seven days.
Salmonella is a form of food 
poisoning, so it’s a foodborne illness.  So you usually get it from 
contaminated food.
 
Previous outbreaks associated with Salmonella Typhimurium include
poultry, produce, raw milk and cheese, and contact with animals like
small turtles.
 
Because foods of animal origin may be contaminated with Salmonella,
people should not eat raw or undercooked eggs, poultry, or meat. Persons
also should not consume raw or unpasteurized milk or other dairy
products. Produce should be thoroughly washed.
 
Cross-contamination of foods should also be avoided. Uncooked meats
should be kept separate from produce, cooked foods, and ready-to-eat
foods. Hands should be washed before handling food, and between handling
different food items.
 
In this case people should Steps that can be taken to protect against the 
illness include taking care when handling raw meat, washing hands between 
food preparation and tending to infants or small children, cooking meat 
dishes thoroughly and not eating raw or under cooked meat.





Old Town Bar Controversy

8 01 2009

I was just reading in this week’s City Pulse how Rendezvous on the Grand was going to become The Chrome Cat.  Today, City Pulse updated their story.  Apparently, everything with the Rendezvous on the Grand creditors wasn’t taken care of.  A restraining order was issued by Judge Manderfield this morning which may delay the bar’s opening which was scheduled for this Friday.

(Douglas) Cunningham alleges he was not contacted about the sale. He claims to have been kept in the dark about the status of his investment. According to his suit, he invested over $50,400.

“I never gave anyone permission to list or sell any of the kitchen equipment or other property I purchased and allowed the Rendezvous on the Grand to use, as part of the business,” Cunningham testified in an affidavit.

Whoops.





Press Release – Downtown Lansing Market Study

6 01 2009

From a City of Lansing Press Release….

Public Welcomed to Be Part of Downtown Lansing’s Future!
Downtown Lansing Conducts Extensive Market Study

“Market studies are imperative to successful economic development—which translates into jobs! Downtown Lansing has not had a market study done in nearly ten years.” acknowledged Bob Trezise, Jr., President and CEO of the Lansing Economic Development Corporation. “Since downtown Lansing has dramatically changed over the last three years, to the tune of over $500 million in new private investment, it is the right time to conduct a new downtown market study and keep our momentum going strong and in the smart direction.”

“Downtown Lansing is a rich urban environment where we want to foster creativity and growth, while maintaining the character and history of the district.” stated Mindy Biladeau, Executive Director of the Lansing Principal Shopping District. “Understanding the experiences and reflections of everyone in the public is vital to planning its future.”

The Lansing Economic Development Corporation (LEDC) has commissioned a Downtown Lansing Market Study and Strategies project with the Downtown Professionals Network (DPN) to accurately understand the value and future of Downtown Lansing. As a part of the study, a public workshop will be held on Wednesday, January 7, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. in the Governor’s Room of the Lansing Center, 333 E. Michigan Ave.

“Market studies are imperative to successful economic development—which translates into jobs! Downtown Lansing has not had a market study done in nearly ten years.” acknowledged Bob Trezise, Jr., President and CEO of the Lansing Economic Development Corporation. “Since downtown Lansing has dramatically changed over the last three years, to the tune of over $500 million in new private investment, it is the right time to conduct a new downtown market study and keep our momentum going strong and in the smart direction.”

The Market study process has been designed to provide a current snapshot of downtown Lansing today and to offer a glimpse of downtown’s potential and opportunities for the future in terms of business, residential and new market prospects.

“Downtown Lansing is a rich urban environment where we want to foster creativity and growth, while maintaining the character and history of the district.” stated Mindy Biladeau, Executive Director of the Lansing Principal Shopping District. “Understanding the experiences and reflections of everyone in the public is vital to planning its future.” Read the rest of this entry »





Press Release – 621 is NOT Closed Permanently

5 01 2009

I hadn’t even heard this rumor, but if they’re sending out press releases to local media, there must be something going around.  Apparently they are not closed permanently….just temporarily while they renovate.

From a Brant Johnson & Associates press release….

621, Lansing’s downtown hotspot, is temporarily closed for remodeling.

621 will be closed for approximately 60 days for modernization of the restaurant/bar, according to Julian Darden, MJJJ Inc., owner and operator.

Julian “JJ” Darden says, “For over 5years of ownership, 621 appreciates the loyal patronage and support of Lansing. It has been a blessing to provide entertainment services to the Lansing community. However, it is important to modernize our establishment in order to reflect the revitalization of the New Downtown Lansing area. And 621 looks forward to being the consistent Downtown Nightspot. ”

Within the past 5 years 621 was voted “the BEST” in a number of categories for Lansing Entertainment, including Best Martini Bar. Downtown patrons and Lugnut goers have been enjoying 621 for over 10 years.

621 asks the Lansing community to be patience and cooperative as these changes are taking place. 621 is eager to have a prosperous 2009.





Harrison Roadhouse Goes Smoke Free

1 01 2009

Saw this story on WLNS’ noon show today. 

An East Lansing restaurant is making it’s New Year’s resolution very public… it’s going *smoke free.*

The Harrison Roadhouse will officially make the move Thursday.

Just in time for it’s New Year’s day Bowl party for Michigan State University.

The operations manager says he’s been an opponent of the statewide smoking ban for a number of years and adds at this time…there’s enough people in the East Lansing area that want smoke-free dining.

All I can say is good for them.  We ate at Harrison Roadhouse back in the spring (review HERE) and really liked the place.  Going smoke free makes a second visit even more appealing.





Dinner Train Ending Run

31 12 2008

This is something else I thought was outdated.  I had no idea these dinner trains still ran yet this is the second one I’ve heard of in Michigan.  When we moved here, I found info on the Murder Mystery Dinner Train and tonight, J saw a story in the Detroit News about the Michigan Star Clipper making it’s last run.

After 24 years, the Michigan Star Clipper dinner train is making its last passenger run on New Year’s Eve before it embarks on plans to relocate to the East Coast in 2009.

Plans are also under way to sell the nine-mile-long rail line and eventually transfer the land to local communities, possibly for use in a trail network.

The Monday announcement by parent company Railmark Holdings Inc. has nothing to do with the dinner train’s derailment Friday because of icy roads and tracks, President and CEO B. Allen Brown said.

Anyone ever gone on one of these?  They sound cheesy to me, but I’m still a little curious.  Everytime I see these now I think of the King of the Hill episode when they went on a murder mystery for Peggy’s birthday and Luanne ruins it.  J loves King of the Hill 😉





More on New Year’s Eve….

31 12 2008

One station does a story on how places are struggling and another does a story on how everything’s ok.  Last night, WLAJ did this story on how places are targeting a little older for New Year’s.

Some local entertainment venues are finding success this New Year’s Eve… but often only with a certain audience.

Local hot spots have found the audience that is willing to spend for entertainment, even in this recession. The age sweet spot is somewhere between 25 and 45. 

“Occasionally we’ll see some older clientele come in, but the bulk of what we’re marketing for is that younger group… who seems to come out, not really afraid of what the current economy situation looks like,” says Patrick Wisema, manager at Club X-Cel in Lansing.

Eh.  Who cares.  Found out I’m not going out at all.  Barley’s is closing at 10 PM tonight.  10 PM!  On New Year’s!  Things must really be bad if bars are closing early.  So, J and I will spend New Year’s watching Dick Clark’s Rockin’ New Year’s Eve in the right time zone for the first time ever.  In the Central time zone, they play it live so the ball drops at 11:00 and then we’d turn to a Chicago station for a countdown to Midnight….this year, midnight in New York will actually be our Midnight…yay!