Darts in Michigan Bars

23 10 2008

This is just a curiosity thing on my part I’m hoping someone can help me with.  We’ve noticed at every bar we’ve been to in Michigan that they all have real dart boards with metal tip darts and chalkboards to keep score.  I’ve never seen that before.  In Illinois, all the bars have those big machines where you put a couple bucks in and the machine keeps track of your score for you….and you use the bars’ plastic darts.

So here are my questions….

  1. Is there a reason that I never see those soft tipped dart machines in Michigan?
  2. Do you have to bring your own darts to the bar?

Really, I like the metal darts better…it’s just not something I’ve seen before.


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Categories : Food News, Lansing, Michigan

Free Pizza for McCain Signs

23 10 2008

I don’t know how else you would think this would end….

A Warren pizzeria owner received threatening phone calls Wednesday after a political pizza deal went awry.

“They’ve been actually calling here and threatening my life,” said Salvatore’s Pizzeria owner Diana Franzoni, who previously offered free, small pizzas to anyone who turned in a McCain-Palin yard sign after the Republican senator closed his Michigan offices. “It’s just ridiculous. People have blown something completely innocent completely out of proportion.”

That’s not the best part of the story. 

“We put out a sign that said ‘McCain gave up on Michigan. Michigan should give up on McCain. Turn in your McCain lawn sign for one free, mini pizza with topping,’ ” she said.

Approximately 300 signs were turned in by young and old customers, but the promotion ended Tuesday when police visited the business after receiving complaints that some of the submitted signs were stolen.

Duh.  If I could get a free pizza for turning in a McCain sign, I would probably wait until it got dark and jack a few too.  Did the owner really think that die-hard Republicans would pull their signs up and give them to a pizzeria for a mini pizza? 

I love election season.  You always get the best (wierdest?) news stories.


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TGIFriday’s Abruptly Closes – UPDATED

16 10 2008

Got an e-mail in my inbox this morning saying TGIFriday’s on Saginaw closed abruptly last night.  Seems it was not their fault, but the Holiday Inn didn’t pay their taxes to the city, so the city shut them down.  I don’t know what it means for the hotel.  We were out there this morning and there were still quite a few cars in the parking lot, but the TGIFriday’s awnings and signs were gone.  Here’s a statement I got from TGIFriday’s corporate office.

 According to Amy Freshwater, vice president of communication and public relations for Carlson Restaurants Worldwide, parent of T.G.I. Friday’s, “Due to the non-payment of outstanding property taxes owed to the city by the Holiday Inn hotel property owner, the city advised us that they will involuntarily close and lock us out of the restaurant this week. Therefore, regretfully, at this time, we have been forced to close the restaurant located within the Holiday Inn at 7433 West Saginaw Highway in Lansing. This is an isolated closing, unrelated to the economy, and a unique situation where the restaurant was operated under a management contract with the owner. We will offer severance to our valued team members, who were impacted by the unfortunate actions of the hotel property owner. Lansing is a very important market for us, and we hope to bring Friday’s back to the community, at another location, in the future.

UPDATE – WILX went after the story and found out that the statement from TGIFriday’s may not be entirely true.  According to the Delta Township Finance Director (not the City of Lansing as the statement indicates), TGIFriday’s was not going to be forced out.  Anonymous employees also claim the business has been bouncing checks.  Check out the full story on WILX.com and kudos to Channel 10 for doing some digging and not accepting the corporate spin.


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Categories : Chains, Food News, Lansing, Reviews

Press Release – New Biggby Store

15 10 2008

From a press release….

BIGGBY COFFEE TO OPEN 24th GREATER LANSING LOCATION
Growing Hometown Brand Thriving Despite Economic Downturn

LANSING, Mich., October 15, 2008 – East-Lansing based BIGGBY COFFEE will open a new location in its hometown of Lansing on Tuesday, Oct 21st, across from Eastwood Town Center. The new store, located at 2250 Lake Lansing Road, marks the 24th greater Lansing location for the increasingly popular coffee retailer.

Long-time franchisee, Jane O’Connor, is the catalyst behind the new store, which is her fourth BIGGBY COFFEE location. O’Connor owns successful franchises in Okemos, Marshall and East Lansing.

“I’ve been with the Big ‘B’ a long time now, so I’m an oldie but a goodie,” said O’Connor, in reference to her first store opening in Okemos more than seven years ago, when just a few stores existed in the region. “The truth is, the brand has become a local legend before my very eyes, and that’s extremely fulfilling on a professional level. Of course, I’m a huge fan myself so I can’t wait to bring the experience to the residents of Groesbeck and the shoppers across the street at Eastwood.”

The store is open 6 a.m. – 9 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 7 a.m. – 9 p.m. on Sundays. Soft seating and free wireless access will be paired with a fun, inviting atmosphere—all standard options at BIGGBY COFFEE.

The new location marks the 104th for the rapidly expanding coffee retailer. BIGGBY COFFEE currently operates in eight states, and has another 66 locations under contract to open over the next 24 months.

The new Lansing store will bring nearly 20 new full-and part-time jobs to the area.


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Press Release – 11th Annual Finlandia Vodka Cup Regional

14 10 2008

From a press release….

MICHIGAN-AREA MIXOLOGISTS COMPETE FOR CHANCE TO
REPRESENT THE U.S. IN INTERNATIONAL FINALS

WHAT:
Michigan’s 11th Annual Finlandia Vodka Cup regional competition

WHO:
Master mixologists, media and guests

WHEN:
October 27
7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

WHERE:
Club 131 @ Harpers, 131 Albert Avenue, East Lansing

WHY:
The best mixologists in Michigan will compete for one-coveted spot in the U.S. Finlandia Shake Off on November 10 in Colorado Springs. The mixologist that wins the Shake Off will represent the U.S. in the 11th Annual International Finlandia Vodka Cup Finals in Finland in early February. During the Finals, the U.S. representative will compete against more than 25 bartenders from around the globe in Finlandia’s arctic homeland.


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Categories : East Lansing, Food News, Michigan

Press Release – Sonic open in Flint

10 10 2008

From a press release….I guess it’s a little closer to Lansing.

SONIC® Drive-In Opens Location in Flint

(Oklahoma City) – Flint residents now have a reason to stay in – stay in their cars that is. SONIC®, America’s Drive-In® today announced the opening of Flint’s first SONIC Drive-In, a restaurant where you order your meal and eat right from the comfort of your own vehicle.

“We are very excited to open a SONIC in Flint,” said Bill Wentworth, Jr., franchisee of the SONIC Drive-In. “We are looking forward to serving the community and delivering the fun Carhop service SONIC Drive-Ins are known for across the country.”

The Wentworth Group is the principal owner of the new SONIC located at 3140 Miller Road in Flint. The restaurant features 27 drive-in stalls, two walk-up ordering stations and a drive-thru.

The drive-in will open at 7 a.m. on Oct. 13 to serve customers a delicious breakfast. With the full menu available all day, customers can enjoy a Breakfast Burrito to start their morning or as a late night snack.

SONIC, which specializes in made-to-order fast food, is known for its specialty menu items and personal Carhop service. Unique drink combinations make SONIC Your Ultimate Drink Stop!® SONIC’s slow-melting ice, helps drinks stay cool and keeps them cooled longer while maintaining flavor. SONIC’s full menu is available all day, giving guests the option of eating breakfast for dinner or ordering a SONIC Blast in the morning. Favorites include TOASTER® Sandwiches (sandwiches served on thick Texas Toast), Extra-Long Cheese Coneys (hot dogs with chili and cheese), fresh hamburgers, handfresh-made Onion Rings, Tater Tots and a variety of Ffrozen Favorites® treats and Fountain Favorites® drinks. SONIC’s ever-growing menu is full of options to satisfy every taste, such as Fresh Fruit Smoothies.

SONIC, America’s Drive-In (NASDAQ/NM: SONC) started as a hamburger and root beer stand in 1953 in Shawnee, Okla., called Top Hat Drive-In, and then changed its name to SONIC in 1959. The first drive-in to adopt the SONIC name is still serving customers in Stillwater, Okla. As the nation’s largest chain of drive-in restaurants, SONIC has more than 3,400 drive-ins coast to coast. More than a million customers eat at SONIC every day; and with more drink combinations than any other quick-service restaurant – more than 168,000 to be exact – SONIC is Your Ultimate Drink Stop®. For more information about Sonic Corp. and its subsidiaries, visit SONIC at http://www.sonicdrivein.com.

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Categories : Chains, Flint, Food News, Michigan

Press Release – Claddagh Irish Pub Dedication Ceremony

9 10 2008

From a press release….

MEDIA ALERT

Claddagh Irish Pub Dedication Ceremony Friday
Owner from Ireland visits Lansing and shares heritage

What: Claddagh Irish Pub rededication ceremony and VIP party

Who: Local dignitaries including Lansing Township
Supervisor John Daher and Pat McDonagh, owner of Claddagh Irish Pubs

When: 3 -9 p.m. on Friday, October 10, 2008; Ceremony will take place at 3:30 p.m.

Where: Claddagh Irish Pub at Eastwood Towne Center

Why: To honor the grand reopening of Claddagh Irish Pub and to celebrate six “glorious” years in the Lansing location

Details: Claddagh Irish Pub is thanking its patrons by offering free tastos and live music from 7 p.m. to close: from 7-9 p.m. enjoy traditional Irish folk music; from 9 p.m.-2 a.m., local rock band The Jabs will take the stage. This event is part of Claddagh’s week-long “A Taste of Ireland” celebration.


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“Unwrapped” in West Michigan

9 10 2008

Just caught this article in the Grand Rapids Press.

A film crew from the Food Network showed up on Thursday to film the blueberry’s last hurrah for Marc Summers’ show, “Unwrapped.”

Producer Tammy Sorter and videographer Reid Riddell rolled into Holland to show their viewers how blueberries are picked, processed and sold.

At West Michigan Processing Co-op Inc. in Holland, the film crew captured assembly-line workers dumping the blueberries into a gigantic, rattling machine that cleans them with a disinfectant before they’re sorted by hand by a bevy of women, then packaged and labeled.

The segment probably won’t air until next spring.  I used to love Unwrapped.  I still watch it occasionally, but not as much anymore.  Still, cool to hear about a film crew coming to Michigan to shoot a segment.


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Categories : Food News, Holland, Michigan

Press Release – Bennigan’s and United Way Fundraiser

7 10 2008

From a press release.

Bennigan’s and United Way Team Up to Benefit Local Charities!

WHO: Capital Area United Way

     Special Guest Hosts and Bartenders including

     Mike Brown, President, Capital Area United Way (Okemos location, 11am – 1pm)

     Kelli Ellsworth-Etchinson, Vice President of Sales and Business Development, LAFCU  (W. Saginaw location, 11am – noon)

     Jessica Danou, Assistant Attorney General, State of Michigan (Okemos, 3pm – 4pm)

WHAT: Bennigan’s is “living united” by supporting the United Way’s annual fundraising campaign to meet the needs of the greater Lansing community.

WHEN: 11:00 a.m. – midnight

Thursday, October 9, 2008

WHERE: Bennigan’s Grill and Tavern

West Lansing Location Okemos Location

(On North side of M-43 2085 W. Grand River Ave.

between Canal & Creyts Rds) Okemos, MI 48864

718 Delta Commerce Dr. 517-349-2321

Lansing, MI 48917 517-349-6751 (fax)

517-327-0722

517-327-0839 (fax)

DETAILS: The United Way is making it easy and appetizing for Lansing residents to give back to their community. The Capital Area United Way will be hosting a fundraising event at two local Bennigan’s Grill and Tavern locations on Thursday, October 9th from 11:00 a.m. until close. Diners need only to present an event flyer, available at http://www.capitalareaunitedway.org, to their server and Bennigan’s will donate a percentage of the bill to the Capital Area United Way. The event will feature special guest hosts and bartenders.

A portion of each bill, including dine-in, to-go, curbside and party platter orders, will go to the Capital Area United Way’s Community Investment Fund. Donations will help support emergency assistance, youth development, job retention, and a variety of other critical services in the greater Lansing area.


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Press Release – $1 Butterburgers!!

30 09 2008

Just got this press release.  I’m pretty sure I know where I’ll be next Tuesday….

Prairie du Sac, WI (Grassroots Newswire) — Yes, the rumors are true, the juicy, mouth-watering Butterburger™, made famous by Culver’s® Restaurants, is available on Tuesday, Oct. 7, for just $1.

The $1 ButterBurger celebration will take place at more than 380 participating Culver’s restaurants in 18 states. Every order can include up to five single ButterBurgers, with the guest’s choice of condiments, for the special one-day only price.

As part of Culver’s 2008 Custard Election (Sept. 29 – Oct. 19), an in-store and online voting campaign to select your favorite Democrat or Republican sundae candidate, Culver’s Restaurants are attempting to “buy votes” by driving voter traffic in-store with the second annual $1 ButterBurger guest appreciation day.

Culver’s signature sandwich, the ButterBurger, is made from fresh, never frozen 100 percent U.S. beef raised predominantly in the heartland of America, seared on a hot grill and served on a buttered, lightly toasted bun.

Please join us Oct. 7 at participating Culver’s Restaurants. Interviews with local franchise partners are available.

WHO: Culver’s Restaurant

WHAT: $1 ButterBurger Customer Appreciation Day

WHEN: Tuesday, October 7, 2008

WHERE: Participating Culver’s locations


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Categories : Chains, Food News, Michigan, Press Releases, Restaurant

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