Press Release – Old Town Oktoberfest Looking for Volunteers

17 09 2009

From an Old Town Commercial Association press release….

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR OLD TOWN OKTOBERFEST!
­­­­­­­­­Be a part of Mid-Michigan’s only authentic German festival and lend a helping hand to Old Town

OLD TOWN, LANSING, Mich. – The leaves are changing, the air is getting crisp, and in Old Town, Lansing, that means the Old Town Commercial Association (OTCA) is planning the 2009 Oktoberfest.

Don’t miss out on a chance to be a part of Mid-Michigan’s only authentic German Oktoberfest, filled with music, great eats, and of course, German beer! The OTCA has more than 4,000 volunteers who help us make events like Oktoberfest a success, and allow Old Town to continue to thrive and grow as Lansing’s official arts district.

The OTCA needs YOU (and your friends) to help make this year’s Old Town Oktoberfest the best it can be through volunteering for one (or many) slots during the festival. Below are the time slots for the festival, which is on Friday, October 9th and Saturday, October 10th this year.

Volunteer slots on Friday, October 9, 2009 run from 5:30 p.m. – 8:15 p.m. and 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. On Saturday, October 10, 2009, the volunteer shifts run from 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., 4:15 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., and 7:15 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Volunteers receive a unique Old Town Oktoberfest volunteer t-shirt and a discounted ticket in to the festival after their shift has been completed. Volunteers working more than two consecutive shifts may receive food voucher tickets.

Old Town Oktoberfest is an annual fund raiser that helps to fund the continued revitalization of Old Town, Lansing. All proceeds directly benefit the OTCA and its efforts. Old Town Oktoberfest would not be possible without great volunteers!

To sign up as a volunteer, contact Chad at chad@oldtownmainstreet.org or call the office at 517.485.4283. There will be a Volunteer Party held at Spiral Nightclub in Old Town, Lansing on Wednesday, October 7, 2009 from 6-8p.m. where volunteers will learn about their duties, receive their t-shirts, and have an opportunity to mingle over appetizers.

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Categories : Lansing, Michigan, Old Town, Press Releases

MBC

17 09 2009
  • 402 S. Washington Square
  • Lansing, MI 48933
  • (517) 977-1349
  • Website
  • Menu
MBC on Washington Square in downtown Lansing.

MBC on Washington Square in downtown Lansing.

The wait is over.  The Michigan Brewing Company put the “Coming Soon” sign on their building in downtown Lansing over a year ago.  I would drive  by every now and then to see if there was any progress.  I would periodically send e-mails to the marketing department in Webberville to see if they would give me anything, but never could get a solid answer.  All of a sudden, a few weeks ago, I saw a Tweet from Lansing PSD that MBC was opening.

The plan all along was to run some errands this morning then head downtown for lunch.  Of course, City Pulse beat me to the punch with an article in this week’s edition. 

MBC is near the corner of Washington Square and Kalamazoo Street.  The parking available is in front of the building in angled street parking.  There are a few spaces directly in front of the building, but more than likely, you’ll have to park and walk.  Not a big deal as there is plenty of parking spaces along Washington Square.

The building is dominated by windows that let in a lot of natural light.  When you first walk in, there’s a little lounge area off to the left with comfy red chairs and some bar stools.  Right in front of you is a hostess station that divides the remaining space into two distinct areas.  On the left is the bar area.  They have a beautiful bar along the far left wall as well as a couple pub tables.  The chairs at these pub tables are made of wood and have a ring around the bottom that looks like it was once part of a wooden barrel.  The rest of the bar area is filled in with regular tables that run along a half wall that separates the bar from the dining room.  The whole space has a somewhat industrial feel to it with high ceilings and low ambient lighting.  A majority of the light comes from the natural light that floods in through the large windows that make up the facade. Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : Brew Pub, Burgers, Downtown, Lansing, Michigan, Restaurant, Reviews, Sandwiches

Press Release – Old Town Pesto Contest

3 09 2009

From an Old Town Commercial Association press release…

OLD TOWN, LANSING, Mich. – Celebrate the summer with this delicious & entertaining fundraiser. On September 13th from 2p.m to 6 p.m., Perspective2 is working with the Old Town Commercial Association (OTCA) to host this unique event that will name Lansing’s premier pesto while raising money for the continued revitalization of the Old Town neighborhood.

Perspective2 will host more than 12 select food vendors while they showcase their special Pesto dishes. Guests will have the opportunity to sample dishes while sipping wine and specialty beers to the sounds of light jazz by Mike Bass.

Participants have a unique opportunity to compete and showcase their business and delicious food to a wide audience, and to support the great festivals and community outreach programs directed by the OTCA. Selected vendors will be competing for the best pesto dish as well as the top three prizes of $100, $75, and $50 along with a 2009 Old Town Pesto Contesto plaque. There are a variety of vendors attending: Mama Bear’s, The Chrome Cat, Hattie’s Kitchen, and Grand Café will be joined in Old Town by Beggar’s Banquet, Gumbo & Jazz, Jazzy’s & Mrs. B’s Catering Co., and Dusty’s Cellar for the pesto cook-off. Judging will be done by the event’s guests and the winner will be chosen based on food tickets collected. The winner will be announced at 5:30 p.m. with awards being given to the top three people’s choice dishes.

Pesto Contesto tickets are $15 each and include tickets for three pesto samples and one drink. This event is a fundraiser for the OTCA as they continue their mission of economic development and historic preservation through community participation. This event is made possible by our generous sponsors, including, Allegra Printing, Capital Imaging, Ciesa Designs, MIentertainment.biz, and Fairchild, Lebel & Rice, PC,.

 For ticket information or participate as one of the competing restaurants, contact Perspective2 at 517.853.5880 or the OTCA office at 517.485.4283.


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Categories : Lansing, Michigan, Old Town, Press Releases

Press Release – New City Market Taking Shape

2 09 2009

From a City of Lansing press release…

New Lansing City Market Riseson Downtown Riverfront
First Steel Beams to be Erected for New $1.6 Million Facility

(LANSING) – Mayor Virg Bernero and Interim LEPFA President/CEO Scott Keith will be on hand tomorrow for the raising of the first steel beams in the construction of the new Lansing City Market on the Grand River in downtown Lansing.

The new market is expected to be completed in late November and market vendors are anticipated to move into the new structure shortly thereafter. The $1.6 million project is a key centerpiece of the “extreme makeover” currently underway along both sides of the river from Michigan Avenue to Shiawassee Street.

WHO: Mayor Virg Bernero, LEPFA Interim President/CEO Scott Keith, LEPFA Board Chair James Butler III, representatives of Studio Intrigue (Project Architects), Kares Construction (Project Contractor) and other local officials.

WHAT: Beam Raising for the New Lansing City Market

WHERE: Cedar Street just south of Shiawassee (parking available in current City Market lot or at Lansing Center)

WHEN: Thursday, September 3, 2009 at 11:30 a.m.


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Learn To Can Your Own Salsa

31 08 2009

I’ve tried making my own salsa a few times and it’s never come out very good.  Not sure what I’m doing wrong, but this workshop being put on by The Garden Project sounds like a good idea.  From a Greater Lansing Food Bank press release…

Learn How to Can Your Own Salsa 

August 31, 2009—The Garden Project, a program of the Greater Lansing Food Bank, welcomes you to learn how to make and can your own homemade salsa at our hands-on SalsaFest workshop. Topics covered include proper preparation and an overview of the canning process. Space is limited—call The Garden Project at (517) 887-4660 to sign up. SalsaFest 2009 is this Thursday, September 3rd at 6:00 p.m. at the Garden Project Resource Center. Call for more info.

 


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Qdoba Mexican Grill – Delta Township

30 08 2009
  • 5415 W. Saginaw Highway
  • Lansing, MI 48917
  • (517) 977-0063
  • Website
  • Menu
Qdoba Mexican Grill on Saginaw Highway in Delta Township

Qdoba Mexican Grill on Saginaw Highway in Delta Township

I don’t think I need to tell you about our shopping patterns again….do I?  Of course, we were out in Delta Township and it was lunch time.  We weren’t in the mood to hunt out a sit down place and McDonald’s didn’t sound good either. 

I remember seeing a few months ago that Qdoba was moving into the space that used to be a Ya-Ya’s Chicken.  That was a while ago, so I assumed it was open. 

I’ve only eaten at Qdoba once in my life.  I used to work with a woman that loved it.  She would have lived inside Qdoba if they would have let her.  The closest one to us was forty minutes away, but if we were ever anywhere near it, I would have to take her for a burrito.  Only once did I actually eat lunch with her.  I wasn’t impressed, but I wasn’t turned off either. 

The newest Qdoba in the Lansing area is on Saginaw Highway across from the Lansing Mall.  Parking around the building isn’t great.  The entrance is actually on the side of the building and there are a few angled parking spots there.  If there’s a lot of traffic in the area of that strip mall, finding a close spot could be a challenge. 

The restaurant is set up sort of like a Subway.  There’s a counter where you order and it’s put together right in front of you.  I don’t like rice and it seems like all fast food Mexican likes to use rice filler.  Qdoba is no different.  That limits the options for me.  There were some things that sounded good, but I had a feeling it would be 90 percent rice and 10 percent meat.  Instead, I ordered three tacos.  Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : Chains, Fast Food, Lansing, Mexican, Michigan, Restaurant, Reviews

Fresh Fish & Fry

16 08 2009
  • 3140 S. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.
  • Lansing, MI 48910
  • (517) 882-7007
  • No Known Website
  • Menu
Fresh Fish & Fry on S. MLK, Jr. Blvd in Lansing.

Fresh Fish & Fry on S. MLK, Jr. Blvd in Lansing.

Another Sunday.  Another day at work.  That’s been pretty much my whole summer.  I’ve been without J this weekend.  She was back in Chicago for her wedding shower.  I was originally supposed to at least go back to Chicago with her, but I got some work, so I stayed here.  That means I was on my own for dinner. 

Sometime in the past, I saw an article in City Pulse about the best wings in town (sorry, I haven’t had any luck finding the article in their archives).  For some reason, I thought it was best Buffalo wing, but I guess they just did best wing and mixed both Buffalo wings and regular chicken wings.  Still, chicken’s chicken and it doesn’t really matter to me if it has hot sauce on it. 

Fresh Fish & Fry is on South Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard right in front of the Logan Square shopping center.  It’s a small joint, but it was packed on the Sunday evening I was in there.  There were a couple of tables stuffed into the corner, but they seem to be more for waiting than actually eating at.  There were a couple other people waiting for their food when I got there and there were two guys on the phone taking orders from a constantly ringing phone.  Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : Chicken, Deep Fried Food, Lansing, Local Flavor, Michigan, Restaurant, Reviews

Cottage Inn Pizza – Washington Square

10 08 2009
  • 303 S. Washington Square
  • Lansing, MI 48933
  • (517) 267-9000
  • Website
  • Menu
Cottage Inn Pizza on Washington Square in downtown Lansing.

Cottage Inn Pizza on Washington Square in downtown Lansing.

Long baseball games make me hungry.  I was at the Saturday night beating the Lugnuts took at the hands of the Dayton Dragons and by the time the game finally ended, I was craving pizza.  J was at home and hadn’t eat yet either.  She texted me to see what I was going to do and I told her to call for pizza.

Cottage Inn has several locations in Lansing and the surrounding area.  We usually order from the one in Holt because it’s closest to our place, but it was my turn to buy dinner.  Had J ordered from Holt, she would have had to buy, so I told her to call the downtown location and I’d just pick it up on my way home.

The Washington Square location sits near the corner of Washington Square and Washtenaw Street.  It’s a small building, but they actually have a little bit of seating in the front of the store.  They serve pizza by the slice and actually had some in the rotating glass case at 10:30 at night.  I’ve always wondered about that when I drive by after baseball games.  I guess it was Saturday night and they probably do a decent business from the bars with the slices. 

J ordered the pizza at 10:25.  When I got there at 10:45, the pizza wasn’t ready.  We had ordered a large thin crust that was half cheese and half all meat.  We also got an order of Cinnamon Stix. The Cinnamon Stix were on the rack ready to go, but the clerk told me they hadn’t put the pizza in yet, so I had to sit there for the ten minutes or so while the pizza cooked.  It was made, it just hadn’t been put in.  Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : Chains, Downtown, Lansing, Michigan, Pizza

Smokey Bones Barbeque & Grill

10 08 2009
  • 2401 Lake Lansing Road
  • Lansing, MI 48912
  • (517) 316-9973
  • Website
  • Menu
Smokey Bones Barbeque and Grill on Lake Lansing Road in Lansing.

Smokey Bones Barbeque and Grill on Lake Lansing Road in Lansing.

My curiosity finally won out.  Is it possible for a large chain restaurant to make good BBQ?  I’ve tried in the past.  I’ve eaten at a Corky’s franchise hoping for the best, but leaving feeling disappointed.  In my experience, the best BBQ joints are always locally owned, they smoke on site, and they serve Memphis style BBQ. 

Saturday was a pretty crappy day.  J and I both overslept due to the rain.  Our bedroom looked dark all morning and neither of us were motivated enough to actually look at a clock to see what time it was.  When we did finally roll out of bed, we started our Saturday ritual of debating eateries and activities to fill our afternoon before I had to go to work.  I had the BBQ craving and J had a GAP Rewards card, so Eastwood Towne Center seemed like the best option.

Smokey Bones Barbeque & Grill is just off of Lake Lansing Road in front of the Eastwood Towne Centre near the other chain restaurants that dominate the area.  It was a miserable rainy day when we pulled into the parking lot and fortunately, we found a parking spot near the door.  The main entrance does not face Lake Lansing Road like you’d expect it to.  It actually faces the access road for the mall.  Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : BBQ, Chains, Lansing, Michigan, Restaurant, Reviews, Sandwiches

Press Release – Grub Crawl

7 08 2009

Sounds like a cool event.  It’s a weeknight though so J and I won’t be able to go.  From a LSJ Media press release (sorry about the formatting.  I got the release in a .doc file so I did my best to copy and paste)….

A Capitol Affair Grub Crawl
Get acquainted or re-acquaintedwith the Eastwood Towne Center for eats and drinks! Join us for the second Lansing Grub Crawl.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009
5 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Pre-sale: $20 per person; $35 per couple
Night of: $25 per person; $40 per couple
Tickets available for purchase at LansingChamber.org;
or, by calling 517-853-6455 Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : Lansing, Michigan, Press Releases

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