Another Local Restaurant Goes Smoke Free

20 02 2009

With a smoking ban looming, another local restaurant has decided to cut off smoking in the building.

Sammy’s Lounge on Jolly Road in Lansing has been a staple of the South side for 53 years. People could walk in without reservation and enjoy a meal, a drink, and yes, a smoke. That ended Thursday. Sammy’s went smoke-free in an effort to get ahead of the curve, as owner Mark Corey puts it. The curve being a statewide smoking ban.

I drove by Sammy’s today and the sign says the restaurant is smoke free, so I’m guessing the bar is not.  Either way, it’s a step in the right direction.





Texas Roadhouse – Lansing

19 02 2009
  • 208 E. Edgewood Blvd.
  • Lansing, MI 48911
  • (517) 887-8181
  • Website
  • Menu
Texas Roadhouse on Lansings south side

Texas Roadhouse on Lansing's south side

Finally!  Home!  I left Illinois this morning not knowing how long it was actually going to take me to get back to Lansing, but I hit things just right and didn’t see more than a few flurries on the way home.  Didn’t slow me down at all and I actually made it home before dinner.  Unfortunately, I haven’t been home in over a week, so there’s no food in the house.  I didn’t feel like going shopping, so I asked J if she wanted me to pick her up and we’d just go out for dinner.  We’re starting to run out of places to go on the south side of Lansing.  All that’s really left are a handful of chains.  I didn’t feel like thinking, so I suggested Texas Roadhouse.  I honestly don’t know if I’ve ever been to one before.  I always get Texas Roadhouse and Lonestar Steakhouse confused.  I know I’ve been to at least one Lonestar, but after that, it’s anybody’s guess.  This may well have been my first time at a Texas Roadhouse.

Texas Roadhouse is on Edgewood Boulevard near the Target and Sam’s Club.  We pulled up on a Thursday night and were really surprised by the number of cars in the parking lot.  Don’t let anyone tell you restaurants are struggling during these tough economic times.  I’m convinced no one knows how to cook anymore, so if they want a decent meal they HAVE to eat out.

We found a parking spot and went inside.  When J said we’d like a table for two in non-smoking, we were told there would be a little wait, so we made our way to the peanut barrel and starting eating.  I love places that put peanuts out.  I always eat too many though.

A few minutes later, the hostess said our table was ready and our waitress showed us the way.  The walk to our table went right by the kitchen, so the waitress grabbed a basket of rolls and some butter so we didn’t have to wait for it once we were seated.  J told me before we got there that she loved the butter at Texas Roadhouse.  How many places do you know of where someone actually craves the butter?  Once we were seated, I wanted to see what all the fuss was about, so I buttered up a roll.  I see know why she likes it so much.  It’s a cinnamon butter.  It was sooooo good.  After we polished off one basket of rolls, the waitress brought a second.  Uh-oh.  We’re going to fill up on rolls.  We polished that one off to and the waitress said she would come back with more, but we stopped her.  If she brought it, we would eat it and we didn’t need anymore…no matter how much we wanted it. Read the rest of this entry »





Press Release – Joan Bauer Introduces Smoke Free Bill

19 02 2009

I’m confused and it’s late, so I’m not going to dive into this as much as I should just yet.  Apparently, Rep Joan Bauer has introduced a Smoke Free Michigan Bill.  I thought there was already one introduced.  I’ll get to the bottom of it in the next couple days…or I know there’s a reader/commentor who will know what’s going on and fill me in.  The bill is HB 4341.  It was introduced on February 18 and referred to the Committee on Regulatory Reform.

 Campaign for Smokefree Air Reignites Legislative Effort To Make all Workplaces Smokefree

LANSING, Mich. – The battle for smokefree air continued today as Rep. Joan Bauer (D-Lansing) introduced House Bill 4341, an effort to make all workplaces in Michigan smokefree.

The Campaign for Smokefree Air supports Bauer’s bill, which would protect all Michigan workers from secondhand smoked exposure, including those at restaurants, bars and the three Detroit casinos. Bauer also is a leader in the newly formed Smokefree Air Caucus, a bipartisan, bicameral organization asking lawmakers to sign a pledge to work on smokefree legislation during this term.

“Michigan workers have waited long enough,” said Susan Schechter, CSA spokesperson and director of advocacy at the American Lung Association of Michigan. “We made progress last year, but not enough. It is time for measures such as Rep. Bauer’s bill to be passed and signed into law. Protecting the health of all workers needs to be a priority in the legislature.”

Smokefree legislation has received a groundswell of support lately, including in Gov. Granholm’s State of the State speech on Feb. 4 and from lawmakers who heard from constituents during the November 2008 election that this was an important issue to be resolved. Bauer is dedicated to the passing of smokefree legislation and hopes her fellow lawmakers will focus on the health of Michigan residents this term.

“Protecting all workers from inhaling secondhand smoke in order to bring home a paycheck is the priority here,” Bauer said. “No one should have to choose between their health and their job. As many as 2,400 Michigan residents die each year from secondhand smoke exposure. It is time for us to do our part in the legislature and protect our constituents.”

Polling sponsored by CSA in April 2005 and January 2008 consistently showed overwhelming support for smokefree workplaces across Michigan. In 2006, the U.S. Surgeon General released a report concluding that the only way to protect workers and residents from deadly secondhand smoke exposure is through comprehensive smokefree air laws. Currently, more than 30 states have adopted protective smokefree air laws.





Press Release – Bath Middle School Family Fun Night

19 02 2009

Got this from a press release.  Lots of restaurants participating…

On Friday, February 20, 2009, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., Bath Middle School will host a Family Fun Night. A silent auction, featuring themed baskets and a variety of items donated by area businesses, will go on throughout the event. Businesses donating silent auction items include: Stillwater Grill, The State Room Restaurant, The English Inn Restaurant & Pub, Mitchell’s Fish Market, Bravo Cucina Italina, Eagle Eye Athletic Club, Eagle Eye Golf Club, Hawk Hollow, Royal Scot, Powerhouse Gym, Caruso’s Candy & Ice Cream, Jimmy’s Pub, Playmakers, Munn Ice Arena, Dublin Square, Portrait Innovations, Burgdorf’s Winery, Michigan Athletic Club, McAlister’s Deli, Hair Plus, Caribbean Cabana Tanning, CMU Bookstore, DeWitt Family Golf Center, Cork & Bottle Winery LLC, Gringos, NCG Eastwood Cinemas, Lansing Lugnuts, Quiznos, The Teacher Store, Grand Traverse Pie Company, Jumpin’ Jax, Max & Erma’s, Johnny Rockets, Panera, Impression Five Science Center, The East Lansing Aquatic
Center, Abrams Planetarium, Douglas J Salon, B/A Florist, Hair and Body Elements.

Free activities include inflatable fun by Wacky Zone, interactions with crazy critters, a CSI lab activity, dancing with DJ J.D. Larner, karaoke, a game room, arts and crafts and cookie decorating. Student organizations are sponsoring several of these free activities. Pizza, pop, and baked goods will be available to purchase during the event. All proceeds from the event will be used to enhance the educational experience of Bath Middle School students.





How Much Caffeine is in Energy Drinks?

17 02 2009

You may not know right now, but Senator Michael Switalski (D-Roseville)  wants you to.

State Sen. Michael Switalski says a “caffeine race” is escalating in the marketplace. The Roseville Democrat wants to require the makers of Red Bull, 5-Hour Energy and other drinks to put caffeine content on their labels.the U.S. Food and Drug Administration generally oversees food and beverage labeling.

Switalski says the products are marketed toward youth, and parents need information to control children’s caffeine intake. The bill may not get far because

I don’t know about you, but even if they put a number on the can, I would have no idea what a lot or too much is.  Hell, for kids, it will probably just encourage them to buy more.  I can remember going for Jolt Cola when I was kid because it had more caffeine than Mt. Dew…it was kind of the cool thing to do.

The bill is SB 0230 and right now, it’s been referred to the Committee on Commerce and Tourism





Press Release – Hunt Morel Mushrooms In Petoskey Area

17 02 2009

Got this press release from the Petoskey Area Visitors Bureau…

49th ANNUAL MOREL MUSHROOM FESTIVAL
May 14 – 17, 2009

Boyne City, MI – The 49th Annual Morel Mushroom Festival will take place May 14-17 in Boyne City on beautiful Lake Charlevoix.

Come forage the woods in search of the rare morel mushrooms. If you’ve never hunted for these tasty treats, don’t worry – a guided practice hunt is one of the activities on Friday the 15th. And you don’t want to miss the Wine & Dine dinner sponsored by the Boyne Area Chamber of Commerce – mushrooms guaranteed!

The National Morel Mushroom Hunting Championship is held on Saturday the 16th as part of the festival. Here, hunters can win prizes in a variety of categories. There will also be a carnival with rides and games for the kids, mushroom seminars and the “Morel Taste” of Boyne where visitors can sample the best mushroom recipes from area restaurants and see cooking demonstrations from area chefs. Visit http://www.morelfest.com or contact the Boyne Area Chamber of Commerce at (231) 582-6222.





MBC To Make Kid Rock Craft Beer

17 02 2009

Thought this was a cool story from the Webberville based Michigan Brewing Company.

A brewer headquartered southeast of Lansing is getting a tax credit to produce a new line of beer for Kid Rock.

The tax credit for the Webberville-based Michigan Brewing Company was approved by the Michigan Economic Growth Authority. It’s valued at $722,957. The company plans to invest $7 million in the project, which is expected to create about 400 jobs in the state. 

The new line of beer should debut in the spring.  No style, name, or pricing has been decided yet.





Detroit Area Company Recalling Candy

16 02 2009

From the AP…

A Detroit-area candy store is recallingsome chocolate-covered peanuts because of salmonella fears.

Gayle’s Chocolates has stores in Royal Oak and at Detroit
Metropolitan Airport. Customers can return the product for a refund or destroy the box. The UPC number is 3447803065.

Gayle’s Chocolates of Royal Oak says it has no reports of
illnesses. But the peanuts used in 10-ounce boxes of sugar-free
chocolate-covered peanuts came from Lynchburg, Va.-based PeanutCorp. of America.

A salmonella outbreak has been traced to a processing plant in Blakely, Ga.





Rudino’s Pizza & Grinders Moving in to Art’s Pizza

14 02 2009

I just saw an ad posted on Craigslist for a new restaurant moving in to the former Art’s Pizza location at 8741 W Saginaw Hwy in Delta Township.  It looks like a chain out of North Carolina if it’s the same one.  Interviews for positions start next week, so I would expect the place to open up soon.  We do a lot of shopping out that way so we’ll definitely check it out soon.

On the web: Rudino’s Pizza & Grinders





Henry’s Hamburgers

12 02 2009
  • 1832 M-139
  • Benton Harbor, MI 49022
  • (269) 926-6757
  • Website
  • No Online Menu
The last remaining Henrys Hamburgers in Benton Harbor on a cold, rainy February night

The last remaining Henry's Hamburgers in Benton Harbor on a cold, rainy February night

Unfortunately, J and I had to make an unplanned trip home due to a family emergency.  After being back in Michigan for just three days, we loaded up and headed south again.  We left just before dinner, but at the time, weren’t even thinking about being hungry.  By the time we got to Kalamazoo, our belly’s started rumbling.  About a month ago, Corky left a message in comments about a place in Benton Harbor that we should try.  We were still about forty miles from Benton Harbor, but decided to stick it out and go in search of Henry’s Hamburgers.

Henry’s Hamburgers sits on M-139 not too far from the Orchard Mall.  According to this website, the Benton Harbor Henry’s is the last of a chain that was popular in the mid-20th century.  At one time, there were several locations in Michigan, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, New York, Missouri and Wisconsin.  There were even locations in Lansing on South Cedar Street and East Lansing on Michigan Avenue in the 60’s.

We pulled into Henry’s right at 7:00.  Whenever we travel to Illinois, I set my clock’s back to Central time before leaving, so when we pulled in and the doors were locked, I was a little confused.  The counter closes at 7:00 during the winter but the drive-thru stays open until 9:30.  My clock said it was only 6:00.  Stupid me, I had already forgotten I set the clock back.  Read the rest of this entry »