Press Release – Festival of The Sun 10th Anniversary

19 05 2009

From an Old Town Commercial Association press release…..

OLD TOWN FESTIVAL CELEBRATES TEN YEAR ANNIVERSARY­­­­­­­­­­­
The Festival of the Sun celebrates ten years in Old Town

OLD TOWN, LANSING, Mich.. – As the days grow longer and the weather warms, the count down to the Festival of the Moon and Sun is getting shorter! Celebrating a decade of fun, these festivals welcome the summer solstice in a unique and exciting way.

This year marks the tenth anniversary of the Old Town Commercial Association (OTCA) Festival of the Sun. For the past decade, Festival of the Sun and, more recently Festival of the Moon, has brought together friends, families, and neighbors from all over Michigan to the heart of Old Town. Celebrating the beginning of the summer season, revelers take part in Mid-Michigan’s premier wine, beer, and food sampling event and enjoy live music throughout the weekend.

“Old Town and the Festival of the Sun have both grown tremendously over the past ten years. A couple years ago the OTCA launched the Festival of the Moon and just last year, the Festival of the Sun expanded – almost doubling in size – to accommodate the large crowds. It’s so exciting to see these festivals continue to grow, attracting more people to Old Town and raising money to continue the revitalization efforts,” said past Festival Director Shannon Rolley.

Festival of the Moon will be held on Friday, June 26th from 6-11 p.m. This year’s festival continues the tradition of offering Bell’s Beer on tap and will include music by Thriving Ivory, Suburban Euphoria, and Alco. Attendees will receive a keep sake beer tumbler to use while sipping on select Bell’s Beers.

Festival of the Sun will be held on Saturday, June 27th from 2-10 p.m. Vistitors will be able to taste wine and food from all over Michigan and dance the day away to music provided by Ritmo, The Dewaynes, The Lash, and Hot Club of Lansing on the main stage or relax with a drink by the acoustic stage with music by The Pantones, Nervous but Excited, and Daughters of New Grass. Tickets include a complimentary “throw back” wine glass with designs from the past ten years.

For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit www.festivalofthesun.com or www.festivalofthemoon.com or stop by the OTCA office on Turner St. and Grand River.


Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: , , , , ,
Categories : Lansing, Michigan, Old Town, Press Releases

Press Release – Taste of Creole Dinner

15 05 2009

From a Williamston Area Chamber of Commerce press release….

A Taste of Creole Dinner, 6/25/09, Williamston. The Williamston Community Library Foundation (WCLF) presents its 4th annual “Taste of the World” fundraising dinner. Thursday, June 25, 2009, at 7 pm, under a tent at 226 & 304 W. Grand River Ave. (site of the future library). Featuring Creole cuisine, catered by Gumbo & Jazz. Entertainment, silent auction, lots of fun! $35 adult, $15 children. Tickets available at the Williamston Library (201 School Street), Independent Bank of Williamston (1245 W. Grand River Rd.), or by calling 517-655-5140 or 517-655-1047.

Funds will go toward building Williamston a much needed, adequate library. Ask to see the architect’s drawings. WCLF is a 501(c)(3). www.wclf.info


Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: , , , ,
Categories : Press Releases, Williamston

Press Release – Anti-Smoking Ban Website

14 05 2009

So the anti-smoking ban lobby takes a new tactic…at least new to me.  They’re claiming jobs will be lost near Indian casinos.  Again, I would say Prove it!  There are bars in border towns of smoke free states all over the country that butt up to a state that have yet to ban smoking.  How is that different from tribal land?  The website focuses on alcohol sales, but what it fails to take in to consideration, is overall profit.  They fail to mention if profits rise or fall after a ban for a business…they only focus on alcohol.  From a  Michigan License Beverage Association press release…

Anti-Smoking Ban Website Launched to Help Save Michigan Jobs

BanMiSmokingBan.com reveals untold story of smoking bans

LANSING, Mich. — A new website – www.BanMiSmokingBan.com – was launched today to highlight the unpublicized and damaging economic effect a smoking ban would have on Michigan businesses.

The website, launched by the Michigan Licensed Beverage Association (MLBA), includes current research on the economic effects of smoking bans, recent news coverage and economic forecasts on the effect a proposed smoking ban could have on Michigan businesses and their workers.

“This website is an important way to deliver the message that 750 businesses and 7,500 workers will be kicked to the curb if lawmakers enact a smoking ban in Michigan,” said Lance Binoniemi, executive director of the Michigan Licensed Beverage Association. “Some proponents of a smoking ban have worked hard to drown out the voices that will actually be affected by this legislation. That needs to change – and now.”

Bar and restaurant workers across Michigan continue to be outraged by the ongoing debate over whether Michigan should adopt a statewide smoking ban at a time when the state leads the nation with a 12 percent unemployment rate.

“Jobs are tough enough to come by in Michigan and anything that is going to cost me my customers and maybe my job should be an easy no vote for Lawmakers,” said Jamie Beachum, bartender at Dublin Square Irish Pub in East Lansing.

The hospitality industry is one of Michigan’s largest employers, providing hundreds of thousands of food-service careers and millions of dollars in payroll and business taxes to the state. Currently, more than 5,500 businesses in Michigan’s hospitality industry have already made the decision to go smoke-free – without any state mandates.

“Ask anyone in Michigan what our state needs and they will say more jobs,” said Binoniemi. “That’s why Michigan bar and restaurant owners and employees can’t understand why lawmakers would even think of passing a law that is proven to cost jobs in our industry. It just doesn’t make sense.”


Comments : 2 Comments »
Tags: , , ,
Categories : Politics, Press Releases

Press Release – Menna’s Joint Grand Opening

12 05 2009

It’s not a new one…it’s a grand opening for the downtown Lansing location that opened in October (and I reviewed in November.)  From a Lansing Principal Shopping District press release….

Grand Opening of Menna’s Joint in Downtown Lansing

(LANSING) –Mayor Virg Bernero will join Lansing’s Principal Shopping District (PSD) for a
Grand Opening celebration of Menna’s Joint, 208 S. Washington Sq. at 11:00 a.m. on
Wednesday, May 13 in downtown Lansing.

Menna’s Joint is a chain of fun, classic food joints steeped in youthful irreverence that are
managed by students for students and the young at heart, presenting an exciting new spin on fast
food.

Hank Andries, owner, opened his first Lansing location on October 10, 2008. The new S.
Washington Square quick service restaurant is his fifth. Other store locations include two in East
Lansing, one in Kalamazoo and one in Mt. Pleasant.


Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: , , ,
Categories : Lansing, Michigan, Press Releases

Press Release – Cafe Grand Opening In Jackson

8 05 2009

First rule of sending a press release…complete address.  I figured it out because it came from the Greater Jackson Chamber of Commerce, but not everyone is going to take the time to put 2-and-2 together. 

Join in celebrating the Grand Opening of Wildwood Café with Frank and Jill Page, Monday, May 11th at 11:30am. 

Wildwood Café is located 2615 Wildwood Ave.  Patrons can enjoy a cozy smoke free environment with artwork from local artisans.

The Wildwood Café is open Monday – Saturday 7am-2:30pm and Sunday from 8am-2pm.  Menu selections include unique omelet’s, “the best club sandwich in town”, home-made soups, fresh baked pie and daily specials. Order breakfast or lunch anytime.  Carry-out orders welcome.


Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: , , , ,
Categories : Jackson, Michigan, Press Releases

Press Release – Win an Ice Cream Shop

6 05 2009

From a press release….

Sparkles on Cars and Sprinkles on Cones: Michigan Business
owners giving away their Car Wash & Ice Cream Store

Hillsdale, MI (MMD Newswire) May 6, 2009 — An uncertain economy
brings out the creativity in business owners… it means entrepreneurs
need to find interesting new ways to start their businesses, and
unusual new ways to make their businesses succeed. A Michigan
family has built up a pair of successful businesses over the last 15
years with the Vanity Car Wash and Ice Cream store in Hillsdale.
And now in a creative twist, they’re looking to simply hand the keys
to their businesses over to a lucky new owner.

If you’ve always wanted to own your own business, if you have an
interest in helping customers put a sparkle on their car or some
sprinkles on their cone, this could be your “golden” opportunity to
make your dreams come true.

The owners of these two established businesses, located together
across from the County Fairgrounds in Hillsdale Michigan, are
currently selling 6,000 numbered sets of “Express Keys” for $100.00
each. The electronic keys can be used by the key-holder to get
$100.00 worth of car washes and vacuuming services at the
business. Read the rest of this entry »


Comments : 2 Comments »
Tags: , ,
Categories : Food News, Michigan, Press Releases

Press Release – Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive This Weekend

5 05 2009

From a USPS press release……

WASHINGTON — This coming Mother’s Day, make Mom proud. Join thousands of postal carriers and millions of Americans in participating in the nation’s largest, one-day food drive, this Saturday, May 9.

The U.S. Postal Service proudly joins the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) and Campbell Soup Company to support the NALC Stamp Out Hunger National Food Drive, designed for people to help those in need right in their own city or town.

Show Mom some love by donating non-perishable food to help some 35.5 million people, including 12 million children, who face hunger every day in America. The process to donate is simple: Put non-perishable food items in a bag and place it by your mailbox. Your letter carrier will pick it up and deliver it to local food banks.

“This Stamp Out Hunger drive is a tradition entering its 17th year,” said Postmaster General John E. Potter. “The generosity of our customers has filled food banks and pantries all across the nation. Our employees will further demonstrate their powerful reach into each of their communities and how our assistance helps those in need.”

Letter carriers in more than 10,000 cities and towns across America will deliver much more than mail when they walk and drive along their postal routes to collect food donations for distribution to community banks and pantries throughout the country. Nearly 1,500 local NALC branches in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam and the Virgin Islands are involved in the drive.

To promote this year’s drive, the Postal Service’s Priority Mail and Campbell Soup co-sponsored the printing of 130 million postcards encouraging the public’s participation. Public service announcements featuring movie and television stars David Arquette and Courteney Cox, as well as the Harlem Globetrotters, are being made available throughout the country. Valpak Direct Marketing Systems is focusing 40 million of its envelopes on encouraging food donations and Valassis is promoting the drive with 85 million of its mail-delivered Red Plum wraps.

Other co-sponsors of the drive are Feeding America, formerly known as America’s Second Harvest, the nation’s food bank network; the United Way of America and its local United Ways; and the AFL-CIO.

In 2008, NALC members, with the assistance of rural letter carriers, other postal employees and numerous other volunteers, collected 73,113,915 pounds of food for the needy from postal customers. That brought the total for the first 16 years of conducting the drive to nearly one billion pounds of food.


Comments : 1 Comment »
Tags: , , ,
Categories : Press Releases

Press Release – See Disney’s “Earth” For Free

5 05 2009

From a Salvation Army press release…

The Salvation Army, WMMQ and Celebration Cinema are working together to collect canned goods for the needy.

On Saturday, May 9, 2009 from 11:00am-5:59pm, every adult or child who brings in a box or bag of canned goods or non-perishable food items to Celebration Cinema will get free admission to see The Disney movie, “EARTH” as well as an additional 1.50 off any STAR TREK matinee.


Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: , , , , , ,
Categories : Lansing, Michigan, Press Releases

Press Release – Don’s Windmill Truckstop Closing

27 04 2009

I heard a while ago this might happen.  Still, a sad day.  Don’s was one of the first restaurants that was recommended to J and I when we moved here.  The restaurant will close Friday.  From a press release…..

DON’S THANKS VISITORS FOR 54 YEARS OF BUSINESS

Dimondale, MI – (April 27, 2009) Don’s Windmill Truck Stop of Dimondale announced today that it will close its doors after its 54 year run as travelers’ one-stop-shop. Don’s Windmill Family Restaurant started in 1955 as a ten tables diner named after the late Donald Millisor, who passed summer of 2006. Don and his wife Shirley saw their business grow rapidly as the Interstate-96 and Interstate-69 was built around Lansing, and their customer-base became predominately truck drivers and travelers. The 24 hours restaurant/travel center/fuel station today services hundreds of truckers and travelers a week, as well as many locals.

Due to the failing Michigan economy and the current U.S. recession the third and forth generation family business has no choice but to shut down operations. The Windmill Restaurant, which has become known for its friendly service and its delicious breakfast buffets, will close Friday, May 1, 2009 as well as the Diesel Center. The Travel Center and Gas Station will remain open until the business completes final closing procedures.

According General Manager, Daniel Millisor, son of Don and Shirley, “Our family is heartbroken to have to close the family Business. It has been a vital part of our entire lives, as well as a local icon to our many loyal customers”

The Millisor Family would like to thank their valued employees, many of them who have served the business for as long as 45 years. The family would also like to recognize the number of loyal customers who have been the heart of keeping the business open for 54 years. It’s disappointing to the community to see another ‘mom n’ pops’ business come to an end, but the years of memories it holds will not be forgotten.

Don’s Windmill would like to announce an invitation to everyone for one last meal at the nostalgic diner. Whether its the first time or the 10,000th time, come in for homemade soups and pies, all-you-can-eat spaghetti and meatballs, super-sized chopped steak dinner, build-your-own omelet, hot biscuits and gravy, or come in to finally conquer the one pound Monster Burger!
 


Comments : 2 Comments »
Tags: , , , ,
Categories : Dimondale, Food News, Michigan, Press Releases

Press Release – MLBA Uses Nevada Law to Make Point

23 04 2009

Should we blame the lack of auto sales on a smoking ban too?  Should we blame foreclosures on the smoking ban?  Everyone is losing business right now and it’s not because of a smoking ban.   I don’t agree with the following press release, but it is worth discussion.

From a Michgan Licensed Beverage Association….

Michigan Bars and Restaurants Point

to New Trend on Smoking Bans

Nevada Senate’s recent vote shows economic impact too much for some states

 LANSING, Mich. — Nevada lawmakers did an about-face late last week introducing legislation that modifies Nevada’s 2007 Clean Indoor Air Act to allow smoking in taverns that restrict patrons under the age of 21.  

The vote was a direct result of Nevada’s struggling hospitality industry – 21,000 jobs lost in the past year – and a 30 percent drop-off in video poker gaming revenues, which account for a significant source of revenue for the state.

“Michigan lawmakers should take a good look at what Nevada lawmakers are going through right now to try to save their hospitality industry,” said Lance Binoniemi, executive director of the Michigan Licensed Beverage Association (MLBA). “We have clearly stated any smoking ban will directly threaten at least 7,500 Michigan jobs and we will continue to fight to keep these jobs safe.”  

According to the Nevada Tavern Owners Association, gaming revenues plummeted due to patrons leaving to gamble at local casinos, which were exempt from Nevada’s smoking ban.

According to the Michigan Bureau of State Lottery 2008 annual report, bar games (Club Keno and Pull Tabs) accounted for 23 percent of total ticket sales or $564 million. More than 31 percent of total ticket sales are designated for the state’s School Aid Fund.

“Nevada’s situation is a perfect example of the economic damage that could happen in Michigan if any smoking ban is passed,” said Binoniemi. “With double-digit unemployment and our hospitality industry already struggling, passing a law that is proven to close businesses and cost jobs is unjustifiable.”

Testifying in front of the House Regulatory Reform Committee last month, casino officials estimated a statewide smoking ban that included casinos would result in a 22 percent drop in gaming, resulting in 400 immediate jobs lost. This testimony came one week after the MLBA testified that any Michigan smoking ban would threaten at least 7,500 hospitality jobs


Comments : 3 Comments »
Tags: , , ,
Categories : Michigan, Politics, Press Releases

« Previous Entries Next Entries »