Common Ground Festival

11 07 2008
  • N. Grand Ave. & Saginaw St.
  • Lansing, MI 48933
  • (517) 267-1502
  • Website

When I moved to Lansing three months ago, everyone kept saying, “You have to go to Common Ground.”  The Thursday night line-up offered three artists I really like, so I got my first taste of what Common Ground is all about.  I have to say, I was impressed.  It was a great atmosphere.  There was a lot to do and the music was fantastic.  I spent most of the night over at the West Main Stage where Julianne Hough, James Otto, and Kellie Pickler were performing.

I became a fan of Hough the same way most guys have.  I actually started watching Dancing With The Stars the year Hough became one of the dancers.  My girlfriend, who wasn’t my girlfriend at the time, loved the show and it gave us something to talk about.  That year, she danced with Apollo Anton Ono who I’ve never been a fan of, but I rooted for them all season long.  She was just fun to watch and had such a great Read the rest of this entry »





East Lansing Coffee Shop Set to Open 100th Store

10 07 2008

East Lansing’s own Biggby Coffee is gearing up for the grand opening of it’s 100th store.  The grand opening of the Biggby Coffee in Bloomfield will be next Tuesday, July 15th.  As an added bonus, the 100th customer at every Biggby store will get a free cup of coffee.Biggby Coffee

How crazy is it that a small coffee shop from East Lansing is expanding and competing in a market that was flooded with specialty coffee shops?  There’s a funny story on Bob Fish’s (CEO and Co-Founder) blog about a store in Davison that just opened and the next day, the McDonald’s across the street gave away free coffee. 

The company is not planning on stopping at 100.  According to the State News, they plan to double their franchises every two years with a planned 250 by 2010.

Biggby Coffee plans to open 73 more stores in the next two years, and to have more than 250 stores by 2010. Read the rest of this entry »





Food Pantry Cancels Visit Due to Lack of Food

9 07 2008

I’ve been reading a lot of these types of stories of the last few days.  Food Pantries are hurting because demand is up and donations are down.  The LSJ did a story today on a mobile food pantry cancelling a visit to Owosso because of lack of food.

The Mid-Michigan Food Bank, operated by the Mid-Michigan Chapter of the American Red Cross, has canceled a mobile food pantry visit to the Life in Christ Christian Church in Owosso that was scheduled for Saturday. About 400 families were expected to visit the pantry for food. Read the rest of this entry »





Because You Can Never Get Enough…

8 07 2008

WILX is reporting tonight that Walmart is going to expand their store out near Eastwood Town Center to an “upscale” Super Center.

“Wal-mart’s proposing a revised concept from what they have, geared towards upscale shopping experience,” says Lansing Township’s director of development Steve Hayward.

Hayward says the Wal-Mart expansion would feature a new upscale grocery section, as well as a home furnishings area. Read the rest of this entry »





Russian Dairy Farmer’s Tour US Plants

8 07 2008

I like this story.  A company right here in Michigan helps foreign companies set up shop  here in the U.S. instead of the other way around.  Last week, officials from the Russian Department of Agriculture and several dairy farmer’s were shown around U.S. dairy operations by Vreba-Hoff Dairy Development which is based in Hudson, MI.  From a press release…..

The group toured both Vreba-Hoff dairy farms located in Hudson, Michigan – home to more than 5,500 dairy cows that produce more than 20 million gallons of whole milk per year.

This was such a great experience for our Russian guests,” said Cecilia Conway, Vreba-Hoff spokeswomen. “It was a remarkable opportunity to show our international visitors the modern milk production techniques that are utilized at our farms.”  Read the rest of this entry »





Red Robin Gourmet Burgers

8 07 2008
  • 6524 W. Saginaw Hwy.
  • Lansing, MI 48917
  • (517) 886-7440
  • Website
  • Menu
Red Robin

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers in Delta Township

Why is the Wii so dang popular?  We spent all morning going from store to store looking for Mario Kart.  We were told a few days ago that because the dollar is so worthless right now, Nintendo is investing most it’s efforts in Japan where the yen is strong.  We went or called almost every store along Saginaw Highway that carries video games. Striking out at every one of them really worked up an appetite.  The original plan was to go to Art’s Pizza & Italian Oven for lunch, but when we got there, there was a sign in the window that said they were closed for the summer due to losing their liquor license and they’re searching for new owners.  What a bummer.  I had been wanting to eat there for a while and now that we had the chance, it was closed.

We didn’t really want to piss around looking for another place and neither of us have ever eaten at a Red Robin, so we headed back down Saginaw.  Red Robin sits in front of Kohls near Kroger.  The building is not hard to spot with a lot of red trim and a huge sign.  We got there just before the lunch rush so there weren’t a whole lot of people in side.  The first thing that jumps out when you walk in is the TV in the floor.  There was caution tape around it the day we were in there, so I’m not sure if it was new or if someone jumped on it and broke, but it was still funny to see a TV in the floor.  We were greated by a host who took us through the dining room to a booth near the back.  The set up of the store is really interesting and not like anything else I’ve ever seen.  When you first come in, to your left is a full bar with a small dining area.  The back wall of the bar is glass that looks into the dining room.  To the right is the kitchen and waitress station.  It has the feel of a lunch counter without the counter.  There’s a big stainless steel counter where the orders come up for the waitress.  There are a lot of booths.  They created half walls throughout the space to make more walspace for them.  Every third booth or so along this half wall is a double wide booth where this is no wall.  If you bring a big group, you won’t be forced to push tables together to get everyone in.  These large booths could easily seat eight.  The walls are covered with movie posters and other art work leaving very little of the faux wood panel showing. Read the rest of this entry »





Have A Cooking Question?

7 07 2008

No, I’m not the one to answer it.  Everything I know I learned by watching the Food Network, so I’m not about to give advice, but Food Network is giving you a chance to ask your favorite Food Network star a culinary question.  I first noticed the new show on Michael Symon’s website, but when I clicked on the link for Dear Food Network it gives you the option of which star you want to ask.  Just like Bobby Flay’s new show Grill It! With Bobby Flay, FN is giving you the opportunity to upload a short video asking a question. 

Throughout the year, do you encounter all kinds of cooking challenges – from Thanksgiving disasters to Holiday cooking blow-outs? Never fear, Food Network is here! Read the rest of this entry »





Ice Cream Man!

7 07 2008

What a cool story this is.  Whenever you read stories about ice cream men anymore they’re not good.  This story ran in the Jackson Citizen Patriot a couple weeks ago.

(Gary) Scoville has delivered frozen treats with Gramp’s Ice Cream Co. around the community of Hillsdale for the last 22 years.

He started off as a substitute driver for his daughter, who drove for the previous owner, and that was all it took to convince him that he needed to make an investment. Read the rest of this entry »





Sorry For Lack of Updates

7 07 2008

Sorry it’s been a slow weekend for updates.  We didn’t do a whole lot of eating out and I’ve been a little uninspired when it comes to blogging.  I never thought a video game would kick my ass, but this is what I’ve been watching for the last six days and now I’m really sore.

 

It’s freakin addicting.  I’ve got the stupid song in my head and I think I’m stepping in my sleep along to it.





Mr. B’s Rustic Tavern

5 07 2008
  • 101 W. Grand Ave
  • Howell, MI 48843
  • (517) 548-5500
  • No Known Website
  • Menu
Mr. B\'s Rustic Tavern

Mr. B's Rustic Tavern - View from across Grand River Ave.

We came to the corner of Grand River and Michigan Ave. and there was this old building with a neon sign that wrapped around the building that said “Mr. B’s Rustic Tavern.”  There were tables outside that were full which is usually a good sign.  We found street parking about a block away then walked back.  Since the outside tables were full, we had to sit inside which really wasn’t a bad thing.  The inside of the tavern is divided into smoking and non-smoking with the bar in the smoking area.  Of course, the little half wall that divides the two areas does nothing to stop the smoke.  They certaintly didn’t falsely advertise with the name of the place.  The whole inside does have that rustic feel.  The floor is old, creaky hardwood and the walls and support beams look like had seen better days.  It gave a really neat, unique feel to the place.  Along one wall was a row of pictures depicting the history of downtown.  Along the ceiling beams were orange neon tube lights.  There were booths along with walls with tables filling the rest of the space.  Near the back of the space was another room with video games.  Plasma TV’s were hung over the bar and in the smoking section of the dining room. Read the rest of this entry »