Press Release – Michigan Harvest Gathering Kick Off

14 09 2009

From a Michigan Harvest Gathering press release…..

19th Annual Michigan Harvest Gathering Campaign To Launch at Michigan Capitol
Campaign success is crucial as need for food is at an all-time high

WHAT: The Food Bank Council of Michigan will kick off its annual Michigan Harvest Gathering campaign on the Capitol steps on Thursday. The 2009 Michigan Harvest Gathering will run through November 12.

New to the campaign this year is an online fundraising component, Fill Michigan’s Fridge, that will allow donors to participate in a virtual food drive–which is a convenient alternative to the traditional food drive. The online food drive will be launched at the Capitol to begin this year’s campaign.

WHEN: Thursday Sept. 17, 2009
                   10:00 a.m.

WHERE: Front steps of Capitol

WHO: Bill Schuette, Michigan Harvest Gathering Co-Founder

Former Director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture

Dan Mulhern, First Gentleman

Terri Lynn Land, Michigan Secretary of State

Don Koivisto, Director

Michigan Department of Agriculture

Spencer Johnson, President

Michigan Health and Hospital Association

Jane Marshall, Executive Director

Food Bank Council of Michigan

WHY: Need for food in Michigan is at an all-time high in the midst of this difficult economy. The Michigan Harvest Gathering raises food and funds to support the nine regional food banks in Michigan. Regional food banks provide food for agencies such as food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters in all of Michigan’s 83 counties. This year’s goal is to raise $650,000 and 300,000 pounds of food, which would help secure 3.4 million meals for hungry people in Michigan.

 

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Michigan’s Blueberry Crop May Be In Danger

31 08 2009

This sucks.  Michigan produces more blueberries than any other state by quite a large margin.  Story via Mlive.com

The bloom could be off Michigan’s $124 million per year blueberry industry after two destructive viruses infected bushes in three locations.

[snip]

So far, there’s no sign of the diseases spread beyond those three spots, but the Michigan Department of Agriculture says the risk to the state’s 19,000 acres of blueberries remains.

Michigan is the nation’s No. 1 producer of blueberries, with 110 million pounds harvested last year. New Jersey was second at 42 million pounds. Nationwide, production totaled 407 million pounds.

Hopefully it didn’t spread.

 


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Press Release – Crosby Mint Farm at Eastern Market

6 08 2009

From a Crosby Mint Farm Press Release……

PEPPERMINT JIM WILL BE SELLING PRODUCTS AT THE DETROIT EASTERN MARKET ON SATURDAY AUGUST 8TH 2009.

HELP PRESERVE THE OLDEST, CONTINIOUSLY FAMILY OPERATED MINT FARM IN THE U.S. BY SUPPORTING THE CROSBY MINT FARM, ST JOHNS, MICHIGAN.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

(MINT CITY, USA/St. Johns, MI) August 5, 2009 – All Michigan Made costumers, supporters, community members, new and old costumers are invited to come to the Eastern Market in Detroit on Saturday August 8th 2009. Peppermint Jim Crosby will be at the Detroit Eastern Market on Saturday selling his mint oil products. This will be an opportunity to support the oldest continuously family owned and operated mint farm in the country that is facing foreclosure. There will be a wide variety of mint products produced directly on the farm for sale. Peppermint Jim will be sharing his passion and knowledge of the healing properties of mint.

WHAT: Peppermint Jim Crosby will be at the Detroit Eastern Market.

WHO: Community members and supporters of the Crosby Mint Farm.

WHERE: Detroit Eastern Market
                     2934 Russell Street
                     Detroit, MI 48207

                     PH: 313.833.9300

                     FAX: 313.833.9309

WHEN: Saturday August 8th, 2009
                   5AM-5PM

About Crosby Mint Farm
Our mission is to preserve the heritage of the nation’s oldest sustainable mint producer, live as an independent American farmer producing the highest quality point of origin essential mint oil available, while honoring the land with sustainable farming management plans, renewable energy sources, and green growing practices, build relationships through education and

outreach, health & wellness, and personal ecological accountability.


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Categories : Michigan, Press Releases, St. Johns

Press Release – Meijer Block Parties

26 06 2009

Got this from a Meijer press release –

Tomorrow, June 27, Meijer is hosting a summertime block party at every one
of its 189 stores. At several stores, Meijer will have local athletes,
popular team mascots and local entertainers on hand to meet with the
shoppers.

The 11-2 p.m. event is free to the public and will include contests, games,
activities, entertainment and free food for the public. (See attached.)

The family-owned and -run Meijer was started 75 years ago in western
Michigan when Hendrik Meijer turned his storefront barbershop into a small
grocery store. Less than 30 years later, he debuted the country’s first
supercenter, combining grocery with general merchandise items in a 100,000
square foot store.

Every Meijer store will be having something a little different tomorrow in
the way of attractions.


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Green River Cafe Closing

14 06 2009

Sad news from The State News today.

After three years of serving East Lansing a selection of vegan, vegetarian and organic food, the Green River Cafe, 211 MAC Ave., will close its doors for good today.

Their menu didn’t really interest me because I’m a meat eater, but it’s still sad to see any local business go under.  For those that do prefer the vegetarian or vegan lifestyle, there’s not many choices.  Still, there is some good news.

Green River Cafe opened in September 2006, and the owners Jim and Josephine Jabara opened a second location at the Lansing City Market in May 2008.

The Lansing location will remain open and will continue to serve the same menu, (employee Grace) O’Connor said.


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Press Release – St. Johns “Taste of the Town”

10 06 2009

From a Downtown St. Johns press release.

TASTE OF THE TOWN FESTIVAL

Downtown St. Johns, Michigan will be host the fourth annual Taste of the Town celebration on Friday and Saturday, June 26-27, 2009 on the Grand Trunk Railroad Depot lawn at 107 E. Railroad Street from 4:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. each night. Various vendors will be on hand, with radio personalities from “Classic Rock 94.9” and “Z92.5 The Castle” conducting live radio feeds on Friday and Saturday.

Live entertainment will be featured in the Beverage Tent, and Vegas style gaming is offered in our CASINO tent, both from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. each night. The crowd favorite BBQ contest occurs on Saturday at 4 p.m., with the public casting ballots to determine the winner. A Classis Car “Cruise In” also begins on Saturday at 4:00 p.m.

To participate as a vendor, contact the St. Johns Downtown Management Board at (989) 227-1717 or visit http://www.DowntownStJohns.org. There is a $10 vendor registration cost. To participate as a BBQ contestant, contact Jessie at (989) 327-4885. There is a BBQ contestant registration cost. Proceeds from this event benefit Downtown St. Johns projects and improvements.

Taste of the Town is made possible by the generous corporate sponsorship of the following businesses: Major summer events sponsorship by the City of St. Johns – Mint City USA, Firstbank of St. Johns and Z92.5 The Castle radio station. Other funding has been provided by Allaby and Brewbaker Insurance, Michigan Graphics & Signs; along with Abraham & Gaffney, Account Receivable Solutions, The Alibi Bar, Bruno’s Bar, the Clinton County Chamber of Commerce, Custom Embroidery Plus, Fifth Third Bank, Jackson, Jackson & Associates, Jet Speed Printing, Katren Industries, Sirrine & Associates, the St. Johns Independent Informer and Swany’s Pub & Grub. Additional funding has been provided by the Clinton County Arts Council, Dershey’s Café, Gill-Roy’s Commercial & Industrial Supply, Hungry Howie’s Pizza, Kurt’s Appliance Center and T. Snow Customs.


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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.


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Categories : Lansing, Michigan, Press Releases

Pepsi Throwback Now In Mid-Michigan

27 04 2009

When my dad showed up at my apartment this weekend, he had a surprise for me.  Before leaving, he found bottles of Pepsi and Mt. Dew Throwback..   I heard some time ago that Pepsi was going to do a limited run of the two with natural sugar to give drinkers a taste of what the product was pre 1980’s.

I hadn’t seen the bottles around here yet, so I was really excited to try them.  He brought two bottles of each and offered me one of them.  I tried the Pepsi first.  Man, was it good.  So much crisper.  I have been buying glass bottles of Pepsi manufactured for the Mexican market at Tony’s Party Store and American International Bulk Foods.  Those bottles are made with cane sugar, so the taste of the Pepsi Throwback wasn’t something totally new to me.  Still, it was nice to get it in a 20 oz. plastic bottle.  My dad, who doesn’t really like Pepsi, really likes the Throwback.  He says it doesn’t have the aftertaste that regular Pepsi does.

The Mt. Dew took a little while to grow on both of us.  At first, I thought it tasted water down, but that was because it didn’t have the aftertaste that the HFCS version does.  The only chance you have to savor the drink is as it’s passing through.  It doesn’t stick around.  After I started drinking a whole bottle, it really started to grow on me.  My dad, who only drinks Mt. Dew, said the same thing.  At first, it wasn’t great, but the taste grew and now he’s only drinking the Throwback.

Unfortunately, the Pepsi Throwback is only set for a limited run.  Sales are supposed to halt on June 13 then only the HFCS that we all know and are forced to love will be the only choice.

This morning, my dad wanted one for the road, so we ran over to Meijer on Pennsylvania to see if they had them.  I hadn’t seen them yet in Mid-Michigan, but I haven’t been looking either.  I figured Meijer would have them if anyone would and I needed a few other things anyway.  We found a 12 pack of cans in the pop aisle, but no bottles.  As we went to check out, we found a cooler full of 20 oz. singles.  He got a Mt. Dew for the drive back to Illinois and I got a Pepsi just because I love Pepsi.  Every place my dad has found them they have been sold for $.99.  Meijer had them at full price…$1.39 plus deposit.  Still, I’ve only got a month and a half to enjoy the true taste of Pepsi.  I hope it goes over well and Pepsico changes their mind about the limited run.


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Sweetie-Licious Wins Grand Prize

27 04 2009

I saw this little tidbit on Sweetie-Licious’ Facebook page.

THE BEST POSSIBLE NEWS! Linda won the $5,000 grand prize at the National Pie Championship in Florida. Her winning pie was Tom’s Cherry Cherry Berry Pie. Be sure to stop into the shop an congratulate her! Way to go Linda!!!!!

Congrats on the win!  Still haven’t made it to DeWitt, but hope to soon.  J got a pie from them at last spring’s Capitol Farmer’s Market and loved it.


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The Entrepreunurial Spirit

17 04 2009

Is everyone going to go to Andy’s before I do?  First, I saw a blog on Runs With Spatula about the place and tonight, I see it on the 11:00 news.  Good story by ABC 3 to take a look at how Andy is keeping costs down and actually opening a business instead of closing one during this rough patch.

Too many cooks in the kitchen.

That’s a problem that a local restaurant owner definitely doesn’t have.

He’s the only cook.

Keeping labor costs down in an effort to keep up a small business.

It’s not only labor costs that he tries to keep down, it’s rent too.

All in an effort to make a go out of a business that opened during a recession.

This weekend.  I’m really going to make an effort to stop in for lunch.  I tried last weekend, but  because he’s the only cook, when he was pulled away for a family emergency, the restaurant had to close.


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Categories : Food News, Holt, Michigan

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