Tour the Town – Barnwood and Baked Goods

Bone Island Grill

@tour_the_town visited local favorite Bone Island Grill recently for a quick lunch.

Bone Island Grill is right around the corner from us and is a favorite fun local hangout. It’s a surprisingly big place seating as many as 170 guests! This is a family friendly warm tropical themed restaurant and bar. They serve breakfast lunch and dinner. They host many special events throughout the year. And offer an outdoor patio as well as conference hall space for private parties.

It was a quiet lunch hour when we visited but the staff was friendly and lunch was delicious!

I enjoyed the pecan chicken salad, the sweet pecans with the perfectly cooked warm chicken on fresh greens with vinaigrette was delicious!

Owned by Karen Drushal and Frank Slaby, Bone Island has played an important role in our community often contributing to various charity events and organizations in the area. They even offer a loyalty program and loyalty fundraising program! We highly recommend that you visit during one of their themed events like retro weekend, slaby-fest, or just a week night of DJ Bingo! Stop in for a visit and try the fish tacos! They’re fabulous too! Enjoy!!

If you’d like to know more or see they’re specials visit them on Facebook! Or instagram! @boneislandgrille

Jackson Candy and Fudge Factory

What better stop after the Jackson Coffee Co. than the Jackson Candy Co.! With Valentine’s Day right around the corner this is a must!

Jackson Candy and Fudge Factory on East Michigan Ave in Jackson is a one of kind experience! The minute you walk in it feels like you’ve travelled back in time! The sweet smells…the glass cases full of great handmade candies and fudge…the train running along the ceiling around the room! It’s amazing!

hey feature fine chocolates and handmade fudge. Along with old fashioned candies, popcorn in a ton of flavors, salt water taffy, and even some sugar free options!

If you’relooking for a unique Valentine’s Day gift choose a heart shaped box and fill it with all of you sweethearts favorite treats!

Bring the kids for taste test of handmade fudge, let them play in the silly mirror, and make a new Valentine’s Day tradition shopping with the Jackson Candy and Fudge Factory!

For more information visit their website http://www.jacksoncandycompany.com

You can also find them on facebook and instragram!

One tip for your trip! Parking can seem tricky but there is a large lot just across the street behind the hardware store!

We had a great time find more behind the scenes photos on our instagram page @tour_the_town

Enjoy your treats and shopping for your Valentine!

Jackson Coffee Co.

Snow days are great! Am I right!? With the wind blowing and the snow coming down Amber and I headed out for a days of pics, coffee, candy, and maybe a quick well deserved lunch! We laughed, posed, and all in all had a great time!

Our trip started off with a slow drive to Ella Sharp park for a few pics. We were met by an indecisive squirrel who danced in front of my stopped vehicle trying to decided which snow bank looked less menacing. It was pretty entertaining. A few quick pictures and we were off to downtown!

Once there we grabbed a couple more pics and laughs and headed to Jackson Coffe Co. For a wonderful warm up!

Jackson Coffee Co. Opened it’s doors September 2006 and have made quite a claim to fame in the Jackson MI community. Their locations are a reflection of the community with photos, art, music and more all from local artists and other area businesses. The crown jewel is the downtown coffee house location! This beautifully restored location in the downtown business district is beautiful and easy to get to! The perfect stop before any major …or minor downtown event or excursion. Right away when you walk in you’re hit with the fantastic aroma of fresh roasted coffee! The decor has a fun nostalgic feel and the staff was super friendly and informative!

There are two levels to the cafe’ the lower level with a long counter space for a fantastic street view or a roomy upstairs with seating and a small stage where they host live local musicians on Friday nights. They even offer a conference room area for satelite meetings or small group gatherings.

So what makes Jackson Coffee Co. the best? They slow roast small batchs of perfectly selected beans from some of the best growers in the world! It doesn’t get any fresher than that! But it’s not just coffee they also offer tea, smoothies, and snacks!

If you’d like to try it for yourself visit them at their downtown location on the corner of Mechanic st. And Cortland Ave. Or visit their website at http://www.jacksoncoffeeco.com

@Tour_the_town visits Jackson Candy and Fudge Factory next, just in time for Valentine’s Day! Stay tuned, and get out and enjoy your own hometown…or ours!

Hurst Planetarium-Grand reopening!

@Tour_the_town had an educational afternoon today! Now, I’m not much of an astronomy buff but I enjoy sciency things and when I heard that the Hurst Planetarium was hosting a grand re-opening event today, just days before the Blood Wolf Super Moon Eclipse, I thought what a perfect time to feature them here!

Named after Peter F. Hurst the planetarium was part of a project started in 1967. It was added to the Ella Sharp Museum grounds, and based in part by the nation’s excitement over the growing space program. In July 1969 during the Apollo 11 moon landing, attendance at the planetarium soared. Officials estimated that more than 15,000 visitors, including 11,883 students, used it that year.

The planetarium is a museum focal point surrounded by amazing art and near the rose gardens.

The planetarium underwent a huge facelift in 2018, making it more accessible for families and the handicapped. They upgraded the interactive projection system in the dome observatory room. And will be adding some new interactive displays to other areas of the building.

Tonight’s Grand Reopening included a few words for the Museum board and from Tony Hurst the son of Peter Hurst namesake of the planetarium. They performed a ribbon cutting and showed us the technology of the new system and I have to say it’s pretty amazing!

The Hurst planetarium holds viewing events on Thursday and Sunday evenings. You can find more information on their website. http://www.hurstplanetarium.org

Find them on facebook http://www.facebook.com/hurstplanetarium

They are hosting a special event on Sunday January 20th from 9p-12am this will be an opportunity to view the Blood Wolf Super Moon Eclipse! Hope you enjoyed our visit as much as we did! Touring our town is so much fun! Follow us on instagram for behind the scenes photos and more!

Jackson Coney Island

@Tour_the_Town has had a busy day! After a quick downtown photo shoot in the freezing cold we made our way to local favorite, Jackson Coney Island!

Jackson Coney Island first opened it’s doors in 1914 under the ownership of George Todoroff. It’s original name was Todoroff’s eatery and the name later changed to Jackson Coney Island in 1931. It’s convenient location next to train depot meant lots of visitors and train depot employees would frequent the small establishment.

George sold the restaurant to the Andy and Don Lazaroff twin brothers with a knack for the restaurant business.

In 1965, Jackson Coney Island itself moved on to bigger things when the original building was torn down along with the McCain Block building next door to make way for the current restaurant and its parking lot.

In 1970, Andy Lazaroff sold out to his brother and Christoff to focus on Andy’s Pizza restaurants. They kept Jackson Coney Island until selling it to Dave White in 1972.

Now more than 100 years later the restaurant continues to call the community together with the diner concept that specializes in a Jackson Coney Dog. A humble hot dog on a steamed bun topped with a perfectly seasoned meat sauce, onions, and mustard. The Jackson Coney is so much more than it’s sloppy southern counterpart. The Jackson Coney has a characteristic meat sauce that isn’t runny sloppy overly greasy or difficult to eat. It’s iconic flavor is something you’ll never forget!

The restaurant also sells a variety of lunch and dinner options as well as some very tasty desserts and classic malts!

The restaurant today keeps with traditon. It has a small dining room with booth spaces and a long bar where you can enjoy your dessert and cup of coffee while visiting with the very friendly staff! There is definitely a taste of Nostalgia when you walk in!

Jackson Coney Island was voted one of the top 5 coney island restaurants in State of MI in 2018, and is a must see when you tour our town!

We want to thank the wonderful staff for allowing to take photos and ask questions! You guys rock! You can find out more by visiting their website, see their menu, and like them on facebook! http://www.jacksonconey.com @JacksonConeyIsland

Hope you enjoyed this weeks tour! Find more behind the scenes photos this week on our instagram page @tour_the_town. Thanks for following along!

Jackson Audubon Society – Birds of Prey

I recently paid a visit to our local Audubon Society meeting. They host 6 meetings a year. Sept- Nov. and then January – March. Meeting are on the second Tuesday of the month and hosted at the Ella Sharp Museum community room.

In an effort to really give you an accurate picture of the amazing town that we live in we aren’t just focusing on restaurants, and huge community events. We decided to include the important work of some of these civic organizations as well. I could not have chosen a better meeting to feature!

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The National Wildlife Association from Midland MI brought out a variety of LIVE birds for us to observe and learn about. The turn out for the meeting was fantastic, and it was so nice to see so many kids there to experience this up close look at these amazing birds.

he National Wildlife association is an organization that assists with the rehabilitation of injured birds of prey. They deal extensively with many species of owl, eagles, falcons, and hawks. They get appropriate veterinary care for them, feed them, rehab them fully and when possible they release them back to the area where they were found. They travel all over the State of Michigan caring for these amazing birds. They rely on program nights like these to help fund their mission. Last year alone they helped save 100 birds!

The birds that they brought along with them have been under their care for a long period of time and have truly bonded with them. These are also animals that could not be rehabbed enough to send them back out to the wild. They brought in a tiny wet-saw owl and the pour thing was found so badly injured that a portion of it’s wing had to be amputated, but thanks to programs like this he has found a new educational purpose in life and he clearly loved his handlers.

The Jackson Audubon Society is a birding enthusiasts dream organization. They host monthly outings, regular meetings, and as a member you’ll receive newsletters and email information to keep you up to date on events, and political calls to action around the State of Michigan. They help maintain two local bird sanctuaries, The Haehnle Sanctuary, and the Kate Palmer Bird Sanctuary, these are fantastic hiking trails with points and outlooks to capture great photos of local birds, wildlife, and flowers. Having been a member now for a couple of years I can honestly say this is a wonderful group of people who have a common enthusiasm for our feathered friends, and it has been my pleasure to become a greater part of it as a Jackson Audubon Society Board Member.

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The program I attended last night was so much fun and so informative! We met a former racing dove, several species of owls, a peregrine falcon, and a Merlin Falcon, as well as a ruff legged hawk, and the largest pigeon I have ever seen!! I ended the night with a fabulous Owl selfie… bucket list check mark… and a few new friends! If you have a chance visit the Audubon Society website, http://www.JacksonAudubon.org, for more information or to become a member. Thank you!

Klavon’s Pizzeria and Pub

Amber and I are kicking off the 2019 tour with a visit to Klavon’s! The Vandercook Lake location opened it’s doors in 2014, and has become a “go-to” location for locals and visitors alike!

Justin Klavon started his career in pizza as a teenager and quickly found that he had an aptitude in business as well as in the culinary space. His first venture Justin Tyme Pizza opened in Clark Lake MI, and quickly spread to three locations before he conceptualized Klavon’s. Klavon’s began as a small sports bar concept in Rives Junction MI, and has since brought Chicago style stuffed pizza to the forefront in Jackson County. But Justin wasn’t done yet! His concept took on a new look and feel when he developed the Vandercook Lake location. The restaurant is much more high end sports bar than pub and pizzeria. Justin credits his staff for the success of his restaurants, and would eventually like to create an available franchise model for loyal employees looking to be part of the companies growth. Klavon’s looks forward to opening it’s Mason MI location later in 2019, and to be honest I can’t wait to see how Justin’s vision grows and changes with each addition!

@Tour_the_Town got permission from store manager Marissa, to take some photos and share our experience with you. We want to thank her and the Klavon’s staff for being so lovely to us and allowing us to share your story! Because it was an incredibly busy Saturday night we made our visit quick, snapped a few pics, and got our pizza to go. One of the many perks of this location is the drive up window, however anytime we can we visit and stay to watch a game on the tv chandelier, or hangout with friends we do. The vibe and atmosphere are outstanding.

Spring and summer bring new opportunities to enjoy Klavon’s as they open the patio for additional outdoor seating. Large groups are welcome, and reservations making seating availability a breeze. Need space for an event? No problem! Klavon’s “K-Lounge” seats up to 25 guests with private servers for your convenience. They have literally thought of everything!!

Now let’s talk about what’s really important here… THE FOOD! Klavon’s offers a full menu from appetizers, soup and salads… to burgers, wraps and of course their famous pizza! They haven’t forgotten the most important details offering dessert menus, and specialty drink menus all presented on I-pads when you’re seated for a convenient way to browse and choose your favorites.

We selected the hand- made tortilla chips with their specialty peach salsa, pepperoni pinwheels, a small “Detroiter” pizza, and a specialty barbecue chicken stuffed pizza, a personal favorite of mine! We were feeding 5 adults and two teenage girls and there was more than enough to go around, we even had some leftovers.

The tortilla chips were restaurant made, thin, crispy, lightly salted, and totally addictive. Couple with the handmade peach salsa it was a perfect starter. The peach salsa is just what you would expect, very fresh, lightly sweet, with a little heat. A nice light way to start a meal.

The pepperoni pinwheels will get your mind turning about that delicious pizza that’s one it’s way! Pepperoni, and Mozzarella wrapped in a yeasty handmade dough the bottom of the pinwheel is coated in a delicious crust of parmesan, and romano cheese. So Yummy!

And on to the main event! The pizza!!! The Detroiter is a new menu addition and I my husband couldn’t eat it fast enough lol. This authentic Detroit-style pizza is topped with pepperoni, Italian sausage, peppadew peppers and a blend cheeses. It’s finished with a signature tomato sauce, ricotta cheese, oregano and pecorino. It has some spicy notes, but is a deeply satisfying pizza unlike anything I’ve tried before.

My all time favorite pizza from Klavon’s though is the barbecue chicken Chicago style stuffed pizza. This monstrously sized pizza starts two layers of crust filled with chicken, bacon, mozzarella, red onion, and topped with a sweet barbecue sauce and parmesan cheese. One slice fills me up and it’s so delicious!

If you’re interested in a fun night out with some delicious, and uniquely creative dishes. Visit Klavon’s pizzeria and pub. You can peruse their menu by visiting their website http://www.klavons.com or follow them on twitter @klavons or find them on facebook! Thanks for following along! Behind the scenes pics will be shared all week on instagram @Tour_the_Town