Culinary Class January 13th at 6:30

Johnny's Italian Steakhouse will host a culinary class on January 13th at 6:30pm. Participants will learn expert tips from top notch chefs and will be given an opportunity to sample Johnny's Stuffed Meatloaf...a signature dish to warm up to this month. In addition, a door prize, such as meal certificates, will be drawn at the conclusion of the class. The cooking class is $10 to the public and includes meatloaf samples and a glass of wine or non-alcoholic beverage.

For more information or to sign up, please call Johnny's Italian Steakhouse at 309.736.0100.

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GLENDALE, Calif. - December 14, 2009 - IHOP, one of America's favorite restaurants for breakfast, lunch and dinner, has announced plans to serve millions of free pancakes again next year in celebration of National Pancake Day on Tuesday, February 23, 2010.  Planned as a celebration of friends, family and community, IHOP hopes the program will raise $1.75 million for Children's Miracle Network, an international non-profit organization that raises funds for children's hospitals, and other worthy local causes.

2010 will mark IHOP's fifth year celebrating the national event and the company has set an ambitious goal to raise a cumulative $5 million for charity in the first five years of its free flapjack philanthropic effort.  More than 1,400 IHOP restaurants throughout the United States will once again invite guests to enjoy a free short stack of IHOP's signature buttermilk pancakes from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on National Pancake Day.  In return, IHOP guests are asked to donate what they would have paid for the free pancakes, or more, to the Children's Miracle Network hospital in their community, or another designated local cause.

"We are flipping for 'five in five' with our 2010 National Pancake Day campaign, and with our guests' generous support, plan to reach our goal of $5 million in five years," said Carolyn O'Keefe, IHOP's senior vice president, marketing. "IHOP's franchisees and guests have raised more than $3.25 million to support Children's Miracle Network and other local charities since we started our National Pancake Day in 2006.  The day has become a tradition for families and friends who wish to enjoy great food and great service while helping out a great cause."

Children's Miracle Network "Miracle Balloons" will be sold for $1 and $5 each and will be personalized and displayed at participating IHOP restaurants from February 1 through February 23, 2010.  Miracle Balloon sales offer guests another way to show their support of Children's Miracle Network and contribute to the National Pancake Day fundraising effort.

WEST DES MOINES, IOWA - Nov. 16, 2009 - Families will pay 4 percent less for Thanksgiving dinner this year, while receiving the same wholesome food provided by America's farmers, according to American Farm Bureau Federation's (AFBF) informal Thanksgiving Dinner Price Survey.  The 12 items in AFBF's Thanksgiving market basket dropped by an average of $1.70, the greatest year-to-year price reduction since 1991.

According to the survey, a hearty meal including turkey, bread stuffing, sweet potatoes, rolls with butter, peas, cranberries, a relish tray of celery, pumpkin pie with whipped cream, coffee and milk for 10 people will cost families an average of $42.91, or just $4.29 per person.  Together, lower prices for milk and turkey accounted for 80 percent of the decline in the cost of Thanksgiving dinner.  The price of a gallon of whole milk has come down 92 cents since last year, and a 16-pound turkey is 44 cents cheaper.  Iowa ranks 13th nationally in milk production and 10th in turkeys.

"Once again, we can be thankful for the affordability and wholesomeness of food produced in this country," said Iowa Farm Bureau Director of Research and Commodity Services Dave Miller.  "Americans only spend 10 percent of their disposable income on food - less than those in other countries - and this year families are getting even better deals thanks to lower energy prices and less consumer demand as a result of the slow economy.  They're also getting a great value thanks to the hard work done by our nation's farmers."

"Iowa farmers take pride in nourishing our country with nutritious and affordable food," said Iowa Farm Bureau President and dairy farmer Craig Lang.  "We're constantly working toward eliminating hunger in our country and in our world.  When everyone is fed, our world is stronger, and our farmers have the means to support their own families."
More than 200 volunteer shoppers participated in the American Farm Bureau survey, representing every region in the nation. For more information about the survey, visit http://fb.org.twi.bz/c.

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Moline, IL - The Illinois Quad City Chamber of Commerce will be hosting its annual "Taste of the Chamber" beginning at 5:15 PM on Thursday, November 19, 2009 at the Isle of Capri located on 1777 Isle Parkway in Bettendorf, IA. This uniquely festive and tasty event allows the very best in food sampling and business networking.

The event will feature tastings from the Chamber member restaurants and caterers. The list of participating vendors, to date, include :

• Fireworks Coffeehouse
• TPC @ Deere Run
• Bridges Catering
• Aramark
• Denny's
• Frieda's European Restaurant
• The Hungry Hobo
• Bass Street Chop House
• The Captain's Table
• Sam's Club
• T.G.I. Fridays
• Two Rivers Massage

The cost of the event is $10 for Illinois Quad City Chamber of Commerce members and $20 for guests. This event brings together the power of networking with other area business leaders along with an opportunity to sample cuisine from around the area just in time to become aware of new holiday gathering places as well as and catering possibilities for year-end parties and 2010 events.

Since1984, the Illinois Quad City Chamber of Commerce has been a leading force bringing the power of joint organization and resources together to realize the hopes and needs of member businesses.

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