It’s summertime and it’s time to dine outdoors! I’ve done research and will be giving you tips on some wonderful restaurants that offer stunning views, unique cuisine and, above all, fabulous outdoor dining experiences. So don’t just dine out, dine outdoors!

Aberge du Soleil Restaurant

It’s been nearly eight months since Hurricane Sandy wreaked havoc on the East Coast, but for many in the affected areas, recovery is still a long time coming.

That’s why nearly 2,000 restaurants across the nation are teaming up on Wednesday, June 19, for National Dine Out Day, an event that will raise money for the Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund.

Funds collected during the event, which is being led by New Jersey First Lady Mary Pat Christie, will go toward rebuilding New Jersey communities destroyed by last fall’s storm.

Partnering restaurants—which range from national chains to local, independent operations—will donate anywhere from 15 to 50 percent of the day’s total sales to assist in stocking food pantries, providing financial counseling for families who have lost homes and jobs, rebuilding homes, and economic development.

“We’re hoping to just continue raising funds so that we can be there for the long-term need of people in New Jersey,” says Eileen Lofrese, communications director with the Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund.

At Auntie Anne’s 1,000 domestic locations, the brand will be donating a percentage of the day’s sales to the foundation, a figure that chief marketing officer Heather Neary expects to ring in at nearly $10,000.

“We’ll also be collecting loose change from all of our guests through coin counters that we’ll have on that day,” she adds.

Not only does the brand have roots in the New Jersey coastal area, but some of its team members who also affected by the devastating storm.

“There’s still lots of folks we know throughout the state of New Jersey who are still recovering and still experiencing major heartache as a result of Hurricane Sandy, and we want to make sure we’re reaching out to those folks and keeping the message alive,” Neary says. “Long after the national news media walked away from the story, there’s still a lot of recovery that needs to be done.”

Partnering with the New Jersey Relief Fund for National Dine Out Day also reinforces the Auntie Anne’s founding belief in giving back to the communities in which it operates.

“Our participation in this and other fundraising events really helps to build on [our founder’s] vision to serve others and to make a difference in our local communities,” Neary says.

The Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund, along with its National Dine Out Day restaurant partners, have been working hard to get word of the event out to customers.

National Dine Out Day provided marketing materials to participating brands, and celebrities like John Bon Jovi and Chef Mario Batali have partnered with the organization to do promos on billboards and radio.

At Auntie Anne’s, Neary says each unit has point-of-purchase materials to advertise the event. It also sent out a “Pretzel Perks” e-mail blast to its 500,000 newsletter subscribers, activated its mommy blogger network, and is working in coordination with the folks at National Dine Out day to take advantage of national marketing opportunities.

“We want to make sure that we’re sharing the message with as many people as possible, and with Auntie Anne’s having more than 1,000 locations, we do hope to be able to get that message out across the country,” Neary says.

Below is an article on the new Starbucks smoking ban. I am not a smoker and have never smoked, but the witch hunt on smokers has gone too far. First you could only smoke in the bar, then you couldn’t smoke in the entire restaurant, then you couldn’t smoke in offices, then you couldn’t smoke outside the office building, then you could only smoke outside in certain designated areas of the airport, then you can’t smoke in some parks, and now Starbucks won’t allow customers to even smoke outside.  Even if you are not a smoker, you have to notice how all “freedoms” are no longer free. How everyone is trying to control your life and take away your right to make decisions for yourself. How one piece at a time our liberties are being cut.

I heard on the news this morning that now you can’t take coolers, purses, etc. to football games any more. How much freedom are Americans willing to give up?

Article on Starbucks latest Smoking Ban below. You have to love the last line  ”It’s in the interest of most people, and they’re going to get that.”  Do we really need Starbucks to take care of us?  Have we turned into sheep just following the lead?  I don’t think so……….

Starbucks made waves in late May when news broke that the brand would ban smoking in its outdoor seating areas and within 25 feet of its entrances. Protestors and advocates alike took to the Internet to voice their support or disapproval of the ban, which took effect June 1. But the smoking ban did not phase Gary Stibel, CEO of the New England Consulting Group, who believes this move was a long time coming.

“It is on trend; several people are moving away from smoking on their premises,” Stibel says. “Starbucks is a sensual experience. It’s not only about the taste, but also the aroma of the coffee, and candidly, people who enjoy the aroma find it difficult to walk through an outside area where they are inhaling tobacco smoke.”

Starbucks focuses on being a community-driven and environmentally conscious institution, which helps explain why the company would choose to ban smoking on its premises. Starbucks writes on its website’s Responsibility page: “It is our vision that together we will elevate our partners, customers, suppliers, and neighbors to use our scale for good. To be innovators, leaders, and contributors to … a healthy environment so that Starbucks and everyone we touch can endure and thrive.”

“It is very consistent [with the Starbucks brand message],” Stibel says. “They’re not saying we won’t serve coffee to people who smoke; what they’re saying is, look, we would like everyone to stop. We certainly would not like anyone smoking inside or near the store. We’re looking to do everything we can to be a good community citizen.”

Some municipalities, such as New York City, had already enacted outdoor smoking bans in previous years and were not affected by the Starbucks patio and outdoor smoking ban. However, other towns have less stringent laws or a lack of smoking bans altogether. There has been some online push back from customers at Starbucks locations in these markets, especially in the Southeast. But Stibel doesn’t think this dissent among patrons will drive customers away.

“In this day and age there is almost nothing that everyone endorses. There’s always going to be an element that favors something different and that’s what makes this country so great,” Stibel says. “The vast majority of customers and associates of Starbucks are going to be in favor of this, they’re going to like it. For somebody that is a smoker and a Starbucks fan, they’re going to feel like this is not for them and it isn’t. It’s in the interest of most people, and they’re going to get that.”

Summer is here and everyone loves deviled eggs at cookouts.  Below is a delicious twist on the traditional recipe – give it a try!