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A view of Big Rock Point Nuclear Power Plant in the 1990s

NORTHERN MICHIGAN’S WEEKLY • november 26 - december 02, 2018 • Vol. 28 No. 47

Introducing

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855-251-3375 | spectrum.com 2 • november 26, 2018 • Northern Express Weekly

Our simple rules: Keep your letter to 300 words or less, send no more than one per month, include your name/ address/phone number, and agree to allow us to edit. That’s it.

Email info@northernexpress.com and hit send!

Kudos Pat Sullivan and Northern Express team, thank you for your coverage of the area probate courts activities and especially your adult guardianship coverage [“Fighting for Mom,” Nov. 8, 2017, issue; “Home Again” July 14, 2018 issue). Michigan has major problems, and entering these courtrooms usually means emotional and financial trauma for good families and hefty paydays for area estate planning attorneys. Guardian Case flourished because many attorneys supported her.

Rick Black, CEAR director, Charlotte, North Carolina

CONTENTS Meet Northern Seen features Crime and Rescue Map......................................7

Like nothing you’ve seen before A real-time, 24/7 online feed of social media posts we love from throughout northern Michigan Incorporating Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter An endless scroll of posts, accounts, friends and hashtags we follow Also now available: secure one of the top three positions for your company (ask us at info@northernexpress.com)

Check out Northern Seen at northernexpress.com

The Big Rock Dilemma.......................................10 All We Want for Christmas...............................13 Feral Cat Colony Fight....................................14 Not Your Grandpa’s Service Club......................20 A Tale of Terror..............................................19

dates................................................20-23 music FourScore......................................................25

Nightlife.........................................................27

columns & stuff Top Ten...........................................................4

Spectator/Stephen Tuttle....................................6 Chef’s Notes....................................................8 Weird...............................................................9 Film................................................................24 Modern Rock/Kristi Kates................................26 Advice Goddess...........................................28 Crossword...................................................28 Freewill Astrology..........................................29 Classifieds..................................................30

Call for 2019 Guest

Columnists!

Have an opinion to share?

We’re looking to expand our roster of columnists around the northern Michigan region. Please tell us a little about yourself, the viewpoint you’d bring to Northern Express, topics you’re interested in writing about, and submit a sample column (800-850 words)

by Dec 3 to lynda@northernexpress.com.

Northern Express Weekly is published by Eyes Only Media, LLC. Publisher: Luke Haase 129 E Front Traverse City, MI 49684 Phone: (231) 947-8787 Fax: 947-2425 email: info@northernexpress.com www.northernexpress.com Executive Editor: Lynda Twardowski Wheatley Finance & Distribution Manager: Brian Crouch Sales: Kathleen Johnson, Lisa Gillespie, Kaitlyn Nance, Mike Bright, Michele Young, Randy Sills, Todd Norris For ad sales in Petoskey, Harbor Springs, Boyne & Charlevoix, call (231) 838-6948 Creative Director: Kyra Poehlman Distribution: Matt Ritter, Randy Sills, Kirk Hull, Kimberly Sills, Gary Twardowski, Kathy Twardowski Listings Editor: Jamie Kauffold Reporter: Patrick Sullivan Contributors: Amy Alkon, Rob Brezsny, Ross Boissoneau, Jennifer Hodges, Kristi Kates, Al Parker, Michael Phillips, Meg Weichman, Steve Tuttle Copyright 2018, all rights reserved. Distribution: 36,000 copies at 600+ locations weekly. Northern Express Weekly is free of charge, but no person may take more than one copy of each weekly issue without written permission of Northern Express Weekly. Reproduction of all content without permission of the publisher is prohibited.

Northern Express Weekly • november 26, 2018 • 3

this week’s

top ten the moxie strings Redefining strings’ role in contemporary music, The Moxie Strings play The Music House Museum, Williamsburg on Fri., Nov. 30 at 7pm. Alison Lynn performs on an electric cello, while Diana Ladio performs on a contemporary 5-string violin. Tickets: $15 adults, $5 students. musichouse.org

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Critical Trail Link Saved A 160-acre parcel that’s home to a segment of the Iceman Cometh Challenge mountain bike race has been saved from development.

The land was purchased after the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy raised $331,092, including a $20,000 donation from Iceman.

The land, which is known as the Sand Lakes Trail Corridor and has been used by hikers, bikers and cross-country skiers for decades, will be transferred to the state and added to the Pere Marquette State Forest. When the Whitewater Township parcel went up for sale in 2017, people who used the trails rallied for saving the land amid concern that the property could go into private ownership.

“We pride ourselves on responding to community needs and being able to move quickly, and this project is truly a great example of both,” said Glen Chown, GTRLC executive director. “We are thrilled to have played a key role in saving a piece of land that is so vital to recreation in our region.”

2 tastemaker

Six Lugs Cocktail Cherries

Gone are the days of plunking those suspiciously neon-red maraschino cherries into your Manhattan, friends.

While we all have fond memories of topping our Shirley Temples with those bright red cherries, the time has come to elevate your craft cocktail with something a little more sophisticated. Presenting Six Lugs’ decadent Cocktail Cherries.

Deep burgundy in color, with a deliciously complex, sweet and nutty flavor, these all-natural cocktail cherries are crafted in small batches using northern Michigan cherries and all-natural ingredients (read: no FD&C Red No. 4). Don’t drink? Top a few on your kid’s ice cream sundae or slices of sharp white cheese. $9.95, www.sixlugs.com for locations.

4 • november 26, 2018 • Northern Express Weekly

Hey, read it!

THE damage done

In every corner of the country, folks will soon be heading homeward for the holidays, and Detroit-born siblings, Kelly Nichols and Kristy Montee, known collectively as P.J. Parrish, certainly weren’t about to miss their turn. The 12th installment of their critically acclaimed suspense series, “The Damage Done,” just cleared the publisher’s desk in early September, and in it, storied protagonist, Louis Kincaid, makes his triumphant return to the Mitten State. After more than a decade of working as a private investigator in Florida, the decision to return home as a homicide detective is a no-brainer.

But, when the high-profile murder of a powerful church minister suddenly collides with a cold case involving two young boys, Kincaid must embark on a far more personal investigation. A cold-weather favorite from Saturn Booksellers in Gaylord, this fast-paced mystery-thriller is the perfect distraction from that green bean casserole you’re hiding in your napkin. Bon Appetit.

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Lake Charlevoix Gets a New Park

A 4.7-acre lot with 600 feet of Lake Charlevoix shoreline in Boyne City, previously home to a partially constructed and abandoned condo development and a weathered fence, will get a new life as a public park, thanks to a couple residents.

Area residents Bob Grove and Mike Dow purchased the property at 475 N. Lake St. in 2015, intent on holding onto it until a plan could be developed to make the property a public park. That vision came through when city commissioners approved a plan to purchase the property for $3.2 million.

Boyne City will foot part of the bill — $800,000 — and the rest will be funded through a Michigan Department of Natural Resources Trust Fund grant.

Michael Cain, Boyne City manager, said that although planning is in its early stages, the city has already begun gathering public input for what the space should look like.

“We have the opportunity to provide great views and public acces to one of our greatest resources, which is lake Charlevoix,” Cain said.

stuff we love Secret Santa Sweaters The kids of Father Fred got an early visit from a local elf this month. A trés talented and generous donor stopped by to drop off more than 30 hand-knit and super stylish sweaters for kids visiting the foundation’s clothing store. We asked Elaine Keaton, who oversees Father Fred’s donor development and communications, to fill us in on the identity of the knitter, but like any good keeper of holiday secrets, she refused to say. “That donor wants to remain anonymous,” she told Northern Express, but added that everything donated goes right to the community. “We do not accept any state or federal funding, so we depend on the generosity of our community. In addition, because of our many volunteers, we are able to donate 93 cents of every dollar to guest services.” Translation: Whether you knit, sew, show up to volunteer, fill a sack of food for the pantry, or send over some cash — every bit counts. And that should warm you (almost!) as good as these sweet elfin sweaters. Find out how you can give your talents to help: www.fatherfred.org

Dash Through the Snow Mark your calendars, kids! Every single Saturday in December, from 1:30pm to 4pm, the beautiful Black Barn Farm near Cross Village is offering you the ultimate old fashioned Christmas. Picture it: pine boughs topped with snow, picking out your own Christmas tree, sipping hot cocoa, and a horse-drawn sleigh ride — sleigh bells included — through the woods of historic Cross Village. If the snow doesn’t cooperate?

The family-run farm will offer horse-drawn wagon rides instead.) Reservations are encourage but not required. $5 per person, $15 for a family of four, kids 3 years and younger are free. 6241 N. State Rd., Harbor Springs. (231) 526-2486. Search Black Barn Farm on Facebook.

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One Card

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offer valid thru 12/24/18

Bottoms up Mammoth, Old Fashioned Mammoth Distilling, based in Central Lake and with tasting rooms in Traverse City and Bellaire, is fairly new to the distilling scene Up North, but it’s proven itself to be a true master of the classics. Its ode to ‘30s-era screen star Olivia De Havilland — Mammoth gin with a hibiscus mixer, fresh mint, and simple syrup — isn’t the Beez Knees (no, that is another Mammoth gin delight mixed with honey simple syrup and fresh lemon juice), but it got us through many a dog day of summer. For winter though, we’re craving cozy, and Mammoth’s new-fashioned Old Fashioned is our answer. A hearty, homespun cocktail a little like Granddad use to drink, Mammoth’s Old Fashioned is familiar for its belly-heating brilliance but made smoother with simple syrup (instead of sugar cubes) and loads more aromatic with a combo of muddled orange and flamed orange — a spray of citrus set alight. Set your lips on one and let your season be bright. $12, www. mammothdistilling.com.

Northern Express Weekly • november 26, 2018 • 5

NatioNal Writers series presents an evening with

John U. Bacon New York Times Bestselling Author

November 29, 2018 - 7 pm • City opera House Doors open at 6 pm with live music, cash bar, & Morsels

John U. Bacon delivers a tick-tock account of one of the world’s deadliest explosions in his latest book, The Great Halifax Explosion.

He’ll talk about a harrowing story that also inspires; volunteers rushed from Boston to deliver aid to the wounded.

EVENT SPONSOR: The FIM Group

FOR TickeTs: cityoperahouse.org; in person; or call 231-941-8082, ext 201 • nationalwritersseries.org

NWS… Where great coNverSatioNS begiN!

PLENTY OF BOOZE, NO POT spectator

by Stephen Tuttle The Traverse City City Commission will be considering a new fee for establishments with liquor licenses. It is, they claim, an effort to offset nearly $300,000 in annual costs associated with alcohol-related incidents. In fact, according to City Manager Marty Colburn, fully half of police activities involve alcohol-related incidents.

How do you suppose such a thing happened?

How was it our fair little city became awash in alcohol?

Maybe it’s because the City Commission and their bosses over at the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) facilitated it in the name of progress and, since 2006, redevelopment.

We’ve apparently decided alcohol is a key component of local culture. Now we’d like businesses to pay more for providing that alcohol we’ve permitted them to serve. If alcohol is a problem, more fee income isn’t likely the solution.

If the city can draw a direct line between an alcohol-related incident and the establishment that provided that alcohol, fines or restrictions or license suspension seems

We’ve created the problem, and now we’d like the people we’ve allowed — even encouraged — to provide alcohol to give the city more money. Here, go sell liquor.

Traverse City received a whopping 265 redevelopment liquor licenses, restricted to downtown and The Commons. They’re about a quarter the cost of a standard liquor license; they can’t be sold or transferred, so they aren’t a true business asset; and the 20 establishments that have received them have to stop serving at midnight. That’s in addition to the 65 traditional liquor licenses within the city limits.

We’ve created the problem, and now we’d like the people we’ve allowed — even encouraged — to provide alcohol to give the city more money. Here, go sell liquor. Now you’re a problem — pay up.

The establishments that might soon be on the hook for an extra $1,500 or more annually barely had a choice. The city has created a kind of liquor license arms race; you better get one or you’ll surely be left behind. It seems our locals and visitors make choices based on alcohol availability, not food. Since everybody wants booze, it’s smart business to provide booze. It can be a significant profit center for restaurants who can realize huge markups on liquor sales.

Maybe this is a swell idea on which we could expand. If those selling alcohol at the retail level have to pay, why not the wholesalers and distributors? Surely they are equally culpable.

And why restrict our newfound source of fees to only alcohol? For years we’ve been hearing about the opioid epidemic. Since much of it involves prescribed medications, we better ask the pharmacies to pay a fee; they’re the drug providers. Doctors, too.

They’re writing the prescriptions, so let’s slap a fee on them.

Not to mention guns. Another fee for gun sellers! It also seems like vehicles cause a lot of trouble, and we have plenty of cars here, so there’s another income stream for the city.

6 • november 26, 2018 • Northern Express Weekly

$85,000 for a traditional license (which can be sold for profit or transferred), or $20,000 for the more restrictive redevelopment license. They pay an initial fee to the city when they receive their license, they pay their taxes, and if they’re located downtown, those taxes are not insignificant.

Establishments that serve alcohol pay a significant amount for their license: up to

perfectly logical. Slapping new fees on all license-holders on the off chance they might be part of the problem is not.

Meanwhile, the city also will be considering locations for medical marijuana dispensaries. ‘Not downtown’ seems to be their intent.

One commissioner said she didn’t want downtown to become a “green mile.” Was that being considered? Was there a proposal to allow unlimited dispensaries downtown the rest of us missed? It does seem there might have been a happy medium somewhere between the delusional green mile and no dispensaries at all downtown, but … no.

You see, the DDA decided they didn’t want such facilities to besmirch their downtown.

Liquor providers that also sell food are fine but not medical marijuana. The DDA’s portfolio already includes downtown, Old Town, a good chunk of Eighth Street, parking, redevelopment liquor licenses, the farmers’ market, and now, apparently, the location of medical marijuana dispensaries.

Do other states have a history of criminal trouble at dispensaries? Have other downtowns been devalued by their presence?

Medical marijuana patients are not stoners lining up for some weed, which they’ll light up on the street, and then wander aimlessly.

They aren’t dirty bums who will taint the DDA’s precious downtown any more than those who entered Petertyl’s for a prescription were.

Perhaps if the marijuana dispensaries also sold alcohol, the DDA and City Commission would be more receptive.

The DDA did a fine job of helping revitalize what once was a struggling downtown, and it does a fine job helping improve it now.

But the group’s ever-expanding sphere of influence has become a bit much. We’d like the people we elected to do the leading and the deciding.

Crime & Rescue

by patrick sullivan psullivan@northernexpress.com

HUNTER RESCUED FROM SWAMP State police led a dramatic rescue after a hunter got lost and wandered into a swamp.

Donald Sokol, who was hunting in Missaukee County, failed to return to a meeting spot at 6:30pm Nov. 17; members of his hunting party reported the 59-year-old Ohio man missing.

At the outset, Sokol’s rescuers understood that a daunting task awaited them — the temperatures had gotten dangerously cold, and the area needed to be searched was vast, state police said.

Over several hours, seven troopers, a sergeant, two K-9 units, six Department of Natural Resources officers, and two Missaukee County Sheriff’s deputies searched for through difficult terrain and sometimes chest-deep water.

At 11:10pm, one of the tracking dogs located Sokol, but he was on the opposite side of a deep waterway and could not be reached. Sokol’s movement was tracked by a state police helicopter as the K-9 officer had to leave the scene to be treated for hypothermia. The helicopter directed other rescuers to Sokol’s location, and they found him exhausted, dehydrated, and suffering from hypothermia. They removed his wet clothes and built a fire to warm him.

The rescuers determined that Sokol was too weak to walk out of the swamp on his own, and the terrain was too difficult to carry him; they called the Coast Guard to help, and Sokol was airlifted to Munson Medical Center in Traverse City.

STOP LEADS TO FELONY CHARGES A routine traffic stop for failure to signal led to a Rapid City man’s arrest on numerous weapons charges.

A state police trooper stopped a vehicle at 7:30pm Nov. 15 and found that the driver, Patrick Gustafson, did not have a valid driver’s license.

During a search of the vehicle, the trooper found a loaded rifle in the trunk. Since Gustafson has a felony record, he is prohibited from possessing a firearm, police said. Gustafson also had an unrelated warrant for his arrest.

He was charged with possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle, possession of ammunition by a felon, and driving while license suspended.

HUNTER KILLED ON OPENING DAY One hunter shot and killed another hunter in rural Antrim County on opening day of firearm season.

Sanford resident Justin Beutel was hunting in Helena Township when he was shot by a 45-yearold Gaylord man, according to the Department of Natural Resources.

The 38-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency responders. DNR officers were called to investigate at 1pm.

Beutel had been hunting on private land and was not hunting with the person who shot him.

MAN KILLED IN CRASH A 29-year-old Marquette man was killed in a crash in Kalkaska County.

Jerel Michael-Douglas Glenn was headed south on US-131 near Wood Road when his Chevrolet Impala crossed the centerline and crashed into an oncoming van. He was pronounced dead at the scene and a front seat passenger in his car was taken to Munson Medical Center with injuries.

The driver of the van, a Fife Lake man, was not injured. Kalkaska County Sheriff’s deputies are investigating the crash, which happened Nov. 19 at 11:47am. They said the reason why the vehicle crossed into opposing traffic is unknown.

MAN FALLS ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL A South Boardman man apparently fell asleep at the wheel, stopping his vehicle in the middle of a Leelanau County road and blocking traffic.

Deputies were called to South Manitou Trail at 1:07pm Nov. 17 to investigate a Ford pickup stopped in the road.

Deputies determined the 44-year-old was drunk and arrested him. Deputies said the man has an extensive criminal history that includes a 1994 conviction for negligent homicide in Charlevoix County.

HUNTER FALLS FROM TREE STAND A 60-year-old Traverse City man was injured when he fell from a tree stand in Missaukee County.

State police were called to West Branch Township in Missaukee County at 4pm Nov. 16 and located the hunter in the woods near his deer camp.

Troopers said the man was hunting from a ladder stand that was not secured to a tree, and it appeared that a bar broke free, causing the man to fall to the ground.

He was taken to Munson Medical Center for treatment. Police said the man’s injuries were not life-threatening.

CAR’S NEW OWNER TRACKED DOWN A 53-year-old Maple City man crashed and rolled a Subaru within 24 hours of purchasing the used car.

A motorist called 911 at 5:22am Nov. 17 to report a car sitting on its side on the shoulder of the road near the intersection of Sullivan and Bellinger roads.

Leelanau County Sheriff’s deputies found the car unoccupied and tracked down the owner, who told them she had sold the car just the day before.

When the buyer was contacted, he admitted to driving and crashing the vehicle.

Deputies sent a report to prosecutors requesting charges of failing to report an accident and driving without insurance.

emmet cheboygan charlevoix

antrim

otsego

Leelanau

benzie

manistee

grand traverse

wexford

kalkaska

missaukee

crawfor D

roscommon

Northern Express Weekly • november 26, 2018 • 7

Chef’s notes a local chef’s recipe we love, brought to you by fustini’s

December Special !

$50 for a lash lif t and tint

T C Studio

1136 E. 8th Street Traverse City www.tcstudio8.com • 231-715-1069

Presents Phil Kline’s

UNSILENT NIGHT Proudly sponsoring and accepting cash donations for

BOOTS FOR KIDS

A FREE OUTDOOR PARTICIPATORY SOUND SCULPTURE

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7 , 6PM TH

Fall has always been my favorite season. There’s something about the colors, the food, and the weather that have always comforted me. However, the most vivid memory of fall I have from childhood is when my family and I would visit a soup kitchen each Thanksgiving morning to serve those in need. Being able to put warm food in people’s bellies and smiles on their faces was the most rewarding experience I would have each year. I think about these mornings frequently, and it allows me to remember why I decided to work in this industry. I feel that cooking for someone is the greatest gift you can give, and it makes me so happy to be able to accomplish that every day. — Chef Sam Brickman, Fustini’s Traverse City

Roasted Delicata Squash Soup with Walnut and Pumpkin Seed Dukkah

Chef Sam Brickman, Fustini’s Traverse City Ingredients: Soup: • 2 lbs. delicata squash (Lakeview Hill Farm) • 2 tbsp. Fustini’s gremolata olive oil • 7 oz. Valencia onion, rough chopped (LOMA Farm) • 2/3 oz. garlic, rough chopped (Second Spring Farm) • 1 qt. vegetable stock • salt, chili powder, and Fustini’s sherry vinegar to taste Dukkah: • ½ cup walnuts • ½ cup pumpkin seeds • 2 tbsp. sesame seeds • 2 tbsp. whole coriander seed • 2 tsp. whole cumin seed • 2 tsp. chili powder • 1 tsp. ground cinnamon • 1 tsp. salt Directions: 1. Preheat oven to 400º. Place whole squash on a parchment-lined sheet tray and pierce several holes in each squash. Place squash in oven and roast for 30 to 45 minutes, until very tender. Remove from oven and let cool slightly.

2. While squash is cooling, make the dukkah (an Egyptian spice blend). Reduce oven heat to 300º and line two sheet trays with parchment paper. Place walnuts on one tray and pumpkin seeds on the other; put both into the oven. Toast until very fragrant and just beginning to brown, about 5–10 minutes. (Note: pumpkin seeds will be finished before walnuts.) Place sesame, coriander, and cumin seeds in a dry skillet over medium-low heat until fragrant and slightly darker, about 5 minutes, frequently stirring. Next, place place toasted seeds — plus chili powder, cinnamon, and salt — in a food processor. Pulse until well ground, but not to powder. Pour dukkah into a small bowl and set aside.

3. Once squash is cool enough to handle, cut in half and scoop out and discard all seeds with a spoon. Next, use the spoon to scoop out all of the flesh into a bowl and set aside.

4. Heat gremolata olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, and sauté until tender and slightly browned. Add squash and stock and bring to a boil. Allow to simmer for 20–30 minutes, then puree in batches with a blender. Pass through a fine strainer if desired.

5. Taste soup and adjust seasoning with a little salt, chili powder, and sherry vinegar if necessary.

6. Ladle soup into bowls, top each bowl with a sprinkle of dukkah, and enjoy!

SPONSORED BY:

Sound sculpture and walk around The Commons followed by live music by Jeff Brown.

All ages welcome!

Call 231-995-0500 for more details and to reserve your spot. @ The Village at Grand Traverse Commons 806 Red Dr, Traverse City

8 • november 26, 2018 • Northern Express Weekly

TRY OUR NEW LUNCH MENU AT FRESH TAKE IN TRAVERSE CITY! TRAVERSE CITY • PETOSKEY • FUSTINIS.COM

Orthodox Christian Church is proud to host

"The Origins of the Christian Easter Liturgy" as Celebrated in the Mid-2nd Century

Bright Idea Another birthday staring you down?

Perhaps you can follow the lead of a man in the Netherlands who has launched a legal battle in the town of Arnhem to change his age from 69 to 49. “(Y)ou can change your name and change your gender,” Emile Ratelband noted.

“Why can’t I decide my own age?” The Dutch positivity trainer told BBC News that he feels discriminated against both in the career realm and on Tinder. “When I am on Tinder and it says I’m 69, I don’t get an answer,” Ratelband said. “When I’m 49, with the face I have, I will be in a luxurious position.” He also describes himself as a “young god.” The arbiters of his case aren’t so sure, though: One judge wanted to know what would become of the 20 years that would be erased by such a change. “Who were your parents looking after then? Who was that little boy?” he wondered.

The Entrepreneurial Spirit Roxy Sykes, 33, of London, had a brainstorm that started when someone complimented her on her beautiful feet.

“I was convinced to set up a social media account to show them off,” she told Metro News on Nov. 1. But that was just the ground floor for the pedo-preneur. “It wasn’t until I started getting thousands of followers and messages about selling used items that I realized I could profit from it,” she said. In her busiest month, she grossed more than 8,000 pounds peddling socks, shoes and videos to foot fetishists. “Pairs of shoes that I would wear for two months would sell for 200 pounds, and a pair of socks that I wore for a day would sell for 20 pounds. Then a single video of me just wiggling my toes would make 100 pounds, so I was really raking in a lot of money,” she continued. Overall, she says she’s pulling down about 100,000 pounds a year.

Sykes has also mentored fellow fetish models: “It’s great to be able to help others and teach people my apparent ‘talent,’” she said.

New World Order Coming soon from the state-run news agency Xinhua in China: the first artificial intelligence anchorman. “Artificial Intelligence Anchor” debuted at the World Internet Conference in Wuzhen, China, on Nov. 7.

The virtual host, based on images of human news broadcasters, can have real-time news typed into its system even while it’s on air.

A synthesized voice reads the script. Xinhua told Time that its new anchor can work “24 hours a day ... reducing news production costs and improving efficiency.” But does it have a personal catchphrase, such as “Good night, and good news”?

Weird Science Duuuude! Scientists at the Stevens Institute of Technology in New Jersey have created a mushroom that can produce electricity using light, Discover magazine reports. Using common button mushrooms, cyanobacteria (very adept at photosynthesis) and graphene nanoribbons (to make electrodes to transport the electricity), researchers were able to produce harvestable electricity by shining a light on their “bionic mushroom.” While the amount of electricity created was small, the team noted the experiment demonstrated an “environment-friendly and green source of photosynthetic bioelectricity.”

Wait, What?

On Nov. 12, a group of cyclists in Hustopece, Moravia, Czech Republic,

enjoyed a sunny afternoon of riding to a local landmark known as Lookout Tower, reported United Press International. Taking in the view from the top of the tower, they saw a drone flying around and took video of it, capturing the moment when the drone picked up one of their bicycles from the ground and flew away with it. One of the cyclists threw his helmet at the drone as it flew off, and the others ran down the tower’s steps to chase the drone on foot. Happily, the drone dropped the bike a few hundred feet from the tower.

Crikey!

A Jackson County sheriff ’s deputy in Kansas City, Missouri, serving an eviction notice on Nov. 7, was startled to discover Katfish, a 7-foot-long, 200-pound alligator that tenant Sean Casey kept as a pet (along with three pythons, a rabbit and several cats).

Casey told KSHB-TV that he’s had Katfish for four years. “He’s a big cuddly gator,” Casey said. “He wags his tail when I come home.”

The gator could lounge in the home’s bathtub, and “get up and get out and cruise through the house,” said Dana Savorelli with Monkey Island Rescue, who officers called to help wrangle the alligator. “He had a ramp.” Unfortunately, alligators are prohibited in Kansas City, so Katfish was relocated to Monkey Island in nearby Greenwood, Missouri. And although Casey said Katfish was “not a vicious animal like some people make them out to be,” he was ticketed for possessing an exotic animal within city limits.

Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018, at 6:30pm lease join us for a remarkable glimpse into early Christian worship as the Very Rev. Fr. John Behr, a world renowned Orthodox Christian Theologian, Author, Professor & former Dean at St. Vladimir's Seminary, explores this 1940s discovery of the earliest known liturgical text celebrating the Christian Easter in the 2nd Century. This evening is sure to be enlightening and thought-provoking. All are welcome.

Visit "contact us" at www.stsebastianorthodoxchurch.org for free registration & directions or call: 231-946-4220 for more information.

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Celebrating 62 Years!

Crime Report -- In North College Hill, Ohio, on Nov. 6, Noel Hines’ criminal love for Thin Mints finally caught up with her when she was arrested for stealing “a large order of Girl Scout cookies” last March, Fox News reported. North College Hill police said Hines took delivery of the cookies, valued at more than $1,600 and intended for a local Girl Scout troop, and never returned or paid for them. When Hines showed up at the town’s Mayors Court on an unrelated matter, police arrested her, then posted on Facebook, “That’s the way the cookie crumbles.”

-- On Nov. 11, St. Johns County (Florida) Sheriff ’s deputies responded to reports of a car crashed into a home in St. Augustine Shores, according to Action News Jax. Officers discovered the car’s driver, Darrin Dewayne Touchton, 58, had previously had a relationship with the homeowner, and at the time of the incident, another person was with her at the home. Touchton “did not approve,” the deputies stated, and when he saw the other man in the front yard, he floored his Nissan Maxima in an attempt to kill the interloper. But the target jumped out of the way, and Touchton hit the house. Police also determined Touchton had previously threatened to kill the man with his car. He was charged with attempted homicide, three counts of aggravated assault and driving on a suspended license.

On the Lam Perhaps in an effort to escape its likely fate, a turkey in Shoshone, Idaho, was rounded up by police on Nov. 7 after “terrorizing the neighborhood” around North Fir Street.

United Press International reported the bird was detained at a local petting zoo pending the owner’s coming forward to claim it. Shoshone police posted on Facebook that the claimer would have to do “an embarrassing dance” to get the bird back.

Northern Express Weekly • november 26, 2018 • 9

THE BIG ROCK DILEMMA

A view of Big Rock Point Nuclear Power Plant in the 1990s

Environmentalists don’t like the nuclear waste that’s stored on the shore of Lake Michigan near Charlevoix. Something they dislike even more? A company’s plan to haul it away.

By Patrick Sullivan In 1997, Charlevoix’s Big Rock Point Nuclear Power Plant was rechristened Big Rock Point Restoration Project, and a massive decommissioning project began.

Soon, little was left of the historic nuclear plant, and spent nuclear fuel was put into temporary on-site storage to await a time when it could be shipped to a permanent nuclear waste storage facility, then in development.

Plans for permanent storage fell through, however, and today, eight canisters of nuclear waste remain at the Big Rock site, stored under tight, 24-hour security. Just about everyone would like to see the dangerous spent fuel shipped away; most people agree that the Lake Michigan shore is a bad place to house nuclear waste.

But now that plans are underway to potentially move the waste to long-term “interim” (i.e., 100 to 300 years) storage at a site under development in New Mexico, some environmental groups are alarmed.

They don’t trust the company involved, and they’ve taken legal action. They want a public hearing and more oversight, arguing that if the transportation of the waste is not handled properly, the consequences could be disastrous.

MORE OVERSIGHT WANTED Consumers Energy developed and operated Big Rock for 35 years. After it was decommissioned, a company called Entergy purchased the plant in 2007. Earlier this year, Entergy sold Big Rock, along with a slate of other nuclear properties that included Palisades Power Plant, near South Haven, to Holtec International.

Victor McManemy, a long-time antinuclear activist from Traverse City, is worried what this new development means.

“It’s hard keeping up, because they’re playing the shell game,” McManemy said.

Holtec is attempting to win approval from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to develop a spent nuclear fuel interim storage facility in New Mexico, and it appears the company plans to move the nuclear waste from the properties it’s purchased to the New Mexico facility.

Long before decommissioning began at Big Rock in 1997, the federal government had pledged to create a permanent storage facility for nuclear waste, eventually settling on a location in Yucca Mountain, Nevada.

places they’re going to want to move it from,” McManemy said. “We don’t know if they are safe for transport. We need public hearings with expert witnesses.”

“A CONSTANT DANGER” Charlevoix resident and long-time environmental activist JoAnne Beemon has been following Big Rock for years. She said she fears that every time Big Rock is sold, its ownership grows more distant and becomes less accountable to local residents.

They are about to engage in a very dangerous transfer, and what we’re saying is, ‘Slow down.”’

After years of controversy, however, that plan was abandoned. Holtec apparently saw an opportunity — they want the U.S. Department of Energy to take title for the nuclear waste it holds, which is stored at plants throughout the country, and pay Holtec to house that waste at a facility designed to hold it on the interim basis of 100 to 300 years.

McManemy is worried that too much is happening behind the scenes and that the likelihood of something going wrong is too great.

“They’ve got no place to offload this spent fuel, and so they’re desperate — they came up with this idea,” said McManemy, who wrote and recorded a folk song in protest of Big Rock nuclear plant in the 1980s.

Because Big Rock has already been decommissioned, McManemy believes Holtec will seek to clear the waste from that property before many others.

Big Rock is “going to be one of the first

10 • november 26, 2018 • Northern Express Weekly

“Every time they sell that plant, it becomes one step further away from responsibility,” she said.

Beemon said the dilemma at Big Rock — that people are concerned both about the nuclear waste that’s stored there and about the plans to haul it away — proves why nuclear power is a bad idea. While it is, in a sense, clean energy, its production saddles future generations with dangerous, unstable waste.

“What this is, is, it’s the last death gasp of a concentrated, controlled energy industry that’s willing to sacrifice the people of the United States for profit,” Beemon said. “They’re trying to convince people, ‘Well, we were promised, and we’re left here with all this nuclear waste.’

They’re trying to profit from it.”

Beemon finds herself in a quandary. She doesn’t want the nuclear waste stored at Big Rock.

“That waste should not be on the shores of Lake Michigan,” Beemon said. “It’s a constant danger.”

But she’s also joined a lawsuit that seeks to prevent the waste from being moved to a storage facility in New Mexico.

Beemon is named as a plaintiff in an action filed, in part, by Don’t Waste Michigan, a nonprofit anti-nuclear activist group.

Don’t Waste is seeking to gain standing before the Atomic Regulatory Commission in an action opposing Holtec’s permit application because some of its members live near routes where the nuclear waste would likely be trucked on the way from Big Rock to New Mexico via “heavy haul-trucking route” and rail.

Beemon, for example, lives less than two miles from Big Rock, and she frequently travels on US-31 between Charlevoix and Petoskey, a likely leg of the route when the waste containers are removed, according to the lawsuit.

“WE’RE SAYING: SLOW DOWN” There are eight canisters stored at Big Rock today that each hold spent nuclear fuel, and they weigh as much as 125 tons each, said Michael Keegan, a Monroe resident and Don’t Waste Michigan board co-chair. Seven of containers hold spent fuel rods and the eighth holds high-level nuclear waste.

According to the suit, spent nuclear fuel “is inherently very deadly radiotoxic material, and each transport cask will contain considerably more radioactivity (200 times or more) than was dispersed by the Hiroshima nuclear bomb.”

Getting that kind of load from northern Michigan to New Mexico will be complicated. A crash or as fire or an act of terrorism during the transport could spark a nuclear disaster.

“What complicates this is that all of the plans Holtec has to provide have never been tested or scrutinized,” Keegan said.

“Holtec owns every step of this process,

Early stages in the construction.

Inside the plant’s control room.

controls every step of this process. It’s not been scrutinized, and the NRC is just rubber stamping one of these after another.”

There’s another company, a competitor of Holtec, that’s trying to open a waste disposal site in west Texas. That’s left the grassroots opponents of what’s happening on their toes, because they have to file objections to each plan that comes along.

Keegan said a coalition of environmental groups first filed challenges with the NRC’s Atomic Safety Licensing division, which is the administrative law arm of the NRC. They’ve got to exhaust all of their options there, and once they do, if the project continues to move forward, they plan to file a federal lawsuit.

Their first objective, Keegan said, is to get the NRC to hold a public hearing on the plans so that the opponents can go on the record with their concerns.

“We’ve made formal appeals through petitions with contentions; several groups across the U.S. are looking to intervene to force public hearing,” he said. “At the end of

the day, we may not get what we want, which is to stop this project.”

If the New Mexico project gets approved as it is on track to get approved, Keegan said it could start accepting nuclear waste in 2020.

Holtec has not hinted what route it would use from Charlevoix — and details will be kept secret for security reasons — but the Department of Energy studied how to move the waste from Charlevoix in 2002 and considered a route on US-31 through Petoskey, to I-75, and then to Grayling to be transferred to rail.

Keegan said he understands that some details need to be kept secret for security reasons, but he argues that the company’s plans to ensure the safety of Michigan residents need to be scrutinized. Holtec has kept them under wraps on the basis that it is proprietary business information.

“The public is kept in the dark on purpose,” Keegan said. “What we’re trying to do is get public hearings. In the process, it’s not being scrutinized to the extent that it needs to be, they could potentially create a

disaster right there on the spot. … They are about to engage in a very dangerous transfer, and what we’re saying is, ‘Slow down.’”

In an emailed statement, a Holtec representative said the company takes safety seriously: “The transportation of spent nuclear fuel is conducted under strict governance by federal regulatory agencies and guidance from individual states. Long before the transfer of fuel, a key part of our planning involves engagement with community leaders and the public to ensure an open means of communication.

“NOT TO BE TRIFLED WITH” In the meantime, Keegan said the waste should be moved to higher ground and to a more fortified, safer location away from Lake Michigan, though he’s not sure where.

“No, we don’t want the waste there at Big Rock,” Keegan said.

McManemy echoed that but acknowledged that proposing a storage site elsewhere in northern Michigan would be bound to cause bitter controversy. He said that he believes that, as a stopgap, storage

at Big Rock should be fortified in order to further reduce the likelihood of a natural disaster or an act of terrorism causing a nuclear disaster.

“We want it moved off the shore, or, at least, in hardened on-site storage,” he said.

Keegan, as a child, happened to attend a carnival in Charlevoix in 1962 staged to celebrate the opening of Big Rock. As an activist in 1997, he attended the celebration marking the plant’s closure.

He said he believes that the companies involved in the nuclear industry are too tempted to cut corners at the expense of safety and that the government regulators who oversee them don’t hold them accountable.

“There’s just a total lack of regulation and oversight,” Keegan said. “The process is corrupt and it’s fatal.”

He said what’s stored north of Charlevoix could pose catastrophic harm if something goes wrong.

“Each cannister has the equivalent of a Chernobyl impact,” he said. “It’s not something to be trifled with.”

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12 • november 26, 2018 • Northern Express Weekly

All We Want for Christmas Local nonprofits share their wishes — each fulfillable by a giver like you.

By Al Parker The economy is strong, the unemployment rate is down, and if you’re one of the lucky folks who’ve had food on the table and a roof over your head in 2018, maybe you’re looking to give a lil’ something back to the universe as gratitude for your good fortune. If so, consider yourself even luckier. Northern Express has done the legwork and called several northern Michigan nonprofits to see what they want for Christmas this year. All you have to do? Pick one you love that needs something you have to give. Ready, set, pay it forward!

d Fishtown Preservation Society

Biggest Wish: Funds (to be matched!) for a new dock Their holiday wish is for help keeping the things that make Leland’s Fishtown a regional treasure. FPS owns and maintains the classic fishing tugs Joy and Janice Sue. A gift towards care of the tugs will keep them operating on Lake Michigan as they bring in fresh fish and broaden understanding about Great Lakes commercial fishing. Right now, the dock where the tugs are moored along the Leland River needs to be replaced.

A donation will ensure that the tugs have safe dockage in 2019. An unidentified generous donor will match those gifts, according to FPS Executive Director Amanda Holmes.

“Our greatest wish is that Fishtown remains not only present but vital, a place where people can get back in touch with their families, with themselves, and with what matters most in their lives,” she said. (231) 256-8878

d Freedom Builders

Biggest Wishes: Volunteers and funding This Traverse City-based group works with Christian churches in northern Michigan to serve clients in desperate need of help. “We’re their last call, their last hope,” said project manager Chad Allen. “God opens doors for us to walk through.”

As an example, Freedom Builders recently put in a handicap ramp and widened doorways at the home of elderly veteran.

Another recent client had a furnace that had not worked in five years, and Freedom Builders got it working again. They typically do projects for 300 or more families a year. “We take no government assistance and are always looking for volunteers and financial support,” said Allen, who added that volunteers do not need construction skills to help. (231) 941-4171

d Grass River Natural Area

Biggest Wishes: Used snowshoes, kayaks, and funding In 1969 this Antrim County-based group was founded to manage, conserve and protect the Grass River watershed and provide educational opportunities and appreciation of this natural environment. There are some seven miles of trails to maintain in the nearly 1,500 acres inside the preserve. Two specific items on Executive Director Jenn Wright’s wish list are snowshoes of all sizes for their winter programs and used kayaks for their summer events. “And we’re always grateful for donations for our camp and school programs,” she said.

GRNA offers roughly 80 summer classes and events, many of which are free. (231) 533-8314

d Grow Benzie

Biggest Wishes: Lighting upgrades, funding for incubator farms and beekeepers guild Established in 2008, this enterprise is devoted to increasing access to healthful foods, jobs, life skills, and

each other by providing a community place that supports and nurtures these activities. In addition to a food truck and farmer’s market, they have a supportive network of farmers and customers. Grow Benzie could use immediate help upgrading the lighting in their 3,000-square-foot event center where weddings, parties, and other events are held.

They are also looking for some funding to purchase an acre of property to expand their incubator farm and beekeeper guild programs, according to executive director Josh Stoltz.

(231) 882-9510

d Kalkaska Area Interfaith Resources

Biggest Wishes: Mac and cheese, cereal, tuna, peanut butter, and more KAIR is a community-based volunteer program that aids the elderly, frail, isolated and needy of Kalkaska County through a food pantry, utility assistance, and a resale store. “We’re always in need of donations for our food pantry,” said Executive Director Cathy Somes. “Specifically, we need mac and cheese, cereal, tuna, and peanut butter.” The number of people using the food pantry was up 250 between September and October, when it served 1,200 people. A recent Kampout For KAIR food donation event raised 18,000 pounds of food, and it lasted three weeks, according to Somes. (231) 258-7836

d Leelanau Outdoor Center

Biggest Wishes: Funding, new kiddie sleds, frog-catching nets The Leelanau Outdoor Center, or LOC, was launched in 1994 with local teachers who saw a need for quality outdoor and character education. Now nearly 3,000 students a year attend LOC classes and programs to learn more about the natural environment. “Our wish list would include funding for our Outdoor Center Tuition Assistance fund,” said Caroline Hufstader, director of marketing. “And we could also use some new sleds for the kids and some frog-catching nets.” LOC is set on 220 acres along the Lake Michigan shoreline in the heart of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. (231) 334-3808

d Manna Food Project

Biggest Wishes: Volunteers for Pantry Days & filling and delivering Food4Kids backpacks Feeding the hungry in Antrim, Charlevoix, and Emmet counties has been this organization’s goal since 1987. Located between Harbor Springs and Petoskey, the Manna Food Project specifically needs volunteers to help on Pantry Days, which are each Tuesday, between 9am and noon. “We lose a lot of our volunteers who go south at this time of year,” explained Jessyca Stoepker. They could also use help with their “Food 4 Kids” backpack program,” which provides healthy food for youngsters over weekends when they don’t get school breakfasts or lunches. Volunteers help to assemble and deliver the backpacks. (231) 347-8852

d Music House Museum

Biggest Wish: Funding for free concerts and education events, a new fire escape, and more Located in Acme, The Music House Museum was founded in 1983, providing guests with a glimpse of the history, artistry, and engineering of music. The collection spans from the late 18th century to 1950, from simple music boxes to early recorded sound to radio. In addition to the collection, the Music House regularly hosts concerts and

educational events, including a hands-on “science of sounds” program that drew 300 students from area schools, according to Executive Director Tim Keaton. His holiday wish list includes funding to keep those type of events possible. The museum also needs to raise about $34,000 to install new fire escapes and other capital projects. (231) 938-9300

d Silver Muzzle Cottage

Biggest Wish: Funding and dog-loving volunteer dogwalkers and drivers Based in Rapid City, Silver Muzzle Cottage is a rescue center for homeless senior dogs. They are always looking for dog-loving volunteers to help walk the aged dogs, clean and transport the animals to the local veterinarian. Since they rely on donations and grant funding, Silver Muzzle Cottage can always use cash assistance to help cover the rising vet bills, which run $3,500 to $5000 a month, according to Founder and President Kim Skarritt. (231) 264-8408

d Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Michigan.

Biggest Wishes: Adult mentors, new printer, and funding According to a report from the National Scientific Council on the Developing Child, it isn’t wealth, class, or family structure that determine a kid’s resilience: It is the presence of a single stable, committed relationship with a supportive adult. Enter our young local generation’s best hope, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Michigan.

The organization carefully matches up caring, reliable adult mentors — aka Bigs — with 7- to 12-year-old kids — aka Littles — facing adversity. With about 3,500 kids in need within the five-county region BBBSNM serves, the kids’ wait list is long, but the nonprofits’ holiday wish list is short: It’s hoping to gain 25 adult mentors (between the age 16 and 90) willing to spend just one hour once a week at their little’s elementary school. “[You] don’t need to be a rock star, just a caring, supportive person who shows up,” said Cecilia Chesney, executive director of BBBSNM. No time? A new high-output color printer for the nonprofit’s Petoskey office, or financial support to help BBBSNM’s new marketing initiative would be welcome, too, said Chesney. Traverse City, (231) 946-2447; Petoskey, (231) 313-7323

d PoWer! Book Bags

Biggest Wishes: Books, Fabric, Funding, and Seamstresses Kara Murphy Gregory, Ph.D., founded PoWer! Book Bags in March 2016 to empower Up North kids to play, write, and read. Since then, she and her cadre of volunteers have placed “bag trees” — trees whose branches are hung with handmade book bags filled with crayons, createyour-own story booklets, a bookmark, a welcome card, and a finger puppet — at area charitable organizations and food and baby pantries throughout northern Michigan.

Kids from birth through high school can load their bags with oodles of free books they (or a parent) choose. Each time kids return, more books and writing materials await.

The nonprofit is always on the lookout for fabric; folks to sew and/or prepare bags for delivery; new and used books; and financial donations to keep local kids reading, writing, and letting their imaginations run wild. A little goes a long way, said Gregory: $20.00 sponsors 80 boxes of 24-count crayons; $50 sponsors a book a week for three kids for an entire year. www.powerbookbags.com

Northern Express Weekly • november 26, 2018 • 13

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Catch and release has become popular in fishing. In Benzie County, Carol McKee is playing the catch and release game — but with cats.

It’s a little more involved than that.

McKee oversees the efforts of Community Cats of Benzie County (BenzieCats.org) to reduce the number of feral cats by trapping them and then spaying or neutering them.

Those that are capable of being domesticated are then fostered out and eventually adopted.

For the rest, those that often live in colonies (yes, colonies), are returned to their place of origin. It’s an effort not only to provide homes for stray cats but also to limit their numbers.

And it’s an ongoing battle. “They do form [colonies]. They grow because they’re mating. You typically don’t see them. They’re wild. They hang around food sources,” said McKee. Those food sources can be restaurant dumpsters, where the cats scatter when people come around. Another is when those who feel sorry for the cats begin to feed them, though it’s rare for wild cats to actually become domesticated.

Enter McKee, who seeks to address the population growth by eliminating new births.

It’s called TNR, for Trap, Neuter, Release. “I practiced it in Allen Park and worked with rescue [organizations]. I’ve worked with dogs, but there’s no dog problem that I know of ” in northern Michigan, said McKee. Colonies of cats, on the other hand, are a problem, though one that few know about.

“That’s why people don’t see the problem — they don’t see them,” said McKee. As an example, she cited a colony in the Lake Ann area. She said they have trapped and neutered 28, and there’s another eight to 10 to go. If those remaining cats are not captured and treated, the whole cycle begins again.

All told, in the three years she has been running the nonprofit, she estimates she’s trapped, neutered, and released over 700 cats. “The first one we did when we started the program was in Bendon,” said McKee. An elderly man had been taken to Munson, and those who took him had seen a very large number of cats in and around his property. “We trapped over 40 cats there. We took 19 kittens who were young enough to be socialized.”

Among the challenges she says is getting people to recognize that feeding stray cats leads to a problem. Another is when people continue to take in and feed cats long after

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they’ve passed the point they can truly take care of them. Some people refuse to allow them to trap the cats. “We don’t run into that too often, but in on case in Thompsonville, the owner refused to allow us to trap them,” said McKee. “I don’t know why he was against it. There’s no fee,” she said, though she often asks for a donation.

McKee vacationed in the area until moving north following her retirement from her veterinary practice. She had initiated a similar program downstate and realized quickly that Benzie County was also in need of population control for feral cats. She enlisted the aid of an old veterinary school friend, Dr. David Nelson, owner of Platte Lake Veterinary Clinic.

“It’s an issue,” agreed Nelson. “I’ve worked with the animal welfare league for years, trying to address it.” He said so-called “cat hoarding” has many negative ramifications.

“The real feral cat problem is ignorance of feeding outdoor cats,” said Nelson, asking somewhat mischievously, “Would you feed a colony of rats?”

He has allowed McKee to use his facility, though that might not be necessary much longer. McKee has purchased a building in Frankfort, half of which will be rented out, with the other half being turned into an adoption center and surgery center for Benzie Community Cats. “The fun part is placing the kittens, but the focus is the TNR.” McKee said this program is the only one like it in the region, though there are a couple others in the state in Flint and Ludington. She said she goes “colony by colony” to address the cat population. But though she continues to work industriously, she’s also up front about the problem. “The end is not in sight.”

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THE BENEVOLENT ORDER OF UP NORTH SERVICE CLUBS

By Ross Boissoneau Elks, Eagles, Lions, Moose, and more — the nation’s longstanding service organizations used to be the place to join and the way to give. While their popularity among new generations might be waning, their missions to serve are as strong as ever.

Here’s a look at some local branches of these traditional groups, the state of their membership, and what members are doing to better our Up North community, our nation, and our world.

Rotary Club, Gaylord Local Spotlight: In Gaylord, 30-year-old Jessica Beals serves as the president of the Gaylord Rotary Club, proof of the club’s appeal to men and women and its embrace of a younger demographic. “We have a really good mix in leadership of those wise with experience and knowledge, and fresh faces from a new generation,” she said. Members’ ages range from the 20s to the 80s History: Rotary’s history dates back to its founding in 1905 in Chicago. The Gaylord Rotary Club was established in 1956, and currently has 69 members.

Good Works: Beals said the club’s motto of “Service Above Self ” is revealed in projects both local and distant. It’s donated $12,000 to the Gaylord Soccer League and $7,000 to Energy outlook Park. Its world service committee sent members to the Dominican Republic to work with residents there, and an upcoming trip to the Ogalala Lakota tribe at their reservation in South Dakota will involve both Rotarians and local students.

They will work with the tribe’s members in setting up gardens for fresh vegetables.

Lions Club, Empire History: Lions Clubs International began in 1917, when Chicago businessman Melvin Jones invited business clubs from around the country to a meeting. Since then, the group has expanded beyond this country’s borders, and now there area 47,000 Lions Clubs in nearly 200 countries.

Good Works: Local Lions Club programs include sight conservation, hearing and speech conservation, diabetes awareness, youth outreach, international relations, environmental issues, and many others.

The discussion of politics and religion is forbidden. Helen Keller addressed the Loins at a national convention in Cedar Point in 1924, famously challenging Lions to become “Knights of the Blind in the crusade against darkness.” Like its fellow Lions Clubs, the Empire Lions Club also works to provide glasses and other assistance to help those with vision needs and sponsors Little League teams and scholarships .

Local Spotlight: The Empire Lions Club is nearly 50 years old. Longtime member Dave Taghon said the group varies between 50 and 80 members. “Are there younger members in the group? “I wish we had more.

Young is 60,” said Taghon with a laugh, before saying the average age is probably 70 to 75. “Nationally, we all need kids,” he said, speaking for Lions Clubs and other service organizations in general.

Kiwanis International, Charlevoix Member Mindset: Terry Edger saw the Charlevoix Kiwanis Club as a perfect opportunity for him to work with others to provide for those in need. “I’m not typically a joiner. Kiwanis met my altruistic needs,” said Edger, a member of the board and former president.

16 • november 26, 2018 • Northern Express Weekly

History: Kiwanis International was founded in 1915 by a group of businessmen in Detroit. In the early years, members focused on business networking, but in 1919, the organization changed its focus to service, specifically service to children.

That resulted in its motto being changed in 2005 to “Serving the children of the world.”

Good Works: Members take the club’s motto to heart. Edger said one of the group’s most satisfying activities is working with kids in Head Start, specifically reading to them. Another is starting a local Aktion Club, an outreach program to people with disabilities. “It was the second one in Michigan. It is super-gratifying to be [working] with these individuals,” Edger said. Among its fundraising activities are bottling and selling maple syrup and a kielbasa sale. Another Edger said is up and coming is a fun run during the Apple Festival. Edger said in addition to the activities mentioned above, the money the club raises goes to help kids in long-term care in hospitals such as CS Mott Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor, Mary Freebed in Grand Rapids, Children’s Hospital of Michigan in Detroit and McLaren Northern Michigan Hospital in Petoskey.

Local Spotlight: The Charlevoix club was chartered on March 19th, 1935, at the Masonic Temple in Charlevoix. It was the first service club to be organized in Charlevoix. It has around 45 members — Edger said the numbers have typically run between 42 and 56. In 1939 the Club sponsored the formation of Boy Scout Troop #11. The Club has continued supporting the troop, which is the second oldest in northern Michigan.

Optimist Club, Traverse City Mission: The Optimist Club is committed to youth. The organization boasts almost 3,000 clubs and over 80,000 members in more than 20 countries. Among its purposes are promoting an active interest in good government and civic affairs; inspiring respect for the law; promoting patriotism; and work for international accord and friendship among all people. Yes, and to remain optimistic.

History: The international organization was founded at a convention in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1919, which brought together various local and regional clubs. The Traverse City Optimist Club was founded in 1954, and its members meet weekly for lunch.

Good Works: Club President Jerry Keelan said its mission of being a friend to youth is served by its major fundraisers: The annual Duck Race during the National Cherry Festival. The group sells the ducks to the general public and sells full-size duck decoys to corporate partners. This year the group raised nearly $8,000, with over 80 percent going to the group’s youth campaigns. Big Brothers Big Sisters and Child and Family Services are among the youth groups to benefit from the club. The group also allows youth and others to use its 44 acres south of Traverse City on Beitner Creek, which has three trails as well as indoor facilities.

Membership: Keelan said the group does have some female members and some younger members as well. Attracting more of both is a key part of the club’s strategic plan, which is currently being created.

Loyal Order of the Moose, Cadillac History: The roots of the organization can be traced to 1888, when Dr. Henry Wilson established the first Moose Lodge in Louisville, Kentucky. In the early years, the Moose served the modest goal of offering men an opportunity to gather socially, to care for one another’s needs, and celebrate life together. Since then, it has expanded to include service to communities, care for children and teens in need at Mooseheart Child City & School (a 1,000-acre campus 40 miles west of Chicago), and care for senior members at Moosehaven, a 70-acre retirement community near Jacksonville, Florida.

Local Membership: Rex Taylor said the Cadillac Lodge began operations in the ’30s.

The administrator for the lodge, he noted that, with so many charitable organizations around nowadays, getting younger people to commit to it is a difficult proposition. “A lot of our members are 40 or older — like 90 percent,” he said. He said group members do outreach to the young people with whom they work, “so they can see what we do and why we’re here.” He also said group members enjoy cost savings in becoming a member and eating and drinking at the lodge, which the group built and moved into in 1976.

He estimated there are 500 members of the Cadillac Lodge.

Good Works: There are over 1 million members in the Loyal Order of Moose and Women of the Moose worldwide. The Moose organization contributes between $75 to $100 million worth of community service (counting monetary donations, volunteer hours worked and miles driven) annually.

Fraternal Order of the Eagles, Petoskey Mission: Nick Rockey, a trustee on the board of FOE 2462 in Petoskey, said the group’s overall purpose is a simple one: People helping people. The group origins lie in a musicians’ strike. On February 6, 1898, six of Seattle’s most prominent theater owners gathered to discuss how to handle an ongoing musicians’ strike. After deciding to work together to settle the strike by using piano players to replace the musicians, the men began to discuss life. Thus was born the Eagles.

Membership: Like many such organizations, the Eagles were formed by men, for men; a ladies’ auxiliary was approved in 1952. Today the Petoskey Aerie counts some 500 members, while the auxiliary has between 250 and 275 women.

While those numbers are fairly healthy, Rockey said it remains difficult for the group

to attract younger members. He estimated the median age to be around 55, though he said there are some members in their 20s.

Good Works: He said one assumption of non-members is that it’s just “a cheap place to get drinks.” While it does operate a dining room and bar, he said the group works to provide for others, such as working on a food drive with the Manna Food Project for Thanksgiving, and Toys for Tots.

Future Plans: Rockey said the organization is currently trying to determine other ways in which it can work within the community and how to raise funds for such endeavors. That’s also dependent on gaining new members. “We used to sponsor a Little League team, and we’re trying to get that back on track. We need younger, active members, and we can do some fundraisers.

We want to get back out into the community and get involved.”

Free and Accepted Masons, Shriners, Indian River History: The Free and Accepted Masons of Michigan Lodge #442 in Indian River are part of an international organization that traces its beginnings to the 14th century. It also includes a number of Shriners, a.k.a.

Ancient Arabic Order Of The Nobles Of The Mystic Shrine. Longtime member Gene Miller explains it this way: “All Shriners are Masons, but not all Masons are Shriners.”

Good Works: He said the Masons in Indian River focus on helping both individuals in the community and schools. Some are low-key, such as helping remove a tree that had fallen over from community member’s yard. Others include donating equipment to a hospital or taking children to Shriner’s hospitals, where they receive free care. Its main fundraisers area a couple different raffles. This year they have included both rifles and a deer blind.

Membership: Miller said there are about 15 members in this lodge, among more than six million worldwide. He said his lodge has found it difficult to attract new, younger members. He said the group is not allowed to actively recruit, but have to wait until they are approached by those interested in the organization. “We have to have people come to us and ask, ‘How do I become a Mason.’

Then the door is open,” he said.

Amvets, Elk Rapids Mission: The Amvets Club in Elk Rapids actually includes several organizations. “We support our veterans,” said Bill Romska.

“We have six different organizations under

our roof.” They are the Amvets, American Legion, Amvets Ladies Auxiliary, American Legion Auxiliary, Sons of Amvets, and 22 Until None. The lattermost is a support and outreach group dedicated to ending veterans’ suicides, named for the average number of vets who take their own lives each day.

Membership: Romska, who is commander of the Amvets and finance officer of the American Legion, said attracting younger members is one of the reasons for bringing the various groups together. To become a member of the American Legion or the similar group, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, you must have served during wartime, and in the case of the latter, you must have served overseas. “The Legion and VFW numbers go down, and we had to get younger members in,” Romska said.

Good Works: He said there are some 400 members locally, several of whom, like himself, belong to more than one group.

They raise funds through a variety of means, the largest of which is a golf tournament.

They were able to use the proceeds to help fun the veterans’ programs at NMC, Reining Liberty Ranch and Honor Flight.

Elks Club, Traverse City Membership: Not only is the Traverse City lodge the largest Elks Club in the region, it’s the largest in the country. “We have 1,475 members,” said lodge secretary Stan Simons.

He said the organization’s growth over the past several years has helped bring its average age down from around 72 when he became secretary a dozen years ago to approximately 64. Simons said the organization doesn’t

have many members in their 20s and 30s as people of that generation are typically raising families, but as the children get older, the parents in their 40s and 50s have more free time. Women were allowed to become members some 25 years ago, and Traverse City Elks Lodge 323 admitted the first female member in the state.

History: The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks was founded in 1868 as a social club in New York City. The Traverse City Elks Lodge was established in 1896. The current lodge was built as a hospital in 1953 before moving to a new facility on Munson Avenue; shortly thereafter the Traverse City Elks Lodge on Front Street burned, and subsequently moved to the corner of Division and Bay streets.

Good Works: Simons said the Elks have several ongoing projects, many focused on children and veterans. They include Care Pack for Kids, which provides food for students and their families on the weekends when they are not in school. A recent grant allowed them to do the same for the students over the summer. He said the Elks also supports the local Boots for Kids program and the Michigan Elks Major Project, which assists children with special needs. That may include iPads, generators to insure that oxygen tanks can run in case of a power outage, chair lifts, etc. Funds for these and other endeavors come primarily from three sources: Dues, grants (often from the national lodge), occasional raffles, and its largest fundraiser, a golf outing held each August. “We raised over $30,000 this year,” said Simons, which is primarily allocated for youth and veterans.

Northern Express Weekly • november 26, 2018 • 17

HOLIDAY MARKET LOCAL MAKERS MULLED WINE HOLIDAY TUNES COCKTAILS IN THE YURT 448 E. FRONT ST, DOWNTOWN TRAVERSE CITY

18 • november 26, 2018 • Northern Express Weekly

6.0625 × 9 SPINE: 1.08 FLAPS: 3.75

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Mesmerizing and inspiring, Bacon’s deeply researched narrative brings to life the tragedy, bravery, and surprising afterlife of one of the most

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in Canada, where an explosion blew a city apart but propelled two nations together. John U. Bacon, a superbly talented historian and storyteller, has rescued from obscurity an astonishing episode of horror and heroism.”

—GEORGE F. WILL, Pulitzer Prize–winning syndicated columnist

“Fans of Ken Burns, The Boys in the Boat, and John Hersey’s Hiroshima will find in John U. Bacon’s meticulous reporting a story that literally rocked the world.

A gripping, ticktock narrative, this a story with an enormous heart; this is an author with astounding range as a journalist and page-turning storyteller.”

—DOUG STANTON, author of Horse Soldiers

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Available from HarperAudio, HarperLuxe, and HarperCollins e-books DISCOVER GREAT AUTHORS, EXCLUSIVE OFFERS, AND MORE AT HC.COM. 1117

Cover design by Owen Corrigan Cover photographs: © plainpicture/Lohfink (waves); Tom Wood/ Alamy Stock Photo (fireball) Author photograph by John Schultz

By Clark Miller An explosion of nearly unimaginable size and force obliterated much of Halifax, the capital of Nova Scotia on December 6, 1917, killing 2,000 victims and wounding 9,000 others. It remained the largest manmade explosion in history until the U.S. dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima in 1945. For days, the catastrophe pushed aside news from Europe of the bloody fighting in the trenches of World War I. Author Visits Traverse City Nov. 29 Written in an engaging, cinematic style, the new book of bestselling Michigan author John U. Bacon, “The Great Halifax” Explosion (Harper Collins), injects new life into this all-but-forgotten event. Bacon will discuss the accident and its aftermath when he visits the National Writers Series at 7pm Thursday, Nov. 29.

The Accident At first glance, “The Great Halifax Explosion” is a straightforward disaster tale. The outbound Norwegian freighter, Imo, was traveling too fast toward open waters. Inexplicably, the ship’s hard-charging captain, Haakon From, remained in the left “passing lane” in a narrow section of the harbor, bumping into an inbound French freighter, Mont-Blanc, captained by Aimé Le Médec. The collision knocked loose some of the 400 barrels of airplane fuel lashed together on the Mont-Blanc’s forward main deck. A spark set the spilled fuel afire. That, in turn, ignited highly volatile munitions stored below in the Mont-Blanc’s holds.

Busy Wartime Port But there was more to the story. Halifax had become the main North American refueling stop and shipping point for men and “materiel” bound for the Great War (which only later would be called World War I). Not surprisingly, there had been accidents in the harbor before.

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Praise for THE GREAT HALIFAX EXPLOSION

JOHN U. BACON History | USA $19.99 CAN $24.99

Mont-Blanc carried a very special payload: six million pounds of high explosives.

When the deck fire broke out, many Haligonians, as the residents of Halifax are called, huddled at the windows of their hillside homes to watch the action in the harbor below and track a dense plume of smoke as it rose two miles into the morning sky.

They had no idea what was about to happen.

Eighteen minutes later, they found out.

Concentrated Fury The Mont-Blanc’s deadly cargo exploded with immense, concentrated fury. The resulting shock wave traveled across the harbor and through the town at 3,400 miles per hour — more than four times the speed of sound. It turned the Mont-Blanc into a gigantic pipe bomb, created a powerful tsunami that tossed the 435-foot-long Imo a half-mile from the scene, flattened 6,000 of the city’s homes and businesses, and in an instant made 25,000 people homeless. The 90mm gun mounted on the bow of the MontBlanc was found two miles away, twisted like a pretzel from the 9,000º heat (roughly six times the temperature of molten lava).

The catastrophe killed an estimated 1,600 Haligonians outright. Another 400 victims later died from their injuries, often from oil, fuel, and small pieces of the Mont-Blanc that had rained down from the sky. Others were crushed when buildings collapsed, or they were burned to death when their homes caught fire. Many of the 9,000 injured were blinded or severely scarred by flying glass as they looked out their windows to watch the initial fire aboard the Mont-Blanc. In a twoweek period, doctors in Halifax performed 25 amputations and 250 eye removals.

A Many-Sided Story Bacon offers much more than just the numbers of victims and the pounds of TNT. His empathetic, detailed description of victims and heroes are some of the book’s most memorable passages.

There are portrayals of Ian Orr and

New York Times Bestselling Author

Noble Driscoll, boys whose innocent hobby involved watching and carefully recording the comings and goings of the ships down the hill from their homes.

We learn about selfless acts. Many Haligonians wept openly, for example, when, without being asked for help, two trainloads of Boston doctors and nurses arrived on the scene to support local medical staff.

Suddenly, there was hope. (Many of today’s Bostonians are probably unaware that their city’s gigantic Christmas tree is a gift each year from grateful Nova Scotians.)

The experience changed many lives.

Tending to survivors set wounded veteran Ernest Barss on the path to becoming a surgeon. (Interestingly, Barss later helped establish the hockey program while a student at the University of Michigan).

A Cascade of Contributing Factors One of the most damning realizations is that the disaster could have been avoided.

Bacon spoke to the Northern Express of a “cascade” of factors big and small that, if handled differently, might have prevented the disaster.

Most obvious is the simple fact that Captain From was pushing too hard to get the Imo out of the harbor and on its way New York City, where relief supplies for Belgium waited. After passing numerous other ships on the left, he stubbornly refused to steer back to the right side of the channel.

Other causes of the explosion can be attributed to pressures created by the war.

Halifax experienced an eightfold increase in ship traffic and became the busiest port in North America. That contributed to harbor congestion and frequent close calls.

All of this played out against a grinding war in which an Allied victory was still far from assured. The sense of urgency was palpable. Americans, who had entered the war just six months earlier, were only starting to arrive in the trenches overseas and were badly needed. The war chewed up soldiers and munitions at an alarming rate. Consider the First Battle of Ypres, in

Belgium, which resulted in 150,000 dead and wounded French and British soldiers (as well as those from British Dominion countries such as Canada, New Zealand, Australia and India). In return, the Allies’ only gain was 500 yards of strategically unimportant, bombedout land.

It’s logical to ask why an old, slow ship like the Mont-Blanc was selected for such a mission when a faster ship would have reached the harbor one or even two days earlier, thereby avoiding the collision. The answer is that the Mont-Blanc was available, and it still floated. (At that point in the war, German U-boats had already sunk 3,000 Allied ships.) In that context, overloading an old, slow, poorly maintained ship like the Mont-Blanc with 6 million pounds of high explosives can be seen as a desperate, wartime gambit, a way of possibly moving the needle in a war bogged down in a muddy, murderous stalemate. The Halifax explosion put an end to that.

It’s not hard to pick the downright dumbest factor contributing to the accident; it’s the story of the Halifax harbormaster.

On Dec. 5, the evening before the collision, the Mont-Blanc was ready to enter Halifax’s protected waters. That couldn’t happen, though, because the harbormaster closed the anti-submarine nets earlier than usual so he could attend a party.

If he had stayed at his post, the MontBlanc would have been safely anchored in Halifax harbor when the Imo passed the next day.

Tickets National Writers Series presentations take place at 7pm at City Opera House in Traverse City. Doors open at 6pm. For tickets, go to www. cityoperahouse.org; call (231) 9418082, ext. 201, Monday through Friday; or visit the City Opera House box office at 106 E. Front St.

Northern Express Weekly • november 26, 2018 • 19

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(continued

nov 24

saturday

MERRY MAKERS MARKETPLACE, PETOSKEY: Crooked Tree Arts Center galleries & the Carnegie Building, Petoskey. Featuring dozens of artists & artisans. crookedtree.org

---------------------HOLLY POP! AN ARTFUL MARKET: 10am4pm, Old Art Building, Leland. New this year: Professional family photo session, wreath workshop & gingerbread house decorating. oldartbuilding.com

---------------------SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY: 8am, East Jordan. The East Jordan Area Chamber of Commerce will host a Mini Kick-Off Breakfast from 8-10am. The first 50 shoppers will receive goodie bags.

---------------------ANTRIM SKI ACADEMY ANNUAL EQUIPMENT & CLOTHING SALE: 9am-5pm, Shanty Creek Resorts, Lakeview Hotel, Summit Village, Bellaire. This sale will feature new & used ski & snowboard equipment & clothing. Equipment &/or clothing for sale may be dropped off at the swap location on Fri., Nov. 23 from 5-8pm & today from 8-10am. Unsold items &/ or payment(s) for sold items may be picked up between 5-6pm tonight. 231-676-2493.

---------------------BE A SPYMASTER!: 9am-noon, Peninsula Community Library, Old Mission Peninsula School, TC. Kids don their dark glasses for DIY secret agent activities. Free. peninsulacommunitylibrary.org

---------------------LOCAL ARTISAN CRAFT FAIR: 9am-4pm, Mayfield Chapel Community Building. Products include metal art, lotions & soaps, baked goods, jewelry, yarn & fabric crafts, quilts, art, furniture & more. Special attraction will be D&L Chainsaw Creations live & on site outdoors.

Free admission.

---------------------AUTHORS SIGNINGS: Horizon Books, TC. 10am-noon: Karin Beery will sign her book “Summer Plans and Other Disasters.” 12-2pm: Patrick Enders will sign his book “A Typically Random Extraordinary Day.” 2-4pm: Jim Kelly will sign his book “Pitchman’s Blues.” 4-6pm: Mark Ozog will sign his book “I Still Believe: An Inspirational Journey.” horizonbooks.com

---------------------GLEN ARBOR HOLIDAY MARKETPLACE: 10am-3:30pm, Glen Arbor Township Hall. Featuring 30+ artisans. Meet Santa & Mrs. Claus from 11am-1:30pm. Additional artists will be featured at nearby locations in town including: M22 Glen Arbor, Art’s Tavern Annex, & Northwoods Home & Gift. Free. visitglenarbor.com/ event/glen-arbors-holiday-marketplace-2018

---------------------GREAT MACARONI & CHEESE BAKEOFF: SOLD OUT!: 10am-5pm, Wineries of Old Mission Peninsula. $50 advance; $40 designated driver. wineriesofomp.com/34/ great-mac-and-cheese-bake-off

---------------------HABITAT FOR HUMANITY FESTIVAL OF TREES: 10am-6pm, Benzie Area Historical Museum, Benzonia. Decorated trees, wreaths & table decorations will be auctioned to benefit Habitat for Humanity of Benzie County.

---------------------HOLLY BERRY ARTS & CRAFTS FAIR: 10am-4pm, Frankfort-Elberta High School.

Featuring over 100 artists.

---------------------LOCAL AUTHOR KARIN BEERY: 10amnoon, Horizon Books, TC. This author of “Summer Plans and Other Disasters,” which is set at Old Mission lighthouse in TC, will sign her book. horizonbooks.com

---------------------NORTHPORT OMENA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MERCHANT’S OPEN HOUSE & TREE LIGHTING: 10am-7pm, Downtown Northport.

SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY: 10am-6pm, Downtown Bellaire.

nov/dec

---------------------SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY SCAVENGER HUNT: 10am-4pm, Leland. Build a snowman ornament to enter a gift basket drawing.

Start/finish at Holly POP or Leelanau Books.

Visit eight Leland shops to participate.

24-02

---------------------STAFFORD’S DOWNTOWN PETOSKEY HOLIDAY PARADE: 10am. See Santa & his reindeer at the Perry Hotel following the parade.

----------------------

send your dates to: events@traverseticker.com

WINTER FANTASY ART SHOW: 10am-4pm, Historic Elk Rapids Town Hall, Elk Rapids.

Featuring mixed-media art, fine craft & local specialty goods. All items handcrafted by local artisans. Free. pillywigginsgarden.com/winterfantasy-2018.html

---------------------AT THE STROKE OF MIDNIGHT: A HOLIDAY ORIGINAL MUSICAL: 11am & 1:30pm, City Opera House, TC. Enjoy this musical set in the late 1900s in London, England. Christmas is right around the corner, & with just days before the holiday, the town is bustling with anticipation. $11.25. cityoperahouse.org/ at-the-stroke-of-midnight

---------------------BREWSKI BASH 2018: 11am, Short’s Brewing Co., Bellaire. The official release of the stouts & beginning of the ski season in Bellaire. Shanty Creek will hook up the first 100 people at the pub for the party with a free lift ticket voucher to hit the slopes. Live music by The Crane Wives in the evening. shortsbrewing.com/event/brewskibash2018

---------------------HOLIDAY FUN IN HARBOR SPRINGS: The Lyric Theatre will show “Prancer” at 11am.

Afterwards Santa will arrive via firetruck. The 103rd Annual Tree Lighting will take place at the west end of Main St. at 6pm, plus more.

---------------------THE LITTLE PRINCE AND THE MAN FROM MARS: 2pm & 7:30pm, Old Town Playhouse Studio Theatre @ the Depot, TC. An original Mash-Up Rock ‘n Roll Musical featuring music from Prince & David Bowie. Presented by Berocratic Productions. $20-$25. mashuprocknrollmusical.com/the-little-prince-and-the-manfrom-mars

---------------------TRAVERSE CITY SHOP & SIP: GT Resort & Spa, Acme. VIP Preview, 1-3pm; open to all, 3-7pm. 75+ makers, cash bars, & more. Free admission. tcshopandsip.com

---------------------HOLIDAY ILLUMINATION: 5-8pm, Downtown Alden. Tree lighting, caroling & more.

---------------------LIGHTS SPECTACULAR: 5-8pm, Treetops Resort, Convention Center, Gaylord. Featuring a tree lighting, wagon rides, Elf on Stilts, kids crafts, cookie decorating, photos with Santa (donations benefit Toys for Tots), a bonfire & more. treetops.com/events/lights-spectacular

---------------------“A CHRISTMAS CAROL”: 7:30pm, Old Town Playhouse, TC. Charles Dickens’ story, adapted by Doris Baizley. $28 adults, $15 youth under 18. oldtownplayhouse.com

nov 25

sunday

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY FESTIVAL OF TREES: 11am-4pm, Benzie Area Historical Museum, Benzonia. Decorated trees, wreaths & table decorations will be auctioned to benefit Habitat for Humanity of Benzie County.

---------------------CANCER FREE-DOMS SUPPORT GROUP: 12:15pm, West Side Community Church, TC. For all of those affected by cancer. Learn about individual resources, emotional support, treatment research & review, hugs, recipes, love & support. Held every other Sun. Free.

Find on Facebook.

20 • november 26, 2018 • Northern Express Weekly

The Farmland 5K and Free for All Bike happens Sat., Dec. 1 at 10am at Rasho Farm, TC. Includes a 5K cross country style running race and “Free for All” bike race: 6 laps (12 miles) where racers can use either fat bikes, cyclocross bikes, mountain bikes or single speed bikes. Runners and riders may enter a combined Run and Bike competitive category. $35 run or bike; $50 combo. tctrackclub.com

“A CHRISTMAS CAROL”: 2pm, Old Town Playhouse, TC. Charles Dickens’ story, adapted by Doris Baizley. $28 adults, $15 youth under 18. oldtownplayhouse.com

---------------------NORTHPORT MERCHANTS DAY & TREE LIGHTING: 4pm. Featuring free horse-drawn carriage rides, Victorian carolers, The Village Voices & Northport Community Band, & Star of Lord Holiday Cheer & Tree Lighting.

nov 26

monday

HOLIDAY BUSINESS AFTER HOURS: 5:30-7:30pm, Blue Smoke, East Jordan.

All cash donations will be donated to the East Jordan Care & Share Food Pantry & Good Samaritan Food Pantry. Donation.

FRIENDS @ THE CARNEGIE: PETOSKEY IN THE 60S & 70S: 7pm, Carnegie Building, Petoskey. Take a trip down memory lane & reminisce about Petoskey’s past through a slideshow of photographs & discussion with local historian Rick Wiles. Free. petoskeylibrary.org

---------------------OTP AUDITIONS: 7pm, OTP Studio Theatre @ the Depot, TC. For “Sylvia.” oldtownplayhouse.com/get-involved/auditions.html

nov 27

tuesday

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CLIMATE CONVERSATION & COFFEE: 9:30am, GT Pie Co., Alcove Room, 525 W. Front St., TC. Learn about climate change solutions.

Ask questions, share ideas, plan events & write letters. Sponsored by Citizens Climate Lobby. Find on Facebook.

----------------------

CARDIAC SUPPORT GROUP: 2pm, MCHC, rooms A&B, TC. Share, learn, support & connect with others experiencing the effects of cardiovascular disease. 935-8560. munsonhealthcare.org

ARTIST AFTER HOURS: 6-8pm, Arts for All Studio, TC. With Crosshatch Center for Art & Ecology. A social event for artists of all genres to connect & learn from one another. Find on Facebook.

FALL TALK AT ISEA: 6-7:30pm, Capt.

Thomas M. Kelly Biological Station - Education Center, Suttons Bay. Managing the ‘Feathered Pariah’: Cormorants in the Upper Great Lakes. Interlochen Public Radio’s Peter Payette will talk about this issue & show photography of this outcast species by Sam Corden. schoolship.org

------------------------------------------GIVING TUESDAY FOR TART TRAILS: 3pm, North Peak Brewing Co., TC. North Peak Brewing Company will host a special happy hour & match up to $2,500 of donations to TART Trails. traversetrails.org/event/ giving-tuesday

BEEKEEPING: 5-7pm, NCMC, Student & Community Resource Center, room 536, Petoskey. This lecture will begin with the discussion on equipment you’ll need for beekeeping, how you set-up a new hive, & who is the queen & who are the drones? Must register.

Free. eventbrite.com

Elton John, Neil Diamond, Trisha Yearwood, Martina McBride, Roberta Flack, Waylon Jennings, Faith Hill, Willie Nelson & more. $20, $25; VIP $50. cityoperahouse.org/the-accidentals

GRAND EVENT BY NORTHERN LAKES ECONOMIC ALLIANCE: 5:30-8:30pm, Great Lakes Center for the Arts, Bay Harbor. The top three winners of Antrim Pitch Night, GreenLight East Jordan, Invest Cheboygan, & Emmet Entrepreneur Challenge Business Model Competitions will compete for additional startup funds of $15,000. eventbrite.com

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SECRETS OF AIR FORCE ONE: 12:30pm, Golden Fellowship Hall, Interlochen.

Retired Chief Sergeant & TC native Rose Hutchinson will talk about her time as a steward aboard Air Force One under Presidents Carter, Reagan & Bush. Optional lunch at noon. $3 suggested donation for 60+; $5 for all others. 922-2080.

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HOLIDAY SWIRL: 5:30-7pm, Crooked Tree Arts Center, galleries, Petoskey. Enjoy beverages, holiday appetizers & desserts, festive tunes from a DJ & more. $25 advance; $30 day of. crookedtree.org/event/ctac-petoskey/ holiday-swirl

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OVERDOSE RECOGNITION & RESPONSE: 6pm, Traverse Area District Library, Thirlby Room, TC. Harm Reduction Michigan presents a clinic on how to recognize & respond to an opioid overdose with the antidote, Naloxone.

Free... with take-home rescue kit.

MOVIE NIGHT: 6:30pm, Bellaire Public Library. Enjoy “The Greatest Showman.”

---------------------NORTE ALL AGES DANCE PARTY: 7pm, The Little Fleet, TC. Join Norte for an all-ages dance party on Giving Tuesday.

Donations help the Amigos & their empowerment program for kids with special needs.

Any donation, big or small. elgruponorte.org/ danceparty

---------------------OTP AUDITIONS: 7pm, OTP Studio Theatre @ the Depot, TC. For “Sylvia.” oldtownplayhouse.com/get-involved/auditions.html

nov 28

wednesday

PARKINSON’S NETWORK NORTH: 10am, TC Senior Center. Parkinson’s Support Group. Free. pnntc.org

-------------

GREAT BOOKS DISCUSSION PROGRAM: 2pm, Leland Township Library. Featuring discussion leader Norm Wheeler, recently retired teacher from the Leelanau School. Norm has chosen writings

by Sigmund Freud, Anton Chekhov, Isak Dinesen & Mary Lavin for this inaugural fall reading & discussion group. Stop by the front desk at the library to pick up materials. Free. lelandlibrary.org

---------------------BEEKEEPING: MAINTENANCE, SWARMS, MALADIES & WINTERING THE HIVE: 5-7pm, NCMC, Student & Community Resource Center, room 536, Petoskey. Free. eventbrite.com

---------------------DEER CAMP WIDOW CRAFT NIGHT: 5:30pm, Leland Township Library. Bring your sense of humor & join artists Donna Stowe, Sarah Mead Wall & Michelle White for an evening of craft (crap) making & wine. Sponsored by Good Harbor Vineyards. Free. lelandlibrary.org

---------------------BLISSFEST PRESENTS SCOTT COOK: 7:30pm, Red Sky Stage, Petoskey. Scott is currently touring in support of his sixth studio album, “Further Down the Line,” which earned him his second CFMA nomination (English Songwriter of the Year). This troubadour averages over 150 shows & a dozen festivals every year. $10 advance; $15 night of. redskystage.com

---------------------PETOSKEY FILM SERIES: 7:30pm, Petoskey District Library, Carnegie Building. Featuring “Tea with the Dames.” Free. facebook.com/ petoskeyfilm

---------------------THE ACCIDENTALS, BETH NIELSEN CHAPMAN & MAY ERLEWINE: 7:30pm, City Opera House, TC. “Time Out: A powerful Night of Songs and Stories.” Beth has penned tunes for artists including Bonnie Raitt, Emmylou Harris,

nov 30

thursday

----------------------

---------------------NATIONAL WRITERS SERIES: AN EVENING WITH JOHN BACON: 7pm, City Opera House, TC. A journalist, public speaker, sports writer & commentator, & educator at the University of Michigan, John U. Bacon is also the author of five New York Times bestselling books. In his latest book, “The Great Halifax Explosion,” Bacon recounts the story of Mont-Blanc, a munitions ship carrying 3,000 tons of TNT & other explosives. $15 reserved; $25 premium reserved. nationalwritersseries.org

---------------------“A CHRISTMAS CAROL”: (See Sat., Nov. 24) ---------------------FROM NPR’S “SNAP JUDGMENT,” STANDUP STORYTELLERS JAMES JUDD & JEN KOBER: 7:30pm, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Corson Auditorium. $31 pit, $26 orchestra. tickets.interlochen.org

---------------------DMC CONCERT: JAZZ REACH PRESENTS METTA QUINTET: 8pm, Dennos Museum Center, Milliken Auditorium, NMC, TC. Tickets: $27 advance, $24 members, $30 door. mynorthtickets.com

nov 29

friday

HORIZON BOOKS, TC EVENTS: 10-11am: Story Hour: Elephants.

8:30-10:30pm: Live music with the Jim Crockett Trio. horizonbooks.com

THE MOXIE STRINGS: 7pm, Music House Museum, Williamsburg. Hailed by The Grand Rapids Press as “top-notch, instrumental wizardry,” Diana Ladio & Alison Lynn make up The Moxie Strings. $15 adults, $5 students. musichouse.org

Book launch with Anne-Marie Oomen, editor, “Elemental: A Collection of Michigan Creative Nonfiction.” horizonbooks.com

- - - - - - - - - - - -& --------December -Recess ---------------------Business After Hours ------------------------------------------team up for a very ---------------------special evening of giving!

UP NORTH BIG BAND: 7-10pm, Red Sky Stage, Petoskey. Enjoy 30’s & 40’s swing & big band dancing. A dance lesson will be held from 6:45-7:30pm. $10 adults; $5 students w/ ID. redskystage.com “A CHRISTMAS CAROL”: (See Sat., Nov. 24)

“SOUNDS OF THE SEASON”: 7:30pm, Central United Methodist Church, TC. Presented by NMC Chamber Singers & NMC Canticum Novum. Suggested donation: $15 adults, $10 students & seniors. 995-1338.

----------------------

MERRY MARKETPLACE: 10am-4pm, Old Art Building, Leland. Featuring 19 local artisans with jewelry, willow furniture, pottery, specialty foods, candles, herbal & soaps & lotions, cards, clothing for children, hand knit items & much more. 231-256-2131. oldartbuilding.com TRAIN WONDERLAND: 10am-3pm, Castle Farms, Charlevoix. Kids can enjoy model & interactive train displays, including the Polar Express & riding trains. Holiday interactive games, craft, snacks, hot cocoa & tram rides around the Castle are included (weather permitting). $5 ages 3 & up. castlefarms.com/ events/train-wonderland

----------------------

WEDNESDAY DEC 5 •- -5-7PM --------------------

“VIOLET”: 7:30pm, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Harvey Theatre. This multi-award winning musical follows a determined woman who embarks on a cross-country bus trip to have her disfiguring scar healed by a preacher. Presented by the Arts Academy Theatre Co. $20 full, $18 senior, $11 youth. tickets.interlochen.org

STORY TIME WITH SANTA: Pine Hill Nursery, Torch Lake. Story time begins at 10:30am, noon & 1:30pm. Children will have one on one time with Santa, make a Christmas craft & have a snack. Save your spot: 231-599-2824. $5. pinehill-nursery.com

at

---------------------PETOSKEY FILM SERIES: (See Weds., Nov. 28)

dec 01

saturday

AN EVENING WITH JOSHUA DAVIS: SOLD OUT! 8-10pm, Leelanau Community Cultural Center at the Old Art Building, Leland. $20. mynorthtickets.com

---------------------22ND ANNUAL JUDY KUHEANA BENEFIT BREAKFAST: 8-10:30am, Red Mesa Grill, Boyne City. Benefits Boyne area food pantries through the Manna Food Project.

231-582-0049.

LIGHT UP THE NIGHT & SOUP KICK OFF: 12-7pm, Downtown Bellaire. Enjoy holiday events, from a free kid’s movie, ornament making, to the annual “Soup Cook-Off” with 10+ participating restaurants, a visit with Santa after the “Parade of Lights,” community tree lighting, caroling & a live Nativity.

---------------------SUGAR PLUM FAIRY TEA: 1-3pm, Stafford’s Perry Hotel, Petoskey. Enjoy an afternoon with the principal performers of the CTAC School of Ballet’s “The Nutcracker,” as well as lemonade, tea, cocoa, finger sandwiches & treats; a reading of “The Nutcracker” story; & while available, two tickets to a performance of “The Nutcracker” at Bay Harbor’s Great Lakes Center for the Arts. Tea for Two: $75. crookedtree.org

---------------------MERRY MAKERSSociety MARKETPLACE: 5pm, $10 or a Cherryland Humane - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Crooked Tree Arts Center, TC. Enjoy a holi18TH ANNUAL HOLIDAY HOME TOUR: shopping market with artists’ booths, wish list itemdayfor entry 10am-3pm. This year’s tour will feature four a festive spread of cookies & coffee, & Cadillac homes that the Cadillac Garden holiday music & cheer. Free. crookedtree.

100% of allClub proceeds benefit has decorated for the holiday season. $15. org/event/ctac-traverse-city/merry-makersmynorthtickets.com/events/18th-annual-holimarketplace Cherryland Humane Society day-home-tour ---------------------- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - PHOTOGRAPHY SHOW & HOLIDAY PICK Food prepared

by The ME Park Place Hotel and FARMLAND 5K & FREE FOR ALL BIKE: UP: 5-8pm, Gallery 31, Beulah.

Hand10am, Rasho Farm, TC. Celebrate year round made gift market w/ photography from Elijah Convention Chef Verden active living in northern MI.Center’s Includes a 5K Executive Browning, Nick Irwin,Nick Brett Martin, Holly

----------------------

cross country style running race & “Free for All” bike race: 6 laps (12 miles) where racers can use either fat bikes, cyclocross bikes, mountain bikes or single speed bikes. Runners & riders may enter a combined Run & Bike competitive category. $35 run or bike; $50 combo. tctrackclub.com

Nelson & Jeffery Stratton. Local wine, treats, music & more. 231-325-2522. Free. facebook. com/Gallery31.net

----------------------

used puzzles, games & children’s books will be available at low prices. 616-460-8092.

“VIOLET”: 2pm & 7:30pm, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Harvey Theatre. This multi-award winning musical follows a determined woman who embarks on a cross-country bus trip to have her disfiguring scar healed by a preacher. Presented by the Arts Academy Theatre Co. $20 full, $18 senior, $11 youth. tickets. interlochen.org

LUNCHEON LECTURE: NCMC, Library Conference Room, Petoskey. “The Mackinac Bridge, then & now.” Kimberly Nowack, P.E., chief engineer for the Mackinac Bridge Authority, will talk about the history of Straits Area transportation & the story of the bridge’s construction. Lunch begins at 11:30am; program at noon. Reserve your spot: 231-3486600. $12.

MERRY MAKERS MARKETPLACE: 2pm, Crooked Tree Arts Center, TC. Enjoy a holiday shopping market with artists’ booths, a festive spread of cookies & coffee, & holiday music & cheer. Free. crookedtree.org

---------------------22ND ANNUAL ST. ANDREWS DAY POTLUCK SUPPER: 5pm, Grace Episcopal Church, TC. Live Scottish music & Scottish country dancing, Highland dancers, book sale & more.

---------------------T.E.A.C.H. CHRISTMAS CONCERT: 7pm, West Side Community Church, TC. Choral Christmas Concert. At door: $5/person, $3 students, $20 household. Questions: finearts@ teachtc.org

PRIZES INCLUDE ----------------------

MERCHANTS HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE: Overnight stay at Park Place Hotel Downtown Harbor Springs. Main St. will be closedand from 6-9pm so shoppers & kids can Minerva’s gift cards • Sail dine package - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - mix & mingle. The Petoskey Steel Drum Band FRIENDS OF LELAND TOWNSHIP LIwill perform.

BRARY HOST HOLIDAY PUZZLE & GAME ---------------------SALE: 10am-3pm, Leland Township Library, “A CHRISTMAS CAROL”: (See Sat., Nov. 24) Munnecke Room. A wide array of gently ----------------------

---------------------HOLIDAY MERCHANT OPEN HOUSE: 10am, Downtown Charlevoix. Merchants will feature entertainment, samples, snacks, sales & more all day. Three different movies will play at the Charlevoix Cinema III, beginning at 2pm, in exchange for a canned good to benefit the Charlevoix Food Pantry.

These include “Mary Poppins,” “Christopher Robin” & “Zootopia.” A Hot Cocoa Contest will run from 12-5pm at downtown businesses. charlevoix.org

---------------------BLISSFEST COMMUNITY DANCE: 7:30pm, Red Sky Stage, Petoskey. Contra & square dances along with a few circles & reels.

Hannah Harris Trio will provide music, with Larry Dyer & Jan Fowler calling. All dances are taught. $5/person, $7/couple, $10/family. blissfest.org

FOR MORE DETAILS FIND US ON FACEBOOK ---------------------HORIZON BOOKS, TC EVENTS: 10am-noon: Sally Jo Messersmith & Krystyna Speaks will ---------------------sign their book “Hana Crosses The Freedom Bridge.” 12-2pm: Donald L. Totten will sign his book “Light Through Little Word Windows: Two Letter Words from The Bible.” 3-5pm:

MANITOU WINDS PRESENTS “WINTER SONGS & CAROLS”: 7:30pm, Grace Episcopal Church, TC. Free. manitouwinds.com/ performances

Northern Express Weekly • november 26, 2018 • 21

BEEKEEPING: 5-7pm, NCMC, Student & Community Resource Center, room 536, Petoskey. This lecture will begin with the discussion on equipment you’ll need for beekeeping, how you set-up a new hive, & who is the queen & who are the drones? Must register.

Free. eventbrite.com

Elton John, Neil Diamond, Trisha Yearwood, Martina McBride, Roberta Flack, Waylon Jennings, Faith Hill, Willie Nelson & more. $20, $25; VIP $50. cityoperahouse.org/the-accidentals

GRAND EVENT BY NORTHERN LAKES ECONOMIC ALLIANCE: 5:30-8:30pm, Great Lakes Center for the Arts, Bay Harbor. The top three winners of Antrim Pitch Night, GreenLight East Jordan, Invest Cheboygan, & Emmet Entrepreneur Challenge Business Model Competitions will compete for additional startup funds of $15,000. eventbrite.com

SECRETS OF AIR FORCE ONE: 12:30pm, Golden Fellowship Hall, Interlochen.

Retired Chief Sergeant & TC native Rose Hutchinson will talk about her time as a steward aboard Air Force One under Presidents Carter, Reagan & Bush. Optional lunch at noon. $3 suggested donation for 60+; $5 for all others. 922-2080.

----------------------

---------------------OVERDOSE RECOGNITION & RESPONSE: 6pm, Traverse Area District Library, Thirlby Room, TC. Harm Reduction Michigan presents a clinic on how to recognize & respond to an opioid overdose with the antidote, Naloxone.

Free... with take-home rescue kit.

nov 30

thursday

---------------------HOLIDAY SWIRL: 5:30-7pm, Crooked Tree Arts Center, galleries, Petoskey. Enjoy beverages, holiday appetizers & desserts, festive tunes from a DJ & more. $25 advance; $30 day of. crookedtree.org/event/ctac-petoskey/ holiday-swirl

TOY HARBOR

---------------------MOVIE NIGHT: 6:30pm, Bellaire Public Library. Enjoy “The Greatest Showman.”

---------------------NORTE ALL AGES DANCE PARTY: 7pm, The Little Fleet, TC. Join Norte for an all-ages dance party on Giving Tuesday.

Donations help the Amigos & their empowerment program for kids with special needs.

Any donation, big or small. elgruponorte.org/ danceparty

---------------------NATIONAL WRITERS SERIES: AN EVENING WITH JOHN BACON: 7pm, City Opera House, TC. A journalist, public speaker, sports writer & commentator, & educator at the University of Michigan, John U. Bacon is also the author of five New York Times bestselling books. In his latest book, “The Great Halifax Explosion,” Bacon recounts the story of Mont-Blanc, a munitions ship carrying 3,000 tons of TNT & other explosives. $15 reserved; $25 premium reserved. nationalwritersseries.org

SPECIAL HOLIDAY HOURS OPEN NITES TIL 9 • SUN 11-5

---------------------OTP AUDITIONS: 7pm, OTP Studio Theatre @ the Depot, TC. For “Sylvia.” oldtownplayhouse.com/get-involved/auditions.html

---------------------“A CHRISTMAS CAROL”: (See Sat., Nov. 24) ----------------------

DOWNTOWN TRAVERSE FROM CITYNPR’S • 231-946-1131 “SNAP JUDGMENT,” STANDwednesday UP STORYTELLERS JAMES JUDD & JEN novCREATIVE PARKINSON’S NETWORK KOBER: 7:30pm, Interlochen Center for the & QUALITY TOYS SINCE 1984 NORTH: 10am, TC Senior Arts, Corson Auditorium. $31•pit, $26 orches-

28

Center. Parkinson’s Support Group. Free. pnntc.org

-------------

GREAT BOOKS DISCUSSION PROGRAM: 2pm, Leland Township Library. Featuring discussion leader Norm Wheeler, recently retired teacher from the Leelanau School. Norm has chosen writings

by Sigmund Freud, Anton Chekhov, Isak Dinesen & Mary Lavin for this inaugural fall reading & discussion group. Stop by the front desk at the library to pick up materials. Free. lelandlibrary.org

---------------------BEEKEEPING: MAINTENANCE, SWARMS, MALADIES & WINTERING THE HIVE: 5-7pm, NCMC, Student & Community Resource Center, room 536, Petoskey. Free. eventbrite.com

---------------------DEER CAMP WIDOW CRAFT NIGHT: 5:30pm, Leland Township Library. Bring your sense of humor & join artists Donna Stowe, Sarah Mead Wall & Michelle White for an evening of craft (crap) making & wine. Sponsored by Good Harbor Vineyards. Free. lelandlibrary.org

---------------------BLISSFEST PRESENTS SCOTT COOK: 7:30pm, Red Sky Stage, Petoskey. Scott is currently touring in support of his sixth studio album, “Further Down the Line,” which earned him his second CFMA nomination (English Songwriter of the Year). This troubadour averages over 150 shows & a dozen festivals every year. $10 advance; $15 night of. redskystage.com

---------------------PETOSKEY FILM SERIES: 7:30pm, Petoskey District Library, Carnegie Building. Featuring “Tea with the Dames.” Free. facebook.com/ petoskeyfilm

---------------------THE ACCIDENTALS, BETH NIELSEN CHAPMAN & MAY ERLEWINE: 7:30pm, City Opera House, TC. “Time Out: A powerful Night of Songs and Stories.” Beth has penned tunes for artists including Bonnie Raitt, Emmylou Harris,

tra. tickets.interlochen.org

---------------------DMC CONCERT: JAZZ REACH PRESENTS METTA QUINTET: 8pm, Dennos Museum Center, Milliken Auditorium, NMC, TC. Tickets: $27 advance, $24 members, $30 door. mynorthtickets.com

nov 29

friday

HORIZON BOOKS, TC EVENTS: 10-11am: Story Hour: Elephants.

8:30-10:30pm: Live music with the Jim Crockett Trio. horizonbooks.com

---------------------LUNCHEON LECTURE: NCMC, Library Conference Room, Petoskey. “The Mackinac Bridge, then & now.” Kimberly Nowack, P.E., chief engineer for the Mackinac Bridge Authority, will talk about the history of Straits Area transportation & the story of the bridge’s construction. Lunch begins at 11:30am; program at noon. Reserve your spot: 231-3486600. $12.

---------------------MERRY MAKERS MARKETPLACE: 2pm, Crooked Tree Arts Center, TC. Enjoy a holiday shopping market with artists’ booths, a festive spread of cookies & coffee, & holiday music & cheer. Free. crookedtree.org

---------------------22ND ANNUAL ST. ANDREWS DAY POTLUCK SUPPER: 5pm, Grace Episcopal Church, TC. Live Scottish music & Scottish country dancing, Highland dancers, book sale & more.

---------------------T.E.A.C.H. CHRISTMAS CONCERT: 7pm, West Side Community Church, TC. Choral Christmas Concert. At door: $5/person, $3 students, $20 household. Questions: finearts@ teachtc.org

22 • november 26, 2018 • Northern Express Weekly

THE MOXIE STRINGS: 7pm, Music House Museum, Williamsburg. Hailed by The Grand Rapids Press as “top-notch, instrumental wizardry,” Diana Ladio & Alison Lynn make up The Moxie Strings. $15 adults, $5 students. musichouse.org

---------------------UP NORTH BIG BAND: 7-10pm, Red Sky Stage, Petoskey. Enjoy 30’s & 40’s swing & big band dancing. A dance lesson will be held from 6:45-7:30pm. $10 adults; $5 students w/ ID. redskystage.com

---------------------“A CHRISTMAS CAROL”: (See Sat., Nov. 24) ---------------------“SOUNDS OF THE SEASON”: 7:30pm, Central United Methodist Church, TC. Presented by NMC Chamber Singers & NMC Canticum Novum. Suggested donation: $15 adults, $10 students & seniors. 995-1338.

---------------------“VIOLET”: 7:30pm, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Harvey Theatre. This multi-award winning musical follows a determined woman who embarks on a cross-country bus trip to have her disfiguring scar healed by a preacher. Presented by the Arts Academy Theatre Co. $20 full, $18 senior, $11 youth. tickets.interlochen.org

---------------------PETOSKEY FILM SERIES: (See Weds., Nov. 28)

dec 01

saturday

AN EVENING WITH JOSHUA DAVIS: SOLD OUT! 8-10pm, Leelanau Community Cultural Center at the Old Art Building, Leland. $20. mynorthtickets.com

---------------------22ND ANNUAL JUDY KUHEANA BENEFIT BREAKFAST: 8-10:30am, Red Mesa Grill, Boyne City. Benefits Boyne area food pantries through the Manna Food Project.

231-582-0049.

---------------------18TH ANNUAL HOLIDAY HOME TOUR: 10am-3pm. This year’s tour will feature four Cadillac homes that the Cadillac Garden Club has decorated for the holiday season. $15. mynorthtickets.com/events/18th-annual-holiday-home-tour

---------------------FARMLAND 5K & FREE FOR ALL BIKE: 10am, Rasho Farm, TC. Celebrate year round active living in northern MI. Includes a 5K cross country style running race & “Free for All” bike race: 6 laps (12 miles) where racers can use either fat bikes, cyclocross bikes, mountain bikes or single speed bikes. Runners & riders may enter a combined Run & Bike competitive category. $35 run or bike; $50 combo. tctrackclub.com

---------------------FRIENDS OF LELAND TOWNSHIP LIBRARY HOST HOLIDAY PUZZLE & GAME SALE: 10am-3pm, Leland Township Library, Munnecke Room. A wide array of gently used puzzles, games & children’s books will be available at low prices. 616-460-8092.

---------------------HOLIDAY MERCHANT OPEN HOUSE: 10am, Downtown Charlevoix. Merchants will feature entertainment, samples, snacks, sales & more all day. Three different movies will play at the Charlevoix Cinema III, beginning at 2pm, in exchange for a canned good to benefit the Charlevoix Food Pantry.

These include “Mary Poppins,” “Christopher Robin” & “Zootopia.” A Hot Cocoa Contest will run from 12-5pm at downtown businesses. charlevoix.org

---------------------HORIZON BOOKS, TC EVENTS: 10am-noon: Sally Jo Messersmith & Krystyna Speaks will sign their book “Hana Crosses The Freedom Bridge.” 12-2pm: Donald L. Totten will sign his book “Light Through Little Word Windows: Two Letter Words from The Bible.” 3-5pm:

Book launch with Anne-Marie Oomen, editor, “Elemental: A Collection of Michigan Creative Nonfiction.” horizonbooks.com

---------------------MERRY MARKETPLACE: 10am-4pm, Old Art Building, Leland. Featuring 19 local artisans with jewelry, willow furniture, pottery, specialty foods, candles, herbal & soaps & lotions, cards, clothing for children, hand knit items & much more. 231-256-2131. oldartbuilding.com

---------------------TRAIN WONDERLAND: 10am-3pm, Castle Farms, Charlevoix. Kids can enjoy model & interactive train displays, including the Polar Express & riding trains. Holiday interactive games, craft, snacks, hot cocoa & tram rides around the Castle are included (weather permitting). $5 ages 3 & up. castlefarms.com/ events/train-wonderland

---------------------STORY TIME WITH SANTA: Pine Hill Nursery, Torch Lake. Story time begins at 10:30am, noon & 1:30pm. Children will have one on one time with Santa, make a Christmas craft & have a snack. Save your spot: 231-599-2824. $5. pinehill-nursery.com

---------------------LIGHT UP THE NIGHT & SOUP KICK OFF: 12-7pm, Downtown Bellaire. Enjoy holiday events, from a free kid’s movie, ornament making, to the annual “Soup Cook-Off” with 10+ participating restaurants, a visit with Santa after the “Parade of Lights,” community tree lighting, caroling & a live Nativity.

---------------------SUGAR PLUM FAIRY TEA: 1-3pm, Stafford’s Perry Hotel, Petoskey. Enjoy an afternoon with the principal performers of the CTAC School of Ballet’s “The Nutcracker,” as well as lemonade, tea, cocoa, finger sandwiches & treats; a reading of “The Nutcracker” story; & while available, two tickets to a performance of “The Nutcracker” at Bay Harbor’s Great Lakes Center for the Arts. Tea for Two: $75. crookedtree.org

---------------------MERRY MAKERS MARKETPLACE: 5pm, Crooked Tree Arts Center, TC. Enjoy a holiday shopping market with artists’ booths, a festive spread of cookies & coffee, & holiday music & cheer. Free. crookedtree. org/event/ctac-traverse-city/merry-makersmarketplace

---------------------PHOTOGRAPHY SHOW & HOLIDAY PICK ME UP: 5-8pm, Gallery 31, Beulah. Handmade gift market w/ photography from Elijah Browning, Nick Irwin, Brett Martin, Holly Nelson & Jeffery Stratton. Local wine, treats, music & more. 231-325-2522. Free. facebook. com/Gallery31.net

---------------------MERCHANTS HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE: Downtown Harbor Springs. Main St. will be closed from 6-9pm so shoppers & kids can mix & mingle. The Petoskey Steel Drum Band will perform.

---------------------“A CHRISTMAS CAROL”: (See Sat., Nov. 24) ---------------------“VIOLET”: 2pm & 7:30pm, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Harvey Theatre. This multi-award winning musical follows a determined woman who embarks on a cross-country bus trip to have her disfiguring scar healed by a preacher. Presented by the Arts Academy Theatre Co. $20 full, $18 senior, $11 youth. tickets. interlochen.org

---------------------BLISSFEST COMMUNITY DANCE: 7:30pm, Red Sky Stage, Petoskey. Contra & square dances along with a few circles & reels.

Hannah Harris Trio will provide music, with Larry Dyer & Jan Fowler calling. All dances are taught. $5/person, $7/couple, $10/family. blissfest.org

---------------------MANITOU WINDS PRESENTS “WINTER SONGS & CAROLS”: 7:30pm, Grace Episcopal Church, TC. Free. manitouwinds.com/ performances

ng issues

WINTER JAZZ ENSEMBLE SHOWCASE: 7:30pm, Dennos Museum Center, Milliken Auditorium, NMC, TC. $12 adults, $7 students & seniors. mynorthtickets.com

---------------------4TH ANNUAL CITY OPERA HOUSE GALA: 8pm, City Opera House, TC. Broadway on Front: Starry Night. Featuring Paul Canaan, Haven Burton, Carlos Encinias, Cortney Wolfson, Brad Willcuts, Jacob Yandura, & Take It From The Top - Class of 2018. Tickets: Tier 1/Main floor: $125; Tier 2/Balcony: $25; Students/Balcony: $15. cityoperahouse. org/gala

dec 02

sunday

AN EVENING WITH JOSHUA DAVIS: SOLD OUT! 4-6pm, Leelanau Community Cultural Center at the Old Art Building, Leland. $20. mynorthtickets.com

---------------------TRAIN WONDERLAND: (See Sat., Dec. 1) ---------------------DOWNTOWN COCOA CRAWL: 11am-3pm, Downtown TC. Shop local for the holidays & sip on hot cocoa at various locations. Vote for your favorite. Free. downtowntc.com

---------------------TC HOLIDAY BOOK FESTIVAL: 1-4pm, The Village at GT Commons, TC. Featuring 25 authors & musicians in The Mercato.

---------------------“A CHRISTMAS CAROL”: (See Sun., Nov. 25)

---------------------“CHRISTMAS GIFTS”: 2pm, Up North Arts Center, Cadillac. Readings on Christmas giving, from laughter to tears. 231-468-3040. $10.

---------------------ACCC ANNUAL CHRISTMAS CONCERT: 4pm, Bellaire High School Performing Art Center.

---------------------THE JEN SYGIT TRIO: 4pm, Sleder’s Family Tavern, TC. Singer-songwriter & multi-instrumentalist Jen Sygit has three solo albums with her latest release “So Long Pollyanna” named as album of the year by both John Bommarito (107.1 FM Ann Arbor, MI) & The Progressive Torch & Twang (88.9 FM East Lansing, MI).

947-9213. $20, $25.

---------------------IRISH CHRISTMAS IN AMERICA: 8pm, Dennos Museum Center, Milliken Auditorium, NMC, TC. Enjoy Irish ballads, instrumental tunes & Irish dancing. Produced by Oisín Mac Diarmada of award-winning lrish group Téada, this tour brings back Séamus Begley, along with Sligo’s Niamh Farrell. Tickets: $24 members, $27 advanced & $30 door. dennosmuseum.org

with a CFS program creates a wish list ranging around $100. Community members can call the Paper Angels desk & select a wish list to fulfill, Mon. through Fri., 10am-4pm. Drop off day for gifts is Dec. 8, from 10am-2pm at CFS on Veterans Dr. for Traverse City area gifts, & Fletch’s in Petoskey for northern counties. cfsnwmi.org/paperangels THE GIVING TREE: This tree is decorated with ornaments representing the ages of children at the Safe Home, the domestic abuse shelter serving families in Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Emmet & Otsego counties. Shoppers may select an ornament on the tree which will help guide them in their purchase of an age-appropriate book or gift to donate & place under the tree. mcleanandeakin.com

---------------------BLUEBERRY PANCAKE BREAKFAST: Sundays, 8am-noon, Rainbow of Hope Farm, Kingsley. Proceeds benefit residents of Rainbow of Hope Farm. NO BREAKFASTS IN JAN. OR FEB. rainbowofhopefarm.weebly.com

---------------------FREE PLAY WRITING COMPETITION: City Opera House, TC invites regional high school students to submit an original one-act play - 9-12 pages with 4 characters or less - to the 8th Annual Young Playwrights Festival. The deadline is Fri., Dec. 14. Finalists are paired with national theater mentors, win $100 & see their play performed on the City Opera House stage. cityoperahouse.org/ypf

---------------------THREADS FIBER ARTS GROUP: Mondays, 10am, Peninsula Community Library, Old Mission Peninsula School, TC. Bring your own needlework project & work among friends. peninsulacommunitylibrary.org

---------------------RUN SABADOS: Run on the Civic Center Park track every Sat. at 9am until Preserve Hickory/Mt. Holiday opens. Meet at the Norte Wheelhouse, TC. elgruponorte.org

---------------------STORY STEW: Peninsula Community Library, Old Mission Peninsula School, TC. Held every Thurs. at 10am with the fourth Thurs. offering free books for kids, courtesy of Born to Read & Twilight Rotary. Includes stories, crafts & songs for little ones. peninsulacommunitylibrary.org

---------------------BOYNE CITY INDOOR FARMERS MARKET: Saturdays, 9am-noon, City Hall, Boyne City.

NO MARKET ON SAT., NOV. 24. Dec. 1 will feature live music by Ron Fowler.

----------------------

PAPER ANGELS: Each year CFS matches donors in the community with people who need them through the Paper Angels Christmas Giving Program. Each person affiliated

N O R T H E R N

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Vol. 24 No. 22

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surprised by who’s reading this right now? expres s

NortherN express readers:

N O R T H E R N

Have a median income above $86,500 an incredible 92 percent of express readers have purchased food, wine, or products based on an ad they saw on our pages For advertising information contact: info@northernexpress.com

www.n

THE B A Y B O A T S, S, W & WA IND VES orther

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KLY • June

2 - Jun e

8, 2014

Vol. 24 No. 22

Michael

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Traverse City

Holiday Book Festival Sunday, December 2 • 1- 4 pm

THE VILLAGE @ GRAND TRAVERSE COMMONS, TC INDOOR FARMERS MARKET: Saturdays, 10am-2pm. Held inside the Mercato. Enjoy local fresh produce, eggs, farm fresh cheese, local meats & more.

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NortherN - - - - - - - - - -express - - - - - - - - readers: ----

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art

HARVEST FOOD & SUPPLY DRIVE: Help support women & children at the Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan’s (WRCNM) Safe Home who are seeking safety from domestic abuse. Donations include non-perishable foods, grocery gift cards, household goods & personal care items.

Bring to the WRCNM main office at 423 Porter St. in Petoskey; Gold Mine Resale Shops in Petoskey; & WRCNM offices in Cheboygan, Gaylord & Mancelona. 231-347-1572.

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surprised by who’s reading - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - this right now?

ongoing

ANNUAL FOOD DRIVE: Coldwell Banker, 633 Willow St., Bellaire. Held to stock local food pantries. Runs through Dec. 15. Drop off your unopened non-perishables. Open Mon. through Fri., 9am-5pm & Sat., 10am-2pm.

DENNOS MUSEUM CENTER, NMC, TC: - HOMAGE: INSPIRED BY OUTSTANDING CANADIAN WOMEN: Runs through Jan. 20.

This exhibition features 40 framed neckpieces created as a celebration & tribute to CanaCROOKED TREE ARTS CENTER, PETOSdian women, past & present by jewelry artist KEY: Donald Stuart.

- “TESTAMENTS: CTAC FACULTY SHOW”: - PANGNIRTUNG WEAVINGS FROM THE Atrium Gallery. Includes the work of 13 CTAC DENNOS MUSEUM CENTER’S COLLECinstructors. Runs through Dec. 1. A reception TION: Runs through Jan. 20. Featuring weavwill be held on Thurs., Nov. 29 from 5:30-7pm. ings from the Inuit art collection, by the artists crookedtree.org of the Pangnirtung Weaving Cooperative.

- VISIONS OF AMERICAN LIFE: PAINTINGS CROOKED TREEincome ARTS CENTER, TC: FROM THE MANOOGIAN Have a median above $86,500 THCOLLECTION, E BO AT BA - DELBERT MICHEL: A RETROSPECTIVE: A 1850-1950: Runs through Jan. From the S YS, 20.

WIN , an incredible 92 percent of express readers & retrospective exhibit of artist Delbert Michel’s Detroit Institute of Arts, this exhibition WAV D features S 60-year career. Runsfood, through Nov. 27. arthave purchased wine, or products40 works by late-19th & early-20thEcentury - TRAVERSE AREA CAMERA CLUB EXHIBIists capturing American life, culture & identity based on an ad they saw on our pages in that time. Hours: 10am-5pm, Mon.-Sat.; TION: Runs through Nov. 27. crookedtree.org GAYLORD AREA COUNCIL FOR THE ARTS, 1-5pm, Sun,; & 10am-8pm, Thurs.

For advertising information contact: GAYLORD: - THE ART OF: THE OTHER TRAVERSE info@northernexpress.com - THE CREATIVE CROWD: Join local artists CITY: Local photographer Alan Newton will working on their own projects & enjoying focus his lens on the opioid crisis affecting the company of others. Every Thurs. from the TC region & beyond. Featuring about 11 11:30am-2:30pm. Bring your own project, supportraits of people who are addicts in recovery, plies & lunch, if desired. emergency responders, judges, families who - HOLIDAY ART MARKET: Runs through have lost children, & others, along with their Dec. 22. Hours: 11am-3pm, Tuesday through written stories based on interviews conducted Friday; & 12-2pm on Saturday. Closed Sunday

by Newton. Runs through Dec. 30. Open daily, & Monday. Free. gaylordarts.org 10am-5pm; Sun., 1-5pm. dennosmuseum.org 1 at The Botanic Garden, Visitor Center at Historic Barns Park, TC. Featuring paintings of 12 local artists, who often paint together plein air. thebotanicgarden.org

WINTER MEMBER EXHIBITION: Daily, 10am. Nov. 30 - Jan. 4. Oliver Art Center, Frankfort. Runs Nov. 30 - Jan. 4. oliverartcenterfrankfort.org/gallery-gift-shop/exhibitioncalendar

HOLIDAY ARTS & CRAFTS BOUTIQUE: Saturdays, 10am-4pm, Dec. 1 - Dec. 15. Up North Arts, Cadillac. upnorthartsinc.com

---------------------“IT’S PERSONAL” GROUP SHOW: Twisted Fish Gallery, Elk Rapids. Featuring figurative work, from canvas to clay by Shanny Brooke & five other artists. Runs through Nov. Hours: 10am-5pm, Tues.-Sat. twistedfishgallery.com

---------------------“JUST GREAT ART”: City Opera House, TC. Presented by the Plein Air Painters of Northwest MI. Runs through Jan. 2; Mon.-Fri., 10am-5pm. cityoperahouse.org

---------------------“NATURE’S PALETTE”: Runs through Dec.

25 Authors & Musicians in the Mercato

Great Books, Great Music & Great FUN! Unique Book Gifts Signed by Regional Authors!

Presented by the Traverse City Authors Group • Sponsor: The National Writers Series

Northern Express Weekly • november 26, 2018 • 23

The reel

by meg weichman

the grinch

W

hile this certainly won’t replace Dr. Seuss’ treasured book How the Grinch Stole Christmas! or the classic Chuck Jones TV special from 1966 in anyone’s heart, just like The Grinch’s heart somehow manages to grow three times in size, I think you’ll be able to find some room in your own heart for this sweet and streamlined CG animation adaptation. We all know the story, a Grinch who hates Christmas, along with his loyal canine companion Max, decide to steal all of the presents, food, and decorations from the people of Whoville. It’s a quick read, a handful of pages, or 26 minutes if you faithfully put it to film. And unlike the travesty of the Ron Howard’s 2000 feature length adaptation, The Grinch manages to exercise some restraint in adding to the sparse source material. Voice

by Benedict Cumberbatch, the Grinch sneers, jeers, scoffs, and taunts the yuletide-infected people of Whoville. And while he is misanthropic, he is never mean spirited. The humor is also largely based in slapstick physical comedy. It has an ageless quality to it, doesn’t go for the easy jokes, and steers clear of kiddie film lamebrain bathroom humor. And while it does have its share of modern updates and changes, what makes this adaptation such a winner is that The Grinch never loses sight of the story’s message of love and kindness, delivering poignant moments of Christmas magic.

WIDOWS A diverse group of women team up for a risky heist. Wait, is this Ocean’s 8? I assure you it is definitely not. In fact, it couldn’t be further from the frothy farce of that film. And while it’s definitely got a dazzling heist sequence, it ain’t no caper. It’s an epic crime drama, a potent social commentary, and a raw melodrama. Basically it’s the perfect adult blockbuster. The kind of film we can only hope Hollywood would make more of — a prestige popcorn movie in the vein of The Fugitive or Inside Man that offers masterful craftsmanship, seething intelligence, and exquisitely enjoyable thrills.

And that it straddles the worlds of arthouse and commercial filmmaking so successfully shouldn’t come as a surprise, because behind the camera is Steve McQueen, who is making his long-awaited follow-up to his 2013 Oscarwinning 12 Years a Slave. What is surprising, however, is that he set his sights on adapting a 1983 British miniseries. So while pulpy genre fare wouldn’t have been my first guess for his next work, it’s immediately apparent there’s no genre he can’t nail and elevate.

McQueen sets the tone for the multi-layered story that follows with a bravura action opening intercut with an intimate moment of affection between Veronica (Viola Davis) and her husband, Harry (Liam Neeson), and it ends in Neeson and his criminal compatriots’ death in the middle of a job.

While we’re privy to Veronica’s very real and resonant moments of grief, she doesn’t have time to wallow after crime lord Jamal Manning (Brian Tyree Henry) comes calling at her expensive Lake Shore Drive condo, wanting the $2 million her husband’s crew stole from him.

Left only with her husband’s notebook, Veronica launches a desperate and daring scheme to pull off her husband’s next job. And she’s going to need help. So who better to turn to than the widows of his associates, now also at risk for retribution?

And so, in an absolutely killer scene in a sauna, she meets Alice (Elizabeth Debicki), a trophy wife whose husband beat her and is now entertaining escorting as the way to her next meal ticket. Then Linda (Michelle Rodriguez), a single mom whose husband stole her successful Quinceanera dress business right out from under her to pay his gambling debts.

Neither woman seem to miss their husbands all that much. Both are willing to take the risk, especially once Veronica explains “no one thinks we have the balls to pull this off.”

But like I said, the heist, as masterful as it is, is practically secondary. This is a twisty tale, big in scope, which also crosses paths with a fascinating local election. See, the crime lord who’s after

Veronica is also looking to take his empire legit; he decides to run for Alderman of Chicago’s 18th Ward. It’s a ward that, despite a predominantly African American makeup, is still ruled by the affluent and caucasian Mulligan family. Daddy Mulligan (Robert Duvall) has reached the end of his career, but the racist politician is committed to staying in power at all costs by having his son, Jack (Colin Farrell, having a bit of renaissance), run for his seat.

Here we get to dig in to a vivid depiction of corruption as the film brilliantly confronts issues of race, class, and gender. And McQueen, working from a script he co-wrote with Gone Girl writer Gillian Flynn, juggles all of these elements exceptionally well as the tension builds.

Look no further for evidence that this is nextlevel filmmaking than a sequence focused on the tinted windows of Jack’s chauffeured car as he throws a hissy fit while being driven from a campaign event back to his home. It’s odd and disorienting at first, but then it hits you that in the span of only a few moments you’re seeing the immensity of the distance between Jack and his would-be constituents as the car moves from the south-side slums to his beautiful manicured brownstone home. In just this one shot, McQueen does more than lesser filmmakers can do with an entire movie.

The performances on display are pretty much a master class in acting. Every character has such dimension. In the murder’s row of smaller parts, you’ve got Carrie Coon as the fourth widow, who stays out of the job with a newborn at home. Then Jackie Weaver as Alice’s mom, essentially trying to pimp her daughter. Or Belle (Cynthia Erivo), Linda’s babysitter, who joins the crew and shows you everything you need to know about her just from running to catch the bus. Then you have Daniel Kaluuya, almost unrecognizable in this post Get Out role. But playing Jamal’s chilling enforcer of a brother, you recognize his Oscar nomination was no fluke.

Then you have Viola Davis — a pure powerhouse.

Carrying around a snow-white Westie named Ophelia, she’s absolutely riveting, commanding your complete attention and speaking volumes with nothing more than a smile.

McQueen doesn’t compromise his filmmaking, what he wants to say, or the audience’s enjoyment. It’s not always pretty or comfortable or easy, but it’s authentic and true and satisfying, earning every single beat and its electrifying twist. As entertaining as it is smart, and with one of the most stacked ensemble casts in recent memory, Widows is a dazzler.

Meg Weichman is a perma-intern at the Traverse City Film Festival and a trained film archivist.

24 • november 26, 2018 • Northern Express Weekly

the nutcracker and the four realms

A

nother classic story falls victim to the Disney CGI machine.

Yes, Disney has taken a holiday tradition — going to the theater to see Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker and thereby exposing children to classical music and ballet — and stripped it of nearly all of its cultural significance. It turns The Nutcracker into another watered-down, female empowerment-infused tale that almost makes this year’s similar Disney adaptation of A Wrinkle in Time look like a triumph. The filmmakers have concocted a complete nonsense story where the only through line to the source material seems to be the names of the characters, and there’s entirely not enough ballet, nor of Tchaikovsky’s beautiful music. The complicated, confusing, and dull tale involves “clever girl” Clara (Mackenzie Foy, Interstellar) uncovering a different world that her recently deceased mother apparently created and was queen of. And there’s apparently a war going on between the four realms that make up this magical land — with Keira Knightley’s daffy Sugar Plum Fairy on one side, Helen Mirren’s pirate-looking Mother Ginger on the other, and creepy clowns and way too many mice scattered about. With so little room for the imagination and a complete lack of perspective, it feels like The Nutcracker and the Four Realms was directed by no one, or rather, that is was simply spawned by Disney’s CGI extravaganza formula. While House of Mouse may be king, Disney was no match for the Mouse King.

mid90s

M

id90s marks Oscar-nominated actor and comedian Jonah Hill’s directorial debut. And while his love letter to the skateboarding scene of the – you guessed it – mid 90s, has a level or craftsmanship and competency you would expect from such a Hollywood pedigree, it also has a few too many first-time filmmaker clichés. From shooting on 16mm stock and the film’s trendy Academy aspect ratio to the long takes and an overly curated soundtrack, the auteurist touches run amok. So is this the birth of an important voice in the cinema? While it’s a start, I’m not so easily convinced.

Mid90s centers on a boy named Stevie (Sunny Suljic) who falls in with a group of older and cooler skaters. Directionless, but also deliberate and fabricated, not much happens in between the film’s attempts at profundity. It’s mostly barb-trading boys (they use some pretty choice language, FYI) hanging out and occasionally picking up their boards. Still, for as little story as there is, it’s pretty standard coming-of-age territory. These are kids with troubled home lives and from backgrounds anything but privileged, and it feels as though Hill is romanticizing them with the film’s nostalgic focus. From the Teenage Mutant Turtle bedsheets to the Ren & Stimpy t-shirts, this is a millennial’s chance to get all wistful. And in aiming for so much authenticity, it’s comes off as a masturbatory. In spite of faithfully capturing the period and culture, it’s still nothing but a poseur.

FOURSCORE

DOWNTOWN

TRAVERSE CITY

by kristi kates

jingle& mingle A k i c k o ff t o T h e 1 2 D a y s o f Christmas at The Lounge

Ben Poole – Anytime You Need Me – Manhaton

f r i d a y, d e c e m b e r 7 t h | 6 - 9 p m

Poole’s latest is a somewhat short effort, with only eight songs, but the tracks themselves have enough depth that you’ll find this worth repeated listens. “Take It No More” is a tune that’s actually over a year old, and while good, it shows how far he’s evolved since then. More impressive are the balanced grooves of “You Could Say,” the Lindsey Buckingham tones of “Further On Down the Line,” and the set’s two covers, including Poole’s spare take on Jude Cole’s “Start the Car.”

SUNdAY -THURSdAY 12:30 • 3:15 • 6 • 8:45 PM

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Like Pacific – In Spite of Me – Pure Noise

Like Pacific returns for its sophomore album, often the “make or break” moment of a band’s career, and for the most part, it takes the safe route here. The tracks are very reminiscent of the band’s first collection of songs — a kind of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” approach, right down to the familiar riffs of “Admittance” and “Had it Coming.” That said, they’re catchy enough tunes, with fired-up vocals, streetwise lyrics, and beats that keep propelling the set forward with plenty of energy.

SUN & MON 1:30 • 4:30 • 7:30 PM TUE - THU 1 • 3:45 • 6:30 • 9:15 PM 231-947-4800

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State Champs – Living Proof – Pure Noise

Pop-punkers State Champs, hailing from Albany, New York, brought in a host of co-writers for this set, among them All Time Low’s Alex Gaskarth and members of Blink-182. As a result, the tracklist is a little uneven in quality, although opener “Criminal” immediately catches with its spiky guitars and head-nodding beat. Other highlights include the dual-guitar attack of “Crystal Ball” and the faintly romantic “Frozen” (Elsa not included). If you’re a collector, make sure you snag the white vinyl version, which sounds great and looks even cooler.

Downpilot – This is the Sound – Tapete Records

The “down” in Downpilot is pretty literal on this album, with the Paul Hiraga-fronted band taking on a pretty dark tone both lyrically and instrumentally. There’s plenty of political commentary, as evident on “Historian,” “High and Guided,” and “Thievers,” but while there’s plenty of edgy aggression audible as the band airs its opinions, the assault is cushioned a little by subtly executed synth lines and textured violin riffs.

Northern Express Weekly • november 26, 2018 • 25

AVRIL RESURFACES

MODERN

Avril Lavigne

ROCK

BY KRISTI KATES

After five years away from the music scene while she struggled with Lyme disease, Canadian singer-songwriter Avril Lavigne is back with the first single from her upcoming sixth album (title TBA). The track “Head Above Water” is an emotional and personal power ballad about exactly what it sounds like — trying to hang in there. Lavigne’s vocals are in full force over a solid, accelerating instrumental, in a strong showing for her return (check out the single at https:// tinyurl.com/avril-water). She’s remaining evasive about the rest of the album and its release date, though, simply saying that it’s a “powerful” collection of tunes …

Singer Rihanna has just snagged an unusual honor: She’s been appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary by her native Barbados for her work helping promote education, tourism, and investments on the Caribbean island. This isn’t a big turn of events, necessarily — Rihanna’s been considered a “cultural ambassador” for Barbados since 2008 — but this is a more prestigious and official role for the multimedia diva …

The Long Island Music Hall of Fame inducted its latest honorees into

the institution last week, with special ceremonies taking place at The Space at Westbury. Honored for their contributions to both Long Island’s music scene and the overall music community were Taking Back Sunday, rappers EPMD, Jimmy Webb, jazz trumpeter Glenn Drewes, Tommy Byrnes(guitarist with Billy Joel), radio legend Cousin Brucie(Bruce Morrow), and music executive/record company guru Seymour Stein, known for his work with Madonna and The Ramones…

Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason, along with members of The Blockheads and Gary Kemp of Spandau Ballet, have formed a supergroup called Saucerful of Secrets (the name, of course, borrowed from Pink Floyd’s second album). Saucerful has just announced a U.K. tour for 2019, with more dates and countries expected to follow. The initial run will include concert stops in Aylesbury, Cambridge, and London in May of next year …

LINK OF THE WEEK Another great collaboration is heading your way this week, namely Liam Payne’s club-pop effort with French Montana, a broody friend-zone single in which Payne chases an elusive lady around New York City and its late-night subway stops in “First

26 • november 26, 2018 • Northern Express Weekly

Time.” Check out the catchy track and its accompanying music video at https://tinyurl. com/liampayne-firsttime …

THE BUZZ Nov. 30 will welcome Common, with special guest Robert Glasper, to The Fillmore in Detroit …

Boyne City’s Performing Arts Center has announced that it will stage the musical “Newsies” in spring 2019. The musical is best known for its 1992 film version starring

Christian Bale and Bill Pullman…

Motor city trio Deadbeat Beat has released its latest single, the psychedelic, droning “Tree, Grass and Stone” …

Detroit rapper Illingsworth has released You’re No Fun, his debut album on indie-rap label Mello Music Group … and that’s the buzz for this week’s Modern Rock.

Comments, questions, rants, raves, suggestions on this column? Send ’em to Kristi at modernrocker@gmail.com.

nitelife

NOV 24 - dec 2 edited by jamie kauffold

Send Nitelife to: events@traverseticker.com

Grand Traverse & Kalkaska

ACOUSTIC TAP ROOM, TC 11/29 -- Community Jam w/ The Lofteez & Ken & Jes, 7-9 GT DISTILLERY, TC Fri. – Younce Guitar Duo, 7-9:30 KILKENNY'S, TC 11/23-24 – Brett Mitchell 11/30-12/1 – Lucas Paul Tue -- Levi Britton, 8 Wed -- The Pocket, 8 Sun. -- Geeks Who Drink Trivia, 7-9 LEFT FOOT CHARLEY, TC 11/26 -- Open Mic Night w/ Rob Coonrod, 6-9 11/30 -- Ruby John, Katie O'Connor & Dane Hyde, 6-8 PARK PLACE HOTEL, TC BEACON LOUNGE: Thurs,Fri,Sat — Tom Kaufmann, 8:30 SAIL INN BAR & GRILL, TC Thurs. & Sat. -- Phattrax DJs & Karaoke, 9 SLEDER'S FAMILY TAVERN, TC 12/2 -- The Jen Sygit Trio, 4 STREETERS, TC GROUND ZERO: 11/24 -- The Bihlman Brothers &

Larry McCray, 7 11/30 -- Beastie Boys Tribute 90s Party, 7 12/1 -- POD & Nonpoint, 7 RESERVED ROOM: 11/24 -- Mega 80's, 8 STUDIO ANATOMY, TC 11/24 -- Local Hip Hop, 9 11/30 -- Musician Showcase Presented by Northern MI Musicians’ Collective, 7 TC WHISKEY CO., STILLHOUSE, TC 11/29 -- The Moxie Strings, 6-8 THE DISH CAFE, TC Tues, Sat -- Matt Smith, 5-7 THE HAYLOFT INN, TC Thu -- Roundup Radio Show Open Mic Night, 8 THE LITTLE FLEET, TC 11/24 -- DJ Heady, 8:30-11:30 11/27 -- Dance for Norte, 7-9 Wed -- Tiki Night w/ DJ, 3 THE PARLOR, TC 11/24 -- John Pomeroy, 8 11/28 -- Rob Coonrod, 7:30 11/29 -- Chris Smith, 8 11/30 -- Jimmy Olson, 8 12/1 -- 5th Anniversary Prohibition Party w/ Jimmy Olsen, Chris

Emmet & Cheboygan LEO’S NEIGHBORHOOD TAVERN, PETOSKEY Thurs — Karaoke w/ DJ Micheal Williford, 10

CITY PARK GRILL, PETOSKEY 11/30 -- Annex Karaoke, 10 12/1 -- DJ Jo Fuss, 10 KNOT JUST A BAR, BAY HARBOR Mon,Tues,Thurs — Live music

MICHAEL'S TAVERN & HOUSE, INDIAN RIVER 11/28 -- Dos Hippies, 5-7

Sterr & Joe Wilson & Friends, 7 THE WORKSHOP BREWING CO., TC 11/26 -- Rotten Cherries Comedy Open Mic, 8-9:30 Tue -- TC Celtic - Traditional Irish Music, 6:30-9 Wed -- Jazz Jam, 6-10 UNION STREET STATION, TC 11/24 -- Electric Red, 10 11/25 -- Head for the Hills Live Show, then Karaoke, 5 11/26 -- Jukebox, 10 11/27 -- TC Comedy Collective, 8-9:30; then Open Mic w/ Matt McCalpin 11/28 -- DJ JR, 10 11/29 -- 1000 Watt Prophets, 10 11/30 -- Happy Hour w/ Jazz North, then DJ Prim, 5 12/1 -- DJ Deacon Jonze, 10 12/2 -- Karaoke, 10 WEST BAY BEACH HOLIDAY INN RESORT, TC 11/24,12/1 -- DJ Motaz, View, 10 11/28 -- David Chown, View, 6 11/29 -- Jeff Haas Trio w/ Laurie Sears, 6-8:30 11/30 -- Strobelite Honey, View, 7

SIDE DOOR SALOON, PETOSKEY Sat. – Karaoke, 8 THE GRILLE AT BAY HARBOR Nightly Music

Leelanau & Benzie DICK’S POUR HOUSE, LAKE LEELANAU Sat. — Karaoke, 10-2 LAKE ANN BREWING CO. 11/27 -- Pat Niemisto & Friends, 6:30-9:30 LUMBERJACK'S BAR & GRILL, HONOR Fri & Sat -- Phattrax DJs & Karaoke, 9

THE CABBAGE SHED, ELBERTA Thu -- Open Mic Night, 8-11

ST. AMBROSE CELLARS, BEULAH 11/24 -- Flipside, 6-9 11/30 -- E-Minor, 6-9 12/1 -- Dale Wicks, 6-9

VILLA MARINE, FRANKFORT Tue -- Open Mic, 8-11

STORMCLOUD BREWING CO., FRANKFORT 11/24 -- Dos Hippies, 8-10 12/1 -- Brett Mitchell, 8-10

Antrim & Charlevoix ETHANOLOGY, ELK RAPIDS 11/24 -- After Ours Band, 8-11 12/1 -- Laura Thurston, 8-11 RED MESA GRILL, BOYNE CITY 11/27 -- Blake Elliott, 6-9

SHORT'S BREWING CO., BELLAIRE 11/24 -- Brewski Bash w/ Charlie Millard Band at 8:30 11/30 -- The Crane Wives, 8:3011 12/1 -- The Hacky Turtles, 8:3011

TORCH LAKE CAFÉ, CENTRAL LAKE 1st & 3rd Mon. of mo. – Trivia Tues. – Bob Webb, 6-9 Weds. – Dominic & Lee Thurs. – Open mic Fri. & Sat. – Live bands Sun. – Pine River Jazz, 2-5

Otsego, Crawford & Central ALPINE TAVERN & EATERY, GAYLORD Sat -- Live Music, 6-9

SNOWBELT BREWING CO., GAYLORD 11/30 -- Track n Field, 7-10

Send us your free live music listings to events@traverseticker.com Mon - Ladies Night - $1 off drinks & $5 martinis with Jukebox Tues - $2 well drinks & shots

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FOOD & DRINK SPECIALS

For Traverse City area news and events, visit TraverseTicker.com

8:9:30 TC Comedy Collective then: Open Mic w/Matt McCalpin

Wed - Get it in the can for $1 w/DJ JR Thurs - $1 off all drinks & $2 Coors Lt. pints

with 1000 Watt Prophets

Fri Nov 30 - Buckets of Beer starting at $8 (2-8pm)

Happy Hour: Jazz North then: DJ Prim Sat Dec 1 -DJ Deacon Jonze

Sun Dec 2 - KARAOKE (10PM-2AM) 941-1930 downtown TC check us out at unionstreetstationtc.net

Northern Express Weekly • november 26, 2018 • 27

the ADViCE GOddESS Teetotally Awesome

Q “Jonesin” Crosswords

"Cast of Characters"--all with the help of one person. by Matt Jones ACROSS 1 Celebrity news site 4 “___ the season” 7 Site for some trivia events 10 “So frustrating ...”

13 Sugarloaf Mountain locale 14 Coach Parseghian 15 Make up stuff 16 Mauna ___ (Hawaiian volcano) 17 Character co-created by 63-Across 19 Abbr. on toothpaste boxes 20 ___-Wan Kenobi 21 Sasha’s older sister 22 Character co-created by 63-Across 25 “Here, I’ll get that” 27 Auguries 28 “Canterbury Tales” site 30 Great Lake name 31 Borrow (forever) 32 Starts to drop off 34 Dir. of this clue 35 “Incorrect” 39 Group of characters co-created by 63-Across 40 With “The,” character co-created by 63-Across 42 Character co-created by 63-Across 43 Mexican blanketlike shawl 45 Round fig.

46 Recording 47 Quit being serious 48 Open a little 50 Important 51 Colorado resort town 54 Create cartoons 56 Character co-created by 63-Across 58 Hands out hands 61 He did Solo work 62 Bird bill 63 Late comics maven whose career spanned eight decades 65 “Foucault’s Pendulum” author Umberto 66 Sport ___ (4x4) 67 Cassis-and-white wine cocktail 68 December 31, e.g.

69 Court partition 70 It gets steamrollered 71 Magic 8-Ball response 72 Liquor flavored with juniper DOWN 1 Quick haircut 2 Actress Sorvino 3 Ben Stiller character with signature looks 4 Dish served in cornhusks 5 Glass on the radio 6 Sub, e.g.

7 Lean on the horn 8 Assistant 9 Digital data display 10 Mitt 11 ABC host Roberts 12 Train tracks 18 Zero, in rugby 23 Patriotic memorabilia 24 Former Cowboy Smith 26 Emulated Cicero 28 “Need You Tonight” group 29 1890s gold rush city 31 Two-letter pair 33 Moved sinuously 36 Get going 37 “I don’t want that” 38 “The Book of Mormon” co-creator Parker 41 Ballet great Vaslav 44 Pesto ingredient 49 Detection methods 51 Beyond pale 52 First word of a “Star Trek” opener 53 Wine variety 54 “Late Night with Seth Meyers” writer/performer Ruffin 55 Pin in the back 57 EGOT winner Moreno 59 Jeans maker Strauss 60 Noticed 64 Knot up

28 • november 26, 2018 • Northern Express Weekly

: I’m a recovering addict, five years sober.

My ex-boyfriend was a “normie” (12-step slang for someone who hasn’t had addiction issues), and there were definitely things he just didn’t get. Do I need to date another recovering addict to feel understood? I’ve done that before, and I really don’t like it. It’s like living in a recovery bubble 24/7.

— Sober

A

: A person who doesn’t have a history of addiction can understand the need to take the edge off. They’ll even admit to doing it themselves — with a cup of chamomile tea.

Though “normies” tend to view addicts as lazy, an addict’s shame sometimes comes out of typically impressive qualities — like creativity and industriousness — being applied to getting loaded. Take author and former comedian Amy Dresner. In her addiction memoir, “My Fair Junkie,” she writes about suffering a grand mal seizure while shooting cocaine. Realizing that she could’ve cracked her head open, she had an epiphany -- no, not to stop shooting coke but to strap on a bike helmet before doing it.

As shocking as this would be to most normie men, there are those who could still be a good partner to someone in recovery — if they’re willing to put some work into empathizing. However, it turns out there are different kinds of empathy. In short, “I feel ya” empathy is different from “I understand you” empathy. “I feel ya” is dumb empathy, the kind that just pops up automatically, without any mental effort on our part. Researchers call this auto-empathy “affective empathy,” because “affect” is researcher-speak for the observable expression of emotion (in a person’s face, body, or voice). Affective empathy involves “emotional contagion,” in which you “catch” and then automatically experience somebody’s emotion, to some degree. (It’s basically the emotional version of the mythical “contact high.”)

“I understand you” empathy, on the other hand, is “cognitive empathy,” a psychological skill that psychologists also call “perspectivetaking.” It involves a conscious mental effort to put yourself in another person’s shoes -- to understand their point of view, motivations, and/or emotions. Research by business school professor Cynthia Wang and her colleagues finds that an ability for perspective-taking correlates with reduced prejudice and stronger social bonds. This suggests that a man who engages in it might be more likely to see you as, well...rehabulous — sober and fabulous — a person who overcame her addiction issues instead of a bunch of addiction issues with a person attached.

BY Amy Alkon

Finally, because you’ve probably done serious soul-searching and character correction in getting and staying sober, a man who’s a good match for you is probably one who’s taken some hard looks at himself and worked to remodel where necessary. Ideally, he’ll help you feel comfortable opening up to him by being open about his own current and former shortcomings. (Try not to laugh when he reveals deeply shameful lapses...like once stress-eating five cookies at a party.)

Her Beta Half

Q

: In a documentary on Lady Gaga, she talked about how whenever she reached a new pinnacle of success, her boyfriend or fiance left her. It happened three times. My most recent boyfriend couldn’t handle it when I started to become successful. Are my options to be successful and alone or unsuccessful and loved? How do I find someone who won’t feel threatened?

— Disturbed

A

: It’s often hard for a man who’s achieved less than the woman he’s with. She introduces him with “Meet my boyfriend...” and he imagines everybody finishing her thought with “...the man whose job it is to eat treats out of my hand like a squirrel.”

Wave hello to “precarious manhood,” a term coined by psychologists Jennifer Bosson and Joseph Vandello for how a man’s social status must be continually earned and “can be lost relatively easily” through public failures and the exposure of his shortcomings. We rack up our social standing in comparison with others.

So, not surprisingly — in line with research I recently cited about men’s freakouts when they were told a woman beat them in every category on an exam — Bosson and Vandello write that “feelings of masculinity can be undone” by “being outperformed by a woman.”

The reality is, the world is not our dating oyster. (Atheists have to take a pass on the hot churchgoers. The teetotalers go poorly with the “social crack smokers.”) Accept that success narrows your options, and concentrate on meeting men in places the honchos (or at least the highly successful) hang out. (Price points -- like costly admission to a charity event — are one way to weed out many of those of middling achievement.) Narrowing the field this way should make you less likely to hear dismaying parting words from a man — those that basically translate to “I have mad respect for your success. My penis, unfortunately, has some ambivalence.“

aSTRO

lOGY

NOV 26- DEC 02

BY ROB BREZSNY

SAGITTARIUS

(Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Blackjack is a card game popular in gambling casinos. In the eternal struggle to improve the odds of winning big money, some blackjack players work in teams.

One teammate secretly counts the cards as they’re dealt and assesses what cards are likely to come up next. Another teammate gets subtle signals from his card-counting buddy and makes the bets. A casino in Windsor, Ontario pressed charges against one blackjack team, complaining that this tactic was deceptive and dishonest. But the court decided in the team’s favor, ruling that the players weren’t cheating but simply using smart strategy. In the spirit of these blackjack teams, Sagittarius, and in accordance with astrological omens, I urge you to better your odds in a “game” of your choice by using strategy that is almost as good as cheating but isn’t actually cheating.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): If you want

to play the drinking game called Possum, you and your friends climb up into a tree with a case of beer and start drinking. As time goes by, people get so hammered they fall out of the tree. The winner is the last one left in the tree. I hope you won’t engage in this form of recreation anytime soon—nor in any other activity that even vaguely resembles it. The coming weeks should be a time of calling on favors, claiming your rewards, collecting your blessings, and graduating to the next level. I trust your policy will be: no trivial pursuits, no wasted efforts, no silly stunts.

PIScES (Feb. 19-March 20): In his song

“Happy Talk,” Academy Award-winning lyricist Oscar Hammerstein II offered this advice: “You gotta have a dream. If you don’t have a dream, how you gonna have a dream come true?” Where do you stand in this regard, Pisces? Do you in fact have a vivid, clearly defined dream? And have you developed a strategy for making that dream come true? The coming weeks will be an excellent time to home in on what you really want and hone your scheme for manifesting it. (P.S. Keep in mind Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s idea: “A goal without a plan is just a wish.”)

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Does moss

bird known as the Arctic tern experiences two summers and enjoys more daylight than any other animal. That’s because it regularly makes a long-distance journey from the Arctic to the Antarctic and back again. Let’s designate this hardy traveler as your inspirational creature for the next eleven months. May it help animate you to experiment with brave jaunts that broaden and deepen your views of the world. I don’t necessarily mean you should literally do the equivalent of circumnavigating the planet. Your expansive adventures might take place mostly in inner realms or closer to home.

TAURUS

(April 20-May 20): When the American Civil War began in 1861, the United States fractured. Four years later, the union was technically restored when the northern states defeated the southern states. At that time, African American slavery became illegal everywhere for the first time since the country’s birth decades earlier. But there was a catch.

The southern states soon enacted laws that mandated racial segregation and ensured that African Americans continued to suffer systematic disadvantages. Is there a comparable issue in your personal life? Did you at sometime in the past try to fix an untenable situation only to have it sneak back in a less severe but still debilitating form? The coming weeks will be an excellent time to finish the reforms; to enforce a thorough and permanent correction.

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LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Let’s shout out a big

“THANKS!” and “HALLELUJAH!” to the enzymes in our bodies. These catalytic proteins do an amazing job of converting the food we eat into available energy. Without them, our cells would take forever to turn any particular meal into the power we need to walk, talk, and think. I bring this marvel to your attention, Leo, because now is a favorable time to look for and locate metaphorical equivalents of enzymes: influences and resources that will aid and expedite your ability to live the life you want to live.

knows that it is entirely possible to be homesick for a place you’ve never been to, perhaps more homesick than for familiar ground,” writes author Judith Thurman. I’m guessing you will experience this feeling in the coming weeks. What does it mean if you do? It may be your deep psyche’s way of nudging you to find an energizing new sanctuary. Or perhaps it means you should search for fresh ways to feel peaceful and wellgrounded. Maybe it’s a prod to push you outside your existing comfort zone so you can expand your comfort zone.

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LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Venice, Italy consists

of 118 small islands that rise from a shallow lagoon. A network of 443 bridges keeps them all connected. But Venice isn’t the world champion of bridges. The American city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania holds that title, with 446. I nominate these two places to be your inspirational symbols in the coming weeks.

It’s time for you build new metaphorical bridges and take good care of your existing metaphorical bridges.

ScORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): To aid and

support your navigation through this pragmatic phase of your astrological cycle, I have gathered counsel from three productive pragmatists. First is author Helen Keller. She said she wanted to accomplish great and noble things, but her “chief duty” was “to accomplish small tasks as if they were great and noble.”

Second, author George Orwell believed that “to see what is in front of one’s nose” requires never-ending diligence. Finally, author Pearl S. Buck testified that she didn’t wait around until she was in the right mood before beginning her work. Instead, she invoked her willpower to summon the necessary motivation.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Does an elusive

giant creature with a long neck inhabit the waters of Loch Ness in northern Scotland?

Alleged sightings have been reported since 1933. Most scientists dismiss the possibility that “Nessie” actually exists, but there are photos, films, and videos that provide tantalizing evidence. A governmentfunded Scottish organization has prepared contingency plans just in case the beast does make an unambiguous appearance.

In that spirit, and in accordance with astrological omens, I recommend that you prepare yourself for the arrival in your life of intriguing anomalies and fun mysteries. Like Nessie, they’re nothing to worry about, but you’ll be better able to deal gracefully with them if you’re not totally taken by surprise.

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really “eat” rocks, as Cancerian author Elizabeth Gilbert attests in her novel The Signature of All Things? Marine chemist Martin Johnson says yes. Moss really does break down and release elements in solid stone. Gilbert adds, “Given enough time, a colony of moss can turn a cliff into gravel, and turn that gravel into topsoil.” Furthermore, this hardy plant can grow virtually everywhere: in the tropics and frozen wastes, on tree bark and roofing slate, on sloth fur and snail shells. I propose that we make moss your personal symbol of power for now, Cancerian. Be as indomitable, resourceful, and resilient as moss.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): “Every dreamer

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Every year the

MAKE MEMORIES IN

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): What has

become of the metaphorical seeds you planted during the weeks after your last birthday? Have your intentions flourished? Have your dreams blossomed? Have your talents matured? Have your naive questions evolved into more penetrating questions? Be honest and kind as you answer these inquiries. Be thoughtful and big-hearted as you take inventory of your ability to follow through on your promises to yourself. If people are quizzical about how much attention you’re giving yourself as you take stock, inform them that your astrologer has told you that December is Love Yourself Better Month.

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Northern Express Weekly • november 26, 2018 • 29

NORTHERN EXPRESS

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30 • november 26, 2018 • Northern Express Weekly

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Northern Express Weekly • november 26, 2018 • 31

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32 • november 26, 2018 • Northern Express Weekly