this week’s
top ten Online Gambling and Sports Betting: Not a Great Bet
It’s been one year since Michigan lawmakers legalized sports betting and online gambling, and it appears the seemingly nonstop barrage of radio and television commercials aren’t the only problem for Michiganders. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) reports that more than 4,400 calls were made to Michigan’s problem gambling helpline in 2021 — a number nearly triple those received in 2020, the year before online gambling was approved. Referrals for people to receive gambling treatment also grew significantly, from 295 referrals in 2020 to 420 referrals last year, a 42 percent increase. That said, it’s probably a good time to check out MDHHS’s 14th Annual Gambling Disorder Symposium, “Gambling: The New Direction,” which will be held virtually on Thursday, March 3, through Friday, March 4. Says Alia Lucas, MDHHS gambling disorder program manager: “Resources are available at the symposium to identify and learn about the steps you can take if you or a family member are struggling with a gambling disorder.” Search “Gambling New Direction” at cmham.org to learn more and register.
Like, There’s a Totally Tubular ’80s Ski Bum Party at Timber Ridge Get out your puffy neon snowsuit and pop that collar: The ’80s are moonwalking into the 15th Annual Suds & Snow at Timber Ridge RV & Recreation Resort on Saturday, Feb. 26. You can meet the magical decade in all your ski bum finery by snowshoeing a half-mile into the Traverse City campground’s backwoods, where the party takes place from 1pm to 6pm; expect an afternoon filled with beer, wine and cider, food, lots of live music, and, if you’re lucky, maybe a Molly Ringwald sighting. Tickets are $40-$70. Search “Suds Snow” at eventbrite.com to purchase.
4
Hey, watch It! Pam & Tommy
Joining the annals of dramatic retellings of real events from the ’90s that make us rethink the way we treated and vilified the women at the center of headlines (think I, Tonya; Impeachment: American Crime Story, etc.) comes Hulu’s limited series Pam & Tommy. Giving viewers the story behind America’s most notorious sex tape, the show delivers a funny, poignant, and penetrating look into the marriage of Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee and the scandal that followed. Starring a truly uncanny Lily James and Sebastian Stan as the notorious couple and featuring Seth Rogen and Nick Offerman, this is utterly captivating and endearing entertainment that never loses sight of the gravity of the violation that occurred.
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2
tastemaker Parm-crusted Grilled Cheese
At Pond Hill Farm in Harbor Springs, playtime is the name of the game for adults and kids alike. Founded in 1995 as a family-owned egg and produce stand, the place has since blossomed into a full-blown agritourism park. Visitors can play with the “kids” — pun intended — in the livestock barn, embark on a gnome-house hunt, or frolic along one of the freshly-groomed trails. And whether you’re busy being a kid or playing with some, shouldn’t snack-time follow suit? Before that mid-day nap takes hold, treat yourself to their ParmesanCrusted Grilled Cheese. A favorite of foodies tall to small, this sandwich stacks Muenster, Havarti, and Swiss cheese between two slices of Parmesan-sprinkled sourdough. Griddled until golden-brown, this delightfully adultified classic is served alongside a slaw of farm-fresh kale, carrot, and crushed peanuts, all finished with a house-made peanut and Thai noodle sauce. For an extra dose of decadence, add caramelized onions in the winter or estategrown tomatoes and basil in the summer. Either way, don’t skimp on the napkins. $15. Find Pond Hill Farm at 5699 S. Lakeshore Dr., Harbor Springs. (231) 526-3276, www.pondhill.com
4 • february 28, 2022 • Northern Express Weekly
www.stambrose-mead-wine.com
