Top Ten

this week’s top ten

Politics as Unusual in Harbor Springs

In most elections for city council or commissions Up North and elsewhere, the number of open seats is fewer than the number of candidates vying for them. This year, however, Harbor Springs is facing a rare situation in the run-up to its Nov. 2 city council election: more seats than candidates. With two council seats open — incumbents John Cupps Jr. and John Lio are reportedly not seeking reelection — only one candidate, former city council member Jeff James (pictured) has turned in his nominating petition. (Perhaps ironically, James, who first served on the council Nov. 2013–Nov. 2017, ran for reelection in 2017 but finished third in a contest for two council seats … behind John Lio and John Cupps Sr.) With fewer candidates than seats, what will the city do next? City Clerk Nick Whittaker and City Attorney Jim Ramer are researching the matter, which is likely to be on the current council’s Aug 16 agenda. Meanwhile, the city charter offers this direction: “In the event the number of petitions filed for the offices of Mayor and Councilman does not equal or exceed the number of such offices to be filled at any election, the City Council shall, by resolution nominate such additional qualified citizens as may be necessary to make the number of candidates for the offices of Mayor and Councilman equal or exceed the number of such offices to be filled.”

tastemaker Awesome in a Bag

If you ask someone — or at least the right person — at Alpine Chocolat Haus in Boyne City what the best treat in the store is, you might be surprised with the answer. It’s not one of the truffles. Not the dizzying variety of coated apples. Not even the chocolate-covered Nutter Butter (sigh).

Nope, it’s the aptly named Awesome in a Bag. Which started its life not as chocolate or candy but as — wait for it — popcorn.

We hear what you’re saying. Why would someone go to a chocolate store for popcorn? Same reason you’d go there for Chocolat Haus’ infamous salty-sweet best-we’ve-ever-had potato chips: Because once a fresh, crunchy favorite snack is coated with chocolatmeister Bruce Brown’s real-ingredient recipe for handcrafted chocolate, they’re even more irresistible. And it’s not just chocolate (or as the Haus prefers, chocolat). Nope, this is Bruce’s Caramel Corn, only new and decidedly improved by many, many more layers of decadence. The description — “Dark and White Chocolat and Peanut Butter Drizzled Caramel Corn” — doesn’t do it justice. This stuff is sweet, crunchy, and utterly irresistible. And awesome. 4 • july 26, 2021 • Northern Express Weekly

Roll Out the Red Carpet for Doggies!

For one night only, you and your dog can attend Parallel 45 Theatre Festival’s performance of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.” In celebration of all the love our dogs have shown us during the pandemic, the July 27 “Dog’s Night Out” show will feature not only beloved stage and Peanuts cartoon star Snoopy, but also special doggy snacks at the concession stand, a red carpet arrival for all furry four-legged Snoopy fans, and other pup-worthy surprises. Naturally, only socialized and well-behaved dogs (and owners) should attend. Dogs of similar sizes will have their own sections (with their owners). This pup-a-palooza and subsequent stage performance happens at the P45 Amphitheatre at Civic Center Park, in Traverse City; the stage show begins at 7:30pm. Tickets $18–$25. parallel45.org/charlie-brown

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Hey, watch It Fear Street Trilogy

Aiming to do for horror movies what the Marvel Cinematic Universe did for superhero films, this trio of slasher flicks based on the same-named series of books by R.L Stein (best known for his Goosebumps series) introduces you to the world of Shadyside, a town plagued by evildoings. With each film is set in a different time period, you get a variety of affectionate influences, with Fear Street: 1994 inspired by ’90s slasher fun like Scream; the camp-set Fear Street: 1978 drawing upon Friday the 13th, and Fear Street: 1666, set amidst the early American era of witch trials (and strangely enough shaped by Terence Malick’s A New World, of all things). These lovingly crafted adventures have fantastic characters, stellar performances (from lots of rising stars, including Stranger Things alums Maya Hawk and Sadie Sink), top-notch scares, and plenty of easter eggs both between the series films and the greater horror canon. Sure there’s gore, but it’s presented in a lighthearted romp kind of way. Streaming on Netflix.

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6 Join the OAC 30/30 Challenge

GAAC’s Plein Air Weekend — for Artists and Art Appreciators

August is coming, and the Oliver Arts Center is offering a unique challenge to keep Northerners from sliding into an end-of-summer slump. For the next 30 days, commit to embrace the arts — visual, literary, wellness, and more — by doing something creative 30 minutes each day. Read or write, run, walk, bike, meditate, do yoga, boat, color, garden, cook, play, music, or karate chop — it all counts, and it’s all for a good cause (raising money for OAC programs and operations.) Interested? You have until July 30 to sign up. Once you do, OAC will let you know when you can pick up your registration swag bag (if you’re participating from afar, they’ll even ship it). Each week, participants who complete their 7 days are entered to win door prizes provided by Frankfort area merchants. Anyone who sees the challenge through to the end of August will get a celebratory award and be entered to win a grand prize. Register (kids under age 18, $10; adults $25, families $75, business or other teams of 6 $125 plus $20 for additional team members) at oliverartcenterfrankfort.org.

Even if you don’t paint, there’s a lot to love about Glen Arbor Art Center’s upcoming Plein Air Weekend. One, it’s a great reason to roam around one of the prettiest peninsulas in the North in search of artists at work. (Hint: The theme of this year’s Quick Draw event, in which artists have two hours on Friday, Aug. 6 to create a finished painting is “Capture Village Life: Images of Empire and Glen Arbor.”) Two, without any charge for entry, you can view every artists’ results — and purchase any paintings you like — from 5pm to 6:30pm at the Glen Arbor Township Hall. Until about 3:30pm Saturday, Aug. 7, artists will be scattered about Leelanau again, this time without the pressure of a two-hour window, so viewers can expect to catch more detailed works underway, plus an opportunity to buy them back at the township hall when the sales gong rings at 5:45pm. (Hint: Arrive by 5:30pm to pick yours asap; even with a $10 entry free for guests age 13+, this is a very popular event.) Finally, if you’re interested in participating as an artist, the GAAC has a special option for you — a 4-hour Plein Air Bootcamp, in which Plein air artist extraordinaire David Westerfield will demonstrate his process and mentor oil- and acrylic painters of all levels. Register by Aug. 2 for the Aug. 5 bootcamp and learn more about the weekend’s competitions and art sales at glenarborart.org

CRUISE THROUGH SUMMER IN YOUR FAVORITE TOWABLE!

DONORRSKIHAUS.COM 231-946-8810 - 890 Munson Ave, Traverse City

Stuff we love Camping in Chic Style — No Posh RV Needed

Used to be that a stay in one of the state park’s rustic cabins or yurts felt like high style for those of us with nylon Target tents. That’s quickly changing. Motivated by the popularity of platforms like Airbnb, and of “glamping” (i.e. glamorous camping) trends, the DNR’s Parks and Recreation Division’s Innovation Team is spearheading efforts to enhance state park lodging all over Michigan, bringing to its campgrounds and forests several luxe tiny houses, safaristyle canvas-walled tents (on raised platforms! with real beds!), geodesic domes, and dozens of well-outfitted cottage cabins and full-amenity cottages. They’re also reimagining some mini cabins with the help of a local professional designer Lee Day of Day Designs in Traverse City. Day helped design the first fully reimagined mini cabins in the state park system, at Ionia Recreation Area in Ionia County. Located in the modern campground and backing up to the woods, the refreshed mini cabins each sleep three people comfortably, with room for up to five with the provided bunk cots. Each has a new covered front porch and includes a kitchenette, a reclaimed wood hearth, electric stove, ceiling fan, electrical outlets with USB ports, and a bar area with stools. The cabins come with the use of a canoe stored just a short drive away. Campers might be able to see Day’s handiwork closer to home soon: The DNR says Traverse City State Park’s mini cabins are on the list for a similar “reimagined” update this year.

bottoms up Red Mesa Grill’s Fresh Fruit Infusion Margatini

If you’re the kind of parent who decides, four days after your 6-year-old learns to ride a two-wheel bicycle and 25 years after you last rollerbladed, that it might be fun to try biking and rollerblading together for three miles on Traverse City’s TART Trail, you’re the kind of parent who will take the path from the parking lot behind McClain’s Cycle and arrive at the path to the parking lot at Red Mesa Grill, sweaty, thirsty, sore, and wondering why in the name of all things holy you thought two amateurs on ten wheels was a remotely good idea. Then you’ll gorge on one of the best-ever, most unique quesadillas you’ve ever tasted (a cilantrolemon tortilla stuffed with smoked gouda, grilled chicken, and lightly spicy pineapple salsa, then willfully doused, by your own doing, with a sublime garlic serrano aioli you’ll want to put on every savory dish you eat for the rest of your life). And while your daughter beams at you over her chicken tenders and far-too-many ounces of chocolate milk, you’ll order a divinely refreshing Fresh Fruit Infusion Margatini. And if the current batch happens to be infused with fresh cherries — a bright and punchy foil that doesn’t over- or underwhelm the tang of its house tequila and Triple Sec compadres — you’ll finally relax, thinking not of the three-mile return that awaits but simply basking in the moment of being a mom, with your mini-me, a martini, and many more miles of summer memories left to make. $11. Find Red Mesa Grill just north of the TART Trail, at 1544 US-31 North in Traverse City. (231) 938-2773, www. magnumhospitality.com