Northern Express - February 06, 2023

ONE-OF-A-KIND VALENTINE’S FOR ALL, CREATED BY OUR FAVORITE HOMETOWN ARTIST

NA TIONAL WRITERS SERIES NINA TOTENBERG THE POWER OF FRIENDSHIP

Celebrated NPR correspondent Nina Totenberg delivers an intimate memoir of her personal successes, struggles, and life-affirming relationships, including her beautiful friendship of nearly fifty years with Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Guest Host: April Baer

Event Sponsor: Debbie Edson

Literary Sponsor: Bay Books

Media Event Sponsor: Michigan Radio

Less Fire and Rain

In his column “Fire and Rain” (Jan. 21), Stephen Tuttle reviews the tragic natural disasters of 2022—wildfires, droughts, and floods—and suggests “climate change” exacerbates these “extreme weather events.” But the research and data cited below indicate otherwise.

Last year’s wildfires were not historic. The 2001 National Fire Plan states that the conterminous United States averaged 145 million acres burned annually during the preindustrial period (1500-1800). In comparison, the “record-setting” fires of 2020 burned 10 million acres, which was one-fifth the burn acreage of 1930 and 1931. Globally, NASA reported a 25 percent decline in burn area from 2003 to 2019. (Washington Times Aug. 29, 2019)

Regarding drought, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has “low confidence in a global-scale observed trend in drought or dryness (lack of rainfall) since the middle of the 20th century…” (6th AR, 2021). In the low-CO2 decade of the 1870s, severe droughts and ensuing famines killed tens of millions.

Tuttle highlights last year’s Pakistan flood that killed 1,700. Tragic, but IPCC reports “low confidence” that climate change has had a measurable impact on flooding. Epic historic floods have killed millions.

Tuttle did not mention Hurricane Ian, which President Biden and others blamed on climate change. The entire satellite record, beginning in 1970, however, shows no significant trend in hurricane frequency and energy (climatlas.com/tropical), and IPCC also has “low confidence” in any long-term trend.

A recent article published in the European Physical Journal Plus (Jan. 2022) analyzed extreme meteorological events and found no clear positive trends. Moreover, deaths caused by climate extremes are declining precipitously. In False Alarm: How Climate Change Panic Costs Us Trillions, Hurts the Poor, and Fails to Fix the Planet, Bjørn Lomborg asserted a 99 percent decline in risk of dying in climaterelated disasters between 1920-2019.

Neal Stout | Charlevoix

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Not Just Drink

In response to Karen Mulvahill’s engaging “Dry January” column, may I add that NA beer is enjoying a rush. There’s an excellent NA craft beer out of San Diego—it’s hoppy. A German NA beer is spectacular, a Dutch one that we all know, and some excellent American varieties. Most of these have 0.5 percent alcohol, so some folks may not be able to enjoy them as they are too close to the real thing. Both my December and January have been not exactly dry, but barely damp (thanks Karen!). Personally, my struggle is drinking alone, so NA’s get me through the urge. Women’s bodies and brains can supposedly handle seven drinks a week; I’m averaging five drinks a month. It’s still poison.

Yes, our culture has taught us to drink to unwind. Corporations rake in the dough of our addiction. Remember when there were cigarette ads on TV? Anyone complaining about that?

Let’s be present, walk in the woods, and be curious about intentions that precede actions.

Not just drink.

Judy Childs | Traverse City

Contributors: Joseph Beyer, Ross Boissoneau, Alexandra Dailey, Anna Faller, Craig Manning, Al Parker, Rachel Pasche, Sarahbeth Ramsey, Stephen Tuttle

Copyright 2022, 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.

In the Jan. 23 issue of Northern Express, we told you about Suttons Bay’s cool and quirky Yeti Fest on Feb. 18. We said to visit the Leelanau Chamber website for more information, but the most up-to-date details can be found at suttonsbayarea.com/yetifest, and tickets can be purchased at mynorthtickets.com/events/yetifest-2-18-2023.

Nothing says “I Love You” like a Singing Valentine from the Cherry Capital Chorus! Two love songs delivered in four-part harmony from one of our quartets, a red rose and personalized card. Delivered anywhere within 12 miles of downtown TC. Virtual Valentines delivered live for just $25! To order,

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Galentine’s Day Fun 4

We’re all about Galentine’s Day, the day that celebrates female friendships, and we have plenty of ideas of fun activities for you and the gals on page 9. For more fun, try one of these two NoMi events. On Feb. 7, l.a.cool, The Good Bowl, and Chateau Chantal are teaming up to create a ladies’ night out in downtown Traverse City for their Galentine’s Day event. Eat, drink, and shop (with store discounts!) from 5:307:30pm. Get tickets ($25) at eventbrite. com. Out on Leelanau Peninsula, Farm Club is also getting into the Galentine’s spirit with IndieGrow Flower Farm. At their Feb. 11 workshop, you’ll get all the materials and instruction you need to create a beautiful flower arrangement with seasonal ingredients and locally grown blooms. The workshop has two time slots—11am and 1pm—and is led by IndieGrow Flower Farm founder Alissa Thomson. Get tickets ($80) at mynorthtickets.com.

We all know actions speak louder than words. And, what better way to say, well, anything than with a box of homemade treats? Next time you find yourself at a loss for words, consider letting one of Bay Bread Co.’s Thank You Boxes do the talking. Curated via client request, this box is brimming with #AllTheCarbs, including daily mini-muffins and scones—six of each, in a variety of flavors—four decadent mini-cinnamon rolls, and a surprise mini-loaf of bread, all baked using simple ingredients and Bay Bread’s signature Old World techniques. It’s the sweetest way to make your statement—even if that statement is just “I brought snacks!” (Everybody likes that person!) Preorder your Thank You Box ($25) by noon the previous day for in-store pickup or delivery within a five-mile radius at Bay Bread Co. in Traverse City (601 Randolph St.), or order online at baybreadco.com. (231) 922-8022.

Take aim when you pair cross-country skiing with airsoft during Crystal Mountain’s Airsoft Biathlon on Sunday, Feb. 12. The ski trail will be a one-mile loop with two target stations, and medals will be awarded for best overall, best ski time, and most targets hit for both men and women for ages 8+. Cost is $25 and includes ski equipment rental and airsoft equipment. crystalmountain.com/event/biathlon

Hey, Read It! OUT THERE

Imagine, if you will, a world in which online dating apps have been hacked by handsome and affable “blots” who are programmed to steal your financial data before dissolving into dust. Now, imagine your only dating alternative, though human, is an emotionless dud. Which evil might you choose? In her debut narrative collection, Out There: Stories (a Kirkus Best Fiction Book of 2022), first-time author Kate Folk masterfully blends the humdrum of everyday life with just enough of the uncanny to hint that we’re no longer in Kansas. Featuring 15 standalone stories, each more bewildering than the last, Folk’s anthology ranges from the body horror of a house with organs; to the terrifyingly real depiction of a tourist stranded amidst civil unrest; to the absolute absurdity of a digitized apocalypse. At once familiar and utterly imagined (think Black Mirror meets Ray Bradbury), Out There is a keen reflection on the madness of the human experience.

Shooting Ski-t 5

Dinners with Ruth

Also in the theme of Galentine’s Day and female friendships is NPR legal affairs correspondent Nina Totenberg’s book, Dinners with Ruth: A Memoir on the Power of Friendships. In the book, Totenberg chronicles her 50-year friendship with Ruth Bader Ginsburg, which began with a simple phone call and lasted through joys, illness, loss, and widowhood. The memoir also includes stories about the other women, friends, and family who inspired Totenberg as she blazed her own trail at NPR. At the City Opera House on Friday, Feb. 10, Totenberg will join the National Writers Series and Michigan Radio Stateside host April Baer to talk about her work. (Note: Totenberg will be Zooming in with April Baer on stage and a live audience.) The event is $37 and includes a copy of the book. If you’re attending virtually via the livestream option, the book will be shipped for an extra $5.50. For tickets and more information, visit nationalwritersseries.org.

Stuff We Love: Singing Valentines

If we haven’t already given you enough ways to show your love and gratitude this season, from boxes of sweets to Galentine’s Day outings, then perhaps a singing valentine is up your alley. The Cherry Capital Men’s Chorus is ready to serenade your favorite person with your favorite love songs in the barbershop quartet style that has been the hallmark of the group, which is part of the national Barbershop Harmony Society, for 66 years. When it comes to public performances, the group has been largely dormant since the onset of the pandemic, but they’re back at it for Valentine’s Day 2023, scheduling appearances throughout the day on Tuesday, Feb. 14, from 9am to 7pm. A performance—plus a card and a rose for your special someone—usually comes in between $50-$100, and they’ll travel within the greater Traverse City area. (Or opt for a virtual valentine delivered via FaceTimefor $25!) You can schedule yours by heading to cherrycapitalchorus.org.

Student artists, ready your pens, pencils, brushes, and digital artwork apps! Applications are now open for the annual Cherry Art Competition for the National Cherry Festival (NCF). The theme for the 2023 contest is “farm stands,” and the NCF says “We would like to bring focus to how essential farm stands are when making cherries available to local communities.” Students can participate in two categories—4th grade through 8th grade and 9th grade through college— for scholarships and prizes, including the $1,000 first place award. Winning entries are often used in NCF promotion materials like posters, T-shirts, and other souvenirs. All entries must be submitted by 5pm on March 2, so it’s time to turn on that creativity and start sketching! To get all the details and learn how to submit artwork, head to cherryfestival.org/p/other/ festival-programs/art-competition. (Pictured: “The Pollination of Cherries” by 2022 competition winner Monnicca Keyes.)

Though we know money can’t buy happiness, it can buy a great cup of coffee. And we can’t think of a happier combo than the coffee-meets-breakfast-pastry perfection of Happy Camper Coffee Co.’s newly-added Cinnamon Roll Latte. This one-two-punch of a morning cuppa starts with a double shot of espresso sourced from Mundos in Traverse City. Baristas finish the drink with your choice of steamed milk (including plenty of non-dairy options) and a squirt of homemade cinnamon roll syrup, before the whole shebang is topped with a dash of cinnamon and—for extra pizazz—an entire mini cinnamon roll. Pair one with a bowl of chocolatey overnight oats and consider the morning meal heartily complete. Grab a 12oz latte for $5 or size up to 16oz for an extra $1.50 at Happy Camper Coffee Co.’s Elk Rapids storefront (212 River St.). You can also place a pick-up order at happycampercoffee.co. (231) 590-8072. And don’t forget to keep an eye out for their mobile camper this summer!

LOCAL ODDS AND ENDS FOR FEBRUARY

spectator

By Stephen Tuttle

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer recently gave her fifth State of the State address, and some people actually paid attention. Among other things, she proposed a tax cut for Michiganders. This is red meat for most Republicans, who always talk about tax cuts but are rarely able to enact them due to mostly Democratic opposition. Here, with a Democratic governor as an advocate, was a real opportunity.

But it might not be the best idea.

We know the state’s economy is not always going to be flush with a big budget surplus. Unless our memories have failed, it wasn’t that long ago Michigan was struggling to balance the budget as revenues had fallen and budget cuts were required. We might not face another Great Recession, but there will surely be some sort of economic downturn in our future. Lower tax rates will not help

Traverse City at odds. Where would Mayor/ Manager Lewis’ loyalties and priorities sit?

Maybe Lewis, who has plenty of experience, can help resolve Elk Rapids’ messy problems and restore some of their leadership’s lost credibility, but Traverse City needs his counsel and expertise, too.

Okay, let’s see if we understand this other local issue.

There are two lots in downtown Traverse City, one on West Front Street owned by the city and the other, larger lot on State Street owned by a construction company. The State Street site is a better location for the city’s Downtown Development Authority’s (DDA) third parking deck. So a swap was

Michigan needs an initiative we’ll call the Voter Protection Act, which prevents the legislature from altering citizen initiatives unless it is to expand or improve their intent.

us weather that storm, and raising them to compensate would be next to a political impossibility.

A better idea for the governor would have been rebates to Michigan taxpayers, putting money in our pockets quickly while maintaining a stable tax rate for that rainy day sure to arrive.

Another ballot initiative has been gutted by the legislature’s adopt-and-amend abilities. This time it was a dramatic increase in the minimum wage, currently a paltry $3.84/ hour, for service workers in the tip economy. Local restaurant operators who opposed the initiative claim their employees make way more than even the minimum wage for non-tip dependent workers. (Though one wonders why nearly every restaurant/bar has “We’re hiring” signs in place.)

Michigan needs an initiative we’ll call the Voter Protection Act, which prevents the legislature from altering citizen initiatives unless it is to expand or improve their intent. Voters should be able to have their say on initiatives unless the legislature adopts them basically intact. The current system is a sham.

On a more local note, Traverse City’s mayor, Richard Lewis, is now also the interim village manager (for a four-month stint during a search for a permanent manager) in Elk Rapids. Though both gigs are supposedly part-time, that would seem to be one job too many. There is some potential for conflict of interest, remote though it might be. Assume there is an issue that puts Elk Rapids and

engineered. The construction company lot is more valuable, so the city will have to come up with more than $1 million to complete the trade.

No problem; the DDA has the money to lend the city. So, the city will borrow the money from an entity it oversees so that same entity can build another parking deck about three blocks from an already existing parking deck, the Old Town Garage, which is so under-utilized—occupancy of only 21 percent in midday hours—they recently reduced the parking rates.

Another parking deck with more than 600 spots at a cost of a whopping $32 million to build might be utilized… or maybe not.

Lot O, at the corner of Cass and State Streets (the best little surface parking lot in the city), is being sold to HomeStretch Nonprofit Housing for some affordable housing. Really tiny affordable housing.

The city, which had to borrow money for the parking deck, will sell this lot for less than half its appraised value. Plans call for ground floor retail and four floors with 60 apartments, 80 percent of which will be reserved for lower income renters. Forty of them will be 245 square feet. Yes, some of you might have bigger rooms in your house. (By comparison, a 15-by16-foot room is 240 square feet.) That size is not really ideal for even a small family that includes just one child.

So, people with the least amount of spendable income will be subsidized to live in the most expensive part of town in motel room-size apartments. That’s our affordable housing solution.

In the Mercato at The Village at Grand Traverse Commons 800 Cottageview Dr • Traverse City havenclothingtc.com • silverfoxjewelrytc.com

TIME FOR TRANSPARENCY

guest opinion

by Sam Inglot

Michigan has some of the worst ethics and transparency rankings in the entire country, and it shows. This is a bipartisan problem that has persisted regardless of which party has been in power. Recent revelations about high-profile investigations of former Republican Michigan House speakers show how desperately more sunlight is needed in Lansing.

Allegations of corruption are swirling around former Republican House speakers Lee Chatfield and Rick Johnson, both of which allege backroom deals were being made with lucrative industry insiders. There’s clearly a problem with transparency in the state legislature, and it’s time to fix it.

Michigan is one of only two states where the governor and legislature are exempt from the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

are past and present problems that scream for a change.

There is no reason the legislature and governor’s office should not be held to the same level of transparency as local governments, state departments, and the attorney general and secretary of state. Every year in the legislature, there’s a big to-do about FOIA reform, and this year will likely be no different, but we’re hopeful that the legislature will work to finally get it done right.

Our lawmakers should ensure that fulfilling FOIA requests is not burdensome when it comes to cost or the time it takes to get them in the hands of the requester. And there needs to be a way for the public and journalists to utilize the checks and balances of the court system to fight for record releases that are denied.

There’s clearly a problem with transparency in the state legislature, and it’s time to fix it. Michigan is one of only two states where the governor and legislature are exempt from the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

Filing a FOIA request means that you’re submitting a written request to gather material from a government agency or official to be released publicly, and it’s an important way for the public, journalists, and activists to ensure their elected officials and public services are working for them. That means that under current law, the governor’s office and legislature aren’t legally required to respond to these requests.

Michiganders are fed up with this culture of secrecy, and it’s about time we do something about it. These disclosure laws affect our ability and right to hold elected officials accountable. A majority of Michiganders want change: Polling finds that nearly three-quarters of Michigan voters support expanding disclosure requirements. This is not about Republicans versus Democrats; it’s about holding lawmakers and lobbyists on both sides of the aisle to a higher standard and eventually bringing back some sense of trust to state government.

There’s no shortage of footnotes for why more transparency is needed, or how FOIA has helped blow the lid off some major scandals. Whether it’s just within the past year or decade, we’ve seen how a lack of transparency created problems and how more accessible ways to check on our government helped fix them. From the abysmal management of the Flint Water Crisis; to disastrous privatized public services like the Aramark food contract in our state prisons; to the recent investigations of Chatfield and Johnson regarding the influence of lobbyists; there

At Progress Michigan, we’ve outlined a policy platform through Close Lansing Loopholes that would have made Michigan a gold standard in FOIA and lobbying reform. The COVID crisis put the brakes on that effort, but we feel it’s a strong playbook for our lawmakers to follow to finally get this solution across the finish line.

Protecting public records and their ability to be accessed without any special rules or carve-outs for lawmakers must be the bare minimum for good government.

We’re hoping the legislature will be a key partner with us in stamping out potential corruption, exposing conflicts of interest, and ensuring lawmakers are held to a higher standard of public trust—but we also know that alone isn’t a silver bullet. We need to keep encouraging a culture of openness in Lansing that refuses corporate influence and the outsized influence of big-business lobbyists.

In order to build a more sustainable, equitable, and welcoming state, we need a government that works for everyone.

It’s about time that we get our elected officials to stand behind some common sense reforms to bring back some faith and trust in our system. It’s a problem that has been talked about for a long time, but nothing has ever been done about it—so why wait any longer?

Sam Inglot is the deputy director of Progress Michigan, a nonprofit communications advocacy and government watchdog group

New World Order

Sure, your fancy SUV may have ventilated seats and Wi-Fi, but does it have electrified door handles? The Guardian reported on Jan. 25 that a new vehicle has hit the market targeted at the particularly fearful driver -- the Rezvani Vengeance. Costing up to $499,000, the Vengeance has bulletproof glass, strobe lights, wing mirrors that emit pepper spray and no back windshield -instead, the driver can monitor a live video stream of what's going on behind the car. Sure to win you a popularity contest in the pickup lane at your kid's school, the Vengeance also has a loudspeaker so you can call to little Timmy without leaving the safety of your seat. Extras include bulletproof vests, helmets and gas masks. The Irvine, California, company teases potential buyers on the website: "Vengeance is yours." Wow.

Dream Job

Five lucky participants will clear a cool $1,000 to do what they wanted to do anyway: Eat cheese before bedtime. Fox5TV reported that Sleep Junkie, a mattress review website, hopes to test the legend that eating cheese before bed causes nightmares, so they're asking "dairy dreamers" to consume a wide variety of cheeses, log their sleep and provide feedback about sleep quality, energy levels and bad dreams. The best part? Participants will be reimbursed for the cheese! The catch: You have to sleep alone.

Police Report

A 31-year-old woman was charged with two counts of robbery and possession of a weapon (ahem) on Jan. 22 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, after a puzzling attempt to steal a pizza, the CBC reported. Around 3 a.m., she allegedly entered a crowded restaurant and demanded a pizza, brandishing a firecracker as a threat. She was denied the pie, so she lit the firework and ran off with a pizza. Outside the restaurant, she got into a cab, but the driver asked her to get out because she was being belligerent. When the driver stepped out of the car, she jumped into his seat and took off, dragging the 54-year-old several meters down the street. Officers caught up with the stolen cab and caught the pizza thief when she became stuck in a snowbank.

That Rule Doesn't Apply to Me

A dump truck driver in Contra Costa County, California, either couldn't read or didn't care when he barreled through a road closure barricade on Jan. 23, KTVUTV reported, and ended up with his front left wheel in a sinkhole. The "road closed" sign was found beneath his vehicle, and the driver escaped without injury. Excessive rains have caused "flooding, mudslides, sinkholes and other issues" in the area, county officials noted.

Bright Idea

If you're looking for a crafty project for 2023, the online shop Savor has you covered, Slate reported. For the low, low price of $46.95, you can put together your own "In Case I Go Missing" binder, which Savor says "makes it super easy for the true-crime

obsessed to record their key stats for their loved ones." Those facts include medical and financial information, fingerprints and lists of "hangout spots." One woman said she added "a hair sample just in case they need it for DNA testing." Elizabeth Jeglic, a professor at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, soothingly says, "The majority of adults will not go missing or be kidnapped." Her colleague Patrick McLaughlin offers some ideas for the kit, though: recent photos, the unlock code for your phone, pics of tattoos, scars or birthmarks, handwriting samples -- but he warns that such binders might not be admissible as evidence.

That Guy

Dennis Garsjo, 73, of Glasgow, Montana, may not know your name when he greets you on the street, but he'll call out to you anyway, using your birthday. "Top of the morning to ya, April 11," he might say, according to KRTV. Garsjo has memorized more than 3,000 birthdays and says he came by the talent naturally. "My mother remembered all our relatives' birthdays before she started getting dementia," he said. "I don't think my talent is all that special. I'm more impressed by musicians who can play a song from memory on the piano." Still, residents of Prairie Ridge Village, where he works, enjoy The Birthday Guy, as he's known, and he loves surprising people with their special day.

Clothing Optional

Brittney Marie Reynolds, 35, entered St. Mary's Cathedral in chilly Fargo, North Dakota, on Jan. 24 and was seen on security camera footage knocking over a potted plant, then approaching a large statue of Jesus on the wall, according to KMOV-TV. She ripped the statue from the wall and threw it to the floor, then headed back out -- all while topless and shoeless, in temps under 20 degrees. Rev. Riley Durkin called police, who caught up with Reynolds as she bolted across the street. Officers noted that she wasn't able to answer questions and appeared to be under the influence of a substance.

Meanwhile, in willful disobedience of every mother's "wear clean underwear" edict, Timothy O'Rourke of Danville, New Hampshire, crashed his car on Jan. 25 and ran from the scene, wearing nary a stitch of clothing. WHDH-TV reported that officers found O'Rourke "running behind Main Street homes wearing no clothes and coated in his own blood." He was charged with DWI and resisting arrest, and presumably given some jail garb to wear.

Awesome!

Vanyar, one of the equine competitors in the Tokay Stakes race on Jan. 22 in Nagoya, Japan, crossed the finish line first. However, Oddity Central reported, Vanyar was missing one thing, which led to his being disqualified: a rider. Vanyar's jockey fell off as soon as they left the gate, and the second-place horse's jockey couldn't catch up to the riderless horse (although they were the technical winners). After crossing the finish line, Vanyar coolly slowed down and sauntered off toward the exit.

3 Ways to Celebrate Galentine’s Day

Get the girls together—we’re going out!

By Sarahbeth Ramsey

Ah, Galentine’s Day. The time of year when we make plans with our gal pals for relaxation, entertainment, and the swapping of stories. The holiday was coined by the indomitable Leslie Knope, Amy Poehler’s character on Parks and Recreation, as a way to celebrate female friendships. Observed on Feb. 13—or any time in the days pre- and postValentine’s Day—Galentine’s Day can be as meaningful as the day that follows, so here are a few ways to make the most of your celebration.

The Den at Grand Traverse Resort and Spa

Sometimes, girls just wanna have fun, and The Den lets you do just that.

The entertainment suite tucked inside NoMi’s tallest building has plenty of options for fun and competition to get your group of friends laughing…and maybe even breaking a sweat.

Axe throwing is a huge draw, as it’s one of the few spots Up North offering the lumberjack-ian pastime. After learning the basics from a trained pro, work those shoulder muscles, let go of a little stress, and see who has the best bull’s-eye skills. (P.S. Be sure to wear closed-toe shoes and confirm everyone in your party is 18+.)

Consider the escape room if your group enjoys a little mystery and some teamwork. Will you all make it out on time? (There’s a true test of friendship!)

You’ll also find virtual reality games, mini-bowling, and air hockey, plus a full arcade of games.

Why we like this for Galentine’s Day: This is perfect for a bigger group of folks who want to mingle and reconnect through fun activities. You’re also onsite at Grand Traverse Resort and Spa, which means you can parlay your afternoon of fun into spa appointments, dinner at Aerie Restaurant & Lounge, or a post-game hang at the hotel bar. For more details, head to grandtraverseresort.com/play/ the-den. The escape room ($20/person for groups of up to eight), bowling lanes ($45/hour for groups of up to six), and axe throwing ($75/hour for groups of up to four) can all be booked online.

Fustini’s Virtual Cooking Class

For our low-key ladies who prefer to stay in with a group of friends, we suggest trying a virtual cooking class a la Fustini’s. Fustini’s is best known for their oils and vinegar, but they also offer classes where you’ll learn to make Italian, Greek, or Asian-inspired dishes.

Here is how it works: 10 days before your class begins, you will receive instructions (a pre-packet), including a shopping list. Fustini’s recommends prepping some of the food ahead of time to keep up with the speed of the roughly 90-minute class. But don’t be afraid to show up hungry. Part of the class includes making an appetizer while you wait for the main course to cook. Once you fire up the class on your laptop or large monitor screen, you will start to cook, and the chef can give you feedback and suggestions.

Why we like this for Galentine’s Day: This activity combines trying something new with our closest friends but remains a laid-back experience. Cooking from home is one of the biggest reasons many guests keep trying new classes. Director of Marketing Denise Walburg says, “There’s no pressure. This is to have fun. You are in your own kitchen on mute, so you can have music blasting and talk while cooking together. It’s a lot of fun.”

Another crowd favorite? The class can cater to your friends’ dietary restrictions, leaving everyone feeling included and appreciated.

To sign up, either head to one of their NoMi locations or pick your class of choice online at fustinis.com. While there is not a Feb. 13 class, you can choose from options on Feb. 9, 10, 16, or 17. Classes are $39 per group (if you’re all in the same house) plus the cost of your ingredients.

Bonobo Winery Tour & Tasting

Picture this: Everyone is handed a glass of sparkling upon arrival, and all at once, all eyes turn toward West Bay’s views. You can get a wine tasting at dozens of amazing wineries, but few offer a guided tour of their facilities. Not only will you get to sample Bonobo’s wines, but you’ll get to see how the magic is made. Ask about their sustainable and organic practices, learn about the seven types of grapes that grow on the estate, and chat about their local farming partners. You’ll finish the 30- to 60-minute tour with a glass of wine in a souvenir glass.

Want to add some food to the mix? Level up with reservations for Bonobo’s Food + Wine Pairing, which pairs three wines with three seasonal small plates. (Oh, and another souvenir glass, so now you’ve got a set.)

If a friend has gone to Bonobo recently, never fear. The wine tasting menu generally changes every month, but it changes each week in February!

Why we like this for Galentine's Day: Here you have a palate-pleasing experience that offers stress-free decisionmaking, including unique food options and wine pairings. So sit back, relax, and let the wine and the talk flow.

Jill Terralavoro, winery director, says this about Bonobo: “We really try to focus on the experience here at Bonobo. Everyone can say they have the best wine, the best view, the best anything. We want to provide an amazing experience to everyone who comes here.”

Book your tasting ahead of time—reservations fill up fast! You can reserve online at bonobowinery.com or email info@ bonobowinery.com for more information. A standard guided tasting is $20/person; the winery tour is $40/person; and the food pairing tasting is $60/person.

The Lost Art of Valentines

Three spots to find—or make—the perfect card this February

By Alexandra Dailey

Remember the days of giving valentines in elementary school? Of perfecting each card and sentiment and placing each sparkly sticker? (Or writing the names of your kid’s classmates for them because valentines were the last thing on their mind?)

The older we get, the more the Valentine’s Day card becomes a lost art. When was the last time you busted out your lace-edge scissors and the glitter glue? Or the last time you wrote a heartfelt note to a friend or loved one?

When was the last time you wrote a letter, period?

Well, Northern Express is going to get a bit epistolary this week. We decided to explore some shops, studios, and stores that offer stationery and cards, because we’d like to think connecting and communicating love through writing is the perfect gift for Valentine’s Day… or any day, for that matter.

Dear Wild Pages,

Tucked away beneath the Coin Slot Arcade on Front Street in Traverse City is what co-owner Raja Howe affectionately calls an underground bookstore. Wild Pages is indeed a subterranean locale that can be a bit hard to find; but, much like intrepid explorers discovering a cave full of hidden treasure, those who do make their way to Wild Pages are in for a treat.

Started in 2011 as a 6-foot folding table at farmers markets and craft shows, Wild Pages has morphed into the radical bookstore it is today, featuring a wide array of thoughtfully curated fiction, non-fiction, and craft books, as well as handbound journals and all sorts of stationery, letter-writing kits, art supplies, and writing implements. (And they’re also a distributor of local zines.)

Howe and partner Amber Edmondson have been bookbinding for 14 years, and through their store and one-on-one instruction, they nurture connections within the northern Michigan community.

“In this particular business, the interesting reasons people come in are my favorite thing,” says Howe. “There are those chances to connect and see that sort of very personal human reason for making something or gifting something.”

Aside from books and handbound journals, Wild Pages sells all the items you might require for sending the most personalized letter, whether for love or to stay in touch with a friend. Watercolor paper, parchment paper, cotton paper, wax seals, calligraphy pens, dip pens, and all sorts of writing tools await to assist you in adding a bit of yourself in a one-of-a-kind message.

“Due to the media, I think there’s been a piqued interest with letter-writing and calligraphy, the sitting down and writing a letter,” shares Howe. “People recognize that as different and slower and more deliberate and intentional. So we’ve been trying to encourage this act with our letter-writing kits and papers.”

One particular patron recently bought a handbound journal so they and a friend can write letters in it to one another and mail it back and forth, thus archiving their interaction in a meaningful way.

“You bring your kindness and love to the experience because it’s within your power to do so when you’re writing,” says Howe. “We can touch people’s lives, and the love spreads from there.”

Find Wild Pages at 346 E Front St Suite #9 in Traverse City or online at wildpagesshop.com.

DearLife and Whim Studio,

Artist and designer Heather Harrington of Life and Whim Studio is another proponent of expression through art and writing. Harrington wants to help fill lives with creativity, and she achieves that through commissioned acrylic works, selling her beautiful and bright notecards, and offering workshops in her studio on Union Street.

Harrington launched Life and Whim Studio in 2016, and initially, she focused on community events like the Traverse City Fairy Trails (found at The Botanic Garden at Historic Barns Park) and Traverse City Street Piano (aka the painted downtown instruments) projects. But now, after recently leaving the design and marketing agency she started, Heather pursues art full-time at her studio. The brick-and-mortar serves as her private workspace and monthly workshop location.

“One of the reasons I offer my workshops is I believe that the act of creating cultivates community and happiness,” says Harrington. “In March, we’ll have a stationery and abstract art workshop.” (For summer 2023, Harrington plans to offer a creative workshop each week, so stay tuned for more opportunities.)

Even though the March 16 stationery-making workshop occurs after Valentine’s Day, Harrington offers a variety of handmade cards—some seasonally themed, others cheerfully evergreen—on her website. She is also accepting custom heart painting commissions leading up to the big holiday, if you feel a picture is worth a thousand words.

Finally, Harrington is sharing a new Valentine-themed offering for email subscribers. “I love the thought behind Valentine’s Day and the month of February making time for those that make our life special,” Harrington says. “This February, I’m kicking off The Month of Love. I’ll be featuring a new painting and inspirational poem each business day.”

To receive the daily emails and browse cards and paintings, head to lifeandwhim.com.

Dear Hallmark,

Handpicked and handmade have two vastly different meanings, but selecting the perfect card for a loved one holds great meaning too. Depending on the love you’re celebrating this month—new love, tried-and-true love, friendship, or familial love— maybe you’re looking for a light-hearted note, an emotional poem, or a blank-inside card so you can fill it with your own words.

There used to be a Hallmark store on every corner to fill those needs, though now northern Michigan only has four: one each in Manistee, Gaylord, Petoskey, and Cheboygan.

Locally owned for more than three decades, Dar’s Gifts in Cheboygan isn’t just about cards; the store offers an all-encompassing gift shop experience, a one-stop shop for birthdays, anniversaries, any celebratory occasion, and holidays, especially Valentine’s Day.

Store manager Doris Pierce says the three hottest—and most giftable—cards on the block are Paper Wonders, which fold open to showcase a beautiful piece of art or play music; Signature Cards, with intricate, handmade cutouts; and the new Video Greetings collection, aka the answer to intergenerational snail mail.

“I thought it was going to be very difficult,” she says of the latter, “but it’s one of the easiest things you can do. You pick out the cards you want—we’ve got some really nice ones—and you open it up and you scan the QR code. When you scan it, it takes you right to the site.” From there, you can upload photos, record a video or audio message, and create a personalized message for your recipient.

In addition to their broad selection of cards, including budget-friendly 99-cent options, Dar’s Gifts also offers women’s jewelry and accessories, home decor, candles, ornaments, and Precious Moments and Willow Tree collectibles. They even sell Kilwins confections and treats, proudly being one of Kilwins’ first outlets.

Pierce’s top recommendation on the chocolate front is the Kilwins heart box—made of chocolate and totally edible—that you can fill with more chocolate. (Or other gifts, of course. Pierce says an engagement ring or surprise jewelry make a nice addition!) You’ll also find teddy bears, ornaments, conversation hearts, and heartfelt gifts for friends.

“Valentine’s Day is a very nice holiday,” Pierce says, noting it’s not just for couples. “It’s about telling someone how much you love them, how much you care about them, and thank you for being my friend. That’s what it’s about—just letting people know how much you care.”

Learn more about Dar’s Gifts at darsgifts.com or call (231) 627-6732 for special orders. To find all local Hallmark locations, visit stores.hallmark.com/mi.

Love, Northern Express

A Picture-Perfect Proposal

Behind the scenes with a proposal photographer

By Rachel Pasche

It all starts with four little words: “Will you marry me?”

No two proposals are exactly alike, and many of them have an element of surprise, which makes proposal photography a unique profession. Local photographer Nicole Geri has seen it all, whether she’s hiking up a hill at dawn or hiding in the trees until the right moment to capture the perfect shot.

Geri’s interest in photography sprouted as a young girl and continued to blossom over the years as she progressed from disposable cameras to advanced film cameras and finally to digital. She has been shooting weddings, engagements, and proposals for 10 years now, but was able to pursue her passion of being a full-time photographer in 2020 when her business took off…in part thanks to proposals becoming intricate events and proposal photography gaining a new level of popularity.

Booming Business

Indeed, fewer and fewer folks seem to be getting engaged quietly at home these days. According to WeddingPro.com, “about 1 in 3 engagements take place on a planned trip and 1 in 5 proposers are enlisting the help of professional vendors to plan or photograph it.”

Perhaps the shift is fueled by the social media era, in which all our big life moments and achievements are instantly shared, or perhaps it’s overflow pomp and circumstance from a wedding industry that

grows each year. Or, maybe, working with a proposal photographer is just a chance to capture a special moment forever.

Much to her relief, Geri has never witnessed a “no” during a proposal, though she did have a scare once. “When I was shooting my first-ever proposal, the girl started shaking her head after her boyfriend had gotten down on one knee,” she says. “I started panicking, but it turns out she was just overcome with emotion and shortly afterward gave a very excited, ‘Yes!’”

To keep her record going strong, Geri makes sure the scene is set. When it comes to planning the proposals, she listens to the groom’s (or whoever is doing the proposing) ideas and gives them some direction to help things move smoothly. She’s all about going with the flow, which helps her capture the types of moments she loves best. “I enjoy all the candid magic that is captured during these shoots,” she explains.

For one especially memorable proposal Geri shot, the groom-to-be convinced his girlfriend to dress up and hike the Sleeping Bear Dunes Dune Climb with him before sunrise. Geri was following behind them, out of sight. As the sun peeked over the horizon, he got down on one knee and asked her to marry him. The man was a barista and brought all the trappings to make pour-over coffee, which he shared with Geri to fuel the rest of the event.

Geri describes another proposal that stands out (pictured above). “After Chad and Emily passed me on the beach, I hid in

the woods but was chased by a barking dog. Thankfully they were so immersed in their moment that they didn’t even notice, and I was still able to remain hidden until Chad pointed to me being there.” Geri had even brought a bouquet for Emily, courtesy of “my favorite florist for proposal bouquets,” Amy Kate Designs of Elk Rapids. (Luckily, the dog didn’t go after the flowers.)

Making Memories

According to Geri, those orchestrating

the proposal tend to fall into two groups: The person with a plan and a vision…and the one who has absolutely no clue.

Some men, such as Paul, are incredibly prepared and have a well thought-out plan. “He made a hotel reservation and artfully drew up a map with a message to put in a bottle,” Geri explains. “At the end of their evening they found the bottle in the water, opened it, and he proposed on a pier overlooking the lake at sunset.”

For the latter group—those without a

Chad reached out a few weeks before his vacation to northern Michigan with his longtime girlfriend Emily. He and Geri worked together to plan his Old Mission proposal, for which Geri picked up champagne and flowers and pretended to be a tourist on the beach while they were strolling.

This engagement shoot embodies what the couple loves to do, which is get out and explore northern Michigan in the fall and winter. Geri will be shooting their wedding this upcoming winter.

master plan—Geri says she’s fine-tuned some strategies to keep the whole event as successful as possible and ensure all the boxes are checked. She offers helpful advice for timing and choosing spots that are both incredibly scenic and give her plenty of options for hiding out to maintain the element of surprise before the question is popped.

The planning (and some technology) make a big difference. For example, location tracking

helps Geri locate the couple for proposals that take place in the woods, on beaches, or on the Sleeping Bear Point Trail (one of Geri’s personal favorite areas for proposals).

That trail in particular, Geri says, “features everything you could ever want within a short hike from the parking area…trees, trails, dunes, 360-degree views for sunrise or sunset, and access to Lake Michigan.” Plus, with the huge amount

of space, it’s usually easy to find an area separate from other visitors.

Thinking a proposal is in your future?

(Or maybe you just have a family photo session on the horizon.) We asked Geri for recommendations for those of us who aren’t quite sure what to wear—and, to quote Ricky Bobby, don’t know what to do with our hands—for a photoshoot.

“I recommend clothing to be something

you are comfortable and confident in, makeup how you typically wear it,” Geri says. “I prefer sunrise and sunset for a golden glow with evenly diffused lighting. Just come ready to be yourself and I’ll direct you to act and plan in a way that feels authentic.”

To check out more of Nicole Geri’s work, head to her website: nicolegeriphotography.com

Michael proposed to Emma during their sunrise adventure out to Lake Michigan. As a barista, he made coffee to bring out, along with morning snacks for him and Emma to enjoy while the sun rose over the lake.

Paul had a plan that he brought to Geri. He drew a map, placed it in a bottle, and asked the staff at Hotel Walloon to help him plant it at the end of the dock, where they also set up lanterns and candles. He proposed to Chantal at the end of the dock at sunset after finding the map in the bottle.

OLD WORLD ROMANCE

Fall in love (with the food) at PepeNero

By Al Parker

Giorgio Lo Greco leans back in his chair smiling slightly, stirs his espresso, and shares a love story.

“My wife Monica and I met on Feb. 14, Valentine’s Day, 18 years ago when we were both crew members on a cruise ship,” recalls the chef/owner of PepeNero, one of the most authentic Italian restaurants in northern Michigan. “We’ve been married 15 years.”

If you’re looking for a spot to share a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner of your own, it would be hard to beat PepeNero, where genuine Italian products—with an emphasis on Sicilian flavors—are the undeniable stars.

A Taste of Home

The restaurant’s inspiration comes from Lo Greco’s memories of his mother, grandmother, aunts, and uncle back in Bagheria, Sicily, home of so many culinary traditions. As a boy, Lo Greco worked in his uncle’s eatery, Trattoria Don Ciccio, and later in Palermo, a city noted for its vibrant food culture. Sicilian cuisine, very similar to Italian, also has Greek, Spanish, French, and Arab influences.

Lo Greco has brought all those traditions and blended them with new knowledge and techniques in PepeNero, which turns 10 years old in July. The restaurant’s name means “black pepper” and was chosen a decade ago by a committee of friends and family for its simplicity.

“I promise to serve good, simple, and thought out-dishes,” Lo Greco says. “Freshness and quality of ingredients speak for themselves; the only thing I add is memory and my passion for food. I try to include memories from my

home in Bagheria, Sicily, in every single dish.”

A perfect example of that sentiment is in PepeNero’s most popular dish, Spiedini Don Ciccio with house sausage. This flavorful meal pays tribute to Lo Greco’s 86-year-old Uncle Ciccio, who still runs his trattoria daily and is “pretty well known in Sicily,” according to his proud nephew. The dish features imperial Wagyu top sirloin roll, pine nuts, pancetta, mozzarella, raisins, and peewee potatoes.

Like its dishes, the vibe of the restaurant is comfortable and promises cuisine that is packed with flavor and old-country goodness. It seats 120 in the spacious dining area, plus another 30 outside when the weather improves.

An impressive assortment of 260 wines (dominated by Italian choices, of course) will complement any of the entrees. (Lo Greco has nothing against Michigan, California, or French wines, but this is an Italian trattoria.)

A Romantic Night Out

Many guests have made PepeNero their go-to place for making memories. And they make the trip from across Michigan and beyond, such as Wisconsin, Illinois, and across the Midwest.

“They come here for their special events, birthdays, anniversaries, and others,” notes Lo Greco. “They may only come once or twice a year, but they always say they love our place. We take good care of them, treat them like family.”

A romantic dinner for two could start with an antipasti of Tagliere Italiano, a selection of Italian salamis, formaggi, and other accompaniments perfectly designed for a couple to share. That’s followed by a

colorful salad of Prosciutto Di Parma and preserved figs aboard a bed of baby greens, almonds, and Parmigiano Reggiano, all drizzled with aged balsamic dressing.

One of the most satisfying and popular pasta dishes is the Pappardelle, a flat pasta cut into broad ribbons and topped with a slowly-braised baby back ribs ragu, cream, and pomodoro sauce.

For a vegetarian palate, try the Cannelloni with spinach, ricotta, and mozzarella filling bathed in a flavorful tomato sauce. And all of the pasta dishes, except for the stuffed Cannelloni, can be substituted with glutenfree gnocchi.

Other entree choices include a Black Angus Filet served with a nebbiolo sauce, potatoes puree, and wild mushrooms; Otto Chicken served with polenta and black truffle and foie gras sauce; and a Pork Tenderloin

(from Snake River farm) served with an apple parsnip puree, seasonal vegetables, and a sage brandy demi-glaze.

With more than 90 percent of the meals made with ingredients from the old country, PepeNero’s menu is real-deal Italian fare. “Eat here with us and it’s like eating in Palermo, but you save $1,500 by not flying there,” says Lo Greco with a laugh.

“Even though you’re not in Italy, maybe not even Italian, our PepeNero team will work to make you feel that way,” he continues. “With this simple thought in mind, we invite you to join us and become part of our family.”

Find PepeNero at 700 Cottageview Drive in Traverse City. (231) 929-1960, pepenerotc. com. They’re open Tuesday-Thursday 4:30pm to 9pm, Friday and Saturday 4:30pm to 10pm Closed Sunday and Monday.

39 YEARS OF GOPHERWOOD CONCERTS

Cadillac music series looks toward 2023 lineup

By Ross Boissoneau

Gopherwood Concerts, a longrunning music series in Cadillac, began as a film guild in the 1980s before being “killed” by “the advent of the VCR.” It then morphed into the Gopherwood Folk Society, which had the goal of bringing great music to town. The name, per their website, “was coined by Jim Peterson due to the fact that most people in the group burned wood for heat and hence they all had to ‘Go-For-Wood’ each day to fuel their wood burners.”

Today, the nonprofit sees performers from across the region and the Midwest performing at various venues in the Cadillac area.

“There’s no permanent home,” says Paul Brown, who books the shows. “Most shows are at the Elks [Lodge]. When it first started there were shows at churches, McGuires— now Evergreen Resort—then the country club for years.”

This is the 39th year for Gopherwood, and on the slate of performers for winter and spring are Abigail Stauffer Feb. 11 (more on her below!), Willy Porter March 11, the Made in Michigan FUNdraiser April 8, and a house concert May 6 by Ben Traverse.

Brown says he and his wife Nancy have been working with Gopherwood for many of those 39 years as part of a volunteer contingent that enables the organization to host the shows. “I was asked to help with booking and have done so ever since,” he says. “Volunteering is a big deal to us. Live music is a passion. It’s made our lives better.”

According to Brown, most of the performances are acoustically-based solo or duo shows and generally lean toward the folk or Americana vein, though there are exceptions. “It’s not a rock and roll venue. We’ve had blues, Cajun.”

Gopherwood has also hosted nationally-

known and touring artists. “We had Richie Havens twice, Mose Allison. We’ve had people come from Chicago. It just depends on who’s touring.”

From Cello to Trumpet to Guitar

Abigail Stauffer, next in the Gopherwood lineup, hails from Ypsilanti, where she says access to places like the Ark, the Michigan Theater, and the Blind Pig give musicians and fans an opportunity to share their passion.

She grew up listening to and loving music, so perhaps it was only natural she took up an instrument. What no one

first song was about windshield wipers. The song was to annoy my brothers,” she says. But as she explains, even then it was about evoking an emotion.

The Sort-of Singer-Songwriter

These days the emotions she tries to arouse are not so much annoyance or irritation but instead things like wonder, joy, peace, amusement, or longing.

Stauffer will be appearing at the Cadillac Elks Lodge Feb. 11 as part of the Gopherwood Concert Series to do just that. And though she no longer plays herself, there will be music from the cello. Stauffer

Stauffer says her music tends to bring in other elements beyond the folksy pop sounds that are more often typical of the [singer-songwriter] stereotype. “It’s folky but edgy. You’ll experience a blend with funk, soul, and jazz,” she says.

expected was that instrument was her choice. “I took up cello because I really liked it,” says Stauffer.

Then she makes a confession: Cello wasn’t really her first preference. “I really wanted to play drums, but I was told, ‘You have musical ability.’ I think it was gender and muso bias.”

When she got to high school, she wanted to join the marching band, so she switched instruments, picking up trumpet. It wasn’t until after graduating from high school that she took up guitar and started writing songs.

Actually, her first songwriting effort was an early one, meant to pass the time while riding in the car with her family. “My

will be accompanied by her longtime musical partner Dave Haughey (billed as Dave the Cellist). “My interest in the sound of the cello still persists,” she says.

Though she meets the definition, she’s reluctant to call herself a singer-songwriter. That description tends to make one think of performers like James Taylor, Carole King, John Mayer, or Jason Mraz. While the strict definition fits, Stauffer says her music tends to bring in other elements beyond the folksy pop sounds that are more often typical of the stereotype. “It’s folky but edgy. You’ll experience a blend with funk, soul, and jazz,” she says.

That’s especially true when Stauffer expands her shows from a duo to a trio,

which may happen with this show. She says adding a drummer/percussionist gives the music a different feel. “Plus there’s threepart harmonies.”

No matter the number of performers onstage, Stauffer knows the music will capture those different moods, due in no small part to Dave the Cellist’s versatility. “He’s got a master’s in improv. We hear a frequent compliment that [the audience] has never heard anyone who makes it sound like that, like a whale or electric guitar,” she says.

Stauffer says her day job is also influencing her playing. She’s a software developer, and she said that helps to pay the bills as well as free her up, while expanding the possibilities in her songs. “It gives me more time for music. It frees my musical creativity—I no longer feel it’s essential to … line up to the expectations of others. Plus, I learn about tech.”

All of that comes in handy in an era where musicians have to be entrepreneurs, often responsible not only for writing and playing their songs but for booking gigs, marketing themselves, and even recording and releasing their music. “The current music industry, if you want to be an agency, engineer, graphic designer, web designer, you can be successful,” Stauffer says.

As for herself, Stauffer says she’s happy to let the experts do what they’re good at, while she concentrates on making the best music she can.

To that end, she’s been recording throughout the pandemic era, and she’s hopeful to release the fruits of that labor soon. “Everything with recording is done. We hope to finish it by the end of the year. A lot of folks are waiting impatiently,” she says.

Learn more about Gopherwood Concerts at gopherwoodconcerts.org. Tickets for Stauffer’s 7pm show are available at MyNorthTickets.com.

The Well-Groomed Gentleman

The modern man of 2023 is putting some work—and time, and money—into his look

By Craig Manning

The stereotype used to be that men could roll out of bed and be ready to head out the door in five minutes flat. But according to a new survey, the times they are a-changin’. And by “the times,” we mean the number of minutes it takes the average dude to get all gussied up for a night out on the town.

Indeed, here’s a curveball: According to grooming advice website Tools of Men, the average Michigan man spends 28 minutes getting ready for a night out. That information comes from a nationwide survey—cleverly dubbed “Manscaping Minutes”—that the Tools of Men team executed this past November. One in five Michigan dudes also said they pluck their eyebrows, and 10 percent said they “would be prepared to go into debt buying grooming products.”

While we don’t condone plunging yourself into dire financial straits to buy fancy razors or beard balm, we also can’t help but feel a little excited that old stereotypes and gender norms are being put to rest. There’s certainly nothing wrong with guys wanting to look their best, and if the Tools of Men survey is any indication, a fair amount of work can go into that presentation.

To find out whether the survey findings hold water here in northern Michigan, Northern Express touched base with a pair

of dude-focused local businesses to find out what it takes to keep the modern man looking his best. Here’s what we learned.

Fades Are the Fad

Every era has its iconic men’s hairstyles. In the ’90s, grunge cuts and bowl cuts ruled the day. In the 2000s, shaggy, swoopy haircuts were everywhere. These days, the fade is the fad.

A “fade” is an aggressive taper technique, where the hair on the sides and back of the head is cut short but with a taper (or fade) up into significantly longer hair on top.

According to Jackie McNally—a manager at Jude’s Barbershop in Traverse City—the fade is the cut that most guys are asking for these days. While a fade can be tapered to just about any length of hair on top, McNally says the sweet spot tends to be “short faded sides” tapering to 2-3 inches of length on top.

McNally also says fancier and more specialized fades are on the rise. One example is the foil shaver fade, which uses a special type of electric razor to deliver an extremely close shave. Foil shaver fades are characterized by longer hair on top that fades not just to shorter hair, but to bald clean-shaven sides.

Also popular are burst fades and designs, which create more ambitious aesthetics with how the hair is tapered. The burst fade tapers

the hair in a semicircular shape behind the ear and is especially popular for mohawk hairstyles on top. A design fade, meanwhile, does precisely what the description says, shaving eye-catching design elements—from stars to swooshy lines—into the tapered hair on the side or back of the head.

The rise of the fade as a prominent hairstyle means that some recent men’s hair fads are on the decline, and McNally says the big casualty is the mullet. That “business in the front, party in the back” hairstyle gained popularity in the ’80s and fell out of favor in the ensuing decades, but it’s come back in recent years thanks in part to the success of Morgan Wallen, the controversial country star whose mullet has become a signature look. Now, McNally says mullets are on the way out again. Ah, the circle of life…

Haircuts Are Happening More Frequently

Maybe it’s because men are becoming more cognizant of their look, or maybe it’s because hairstyles like the fade demand more frequent attention and maintenance than the popular hairstyles of yesteryear. Whatever the reason, McNally says many dudes have gone from viewing haircuts as a “just a few times a year” kind of thing to a regular part of their routine. “They are coming in more frequently, rebooking before they leave, and purchasing products to maintain the look until their next visit,” she explains.

The “rebooking before they leave” model may sound more like a doctor’s office than a barbershop, but it speaks to the increasing vigilance with which modern men think about their grooming and appearance. Thomas Martin, co-founder and co-owner of Jude’s Barbershop, says the business has adapted to the increased demand by making it easier for customers to make appointments.

“Our customers love being able to make an online appointment whenever they want,” Martin explains. “Not having to call or rely on someone to do it for them is really important to guys now.”

In particular, Martin says it’s been beneficial to have a system that lets guys schedule haircuts whenever it occurs to them to do so, rather than having to wait for business hours. “We can see what time of day the appointment was made, and there are appointments being made in the entire 24-hour cycle,” Martin adds.

The Art of Shaving Is Back

The other big shift on the haircut and hairstyling front is that more men are relying on their barbershops and salons to assist with other grooming tasks. Beard care, in particular, has become almost as important to many guys as a snazzy haircut.

Jude’s Barbershop offers services like the

“Damn Good Beard Trim” and the “Jude’s Beard Shaping & Conditioning,” both of which Martin says have become extremely popular in recent years. And the auxiliary services that men are asking for from their barbers go even further. “Ear and nose/ nostril waxing is very popular and addictive,” Martin tells the Express. “Once you’ve had it done once, you'll want it every time you get a haircut.”

Not so long ago, shaving was a task that many men viewed with little to no affection; it was, at best, a necessary evil. But for Mike Curths—who owns the Traverse City-based lifestyle store Men’s Emporium—shaving has always been more of an art (or even a hobby) than an unsavory task. And in recent years, as more high-end shaving and beard sculpting products have hit the market, Curths says the general opinion on facial hair care has come to align more with the viewpoint he’s always held.

The problem with shaving for many men, Curths maintains, is that they haven’t had the right equipment. The widespread availability of multi-blade razors, cheap shaving creams, and other low-quality facial hair products, he says, has doomed many men to chronic razor burn, ingrown hairs, regular cuts or nicks to the face, and sloppy shaves.

In fact, when Curths launched Men’s Emporium in December 2019, he was at least partially inspired by the realization that all local stores had stopped carrying his choice brand of mustache wax. “People in town stopped selling it because they were going for all the cheap hipster brands that were hitting the market,” he laughs. “I got kind of pissed off and thought, ‘Well, I’m retired, why don’t I just start my own little shaving company?’”

Men’s Emporium ultimately manifested as more than just a shaving company,

carrying classic barware and vintage clothes, hats, shoes, and ties (among other products). But shaving and grooming also remain major staples for the shop and are top draws among the majority of the clientele that walks through the door.

One trend Curths has noticed in particular is a growing interest in “wet shaving.”

“That’s really come on big in the last five years or so,” he explains. “Basically, wet shaving uses a special shave soap designed strictly for your face and brush. You put the soap on the brush and then brush it onto your face—it doesn’t come out of a can like cheese—and then you use a safety razor or a straight razor to shave. It takes a little longer, but it gives you a much cleaner and smoother shave.”

Men’s Emporium carries an array of specialty high-end shaving products and tools, including safety razors and straight razors, beard butters, oils, waxes, washes, conditioners, and other beard and mustache care products. Many of those products are from the Michigan-based Detroit Grooming Co., which even has its own Traverse City product line.

For his part, Curths thinks the popularity of these types of wares speak to the same takeaways the Tools of Men survey uncovered: that men simply care more about grooming than they did 5-10 years ago.

“A lot of what’s happening in men’s grooming, I think it shows that men are starting to feel better about themselves and take more time on how they look,” Curths concludes. “And it’s not just about the end result, either. I also carry accessories like the stand that holds your razor and your brush. A lot of men are proud of this stuff and want to display it. It’s like when you’d walk into your grandpa’s house; you can tell it’s serious stuff.”

saturday

WHITE PINE STAMPEDE 2.0: 7am, Shanty Creek Resort, King of the Hill Nordic trail, Bellaire. This alternative race to the annual White Pine Stampede will be 3 loops (approximately 10.5k), & will be taking place before the lifts open for the day. This race is recommended for skiers at an average or above average skiing level. The race starts outside of Ivan’s near Blue Chairlift. There will be breakfast & awards inside Ivan’s following the race. There will be awards for both Classic & Freestyle categories. whitepinestampede.org/index.php/ white-pine-stampede-2-0 ----------------------

VETERAN’S WINTER 2023 ICE FISHING

EVENT: 8am-2pm, Lake Leelanau, Bingham Launch. Fish for walleye, perch, pike & panfish. All veterans are welcome & all gear & on-ice accommodations will be provided. There will also be a hot lunch on the ice & raffle gifts. nwmifishingclub.com

OPEN STUDIO, PETOSKEY: 10am-1pm, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Visual Arts Room, Petoskey. Drop-in arts & crafts for the whole family. Free. crookedtree.org/event/ctacpetoskey/open-studio-february-4

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MICHIGAN’S RICHEST SNOWMOBILE

FUN RUN: Gaylord, Feb. 3-4. Snowmobilers ride Otsego County’s trails & visit nine participating area businesses to drop off registration slips. The event concludes at the Eagles Hall with live music, complimentary food, prizes, & a $1,000 cash drawing. Free. gaylordmichigan.net/snowmobile-festival-registration

AIR & APRÉS BY SAMUEL ADAMS: 11am, Boyne Mountain Resort, Boyne Falls. The slopes become a jumbo screen filled with motion graphics, doubling as a stage, as Olympic, X-Game & professional athletes perform big air jumps & aerial acrobatics. There will be loud music, pyrotechnics, a fireworks display & more. Bring a Sharpie for an Athlete Meet & Greet at the Sam Adams Après Party right after the show. boynemountain.com/ upcoming-events/air-and-apres ----------------------

KID’S LUNAR NEW YEAR TEA CEREMONY: 11am, Charlevoix Circle of Arts. For ages 6+. Experience some of the holiday customs & celebrate the Lunar New Year by taking part in a traditional Chinese Tea Ceremony. Preregister. $5 non-members; free members. charlevoixcircle.org/classes-workshops

FREE YOUTH ART LAB: 1-3pm, Charlevoix Circle of Arts. Paracord bracelet making for ages 10+. Students can pick from a variety of colors & attachments like whistles & compasses. Pre-register. charlevoixcircle.org/ youth-art-lab

TRAVERSE CITY COMEDY FEST: Feb. 2-4. Featuring a mix of stand-up performances, improv, podcast tapings & specialty shows. More than 40 comedians will appear in over 20 shows over this three-day festival. Events will be held at the City Opera House, Traverse City Comedy Club, Encore 201, The Workshop Brewing Company & Hotel Indigo. The event will also offer opportunities for those interested in writing or performing comedy to hone their craft. Headliners include Maria Bamford, Tom Papa, Ismo, Dean Edwards, & Jackie Kashian. Visit web site for a complete schedule & ticket info. tccomedyfest.com/events ----------------------

JOURNEY OF DISCOVERY ARTIST RE-

CEPTION: The Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts, Hardy Hall, Manistee. Honoring

the contributions of African Americans in Rural Michigan. The gallery exhibition opening is Sat., Feb. 4, from 5-7 pm. The exhibition runs through Feb. 25. Free; donations welcome. ramsdelltheatre.org

SLEDDING & S’MORES: 5-8pm, Kiwanis Park, Harbor Springs.

“THE LARAMIE PROJECT”: 7:30pm, Old Town Playhouse, TC. In 1998 Matthew Shepard, an openly gay college student, was brutally beaten & left to die on the plains outside Laramie, Wyoming. This play is based on 200+ interviews with the people of the town, & explores the depths to which humanity can sink & the heights of compassion we are capable of. $28 adults; $15 youth under 18, plus fees. oldtownplayhouse.com/calendar

BLISSFEST PRESENTS: TRADITIONAL COUNTRY DANCE: 7:30-10pm, LittlefieldAlanson Community Building, Alanson. All dances will be taught & traditional country dances include contras, squares & waltzes. Featuring Ruby John & John Warstler with caller Larry Dyer. $7/person; $10/couple; $15/family. blissfest.org

CUTTIME SIMFONICA: 7:30pm, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Theater, Petoskey. CutTime® began within the Detroit Symphony Orchestra with two outreach ensembles by bassist-member Rick Robinson (aka Mr. CutTime). CutTime Simfonica® is the sensuous string ensemble, often with light drumming to perform Robinson’s Kresge-winning, funky-romantic compositions. $25 members; $35 non-members; $10 students. crookedtree.org/event/ctac-petoskey/ ctac-presents-cuttime-simfonica

sunday

“THE LARAMIE PROJECT”: (See Sat., Feb. 4, except today’s time is 2pm.)

MAMA BEARS DOCUMENTARY: 6pm, First Congregational United Church of Christ, Charlevoix. A free showing of “Mama Bears,” in which dedicated mothers fight ferociously to make the world a kinder & safer place for the LGBTQ community. More info: 231-547-9122.

monday

PRESCHOOL ADVENTURES IN ART: 9:3010:15am, Crooked Tree Arts Center, TC. Drop-in for hands-on fun for preschoolers & their grown-ups. $5. crookedtree.org/ class/ctac-traverse-city/preschool-adventures-art-february-6-0

KID’S CRAFT LAB: LOVE BUG GARLAND: 1pm & 3:30pm, Great Lakes Children’s Museum, TC. String up a little love for Valentine’s Day. Sign up when you reserve your attendance at the Museum. greatlakeskids.org

BICYCLE REPAIR CLINIC: 5pm, McLain Cycle & Fitness, 750 E. Eighth St., TC. Each week will focus on a different topic that is helpful for any bike owner who would like to grow their skills in bike maintenance & care. Free. mclaincycle.com

SOUP AND BREAD: 6-8pm, The Little Fleet, TC. Monthly reoccurring event! Local chefs donate the soup & you pay what you can to benefit a local charity. February event will benefit National Alliance of Mental Health. thelittlefleet.com/events/2022/11/7/ soup-and-bread-plmyr-7dm62-4nknr

Grab

tuesday

COFFEE & CONVERSATION: 8-10am, Harbor Springs Area Chamber office, 118 E. Main St., Harbor Springs. Conversation & connections with chamber staff & other members. Free.

PRESCHOOL STORY TIME: 10:30am, Suttons Bay Bingham District Library, lower level Community Meeting Room. Preschoolers of all ages are invited to join for stories, songs & active fun. Free. sbbdl.org

STORYTIME ADVENTURES: 10:30am, 1pm & 3:30pm, Great Lakes Children’s Museum, TC. Featuring “The Mitten” by Jan Brett. Sign up when you reserve your attendance at the Museum. greatlakeskids.org

SWIM, BIKE, RUN - GET STARTED ON YOUR TRIATHLON JOURNEY: 6-7:30pm, McLain Cycle & Fitness, 750 E. Eighth St., TC. This event is best for those who are new to triathlons. Fleet Feet (Running Fit) will talk about all things running. Other triathlonknowledgeable friends will be present too. Free. facebook.com/events/340056297021

7244/?ref=newsfeed

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GRAND TRAVERSE KENNEL CLUB

MEETING: Incredible Mo’s, Grawn. 6pm dinner & social; 7pm meeting. Public & new members welcome. Grandtraversekennelclub.com

wednesday

“DISRUPT & DISMANTLE: THE FUTURE OF ‘POLICING’”: 1pm & 2:30pm, Dennos Museum Center, Dutmers Theater, NMC, TC. Soledad O’Brien interviews Anjanette Young, Mayor Lori Lightfoot, State’s Attorney Kim Foxx & others about the Chicago Police Department’s history of brutality & the obstacles to reform. Limit of 30 people per screening. Free; online registration required. simpletix.com/e/disrupt-dismantle-the-fu -

ture-of-%E2%80%9Cpolicing%E2%80%9Dtickets-119449

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GAYLORD BUSINESS AFTER HOURS: 5pm, The Clock Tower Building, Gaylord. Food, drinks, networking, photo booth & prizes. Co-sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield Blue Care Network of Michigan, Celeste Lovely Photo Booth, & Go North Properties. Support the American Heart Association & wear red to help spread awareness of heart disease & stroke prevention for women. $5 members; $10 non-members. ----------------------

SUICIDE PREVENTION FILM: 6:308:30pm, Lyric Theatre, Harbor Springs. “My Ascension”: A suicide attempt left a varsity cheerleader paralyzed but propelled her on a mission to use her experience to help others find hope. Register for this free event. eventbrite.com/e/my-ascension-movieshowing-tickets-483173383597

thursday

COFFEE @ 10, PETOSKEY: 10-11am, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Gilbert Gallery, Petoskey. Featuring northern Michigan artist Julie Stoppel. Julie has taught art at Concord Academy Petoskey, Concord Academy Boyne, & NCMC. She stays active in the arts & theater community in Petoskey & is the owner of Somebody’s Gallery in downtown Petoskey. Her work is currently on display at Crooked Tree Arts Center’s Guild Member Salon Show. Free. crookedtree.org/event/ ctac-petoskey/coffee-10-julie-stoppel

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KID’S CRAFT LAB: LOVE BUG GARLAND: 10:30am, 1pm & 3:30pm, Great Lakes Children’s Museum, TC. String up a little love for Valentine’s Day. Sign up when you reserve your attendance at the Museum. greatlakeskids.org

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BENZONIA ACADEMY LECTURE: “REVISITING THE SINKING OF THE ANN ARBOR #4 100 YEARS AGO”: 4pm, The Mills Community House, Benzonia. This program, offered by the Benzie Area Historical Society, will be presented by car ferry historian

your snowshoes and run or walk through the Grass River Natural Area, Bellaire on Sat., Feb. 11 at 10am during the Grass River Shiver, a fundraiser for their programs. A prize is awarded to overall male and female 5K/10K winners. 10K participants run two loops of the course. This is a timed race, but the course will be up for the weekend if runners need to run it at a later time. Registration with a t-shirt is $38-$40. Pre-register for the race only for $25. $30 for walk-ins on race day. But don’t leave in a hurry! Following is Winterfest! from noon – 3pm! This free family event will have indoor and outdoor activities, including snowshoeing and x-country skiing demos, crafts, games, s’mores and hot chocolate.

WILL

YOU BE OUR VALENTINE?

STRAWBERRY AND CHOCOLATE FACIAL

Love is in the air with this “made-for-each-other”

Strawberry and Chocolate

facial. This perfect duo will warm your skin and tantalize you with the indulgent scents of strawberry and chocolate. This is Cupid’s favorite!

Only $75 during the month of February!

FACIAL REJUVENATION PACKAGE

Back by popular demand for the month of February only!

3-Virtue 2-Dermafrac

Original Price: $1890

February Price: $899 (savings of $991)

VALENTINE’S DAY VAGINAL REJUVENATION SOLUTION

We are offering special pricing this month! Get 6 packs for just $130.

Tim Foster. A highlight of the program will be the premiere of a video simulation that was developed of the event. Donation. benziemuseum.org

“THE INHERITANCE PART 2 (SELECTIONS)”: 6pm, The Alluvion, TC. Presented by Parallel 45 Theatre. Decades after the height of the AIDS epidemic, “The Inheritance” tells the story of three generations of gay men in New York City attempting to forge a future for themselves amid a turbulent & changing America. $0-$50. parallel45. org/reading-series-2023 ----------------------

“THE LARAMIE PROJECT”: (See Sat., Feb. 4)

friday

MORE TO EXPLORE: 9:30am, noon & 2:30pm, Great Lakes Children’s Museum, TC. Drop into the Great Lakes Room anytime during the session & experience the fun of a sensory bin filled with rice & beans. greatlakeskids.org

COFFEE @ 10, TC: 10-11am, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Carnegie East Gallery, TC. Featuring northern Michigan artist Dorothy Anderson Grow. Dorothy’s work is featured in her solo exhibit, “Entangled: Paper Sculptures from Etching Prints by Dorothy Anderson Grow.” Free. crookedtree.org/ event/ctac-traverse-city/coffee-10-dorothyanderson-grow

10223 E. Cherry Bend Rd. • Traverse City • 231-929-7681

STORYTIME: 10:30am, Leland Township Library, Leland. Stories & more for kids aged 0-6 & their caregivers. Free. lelandlibrary. org/programs-events

WINTER WANDERERS FOR YOUNG

ONES: 4-5:30pm, Offield Family Working Forest Reserve, Quick Rd., north of Harbor Springs. Presented by the Little Traverse Conservancy. Join Emily Hughes & her wee ones as you explore the woods in winter. This program is for kids 5 & under, but siblings are welcome to join with a parent or guardian. landtrust.org/events-template/ winter-wanderers-for-young-ones

“THE LARAMIE PROJECT”: (See Sat., Feb. 4) ----------------------

MITTEN SMITTEN: MAX LOCKWOOD & ELIZA THORP: 7:30-9:30pm, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Petoskey. Songwriter, vocalist, multi-instrumentalist & poet Max Lockwood performs rock & roll with folk & pop. Eliza Thorp is an up-and-coming singer/songwriter to the northern Michigan area. In her youth she grew up listening & dancing in the kitchen with her Mom to the likes of Carol King, Diana Krall & lots of Simon and Garfunkel. $15. crookedtree.org/event/ctac-petoskey/ mitten-smitten-max-lockwood-eliza-thorp

saturday

47TH ANNUAL NORTH AMERICAN VASA: 8am, Timber Ridge Resort, TC. Today includes the Okerstrom 15K Freestyle Ski Race, George Kuhn 27K Freestyle Ski Race, 6K High School Freestyle Race (for ages 19 & under), Short’s Grand Fat 35K, Short’s-NFat 17K, Junior Vasa (various distances), & Adaptive Skier Race. vasa.org/race-info-new

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2023 GRASS RIVER SHIVER: 10am, Grass River Natural Area, Bellaire. A 5K/10K snowshoe race fundraiser. This is a time raced, but the course will be up for the weekend if runners need or want to run it at a later time. Register online & get a shirt for $40, or preregister for the race only & no shirt for $25, or register day of at race for $30. grassriver.org

BASIC MARLINSPIKE: TURKS HEAD

KNOTS, A MAKE & TAKE WORKSHOP: 10am-1pm, Maritime Heritage Alliance, TC. Free; suggested $10 donation for materials. maritimeheritagealliance.org/events-andprograms

BEULAH WINTERFEST: Downtown Beulah. Includes a Cookie Sale at Beulah Trailhead, No Fee Snowmobile Poker Run, Frozen Turkey Bowling, Chili Cookoff at Beulah Village Park, horse drawn wagon rides, Snowball Target Competition, Frozen Fish Toss, Winterfest Parade, Outhouse Sprint, Fireworks on Crystal Lake, & more. clcba. org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/CLCBA_ Winterfest_Rack-Card_2023-1.pdf

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Located

Old

rolling vineyards & cherry orchards, Mission Table is an amazing estate that is perfect for an intimate wedding reception or rehearsal dinner.

For more information please contact our Event Director, Barbara Olson | 231.944.6984 barb@nubco.net

13512 Peninsula Drive, Traverse City, Michigan www.missiontable.net

HARBOR SPRINGS ICE FEST: Downtown Harbor Springs, Feb. 10-11. This event kicks off with trivia night at Stafford’s Pier Restaurant, Fri. at 6pm. This year’s fest will feature over 30 ice sculptures throughout Downtown Harbor Springs, along with the Dueling Chainsaws. There will be an interactive ice park in Zorn Park, with large interactive sculptures, ice carving demonstrations, & ice games. Also enjoy horse-drawn hayrides & more. downtownharborsprings.com/ice-fest ----------------------

NWS: NINA TOTENBERG: 7pm, City Opera House, TC. This author of “Dinners with Ruth” writes about her deep friendship with late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Ginsburg. Nina will join the conversation via monitor on stage, Zooming in from New York City. Guest host April Baer, who will be on stage at the Opera House, will interview her in front of a live audience. Livestream tickets are also available. GA + 1 book: $33. nationalwritersseries.org ----------------------

“CINDERELLA”: 7:30pm, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Corson Auditorium. Witness the classic fairy tale come to life in a ballet adaptation. Presented by Interlochen Arts Academy Dance Division. $22 adults; $17 kids & students. interlochen.org/concerts-and-events/signatureseries?search=cinderella

FREE FAMILY DROP-IN ART: 10am-noon, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Cornwell Gallery, TC. Stop by for a fun, free art activity for all ages. crookedtree.org/class/ctac-traversecity/free-drop-family-art-february ----------------------

HARBOR SPRINGS ICE FEST: (See Fri., Feb. 10)

OPEN STUDIO: 10am-1pm, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Visual Arts Room, Petoskey. Drop-in free arts & crafts for the whole family. crookedtree.org/event/ctac-petoskey/openstudio-february-11

SUPER SATURDAY: 10am-2pm, Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency, TC. Free tax filing, free lunch, & win prizes. facebook.com/nmcaa

LITTLE WAVES: 10:30am at Petoskey District Library, & 1pm at Charlevoix Public Library. “Musical Adventures”: Aimed at children 4-10 years of age & their families, this program features a multimedia storybook time with Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra (GLCO) percussionist & program director Tim Mocny, an opportunity to hear one or more GLCO musicians demonstrate & explain how their instruments work, & fun music-related activities for kids. Free. glcorchestra.org/education/little-waves

WALK Glen talk through “Telling hibitions. lery manager, these glenarborart.org

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WINTERLOCHEN: the Arts. winter ballet s’mores, crafts tivities um for 1:30pm.

JUNIOR Ridge under Race. online.

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WINTERFEST: Area, indoor skiing crafts, Free; HOW IN NORTHERN Township lin, author ing the for a Northern brary.org/programs-events

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SNOWSHOEING toric Mill City. the parking Along wildlife Forest campfire. event/snowshoeing-smores-at-historic-millcreek-discovery-park-2/2023-02-11

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FABULOUS

DANCE: ing, Leland. Two Fish. playing to feed mynorthtickets.com/events/fabulous-horn dogs-sweetheart-dance-2-11-2023

CHARLEVOIX AT BEARDS Brewery, Charlevoix artist cal artist prize levoixcircle.org/events

“THE DOM” dell Theatre, Discovery contributions Michigan. delltheatre.org

BAYSIDE DANCE: Family workshop 7:30-10:30pm. & dances or experience Dance

in the heart of

Mission Peninsula’s

GOPHERWOOD

Sat.,

LOCKWOOD & Tree vocalist, Lockwood Eliza singer/songwrityouth kitchKing, Garfunkel. crookedtree.org/event/ctac-petoskey/ mitten-smitten-max-lockwood-eliza-thorp

WALK + TALK THE EXHIBITIONS: 11am, Glen Arbor Arts Center. A guided walk-andtalk through the Glen Arbor Arts Center’s “Telling Stories” & “A Feral Housewife” exhibitions. Sarah Bearup-Neal, GAAC gallery manager, leads a conversational tour of these exhibits about visual storytelling. Free. glenarborart.org

WINTERLOCHEN: Interlochen Center for the Arts. Families can enjoy this annual winter festival, including a free, kid-friendly ballet matinee of “Cinderella.” There will be s’mores, sledding, acting workshops, art crafts & the popular Kids Conduct. The festivities end with a parade to Corson Auditorium for the performance. Activities run 11am1:30pm. Free. interlochen.org/winterlochen

Lodge. This folk singer uses acoustic, pop, & neo-soul music to showcase her confidence & vulnerability, creating a balance of pain, hope, & joy. $7-$15. mynorthtickets.com/ events/abigail-stauffer-2-11-2023

“CINDERELLA”: (See Fri., Feb. 10)

“THE LARAMIE PROJECT”: (See Sat., Feb. 4)

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NORTH 8am, TC. OkerSki Race, ages 19 Short’s-Ndistances), & vasa.org/race-info-new Grass snowraced, weekend if time. or pre$25, or grassriver.org

HEAD WORKSHOP: Alliance, TC. materials. maritimeheritagealliance.org/events-and-

BeuTrailFroBeulah rides, Fish Sprint, clcba. org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/CLCBA_

10am-noon, Gallery, for all crookedtree.org/class/ctac-traverse-

Fri., Tree Petoskey. family. crookedtree.org/event/ctac-petoskey/openNorthwest TC. facePetoskey

PubAimed at families, storyChamber Orprogram hear demonstrate & fun Free. gl-

JUNIOR VASA SKI RACE: Noon, Timber Ridge Resort, TC. Nordic ski racers age 14 & under are invited to race the Junior VASA Ski Race. The race is free but you must register online. vasa.org

WINTERFEST: 12-3pm, Grass River Natural Area, Bellaire. A family event with outdoor & indoor activities: snowshoeing & x-country skiing demos at no cost (weather permitting), crafts, games, & s’mores & hot chocolate. Free; donations welcome. grassriver.org

HOW TO CATCH THE NORTHERN LIGHTS

IN NORTHERN MICHIGAN: 1pm, Leland Township Library, Leland. Join Melissa Kaelin, author of “Below the 45th Parallel: Chasing the Aurora in the Great Lakes Region,” for a program on how to catch the illusive Northern Lights in Michigan. Free. lelandlibrary.org/programs-events

SNOWSHOEING & S’MORES: 2-4pm, Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park, Mackinaw City. Meet Park Naturalist Kyle Bagnall in the parking lot, where you’ll begin your hike. Along a two-mile track, search for signs of wildlife & more. After the walk, stop at the Forest Clearing to enjoy s’mores over a campfire. Donation. mackinacparks.com/ event/snowshoeing-smores-at-historic-millcreek-discovery-park-2/2023-02-11

FABULOUS HORNDOGS SWEETHEART

DANCE: SOLD OUT 4-7pm, Old Art Building, Leland. Presented by Five Loaves & Two Fish. The Fabulous Horndogs will be playing the music & proceeds benefit efforts to feed the local homeless population. $20. mynorthtickets.com/events/fabulous-horndogs-sweetheart-dance-2-11-2023

CHARLEVOIX CIRCLE OF ARTS EVENT

AT BEARDS BREWERY: 6-8pm, Beards Brewery, Petoskey. Live artist demos with Charlevoix oil painter Jan Coltman & pastel artist Mike Coltman. Gift shop pop-up of local artist items, free “Take & Make” art kits, prize drawing giveaway & more. Free. charlevoixcircle.org/events

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“THE GREEN BOOK: A GUIDE TO FREEDOM” DOCUMENTARY: 7-8:30pm, Ramsdell Theatre, Manistee. This Journey of Discovery event is being held to honor the contributions of African Americans in Rural Michigan. Free; donations welcome. ramsdelltheatre.org

BAYSIDE TRAVELLERS CONTRA

DANCE: Kason Township Hall, Maple City. Family friendly contra dance. Basic skills workshop at 7pm with contra dance from 7:30-10:30pm. Live music by Jigs & Reels & dances called by Pat Reeser. No partner or experience necessary. Masks required. Dance is donation only. dancetc.com

GOPHERWOOD CONCERTS PRESENTS

ABIGAIL STAUFFER: 7-9pm, Cadillac Elks

THE TSO PRESENTS ANDREW SORDS: 7:30pm, Historic Barns Park, The Cathedral Barn, TC. Andrew makes his TSO debut on violin with this solo concert accompanied by Maestro Kevin Rhodes on piano. Students & 1st time attendees, call the Box Office for 50% off your tickets: 231-947-7120, x5. $45.50. traversesymphony.org/concert/andrew-sords

feb 12

s unday

47TH ANNUAL NORTH AMERICAN VASA: 10am, Timber Ridge Resort, TC. Today includes the 27K Cambium Analytica Classic Ski Race, 6K High School Classic Ski Race (for ages 19 & under), 15K Lombard Loppet Classic Ski Race, Michigan Cup Challenge Awards & crowning of KING & QUEEN VASA!, Vasa FUN 6K Tour (classic or freestyle) & Vasasaurus Stomp Snowshoe Race 6K. vasa.org/race-info-new ----------------------

AIRSOFT BIATHLON: Crystal Mountain, Cross-Country Center, Thompsonville. Combine airsoft & cross-country skiing. The ski trail is a one-mile long loop with two target stations. For ages 8+. Medals will be awarded for best overall, best ski time, & most targets hit for both men & women. Start times will be staggered & available between 1-3pm in groups of up to four people. $25; includes cross-country ski equipment rental & airsoft equipment. crystalmountain.com/event/biathlon

“CINDERELLA”: SOLD OUT: 2pm, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Corson Auditorium. Witness the classic fairy tale come to life in a ballet adaptation. Presented by Interlochen Arts Academy Dance Division. $22 adults; $17 kids & students. interlochen.org/concerts-and-events/signatureseries?search=cinderella

“THE LARAMIE PROJECT”: (See Sun., Feb. 5)

THE TSO PRESENTS ANDREW SORDS: (See Sat., Feb. 11, except today’s time is 3pm.)

ongoing

FATHER FRED’S ANNUAL FROSTBITE FOOD DRIVE: TC. Runs Jan. 28 - Feb.

5. The main drop-off location will be Team Bob’s on the corner of Park St. & South Airport Rd. Other drop-off locations include: Tom’s West Bay, Tom’s East Bay, Tom’s 14th St., Tom’s Interlochen, as well as Oleson’s on 3 Mile & Oleson’s on Long Lake. Needed items: 5 oz. canned tuna, soups, canned or dried beans, cooking oil, pasta sauce, 5 oz. canned chicken, oatmeal, peanut butter, spaghetti or pasta, & canned fruits & vegetables. fatherfred.org

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GREAT DECISIONS DISCUSSION

GROUP: Tuesdays through March, 1:30pm, Leelanau Township Library, Northport. 2023 Great Decisions with the Foreign Policy Association. Pick up a briefing book at the library & join for a deep dive into foreign affairs. leelanautownshiplibrary.org/newsevents/lib-cal/great-decisions-in-library-2

SNOWSHOES, VINES & WINES: 12-4pm, Black Star Farms, Suttons Bay. On Saturdays through the winter, explore easy to moderate trails & then warm up on the heated Terrace Patio & Hearth & Vine Café with wine & snacks. Onsite snowshoe rentals are available from noon - 4pm. Additional date includes Feb. 19, 2023. blackstarfarms.com/ snowshoes-vines-wines

RANGER-LED SNOWSHOE HIKES: Saturdays through March at 1pm, Sleeping Bear Dunes, Philip A. Hart Visitor Center, Empire. Rangers will first provide an introduction & basic snowshoeing instructions, & then everyone will travel by car to the trailhead or area of the National Lakeshore pre-selected for that day. Once there, the ranger will help participants learn about the park’s features & winter’s effect on them by exploring & discovering clues on site. Plan to be outside for about two hours. nps.gov/planyourvisit/ event-details.htm?id=3E7D5940-991FBB2C-DDC71C23B7DB9C99

VINE TO WINE SNOWSHOE TOUR: Saturdays, noon-4pm. Enjoy a snowshoe adventure through the vineyards & orchards to three wineries. The private vineyard trail connects Suttons Bay Ciders, Ciccone Vineyards, & Big Little Wines. This guided tour starts at Big Little Wines, Suttons Bay. The tour includes your snowshoe & pole rental, a catered warm lunch of chili & soups overlooking the bay, & a wine purchase pick up service. grandtraversebiketours.com/vineto-wine-snowshoe-tour.html

BELLAIRE WINTER FARMERS MARKET: Fridays, 9am-noon. Held at 3 locations: Bee Well Mead & Cider, Short’s Brewing Co., & Terrain, Bellaire.

art

“SPOTLIGHT ON INNOVATION”: Charlevoix Circle of Arts. See unique works from 11th & 12th grade budding artists from Charlevoix County & the surrounding area. Featuring scholarship awards from Kendall College, & CCA prize awards. Runs through Feb. 25. Charlevoix Circle of Arts is open Mon. through Fri., 11am-4pm; Sat., 11am-3pm; or by appointment. charlevoixcircle.org/exhibits-2023

“FURNITURE, FIBER, PHOTOGRAPHY & SCULPTURE”: Oliver Art Center, Frankfort. Featuring works of all types & known for including inventive & whimsical pieces by local & regional artists. Runs through Feb. 17. Open Mon. through Sat., 10am-4pm. oliverartcenterfrankfort.org

PHANTASMAGORIA ART EXHIBITION FOR THE WEIRD AND WONDERFUL: Right Brain Brewery, TC. Featuring a huge display of the work of local artists. Special reception dates of Feb. 11 & March 4 will include live performances, music, dancing & more. Exhibit runs through March 4. rightbrainbrewery.com/23/upcoming-events

CROOKED TREE ARTS CENTER, PETOS-

KEY:

- GUILD MEMBER SALON SHOW: Hundreds of original works of art by Crooked Tree Arts Center’s artists fill the galleries, including painting, photography, ceramics, jewelry, sculpture, new media & more. Runs through March 4. An opening reception will be held on Feb. 14 from 5-6:30pm. crookedtree.org/ event/ctac-petoskey/guild-member-salonshow-2023-opens-january-14

- KALEIDOSCOPE: RECENT WORK BY LINDSEY CLAIRE NEWMAN: Gallery. Lindsey’s deceptively simple mixed-

media collages reflect complex themes of time, creation, deconstruction, & motherhood. Runs through Feb. 25. crookedtree.org/event/ ctac-petoskey/kaleidoscope-recent-work-lindsey-claire-newman-opens-january-14

CROOKED TREE ARTS CENTER, TC:

- “ENTANGLED: PAPER SCULPTURES

FROM ETCHING PRINTS BY DOROTHY ANDERSON GROW”: Held in the Carnegie Galleries. Dorothy Anderson Grow’s multi-layer etching prints are on display in this solo exhibition that runs through Feb. 18. crookedtree.org/event/ctac-traverse-city/ entangled-paper-sculptures-etching-printsdorothy-anderson-grow-opens

- OCCUPIED SPACES: WORK BY JUSTIN SHULL: Held in Cornwell Gallery through Feb. 18. In his solo exhibition “Occupied Spaces,” Michigan artist Justin Shull presents a series of personal meditations on the environments that we shape & inhabit, & he invites us to consider how these environments shape us in return. crookedtree.org/ event/ctac-traverse-city/occupied-spaceswork-justin-shull-opens-january-6

- TRAVERSE AREA CAMERA CLUB: 2022 AWARD WINNERS: Runs through Feb. 18 in the Carnegie Galleries. Exhibition featuring stand-out work by the Traverse Area Camera Club. crookedtree.org/event/ctactraverse-city/traverse-area-camera-club2022-award-winners

DENNOS MUSEUM CENTER, NMC, TC:

- “US”: Teresa Dunn’s solo exhibition is a collection of her recent narrative painting series that brings voice to stories that people of color, individuals with complex cultural identities, & immigrants shared with her about their daily experience in America. Runs through May 28. Open Tues. through Sun., 11am-4pm.

- “VITALITY AND CONTINUITY: ART IN THE EXPERIENCES OF ANISHINAABE, INUIT, AND PUEBLO WOMEN”: This exhibit celebrates some of the critical roles Anishinaabe, Inuit, & Pueblo women fulfill in their families, their communities, the art world, & beyond. Runs through May 19. Open Tues. through Sun., 11am-4pm. dennosmuseum.org

GLEN ARBOR ARTS CENTER:

- A FERAL HOUSEWIFE: Held in the Lobby Gallery. An exhibition of collages by Leelanau County artist Mary Beth Acosta. Runs through April 21. Acosta uses simple, familiar tools & a range of recycled, vintage papers to create collages about mid-century housewives, bigfinned cars, & labor-saving appliances that were promoted as drudgery-busting machines that would revolutionize the modern home. A video interview with Acosta about her materials & methods can be seen as part of the online version of this exhibition: glenarborart.org/ events/exhibit-a-feral-housewife

- TELLING STORIES EXHIBIT: Held in the Main Gallery. This juried exhibition about the power of visual storytelling runs through March 23. The GAAC’s exhibitors tell their

In a recent Statista survey about moviegoing frequency in the U.S., 41 percent of respondents say they now go to the movie theater “rarely.” So, for the very many Northern Express readers who would love to discover something amazing to watch at home, this critic highly recommends the hypnotic true story of Wildcat , available on Amazon Prime, as a somewhat overlooked gem.

Building on a long tradition of documentaries featuring footage so unbelievable it almost seems staged, Wildcat is a challenging watch that begins like a sort of Jungle Book come to life, though it quickly reveals the very real life-or-death stakes facing the subjects themselves: both people and animals, and most specifically orphaned ocelot cats, the smaller spotted cousins of jaguars.

The ocelot at the center of this story is named Keanu, and his unlikely life will mesmerize and capture you almost immediately.

Edited from over 1,000 combined hours of footage shot by various points of views and formats and covering over four grueling years in the Amazon jungle, the film is— in its simplest sense—a portrait of an otherworldly friendship between a man and a cat. But the end result is a complex and profound look at the self-inflicted trauma and the reckoning we are facing at the end of the natural world as we’ve known it.

The subconscious energy of this friendship is the most compelling visual, as we watch a hidden world of connection and communication between species play out. What does it tell us about our own capacity to learn and speak with nature in a language many have long forgotten?

by Joseph Beyer

Wildcat

If the most precious natural resources left on earth are the wild spaces and all they can still teach us, it’s the resilience of nature itself on full display in the moving journey of an unorthodox cat rescue project and the deeply human humans behind it.

The lead caretaker is Harry Turner, a British military veteran still coping with PTSD, and his partner is Samantha Zwicker, a quixotic and ideological researcher more at home in the jungle than on campus. With earnest but sometimes questionable tactics, they try to accomplish the impossible and protect and raise a wild animal at the same time they are teaching it never to trust humans and to survive on its own. It’s largely a personal, almost private project on the ground, and pushes Turner and Zwicker’s mental and emotional limits through constant challenges, setbacks, and encroaching danger.

It’s no secret we’ve pushed ocelots and so many other animals to the extremes of survival by removing their habitats and poisoning their environments. (Think only of P22, Los Angeles’ most famous mountain lion celebrated as an icon but finally killed by the traffic of our freeways.) But Wildcat does show a possible future solution through exposing the almost endless limits of the human heart.

A redemption story like no other I’ve ever seen, Wildcat will get under your skin, have you asking questions, and may even show up in your dreams. Such is the power of the 1 hour 48 minute film that co-creators Trevor Frost and Melissa Lesh have crafted with patience, admiration, and awe for the adventure that unfolded in front of them.

Now streaming on Amazon Prime.

Grand Traverse & Kalkaska

BREW, TC

2/5 -- Nick Veine, 6-8

ENCORE 201, TC

2/4 -- Tilt Think Variety, 2:30-

4:30; Hip Prov Comedy Show,

5-7; Comedy Rumble, 7:30-9:30;

The Dirty Show, 10

2/10 -- The Smash, 7:30-10; Scarkazm, 10

2/11 -- John Archambault Band, 7:30-10; DJ Ricky T, 10

KILKENNY'S IRISH PUBLIC HOUSE, TC

2/3-4 – E Quality, 9:30

2/8 – The Pocket, 8

2/10-11 – The Offbeat, 9:30

LEFT FOOT CHARLEY, TC BARREL ROOM:

2/6 -- Barrels & Beats w/ Rob

Coonrod, 6-9

BEARDS BREWERY, PETOSKEY

2/5 -- Drawbridge Uke Band, 5

BOYNE VALLEY VINEYARDS, PETOSKEY

2-6:

2/4 -- Tyler Parkin

2/11 -- Chris Calleja

CITY PARK GRILL, PETOSKEY

2/10 -- Annex Karaoke, 9:30

TASTING ROOM

2/4 -- The Duges, 5-7

2/11 -- Chris Smith, 5-7

LIL BO, TC

Tues. – Trivia, 8-10

Weds. – Aldrich, 9

Sun. – Karaoke, 8

MAMMOTH DISTILLING, TC

2/4 -- Clint Weaner, 7-10

MARI VINEYARDS, TC

2/9 -- Lynn Callahan, 3-5

2/10 -- The Duges, 4-6

NORTH BAR TC

2/4 – Brett Mitchell, 8-11

PARK PLACE HOTEL & CON

FERENCE CENTER, TC

Fri.-Sat. -- Jim Hawley & Jeff Currie on keyboard, 7-10

Emmet & Cheboygan

MAMMOTH DISTILLING, BAY HARBOR

7-10:

2/4 -- Jessica Dominic

2/10 -- Sean Megoran

ODAWA CASINO RESORT, PETOSKEY VICTORIES, 9: Sat -- Live DJ

2/10 -- Uncle Ugly

Antrim & Charlevoix

THE LITTLE FLEET, TC

2/4 -- Punk Revival, 8-11

2/8 -- Endless Summer w/ DJ Dusty Staircase, 3-10

2/11 -- We Want The Funk, 8-11

THE PARLOR, TC

2/4 -- Mallory Brooke & Michael Hunter, 8-11

2/9 -- Rhett & John, 8-11

THE WORKSHOP BREWING CO., TC

2/6 -- Big Fun Jam Band, 6

2/7 -- Open Mic & Musical Talent Showcase, 7

2/8 -- Jazz Show & Jam, 6

2/10 -- Austin Benzing, 7

2/11 -- StoneFolk, 7

THIRSTY FISH SPORTS GRILLE, TC

Tues. – Trivia, 7-9

Leelanau & Benzie

BOYNE CITY TAP ROOM

Thu -- Sean Bielby & Adam Engelman, 6-9

BOYNE MOUNTAIN RESORT, BOYNE FALLS

FORTY ACRES:

2/5 -- Tyler Parkin, 7-10

2/9 -- Charlie Reager, 8-11

2/12 -- Zeke Clemons, 7-10

MOUNTAIN EXPRESS:

2/4-5 & 2/10-12 -- DJ Bill Da Cat, noon-6

SNOWFLAKE LOUNGE:

2/4 -- Charlie Reager, 4-7; Tom Zipp & The Bull Pen, 9:30

2/9 -- DJ Paul Bedour, 7-10

2/10 -- DJ T-Bone, 9:30

2/11 -- Brian McCosky, 4-7; DJ Parker Marshall, 9:30

STEIN ERIKSEN'S, 5-8:

2/4 & 2/11 -- Steve August

2/10 -- Sean Bielby

THE BACK FORTY:

2/4 -- DJ Bill Da Cat, 7:45-10

ETHANOLOGY, ELK RAPIDS

2/4 & 2/11 -- Winter Music Series, 7-10

HELLO VINO, BELLAIRE

6:30:

2/4 -- Nick

2/10 -- Allison Laakko & Sean Blackman - French Jazz Duo

THE BEAU, CHEBOYGAN

2/4 -- Myk Rise, 8

2/10 -- Lori Cleland, 7

2/11 -- Paul BeDour, 8

THE NOGGIN ROOM PUB, PETOSKEY

7-10:

2/4 -- Moon Howlers 2/10 -- Mike Ridley 2/11 -- Kyle Brown

MAMMOTH DISTILLING, BELLAIRE

2/4 -- Matt Mansfield, 7-10

MUSKRAT DISTILLING, BOYNE CITY

2/9 -- Peter Allen Jensen, 6-9

PROVISIONS WINE LOUNGE, BOYNE CITY

2/8 -- Nelson Olstrom, 6

SHORT'S BREW PUB, BELLAIRE

8-10:30:

2/4 -- The Real Ingredients

2/10 -- Brett Mitchell & The Mitchfits

2/11 -- Slow Tako

BEL LAGO VINEYARD & WINERY, CEDAR

2/11 -- Matt & Brian, 4-6

BROOMSTACK KITCHEN & TAPHOUSE, MAPLE CITY

2/7 -- Pat Niemisto & Chris Skellenger, 5:30

CICCONE VINEYARD & WINERY, SUTTONS BAY

2/11 -- Loose Change, 2:30-4:30

CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN, THOMPSONVILLE SLOPESIDE TENT, NEAR CRYSTAL CLIPPER CHAIRLIFT:

3-5:

2/4 -- Luke Woltanski

2/11 -- Jesse Jefferson

VISTA LOUNGE:

2/4 -- Funtastix, 2-5; Offbeat Band, 8-11

2/10 -- Soul Patch, 8-11

2/11 -- Christopher Winkelmann, 2-5; Soul Patch, 8-11

DICK'S POUR HOUSE, LAKE LEELANAU Sat. -- Karaoke, 10-1

FIVE SHORES BREWING, BEULAH Fri -- Open Mic Night Hosted by Andy Littlefield, 6-8

FRENCH VALLEY VINEYARD, CEDAR

2/9 -- Luke Woltanski, 4-6:30

IRON FISH DISTILLERY, THOMPSONVILLE

2/3-5 -- Hog & Bear Mid-Winter Island Party w/ Live Music, 3

2/4 -- Blair Miller, 5-7

2/10 -- Barefoot, 5-7

2/11 -- Blake Elliott,

LAKE ANN BREWING CO.

6:30-9:30:

2/4 -- The Dune Brothers

2/10 -- The BooneDoggies

2/11 -- The Lab Ratz - Niemisto/ Kumjian/Blumenfeld

ST. AMBROSE CELLARS, BEULAH

2/4 -- Jesse Jefferson, 5-8

2/9 -- Open Mic Night w/ Jeff Louwsma, 5:30-8:30

2/10 -- Bill Frary, 5-8

2/11 -- Jonathon North, 5-8

SHADY LANE CELLARS, SUTTONS BAY

2/10 -- Friday Night LIVE w/ Jack Senff, 5:30-8:30

UPRIVER PIZZA, BENZONIA

2/8 -- Cheryl Wolfram, 6-8

Otsego, Crawford & Central

ALPINE TAVERN & EATERY, GAYLORD

6:

2/10 – Kenny Thompson

2/11 -- Zeke

BENNETHUM’S NORTHERN INN, GAYLORD

2/7 – Jeff Greif, 5-8

BIG BUCK BREWERY, GAYLORD

2/4 -- Adam Hoppe, 6-9

SNOWBELT BREWING CO., GAYLORD

2/10 – Aldrich & Co., 6-9

Loose Change, made up of Steve Sikes and Barb Pons, returns to Ciccone Vineyard & Winery, Suttons Bay on Sat., Feb. 11 from 2:30-4:30pm to bring their great variety of eclectic acoustic music.

lOGY

BY ROB BREZSNY

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): To get the most out of upcoming opportunities for intimacy, intensify your attunement to and reverence for your emotions. Why? As quick and clever as your mind can be, sometimes it neglects to thoroughly check in with your heart. And I want your heart to be wildly available when you get ripe chances to open up and deepen your alliances. Study these words from psychologist Carl Jung: "We should not pretend to understand the world only by the intellect; we apprehend it just as much by feeling. Therefore, the judgment of the intellect is, at best, only the half of truth, and must, if it be honest, also come to an understanding of its inadequacy."

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): ): Borrowing the words of poet Oriah from her book The Dance: Moving to the Deep Rhythms of Your Life, I've prepared a love note for you to use as your own this Valentine season. Feel free to give these words to the person whose destiny needs to be woven more closely together with yours. Oriah writes, "Don't tell me how wonderful things will be someday. Show me you can risk being at peace with the way things are right now. Show me how you follow your deepest desires, spiraling down into the ache within the ache. Take me to the places on the earth that teach you how to dance, the places where you can risk letting the world break your heart."

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Libran author Walter Lippman wrote, "The emotion of love is not selfsustaining; it endures only when lovers love many things together, and not merely each other."

That's great advice for you during the coming months. I suggest that you and your allies—not just your romantic partners, but also your close companions—come up with collaborative projects that inspire you to love many things together. Have fun exploring and researching subjects that excite and awaken and enrich both of you.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Scorpio writer

Paul Valéry wrote, "It would be impossible to love anyone or anything one knew completely. Love is directed towards what lies hidden in its object." My challenge to you, Scorpio, is to test this hypothesis. Do what you can to gain more indepth knowledge of the people and animals and things you love. Uncover at least some of what's hidden. All the while, monitor yourself to determine how your research affects your affection and care. Contrary to what Valéry said, I'm guessing this will enhance and exalt your love.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): In his book Unapologetically You, motivational speaker Steve Maraboli writes, "I find the best way to love someone is not to change them, but instead, help them reveal the greatest version of themselves." That's always good advice, but believe it should be your inspirational axiom in the coming weeks. More than ever, you now have the potential to forever transform your approach to relationships. You can shift away from wanting your allies to be different from what they are and make a strong push to love them just as they are.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): I analyzed the astrological omens. Then I scoured the internet, browsed through 22 books of love poetry, and summoned memories of my best experiences of intimacy. These exhaustive efforts inspired me to find the words of wisdom that are most important for you to hear right now. They are from poet Rainer Maria Rilke (translated by Stephen Mitchell): "For one human being to love another human being: that is perhaps the most difficult task that has been entrusted to us, the ultimate task, the final test and proof, the work for which all other work is merely preparation."

PISCES (Feb 19-March 20): "In love there are no vacations. Love has to be lived fully with its boredom and all that." Author and filmmaker Marguerite Duras made that observation, and now I convey it to you—just in time for a phase of your astrological cycle when boredom and apathy could and should evolve into renewed interest and revitalized passion. But there is a caveat: If you want the interest and passion to rise and surge, you will have to face the boredom and apathy; you must accept them as genuine aspects of your relationship; you will have

to cultivate an amused tolerance of them. Only then will they burst in full glory into renewed interest and revitalized passion.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): During my quest for advice that might be helpful to your love life, plucked these words of wisdom from author Sam Kean: "Books about relationship talk about how to 'get' the love you need, how to 'keep' love, and so on. But the right question to ask is, 'How do I become a more loving human being?'" In other words, Aries, here's a prime way to enhance your love life: Be less focused on what others can give you and more focused on what you can give to others. Amazingly, that’s likely to bring you all the love you want.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): You have the potential to become even more skilled at the arts of kissing and cuddling and boinking than you already are. How? Here are some possibilities. 1. Explore fun experiments that will transcend your reliable old approaches to kissing and cuddling and boinking. 2. Read books to open your mind. I like Margot Anand’s The New Art of Sexual Ecstasy. 3. Ask your partner(s) to teach you everything about what turns them on. 4. Invite your subconscious mind to give you dreams at night that involve kissing and cuddling and boinking. 5. Ask your lover(s) to laugh and play and joke as you kiss and cuddle and boink.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): You are an Italian wolf searching for food in the Apennine Mountains. You’re a red-crowned crane nesting in a wetland in the Eastern Hokkaido region of Japan. You're an olive tree thriving in a salt marsh in southern France, and you're a painted turtle basking in a pool of sunlight on a beach adjoining Lake Michigan. And much, much more. What I'm trying to tell you, Gemini, is that your capacity to empathize is extra strong right now. Your smart heart should be so curious and open that you will naturally feel an instinctual bond with many life forms, including a wide array of interesting humans. If you're brave, you will allow your mind to expand to experience telepathic powers. You will have an unprecedented knack for connecting with simpatico souls.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): My Cancerian friend Juma says, "We have two choices at all times: creation or destruction. Love creates and everything else destroys." Do you agree? She’s not just talking about romantic love, but rather love in all forms, from the urge to help a friend, to the longing to seek justice for the dispossessed, to the compassion we feel for our descendants. During the next three weeks, your assignment is to explore every nuance of love as you experiment with the following hypothesis: To create the most interesting and creative life for yourself, put love at the heart of everything you do.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): hope you get ample chances to enjoy deep soul kisses in the coming weeks. Not just perfunctory lip-to-lip smooches and pecks on the cheeks, but full-on intimate sensual exchanges. Why do I recommend this? How could the planetary positions be interpreted to encourage a specific expression of romantic feeling? I'll tell you, Leo: The heavenly omens suggest you will benefit from exploring the frontiers of wild affection. You need the extra sweet, intensely personal communion that comes best from the uninhibited mouth-to-mouth form of tender sharing. Here's what Leo poet Diane di Prima said: "There are as many kinds of kisses as there are people on earth, as there are permutations and combinations of those people. No two people kiss alike—no two people fuck alike—but somehow the kiss is more personal, more individualized than the fuck."

“Jonesin” Crosswords

"Free Spin" MOVING AROUND WITH SOME VOCAB.. by Matt Jones

ACROSS

1. "I Don't Want to Spoil the Party" singer

12. Headquarters of an intelligence agency, perhaps

14. Wax philosophical, say

16. Sagrada Familia architect Gaudi

17. Vote of support

18. Genre for which "Poverty's Paradise" won the first best album category

19. Piles in the yard, perhaps

22. Bust makers

24. Mondelez International snack

25. It's positive when it's up

28. "Just say ___ drugs!"

29. Like a conversation with your typical five-year-old

32. Convenience store convenience

35. One sent out for information

36. Yearbook div.

37. Where jazz organist Jimmy Smith is "Back at", according to the classic 1963 album

40. "___ Magnifique" (Cole Porter tune)

41. Get the picture

42. University that's a lock?

46. British war vessel of WWII

48. Hero with a weak spot

50. "Anon ___" (2022 debut novel from @ DeuxMoi)

51. MSNBC legal correspondent Melber

54. Govt. securities

55. Professional equipment

59. Video games (like Street Fighter) that require fast fingers and little nuance

60. Dampens, as many towelettes

DOWN

1. Phrase on a sign for storage units or moving vans

2. Straddling

3. Pool worker

4. Military truces

5. Bit of rest

6. North American indoor sports org. claiming among its total players about 10% Iroquois

7. Web marketplace

8. Meet-___ (rom-com trope)

9. "You ___ Airplane" (of Montreal song)

10. French seasoning

11. Flexible curlers for some perms

12. Bright Eyes frontman Oberst

13. "Heat transfer coefficient" in window insulation (its inverse uses R--and its letter doesn't seem to stand for anything)

14. Prefix before "demon" (as seen in games like Doom Eternal)

15. Some salts

20. Royal resting place

21. Separator of the Philippines and Malaysia

23. Leslie's friend on "Parks & Rec"

26. Legendary

27. One can be used to detect asthma (nitric oxide) or lactose intolerance (hydrogen)

30. Get inquisitive

31. Pendulum path

32. Take as true

33. 1958 sci-fi movie starring Steve McQueen

34. Sushi bar order

38. Windy City public transit inits.

39. "Star Wars" villain

43. Sacrificial sites

44. Yorkshire County Cricket Club's locale

45. "To be" in Latin

47. Sampling

49. Words before "Mood" or "Heights"

52. Word after control or escape

53. "Dance as ___ one is watching"

56. 8.5" x 11" paper size, briefly

57. "Spare me the details"

58. Owns

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