Northern Express - November 14, 2022

Is it just me, or has anyone else been suffering from a severe case of Election Sign Overdose? You know, the ones we get sick of every election cycle? (Especially as we get more educated about the harm plastic waste causes to our environment.)

I recently listened to a radio article about a former Adidas brand president who left Adidas after unsuccessful attempts to get them to reduce levels of plastics in their products. Now the cofounder of Unless Collective, a manufacturer of streetwear made of zero plastic, he cited microplastics are in everything we consume—air, water, food—and in our (and our children’s) bodies. Scientists are reporting we ingest .1 to 5 grams or more of plastic—the weight of a credit card— each week!

In 2016, the U.S. was reported to be the world’s largest plastic polluter. The volume of plastic election signs only contributes to us and our planet’s overdosing on plastics. What does happen to the multitons of election signs after election day? Trash? Recycled as part of the fraction of plastic that is actually recycled?

On a trip last Sunday from TC to Petoskey, I decided to try to count the signs on US-31 between the northwest end of Traverse City, through Elk Rapids, Eastport, Atwood, Charlevoix, and to Petoskey. To keep the expected error to under +/- 5 percent, I had to circle back a few times due to recount.

I counted—drumroll—979 signs. 979! (+/- 5 percent, of course). Important note: The count was done Sunday morning just after a night of 50mph winds, so plenty more signs had likely been blown to Negaunee, or thereabouts.

Isn’t it time we rethink how many of these signs are actually necessary and create some reasonable limit to make a small dent in saving ourselves and our planet?

Scott Redman | Petoskey

top ten

We love a night out for a good cause, and on Saturday, Nov. 19, the Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency (NMCAA) is hosting their Comedy for Community night, starting at 6pm. The evening begins with dinner at the Truck Stop in Cadillac— mmm…burgers, brisket, and barbeque!— followed by a performance by comedian Steve Sabo, who has shared the stage with big names like Chris Rock and Kevin James, appeared on Comedy Central, and performed across the world. While Sabo’s show is sure to be a hoot, NMCAA wants everyone to remember that experiencing homelessness is no laughing matter. Proceeds from the event will go toward the organization’s homeless prevention programs. Tickets include dinner and the show for $35 in advance and $40 at the door. Attendees must be 21 and up, and a cash bar will be available. To learn more, head to nmcaa.net/calendar.asp. Tickets are available on eventbrite.com (search “Comedy for Community”).

Santa Claus Is Coming to Town

Holiday festivities kick off this weekend in downtown Traverse City! Saturday, Nov. 19, the seasonal fun begins with holiday music at 5:30pm at Cass and E. Front streets. Next is the Tree Lighting at 6pm, followed by the downtown Light Parade. Santa will be at his house at Civic Square post parade until 9pm, so get those wish lists ready! Learn more at downtowntc.com.

Hey, Read It! Shrines of Gaiety

The year is 1926. Britain, still smarting from World War I, has found its salve in cabaret lights, and the infamous Nellie Coker has just emerged from a six-month prison stint. A no-nonsense matriarch and self-made success, Nellie’s unquenchable thirst for profit has built her an empire of often-illegal clubs, of which the crowning jewel is The Amethyst, where mafia dons and businessmen are known to rub well-liquored elbows with foreign monarchs and where bootlegged cocktails flow like water. Amidst all the velvet-curtained chaos, the city’s young women are dropping like flies, and dangerous secrets crowd the corners of London Soho’s glitziest halls. They say to keep your enemies close…but Nellie’s are right under her nose. In her newest novel, Shrines of Gaiety, award-winning author Kate Atkinson (known for Behind the Scenes at the Museum and the Jackson Brodie detective series) paints a deliciously-criminal portrait of an era we’ve only, well, read about.

Lighthouse Café’s Pumpkin Pancakes

If you ask us, there’s never a wrong time for breakfast. No shade to lunch and dinner, of course; there’s just something about a cheesy egg scramble or buttery toast that sates at all hours. To quell those singular AM cravings, Elberta’s Lighthouse Café is a must, where a hot, homemade breakfast is always available. This fall, find us elbow-deep in a plate of their fluffy Pumpkin Pancakes. Served in stacks of two and dolloped with sugardusted whipped cream, these hearty hotcakes start with sweet cream batter blended with pumpkin pie filling, milk, brown sugar, and a bouquet of spices. To serve, they’re griddled to golden perfection and drizzled with a homemade cinnamon glaze. Even sweeter, they’re just $6.50 per stack. We couldn’t imagine a more gourd-geous breakfast! Better get ’em while they’re hot, as this autumn dish disappears after Thanksgiving. Find the Lighthouse Café at 735 Frankfort Ave., Elberta. (231) 352-5273. For more information, visit facebook. com/lighthousecafeelberta.

Are you ready, kids? Aye, aye, Captain! The SpongeBob Musical is headed to the stage at Old Town Playhouse this weekend, with 7:30pm showtimes on Nov. 18, 19, 25, and 26, plus 2pm matinees on Nov. 20 and 27. The musical features all your favorite Bikini Bottom friends as they face—and we quote—“the total annihilation of their undersea world.” No big deal, right? Surely SpongeBob, or Sandy, or Squidward, or maybe even Patrick—a long shot, we know—have a brilliant plan to save them all. (And if all else fails, our money is on Gary the meowing snail.) Adult tickets are $28, kids under 18 get in for $15, and there will be a waiting list for any sold-out shows. Find tickets online at oldtownplayhouse. com, or stop by the Old Town Playhouse box office between 3-6pm Wednesday through Friday at 148 E. Eighth Street in Traverse City.

Stuff We Love: Local Medical Heroes in Ukraine

Let’s have a big round of applause for Todd Stone and Rob Gavin, a pair of healthcare professionals from Traverse City who recently traveled to Lviv, Ukraine, as part of a relief mission trip. While there, the two joined a team of other volunteers working to help restore mobility to people who have lost limbs because of the Ukraine-Russia conflict. Stone and Gavin are both part of the local branch of Hanger Clinic, a provider of orthotics and prosthetics that boasts some 875 locations across the United States. The pair brought their expertise in prosthetic care to Ukraine, where they helped fit approximately 50 patients with custom-designed prosthetic devices over the course of the nine-day mission trip. Per the global nonprofit Limbs for Life Foundation, between 8,000 and 10,000 individuals have likely lost limbs in Ukraine since the start of the Russian invasion, while another 400,000 existing amputees in the country can no longer access care. We’re grateful to our local medical heroes for doing their part to help!

This week, one of our readers called and asked where political signs go after an election. The short answer is that, per the State of Michigan, all political signs must be removed within 10 days following an election, win or lose. (That means the clock is ticking if you still have a few in your yard.) The longer answer is that, unfortunately, most of them end up in a landfill. It’s hard to recycle most signs in your curbside bin unless they are made from simple cardboard or paperboard. Corrugated plastic (the material for roughly 90 percent of these kinds of signs), plastic film, and metal wickets can be recycled in special facilities, but you’ll have to call around to see whether your municipality or a nearby business accepts these hard-to-recycle materials. Some political organizations and candidates will also pick up old signs and dispose of or upcycle them for you if you contact them in a timely fashion after the election.

As British rock legends Pink Floyd once sang, “I have become…comfortably plum.” Oh wait. That’s not quite right, is it? Forgive us for the slip-up; we’ve been drinking quite a lot of the Floyd-themed Comfortably Plum cider from Bellaire’s Bee Well Mead & Cider as of late, and we got confused. As classic rock snobs, we’re obviously in love with the gorgeous can design of this one, inspired by the iconic cover of the 1973 Pink Floyd classic Dark Side of the Moon. But we’re also just as impressed by what’s actually inside the can—a super flavorful, fruit-forward cider that perfectly balances its notes of apples, Michigan red plums, and sweet local honey. The plums lend a distinctive red hue and a rich sweet-tart taste that makes Comfortably Plum a little bit different from most other northern Michigan hard ciders. Stop in at Bee Well (116 N Bridge Street, Bellaire) to try a glass or pick up a four-pack.

HELP FROM AFAR

spectator

By Stephen Tuttle

Are we relying too much on help from afar?

The most recent campaign finance reports give us a hint, especially for the affirmative side of Traverse City’s Proposition 1, another tall building referendum defeated at the polls.

There was an organized “yes” side to that campaign, but based on campaign reports, they didn’t have to spend so much as a penny to get their message out. Nope, their entire effort, the signs, the ads, the billboard, all of it, was financed through inkind contributions. That means businesses paid out of their own pockets for the work rather than people contributing money to the campaign, which would then pay for it.

The “yes” side claimed more than $47,000 in these seemingly charitable efforts to convince Traverse Citians, yet again, to support that which they rejected twice previously and a third time last Tuesday: buildings higher than 60 feet.

And what interesting businesses these were. There was $5,000 worth of work from a company called Traction out of Lansing doing strategy, research, and design. There was a bit more than $25,800 from Martin Waymire, also out of Lansing, for advertising. They also claimed another $7,500 for consulting fees. Then there was about $15,000 from Brk Thru Digital, out of New York, for digital advertising. There was another $10,800 from Matrix Media Services out of Columbus, Ohio, for billboard expenses and another $2,500 from Campaign Finance Services out of Charlotte, Michigan, for campaign finance compliance.

Those of you paying attention might have noticed a couple of interesting facts about all these services being contributed in yet another losing effort.

They reported about $47,000 but listed closer to $66,600 from all these companies. And they filed their report with the wrong documents, something someone should have noticed since both the document error and the misrepresentation of the amount spent are actually campaign finance violations. (Reports are accessible to the public through the county clerk’s office. They were submitted before the Nov. 1 deadline using a MERTS form, which is for state elections, not local.)

More interesting still is the fact the “yes” side apparently couldn’t raise so much as a single cent from any local individual, company, or organization for their ill-fated efforts. At least according to their report, not one penny. All the help came from businesses far away from Traverse City.

The tall building argument has just become tiresome. Traverse City voters will never approve buildings taller than 60 feet downtown, and many don’t agree with an appellate court

decision that said developers can stick all manner of things atop their 60-foot roof deck without violating the city charter.

On a different note, our Downtown Development Authority (DDA) also reached far outside the region for input to guide their Moving Downtown Forward initiative. The group leading this latest endeavor, Progressive Urban Management and Associates (PUMA), is based in Denver, Colorado, far from the small-town world of Traverse City. PUMA was the only bidder on an RFP for the project, and they were joined on the project by local firm Parallel Solutions, which helped with community outreach.

To share their thoughts about the Moving Downtown Forward plans, Traverse Citians either went online to complete a poll or attended a meeting, several of which were offered. These sessions are intended as research but can often end up being gatherings of like-minded people who have the time and inclination to participate.

Full credit to those folks for their involvement, but this model cannot provide an accurate snapshot of what Traverse Citians are thinking. Neither the DDA nor PUMA are the problem here, but the process being used is. Input from the same group of people who always participate isn’t especially valuable or useful.

PUMA’s conclusions seem to mostly align with the DDA’s vision: a ringing endorsement of their activities, support for extending the TIF97 property tax capture, and a suggestion they extend their reach to include some of Eighth Street and more of East Front Street. “Vulnerabilities” for the DDA were reported to be the challenge of retaining small businesses and the availability of attainable housing for those who live and work downtown.

The last two items can’t be argued. But how well did the report reflect the wide array of opinions of Traverse City residents of what could really move downtown forward? What would have been useful is real research, both quantitative and qualitative, demographically and geographically balanced, to provide a detailed snapshot of how the entire city views the future of downtown and the DDA.

Lastly, while it is the DDA’s job to focus on downtown, it isn’t the City Commission’s— at least it’s not their sole purview. We all understand downtown Traverse City is the engine that drives the local and, to some degree, the regional economies. But it would be nice if the City Commission at least occasionally focused on the rest of the city. Traverse Heights, Willow Hill, Indian Woods, Orchard Heights, Birchwood, and other neighborhoods are also worthy of attention, improvements, and future development. Traverse City is more than just downtown.

As the $32 billion cannabis industry grows with each month, so does its environmental footprint. The production of cannabis is energy intensive, especially for indoor growing operations. Production also takes copious amounts of water and generates waste that, for the most part, isn’t recyclable.

Federal prohibition of the cannabis plant in America has interfered with almost all research on the industry’s environmental effects. Prohibition has halted researchers, like the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency, from creating solutions to minimize those effects.

Luckily, we are noticing a shift in state regulators and companies stepping in. With the creation of organizations like the Sustainable Cannabis Coalition, we are seeing increased promotion of best practices related to the environmental sustainability of cannabis cultivation and manufacturing.

Here in our state, larger companies are now offering services and equipment to lower power grid usage, such as free grow lights for registered growers. Michigan is also considering ways to make less of an environmental impact when it comes to plant waste management and the recyclability of packaging. Currently, recycling cannabis packaging waste like plastic vials, tubes, and bags is not allowed due to potential cannabis residues. The growing use of cannabis products and the lack of implementations to recycle them, particularly with vape carts and batteries, suggests that we need solutions quickly.

When we opened our first Dunegrass shops, we used ocean-reclaimed plastic for the majority of our flower items. As the market has progressed, we have met with companies that have found clever ways to meet better standards. Some introduce enzymes into the packaging to allow for biodegradability, while others quit using plastic by converting to glass packaging. Still others outside our state recycle their packaging. We are consistently looking into companies and manufacturers that are providing the latest in sustainability measures.

The U.S. and Canada lead the way in legal cannabis for the whole world. If we create a more sustainable and environmentally friendly process of the cannabis plant, then perhaps other countries will absorb those best practices as well. At the end of the day, federal legalization of cannabis is critical to fund research and build solutions for the industry.

www.dunegrass.co

WHEN SAYING THANK

ISN’T ENOUGH

guest opinion

by Cathye Williams

November is crowded with special days. Between the one where we cast votes and the one where we give thanks lies the one where saying thank you just isn’t enough.

Considering that the U.S. military budget topped over $800 billion for this year alone, how is it that military veterans are disproportionately unhoused, suffering physically and mentally, and at risk for suicide when compared to the general population?

The U.S. spends more on its military than the next 10 countries combined. Yet Department of Defense budget priorities seem to favor firepower over the power of care for the combatants and civilian populations suffering the cost of war.

Those who have joined the U.S. Armed Forces in recent decades make up a smaller percentage of the population and stay enlisted longer than their pre911 counterparts, often pulling multiple deployments (per The New York Times). Reacclimating to family and community life and finding ways to put their expert level skill sets to work in a civilian framework can be daunting for many. For those who suffer from PTSD and other service-related physical and mental injuries, the challenge is even greater. Men and women who have always stepped up for others are not always comfortable asking for help and may fall through the cracks.

While we try to reconcile our gratitude for their service with the paltry amount budgeted to support veterans and their families, let us give thanks for countless veterans’ service organizations. Whether advocating with lawmakers or deploying support and resources on the ground through local affiliates, these groups fill in the gaps. From long standing groups like the American Legion and AMVETS, to the emerging class of non-traditional nonprofits that work to collaborate on the complex issues facing vets today, many of these organizations were founded and/or are run by veterans. For them, commitment to “service before self” remains a bedrock principle.

Reining Liberty Ranch in Traverse City is one such place. Situated on beautiful pastures with healing gardens, winding trails, and inviting gathering spots, the ranch is a place of community for veterans, their families, and other veterans’ groups that use the site. While the riding stable is the heart of the property, on any given day you might find agricultural activity, yoga, or even art and crafts going on. With their specially-trained working herd and a large corps of volunteers, the ranch offers a variety of human-horse programming and activities such as relational horsemanship, hippotherapy, and therapeutic riding.

When these opportunities are extended to other disabled/at risk members of the community, it creates a symbiotic energy as people learn about themselves and each other through the horses. The nonprofit’s

vision statement aptly describes Reining Liberty as a “catalyst for healing through building relationships, mentorship opportunities, interaction, and reintegration within our community.”

Outside of Michigan, the Veterans Community Project, founded by combat veterans who wanted to give back, addresses the challenge of veteran homelessness in Kansas City and has spurred similar projects throughout the region. VCP builds communities of well-built tiny houses, fully outfitted, with veterans’ mental health and relational needs in mind. The community’s design gives each resident a private sanctuary within a larger communal setting with services on site, providing familiarity for returning soldiers accustomed to base living.

Wraparound services help ensure that veterans will stay housed by addressing whatever issues brought them there before they transition to the larger community. Supportive services are also available to any veteran in the community who needs it, homeless or otherwise. Recognizing the unique journey of each veteran, the organization uses individualized services and supports. Stay tuned, because VCP has launched a national expansion with a mission to end veteran homelessness in America.

For their part, members of the group Veterans for Peace want to commemorate Veterans Day by restoring its original name—Armistice Day—and its original symbolism as a day of peace, believing it the best way to honor the sacrifices of veterans. This global organization of military veterans with 140 chapters worldwide educates and advocates about the true cost of war and the obligation to heal the wounds of war.

Projects range from advocating for medical care and restitution for soldiers and civilians exposed to Agent Orange, toxic burn pits, degraded plutonium, and PFAS chemicals, to restoring clean water in countries where civilian infrastructure was devastated by American military actions and sanctions. VFP also has initiatives to challenge Islamophobia, protect veterans from deportation, end nuclear weapons production and testing, and reduce the U.S. military’s enormous output of greenhouse gasses. These veterans now serve on the front lines of climate protest, demanding that the most vulnerable are protected, and that the most powerful must act.

So, in addition to saying “thank you for your service” to a veteran this month, consider a gift of time or resources to any of these or many other organizations that are working to improve the quality of life and well-being of veterans in your area and nationwide.

Cathye Williams serves as volunteer and media liaison for the Grand Traverse and Manistee chapter of Citizens Climate Lobby. She writes from the northern corner of Manistee County.

ON TAP IN THE WORLD OF CRAFT BEER

Trends, challenges, and opportunities at local breweries

By Craig Manning

For years, craft beer was a niche—an emerging segment of a global industry that showed significant potential for disruption. Now, according to the Brewers Association, craft beer accounts for nearly 27 percent of the $100 billion United States beer market. What was once the exception on restaurant menus and bar tap lists has, in many cases, become the norm. The special suds get their own extensive aisle at the grocery store, and there’s still nowhere near enough space for all the different breweries competing to get their products out there.

So what does a maturing market mean for the craft breweries themselves? To find out, Northern Express convened a panel of three local craft beer leaders—Scott Newman Bale, CEO of Short’s Brewing Company; Russell Springsteen, founder and owner of Right Brain Brewery; and Brian Confer, brewer and co-owner of Stormcloud Brewing—to talk trends, challenges, and opportunities. Here’s what we learned.

TREND: Non-beer beverages are a key avenue of innovation—but can also be flash-inthe-pan fads.

One logical assumption about craft beer’s maturation is that a more settled market would leave less room for innovation. For his part, Newman-Bale pushes back against this notion: Innovation, he says, is alive and well in the world of craft brewing—even if it’s often taking the form of non-beer beverages.

“I think the speed of innovation has actually increased,” Newman-Bale says. “Breweries have certainly matured, and it’s hard to come up with new things that have not been commonly done, but there is also a whole new world of alternative drinks, like seltzers.”

Springsteen concurs, noting that Right

Brain is currently exploring a variety of beer alternatives as potential growth routes. “We are looking to develop non-alcoholic beverages, mainly soda pops,” he says. Next up on that front is a cherry-flavored soda, called Cherry Brain Pop, which should launch next spring. “We are also trying to develop an energy drink and are considering flavored water,” Springsteen added. “We just don’t have enough bodies to aggressively develop new products.”

Therein lies one of the big challenges of innovation and trend-chasing for breweries: Being agile requires staff resources, and craft breweries need workers as much as any other type of business these days. In that respect, Newman-Bale says quicker innovation cycles can actually be more of a curse than a blessing. “I would say that innovation trends used to follow a three-to-five-year cycle,” he says. “Now, it’s one or two years, which creates extreme issues for breweries, distributors, and retailers who need to plan ahead.”

There’s also evidence to suggest that big new trends won’t always stick around, especially in the alternative beverage space. The cautionary tale there is the hard seltzer market, which exploded in popularity in the late 2010s, but which has also declined 5.5 percent in the last year alone, per NielsenIQ.

“Seltzers are fading very fast, especially in the smaller brands,” Newman-Bale tells Northern Express. Short’s was briefly one of those smaller players, having launched the Beaches seltzer brand in 2019. “We exited that market early in the year,” Newman-Bale adds.

One newly-ascendent trend is ready-todrink cocktails, which saw sales growth of 42.3 percent last year. But is that avenue a here-to-stay trend, or is it another fad?

“Currently, ready-to-drink cocktails are putting a ding on beer sales,” Springsteen says. “But at the same time, seltzers are

flattening out and don’t appear to have the legs they did three years ago.”

Another increasingly popular lane is non-alcoholic hop water. This past summer, Short’s partnered with bluegrass superstar (and Michigan native) Billy Strings to release Thirst Mutilator, a hop water named after one of Strings’ songs. That product, Newman-Bale says, is “doing very well in its initial launch” and will likely become a Short’s staple. “We also have looked at fermented teas, lemonade, and canned wine or mixed wine drinks,” Newman-Bale adds.

For its part, Stormcloud is avoiding the chaos of the non-beer market by sticking to its roots.

“I’ve got friends in the industry making some very good seltzers and hop waters,” says Confer. “But at Stormcloud, we’ve chosen to keep our focus on where we’re strongest: traditionally-minded ales.”

TREND: IPAs remain dominant.

Craft beer is home to a long list of beer styles you’re unlikely to find from most commercial beer producers, from imperial stouts to scotch ales to sours. But the epicenter of the craft beer world remains the India Pale Ale (IPA).

“IPA styles still rule,” Springsteen says, noting that two of Right Brain’s next big moves are centered around this hop-centric craft beer favorite. First up, a newer Right Brain beer—the pub favorite Free Play IPA—will make its debut in cans next spring. Second, the brewery will make further forays into jumbo-sized 19.2-ounce single-sell cans next spring, with two IPAs, Free Play and Spiny Norman, leading the way.

Also still on the minds of brewers is the hazy IPA, a style known for a cloudy appearance and a fruitier, less bitter flavor profile than a traditional IPA. That style skyrocketed to popularity around 2017, and

has yet to lose its hold on the American craft beer drinker.

“The excitement over hazy IPAs doesn’t appear to be diminishing,” Confer says. “Our lead brewer, Chris Schnepf, recently brewed Stormcloud’s first hazy, called One String Puppet, which utilizes some new products and an experimental yeast strain from Omega Yeast Labs. It was a big hit at the pub.”

CHALLENGE: Supply chain challenges have hit craft breweries hard.

If you’ve noticed price hikes on packaged beer lately, blame the supply chain. For more than a year, breweries struggled to source aluminum cans, and while NewmanBale, Springsteen, and Confer all say that particular problem has abated, it’s only been replaced by other woes.

“Our new issues are with fruit and, to a lesser extent, malt,” Newman-Bale says. “Both of these have had supply and quality issues and at a much higher price. Cardboard and shipping prices have also exploded.”

“Things are just costing more—doubling in cost, in many cases—and are taking longer to get,” Confer adds.

One issue Stormcloud is keeping a close eye on right now? A shortage of carbon dioxide. In beer, CO2 plays numerous critical roles, from delivering the carbonation to preventing oxidation of the beer. A chart shared on social media in August by Brewers Association Chief Economist Bart Watson showed that CO2 price spikes in 2022 were more severe than the increases for any other “brewery input cost,” including cans, malt, cardboard, and freight trucking. The issue, if it doesn’t get better, could even force breweries to make less beer.

“At our size, we haven’t had any difficulties [getting the CO2 we need], but I’ve heard of larger breweries having to cut back due to smaller allocations,” Confer says.

CHALLENGE & OPPORTUNITY: 2023 promises tests and triumphs in equal measure.

A crowded beer market, ongoing supply chain issues, and the need for frequent pivots could all spell trouble ahead for craft breweries in 2023.

In particular, Springsteen and NewmanBale both point to the distribution of packaged beer as a flagging avenue for revenue and growth. Springsteen says Right Brain’s potential for growing its presence on store shelves in the future is largely “flat,” while Newman-Bale says distribution “is getting harder and less profitable” due to the fact that breweries “have not been able

to significantly pass on rising supply costs to the customer.”

“2023 is going to be a very challenging year for brewing,” Newman-Bale forecasts, pointing to distribution challenges as a primary reason.

“I expect to see multiple breweries close or change their business model.”

But it’s not all bad news. “Any challenging environment brings opportunity,” NewmanBale says. “At Short’s, we will be working to focus on what we have fun doing rather than what just sells beer. Mainly, this approach will be a shift back to the ‘power of smallness,’ by creating experiences that we can share in with the consumer. One significant change to operations is the hopeful addition of an

outdoor beer garden in Bellaire, across the street from the main Short’s pub.”

At Right Brain, Springsteen says challenges with distribution have been offset somewhat by 2-3 percent traffic growth at the company’s 16th Street location in Traverse City. The brewery is hoping to build upon that growth next year, starting with a 15th anniversary party in February and continuing with another event in April that will spotlight beers made in collaboration with other breweries. Perhaps most notably, Springsteen says Right Brain is working on an expansion of its pub space, which will add a coffee roastery, a pizza parlor, and a whiskey-blending operation to the brewery’s

existing building. “More details to follow as we navigate final drawings and prepare for construction,” Springsteen teases.

Stormcloud, meanwhile, is reveling in the success of its big 2022 debut beer, Sunrunnr, which is a summer seasonal wheat-style ale brewed with a pair of yeast strains not often found in northern Michigan beer. “We’re spending the winter fine-tuning that beer on our pilot system and look forward to sending it back to the shelves in 2023,” Confer says. “Also, in the spring of 2023, we're releasing a limitedtime offering in 12-ounce cans of our 31 Planes, a double IPA that’s been a longstanding favorite in our pub.”

MOVING THE NEEDLE: A MODERN TAKE ON ACUPUNCTURE

By Kierstin Gunsberg

One term you’ve probably heard a thousand times in the last couple of years is “self-care.” From normalizing teletherapy visits and athleisure as acceptable workwear to getting comfortable with home fitness apps and grocery delivery subscriptions, the pandemic has encouraged the streamlining of routines and a serious look inward at how we navigate the everyday, especially when it comes to our health.

How we pursue wellness, how we access it, and how we manage it has taken on new importance, and as northern Michiganders seek their best selves, many are no longer separating Western and Eastern health practices, opting instead to add holistic, integrative treatments alongside their daily vitamin regimen and annual checkup.

Helpful Pins and Needles

Acupuncture, an ancient practice that uses very fine needles inserted into the skin, is one of those treatments, and acupuncturists in the region are seeing an increase in prospective patients since the pandemic began. “People were more ready than ever, I would say, to really take their health into their own hands and feel their best even if they didn’t necessarily have any ailments,” says acupuncturist Kara Schaub, owner of Northern Michigan Acupuncture.

Schaub, who practices traditional Chinese medicine out of her office on the outskirts of downtown Traverse City and in a chiropractic clinic in Leelanau, also lauds acupuncture for relief from common post-viral symptoms like vertigo, fatigue, and headaches.

While the idea of seeking acupuncture as a valid treatment for the same stuff that clogs up urgent care waiting rooms might seem trendy, alternative, or even wacky, the truth is, it’s older than Western medicine itself. (Which is, after all, termed “modern” medicine for a reason—it doesn’t hold the 3,000 year history that traditional Chinese medicine does.)

Unbeknownst to many skeptics, we’ve already accepted traditional Chinese

medicine and bodywork as a credible therapy in the form of massage. If getting a massage is a great way to come down from the stress of relearning how to attend inperson meetings, or as a bounceback from illness, acupuncture is seen by those who practice it as a leveling-up of those benefits.

As Sarah Searles, owner and clinical director of Live Well Acupuncture in Traverse City explains, “Acupuncture works great because it works on many, many different systems in the body all at once. So we’re working with the nervous system, the circulatory system, the lymphatic system, [and] soft tissue.”

And, like massage, which both Searles and Schaub sometimes recommend integrating into their patient’s treatment plans, acupuncture relieves pain by loosening stressed and tight connective tissue, called fascia.

“It’s like the web that’s holding everything together. It surrounds your muscles, it surrounds your organs. It’s ubiquitous throughout the body,” says Searles, whose patients come to her for issues beyond pain, ranging from general anxiety and IBS to neurological and fertility concerns.

Not Poked and Prodded

But how, exactly, does acupuncture promote healing on a therapeutic level?

In the simplest of (Western) terms, acupuncture is thought to work by essentially tricking the body into believing it’s been harmed by placing needles into dedicated acupuncture points. This then triggers the body to send healing resources around itself, which in turn aids in relief from physical and mental ails.

And, as recently touted by celebs on social media, these same mechanisms can also stimulate anti-aging effects, including a boost in collagen production, making facial rejuvenation through acupuncture an interesting and decidedly less invasive alternative to injections and cosmetic surgery.

Schaub, who offers cosmetic services to her clients, notes that in addition to smoothing fine lines and “overall lifting”

of the face, the process of acupuncture promotes better sleep, which positively impacts the outer appearance of patients who come to her for a series of treatments which take place, she says, over a fiveweek span.

That is, of course, if they can overcome the trepidation of being voluntarily poked with needles. Both Searles and Schaub stress the not-so-scary reality of acupuncture needles, with Searles asserting that those who wince at the pain associated with needles can take comfort.

“The needles are nothing like what most people are used to in a Western medical doctor’s office,” she says. “They’re teeny tiny. They’re not even bigger than a cat’s whisker on their face.” And, much like a whisker, Searles adds, the needles are so thin they’re actually flexible, which should minimize their effect to a subtle sensation.

Schaub agrees that pain shouldn’t be a factor when considering acupuncture. “If I was inflicting pain upon people, I think I would have a hard time building a business,” she says. “Pain is definitely not what we’re going for.”

What to Expect

So what should someone looking to give acupuncture a try keep in mind? Just like other healthcare providers, qualified acupuncturists must complete a formal education—in this case, an accredited acupuncture and Chinese herbology program. That’s to say, this isn’t a field captained by hobbyists.

As for how to prepare for treatment, Searles urges acupuncture patients to hydrate well before treatments and to plan to spend the rest of the day doing light, easy stuff (read: no HIIT workouts). Schaub adds to curb caffeine before and after treatments, and both agree that having a balanced, healthy meal beforehand will keep patients comfortable while they enjoy a leisurely post-treatment chillout before leaving the office.

Though the idea of relaxing is one that’s hard to associate with the act of seeking a health treatment, Searles says that’s one side effect to expect. “Oftentimes, when someone gets more comfortable with acupuncture through a series of treatments, they will just fall asleep on the table.”

How northern Michigan is embracing the ancient practice

Kara Schaub also incorporates the ancient practice of cupping therapy into treatments for her patients. (Photo by Natalie Fredrickson)

Schaub demonstrates gua sha, an ancient facial massage and another form of traditional Chinese medicine, which patients can utilize at home or on the go. (Photo by Amanda VanVels Photography)

The Entrepreneurial Spirit

Michael Sherwood and his son, Kyle, of Cleveland come from a long line of morticians. So a few years back, when a friend wondered how he might have his tattoos preserved after he passes away, the two came up with an idea, Oddity Central reported. They figured out a method for removing and preserving tattoos, then started a business called Save My Ink Forever. "Some of these things really are pieces of art," Kyle said. "Instead of having just the remains or the burial ... (families) have actually a piece of their loved one." The Sherwoods say their technique is proprietary, but it takes roughly three or four months. Families are left with a parchmentlike piece of art. "We are trying to do this in the most dignified manner possible," Kyle added.

Dastardly Deed

Jerome Ellis, a Dollar General employee in DeLand, Florida, allegedly got into an argument with a co-worker on Oct. 24, which prompted him to a retaliatory move that could have been deadly, Fox35-TV reported. On Oct. 25, the victim set down a can of Pepsi and went to the restroom. When he returned, he took a drink of the soda and noticed it tasted like cleaning supplies. Sure enough, video surveillance cameras revealed that Ellis had poured bleach into the Pepsi can, wiped it off, then spit in it. Cameras also caught Ellis trying to unplug the surveillance system. He told investigators that he put cleaning solution in the drink to get back at the co-worker, who he said was difficult to work with.

Inexplicable

A female lion at the Topeka Zoo in Kansas has grown a mane, The Topeka Capitol-Journal reported on Oct. 23. Zuri, 18, who lost her mate, Avus, in 2020, started producing more testosterone after his death, which has resulted in the butch look. "It's nothing like the mane you would see on a fully sexually mature male lion," said Zuri's curator, Shanna Simpson. "She looks like a teenaged male lion." Zookeepers said along with the mane, Zuri has become more feisty -- growling, snarling and roaring more than before. "She feels like she needs to protect her pride, so her testosterone increases," Simpson said.

Great Art

A 1941 artwork by Dutch abstract artist Piet Mondrian has been found to have been hanging upside down in various museums for 75 years, The Guardian reported. One could be forgiven for the mistake; the piece features interlaced red, yellow, black and blue adhesive tape strips that subtly thicken at the bottom. But a photograph of Mondrian's studio shows the same piece on an easel -- with the "bottom" at the top. However, Susanne Meyer-Buser, curator of the North Rhine-Westphalia's art collection, said it will continue to be displayed upside down. "The adhesive tapes are already extremely loose and hanging by a thread," she said. "And it's now part of the work's story."

Armed and Clumsy

A man who stopped in a corn maze in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, on Oct. 22 to get a corn kernel out of his shoe accidentally shot himself in the leg, KMSP-TV reported. The 38-year-old from Circle Pines was carrying the gun legally, and it discharged when he bent over to retrieve the kernel. Police said the gun did not have a safety; the owner wasn't charged.

Up a Tree

Tyler County (Texas) Deputy Cory LeBlanc and other first responders undertook an unusual assignment on Oct. 31, KFDMTV reported. An unnamed man who was bow hunting for deer from a tree stand called 911 around 4:25 p.m. to report that he had fallen from his perch and was stuck upside down, 18 feet above the ground. The man's ankle had become lodged in the framework of the stand. "We had the Spurger Volunteer Fire Department, DPS, Texas Parks and Wildlife on the way, all trying to help," LeBlanc said. After an hour and a half of being heels-overhead, the man was lowered to the ground and was unhurt. His advice: "Use a harness. It was in my truck. I just got complacent."

News You Can Use

Miller Lite wants to light up your Christmas tree in more ways than one! The company is offering the Christmas Tree Keg Stand for the low, low price of $49.99, CNN Business reported. The tree stand is basically a keg with a small table on top, and when beer is dispensed, the design "makes it seem as if beer is being poured from the tree," said Sarah Showak, associate marketing manager. According to Miller Lite, the stand will support up to a 5-foot-tall tree with ornaments and lights.

Wait, What?

Designer Amanda Booth, 33, of Toronto, Canada, has a business making jewelry, aptly named Trinkets by Amanda, Oddee reported on Oct. 31. Her first pieces were of clay, but then a friend contacted her and asked if she could make a jewelry set from her son's ashes. Booth has "never said no" to a friend, and the set inspired other customers -- one who asked if she could use breast milk to make jewelry. She posted about the jewelry on TikTok and business took off, including orders for items made with umbilical cords, placenta and hair. But the real creme de la creme came when people started requesting jewelry made from semen. Booth transforms the liquids to powder and mixes them with clay, then sculpts the jewelry piece. "I am an open-minded artist," Booth said.

Spooky

Linda Hill, owner of a rental home in Gainesville, Texas, has ghosts, Fox News reported. Many ghosts. "We've got kids, and we've got old people, old guys, and we've got hookers," she said. The hookers are the most common visitors, known to stroke a male renter's face or their arm. "They try to stir up business, but they can't figure out a way to conclude the transaction, so nothing ever happens," she said.

The Wozniak family of Baltimore, looking to up their Halloween game, ordered a prop casket on Facebook Marketplace, Fox News reported. But they got more than they bargained for when they found the ashes of Edith Crews, who had died in January of COVID-19, inside. They also found a photograph of Crews, her death certificate and her hospital bracelet. The Wozniaks posted about the discovery on TikTok hoping to connect with her family members; Crews' granddaughter happened to see the posting, and the items were returned. Crews' family had rented the casket for the woman's service from Freeman Funeral Services, and she had been cremated afterward.

MAKING THE PITCH

Meet some of the innovative alumni of TCNewTech

By Alexandra Dailey

Every day, we share our dreams with the world. We pitch our ideas to friends, coworkers, family members, baristas— anyone who’ll listen to us about what we think the next big thing could be or the plans we have for the future.

But what if you were given an actual elevator pitch opportunity, on stage, in front of a group of potential investors? (Like Shark Tank, but without the drama.) Could you stand up before an audience of your peers and competitors to share your big idea?

If your answer is yes, we know where you should go. At TCNewTech’s monthly events at City Opera House in Traverse City, aspiring entrepreneurs get five minutes— longer than your standard elevator ride—to present their plans and capture the interest of spectators in hopes of winning the evening’s popular vote and cash prize.

TCNewTech Origins & Impact

A community of tech enthusiasts, businesses, entrepreneurs, and Michigan policymakers, TCNewTech is focused on building a culture of innovation, economic growth, and opportunity for local talent in the Traverse City region.

In 2001, TCNewTech Founder Russell Schindler realized that Traverse City’s tech community was more extensive than he’d imagined, but they weren’t connecting with each other. Many working in tech positions—like coders, programmers, and IT staff—worked from home and didn’t have an outlet for networking with others in their field. Schindler decided to start TCNewTech as a way for individuals in tech-based careers to get together once a month and be part of the local tech community in a personal way. The other main aspect of TCNewTech is the pitch opportunity at each meeting. On the first Tuesday of each month, five

presenters are selected from an applicant pool, and they get five minutes on stage to highlight their new tech product or business venture to raise awareness and potentially find investors. They also get five minutes to field questions from the audience to explain further and promote their idea.

“Pitching is of value,” says Schindler, “but the connecting of like-minded people [is] the real value.”

Chris Nesbit, TCNewTech’s event, sales, and marketing director, adds, “The TC community has been fantastically supportive of the program as a whole. There is a robust ecosystem of local support groups, including Traverse Connect, 20Fathoms, and a serious battery of investors. The startup/entrepreneurship community views TCNewTech as the starting point for a robust startup roadman.”

At each month’s meeting, TCNewTech adds an alumnus to its ranks. The individuals must present pitches that are engaging, informative, and digestible—not everyone who attends is tech-minded—and they need a solid concept to win. Once the presentations conclude, the audience votes via the TCNT app to announce the evening’s winner.

What does it take to win the night, and what happens after the check is cut? We connected with three recent TCNewTech pitch winners to see what they’re up to.

Elizabeth

Saunders, Wellfed Market

Saunders, a Traverse City native, was voted best pitch at the May 2022 TCNewTech meeting for her food sharing app, Wellfed Market, which Saunders says, “is a mobile food sharing app aimed to reduce both food insecurity and food waste.”

Wellfed Market empowers consumers to mitigate the environmental effects of food waste, alleviate hunger, and connect communities through food to ultimately localize America’s food system.

When it came to winning the TCNewTech audience vote, Saunders was ecstatic. “I have great respect and admiration for the TCNewTech community. Knowing that my app was validated by the same individuals I aspire to become, I am more motivated than ever to produce an app that supports innovation for the Grand Traverse area.”

A familiar face to the TCNewTech crowd, Saunders previously pitched while still a high school student, promoting CalcuSaver, an app that would discreetly send for help if you were in an uncomfortable or dangerous situation.

As a junior at Georgetown University, Saunders hopes to expand her app into Washington D.C., an area whose food insecurity rates reach upwards of 33 percent. “By working to make a more sustainable food supply chain, Wellfed Market strives to bridge the disconnection between excess food going to waste and feeding hungry individuals,” Saunders says.

Broc Crandall, Stocked

Crandall won the June 2022 pitch competition with his app called Stocked, “a fantastic fusion of tech and function,” according to TCNewTech’s blog. Crandall’s goal is to keep area Airbnbs and shortterm vacation homes stocked up with local foods and supplies, promoting local business and economy.

Stocked’s grocery delivery service would allow vacationers to enjoy the beautiful Traverse City area more and spend less time shopping for food while still supporting local businesses. In addition, online grocery ordering and scheduling take the hassle of planning meals and snacks off their plate.

His “well organized, well branded, and overall well executed” pitch explaining his use of scraping algorithms that ensure current stock counts and pricing won the audience over.

Vishnu Mano, Spotter

In September, Vishnu Mano, a Grand Rapids teen, impressed audience members through a remote pitch for his parking app, Spotter.

Spotter’s mobile app was designed to assist individuals in finding parking, but with a fresh take. The app uses a combination of sensors, security camera footage, and other modes of technology to inform drivers which parking lots or parking structures have open spots, how many available spots there are, and where the spots are situated. Spotter is all about saving time and reducing the frustration many of us experience when we hunt for a place to park.

Other 2022 Winners

Beyond the innovators listed above, 2022 TCNewTech winners include: WellBeing Connect, an app for connecting wellness professionals, clients, and venues (January); Auxin Games, an “edutainment” company looking to make education interactive, immersive, and fun (February); Hypersence, a wearable tech company with products like MemorySPEX, glasses intended to improve cognitive function and slow the aging process (March); Fresh Life, a prepared meal service startup (April); MeetingMaker, an app to help “individuals in recovery and/or required to attend court-mandated meetings” (August); Coordinista, a medical sharing app (October); and Lakebed 2030, an initiative seeking to map the lakebed of the Great Lakes by the end of 2030 (November).

So, now that you know how TCNewTech works, what’s your elevator pitch?

Visit tcnewtech.org to apply to pitch at one of their upcoming meetings. Tuesday, December 6, is the last remaining 2022 pitch date for TCNewTech. The meetings are free and open to the public, and all are welcome to attend— not just tech community members.

Elizabeth Saunders receives her $500 check for Wellfed Market during

TCNewTech’s semi-annual Bar Napkin Idea Pitch on May 3, 2022. (Photo courtesy of TCNewTech)

June 2022 pitch winner Broc Crandall accepts his cash prize for his app Stocked. (Photo courtesy of TCNewTech)

Vishnu Mano of Grand Rapids, Michigan, was selected at the September TCNewTech meeting via his remote pitch for Spotter, a unique parking app. (Photo courtesy of TCNewTech)

How the Grand Traverse Conservation District

plans to save the future of farming

By Sarahbeth Ramsey

The Grand Traverse Conservation District (GTCD) is on a mission to change the fate of the local farming industry through its newest program, the Great Lakes Incubator Farm (GLIF).

Farming is currently facing a litany of challenges—from droughts and worker shortages to the rising cost of doing business and en masse retirements and closures—that need practical solutions. On their website, GTCD reports that “70 percent of farmland will transfer ownership over the next 20 years” and “new and beginning farmers face a mountain of barriers in accessing capital, land, infrastructure, and markets.”

Koffi Kpachavi, executive director of GTCD, thinks that the GLIF program has the answer. Through the program, young and new farmers would have the opportunity to get hands-on agriculture training, develop business plans, and learn about market trends while also getting access to land and farm resources.

Planting the Seeds

Kpachavi began playing with the concept of GLIF years ago when he moved to Michigan and saw a two-part problem almost immediately. First, there was an aging population of farmers retiring or about to retire who had no one to step in for them. Second, in many cases, owners would sell their land to a developer instead of another farmer. In his words, we were losing farmers and losing farmland.

The current state of the agricultural economy only made the situation more eyeopening. The pandemic and recent overseas wars have disrupted supply lines and even caused food shortages at a local level. “It behooves us to figure out a way to grow food

ourselves so that we don’t have to wait for food to come in from places like California or even overseas,” Kpachavi says.

And so, as the problem has two parts, so does his solution. Kpachavi decided that we need to train young or new farmers, and then we need to help them find land. If there is a secret sauce to his method, it is this: He believes future farmers need to have both a farmer’s skillset and business acumen.

Enter: GLIF.

Yielding the Best Results

As of 2016, there were 130 operational Farm Incubator Programs (FIPs) in the United States, offering plenty of opportunities for aspiring farmers to hone their skills. But GLIF will take a hyper-local approach to stand out for folks who want to work the land in the region. For example, farmers in northern Michigan often encounter sandy soil with little nutritional value for plants, which can add an extra challenge to growing. GLIF will offer expertise in soil and a variety of other factors that are unique to our area, giving local farmers a leg up.

Other specialties of the program include regenerative agriculture, which focuses on biodiversity, soil health, reducing waste, and natural approaches to practices like watering and fertilizing. The concept is being embraced by more and more farms, especially as the practice can be more resilient in the face of the effects of climate change.

And then, of course, there’s the business angle. The program is intended to help reduce start-up costs for new farmers as well as give them a holistic view of how to create a thriving business.

“Your traditional farmer is a great farmer—they know how to grow food. But we are trying to create a better, smarter farmer by giving them not just the skill sets

to grow food, but also how to manage a business,” says Kapchavi.

It’s early days yet for GLIF as GTCD focuses on fundraising and staffing for the project, but big steps are already well underway. Last month, a farm manager was brought on board to oversee the application process—required for each prospective participant—and establish teachers for the students. A practice and demonstration farm will soon take root at the Meyer Farm location across from the Boardman River Nature Center in Traverse City.

Kpachavi expects to have five students in the first class, and he says serious students who are completely invested are a must, as the idea of farming is often romanticized before the going gets tough. The program will take roughly three years to complete, with some students graduating faster should they already have a solid farming foundation and simply need to learn more about the business side of farming. Kpachavi stresses before they graduate, students will have a business plan in place for their farm, and they will also have secured land through the program.

GLIF plans to work with partners like conservancies, the National Park Service, and individual farmers with farmland for future farmers. They also intend to connect with the Small Business Administration to help with business plans and other aspects of the training program. Kpachavi says that they see many potential farmers moving here from downstate, and that he looks forward to giving them the tools they need to make their agriculture dream come true.

A Buzzing Family Homestead

A big reason this passion project is gaining momentum is because Kpachavi is the type to practice what he preaches. After

many years spent learning everything that he could on his father’s farm, he now continues to have his own private sustainable hobby farm.

All that time on farms growing up made him realize that the conventional way of growing food is neither sustainable nor healthy. To Kpachavi, farming is, and should be, “as natural as breathing.” His hobby farm is home to livestock and a bountiful seasonal garden. They grow and eat their food during the growing season and stay away from chemicals and artificial fertilizers.

Koffi has also started a honeybee club. After discovering that many beekeepers will put products inside the hive that are not for human consumption, he decided to show others how to harvest honey without using chemicals. The claim is that the chemicals are for the treatment of the hive and will not be found later in the honey; however, Kpachavi says this is not true. Testing of honey has shown that these chemicals do show up, and they will eventually make their way to our tables.

Keeping bees without the chemicals, to Kpachavi, is just something that makes sense. Sustainability and the importance of chemical-free farming are high on his list of values, which he plans to bring to the mission of GLIF.

When asked if his father was happy to see him carry on the farming legacy, Kpachavi says that his father has since passed away. However, he smiles and says he and his sister were talking recently. She mentioned how proud he would be of the member of the family who carried on the tradition of sustainable farming. “I’m the only one who has, so she joked that he’d be the proudest of me.”

To learn more about the Great Lakes Incubator Farm, visit natureiscalling.org/glif.

Sticks and Stones…and Cyberbullying

Bullying is evolving with the times, but there are ways to stop the cycle

By Jillian Manning

For those of us in the Millennial through Silent Generation brackets, getting picked on looked a lot different when we were kids. Without the full force of technology and social media, bullying was based on physical acts of aggression and cruel words at school. Once we left the building, there was a respite.

Today, 20 percent of students—or 1 in every 5—ages 12 to 18 report being bullied. But they can no longer leave their troubles behind at school, as the device in their pocket follows them wherever they go. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that nearly 16 percent of high school students experience cyberbullying, which can happen on social media, via text/instant message, and even in online gaming forums.

“What’s so troubling is that there’s no safe space for these kids. The way they connect through social media, through the internet, is also the way in which they’re bullied,” says Elizabeth Carrillo, director of clinical services for Traverse Bay Children’s Advocacy Center.

Northern Express talked with the experts to see what trends are unfolding with bullying, how friends and family members

can spot red flags, and what we can do to support kids who need help.

Who’s Involved

Rebecca Swenson is a licensed clinical psychologist focused on working with children, adolescents, young adults, and their families. She opened her practice, Birchwood Psychology, at the Grand Traverse Commons in fall of 2020, and says that many of her young clients report being bullied.

“It’s peaking around ages 11 to 13— some in early high school for freshmen, sophomores, but then tends to decline. I don’t hear about it as much from older teens,” she says. “When kids get older, they’re also less likely to tell adults about it, because they have a lot of shame about being bullied. And by adolescent age, unfortunately teens are learning that they don’t really trust in adults’ ability to help them solve a problem.”

Swenson says the victims of bullying haven’t changed much over the years, that the kids who are “different in any way” are often targets. She points to physical appearance and especially weight as the “most frequent trigger,” but other factors like sexual orientation and gender idenity, religion, and being neuroatypical can all draw unwanted attention from a bully.

“It’s not just having differences,” Swenson adds. “Kids that do bully tend to pick out kids that are more anxious and insecure, kids that lack assertiveness and don’t stand up for themselves or don’t know how to stand up for themselves. They pick on kids who have big reactions, kids who get visibly upset when they’re picked on. And they pick on kids who don’t have a lot of friends or other support to stick up for them.”

While we can always hope the next generation will be kinder, those bullies still exist. Swenson believes that bullies are “driven by that need to gain and demonstrate peer status,” aka popularity. She also notes that bullies can have lower empathy and social understanding of people and feelings. Being aggressive gets them what they want, partly because they are often lacking the social skills to get what they want on their own merits.

“This can also be kids with mental health issues,” Swenson says. “So kids that are bullied tend to have mental health issues, and kids who do the bullying also have some mental health issues.”

What’s Happening

While the players haven’t changed much, the game certainly has. Swenson says that face-to-face bullying is showing

signs of decreasing, but cyberbullying is gaining ground. And the two aren’t mutually exclusive: A youth could be picked on both in-person and virtually.

There’s some nuance, too, when it comes to these interactions. There’s the classic example of getting beat up for your lunch money or mocked for your clothes—direct physical or verbal bullying. But things like social exclusion can be just as devastating, when a kid is intentionally left out of an event or activity. Female students report experiencing the latter more, along with being the subject of rumors.

Sticks and stones can definitely break our bones, but it appears they weren’t right about words never hurting us. That’s become especially clear with cyberbullying, which is all about what is said or unsaid. And it’s easier than ever for bullies and victims to engage 24/7.

“The pandemic, in some ways, kept people physically isolated, but it didn’t necessarily offer the same sort of emotional protection because of social media,” Carrillo explains, “[A kid] might be sort of in the quote-unquote safety of their home—if it’s a safe place for them to be—but there is no safety because social media permeates everything.”

She continues, saying, “They’re

inundated with this immediate and constant feedback at a time when they don’t really even know who they are. They’re trying to develop a sense of self, and everyone has an opinion. And things that people would say to each other … over text, over email and social media, are not things that people would say in person, typically. But for some reason, there’s a sense of anonymity … or permission to be even more cruel on social media than you would be in person.”

(Let’s be honest: We adults aren’t always setting the best example on that front.)

How It Affects Kids

Both face-to-face and cyberbullying can have long-lasting effects on a child beyond the hurt of the moment. Swenson says these kids have an increased risk for psychological distress, including anxiety, depression, and trauma.

She adds that “depending on the severity of the bullying, these kids have higher rates of suicidal ideation and self-harm. They have higher rates of substance use as well as a coping mechanism.”

Another less obvious side effect can be educational. If the bully is at school, kids can start avoiding school and are less likely to continue their education.

Devin Moore, a therapist at Traverse Bay Children’s Advocacy Center, adds, “After trauma, there can be a bit of shame, whether it’s to get help or not to get help. Either way, there can be some doubts in our self-worth, our self-confidence, and love we have for ourselves, and that can absolutely trickle into how people see us, how we’re treated, and how we treat ourselves.”

How to Spot the Signs

If they aren’t coming home with bruises, how do you know your kid is being bullied? Our experts gave us a few signs to look for.

Stress over a bad peer situation can lead to somatic symptoms like being physically ill before school, getting headaches, or generally being nervous about interacting in a space where they will see their bully. If the bully is at school, you might start to see your kid disengaging with school, whether that means a change in attendance or a drop in their grades.

Harder to spot but just as important are emotional responses. Is your kid selfisolating in their room? Are they having strong reactions—like crying or yelling— over small things that wouldn’t have bothered them before? Are they demonstrating signs of low self-esteem?

“Just [try to notice] if there’s some of that abnormal or extreme behavior, whether it’s the numbing, the quiet, the isolating, or [the] really loud [and] unregulated,” Moore says. “A lot of the time, we have these big feelings and little bodies…and we’re not often taught how to handle that. That is okay—we’re going to experience these emotions—but we do need to be mindful of how we handle them.”

Moore recommends being curious rather than reactive when outbursts or withdrawals occur and to avoid minimizing the problem.

“Maybe to them, someone not asking them to sit with them at lunch is a big deal. And it might not feel like a big deal to us, but really be cognizant that each of us is different, what impacts us is different, how we respond and react are different.”

What Friends and Family Can Do

Carrillo agrees, noting that kids often feel ashamed of being bullied and blame themselves, so acknowledging the situation and their feelings can be a positive step toward opening the lines of communication and giving them a safe space to express themselves.

“You can advocate,” Carrillo says. “You can ask the child, ‘What can I do for you? How can I help you?’ … But you may not be able to give them a life without this hard experience. And so what you can do instead is to honor how hard it is to let them know you’ll always be there, to let them know they can talk to you at any time and that you will be partners in trying to solve this problem together.”

In some cases, contacting the school, a teacher, or a counselor can help correct the problem, especially with younger children. But Swenson says that many adolescent victims fear that adult intervention will only make their problems worse and may not be open to that route.

Instead, building coping skills could be the answer. Moore says you can have fun with this, building everything from breathwork to dance breaks to taking a walk into your child’s routine. When it comes to facing the bully, Swenson recommends practicing things kids can control, like how to confidently and assertively tell someone to stop picking on them. Brainstorming ways to avoid or ignore the bully, as well as build a stronger support system of peers or adults, can also help.

Taking their mind off the problem with a self-esteem-boosting activity is another good option. Moore says that organizations like Arts for All of Northern Michigan, Peace Ranch in Traverse City, and the Cherryland Humane Society are all free or low-cost places where your child can find an interest and rebuild their sense of value and worth.

Carrillo seconds this, noting that it’s important to find an activity that helps the youth feel they’re making a positive contribution.

“One of the most healing things to be able to do when you’re struggling is to help somebody else,” she says. “And it seems weird, because you would think, ‘I have no resources; how can I help somebody else?’ But what it shows you is that you have more resources than you thought, and, even in your lowest place, you can have a positive impact…and that maybe some of those things that [you’re] hearing about [yourself]—‘Why are you even here? You don’t do anything good!’—those things aren’t true.”

To learn more about Traverse Bay Children’s Advocacy Center, visit traversebaycac.org. To learn more about Dr. Rebecca Swenson, visit birchwoodpsych.com.

BATA EVOLVES

The transportation authority drives toward major projects and milestones

By Ross Boissoneau

New property, new buses, and a continuing commitment to serve Grand Traverse and Leelanau counties. That’s what is happening at BATA, the Bay Area Transportation Authority. According to Executive Director Kelly Dunham, that means continuously exploring ways to add or modify routes, improve the buses’ efficacy, and serve more people, all while keeping the bottom line in mind.

Green Tech

One area in which those objectives can be met is updating the buses. “We see a lot of emphasis on the electrification of the fleet,” says Dunham. “Now we have greater access to funding [from state and federal sources] and manufacturing of electric as we green our fleet.”

The trend toward lower-emission buses has been underway for several years, initially pushing BATA away from gasoline and diesel toward propane. Currently, just over half BATA’s buses are propane-fueled. Dunham says by 2025 she anticipates over 90 percent of the buses will be low or no emission: 84 propane and seven or more electric.

Dunham says both economic and environmental factors are driving the switch. Federal and state grants are increasingly geared toward supporting low-emission vehicles. In addition, electric vehicles are forecast to need far less maintenance, though that also comes with additional training for the new engines.

The range electric vehicles can travel continues to increase, and the change to electric has other benefits.

“The technology has really come a long way in the last 10 or 15 years. They’re quieter, more comfortable rides, which makes for a better transit experience,” Dunham says. “We hope to introduce three to five electric vehicles in the next year. Initially, we’ll keep them in the urban area, the center of Traverse City, where we have easier access for charging. Once we understand their capability, we hope to use them in all of Grand Traverse and in Leelanau County.”

“We want to be good community stewards,” adds Eric Lingaur, director of communications and development for BATA. “We put a lot of miles on the roads.” (Indeed, BATA services some 900 square miles in Grand Traverse and Leelanau County.) “We’re making sure to be environmentally focused.”

New Digs

That’s part of the thinking behind BATA’s project with the Traverse City Housing Commission. Earlier this year, the two organizations purchased 50-plus acres of property near the intersection of LaFranier and Hammond roads. The plan is to build both a transit center and housing on the site. Sitework is set to begin next year, with phase one completed in 2024 and the entire project completed in 2026.

Having housing and a transportation hub next to one another will provide those living at the site with greater access to BATA’s services. Up to 20 percent of a lowincome family’s annual household budgets goes toward transportation, according to statistics for ALICE households: those that

are Asset-Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. This will be one of the first rural transit-oriented development projects in the Midwest, establishing a national model for other communities to follow.

The 87,000-square-foot facility will include space for administration and operations, maintenance and service, and a bus garage with parking for up to 100 vehicles indoors, with room for future expansion. The housing component will include five multifamily buildings with more than 200 units and 15 single-family Habitat for Humanity homes. There will also be a childcare facility onsite, and 20

acres of wetlands will be protected through easements granted to the Grand Traverse Land Conservancy, resulting in a walkable nature preserve.

A bonus is that the project will create more employment opportunities, with the expectation to employ more than 75 primary construction workers throughout the construction phases and generate more than $15 million in short-term local spending. In the longer term, it will create 50 new full-time positions in childcare, retail, and housing, as well as public transit.

BATA’s portion of the project is estimated to cost $28 million, and it has already

A rendering of BATA's future transit center.

secured $16 million in federal funding while looking to acquire additional federal and state support.

BATA also relies on a public millage assessment for funding—though that’s for regular operations rather than new projects or buses. The 0.4788 mill renewal approved by voters Nov. 8 provides up to 40 percent of BATA’s total funding. “It’s critical,” says Dunham. “It’s the foundation…of our budget. If there was no local millage, we don’t have a way to bridge the funding gap.”

More Connections

BATA and the other public transit companies serving the region have always faced the challenge of serving a rural area, as opposed to the services that operate in cities. “A lot of Grand Traverse and Leelanau are rural,” says Lingaur.

That doesn’t make the transportation service any less critical for those who use it. Plus, there are new residents who come from urban areas where public transit was both a necessity and heavily used who continue to rely on that mode of travel. “We have to meet their needs. We are having more people that had expectations of public transport where they came from,” Lingaur explains.

Some of those who use BATA can no longer drive, others choose not to, and for others still the expense of a car and gas is beyond their means. “A large percentage are seniors, some 80 and up,” says Dunham. “It’s a lifeline to groceries, medical appointments, employment.” She adds that, “Socioeconomic disadvantaged [individuals] have to live in a rural area but can’t afford transportation expenses.”

With those needs in mind, Dunham says working with the other transportation organizations is crucial, and she believes the working relationships among the region’s various bus services have improved. Better partnerships with Benzie Bus, the WexExpress, and Kalkaska Public Transit will find more people using the systems in the future.

“We want to be better partners with the neighboring transit agencies,” she says, noting people don’t live, work, and travel based on county lines. “There were over 3,000 workers going from Benzie to Grand Traverse daily pre-COVID.”

As with other industries and services, the pandemic greatly impacted BATA. People who had previously been using public transit suddenly were not comfortable doing so. In

2019, there were 600,000 annual rides, and in early 2020, there was a 20 to 30 percent increase…until COVID hit. Ridership has again steadily increased as people have become more comfortable gathering near others. Now the problem is being able to serve all those who want to use BATA.

“Ridership demand is high. The number one challenge is staffing,” says Lingaur, estimating the service is only able to deliver about 80 percent of demand.

Dunham says the Great Resignation, the economic trend in which employees left their jobs in the wake of the pandemic, impacted BATA, and the organization could use as many as a dozen new workers. To address the shortfall in staffing, BATA is offering a $10,000 hiring/recruiting/retention incentive. It’s designed to both attract new workers and reward those who choose to remain with the company, as the incentive requires a three-year commitment.

With their new goals—and, they hope, more staff—BATA is poised to continue to grow and serve the area. “We want to keep Traverse City flowing,” says Lingaur, pointing not only to BATA’s expansion but continued work with everyone from the Downtown Development Authority to TART Trails to outlying villages, from Empire to Interlochen. “We want to do a better job talking, keeping each other informed.”

NOSTALGIA IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER

Northport eatery celebrates community and family fun

By Laurel Manke

Opening a restaurant was a childhood dream of Around the Corner Food and Fun owner Laura Cavendish, so it’s only fitting that her dream came true in a beloved destination from her youth.

Growing up, Cavendish visited Northport every holiday and summer. Post-college in 2006, she moved permanently to Northport, and in 2018, her restaurateur dreams became a reality when she started serving inventive comfort food from a tent at Northport’s Music in the Park Festival. Even then, she had plans to open a food truck with a more permanent home. 115 S. Waukazoo Street—former home of Northport fixture Stubb’s Sweetwater Grill and Soggy Dollar before that—turned out to be that spot.

Building a Community Fixture

Cavendish and her husband, Thomas, collaborated with property owners Kelley and Ken Radeke to breathe new life into the Waukazoo street location while celebrating its history and character. Structural issues led to the demolition of the building on the site in 2019, but a strong effort to keep the locale’s history remains as they build Around the Corner Food and Fun on the storied lot.

“It is important to us to incorporate history. The original building could not be saved, and we were sad to see it go. We are redesigning it with a smaller footprint to thoughtfully build a year-round business that serves the community,” says Cavendish.

Around the Corner Food and Fun food truck set up shop on the property in 2020, offering outdoor eats and hands-on family entertainment for all ages. For the past two summers, locals and tourists alike have flocked to their lot for not only food, but also a unique breed of fun not offered by other restaurants. (Think scavenger hunts, onsite art and science days, and outdoor games like giant Jenga and dominos.)

As one particularly cool example, families can purchase their “Living Mural Fence Experience” for $30. It comes with a six-pack of spray paint, aprons, stencils, and a couple of hours of family fun and creativity painting the restaurant’s fence.

Another draw happens on the silver

screen. Every Tuesday and Saturday night in the summer and every Saturday night in the fall, Around the Corner Food and Fun hosts a free, family-friendly, outdoor movie night. They blow up a large projection screen in their 100-foot-by-31-foot lawn, which is decked out with speakers and lights.

“2022 was an incredibly busy summer, especially our movie night on Tuesdays. Many area restaurants are closed Monday and Tuesday nights due to staffing constraints, so those were our busier nights,” says Cavendish. “We have chairs and tables, but most people—and it is really fun to see— bring their own beach chairs, blankets, and pillows and get comfortable.”

For each movie, the food truck is open and features themed dinner, appetizer, and dessert specials that coordinate with the movie of the night (think “Book Brownies” and “Life Potion” drinks at a recent Halloween-weekend showing of Hocus Pocus).

A New Breed of Bar

This November, Around the Corner Food and Fun will add a whole new dynamic: indoor dining. Construction on their indoor bar and restroom facility is set to be completed this month. The new building’s design and décor are rich with nods to local history, including salvaged barn wood siding, a butcher block bar from the State Hospital, eclectic art, and collectibles from nearby homesteads. There are also plans to convert the original building’s 10,000-pound furnace into a firepit on the property.

For a cute family twist, a vintage refrigerator door will be mounted on the wall inside. Kids are invited to bring in their good grades to place on it, and in turn, they get free boba tea.

“When I was a kid, my parents were involved at my elementary school and had a refrigerator door installed to reinforce kids and make them feel proud that they are doing well,” Cavendish says. “When kids brought good grades in, they got a free personal pan pizza from Pizza Hut. That was a big deal to me as a kid and I wanted to offer that to kids in our community.”

When the bar opens in November, it will stand out in a sea of Grand Traverse and Leelanau wineries, brewpubs, and

distilleries: It will be Leelanau County’s first exclusively non-alcoholic bar. They will offer a full menu of non-alcoholic beer, wine, and spirits, along with specialty boba tea drinks and other nonalcoholic beverages.

“We were originally planning to open a typical bar, but my health changed in 2019, and because of that I am not able to drink. We saw an opportunity to open a place to go if you don’t want to drink in an area surrounded by wineries and breweries,” Cavendish explains.

The food truck menu will be available this winter too, with dishes that shift with the seasons (and their movie night themes). There are, of course, a few beloved mainstays, like the deep-fried grilled cheese with housemade tomato soup; fried pasties with sweet Runza dough (their Burger Mac cheeseburger, Sloppy Joe, and Greek Veggie pasties are fan favorites); and fish and chips, a recipe from Cavendish’s husband, who is from England. There are plenty of goodies for younger eaters too; kids love their Chicken and Chips appetizer and PB and Jelly pastie.

The menu is loaded with many more heartwarming delights, including a selection

of mouth-watering desserts like Southern puffy beignets.

Settling In

After two years of serving the community, Around the Corner Food and Fun has settled in the heart of Northport and has big dreams of continuing to grow there. At their core, they want to offer a community gathering place with fun things to do for kids of all ages.

“We appreciate the loyal local customer following we have and the business community here. We help each other rather than competing, which helps with navigating the craziness of staffing issues,” Cavendish says.

Around the Corner does not have an official grand opening date for their indoor space, but they hope to be open by the end of November. Once their space is open, they will also offer a to-go fridge with grab-and-go options such as salads and sides and pasties to take home or out on Northport-area adventures. In the meantime, their food truck remains open every night for dinner except for Sunday.

Find Around the Corner Food and Fun at 115 S Waukazoo St. in Northport. (231) 3862216, aroundthecornerfood.com

A sketch of the completed Around the Corner campus.

saturday

A-MAZE-ING 5K AT JACOB’S FARM: 8am, Jacob’s Farm, TC. Run, walk or “stalk” your way through Jacob’s 10-acre corn maze. Includes an off-road adventure throughout the farm. $35 per runner; includes free GA entry into Flapjacks Flannel. Find on Facebook.

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

GRAND TRAVERSE SKI CLUB SKI SWAP: 8am, TC West Middle School. Find just the equipment you’ve been looking for at this annual sale. face book.com/events/796672171785575/?r ef=newsfeed

THISTLE & THREAD HOLIDAY SHOW: 8am-4pm, VFW Hall, 3400 Veterans Dr., TC. Homemade arts & crafts from area artisans. Free.

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

CHRISTMAS BAZAAR: 9am-4pm, Old Mission Peninsula United Method ist Church, TC. Enjoy this old fashioned Christmas Bazaar with handcrafted items, Christmas accessories, & a huge bake sale. A soup lunch will be avail able. Free admission. oldmissionpenin sulaumc.org

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

LONG LAKE CRAFT SHOW: 9am3pm, Long Lake Elementary School, TC. Featuring over 65 local vendors, this community event supports local craftspeople & the students at Long Lake. Third grade will be hosting a bake sale, & fifth grade will host a lunch. face book.com/events/470394361569624

“TINKER TAPESTRY” ART & ARTISAN MARKET: 10am-4pm, Tinker Studio, TC. Over 30 local artists & arti sans will have their work featured at this event. Free. facebook.com/events/1333 427474064444/1333433727397152/?re f=newsfeed

BREAD MAKING CLASS: BASIC BREAD MAKING: 10am, Bellaire Pub lic Library. Registration required. Free. bellairelibrary.org

EUROPEAN CHRISTMAS MARKET: 10am-3pm, EB2 Vintage, TC. Enjoy a festive celebration of the season with gift ideas. facebook.com/eb2vintage

FREE DROP-IN FAMILY ART: 10amnoon, Crooked Tree Arts Center, TC. Stop by for a fun, free art activity for all ages. crookedtree.org/class/ctac-tra verse-city/free-drop-family-art-november

HOLIDAY MARKET: 10am-4pm, Grow Benzie, Benzonia. You’ll have the op portunity to purchase locally-produced & hand-crafted items for everyone on your holiday gift list - & maybe for yourself, too. growbenzie.org/events/2022/11/12/ hbfmabf8r0xhzh91go37zjjxynxs6t

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

SHOP YOUR COMMUNITY DAY: Downtown TC. For every purchase you make at participating stores today, 15% of the sale will be donated to one of the 30 non-profit organizations of your choice. Held all day. downtowntc.com/ shop-your-community-day

TC CHILDREN’S BOOK FESTIVAL: 10am-2pm, City Opera House, TC. Fea turing arts & crafts, live entertainment from Old Town Playhouse Young Co., storytelling with Parallel 45, & more. Also featured are award winning au thors from TC & around the country. Au thors will be on hand to sign & sell their books. Free. tcbookfest.com

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

THE RED DRESSER HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE: 10am-4pm, The Red Dresser, TC. Nov. 11 is Early Shopping & a ticket ed event. No tickets are required for Nov. 12-13. facebook.com/TheRedDresser

TRAVERSE CITY FESTIVAL OF TREES - 25TH ANNIVERSARY: Gold en-Fowler Home Furnishings, TC. Ben efits the Zonta Club of Traverse City. Featuring the Yuletide Emporium, Tall Tree Gallery, Tiny Tree Tour, Foodie Fri day, Sing-a-Long Saturday, & Holly Jolly Sunday. Free. goldenfowler.com/fot

LITTLE WAVES: 10:30am, Petoskey District 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) per cussionist & program director Tim Moc ny, an opportunity to hear one or more GLCO musicians demonstrate & ex plain how their instruments work, & fun music-related activities for kids. Free. glcorchestra.org/education/little-waves

DEER WIDOWS WEEKEND: 11am3pm, The Village at GT Commons. Featuring a two-day indoor craft & ven dor show in Kirkbride Hall, giveaways, shopping specials & more. The first 250 through the doors each day will receive a logo bag, free tunnel tour & a $5 mi mosa coupon. Free. thevillagetc.com

TC BEER WEEK: Nov. 11-18. Take a self-guided tour of local breweries & res taurants. Track your tour in the passport by checking in to the places you go & you’ll be eligible to win prizes. traversec ity.com/tcbw

WILD TURKEY TROT 5K: 11am, Grass River Natural Area, Bellaire. grassriver. org/classes-and-programs.html ----------------------

FLAPJACK & FLANNEL FESTIVAL: 12-6pm, Jacob’s Farm, TC. Wear your flannel & drink brews, wines & cocktails paired with flapjacks. Live music from Broomcloset Boys, Bootstraps Boys & Avid Kain. VIP tickets: $75; includes 8 drink tokens, 1 hour early entry, & more. GA: $30 until Nov. 11; $40 after Nov. 11. Includes 2 drink tokens & 1 pancake. $15 kids tickets. Brew Bus will provide rides to & from Jacob’s Farm from the Old Town Parking Deck for free from 11:45am-7pm. eventbrite.com/e/flapjack-flannel-festival2022-tickets-416886608067

FALL FAMILY FILM FUN: 1pm, The Bay Theatre, Suttons Bay. Featuring “Space Jam” & a Looney Tunes cartoon. $1. thebaytheatre.com/special-events

IN-STORE BOOK SIGNING: 1-3pm, Horizon Books, TC. Tracy Mikowski &

co-author Catherine Crawford Robey will sign their book “Tor & Raven Are Friends.” horizonbooks.com

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

LITTLE WAVES: 1pm, Charlevoix Pub lic Library. “Musical Adventures”: Aimed at children 4-10 years of age & their fam ilies, this program features a multimedia storybook time with Great Lakes Cham ber Orchestra (GLCO) percussionist & program director Tim Mocny, an oppor tunity to hear one or more GLCO musi cians demonstrate & explain how their instruments work, & fun music-related activities for kids. Free. glcorchestra. org/education/little-waves -------------------- --

TRAVERSE CITY SHOP & SIP: 1-7pm, Park Place Hotel & Conference Center, TC. Offering 70+ upscale handmade vendors, a VIP experience, & three cash bars. VIP Preview tickets: $15 (1-3pm). GA: $5 (3-7pm). 12 & under, free. A por tion of all ticket sales will be donated to Project Feed the Kids. mynorthtickets. com/events/traverse-city-shop-andsip-2022-11-12-2022

LADIES NIGHT OUT: 4:30-7:30pm, Har bor Springs. Get your passport at any open business, make purchases & get passports initialed. Turn in your passport at the end of the evening & join in for the post-evening celebration at Stafford’s Pier; doors open at 7pm & raffle drawing at 8pm. harborspringschamber.com/events/ details/ladies-night-out-2022-10989?cale ndarMonth=2022-11-01

POWER OF THE PURSE: 5pm, Tree tops Resort, Gaylord. Benefits Otsego County United Way. $20, $25, $50, $75, $1,000. pop2022.square.site

SOUP COMPETITION TASTING: 5-7pm, Walloon Lake Winery, Petoskey. Try four soups made by Walloon Lake Winery’s cooks & vote on whose is the best. $10. petoskeyarea.com/event/soup-competi tion-tasting-walloon-lake-winery

GOPHERWOOD CONCERT: JOSHUA DAVIS & RACHAEL DAVIS: 7-11pm, Elks Lodge Cadillac #680. Enjoy a night of original folk music with Michigan singer-songwriters Joshua Davis & Ra chael Davis. Josh was a Top 3 finalist on NBC’s The Voice in 2015 & released his latest album, The Way Back Home, in 2017. Rachael joined her family band Lake Effect at age 8, & by age 12, & continuing each year since, has closed the Sunday morning Gospel set with her solo acapella version of Amazing Grace at Wheatland Music Festival. Advance tickets: $15 adults, $7 students, free for 12 & under. At door: $18, $9. Available in downtown Cadillac at After 26 Depot, online at mynorthtickets.com, or by call ing 1-800-836-0717. ----------------------

“THE KITCHEN WITCHES”: 7:30pm, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Theater, Petoskey. Presented by Little Traverse Civic Theatre. Isobel Lomax & Dolly Biddle are two “mature” cable-access cooking show hostesses who have hat

Get in the holiday spirit sharing tea or lemonade with the stars of the Crooked Tree Arts Center School of Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” at the Sugar Plum Fairy Tea, Sun., Nov. 20 from 1-3pm at Stafford’s Perry Hotel, Petoskey. This event also includes treats, tea sandwiches, and a reading of “The Nutcracker” story with Clara, Nutcracker, Snow Queen, Dew Drop Fairy and the Sugar Plum Fairy, and a ticket to a performance of “The Nut cracker” on either Sat., Dec. 10 at 3pm or 7pm, or Sun., Dec. 11 at 3pm at the Great Lakes Center for the Arts in Bay Harbor. Tea for Two: $90; additional guest: $45. crookedtree.org

ed each other for thirty years, ever since Larry Biddle dated one & married the other. $20 adults; $10 students under 18. crookedtree.org/event/ctac-petos key/our-theater-little-traverse-civic-the atre-presents-kitchen-witches ----------------------

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR: 7:30pm, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Corson Auditorium. See one of Broad way’s longest-running shows courtesy of Interlochen Arts Academy’s musical theatre students. $33; $17 for students. interlochen.org/concerts-and-events/ signature-series?search=jesus ----------------------

AUSTRALIA’S THUNDER FROM DOWN UNDER: 8-10:30pm, Little River Casino Resort, Manistee. Direct from Las Vegas. Welcome Back 2022 World Tour. $35, $40, $45. lrcr.com/eventcalendar/concerts/australia-s-thunderfrom-down-under

CANAAN SMITH: 8pm, Odawa Casino, Ovation Hall, Petoskey. This country mu sic singer & songwriter has released two albums: “Bronco” in 2015 & “High Coun try Sound” in 2021. His second single, “Love You Like That,” was a Number One hit on the Billboard Country Airplay chart. $20. etix.com/ticket/p/5749979/ canaan-smith-petoskey-ovation-hall

FAMILY NIGHT AT THE OBSERVATORY: 8pm, Rogers Observatory, TC. Enjoy viewing planets, stars & the moon at this special family night. Free. gtastro.org

GOOD ON PAPER IMPROV TROUPE: 8pm, Traverse City Comedy Club, TC. Enjoy this six-person group’s hilarious & high-energy show. $15. traversecity comedyclub.com/good-on-paper ----------------------

LAMB’S RETREAT SONGWRITER CONCERT (WEEK 2): 8pm, Birchwood Inn, Harbor Springs. Featuring Edie Carey, Jim Bizer, Sarah Sample, Mi chael Crittenden & John D. Lamb. $20. springfed.org/product/lambs-retreatconcert-wk-2

sunday

LAKE CADILLAC GRATEFUL GALLOP 5K & 7 MILE RUN/ WALK: 8:30am, Cadillac City Park by the Cadillac Pavillion. cadillacgratefulgallop.com

DEER WIDOWS WEEKEND: (See Sat., Nov. 12, except today’s hours are 10am-2pm.)

COMMUNITY VOICES: 10:30am, El mwood Township Hall, TC. The New Waves faith community will continue the series of monthly presentations on housing & homelessness. Ashley Halla day-Schmandt, director of the NW Co alition to End Homelessness, will help you understand the homeless response system by sharing more detail about how people access services while expe riencing homelessness. Free.

TC BEER WEEK: (See Sat., Nov. 12)

TRAVERSE CITY FESTIVAL OF TREES25TH ANNIVERSARY: (See Sat., Nov. 12)

“TINKER TAPESTRY” ART & ARTI SAN MARKET: (See Sat., Nov. 12, ex cept today’s hours are 12-4pm.)

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

CRANKSGIVING: Noon. Riders will be provided a list of food items & tasked with purchasing them. The groceries will be donated to local food pantries. In ad dition to shopping, participants will be challenged to commit at least one act of random kindness on the route. Expect to ride 2-5 miles. facebook.com/norteTC ----------------------

THE RED DRESSER HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE: (See Sat., Nov. 12, except to day’s hours are 12-4pm.) ----------------------

“THE KITCHEN WITCHES”: (See Sat., Nov. 12, except today’s time is 2pm.) ----------------------

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR: (See Sat., Nov. 12, except today’s time is 2pm.) ----------------------

SOUP & SONGWRITERS: 2-4pm, Foothills Cafe & Motel, Maple City. Songwriters Les Dalgliesh, Nicholas James Thomasma, & Dennis Palmer swapping songs unplugged. Free will donation. fb.me/e/7dZYuLU4t

“FALL FOR DANCE”: 7pm, Harbor Springs Performing Arts Center. Per formed by the Crooked Tree Arts Center School of Ballet Upper Level dancers & faculty. $30 adults; $10 students; $50 reserved. crookedtree.org

monday

TC BEER WEEK: (See Sat., Nov. 12) -------------

KID’S CRAFT LAB: OJIBWE SHOULDER BAGS: 1pm & 3:30pm, Great Lakes Children’s Museum, TC. In honor of Na tive American Heritage Month, kids can learn about traditional Ojibwe bead work designs by decorating an Ojibwe Bando lier bag with crayons or markers. Sign up when you reserve your attendance at the Museum. greatlakeskids.org

HEALTH & WELLNESS: BE HEALTHY, BE ACTIVE COMMUNITY COOKING WORKSHOP: 4-5pm, Interlochen Pub lic Library. Learn a few techniques, & then you can cook the whole recipe from start to finish. Limited to 10 people. Reg istration required: 231-276-6767. Free. ----------------------

GUEST ARTIST RECITAL: 7:30pm, In terlochen Center for the Arts, Dendrinos Chapel & Recital Hall. Featuring Tim McAllister, saxophone, & Liz Ames, piano. Free. interlochen.org/events/guest-artistrecital-tim-mcallister-saxophone-and-lizames-piano-2022-11-14

tuesday

PRESCHOOL STORY TIME: 10:30am, Suttons Bay Bingham District Li brary. Enrich your day with stories, songs & more. Free. sbbdl.org

STORYTIME ADVENTURES: 10:30am, 1pm & 3:30pm, Great Lakes Children’s Museum, TC. Featuring “Animals Should Definitely Not Wear Clothing” by Judi Barrett. Sign up when you reserve your attendance at the Museum. great lakeskids.org

TC BEER WEEK: (See Sat., Nov. 12) ----------------------

AUTHOR EVENT: 6pm, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Theater, Petoskey. Viola Shipman will celebrate the release of his new book “A Wish for Winter.” RSVP: 231-347-1180. Free. mcleanandeakin. com/upcoming-events

GRAND TRAVERSE HIKING CLUB, NOV. MONTHLY MEETING: 7pm, Boardman River Nature Center, TC. Millie Mellgren will give a presentation of her hike on the Camino de Santiago in Spain. Free. northcountrytrail.org/events/gtr-111522

MICROBIOME OF THE GUT: 7pm, Glen Lake Library, Program Room, Em pire. Learn about the importance of “gut health” with local wellness expert Amy White. She’ll discuss the role of probiot ic & prebiotic foods, the potential health impacts of gluten & dairy, & strategies for incorporating more plant-based foods into your diet. Participants can sample various gut-friendly foods. Class size is limited to 15 people. Register: 231-3265361. Free. glenlakelibrary.net

COMMUNITY CONVERSATION: LITTLE TRAVERSE WHEELWAY WASHOUT: 7:30-9pm, Beards Brewery, Petoskey. Presented by the Top of Michigan Trails Council. Trails Council staff, officials from the City of Petoskey & others will share info & answer questions about the Wheel way. Free. trailscouncil.org

wednesday

MAKE IT BENZIE BUSI NESS DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES LUN CHEON: 11am-1pm, Oliver Center for the Arts, Frankfort. Learn about marketing, branding & social media engagement from guest speakers. Lunch provided. Chamber member tickets, $10; nonmember, $15. business.benzie.org/ events/details/business-enrichmentluncheon-branding-social-media-en gagement-15985

TC BEER WEEK: (See Sat., Nov. 12)

FREE SCREENING - “DISASTERS AT SEA - THE ARCTIC ROSE MYSTERY”: 1pm & 2:30pm, Dennos Museum Center, NMC, TC. Witness the final moments of the Arctic Rose, & discover why the trawl er sank so quickly into the Bering Sea. Limit of 30 people per screening. Please limit groups to 10 people. Registration re quired. simpletix.com/e/disasters-at-seathe-arctic-rose-mystery-t-tickets-111997

OPEN STUDIO CREATIVE HOUR WITH DIANE: 3:30pm, Arts for AllNEW LOCATION, 1485 Barlow St., TC. Bring your sketchbook, painting supplies, or artwork-in-progress for a

chance to share, & get inspiration from other creative individuals. Limited ea sels & other art tools will be available. Free. artsforallnmi.org/event/open-stu dio-creative-hour-with-diane-2

CHILLIN’ WITH THE CHAMBER OFFICE: 4-6pm, Harbor Springs Area Chamber Office. Enjoy appetizers & drinks & find out what’s happening around town. Free.

nov

thursday

NMCAA’S LAUNDRY PROJECT: Grand Tra verse Laundry, Garfield Plaza, TC. A free laundry service for low-income families in the greater Grand Traverse Area during the school year. 947-3780.

LAKE LEADERS SUMMIT: 10am-noon, Antrim Conservation District, Bellaire. The EPA Water Source director for the Great Lakes Region will present on the national Water Sense program. 231-533-8363, x1.

KID’S CRAFT LAB: OJIBWE SHOULDER BAGS: (See Mon., Nov. 14, ex cept today’s times are 10:30am, 1pm & 3:30pm.)

TC BEER WEEK: (See Sat., Nov. 12)

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

READER CHEF, JR. COOKING CLASS: 4-5pm, Interlochen Public Li brary. For ages 10-14. Learn a new reci pe & be able to cook the meal from start to finish. This month’s recipe is tomato & spinach pasta. Limited to 10 kids. Reg istration required: 231-276-6767. Free.

PETOSKEY BUSINESS AFTER HOURS: 5-7pm, Stafford’s Perry Ho tel, Petoskey. $10 Chamber members; $15 not-yet-members. petoskeycham ber.com/events/details/business-afterhours-november-2022-28569

HISTORY HOUNDS ON THE BIG SCREEN: 6-7:30pm, Bellaire Public Li brary. “Michigan Beer: A Heady History.” Free. bellairelibrary.org

TWO HOOTS ART GATHER: 6-8pm, Short’s Brew Pub, Bellaire. Join James & Elizabeth of Two Hoots Studio along with area artists for an evening of art making & appreciation. Bring a paint ing in progress, bring your photography questions, or just bring your curiosity. twohoots.studio/events

WARREN MILLER’S “DAYMAKER”: 6:30pm, The Garden Theater, Frankfort. This movie is hosted by the Crystal Com munity Ski Club & all proceeds will benefit the club. Eat at Stormcloud Brewing Co., Frankfort before the film from 4-6pm, & 20% of the proceeds will benefit the club. $20 online; $25 at door. ccskiclub.org/ blog/join-us-for-the-warren-miller-movieand-fundraiser-in-frankort-mi

“THE KITCHEN WITCHES”: (See Sat., Nov. 12)

ORCHESTRA & WIND SYMPHONY: REFLECTIONS: 7:30pm, Interlochen

Center for the Arts, Corson Auditorium. Under the direction of Dr. Leslie Dunner & Dr. Matthew Schlomer respectively, the Arts Academy Orchestra & Wind Symphony will perform a diverse pro gram of classical & contemporary works. $15 adult; $12 child through college. interlochen.org/events/orchestra-andwind-symphony-reflections-2022-11-17

friday

COPEMISH CRAFT SHOW: 8am-5pm, Amer ican Legion Post 531, Copemish. Do your holi day shopping! Lunch: $8 one or both days provided by American Legion Auxiliary. Free admission. face book.com/events/1228801554644129/? ref=newsfeed ----------------------

STORYTIME: 10:30am, Leland Town ship Library, Leland. Enjoy stories & more for young children aged 0-6 & their caregivers. Free. lelandlibrary.org/ programs-events ----------------------

STORYTIME ADVENTURES: (See Tues., Nov. 15) ----------------------

MERRY MARKETPLACE HOLIDAY

FAIR: 11am-6pm, Crooked Tree Arts Center, TC. Enjoy shopping, workshops, artist demonstrations & more. Each weekend features a different group of artists & artisans. crookedtree.org/ event/ctac-traverse-city/merry-market place-holiday-fair-traverse-city

TC BEER WEEK: (See Sat., Nov. 12)

LUNCHEON LECTURE: “STALIN, MAO & HITLER: CLASSICAL MU SIC & TOTALITARIAN REGIMES”: 11:30am, NCMC, Library Conference Center, Petoskey. Interlochen Public Radio’s music director Amanda Sewell, Ph.D, looks at the relationship between classical music & totalitarian regimes in the 20th century. Register. $15. nc mclifelonglearning.com/event-4944480

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

FALL FLORA & FAUNA WITH RE GIONAL CONSERVANCIES: 2pm, Le land Township Library, Leland. Enjoy a program on fall flora & fauna presented by representatives of the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy & the Leela nau Conservancy. They’ll cover interest ing plants & animals that may be visible on protected lands in the region in the fall. Free. lelandlibrary.org/programs-events

HOLIDAY ARTIST MARKET: 3-7pm, Walloon Lake Winery, Petoskey. Jew elry, artwork, woodwork & more. face book.com/events/1580453905740954

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

LADIES OPENING NIGHT: 4-8pm, Downtown Petoskey. Shop downtown merchants - they are open a bit later. Win Downtown Dollar prizes.

LADIES NIGHT: 5:30-10:30pm, The Boathouse on Lake Charlevoix. Dinner, cash bar, music, live & silent auctions, games & more. Proceeds support Help ing Hearts’ Cancer Funds & Christmas Parade. 231-342-3943. $35.

“THE KITCHEN WITCHES”: (See Sat., Nov. 12)

THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL: 7:30pm, Old Town Playhouse, TC. SpongeBob & all of Bikini Bottom face the total annihi lation of their undersea world. A musi cal based on the animated series with songs provided by a host of popular music luminaries. Adults, $28; youth un der 18, $15 (plus fees). tickets.oldtown playhouse.com/TheatreManager/1/ login&event=407

COMEDY WITH SAL DEMILLO: 7:45pm, Traverse City Comedy Club, TC. Sal tackles subjects such as his Ital ian family, culture, sports, & technology with equal agility, taking angles you nev er considered but instantly identify with. $20-$25. traversecitycomedyclub.com

saturday

EARLIER THAN THE BIRD - BOYNE CITY: 7-11am, Downtown Boyne City. Early morn ing shopping event. You will receive special offers if you shop in your pajamas. boynecitymainstreet. com/main-street-events

COPEMISH CRAFT SHOW: 8am-5pm, American Legion Post 531, Copemish. Do your holiday shopping! Lunch: $8 one or both days provided by American Legion Auxiliary. Free admission. face book.com/events/1228801554644129/? ref=newsfeed ----------------------

7TH ANNUAL LAKE CITY HOLIDAY

ARTISAN CRAFT MARKET: 9am-3pm, Lake City High School gym. Featuring 75+ crafter/artisan booths & lots of fam ily fun. Free. facebook.com/LCHACM

BOOK SALE: 9am-3pm, Alden District Library. Held in the Library during the TAAG Craft Show. Featuring books, DVDs, CDs & puzzles. 231-331-4318.

HOLIDAY ARTS & CRAFT SHOW: 9am-3pm, Twp. Community Center, Al den. Presented by Torch Area Artisans Guild. Free door prizes, free admission. ----------------------

HOLIDAY MARKET: 9am-1pm, Harbor Springs History Museum. Presented by the Harbor Springs Farmers Market & Harbor Springs Area Historical Society. Stock up on local foods, gifts & artisan goods. 231-526-9771. ----------------------

2ND ANNUAL SANTA’S WORKSHOP CRAFT & VENDOR EXPO!: 10am, The Ellison Place, Gaylord. 8-9:30am: Breakfast with Santa. 10am-3pm: San ta’s Workshop Craft & Vendor Expo! Along with The Home Depot Kids Work shop, Storytime with Santa, Picture with Santa, & more. $1. facebook.com/ events/458833369010620

ANNUAL FRIENDS & FAMILY EVENT: Downtown Suttons Bay. Shoppers will enjoy storewide discounts & sales at participating businesses. Also, help pack the pantry at Leelanau Christian Neighbors by bringing non-perishable

food & personal hygiene items to partici pating businesses.

DEER WIDOWS WEEKEND CRAFT SHOW: 10am-5pm, Indian River Ma sonic Lodge. Join Made in Cheboygan for a craft show featuring 30 vendors. Offering handmade jewelry, toys, hats, bath & body products & more. facebook. com/madeincheboygan

DOWNTOWN BELLAIRE HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE: Downtown Bellaire. Gifts, holiday decor, food & drink. All day.

MERRY MARKETPLACE HOLIDAY FAIR: (See Fri., Nov. 18, except today’s time is 10am-3pm.)

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

TC WEST SENIOR HIGH CRAFT SHOW: 10am-3pm, TC West Senior High. Over 90 vendors will be selling homemade goods including holiday wreaths, knitted hats, soaps, lotions, food & much more. 231-218-1805. ----------------------

POP-UP BOOK SALE: 11am, Glen Lake Library, Empire. Find gently used books at bargain prices. Free. glenlake library.net

MAKE A GIFT WORKSHOP: 2-4pm, Interlochen Public Library. All ages are welcome. This event combines Make a Gift & Make a Gift, Jr. craft supplies. Volunteers will be available for kiddos, teens & adults to make a few gifts this holiday season. 231-276-6767. Free.

PRINCESS GALA: SOLD OUT: 4:307pm, Inn at Bay Harbor, Arlington Ball room, lower level. Join seven Disney-in spired characters for a fairytale evening. Enjoy a dinner buffet, character perfor mances, interactive activities, dancing, & meet-&-greets & photos with the char acters. Dress-up & costumes encour aged. $49. innatbayharbor.com/events/ princess-gala

HUNTER’S SUPPER: Summit City Grange, Kingsley. 5pm dinner; 7:30pm raffle. Benefits Historical Summit City Grange Hall. $10 adults, $4 children.

DOWNTOWN TC LIGHT PARADE, SANTA’S ARRIVAL & TREE LIGHTING: Head to Front St. for festivities beginning at 5:30pm, including caroling. The light parade begins at 6:30pm. downtowntc. com/downtown-light-parade

COMEDY FOR COMMUNITY: 6:30pm, The Truck Stop, 902 West 13th St., Ca dillac. Presented by Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency (NMCAA) with Steve Sabo to raise awareness that homelessness is no laughing mat ter. All proceeds from this event will benefit the NMCAA Homeless Preven tion Programs. Ticket price includes dinner & the show. $35/person. event brite.com/e/comedy-for-community-tick ets-441014575467 NORTHERN MICHIGAN CHORALE

sing thanks to veterans, first responders, & health care workers for their continued support of community & country. The per formance includes Christmas favorites & a sing-along. $12-$15. greatlakescfa.org/ events/detail/heartland-holidays

“THE KITCHEN WITCHES”: (See Sat., Nov. 12)

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

COMEDY WITH SAL DEMILLO: (See Sat., Nov. 18, except tonight’s time is 7:30pm.)

THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL: (See Fri., Nov. 18)

TRAVERSE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA MAESTRO SERIES: 7:30pm, Historic Barns Park, The Cathedral Barn, TC. A duo guitar concert featuring concert guitarists Matthew Cochran & Michael Kudirka. $49. traversesymphony.org

sunday

DEER WIDOWS WEEKEND CRAFT SHOW: (See Sat., Nov. 19, except today’s time is 10am-3pm.) -------------

SUGAR PLUM FAIRY TEA: 1-3pm, Stafford’s Perry Hotel, Petoskey. Children of all ages can enjoy festive activities with principal performers of the Crooked Tree Arts Center School of Ballet’s “The Nutcracker.” Each

reservation includes tea or lemon ade, sweet & savory treats, tea sand wiches, a reading of “The Nutcracker” story & a ticket to a performance of “The Nutcracker.” Tea for two: $90; additional guest: $45. crookedtree. org/event/ctac-petoskey/sugar-plumfairy-tea-1

THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL: (See Fri., Nov. 18, except today’s time is 2pm.)

JAZZ (LATE) BRUNCH W/ BILL SEARS QUARTET WSG BOB JAMES: 3pm, GT Circuit, TC. Featur ing Chateau Chantal wine & food from Edson Farms. For reservations email: gtcircuitjazz@gmail.com $20 suggest ed donation.

NMC CHILDREN’S CHOIRS FALL

CONCERT: 3-5pm, Lars Hockstad Au ditorium, TC. Enjoy holiday songs from around the world. $8-$13. nmc.edu/ programs/academic-programs/music/ concert-dates.html#smtx-click

NORTHERN MICHIGAN CHORALE PRESENTS: HEARTLAND HOLI DAYS: (See Sat., Nov. 19, except to day’s time is 3pm.)

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

TRAVERSE SYMPHONY ORCHES

TRA MAESTRO SERIES: (See Sat., Nov. 19, except today’s time is 3pm.)

helping hands

HARVEST FOOD & SUPPLY DRIVE: Held at Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan & Gold Mine Resale Shops, Petoskey. Help support survivors & their family members who utilize Safe Home Services. The Safe Home is oper ated 24/7 by Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan. It is a caring, secure & supportive place to seek refuge from domestic abuse & sexual assault when home is not a safe place to live. Grocery or supermarket gift card donations & fi nancial contributions help Safe Home staff purchase exactly what is needed at any given time. Nonperishable donations are also accepted. wrcnm.org/get-involved/ safe-home-needs

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

TOYS FOR TOTS: Help “stuff the bus” – Health Department of Northwest Michigan’s (HDNW) mobile unit. Gifts needed for ages 10+: 26-in. bikes, per sonal hygiene kits, wallets, costume jewelry, Legos & Cocomelon, Nerf guns, Mega blocks, hairdryers, curling irons & hair scrunchies, & lotions & body wash. Unwrapped gifts may be dropped into the Toys for Tots collection boxes at HDNW’s Bellaire (209 Portage Dr.), Charlevoix (220 W. Garfield), Harbor Springs/Petoskey (3434 M-119, Ste A, Harbor Springs), & Gaylord (95 Livings ton Blvd.) offices. Donations should be made by noon, Weds., Nov. 30.

ongoingGREAT DECISIONS IN THE LIBRARY: Leelanau Township Library, Northport. Runs for eight Tuesdays from 1:303:30pm through Nov. 29. Great Deci sions is America’s largest discussion program on world affairs. Class ma terials provided. Register. leelanauto wnshiplibrary.org/news-events/lib-cal/ great-decisions-in-library

DIALECTICAL BEHAVIORAL THERAPY GROUP: Fridays, 1-3pm through Nov. 18. 856 N. Mitchell St., Cadillac. Learn skills for managing difficult emo tions, mindfulness, coping skills for distress tolerance & skills for setting boundaries with others. Group limited to 10 people. Register: 231-846-4495.

HEALING PRIVATE WOUNDS RE COVERY GROUP: Thursdays, 5:307pm through Nov. 17. 856 N. Mitchell St., Cadillac. A 10 week recovery pro gram. For adults who have been sexu ally abused. Explore ways to heal from sexual abuse trauma. Register: 231846-4495.

BELLAIRE WINTER FARMERS MAR KET: Fridays, 9am-noon, Nov. 11 – May 12. Held at 3 locations: Bee Well Mead & Cider, Short’s Brewing Co., & Terrain, Bellaire. ----------------------

THE VILLAGE INDOOR FARMERS MARKET: Saturdays, 10am-2pm

through Dec. 17. The Village at GT Commons, Mercato, TC. Fresh pro duce, eggs, pastries, honey, jams & more. thevillagetc.com

art3RD ANNUAL ART TREE SHOW: Higher Art Gallery, TC. More than 15 lo cal & national artists. Small works of art displayed on the Art Tree. Runs Nov. 15 - Dec. 24. higherartgallery.com

TOGETHER THROUGH ART: CROOKED TREE PAINTERS’ STUDIO EXHIBITION: Runs through Dec. 22 at Crooked Tree Arts Center, Atrium Gal lery, Petoskey. The CT Painters’ Studio aims to encourage artistic expression in all media & at all levels.

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

JRAC GIFT MARKET: Jordan River Arts Council, East Jordan, Nov. 13 - Dec. 17. Featuring gifts for giving by local artists, including paintings, collages, jewelry, scarves, baskets, cards & Christmas decorations. jordanriverarts.com

CHARLEVOIX CIRCLE HOLIDAY MARKET: Charlevoix Circle of Arts, Nov. 18 - Dec. 30. Closed Sundays. A festive, handmade, shopping experience featur ing more than 40 local artists & makers. charlevoixcircle.org/exhibits-2022

SMALL WORKS HOLIDAY EXHIBIT: Glen Arbor Arts Center. An annual showcase of 2D + 3D work that offers small, original art at affordable prices; $150 or less. Runs Nov. 4 through Dec. 15, & features over 100 works of art, 12 x 12 or smaller, by 17 artists working in mixed media, collage, pa per, painting, wood, clay & photogra phy. glenarborart.org ----------------------

TRAVERSE AREA CAMERA CLUB MEMBER SHOWCASE EXHIBIT: Tra verse Area District Library, TC. Photo graphic exhibit by members of the Tra verse Area Camera Club runs through Nov. 18. tacameraclub.org ----------------------

SHIPWRECKS OF THE MANITOU PASSAGE EXHIBIT: Runs through Dec. 30 at Leelanau Historical Society Museum, Leland. This exhibit illus trates the stories of the ships, steam ers & crews lost in the Manitou Pas sage, the waters that surround the Leelanau Peninsula & its islands. lee lanauhistory.org/exhibits

CROOKED TREE ARTS CENTER, TC: - “HONKY TONK: PHOTOGRAPHS BY HENRY HORENSTEIN”: Runs through Nov. 12 in Cornwell Gallery. A collection of photographs documenting the chang ing world of country music. crookedtree. org/event/ctac-traverse-city/honky-tonkphotographs-henry-horenstein-tc

- SMALL WORLDS: JURIED EXHI

BITION OF SMALL WORKS: Runs through Nov. 12 in Carnegie Galler ies. Nearly 100 original works of art no larger than 12” in any dimension fill the galleries. This juried exhibition opportu nity was open to artists working across the United States. 93 artists from 29 states were selected for this exhibition. crookedtree.org/event/ctac-traverse-

city/small-worlds-juried-exhibitionsmall-works

DENNOS MUSEUM CENTER, NMC, T - “JASON S. YI: DISSIMULATIONS”: Runs through Dec. 23. Jason S. Yi is an interdisciplinary artist working in pho tography, video, sculpture, drawing, & site-specific installations. Immigrating from South Korea to the United States at an early age, his work is conceived through a bi-cultural lens & interrogates the notion of perception’s equivalence to reality.

- 2022 ANNUAL CAPE DORSET PRINT COLLECTION: Runs through Nov. 27. In this collection of 34 prints by 15 art ists, there is a diverse array of themes & techniques that showcase each artist’s individual voice.

INFINITE SPLENDOR, INFINITE LIGHT: Runs through Dec. 23. Two years after graduating from DePauw University in 1953, Bruce Walker be came a case officer with the Central Intelligence Agency. As a CIA officer, Walker participated in the Tibetan resis tance project (code name ST CIRCUS) in its earliest stages, only six years after the Chinese People’s Liberation Army invaded Tibet & captured the capital city of Lhasa. In 2002, Walker donated his 66-piece collection of Tibetan thangkas, works on paper, & religious objects to DePauw University. dennosmuseum. org/art/now-on-view/index.html

AVAILABLEORDERS 231-252-4157

Sun-Tues Noon-10pm • Thurs 4pm-10pm

• Fri-Sat Noon-11pm (kitchen open noon-10pm Fri & Sat) closed Wed

DRINK SPECIALS (3-6 Monday-Friday): $2 well drinks, $2 domestic drafts, $2.50 domestic bottles, $5 Hornitos margarita SUNDAY - $6 Ketel One Bloody Mary & $4 Mimosas

DAILY FOOD SPECIALS (3-6pm): Mon- $1 chips and salsa Tues- $1 enchiladas Thurs - $5 fried veggies Fri - $5 hot pretzels w/ beer cheese

6:30-9:30

221 E State St. - downtown TC

Grand Traverse & Kalkaska

BRADY'S BAR, TC

11/12 -- Blair Miller, 6:30

BREW, TC

11/17 -- Jeff Socia, 6-8

ENCORE 201, TC 11/12 & 11/18 -- DJ Ricky T, 9 11/19 -- One Hot Robot & DJ Ricky T Mash-up, 8

FANTASY’S, TC

DJ

LEFT FOOT CHARLEY, TC

BARREL ROOM: 11/12 -- Weston Buchan, 5 11/14 & 11/19 -- Barrels & Beats w/ Rob Coonrod, 6

LIL BO, TC

Tues. – Trivia, 8-10 Weds. – Aldrich, 9 Sun. – Karaoke, 8

NORTH BAR TC

11/18 -- Jesse Jefferson, 7-10

THE GT CIRCUIT, TC

11/20 -- Jazz (Late) Brunch w/ Bill Sears Quartet wsg Bob James, 3

THE PARLOR, TC

11/12 -- Dave Crater, 6-9 11/16 -- Wink, 7-10 11/18 -- Drew Hale, 7-10 11/19 -- Jazz Cabbage, 7-10

THE WORKSHOP BREWING CO., TC

11/12 -- Brandon Z. Smith, 7 11/14 -- Big Fun Jam Band, 6 11/15 -- Jesse Jefferson, 7-10 11/15 -- Open Mic & Musical Talent Showcase, 7 11/16 -- Jazz Show & Jam, 6 11/18 -- The Lavender Lions, 7 11/19 -- Stonefolk Americana Band, 8

THIRSTY FISH SPORTS GRILLE, TC 11/15 -- Tuesday Trivia, 7-9

Antrim & Charlevoix

PATIO, 6:30-9:30: 11/12 -- Stonehengz 11/18 -- TC Knuckleheads 11/19 -- EBD

TRAVERSE CITY COMEDY CLUB, TC 11/12 -- Good On Paper Improv Troupe, 8 11/18 -- Comedy with Sal Demillo, 7:45 11/19 -- Comedy with Sal Demillo, 7:30

UNION STREET STATION, TC

11/12 -- Not Quite Canada, 10 11/13 & 11/20 -- Video DJ Dance Party, 10 11/15 -- Open Mic Comedy, 8-9:30; then Electric Open Mic 11/16 -- DJ Leo, 10 11/17 -- Skin Kwon Doe, 10 11/18 -- Happy Hour w/ Chris Smith; then Stonehengz 11/19 -- Stonehengz, 10

nitelife

nov 12-nov 20

edited by jamie kauffold

Send Nitelife to: events@traverseticker.com

BC LANES, BOYNE CITY

11/12 -- Delilah DeWylde, 8

HELLO VINO, BELLAIRE

11/12 -- Jessica, 5:30-8:30

PROVISIONS WINE LOUNGE, BOYNE CITY

11/19 -- Nelson Olstrom, 6

SHORT'S BREW PUB, BELLAIRE 8-10:30: 11/12 -- Chuk Light 11/19 -- Brett Mitchell

TORCH

LAKE CAFÉ, CENTRAL LAKE

Mon. – Karaoke & Open Mic Night, 7 Tues. – Dominic Fortuna, 6:30 Weds. – Lee Malone & Sandy Metiva, 6:30 Thurs. – Nick Vasquez, 7 Fri. & Sat. – Leanna Collins & Ivan Greiick, 8

MANISTEE, WEXFORD & MISSAUKEE

LITTLE RIVER CASINO RESORT, MANISTEE

11/12 – Australia’s Thunder

From Down Under, 8-10:30

Emmet & Cheboygan

BEARDS BREWERY, PETOS

KEY

11/12 -- Radel Rosin, 5 11/13 -- Owen James: Second Sunday Solo Set, 4 11/19 -- The Owen James Trio, 5 11/20 -- Charlie Millard - Pub Piano, 4

BOYNE VALLEY VINEYARDS, PETOSKEY 2-6: 11/12 -- Chase & Allie

11/19 -- Chris Calleja

CITY PARK GRILL, PETOSKEY 11/18 -- Annex Karaoke, 9:30

MAMMOTH DISTILLING, BAY HARBOR 6-9: 11/12 -- Jeff Greif 11/18 -- The Real Ingredients

MOOSE JAW JUNCTION, PELLSTON Thu -- Talent Contest, 6-8

ODAWA CASINO RESORT, PETOSKEY

OVATION HALL: 11/12 -- Canaan Smith, 8 VICTORIES, 10: 11/18 -- DJ 11/19 -- Herb The Artist

THE BEAU, CHEBOYGAN

11/12 -- Myk Rise, 8 11/18 -- Dede & The Dreamers, 7:30 11/19 -- Nate King, 8

BROOMSTACK KITCHEN & TA PHOUSE, MAPLE CITY

Tue -- Pat Niemisto & Chris Skellenger, 6-9

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

IRON FISH DISTILLERY, THOMPSONVILLE 5-7:

11/12 -- Wink 11/19 -- The Feral Cats

Leelanau & Benzie

LAKE ANN BREWING CO.

11/12 -- Andre Villoch, 6:309:30

11/18 -- 1000 Watt Prophets, 6:30-9:30

11/19 -- Silver Creek Revival, 5:30-8:30

LEELANAU SANDS CASINO, PESHAWBESTOWN 11/18 -- Timothy Michael Thay er, 8

ST. AMBROSE CELLARS, BEU LAH 5:30-8:30:

11/12 -- The Duges 11/17 -- Open Mic Night w/ Jeff Louwsma 11/18 -- The Feral Cats

STORMCLOUD BREWING CO., FRANKFORT 7-9: 11/12 -- Luke Woltanski 11/19 -- Jake Frysinger

Otsego, Crawford & Central

BENNETHUM'S NORTHERN INN, GAYLORD

11/15 -- Pete Kehoe, 5-8

BIG BUCK BREWERY, GAY LORD

11/12 -- Nelson Olstrom, 6 11/18 -- Lou Thumser, 6-9

11/19 -- Buck in a Truck, 11am-3pm

Playing their first show in Traverse City are The Lavender Lions! You’ll hear them at The Workshop Brewing Co. on Fri., Nov. 18 at 7pm, weaving their sounds and songs inspired by nature, love and life experiences into whimsical storytelling.

BY ROB BREZSNY

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Many Virgos are on a lifelong quest to cultivate a knack described by Sigmund Freud: "In the small matters, trust the mind. In the large ones, the heart." And I suspect you are now at a pivotal point in your efforts to master that wisdom. Important decisions are looming in regards to both small and large matters. I believe you will do the right things as long as you empower your mind to do what it does best and your heart to do what it does best.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Social media like Facebook and Twitter feed on our outrage. Their algorithms are designed to stir up our disgust and indignation. I confess that I get semicaught in their trap. I am sometimes seduced by the temptation to feel lots of umbrage and wrath, even though those feelings comprise a small minority of my total emotional range. As an antidote, I proactively seek experiences that rouse my wonder and sublimity and holiness. In the next two weeks, Libra, I invite you to cultivate a focus like mine. It's high time for a phase of minimal anger and loathing—and maximum reverence and awe.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Scorpio author Sylvia Plath had a disturbing, melodramatic relationship with romance. In one of her short stories, for example, she has a woman character say, "His love is the twenty-story leap, the rope at the throat, the knife at the heart." I urge you to avoid contact with people who think and feel like that—as glamorous as they might seem. In my view, your romantic destiny in the coming months can and should be uplifting, exciting in healthy ways, and conducive to your well-being. There's no need to link yourself with shadowy renegades when there will be plenty of radiant helpers available.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): How would you respond if you learned that the $55 t-shirt you're wearing was made by a Haitian kid who earned 10 cents for her work? Would you stop wearing the shirt? Donate it to a thrift store? Send money to the United Nations agency UNICEF, which works to protect Haitian child laborers? I recommend the latter option. also suggest you use this as a prompt to engage in leisurely meditations on what you might do to reduce the world's suffering. It's an excellent time to stretch your imagination to understand how your personal life is interwoven with the lives of countless others, many of whom you don't even know. And I hope you will think about how to offer extra healings and blessings not just to your allies, but also to strangers. What's in it for you? Would this bring any selfish benefits your way? You may be amazed at how it leads you to interesting connections that expand your world.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Aquarian philosopher Alfred North Whitehead wrote, "The silly question is the first intimation of some totally new development." He also said, "Every really new idea looks crazy at first." With these thoughts in mind, Aquarius, I will tell you that you are now in the Season of the Silly Question. I invite you to enjoy dreaming up such queries. And as you indulge in that fertile pleasure, include another: Celebrate the Season of Crazy Ideas.

PISCES (Feb 19-March 20): We all love to follow stories: the stories we live, the stories that unfold for people we know, and the stories told in movies, TV shows, and books. A disproportionately high percentage of the entertainment industry's stories are sad or tormented or horrendously painful. They influence us to think such stories

are the norm. They tend to darken our view of life. While would never try to coax you to avoid all those stories, Pisces, I will encourage you to question whether maybe it's wise to limit how many you absorb. The coming weeks will be an excellent time to explore this possibility. Be willing to say, "These sad, tormented, painful stories are not ones I want to invite into my imagination."

Try this experiment: For the next three weeks, seek out mostly uplifting tales.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Virginia Woolf wrote a passage that I suspect will apply to you in the coming weeks. She said, "There is no denying the wild horse in us. To gallop intemperately; fall on the sand tired out; to feel the earth spin; to have — positively — a rush of friendship for stones and grasses — there is no getting over the fact that this desire seizes us." Here's my question for you, Aries: How will you harness your wild horse energy? I'm hoping that the self-possessed human in you will take command of the horse and direct it to serve you and yours with constructive actions. It's fine to indulge in some intemperate galloping, too. But I'll be rooting for a lot of temperate and disciplined galloping.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): I like Sagittarian healer and author Caroline Myss because she's both spiritual and practical, compassionate and fierce. Here's a passage from her work that I think will be helpful for you in the coming weeks: "Get bored with your past. It's over! Forgive yourself for what you think you did or didn't do, and focus on what you will do, starting now." To ensure you make the most of her counsel, I'll add a further insight from author Augusten Burroughs: "You cannot be a prisoner of your past against your will— because you can only live in the past inside your mind." ACROSS

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): "The failure of love might account for most of the suffering in the world," writes poet Marie Howe. I agree with that statement. Many of us have had painful episodes revolving around people who no longer love us and people whose lack of love for us makes us feel hurt. That's the bad news, Taurus. The good news is that you now have more power than usual to heal the failures of love you have endured in the past. You also have an expanded capacity to heal others who have suffered from the failures of love. I hope you will be generous in your ministrations!

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Many Geminis tell me they are often partly awake as they sleep. In their dreams, they might work overtime trying to solve waking-life problems. Or they may lie in bed in the dark contemplating intricate ideas that fascinate them, or perhaps ruminating on the plot developments unfolding in a book they've been reading or a TV show they've been bingeing. If you are prone to such behavior, will ask you to minimize it for a while. In my view, you need to relax your mind extra deeply and allow it to play luxuriously with non-utilitarian fantasies and dreams. You have a sacred duty to yourself to explore mysterious and stirring feelings that bypass rational thought.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Here are my two key messages for you. 1. Remember where you hide important stuff. 2. Remember that you have indeed hidden some important stuff. Got that? Please note that am not questioning your urge to lock away a secret or two. I am not criticizing you for wanting to store a treasure that you are not yet ready to use or reveal. It's completely understandable if you want to keep a part of your inner world off-limits to certain people for the time being. But as you engage in any or all of these actions, make sure you don't lose touch with your valuables. And don't forget why you are stashing them.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): I know don't have to give you lessons in expressing your sensuality. Nor do you need prods and encouragement to do so. As a Leo, you most likely have abundant talent in the epicurean arts. But as you prepare to glide into the lush and lusty heart of the Sensuality Season, it can't hurt to offer you a pep talk from your fellow Leo bon vivant, James Baldwin. He said: "To be sensual is to respect and rejoice in the force of life, of life itself, and to be present in all that one does, from the effort of loving to the breaking of bread."

CLASSIFIEDS

“Jonesin” Crosswords

Trevor Noah's soon-to-be former gig, briefly

Winner of the 2022 World Series

Bring together

Eight, in France

"For real"

CLASSIFIEDS

VINTAGE DRUMST: Drum sets (3) All vintage, all in perfect condition At any age these three sets are For you drum set players Ludwig 1961 blue onyx 4 piece set 1971 set Ludwig lemon sparkle 6 piece 1965 slingerland set grey black onyx 5 piece set. Will sell symbals with a set . Call or email for more info

COTTAGE FOR RENT: Traverse City, Very Nice 1 BR Cottage, W/D, A/C, Fully Furnished, All Utilities Included, Cable TV, Month-to-Month to One Year, No Pets; $1,600 mo., 231-631-7512.

GREAT LAKES HOME CARE UNLIMITED IN HOME HEALTHCARE: Looking for Amazing, Caring and Reliable caregivers to make a difference by helping people stay home and independent. One on one care and you can set your own schedule. Call 231668-4171! Servicing all of Northern Michigan. Great extra income or full time career.

FALL YARD CLEANING: We offer great prices on yard cleaning & removal Jeff 231-633-5519 Thank you.

SEWING, ALTERATIONS, MENDING & REPAIRS. Maple City, Maralene Roush 231-228-6248

HIGH END RESIDENTIAL SHOP SEEKS SKILLED CRAFTSMEN: Custom residential cabinet shop seeks qualified craftsmen/women for multiple positions. If you have the talent, the drive and would like a career as a real "maker", contact us now

PAID PART-TIME TRAINING FOR SENIORS 55+: PAID PART-TIME POSITIONS IN TRAVERSE, BENZIE, MANISTEE: Receptionist, File Clerk, Customer Service and Cashier, Sort and Stocking. Applicants must be age 55 and

over, unemployed and seeking work. Must meet program eligibility. Earn extra $$ and gain work experience. To find out if you qualify contact the AARP Foundation SCSEP office, 231-252-4544.

YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE BEGINS AT TCRV: Available now at TCRV: 2022 JAYCO REDHAWK 22C, 2021 REDHAWK 31F, and 2021 MELBOURNE 24L CLASS C MOTORHOMES. These are all like new with low miles, fresh from our rental fleet, and ready to take you on your next adventure. Stop in for a look at TCRV or at www.tcrv. com. For more information, please contact Craig at 231-943-4050 or 231-409-8080.

GRAND TRAVERSE REGIONAL LAND CONSERVANCY OFFICE MANAGER POSITION The Grand

ADVERTISEMENT

Traverse Regional Land Conservancy seeks Office Manager to join our team. https://www.gtrlc.org/about/job-openings/

Collaboration allows Ankerson to earn degree, job and stay in northern Michigan

Michele Coffill Grand Valley State University

Through a collaboration between two community colleges, McKenzie Ankerson was able to stay in northern Michigan and earn a degree for the job she wanted.

Ankerson earned an associate degree in respiratory therapy from Muskegon Community College, which partnered with Northwestern Michigan College and Munson Medical Center to offer the program in Traverse City. Ankerson completed her general classes at NMC and the clinical courses at Munson.

“Doing the clinicals gave me an idea of what I wanted to do. We did job shadowing and rotated among all the hospital departments to learn how a respiratory therapist works in each area,” she said.

Ankerson finished her associate degree in December 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic when the term “ventilator’ became common vernacular. She was hired to work at Munson on the general hospital floors and this past January moved to the neonatal intensive care unit.

It’s the same neonatal unit Ankerson and her twin brother spent time in when they were born 10 weeks early and stayed in the unit for six weeks before going home. “One of the nurses remembered our family,” she said.

The graduate of Traverse City West High School said she excelled in math and science classes during

high school and entered NMC knowing she wanted to do something in the medical field. It was a family connection that led Ankerson to respiratory therapy.

“My grandpa used to need oxygen and I remember people coming to his house with new tanks and the care they showed him,” she said.

As demonstrated at the height of the pandemic, there is a critical need for respiratory therapists.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a 23 percent increase in the occupation from 2020-2030.

As a busy health care professional working the third-shift, Grand Valley State University’s Allied Health Science Professional Degree completion program (HDC) was a great fit for Ankerson. The program provided the necessary flexibility for her to continue working in the hospital, and use most of her Respiratory Therapy courses towards her bachelor’s degree. This unique program allowed Ankerson to transfer up to 80 credits while completing 40 at GVSU to earn her degree. She expects to graduate in April.

“I wanted to get a bachelor’s degree in case I want to change careers at some point,” she said.

The hybrid class schedule allows for great flexibility, Ankerson said. “The faculty are great to work with,” she said.

Health Professional Degree (AHS-HPD)

The Health Professional Degree (AHS-HPD) completion program is designed to provide a path for health care professionals who have an associate degree and want to earn a bachelor’s degree. The AHS-HPD major is designed to complement health professionals’ careers for advancement or preparation for entry into graduate health programs.

McKenzie Ankerson at Munson Medical Center