top ten this week’s

Choose to Run with Des Linden

Just after wrapping up the Boston Marathon, Charlevoix resident, Olympian, and 2018 Boston Marathon winner Des Linden will be at Petoskey High School Auditorium on Thursday, April 27, at 5:30pm to talk about her new book, Choosing to Run. The event, presented by McLean & Eakin Booksellers, will take you through both Linden’s triumphs and greatest challenges of her career. Must RSVP: mcleanandeakin.com/event.

4

Mushroom Mania

Did someone say morels? (Shh!) While everyone has their secret spot for those spongy spring delicacies, what shouldn’t be a mystery is how to identify the wild mushrooms commonly found in northern Michigan. Great Lakes Treats and Catering is offering a workshop at the Cathedral Barn at the Village at Grand Traverse Commons to help you learn how to spot 20 wild mushrooms you might come across on a hike, in your own backyard, or at your favorite farmers market. You’ll even get to try a few fungi while you’re at it! After the presentation (which runs about two and a half hours), attendees can participate in an optional mushroom hunt along the trails at the Commons. The class is held from 12pm to 4pm on Sunday, April 30, at 238 E. 10th Street in Traverse City. Sign up for $40 per person and get more information at greatlakestreats.com/class-offerings.

Hey, read it! Sea Change

When readers first meet Ro, she’s long overdue for a change of sea-nery. She’s just hit 30, and while everyone else around her seems to be making power moves— her best friend Yoonhee is planning a wedding, and her boyfriend, Tae, has just broken things off to join a mission to colonize Mars—Ro’s stuck working the same aquarium job she’s had since graduating college. Besides drowning her sorrows in “sharktinis” alone on her sofa night after night, the lone bright spot in her day is a giant octopus named Dolores, whom her father discovered before his mysterious disappearance. When Dolores is sold to a private collector, something inside Ro snaps into place. But before she can piece her life back together, she’ll have to reckon with waves of long-suppressed trauma…or else be consumed by her past. From debut author Gina Chung comes the highly-anticipated Sea Change . At once fantastic and painfully realistic, this novel earns a solid 8/8 tentacles.

Veggie burgers can be hit or miss, but we never miss a chance to nosh on the Black Bean Burger ($14) when we visit Taproot Cider House in downtown Traverse City. These housemade patties are packed with flavor and vegetarian-friendly ingredients for a filling alternative to the usual beef. Chipotle mayo takes the heat up a notch, while toppings like avocado and MI cheddar—plus the standard lettuce and tomatoes—finish it off. If you’re a more-ismore kind of person, you can also add crispy bacon, pickled jalapeños, onion, mushrooms, and/or pickles for a small additional charge. Vegan diners have the option to sub for vegan gouda (+$2), and you can stick with the delicious standard bun or go gluten free (+$3.50). Customize at will, and enjoy. Find Taproot Cider House at 300 E. Front Street (at the corner of Front and Park streets) in Traverse City. (231) 943-2500, taproottc.com

6 An Alpaca Afternoon

Cancel your plans for the weekend, because you’re headed to Cotton Creek Farms in Thompsonville. Why? For the alpacas, of course! The farm’s Spring Open Farm Weekend runs April 29 and 30, with lots of free family fun alongside our floofy friends. And we mean floofy— the alpacas will still have their winter coats, with shearing scheduled for May, so they’re at their absolute cutest. You’ll get to meet the alpacas—and Llama Lucy—enjoy food from Howard’s Great Lakes Grill, and shop the farm’s store full of alpaca products. Although the event is free, visitors are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items or a small donation to benefit the Buckley Food Pantry, which serves 200 households and families in the region. Join in the fun from 10am to 4pm on both Saturday and Sunday at 11885 Jewell Road in Thompsonville. For more details, head to cottoncreekfarms.com.

Stop the Spread (of Oak Wilt)

We’re all feeling the itch to get out in the yard and spruce things up, but the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has issued a notice to keep the chainsaw away from your oak trees between April 15 and July 15. That window is prime season for oak wilt as nitidulid beetles—also known as sap beetles—carry the dangerous fungus spores from tree to tree. If an oak has been pruned, it’s that much easier for the fungus and accompanying disease to take hold. According to the DNR, oak wilt can “weaken white oaks and kill red oaks within a few weeks.” They recommend that if you have an oak tree that sustains damage over the next few months, “immediately cover all wounds with tree-wound paint or latex-based paint.” If you think one of your trees has oak wilt (wilting from the top down, with green and/or brown leaves falling), visit michiganoakwilt.org to get connected with a specialist who can help stop the spread.

Stuff We Love: The Perfect Dinner Party

Summer is almost here—we’re sure of it! And with summer comes backyard BBQs, dinners on the patio, and picnics packed for days full of fun in the sun. The only not-so-fun part is having food waste at the end of the evening, but Antrim Conservation District has turned us onto the perfect tool for planning those big meals for your family and friends. Meet The Guestimator, “a dinner party calculator that estimates how much food you need to keep your guests full and happy.” A short, 3-question quiz asks you about the number in your party, what their appetites are generally like, whether or not you want leftovers, and then you can build out your menu in real time. The results? The literal pounds and ounces of food you’ll need for dinner and dessert, plus tips for balancing dishes and serving sizes. Try The Guestimator on for size at savethefood.com/ guestimator and see if you save on food (and time) at your next gathering.

bottoms up Kingsley Local Brewing’s Mallet

Session IPA

While we love a heavy-hitting beer, the return of sunny days and higher temperatures call for something with a little less impact. Enter: Kingsley Local Brewing’s Mallet Session IPA. Clocking in at just 4 percent ABV, this easy-drinking ale is the lightest of the pub’s hammerthemed suds. It still packs a flavor punch, though, as the brew features a wide assortment of grains and citrusy Simcoe and Mosaic hops (all of which are locally sourced). The result is a gorgeously balanced ale with a dominant grapefruit and resin aroma, offset by notes of fresh bread and caramel. Enjoy it with a spicy curry, or pick up the in-house “pepper-phone-i” for direct access to Papano’s Pizza! Try a pint for $8 at Kingsley Local Brewing (121 S. Brownson Ave., Kingsley) or take home a four-pack for $14. For updates and more information, find them on Facebook and Instagram @kingsleylocalbrewing. (Kingsley Local Brewing is the new sister company of Workshop Brewing in Traverse City.)