National Writers Se ries presents pulitzer prize-winning author
GERALDINE BROOKS!
Just two years ago, Geraldine Brooks was here to talk about her acclaimed novel, Horse . On February 8, she returns to talk about her memoir, Memorial Days, which goes deep into her personal life, beginning when she first fell in love and married Tony Horwitz, a war correspondent like herself.
In this poignant work, Brooks reflects on the tragic loss of her husband, Tony, who passed away unexpectedly during a book tour in Washington, D.C., on Memorial Day. At that time, she found herself unable to properly mourn his death due to the overwhelming paperwork and decisions that always come at the end of one's life. This book serves as a tribute to their life together while emphasizing the crucial need for the bereaved to have the time and space necessary to process their grief.
Please join us and NPR's Jacki Lyden as guest host for what will be an amazing, meaningful conversation.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8 • 7 PM
In-person at Lars Hockstad Auditorium + Livestreamed For tickets, visit NationalWritersSeries.org
SCAN TO LEARN MORE!
Music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Choreography by Joseph Morrissey
Conductor Dr. Leslie B. Dunner, Music performed by Traverse City Philharmonic and Interlochen Arts Academy Orchestra
The Earth Will Heal—If We Let It
Remember the COVID shutdown when we were forced to stay home and reduce our consumption and the destruction it causes? Immediately the air and seas began clearing up. It was reported that vistas were visible that had been obscured by smog for decades, and seas were clearer than they had been in recent memory because ships weren’t churning up the sediments. The soil even showed signs of improvement—just because we stopped adding to the problems we had created.
It was reported that, because our bad behavior stopped, wildlife showed signs of less stress. Birds no longer had to try abnormally hard to be heard, simply because we weren’t making so much noise, and wildlife was seen in places it hadn’t been simply because people were not there to intrude.
I love the out-of-doors I always have—I always will. I’ve spent my entire life deriving pleasure from the countless wonders it affords, all without charge. I can spend hours right at home, sitting still, feeling the warmth of the sun, silently watching the wildlife going about its daily routine to live and survive or quietly listening to birds singing joyfully, their tones so pure, so perfect, so happy, so free. I cherish the sound of the wind caressing pine needles—enticing them to whisper secrets the trees only know. I don’t care to, nor do I need to, pry.
I’m grateful for this beautiful planet and I respect and revere our Mother Earth above all else. I only wish all others did as much, or at least enough to stop needlessly destroying it and allowing it time to heal from the senseless damage we have caused. In a way, I miss the days of the COVID shutdown.
Patrick McDuff | Manistee
For What?
Would it surprise you to learn that about 19 percent of the U.S. workforce is made of immigrant workers, both documented and undocumented? And unlike the common perception of foreign-born workers being largely employed in hospitality, agriculture, and construction, the reality is that the largest number of these jobs are in education and health services, which employed over five million immigrants in 2022. Construction is also a major employer of immigrants, with over three million immigrant workers in 2022. (see USA Facts for more detail on the sectors where immigrants play a vital role).
For us here in northwest Michigan, agriculture is the economic engine where immigrants provide the greatest fuel. In Leelanau, Grand Traverse, Benzie, and Manistee, an estimated 1,000 to 5,000 migrant workers are employed in each county to harvest and otherwise assist with our crops. Many of these crops require hand-picking: asparagus, apples, cherries, and blueberries to name a few. What will happen in Michigan if our farm workers fear the same ICE raids and detentions that are now happening in California? Farm workers are afraid to come to work, afraid to send their children to school, and the citrus crops are in danger of rotting on the ground.
Whether you see this as a violation of human rights of hard-working, law-abiding people or an inconvenience that will drive up the costs and the availability of the local produce you love, it’s still a very bad policy. The billions of dollars it will cost to needlessly deport vital members of our workforce will hurt us big time as a country, both economically and morally. And for what?
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Reserve your table and make this Valentine’s Day truly extraordinary.
Greta Bolger | Thompsonville
top ten this week’s
Let’s Get Cooking
You know what goes together like salt and pepper, peanut butter and jelly, or macaroni and cheese? Soup and bread. And good news for you, dear reader, there are two ways to make your own this week. First, on Feb. 5, spring for the NMC Soup’s On Date Night class. Bring your partner or your bestie and learn all about creating winter soups that will warm your belly and your heart. Visit nmc.augusoft.net to see the class (which may be on a waitlist by the time you read this); course fee is $199 for two people and includes a complimentary glass of red or white wine. Bay Bread of TC is hosting its “Get Baked” bread class on Feb. 8 from 1-4pm. $75 covers the instruction, ingredients, and the three to five freshly baked loaves you’ll bring home! Sign up at baybreadco.com.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer brings the young adult version of her memoir True Gretch: Lessons for Anyone Who Wants to Make a Difference to Traverse City’s City Opera House on Friday, Feb. 7, at 7pm. “That Woman from Michigan” has packed this new edition with a Q&A with her two teenage daughters, along with backmatter resources relating to surviving sexual assault and gun violence. Joining Whitmer will be TC’s Chasten Buttigieg, a teacher, advocate, and husband of former presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg. His memoir I Have Something to Tell You was a New York Times bestseller. Tickets: $17.50-$35; proceeds benefit Traverse Bay Children's Advocacy Center. cityoperahouse.org
Hey, read It! Apartment Women 4
When we meet Seo Yojin and her family, they’re the fourth to claim a spot in the exclusive Dream Future Pilot Communal Apartment complex on the outskirts of Seoul. Like the building’s other occupants, they’re hopeful for a fresh start away from the grueling crush of city life, and like the other moms in the block, Yojin’s agreed—on paper, at least—to produce at least three kids to help stabilize the nation’s plummeting birth rate. At first, the neighbors collaborate to create a seamless community. What goes on behind closed doors, though, is a different story, and as each family starts to fracture, so does the illusion of perfection. Everything is not as it seems in internationally bestselling author Gu Byeongmo’s newest novel, slightly dystopic read’s searing commentary on social structure, but stay for the masterful character-building (and the unexpected twist of an ending!).
You read that right—Patisserie Amie is back! Traverse City’s beloved French restaurant closed its doors during the pandemic and was reinvented as Le Métropolitain Cuisine de Rue food truck, which could often be found this summer at TC Whiskey Co. Well, the partnership has gone one step further, with Patisserie Amie returning for pop-up Saturday and Sunday brunch service (10am-1pm) at the stillhouse at 201 E. 14th St. What to order? We can’t say no to the French Waffle ($12) topped with blueberries, chantilly cream, and maple syrup. Bring a friend (and convince them to get the L’McMuffin for a savory treat) and share a meal together! Reservations can be made via OpenTable. For more details, check out facebook.com/ metropolitaintc. (P.S. Stay tuned for monthly Le Métropolitain Supper Clubs starting Feb. 20.)
Winter Fun with Crystal Mountain
It’s a busy week for the slopes in Thompsonville, with a slate of activities at Crystal Mountain throughout the week. On Feb. 5, they’ll partner with radio station Z93 for a night of skiing and popular tunes. From 5-9pm, get discounts on lift tickets, rentals, and dining deals at the Clipper Cafe, all while the music plays. Feb. 7 is college night, where active college students can score a $25 lift ticket from 5pm to close and $25 rentals. Last but not least, the Airsoft Biathlon returns to the mountain Feb. 9, where skiers eight and up will race through a 1-mile cross-country loop with two target stations. The $25 registration includes crosscountry rentals and airsoft equipment. See all events at crystalmountain.com/event-calendar.
Avian Flu Update
This bug has a lot of names—Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), bird flu, or H5N1—and is currently surging, resulting in the culling of hundreds of thousands of livestock and the occasional illness in humans and other animals. Here are a few updates from the Michigan Departments of Agriculture & Rural Development (MDARD) and Natural Resources (DNR). The disease has been found in livestock, domestic animals, and wildlife in the state—primarily poultry but also dairy cows. MDARD has started testing milk samples as part of a federal surveillance program and has resources on their website for farmers and home hobbyists to keep flocks and herds safe. Contact MDARD immediately if you suspect HPAI in domestic birds at (800) 292-3939. The DNR recommends cleaning backyard bird feeders regularly, and if you notice the death of six or more wild birds, file a report with their Eyes in the Field reporting form (www2.dnr.state.mi.us/ors/Survey/4) or call the DNR Wildlife Disease Laboratory at (517) 336-5030.
LoveMonth
Feast of Saint Valentine Wine Dinner Karaoke & Trivia Nights
Featured Cocktails | Coffee-centric
Stuff We Love: NoMi Treasures on TV
Two reality TV shows that demonstrate one person’s junk is another person’s treasure are coming to our neck of the woods this spring and summer. First up is the History Channel’s American Pickers, which will be filming in Michigan this March. For this one, you have a chance to get in on the action! They’re asking folks with private collections to contact americanpickers@cineflix.com as they hunt for “extraordinary, rare, and historical treasures with incredible stories behind them.” Meanwhile, the PBS show Antiques Roadshow will be headed to Charlevoix to film on July 1. For the show’s 30th anniversary, you can enter a ticket sweepstakes to watch the filming. Head to pbs.org/wgbh/roadshow/tickets before the March 24 deadline to enter for a chance at the tickets.
Deciding on our next go-to cocktail is usually a black and white affair—unless the famous Grey Manhattan ($15) is on the menu at Wren in Suttons Bay. This elegant twist on a Black Manhattan—aka, rye whiskey, bitters, and a category of herbal liqueur called amaro—combines velvety Carpano Antica Formula vermouth with bittersweet Amaro Montenegro. Paired with TC Whiskey Co.’s North Coast Rye (though the featured spirit often rotates), a few dashes of Angostura bitters, and (the secret sauce) a touch of salt for balance, the resultant sip is delightfully rich and complex with a warming spice-driven palette. Served up in a coupe glass with a TC Whiskey Co. cherry and an expressed orange peel, this is one drink that knows what it wants! Grab one at Wren in Suttons Bay (303 N. Joseph St.). wrensuttonsbay.com
Wren’s Grey Manhattan
Bottoms Up
FUNCTIONALITY &
spectator
By steven Tuttle
Presidents have near absolute power to issue pardons or commutations for those convicted of federal crimes. Actually, they can issue such clemency for those already convicted of crimes, those currently on trial, or even preemptively for future crimes.
Article II, Section 2, Clause 1 of our constitution spells out this power clearly with exemptions for impeachment, state crimes, and civil actions. But for federal crimes, the power is close to absolute with neither a check nor a balance.
dangerous pardon. That honor would go to his full and unconditional pardon of one Ross Ulbricht.
You may have never heard of Ulbricht or the wildly illegal business he established, but we’ve all read about some of the consequences of his business acumen. Ulbricht created and ran a dark web site called Silk Road from 2011–2013. It was a kind of general store for all things illegal, especially drugs. And he made it difficult to identify buyers or sellers and the death and destruction they were
Joe Biden’s clemency included promises broken and inappropriate benefits for some, including his son. Trump’s clemency, on the other hand, could be downright dangerous.
The result has been a history of clemency for convicted presidential pals, sleazebag fundraisers, scam artists of all sorts, white collar thieves, and, more recently, those committing acts of real violence.
selling. He was one of the first to engage in commerce using Bitcoins for transactions since they are notoriously difficult to trace.
Joe Biden pardoned his son Hunter after telling us he would not. He also pardoned him from future prosecutions for his sleazy dealings with foreign governments, alleged drug use, and sloppy firearm handling. He also preemptively pardoned those who were investigating the Jan. 6 riots at the Capitol Donald Trump said he would prosecute for having done their job.
Biden was accused of loosing murderers on the streets but we can rest easy; in one instance the man was convicted of manslaughter and in the other there has always been doubt as to whether he was involved at all in the deaths of two FBI agents long ago. (The man is now 80, suffering from cancer, not really a threat.)
Which brings us to President Donald Trump’s use of the pardon privilege.
He has pardoned or commuted the sentences of more than 1,600 people involved in the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection despite more than 900 convictions and guilty pleas including hundreds who were either charged with or convicted of violence against police officers. One wonders how proud those sheriffs who supported Trump are knowing 174 officers were injured that day, including 144 who required medical attention. Five officers died as the result of injuries or medical conditions that occurred that day.
Trump and his supporters can try, but they cannot erase the videos of what we all saw nor silence the hateful rhetoric spewed that day. Even scrubbing any mention of the riot from the Department of Justice website will not scrub it from our memories.
At least some of those given a second chance are already repeating the verbal ugliness of Jan. 6 claiming they are seeking “retribution.” Lovely.
Unfortunately, that clemency was neither Trump’s most inappropriate nor his most
Ulbricht’s Libertarian fans—he was and probably is a vocal Libertarian—thought it was just swell he’d found a way around government regulations and offered folks the chance to exercise personal responsibility on their own. Our government begged to differ.
According to testimony at his trial, the government said Ulbricht’s site was responsible for at least $200 million in the sale of illegal drugs, and Ulbricht pocketed $13.8 million in commissions. On 60 different occasions, undercover officers purchased heroin, cocaine, fentanyl, ecstasy, and LSD from sellers in 10 different countries on the Silk Road site.
The site also had sections specifically dedicated to forgery and hacking, and you could buy fully automatic weapons or engage in sex or slave trafficking. The government said at trial they could document at least six deaths tied directly to drugs people purchased on Silk Road.
Ulbricht was convicted of seven major felonies and sentenced to two life-withoutparole terms plus 40 years.
Trump, who referred to those who prosecuted Ulbricht as “thugs”, said he pardoned him “... in honor of her (Ulbricht’s mother who met with Trump at Mar-a-Lago) and the Libertarian movement, which supported me so strongly...”
No mention of innocence or a miscarriage of justice or the death and destruction caused by Ulbricht and Silk Road. No, kissing the emperor’s backside was all that was required. Now Ulbricht can develop some other extralegal destructive business though he claims he just wants to help humanity.
Joe Biden’s clemency included promises broken and inappropriate benefits for some, including his son. Trump’s clemency, on the other hand, could be downright dangerous.
The current president says his actions were justified. Pardon us if we disagree.
A MARATHON IN A PARKA
Guest opinion
by Kate Lewis
There’s a certain kind of magic that comes with snow days. The first flakes fall, schools close, and the world slows to a quiet hum under a blanket of white. If you’re a parent of young kids, that magic is accompanied by a fair share of mayhem. Snow days, as I’ve learned, are equal parts wonder and whirlwind.
For a fleeting moment, the day feels like an unexpected gift—maybe I can get another few minutes of sleep, as I hold my breath as if the slightest disturbance will wake the kids immediately. Without fail, I hear the pitter-patter (more like stomping elephants) down the hallway.
session that leaves every pillow and blanket in the house piled precariously in the middle of the floor. The kids are delighted; I’m exhausted. By 10am, my list of “fun things to do on a snow day” is already depleted. Is hot chocolate a breakfast food? I’m starting to think it is.
And yet, through all the chaos, there are these tiny, heart-melting moments that make it all worthwhile. The way their little faces light up when they discover the condensation on the windows, the perfect finger drawing canvas. Or the uncontrollable giggles when they intentionally tumble off their sleds
winter, for all its challenges, is a short and fleeting season of wonder. Kind of like childhood.
The day typically begins with shrieks of excitement from the kids, who can somehow sense that something is different the moment they wake up. Before I’ve even had coffee, the house is alive with the energy of kids whose main mission is to get outside and play in the snow. “Can we go now? Can we go now?”
Dressing small children for our northern Michigan winter climate is a workout worthy of its own Olympic event. The sound of zippers being yanked upward echoes through the house, accompanied by the grunts of effort as I wrestle boots onto squirming feet. There are the base layers, followed by the snow pants, the sweaters, the socks, the boots, the jackets, the hats, the mittens. It’s a marathon in a parka. By the time I’ve stuffed tiny fingers into tiny gloves for the third time, I’m drenched in sweat.
Finally, we burst out the door, looking like a mismatched parade of puffy marshmallows. And then comes the moment we’ve all been waiting for: snow angels, sledding, and pure, unfiltered joy. For approximately two minutes. That’s when someone declares they’re too cold. Or too wet. Or hungry. Or, in the case of my youngest, all three at once.
We trudge back inside, leaving a trail of boots, gloves, and melting snow in our wake. My once-clean floors now resemble sandpaper, thanks to the salt and grit that’s been traipsed in.
The focus shifts to indoor activities. “How many more times can we make cookies?” I wonder aloud as flour dusts every surface of my kitchen. By mid-morning, the house smells like sugar and chaos. The kids are sticky with frosting, the counters are sticky with frosting, and I’m fairly certain my ceiling has somehow become…sticky with frosting. Next up: arts and crafts. Or maybe it’s a living room dance party. Or a fort-building
making memories for 71 winters
racing down the hill. The way they snuggle under a blanket, cheeks rosy from the cold, as they sip their cocoa.
As the day wears on, I find myself counting the hours until bedtime. By the time the sun sets, the house looks like a tornado tore through it, and I’m silently pleading for school to reopen tomorrow.
But then the next day comes, and life returns to its usual pace. And that’s when it hits me: I miss it. I miss the noise, the mess, the laughter. I miss the snow angels, the cookie crumbs, and the sticky-frosting chaos.
There will come a day when my kids won’t need me to wrestle them into snow pants or bake cookies with them. There will come a day when they won’t shout with joy at the sight of fresh snow or beg me to push them on the sled one more time. So for now, I’ll embrace the marathon mornings and the sticky kitchens and the living room forts. I’ll embrace the magic of these fleeting moments, knowing that one day, I’ll look back and miss it all.
As I write this, the snow has started falling again, soft and steady. And though part of me groans at the thought, a bigger part of me smiles. Because winter, for all its challenges, is a short and fleeting season of wonder. Kind of like childhood.
So here’s to snow days: long, messy, magical, and fleeting. And here’s to the kids who make them unforgettable and to all the snow day parents. We wouldn’t trade them for anything. (Well, maybe for a nap.)
Kate Lewis resides in Leelanau County and serves as the director of communications for Traverse Area Recreation and Transportation (TART) Trails. You can typically find her biking on a trail, paddling on the water, hiking in the woods, exploring northern Michigan with her kids, or dancing at a Phish show.
“When I got pregnant with my son at 18, I was shocked and I didn’t really know what to think. Generations Ahead has helped me in more ways than I can count ”
Generations Ahead creates a village for teen parents.
Learn more or get involved at GenerationsAhead.org
Creative Writing
Saba Jana-Worku is a senior creative writing major from Richmond, Virginia. At the academy, she focuses primarily on screenwriting and narrative fiction, but has dabbled in creative nonfiction. But that interest isn’t what initially drew her there. “I was first introduced to Interlochen by my orchestra teacher. He recommended the arts camp,” she says, and she attended camp to study upright bass.
Fast-forward, and Jana-Worku was studying online as her mom is immunocompromised. When it came to returning to in-person learning, she was reluctant to attend school in Richmond. “I remembered Interlochen. My mom wanted me to go to the academy before COVID, and when I reintroduced the idea, both my parents were supportive.”
She no longer was playing acoustic bass, but the thought of studying creative writing intrigued her.
“After Interlochen, I want to go to college for writing for film and television,” she says, with schools like Chapman University and University of Southern California in Los Angeles and Emerson College in Boston among her preferences. “My biggest dream is to write and direct my own films. Coming from a strong background in fiction, I hope to bring some of the skills I’ve honed, especially those learned at the academy, to my future film projects.”
By Ross Boissoneau
Interlochen’s evolution from a summer music camp to a year-round institution for the arts has brought youngsters from around the world to the rural boarding school. Academy students study a variety of academic subjects, just like students at any other school. But they also spend time in class and outside it preparing for a career in the arts. Below, the Express profiles nine outstanding students representing the majors offered at the school.
Interdisciplinary Arts
While Jana-Worku switched from music to writing, Juniper Blythe wants to have it all. Or at least study it all. The Interdisciplinary Arts major is a senior who didn’t have to look hard to find Interlochen. “I came here because my mom got a job at Interlochen,” Blythe says. But it wasn’t necessarily that simple.
A Hoosier until moving to the area, Blythe attended public school for 8th grade. “My mom had to push” them to attend Interlochen. “What sold me was they had … a really big library.”
Not to mention the major enables Blythe to study several arts subjects, including dance, musical theater, visual arts, and more. While Blythe enjoys that perk—saying interdisciplinary students can pick and choose from the variety of classes Interlochen offers—the students in those individual majors get priority.
Blythe been accepted to Loyola University, but also is looking at Wayne State, Michigan State, and Michigan as other possibilities. They intend to study pre-law while minoring in art. “I love art, but I’ve always had a dream of becoming a lawyer,” Blythe says.
In the spring showcase, Blythe will be part of a dance performance, and the senior show the week of graduation will include installations or exhibits of their work.
Dance
Rowan Barber is a junior dance major. “I’m a singer and dancer. I’ve always been more rooted in ballet and musical theatre the past six or seven years,” he says. “I came to Interlochen in 2022 for the oneweek ballet program and six-week musical theatre program. I saw how amazing the dance training was and ended up coming here for dance,” he says.
“I come from a small town in Pennsylvania. It’s not dance- and arts-focused. I learned so much from everyone, more than I would have. It was the best choice.”
But not an easy one. “As much as I wanted to go to Interlochen, I didn’t want to leave my friends,” Barber says. He now has four to five hours of ballet every day and four shows per year, two multidisciplinary shows, and The Nutcracker in December. He’ll be performing in Swan Lake in February. “It’s going to be beautiful. Everyone else is just so talented.”
After high school Barber is hoping to apply to a musical theater college. “Not a conservatory. I want to get academics and a degree.” Among those he’s considering are Carnegie Mellon, USC, University of Michigan, and NYU. “After college I hope to pursue professional opportunities,” he says.
Music: Singer-Songwriter
Sarah Baumgarten is a senior singersongwriter major from Arlington, Virginia. Perhaps no surprise she’s ended up a musician, with a father who plays flute and a mother who’s a cellist. “I started writing songs in elementary school, fell in love with it, and never stopped,” she says.
Baumgarten attended Interlochen Arts Camp in the summers of 2023 and 2024, but had reservations about leaving home for her senior year of high school. “I didn’t think I wanted to go to academy. On the drive home I suddenly realized I needed to go to academy.” She filled out the application on the way back to Virginia. “It was hard for both my parents. I was leaving [home] a year early.”
She began playing guitar in 6th grade, preceded by ukulele, then followed by piano, bass, and French horn. “I write differently on different instruments,” she says. She is apt to record song snippets on her phone’s voice memo, then match riffs or melodies to lyrics she’s saved.
Baumgarten will be performing as part of the Interlochen In Town SingerSongwriter Showcase Feb. 6. She’ll also be releasing an album, Sunspit, this spring. Beyond that?
“I plan to study both chemistry and music in a double major, but I have yet to hear back from any colleges. I’ve applied to many places with good academics and music, such as Oberlin, Yale, Northwestern, Vanderbilt, Bard, and Harvard/New England Conservatory’s dual degree program.”
Barber Baumgarten
Blythe Jana-Worku
When senior visual arts major Maya Tzonev was looking for summer arts opportunities, “I googled and Interlochen came up. My parents encouraged me to apply for the camp. I was so nervous. When I got in, I was ecstatic. I loved it.”
While at the camp, Tzonev was encouraged to look into the academy. Initially reluctant, “When I got in, of course I’m going to go.” Now in her third year, she has been accepted to the Art Institute of Chicago while applying to other schools in Boston, Baltimore, and elsewhere.
For someone from a small town in Ohio who has spent the last three years in a rural self-contained school, what will it be like moving to a big city? “It’s a big shift to the city. I’m ready for that,” Tzonev says confidently.
Tzonev had works displayed in the National Youngarts Week Exhibition in Miami, Florida, in January. Local exhibits include Higher Art Gallery, the 2025 Northwest Michigan Regional Juried Exhibition at the Dennos Museum (Jan. 24-May 25), and the 2025 student thesis exhibitions at Interlochen this spring.
Tzonev believes her studies can land her a place teaching, designing, even working in the corporate world. “I kind of view college as an avenue for figuring that out. Visual art is my passion. I want that to be in my life.”
Born in New York City, musical theatre senior Sabina Camblor-Castrodad moved to the Dominican Republic with her musical family while a youngster. An avid theatergoer, she began singing in theatre when she was just nine years old. “By 11, I was hooked,” she says. “I knew this was for me.”
After the pandemic, the theater companies in the Dominican Republic dissolved, so she turned back stateside, attending Interlochen Arts Camp in 2021. “It was an incredible experience,” she says, and she returned the following summer, then enrolled in the academy. “I knew I had to stay. It took a year to convince my parents.”
She’s been part of numerous performances at Interlochen. “Cats was a crazy, dance-heavy show,” she says, which helped her build her confidence in her dancing. Her favorite was Into the Woods, which allowed her to tap into her Cuban and Puerto Rican ancestry. “It was a whirlwind. It was set in ’80s New York, including parts of Puerto Rican culture. It was a validating experience.”
In mid-April she’ll be in Volpone at the Phoenix Theatre. She’s now auditioning for college, including Tisch Drama at NYU, though she says, “I’m dreaming of the UK.”
Film & New Media: Filmmaking
Emma Niu is a sophomore studying film and new media. She says she was always interested in the arts, from dance and music to visual art. The throughline was storytelling, which led her to filmmaking. “Interlochen had a good film [program] as well as rigorous academics. I was adding something new without losing anything,” she says.
She is immersed in all aspects of filmmaking, including editing, placing and operating cameras and microphones, directing—all those things that go on behind the camera. Why behind the scenes rather than acting?
“It’s not that I don’t want to be in front, but … writing, directing, editing is more fascinating,” she says. “That is the story part.”
She says being in the program for four years will enable her to experience both doing a senior thesis and a capstone film. “It’s independent. I get to have fun,” she says.
Following her time at Interlochen she hopes to attend film school before moving into the industry. “I want to go to film school at a university, I hope in California or New York. I want to direct films that resonate with people all over the world. As a Chinese American, I want to bridge those gaps.” She will be represented at a winter film screening in February.
Oliver Hale from San Francisco is a senior studying animation. He enrolled in the academy after hearing about it from his twin brother Ivy, who attended Interlochen for two years before Oliver jumped in for the second half of his junior year.
“Oh my god, it was amazing,” he says, of both the school and the community of students and staff. “You all live on campus, all practicing. You hear singing, piano—being in a creative space, at my first art class, I was ready to go, like [I’d had] a couple shots of coffee.”
Hale says working in animation at Interlochen allows him to collaborate with students from across the world. “My senior film I’ll be working with music majors, live action film people, voice actors. My music producer is from Poland. It’s such a great, diverse population.”
Following graduation, he intends to attend college and continue studying animation and apply his skills, whether it’s in creating video games or anywhere it takes him.
“In five or six years, hopefully I’ll have graduated and be in the industry, be a grunt.” He dreams of seeing his name on the end credits, whatever the role. “Be a part of something, like at Interlochen.”
Theatre: Design & Production
Lucy Beckett-Ball enrolled as an interdisciplinary arts major at Interlochen. That didn’t last long. “In the first week I was drawn to design and production,” she says. “I knew what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.”
Beckett-Ball wanted something different from what she’d grown up with. “I was looking for a change for high school,” she says. “I was looking at a few different boarding schools. Interlochen was focused on the arts.” That was enough for her.
While Niu prefers to work behind the scenes, Beckett-Ball wants to make the scenes the stars shine on. Her area of study encompasses everything from using technology and lighting to creating backdrops, costumes, and makeup. “I was never someone who enjoyed being in front. I want to continue as a stage manager to support the artists, the actors and directors, from behind the scenes.”
After coming to Interlochen as a sophomore two years ago, Beckett-Ball is now looking to continue her studies in college. Currently she’s considering Carnegie Mellon, DePaul, and the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. “Interlochen set me up to go. I wasn’t sure pre-Interlochen.” Before that, she will serve as stage manager of Volpone at the Phoenix Theatre in April.
Visual Arts
Musical Theatre
Film & New Media: Animation
Beckett-Ball
Niu
By Ellen Miller and Craig Manning
The first official day of summer is still four months off, but many local parents are already thinking about how their kids will spend the warmer months. With some camps already open for registration and others prepping for sign-ups in the coming weeks, here’s your guide for how to get on the list for many local camps.
Grand Traverse Bay YMCA
Perhaps the most in-demand summer camp in Traverse City, the YMCA offers 200 camp slots and 10 weeks of programming, from June 16 to Aug. 22. In recent years, parents have camped out in the YMCA parking lot the night before registration to give themselves the best chances of landing spots for their kids. This year, citing “increased demand and accessibility concerns,” the YMCA announced it will be dispensing with in-person registrations.
“Last year, we had people lining up as early as 10pm the night prior,” says YMCA Senior Program Director Thomas Graber. For reference, registration for the 2024 Y camp opened at 7am, nine hours after the line started to form. “After that, we knew we had to do something different. We really don’t want anybody standing out overnight in February.”
This year, the Y will open registration applications at 7am on Monday, Feb. 17. As in the past, that application window will
prioritize families with active YMCA family memberships. This time, though, everything will happen online.
The change in protocol has had mixed reception among Y families. On one hand, Graber says parents are relieved they won’t have to camp out overnight in bitter cold weather to get their kids into summer camp. On the other hand, some families worry that losing the limiting factor of in-person queuing will mean more competition for spots—and lower chances of getting one.
“There’s no perfect system,” Graber admits. “This is clearly more of a community childcare shortage issue than a process issue. We’re doing everything we can to make this as fair and accessible and safe as possible. But the reality is, there just aren’t enough summer camp spots to go around.”
In the spirit of accessibility, Graber says the YMCA is using a web form that is totally mobile-friendly, rather than one that favors desktop users. He also invites parents concerned about unreliable internet access to come into the YMCA and submit their application from the lobby.
“Our doors are going to be open,” he says. Visit gtbayymca.org/camp to learn more.
NMC College for Kids
For parents looking for an educational focus for the summer, Northern Michigan College’s College for Kids stands apart for its commitment to providing unique learning opportunities for local children.
“College for Kids is intended to be experiential learning in a specific topic that students might not otherwise have exposure to,” says NMC’s Director of Extended Education & Training Laura Matchett. “For example, we no longer have a dinosaur unit in school, but we have a preschool teacher who loves to do a dinosaur unit in summer.”
Unlike summer camp options designed to provide childcare or that focus on general activities or sports, College for Kids’ offerings are designed more like classes, allowing teachers to provide specialized content and students to explore things they are curious about. “Kids are getting a different level of support and expertise,” says Matchett.
While classes don’t typically cover an entire day, Matchett shares that many families stack a morning and afternoon class and then join their students for lunch on campus.
Like other camp options in the area, NMC has seen high demand for their classes. “In 2024, we sold over 1,100 seats and we had 745 unique students. That’s pretty close to the previous year,” says Matchett. “Looking back over the last four years, the capacity of each class is increasing each summer. More popular classes are needing waiting lists.” She advises parents to sign up for the waitlist, because that’s how NMC assesses demand and can consider adjusting offerings in the future.
College for Kids’ programs are tailored for students starting with ages 4-6 in
preschool classes all the way up to grade 12. “We’re really known for our variety,” emphasizes Matchett. Offerings range widely from languages like Japanese to caricature drawing to game design and art classes.
“From aviation—we have 12-year-olds flying planes!—to the culinary classes, those are ones that always fill up right away,” Matchett says.
Some class highlights in 2025 include:
• New: Guardians of the Galleries, taught in the Dennos Art Museum, an immersive experience where kids in grades 3-5 will learn “secrets of curating exhibitions, conserving treasures, and designing displays as you protect and celebrate the world of art”;
• New: Creative Calm: Spa Week, a course for grades 6-8 focused on self-care strategies; and
• Returning: New Orleans Street Band, in partnership with Dan Trahey and the Archipelago Project, a jam-band style ensemble for grades 6-12.
Matchett recommends setting up a household profile at nmc.edu/kids now so that it’s ready to go when registration opens Feb. 3, and then logging on to register promptly.
“College for Kids helps welcome kids to NMC, getting to know the campus and creating a sense of belonging” says Matchett. About 12 percent of current NMC students were College for Kids students in the past!
Here is a sampling of other camps that are now (or will soon be) open for registration around the North.
OPEN NOW
1. Interlochen’s Arts Discovery Camp: Sessions are one week in length and will be offered for seven weeks this summer, starting Monday, June 16 and ending Friday, Aug. 1. All camps are for ages 7-12 and are held at the Interlochen Community School building.
2. Grand Traverse Tennis Camps: Offered by long-time Traverse City Central High School tennis coach Larry Nykerk, this camp will run four sessions this summer and include programming opportunities for all ages, including adults.
3. Norte Youth Cycling: Norte has expanded its Summer Bike Camp this year, with programming now running for 10 weeks. Those camps are geared toward riders in first through eighth grade, with activities ranging from 3.5-6 hours daily, Monday through Thursday. The nonprofit estimates it will “welcome and empower roughly 900 riders” this summer.
4. Camp Carvela: Discover nine summer 2025 sessions geared toward kids aged 7-13 that run weekly from June 16 to August 22.
5. YMCA’s Hayo-Went-Ha Camps: Nine weeks of summer programming for kids aged 5-10.
6. Pathfinder: This camp offers programs for four age ranges—Explorers (ages 4-5), Discovery (6-7), Voyagers (8-9), and Adventure (10-12)—for eight week-long sessions running from June 23 to Aug. 15.
7. Traverse Area Community Sailing: Summer 2025 camps have programs available for ages 8-17.
8. ELEV8: Owner Nick Olson says the climbing gym will offer summer camps once again this summer, with opportunities available “for all age ranges.” Climbing is the “centerpiece” of those camps, but ELEV8 also partners with various nearby organizations—such as Norte and the
Traverse Area District Library—to diversify its activity slate.
9. Old Mission Peninsula School: The charter school’s camps all take place in July and are open to students heading into grades 1-6.
10. Crooked Tree Arts Center in Traverse City: Explore a slate of youth art camps for K-12 students.
11. Camp Invention: A nationallyrecognized STEM-focused camp developed by the National Inventors Hall of Fame will be offered at multiple local schools this summer, including Old Mission (June 16-19), Cherry Knoll (June 16-20), Suttons Bay (Aug. 4-8), and Westwoods (June 23-26). Programs can be searched at invent.org/program-search.
12. The Human Nature School: Get outdoors with their programs for ages 5-12.
13. Grand Traverse Conservation District’s Nature Day Camp: Geared toward kids 6-11, the camp will run for 10 weeks, from June 16 to Aug. 22, with each week following a different theme.
14. City of Petoskey Kids Camp: This camp for local Petoskey children offers recreational fun, nature and creative exploration, plus field trips! Currently accepting limited full-time enrollment.
15. Camp Lookout: Registration is currently open for this overnight camp in Frankfort focused on experiential learning and camper-led experiences.
COMING SOON
16. TCAPS Summer Explorers Club: This camp is for TCAPS students in grades K-5. The camp has two sites with approximately 70 TCAPS students per site. Registration opens Feb. 6.
17. Northern Blooms Montessori: The school’s summer camp will be back for a
second season this year. According to Head of School Samantha Gauthier, applications open to the public on Feb. 11.
18. Camp Torenta: Cadillac YMCA’s annual camp opens registration on Feb. 15. This day camp’s activities include swimming, boating, hiking, archery, sports, games, arts & crafts, and special events.
19. Camp Daggett: This camp in Petoskey offers both day and overnight camp options for children who have completed kindergarten and up. Registration opens Feb. 18 for new local campers.
20. Shady Trails Camp: Registration for summer 2025 programs in Northport will open in February. This day camp serves children aged 5-14 and allows campers and counselors to co-create their programming and schedule.
21. Old Town Playhouse’s “Young Company”: 2025 summer programs will open on March 1. This year’s programs include a four-week performing arts camp for ages 9-16, which will mount a production of Gilbert & Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance ; a one-week musical theater intensive for ages 8-16, which will stage performances of Disney’s Frozen ; and several non-musical theater workshops and classes.
22. Grass River Natural Area: The Bellaire-area nonprofit will offer four nonconsecutive weeks of summer camps this year (June 23-26, July 7-10, July 21-24, Aug. 4-7), with openings for ages 6-11. Registration opens on March 12 at noon.
23. Elk Rapids Schools Summer Kids’ Club: Registration packets for this program have historically been sent in April. Open to school-age students, entering kindergarten through 5th grade.
24. Camp Tanuga: This camp in Kalkaska offers mini sessions, partial, and full overnight camps for children.
Next Level is seeking mentors to share life skills with foster youth living independently. Just a few hours a month can help them navigate the path to adulthood.
“This project is being supported, in whole or in part, by federal award number SLFRF4951 awarded to The State of Michigan by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.”
What It Means to Grow Up
“ALICE” in Northern Michigan
Families feel the winter pinch; United Way of Northwest Michigan aims to help
By Kierstin Gunsberg
Winter Up North can be a magical time for kids—sledding adventures, snowball fights, and crossing their fingers for a snow day
For their parents, on the other hand, it’s a season of juggling heating bills, replacing outgrown boots and coats, and stocking up on cold medicine for all the sniffles. And for ALICE families, where every dollar is already stretched thin, those extra costs aren’t just a hassle, they’re a real struggle.
ALICE stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed, which means that these families include working adults who are earning above the federal poverty level (or FPL, which is currently $31,200 for a family of four) but still struggle to make enough to pay for the basics like rent, food, and childcare.
Nationally, over 40 percent of households fall into this category, and in northern Michigan, ALICE families make up 38 percent of the population.
A Tightrope with No Safety Net
“They’re one flat tire away from an emergency,” says Seth Johnson, CEO and President of United Way of Northwest Michigan, describing the precarious financial situation faced by ALICE families.
ALICE households aren’t measured against a specific income level. Instead, they include any household that can’t adequately cover the basics, like rent, food, and childcare, with what they earn. In northern Michigan, this gap between wages and the
cost of living has been growing in recent years, with inflated housing, food, and utility costs making it harder for families to get by.
But what does it mean to get by? In Grand Traverse County, a family of four needs two adults working full-time and earning at least $17.05 an hour (or about $70,000 total annually) just to afford the basics. In Leelanau County, that number jumps by 50 percent to $26.02 an hour.
As the rising cost of living pushes these bare-bones wage requirements up, more families are likely to slip into ALICE status, explains Johnson. And while ALICE families aren’t considered to be living in poverty, their kids are still at risk for the academic and emotional repercussions of experiencing chronic housing and food insecurity.
Shifting Geographies
Despite the rising cost of living, the number of ALICE households in northern Michigan has actually held steady over the past couple of years, notes Johnson. But where they’re located is shifting.
As housing costs skyrocket in places like Traverse City—where the average monthly rent for a 2-bedroom is upwards of $1,700— many ALICE families are moving to outlying areas like Benzie, Wexford, and Charlevoix counties, on the hunt for more affordable housing.
“We’ve seen this ALICE population move out of Grand Traverse County into other outlying areas,” says Johnson. But these moves come with challenges. Longer commutes and higher transportation costs
are just a few of the trade-offs while fewer job opportunities in these areas limit their ability to gain upward mobility.
A Broken Measure
If the problem seems obvious, then the solution should be too. More resources means better outcomes for kids in ALICE households. But, according to Johnson, it’s not that simple.
Closing the gap between what families earn and what they need to survive is tough since access to resources is limited to those households at or near the FPL and, as Johnson puts it, “The FPL is severely outdated. It was established in 1969, and we
haven’t really done much to change that.”
As the FPL lags behind, many in the ALICE population are turning to regional community resources and food pantries like Project Feed The Kids and 5Loaves2Fish, which offer assistance regardless of income.
Meanwhile, some government programs, like Medicaid, have raised their income limits to cover health and dental care for more Michigan families. But, if the looming talk of Medicaid cuts from the White House comes to fruition in the near future, it could leave NoMi’s ALICE population struggling with private insurance costs, adding to the quandary of earning too much for help but too little to do more than scrape by.
United We Smile stocks its pantry for patients and their families.
Bridging the Gap
While organizations like United Way NWMI advocate for legislation that would increase resources to those whose income is over the FPL but under a livable wage, they’re also actively stepping in to bridge the gap for ALICE families through programs like Tri-Share, a partnership with the state of Michigan that helps reduce childcare costs for working parents.
“The point of this program is to focus on ALICE households and support them,” says Johnson. “We’ve saved families around $400,000 in childcare costs, which puts more money in their pockets.”
Some families have even used those savings toward major milestones, like buying their first home. “We have incredible stories of how the program has made a difference,” he says, adding that one of United Way NWMI’s most recent initiatives is United We
Generations Ahead
Smile. With the help of volunteer dentists, the program provides dental care to ALICE kids throughout the region. “In our first year, we treated over 1,400 patients and donated $1.1 million in services to families,” Johnson explains.
It’s not just dentists and nonprofits making a difference. Community volunteers have played a big role in supporting ALICE families. But, Johnson points out, as we approach five years since the pandemic’s upheaval, the resulting slowdown in volunteerism has left many organizations in need of extra help.
“I know that for a lot of us, everything changed,” he says. “But we’re trying to encourage more people to get back to volunteering.”
For those ready back out there (or jump in for the first time), here are three ALICEfocused organizations looking to fill their volunteer calendars this year:
Who: Generations Ahead, supporting young families in the Traverse City area by providing career internships, baby clothing, and more.
Looking for: Volunteer baby pantry organizers.
The details: “If you have a passion for baby clothes, all things baby-related, and enjoy keeping things tidy and organized, this role is perfect for you,” says program director Sarah Payette. “The support we offer directly impacts not only these young parents but also their children and their entire family unit.”
Contact: generationsahead.org
5Loaves2Fish
IMPACT OF THE FEDERAL AID FREEZE
On Jan. 27, the Trump administration announced a federal funding freeze on a variety of public aid, loans, and grants, which CBS News reports “could affect everything from aid to nonprofits, universities, small business loans and state and local government grants.” A federal judge temporarily blocked the effort, and the White House has since walked back the original memo ordering the freeze. But as of press time, the administration has not provided clarity on which organizations might still be affected by the Office of Management and Budget's changes, and Trump spokesperson Karoline Leavitt posted on X “This is NOT a recession of the federal funding freeze.”
For United Way, there could be short- and long-term effects from the freeze.
“We have a handful of things that we are in the process of doing, predominantly with our United We Smile clinic,” that could feel the pinch, according to Johnson. He says United Way was planning to use a USDA office of Rural Development, Community, and Facilities loan program to buy the United We Smile building “to reduce our overhead costs, and then be able to really say we are invested for a long haul in this program.”
As of this past week, that effort is on hold, along with “a handful of other federal grants that we’re looking at for all of our programs, whether that supports what we do with early childhood or whether that’s the support we run with the ALICE population … [they] all are kind of up in the air right now as we determine what’s going on,” Johnson says.
He adds that United Way has weathered such federal freezes before. “We know that this is a common occurrence to do freezes like this as new administrations come in … but at the same time, this sends a lot of uncertainty rippling throughout the area.”
For now, Johnson remains cautiously optimistic that organizations like United Way will have funding opportunities restored, but notes that there might be programming impacts along the way. He says the longer the freeze goes on, the more challenges northern Michigan nonprofits and services will face.
“I think the best thing that we need to do is we need to reach out to our local elected officials, right? We need to be telling Representative Bergman, we need to be telling Senator Peters and Senator Slotkin the importance of having these types of programs and what they mean for our community,” Johnson concludes.
Who: 5Loaves2Fish, addressing food insecurity by distributing no-questions-asked meals at various churches and food pantries throughout northern Michigan.
Looking for: Volunteer food preparers (Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10am-1pm with lunch provided) in Leland.
The details: Food preparers will help in the “processing, preparation, and cleaning of vegetables and other ingredients for the meals we serve and distribute throughout the week,” says director of development, Corrie Jo Piersma.
Contact: 5loaves2fishnmi.org
PoWeR! Book Bags
Who: PoWeR! Book Bags, promoting childhood literacy across northern Michigan through the distribution of fully-stocked book bags.
Looking for: Volunteer delivery drivers to pick up book bags from the office in Suttons Bay and distribute them to PoWeR! partners including schools and health departments.
The details: “We serve 26 counties in Northern Michigan,” notes volunteer manager Maria Sophiea, explaining that the organization distributes books and other literacy materials to under-resourced children and families. “The sites are so excited to receive our materials!”
Contact: powerbookbags.org
The Power of Play
By Brighid Driscoll
Parents of kids who love the tree in the Grand Traverse Mall, rejoice; there’s even more fun to be had at the new Great Lakes Children Museum (GLCM).
Since 1998, GLCM has provided a place for kids to be kids. In 2023, the organization announced that they would have to vacate their original space on West Bayshore Drive to make room for the Traverse City Freshwater Research & Innovation Center.
Local parents worried what would become of the museum, as there are limited indoor options in the region that are kidfocused. Speculation circled that the museum could end up in the old Rite Aid on 14th Street, or maybe would move out to Cadillac. Last summer, GLCM began moving into the Grand Traverse Mall.
The 8,000-square-foot space has been a hit since their arrival near the end of 2024, a win for GLCM and for the mall’s foot traffic.
“These past couple of months have been great. We’ve already seen attendance go up,” says Executive Director Tracie MacPherson. She’s particularly happy to see attendance increase with their Plus membership, which offers a discounted membership to underserved communities and low income families. “Our Plus membership has grown 63 percent since we moved in here.”
Ready, Set, Play!
The first thing that will likely catch your kiddo’s attention is the ball wall, a wall with hoops, cranks, shoots, tubes, and other whirligigs to delight young minds.
“It’s just immediately engaging,” says MacPherson as a toddler aged boy makes a basket and watches with fascination as the ball journeys down the wall.
Next to the wall is a multi-level playscape centered around a ball pit. “Slides and climbing structures are really important for kids’ reverse motor skills,” she tells us. The process of lowering and lifting yourself and moving backward and forward develop what are called reverse motor skills, which help with balance, spatial awareness, and coordination.
In the first five years of a child’s life, it’s crucial for them to play. Interactive play creates their blueprint for lifelong learning, social skills, and emotional development. (This is when the human brain has the highest neuroplasticity! During this period, a child’s brain undergoes rapid growth, forming millions of neural connections.) Engaging in play with loved ones and peers builds cognitive abilities, including problem-solving, creativity, and language development.
Through interactive play, children also develop physical coordination as they explore their environment. Socially, it helps them learn cooperation, empathy, and effective communication. Emotionally, it provides a safe space to express feelings and build selfconfidence.
Aging Up
While the interactive exhibits are fun, with many newer options than the ones at their old location, MacPherson is working to expand the age range for kids who come to the museum.
“In our old location, we said our age range was zero to eight, and here we’re really trying to expand that from zero to 13. We’re working to figure out what programming and what exhibits resonate best with those upper elementary and early junior high kids, because those kids still need to play.”
That’s being done in part through science-based exhibits. One new exhibit teaches kids about the sun, moon, and stars while allowing them to build their own
satellite. Another exhibit lets kids take charge of building their own Mars Rover.
More fun includes a room where kids can play with lights and bubbles, a water table where kids can race boats and other floaties, a Climate Action exhibit that gets kids excited about helping the environment, a northern Michigan-themed maze that will change with the seasons, a woodworking exhibit, minitrain station, and so much more
Good to Know
For parents who need privacy to feed their babies, or kiddos who are feeling overstimulated, there’s also a quiet room to retreat to. Finally, a lunch room provides a place to eat, craft, or throw a birthday party.
Beyond the hands-on fun, the Power of Play store is an easy go-to for kids’ gifts. The shop is stocked with toys that are engaging, fun, educational, and curated by GLCM staff for their learning value and fun factor.
Now and going forward, the museum is in a constant state of change. New exhibits will be added, and existing ones will change
COMING SOON
to keep things fresh and exciting. Though they’ve only been in this new location for three months, MacPherson is happy to see kids from the old location and new faces are all enjoying the museum’s offerings.
And while this new location is already gaining popularity, it’s just a stepping stone to a future, permanent location.
“We’ll be here for the next three to five years,” MacPherson tells us. “It will take some time to decide where we want our permanent home to be, who our partners will be in that new location, designing, fundraising, community feedback—it’s an exciting and interesting process. We want to fill the community’s needs in a way we have never done before.”
The Great Lakes Children’s Museum is located inside the Grand Traverse Mall near Target. Tickets can be purchased online or in person for one visit, or memberships can be purchased for those who plan to visit regularly. Follow the GLCM social media and email newsletter to stay updated on all the fun, including Summer Camp 2025 options.
Childcare in Traverse City is notoriously tough to find, in the summertime especially. (See our article in this issue about the competition and opportunities for summer camps!) Finding a summer camp for your littles shouldn’t feel like hunting down Taylor Swift tickets, and MacPherson recognizes the need for more options.
“We are going to be doing summer camps this year. One of the things that was heartbreaking last summer was all the families that were so desperate to find safe, affordable, educational places to put their kids while they work during the day. We’re really excited about that because we know it’s something the community really needs.”
She’s in the process of hiring a camp director whose focus will be creating fun and educational camp programming.
CRYSTAL FUNDAY
A kiddo builds a boxcar at one of GLCM's hands-on exhibits.
Join the Club
TCAPS offers 50+ clubs for high school students
By Abby McKiernan
Whether you’re a student who wants to find challenging chess opponents, talk about your faith, or take a deep dive into a favorite hobby, Traverse City Area Public Schools (TCAPS) probably has a club for it.
In fact, a quick look at the TCAPS high school extracurriculars list shows 54 extracurriculars between TC Central and West High schools—everything from the National Honor Society to the Gay/Straight Alliance to the Dungeons & Dragons Club to the Color Guard. (And this doesn’t even count athletics or activities like band, journalism, or yearbook.)
Here’s a look at just five of the many extracurriculars in the TCAPS school district.
Ghost Hunting Club
Founded in 2023 at Traverse City West Senior High, the Ghost Hunting Club started as a lighthearted initiative to explore the paranormal.
“Despite never having come across a ghost myself,” says student president of the club, Owen Chadwick, “I think it’s a fun, harmless way to explain the irrationalities of the world’s approach to engaging with the unexplained.”
Over time, the club has evolved into a space for students to delve into different ghosts and cryptids and discuss how to track paranormal activity around the school.
“Recently we have been using technology to actually search for and hunt ghosts around the school and discuss our theories about the who, what, and why of the ghost,” says Chadwick, noting that they haven’t come across any ghosts at the school so far. The club focuses on safety and mutual respect during their investigations, fostering a fun yet thoughtful approach to the unknown.
The club’s activities range from theoretical discussions about the paranormal to hands-on experiments using technology to search for spirits. Fittingly, they only meet on full moons.
Lake Effect Ultimate Co-Ed High School Frisbee Club
Bringing athleticism and camaraderie together, the Lake Effect Ultimate Frisbee Club hosted through the TCAPS LEAP program (Learning, Enrichment and Athletic Program) welcomes kids from grades 9 through 12 to participate in one of the fastest-growing sports in the country.
Meeting twice a week at Carlisle Fields, the club emphasizes teamwork and the “Spirit of the Game,” a core principle of Ultimate that prioritizes mutual respect and fair play.
The group stresses that “first and foremost, ultimate is a community. The sport belongs to everyone, and everyone is welcome.”
Ultimate combines physical fitness with strategic thinking, offering students a balance between competition and fun. With its inclusive ethos and low barrier to entry, the club has become a popular choice. According to USA Ultimate, the sport has seen remarkable growth, with increasing participation rates at the high school level.
Want to get your student involved? The season runs March 17-June 13 (weather permitting). Registration is $50 (and includes USA Ultimate membership). There is a $70 uniform fee for a personalized jersey, and $30 fee per tournament (typically 3-4 per season). Learn more at tcaps.net/programs/leap.
Environmental Club
At TC West Senior High, the Environmental Club is dedicated to promoting sustainability and environmental stewardship. With a mission to reduce waste and increase eco-consciousness, the club is entirely student-run and has completed several impactful projects over the years.
These include: A dress swap to raise awareness about reducing single-use clothing for events like homecoming; a recycling campaign to collect items such as used markers, batteries, and old electronics that don’t belong in regular recycling bins; a holiday cookbook featuring meatless options to highlight the environmental benefits of eating lower on the food chain; and a can drive to keep cans out of landfills while generating revenue for club initiatives.
“Projects that are on the drawing board include planning for a pollinator garden, starting seeds in soil and in an aquaponics system, ramping up school-
wide recycling—particularly during lunches—and a compost program,” says Mary Brisbois, a West science teacher who supervises the club.
Want to pitch in? The club would love to see a compost collection spot next to the landfill and recycle bins and a partnership with a local company to haul the compost to their facility.
Club members say that participation empowers students to make a tangible difference in their community while preparing them for broader environmental advocacy, especially given that over 75 percent of Gen Z considers climate change a top societal issue.
Co-Ed Fencing Program
The Traverse City Fencing Club, also available through the LEAP program, introduces students ages nine and up to the strategic and physically demanding world of Olympic fencing. The program offers sessions that cover everything from the history of fencing to the fundamentals of swordsmanship and épée technique.
Why fencing? The sport can help young athletes develop discipline and strategic thinking along with physical agility. With certified coaches and an emphasis on both competition and personal growth, fencing also provides students with a supportive environment to learn a sport that has continued to gain popularity due to its appealing combination of both physical and mental challenges.
Session 1 runs February 3 and 10, 5:30–7:30pm (registration deadline: January 30). Session 2 runs March 10 and 17, 5:30–7:30pm (registration deadline: March 6). Cost is $100 per session. Sessions take place at the Traverse City Fencing Club, 2419 Sybrandt, Suite B, in Traverse City. Get more details at tcaps.net/programs/leap.
The Tritons Co-Ed Competitive Rowing
Keep this on your radar for next year! The local competitive rowing team, The Tritons, is active each fall, usually August-October (start and end dates vary). The program proudly shares that a significant number of its athletes are recruited by colleges and offered scholarships, often with multiple options to choose from.
Fall races challenge endurance with distances ranging from 1,500 to 3,500 meters, while spring’s championship season features thrilling 1,500-meter sprints. During spring championships, rowers represent their individual schools, but the team trains and competes as one cohesive unit throughout the season. This shared commitment and unity—along with structured regattas that progress from local to national levels—allow students to develop resilience, teamwork, and a passion for the sport.
Cost varies by season and competition level; contact the program for details at tctritonsrowing.org. (Financial aid may be available.) Practices are held at Medalie Park and East Middle School.
Saturday
BLACK LAKE STURGEON SHIVAREE: Black Lake, near former Black Lake Hotel, Cheboygan. Tent opens at 8am with food, beverages, raffles, bonfire, kids activities, winter yards games & more. 8am-5pm: Fishing Contest & Poker Run. 11am-2pm: Live music by Mike Ridley. 11am-4pm: Youth activities by Natureology. Live sturgeon exhibit & sea lamprey exhibit. 2:30-5:30pm: Live music by Lara Fullford. 6-10pm: Live music by Straits Shooters Band. 8pm: Announce contest winners. Proceeds from the Shivaree will be invested in lake sturgeon recovery, protection, hatchery, research & more. $5 entrance with button. sturgeonfortomorrow.org/shivaree
GO BANANAS! PETOSKEY’S BANANA BREAD SHOWDOWN: Bring your homemade banana bread to Grandpa Shorter’s Gifts in Petoskey between 9-11am. The four categories are Amateur Baker, Professional Baker, Child Baker (14 & under) & Gluten-Free Banana Bread. Breads will be evaluated based on Appearance, Texture, Flavor, Creativity (optional), & Overall Impression, with each category scored on a scale of 1-10. Winners in each category will be announced at Grandpa Shorter’s Gifts at 3pm, both in-store & via Facebook Live. Each category winner will receive $250 in gift certificates to a variety of downtown Petoskey businesses. grandpashorters.com ----------------------
WHITE PINE STAMPEDE: Mancelona High School. Michigan’s longest & oldest point-to-point cross country ski race. The annual WPS stretches over the hills & through the woods of Antrim County while raising funds for the Children’s Hospital of Michigan & a scholarship for a graduating Mancelona senior. Featuring the 40K at 9:30am, 20K at 10:30am, & 10.5K at 11:30am. $30-$80. whitepinestampede.org
2ND ANNUAL BEAT THE WINTER BLUES CRAFT/VENDOR SHOW: 10am3pm, Gaylord E-Free Church, gymnasium. Entry is a donation to a local charity/cause. 989-884-4335. facebook.com/ events/3859616687647520
BLIZZARDFEST: 10am, Hanson Hills Recreation Area, Grayling. Presented by Grayling Youth Booster Club. Free tubing & hot cocoa. There will also be a Euchre tournament & chili. Find ‘BLIZZARD FEST!!’ on Facebook. The 2ND ANNUAL SNOWSHOE POKER RUN will also take place here at 11am. Enjoy snowshoeing the 2.5 mile trail. Choose from one, two or three hands. $10-$30. runsignup.com/Race/ Events/MI/Grayling/SnowshoePokerRun ----------------------
NCT GROUP HIKE - PELLSTON: 10am, Division & Dzedzie Intersection, 2922 Division Rd., Pellston. Join the Harbor Springs Chapter North Country Scenic Trail for a group hike. Hike section 5A south towards Beckon Rd. – four miles out & back. Snowshoes recommended. northcountrytrail.org/ trail/michigan/hrb ----------------------
NEEDLE FELTING FOR BEGINNERS: 10:30am, Suttons Bay-Bingham District Library. Learn the basics of needle felting & explore creating shapes & designs with provided wool roving, felting needles, & cookie cutters. Participants will create their own 2D designs to take home. Geared towards adults & adult/child duos. Registration is required. Email: information@sbbdl. org to reserve your spot. Free. sbbdl.org
SPANISH LANGUAGE CONVERSATION
MEET-UP: 10:30am, Traverse Area District Library, Thirlby Room, TC. Practice your Spanish language skills. Join every first
Sat. for a casual conversation group. All levels welcome. Free. tadl.org/event/spanish-language-conversation-meet-20030
YOUTH ICE FISHING PROGRAM: 1pm, Dune Center building, 6748 S Dune Hwy., Glen Arbor. Join park rangers to learn essential ice fishing skills, safety measures, & fishing regulations, culminating in a “Junior Angler” certification & a fishing pole to take home (while supplies last). If ice conditions permit, attendees will have the opportunity to ice fish at North Bar Lake. No registration is required. Organized groups may register at 231-326-4700, ext. 5005. All programs are free with a valid park entrance pass. Passes may be purchased at the Phillip A. Hart Visitor Center in Empire & cost $25 (per vehicle) for seven days, or other options are available. nps.gov/slbe/planyourvisit/calendar.htm
ROCK THE STEE: 4-10pm, The Ramsdell Theatre, Ballroom, Manistee. A benefit for Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts. Featuring John Merchant with Greg Miller, Rock Supply, Bent Carrot, Salt City All-Stars, & Tyler Reed performing in-between sets. $25; free for 10 & under. ramsdelltheatre.org
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FAMILY NIGHT HIKES: 6pm, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. For families with elementary & middle school-aged children. Rangers will guide families through nocturnal landscapes, educating them about animal adaptations & the wonders of the night sky. Reservations required: 231-326-4700, ext. 5005. Dress in layers & wear waterproof boots to be most comfortable. All programs are free with a valid park entrance pass. Passes may be purchased at the Phillip A. Hart Visitor Center in Empire, & cost is $25 (per vehicle) for seven days, or there are other options. nps.gov/slbe/planyourvisit/calendar.htm
BLISSFEST TRADITIONAL COMMUNITY DANCE: 7:30pm, Littlefield/Alanson Community Building, Alanson. Music provided by Peacemeal, with Larry Dyer calling. All dances taught (circles, contras, squares & more). No need to bring a partner. Perfect for families. Potluck at 6:30pm. Bring table service & dish to pass. $10, $5 student, 12 & under free. blissfest.org
NO EXIT: 7:30pm, Old Town Playhouse, TC. Jean-Paul Sartre’s famous existentialist play follows three people to a room in hell, where their torture is revealed to be each other’s company. This is an exploration of human nature & relationships. Includes adult themes intended for adult audiences. $23. oldtownplayhouse.com/ performances/studio-theatre/no-exit.html
Sunday
HIKE WITH A POET: 1pm, DeYoung Natural Area, TC. This will be an unhurried but steady hike with pauses along the way to enjoy winter Haiku written by various poets, from the old Japanese masters to contemporary western practitioners of the form. After the hike you can go to the historic farmhouse for tea & to play with writing your own haiku based on observations from your time outdoors. Free. leelanauconservancy. org/events
NO EXIT: (See Fri., Jan. 31, except today’s time is 2pm.)
HOLLYWOOD REVISITED: 4pm, City Opera House, TC. This musical revue showcases a dazzling lineup of costumes actually worn by stars in original Hollywood films. It is set to music that defined the times. $20-$40. cityoperahouse.org
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SONGWRITERS IN THE ROUND: 4-6pm, Dune Bird Winery, Northport. Benefit con-
Show some heart in Benzonia at Grow Benzie’s Big Love Event with various heart themed activities through The Art Guild and Fibershed, Sun., Feb. 9 from 1:30-4pm. The Art Guild will offer make your own valentine card and decorate cookies with a suggested donation of $5 for two cards/envelopes and two cookies. The Fibershed will charge $5 each for making needle felted hearts, heart garlands, yarn wrapped hearts, and denim pockets. 231-882-9510.
cert. Local musicians join to gather the community together for an evening with great music. Proceeds benefit 5Loaves2FishNMI in Leland. Free-donation. facebook. com/events/446342818549713
monday
FEBRUARY SOUP & BREAD: 6-8pm, The Little Fleet, TC. Local restaurants donate soup. You pay what you want. This month, all money raised goes to Project Feed the Kids. thelittlefleet.com/events
MICHIGAN MOVIE MANIA: 6:30pm, Peninsula Community Library, TC. Featuring “Jerry & Marge Go Large.” This PG-13 film is a true story of an Evart, MI couple who set out to save their small town. 231-2237700. Free.
tuesday
COFFEE & CONVERSATION AT THE CHAMBER: 8-10am, Harbor Springs Area Chamber office, 118 E. Main St., Harbor Springs. Hosted by Spruce Organizing, who will tell you how they can help you in your home or office. A drawing will be held for a free three-hour organizing session. Free.
PRESCHOOL STORY TIME: 10:30am, Suttons Bay-Bingham District Library. Preschool children of all ages & their caregivers are invited to join each Tues. for stories, songs & more. Free. sbbdl.org
TECH TUESDAY: POPULAR APPS: 2pm, Leelanau Township Library, Northport. Learn where & how to download apps, how to use popular apps like WhatsApp & ChatGPT, & how to use your phone’s camera app to scan a QR code. No pre-registration required; just drop in with your device & questions. Free. leelanautownshiplibrary.org
PWR! MOVES: MICHIGAN PARKINSON FOUNDATION EXERCISE CLASS: 4pm, Traverse Area District Library, McGuire Community Room, TC. A fun, hour long exercise class based on the PWR! moves
for people with or suspected Parkinson’s Disease & their caregivers. The class will be run by a PWR! certified physical therapist. Free. tadl.org/event/pwr-movesmichigan-parkinson-foundation-exerciseclass-16568
NMRPOA MEETING W/ SPEAKER: 5pm, Traverse City Elks Lodge #323, 625 Bay St., TC. The Northern Michigan Rental Property Owners Association is a group of investors that meets bi-monthly (even months but not Dec.). RSVP for a dinner meeting: 23l.7l4.9568. There will be a speaker this month on Supportive Housing. Free.
GRAND TRAVERSE KENNEL CLUB MEETING: Incredible Mo’s, Grawn. Public welcome. 6pm meet & greet/dinner; 7pm meeting. grandtraversekennelclub.com
GREAT LAKES CINEMA SERIES PRESENTS “BORDER”: 7pm, Great Lakes Center for the Arts, Bay Harbor. A border guard with the special ability to smell human emotions meets a mysterious man that confounds her detection. $5. greatlakescfa. org/events/detail/border
wednesday
FEBRUARY RECESS: 5-7pm, The Workshop Brewing Co., TC. Traverse Ticker’s after-work happy hour for adults. Enjoy beverages & food including spent grain pretzel bites, pulled pork tarts, smoked chicken thigh sliders, brisket sliders, & vegan garden veggie flatbread. You will also be entered into a door drawing to win: an Anvil Club Membership & $50 gift card to Workshop Brewing & Kingsley Local Brewing ($250 value); Bottle Blending Course at Mammoth Distilling, TC ($145 value); & Escape Room Session at Timewind Escape Rooms, TC ($75 value). $10 admission. Recess 2025 is brought to you by Grand Traverse County: A grand place to live, work and play. Find ‘February Recess at The Workshop Brewing Company’ on Facebook.
FRENCH LANGUAGE DISCUSSION GROUP: 6:30pm, Traverse Area District Library, Thirlby Room, TC. Practice your French language skills. Join every first
Weds. for a casual conversation group. All levels welcome. Free. tadl.org/event/ french-language-discussion-group-17707
thursday
COFFEE @ 10, PETOSKEY: 10am, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Gilbert Gallery, Petoskey. Gallerists’ Panel: The Art of Successful Galleries. Featuring local gallerists: Margaret Tvedten from Tvedten Gallery, Neil Ahrens from Ahrens Gallery, & Alissa Seelmann-Rutkofske from the CTAC Sales Gallery. Free. crookedtree.org/event/ctacpetoskey/coffee-10-art-successful-gallerieslocal-gallerists-talk-about-art-business-and
KID’S CRAFT LAB: WATERCOLOR DRIP DROP: 10am-noon, Great Lakes Children’s Museum, GT Mall, TC. Drip & drop watercolor paint onto a coffee filter. Watch the color travel & mix. Free with admission. greatlakeskids.org
FOURTH ANNUAL EMBRACE THE DREAM READ-ALOUD & CRAFT NIGHT: 4:30-6pm, NMC Library, TC. Celebrate Black History Month, diverse characters, & the power of reading to break down barriers. This is a free event with no registration necessary & children ages 3-12 are invited to read, craft & get a free book. 995-1060.
INTERLOCHEN IN TOWN: SINGERSONGWRITER & POPULAR MUSIC ENSEMBLE: 7pm, City Opera House, TC. This performance features Interlochen Arts Academy’s Popular Music Ensemble & the Academy’s singer-songwriters in a performance of original music & iconic hits. $10$25. cityoperahouse.org
HERE:SAY PRESENTS: STORIES IN STEREO: 7:30pm, Eugene’s Record Coop, 346 E. Front St, Suite 6 (below the Coin Slot), TC. Here:Say Storytelling & Eugene’s Record Co-Op come together to bring you Stories in Stereo! This storytelling event will feature a lineup of scheduled performers telling the true, first-person story of how a particular song came to be an important part of their lives. $10 at door. heresaystorytelling.com/storytelling-events
friday
XC SKI WITH LEELANAU CONSERVANCY STAFF: 10am, Palmer Woods, Maple City. Join LC staffers Lindy Kellogg, Pohai Meuller, Becky Hill & Sara Micheal on a classic XC ski exploring Palmer Woods. The 2-mile route will take you down the Price Valley trail, a moderate climb uphill, & then finishes with a gentle downhill loop back to the main hub. Afterwards head to the pavilion for conversation & a warm beverage. Please bring your own reusable mug. Free. leelanauconservancy.org/events
LUNCHEON LECTURE: “MAESTRO!”: 11:30am, NCMC, Library Conference Center, Petoskey. Tom Riccobono, instructor of low brass at Interlochen Arts Academy, will teach you how to make music by just waving your arms. He will bring a baton & give a lesson in conducting to show you how great conductors turned a written score into classic performances of the world’s greatest music. Register. $15. ncmclifelonglearning. com/event-5947294
PETOSKEY REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE’S STATE OF THE COMMU-
NITY: 1-3:30pm, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Petoskey. Networking & light refreshments at 1pm. The program begins at 1:30pm & is a fast-paced, interview-style program where attendees hear from local officials, employees, & business owners as they learn more about what is going on in northern Michigan. $25. petoskeychamber.com
HARBOR SPRINGS ICE FEST 2025: 3pm, Downtown Harbor Springs. Featuring around 50 ice sculptures throughout Downtown Harbor Springs, along with the Dueling Chainsaws Show. There will also be an interactive ice park in Zorn Park with large sculptures that are perfect for photo ops & play, ice carving demonstrations, a scavenger hunt, games, & a horse drawn wagon. downtownharborsprings.com/ice-fest
ROCK OUT FOR RESCUE 2025: 6-10pm, Gypsy Distillery, Petoskey. Presented by the Little Traverse Bay Humane Society. Rock Out features food, desserts, two bands, a silent auction, raffles & more. All proceeds will go directly to saving the lives of homeless dogs & cats. $125. ltbhs.org/rockout
DMC CONCERT: LAUREL PREMO: 7pm, Dennos Museum Center, Milliken Auditorium, NMC, TC. Laurel is known for her deep & rapt delivery of roots music, voiced on finger-style electric guitar, lap steel, fiddle, & voice. This performance will feature multiple special guest collaborators including the world premiere of two pieces by visual artist YonkersVidal. $0-$25. simpletix. com/e/laurel-premo-tickets-194925
GRETCHEN WHITMER & CHASTEN BUTTIGIEG RETURN TO TC WITH YOUNG ADULT VERSION OF “TRUE
GRETCH”: 7pm, City Opera House, TC. Presented by & benefiting The Traverse
Bay Children’s Advocacy Center, Whitmer will unveil the reboot of her honest, personal & funny book. Aimed to suit young people, the new version includes a Q&A with Governor Whitmer’s two teenage daughters, & resources relating to gun violence & sexual assault. Tickets from $17.50 with book. cityoperahouse.org
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CRYS MATTHEWS: 7:30pm, The Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts, Manistee. Nashville’s Crys Matthews has been hailed as “the next Woody Guthrie” & she falls into the new generation of social justice musicmakers. ci.ovationtix.com/35295/production/1226678
NO EXIT: (See Sat., Feb. 1)
saturday
MICHIGAN ICED-OVER: 8am-2pm, Otsego Lake, Gaylord. An inaugural ice fishing tournament. Free mandatory registration at The Landing Zone, Gaylord on Fri., Feb. 7 from 5-7pm, & Sat., Feb. 8 from 5-6am. gaylordchamber.com/events/ details/michigan-iced-over-9501
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2025 NORTH AMERICAN VASA: 9am, Timber Ridge Resort, TC. A two-day event featuring Nordic skiing, fat tire bike & snowshoe races. These races take place on the groomed Vasa Pathway & winter sports single track trails of the Pere Marquette State Forest in Grand Traverse County. All ages & abilities welcome. In the event of low snow a contingency plan is in place at the Hickory Hills Recreation Area. $5-$90. vasa.org
FISHING FOR HISTORY - ICE FEST: Harbor Springs History Museum. Check out “Fishing for History.” “Ice Fish” in the Historical Society’s mock pond & learn the history of ice fishing in Harbor Springs. You can also create ice fishing crafts. Drop-in between 10am-3pm with admission by donation. harborspringshistory.org/events/calendar/programs/fishing-forhistory-ice-fest.html
FREE FAMILY DROP-IN ART, TC: 10amnoon, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Cornwell Gallery, TC. Stop by for a family-friendly art activity. All materials provided. crookedtree. org/class/ctac-traverse-city/free-familydrop-art-feb-8
GRASS RIVER SHIVER 5K/10K: Grass River Natural Area, Bellaire. Take part in this snowshoe race fundraiser for GRNA’s programs. Walkers are also welcome. An official clock will start at 10am if you want an official clock timed race, but the course will also be up for the weekend if you need to run/walk it at a later time. $25 in advance; $30 day of. grassriver.org
HARBOR SPRINGS ICE FEST 2025: (See Fri., Feb. 7, except today’s activities start in the morning.)
STEAM TIME WITH SHELLY: 10am-noon, Interlochen Public Library. Enjoy hands-on activities tied to the STEAM Career of the Month theme. 231-276-6767.
SUPER SATURDAY: 10am, Northwest Education and Financial Center, TC. Join NMCAA for a day of financial workshops & free tax prep. Featuring community vendors, giveaways & prizes, free lunch & a hot cocoa bar. nmcaa.net/event/super-saturday
LITTLE WAVES: For ages 3-10. Features a multimedia story, an opportunity to hear one or more Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra musicians demonstrate & explain how their instruments work, & fun music-related activities for kids. Held at 10:30am at Petoskey District Library, & at 1pm at Charlevoix Public Library. Free. glcorchestra.org/education/little-waves
PHANTASMAGORIA ART EXHIBITION: Right Brain Brewery, TC. This show engages creative discussion, supports local art, music, performance, & more. A reception where you can peruse & shop drawings, paintings, photos & crafts from over 40 local artists will be held on Sat., Feb. 8. Also enjoy live music & performances all day. rightbrainbrewery.com/75/phantasmagoria-art-show
TIM KUBART & THE SPACE CADETS: 11am, City Opera House, TC. Enjoy this indie pop dance party for all ages. Featuring songs celebrating real life kid & family moments & milestones. Kubart won a Grammy Award for Best Children’s Album (Home, 2015) & is a host of “Sunny Side Up” on NBCUniversal’s Sprout Channel, plus much more. $15-$30. cityoperahouse.org
PETOSKEY CHOCOLATE CRAWL: 12:30-3pm, Downtown Petoskey. Multiple downtown hotspots will be serving free chocolate. If you visit all of the participating downtown businesses, you will be entered into a raffle to potentially win one of many $25 gift certificates. Visit Grandpa Shorter’s Gifts first to get your passport, which will be used to keep track of your visits. When you fill it out, return it back to Grandpa Shorter’s Gifts to be entered into the raffle. facebook. com/events/1023545272444199?ref=110
GALLERY WALK AND TALK: TWO NEW EXHIBITS: 1pm, Glen Arbor Arts Center. Take a stroll through the GAAC’s current exhibits, “The Sky Is Aways There” & “Reflections In Water.” Join in a conversational discussion of the exhibitions with Sarah Bearup-Neal, GAAC Gallery manager. Free. glenarborart.org/events-page/events-all
IMBOLC PARTY WITH POETRY: 5-7pm, Blessed Be Tea and Apothecary, TC. The Dead Poets Society & a celebration of Imbolc merge into an evening of magick & creativity. Guests can share their own poetry. There will be holiday-inspired snacks, a craft station, a mini ritual to set intentions for the season ahead, & more. Free. blessedbetea.com GREAT LAKES CINEMA SERIES PRESENTS “FROZEN II”: 6pm, Great Lakes Center for the Arts, Bay Harbor. Elsa faces a dangerous but remarkable journey into the unknown, in search of truths about the past. Rated PG. $5. greatlakescfa.org/ events/detail/frozen-2
CANDLELIGHT HIKE: Dune Climb, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park, Empire. Explore Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore at night. Arrive anytime between 6-7:30pm to enjoy the full experience. Includes park rangers & volunteers. Hike one mile on flat terrain along a candlelit trail. If there is adequate snow, this will be a snowshoe hike. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own snowshoes… they will also be loaned on a first-come, first-served basis. All programs are free with a valid park entrance pass. Passes may be purchased at the Phillip A. Hart Visitor Center in Empire, & cost $25 (per vehicle) for seven days, or other options available. No advanced registration needed. Bring a flashlight or headlamp & wear layers. nps.gov/slbe/planyourvisit/calendar.htm
DIXON’S VIOLIN: 7pm, AuSable Artisan Village Performing Arts Center, Grayling. Enjoy the world’s premier visionary violinist. $35. artisanvillage.org/event/dixons-violin
DJANGOPHONIQUE: 7-9:30pm, Cadillac Elks Lodge. This award winning project has been described as “...the cleanest, most genuine manouche jazz that can be heard in Michigan” by Local Spins. $9-$18 + fees. mynorthtickets.com/events/djangophonique-4-12-2025
NO EXIT: (See Sat., Feb. 1)
sunday
2025 NORTH AMERICAN VASA: (See Sat., Feb. 8)
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AIRSOFT BIATHLON: Crystal Mountain, Cross Country Center, Thompsonville. This event combines airsoft & cross-country skiing. The ski trail will be a one-mile long loop with two target stations. Must be 8 years or older to participate. Start times will be staggered & available between 1-3pm. $25/person; includes equipment. crystalmountain.com/event/biathlon
BIG LOVE EVENT: 1-4pm, Grow Benzie, Benzonia. Join the Art Guild and Fibershed for the annual Big Love Event featuring heart-centered activities for all ages. RSVP requested for Art Guild activities (card making/cookie decorating). 231-218-0655. Free entrance; up to $5 per activity. growbenzie. org/events-calendar
FREE FRIENDS & FAMILY FUN DAY: 2pm, The Botanic Garden at Historic Barns Park, TC. Create a unique botanical print or notecard to take home. Attendees will use fresh botanicals provided & color medium to make their own unique design. Free. thebotanicgarden.org/events
art
“DRAWN HERE”: An exhibit at Higher Art Gallery, TC featuring the student visual artists of Interlochen Arts Academy. Thirty-one student artists practicing a variety of mediums: clay, metalwork, painting, & print mak-
CONSCIOUSLY EMBRACING THE TRADITION OF HEALER
HELPING TO HOLD THE HUMAN SOCIAL FABRIC TOGETHER
ENTICING THE SACRED WORK OF GRIEF BACK INTO OUR LIVES
FRIDAY, MARCH 7
DOORS 7, MUSIC 7:30 TICKETS $20 ADV, $25 DOOR
ing. The show runs for in-person viewing through Feb. 8. Check web site for gallery hours. higherartgallery.com
TACTILITY: Oliver Art Center, Frankfort. This exhibition highlighting the design principle of texture in art will run through Feb. 14. The show will feature 2D & 3D artwork provided by four headlining artists: Detroit contemporary multi-media artist Robert Mirek, Bay City fiber artist Susan Pack, & two local artists, Jessica Kovan (mixed media) & Austin Garno (repurposed metal sculpture & mixed assemblage). It will also have on display work from a variety of other regional artists who are participating through a curated open call. OAC’s hours are Tues.-Sat., 10am-4pm & Sun., noon-4pm. oliverart.org
CROOKED TREE ARTS CENTER, PETOSKEY:
- DRAWN.: Held in Atrium Gallery. Experience the boundless possibilities of visual storytelling, from traditional mediums to digital works & everything in-between. Featuring: Jen Boehler, Katie Eberts, Nick Nortier, Nicole Ray & Kyria Smith. Runs through Feb. 22. crookedtree.org/event/ctac-petoskey/drawn - GUILD MEMBER SALON SHOW 2025: Runs through Feb. 22 in the Galleries. Invitational exhibit featuring the work of CTAC Artist Guild Members. Painting, photography, ceramics, jewelry, sculpture, new media, & more will be on display. crookedtree. org/event/ctac-petoskey/guild-member-salon-show-2025
- OPEN STUDIO, PETOSKEY: Saturdays, 10am-1pm in Visual Arts Room. Free dropin art studio for the whole family. New projects are offered weekly. crookedtree.org
CROOKED TREE ARTS CENTER, TC:
- BITTER & BEAUTY: WINTER’S TRUTH IN THE MIDWEST: Runs through - Feb.
22 in the Carnegie Galleries. This exhibit delves into the many facets of winter, showcasing how Michigan artists across all mediums interpret the season & its impact. Juried by local gallerist Shanny Brooke, the collection portrays the unique relationship northern Michigan has with winter. A conversation with some of the featured artists will be held on Sat., Feb. 1 at 11am, & then on Thurs., Feb. 13 at 5:30pm will be an ekphrastic reading based on this & the other exhibits. crookedtree.org/event/ctac-traverse-city/ bitter-beauty-winters-truth-midwest
- TRAVERSE AREA CAMERA CLUB: 2024 AWARD WINNERS: Runs through Feb. 22 in Carnegie Rotunda. Explore the works of local photographers in this exhibit featuring awardwinning images from the Traverse Area Camera Club’s 2024 competitions. Celebrating technical excellence & creative vision, these photographs capture diverse subjects. A conversation with some of the featured artists will be held on Sat., Feb. 15 at 11am. crookedtree. org/event/ctac-traverse-city/traverse-areacamera-club-2024-award-winners
- WINTER WIT... THE FUNNIER SIDE OF ART: Runs through Feb. 22 in Cornwell Gallery. Explore the role of humor in visual arts, encouraging you to reflect on what you find funny & how it can be expressed through different mediums. Juried by local artist Mary Fortuna. A conversation with some of the featured artists will take place on Sat., Feb. 8 at 11am; & an ekphrastic reading based on this & the other exhibits will be held on Thurs., Feb. 13 at 5:30pm. crookedtree.org/event/ ctac-traverse-city/winter-wit-funnier-side-art
DENNOS MUSEUM CENTER, NMC, TC:
- “SMALL EXPRESSIONS”: The Handweavers Guild of America, Inc.’s “Small Expressions” exhibit is an annual juried exhibition showcasing contemporary small-scale works using fiber techniques in any media.
Works do not exceed 15 inches in any direction, were completed within the last two years, & were not previously published. Runs through May 25. Hours are Tues. through Sun., 11am-4pm. dennosmuseum.org/art/ upcoming-exhibitions/small-expressions.html
- “NORTHWEST MICHIGAN REGIONAL JURIED EXHIBITION”: Held regularly at the Museum for over 30 years, the exhibition features artwork made by regional artists over the last year & juried by an arts professional outside of the region. This year’s juror is Teresa Dunn. It runs through May 25. Hours are Tues. through Sun., 11am-4pm. dennosmuseum.org/art/upcoming-exhibitions/northwest-michigan-juriedshow-and-call.html
- “ART OF REGENERATION”: This exhibition was inspired by the regenerative powers of axolotl, Ambystoma mexicanum, an aquatic salamander, also known as the Mexican walking fish. They can regenerate multiple body parts throughout their adulthood. Bright-field microscopic images highlighting axolotl limb regeneration process were used as design elements. The exhibit runs through March 30. Hours are Tues. through Sun., 11am-4pm. dennosmuseum.org/art/upcoming-exhibitions/art-of-regeneration.html
- A STYLE ALL OUR OWN: CANADIAN WOODLAND ARTISTS: Runs through May 25. In the early 1960s, young Indigenous artists from the Great Lakes region created a unique style of painting known as the Woodland School of Art. Early members of this prolific art community included Norval Morrisseau, Carl Ray, Roy Thomas, Sam Ash, Jackson Beardy, & Daphne Odjig. Perhaps the best-known of the group is Norval Morrisseau, who is often referred to as the Father of the Woodland School. Open Tues. through Sun., 11am-4pm. dennosmuseum. org/art/now-on-view/canadian-woodlandartists.html
- CONTEMPORARY JAPANESE CERAMICS FROM THE HORVITZ COLLECTION: Runs through Sept. 28, 2025. An array of works by contemporary Japanese ceramic artists, this is a sampler of the great diversity of styles, forms, glazes, & ages. These artworks are drawn from the curated collection of Carol & Jeffrey Horvitz, some of the leading collectors of Japanese contemporary outside of Japan. Open Tues. through Sun., 11am-4pm. dennosmuseum.org/art/ upcoming-exhibitions/index.html ----------------------
GLEN ARBOR ARTS CENTER: - OUTDOOR GALLERY EXHIBIT: MARGO BURIAN + ORDINARY MAGIC: Leelanau County artist Margo Burian’s collages have been chosen for display in the Glen Arbor Arts Center’s 2024-25 Outdoor Gallery exhibition, an annual, invitational exhibit. Burian’s collages are rooted in the idea of Ordinary Magic, or delight. They were reproduced on five, 5-foot-square, weather-resistant aluminum panels created by Image 360 of TC. Runs through April 20, 2025. Check web site for hours. glenaborart.org
- “REFLECTIONS IN WATER”: Held in Lobby Gallery. A small exhibit of colored pencil drawings depicting a vital life force by Judith Shepelak. Runs through April 24. Shepelak captures the dynamic, changing, & diverse faces of water as she has encountered it during travels locally & throughout the United States & Canada. The GAAC is open Mon. through Fri., 9am-3pm, & noon4pm on Sat. glenaborart.org
- “THE SKY IS ALWAYS THERE”: This exhibition moves beyond direct representation, beyond portraits of puffy clouds. Applicants were asked to consider the sky from its atmospheric characteristic to its mythic history. Runs through March 20. The GAAC is open during the week, 9am-3pm, & on Sat., noon-4pm. glenaborart.org
NORTHERN EXPRESS CLASSIFIEDS
GREAT LAKES INCUBATOR FARM
-TRAINING STUDENTS: The Great Lakes Incubator Farm is recruiting students for their Experiential Farm Training Program. Learn to manage a regenerative farm. Apply @ https://natureiscalling.org/glif
CHAKRA BALANCE CLASS AT NMC: Each session of this 7-week course will focus on the physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual duties of a chakra. These energy points in your body affect your physical and emotional well-being and are the key to healing. | Tuesdays 7-7:45pm 3/11-4/29 | gtreiki.com/services#classes
BECOME UNSTOPPABLE: Learn to meditate anywhere, anytime | Class offered at NMC Tuesdays 6-6:45pm Feb 11th-March 4th | signup at gtreiki.com/services#classes
SINGLE MATURE FEMALE: I am 65 wise, healthy, fit and looking for the same, but funnier.Someone who enjoys nature, travel, food, reading, engagement and being active. Respond to PO box 403, Empire 49630
TRAVERSE CITY COTTAGE FOR RENT: TC 1 BR Cottage, Very Nice, Utilities Included, Well Furnished, All New Appliances Including W/D, Patio, BBQ, No Pets, Month to Month to 1 Year; $1,600 per month, (231) 631-7512.
PAID PART-TIME POSITIONS FOR SENIORS AGE 55+: PAID POSITIONS WAITING TO BE FILLED FOR Seniors Aged 55 and Over. Receptionist, Cashier, Retail, Customer Service and more. You must be age 55 and over, unemployed, seeking work and meet program eligibility. We serve the Grand Traverse region and other northern Michigan counties. Call to learn more. Contact the AARP Foundation SCSEP Program at 231-252-4544.
SEWING, ALTERATIONS, MENDING & REPAIRS. Maple City, Maralene Roush 231-228-6248
COMPUTER PROBLEMS?: I'll fix your new or aging TV, phone, tablet or computer. I'll come to your home or office and show you how to use it. Call James Downer, Advent Tech. Your HIGH TECH HANDYMAN. 231-492-2087. CALL NOW! End the frustration of programming that new TV!
ENCORE 201, TC
9:
1/31-2/1 -- DJ Fade's Debut
2/7-8 -- DJ Ricky T
HOTEL INDIGO, TC
2/1 -- Zeke Clemons, 6-9
2/5 – Dominic Fortuna, 6-8
2/7 – Jeff Socia, 6-9
2/8 – Jesse Jefferson, 6-9
KILKENNY'S IRISH PUBLIC HOUSE, TC
9:30:
2/1 -- Boardman River Band
2/7 -- North 44
2/8 -- The Timebombs
KINGSLEY LOCAL BREWING
Grand Traverse & Kalkaska
MIDDLECOAST BREWING CO., TC
2/7 -- Jesse Jefferson, 6-9
NORTH BAR, TC 7-10: 2/1 – Jim Hawley
2/5 – Jesse Jefferson
2/6 – Drew Hale
OLD MISSION DISTILLING, TC SEVEN HILLS:
2/1 – Bauer Jones, 7:30
2/7 – Rhythm Theory, 7 2/8 – Rhett, 7:30
RIGHT BRAIN BREWERY, TC
2/1 -- Kamikaze Comedy Night w/ Zach Martina & Joshua Paul, 8
2/4 – Open Mic Night w/ LaRose Duo, 6-8
2/6 – Trivia Night w/ Marcus Anderson, 6:30-8:30
LEFT FOOT CHARLEY, TC
BARREL ROOM:
2/3 -- Open Mic w/ Rob Coonrod, 6-9
TASTING ROOM:
2/7 -- Jakob Abraham, 5-7
LIL BO, TC Tues. – Trivia, 8-10 Sun. – Karaoke, 8
MARI VINEYARDS, TC
2/7 -- Jim Hawley, 4-6
BOYNE CITY TAP ROOM
2/6 -- Adam & The Cabana Boys, 7
ETHANOLOGY, ELK RAPIDS
2/1 -- Kyle Brown, 7-10
2/2 -- Vinyl Record Crate Dig w/ DJ Franck & DJ Yokob, 1-5
2/8 -- Blair Miller, 7-10
SORELLINA'S, TC SLATE RESTAURANT: Thurs. -- Tom Kaufmann on Piano, 5-8 Fri. & Sat. – Tom Kaufmann on Piano, 6-9
THE ALLUVION, TC
2/1 -- The Bill Sears Quintet, 7:30-9:30
2/3 -- Funky Uncle - Funky Fun Mondays, 6-8:30
2/4 -- Ship Yard #2: Feat. Destination Devastation + Joe Dominick, 5:30-8:30
2/5 -- Viridian Strings - Interwoven Voices: Beethoven and Beyond, 6-9
2/6 -- The Jeff Haas Trio feat. Laurie Sears + Lisa Flahive, 6-8:30
2/8 -- Stop Making Sense - Free
Antrim & Charlevoix
FIRESIDE LOUNGE, BELLAIRE
6:30-9:30:
2/1 -- Nick Vasquez
2/8 -- Brett Mitchell
FOUNDRY CRAFT GRILLERY, EAST JORDAN
Thurs. -- Trivia, 7
BOB'S PLACE, ALANSON
2/5 -- Mike Ridley, 6-9
BOYNE VALLEY VINEYARDS, PETOSKEY
2-6:
2/1 -- Lou Thumser
2/8 -- Two Track Mind
CITY PARK GRILL, PETOSKEY
2/4 -- Trivia Night, 7-9
2/7 -- Annex Karaoke, 9:30
GYPSY DISTILLERY, PETOSKEY
2/1 -- Matt Gabriel, 2-5
2/7 -- Rock Out for Rescue w/ LeJet & Yankee Station, 6-10
2/8 -- Ricky Hill, 2-4
Talking Heads Film Screening + Dance Party: SOLD OUT, 7-10:30
THE HAYLOFT INN, TC
1/31-2/1 -- Grand Crew, 7:30-11
2/6 -- Open Mic Night, 6
THE LITTLE FLEET, TC
2/1 -- Bob Marley Night w/ DJ Das Marco, 7
THE PARLOR, TC
2/1 – Jonathan Stoye, 9-12
2/4 – Jesse Jefferson, 8-11
2/5 – Mallory Ramage, 8-11
2/6 – SkyeLea, 8-11
2/7 – Blue Footed Booby, 9-12
2/8 – Blake Elliott, 9-12
THE PUB, TC
2/1 – Rolling Dirty Duo, 9-12
2/3 – Karaoke Monday, 8-11
2/5 – Zeke Clemons, 8-11
2/6 -- David Martón, 8-11
THE WORKSHOP BREWING CO., TC
2/1 -- The Fridays, 7 2/4 -- Open Mic w/ Zac Bunce, 6:30
2/6 -- DJ Trivia, 7 2/8 -- Jazz North, 7
UNION STREET STATION, TC
1/31-2/1 -- DJ Prim, 10
2/6 -- Bob Marley B-day Bash w/ DJ 1Wave, 9
2/7 -- DJ DomiNate, 10
2/8 -- Rolling Dirty, 10
JAX NORTHSIDE, CHARLEVOIX
2/5 -- Trivia Night, 7-9
MUSKRAT DISTILLING, BOYNE CITY
2/7 -- Buddha Sweet, 8-11
SHORT'S PUB, BELLAIRE
2/6 -- Trivia w/ DJ Trivia, 6:30
Wexford & Missaukee
HIGH FIVE SPIRITS, PETOSKEY
2/1 -- DJ Parker Marshall, 9 2/6 – Bob Marley B-day Bash w/ DJs Franck & Yakob, 7
NOGGIN ROOM PUB, PETOSKEY
2/1 -- Paul Bedour, 7-10
2/5 -- Singo Bingo, 6:30 2/7 -- Charlie Witthoeft, 7-10 2/8 -- Holly Keller, 7-10
ODAWA CASINO RESORT, PETOSKEY VICTORIES:
1/31-2/1 -- Live DJ, 9 POND HILL FARM, HARBOR SPRINGS
5-8:
2/1 -- Ty Parkin & The Old Souls 2/8 -- The Real Ingredients
SEASONS OF THE NORTH WINERY, INDIAN RIVER PATIO:
2/8 -- Lee Fayssoux, 6-8
THE BEAU, CHEBOYGAN
2/1 -- Sam Schneider, 8-11
2/7 -- Musicians Playground Open Mic, 7
THE WIGWAM, INDIAN RIVER
2/6 -- Dominic Fortuna, 7:30-9:30
WALLOON WATERSHED, WALLOON VILLAGE
2/7 -- Michelle Chenard, 6-9
Send Nitelife to:
BLACK STAR FARMS, SUTTONS BAY
BISTRO POLARIS:
2/1 -- Zach Meyers, 6-8
CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN, THOMPSONVILLE
SLOPESIDE TENT NEAR CRYSTAL
CLIPPER CHAIRLIFT, 3-5:
2/1 -- Weston Buchan
2/8 -- Chris Smith
VISTA LOUNGE:
2/1 -- Luke Woltanski, 2-5; Somebody's Sister & the Goodfellas, 8-11
2/2 -- Jim Hawley, 2-5
2/5 -- DJ Trivia, 7-9
2/7 -- Bill Frary, 2-5; Drew Hale & Mallory Ramage, 8-11
2/8 -- Dominic Fortuna, 2-5; Drew Hale & Mallory Ramage, 8-11
2/9 -- Blake Elliott, 2-5
FIVE SHORES BREWING, BEULAH
2/6 -- Trivia Night w/ Mark, 6-9
FRENCH VALLEY VINEYARD, CEDAR
2/6 -- Rhett & John, 4
IRON FISH DISTILLERY, THOMPSONVILLE
5:30-7:30:
2/1 – Blair Miller
2/7 – Larz Cabot
2/8 – Aaron Dye
LAKE ANN BREWING CO.
2/1 -- WSKF, 6:30-9:30
2/6 -- Trivia Night, 7
2/7 -- Empire Highway, 6:30-9:30
2/8 -- The Dune Brothers, 6:309:30
SHADY LANE CELLARS,
Otsego, Crawford & Central
& Cheboygan
Leelanau & Benzie
Guitar and mandolin duo Billy & The Kid rock the Leelanau Peninsula… this time at Whiskers in The Homestead Resort, Glen Arbor, Sat., Feb. 8 from 6-9pm!
ALPINE TAVERN & EATERY, GAYLORD 6-9: 2/1 -- Pete Fetters 2/8 -- Mike Ridley
C.R.A.V.E., GAYLORD 2/7 -- Nelson Olstrom, 6
SNOWBELT BREWING CO., GAYLORD 2/6 -- Trivia Night, 7-9
lOGY
FEB 03 - FEB 09
BY ROB BREZSNY
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Born under the sign of Aquarius, Clyde Tombaugh discovered the heavenly body known as Pluto in 1930. This was years before he earned advanced degrees in astronomy. His early education was primarily self-directed. The telescopes he used to learn the sky were built from tractor parts and old car components from his father’s farm. During the coming months, I surmise there will be elements of your life resembling Tombaugh’s story. Your intuition and instincts will bring you insights that may seem unearned or premature. (They’re not!) You will garner breakthroughs that seem to be arriving from the future.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): It's your unbirthday season, Leo—the holiday that’s halfway between your last birthday and your next. During this interlude, you could benefit from clarifying what you don’t want, don’t believe, and don’t like. You may generate good fortune for yourself by going on a quest to discover rich potentials and stirring possibilities that are asyet hidden or unexpressed. I hope you will be bold enough to scan the frontiers for sources of beauty and truth that you have been missing. During your unbirthday season, you will be wise to gather the rest of the information you will need to make a smart gamble or daring change.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Austrian playwright Elfriede Jelinek won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2004, and RomanianGerman author Herta Müller earned it in 2009. But garnering the world’s most prestigious award for writers did not provide a big boost to their book sales. In some markets, their famous works are now out of print. In 2025, hope you Virgos do in your own spheres what they only half-accomplished in theirs. would love for you to gather more appreciation and attention while simultaneously raising your income. According to my reading of the astrological omens, this is a reasonable expectation.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): By day, Libraborn Forrest Bess (1911–1977) worked as a commercial fisherman in Texas. By night, he created visionary paintings inspired by symbols that appeared to him in states between sleeping and waking. Other influences in his art came from alchemy, the psychological philosophy of Carl Jung, and Indigenous Australian rituals. His life was living proof that mystical exploration and mundane work could coexist. I’m hoping he might serve you as an inspirational role model. You are in a phase when you have the power to blend and synergize seemingly opposing aspects of your world. You would be wise to meditate on how to find common ground between practical necessity and spiritual aspiration. Are there ways you can unite the desires of your head and heart? Of your need for safety and your longing for adventure? Of your craving for beauty and your fondness for usefulness?
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): The first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang, arranged for himself to be buried after death with an army of 8,000 soldiers made from terracotta, which is a clay ceramic. Joining the gang below the earth’s surface were 770 horses and 130 chariots. For over 2,000 years, this assemblage was lost and forgotten. But in 1974, farmers digging a new well found it accidentally. In this spirit, I am predicting that sometime in the next five months, you will make interesting discoveries while looking for something other than what you find. They won’t be as spectacular as the terracotta army, but bet they will be fun and life changing.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Author Zora Neale Hurston said, "There are years that ask questions and years that answer." I will adjust that counsel for your use, Sagittarius. According to my astrological analysis, the first half of 2025 will ask questions, and the second half will answer them. For best results, I invite you to gather and polish your best questions in the next five months, carefully defining and refining them. When July begins, tell life you are ready to receive replies to your carefully wrought inquiries.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Hemoglobin is an iron-bearing protein that’s crucial to most life. It enables the transportation of oxygen in the blood. But one species, the icefish of the Antarctic seas, lacks
hemoglobin. They evolved other ways to obtain and circulate enough oxygen in the frozen depths, including larger hearts and blood vessels. The system they’ve developed works well. So they are examples of how to adjust to an apparent problem in ways that lead to fine evolutionary innovations. I suspect you’re now in the midst of your own personal version of a comparable adaptation. Keep up the good work!
PISCES (Feb 19-March 20): One of the world’s deepest caves is Veryovkina in the nation of Georgia. At its lowest, it’s 7,257 feet down. There are creatures living there that are found nowhere else on earth. I propose we make it your symbolic power spot for now. In my astrological opinion, you will be wise to dive further into the unknown depths than you have in quite some time. Fascinating mysteries and useful secrets await you. Your motto: “Go deeper and deeper and deeper.”
ARIES (March 21-April 19): The world's largest mirror isn’t an actual mirror. It’s Bolivia's Salar de Uyuni salt flat, a vast area that’s almost perfectly flat. After a rain, a thin layer of calm water transforms the surface into a perfect reflector that can be used to calibrate observation satellites. In these conditions, it may be almost impossible to tell where the earth begins and the sky ends. I foresee metaphorically similar developments for you during the coming weeks. Boundaries between different aspects of your world—professional and personal, spiritual and practical— might blur in interesting ways. A temporary dissolution of the usual limits may offer you surprising insights and unexpected opportunities for realignment. Be alert for helpful clues about how to adjust the way you see things.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): From day to day, glaciers appear static. But they are actually slow-moving rivers of ice that have tremendous creative power. They can make or reshape valleys, moving tons of dirt and rock. They pulverize, grind, and topple trees, hills, and even mountains. New lakes may emerge in the course of their activity. I invite you to imagine yourself as a glacier in the coming months, Taurus. Exult in your steady transformative power. Notice and keep track of your slow but sure progress. Trust that your persistence will ultimately accomplish wonders and marvels.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): In recent weeks, have you stirred up any dynamic fantasies about exotic sanctuaries or faraway places or mercurial wild cards? Have you delivered enticing messages to inspiring beauties or brave freedom-fighters or vibrant networkers?
Have you been monitoring the activities of longshots or future helpers or unification adepts who might be useful to you sooner than you imagine? Finally, Gemini, have you noticed I’m suggesting that everything important will arise in threes— except when they come in twos, in which case you should hunt for the missing third? PS: When the wild things call to you, respond promptly.
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Archaeologists found two 43,000-year-old flutes in Germany. Constructed of mammoth ivory and bird bone, they still produce clear notes with perfect pitch. They were located in a cave that contains ancient examples of figurative art. Some genius way back then regarded art and music as a pleasurable pairing! propose we make these instruments your power symbols for the coming weeks, Cancerian. May they inspire you to resuscitate the value of your past accomplishments. May you call on the help of melodies and memories that still resonate—and that can inspire your future adventures! Your words of power are regeneration, revival, and reanimation.
“Jonesin” Crosswords
"1, 2, 3, 4" --see the first words of the starred clues' answers. by Matt Jones
ACROSS
1. Sioux Falls st.
5. Buddy
8. Sailboat pole
12. Winery city in California's Inland Empire
14. Scottish inlets
16. *"Yeah, that makes sense"
17. Cat or goat breed
18. "Children of the Albatross" author AnaÔs
19. *Officially kick off, like a host country's leader at the Olympics
21. Lump of goo
23. The E of QED
24. ___ XING (road sign)
25. In a grave manner, on sheet music
29. False pretense
31. 2024 character that got Ariana Grande her first Oscar nomination
33. "By gosh!"
34. *"2001" subtitle
38. Queue before V
39. "Oh, come on!"
40. Actor Ricci of "28 Days Later" and "Vendetta"
43. Flaky Viennese pastry
47. Ram's mate
48. Bird's bill
50. On the level
51. *Portable storage devices
56. "___ Poetica"
57. How neglected things go
58. *1983 Matthew Broderick movie with the quote "The only winning move is not to play"
60. Covered with ice and rain
61. Netflix competition series hosted by Mikey Day
62. "Benevolent" fraternal order
63. Perceive
64. Ivan or Nicholas, e.g.
DOWN
1. Wasp wounds
2. Corrupt
3. "F¸r Elise" key signature
4. Beer barrel
5. Not watered-down
6. Actor Guinness
7. Big spoon
8. Former Secretary of Transportation Norman
9. 2012 Ben Affleck film
10. Obstruction
11. Like some weekends
13. Bovine mouthful
14. Somali-born Olympic gold medalist track athlete Mo
15. Made smooth, in a way
20. Places to play pinball
22. Rapper whose posthumous final album was 2000's "Yeeeah Baby"
26. Suffix after Motor or pay
27. [Not my mistake]
28. Low film rating
30. Close once more
32. Play-___ (modeling clay)
34. Comprehensively
35. Crumbly topping
36. "You ain't seen nothin' ___"
37. Kazakhstan, once
38. "Gone With the Wind" character Butler and "Good Mythical Morning" cohost McLaughlin, for two
41. Former Brooklyn field
42. Rough Riders nickname
44. Some Tony nominees
45. "I did it!"
46. Second-rate
49. Fuzzy fruits
52. Subservient
53. Bud holder
54. New York canal
55. "___ Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band"
59. "Hamlet" division
