Northern Express - February 26, 2024

“The risk is they will make uninformed decisions. The reward is they become instrumental in creating their own future.”

Says Charlevoix High School senior Liam Dreyer of having youth in government Six Local High Schoolers Making Their Mark

Democracy and Leadership

letters CONTENTS feature

What a disappointment to read Mary Keyes Rogers’ article (February 12, 2024). She makes it sound like the Democratic Party and the Trump Party are the same. She bashes the Democratic Party without a single specific charge, so I know not what she is complaining about.

If she thinks the far-left legislators are driving the bus, I find that hard to believe. They just get the media attention. The Party members are very diverse in their views, as it should be. If she thinks President Biden is some kind of a loony liberal, he is not. If she thinks his brain is up to par but his body is not, I would agree. I certainly wish we had younger, more energetic, and dynamic candidates on the Democratic ticket and wish DT was already in prison, but it is what it is, and there is a world of difference between the two.

I suggest to Mary that the Democratic Party is still the party which best represents the middle class and poor, despite what the Republicans pretend. We are lucky that many wealthy citizens understand the problem of inequality in the U.S. and are willing to donate to the cause.

Despite whatever specific problems Mary has with the Democratic Party, I hope she keeps in mind the two huge issues: First, maintaining and supporting democracy in the U.S and the world, and second, maintaining our global leadership. We could easily become the next Britain.

Both democracy and leadership require our maintaining good relations with all countries, maintaining the rules, and working to bring an end to all military conflicts. Democratic leadership and control of Congress are our best bet. The Trump Party is not.

Fred Curow | Traverse City

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top ten this week’s

Time to Party in the Woods!

Curling on the National Stage

Can you believe March is just around the corner? There’s only one way to celebrate: Suds & Snow 2024. This northern Michigan tradition is in its 17th year, and the theme this time around is “Intergalactic.” (Trekkies, this is the party we’ve been waiting for!) While the snow can’t be guaranteed, the suds can, with 20+ craft vendors serving beer, wine, cider, and non-alcoholic beverages. Food trucks will also be onsite slinging delicious bites, and tunes from One Hot Robot, Rhythm Theory, and 2Bays DJs will make you dance all day long. Join the fun at Timber Ridge Resort in Traverse City from 1-6pm on Saturday, March 2. Early bird tickets are sold out, but general admission is still available ($40; includes two drink tokens) for guests 21+. Learn more at tcsudsandsnow.com.

Traverse City Curling Club will host the USA Curling Mixed Doubles National Championship at their 1712 S. Garfield Ave. location, Feb. 27 – March 3. This faster-paced discipline of the sport is played by teams comprised of one male and one female curler. See who will advance to represent the United States at the World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship in Sweden in April! Tickets: $5-$20. tccurling.org/usacurling-national-championship

Hey, Watch It! Constellation 4

“Reality is a conspiracy.” That’s the tagline for Constellation, the newest thriller to hit Apple TV+. Astronaut Jo Ericsson (Noomi Rapace) has barely survived an explosion on the space station where she works, only to come home and discover life on Earth isn’t quite as she remembered. Her memories feel scrambled, her relationships are off, and she’s beginning to doubt everything about herself. (It doesn’t help that most people think she’s going mad thanks to her traumatic experience out among the stars.) The show plays with time, space, and the human experience like a darker version of Interstellar, with a parent-child bond at the center of it all. Finding out what’s real, what’s a lie, and what has been kept secret will propel Jo to the limits of her humanity…and to the limits of the science she once thought she understood.

Tucked in the heart of downtown Lake Ann, Red Door Coffee House is a one-stop shop for all things coffee, lunch, and killer pastries. Our go-to order, though, isn’t on the menu—not the printed one, at least. Enter: the Loaded Grilled Cheese Panini. A bit of a secret amongst guests and staff, this ooey-gooey sandwich is built between slices of Bay Bread’s Italian loaf and stuffed with cheddar, mozzarella, provolone, and a healthy schmear of cream cheese. Griddled to toasty perfection and topped with crisp bacon and bread-and-butter pickles, it’s perfect for warming up on-the-go or dunking into a cup of homemade soup. The cat’s officially out of the bag! Grab a signature panini ($12)—and be sure to cheese wisely—at 19631 Maple St. in Lake Ann. (231) 640-0005.

You’ve heard of the Sundance Film Festival. The Cannes Film Festival (or, more accurately, Festival de Cannes). Even the Traverse City Film Festival—RIP. But what about the International Fly Fishing Film Festival? IF4 is headed to the Vogue Theatre in Manistee in partnership with Iron Fish Distillery and the Manistee Tourism Bureau. The festival’s nine films play March 2 at 12:30pm and 3pm and then again March 3 at 11am. Organizers highlight selections like Pinawaca, “a jungle adventure led by popular angler and guide Jako Lucas in search of legendary and oversized peacock bass,” and Vivid Dreams, “a breathtaking film about a group of friends in search of oversized sea-run brown trout in rugged landscapes.” Tickets are $24. Visit voguetheatremanistee.org for tickets and flyfilmfest.com to scope out the films.

Take a Walk on the Artistic Side

The Jordan Art Walk Committee of East Jordan is putting out the call: Are there any northern Michigan sculpture artists hoping to display their work? This is the fourth year of the program, which helps bring artwork to the trail on the South Arm of Lake Charlevoix. (Learn more about the Art Walk at jordanartwalk.org.) Sculptures must be nature-themed, able to stand up to the elements in all four seasons, and have a safe design. Selected works will be in place for three years, and the chosen artists will receive a $600 stipend in addition to the opportunity to sell their work. Entries are open now through April 15, 2024, and up to three digital entries can be submitted at callforentry.org. Contact the East Jordan Area Chamber of Commerce for more information at (231) 536-7351.

Stuff We Love: A Summer Scent

Is anyone else starting to think of summertime? Fresh-cut grass and blooming flowers, fruit in the orchards and the sun in the sky? When we found ourselves perusing the wares of Harbor View Nursery and Lavender Farm, all those summer vibes came rushing back. Good news: Harbor View has put that feeling in a bottle. Their Lavender-Lemon Room Spray ($15) has become our go-to for everything from the musty basement to the living room to the car. The spray is made with water, alcohol, and essential oils from lavender and lemongrass—no unpronounceable chemicals here! Trust us: You’ll want this scent in every space of the house. Look for a bottle at Harbor View’s sister stores, The Cherry Stop in downtown TC and Suttons Bay, or shop online at harborviewlavender.com.

We don’t know about you, but when the temperature dips, we love to warm up with a good latte. This year’s not-so-wintry weather hasn’t changed that fact, and Mundos has had our back all season with a special menu of seasonal latte treats. Our favorite of the bunch? The decadent Peanut Butter Latte, which combines a double shot of espresso with a housemade peanut butter chocolate syrup and steamed milk. The peanut butter flavor is lighter and less sticky-sweet than you might assume, and the entire thing goes down real easy on a chilly afternoon. Given the recent thaw, we’re not sure how long Mundos will keep its winter menu in rotation, so get over to one of the company’s numerous local coffee shops and give this gem a try before it’s gone! Find their locations at mundosroastingco.com.

spectator

By steven Tuttle

Public school history teachers in some states have to be especially careful these days. Prohibitions now exist, or have been proposed, limiting how teachers can discuss race or gender and how both impacted our founding history.

Montana, South Dakota, Florida, Georgia, Utah, and Alabama either have, or are considering, laws making it impossible to honestly discuss our history of treatment of women and those minorities we brought here to enslave. Alabama, Florida, and South Dakota have also introduced proposals making discussions of gender so difficult it is impossible to tell our story accurately.

and restrictions placed in front of women have come down and are still coming down. That we aren’t done making progress is an important part of our ongoing history, too.

Those arguing we were not and are not a racist country need to do some minimal reading—or maybe they just prefer ignorance to information.

In 1776, when we declared it to be a selfevident truth that “all men are created equal,” slavery was legal and slaves were owned in all 13 colonies. Of the 56 men who signed the Declaration, 41 were slave owners. By the time the U.S. Constitution

Our democratic republic was and is a noble experiment, but we have to be honest about both the patriarchy and racism of our darker beginnings.

Some school boards and politicians now believe any discussion of race is the equivalent of “bringing critical race theory (CRT) into the classroom.” And gender issues now seem to terrify too many public school administrators.

Let’s start with the obvious: The United States was created by white men, most of whom were wealthy. That’s just a fact, so let’s take a look at the patriarchy issue first.

was ratified in 1788, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut had abolished slavery, but the federal government and its constitution had not.

According to Oxford Languages, patriarchy is “a system of society or government in which men hold the power and women are largely excluded from it.” That seems clear enough, so let’s use 1788, the year the U.S. Constitution was ratified, as our starting point. Did we meet the Oxford definition?

In 1788, only men could vote (it would be another 132 years before women were allowed to vote) or hold political office. Married women could not own property or a business or be a lawyer or doctor (things were a little more lenient for widows and single women); only men could file suit; men maintained custody of children in the event of divorce or separation; only men could go to a university; men in most cases could not be charged with domestic abuse; and if a married woman had a job for which as paid, her wages went directly to her husband. Let’s repeat that last one: In 1788, if a married woman had a job for which she earned wages, that money was paid not to her but directly to her husband.

That was absolute textbook patriarchy. To the extent women aided in the revolution, and many did, they did so in spite of men, not because of them.

That is a reality of our history, and to prohibit its teaching is to do a dishonest disservice to current and future generations. We also should teach that most of those barriers

According to the Gilder Lehrman Institute for American History, 25 of the 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention were slave owners. The Constitutional Rights Foundation puts the number at 17, but they owned a shocking 1,400 human beings. The Constitution itself explicitly approves slavery. Article I, Section 9, paragraph 1 prohibits Congress from banning the importation of slaves prior to the year 1808. And Article I, Section 2, paragraph 1 manages to fully dehumanize slaves by counting them as only three-fifths of a person during apportionment for taxation and representation purposes.

Ten of our first 12 presidents owned slaves; only John Adams and his son, John Quincy Adams, were not involved in direct slave ownership. George Washington and Thomas Jefferson continued owning slaves while in office. From 1789 through 1923, there were more than 200 members of Congress who were or had been slave owners. And according to the White House Historical Association, slave labor was key to the construction of both the White House and the U.S. Capitol Building.

Despite all of that, we didn’t get around to constitutionally banning slavery until 1865, 77 years after we ratified our constitution. All it took was a civil war and 700,000 deaths.

Yes, much progress has been made, and that is also an important part of our history. Our democratic republic was and is a noble experiment, but we have to be honest about both the patriarchy and racism of our darker beginnings.

SMART MOVES FOR BETTER COMMUTES

guest OPINION

by Kate Lewis

As a seasoned bicycle commuter, I’ve experienced my fair share of urban obstacles, from dodging potholes to navigating impatient drivers and even encountering the occasional porcupine (yes, it happened). But despite these challenges, I’ve come to view biking as a saving grace—a way to stay sane, keep fit, and, most importantly, avoid the soulcrushing monotony of rush hour traffic.

Now, if you happen to call Traverse City home, you know about the Grandview Parkway rebuild. The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is poised to overhaul a 2-mile stretch between Garfield Avenue and Division Street. Set to begin March 10, the project will unfold in two distinct phases, with the first phase running from March to June and the second from July to November, following the conclusion of the National Cherry Festival.

It’s not just the size of the effort that’s causing a stir, but the impending inconveniences it’s bound to bring, from rerouted traffic to potential delays. But before panic sets in or resignation takes hold in anticipation of the gridlock apocalypse, let me assure you: it’s not the end of the world.

Let’s reframe this as an opportunity—an invitation to reimagine your daily commute, a chance to shake up your routine, embrace alternative modes of transportation, and maybe even rediscover your love for the great outdoors.

Instead of inching along in bumper-tobumper purgatory, you could be rolling or strolling along the scenic waterfront or weaving your way through downtown. There’s always the option of dusting off that old Schwinn in the garage or investing in a sleek new e-bike to pedal your way around the construction chaos.

The Bay Area Transportation Authority (BATA) also offers an array of options, including buses equipped with bike racks and a convenient mobile app for route planning. Kids under 5 ride free with a paying adult, making it an economical choice for families. Let someone else do the driving while you kick back, relax, and ponder life’s greatest mysteries (or scroll through cat memes on your phone—no judgment).

Of course, logistical concerns may arise—how to arrive at your destination presentable for that crucial meeting or how to navigate with little ones in tow. The proper gear like waterproof clothing and mud guards can ensure you arrive at your destination unscathed by the elements, while bike trailers and cargo bikes provide a safe and convenient means of transporting the kiddos. And let’s not overlook the value of instilling in our youth the virtues of trail

and public transit etiquette and outdoor exploration—lessons that will serve them well in the long run.

Far beyond the initial challenges lies a host of compelling reasons to embrace smart commuting. Consider, for instance, the financial savings associated with ditching the gas-guzzling metal box in favor of pedal power. The average American spends over $2,500 annually on commuting expenses—a figure that doesn’t even begin to account for the hidden costs of parking, insurance, and the occasional fenderbender-induced existential crisis.

Getting around with human power, whether it is walking or biking, not only offers a budget-friendly alternative but also provides numerous physical and health benefits. Those daily doses of fresh air and sunlight increase circulation, vitamin D, boost immune systems, and promote overall wellness (in addition to burning off last night’s pizza).

And let’s not forget the environmental benefits of smart commuting. By opting for human-powered transportation, whether walking or biking, we can significantly reduce our carbon footprint and contribute to efforts to combat climate change. Taking the bus reduces air pollution and lessens traffic congestion.

Moreover, there’s something undeniably liberating about reclaiming our streets from the tyranny of rush hour traffic. With each step or pedal stroke, we assert our independence, forging a deeper connection to our community and the natural world around us. In a city as special as Traverse City, with its waterfront views and vibrant small-town vibe, every commute becomes an opportunity for exploration and discovery.

So, my fellow Traverse City denizens, let’s rise to the occasion. Let’s embrace the challenge of the Grandview Parkway rebuild and seize the opportunity to reimagine our daily commute. Whether by bike, bus, or on foot, let’s reclaim our streets and rediscover the joy of smart commuting. After all, life’s too short to waste in traffic. Good luck!

*My favorite ways to smart commute: Hop on BATA with your bike, then you have multi-modes and more freedom at your fingertips. Or, drive to a designated smart lot and bike or bus the remainder of the way to your destination.

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.

Arts Discovery Day Camp

Experience the magic of Interlochen and participate in engaging artistic, educational, and recreational activities. Explore exciting weekly themes while enjoying the sunshine, lakes, and forests of northern Michigan.

MUSIC | THEATRE | DANCE | SUSTAINABILITY | ECOLOGY

One-week sessions run June 17 - Aug. 2 | Ages 7-12

Wait, What?

In Atkinson, New Hampshire, a new business is stirring up controversy: The Diaper Spa is a haven for adults who roleplay as children. Boston.com reported that the spa is open to "all diaper-wearing individuals who seek acceptance, respite and care." The facility is decorated like a nursery, with toys and adult-sized cribs. Services range from $200 an hour for virtual playdates to a $1,500-a-day experience that pampers "the little one inside of you." The owner, Dr. Colleen Ann Murphy, said the community of ABDL (adult/baby diaper lovers) is vast. "Being a part of this community brings comfort and solace," she said, and added that her services do not have a sexual component. Some Atkinson residents are concerned, though. "That is something that I will never be willing to expose my kids to," said Kayla Gallagher. "People tend to fear anything that they fail to comprehend," Murphy countered.

It's a Mystery

false alarm -- probably activated by Jax the horse, who refused to answer any questions about his shenanigans, the department said in a Facebook post. "Evidently, he was able to reach out from his stall and bite down on the alarm to set it off."

Tourists Behaving Badly

The Chinese take their pandas very seriously, as one Mr. Gao found out on Feb. 12 at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in Sichuan province. The Associated Press reported that Gao, 53, threw unspecified "objects" into the panda enclosure, which is strictly prohibited. "In view of Gao's uncivilized visit and his behavior that may cause harm to giant pandas, he is prohibited from entering the panda base ... for life," the base announced. "The national treasure has strict dietary standards."

Field Report

REGISTER NOW BLUE

interlochen.org/day-camp

Brett Elmore, the general manager of WJLX-AM radio in Jasper, Alabama, thought he had misheard when he got a call on Feb. 2, The Washington Post reported. "The tower is gone," his landscaper said. The 200-foot-tall steel structure that had broadcast the station for decades was gone, with cut wires and an empty concrete slab left behind. Elmore said police were "as bumfuzzled as I was." Upon further investigation, he realized the padlock was missing from the small building adjacent to the tower, and the transmitter was also gone. "I have heard of thieves in this area taking anything," Elmore said. "But this one takes the cake. If the tower is found, it's probably in a million pieces."

The Lima family in Philadelphia are investigating an unidentified object that appeared on their roof on Feb. 7, NBC10TV reported. Fabian Lima said he thought the 8-foot-tall flat piece of rusty metal with a large hole in it might have fallen from a plane, but "I would have thought it would have gone right through," he said. The Limas called the Federal Aviation Administration, who told them to hold on to the item until given the "all-clear." Later, the FAA said it had investigated and the object did not come from an aircraft.

Ewwwww

U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported on Feb. 11 that the agency had confiscated the dead and dehydrated bodies of four monkeys from the luggage of a traveler returning to Boston Logan International Airport from the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Associated Press reported that the traveler claimed he had dried fish, but a dog sniffed out something different. "Bushmeat" is banned in the U.S. because of the threat of disease, and the flyer said he had the monkeys for his own consumption. No charges were filed, but the luggage was seized and about 9 pounds of bushmeat were destroyed by the CDC.

Animal Antics

When Bedford firefighters were called out to a horse farm in Westchester County, New York, on Feb. 5, they feared the worst, NBC4-TV reported. Fortunately, it was a

Poor Joey. The donkey, 15, who lives in Sidmouth, England, lost his mom, Josie, in November, and he hasn't been himself since, Metro News reported. In his grief, Joey stopped eating properly and developed a gastric impaction that threatened his life. Luckily, vets devised a sweet solution: "As well as pain relief, we flushed Joey's stomach with cola several times a day to dissolve the solid," veterinarian Jamie Forrest said. "We used 6 liters of full-sugar cola a day ... In essence the cola acted like a drain cleaner." Folks at Slade House Farm also hooked Joey up with Ben, another donkey who lost his best friend, Bob, late last year. "We hoped their shared experience of loss would allow them to comfort each other," said groom Kayleigh Yelland. "Their friendship is still flourishing. It's early days."

Weird Science

Charlotte, a stingray who lives at the Aquarium & Shark Lab in Hendersonville, North Carolina, is pregnant, but scientists are stumped because there are no male stingrays in her tank. WBTV reported on Feb. 12 that Brenda Ramer, the founder of the aquarium, said she noticed bite marks on Charlotte's body and suspects that they were made by either Moe or Larry, the young male sharks that live with her in the tank. Since it's impossible for those two species to interbreed, the only other explanation could be parthenogenesis, where eggs develop without fertilization and create a clone of the mother. Ramer doubts that's the case, because it's rare in rays in captivity: "It's a 'once in the bluest of blue moons' experience."

Least Romantic Thief

Anthony Lewis, 33, of Winter Haven, Florida, wanted to surprise his exgirlfriend, and maybe lure her back, with a unique Valentine's Day gift. So he picked up a couple of crane statues -- out of someone else's front yard. Fox13-TV reported that Lewis was on his motorcycle when he snatched the cranes, which were "very special" to the owner because her deceased husband had given them to her. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said the girlfriend was "mortified" and cooperated with law enforcement. Lewis, who has 39 priors, was arrested. "If this guy's in the area, he'll steal it," Judd said.

BEYOND BOOKS

Welcome to the ever-evolving libraries of the future

By Brighid Driscoll

When was the last time you visited your local library?

For many of us, it’s been since childhood, or at least since our kiddos were little. Even if we have active library cards, it’s all too easy to place a hold on a book online, pick it up, drop it back off, and never once go exploring among the stacks.

And yet, libraries are a portal to another world, just as they were when we were young. And now, the life-changing magic of these community resources goes far beyond books.

The Library of Things

We all know you can use a computer for free at your local library. But did you know you could check out a guitar? A laptop? A sewing machine? A telescope? Board games and yard games? Light therapy lamps?

That’s the magic of the Library of Things.

“I read a statistic that something like 36 percent of library users consider themselves non-readers. It makes sense when you think about the movies we have, the music, and so many other things. The library has stuff for you even if you’re not a reader,” says Michele Howard, director of the Traverse Area District Library. Traverse Area District Library (TADL) contains six locations, including the Main Library in Traverse City, East Bay and Kingsley branches, plus Fife Lake, Interlochen, and Peninsula member libraries.

The term “Library of Things” started gaining popularity in the 2010s, but the idea of checking out non-books began long before.

“We’ve had puppets forever,” says Howard. “I think we started checking out puppets in the ’70s.” Art pieces, a Polaroid camera, laser discs, and more were added

throughout the 1980s. The collection continued to grow from there, and by the 2010s, the library’s non-book catalog was so diverse and substantial that people wanted to know what to call it.

“Libraries have always tried to help their communities, and here was this little weird niche thing where people are like, ‘Well, I don’t want to own a laser level, but I wish I could check one out for a couple of weeks.’

So that became the Library of Things,” Howard explains.

Today, Howard says TADL offers 344,630 books and things you can check out, and roughly 32 percent of the library’s collection are non-book items.

Reference & Collection Development Librarian Mary Beauchamp of Petoskey District Library led the charge in starting Petoskey’s own Library of Things. “I got the idea from the Traverse Area Library and started with ukuleles. I add to the collection every year with a little bit of our budget.”

Checking out an item from the Library of Things works similarly to checking out a book. Items come in cases and/or with I.D. tags and must be returned after two weeks. Some are in high demand and may have a wait, while others are ready to go.

Howard says that the most popular items at TADL are Wi-Fi Hotspots and the thing that started it all: puppets. More than 1,200 puppets have circulated in the past 12 months.

“We have hundreds of puppets,” adds TADL Marketing & Communications Manager Heather Brady. “They’re not your garden variety puppets either. There are lobsters and anemones and so many others. It’s always fun to see a dragon being pushed up over the checkout desk.”

At Petoskey District Library, Beauchamp says that a patron checked out a metal detector from their Library of Things and

found their wedding ring with it. Other fun items that are regularly checked out include an ice cream maker, a food dehydrator, a boombox with a cassette player and a CD player, snowshoes, and so many games. “It’s nice to try a game out before you buy it,” Beauchamp says.

A MAP to Adventure

A library card not only takes you to new places through reading, but it can also physically take you somewhere new.

The Michigan Activity Pass (MAP) offers free or discounted access to hundreds of cultural and recreational activities across Michigan, including museums, state parks, historic sites, and more. This perk is available to Michigan library cardholders, providing excellent opportunities for adventures throughout the state.

With MAP, you can explore endlessly by checking out passes to the places you want to go. A quick look on the MAP website (miactivitypass.org) offers pass options for everything from the Dennos Museum Center to Point Oneida Heritage Center to the Platte River State Fish Hatchery & Weir for TADL library goers.

Petoskey MAP pass holders receive a 20 percent discount on concert tickets for Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra shows, a 10 percent discount on admission at Raven Hill Discovery Center, and a free visit to the Harbor Springs History Museum.

The list goes on, and each library offers something a little different.

But Wait, There’s More!

If you need to have a meeting, brainstorming session, book club, study group, or just some solo time to get stuff done, library members can reserve differentsized rooms. Most rooms can be rented

through their websites free of charge. (Note: Larger rooms accommodating 100 people or more have a fee.)

In fact, even though libraries are often thought of as places of quiet and solitude, plenty of clubs meet at the library, and their event calendars are always full.

“We have yoga for families, mindful storytime, the hobby group from the senior center, a writing group, Tai Chi—so much fun stuff,” says Howard.

Petoskey also has a variety of regular groups using the library’s space. “We have a group called PUP, Petoskey Ukulele Players; they come in once a week and play. Anyone can join,” Beauchamp tells us. “We also have one-on-one tutoring for kids first through third grade. And I’m excited about the Reader’s Theatre we’ve just started. It’s for ages 10 and up. You don’t have to have a theater background—it’s just reading, no stage direction. There will be a performance at the end of every month.”

Last but not least, both libraries also provide spaces and tools for arts and crafts, and each offers 3D printing for a small fee. (If you’ve always wanted to recreate your Polly Pocket accessories or need to replace a Monopoly piece, now is the time!)

And readers, that’s just the tip of the library iceberg. With all of the benefits of having a library card, why not use all these features? For this writer, hesitation spawned from a nearly four-year-old late fee, but Howard assured us this is a smaller hurdle than one might think.

“Just come in and see us,” she says. “If you lost the book, it’s just a replacement cost, and you can make payments. People sometimes think they’ll come in and owe so much, but it’s usually not a lot because only a few things have fees anymore. We want people to feel like they can always return to the library.”

Inside the Library of Things at Traverse Area District Library.

TADL’s Book Club Kits are available to check out for a six-week period. Each kit contains four to 12 copies of the same title, as well as discussion questions.

Young People Doing Big Things

Six high schoolers making their mark through art, entrepreneurship, activism, and building community

By Ross Boissoneau

You don’t have to be an adult to change the world. Just look at Greta Thunberg, Malala Yousafzai, and the like and all that they accomplished while in their teens.

Locally, there are plenty of young people doing their part to stand out from the crowd. Beyond academic or athletic accomplishments—and sometimes in concert with them—a number of students across the region are reaching out to their peers and their communities through a variety of endeavors, from businesses to clubs to nonprofits.

Here are the stories of just a few of the young people doing big things in northern Michigan.

1. Alexis Ball

She’s an outstanding runner earning all-state honors and an academic star with a 3.94 GPA at Traverse City Central High School. But what really sets Alexis Ball apart is the fact that she already owns her first house.

She purchased and refurbished a home that she is now renting out, providing a monthly return on her dollars. “My parents are small business owners, and I grew up thinking of investments to pay for college,” she says.

So she and her parents began looking into purchasing a home that they could renovate and rent or sell. They found a two-bedroom, one-bath in the Grayling area and purchased it while Ball was still in 8th grade. They worked to refurbish the home, painting and installing new flooring, and waded through the purchasing and then the rental processes together.

“I’ve learned a lot,” Ball says, listing some of the things she’s focused on. “How intentional you have to be in the real world. Time use management, not wasting time. Sacrifice. You have to be intentional about what you prioritize.”

While the thought originally was that selling the home would be the best way to get a return on her investment, Ball says she’s now rethinking that. “The original intent was to sell it for college, but currently it’s doing so well I’m going to hold onto it for the next few years,” she says.

Indeed, the rental income pays the mortgage plus provides additional funds she’ll use as she heads to Calvin University, where the young landlord will once again run track and cross country.

2. Liam Dreyer

Readers may remember Liam Dreyer from the Fascinating People special section in 2021. He believed younger people could offer local governmental units a unique perspective, and at 14 became the youngest-ever member of Charlevoix’s Downtown Development Authority.

Not satisfied with that step, he founded Government For Tomorrow, a nonprofit dedicated to placing students in governmental bodies of all sorts. “The reaction has been overwhelmingly positive,” he says.

One of the first communities to similarly move to including students was Traverse City, and City Planning Director Shawn Winters speaks to its success in Government For Tomorrow’s latest annual financial report. The nonprofit has now reached as far north as Sault Ste. Marie and as far south as Kalamazoo. Dreyer says he will be looking at national possibilities in the coming year.

Dreyer feels input from younger people can be invaluable, particularly as they will be the decision-makers in the future. “The risk is they will make uninformed decisions,” he acknowledges, though that is mitigated by the fact most are in non-voting positions (though his position on the DDA became a voting position after serving two years on the board). On the other hand, “The reward is they become instrumental in creating their own future. To understand their values and what they want, poll them today.”

The Charlevoix senior will be leaving the state this fall for college, but hopes to retain his seat on the Charlevoix DDA. Regardless of that, as founder and CEO of Government for Tomorrow, he intends to continue championing a role for young people in local governments.

3. Meena Karimi

Even among the many talented students at Interlochen Arts Academy, Meena Karimi manages to stand out. The skilled cellist from Afghanistan is president of the student body and received an early acceptance to Harvard. In most of the all-community meetings she leads as president, she reads poetry in her native language and provides the translation, sharing her culture with the Interlochen community.

“I came to the United States two and a half years ago,” Karimi says. Traveling 6,000 miles from home was a challenge, but she was hopeful that she would find others as interested in classical music for cello as she was. “In Afghanistan … I was one of the few playing [cello].”

Karimi actually moved to the U.S. just before the Taliban took over her home country, and she has not been back since. “I was fortunate. The situation [there] gets worse every day, girls and women being removed from society.”

At Interlochen, Karimi found she fit in with the student body composed of students from across the world engaged in study of the arts. “It was a very big change, but Interlochen is very diverse. I’m the only Afghan, but others are from Syria, Turkey, other places,” she says.

Karimi will be studying international relations and government at Harvard, but vows to make time for her first love of music as well. She points to “the Harvard-Radcliffe Orchestra, New England Conservatory, Berklee College of Music, Boston Conservatory—there will be many opportunities to find lessons and play in chamber groups.”

Cadillac Innovation High School junior Araya Collins believes in positive reinforcement. “I’ve always loved helping people,” she says. So she came up with an idea to help if someone is having a bad day: Telling them they’re loved and appreciated, and just not with words.

Her brainchild is Positive Teez, a line of T-shirts that embraces those feelings and messages of positivity with sayings like “You’ve Got This” and “I Believe In You” emblazoned on them.

“I’ve always been interested in designing stuff, but I’m not the best artist,” Collins says, noting that her favorite subject is English. “Yet I wanted to do something artistic.”

She believes the shirts can help the wearer and those who see them feel better about themselves and the world around them. “I know people who have struggled with their mental health. I’ve seen stuff like that and it helped me,” Collins says.

She’s purchased a machine to print the T-shirts and has produced a couple of prototypes. She is waiting on her LLC and will then design a website. Collins says a number of teachers are excited for her to begin production. And her parents? “They’re supportive. And in shock,” she says.

5. Ava King

Traverse City West Senior High senior Ava King got hooked on running at an early age. “My mom got me into it when I was little,” she says. It was a good way to get King and her twin brother to spin off some of their excess energy.

Her brother immediately took to it. King, not so much. “I didn’t like it. It was a chore. My brother loved it; he’d do lap after lap after lap. I had to keep up.”

Eventually, King embraced running—“It kind of stuck,” she says—and it just became part of her lifestyle. But as a member of both the track and cross-country teams in school, she felt let down out of season, with no meets and no friends to run with.

That’s when she turned some of that energy to creating the Traverse City Northern Lights running club.

The group is open to students from across the region, though it’s geared primarily toward high schoolers, and in its first year of existence has proven popular. “It’s worked really, really well. We’ve doubled the number of kids and hope to grow more. It’s a lot of fun,” King says.

One of the unexpected benefits is that the participants have gotten to know runners from other schools. “It provides a sense of community. We compete in-season,” she says, but the club is about camaraderie. “It builds friendships.”

6. Reese Bey

Who doesn’t love a good shot of dopamine? Longtime skateboard and snowboard enthusiast Reese Bey, a junior at Boyne City High School, found his niche when he went to Camp Woodward, a camp for action sports in Pennsylvania. “That’s when we started talking about dopamine. It’s a neurotransmitter,” he says, a hormone secreted by the body that acts on areas of the brain to give feelings of pleasure, satisfaction, and motivation.

He found that feeling in his athletic exploits and thought it could translate to a brand: Dopamine clothing, something he could wear while engaging in his favorite activities.

So he sketched some designs and sent them to a friend of his father’s, who made them into vector images that could be imprinted onto clothing without pixelating. The designs included a logo he designed, a sketch of a brain, even a head showing the brain inside. “I think the simplicity is what grabbed people,” he says.

Bey also credits his schooling with leading to his clothing brand. “I’ve taken three years of art at high school. It definitely played a role. My art teacher has been super helpful.”

Bey is learning the ropes of running a business, from pricing to stocking the right products in the right sizes. He’s not yet set up either a website or a physical store, but sells his Dopamine hoodies and crewnecks to friends, schoolmates, and those who have heard about them or seen him wearing them while out and about, like on the slopes.

“I love talking to people and trying new things,” Bey says of the adventure so far. “I looked up to people who weren’t afraid to put themselves out there.”

4. Araya Collins

5. Ava King

Traverse City West Senior High senior Ava King got hooked on running at an early age. “My mom got me into it when I was little,” she says. It was a good way to get King and her twin brother to spin off some of their excess energy.

Her brother immediately took to it. King, not so much. “I didn’t like it. It was a chore. My brother loved it; he’d do lap after lap after lap. I had to keep up.”

Eventually, King embraced running—“It kind of stuck,” she says—and it just became part of her lifestyle. But as a member of both the track and cross-country teams in school, she felt let down out of season, with no meets and no friends to run with.

That’s when she turned some of that energy to creating the Traverse City Northern Lights running club.

The group is open to students from across the region, though it’s geared primarily toward high schoolers, and in its first year of existence has proven popular. “It’s worked really, really well. We’ve doubled the number of kids and hope to grow more. It’s a lot of fun,” King says.

One of the unexpected benefits is that the participants have gotten to know runners from other schools. “It provides a sense of community. We compete in-season,” she says, but the club is about camaraderie. “It builds friendships.”

for her to begin production. And her parents? “They’re supportive. And in shock,” she says.

6. Reese Bey

Who doesn’t love a good shot of dopamine? Longtime skateboard and snowboard enthusiast Reese Bey, a junior at Boyne City High School, found his niche when he went to Camp Woodward, a camp for action sports in Pennsylvania. “That’s when we started talking about dopamine. It’s a neurotransmitter,” he says, a hormone secreted by the body that acts on areas of the brain to give feelings of pleasure, satisfaction, and motivation.

He found that feeling in his athletic exploits and thought it could translate to a brand: Dopamine clothing, something he could wear while engaging in his favorite activities.

So he sketched some designs and sent them to a friend of his father’s, who made them into vector images that could be imprinted onto clothing without pixelating. The designs included a logo he designed, a sketch of a brain, even a head showing the brain inside. “I think the simplicity is what grabbed people,” he says.

Bey also credits his schooling with leading to his clothing brand. “I’ve taken three years of art at high school. It definitely played a role. My art teacher has been super helpful.”

Bey is learning the ropes of running a business, from pricing to stocking the right products in the right sizes. He’s not yet set up either a website or a physical store, but sells his Dopamine hoodies and crewnecks to friends, schoolmates, and those who have heard about them or seen him wearing them while out and about, like on the slopes.

“I love talking to people and trying new things,” Bey says of the adventure so far. “I looked up to people who weren’t afraid to put themselves out there.”

It Takes a Village to Make a Great Start

The who, what, where, when, why, and how of Great Start Collaborative of Traverse Bay

By Anna Faller

Recent population data reflects that there are more than 7,000 children between the ages of zero and five in the five-county region (Benzie, Antrim, Kalkaska, Leelanau, and Grand Traverse). Making sure that those kids and their families have access to the resources they need takes a village—or rather, a community network.

This is where the Great Start Collaborative (GSC) of Traverse Bay comes in. Established locally in 2008, GSC serves all families with children from birth through eight years old in its five-county span and works to build systems that support quality early childhood care.

“Our mission is to ensure that every child has a great start in life, and that they have equitable opportunity to reach their highest potential,” GSC Traverse Bay Coordinator Robin Hornkohl explains.

WHO

Every community in Michigan is equipped with a Great Start Collaborative system. In the Traverse Bay region, that network comprises upwards of 75 members and partners, including: schools and educational services, like North Ed; medical and behavioral resources; nonprofits, like United Way of Northwest Michigan; public recreation hubs; administrators, caregivers, and countless others.

Further, a whopping 20 percent of the group’s membership represents parents, who provide an authentic voice for the ideas the collaborative helps incite. Alongside GSC, Great Start Parents offers a volunteer network for parents of young children to connect, lead individual projects, and advocate for needed childcare services.

“We know that caring for young children requires all voices. The Great Start Collaborative is all about the community holding [that work],” Hornkohl adds.

WHAT

The core of the collaborative’s mission is directly connected to the state of Michigan’s four Early Childhood Outcomes:

1. That children are born healthy; 2. That they’re healthy, thriving, and developmentally on track from birth to third grade; 3. That they’re developmentally ready to succeed in school when they enter; and, 4. That they’re ready to succeed in fourth grade and beyond by attaining literary proficiency by the end of third grade.

Those goals, though they may seem straightforward, aren’t so easy to achieve and often look different for different people.

To help spot unmet community needs, GSC supplements its outreach with Kids Count Data. This data is made up of community demographics, WIC usage (that’s a supplemental nutrition program for low-income women and young children), poverty levels, and abuse and neglect statistics.

From there, group members collaborate through action teams to implement new ideas and systems. In northern Michigan’s communities, the legwork is carried out through three core initiatives, each with programs tailored towards achieving one or more of the aforementioned goals.

Those initiatives are 5toOne, Child Caring Now, and the School Readiness Committee.

5toOne: Launched in 2014, 5toOne is designed to strengthen and educate families by connecting them to early childhood resources. Its offshoots include local playgroups hosted through partnered Neighborhood Centers as well as access to tools like Help me Grow Michigan (a hub of familybased resources), connections to preschool and childcare support, and at-home developmental assessments.

Another key element of 5toOne is the system’s early literacy efforts, which involve both national campaigns—notably, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and Talking is Teaching—as well as local programs, like Books from Birth.

“It’s an all-encompassing initiative that was intended and developed to be a recognizable portal for quality early childhood experiences for families,” GSC Family Liaison Missy Smith notes.

Child Caring Now: To reduce the increasing number of northern Michigan families with childcare needs, the Child Caring Now (CCN) initiative formed in spring 2022. It involves a network of childcare providers, elected officials, and organizational partners working to advance childcare access.

This means reducing service costs, which, according to Kids Count Data, averages $700 per month for each child. Other goals include expanding mentorship opportunities, implementing support for caregivers, and bolstering the workforce by streamlining programs for early childhood educators.

School Readiness Committee: The GSC’s third and final initiative is the School Readiness Committee, which unites parents, caregivers, and educators in laying the groundwork for school-preparation benchmarks.

According to last available statewide data, less than 40 percent of students in North Ed’s five-county region arrived ready for school, and the percentage of children who didn’t attend preschool in the last three years is on the upswing.

To close that gap, the School Readiness Committee aims to establish developmental best practices and implement them in local communities as well as increase access to literacy materials.

WHERE

Though GSC facilitates services throughout the northern Michigan region, not all of its members and partnered organizations participate in the same way.

“That’s intentional, so that people are able to find how their piece fits into this puzzle,” says Hornkohl. It does, however, mean that events and meeting spaces often change in relation to how members engage.

There are a few consistent players, though. Many 5toOne Neighborhood Center partners, for instance— including the Great Lakes Children’s Museum, Grow Benzie, and Interlochen Public Library—are committed to holding physical space for community activities through the GSC network.

The Great Start Collaborative team is made up of staff, parents, and volunteers from organizations like Northwest Education Services, Munson Healthcare, and the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation.

WHEN

As for when to get involved? “Prenatally,” Smith suggests with a laugh.

Though entering the “childcare tunnel” before that child is born might sound excessive, Smith highlights that—for firsttime parents, especially—that’s when it’s easiest to assess what you need. Pinpointing gaps in information can be an uphill battle for many new families who are introduced to resources at birth but don’t realize their needs until months or years later.

That being said, Hornkohl reiterates that it’s never too late to tap into the GSC network. “We’d love for everyone to understand this work and be involved from the very beginning, but we understand that needs are unique,” she adds. “Whenever someone is ready, we’re here and ready to welcome them.”

WHY

From kindergarten to adulthood and beyond, getting that great start really is critical.

For starters, studies have shown that the first five years of human development lay the foundation for the rest of a child’s life. When we support young children through the lens of healthy and safe caregiving experiences, we’re not only setting them up for school but also giving them the framework to build productive relationships as they grow, Hornkohl notes.

Neural connections are another biggie. In fact, 70 percent of human brain development, which is vital for stability and future health outcomes, takes place as the result of the care and nurturing we receive as young children.

In other words, we really are counting on our communities to help us forge a successful path.

“We know we do better as humans overall when we support people from the very beginning,” Hornkohl adds. “There really is a unique opportunity here to make a big difference with very little effort.”

HOW

To get connected, both experts agree that showing up within the GSC space is a good first step. For new GSC families, Smith recommends connecting with a collaborative member, going to a playgroup session, or attending a Great Start Parents meeting.

“It doesn’t have to be anything bigger than saying, ‘Hi, I’m here,’” she explains. “I think once families understand the opportunities that exist, they become more engaged organically.”

From there, the collaborative’s weekly digital newsletter, which offers information and planned events, is a great way to keep up with GSC’s endeavors. Attending coalition meetings or reaching out to Neighborhood Centers are also quick ways to enter the pipeline.

For more information or to get involved in the Great Start Collaborative Grand Traverse Bay, visit www.helpmegrow-mi.org/northwest.

The Great Start Collaborative website has links to playgroup schedules, activity calendars, and other family resources.

A Year of Change at Traverse Bay Children’s Advocacy Center

TBCAC looks back at the challenges of 2023 and ahead to serving children in our area

By Al Parker

Like a lot of businesses and organizations, the Traverse Bay Children’s Advocacy Center (TBCAC) has been hiring.

“Our board is prioritizing a search for a new CEO,” says Wilson (Bill) Brott when we spoke earlier this month. Brott is chair of the TBCAC board and a long-time attorney who serves as the tribal prosecutor for the Grand Traverse Band. “We’re hopeful by spring we’ll have our new CEO.”

Just as Northern Express was headed to press, TBCAC announced in a press release that the role had been filled. Lander Bachert—former CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Big Sky Country and Director of K-12 Programming and Digital Outreach at America Campaign prior to that—will begin on Monday, March 11.

“I am deeply committed to the wellbeing and care of our young people, and am honored to be joining the TBCAC team to support the organization’s important work,” Bachert said in the press release.

The new CEO will oversee operation of the regional response center for cases of child abuse and violence in the counties of Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau, and Wexford counties, along with the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians.

“The Traverse Bay Children’s Advocacy Center provides hope, healing and justice to children who have experienced sexual abuse, physical abuse, trafficking, severe neglect, or have witnessed other acts of violence through trauma-informed services and programs,” explains Brott.

In a Good Place

Even without a CEO at the helm of the operation, TBCAC is operating at full service capacity, according to Brott. “We’ve had a lot of support from our community through some big changes, and ultimately, things at our CAC are in a good place,” he says.

Those “big changes” came in May of last year, when Grand Traverse County Prosecuting Attorney Noelle Moeggenberg and other

individuals and entities had disagreements about how TBCAC was being run. Four board members resigned their positions over complaints about the organization’s leadership, transparency, growth, and concerns about workplace culture.

After some changes within the board and the staff, TBCAC renewed their partnership with Moeggenberg and others one month later.

In a 2022-23 community report, Moeggenberg noted that “after internal restructuring at the center, a noticeable increase in transparency, ongoing efforts to support employees and meaningful discussions that led to restored trust among the center and multidisciplinary team members, we reinstated our former partnership in June 2023. Since that time, the TBCAC and its multidisciplinary team members have worked together to provide the best possible services to children and families in our area.”

“We repaired our partnership with Prosecuting Attorney Noelle Moeggenberg and the law enforcement agencies who work with us,” explains Brott. “And we are communicating with them regularly to make sure we all stay on the same page.”

One major change came in reducing the size of the governing board from 15 members to eight. The board provides governance and accountability, establishes direction of the agency, and ensures there is financing for TBCAC to operate. Each board member serves for three years and is limited to four terms.

As part of the healing process, the TBCAC board commissioned independent reviews of the staff and board processes. Outside agencies were brought in to meet with staff and discuss issues. Two separate reports cited the exceptional qualities of the organization’s direct services, saying, “The work performed at the institution, and the care exhibited for their clientele was consistently cited as exemplary, much needed, compassionate and professional.”

Even during the dispute, the staff continued its work with clients from across the six counties and the Tribe.

“I’m so proud of the staff, who are doing

exceptional work to support survivors of child abuse and their families,” says Brott, who noted that the staff has grown to 17 with the addition of two more counselors. “It’s important to note that there were never any issues with how our counseling, intervention, and prevention services were being delivered by staff. And we continue to provide traumainformed services and programs.”

In the Black

So with all the changes, how is the organization’s financial future looking?

TBCAC operates on a budget of about $1.5 million, with about $1 million coming through grants from various sources. Another $270,000 comes from generous donors and groups across the six-county region.

“Our current budget is in the black, we’ve passed all financial audits, and we have ongoing transparent communication protocols in place with staff, MDT [MultiDisciplinary Team] partners, and other community supporters,” says Brott.

Madeline Saucedo is director of fund development and spends much of her time pursuing funding for the organization. A $700,000 American Rescue Plan Act grant has now been secured, along with other financial resources from Rotary Charities, the Oleson Foundation, and donors across the community TBCAC serves. “We have the cash flow to fund all our operations,” adds Brott.

An annual fundraising luncheon, Circle of Friends, is held each fall. Last year’s gathering, the first in-person major event post-pandemic, raised over $70,000 from the community.

In the Community

Though the budget is healthy, it has to stretch to meet the needs of children across a sprawling geographic region. Founded in 2010, TBCAC is one of the largest child advocacy centers in the state and partners with nearly 50 agencies, schools, and law enforcement departments.

The agency has performed over 3,600 forensic interviews, with 472 of them coming in 2022, the most recent statistical year available.

“A forensic interview is the recording of the child’s statement by a trained forensic interviewer,” explains Director of Intervention Services Teresa Lutke. TBCAC’s interviewers have been specially trained to work with children under these circumstances. “They are unbiased and specialize in speaking with children at various age levels, adds Lutke.

In 2022, the organization also conducted 1,718 counseling sessions for survivors and their families, and held 14 prevention education sessions attended by 249 trainees.

Those prevention efforts continue to grow steadily with “Talk, Protect, Report” (TPR) training sessions for local schools, businesses, faith-based organizations, and individual citizens.

The TPR training takes only two to three hours and focuses on what every adult should know in order to be an effective advocate for a child. The content includes how to talk about the issue, protect children from abusers, and make a report when it comes to sexual abuse. Training sessions can be conducted wherever a group of 10 interested adults might gather, at the TBCAC center in Traverse City, or even virtually.

To sign up for a TPR training or learn more about TBCAC, visit traversebaycac.org.

Wilson Brott

saturday

BOYNE CITY WINTER FESTIVAL: 8am-3pm, Veterans Memorial Park, Boyne City. Featuring breakfast, a polar plunge, & chili cook-off. waterfrontfieldofdreams.com

HEMLOCK WOOLLY ADELGID SURVEY & TREATMENT TRAINING: 10am, Mills Community House, Benzonia. Join ISN to learn about how to protect & manage your ecologically important hemlock trees on your own property. Learn how to survey your hemlocks for hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA), & how to conduct your own treatments, should you find HWA on your property. Register. Free. HabitatMatters.org/Events

THE BARRICADE BOYS: 7pm, Great Lakes Center for the Arts, Bay Harbor. Enjoy a musical journey with stars from the West End Cast of Les Misérables. $42-$87. greatlakescfa.org/ events/detail/the-barricade-boys

DISNEY’S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: 7:30pm, Old Town Playhouse, TC. The classic story of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, & the Beast, a young prince trapped under the spell of an enchantress. $20-$33. tickets.oldtownplayhouse.com/TheatreManager/1/ online?event=0

send feb 24 feb/mar 24-03

feb

25

OPEN STUDIO, PETOSKEY: 10am-1pm, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Visual Arts Room, Petoskey. Drop-in free arts & crafts for the whole family. New projects are offered each week. crookedtree.org/event/ctac-petoskey/ open-studio-february-24

WINTER GUIDED HIKE: 10am-noon, Brown Bridge Quiet Area, TC. Join Grand Traverse Conservation District staff for a guided hike on the trails of Brown Bridge Quiet Area to learn about the parkland’s history, management, flora & fauna, & more. A limited amount of snowshoes are available. Meet at the East Overlook Trailhead of Brown Bridge Quiet Area. Register. Free. natureiscalling.org

COFFEE WITH A COP: 11am, Traverse Area District Library, Atrium, TC. Join Officer Fryczynski of the North Boardman Response Team & others from the TCPD. Coffee, tea, hot cocoa, & activities for kids. Discuss issues & learn more about each other. The mission of this national organization is to break down the barriers between police officers & the citizens they serve. Free. tadl.org/event/coffee-copcocoa-popo-13013

HARBOR SPRINGS AREA SPRING RES-

TAURANT WEEK: Feb. 23 - March 3. Enjoy special menus at each participating restaurant. harborspringschamber.com/events/details/restaurant-week-2024-13765

ICEBREAKER: 11am, Old Art Building, Leland. Professional ice sculptor Matt Cooper will be showcasing his skills with a live demo. Local (amateur) teams will also be carving their own sculptures. Enjoy food & beverage options & warm up at one of several bonfires. Free. oldartbuilding.com/events/icebreaker-2024

GALLERY WALK +TALK: 1pm, Glen Arbor Arts Center. A guided walk-and-talk through Glen Arbor Arts Center’s new exhibits, “Happy” & “Tree Of Life - Connecting The World.” Sarah BearupNeal, GAAC gallery manager, leads a conversational tour of the exhibits. Free. glenarborart.org

AUTHOR EVENT: 2pm, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Petoskey. Join Beto O’Rourke for a candid talk about protecting our sacred right to vote & what it will take to save our democracy at this critical moment of truth. O’Rourke is the author of “WE’VE GOT TO TRY: How the Fight for Voting Rights Makes Everything Else Possible.” RSVP: 231-347-1180. Free. mcleanandeakin.com/event/beto-orourke-event ----------------------

DOOM AS FUEL FOR THE FUTURE: 2pm, Traverse Area District Library, McGuire Community Room, TC. Presented by Inland Seas Education Association. The intended outcome for attendees is to feel confident having supportive conversations with young adults experiencing climate doom. Free. tadl.org/doom-fuel

BEARCUB OUTFITTERS TORCHLIGHT

SNOWSHOE: 5-8pm, Camp Daggett, Petoskey. Enjoy trekking across snow-covered trails illuminated by more than 100 torches. Afterwards enjoy cocoa, cookies & roaring fires. Free; donations encouraged. campdaggett.org/ torchlight-snowshoe

sunday

TRAVERSE CITY RESTAURANT WEEK: Downtown TC, Feb. 25 - March 2. Downtown TC participating restaurants will have either a $25, $35 or $45 set menu. Call or make reservations online at the restaurant(s) of your choice. downtowntc.com/traverse-city-restaurant-week

HARBOR SPRINGS AREA SPRING RESTAURANT WEEK: (See Sat., Feb. 24)

GREAT INDOOR FOLK FESTIVAL: Noon5:30pm, The Village at GT Commons, TC. Rigs & Jeels, The Wild Sullys, Song of the Lakes, Ben Traverse, Terry Coveyou, Flylite Gemini, Robin Lee Berry & dozens of other performers take over six stages, Kirkbride Hall, & Cuppa Joe at this free festival. There will be music for every age. Presented by Northern Michigan Songwriters in the Round, in memory of Louan Lechler & Fred Kramer.

AN AFTERNOON WITH LIVE RAPTORS: 1pm, Boardman River Nature Center, TC. Join Skegemog Raptor Center for an interactive & informational presentation about the raptors of Michigan, featuring live raptors. Geared towards an adult audience. Registration required. $15/person. natureiscalling.org

DISNEY’S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: (See Sat., Feb. 24, except today’s time is 2pm.)

monday

TRAVERSE CITY RESTAURANT WEEK: (See Sun., Feb. 25)

HARBOR

SPRINGS AREA SPRING RESTAURANT WEEK: (See Sat., Feb. 24)

STORYTIME ADVENTURES: 1pm, Great Lakes Children’s Museum, TC. Featuring “How to Train a Train” by Jason Carter Eaton. greatlakeskids.org

tuesday

TRAVERSE CITY RESTAURANT WEEK: (See Sun., Feb. 25)

KID’S CRAFT LAB: NEWSPAPER OWLS: 10am, Great Lakes Children’s Museum, TC. Plain old newspapers will be transformed into owls by you. Sign up at the front desk when you arrive. Make your reservation online. greatlakeskids.org

POP-UP PEEPERS: GROUNDHOG’S SHADOW: 10am, Boardman River Nature Center, TC. Learn about mother nature’s very own weather predictor. This is an adult-accompanied program for early learners ages 3-5 years old of all experience levels with the natural world. Includes music, discovery hikes, stories & crafts. Registration: $5/ child per session. natureiscalling.org

HARBOR SPRINGS AREA SPRING RESTAURANT WEEK: (See Sat., Feb. 24)

CONNECTING WOMEN IN BUSINESS:

“THE BIOLOGY OF STRESS”: 11:30am1pm, Stafford’s Perry Hotel, Petoskey. Dr. Lisa Fortin of ReYouvenate will explain why stress makes you age faster, hurt more, & hold onto weight. She will also explain what you can do about it. Register. $35 CWIB members; $45 all others. petoskeychamber.com

STORYTIME ADVENTURES: (See Mon., Feb. 26)

TAMAR ADLER: THE EVERLASTING MEAL COOKBOOK W/ NIC THEISEN: 6:30pm, Farm Club, TC. Nic Theisen of Farm Club & Loma Farm will be having a conversation with Tamar Adler, chef & author of “The Everlasting Meal Cookbook.” Farm Club snacks inspired by recipes from “The Everlasting Meal Cookbook.” Cash bar. $25/person. farmclubtc.com

USA CURLING MIXED DOUBLES NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP: Feb. 27 – March 3, TC Curling Club, 1712 S. Garfield Ave., TC. The Mixed Doubles National Championship determines the strongest mixed doubles team in the nation to advance to represent the United States at the World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship in April in Sweden. See web site for daily times & tickets. $5 - $20; 5 & under, free; 6-18, half price. tccurling. org/usa-curling-national-championship

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

PARENTS NIGHT OUT WITH DR. RAY: City Opera House, TC. A GTACS Vineyard Series Event. Dr. Ray will offer smart, proven parenting techniques & advice about dealing with young people of all ages & stages. Social time at 6pm; talk at 7pm. Purchase tickets early. GA: $10, including fees. cityoperahouse.org/node/564

wednesday

TRAVERSE CITY RESTAURANT WEEK: (See Sun., Feb. 25)

CHILDREN’S PRESCHOOL STORY HOUR

BEACH PARTY: 10am, Interlochen Public Library. For families with children 2-5 years old. Kids will have fun playing in water & digging in sand. Enjoy stories, songs & a craft. Bring your swimsuit & towel. 231-276-6767.

HARBOR SPRINGS AREA SPRING RESTAURANT WEEK: (See Sat., Feb. 24)

HEALTH & WELLNESS: BE HEALTHY, BE ACTIVE MOCKTAILS CLASS: 6pm, Interlochen Public Library. For adults. Make healthy, zero-proof libations. 231-276-6767.

MAPLE SYRUP WORKSHOP: 6-8pm, Leelanau County Government Center, Suttons Bay. Held in collaboration with Leelanau Historical Society & Leelanau Conservancy. Free. leelanaucd.org/#

USA CURLING MIXED DOUBLES NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP: (See Tues., Feb. 27)

NMC CHAMBER SINGERS HOST THE EASTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY CHOIR: 7:30pm, Dennos Museum Center, Milliken Auditorium, NMC, TC. Free.

thursday

TRAVERSE CITY RESTAURANT WEEK: (See Sun., Feb. 25)

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

HARBOR SPRINGS AREA SPRING RESTAURANT WEEK: (See Sat., Feb. 24)

WINTER RAIL JAM SERIES: 6pm, Boyne Mountain Resort, Boyne Falls. An adrenaline-packed showcase of ski & snowboard mastery with six rail jams throughout the season. Refuel with winter treats & flaunt your park skills. Prizes for top spots in each category. Registration: $20 per Rail Jam; lift ticket not included. boynemountain.com/upcoming-events/boyne-mountain-rail-jam-series

feb

feb

feb

feb

USA CURLING MIXED DOUBLES NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP: (See Tues., Feb. 27)

DMC DANCE PARTY: LEAP DAY EDITION: 7pm, Dennos Museum Center, NMC, TC. Leap onto the dance floor of this quadrennial bash. This is an 18+ event. Please reserve your ticket in advance. $0 - $10. simpletix.com/e/dmcdance-party-leap-day-edition-tickets-139801

DISNEY’S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: (See Sat., Feb. 24)

friday

TRAVERSE CITY RESTAURANT WEEK: (See Sun., Feb. 25)

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

$2 FRIDAY CLASSICS: 11am, Lyric Theatre, Theater 1, Harbor Springs. Featuring “Coal Miner’s Daughter.”

HARBOR SPRINGS AREA SPRING RESTAURANT WEEK: (See Sat., Feb. 24)

LIVE BOOK BINDING? YES, PLEASE.: 6:30pm, Bee Well Mead & Cider, Bellaire. Using a series of homemade contraptions & a bottle of archival glue, local author & publisher Austin Rowlader will be hand-binding his debut novel, “Ordinary Time.” Taylor Reed from Crosshatch Arts and Ecology Center will interview Austin about his writing & his journey into the world of publishing. Free

USA CURLING MIXED DOUBLES NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP: (See Tues., Feb. 27)

ZEPHYR: 7pm, Great Lakes Center for the Arts, Bay Harbor. A Whirlwind of Circus by Cirque Mechanics. This theatrical circus show harnesses human power, instead of wind, to generate an energetic acrobatic experience. $10-$67. greatlakescfa.org/events/detail/ cirque-mechanics-zephyr

DISNEY’S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: (See Sat., Feb. 24)

saturday

TRAVERSE CITY RESTAURANT WEEK: (See Sun., Feb. 25)

WELLNESS FAIR - ELK RAPIDS: 9am-2pm, Historic Elk Rapids Town Hall, Elk Rapids. Learn about local wellness options. Free demonstrations & door prizes. Free admission. fb.me/e/1KV3uNkRu

HARBOR SPRINGS AREA SPRING RESTAURANT WEEK: (See Sat., Feb. 24) ----------------------

SATURDAY 25 CENTS FAMILY FAVORITES: 11am, Lyric Theatre, Theater 1, Harbor Springs. Featuring “The Great Muppet Caper.” ----------------------

STORYPALOOZA FOR READ ACROSS AMERICA - FREE DAY: 11am-4pm, Dennos Museum Center, NMC, TC. An all-ages celebration of stories. From graphic novels to zines, classic literature to poetry, you can read, share, & listen to stories from around the community. dennosmuseum. org/events/community-programs.html

MARDI GRAS AT THE MOUNTAIN: Crystal Mountain, Thompsonville. Noon-4pm: DJ CDX will play hits at the Crystal Center Patio; find the Crystal Mountain Court Jester skiing on the mountain; On-Slope Scavenger Hunt. 1-3pm: Mardi Gras mask making at Lodge Pavilion Tent. crystalmountain.com/event/mardi-gras

SOUP-ER BOWL SATURDAY – VEGMICHIGAN-TRAVERSE CITY MONTHLY MEETUP: 1pm, Oryana West, TC. Join for a soup sampling. You will be preparing three healthy, low cost & easy to make vegan soups. Whatever your food preference (vegetarian, vegan, omnivore), everyone’s welcome. Free to attend. meetup.com/traverse-city-vegmichigan-meetup/ events/299164726/?utm_medium=referral&utm_ campaign=share-btn_savedevents_share_ modal&utm_source=link

USA CURLING MIXED DOUBLES NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP: (See Tues., Feb. 27)

ENTER THE HAGGIS: 7pm, Dennos Museum Center, Milliken Auditorium, NMC, TC. For the better part of two decades, Toronto’s Enter The Haggis has combined bagpipes & fiddles with a rock rhythm section to create a distinctively eclectic sound. Their songs tell stories of everyday hard-working people, often faced with seemingly insurmountable challenges. $25 - $35. simpletix.com/e/enter-the-haggis-tickets-153331

“COMING OF LIGHT”: 7:30pm, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Corson Auditorium. Presented by NMC Concert Band & Grand Traverse Chorale. Featuring John Rutter’s “Magnificat” & C.M. von Weber’s “Clarinet Concerto.” Tickets are $8 students/seniors or $13 adults pre-order, & $10 students/seniors or $15/adults at the door. simpletix. com/e/nmc-concert-band-grand-traverse-choralepr-tickets-157524

BLISSFEST PRESENTS: GRACE THEISEN: 7:30-9pm, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Theater, Petoskey. Grace is an award-winning songwriter & Americana artist from Kalamazoo. She will be joined by special guest Annie Bacon. $25$30. showclix.com/event/grace-theisen-

DISNEY’S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: (See Sat., Feb. 24)

FAT & FLURRIOUS FAT BIKE RACE: Start at 10am in Downtown Boyne City & get a police escort to Avalanche. Sport Class: One lap around Avalanche. Open Class: Two laps around Avalanche. Awards & after party at Stiggs Brewery. $60. fatandflurrious.com ----------------------

MAPLE SUGARING DAYS: 10am-3pm, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Experience the sugaring process through time. Start by traveling back in time at the Dechow Farm. Learn the history of maple sugaring from the Anishinaabe, then travel through to the present day at the Olsen Farm. End your adventure by sampling warm syrup or making maple taffy. Dechow Farm: 3991 W Harbor Hwy, Maple City. Olsen Farm: 3164 W Harbor Hwy, Maple City. All programs are free with a valid park entrance pass. nps.gov/slbe/planyourvisit/maple-sugaring-days.htm ----------------------

OPEN STUDIO, PETOSKEY: 10am-1pm, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Visual Arts Room, Petoskey. Drop-in art for the whole family. New projects are offered each week. Free. crookedtree. org/event/ctac-petoskey/open-studio-march-2

sunday

MAPLE SUGARING DAYS: (See Sat., March 2)

TRI 45 WINTER TRIATHLON: 10am, Treetops Resort, Gaylord. Choose from either the Tri 45 Solo Triathlon ($75) or Tri 45 Group Triathlon ($95). Includes a 5K cross country ski (classic only), 10K fat tire bike, & 5K trail run. There will be a post-race celebration at Snow Belt Brewery. trisignup.com/Race/MI/Gaylord/ 2024GaylordAllOutdoorsTri45WinterTriathlon ----------------------

HARBOR SPRINGS AREA SPRING RESTAURANT WEEK: (See Sat., Feb. 24)

DISNEY’S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: (See Sun., Feb. 25)

USA CURLING MIXED DOUBLES NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP: (See Tues., Feb. 27)

ongoing

SNOWSHOES, VINES, & WINES: Explore the trails at Black Star Farms Suttons Bay & then warm up with mulled wine, soup or wood-fired pizza. Held on Saturdays through the winter. Onsite snowshoe rentals are available from noon-4pm. blackstarfarms.com/snowshoes-vines-wines

BELLAIRE WINTER FARMERS MARKET: Bee Well Mead & Cider; Short’s Brewing Co. Southside event space; & Terrain. Held on Fridays through the middle of May from 9am-noon.

BOYNE CITY MARKET AT THE PAVILION: Veterans Park Pavilion, Boyne City. Held every Sat. through May from 9am-12:30pm. Shop local artists, food makers & farmers. boynecityfarmersmarket.org/series/market-at-the-pavilion-2

INDOOR FARMERS MARKET: Saturdays, 10am-2pm, The Village at GT Commons, The Mercato, TC. More than 35 vendors offer a variety of items from farm fresh eggs, meats & cheeses, to fruits, veggies, homemade breads & more. thevillagetc.com

art

JOURNEY THROUGH ABSTRACTION: Oliver Art Center, Frankfort. A group exhibition of diverse abstract art. The work of Michigan artists Kenneth Anbender, Nancy Clouse & Marat Paransky is showcased in this exhibition. Runs through April 5. Oliver Art Center is open Tues. - Sat. from 10am-4pm; Sun.: noon-4pm. Closed on Mondays. oliverartcenterfrankfort.org

“SPOTLIGHT ON INNOVATION”: Charlevoix Circle of Arts. This annual regional high school student exhibit is a vibrant showcase of student artwork. Featuring the talents of local 11th & 12th grade students, this artwork will be on display through Feb. 24. charlevoixcircle.org

ART EXHIBIT: KATI ROSENBAUGH & LYNN STEPHENSON: City Opera House, TC. Enjoy contrasting visual arts mediums & styles - each taking inspiration from the beauty of northern Michigan. The exhibit runs through Feb. 29. cityoperahouse.org

“BARBARA REICH EXHIBIT: ART IN THE LIBRARY”: Bonobo Winery, library, TC. This exhibit features a select collection of Barbara’s original paintings that focus on still life & snow. Runs through Feb. 26. barbarareich.com

CROOKED TREE ARTS CENTER, PETOSKEY:

- “CURRENTS OF COLOR: WORK BY CTAC’S WATERCOLOR STUDENTS”: Held in Atrium Gallery through March 16. Artist Trish Morgan teaches beginner, intermediate, & advanced watercolor courses for Crooked Tree Arts Center-Petoskey. CTAC invited Trish’s current & former advanced students to participate in this exhibition. crookedtree.org/event/ctacpetoskey/currents-color-work-ctacs-watercolor-students

- CULTIVATED: RELATIONSHIPS WITH NATURE: Runs through Feb. 24 in Bonfield Gallery. Contemporary photographs, fiber works, & installations explore the concept of cultivation. crookedtree.org/event/ctac-petoskey/cultivated-relationships-nature

- FIELDS OF VISION: JURIED FINE ART EXHIBITION: Runs through Feb. 24 in Gilbert Gallery. Annual juried all-media exhibition featuring works by Michigan artists. crookedtree. org/event/ctac-petoskey/fields-vision-juriedfine-art-exhibition

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

DENNOS MUSEUM CENTER, NMC, TC: - NORTHLAND WEAVERS & FIBER ARTS GUILD’S 50TH ANNIVERSARY EXHIBITION: The exhibition runs through March 3 & includes the work of 27 current & past members. Open Tues. through Sun., 11am-4pm. dennosmuseum.org

- HEMINGWAY IN COMICS: This exhibition presents a new, more complicated way to look

at Hemingway: a man, an artist, & a character that has taken on a life of its own & allows visitors to consider why Hemingway’s image, in particular, is so enduring. It’s not only for the dedicated Hemingway fan, but for all those with an appreciation for comics, pop culture, & the absurd. Runs through May 26. Hours are Tues. - Sun., 11am-4pm. dennosmuseum. org/art/upcoming-exhibitions/hemingwayin-comics.html?utm_source=cision&utm_ medium=email&utm_campaign=DMC-winter-2024

- YOUNG AT ART: A SELECTION OF CALDECOTT ILLUSTRATIONS: This exhibition includes original illustrations from Caldecott Medal recipients & from “runnerup” Honor books, as well as other illustrations by award-winning artists. It is an exhibition of works from Wichita Falls Museum of Art’s permanent collection. It runs through April 28. Hours are Tues. through Sun., 11am-4pm. dennosmuseum.org/art/ upcoming-exhibitions/young-at-art.html?utm_ source=cision&utm_medium=email&utm_ campaign=DMC-winter-2024

GLEN ARBOR ARTS CENTER:

- “HAPPY”: Held in Main Gallery. “Happy” features the work of 26 artists who explore & interpret the many facets & meanings of happiness: literal to metaphorical, in 2D + 3D. Runs through March 21. Open Mon. through Fri., 9am-3pm; Sat., noon-4pm. Free. glenarborart. org/events/exhibit-happy

- TREE OF LIFE -- AN EXHIBIT: TC artist Mary Fortuna explores the Tree Of Life - Connecting The World in this mixed media installation. This small show runs through April 25. The Tree Of Life that will grow in the GAAC’s Lobby Gallery is populated with animals, birds & insects. Each one is a hand-sewn soft sculpture. Hours: Mon. through Fri., 9am-3pm; Sat., noon-4pm. glenarborart.org/events/exhibit-tree-of-life-connecting-the-world Deadline for Dates information is Tuesday for the following week.

Grand Traverse & Kalkaska

COMMON GOOD BAKERY & RESTAURANT, TC

3/2 -- Blair Miller, 6

ENCORE 201, TC

2/24 -- Pulse of the Atom, 7:3010:30; DJ Ricky T, 10:30

3/1 -- DJ JR, 9

3/2 -- The Equality Show Band, 7:30-10:30; DJ Ricky T, 10:30

IDENTITY BREWING CO., TC DINING ROOM:

3/1 -- Mal & Mike, 6-9

KILKENNY'S IRISH PUBLIC HOUSE, TC

2/23-24 -- Protea, 9:30

Mon -- Team Trivia, 7-9

Tue -- The Will Harris Trio, 8

Wed -- The Pocket, 8

Thu -- DJ Leo, 9:30

3/1-2 -- Risqué, 9:30

KINGSLEY LOCAL BREWING

6-8:

2/26 -- Trivia

2/27 -- Open Mic

LEFT FOOT CHARLEY, TC

BARREL ROOM:

2/26 -- Open Mic w/ Rob Coonrod, 6-9

TASTING ROOM:

3/1 -- Randy Reszka, 5-7

LIL BO, TC

Tues. – Trivia, 8-10

Sun. – Karaoke, 8

BOYNE CITY TAP ROOM

7-9:

2/24 -- Patrick Ryan

2/29 -- Adam & The Cabana Boys

BRIDGE STREET TAP ROOM, CHARLEVOIX

2/27 -- Patrick Ryan, 7

CAFE SANTE, BOYNE CITY

7-10:

2/24 -- David Lawston

3/2 -- Nelson Olstrom

MARI VINEYARDS, TC

3/1 -- Windy Ridge Trio, 4-6

MIDDLECOAST BREWING CO., TC

2/24 -- Jazz Cabbage, 8-11

3/1 -- Sean Megoran, 6-9

NORTH BAR, TC

7-10:

2/24 -- Rebekah Jon

2/28 -- Jesse Jefferson

2/29 -- Drew Hale

THE DUNE ROOM:

2/25 -- Writers in the Round: February Showcase w/ SkyeLea, Elizabeth Landry & A.S. Lutes, 4-6

PARK PLACE HOTEL, TC

BEACON LOUNGE:

2/23-24 -- Jim Hawley, 7-10

SECONDHAND SOCIAL CLUB, TC

2/24 -- The Party Members, Dude Man Sir & Hail Your Highness, 7

SORELLINA'S, TC SLATE RESTAURANT:

Thurs. -- Tom Kaufmann on Piano, 5-8

Fri. & Sat. – Tom Kaufmann on Piano, 6-9

STONE HOUND BREWING CO., WILLIAMSBURG

2/29 -- Aaron Dye, 7

THE ALLUVION, TC

2/24 -- Frontier Ruckus wsg Elizabeth Landry, 7:30-9:30

2/26 -- Big Fun - Funky Fun

Antrim & Charlevoix

ETHANOLOGY, ELK RAPIDS

2/24 -- 80's Dance Party w/ DJ Franck, 7-10

3/2 -- Jerome Ford, 7-10

3/3 -- Crate Dig Sunday w/ DJ Franck, 1-5

FIRESIDE LOUNGE, BELLAIRE

6:30-9:30:

2/24 -- Clint Weaner

3/1 -- Darrell Boger

JAX NORTHSIDE, CHARLEVOIX

2/28 -- Trivia Night, 7-9

Mondays, 6-8

2/29 -- The Jeff Haas Trio feat. Lisa Flahive, w/ Nancy Stagnitta, 6-8 3/1 -- Addison Agen Duo wsg Ben & Jane, 7:30-9:30

3/2 -- Rachael Kilgour, 7:30-9

THE HAYLOFT INN, TC

2/23-24 -- Tyler Gitchel's Traditional Country Show, 7:30-11 Thu -- Trent Breithaupt's Open Mic, 6

THE PARLOR, TC 8-11:

2/24 -- Rhett & John

2/27 -- Jesse Jefferson

2/28 -- Wink Solo

2/29 -- Luke Woltanski & John Piatek

THE PUB, TC

2/24 -- Drew Hale, 8-11

2/25 & 3/3 -- Rob Coonrod, 6-9

2/28 -- Tyler Roy, 7-10

3/1 -- Tai Drury, 8-11

THE WORKSHOP BREWING CO., TC

2/24 -- Pinter Whitnick, 8-10

2/25 -- TiltThink Improv Comedy Mixtape, 7-9

2/27 -- Open Mic Night, 7-9

2/28 -- Jazz Show, 6

2/29 -- Trivia Night, 7-8

3/1 -- Kevin Johnson, 8-10

3/2 -- Delilah DeWylde, 8-10

3/3 -- Comedy Open Mic, 7-9

Leelanau & Benzie

BOATHOUSE VINEYARDS, LAKE LEELANAU TASTING ROOM:

3/1 -- Up and Adam, 5:30-8

CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN, THOMPSONVILLE

CRYSTAL CENTER, PATIO:

3/2 -- DJ CDX, noon-4pm

MAMMOTH DISTILLING, BELLAIRE 3/2 -- Clint Weaner, 7:30-10:30

TORCH LAKE CAFÉ, CENTRAL LAKE

SLOPESIDE TENT, NEAR CRYSTAL CLIPPER CHAIRLIFT, 3-5:

2/24 -- Jesse Jefferson

3/2 -- Sean Kelly

VISTA LOUNGE:

2/24 -- Tim Krause, 2-5; Somebody's Sister & the Goodfellas, 8-11 3/1 -- Dasstig, 8-11

3/2 -- Rhett & John, 2-5; Dasstig, 8-11

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

Manistee, Wexford & Missaukee

LITTLE RIVER CASINO RESORT, MANISTEE

EVENT CENTER:

2/24 -- Onager, 9

NORTHERN NATURAL CIDER

HOUSE & WINERY, KALEVA

3/1 -- Open Mic w/ Andy McQuillen, 6

ALPINE TAVERN & EATERY, GAYLORD

2/24 -- Pete Fetters, 6-9

THE GREENHOUSE - WILLOW/ PRIMOS, CADILLAC

2/24 -- Blacklight 80's/90's & More Dance Party Silent Disco Style, 8 2/28 -- Trivia Night & Music Bingo w/ Shawny-D, 6-10 2/29 -- Karaoke Night w/ DJ

FIVE SHORES BREWING, BEULAH 6-9: 2/29 -- Trivia Night 3/1 -- Open Mic

FRENCH VALLEY VINEYARD, CEDAR 2/29 -- Dennis Palmer, 4-7

GLEN ARBOR WINES 2/24 -- Saturday Night Live Music, 7-9

IRON FISH DISTILLERY, THOMPSONVILLE

Thu -- Open Mic & Nick Vasquez, 7 Fri - Sat -- Leanna Collins & Ivan Greilick, 7:30 Sun -- Trivia, 5:30; Dominic Fortuna, 6:30 Emmet

Shawny-D, 7-10 3/1 -- Band Break Out Competition, 7

BIG BUCK BREWERY, GAYLORD 3/1 -- Nelson Olstrom, 6 C.R.A.V.E., GAYLORD 2/24 -- Brad Corpus, 6-9

6-8: 2/24 -- J & O Junction 3/1 -- John Paul

LAKE ANN BREWING CO. 2/24 -- Tim Jones, 6:30-9:30 2/29 -- Trivia Night, 7-9

NORTHERN LATITUDES DISTILLERY, LAKE LEELANAU

2/24 -- Dominic Fortuna, 4:45-6:45

ST. AMBROSE CELLARS, BEULAH

2/24 -- Aaron Dye, 5-8

2/29 -- Open Mic Thursdays, 6-8:30

3/1 -- Polly Mauer, 5-8

3/2 -- Steve Pichan, 5-8

3/3 -- Kid's Open Mic Hosted by Chris Winkelmann, 3-5:30

SHADY LANE CELLARS, SUTTONS BAY

3/1 -- Friday Night Live w/ John Piatek Duo, 5-8

STORMCLOUD BREWING CO., FRANKFORT

7-9:

2/24 -- Tai Drury

2/28 -- Trivia

3/2 -- Blake Elliott

THE HOMESTEAD RESORT, GLEN ARBOR

WHISKERS BAR & GRILL:

3/2 – Bryan Poirer, 6-9

2/28

2/24

2/29

3/2

2/24

2/27

BOYNE VALLEY VINEYARDS, PETOSKEY

2/24 -- Chris Calleja, 2-6

CITY PARK GRILL, PETOSKEY Tue -- Trivia Night, 7-9 3/1 -- Annex Karaoke, 9:30

MAMMOTH DISTILLING, BAY HARBOR

-- Kevin Johnson, 7:30-10:30

2/29 -- Trivia, 7-9

NOGGIN ROOM PUB, PETOSKEY

2/24 -- Sydni K, 7-10

-- PubStumper's Trivia, 6:30

3/1 -- Shouting Bones, 7-10 3/2 -- Mike Ridley, 7-10

POND HILL FARM, HARBOR SPRINGS

-- Ty Parkin & The Old Souls, 5-8

3/1 -- 1980's Trivia Night, 6-8 3/2 -- Shouting Bones, 5-8

THE BEAU, CHEBOYGAN

-- Lori Cleland, 7-11

-- Musicians Playground ‘Open Mic,’ 7

3/1 -- Brooklynne, 8

-- Summer Night Party w/ Lee Fayssoux, 8

Kevin Johnson’s songwriting is known to go straight for the heart. Influenced by Bob Dylan, James Taylor, Chris Stapleton, Sturgill Simpson, and many others, Johnson will perform at Mammoth Distilling in Bay Harbor on Tues., Feb. 27 from 7:3010:30pm, and The Workshop Brewing Co., TC on Fri., March 1 from 8-10pm. You can also catch him at the Great Indoor Folk Festival at Kirkbride Hall, The Village at GT Commons, TC on Sun., Feb. 25 at 1:15pm.

lOGY

BY ROB BREZSNY

PISCES (Feb 19-March 20): In old Hawaii, the people loved their deities but also demanded productive results. If a god stopped providing worshipers with what they wanted, they might dismiss him and adopt a replacement. I love that! And I invite you to experiment with a similar approach in the coming weeks. Are your divine helpers doing a good job? Are they supplying you with steady streams of inspiration, love, and fulfillment? If not, fire them and scout around for substitutes. If they are performing well, pour out your soul in gratitude.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): I invite you to study the fine art of sacred intimacy in the coming weeks. Life’s rhythms will redound in your favor as you enjoy playing tenderly and freely with the special people you care for. To aid you in your efforts, here are three questions to ponder. 1. What aspects of togetherness might flourish if you approach them with less solemnity and more fun? 2. Could you give more of yourself to your relationships in ways that are purely enjoyable, not done mostly out of duty? 3. Would you be willing to explore the possibility that the two of you could educate and ripen each other’s dark sides?

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Creativity teacher Roger von Oech tells how bandleader Count Basie asked a club owner to fix his piano. It was always out of tune. A few weeks later, the owner called Basie to say everything was good. But when Basie arrived to play, the piano still had sour notes. "I thought you said you fixed it!" Basie complained. The owner said, "I did. I painted it." The moral of the story for the rest of us, concludes von Oech, is that we've got to solve the right problems. I want you Libras to do that in the coming weeks. Make sure you identify what really needs changing, not some distracting minor glitch.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Most of us have received an inadequate or downright poor education about love and intimate togetherness. Given how much misinformation and trivializing propaganda we have absorbed, it’s amazing any of us have figured out how to create healthy, vigorous relationships. That’s the bad news, Scorpio. The good news is that you are cruising through a sustained phase of your astrological cycle when you’re far more likely than usual to acquire vibrant teachings about this essential part of your life. I urge you to draw up a plan for how to take maximum advantage of the cosmic opportunity. For inspiration, here’s poet Rainer Maria Rilke: "For one human being to love another human being: that is perhaps the most difficult task entrusted to us, the ultimate task, the final test and proof, the work for which all other work is merely preparation."

(Translation by Stephen Mitchell.)

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): The myths and legends of many cultures postulate the existence of spirits who are mischievous but not malevolent. They play harmless pranks. Their main purpose may be to remind us that another world, a less material realm, overlaps with ours. And sometimes, the intention of these ethereal tricksters seems to be downright benevolent. They nudge us out of our staid rhythms, mystifying us with freaky phenomena that suggest reality is not as solid and predictable as we might imagine. I suspect you may soon have encounters with some of these characters: friendly poltergeists, fairies, ghosts, sprites, or elves. My sense is that they will bring you odd but genuine blessings.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Some studies suggest that less than half of us have best friends. Men are even less likely to have beloved buddies than the other genders do. If you are one of these people, the coming weeks and months will be an excellent time to remedy the deficiency. Your ability to attract and bond with interesting allies will be higher than usual. If you do have best friends, I suggest you intensify your appreciation for and devotion to them. You need and deserve companions who respect you deeply, know you intimately, and listen well. But you’ve got to remember that relationships like these require deep thought, hard work, and honest expressions of feelings!

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Among all the zodiac signs, you Aquarians are among the best at enjoying a bird’s-eye perspective on the world. Soaring high above the mad chatter and clatter is your birthright and specialty. I love that

about you, which is why hardly ever shout up in your direction, “Get your ass back down to earth!” However, I now suspect you are overdue to spend some quality time here on the ground level. At least temporarily, I advise you to trade the bird’s-eye view for a worm’s-eye view. Don’t fret. It’s only for a short time. You’ll be aloft again soon.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): In my astrological estimation, the coming weeks will be an ideal time for you to declare amnesty, negotiate truces, and shed long-simmering resentments. Other recommended activities: Find ways to joke about embarrassing memories, break a bad habit just because it's fun to do so, and throw away outdated stuff you no longer need. Just do the best you can as you carry out these challenging assignments; you don't have to be perfect. For inspiration, read these wise words from poet David Whyte: "When you forgive others, they may not notice, but you will heal. Forgiveness is not something we do for others; it is a gift to ourselves."

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Many of you Tauruses have a robust capacity for doing diligent, effective work. Many of you also have a robust capacity for pursuing sensual delights and cultivating healing beauty. When your mental health is functioning at peak levels, these two drives to enjoy life are complementary; they don’t get in each other’s way. If you ever fall out of your healthy rhythm, these two drives may conflict. My wish for you in the coming months is that they will be in synergistic harmony, humming along with grace. That’s also my prediction: foresee you will do just that.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Many people choose wealthy entertainers and celebrity athletes for their heroes. It doesn’t bother me if they do. Why should it? But the superstars who provoke my adoration are more likely to be artists and activists. Author Rebecca Solnit is one. Potawatomi biologist and author Robin Wall Kimmerer. The four musicians in the Ukrainian band DahkaBrakha. Poet Rita Dove and novelist Haruki Murakami. My capacity to be inspired by these maestros seems inexhaustible. What about you, Gemini? Who are the heroes who move you and shake you in all the best ways? Now is a time to be extra proactive in learning from your heroes—and rounding up new heroes to be influenced by.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Your homework assignment is to work on coordinating two issues that are key to your life’s purpose. The first of these issues is your fervent longing to make your distinctive mark on this crazy, chaotic world. The second issue is your need to cultivate sweet privacy and protective self-care. These themes may sometimes seem to be opposed. But with even just a little ingenious effort, you can get them to weave together beautifully. Now is a good time to cultivate this healing magic.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): If you don’t recognize the face in the mirror right now, that’s a good thing. If you feel unfamiliar feelings rising up in you or find yourself entertaining unusual longings, those are also good things. The voice of reason may say you should be worried about such phenomena. But as the voice of mischievous sagacity, I urge you to be curious and receptive. You are being invited to explore fertile possibilities that have previously been unavailable or offlimits. Fate is offering you the chance to discover more about your future potentials. At least for now, power can come from being unpredictable and investigating taboos.

“Jonesin” Crosswords

"Lord of the Fries"--what kind do you like? by Matt Jones

ACROSS

1. "Billions & Billions" author Carl

6. Return-postage enclosures, for short

11. What Wednesday's child is full of

14. Act out

15. Origami bird

16. Airline's base

17. Southern restaurant chain with an "Index" indicating the severity of a storm

19. Royal sphere

20. Card game with four different colors

21. Hurry along

22. Crony

24. Role

26. Bob Saget's bailiwick, on a show he hosted from 1990-1997

30. Sweater material

32. Pesto bit

33. Super Bowl LVIII halftime headliner

36. Ceiling fixture

37. "Based ___ true story"

38. Spectacular play in football or baseball

43. Suffix after mountain

44. Bad spell

45. Angler's basket

46. Takes things easy

49. 1990s puzzle game set in an island world

51. A-1, for one

53. Adoption org. of sorts

57. "Succession" surname

58. Relative by marriage

60. "Maggie May" singer Stewart

61. Memorable period

63. One of the bald Stooges

66. Car wash appliance, briefly

67. Completely wiped out

68. Lemon section

69. ___ of Horus (Egyptian symbol)

70. Malory's "Le ___ d'Arthur"

71. Serious

DOWN

1. Close, as a hole or a deal

2. Refrigerator manufacturer

3. Attempt to get

4. Anti-moonshine org.

5. Wilco lead guitarist ___ Cline

6. Superintendent's responsibility

7. "Get ___!"

8. Relative of a skillet

9. Dinner centerpiece?

10. Enter through the cracks

11. Oval on a staff

12. Possessive pronoun

13. Subside

18. Parrot

23. Gator or Power follower

25. Affectedly elegant

27. Rhames of the "Mission: Impossible" movies

28. 1/16 of a pound

29. "60 Minutes" correspondent Lesley

31. "Grey's Anatomy" locales

33. Hot desking sharers

34. Cake variety at a supermarket bakery

35. Belmont event

36. Predicament

39. In said fashion

40. Handyperson

41. Hypo measurements

42. Newssite section

47. Former CollegeHumor cast member ___ Yang

48. Overhead stadium equipment

49. Rap pioneer with a 2004 Grammy nomination for "Ride Wit Me"

50. 33 Across hit

52. Like catacombs, usually

54. "The Devil Wears ___"

55. Queen Elizabeth's preferred dog breed

56. Thrown in

59. Astonishes

61. The night before

62. Manzarek of The Doors

64. "Teach ___ Fly" (2009 single for Wiz Khalifa)

65. ___ Bandits ("Home Alone" burglars)