Kudos to Tim Keenan’s letter “Why Warplanes?” in the Dec. 16 Northern Express. Having lived in Grand Traverse County for 46 years, I too have asked when is enough, enough with these instruments of destruction being identified with the National Cherry Festival.
Of course, the immediate counterpoint is that these machines guarantee our freedom by protecting our country from those who wish us harm. No argument there, if that was their sole purpose, but we all know the U.S. has taken on the mantle of world policeman—a role destined to failure. Who knew people in other nations actually want to make their own choices rather than be bombed into Stone Age conditions?
Yet the festival organizers seem proud and excited to bring these angels of death to northern Michigan.
Why indeed? One simple word and it has little or nothing to do with patriotism: money. The warplanes bring the people, and the people bring the money to our not so little town and the surrounding area.
Our Cherry Festival used to be local in nature, local in production, and local in entertainment.
It is now simply another excuse for corporate advertising—witness the fewer parades and corporate sponsored floats. Even the food court is a shell of its former self and nothing to look forward to. It is all about the almighty dollar.
Bruce Fisher | Traverse City
Our Planes in Action
In response to Ken Schoenberg’s response to Tim Keenan’s letter, the United States has started many wars in recent history—using our planes. The Vietnam War and the Iraq War were both started by outright made-up reasons, and the Afghanistan War should have been at most a six-month effort to remove the terrorists from that country.
James Toussaint, a veteran | Bellaire
Bringing Up the Past
As we envision what kind of community we want to be, perhaps we’re missing something.
Frequently, locals and visitors have asked me “Why doesn’t Traverse City have a history museum?” They ask this because they want it.
Folks recognize that we have the Dennos Museum, Music House Museum, Great Lakes Children’s Museum and Eyaawing Museum and Cultural Center in Peshawbestown. Some smaller communities near Traverse City have more than one history museum. The Northwestern Michigan Fair even has a museum.
There must be someone in our community who could donate land or a building. This is a project that should be shared by the city, county, state and feds. Currently, our local historical items are in storage or placed all over the area. Think photos, documents, clothing, videos, artifacts, books, maps, movies, diaries, oral histories, scanned items, art, exhibits, and so on. We need a large central location for these precious resources.
America’s National Churchill Museum
in Missouri has a good explanation as to why history museums matter.
Our Traverse Area Historical Society has an excellent website. Let’s get serious and make our history museum a cornerstone of our community.
Susan
Odgers | Traverse City
The Ultimate Experience
Awakening Jan. 1, 2025, to another mass destruction of life, just the new normal. Buddha teaches that life is suffering so don’t look backward, nothing one can do about it; don’t worry about tomorrow, one alone can’t impact the future. Sit in dumb stupor and accept anything that happens. Christianity teaches us God sees and knows all and God’s design is perfect for everything, even if we don’t understand that to be happening, all we must do is believe. Don’t worry.
So why send children to school to study history and problem solving? Why teach them to strive constantly and compete in activities trying to demonstrate superiority to the world? Why does one have a brain? Can one experience “brain overwhelming,” too many decisions and extreme experiences to make or tolerate?
How many hours of fireworks, ultimate entertainment, extreme sports, urban development, and wars before one is “bored out of their gourd” and starts thinking about what the money expended on those activities might have accomplished in some other way. Moderation is an outdated word; it is either “ultimate” in whatever one is doing, or sitting in a stupor glued to an iPhone.
Can one even imagine what a world of peace/contentment might be like? Remember the saying “Insanity is repeating the same behaviors and expecting different results.” What is your reason and how are you avoiding or creating a world of peace? It appears to me that to continue living through the chaos in our country and our world today, one must either suffer from depression or insanity—not a very appealing choice.
Thelma
Rider | Frankfort
columns & stuff
Northern Express Weekly is published by Eyes Only Media, LLC. Publisher: Luke Haase PO Box 4020 Traverse City, Michigan 49685 Phone: (231) 947-8787 Fax: 947-2425 email: info@northernexpress.com www.northernexpress.com
Distribution Manager: Roger Racine Sales: Lisa Gillespie, Kaitlyn Nance, Michele Young, Todd Norris, Abby Walton Porter, Caroline Bloemer For ad sales in Petoskey, Harbor Springs, Boyne & Charlevoix, call (231) 838-6948
Creative Director: Kyra Cross Poehlman
Distribution: Marc Morris, Gerald Morris, Dave Anderson, Joe Evancho, Jason Ritter, Sherri Ritter, Roger Racine, Sarah Racine, Brandy Grames, Rachel Cara, Jackson Price, Lisa Price, Peggy Bell Listings Editor: Jamie Kauffold
Contributors: Ross Boissoneau, Ren Brabenec, Anna Faller, Jamie Kauffold, Abby McKiernan, Ellen Miller, Stephen Tuttle
Copyright 2025, all rights reserved. Distribution: 36,000 copies at 600+ locations weekly. Northern Express Weekly is free of charge, but no person may take more than one copy of each weekly issue without written permission of Northern Express Weekly. Reproduction of all content without permission of the publisher is prohibited.
SUBMIT A LETTER TO THE EDITOR:
Keep your letter to 300 words or less, send no more than one per month, include your name/address/phone number, understand it may be further edited. That’s it.
Email info@northernexpress.com and hit send!
top ten this week’s
With the start of a new year, it seems like the right time to remind readers of the many trivia nights— and other fun and games—happening around the region. Here is just a smattering! Tuesdays: Tuesday Trivia at Rare Bird Brewpub in TC and Trivia Night at City Park Grill in Petoskey. Wednesdays: Brews & Bingo at Short’s Pull Barn in Elk Rapids, Quizding Trivia at Stone Hound Brewing in Williamsburg, Team Trivia (with a Twist) at Right Brain Brewery in TC, and Free Play Pinball at The Coin Slot in TC. Thursdays: Trivia Night (often themed) at Barrel Back Restaurant in Walloon Lake, Trivia Night at Foundry Craft Grillery in East Jordan, Trivia Night at Snowbelt Brewing in Gaylord, and Trivia Thursdays at Gypsy Distillery in Petoskey. Note to readers: Check with each business before attending, as schedules may change!
Warm up with soup and bread while donating to a local charity at The Little Fleet in Traverse City on Monday, Jan. 6, at 5pm. Local restaurants donate soup, and you pay what you want, with proceeds to benefit the LIFT Teen Center of Suttons Bay. If you can’t make it to this event, you can fill up on wintery goodness on their two other winter dates: Feb. 3 or March 3. thelittlefleet.com/participate-in-soup-and-bread
Hey, read It! All the Colors of the Dark 4
It’s the early 1970s, and the U.S is on the edge of upheaval. The Vietnam War has just ended, national news is awash with protests and violence, and in rural Monta Clare, Missouri, teenage girls have begun to go missing. So far, pretty and privileged Misty Meyer is the only one to escape unscathed, but in her place, her abductor has taken the boy who saved her: scruffy, one-eyed Patch. So, the hunt begins—helmed publicly by police Chief Nix, but secretly by Patch’s brave and bookish partner in crime, Saint—for a hell-bent serial killer, small-town survival, and the spark that could bring a community divided together in the pursuit of something bigger. Bestselling author Chris Whitaker’s novel All the Colors of the Dark is equal parts love story, propulsive thriller, and generation-spanning saga.
This time of year, it’s easy to miss the bright flavors of summertime. While we can’t find Michigan strawberries in January, we can find Michigan-made strawberry jam, courtesy of Keweenaw Kitchens in the U.P. The little jam shop that could got its start in 1992 in a small house trailer in Pelkie and now distributes its treats all over the state. Their Strawberry Jam is exactly what you want it to be: a little sweet, a little tart, and perfect to spread over your morning toast. (If you’re on a healthy-ish post-holiday baking kick, it also makes the ideal gooey center for an oatmeal jam bar.) With simple ingredients—just strawberries, lemon juice, water, sugar, and pectin—you don’t even have to feel guilty about stealing a spoonful from the fridge. We found a jar at Meijer for $6.99.
Quiet Winter Hikes
Need a breather after the busy holiday season? We found two opportunities to get outside and get some fresh air this week. Charlevoix Recreation and Visit Charlevoix are offering candlelight hikes at Mt. McSauba every Friday evening in January. Head to 09223 Mt. McSauba Rd (start at the sledding hill parking lot) from 5-8pm to hike, snowshoe, or ski along the 1-mile trail. The event is free; learn more at visitcharlevoix.com/candlelighthike. At Treetops Resort in Gaylord, you can take a guided snowshoe stroll Friday, Jan. 10, or Saturday, Jan. 11, at 7pm. Registration is $15 for kids 12 and under, $20 for adults, and includes headlamps, hot cocoa, and s’mores by the fire at the end of your 45-minute adventure. (Snowshoe rentals are an additional $15.) Register at treetops.com/events.
Who Do You Find Fascinating?
Welcome to 2025! It’s time for the team at Northern Express to put together our annual list of Fascinating People from across northern Michigan—and we need your help! These 20 people are inspiring, curious, creative, and maybe even a little bit strange. They help make their communities brighter, more vibrant places to live. Last year, we featured a stage combat actor, an award-winning filmmaker, a peaceful protestor, and a cartographer. We also got to tell the stories of librarians, musicians, chefs, and artists who inspire the people they interact with every day. If you know someone fascinating, send us an email at info@northernexpress.com by Jan. 20 with their name, contact info, and a few sentences about what makes them special. Then, stay tuned for our Fascinating People issue later this winter to see who made the 2025 list!
Stuff We Love: Ski & Snowboard School
With fingers crossed for weather to be *just right,* the Kiwanis Ski & Snowboard School is set to kick off on Jan. 7 and run through the end of February at Mt. Holiday in Traverse City. For almost 60 years, the partnership between the two organizations has existed, helping teach generations of young winter athletes. The program consists of three two-hour lessons that are held each week as an intro to skiing and snowboarding. Participants are grouped by age, ranging from kindergarten to eighth grade. Thanks to the Kiwanis support, the cost is just $45 for the three-day session, with a $15 charge if your kiddo needs rental equipment. The Ski & Snowboard school has been “a signature service project” for the Kiwanis Club, which has also donated nearly $50,000 in the last decade to Mt. Holiday for improvements from walkie-talkies to chairlifts. Learn more and sign up at mt-holiday.com/ski-and-snowboarding.
We’re all about starting the new year off with a punch—especially if it comes in sippable form! Enter POUR Kitchen & Bar’s fan-favorite cocktail, The GOAT ($15). A variation on a classic milk punch, this bevvy blends Don Fulano Blanco tequila with Eastern Kille Distillery’s Génépy L’Epicéa liqueur (that’s a Michigan-made riff on Green Chartreuse with 25 ingredients!), fresh-squeezed grapefruit and lime juices, and a homemade pineapple gomme, which adds viscosity and a touch of sweetness. From there—and this is where it really gets fun—the drink is clarified with a goat’s milk wash. The result, which is crystalline and served over a giant cube with star anise, is balanced, herbaceous, a little fruity, and, well, totally great! Get your GOAT (and a whole lot more!) at POUR Kitchen & Bar in Petoskey at 422 E. Mitchell St., Unit 5. pourpetoskey.com
DELUSIONAL RAMBLINGS FOR DAY ONE
spectator
By steven Tuttle
There is always some mystery to what a newly elected president and Congress might do to or for us. With Donald Trump, we have someone who has made a series of promises regarding his very first day in office. We’ll soon discover there is a significant chasm between what a candidate promises to do in order to collect campaign contributions and votes and what he actually will or can do once in office.
Trump says he will end the wars in Ukraine and Gaza on day one with a couple of phone calls. No he won’t. Neither Benjamin Netanyahu nor Vladimir Putin take their marching orders from Trump, and neither are likely to stop what they’re doing just because he says so.
number of ships wanting to use the shortcut. Trump says U.S. ships, or those heading here, are being treated unfairly and we should retake control of the Canal. Unfortunately, it is now part of another sovereign nation which we would have to attack or negotiate with to regain control. Additionally, Panama is not without national pride and could easily block the canal with a few sunken ships or broken lock gates.
(Unspoken here is that Trump is embroiled in a tax evasion case in Panama over a Trump-branded hotel project.)
Greenland is an autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark and not for sale. Trump says it is “critical” to our national
We shouldn’t be shocked when Trump’s campaign pledges do not come to fruition; campaign promises rarely do.
defense, but we already have the U.S. Space Force Base Pituffik (formerly Thule Air Force Base) up and running there.
He also said he would close the border with Mexico, which will stop both commerce for many and education for some, and he’ll undo any number of Joe Biden’s Executive Orders. And there are all those promised day-one tariffs. It should be a very busy Jan. 20 afternoon as his various spokespeople explain why he didn’t keep any of his dayone promises.
More interesting are his latest flights of fancy regarding taking over the Panama Canal, buying Greenland, and absorbing Canada as the 51st state. These are the delusional ramblings of someone trying to manufacture a grand legacy that will instead be just another grand fantasy.
We didn’t even start the Panama Canal; that was the brainchild of the French. According to History.com, in 1881 they started grinding their way through the swamps and jungles of Colombia (Panama didn’t gain independence until 1903) only to finally surrender in 1889 after a stunning 22,000 worker deaths from malaria and yellow fever and a lack of investor funding.
The U.S. took over in 1904, gaining access through treaty to a 10-mile wide stretch bisecting then-independent Panama. It eliminated the need for shipping to risk the treacherous route around the Cape of Good Hope, reducing the trip between the Atlantic and the Pacific by 8,000 miles. We paid $10 million for the rights, another $250,000 annually, and guaranteed Panama’s independence. Completed in 1914 with mostly West Indian workers suffering brutal conditions—another 5,855 workers died during U.S. construction—the Canal is 51 miles long with a dozen locks in six pairs.
Under U.S. control initially, we finally ceded complete possession and control to Panama in 1999. Panama’s control includes transit fees which can be significant given the
Greenland is an area larger than Alaska, about 81 percent of which is covered in ice. The total population is about 58,000, 88 percent of whom are native Inuit, and all of whom are Danish citizens. The real issue here are the large deposits of uranium and rare-earth minerals under that ice, plus huge oil and natural gas reserves offshore.
Not surprisingly, Denmark says we can’t buy, take, or steal Greenland.
Undeterred, Trump says “Many Canadians want to become the 51st state.” According to recent research done by the BBC and CTV News many, many more Canadians do not. The idea of Canadian statehood is most popular in the prairie provinces like Alberta, but even there it barely approaches 20 percent. Elsewhere, the idea is even less popular.
Canada has an area slightly larger than the U.S. and a population greater than California’s. It isn’t clear what advantage U.S. statehood would bring to a country already doing nicely as a neighbor. In fact, they are our largest and most productive trading partner.
Willingly becoming a member of our messy political family wouldn’t be considered a step up according to the recent polling. Canada will stay a neighbor and a partner but not a state.
We shouldn’t be shocked when Trump’s campaign pledges do not come to fruition; campaign promises rarely do. He won’t end wars with a phone call, won’t deport 11 million undocumented folks we can’t even find, and won’t buy Greenland, absorb Canada, or retake the Panama Canal. He’ll probably claim he’s done all of it, but that won’t make it true or any less delusional.
BIDEN SHOULD PARDON LEONARD PELTIER
Guest opinion
by Isiah Smith, Jr.
Now that Christmas has passed and fortune has blessed us with another new year, President Biden can perform one more graceful and merciful act before he leaves office: pardon Leonard Peltier for a crime he may not have committed.
Maybe you’ve never heard of Leonard Peltier, or perhaps you heard of him once and your memory is hazy. You can’t quite place the name or picture his face. But his is a name and face you should remember, so let me remind you.
First, you should know Mr. Leonard Peltier was born on September 12, 1944, and is a Native American activist and member of the American Indian Movement (AIM). Given this country’s sordid history with Native Americans, this is not an insignificant fact.
The government convicted Mr. Peltier of two counts of first-degree murder, claiming he was responsible for the death of two FBI agents in a June 26, 1975, shooting on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. The court sentenced him to two consecutive life imprisonment sentences. He has been imprisoned since 1976 for 48 years. Peltier became eligible for parole in 1990, but the government denied his petition. He is currently incarcerated at the United States Penitentiary in Coleman, Florida.
The case against Mr. Peltier is a stark example of the injustice often faced by Native Americans and other minorities. This case should leave us all questioning our legal system.
Several organizations and concerned Americans have raised doubts about Peltier’s guilt. They’ve questioned whether the trial was fair because it relied on alleged inconsistencies in the FBI and prosecution procedures. Significantly, two witnesses recanted their testimony, alleging they were made under severe duress from the FBI. One or more witnesses received immunity from the FBI in exchange for their testimony.
In a June 8, 2024, interview conducted by Native Online, Mr. Peltier’s attorney, Kevin Sharp, who served as a U.S. District Judge, as well as the Chief Judge for the Middle District of Tennessee, said: “Pine Ridge was a powder keg with the Goon Squad operating there with the government’s help. AIM was there to protect those not part of the Goon Squad. There were many murders and assaults in a three-year timeframe. When plain-clothed agents in unmarked cars arrived, a firefight ensued. Leonard did not shoot the agents, and the FBI knew this but withheld evidence. The court of appeals acknowledged this but couldn’t overturn the conviction due to legal standards. Judge Heaney, who wrote the opinion, later supported clemency for Leonard.”
Sharp continued: “Now, 38 of Judge Heaney’s former clerks support parole for
Leonard, including three who worked on his case. The government admits they don’t know who killed the agents, but it wasn’t Leonard. It’s time to release Leonard and start the healing process.”
Yet, there has been no healing process. This case recalls another case involving other alleged Native offenders. Thirtyeight Native Americans were hanged on December 26, 1862, as ordered by former President Abraham Lincoln, after the 1862 Dakota War, which was also known as the Sioux Uprising of 1862. The government commuted the sentences of 265 others.
After deadly fights with white settlers and soldiers, the military commission sentenced 303 Sioux fighters to be executed for war crimes. Ironically, the confrontation occurred because the Sioux were upset the white settlers and soldiers deprived them of food from their land, the land they had inhabited for generations before the U.S. seized it from them. Harold Holzer, who authored several books on Lincoln, reported that Lincoln reviewed “every one of these capital cases.” His review was cursory at best.
The Associated Press has criticized the original trials as a farce. Some lasted as little as five minutes. Additionally, the Sioux were denied counsel and did not understand the proceedings.
After his “review,” Lincoln decided there was enough evidence establishing that 39 Sioux were guilty of murder or rape during the uprising, and he ordered their execution. The government commuted the remaining 264 sentences. Additionally, the government granted a reprieve to one of those before the December 26, 1862, hanging of 38 Sioux warriors.
Lincoln rejected fellow Republicans’ advice in Minnesota. According to Holzer, those Republicans warned him that showing mercy would “carry a high political cost” and that “lessons needed to be taught.” So, “the great emancipator” cut the baby in half, as it were.
Even if Peltier were guilty—and evidence suggests he is not—he’s now 80 years old and in bad health, so his compassionate release would not present a danger to public safety. It’s time for us to believe in the potential for healing and reconciliation.
One last point: That progressive paragon of virtue, Barack Obama, refused to pardon Peltier. Trump never even considered pardoning a nonwhite for allegedly killing whites.
Perhaps Mr. Peltier should try to prove he is Biden’s long-lost son. Then, he may qualify for a pardon. “Pardon for my kin, but not for other men.”
Isiah Smith, Jr. is a retired government attorney.
The Passing Parade
South Korean model Ain, also known as Angel Box Girl, is being prosecuted for obscene exposure following incidents from last fall, Oddity Central reported. In Seoul and Gangnam, Ain walked through the streets wearing a large cardboard box with holes for her arms and legs -- plus two more, which she invited strangers to put their hands in to grope her breasts and other body parts. Naturally, she attracted large crowds that police were called to disperse. "It's freedom of expression," she said. "I just wanted to market myself. I actually saw many positive reactions, with people telling me they support me and applaud my courage." If found guilty, Ain could face a $3,800 fine or up to a year in jail.
Be Careful What You Wish For
The Lexington (Kentucky) Convention and Visitors Bureau appears to be desperate for tourists, the Associated Press reported. It is using an infrared laser to send messages toward potentially habitable planets in a solar system 40 light years away, luring extraterrestrials with "lush green countryside ... (and) famous bluegrass." Lexington native Robert Lodder, an expert in astrobiology and SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence), conceived the idea, and linguistics expert Dr. Andrew Byrd consulted: "We included ... the molecular structure for water, bourbon and even dopamine ... because Lexington is fun!" he said. See you in 2064!
Creme de la Weird
You thought you were having a bad day? On Jan. 14, as an American Airlines flight prepared to leave Phoenix for Austin, Texas, the crew was forced to turn back to the gate, the New York Post reported. No, a door didn't fall off the fuselage. A passenger posted on Reddit that an "audibly disgruntled" man boarded and sat down, then inexplicably exclaimed, "You thought that was rude? Well, how about this smell" -- and then passed gas. Then he announced, "Yeah, everybody, let's just eat the smelliest food possible all at the same time!" A flight attendant told the flatulent man, "That's enough," but as the plane taxied to the runway, it stopped. The Reddit user shared: "We get back to the gate and a flight attendant comes back and informs fartman that he will not be staying on this flight." He grabbed his bag and deplaned; the flight was delayed by only about 20 minutes.
News You Can Use
Researchers at Western Sydney University have revealed results of a study showing that frequent nose-pickers may have a higher probability of developing Alzheimer's disease. WION-TV reported on Feb. 7 that the habit introduces germs into the nasal cavity that trigger the brain to produce beta-amyloid as a defense. An abundance of beta-amyloid is believed to be the leading cause of Alzheimer's.
"It is essential to note that the temporary relief obtained from nose-picking is not a substitute for proper nasal hygiene," the report said -- "proper nasal hygiene"
being "regular cleaning and maintenance of the nasal passages through gentle methods such as saline nasal rinses or blowing the nose."
**
Field Report
On Jan. 20, as an Amish couple from Shipshewana, Indiana, shopped at a Walmart in Sturgis, Michigan, Lona Latoski, 31, allegedly climbed inside their buggy and directed their horse away from the parking lot, MLive.com reported. A witness saw the woman drive off and thought it was odd that she wasn't Amish, but didn't report the theft. When the couple came out and realized their ride was gone, a truck driver offered them shelter from the cold and alerted police, who tracked down the buggy at an Admiral gas station, where it was parked. Latoski was located in the motel next door, hiding under a pile of clothing in a shower. She admitted taking the horse and buggy and said she had "instant regret ... but she was cold and needed to get home," the officer said. "I asked her if she had ever had any training with equestrians," he said. "She did not know what 'equestrian' meant." (Apparently, nor did the officer.) Latoski was charged with larceny of livestock and general larceny.
The Entrepreneurial Spirit
When Carole Germain, 46, of Brest, France, adopted a pig in 2020, she didn't foresee that Couscous would lead her to a new business venture: pig pedicurist. Yahoo! News reported that Germain, who runs a bar in Brest, has started traveling all over France to trim the tusks and hooves of porcine pets. In fact, she's selling the bar to devote herself full-time to the practice. "It's nuts. I thought I was the only person who had one hogging the couch. But there are thousands," she said. On one trip around the south of France, she treated 43 pigs.
Cheeky
Rawiya Al-Qasimi, a female reporter, was covering an event in Riyadh on March 4 when a Saudi Arabian robot called Android Muhammad unexpectedly slapped her posterior during a live shot, the Daily Star reported. Al-Qasimi pushed the robot's hand away and rebuked him. Before the untoward touching, Android Muhammad introduced himself, saying, "I was manufactured and developed here in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as a national project to demonstrate our achievements in the field of artificial intelligence." Ironically, had he been a real man, he might have faced jail time for his inappropriate behavior.
Wait, What?
Deputy chief physician of pediatric neurosurgery Dr. Li at Hangzhou Children's Hospital in China shared a video on social media on March 11 after a baby boy was born sporting a 4-inch-long tail, WION reported. The doctor suspected a condition called a tethered spinal cord, which means the spinal cord is abnormally connected to surrounding tissues, typically at the base of the spine. Doctors advised against removing the tail, as doing so might result in irreversible damage.
14 Creative Classes to Cozy Up with this Winter
Feeling a bit frosty? Dive into a new hobby indoors
By Ellen Miller
’Tis the season…the post-holiday season, that is, when the days are short, the light is weak, and a creative project is a welcome distraction. Whether you’re looking for a one-off crafting session or hoping to achieve a lifelong creative dream, there are a bevy of creative classes, workshops, and communities to dive into Up North while you’re staying warm inside.
1. Yoga & Bracelet Making Workshop
Jan. 5, 2:30-3:45pm, Yen Yoga & Fitness, Traverse City
This rejuvenating yoga workshop is designed to help you set clear intentions for the year ahead. This workshop combines a gentle yoga practice and meditation with a unique intention-setting ritual, culminating in the creation of a personalized bracelet using semiprecious healing beads.
Registration is $45; yenyogafitness.com/specialevents
2. Empowered Movement: Belly Dance Basics
Jan. 7, 14, 21, & 28, 6-7pm, Up North Arts, Cadillac
This beginner-friendly class is open to all, regardless of dance background. You’ll find a supportive environment to grow and focus on the fundamentals of belly dance, including basic movements, isolations, and combinations. The class will also incorporate elements of yoga to enhance flexibility and strength. Instead of memorizing complex choreography, Up North Arts aims to prioritize the joy of free expression. Registration is $65 (member discounts available): upnorthartsinc.com
3. Improv for Fun
Jan.8-Feb. 25 (Wednesdays), 6:30-8:30pm, Full Tilt Comedy, Traverse City
Want to dip your toe into comedy? Join Full Tilt Comedy for improv classes! This series of classes is ideal for those trying improv for the first time, or for those dusting off their improv chops. Registration is $156; fulltiltcomedy.org
4. Open Acoustic Jam
Wednesdays, 7:30-9:30pm, Old Art Building, Leland
Every Wednesday, Jim Redmond offers relaxed acoustic play at the Old Art Building as an opportunity to share techniques, talents, and good vibes. The group plays pop, blues, rock, jazz, and bluegrass, and all levels of ability are welcome (though knowledge of basic chords is helpful). And, of course, you are more than welcome to just hang out and listen. Free; no registration required: oldartbuilding.com/events/open-acoustic-band-jam
5. Community Clay Workshop: Winter Lanterns
Jan. 11, 10am-12pm, Commongrounds Cooperative, Traverse City
Family friendly alert! In this hands-on workshop, participants will learn handbuilding techniques to craft a winter lantern. Great for all ages; kids five and up can create on their own, while littles under five need an adult to register too. Find additional dates and projects throughout the year, including building Love Bugs on Feb. 8.
Registration is $15: clayspacetc.com/class-sign-up/community-clay-workshops
6. New Year’s Art Bash
Jan. 11, 10am-3pm, Oliver Art Center, Frankfort
Join local artists Jessica Kovan and Lauren Everett Finn and treat yourself to some guided creative artmaking. The workshop includes hands-on mixed media experiences, cookies for snacking, and supplies included.
Registration is $110 (member discounts available): oliverartcenterfrankfort.org
7. Color Pencil Drawing for Beginners
Jan. 16, 6-8pm, Charlevoix Circle of Arts, Charlevoix
8. How to Use a Sewing Machine
Jan. 22, 10 am-12pm, Northwestern Michigan College, Traverse City
Have you always wanted to try a sewing machine, but don’t know where to start or what to purchase? Join this NMC class to learn how to thread the machine, sew basic stitches, and understand the machine’s features. Bring your own sewing machine to each class if you are able— limited machines are available on a first-come, first-served basis if you’d like to borrow one.
Registration is $75: nmc.augusoft.net
9. Try It: Wheel Pottery
Jan. 24, Feb. 21, 6-8pm, Clayspace TC, Traverse City
Love The Great Pottery Throw Down? Want to try out your pottery chops before committing to a longer multisession class? In these workshops, participants will be introduced to wheel throwing. Price includes clay and instruction, as well as glazing and firing.
Registration is $55: clayspacetc.com/class-sign-up/try-it-wheel
10. 100 Day Project
Jan. 27, 4:30-5:30pm, Gaylord Area Council for the Arts, Gaylord
Do you ever feel creatively stumped? Gaylord Area Council for the Arts is hosting a 100 Day Project weekly community meet up. This kickoff session will include ideas and brainstorming, and each member will commit to working on something every day for 100 days. You can create whatever you want: learn something new, work on a skill, capture moments, or start a collection. Registration is by donation: gaylordarts.org/workshopsclasses.html
11. Decoupage Shadow Boxes
Feb. 1, 6-8pm, Secondhand Social Club, Traverse City Jump into the world of decoupage using beautiful Japanese chiyogami paper to create a birch tree design affixed in an unfinished wood shadow box. Looking for something less structured? Secondhand Social Club also offers drop-in art and crafting throughout the week.
Registration is $25: secondhandsocialclub.com/pages/ workshops-classes
12. Mosaic Heart
Feb. 6 and 7, 12 pm, Art & Connection, Elk Rapids
Learn the art of mosaic-making with techniques such as prepping a wood surface, cutting and nipping glass, composing designs, achieving color balance, and mastering adhesive and grouting methods. In this two-day workshop, you will create a stunning mosaic heart, perfect to give as a heartfelt gift to a loved one (or keep for yourself!).
Registration (no cost) opens a month in advance: artandconnection.org/service-page/mosaic-heart
13. Jewelry/ Metalworking: Silver Beach Stone Ring or Pendant
Feb. 8, 9am-5pm, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Traverse City
At this one-day workshop, students will learn the basics of working with silver with Janet Ryan, jewelry artist and silversmith, to create a custom beach stone ring or pendant.
Note: There is a materials fee in addition to the registration fee.
Registration is $175 ($125 for members): crookedtree.org/class
14. Gluten-Free Sourdough Bread
Feb. 20, 6-8:30pm, Northwestern Michigan College, Traverse City
Participants will learn skills in working with color pencil medium and focus on nocturnes, or night scenes. You will walk away with a new appreciation for a seemingly familiar medium! Registration is $60: charlevoixcircle.org/classes-workshops
Hungry? Let’s make delicious gluten-free sourdough bread! This workshop covers sourdough starters, different grains and flours, and how to blend them for the best texture and flavor. Participants will taste bread in class as well as take home an active starter and dough to bake at home.
Registration is $99: nmc.augusoft.net
Cold-Weather Concerts
And other shows to get you out of the house this January
By Ross Boissoneau
Trans-Siberian Orchestra is no longer on the radio, but never fear—January offers its own slate of events, one with no worries about running into Santa, Frosty, or any bobtails with ringing bells. While you could doze in front of the fireplace with that cup of hot cocoa on the table next to you, wouldn’t you rather hear voices raised in song? Guitars and fiddles and trumpets, oh my?
“It’s the perfect time to offer locals a way back out of the deep dark winter,” says Chad Lindsey, executive director of the City Opera House in Traverse City. Rather than experience any lingering letdown from the end of the holidays, “You can have fun with friends.”
Interlochen Center for the Arts
“We have some great shows coming up in January,” says Executive Director of Interlochen Presents Brent Wrobel. “It’s how we can connect with the community throughout the year.” He points to some very different performances as standout shows that demonstrate the breadth of the institution’s appeal.
“There are three in particular,” he says, starting with a trio featuring two French horns and piano on Jan. 17. “Lanta Horn Duo in the chapel, with Lauren Hunt from our faculty and Katy Ambrose. It features all
female composers.” Hunt and Ambrose, an assistant professor of horn at the University of Iowa, will perform with pianist Ya-Ju Chuang. The show will include a discussion on the experiences many women share in male-dominated spaces.
Second is the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day performance, a multi-disciplinary show on Jan. 20. “We hadn’t had an actual performance before. It’s a great time for students to reflect and put their passions out there,” Wrobel says.
Third is a cooperative effort: “Bon Appétit!: An Opera About Julia Child,” will be performed at The Alluvion in Traverse City on Jan. 24. “We’ve been trying to program some new and fun things,” says Wrobel. When the faculty came to him with this idea, his response was, “Perfect.”
And that applies to the venue as well. “We hear a lot from people that it’s tough to get to Interlochen. Post-holiday, they don’t get out as much.” So at least part of the solution is the Interlochen In Town series, where performances and presentations are at The Alluvion, City Opera House, the State Theatre, or even at the Bay Theatre in Suttons Bay, where ICA students were putting on Duke Ellington’s “The Nutcracker Suite” in December.
“There’s not really an offseason. There are a lot of events and performances [by] students,” Wrobel says. “It’s part of their curriculum.” Many of the shows are free of charge.
City Opera House
Lindsey points to the upcoming performance by the Harlem Quartet as another example in which area venues work together.
“It’s a cooperative effort,” he says, noting that Interlochen Arts Academy was bringing the group in for a master class for students. So Lindsey inquired whether the quartet would want to come into town to perform. Spoiler alert: they would, and they will. “We’re really trying when we can accommodate [scheduling] to put our heads together.”
The Alluvion
The listening room in the Common Grounds building on Eighth Street in Traverse City has hosted a variety of performers since opening its doors in April of 2023: national touring acts, local favorites, chamber music, spoken word, music for kids—most anything is fair game.
Director of Operations & Booking Matt McCalpin says continuing to expand the venue’s slate of performers is a key to continuing to build an audience.
“We have one mission: To put incredible stuff on that stage,” he says. And lucky for him, “It turns out people in our area and beyond have been craving it.”
He says performers have enjoyed the venue as well. “Word got out pretty quickly [to artists] that the experience here is really
standout, it’s really special. There are a lot of people calling us.”
McCalpin says two shows in early January are among those he’s most looking forward to. “Molly from Grand Rapids is one of my favorites. Her original songs are incredible. She’s bringing her full band. She’ll sit at the grand piano and play a ballad, then get the audience on their feet racing through and making it a dance party.”
He hopes the audience is ready for more. “The next night we have an incredible visual artist. Super Nuclear provides live psychedelic visuals, and he’s presenting his own rock show with two Detroit bands. There’s a void of rock shows, and we want to let it be known this is the space for that kind of thing.” He describes Bonehawk as Black Sabbath-style stoner rock, while Angel of Mars leans more in the direction of metal.
Another performance he’s looking forward to is the Dave Sharp Worlds Quartet, which blends rhythms, sounds, and textures from across the globe.
“It’s our newest series,” says McCalpin. The band embraces music from Turkey, Egypt, Ukraine, India, Bulgaria, and Greece and original tunes with an improvisational jazz mindset. It’s all played on oud, violin, electric bass, synthesizer, and a dizzying variety of world percussion instruments, including djembe, bodhran, congas, bells, and more.
Catch Medicinal Groove (pictured) as special guests with Laura Rain and the Caesars at the Alluvion on Jan. 18. Photo by Tyler Franz, provided by The Alluvion
30+ January Shows Up North
The Alluvion
• Jan. 2, 9, 16, 23: Jeff Haas Trio featuring Laurie Sears and Lisa Flahive
• Jan. 3: Molly
• Jan. 4: Super Nuclear + BoneHawk + Angel Of Mars
• Jan. 6, 20: Funky Uncle
• Jan. 10: Farewell party for longtime Groundwork Center executive director Hans Voss with music by Seth Bernard, Dede Alder, and Gregory Stovetop
• Jan. 11: Anthony Stanco Quintet “Live Recording”
• Jan. 13, 27: Big Fun
• Jan. 15: Here:Say live storytelling
• Jan. 17: Joan Shelley and Nathan Salsburg
• Jan. 18: Laura Rain and the Caesars with special guests Medicinal Groove
• Jan 20: Building Bridges with Music Presents: A Day of Service and an Evening of Voices to Honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
• Jan. 22: EXPAND Storytelling #7
• Jan. 24: Bon Appétit! An Opera About Julia Child with soprano Lindsey Anderson and pianist Susan Snyder
• Jan. 25: The Alluvion World Music Series with Dave Sharp Worlds Quartet and special guest guitarist Elden Kelly
• Jan. 26: Alluvion Big Band
• Jan. 28: Leelanau Historical Society presents “Lake Leelanau: Spirit of the Lake” documentary Cheboygan Opera House
• Jan. 17: “One Hit Wonders,” with Dale Rieger and friends returning to the Opera House for the fourth year in a row, performing radio hits from the ’50s through the ’90s
City Opera House
• Jan. 25: The Friars, the a capella subset of the University of Michigan Men’s Glee Club
• Jan. 29: Harlem Quartet
• Jan. 31: Paul Elia, Los Angeles-based comedian, actor, originally from Detroit
Crooked Tree Arts Center - Petoskey
• Jan. 18: Basic Comfort Band, Kalamazoo’s alternative pop band, taking inspiration from artists like Parcels, Gil Scott Heron, Daft Punk, and Men I Trust
Dennos Museum Center at Milliken Auditorium
• Jan. 8, 9: Steppin’ In It, playing traditional Americana, folk, and blues favorites
Gopherwood
• Jan. 11: Elks Lodge, Cadillac welcomes Steppin’ In It with special guest Zak Bunce
• Jan. 24: Comedian Andy Beningo with special guest Kate Brindle
Interlochen Center for the Arts
• Jan. 15: An Evening with Jacques J. Rancourt / The Writing House
• Jan. 16: Music Recital / Music Center 1010
• Jan. 17: Lanta Horn Duo in “Amplifying Women’s Voices” / Dendrinos Chapel and Recital Hall
• Jan. 20: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day performance / Corson Auditorium
• Jan. 24: 2025 Interlochen Animated TV Pitch Competition / Dendrinos Chapel and Recital Hall
• Jan. 24: Bon Appétit!: An Opera About Julia Child / The Alluvion
• Jan. 24-26: One-Act Festival / Harvey Theatre
• Jan. 25: Composers Forum / Dendrinos Chapel and Recital Hall
Traverse City Philharmonic
• Jan. 19: Traverse City Jazz Orchestra with violinist Jeremy Cohen at Corson Auditorium. The seven-time Grammy nominee puts his classical expertise to use in jazz, tango, swing, and more.
CRYSTAL FUNDAY
Steppin' In It will play two shows Up North this January.
Finding Mental Health Support This Winter
By Ren Brabenec
Just about everyone who’s grown up in northern Michigan has uttered this refrain at least once: “You like it here now, but wait until you experience our winters.”
It’s not just a Midwestern joke or colloquial quip. It’s real advice, because most people in this part of the world know someone who came here during summer vacation, fell in love with the place, bought a home, experienced one winter, and then moved away.
A confluence of factors makes our winter months particularly challenging. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), the close of the holidays, weather-related obstacles to getting out and about, and fewer things to do all mash together like the slush we walk through for months on end, a harsh contrast to our sun-kissed summers.
That’s why organizations like the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) have stepped in to provide free help for individuals attempting to access mental health services.
Bridging the Mental Healthcare Gap
“NAMI was founded in 1979 in Madison, Wisconsin, by Harriet Shetler and Beverly Young,” says Kate Dahlstrom, president of the Grand Traverse NAMI affiliate. “The women each had sons suffering from schizophrenia, and this was a time when mental illness was considered a character flaw or a reflection of poor mothering rather than a brain disorder.”
According to Dahlstrom, despite decades of scientific progress towards increasing our understanding of what causes mental illness, combating the ongoing stigma surrounding it is still a core mission of NAMI because stigma directly results in barriers to treatment.
“Mental illnesses are not caused by bad parenting and are not evidence of weakness of character,” says Dahlstrom. “But because there is still a stigma associated with many mental illnesses, it can be quite difficult to access care. Our job is to ensure people get the care they need as quickly as possible.”
That last statement lends itself to the core mission of NAMI-GT, which is to act as a much needed connector between patients and providers. “Judy Barrett started NAMIGT in 2016. Paula McLain joined her shortly thereafter,” says Dahlstrom. “Together, they began helping patients find care.”
Northern Michigan qualifies as what Dahlstrom calls a “mental healthcare desert,” a region where the state is failing to meet the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services’s recommendations for mental healthcare facilities and treatment options. NAMI-GT was founded to help patients get care despite the dearth of services.
“Especially during winter, people with anything from mild to serious mental health illnesses need access to services,” says Dahlstrom. “But more often than not, navigating the state’s healthcare system is overly complex at best, or patients simply get declined care at worst.”
The National Alliance on Mental Illness speaks on getting through Michigan’s toughest season
“And you’d be surprised how often that worst-case scenario occurs,” she adds.
Dahlstrom describes a landscape where patients seek help at a northern Michigan hospital or healthcare facility, but, in too many cases, the patients’ situations are “not deemed urgent enough,” and patients are delayed in getting care.
“It’s a vicious cycle,” Dahlstrom continues. “Because delayed care is denied care, and the patient who was denied care for a panic attack today may have a psychotic break tomorrow and a suicide attempt the day after.”
Navigating the System
One of the core mandates of NAMI-GT is to provide free help in connecting (or reconnecting) patients with services. To do
so, the organization retains Laura Mains, the group’s full-time Navigator. Her job is to help patients get the care they need.
Mains’ roles are many and varied, including assisting patients with complex paperwork, advocating for them when they’ve been denied care, and helping them get health insurance. NAMI-GT is also in the beginning stages of retaining an attorney who will represent patients and ensure they get the help they need.
NAMI-GT helps connect patients to treatment in other ways, mainly by supporting local organizations with similar objectives.
“Our organization has been deeply involved with the Crisis and Access Center project on the Munson Campus,” Dahlstrom says. “That center is designed to provide behavioral health and mental health services to the Grand Traverse region and the northern Lower Peninsula.”
The Grand Traverse Mental Health Crisis and Access Center, a new community mental health center, will start officially operating Jan. 5, scaling up services and staffing throughout 2025 to eventually offer 24/7 behavioral health services, psychiatric urgent care, and adult and pediatric crisis residential units.
Support, Training, Speakers, Events, Information, and Policy Advocacy
Beyond their core role of helping people with mental illnesses navigate the complex healthcare system, NAMI-GT also hosts support groups. The organization offers multiple weekly meetings, some of which are designed for people with mental illnesses, while others are for the family members and loved ones of people with mental illnesses.
Learning is another key component of NAMI-GT’s work. Family members of individuals with mental health illnesses can take a series of classes from NAMI-GT to become better equipped to support their loved ones. NAMI-GT curates a library of mental health books and free information resources, and they bring in nationally renowned doctors, therapists, lawyers, and clinicians specializing in mental health, advocacy, and healthcare access. Recently, the organization hosted an acclaimed attorney who educated attendees on navigating guardianship laws and court orders to help loved ones access treatment.
To reach the broader community, NAMI-GT also hosts events like the Ending the Silence Program, an early intervention approach delivered to middle and high
schoolers in schools and churches. The program is designed to start the conversation with teenagers about their mental health and to normalize open and honest discussions about mental health issues.
In addition to the organization’s community support systems and mental health resources, Dahlstrom also strongly recommends Michigan’s relatively new “WarmLine.” Launched during the pandemic, the WarmLine connects individuals with certified peer support specialists who have lived experiences of behavioral health issues, trauma, or personal crises and are trained to support and empower the callers. The line is open seven days per week from 10am to 2am at 888-PEER-753 (888-733-753).
Last but not least, NAMI-GT advocates for better mental healthcare access in northern Michigan. One of the most significant concerns overshadowing Michigan’s future is the state’s population stagnation. Dahlstrom says access to healthcare services is a core metric families analyze when considering moving to or staying in the Great Lakes State.
“We need our northern Michigan legislators to put the health of their constituents over the profits of insurance companies,” Dahlstrom says in closing. “Currently, NAMIGT is contacting legislators and advocating for HB4707/SB1126 (Insurance Parity for Behavioral Health Services), HB51845185 (Social Worker Licensure Exam Modification), and HB5371-5372 (codifying funding for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics).”
Dealing with Bad Winters
According to NAMI’s research, 39.9 percent of Michiganders struggle with depression or anxiety, and at least 5 percent of the adult population struggles with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
January and February consistently rank highest in the year for mental health episodes in Michigan, a state where 1.76 million people have a mental illness, including one in five youths. However, at least 27 percent of Michigan adults with depression, anxiety, SAD, or a combination of the three have been unable to access treatment. That figure soars to 60 percent for young Michiganders.
A combination of high costs and sparse treatment options in the northern Lower Peninsula and parts of the Upper Peninsula put patients in a difficult place. “Our winters are the worst for people with mental health illnesses,” says Dahlstrom.
NAMI-GT recently doubled their group support meeting schedule to ensure residents are getting the help they need because, according to her, it’s not just the patients with serious mental health conditions who need help during winter, though their need is greatest.
“We also have plenty of neighbors and community members who, though it might not be outwardly apparent to you and me, face moderate mental health challenges during the winter months,” she explains.
Kate Dahlstrom
87 percent of readers report they have made a purchase based on an ad they saw in Northern Express. PROVEN. PROVEN. PROVEN. PROVEN. PROVEN. PROVEN. PROVEN. PROVEN. PROVEN. PROVEN. PROVEN. PROVEN. PROVEN. PROVEN. PROVEN. PROVEN. PROVEN. PROVEN. PROVEN. PROVEN. PROVEN. PROVEN. PROVEN. PROVEN. PROVEN. PROVEN. PROVEN. PROVEN. PROVEN. PROVEN. PROVEN. PROVEN. PROVEN. PROVEN. PROVEN. PROVEN. PROVEN. PROVEN. PROVEN. PROVEN. PROVEN. PROVEN. PROVEN. PROVEN. PROVEN. PROVEN. PROVEN. PROVEN. PROVEN. PROVEN. PROVEN. PR
Tacos, Tradition, and Traverse City
Taqueria Las Lagunas keeps its wheels and puts down roots
By Abby McKiernan
Taqueria Las Lagunas in Traverse City is more than a restaurant—it’s the realization of a family’s long-standing dream. What began with a few family recipes has showcased the Guillén family’s dedication to authentic, homemade Mexican cuisine…and created a loyal following that continues to grow.
Today, Taqueria Las Lagunas operates from both its brick-and-mortar location at the Cherryland Center and their original Suttons Bay food truck, serving as a culinary bridge between the traditions of Mexico and the vibrant Traverse City community.
From Matamoros to Michigan
The Guillén family’s connection to northern Michigan began in the 1990s when Juan and Margarita Guillén worked as migrant laborers in the cherry and apple orchards. Originally from Matamoros, Coahuila, the couple moved to Texas and began working across the country for farms and orchards before relocating to Michigan in 1998 with their 11 children.
At the time, their son Juan “Junior” Guillén was in sixth grade, and the family was eager to plant permanent roots. “We all loved this area when we would come up, so moving to the area was exciting,” Junior says.
Over time, the Guilléns raised their children in the region, instilling values of hard work and connection to their heritage. As their children grew up and moved off to college or started families of their own, Margarita decided to pursue a dream that
had always sat quiet in the back of her mind: opening a restaurant with her family recipes.
In 2018, Margarita, Juan, and Junior launched Taqueria Las Lagunas as a food truck in Suttons Bay. The truck quickly developed a reputation, with fans flocking to enjoy their small-batch recipes and fresh, homemade sauces.
For six years, the food truck was a local favorite, serving everything from tacos to enchiladas to hungry customers at events and catering gigs.
Despite its success, the family always envisioned a larger venture. That dream became a reality when they had the opportunity to jump on a space in the upand-coming Cherryland Center. Taqueria Las Lagunas opened its doors on Oct. 19 at 1752 S Garfield Ave, touting “Same family, same flavor, now with a new address!”
Choosing the Cherryland Center as the location for their restaurant was a strategic decision. Junior, who has worked as a salesman at Bill Marsh Automotive (now Serra Auto Group) for over 14 years, saw an opportunity to serve the professional lunch crowd.
“In this area, you either had fast food or sit-down restaurants that took too long for a 30-minute lunch break,” he says.
Taqueria Las Lagunas bridges that gap. Knowing what it is like to want a fast but freshly-made meal, “We encourage people to call and order ahead so that their food is ready and can be eaten on the go when they get here,” Junior says. “It’s so much better than fast food and takes the same time that way!”
The location has exceeded the family’s
expectations. Not only has it attracted a steady stream of customers, but the revitalization of the Cherryland Center has brought additional foot traffic to the area. Junior notes that the smaller space and efficient operations reflect their food truck roots, allowing them to serve high-quality meals without the overhead of a traditional full-service restaurant.
Menu Must-Haves
At the heart of Taqueria Las Lagunas is its menu. Margarita and Juan lead the kitchen, creating dishes inspired by her childhood in Matamoros.
“The sauces and marinades are our claim to fame,” Junior says, emphasizing the importance of small-batch preparation for freshness. Every marinade, salsa, and sauce is crafted with care using recipes that have been passed down through generations. “My mom is the sauce and salsa queen.”
The menu features several standout dishes that Junior says have become customer favorites. The Fish Tacos are made with fresh fish sourced from Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, served grilled or breaded with cabbage, pico de gallo, and a tangy cilantro sauce. Meanwhile, the Carne Asada Tacos offer a classic Mexican dish with tender, flavorful steak and a marinade that will leave you ordering seconds.
Also popular are the chimichangas and enchiladas—hearty, satisfying options for those craving traditional comfort food. And the Sombrero Platter is a staff favorite. This fajita look-alike is topped with melted Chihuahua cheese for a rich, indulgent flavor
providing the perfect twist on a classic.
And, of course, each dish is complemented by homemade salsas, ranging from mild to fiery, and prepared fresh daily.
The move to a permanent location has also allowed the Guilléns to expand their offerings. Catering services now extend to Traverse City, accommodating weddings, graduations, corporate events, and more.
The food truck remains active from May to September, continuing to serve customers on weekends, while the restaurant operates seven days a week.
One of the most exciting additions to their operation is the introduction of chef’s choice specials every Friday. “My dad has a deep passion for cooking,” Junior says. “The Friday specials are his way of staying creative and sharing something new with our customers.”
The response from the Traverse City community has been overwhelmingly positive. Customers frequently praise the flavors, freshness, and authenticity of the food. One reviewer shared, “Their food is insanely good. The first step in the door smelled just like Mexico!” Another raved about the wet burrito, calling it “the best I’ve ever had.”
Junior attributes much of their success to the support of repeat customers and new visitors alike. “We’ve been lucky to have diehard supporters from our food truck days and so many new faces discovering us at the restaurant. It’s been amazing.”
Find Taqueria Las Lagunas at 1752 S Garfield Ave in Traverse City. (231) 9431101; laslagunastc.com
WINTER 2025 RACES UP NORTH
By Northern Express Staff & Contributors
What better way to stay warm than to get moving? Our winter 2025 race calendar has nearly 40 events for runners, skiers, fat tire bikers, snowshoers, and snowmobilers. (There’s even an airsoft biathlon for fans of the classic Olympic winter competition!) Before you run to the starting line, please check race websites for the most up-to-date information, as some events are dependent on snow conditions.
JANUARY
SATURDAY, JAN. 4, 2025
Michigan Snocross Rounds 3 & 4
Northern Power Race Park, Mancelona northernpowerracepark.com/event-details-registration/msx-round-3-4
SPANISH LANGUAGE CONVERSATION MEETUP: 10:30am, Traverse Area District Library, Thirlby Room, TC. Looking to practice your Spanish language skills, but don’t have anyone to talk to? Please plan to join every first Sat. for a casual conversation group. All levels are welcome. Free. tadl.org/event/spanishlanguage-conversation-meet-20029
BLISSFEST TRADITIONAL COMMUNITY DANCE: 7:30pm, Littlefield/Alanson Community Hall, Alanson. Music by The Johns, & calling by Cynthia Donahey. All dances taught. No need to bring a partner. Potluck at 6:30pm. $10; $5 students; free for 12 & under. blissfest.org
Saturday
BOOKS TO MOVIES:
1-5pm, Thirlby Room, Traverse Area District Library, TC. Featuring “White Bird.” First come, first served, up to 20 adults. Free. tadl.org/event/booksmovies-17873
monday
STORYTIME AT THE LIBRARY: 11am, Petoskey District Library, Children’s Program Room. For ages 0-5 years old & their grownups. Build early literacy skills through stories, songs & rhymes. petoskeylibrary.org/ en/index.aspx
SOUP & BREAD: 5pm, The Little Fleet, TC. Local restaurants donate soup. You pay what you want. Enjoy delicious soups & bread. This month’s proceeds benefits the LIFT Teen Center. thelittlefleet.com/ participate-in-soup-and-bread
tuesday
PRESCHOOL STORY TIME: 10:30am, Suttons Bay-Bingham District Library, lower level Community Meeting Room. Preschool children of all ages & their caregivers are invited to join each Tues. for stories, songs & more. Free. sbbdl.org
PWR! MOVES: MICHIGAN PARKINSON FOUNDATION EXERCISE CLASS: 4pm, Traverse Area District Library, McGuire Community Room, TC. This class is based on the PWR! moves for people with or suspected Parkinson’s Disease & their caregivers. It will be run by a PWR! certified physical therapist. Free. tadl.org/event/pwrmoves-michigan-parkinson-foundation-exercise-class-16564
wednesday
STORY STEW: 11am, Peninsula Community Library, TC. Stories, songs & coordinating craft kits for all ages through preschool. 231-223-7700. ----------------------
MEET THE MAKERSPACE: 4pm, Petoskey District Library, Makerspace. Curious about the library’s Makerspace? Join Nikki for an open-house style tour of the maker/craft studio & get your questions answered. Free. petoskey.librarycalendar. com/event/meet-makerspace-2554
GAYLORD BUSINESS AFTER HOURS: 5-7pm, BJ’s Catering & Event Center, Gaylord. Enjoy an evening of networking, food, & specialty drink samples, including spiked hot chocolate & s’more bars. Wear a flannel for a chance to win a prize. $5 members; $10 not-yet members.
WINTER GETAWAY RECESS: 5-7pm, Cherry Capital Airport, TC. Traverse Ticker’s after-work happy hour for adults. Enjoy networking, assorted local beverages, & chili bar presented by Cherry Country Cafe. You’ll have a chance to win a $500 American Airlines voucher. Parking validation in the gift store. $10 entry. traverseticker.com/recess
AUTHOR EVENT: A.D. RHINE: “DAUGHTERS OF BRONZE”: 6:30pm, Traverse Area District Library, McGuire Community Room, TC. Join as A.D. Rhine (pseudonym for authors Ashlee Cowles & Danielle Stinson) follow up their mythological retelling of the battle of Troy (“Horses of Fire”) with the sequel “Daughters of Bronze.” Free. tadl. org/adrhine
FRENCH LANGUAGE DISCUSSION
GROUP: 6:30pm, Traverse Area District Library, Thirlby Room, TC. Looking to practice your French language skills, but don’t have anyone to talk to? Join every first Weds. for a casual conversation group. All levels are welcome. Free. tadl.org/event/ french-language-discussion-group-17706 ----------------------
STEPPIN’ IN IT - NIGHT ONE: 7-9pm, Dennos Museum Center, Milliken Auditorium, NMC, TC. Formed out of love for traditional American folk & blues music, Steppin’ In It has been playing shows & packing dance floors for over 20 years. Enjoy an updated form of old-time string music. $0$35. simpletix.com/e/steppin-in-it-january8-tickets-181715
thursday
BOOKENDS BOOK GROUP DISCUSSION: 2pm, Suttons Bay-Bingham District Library. The group meets on the second Thurs. of each month (except July, Aug. & Dec.). Books for the upcoming month will be available at the front desk, or use the Libby app to borrow the title from the library’s digital collection. January’s selection is “The Frozen River” by Ariel Lawhon. January’s meeting is in the library’s upper level Reading Nook. Free. sbbdl.org
BOOKS ‘N BRIE CLUB: 3:30pm, Helena Township Community Center, Alden. Discuss “The Women” by Kristin Hannah. 231331-4318. Free.
“FRANKFORT: HISTORY THROUGH POSTCARDS 1900-1920”: 4pm, Mills Community House, Benzonia. Presented by Tim Foster as part of the Benzie Area Historical Society’s Benzonia Academy Lecture Series. Recommended donation: $5. benziemuseum.org
----------------------
EVERYONE HAS A STORY: 5:30pm, Kingsley Branch Library. Join Kingsley Branch Library & The Kingsley Folk School for a storytelling community circle. Inspired by NPR’s The Moth storytelling hour, the Everyone Has a Story series welcomes you to share your personal stories with others to create connections in the community. Presenters will be given 5 minutes to share stories from their lived experiences with an open-minded circle of fellow storytellers. Free. facebook.com/TADLKingsley/events ----------------------
STEPPIN’ IN IT - NIGHT TWO: (See Weds., Jan. 8) simpletix.com/e/steppin-init-january-9-tickets-181716
If you still haven’t tried snow sports, get outside and learn how to cross-country ski at Crystal Mountain, Thompsonville on Winter Trails Days, Sat., Jan. 11! From 1-3pm at the Cross Country Center, a free clinic will be offered to children and adults who are new to snow sports. It will include a lesson, day pass and rental equipment. Demonstrations will be held at the top of each hour: 1pm, 2pm and 3pm and will be about 15 minutes. Limited availability. Advanced reservations required. crystalmountain.com/event/winter-trails-day
friday
MEMBERS’ OPEN STUDIO, TC: 1-4pm, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Visual Arts Classroom, TC. Only for members of the Crooked Tree Arts Center. Bring your art supplies & drop-in. Free. crookedtree.org/class/ctactraverse-city/members-open-studio-1
saturday
PARADISE LAKE ASSOCIATION ICE FISHING TOURNAMENT: 8am-5pm. Headquarters & registration at Chubbs Marina & Market, Carp Lake. Cash payouts each division. 1st, 2nd, 3rd: walleye, panfish, pike, mystery weight. Adult preregistration: $25; day of: $30. 12 & under: $20. Everyone wins a prize! 231-626-1035. mackinawchamber.com/event/paradiselake-association-ice-fishing-tournament
DIGGING THE PAST: EXPLORING ARCHAEOLOGY: 10am, Kingsley Branch Library. Join Steven Veatch and Friends from the Benzie Area Historical Society for a youth program about archaeology. Discover the history & culture of the Indigenous peoples of northern Michigan. Participate in hands-on activities, interactive lessons, & engaging discussions. Free. tadl.org/event/ digging-past-exploring-archaeology-19915
FAT & FLURRIOUS FAT BIKE RACE: 10am, Avalanche Mountain Preserve, Boyne City. You’ll meet in downtown Boyne City & get a police escort to Avalanche. Choose from Sport Class (1 lap around Avalanche) or Open Class (2 laps around Avalanche). An awards & after party will follow at Stiggs Brewery. Register. $70. fatandflurrious.com
GETTING UP CLOSE & PERSONAL WITH YOUR APPLE IPAD: 10am-1pm, Interlochen Public Library. See how iPads & iPhones can interact & increase your access to work, entertainment, information, & family. Featuring Steve Stanton, owner & operator of Leelanau Computer Repair. Learn about the camera, using gestures to move around the screen & access different functions, printing, backing up to iCloud, Siri, & much more. Arrive with your iPad fully charged. Free. Register: 231-276-6767.
FREE FAMILY DROP-IN ART, TC: 10amnoon, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Cornwell Gallery, TC. Open to all ages. crookedtree. org/class/ctac-traverse-city/free-familydrop-art-jan-11
----------------------
SNOWSHOE HIKE: 10am, Ingraham Preserve, Cedar. This hike will explore the glacial history of Leelanau County while viewing the glacial landforms through the leaf-off forest. You will focus on the last three advances & retreats of the Glacier ice & how the present landforms you walk through were created. If there is enough snow you will snowshoe; just hike, if not. Free. leelanauconservancy.org/events/ snowshoe-hike-at-ingraham-preserve
LITTLE WAVES: Dive into the world of music with Little Waves, a children’s program presented by the Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra (GLCO). Designed for ages 4 to 10, young explorers can discover the wonders of music & instruments in a relaxed & informal setting. Led by GLCO percussionist Tim Mocny. Each session features different GLCO musicians. Held at Petoskey District Library, Children’s Program Room at 10:30am & at Charlevoix Public Library at 1pm. Free. petoskey.librarycalendar.com/ event/little-waves-86
----------------------
HARRY POTTER 5 SCREENING - COLLECTIVE SELF CINEMA SERIES: 1pm, Dennos Museum Center, NMC, TC. Enjoy the movie, followed by a workshop with Care-
O-Van & Tearwater T. Choose between two workshops: one in expressive arts (for all ages) or one focused on self-awareness & personal growth (for adults & young adults). Take home resources & activities. Pay what you wish. events.humanitix.com/collectiveself-cinema?utm_source=cision&utm_ medium=email&utm_campaign=dmc-winter-2025-exhibits-programs ----------------------
WINTER TRAILS DAY: 1-3pm, Crystal Mountain, Cross Country Center, Thompsonville. Children & adults new to snow sports can try cross-country skiing for free. This free clinic includes a lesson, day pass & rental equipment. Demonstrations will be held at the top of each hour: 1pm, 2pm & 3pm & will be about 15 minutes. Limited availability. Advanced reservations required. crystalmountain.com/event/wintertrails-day
SLEDDING & S’MORES: 4-6pm, Kiwanis Park, Harbor Springs. Free. petoskeyarea.com/events/kiwanis-park-sleddingsmores-2025
GOPHERWOOD CONCERTS PRESENTS: STEPPIN’ IN IT WSG ZAK BUNCE: 7-9:30pm, Cadillac Elks Lodge. This traditional American folk & blues bands has been performing for more than 20 years. $30 + fees. mynorthtickets.com/events/ steppin-in-it-wsg-zak-bunce-1-11-2025
sunday
BENZONIA AREA COMMUNITY EMERGENCY FUND CONCERT: 2-4pm, Upriver Pizza, Benzonia. Featuring Ron Harrison & Friends. Free concert. Donations will go towards the Benzonia Area Community Emergency Fund. millscommhouse.org/upcoming-public-events.html
CADILLAC FOOTLITERS AUDITIONS: First Presbyterian Church, Cadillac. For “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” There are opportunities for a large adult cast & a children’s choir. Jan. 12, 2-3pm: Auditions for ages 10-14 (youth choir only); Jan. 12, 3-6pm: For ages 15+; Jan. 13, 5:30-6:30: For ages 10-14 (youth choir only); Jan. 13, 6:30-8:30pm: For ages 15+. You only need to attend one session! sites.google.com/cadillacfootliters.com/ joseph-dreamcoat
INSTRUMENTAL RECITAL: 4pm, First Presbyterian Church of Petoskey. Featuring GLCO orchestra members in a Clarinet Quartet & a Horn, Oboe, Piano Trio. Free. glcorchestra.org/sundayseries
CROOKED TREE ARTS CENTER, PETOSKEY:
- “BRIGHTLY COLORED, TIGHTLY WOUND”: Runs through Jan. 18 in Atrium Gallery. This exhibition explores how traditional crafting techniques are being reimagined to push the boundaries of art & design through bold textures, vibrant colors, & unexpected materials. Featuring: Stacey Campbell, Heather Mecali, Victoria Marcetti, Jasmine Petrie, & Kayla Powers. crookedtree.org/event/ctac-petoskey/ brightly-colored-tightly-wound
- OPEN STUDIO, PETOSKEY: Saturdays, 10am-1pm in the Visual Arts Room. Free drop-in art studio for the whole family. New projects are offered weekly. crookedtree.org
DENNOS MUSEUM CENTER, NMC, TC: - “A BEAUTIFUL MESS: WEAVERS & KNOTTERS OF THE VANGUARD”: The eleven artists in this exhibition transform rope, yarn, clay, wire, & extension cords into
wall hangings & sculptures that range from minimal & hyper-organized to expansive, organic installations. Runs through Jan. 5. Open Tues. through Sun., 11am-4pm. Closed on major holidays. dennosmuseum. org/art/upcoming-exhibitions/index.html
- “KATRINA BELLO: SKY INTO STONE”: A solo exhibition by Katrina Bello featuring charcoal & soft pastel drawings created around the time of her Tusen Takk residency in 2023. Runs through Jan. 5. Open Tues. through Sun., 11am-4pm. Closed on major holidays. dennosmuseum.org/art/ upcoming-exhibitions/index.html
- A STYLE ALL OUR OWN: CANADIAN WOODLAND ARTISTS: Runs through May 25. In the early 1960s, young Indigenous artists from the Great Lakes region created a unique style of painting known as the Woodland School of Art. Early members of this prolific art community included Norval Morrisseau, Carl Ray, Roy Thomas, Sam Ash, Jackson Beardy, & Daphne Odjig. Perhaps the best-known of the group is Norval Morrisseau, who is often referred to as the Father of the Woodland School. Open Tues. through Sun., 11am-4pm. Closed on major holidays. dennosmuseum.org/art/now-onview/canadian-woodland-artists.html
- CONTEMPORARY JAPANESE CERAMICS FROM THE HORVITZ COLLECTION: Runs through Sept. 28, 2025. An array of works by contemporary Japanese ceramic artists, this is a sampler of the great diversity of styles, forms, glazes, & ages. These artworks are drawn from the curated collection of Carol & Jeffrey Horvitz, some of the leading collectors of Japanese contemporary outside of Japan. Open Tues. through Sun., 11am-4pm. Closed on major holidays. dennosmuseum.org/art/ upcoming-exhibitions/index.html
GLEN ARBOR ARTS CENTER: - OUTDOOR GALLERY EXHIBIT: MARGO BURIAN + ORDINARY MAGIC: Leelanau County artist Margo Burian’s collages have been chosen for display in the Glen Arbor Arts Center’s 2024-25 Outdoor Gallery exhibition, an annual, invitational exhibit. Burian’s collages are rooted in the idea of Ordinary Magic, or delight. They were reproduced on five, 5-foot-square, weatherresistant aluminum panels created by Image 360 of TC. Runs through April 20, 2025. Check web site for hours. glenaborart.org - “REFLECTIONS IN WATER”: Held in Lobby Gallery. A small exhibit of colored pencil drawings depicting a vital life force by Judith Shepelak. Runs Jan. 6 - April 24. Shepelak captures the dynamic, changing, & diverse faces of water as she has encountered it during travels locally & throughout the United States & Canada. The GAAC is open Mon. through Fri., 9am-3pm, & noon4pm on Sat. glenaborart.org
- “THE SKY IS ALWAYS THERE”: This juried exhibit opens Jan. 10 with a reception, 5-8pm in the gallery. “The Sky Is Always There” is an exhibition that moves beyond direct representation, beyond portraits of puffy clouds. Applicants were asked to consider the sky from its atmospheric characteristic to its mythic history. Runs through March 20. The GAAC is open during the week, 9am-3pm, & on Sat., noon-4pm. glenaborart.org
HIGHER ART GALLERY, TC:
- ANNUAL SMALL WORKS SHOW: Featuring over 200 small, original works of art made by over 65 artists. Runs through Jan. 4. higherartgallery.com/exhibitcalendar
- “DRAWN HERE”: An exhibit featuring the student visual artists of Interlochen Arts Academy. Thirty-one student artists practicing a variety of mediums: clay, metalwork, painting, & print making. The show runs for in-person viewing from Jan. 10 - Feb. 8 with an open house/meet & greet on Jan. 11 from noon-2pm. The exhibit will also be online for viewing in an online-collector preview beginning Jan. 9. Check web site for gallery hours. higherartgallery.com
TUE • JAN 14 6 TO 8:30 PM COMMUNITY ART NIGHT
SAT • JAN 18 1:30 TO 3 PM
MAKE ART ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS + FREE SNACKS & REFRESHMENTS + CIVIL RIGHTS ERA SOUNDTRACK SPUN BY DJ RAS MARCO MON • MLK DAY JAN
FREEDOM WALK & CELEBRATION
GATHER AT ROTARY SQUARE & WALK TO COMMONGROUNDS + SPEAKERS CELEBRATING DR. KING + LEARN ABOUT THE “I HAVE A DREAM SCHOLARSHIP FUND” + SOCIAL TIME AT NOBO RIVERSIDE
A DAY OF SERVICE & SONG TO HONOR DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
DAYTIME EVENTS AT COMMONGROUNDS & THE ALLUVION + EVENING CONCERT AT THE CITY OPERA HOUSE MORE INFORMATION ON ALL THESE EVENTS AT
ENCORE 201, TC
Grand Traverse & Kalkaska
1/3-4 & 1/11 -- DJ Ricky T, 9
1/10 -- The J Hawkins Band, 9-10:30; DJ Ricky T, 10:30-2
HOTEL INDIGO, TC
1/4 -- Zeke Clemons, 6-9
1/8 -- Dominic Fortuna, 6-8
1/10 -- Jeff Socia, 6-9
1/11 -- Rhett & John, 6-9
IDENTITY BREWING CO., TC
1/7 -- TC Celtic, 6-8
1/9 -- Beyond Trivia, 7-9
KINGSLEY LOCAL BREWING
1/7 – Open Mic Night w/ LaRose Duo, 6-8
LEFT FOOT CHARLEY, TC BARREL ROOM:
1/6 -- Open Mic w/ Rob Coonrod, 6-9
1/10 -- Cheesy Trivia Night, 6-8:30
TASTING ROOM:
1/10 -- Randy Reszka, 5-7
LIL BO, TC Tues. – Trivia, 8-10
Sun. – Karaoke, 8
MIDDLECOAST BREWING CO., TC
1/10 -- Jesse Jefferson, 6-9
NORTH BAR, TC
7-10: 1/4 -- Mal & Mike
BOYNE MOUNTAIN RESORT, BOYNE FALLS
STEIN ERIKSEN’S:
1/10 -- Nelson Olstrom, 5
1/8 – Jesse Jefferson 1/9 – Drew Hale
OLD MISSION DISTILLING, TC SEVEN HILLS: 1/4 -- Jeff Socia, 6:30 1/10 -- The Fridays, 6:30 1/11 -- Chris Smith, 6
SORELLINA'S, TC SLATE RESTAURANT: Thurs. -- Tom Kaufmann on Piano, 5-8 Fri. & Sat. – Tom Kaufmann on Piano, 6-9
THE ALLUVION, TC 1/4 -- Super Nuclear Presents: A Trip to Space with BoneHawk & Angel of Mars, 8-10:30 1/6 -- Funky Uncle - Funky Fun Mondays, 6-8:30
1/9 -- The Jeff Haas Trio feat. Laurie Sears + Lisa Flahive, 6-8:30
1/10 -- Groundwork's Community Party & Concert feat. Seth Bernard, Dede Alder, & Gregory Stovetop, 6:30-10
1/11 -- The Anthony Stanco Quintet - Live Album Recording, 7:30-9:30
1/12 -- The Decibelz Dance Party & Live Video Shoot, 7-9
Antrim & Charlevoix
ETHANOLOGY, ELK RAPIDS
1/4 -- Jazz Cabbage, 7-10
1/5 -- Vinyl Record Crate Dig w/ DJ Franck & DJ Yokob, 1-5 1/11 -- John Piatek Duo, 7-10
THE LITTLE FLEET, TC
1/8 -- Endless Summer w/ DJ Dusty Staircase, 3-11
THE PARLOR, TC 8-11:
1/4 – Brett Mitchell
1/7 -- Jesse Jefferson
1/8 – Rob Coonrod
1/9 – Jimmy Olson
THE PUB, TC
1/4 – Tai Drury, 9-12
1/6 – Karaoke Monday w/ DJ ShawnyT, 8-11
1/8 – Zeke Clemons, 8-11
1/9 -- David Martón, 8-11
THE WORKSHOP BREWING CO., TC
1/4 -- Nick Veine, 8 1/5 -- Full Tilt Comedy Grad Show - Victory Lap Improv, 7 1/7 -- Open Mic w/ Zak Bunce, 6:30
1/8 -- Jazz Show & Jam feat. The Ron Getz Trio, 6
1/9 -- DJ Trivia, 7 1/10 -- Sean Miller, 7 1/11 -- KDJ, 7
UNION STREET STATION, TC
1/3-4 -- Skin Kwon Doe, 10
1/9 -- DJ 1Wave, 9 1/10 -- Peril, 10 1/11 -- DJ Prim, 10
nitelife
Send Nitelife to:
FIRESIDE LOUNGE, BELLAIRE
1/11 -- Matt Mansfield, 6:309:30
Manistee, Wexford & Missaukee
LITTLE RIVER CASINO RESORT, MANISTEE 1/4 – Sunset Blvd, 9-1
BOYNE VALLEY VINEYARDS, PETOSKEY
2-6:
1/4 -- Chase & Allie 1/11 -- Two Track Mind
CITY PARK GRILL, PETOSKEY
1/10 -- Annex Karaoke, 9:30
GYPSY DISTILLERY, PETOSKEY
1/4 -- Matt Gabriel, 2-4
1/4 -- Aaron Dye 1/9 -- Chief Jams - Open Mic w/ Bee Jay & Nate from Barefoot Music
1/10 -- Mark Lavengood 1/11 -- "Brewery Series Concert" w/ Gregory Stovetop
Emmet & Cheboygan
NOGGIN ROOM PUB, PETOSKEY
1/4 -- Mike Ridley, 7-10
1/8 -- Singo Bingo, 6:30
1/10 -- Charlie Witthoeft, 7-10
1/11 -- Delilah DeWylde, 7-10
POND HILL FARM, HARBOR SPRINGS
1/4 -- Chris Michels, 5-8
-- Dixon's Violin, 6:45
THE BEAU, CHEBOYGAN
1/4 -- Ben Dratnol, 8-11
1/9 -- Musicians Playground Open Mic, 7 1/11 -- Cellar Door, Ahab & The Smelt Dippers, Azic, Happy Little Accidents, Groove Mitten, Dale Rieger, Chris Neumann, & More, 5
BLACK STAR FARMS, SUTTONS BAY BISTRO POLARIS: 1/4 -- Audrey Mason, 6-8
CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN, THOMPSONVILLE SLOPESIDE TENT NEAR CRYSTAL CLIPPER CHAIRLIFT, 3-5: 1/4 -- Jesse Jefferson 1/11 -- Sydni K VISTA LOUNGE: 1/4 -- Dominic Fortuna, 2-5; TC Knuckleheads, 8-11 1/5 -- Rhett & John, 2-5 1/8 -- Trivia Night, 7-9
1/10 -- Nick Vasquez, 2-5; Life Theory, 8-11 1/11 -- Drew Hale, 2-5; Life Theory, 8-11 1/12 -- Jim Hawley, 2-5
FRENCH VALLEY VINEYARD, CEDAR 1/9 -- Chris Skellenger, 4
IRON FISH DISTILLERY, THOMPSONVILLE 5:30-7:30: 1/4 -- The Fridays 1/10 -- I am James 1/11 -- Brett Mitchell
1/9
ANN
ST.
1/9 -- Open Mic Night, 6-9
SWEET’S BAR & GRILL, HONOR Mon. – Music Bingo, 7 Fri. – Music Bingo, 8; Karaoke, 10 Sat. – Karaoke, 8
BREWING CO., GAYLORD 1/9 -- Trivia Night, 7-9
LAKE
BREWING CO.
-- Trivia Night, 7-9
AMBROSE CELLARS, BEULAH
Leelanau & Benzie
The Beau in Cheboygan is celebrating their 3rd anniversary, Sat., Jan. 11 with doors opening at 5pm. They will give a nod to great northern Michigan musicians, including their house band Ahab & The Smelt Dippers (pictured), who will share their eclectic sounds, along with many others like Cellar Door, Azic, Happy Little Accidents, Groove Mitten, Dale Rieger, Chris Neumann, Deficit, Hillbilly & The Burnout, Jason Eldridge, and Hold That Thought.
Otsego, Crawford & Central
SNOWBELT
lOGY
JAN 06 - JAN 12
BY ROB BREZSNY
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Astrologers in ancient China had the appalling view that over two-thirds of all omens are negative, threatening, or scary. I haven’t seen formal research into the biases of modern Western stargazers, but my anecdotal evidence suggests they tend to be equally pessimistic. I regard this as an unjustified travesty. My studies have shown that there is no such thing as an inherently ominous astrological configuration. All portents are revelations about how to successfully wrangle with our problems, perpetrate liberation, ameliorate suffering, find redemption, and perform ingenious tweaks that liberate us from our mind-forged manacles. They always have the potential to help us discover the deeper meanings beneath our experiences. Everything I just said is essential for you to keep in mind during 2025.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): According to my analysis of the astrological omens, your life in 2025 will be pretty free of grueling karmic necessity. You will be granted exemptions from cosmic compulsion. You won’t be stymied by the oppressive inertia of the past. To state this happy turn of events more positively, you will have clearance to move and groove with daring expansiveness. Obligations and duties won’t disappear, but they’re more likely to be interesting than boring and arduous. Special dispensations and kind favors will flow more abundantly than they have in a long time.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): One of my most enjoyable goals in life has been to expunge my “isms.” I’m pleased that I have made dramatic progress in liquidating much of the perverse cultural conditioning that imprinted me as I was growing up. I’ve largely liberated myself from racism, sexism, classism, ableism, heteronormativity, looksism, and even egotism. How are you doing with that stuff, Virgo? The coming months will be a favorable time to work on this honorable task. What habits of mind and feeling have you absorbed from the world that are not in sync with your highest ideals?
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Here's one of my predictions for you in 2025, Libra: You will reach the outer limits of your domain and then push on to explore beyond those limits. Here’s another prediction: You will realize with a pleasant shock that some old expectations about your destiny are too small, and soon you will be expanding those expectations. Can you handle one further mind-opening, soul-stretching prophecy? You will demolish at least one mental block, break at least one taboo, and dismantle an old wall that has interfered with your ability to give and receive love.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): If you’re not married and would like to be, 2025 might be your best chance in years to find wedded bliss. If an existing intimate bond is less than optimal, the coming months will bring inspiration and breakthroughs to improve it. Let’s think even bigger and stronger, Scorpio, and speculate that you could be on the verge of all kinds of enhanced synergetic connections. bet business and artistic partnerships will thrive if you decide you want them to. Links to valuable resources will be extra available if you work to refine your skills at collaboration and togetherness.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): I wonder how you will feel about the fact that I’m declaring 2025 to be the Year of the Muses for you Sagittarians. Will you be happy that I expect you to be flooded with provocative clues from inspiring influences? Or will you regard the influx of teachings and revelations as chaotic, confusing or inconvenient? In the hope you adopt my view, I urge you to expand your understanding of the nature of muses. They may be intriguing people, and might also take the form of voices in your head, ancestral mentors, beloved animals, famous creators, or spirit guides.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Over the years, a few people who don’t know me well have accused me of “thinking too much” or “overthinking.” They are wrong. While I aspire to always be open to constructive criticism, am sure that I don’t think too much. Not all my thoughts are magnificent, original, and high-quality, of course; some are
generated by fear and habit. However, I meticulously monitor the flow of all my thoughts and am skilled at knowing which ones I should question or not take seriously. The popular adage, “Don’t believe everything you think” is one of my axioms. In 2025, I invite you Aquarians to adopt my approach. Go right ahead and think as much as you want, even as you heighten your awareness of which of your thoughts are excellent and which are not.
PISCES (Feb 19-March 20): I’m pleased, bordering on gleeful, that your homecoming is well underway. All the signs suggest that as 2025 unfolds, you will ripen the processes of deepening your roots and building a stronger foundation. As a result, I expect and predict that your levels of domestic bliss will reach unprecedented heights. You may even create a deeply fulfilled sense of loving yourself exactly as you are and feeling like you truly belong to the world you are surrounded by. Dear Pisces, I dare you to cultivate more peace of mind than you have ever managed to arouse. I double-dare you to update traditions whose emotional potency has waned.
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Aries poet Charles Baudelaire said that if you want to fully activate your personal genius, you will reclaim and restore the intelligence you had as a child. You will empower it anew with all the capacities you have developed as an adult. believe this is sensational advice for you in 2025. In my understanding of the astrological omens, you will have an extraordinary potential to use your mature faculties to beautifully express the wise innocence and lucid perceptions you were blessed with when you were young.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): In many Asian myths, birds and snakes are depicted as adversaries. Their conflict symbolizes humanity's problems in coordinating the concerns of earth and heaven. Desire may be at odds with morality. Unconscious motivations can be opposed to good intentions. Pride, self-interest, and ambition might seem incompatible with spiritual aspirations, high-minded ideals, and the quest to transcend suffering. But here’s the good news for you, Taurus: In 2025, I suspect that birds and snakes will cooperate rather harmoniously. You and they will have stirring, provocative adventures together.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Using a fork to eat food was slow to gain acceptance in the Western world. Upper-class Europeans began to make it a habit in the 11th century, but most common folk regarded it as a pretentious irrelevancy for hundreds of years. Grabbing grub with the fingers was perfectly acceptable. suspect this scenario might serve as an apt metaphor for you in 2025. You are primed to be an early adapter who launches trends. You will be the first to try novel approaches and experiment with variations in how things have always been done. Enjoy your special capacity, Gemini. Be bold in generating innovations.
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Psychologist Abraham Maslow defined “peak experiences” as “rare, exciting, oceanic, deeply moving, exhilarating, elevating experiences that generate an advanced form of perceiving reality, and are even mystic and magical in their effect upon the experimenter.” The moment of falling in love is one example. Another may happen when a creative artist makes an inspiring breakthrough in their work. These transcendent interludes may also come from dreamwork, exciting teachings, walks in nature, and responsible drug use. (Read more here: tinyurl.com/ PeakInterludes) bring these ideas to your attention, Cancerian, because I believe the months ahead will be prime time for you to cultivate and attract peak experiences.
“Jonesin” Crosswords
""Oxen Free" --a themeless challenge to wind down the year. by Matt Jones
ACROSS
1. Online "where is this?" game with notables called Rainbolt and Blinky
10. "Sk8er ___" (2002 single)
13. Takes a sudden lead
15. 911 responder
16. Misrepresented a public campaign as fully authentic
18. Mauna ___
19. Nijinsky negative
20. Barney Gumble quote after abstaining from (and then drinking) alcohol, prepping for a space mission
22. Channel with a "Noir Alley" feature
23. Like elements past #92 (all unstable and prone to decay into other elements)
26. Places to check out?
28. Company that sometimes outranks Microsoft and Apple as the world's most valuable
29. It may contain a radio and non-perishables
32. Otherworldly
33. ___ Lingus (Ryanair competitor)
34. They make feudal attempts?
38. Singer and then some
41. Elite squads
44. Butt: var.
45. TV spots for Fred Meyer (as opposed to, say, Wal-Mart)
48. Not-so-peaceful feeling
49. Phone tree start
50. Bioengineered foods, briefly
51. Boston's Bobby
52. Places of protection
56. Lil ___ Howery (actor in 2025's "Dog Man")
57. Go from the ocean back to clouds, maybe
58. "Madden NFL 25" stats
59. Like insects
DOWN
1. Singer-songwriter Phillips (namesake of a "Buffalo" band)
2. Start of a happy-go-lucky saying
3. Fictional month in a 1977 Dr. Seuss title
4. Goldfinger portrayer Frobe
5. Org. associated with Bob Hope for 50 years
6. Put away
7. ___ mai (dumplings)
8. Canary's European cousin
9. Rapid transits?
10. Show compassion
11. Subtitle of 1978's "Damien"
12. Lake at the head of the Mississippi
14. Prove false
17. They give it a whirl
21. Skiers' leg coverings
23. Strict parents (as popularized by a 2011 book)
24. "The Pioneer Woman" host Drummond
25. "Simple!"
27. The world's third most populous island
30. Animator's unit
31. Northern California town that used to have a palindromic bakery
35. Setting up traffic lights again, maybe
36. Norwegian Sea islanders (if you spell it with the ligature)
37. About to burn out
39. Looms
40. Lasso or Leo
41. Military building
42. Became weepy, with "up"
43. Some 2010s Gen Z fashion denizens (inspired by anime and mall goth)
46. One-third of "Six"?
47. Susan who lent her surname to nominees who finally win
50. "Whose Line" regular Proops
53. ___ screen (lab test for poisons)
54. Cornhusker's sch.
55. Edmondson of "The Young Ones," familiarly
GRAND RE-OPENING STUDIO PRO 1-1825 10-2PM: Register to win a Free Massage or Facial for a year!
Infra-Red Sauna & More!
SEWING: Sewing, Alterations, Mending & Repairs. Maple City, Maralene Roush 231228-6248.
