Northern Express - November 25, 2024

Celebrate the Holidays

IN DOWNTOWN ELK RAPIDS

November 29: Tree Lighting & Santa Arrival 6:00pm

November 30: Shop Small -- Shop for one of a kind gift

December 7: Polar Express, with Reindeer and Santa! 11:00am - 3:00pm

December 12: Ladies Night 5:00 - 8:00pm

December 14: Polar Express 11:00am - 3:00pm

December 21: Polar Express 11:00am - 3:00pm

Sleepless in Traverse City

Well, it’s here. We will now have a president who cares nothing about us. How do I know? He told us. He is presently choosing the crumbs from the bottom of the barrel for his cabinet. If you thought a better life was dawning for you and your kids, maybe more taxes, higher prices with tariffs, a weaker military, and disdain for our environment might cause you to pause.

And who will pick our cherries if the immigrants are gone?

So with all this, do I dare be optimistic? The economists are not. I am hoping that the checks and balances we have left (thank you, Supreme Court) will be able to soften the blow. I’m afraid we are about to learn a hard lesson and maybe that is what it will take to revive us from the circle of hate, lies, and corruption. It’s up to us now while we still have a voice.

Caralee Giuntoli | Traverse City

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

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top ten this week’s

You know the drill, folks: This weekend is all about the holiday lights, evergreen trees, Santa visits, and shopping sprees! (We’re feeling very Seussian for that rhyme!) Here is just a short selection of spots full of holiday spirit: Nov. 29 at 9am, Bed Parade in Glen Arbor, followed by the tree lighting and holiday market opening 6:30-8pm. Nov. 29 at 5pm, First Light Celebration and arrival of Santa at Crystal Mountain; grown-ups enjoy the Holiday Trails progressive to follow. Nov. 29 at 5:30pm, check out Cadillac Christmas in the Park, complete with a drone show and photos with Mr. and Mrs. Claus. And shop small with the Better Than Black Friday PJ Party sales in Glen Arbor (7-9am, Nov. 29); the downtown Gaylord Christmas Stroll (Nov. 30); and Black Friday and Small Business Saturday in downtown Traverse City.

Northport Arts Association invites you to get in the spirit with their Holiday Arts & Crafts Sale at two Northport locations on Saturday, Nov. 30, from 10am-4pm. Get your shopping done with more than 30 artisans at both the Village Arts Building at 301 N. Mill St., Ste. E and Willowbrook Mill at 201 N. Mill St. (And then catch the Northport tree lighting that evening!) northportartsassociation.org

4

Hey, watch IT! a Man on the Inside

Almost five years after the conclusion of The Good Place, showrunner Michael Schur and actor Ted Danson reunite for the new series A Man on the Inside. Danson plays Charles, a widower and professor who is finding retired life in San Francisco doesn’t suit him at all. He’s bored, sad, and lonely, even if he won’t quite admit it to himself. When he finds an intriguing want ad from a private investigator, he decides it’s time to put his (extremely unsubtle) spy skills to the test. He takes

Opened in 2020 (though it had a previous life in Harbor Springs), this eclectic little eatery in Petoskey offers an elevated mix of Euro and American fare all made from scratch, right down to the English muffins on the wildly popular Eggs Benedict ($16). This brunch classic starts with a rustic Italian white bread base, which rises overnight before being grilled in olive oil and baked. From there, each decadent benny is built with layers of thinly-shaved Plath’s smoked ham, poached eggs, homemade hollandaise, and a finishing sprinkle of fresh parsley. These babies come a la carte, but we say go even bigger with a side of buttery-golden hash browns. Basic breakfast, eat your heart out! Find Sam’s Graces Café at 324 E. Mitchell St. in Petoskey. samsgracescafe.com

Want to shake up your holiday performances this year? The Best Christmas Pageant Ever hits the stage with the Mills Community House Association and the Benzie County Players on Nov. 30 at 6pm and Dec. 1 at 2pm. Based on Barbara Robinson’s bestselling 1972 novel (also the inspiration for the film of the same name playing in theaters now), the show follows a church putting on their annual Christmas pageant with the “bad kids” of the town in starring roles. Disaster or epiphany? You’ll have to find out. Find details at millscommhouse.org. Also beginning Nov. 30 (with dates running through Dec. 15 at locations throughout NoMi) is Madonnativity, an original musical from the creative minds at Mashup Rock & Roll Musical. What do you get when you combine a holiday show, Madonna hits, and a catastrophe or two? Pure Christmas magic. Learn more at mashuprockandrollmusical.com.

Workforce Housing Headed North

This month, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) announced funding for two workforce housing projects in northern Michigan. The first is in downtown Petoskey, in a building vacant since 2006 (the former Hotel Del Rey, among other businesses) that will be redeveloped into nine apartments. Petoskey was identified by the MEDC as a Redevelopment Ready Community back in 2018, and they will receive up to $878,000 in Revitalization and Placemaking (RAP) funding and are expected to generate a total capital investment of over $2.3 million. Meanwhile, in Cheboygan, a Michigan Main Street Community, another long-vacant building (across from Festival Square) will receive up to $279,000 in RAP funds to rehab the property into a retail space on the main floor and two residential units on the second floor. Learn more about both projects at michiganbusiness.org.

It’s hard to believe, but we’re looking out to 2025 already! One of our favorite issues in the first part of the New Year is our Histories & Mysteries issue, and we need your help! Who are the unsung heroes, the special souls, and the trailblazing folks who have left their mark on northern Michigan? Which places have stood the test of time or evolved into something sparkling and new? And what are the questions (curious, creepy, or somewhere in between) that keep you up at night? Drop us a line at info@northernexpress.com to share your recommendations for the people, places, and/or events we should cover in this upcoming issue. We will accept ideas through Dec. 4, so perhaps use the upcoming holiday (and the post-turkey quiet time) to brainstorm with friends and family!

Michigan State University was founded in 1855, so when four MSU alums decided they wanted to start a vineyard and make wine, they named their endeavor the 1855 Project. (Though they make both red and white wines, their #GoGreenDrinkWhite hashtag works nicely.) Their grapes grow out on the rolling hills of Old Mission Peninsula and eventually become small batches of unique wines. We tried the 2017 Oaked Chardonnay, which felt like the perfect white wine for fall. It has the creaminess you expect from aging in oak barrels for 20 months, but doesn’t taste too buttery, maintaining a hint of crisp acidity that offers a refreshing feel in the glass. In short, it works with just about every dish you’re planning for Thanksgiving and beyond. Buy a bottle ($30) at 1855project.com.

HOLIDAYS

Red Dresser Gift Cards are one size fits all!

Monday-Friday Saturday Sunday The Red Dresser is a community of 30 local junkers and makers filling our shop with vintage, handmade and repurposed items as well as furniture, home decor, jewelry, and gifts.

GIVING THANKS…AGAIN

spectator

By steven Tuttle

I originally wrote this column in 2019. After rereading it (and making a few updates), I thought maybe we all needed to be reminded we have reasons aplenty to be thankful despite all the post-election angst.

Thanksgiving is the best of holidays, except maybe for some who are doing all the cooking and post-meal cleaning. It’s a time when family, friends, and oftentimes stragglers with no place to go are all welcome.

It has the added advantages of outstanding food and no secular connections; most everybody celebrates the same holiday at the same time. We give thanks for the companionship of our loved ones, the meal, and whatever good things have come our way. And this year, perhaps more than most, we try to avoid politics.

Our thanks, unfortunately, are limited in time and scope. We all have someone to thank, and most of us have many people we should be thanking every day. There are dozens if not hundreds of people who have done, are doing, or will do jobs that help make our lives easier and safer. They all deserve our thanks.

Let’s start with the obvious: the people at work while we feast.

Thanks to the police officers, sheriff’s deputies, state troopers, firefighters, and any and all first responders working today and every day.

Plus the people serving in the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps, too many of whom will enjoy their holiday dinner in harm’s way far from home. And a special thanks to everyone at Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City who save us from catastrophes both natural and self-created.

There are just so many we should thank... There are teachers, teacher’s aides, custodians, food service workers, administrators, and boards of education. Not to mention the brave souls who drive or are aides on school buses—think carpool with 60 kids twice a day. Speaking of drivers, there are truck drivers, BATA bus drivers, delivery van drivers, taxi drivers, rideshare drivers, and the others who take us places and bring us our stuff. Let’s not forget the postal workers who sort it all and the mail carriers who deliver it.

Plus our intrepid snowplow drivers who have been mercifully idle so far this season. And thanks to the folks who build, maintain, and repair our streets and roads, even though we sometimes curse the inconvenience their work creates.

In a nice, warm place for Thanksgiving? Thank architects, engineers, masons, carpenters, framers, roofers, electricians, plumbers, heating/ventilation/airconditioning installers, sheet metal workers, iron workers, painters, and the people who make everything they put together. Plus real

estate agents, insurers, landscapers, and tree trimmers. And car designers, autoworkers, and everyone else putting together our favorite mode of transportation.

Let’s not forget doctors, physician’s assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses, technologists, administrators, nutritionists, dietitians, physical and respiratory therapists, and everyone else who tries to keep us healthy, cure our ailments, and put us back together when we’re broken.

Then there are actors, directors, producers, singers, writers, publishers, editors, poets, artists, sculptors, musicians, and dancers who can inform, entertain, and delight us. Even tour guides.

Dining out? Don’t forget the cooks, servers, hosts and hostesses, bussers, dishwashers, and managers making that happen. And the growers, ranchers, and all those who harvest and process the bounty most of us enjoy on holidays and every day despite weather, bugs, and disease bedeviling their crops and animals.

Thanks to the inventors who create and the entrepreneurs who market the gadgets we now take for granted, even those we don’t really need.

If you’re traveling, give thanks to the pilots, flight attendants, ground crews, reservation clerks, and even the TSA employees who will help you get safely to your family and back. And hotel/motel/resort managers, desk clerks, and housekeeping staff.

Let’s give special thanks to all the scientists and researchers, from archaeologists to zoologists, who continue to enlighten and inform us about the world in which we live. We should be paying better attention to many of them.

Let’s also thank community activists, non-violent protesters, organizers, troublemakers, and curmudgeons for highlighting needed changes and keeping us on our toes.

While we’re at it, let’s thank all elected officials, even those we hoped would lose in the last election, because they had the commitment and courage to put their names on the ballot. Local elected officials, of whom we expect much but repay with little compensation and much criticism, are especially deserving of our gratitude. Let’s also thank all government employees at the local, county, state, and federal level about whom we frequently complain but who just keep doing their jobs.

And so many other people working in relative obscurity but worthy of thanks. Utility company workers trying to restore power, community groups, charities and, to be sure, everyone who volunteers for anything. And everybody I’ve unintentionally omitted.

Finally, thank you for reading Northern Express and this column. It is appreciated.

November 11 - December 15, 2024

For every $100 worth of Magnum Hospitality Gift Certificates purchased, receive an additional $20 Gift Certificate to be redeemed January 1st, 2025 through May 31st, 2025. Shop at Red Mesa Grill, Pearl’s, Cafe Santé or online at magnumhospitality.com

DON’T LET THE HOLIDAYS GO UP IN SMOKE.

PENNINGTON COLLECTION

The PENNINGTON COLLECTION

OPPORTUNITIES IN MANUFACTURED AND MODULAR HOUSING

Guest Opinion by Yarrow Brown

A home is a home—no matter its shape, size, or how it was built. And we need a lot of homes for both seasonal and year-round people in northern Michigan.

We have a 0.7% vacancy rate in our region, which means there is very little housing stock available for those who live and work here. We have a huge need for housing that is affordable and a huge opportunity to solve this need. We don’t want anyone to pay more than 30 percent of their income on housing, but in our region, many spend up to 50 percent on housing and transportation, meaning our essential workforce is often priced out of our communities for both rental and for-sale housing.

While we still need traditionally built homes, we also need to make room for technologies and new models, like manufactured and modular housing. Why do we create obstacles for innovative housing solutions that don’t fit traditional models?

With the shortage of skilled construction labor, exploring ways to increase efficiencies in housing construction has become more critical than ever. Rising construction costs have made it challenging for developers to add new affordable units to the housing market, especially in high-cost areas like ours.

The high cost of building new housing is driven by several factors including the cost of land, materials, and labor. Another barrier is land use regulations, which dramatically limit both the location and scale of new housing. Not to mention the timing and uncertainty around securing and layering various public subsidies to produce affordable housing units. To effectively tackle the housing crisis, we must pursue policy reforms that address all three key drivers of rising housing costs.

Many people think of a manufactured or modular home and immediately go to a 1970’s mobile home park. While these still exist and we need to preserve them, manufactured and modular housing has come a long way in 50 years.

What is the difference between manufactured and modular? Modular building is where the product is created off-site at a factory and its components, or modules, are then transported to the construction site, where they are assembled on a permanent foundation. Since modular homes are assembled on-site and attached to a permanent foundation, they are classified as real property like traditional sitebuilt homes.

Manufactured homes are also constructed in factories, but they are assembled on a permanent trailer chassis and are subject to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) design and fabrication standards and different financing requirements.

The benefits to this type of construction includes overall cost savings, shorter development timelines, and an overall safer and more efficient development process.

There are some great examples in our area of both modular and manufactured.

One is in Emmet County where Northwest Michigan Habitat for Humanity is working with General Housing Corporation to build over 30 single family homes using modular construction. Also in Emmet County is Pine Pond, which has manufactured homes for sale. In Charlevoix County there is Fox Run, part of Sun Communities in Boyne City.

Investing in this type of housing can help open more opportunities. Some folks can downsize to a manufactured home community or some can purchase their first home at an affordable rate.

Despite the benefits of these building types, they still represent a relatively small segment of the construction market. And there are limitations including scarcity of manufacturers, zoning regulations, and state transportation requirements.

There are ways that our region could boost the utilization of modular construction, including expanding zoning to ensure this type of construction is allowed. We can also ensure there are financial resources for the modular construction of affordable housing. Local units of government could explore and adopt funding mechanisms that promote innovations in the construction of affordable, resilient, and energy-efficient housing.

One of the barriers to housing is not having standardized building codes and land use to facilitate production and project approvals of modular and manufactured housing. One solution is to work together to develop uniform building code rules governing modular construction. Standardizing the code requirements would enable manufacturers to streamline their production and this would improve efficiency, reduce costs, and ultimately facilitate a broader adoption of modular building.

At the local level, governments should streamline planning approvals and reform zoning to facilitate the adoption of modular and manufactured construction for affordable construction, particularly multifamily housing.

We can also work to preserve the existing manufactured home communities that are threatened by outside investors. Local governments could provide business incentives for establishing modular factories—for example, by purchasing units built off-site; facilitating the use of public land, idle lots, and brownfields for creating modular business opportunities; and promoting public-private partnerships.

Let’s stop closing doors for innovation and technology and instead realize that these opportunities will allow people to remain in our community, become homeowners, and create a life in northern Michigan.

Yarrow Brown is the executive director of Housing North, a 10-county housing agency

CRYSTAL GIFT CARDS

Coming Home for the Cranberries Inside the Ingredients

By Nora Rae Pearl

They’re red, they’re rosy, they’re tart, they’re tiny, and some are even sweet instead of sour. So this season, let’s come home to the berry we harvest in the bog every fall.

Just like Old Faithful, we can always rely on the cranberry to make an appearance, especially at the Thanksgiving table. There’s nothing like a cranberry chutney that’s good enough to eat hot, cold, and all on its own. Filled with dried apricots, golden raisins, pecans, and a little sugar and spice, the recipes below will offer inspiration for your Thanksgiving menu as well as how to make your leftovers, if you have any, even better the second time around.

For your ingredients, look for Cheboygan’s own Michigan Cranberry Co. products at a local market near you, and shop The Market Basket in Beulah for all your dried fruits, nuts, and spices this holiday.

CRANBERRY AND BRIE SQUARES

Creamy cheese and tart chutney wrapped in flaky pastry come together to make the perfect bite. Makes nine.

Ingredients

• Two sheets puff pastry, store bought or homemade

• 8 oz. brie cheese, cut into 14 small wedges

• Nine tablespoons cranberry chutney, recipe follows

• One large egg, beaten

To assemble: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Roll out one puff pastry sheet to 1/8-1/4 inches thick, then cut into a 9-inch square. Cut like a tic-tac-toe board, resulting in nine 3-inch squares. Transfer the first set of squares to a parchment lined baking sheet, spacing 2 inches apart. Brush the edges with a little beaten egg. Place one wedge of cheese on top of each. (Nibble on the leftover cheese.) Spoon 1 tablespoon chutney over cheese. Roll out the remaining sheet (as described above) and cut into squares. Place one square over each filled square and poke down sides to seal. Crimp with a fork, then trim off a very small edge for neat presentation. Brush with beaten egg and cut a small X on top of each. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until golden brown. Allow to cool at least 10 minutes before serving.

Cranberry Chutney

This recipe makes about 4 cups, enough for both recipes.

Ingredients

• Two 12 oz. bags fresh cranberries

• 2 cups water

• 1 cup brown sugar

• 1/2 cup dried apricots

• 1/2 cup golden raisins

• 1/3 cup pecans

• 1/4 cup crystallized ginger

• 3/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

• 1/2 of a Granny Smith apple, peeled

Instructions: Finely chop the apricots, pecans, candied ginger, and apple. Place each in a separate bowl and set aside. Place water and brown sugar in a large pot. Cook over medium heat until sugar has dissolved, stirring occasionally. Add the cranberries and bring to a boil. Once the cranberries begin to burst, add the apricots, raisins, and ginger. Continue to cook at a low boil, stirring briefly, for four to six minutes. Turn the heat down to a low simmer, then add the apple, pecans, and red pepper flakes. Cook until heated through, one to two minutes. Take off the heat. Lightly mash mixture with a potato masher until most of the cranberries are smashed, but mixture remains slightly chunky. Chutney will thicken as it cools. Chill for at least two hours or until ready to use.

CRANBERRY CROSTATA

A “tastes as good as it looks” new holiday pie.

Ingredients

• 2 cups flour

• 6 tablespoons sugar

• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 12 tablespoons cold butter, cut into 1/4inch cubes

• 2 large egg yolks

• 2 tablespoons ice water

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1 tablespoon milk

• 1 tablespoon coarse sugar

• 3 cups cranberry chutney

To make the crust: In a medium bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Make a well in the center and add the cubed butter and egg yolks. Work in using your fingertips or a pastry blender until the dough briefly holds together when squeezed. Drizzle over the water and vanilla. Knead until you have a soft dough. Divide in half. Wrap each half in plastic, then pat out to a 1/2inch thick disc. Chill for 30 minutes. (If

you chill longer than 30 minutes, let the dough warm up at room temperature for 10 to 20 minutes before proceeding.)

To assemble: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Roll out one dough half on a lightly floured surface into a 12-inch circle. Fit into a 9-inch tart or similar pan. Spoon in the chutney, smooth out evenly. Roll out the remaining dough half to a 10-inch circle. Cut into 3/4-inch thick strips. Lattice across the top. Trim excess pie dough and crimp edges. Brush just the lattice top with milk, then sprinkle with sugar. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes until golden, tenting edges with foil if they begin to brown too quickly. Allow to cool to room temperature before serving.

Nora Rae Pearl is 99 percent foodie and 1 percent chef. When she is not writing about food, she can be found waiting in line at the farmers market hoping to get a croissant before they run out. Photo credits Cody Werme.

Merry Music

20+ concerts, shows, and performances to celebrate the holidays

By Ross Boissoneau

Ready or not, here come the holidays! And with the yuletide season come special shows and performances, both classic (hello there, Mouse King!) and newer (candlelight concerts anyone?). From churches to theaters and beyond, the magic of December brings people together.

“When I search for holiday programming I’m looking for something a little different,” says Chad Lindsay, executive director of the City Opera House (COH). “Not everyone enjoys the same thing.”

City Opera House

A bevy of performances at the centuryold theater in Traverse City will enliven the holidays, starting with the “Gilded Christmas Gala” Dec. 7, billed as “a celebration of glittering talent and shared tradition, with a wink!” The gala features Broadway veterans Hayley Podschun (Wicked, Hello, Dolly) and Steel Burkhardt (Hair, Aladdin) performing holiday songs from the Great White Way to Hollywood and beyond.

Next up are the Good Lovelies on Dec. 8, with vocalists Caroline Brooks, Kerri Ough, and Susan Passmore offering a nostalgic sound that blurs the lines between folk, roots, old-time swing, soul and bluegrass. More holiday-esque is the Listeso String Quartet performing holiday favorites. To enhance the holiday mood, the Dec. 12 show

will be a candlelight concert.

Lindsay says his favorite show in the lineup may be “All Is Calm.” The remarkable true story of a holiday ceasefire on the Western Front during World War I is brought to life Dec. 14 through an a cappella chorale. “It’s all sung through,” says Lindsay. “On Christmas, both sides put down their arms. It’s a touching story.”

Kirkbride Hall

There’s more of the soft, flickering glow in store for concertgoers. “Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings” welcomes the Listeso String Quartet to Kirkbride Hall for six shows, two each night. The first is Dec. 19, featuring numerous holiday favorites and concluding with musical selections from The Nutcracker. On Dec. 20 and 21, the quartet will play additional selections from the Christmas canon.

Great Lakes Center for the Arts

Artistic Director Matthew Kacergis at Great Lakes Center for the Arts (GLCFA) at Bay Harbor makes no bones about it: “I love the holidays at the Center,” he says.

And why not? Allen Fitzpatrick, veteran of a half-century in theater on Broadway and beyond, takes on the roles of 26 characters in a one-man performance of A Christmas Carol on Dec. 7. Kacergis says a special part

of the show is that it is being recorded for a future radio broadcast.

The holiday fun is just getting started. The Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra will perform “Messiah By Candlelight” on Dec. 12 and 13 at 7pm. On Dec. 21 and 22, GLCFA will host the Crooked Tree Arts Center School of Ballet in The Nutcracker. Kacergis says one of the most enjoyable aspects for him is seeing the young performers take on different parts as they get older. “I love watching the kids grow through the different roles,” he says.

One of the things Kacergis emphasizes is the role GLCFA plays alongside other venues and organizations. “We have so many exciting community collaborations,” he says. Indeed, two of the Center’s signature events are shared with others. Fitzpatrick will command the stage Dec. 3 as Scrooge, Tiny Tim, and all the rest at the Beaver Island Community Center Dec. 3, then again following his show at GLCFA at the Opera House in Cheboygan at 4pm Dec. 8. The Opera House will also host an encore presentation of The Nutcracker Dec. 14 at 7.

But there’s still one more performance to catch at GLCFA. For those who wonder how reindeer can fly and how Santa can wriggle down all those chimneys, Doktor Kaboom returns with his holiday extravaganza. “The Science of Santa” explores the science behind the man in red. (No elves are harmed in the course of the show.) It takes place Dec. 15 at 2pm.

Interlochen Center for the Arts

Of course, GLCFA is not the only Nutcracker host in town. Interlochen Center for the Arts presents its annual version of Tchaikovsky’s immortal ballet with the Interlochen Arts Academy Dance Division and Orchestra Dec. 12-15. The production involves nearly 50 students between the dancers and orchestra.

The other longstanding holiday tradition at Interlochen takes place Dec. 20. “Sounds of the Season” is a mix of performance pieces by Interlochen Arts Academy’s music, theatre, and interdisciplinary arts students. Brent Wrobel, the director of Interlochen Presents, says it involves approximately 150 students. “It’s the same format [yearly], but we change the repertoire, have different themes. We want it to be fresh,” he says.

One year they might feature material from Disney’s Frozen, while the next might see an appearance from the Grinch. One thing doesn’t change: “We have Santa every year,” Wrobel says.

The Haunting of Old Ebenezer

Looking for a newer tradition?

Songwriter, conceptualist and musician Steve Clark has just the thing: An acoustic concert blended with a retelling of Dickens’ classic tale of redemption. Through 16 original songs, Clark and his cohorts take the listener through the haunting of Ebenezer Scrooge

Photo courtesy of Interlochen Center for the Arts

and his eventual transformation. The folksy music and harmonies offer a different way to experience A Christmas Carol. Clark describes it as “part concert, part musical theater, and all holiday cheer!” Showtimes:

• Dec. 6: 7pm at Willowbrook Mill in Northport

• Dec. 7: 2pm at Ramsdell Theatre in Manistee

• Dec. 8: 4pm at St. Ambrose in Beulah

• Dec. 19: 7:30pm at The Barrel Room in Traverse City

• Dec. 21: 6pm at Oliver Arts Center in Frankfort

Northwestern Michigan College

NMC will host a number of different holiday-themed performances in the next four

weeks. First up is the NMC Children’s Choirs Nov. 24 at 3pm at Lars Hockstad Auditorium.

On Dec. 7, the NMC Jazz Bands will present its first holiday-themed winter concert. The college’s two big bands will perform a variety of music at Milliken Auditorium at 7:30pm.

On Dec. 13, the NMC Concert Band will showcase its holiday favorites at Traverse City West Senior High at 7:30pm. The NMC Grand Traverse Chorale and NMC Chamber Singers will share the stage at Corson Auditorium with the Traverse City Philharmonic for its annual “Home For the Holidays” show—proof you can go home again, at least on Dec. 21 and 22.

Between those two is “Irish Christmas in America.” The 6pm performance on Dec. 8 at Milliken Auditorium features Irish music, song, and dance. A family-friendly show, it boasts both vocals and instrumentals bringing to life a Celtic holiday, while evocative

photographs provide a backdrop to some of the rich historical traditions of Ireland.

Messiah Sing

A Traverse City tradition for nearly half a century, the 46th Central United Methodist Church Messiah Sing will take place Dec. 8. For many people, the 4pm show at the downtown Traverse City church signals the beginning of the Christmas season. This year’s Messiah Sing will feature soloists Laura Osgood Brown (soprano), John Bragle (tenor), and Keith Brown (baritone). Also performing will be the NMC Grand Traverse Chorale, accompanied by organ and chamber orchestra. Want to sing along? Rehearsal starts promptly at 2:45pm (vocal scores may be checked out; those who wish to borrow one

should arrive early to pick up their score). For further information and the complete Christmas calendar of events for Central UMC, visit tccentralumc.org/christmas.

More to See Adults can’t have all the fun. The Alluvion hosts a special yule version of Mindful + Musical with Miriam Pico. At “Holiday Joy” on Dec. 7 at 10:30am, you can expect songs, stories, and themes emphasizing kindness, love, and peace, all with a holiday bent. Still looking for more? While not holiday music per se, Blissfest celebrates the season with its “Winter Solstice Gathering” featuring Armchair Boogie and Dig a Pony: A Beatles Tribute on Dec. 21. Doors open at 6:30pm, and the show begins at 7:30pm.

Irish Christmas in America brings history and music together on the Milliken Auditorium stage.

Photo by Brendan Duffy.

Allen Fitzpatrick dons many (top) hats as he plays a slate of Dickens' characters.

TUESDAYS

WEDNESDAYS -

THURSDAYS

A young adult novel about a tough topic

Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

Supported by Lola Jackson & Dilys Garcia Tosteson ‘Community Building’ Author Conversations

For community members who are interested in child abuse prevention, this event is a gentle entry point to learn more.

Join us in welcoming Kimberly Brubaker Bradley, a two-time Newbery Honor winner and #1 New York Times bestselling author. Her latest book, Fighting Words, is a powerful novel that explodes the stigma around child sexual abuse and leavens an intense tale with compassion and humor.

All guests receive a free book and stu dent tickets are free.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4 • 7PM

In-person at City Opera House + Livestreamed

Doors open at 6PM with live music & cash bar

Your Holiday Book-Buying Guide

17 book recommendations from NoMi booksellers

By Jillian Manning

When in doubt, buy a book. (A lesson that applies to all situations, but particularly the holidays.) We asked booksellers across northern Michigan for new titles that have won their hearts, opened their minds, and broadened their horizons. Below, find their top picks for readers of all ages and genres.

Horizon Books

243 E Front St., Traverse City & 115 S Mitchell St., Cadillac horizonbooks.com

Intermezzo by Sally Rooney

“A beautifully complicated book about grief, family, and love set against the backdrop of Dublin and West Ireland. At the heart, it’s about two brothers navigating life after losing their father.”

—Jinhee

The Wood at Midwinter by Susanna Clarke

“A brief story about a gifted young woman set in the Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell universe. The story is much more allegorical than Clarke’s previous work but leaves the reader charmed with the same mystical wonderment she’s known for. Clarke fans will be happy to learn there’s an unexpected and revealing epilogue by the author included!”

—Juan

A Chickadee Year by Bill O. Smith

“Did you know that only 16 days after being born, chickadees are out and about flying? This and other amazing facts concerning this cute little regional champion of the Michigan woods are available in Bill O. Smith’s capstone title of his chickadee series: A Chickadee Year. Beautifully illustrated by nature artist Thomas W. Ford, this book will please budding ornithologists young and old.”

—Laurie

Cottage Book Shop

5989 S Lake St., Glen Arbor cottagebooks.com

The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World by Robin Wall Kimmerer

“This little book will make the perfect gift for anyone who wants to be more in touch with nature and more involved with other humans. Many people fell in love with Robin Wall Kimmerer’s Braiding Sweetgrass—like that, this book is a little gem that you will want to read and then to share with others. In that spirit, Robin Wall Kimmerer is donating her advance payments from this book as a reciprocal gift, back to the land, for land protection, restoration, and justice.”

Easy Weeknight Dinners: 100 Fast, Flavor-Packed Meals for Busy People Who Still Want Something Good to Eat by Emily Weinstein

“We at the Cottage Book Shop love this cookbook. It is full of delicious, easy to follow recipes, along with gorgeous pictures for each recipe. We recommend recipes on pages 115, 137, and the Tuna crunch sandwiches on page 124. This would be a great gift for the cook in your life, or the people who don't really consider themselves cooks, as many of the recipes are super easy.”

The New York Times Essential Book of Cocktails (Second Edition): Over 400 Classic Drink Recipes With Great Writing from The New York Times by Steve Reddicliffe

“I love this book. I have given it as a gift countless times and it always gets great reviews. It is full of great cocktail recipes, but it also has great stories about the origins of the cocktails. It truly makes a great gift for anyone who likes a good cocktail.”

—Jenny Puvogel, owner

Bay Books

220 N St Joseph St., Suttons Bay baybooksmi.com

We Are Starlings: Inside the Mesmerizing Magic of a Murmuration by Robert Furrow and Donna Napoli, illustrated by Marc Martin

“Not only is this a visually stunning book, but the explanation of murmurations plays out beautifully as each page is turned. When we see these huge flocks of starlings shape shifting in the sky, we are always amazed and awed. This book helps us all to understand and appreciate nature.”

We Live Here: Poems for an Ojibwe Calendar Year by Lois Beardslee

“Don’t we all feel the pull of spring differently than we feel the pull of autumn, winter, or summer? Local author Lois Bearslee writes beautifully of nature as the year passes with lovely poetical lyrics. This is a group of poems that will calm and give joy to anyone's hearts throughout the year.”

The Hotel Balzaar by Kate DiCamillo

“Love, patience and trust are underscored by the social mores of WWII as a young mother and her daughter wait for their father’s return. Through the storytelling of a mysterious countess who is staying at the hotel where young Marta’s mother works, she learns to use her imagination but also learns to believe. Incredibly charming tale with mysteries and hope throughout. Did I mention the countess has a parrot?”

—Tina Greene-Bevington, owner

A troupe of actors put on a holiday show featuring music by Madonna.... and everything goes wrong

L e t’ s G e t C o z y

10 local finds for gray days, cold temps, and winter nights

By Jillian Manning

Farewell, daylight! We’ll miss you until the clocks switch back on March 9, 2025. For those of us who feel sad (or literally SAD, thanks to seasonal affective disorder) when November rolls around, the next few months may feel like they’re better spent in hibernation than trudging through the increasingly cold, dark days.

So you know what? Let’s hibernate! Or embrace the Danish theory of hygge, or whatever you want to call getting cozy. We’re talking blankets, sweaters, candles—the whole shebang. Here are some of our favorite picks around town that are all about warmth and comfort for the winter months ahead.

1. Chunky Knit

Throw

Step one: obtain a snuggly blanket. The Ruffled Feather of Gaylord has you covered with the Chunky Knit Throw ($100.25), which comes in a variety of muted colors like taupe, charcoal, and cream, along with vibrant cranberry for a cheerful pop of color. The 65-by-70-inch blanket can fit two adults (or completely swaddle one). We’re sold on the description alone: “A great gift for the homebody, snugglebug or yourself. Because there’s no such thing as ‘too many blankets.’”

2. L.L.Bean Cotton Ragg Sweater

The Outpost of Manistee is one of the few specialty retail stores in the state to be selected to carry L.L. Bean products. There’s plenty to choose from, whether you’re a flannel lover or a connoisseur of cashmere, but we’re especially partial to the Cotton Ragg Sweater ($60). It looks like ragg wool (a sturdy, durable wool) but wears like soft, lightweight cotton and layers under your jacket with ease.

5. Books > People Candle

Evil Queen Candles of Traverse City loves a seasonal candle drop, so be sure to check out their newest releases. For a scent that will stand the test of time from November through March, we turn toward the candle titled “Books > People” ($34). What could be better for your hibernation? As the website description says, “Don’t be scared by the florals, this is a warm, woodsy, cozy scent perfect for curling up with your favorite book” with notes of cedarwood, patchouli, chamomile, and geranium.

3.

These unisex shoes pull double duty as a slipper or a clog thanks to a collapsible back. Made of a mix of 70 percent Italian wool and 30 percent polyester, these snuggly slips are both warm and breathable, with a lightweight and flexible cork outsole. (They’re even orthotic friendly if you want to add your own support!) Don’t use them for running errands, but they’re perfect for fireside lounging. Find a pair ($140) at Golden Shoes in Traverse City.

4. Smartwool snowflake Dream Crew Socks

Speaking of footwear, let’s not forget about your first layer: socks. Boyne Country Sports (Boyne Falls, Harbor Springs, Petoskey, and Traverse City locations) has about a million to choose from, but the Snowflake Dream Crew ($28) offers a classic Scandinavian look for hygge lovers. Merino wool and cushioned soles help you go from the couch to hikes and back again without getting cold feet.

6. My Hygge Home

On the subject of books, none may be more fitting for this list than My Hygge Home: How to Make Your Home Your Happy Place by Meik Wiking, CEO of The Happiness Research Institute in Denmark. If there were ever a time to go all in on making your hibernation cave—err, your house—a joy to be in, it’s now! We spotted a copy ($27.99) at Tinker Studio on Old Mission Peninsula, where you can also find artisan jewelry and textiles alongside stunning local artwork in all mediums. (We bet your local independent bookstore carries this gem, too!)

Taos Convertawool Slippers

7 . Fjords Lounge Chairs

You’d better bet we’re continuing to follow the advice of our northern European friends, this time in Norway. Fjords is a Norwegian furnishings company that is all about relaxation, so if you’re ready to invest a bit more in comfort, they’re the experts. GoldenFowler Home Furnishings in Traverse City is the brand’s only northern Michigan retailer, and they have an array of lounger styles, fabrics, and price points. (Pictured: Tampa Swing reclining chair)

8. Spa Robe

What could be more relaxing than a spa day? While most of us can’t afford a live-in masseuse, we can take that feeling home with a spa robe. Many local spas have them for sale in their gift shops, including Spa Grand Traverse inside Grand Traverse Resort and Spa. Their robe—soft and silky on the outside, plush and warm on the inside, retails for $78. Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to the collar, and you’ll be instantly transported.

9. Lavender Heather Room Spray

If you’re not breathing a little deeper after a spritz of this room spray from Farm House Candle Co. of Leelanau…spritz again. Soothing, herbaceous, and just the right mix of floral and earthy to please all the noses in your house, this spray freshens up dull spaces with its relaxing scent. Find a bottle ($18) on their website at farmhousecandlecompany.square.site or on the shelves at Suttons Bay’s Poppy Things.

10. Aurora Borealis Tea

Those Scandiavians get spoiled with the northern lights, so now’s the time to spoil yourself! Great Lakes Tea & Spice has the perfect cozy-time tea with the perfect name for the season. The Aurora Borealis ($16.95) is a blend of chamomile, rosehip peels, hibiscus, and citrus that will have you counting sheep (or watching those northern lights dance) in no time.

G i f t i n g t h e

G r e at O u t d o o r s

12 ideas for the outdoorsy person in your life

By Drew VanDrie

If you live in northern Michigan, there’s a good chance that someone (or multiple someones) on your gift recipient roster just wants to build a cabin in the woods, wear a bunch of flannel, and be one with the great outdoors. Or, at the very least, they want to take a hike on a sunny winter day.

Whether you’re shopping for a nature novitiate, an intermediate weekender, or an oldhand in the out-of-doors, our gift guide has the perfect seasonal suggestions that are sure to make your favorite outsider feel all warm inside.

Be Prepared

Be a good Boy Scout to your burgeoning nature lover and help them be prepared with a few outdoor basics. Items that focus on hydration, safety, and utility can be great options for friends or family just entering their outdoor exploration era.

1. “One indispensable item that anyone getting into outdoor recreation shouldn’t be without is a decent headlamp,” says Cory Smith, manager at Backcountry North of Traverse City. “My personal favorite is the Black Diamond Storm 500-R ,” he says ($74.95).

Featuring flood and spot light modes, as well as red, green, and blue modes for nighttime navigation, the Storm 500-R does it all, is waterproof, and has a built-in rechargeable lithium ion battery. And while black may be the go-to color, Smith hints at opting for a brighter choice: “A bright [think white, or neon] colored headlamp is far easier to find in the bottom of a dark pack after the sun goes down,”

2. Say “cheers!” and buy your novice nature enthusiast a drink! “Hydration is still one of the easiest gifts to give,” says Emily Keen, buyer and merchandiser for The Outfitter of Harbor Springs. “Water bottles, tumblers, anything stainless steel and reusable. Sustainability is still a big story with gifting. It’s an easy outdoor-adjacent gift that is giveable to a lot of different people.”

Keen recommends the Hydro Flask Sip Set ($49.95) of two tumblers. “They come in fun colors that are more limited edition” says Keen.

Level Up

The avid outdoors-person probably has a decent grasp on their basic items but may be looking for something to upgrade gear, expand their kit, and enhance their experience outside.

4. One of the best ways to extend your stay outside in the colder weather is with quality insulation.

“If you’re looking for the best baselayer, [for women, check out] the brand Kari Traa,” (starting at $62) says Casey Buckleitner, partner at White Birch Outfitters in Gaylord. Founded by the Norwegian pro-skier of the same name, Kari Traa is a women-owned, women-focused clothing company, specializing in base and thermal layers. Referencing the popularity of the brand, Buckleitner notes “A wool base layer from Kari Traa, that’s the hot stuff.”

3. “Another item that we see a lot of people gifting are knives,” says Keen. A popular and useful tool while afield, Keen suggests opting for a Deejo knife ($90) to make your steel standout. “It’s a ‘tattooed’ stainless steel, and they’re really pretty. They have a lot of different themes across the tattoo on the blade,” she says. “Whether the person’s into fishing or hiking, or just being outdoors, there’s a theme that can be associated with it. It’s an easy gift that feels a little more personal.”

5. Confronting the reality of shifting and milder winters in northern Michigan, there are still some great options for those who spend a decent amount of time outside. Smith points to a set of MSR Snowshoes ($139$389) that are designed specifically with traction in mind.

“ Their flagship model the Lightning has aggressive serrated traction bars and all metal brake bars that make ascending or descending rough terrain in snow or icy conditions a breeze,” says Smith. Focused on traction over “float,” these snowshoes make for a great option even in a milder Midwest winter.

6. For a novel experience with an intermediate entry level, Keen points to a set of Altai shortened back-country skis ($250). “It lands somewhere in between a snowshoe and a ski,” says Keen, “I think of it as a step up from a snowshoe, but you don’t have to get straight into the full backcountry ski set-up.”

The skis are made with a mohair skin bottom to ascend hills, a waist (width) akin to a downhill ski, and available with a binding compatible with any snow boot. Keen notes that users can tour up and cruise down hills, combining elements of cross country skiing, downhill, and a hint of backcountry adventure.

Go Pro

Perhaps the most difficult of all to shop for, the experienced nature enthusiast is often chronically outside and usually has the totes full of gear in the garage to show for it. But even for these notorious equipment lovers (hoarders?), our outdoor provisioners still have a few options that may surprise.

7. For those seeking to take their outerwear upgrade to the next level, Keen points to the clothing brand Norrona Lofoten Gore-Tex Jacket ($549). “It’s a Norwegian brand that makes really high quality outerwear,” says Keen. “That person that has everything maybe spends a little more money and investment on their gear.”

The jacket has full waterproof capabilities, while maintaining warmth with a synthetic insulation that is more breathable than standard insulation or down. Keen notes that its temperature regulating quality makes it ideal for going up the chairlift, adding to a backcountry set-up, or a significant upgrade or replacement for an existing ski jacket.

8. For the proven pioneer that has it all, both Buckleitner and Smith point to a new must-have: Nocs Provision Company Binoculars ($95).

“Binoculars are usually either big, bulky, and expensive or small, fragile and of inferior quality,” says Smith. Nocs succeed in finding the sweet spot of optics that are compact, powerful, and yet durable enough to withstand the elements. In addition to construction, the color schemes and ergonomics make them really stand out.

Buckner adds, “They’re colored and shaped differently than most binoculars. When you see them you’re going to say ‘wow!’ I want to grab those and look through them!’ They’re just a really cool, different kind of binocular with high-quality insides [components], and really durable.”

9. And for those looking to go big for their beloved gear junkie? “A snowboard is always the best gift you can give somebody,” says Buckleitner.

White Birch is now offering Lib Tech snowboards, a cutting-edge Americanmade brand that are wildly popular. Buckleitner also points to the Michigan-based ski brand, Shaggy Skis and bindings for the powderhound who has it all. Along with a full line up skis for purchase, White Birch also offers a demo fleet of Shaggys available for test drive before you buy.

Stocking Stuffers

10. Check out the Pigeon River State Forest Map and Nick Adams Stories Combo ($30). Available at White Birch Outfitters, the detailed map is a popular item highlighting little known areas of the expansive State Forest, which is often scant on reliable cell service.

11. Socks! A staple highlighted by each outdoor retailer, you can choose from a variety of options available including Darn Tough (starting at $22 at The Outfitter and Backcountry North) and East Jordan brand Socks Kick (starting at $12.50). “You always get the right size” says Buckleitner when it comes to socks.

12. White Birch partnered with aspiring local disc golfer Levi Irish to create a line of disc golf discs (starting at $20). Shop a variety of styles to support an all-ages outdoor activity when Mother Nature opts for milder conditions.

A Bra for Every Body

TC boutique Intimi is all about making lingerie feel (and look) good

By Brighid Driscoll

Recently, the Victoria’s Secret fashion show returned to television. After a six-year hiatus, the oft-controversial runway show came back, trying to display reform from the old ways with models beyond size zero and a specific body type. Audiences felt lukewarm about the show when polled afterward, citing that it felt too little too late.

Carolyn Greenman, on the other hand, is the owner of downtown Traverse City boutique Intimi and is dedicated to changing the narrative that attractive lingerie is only for women who look a certain way. Intimi embodies inclusivity and beauty through her careful curation.

Dreaming of Comfort and Confidence

The first thing Greenman tells us is that the majority of people are wearing the wrong bra size.

“Retail stores in the United States have a very small selection; they’re only covering about 10 to 15 percent of sizing for the average American woman,” says Greenman.

A typical size range offered in big box stores is 32A to 38DD, and shopping for bras can be a disheartening experience if you don’t fall within that range. When Greenman was professionally fitted for the first time, she was employed at Bon Fitte Brassiere Boutique, where she first worked with lingerie. The difference in comfort and confidence was profound.

“It changed my mind about everything and blew me away with how bras should actually fit our bodies,” she says. “My comfort level and security with my body were so different after that experience.”

When fitting a customer one day at Bon Fitte, the customer commented that she wanted to wear the same kind of beautiful lingerie made for smaller sizes. “She said, ‘I want to be able to walk into a place and pull off the same rack as you. I don’t want to be in a separate section,’” Greenman explains. She started to dream about what that kind of shop could look like and the thrill of helping others feel more confident and beautiful. With the help of her partner Karen, who has experience as a retail business owner, Intimi opened this past April.

Creating a Beautiful, Welcoming Space

Walking into Intimi feels like entering a luxe bedroom. Warm light bathes bright silks and feathery slips, the colors a delight for the senses.

“There’s a lot of inspiration going on here,” says Greenman. “My mom managed the Victoria’s Secret here in town when I was a kid. Everything was ivory and gold and beautiful and lacy. I had these really amazing memories of spending time there and watching her help people feel beautiful.”

Intimi’s inclusive sizing covers band sizes 28-50 and cup sizes A to M, and no matter the size, attention to detail is important. “I try to get things that, from a 30 to 46 band, have very minimal changes,” says Greenman. “They tend to take design elements from the smaller sizes and get rid of them for the larger sizes. The brands I work with design them intentionally to be beautiful and supportive.”

Beauty is subjective, but feeling included isn’t. At the heart of Intimi and Greenman’s vision is a place where anyone can go to feel safe, supported, and gorgeous.

“Every body shape, every person, needs something different. It was important for me to have this place be somewhere anyone can feel comfortable going,” Greenman says. She recommends making a consultation appointment for a first visit to the shop. Consultations are free and don’t just pertain to bra fittings.

“We call everything a consultation. Because you can come talk to us about sexual wellness. You can come talk to us about bras, underwear, getting the right type of lingerie for your body style, a special event, genderaffirming items, there’s a whole list of things.” For Greenman, the real question is, “What do you want to talk about?”

More to Shop (and Read!)

While the boutique’s setting is inspired by the feminine, offerings are inclusive across the gender and size spectrum. Tucking underwear is carried, and binders—a genderaffirming undergarment worn to create a more masculine or androgynous look—are something that Greenman is working to bring into Intimi.

“I promised to bring binders to my store for our community,” she tells us. But she adds that the process is not as simple as just choosing a line of binders and bringing them into the store.

“Bras and breasts I understand like the back of my hand, but there is a huge liability with fitting binders and doing it correctly. I don’t know what the needs and desires of people who are binding are, and so I’ve been learning more about what that looks like. The

biggest challenge is minors. They may not get acceptance from their family, but I need them to have a guardian when they come in. There are instructions that need to be heard and understood, and it’s so important to use them correctly.”

Also offered at Intimi are sexual wellness products like toys, lube, and intimacy games, period and leak-proof underwear, bath products, and robes. Recently, Greenman started hosting a book club at Intimi, too.

The group meets monthly to discuss the most recent pick. The first meeting was at the end of October, and, according to Greenman, lots of fun.

“We have 30 people signed up, and 13 people came to the first meeting; we had someone on Zoom,” she says. “We do spicy books, romantic books, body-positive books, and a bunch of great picks. We have resources to help you get the items however you want, physical, digital, or audiobook. And we also partnered with Brilliant Books for a discount.”

Find Intimi at 124 S Union Street in downtown Traverse City. Visit them online at intimitc. com, where you can sign up for a book club, make a consultation, or shop.

Art, Traditions, and Heritage

Eva Oldman brings graphic design and Anishinaabe culture together

By Rachel Pasche

Eva Oldman has been working in graphic design for 16 years, but her passion for art began much sooner than that.

“I was always an artsy child growing up,” Oldman tells us. “I was really into crafts as a kid and was always making things with my hands. When I was 13 years old, I made my own Native American dance regalia with the help of my aunt and cousin.”

(Anyone who’s had the opportunity to attend a powwow knows how intricate and elaborate this regalia can be, and countless hours of work go into crafting these colorful ensembles of clothing and accessories.)

In high school, Oldman enjoyed working with computers and using them to create art, which pushed her to go to school for graphic design. “Graphic design is all around us, from packaging, marketing materials, to business logos, and once I realized the full scope of what someone could do with graphic design, I decided to go to school for it.”

But even after getting several degrees and completing an impressive array of projects, Oldman still wanted more art in her life. So she launched her line of apparel, accessories, and products featuring her unique designs inspired by her heritage. Oldman is a tribal citizen of the Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians and Northern Arapaho from the Wind River Reservation.

For her “day job,” Oldman works on graphic design with various clientele to create marketing materials, package designs, and web layouts. She especially enjoys helping build brands from the ground up, which includes elements like logo design and other digital designs for small businesses that are passionate about what they do.

Some of the large-scale projects Oldman has worked on include design work for colleges, including Michigan State University and the University of Michigan, libraries like the Traverse Area District Library and the Petoskey Library, and the American Indian Cancer Foundation and the PrEP HIV prevention pill. Her passion for the arts has led her to work with the Mitchell Museum of the American Indian and the Detroit Institute of Arts, and she’s used her education in her work with several small tribal governments.

And then there’s Creative Graphics by Eva, Oldman’s apparel business. The line of sweatshirts, shirts, bags, shoes, blankets, and even umbrellas includes instantly recognizable northern Michigan imagery like bears, cherries, strawberries, and buffalo, alongside Indigenous symbols such as the thunderbird.

“My inspiration for the pieces in my new Indigenous product line comes from the world around me, and sometimes it comes from experiences I’ve had,” she says. “Occasionally, inspiration for a piece will come from my own Native American heritage, and the traditions we practice to honor that heritage.”

For example, one of her top-selling designs is for products with woodland floral artwork.

“This artwork represents the Anishinaabe of the Great Lakes Region, and for this design, I take inspiration from the plant life, berries, flowers, and animals that inhabit this beautiful region we call home, and that are important to the culture.”

Another design Oldman is particularly excited about is a little fishy (in a good way!).

“The Nme [sturgeon in Anishinaabemowin] design not only represents the Sturgeon clan people that we have in our tribal community, but it also helps to shed light on the immense importance of water and the creatures that inhabit the water that makes the Great Lakes region so spectacular.”

Other designs featured include the Turtle Island design, which references the Anishinaabek creation story of lands formed on the back of a turtle; a bright applique floral pattern; parfleche patterns, which is an homage to a container made of rawhide used by Indigenous peoples; and bright geometric designs.

This past year, Oldman decided to expand her line to include kids, too. The children’s shop is called Niibiishenh, and it’s a space where kid-friendly designs—think unicorns, dinosaurs, and butterflies—meet Indigenous inspiration.

Looking to the future, Oldman says her next project will be to get involved in fabric design, with the hope that people could buy fabrics with her unique design work to make

their own crafts and clothing.

“My target audience is anyone who is interested and appreciates my art. My pieces are Native American Indigenous designs, but you don’t have to be Native American to wear my art. If you love what you see and my

The Artist Recommends

art makes you happy, then I encourage you to purchase my products and support me as a Native American artist.”

Shop at creativegraphicsbyeva.com and niibiishenh.com.

Looking for gift recs? Here are some items Oldman suggests for holiday gifting this year:

The Woodland Floral Bag ($50) is made of nylon with adjustable straps and tons of pockets, making it versatile as a stylish backpack, diaper bag, or bead bag.

No matter where you’re headed, the Turtle Island Travel Bag ($70) goes with you through all your holiday travels. And it’s water resistant to hold up to whatever wind, rain, and snow December brings us.

The Woodland Cherry Purse ($65) has sturdy, faux-leather straps and tote bag sensibilities to hold your wallet, sunglasses, phone, gloves, hat, scarf, and every other winter survival item you need.

Cozy up in the Sturgeon Hoodie ($50+, unisex sizing) this winter, made with a soft cotton/polyester blend and Oldman’s iconic design.

Fighting Words, Healing Conversations

Author

Kimberly Brubaker Bradley and Traverse Bay Children’s Advocacy Center bring light to the darkness of child abuse

By Anna Faller

Content Warning: Both the featured book and this article contain references to topics like sexual assault, attempted suicide, drug addiction, and child abuse. Please consider this when choosing when and how to read.

Award-winning children’s author Kimberly Brubaker Bradley wants you to talk about the hard stuff. In particular, she wants to amplify awareness surrounding child sexual abuse, because it’s happening in our communities, whether we’d like to acknowledge it or not.

“I think until people understand the prevalence of this problem and the amount of damage that it causes, there isn’t nearly enough of an impetus to stop it because nobody is willing to talk about it,” she say s. So, talking about it—and denouncing it, fighting it, and so much more—is just what she’s done in her Newbery Medalwinning middle-grade novel, Fighting Words (2020).

Join Bradley as she takes the National Writers Series stage on Wednesday, Dec. 4, at 7pm for a discussion, presented in partnership with Traverse Bay Children’s Advocacy Center, surrounding the scope and prevention of child sexual abuse, as well as the power that comes from owning your own story.

Telling Difficult Stories

With 20 children’s and YA books to her name, Bradley is an expert at reframing complex and sometimes tough topics for

even the youngest readers.

Her story starts when she was a Smith College sophomore, and a gap in her schedule landed her in what was supposed to be a blowoff education course. Unbeknownst to Bradley, though, the class’s professor was acclaimed children’s author Patricia MacLachlan, whose 1985 novel, Sarah, Plain and Tall, received a Newbery Medal.

“She was bringing in all kinds of authors, and I met all of these people while doing the class,” Bradley notes. “She really laid out the

of the scientist, written alongside Chelsea Clinton. Many of her books were inspired by major cultural topics that define a place or a time.

Fighting Words, however, was markedly different.

Per Bradley, the storyline actually arose in the midst of assembling another book (her newest novel, The Night War, which was published in April), and instead of curiosity or intrigue, was sparked by another emotion: rage.

“We wanted to address this ‘boys will be boys’ [attitude], which is a huge step towards ending assault of all kinds,” says Bradley.

work I’d need to do to turn a love of books into a career.”

Since then, Bradley’s book repertoire has grown to include such groundbreaking historical novels as the Newbery Honor Medal recipient The War That Saved My Life (2016), its bestselling sequel The War I Finally Won, and Jefferson’s Sons (2011). She’s also the co-author of She Persisted: Rosalind Franklin (2022), an early chapter biography

As she tells it, Bradley caught wind of an event on the news one day that made her angry, though she declines to specify what it was. So she started typing.

“I didn’t think, really—I just typed [for two days]. By the end, I had 39 pages of a rough narrative arc, and I was still furious. So, I sent it to my editor, and said, ‘I promise you I will do the work to turn this into a book.’”

Naming Right and Wrong

That manuscript became Fighting Words, which is one of the first books of its age group (middle grade, intended for readers ages eight to 12) to really tackle the topic of sexual assault.

The book follows a sister duo: teenage Suki and 10-year-old Delicious Neveah, or Della, for short. When readers first meet Della and Suki, they’ve just been placed in foster care after their unofficial stepfather, Clifton—the predatory ex of their nowincarcerated mother—is caught in the act of abusing Della. We don’t learn until later that Clifton has been subjecting Suki to that same horror for years.

What follows is the emotional fallout in the wake of the trauma the girls have experienced, which culminates in Suki attempting suicide, and eventually, their separate paths towards healing.

Parallel to the girls’ two storylines, we also get a peek into Della’s school life, wherein she learns to make connections with her peers and stand up for herself, but also grapples with a classmate named Trevor who thinks it’s funny to snap girls’ bra straps—and if they don’t wear one, pinch their backs (an all-too-relatable memory for many women).

The goal here, notes Bradley, was to provide an example of the many shapes assault can take and demonstrate to young readers, especially that there’s never an acceptable scenario for it. In our conversation, she even notes a few instances

where child abuse was reported because of the book.

“We wanted to address this ‘boys will be boys’ [attitude], which is a huge step towards ending assault of all kinds,” she adds.

Taking a New Approach

Thus, it made perfect sense to team up with Traverse Bay Children’s Advocacy Center (TBCAC) for this event.

TBCAC is a regional response center and nonprofit for young people who have experienced violence, criminal neglect, and especially child sexual abuse. The organization serves kids throughout six northwest Michigan counties, as well as the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians. Its services include trauma-informed intervention and advocacy, counseling, and research-based prevention, with the goal providing protection and healing.

Per TBCAC data, one in four girls and one in about six to 13 boys will be sexually abused before the age of 18. For perspective, in a classroom of 25 kids, that’s about five who have been or are being exploited.

“[Child sexual abuse] is a very pervasive problem, and it spans all socioeconomic groups,” says TBCAC Senior Advisor of Primary Prevention Reggie Noto. “[Its] consequences can affect the mental and physical health of victims throughout their lifetime.”

Bradley herself is a sexual assault survivor, an experience which she says informed the novel’s key themes.

The book was written with a younger audience in mind, and the TBCAC team highlights that its narrative purposefully omits direct language (think: biological terms for body parts or graphic descriptions) and familiarizes readers with the signs and scope of sexual assault, while avoiding what Noto calls “the social flinch,” or the instinct to cut and run when confronted with an uncomfortable topic.

“This is a very hard issue to talk about, and when you overwhelm people with statistics, they really don’t want to hear about it,” she says. “We’re trying to find another approach to helping communities know more about child sexual abuse and be willing to act, if they must.”

Building Confidence and Resilience

As TBCAC Chief Executive Officer Lander Bachert underscores, there’s also a broader component to fostering resilient and thriving communities by reducing instances

of sexual trauma, which in the U.S., equates to more than one billion dollars per year spent on fallout.

“When we talk about healthy communities and healthy economies, folks whose trauma is mitigated are allowed to become happy and healthy adults,” she explains. “[To achieve that], we have to work within the systems we’re given to take care of each other.”

Per Bachert, this process starts with ensuring the basics, like teaching children how to recognize what kinds of interactions are healthy, safe, and respectful. She and Bradley are both quick to stress that abuse is never the child’s fault, and their protection should fall to adults.

Community care and consciousness are also key to trauma prevention, especially when we consider that a whopping 93 percent of reported child sexual abuse victims know the perpetrator.

“Kids deserve confidence, they deserve resilience, and they need to understand that adults know what’s right and what’s wrong,” Bachert adds.

Other community mechanisms geared towards ending child sexual abuse include the recent social movement around body autonomy, as well as community education, like the TBCAC’s Talk-Protect-Report (TPR) training course led by Prevention Coordinator Jenna Baker.

But the very first step is saying something, which is exactly why resources like Fighting Words matter.

“I think it’s important to know that [sexual abuse] is something you can heal from,” concludes Bradley. “Until we bring it out in the open, we can’t truly address it.”

About the Event: An Evening with Kimberly Brubaker Bradley takes place on Wednesday, Dec. 4, at 7pm at the City Opera House (106 E. Front Street) in Traverse City and via livestream. Tickets range from $15-$27 plus ticket fees, and her featured novel, Fighting Words, is available via Horizon Books. Both inperson and livestream tickets can be purchased through the links on the National Writers Series website. The guest host for the event is Beth Milligan, local journalist and head writer for The Ticker. For more information, visit nationalwritersseries.org.

The Traverse Bay Children’s Advocacy Center is located at 2000 Chartwell Dr. #3 in Traverse City. (231) 929-4250. For more information, or to access courses and services, visit traversebaycac.org.

GIFT BASKETS Custom

FRIENDS, GRANDPARENTS, BOSSES, TEACHERS, EMPLOYEES, MAIL DELIVERY PERSONNEL, KIDS, OR THE ONES ON YOUR NAUGHTY LIST!

Lander Bachert

Reggie Noto

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Todd Hart CPCU ChFC CLU, Agent agent@toddhart.net www.toddhart.net

Creme de la Weird

On Nov. 7, the South China Morning Post reported an uproar following a social media post depicting a small child urinating on a table full of food. The baby's mother captured the moment on video when her child sprayed the breakfast table with urine, then proudly revealed that the family had continued to eat the food. The Beijing mom commented that they "rarely put disposable diapers on him ... We do not cover it because it is better not to interrupt the child while he is urinating."

Recurring Theme

On Nov. 8, police in Los Angeles arrested a man who had apparently been living in the crawl space beneath a 92-year-old woman's home, The New York Times reported. She had heard unusual noises from inside her house and assumed they were animals, but when family members heard knocking, they called police. When officers arrived, the alleged squatter, Isaac Betancourt, 27, who was naked, would not come out from under the home. Betancourt had to be forced out with gas; he was released after his arrest for trespassing. The homeowner's son-in-law, Ricardo Silva, said the entrances to the crawl space would be secured. "It's probably not uncommon, you know," Silva said, "in this day and age, people are looking for shelter."

The Aristocrats Auction house Reeman Dansie in Colchester, England, announced that a slice of wedding cake from the marriage of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip has been purchased for $2,831, United Press International reported. The little slice of history, part of a 500-pound cake served at the Nov. 20, 1947, wedding, had been given as a gift to Marion Polson, a housekeeper at Holyrood House in Edinburgh, Scotland. It was preserved in a box bearing the thenprincess's insignia and included a letter from the bride. No word on how it tasted.

Oops

Mattel is scrambling after releasing its new line of "Wicked" dolls in packaging that included a link not to the upcoming movie's official page, but to a porn website, United Press International reported. "We deeply regret this unfortunate error," the company said in a statement. It was unclear how many dolls carried the misprint, but the company said they were mostly sold in the United States. Mattel helpfully advises people who have purchased products with the misprint to dispose of the boxes.

Awesome!

Aaron Fowler, a surfer in Denmark, Western Australia, was riding the waves on Nov. 1 when he spotted an unusual bird, the Albany Advertiser reported. "There was this big bird in the water ... and it just stood up and waddled right over to us," he said. The emperor penguin had swum thousands of kilometers from Antarctica and was malnourished; it was given into the care of the University of Western Australia's School of Biological Sciences, where its rehabilitation is expected to last a few weeks. One expert there said the penguins are never observed north of the 60th parallel south. "It was kind of funny," Fowler said, "like as he came out of the water, he went to do a tummy slide -- like

I guess he's used to on the ice -- and he just did a kind of face-plant in the sand ... and looked a bit shocked."

Say What?

Semi-professional paranormal investigator Johnny Turnip of Abergavenny, Wales, has weighed in on the recent American election, the Abergavenny Chronicle reported on Nov. 11. "Trump isn't the real enemy, leprechauns are!" he told the paper. "They have been using world leaders and royalty as puppets and distractions from their own diabolical schemes for generations. I don't think either Donald Trump or Kamala Harris were ever aware that they were being used by these corrupt, gold-hungry, shamrock-obsessed, stove-pipe-wearing, alcoholic little pygmies." Turnip went on: "Most people don't think leprechauns are real, and neither did I until a wise man told me that I'd have a hard time finding a mermaid in this day and age because the leprechauns had systematically slaughtered most for them for their scales centuries ago." Unsurprisingly, Turnip had MUCH more to say than we can include here. Consider yourself warned.

Unzignified Death

The Marion County (Indiana) Coroner identified a man found deceased on Nov. 11 as Derek Sink, 39, People magazine reported. Sink was discovered in a tanning bed at a Planet Fitness location, where he had arrived on Friday, Nov. 8. His family had not heard from him since Friday and reported him missing on Sunday; Sink, who had battled addiction, was wearing an ankle monitor, so his probation officer was able to see his last location. Sink's mother, Karen Wetzel, said a syringe was found in the room with him, and she suspects he overdosed. She called her son "the kindest person" with "the softest heart."

The Passing Parade

On Nov. 6, Mohammed Abdullah Alabilan, 27, of Pennsylvania, received a lap dance inside the Reign nightclub in Clearwater, Florida, but "refused to pay the $40 service fee," The Smoking Gun reported. When Alabilan tried to leave the club, a deputy stepped in and charged him with misdemeanor theft. He was released from jail after paying ... a $40 bond. The judge ordered him to stay away from the nightclub.

Least Competent Criminals

Four Californians were arrested for insurance fraud on Nov. 13 for an incident that took place in January, NBC News reported. Ruben Tamrazian, 26; Ararat Chirkinian, 39; Vahe Muradkhanyan, 32; and Alfiya Zuckerman, 39, filed insurance claims on three Mercedes cars, complete with video, which they said had been damaged by a bear. The Jan. 8 alleged attack took place while the cars were parked at Lake Arrowhead northeast of Los Angeles. "The investigation determined the bear was actually a person in a bear costume," the insurance department said. The bear costume, paws and metal hand tools that simulate claws were found in the suspects' home, officials said. Investigators said they had shown the video to a biologist from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, who "opined it was clearly a human in a bear suit."

“Jonesin” Crosswords

--wordplay that's good for you. by Matt

ACROSS 1. No longer dangerous 6. Cut (down)

9. "Take ___ from me ..." 13. Pizza topping, technically

"Lucky Jim" novelist Kingsley 16. Salacious 17. True to a cause

18. "Archer" character Kane

Night, at the MusÈe

20. 2002 Disney title duo 23. "Much ___ About Nothing"

25. 1960s TV Tarzan Ron who died in 2024

"Didn't see you there!"

Almost there

Kyoto currency

Think ahead

Title for Galahad or Guinness

Singer Sumac

Place to get the highlights?

Statute

Make happy

Grass roll

Brain activity meas. 47. Volunteer's offer

48. Abbr. in many Black church names

51. '70s sitcom character always talking about "the big one"

54. 1930s world heavyweight champion whose son was on "The Beverly Hillbillies"

56. Mid-afternoon drink

57. High points

58. Terrain that's tough to predict, or a representation of the circled letters 61. "Monsieur Hulot's Holiday" writer Jacques

Cold cuts shop

Out of style

Aspiring DA's exam

68. Greek salad item

69. Mineral deposit

70. U.S. Election Day, e.g.

71. Command to an attack dog

DOWN

1. Gallaudet University subj.

2. Confucian principle

3. Support small businesses, perhaps

4. Berry in a bowl

5. Former Fed head Janet

6. Kuala Lumpur's country

7. Muscat's country

8. Schedule space, metaphorically

9. "L.A. Law" character Becker

10. Without slack

11. Christmas tree decoration

12. Slithering constrictor

15. Strut about

21. Former American automaker

22. Herb in stuffing

23. Hooded vipers

24. "3 Feet High and Rising" group ___ Soul

28. Hawaiian mackerels

29. Took a curved path

34. Arabic alphabet starter

36. Jack Sprat's dietary rule

38. Experiment area

40. Word that forms a retronym when appearing before "guitar"

41. Baseball field cover

42. Concludes

44. Hanukkah toy nobody actually plays with, spelled more Yiddishly

46. Earth goddess of Greek mythology

48. Beer brand from Holland

49. Hawaiian "thank you"

50. Left

52. Jim Varney's movie series alter ego

53. South African restaurant chain known for peri-peri chicken

55. Pantothenic acid, in a vitamin complex

59. Actress Summer of "Firefly"

60. "Giraffe in Flames" painter

64. Brink of a holiday

65. FDR or JFK

December Recess of Giving!

AT FOOD RESCUE a program of Goodwill Northern Michigan (2889 Aero-Park Dr, Traverse City)

WEDNESDAY

DECEMBER 4 • 5-7PM

PRIZES INCLUDE

• $500 Gift Card to The Boathouse • $100 and $140 Thrifting Sprees at Goodwill Northern Michigan

Michael P’s Specialty Foods Pizza, Fruits, Veggies, Desserts; assorted wine and beer - $10 entry.

All Recess and silent auction proceeds will benefit Food Recue!

FOR MORE DETAILS FIND US ON FACEBOOK

Recess is brought to you by

"Whole Grains"

Jones

Working in Permanent Ink

What drives local tattoo artists

By Art Bukowski

There are a lot of feelings to feel when you sit down to make lines that will (probably) stay on a person’s body until they die.

Even veteran tattoo artists have a bit of nerves as the needle goes in, they say, as that ink is pretty unforgiving. And there’s a colossal sense of responsibility when someone trusts you to make permanent marks on their arms, legs, or (gasp!) face.

But with that responsibility comes a tremendous sense of honor that someone would choose you to do it in the first place, artists say, and a deep feeling of pride that comes with sending a unique piece of portable art out into the world for all to see.

“I don’t work a day in my life,” says Malia Wright, an artist at Cherry Capital Ink on Traverse City’s east side. “There’s obviously certain styles and stuff that I don’t really enjoy doing. But making art every day—I don’t think you can ask for anything better.”

Northern Express checked in with a few tattoo artists to learn about the joys and challenges inherent in this increasingly popular business.

Hard Work and Hustle

Charlie “Baby Handz” Comber, who owns a studio called Pinups & Needles in Traverse City, has been tattooing for almost 20 years and takes his job very seriously. From quick pieces (“There was a girl who wanted me to tattoo a freckle that she had lost; It took longer to do paperwork”) to multi-day endeavors, he leans into both the technical and holistic aspects of his work.

“If someone wants a deity or something like that, for example, I’m going to watch all kinds of documentaries on it. I want to understand it,” he says. “I want to know why they’re wearing what they’re wearing, what their elements are, things like that.”

Technology has come a long way in the past 15-20 years. Artists can now use Photoshop or other software programs (a popular one is Procreate) to create and perfect all sorts of designs, combined with specialized printers that make stencils for easy application. But plenty still use freehand techniques, especially for less complicated work.

Make no mistake though—nothing is easy.

“A lot of people think [simpler tattoos] are easy to do, but they’re one of the harder things for a lot of people,” Comber says. “Those are meant to be done with single pass lines, and there’s more room for error. There’s no tapering of those lines.”

Comber is fortunate that he’s built up a solid reputation over many years. This means he’s booked out for months, something newer artists would—and are—bending over backward to work toward.

“It’s super hard to break through and get noticed in this business, because there are a lot of people doing it,” Wright says. “It’s like being a musician. You could be the best guitar player in the world, but if nobody notices you, it doesn’t matter. In this industry, it’s really, really hard to stand out.”

Most tattoo artists rent chairs or booths, similar to barbers and hair stylists. They get paid strictly based on the clients they work with, a situation that also leads to challenges.

“It can be very dissatisfying at times, because we don’t always stay booked, and if we are booked, we can’t guarantee that our appointments are going to show up,” Wright says. “In the last three weeks alone, I’ve had $2,500 worth of appointments, just no call, no show. When stuff like that falls through, we’re stuck figuring it out. We’ve got to hustle to figure out how we’re going to make up that money.”

Malia Wright at work.

Stigma, Inspiration, and Customization

Comber says that while tattoos “used to be associated with going to prison,” they’re now popping up on people of all walks of life, from “homeless people to politicians.” Wright agrees.

“Even in the past five years, so much has changed because it is becoming way more acceptable to have tattoos,” she says. “There are so many more people getting them, doctors, lawyers, judges, all those people that you wouldn’t [previously] consider.”

That said, tattoo proponents are “still fighting the stigma” associated with face or neck tattoos, Wright says, something she hopes changes in the future.

Some people who come in, Comber says, are simply tattoo junkies.

“Some people just love the feeling of tattoos. That’s it. And they want to have somebody to talk to for hours,” he says. “You are a therapist as a tattoo artist. It’s a thing.”

Regardless of who they are, those who come in for a tattoo may have a very specific idea in mind, or something more general that needs to be refined. The latter is much more fun, Comber says.

“I call it ‘crawling up into people’s heads,’ and I really enjoy it,” he says. “I like sitting down and talking about what it is they’re looking for, what styles they like, what it is they’re wanting to change on their body or cover.”

Comber has a few clients that place complete trust in him to do whatever he wants, something that still blows his mind each time.

“Some people have a few elements, and maybe they’ll tell me the style and the body part. But then they’re like, ‘I trust you. Just do it.’ Especially people I’ve tattooed for years,” he says. “It’s super cool, and there’s a little moment every time I hear something like that, where it’s like ‘Wow.’”

Most professional artists wince when clients come in with a printout of something they want replicated exactly (Wright’s apprentice Mack Barnhard derisively calls them “Pinterest tattoos”) and would much rather put their own twist on something, if not recreate it entirely.

“People will see something that they like

on the internet and they’ll be like, ‘I want this.’ We try really hard to talk our clients into letting us do our own thing with them, redraw them, just make it more our style that we’re comfortable with doing,” Wright says. “I have more fun [putting my own spin on it], and nine times out of 10, if I’m more comfortable and having fun, I put out better work.”

Comber says the days of flash books with pre-drawn designs for clients to choose from are largely a thing of the past anyways—and it’s for the best.

“Now, it’s all about creating a custom piece that no one else is going to have,” he says.

The Art of the Coverup

Comber is a Flint native who wanted to go into plastic surgery, but his life took a drastic turn when he was in a very severe car crash that almost killed him. Needing to “feel something” again after extensive rehab, Comber tried tattooing himself and got hooked on the process. Two decades and thousands of tattoos later, he couldn’t love his job more.

Although he does all kinds of work, he’s especially proficient in coverups, in which he alters old tattoos or helps conceal the body’s various imperfections. In that way, his career ended up in a place that embraced the spirit of his earlier path.

“With plastic surgery, I would have done the vanity things to pay the bills, but that wasn’t the point of it. I didn’t want to get rich. I wanted to have a big pro bono unit for breast cancer survivors, burn victims, things like that,” he says. “There are so many people who can’t afford to fix something that has happened to them. So it’s cool that I get to work with those same people after getting into tattooing.”

On a monthly basis, Comber has people leaving his studio feeling much better than when they came in, and that’s something he feels very good about.

“I have a girl that’s got really bad varicose veins in her legs, and she would never wear shorts or a skirt or anything,” he says. “Now they’re covered and she loves them—she’s comfortable.”

Saturday

EARLIER THAN THE BIRD: 7-11am, Downtown Boyne City. Special offers for those shopping in their pajamas.

SWINGBONE CONCERT:

7pm, AuSable Artisan Village Performing Arts Center, Grayling. Enjoy a fresh spin on jazz standards & blues grooves. This group covers ‘40’s big band swing & bebop-inspired jazz classics, drawing from the great American songbook. $30. artisanvillage. org/events.

BROTHER DAN’S HANDMADE HOLIDAY CRAFT SHOW: 9am-4pm, Emmet County Fairgrounds, Petoskey. Local vendors offer handmade items for sale. Admission is $2 or a non-perishable food item. Benefits Brother Dan’s Food Pantry.

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MANCELONA COMMUNITY CRAFT

SHOW: 9am-3pm, Mancelona Elementary. Proceeds from the event will benefit Pathway Community Church’s youth camp programs. Free admission.

TORCH AREA ARTISANS GUILD ART & CRAFT FAIR: 9am-3pm, Helena Township Community Center, Alden. Arts & crafts for sale by local artisans. A quilt made by TAAG members will be raffled off. There will also be a bake sale & lunch will be available, as well as periodic door prizes. No entry charge. facebook.com/TorchAreaArtisansGuild

BEADING WORKSHOP: 10am, Glen Lake Community Library, Empire. Join jeweler Holly Lang for this session on making your own jewelry. Learn various beading methods & create a bracelet to take home with you. All materials will be provided. glenlakelibrary.net

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FAMILY DROP-IN ART: GIANT SNOWFLAKES: 10am-noon, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Cornwell Gallery, TC. Stop by for this do-it-yourself art activity. Free (donations accepted). crookedtree.org/class/ ctac-traverse-city/family-drop-art-giantsnowflakes-free-or-donation

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MERRY MARKETPLACE 2024 - ARTIST POP-UP: 10am-3pm, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Cornwell Gallery, TC. A juried selection of artists featured in the Carnegie Galleries. crookedtree.org/event/ctac-traverse-city/merry-marketplace-2024-artistpop-nov-23

SATURDAY BOOK SHOWDOWN: 1010:30am, Petoskey District Library, Children’s Program Room. A new twist on storytime! A battle of two books. Two books will be read & only kids can decide who wins. For ages 3-7. petoskey.librarycalendar. com/event/saturday-book-showdown-1005

ANNE-MARIE OOMEN & LINDA NEMEC

FOSTER BOOK SIGNING: 1-3pm, Horizon Books, TC. Oomen & Nemec’s books include “The Lake Michigan Mermaid” & “The Lake Huron Mermaid.” horizonbooks. com/event/anne-marie-oomen-linda-nemec-foster-book-signing

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DANCING THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS WITH ELF: 1pm & 7pm, Great Lakes Center for the Arts, Bay Harbor. Presented by the Great Lakes Dance Academy. This recital brings to life the heartwarming story of Buddy, a human raised among elves at the North Pole, who embarks on a journey to New York City to discover his true identity. $23-$33. greatlakescfa.org/events/detail/ dancing-through-the-holidays-with-elf

LORI FELDPAUSCH ART DEMO: 1-3pm, Twisted Fish Gallery, Cottage Gallery, Elk Rapids. TC oil painter Lori Feldpausch will develop her canvas & demonstrate how to paint a candle light scene - where to bring in more light, how to soften the scene. She welcomes your questions. Free. twistedfishgallery.com/event/lori-feldpausch-topaint-at-twisted-fish

TRAVERSE CITY CIVIL AIR PATROL OPEN HOUSE: 1-4pm, Legacy Aviation Learning Center, 2640 Aero Park Drive, TC. Try hands-on flight simulators & drones, aerospace activities for students of all ages. Free admission.

KEN LUDWIG’S “LEND ME A SOPRANO”: 2pm & 7:30pm, Old Town Playhouse, TC. Slamming doors, mistaken identity, a shirtless man & a little opera singing! It’s 1934, & Lucille Wiley, manager of the Cleveland Grand Opera Company, is ready to welcome world-class soprano Elena Firenzi. Elena arrives late, & it remains to be seen whether the mousy assistant Jo can save the day. *Contains adult situations & language. Adults: $33; youth under 18: $20. oldtownplayhouse.com/performances/ mainstage/lend-me-a-soprano.html

MAKE A GIFT, JR: 2-4pm, Interlochen Public Library. Craft supplies & volunteers will be available for kiddos & adults to make a few gifts this holiday season. There will be a combination of creative & explorative craft supplies as well as four crafts each kid can make to share & spread joy. 231-2766767. Free.

DOWNTOWN TC LIGHT PARADE, SANTA’S ARRIVAL & TREE LIGHTING:

5:30-9pm, Downtown TC. 3:30pm: Front St. closes. 5:30pm: Holiday music begins. 6pm: Tree Lighting with Santa at Cass & Front St. 6:30pm: Light Parade that will roll down Front St. from Franklin St. west to Union St. Post-parade until 9pm: Santa’s House visits at City Center Plaza on the corner of State & Cass streets. Free. downtowntc.com/downtown-light-parade

Feast Mode! Join your community in working up a Thanksgiving appetite at your local turkey trot! The 17th Annual Up North Media Traverse City Turkey Trot will start at 123 E. Eleventh St., TC on Thurs., Nov. 28 and will support TART Trails. The 5 Mile Flier ($25-$45) starts at 8:45am, and the 5K Run/Walk ($20-$40) at 9am. Prices increase after Nov. 26. The Father Fred Foundation will also be collecting non-perishables. runsignup.com/Race/Events/MI/TraverseCity/TraverseCityTurkeyTrot. Run, walk or waddle at other trots, including the Boyne City Kiwanis Turkey Trot, Gaylord Turkey Trot, and Turkey Vulture Trot 5k & 1-Mile Fun Run at Crystal Mountain. For more info see the Dates page.

“A CHRISTMAS CAROL”: 7pm, Cadillac Community Auditorium, Cadillac High School. Presented by the Cadillac Footliters. $12-$15. cadillacfootliters.com/tickets

GOPHERWOOD CONCERTS PRESENTS: C.A.R.MA. QUARTET: 7-9pm, Cadillac Elks Lodge. Grammy Award-winning harmonica virtuoso Peter Madcat Ruth & his C.A.R.Ma. Quartet offer American roots music, blues, folk, jazz & much more. $9$18 + fees. mynorthtickets.com/events/ carma-quartet-11-23-2024

RAKISH: 7pm, The Cheboygan Opera House. A concert to benefit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Michigan Chapter. Rakish is made up of violinist Maura Shawn Scanlin & guitarist Conor Hearn. Their shared background is in traditional Irish & Scottish music. Maura is two-

time U.S. National Scottish Fiddle Champion & a winner of the Glenfiddich Fiddle Competition, wielding the technical range of an accomplished classical violinist & the deep sensitivity of a traditional musician. Conor is a native to the Irish music communities of Washington, D.C. & Baltimore, MD, & makes his home in Boston playing guitar for a number of traditional music acts & bands. $10-$40. theoperahouse.org

SEUSSICAL: 7pm, TC Central High School. TC Central Music Department presents their fall musical. Written by Lynn Ahrens & Stephen Flaherty, Seussical is a wacky musical that tells a story of friendship, loyalty, & love. It runs from Nov. 15-24. The auditorium parking lot is closed. Allow extra time to walk from alternative parking lots. See web site for more info. $20-$25 per ticket. TCAPS.booktix.com

PILATES SESTINA

FOCUSED 1:1 AND SMALL GROUP SESSIONS TO INCREASE BALANCE, STRENGTH, AND FLEXIBILITY IN YOUR EVERYDAY LIFE

1126 Barlow Street, Suite 3B 231-409-8086 pilatessestina.com

“By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”- John 13:3

Love Everybody. No Exceptions. St. Philip’s Episcopal Church 785 Beulah Highway, Beulah www.stphilipsbeulah.org Sunday worship 10 a.m.

Women’s clothing, accessories and gifts located in downtown Alden

In the charming Village of Alden. Holiday Hours 11-4 Daily 231-331-4845 trendzalden.weeblysite.com

DOWNTOWN SOUND WITH THORNETTA DAVIS: 7:30-9:30pm, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Theater, Petoskey. Enjoy “Detroit’s Queen of the Blues.” This musician has been wowing audiences for over 30 years. She has shared the stage with Ray Charles, Gladys Knight, Smokey Robinson, Etta James, & many others. $10-$50. crookedtree.org/event/ctac-petoskey/downtown-sound-thornetta-davis-november-23

GOOD ON PAPER - IMPROV SHOW: 8pm, TC Comedy Club. Fast-paced comedy based entirely from audience suggestions. Menu & full bar available. Doors open at 7pm. $18/ person. mynorthtickets.com/events/good-onpaper-improv-november-23-11-23-2024

Sunday

SEUSSICAL: (See Sat., Nov. 23, except today’s time is 2pm.)

COMEDY MIXTAPE #18: 7-9pm, The Workshop Brewing Co., TC. Presented by Tilt Think. Improv, original sketch, parody songs, new formats & more. Enjoy this comedy variety show. Suggested donation: $10.

“CELTIC CHRISTMAS”: 7:30pm, 1st Congregational UCC of Charlevoix. Featuring the band Switchback with Martin McCormack & Brian FitzGerald. The concert will feature a “wonderful wintry mix” of traditional Irish music, plus many holiday standards. Also included will be a selection of songs from Switchback’s award-winning catalog of over 300 original tunes. The band was voted the top Irish musical duo by the Irish Music Association. $20 advance; $25 door. waygoodmusic.com

monday

TECH TALK: 3pm, Peninsula Community Library, TC. George Orwell - Was he right? A discussion of the USA surveillance versus China Social Credit System. 231-223-7700.

ROBIN LAING IN CONCERT: 7pm, Cooks’ House, TC. Robin has a grounding in the traditional music of Scotland but his style is highly individual & crosses many boundaries. His songs range from uplifting & serious to unduly funny. He’s also a true ambassador for Scotch whisky. As an author & musician he has written four books on the subject of Scotland’s national drink & has recorded four CDs dedicated to uisge beatha. 231-4099229. $20 by reservation only. robinlaing.com

tuesday

TECH TUESDAY: MEDIA & INFO LITERACY: 2pm, Glen Lake Community Library, Empire. Learn to navigate online information, evaluate sources, & understand media influence. This hands-on session covers fact-checking, identifying misinformation, & using digital tools responsibly. Free. glenlakelibrary.net

PWR! MOVES: MICHIGAN PARKINSON FOUNDATION EXERCISE CLASS: 4pm, Traverse Area District Library, Thirlby Room, TC. An hour long exercise class based on the PWR! moves for people with or suspected Parkinson’s Disease & their caregivers. The class will be run by a PWR! certified physical therapist. Free.

FRIENDS OF THE SUTTONS BAY BINGHAM DISTRICT LIBRARY MEETING:

5pm, Suttons Bay-Bingham District Library, lower level Community Meeting Room. Meeting are held the fourth Tues. of the month. For more info email: friends@sbbdl. org. sbbdl.org

NOVELEMBER: 6-8pm, Kingsley Branch Library. Every Tues. in Nov., write your novel! There will be guest speakers, weekly writing prompts, & refreshments. Bring your notebook or laptop. For ages 15+. Find ‘Novelember Write-in’ on Facebook. Free.

INDIGENOUS MOVIE TUESDAY: 6:30pm, NCMC Library, Petoskey. Featuring “Smoke Signals,” a 1998 coming-of-age comedydrama film based on Sherman Alexie’s short story collection “The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven” (1993). Snacks & drinks provided. Bring your own chair.

wednesday

SPECIAL THANKSGIVING POP-UP FARMERS MARKET: 10am-noon, The Village at GT Commons, TC. thevillagetc.com

thursday

17TH ANNUAL UP NORTH MEDIA TRAVERSE CITY TURKEY TROT: 123 E. Eleventh St., TC. 5 Mile Flier: 8:45am; $45; $25 ages 1-17. 5K Run/Walk: 9am; $40; $20 ages 1-17. Prices increase after Nov. 26. runsignup.com/Race/Events/MI/ TraverseCity/TraverseCityTurkeyTrot

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BOYNE CITY KIWANIS TURKEY TROT: 9am, Veterans Park, Boyne City. A 5K run/ walk that welcomes participants of all ages & fitness levels. Proceeds from the event will support local youth programs & community initiatives. Come dressed in your best Thanksgiving-themed attire... think turkey hats, pumpkin costumes, & fall colors. $30 per person in advance; $35 day of. facebook.com/search/top?q=kiwanis%20 boyne%20city%20turkey%20trot

GAYLORD TURKEY TROT - 5K: 9am, Gaylord Sportsplex parking lot. $20/person or $60 per family; for families over 6 people, please donate $3 per additional person on site. Benefits the Gaylord Area Hockey Association; not officially timed. runsignup.com/Race/Events/MI/ Gaylord/2023GaylordTurkeyTrot

TURKEY VULTURE TROT 5K & 1-MILE FUN RUN: Crystal Mountain, Thompsonville. The 5K will begin at 9am on the Mountain Center Road course. The 1-Mile Fun Run will begin at 10am. A portion of the proceeds will benefit North Sky Raptor Sanctuary. See web site for prices. crystalmountain.com/event/5k-turkey-vulture-trot

FREE COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING MEALS:

BENZIE COUNTY: Papa J’s in the Honor Plaza, noon-3pm.

CHARLEVOIX COUNTY: St. Joseph Church, East Jordan, 2pm; snacks & games at 1pm.

CHEBOYGAN COUNTY: Salvation Army, Cheboygan, 11am-12:30pm.

CRAWFORD COUNTY: Grayling High School, noon-3pm.

EMMET COUNTY: Alanson Church of the Nazarene, Alanson, 1-3pm.

GRAND TRAVERSE COUNTY:

- DVE Ministries, Tillies Lot, 404 N. Division St., TC, 2-5pm: Meals, games & live entertainment.

- Salvation Army, TC on Weds., Nov. 27, 11:30am-2pm.

- Trinity nity Meals

MANISTEE

Library, Room. of the friends@sbbdl.

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Branch your weekly your Find Free.

6:30pm, “Smoke comedyAlexie’s Ranger and Snacks & THANKSGIVFARMERS

10am-noon, The Commons, UP TRATURKEY Eleventh St., 8:45am; 9am; after runsignup.com/Race/Events/MI/

TROT:

5K run/ ages event comyour think fall colday of. facebook.com/search/top?q=kiwanis%20 9am, $20/perover 6 additionGaylord officially runsignup.com/Race/Events/MI/ 1-MILE Thompon the 1-Mile portion of Raptor crystalmountain.com/event/5k-turkey-vulture-trot

THANKSGIVING Honor Joseph snacks & Army, High of the Division enterNov. 27,

- Trinity Lutheran Church through Community Meals Program, TC, 1-3pm.

MANISTEE COUNTY:

- Bear Lake Community Church, Bear Lake, 12:30-3pm.

- Veterans of Foreign Wars Walsh Post 4499, 1211 28th St., Manistee, noon-2pm. - Jailhouse Bar & Grill, Manistee, 2-5pm.

OTSEGO COUNTY: First Congregational Church UCC Gaylord, 5pm; doors open at 4pm.

WEXFORD COUNTY: Temple Hill Baptist Church through The Salvation Army, Cadillac, 11am-1pm.

friday

PJ PARTY “BETTER THAN BLACK FRIDAY”: 7-9am, Glen Arbor. Wear your pajamas & shop for special sales & offers with participating local merchants.

BED PARADE IN GLEN ARBOR: 9am. Starts just outside the Pine Cone. Cheer on participants as they roll their festively decorated bed on wheels down Western Avenue, or join in the fun with your own festively decorated bed! Ends at the Post Office. No registration required.

CHARLEVOIX HOLIDAY PARADE & TREE LIGHTING CELEBRATION: Downtown Charlevoix. 3-5pm: Free photos with Santa at Charlevoix State Bank. Holiday craft at Charlevoix Circle of Arts. 5pm: Hot cocoa in the park. 5:30pm: Holiday Parade, Bridge St. 6pm: Tree lighting at East Park. business.charlevoix.org/events/details/holiday-parade-tree-lighting-celebration-14812

LIGHT UP CEDAR: 3:30-7pm, Cedar. Featuring Santa & his reindeer. Santa arrives by fire truck & “lights up the town” & is then available for pictures at the town hall. There will be a choo-choo train for rides, a 12 ft. inflatable slide, bonfire, Christmas carols & arts & crafts. Free.

2024 HABIT FOR HUMANITY OF BENZIE COUNTY’S FESTIVAL OF TREES: 4-7pm, Benzie Area Historical Society & Museum, Benzonia. benziemuseum.org

HOLIDAY MARKET AT THE OLD ART BUILDING: 4-8pm, Old Art Building, Leland. Peruse artisan items from artists throughout Michigan, while you experience the magic of the Old Art Building at holiday time. Free admission. oldartbuilding.com/ events/holiday-market-at-the-old-art-building

HOLIDAY TRAIL CELEBRATION: Crystal Mountain, Thompsonville. Pick up your Holiday Trails Guide from either the Front Desk, Park at Water’s Edge, or the Mountain Market. Fill out the back of the guide & return to the Park at Water’s Edge by 7:55pm for a chance to win. Prize drawing held at 8pm. 5-5:30pm: First Light Celebration with Santa, who will make his way through the resort core beginning from Kinlochen to the Crystal Center on a Horse Drawn Surrey. He’ll help light Crystal Mountain’s holiday tree at 5:30pm. Also sing along to holiday favorites with Izzy Wallace. 5:30-8pm: Holiday Trail Stops. Each stop offers activities, plus food & beverage and retail sales. Stops include Park at Water’s Edge, Barr Park Lawn, Bru Bar, Peak Fitness Center, Crystal Spa, Kinlochen, & Mountain Sports. crystalmountain.com/event/holiday-trail-celebration

HOLLY JOLLY BOYNE: 5-9pm, Downtown Boyne City. Businesses stay open, & a parade begins at 6pm. Join Santa as he travels to the tree lighting in Sunset Park. boynecitymainstreet.com/event/holly-jolly-boyne-2

GLEN LAKE TREE LIGHTING & CAROLING: 6:15pm, Glen Lake. Held outside

the Town Hall with carols led by members of the Glen Lake Church. You can also shop artisan goods during the Holiday Market Preview Party in the Town Hall from 6:30-8pm.

“A CHRISTMAS CAROL”: 7pm, Cadillac Community Auditorium, Cadillac High School. Presented by the Cadillac Footliters. $12-$15. cadillacfootliters.com/tickets

saturday

8TH ANNUAL VILLAGE TREE DECORATING: 8am-noon, Mackinaw City Recreation Center. Enjoy a morning of tree trimming & family fun.

3RD ANNUAL LAKE LOUISE CHRISTMAS CRAFT SHOW: 9am-4pm, Lake Louise Retreat Center, 11037 Thumb Lake Rd., Boyne Falls. Featuring more than 30 northern Michigan artists & craft persons. Lunch available by donation. Free admission.

ANNUAL HOLLY BERRY ARTS & CRAFTS FESTIVAL: 9am-3pm, Frankfort High School Gymnasium. Featuring over 70 vendors, & a holiday theme. Raffle items. frankfort-elberta.com

FAMILY FUN DAY: 10-11am, Interlochen Public Library. Enjoy games & activities. All ages welcome. 231-276-6767.

GLEN ARBOR ARTISAN MARKETPLACE: 10am-3pm, Town Hall, Glen Arbor. Shop a selection of gifts from 24 vendors.

HOLIDAY ARTS & CRAFTS SALE: 10am-4pm, Village Arts Building & Willowbrook Mill, Northport. Featuring more than 30 artisans at two locations. The tree lighting will also happen at 6pm in front of The Mitten Brewery. northportartsassociation. org/events-exhibits

HOLIDAY MARKET AT THE OLD ART BUILDING: (See Fri., Nov. 29, except to day’s time is 10am-4pm.)

HOLIDAY IN THE VILLAGE: Suttons Bay. All day: Shop the Village for event day specials; mail your letters to Santa; & read the holiday story through downtown. 1pm: Centerpiece Making at VI Grill; preregistration required at suttonsbaycham ber.com. 2pm: Free family movie at the Bay Theater. 5pm: Santa arrives by fire truck to light the village tree. Visit Santa at the Bay Theater afterwards. suttonsbaychamber.com/holiday-lights-santacomes-to-town

SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY: Support Downtown TC & all northern Michigan small business merchants & kick off the holiday shopping season with incredible deals. downtowntc.com/black-friday-smallbusiness-saturday

HARBOR SPRINGS TREE LIGHTING MATINEE SPECIAL: 11am, Lyric Theatre, Harbor Springs. Featuring “ELF.” Get your free ticket in advance by stopping by the Lyric any time they are open.

2024 HABIT FOR HUMANITY OF BENZIE COUNTY’S FESTIVAL OF TREES: Noon-6pm, Benzie Area Historical Society & Museum, Benzonia. benziemuseum.org

ASHLEE COWLES BOOK LAUNCH & SIGNING: 1-3pm, Horizon Books, TC. Celebrate the release of “Daughter of Bronze” with Ashlee Cowles. horizonbooks.com/ event/ashlee-cowles-book-launch-signing

“A CHRISTMAS CAROL”: (See Fri., Nov. 29, except today’s times are 2pm & 7pm.)

GIVE THE GIFT OF MUSIC

GAYLORD’S DOWNTOWN CHRISTMAS STROLL & SANTA PARADE: 5-9pm, Downtown Gaylord. Enjoy special sales at businesses, along with individual bonuses, which may include gift wrapping, Christmas cookies & refreshments, selfie stations, prizes & more. Santa will be parading through the Alpine Village at 5:30pm. Following the parade Santa will receive the Key to the City & participate in the tree lighting ceremony. Find ‘Downtown Gaylord Christmas Stroll’ on Facebook.

THE VILLAGE TREE LIGHTING: 5-7pm, The Village at GT Commons, Historic Front Lawn, TC. Swing by for hot chocolate & Christmas music performed by Christina Teresa while you await the 6:15pm countdown. Prior to the fun, be sure to shop local for Small Business Saturday in the Mercato.

“BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER”: 6pm, Mills Community House, Benzonia. Presented by Mills Community House Association & the Benzie County Players. Based on Barbara Robinson’s best-selling 1972 novel of the same name. It takes place in a church struggling to put on their annual Christmas pageant after the director is hospitalized with a broken leg. In her absence the Herdmans, probably the worst kids in town, end up in the title roles & cause chaos in the rehearsal process. Find out what happens next! Free; $10 suggested donation. millscommhouse.org/thebest-christmas-pageant-ever.html

HARBOR SPRINGS CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING: 6pm, Downtown Harbor Springs. Celebrate 109 years of this magical tradition.

MADONNATIVITY: 7pm, Historic Elk Rapids Town Hall. Presented by Mashup Rock & Roll Musical, a travelling troupe of actors aim to create an inclusive holiday themed show, incorporating music by Madonna & mixing in pop culture. Everything seems to be going wrong. Learn about the importance of community & connection even in the darkest of times. $15-$30. mashuprockandrollmusical.com/upcomingshows-tickets ----------------------

THE WAY DOWN WANDERERS: 8pm, Freshwater Art Gallery & Concert Venue, Boyne City. This Peoria, Illinois alternative Americana band brings their blend of bluegrass, folk & roots music. They are known for high-energy performances & tight harmonies. Tickets, $45: 231-582-2588. Please bring items for The Good Neighbor Food Pantry.

ongoing

STROLLING LIGHTS FESTIVAL: Crystal River Outfitters Recreational District, Glen Arbor. To sponsor a tree the cost is $150 with a minimum of $100 per sponsored tree going to the Nicholas Wiesen Bentzien Musicianship Fund. Pre-lit trees will be placed on the grounds of the Crystal River Outfitters Recreational District by Nov. 18. Groups & families can choose a theme & must provide all decorations (tree, lights & stands will be provided). The sponsoring families/groups may then decorate their tree Nov. 18-27. It is the hope then that all trees will be fully decorated & available for strolling by from Nov. 29, all through the New Year. The Crystal River Outfitters Recreational District is open 7 days a week (closed Thanksgiving Day & Christmas Day). crystalriveroutfitters.com/strollinglights-festival ----------------------

GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP/CLASS: East Bay Branch Library, TC. Held on Thursdays (except holidays) through mid-Dec. from 1-3pm. 922-2085. Free. tadl.org/event/understanding-your-grief-17583

INDOOR FARMERS MARKET: The Village at GT Commons, The Mercato corridor, TC. Saturday mornings, 10am-2pm. thevillagetc.com

art

ANNUAL SMALL WORKS SHOW: Higher Art Gallery, TC. Featuring over 200 small, original works of art made by over 65 artists. Runs through Jan. 4. higherartgallery. com/exhibitcalendar

“JUST GREAT ART”: Runs through Dec. 20 at City Opera House, TC. This art exhibit features work by local plein air artists Sue Bowerman, Kurt Bullock, Jeanette Dyer, Lori Feldpausch, Rita Harrington, Ruth Kitchen, Dorothy Mudget, Joyce Petrokovitz & Marilyn Rebant. It’s open Mon. through Fri. from 10am-2pm during normal box office hours & evening events. cityoperahouse.org

CROOKED TREE ARTS CENTER, PETOSKEY:

sunday

2024 HABIT FOR HUMANITY OF BENZIE COUNTY’S FESTIVAL OF TREES: Noon-3pm, Benzie Area Historical Society & Museum, Benzonia. benziemuseum.org

“BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER”: (See Sat., Nov. 30, except today’s time is 2pm.)

FREE “WICKED” SCREENING: 2pm, AMC Cherry Blossom 14 Theatre, TC. Thomas Judd Care Center (TJCC) will recognize World AIDS Day with a free movie screening of “Wicked” following a brief discussion with TJCC staff on the importance of HIV testing & prevention. Free concessions will be provided.

KIDS’ CHRISTMAS PARTY: 4-6pm, Peninsula Community Library, TC. Santa arrives at 4:15pm! There will also be snacks, crafts, photos & letters to Santa. peninsulacommunitylibrary.org/news-events/events

- 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 - “GHOST STORIES”: Runs through Dec. 7 in Atrium Gallery. This exhibit invites the viewer to consider the nature of a memory, storytelling, & its relationship to the human experience. Featuring Ronna Alexander, Nik Burkhart, Nancy Adams Nash, Egan Franks Holzhausen, TJ Schwartz, & Ann Willey. crookedtree.org/event/ctac-petoskey/ghost-stories

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

WE’RE GONNA HAVE THE HAP-HAP-HAPPIEST CHRISTMAS

This holiday season, Kilkenny’s Griswold’s Pop-Up is bringing Clark Griswold-level cheer to life!

Prepare yourself for a hap-hap-happiest holiday filled with festive cocktails, Griswold-inspired decorations, & all the nostalgia.

COMING NOVEMBER 29

400 W Front Street, Traverse City, Michigan

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

- SMALL WORKS HOLIDAY EXHIBITION:

The 2024 Small Works Holiday Exhibition is an annual showcase of 2D + 3D work that

offers small, original art at affordable prices; $150 or less. It runs through Dec. 19 & features more than 100 works of art. glenaborart.org

- WILD THINGS: Held in the Lobby Gallery. This exhibit is an homage to the natural world, & the creatures in it, as expressed in the collages by Benzie County artist Claudia Keglovitz. It runs through Dec. 19. Almost every aspect & element of Claudia’s compositions are created from recycled, reused, & found materials. See web site for hours. glenarborart.org/exhibits

OLIVER ART CENTER, FRANKFORT: - “RESONANCE AND RHYTHM”: This exhibit runs through Nov. 30. It highlights the work of four Michigan artists & focuses on the interplay of the abstract & organic as showcased in the whimsical & sculptural wood furniture of John DeHoog & the mixed media abstract paintings of Christy DeHoog Johnson. Michelle Krievins-Newman’s layered, color field paintings create a rhythmic balance against the geometries & patterns explored by Joan Richmond in her interpretive landscape paintings. The Oliver Art Center is open Tues-Sat. from 10am-4pm & Sun. from noon-4pm. oliverart.org

- WINTER MARKET: Runs through Dec. 22. Featuring the handmade work of more than 30 local & regional artists & craftspeople. Gift items include ornaments, jewelry, ceramics, cards, wearable art, prints, paintings & photography. Oliver Art Center is open Tues. - Sat. from 10am-4pm & Sun. from noon-4pm. It is closed on Mondays & on Nov. 28-29 for the Thanksgiving holiday. oliverart.org

COOKS' HOUSE, TC

11/25 -- Robin Laing, 7 ENCORE 201, TC

11/22-23 & 11/30 -- DJ Ricky

T, 9

11/27 -- DJ Ricky T & DJ JR, 9

11/29 -- Stone Reverie, 8-10:30; DJ Ricky T, 10:30

FRESH COAST BEER WORKS, TC

11/24 -- Vinyl Night w/ DJ Swiss, 6-9

IDENTITY BREWING CO., TC 6-9:

11/26 -- TC Celtic

11/30 -- Drew Hale

KILKENNY'S IRISH PUBLIC HOUSE, TC

11/22-23 -- Life Theory, 9:30 Mon -- Team Trivia, 7-9 Tue -- The Will Harris Trio, 8 Wed -- The Pocket, 8 Thu -- DJ Leo, 9:30

11/29-30 -- North 44, 9:30

KINGSLEY LOCAL BREWING

11/26 – Open Mic Night, 6-8

LEFT FOOT CHARLEY, TC BARREL ROOM:

11/25 -- Open Mic w/ Rob Coonrod, 6-9

TASTING ROOM:

11/29 -- Jeff Socia, 5-7

LIL BO, TC Tues. – Trivia, 8-10 Sun. – Karaoke, 8

BOYNE CITY TAP ROOM

7:

11/27 -- Adam & The Cabana Boys w/ Special Guests 11/29 -- The Sleeping Gypsies

BRIDGE STREET TAPROOM, CHARLEVOIX

11/26 -- Patrick Ryan, 7

CELLAR 1914, CENTRAL LAKE

11/30 – The Soulshaker, 4:30

MIDDLECOAST BREWING CO., TC

11/29 -- Shelby & Friends, 6-9

11/30 -- Rolling Dirty, 8-11

NORTH BAR, TC 7-10: 11/23 – Jazz Cabbage

11/27 – Jesse Jefferson

11/28 – Drew Hale

11/29 – Luke Woltanski & John Piatek

11/30 – Jesse Jefferson

OLD MISSION DISTILLING, TC SEVEN HILLS, PENINI: 11/23 – Jesse Jefferson, 6 11/29 – John Paul, 6 11/30 – DJ Ras Marco, 4

SORELLINA'S, TC SLATE RESTAURANT: Thurs. -- Tom Kaufmann on Piano, 5-8 Fri. & Sat. – Tom Kaufmann on Piano, 6-9

TC WHISKEY CO. 6-8: 11/23 & 11/30 -- Ben Richey 11/27 -- Jakob Abraham

THE ALLUVION, TC 11/24 -- The Alluvion Big Band, 3-5

11/25 -- Funky Uncle - Funky Fun Mondays, 6-8:30 11/30 -- Ava DiSimone, 7:309:30

THE HAYLOFT INN, TC 7:30-11: 11/22-23 -- TC Knuckleheads 11/29-30 -- DanceMix

THE LITTLE FLEET, TC 11/27 -- Endless Summer w/ DJ Dusty Staircase, 3-11

Antrim & Charlevoix

FIRESIDE LOUNGE, BELLAIRE 11/27 -- Rick Woods, 6:30-9:30

JAX NORTHSIDE, CHARLEVOIX

11/27 -- Trivia Night, 7

MAMMOTH DISTILLING, BELLAIRE

11/27 – DJ Trivia, 7-9

THE PARLOR, TC

8-11:

11/23 -- Mal & Mike

11/26 – Jesse Jefferson

11/27 – Blue Footed Booby 11/29 – Empire Highway 11/30 – Rhett & John

THE PUB, TC

11/23 -- Luke Woltanski & John Piatek, 8-11

11/25 – Karaoke Monday w/ DJ ShawnyT, 8-12

11/27 – Boardman River Band, 8-11

11/28 – David Martón, 7-10

11/29 – Rolling Dirty Duo, 8-11 11/30 – Friends with Benefits, 9-12

THE WORKSHOP BREWING CO., TC

11/23 -- Aaron Dye Duo, 8 11/24 -- Full Tilt Comedy Mixtape #18, 7 11/26 -- Open Mic w/ Host Zac Bunce, 7

11/27 -- Jazz Show & Jam w/ Ron Getz, John Lindy & Andy Evans, 6 11/29 -- Sean Kelly, 8 11/30 -- 1000 Watt Prophets, 8

TURTLE CREEK CASINO & HOTEL, WILLIAMSBURG 9-1:

11/23 – Brett Mitchell & The Mitchfits 11/29 – DJ Mr. Markis

11/30 – 2nd Hand Entertainment

UNION STREET STATION, TC

11/23 -- The G-Snacks, 10 11/27 -- Rolling Dirty, 9 11/29 -- Leanna & Ivan, 6; DJ Prim, 10 11/30 -- Kenny Olson, 9

Send Nitelife to:

Leelanau & Benzie

LEELANAU & BENZIE

BLACK STAR FARMS, SUTTONS BAY

BISTRO POLARIS: 11/23 -- Zack Meyers, 6-8

BOATHOUSE VINEYARDS, LAKE LEELANAU

TASTING ROOM:

11/30 -- Lipstick & Dipstick, aka DOLCE, 2:30-5

IRON FISH DISTILLERY, THOMPSONVILLE

11/23 -- Chris Smith, 5:30-7:30 11/24 -- Keith Scott, 3:30-5:30

MUSKRAT DISTILLING, BOYNE CITY

8-11: 11/27 -- Karaoke Night 11/29 -- Sean Bielby

SHORT'S PUB, BELLAIRE 11/27 -- Brewski Bash w/ Hipps 'n' Ricco, 5-7:30; Stonefolk, 8-10:30

Manistee, Wexford & Missaukee

LITTLE RIVER CASINO RESORT, MANISTEE

9-1:

11/23 – Family Tradition

11/27 – Electric Red

NORTHERN NATURAL CIDER HOUSE & WINERY, KALEVA

11/23 -- Jakob Abraham, 6

BOYNE VALLEY VINEYARDS, PETOSKEY 2-6: 11/23 -- Michelle Chenard 11/30 -- Chris Calleja

CITY PARK GRILL, PETOSKEY 11/26 -- Trivia Night, 7-9

11/27 -- Welcome Back DJ Bash w/ DJ Franck, 9 11/29 -- Annex Karaoke, 9:30

THE GREENHOUSE - WILLOW/ PRIMOS, CADILLAC

11/23 -- The Rupple Brothers, 7 11/27 -- Trivia & Music Bingo Night w/ Shawny-D, 6-9

11/29 -- Roksavant, 7

11/30 -- Silent Disco Dance Party w/ 3 DJs, 8

ALPINE TAVERN & EATERY, GAYLORD 6-9: 11/23 -- Zie

11/29 -- Lou Thumser

11/30 -- Jonathan Fayssoux

11/29 – Allie Kessel, 5:30-7:30 11/30 – Wink, 5:30-7:30

LAKE ANN BREWING CO. 6:30-9:30: 11/23 -- Billy & The Kid 11/27 -- The Dune Brothers 11/29 -- Barefoot 11/30 -- Andre Villoch

NORTHERN LATITUDES DISTILLERY, LAKE LEELANAU 11/27 -- Chris Smith, 4-6

Emmet & Cheboygan

NOGGIN ROOM PUB, PETOSKEY 7-10: 11/23 -- Brian McCosky

11/27 -- Donald Benjamin

11/29 -- Laura Fullford

11/30 -- Brett Harfert

ODAWA CASINO RESORT, PETOSKEY VICTORIES: 11/29 -- Driving Dawn, 9

ST. AMBROSE CELLARS, BEULAH

11/23 -- The Whiskey Charmers, 5-8

11/27 -- Barefoot Bonanza, 5-8

11/28 -- Open Mic Night, 6-9

11/29 -- Highway North, 5-8 11/30 -- Stanley & Quiggle, 5-8

SWEET’S BAR & GRILL, HONOR Mon. – Music Bingo, 7 Fri. – Music Bingo, 8; Karaoke, 10 Sat. – Karaoke, 8

POND HILL FARM, HARBOR SPRINGS

11/29 -- Yankee Station, 5-8

THE BEAU, CHEBOYGAN 11/23 -- Lee Fayssoux, 8 11/27 -- Happy Little Accidents, 8 11/29 -- Musicians Playground Open Mic, 7 11/30 -- Nate King, 8

THE WIGWAM, INDIAN RIVER 11/28 -- Dominic Fortuna, 7:30-9:30

Otsego, Crawford & Central

C.R.A.V.E., GAYLORD 11/29 -- Pete Fetters, 6

Mesick’s Jakob Abraham has been playing guitar since age 6, and will show off his rock and country tunes at Northern Natural Cider House & Winery in Kaleva on Sat., Nov. 23 at 6pm, and Traverse City Whiskey Co. on Weds., Nov. 27 from 6-8pm.

lOGY

NOV 25 - DEC 01

BY ROB BREZSNY

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): I invite you to get a head start on formulating your New Year’s resolutions. January 1 is a good time to instigate robust new approaches to living your life, but the coming weeks will be an even better time for you Sagittarians. To get yourself in the mood, imagine you have arrived at Day Zero, Year One. Simulate the feeling of being empty and open and fertile. Imagine that nothing binds you or inhibits you. Assume that the whole world is eager to know what you want. Act as if you have nothing to prove to anyone and everything to gain by being audacious and adventurous.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): In my astrological opinion, you need and deserve big doses of fun, play, pleasure, and love. Amusement and enchantment, too. As well as excitement, hilarity, and delight. I trust you will schedule a series of encounters and adventures that provide you with a surplus of these necessary resources. Can you afford a new toy or two? Or a romantic getaway to a sanctuary of adoration? Or a smart gamble that will attract into your vicinity a stream of rosy luck? I suggest that you be audacious in seeking the sweet, rich feelings you require.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): December will be Home Enhancement Month for you Virgos. Get started immediately! I’ll offer tips for how to proceed and ask you to dream up your own ideas. 1. Phase out décor or accessories that no longer embody the style of who you have become.

2. Add new décor and accessories that will inspire outbreaks of domestic bliss. 3. Encourage everyone in your household to contribute creative ideas to generate mutual enhancement.

4. Do a blessing ritual that will raise the spiritual vibes. 5. Invite your favorite people over and ask them to shower your abode with blessings.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Libran songwriter and producer Kevin MacLeod has composed over 2,000 pieces of music—and given all of them away for free. That’s why his work is so widespread. It has been featured in thousands of films and millions of YouTube videos. His composition “Monkeys Spinning Monkeys” has been played on TikTok over 31 billion times. (PS: He has plenty of money, in part because so many appreciative people give him free-will donations through his Patreon page.) I propose we make him your inspirational role model in the coming weeks and months, Libra. How could you parlay your generosity and gifts into huge benefits for yourself?

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): According to my grandmother, have such a mellifluous voice should have pursued a career as a newscaster or dj on the radio. In eighth grade, my science teacher admired my work and urged me to become a professional biologist. When I attended Duke University, my religious studies professor advised me to follow his path. Over the years, many others have offered their opinions about who I should be. As much as I appreciated their suggestions, I have always trusted one authority: my muses. In the coming weeks and months, Scorpio, you may, too, receive abundant advice about your best possible path. You may be pressured to live up to others’ expectations. But I encourage you to do as have done. Trust your inner advisors.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): There was a long period when many popular songs didn't come to a distinct end. Instead, they faded out. The volume would gradually diminish as a catchy riff repeated over and over again. As you approach a natural climax to one of your cycles, Capricorn, recommend that you borrow the fade-out as a metaphorical strategy. In my astrological opinion, it's best not to finish abruptly. See if you can create a slow, artful ebb or a gradual, graceful dissolution.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): When he was young, Aquarian musician and sound engineer Norio Ohga wrote a critical letter to the electronics company now known as Sony. He complained in detail about the failings of their products. Instead of being defensive, executives at the company heeded Ohga's suggestions for improvement. They even hired him as an employee and

ultimately made him president of the company at age 40. He went on to have a stellar career as an innovator. In the spirit of the Sony executives, I recommend that you seek feedback and advice from potential helpers who are the caliber of Norio Ohga. The information you gather in the coming weeks could prove to be highly beneficial.

PISCES (Feb 19-March 20): What would your paradise look and feel like? If you could remake the world to suit your precise needs for maximum freedom, well-being, and inspiration, what changes would you instigate? Now is an excellent time to ponder these possibilities, Pisces. You have more ability than usual to shape and influence the environments where you hang out. And a good way to rouse this power is to imagine your ideal conditions. Be bold and vivid. Amuse yourself with extravagant and ebullient fantasies as you envision your perfect world.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Renowned composer Mozart had a sister nicknamed Nannerl. During their childhoods, she was as much a musical prodigy as he. They toured Europe doing performances together, playing harpsichord and piano. Some critics regarded her as the superior talent. But her parents ultimately decided it was unseemly for her, as a female, to continue her development as a genius. She was forcibly retired so she could learn housekeeping and prepare for marriage. Is there a part of your destiny, Aries, that resembles Nannerl’s? Has some of your brilliance been suppressed or denied? The coming months will be an excellent time to recover and revive it.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Do you know if you have any doppelgangers, Taurus? I bet you will meet one in the coming weeks. How about soul friends, alter egos, or evil twins? If there’s no one like that in your life right now, they may arrive soon. And if you already know such people, I suspect your relationships will grow richer. Mirror magic and shadow vision are in the works! I’m guessing you will experience the best, most healing kind of double trouble. Substitutes and stand-ins will have useful offers and tempting alternatives. Parallel realities may come leaking through into your reality. Opportunities for symbiosis and synergy will be at an all-time high. Sounds like wild fun!

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Humans have been eating a wide range of oranges since ancient times. Among the most popular type in modern times is the navel orange. It's large, seedless, sweet, juicy, and easy to peel. But it didn't exist until the 1820s, when a genetic mutation on a single tree in Brazil spawned this new variety. Eventually, the navel became a revolutionary addition to the orange family. I foresee a metaphorically comparable development in your life during the coming months, Gemini. An odd tweak or interesting glitch could lead to a highly favorable expansion of possibilities. Be alert for it.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Cancerian, you are a finalist for our "Most Resourceful and Successful Survivor of the Year" trophy. And if you take a brief trip to hell in the next two weeks, you could assure your victory. But wait! Let me be more exact: "Hell" is an incorrect terminology; I just used it for shock effect. The fact is that “hell" is a religious invention that mischaracterizes the true nature of the realm of mystery, shadows, and fertile darkness. In reality, the nether regions can be quite entertaining and enriching if you cultivate righteous attitudes. And what are those attitudes? A frisky curiosity to learn truths you have been ignorant about; a brave resolve to unearth repressed feelings and hidden yearnings; and a drive to rouse spiritual epiphanies that aren’t available when you're in the trance of everyday consciousness.

S h o p p i n g G u i d e

Traverse City

719 Parsons Road

Traverse City MI 49686

Mancelona 107 East State Street

Mancelona MI 49659

Kalkaska

764 South Cedar Street

Kalkaska MI 49646 OPEN DAILY 9AM-9PM

SEWING, ALTERATIONS, MENDING & REPAIRS. Maple City, Maralene Roush 231228-6248

HOUSE CLEANING-ERRANDS-ELDER

ASSISTANCE/OVERNIGHTS: HOUSE OR COTTAGE CLEANING. Kids/Elder Family EVENING Sitting. CALL 231.454.9022

TRAVERSE CITY COTTAGE FOR RENT:

TC 1BR Cottage, Fully Furnished, All Utilities, A/C, W/D, Cable TV, Parking, Very Nice, Quiet Setting, Clean, Month-to-Month to Year, No Pets, $1,500 per month. (231) 631-7512.

PAID PT WORK TRAINING FOR SENIORS AGE 55+: Are you ready to work? Paid Part-Time Positions Are Waiting to Be Filled. Receptionist, Cashier, Retail and Customer Service, Custodial, Sorting and Stocking. Applicants must be age 55 and over, unemployed, seeking work and meet program eligibility. Call the AARP

Foundation SCSEP Program to find out if you qualify, 231-252-4544.

COMPUTER PROBLEMS?: I can fix your computer, tablet, tv and phone. I'll show you how to use it. If it can't be fixed I can help you replace it with the right device for you. I'll come to your home or office. Call Janes Downer, Advent Tech. Your high tech handyman. 231-492-2087

MORE THAN JUST NUMBERS

A SNAPSHOT OF 2024 CLIENT EXPERIENCES

Mike is top of the list of TRUSTWORTHY AND RESPECTFUL realtors in TC. He was always available when I had questions and always looked for the best outcome for my sale. If you’re looking for a caring and respectable realtor who grew up in the area and knows it inside and out, go with Mike!

Mike Annelin was INCREDIBLY HONEST with us. He was kind, thoughtful of our needs, and truly a joy to work with. Mike worked very hard and was creative in negotiating a deal that both the buyer and we found very acceptable. Mike’s the only agent we would ever suggest to family and friends.

I was a realtor in the Chicago area years ago and am very familiar with what separates average realtors from excellent realtors. Mike was excellent. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND WORKING WITH MIKE AND HIS TEAM.

He’s a professional, and DEFINITELY ONE OF THE BEST agents in the business.

Mike continues to impress with his PROFESSIONALISM AND COMMUNICATION. He made both experiences a delight.

Mike was a tremendous asset during our house search in Traverse City. He was very knowledgeable about the market, he was creative, thorough, friendly and professional and worked diligently to help us get the house we wanted. We couldn’t have done it without him. FIVE STARS!

We have worked with Mike for over 10 years on multiple purchases and sales. WE WOULD NOT WORK WITH ANYONE ELSE.