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Traverse City’s Georgina’s restaurant to pay $200K to Settle Federal Suit
The verdict has come in the federal sexual harassment and retaliation lawsuit filed in June 2018 against Traverse City restaurant Georgina’s LLC and its successor, Little G.’s: The EEOC announced last week that both restaurants agreed to entry of a consent judgment to settle the suit. Pursuant to the terms, the restaurants were liable for the “intentional, malicious and unlawful employ¬ment practices” specified in the amended complaint and ordered to pay $200,000 in back pay and compensatory and punitive damages. A permanent injunction and order were also entered against the restaurants, requiring all employees, including Georgina’s owner, Gregory Anthony Craig, to receive two hours of interactive training on sexual harassment and retaliation. The EEOC charged that Craig subjected female employees to verbal and physical abuse, including inappropriate touching, being kissed without consent, and being subjected to contin¬uous comments about how he wanted to have sex with them, then fired the female sous chef who complained — conduct that violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits harassment and discrimination because of sex. “The owner’s behavior was egregious and widespread,” said Kenneth Bird, regional attorney for the Indianapolis District Office, said in an announcement. “This consent judgment reflects the EEOC’s commitment to stand up to such behavior.”
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Paying less for a degree in a high-paying field Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) just added a new associate degree to its lineup: engineering. Students will not only be able to begin coursework for the degree this fall but also be able to qualify for federal financial aid for the 73 credits four-year universities require them to have to transfer with junior status — a tremendous cost savings and opportunity to enjoy the benefits of staying close to home and more one-onone interaction with instructors in their initial years of study, says engineering instructor Jay Smith. NMC’s average class size is 20 students. Michigan has the third-highest level of engineering employment in the United States, paying a mean average wage of $86,000 annually, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Engineering is a STEM field (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) and consistently pays higher-than-average entry-level wages. Learn more about the program at nmc.edu.
Behold: Smeltania We’re not sure whether The Boyne Area Chamber deserves a reward for reviving the weirdest name for a winter event in the history of northern Michigan or if we’ve officially reached the bottom of the COVID-safe event barrel. Either way, we want the T-shirt. The upcoming Smeltania Festival is a brilliant nod to a time when Lake Charlevoix was teeming with smelt and so many ice shanties converged on its surface that locals dubbed it Smeltania. Just like the days of yore, everyone’s invited to bring their own (pop-up) shanties, but with a few modern-day changes: Rather than atop the ice, the party’s happening at the Pavilion at Veterans Park. Local restaurants will sell food, merchants will offer deals, music will play, and a city-wide scavenger hunt is scheduled. The opportunity to own a long-sleeve T-shirt that says Smeltania 2021, however, is available now. Get yours (and more info) at www.facebook. com/boynechamber.
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bottoms up Rolling Oak’s GoodAle Chocolate Blink and you’ll miss one of Rolling Oak Brewery’s seemingly endless array of libation creations concocted with donuts from legendary Grayling bakery and neighbor, Goodale’s bakery. The brewery recently blew our minds (and resolved our inner beer v. dessert battle) with a pint of their latest, GoodAle Chocolate, a fully satisfying creation with hints of vanilla. It goes exceptionally well with their peanut porter — especially when the pair share the same glass — but if you get there too late to taste it (or them), hold steady; word is they just brewed a batch of their OG GoodAle Cream Ale last week. Find Rolling Oak Brewery at 509 Norway St., in Grayling. (989) 745-6280.
Northern Express Weekly • february 15, 2021 • 5
