Northern Express - January 23, 2023

More To Do

The “simple changes” Mr. Petty advocates in his Jan. 9 Northern Express letter to safeguard the water quality of our lakes—reducing fertilizing, even eliminating lakeside lawns, regular inspection and emptying of septic systems, managing growth—are good parts of a needed action plan.

But there’s no doubt that global warming has also affected our lakes. Our region’s average temperature has gone up a few degrees in less than a century, and, over time, that physical difference and its continuing increase will factor into changing the ecology of our lakes.

Although hardly anyone thinks that we can check The Warming off our list with “simple changes,” it might help to see that our responses fall into in two categories: 1) adapting in sensible ways to the many climate, weather, and environmental changes that are and will be part of our lives; and 2) reducing our CO2 emissions— that is, responding effectively to the root cause of The Warming.

Thank you, Mr. Petty. We have lots more to do.

Ron Tschudy | Echo Township

and skimmers can be deployed in the winter. Then there are numerous studies showing that under good conditions— calm waters, low wind, sunny days, readily available first responders and equipment—an average of only about 15 percent of an oil spill is recovered. A 30 percent recovery is possible only under very ideal conditions, and ideal conditions seldom occur at the Straits.

The Michigan Tech Study of 2018 found that a worst-case spill of Line 5 could mean a 2.5 million gallon spill. That means an incomprehensible 2.1 million gallons of Alberta oil could stay in our Great Lakes, their wetlands, and over 700 miles of our shorelines. By way of contrast, the July 2010 spill of Enbridge Line 6B in the Kalamazoo River watershed near Marshall was over a million gallons.

Why should Michigan take any risk to the Great Lakes to get Alberta oil to Sarnia?

Leonard Page | Cheboygan

columns & stuff

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Traverse City, Michigan 49685 Phone: (231) 947-8787 Fax: 947-2425 email: info@northernexpress.com www.northernexpress.com

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A Bleak Future

Stephen Tuttle’s Jan. 16 column chronicled and detailed our two major parties’ inner divides historically and currently.

Why Risk It?

Articles circulating about a 2021 study in the Journal of Great Lakes Research suggest that an Enbridge Line 5 oil spill in ice conditions could make for an easier cleanup—assuming the oil under the ice can be found. However, the actual abstract conveys a rather different message: “It therefore remains unclear as to whether ice will contain or further spread the oil, or whether in-situ burning of ice-trapped oil is possible.”

What does your common sense tell you about a large oil spill in the Straits during winter months? You can probably forget about burning off the oil anywhere near St. Ignace, Mackinaw City, or Cheboygan. Is there anyone that thinks windy, snowy, low-temperature, and icy conditions are conducive to oil recovery efforts?

The strong currents will spread the oil, regardless of ice. The daylight hours are shorter, and fewer boats, booms,

Democrats, at the moment, seem fairly unified displaying differing levels of leftness, good or bad. The Republicans, especially in the House, seem to be the tail wagging the dog. The far right “Freedom Caucus” has seized the body and gladly goes forward with harshness and abundant conspiracy theories as their modus operandi.

The same dynamic has grabbed the Republican party’s controlling MAGA wing at the national level. If an individual doesn’t go all in with extremism, they’re derided as RHINOs and banished. This faction gladly accepts Three Percenters; Proud Boys and Girls; Oath Keepers; QAnon, Alex Jones followers; white supremists; election, institution, and mainstream media deniers; et al.

Our country’s immediate future appears bleak if reasonable conservatives can’t break their party’s fever.

Bradley Price | Northport

Contributors: Joseph Beyer, Ren Brabenec, Alexandra Dailey, Geri Dietze, Anna Faller, Laurel Manke, Craig Manning, Al Parker, Stephen Tuttle

Copyright 2022, all rights reserved. Distribution: 36,000 copies at 600+ locations weekly. Northern Express Weekly is free of charge, but no person may take more than one copy of each weekly issue without written permission of Northern Express Weekly. Reproduction of all content without permission of the publisher is prohibited.

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Frostbite Food Drive

Saturday, Jan. 28, kicks off the annual Father Fred Frostbite Food Drive in Traverse City, which runs through Feb. 5. The drive helps stock nonprofit’s food pantry—which costs about $12,000 to fill and serves more than 160 families every week—for the remaining winter months. Executive Director Candice Hamel says, “With increased grocery costs, families are feeling the financial strain and the need for support is especially high.”

Father Fred is looking for donations of key items like canned fruits and veggies, oatmeal, peanut butter, pasta noodles and sauce, soup, and canned chicken or tuna. Cash donations are also welcome to help buy perishables like eggs, milk, and meat. You can donate goods—or volunteer at—several locations around town, including Team Bob’s on S. Airport Rd. (the main location for the drive); Tom’s East Bay, West Bay, and Interlochen locations; and Oleson’s 3 Mile and Long Lake locations. To learn more about the drive and Father Fred’s mission, head to fatherfred.org.

Say so long to your New Year’s resolutions of skipping the sweets. (Don’t worry—this is worth it.) The almond croissant from 9 Bean Rows in Suttons Bay is like breakfast and dessert rolled into one, freshly baked and packed with almondy, buttery goodness that would give the French a run for their money. These croissants are perfectly flaky, though the almond filling helps hold things together a bit more to make less mess. If you don’t catch yours right out of the oven, put it in the microwave or toaster oven for a quick warm-up and pair with your favorite coffee drink for a breakfast, snack, or sweet evening treat. (Yes, we’ve even eaten one of these for dinner.) Find the croissants at 9 Bean Rows, 9000 E. Duck Lake Rd. in Suttons Bay, as supplies last. You can also order ahead online at 9beanrows.com, or find them at a select few local establishments or farmers markets.

Jumping logs and ducking branches are just part of the off-trail fun at the Bigfoot 5K & 10K Snowshoe Race and 1 Mile Fun Run on Saturday, Jan. 28, at Timber Ridge RV & Recreation Resort in Traverse City beginning at 9am. If there is no snow, bring your trail shoes because the race goes on no matter what! Gather pre-race in the Timber Ridge Nordic Center around a fire, and stay after the race to warm up with a bowl of chili. Cost ranges from $15-$40. Visit runsnow.com to register.

Hey, read It! More Than You’ll Ever Know

In the mid-1980s, Lore Rivera is living a double life. At home in Texas, she struggles to support her husband and twin sons through a crushing recession, juggling her contradictory roles as breadwinner and housewife. But whenever her job as an international banker takes her to Mexico City, she can shove those worries away and be with her other husband and two step-children. That is, until the two men find out about each other, an altercation that ends with one lover dead and the other in prison for his murder. Decades later, true-crime journalist Cassie Bowman comes across Lore’s tragic tale and seeks out the woman at the center of it all to hear her side of the story. How could she have loved both her families, balanced all those lies, and survived the fallout of the murder? Part mystery and part love story, Katie Gutierrez’s More Than You’ll Ever Know is a page-turning exploration of what it means to be a wife, a mother, and a woman.

Big Race for Bigfoot 5

The Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra (GLCO) is back at it with their annual Legends & Mysteries series, and this weekend, they’re sharing the story of Antarctic explorer Ernest Shackleton. For nearly two years, Shackleton and his crew camped out on the ice after their ship, Endurance, was crushed, surviving in the bitter cold against all odds. (Spoiler: The story ends with a daring—and successful—rescue mission!) GLCO is teaming up with actors from the Little Traverse Civic Theatre to tell Shackleton’s story, with sea-themed 20th century orchestral masterpieces played alongside film footage from the original 1914-1916 voyage. The concert, held at 7pm at the Great Lakes Center for the Arts on Friday, Jan. 27, will be preceded by a talk at 6pm by Dr. Libor Ondras, GLCO’s music director and conductor. Tickets are $20 (general admission) and free for veterans, active service members, and students 18 and under. More details and ticket purchases are available at glcorchestra.org.

Kalkaska business owners Randy and Cathy Lucyk were awarded the Midas Community Involvement Award for 2022, an honor given to a Midas automotive services owner who has offered exceptional service to their customers and their community. Together, the Lucyks have raised and donated tens of thousands of dollars for causes in Kalkaska over the last 15 years. Their Ice Bowl disc golf fundraiser brought in $9,726 in 2022, with the proceeds split between the local senior center and food pantry. Their Tires for Toddlers program has donated more than 200 new tires to families in need with young children. (And they offer free safety inspections for folks with kids and babies on board!) Even their recruitment methods include giving—in their fall hiring push, they offered to donate $1,000 to the charity of choice for techs who joined their team. Last but not least, the Lucyks are working to fund a new, $15,000 scoreboard at Kalkaska High School. Three cheers for their efforts, and for their recognition!

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has announced the firstever free statewide snowmobiling weekend, thanks to the passage of bills from the Michigan Legislature. Snowmobilers will be able to operate their machines the weekend of Feb. 11-12, 2023, without the usual required snowmobile registration or trail permit. (By then we ought to have some serious snow, right? Right?!) This new event follows in the footsteps of the DNR’s free fishing and free off-road vehicle weekends, all of which have the goal of introducing new people to outdoor activities without the barrier of licenses, permits, and registration fees. Although the registration is waived for the weekend, all other rules of operation and engagement still apply, so be sure to do your homework before hitting the trails! To learn more about the free snowmobiling weekend, find trail maps, and read up on the state’s rules and regulations, head to michigan.gov/snowmobiling.

We’ve heard that no one likes a gossip, but we could be convinced if it comes over ice with a citrus garnish. The rumors are true, dear readers: Traverse City’s newest temperance bar, The Socialite (established last year), is serving up curated cocktails minus the booze. Their newest menu addition, The Gossip, is spilling the “tea” in more ways than one. Built around Seedlip Drinks’ Garden 108 zero-proof spirit, this purple sip is named for its hearty dose of Bailey’s Creamy Earl Gray Kombucha, which is packed with Light of Day Organics’ biodynamic black tea leaves. Presented in a classic coup, the drink is finished with fresh lemon juice and the herby-sweet kick of Mimidae’s Violet Haze Lavender Syrup. Enjoy a few guilt-free rounds and consider the requisite “dry” month rehydrated. Find The Socialite on Instagram (@thesocialitetc), or get your hands on The Gossip ($9) at the bar’s next popup event from 6-10pm on Jan. 28 at Rough Pony (144 Hall St. #100, Traverse City).

Photo courtesy of Michigan Department of Natural Resources

spectator

By Stephen Tuttle

It’s time for one of our irregular updates on that pesky climate change business.

There was plenty of bad news in 2022 but with a glimmer of hope we’ll get to later. One horrific year, or even a couple years, of awful weather and its consequences can’t be fully attributed to climate change. Sometimes there are anomalous years, the result of circumstances we don’t always fully understand, with more normal weather patterns emerging. But global history-making events in consecutive years are more than just a little suspicious; they’re part of a larger, longer pattern.

discovering 17 previously unknown viruses emerging from the muck of melting permafrost. We’re told they are not harmful. Uh-huh.

What wasn’t on fire was too often under water, and though it might seem counterintuitive, the fires and floods are tightly intertwined. Fires destroy the plant life and their root systems that can absorb and hold water. The drought that feeds the fires also hardens the ground, so water simply sheets off, contributing to flooding.

Much of the world was on fire last year.

Since 2019, fully 15 percent of Australia has been ravaged by fire. An unforgiving natural climate and geography has always made the continent ripe for wildfires, but the last three years have been historically bad. Completing the tragedy are nearly four dozen human deaths, thousands of displaced people, billions of dollars worth of lost property and precious wildlands, and a staggering estimate of three billion animal fatalities.

Deadly wildfires well exceeding norms also occurred in Greece, Italy, France, parts of Eastern Europe, and China. Fires in unpopulated areas of Siberia are now burning for the third year in a row. The European Forest Fire Information System says three of the worst fire seasons ever in European Union countries have occurred in the last six years. Last year alone, some four million acres burned, causing 100 fatalities. Seven European capital cities recorded their highest temperatures ever, which did not help.

The United States saw more than 66,000 wildfires burning more than 7.5 million acres in 2022, according to the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC). That was actually a reduction in both statistics from records set two years ago, but still there were nine human fatalities, untold wildlife deaths, and billions in property losses.

Even now, in the heart of winter, there are 57 current wildfires in California, Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico according to the Fire, Weather & Avalanche Center.

It’s not so much what has happened in the last year or two, though the losses of life and property are deeply troubling—it’s the trend line over several years. In general, we and much of the rest of the world are experiencing widespread drought cycles resulting in more fires burning more acreage over a longer duration, causing far more dollar losses than the historical norms.

An especially horrifying bonus in all of this, according to an article in Smithsonian Magazine, was researchers in Siberia

Last year and the beginning of this year have been especially bad for floods both here and around the world.

Seemingly endless rains that lasted five solid months in Pakistan inundated fully a third of the country, killing more than 1,700 people, displacing as many as five million, and causing nearly $30 billion in economic losses.

Another 600 fatalities resulted from recordbreaking flooding in Nigeria, 300 more died in Cameroon, and millions in the two countries lost their homes and/or businesses. Australia, reeling from historic wildfires, experienced two 100-year flood events in the last decade.

California has seen more than its share of recent flooding. San Francisco, for example, received 13 inches of rain in just 15 days starting the last week of December. Five million Californians were under floodrelated evacuation orders at some point, and many areas are still underwater or digging out of the mud left behind. Tragically, 19 people have died in the current flooding.

One bright note in drought-ravaged California is that their record-breaking rainfall has helped mitigate the drought a little. That much rain falling that fast cannot be captured and most will end up draining into the Pacific, but not all. Some found its way to reservoirs, and Shasta Lake and Lake Oroville levels are nearing average depths, though both are still below half of their actual capacity. Water levels at Lake Mead have risen marginally but enough to prevent water dropping below intakes that run the turbines providing electricity to millions of Californians.

More encouraging still, the snowpack in the Sierra range is 257 percent above normal for this time of year according to the Central Sierra Snow Lab. Since California gets 30 percent of its water from that snowpack, this is good news.

Climate scientists have been warning us for a long time these extreme weather events are part of a larger climate pattern. We should have been listening.

guest opinion

by Cathye Williams

Before being named U.S. Speaker of the House, Kevin McCarthy was quoted by NBC News saying, “I’ve never seen a body where the 10 percent is going to control the 90 percent. It just doesn’t happen that way.”

I would argue that in American society, it happens quite a lot. And unlike in the halls of Congress, the 90 percent have little opportunity to negotiate to improve their odds.

area working on other solutions using different lenses and tools. These include Northern Michigan Environmental Action Council (NMEAC), For Love of Water (FLOW), and Michigan Climate Action Network (MCAN), to name a few, along with local affiliates of national groups, such as the Sierra Club.

You don’t need an extreme weather event to knock you into your flock. But in deciding

Unfinished

714 sq ft - $69,900 1000 sq ft - $90,000 1428 sq ft - $137,900 2000

$69,900

While the exact numbers vary by study, an increasingly smaller percentage of the world’s population holds an increasingly larger percentage of global wealth. Interwoven with this reality are issues of race, privilege, access, consumption, and power. Wealth also determines who controls and most deeply impacts Earth’s resources, shifting their use from public good to private gain and bringing us to this critical point, where having clean air, land and water, biodiversity, and a stable climate is at risk.

As I learned about this power differential and saw the injustice done and the broader impact on our natural systems, I froze, wanting to help but not knowing where to start. That humanity could change the trajectory we are on seemed a daunting prospect at best. I wondered if such change was within the grasp of our imagination or within the scope of our hearts. I wanted to believe that it was, so I went looking for a sign.

I scoured websites, attended community events, and started making connections. A chance meeting with a retired teacher from my hometown led me to gathering ballot proposal signatures at a popular music event. In “activist alley,” my anti-fracking table stood alongside people working to save the wild U.P., stop invasive species, protect water, and more. That was the sign I needed. Yes, there are many humans whose imaginations can grasp, with fierce love, a clean, fair, safe world for all.

Drenching rain drove a couple of these humans to seek shelter under my tent. We read, shared, and discussed. Of all the gin joints—er, tents— in all the towns, in all the world, they fell into mine, and I couldn’t have been luckier.

I made two dear friends that day, and found Citizens Climate Lobby, a group whose approach made sense and where I knew I could help make things happen. They empower members to participate in democracy and they provide education, tools, and connections for people to exercise their political will. There are opportunities at all levels of engagement, including lobbying Congress, working with the media, grassroots and grass-tops outreach, and engaging locals to become active.

While CCL is focused on climate legislation, there are many environmental groups in our

where to put your efforts, you may want to consider a group’s core values and how they mesh with yours. We live in a time when change is possible, but the guiding principles underlying the change may be the best indicators of whether it will endure. These are some of the values I see in the work of effective groups:

Bipartisanship: Solving big problems will take darn near all of us. We can’t afford to leave anyone out. Working with people who are serious about the issue, regardless of their political affiliation, just makes sense.

Integrity: Partners in any field build trust by being informed, thorough, and thoughtful. Consulting experts, using sound data, and staying open to new information helps create effective solutions.

Relationships: Through the work of groups like Braver Angels and No Labels, we see that change requires working with people whose views may differ widely from ours. Respect is essential to understanding and finding common ground. Enduring change is best built on consensus, not control.

Optimism: The belief that people are good and that our democratic society can work for all beats cynicism and negativity every time.

Unfortunately, there are others working on a different set of goals—the well-paid lobbyists employed by wealthy corporations to protect their own interests, which often conflict with the common good. Grassroots advocacy groups, however, are proving that citizen lobbyists with zero dollars can wield influence based on sound methods, steadfast work, and dedicated hearts. Their interest is the common good.

With this column, I try to touch on environmental issues enough to keep them in people’s minds. I hope that this helps get people from fear to action as others have helped me. As we move closer to the safe and stable home that we envision, we may yet see the day when the 10 percent controlling the 90 percent actually never happens. Cheers to that.

Cathye Williams serves as volunteer and media liaison for the Grand Traverse and Manistee chapter of Citizens Climate Lobby. She writes from the northern corner of Manistee County.

That humanity could change the trajectory we are on seemed a daunting prospect at best. I wondered if such change was within the grasp of our imagination or within the scope of our hearts.

Against All Tides

A new book—featuring a local voice—chronicles the 1972 USS Kitty Hawk controversy

By Al Parker

Simmering racial tensions, inflamed by discriminatory punishments, sparked violent confrontations between Black sailors and white Marines aboard the USS Kitty Hawk during Vietnam War operations in the fall of 1972. A young Navy JAG lieutenant— later a district court judge in northern Michigan—found himself embroiled in the racial tensions as he defended a Black sailor accused of assault and taking part in what the Navy called “a race riot” and some media termed a “racial mutiny.”

Thomas “TJ” Phillips, a recently retired 86th District Court judge, was one of 13 JAG defense lawyers who shared their recollections for the 2022 book Against All Tides: The Untold Story of the USS Kitty Hawk Race Riot written by Marv Truhe, another Navy JAG lawyer and military judge during the Vietnam War era.

As defense counsel for several of the 25 accused Kitty Hawk Black sailors, Truhe was able to set the record straight on a story that many in the Navy preferred to be forgotten. For half a century, Truhe kept his case notes, trial transcripts, investigation reports, hundreds of sworn statements, medical reports, federal court pleadings, and witness interviews.

“I worked for 12 to 14 hours a day for some months doing the research,” Truhe said during a recent Zoom call from his home in Colorado. “The writing came very quickly. There was no writer’s block.”

The Other Side of the Story

His book details in chronological order the “race riot” which was not an organized effort at all, but was actually a series of unrelated attacks committed by white sailors and Marines against their Black shipmates.

Though numerous Black sailors were assaulted and injured, not a single white sailor was charged.

Following the arrests of 21 Black sailors, they were locked away aboard the Kitty Hawk’s brig—some in solitary confinement—and eventually returned to San Diego to face charges, potential courts martial, and punishments that could include dishonorable discharges and incarcerations.

It was when they arrived in San Diego that they first encountered Phillips. Here’s the scene, according to Truhe’s book:

“By now, some of the defendants were openly venting their frustration and anger… The sailors immediately sensed something wasn’t right when they saw the rows of small cells encased in steel bars. As the Marines directed them toward the cells, some reacted by yelling at the guards, who in turn shouted back at them. The situation escalated and the Marines wielded their nightsticks, trying to force the prisoners into the cells.”

A Marine captain called for help and got JAG Lt. Phillips on the line, explained the situation, and asked if he could double-time it to the cell block to help out.

Phillips hurried to the brig and was met by the captain, who said someone other than a Marine would be better able to handle the prisoners. Phillips was escorted to the block and into a spacious room where chaos ruled. A large group of sailors were shouting, with some pounding on the metal tables. They seemed to be venting their frustration at a group of charged-up Marine guards, who stood facing them, nightsticks at the ready.

Facing a volatile situation, Phillips didn’t hesitate. He placed himself between the groups and raised his hands. That, plus his uniform, caught the attention of some of the prisoners, and the noise subsided somewhat.

“These were a bunch of young guys, and they sounded angry,” recalls Phillips. “I told them, ‘I’m a lawyer and I’m here to help you.’”

A couple of sailors responded by saying they were innocent and the charges against them were totally unjustified. Phillips told them the last thing an innocent person should do was to commit an offense while awaiting his trial. He urged them to consider the possibility they would be found not guilty of their original charges, only to be charged with their subsequent actions in the brig. (Phillips was not aware of it at the time, but Truhe and another JAG officer had witnessed most of his efforts from just outside the cell block entrance.)

Phillips also advised them of their legal rights, including their right to remain silent. He advised them in no uncertain terms, not to talk to anyone except their lawyers.

“Several of them asked for civilian counsel; I assured them I would personally contact the NAACP and ACLU on their behalf,” says Phillips.

Not Guilty

During the lengthy Navy judicial proceedings, Phillips was assigned to represent Airman Apprentice Vernell Robinson, who was in charge of the aircraft parts inventory aboard the USS Kitty Hawk, one of the largest warships ever built. Almost a quarter mile long, the ship carried a complement of 4,483 officers and enlisted sailors. Roughly 300 of them were Black, about 7 percent of the crew.

The night of the incident, Robinson went to the mess to eat and play cards with friends. When he left, he saw a Black sailor and white sailor scuffling in a passageway. He thought they were just horsing around, but saw more of the same and realized fights were breaking

out. He never saw any weapons, never saw any double-teaming during the assault, but heard plenty of profanity and racial slurs. Robinson was never personally assaulted and thought it was because the white sailors recognized him or because he was several inches shorter than most.

After the ship returned to San Diego, Robinson was inexplicably charged with rioting and with assaults on two white sailors during the October incident.

Phillips was immediately impressed with Robinson and found him to be mature for his 21 years. After hearing Robinson’s story, Phillips was convinced he was representing an innocent man.

Phillips relied on two defenses. First, Robinson had an alibi, playing cards with his buddies when the assaults happened. Second, they raised what Phillips called “The

Marv Truhe

TJ Philips

Defense: Some Other Dude Did It.”

The case went to trial on April 4, 1973, and was heard by a jury of three naval officers and presided over by a Marine Lieutenant Colonel.

At the outset, the Marine judge kept referring to “Captain Phillips” when addressing Lieutenant Phillips. The mistake was understandable because the rank insignia of both Marine Captains and Navy Lieutenants are similar. Phillips could see that being called “captain” rankled the Navy officers on the jury who were senior to him. He approached the bench, the judge apologized, and everything sailed along smoothly after that.

Phillips and his co-counsel called several of Robinson’s friends to support his alibi. A senior officer testified to Robinson’s high job ratings, and the sailor’s wife swore to her husband’s good character.

According to a newspaper report, the jury returned a not-guilty verdict in 18 minutes. At that point, an elated Robinson shook the hands of his defense team, shook hands with each of the jurors, then even shook hands with the prosecutors. Only the judge and court reporter didn’t get a greeting from the delighted young sailor.

“He was a very special young man,” says Phillips.

Of the 25 sailors eventually charged with rioting and assault, only Robinson and five others were completely acquitted of all charges. Seven took plea agreements that resulted in guilty pleas to lesser charges, 10 went to trial and were convicted of lesser

offenses, and only two were found guilty of rioting charges, according to Truhe.

Where Are They Now?

Robinson’s request to return to the Kitty Hawk was denied, and he soon was offered an honorable discharge which he accepted and returned home to Chicago’s south side. He built a rewarding 30-year career as a regional manager for McDonald’s, then managed a parking garage at a condo complex. In 2014, he suffered a stroke and retired at age 63.

After his naval service, Phillips practiced civil litigation law for 25 years in Traverse City, then served 18 years as a district court judge before retiring.

As a first-time author, Truhe initially thought he would self-publish the book. But he was lucky enough to land an agent, who got him a deal with an editor at Lawrence Hill Books, a subset of Chicago Review Press that “is dedicated to publishing nonfiction that centers, focuses on, highlights, and uplifts Black voices and experiences.”

Truhe has made presentations before a number of veterans groups and has been invited to speak at the U.S. Naval Academy in the spring.

“I get asked if the Navy is upset by my book,” said Truhe. “But if they were upset, I wouldn’t be invited to speak there in the spring. My book takes to task senior officers and is not at all an indictment of the Navy.”

Learn more about the USS Kitty Hawk, Truhe, and his book at marvtruhe.com.

SODDI

Marv Truhe

Phillips and Truhe conversing over Zoom this winter.

The Beacon Beckons

This Petoskey bistro blends high-end dishes with a laid-back atmosphere

By Geri Dietze

Searching for elevated comfort food? A menu that changes often enough to keep you coming back again and again? Petoskey’s Beacon Bistro fits the bill, thanks to the vision of owners Mark and Tawna Naturkas.

The Naturkas—she, a Mackinaw Island native, and he, a Detroiter through and through with family summers spent in Harbor Springs—are the dynamic pair behind Paper Station Bistro in downtown Harbor Springs and State Road Provisions Roadhouse near the ski areas and snowmobile trails, both popular venues with solidly great food, knowing service, and convivial atmosphere. Beacon Bistro, the Naturkas’ third location, with its own vibe and presence, occupies a coveted spot in a blufftop neighborhood in the Gaslight District, with stunning views of Little Traverse Bay.

What’s in a Name?

The restaurant gets its name from New York’s iconic Beacon Theatre, a 1929 masterpiece and a favorite entertainment venue for the Naturkas when in the city.

Petoskey’s Beacon is thoroughly industrial chic, with exterior corrugated walls painted to resemble the rusted weathering of a vintage building. An outdoor patio seats patrons in red chairs under red umbrellas. The interior, with room for about 75, is uncluttered but warm, with wood floors, wooden bench seating, and fresh linens on every table. Diners have a four-season panoramic view of Little Traverse Bay behind a wall of floor-to-

ceiling soundproof windows, which mute the rush of the busy traffic below.

The restaurant opened about 18 months ago, and the Naturkas did not shy away from expansion, even under difficult times.

Beacon Bistro was under construction when a freak windstorm toppled three big trees onto the site, and plans were put on hold again by the COVID lockdown in early 2020. Still, the couple was undeterred. “We just decided to forge ahead,” Mike Naturkas explains.

When they were finally able to open under restrictions in summer 2021, Beacon already had a ready-made following from fans of their other locations. “People were starting to reach out, and it was a good start for us.” Naturkas adds, “There’s safety in numbers. The more restaurants you have, the better you do.”

Start with a Plan

All three of the Naturkas’ establishments are known for great food at a fair price. Harbor Springs’ Paper Station resembles the beloved tiny neighborhood diners found in places like Detroit and New York (the name comes from NYC’s “paper stations” where vendors sell magazines and newspapers), except that you can sip Dom Perignon with your Wagyu burger or a fine wine with your fresh walleye dinner.

State Road Provisions Roadhouse offers top-choice prime rib, (a deal at $25), Detroit-style pizza, broasted chicken, and a rare sighting in these parts: a salad bar. Plus, like any self-respecting roadhouse, there are pool tables.

The energy and drive behind their business model is palpable: determined,

cohesive, clear-headed, and quality-driven, with a keen eye for price fluctuations and availability, and a solid lock on the bottom line. Case in point: The Naturkas’ source the best ingredients locally and seasonally whenever available; they use downstate and out-of-state vendors for quality (beef from Detroit, sandwich buns from New York, for example); and they work regularly with national suppliers.

“We spend a lot,” Naturkas admits, but he “chase[s] cost,” by studying market prices to feature a cost-effective item while putting another on hold. (For example, serve grouper when the price is right, and switch it out when the price is less attractive.) And, details count: sauces and pastas are house made; there are no frozen foods; and by design, there is no deep fryer. Plus, executive chef Mark Ray has some serious cred: he was a two-time finalist on Iron Chef America, the Food Network’s culinary game show.

And what about the competition? Finding a place in Petoskey’s hot restaurant scene leaves Mike Naturkas unfazed. “I’m not competing,” he says. “If we all do a really good job, we’ll all be busy.”

Yes to Eclectic

The Beacon menu is deliciously flexible, changing four to six times a year to reflect the seasons and the market, and it’s smart to pay regular attention to the offerings. “We build on the favorites,” Naturkas says, “and change out the others.”

Beacon lunch standards include a variety of Wagyu burgers—blue cheese or olive tapenade, for example—or naanbased sandwich options, from the BLT to

Buffalo Chicken to Greek. Try the authentic French Onion soup or an eye-popping salad, including the Times House with kale, avocado, quinoa, grapes, pecans, and goat cheese with citrus dressing or the Roasted Beet with mixed greens, pecans, pickled red onions, goat cheese, red and gold roasted beets, and a mixed berry vinaigrette.

For dinner, start with the Charcuterie Board (big enough for two) with a mix of Italian cured meats, smoked salmon, and a rotating selection of artisanal cheeses, served with crostini, peanuts, whole grain mustard, fig preserves, and dates. Or enjoy the Beer Mussels with garlic, shallots, fresh herbs, red chili pepper flakes, and Hamm’s beer. “We serve a ton,” Naturkas explains.

Patrons also love the Osso Bucco, with braised veal shanks, wild mushroom risotto, and mushroom red-wine demi.

Another big seller is the Bolognese, with rigatoni pasta and house-made white sauce (all the flavorful ingredients, minus the tomato base), finished with truffle and freshly-grated parmesan. Other entrees include Short-Rib Stroganoff with pappardelle pasta, mushrooms, and house dill cream sauce, or a 16 oz. certified Angus Chargrilled Ribeye with roasted potatoes and seasonal vegetables.

Add top-shelf spirits, “fantastic” mixologists, and a curated wine cellar for a stellar experience.

Find Beacon Bistro at 319 Bay St. in Petoskey. (231) 489-7999, beacon-petoskey. com. Open 11am to 9:30pm daily; happy hour Thursday–Sunday 3-5:30pm. To keep up with menu changes and specials, follow them on Facebook.

What’s Hot on the Ice

Curling heats up in northern Michigan

By Laurel Manke

Curling has become the pickleball of the colder months, gaining popularity in northern Michigan each winter. We spoke with three area curling organizations to learn more about the sport’s appeal to long-time curlers and curious newbies alike.

Traverse City Curling Club

The TC Curling Club is set to open their brand-new, 28,000-square-foot curling facility this month in the former Kmart building on Garfield Avenue at the Cherryland Center. Jan. 28-29, the club will host an open house, inviting locals to celebrate “the first stone thrown in their new house” with exhibition games to follow.

Since the nonprofit curling club started in 2014, it has operated at Centre Ice. After eight years of renting space, the club is looking forward to having dedicated curling ice to accommodate its growing membership.

“We are so excited to have our own dedicated ice 24/7. We [plan] to be throwing stones by the end of January,” TC Curling Club Vice President Kevin Byrne says. “The opening weekend will be a fun get together for our club members. Then we will start leagues and Learn to Curl classes,” he adds.

Byrne says Americans fall in love with curling every four winters during the Olympics, but the appeal is deeper than that. People enjoy curling because it brings folks together and it is accessible to a range of ages and abilities.

“Curling is a Scottish game like golf. There are no officials. If an opponent misses, you don’t dog it. When your opponent makes a good shot, you say, ‘That was a good stone,’” says Byrne. “It is an inclusive sport. You can be as competitive in this as you want to.”

The TC Curling Club had 135 members when they last curled together in April 2022. They expect to grow to 200250 total members in 2023 and anticipate continued growth up to 600 members in the future.

“We expect a big influx of new curlers at the new facility who will participate in novice leagues for people who want to learn and not be hyper-competitive,” Byrne says.

The new facility will allow the club to offer much more to the community. In the future, they hope to offer middle school, high school, and senior citizen leagues to get people of all ages involved.

Visit tccurling.org to learn more about becoming a TC Curling Club member, and watch for updates on the grand opening of the club’s new facility this month.

Stormcloud Brewing Curling League

Every December, Stormcloud Brewing Company constructs their own custom curling sheet outside their pub in downtown Frankfort. Beginning in January (weather depending), they offer three curling programs: private lessons, group lessons, and a curling league.

The lessons are 1.5 hours and include instruction on rules and time to curl. Their 16-team curling league plays during February on Sunday afternoons, Tuesday evenings, Sunday nights, and Thursday nights.

“The league has great camaraderie. Most of our teams have been playing for multiple years in a row, so we see a lot of familiar faces. At the end of the league, we have a tournament and a party for everyone who participated, and the teams compete for the Club Cup, a fancy decorated keg,” says Stormcloud Marketing Manager Amy Martin.

Stormcloud’s curling league is sold out for 2023. But that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the ice. The brewery’s curling lessons and matches draw customers to Stormcloud on slower days during the colder months.

“Curlers and spectators typically drink beer and often eat before or after the matches. It adds some consistency to the season,” says Martin. “Curling is appealing to people because it is something unique to do outside in the winter.”

The pub’s curling offering is perennially popular among locals and visitors, but ice conditions are not always as reliable. Due to the “au naturel” nature of Stormcloud’s ice, Mother Nature plays a significant role in how the curling season progresses. Without consistent freezing temperatures overnight, the ice melts.

“We often have to wait until the last minute to call whether the ice will work. It is hit or miss,” says Martin.

Visit stormcloudbrewing.com to learn more about Stormcloud’s Learn to Curl programs and check out the league schedule to catch a match…and enjoy a brew while you spectate.

Lewiston Curling Club

The Lewiston Curling Club has curled in downtown Lewiston (about 30 minutes southeast of Gaylord), on the same land they curl on today, since 1962. They began curling outside through snow and puddles. Over the years, they made significant improvements.

“Today, we have a designated indoor curling arena with top-notch curling ice in a fully insulated building with a viewing area, bathroom, changing rooms, and a full kitchen,” says Lewiston Curling Club President Tyler Smith.

“We attract members from more than an hour away. We have members from Indian River, Petoskey, Traverse City, Barton City, Alpena, Gaylord, Manton, and we even had one member drive from Manistee,” Smith adds.

The Lewiston Curling Club currently has 70 members. The 2022 season was the club’s first year back curling after the pandemic and attracted 21 new members. So far, the club has recruited nine additional new members for 2023.

Smith attributes the growing attraction to curling to U.S. Olympic curler John Shuster leading Team USA to gold in 2018. Beyond that, Smith says curling is popular because anyone can play it.

“I’m 32, and we have several members in their seventies who are better curlers than me,” says Smith. “Our founding members have curled a long time and know the science of making ice and running a club this size.”

Lewiston Curling Club offers four nights of competitive leagues, Monday throughThursday, hosting 16 curlers each night. The club’s leagues are set for 2023, but they often rent out the ice to groups who are curious about the game.

“We’ve hosted everything from groups of 40 people to a couple on a first date,” says Smith. “During the rental, our members are here to teach the game, and the renters have full use of the facilities, ice, kitchen, and banquet areas.”

Smith is excited about the club’s growth and the recent updates they have made to their facility, including re-siding the entire building in knotty pine and installing a new internet and TV system allowing matches to be streamed on YouTube.

Get more information at lewistoncurlingclub.com.

13 Fresh Ways to Embrace a NoMI Winter

Consider your calendar booked for the next three weeks

By Alexandra Dailey

As we all know, winters in northern Michigan can be long. So, in the name of staving off cabin fever and embracing the season, we’ve collected a handful of activities that may pique your interest while also keeping you active, engaged, and breathing in the fresh air in the coming weeks.

*Be sure to check online or with event organizers before heading out, as weather conditions may affect some of the events below.

1. Firelit Fridays in

Elk Rapids

Friday, Jan. 27, 2023

On River Street in downtown Elk Rapids, join in on the outdoor winter fun with this family-friendly evening activity. Roast marshmallows for s’mores and catch up with friends and community members while strolling the glowing streets and gathering by toasty fires. For additional details, call (231) 264-8202 or visit elkrapidschamber. chambermaster.com/events.

2. Fire & Ice Wine Dinner at Chateau Chantal on Old Mission Peninsula

Friday & Saturday, Jan. 27 & 28

Chateau Chantal Winery’s Sixth Annual Fire & Ice Wine Dinner is a unique, multicourse dinner prepared by Chef de Cuisine Chris Mushall, with courses perfectly paired with Chateau Chantal Ice Wines. The culinary experience starts at 6pm with a cellar tour followed by seating for dinner at 6:30pm. For a listing of the seven-course menu and to make your reservation ($199), visit shop.chateauchantal.com. One-day advanced booking is required while availability lasts.

3. 11th Annual Iron Fish Distillery Fat Chance Fat Tire Bike Race

Saturday, Jan. 28

Crystal Mountain and Iron Fish Distillery are once again hosting “Fat Chance” at Crystal’s new Cross-Country Center. Spectators will have a 360-degree view of both the 90-minute and 45-minute races. All ages are welcome to participate, and registration is open until noon on Jan. 27. Cash prizes, medals, and swag will be handed out on race day. crystalmountain.com

5. Gaylord’s Annual Michigan Snowmobile Festival

Friday & Saturday, Feb. 3 & 4

6. Air & Après by Samuel Adams at Boyne Mountain Resort

Saturday, Feb. 4

4.

Moonlit Guided Snowshoe at Grass River Natural Area

Friday, Feb. 3

Take

Presented by the Gaylord Area Convention and Tourism Bureau and back for the first time in several years, this two-day event is all about snowmobiling and winning great prizes! Snowmobilers ride Otsego County’s trails and visit nine participating area businesses to drop off registration slips—it’s that easy. “Michigan’s Richest Snowmobile Fun Run” concludes at the Eagles Hall with live music, complimentary food, prizes, and a $1,000 cash drawing. For more information and to pre-register (free), visit gaylordmichigan.net.

This family-friendly outdoor winter event is an exciting and high-energy show that starts early and goes all day long at Boyne Mountain. Come watch Olympic, X-Game, and professional athletes perform big air jumps and aerial acrobatics with bumping DJ tunes, fireworks, and great beverages. Air & Après culminates with an Athlete Meet & Greet at the Sam Adams Après Party. For more information and to see a performer lineup, visit boynemountain.com.

a moonlit guided snowshoe tour and enjoy the snowy forest trails through the Grass River Natural Area in Bellaire ($10). A naturalist will lead the way and help you spot the sights and sounds of nocturnal animals. Participants will meet at the Grass River Center. Please bring a flashlight or headlamp and your snowshoes (if conditions call for it); snowshoes can be rented on-site for $5. grassriver.org

7. Grand Traverse Bike Tours’ Sip and Ski Tour

Sunday, Feb. 5

Gear up for a guided point-to-point cross-country ski tour and experience scenic trails and cozy wineries with Grand Traverse Bike Tours. You’ll ski the 5.1 miles of groomed trails from Shady Lane Cellars to Farm Club. The tour ($89) includes ski and pole rentals, wine tasting, lunch, a souvenir water bottle, and transportation back to Shady Lane Cellars. grandtraversebiketours.com

8. Interlochen’s Winterlochen

Saturday, Feb. 11

Get ready to enjoy wild winter activities, like human snow bowling, frozen fish toss, and snow volleyball, as well as art exploration and creative play events at Interlochen’s Winterlochen festival. This annual family-friendly event is free and open to all ages at the school’s main campus. After all of the indoor and outdoor fun, sit back and enjoy the complimentary matinee performance of Cinderella by the Interlochen Arts Academy Dance Division. interlochen.org

9. Frostbite Trail: A Winter Cask, Flask, and Fork Experience

Saturday, Feb. 11

Pop into the eight participating locations between Charlevoix and Elk Rapids—Lost Cellars, Bier’s Inwood Brewery, Cellar 1914, Torch Lake Cellars, Waterfire Vineyards, Short’s Brewing with Alley Cats food truck, BOS Wine, and Townline Ciderworks with Sabores y Colores food truck—and enjoy food and wine, cider, and beer tastings, all for just $10 per person at each location. Find the menu and more details by searching “Frostbite Trail” on Facebook.

11. Downtown Harbor Springs Ice Fest

Saturday & Sunday, Feb. 10 & 11

10.

47th North American Vasa

Saturday & Sunday, Feb. 11 & 12

12. Yeti Fest, Suttons Bay

Saturday, Feb. 18

Suttons Bay’s annual festival for all ages includes the Yeti Discovery Program with games and crafts for families and children, the Kids Yeti Hunt, a chili cook-off, a scavenger hunt, face painting, a free movie at the Bay Theatre, a hockey tournament, plus more fun activities. To learn more, visit leelanauchamber.com or call (231) 252-2880. delicious meal? Well,

Beginning and ending at Traverse City’s Timber Ridge Resort, the 47th North American Vasa races include a 27K freestyle, 15K classic signature ski races, fat bike, and snowshoe races, plus combo challenges. There’s a race for every winter athlete! Register no later than Feb. 8 by visiting vasa.org.

This outdoor festival in Harbor Springs features ice sculptures throughout downtown, an interactive ice park with live demos, ice sculptures, dueling chainsaws, a chili cook-off, sleigh rides, and additional outdoor activities for the whole family to enjoy. There’s also a Downtown Clue Hunt to participate in! For more information, visit downtownharborsprings.com.

look no further! Travel by a horse-drawn sleigh to Hunter’s Grille for a gourmet four-course meal ($149), including chicken corn chowder, wedge salad, petite filet of beef, mashed potatoes and vegetables, with hot apple crisp for dessert. Dietary restriction options are available. treetops.com

Off the Beaten Path

Connect with nature on these five beautiful hiking trails

By Ren Brabenec

A Finnish friend in the U.P. recently defined the term “sisu” for us. She says sisu refers to the extraordinary determination the Finnish Yoopers use to not just survive the winter but to thrive in it.

During the cold months of January and February, it’s easy to forget the natural beauty that surrounds us. So we’re throwing down the gauntlet—or the wool-padded glove—to our fellow Michiganders. Spring may be months away, but the efforts of conservationists at the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy and the Little Traverse Conservancy have provided locals with several hiking trails to remind us that winter can be beautiful too.

Let’s embody the sisu envisioned by our Finnish neighbors to the north. Let’s steel ourselves for the nip of the cold, for beyond that harsh bite is a true joy to be held in outdoor opportunities.

Here’s where you’ll find us this winter.

MAPLEHURST NATURAL AREA

Antrim County

Encompassing 389 acres of forested bluffs and hillocks, Maplehurst Natural Area in Kewadin is ideal for wilderness wanderers who like their hikes to be complemented by stunning views.

“This beautiful property has 150 acres of steep hardwood forested bluffs that drain into Torch Lake and open meadows that surround Lake Maplehurst, a 60-acre spring-fed gem. Its position on high ground means visitors have excellent views of Torch Lake, Elk Lake, and Grand Traverse Bay,” says Jennifer Jay, director of communications and engagement at the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy. “This is a moderately strenuous 5.4-mile hike on rolling terrain.”

Though the Maplehurst Natural Area only recently came under GTRLC protection and Milton Township ownership in 2018, the property was home to Camp Maplehurst from 1955 until 2011, giving the region a rich history of nature activities appreciated by generations of Michigan youths.

LOWER WOODCOCK LAKE NATURE PRESERVE Benzie County

The Lower Woodcock Lake Nature Preserve in Interlochen has a trail system of the same name that allows visitors to enjoy this ecologically important, 230-acre watershed region of the Platte River. The preserve also features Lower Woodcock Lake, a tranquil, untouched lake surrounded by forest.

When the preserve opened in 2020, conservancy staff built 0.8 miles of trail. Recent improvements performed throughout 2022 have greatly expanded accessibility via added trails.

“The relatively easy 3.6-mile hike [with shorter loops if desired] features several habitat types found on the preserve and circumnavigates the 22-acre, undeveloped Lower Woodcock Lake,” says Jay.

Best of all? Winter is actually a perfect time to visit, according to Jay. “This new and exciting trail is spectacular in all seasons, but a portion of it will be closed in the spring and early summer months to protect sensitive nesting habitats,” she says.

SUSAN CREEK NATURE PRESERVE Charlevoix County

Featuring a loop trail dedicated to snowshoeing and crosscountry skiing, the Susan Creek Nature Preserve in Charlevoix was established with year-round recreation in mind.

“Located right off of US-31, the 314-acre Susan Creek Nature Preserve and adjacent Taimi Hoag Natural Area provide nearly 2.5 miles of flat trails that meander near and across Susan Creek, a tributary to Lake Michigan,” says Anne Fleming, director of community outreach and communications at the Little Traverse Conservancy. “The beauty and sounds of the creek are particularly special in the winter, and the flat nature of the land here and regular visitation often result in easy trails.”

An area steeped in cultural significance, Susan Creek Nature Preserve was once an indigenous settlement. The preserve is adjacent to the Taimi Hoag Nature Preserve and across the road from the decommissioned Big Rock Nuclear Power Plant site and the Little Traverse Wheelway, a paved trail that connects Harbor Springs to Charlevoix.

GOODHART FARMS NATURE PRESERVE

Emmet County

Located 12 miles north of Harbor Springs, Goodhart Farms Nature Preserve is ideal for winter recreation, as the preserve is tracked on Thursdays and Fridays (when weather conditions allow; refer to the Little Traverse Conservancy’s social media pages for regular updates).

“For those who want a more rustic Up North cross-country ski experience, the Goodhart Farms Nature Preserve near the tiny burb of Good Hart on Lake Michigan is a good destination,” says Fleming. “After skiing the trails, you can head over to the Goodhart General Store and pick up a famous chicken pot pie for dinner or head down to the St. Ignatius Church Beach, where there is public access to Lake Michigan.”

The nature preserve features about 3.5 miles of regularly groomed trails, and three parking areas are available to access Goodhart Farms.

Though it is fairly remote, the 695 acres of meadows, hayfields, maple, beech, and ash forest mixed with old orchards, pine plantations, and rolling fields with views of Lake Michigan in the background make this winter wonderland a must-see.

TIMBERS RECREATION AREA

Grand Traverse County

Timbers Recreation Area in Traverse City sports a newer trail system called Timbers Trails, improved in 2020 to boast a beautiful new universally accessible (UA) trail suitable for people of all ages and abilities.

“The 4.4-mile universally accessible trail consists of more than half a mile of crushed aggregate that leads from the parking lot down to Long Lake,” says Jay. “From there, a roughly 100-foot boardwalk takes visitors to a fishing pier on Fern Lake. It also includes a spur to a picnic area behind the gorgeous historic barns. Portions of the property will be groomed for cross-country skiing as weather permits.”

Timbers Recreation Area is a 250-acre former girl scout property with 9,000 feet of water frontage (2,000 feet on Long Lake and frontage along the entirety of 20-acre Fern Lake). Visitors enjoy a serene balance of northern hardwood forests, fields, wetlands, and lakeshores.

Find more information and trail maps by visiting gtrlc.org and landtrust.org.

saturday

FROZEN FOOT FIVE MILE

RACE & 1 MILE FUN RUN: Eastern Elementary School, TC. 1 Mile: 9am; 5 Mile: 9:30am. 1 Mile: $5; 5 Mile: $30; $20 for students 0-17. runsignup.com/frozenfootrace

OPEN STUDIO, PETOSKEY: 10am-1pm, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Visual Arts Room, Petoskey. Drop-in art for all ages. New projects are offered each week. Free. crookedtree.org/event/ctac-petoskey/openstudio-january-21

CHINESE NEW YEAR CELEBRATION

WITH TADL: 11am, Traverse Area District Library, TC. 2023 is the Chinese Year of the Rabbit. Celebrate Chinese New Year by dropping in to make an origami rabbit (while supplies last). Free. tadl.org/events

MACKINAW CITY’S 30TH ANNUAL WINTERFEST: Featuring the Kids Big Freeze Obstacle Course at the Mackinaw Crossing front parking lot at 11am; Chili Cook Off Competition at Mama Mia’s Pizza from 11:30am-1:30pm; Outhouse Races at The Hook Restaurant parking lot at 2pm, with an Afterglow party & live music at O’Reilly’s Irish Pub & Dixie Saloon, & more. mackinawcity.com/events/29th-annual-winter-fest

2ND ANNUAL COCOA CRAWL: Noon2pm, Downtown Elk Rapids. Taste cocoa at 12 participating locations & vote for your favorite. Tickets can be purchased at Happy Camper Coffee Co., the DAM Shop, & Nifty Things! in Elk Rapids. Look for the Orange cones for Cocoa Locations. $5 ticket/person. facebook.com/downtownelkrapids ----------------------

“CLUE [HIGH SCHOOL EDITION]”: 2pm & 7pm, Old Town Playhouse, MainStage, TC. Presented by the Old Town Playhouse Young Company. At a remote mansion, six mysterious guests assemble for an unusual dinner party where murder & blackmail are on the menu. $16 adults; $8 youth under 18 (plus fees). oldtownplayhouse.com

LIVE IMPROV AT THE LIBRARY: 2pm, Traverse Area District Library, TC. The Tilt Think Improv players present a totally improvised show. Sit back & enjoy the performance, or shout out ideas & inspiration to influence the characters & scenes. A show for children & families will be held on Jan. 28. Free. tadl. org/events

SNOW JAM & CHILI CHALLENGE: 2-6pm, The Village at GT Commons, Piazza, TC. Vote for your favorite chili. Northern Michigan businesses will prepare their best chili for a chance at Best Overall Chili & People’s Choice. There will also be live music by Knee Deep, bonfires, frozen yard games, & more. Mario Batali will announce the winner! Tickets: $25 (21 and over), $15 (ages 12-20), $5 (ages 11 and under). thevillagetc.com/snowjam-chili-challenge-2022-2

SNOWSHOEING & S’MORES: 2-4pm, Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park, Mackinaw City. Meet Kyle Bagnall, park naturalist, in the parking lot. Along a two-mile trek, search for signs of wildlife & other wonders of the natural world. After the walk, stop at the forest clearing to enjoy s’mores over a campfire. Admission is by donation.

GOPHERWOOD CONCERTS: MARK STUART: 7pm, Cadillac Elks Lodge. Versatile musician Mark Stuart performs rock, blues, folk, country & much more. He has played at Cambridge Folk Festival, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, MTV, Hardly Strictly Blue-

grass Festival, Stan Rogers Folk Festival, Telluride Bluegrass Festival, & many other venues. $7-$15. mynorthtickets.com/events/ mark-stuart-1-21-2023

sunday

“CLUE [HIGH SCHOOL EDITION]”: (See Sat., Jan. 21, except today’s time is 2pm.)

RACH 3 + BEETHOVEN 7 WITH TRAVERSE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: 3pm, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Corson Auditorium. Kevin Rhodes, conductor; Sean Chen, piano. Featuring Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7, nicknamed The Symphony of the Dance, followed by Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 3. Students & first-time attendees, call or email the Box Office for a 50% off discount: 231-947-7120, x5 or info@traversesymphony.org. $25.50 - $61.50. traversesymphony.org/concert/rach3-beethoven7

monday

DROP-IN PRESCHOOL ADVENTURES IN ART: 9:30am, Crooked Tree Arts Center, TC. Young artists will have an opportunity to engage in themed activities while exploring various art methods. Space is limited to nine students (& parents). Register. $5. crookedtree.org/class/ctac-traverse-city/preschool-adventures-art-january-23-0

january 21-29 jan 23 jan 27

KID’S CRAFT LAB: RABBITS IN THE GRASS: 1pm & 3:30pm, Great Lakes Children’s Museum, TC. This is the Year of The Rabbit. Begin Chinese New Year by creating a whole field of beautiful bunnies. Sign up when you reserve your attendance at the Museum. greatlakeskids.org

tuesday

PRESCHOOL STORYTIME: 10:30am, Suttons Bay Bingham District Library, lower level Community Meeting Room. Preschoolers of all ages are invited to join for stories, songs & active fun. Free. sbbdl.org

STORYTIME ADVENTURES: 10:30am, 1pm & 3:30pm, Great Lakes Children’s Museum, TC. Featuring “Chickadees at Night.” Sign up when you reserve your attendance at the Museum. greatlakeskids.org

CWIB LUNCHEON: 11:30am, NCMC, Library Conference Center, Petoskey. Learn mindfulness practices & positive affirmations for healing & inner peace. Join yoga & meditation teacher, Tiffany Lenau for this conversation. $35 CWIB members; $40 all others. Includes a lunch buffet. petoskeychamber.com/events/ details/cwib-luncheon-january-24-2023-28752 ----------------------

SHIPWRECKS: 6pm, Charlevoix Public Library. Explore the two Civil War era schooners found bow to bow in the depths of Lake Michigan. The mystery & identification that changed history. Free. data.charlevoixlibrary. org/event/mystery-peshtigo-and-st-andrewcharlevoix-shipwrecks-bernie-hellstrom

wednesday

“DISRUPT & DISMANTLE: NASHVILLE”: 1pm & 2:30pm, Dennos Museum Center, Dutmers Theater,

NMC, TC. Soledad O’Brien discusses the impact of structural racism in Nashville, TN, & how nonprofits are stepping up to give students the support they need to escape the school-to-prison pipeline. Limit of 30 people per screening. Free; online registration required. simpletix.com/e/disrupt-dismantlenashville-tickets-119446 ----------------------

TEEN GAME NIGHT: 5pm, East Bay Branch Library, TC. Ages 12 - 18 are invited to play Settlers of Catan during this free after-hours teen event. New players welcome. tadl.org/ event/teen-game-night-settlers-catan

AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY, RELAY FOR LIFE KICKOFF PARTY: 6:30pm, Ridge 45 Apartments, Commumity Center, TC. Grand Traverse volunteers of the American Cancer Society are launching their 2023 Relay for Life event. Join the Kickoff Party & learn more about the 24 hour event that will be held on June 10. Registration will be available on site for individuals or teams. Both caregivers & the community’s Cancer survivors are asked to be present. Pizza will be provided. 231.409.2181. Free. relayforlife.org/grandtraversemi

thursday

COFFEE @ 10, PETOSKEY: 10am, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Gilbert Gallery, Petoskey. Join Petoskey artist Lindsey Claire Newman, who makes mixed media artwork as a method of processing the world around her. Free. crookedtree.org/event/ctac-petoskey/coffee10-lindsey-claire-newman ----------------------

KID’S CRAFT LAB: RABBITS IN THE GRASS: (See Mon., Jan. 23, except today’s times are 10:30am, 1pm & 3:30pm.)

MAKE IT BENZIE - CHAMBER OFF THE CLOCK NETWORKING: 4-7pm, Fantail Farms, Benzonia. Enjoy a family-friendly Snowy Social with sleigh rides, a bonfire, & warm eats & treats. Must call ahead to RSVP for sleigh rides, running from 4-5pm: 231930-7216. $5. business.benzie.org/events/ details/benzie-area-chamber-off-the-clockevent-15987

friday

THE COAST GUARD GREAT WHITE CUP 3X3 HOCKEY TOURNAMENT: 8am-5pm, Centre Ice Arena, TC. A three-on-three half-ice hockey tournament. Featuring hockey players of all skill levels. allevents.in/traverse%20 city/17th-coast-guard-great-white-cup-3v3ice-hockey-tournament/200023835485219

MORE TO EXPLORE: LOTS-A-BLOCKS: 10:30am, 1pm & 3:30pm, Great Lakes Children’s Museum, Great Lakes Room, TC. Build & stack with every kind of block imaginable. Build something... or knock it down. Sign up when you reserve your attendance at the Museum. greatlakeskids.org ----------------------

GLCO PRESENTS SHACKLETON’S INCREDIBLE JOURNEY: 7pm, Great Lakes Center for the Arts, Bay Harbor. In this true Antarctic survival story from 1914-1916, Ernest Shackleton leads the men of the Endurance voyage through almost two years of shipwreck & a perilous rescue mission, to survive against all odds. Enjoy live theater, film footage, & 20th century orchestral masterpieces. Call for complimentary tickets for veterans, active service members, & students 18 & under. $20, $40. glcorchestra. org/concerts ----------------------

NMC GALA TO GIVE: 7pm, Hagerty Center, NMC’s Great Lakes Campus, TC. A Roaring 20s extravaganza & networking event to connect students with alumni, local businesses, & the greater TC community. The event will be a night of celebrating NMC’s connections with the community while benefiting the NMC College for Kids scholarship fund. Enjoy live music, mocktails, hors d’oeuvres & desserts, with raffle prize drawings throughout the evening. Tickets are $15 for current students & $30 for alumni & guests. nmc.edu/gala

Bundle up for the Benzie Area Chamber of Commerce Off the Clock event on Thurs., Jan. 26! Head to Fantail Farms in Benzonia from 4-7pm to enjoy a family friendly sleigh ride, hot cocoa, raffles, an update on Chamber operations, and of course plenty of networking. $5 Chamber adults (13+); $3 Chamber youth (5-12); free for 4 & under. Spots are limited for sleigh rides; must RSVP: 231-930-7216. jan 21 jan 22 jan 24 jan 25

ipsen, oboe, & Bryan Conger, clarinet with Ya-Ju Chuang, piano. $25 members, $35 non-members, $10 students. crookedtree. org/event/ctac-petoskey/ctac-presents-interlochen-winds ----------------------

ANI DIFRANCO W/ PETER MULVEY & SISTASTRINGS: SOLD OUT: 8pm, City Opera House, TC. Feminist icon, Grammy winner, “Little Folksinger” Ani DiFranco created her own record label in 1990. Her most recent albums include 2021’s “Revolutionary Love” & the July 2022 25th Anniversary Edition reissue of her iconic live album “Living In Clip.” $40, $50. cityoperahouse.org/node/477

MOVIE NIGHT: 8pm, Traverse Area District Library, McGuire Community Room, TC. Cinema Curiosa presents “Kurt Vonnegut: Unstuck In Time.” Over 25 years, filmmaker Robert B. Weide developed an intimate bond with provocative author Kurt Vonnegut, who captured the American imagination. Their friendship inspired Weide to produce a biographical film of the writer’s life & works. Featuring never-before-seen archival footage of the late author. Free. tadl.org/events

saturday

BIGFOOT 5K, 10K, 1M SNOWSHOE RACE: 9am, Timber Ridge Resort, TC. The course is a snowy jaunt through the woods with logs to jump & branches to duck. Gather pre-race in the Timber Ridge Nordic Center around a fire, & stick around post-race to warm up with a bowl of chili. See web site for details. runsnow.com

11TH ANNUAL IRON FISH DISTILLERY FAT CHANCE FAT TIRE BIKE RACE: 10am, Crystal Mountain, Cross-Country Center, Thompsonville. Presented by Iron Fish Distillery. The course will offer 360 degree viewing for spectators. The 90-minute race will have single sections to break up the pack. $50/person. events.bytepro.net/register/stage/id/2557

OPEN STUDIO, PETOSKEY: 10am-1pm, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Visual Arts Room, Petoskey. Drop-in arts & crafts for all ages. Free. crookedtree.org/event/ctac-petoskey/ open-studio-january-28

IMPROV COMEDY SHOW FOR KIDS & FAMILIES: 11am, Traverse Area District Library, TC. The Tilt Think Improv players bring stories, characters & scenes for a show intended for all ages. They’ll make up scenes & stories, on-the-spot & in-the-moment, all based on your (the audience’s) suggestions. Then, anyone who wants to learn some improv games will be invited to join in playing together in a circle. Free. tadl.org/events

MICHIGAN ICE WINE HARVEST FESTIVAL: 11am-5pm, Chateau Chantal, TC. Enjoy snowman building, ice sculptures, outdoor fire pits with roasted treats, a walking trail open for snowshoeing or skiing, samples of multiple ice wines, & more. chateauchantal.com ----------------------

SOUPER SATURDAY SOUP DAY FUNDRAISER: 11am-2pm, Interlochen Public Library. Enjoy a soup lunch with bread, crackers, dessert & a beverage. Several soup choices available. $5/person; $20/family. All proceeds benefit library programs.

SLEDDING & S’MORES: Noon-3pm, Kiwanis Park, Harbor Springs. ----------------------

AN AFTERNOON WITH LIVE RAPTORS: FULL: 1-2:30pm, Boardman River Nature

Center, TC. An interactive afternoon with live raptors. $10 adults; $5 children under 12; free for children under 2. natureiscalling.org/ events/an-afternoon-with-live-raptors

FREE YOUTH ART LAB: 1-3pm, Charlevoix Circle of Arts. Air Dry Clay for ages 10 & up. Offered in conjunction with the annual “Spotlight on Innovation” Student Art Exhibit. In this class students get to use a bit of science & art skills. Design & form a decorative tile, wall hanging piece, bowl & more. Pre-register. Free. charlevoixcircle.org/youth-art-lab

PUZZLE COMPETITION: 3-6pm, Leland Township Library, Munnecke Room, Leland. Teams, comprised of 2-3 players, will have three hours to complete a 500-piece puzzle. A prize will be awarded to the fastest team. Sign up. Free. lelandlibrary.org

BEARCUB OUTFITTERS TORCHLIGHT SNOWSHOE: 5-9pm, Camp Daggett, Petoskey. Trek across snow-covered trails illuminated by more than 100 torches. Afterwards, enjoy cocoa, cookies, & roaring fires. Free, but donations encouraged to support Camp Daggett. campdaggett.org/bearcubsnowshoe-for-daggett

sunday

PADDINGTON GETS IN A JAM: 3pm, City Opera House, TC. Paddington goes next door to borrow a cup of sugar from his neighbor, Mr. Curry, who is in a panic because he’s expecting a visit from his Great Aunt Matilda. And so, Paddington volunteers to help Mr. Curry with his to-do list before her imminent arrival. Tier 1, $30; Tier 2, $20. cityoperahouse.org/node/446

ongoing

FATHER FRED’S ANNUAL FROSTBITE FOOD DRIVE: TC. Runs Jan. 28 - Feb. 5. The main drop-off location will be Team Bob’s on the corner of Park St. & South Airport Rd. Other drop-off locations include: Tom’s West Bay, Tom’s East Bay, Tom’s 14th St., Tom’s Interlochen, as well as Oleson’s on 3 Mile & Oleson’s on Long Lake. Needed items: 5 oz. canned tuna, soups, canned or dried beans, cooking oil, pasta sauce, 5 oz. canned chicken, oatmeal, peanut butter, spaghetti or pasta, & canned fruits & vegetables. fatherfred.org

SNOWSHOES, VINES & WINES: 12-4pm, Black Star Farms, Suttons Bay. On Saturdays through the winter, explore easy to moderate trails & then warm up on the heated Terrace Patio & Hearth & Vine Café with wine & snacks. Onsite snowshoe rentals are available from noon - 4pm. Additional date includes Feb. 19, 2023. blackstarfarms.com/ snowshoes-vines-wines ----------------------

RANGER-LED SNOWSHOE HIKES: Saturdays through March at 1pm, Sleeping Bear Dunes, Philip A. Hart Visitor Center, Empire. Rangers will first provide an introduction & basic snowshoeing instructions, & then everyone will travel by car to the trailhead or area of the National Lakeshore pre-selected for that day. Once there, the ranger will help participants learn about the park’s unique features & winter’s effect on them by exploring & discovering clues on site. Plan to be outside for about two hours. nps.gov/planyourvisit/event-details.htm?id=3E7D5940-991F-BB2C-DDC71C23B7DB9C99 ----------------------

VINE TO WINE SNOWSHOE TOUR: Saturdays, noon-4pm. Enjoy a snowshoe ad-

venture through the vineyards & orchards to three wineries. The private vineyard trail connects Suttons Bay Ciders, Ciccone Vineyards, & Big Little Wines. This guided tour starts at Big Little Wines, Suttons Bay. The tour includes your snowshoe & pole rental, a catered warm lunch of chili & soups overlooking the bay, & a wine purchase pick up service. grandtraversebiketours.com/vineto-wine-snowshoe-tour.html ----------------------

STORYTIME WITH MISS COURTNEI: Traverse Area District Library, TC. Featuring music, stories, early literacy tips & more. Programs last about 30 minutes & are geared toward preschool aged children. Held each Weds. in Jan. at 11am. tadl.org/events

TADL STORYTIME FOR BIGS: Traverse Area District Library, TC. Families with preschool children are invited to join Mr. Andy for fun stories & engaging movement. Held every Thurs. in Jan. at 11am. tadl.org/events

TEEN WRITING GROUP: Traverse Area District Library, TC. The TADL teen writing group meets every Tuesday in January at 4pm. tadl.org/event/teen-writing-group-10

TADL THURSDAY TWEEN TIME: Traverse Area District Library, TC. Tweens are invited to try their hands at various arts & crafts techniques with STEAM related concepts & fun projects to make & take. Geared toward older kids, grades 3-6. Held every Thurs. in Jan. at 4pm. tadl.org/events

TODDLER TIME AT TADL: Traverse Area District Library, TC. Join Miss Michele for Toddler Time (formerly Mother Goose Time) as she leads families with young children through stories, rhymes & books. For children aged 12-36 months. Held every Tues. in Jan. at 11am. tadl.org/events

art

“SPOTLIGHT ON INNOVATION”: Charlevoix Circle of Arts. See unique works from 11th & 12th grade budding artists from Charlevoix County & the surrounding area. Featuring scholarship awards from Kendall College, & CCA prize awards. An opening reception will be held on Jan. 27 from 5-7pm. Exhibit runs through Feb. 25. Charlevoix Circle of Arts is open Mon. through Fri., 11am4pm; Sat., 11am-3pm; or by appointment. charlevoixcircle.org/exhibits-2023

A TOAST TO ARTIST JERRY GATES: Mari Vineyards, TC. Twisted Fish Gallery & Mari Vineyards present the abstracted landscapes of artist Jerry Gates. The Jerry Gates exhibit will be on display for two months. twistedfishgallery.com/event/a-toast-to-jerry-gates-atmari-vineyards-old-mission-peninsula

JUST GREAT ART!: City Opera House, TC. Runs from 10am-5pm during the week & evening events, through Jan. The group of 12 artists paint using oil, watercolor, pastel or acrylic to create their pieces. They love to depict their northwest Michigan area while painting outside, through the warm months. cityoperahouse.org ----------------------

CROOKED TREE ARTS CENTER, PETOSKEY:

- GUILD MEMBER SALON SHOW: Hundreds of original works of art by Crooked Tree Arts Center’s artists fill the galleries, including painting, photography, ceramics, jewelry, sculpture, new media & more. Runs through March 4. An opening reception will be held on Feb. 14 from 5-6:30pm. crookedtree.org/ event/ctac-petoskey/guild-member-salonshow-2023-opens-january-14

- KALEIDOSCOPE: RECENT WORK BY LINDSEY CLAIRE NEWMAN: Held in Atrium

Gallery. Lindsey’s deceptively simple mixedmedia collages reflect complex themes of time, creation, deconstruction, & motherhood. Runs through Feb. 25. crookedtree. org/event/ctac-petoskey/kaleidoscope-recent-work-lindsey-claire-newman-opensjanuary-14

CROOKED TREE ARTS CENTER, TC: - “ENTANGLED: PAPER SCULPTURES FROM ETCHING PRINTS BY DOROTHY ANDERSON GROW”: Held in the Carnegie Galleries. Dorothy Anderson Grow’s multi-layer etching prints are on display in this solo exhibition that runs through Feb. 18. crookedtree.org/event/ctac-traverse-city/ entangled-paper-sculptures-etching-printsdorothy-anderson-grow-opens

- OCCUPIED SPACES: WORK BY JUSTIN SHULL: Held in Cornwell Gallery through Feb. 18. In his solo exhibition “Occupied Spaces,” Michigan artist Justin Shull presents a series of personal meditations on the environments that we shape & inhabit, & he invites us to consider how these environments shape us in return. crookedtree.org/ event/ctac-traverse-city/occupied-spaceswork-justin-shull-opens-january-6

- TRAVERSE AREA CAMERA CLUB: 2022 AWARD WINNERS: Runs through Feb. 18 in the Carnegie Galleries. Exhibition featuring stand-out work by the Traverse Area Camera Club. crookedtree.org/event/ctactraverse-city/traverse-area-camera-club2022-award-winners

DENNOS MUSEUM CENTER, NMC, TC:

- “A RICH HISTORY: AFRICAN AMERICAN ARTISTS FROM THE MUSKEGON MUSEUM OF ART”: This exhibit highlights the growing legacy of important African American artists from the Muskegon Museum of Art’s permanent art collection & features over 75 years of artistic excellence. Runs Jan. 21 - April 2. Open Tues. through Sun., 11am-4pm.

- “US”: Teresa Dunn’s solo exhibition is a collection of her recent narrative painting series that brings voice to stories that people of color, individuals with complex cultural identities, & immigrants shared with her about their daily experience in America. Runs Jan. 21 - May 28. Open Tues. through Sun., 11am-4pm.

- “VITALITY AND CONTINUITY: ART IN THE EXPERIENCES OF ANISHINAABE, INUIT, AND PUEBLO WOMEN”: This exhibit celebrates some of the critical roles Anishinaabe, Inuit, & Pueblo women fulfill in their families, their communities, the art world, & beyond. Runs. Jan. 21 - May 19. Open Tues. through Sun., 11am-4pm. dennosmuseum.org

GLEN ARBOR ARTS CENTER:

- A FERAL HOUSEWIFE: Held in the Lobby Gallery. An exhibition of collages by Leelanau County artist Mary Beth Acosta. Runs through April 21. Acosta uses simple, familiar tools & a range of recycled, vintage papers to create collages about mid-century housewives, big-finned cars, & labor-saving appliances that were promoted as drudgerybusting machines that would revolutionize the modern home. A video interview with Acosta about her materials & methods can be seen as part of the online version of this exhibition: glenarborart.org/events/exhibit-aferal-housewife

- TELLING STORIES EXHIBIT: Held in the Main Gallery. This juried exhibition about the power of visual storytelling runs through March 23. The GAAC’s exhibitors tell their own stories in the media of photography, fiber, clay, paint, wood, collage & more. The themes behind the Telling Stories exhibit are explored in two video interviews with three Northern Michigan residents. Winter hours are Mon. through Fri., 9am-3pm, & Sat., noon-4pm. glenarborart.org/events/exhibittelling-stories-fact-fiction-otherwise

Cavity Sam Lives

On Jan. 9 in Kyiv, Ukraine, a surgeon removed an unexploded grenade from the chest cavity of a 28-year-old Ukrainian soldier, The Guardian reported. The weapon lay just below the man's heart, and two "sappers" (military engineering soldiers) were on hand during the delicate operation to neutralize the device after it was removed. Doctors were unable to use electrocoagulation, a method that controls bleeding, because of fear that the grenade might detonate. "I think this case will go down in medical textbooks," said Anton Gerashchenko, Ukraine's internal affairs ministerial adviser. No word about how the grenade ended up in the soldier's chest cavity to begin with. He will now undergo rehabilitation.

Least Competent Criminals

Two arsonists were in the hot seat -and they hadn't even been caught -- after they set fire to a Bakersfield, California, immigration services building on Jan. 2, Fox News reported. Footage from a Ring security camera captured the masked individuals as they spread gasoline around the building's base. But when one bent to light the fire, the flames spread to both people's clothes, causing them to run away screaming. The

Riders on the MAX light rail system in Gresham, Oregon, witnessed a brutal assault around 2 a.m. on Jan. 3, KPTV reported. A 78-year-old man on the train platform was attacked by another man, who "chewed off the victim's ear and part of his face," police said. "The injury was so severe that responders could see the victim's skull." The suspect did not provide investigators with a real name, but through fingerprints he was identified as Koryn Kraemer, 25, who had recently moved to the area from Georgia. He was charged with assault in the second degree.

Passengers aboard a charter flight on Jan. 8 from the Siberian city of Magan, Russia (where it was 41 degrees below zero), had to brave even more extreme temperatures when the rear door of the plane flew open in midflight, the New York Post reported. "People had their hats blown off," said Sergei Lidrik, 33, a passenger headed to Magadan on Russia's Pacific coast. One man had just unfastened his seatbelt when the door blew open, and he was nearly sucked out, along with luggage and other personal belongings. The plane, an Antonov An-26, was manufactured between 1970 and 1986. The pilot turned back to Magan and made an emergency landing, and there were no injuries.

It's Baaaacckkk

The atmospheric river battering California has another weird consequence, SFGate reported on Jan. 10. The storms are making the Golden Gate bridge eerily "sing." Nearby residents first noticed the phenomenon during summer storms in 2020, when they heard a "screeching that sounded like torture." A Building and Operating Committee report from 2020 said the cause was the retrofit of 12,000 slats on the west side of the bridge. The cost to add clips that would stop the noise is

$450,000; officials said installation is due in the coming months.

Inexplicable

In Coventry, England, someone dubbed the Cat Shaver is catching cats and shaving a square into their fur, Metro News reported on Jan. 11. Not just a small patch, either: 6-year-old Tallulah had a large bald spot on her stomach that owner Bonnie Towe noticed when her daughter picked the cat up. "Did someone take her and bring her back? Or did they do it in a car?" Towe wondered. "We did notice she wasn't going out quite as much. She mostly sits at home and looks out the window." Other victims' owners have discovered one another on Facebook, speculating that the cats are being marked as targets. But no other harm has come to any of them.

Mistaken Identity

A walker out for a stroll in Wickham, Australia, in early January came across what they thought was a dead body clothed in a tracksuit, according to ABC News. Police cordoned off the area and began an investigation, but later concluded that the remains belonged to a cow. Roeburne Police Sgt. Dale Harmer voiced his frustration: "It has caused police to use an entire day and three police officers guarding a scene for something which was never a human in the first place." And what a waste of a perfectly fine tracksuit.

Check Twice, Engrave Once

The Washington, D.C., Korean War Wall of Remembrance pays tribute to more than 36,000 American service members who were killed in that conflict. But according to The New York Times, it's also rife with misspellings and omissions. Historians Hal Barker and Edward Barker Jr. of Texas, who run the Korean War Project, call the monument "a damn mess" and say it displays more than 1,000 spelling errors, and 500 names are missing altogether. The National Park Service passed the buck to the Defense Department, which supplied the names. DOD said compiling the list was "challenging." "No one bothered to check it before they set it in stone," said Ted Barker. "But now that it has been done, we need to get it right."

Compelling Explanation

Fans of romance writer Susan Meachen were devastated in September 2020 when they read on her Facebook page, titled "The Ward," that she had taken her life in response to online bullying, CNN reported. So imagine their surprise in early January when they read a new post there, claiming to be from Meachen herself. "I debated on how to do this a million times and still not sure if it's right or not," the post read. "There's going to be tons of questions. ... My family did what they thought was best for me and I can't fault them for it. ... I am in a good place now and I am hoping to write again. Let the fun begin." When a fellow romance writer asked for an explanation, Meachen responded, "I simply want my life back." Her former assistant, Connie Ortiz, told CNN she was "devastated" by Meachen's acts. "I did not know what Susan was doing, even though we were close."

Why any critic who suffers from both robophobia (hatred of the robotic) and pediophobia (fear of dolls) would be excited about the uncanny valley that makes up the film M3GAN is hard to say, but audiences and I both seem solidly captivated by the latest psychomechanical thriller from Blumhouse, a studio factory of smart and contemporary horror franchises.

The on-screen story begins with a literal smash and a family tragedy that pairs a workaholic woman with her orphaned niece at a moment in time when she can least afford to care for her.

Distant aunt-turned-mom Gemma (Allison Williams in realistic restraint) is the single woman and brilliant engineer who wants to recreate the world in her optimistic and obsessive way at all costs. Niece Cady (played by 11-year-old Violet McGraw) is the quiet child who finds herself being cared for by someone she hardly knows as she becomes more distrustful of grown-ups for growing reasons.

To make amends for her absenteeism as a guardian, Gemma decides to combine her professional and personal lives into one. She forces Cady to become the test subject in a secret AI toy project that will change the industry forever with the launch of her creation M3GAN—not just a living doll that can play with you, but a complete ondemand companion for all your needs.

M3GAN is part affectionate Alexa that knows everything and part imaginary friend who’s come to life. Her processing power, optical and audio scanning, and increasingly nuanced understanding of power dynamics gives her a sense of how biometrics reveal even the most hidden human emotions. M3GAN quickly calculates her place in the world while self-

programming to protect her “paired” or synced child by any means necessary.

Movie magic nerds will be puzzled and dazzled by the behind-the-scenes combination of puppetry, CGI FX, androids, and live actresses of all ages that co-created the title character to chilling effect.

Cady finds in the toy an unhealthy connection she can’t let go of, and from there the film begins smashing the Turing test to pieces in ways we should have, but never did, imagine. The saucy and sometimes bloody plot is eerily possible, as AI crosses over to a point of quasiconsciousness powered by the superspeed of machine learning. Along the way, it’s also quite fun, thanks in large part to the talents of director Gerard Johnstone and writers Akela Cooper and James Wan.

While there is some tongue-in-cheek attitude at work with the greedy toy company rushing the untested product to market (and unleashing the power of giant new technologies without fully understanding what they may actually be capable of), the rest of the tone looks and feels a lot like the real-world madness of Crispr or Elon Musk’s cavalier Tesla bravado.

There’s a haunting recognition to it all, even if you’ve just been glancing at the now explosive headlines about the speed of AI programming that produces writing, artwork, and other humanoid creations all without our egos, personalities, or imaginations. (That may explain why just days after its release, the film had provoked front page stories in both The Los Angeles Times and The New York Times.)

M3GAN’s power is that it taps into an uneasiness we’re now coming face-to-face with, but it does so with popcorn-movie style, speed, and entertainment…tricking us so we never even see what’s coming.

KILKENNY'S IRISH PUBLIC HOUSE, TC

1/20-21 – E Quality, 9:30

1/25 – The Pocket, 8

1/27 – Life Theory, 9:30

1/28 – Jesse Jefferson, 9:30

LEFT FOOT CHARLEY, TC

BARREL ROOM:

1/23 -- Barrels & Beats w/ Rob Coonrod, 6-9

TASTING ROOM: 5-7:

1/21 -- Weston Buchan

1/28 -- Mountain Gloom and Mountain Glory

LIL BO, TC

Tues. – Trivia, 8-10

Weds. – Aldrich, 9 Sun. – Karaoke, 8

MIDDLECOAST BREWING CO., TC

1/27 -- Rhett & John, 6-9

NORTH BAR TC

1/21 – Nick Vasquez, 8-11

1/22 – Chris Smith, 5-8

1/25 – Jesse Jefferson, 8-11

1/26 – Drew Hale, 8-11

1/27 – Miriam Pico, 8-11

1/28 – Jazz Cabbage, 8-11 1/29 – Chris Smith, 5-8

THE LITTLE FLEET, TC

1/25 -- Endless Summer w/ DJ Dusty Staircase, 3-10

THE WORKSHOP BREWING CO., TC

1/21 -- Funky Uncle, 7

1/23 -- Big Fun Jam Band, 6 1/24 -- Open Mic & Musical

Emmet & Cheboygan

Talent Showcase, 7 1/25 -- Jazz Show & Jam, 6 1/27 -- DJ Ras Marco D, 7 1/28 -- East Bay Drive, 7

THIRSTY FISH SPORTS GRILLE, TC Tues. – Trivia, 7-9

UNION STREET STATION, TC

1/21 -- Rolling Dirty, 10 1/22 & 1/29 -- Open Mic, 6-9 1/24 -- Open Mic Comedy, 8-9:30; then Karaoke 1/25 -- 1 Wave DJs, 10 1/26 -- DJ PRIM, 10

1/27 -- Happy Hour w/ Jet Beasley; then 1000 Watt Trio 1/28 -- 1000 Watt Trio, 10

nitelife

Leelanau & Benzie

BEL LAGO VINEYARD & WINERY, CEDAR

1/28 -- Bel Lago UnpluggedBob Roberts, 3-5

CICCONE VINEYARD & WINERY, SUTTONS BAY

1/22 -- Loose Change, 2:304:30

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

1/21 -- Rhett & John

1/28 -- Boone Doggies

VISTA LOUNGE:

DICK'S POUR HOUSE, LAKE LEELANAU

Sat. -- Karaoke, 10-1

FIVE SHORES BREWING, BEULAH

Fri -- Open Mic Night Hosted by Andy Littlefield, 6-8

IRON FISH DISTILLERY, THOMPSONVILLE 5-7:

1/21 – Wink

1/27 – Nick Veine

1/28 – Elizabeth Landry

LAKE ANN BREWING CO. 6:30-9:30:

ST. AMBROSE CELLARS, BEULAH

1/21 -- Beauville, 5-8

1/26 -- Open Mic Night w/ Jeff Louwsma, 5:30-8:30

1/27 -- Luke Woltanski, 5-8

1/28 -- Pete Jackson, 5-8

SHADY LANE CELLARS, SUTTONS BAY

1/27 -- Friday Night Live w/ Clint Weaner, 5:30-8:30

STORMCLOUD BREWING CO., FRANKFORT

1/27 -- Tim Jones, 7-9

BEARDS BREWERY, PETOSKEY

ROOT CELLAR:

1/21 -- Lara Fullford, 6

1/22 -- Eliza Thorp, 6

1/25 -- Open Mic Nite w/ Host Charlie Millard, 6

1/28 -- Peter Jensen, 6-9

1/29 -- Celtic & Traditional Irish Session Players, 5

BOYNE VALLEY VINEYARDS, PETOSKEY 2-6:

1/21 -- Tyler Parkin 1/28 -- Chris Calleja

ALPINE TAVERN & EATERY, GAYLORD 6-9: 1/21

CITY PARK GRILL, PETOSKEY

1/27 -- Annex Karaoke, 9:30

MAMMOTH DISTILLING, BAY HARBOR / 7-10: 1/27 -- Sean Megoran 1/28 -- Jessica Dominic

ODAWA CASINO RESORT, PETOSKEY VICTORIES, 9: 1/21 & 1/28 -- DJ 1/27 -- Crosscut Kings

THE BEAU, CHEBOYGAN 8:

1/21 -- Nate King 1/28 -- The Lonely Pines

THE NOGGIN ROOM PUB, PETOSKEY 7-10: 1/21 -- Michelle Chenard 1/27 -- Todd Aldrich 1/28 -- Sunny Bleau

1/21 -- Dominic Fortuna, 2-5; Austin Benzing Trio, 8-11

1/27 -- Bermuda Triangle, 8-11 1/28 -- Nick Vasquez, 2-5; Drew Hale Band, 8-11

ETHANOLOGY, ELK RAPIDS

1/21 & 1/28 -- Winter Music Series, 7-10

HELLO VINO, BELLAIRE 6:30-9:30:

Otsego, Crawford & Central

BENNETHUM'S NORTHERN

BIG BUCK BREWERY, GAYLORD

1/28 -- David Lawston, 6-9

1/21 -- The Pistil Whips 1/27 -- David Lawston 1/28 -- Darrell Boger

1/21 -- Jack Pine Band

1/27 -- Jonathon North & John Kumjian

1/28 -- Niemisto & Villoch

Antrim & Charlevoix

MUSKRAT DISTILLING, BOYNE CITY

1/28 -- Reelin' N' Rollin' w/ DJ Franck, 7-10

PROVISIONS WINE LOUNGE, BOYNE CITY 6-8: 1/21 -- The Shifties

UPRIVER'S SLICE OF MUSIC, BENZONIA

1/25 -- Gabi, 6-8

1/25 -- Nelson Olstrom

SHORT'S BREW PUB, BELLAIRE 8-10:30:

1/21 -- Ted Bounty 1/27 -- The Reverend Jesse Ray

BY ROB BREZSNY

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): In this horoscope, I offer you wisdom from Capricorn storyteller Michael Meade. It’s a rousing meditation for you in the coming months. Here's Meade: "The genius inside a person wants activity. It’s connected to the stars; it wants to burn and it wants to create and it has gifts to give. That is the nature of inner genius." For your homework, Capricorn, write a page of ideas about what your genius consists of. Throughout 2023, I believe you will express your unique talents and blessings and gifts more than you ever have before.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Shakespeare's work has been translated from his native English into many languages. But the books of Virgo detective novelist Agatha Christie have been translated far more than the Bard’s. (More info: tinyurl. com/ChristieTranslations.) Let's make Christie your inspirational role model for the next four weeks. In my astrological estimation, you will have an extraordinary capacity to communicate with a wide variety of people. Your ability to serve as a mediator and go-between and translator will be at a peak. Use your superpower wisely and with glee!

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Libran musician Franz Liszt (1811–1886) was a prolific and influential genius who created and played music with deep feeling. He was also physically attractive and charismatic. When he performed, some people in the audience swooned and sighed loudly as they threw their clothes and jewelry on stage. But there was another side of Liszt. He was a generous and attentive teacher for hundreds of piano students, and always offered his lessons free of charge. He also served as a mentor and benefactor for many renowned composers, including Wagner, Chopin, and Berlioz. I propose we make Liszt your inspirational role model for the next 11 months. May he rouse you to express yourself with flair and excellence, even as you shower your blessings on worthy recipients.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): "All the world's a stage," Shakespeare wrote, "and all the men and women merely players." That's always true, but it will be even more intensely accurate for you in the coming weeks. High-level pretending and performing will be happening. The plot twists may revolve around clandestine machinations and secret agendas. It will be vital for you to listen for what people are NOT saying as well as the hidden and symbolic meanings behind what they are saying. But beyond all those cautionary reminders, predict the stories you witness and are part of will often be interesting and fun.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): This may risk being controversial, but in the coming weeks, I'm giving you cosmic authorization to engage in what might appear to be cultural appropriation. Blame it on the planets! They are telling me that to expand your mind and heart in just the right ways, you should seek inspiration and teaching from an array of cultures and traditions. So I encourage you to listen to West African music and read Chinese poetry in translation and gaze at the art of Indigenous Australians. Sing Kabbalistic songs and say Lakota prayers and intone Buddhist chants. These are just suggestions. I will leave it to your imagination as you absorb a host of fascinating influences that amaze and delight and educate you.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Greek writer Nikos Kazantzakis (1883–1957) was nominated nine times for the prestigious Nobel Prize in Literature, but never won. He almost broke through in the last year of his life, but French author Albert Camus beat him by one vote. Camus said Kazantzakis was "a hundred times more" deserving of the award than himself. will make a wild prediction about you in the coming months, Aquarius. If there has been anything about your destiny that resembles Kazantzakis's, chances are good that it will finally shift. Are you ready to embrace the gratification and responsibility of prime appreciation?

PISCES (Feb 19-March 20): Piscean educator Parker Palmer has a crucial message for you to meditate on in the coming weeks. Read it tenderly, please. Make it your homing signal. He said, "Solitude does not necessarily mean living apart from others; rather, it means never living apart

from one's self. It is not about the absence of other people—it is about being fully present to ourselves, whether or not we are with others. Community does not necessarily mean living face-to-face with others; rather, it means never losing the awareness that we are connected to each other."

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Noah Webster ((1758–1843) worked for years to create the first definitive American dictionary. It became a cornucopia of revelation for poet Emily Dickinson (1830-1886). She said that for many years it was her "only companion." One biographer wrote, "The dictionary was no mere reference book to her; she read it as a priest his breviary—over and over, page by page, with utter absorption." Now would be a favorable time for you to get intimate with a comparable mother lode, Aries. I would love to see you find or identify a resource that will continually inspire you for the rest of 2023.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): "The aspects of things that are most important for us are hidden because of their simplicity and familiarity." So declared Taurus philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein in his book Philosophical Investigations. Luckily for you Tauruses, you have a natural knack for making sure that important things don't get buried or neglected, no matter how simple and familiar they are. And you'll be exceptionally skilled at this superpower during the next four weeks. I hope you will be gracious as you wield it to enhance the lives of everyone you care about. All of us non-Bulls will benefit from the nudges you offer as we make our course corrections.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Poet Carolyn Kizer said the main subject of her work was this: "You cannot meet someone for a moment, or even cast eyes on someone in the street, without changing." I agree with her. The people we encounter and the influences they exert make it hard to stay fixed in our attitudes and behavior. And the people we know well have even more profound transformative effects. I encourage you to celebrate this truth in the coming weeks. Thrive on it. Be extra hungry for and appreciative of all the prods you get to transcend who you used to be and become who you need to be.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): If you have any interest in temporarily impersonating a Scorpio, the coming weeks will be a favorable time to play around. Encounters with good, spooky magic will be available. More easily than usual, you could enjoy altered states that tickle your soul with provocative insights. Are you curious about the mysteries of intense, almost obsessive passion? Have you wondered if there might be ways to deal creatively and constructively with your personal darkness? All these perks could be yours—and more. Here's another exotic pleasure you may want to explore: that half-forbidden zone where dazzling heights overlap with the churning depths. You are hereby invited to tap into the erotic pleasures of spiritual experiments and the spiritual pleasures of erotic experiments.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): The circle can and will be complete—if you're willing to let it find its own way of completing itself. But I'm a bit worried that an outdated part of you may cling to the hope of a perfection that's neither desirable nor possible. To that outdated part of you, I say this: Trust that the Future You will thrive on the seeming imperfections that arise. Trust that the imperfections will be like the lead that the Future You will alchemically transmute into gold. The completed circle can't be and shouldn't be immaculate and flawless.

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