May 1, 2023 Northern Express

FALLING SHORT ON HOUSING

Can innovative apartment projects solve NoMi’s housing crisis?

+ Local construction industry woes

+ Renovating a 1900s schoolhouse

+ Décor trends: barnwood & Petoskey stones

“The

Talk”

My daughter had “the talk” with my 10- and 15-year-old grandsons a couple weeks ago. Oh, not that talk. This one was following the killing at The Covenant School in Nashville of three students and three adults at the hands of yet another school shooter.

Sadly, it wasn’t the first time they’ve had this talk. My grandchildren have grown up with active shooter drills as a part of their school experience. And certainly, the numerous school shootings during their years in classrooms have created, at some level for them and their fellow students, a culture of fear.

The talk that they shared this time included a strong conversation with my sensitive, caring, 10-year-old grandson about how he needed to get himself out of the school, if the situation allowed him to escape, rather than trying to locate his friends and make sure they were safe. He ultimately agreed and affirmed he understood, but it was very apparent that he really couldn’t imagine leaving without knowing his friends were okay.

In 2023, we continue to have more mass shootings than days on the calendar. Republican lawmakers from Benzie County, and across the country as a whole, continue to vote against virtually every commonsense measure designed to limit access to guns and to quell the violence. I am grateful for the effort of our Democratic leaders who are working tirelessly to create a safer world.

I hope for the day when parents will no longer need to hold this particular talk with their kids.

William Haggard | Lake Ann Thanks for the Veggies

I am a member of the VegMichigan group, and on behalf of our nonprofit organization, I would like to extend a “thank you!” to our local businesses and restaurants for their support of a plant-based lifestyle that, even if only practiced occasionally, helps our earth take those periodic deep breaths that we all need.

While there are a handful of restaurants that offer plant-based options on their menus, we hope to see more in the future. We would specifically like to extend our appreciation to Oryana Food Co-op and Edson Farms Market & Deli for their amazing support of plant-based lifestyles by carrying a large variety of plant-based products, offering cooking classes, and generously providing a space for our local monthly VegMichigan group to meet.

I would also like to send a big shout out of thanks to Stone Hound Brewing Company for offering a completely vegan menu. We are big fans and currently hold our monthly fun meetings there. Also to Third Coast Bakery & Coffee for being a great all-vegan and gluten-free bakery. Their great lattes are also made with plant-based milk options. And to Milk and Honey for offering a variety of vegan ice cream and menu options.

Sharon Vandenabeele | Traverse City

Fixing the Farm Bill

The 2023 Farm Bill is currently being negotiated in Washington. It is one of our best opportunities to fix our broken food system.

For too long, the Farm Bill has been used to subsidize factory farms at the expense of farmers, animals, and the environment. Michigan provides a stark example on this issue. The number of factory farms, also known as CAFOs (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations) in our state has more than quadrupled between 1997 and 2017. Michigan is now home to nearly 300 CAFOs.

Local nonprofit For Love of Water reports “a single, large CAFO produces one-anda-half times more untreated waste than the human sanitary waste produced by the cities of Ann Arbor, Dearborn, Detroit, Flint, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Lansing, Saginaw, Traverse City, and Warren combined.”

Because of weak regulation, these CAFOS are allowed to spread “400 million tons of solid manure, and 4 billion gallons of raw, untreated liquid animal feces and urine—5,000 to 7,000 gallons per acre—on 600,000 acres across Michigan” according to Bridge Michigan (Sept. 2022).

This waste is contaminating our rivers, streams, and lakes. CAFOs are one of the reasons why Lake Erie now turns green with toxic algal blooms every summer and E. coli contamination is widespread in our waterways.

The 2023 Farm Bill must begin the critical work of shifting federal dollars away from industrialized agriculture toward a more sustainable, humane, and resilient food system. To accomplish this, we need Congress to adopt the Farm System Reform Act (S. 271 / H.R. 797) and the Industrial Agriculture Accountability Act (S. 272/ H.R. 805) and to include these provisions in the 2023 Farm Bill.

Schey

| Traverse City

Editor: Jillian Manning

Finance Manager: Libby Shutler Distribution Manager: Roger Racine

: Lisa Gillespie, Kaitlyn Nance, Michele Young, Todd Norris, Abby Walton Porter, Caroline Bloemer

ad sales in Petoskey, Harbor Springs, Boyne & Charlevoix, call (231) 838-6948

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top ten

Strolling the Sidewalk Sale

It’s a big week, month, and year for Black Star Farms in Suttons Bay. The winery is celebrating 25 years, and they’re toasting the anniversary with all kinds of special events. This week, you can catch their Vertical Wine Tasting ($25) on Saturday, May 6, at 1:30pm at their Suttons Bay location. This tasting is focused on Pinot Noir grapes and features four vintages—one current, three from their cellar—for attendees to sample. If Pinot isn’t your thing, there’s a Top-Tier Wine Tasting ($30) the day before with five premium pours of red, white, and bubbly wines. While you’re there, don’t miss getting reservations for Mother’s Day Brunch on May 14—$50 for adults, $20 for kids 4-12, and free for littles under 3. And last but not least, mark your calendars for the spring opening of on-site restaurant Bistro Polaris, home to Mediterranean fare, on May 25. Find all the details on events, wine, and food at blackstarfarms.com.

Hey, Watch It! The Last Thing He Told Me

What if the person you married wasn’t who you thought they were? Hannah and Owen are still in their honeymoon phase after a year and change, with their only source of tension coming from Owen’s teenage daughter, Bailey, who still isn’t on board with her new stepmother. But when Owen disappears in the wake of an FBI bust at his tech company—leaving behind only a duffle bag of cash and cryptic notes for his wife and daughter—Hannah begins to wonder if she ever knew her husband at all. Soon, Hannah and Bailey discover they’re in danger, too, and the duo go in search of the truth about Owen. Jennifer Garner (Hannah) and Aisha Tyler (her best friend, Jules) bring the star power to this miniseries, and we always applaud performances by actress-to-watch Angourie Rice (Bailey). Based on the bestselling thriller of the same name by author

Spring has officially sprung, and that means The Manitou is open for business. Established in 1979, this seasonal hot spot in Honor is known for cozy vibes and rustic fine dining, headlined by its popular selection of fresh walleye. Sourced locally from Big Stone Bay Fishery, this regular feature is offered several ways—including broiled or beer-battered and fried—but our go-to is the simple sauté. Each eight-to-ten-ounce filet is griddled in butter and garlic until golden and served with your choice of potato side (get the au gratin and thank us later) or rotating veggies, as well as a cup of soup or side salad. Pair it with a Sleeping Bear cocktail—that’s Iron Fish gin with honey and lemon—rinse, and repeat until the next snowfall. Grab a plate for $33.95 at The Manitou Restaurant in Honor (4349 N. Scenic Hwy). Reservations are optional, but recommended. (231) 882-4761, themanitourestaurant.com

6 Making Art for Mom

Mother’s Day is just around the corner—order those flowers!—and The Katydid in Petoskey is making sure you have the perfect gift planned. This Sunday, May 7, they’re offering a partner painting class for you and Mom (or you and a friend!), where you’ll each create separate works that become a masterpiece when you put them together. The class is taught by local artist Karen Mazzoline and begins at 2pm ($35 per person). If you have Sunday plans, wait one more day for Monday’s 3D floral watercolor class, led by Molly McCarthy. This class is all about depth and dimension to help your watercolor paintings leap off the page. Catch the class at 6pm on May 8 (also $35 per person). Find The Katydid at 305 East Lake Street in Petoskey next door to Grandpa Shorter’s. Get more details and sign up for your class by visiting grandpashorters.com (select In-Store Events on the top menu) or calling (231) 347-2603.

Off to the Races!

Local race promoters, you’re on deck!

In June, Northern Express will print our annual summer race calendar packed with events for runners, bikers, swimmers, and paddlers from June through September. (These are the months also known as the fair-weather-fan months for those of us who are better at spectating than racing.) Want to have your northern Michigan competition included? On your mark: Open an email to events@traverseticker.com. Get set: Include the race name, race date(s), race location, website address for race information, and the website address for online registration (if different). Go: Click send! We’ll be collecting submissions now until May 24, so get to the starting line and send your info our way. Note: Only races in Northern Express’ 13-county northern Michigan readership area will be considered: Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Benzie, Antrim, Manistee, Wexford, Missaukee, Kalkaska, Crawford, Antrim, Otsego, Charlevoix, Emmet, and Cheboygan.

LESSONS IN LIFE

The National Writers Series welcomes bestselling debut novelist Bonnie Garmus. Her new book, Lessons in Chemistry is an amazing and important book about a brilliant chemist who faces sexual discrimination at every level of her career. It’s also about a single mom, a cooking show, rowing, and a dog named Six-Thirty. Delightful and inspiring, soon to be a major Apple TV series.

Join NWS at Lars Hockstad Auditorium on May 9 at 7:00 pm (+ livestream) for a conversation with Garmus and guest host Cynthia Canty, former host of Stateside Radio.

For tickets, visit NationalWritersSeries.org

Stuff We Love: The Composting Cycle Grows

Over a decade ago, eight-year-old Carter Schmidt started Carter’s Compost, a composting service for his neighbors in downtown Traverse City. (You may remember Carter from our very first Fascinating People issue!) The Carter’s Compost team biked around the neighborhood to pick up food scraps to the tune of 47,000+ pounds over the years and more than 20 metric tons of CO2 avoided. Carter is now off studying abroad and planning his next adventures, but that wasn’t the end of the business, as TC local Megan Alexander took up the composting call in 2022. Now, the business is ready to grow again. Alexander recently announced she is expanding the program, which has long had two downtown pick-up options, to also include a drop-off site on Old Mission Peninsula in partnership with Lightwell Lavender Farm and a pick-up site at Historic Barns Park in partnership with SEEDS. To sign up for a subscription or learn more about the new Carter’s Compost locations, head to carterscompost.com.

bottoms up Low Bar’s The Boss

It’s hard to say what we love most about this drink, a one-of-a-kind staple at Traverse City’s Low Bar. The most noticeable attribute, as you can see from the photo, is the presentation. Bartenders deliver The Boss ($16) to your table in a smoke-filled bottle, after which it’s up to you to decide how long you’ll wait before uncorking the bottle and pouring the drink. The longer you wait, the more smoke flavor will seep into the cocktail, which is a winning combination of mezcal, cognac, Heering cherry liqueur, and Gran Gala (an orange liqueur). We adore that mix of flavors and how the sweetness of the fruity liquors seems to deepen with the addition of all that smoke. Last but not least, we love the name of the drink, which is slick and cool just like the cocktail itself; we’re choosing to believe that whoever dreamed this one up was a big Springsteen fan. Find The Boss (the cocktail, not Bruce) at 128 S. Union St. in Traverse City. (231) 944-5397, lowbartc.com

Jeff Haas Quartet

LEADERSHIP IGNORING REALITY

spectator

By Stephen Tuttle

The Michigan Republican Party is very close to losing its way, at least at the top. They seem to have no overriding philosophy or political ideology. Like the Democrat party, the GOP mostly begs for money they can use to attack the other party. But the Republicans have gone completely off the rails and away from issues of importance to Michigan residents. If their current leadership is truly reflective of Michigan Republicans, they are in deep, deep trouble come election time.

She has said public schools are “government indoctrination camps” and that abortion is a “satanic practice” of “child sacrifice.” She has compared gun registration and red flag laws to the Holocaust. She claims a Beyoncé album cover is an attempt to convert Black Americans to paganism. She has claimed that yoga is a “satanic ritual” and that demonic possession is real and can be transferred from one person to another through “intimate relationships.”

Thursday, May 4th 6-8:30pm (doors 5:30)

Republicans took a serious beating at the polls in Michigan in 2022. They lost control of both the state House and Senate for the first time in nearly 40 years. In response to their historical beatdown—in addition to gaining control of both houses of the legislature, Democrats easily reelected the governor, attorney general, secretary of state, and maintained control of the state supreme court—Republicans made an odd choice to chair the state party apparatus. Very odd, though they didn’t really have many top-notch candidates.

It came down to a pair of election-deniers, Kristina Karamo and Matthew DePerno, both of whom lost their own statewide races and no wonder.

Both Karamo and DePerno were, and are, Trump True Believers and major election losers. DePerno lost his bid for attorney general by more than 150,000 votes, and Karamo lost her race for secretary of state by a recordbreaking 14 percentage points and a whopping 600,000 votes. Neither opted to concede their races, joining Trump, Arizona’s Kari Lake, and a handful of other defeated Republicans around the country ignoring reality, claiming fraud, and continuing to whistle into the wind.

(Let’s take a moment to discuss election concessions which, in a word, are meaningless. They have no constitutional or statutory basis at any level and have no impact on an election outcome. In fact, states require all votes be counted, canvassed, and certified whether somebody concedes or not. It is actually possible for a candidate to concede and still win once all votes are counted. Concessions are a courtesy and nothing more.)

Kristina Karamo defeated Matthew DePerno at the GOP convention and is now the Chair of the Michigan Republican Party. She is an unusual choice to lead any legitimate organization.

An election-denier and conspiracy theorist, Karamo is a proud anti-vaxxer, bragging she’s only ever received one vaccine as a child. She is somehow in favor of inoculations, which she does not understand are basically the same as vaccinations.

You’d think that would all be quite wacky enough, but you would be very wrong. Karamo has publicly said that accepting gay and transgender Americans will lead directly to pedophilia. She referred to leaders of Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests as “Marxist witches,” and calls evolution “one of the biggest scams in human history.” And she compared the media to Nazis and said Republicans would be rounded up and either killed or put in camps to die.

All of that is just a small sample of Karamo’s unusual and destructive views which have been widely reported.

It should be noted her opponent for the party leadership role was no day at the beach himself. Matthew DePerno, another election-denier and leader of completely unsuccessful efforts to find and prove voter fraud in the 2020 elections, has his own checkered past. He was fired from a law firm in 2005 for padding bills, has been accused of keeping settlement money meant for clients, and was even accused of assaulting a client in a dispute over his billing practices. DePerno claimed all of it was either simple misunderstandings or actions that were normal in contentious legal proceedings. He also orchestrated the case claiming voter, or voter machine, fraud in Antrim County, which was eventually dismissed for a total lack of evidence.

This is where Michigan Republicans find themselves today, led by a chair who has little interest in real issues and plenty of interest in fringe conspiracies and other odd notions. To be sure, there are Republicans at local levels focused on inflation, debt reduction, protecting our national interests, rational gun registration, and issues important to a constituency not so much interested in paganism or other flights of fancy.

They will be best served by focusing on local races and simply ignoring leadership that has lost touch with both real issues and actual reality.

The Republicans have gone completely off the rails and away from issues of importance to Michigan residents. If their current leadership is truly reflective of Michigan Republicans, they are in deep, deep trouble come election time.

Food from Edson Farms Complementary wine from Chateau Chantal Suggested donation $20

with Lisa Flahive and the CHS Jazz Band Thomas Vieira, director

featuring Laurie Sears

HUG

guest opinion

by Cathye Williams

During April, nature lovers across Michigan took part in many Earth and Arbor Day activities. There were film screenings, recycling drives, bird hikes, and beach clean-ups. For those who like to get their hands dirty, there were plenty of opportunities to plant trees—a cornerstone of Earth Day celebrations.

We place so much hope in these beloved trees, it’s no wonder the term “tree-hugger” emerged as a name for environmentalists. Back in the ’60s and ’70s, the mildly derisive term conjured up images of hippies prancing in the woods, hugging trees and eating granola. It was condescending to be sure.

Today the term is still an insult, flung at anyone who believes we should preserve and protect nature. Today’s tree-huggers are people from all walks of life. They are dismissed as being part of the “woke mob” because they challenge those who exploit Earth’s resources and challenge the systemic imbalance of wealth and power that enables and exacerbates the exploitation.

You can call me a woke tree-hugger anytime. I will always be in awe of trees. Their power is immersed in a sprawling, complex story still unfolding…including a chapter where they solve climate change.

Decades ago, scientists delved under the forest floor and discovered a vast, delicate web of microscopic fungal filaments that colonize tree roots and reach into the surrounding soil. Dubbed the “wood wide web,” this fungi network is thought to aid the exchange of water, minerals, and nutrients in the soil for sugars and other carbon molecules in the tree.

Scientists are exploring whether this network can send signals, through chemical or electric impulses, to other trees in the forest to help them adapt and survive external threats. Researchers are studying many aspects of the web to learn how the exchanges work, which organisms benefit, and how the networks differ across the globe (The New York Times Nov. 2022). Understanding these processes and managing forests accordingly could help forests thrive and may also optimize their carbon storage capacity.

This storage process begins on the other end of the tree, high above the forest floor, where photosynthesis transforms energy from sunlight and CO2 from the atmosphere into fuel, building the trees’ structure and storing carbon in their biomass.

Why is this important? Climate science tells us that to slow global warming, we must both drastically cut carbon emissions and draw as much CO2 from the atmosphere as we can. Studies estimate the U.S. needs to increase carbon sequestration substantially and that most of the increase will come from trees, which currently account for

95 percent of U.S. carbon sequestration annually (Science May 2022).

This means we need to plant new forests and protect the forests we already have. We can do this by using climate-smart forest management, protecting forests from fires and invasive species, and restoring them quickly after a disaster. We can also sequester carbon by putting trees back on pasturelands that we cleared them from ages ago, a practice called silvopasture. Trees are incorporated into livestock management on these lands, providing shade for the animals and improving the soil and the plants that they graze on (USDA).

Wondrously, the durable wood products we take from the forest can store carbon for decades in buildings and other things we make from them. Using more wood and fewer carbon intensive materials like concrete and steel can reduce a structure’s footprint by a third (Journal of Building Engineering 2019). The Inflation Reduction Act provided $100 million for wood innovation grants to identify even more uses and markets for timber (Citizens Climate Lobby Policy Agenda).

Finally, planting trees in urban areas will stash more carbon and has many benefits for people in those communities. Shade from trees reduces energy use in hot weather. Trees improve air quality by removing pollutants. They also filter pollutants in groundwater, store rainwater, and prevent soil erosion. They support biodiversity.

Trees in urban areas reduce noise pollution, increase property values, and improve economic viability (ReLeaf Michigan). During heat waves, trees can reduce city temperatures by as much as 10 degrees. Urban greening also addresses tree equity— an environmental justice concern—by increasing the percentage of the tree canopy found in poor communities and communities of color. Currently, these neighborhoods lag behind their wealthier and majority white counterparts in tree coverage by 41 and 33 percent respectively.

What can tree-huggers do to help? Talk to your representatives about pending federal legislation like the FOREST Act, which will restrict the sale of goods from illegally deforested land, and the Growing Climate Solutions Act, which helps farmers and foresters benefit financially from using regenerative growing methods. Talk to local leaders and work with community groups to explore funding for tree planting.

Even if hugging isn’t your thing, try to spend some time with these giant wonders. They’re also good for your mental health!

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.

231-334-2758

6675 W. Western Ave., Glen Arbor

OWN A SLICE OF EMPIRE IN LEELANAU COUNTY

Creme de la Weird

The Mondaiji Con Cafe Daku (loosely translated: Problem Child Concept Cafe) in Sapporo, Japan, was forced to fire one of its waitresses in April after she was discovered to be adding her own blood to cocktails, the Daily Mail reported. The cafe owner called her actions "absolutely not acceptable" and said the establishment would close while every drinking glass was replaced. "We will hire a contractor to clean the store, change glasses and dispose of alcoholic beverages that may have been contaminated," he said. He called her actions "part-time job terrorism." A local doctor said anyone who had patronized the cafe should visit a doctor and have a blood test.

It's a Mystery

Over the last several months, Don Powell and his wife, Nancy, have been puzzling over uninvited inhabitants of their fancy mailbox in Orchard Lake, Michigan. USA Today reported that in August 2022, two small dolls, a miniature couch and a small table appeared in the mailbox, which is custom-built to resemble the Powells' home, with windows and a solarpowered interior light that comes on at night. The dolls were accompanied by a note: "We've decided to live here. Mary and Shelley." Powell thought a neighbor might be spoofing him, but after exhaustive investigatory work, he's no closer to knowing the source of the figures. Over time, the home gained a four-poster bed, a dog, a rug and art for the wall. "The whole thing got rather whimsical," Powell said. At Halloween, Mary and Shelley were replaced by two skeleton dolls dressed in black, and at Christmas, tiny, wrapped gifts appeared. Now, Powell is thinking of writing a children's book about the mailbox mystery. "I think it creates a novel story," he said.

The Continuing Crisis

Angel Footman, 23, a teacher at Griffin Middle School in Tallahassee, Florida, was arrested on April 7 and charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor, the New York Post reported. The charges came after school administrators learned Footman was allegedly hosting violent brawls between students in her classroom. Naturally, she set down rules: no recordings, and no pulling hair. No screaming (draws attention). Fights must be limited to 30 seconds each. However, several sixth-grade girls alerted administrators, and video turned up showing Footman at her desk while students fought each other. She's scheduled for arraignment in May.

Bright Idea

Drivers along Interstate 5 near Eugene, Oregon, were startled on April 11 to see $100 bills floating through the air, Fox News reported. In fact, many cars stopped along the highway to grab the loot. When the Oregon State Police tracked down the source, it was Colin Davis McCarthy, who told them he'd been throwing the money out of his car to "bless others." He said he thought he'd dispersed around $200,000. The OSP later revealed that McCarthy's family had been in touch; he had depleted a shared family bank account for his Robin Hood moment.

News That Sounds Like a Joke

Northern Railway in England has made a specific appeal to its riders: Please stop

watching porn on the train. The Mirror reported that Northern provides "Friendly Wi-fi," which meets (apparently the bare) minimum filtering standards. Tricia Williams, chief operating officer, said people should remember that "some content is not suitable for everyone to see or hear -- particularly children." While the company understands that the ride may be "the first opportunity to view content," commuters should "wait until you get home."

Precocious

Anthony Guglielmi, chief of communications for the Secret Service, told CNN on April 18 that a toddler was able to breach the fence around the White House, setting off security alarms. The "curious young visitor" crawled through the fence posts on the north side and was quickly apprehended by Secret Service police officers, who reunited him with his parents. Perhaps he's considering a bid for 2052.

Update

Last week, News of the Weird reported that former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger had taken street maintenance matters into his own hands and filled a pothole in his neighborhood. His good deed turned out to be an "oops" moment, though, according to the Associated Press. The "pothole" was actually a utility trench that had been temporarily filled by Southern California Gas Co. and was set to be fixed permanently later. SoCal Gas said rain had delayed the permanent paving. The Terminator tweeted, "Teamwork. Happy to help speed this up."

Questionable Judgment

Parents of students at Desert Hills Middle School in Kennewick, Washington, are questioning the thinking behind a school assembly activity that took place before spring break, YakTriNews reported. The game involved a large piece of clear plexiglass with stripes of whipped cream sprayed on both sides; teams of students and staff competed to see who could lick the cream off both sides at the same time, making it appear as if the two people were kissing. District Superintendent Dr. Traci Pierce sent a letter to parents on April 12, which assured them that "The content of a video being shared on social media is highly concerning" and the activity "does not reflect the high standards we hold for our staff members." An investigation is underway.

Nyet Olga Slegina, 70, was hit with a fine of about $500 on April 18 in Moscow for a remark she made in December about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Daily Mail reported. While speaking with another woman at a care home in Nalchik, Slegina called Zelenskyy, 45, a "handsome young man" with a "good sense of humor." That's a no-no in Russia; the Code of Administrative Offenses, introduced in March 2022, characterized her comment as "discrediting" the Russian military. Slegina was told that three people reported her over the discussion, and she was taken to a police station and told she had "praised Zelenskyy." She was unable to attend the trial due to health reasons and intends to file an appeal.

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Press Freedom Here and Abroad

By Ren Brabenec

The World Press Freedom Index assesses the state of journalism in 180 countries and territories. In 2022, a record number of countries—28 of them—were ranked “very bad” for press freedom, including Russia, China, and Iran, as well as North Korea, which placed dead last in the rankings at No. 180.

Perhaps that list of countries doesn’t surprise you. But if you thought the United States would be ranked in the top spot—we’re the land of the free, after all—then you will be surprised.

The U.S. came in at No. 42, meaning we’re not even in the top 20 percent of those 180 countries. Reporters Without Borders, which compiles the World Press Freedom Index, says “In the United States, once considered a model for press freedom and free speech, press freedom violations are increasing at a troubling rate.”

This month, Northwestern Michigan College’s International Affairs Forum (IAF) will seek some answers about press freedom in our country and abroad.

Joyce Barnathan, former president of the International Center for Journalists and winner of five Overseas Press Club Awards and the National Headliner Award, will speak at IAF’s World Press Freedom Event on May 10 at Dennos Museum. Barnathan will draw on her background as a journalist in Moscow and Hong Kong to address the importance of press freedom, rising threats to a free press here and abroad, and signs of hope.

A Canary in the Coal Mine

The press and those who work in it— journalists, reporters, editors, publishers— are often called the “Fourth Estate” for their critical role in reporting on and holding to account other power structures within the nation, a moniker Barnathan finds fitting.

“Journalism is a canary in the coal mine for whether democracy thrives or not,” she says. “It’s the first place autocrats go to crack down on dissent, because autocrats want to close-off vibrant discussion and debate. They don’t want to be challenged by reporters who might air their malfeasance for citizens to see. When you see crackdowns on journalism, you know democracy is on the line.”

As news stories from March of this year broke with headlines of an American citizen

and journalist, Evan Gershkovich, being wrongfully detained by Russia’s Federal Security Service on espionage charges, it’s clear there is trouble on the horizon regarding international press freedom.

Having served as the State Department correspondent and Moscow Bureau Chief for Newsweek, Barnathan is all too familiar with the chilling nature of this return to Cold Warstyle tactics.

“Russia just grabbed an American journalist,” she says. “That hasn’t occurred since 1986 when I happened to be reporting from Moscow. Back then, an American journalist named Nicholas Daniloff was detained by the Soviet Union. My colleagues and I were on pins and needles, wondering if we’d be next.”

Gershkovich’s detainment is just the most recent event in what’s becoming an episodic series featuring frequent attacks on the freedom of the press around the globe.

“Authoritarian leaders are on the rise worldwide, and they don’t always achieve power through military coups,” Barnathan explains. “Sometimes they’re elected democratically. Once elected, they often try to change the rules to stay in power. Once the press starts reporting on their actions, autocrats attack the press. We have to watch out for what’s happening in these countries and ensure the same doesn’t happen here.”

The Voices of the Media

The fact that the United States is getting the equivalent of a C+ in the World Press Freedom Index seems like it could be something of a wake-up call. Their report finds that “While most major media outlets in the United States operate free from government interference, many popular outlets are owned by a small handful of wealthy individuals” and that “in a diverse global media landscape, local news has declined significantly in recent years.”

As the media landscape evolves, Barnathan points to nonprofit media organizations that “are doing truly incredible work,” naming ProPublica, the Marshall Project, the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project, the International Center for Journalists (where Barnathan worked for 15 years), and the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists that brought us the Panama Papers.

“These are independent, investigative journalism groups that are creating valuable news media networks,” she says. “Further, such networks enable journalists at small outlets in countries that have poor press freedom rankings to get their stories out and published to an international audience.”

Barnathan sees the rise of these journalism groups as a sign of hope, especially when considering largescale layoffs and closures of newspapers around the country. Gannett—the largest newspaper publisher in the country with brands like USA Today and Michigan’s own Detroit Free Press—has laid off 600 people since August 2022. Last year, The New York Times reported that over 360 newspapers had gone out of business “since just before the start of the pandemic,” and The Washington Post wrote in 2021 that 2,200 papers had closed since 2005.

But even when the going gets tough, Barnathan says most good journalists simply don’t give up. She points to the 2018 shooting at the offices of Annapolis’ Capital Gazette , where a gunman angry with the newspaper killed five newspaper employees and injured several others. After that tragedy, a group of journalists came together to create the Fallen Journalists Memorial Foundation, an organization that’s supporting a memorial to journalists who have given their lives in the pursuit of truth.

“This memorial will be a place where Americans from all walks of life can come and learn about the importance of press freedom and its critical role in our democracy,” says Barnathan.

The Future of Democracy

When she gives her presentation in Traverse City, Barnathan will be hosted by Gene Gibbons, event moderator and former Reuters chief White House correspondent and United Press International reporter.

“The U.S. doesn’t rank as well as it used to in terms of press freedom,” says Gibbons, mentioning our low World Press Freedom Index ranking. “We used to be the gold standard for press freedom, but we’ve seen several encroachments on freedom of the press in recent years. If we don’t have robust and aggressive press institutions that hold the powerful to account, our First Amendment is all the weaker for it.”

Disinformation/misinformation and legal curbs on the press are of particular concern to Gibbons.

“From Fox News anchors admitting they lied to their viewers about the 2020 election being stolen to bills on the docket in Florida that would restrict bloggers from writing about the government without prior authorization; disinformation/ misinformation coupled with efforts to suppress the press are highly concerning,” says Gibbons. “Americans should know about these efforts, and they should demand transparency from their media sources while simultaneously demanding respect for the First Amendment from their legislators.”

Barnathan seconds that sentiment. “There is much that citizens, journalists, and lawmakers can do to protect press freedom,” she says.

She recommends everyday news readers fact-check their media sources and not simply consume media that tells them what they want to hear. Lawmakers should set regulations on nascent technologies that may make it more difficult to discern verified information from misinformation. New technology like AI and social media can provide groundbreaking ways to tell compelling news stories, but only if such tools are utilized with journalistic integrity and a ruthless dedication to legitimacy.

“The U.S. has a vibrant press, and not many countries have constitutionallyprotected freedom of the press as we do,” says Barnathan. “That distinguishes us in many ways, but we shouldn’t take that freedom for granted. As we witness the rise of authoritarian leaders across the world and flirtations with authoritarianism here at home, we need to be even more mindful of our First Amendment rights. The future of our democracy depends on it.”

About the Event

The World Press Freedom Event is presented by NMC’s International Affairs Forum. The event will take place on Wednesday, May 10, at Dennos Museum’s Milliken Auditorium. Reception is at 5:30pm; the presentation begins at 6:30pm. Hybrid event includes in-person and livestream options. To purchase $15 in-person tickets or register for livestream access, visit tciaf. com. This program is free to IAF members and NMC + area secondary school students and teachers.

Renowned journalist Joyce Barnathan discusses press freedom and its importance to democracy

Gene Gibbons Joyce Barnathan

WHAT’S THE STORY WITH APARTMENTS?

A look at three multi-unit developments across the North

By Ross Boissoneau

It’s no secret there’s a need for housing everywhere across northern Michigan. Areas such as Leelanau County and Boyne City are white-hot, with homes selling within days of being listed, and the rest of the region isn’t far behind.

During the Great Recession, the construction industry crumbled, and when the economy recovered, there weren’t enough skilled trades workers to keep up with demand. The pandemic further exacerbated the challenge, as even more people moved to the region to work remotely.

For developers, it’s typically more cost-effective to construct higher-end properties. Investors may purchase properties for short-term rentals, taking more inventory out of the market.

The problem has become acute for lower- and middle-income families and workers, especially those who work in downtowns. Subsequently, many people end up living far from their work and commuting for an hour or more.

Addressing the challenge can take time, money, and will. There are some who are trying to do so with multi-unit apartment projects, focused at least in part on workforce housing. Here we look at three such projects in different parts of northern Michigan.

THE MICHIGAN MAPLE BLOCK COMPANY PROPERTY Petoskey

For more than a century, the Michigan Maple Block Company was one of the stalwart manufacturers in Petoskey. When it closed down in early 2020, not only did it impact the families of the employees there, but it also left a sizable property vacant.

Now, the hope is that like a phoenix rising from the ashes, a 200-unit development will be constructed at the 12-acre site. Indiana-based Great Lakes Capital, a real estate development and private equity firm, has agreed to construct an apartment complex with approximately 200 units. Each of the buildings will be a three-story walkup with one- and two-bedroom apartments.

Petoskey Chamber of Commerce President Nikki Devitt says Petoskey hasn’t had any kind of multi-unit housing built since the Great Recession, and it is badly needed. “If people can’t live and work in the same [place], it’s not conducive to thriving communities,” she says.

Andrea Jacobs, the Housing Ready program director for Emmet County, concurs. “To have … hundreds of units is significant. The lack of inventory is an issue,” she says. Jacobs adds the fact that this development is repurposing what she calls a beloved former employer makes this all the more important.

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) saw the site’s development potential, and Great Lakes Capital agreed. Jeff Smoke, Great Lakes Capital managing director, said repurposing an obsolete site combined with the need for workforce housing makes it appealing to the company.

Devitt is optimistic this project will come to fruition. “I’ve seen so many come through the pipeline and stall,” she laments. She says the Michigan Maple Block Company location is perfect for such a development. It is near North Central Michigan College and downtown and connects to trails and the river.

Doug Mansfield, president of Mansfield Land Use Consultants, says the project has a recommendation from the planning commission to proceed to full design, which could be completed in June. If all proceeds as hoped for, he anticipates breaking ground this fall. Some of the project could then be completed and be ready for occupancy as soon as spring of 2024.

“It’s a really cool opportunity for Petoskey to grow outside the downtown,” says Jacobs. She believes that the cooperative efforts among the developer, the chamber of commerce, Housing Ready, and government entities could set the stage for additional development.

Devitt too believes that if this project is successful, it will draw others. “It could be a catalyst for more. Working with MSHDA [Michigan State Housing Development Authority] or the MEDC puts us in a position where government and developers see success,” she says.

LOT O Traverse City

Jonathan Stimson, executive director of Homestretch Housing, champions the development of city Lot O—currently a parking lot—into a multi-unit downtown housing project. Homestretch is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that to date has built 118 affordable housing units.

Stimson and Homestretch hope to make the Lot O project environmentally as well as economically responsible. He says net zero, low carbon, LEED v4-qualified construction

and mandated resident recycling will be key considerations, as well as supporting other transportation modes by offering bike storage on-site or other options to mitigate the use and storage of automobiles. Preference will be given to income-qualified employees and workforce in the city.

Stimson says the benefits of the project will extend beyond those who are able to live there. He believes the entire downtown will benefit in a number of ways, including increased business and revenue, a ground floor retail space, an increased employment base, and stormwater retention for greywater—aka water that has already been used.

The project has received support from many individuals and entities. They include former city manager Marty Colburn, the Downtown Development Authority, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency, Northwest Michigan Coalition to End Homelessness, Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities, Housing North, and Goodwill Northern Michigan. Stimson compares the process to building the Mackinac Bridge. Lest that sound ludicrous, he positions the project’s similarities not in terms of engineering,

but in procuring the financing needed. “Like building the Mackinac Bridge or the Civic Center, financing is the issue. Once we fulfill this issue, affordable housing will be the bridge Traverse City needs to be successful.”

The timeline extends out to 2025 and as such remains fluid. The hope is that by the end of October this year, fundraising, entitlements, architectural, engineering, and bidding will all be complete. If that’s the case, construction is anticipated to begin in April 2024 and conclude by September 2025, with occupancy the following month.

HILLCREST VILLAGE

Manistee

Surprise! This development is completed. And, no surprise at all, it is completely rented out.

A partnership between Hollander Development of Kalamazoo and the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians, the mixedincome development boasts 45 one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments and stacked flats, all for households earning between 30 percent and 120 percent of the area’s median income.

The project was a redevelopment of a former school site and boasts a key consideration of walkability, as the city’s downtown shopping, parks, schools, beach, theater, and restaurants are all within strolling distance.

Jason Muniz, vice president of Hollander Management, says the company met Little River Band representatives at a conference several years ago and began discussions. “We were the first to partner with a tribe,” Muniz says, noting other such partnerships have since followed.

The tribe talked with the company

about its needs for housing, and Hollander Management was familiar with the area, having worked on other developments in the Manistee area. They worked together to secure funding—Muniz says there are incentives for Native American housing— and were eventually able to proceed.

“It’s been years in the making,” he says. The company began construction in October 2020 and completed the project last year. The response from the community has been positive, and the fact the apartments are all leased speaks to the continued need.

Marc Miller, director of economic

development for the Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce, says finding enough employees is a challenge for businesses throughout the area. “There’s a labor problem; we don’t have enough people to work the jobs we’re creating,” he says, noting that one reason is because there isn’t anywhere for new employees to live.

He’s hopeful Hillcrest Village is just part of a much-needed wave of development. “We’re actively pursuing other opportunities. There’s so much need for … seniors, workforce, affordable housing,” Miller says.

Bringing The Lewis School Back to Life

By Laurel Manke

In June 2020, Liza Polaskey and her fiancé, Connor Brown, purchased The Lewis School, a historic one-room schoolhouse near Kalkaska. The white, wooden building has deep roots in the community and is situated near land with a meaningful connection to Brown’s family.

For the past three years, Polaskey and Brown have poured their hearts and souls into making the landmark their home Up North and restoring the building’s history as a hub for education and community. After a year and a half of commuting from Detroit to work on the schoolhouse, Polaskey and Brown officially moved into the schoolhouse in 2022.

Today, the landmark is not only habitable but also well on its way to complete restoration. It is freshly painted and insulated with a cheery interior, and the one-room, studio-style living quarters are warmed by a woodstove and filled to the brim with inviting seating areas, books, antiques, musical instruments, Polaskey's art studio, charming vintage kitchen appliances, and a dreamy selection of loose-leaf teas.

This Up North home—surrounded by ample room for gardening and rambling in the woods—is a dream come true for the couple, who had been looking for a place to call their own.

Making an Unexpected Purchase

“We always came Up North a lot for visits, camping, and visiting family,” Brown explains.

Brown’s aunts, uncle, father, and grandparents all owned property surrounding The Lewis School, including 400 acres of woods and a nearby family

farmhouse.

Though Polaskey and Brown knew they wanted to move north, they didn’t expect to take on the renovation of a 115-yearold schoolhouse. In fact, purchasing the schoolhouse wasn’t even their idea, as the property wasn’t for sale. It was Brown’s father’s idea to ask about buying The Lewis School.

“We thought it was an interesting idea, to restore a historic building,” Brown recalls. He and Polaskey also liked the idea of being close to the land that had been so special to Brown’s family since his grandfather first purchased his farm there in 1949.

Serendipitously, when Brown’s father asked the current schoolhouse owners if they would be open to selling, the owners replied that they were eager to move on, as they had other hobbies occupying their time. After a visit to the property in February 2020, the couple closed on the schoolhouse in June of that year.

Restoring History

After closing on the property, the real adventure began. Over the past century, layers and layers of ceiling, flooring, paint, and even walls had accumulated within the schoolhouse. Restoring the building to its original glory required peeling back those layers.

When Polaskey and Brown first took ownership of the school, it had two separate entrances and two bathrooms. It also had partitioned half-walls that previous owners added to create rooms within the schoolhouse. Part of the renovation included downsizing to one bathroom and tearing down the walls to bring the school back to its original, one-room form.

They started by painting the exterior and gutting the interior, spray-foam insulating

the walls, and salvaging building materials along the way.

One of the greatest renovation triumphs was unearthing the building’s beautiful original wood floors. Reviving the floors required peeling back laminate flooring and scraping away a tar-like adhesive. Underneath, the wood floors tell stories of their own—including markings where desks were screwed into the floor and even burn marks from the day a student’s sweater had caught fire and made the local newspaper.

Other highlights of the reno include adding white-washed wall boards using materials original to the schoolhouse and prominently displaying a piece of the building’s original ornate white tin ceiling as a kitchen backsplash. (The tin ceiling

could not be maintained overall due to water damage.)

Digging into the Past

The couple didn’t just incorporate the building’s physical history into their restoration efforts—they’ve also brought in the history of the people who used the schoolhouse. It is clear from Poloskey’s piles of newspaper clippings and photocopies from the local archives and local history books that she cares deeply about connecting with and sharing the history of the building.

“I’ve even run across mentions of Connor’s grandfather Kingsley Brown’s farm, and one day, his visit to the schoolhouse to entertain students with a puppet show,” Polaskey tells us.

The original Lewis School was built in 1880 but burned down sometime thereafter and was rebuilt in 1905. The structure on the property today began operating as a school that same year. In its glory days, it functioned as a school and a community center, hosting holiday functions and community events.

Low enrollment led to the school’s closure in 1960, at which point it was put up for auction. The building was purchased in 1967 and again in the 1990s by the downstate couple Polaskey and Brown purchased from. Polaskey and Brown are the schoolhouse’s third owners and the first to try restoring it.

Creating a Community Fixture

From the start, Polaskey and Brown had a vision to not only bring the schoolhouse to life as their home, but also as a community gathering space. They are in the process of finalizing paperwork to make the schoolhouse a nonprofit organization where

they can host groups and events, in-house concerts, and youth programming.

“One-room schoolhouses weren’t just for school children—they were a place people could gather when they needed help, for meals, movies, and get togethers,” Polaskey says.

Polaskey and Brown want to bring that community character back to the schoolhouse and plan to do so by leveraging their passions—community resilience, music, art, and permaculture. Brown works as a legal aid, and Polaskey has a background in art education. She is a professional artist (find her art at pickmeuppress.com) and sells prints locally. Her work uses materials found in nature, and her studio is strewn with natural-made dyes and pressed plants.

“Art is much more accessible when the materials are affordable. We want to offer after-school programs like printmaking and plant pressing to bring art to rural areas like Kalkaska,” Polaskey explains.

Connecting with the Great Outdoors

The pair also hope to engage youth and community in education outside the walls of the schoolhouse. Polaskey and Brown want to bring people to the property to enjoy and learn about native plants and permaculture. “We are working on building a food forest and have planted an abundance of fruit trees,” Brown explains.

Brown adds that they are following in the footsteps of conservationists in his family, recalling that his grandfather was a conservation officer and that his family has planted hundreds if not thousands of trees on their property over the years through Michigan’s Qualified Forestry Program.

The couple’s interest in gardening began before they moved north, and they knew they wanted to explore it in Kalkaska. “When we lived in Detroit, we started getting into gardening,” Polaskey says. “We turned our backyard into a cornfield and kept bees.”

Now, they have much more room to grow. Although the schoolhouse building itself only sits on about an acre, Polaskey and Brown have free reign to use the 40 acres adjacent to the property, which are owned by Brown’s family. They’ve already started their planting endeavors, and the lawn of the schoolhouse is dotted with young fruit trees that they hope someday provide ingredients for local wild wines and produce to sell at farmers markets.

When asked what is next up on the project list, Polaskey and Brown smile and agree no renovation project is ever “done” and that the list is endless. As temperatures warm, their sights are set on outdoor projects, like irrigation and planting more native plants to build a diverse and self-sustaining ecosystem.

Stay tuned to @thelewisschool on Instagram to learn more about renovations and programming as The Lewis School establishes its status as a nonprofit organization.

A TALE OF TWO DEVELOPMENTS

How tiny houses and a wellness center are redefining how northern Michigan real estate projects look

By Craig Manning

They’re two of the most unique and widely discussed developments in recent northern Michigan memory: The first, a community of tiny houses that has now been gestating for more than five years; the second, a wellness resort in Leelanau County that’s unlike anything currently operating in the region. This week, Northern Express takes a look at these two one-of-a-kind projects, their winding roads toward development, and when (or if?) locals might expect to see them finished.

KOTI: A Tiny House Village Years in The Making

It was all the way back in December 2017 when The Ticker, sister publication to Northern Express, broke the news that local businessman Dan Kelly (owner of Catering by Kelly’s) was planning to build a new condominium complex in Acme Township. The vision at the time was to build 156 single-unit condos, which Kelly described as “microflats,” along with more than 50,000 square feet of commercial and office space. The development spans nearly 20 acres of land off M-72.

Dubbed KOTI—which is Finnish for “home”—Kelly’s development was initially pitched toward real estate investors. In late 2018, Kelly hosted potential buyers at the Williamsburg Event Center to present floor plans and discuss investment potential. Kelly said at the time that his concept was to create a “two-fold deal” for buyers, where

they could “own a condo as an individual home” if they so wished, but also put it into a short-term rental pool to be managed by the KOTI team.

While Kelly originally hoped to break ground on the project in 2019, start dates got pushed back and were eventually delayed even further by the arrival of the pandemic. Construction has been underway at the site since June 2021, though, and phase one of the buildout— which spans 32 structures, including an administrative office and the first batch of housing units—is nearly complete. Kelly’s target is to finish the first phase in time for the 2023 summer tourism season.

When KOTI does launch, it won’t do so with Kelly’s initial vision. Rather than being sold to investors and then offered as part of a rental pool, all KOTI flats will remain owned by Kelly and his team, who will manage the units in-house as short-term vacation rentals.

KOTI is currently taking reservations for this summer via its website, kotiexperience. com. Right now, the booking system lists 16 two or three-bedroom units for rent, with first availability starting on June 1.

For a two-bedroom microflat, prices will range from $325 per night during the January-April “low season” and reach $571 per night during the June 1 to Sept. 4 high season. High-season rentals carry a sevennight minimum booking, while the rest of the year only requires a two-night minimum. For a three-bedroom unit, rates jump to $400 on the low end and $642 on the high end.

In addition to the residential units, KOTI is putting in a new restaurant and beer garden at the former Stained Glass Cabinet Company building on the premises. That part of the project is slated for completion sometime this summer. A second phase of residential units are expected to come online in spring 2024, while the mixed-use commercial piece of the puzzle will come at a later date.

One of the biggest controversies in Leelanau County in 2023 has been the debate over Wellevity, the new wellness resort concept that has been proposed for the top of the Timberlee property in Elmwood Township. If built, the development would bring a hotel, residences, spa services, a restaurant and bar, and other amenities to one of Leelanau

Wellevity: Northern Michigan’s Most Controversial Development Project?

KOTI tiny houses under construction in winter 2022-23.

County’s most desirable hilltops.

But a vocal contingent of local residents has pushed back against the project, arguing that it would have an enormously negative impact on their neighborhoods and should therefore be blocked by the township planning commission.

The developers of Wellevity are currently seeking a special use permit (SUP) from Elmwood Township to develop approximately 100 vacant acres in a district zoned “rural-resort.” The project is described in township application materials as “a full-service wellness resort that will address the core components of health, wellness, and thriving to create an environment of self-care and healing.” The resort would purportedly offer “all facets of holistic wellness in one place,” including fitness classes, spa services, guided meditation, yoga, wellness retail, and more.

“You no longer need to go to a gym, a special grocery store, and a spa to achieve balance,” Wellevity proclaims in its SUP application. “[Wellevity] is a place of learning, support, relaxation, connection with nature, movement, and tranquility. Our goal is to create a place where the community can gather with friends and family and make healthy decisions together.”

If approved, Wellevity will boast multiple hospitality-related components and amenities, all owned and operated by the resort. Those components include a spa and fitness center, a “meditation dome,” a retail market, a restaurant and bar, a multi-use event space, a greenhouse, outdoor pavilions for weddings and other celebrations, cabins and cottages available for rent, a kids’ club, and a main lodge with hotel guest room accommodations.

While the property would offer lodging—township materials indicate 30 guest rooms between the lodge and the spa buildings, as well as 20 cabins and cottages encompassing a total of 58 rooms—the Wellevity application repeatedly stresses that the concept is more “community center” than hotel. The majority of amenities and services proposed would be open to anyone, not just overnight guests, and the property’s trails and outdoor recreation areas would be available for the public to use at any time, free of charge.

Finally, Wellevity plans to offer multiuse spaces both in and outdoors for business conventions, retreats, classes, family reunions, weddings, and other events. Application materials note that musical

options “such as a DJ, acoustic or amplified bands may be offered in these spaces,” but that Wellevity would always “intend to maintain a peaceful and serene environment on campus” and would align its outdoor music hours with other venues in Elmwood Township.

Despite the developer’s attempts to offer features and amenities that might appeal to locals, the response to the Wellevity proposal by nearby property owners has been overwhelmingly negative. Since January, meetings of the Elmwood Township Planning Commission have been dominated by discussion about Wellevity. In public comment, locals have raised concerns about everything from light and noise pollution to environmental impacts.

While residents have identified numerous complaints about the Wellevity plan, the core sticking point in the debate so far concerns the developer’s plans to use a pair of private neighborhood roads—Cottonwood Drive and Timberwoods Drive—as access routes for the resort. Residents argue that their roads are not sufficient to serve a major resort development, and that allowing the project to proceed would lead to wear and tear, excessive traffic, safety concerns for pedestrians, and more.

Currently, township planning commissioners are trying to decide whether to side with the developers or the residents. On Tuesday, April 18, commissioners deliberated for two hours about the resort proposal, but ultimately adjourned before making a final decision.

Instead, the main news at that meeting was a vote by commissioners to allow Lauren Teichner—an attorney representing a group of roughly 100 neighbors who oppose the Wellevity project—to present findings of fact related to the township’s zoning standards. Teichner claims that the development does not meet zoning requirements and should therefore be denied its SUP request.

It is likely that the zoning will ulti mately prove to be the crux of the matter: Regardless of resident opinions, if planning commissioners find that the Wellevity project does in fact meet township zoning standards, they are required by law to approve the SUP application.

Teichner will present her arguments at an upcoming special meeting of the Elmwood Township Planning Commission, scheduled for 6:30pm on Wednesday, May 24, at the Elmwood Township Fire Station.

HOME IMPROVEMENT, THE NATURAL WAY

Old barnwood and older Petoskey stones find their way into design and décor

By Geri Dietze

What’s your style? Hip and earthy? Sophisticated and minimal? Current decorating trends are embracing natural materials, colors, and finishes, and they are finding their way into a variety of design styles. Because today, if it comes from terra firma, it’s cool. Below, read about two northern Michigan craftsmen who have found their niche, and with it, an enthusiastic customer base.

ARTIST, VISIONARY, CONSERVATIONIST

Petoskey Stone Tile & More

Charlevoix’s Fred Falting is something of a renaissance man, and his wide-ranging interests and enthusiasms tumble out in conversation. He’s an art school graduate, a former automotive design specialist, a proud veteran, and a protector of wildlife. (A quick Google search will tell you about his efforts to protect our local eagle population.)

Now, Falting is using his art and design background to fashion décor and design elements from Petoskey stone, aka hexagonaria percarinata, the ancient coral fossil that is showing up in some high-end homes in unexpected ways.

Falting loves introducing others to Petoskey stones. At shows and events he will meet people from all over the world, and they all are “blown away” by the stone’s unique beauty. “You don’t have to be from Michigan to appreciate this stone,” he says.

Falting began small with organic shaped Petoskey stones atop high-grade stainless wine stoppers that he marketed as corporate boardroom gifts. It was a lucrative gig until COVID shut down the boardrooms. But from there, things have progressed, and there seems to be no limit to what Falting can create, from mosaic tiles to subway-style rectangles to design elements which retain their organic stone shapes.

Think backsplashes and countertops, shower surrounds and floors, but also drawer and cupboard pulls, switch-plates and soap dishes. Falting has created stone installations which can be backlit for dramatic effect, from ceiling lights to switch plates. Jobs range from a couple of hundred dollars to many, many thousands.

When asked whether he has environmental concerns about working with this native rock, Falting states that the Petoskey stone is “absolutely not an endangered stone,” and that beachgoers will continue to find the eponymous treasures every year after the seasonal storms. (In fact, geologists have determined that a section of the northern portion of the lower peninsula, from Leland to the northern tip and all the way across to the Alpena area is solid coral fossil.)

Falting’s stone comes from a handful of sources who pull the stone from quarries. “I jump through serious hoops” he says, to make sure that his Petoskey stone comes from reputable sources, rather than the “bad apples” who believe it is their right to trespass on private land. Occasionally, he sources a cache of stone from a family, the kind of collection which builds slowly, generation by generation, after strolls on the beach.

Find Petoskey Stone Tile and More at 3773 Marion Center Rd. in Charlevoix. (586) 604-8473, petoskeystonetileandmore.com

ONE MAN’S BARN IS ANOTHER MAN’S ACCENT WALL

Lake Ann Barnwood

Bad aphorism aside, there is a real calling for repurposed barnwood as designers and homeowners look to access natural materials for their projects. The go-to source in these parts is Joe Harrison at Lake Ann Barnwood, which began as a backyard business around 2017.

Harrison, a licensed builder who learned the trade from his father, has gradually transitioned from new-home construction and remodels to barn deconstruction, as his respect for the material informs his artistic sensibility. Harrison is, at once, an environmentalist and conservationist, an archeologist and historian, a curator and a storyteller, with a reverence for these materials that have seen a century or more of life.

“We can’t replicate this type of wood,” he says, and adds that upcycling leads to more than just building materials. There are “stories” in the wood—the saw marks, nicks, and sometimes initials—which “opens up a dialogue with the owner” or begins a search for more information.

Harrison estimates that he stores up to 100,000 board feet of reclaimed lumber and is looking to expand his facility this summer. He has two full-time employees and adds more as needed. Lake Ann Barnwood has shipped product nationally, but less now as the local demand heats up.

The bulk of Harrison’s business comes from property owners who have structures that are insurance liabilities or are just unwanted. But, unlike demolition, deconstruction is a more time consuming and exacting process. Every piece has potential value, from the boards to the vintage nails and hinges, barn door sliding trolleys, weathervanes, and tin roofs. Lake Ann Barnwood will tackle any building or barn that is at least 75 years old.

(Conversely, as much as Harrison would like to restore barns for some clients, the cost is prohibitive, something that he learned the hard way when a barn repair went thousands of dollars over the estimate. Those looking to restore their structures should visit the Michigan Barn Preservation Network.)

The lumber Harrison salvages is typically 120-130 years old—often ranging from the 1880s to the 1920s—and, in this region, is primarily white pine, whose vast forests once covered the state. Of course, old wood required serious cleaning. Brush cleaning and debugging brings the boards back, exposing their true character and unique qualities. “We take the last 50 years off, and keep the first 50 years,” Harrison says.

Lake Ann Barnwood offers restored lumber as well as custom items and installation. Options range from accent walls to full paneling; trims and wainscotting; bathroom vanities, kitchen islands, and built-ins; or furniture pieces of all types including farmhouse and trestle tables, benches, and canopy beds.

He sees upcycled barnwood as a perennial favorite. “I really don’t think it has ever gone out of style,” he says, “but it’s definitely trending now.”

Find Lake Ann Barnwood at 1765 Park Drive in Traverse City. (231) 640-4248, lakeannbarnwood.com

120 feet of private frontage on all sports Spider Lake. Largest part of Spider Lake, sunshine on the beach all day, sandy bottom. Quality construction, perfectly maintained. Open floor plan w/ soaring vaulted pine ceiling w/ a wall of windows looking out to the lake. Floor-to-ceiling, natural Michigan stone, wood burning fireplace w/ Heatilator vents. Built in bookcases in separate area of living room for cozy reading center. Finished family room w/ woodstove. Detached garage has complete studio, kitchen, workshop, 1 ½ baths & its own deck. 2 docks, large deck on main house, patio, lakeside deck, bon-fire pit & multiple sets of stairs. Extensively landscaped w/ plants & flowers conducive to all the wildlife that surrounds the area. (1791482) $570,000.

Woodsy setting with a beautiful view of Duck Lake & the westerly sunsets. Shared Duck Lake frontage within a very short walking distance at the end of the road. Large wrap-around multi-level decks in the spacious yard that backs up to a creek. Open floor plan. Master with cozy reading area, 2 closets, slider out to deck. Maple crown molding in kitchen & hall. Hickory & bamboo flooring in main level bedrooms. Built in armoire & dresser in 2nd bedroom. 6 panel doors. Finished family room in walk-out lower level. MLS#1798048 $220,000.

Great west side location in Lone Tree II, a private, quiet, tree lined development 2 miles from downtown TC & walking distance to West Senior HS. Duplex style 4 BR, 3 bath condo w/ a fabulous open floor plan, kitchen, living, dining rooms all flow together for seamless entertaining & gatherings. Wood floors, gas f/p, farm sink, granite counters, electric Hunter Douglas blinds, ceiling fans, many high-end features. Plenty of large windows for natural light. Main floor primary bedroom & laundry. Duplex units are separated by the garages. Finished lower level for additional space. Private back deck w/ electric awning. Beautiful landscaping. Paved walking path & trails in the development. (1910342) $540,000.

Making What Was Old New Again

BUILDING BLUES

Hiring challenges, soaring material costs, and building demand are putting pressure on the construction industry

By Jillian Manning

The construction industry has been on a roller-coaster ride for the past three years, from an all-time low in jobs and projects in spring of 2020; to a flurry of building activity to meet pent-up demand; to frustrating snafus with supply chain issues.

And that’s to say nothing of the nationwide hiring dilemma in the skilled trades. While some of those struggles mentioned above have been resolved since the onset of the pandemic, bringing people to the construction field continues to be an uphill battle.

With all that in mind, what will it take for the industry to return to business as usual? We looked at national and statewide trends and asked local employment experts and business owners what they think will move the needle.

Priority No. 1: Finding Workers

The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) found in their 2022 workforce survey “91 percent of construction firms [are] having a hard time finding workers to hire, driving up costs and project delays.”

Lauren Tucker, executive officer of the Home Builders Association Grand Traverse Area, agrees the local hiring outlook is challenging for construction businesses.

“The biggest challenge is the shortage of skilled labor,” she says. “This is not a new issue to the construction industry, on both sides—residential and commercial. There are

many causes; the recession in 2008 caused many tradespeople to close up shop, and sadly most have not returned to the workforce. We have told young people for years that they need to go to college to make something of themselves, while there are respectable and lucrative careers in the skilled trades that you can begin learning and earning the day you graduate high school.”

To incentivize entry into the field, construction companies have gotten creative.

The AGC survey found that 29 percent of respondents have lowered hiring standards (e.g., education, training, employment, arrest record, drug use or testing policy); 42 percent have initiated or increased spending on training and professional development; and 86 percent have increased base pay rates.

construction employment is projected to grow 4 percent, which is about as fast as the average for all occupations.

There’s even more momentum happening in our area. Rob Dickinson, business services regional director at Northwest Michigan Works!, says construction jobs grew at an average rate of 6.5 percent from 2019 to 2022 and accounted for 7.5 percent of jobs in the northwest Michigan job market.

“Construction continues to project high demand,” Dickinson says. “Shortterm projections through 2023 show the construction industry the third highest growth industry in Michigan, behind only leisure and hospitality and professional and business services. Long-term projections through 2030 see the construction industry

The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) found in their 2022 workforce survey “91 percent of construction firms [are] having a hard time finding workers to hire, driving up costs and project delays.”

Those changes are necessary to address the growing demand for construction jobs.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that nationwide “about 723,400 openings each year, on average, are projected to come from growth and replacement needs” from 2021 to 2031 for construction and extraction occupations. In that decade, overall

losing a few spots, with growth projected to be the sixth highest growth industry in Michigan.”

Dickinson echoes the sentiment that employers are focusing on better job incentives, noting that hiring and retention strategies for northern Michigan construction businesses also include

offering apprenticeships and professional development in addition to higher pay, more benefits, referral bonuses, and loyalty bonuses for staying longer than six or 12 months.

But even with all of those incentives, Dickinson still says it’s not easy to fill jobs. “Issues that our local employers are facing include not having the talent pool they once had, trouble attracting the talent that is present, and when the talent shows up, they don’t have the necessary skill set,” he says of the challenges employers face. “Other contributing factors that are hitting the industry as well are the lack of affordable housing, lack of transportation, and higher daycare costs. Families are making decisions based on these issues, and construction employers in northwest Michigan are losing out.”

Priority No. 2: Managing Costs

As construction businesses struggle to find employees, they also struggle to source building materials. Supply chain issues, material shortages, and soaring costs created a perfect storm in 2021, and though 2022 was more stable, the monetary ripple effect has been felt from suppliers to builders to homebuyers.

The drastic shift in lumber prices is a case-in-point example of the problem.

Trading Economics, which provides global historical data and forecasts for more than 20 million economic indicators, recorded the cost of lumber from 2018 to early 2020 as ranging from $304 to $639

per 1,000 board feet. Then, in conjunction with the pandemic-fueled decline in the construction job market, the price of lumber plummeted in April 2020 to $264.

That’s when the real trouble began. Prices climbed for the rest of 2020, then skyrocketed to $1,686 in May 2021—a 538 percent increase in just over one year—with another peak of $1,464 in March 2022. Those were the two biggest spikes in Trading Economics’ 25-year tracking history, and they happened when homeowners were undertaking tons of renovations and new builds, especially Up North as more people moved to the area or were living out of their summer homes.

Mike Tucker, president of Kingsley Lumber, says that lumber prices have now returned to a “new normal,” trending 20-30 percent higher than pre-pandemic levels. (At the time of publication, lumber prices currently sit at $353 per 1,000 board feet.)

But even though prices are more predictable now, the damage has been done. According to the National Association of Home Builders, “volatile prices of lumber products in recent years have caused the average price of a new single-family home to increase by more than $14,000.”

Those price increases in turn have a direct effect on new building projects. In AGC’s workforce survey, 58 percent of respondents cited increasing costs as a reason upcoming or expected projects had to be canceled, postponed, or scaled back.

Mike Tucker adds that while some lumber mills had a windfall in revenue, contractors have been burned by the huge swings in lumber prices.

“Contractors were often in fixed price contracts, which required them to absorb their rising costs without the ability to pass

along these added costs to the homeowner,” he explains. “Not only were they feeling the inflationary pressures in their businesses, but with huge interruptions in the supply chain, a lot of contractors couldn’t finish projects on time due to the increased lead times, leading to projects taking way longer and in turn slowing the cash flow cycle of their businesses.”

(Now, with lumber prices coming back down, the script has been flipped, and he says “they are using mill shutdowns and curtailments as a tool to keep the lumber prices high” to keep mill profits flowing.)

Priority No. 3: Building More

A tough hiring market and high business costs don’t seem like they would add up to more homes being built, especially at affordable prices for the buyer. But that’s what Michigan needs.

A national housing report from Habitat for Humanity in 2022 estimates that Michigan is short 87,000 homes, and the Michigan

Economic Development Corporation shares that “Michigan’s Statewide Housing Plan estimates that 75,000 new homes need to be built every year just to keep up with demand.” But we aren’t keeping pace. The Home Builders Association of Michigan forecasted that only 17,114 single-family home permits would be issued in 2022 (final numbers have not yet been released).

Meanwhile, local nonprofit Housing North specifies that Grand Traverse County needs an additional 5,715 housing units through 2025, 72 percent of which should be rental units. But Yarrow Brown, executive director of Housing North, estimates only 1,555 permits (72 percent of which are for single-family homes) have been pulled between 2020 and 2023. And many of those projects, Brown says, aren’t necessarily affordable for most folks living in northern Michigan.

Still, there’s some optimism for a swing toward more housing opportunities. “We are seeing more and more apartments,

duplexes, triplexes, and accessory dwelling units being approved and built,” Brown says. “With the interest in missing middle housing and more infill development, we are seeing creative solutions and opportunities not only for renting but for shared capacity home ownership, such as community land trusts and cooperatives.”

Brown adds that she feels NoMi communities are becoming more “housing ready,” for the developers who want to build here, though it’s no easy feat for developers to do so. She points to high property taxes, zoning restrictions, permitting delays, and gaps in financing as hurdles for developers to overcome. And, of course, she says there continues to be the need for “human power to build the homes.”

“We often think we are developer friendly here, this is not necessarily true,” Brown says. “Many developers are investing in this community because they want to, not because it is easy to do.”

Mike Tucker

Lauren Tucker Rob Dickinson Yarrow Brown

Saturday

GLEN LAKE RESTAURANT WEEK: April 28 - May 6. Enjoy an array of foodie options for dining around the Glen Arbor area. Enjoy everything from “french fries to French cuisine.” Participants will each offer their own special menus & pricing. visitglenarbor.com/event/glen-lake-restaurantweek-2023

BOATER SAFETY CLASS: 9am-4pm, Interlochen Public Library. Topics covered include general boating & water safety, navigational rules, causes & prevention of crashes, operation & fueling techniques, environmental concerns, & reporting responsibility. Register. michigan.storefront.kalkomey.com/em/ programs/9

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BRAVER ANGELS WORKSHOP: “SKILLS FOR BRIDGING THE DIVIDE”: 9am & 1:30pm, Kensington Church, TC. Is there a neighbor, coworker, family member or other person in your life who you need to connect with but who holds very different views on the issues? This workshop will help you make those connections. Questions: Contact Mike: mwradkephd@gmail.com. Free.

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EARTH & ARBOR DAY EVENT: 9am-2pm, Veterans Park, Boyne City.

ELK RAPIDS INDIGENOUS YOUTH & FRIENDS CRAFT SHOW: 10am-4pm, Elk Rapids Cherryland Middle School. Email Monica at mwillis@erschools.com for vendor application. Free.

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF TAI CHI: 10am, Open Space Park, TC. Try Tai Chi! Free.

MAKERFEST 2023: 10am-2pm, GT County Civic Center, outdoors, TC. The annual celebration of Making & all things STEAM. Featuring the Great Lakes Children’s Museum, MiSTEM Network, TC Cooperative Preschool, Inland Seas Education Association, Cherryland Ghostbusters, TADL - Sight & Sound, TADL Tech Center, GT Conservation District, Dennos Museum Center, & many others. Free. tadl.org/makerfest2023

MEET THE ALPACAS AT THE SPRING OPEN FARM WEEKEND: 10am-4pm, Cotton Creek Farms, Thompsonville. This will be one of the last times to view the alpacas before they receive their spring haircuts. Visitors who are able to, are asked to bring a nonperishable food item or small cash donation for The Buckley Food Pantry. Free. cottoncreekfarms.com/event/open-farm-weekend/2023-04-29

OMENA M22 CLEAN-UP: 10am, Omena Post Office. Enjoy a cheerful walk & keep M22 beautiful. Sponsored by HH Cherries. Bring gloves, boots & a smile.

TREETOPS SPRING ART, CRAFT, GIFTS & MORE!: 10am-5pm, Treetops Resort, Gaylord. Jewelry, woodworkers, fiber artists, Color Street, Beeswax products, dog treats, kettle corn, crochet critters, glass artists, basket makers & more. $5. eventbrite. com/e/treetops-spring-art-craft-gifts-andmore-show-tickets-603874844917

WOOD MEMORIAL TROUT RUN - 5K & 10K: 10am, 109 N. Birch St., Kalkaska. $35. runningintheusa.com/details/20043 ----------------------

FRIENDS OF THE CADILLAC LIBRARY

USED BOOK SALE FUNDRAISER: 11am1pm, Cadillac Wexford Public Library, Cadillac. Books are $1-$2 each. friend-

softhecadillaclibrary.wordpress.com/upcoming-programs ----------------------

GRAND TRAVERSE SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT VS. DETROIT LIONS BASKETBALL

GAME: 1pm, TC West High School. Lions will be signing autographs at halftime & there will be a free raffle for Lions gear. $20 single; $35 couple; $50 family. gtcdsa.publicsafetypsa.com

LITTLE TRAVERSE BAY PARAFEST: 4:30pm, The Terrace Inn, Bay View. Bumps in the Night Paranormal Research brings back Parafest! Celebrity guests, lectures, vendors, Mediums, Psychic readers, VIP dinner & more. One of N. Michigan’s most talked about paranormal conference. ltbparafest.com

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STAR PARTY: 6-11pm, Dune Climb parking lot, Empire. The earlier portion of the event will have fun daytime activities & solar viewing for youth & families to enjoy, while the later portion will be primarily focused on dark sky viewing once the sun goes down. GTAS members will take a break from 8-9pm, & rangers will be on-site & available for the entire duration of the event. Free, but must have park entrance pass or annual pass. gtastro.org

“TERRA NOSTRA”: 7pm, Great Lakes Center for the Arts, Bay Harbor. A celebration of the earth & the Great Lakes, featuring the GLCO chorus led by director André Strydom & the orchestra led by Maestro Libor Ondras. There is an optional pre-concert talk at 6pm by Libor Ondras, as well as a postconcert reception. $35-$65. glcorchestra.org

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2023 MANITOU MUSIC SERIES - RAION

TAIKO: 7pm, Glen Lake School Auditorium. Enjoy this Midwest Taiko arts ensemble’s “sound of thunder drummers,” embracing the rhythms of rain & energy of light to create a song on the soundscapes of Japanese Taiko Drumming. RSVP. Free. glenarborart. org/events/taiko-drumming

EAST JORDAN ROTARY CLUB’S 14TH ROTARY VARIETY SHOW: 7pm, East Jordan High School, Community Auditorium. Featuring the Rotary Chorus. Doors open at 6pm for pre-show entertainment featuring Bob Bryan & the Rotary Show Band. Tickets available at Charlevoix State Bank. $10 GA; $15 reserved. mynorthtickets.com

INTO THE WOODS PRESENTED BY TC CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL: 7pm, TC Central High School. The Brothers Grimm hit the stage with a fairytale about wishes, family, & the choices we make. The story follows a baker & his wife, who wish to have a child; Cinderella, who wishes to attend the King’s Festival; & Jack, who wishes his cow would give milk. $20, $25. tcaps.booktix.com/ view/6/92517f00656e56c6

“THE WOMEN OF LOCKERBIE” BY DEBORAH BALEY BREVOORT: 7:30pm, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Phoenix Theatre. Presented by the Interlochen Arts Academy Theatre Division. In the aftermath of the attack on Pan Am flight 103, an American mother travels to Scotland to locate her son’s remains. Meanwhile, the women of the nearby town of Lockerbie, determined to return the victims’ clothes to their families, petition the U.S. government to release the personal items found in the wreckage. Free. interlochen.org/events/women-lockerbiedeborah-baley-brevoort-2023-04-28

COMEDY W/ BRYAN MCCREE: 7:30-9pm, Traverse City Comedy Club, TC. Seen on Mad TV, Comedy Central & most recently Comic’s Unleashed with Byron Allen, Bryan

has a natural charm on stage, & his infectious giggle often incites laughter among the masses. $25-$30. mynorthtickets.com/ events/comedy-wkeith-bergman-4-28-2023

Sunday

BIRD WALKS: 7:30am, Traverse Area District Library, TC. With Kirk Waterstripe from the Grand Traverse Audubon Club. This birding experience is designed for those just getting started, or wanting to polish their skills. You’ll focus on identification skills. Dress for weather & walking. Meet at the north side of the library at the entrance of the Grand Traverse Area Children’s Garden. Reserve your backpack & begin or bring along on the walks. Free. tadl.org/event/bird-walk ----------------------

GLEN LAKE RESTAURANT WEEK: (See Sat., April 29)

MEET THE ALPACAS AT THE SPRING OPEN FARM WEEKEND: (See Sat., April 29)

TREETOPS SPRING ART, CRAFT, GIFTS & MORE!: (See Sat., April 29)

ELITE WEDDING EXPO: 12-3:30pm, Park Place Hotel & Conference Center, TC. A vast collection of wedding planning professionals featuring everything from cakes to favors to photographers & DJs. $15 advance; $20 at door. eliteweddingexpo.com

“THE WOMEN OF LOCKERBIE” BY DEBORAH BALEY BREVOORT: (See Sat., April 29, except today’s time is 2pm.)

INTO THE WOODS PRESENTED BY TC CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL: (See Sat., April

29, except today’s time is 2pm.)

“THE ART OF TRANSFORMATION”: 5-8pm, Dennos Museum Center, NMC, TC. A Soul Stirring Sound Experience. An immersion of voice, strings & sacred sounds. The museum will be transformed into an open candlelit sacred space. There will be music by local artists, including Seth Bernard; a sound charged exhibit: “Ahavani Mullen: Across Centuries and the Earth”; a narrative painting series that brings voice to stories that people of color, people with complex cultural identities, & immigrants shared about their daily experience in America - “Teresa Dunn Us.”; Vitality and Continuity Art in the Experiences of Anishnaabe, Inuit and Pueblo Women - “Lois Beardslee”; & more. Purchase tickets at Karasi Fitness & Healing Arts, Oryana Community Co-op, or My North Tickets online. $40.

COMEDY MIXTAPE: 7pm, The Workshop Brewing Co., TC. A comedy variety show from the Tilt Think Comedy Collective featuring improv, storytelling, sketches, stand up & new formats. Honor cover. facebook.com/ev ents/606811731483627/?ref=newsfeed

monday

GLEN LAKE RESTAURANT WEEK: (See Sat., April 29)

PRESCHOOL ADVENTURES IN ART: 9:30-10:15am, Crooked Tree Arts Center, TC. Drop in for hands-on fun for preschoolers & their grown-ups. Early registration encouraged. $5. crookedtree. org/class/ctac-traverse-city/preschool-adventures-art-may-1

Shake off the grey winter… spring is now everywhere you look, with summer fast approaching! TC gardener/ freestyle painter Theresa Youngman depicts this well in her Floral Explosion paintings at Oliver Art Center in the North Hall and Fisher Room, Frankfort. Enjoy seeing colorful flowers, gardens, landscapes and rivers through May 19. A reception for the artist will be held on Sat., May 6 from 5-7pm. oliverartcenterfrankfort.org PHOTO

CREDITS: Theresa Youngman

KID’S CRAFT LAB: SPRING STICK MOBILE: 10:30am, 1pm & 3:30pm, Great Lakes Children’s Museum, TC. Choose your favorite stick & decorate it up big time for spring. Sign up when you reserve your attendance at the Museum. greatlakeskids.org

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AUDITIONS - GLEN ARBOR PLAYERS: 7pm, Glen Lake Church, Glen Arbor. Auditions for “The Drawer Boy.” Roles for 2 older men; one 30-40 year old male & one female narrator. Digital scripts avail at: webbforhire@gmail.com. 231-590-4025. Free.

REFIT® TC: 7pm, The Presbyterian Church of TC, 701 Westminster Rd. A group fitness experience that rocks your body, heart, & soul with powerful moves & positive music, to inspire you from the inside out. Classes are held Mondays at 7pm & Thursdays at 9:30am. $1 suggested donation. facebook. com/profile.php?id=100090460000055

tuesday

COFFEE & CONVERSATION: 8-10am, Harbor Springs Area Chamber Office. Enjoy conversation & connections with chamber staff & chamber members.

GLEN LAKE RESTAURANT WEEK: (See Sat., April 29)

PRESCHOOL STORY TIME: 10:30am, Suttons Bay-Bingham District Library. Stories, songs, & active fun. Free. sbbdl.org

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

CONNECTING WOMEN LUNCHEON: 11:30am-1pm, Michaywe, Gaylord. “You Don’t Have to Be a Social Media Influencer to be Influential.” Keynote speaker, Christy Walcott, director of marketing & communications for the Gaylord Area Convention & Tourism Bureau will share ways to inspire those around you with your everyday activities. Register. $20 members; $25 nonmembers. gaylordmi.chambermaster.com/ eventregistration/register/6590 ----------------------

SPRING FLING: 5pm, Dockside, Bellaire. 50% of all food & drink proceeds at Dockside benefit Grass River Natural Area. grassriver.org

GLEN ARBOR PLAYERS AUDITIONS: 6:30pm, Old Town Playhouse, lower level, TC. For “The Drawer Boy.” Reader’s theater format. Roles for 2 older men, one younger male & a female narrator. Digital scripts available at: webbforhire@gmail.com. 231590-4025. Free.

GRAND TRAVERSE KENNEL CLUB

MEETING: 7pm, Incredible Mo’s, Grawn. Public is welcome. Free. Grandtraversekennelclub.com

wednesday

GLEN LAKE RESTAURANT WEEK: (See Sat., April 29) -------------

MAY RECESS: 5-7pm, Grand Bay Marine, TC. After-work happy hour for adults. A Cinco de Mayo theme will include food from Margaritas Grill Mexican Restaurant, beer & margaritas, wine from Bonobo Winery, & samples from Great Lakes

Chocolate Co. & Grand Traverse Sauce. Guests will be entered into a drawing to win prizes including a $250 Grand Bay Marine gift certificate; patriotic tube package; & one table for four at a Traverse City Pit Spitters home game of the winner’s choice. Find ‘May Recess at Grand Bay Marine’ on Facebook. $10. traverseticker.com/recess

CHRIST G. THELEN AUTHOR EVENT: 6:30pm, Darcy Library of Beulah. Local author Chris G. Thelen will be presenting his new book, “Islands of Deception.” Book signing to follow the presentation. Free. darcylibraryofbeulah.ploud.net/news-events/ events/author-chris-g-thelen

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NWS: JEANNETTE WALLS: 7pm, City Opera House, TC. Jeannette is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of “The Glass Castle.” She will talk about her writing life & newest novel, “Hang the Moon,” with guest host Susan Odgers. One ticket & one book is $39 or $49. Two tickets & one book is $55 or $75. Virtual tickets are $38. nationalwritersseries.org/product/jeannette-walls

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AN EVENING WITH ADRIAN MATEJKA:

7:30pm, Interlochen Center for the Arts, The Writing House. This acclaimed poet will present a reading, Q&A session & book signing. He explores themes of race, cultural identity, poverty, love & persistence. He is a former Poet Laureate of the state of Indiana, has penned five award-winning poetry collections & earned prestigious accolades including a Pushcart Prize & much more. Free. interlochen.org/events/evening-adrian-matejka-2023-05-03

thursday

GLEN LAKE RESTAURANT WEEK: (See Sat., April 29)

COFFEE @ 10, PETOS-

KEY: 10am, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Theater, Petoskey. Community Arts Organizations Panel: Learn about the various ways northern Michigan’s schools, art centers, & nonprofit organizations are changing the way students receive arts education, & how they can work together to establish connections within the community through creative activities. This panel features knowledgeable & experienced figures in the arts & education community. Free.

KID’S CRAFT LAB: SPRING STICK MOBILE: (See Mon., May 1)

SIPS WITH STAFF - EPHEMERALS: 5-7pm, Big Lake Preserve, Gaylord. See the Spring Ephemerals with the HeadWaters Land Conservancy staff. Identify & log all of the spring flowers & plants. Free. headwatersconservancy.org/calendar/events

OFF THE WALL MOVIE NIGHT & POTLUCK: Helena Township Community Center, Alden. Potluck dinner at 6pm; movie at 7pm. Call 231-331-4318 to sign up for the potluck & for movie details.

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AROUND THE TABLE: LIVE STORIES OF FOOD & COOPERATION: 7pm, City Opera House, TC. Presented by Oryana Community Co-op & Expand Storytelling. Celebrating 50 years of rich Oryana history. A diverse lineup of local storytellers will take the stage to share their personal stories of adventure, struggle, & creativity on the themes of natural food & cooperation. Special music performance by Seth Bernard & hosted by Chelsea Bay Dennis. $30. cityoperahouse. org/node/498

BALANCE

“Contemporary jazz of the highest order; a benchmark for where the genre can go.” ~Detroit Metro Times

FULL CORD BLUEGRASS

Winner, 2022 Telluride Bluegrass Band Competition, International Bluegrass Music Association

“Momentum Award Band of the Year”

DJANGOPHONIQUE

“a sound that can bring the lively energy of a Parisian dance hall to the quietest listening room...”

ELECTRONIQUE

An immersive and cinematic electronic music experience with Jesse Clayton, CYMEK and Wavrunner plus live analog visual art from Super Nuclear

MAX LOCKWOOD

ALBUM RELEASE SHOW

“Max channels the flair of Tom Pe and the eloquence of the Beat Generation’s finest to create his distinctive sound.”

VIRIDIAN STRINGS

Founded by two Interlochen alums, Viridian Strings is a collective of some of the country’s most promising young musicians performing stellar chamber music

Continuing: The JEFF HAAS QUARTET FEAT. LAURIE SEARS playing every Thursday, and FUNKY FUN MONDAYS, alternating between BIG FUN and FUNKY UNCLE—fast becoming the must-see Monday night live music experience!

No advanced ticket sales for these 6 pm Mon and Thurs shows—just an honor cover at the door.

THE ALLUVION’S PREVIEW SERIES is a limited slate of programming while we get ready for our GRAND OPENING. We are still dialing in a dozen key systems and thousands of fine details—please pardon dust, wires, construction equipment, temporary furnishings, and other small messes, as well as occasional minor inconveniences and shortfalls of our ideal level of hospitali and accessibili .

TICKETS FOR ALL SHOWS NOW ON SALE AT WWW.THEALLUVION.ORG

friday

GLEN LAKE RESTAURANT WEEK: (See Sat., April 29)

ANTIQUE APPLE & PEAR TREE PRUNING WORKSHOP: Kelderhouse Farm, Port Oneida Rural Historic District, Empire. The workshop will focus on maintenance of neglected apple trees & how to bring them back into production & maintain their health. The pruning workshop hours are 1-4pm. Those who would like to participate in the planting of the orchard should arrive at 10am. Register: 231-326-4771. Free.

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COFFEE @ 10, TC: 10am, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Cornwell Gallery, TC. With Richie Gunn: “Making Art with Artificial Intelligence.” Free. crookedtree.org/event/ctactraverse-city/coffee-10-ctac-faculty-richiegunn ----------------------

DOWNTOWN TC ART WALK: 4-7pm, Downtown TC. Join your downtown merchants as they hosts artists in their shops. There will also be live music by JazzNorth7 + 1 as you walk the streets. downtowntc.com/ downtown-art-walk ----------------------

FIRST FRIDAYS IN DOWNTOWN

CHARLEVOIX: 4-8pm, Downtown Charlevoix. Happening the First Friday of each month from February through May. Enjoy a cocktail trail, shopping, & fun activities. You could also win Downtown Dollar Gift Cards for coming out for the events. Free. downtowncharlevoix.com/first-fridays

“THERE IS A LIGHT IN SPRING”: 7:30pm, Petoskey Methodist Church. This concert is presented by the Little Traverse Choral Society, reminding us of the renewal spring provides. Not only in sunshine, warm breezes & blooming flowers but in our hearts & minds as well. Featuring choral works by Hayden, Gershwin, Rutter, Stroope, Copland, Vaughan Williams & many more. $15 adults; $5 students; free for under 12. littletraversechoralsociety.org

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AN AMERICAN IN PARIS: 7:30pm, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Corson Auditorium. Experience a silver screen classic live as Interlochen Arts Academy theatre students perform the stage musical adaptation of the Academy Award-winning film “An American in Paris.” $41. interlochen.org/events/american-in-paris-2023-05-05

COMEDY W/ BILL BUSHART: 7:459:15pm, Traverse City Comedy Club, TC. Bill has performed at the Odd Ball Comedy Fest at DTE, headlined Michigan’s Brew HaHa & LaughFest in Grand Rapids. He’s worked with stand up greats Gilbert Gottfried, Mark Normand & ‪Roy Wood, Jr., among many others. $25-$30. mynorthtickets.com/events/ comedy-wbill-bushart-5-5-2023‬‬

STARSHIP FEAT. MICKEY THOMAS: 8pm, Odawa Casino Resort, Ovation Hall, Petoskey. Bringing hits like “We Built This City” & “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us,” San Francisco’s Starship featuring Mickey Thomas brings their American rock to Petoskey. $30-$40. odawacasino.com/entertainment

saturday

GLEN LAKE RESTAURANT WEEK: (See Sat., April 29)

CLEARING TRAILS WITHOUT POWER TOWLS: 9-11am, Little Tra-

verse Conservancy Office, Harbor Springs/ Round Lake Nature Preserve. An Introduction to Crosscut Saws & Axes. Learn about maintaining your owns trails without the noise, weight & danger of a chainsaw. Join LTC volunteer & U.S. Forest Service certified Crosscut Sawyer Dan Dueweke for a presentation indoors, followed by handsawing practice outside. Please bring your own hand tools & an axe or crosscut saw if you have them. Registration required. Free. landtrust.org/events

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INTERLOCHEN RUN FOR THE ARTS 5K: 9am, Interlochen Center for the Arts. Experience live music & art as you run (or walk) a course through the grounds of Interlochen Center for the Arts. $30 pre-race: $35 race day. interlochen.org/events/interlochen-runfor-arts-5k-2023-05-06

INDOOR SIDEWALK SALES: 10am-6pm, The Village at GT Commons, Mercato, TC. Hit all the local deals! Enjoy giveaways, mimosa specials & more. Stop by High Five Threads, Silver Fox Jewelry, Notably Natural, Crystal Lake Alpaca Boutique, Landmark Books, The Refillery, & many other businesses. thevillagetc.com/the-village-tag-sale-2 ----------------------

MAYDAY MELTDOWN BOULDERING

COMPETITION & SPRING FAIR: 10am, ELEV8, TC. This all-day event features multiple waves of climbing in a competition format. All ages & abilities are welcome to compete. There will also be food & craft vendors, massage demos, & games & activities all day. Free to attend. Must pay & register to compete. elev8climbing.com

SPRING TREE PLANTING: 10am-2pm, Consuelo Diane and Charles L. Wilson Jr. Working Forest Reserve, Harbor Springs. Join the Little Traverse Conservancy for spring tree planting to kick start forest succession & keep out invasive plants at this former pasture land. Bring your own work gloves & lunch. petoskeyarea.com/events/ spring-tree-planting

“THERE IS A LIGHT IN SPRING”: 7:30pm, Petoskey Methodist Church. This concert is presented by the Little Traverse Choral Society, reminding us of the renewal spring provides. Not only in sunshine, warm breezes & blooming flowers but in our hearts & minds as well. Featuring choral works by Hayden, Gershwin, Rutter, Stroope, Copland, Vaughan Williams & many more. $15 adults; $5 students; free for under 12. littletraversechoralsociety.org

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AN AMERICAN IN PARIS: 7:30pm, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Corson Auditorium. Experience a silver screen classic live as Interlochen Arts Academy theatre students perform the stage musical adaptation of the Academy Award-winning film “An American in Paris.” $41. interlochen.org/events/american-in-paris-2023-05-05

BLISSFEST PRESENTS: TRADITIONAL COUNTRY DANCES: 7:30-10pm, LittlefieldAlanson Community Building, Alanson. Rigs & Jeels with Caller Larry Dyer. All dances will be taught & Traditional Country Dances include contras, squares, & waltzes. $7/person; $10/couple; $15/family.

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COMEDY W/ BILL BUSHART: (See Fri., May 5, except tonight’s time is 7:30-9pm.)‬

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MANITOU WINDS PRESENTS COMPLEMENTARY COLORS: 7:30pm, Grace Episcopal Church, TC. Matthew Cochran, instructor of guitar at Interlochen Arts Academy, joins Manitou Winds for a program of chamber music, spoken word, & visual art. Local artist Lauren Everett Finn will curate &

host a solo exhibit. Free. manitouwinds.com/ upcoming-performances

sunday

INDOOR SIDEWALK

SALES: (See Sat., May 6, except today’s time is 10am4pm.)

MOREL MUSHROOM PICKING SEMINAR

WITH THE CHAMP!: 1pm, Traverse Area District Library, McGuire Community Room, TC. After winning the National Morel Hunting Championship five years in a row, Anthony Williams retired from competitive picking to become the “Expert in Residence” for the National Morel Festival. This seminar is filled with stories from his 70 years of picking, tips on where & how to pick including the finer points on finding the elusive morel. Free. tadl.org/morels

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AN AMERICAN IN PARIS: (See Sat., May 6, except today’s time is 2pm.)

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HONDURAS - PAST & PRESENT: 2pm, Helena Township Community Center, Alden. Tom George, M.D., former Michigan State Senator, has traveled to Honduras 10 times to participate in medical missions. He will present about Honduras, its people, & its relationship to the United States. 231-3314318.

JAZZ IN THE VINES: 2-5pm, Chateau Chantal Winery, TC. Enjoy live music by the Jeff Haas Trio, wine & appetizers. Tickets are $50 each or 2+ for $40 each. Benefits United Way of Northwest Michigan. unitedwaynwmi.org/events

“THERE IS A LIGHT IN SPRING”: (See Sat., May 6, except today’s time is 3pm.)

NORTHERN MICHIGAN BRASS BAND

CONCERT: 3pm, Great Lakes Center for the Arts, Bay Harbor. Something for everyone... this 30-piece, British-style brass band will perform an eclectic mix of traditional brass band classics, marches, transcriptions, featured solos, contest pieces, pop & jazz. $15 adults; free for students. greatlakescfa.org/ events/detail/nmibb

THE SACRED EARTH TRIBE PRESENTS

THE DANCES OF UNIVERSAL PEACE: 3:30pm, Llama Meadows Eco Farm, Benzonia. These dances blend chants with live music & simple movements into a living experience of unity, peace & joy. There will also be Dances on June 11, July 16 & Aug. 27. Love offering of $7-$10. facebook.com/thesacredearthtribe

art

CROOKED TREE ARTS CENTER, PETOSKEY:

- BLACK CANVAS 2: HIGH SCHOOL PORTFOLIO PROGRAM EXHIBITION: Held in Atrium Gallery. Work from CTAC’s new High School Portfolio Program. Runs April 29 - June 3. An opening reception will be held on Tues., May 2 from 4-5:30pm. crookedtree.org/event/ctac-petoskey/blankcanvas-2-high-school-portfolio-programexhibition

- SPECIAL NEEDS ARTISTIC MOVEMENT: Held in the Dance Studio, this class provides the special needs community a chance to expand their artistry & movement creativity while giving the example that the arts are for everyone. This dance & movement class is designed for teens & adults. It includes ba-

sic to intermediate dance education, & is held on Mondays & Fridays from 1-2:30pm through May 12. Register. crookedtree.org/ event/ctac-petoskey/special-needs-artisticmovement

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- YOUTH ART SHOW 2023 - PETOSKEY: Work by students working throughout CharEm ISD fill the galleries in this annual showcase. Runs through May 4. crookedtree. org/event/ctac-petoskey/youth-art-show2023-petoskey-opens-march-18

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CROOKED TREE ARTS CENTER, TC:

- INSIDE CROOKED TREE: FACULTY & STAFF EXHIBITION: Held in Carnegie West Gallery through June 3. Those who teach & those who work at Crooked Tree Arts Center Traverse City share artwork they created in this exhibit. crookedtree.org/event/ctac-traverse-city/inside-crooked-tree-faculty-staffexhibition-opens-april-28

- THIS IS 6:47: Held in Carnegie East Gallery through June 3. Featuring artwork from the latest Crooked Tree Arts Center High School Portfolio Students. crookedtree.org/ event/ctac-traverse-city/647-featuring-ctachigh-school-portfolio-students

- THURSDAY PAINTING: BRENDA J. CLARK’S GROUP OF SEVEN-ISH: Held in Cornwell Gallery through June 3. See the work of seven (or more) artists who meet online every Thurs. for two hours to explore a problem-solving agenda put forth by artist Brenda J. Clark. Throughout the session, participants share their artwork, seek inspiration, & encourage one another in creativity under the guidance of Clark. See some of these paintings created by this group. crookedtree.org/event/ctac-traverse-city/ thursday-painting-brenda-j-clarks-groupseven-ish-opens-april-28

DENNOS MUSEUM CENTER, NMC, TC:

- “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 through 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 through May 19. Open Tues. through Sun., 11am-4pm. dennosmuseum. org

HIGHER ART GALLERY

- “HIDDEN FOREST”: Enjoy the paintings of Mexico based artist Fran De Anda. Based on ancient myths & archetypes, De Anda develops concepts such as transformation, death, alchemy, the sacred, & the profane. Runs through April 29. higherartgallery.com

- KRISTEN EGAN: ON A FAR SHORE: Featuring a collection of new masks. An online collector preview will open May 3, along with in-person viewing to open May 4. Runs til June 3. Open Tues. through Sat., 11am5pm. higherartgallery.com/exhibitcalendar

In the money-for-nothing world of the 1980s where Nike couldn’t give their kicks away for free, the proposition of throwing all their corporate soles into a single basket with a single basketball endorsement sounded crazy even to rebel Phil Knight, founder of Nike, a thenmocked newcomer to the b-ball empire from Oregon’s granola belt.

Make that endorsement to an untested rookie who’d never set foot on an NBA court, and the whole scheme should never have happened—and almost didn’t. The new feature film Air takes a shot at telling you how Michael Jordan and his hidden team of real-life players transformed global empires at a time when every person on the planet seemed to want the same shoe.

It sounds exciting, and for nerds who appreciate a soft, subtle, and patient story based in history, actor and director Ben Affleck and team have delivered one (albeit with some controlled results lacking a 23andMe objectivity).

One of the film’s more interesting choices is hardly acknowledging or worshiping Jordan himself, who makes appearances but is never a full presence. This further glamorizes a tone that does more to shade mythology than clear it up, such as who wrote the famous 10 Principles of Nike manifesto or who exactly coined the name “Air Jordan.”

On the casting side, the biggest slam dunk for the film is Affleck’s reunion of easy chemistry with Matt Damon. Damon’s enduring star power plays out on screen as Sonny Voccaro, who pulls you into

by Joseph Beyer

CLASSIFIEDS

his blister-in-the-sun frustration that no one seems to understand he’s trying to transform the company by partnering with Jordan, and that even if he’s never been right before, this is the moment to risk it all.

Damon gets to genuinely shine and lead the story, but the script is written by a young first-timer, and there are limits to how natural he and the cast can make a screenplay that at times sounds a tad too tidy. (Plus, he’s trying to maintain the tension for an ending we already know the outcome of.) Still, for older Gen Xers like me, there’s much expected comedic relief in satellite phones, track suits, and advanced VHS technology.

Air is best when director Affleck is at work silently or allows us to just watch the ensemble cast play. There’s a lot to love with the muted and quieter approach with a terrific cast, including Affleck as founder Knight; Chris Messina as the foul-mouthed sports agent David Falk; Jason Bateman as famed renegade marketer Rob Strasser; Chris Tucker as division head Howard White (who uses his colloquial approach to win over the star player’s family); and Viola Davis, who was requested by Jordan to play his mother and protector, Deloris.

If, as the real MJ famously believed and said often, “failure is the key to success,” then maybe Air can be forgiven for not being quite as dramatic as a buzzer-beater shot from behind the three to win the game. But the film has a lingering and memorable sophistication in the sports film genre and is a welcome adult choice in a movie season saturated with Space Jam wannabes.

ENCORE 201, TC

4/29 -- Drew Hale Band, 8; DJ

Ricky T, 10

5/5 -- Soul Patch, 8-10; DJ Ricky

T, 10

5/6 -- Country Rock Night w/ Larz

Cabot, 8; Drew Hale Band, 9; Derek Randall, 10

KILKENNY'S IRISH PUBLIC HOUSE, TC

Thu -- Ladies Night with DJ Leo, 9:30

LEFT FOOT CHARLEY, TC

BARREL ROOM:

5/1 -- Open Mic w/ Rob Coonrod, 6-9

TASTING ROOM:

5/5 -- Mountain Gloom and Mountain Glory, 5-7

LIL BO, TC

Tues. – Trivia, 8-10

Weds. – Aldrich, 9

Sun. – Karaoke, 8

MAMMOTH DISTILLING, TC

4/28-29 & 5/4 -- Clint Weaner, 7-10

MIDDLECOAST BREWING CO.,

TC

6-9:

4/29 -- Rebekah Jon

5/5 -- Zeke Clemons

ROVE ESTATE VINEYARD & WINERY, TC

5/5 -- Drew Hale, 5-8

SORELLINA'S, TC SLATE RESTAURANT:

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

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

THE ALLUVION, TC

5/4 -- Jeff Haas Quartet, 6; then TC Central Jazz Band

THE PARLOR, TC

8-11:

4/29 -- Rhett & John

5/5 -- Slim Pickins

5/6 -- Trillium Groove

THE PUB, TC

8-11:

4/29 -- Slim Pickins

5/5 -- Levi Britton

5/6 -- Jazz Cabbage

Antrim & Charlevoix

BIER'S INWOOD BREWERY, CHARLEVOIX

5/4 -- Open Mic Night Hosted by John Eaton: Sign up at 6:15; Music at 7

BOYNE CITY TAP ROOM

Thu -- Sean Bielby & Adam Engelman, 6-9

CELLAR 152, ELK RAPIDS

5/5 -- Peter Allen Jensen, 6-9

ETHANOLOGY, ELK RAPIDS

4/29 -- Blair Miller, 8-9

FIRESIDE LOUNGE, BELLAIRE

4/29 -- The Pistil Whips, 6-9

5/5 -- Nick Vasquez, 6:30-9:30

THE WORKSHOP BREWING CO., TC

4/29 -- Lavender Lions, 8

4/30 -- Comedy Mixtape: A Comedy Variety Show Presented by the Tilt Think Comedy Collective, 7

5/2 -- Open Mic & Talent Showcase, 7

5/3 -- Jazz Show & Jam w/ Ron Getz, Dave Collini & Bill Sears, 6

5/5 -- One Hot Robot, 8

5/6 -- East Bay Drive, 8

TRAVERSE CITY COMEDY CLUB, TC

4/28 -- Comedy w/ Bryan McCree, 7:45-9:15

4/29 -- Comedy w/ Bryan McCree, 7:30-9

5/5 -- Comedy w/ Bill Bushart, 7:45-9:15

5/6 -- Comedy w/ Bill Bushart, 7:30-9

UNION STREET STATION, TC

4/29 -- 1000 Watt Trio, 10

4/30 & 5/7 -- Open Mic, 4-7

5/2 -- Open Mic Comedy, 8-9:30; then Karaoke

5/3 -- DJ PRIM, 10

5/4 -- DJ Jr, 10

5/5 -- Happy Hour w/ Chris Sterr; then Lucas Paul Band

5/6 -- Lucas Paul Band, 10

Leelanau & Benzie

CICCONE VINEYARD & WINERY, SUTTONS BAY

4/29 -- Blake Elliott, 2:30-4:30

DICK'S POUR HOUSE, LAKE LEELANAU

Sat. -- Karaoke, 10-1

FRENCH VALLEY VINEYARD, CEDAR

Thurs. -- Live Music, 4-6:30

IRON FISH DISTILLERY, THOMPSONVILLE

5-7:

4/29 -- Lynn Callihan

5/5 -- Blair Miller

LAKE ANN BREWING CO.

4/29 -- The Dune Brothers, 6:30-

9:30

5/2-6 -- Andre Villoch, 6:30-9:30

Thu -- Trivia Night w/ Host Tom Kaspar, 7-9

5/5 -- Happy Hour w/ Johnathon

North, 3-6; Barefoot, 7-10

5/6 -- The Daydrinker Series w/ John Piatek Duo, 3-6; The Jameson Brothers, 7-10

Emmet & Cheboygan

BEARDS BREWERY, PETOSKEY ROOT CELLAR: 4/30 -- Charlie Millard, 5

BOYNE VALLEY VINEYARDS, PETOSKEY

2-6: 4/29 -- Chris Calleja

5/6 -- Tyler Parkin

MAMMOTH DISTILLING, BAY HARBOR

4/29 -- Brett Mitchell, 7-10

ST. AMBROSE CELLARS, BEULAH

4/29 -- Kyle Brown, 5-8

5/3 -- Comedy Hive Open Mic, 7-8:30

5/4 -- Open Mic Night w/ Jeff Louwsma, 5:30-8:30

5/5 -- Luke Woltanski, 5-8

SHADY LANE CELLARS, SUTTONS BAY

5/5 -- Friday Night LIVE with John Richard Paul, 5:30-8:30

SHORT'S BREW PUB, BELLAIRE

4/29 -- 19th Anni Celebration w/ Brett Mitchell, Delilah Dewylde, Breach the Sun, Jesse Ray, M-22 & more, 11-11

5/5 -- Ben Traverse, 8-10:30

MOOSE JAW JUNCTION, PELLSTON

4/29 -- Curtis Grooters: “Bizarre Bonanza,” 7-10

ODAWA CASINO RESORT, PETOSKEY OVATION HALL

5/5 -- Starship Feat. Mickey Thomas, 8

VICTORIES:

4/29 & 5/6 -- Live DJ, 9

THE BEAU, CHEBOYGAN

4/29 -- Cellar Door, 8-11

5/5 -- Cinco de Mayo Party w/ Happy Little Accidents, 6

5/6 -- Open Mic, 8-11

THE DIXIE SALOON, MACKINAW CITY

4/29 & 5/5-6 -- Pete 'Big Dog' Fetters, 8-11

THE NOGGIN ROOM PUB, PETOSKEY

4/29 -- Holly Keller, 7-10

MANISTEE, WEXFORD & MISSAUKEE

4/29 -- Messin' Around Band, 9

Otsego, Crawford & Central

ALPINE TAVERN & EATERY, GAYLORD

6: 4/29 -- Mike Ridley

5/5 -- Nelson Olstrom 5/6 -- Zeke

LITTLE RIVER CASINO RESORT, MANISTEE

lOGY

BY ROB BREZSNY

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): I've selected a passage to serve as one of your prime themes during the rest of 2023. It comes from poet Jane Shore. She writes, "Now I feel I am learning how to grow into the space I was always meant to occupy, into a self I can know." Dear Taurus, you will have the opportunity to grow evermore assured and self-possessed as you embody Shore's description in the coming months. Congratulations in advance on the progress you will make to more fully activate your soul's code.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): ): Virgo-born Marie Laveau (1801–1881) was a powerful Voodoo priestess, herbalist, activist, and midwife in New Orleans. According to legend, she could walk on water, summon clairvoyant visions, safely suck the poison out of a snake's jowls, and cast spells to help her clients achieve their heart's desires. There is also a wealth of more tangible evidence that she was a community activist who healed the sick, volunteered as an advocate for prisoners, provided free teachings, and did rituals for needy people who couldn't pay her. hereby assign her to be your inspirational role model for the coming weeks. I suspect you will have extra power to help people in both mysterious and practical ways.

“Jonesin” Crosswords

"On a Larger Scale" --using up the full ruler. by Matt Jones

ACROSS

1. Dutch flower

6. "Oh, ___ ..."

10. ALL ___ (THIS STYLE)

14. Adjective on taqueria menus

15. Without manners

16. One part of a whole

17. Video game designer Sid who created the "Civilization" series

18. Michael's "Family Ties" role

19. Present time, for short?

20. Person who picks up after an annual NFL or NBA event?

23. Hide out 24. Old parent company of NBC 25. "Call of Duty: Black ___" 28. Ride for hire

31. 1990s puzzle game on an island

33. Totally lit

35. Tire swing support

37. Votes overseas

39. Hard drink

40. Classic musical comedy involving a lifeboat?

43. Officially part of a fictional universe 44. Nats or Nets, e.g. 45. Film rating gp. 46. Singers Baker and Pointer 48. Wild guess

50. Longtime network for "Arthur"

51. A Bobbsey twin

52. Sox, on scoreboards

54. "ER" actor La Salle

56. Botanical transplant, but completely on the level?

Numbers to be

DOWN

1. Scottish cap

2. Pre-owned

3. Animal abode

4. Optimal

5. French fragrance

6. Exercise wear

7. Barnacles' place

8. "Doe, ___ ..."

9. Company with a star logo

10. Die shape

11. Galaxy download, maybe

12. "Hairspray" actress Zadora

13. Pig's enclosure

21. Check the fit of

22. "Twin Peaks" actor Jack

26. Assembly-ready

27. Some mattresses

28. Diagnostic image, for short

29. Grande not on the menu at Starbucks?

30. Late Linkin Park singer Chester

32. Utensil points

34. Not negotiable

36. Four-award feat, for short

38. Jake's company

41. Carrie Ann of "Dancing With the Stars"

42. "Crying in ___" (2021 Michelle Zauner memoir)

47. Cells' features?

49. One under, in golf

53. Brown ermine

55. Assigned amount

57. 2000 Super Bowl winners

58. Villain in some fairy tales

59. Alpine transport 60. Corridor 61. Beaver construction 62. Took a meal 65. Functional lead-in

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): What are the best methods to exorcize our personal demons, ghosts, and goblins? Or at least subdue them and neutralize their ill effects? We all have such phantoms at work in our psyches, corroding our confidence and undermining our intentions. One approach don't recommend is to get mad at yourself for having these interlopers. Never do that. The demons’ strategy, you see, is to manipulate you into being mean and cruel to yourself. To drive them away, suggest you shower yourself with love and kindness. That seriously reduces their ability to trick you and hurt you—and may even put them into a deep sleep. Now is an excellent time to try this approach.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): As she matured, Scorpio poet Sylvia Plath wrote, "I am learning how to compromise the wild dream ideals and the necessary realities without such screaming pain." I believe you're ready to go even further than Plath was able to, dear Scorpio. In the coming weeks, you could not merely "compromise" the wild dream ideals and the necessary realities. You could synergize them and get them to collaborate in satisfying ways. Bonus: bet you will accomplish this feat without screaming pain. In fact, you may generate surprising pleasures that delight you with their revelations.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Some primates use herbal and clay medicines to selfmedicate. Great apes, chimpanzees, bonobos, and gorillas ingest a variety of ingredients that fight against parasitic infection and help relieve various gastrointestinal disturbances. (More info: https://tinyurl.com/PrimatesSelfMedicate.) Our ancestors learned the same healing arts, though far more extensively. And many Indigenous people today still practice this kind of self-care. With these thoughts in mind, Sagittarius, I urge you to spend quality time in the coming weeks deepening your understanding of how to heal and nurture yourself. The kinds of “medicines” you might draw on could be herbs, and may also be music, stories, colors, scents, books, relationships, and adventures.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): The mythic traditions of all cultures are replete with tales of clashes and combats. If we draw on these tales to deduce what activity humans enjoy more than any other, we might conclude that it’s fighting with each other. But I hope you will avoid this normal habit as much as possible during the next three weeks, Capricorn. I am encouraging you to actively repress all inclinations to tangle. Just for now, believe you will cast a wildly benevolent magic spell on your mental and physical health if you avoid arguments and skirmishes. Here’s a helpful tip: In each situation you’re involved in, focus on sustaining a vision of the most graceful, positive outcome.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Is there a person who could serve as your Über Mother for a while? This would be a wise and tender maternal ally who gives you the extra nurturing you need, along with steady doses of warm, crisp advice

on how to weave your way through your labyrinthine decisions. Your temporary Über Mother could be any gender, really. They would love and accept you for exactly who you are, even as they stoke your confidence to pursue your sweet dreams about the future. Supportive and inspirational. Reassuring and invigorating. Championing you and consecrating you.

PISCES (Feb 19-March 20): Congratulations on acquiring the Big New Riddle! I trust it will inspire you to grow wiser and kinder and wilder over the coming months. I've compiled some clues to help you unravel and ultimately solve this challenging and fascinating mystery. 1. Refrain from calling on any strength that's stingy or pinched. Ally yourself solely with generous power. 2. Avoid putting your faith in trivial and irrelevant "benefits." Hold out for the most soulful assistance. 3. The answer to key questions may often be, "Make new connections and enhance existing connections."

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Before forming the band called The Beatles, John Lennon, George Harrison, and Paul McCartney performed under various other names: the Quarrymen, Japage 3, and Johnny and the Moondogs. I suspect you are currently at your own equivalent of the Johnny and the Moondogs phase. You’re building momentum. You’re gathering the tools and resources you need. But you have not yet found the exact title, descriptor, or definition for your enterprise. I suggest you be extra alert for its arrival in the coming weeks.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Georges Rouault (1871-1958) was a Gemini painter who bequeathed the world over 3,000 works of art. There might have been even more. But years before he died, he burned 315 of his unfinished paintings. He felt they were imperfect, and he would never have time or be motivated to finish them. I think the coming weeks would be a good time for you to enjoy a comparable purge, Gemini. Are there things in your world that don't mean much to you anymore and are simply taking up space? Consider the possibility of freeing yourself from their stale energy.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Britain occupied India for almost 200 years. It was a ruthless and undemocratic exploitation that steadily drained India’s wealth and resources. Mahatma Gandhi wasn’t the only leader who fought British oppression, but he was among the most effective. In 1930, he led a 24-day, 240-mile march to protest the empire’s tyrannical salt tax. This action was instrumental in energizing the Indian independence movement that ultimately culminated in India’s freedom. I vote to make Gandhi one of your inspirational role models in the coming months. Are you ready to launch a liberation project? Stage a constructive rebellion? Martial the collaborative energies of your people in a holy cause?

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): As crucial as it is to take responsibility, it is also essential to recognize where our responsibilities end and what should be left for others to do. For example, we usually shouldn’t do work for other people that they can just as easily do for themselves. We shouldn’t sacrifice doing the work that only we can do and get sidetracked doing work that many people can do. To be effective and to find fulfillment in life, it’s vital for us to discover what truly needs to be within our care and what should be outside of our care. I see the coming weeks as a favorable time for you to clarify the boundary between these two.

CLASSIFIEDS

DOWNTOWN ROOMS FOR RENT: THE WHITING. Downtown rooms for rent on a month to month basis. Rents starting at $400/mo, includes all utilities. Single occupancy, no pets. 231-9476360. www.thewhitinghotel.com

MR.GETITDONE: Need junk cleared away, brush to old couches. Mike can haul it away for fair prices and senior discounts. Powerwashing, many handyman skills. Call for anything 231-871-1028.

BUYING OLD WOODEN DUCK and FISH SPEARING DECOYS: BUYING OLD WOODEN DUCK and FISH SPEARING DECOYS call, text 248 877-0210

WATERCRAFT DONATIONS NEEDED FOR AREA NON-PROFIT : Donate boats & gear to MHA 231-946-2647 auction@maritimeheritagealliance.org

Landscaping and Garden care: For Landscaping, Cleanup, and Garden care Call 231-342-6861

LOOKING FOR A KEYBOARD PLAYER: The band ReBooted with Judy Harrison is starting a new project and looking for a keyboard player. Are you interested? Contact judy@highimpactnow.com or call 231.620.6246

WEDNESDAY NIGHT LATIN DANCE: Latin Dance Classes @ 6p Wed at VFW Post 2780. Come alone or as a pair! $12 per SEWING: Sewing, Alterations, Mending & Repairs. Maple City, Maralene Roush 231-228-6248 Hiring Church Director of Religious Education (DRE)

UU CONG. OF GRAND TRAVERSE is hiring a Dir. of Rel. Ed. 15 hours/ wk. Involves sharing children's story on Sun, coordinating teachers/volunteers for Sunday school. See our website! https://uucgt.org/job-openings/

CHURCH HIRING MUSIC DIRECTOR

UU Cong. of Grand Traverse hiring a Music Director. 15 hrs/wk. Involves organizing music for services, directing choir, and supporting music program. Love music? See our website! https:// uucgt.org/job-openings/

CHURCH HIRING MAINTENANCE

PERSON UU Cong. of Grand Traverse hiring Facilities Maintenance Person. 6 hrs/wk. Involves walkthroughs, performing repairs, & solving facilities issues. Interested? Visit our website! https://uucgt.org/job-openings/

NORTHWESTERN MICHIGAN

COLLEGE IS HIRING NMC is seeking a Programmer and Programmer/ Analyst to join our IT team. Hybrid/ Remote flexibility with full benefits. Starting salary range: $49,723.00$60,273.00 NMC is EOE nmc.edu/nondiscrimination https://

FIREPLACE INSTALLER (ENTRY LEVEL OR EXPERIENCED) Have repair experience? Phillips Lifestyles in Traverse City is hiring for a Fireplace Installer (Entry Level or Experienced)! Full-time job with starting pay of $17$20 per hour. If you have 3+ years of experience, starting pay is $22 or more based on experience. For info on duties, requirements, benefits and more, contact us at 231-929-1396 or e-mail us jobs@phillipslifestyles.com

WAREHOUSE WORKER Do you have warehouse experience? Phillips Lifestyles in Traverse City is hiring for a full-time Warehouse Worker! Fulltime job with starting pay of $17 per hour, with starting pay higher based on experience & capabilities. For info on duties, requirements, benefits, and more, contact us at 231-929-1396 or e-mail us jobs@phillipslifestyles.com