[In response to the “More Hunting” letter to the editor in the Nov. 17 issue] It would be inaccurate to call Northern Express anything but a centrist publication, if it can be said to hold a political viewpoint at all. It mostly acts as a promoter of local business and development interests; even its opinion columnists are wholly within the mainstream of American opinion. If anything, it tilts to the right by letting the views of establishment interests go unchallenged in its reporting.
In that way it mirrors the Democratic Party’s slide to the right since the early ’80s in response to the unexpected electoral success of the far-right lurch of the Republicans. Their anemic response to the right’s move toward authoritarianism has been complicit in the rise of fascism we see today. It just suits the right to create and repeat a false narrative of the Democrats’ leftward shift. Even Social Democrats like Bernie Sanders and Zohran Mamdani are focused on kitchen table issues and their positions have wide support in the American public.
And as for hunting, the steady drop in support and participation in recent decades seems to support the fact that it is an outdated and barbaric tradition whose time has passed, and in reality the continued over-emphasis on input from hunters skews the possibility of a balanced approach to “wildlife management.” That would require more emphasis on wildlife and less on its management for human interests.
Northern Express Weekly is published by Eyes Only Media, LLC.
Distribution Manager: Roger Racine Sales: Lisa Gillespie, Kim Murray, Kaitlyn Nance, Abby Walton Porter, Michele Young, For ad sales in Petoskey, Harbor Springs, Boyne & Charlevoix, call (231) 838-6948
Creative Director: Kyra Cross Poehlman
Art Bukowski, Nick Cooper, Anna Faller, Craig Manning, Stephen Tuttle, Todd VanSickle Distribution: Marc Morris, Gerald Morris, Dave Anderson, Joe Evancho, Jason Ritter, Sherri Ritter, Roger Racine, Sarah Racine, Brandy Grames, Rachel Cara, Jackson Price, Lisa Price, Peggy Bell
Listings Editor: Jamie Kauffold
Jeffrey Hanser | Roscommon
Cover photo courtesy of Malted Vinyl
top ten
A Very Merry Bellaire
Bellaire will be sparkling this Saturday, Dec. 6, as the 16th annual Light Up the Night & Soup Cook-Off takes over downtown. Follow the floats and sleighs in the parade to the Christmas tree lighting, followed by the soup extravaganza, where 11 local chefs will compete for your vote. (Tickets are $15 at participating local establishments.) Santa will be on hand, and there will be plenty of festivities—think a marching band, live nativity scene, fire pits, shops open late—for the whole family. You can also catch the third year of the Bellaire Artist Guild Holiday Market at two locations, including Crosshatch Center for Art and Ecology, which will have an artisan pop-up and cardmaking station at their soon-to-open Meeting House + Mercantile at 221 North Bridge Street. For more details, head to bellairechamber.org/light-up-the-night.
2 tastemaker
Crocodile Palace’s Hot Pot
If you’ve never had a hot pot dinner before, think of it like fondue but with broth in place of cheese and veggies, noodles, and meats in place of bread or other dipping items. Crocodile Palace is putting their spin on the tradition on Thursdays at The Little Fleet in TC. This is a meal made for sharing, and ours easily served four (along with an order of their Smashed Cucumber Salad). Here’s what comes on your tray (could vary from week to week): rice, two types of noodles, mushrooms, bok choy, soft-boiled eggs, dumplings, fried tofu, pork, and beef. While the Croc Palace team assured us the spicy side of the broth wasn’t made with their spiciest peppers, it will still put some fire on your tongue and some sweat on your brow. This special continues all winter long, so cozy up at a table as the snow falls at 448 E Front St. in Traverse City.
Christmas at the Lighthouse
See the Grand Traverse Lighthouse all dressed up for Christmas at the Holiday Lights Hike at Leelanau State Park campground and around the lighthouse, Dec. 5-6 from 5-8pm. New this year is Santa’s Workshop in the Fog Signal Building, where kids can make crafts to take home, as well as the “Parade of Trees” throughout the property and historic buildings. Tickets are $10 adults, $5 children, and $25 for a family of four (includes 3D glasses!) at mynorthtickets.com/events/holiday-lights-hike-12-5-2025.
Hey, Read It! A New New Me 4
Kinga Sikora has a steady job, an apartment to herself, and a freshly-obtained Czech citizenship card. Unbeknownst to everyone else, though, there are actually seven different personalities hiding beneath the surface known as “Kinga,” each of which operates her own day of the week. So far, their arrangement has been a success—that is, until Monday’s Kinga-A discovers a strange man hiding in the pantry. With each new day and another Kinga adding a new twist to their predicament—Kinga-C puts the moves on their rugged fugitive, while KingaE’s distracted by secret errands and Kinga-G’s been missing for days—the girls soon realize that some amongst them are lying, and until the truth comes out, no Kinga is safe. Helen Oyeyemi is peeling back the layers on human persona in her rollicking and absurd new novel, A New New Me. Who wins in the game of you against you…against you?
Holiday Shopping Sprees (and Trees!)
Head north of the 45th parallel this weekend for three chances to get all your holiday shopping done weeks before you’re putting presents under the tree. First up is the inaugural A Very Bay Harbor Christmas, Dec. 4-7, complete with a Hallmark star meet-and-greet, a “running of the Grinches” (which must be seen to be believed), a holiday market, boutique shopping, and arts and crafts for the family. Details at bayharbor.com/christmas. Then head to downtown Petoskey’s Holiday Open House and tree lighting on Dec. 5 from 6-9pm. Last but not least, the Harbor Springs Merchants Holiday Open House is Dec. 6 from 6-9pm. Both events will have main streets closed for strolling, plus performances by the Petoskey High School Steel Drum Band. petoskeyarea.com/calendar-events
Early in 2026, we’ll be putting out our “Kids & Camps” issue, which will include our annual round-up of summer camps in the area. Help us make sure we don’t miss a single one in our 13-country coverage area: Antrim, Benzie, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Crawford, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau, Manistee, Missaukee, Otsego, and Wexford. Shoot an email with the subject line “Summer Camp” to info@northernexpress.com with the name and location of your camp, the dates it runs (you can use just the month if you’re still finalizing the details), when registration opens, and any other important information parents and guardians need to know about getting their kiddos signed up. Send all the info our way by Jan. 4, 2026, to be considered for inclusion in the story.
A LEELANAU LEGEND
JIM HARRISON was widely considered one of the finest voices of his generation. Harrison helped to shape the course of contemporary American literature, and was a recognized master of the novella form. His books, Legends of the Fall, Farmer, Dalva and Revenge, were made into movies.
But did you also know he was a patron of Leelanau County’s Blue Bird restaurant and Dick’s Pour House? Join acclaimed biographer Todd Goddard and #1 New York Times bestselling author and NWS co-founder Doug Stanton at the City Opera House on December 8 at 7:00 pm (+ livestream) to find out more!
Stuff We Love: A Heartfelt Card
They say that letter writing is a lost art, but Thrive 45° Young Professionals Group and the Petoskey Chamber are hoping to bring it back. They’re hosting the 6th annual Heartfelt Holiday Card and Letter Drive with the goal of collecting 1,500 letters for area seniors. Here’s how to participate, per their press release: “Using colorful cards or stationery, write a short, generic message. Messages should be positive, supportive, and respectful. It is best not to make assumptions of age, gender, background, or ability. Place the letter or card in a blank, unsealed envelope. No stamps are necessary.” All letters will be screened before they are delivered to local seniors via senior living communities and service agencies. Cards can be dropped off at (or mailed to) the Petoskey Chamber at 401 E Mitchell Street during business hours, Monday-Friday 8am-5pm, or drop in the designated box outside the office. Let’s spread some good cheer!
bottoms up Lake Ann Brewing’s Trinidad Scorpion Pepper Porter
We’re all about finding ways to stay toasty as winter weather arrives, and Lake Ann Brewing Co. is bringing the heat with their Trinidad Scorpion Pepper Porter. A delightfullydrinkable twist on the pub’s OG Platte River Porter, this one-two-punch features the same toasty malts and medium body, kicked up a few-dozen Scovilles by means of the Trinidad scorpion pepper (one of the world’s hottest chilis!). Combined with the rich notes of chocolate extract—which, like its peppery counterpart, is added post-fermentation for maximum flavor—the result is a perfectly-balanced brew with a roasty palette and spicy kick. Pair with friends and a late-autumn bonfire, and you might not even need a jacket! Warm up at Lake Ann Brewing Company (6535 First St.) in Lake Ann, and stay tuned for their new four seasons event space, coming mid-December! lakeannbrewing.com
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NOT QUITE PEACEMAKING
spectator
By Stephen Tuttle
Our president continues to insist he is deserving of some sort of peace prize and claims he’s stopped eight wars in his 11 months in office. Now might be a good time to check up on all of that as we enter the season celebrating the actual Prince of Peace.
Let’s start with the plan for “peace” in the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Or, as President Trump calls it, “Ukraine’s war with Russia.”
The U.S. proposal, all 28 points of it, reads as if it had been written by Vladimir Putin himself. (Never mind that Trump’s peace delusions include the claims the war would have never happened had he been in office.)
Just four of the highlights paint an accurate picture of how remarkably one-sided our proposal is. Ukraine would be required to reduce the size of their military, give up any and all long-range weapons and neither
end their political control of Gaza. (The U.S. has designated Hamas as a Foreign Terrorist Organization since 1997, but they were openly elected as the political leaders of Gaza.)
There is no reason to ever believe any kind of lasting peace will exist in that part of the world. Hostilities have existed there for millennia, and both sides already claim the other has violated the ceasefire agreement multiple times. Israel says Hamas has not returned all the hostages and has again launched rocket attacks, and Hamas says Israel continues military operations. (Amnesty International says Israel has undertaken military actions on 35 of the the first 42 day ceasefire period.)
It was a nice try by the president, making him the last of every president since Truman to try and bring some calm to an area dominated by violent chaos.
Talking peace is an honorable thing. Bragging about peacemaking that doesn’t exist, and begging for awards, not so much. Friday December 5th 5pm - 8pm
manufacture nor import such additional weapons, abandon the idea of joining NATO, and surrender the Donbas region to the invading Russians.
The last point is especially offensive. The Donbas region is an industrialized chunk of what is now eastern Ukraine. At 20,500 square miles—about the size of West Virginia—it is not a tiny dot, and Ukraine would like to keep it, despite some occupying Russian troops.
In exchange for giving up their means of selfdefense despite a belligerent and apparently imperialistic neighbor, and surrendering land stolen by that neighbor, we have given them vague assurances of protective security. Given this so-called peace plan, there is no reason for Ukraine to believe or trust us. And our complete acquiescence to Russia is outrageous and embarrassing.
President Trump now claims this proposal is a “work in progress,” but any negotiations outlined include the U.S. and Russia but not Ukraine. Negotiations that exclude the country being invaded? Posting on X, GOP Congressman Don Bacon of Nebraska said, “In the war between Ukraine and Russia, the first to surrender was America.”
Okay, Trump clearly has chosen the wrong side in that war, but maybe he’s done better with the Israel/Hamas mess.
There was supposedly an agreement to end hostilities and things would wind down in three 42-day time periods until there was no war. Hamas would agree to return all Israeli hostages, alive or dead; Israel would agree to release and return an as yet undetermined number of Gaza prisoners; and Israel would end their occupation of the Gaza strip. Israel is additionally demanding Hamas permanently
What about his other peacemaking claims? With help from Axios, Vox, and the BBC, here are Trump’s claims starting with two wars that never happened.
Ethiopia and Egypt are arguing about an Ethiopian dam project, and Serbia and Kosovo are trading insults because they can, but neither situation involves anything resembling a military conflict we stopped.
We claimed we ended a border war between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and they did sign an agreement, but neither side abides by it and hostilities continue to exist, so peace it is not. And we claim we ended the Armenia/Azerbaijan 40-year spat with an agreement signed at the White House in August, but the fighting had already stopped in April of 2023.
Trump is taking credit for an end to the 12day conflict between Iran and Israel because we bombed Iran’s nuclear facilities. Our claim that we “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear program was a gross exaggeration, but we did slow them down. There is no ongoing agreement between Iran and Israel, though
Another in the traditional clashes between bad neighbors India and Pakistan ended in four days. Pakistan says Trump was instrumental in stopping the hostilities and nominated him for a Nobel Peace Prize, but India says he was not really involved. Likewise, when we intervened in a border dispute between Cambodia and Thailand, both highly dependent on exports to the U.S., both praised Trump’s involvement
Talking peace is an honorable thing. Bragging about peacemaking that doesn’t exist, and begging for awards, not so much.
TEEN APATHY IN THE POLITICAL WORLD
GUEST OPINION
by Tess Tarchak-Hiss
In my third-grade classroom, Donald Trump won the 2016 election. Tension was high in Mrs. Maxbaur’s class; girls galloped across the playground on their imaginary horses, gathering info on everyone to see who would vote for whom. On my madeup mare, I investigated that 14 kids would be voting for Clinton and 14 would be voting for Trump.
Well. Shoot. By the time we ripped off our snowpants and muddled into the line with gel-pens in hand, I still had no idea who I was going to vote for. I knew who my mom was leaning toward, and I knew who my friends, spouting questionable speech from their parents, were in favor of.
I didn’t know the policies of either candidate, only that Clinton wanted voters to “Pokémon Go-to-the-polls.” That should’ve won me over.
Plot twist: it didn’t. By the time I stepped up to the ballot, I freaked. They announced the results over the loudspeaker after we got back from lunch: 15 votes for Trump, 13 votes for Clinton, and one vote for Gary Johnson. Mini Tess was the epitome of a little libertarian, despite sobbing as soon as the pretend outcomes were disclosed.
When I woke up the next morning on Nov. 9, 2016, my mom was also crying on the couch. This time, it was real.
Don’t get me wrong—I have political opinions, and I’m not a moderate. But I was never the type to advertise them publicly by posting random rainbowcolored infographics on my social media or wearing pins and badges on my Kermit the Frog backpack in hopes that someone would agree or disagree with my selection. I’d sympathize, but I’d never take action— others were already doing that.
This directly contradicts the way my mom tried to raise me. We have a “Give a Damn” sign strategically placed right above the toilet, but up until recently, I only gave grumbles and the bare minimum.
I didn’t care about a single book my mom brought me from the library about political apathy. I rolled my eyes when she tried to educate me about Title IX. I cringed when she cried to me about the direction this country was heading. It wasn’t a disinterest in the arising danger: it was just me deliberately breaking down everything my mom stood for, intending to go against her out of my tedious teenage angst.
Being a single mother with two teenage girls, each with a plethora of personal issues, my mom always had an emergencyassistance alarm at her beck and call. Bleep! The Babs Button was hit.
that’s my grandma. She puts in 100 percent to aiding her girls and her community.
On the board of the New Jersey Wharton Dems, Babs strives for change in the world, both by knocking on doors and meandering new ideas through Zoom meetings in Michigan. My mom’s passion for politics stems from her mother; therefore, I took Babs’ democratic drive with a grain of salt.
Which was why, on her last extended stay in October, I was reluctant to go to the No Kings protest with her.
“It’s depressing,” I would argue. “It’s uplifting,” she would rebut. “The world just sucks right now.” “We need to change it.” “I thought you were fighting against change. Like, I didn’t use to have a dictator, and now I do. I used to have rights, and now I don’t.” “It’s not just about us. It’s not just about you.”
Despite being a firecracker, Babs has never uttered anything remotely like those words to her girls before. She wanted to make change happen, but she also wanted to alter how I suddenly and selfishly saw the world.
Angst is never an excuse for stasis, and only guilt is gained from apathy—political or otherwise. By going to the No Kings protest, I viewed the world from the perspective of my mother, my grandmother, and everyone else considerate of the consequences that would come with passivity. The protest wasn’t about a party issue or a personal issue—it was thousands of possibilities for a better future.
I saw an incredibly vast range of expression during the protest. Through costumes and signs to slightly uncanny Trump voodoo dolls, people of all ages attended to represent more than themselves. Yet nothing stood out to me more than the seemingly millions of monarch butterfly costumes.
Little girls would fly across the field with their orange wings fluttering behind their backs; they would march with a clearly handmade sign in one palm and their parents’ hands in the other. I felt motivated to do more, if not for me, then for them. They were the future, and their possibilities should be freeing. Babs was right: it was inspiring.
Change is petrifying, and in a world where policies can shift in a blink of an eye, it’s human nature to turn distress into detachment. But the way to battle dispassion is to deliberately get involved and better understand and empathize with the people around us.
Especially your grandmother.
Tess Tarchak-Hiss is a senior at Traverse City West Senior High. She explores the world around her by writing at her dining room table while listening to Wiz Khalifa.
Picture Paulie Walnuts from The Sopranos mixed with Sophia from Golden Girls
¡TEQUIO!
Midwest roots turned into West Coast success for this beverage-making duo
By Nick Cooper
More than two decades ago, Louis-Pascal Walsh and Frederick “Flick” Mooradian met as children, and they have been nearly inseparable since. Fast-forward 20 years, and the Harbor Springs natives’ entrepreneurial dreams have come to reality as their tequila seltzer drink Tequio has found popularity in California and earned five-star ratings throughout the United States.
“Flick and I have a unique relationship. Our parents are very close friends, so we spent a lot of time together. We are very much matched in different ways. Both as friends and businessmen,” says Walsh.
In 2019, the idea for Tequio was born. The name Tequio comes from the Nahuatl words “tequitl” (tribute) and “tequitiliztli” (work). The term is used to refer to the collective work done within and for the community. Along those lines, Walsh and Mooradian had talked about creating a healthier beverage that rivaled what currently existed in the market, but it was hard to fit in the dream alongside their day jobs. Then COVID arrived.
“Louis worked in the film industry, and I worked in finance. During COVID I went remote and Louis had no work, so we went back to Harbor Springs. [We] spent the summer trying to come up with a better-foryou alcohol,” says Mooradian.
And they did.
All in on Agave
Tequio is seen as a healthier alternative as it uses purer ingredients than other competitors in the seltzer market and has just 100 calories.
“It was right after the hard seltzer boom of White Claw,” says Mooradian of Tequio’s inception. “Then High Noon started to
take off a little bit, and nobody was doing a tequila seltzer. So we looked into a little bit of the white space and found out that a lot of tequila seltzers on the market were using something called mixto tequila, which is cut with fermented sugars and can be up to 49 percent sugar.”
Walsh and Moorandian’s tequila seltzer cut out that high fructose corn syrup, sugar, or cane sugar using only 100 percent pure agave sourced from Guillermo Bañuelos’ family in Jalisco, Mexico.
“We found the Bañuelos family, who is our partner now, and they have an existing tequila brand. We licensed their brand for all of our cocktails. With us it was the bar quality experience. If you can get high-end tequila with sparkling water at the bar, why is it that if you wanted it in a can it has to be loaded with sugar and fruit flavors?” says Mooradian.
How the Tequio Gets Made
In Mexico, at the Bañuelos family farm agave is chosen and cut at six to eight years of maturity. Once the plant is cut, the heart of the plant is removed. The agave hearts are then boiled to ensure that the grinding process both goes smoothly and preserves the flavor that Blanco and Reposado tequilas are known for. The agave juice, called mosto once it is added into fermentation units, is then combined with yeast to begin the fermentation process.
Tequio offers two distinct flavors. The Blanco is described as having a “light and refreshing flavor” that is “effortlessly smooth with a touch of floral and citrus.” The Reposado is a bit more complex, with “sweet fruit and subtle oaky undertones.”
Blanco uses tequila that has been aged up to two months, while the Reposado is aged between two months to a year.
Upon the completion of fermentation,
the liquid is then placed into American and French oak barrels and aged up for at least two months. At the conclusion of the aging process, the tequila is then shipped to California where it is then combined with sparkling water and lime juice to give Tequio its signature flavor. The final product is then delivered to Tequio and driven to the canning facility.
“The cool thing about the whole process is that it takes place in this very small ecosystem. Everything is within a 15- [or] 20-minute drive. We can literally be in every one of those spots in one day,” says Walsh.
From the Basement to Whole Foods
After years of warm summer days in Michigan, Walsh and Mooradian now find themselves running a highly successful company in the Golden State. Today, Tequio can be found in more than 30 Whole Foods stores across California. The beverage has also led them to multiple connections and partnerships with companies around the U.S.
“The brand is a vessel for the community in a lot of ways,” says Walsh. “Flick and I this summer rode motorcycles from Los Angeles to New York City. We drove through Michigan, through the Upper Peninsula and down on our way to New York. The motorcycles from BMW, new models they were releasing, [were our] sales vehicles and we drove around and dropped off our product.”
The partnerships that Mooradian and Walsh have made are not the only things that make the Tequio owners proud. They cite early customer interaction as some of their fondest memories.
“When you have people try similar competitive products at the same time, that differentiation, that feedback initially was like, ‘maybe it’s not just the both of us in the basement,’” says Walsh.
TEQUIO COMES TO MICHIGAN
Good news for tequila drinkers: You can find Tequio close to come, and the duo soon plans on having a larger footprint in the Wolverine State.
“Because we live in SoCal this is a great market with 14 million people in Los Angeles to target,” says Mooradian. “Michigan, the Midwest roots, we’re excited to go back and tell the story and share it there.”
Here’s where to find Tequio now: Harbor Springs: Otis Harbor Springs, IGA Deli, Gurney’s Harbor Bottle Shop, Turkey’s, Pierson’s Grille & Spirits Petoskey: Toski Sands Market & Wine Shop, Petoskey – Bay View Country Club, Symons General Store & Wine Cellar, The Back Lot Beer Garden
EMBRACING THE MOCKTAIL MOMENT
Local businesses share their successes with NA cocktails
By Anna Faller
It’s no secret that the U.S. has entered a dry spell when it comes to alcohol enjoyment, with factors like health concerns and economic constraints driving consumption down in the last few years.
This increase in teetotalers, however, doesn’t negate the demand for a tasty drink. Enter: the rise of the mocktail. Per Missy Leverett, owner of Malted Vinyl in Petoskey, the thirst for non-alcoholic options is on the rise, with zero-proof spirits and beers accounting for about seven percent of beverage sales in markets like Europe.
But are northern Michiganders ready to drink the figurative Koolaid? Northern Express sat down with three local slingers of NA sips—Malted Vinyl, Mammoth Distilling in Traverse City, and Blue Fish Kitchen + Bar in Manistee—to find out.
MALTED VINYL
At the Petoskey listening lounge and cocktail bar, zero-proof sips have also been on the menu since the space opened in 2023.
To start, Leverett says it’s important to distinguish between zero-proof cocktails and more traditional mocktails, because they’re different things—and Malted Vinyl has both!
“Traditionally, mocktails are your more familiar Shirley Temples and ginger snaps,” she explains, and accordingly, often carry sweeter notes, more calories, and a lower price tag. Malted Vinyl’s zero-proof cocktails, by contrast, feature the same nuanced flavor profiles, intentional glassware, and creativity as their fully-leaded counterparts.
“[Our menu] is all developed at once, so our zero-proof cocktails are not afterthought,” Leverett says. “They’re created intentionally by the same team with the same level of care as our traditional cocktails.”
Like the rest of the bar’s beverage lineup, the exact selection at Malted Vinyl varies, but Leverett highlights Kentucky 74—an NA whiskey from Spiritless—as well as Rituals Zero Proof and Lyre’s award-winning non-alcoholic amaretto as recent favorites. There are a few zero-proof staples, headlined by the top-selling Fashionista, aka, an NA twist on the classic Old Fashioned. Right now, Malted Vinyl’s autumnal menu reflects the cooler season with house-spiced honeys and ciders, a flavor profile NA selections like the Fall Amaretti Sour highlight.
Though zero-proof options accounted for about three to four percent of Malted Vinyl’s beverage sales last year, Leverett notes that much of northern Michigan has yet to board the NA bandwagon. Still, she stresses the importance of crafting top-notch sips that allow everyone to—literally—drink in the experience of visiting the lounge.
“As a cocktail lounge, we wanted to provoke mindful enjoyment that included everyone. To do that, a broad beverage portfolio is [the first step],” she says.
MAMMOTH DISTILLING
With a virtually endless array of house-made syrups, juices, and booze-free bitters, zero-proof cocktails have pretty much always been available at Mammoth Distilling in Traverse City.
“You can remove the alcohol from a lot of [our cocktails] and still have a really fun drink, whether you’re swapping out that ingredient for water for something else,” general manager Hunter Eagle notes.
What hasn’t always existed is a menu of NA cocktail offerings, which hit the tasting room rotation about two years ago in response to the rise in non-alcoholic interest.
Still, the expectation at a craft beverage bar is craft beverages, and Mammoth’s zeroproof selection is just as curated as their signature hand-hewn spirits (but at a purposefully lower price). Per Eagle, the NA lineup rotates seasonally with the rest of the menu, with finalized drinks representing the collaborative input of distillery staff and management.
“Everyone’s palettes are different,” he says. “Not everyone likes sweet, not everyone likes spicy. We want to be able to cover all of those bases.”
To do that, the Mammoth menu is set up so drinkers can choose their own mocktail adventure. This includes removing the booze from hard drinks, like the cult-favorite Whiskey Tango Foxtrot (ingredients: Mammoth northern bourbon, a homemade pineapple-jalapeño mixer, and Northwoods ginger beer), which is just as tasty minus the W. Other NA riffs include the zero-proof Green Heat—which has a similar profile to the gin-forward Verdant Dreams—seasonal features, like the mulled cranberry Twilight Hour for fall, and fun additions, á la the Orange Creamsicle, which is every bit as juicy and sweet as it sounds.
As for Mammoth’s zero-proof future? Eagle says the Traverse City location makes only about five to 10 NA cocktails per day in the high season, but it’s a figure that’s poised to increase in their new downtown location. Though Mammoth-branded NA spirits aren’t yet on the docket—this would be a much longer process and discussion on the distillation end, Eagle notes—he’s looking forward to the opportunities a more structured NA program might offer.
“It’s all about having options,” he adds. “It shows that we’re making progress towards something that could be really great.”
BLUE FISH KITCHEN + BAR
Comfort and craft are the name of the game at Blue Fish Kitchen + Bar in Manistee, so when front of house manager Stephanie Watson saw increased demand for zero-proof sips, she started mixing.
In fact, non-alcoholic cocktails now account for about seven percent of the eatery’s highseason beverage numbers, a trend which Watson says appears to be on the incline.
“The industry is changing dramatically. My main target is to have everyone feel included, from guests who come in [without] the pressure to drink, as well as my staff feeling like they’re a part of it,” she adds.
To achieve this, the eatery has spent the last two years expanding their non-alcoholic options from two or so drinks to full lunch and dinner menus featuring curated NA cocktails, or zero-proof mixer selections, a title Watson chose to elevate alcohol-free options in the minds of consumers.
The popular Cucumber Cooler, for instance, pairs perfectly with the Spicy Pork Bowl on the lunch menu; meanwhile, the strawberry-coconut notes of The Pink One mirror the tropical vibes of the Yuzu Mule. Other top-sellers include the Lavender Limonata, a summer favorite-turned-staple, and the delightfully-caffeinated Expresstini.
To amplify the wow factor further, Blue Fish has introduced a selection of Seedlip nonalcoholic spirits—specifically, the tequila-adjacent Notas de Agave and aromatic Spice 94— allowing staff to add another layer of dimension to their NA creations.
“It’s all about elevating that experience,” Watson notes. “We want to make sure everyone is getting a crafted experience in both food and beverage.”
Watson hints at a New Year’s Eve NA feature (a burgeoning tradition, she says), as well adding an NA beer draft in preparation for Dry January.
“If there’s a demand for it, I’m here for it!” she adds.
BRUNCH WITH SANTA & HOT COCOA SOCIAL December 14 | 10:00am or 11:30am
SANTA’S SUPPER
December 20 | 5:00pm - 8:00pm
Celebrate the holidays with two magical ways to dine with Santa. Get the details at artisantc.com.
DISTILLERY UPS AND DOWNS OF 2025
Craft spirits industry is shifting, but not shaken
By Todd VanSickle
In late October, scores of people bellied up to the bar to sample a variety of spirits made at Northern Latitudes’ new 11,300-square-foot distillery, bar, and restaurant in Lake Leelanau, just a short walk to The Narrows. Throughout the day, a steady drove of customers stopped in to show their support by
sipping $12 cocktails and noshing on large charcuterie boards.
With such an overwhelming turnout, the grand opening would suggest that the spirits industry is healthy and thriving. However, uncertainty looms as spirit makers face rising costs, a waning drinking culture, and the side effects of the federal government shutdown Michigan has more than 80 craft
NORTHERN LATITUDES DISTILLERY
Northern Latitudes opened its first location in Suttons Bay in 2012. Over the years, the distillery has cultivated a loyal following of customers and the business has grown “exponentially,” says co-owner Mark Moseler.
Moseler used to be the head distiller. “My background in distilling is: I was a public schools social studies teacher and a football coach,” he jokes. “So, I drink a lot.”
During the opening, Moseler’s son-in-law, Martin Holst, who took over as head distiller about two years ago, was in the production area putting Jack Pine Gin labels on glass bottles. He says glass production has moved out of the U.S., contributing to rising costs.
“We buy it from a company here in the U.S., but they get it from India or China,” Holst says. “So, obviously tariffs are a big thing right now. Costs generally have gone up.”
The Leelanau location is almost three times larger than the Suttons Bay location. Having more room to store products and the new 200-gallon still will improve production, Holst says. However, the new building did come with some challenges and unexpected construction costs. And all those costs—along with changing clientele—can add up.
“Ever since COVID, we have seen less business,” Holst says. “What helps us is that we are so diverse—we have 26 products and by the end of the year we will have 30. But I just saw an article that craft spirit sales are down dramatically. I think like 25 percent since last year. I know it is a shifting business.”
During the past 20 years, drinking has decreased by 72 percent among those who are 18 to 34 years old. Also, in the same age group, regular drinkers have declined by more than 60 percent, according to a Gallup poll last year.
Holst believes the growing number of distilleries have also cut into the profit margin, adding that the market has become flooded with spirit makers.
“I think right now we are at 3,000 to 4,000 small craft distilleries in the U.S.,” Holst says. “When we started, there were 200. The market is definitely diluted and it hurts us, especially distribution-wise. But, obviously, we are still selling enough to open a much bigger production facility.”
With that new facility, the Northern Latitudes distiller plans to make Absinithe and a new coffee liqueur with a bourbon base and local maple syrup in the near future. Additionally, Holst is working on a cherry cream that he plans to have ready for the Traverse City Cherry Festival.
distilleries and ranks seventh in the nation for the number of spirit producers, according to the Michigan Craft Distillers Association.
In 2016, Michigan had 36 distilleries, and by 2020, it more than doubled.
All told, the spirits industry generates more than $1 billion for Michigan’s economy through the distilling process, manufacturing, wholesale, retail and tourism, according to the Michigan Craft
Distillers Association. Roughly three million pounds of Michigan-grown grain and fruits are used in the distilling process each year.
Despite the challenges and economic turbulence, distillers are not declaring last call. Instead, several northern Michigan spirit makers are expanding their operation and rolling out new products for the upcoming seasons.
GRAND TRAVERSE DISTILLERY
Grand Traverse Distillery opened its doors in 2005 and is the state’s first grain-to-bottle distillery.
“We are still seeing new faces, essentially, but not at a rate that we’ve seen them over the last 20 years,” says Operations Manager Steven Rabish.
His father, Kent Rabish, is the owner of Grand Traverse Distillery. He is considered a pioneer in Michigan’s craft distillery industry, lobbying for legislation that has allowed craft distilling to exist and expand throughout the state.
Today, Grand Traverse Distillery’s production facility is located off Three Mile Road in Traverse City and uses almost all local products, with the exception of ingredients like sugar cane that doesn’t grow in Michigan. It takes about 1,200 pounds grain to make a barrel of spirits, says Rabish.
Grand Traverse Distillery has tasting rooms in downtown Traverse City, Frankenmuth, Leland, Suttons Bay, and its newest location is in Charlevoix.
“A lot of our tasting rooms are positioned in tourist areas where people come up, spend a week to enjoy their time off, but that has shifted a little bit,” Rabish says. “I think the economy is shifting. Nothing has gotten cheaper over time. So, I think a lot of folks are just really kind of running their budget to make sure if it is alright.”
In response, Grand Traverse Distillery hopes to release their new affordable Lake Michigan Bourbon by the end of the year.
“I can tell you it is one of the biggest wins we’ve had this year,” says Rabish. “It’s primarily corn. We threw wheat in and a little bit of malt. Wheat has a nice, mellow flavor, whereas most of our whiskeys are rye based, which has a lot more of a peppery spice finish to it. If you take a bite out of rye bread, you’re like, yep, that’s rye. Whereas, you take a bite out of wheat bread, it has a mellow, smooth, almost soft flavor.”
The Lake Michigan bourbon will retail for $34.99.
“It’s at a pretty approachable price point,” Rabish says. “We actually make every drop of it from scratch. It’s not sourced; it’s not blended. It is 80 proof and it’s a little over two years old.”
Aside from rising costs across the board, Rabish says one the biggest challenges for Grand Traverse Distillery is getting the word out about their products.
“We don’t have a group of folks knocking on every door across the state of Michigan. Our biggest loss this year is we’ve lost ground with our statewide distribution,” Rabish says. “I think there’s a direct correlation between sales and folks knocking on the doors at Kroger’s and Meijer.”
IRON FISH DISTILLERY
Richard Anderson and his wife Sarah co-founded Iron Fish Distillery near Thompsonville in 2015 on an abandoned 120-acre farm. Over the past nine years, the owners have restored the property and built a full-line farm distillery that now supports more than 50 full-time jobs. (Keep an eye out for big things coming for their 10th anniversary in 2026.)
“What began as a small, family-operated venture has grown into a year-round destination welcoming nearly 150,000 visitors annually and distributing spirits across Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, Colorado, and North Carolina,” says Anderson.
In June, Iron Fish opened its fifth Rickhouse—the distillery’s largest barrel-aging warehouse. Rickhouse 5 is home to more than 1,500 barrels and is a new gathering space with individual lockers for more than 200 Whiskey Club Members, according to Anderson.
Among the 100,000-plus guests Iron Fish has each year, 70 percent are first-timers, Anderson estimates. He adds that the libations are not the only thing that keeps visitors coming back, as food and live music help too.
In May, Iron Fish released Batch 1 of Mad Angler Manifesto whiskey, a special distilleryonly release. The name is inspired by Michael Delp’s poetry and his call to defend and celebrate northern Michigan’s rivers.
“That sold out faster than we anticipated,” says Anderson. “Mad Angler Manifesto showcases the talent and expertise of our blending team as they have carte blanche on selecting any whiskies from our inventory to create this 500 bottle blend.”
This year for the first time Iron Fish released the full family of Mad Angler estate whiskeys at the same time—rye, bottled-in-bond, and bourbon—all aged for more than six years using all Michigan grain.
Despite the recent releases and growing foot print, Iron Fish faces the same economic and staffing woes as other small businesses.
“Like many in the craft spirits industry, we continue to navigate workforce shortages and rising costs across ingredients, packaging, and logistics,” Anderson says. “Maintaining a skilled team while managing inflationary pressures has required constant creativity and discipline, but it’s also reinforced our commitment to investing in people and efficiency on the farm and in the distillery.”
BALANCING COST AND CRAFT
The cost of a craft cocktail doesn’t come cheap, but distillers say customers are paying for quality and craftsmanship.
“At Iron Fish, cocktails featured at the distillery are designed to showcase the unique flavors and farm-to-glass nature of our spirits,” Anderson says. “That level of craftsmanship commands a premium price, but we’re equally focused on maintaining cost efficiency and delivering exceptional value in every cocktail we serve. Our cocktails range in price from $10-$15, which we believe is extremely competitive in the current craft cocktail market.”
Bottles tend to run between $40-$70 or more.
Speaking of affordable bottles, when we visited Grand Traverse Distillery, the Lake Michigan Bourbon was only available in house. Rabish was hoping to get approval by Nov. 1 for wider distribution, but the federal government shutdown put some products in limbo. Now, he hopes to have Lake Michigan bourbon on store shelves by the holidays.
The federal government shutdown also impacted Northern Latitudes. “The shutdown [was] prohibiting the release of some stuff,” Holst says.
The distiller explained that spirit labels and formulas need to be approved by the state and federal government before they can be distributed and sold at stores. Among the spirits waiting for release are an aged gin and two new Finnish lines of bourbon.
THE CANNED COCKTAIL CRAZE
A local-centric look inside the most popular beverage trend in the U.S.
By Craig Manning
Amidst a nationwide decline of craft beer, Right Brain Brewery owner and brewer Russell Springsteen found a bright spot in 2025: ready-to-drink cocktails.
Last year, Right Brain’s distribution team approached Springsteen and encouraged him to try his hand at creating an in-house version of a long drink. For the uninitiated, a long drink is a Finnish cocktail, historically made with gin and grapefruit soda and concocted with higher fluid volume—and lower strength—than the typical cocktail. Recently, that type of beverage has become enormously popular in America thanks to a ready-to-drink canned cocktail version branded as The Finnish Long Drink (coowned by actor Miles Teller).
Springsteen “spent a year trying to figure out how to make a long drink,” before launching Right Brain’s version in March of this year. The brewery’s standard iteration of the beverage, simply called Michigan Long Drink, is made with the traditional grapefruit flavor and tastes similar to The Finnish Long Drink. But by swapping the grapefruit for cherries grown by local farms like King Orchards, Right Brain found its biggest seller in years.
Though he initially planned to keep
the cherry version—dubbed the Traverse City Long Drink—as a summer-only flavor, Springsteen quickly realized there was more demand than could be contained within one season.
“We initially limited it to just 800 cases statewide, but I sold 50 cases through our pub during Cherry Festival week alone. We never do that on any one brand,” Springsteen says. The popularity prompted Springsteen to change course, and Right Brain is currently prepping its third batch of 800 cases for the Traverse City Long Drink.
“We just need to try to do some different things like that, because I think that’s where trends are going,” he adds.
The Alcohol Industry’s Season of Woe
Those trends have not been kind to Right Brain’s bread and butter, craft beer, as of late.
According to the Brewers Association, “overall U.S. beer production and imports were down 1 percent in 2024, while craft brewer volume sales declined by 4 percent.”
Notably, 2024 marked the first year since 2005 where more breweries closed than opened, signaling the end of a near-20-year period of growth in the American craft beer industry.
It’s not just beer taking a hit. According to the International Organisation of Vine
and Wine, global wine sales fell 3.3 percent in 2024, hitting their lowest levels in 60 years. U.S. exports of distilled spirits, meanwhile, dropped by 9 percent in the second quarter of this year. Even hard seltzers, which seemed downright omnipresent just five or six years ago, are bleeding: NorthJersey.com reported in September that “a company in North Jersey that produces White Claw hard seltzer” was “laying off 143 people due to what one of its executives characterized as a slowdown in the alcohol industry.”
There are lots of reasons for the alcohol industry’s moment of woe, ranging from inflation and high costs, to tariff impacts, to the fact that many Americans are simply drinking less than they used to. In a recent Gallup poll, just 54 percent of U.S. adults said they drink alcoholic beverages—lower than at any point in at least 30 years.
The Beverage of the Moment
If there’s been a bright spot for the industry amidst these cloudy trends, it’s come in the form of ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails. Though sometimes lumped in with the hard seltzer fad of the late-2010s, RTD cocktails are distinctly different. Popular hard seltzers like White Claw and Truly have no liquor in them and are made by fermenting sugar and malted grain and mixing it with seltzer water.
RTDs contain actual spirits and can include a variety of mixers, though seltzer water is the most common.
Overall, RTDs in the U.S. “approached 65 million cases last year” according to alcohol industry news hub Shanken News Daily, “up from less than 10 million cases in 2019.”
The Long Drink Company, which makes The Finnish Long Drink, saw 44.4 percent growth in 2024 compared to the year before, moving some 6 million cases of product.
Other RTDs are growing even faster: Take Surfside, an iced-tea-plus-vodka cocktail that saw a 270 percent glow-up between 2023 (1.3 million cases) and 2024 (4.9 million cases). And then there’s High Noon, an RTD brand that moved nearly 25 million cases of its drinks in 2024 alone, enough to make it the top-selling spirit in America.
Easy Drinking
Asked what he thinks is driving the fascination with RTDs, Springsteen says some of it has to do with customers following what’s new and exciting in the market. But a bigger part, he thinks, is the low alcohol-byvolume (ABV) metrics most popular canned cocktails are hitting.
High Noon beverages typically clock in at 4.5 percent ABV. Same for Surfside. The Finnish Long Drink is a little more potent,
at 5.5 percent, but is still more crushable than popular craft brews like Bell’s Two Hearted IPA (7 percent ABV). Right Brain’s long drink also hits the 5.5 percent mark, though Springsteen accidentally made an ultra-low-alcohol version during his initial experiments.
“When I did all this at the beginning, I was trying to hit 5.5 percent, and because it’s science and math, I miscalculated,” he laughs. “Our first ones were 2.75 percent ABV, so almost exactly half of what I was aiming for. My initial feeling was, ‘Oh, that’s an embarrassing math error.’ But then I put that version on sale at half off and let everyone know what the situation was, and we just smoked through it. Soon, people were saying to us, ‘Do it again.’ It was a nice reminder that, sometimes, failure isn’t a bad thing.”
Right Brain’s core long drink flavors— the original grapefruit and the Traverse City cherry—will stay at 5.5 percent. The 2.75 percent version, which Springsteen says will
roll out sometime this winter, with a bigger push next spring, will be a ginger flavor.
“My feeling is that low-ABV is what people want; it’s what they’re asking for,” Springsteen says. “So many people in the pub, they’re saying, ‘I just want a little bit of alcohol, not a lot. I’m driving.’”
With strong pub sales and a growing foothold throughout Right Brain’s distribution platform, Springsteen says the long drink has put the brewery “almost completely even” with its sales this year.
“There’s been a definite decline in beer sales in 2025, but we’ve made up for it with the long drinks and also with food, because we started doing food in the pub this year,” Springsteen says. “It’s been interesting, because I thought it was too late to the game [for RTDs]. I held off for a long time. I’d always said I’d never get into liquor. But that was a long time ago, and things have changed. And you either change with them, or you die.”
THE OTHER CANNED COCKTAILS OF THE
NORTH
In Springsteen’s defense, most of the earlier adopters in the RTD space—at least in the northern Michigan region—are distilleries, not breweries. Here are a few of the other local companies already playing in the canned cocktail sandbox.
Traverse City Whiskey Co., Whiskey Highball: Traverse City Whiskey dove into the RTD market in 2021, when hard seltzers were peaking and canned cocktails were in the early part of their upswing. TC Whiskey’s entrée into the market was the Whiskey Highball, a canned version of the simplest cocktail possible: whiskey and a carbonated mixer. The TC Whiskey version uses the company’s signature XXX Straight Bourbon Whiskey and comes in three flavors: original, cherry, and citrus. “While there are several types of seltzers on the market right now, our whiskey highballs are actually made with real bourbon and no substitutes,” TC Whiskey co-founder Chris Fredrickson said when the drinks were first unveiled.
Gypsy Distillery, Clean Cocktails: The Petoskeybased Gypsy Distillery was early to the canned cocktail movement, introducing its first foray into the style in 2020 with Clean Cocktails. “We were tired of drinking plain old seltzers taking the world by storm,” the distillery proclaimed. “As distillers, our goal was to create a canned ‘cocktail’ that changes the way people look at canned beverages. We didn’t want a malt-based beverage, but a ‘Real’ cocktail in a can full of flavor and spirit-based.”
The resulting line of cocktails features zero sugar, zero artificial sweeteners, and zero carbs, instead pairing spirits with flavored sparkling water. Flavors include wildberry pomegranate, strawberry lemon, watermelon kiwi, and blood orange. The first three are made with vodka, the last one with gin. All four hit an 8 percent ABV.
If you tuned into the Ryder Cup this fall, you might have noticed buzz about “The Mulligan,” a mix of bourbon, iced tea, lemonade, and soda water dubbed “the official bourbon cocktail” of the tournament. Starting in 2021, Petoskey’s Gypsy Distillery tried out its own version of the Mulligan, trading bourbon for vodka and offering three flavors: original, peach, and raspberry. Though it originally hit the same 8 percent ABV mark as Gypsy’s Clean Cocktails, the Mulligan has been scaled down to 6 percent recently, timing perfectly with a new-this-year partnership with the Michigan PGA.
New World Order
When Philadelphia roommates Jessica Yang, 33, and Nicole DeNardo, 31, moved in together in 2022, they both cared for Yang's cat, Gary. Later, as Yang tackled a home renovation project, DeNardo offered to care for Gary, People magazine reported. However, Yang learned that DeNardo had changed Gary's last name at the vet and added herself to his microchip information, making it seem as if she was his owner. DeNardo argued that the vet's office made the name change on their own, and she was only trying to protect him by adding her name to the emergency information. Still, she and Yang clashed when it was time to move out of their apartment about who was the real owner. "She said I was unfit to be a pet parent," Yang said. In December 2024, Yang sued DeNardo (to the tune of $20,000), and on Nov. 5, the court ruled in favor of Yang because she had originally bought the cat. "I just hope he's OK and has all the things he needs, and is living a good life," DeNardo said.
The Tech Revolution
In San Francisco, where self-driving taxis are ubiquitous, one rider recorded a video during his early November journey in a Tesla Robotaxi, KRON-TV reported. The Tesla taxis are required to have a "safety driver" -- a human who sits behind the wheel but doesn't drive. And while that just makes all sorts of sense, if the driver isn't awake, it's not much use. "The safety driver literally fell asleep at least three times during the ride," the passenger said. "Each time, the car's 'pay attention' safety alert went off and the beeping is what woke him back up." The rider waited a week to post the video on Reddit, as he gave Tesla a chance to respond. In the meantime, the California Public Utilities Commission said it is "aware of the video and taking follow-up actions to gather more information." The rider chose Waymo for his return trip.
Government in Action
Matthew Thornhill, a St. Charles County (Missouri) Circuit judge, has been suspended and will be banned from holding judicial offices in Missouri, Fox2Now-TV reported on Nov. 19. Thornhill was found to have engaged in several acts of misconduct, including discussing politics from the bench, but his most notable overstep was occasionally wearing a large plastic Elvis wig and sunglasses while presiding over the court. Thornhill said he was trying to "add levity" and relax people, but he can see how his actions affected the solemnity of the proceedings. He admitted to the charges against him and waived his right to an appeal, and with that, Elvis has left the building. (Thank you, thank you very much.)
It's a Mystery
On Nov. 18, Paige Batten got a call about a home she had for sale in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Local 3-TV reported. The potential buyers wondered when Batten would be replacing the driveway at the home, which Batten hadn't planned on. Then she learned that the day before, at least three trucks had been at the home, including two backhoes and a dump truck. Neighbors assumed that Batten had contracted for the driveway to be removed, but, neighbor April Renner said, "Somebody unfortunately stole it somehow, which is bizarre." Days later, Batten
heard from a local concrete company, which said it had been given the address by a scammer posing as a legit customer. The company poured Batten a new driveway free of charge.
Bright Idea
When your seniors can't get out much anymore, why not bring the party to them?
That's what one retirement home in Kunheim, France, has done. The Roseliere home has opened a pub to the public after obtaining a liquor license, RTL Today reported on Nov. 19. The bar opens before lunchtime, and residents say they love it. "It makes us see things in a more positive light!" said Colette Knoery, 96. Director Robert Kohler said the gathering spot aims to foster intergenerational exchanges and provide a sense of community. "Contacts are being made, and that's the kind of thing we're looking for, that extra touch of soul that we want to bring to our residents," he said. Now, in the nearby town of Barr, a similar project is underway. Sante!
Buyer Beware, or What's in a Name
United Press International reported on Nov. 20 that a talking teddy bear called Kumma has been pulled from retail shelves after the AI-powered toy ventured into questionable topics. A group of researchers from the U.S. and Canada held conversations with Kumma and found it easy to get the $99 bear to discuss sexually explicit topics including spanking, roleplay and BDSM. The researchers said Kumma would take a particular topic and "run with it, simultaneously escalating in graphic detail while introducing new sexual concepts of its own." The bear also offered advice about where to find sharp knives in the house. CEO of FoloToy Larry Wang said his company is "conducting an internal safety audit."
It's Good To Have a Hobby
Martin Stroby, 42, of Helsingborg, Sweden, has earned a Guinness World Record for the dubious achievement of stuffing matches in his nostrils, United Press International reported on Nov. 18. The previous record was 68 wooden matches; Stroby was able to shove 81 into his nose. "I discovered I could both stretch my nostrils a lot and also ignore the pain from putting all those matches in there, so I would say I'm a natural," Stroby said. "As a father I want my children to look up to me in the same way I look up to my father."
Glutton for Punishment
Andre McKechnie, 54, is serving a life sentence for murder in Port Phillip Prison in Victoria, Australia; but just because he's doing hard time doesn't mean McKechnie thinks it's fair to do without the ... finer (?) ... things. To that end, the inmate is suing the Victoria Department of Justice and Community Safety, as well as Corrections Victoria, the company that manages the prison, to lift their ban on Vegemite. Yes, the thick, brown, shiny, yeast-based paste that former U.S. President Barack Obama once tried and called "horrible" is an amenity the convicted murderer claims helps him "enjoy his culture as an Australian." Vegemite was banned in Victoria prisons in 2006, after officials determined that prisoners were using its odor to hide drugs from narcotic detection dogs. CNN reports that the case is scheduled for trial in the Supreme Court of Victoria next year.
Holiday Book Fair at the Mercato
Traverse City • Friday, Dec. 5, 2025 3-6pm - Free to attend
Enjoy the shops at the Mercato at Grand Traverse Commons
THE BLUE BIRD IS BACK
New digs, new eats, and a new vibe for the Leland staple
By Art Bukowski
Skip Telgard is resting a little easier these days—literally.
It’s not that his work in the brandnew version of Leland’s beloved Blue Bird restaurant is done. Far from it. It will be a few more months, at least, before all of the loose ends are tied up and the space is to his liking
But getting paying customers through the door in mid-October was a huge hurdle to clear, and Telgard is awash in relief to get to this point after a somewhat arduous buildout.
“This has been a long journey. So many things in the construction process went slow or got derailed for various reasons, and it was kind of a nonstop thing that was eating at me all the time. I wasn’t sleeping that well,” he says. “I have to say that as soon as we opened, that changed.”
The restaurant is now open from 4-11pm on Wednesday through Saturday, though Telgard hopes to get lunch back in the rotation soon. During the dinner service, he has been overjoyed to speak with customers who have come in to support the new chapter.
“I hear stories from everybody when they come in. I stop and talk to virtually all the tables, and there’s been so many familiar faces,” Telgard says. “It’s just been really exciting [because] it means so much to them. Of course it means a tremendous amount to me. The community support has been 1,000 percent.”
New Spaces, Familiar Faces
Skip and his wife, Lynn, are the third-
generation owners of “The Bird,” as it is often known. The Leland restaurant was founded by Skip’s grandparents, Martin and Leone Telgard, in 1927. They closed after the 2022 season with plans to demolish the old structure and rebuild it on the same site.
These plans were driven in large part by a desire to modernize (and right-size) operations, but also to better embrace the Leland River, which previously ran largely unnoticed behind the restaurant. The new version faces the river, with big windows and a very large patio just feet from the water.
“It’s all about the river here,” Teglard says. “That was our whole mantra.”
Building a new restaurant from scratch means a chance to build it exactly how you want it to be, and the Telgards took advantage. Aside from the river-facing orientation, the new restaurant is designed to operate far more efficiently than the old version, which had been continuously added, retrofitted, and renovated over the decades.
“The kitchen is that ergonomically much more logical than the old Blue Bird kitchen. That kitchen grew over the years out of necessity, whereas we had a lot of chance for forethought in this kitchen,” he says. “We designed it so that it makes more sense and we can operate it with fewer people.”
Also of note is many materials were brought over from the old building, including chairs, lights, wood used in accents and more. “The old Blue Bird wasn’t anything special architecturally, but it did have little things that were important,” Telgard says.
The new location has far more windows than the old, allowing ample natural light
and a good look at the hustle and bustle of Main Street.
“I’m loving just seeing the town in action,” Telgard says. “It’s a big, beautiful view.”
But getting settled into the new space also comes with learning curves and unexpected problems that need to be addressed.
“One main thing that we’ve run into… is the room is louder than we expected it to be. We have a lot of glass. And you get this much glass, you get a lot of reflective sound,” Telgard says, so he is exploring methods to help dampen the sound.
What to Order
The new, slightly slimmed down menu has a “core of Blue Bird staples” like whitefish (when available fresh), walleye, and pizza. Telgard used the restaurant’s down time as an opportunity to seek out some new suppliers, and he’s got a few home runs so far.
“We found some tremendous perch that we are so thrilled about. It’s not farm raised perch—this is wild-caught Michigan perch,” he says. “And we’re so happy to get it at a price we can live with and actually sell it. And customers are loving it. People are just flipping out.” It’s a welcome addition to a menu that
has long featured a bounty from the lakes.
“Fish is one of our big things, of course. It always has been at the Blue Bird,” Telgard says. “We’re getting out of whitefish season now, so it’s a little more difficult to come by, but our walleye and perch are really fantastic.”
The pizzas are and always have been in high demand, both for dine in and take out. Options include classics like Supreme, Veggie, and Caprese, with more creative editions available such as the Bird Pie (pepperoni, spinach, bacon, garlic, and tomato). There’s nothing overly radical about them, Telgard says, other than good ingredients and a consistent process.
“We make our crust every day, and we have a system for making our pizzas that is very, very consistent. And we use really good ingredients,” he says. “So it’s just a great pizza.”
Other local favorites include a brisket sandwich (“We smoke our own meats, so we have a brisket sandwich that is absolutely amazing,” Telgard says), hearty burgers, and a crispy chicken sandwich.
And while pub fare is all well and good, the new Blue Bird strives for more. New head chef Phil Murray (who owned and operated the famous Windows on Grand Traverse Bay for many years) plans to add several more upscale selections to the menu.
“Phil is…more of what I call a true chef,” Telgard says. “The former Blue Bird items from the old restaurant are classics that people ask for and they want, and we’re thrilled to put those out there, but Phil definitely brings another dimension to our cooking.”
Telgard says Murray is already at work creating new dishes that have been well received.
“He is extremely good on the sauté line. And his pastas are really, really delicious pasta dishes,” Telgard says. “He loves to work with ocean fish. So we’ve had a really good red snapper on the menu for a couple of weeks. He’s going to be switching over probably next week to several new fish dishes.”
Dessert and Drinks
And don’t forget to indulge your sweet tooth.
“Phil’s desserts are without peer. They’re just absolutely amazing,” Telgard says. “He’s a real chocolate guy, so his chocolates are great, but all of his desserts in general are really outstanding.”
Blue Bird has a full bar, including a Blue Bird Crib Light (named after the lighthouse in the Manitou Passage) made especially for them by Telgard’s friends at Arbor Brewing.
“It’s a lighter blonde beer, slightly cloudy, but really easy to drink with lower alcohol,” he says. “So it’s very friendly, very enjoyable, really an everyday beer.”
Telgard also has an impressive wine selection.
“I’m just pulling my list together with some of the things that we had at the old Blue Bird cellar. We had a pretty renowned cellar at the Blue Bird in the old building. And those wines I took and stored in a temperature controlled environment when I pulled them out of the old Blue Bird,” he says. “I have some… really nice older Italian wines that are really coming into their own right now.”
Find the Blue Bird at 102 East River St. in Leland. (231) 256-9081; bluebirdleland.com
Saturday
9TH ANNUAL VILLAGE
TREE DECORATING: 8amnoon, Mackinaw City Recreation Center. Enjoy tree trimming & fun. Meet Santa!
ANTRIM SKI ACADEMY SKI SWAP: 9am3pm, Shanty Creek Resort, Summit Village, Lakeview Hotel, Grand Ballroom, Bellaire. Featuring new & used ski & snowboard equipment & clothing. People with equipment &/or clothing that they wish to sell may drop these items off at the swap location Fri., Nov. 28 from 5-8pm & again from 8-10am on Sat. Unsold items &/or payment(s) for sold items may be picked up between 2-4pm Sat. afternoon. bellairechamber.org/2025/11/29/314913/antrimski-academy-sale
HOLLY BERRY ARTS & CRAFTS FAIR: 9am-3pm, Frankfort High School. Featuring hand-crafted, unique gifts, kid’s cookie decorating, holiday raffle, wreath sale, & Whoville holiday hair stand.
2025 MAC & CHEESE BAKE-OFF: SOLD OUT: 10am-5pm. Old Mission Peninsula Wine Trail members select their favorite seasonal wine & pair it with memorable Mac & Cheese dishes from some of the best restaurants & chefs in TC. Attendees will make their way through the OMP Wine Trail, stopping at all ten locations to indulge in these pairings. Event-goers then vote for their favorites: best pairing, cheesiest dish, & the best overall. $85.97. eventbrite.com/e/mac-cheese-bakeoff-2025-tickets-1730407257689
EMPIRE ARTISAN HOLIDAY MARKETPLACE: 10am-4pm, Empire Town Hall. Local artisans present their creations & crafts. Santa Claus will also be making a visit. Free.
GLEN ARBOR HOLIDAY MARKETPLACE: 10am-3pm, Town Hall, Glen Arbor. A huge selection of gifts from 25+ vendors. Meet Santa & Mrs. Claus at the M22 Wine Patio from 11am-1pm for festive photo opportunities. Free. visitglenarbor.com/event/holidaymarket-2025/2025-11-29 -
HOLIDAY ARTS & CRAFTS FAIR: 10am3pm, Glen Lake Community School. Sponsored by Glen Lake’s PTO. Featuring local & student makers & a bake sale.
HOLIDAY IN THE VILLAGE & SANTA AT THE BAY: Suttons Bay. Mail your letters to Santa, vote in the village-wide tree decorating contest. 2pm: Free family movie at The Bay Theatre. 5pm: Santa arrives to light the tree. Indoor Santa photo opportunity available after tree lighting. suttonsbaychamber. com/holiday-in-the-village-santa-at-the-bay
LIGHTHOUSE PARADE OF TREES: 10am, Grand Traverse Lighthouse Museum, Northport. See 15 decorated themed trees located throughout the lighthouse buildings, including Northport in Postcards, Woolsey Airport, Grinch, Patriotic & many more. Visit Santa’s Workshop for crafts & activities for kids. Cost of admission: $3-$8. grandtraverselighthouse.com
SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY: Downtown TC. Support downtown merchants & enjoy deals! See web site for participating merchants & special offerings. downtowntc.com/ black-friday-small-business-saturday
ADA TWIST, SCIENTIST: 11am, City Opera House, TC. A fun musical based on the books “Rosie Revere, Engineer”; “Iggy Peck, Architect”; & “Ada Twist, Scientist” by Andrea Beaty, which spotlights the STEM curriculum. $10-$25. cityoperahouse.org
HOLIDAY ARTS & CRAFTS: 11am-8pm, Northport Arts Association. Artisans will be displaying original & unique arts. Holiday décor, pottery, fiber arts & needlework, jewelry, photography, paintings, greeting cards & much more. northportartsassociation.org/ events-exhibits
SAY NO TO ISRAEL’S GENOCIDE: 11am12:30pm, Grandview Parkway + Union St., TC. The ceasefire in Gaza has not stopped Israel from killing Palestinians every day. Join MidEast:JustPeace in a weekly demonstration to demand our representatives stop taking money from the Israeli lobby, stop serving Israel above America, stop shipping weapons to Israel, & to stop the starvation & killing in Palestine. mideastjustpeace.net
TREE LIGHTING MATINEE SPECIAL: 11am, The Lyric Theatre, Harbor Springs. “A Christmas Story” will be shown in all three theaters. Advance tickets are required. Stay for a visit with Santa as he arrives on the Harbor Springs Fire Department Fire Truck after the movie! Free. lyricharborsprings.org
CADILLAC FOOTLITERS PRESENT: “A CHRISTMAS STORY, THE MUSICAL”: 2pm & 7pm, Cadillac Community Auditorium, Cadillac High School. Tickets: $12 advance at Brinks Art & Frame and Horizon Books; $14 online; $15 door. cadillacfootliters.com
TWINKLE THE NIGHT: 4-7pm, Old Mission Distilling, Seven Hills, TC. Enjoy this annual holiday tree lighting event. Cocktails & food, carols sung by OMP students, face painting, holiday vinyl spinning & more. sevenhillstc.com
Bellaire welcomes its 1st Annual Polar Plunge, Sat., Dec. 6 at 11:30am (check in at 11:15am) at Riverside Marina. This free event highly encourages costumes (nothing heavy) with the theme being CANDY! There will be prizes for Best Costume, Most Spirited Team, and Coolest Plunger. Also enjoy water, snacks, coffee and plenty of holiday cheer! Register: bellairechamber.org/polar-plunge. If you’re really in the holiday spirit, check out the 5K Elf Run before, and stick around for the Light the Night festivities downtown from 4-7pm, including the soup cook off, holiday parade, tree lighting, and a Santa sighting.
ANNUAL CHRISTMAS IN THE VILLAGE OF LAKE ANN: 5-7pm, Burnett Park, Lake Ann. Enjoy an old-fashioned Christmas with a cozy small-town parade leading Santa to his grand arrival. There will be a tree lighting ceremony in the park. Afterward, bring the kids to visit Santa in the town hall. Free.
FIRST LIGHT CELEBRATION: Crystal Mountain, Thompsonville. Santa will kick off the festivities at 5pm with a Horse Drawn Surrey ride down Crystal Mountain Drive starting from Kinlochen. He’ll hop off at the Crystal Center & help light the tree at 5:30pm. Also sing along to holiday favorites with Jim Hawley. crystalmountain.com/events-activities/events/ event-calendar/holiday-trail-celebration
LIGHT OF THE TRAIL!: 5-7pm, Sturgeon River Nature Preserve, Vanderbilt. After exploring the lit trail, warm up with hot cocoa. Free. headwatersconservancy.org
THE VILLAGE TREE LIGHTING: 5-7pm, The Village at GT Commons, Historic Front Lawn, TC. Enjoy hot chocolate & Christmas
music performed by Christina Teresa while you await the 6:15pm countdown. thevillagetc.com/events/the-village-tree-lighting
110TH ANNUAL HARBOR SPRINGS CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING: 6pm, Main St., near Holy Childhood Catholic Church. Also gather to sing carols. Afterwards, enjoy free homemade cookies & hot cocoa & visit with Santa in the Holy Childhood Parish Hall.
nov 30
Sunday
LIGHTHOUSE PARADE OF TREES: (See Sat., Nov. 29)
SANTA AT THE FIRE STATION: 11am-2pm, Long Lake Fire Station. Fire truck tours, photos with Santa, hot cocoa & cookies, & meet the local fire & EMS crew.
HICKORY MEADOWS HIKE: Noon, Hickory Hills, TC. Join hikers from the Grand Traverse Chapter of the North Country Trail As-
sociation to hike a beautiful area with paths meandering through meadows & upland forests, including a great view of TC from the top of Hickory Hill. Free. meetup.com/grand-traverse-chapter-north-country-trail-association/ events/311872469/?eventOrigin=group_upcoming_events -
HOLIDAY CONCERT: 2pm, Northport Performing Arts Center, Auditorium, Northport Public School. Featuring the Village Voices & Northport Community Band. $15 adults, $5 students, free for Northport students. northportperformingarts.org/new-page
HOLIDAY HOOPLA: 4pm, Peninsula Community Library, TC. Santa arrives via Peninsula Twp. fire truck. Take pictures by the fireplace & enjoy treats & crafts. Free.
LIGHT OF THE TRAIL!: (See Sat., Nov. 29)
monday
COOKBOOK DINNER SERIES PRESENTS “THE BOOK OF ST. JOHN”: amical, TC, Dec. 1-7. Founded in 1994 & acclaimed for its simple recipes, focus on quality ingredients, & zero waste cooking. Written by Fergus Henderson & Trevor Gulliver. amical.com/ cookbookdinnerseries
G.T. HUMANISTS MEETING: BIRD FLU: 6pm, Traverse Area District Library, TC. For the Dec. meeting of the Grand Traverse Humanists, Dr. Paul Coussens, Michigan State University professor of animal science, will present a program on avian influenza, aka bird flu. Free. gthumanists.org
tuesday
COOKBOOK DINNER SERIES PRESENTS “THE BOOK OF ST. JOHN”: (See Mon., Dec. 1)
MS AWARENESS SERIES EVENT: 6pm, Traverse Area District Library, McGuire Community Room, TC. Presented by the Northern Michigan Community Council of the National MS Society with keynote speaker, Dr. Rosemarie Walch, DO, who will be discussing the Updated Criteria for the Diagnosis of MS. Additional presentations will be hosted by Munson Neurosciences & Novello Specialty Clinic. Free. tadl.org/MSAwareness
“RING IN THE SEASON”: 7pm, TC Central High School Auditorium. The Traverse City Philharmonic Civic String Orchestras present this free concert. Conductor Lynne Tobin
leads the multi-age orchestras in program music about our favorite snowy season. tcphil.org/events/civic-ring-in-the-season-2025
wednesday
MICHIGAN PUBLIC LIBRARIES: FUNDING & THE FREEDOM TO READ: Noon, Leelanau County Government Center, lowerlevel Community Room, Suttons Bay. Presented by the League of Women Voters of Leelanau County. This forum will feature Dillon Geshel, interim executive director of the Michigan Library Association, who will speak to crucial issues surrounding library funding & intellectual freedom. Attendees are free to bring a sack lunch & a non-alcoholic beverage. Free. lwvleelanau.org
COOKBOOK DINNER SERIES PRESENTS “THE BOOK OF ST. JOHN”: (See Mon., Dec. 1)
LIGHT IT UP, CEDAR!: 4-8:30pm, The Folded Leaf, Cedar. Enjoy live music, a tree, & a decoration lighting ceremony at The Cedar Station at 6pm. When you arrive, check in at The Folded Leaf to pick up your punch card. Visit each participating business to get your card stamped for a chance to win a Cedar Area Business Basket. thefoldedleafleelanau.com/events
DECEMBER RECESS OF GIVING AT TC PHILHARMONIC: 5-7pm, TC Philharmonic Center, Cherryland Center. An after-work happy hour for adults. Enjoy appetizers & wines (with some beer & cider options) curated by Blue Goat Wine & Provisions. Featuring harp music from TC Phil principal harpist, Sylvia Norris. Please bring a Toys for Tots donation. Attendees will be entered in a drawing to win prizes including: 2 Gold level subscriptions for four of the remaining concerts in this season–your choice ($416 value, concerts chosen with Box Office after winning); (3 winners) Home for the Holidays tickets for two ($100 value ea.); & more. Entrance is around the BACK side of the complex. Recess 2025 is brought to you by Grand Traverse County, a Grand Place to Live, Work & Play. $10 admission; proceeds benefit TC Philharmonic. Find on Facebook.
HOLIDAY BUSINESS AFTER HOURS: 5-7pm, The Landing Restaurant, Charlevoix. Entry for this event will be cash donations to benefit two local food pantries in East Jordan & Ellsworth.
viewers to experience her altered sense of taste + vision including optional prism glasses that mimic her daily double vision.
AUTHOR EVENT: ANN GOETHALS: 6pm, Traverse Area District Library, McGuire Community Room, TC. Ann will talk about her debut novel, “The Doublewide,” a love story about a home, making a life, &, to the protagonist’s surprise, about a man. Free. tadl.org/anngoethals
BENZIE CONSERVATION DISTRICT ANNUAL MEETING & BOARD DIRECTOR ELECTIONS: 6-8pm, Mills Community House, Benzonia. Celebrate recent conservation efforts in Benzie County. Featuring a guest speaker, light refreshments, & Board Director Elections (Benzie County residents 18+ may vote). RSVP: info@benziecd.org or 231-882-4391. benziecd. org/annual-meeting-2025.html
INTERLOCHEN IN TOWN PRESENTS: COMMUNITY NIGHT AT THE STATE: 7pm, State Theatre, TC. Featuring “Sunfish (& Other Stories on Green Lake).” A film by Sierra Falconer. $10 adults, $6 students, free for IAA students. interlochen.org/events/interlochenin-town-presents-community-night-state-sunfish-other-stories-on-green-lake-2025
NWS: AN EVENING WITH KATE BAER: 7pm, Dennos Museum Center, Milliken Auditorium, NMC, TC. This renowned poet brings her latest book, “How About Now.” In it, Baer explores what it means to grow older, to release children into the wildness of their own lives, & to reclaim the ever evolving self. Doors open at 6pm with live music. $20. nationalwritersseries.org/author-event/kate-baer
thursday
A VERY BAY HARBOR CHRISTMAS: Dec. 4-7. Held in collaboration with Village at Bay Harbor, Village Suites Bay Harbor, Inn at Bay Harbor & Great Lakes Center for the Arts. A Hallmark star Meet & Greet, Running of the “Grinches,” Kris Kringle Holiday Market, Holiday Tree Fundraiser, The Christmas Carol on the Great Lakes Center stage, movies on the GLCFA big screen, cookie decorating & more. See web site for times & details. bayharbor.com/christmas
LIVE ARTIST DEMO & WINTER RECEPTION: 4-7pm, Art on Union Gallery, TC. Meet & greet the featured artist watercolorist - Rachel L., enjoy watching her paint while browsing the Winter exhibit, & enjoy seasonal treats. Free. artonunion.com
LADIES’ NIGHT: 5-9pm, downtown TC. Discover special deals at participating merchants & support local businesses. Most businesses will stay open until 9pm or later. downtowntc.com/ladies-shopping-night
HOLIDAY VERNISSAGE & SWIRL 2025: 5:30-7pm, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Petoskey. Enjoy a festive spread of hearty appetizers & mini sweet treats prepared by Spring and Porter, paired with your choice of wine, beer, or cocktails. Also enjoy live music by Pete Kehoe & stroll through the Holiday Bazaar. $30 CTAC members; $35 non-members. crookedtree.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/crookedtree/event.jsp?event=20579
“MUSICAL PASSPORT”: 6pm, TC Philharmonic Center, Cherryland Center. Join members of the Traverse City Philharmonic Civic Chamber Music Program, directed by Gary Gatzke Jr., for a musical journey across the world in this free community concert. Themes inspired by global locals set the tone for this evening of small ensemble performances. tcphil.org/events/chamber-december-recital
CLIMATE CHANGE FILM SERIES: 6pm, Traverse Area District Library, McGuire Community Room, TC. TADL & Citizens Climate Lobby are partnering to bring you this facilitated film series about various aspects of climate change & how it affects people & our region. The topic for this event is: Climate and Farming. Free. tadl.org/event/climate-change-filmseries-citizens-climate-lobby-25622
friday
A VERY BAY HARBOR CHRISTMAS: (See Thurs., Dec. 4)
HISTORY OF CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS: Benzonia Public Library. Hear where some of the most cherished Christmas traditions come from. A chronological listing of the joyous holiday rituals. Two times to choose from: 1-2:30pm or 6:30-8pm. Free.
COOKBOOK DINNER SERIES PRESENTS
ART EXHIBITION FOR CONSERVATION: THE JERRY GATES COLLECTION: 4-6pm, Conservation Resource Alliance’s offices, TC. An exhibition fundraiser. Proceeds from every piece support CRA’s work to restore northern Michigan’s rivers & habitats through hands-on, community-driven conservation. Free. rivercare.org/event/jerry-gates-art-exhibition dec 02 dec 01 dec 03 dec 04 dec 05
AFTERTASTE: POP UP GALLERY SHOW: 6pm, intimi, 124 S. Union, TC. Artist EM debuts Aftertaste, a watercolor series created after a rare stroke that caused her to taste color & see double. The exhibition invites
“THE BOOK OF ST. JOHN”: (See Mon., Dec. 1)
TC AUTHORS’ BOOK FAIR: 3-6pm, The Village at GT Commons, TC. Join in the halls of the Mercato. Meet the authors & purchase signed copies of books written by TC locals. Free. thevillagetc.com/ events/tc-authors-book-fair
COOKBOOK DINNER SERIES PRESENTS
“THE BOOK OF ST. JOHN”: (See Mon., Dec. 1)
INDIGIPITCH: 4:30pm, Odawa Casino Resort, Petoskey. A pitch competition that will showcase Michigan’s vibrant Native American entrepreneurship & startup community. Free. eventbrite.com/e/indigipitch-tickets1757743641549?aff=oddtdtcreator
HOLIDAY LIGHTS HIKE: 5-8pm, Grand Traverse Lighthouse, Northport. See the Grand Traverse Lighthouse all dressed up for Christmas at the Holiday Lights Hike at Leelanau State Park campground & around the lighthouse. Your hike starts at the Grand Traverse Lighthouse Museum & ends with Christmas at the Lighthouse. New this year is Santa’s Workshop in the Fog Signal Building, where kids can make crafts to take home; as well as the “Parade of Trees” throughout the property & historic buildings. $10 adults, $5 children, & $25 for a family of four; includes 3D glasses. mynorthtickets. com/events/holiday-lights-hike-12-5-2025
LIGHT UP EAST JORDAN FOR CHRISTMAS: 5-9pm, downtown East Jordan. Featuring a lighted parade, live reindeer, soup cook-off, community Christmas tree lighting, Santa & Mrs. Claus visit & much more.
MAIER CERAMICS WINTER SHOW + KILN TOURS: 5-8pm, 10201 S. Center Hwy., TC. An afternoon of art, community & holiday cheer. Featuring the newest pieces from a handmade collection. Also enjoy festive cocktails & cookies. maierceramics.com/holiday
THE CHRISTMAS JOURNEY: 5:30pm, New Hope Community Church, TC. Experience the Story of Christmas from Creation to Bethlehem & beyond on a 45-minute outdoor walking tour through the woods. Guided groups will encounter live actors, animals, & immersive scenes bringing the first Christmas to life. Dress warmly & wear appropriate footwear. Free. newhope.cc/journey
HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE: 6pm, downtown Petoskey. Join downtown merchants for a festive evening of hospitality & shopping. The streets will be closed to traffic. The Petoskey High School Steel Drum Band will perform. Free. petoskeydowntown.com/ events/holiday-open-house
BOOT-SCOOTIN’: 7-9pm, Up North Pride Community Center, TC. Line dancing instruction set to pop music by Tony, formerly of the DC Rawhides. Shoe suggestion: smoothsoled shoes/boots, no pointy heels. Anything you can comfortably dance in. upnorthpride. com/event/2025/7/26/boot-scootin-at-thecommunity-center-r38pm-6xlh6-z35bs
ROALD DAHL’S MATILDA THE MUSICAL: 7:30pm, Old Town Playhouse, TC. Matilda is an extraordinary girl, unloved by her cruel parents, impressing her teacher, & raising the ire of her school’s mean headmistress. But Matilda’s courage & cleverness could be the school pupils’ saving grace! $35 adults; $25 youth under 18. oldtownplayhouse.com/ performances/mainstage/matilda.html
saturday
2025 PROVEMONT HOLIDAY MART: 10am-3pm, St. Mary School, Lake Leelanau. Family-friendly event with live holiday music, more than 50 vendors showcasing handmade crafts, food, giveaways & crafts for kids, as well as a visit from Santa at noon. Find on Facebook. Free.
4TH ANNUAL ELF RUN: 10am, 202 N. Bridge St., Bellaire. A 5K run/walk. $25. runsignup.com/Race/Events/MI/Bellaire/1st AnnualElfRunBellaire
A VERY BAY HARBOR CHRISTMAS: (See Thurs., Dec. 4)
CADILLAC GARDEN CLUB HOLIDAY HOME TOUR: 10am-3pm, Cadillac. Enjoy a self-guided tour of four unique homes. Addresses & map are on tickets, which are available at Brink’s Art & Framing or Horizon Books, both on Mitchell St. in Cadillac. $15 advance; $20 day of. cadillacgardenclub.com
FRIENDS OF THE LELAND TWP. PUBLIC LIBRARY USED BOOK SALE: 10am-2pm, Leland Twp. Public Library, Munnecke Room. Includes puzzles & games. lelandlibrary.org
HOLIDAY MERCHANT OPEN HOUSE & HOT COCOA CONTEST: Downtown
Charlevoix. Merchant Open House: All day; Hot Cocoa Contest: Noon-4pm; Community Movie at Charlevoix Cinema III: 10:30am. Bring one canned food item or an unwrapped toy for admission. business.charlevoix.org/ events/details/holiday-merchant-open-househot-cocoa-contest-14841
MAIER CERAMICS WINTER SHOW + KILN TOURS: (See Fri., Dec. 5, except today’s time is 10am-6pm.)
MANISTEE JINGLE BELL JOG 5K RUN/ WALK: 10am, Manistee Elementary School. $20; increases after Nov. 30. runsignup.com/ Race/Events/MI/Manistee/ManisteeJingleBellJog5K
CHARLEVOIX HOT COCOA RUN: 11am, Park Ave., next to First Congregational Church, Charlevoix. Featuring a 5K & 1 Mile Fun Run. See web site for various starting times & to register. $10-$15. runsignup.com/ Race/Events/MI/Charlevoix/CharlevoixHotCocoaRunK
FILL THE ECTO TOY DRIVE: Join the Cherryland Ghostbusters, Rock 105, Cherry Capital Comic Con & more while they collect toys at Five Below in TC from 11am-3pm. Toys donated will benefit NW MI Marines Toys For Tots. traverse-city-mi.toysfortots.org
SAY NO TO ISRAEL’S GENOCIDE: (See Sat., Nov. 29)
TC SUZUKI SCHOOL DEC. RECITAL: 11am, TC Philharmonic Center, Cherryland Center. Enjoy the youngest violin, cello & piano students in their winter recital - both solo & group performances. Free. tcphil.org/concerts
1ST ANNUAL POLAR PLUNGE: 11:30am, Riverside Marina, Bellaire. This year’s theme is Candy. Prizes for Best Costume, Most Spirited Team, & Coolest Plunger. Free; register. Check in at 11:15am. bellairechamber.org/ polar-plunge
THE LITTLE CHRISTMAS CORNER IN THE VILLAGE: Noon-4pm. Enjoy a Christmas celebration in the Village of Ellsworth. Featuring a soup cook-off, family picture, crafts, caroling & much more at the Ellsworth Community Square & the Good Samaritan Furniture Store.
JAZZ ORCHESTRA: DUKE ELLINGTON’S “NUTCRACKER”: 1pm & 4:30pm, The Bay Theatre, Suttons Bay. Get into the swing of the holiday season as the Interlochen Arts Academy Jazz Orchestra performs Duke Ellington’s The Nutcracker Suite. Enjoy an evening of playful takes on your favorite songs from Tchaikovsky’s beloved holiday ballet as reimagined by The Duke himself! $15. interlochen.org/events/jazz-orchestra-
for a small but mighty group of music supporters, e Alluvion is excited to o er a brand-new and very-limited fan club subscription:
$100/YEAR
to support the Alluvion, and by extension the art and music community of Northwest Lower Michigan.
Instead of o ering tons of meaningless perks, we’re focusing on a few key things our most stalwart fans care about:
1. an exclusive early email for advanced notice of upcoming shows
2. 24-hours early access for ticket sales
3. 5-minutes early access for doors, with the ability to place a “reserved” card on your seat
4. deep discounts on last-minute ticket sales for undersold shows
5. no door-price mark-up—you pay the same for advanced tickets
6. 15% off Alluvion merch
7. 10% o one visual art purchase each year
• a li le bit of essential fine print: these perks are for one person only, meaning you can only buy one advanced ticket and save one seat. Saving additional seats is not allowed. e 15% discount does not include merch sold by performers.
duke-ellingtons-nutcracker-2025-12-06
MARTY MACLEOD BOOK LAUNCH & SIGNING: 1-3pm, Horizon Books, TC. Resident Marty MacLeod will present her new book, “All About Old Towne, Telling Tales of Traverse City’s Old South Side.” horizonbooks.com/event/2025-12-06/marty-macleod-book-launch-signing
CHRISTMAS IN THE VILLAGE (HERITAGE VILLAGE): 2-4pm, Heritage Village, Mackinaw City. Step back in time & experience the warmth & wonder of a 19th-century Christmas. Join in the chapel for a holiday service, live music, holiday treats, warm beverages, a community celebration & more. Free. mackinawhistory.org
NORTHWEST MICHIGAN BALLET THEATRE PRESENTS “THE NUTCRACKER”: 2pm & 7pm, TC Central High School Auditorium. Enjoy a Christmas classic - Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker. Featuring original choreography, stunning dancers & one-of-a-kind costumes. $14.38 - $25.08. mynorthtickets.com/organizations/northwest-michigan-ballet-theatre
UP NORTH PRIDE’S TEEN COOKIE DECORATING PARTY: 2-4pm, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Grand Traverse, TC. For youth in 6th through 12th grades. Please register. upnorthpride.com/event/2025/12/6/ teen-cookie-decorating-at-uucgt
HOLIDAY FEST BY THE ART OF GIVING BACK CLUB: 3-5pm, Traverse Area District Library, Atrium, TC. Members of The Art of Giving, a student-run volunteer organization based in Interlochen, will be hosting stations throughout the library. Visit the Atrium station for snowflake & ornament crafting. Free. tadl. org/event/holiday-program-interlochen-centerarts-atrium-28297
HOLIDAY FESTIVAL WITH THE PHIL!: 3-4:30pm, TC Philharmonic Center, Cherryland Center. Featuring the Northern LOWER Brass Quartet, TubaChristmas!, carol singing with local choir, & possibly a visit from Santa. Free. tcphil.org/events/holiday-festival-tubachristmas-2025
OLIVER ART CENTER WINTER CELEBRATION: 3:30-5:30pm, Oliver Art Center, Frankfort. Live music, caroling, sweet treats, fun prizes & more. Free. oliverart.org
“CHRISTMAS LIGHTS” CONCERT: 4pm, First Presbyterian Church, Elk Rapids. Featuring the combined Elk Rapids & Antrim County Community Choirs. Free-will offering.
16TH ANNUAL LIGHT UP THE NIGHT & SOUP COOK OFF: 4-7pm, Broad Street, downtown Bellaire. Taste 11 soups for $15. Tickets available at area businesses. Also enjoy the Bellaire Christmas tree lighting & parade. You can visit with Santa & enjoy downtown festivities.
COOKBOOK DINNER SERIES PRESENTS
“THE BOOK OF ST. JOHN”: (See Mon., Dec. 1)
SANTA’S WORKSHOP AT THE GARDEN: 4-5:30pm, The Garden Theater, Frankfort. Visit with Mr. & Mrs. Claus, enjoy crafts & storytime with the Elves, & write letters & send to the North Pole. Following will be the Frankfort Tree Lighting at 6pm. Free. gardentheater.org/comingsoon
HOLIDAY LIGHTS HIKE: (See Fri., Dec. 5)
WINTER SOUNDS: 5-7pm, Michigan Legacy Art Park Amphitheater, Thompsonville. Enjoy hot cider, a bonfire, winter hike through the
woods, & an outdoor performance from TC West Middle School Madrigal Singers. $10 adults; children are free. crystalmountain. com/events-activities/events/event-calendar/ winter-sounds
THE CHRISTMAS JOURNEY: (See Fri., Dec. 5)
‘TIS THE SEASON! - BROADWAY ON FRONT: 6pm, City Opera House, TC. A gala concert benefiting City Opera House. Featuring Broadway stars. Enjoy heavy hors d’oeuvres before the show, a few drink tickets (based on seat location) & a cash bar available. Attire is cocktail+. Balcony GA: $75. cityoperahouse.org
2025 MERCHANTS HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE: 6-9pm, downtown Harbor Springs. Main & State streets will be closed to allow the community to stroll between stores & enjoy a relaxing evening of tradition. Live music by the Petoskey High School Steel Drum Band.
BLISSFEST TRADITIONAL COMMUNITY DANCE: 7:30pm, Littlefield/Alanson Community Building, Alanson. Music will be provided by The Hybrids, with Cynthia Donahey calling. All dances taught (circles, contras, squares & more). No need to bring a partner. Perfect for families. Potluck at 6:30pm. Bring table service & dish to pass. $10/person, $5/student, 12 & under free. blissfest.org
ROALD DAHL’S MATILDA THE MUSICAL: (See Fri., Dec. 5)
THE LITTLE TRAVERSE CHORAL SOCIETY PRESENTS “WINTER REFLECTIONS”: 7:30pm, Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Petoskey. With Andre Strydom, director, & Cynda Coleman, pianist. Tickets: $15 adults, $5 students, under 12 free. Available from LTCS members or at the door.
KENNY G: SOLD OUT: 8-9:30pm, Little River Casino Resort, indoor venue, Manistee. Enjoy this Grammy winning American, adult contemporary & smooth jazz saxophonist. $50-$80. lrcr.com/event/kenny-g
sunday
A VERY BAY HARBOR CHRISTMAS: (See Thurs., Dec. 4)
THE GREAT HOLIDAY COOKIE CHALLENGE: 1-3pm, Almira Town Hall, downtown Lake Ann. Ten bakers from Lake Ann are chosen to vie for the coveted title of Lake Ann’s Favorite Holiday Cookie. Townsfolk will cast their votes for the winner. $10 minimum donation/per plate. thedashingsanta.com/the-great-holiday-cookie-challenge
NORTHWEST MICHIGAN BALLET THEATRE PRESENTS “THE NUTCRACKER”: (See Sat., Dec. 6, except today’s time is 2pm.)
ROALD DAHL’S MATILDA THE MUSICAL: (See Fri., Dec. 5, except today’s time is 2pm.)
THE LITTLE TRAVERSE CHORAL SOCIETY PRESENTS “WINTER REFLECTION”: 3pm, First Presbyterian Church, Harbor Springs. With Andre Strydom, director, & Cynda Coleman, pianist. Tickets: $15 adults, $5 students, under 12 free. Available from LTCS members or at the door.
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“CHRISTMAS LIGHTS” CONCERT: 4pm, Church in the Hills, Bellaire. Featuring the combined Elk Rapids & Antrim County Community Choirs. Free-will offering.
A CHRISTMAS CAROL: 4pm, The Cheboygan Opera House. With Allen Fitzpatrick, who creates 26 different characters soley out of himself, on a stage. $10-$30. theoperahouse.org
COOKBOOK DINNER SERIES PRESENTS
“THE BOOK OF ST. JOHN”: (See Mon., Dec. 1)
JORDAN VALLEY COMMUNITY BAND
WINTER CONCERT: 4-6pm, East Jordan Community Auditorium (EJMHS). Free; donations welcome.
-
THE CHRISTMAS JOURNEY: (See Fri., Dec. 5)
WUWU WHOOP-DE-DO: 5:30pm, Oliver Art Center, Frankfort. This festive community gathering will feature live music by The Handstanders, a silent auction, food & drink, & door prizes throughout the evening. There’s no admission fee, but donations are encouraged, with all proceeds supporting the Elberta Labor Heritage Center’s Building Fund. Free. elbertalaborheritagecenter.org/event/wuwuwhoop-de-doo
JAZZ ORCHESTRA: DUKE ELLINGTON’S “NUTCRACKER”: (See Sat., Dec. 6, except tonight’s time is 7:30pm.)
art
WINTER AND THE BLUES: Art on Union Gallery, TC. Enjoy seasonal sips & sweets as you explore the local artwork that reflects the calm, light & quiet of winter in northern Michigan. An opening reception will be held on Sat., Nov. 29. The exhibit runs through Dec. 24. Open Tues. through Sat., 11am-4pm. artonunion.com
MERRY MARKETPLACE 2025: HOLIDAY ART MARKET: Runs through Dec. 13 in Cornwell Gallery at Crooked Tree Arts Center, TC. Shop hundreds of unique handmade gifts & works of art from artists all over the state. See hours on web site. Pop-Up Holiday Art Market on Sat., Dec. 6. crookedtree. org/event/ctac-traverse-city/merry-marketplace-holiday-art-market
CHARLEVOIX CIRCLE MARKET: Charlevoix Circle of Arts. A festive holiday marketplace featuring an array of handmade goods, original artwork, & locally produced specialty treats, all created by Michigan artisans. Runs through Dec. 30. Check web site for hours. charlevoixcircle.org
CROOKED TREE ARTS CENTER, PETOSKEY:
- 2025 HOLIDAY BAZAAR: Held in Galleries. A showcase of original art available for purchase during the winter holiday shopping season. This juried exhibition includes knits, jewelry, pottery, ceramics, notecards, prints, ornaments, artwork & more. Runs through Dec. 18. See web site for hours. crookedtree.org/event/ctac-petoskey/2025holiday-bazaar-petoskey - PORTRAITS OF PLACE: Held in Atrium Gallery. Presented by CTAC’s Kitchen Painters, this is a vibrant exhibition celebrating the beauty, spirit, & shared stories of northern Michigan. Runs Nov. 29 - Jan. 10. See web site for hours. crookedtree.org/events-andexhibitions/exhibits/portraits-of-place.html
- OPEN STUDIO: Held in the Visual Arts Room, Saturdays, 10am-1pm. Free drop-in art studio for the whole family. New projects are offered weekly. crookedtree.org
DENNOS MUSEUM CENTER, NMC, TC: - DEWEY BLOCKSMA: ROUNDTABLE : Blocksma’s artwork is a gathering of figures & ideas, real & imagined, informed by medicine & art. Common themes include: puzzle heads, violin women, fake computers, Dutch cowboys, porcupines, & much more, all within a world assembled & reassembled, juggling toys buffeted by current events. Runs through Jan. 4. Check web site for hours. dennosmuseum.org/art/ now-on-view
- ICE INTO OCEAN: ARCTIC TRACINGS:
This exhibition is the result of a seven year collaboration between Cy Keener & Justine Holzman, exploring how ice shifts & reshapes the landscapes of the Arctic. Through large scale drawings, images, & installation, the exhibit investigates the nature & movement of ice & water across this remote environment. Runs through Jan. 4. Check web site for hours. dennosmuseum.org/art/nowon-view
- BENEATH THE SURFACE: TRAINING TOMORROW’S WATER STEWARDS: The Great Lakes Water Studies Institute at NMC is advancing freshwater, groundwater, & marine science through cutting-edge technology, education, & research. This exhibit highlights NMC students’ hands-on work with remotely operated vehicles, sonar mapping, & groundwater sampling. Runs through Jan. 4. See web site for hours. dennosmuseum. org/art/now-on-view
GLEN ARBOR ARTS CENTER:
- SOMETHING TO SMILE ABOUT: MIXED MEDIA PAINTINGS BY CAROL C SPAULDING: Held in Lobby Gallery. Enjoy this small group of new mixed media paintings that runs through Dec. 17. See web site for hours. glenarborart.org/exhibits
- 2025 SMALL WORKS HOLIDAY EXHIBITION: An annual showcase of 2D + 3D work that offers small, original art at affordable prices... $150 or less. The exhibition runs through Dec. 17 & features more than 100 works of art, 12x12 or smaller, by 19 artists. See web site for gallery hours. glenarborart. org/events/all-events
HIGHER ART GALLERY, TC:
- 8TH ANNUAL ART TREE & ORNAMENT SHOW: Runs Nov. 29 - Dec. 31. Featuring hundreds of handmade ornaments. Opening reception will be held on Dec. 4 from 5-8pm. See web site for hours. higherartgallery.com
- LOCAL ARTIST MELONIE STEFFES SOLO EXHIBIT: WILDER ALTERNATIVES: Runs Nov. 29 - Dec. 25. Featuring Steffes’ whimsical imagined realism oil paintings. An opening reception will be held on Dec. 4 from 5-8pm. See web site for hours. higherartgallery.com
OLIVER ART CENTER, FRANKFORT
- OAC HOLIDAY ARTISAN BOUTIQUE: Find gifts from regional artists showcasing a variety of ready-to-gift handmade items, holiday cards, ornaments, accessories & more. Runs through Dec. 24. Tues. - Sat.: 10am4pm; Sun.: noon-4pm. Oliver Art Center is closed on Mondays & also Nov. 27-28. oliverart.org
- WINTER MEMBER EXHIBITION: Runs Dec. 5 - Jan. 2. Opening reception on Dec. 5 from 5-7pm. OAC member showcase is an all-media exhibit just in time for holiday giftgiving. Hours are Tues. - Sat., 10am-4pm; Sun., noon-4pm. Closed 12/24, 12/25 & 1/1. oliverart.org
“Jonesin” Crosswords
"Hit the Bricks"-you may be a sole survivor. by Matt Jones
DOWN
Snaky letter
___ gin fizz
16. "Club" for hockey players who've won the Stanley Cup, World Championship, and Olympic titles
18. Fireworks-admiring sounds
19. How potatoes may be served
Slalom slider
Bigger than big
Exam in "Legally Blonde"
Speed demon
Painful activity in the dark (also represented by the letters above the circles) 39. Ireland, to the Romans 40. Reel Big Fish genre 41. Certain Wall Street trader, slangily 42. Nixon veep Spiro
44. Skating champion Lipinski 48. Smarten up 50. Morphine and codeine, for two 53. Author McEwan 54. Relaxing soak at the end of the day
garden green
64. "Hallow" suffix
1. Require
2. Some skin care products
3. Black mark
4. Versifiers
5. Emmys : U.S. :: ___ : Australia
6. Like ___ of bricks
7. ___ Aviv (city on the Mediterranean)
8. MDW counterpart in Chicago
9. Japanese port on Honshu
10. Smooth feature of some boots
11. "Ruh-___, Shaggy!"
12. "That's right"
14. Caramel-glazed dessert
17. Record for future broadcast
20. "Where the Wild Things Are" author
22. Infomercial psychic Miss ___
23. Bank offerings
24. Difficult journey
25. "Plasm" prefix
28. Aquarium buildup
31. Ankle injury
32. Sacramento's NBA team
34. Result of a lot of crunching, maybe?
35. '70s carpet style
36. Wear out
37. Outgoing flows
38. Muse count
43. Ones who court
45. Just one little bite
46. Call it a career
47. Fireplace receptacle
49. Jeans measurement
51. Dances to punk
52. "Bring ___!"
54. Furnace pipe
55. Poke with a stick
56. Bird featured in Liberty Mutual ads
57. "Monsters, ___" (Pixar film)
58. ___ Spiegel (German publication)
lOGY
BY ROB BREZSNY
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): The world's oldest known musical composition is the Hurrian Hymn No. 6. It was discovered etched on clay tablets in Syria, dating back to 1400 BCE. When finally decoded and performed, it revealed harmonies that still resonate with modern listeners. Your projects in the coming months could share this timeless quality, Sagittarius. You will have an enhanced power to bridge your past and your future. A possibility you’ve been nurturing for months or even years may finally ripen into beautiful completion. Watch for opportunities to synergize tradition with innovative novelty or deep-rooted marvels with sweet, breezy forms of expression.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Coffee from Java, orchids from Iceland, and grapes from Vesuvius, Italy: What do these bounties have in common? They flourish in the extra fertile soil created by volcanic eruptions. The molten lava that initially leveled everything in its path later cooled and became a repository of rich nutrients. I expect a milder version of this theme for you, Leo. Events and energies that at first cause disruption will eventually become vitalizing and even healing. Challenges will lead to nourishment.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Gardeners in Japan spend years training bonsai trees to grow into elegant shapes. The process requires extraordinary patience, close listening, and an intimate relationship with an ever-changing life form. invite you to approach your current projects with this mindset. You may feel tempted to expedite the growth that’s unfolding. You might feel pressure to “complete” or “optimize.”
But the flourishing of your work depends on subtle attunement, not brute progress. Pay tender attention to what wants to emerge slowly. Tend to it with care. Time is your collaborator, not your enemy. You’re weaving lasting beauty.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): ): The Swedish concept of lagom means “not too much, not too little, but just right.” It suggests that the best option may be in the middle rather than in the extremes. Yes, sometimes that means an uneasy compromise. But more often, it’s how the power and virtue come fully alive and thrive. Many people don’t like this fact of life. They are fixated on the delusion that more is always better. In the coming weeks, Libra, I invite you to be a connoisseur of lagom. To do it right, you may have to strenuously resist peer pressure and groupthink.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): In Bangkok markets, elderly women sell caged birds. Why? For the specific purpose of releasing them. Those who buy a captive sparrow or dove immediately open the cage door and let the creature fly away in a symbolic gesture of compassion and spiritual aspiration. It’s a Buddhist act believed to bring good karma to the person who sets the bird free. I invite you to imagine yourself performing this sacrament, Scorpio, or perhaps conducting an actual ritual with the equivalent purpose. Now is a fun and fertile time to liberate an outdated belief, a conversation you keep replaying, or a version of yourself that’s no longer relevant. Take your cue from the signs that appear in the Bangkok market: Letting go is a form of prayer.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): I’m taking a risk here by urging you cautious Capricorns to at least flirt with the Finnish tradition of drinking alcohol at home alone in your underwear with no intention of going out. I’m certainly not encouraging you to get so hammered that you can’t safely wander outdoors. My point is to give yourself permission to celebrate your amazing, mysterious, beautiful life with a bout of utterly uninhibited relaxation and totally indulgent contentment. authorize you to be loose and free and even slightly irresponsible. Let your private pleasures reign supreme.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): In the Quechua language, the word ayllu refers to a kinship system not just of people, but of animals, ancestors, dreams, and nature. To be aligned with one’s ayllu is to live in reciprocity, in the ongoing exchange of care and meaning among the entire web of life. “We belong to what we love,” the Quecha elders say. Aquarius, I believe you’re being asked to focus on
your ayllu. Who or what comprises your circle of belonging? Which beings, places, and unseen presences help weave the pattern of your treasured destiny? Whom do you create for—not as audience, but as kin who receive and answer your song? As you nourish your connections in the coming weeks, pay special attention to those who respect your idiosyncrasies. It’s not your birthright to simply fit in. Your utter uniqueness is one of your greatest gifts, and it’s your sacred duty to give it.
PISCES (Feb 19-March 20): In Yoruba cosmology, the divine spirit Oshun presides over rivers, love, beauty, and sweet water. But her sweetness isn’t a weakness. It’s a sublime power, as evidenced by how her waters once restored life to the barren earth when every other force had failed. You Pisceans are now channeling extra strong currents of Oshun energy. Your tenderness is magnetic. Your imaginative flourishes are as valuable as gold. And your love, when rooted in your sovereign self-respect, is healing. But don’t let your nurturing be exploited. Choose wisely where you share your bounty. The right people will honor your flow, not judge it or try to change it. Your duty is to be uninhibitedly yourself and let your lyrical truths ripple freely.
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Here are two of your birthrights as an Aries: to be the spark that ignites the fire and the trailblazer who doesn’t wait for permission. I invite you to embody both of those roles to the max in the coming weeks. But keep these caveats in mind: Your flame should provide light and warmth but not rouse scorching agitation. Your intention should be to lead the way, not stir up drama or demand attention. Be bold and innovative, my dear, but always with rigorous integrity. Be sensitive and receptive as you unleash your gorgeous courage. In my vision of your future, you’re the wise guide who inspires and includes, who innovates and reflects. You fight for interdependence, not dominance.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Here’s a key theme: microdoses of courage. You don’t need to summon splashy acts of epic heroism. Subtle rebellions against numbness and ignorance may be all that’s required. Your understated superpowers will be tactful surges of honesty and gentle interventions in challenging transitions. So be brave in ways that feel manageable, Taurus. Don’t push yourself to be a fearless warrior. The trembling truth-teller is your best role model. As an experiment to get started, say yes to two things that make you nervous but don’t terrify you.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Your inner ear contains three canals filled with fluid. They act like gyroscopes, telling you which way is up, how fast you’re moving, and when to stop. Your ability to maintain your balance depends on their loyal service. Without them, you couldn’t orient yourself in space. Moral of the story: You stabilize yourself through constant adjustment. Let’s make this a metaphor for your current assignment. Your ability to remain poised, centered, and grounded will require ongoing adaptations. It won’t work to remain still and fixed. You will have to keep calibrating and adapting. DEC
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Let’s extol the value of productive confusion: the disorienting state when your old maps no longer match the territory. Your beloved certainties shudder and dissipate, and you don't know what you don't know. This isn’t a failure of understanding, but the ripe precondition for a breakthrough. The caterpillar doesn't smoothly or instantly transition into a butterfly. First it dissolves into chaotic goo and simmers there for a while. Conclusion: Stay in the notknowing a little longer.
Grand Traverse & Kalkaska
EARTHEN ALES, TC
12/5 -- Winter Nature Trivia, 6
ENCORE 201, TC
11/28-29 & 12/6 -- DJ Ricky T, 9
IDENTITY BREWING CO., TC
12/4 -- Beyond Trivia!, 7-9
KILKENNY'S IRISH PUBLIC HOUSE, TC
9:30:
11/28-29 -- J Hawkins Band
12/5-6 -- Lucas Paul
KINGSLEY LOCAL BREWING
12/2 – Open Mic Night Hosted by Kevin & Sierra LaRose, 6-9
12/4 – Trivia Night w/ Marcus Anderson, 6:30-8:30
LEFT FOOT CHARLEY, TC BARREL ROOM:
12/1 -- Open Mic w/ Rob Coonrod, 6-9
TASTING ROOM:
12/5 -- Jeff Socia, 5-7
MIDDLECOAST BREWING CO., TC
12/3 -- SpeedQuizzing Trivia, 7-9
12/4 -- Open Mic Night, 7-9
12/5 -- Clint Weaner, 6-9
12/7 -- Rebekah Jon, 11am1pm
NORTH BAR, TC
7-10: 11/29 – Jazz Cabbage
12/4 – Drew Hale
12/5 – Henry Herig
OLD MISSION DISTILLING, TC SEVEN HILLS:
11/29 -- Twinkle the Night w/ DJ Ras Marco D, 4-7
12/5 -- Erik Burke & Mark Daisy, 7
TC WHISKEY CO.
Tue -- Open Mic w/ Chris Sterr, 6-9
THE ALLUVION, TC
11/29 -- Organissimo - 25 Years of Jazz with Soul, 7-9:30
11/30 -- The Alluvion Big Band, 2:30-5
12/1 -- Big Fun - Funky Fun Mondays, 6-8:30
12/4 -- The Jeff Haas Sextet feat. Laurie Sears, Chris Glassman, Rob Smith + Lisa Flahive, 6-8:30
12/6 -- The Claudettes & Stolen Silver, 7:30-10
THE HAYLOFT INN, TC
7:30-11: 11/28-29 -- DanceMix
12/5-6 -- Sandy & The Bandits
THE PARLOR, TC 11/29 – Beans & Cheese, 9-12
12/2 – Jesse Jefferson, 8-11
12/3 – Rob Coonrod, 8-11
Antrim & Charlevoix
12/4 – John Richard Paul, 8-11
12/5 – Chris Smith, 9-12
12/6 – Wink Solo, 9-12
THE PUB, TC
11/29 – Wink Solo, 9-12
12/1 – Karaoke Mondays, 8-11
12/3 – Zeke Clemons, 8-11
12/4 – Music Bingo, 7:30-10:30
12/6 – Drew Hale, 5-8
THE WORKSHOP BREWING CO., TC
11/29 -- Mighty Tundra Tones/ Jazz North, 7
11/30 -- Full Tilt Comedy Presents: Comedy Mixtape, 7
12/2 -- Open Mic w/ Zak Bunce, 7
12/3 -- DJ Bingo, 7
12/4 -- DJ Trivia, 7 12/5 -- Jazz Jam w/ Ron Getz Trio, 6
12/6 -- Zie Simmons, 7 12/7 -- Stretch Comedy, 7
UNION STREET STATION, TC 11/29 -- Kenny Olsen & Friends, 9 12/5 -- Scarkazm, 10 12/6 -- DJ Prim, 10
Chicago’s garage cabaret band The Claudettes continues to put a new spin on
at The
Sat., Dec. 6 from 7:30-10pm. They bring indie-folk band Stolen Silver – also from Chicago, as well as TC (Levi
and Chris Sterr) – with them. Tickets are $25 advance and $30 at the door. thealluvion.org/tickets/alluvion-presentsthe-claudettes-stolen-silver
Emmet & Cheboygan
BOYNE VALLEY VINEYARDS, PETOSKEY
11/29 -- Chris Calleja, 2-6
BRANDY'S HARBORTOWN, BAY HARBOR
11/29 -- Lee Fayssoux, 5-8
BOYNE CITY TAPROOM
11/29 -- Patrick Ryan & Adam Engelman, 7
CAFE SANTÉ, BOYNE CITY
12/1 -- The Shifties, 6-9
CELLAR 152, ELK RAPIDS
12/5 -- Blair Miller, 5:30-8:30
BLACK STAR FARMS, SUTTONS BAY
11/29 – Audrey Mason, 6-8
FIVE SHORES BREWING, BEULAH
6-8:
12/1 -- Mon. Music Trivia
12/4 -- Trivia Thurs.
FRENCH VALLEY VINEYARD, CEDAR
12/4 -- Dennis Palmer, 3-6
IRON FISH DISTILLERY, THOMPSONVILLE
11/29 -- Matt Gabriel, 5:307:30
12/5 -- Heikki Lunta Snow Party w/ Chris Smith, 5-7
11/29 -- Real Ingredients, 8 12/5 -- Musician's Playground, 7
12/6 -- The Beau House Band, 8
THE WIGWAM, INDIAN RIVER
12/4 -- Dominic Fortuna, 7:309:30
12/5 -- Karaoke, 8-11
Manistee, Wexford & Missaukee
12/5 -- Polly Mauer, 5-8
12/6 -- Fred & Smed, 5-8
SHADY LANE CELLARS, SUTTONS BAY
12/5 -- Friday Night Live w/ Kyle Brown, 3-6
SWEET’S BAR & GRILL, HONOR
Mon. – Music Bingo, 7 Fri. – Music Bingo, 8; Karaoke, 10 Sat. – Karaoke, 8
BUCKSNORT SALOON, MESICK
12/1 -- Monday Open Mic w/ Vic Trip, 6-9
LITTLE RIVER CASINO RESORT, MANISTEE
8: 11/29 -- Working on Famous
12/6 -- Kenny G: SOLD OUT
NORTHERN NATURAL CIDER HOUSE & WINERY, KALEVA 7:
12/4 -- Chief Jam-Open Mic hosted by Cheryl Wolfram 12/6 -- Lynn Callihan
THE GREENHOUSE - WILLOW/ PRIMOS, CADILLAC
12/3 -- Trivia Night & Music Bingo, 6-9
Otsego, Crawford & Central
ALPINE TAVERN & EATERY, GAYLORD
12/5 -- Zie, 6-9
BIG BUCK BREWERY, GAYLORD
12/6 -- Nelson Olstrom, 6
C.R.A.V.E., GAYLORD
12/5 -- Nelson Olstrom, 6
SNOWBELT BREWING CO., GAYLORD
12/5 – Spencer Oppermann, 6-9
American roots music
Alluvion, TC,
Britton
TRAVERSE CITY COTTAGE FOR RENT: 1 BR, Full Bath, Well Furnished, All Utilities Included, All New Appliances, W/D, Parking, Nice Setting, Month-to-Month to One-Year, No Pets; $1,600 per month. Call (231) 631-7512.
SEWING, ALTERATIONS, MENDING & REPAIRS. Maple City, Maralene Roush 231228-6248
FREE WEEKLY ORIGINAL HOT YOGA COMMUNITY CLASS: Every Wed. @ 7:30pm - 845 S. Garfield Ave. Originalhotyogatc.com 231-392-4798
NORTHWESTERN MICHIGAN COLLEGE SEEKS TO FILL VACANCIES NMC is hiring an Engineering Technology Instructor (Faculty), a full-time Groundskeeper, a Student Success
Coach, a Facilities Project Manager, and various part-time Adjunct Faculty roles. Visit NMC.edu/jobs for more information. NMC is EOE nmc.edu/nondiscrimination
NEED HELP PLANNING A GETAWAY? Spring break? Sports travel? Staycation? Whatever your travel needs are, DocVTravels has your back. Message today to see how we can help! jill.vollbrecht@fora.travel
