Northern Express - September 28, 2026

NORTHERN

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NORTHERN MICHIGAN’S WEEKLY • september 28 - october 04, 2026 • Vol. 36 No.39 Northern Express Weekly • september 28, 2026 • 1

Put Some Sunshine on Your Calendar. Fall Getaways. Winter Escapes.

Put Some Adventure on Your Calendar.

Fly from nearby! Whether a long weekend or a well-deserved vacation, start planning your getaway from TVC today.

Cherry Capital Airport tvcairport.com

2 • september 28, 2026 • Northern Express Weekly

letters The Birds and the Bugs I’ve been troubled lately by two childhood memories. The first is based on a playground game. As girls we would see huge flocks of birds and yell, “My wedding!” indicating that’s how many people we would have at our weddings. The second memory involves watching the gas station attendant cleaning bugs off the windshield. What I find troubling about both memories is what is now missing in the world: birds and bugs. My husband and I drove home from downstate recently and there were hardly any bugs on the windshield, and there are so few birds in the sky and forest now, I am often struck by the eerie quiet. Where are the birds and insects? I did some research and found that I wasn’t imagining a different world when I was a child. The world IS different, and our bird and insect populations have declined dramatically. My cousin is a chemist, and when one of our children asked him about washing pesticides off produce, he said basically we are just big bugs: what kills a bug will kill us, it just takes more of it. Pesticides aren’t the only thing killing insects and birds; government protection of companies rather than the environment and our changing climate both create fatal stressors. I believe the reality that our Earth will become uninhabitable is so troubling. Most people prefer living in a state of denial rather than with the anxiety that remaining conscious of these issues provokes. One way I think we can make a positive difference right now is to vote for candidates who are acknowledging the reality and concerns of climate change and not candidates who are ignoring or actively making the problem worse. Mary Jo Hickey | Bellaire Act Despite Despair In response to Stephen Tuttle’s assessment on the climate, and record temperatures and droughts, I would like to share a few things to ease your panic. Sure, average global temperature is projected to peak at 1.8 degrees past pre-industrial levels at best, definitely past what was needed to completely avert that tipping point. However, that does not mean we should give up and not act to change the course at all. To borrow Katharine Hayhoe's latest message at www.talkingclimate.ca, every degree prevented beyond that counts, and every action matters. Here are a few examples to strive for: Along with thanking the governor and EGLE’s director for their return to holding Enbridge accountable, suggest alternatives to Line 5’s promises, including a robust renewable energy transition plan, stockpiling propane and financially assisting insulating buildings and homes and acquiring heaters, stoves, vehicles and so on, and investing in Aircela machines and developing and marketing other alternatives to petroleum fuels and plastics. Call state senators and representatives to encourage bills that support balcony solar, public transportation and more; also call for improved areas for walking, biking and using mobility aids, at gtsafestreets.org. Encourage ways to support local businesses, regenerative farms, vocational training and more; check out groundworkcenter.org for examples. Call national senators and representatives urging them to factor increased likelihood of

extreme weather and temperature conditions into any measures taken. Protect forested areas, especially oldgrowth, including by asking to defend the Roadless Area Conservation Rule; public comments accepted through Oct. 6 at regulations.gov/document/FS-2025-0001223869. All told, there are many actions to take, which are worth doing regardless of the state of the climate, and I hope you will see hope in them despite anything that could create overwhelming despair, and act accordingly.

DINE IN - TAKEAWAY

We’re Back!

Emily Baker | Traverse City

CONTENTS

features Housing North..................................................8

Raise A Margarita Glass.....................................9 The Latest On Short Term Rentals....................10 Summer Real Estate Trends..............................12 Gaylord Downtown...........................................14 Addiction Treatment Services............................17 SCAN TO ORDER

columns & stuff

Top Ten.........................................................4 Spectator/Stephen Tuttle..................................6 Guest Opinion..................................................7 Dates..........................................................18 Astrology.......................................................23 Crossword.....................................................23 Nitelife...........................................................24 Classifieds....................................................25

12PM-10PM DAILY

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Northern Express Weekly is published by Eyes Only Media, LLC. Publisher: Luke Haase PO Box 4020 Traverse City, Michigan 49685 Phone: (231) 947-8787 Fax: 947-2425 email: info@northernexpress.com www.northernexpress.com Editor: Jillian Manning Creative Director: Kyra Cross Poehlman Finance Manager: Libby Shutler 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

Contributors: Sara Bagley, Ren Brabenec, Art Bukowski, Geri Dietze, Anna Faller, Beth Milligan, Kelsey Sanders, Stephen Tuttle 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 Copyright 2026, all rights reserved. Distribution: 36,000 copies at 600+ locations weekly. Northern Express Weekly is free of charge, but no person may take more than one copy of each weekly issue without written permission of Northern Express Weekly. Reproduction of all content without permission of the publisher is prohibited.

Northern Express Weekly • september 28, 2026 • 3

this week’s

top ten

Pray for Snow with Skitoberfest

Harvest in the Alley *Shouts into a megaphone*: BLOCK PARTY! On Saturday, Oct. 3, head to the corner of Bay St. and Petoskey St. in downtown Petoskey from 3pm to sunset (roughly 7pm) for an Oktoberfest-themed celebration with Beards Brewery and their friends at Fox & Hound Children’s Boutique. The event is free and suitable for all ages, with live music, harvest-themed tasting stations, a scavenger hunt, retro carnival games, and more. Plus, Beards will be slinging seasonal brews and cocktails throughout the day. Proceeds from the block party will be donated to the Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council, a local nonprofit “dedicated to protecting our lakes, streams, wetlands, and groundwater through advocacy, education, water quality monitoring, research, and restoration actions.” Learn more at facebook.com/BeardsBrewery/events.

Stein hoisting, keg throwing, spouse carrying! Boyne Mountain’s Skitoberfest brings you brews poured straight from the keg trailer, Bavarian plates in the food tent, and live music from Jelly Roll Blues Band, DJ T-Bone, Sydni K, Two Track Mind, Buddha Sweet, and more, Oct. 2-4. Cap off the fun with a Pray for Snow Bonfire, sending good vibes for plenty of powder this winter! For tokens, wristbands, and more, visit boynemountain.com/upcoming-events.

Hey, Watch It! Mayday This writer isn’t usually big on war movies, even when it’s the Cold War, but with Ryan Reynolds and Kenneth Branagh starring, Apple TV’s Mayday was on my list—and it was an entertaining, wild ride. The smart-talking Reynolds (always) plays U.S. Air Force pilot Troy “Assassin” Kelly, who finds himself stranded behind enemy lines in 1987 Soviet Russia when his plane goes down. Good thing… there’s a former KGB operative living in the woods nearby? The stoic Nikolai (Branagh) reluctantly agrees to get Kelly out of Russia, but only because he loves the movie Top Gun. That sets the tone for this unlikely buddy comedy of errors. The film is purely fun, which makes sense coming from the creators behind Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, and doesn’t really feel like a war movie at all. (Though there are a few pointed moments that hint toward the current geopolitical climate.) Catch it streaming now on Apple TV.

2 tastemaker

Polish Countryside Kitchen’s Dill Pickle Soup

We know we’re still on the edge of cozy weather, but it’s always soup season at Polish Countryside Kitchen in Cedar, where the food truck’s Dill Pickle Soup is kind of a big dill. Featuring salt-brined pickles sourced straight from Poland, this hearty Euro-style soup is deliciously simple: diced pickles and brine, sour cream, shredded garden carrots cooked to al dente, dill and marjoram, and, the defining ingredient, scratch-made Mangalitsa pork bone broth, which creates its signature rich and velvety mouthfeel. Served alongside a slice of New Palace Bakery’s (Hamtramck) traditional rye bread with butter, each spoonful is a slurpable dynamic of sour, salty, and savory. Oh, and stay tuned for frozen soups coming soon to the adjacent Polish Art Center! Tuck in at 8994 S. Kasson in Cedar. (313) 854-6633

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@ St. AmBrose CelLarS 841 S PiOneEr Rd, BeUlah, MI 49617

SwORd FIGhTINg • VENdORs MEaD • MUSIC • GAMES & MORE

6 Paint the Town Pink

Stuff We Love: Donating Ahead of Cold Weather

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Manistee is teaming up with Munson Healthcare to paint the town pink. First up is an “Empower Hour” Women’s Health Symposium at the West Shore Community College Building on Oct. 1 at 5:30pm with talks from experts, caregivers, and survivors. The event is free; registration is required. Then, on Oct. 3, join in the inaugural (and unofficially timed) 5K and free 1-mile remembrance walk that travels along the shores of First Street Beach and through downtown Manistee, starting and finishing near the Manistee Municipal Marina. Participants are encouraged to deck themselves out in as much pink as possible! If you don’t have any pink gear, Munson has shirts available for purchase. Race fee is $30 for adults, $10 for students 18 and under. Learn more at munsonhealthcare.org/ munson-healthcare-foundations/news-and-events/events/paint-the-town-pink.

Hard to believe, but winter is not that far away. Jubilee House, Traverse City’s only drop-in day shelter for adults experiencing homelessness which serves over 500 people per year, has started their Cold Weather Drive to collect winter gear. Their wish list includes: heavy-duty and waterproof winter coats and snow pants, boots, blankets, thermal underwear, backpacks, gloves and mittens, heavy-duty sleeping bags, new tarps, and long-lasting hand warmers. Per the organization, “Men’s coats, snow pants and thermal underwear in size large and above and boots size 10 and above are especially needed.” Donations can be dropped at 325 Washington St. in Traverse City Monday through Friday from 10am-5:30pm now through Nov. 21 when the drive ends. For more information, visit gracejubileeoutreach.org.

TC State Park Reopening in October Construction work on the Keith J. Charters State Park in Traverse City is wrapping up early, according to the Michigan DNR, which will allow the park to reopen for fall camping next month. The park was originally supposed to be closed until next spring. Reservations are now open for 151 campsites available Oct. 8-Nov. 8. According to the DNR, improvements at the park—including a redesigned park entrance, a new at-grade pedestrian crossing, a new campground contact station, a relocated park headquarters building, and an expanded sanitation station—are nearly complete. The project was paid for by approximately $8.5 million in federal ARPA funds from Governor Whitmer’s Building Michigan Together Plan. A new traffic signal for the park’s redesigned entrance was installed earlier this year and has been fully active since spring. Discussions about the future potential replacement of a pedestrian bridge across US-31 remain ongoing. michigan.gov/ recsearch/parks/traversecity

8 SHAPE • FORM • LIGHT

10 YEARS 2016 -2026

Member’ s Exhibit

Opening Reception: Saturday, Oct. 3, 5-7 PM (Free)

Exhibit runs noon to 4pm, Tues–Sun through Oct. 3I, 2026 www.northportartsassociation.org

bottoms up Mawby’s Domaine Leelanau Yarrow Mawby is known for its sparkling wines, but did you know they also have an aperitif on the menu? Introduced back in 2022, Domaine Leelanau Yarrow is the perfect beverage for when you’re not quite ready to let go of summer. Yarrow is bright and fruity—but not too sweet—and infused with lemon verbena, yarrow, and elderflower all grown here in northern Michigan. The base of the aperitif is made with Riesling grapes fortified with grape brandy, clocking in at 3 percent residual sugar and 19 percent alcohol. Make it a spritz with some sparkling water, or level up with a Mawby spritz: 3 parts sparkling line (Mawby recommends Blanc or Us), 2 parts Yarrow, splash over sparkling water, and serve over ice with a twist of lemon. Find a bottle at the Mawby tasting room at 4519 Elm Valley Road in Suttons Bay. mawby.wine

Northern Express Weekly • september 28, 2026 • 5

CATCHING UP ON TC NEWS

spectator By Stephen Tuttle It’s becoming more and more difficult to keep up with local goings on. Not everybody is thrilled with the directions being taken.

Elk Rapids BIG DAY of ART!

Saturday, Oct 3rd, 10am-5pm Visit all three galleries for art demonstrations, special prize give-aways & drawings for gift certificates. Blue Heron Gallery

blueherongallery-er.com 131 Ames Street 231-264-9210

Mullaly’s 128 Gallery mullalys128.com 128 River Street 231-264-6660

Twisted Fish Gallery twistedfishgallery.com 10443 S Bayshore Dr 231-264-0123

Your people, your favorite lake, and your ideal pace. You deserve a real estate journey as beautiful as your new home in Northern Michigan.

WE L C O M E T O R E A LT Y D ON E R I G HT .

24 1 E S T A TE S TR E ET, TR A VER S E CI TY 231.6 4 2 .1 8 0 5 | NA NR A Y .C O M

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Traverse City officials reacted with shock and surprise when the Grand Traverse County board voted 8-1 to oppose the extension of the city’s Downtown Development Authority (DDA) TIF 97, or, as they initially called it, the Moving Downtown Forward TIF that has now been renamed to Infrastructure Only TIF. (One assumes the word “infrastructure” spiked during polling.)

Other naming conventions are changing too. There used to be low-income housing, but that was apparently too inelegant, so now we have affordable housing, workforce housing, and our latest entry, attainable housing. It would be much more honest if we called it what it actually is, which is subsidized housing. It would appear virtually any multi-family residences will be subsidized either through reduced rents for the tenants or the now nearly ubiquitous PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) program in which the property owner pays a flat fee, typically less than the

The good citizens of Traverse City will have their say in November when Proposition 1 shows up on their ballots. TIF, or tax increment financing, establishes a property tax baseline then “captures” the taxes above that baseline over a predetermined length of time. That money is then used for projects specific to the previously established TIF district. The majority of the tax money being captured would have gone to the city’s general fund and smaller shares to the county, BATA, the library district, and NMC. Over the course of a TIF’s lifetime, which can be as long as 30 years, millions of dollars are captured.

actual property tax, every year instead of the increasing property taxes. The latest of these was just approved by the city commission for 45 years because they know the need for property and tax breaks will still exist nearly half a century down the road.

While the current TIF extension proposal includes some form of give-back of some of the money captured from entities other than the city, the county would prefer to receive their money directly, not in the form of a rebate or refund, but up front where it can be accounted for and budgeted.

If we aren’t subsidizing, we are hiring consultants. This must be the promised land for consultants, because we believe we need them for almost everything. The latest is the city is going to hire consultants to help us figure out how many employees we’ll need and where in the future. In the private sector, this is something we expect managers to do as a normal part of their job: project staffing and budget needs for next year, for the next three or five years. (Ten years is foolish given how fast things now change.) Maybe the consultants will tell us to hire people who know how to project future needs to match the goals they should be expressing.

The county also pointed out a promise was made in 1997 that TIF 97 would be a oneand-done and there would be no efforts to extend it. But that was then, and no one who made that promise is still making decisions. The city now claims they were “blindsided” by the county’s negative vote, that they had no conversations and had no inkling there was significant county opposition. The county leadership begs to differ and says they, in fact, had multiple meetings expressing their skepticism about supporting decades more of lost tax revenue. In fact, county leaders had been publicly expressing less than warm and fuzzy feelings about the TIF for some time, so it’s a bit of a mystery why the city is claiming shock and surprise. The good citizens of Traverse City will have their say in November when Proposition 1 shows up on their ballots. A “Yes” vote extends TIF 97 for 20 more years, a “No” vote ends it, but the property tax money would keep flowing to the city and the other taxing entities.

Developers would be foolish not to seek these tax breaks, as Traverse City appears to have free money for everybody. Let’s hope the loss of millions in tax dollars for TIF and PILOT programs isn’t needed someplace else in the city.

Much like every other community in the country, we continue to grapple with homelessness. Safe Harbor, our main shelter, expanded their hours once we closed the Pines, but they cannot serve everybody in need, and no level of housing is going to help some of these folks unless it’s rent free and we also provide some source of income. In the meantime, too many are now using Hull Park as a safe haven (sometimes for unsafe behavior), and that is not so good for the families wanting to enjoy it. So, we have a little tiff over TIF, yet another level of subsidized housing, consultants to help us decide if we need more consultants, and a homelessness problem still searching for a solution.

FINDING COMMON GROUND IN AN UNPREDICTABLE YEAR GUEST OPINION by Kent Wood Predicting what the Michigan legislature will do next is rarely easy. In an election year, under divided government, it can be nearly impossible. That makes what happened on housing policy this summer worth examining. While Republicans and Democrats continue to disagree on plenty, lawmakers have found areas of agreement on housing—advancing changes to building regulations and creating a major new financing tool for affordable housing. The measures differ considerably in approach, but collectively they demonstrate that legislators are considering both the cost of producing housing and the financing gaps that prevent projects from being built. One example is House Bills 5570 and 5571, now Public Acts 28 and 29 of 2026. Sponsored by Republican Rep. Parker Fairbairn of Harbor Springs and Democratic Rep. Stephen Wooden of Grand Rapids, the legislation changes Michigan’s construction code to allow qualifying multifamily buildings of up to four stories to use a single interior exit stairway under specified safety requirements. It sounds technical, but technical rules matter when you are building housing. Requiring a second staircase takes up usable space and can make smaller multifamily buildings difficult to construct on narrow or constrained lots. Allowing qualifying buildings to use a single stair can provide greater design flexibility and reduce costs. Research presented to the legislature also examined the safety experience of jurisdictions that already allow modern single-stair buildings, including New York City and Seattle. For northern Michigan, reforms like this are particularly relevant. Many of our communities are not looking for large apartment towers. They need incremental housing: smaller apartment buildings, infill projects, and additional homes in downtowns and village centers. Changes that improve the economics of those projects can expand the range of housing that is feasible to build in small and rural communities. The legislature also enacted the Michigan Housing Opportunity Tax Credit. Senate Bill 966, now Public Act 23 of 2026, establishes a state housing tax credit that works alongside the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit. The legislation passed the House 95-13 before receiving final Senate concurrence and being signed in July. State officials estimate the program could support approximately 2,500 additional housing units annually, although actual production will depend on projects, financing, and implementation. This addresses a different problem. Even when communities approve housing and developers are ready to build, the

numbers often don’t work. Construction, labor, infrastructure, and financing costs can leave significant gaps between what a project costs and what rents can reasonably support. The new state credit gives developers another source of capital to help close those gaps. Importantly for northern Michigan, the legislation also provides specific consideration for rural projects. That matters because smaller rural developments often face different economics than projects in larger metropolitan areas. Other housing proposals remain unfinished, and what happens next is considerably less certain. Michigan enters the fall campaign season with divided legislative control and major elections approaching. That changes the dynamics in Lansing. Legislative calendars become shorter. Campaigning consumes more time. And lawmakers know that November’s results will shape the political environment for the lame-duck session and the legislature that follows. That is why anyone confidently predicting which bills will—or won’t—move this fall should probably add an asterisk. Bills sitting quietly in committee today could receive attention after the election. Others that appear positioned to move may not. The incentives facing legislators in November and December will depend partly on an election that hasn’t happened yet. For housing advocates, the practical response is preparation rather than prediction. Continue working on good policy. Maintain relationships with legislators from both parties. Keep educating policymakers about the realities facing rural communities. Have proposals ready if an opportunity develops—and recognize that some issues may ultimately carry into the next legislative session. There is also a larger lesson in what happened this summer. Housing policy does not have to fit neatly into a partisan box. One reform can address building regulations. Another can provide financing for income-restricted housing. Others can address permitting, infrastructure, zoning, or rehabilitation. Those approaches don’t solve the same problem, and no single one solves Michigan’s housing shortage. But this summer demonstrated that legislators with very different political philosophies can still work on different pieces of the same housing puzzle. In an unpredictable political year, that may be the most useful housing development of all. Kent Wood is the founder of consulting firm Borealis Strategic, and serves as Policy Advisor for Housing North, a 10-county housing agency serving northwest Michigan.

Northern Express Weekly • september 28, 2026 • 7

Housing North: Meet the New Director A Q&A with Carolyn Fairman

By Sara Bagley

aren’t always involved in this day-to-day?

Carolyn Fairman joined Traverse City-based nonprofit Housing North as their new executive director as of late spring 2026. Housing North is a 501(c)(3) organization working across 10 counties in northern Michigan to conduct assessments and provide tools and planning to help municipalities become “Housing Ready.” Fairman, a Western Michigan, native boasts a career in nonprofit leadership across several sectors, from supply chain sustainability, to international labor rights, migration, and more. Over the years, Fairman fell in love with northern Michigan and hoped to eventually live closer to the water and the culture. Once she finally made the move, this position opened, and everything fell into place.

Express: What experiences do you think you’ve had that have prepared you to step into the role? Fairman: I have spent my entire career in nonprofit leadership, so this is what I do, this is what I know. I work well building teams, building up people’s strengths, finding the gaps, putting systems in place, creating good communication within an organization, and I’m comfortable at all levels.

Express: How did you first find out about Housing North, and what drew you to the mission? Fairman: When I found that Housing North was looking, I thought it was a perfect opportunity for me to apply the background I have in social justice, systems change, and connecting communities. This was an opportunity to take that and apply it on the local level. The one thing that was always missing in my career for me was not working in my own community where I live and feeling like I can have an impact and more connectivity where I live and work. Express: How do you think your background gives you a unique approach to the housing crisis in northern Michigan? Fairman: I like to think that I have fresh eyes. I haven’t been entrenched in the movement, so while there’s certainly a learning curve, and I respect that, I’m not bringing any biases. I am not bringing any preconceived notions. I’m also able to look at the communications and, as someone not from this space, look at it as: is this something that people can understand that

Express: Do you see an immediate or unique opportunity to bring people together to support the mission of Housing North? Fairman: While there are commonalities within northwest Michigan, I also think it’s really important to recognize that there are unique differences—sometimes they’re glaring, sometimes they’re very nuanced—in each of the 10 counties that Housing North represents. And I do think it takes an ecosystem and collaboration, and we need to bring people together to solve the housing crisis. Express: How do you plan to look at towns of different sizes simultaneously and find solutions that fit without being “one size fits all”? Fairman: We’re not trying to recreate, for example, Traverse City in Charlevoix. That’s not going to work; nobody wants that. It’s about what the community sees as their need and how they want to solve it. Housing North is never going to be interested in forcing something down someone’s throat if they don’t want it. Express: What are two or three of your biggest priorities for the organization in your first year? Fairman: For me, stepping in from a leadership perspective is always elevating the team. On a concrete level, the Zoning Atlas is a huge success, and I think we need to continue to update it and teach communities how to use this as a tool. I think the housing

8 • september 28, 2026 • Northern Express Weekly

needs assessment has been really successful, and we want to update the needs assessment in all 10 counties. Express: Is there anything you've learned about the northern Michigan housing market since starting that’s surprised you? Fairman: I think the lack of federal funding because of [the rural nature of this area] is surprising, a challenge, and a bit disappointing. I’m excited to learn that there’s more and more awareness of housing across the country, not only in Michigan. Express: How do you expect the upcoming election to affect housing funding and legislation? Fairman: I think we are seeing a focus on regulatory barriers to workforce and affordable housing, and I think that’s a key piece in the list of challenges that we have. I like to think that this will be a primary part of the conversation in the upcoming elections, given how prevalent this is around the whole country. Express: Looking three to five years down

the road, what would a successful housing landscape look like to you in northern Michigan? Fairman: I think that we would like to see each of the counties have a position in place so that Housing North is less necessary in their region, because they have someone who can do some of this facilitating and convening themselves as part of either their council, their commission, or one of their community foundations or housing trusts. Express: What is your favorite part of the job so far, and what are you most excited for as you’re getting comfortable within the organization? Fairman: Really learning and visiting these counties. I look forward to working with all of the collaborators, most especially the developers, to make sure that anything developed does respect the integrity of each of these unique counties and the culture that they’ve created. To learn more about Housing North and their initiatives, visit housingnorth.org.

RAISE A MARGARITA GLASS Charlevoix’s new Mexican eatery looks back on nine months in business

By Geri Dietze Margaritas Mexican Restaurant in Charlevoix chose a soft opening just before Christmas of 2025, a bold move in a town that slows down significantly in the winter months. But clearly, they were on to something. “Sales were really good,” says manager Oziel Carreon about the winter patrons who visited the restaurant on its perfect downtown corner, just a stone’s throw from the bascule bridge. “The locals were waiting [for us to open]—snowmobilers, skiers, and many families came in.” Any business would be happy to have the time to ease into things, to test what works, make changes or additions, and then execute the slow pivot into summer, but Carreon explains that “it’s been a non-stop run since opening day,” with about 200 meals served daily in the busiest months, and frankly, he can feel it. “To be honest,” he jokes, “I’m pretty tired.” (We’re pretty sure the sign of a good restaurant is not just the food, but the fatigue level of the staff at summer’s end.) But don’t worry, Margaritas will stay open year-round, and Carreon says they are “talking about possible special events” during the winter, though space is limited. And in the meantime, there’s plenty to look forward to this fall. Bienvenido (Welcome) The eatery’s comfortable interior has the feel of a hacienda, with its heavy, rustic chairs and tables. Booths divided by filigree ironwork line the perimeter of the room, and deeply tufted upholstery makes lingering an attractive option. There’s a back room and a small bar as well. But it’s the mural wall that dominates. The wall’s vivid background is called “Mexican Pink,” a color that has been prominent for centuries but formally was named in 1947 by Mexican fashion designer and artist Ramon Valdiosera. This is the background for a contemporary rendition of a gorgeous young

woman representing the Day of the Dead. (The original creation of the skeletal Día de los Muertos was drawn as political satire by Mexican printmaker José Guadalupe Posada around 1912, and it has since evolved with the help of Chicano activist/artists to honor the indigenous, religious, and artistic aspects of the holiday.) An American flag is prominent as well, and Carreon describes it as a way to combine the cultures, to “bring us all together…and to create a bond.” Vamos a Comer (Let’s Eat) Authenticity is a must in this competitive business. Carreon himself hails from Monterey, Mexico, and the owners are part of a restaurant family who originate from Guadalajara and currently reside in Michigan. Mexican menus are often loaded with choices and variations, but Margaritas has perhaps the most user-friendly menu we’ve ever seen: Main dishes are accompanied by full-color photos, showing the patron exactly what’s on order. It’s also a visual guide to foods that might be unfamiliar, inviting diners to try something new. The entire menu must be seen to be appreciated, but here is a rundown: Look for over a dozen mains featuring shrimp, nine featuring chicken, a half-dozen quesadilla dinners, and 11 more available a la carte. There’s a salad for every taste plus 10 vegetarian versions of Mexican favorites, plus all the nacho, taco, and enchilada variations you can imagine. And we’re sure you’ll want desert, from Tres Leche cake and Sopapillas, to a Banana Chimichanga. The kiddos will enjoy a big selection of Mexican dishes, appropriately sized for small fry. (But, because kids are kids, pizza and mac & cheese are also available.) We asked Carreon for some of the most popular items, and he gave us the top four. 1. House Enchiladas: From the Spanish enchilar, “to season with chili,” featuring three soft tortillas filled with beef or chicken

and topped with red enchilada sauce, lettuce, tomatoes, and sour cream. Served with rice and beans. 2. Quesadilla Vallarta: A quesadilla rolled with steak, chicken, and shrimp, topped with cheese dip and mango sauce. Served with rice and sour cream salad. (The aforementioned salad is a refreshing mix of crisp shredded lettuce and toppings with a sour cream-based dressing. The salad is regularly served as a cool and light pairing with any rich, protein-heavy dish.) 3. Fajitas Tropicales: A sweet and savory blend with grilled chicken, steak, and shrimp, with peppers, onions, tomatoes, and pineapple, topped with cheese and served in a half-pineapple. 4. Wet Burrito: This popular and deeply satisfying dish—a flour tortilla rolled around beef and beans and then smothered with sauce—is not traditionally Mexican because it must be eaten with a fork and knife, unlike the hand-held Mexican tortilla. Strange as it seems, the wet burrito is thought to have

originated in either California or, of all places, Grand Rapids. ¡Salud! (Cheers!) The drinks menu is impressive as well, with about 30 flavors of margarita variations— top shelf, house, frozen, on-the-rocks, by the pitcher—a solid selection of Tequilas and Mexican beers, and a selection of red and white wines. Carreon explains that there wasn’t time to investigate the wide range of Michigan beers and wines, but adding some to the menu is a possibility in the future. Purists will appreciate the authentic Mexican Coca-Cola, made the right way, with cane sugar, as opposed to the high fructose corn syrup used by American bottlers. There are plenty of drink choices for the kids and a good selection of NA brews. Face it, you’ll have to return again and again, or bring some friends and share. Find Margaritas at 115 Bridge St. in Charlevoix. (231) 437-3141

Northern Express Weekly • september 28, 2026 • 9

THE LATEST ON SHORT TERM RENTALS IN GRAND TRAVERSE COUNTY TC is a vacation rental hot spot. But is the market cooling?

Pictured: Short-term rentals on Gillis St. in Traverse City.

By Beth Milligan Grand Traverse County—with Traverse City at its core—is often cited as one of the hottest short-term rental (STR) markets in the state. AirDNA, a STR data tracking company, shows over 4,400 unique listings in the region (extending into Leelanau) that each had at least one booking in the last month. However, that number has dropped nearly five percent over the past year. That may be a sign the market is cooling, as several local leaders and realtors believe. Would-be renters must also navigate a wide range of regulations, which vary from outright bans to market caps to permissive licensing, depending on the municipality. We check in on the state of STRs, including efforts to regulate vacation rentals statewide and the push for a tourism tax that would offset the impact of visitors on local communities. Where Are STRs Allowed? It’s a seemingly straightforward question, but the answer is complicated. Taylor Brown, a Traverse City realtor with Real Estate One, maintains a guide to dozens of township and city rules across Grand Traverse and other northern Michigan counties on his website (TaylorBrownRealtor.com). The color-coded map makes it clear: In some communities, STR rules are non-existent— the “Wild West,” Brown calls such jurisdictions—while others have taken a zero-tolerance stance on STRs. In Grand Traverse County, STRs are banned outright in Garfield, Peninsula, and Whitewater townships. Whitewater Township, which is adjacent to Acme

Brown's website has a map showing where STR permits are available (green), allowed but capped (yellow), or prohibited/ very difficult to get (red).

Township and thus Horse Shows by the Bay, a highly lucrative summer rental audience, has discussed potential loosening of its restrictions in recent years but has yet to lift the ban. While some property owners still choose to operate illegally, others have flocked to neighboring jurisdictions like Acme and East Bay townships. Regulations vary widely in other townships, with several—like Green Lake, Long Lake, and Fife Lake townships— factoring in septic and/or bedroom capacity to determine occupancy. Brown advises anyone either looking to operate or rent an STR to check the specific rules of that community, not only because they vary

10 • september 28, 2026 • Northern Express Weekly

widely but because local leaders are often updating them. East Bay East Bay Township adopted a new STR licensing ordinance in 2023. “One of the main changes was that the township board enacted a cap of 145 STR licenses,” explains Township Director of Planning & Zoning Claire Karner. “When the ordinance was first enacted, we had close to 180 that were licensed. We grandfathered everyone in but said over time through attrition that the number would decrease.” East Bay has a geographic restriction that requires a 1,000-foot separation between any new STRs. Units can also turn over

only once every seven days, limiting the revolving door of different nightly renters that sometimes occurs elsewhere. Licenses do not transfer with properties, so when an STR is sold, the buyer must apply for a new license. Licenses cost $450 annually and are available on a first-come, first-served basis each spring following a fall renewal window for existing licenses. The geographic encumbrance has indeed led to market attrition, with 130 licenses operating in East Bay Township today. That means 15 licenses are available, in large part because the hottest neighborhoods are off the table. “I think we are maxed out geographically,” says Karner. “A lot of the homeowner

Karner

associations already restrict STRs, like in Holiday Hills. So they don’t allow them, and then you basically can’t get any new license in the Pine Grove or lakes areas [because of the geographic restriction]. We’re at our maximum from a concentration standpoint.” Acme & TC Acme Township and the City of Traverse City both maintain a two-category system for vacation rentals. STRs, in which a renter can rent out an entire unit or home without the owner present, are more restricted in both communities. In Acme, they’re only allowed in the agricultural district and some existing single-family homes in the commercial and corridor flex districts. They’re banned in residential neighborhoods, as they are in the City of TC. The city allows STRs in a variety of commercial or mixed-use districts. Many of those have caps, meaning that in some districts STRs can account for no more than 25 percent of the units in the building. Other districts, like in the downtown area, allow up to 100 percent. However, city officials are looking at reducing those levels in several districts and evaluating other STR issues, ranging from fee structures to regulatory tools to enforcement. Both Acme and the city also have a category of rentals called tourist homes, or owner-occupied rentals where only a portion of the home or unit is rented out (like a bedroom or an accessory dwelling unit). In Acme, tourist homes are allowed in all districts with a license. The township offers 50 licenses each for both STRs and tourist homes, with “many available licenses,” according to its website. In the city, tourist homes are allowed by license in residential neighborhoods and are regulated by the intensity of use (how many nights of stay are occurring annually) with a 1,000-foot separation required between homes. The city currently has 567 licensed STRs and 21 licensed tourist homes for 2026, according to the city clerk’s office. Is the Market Cooling? That previously mentioned AirDNA drop seems to indicate: yes. Karner and Taylor are also seeing signs of a declining market, if only incrementally or in certain areas. Because of the inability to get licenses in certain neighborhoods of East Bay Township, Karner says she’s seen a leveling out of property prices in those areas, which could be beneficial for long-term home buyers. Brown believes one of the most saturated areas of the market is downtown Traverse City, particularly 1- or 2-bedroom units. Downtown has several major hotel projects coming online as competition, and owners of apartment or condo STRs in multi-family developments have few ways to differentiate their units from other identical units in the same building.

Brown

“Your neighbors set your rate, and the only thing you can do differently is decorate,” Brown says. He cites Trailside45 on Garfield Avenue as an example of a property “where you always see listings available.” Owners take even more of a hit if they’re paying someone else to manage their STRs, he says. “Everyone in COVID bought downtown, and property managers take 20 to 30 percent, so it becomes barely break-even,” he says. “If you’re a local and can deal with managing it yourself, it becomes profitable again, but that’s a lot of work.” Brown’s advice? “You better have another reason to own the property, especially if [STRs] become not allowed,” he says. Renters are also increasingly flocking to unique STR experiences, from farm stays to tiny waterfront cottages to large-group homes with on-site event amenities. Brown believes the market remains strong in communities that have four-season tourism draws, like nearby ski resorts, as well as those that are “underserved from a rooms perspective,” meaning there are few nearby hotels. He cites Frankfort in Benzie County and rural parts of Leelanau County as examples. “In places like that, I think they’re actually needed in a way to help handle the tourism,” Brown says. State & Tourism Impacts Legislators have considered one solution to the widely varying landscape of STR rules in townships across Michigan: enacting statewide regulations to address them. Currently, Michigan doesn’t regulate STRs at the state level except to require them to pay a six percent use tax. But bills have been introduced—and strongly debated—multiple times to either create a statewide licensing and registration system or prohibit communities from banning STRs outright. So far, those bills have not made any significant headway. But another discussed component of them—taxes—is gaining ground as a hot topic of conversation. Both Traverse City and Grand Traverse County commissioners have expressed support for a tourism tax that would be levied against accommodations and used to offset impacts from visitors to local infrastructure and public services. That would be different than the hotel tax that tourism bureaus collect today, which only goes toward marketing and promotion. City Manager Benjamin Marentette says enacting the taxation change through the legislature is “not something that’s going to happen quickly,” but is gaining momentum with communities throughout Michigan. “I think there’s enough collective interest there, as long as it’s something that works for the diverse needs of different communities across the state,” he says. “It’s a long road to pursue, but I’m optimistic about it.”

Northern Express Weekly • september 28, 2026 • 11

MEDIAN SALE PRICE FOR AREA HOMES UP 88 PERCENT SINCE 2019 A deep dive into summer real estate stats and trends

By Art Bukowski Summer has long been the most active season for buying and selling real estate in northern Michigan. So, how was summer 2026? Northern Express crunched the numbers (provided local real estate association Aspire North) and checked in with local realtors for reaction and analysis. Almost Everything Is Up The following numbers are for the fivecounty region of Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, and Leelanau counties. The median residential sales prices (a more accurate figure than average price, which gets skewed by a few super high sales) in June, July, and August of this year were $475,000, $451,687, and $450,000, respectively, up from $432,500, $395,000, and $434,500 in 2025. The number of sales was 273, 304, and 280 in June, July, and August, compared to 282, 295, and 296 last year. Total sales volume in June, July, and August of this year was $184.2 million, $208.5 million, and $184.5 million, respectively. That’s up from $155.6 million, $168.3 million, and $168.2 million for the same three months last year. Though there were county-by-county variations, these numbers are more or less on par with growth from 2024 to 2025. To put all this in perspective on the very strong growth curve over the past several years, compare the above data to numbers

from July 2019: Median sales price was $240,000 and total sales volume was $127.8 million across 406 sales. If you don’t have your phone calculator handy, that’s an 88 percent increase in median sales price and 33 percent increase in sales volume in just seven years. Trends and Insights Inventory (the number of homes available) is finally creeping back up, even if it’s a slight increase. Meagan Luce, broker/ owner of Century 21 in Traverse City, was glad to see sales activity move in the right direction this summer and earlier this year. “Two or three years ago were the lowest number of sales we’ve had in as long as we can remember historically,” she says. “So the number of sales is climbing, which is good.” You may have noticed that homes for sale seem to be on the market a bit longer than in years past. That’s because while prices continue to climb across the board—median sales price in Grand Traverse County was $490,000 in August of this year and $426,000 in August 2025—time to sell is flat or increasing. Part of this is buyers being too aggressive with their asking prices, Luce says. There was a time when sellers could name their price (particularly when interest rates were super low during the early 2020s) but that’s no longer the case. “Overpriced properties are not moving. They just aren’t. Properties that are positioned well and priced correctly, those are the ones that are still selling well,” Luce says. “And the further a seller makes the list

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Oltersdorf

price away from actual market value means the longer they’re going to sit on the market, and statistically we can show that in every single county, every single year, the longer a property sits on the market, the less it sells for. So sellers actually undercut their price by overpricing the properties initially.” Increased inventory also makes for less urgent buyers, Luce says. “Buyers are feeling like they have more time because the bidding war frenzies are much less common than they had been for so long,” she says. “As inventory is climbing… buyers now have more confidence that they do have more options.”

Luce

Still, inventory is far less than a lot of buyers would like it to be. Jonathan Oltersdorf with Oltersdorf Realty in Suttons Bay attributes this in large part to a double “lock-in effect.” “A lot of the older people that have lived in their houses for decades want to downsize to a cheaper house, but even when buying a cheaper house, their taxes could double or triple, so they’re staying in these larger houses,” he says. “And then you combine that with the fact that a lot of younger existing homeowners have these 3 percent mortgages and can’t afford to move from a starter home to a larger home now because their payment would double or

triple [due to higher interest rates].” Leelanau Is Still King Despite those roadblocks, nowhere are the prices higher and the market hotter than Leelanau County. Oltersdorf says this summer was exceptional. “When you look at the numbers, it really blew away the last two summers, actually,” he says. “The average sale price in Leelanau

County in June through August was over a million dollars. Last June through August there were 32 sales over a million. This year had 47 sales over a million. That means that basically one third of the sales in the county were over a million dollars.” Cash sales (buyers who can buy a home without having to finance) still represent a big chunk of transactions, even as prices soar. “We’re seeing 47 percent being cash

purchases even with that average sales price,” Oltersdorf adds. Interesting tidbit: Around 55 percent of Leelanau County’s homes are second homes or vacation properties, a significantly higher percentage than neighboring counties (Grand Traverse is around 15-20 percent, depending on the data source). That number has been steady for years in Leelanau, Oltersdorf says, and has always

served to put a pinch on available inventory. “It’s the most desirable county in the state,” he says. With these types of properties, certain economic factors can have significant influence on pricing. “Right now [the stock market] is booming, so these out-of-area buyers are just kind of trading assets,” Oltersdorf says. “They’re selling investments and buying real estate.”

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Northern Express Weekly • september 28, 2026 • 13

Photos courtesy of Black Star Farms

GAYLORD DOWNTOWN GETS A MAIN STREET BOOST Gaylord joins Michigan Main Street with an eye toward long-term revitalization

By Kelsey Sanders What happens when your town gets a makeover? Sure, it looks nicer, newer, and perhaps more welcoming, but when a Michigan city is selected by the Michigan Main Street (MMS) program, it’s a large undertaking that ripples through the community, creating more pride, better economic development, and often more tourism. Michigan Main Street, an official state coordinating program under Main Street America in partnership with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) since 2003, is “designed to revitalize and preserve traditional downtowns and commercial districts through historic preservation and economic development.” Towns can participate in the program at four different levels, with commitments, investments, and assistance increasing at each stage. (The levels are Network, Engaged, Select, Master.) A total of 23 communities currently participate in the MMS program

at the Select and Master levels. The next on the list: Gaylord. “What I’m really excited about is that this process is community driven,” says Lisa Marie Tobin, executive director of the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) in Gaylord. “Typically, when people think about DDAs or cities, they think top down—that the city is dictating to the residents—but this program flips that, so it’s driven by the community’s needs, wants, desires, and vision they have for their specific community. And it really allows us to lean into who we are, our identity, and what makes us unique from every other community within Michigan.” Leveling Up Tobin led the charge for Gaylord through the Engaged level, accomplishing everything that needs to be completed before moving on to the Select level. “I’m pleased to announce that we were able to get through that level in a year and a half, rather than three years, and it really

14 • september 28, 2026 • Northern Express Weekly

lays the foundation,” she says. “We assessed the downtown area, collected data, and organized our committees.” Once a community has completed the Engaged level, it applies for the Select level, which takes approximately five years to complete. “The Select level opens the door to technical support like grants and funding opportunities that were not previously available to us that can then be passed along to our local businesses,” Tobin explains. “For example, Match on Main is a program that if you’re a Select level community, you can submit a grant and receive funds that can then be applied at an individual level to the businesses for facade improvements and technology improvements. The other thing that’s great about being part of the Select level is that we will be working with experts from the national level.” The first step for the Select level was forming committees—think design, promotions, economic vitality, organization, etc.—to help guide the process throughout

that five-year span. Next comes a “transformation strategy,” and to that end, the DDA has released a survey that will drive the direction for the future of Gaylord’s downtown. Tobin hopes that many residents will complete the survey, but it will also be given to local elected officials, business and property owners in the downtown area, community groups and organizations, and even visitors. “It’s a holistic approach to setting goals for the future,” says Tobin. “In addition to that, it gives us access to data that we otherwise wouldn’t have access to. It looks at what our assets are, what the market is, where people are coming from, what they’re doing when they visit, how they move through our community, what the needs of those individuals are, as well as where we are oversaturated or undersaturated in terms of industries. Once we have all of that data combined with the qualitative data that’s coming from the community and what their desires are for us as a community, we will establish a framework that we will then set

goals from, and then every year we will set a work plan to meet those goals.” Those goals are still being set. Tobin and the new MMS committees are scheduled to meet at the end of September. “We’ll have our focus groups, get community input, and we will sit down with America Main Street at that time,” Tobin explains. “Based on the information we gather, we will set the community goals for our downtown, and we will also determine what type of data needs to be collected to ensure that we know that we’re having an impact.” The Five-Year Plan Already, there are plenty of ideas from community leaders around what could and should be focused on during the next five years. “Having a vibrant, active community, specifically a vibrant downtown, is critical

to our sense of place and our visitors,” says Paul Beachnau, the executive director of the Gaylord Area Convention and Tourism Bureau. “The number one activity visitors to a community enjoy is shopping. They don’t want traditional shopping opportunities like big box stores, they want authentic, unique memorable shopping experiences.” Beachnau adds, “I would really like to see our community be more walkable and pedestrian and bike friendly. I would also like to see our downtown merchants engaged and working together in unison.” Lori Lancaster, DDA chair and AVP branch manager of the local Nicolet Bank, echoes those ideas. “One of our greatest opportunities is placemaking. By enhancing public gathering spaces and developing the pavilion as a true

community destination, we can create an environment that attracts visitors, supports local businesses, and encourages residents to spend more time downtown,” she says. “Over the next two years, I envision a downtown with more retail options, increased foot traffic, and more community events, creating a vibrant destination for residents and visitors. In five years, we hope the pavilion will be a true community destination, drawing people downtown for events, recreation, and connection while supporting local businesses and enhancing the overall downtown experience.” Tobin is excited to see how Gaylord can lean more into its roots and its architectural look. “We’re an Alpine Village—that is who we are. It’s very unique. Our initial open house and input from the community was where they really wanted to see us lean into local

first and our Alpine identity,” Tobin shares. While Tobin doesn’t have a crystal ball, she hopes that in five years, Gaylord has a busy downtown with every storefront full where there’s something for everyone. “I hope to see all of our community members coming together and actively working together towards the betterment of our community, whatever that looks like,” Tobin says. “I think the Michigan Main Street is a great program because it creates a foundation and a framework where the community can come together and determine the future of our downtown and what that means, and all of the support that comes with it.” Learn more about the Michigan Main Street program at miplace.org/programs/michiganmain-street.

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Northern Express Weekly • september 28, 2026 • 15

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HELP IS ON THE WAY FOR SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER IN NORTHERN MICHIGAN Traverse City’s Addiction Treatment Services to unveil plans for new facility at Art of Recovery 2026

By Ren Brabenec According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), 8.2 percent of Michigan adults currently experience substance use disorder (SUD). Opioids, synthetic drugs, alcohol, and prescription medications still drive the majority of health concerns and emergency responses. While overdose deaths are trending down (1,800 in 2025 compared to 3,096 in 2021), the total number of people struggling with SUD in Michigan has stubbornly remained at about 1.5 million residents. Studies show that SUD rates remain high because only about 10 to 15 percent of people with a substance use disorder receive treatment. In Traverse City, plans are underway to close that treatment gap. Big News from ATS Traverse City-based nonprofit Addiction Treatment Services (ATS) is working on a new way to deliver essential care to those in need across the state. “For over 10 years, we’ve had the goal to consolidate our 11 properties and move onto one campus,” says Paula Lipinski, CEO of ATS. Lipinski gives us a sneak peek at what she and her team will be announcing on Oct. 1 at Art of Recovery 2026, ATS’s annual fundraiser. “We have plans in the works for a new headquarters, which will be a stateof-the-art addiction treatment facility in northern Michigan,” she says. “This new facility will be located in Traverse City and will allow ATS to provide the full spectrum of substance use disorder treatment, all under one roof.” Plans for a new facility have been in the works since 2016, but the need for one has never been greater than it is today. According

to analysis by the Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, a public health research institute, sweeping federal Medicaid cuts by the Trump Administration, coupled with new work requirements and a failure to renew the COVID-era enhanced health insurance subsidies, have meant that between 4.9 and 10.1 million people currently receiving or eligible for Medicaid-covered SUD treatment have either already been taken off of Medicaid or are at risk for losing their insurance between now and 2028. On the provider side, funding shortfalls have also forced treatment centers that rely on Medicaid funding to significantly curtail services, often leading to waiting lists for patient care. “We can’t control what the government does, but we can control what we as providers do to ensure members of our community get the care they need,” Lipinski says. “Our consolidation of our 11 properties into one, integrated care facility will make our organization exponentially more efficient while also enabling us to provide a more comprehensive suite of services to those in need.” Lipinski frames the new facility as a way to ensure ATS continues to serve the community no matter what. “We are seeing more people with SUD lose their Medicaid coverage, and we are having to work with scholarships, grants, and community donors more so than ever before, so our mandate is to streamline our operations and adapt to more complicated and limited funding models,” she says. A Full Complement of Care ATS’s new facility, which Lipinski says is on a three- to five-year timeline, will bring a new level of accessible, essential care to northern Michigan. The facility, to

“The Ripple Effect: The Art of Healing Together”

More details about the new facility will be revealed on Thursday, Oct. 1, at 5:30pm at the City Opera House.

Lipinski

be constructed by Cunningham-Limp and designed by Cornerstone Architects, will house ATS’s full suite of services, including: Withdrawal Management, the medically managed withdrawal from alcohol, opioids, and other drugs; Residential Services, including 30- and 60-day programs for addressing SUD in a safe, supportive community; Recovery Housing, a ninemonth stay to support individuals in their transition to more permanent housing; Outpatient Services, including meetings, group therapy, counseling, assessments, and case management; and Family Services, featuring support programs for the loved ones of people with SUD. Lipinski says that, rather than spreading ATS employees across Grand Traverse County at different properties, the new facility will also house all of ATS’s administrative offices, streamlining operations.

“The Ripple Effect reflects something we see every day at ATS,” Lipinski says. “Recovery rarely impacts just one person. When an individual begins to heal, that change reaches their family, their relationships, their workplace, and ultimately our entire community.” The ATS fundraiser will feature storytelling from individuals and families impacted by addiction and recovery. The evening will also include strolling food stations, a custom coffee station, local art, community experiences, and a raffle. Lipinski concludes, “Our work is possible because this community continues to believe that people can recover, families can heal, and everyone deserves the opportunity to build a life beyond addiction.” Art of Recovery is free to attend, but ATS asks guests to RSVP in advance to reserve their spot at addictiontreatmentservices.org/ media/ats-art-of-recovery-2026.

Learn more about Addiction Treatment Services at addictiontreatmentservices.org.

Northern Express Weekly • september 28, 2026 • 17

sept Saturday 26

FORMULA 1 FREE WATCH PARTIES: AZERBAIJAN: 7am, The Bay Community Theatre, Suttons Bay. Experience the thrilling races on the big screen! Includes Formula 1 games. Doors open an hour before the start of each race. thebaytheatre.org/home-page ---------------------------------BETSIE VALLEY TRAIL RUN: 8am. Half Marathon, 10K & 5K start at the Webber Sports Complex in Thompsonville. The 1 Mile Fun Run is held on the ballfield, onto the trail & back. See web site to register & for various start times. $15-$79. runsignup. com/Race/Events/MI/Thompsonville/BestieValleyTrailRun ---------------------------------MELGES 24 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP: Little Traverse Bay. On Sept. 19–26, the global Melges 24 fleet will converge on Harbor Springs for the International Class’s premier event, the World Championship, hosted by the Little Traverse Yacht Club (LTYC). 2026worlds. melges24.com/en/default/races/race ---------------------------------2026 GREAT LAKES, GREAT PLANTS: 8:30am, The Botanic Garden at Historic Barns Park, TC. Join the Botanic Garden for northern Michigan’s premier horticultural event & fundraiser. Featuring a fresh lineup of lectures, tours, & immersive experiences celebrating horticulture, design, & the natural beauty of northern Michigan. Designed for professionals & plant lovers alike. Ticketed event. eventbrite.com/e/2026-great-lakesgreat-plants-tickets-1983281840373 ---------------------------------TREE PLANTING: 8:45am, Cherry Bend Community Park, TC. ReLeaf Michigan is partnering with Elmwood Township & the DTE Energy Foundation to plant 14 trees. Meet at park pavilion by Elmwood Township Hall to checkin. Please RSVP: releafmichigan.org/rsvp ---------------------------------11TH ANNUAL HARBOR SPRINGS FESTIVAL OF THE BOOK: SOLD OUT: Harbor Springs, Sept. 25-27. A celebration of readers, writers, books & the literary craft. Featuring up to 50 nationally published authors & illustrators in sessions including eight genres. hsfotb.org ---------------------------------BOYNE CITY HARVEST FESTIVAL: 9am3pm, Lake & Main streets, downtown Boyne City. Children’s games, local harvests, fall fun & decorations. ---------------------------------FALL GENEALOGY WORKSHOP: 9am, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, TC. Free morning of genealogy classes sponsored by the Daughters of the American Revolution & the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. ---------------------------------FALL STREAM MONITORING: 9am, Cold Creek. Help Grass River collect data through stream monitoring. Teams will collect habitat data & macroinvertebrates at several sites along Cold Creek. After collection you will return to Grass River Center to sort through the samples. Pre-register by RSVPing to Emma: emma@grassriver.org. grassriver.org ---------------------------------TRAVERSE CITY TRAILS FEST: Mountain bike racing or touring at Timber Ridge Resort, TC. Featuring 28 mile or 15 mile options, plus a balance bike race & youth race - .6 mile. Prices range from free - $60. Various start times, with earliest at 9am. Register: bikesignup.com/Race/MI/TraverseCity/ TraverseCityTrailsFestival ---------------------------------BELLAIRE HARVEST FESTIVAL: 10am, Bellaire. Halloween Dress Rehearsal & Family 1 Mile Fun/Run Walk, Kids Zone, Market

& Craft Fair, Special Harvest Story Hour & Caramel Apple Making Station at Bellaire Library, Minnow Racing, Rocktoberfest at Short’s Beer Garden, & much more. ---------------------------------FALL FEST: 10am, East Jordan Tourist Park. Live music by Stone Reverie on Fri., & Derailed on Sat.; food trucks, beer tent, early trick-or-treating, tractor rides & more. Find ‘Fall Fest 2026’ on Facebook. ---------------------------------GTARMC ROCK SHOW 2026: 10am-5pm, Cherryland VFW Post 2780, TC. Jewelry, gem, fossil, rock & mineral & more. Vendors, displays, prize drawings. Special area for young rockhounds. $3 donation; children 12 & under, free. facebook.com/tcrockhounds ---------------------------------NATIONAL ALPACA FARM DAY: 10am4pm, Rainbow Valley Family Farms, TC. Feed, pet, & take photos of the alpacas. Get a great lunch at the BBQ food truck, buy some local apples & pumpkins, face painting, coloring station, yard games, spinning demos, & more. This is an annual fundraiser for HANDDS dog rescue. Free. rainbowvalleyfamilyfarms.com ---------------------------------NATIONAL SEAT CHECK SATURDAY: 10am-1pm, Williams Chevrolet, 2600 N U.S. 31 S, TC. Get your child’s car seat checked for free! Certified technicians will make sure your child’s seat is the right fit for them & that it is installed correctly. No appointment necessary. facebook.com/ events/908056042360996 ---------------------------------ST. ANDREWS FALL BAZAAR: 10am-3pm, St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, Beulah. Kitchen & home decor, lawn & garden, arts & crafts, Christmas decor & much more. Proceeds benefit local charities. ---------------------------------COFFEE WITH THE AUTHORS: 11am, Glen Arbor Arts Center. Kalamazoo poet Steve Brown talks about “Fellowship,” a new book of poems that explore sobriety & questions of spirituality & faith. Free. glenarborart.org ---------------------------------ELK RAPIDS FALL FESTIVAL: 11am-3pm, River St., downtown Elk Rapids. Local vendors, kids’ activities, live music from Sandy and The Bandits, line dancing, seasonal treats like cider, donuts, & caramel apples & more. Free. elkrapidschamber.org/fall-festival ---------------------------------HISTORIC CEMETERY TOUR: Maple Grove Cemetery, Elk Rapids. Join the Elk Rapids Area Historical Society for a guided walking tour of Maple Grove Cemetery beginning at 11am OR at 2pm during the Elk Rapids Fall Festival. Donations accepted. elkrapidshistory.org ---------------------------------NORTHPORT’S 12TH ANNUAL LEELANAU UNCAGED: 11am-10pm, Northport. The village of Northport turns into a car-free celebration of local music, dance, art, kids’ activities & food. Featuring 34 live performances across seven stages, including a Center Stage with dance & interactive experiences all day long. There will also be a Water Blessing at 11am at the Marina Park Pavilion. Musicians include Little Dipper, Funky Uncle, Full Cord, Benzie Playboys, Medicinal Groove & many more. Free. leelanauuncaged.com ---------------------------------SAY NO TO ISRAEL’S GENOCIDE & MANIPULATION OF CONGRESS: 11am, Grandview Parkway + Union St., TC. Protest Israel’s genocide of the Palestinian people & manipulation of the American government. mideastjustpeace.net ---------------------------------SILENT MOVIE PERFORMANCE: The Music House Museum, Williamsburg. Step into the shadows of early cinema. “Silent But Deadly” brings live orchestral music to a program of silent horror shorts with

18 • september 28, 2026 • Northern Express Weekly

sept/oct

26-04 send your dates to: events@traverseticker.com

Cyclists unite! Hop on your bike, Weds., Sept. 30 for a ride around Boardman Lake, TC with the Cherry Capital Cycling Club (meet at 6:30pm at NMC Satellite Campus parking lot), followed by live music with mechanic & singer/songwriter Kip Knight at Nocturnal Bloom Brewing, TC at 7pm, along with a digital slide talk about “Biking Europe” from TC author and veteran bike tourer Bob Downes!

performances at 11am & 1pm. $25 online; $30 door. mynorthtickets.com/events/ the-music-house-museum-silent-movieperformance-with-silent-but-deadly-september-26-9-26-2026 ---------------------------------BOOK SIGNING ON THE BOARDWALK: 1-3pm, Don & Eileen Klein Nature Trail/ Boardwalk, FJR, 101 Union St., East Jordan. Meet local authors & have your already purchased books signed or purchase books at event & have them signed. ---------------------------------IN-STORE BOOK SIGNING WITH DAVID HARDIN: 1-3pm, Horizon Books, TC. Local author David Hardin will sign his new book, “Water Finds a Way.” horizonbooks. com/event/2026-09-26/store-book-signingdavid-hardin ---------------------------------PRIDE WEEK: VISIBILITY RALLY & MARCH, RESOURCE FAIR, DRAG SHOW & SILENT DISCO: TC. 1-3pm: Visibility Rally at F&M Park before the Pride March through downtown, along Front St. to the Open Space Park, where there will be a Resource Fair from 3-6pm: Local non-profits & area service providers will be on-hand to share info about the services & support they provide for the 2SLGBTQ+ community. 6pm: Drag Show featuring kings & queens from around the state. 10pm: Silent Disco with 2Bays DJs. upnorthpride.com/listevents/2025/9/27/visibility-rally-march-f6fde ---------------------------------CADILLAC’S CRAFT BEER FESTIVAL: 2-9pm, Cadillac Commons. Grab a tasty craft brew or choose from a variety of NA flavors at Cadillac’s Craft Beer Festival, overlooking Lake Cadillac. Enjoy live music by The Gasoline Gypsies, The Bootstrap Boys, & Silver Creek Revival. Try your hand at yard games, & hit the local food trucks. GA tickets are $30 advance; $35 gate & include five 5 oz. pours & a festival glass. Brewers include Great Mead Hall, Elder Piper, Dark Horse Brewing Co., Short’s Brewing, Four Leaf Brewing, and many more. The Cadillac Craft Beer Hustle 5K starts at 1pm at 215 S. Lake St. cadillaccraftbeerfest.com ---------------------------------FALL HARVEST FESTIVAL, POP UP JOB FAIR & CHILI COOK OFF: 2-5pm, Vanderbilt Trailhead Park & Corwith

Twp. Hall, Vanderbilt. facebook.com/ groups/1536657847996572 ---------------------------------NORTHWEST MICHIGAN BALLET THEATRE PRESENTS: 2026 GALA EN POINTE...DISCO FEVER!: 6pm, City Opera House, TC. Enjoy food by Chef Myles Anton of Trattoria Stella, live & silent auctions, raffles, & dancing. Help honor beloved founder, Thomas Morrell on his retirement after nearly three decades. Tickets start at $100. nmbt. schoolauction.net/disco/homepages/index ---------------------------------“A NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM”: 7-9pm, Benzie Area Historical Museum & Research Center, Benzonia. Presented by the Benzie Area Historical Society. Meet many Benzie legends, historical women & men portrayed by museum volunteers. Includes a silent auction. Free. benziemuseum.org ---------------------------------“THE SAVANNAH SIPPING SOCIETY”: 7pm, The Leelanau School, Theater, Glen Arbor. Presented by the Glen Arbor Players. Four women meet by chance, navigate hilarious misadventures, & form lasting friendships. $10 minimum donation requested. glenarborplayers.org ---------------------------------9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL: 7:30pm, Old Town Playhouse, TC. When three vastly different office workers are pushed to the brink by their sexist, egotistical boss, they don’t just get mad; they get even. $25-$35. oldtownplayhouse. com/performances/mainstage/9-to-5.html ---------------------------------THE INSIDERS: A TRAVELING WILBURYS TRIBUTE: 7:30pm, The Cheboygan Opera House. A tribute to one of the biggest rock supergroups of all time, headed by Michigan-based songwriter & poet Max Lockwood, & featuring Lockwood’s friends & collaborators—all veterans & stars of Michigan’s music scene. $10-$40. ci.ovationtix.com/36618/pro duction/1282157?performanceId=11837166 ---------------------------------KAMIKAZE COMEDY: 8pm, Right Brain Brewery, TC. Featuring Adam Degi wsg Darius Walker. Hosted by Ben Bradshaw. Doors open at 7pm. $15 or 2 for $25. kamikazecomedy.square.site/product/adamdegi-september-24th-25th/TGOWHO2TS74 YUVRZ5ONRP5PY?cs=true&cst=custom

sept sunday 27

11TH ANNUAL BLUE RIBBON 5K RUN/WALK FOR PROSTATE CANCER: 10am, Right Brain Brewery/ Byte Productions, TC. The course will take you around the Boardman Lake loop. Held in memory of Curt Barrons. $20-$30; free for kids. runsignup.com/Race/ MI/TraverseCity/BlueRibbonRunWalk ---------------------------------11TH ANNUAL HARBOR SPRINGS FESTIVAL OF THE BOOK: SOLD OUT: (See Sat., Sept. 26) ---------------------------------GTARMC ROCK SHOW 2026: (See Sat., Sept. 26, except today’s time is 11am-4pm.) ---------------------------------“THE SAVANNAH SIPPING SOCIETY”: (See Sat., Sept. 26, except today’s time is 2pm.) ---------------------------------CINEMA SOCIETY TC - SAMPLER EVENT: 2pm, City Opera House, TC. Celebrate the art of filmmaking & meet Andy Friedenberg, industry insider with decades of film experience. $30. cityoperahouse.org/events/cinema-society-tc-sampler-event ---------------------------------PROGRESS IS INEVITABLE - IT BEGINS WITH VISION: 2pm, Traverse Area District Library, McGuire Community Room, TC. Featuring Dave Hohle, Christian Science practitioner & teacher & member of the Christian Science Board of Lectureship. Free. christiansciencetc.com/christian-science-events ---------------------------------SIXTH ANNUAL NORTHPORT TEA DANCE: “90S VS 2000S”: 2-6pm, Willowbrook Mill, Northport. Featuring a performance by Monique Madison and her Kittens, music from DJ Jay, & a hot dog bar. This midday drag show creates awareness & visibility for the LGBTQ plus members of the community. Free/ticketed event. mynorthtickets. com/events/2026-chetcuti-evans-foundation-tea-dance-9-27-2026 ---------------------------------YOUNG BIRDERS WALK: 3pm, Reffitt Nature Center, TC. This walk will introduce children of all ages & their parents to the wonder & joy of birds & bird watching. Children 12 & younger should be accompanied by an adult. Limited number of extra binoculars will be available. Free. grandtraverseaudubon.org/ events-2026 ---------------------------------EVENING WITH SCOTT SIMON: 6:30pm, Dennos Museum Center, Milliken Auditorium, NMC, TC. An evening of storytelling, humor & heartfelt conversation with acclaimed author & NPR host Scott Simon. Scott discusses his new book, “Ulysses S. Cat and Other Animals I Have Known,” published by W. W. Norton & Company. IPR News Director Ed Ronco will join him on stage for the conversation. $30. interlochen.org/events/ evening-scott-simon-2026-09-27

sept monday 28

WORDS & WRITERS: TIM MULHERIN: 2pm, The Bay Community Theatre, Suttons Bay. Tim is the author of “This Magnetic North: Candid Conversations on a Changing Northern Michigan” & “Sand, Stars, Wind, & Water: Field Notes from Up North.” Free. thebaytheatre.org/movie/words-writers-tim-mulherin ---------------------------------BAY VIEW MONDAY NIGHT MOVIES: 7:3010pm, Bay View Association, Voorhies Hall, Petoskey. Featuring “The Holdovers.” Free. bayviewassociation.org/events/mondaynight-movies-2026/?occurrence=2026-09-28

sept tuesday 29

WILDFLOWER WALK: 10:30am, Grass River Natural Area, Bellaire. Take a leisurely stroll through the scenic trails of Grass River Nature Area alongside knowledgeable docent Lyn Petty. Discover the stunning variety of wildflowers & learn to identify their unique beauty. Keep an ear out for the melodies of the birds that call Grass River home. Free, donations appreciated. grassriver.org ---------------------------------CONNECTING WOMEN HAPPY HOUR: 3-5pm, Michaywe, Gaylord. Happy & networking hour. This event is all about coming together, connecting, & celebrating the power women hold when they unite with a purpose. $30-$35. gaylordchamber.com/events/details/ connecting-women-happy-hour-2026-13283 ---------------------------------CTAC’S ANNUAL MEETING & COMMUNITY OPEN HOUSE: 4-6:30pm, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Theater, Petoskey. Join CTAC staff & board members for a review of the past year’s highlights. A brief reception with refreshments & light bites provided will follow, along with a Community Open House. 231-347-4337. Free; registration appreciated. crookedtree.org/events-and-exhibitions/ events/?page=1&location=petoskey&search =Annual%20Meeting#class-list ---------------------------------TCNEWTECH PITCH COMPETITION: City Opera House, TC. A public celebration of Michigan’s startup scene. Each founder gets 5 minutes to pitch, followed by 5 minutes of Q&A with a panel of expert judges. The judges will crown the top ideas — & the audience picks their own favorite. Cash prizes. An expo will be held in the lobby from 4:30-5:30pm, featuring local & regional organizations. The pitch competition runs from 5:30-6:45pm. Networking from 6:45-7:30pm. Afterparty at 7:30pm. Free; registration required. cityoperahouse.org/events/pitch-competition ---------------------------------AN EVENING WITH ED: 6-8pm, Park Place Hotel & Conference Center, TC. Prout Financial Design welcomes nationally recognized CPA, bestselling author & retirement educator Ed Slott for a free event focused on retirement tax planning. Slott’s presentation will be followed by a book signing featuring his latest book, “The Retirement Savings Time Bomb Ticks Louder.” ---------------------------------SCANDAL ON THE DANCE FLOOR: 6pm, Traverse Area District Library, McGuire Community Room, TC. Dance off Banned Book Season with dance instructor Anna Beard from TC’s Historical Weapons Guild. Experience the infamous routine that caused such a stir in Elizabethan England, that it was banned. Free; register. tadl.org/scandalousdancing

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We recommend the following candidates for the 2026 ELECTION! • Governor: Jocelyn Benson • MI House 106: Mary Lucille Hamilton • Lt Gov: Winnie Brinks • MI House 107: Melissa Perron • Sec. of State: Garlin Gilchrist • MI Board of Ed: • Attorney Gen: Eli Savit Dr. Judy Pritchett & Tiffany Tilley • U.S. Senate: Abdul El-Sayed • MSU Board: • US House 1st: Callie Barr Brianna Scott & Kelly Tebay • US House 2: Ben Ambrose • U of M Board: • MI Senate 35: Chedrick Green Paul Brown & Amir Makled • MI Senate 36: Mark W Yonkman • Wayne State: • MI Senate 37: Kate Gallup Richard Mack & Shareef Akeel • MI House 101: • MI Supreme Court: Christopher R Crain Megan Cavanaugh & Noah Hood • MI House 102: Angel Coon • Proposal 1 Hold a Constitutional Convention: NO • MI House 103: Betsy Coffia • Proposal 2 Money Out of Politics: YES • MI House 104: Mitch Distin • MI House 105: Rachel Longendyke-Teeter

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sept wednesday 30

LISTENING TO THE LAND: MANAGEMENT DECISION-MAKING WITH CONSIDERATION TO PEOPLE, PLANTS & ANIMALS: 5:30pm, The McMullen Family Conservation Center, TC. Join for a behindthe-scenes panel discussion with the land stewardship team, moderated by IPR’s Vivian La. Free. gtrlc.my.salesforce-sites.com/ es/event/home/plls09302026 ---------------------------------SLOW ROLL/FALL FUN RIDE: 5:30pm, TC Whiskey Co. Join Norte for a slow roll ride partnered with TC Whiskey through TC. Free. norteyouthcycling.org/calendar ---------------------------------COLLEGE FAIR FOR STUDENTS, FAMILIES: 6-7:30pm, NCMC Athletic Center

Northern Express Weekly • september 28, 2026 • 19

gymnasium, Petoskey. Held for high school juniors, seniors & their families, along with current NCMC students considering transfer to complete a bachelor’s degree. Connect with LEARN MORE AT representatives from more than 40 colleges, universities & military branches from across the NWM.ORG/LABS Midwest. Michigan Student Aid representatives will be available to answer questions about state & federal financial aid programs. Preregister. Free. app.strivescan.com/registration ---------------------------------MEET THE AUTHOR: JOEL WALKOWSKI: 6pm, Traverse Area District Library, McGuire Community Room, TC. “Honolulu Blues” is a comedic play-by-play of historic gridiron failure marked by stunning almost wins & saw-itcoming losses that position the Detroit Lions lore as the backdrop for exploring themes of generational trauma, addiction, mental illness, & death. Free. tadl.org/joelwalkowski ---------------------------------CALLING ALL CYCLISTS! BOOK RELEASE PARTY & RIDE: 6:30pm, Nocturnal Bloom Brewing, TC. A book release party will be held for “Biking Europe - The River Routes” by TC author & veteran bike tourer Bob Downes. Join the Cherry Capital Cycling Club for a ride around Boardman Lake at 6:30pm from the NMC Satellite Campus parking lot. Music by singer/songwriter Kip Knight at 7pm at Nocturnal Bloom Brewing. Digital slide talk about Biking Europe with Bob Downes at 8pm. ---------------------------------VILLAGE COUNCIL CANDIDATE FORUM: 6:30-8pm, the new Mackinaw City Public Schools gymnasium. Hear from all four candidates about the issues, opportunities, & decisions that will help shape the future FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT of the community - & local business environment. Submit questions in advance to: NWM.ORG/LABS chuck@mackinawchamber.com. ---------------------------------GLEN LAKE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS BOARD CANDIDATE FORUM: 7pm, Glen Arbor Twp. Hall. The nonpartisan League of Women Voters of Leelanau County (LWVLC) will host a candidate forum. The forum will give voters an opportunity to hear directly from candidates & learn more about the issues & priorities shaping their community. Free. lwvleelanau.org

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20 • september 28, 2026 • Northern Express Weekly

oct 01

thursday

AIR PRESENTATION LYNN BENNETT-CARPENTER: 10am, Glen Arbor Arts Center. Weaver Lynn Bennett-Carpenter’s artist-residency with the GAAC is all about handwork. During her residency, she’ll set aside her camera &, instead, log the sights & sounds of Leelanau County she’ll gather for a new project through drawing & writing. Bennett-Carpenter will share examples of her residential work during a presentation this morning. Free. glenarborart.org ---------------------------------COFFEE @ TEN, PETOSKEY: 10am, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Theater, Petoskey. Petoskey’s Historic Buildings: Little Traverse Historical Society Executive Director Jane Garver will discuss the history of some iconic buildings in Petoskey & the ways the buildings have been utilized over their lifetimes. Free. crookedtree.org/events-and-exhibitions/events /?page=1&location=petoskey#class-list ---------------------------------FINEOUT CREEK STREAM MONITORING: 1-3pm. Meet on the shoulder of M-75 at the Cedar Valley Preserve, Boyne City. Participants will help collect info about stream conditions & water quality while gaining hands-on experience with WLAC’s ongoing watershed monitoring efforts. A limited number of waders will be available for volunteers to use. walloon.org/event/fineout-creekstream-monitoring

NORTHERN MICHIGAN RENTAL PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATION DINNER MEETING: The Elks Lodge, TC. The meeting begins at 5pm with a guest speaker, followed by dinner. Ryan Hulst, an attorney with Grand Traverse Elder Law, will give an overview of what a comprehensive estate plan should include, showing the difference between a “will-based” & “trust-based” estate plan, touch on long term care planning & more. RSVP: NMRPOA@RPOAonline.org. ---------------------------------3RD ANNUAL ART OF RECOVERY: 5:30pm, City Opera House, TC. Addiction Treatment Services presents “The Ripple Effect: The Art of Healing Together.” Featuring a family’s story of recovery & why substance use disorder isn’t just a personal disease; it’s a family & community disease as well. RSVP. Free; suggested $50 donation at door. mailchi.mp/27748db16846/artofrecovery2026 ---------------------------------EKPHRASTIC READING - FALL 2026 EXHIBITS: 5:30-7pm, Crooked Tree Arts Center, TC. This gathering invites participants to read their work aloud while listeners are encouraged to sit back, reflect, & enjoy the many perspectives sparked by the same works of art. crookedtree.org/events-and-exhibitions/events/?page=1&location=traversecity#class-list ---------------------------------KALAMAZOO POET STEVE BROWN: 5:30pm, Oliver Art Center, Frankfort. Steve will perform his no-nonsense poems centered on Michigan’s diverse places & people. Featuring work from his new collection of 60 poems titled “Fellowship.” oliverartcenterfrankfort.org ---------------------------------LONGEVITY BLUEPRINT: PREVENTIVE CARE & EMOTIONAL HEALTH FOR THE 50+ COMMUNITY: 5:30pm, Petoskey District Library. Presented by Dr. Amy Bodnarchuk, internal medicine physician, Table Health. Dr. Bodnarchuk will cover smart physical screenings, metabolic health, inflammation reduction, & more. Free. petoskeylibrary.org ---------------------------------SONS OF NORWAY MEETING: 5:30pm, 203 N. Lincoln Ave., Suttons Bay. Info: 231642-1528. ---------------------------------BOB TALK: ABOUT KRISTIN HANNAH: 6pm, The Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts, Hardy Hall, Manistee. Robert Van Dellen will share his presentation on contemporary author Kristin Hannah. A former college professor of literature & college president, he has two published books, with a third to be released soon. Free. ramsdelltheatre.org/ event/bob-talk-about-kristin-hannah ---------------------------------KINGSLEY BOARD OF EDUCATION CANDIDATE FORUM: 6pm, Kingsley Branch Library, Community Room. The community is invited to a public forum for candidates for the Kingsley School Board of Education using the League of Women Voters format. Citizens will learn how candidates would deal with the issues facing Kingsley Area Schools. Questions: 231-263-5484. Free. tadl.org/event/kingsley-schools-forum-34811 ---------------------------------C.S. LEWIS FESTIVAL: REMEMBER YOUR FAIRY TALES - FINDING HOPE WITH LEWIS & TOLKIEN: Oct. 1-4. Today features a documentary screening at The Lyric Theatre, Harbor Springs at 7pm: “Tolkien & Lewis Myth, Imagination & The Quest for Meaning.” Opening remarks by documentary producer & Festival Co-founder David Crouse. $5 donation. cslewisfestival.org/festival-schedule ---------------------------------ELECTRONIC SYNTH MUSICIAN JOHN SCOTT SHEPHERD: 7pm, The Platform @ Chalfonte Theatre, Elk Rapids. Enjoy a convergence of story, sound & light. $20$25. chalfontetheatre.org/john-scott-shepherd-20206

LINDSAY LOU: 7pm, Dennos Museum Center, Milliken Auditorium, NMC, TC. Commonly dubbed the Queen of festivals she plays. Lindsay’s roots are in Michigan, where she started making records. She is the artist defining Ionia, & touring worldwide with The Flatbellys & The Sweet Water Warblers. $40-$50. simpletix. com/e/lindsay-lou-tickets-282783 ---------------------------------REVISITING THE “MANY MOONS” CENTENNIAL PROJECT: 7pm, Little Traverse Historical Museum, Petoskey. In 1952 Petoskey celebrated its centennial with a variety of programs & activities, & one of those was a book of stories & poems about Petoskey people, places, & events written & illustrated by Petoskey students. Now, 74 years later, some of the original authors & their family members will gather to read some of the stories & poems.

oct 02

friday

C.S. LEWIS FESTIVAL: REMEMBER YOUR FAIRY TALES - FINDING HOPE WITH LEWIS & TOLKIEN: Oct. 1-4. Today includes Book Signing with Dr. Malcolm Guite at Beards Brewery, Petoskey from 3:30-5pm; & Community Arts Night at Great Lakes Center for the Arts, Bay Harbor from 6-8:30pm. Student artwork will be on display, with student poetry readings & monologues presented on stage, & musical performances by Bobbee Pennington and The Wildflower Collective accompanied by a live on-stage painting by artist Megan Genevieve, inspired by C.S. Lewis. cslewisfestival.org/festival-schedule ---------------------------------ARTISTS TALK: MATERIAL WORLD: 4pm, Dennos Museum Center, NMC, TC. Join for a panel discussion with artists from “Material World: Ten Women.” Learn about their artistic practice & gain insight into the ways their work intersects & differs from one another. $0-$10. simpletix.com/e/artists-talk-materialworld-tickets-287774 ---------------------------------ARTIST RECEPTION: TINKER STUDIO 10TH ANNIVERSAY: 5-7pm, Tinker Studio, TC. Help toast Tinker Studio’s 50 local artists, & see works from the dedicated Open Studio artists who have been gathering weekly for years to work together & support each other. tinkerstudiotc.com/events ---------------------------------17TH ANNUAL SKITOBERFEST: Boyne Mountain Resort, Boyne Falls. Stein hoisting, keg throwing, spouse carrying! Boyne Mountain’s Skitoberfest brings you brews poured straight from the keg trailer, Bavarian plates in the food tent, & live music from Jelly Roll Blues Band, DJ T-Bone, Sydni K, Two Track Mind, Buddha Sweet, & more! Cap off the fun with a Pray for Snow Bonfire, sending good vibes for plenty of powder this winter! For tokens, wristbands & more, visit web site. boynemountain. com/upcoming-events/skitoberfest ---------------------------------UNCORK UP NORTH: 6pm, Hagerty Garage, TC. This event raises funds for northern Michigan women facing breast cancer. Northern Michigan’s top chefs, celebrated wineries, & talented team of sommeliers led by Advanced Sommelier Amanda Danielson of Trattoria Stella lend their craft to this cause each year. dynamifoundation.org/uncork-up-north ---------------------------------FORT FRIGHT: 6:30-9:30pm, Colonial Michilimackinac, Mackinaw City. Lanterns light your way through an 18th-century fort & fur trading village overrun by werewolves, witches, goblins & ghouls. Storytellers weave spooky folktales near bonfires & treats such as hot mulled cider, cookies & candy. Most stops are suitable for all ages, but the Soldier Ghost Haunted Rowhouse, Demon Dance &

Loup Garou Forest will give thrills & chills to all! $10.50-$16. mackinacparks.com/events/ fort-fright ---------------------------------NUTS: 7pm, Old Town Playhouse, TC. Claudia is a call girl charged with killing a violent “john.” The court seeks to determine if she is nuts or legally sane with testimony from experts & her parents. This courtroom drama is presented in staged reading format, & intended for adults only. $10. oldtownplayhouse. com/atp/performances/nuts.html ---------------------------------FALL DANCE PERFORMANCE: 7:30pm, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Corson Auditorium. An evening of dance with the Interlochen Arts Academy Dance Division. Enjoy a wide variety of classical & contemporary dance works, including ballet excerpts, modern masterpieces, & more. $14-$17. interlochen.org/concerts-and-events/all-events?se arch=Fall+Dance+Performance ---------------------------------MITCH ALBOM’S TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE: 7:30pm, The MATCH, Cherryland Center, TC. This limited engagement production of the true story of Mitch Albom & his beloved college professor will run Oct. 2-4 for just three performances. $30 per person. tuesdaywithmorrie.ludus.com ---------------------------------KAMIKAZE COMEDY: 8pm, Right Brain Brewery, TC. Headliner is David Steves. Featuring TC local comedy O.G. Joshua Paul. Hosted by Scott Witkop. Doors open at 7pm. $15 or 2 for $25. kamikazecomedy. square.site/product/david-steves-friday-october-2nd/JBFXMVMYFUQNAYCI2477UR6I? cs=true&cst=custom ---------------------------------MARK FARNER’S AMERICAN BAND: SOLD OUT: 8pm, Odawa Casino Resort, Ovation Hall, Petoskey. Frontman & guitarist Mark Farner pulled the original Grand Funk Railroad repeatedly to the top of the charts. His most famous song is the 1970 rock track “I’m Your Captain (Closer to Home).” odawacasino.com/entertainment/mark-farner-live

oct 03

6-8:30pM

OcT. 8

WSG Evan Kielty & NMC Jazz Lab Band

OcT. 15

WSG Rob Smith & Chris Glassman

OcT. 22

WSG Bill Sears, Steve Myerson & NMC Jazz Big Band with live watercolorist

lIsA FlAhIvE

thealluvion.org 414 E Eighth St, Traverse City

saturday

SLEEPING BEAR MARATHON, HALF MARATHON & 5K (ALL SOLD OUT): 7:30am, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Empire. runsignup.com/ Race/MI/Empire/SleepingBear ---------------------------------HARVEST THE BOUNTY MARKET FESTIVAL: 9am-5pm, Wagoner Community Center, Manistee. Celebrating 25 seasons of the Manistee Farmers Market. This market & community garden fundraiser includes family fun activities, workshops, demonstrations, & live music by the Manistee County Barnraiser Brass Band, Ben Traverse, Youngman & Oldman, The Springtails, Jen Sygit, Laurel Premo & Michael Beauchamp-Cohen, & the Schrock Brothers Band. facebook.com/ManisteeFarmersMarket ---------------------------------RUN THE TOWN PINK 5K: 9am, 480 River St., Manistee. Runners are encouraged to wear as much pink as they’d like to show their support for Breast Cancer Awareness. The course winds along the shores of First Street Beach & through downtown Manistee, starting & finishing near the Manistee Municipal Marina. $30 for 5K; free for 1 Mile Remembrance Walk. runsignup.com/Race/ Events/MI/Manistee/RunTheTownPink ---------------------------------WALK TO END ALZHEIMER’S PETOSKEY: Pennsylvania Park, Petoskey. Registration begins at 9am, & the Promise Garden Ceremony & walk kickoff start at 10am. Free. act.alz.org/site/TR/Walk2026/ MI-GreaterMichigan?pg=entry&fr_id=19690

Northern Express Weekly • september 28, 2026 • 21

---------------------------------ART BEAT GALLERY TOUR IN ELK RAPIDS: 10am-5pm, Elk Rapids. A good cheer for 21 years with your friends from Blue Heron, Mullaly’s 128 & Twisted Fish Galleries of Elk Rapids! The Fall Gallery Tour offers art demonstrations, refreshments & special offerings at each gallery visit. Free. twistedfishgallery. com/event/art-beat-gallery-tour-with-blue-heron-mullalys-128-twisted-fish-galleries-of-elkrapids-2 ---------------------------------C.S. LEWIS FESTIVAL: REMEMBER YOUR FAIRY TALES - FINDING HOPE WITH LEWIS & TOLKIEN: Oct. 1-4. Today includes Saturday Seminar & Keynote Address with Malcolm Guite at Great Lakes Center for the Arts, Bay Harbor. The seminar’s three sessions run from 10am-3:30pm. The Keynote Address takes place at 6pm. Register. $25$65. cslewisfestival.org/festival-schedule ---------------------------------COLORS BY THE LAKE ART & CRAFT SHOW: 10am-5pm, Bayview Hotel, Petoskey. Local & regional artists showcase paintings, sculptures, photography, jewelry & more. blueribbonevent.com/michigan-shows ---------------------------------ICONIC ART: 11am, Peninsula Community Library, TC. Very few works become renowned the world over. Art historian Andi Gerring, retired instructor at NCMC, NMC & Kendall College of Art & Design, leads a discussion on specific examples to examine the reasons for their enduring fame. Free. ---------------------------------SAY NO TO ISRAEL’S GENOCIDE & MANIPULATION OF CONGRESS: (See Sat., Sept. 26) ---------------------------------17TH ANNUAL SKITOBERFEST: (See Fri., Oct. 2) ---------------------------------FLANNEL FESTIVAL: Noon-8pm, Cellar 1914/Shooks Farm, Central Lake. Vendors & craft show. Live music by Knee Deep from 5-8pm. Food, treats, wine & more. cellar1914.com/event ---------------------------------FALL DANCE PERFORMANCE: (See Fri., Oct. 2, except today’s time is 2pm.) ---------------------------------LEELANAU HISTORICAL SOCIETY ANNUAL MEETING: 2pm, Leelanau Historical Society & Museum, Leland. Featuring a special history program with LHS staff, offering another opportunity to explore the people, places, & stories that have shaped the community. ---------------------------------NUTS: (See Fri., Oct. 2, except today’s times are 2pm & 7pm.) ---------------------------------HARVEST IN THE ALLEY: Downtown Petoskey. Oktoberfest beer, food tasting stations, music, vendors, games, crafts & more. Runs from 3pm - sunset. Closing down Petoskey & Bay streets; includes the alley way behind Beard’s Root Cellar. ---------------------------------SUNSET SOIREE: 4:30pm, Shady Lane Cellars, Suttons Bay. This annual fundraising event benefits PoWeR! Book Bags - supporting children’s literacy & development initiatives. Enjoy live music by Rock Hat, wine, charcuterie, dessert & more. $100. powerbookbags.org/event-details/sunset-soiree-2 ---------------------------------HAUNTED HALLOWEEN WEEKENDS: 5-8:30pm, Camp Petosega, Alanson. Best Decorated Campsite contest, trick-or-treating, free hot dogs, chips, drinks, & a Haunted Trail. emmetcounty.org/experiences/camp_ petosega/park_events.php ---------------------------------FORT FRIGHT: (See Fri., Oct. 2) ---------------------------------A NIGHT IN VEGAS: 7:30pm, City Opera

House, TC. Enjoy the retro glamour of the 60s Vegas Strip, featuring nationally known lounge singer Dominic Fortuna, as well as Joan Ellison, internationally known for her Judy Garland tribute concerts. $33–$72. tcphil.org/events/a-night-in-vegas ---------------------------------BLISSFEST TRADITIONAL COMMUNITY DANCE: 7:30pm, Alanson/Littlefield Community Bldg. Music provided by the Traveling Elderberries with Cynthia Donahey calling. All dances taught (circles, contras, squares & more). No need to bring a partner. Perfect for families. By donation; suggested $10-$20. blissfest.org ---------------------------------GLCO PRESENTS PIETÀ: SACRED WORKS: 7:30pm, St. Francis Church, Petoskey. Featuring countertenor Stephen Pitters, this program explores the beauty of sacred music & concerto through the centuries in the acoustics of St. Francis. Also featured is the Noteable Chamber choir. Tickets range from free - $65. glcorchestra.org/concerts ---------------------------------MITCH ALBOM’S TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE: (See Fri., Oct. 2)

oct 04

sunday

COLORS BY THE LAKE ART & CRAFT SHOW: (See Sat., Oct. 3) --------------------C.S. LEWIS FESTIVAL: REMEMBER YOUR FAIRY TALES - FINDING HOPE WITH LEWIS & TOLKIEN: Oct. 1-4. Today includes Coffee with the Co-founder at 11am at Hotel Perry, Reycraft Room, Petoskey. Connect with other donors, sponsors, & admirers of C.S. Lewis’ work while hearing the C.S. Lewis Festival’s founding story from its cofounder & president, David Crouse. Register. Free. cslewisfestival.org/festival-schedule ---------------------------------TROUBLE IN PARADISE: A LANDSCAPE PAINTER’S CONUNDRUM: 11am, Glen Arbor Arts Center. Northern Michigan landscape painters Margo Burian, Lori Feldpausch, & Stephanie Schlatter explore questions about what landscape painters should do when landscape changes, is threatened by developments, & challenged by climate change, during this panel discussion. Free. glenarborart.org ---------------------------------MITCH ALBOM’S TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE: (See Fri., Oct. 2, except today’s time is 2pm.) ---------------------------------TAP INTO DESIGN: TRAVERSE CITY DESIGN WEEK OPENING HAPPY HOUR: 4-6pm, Short’s Pull Barn, Elk Rapids. Explore the Pull Barn, get a peek at Short’s upcoming Logan’s Landing plans, & enjoy brewery tours, creative activities, & a giveaway. Short’s is offering your first Beer for a Buck! tcdesignweek.com/event-calendar

art

“WOMEN AND WATER: WOVEN PORTRAITS FROM AROUND THE WORLD”: Petoskey District Library, 2nd floor. A traveling exhibition featuring handwoven jacquard portraits by artist Mary Burns that honor women who work with, protect, & advocate for water across the globe. Runs through Oct. 15. See web site for hours. petoskeylibrary.org ---------------------------------“HEART OF A TREE, SOUL OF A STORM”: Charlevoix Circle of Arts. A juried art exhibition featuring creative works rooted in a fall-

22 • september 28, 2026 • Northern Express Weekly

en tree & shaped by the 2025 ice storm that changed the landscape. Runs through Oct. See web site for hours. charlevoixcircle.org ---------------------------------SHAPE, FORM & LIGHT 10-YEAR ANNIVERSARY MEMBER EXHIBIT: Village Arts Building, Northport. Presented by the Northport Arts Association, this exhibit launches Oct. 3 with an opening reception from 5-7pm. Runs Oct. 6-31, Tues. through Sun., noon-4pm. Free. northportartsassociation.org/events-exhibits ---------------------------------CROOKED TREE ARTS CENTER, PETOSKEY: - ECHOES: REVISITING MEMORY: Held in Gilbert Gallery. Environments, places & landscapes shape our memories & experiences. “Echoes” explores how memories lose their clarity & change as we revisit them. The works on view reflect these varied reminiscences of environments that stay with us & reverberate in our minds over time. Runs through Oct. See web site for hours. crookedtree.org/events-and-exhibitions/exhibits/echoes-revisiting-memory.html - WOMEN + WATER: LIFE BEARERS, TEACHERS, STORYTELLERS: Held in Atrium Gallery. Presented in conjunction with Women + Water at the Petoskey District Library, this exhibition features artwork by women artists reflecting on water, environmental stewardship, & advocacy. Runs through Oct. 17. See web site for hours. crookedtree.org/events-and-exhibitions/exhibits/women-water-life-bearers-teachersstorytellers.html - “MODERN MOVEMENT: MARTHA GRAHAM & BARBARA MORGAN”: Held in Bonfield Gallery. Featuring original Barbara Morgan photographs of Graham & her company in the 1930s & 40s. Runs through Oct. See web site for hours. crookedtree.org/events-and-exhibitions/exhibits/modern-movement.html ---------------------------------CROOKED TREE ARTS CENTER, TC: - GUILD POP-UP EXHIBIT: JESSICA KOVAN: Held in Libragallery. “Mama Love” is about taking care of the world & each other. Every living thing was once somebody’s baby. Every parent wants what’s best for their children. Birds are a way of making Kovan’s heart visible. Runs Sept. 9-26. See web site for hours. crookedtree.org/eventsand-exhibitions/exhibits/guild-popup-exhibitjessica-kovan.html - “AMERICANA”: Held in Cornwell & Carnegie Galleries, TC. Artists across the Great Lakes region explore the many meanings of Americana through contemporary & traditional works that celebrate, question, reinterpret, or expand our understanding of American identity. Runs through Oct. 3. See web site for hours. crookedtree.org/events-and-exhibitions/exhibits/americana.html - JON LANGFORD: HONKY TONK HEAVEN: Held in Carnegie Rotunda. One of the founding members of the British first wave punk band The Mekons, & in several bands since & presently, Jon is also a prolific & outstanding painter. Runs through Oct. 3. See web site for hours. crookedtree.org/eventsand-exhibitions/exhibits/jon-langford-honkytonk-heaven.html - TRAVERSE AREA CAMERA CLUB FALL 26’ WINNERS SHOWCASE: Held in Cornwell & Carnegie Galleries. Annual exhibit of the ever-growing Traverse Area Camera Club yearly award winners. Runs through Oct. 3. See web site for hours. crookedtree. org/events-and-exhibitions/exhibits/traversearea-camera-club-2026-award-winners.html ---------------------------------DENNOS MUSEUM CENTER, NMC, TC: - DARRYL BROWN: “BUBBLES OF LOVE”: A dreamscape of both primitive & modern juxtaposed color & a whimsical journey that blends Atavistic Animism with a pure

discovery in the moment & from different angles. Runs through March 28, 2027. Open Tues. through Sun., 11am-4pm. Closed Mondays & major holidays. dennosmuseum.org/ art/upcoming-exhibitions - DRAWING TO MOTION: CONTEMPORARY INUIT ART FROM THE DENNOS MUSEUM: From spiritual & physical transformations to modes of transportation & scenes of daily life, this exhibition provides an intimate view into the hand-drawn & animated-by-hand world of Inuit artists from the late 20th & early 21st centuries. Runs through May 30, 2027. Open Tues. through Sun., 11am-4pm. Closed Mondays & major holidays. dennosmuseum.org/art/upcoming-exhibitions - MATERIAL WORLD: TEN WOMEN: An invitational exhibition organized by the Muskegon Museum of Art, featuring women artists working with non-traditional materials or using traditional materials in non-traditional ways. Many of the works use found objects common to the everyday household, or bring elements from nature into inside spaces. Runs through Jan. 3, 2027. Open Tues. through Sun., 11am-4pm. Closed on Mondays & major holidays. dennosmuseum.org/ art/upcoming-exhibitions - “FULL CIRCLE: WASTE PLASTIC TRANSFORMATIONS”: TC raised artist Simon Anton returns to the area with a body of sculpture & design objects built over the last 12 years at his Detroit Studio for his solo exhibit. Anton uses plastic sourced from Detroit neighborhoods, factory waste & the automotive industry. Runs through Aug. 8, 2027. Dennos Museum Center is open Tues. through Sun., 11am-4pm; closed Mondays. dennosmuseum.org/art/upcoming-exhibitions - REFLECTIONS ON COMMUNITY: 75 YEARS OF STUDENT VOICES: This exhibition celebrates NMC’s 75th Anniversary by exploring the college’s history through the eyes of those who experienced it firsthand – students. Runs through Jan. 3. dennosmuseum.org/art/ now-on-view/75-years-student-voices.html ---------------------------------GLEN ARBOR ARTS CENTER: - “AT LEAST A DOZEN FRIENDS”: Held in Lobby Gallery. Margo Burian is known as a painter of quiet, atmospheric landscapes, waterscapes, farmsteads, & rowboats hitched to old docks. Over the years she has been developing a body of work based on collage, image transfer, & mixed media. Her exhibit runs through Dec. 17. See web site for hours. glenarborart.org/product/exhibitat-least-a-dozen-friends - “TAKING FLIGHT”: Invitational group exhibition featuring the works of Shanny Brooke (paintings), Cynthia Marks (ceramic vessels) & Michelle Tock York (mixed media sculpture). Runs through Oct. 29. See web site for hours. glenarborart.org/product/exhibittaking-flight ---------------------------------OLIVER ART CENTER: - ATMOSPHERES: PHOTOGRAPHY BY STEVE LOVELESS: Photographer & Michigan native, Steve Loveless, has been capturing the stunning atmospheres of northern Michigan for decades. This exhibition runs Sept. 26 - Oct. 30. Open Tues. - Sat., 10am4pm; Sun., noon-4pm. oliverartcenterfrankfort.org/music-series - FIELD OF VISION: Explore the unique artistic voices of artists Mark Mehaffey, Sandra Ackerman, Logan Hudson, & Les Scruggs in “Field of Vision.” Each artist brings their own style & creativity to the depiction & interpretation of the environments humans interact with. Runs through Oct. 2. See web site for hours. oliverartcenTERFRANKFORT.ORG/ MUSIC-SERIES

lOGY

SEPT 28 - OCT 04 BY ROB BREZSNY

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Let’s make Libran writer Ursula K. Le Guin your patron saint. She believed that any human arrangement, however permanent it seems, was made by people and can therefore be unmade and remade by people. The divine right of kings once seemed eternal and inevitable, she liked to remind us. Be like her in the coming weeks, Libra. Refuse to accept that the way things are is the way they must continue to be. Imagine more beautiful, more just, and more loving arrangements in every area of your life, including your relationships, your work, and your inner life. Then take three steps toward making it so.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): The cosmic powers have granted you a license to be magnificent. Not arrogant, please note, but majestic, resplendent, and marvelous. You know the difference, right? Arrogance is parasitic, demanding that everyone reflects your glory back at you. Magnificence is expansive, making everyone feel more vital and attuned to their own splendor. The second option is far more nutritious and delicious for you in the long run. In the coming eons, and especially now, I hope you'll be lavish with your praise and generous with your attention. Glow and dazzle in ways that inspire others to glow and dazzle.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): A Zen teaching says, "Before enlightenment, chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment, chop wood, carry water." But being the post-Zen teacher I am, I protest and say, "No, the chopping and the carrying ARE the enlightenment. There is no separate 'after.'" The sacred is ALWAYS lurking in the mundane, disguised as ordinary tasks. And you Virgos are potentially the zodiac's supreme master of this controversial truth. Others may chase after astral bling and transcendent glitter, but you know that divinity lives in the earthy details that are right in front of you. That’s how you transmute seemingly unremarkable stuff into the sublime. It’s time to wield your superpower to the hilt, please!

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Volcanologists

distinguish between two different eruptions. In the effusive type, lava flows slowly and steadily, while the explosive eruptions eject material fast and hard. What does this have to do with you? In my astrological estimation, you currently contain building pressures that need release. Here's the good news: You can maneuver yourself in the direction of effusive expression and thereby make the explosive kind unnecessary. So my advice is to find small, controllable outlets for what's gathering inside you. Don't wait until the only option is a massive, sudden discharge.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): You'll

flourish in the coming years if you ask daring questions and befriend sweet ambivalence and welcome adorable uncertainty. You'll stumble upon weird but interesting success and project potent authenticity if you let your curiosity lead you to situations outside of your cozy bubbles and velvet ruts. On the other hand, you'll flounder if you cling to folk wisdom foisted on you by the algorithms, treat all your opinions as facts, or pretend you always know what the f*ck is going on in this dazzling mess of a world. Keep it generous and exploratory, Sagittarius. Seek out wide-ranging conversationalists and playful skeptics.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): A river

delta is where a river finally meets the sea. Instead of arriving as one bold channel, it fans out into dozens of branching streams, depositing the rich silt it has carried for many miles. Deltas are fertile places because of everything the river gathered along the way and finally lays down. You're approaching a metaphorical delta, Capricorn. All the experiences, emotions, and impressions you've been carrying are ready to be released and turned into fertile ground. Abundance wants to grow from all you've gathered.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): In the

17th century, Aquarian astronomer Johannes Hevelius mapped the moon with surprising accuracy. Yet he worked with funky homemade telescopes perched on a homemade observatory that he built on the rooftops of his three connected

houses. I recommend you borrow his approach, Aquarius. You might feel tempted to postpone action until conditions are ideal, but I hope you’ll begin with what you already possess. Prediction: As you proceed, your tools and strategies will evolve. Momentum will become one of your key resources.

PISCES (Feb 19-March 20): In traditional

Chinese medicine, wei qi is a protective energy that circulates beneath the skin, forming a shield against harmful influences. To nourish it, you revel in sleeping and eating well. You work diligently, with tender discernment, to maintain healthy boundaries. How are you doing with that, Pisces? Is it possible you've been working so hard on your deep transformations that you've semi-neglected this outer layer of strength? I hope that in the coming weeks, you'll nurture the subtle shields that prevent you from absorbing every stray particle of psychic weirdness in your environment. Think of this task not as building walls, but tending to your garden's edges.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Orchids may

lure pollinating insects with ingenious illusions rather than nectar. Some mimic the look or fragrance of other flowers. Others resemble female insects so convincingly that hopeful males unknowingly assist with pollination. From this, we might conclude that nature can be as duplicitous as humans. But rather than being bummed out by the facts of life, let's use this as a lesson for you to wield in the coming days. Appearances can be deceiving—for both better and worse. If a situation initially seems disappointing or confusing, linger before drawing conclusions. Likewise, if something looks irresistibly attractive at first glance, investigate further. I predict your intuition will be extra skilled at distinguishing authentic richness from glamorous distraction.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): I propose we

make 93-year-old Taurus musician Willie Nelson your patron saint and role model for the foreseeable future. Earthy, unflappable, and unhurried, he has kept making his distinctive, soulful music for over 70 years, devoted all the while to the land and the people who work it. He has never pushed to sound like anyone else; he has patiently, inexorably become more fully himself. It’s your birthright to live like Nelson, Taurus, with a steady, sensual, enduring devotion to what you love. In the coming weeks, I invite you to tend to your deepest roots.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): I may be

preaching to the choir here, but there's a fun kind of magic that thrives when you decline to be consistent. You Geminis are least likely, of all the signs, to exhaust yourself in trying to maintain a unified self-presentation. Like the Gemini poet Walt Whitman, you're often pleased with the fact that you contain multitudes. It's a potential superpower! The you who loves solitude and the you who craves connection can both be true. The skeptic and the mystic can coexist in the same nervous system. Your assignment: Honor three contradictory impulses without trying to make them coherent. You're boisterously excused from having to make too much sense.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): In certain

caves, like the Cave of the Crystals in Naica, Mexico, crystals grow to astonishing sizes. Why? Because the environment remains stable for thousands of years, with steady temperatures, minimal disturbances, and slow mineral flow. Under these stable conditions, ordinary molecules assemble into lavish structures. I believe you’re cultivating a similar sanctuary, Cancerian, as you invoke the powers of steadiness and devoted dedication. Even if progress appears slow, the underlying process is gradually generating a beautiful strength and/or lasting treasure. Now’s a good time to redouble your faith in your good work.

“Jonesin” Crosswords "Free Skate"--a themeless puzzle to skate through.by Matt Jones

ACROSS 1. Bowl of noodles and broth, e.g. 5. What might be really low in the trunk 14. No longer in force 15. 1984 Wim Wenders film set in the Southwest 17. Blues Hall of Fame inductee ___ James 18. Sasha Baron Cohen sequel scheduled for October 2026 19. Shady Records co-founder 21. TV show that landed 207 songs on the Billboard Hot 100 22. Magician Shin ___, "America's Got Talent: The Champions" winner 23. 1-Across with a tonkotsu variety 24. "Colorful" House Targaryen faction 26. Ticket offerer at a mini-mart, perhaps 28. Understand the lingo 29. Show initiative 30. Defrauds, say 31. Baha ___ ("Who Let the Dogs Out" group) 32. What Eli Wallach represents, in a spaghetti western title 34. Word after game or CD 38. Use a griddle 39. December refrain 40. "Ceci n'est pas ___ pipe" (Magritte caption) 41. "Midsommar" director Aster 42. Low-level unintelligent humanoid, in "Dungeon Crawler Carl" 45. Exhaust output 47. Lacked roots 48. Start of the 14th title in Sue Grafton's Kinsey Millhone series 49. Tolkien creatures from the Old English for "giant" 50. Bow nickname, in early film 51. Little Debbie offerings with striped icing 54. Actress Sommer of "A Shot in the Dark" 55. Single file 56. Brewmaster's concoctions 57. Irritate in a big way 58. "Curious George" authors H.A. and Margret (they were married)

DOWN 1. Expresses scorn for 2. Top 3. Popular college campus sport 4. Arrakis, for instance 5. Filtered stuff 6. Suffix for spirit 7. High beams 8. It may contain just a few artificial locks 9. The "O" in the Portland suburb nicknamed "Lake O" 10. "The ___ Bennet Sister" 11. Hideous, as a Honduran hombre 12. 1993 Liz Phair studio double album 13. Demolition 16. Virtual people in a video game series 20. Oomph 24. HR rep on "The Office" 25. Sistine Chapel ceiling inspiration 27. "OMG, funny!" 31. Chicago liqueur described as "like Skittles drenched in gasoline" 33. "The Haj" novelist 34. Teeth in a factory 35. The daughter of Loki, you say? 36. It evolved from "return" 37. Like flutes, as opposed to oboes and clarinets 39. Like some tires 41. Site of France's largest cathedral 42. Recycling bin item 43. Take turns 44. Folded marker 45. Auto designer Ferrari 46. 1955-77 defense gp. 50. "Hmm, yes ..." 52. Sing 53. Physiotherapist's muscle test, for short

Northern Express Weekly • september 28, 2026 • 23

Grand Traverse & Kalkaska ALEXANDRA INN, BLUSH: ROOFTOP TERRACE, TC Mon -- Fridays Music (John & Madeline Piatek), 5-7 BRENGMAN FAMILY WINES, TC 9/27 -- BFW Presents: Music for the Soul, 3-7 CHATEAU GRAND TRAVERSE, TC 5-8: 9/26 -- Drew Hale 10/2 -- The Brian McCosky Duo 10/3 -- Jesse Jefferson JACOB'S FARM, TC 9/26 -- Manitou Truckin' Co., noon3; Midnight Blue Band, 5-8 9/27 -- Jay Cotter, noon-3; Vertical Limit, 5-8 9/30 -- Highway North, 5-8 10/1 -- Mona Squeeza, 5-8 10/2 -- Zuz, 5-8 10/3 -- North 44, noon-3; Timberline North, 5-8 10/4 -- Wavrunner, noon-3; Broom Closet Boys, 5-8 KILKENNY'S IRISH PUBLIC HOUSE, TC 9/25-26 -- The Off Beat Band, 9:30 Mon. -- DJ Trivia, 7-9 Tues. -- The Will Harris Trio, 8-12 Weds. -- The Pocket Band, 8-12 Thurs. -- DJ Leo, 9:30-1:30 10/2-3 -- Scarkazm, 9:30 KINGSLEY LOCAL BREWING 9/29 -- Open Mic Night, 6-9 10/1 -- Trivia Night w/ Marcus, 6:30-9 10/3 -- Rachael Kleinsorge, 5-7

LEFT FOOT CHARLEY, TC 10/4 -- 19th Annual Harvest Festivus w/ Ted Bounty Trio, 1:30-4:30 BARREL ROOM: 9/28 -- Open Mic w/ Rob Coonrod, 6-9 TASTING ROOM: 10/2 -- Jim Moore, 5-7 MARI VINEYARDS, TC 4-6: 9/29 -- Jerry Byville 10/1 -- Derek Boik MIDDLECOAST BREWING CO., TC 9/30 -- Trivia Night, 7-9 10/1 -- Open Mic Night, 7 NOCTURNAL BLOOM BREWING, TC 9/30 -- Kip Knight, 7 Thu -- Trivia, 6 NORTH BAR, TC 7-10: 9/26 -- Erik & Mark 9/30 -- Jim Hawley OLD MISSION DISTILLING, TC SEVEN HILLS: 9/26 -- Bauer Jones, 7 10/2 -- Blair Miller, 6 10/3 -- Levi Britton, 6:30 THE ALLUVION, TC 9/28 -- Funky Uncle + DJ Ras Marco, 7-9:30 10/1 -- The Jeff Haas Trio feat. Laurie Sears + Lisa Flahive, 6-8 THE COIN SLOT, TC 9/26 -- Arming the Amish, 7-10

THE HAYLOFT INN, TC 7:30-11: 9/26 -- Somebody's Sister 10/2-3 -- Sandy & The Bandits THE PARLOR, TC 9/26 -- Brady Corcoran, 9-12 9/29 -- Jesse Jefferson, 8-11 9/30 -- Rob Coonrod, 8-11 10/1 -- Jimmy Olson, 8-11 THE PUB, TC 9/28 -- Karaoke, 8-11 10/3 -- DJ AJ, 10

SNOWBELT BREWING CO., GAYLORD 9/30 -- Trivia Night - Fundraiser

BRANDY'S HARBORTOWN, BAY HARBOR 9/26 -- Chris Calleja, 12:30 9/27 -- Nelson Olstrom, 12:30 9/29 -- Singo, 6 10/1 -- DC Trivia Night, 6 10/2 -- Tanner Siegert, 5 10/3 -- Nick Visconti, 5

TURTLE CREEK CASINO, WILLIAMSBURG WATERFALL: 9/26 -- Vertigo, 8-12 10/2 -- Tomas Esperaza Blues Band, 6-10 10/3 -- House Cats, 6-10

Sponsored by OCDP, 4-6 10/2 -- Pinter Whitnick, 6-9

CITY PARK GRILL, PETOSKEY 10/2 -- Karaoke, 9:30 INN BETWEEN, INDIAN RIVER 10/1 -- Mike Ridley, 4-7 NOGGIN ROOM PUB, PETOSKEY 7-10: 9/26 -- Todd Aldrich

10/4 -- Mike Snell, 11am-2pm; 1000 Watt Prophets, 3-6

NORTHERN LIGHTS RECREATION, HARBOR SPRINGS 9/29 -- Trivia, 6:30 9/30 -- Comedy Night, 7-8:30 10/2 -- Sean Bielby, 5:30-8:30

SEASONS OF THE NORTH WINERY, INDIAN RIVER 9/26 -- 13th Annual Harvestfest w/ Jake Allen & Duffy King, 3-8

POND HILL FARM, HARBOR SPRINGS 9/26 -- Holly Keller-Thompson, 11am-2pm; Lew Russ, 3-6 9/27 -- Terry Coveyou, 11am-2pm; Luke Woltanski Duo, 3-6 10/2 -- Ty Parkin & The Old Souls, 5-8 10/3 -- Kirby, 11am-2pm; Lee & The Whiskey Wranglers, 3-6

THE LARK LOUNGE, CHEBOYGAN 5:30-7:30: 10/1 -- Nate King 10/2 -- Amanda Jane THE PIER, HARBOR SPRINGS 10/4 -- Pat Ryan, 1-4

Caro 10/2 -- Chief Jam-Open Mic Hosted by Cheryl Wolfram 10/3 -- Alex Teller

AURORA CELLARS, LAKE LEELANAU 10/4 -- Harvest Party w/ Trillium Groove, 2-5 BEL LAGO VINEYARD, WINERY & CIDERY, CEDAR 3:30-5:30: 9/26 -- Larz Cabot 9/27 -- Clint Weaner 9/29 -- Chris Smith

CEDAR TAVERN 10/3 -- Annual Autumn Music Fest w/ Jim Hawley, Split Decision & Loophole TC, noon-11pm DUNE BIRD WINERY, NORTHPORT 3-6: 9/27 -- Loose Change 10/1 -- Billy & The Kid 10/4 -- Elizabeth Landry Trio FRENCH VALLEY VINEYARD, CEDAR 4-7:

THE WIGWAM, INDIAN RIVER 10/1 -- Dominic Fortuna, 7:309:30 10/2 -- Karaoke, 8-11

THE GREENHOUSE – WILLOW/ PRIMOS, CADILLAC 9/30 -- Trivia & Music Bingo, 6-9

24 • september 28, 2026 • Northern Express Weekly

9/28 -- Keith Scott 10/1 -- Larry Perkins

10/2 -- Prima 10/3 -- Luke Duo

IRON FISH DISTILLERY, THOMPSONVILLE 5:30-7:30: 9/26 -- Jakob Abraham 9/27 -- Brian Curran 10/2 -- Trillium Groove

SHADY LANE CELLARS, SUTTONS BAY 10/2 -- Friday Night Live w/ Drew Alkema, 4-7

LAKE ANN BREWING CO. 9/26 -- The Jameson Brothers, 3-6; Empire Highway, 7-10 9/30 -- Open Mic Night Hosted by Johnathon North, 6:30-9:30 10/1 -- Trivia Night, 7-9 10/2 -- Rock Hat, 6:30-9:30 10/3 -- Lake Ann Oktoberfest w/ Delilah DeWylde, 3-6; & Rock Bottom Remedy, 7-10 LITTLE TRAVERSE INN, MAPLE CITY 10/2 -- Elizabeth Landry, 6-9 NORTHERN LATITUDES DISTILLERY, LAKE LEELANAU 9/26 -- Jim Hawley, 4:45-6:45 RIVER CLUB, GLEN ARBOR 5-8: 9/26 -- Stone Travelbee

SOUL SQUEEZE CELLARS, LAKE LEELANAU 4-7: 9/26 -- Snap Band 10/1 -- Luke Woltanski SUTTONS BAY CIDERS 9/27 -- Chris Smith, 5:30-8 10/1 -- Thurs. DJ Trivia, 6:30-8 TANDEM CIDERS, SUTTONS BAY Sun -- The Nightcrawlers, 1-4 THE CABBAGE SHED, ELBERTA 10/1 -- Open Mic Night, 6:30-9 THE HOMESTEAD RESORT, GLEN ARBOR WHISKERS, 6-9: 9/26 -- Elisabeth Christe 10/2 -- Billy & The Kid 10/3 -- Bryan Poirier

Antrim & Charlevoix BLU DOT FARM & VINEYARD, CHARLEVOIX 3-6: 9/26 -- Island Girl 10/3 -- Andy Kline

Manistee, Wexford & Missaukee NORTHERN NATURAL CIDER HOUSE & WINERY, KALEVA 7: 9/26 -- John Pomeroy & Angela

Leelanau & Benzie

BOATHOUSE VINEYARDS, LAKE LEELANAU TASTING ROOM: 9/27 -- Larry Perkins, 3-5:30 10/4 -- Dominic Fortuna, 3-5

10/2 -- Donald Benjamin 10/3 -- Matt Sayles

ODAWA CASINO RESORT, PETOSKEY OVATION HALL: 10/2 -- Mark Farner's American Band: SOLD OUT, 8

DUNE BIRD WINERY, NORTHPORT • 3-6: 10/1 -- Billy & The Kid

THIRSTY FISH SPORTS GRILLE, TC 9/26 -- Latino Party

Emmet & Cheboygan BOYNE VALLEY VINEYARDS, PETOSKEY 9/26 -- Nelson Olstrom, 2-6 10/2 -- Michelle Chenard, 4-7:30 10/3 -- Chris Calleja, 2-6 10/4 -- Chris Calleja, 1:30-5

sEPT 26 - oct 04 Send Nitelife to: events@traverseticker.com

THE WORKSHOP BREWING CO., TC 9/26 -- The Fresh Pints of Bellaire, 7 9/27 -- Full Tilt Comedy Presents: Comedy Mixtape, 6-8 9/28 -- USS Comedy: Open Mic, 8-9:30 9/29 -- Open Mic w/ Zak Bunce, 6-10 9/30 -- Jazz Jam w/ Ron Getz, 6-9 10/1 -- DJ Trivia, 7-9 10/2 -- Hail Your Highness + The Sordid Orchids, 6 10/3 -- Rachel Kleinsorge, 7 10/4 -- Stretch Stand-up Comedy Contest, 7-9

Otsego, Crawford & Central ALPINE TAVERN & EATERY, GAYLORD 10/2 -- Mike Ridley, 6-9

nitelife

BOYNE RIVER INN, BOYNE CITY 10/1 -- Nelson Olstrom, 7-10 CELLAR 152, ELK RAPIDS 10/3 - Blair Miller, 6 CELLAR 1914/SHOOKS FARM, CENTRAL LAKE

10/3 -- Flannel Festival w/ Knee Deep, 5-8 ETHANOLOGY DISTILLATION, ELK RAPIDS 9/26 -- Luke Woltanski Band, 8-11 FIRESIDE LOUNGE, BELLAIRE 10/3 -- Matt Mansfield, 6:30-9:30 LOST CELLARS, CHARLEVOIX TASTING ROOM: 9/26 -- Harvest Party w/ Dave Cisco, 2-5

MUSKRAT DISTILLING, BOYNE CITY 9/30 -- Karaoke Night, 9 SHORT'S PUB, BELLAIRE BEER GARDEN: 9/26 -- Rocktoberfest w/ Nitro Jen, PseudoSilence, The Bends - Radiohead tribute, Rock Bottom Remedy, & The Daylites, noon-10 10/2 -- Mark Lavengood, 7-9:30 10/3 -- RPM, 7-9:30

NORTHERN EXPRESS

CLA SSI FIED S THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM IS HIRING! The Great Lakes Children’s Museum is growing We currently have three opportunities available: Development coordinator, Marketing coordinator, and front desk staff. https://greatlakeskids.org/about-us/ ___________________________________ PAINTER & DRYWALL/PLASTER REPAIR SPECIALIST: D'Achille Painting & Decorating 3 Generations of comprehensive service Extremely neat/clean Meticulous preparation wallpaper removal Free Consultation Nathan 586 855 9766 ___________________________________ SEWING, ALTERATIONS, MENDING & REPAIRS. Maple City Maralene Roush 231228-6248 ___________________________________ GRAPHIC DESIGNER / CUSTOMER SERVICE: Join a locally owned print shop with a creative, fast-paced environment. Monday–Friday, no evenings or weekends. Adobe Creative Suite preferred. Apply FrontOffice@KwikPrintCopy.com

COMPUTER PROBLEMS? I WILL COME TO YOU:: I will fix your phone, tv, tablet and computer and show you how to use them at your home or office. Call James Downer, Advent Tech. YOUR HIGH TECH HANDYMAN. Call 231-492-2087. ___________________________________ TRAVERSE BAY WATERSHED GREENS PRESENT GREEN CAFE': GREEN CAFE' "The Green Party Difference" 2pm Sun Oct 11 and "How to Vote Green" 6pm Tue Oct 13 both at Horizon Books Cafe' Traverse City. Hosted by an elected Green. Join in. ___________________________________ BANFF CENTRE MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL: Big adventure. Local impact. The Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival is coming to Traverse City with breathtaking films, wild adventures and people who dare to go a little farther. Join Vasa Ski Club for a big-screen escape into the outdoors. Get your tickets at cityoperahouse.org or in person at Brick Wheels, Backcountry North or Oryana. ___________________________________

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Northern Express Weekly • september 28, 2026 • 25

26 • september 28, 2026 • Northern Express Weekly

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Northern Express Weekly • september 28, 2026 • 27

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28 • september 28, 2026 • Northern Express Weekly