Northern Express - Special Double Issue - March 24, 2025
The Spring Break Double Issue
Photo by Tyler Franz, Skegemog Raptor Center
Saying the Quiet Part Out Loud
Remember the old Ma Bell ad campaign called “Reach Out and Touch Someone?” I do. At any rate, that campaign came to mind when I tried to “reach out and touch” our 1st District representative Bergman not long ago, asking for his position on a number of policies instituted by the White House since Jan. 20.
What I got back was a namby-pamby email thanking me for sharing my thoughts with him and “keeping my concerns in mind.” Never once did he address any of the policies, but he did thank me for contacting him.
I guess I’m lucky that he only ducked my inquiry. Perhaps you’ve heard that there’s a town hall meeting in Traverse City on March 22 to which Representative Bergman was invited. As reported in the Traverse City Ticker on March 13, Rep. Bergman has declined to face his constituents and take our questions.
His communications director did so by invoking a known far-right antisemitic trope, laying the blame on George Soros, asserting that his boss won’t attend events funded by Mr. Soros.
Perhaps we should forget about the fact that Soros has nothing to do with the Traverse City event. What we shouldn’t forget about is that our elected representative in Washington chose an antisemitic conspiracy theory as an excuse for not facing his constituents. Rep. Bergman has said the quiet part out loud, and at least now we know. It’s no wonder that antisemitic incidents have risen. Northern Michigan deserves leadership, not bigotry. Shame on him.
Michael Hertz, MD, MPH | Beulah
Where’s Jack Bergman?
Once again, Congressman Jack Bergman refuses to face his constituents. He has not held a town hall since 2017. Traverse Indivisible and Leelanau Indivisible are hosting a town hall on March 22, but Bergman won’t show—just like he didn’t in Escanaba. Why? Because he’s afraid of accountability.
His office dismisses concerned citizens as “paid protesters” and smears the event as “Soros funded.” That’s a convenient excuse to ignore the people he was elected to serve. If Bergman truly believes in his policies—cutting VA staff, gutting Medicaid, eliminating the Department of Education— he should be able to defend them in public. Instead, he hides.
Leaders answer tough questions. They don’t run from them. If Bergman won’t meet the people of Michigan’s First District, maybe it’s time to elect someone who will. Show up, Jack. Or step aside.
Beryl Striewski | Traverse City
CONTENTS
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top ten
Trailblazing Women
As we wrap up Women’s History Month, Great Lakes Center for the Arts is paying tribute to three of country music’s GOATs—Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton, and Loretta Lynn—with their Trailblazing Women of Country show on Thursday, March 27. Two vocalists, Grammy nominee Rissi Palmer and Nashville singer Kristina Train, lead an all-female five-member band in favorites like “I Fall to Pieces,” “Jolene,” and “You Ain’t Woman Enough,” along with other hits and deeper cuts from each country star’s catalogue. Tickets start at $42, with upper level seats in the venue at $72. Doors open at 6:30pm, and the show begins at 7pm. Learn more about the show, get tickets, and take a peek at the set list at greatlakescfa.org/events/detail/trailblazing-women-of-country
2 tastemaker
Silver Spruce + Francisco’s Black Truffle Cheese Pizza
Does it get better than a frosty craft beer paired with a killer slice of pizza? We’re all in on the Black Truffle Cheese Pizza at Silver Spruce Brewing Co., the star of a new menu in collaboration with Francisco’s Market & Deli in Traverse City. The magic of this unparalleled pie starts with the Neapolitan-style crust, which Francisco’s chefs form using a biga (a fermented dough starter) and bake to wood-fired perfection. As for the toppings? It’s all about that Italian black truffle—artfully shaved tableside—atop a base of melty mozzarella, scratch-made garlic cream sauce with truffle oil, fresh Parmesan, and a few secret additions. Enjoy it with a crisp pilsner, and you’ve got the ultimate spring break combo! Chow down ($16) at Silver Spruce Brewing Co.’s westside location alongside Francisco’s Market and Deli (2770 Silver Lake Rd., Traverse City).
Sleeping Beauty Takes the Stage
Follow the life of Princess Aurora, from her christening to her 16th birthday, along with the curse placed on her, all the way to her big wedding celebration. Produced by artistic director Thomas Morrell and company manager Marleigh Bucenell, performances take place at 2pm and 7pm on Saturday, April 5, and 2pm on Sunday, April 6.
Ted Lasso meets a (lighthearted) Succession by way of Mindy Kaling with Netflix’s new basketball dramedy, Running Point. Kate Hudson stars as Isla Gordon, the wayward wild-child daughter who finds herself at the helm of her family’s basketball team, the LA Waves. After being called a “nepo-crone” rather than a “nepobaby” online and derided by fans and players alike, Isla is determined to prove to herself and the world that she can not just survive, but thrive in the role. Along the way, she navigates complex family dynamics with her brothers (played by Justin Theroux, Fabrizio Guido, and Drew Tarver), shifts in her love life, and the allimportant goal of getting the Waves into the playoffs. All 10 episodes are now available on Netflix, and the show has already been greenlit for season two!
5
A BOB DYLAN THEME NIGHT SATURDAY, MARCH 29•6PM-9PM
The Northwest Michigan Ballet Theatre brings a new classical interpretation of The Sleeping Beauty to Dennos Museum’s Milliken Auditorium in Traverse City.
Tickets: $12-$25 + fees.
Pop Culture Con 6
The 10th annual Cadillac Pop Culture Convention returns to the Wexford Civic Center on Saturday, April 5! Past years have seen Trekkies and Ghostbusters with massive displays in the arena, along with comics, characters, and merch from the worlds of X-Men, Batman, Looney Tunes, Spider-Man, Scooby-Doo, Xena, The Avengers, and many more. According to organizers, you can also expect “Magic the Gathering tournaments, Dungeons & Dragons, … and geeky goods from vendors and artists!” And let’s not forget the costume contest, which offers prizes for kids and adults in their cosplay best. The event is free and geared toward attendees of all ages. Join the fun at 1320 N Mitchell St. in Cadillac from 11am-6pm. See more at facebook.com/CadillacPopCultureCon.
Civic Center Improvements Starting
Those who love to walk laps at Traverse City’s Civic Center will see some disruptions on their path in the coming months as the walking track gets a much-needed overhaul. This starts with the removal of the bridge over W. Civic Center Drive, which will begin the week of March 24. The crossing is expected to be unavailable until mid-June as the new bridge is installed. Meanwhile, work on the paved track itself will begin as soon as the ground is snow-free. First, a soft path (3 feet wide and made of fine-crushed gravel) will be laid. Second, the existing track will be pulverized, prepped, and overlaid with a new course of asphalt. Seven fitness stations will be added along the track. Expect that segment to cause a two-week closure of the track. Last but not least, the southwest parking lot near the amphitheater will finally be paved! Full project completion is expected by late July.
More than 132 years ago, a 300-foot steel steamer called Western Reserve sank in Lake Superior following an August storm, tragically claiming the lives of 27 crew members and part of the captain’s young family, leaving only one survivor. After searching for the ship for several years, the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society (GLSHS) made an initial discovery of Western Reserve this past summer. According to their press release, “Subsequent ROV (remotely operated vehicle) deployments confirmed the identity of the shipwreck, revealing a ship broken in two, with the bow section resting on top of the stern in approximately 600 [feet] of water.” To learn more about the ship’s history and its final journey—and to see photos and video of the wreck—head to shipwreckmuseum.com
Staycation
It’s hard to decide whether health or whimsy is the main goal of The Grove Beverage Café in Petoskey, but we’ll take a shot of both. From the café’s menu names—think characters from A Midsummer Night’s Dream—to their ethos of real fruits, veggies, and ingredients, it’s a win-win. Since it’s spring break week, go a little tropical and try The Falcor smoothie, which features passionfruit, dragonfruit, and bananas. The blend also includes fresh-squeezed orange juice, coconut milk, and “a kiss of local honey,” per the menu. And feel free to level up with smoothie add-ins like Greek yogurt, flax seed, protein powder, and more. Stop in for breakfast or lunch (their noodle bowls are served from 11am-2pm Tuesday-Saturday) at 446 E. Mitchell St., Suite 2 in Petoskey. grovebevcafe.com
The Grove’s Falcor Bottoms Up
ENVIRONMENTAL DESTRUCTION AGENCY
spectator
By steven Tuttle
In an essay in The Wall Street Journal, he said he wants to “... drive a dagger through the heart of climate change religion and usher in America’s Golden Age...”
Of course, that was a CEO of a fossil fuel or petrochemical conglomerate, right? No, that was Lee Zeldin, the new Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, and he made those comments after he accepted the position.
A former member of Congress and failed gubernatorial candidate in New York, Zeldin appears to have neither the instinct nor intent to protect the environment. He sees his job as furthering corporate interests and rewriting EPA rules and regulations that most benefit businesses, the environment be damned.
All 53 Republicans voted to confirm his nomination, and that would have been enough, but three Democrats—John Fetterman of Pennsylvania and Ruben Gallego and Mark Kelly from Arizona— joined with affirmative votes. (We have to assume Gallego and Kelly believe Zeldin will somehow enhance their share of Colorado River water, a fight ongoing in Arizona and other Colorado River states for more than a quarter century.)
Zeldin, in his first “official” address, said he intends to cut EPA spending by a whopping 65 percent and will roll back or eliminate at least 31 environmental regulations, including those that restrict emissions from coal-fired power plants, regulate vehicle emissions, restrict the emission of toxins like mercury, restrict soot pollution, so-called good neighbor rules that regulate downwind pollution, and clean water laws currently defining and protecting rivers, streams and wetlands. Funding for the Great Lakes might be in their crosshairs, too.
He says it will be part of his agenda to “restore America’s energy dominance.” That is not now and never has been part of the job description of the administrator of the EPA, whose primary responsibility, and this is apparently a shock to Zeldin, is protecting the environment.
The government has ample departments furthering corporate and business interests, and there are literally thousands of various chambers of commerce, nonprofits, and non-government organizations (NGO) doing the same. And, by the way, the United States is already the world’s leading producer of both oil and natural gas.
Perhaps most disturbing is Zeldin’s expressed desire to rewrite his agency’s 2009 finding that greenhouse gasses endanger public health and well-being. Once that is undone, there is no longer justification for limiting the emission of greenhouse gasses.
This is straight from the pages of Project
2025, which recommended exactly the rollbacks we’re now hearing about along with a claim consumers will realize more affordable homes, vehicles, utility bills, and food. If we allow more air pollution, it is quite likely we will also realize more illness and death, especially among the very young, very old, and very poor.
The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, which keeps statistics on all mortality and illness rates, says air pollution is the second leading cause of death worldwide ranking behind only high blood pressure. The World Health Organization (WHO), from which we recently withdrew in a snit because of their handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, attributes seven million deaths annually to air pollution.
According to research published in the journal Environmental Science and Technology Letters, 100,000 deaths in the U.S. are the result of poor air quality.
Environmental Health News reports that 40 percent of our country is already being negatively impacted, or is at risk of being negatively impacted, by poor air quality, which in turn can increase all pulmonary and cardiovascular conditions and illnesses plus nearly all cancers.
The list of potential negative health impacts from poor air quality is very, very long. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), air pollution disproportionately affects poorer neighborhoods and communities because polluting industries tend to locate where there are fewer resources to oppose them. But virtually every aspect of our health is dependent on clean air, and we count on the EPA helping to achieve that standard and keep it that way. Lee Zeldin and his EPA have different ideas.
Zeldin and others in this administration keep claiming they inherited an economy so terrible drastic measures are needed to save it. The president has at various times referred to the economy as a “mess,” “train wreck,” “disaster,” and “nightmare,” thoughts Zeldin has echoed.
In fact, when Trump took office the Consumer Price Index was 3.0 percent, unemployment was 4.0 percent, both of which leave room for improvement but neither of which is close to disastrous. (Inflation at or below 4 percent for 30 straight months was the best in 50 years.) We had 48 straight months of job gains, real income made gains, and the stock market reached record highs. Biden’s pandemicrecovery spending spree created or at least bolstered inflation, but it’s also true we avoided a post-pandemic recession.
Despoiling our environment won’t make anything better, no matter what Lee Zeldin thinks.
WHO DECIDES?
Guest opinion
by Shanny Brooke
One of the many purposes of art is to reflect the times and hold a mirror to society, but not everyone wants to see that reflection.
Throughout history, we’ve encountered authoritarian dictators or ruling classes who understood the power of art and enacted parameters on which types of subject matter were deemed acceptable as a means to mold society.
For instance, Hitler allowed only paintings of blonde-haired and blue-eyed people set in an idyllic countryside, known as “Nordic Expressionism.” Not wanting to “insult German feelings,” thousands of paintings were burned or hidden away from the public’s eyes.
This sounds terrifyingly similar to the sentiment being echoed today as institutions and museums are again being forced to cancel exhibits which could make certain people feel uncomfortable.
Art museums should encourage free expression, contain a broad range of subject matter, and offer programming which encourages dialogue. This is at risk due to new executive orders imposed onto the National Endowment for the Arts. A letter sent to the NEA from the current administration reads: “Applicants will not operate any programs promoting Diversity, Equity and Inclusion or use federal funds to promote gender ideology.”
How might these new regulations affect some of our local art institutions?
The Dennos Museum, Crooked Tree Arts Center, and Oliver Art Center all receive funding via various avenues including through the National Endowment for the Arts. According to Dennos Museum director Craig Hadley, no disruptions have occurred yet, but he does foresee a future which includes more creative thinking when it comes to grant opportunities.
Kristi Wodek of CTAC echoes the sentiment for finding new and creative ways to earn grants and acknowledges that after attending the Michigan Arts and Culture Advocacy Day, that organizations have been told that the funding is expected to go through drastic cuts.
OAC currently has brought the opportunity for visitors to view The Quilts of Gee’s Bend. These renowned textiles tell the story of the enslaved people of Gee’s Bend, Alabama. Their creation was born out of necessity, the makers first using just scraps of whatever they had, passing down the patterns and unique style of these quilts through generations and into today. These traditions survived slavery, Antebellum south, and Jim Crow to now be considered some of the most celebrated textile art in American History.
Is it only a matter of time until this exhibit
may no longer be supported for grant funding from the NEA? After all, the displaying of these quilts invites viewers to ponder unpleasant parts of our past.
If you think this seems far-fetched, just take a look at many recent exhibits which have been wiped off of major museum schedules due to removal of NEA funding.
A community favorite, which is now on display at The Dennos, is the Northwest Michigan Regional Juried Exhibit. Over 300 works were submitted with 63 artists chosen by renowned juror/artist Teresa Dunn, whose artwork is an exploration of her Mexican American identity and the complexities of how she navigates this world as a brown woman in the Midwest.
This exhibit is imbued with representations of our region’s natural beauty, be it in the form of a landscape, an homage to the wild found in a pack of wolves, or a projection pondering our place in the cosmos.
Awards were granted to nine artists. Best in Show was awarded to Traverse City based Black American artist, Rufus Snoddy. His profound and compelling mixed media piece titled “Class Sick,” speaks to the cultural contributions of Black people. The strong imagery of the piece reflects the coolness with which our culture adopts and appropriates black culture while simultaneously and systematically erasing it.
Even the title, “Class-Sick,” is a play on the word classic, which references the impact over time that Black people have affected language, both inside and outside the classrooms of society. “Sick” is a slang word originated by the Black jazz culture.
While Rufus’ portrait style work confronts the viewer in a very direct way, “Poppy Field,” the ceramic sculpture of Nekisia Davis which was awarded 3-D Best in Show, entices viewers through bright and playful imagery to learn more. In fact, these colors and symbols hold profound meaning to the people of Gaza. Nekisia hopes that a sense of curiosity will help viewers look closer at her piece, which is a lament and a way to honor the 16,000+ children who have been killed in Palestine.
We should not be afraid to confront realities when it is translated through one of the most beautiful languages of all: art. Art can lead us to stretch our imaginations, possibly shift a perspective, or, at the very least, acknowledge viewpoints outside of our own frame of reference.
Ask yourself, where is the harm in this? And why are steps being taken to shield the public from the work of artists?
Shanny Brooke is an artist and owner of Higher Art Gallery.
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Fine Points of the Law
Marc Jaisli, a councilmember in Buchs, Switzerland, was fined $7,390 after he purchased pink plastic water pistols for his godchildren, the Associated Press reported on March 11. Doing so violated the country's weapons law, prosecutors said. They ruled that even though the pistols were imitations, "they could be confused for real firearms due to their appearance." Jaisli said he hadn't been aware of the violation but paid the fine.
Rude
A German soccer match on Feb. 23 was abruptly canceled after an unexpected incident on the field, NationalWorld reported. As the referee was checking players' IDs while they warmed up, the child of one player "came closer and closer to me, then suddenly -- to my complete surprise -- gave me a sharp bite in my left testicle," said referee Stefan Kahler. "I did not start the game, because of the pain I was in and the situation. It was the child of one of the FC Taxi players who was to blame." FC Taxi II and Rot-Weiss Mulheim III will have their match rescheduled for later in the season.
Smooth Reactions
The Top Secret Comedy Club in London will no longer admit audience members who have undergone Botox injections, United Press International reported on March 10. "I've had numerous complaints from performers who find it increasingly challenging to gauge audience engagement and bounce off their reactions," said owner Mark Rothman. "Comedy thrives on connection, and facial expressions play a huge part. ... Frozen faces from Botox impact the entire atmosphere." Show attendees will be submitted to an expression check at the door.
Just Desserts
On March 6, the state of Texas charged Amber Paige Laudermilk, 34, with abuse of a corpse, the Austin American-Statesman reported. The court filing revealed that Laudermilk, an embalmer at Memorial Mortuary and Crematory in Houston, allegedly used a scalpel to castrate the decedent, Charles Roy Rodriguez, 58, a registered sex offender who lived in Brookside Village, Texas. She then stuffed his sex organ into his mouth and told an embalming student who witnessed the mutilation, "You didn't see anything." Laudermilk faces six months to two years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
Saw That Coming
An unnamed man in Memphis, Tennessee, learned a pointed lesson on March 10 when his dog, Oreo, jumped into his bed and got his paw stuck in the trigger guard of the man's loaded gun, FOX13-TV reported. The gun fired a bullet that grazed the man's left thigh, which was treated at a hospital. "The dog is a playful dog, and he likes to jump around and stuff like that, and it just went off," said the man's girlfriend, who was also in the bed. Police filed an accidental injury report.
Irony
The COP30 climate summit scheduled for November in the Brazilian city of Belem is expected to bring more than 50,000 people to the area. So with the goal of easing traffic to the city, the government is building a new
four-lane highway through the protected Amazon rainforest, the BBC reported on March 12. Not only are trees being felled, but the project is paving over wetlands. Claudio Verequete, who once harvested acai berries in the rainforest, said the project has destroyed everything. "Our harvest has already been cut down. We no longer have that income to support our family," he said. "For those of us who live on the side of the highway, there will be no benefits," he said, as the highway will not connect to adjacent communities.
Latest Religious Message
An American Airlines flight from Savannah, Georgia, to Miami was forced to turn back to the airport just after takeoff on March 10, The New York Times reported. Flight attendants first thought passenger Delange Augustin, 31, was having a seizure as he yelled and shook, but it turned out he believed a satanic spirit had invaded the cabin, and he was swallowing rosary beads to ward off the spirit. During a struggle, he kicked one attendant so hard they tumbled into the window on the other side of the plane. After landing, Augustin went to the front of the plane and started throwing punches at flight attendants. Other passengers wrestled him and his sister, who was flying with him, to the floor. The sister told law enforcement that they'd been traveling to Haiti to "flee religious attacks of a spiritual nature." Augustin had told her that "Satan's disciples had followed them onto the plane and the legion did not want the Augustins to make it to Haiti." The swallowed beads were a "weapon of strength" against the persecution, he said. He was charged with misdemeanor battery and felony criminal property damage.
Unclear on the Concept
Air India is begging passengers to "use lavatories only for purposes they are meant for," the New York Post reported, after a flight from Chicago to Delhi on March 5 had to return to O'Hare. During that journey, passengers flushed plastic bags, rags and clothing down the toilets, putting eight of the 12 lavatories out of order. The plane was over Greenland when it turned back to Chicago, five hours into the 14-hour flight. "The decision to divert was taken entirely in the interest of passenger comfort and safety," Air India reps said. "Our teams have previously also found objects such as blankets, innerwear and diapers," they said.
Americans Abroad Instagram influencer and "outdoor enthusiast" Sam Jones may lose her visa for Australia after she posted a video of her grabbing a wild baby wombat from its distressed mother, the BBC reported. The post on March 11 has since been deleted from her Instagram account. Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese suggested she "take a baby crocodile from its mother and see how you go there." In the video, Jones carries the hissing and struggling joey to a car, saying, "I caught a baby wombat!" as the mother chases her. She then puts the joey back down beside the road. But wombat experts are unamused. "Snatching a screaming baby wombat from their mother is not just appalling, it's very possibly illegal under state or national laws," said Suzanne Milthorpe of World Animal Protection Australia.
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A BIRD’S-EYE VIEW OF SKEGEMOG RAPTOR CENTER
From mice guts to medicine, broken wings to biofield tuning, we go behind the scenes with northern Michigan’s raptor rescue
By Todd VanSickle
On a cold, rainy April day in 2021, James Manley received a phone call about an injured bald eagle near a small lake in Wexford County. At the time, he was in the process of creating the Skegemog Raptor Center (SRC) and was awaiting approval of its 501(c)(3) nonprofit status.
When he arrived at the scene, the bird jumped into the lake and swam away. It was getting dark, and Manley had no choice but to return the next day with a canoe. He spent more than 20 minutes chasing the injured eagle around the lake before it was safely captured. Upon examination, Manley discovered that the bird had a fractured wing from a shotgun blast.
“It was so surprising to me that a bird with a fractured wing swam around that lake for 20 minutes before I could capture it,” Manley says. “It really shows how strong their will to live is.”
About three months later, the bird was rehabilitated and released. It would be the first of about 100 success stories for the nonprofit in the coming years.
By August 2021, SRC’s nonprofit status was approved. Since then, more than 420 birds have been admitted to the center, with admissions increasing each year—largely due to human interactions.
SRC operates on a limited budget and is running out of space, as it operates primarily out of Manley’s home and other volunteer’s residences. The nonprofit hopes to expand in the near future as it continues to rescue
raptors and spread more public awareness about the birds.
“We are a small, young organization,” Manley says. “We are looking to grow, because the demand is so great. We are pretty excited about this year—we have some big plans, but all those things are going to be very costly.”
Finding a Home
On a recent visit to Manley’s home, an injured bald eagle had just been admitted from the Upper Peninsula. The bird joined two other eagles, a snowy owl, and a redtailed hawk. A couple of the raptors were in Manley’s backyard in wooden enclosures, while the majority of the birds were in his basement, housed in large animal crates sharing space with freshly folded stacks of laundry, medical equipment, and a stainless steel examination table with a bowl of dead mice waiting.
Manley is thankful that a nearby farmer, Louie Rasho, has allowed the center to use some of his property to house recovering raptors, but that’s only a stopgap solution.
“We are working on plans to find a central location,” Manley says, noting that they are in negotiations with a property owner in Grand Traverse County. “We are hoping to begin plans to open a public center and be located in one spot.”
He adds that having a single SRC location would help grow the organization and house more educational and ambassador birds to provide more public awareness and research.
Manley, who is also a falconer, would
rather be working solely with the birds full time in the field, but knows the importance of community involvement in raptor rehabilitation. He says the majority of the injured birds have been hit by vehicles or suffer from poisonings, so education and exposure is key.
In 2023, Manley rescued a federally banded bald eagle that turned out to be 29 years old.
“From 40 feet away, I could tell it had severe lead poisoning, because I see it so often in eagles,” Manley says. “Sadly, we had to put the bird down. It had enough lead in its system to probably kill 20 eagles or more. It is a lot of heartbreak.”
Growing Awareness
But the challenges are balanced with the successes. On Jan. 25, SRC released a snowy owl behind Turtle Creek Casino in Williamsburg. Two parking lots were cleared of snow for the event, and by the time the ceremony got under way, the lots were at capacity.
“We need everyone to move across the street,” a volunteer instructed the large crowd that had gathered to see the owl release. “It is going to fly north.”
The snowy owl was rescued on Nov. 26, 2024, between Acme and Elk Rapids. The owl arrived at SRC emaciated with a fractured wing, most likely after being hit by a vehicle. After two months of care, the owl was ready to be released into the wild.
Hundreds of people—from bird enthusiasts carrying telephoto lenses to young children clutching stuffed toy owls—
waited to catch a glimpse of the snowy owl on the blustery day.
“It is probably the biggest turnout we’ve had for a release,” says Manley. “I think we had over 300 people. It was good to see the community come together to see the owl turned loose and set free. We were pretty excited to see all those people join us for that.”
Getting Involved
Throughout the event, several volunteers wearing orange aprons—similar to those a Home Depot employee would wear— collected donations, answered questions, and made sure the event ran smoothly.
The nonprofit depends on public support, especially when it comes to volunteers. The numbers fluctuate due to the nature of the work, but the organization relies on about six consistent volunteers that take weekly shifts.
“People come to the releases and they see the pinnacle of what we do,” Manley says. “And then they realize helping means: gutting rats and mice for food and scrubbing bird poop. We see a lot of traumatic injuries. It can be quite jarring for some people. It takes a person with a lot of heart and courage to help these birds.”
He adds that the center is always looking for more volunteers, including carpenters who can build bird enclosures.
Donations are another big piece of the puzzle, as housing, transportation, feed, and medication for the raptors do not come cheap. The structures for the birds alone can cost more than $4,000 each. SRC operates
Skegemog Raptor Center releases a rehabilitated snowy owl into the wild.
(Photo: Tyler Franz)
on about a $60,000 annual budget and it is expected to increase as more and more raptors are admitted.
In January, the center had been caring for two eagles for more than six months. “When you tally up the care, it can cost tens of thousands of dollars to care for a bird that long,” Manley says. “It gets expensive.”
Lifesaving Work
During the snowy owl release, volunteer and assistant director Chris Johnson walked around the crowd carrying a wooden birdhouse that was modified like a piggy bank to accept donations.
Johnson, a retired US National Parks Service law enforcement ranger, once dealt with a case involving the prosecution of a
man who was shooting eagles in Montana. “That was probably the biggest wildlife case I have ever worked on in terms of prison sentences,” Johnson says.
Today he is saving birds with SRC. He has been with the nonprofit since the beginning, having worked with Manley at Wings of Wonder, a raptor rehabilitation center in Empire, until the owner, Rebecca Lessard, retired. Johnson got a permit and took on two raptors from Wings of Wonder before joining forces with Manley.
“One recently died of old age,” Johnson says, who currently has three birds at his home. “A lot of people think we get government funding, but we don’t. We don’t have enough money to pay anyone. I wouldn’t be paid anyway.”
optics
Volunteer service: Just under a year. Worked four years at Montana Raptor Center in Bozeman, Montana.
Role with SRC: Rehabilitation, training, prepping food, cleaning, helping with examinations
Favorite bird: Don’t have one. All birds are cool.
One of SRC’s newest members, Courtney Miller, was introduced at the snowy owl release. Miller is a member of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians. She will serve as an assistant director for SRC and brings more traditional Native American practices and biofield tuning, a type of sound therapy, to the rehabilitation process.
So far, Miller has worked with about nine raptors using tuning forks and has had a positive response with the birds. “They go into an almost catatonic state,” she says. “They can’t heal if they are stressed out.”
During the owl release, she gave remarks and sang an Anishinaabe song using a turtle shell shaker before releasing the snowy owl into the wild.
Moving Forward
After the snowy owl event, Manley headed to Mancelona to pick up a barred owl that had been struck by a vehicle. “It seems like after every release, we get another bird,” Manley says.
The newest injured owl had damage to its eye, a concussion, and signs of trauma.
“I’m grateful to the kind gentleman who rescued him and brought him from Lewiston, but it’s heartbreaking to know that, like our snowy owl, this bird was struck by someone who didn’t stop to help,” Manley says.
“[It] was a sobering reminder that, alongside moments of celebration, there is still much work to be done.”
MEET THE SRC VOLUNTEERS
Volunteer Rae Welch and Director James Manley examine an injured bald eagle.
Manley works with a bald eagle that was injured in the Upper Peninsula and admitted to the center.
Mark Stevens Age: 67
Occupation: Retired process and engineering manager for silicon optics
Volunteer service: Just under a year. Worked four years at Montana Raptor Center in Bozeman, Montana.
Role with SRC: Rehabilitation, training, prepping food, cleaning, helping with examinations
Favorite bird: Don’t have one. All birds are cool.
MEET THE SRC VOLUNTEERS
The center’s volunteers are from various backgrounds who donate their time cleaning, providing medical treatment, training, fundraising, organizing, and feeding the birds…to name just a few tasks.
Rae Welch Age: 54
Occupation: Artist/jewelry maker
Volunteer service: Since 2023
Role with SRC: I do a lot of cleaning, help with examinations, feeding, and I’m starting to learn the actual handling of the birds.
Favorite bird: That’s difficult to answer, because every one of them has a different story. The one who stands out for me was one of our male bald eagles. I felt such a connection with him.
Role with SRC: Rehabilitation, diagnostics, medical treatment, and diet preparation.
Favorite bird: Barred owl
Martha Redick Age: 59
Occupation: Retired high school teacher
Volunteer service: Since October 2021
Role with SRC: I mainly help to care for the ambassador birds (Pearl & Tyia), which participate in our education programs. Favorite bird: I am in awe of all the raptors we work with, but the broad-winged hawk holds a special place in my heart.
Tyler Franz Age: 35
Occupation: Photographer
Volunteer service: Three months
Role with SRC: Photographer/ visual storyteller
Favorite bird: Snowy owl
Spring Break Fun for Families
10+ affordable events across northern Michigan
By Abby McKiernan
Spring break is almost here, and if you’re looking for fun, family-friendly activities that won’t break the bank, we’ve got you covered! From free movies and outdoor adventures to creative crafts and hands-on experiences, here are daily events happening from March 21 through April 3 across northern Michigan.
Free Movies at the State Theatre
Friday, March 21 – Thursday, March 27 | State Theatre, Traverse City | Free
It’s safe to say that we locals look forward to the tradition of free spring break movies each year at the State Theatre! Something about the smell of popcorn, the plush red velvet seats, and the starry ceiling of the theater feels integral to a staycation. With a great lineup of classics and new favorites this year—think Shrek 2, Babe, Once, and Mad Max: Fury Road—it is a perfect way to relax and enjoy some big-screen entertainment with a side of nostalgia. stateandbijou.org
Maple Sugaring Day
Saturday, March 22 | 10:00am - 8:00pm | Port Oneida Rural Historic District in partnership with Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear | Free with Park Pass ($25 per vehicle for 7 days)
This unique event—rescheduled from February— allows you to step back in time and experience the traditional art of maple sugaring. Attendees can watch sap boiling demonstrations, sample fresh maple syrup, and enjoy a lantern-lit self-guided history hike in the evening. phsb.org/event/maple-sugaring-days-2
Hop Lot Family Day Sundays
Sunday, March 23 & Sunday, March 30 | Hop Lot Brewing Co., Suttons Bay | Free S’mores & Hot Chocolate | ½ Off Kids’ Menu
Tucked away in the woods of Suttons Bay surrounded by a babbling creek, snowy trees, cozy igloos, and warm fires, Hop Lot is an outdoor experience with full perks! Families can enjoy a laid-back afternoon with complimentary s’mores, warm hot chocolate, and special half-off kids’ menu deals.
Cheboygan Library Spring Break Programs
Monday, March 24 – Friday, March 28 | Cheboygan Area Public Library | Free
Embrace spring break with a week of kids’ activities at the Cheboygan Library. On Monday, March 24 (5:30pm), join in the Holi celebration with a color powder throw. Wear white and get ready to be covered in bright, vibrant hues! On Wednesday, March 26 (2:00pm), get creative with LEGO building time, followed by a screening of The LEGO Movie. And on Friday, March 28 (12:00pm), decorate rocks with colorful designs to celebrate the changing seasons.
Open Tai Chi at Friendship Community Center
Monday, March 24 | 11:30am | Friendship Community Center, Suttons Bay | Free
Start your week with a calming and rejuvenating beginner-friendly Tai Chi session. This class is perfect for those new to the practice and offers a great way to improve balance, flexibility, and relaxation. Best of all, this is an ongoing event not just available for spring break, so you can put it on your calendar weekly! friendshipcommunitycenter.org/events
Imagination Station at Art & Connection
Tuesday, March 25 | 9am-12pm | Art & Connection, Elk Rapids | Free (one craft per child)
If you haven’t had the chance to check out Art & Connection in Elk Rapids, this is the perfect opportunity! Let your child’s creativity shine at their Imagination Station, where kids can participate in a hands-on craft activity. artandconnection.org
Grandpa Shorter’s Art Classes
Tuesday, March 25, and Wednesday, March 26 | Grandpa Shorter’s, Petoskey | $30-$35
Check out two opportunities for kids to make their artistic mark at Grandpa Shorter’s. On Tuesday, join Ella Johnson for a Squishmallow Paint Class for your kiddo (age 7+) to paint their favorite squishy character: a cat, a cow, or an axolotl. On Wednesday, Äbby Kent hosts a Kids’ Art Class for ages 6-8 to explore printmaking, salt painting, and oil pastel bubbles. (Kids will even take home a set of pastels after the class!) grandpashorters.com
Spring Break Extravaganza at Otsego County Library
Thursday, March 27 | 2:00pm - 4:00pm | Otsego County Library | Free
With events planned all week, be sure to keep an eye on the Otsego County Library Facebook page. In the meantime, this one is worth putting on the calendar! Spend an afternoon exploring board games, Nintendo Switch competitions, and VR experiences at the library’s Spring Break Extravaganza. Snacks and drinks will be provided for all attendees. otsego.lib. mi.us/events/month
Free Movies at the Vogue Theatre
March 28 – April 3 | Vogue Theatre, Manistee | Free Enjoy the magic and tradition of the big screen at the Vogue Theatre with free spring break movie screenings. Known for having a great mix of movies for every age, the Vogue’s lineup this year includes Oscar nominees Flow and The Wild Robot alongside a slate of classics and newer films. voguetheatremanistee.org/ coming-soon
Open Roller Skating at the Civic Center
Saturday, March 29 | 3-5pm & 6-8pm | Traverse City Civic Center | $5 Admission / $5 Skate Rental
Do you ever miss the good ol’ days of roller rinks, holding hands, and going under the limbo stick? Well you have the Traverse City Roller Derby and Civic Center to thank for bringing back a classic on March 29! Whether you bring your own skates or rent a pair, this is a great way to get active and have fun with family and friends while reminiscing about the days of milkshakes and roller rinks. (Arrive early if you need rental skates, as popular sizes go quickly and stock is limited!) facebook.com/share/15g2bRdtx4
Sing, clap, and dance along with award-winning children’s musician Jim Gill in two different locations this spring break. His interactive concert is designed for young audiences and families looking to share a joyful musical experience (and sure to tire out even the most energetic of kids). Come prepared with a blanket for you and your little ones to sit on at the event…at least for the first few minutes! facebook.com/events/2044231409392035
LAUGHING OUT LOUD TC Comedy Fest returns in April
By Anna Faller
The Traverse City Comedy Fest is preparing for its rambunctious return April 10-12, 2025. Now entering its third year, TCCF was launched in 2023 in part to tick the local arts box (especially with other hightraffic events like the Traverse City Film Festival now defunct), but also to stimulate local tourism in the off-season.
“Our goal for the festival, from the get-go, was to bring world-class talent to Traverse City and really make this the biggest and best [comedy] festival in the state of Michigan, if not the Midwest,” comedian and festival coorganizer Ann Duke says.
So far, the laugh track is just getting louder: For each of its first two years, the TCCF sold around 5,000 tickets—about a quarter of which represent attendees from larger urban hubs, like Chicago, Milwaukee, and Detroit—and packed venue after soldout venue.
As producers prepare for this year’s festival, they’re setting that benchmark even higher, with an emphasis on audience growth to solidify the Traverse City’s place on the comedy map.
“We want to see people really embracing the experience,” Duke adds, a goal that called for some changes.
Setting the Stage
The first, and perhaps most drastic, change is the 2025 date.
In 2023 and 2024, TCCF took place in February, a time that had little else on the social calendar. This timing was important to the Downtown Traverse City Association (DTCA), the festival’s original host, but
a recent shift in ownership has made a February festival less of a mandate.
As of 2025, Michigan comedy producer SamRose Entertainment has assumed the role of festival presenter with several local organizations as sponsors. Lessening the blow of nasty winter weather was another incentive to move the festival out of deep winter, as Duke underscores “one good blizzard” might have had the potential to upset the entire production.
Consequently, this year’s comedy fest is scheduled for April, which producers hope will increase traffic and reduce the travel burden for comics and crowds.
“I think it’ll allow a lot more people to come from outside markets because they’ll feel a little more confident,” Duke adds.
Also in the works this year is an expanded array of festival venues, which organizers have curated to cater to both performers and attendees. “We’re looking to make [the event] meaningful for more people than just those that are part of the ‘company,’” Duke explains.
Along with Hotel Indigo as the festival’s official hotel partner, the program includes a few key locations, like the City Opera House, which serves as a marquee spot for headliners, and the Traverse City Comedy Club, whose owner, Stuart Lazar, recently joined the event’s team as a producer.
Other confirmed performance venues include Old Town Playhouse, which signed on in year two, as well as The Alluvion for improv nights and live podcasting. You can also catch shows at Encore 201, where most of the showdown programs are held (think: the Rose Battle or the Daily Dozen), and The Workshop Brewing Company, which
hosts the karaoke and open-mic nights.
New this year is the ballroom at the Park Place Hotel, which is earmarked as a second lead stage.
The Headliners
Then there’s the curated roster of headliners, which returning performer and acclaimed standup pro Carole Montgomery says, “doesn’t have a dud in the bunch.”
“They’re all great comics, and they’ve all done the work to be really strong and professional on stage,” she says.
Of these, Marc Maron is a standout. A veteran of the national circuit—he’s been at the stand-up game since the ’80s and has mastered a delivery Duke describes as “clever and thoughtful” with a cerebral edge—Maron’s also a well-known actor and
is the brains behind the award-winning podcast, WTF with Marc Maron, a talkstyle show, which has featured dozens of high-profile guests, from Barack Obama to Robin Williams.
“He’s the kind of comic where you’re sitting on the edge of your seat because you can’t wait to hear what he’s going to say next,” Duke tells us.
Comedy legend Jay Pharoah is another must-see, whose giggle box of a resume includes six seasons on Saturday Night Live—headlined by recurring character principal Daniel Frye and an arsenal of killer impressions—as well as a host of film and TV credits, including 2020 comedy Two Minutes of Fame and voiceover work for such adult animations as BoJack Horseman and Family Guy. For any kids in the audience,
Duke
Montgomery
he’s also the mastermind behind the wacky Nickelodeon gameshow Unfiltered!
For those seeking a little witty wisdom (and the over-50 crowd), female comedy group Funny Women of a Certain Age is the comedic salve. The brainchild of Montgomery, the show premiered as a special to Showtime in 2019 and has since sparked a pair of followup shows and a live tour with a rotating cast, all with the aim of creating space for female comics to be seen and heard.
“It’s a celebration of women,” Montgomery says. “I always joke that [middle-aged] women should rebrand as international spies because no one sees us. So, what you’re going to see here is three vibrant women doing brilliant comedy.” Alongside Montgomery, the show’s cast features funny femmes Leighann Lord and Julia Scotti, both of whom frequent the national stage.
Rounding out this season’s headliners are Natasha Leggero, whose highly-anticipated sets are known for her celebrity roasts and take-no-prisoners edge—“she’s such a great complement to the rest of the program,” notes Duke—and festival opener Josh Blue, a comic with cerebral palsy whose credits include a notorious win on NBC’s Last Comic Standing (2006), The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, and more than 200 shows per year.
The Roster
Peppered in amongst the headliners are 50 top-notch performers, whose regional, or sometimes national, status make up the festival’s comedic roster. Among these are organizers Duke—who describes her sets as “your mom’s sexy, sassy best friend”—and Mike Geeter, as well as several Michigan troupes (three of which are based in Traverse City!) and comics from throughout the Midwest and beyond.
One of these is Cam Rowe. Originally from metro-Detroit, this giant funny-man— he stands at a staggering six-foot-nine, literally making him “the next big thing in comedy,” per his bio—entered the standup stage in 2013. Since then, he’s performed with the comedic heavyweights like Aziz Ansari on IFC’s Comedy Bang! Bang! series and Jimmy O. Yang (of Crazy Rich Asians fame). He’s also a three-time returner to the Traverse City Comedy Fest, which he confidently calls the “best in the country.”
“At a lot of festivals, you just feel like a number, but you definitely feel appreciated at this [event],” he says.
Much of that comes down to the festival’s framework, which stresses celebrating and taking care of its comics (lodging is provided, for instance, and roster comedians receive a stipend). Rowe also highlights the warm and inclusive vibes of the TC Comedy Fest as not only unique to the standup industry, but as a critical factor in securing and retaining great talent.
“It’s like a big party with me and 50 of my best friends,” he says with a laugh. “It’s just a good vibe to come together and connect with everyone for the weekend.”
Rowe points to several Michigan-based comics—notably Geeter, Ricarlo Winston, Robert Jenkins, Kevin Johnson, and Tam White (who, along with Rowe, also comprise improv group Jokes on You)—as high on his list of can’t-miss acts.
Duke also highlights the collaborative shows, as some of the most routinely popular with the festival’s attendees, like the Out-ofTowners Comedy Showcase; The Nightcap (that’s an adults-only program); and the Comedy Rumble, a quick-draw competition.
“There’s still a small-town feel about it,” Duke concludes. “You can be in the theater and feel like you are the most important part of the festival at that moment.”
The 2025 Traverse City Comedy Festival will take place from April 10-12. For more information, venue specifics, or to purchase tickets or entry packages, visit traversecitycomedyfest.com.
Rowe
FEELING GOOD, EATING WELL
The ethos behind BeeSmooth Café (and the coming-soon Buzz Café and Bakery!)
By Geri Dietze
A conscious effort to provide healthy, flavorful food is what drives BeeSmooth Café, Manistee’s light, bright, and eclectic eatery.
Operating since 2023, the café serves fresh and tasty traditional café fare, including vegan, gluten-, sugar-, and allergen-free options. (One person’s restrictions are another person’s choices!) Food allergies are serious business; according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, six percent of adults and an estimated eight percent of children have one or more food allergies. Crunch the numbers and that adds up to millions of Americans.
BeeSmooth is the dream of Natasha Partridge, a Flint native who learned her craft working just about every restaurant job there is, from the drive-through window to management-level positions, gaining experience in top tier restaurants and in catering jobs both large and small throughout the state. She is a certified personal chef through IAP Career College, and her business plan includes a super menu with amazing—aka reasonable—pricing.
So how does she do it? “I can run the whole place myself,” she explains, “so my labor costs are not high.” (Partridge maintains a small part-time staff to handle busy times.)
A New Start in a New Spot
Before we dive into the delicious menu, an important announcement! The Buzz Café and Bakery, the new iteration of BeeSmooth, will open in May, at 390 River Street in downtown Manistee.
The new place will have a fresh palette of pink, green, gold, and while the menu will be very similar, there will be some modifications and additions. Burgers, for example, are off the menu, but new bowl choices and expanded baked goods will be added. Along with the three current local beekeepers, The Buzz Café will add premium fruit and honey products from Wee Bee Jammin of Bear Lake, as well as flax seed, oils, spirulina, collagen, and plant protein powder.
The Buzz Café and Bakery will be a “more intimate setting,” Partridge explains, “with counter access and guest wifi.” Outdoor tables, in season, will increase seating to around 25, about half of the current BeeSmooth site, but with a grab and go deli, as well as table service, Partridge is confident The Buzz Café will handle the numbers with aplomb.
“It’s the perfect location, with Riverwalk in the back,” she says, “and it’s quite beautiful.” The new Buzz Café and Bakery will be open 6am to 4pm, seven days a week.
Healthy Food You WANT to Eat
Now, back to the food.
There is something for everyone at BeeSmooth/soon to be Buzz. All day breakfast includes combos of eggs, meats, potatoes, pancakes, or waffles, regular and GF. For something different, order the Shakshuka Eggs, two fried eggs on a rich tomato base with seasoned chickpeas, feta, kale, and a side of pita. Or try a breakfast Busy Bee Bowl, with interesting flavor variations like Biscuits & Gravy Bowl, Southwest Bowl, and Chorizo Bowl. We like the Sweet Potato Bowl, with a sweet potato base and your choice of sweet and fruity
(with flax, chia, peanut butter, and maple syrup) or savory (with kale, quinoa, crispy chickpeas, avocado, soft boiled egg, and side of tahini dressing).
House-made sandwiches, salads, and soups are flavorful and creative. Go for the Bee A Brie, with grilled brie, special mayo, Granny Smith apple, red onion, bacon, and turkey; or the Salmon Sub, made with lightly blackened salmon on a buttered bun with garlic aioli, spring mix, and mango slaw. Vegans will love the Chickpea Quinoa Patty or the Coconut Turmeric Curry, featuring veggies in sweet and savory curry sauce served over quinoa. (Add shrimp or chicken if so desired.)
An array of baked goods—cakes, pies, breads, muffins, and cookies—are both traditionally made and made allergenfree for those with dietary restrictions. For example, the delicious Honeycomb Cakes are always gluten-free. And look for vegan muffins and pie every week.
Where did Partridge get the idea for the alternative baked goods? “[There’s] been an increase in customer requests,” Partridge explains. “I think health has been on a lot of people’s minds, especially since 2020.”
Baked goods go on sale every week, so watch for running specials. And because everyone has a fur buddy, house-made Doggy Treats, with sales donated to Repo’s Rescues, and Cat Treats, with sales going to the Little Rascals Cat Sanctuary, are always available.
More to Explore
The menu is big and deserves a
longer look, so also know that you will find specialty drinks, including hot or cold lattes, cold brew coffee, flavored fruit lemonades, Italian sodas, fresh fruit smoothies, and smoothie bowls on the list. The café’s juice cleanses, made from fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices, are good any time, including before or after big events and holidays.
And save room for the Sweet Dessert Bowls—vegan ice cream and your choice of toppings.
And still, there is more. Partridge offers catering for groups of 10 to 200, with a special entrees selection. (At Thanksgiving, keep BeeSmooth/Buzz in mind: They have a traditional Thanksgiving to go with oven roasted turkey, apple-sage stuffing, gravy, sweet potato casserole, plus more, and some special sides such as Baked Mac and Cheese.)
Personal Chef Natasha also provides inhome services, both for those who are too busy to shop and cook and for those who are making healthy lifestyle changes. Menu planning, grocery shopping, in-home cooking, refrigerator/freezer packaging, heating instructions, and clean-up are included.
One client, for example, had survived a heart attack, but realized that he did not know how to plan and cook healthy meals. Partridge stepped in and created a plan for heart-healthy breakfasts, lunches, and dinners.
Find BeeSmooth Café at 215 Arthur St. Manistee (and the future Buzz Café and Bakery at 390 River Street). (231) 299-1144; beesmoothcafe.com
Vegan Waffles
Sweet Potato Muffins
Bee Berry Bowl
JUNE 13 Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo’ - Room On The Porch Tour with special guest Abraham Alexander
JUNE 14 Ben Folds & A Piano Tour with Lindsay Kraft
JUNE 15 Whiskey Myers “What We Were Born To Do” Tour 2025
JUNE 17 Diana Krall
JUNE 20 Gary Clark Jr. with Lamont Landers
JUNE 25 Rick Springfield: I Want My 80’S Tour with John Waite, Wang Chung, and Paul Young
JUNE 26 Wynonna Judd - The Greatest Hits Tour
JUNE 28 May Erlewine and Joshua Davis
JULY 9 America: The Encore Tour
JULY 10 Iron & Wine and I’m With Her - Robin’s Egg Tour
JULY 12 St. Paul & The Broken Bones and The Wood Brothers with Yasmin Williams
JULY 14 Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue – Might Not Make It Home Tour with JJ Grey & Mofro and Dumpstaphunk
JULY 15 The Infamous Stringdusters & Leftover Salmon featuring special guests Kitchen Dwellers
JULY 17 Ashley McBryde
JULY 18 Let’s Sing Taylor - An Unofficial Live Tribute Band
JULY 22 Bachman-Turner Overdrive and The Marshall Tucker Band with Jefferson Starship
JULY 23 Mat Kearney Headlights Home Tour
JULY 24 Straight No Chaser Summer: The 90s Part 2 with O-Town
AUG. 5 Earth, Wind and Fire
AUG. 6 The Temptations and The Four Tops
AUG. 7 The Head And The Heart: Aperture Tour with Wilderado and Katie Pruitt
AUG. 9 Toad the Wet Sprocket 2025 Good Intentions Tour With Semisonic & Sixpence None the Richer
AUG. 14 The Count Basie Orchestra
AUG. 15 An Evening with CAKE
AUG. 16 Palladium Entertainment Presents Brit Floyd Wish You Were Here 50th Anniversary
AUG. 18 Allison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas
LOOKING BACK AT MARCH 2020
Five years after COVID hit, what has our community learned?
By Art Bukowski
It’s been just over five years since the world was turned upside down by the full onset of the COVID-19 outbreak, which by March of 2020 had led to widespread and major restrictions on work, socialization, and much more.
While this may feel like a distant memory for some, the effects of both the virus itself and resulting lockdowns are still very much felt by many people.
Northern Express reached out to several people in the community and asked them to share one difficult and one uplifting memory from the first several months of the pandemic. We also asked them what they learned from the experience that they’ve used to create positive change within their companies or organizations.
Harry Burkholder Executive Director, Traverse
City
Downtown Development Authority
(Editor’s note: Burkholder was the DDA’s chief operating officer when COVID first hit)
One difficult memory: It was all pretty difficult. The inability to hold public meetings made decision-making clunky and hard, and many projects were simply put on hold. The most difficult part, however, was realizing that there was only so much we could do to support our downtown businesses until they were allowed to reopen—they were the true champions of adversity.
One uplifting memory: The pandemic pushed us to implement innovative solutions that might not have happened otherwise. One example was closing two blocks of Front Street to vehicles for most of the summer. This closure gave downtown restaurants additional space for outdoor seating and created more public space to accommodate both crowds and social distancing. To support this change, we also converted a portion of State Street to two-way traffic.
Lessons for positive change: The temporary conversion of State Street to two-way traffic during the pandemic sparked renewed interest in studying downtown circulation and the feasibility of converting other one-way streets to two-way operation. … Building on the success of State Street’s temporary conversion, the DDA partnered with the City in 2022 to launch a two-year pilot program, converting all of State Street—as well as Pine and Boardman—to two-way traffic. Data collected over the past two years indicates that the conversion has led to a two-mile-per-hour reduction in average vehicle speed on State Street, while instances of excessive speeding (over 35 mph) have been cut nearly in half. These changes have helped create a safer, more pedestrianfriendly downtown environment.
Tina Schuett Co-owner, Rare Bird Brewpub
One difficult memory: The day we had to shut down and lay all of our employees off was one of the worst days of my life. I take being an employer as a serious job and know that I’m responsible for the livelihood of all of my staff. Telling them that we were shutting down and having no answers as to when things would be coming back was very hard. … The next hard thing was asking them to come back to work and put themselves at risk to serve people. It was exceptionally hard when we had to deal with COVID deniers and anti-maskers that didn’t want to adhere to rules and were rude to our staff. COVID brought out a lot of beauty in people but it also brought out some of the worst. We had one of our hosts get spit on by an angry customer for just asking him to follow the rules we were required to follow to be open. It really disgusted and angered me that people could be so rude to a poor kid just trying to do her job.
One uplifting memory: The outpouring of support from our community in the uncertain times was amazing. We had people buying gift cards and takeout to the point of it being hard to keep up at times. It felt really good to know that we still had our community behind us in a time that felt so isolated and unsure. A lot of people were just sending nice messages and words of encouragement which was really nice to receive.
Lessons for positive change: Some [lessons] were small, like learning people really don’t like ordering from QR codes and that they crave face-to-face interactions or that we could actually offer takeout via online ordering. Some were bigger, such as learning to be really flexible and learning to adjust to rules and regulations changing weekly and completely molding our business model to fit the rules on the drop of a hat. … Another big lesson was that the customer is not always right. I think our industry as a whole had gotten to a toxic point of customers thinking they could do no wrong and that we just had to do whatever they wanted to make them happy even when they were not being kind. … Our job is to give people a great experience dining out, which is what we always strive for, but we refuse to be bullied or disrespected now. It’s our job to keep our staff safe first and foremost.
Anne Stanton Executive Director, National Writers Series
One difficult memory: My lowest point came early on. At the end of the workday on March 11, I received a call from Marcy Lindberg, our volunteer coordinator for Battle of the Books, which is a reading competition that the National Writers Series holds each year. She suggested we cancel the championship battle only two days away. I didn’t immediately agree, … but Marcy stressed that the virus was highly contagious, we expected 400 people to come, and asked how would I feel if someone was fatally infected. We canceled that night and later declared the two advancing as co-champions for 2020. Even so, the kids and parents were deeply disappointed, and it was an omen of what was coming.
One uplifting memory: We created an essay contest, “Life in the Time of Virus,” as a way to share each other’s stories and process the strange new world we were living in. Hundreds of submissions rolled in! The essays validated the sense of grief and frustration we all felt, providing a much deeper sense of community and the power of the word to comfort others. (Visit nationalwritersseries.org/life-in-the-time-of-virus)
Lessons for positive change: I learned from successfully offering our events virtually during COVID that many people either couldn’t physically come inperson or preferred to watch our events at home. So, we’ve continued to offer all our events both livestream and in-person. The Wege Foundation gave us $30,000 to buy new cameras and other equipment, which makes the virtual show a much richer experience. I’ll never say that I’m grateful for COVID, but the livestreaming makes our events consistently accessible, has added fans from around the world, and provides more financial stability.
Dan Thorell Health Officer, Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department (Editor’s note: Thorell was director of environmental health at the Grand Traverse County Health Department when COVID first hit.)
One difficult memory: After the lockdowns and executive order restrictions were in place for several weeks, I came to the realization that the response to COVID-19 was in no way going to be short term, like it was for H1N1 in 2009. I remember thinking that we were going to be working on this pandemic response for years and that was something that caused me a lot of anxiety and uncertainty. In many ways, the public health community is still dealing with the pandemic and its aftermath.
One uplifting memory: When the lockdowns began in March of 2020 and all throughout those first months, I was moved by the community support for those of us in public health and healthcare. The community rallied behind us, and we have dozens of people that volunteered to help with the response throughout the pandemic. We could not have vaccinated over 70 percent of the community without the volunteers.
Lessons for positive change: Even though there was so much to do every day during the pandemic response, we needed to spend more time making sure our staff were taking care of themselves. There was so much burnout and stress amongst the public health workforce during that time which resulted in staff leaving the profession. I have embraced the importance of work/life balance and self-care for my staff. … One more lesson learned was that you can never communicate too much. Much of the mistrust for public health during and after the pandemic was born from lack of clear, concise communication.
Jennifer Standfest Chief Nursing Officer, Munson Healthcare
Bethany Korbel General Manager, Comfort Keepers of Traverse City (an in-home care service provider)
One difficult memory: The first few months of lockdown were dominated by one thing: fear. People were faced with uncertainty, anxiety, and impossible decisions. We were caring for the most vulnerable population of seniors, most of whom already had health challenges. We were facing constantly changing information and guidance and watching with alarm as fatalities climbed. One of the most difficult tasks was having to inform families and caregivers about potential COVID-19 exposures. It was heartbreaking—these were people already navigating isolation and health challenges, and suddenly, they were faced with terrifying unknowns. … Meanwhile, securing proper PPE felt like an impossible task. We knew our caregivers were frontline heroes, yet there were moments when we weren’t sure we could get them what they needed to stay safe.
One uplifting memory: Amidst the chaos, there were moments of incredible resilience and humanity. One of the most uplifting was how our team came together to support one another. Our administrative team went virtual overnight and adapted quickly to the new reality. We made sure our staff had access to on-demand virtual counseling through our Employee Assistance Program. We also saw incredible acts of kindness—caregivers going above and beyond to ease the fears of seniors, sitting outside windows to keep them company, delivering meals and groceries, and finding ways to bring joy despite the circumstances. That sense of purpose and commitment was inspiring.
Lessons for positive change: The challenges of COVID-19 changed the way we operate at Comfort Keepers for the better. We strengthened communication, ensuring caregivers and families always feel informed and supported. We refined our emergency response protocols, so we’re always prepared for the unexpected. Most importantly, we made mental health a core focus, ensuring our staff always have access to the support they need. The pandemic reinforced that our work isn’t just about care—it’s about connection, trust, and resilience.
Bruce Patterson
Founder and CEO, HealthBioAI (a company working on treatment for so-called “long-haul” or “long” COVID)
One difficult memory: The lockdown was very different for me because I am a virologist and I felt a tremendous responsibility given my background and experience. We worked day and night in the lab on a drug class that could quell the cytokine storm (a life-threatening systemic immune response). The most difficult memory for me was how it was affecting my family, especially my daughter in her senior year of high school. No prom, and graduation was drive-in movie style sitting in cars.
One uplifting memory: Publishing our first paper on our acute COVID drug treatment trial in the spring of 2020 while also waiting for the mail every day to see where our daughter was going to college.
Lessons for positive change: When we discovered the immune abnormalities of long COVID, patients were being sent to mental health professionals because routine tests were normal. Being able to sit in front of a patient almost five years ago and say “I believe you” was half the battle of getting them better. We are extremely excited that our discoveries and publications from three years ago are being replicated, and the FDA has approved our long COVID clinical trial of our drug to proceed. Yes, it is extremely gratifying to wake up every day and know that we have a significant and exciting means to diagnose and potentially treat long COVID.
One difficult memory: There was so much fear and confusion. I remember preparing to close down some of the hospital units, sending employees home, and receiving news of our first patient who was positive for COVID. I also recall our daily briefings and hearing about our first COVID patient in northern Michigan who passed away. I also remember being required to restrict visitors and nurses having to use iPads to help loved ones communicate with each other when everyone was in lockdown.
One uplifting memory: I remember the team delivering a baby in the COVID unit and how much teamwork it took for this to occur safely. I also remember the community support was amazing! Waiting outside in their cars to honk at teams arriving for work, making signs, leaving chalk art on the sidewalks. Providing donations of flowers and meals to lift spirits, but also literally bringing in gloves, masks, face shields, hand sanitizer, and so many other practical items from personal or local business supplies when the supply chain was at standstill.
Lessons for positive change: The opportunity we had to truly work together across the region was a huge step for our evolution as a system and toward our current regional care transformation vision. Patients, equipment, and resources were dispersed around the region to ensure safe and effective care occurred. In addition, our ability to respond to a true extended public health emergency was tested; allowing us to improve systems, collaboration, and communication. It was a true privilege to serve our community in this extremely difficult time. … It is my sincere hope that in reflection and with time the experience contributes to our overall professional pride and personal resilience.
Too Young to Scroll?
How (and why) schools are dialing down distractions for young learners
By Kierstin Gunsberg
The human brain is a magnificent thing, capable of unconsciously processing millions of bits of stimuli every second—the cool glow of overhead fluorescents, a teacher’s shoes clicking against linoleum, and the woody aroma of a freshly sharpened pencil.
What the brain isn’t so great at is consciously handling all that stimuli at once. Instead, it filters through what’s most relevant in the moment and offloads the rest using its reticular activating system (RAS). It’s what allows the sound of shoes and the glare of bright lights to fade into the background so the mind can focus on a history lesson or jotting down homework notes.
That natural filtering process is one reason a bill proposing a statewide school cell phone ban—along with all the distracting push notifications, social updates, and alerts that come with them— was introduced in March. If it becomes law, proponents of the Wait Until 8th movement, a national campaign advocating for delaying cell phone use until high school, say it will be long overdue.
Northern Michigan Schools Take Action
Several districts in northern Michigan have already taken steps to curb cell phone use and classroom distractions for their young learners.
“I think a lot of districts are looking at what we’re doing,” says Dr. John VanWagoner, superintendent of Traverse City Area Public Schools (TCAPS), where a revised cell phone policy for preK-8 students took effect at the start of the 20232024 school year. The policy prohibits cell phone use on school premises for younger students, whose developing brains are even less equipped to filter distractions than their teenage counterparts.
So far, says VanWagoner, “Overall, it’s been good. We’re always trying to look for ways to improve a little bit, but the kids have been rather respectful and following the policy.” And, he adds, “The staff and parents have been satisfied,” too, despite some initial worries about how the new guidelines might
affect communication between students and their families.
One of the biggest concerns for both parents and students was how they would coordinate after-school pickup. VanWagoner says TCAPS has worked closely with families to ensure that isn’t an issue. One tool the district uses to keep parents and students connected is BrightArrow, a communication platform that allows TCAPS to send emails and text messages with important school updates.
For urgent messages, like a last-minute change in pickup plans, VanWagoner encourages parents and guardians to call the school office directly. Likewise, he says, school staff will call home if there’s an important update about a student.
“You know, for many, many years before cell phones, people called the office. We still have phones. We have email and those kinds of things that they could do with our staff.” And, he says. “We can get a message to a student pretty darn quick.”
“Away for the Day” at Suttons Bay
The positive impact of these limitedphone-use policies outweighs any initial hesitation, says Casey Petz, superintendent of Suttons Bay Public Schools, where a similar policy is in place for elementary students.
For students through 5th grade, an “Away for the Day” policy means that “we shouldn’t see your cell phone at any time,” says Petz, adding that his district also utilizes BrightArrow for communication. “Some parents will send their students to school with a cell phone. But the expectation at the elementary level is that it remains in your backpack. It’s not part of the daily learning environment.”
For older students, including those in middle school, there’s more flexibility based on individual principals’ and teachers’ policies. But, removing phones entirely from the elementary grades has helped refocus students on their primary purpose at school: learning.
Michigan schools are required to meet instructional time minimums and, according to Petz, “Every one of those days, every one
of those hours of instruction, every one of those minutes—it counts.” Minimizing cell phone distractions has maximized the effectiveness of those teaching hours, with students showing more engagement and less anxiety throughout the day.
“We had a teacher who retired during the peak of COVID,” says Petz, explaining that when the teacher returned to substitute in the district after Suttons Bay implemented its cell phone policy, she noticed a marked difference in the classroom environment.
“When I spoke to her, she was like, ‘I just can’t believe the impact that the devices were having on the students. It is so nice to not have to battle these cell phones.’”
Before the change, Petz says, students often hid phones under their desks, stealthily checking apps and sneaking in games during lessons. And while there was “some pushback” at first, it wasn’t too dramatic.
“I think most families can understand when they see both sides, how that [phone use] might be a pretty big distraction to learn math while checking your cell phone for whatever message just came through.”
More Than Just Academics
Advocates of the Wait Until 8th movement aren’t only concerned with academic success. Even for students who are homeschooled or attend non-traditional
schools, limiting access to screens and especially to social media, has its merits. Studies have linked excessive social media use to increased anxiety, depression, and body dysmorphia in students.
“I think we all need a break,” says Petz of the effects of increased screen time not only in the classroom, but outside of it too.
He’s seen firsthand how cutting off the constant connection to peer pressure has benefited his students. “They’re actually really relieved to not have that hanging over them,” he says. “Like, ‘I don’t have to worry about what somebody’s saying online about me right now.’”
But as published research like Cambridge University’s 2021 “The Effects of Video Games on Creativity” suggests, not all screen time is created equal. When children use screens for educational purposes, creative expression, or positive social interaction, it can actually reduce anxiety and offer other cognitive benefits including boosting critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. That’s why Up North schools are careful to strike a balance. TCAPS’ VanWagoner points out that the district still integrates technology where appropriate. “So our kids are still getting a 21st-century learning experience,” he explains. “But without the distractions of something that can’t be controlled in a school environment.”
VanWagoner
Petz
by JOSEPH BEYER
The Electric State
With a $320 million budget (the largest single content investment in Netflix history); the multi-hyphenated creative duo Joe and Anthony Russo behind it, alumni of directing four Marvel Cinematic Universe hits; a storyline with ROBOTS ROBOTS ROBOTS, and a cast with more stars than the Milky Way… what could go wrong?
It turns out, a lot. And with such spectacular spending behind just one 2 hour 8 minute film, Netflix might just have explained why all our rates went up on what remains the world’s largest streamer.
Within minutes of starting The Electric State, you may feel a little cringe. That’s probably right on cue when the Robot Wars of the 1990s begin onscreen and include a mechanical version of Mr. Peanut and/or just for fun, some President Bill Clinton AI.
As it continues, you may find it hard to believe the screenplay is actually based on a celebrated illustrated novel by Simon Stålenhag, since it feels like an algorithmic mish-mash of pieces and parts recommended by fans of Howard the Duck and The Hunger Games. So impenetrable and dense is the exposition that with a gun to my head I could not accurately explain the intricacies of the plot, which involves human to robot to human electrical mechanical dependence, I think.
It’s back to a futuristic 1997, and the Robot Wars are over. Or so we believed. That’s when a rebellious orphaned girl and her mysterious friend start wandering the desolate West Coast looking for her missing brother. As they face dangerous drones and uncover a conspiracy behind a revolutionary technology and the robots’ banishment, they meet a smuggler and his sidekick who help them avenge the bots, rescue her brother, and save the day.
With more celebrity cameos than an award show, The Electric State somehow finds a way to create an ensemble that combines Millie Bobby Brown ( Stranger Things ), a sleazy-looking Chris Pratt, Anthony Mackie as the naughty voice of robot sidekick Herman, Stanley Tucci doing his best as Ethan Skate (a thinly disguised version of Elon Musk), Giancarlo Esposito in metallic drag, Ke Huy Quan, Woody Harrelson, and Jason Alexander, Jenny Slate, and Holly Hunter for kicks.
At its best, The Electric State’s fast-paced, ragtag banter and action do sometimes resemble Star Wars or Raiders of the Lost Ark, and the film delivers moments of fun and joy even if they are fleeting. Casting Director Sarah Halley Finn is also credited with putting together the chemistry behind the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise, but here it feels sometimes like the dynamics were spun from a Rolodex of famous faces sometimes by chance or availability.
Meanwhile, the Russo Brothers seem to have tried to take a mood or a feeling from the saturated ’90s and their teen love of its films and cram it into one project when someone handed them a blank check. But the tone feels desperate and longing, instead of nostalgic and delightful.
As a cautionary tale of the dystopian future, it’s also too late for The Electric State. The terror of rapid machine learning, human mimicry in voice, image, and robocalls, and the realization we have no idea what’s about to happen next for our species are all more chilling than escapist adventures.
With 30 credited producers attached to the project, those who love a hate-watch will find plenty of blame to go around. Overall, if that money was spent to get people talking, I guess The Electric State has conducted its mission. For me, it was a short circuit.
Saturday
RETRO DAY: 9am-4:30pm, Crystal Mountain, Thompsonville. Wear your best neon, ringer tees, gigantic jeans, & vintage sweaters. If you wear retro gear, you receive $10 off your open-toclose window lift ticket. Slopeside DJ will play your retro favorites at the Crystal Center Patio, & there will be an on-slope scavenger hunt. crystalmountain.com/event/retro-weekend
MAPLE SUGARING DAYS: 10am-5pm, Port Oneida Rural Historic District, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Experience the full maple sugaring process across two historic farm sites in the Port Oneida Rural Historic District. Sample warm syrup, enjoy kid-friendly activities, & witness sap boiling demonstrations. From 5-8pm each evening, visitors can visit the Dechow farm for the selfguided maple sugaring history hike along lantern-lit paths. No registration required. All programs are free with a valid park entrance pass. Passes may be purchased at the Phillip A. Hart Visitor Center in Empire, & cost $25 (per vehicle) for seven days, or other options available. nps.gov/slbe/planyourvisit/ maple-sugaring-days.htm
MARVAC 33RD NORTHWEST MI RV & CAMPING SHOW: GT County Civic Center, TC. March 21-22: 11am-8pm; March 23: 11am-5pm. Explore a wide variety of models from luxurious fifth wheels to compact trailers featuring the latest amenities & technology, presented by three dealerships: Adult admission (ages 13+) is $7, & senior admission (ages 55+) is $6. Ages 12 & under get in for free. showpass.com/33rd-annual-northwestmichigan-rv-camping-show/
MAPLE SUGARING: 1pm, Maple Bay Farm, Williamsburg. Participants will learn about every step of the maple sugaring process, from tapping the trees & boiling the sap down to maple syrup, to tasting the finished product. Choose your adventure. Staff & volunteers stationed in the sugar bush, cellar, & sugar shack will demonstrate the sugaring process, showing how sap is transformed into maple syrup. Full winter attire is recommended. Registration required. Check the web site calendar to confirm the final event date. Free. gtrlc.my.salesforce-sites. com/es/event/home/maplesugaring
“UNDERNEATH THE LINTEL”: 5:45pm, Eagles Hall, Cheboygan. Dinner Theater presented by the Northland Players. A librarian in Hoopfdorf discovers a wildly overdue book. Played by Karl Heidemann, he takes the audience on an adventure through time & around the world to try to find answers to a string of questions. 231-420-9019. $30. nlplayers.org
JIGJAM: IRISH BLUEGRASS: 7pm, The Cheboygan Opera House. JigJam made its Grand Ole Opry Debut in Nashville in March 2023 & received a standing ovation from a sold-out crowd. They were joined that night by Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood, Steve Earle, Lauren Alaina, & many others. This band has started the first wave of attack in the new Irish invasion of Americana. $15$30. ci.ovationtix.com/36618/production/122 3472?performanceId=11567775
Sunday
MARVAC 33RD NORTHWEST MI RV & CAMPING SHOW: (See Sat., March 22)
terials that would otherwise go in the recycling bin are repurposed. Basic materials provided. Space is limited so registration is requested. Free. tadl.org/event/papercrafting-junk-journals-21417
AUDITIONS FOR “FOLLIES FLASHBACK - 40TH ANNIVERSARY SHOW”: 7pm, The Cheboygan Opera House. In search of musicians, singers, actors, dancers, comedians, set builders, costumers, stage crew & behind the scenes helpers. Show dates are April 10-13. theoperahouse.org
tuesday
PRESCHOOL STORY TIME: 10:30am, Suttons Bay-Bingham District Library. Preschool children of all ages & their caregivers are invited to join every Tues. for stories, songs & more. Free. sbbdl.org
WHO IS LIVING IN OUR STREAMS?: Noon-3pm, Antrim Conservation District, Bellaire. An indoors open-house style event for all ages. Free. facebook.com/ events/1158504365715989
TECH TUESDAY: LIBRARY ERESOURCES: 2pm, Glen Lake Community Library, Empire. Explore the digital collections used by Leelanau & other local libraries. Library staff will walk you through various websites & apps like Libby & Kanopy, among others. Free. glenlakelibrary.net
FRIENDS OF THE SUTTONS BAY BINGHAM DISTRICT LIBRARY MEETING: 5pm, Suttons Bay-Bingham District Library, lower level Community Meeting Room. Meetings are held the fourth Tues. of the month. For questions email: friends@sbbdl.org. sbbdl.org
wednesday
LONG FORM IMPROV: 7pm, The Alluvion, TC. Full Tilt Comedy presents “Staycation - All I Ever Wanted.” The show will be opened by Jesse Szarowicz & John Donovan from “The Comedy Project” (Grand Rapids). For ages 16+. $10. fulltiltcomedy.org/v
thursday
LUNCH BREAK RHYTHMS: Noon, Friendship Community Center, Suttons Bay. Join in for percussion improv games. Every Thurs. in March will be a facilitated rhythm circle from noon-1pm. This is a chance to beat your heart out & make joyful sounds together. No musical or drumming experience is necessary. A variety of hand drums & percussion instruments will be available to play with. This is a drop-in style, community based meet up. Come for any portion of the hour. Free (donations encouraged). loticflow.com/classes-workshops/lunchrhythms-suttons-bay
RETIRED RECESS: AWARD WINNING
Journey back to the 1990s at a Battle of the Bands in “Bromeo vs. The Juliettes,” presented by Mashup Rock & Roll Musical. A Shakesqueer Comedy with a soundtrack of your favorite boy and girl bands, this gender-bending story proves that love is love. You will even get to vote on the ending of the show! Held at GT Circuit, performances take place April 4-5 at 7:30pm, April 6 at 6:30pm (Pay What You Can performance), April 11 at 7:30pm, and April 12 at 2pm and 7:30pm. Tickets range from $20-$38. mashuprockandrollmusical.com/upcoming-shows-tickets/
MICHIGAN MOVIE MANIA: “MARQUEETOWN”: 6:30pm, Peninsula Community Library, TC. This documentary is a true story of a Michigan man’s efforts to restore the U.P. theater of his youth to its glory. Local filmmakers Joe Beyer & Beth Milligan join. 231-223-7700.
TRAILBLAZING WOMEN OF COUNTRY: 7pm, Great Lakes Center for the Arts, Bay Harbor. A Tribute to Patsy, Loretta & Dolly. The performance will feature soloists, including GRAMMY nominee Rissi Palmer & Nashville-based singer Kristina Train, supported by an all-female band consisting of five members. $42-$62. greatlakescfa.org/ events/detail/trailblazing-women-of-country
friday
“UNDERNEATH THE LINTEL”: (See Sat., March 22)
saturday
FAMILY IMPROV WITH FULL TILT COMEDY: 10am, Great Lakes Children’s Museum, GT Mall, TC. All-ages improv show + workshop. Register. Free with admission. greatlakeskids.doubleknot. com/event/family-improv-show-workshopwith-full-tilt/3098012
RHODES + STAGNITTA: 7:30pm, TC Philharmonic Center, Cherryland Center. TC Philharmonic Principal Flutist Nancy Stagnitta celebrates her 20th anniversary season with the orchestra. She will join Maestro Rhodes for a concert of masterworks for Flute and Piano. $27-$48. tcphil.org/concerts/rhodes-stagnitta
sunday
UP NORTH PRIDE GROUP HIKE: 10:30am-noon, River East Recreation Area, TC. Evergreen Community Group will lead this leisurely 1.5 mile hike on a trail with wooded paths & river views. Wear boots or water durable shoes. Stick around afterwards to sip tea. upnorthpride.com/event/2025/3/30/group-hikeat-river-east-recreation-area
CHARLEVOIX HOME SHOW: (See Sat., March 29, except today’s hours are noon4pm.)
RHODES + STAGNITTA: (See Sat., March 29, except today’s time is 3pm.)
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MIXTAPE COMEDY VARIETY SHOW: 7pm, The Workshop Brewing Co., TC. Presented by Full Tilt Comedy. Featuring improv, sketch, stand-up, & song parody. Held the last Sun. of each month. $10 honor cover suggested. fulltiltcomedy.org
monday
PAPERCRAFTING JUNK
JOURNALS: 6pm, Traverse Area District Library, Thirlby Room, TC. Create Junk Journals - where ma-
AUTHOR BRYAN GRUELY: Noon, Mt. Holiday, TC. Join for a talk by Bryan Gruley, a journalist-turned-novelist who helped the Wall Street Journal earn a Pulitzer Prize for coverage of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Bryan has five critically acclaimed titles to his name including the Starvation Lake trilogy set in northern Michigan. His sixth novel, “Bitterfrost,” also set in this area, will be published April 1. Bryan will share stories from his experience as a journalist & novelist from noon1pm. The ski hill will be open from noon-3pm, & the tube run from 3-4pm. Or you can hang inside & watch a movie, play cards, games, etc. Special discounts on lift tickets (70+ ski free), rentals, & the tube run. Find ‘Retired Recess (or almost retired): Award Winning Author Bryan Gruely’ on Facebook. Free.
CHARLEVOIX HOME SHOW: 11am-4pm, Castle Farms, Charlevoix. Speak with the home improvement experts in your area from some of the top home improvement companies in Michigan. $5. charlevoixhomeshow.com
SPRING FEVER STORY SESSION: 4-5:30pm, AuSable Artisan Village “Gallery Stage,” Grayling. Join Writing in the Pines to celebrate March is Reading Month & the Spring Equinox with live storytelling & a book character costume contest. All ages. Free. artisanvillage.org/event
“UNDERNEATH THE LINTEL”: (See Sat., March 22)
tuesday
AN EVENING WITH BRYAN GRULEY: 6:30pm, Brilliant Books, TC. Join bestselling author Bryan Gruley to celebrate the launch of “Bitterfrost,” the first in a brand new crime thriller series, which hits shelves on April 1. The evening will also include a reading, audience Q&A, & book signing. Free. brilliantbooks.net/event/evening-bryan-gruley
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GREAT LAKES CINEMA SERIES PRESENTS “MONOS”: 7pm, Great Lakes Center for the Arts, Bay Harbor. As visually splendid as it is thought-provoking, “Monos” takes an unsettling look at human nature whose grim
insights leave a lingering impact. $5. greatlakescfa.org/events/detail/monos
wednesday
UNIVERSALLY ACCESSIBLE LEELANAU: Noon, Leelanau County Government Center, lower-level Community Room, Suttons Bay. Presented by the League of Women Voters of Leelanau County. This public forum on community access in the county will address the question of how Leelanau County can ensure that its places, spaces, & services are designed for people of all abilities, including those born with a disability & those facing physical challenges over time. A Leelanau resident will describe her experience accessing the county, & you’ll learn how playgrounds can be improved to accommodate children with varying abilities. A brief member meeting will follow the public forum. Free. lwvleelanau.org
SPRING DOWNTOWN RECESS: 5-7pm, Bushell’s Kitchen & Cocktails, TC. Traverse Ticker’s after-work happy hour for adults. Enjoy Craft cocktails, Yuba Vineyards wine, & Short’s beer, along with a sampling of Bushell’s food. Prizes include a dinner & wellness package at Solitude Float Spa, Eternal Wellness & Bushell’s - value of $700; $50 downtown TC gift card; & a custom baseball bag, American Flag - art value of $375. Recess 2025 is brought to you by Grand Traverse County: A grand place to live, work & play. $10 admission. traverseticker.com/recess ----------------------
PLACE SERIES: 6:30pm, The Presbyterian Church of TC, 701 Westminster Rd. Join in this 3 part series that examines the injustice of colonization, celebrates the resilience of Indigenous peoples, & works toward truth & restoration. This year’s focus is the harm of Native American Boarding Schools. The planning team includes members of the GTB, the SALT coalition, & PCTC. Supper at 5:30pm ($5-$7 suggested donation); program at 6:30pm. Night 3- April 2: A huge celebration of life & resilience of Indigenous people who survived the boarding schools. Free. tcpresby.org
thursday
FRIENDS OF THE CADILLAC LIBRARY SPRING USED BOOK SALE: 9am6pm, Cadillac Wexford Public Library. Fundraiser for Friends of the Cadillac Library. friendsofthecadillaclibrary.wordpress. com/upcoming-programs
COFFEE @ 10, PETOSKEY: 10am, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Gilbert Gallery, Petoskey. “Learning to Develop Artistry: An NCMC Student Panel.” Free. crookedtree. org/event/ctac-petoskey/coffee-ten-learningdevelop-artistry-ncmc-student-panel-april-3
TITANIC REMEMBERED: 4pm, Benzonia Public Library. The Titanic would be the epitome of ocean liner luxury. Even though it was thought of as “unsinkable,” by 2:30am on April 15, 1912 she would be at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean. Historians call it the end of the Industrial Revolution, but the great loss of life would make it much more than a mere mark in history. Free. benzonialibrary.org
friday
FRIENDS OF THE CADILLAC LIBRARY SPRING USED BOOK SALE: 9am5pm, Cadillac Wexford Public Library. Fundraiser for Friends of the Cadillac Library. friendsofthecadillaclibrary.wordpress.com/upcoming-programs
‘UP NORTH’ LAKE & COTTAGE SHOW: Noon-6pm, GT County Civic Center, TC.
Featuring a diverse mix of exhibitors representing construction, remodeling, kitchen & bath, interior design, furniture, floor covering, home services & much more. tccottageshow.com
CADILLAC FOOTLITERS PRESENTS “JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT”: 7pm, Elenbaas Performing Arts Center, McBain High School. This show is a reimagining of the Biblical story of Joseph, his father Jacob, eleven brothers & the coat of many colors. $14. cadillacfootliters.ludus.com/show_ page.php?show_id=200459037
BROMEO VS THE JULIETTES: 7:30pm, GT Circuit, TC. Set at a 1990s Battle of the Bands, this remix comedy of Romeo and Juliet is a gender-bending pop musical proving that love is love by any name. $20-$38. mashuprockandrollmusical.com/upcoming-shows-tickets
NEW YORK STORIES: 7:30pm, Old Town Playhouse, TC. OTP Aged to Perfection Reader’s Theatre presents two stories - one poignant, one comic, that embrace those who roam the fringes of life in the Big City. They include “Bird Bath” by Leonard Melfi & “Madame La Gimp” by Damon Runyon. No ticket required; free will contribution at door. oldtownplayhouse.com/aged-to-perfection/ performances/new-york-stories.html
SPRING DANCE PERFORMANCE: 7:30pm, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Corson Auditorium. Interlochen Arts Academy Dance Division presents a wide variety of classical & contemporary dance works including ballet excerpts, modern masterpieces, & student & faculty-choreographed works. $14-$17. interlochen.org/ concerts-and-events/all-events?search=Spring +Dance+Performance
KAMIKAZE COMEDY: 8pm, Right Brain Brewery, Brewhouse, TC. Featuring Muskegon’s Timothy Locke & Grand Rapids’ Darius Walker. Hosted by Ben Bradshaw. Tim’s takes on fatherhood & life in general have been a hit with audiences all over the Midwest & even internationally. Darius has performed at Dr. Grins Comedy Club, Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle, & has appeared on Gilda’s LaughFest Comedy Festival. $10. checkout.square.site/ merchant/ML7EQ7FEVXY9T/checkout/ NFS6ALPQ7VO2JQE36PSNGFKE?src=qr
saturday
‘UP NORTH’ LAKE & COTTAGE SHOW: (See Fri., April 4, except today’s time is 10am-6pm.)
CONSERVATION CENTER
TOUR: 10am, Mitchell Creek Meadows: The Don and Jerry Oleson Preserve, TC. Join for a tour of the buildings & grounds at Mitchell Creek Meadows: The Don and Jerry Oleson Preserve. This tour will include an inside look at the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy’s new conservation hub & office space, including the McMullen Family Conservation Center, the Bob and Pauline Young Family Stewardship Workshop, & the native plant greenhouse & goat barn. Registration required. 929-7911 or info@gtrlc.org. Free. gtrlc.my.salesforce-sites.com/es/event/home/ conservationcentertour040525
FRIENDS OF THE CADILLAC LIBRARY SPRING USED BOOK SALE: (See Fri., April 4, except today’s time is 10am-noon.)
MEET THE MAKER - GOBLIN GRIMM: Noon, Blessed Be Tea and Apothecary, TC. Meet Goblin Grimm - Seth Abair, a Michiganbased comic book artist who brings horror & fantasy to life through bold storytelling & striking visuals. Chat with Goblin Grimm, browse his artwork, & support a local creative. Free. blessedbetea.com/product/vendorfeature-goblin-grimm-seth-abair/1355?cp=tr ue&sa=false&sbp=false&q=false&category_ id=2CAAGKS7WWROWSWR7GUBOKGW
SUPER CONDENSED BATHROOM
READING GUIDE TO ALL THE SHOWS IN
SHIP YARD (EMERGING SONGWRITER PROGRAM)
FEAT. WHITNEY MARIE + SIMPLE MACHINES
BENEFIT CONCERT FOR MUSICIANS IMPACTED BY LOS ANGELES FIRES
JAZZ 4 ALL W/ THE JEFF HAAS TRIO
FEAT. LAURIE SEARS + LISA FLAHIVE
HAIL YOUR HIGHNESS + BIMBO + TRASH CAN SYMPHONY
THE VINCENT CHANDLER EXPERIENCE (ALLUVION JAZZ SERIES)
TIM ERIKSEN WSG LAUREL PREMO
FUNKY FUN MONDAY W/ BIG FUN
MAY ERLEWINE “WHAT IT TAKES” ALBUM
RELEASE SHOW NIGHT ONE
MAY ERLEWINE NIGHT TWO
JAZZ 4 ALL W/ THE JEFF HAAS TRIO
FEAT. LAURIE SEARS + LISA FLAHIVE
INTERLOCHEN IN TOWN CANDLELIGHT CONCERT
FEAT. KARA HUBER + ARA SARKISSIAN
FUNKY FUN MONDAY W/ FUNKY UNCLE
HERE:SAY STORYTELLING: BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD
JAZZ 4 ALL W/ THE JEFF HAAS TRIO
FEAT. LAURIE SEARS + LISA FLAHIVE
JAKE ALLEN W/ HANNAH ROSE GRAVES
FUNKY FUN MONDAY W/ BIG FUN
"A WATER TRAIL" DOCUMENTARY SCREENING + AMBER HASAN + SHEA “PHIRE-SIS” COBB
CHRISTIAN MCBRIDE + URSA MAJOR (ALLUVION JAZZ SERIES) EARLY SHOW
CHRISTIAN MCBRIDE + URSA MAJOR (ALLUVION JAZZ SERIES) LATE SHOW
JAZZ 4 ALL W/ THE JEFF HAAS TRIO
FEAT. MARION HAYDEN, LAURIE SEARS, ANTHONY STANCO + TARIQ GARDNER
PHIL COOK
THE KOMBOS COLLECTIVE (ALLUVION WORLD MUSIC SERIES) FEAT. MICHAEL MALIS, CONSTANTINE NOVOTNY + ELLIE FALARIS GANELIN
THE ALLUVION BIG BAND
FUNKY FUN MONDAY W/ FUNKY UNCLE
UP NORTH PRIDE HIKE: Noon-1:30pm, Bear River Valley Recreation Area, Petoskey. The trail is about five miles & is an out & back hike. upnorthpride.com/event/2025/4/5/unphike-at-bear-river-valley-recreation-area
NEW YORK STORIES: (See Fri., April 4, except today’s time is 2pm.)
SPRING DOWNTOWN RECESS AT BUSHELL’S
127 S Union Street
WEDNESDAY
APRIL 2 • 5PM-7PM
Craft cocktails, Yuba Vineyards wine and Short’s beer.
Sampling of Bushell’s food. $10 entry.
ENTER TO WIN:
- Dinner & wellness package at Solitude Float Spa, Eternal Wellness & Bushell’s value of $700
- $50 downtown TC gift card
- Custom baseball bag American Flag art value of $375
Recess is brought to you by
OOMEN-FOSTER BOOK PRESENTATION: 2pm, Oliver Art Center, Fisher Room, Frankfort. Anne-Marie Oomen & Linda Nemec Foster will return to the Benzie County region for a unique presentation on their new book, “Lake Huron Mermaid,” including writing prompts & ideas. oliverartcenterfrankfort. org/calendar-2
SPRING DANCE PERFORMANCE: ACCESSIBILITY PERFORMANCE: 2pm, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Corson Auditorium. Interlochen Arts Academy Dance Division presents a wide variety of classical & contemporary dance works including ballet excerpts, modern masterpieces, & student & faculty-choreographed works. Free. interlochen.org/events/spring-dance-performanceaccessibility-performance-2025-04-05
CADILLAC FOOTLITERS PRESENTS “JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT”: (See Fri., April 4)
BLISSFEST TRADITIONAL COMMUNITY
DANCE: 7:30pm, Littlefield/Alanson Community Building, Alanson. Music will be provided by Elpee (Laurie Eberhardt & Peter Martin) with Larry Dyer calling. All dances taught (circles, contras, squares & more). No need to bring a partner. Potluck at 6:30pm. Bring table service & a dish to pass. $10; $5 students; 12 & under free. blissfest.org BROMEO VS THE JULIETTES: (See Fri., April 4)
SPRING DANCE PERFORMANCE: 7:30pm, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Corson Auditorium. Interlochen Arts Academy Dance Division presents a wide variety of classical & contemporary dance works including ballet excerpts, modern masterpieces, & student & faculty-choreographed works. $14-$17. interlochen.org/concerts-and-events/all-events ?search=Spring+Dance+Performance
“THE SLEEPING BEAUTY”: 2pm & 7pm, Dennos Museum Center, Milliken Auditorium, NMC, TC. The Northwest Michigan Ballet Theatre brings a new classical interpretation of “The Sleeping Beauty.” Follow the life of Princess Aurora, from her Christening to her 16th birthday, along with the curse placed on her, all the way to her big wedding celebration. Produced by Artistic Director Thomas Morrell & Company Manager Marleigh Bucenell. Tickets: $12-$25 + fees. mynorthtickets.com/organizations/northwest-michiganballet-theatre
apr 06
sunday
‘UP NORTH’ LAKE & COTTAGE SHOW: (See Fri., April 4, except today’s time is 10am-4pm.)
YOUNG PLAYWRIGHTS
- PAGE TO STAGE: 1:30pm, City Opera House, TC. See youth-created, thought provoking plays performed live. Free; registration required. cityoperahouse.org/node/569
“THE LAKE HURON MERMAID” PRESENTATION & WRITING WORKSHOP: 2pm, Forest Home Twp. Hall, Bellaire. Presented by authors Anne-Marie Oomen & Linda Nemec Foster. They will bring their writing prompts & ideas. “The Lake Huron Mermaid” is a tale of lost sisters, lost amulets, underwater sinkholes & new found love of Big Water. Free. Please register. bellairelibrary.org
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NEW YORK STORIES: (See Fri., April 4, except today’s time is 2pm.)
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BENZONIA AREA COMMUNITY EMERGENCY FUND CONCERT: THE NEPHEWS: 4-6pm, Mills Community House, Benzonia. This trio is made up of Tim & Byron Joseph, along with “Denise” Marlene Wood. They play mostly old songs, in old time country & country blues traditions. Free; donations support the emergency fund. millscommhouse.org/benzonia-area-community-emergency-fund.html
KARA DUO - PIANO & VIOLIN RECITAL: 5pm, Oliver Art Center, Beck Gallery, Frankfort. Violinist Ara Sarkissian & pianist Kara Huber perform a romantic candlelight recital of powerhouse violin & piano duo music. Free. oliverartcenterfrankfort.org/music-series
“BROMEO VS THE JULIETTES” - PAY WHAT YOU CAN: 6:30pm, GT Circuit, TC. This special Pay What You Can performance is a $5 minimum with half the proceeds going to Up North Pride. Set at a 1990s Battle of the Bands, this remix comedy of Romeo and Juliet is a gender-bending pop musical proving that love is love by any name. mashuprockandrollmusical.com/upcoming-shows-tickets
“THE SLEEPING BEAUTY”: (See Sat., April 5, except today’s only performance is at 2pm.)
ongoing
FAMILY & FRIENDS MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT GROUP: Wednesdays, noon-1pm, Christ Church, 430 Fair St., TC. namigt.org
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FAMILY MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT GROUP: Mondays, 6-7:30pm, Builders Assoc. Bldg., 3040 Sunset Lane, TC. namigt.org ----------------------
FREE COMMUNITY YOGA CLASS: Wednesdays, 7:30pm, Original Hot Yoga Traverse City. originalhotyogatc.com
INDOOR FARMERS MARKET: The Village at GT Commons, The Mercato corridor, TC. Saturday mornings, 10am-2pm. thevillagetc.com
FREE EVENTS @ THE CENTER, SUTTONS BAY: friendshipcommunitycenter.org/events; 248505-7457
- 5LOAVES2FISH COMMUNITY MEAL DISTRIBUTION: Every Weds. from 4-5:30pm, 5Loaves2Fish hosts a meal distribution site. Fresh, homemade meals are available at no cost on a first come, first serve basis. No questions asked.
- ADVANCED TAI CHI: Mondays & Thursdays, 10am. Prior Tai Chi experience & an RSVP are necessary.
- OPEN TAI CHI: Mondays, 11:30am. No prior Tai Chi experience is required, nor is an RSVP.
- SPANISH CONVERSATION COURSE: Tuesdays, 2pm. Chat with, & learn alongside community members of all levels.
- TIMELESS TAPPERS: Wednesdays, 1pm. An adult tap class. No prior tap knowledge is necessary, nor is an RSVP.
art
MUD SEASON ART SHOW: AuSable Artisan Village Performing Arts Center, Grayling. A celebration of creativity, craftsmanship, & the work of the Mud Club members. Runs April 4-13. An opening reception will be held on Fri., April 4 at 4pm. artisanvillage.org/ event/mud-season-art-show
2025 YOUTH ART EXHIBIT, TC: Crooked Tree Arts Center, TC. Runs through April 5. Celebrating the work of K-12 art students & educators from throughout the Grand Traverse region. Gallery hours are Tues. through Fri., 11am-5pm, & Sat., 10am4pm. crookedtree.org/event/ctac-traversecity/2025-youth-art-exhibit-traverse-city
FRIDAY APR. 18 7:30 PM TICKETS $10 - $40 RAMSDELLTHEATRE.ORG FOR INFORMATION OR TO PURCHASE TICKETS MANISTEE, MICHIGAN
ny on Thurs., April 17 from 6-8pm. Gallery hours are Tues. through Sat., 10am-5pm. crookedtree.org/event/ctac-petoskey/youthart-show-2025-petoskey
DENNOS MUSEUM CENTER, NMC, TC:
- “SMALL EXPRESSIONS”: The Handweavers Guild of America, Inc.’s “Small Expressions” exhibit is an annual juried exhibition showcasing contemporary small-scale works using fiber techniques in any media. Works do not exceed 15 inches in any direction, were completed within the last two years, & were not previously published. Runs through May 25. Hours are Tues. through Sun., 11am-4pm. dennosmuseum.org/art/upcoming-exhibitions/ small-expressions.html
- “NORTHWEST MICHIGAN REGIONAL JURIED EXHIBITION”: Held regularly at the Museum for over 30 years, the exhibition features artwork made by regional artists over the last year & juried by an arts professional outside of the region. This year’s juror is Teresa Dunn. It runs through May 25. Hours are Tues. through Sun., 11am-4pm. dennosmuseum.org/art/upcoming-exhibitions/northwest-michigan-juried-show-and-call.html
- “ART OF REGENERATION”: This exhibition was inspired by the regenerative powers of axolotl, Ambystoma mexicanum, an aquatic salamander, also known as the Mexican walking fish. They can regenerate multiple body parts throughout their adulthood. Bright-field microscopic images highlighting axolotl limb regeneration process were used as design elements. The exhibit runs through March 30. Hours are Tues. through Sun., 11am-4pm. dennosmuseum.org/art/upcoming-exhibitions/art-of-regeneration.html
- A STYLE ALL OUR OWN: CANADIAN WOODLAND ARTISTS: Runs through May 25. In the early 1960s, young Indigenous artists from the Great Lakes region created a unique style of painting known as the Woodland School of Art. Early members of this prolific art community included Norval Morrisseau, Carl Ray, Roy Thomas, Sam Ash, Jackson Beardy, & Daphne Odjig. Perhaps the best-known of the group is Norval Morrisseau, who is often referred to as the Father of the Woodland School. Open Tues. through Sun., 11am-4pm. dennosmuseum.org/art/ now-on-view/canadian-woodland-artists.html
- CONTEMPORARY JAPANESE CERAMICS FROM THE HORVITZ COLLECTION: Runs through Sept. 28, 2025. An array of works by contemporary Japanese ceramic artists, this is a sampler of the great diversity of styles, forms, glazes, & ages. These artworks are drawn from the curated collection of Carol & Jeffrey Horvitz, some of the leading collectors of Japanese contemporary
OLIVER ART CENTER, FRANKFORT:
- ANNUAL REGIONAL STUDENT ART EX-
HIBITION: Runs April 4-30. Hundreds of artworks in a wide variety of media from area elementary, middle, & high schools will be on display. Certificates of Excellence & awards, including scholarships to University of Olivet, & monetary awards from Blick Art Materials will be presented during the Opening Reception on Friday April 4, from 5-7pm. oliverart.org
- POETS’ HOUSES: Held in Fisher Room Gallery. This exhibit is a collaboration between ceramic artist Karen Antrim & pastelist Frank Galante. Featuring works that explore 2D & 3D compositional strategies, constructing a visual expression of the world that inspired some of the English language’s most treasured poetry. Runs March 28 - April 26. Check web site for hours. oliverartcenterfrankfort.org
- “SHE: HONORING WOMEN IN ART”: Enjoy this exhibition highlighting what it means to be a woman & an artist in today’s world. It focuses on aspects of positivity, strength, resiliency & creativity & highlights the artists’ ingenuity & ability to build community, generate support, creatively problem-solve & create & sustain life & beauty. An artist talk will take place on Fri., March 28 from 2-4pm. The exhibit runs through March 28. Michigan artists Judy Jashinsky, Melissa Jones, Rebecca Mott & Shelly Taylor will be featured, alongside work in all media curated through an open call. Hours are Tues.- Sat., 10am-4pm; & Sun., noon-4pm. oliverart.org
- PIECE WORK: AN EXHIBITION OF CONTEMPORARY GEE’S BEND QUILTS: Held in the Fisher Room through March 22 in observation of Black History Month. The unique handstitched quilts are from a collection on loan from area resident Patricia Reich, who inherited them from her mother Jan Dolland, who was an advocate for the Quilters of Gee’s Bend in Boykin, Alabama. Oliver Art Center is open Tues. - Sat., 10am-4pm, & Sun., noon-4pm. oliverart.org
Deadline for Dates information is Tuesday for the following week.
CELEBRATING EARTH MONTH
Oryana is hosting four weeks of FREE Earth-wise events. Come celebrate the “third rock from the Sun” with us! Space is limited, so please register at oryana.coop/events.
GRAND TRAVERSE BAY’S LIFELINES: STREAMS, LAKES, AND YOU TUESDAY APRIL ST PM- PM ORYANA WEST COMMUNITY ROOM
Learn about The Watershed Center’s work in protecting and restoring the Grand Traverse Bay watershed, and how you can help.
NATIVE PLANTS FOR HABITAT AND SEASONAL DECOR
TUESDAY APRIL TH PM- PM ORYANA WEST COMMUNITY ROOM
Learn about how to prevent the introduction and spread of invasives by planting native trees, shrubs, wildflowers, and groundcover. Hosted by the Northwest Michigan Invasive Species Network.
BOOKMOBILE: STORYTIME, COLORING, & CRAFTS
TUESDAY APRIL TH PM- PM ORYANA WEST COMMUNITY ROOM
Join us for an environmentally focused story time with the Traverse Area District Library. Families and kids welcome!
MAKE-AND-TAKE: BUILD YOUR OWN WORM COMPOST BIN
TUESDAY APRIL ND PM- PM ORYANA WEST COMMUNITY ROOM
Build your own compost system - worms included! Our friends from SEEDS will instruct this hands-on workshop. Pre-registration is required for this event.
ENCORE 201, TC
3/22, 3/28-3/29 & 4/5 -- DJ Ricky T, 9
4/4 -- The Jon Archambault Band, 8-10:30; DJ Ricky T, 10:30-2
IDENTITY BREWING CO., TC
4/4 -- Samuel Harness, 6:30-8:30
KILKENNY'S IRISH PUBLIC HOUSE, TC 9:30:
3/21-22 -- Risque
3/28-29 -- Somebody's Sister & The Good Fellas
4/4-5 -- The Off Beat Band
KINGSLEY LOCAL BREWING
3/25 & 4/1 – Open Mic Night, 6-8
3/27 & 4/3 – Trivia Night w/ Marcus Anderson, 6:30-8:30
LEFT FOOT CHARLEY, TC BARREL ROOM, 6-9: 3/24 & 3/31 -- Open Mic w/ Rob Coonrod
3/22 -- Alluvion World Music Series: The Oblivion Project, 7:30-9
3/24 -- Big Fun - Funky Fun Mondays, 6-8:30
3/26 -- Full Tilt Comedy Improv: "Staycation" wsg The Comedy Project, 7-9
3/27 & 4/3 -- The Jeff Haas Trio feat. Laurie Sears + Lisa Flahive, 6-8:30
3/28 -- Harmolodics & Evening Star, 7-10
3/29 -- History Creek Revival & Stone Hut Studios, 7-9:30
3/30 -- The Alluvion Big Band, 3-5
3/31 -- Funky Uncle - Funky Fun Mondays, 6-8:30
4/2 -- A Benefit Concert for Musicians Impacted by LA Fires, 7-9:30
4/4 -- Hail Your Highness + BIMBO + Trash Can Symphony, 7-10
4/5 -- The Vincent Chandler Experience, 7:30-9:30
4/6 -- Tim Eriksen w/ Laurel Premo, 7-9:30
Antrim & Charlevoix
4/6 -- Vinyl Record Crate Dig w/ DJ Franck & DJ Yokob, 1-5
JAX NORTHSIDE, CHARLEVOIX
Wed -- Trivia Night w/ Michael Swartz of My Clueis Trivia, 7-9
MUSKRAT DISTILLING, BOYNE CITY
8-11:
3/28 -- Buddha Sweet
4/4 -- Lou Thumser
THE HAYLOFT INN, TC
7:30-11:
3/22 -- Vertigo
3/28 -- Simple Machine
3/29 -- Empire Highway
THE LITTLE FLEET, TC
3/26 & 4/2 -- DJ Dusty Staircase, 6-9
3/29 -- NOIR3 † Post-Punk †
Industrial † Darkwave: DJ Franck wsg Yakob, 8-11
THE PARLOR, TC 8-11:
3/25 & 4/1 -- Jesse Jefferson
3/26 & 4/2 -- Rob Coonrod
3/27 -- SkyeLea
THE PUB, TC
3/22 – Beans N’ Cheese, 9-12
3/26 & 4/2 -- Zeke Clemons, 8-11
3/27 & 4/3 -- David Martón, 7-10
THE WORKSHOP BREWING CO., TC
3/22 -- 90s Night w/ The Cassettes, 7 3/25 & 4/1 -- Open Mic w/ Zak Bunce, 7
3/27 & 4/3 -- DJ Trivia, 7 3/28 -- Rebekah Jon, 7
3/29 -- Hannah Rose Graves, 7
3/30 -- Full Tilt Comedy Presents Comedy Mixtape #22, 7
4/4 -- Jazz Jam w/ Ron Getz Trio, 6 4/5 -- The Timebombs, 7
UNION STREET STATION, TC
3/22 -- DJ Parker Marshall, 10
3/27 & 4/3 -- DJ 1Wave, 9
3/28 -- The Boardman River Band, 10 3/29 -- DJ Prim, 10 4/4 -- The Ampersands Band, 10
SHORT'S PUB, BELLAIRE
3/27 & 4/3 -- Trivia w/ DJ Trivia, 6:30
STIGGS BREWERY & KITCHEN, BOYNE CITY
4/2 -- Open Mic w/ Nelson Olstrom, 6
WALLOON WATERSHED, WALLOON VILLAGE
Thu -- Laura Crowe, 6-9
BOB'S PLACE, ALANSON
3/26 -- Mike Ridley, 6-9
BOYNE VALLEY VINEYARDS, PETOSKEY
2-6:
3/22 -- Michelle Chenard
3/29 -- Chris Calleja
4/5 -- Two Track Mind
CITY PARK GRILL, PETOSKEY
3/25 & 4/1 -- Trivia Night, 7-9
3/28 & 4/4 -- Annex Karaoke, 9:30
GYPSY DISTILLERY, PETOSKEY
2-4:
3/22 -- Sean Bielby
4/5 -- Matt Gabriel
BEL LAGO VINEYARD, WINERY & CIDERY, CEDAR
3/22 -- Chris Smith, 5-7
BLACK STAR FARMS, SUTTONS BAY
BISTRO POLARIS, 6-8:
3/22 – Jakob Abraham
3/29 – David Lawston
4/5 -- Samba D Duo
BOATHOUSE VINEYARDS, LAKE LEELANAU TASTING ROOM:
3/28 -- Loose Change, 5:30-8
FIVE SHORES BREWING, BEULAH 6-9:
3/27 & 4/3 -- Trivia Night w/ Mark 3/28 & 4/4 -- Open Mic w/ Andy Littlefield
Emmet & Cheboygan
HIGH FIVE SPIRITS, PETOSKEY
3/29 & 4/5 -- DJ Parker Marshall, 9
NOGGIN ROOM PUB, PETOSKEY
3/22 -- Paul Bedour, 7-10
3/26 & 4/2 -- Singo Bingo, 6:30
3/28 -- Eric Jaqua, 7-10
3/29 -- Adam Hoppe, 7-10
4/4 -- Lee Fayssoux, 7-10
4/5 -- Holly Keller, 7-10
ODAWA CASINO RESORT, PETOSKEY
VICTORIES:
3/21-22 & 3/29 -- Live DJ, 9
Send
POND HILL FARM, HARBOR SPRINGS
5-8:
3/22 -- Chris Michels
4/5 -- Pete Kehoe
RUSTY SAW, BRUTUS
3/22 -- Mike Ridley, 6-9
THE BEAU, CHEBOYGAN 7:
3/28 & 4/4 -- Musician's Playground
4/5 -- Nate King
THE WIGWAM, INDIAN RIVER
3/27 & 4/3 -- Dominic Fortuna, 7:30-9:30
FRENCH VALLEY VINEYARD, CEDAR
4:
3/27 -- Jesse Jefferson
4/3 -- Billy & The Kid
IRON FISH DISTILLERY, THOMPSONVILLE
5:30-7:30:
3/22 -- Fred & Smed
3/28 -- Larz Cabot
3/29 -- Jakob Abraham
4/4 -- Blake Elliott
LAKE ANN BREWING CO.
3/22 -- Drew Hale, 6:30-9:30
3/27 & 4/3 -- Trivia Night, 7-9
3/28 -- The Lab Ratz - Niemisto/ Kumjian/Blumenfeld, 6:30-9:30
3/29 -- WSKF, 6:30-9:30
4/4 -- John Paul, 6:30-9:30
4/5 -- John Piatek Duo, 6:30-9:30
LITTLE TRAVERSE INN, MAPLE CITY
3/28 -- Billy & The Kid, 6-9
ST. AMBROSE CELLARS, BEULAH
3/22 -- Barefoot, 5-8
3/27 & 4/3 -- Open Mic Night, 6-9
3/28 -- Highway North, 5-8
3/29 -- Tangled Up In Tunes: A Bob Dylan Theme Night, 6-9
SHADY LANE CELLARS, SUTTONS BAY
3/28 -- Friday Night Live w/ The Real Ingredients, 4-7
4/3 -- Trivia Night, 5-7
SWEET’S BAR & GRILL, HONOR Mon. – Music Bingo, 7 Fri. – Music Bingo, 8; Karaoke, 10 Sat. – Karaoke, 8
lOGY
MAR 17 - MAR 23
BY ROB BREZSNY
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Ancient Rome's emperor Julius Caesar undertook a radical move to fix the calendar, which had become increasingly inaccurate as the centuries passed. He added three months to the year 46 BCE, which as a result was 445 days long. I'm thinking that 2025 might seem equally long for you, Aries. Your destiny may feel like it's taking forever to unfold. APRIL FOOL! I totally lied. In fact, I think 2025 will be one of your briskest, crispest years ever. Your adventures will be spiced with alacrity. Your efforts will be efficient and expeditious. You may sometimes be amazed at how swiftly progress unfolds.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): When worked on the Duke University grounds crew years ago, I did the work I was assigned as quickly as possible. Then would hide in the bushes, taking unauthorized breaks for an hour or two, so I could read books I loved. Was that unethical? Maybe. But the fact is, I would never have been able to complete my assigned tasks unless I allowed myself relaxation retreats. If there is an equivalent situation in your life, Leo, urge you to do as I did. APRIL FOOL! I half-lied. The truth is that I think you should be a little less extravagant than I was—but only a little—as you create the spaciousness and slack you need.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): In his film Fitzcarraldo, Virgo director Werner Herzog tells an epic story. It includes the task of hauling a 320-ton steamship up a hill and over land, moving it from one river to another. Herzog could have relied on special effects to simulate this almost impossible project, but he didn’t. With a system of pulleys and a potent labor force, he made it happen. I urge you to try your equivalent of Herzog’s heroic conquest, Virgo. You will be able to summon more power and help than you can imagine. APRIL FOOL! I half-lied. While it’s true that you will be able to summon more power and help than you can imagine, still think you should at least partially rely on the equivalent of special effects.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Researchers discovered that Egyptian fruit bats engage in extensive communication with each other while nesting in their roosts. Surprisingly, they talk about their problems a lot. In fact, they quarrel 60 percent of the time. Areas of disagreement include food allocation, positions within the sleep cluster, and males initiating unwanted mating moves. Let's make these bats your power creatures. The astrological omens say it's time for you to argue more than you have ever argued. APRIL FOOL! I was not entirely truthful. The coming weeks will be a good time to address disagreements and settle disputes, but hopefully through graceful means, not bitter arguing.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Unlike many modern poets, Scorpio-born Alice Notley rejects the notion that she must be part of any poetic lineage. She aspires "to establish or continue no tradition except one that literally can’t exist— the celebration of the singular thought sung at a particular instant in a unique voice.” She has also written, "It’s necessary to maintain a state of disobedience against everything." She describes her work as “an immense act of rebellion against dominant social forces.” invite you to enjoy your own version of a Notley-like phase, Scorpio. APRIL FOOL! I lied. In fact, I encourage you to enjoy a Notley-like phase beginning May 1. But for now, I invite you to be extra attentive in cultivating all the ways you can benefit from honoring your similarities and connections with others.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): The Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) is a standardized test that many American high school students take to prove their worth to colleges. The highest possible score is achieved by fewer than one percent of test-takers. We might imagine that earning such a premium grade must guarantee admission to any school, but it doesn't. During one five-year period, for example, Stanford University rejected 69 percent of applicants with the highest possible score. I'm sorry to predict that a comparable experience might be ahead for you, Sagittarius. Even if you are your best and brightest self, you may be denied your rightful reward. APRIL FOOL! I totally lied. Here's my real, true prediction: In the coming weeks, I believe you will be your best and brightest self—and will win your rightful reward.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) The visible part of an iceberg is typically just 10 percent of its total size. Most is hidden beneath the sea’s surface. References to “the tip of the iceberg” have become a staple metaphor in many cultures, signifying situations that are not what they seem. Of all the zodiac tribes, Scorpios are renowned for their expertise in discerning concealed agendas and missing information. The rest of us tend to be far less skillful. APRIL FOOL! fibbed. These days, you Capricorns are even more talented than Scorpios at looking beyond the obvious and becoming aware of the concealed roots and full context.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): In the coming weeks, I advise you to be like the 19thcentury poet Emily Dickinson. She lived in quiet seclusion, corresponding through letters instead of socializing. She seemed content to write her poems all alone in her home and be unconcerned about trying to get them published. APRIL FOOL! lied. Here’s my real horoscope: Now is a highly favorable time for you to shmooze with intensity at a wide range of social occasions, both to get all the educational prods you need and to advance your ambitions.
PISCES (Feb 19-March 20): Some systems and situations improve and thrive in response to stress and errors. Indeed, some things need strain or irregularity to be fully healthy. For example, human bodies require a certain amount of stress to develop a resistance to infection. In reading the astrological omens, I conclude you now need stimulation like that. APRIL FOOL! I lied. Here's the truth: August of 2025 will be a great time for you to harvest the benefits of benevolent stress. But for now, your forte will be the capacity to avoid and resist stress, confusion, and errors.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Guilt and fear are always useless distractions from what’s really happening. Right? APRIL FOOL! The fact is that on rare occasions, being anxious can motivate you to escape from situations that your logical mind says are tolerable. And guilt may compel you to take the right action when nothing else will. This is one time when your guilt and fear can be valuable assets.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): The German word Flüsterwitze means "whisper jokes." These jests make taboo references and need to be delivered with utmost discretion. They may include the mockery of authority figures. Dear Gemini, I recommend that you suppress your wicked satire and uproarious sarcasm for a while and stick to whisper jokes. APRIL FOOL! I lied. The truth is that the world needs your outspokenness. Your ability to call out hypocrisies and expose corruption—especially with humor and wit—will keep everyone as honest as they need to be.
CANCER (June 21-July 22): In the lead-up to the Paris-hosted 2024 Summer Olympics, the iconic Eiffel Tower was repainted gold. This was a departure from tradition, as the usual colors had been brown on the bottom and red on the top. The $60-million job took 25 painters 18 months. I recommend that you undertake an equally monumental task in the coming months, Cancerian. APRIL FOOL! lied. In fact, do hope you undertake a monumental task—but one that’s more substantive than changing the surfaces of things. Like revisioning your life story, for example—reinterpreting your past and changing the way it informs your future. I think you are ready to purge inessential elements and exorcize old ghosts as you prepare for a re-launch around your birthday.
“Jonesin” Crosswords
"Drinks All Around"--these ones are on me. by Matt
ACROSS
1. Some are precious
5. Org. that puts on the World Cup
9. Honorary U.K. title
12. "The Fog of War" documentarian Morris
13. Magnum ___
14. Flex
16. Glass set in a wall
18. 1952 Olympic city
19. "Quit it!"
20. Entrees made with skirt steak
22. Aspiring attys.' exams
25. "Grumpy Old Men" actor Davis
26. Vintner's valley
29. Cut short
32. Emanation of a sort
33. Apelike
34. Record store purchases
37. ___ chi
38. IRS payment
39. "Have I Got News For You" network
40. "That meme is funny"
41. Bad ___, Germany
42. Expressed a view
44. "Sisters" actress Ward
45. Words associated with Lincoln
47. Rowing team
48. Sprawling estate
50. "Oscar of the Internet" since 1995
52. Approve of
55. Like a Dickensian Dodger
59. Word from Watson
60. Wage increase
63. Knit's reverse
64. Disney film featuring light cycles
65. Formally gave up
66. Office bldg. division
67. Garden pest
68. Those, in Quito
1. Wide smile
2. Cube master Rubik
3. Like some furniture
4. Difficult chores
5. Dandy
6. Hoppy brew
7. Answer to the joke "Mr. Freud, what's between fear and sex?"
8. Not docked
9. Reed player
10. Popular read
11. Former Chinese premier Zhou ___
12. Ram's mate
15. Prescription info
17. Messaging service with between 2-3 billion unique accounts worldwide
21. Fabric store that's closing all locations in 2025
23. Drag performer Mattel
24. Addition result
26. Sticky ___
27. Essayist Gopnik
28. Blowgun projectile
30. ___ Creed (church recitation)
31. Vending machine option
35. Vaulter's need
36. BBQ side
38. "___ is human"
43. 180 degrees from SSE
44. Grim Reaper accessories
46. Soba, e.g.
48. Beaker's noise
49. Beef cattle breed
51. Utah's ___ Canyon
53. Fast flyers
54. "Downton Abbey" title
56. Generic dog name
57. Hawaiian strings
58. Was in front
61. Singer Reed
62. "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" director Lee
Jones
CLASSIFIEDS
FSBO 3BD/1.5 CONDO IN ACME, $299K, *realtor seller: updated, turn-key condo close to shopping,dining,beaches. $338. HOA .231-709-5221
SEWING, ALTERATIONS, MENDING & REPAIRS. Maple City, Maralene Roush 231228-6248
MAH JONGG CLASSES IN APRIL: Dive into Mah Jonng - learn the game or sharpen your skills. BEGINNER (Thurs. 4/3 - 4/24) & STRATEGIES (Tues. 4/8 - 4/2). Call/e-mail for details: chocolady@aye.net, 231-383-0803.
TRAVERSE CITY COTTAGE FOR RENT: TC 1 BR Cottage, Very Nice, Utilities Included, Fully Furnished, All New Appliances Including W/D, Patio, BBQ, No Pets, Month to Month to 1 Year; $1,600 per month; (231) 631-7512.
WANTED: LEGOS - FATHER & SON LOOKING TO BUY LEGOS: looking to sell any legos? if so, we're buying. give me a call at 231-463-0026
PAID PART-TIME JOB TRAINING FOR SENIORS AGED 55+: Paid Part-Time Assignments Waiting To Be Filled in Traverse City for Seniors who are aged 55 & over. You must be unemployed, seeking work and meet an income guideline. Receptionist/Clerical, Employment Specialist Trainee, Customer Service/Retail, Custodial and more. We serve 19 Lower Michigan counties-call to learn more. AARP Foundation SCSEP 231-252-4544.
THE FLATS - A GREAT PLACE TO CALL HOME!: new condos, williamsburg,2 & 3 bedrooms for rent. available now231.499.9310!
JUNIOR HIGH TEACHER BEGINNING AUGUST 2025, Compass Montessori Junior High in downtown Traverse is hiring a full-time adolescent guide for 7th and 8th grade. Click the link for details on the role.; https://www.traversechildrenshouse.org/ employment.asp
NOW HIRING! WANT TO MAKE AN IMPACT IN THE COMMUNITY BY FOSTERING LIFELONG LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES? Join Northwestern Michigan College! We are seeking applications for several positions including Aviation Recruiter, Audio Technology Coordinator, Great Lakes Maritime Academy Office Manager, Individual Giving Officer, and groundskeeper. Apply online for these roles and more http://jobs.nmc.edu
