BETHLEHEM — Walls are often built to make us fear what lurks on the other side — be they neighborhood thieves, or people we perceive to be our enemies.

In Jerusalem, the wall the Israeli government has erected between Jewish Israel and the Palestinian West Bank has dissuaded (and scared) Israelis from visiting their Arab neighbors, made life difficult for Palestinians who work in “Israel proper”, and created a general illusion of a tense conflict between these two proud peoples who currently share the same state. This wall, like other walls built for political reasons, is an unsightly and seemingly archaic approach to urban architecture and problem solving. The Berlin wall comes to mind, as does the wall on the U.S.-Mexican border.

But when Traverse City videographer Aaron Dennis and I crossed through Israel’s “Separation Barrier” yesterday and entered the West Bank town of Bethlehem (known, of course, for its Biblical fame), we experienced not fear but joy at the boisterous sounds of taxi cabs honking, food vendors hawking shawarmas, and hard-working Palestinians returning home to their families. For me as a world traveler, it’s always felt euphoric to depart from the solemn and ritualistic “West” and enter a culture where even strangers exhibit hospitality, handshakes and laughs toward each other.

Dennis and I are in the “Holy Land” to document the Run Across Palestine, a philanthropic venture organized by a team of northern Michiganders who will run 129 miles over five days across the West Bank. The project will raise awareness about the struggles facing olive farmers in Palestine and attempt to reestablish sustainable olive growing practices in a place where the economy, culture and identity are rooted in the ancient tree. Forty-five percent of the agricultural land in the West Bank is used for growing olives, employing 100,000 Palestinians. The money raised by the run will go to fund the replanting of olive trees uprooted in recent years, and to fund scholarships for the children of the farmers.

“The olive tree plays a very important role as a symbol of our perseverance,” said Run Across Palestine coordinator Vivien Sansour. “Planting an olive tree is a huge message of hope. When you plant an olive tree, you’re planting a vision for the future.”

In advance of the run, we’ve visited particular villages in the West Bank, including Bethlehem, Beit Jala, Beit Omar and A’twani and talked with activists, professors, clergymen, students and olive farmers to learn about how Palestinian olive farmers are struggling to overcome the occupation and the challenges it poses to their livelihood.

We’ll ultimately produce a seven-part documentary web series entitled “The People and the Olive”, which will tell stories of hope and perseverance in the West Bank. Check back here in the days to come for videos and blog updates from the Run Across Palestine.

In the meantime, here’s a video of students in A’tawani, a village near Hebron, dancing to traditional music and performing a skit about how they experience the occupation of their land, and their interaction with Israel’s settlement communities.

Local writer Kim Schneider penned this great piece for the Grand Rapids Press titled “Get a taste of Italy during cooking classes at The Homestead Resort” about Italian cooking classes that the local resort will offer during Saturdays in March.

Read this excerpt below, or check out the entire piece here.

After a tasty and entertaining cooking class at The Homestead Resort in Glen Arbor recently, I now know you should never cook with wine you wouldn’t want to drink (ie: there’s no such thing as “cooking” wine) and you don’t dare substitute for San Marzano tomatoes a generic Roma that didn’t grow in the terroir at the base of Mount Vesuvius in Naples.

The resort’s first series of Italian cooking classes are as much about food history, tasting and fun as they are about technique as run by Italian-trained chef and history buff Chef John Piombo. The resort’s head chef for most of the past eight years, Piombo was trained at L’alberghiera Maria Mazzini in Genoa, Italy, where he also spent much of his childhood being inspired by whatever was cooking on his mother’s stove.

Are you interested in food from all around the world? Would you like to experience a different culture’s food?

Join The Leelanau School in the Karman Activity Center for a multi-continental dinner on Dec. 3 or Dec. 9 from 6:30-8 p.m. Your taste buds will be satisfied.

There are two meal options:
• $15 includes a meal with one entrée, drink, appetizer and dessert.
• $20 includes a sampler platter with food from all six continents, with a drink.

The whole event will be run by Leelanau School students. The event is open to faculty, local residents and anyone in between. Student Jonathan Sloan is conducting this event for his Senior Seminar class. Sloan is interested in the restaurant business.

Why Should you come? It’s a unique dining experience in a beautiful setting.

To RSVP, email jon23sloan@yahoo.com or call (248) 756-1146.

This GlenArbor.com story was sponsored by Sugarfoot Saloon, serving Mexican fair in Leelanau County.

Share the love of Leelanau (and Leelanau wine) at the “Taste the Passion” wine tour on Feb. 4-5, 2012. This special weekend celebrates wine, chocolate and love at the wineries of the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail in northern Michigan.

Your ticket allows you to chart your own course, enjoying food and wine pairings at 17 wineries along with a optional winter and Valentine-themed activities at many of the wineries.

“Taste the Passion is definitely our most intimate event,” says winemaker Larry Mawby. “Our tasting rooms are cozy refuges in wintertime, and with less people on the trail, it’s a great opportunity to talk directly with winemakers and vineyard owners. To top it all off, Leelanau County is a winter paradise, offering everything from cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, to enjoying great meals at our restaurants, and evenings by the fireplace. This is a perfect chance to hit a Christmas gift or Valentine’s Day home run!”

Tickets are just $30, and quantities are limited. Secure yours as soon as possible, as most of our trail events do sell out. There are also lodging packages that include tickets. Come early for a Friday night reception at the Homestead Resort. Visit www.lpwines.com for complete details.

Taste the Passion Food Pairings:

Bel Lago will feature its Pinot Noir paired with a slice of Decadent Chocolate Cake.

Black Star Farms presents a molten chocolate cake with vanilla bean infused crème anglaise and pistachio cranberry white chocolate bark paired with its Sirius Cherry dessert wine.

Brengman Brothers will pair Runaway Hen Syrah and a bittersweet chocolate truffle with Parmesan cheese, coarse sea salt and bacon.

Chateau de Leelanau is serving up Cherry Chipotle Mole Chicken Wings paired with its Riesling Harvest Select.

Chateau Fontaine offers Greek-inspired Chocolate Chili Dogs, topped with Cheddar Cheese and optional onions paired with its Big Paw Red.

Cherry Republic will be serving a chocolate coffee cake truffle with its Shook Dessert Wine.

Forty-Five North will have red wine marinated figs wrapped in bacon with mascarpone cheese and drizzled with a red wine chocolate sauce paired with 45 Red, a blend of Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, & Merlot.

Gills Pier will be serving mini chocolate/honey mousse cups with sea salt and cocoa nibs, paired with its Whitewater, a semi-sweet white wine made with Vignole grapes.

Good Harbor offers Chicken Jalapeno Soup paired with their Fishtown White.

L. Mawby will give you one piece each of chocolate/bacon and maple/bacon fudge from 45 Parallel Candy World along with its sparkling JADORE.

Silver Leaf entices you with chocolate almond & cherry clusters, paired with two-time gold medal awarded, “Chafia Cherry” wine featuring their new label.

Tandem is serving crepes with chocolate cream cheese filling topped with a Bardenhagen Farms strawberry sauce and paired with cider, of course.

Verterra is serving Vol au Vent Baked French Brie with Verterra Jam (preserves made from wine grapes) and Granny Smith matchstick apples paired with their award-winning Pinot Gris.

The Leelanau Peninsula Vintner’s Association (LPVA) is a 501c3. The LPVA was formed in 2000 with a goal to help spread the word about all the wonderful things the Leelanau Peninsula has to offer including a growing number of award-winning wineries, excellent restaurants and a rich agricultural history. Today, it is the largest and strongest of the four organized wine trails in Michigan which promote the state’s nearly $790 million grape/wine industry.

This GlenArbor.com article was sponsored by Ruth Conklin Gallery, featuring exquisite artwork and handcrafted pieces by over one hundred talented artists.

Are you bored with your mid week dinner routine? Spice it up and come out to Black Star Farms for a gourmet five-course meal prepared from locally grown ingredients. The next Autumn Harvest dinner is scheduled for Oct. 12 and is for anyone who loves fresh garden tomatoes. Dinners begin at 6:30 p.m. and are $45 per person. Take a look at the menu below and be sure to call 231.944.1251 to make your reservation.

This GlenArbor.com online story was sponsored by the Sylvan Inn, nestled in the tall pines at the edge of Glen Arbor.

It isn’t often that a winemaker from Italy travels to Leelanau County to interact with dinner guests, but on Sept. 26, Angela Maculan of Maculan Estate Winery will be at The Homestead to do just that. Guests at the resort north of Glen Arbor will experience exemplary Italian wines from Maculan paired with gourmet food prepared by The Homestead’s Executive Chef John Piombo of Nonna’s. The winemaker chose five distinct wines to serve at each of the five dinner courses including:

• Costadolio Rosato, a full and soft Rose wine made with 100% Merlot grapes
• Brentino, a dry and full-bodied red wine made with 55% Merlot and 45% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes
• Palazzotto Cabernet Sauvignon, a full and dry ruby red wine made with 100% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes
• Pino & Toi, an intense and fruity white wine made with 35% Pinot Bianco, 15% Pinot Grigio and 60% Tai
• Dindarello, a sweet and fresh, full and balanced wine made with 100% Muscatgrapes

Chef John Piombo is the Executive Chef at The Homestead. John was born in New York but returned to Italy with his parents when he was four years old. John had a passion for food even as a young child. He attended L’alberghiera Maria Mazzine in Genoa, Italy and worked in local restaurants as he perfected his culinary skills. He traveled to France, England, Germany and Spain to study different cultures, cuisines and cooking styles. In 1980 he returned to the United States to work in famous restaurants in Washington, D.C., Florida, New York and San Francisco. John came to Northwestern Michigan in 2004 to help build The Homestead’s reputation as a dining destination.

The Maculan Winemaker Dinner will be served at Nonna’s Loft. Seating is limited. Dinner is $85 per person, plus gratuity and sales tax. Call Nonna’s for a dinner reservation at (231) 334-5150. A Maculan Winemaker Dinner lodging package is also available that includes one nights’ lodging, the five-course winemaker dinner, and gratuity. Priced from $144 per person, per night based on double occupancy. Call The Homestead for a lodging reservation at (231) 334-5100.

The 651 Project has been established to assist students nationwide in their pursuit of agricultural skills and knowledge. Specific areas of focus include organic farming, viticulture, construction technology, agritourism, responsible landscape design, and green energy technology. Farm 651 in Cedar will serve as a learning campus for the endeavor.

“Our original plan has always included making the Farm 651 land available to students and nonprofits” says Jason Roggensee — owner of Farm 651. “To realize this goal, we created the 651 Project — a licensed Michigan nonprofit organization”. Students will have the ability to live and work on a functioning farm. Housing will be provided and product sales (produce and fruits) via farm markets and the onsite retail facilities will serve as a living cost stipend to students.

The 651 Project is currently seeking funding to build the “Smart House”, a super efficient Farmhouse that will serve as student living accommodations. Donations can be made on the 651project.org website. Contractors, sponsors and agricultural professionals are being sought out to serve as instructors and project mentors. Anyone interested in participating and sharing their knowledge is encouraged to call.

For more information on The 651 Project, contact Jason Roggensee at farm651@hotmail.com or by calling (231) 944-5283. Alternatively, a website is available at http://www.651project.org detailing programs, specific student opportunities, and donation guidelines.

This GlenArbor.com exclusive is sponsored by the Foothills, a year-round motel and cafe on the east side of Big Glen Lake.

As a horticulturist, my attention instantly focuses on the land around Empire’s vacant buildings, particularly the spacious lot where the schoolhouse sits. My thought is, it needs plants! (Plants other than turf, that is.)

I visualize a garden of native plants surrounding the schoolhouse. In that prominent “gateway” space, such a garden would be a valuable and regionally appropriate aesthetic addition to Empire as well as an educational resource for the region. Such a space would support the Park Service’s plea to use native plants in landscaping (“Protect Your Park from Bullies,” Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Visitor Guide 2011, pg. by offering practical ideas of how to incorporate natives into a landscape with visually exciting results.

As far as I am aware, there currently is no public space where people can go to see natives used successfully in a residential landscape setting. Many people are likely left with a desire to use native plants, but are hesitant about how to proceed. They are not quite sure what plants to select, where to buy them, or how to combine them for the best visual effect. A native plants example garden would serve this need, informing and inspiring locals as well as visitors about plants they see in the wild and demonstrating practical ideas for successfully using them around their homes and cottages.

Regarding the inside of the schoolhouse: It seems the interior space would make a good home for an enlarged Glen Lake Community Library, as well as a community center and winter home for the farmers’ market. Of course, inside visitors would also find additional educational resources about native plants, designing with them, and sustainable landscape practices.

I currently live in Pennsylvania but visit your area several times each year and intend to eventually relocate there. If the idea I’ve outlined sparks any interest, I’d like very much to be involved. I’ve made a career of gardening for the public and am currently employed as a horticulturist at a 31-acre public garden in the Philadelphia suburbs. I have the experience and energy to make this idea a reality.

Sincerely,
Laurel Voran
Philadelphia

This GlenArbor.com exclusive is sponsored by the Glen Lake Manor, where you can take in the view of Little Glen Lake while enjoying dinner.

Robert P., who recently moved here from Chicago, says he has stopped by the Cedar Sol Hydro Farm taco stand at least 12 times since it opened during Cedar’s Polka Fest in early July.

“You can’t get tacos like this anywhere up here,” he exclaims, not whining but appreciative.

Robert, who prefers Cedar Sol’s steak tacos, says he used to stop at any street corner in Chicago and get a taco fix. But it’s a little far to travel these days — plus the taco stand’s location at the top of the hill on County Road 651, barely south of Cedar, has a different ambiance.

“It’s a great place to eat, with a gorgeous view,” he adds, gesturing at the umbrella-shaded picnic table, glowing bright red against the green hillsides and blue sky to the west.

The folks pulling in the stand’s driveway at 2:30 on a Friday afternoon aren’t here for the view. They purposefully stride to the counter, barely glancing at the taco menu on the white board above the grill, and place their orders like old pros. Many of them are, but some are passing through and step on the brake when they see the colorful taco sign and unbelievable price — just $2. Then there’s the taco menu: pork, chicken, steak, chorizo (a spicy Mexican sausage) or bean, served with cilantro and onion on corn or flour tortillas, with homemade hot sauce on the side. For another quarter, you can add Pico de Gallo (fresh, homemade salsa) or shredded cheese for 50 cents. There’s a quesadilla, a side order of tortilla chips and fruity soft drinks, too.

The master behind this mouth-watering Mexican goodness is Carlos Cortez, a Tallahassee transplant who came here to plant strawberries and stayed on to do much more. Cortez lives with the McHughs, including Michael, his wife Nichole and their son Parker. Cortez flashes a smile as he modestly explains that he made tacos once for Cedar Sol’s owners, who “liked them,” and that’s how he found himself with a full-time job.

Michael describes Cortez’s cooking with more aplomb: “He’s a pretty fantastic Mexican cook!”

Adding to the allure is the use of fresh-picked vegetables grown hydroponically on the premises, including lettuce, tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, peppers and summer squash, or what Cortez calls, “a little bit of everything.” Michael says they try to sell out, so the fixings are “made fresh daily.” Next winter, the farm’s homework will include researching local sources for meat, which he explains could result in “considerably less driving and considerably less packaging,” though keeping the tacos priced low might be more challenging.

“That’s the hard part,” Michael admits, “but I’m a farmer; I understand.”

In fact, tacos were added to “round out” Cedar Sol’s early harvest of greens and late harvest of strawberries — and the idea has worked out beautifully.

“It’s been such a hit, which is excellent. It fits the whole groove of what’s going on here. It’s been fun and people suggest foods,” he says, indicating that next year they may add corn on the grill and tamales.

A 60-something Harley rider pulls in, followed by a couple from Northport and a couple of sun-baked guys from Cedar and Interlochen. A truck driver parks and eats his tacos in the driveway. Michael pops up from the picnic table, with a quick farewell, and disappears inside the cedar-sided garage that serves as the farm’s taco stand.

Robert, almost finished with his three-taco meal, has been watching from the picnic table as more than a dozen people have stopped.

“This is great,” he says, observing that brisk business means the taco stand will stick around. “Then, I don’t have to worry.”

Cedar Sol Hydro Farm’s seasonal taco stand, at 9452 S. Cedar Rd., Cedar, is open 7 days a week, 12-8, although they may close the stand every other Sunday. Visit www.cedarsolhydrofarm.com and “like” them on Facebook. Call (231) 228-8000.

The Leelanau Conservancy will hold its Annual Picnic and Auction on Thursday, Aug. 4 at the Rex Dobson Ruby Ellen Farm on Center Highway near Traverse City. The picnic begins at 5 p.m. and features a silent and live auction, as well as pre-picnic field trips, a Kids Tent and a short program that includes recognizing the Conservancy’s “Volunteer of the Year” and “Business Partner of the Year.” A local foods-focused meal will be served, along with local wines. Tickets are $30 for adults until Aug. 1, when the price goes up to $35.

“This is a great event,” says Carolyn Faught, Communications Director. “It’s a real coming together of those who support our work and love what we have here on the Leelanau Peninsula. We’ve been working for months to put together a great auction and there are some exciting changes and new things this year.”

Among them: Mario Batali moves his offer from Omena to New York City and from a single dinner to an entire gastronomical weekend in the “Big Apple.” The fun begins on a mutually agreeable Friday evening at Otto Enoteca Pizzeria in Greenwich Village, for a salumi and wine tasting led by Mario and Otto’s wine director, Chris Peterman. Afterwards, the high bidders will enjoy a delicious and raucous meal in Otto’s dining room, where they will be treated to a special menu of Otto classics and seasonal specials, served with accompanying wines.

On Saturday evening, winners will enjoy dinner at Mario’s flagship, Babbo, where they will be treated to Babbo’s traditional tasting menu, an eight-course chef’s tasting led and cooked by Mario himself and served with accompanying wines chosen by Babbo’s wine director, Alec Steidl.

On Sunday morning, after a quick espresso, the group will get a behind the scenes tour of Eataly, Mario’s brand new gastronomic mecca, just steps away from Madison Square Park. After the tour, they will head to Eataly’s La Scuola for an olive oil tasting class where they will sample a variety of exceptional oils from all areas of the boot. The last stop in the Big Apple Weekend will be lunch at Eataly’s pizza/pasta restaurant, followed by a gelato tasting with Mario. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” says Faught.

Also included are four-star hotel accommodations for six (three rooms) and six tickets and backstage passes to the Broadway musical Wicked, winner of 35 major awards, including a Grammy and 3 Tonys, courtesy of Conservancy members Chris and Meg Cummings.

“We’re grateful to Mario for all he does to help raise awareness about the Leelanau Conservancy,” says Faught. “He even posted our auction item on his Facebook page, which has something like 31,000 viewers. He really cares about Leelanau County and its future.”

Batali says that protecting Leelanau County’s globally rare farmland and its farming way of life is important to him. “I have been to enough places in the world to know that once farms are gone, they are gone forever,” he says. “That is why I believe in eating local foods, and why I support the Leelanau Conservancy’s efforts to protect farmland. This year, I will direct the auction proceeds from my dinner to the Conservancy’s innovative new farmland protection program, so that long after we’re gone, people will still be sitting around the table eating the great food that comes from Leelanau.”

In addition to the Mario Batali offer, there are 120 other items. The live auction will also feature 2 VIP Traverse City Film Festival passes for 2012 with a parking spot and post movie picnic, a morel dinner for 12 prepared by Epicure Catering after a day spent moreling with local expert Leif Sporck, and a weeks’ stay at either a fabulous home in Santa Barbara or a ski chalet in Breckenridge, Colorado.

People from all over the country can bid on any of the items by proxy, even if they can’t come to the event. “We have some pretty unique experiences that are available only through our auction. If you love Leelanau, and want to help protect it, bidding in our auction is a great way to support the Conservancy,” adds Faught. For more info on the picnic, the weekend Mario is offering, and the auction, visit theconservancy.com or call (231) 256-9665.