Art’s for the summer: chronicles of a waitress

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Being a waitress is like being a duck. That’s right, a duck. You may look like you are gliding along a placid pond, but underneath the surface you are paddling frantically. No matter how fast the food may fly out of the kitchen you must be there to calmly escort it to the table with a carefree smile. This is not to say that waitressing is a horribly hard job only for the fearless. No, during my time at work I have met some of the most amazing people just by taking their orders. You get to know a person intimately and quickly by what they choose to order. You can tell a person’s temperament by how impatient they seem for their food. You can judge character by the way that they treat the waitress, me.

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Biking Glen Arbor

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Does Glen Arbor truly embrace bikers? These citizens on two wheels represent a growing share of our tourism pie, as northern Michigan appeals to both recreational and athletic bikers. They represent an active lifestyle that fits our outdoor attractions like a glove; they don’t clog roads or parking lots; they don’t consume fossil fuels and pollute our air, and their leisurely pace makes them ideal targets to visit and financially support our shops, galleries and eateries.

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Country bird nests in the city

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Guillaume and Brook Hazael-Massieux are spreading their wings. The owners of the legendary La Becasse (“the woodcock”) French country restaurant in Burdickville are humming this week into their second nest at 118 Cass Street in downtown Traverse City named Bistro Foufou (“hummingbird”). Their new eatery is the fruit of a three-year process that finally ripened last winter when they negotiated the purchase of Hanna Bistro, a prime location just a block off Front St. in the busy center of Traverse City.

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Test drive Chevy Volt, Support Heritage Trail

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Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail supporters, car enthusiasts and renewable energy advocates will have an opportunity to test drive a GM Chevy Volt on Tuesday, July 31, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at Cherry Republic in Glen Arbor. General Motors, a strong supporter of the Heritage Trail, will make the trip to Glen Arbor with three Chevy Volts to test drive.

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Sleeping Bear Gallery hosts Michigan glass blowers

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Enjoy a unique art experience this weekend at Sleeping Bear Gallery: glass blowing. Michigan Hot Glass, featuring artist Albert Young, will offer free glass blowing demonstrations all day Saturday and Sunday, July 21 and 22. Bring a chair, sit and relax on the back lawn, and witness how glass is blown at the Sleeping Bear Gallery in downtown Empire.

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Cottage Book Shop holds Cottage Antique Market

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This year’s Cottage Antique Market is certain to be as fabulous as last year’s event. It will be held at the Cottage Book Shop, at 5989 Lake Street in Glen Arbor on Wednesday, July 18, the same day as the Glen Arbor Art Fair. Midwest dealers from Michigan, Wisconsin and Iowa will sell their antique and vintage goods including antique, vintage, rustic, hand painted and shabby chic furniture; vintage jewelry and jewelry fashioned from old pieces; fishing and hunting decoys and collectibles; home and garden pieces; pottery and china; and unique items for cottage and home décor.

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Support Heritage Trail and win Chevy Volt

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TART Trails and Cherry Republic have partnered to sponsor the “Charge Up the Dunes” raffle to raise money for the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail campaign. The bearer of the winning ticket will drive away in a brand new Chevy Volt. The raffle has been limited to 1,200 tickets being sold at $100 each or three for $250. The Volt was purchased from General Motors at a significant discount, and it’s a chance to win a $45,000 car for $100.

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Becky Thatcher Designs continues gemstone talks

Glen Arbor jeweler Becky Thatcher’s Tuesday Tea & Talk series — now in its 17th or 18th year (even Thatcher herself is no longer sure how long it has run) — is a creative enough idea, but its origin is a story all of its own.

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Equine-imity reigns at Blue Oxer Farm and Riding Academy

In its bucolic setting about two miles west of Maple City, the Blue Oxer Farm and Riding Academy offers a variety of horse training, rider instruction for both children and adults, boarding and sales. Set on the 120-acre Cold Spring Farm, owned by Alton and Kathy Smith of Raleigh, NC, Blue Oxer was established in 2008 — the dream come true for horse lover, competitor, trainer, instructor and owner Emily King Brinkman.

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Local farmers’ markets spring to life

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Glen Arbor and Empire farmers’ markets offer much more than you might imagine. For starters, each sells the best berry ever to top a shortcake. And that’s just on opening day. Glowing beneath market canopies during my visit in mid-June are plump, sweet strawberries. Quarts and quarts of them in their cute, cardboard suits.

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