M-22 Challenge returns June 14

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Imagine 900 kayaks lying side by side in rows on the banks of Little Glen Lake near Glen Arbor. A few yards away, picture 900 bikes hanging in organized racks. Beyond the bikes looms the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore where 900 athletes, ranging from 14-71 years old and hailing from 15 states and countries as far away as Switzerland, will run up the famous “Dune Climb”. You are picturing the sixth annual M-22 Challenge, which features athletes competing in the “Most Beautiful Place in America”.

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Biking “The Bear” Tour brings cycling tourism to Leelanau

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Beginning Wednesday, June 11, 300 cyclists participating in the 2014 NorthWest Biking The Bear Tour will begin the annual five-day tour of the Sleeping Bear Dunes, Traverse City, Leelanau and Frankfort areas. Each day, cyclists will ride a looped route that starts from their base camp at Indigo Bluffs RV Park. They will visit the following areas to enjoy the scenery, restaurants, and tourist attractions of Northwest Michigan.

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Friends of Sleeping Bear seeks Trail Ambassadors

Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes and Sleeping Bear Dunes National will host a kickoff meeting for Trail Ambassador volunteers on the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail Saturday, June 7 at 1 p.m. in the DH Day Log Cabin in DH Day Campground. Please park at Glen Haven and ride your bike or walk the trail to the cabin.

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Adopt-A-Beach within Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore will host a kickoff meeting for Adopt-A-Beach volunteers on Saturday, May 31, at 1 p.m. in the Philip A. Hart Visitor Center on M-72 in Empire.

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Meet astronomer Tyler Nordgren at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

Learn why “Half the Park is After Dark” and kick-off your holiday weekend by enjoying two unique events on Friday, May 23, at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. At 7 p.m. at the Philip A. Hart Visitor Center in Empire, join astronomer, author, artist and night sky ambassador, Tyler Nordgren, for an educational and entertaining program on the wonders of dark skies.

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National Lakeshore celebrates Glen Haven Days

Step back in time with a visit to an historic Great Lakes village and United States Life-Saving Station during Glen Haven Days at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore on Saturday, May 24, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Join Park Rangers and volunteers in hands-on activities related to Michigan’s maritime heritage that will bring history of the early 1900s to life.

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Empire Asparagus Festival pops out of the ground

It’s spring — at least according to the calendar book, and to the tourism arrival schedule (Memorial Day weekend is just a week away!). And yet, Leelanau County today knows only rain and a chilly 40 degrees (and tomorrow could yield snow!). Nevertheless, Empire’s 11th annual Asparagus Festival commences tomorrow, May 16, with a dance and pig roast from 7-10 p.m. Eat fresh pork supplied by Art’s Tavern and wash it down with asparagus beer from Right Brain Brewery in Traverse City. Then stomp your feet to music from the Benzie Playboys.

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Empire Chiropractic Health Center holds open house

The Empire Chiropractic Health Center invites the public to a community open house on Saturday, May 17, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. — the weekend of the Empire Asparagus Festival — in their space in the same building as State Savings Bank. Dr. Jason Van Skyhock is excited to introduce new team member Lance Mazurek, a certified massage therapist specializing in Swedish, deep tissue, prenatal, sports and orthopedic-rehabilitative. Mazurka was recently voted third place in MyNorth.com’s Red Hot Best of Northern Michigan.

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Sleeping Bear celebrates Wilderness Law

The public is invited to a special ceremony dedicating the Sleeping Bear Dunes Wilderness on Friday, May 30, at noon at the #3 Dune Overlook on Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive. This newest of the nation’s Wilderness areas was the accomplishment of many individuals and organizations working together to preserve this special place for all to enjoy. Come celebrate this accomplishment with a special program featuring local residents, National Park Service officials and members of the Michigan Congressional Delegation.

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Calling on Dads everywhere to support Nigerian fathers of captured girls

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Concerned area fathers are being asked to meet at the Traverse City Open Space on Thursday evening, May 15 at 6 p.m., to demonstrate a showing of DADS who care greatly about the plight of those fathers and their families who have faced the tragedy of losing their daughters in Nigeria’s horrific kidnapping. The group “Stand with Nigeria’s Dads” hopes to gather 276 Dads — the same number as the girls abducted by Boko Haram — to show their support in a group photo.

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