Elizabeth Buzzelli, author of five novels, will have a two week residency at the Glen Arbor Art Association, culminating in a presentation to the public on Thursday, Oct. 25, at 7:30 p.m. While in Glen Arbor Buzzelli intends to work on a new novel, The Gathering, which will be a departure from her five published works, among them Dead Dogs and Englishmen, which was chosen as one of the best novels published in 2011 by Kirkus Review; one of the best mysteries of the year by the Christian Science Monitor; and available now at the Cottage Book Shop in Glen Arbor.

Dorothy Brooks of East Lansing plans to use her Glen Arbor Art Association two-week residency to “write a series of poems (10-15) with Lake Michigan as theme: seen from my own unique perspective.” Brooks has spent many summers in northern Michigan on its lakes, rivers and woods and now wants to “breathe the lake” and absorb and record what she finds.

“Saturdays at the Lakeshore” programs take place every Saturday from Sept. 15 through Oct. 27. Meet at the Philip A. Hart Visitor Center in Empire on M-72 at 1 p.m. to meet the Park Ranger who will lead the hike. Then, car caravan a short distance to where the walk will begin. Each week, a different topic and location in the park will be featured. All are welcome. Each program will be no more than a mile and a half round trip and will conclude by 3 p.m.

After a successful inaugural year, the Glen Arbor Art Association (GAAA) will begin its second season of Readers’ Theater with “The 39 Steps”, a fast-paced thriller about spies, secrets, murder and mayhem. Auditions will be held at the GAAA building on Wednesday, Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. for performances on Saturday, Dec. 1 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 2 at 2 p.m.

Steven Walker of Westerville, Ohio, will make a presentation about his Artist-in-Residence experience at the Glen Arbor Art Association on Thursday, Sept. 13, at 7:30 p.m. Born in Myrtle Beach, S.C., and raised in Richmond, Va., Walker is a prolific and dedicated “nature” artist. He received his BFA from Virginia Commonwealth University and began a career in illustration. Soon thereafter he began teaching at VCU and then pursued his MFA at Marywood University. He began to exhibit his work in galleries and was well received. His many accomplishments include awards in plein air painting and landscape competitions. He won a blue ribbon in the Ohio Plein Air competition. His work is in many private collections such as Boy Scouts of America, Dominion Resources and the United State Air Force. He has been in many solo and group exhibitions.

The Bay Theatre of Suttons Bay is proud to present another exciting season of award-winning world cinema with the new 2012-2013 Bay Film Series. This diverse collection of outstanding films from eight different countries will take you on a journey through heartwarming comedy, compelling drama, dynamic dance, innocent adventure, riveting reality, and much more. The Series runs September thru April featuring one film per month — that’s eight great films you won’t want to miss!

Are you a visual artist interested in exploring a new medium? Are you a quilter, but do not think you are an artist, or want to expand beyond the traditional? The Glen Arbor Art Association (GAAA) is offering a special Fabric Art workshop this September. “The Quilt as Art: Introduction to Non-Traditional, Contemporary Quilt Making” will be a two-day weekend event Sept. 8-9 at the GAAA building in Glen Arbor.

Genuine Leelanau, a nonprofit charitable organization serving children and families of Leelanau County for the past 20 or so years, is hosting their annual gala, the Laundry Party, on Thursday, September 6 at the gracious Simpson home, overlooking Good Harbor Bay. The Laundry Project, GL’s most notable charitable recipient, supplies funds and laundry supplies for families who cannot afford to use a laundromat. Proceeds from the Laundry Party fill the coffers for this project’s annual budget. Tickets are available for $50 each through any GL member. Laundry Party guests will enjoy sumptuous food and drink, the opportunity to bid on two outrageously eclectic birdhouses sculpted by Dewey Blocksma, great community, and a classically fabulous Leelanau view. Party starts at 6 PM, 110 Highland Dr., off M22 behind the Good Harbor Vineyard tasting room. Guests are invited to bring a large box of diapers for the local free pantries. For more information contact GL member Sandra Carden, (231) 256-9027.

The Leelanau Press, a nonprofit publishing company, is undertaking a major effort to recognize the work of artists who have painted in this unique northern Michigan gem. A future publication, Art of the Sleeping Bear Dunes, and a major exhibition at the Dennos Museum Center at Northwestern Michigan College in Traverse City will celebrate what has recently been media-designated as America’s Most Beautiful Place.

Traverse City filmmaker Aaron Dennis (his dad, Jerry, writes wonderful books about the Great Lakes) and I are thrilled that the State Theatre in Traverse City will host the world premier of our documentary, The People and the Olive, on Monday, Sept. 10 at 6:30 p.m.