After half a decade of planning, some debate, and the solidification of enthusiastic support across a broad spectrum of the public, the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail will officially launch with a groundbreaking ceremony at the Dune Climb on Friday, August 12 at 11 a.m. When completed, the 27-mile trail will run from the southern edge of Leelanau County, through the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore to Good Harbor Bay.
Great Lakes Friends of Safe Passage will sponsor the second annual Esperanza 5K run on Aug. 13 at 10 a.m. (registration at 9) at the Grand Traverse Commons in Traverse City. “Esperanza” is the Spanish word for “hope”. Safe Passage is an internationally recognized nonprofit dedicated to bringing hope and opportunity to children of the Guatemala City garbage dump community.
Writing a review for a dear friend is always a risk because, well, what if you don’t like the book? Fortunately, it is an honor and pleasure to review Jacob Wheeler’s beautiful first book Between light and Shadow: A Guatemalan Girl’s Journey through Adoption (University of Nebraska Press, April 2011).
For those who seek treasures within the pages of a good book (or, perhaps, in this electronic age, a movie, CD, or audiobook), ye need look no further than the Glen Arbor Township Hall, where the Annual Friends of the Glen Lake Community Library Vintage Book Sale will take place on August 10-12.
It’s almost 10 p.m. and the hottest July 20th on record here since 1977. Undaunted, humans are thicker than mosquitoes on the deck above the beach at The Leelanau School’s C.H. Lanphier Observatory.
Traverse City artist Joe De Luca will remember his recent travels through the Italian cities of Tuscany, Pompeii and Herculaneum in a series of mixed media panels on exhibit at the Center Gallery/Lake Street Studios on Lake Street in Glen Arbor. The show opens Aug. 5 with a 6 p.m. reception.
Reading a Bonnie Jo Campbell book is like sitting down for a cuppa, or a cold one, with your very best gal pal. You can let loose and relax, kick off your shoes, loosen your girdle, because she does, her story does, the way it weaves in and around you and floats you along, easy, easy. Just like a river.
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.
Ruth Conklin Gallery, Glen Arbor, is celebrating a decade of Sticks trunk shows Wednesday, August 3 through Friday, August 5, with guest artist Sarah Grant, Sticks creator/owner, and design staff from Des Moines.
A chef demonstration featuring Randy Chamberlain, chef and owner of Blu in Glen Arbor, will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 2 at the Glen Arbor Farmers Market. The chef demo is free, and everyone is welcome to watch Chef Randy prepare a meal using fresh produce and products from the farmers market.