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Takin’ the plunge in Empire
Local Personality, Talk of the TownAre you nuts if you jump through frozen ice into a frigid lake in February? Perhaps. But if you jump, take a victory lap, and then jump again, you’re definitely nuts! Check out this video of Empire resident Gerry Shiffman (with Jack Gyr and others) taking part in the annual Polar Dip as part of Empire’s Winterfest this past weekend.
Michiganders run across Palestine, forging bond with olive farmers
Dispatch from Afar, Investigative ArticleTraverse City filmmaker Aaron Dennis and Glen Arbor Sun editor Jacob Wheeler traveled to the Holy Land in early February to document the Run Across Palestine, which was organized by northern Michigand-based On The Ground. The runners logged over 100 miles over five days across the West Bank to raise awareness about the struggles facing […]
Tim Barr turns 60!
Local Personality, Talk of the TownArt’s Tavern owner Tim Barr turned 60 years young on Feb. 16. Nearly 100 Glen Arbor locals came out to the tavern to celebrate him. Riverfront Deli owner Sue Nichols baked these cupcakes in Tim’s likeness (photo below), and Beach Bard Norm Wheeler recited the following poem for Tim (adapted from Stone Circle founder Max Ellison’s poem “50”):
Empire polar dip not for the 99 percent
Talk of the Town, Upcoming EventNinety-nine percent of sane humans wouldn’t consider jumping through a hole in the ice into freezing water. Yet every February, 50 or more people scream and laugh and jump into South Bar Lake in Empire.
“3, 2, 1, to Jenin (Palestine) Yalla Run!”
Dispatch from AfarAt last! The Run Across Palestine arrived Wednesday at Canaan Fair Trade headquarters near Jenin in the Palestinian West Bank following an ultra-marathon that covered over 100 miles in five days. The six U.S. runners, Claire Everhart, Meryl Marsh, Randi Lyn, David Gardner, Timothy Young and Chris Treter — and media team including Aaron Dennis, Jacob Wheeler and Aubrey Parker and musician Joshua Davis — battled nagging injuries, mountainous terrain, fatigue, and hassling by the Israeli military on Day 1, but made it. A joyous celebration ensued Wednesday afternoon between the American runners and their Palestinian hosts.
Joys and Pains on the Run Across Palestine
Dispatch from AfarCultural differences, confusing politics, military checkpoints, consoling worried family back home. Think that’s tough? Not compared to a five-day ultra-marathon across mountainous country with roadsides often strewn with loose rocks or garbage, and cars not used to seeing runners.
Promoting Palestinian art and folklore
Dispatch from AfarOn Monday, Day 3 of the Run Across Palestine, Michigan musician Joshua Davis, Aaron Dennis and I got to visit a dance troupe, art and folklore center in Ramallah — the de facto capitol of the West Bank — called El-Funoun, which is keeping Palestinian art and creative expression alive as a form of protest against the occupation.
Political art sends clearer message than 1,000 speeches
Dispatch from AfarThe Run Across Palestine team marveled at the graffiti and protest art that covers the east side of the wall — reminiscent of the Berlin Wall, and they lamented having to say goodbye to their Palestinian support staff, who were not allowed to enter Jerusalem because they don’t hold Israeli citizenship.
Israeli military stops Run Across Palestine on Day 1
Dispatch from AfarThe Run Across Palestine had gone no more than 10 kilometers between At-Tuwani and Beit Omar, in the southern West Bank, when the Israeli military and border control stopped the run in its tracks. Confusion over whether the runners had the right to walk on the side of the road culminated in the arrest of Run Across Palestine supporter Nasser Abufarha and two French activists. No reason was given for the arrests, and no reason was given for why the run was stopped.
Planting trees, singing and dancing in At-Tuwani
Dispatch from AfarToday we planted olive trees, and tomorrow we’ll begin running across Palestine. Through both acts, we hope to enlighten our countrymen in the United States, and the world, about the humanity and the struggles faced by the West Bank’s embattled olive farmers.