Ever since Wednesday, August 17, Northern Michiganders have both embraced and grappled with the news that the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and surrounding region are considered the “most beautiful place in America” — at least according to 22 percent of 100,000 voters who participated in the ABC show Good Morning America’s online competition the second week of August.
The 2011 Traverse City Wine & Art Festival takes place Saturday, Aug. 20, from 3-10 p.m. on the beautiful front lawn at The Village at Grand Traverse Commons, rain or shine. This is Michigan’s premier celebration of wine, art, food and music, offering an incredible opportunity to taste wines from 24 wineries as you dance, dine, and see extraordinary performers, art and artists.
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.
The Michigan Land Use Institute and its transit partners have published an attractive brochure listing all bus routes connecting Traverse City with six surrounding counties. It lists exact times and locales for boarding buses serving dozens of cities and villages.
“M-22 is all about the northern Michigan lifestyle,” an excited Matt Wiesen says while standing behind the wine counter at his and wife Katy’s new apparel store and tasting room in Glen Arbor. “It’s about a glass of wine on the boat, beaches, bonfires and a laid-back attitude.”
This weekend, May 6-7, the Flow for Water Coalition will team up with the Great Lakes Water Studies Institute, Northern Michigan College and Michigan Citizens for Water Conservation to present the 2011 Conference “Saving the Great Lakes Forever”.
Don’t miss this rare opportunity to view and purchase artwork from over 100 Michigan artists under one roof. Enjoy music, refreshments, original films and support the Women’s Cancer Fund. From Women’s Hands is a one-of-a-kind, all-female art exhibition and sale. It is also a fundraiser for the Women’s Cancer Center. After a two-year hiatus, this year’s show looks to be the best one yet.
The Glen Arbor Art Association (GAAA) will present the next event in its popular “Talk About Art” series at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 31 at the GAAA building, 6000 Pine St., in Glen Arbor. The talk is free and open to the public. The evening’s speaker will be Traverse City artist Flora Ricca Hoffman, whose wide-ranging practice includes printmaking and construction of found-object assemblages.
Dan Gilmartin is the executive director of the Michigan Municipal League and is recognized as a leader in local government reform. He was one of the speakers at a Placemaking Summit in Traverse City. Watch the video to find out why Gilmartin thinks it’s important for Michigan to have competitive places.
Maple City area resident Jan Waling (pronounced “Yon Whaling”) is used to being incognito. His job has been to make others shine at what they do. For more than 30 years, Waling has sweetened the sound of performers’ music and voices at concert venues near and far, helping with the setup, running the mixing board and, eventually, recording performances — live and in the studio.