September 16-22, 2010: Double-2651 by jakphoto
Jim took this photo of a double rainbow in Suttons Bay. Check it out bigger in his slideshow!
Post your comments about the week's news, events you're looking forward to or anything Leelanau below!
Hot topics from the Leelanau Blog: Sleeping Bear Dunes on Good Morning America,
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September 16, 2010
September 15, 2010
Annual Glen Arbor BBQ & Brew Festival
This Saturday, September 18, 2010, The Glen Lake Chamber of Commerce will host the 3rd Annual BBQ & Brew Festival in downtown Glen Arbor from 12 - 6pm. The festival will take place on State St. by the tennis courts under tents and feature more brews, more BBQ, more entertainment and more fun! Admission is $15 for adults, $10 for nonalcoholic, and children under 12 Free. The Glen Arbor Sun says:
A few new features for 2010 include: a new location, a larger amount of Michigan microbrews, a new food format, and also live music by members of the Fabulous Horndogs.
Michigan microbreweries featured this year comprise of: Right Brain Brewery (Traverse City), Bell’s Brewery (Kalamazoo), Short’s Brewing Company (Bellaire), New Holland Brewing Company (Holland), Mt. Pleasant Brewing Company (Mt. Pleasant) and The Livery (Benton Harbor). Additionally, non-alcoholic options, including Cherry Republic (Glen Arbor) Cherry Ginger Ale & Root Beer, plus teas from Great Lakes Tea and Spice (Glen Arbor), will be available for sampling.
For more information, please call the Glen Lake Chamber of Commerce at (231) 334-3238.
Check out photos from the 2009 BBQ & Brew Festival.
September 14, 2010
Asian Carp threaten the Great Lakes
Over on Absolute Michigan we've posted Michigan Invasive Species: Asian Carp that takes a look at what is likely the greatest threat to fishing in Lake Michigan and the Great Lakes that we've seen. Imported by Mississippi catfish farmers in the 70s, Asian carp escaped during flooding in the 1990s and have marched up the river to the point where their knocking at the door in Chicago (they may have even passed through). Asian Carp and the Great Lakes from the Great Lakes EPA says:
Asian Carp are a significant threat to the Great Lakes because they are large, extremely prolific, and consume vast amounts of food. They can weigh up to 100 pounds, and can grow to a length of more than four feet. They are well-suited to the climate of the Great Lakes region, which is similar to their native Asian habitats.
Researchers expect that Asian carp would disrupt the food chain that supports the native fish of the Great Lakes. Due to their large size, ravenous appetites, and rapid rate of reproduction, these fish could pose a significant risk to the Great Lakes Ecosystem.
Fishing is big business in Leelanau and Michigan and an even bigger part of what makes us a premier tourist destination. I'll leave you with a request to talk with your elected representatives about doing everything they can to stop this invader. Here's a frightening video of Asian carp in action.
Photo Credit: Fish... ! by John Levanen
September 13, 2010
Elin McCoy on "Locopour" in Northern Michigan
I got a chance to meet Bloomberg's wine writer Elin McCoy at the 2010 Traverse City Wine & Art Festival in late August. Today she published her assessment of our wines that you should check out! She writes:
Drinking local in most parts of America (read: outside California, Oregon, and Washington State), though, used to be very tough. Not so long ago there weren’t that many wineries in states like Texas or Colorado or Michigan and quality was hit or miss. I still recall my reaction to a tasting of 100 Michigan wines here 20 years ago -- I was only willing to swallow three.
But wine is now produced in all 50 states, even Alaska, and ten have more than 100 wineries, inspiring website drinklocalwine.com. A lot of their wines are pretty good and, as with the best bottles in Michigan, many cost under $25. Reasons, in my book, to become a locapour.
If you want to sample the local pours, check out the Harvest Stompede Wine Tour this weekend (Sept 18 & 19). Left Foot Charley owner-winemaker Bryan Ulbrich discussed the challenges of winemaking here:
“We can make world-class examples of these whites,” he says, citing the sandy soil and the “lake effect” that moderates the harsh winters. Yet 2009 was a challenge, with heaps of snow and temperatures of minus 15 Fahrenheit (minus 26 Celsius). “We’re like old school Europe,” he admits, “you taste real differences in vintages here.”
While Brian is more a fan of our whites, Elin writes:
I’m pleasantly surprised by the reds. A fragrant, berry- flavored 2005 Gill’s Pier Cabernet Franc/Merlot shows the region’s potential. Several cabernet francs remind me of Loire valley Chinons, especially the softly attractive 2008 Arcturos, Black Star Farms’ top label ($27.50). Shady Lane’s berry and plum-flavored 2008 “Blue Franc” ($23), a proprietary name for lemberger, has notes of cedar and a silky texture.
Photo Credit: Traverse City Art & Wine Festival 2010 by catrina90
September 10, 2010
This Week in Leelanau: September 10, 2010
Read on for a report on the week's happenings - sign up at the top right to get this in your inbox!
September 9, 2010
September 9-15, 2010: Pyramid Point Dunes by Happyhiker4
Wow huh? That's quite a view that Mark has captured. Check it out bigger and in his slideshow (which includes a double rainbow photo from last week).
If you want to have your photos featured here, add them to our leelanau(dot)com Flickr group. It's also a great place to go for all kinds of photos from all over Leelanau!
If you can pry your keyboards away from Liko, how about a few words about your favorite Leelanau vista?
2010 Leelanau Farmer's Market Schedule
Update (Sept 9): There are still 3 Leelanau Farmers Markets open this weekend: in Northport on Friday mornings and in Empire and Suttons Bay on Saturday Morning. And lots of great produce and products available. Apples anyone? See the complete list on their website and check them out on Facebook!
2010 Leelanau Farmer's Markets are underway in Glen Arbor, Lake Leelanau, Leland, Northport and Suttons Bay. They offer you a chance to get out and connect with farmers and other folks who produce food in Leelanau County. You can also connect with Leelanau Farmer's Markets on Facebook!
Tuesdays in Glen Arbor
9 am—1 pm
June 15—Aug 31
Location: Downtown, behind the Glen Arbor Township Hall
Thursdays in Leland
9 am—Noon
June 17– Sept 2
Location: Parking lot,across from the Bluebird Restaurant
Fridays in Northport
9 am—1 pm
June 18—Sept 17
Location: The Depot, next to the marina
Saturdays in Suttons Bay
9 am—1 pm
May 15—Oct 16
Location: Ice skating rink, corner of Lincoln & Broadway Streets
Saturdays in Empire
9 am—1 pm
June 12—Sept 25
Location: Downtown, next to the Post Office
Sundays in Lake Leelanau
10 am—2 pm
June 13—Sept 5
Location: Parking lot, next to Kejara’s Bridge Restaurant
Taste the Local Difference is a comprehensive guide that includes farm, farm market, CSA, winery and other listings with addresses, phone numbers and an index to seasonal food availability.
September 8, 2010
Leland Heritage Celebration ~ September 18 & 19, 2010
Via the Leland Chamber of Commerce...
The annual Leland Heritage Celebration takes place September 18 & 19. This annual event is free and open to the public. Highlights include the Leelanau Historical Museum's "Wooden Boats on the Wall", Van's Garage antique car show, and the Fishtown Preservation Society offering music and festivities in Fishtown.
There will also be an exhibit titled "Windows on Leelanau; Past, Present, and Future" will be the featured for the Leelanau Community Cultural Center at the Old Art Building. Exhibit hours are 10 am to 5 pm on Saturday and 12 to 4 pm on Sunday. The exhibit will feature original works of art using the window as a view on Leelanau. Artists will use the window as a metaphor beyond its mere architectural aspect. This will be a fun and creative exhibit by Leelanau artists.
The Leland Township Library gets into the act as well with their annual Fall Used Book Sale on the lawn at the Library. They will be featuring a display of the books of Leelanau County authors and books about Leelanau County. Library Director
Library Director Sylvia Merz says, "We are always amazed at the number of authors who either currently or once upon a time called Leelanau County home. We’ve pulled as many volumes as we have and they will be featured on Saturday for visitors to browse and check out as they enjoy the events!"
Photo: "Wood Boats on the Wall" by John Clement Howe - view his Wooden Boats slideshow too!
September 7, 2010
Suttons Bay Streetscape Project
courtesy The Grand Vision
Planning documents for the new street enhancement project for St. Joseph/M22 through Suttons Bay are posted online. A series of four workshops gathered input from the public with the goal of creating a safe and calm traffic system while achieving a streetscape design that addresses the needs of the community and preserves the present character of the Village. The principles they worked with were many of the same principles and concerns identified by the Grand Vision:
- Development of a safe, attractive and inviting street environment
- Connectivity of the business district, waterfront, recreation and community neighborhoods
- Specific street design for the corridor, including proposed lane adjustments, medians (if proposed)
- Improved and redesigned intersections, pedestrian crossings, bicycle lanes, ADA compliant sidewalks, parking
- Landscaping, planters, street trees, street lights, benches, garbage receptacles and bike racks, public art
- Stormwater control, promote environmental protection.
Click the link above to see PDFs of the streetscape!
September 2, 2010
This Week in Leelanau: September 2, 2010
Read on for news from the week in Leelanau County!
