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There is a good chance you might catch sight of a lucky leprechaun on Sunday, March 14 at Kilkenny’s Irish Public House located at 400 West Front Street in Traverse City. The Lucky Leprechaun Ball, sponsored by the Ancient Order of Hibernians, features music, dancing and singing to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. This year, the event will also benefit The Father Fred Foundation.

“We are so fortunate to have the Ancient Order of the Hibernians supporting us through their Lucky Leprechaun Ball,” said Martie Manty, Executive Director of The Father Fred Foundation. “Because we do not accept any federal or state funding, community events like these are crucial in helping us provide food, clothing and financial assistance to our neighbors in crisis.”

Doors open at 5:00 p.m. for an evening full of fun events and live music by Song of the Lakes. Hopefuls of all ages are encouraged to join in the Danny Boy singing contest. This may be a step on your way to American Idol! An Irish Trivia Contest will be followed by the Couch Potato Auction, and an evening of music from The Wild Sullys is on the auction block for the House Concert Auction. The winning bidder will enjoy an hour of great entertainment at their place of business or residence.

“The Lucky Leprechaun Ball is designed to be very family-friendly; it’s smoke free and we’re offing a kid’s menu with items under $5. Admission is $10 for adults; free for kids under 16,” said Mike Sullivan, event organizer.

Tickets are available at Nolan’s Tobacco Shop, The Father Fred Foundation, NorthPeak, Kilkenney’s or at the door.

For those unable to attend this event, a secure donation can be made online at fatherfred.org, or mailed to The Father Fred Foundation, P.O. Box 2260, Traverse City, MI 49685-2260.

The Father Fred Foundation is a non-denominational charity providing food, clothing, household goods and financial assistance to families and individuals in crisis who live in the five county Grand Traverse region. Visit www.fatherfred.org or call (231) 947-2055 for more information.

John's photos seem to be catching my attention lately. With Christmas around the corner, I wanted a Christmasy photo. This ornament found at Red Ladder in Suttons Bay was perfect! For more gems, like this one, check out John's photostream on flickr.

Photo: Christmas ornament. by John Levanen

On Saturday, Dec 12, local photographers participated in a worldwide event, where they donated their time, equipment, and expertise to give back to those less fortunate this holiday season. Celebrity photographer, Jeremey Cowart, started the movement, when he founded Help-Portrait. Local photograhpers, Alan Newton, John Robert Williams, Dan Stewart and Marc Courville, were at Suttons Bay High School on Saturday helping students from Suttons Bay and Lake Leelanau St. Mary take the portraits.

Local organizer, Scott Tompkins, told the Record Eagle:

"We want to find people in our local community who are in need, photograph them, and give them a picture and a CD of their images," said Scott Tompkins.

For more information about the project, visit www.help-portrait.com.

Photo: Little Smirk by 'Playingwithbrushes'

Stuck at home on this snowy day? Use your time wisely by finishing your Holiday shopping! Our Leelanau Holiday Gift Guide is updated for 2009 and features all kinds of great gifts made and sold right here in Leelanau County!

Check it out and please do what you can to shop locally this holiday season!

Photo: Cherry Republic Gift Basket by photoshoparama

In the 100-Mile Cultural Diet, Timothy Young of Food for Thought writes:

Local food is hot. As we continue discovering evidence of all the social, environmental and economic benefits of eating local, the phenomenon becomes less of a debate and more of a movement. For instance, it seems that almost every day I hear of more and more people who are adopting the 100-mile diet approach to life. The goal of the diet is to eat foods produced within 100 miles of your home.

I think this is a valiant task and I applaud anyone who makes this type of commitment. But to be honest, I'm a lapsed follower of such a diet because there are certain out-of-season and bio-regional foods (bananas, chocolate, winter lettuce, etc.) that simply bring so much pleasure and health to life! However, we all don't have to strictly practice the 100-mile diet to make a big difference in our collective quality of life. I recently read a statistic whereby if every Michigan resident increased their weekly purchase of local food by $10.00, it would keep $37 million circulating in the Michigan economy each week! Such statistics always cause me to wonder, "If it works for food, why not culture?" Such statistics also remind me to recommit to buying local beyond food.

For example, I've committed to making local music a purchasing priority. To initiate this, I'll be purchasing CD's from local bands and musicians and giving them out this holiday season. Call it my 100-mile cultural diet. Sure I may download the occasional chocolate, banana or winter lettuce in the form of Iggy Pop, Brain Eno or Jack Johnson, but for the most part, I'm going to make an effort to purchase my culture within my region, be it music, art or literature.

The Leelanau.com Holiday Gift Guide is a great place to find many ideas for local gifts, including local musicians and local food products.

Also check out, absolutemichigan.com/Music for more great Michigan musicians!

Photo credit: Seth Bernard and May Erlewine (aka Daisy May) played at The Water Festival in Traverse City by farlane

Looking for something to do this winter?  The Grand Traverse Lighthouse has announced they will be extending their Keeper program throughout the winter.  The program is normally offered from April through November.  A special Off Season Keepers Program will run from December through April.

MLive's travel writer, Kim Schneider, tells us more about Winter Keeper Program at the lighthouse.

In the high season, keepers must commit to a week. In the off season, you can stay just one night (or more) for $25 a person, per night, up to four people at a time. Keepers also are expected to do basic maintenance chores and give historical information to any cross-country skiers or snowshoers who may be passing by.

Read Kim's article for more information. Or visit the Grand Traverse Lighthouse website for a Keeper's manual and application.

Photo: Grand Traverse Light in Winter by Pentax K1000 Gal

The Best for Kids Committee in Northport is hosting a Holiday Bake Sale and Bazaar This Saturday, Dec 5, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Willowbrook Mill, 201 Mill St., in downtown Northport.

All proceeds will benefit the two locations of the Leelanau Children's Center.

There will be cookies, pies, cakes, coffeecakes, candy, bark and snack mixes (just to name a few), all individually wrapped and priced. There will also be vendors selling local jams, jellies, relishes and maple products, along with floral arrangements, wreaths and books. A "grandmother's table" will feature handmade hats, gloves, mittens and more and there will be handmade child-size aprons and nightgowns.

Hugh Willey will be playing the piano during the bazaar, including many Christmas favorites. For more information, call Sue O'Connor, 386-7992.

Photo credit: Festive snowman. by John Levanen

Suttons Bay is stepping back in time for the Christmas in the Village on Dec 6. The Suttons Bay Chamber of Commerce are asking patrons to dress in Dicken's era costumes. A contest will be held, and the winner will be reimbursed for their shopping that day, up to $250. The winner will be chosen prior to the tree lighting a 5:00 in the 5th/3rd parking lot. The costume contest winner also gets to ‘flip the switch’ to turn on the lights.

As tradition, Enerdyne will have their annual Antlers & Elves with real live reindeer from 12:30 - 3:30. Santa will be at Silvertree from 2:30 - 4:30. Also, don't miss the Christmas Concert at the Congregational Church at 3:00.

“Suttons Bay is blessed with a wonderful turn of the century back drop which gives the village its special charm” said Pat Cookman, owner of Enerdyne. “We as retailers and restaurateurs will be dressing up and we want to encourage as many of our visitors to do so too”

“The effect will be magical. It will be like experiencing Christmas a hundred years ago. There be mulled wine, roasted chestnuts and wandering carolers. It will be a very special day."

Photo: The Painted Bird. by John Levanen

We  are all lucky to live or maybe just have spent time in Leelanau.  We know this is a magical place, with many amazing places, people, and things to do.  On this eve of Thanksgiving, I wanted to share with you some of the things in Leelanau and my life, in which I am thankful.

I am thankful for all of the Leelanau county schools!  Last night, as I watched my Northport Pubilc School 6th grader proudly accept his first sports award, I realized how glad that I am that he attends a small community school. Our Leelanau kids are excelling in sports, achieving academically, and making a difference in our communities. If it takes a village to raise a child, then we should all be thankful for these wonderful teachers, coaches, and staff, that spend so much time with our children.

I am thankful that fast food in Leelanau means waiting fifteen minutes at the Cheese Shanty. Or gathering around the yellow caboose in Northport, known as the Bayside Grill. I am thankful for fast food like "Dinners to Go" from Silvertree Deli, and steaming hot soup from the Merc. I am thankful for the owners and employees of these establishments that not only provide delicious meals, but wonderful service that make us keep coming back for more.

I am thankful for the wonderful people in Leelanau, who truly care, and are making a difference in our communities. The Northport Promise Committee has provided many scholarship dollars to our children. The Leland Community Cultural Center and the Old Art Building provides a wonderful venue to help support not only local artists, but to build community involvement with their many classes and activities. Inland Seas Education Association gives a unique opportunity for all of us to learn more about water and the Great Lakes.

Of all the things that I am grateful for in Leelanau, one thing stands above them all. What else, but Lake Michigan! I am thankful for the hours that I have spent swimming, boating, fishing, picnicking, on the lake. The memories with friends and family are priceless. Whether your family has been here for centuries, or you have only visited Leelanau once, Lake Michigan is what keeps us connected to Leelanau.

Last, but certainly not least, on behalf of the Leelanau Communications staff, I want to say that we are thankful to YOU. Thank you for visiting leelanau.com! Thank you for reading our daily blogs! Thank you for supporting our local businesses! Thank you for being a part of our community!

Now we want to hear, what makes you thankful! Please use the comment area to tell us.

Happy Thanksgiving from Leelanau Communications!

Photo: 24.30 ~ re-Connecting with Old Friends by *ojoyous1*
This photo is part of *ojoyous1*'s gratitude set on flickr, and one of the reasons why I chose it for today. I am thankful to her, and all the photographers that submit their photos to the Leelanau (dot com) flickr pool.

A Christmas arts & crafts show will be held on Saturday, December 5, 2009 from 10 am to 4 pm at the Old Art Building in Leland.

This year’s show features 22 local artisans with fresh and dried holiday wreaths, herbal soaps and lotions, jewelry, specialty foods, pottery, woven wheat, cards, pillows, kids’ and American girl doll clothes, and many hand knit items.

Local artisans include Shirley Andrews, Linda Broughton, Bernadette Denoyer, Victoria Gallup, Dee Glass, Mike Hulbert, Kit Knowles, Darcy Krause, Roxanne Langner, Angela Macke, Annie Mcfarlane, Pat McKean, Kathy Powell, Shari Prevost, Lisa Psenka, Julie Sanco, Sharecare, Penny Spencer, Cheri Spaulding, Laura Sprout, Toni Turczyn, Cheryl VanZee. . .and more.

Join us for complimentary cookies and coffee and a delightful holiday market! This event is sponsored by the Leelanau Community Cultural Center. For more information please call 256-2131.