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The Traverse City Record-Eagle has an excellent feature on Local Foods for Thanksgiving that you'll want to check out. In Sustainable Thanksgiving, Jacob Wheeler, editor of the Glen Arbor Sun, asks us to say "thanks" to the local farmers by celebrating with a local turkey, veggies, and more.

Drop by Stone House Bread in Leland for a loaf of their artisan bread to accompany your feast. Finish off your meal with Grocer's Daughters Chocolate and a cup of Light of Day Organics tea.

Remember to pair your Thanksgiving feast with some of Leelanau's award winning wines! Michigan Master Sommelier Claudia Tyagi says:

I always like Riesling with turkey, although with poultry Chardonnay would be beautiful. You have a lot of versatility and a lot of possibility with turkey. You could use a white wine or an aromatic wine. Those tend to go well with turkey, too.

MyNorth.com suggest a few Rieslings on the sweeter side and they also list some great dry Rieslings (which are awesome if you haven't tried them).

Don't miss A Very Michigan Thanksgiving on Absolute Michigan (where we got the lovely turkey above). That article features more recipes and resources for making your Thanksgiving more Michigan friendly! Your tummy will be thankful for the delicious local food, and your neighbors will be thankful to you for supporting their efforts!! Have ideas for things we missed? Post them in the comments!

Photo Credit: Untitled by Vaughan

by Holly Wren Spaulding

The renown writer, naturalist, and world explorer, Peter Matthiessen will offer a master class for readers and writers next Friday, October 29 from 10:30 AM-12:30 PM at Fountain Point, an historic resort on the northern shore of Lake Leelanau.  Co-hosted by the resort and Michigan Writers, the presentation precedes his appearance at the Opera House as part of the National Writers Series.

Join this iconic American author in a salon-like setting for a craft talk and discussion about the opportunities and particular challenges facing socially and politically engaged writers at this moment in American history and culture.  The discussion will address issues of craft—both for fiction and non-fiction writers—and include a brief question and answer session.  Coffee and light snacks will be provided.  Participants are encouraged—but not required—to RSVP by calling Fountain Point at 231-256-9800 or emailing info@fountainpointresort.com.  This event is free to members of Michigan Writers.  The general public is most welcome and free-will donations are gladly accepted.  Books will be for sale at this event.

Here's an interview with Peter Matthiessen by Charlie Rose.

(more...)

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

via the Grand Vision...

Dr. Mark Holley of Northwestern Michigan College will present a special talk on Monday, July 12 titled 'What's in the Bay Anyway?". This presentation is sponsored by the Leelanau Clean Water group, and will begin at 6:30 pm with a social gathering/snacks with Dr. Holley speaking at 7 pm and providing a wonderful slideshow!

Highlights include a survey of submerged sites using new sector scanning equipment; underwater photos of old ship wrecks, forgotten dump sites, and projects that NMC students & staff have worked on in Greece, Ireland and Scotland. NMC has been selected as the site for the 2011, 2-week conference of the Nautical Archaeology Society-International Field School - an impressive honor.

PLEASE RSVP by calling 231-256-9812.

Photo credit: Early Dawn_4804 by ETCphoto

Green Carpet Premiere Event on Monday, 6 pm June 21 at the State!

FREE to everyone!

Volunteers for the partner organizations have been hard at work on short videos covering a wide range of topics, from Sunrise on the Boardman to Alien Invaders of our Waters. Come and celebrate our unique environment and the passion of your neighbors at the Green Carpet Gala Premiere event at the State Theater on Monday, June 21, 6:00 PM. There is no charge to attend, though you will need a ticket (available at the State Theater box office).

Anyone who wears green to the event gets free popcorn!

These videos are the result of the Focus on the Watershed project. This is a joint project of the UpNorth Media Center, Grand Traverse Conservation District, Inland Seas Education Association and the Watershed Center Grand Traverse Bay.

Once again the Grand Traverse Lighthouse and the Northport-Omena Chamber of Commerce are joining together for the Northport Lighthouse and Maritime Festival on Saturday, June 19 in Northport. The festival celebrates the lighthouse and Northport's maritime history and will be held at Haserot and Marina Parks from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. A few of the highlights of the festival include Nautical Silent Auction & Flea Market, maritime historical displays, a nautical arts and craft show, Model Sailboat Making & Pond Races, Historic Boats on Display, Northport Weather Tower Interpretation, and more. A memorial bench dedication will take place at 12 noon in honor of Northport Boat Builders, including Bill Livingston, Ted Craker, and Chris Telgard.

Also back for the festival is the annual Fish Boil dinner. Fresh whitefish, from Carlson's of Fishtown, is simmered with redskin potatoes and onions. Also available is slaw, corn on the cob, rolls, pie, and beverages. Dinner will be available from noon to 6:00pm for $15/person. New this year - you can buy a glass of wine or beer for $5 from the Grand Traverse Lighthouse Museum volunteers to enjoy with your meal.

Inland Seas Education Association will be offering 2 hour schooner cruises focusing on maritime history of Northport guided by the ship's crew and a guest faculty of local historians. The cost is $30 per person the day of the cruise or buy one get one at 50% off pre-paid by June 18th.

Photo: We'll keep a light on for you ~ by KT of Lake Orion

On Wednesday, May 12th from 6:30 AM-8:30 PM, MSUE-Leelanau and Grand Traverse offices will co-host a workshop titled Growing Grapes in the Home Garden, at the MSU Northwest Horticultural Research Station, located at 6686 S. Center Highway (approx. 7 Mi. S. of Suttons Bay).

Dr. Duke Elsner, Agricultural Agent (specializing in viticulture & wine education) from the MSUE-Grand Traverse Office will provide classroom and field-based instruction on the following topics related to table and wine grapes: variety selection; site requirements; basic vine structure and growth; planting and early care; basic trellising; vine training and pruning; and pest management.

The cost of the workshop is $5 per person. Informational bulletins related to growing grapes will be available for an additional fee. Advanced registration is recommended. To register, call 256-8323, or download a registration form from www.msue.msu.edu/leelanau. ‘

The event is part of the 2010 "Green Garden" program, a series of spring programs focusing on environmentally sustainable gardening practices. For more information about other programs offered in the Green Garden series, visit the above website, or contact Pam Schmidt, Leelanau County Home Horticulturalist at 231/256-8323.

Photo credit: Vineyard Grapes by troyryans/2155928176/

From The Grand Vision:

ACTION FOR TOMORROW!

The Grand Vision Citizen Action Expo takes place on Monday, May 10th at Northwest Michigan College's Hagerty Center in Traverse City from 5:30 - 7:30 PM.

Grand Vision WorkshopsOver the past three years, nearly 15,000 residents from Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau and Wexford counties participated in the Grand Vision: attending workshops, filling out scorecards and generating an unprecedented level of community support in selecting a preferred growth scenario for the next 50 years.

Now the time for action has come. On May 10, 2010 the Grand Vision Citizen Action Expo will kick off a six-county wide action campaign to implement the Grand Vision.

This event will kick off our citizen action campaign and offer folks in the region a chance to learn how to get personally involved with implementing the Grand Vision. Participants will engage in a hands-on session that will guide them through specific action opportunities to implement the Grand Vision. Opportunities range from personal action, to volunteer partnerships with local organizations and non-profits, and community leadership roles. In true Grand Vision fashion, the whole process will be citizen led.

Dozens of local organizations, non-profits and businesses who are building the Grand Vision will be on-hand to offer information and support. Plus, there will be a fresh update on the progress of the Grand Vision working groups and the Grand Vision Transportation study.

The Grand Vision Citizen Action Expo will launch a series of expos that will take place in Antrim, Benzie, Kalkaska, Leelanau and Wexford counties. More information on those events will be coming soon.

What: Grand Vision Citizen Action Expo

Help us promote the Grand Vision Expo!

Download and print the 2010 Grand Vision Expo Poster!

Promote the Grand Vision Citizen Action Expo by joining our cause on Facebook!

Looking for something fun to do This Mother's Day Weekend? Green Fest is free fun for the whole family. Green Saturday, May 8 from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm at Clinch Park in Traverse City.

The GreenFest has something for everyone, bring the kids for a Kite Contest, put their hands to work at the Home Depot® Kid's Corner, let them plant a flower for mom at Green Lake Gardens' potting stand, enter a coloring contest (click here), and enter a Essay Contest. This is the place to connect with people, ideas, information, products and services related to green. Get great ideas from green professionals, discover how to reduce your utility bills, learn about green products and services, and explore green initiatives in our community. Please look at the Schedule of Events here.

There will also be free films at the Traverse City State Theatre ("Ice Age 2", at 10 am, and "Greenburg: A Story of Community Rebuilding", at 8 pm, produced by Leonardo DiCaprio) and in the Con Foster Building speakers (including John B. Carnett, photographer for POPULAR SCIENCE MAGAZINE) to inform and entertain the public and professional communities about the emerging green marketplace and the products and technologies this movement is creating.

Photo: The Beautiful Boardman by OMG its Shortiie

Next, Wednesday, April 21, 2010 from 6:30?8:00 PM the Northwest Michigan Horticulture Research Station will host the first event in their "Green Garden" series, Starting a Home Food Garden from Scratch.

This session, intended for beginning gardeners, will cover the basics of getting a home food garden started. Bring your ideas for what you’d like to do with your space (containers, garden plot, edible landscaping, raised beds, etc), and presenters can work with you on achieving your goals. A home food garden is easier to get going than you might think…why not start now? Instructor: Mike Davis, Advanced Master Gardener Volunteer.

MSUE Leelanau is hosting a series of eleven educational events this spring, utilizing environmentally sustainable garden practices. The programs are intended for beginning gardeners, focusing on home-scale food production. Classes are taught by knowledgeable local gardeners, farmers, and volunteers, and will be held at a variety of locations, including the Leelanau County Governmental Center and the Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Station. Participants may sign up for just one or several sessions. The programs are being offered free of charge, however $5 per person donations are suggested to help cover costs. Advanced registration for individual programs is recommended, and may be completed by calling MSUE?Leelanau at 231?256 8323. Information about this series is also posted at: www.msue.msu.edu/leelanau. Or click here for the informational flyer.