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February is the time to celebrate winter in Northern Michigan and Leelanau County has three great festivals that do exactly that!

Just in: the Empire Winterfest takes place THIS Saturday (Feb 11) with activities including a Lion's Club Pancake Breakfast and the amazing Polar Bear Dip at 2 PM SHARP! It's sponsored by the Empire Chamber. Here's a slideshow of Empire Polar Bear dip photos from the Leelanau (dot com) pool!

Glen Arbor’s  annual ode to winter will take place again this year with the Glen Arbor Winterfest, on Saturday, February 18th!

The Glen Arbor Winterfest is sponsored by the Glen Lake/Sleeping Bear Chamber and takes place Saturday February 18. Highlights include a perch fishing contest, a chance to "fish" for deals at Glen Arbor stores and the Chili Cookoff at Boonedocks along with live music and plenty of warmth from the cozy wood-burning fire pits on the deck. Don't miss the video of the Cookoff courtesy Michael Buhler and the Glen Arbor Sun below!

The Northport-Omena Chamber of Commerce Winter Carnival takes place on Saturday, February 25th at Bramen Hill Recreational Area. They haven't updated it for 2012 yet but their Winter Carnival page has some pics!

If that's not enough, there's also the Cherry Capital Winter WOW Fest in Downtown Traverse City!

The Glen Arbor Art Association offers several residencies each year for practicing artists who would like the opportunity for creative exploration in an idyllic setting in northern Michigan's Leelanau Peninsula. The purpose of the residency program is to provide visiting artists with a respite from daily responsibilities to enable them to concentrate on their work.

Participants use studio space provided at Thoreson Farm, a farmstead in the historic Port Oneida district of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. A small apartment is provided in the Art Association building in Glen Arbor at no charge for the residency period. Residencies are considered in writing, visual arts, photography, sculpture, fiber arts, ceramics, music, philosophy and creative research.

Applications may be submitted until March 1 for the 2012 season. For more details and how to apply, see their web site!

photo credit: The Road to Pyramid Point by Matt Callow> (produced during a GAAA residency!)

Also check out Martin Luther King's last visit to Detroit on Absolute Michigan.

Building Bridges with Music presents a unique opportunity to hear one of Michigan’s great musicians perform in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, free for the community. Jeff Haas and his colleagues will be joined by international students from Northwestern Michigan College who will read brief excerpts from MLK speeches as part of the musical presentation.

The community remembrance starts at 5:30 pm with a proclamation from Traverse City mayor Michael Estes and an invocation from Rabbi Chava Bahle, followed by Haas’ presentation of original music including selections from his 2002 jazz suite, “The MLK Suite: Then & Now,” and excerpts from MLK speeches and writings. Haas will be joined by Laurie Sears on saxes & flute, Chris Lawrence on trumpet, bassist Jack Dryden and drummer Jordan Huggett.

“Martin Luther King, Jr.’s speeches and writings on civil rights were a regular topic at our dinner table growing up in Detroit in the late 50s and 60s with immigrant parents”, explains Haas. “Dr. King’s belief that all of our thoughts and actions are either based in love or fear really made a lot of sense to me as a youngster. And I have always tried to convey that in my music.” He goes on to say, “There’s still a lot of work to be done and I am grateful for this opportunity to come together with my community and recommit to doing the work to see Martin Luther King, Jr’s dream become a reality.”

The performance is free to all, and the State is also showing two movies for free: To Kill a Mockingbird and The Help. Visit the State Theatre website for complete details.

A pair of fun winter events are on tap for next Sunday...

The annual Cedar Winterfest happens from 1-3 PM at the Snowmobile Club 2 miles north of Cedar on Schomberg Rd.

You're invited to bring your winter sleds, tobaggans, saucers, cross country skis and snowshoes for a Sunday afternoon of fun. They'll have a bonfire to warm you on the outside and hot chocolate and snacks to warm your tummy. Free and open to the public!

The fifth annual Roy Taghon Memorial Snowmobile Ride begins at 1 p.m., Sun., Jan. 22, at the Empire Airport and continues to the Maple City Fitness Center, behind Kerby’s Bar and Grill, 172 W. Burdickville Road, Maple City. Whether riding on a sled or driving, all are welcome to participate in the fun-filled afternoon. Hot dogs and chili will be served at 2:30. Suggested donation is $7 per adult, $4 per child.

All proceeds benefit the Roy Taghon Music Scholarship Fund which provides an annual music scholarship for Glen Lake High School students. Roy lived in Empire and was an avid snowmobiler and church organist for more than 30 years. For information, call (231) 326-5519.

Great art, wine and food are the main events of a special evening, Art from Michigan’s Wine Country which kicks off the Leelanau Peninsula Vintners Association’s Taste the Passion weekend (Feb 4 & 5, 2012). For a fourth year, this fun winter event will be held on Friday, February 3rd at the Homestead's Mountain Flowers Lodge and features wine from Leelanau wineries, original art by local artists and a fabulous small plates menu designed by The Homestead’s Chef Piombo.

The price is $20 per person advance reservation by February 2 and includes one glass of wine and food stations with delectable small plates and coffee. Additional wine available for $4/glass or three glasses for $10. Call The Homestead at 334-5100, to make a reservation with will call ticket at the door for pre-paid reservations. $25 per person admission at the door.

The invitational art exhibit and sale offers recent original works by nine Leelanau artists. The artists will be on hand to discuss their work. This is a great opportunity to meet local artists and celebrate a perfect pairing of wine and art. A portion of the art sales will benefit Glen Arbor Art Association's summer programs.

Five dollars of each ticket goes to support the Glen Arbor Art Association class scholarships and a free after-school art program for Glen Lake students. Scholarship assistance and the after-school art program provide arts opportunities for those who could not otherwise afford art classes.

For more information go to www.glenarborart.org or call the GAAA office at 334-6112.

Photo credit: Victoria Creek Winter-Looking West by Mary Fuscaldo

In February 2012, a group of inspired people will be running 129 miles in five days across Palestine to raise funds to plant olive trees and also to raise awareness about the challenges of fair trade olive farmers of Palestine in the latest project from On the Ground.

This Friday (December 9th), Michigan's own Breathe Owl Breathe will play a very special benefit concert for the Run Across Palestine at Higher Grounds Roastery at the Village at Grand Traverse Commons in Traverse City. They are joined by Little Wings and it's also the release tour for their new project The Listeners.

Tickets are $12 advance / $15 door and available at Higher Grounds and Oryana. Doors open at 7 PM and the show starts at 8. For advance tickets, project information or to simply make a donation please call 877 825 2262. On the Ground supports sustainable community development in farming regions across the world.

Here's a video from Breathe Owl Breathe - click here for more!

The annual Christmas arts & crafts show will be held this Saturday, December 3 from 10 am to 4 pm at the Old Art Building in Leland. This year’s show features 21 local artisans with holiday gifts, fresh greens, dried wreaths, herbal soaps and lotions, jewelry, specialty foods, ceramics, woven wheat, cards, home accessories, children’s clothing, and hand knit items. There's also complimentary cookies and coffee!

Local artisans include Victoria Gallup, Dee Glass, Mike Hulbert, Kit Knowles, Joy Lang, Roxane Langner, Sara Maleski, Annie McFarlane, Pat McKean, Bill Perkins, Kathy Powell, Shari Prevost, Lisa Psenka, Julie Sanco, Sharecare, Leif Sporck, Greta Stimson, Cookie Thatcher, Cheryl VanZee, Paula Wisniewski and the Wednesday Knitters.

For more information please call 256-2131.

Every year, an estimated 170,000 horses in the United States are subject to improper care, abuse or neglect. The Bayer Animal Health Legend of the Year Award recognizes veterinary professionals who provide equitarian aid or exceptional care for horses in need.

In 2011, Dr. Tonya Molby of Suttons Bay has been selected as the recipient for her efforts in helping create the Michigan Equine Foundation. The foundation assists horses and their owners with veterinary care and hay when facing economic hardship. Dr. Molby remarked "It's such an honor to receive the Bayer Animal Health Legend of the Year Award. It is very meaningful that this is in recognition of something that is such a large part of my life."

A $5,000 donation in her name will go to the Foundation, and you can learn more about Dr. Molby and her practice at the Equine Veterinary Services of Leelanau website.

The annual Holiday Bazaar at Eyaawing Museum and Cultural Center takes place on December 3rd, 2011 from 9:00pm to 3:00 pm. The Holiday Bazaar is being held to give Artists and Crafters the opportunity to showcase their talents and bring in a little extra income before the holiday season. All are encouraged to participate either as a vender or as a shopper. If you are interested in being a vender please call Cindy Patek at 534-7764 or Doris Winslow at 534-7965 for an application.

The museum is located at 2304 North West Bay Shore Drive (M22) in Peshawbestown, 20 miles north of Traverse City; open Wednesday – Saturday; 10am.-4pm.

More about Eyaawing Museum & Cultural Center

Eyaawing (pronounced a-ya-wing) means “Who we are” in Anishinaabemowin, the traditional language of Michigan’s Native people. Eyaawing Museum & Cultural Center is a place that serves both members of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, and the larger community. It is a place where the traditions, language, and art of the Tribe are kept, taught, and celebrated. It also provides a portal to Tribe for the community -- a place where the public is welcome to learn about the culture and history of the Grand Traverse Band. For additional information, click the link above call 231-534-7764.

Santa in Fishtown, painting by Rozanne Priebe

Find unique holiday gifts and help support the Fishtown Preservation Society this Saturday, November 19th at the Vintage Cottage Holiday Market at Black Star Farms in Suttons Bay.

The event showcases over 30 unique antique, artisan, and agriculture merchants from all across the region offering vintage and maritime collectibles, handmade clothing & jewelry and original artwork. The Cottage Book Shop will feature a number of Leelanau artists & writers present to personally sign their books including Lois Beardslee, Jerry Dennis, Glenn Wolff and John Mitchell. Don Butkovich, Dennos Museum appraiser, will also be on site all day for verbal appraisals of historical items.

Signed and numbered prints of "Santa in Fishtown" by Rozanne Priebe will be available for purchase, and Black Star Farms will be selling special  bottles of their Red House Wine featuring the painting. A percentage of the proceeds for both will benefit the Fishtown Preservation Society.

There is no admittance fee, and a strolling luncheon will be available all day, along with wine tasting, sweet table and appetizers throughout the Inn, the Hearth and Vine Cafe and the Winery and Creamery.

For more information contact the Fishtown Preservation Society at 231-256-8878!