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leelanau county news • traverse city news • michigan news

We try to post positive stories on Leelanau.com, and there's no question that photos like this strike a chord for many as they think fondle of their childhood fishing memories or teaching their grandchildren how to fish.

I think it's important that everyone spend a little time learning about the major threats facing the Great Lakes from Invasive species. Read on for a great feature from IPR's Peter Payette and a little of Mike Rowe from Dirty Jobs exploring a new threat from an invasive species we have been able to control until recently, the sea lamprey.
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The annual Leelanau Peninsula  Wine, Food, & Music Festival will be held this Saturday, August 13 from noon to 6 PM at Haserot Park in Northport. The event features wines from the Leelanau and Old Mission Peninsulas, one brewery and one hard cider vendor, music from Dawn Campbell and  food from area restaurants.  The $15 admission includes a souvenir glass and 2 wine-tasting tickets.  For more information visit the Leelanau Peninsula Chamber of Commerce or call 231.271.9895.

Also in Northport on Saturday is the annual Northport Dog Parade, which starts promptly at 1 PM. The theme for the 2010 Dog Parade in Northport is "Dog Gone With the Wind". The parade is open to all, but only those who have registered will be eligible for prizes. Advance registration is $5 and is available in Northport at Dog Ears Books, The Pot of Gold Re-sale Shop and the Old Mill Pond Inn. Late registration begins at noon on parade day and is $10 per dog. Judging takes place at the Mill Pond before the parade. Bring the kids, the dogs & the entire family.  Prizes for all!  For more information, please call David Chrobak at 231-386-7341.

The Glen Arbor Art Association will host its third annual Plein Air Paint Out on Saturday, August 6th. This popular event hosts artists from throughout the Midwest who arrive early in the morning at GAAA to have their canvases or papers stamped to verify that their paintings have been done on this day. Artists then find their ideal spots for a day of plein-air painting before returning with their completed works for display to the Glen Arbor Art Association in the afternoon for a juried exhibit and “wet painting” sale and reception. Painter and retired professor art, Harvey Gordon will be this year’s guest juror and will award three cash prizes. A fourth prize this year will be the People’s Choice Award determined by popular vote.

The Wet Painting Reception and Sale is open to the public from 5:30-7:30 pm at GAAA, located off Lake Street across from Cherry Republic. Paintings may be purchased on a “first come” basis beginning at 5:45 pm. There will also be a wine tasting provided by the 24 wineries of the Traverse City Wine & Art Festival along with light appetizers. Proceeds from the sales will benefit the art association’s enrichment programs. A $10 donation per person donation is requested.

Plein-air painting refers to the technique of painting out-of-doors which was initiated by the French Impressionists in the mid-nineteenth century. The challenge is to paint or draw directly and spontaneously from nature during a very limited period of time. Leelanau County’s beauty provides the perfect setting for a paint-out event.

Artist who would like to participate should call the GAAA office, 231-334-6112, or go to www.glenarborart.org. The fee to participate is $25 with a discount for early registration.

The 2011 Traverse City Wine & Art Festival takes place Saturday, August 20th from 3-10 PM on the beautiful front lawn at The Village at Grand Traverse Commons, rain or shine. It's 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.

The wines & wineries are the heart of the festival and the large wine tent is dedicated to featuring well over 100 wines from the Leelanau Peninsula, Old Mission Peninsula and - for the first time - Benzie County. Attendees can choose a tasting or full-glass pour and have a chance to talk with the winemakers and winery reps to learn more about the wines. The 2010 vintage is spectacular, and this is a fantastic opportunity to try the riesling, pinot gris, chardonnay, pinot blanc, cabernet franc and a host of other varieties that are making a lot of noise at wine competitions around the country!

The festival also features a great lineup with some of Michigan's finest musicians. Michigan jazz/folk great Claudia Schmidt kicks things off  and then joins Rachel Davis and Shout Sister Shout. It will be the first time Claudia and Shout Sister Shout have taken the stage together, an event that promises to be one of those "better not miss it" nights. Steppin' In It goes electric and will keep you dancing into the evening. There's also a wide range of performances including dancers, performance artists and the Sweet Adelines.

In addition to a wide selection of art for show & sale and gourmet food from many of the region's finest restaurants for purchase, there's even a chance for YOU to get into the act with "Fashion Is Art". This new feature that invites you to don your most innovative attire for a chance to win the Grand Prize, a spa weekend for two at Crystal Mountain Resort & Spa. Get tickets & lodging package information at traversecitywinefestival.com and check their Facebook for a ticket deal that ends TODAY.

Photo: Traverse City Wine & Art Festival, 2010 by KatSwinehart

via lpwines.com!

How Mario Batali Gets His Drink On In and Around Traverse City, Michigan from nation food magazine Bon Appetit features 5 of Mario's favorite Leelanau wines & ciders. There's Black Star Farms Arcturos Cabernet Franc which Batali names "the best Michigan wine ever", Gill's Pier Semi-Dry Riesling (recommended with pork with roast grapes), 45 North Winery Icebox Gewurztraminer (a succulent dessert wine with classic notes of apricot, honey, and ginger spice), Tandem Ciders Smackintosh "It's become my new drink, I drink cider as an aperitivo now. Even back in New York. Where they're all from France and they're not as awesome." and L. Mawby Cremant Classic NV, named "arguably the Leelanau Peninsula's signature wine".

There's also a more narrative & lengthy feature about how the rock-star chef spends his summers in Leelanau. Mario says:

The food scene has really exploded in the region. There are farmers' markets and hip-looking people farming and butchering. It's very cool. Even in Northport, our town of less than 1,000 people, there's a great weekly farmers' market in the summer. The chefs involved in the scene celebrate what's here; they're not trying to be anything they're not. Now people are coming for gastronomic tourism.

There's a whole lot more to read and he highlights Leelanau standards like Fishtown, the deck at the Cove, Boones in Suttons Bay and Pleva's Meats. These are really great features that tout what many folks have known for years - the wine and the food of the Leelanau Peninsula and the surrounding area have arrived.

The table is set, come on up and check it out!

Photo credits: Apples & a Growler by Trish P. - K1000 Gal

The Cherryland Humane Society in Traverse City is struggling with an increase in abandoned pets and cost of supplies as donations are falling. The Northern Express reports that the combination has the agency in danger of closing its doors:

"The CHS is dependent on donations for its very existence," Cherry said. "Often animal charities are on the lower end of the giving scale," adding CHS received only 60% of the expected total funds from annual donors in 2010.

Established July 1956, the CHS provides over 25 programs dedicated to spay and neuter awareness, pet education and homeless dog and cat adoption, among other services in the Grand Traverse region. Last year, CHS found homes for 596 puppies and dogs; and 556 kittens and cats.

"Last week we had 18 dogs adopted," Schwartz said.

Because of the shape of the economy, including job loss and foreclosures, CHS has seen a record increase in animals coming to the shelter, according to Reed.

"People will come to us crying because they can’t find an apartment that will allow dogs or they just can’t afford to keep their pet," Schwartz sympathizes.

Read more from the Northern Express and click here to donate directly to the Humane Society.

From June 27-July 4 the Leelanau Peninsula Vintners Association wineries below will feature a special wine and donate proceeds to the Cherryland Humane Society.

Wineries and Wines

• Gill’s Pier and “Ankle Biter”
• Chateau de Leelanau and “Solem Farm Red”
• Black Star Farms of Suttons Bay and “Red House Red” with Cherryland Humane Society special custom labels
• Bel Lago and “Cherry Wine”
• Good Harbor and “Manitou”
• Forty Five North and “Forty Five White”
• L. Mawby and “Green”
• Cherry Republic and “Abbondanza”
• Good Neighbor Organics and “Icy Apple Blend”
• Willow and “Baci Rose”

The annual Cedar Polka Festival runs Thursday through Sunday, June 30 - July 3, 2011. Highlights include a parade on Saturday at noon, softball tournament, a polka mass and (of course) polka under the big, big tent with the big names of polka. More details as we have them!

Thursday, June 30, 2011
The 29th annual Cedar Polka Festival begins with the flag raising ceremony at 5:00 p.m. Music and dancing begins immediately after the ceremony. Music TBA.

Friday, July 1, 2011
Sidewalk Chalk Art at 10 am, meet at the Town Hall. Music and dancing beings at 2 pm.

Saturday, July 2, 2011
Face painting at 10:30am, at the Town Hall. Polka Fest Parade beings at noon at the Solon Twp. Hall. All participants should be at the Solon Twp. Hall by 11:30 am sharp.

Music and dancing begins at 2 pm and runs until 1 am.

Sunday, July 4, 2010
Polka Mass celebrated with Bishop Cooney begins at 11 am under the tent. Music and dancing resumes at 1 pm .

Admissions (per person)
Thursday - $5.00
Fri. & Sat. - $10.00
Sunday - $5.00
3 Day Pass - $20.00
Ages 13-20 - 1/2 price when accompanied by parent
Ages 12 & Under - Free when accompanied by parent

Bands subject to change. Space available for rent on the tennis court.

For Info Phone: (231) 228-3378 or (231) 228-5562

The photo is Polka Dancing in Krakow by beastiekeith. Check out the Library of Congress Local Legacies and the Leelanau.com/map Cedar Polka Fest location

Visit Leelanau Farmer's Markets on Facebook or go to eatleelanau.org for up-to-date information!

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. Tell us your favorite Leelanau farmers market in our poll!

Tuesdays in Glen Arbor 9 am—1 pm June 21 - August 30 Location: Behind the Township Hall on Western Ave Thursdays in Leland 9 am—Noon June 23 - September 1 Location: Parking lot across from the Bluebird Restaurant Fridays in Northport 9 am—1 pm June 17 - September 16 Location: The Depot, next to the marina Saturdays in Suttons Bay 9 am—1 pm May 14 - October 22 NEW Location: North Park; intersection of M-204 & M-22, water side Saturdays in Empire 9 am—1 pm June 18 - September 10 Location: Downtown, next to the Post Office Sundays in Lake Leelanau 9 am—1 pm June 19 - September 4 Location: Parking lot across from NJ's Grocery downtown

What's your favorite Leelanau Farm Market? Empire Glen Arbor Lake Leelanau Leland Northport Suttons Bay View Results  Loading ... Radishes, eggs, salad greens and garlic from Abra at Bare Knuckle Farm More photos on the Leelanau Farmer's Market Facebook!

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. The guide includes farms and winery listings, CSA contacts, addresses, phone numbers and an index to seasonal food availability. A kind of phone book for food.  No need to shuffle through the yellow pages--just pick up a guide and start eating!

TV 9&10 News has a great video feature on Leelanau County's various fruit crops where they talk with strawberry farmer Steve Bardenhagen, MSU Hort Station Coordinator Nikki Rothwell and others about the state of the fruit crops.

While farmers (and honeybees) struggled through a cold wet spring, no hard frost was a plus. It sounds like we'll have strawberry shortcake for the 4th and everyone is pulling for the hot temps from recent days to continue!

Photo credit: A Bloomin' Good Time! by Trish P. - K1000 Gal