Leelanau.com Blog
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Open for Business by joeldinda

There have been a flurry of articles and even a new "Leelanau County Commissioners Tinfoil Hat Brigade" Facebook page on the heels of a decision by Leelanau County Commissioners to reject a partnership with Grand Traverse County to promote growth and shutter the county Economic Development Corporation (EDC). It's now reached the Detroit News who report that business leaders are criticizing a decision by the Leelanau County commission to abolish the Leelanau EDC.

Meeting in Suttons Bay on April 8, commissioners said the northwestern Lower Peninsula county is wealthy enough already and that they don't want growth. They said it's up to people to find their own jobs and businesses to make their own plans. (more...)

The 4th annual Traverse City Microbrew & Music Festival will take place this Saturday (February 9, 2013) from 4-10 PM at the Sara Hardy Parking Lot at Cass Street & Grandview Parkway.

It's a celebration of microbrews including beer, wine, cider, mead and non-alcoholic brews that features live music with the Lowdown Brass Band, The Crane Wives (video below), The Ragbirds, Funkton, Delilah DeWylde and the Lost Boys, the Chardon Polka Band and others. There's also brew-friendly food including ribs tacos and even venison burgers! For more details click the poster.

Click the poster for details and don't miss Traverse City Beer Week with specials, tap takeovers and more at Traverse City brewpubs all week and a Blues at the Crossroads: Muddy & the Wolf  on Friday. It's a tribute by the Fabulous Thunderbirds featuring Kim Wilson with Tinsley Ellis, James Cotton, Jody Williams and Bob Margolin at the City Opera House.

Get all the details & tickets at tcbeerfest.com and also on their Facebook.

Here's one of my favorite bands who will be there on Saturday, The Crane Wives from Grand Rapids. Enjoy!

Crains Detroit Business has an interesting feature about how an old warehouse at the Grand Traverse Commons could become the hub for our region's local-food movement:

Discussion is percolating about developing the Commons into a regional food hub, with a year-round indoor farmer's market, processing centers and even a restaurant incubator with test kitchens — all housed in a building that used to prepare food for hospital patients and staff.

J.T. "Chip" Hoagland of Cherry Capital Foods in Traverse City is part of an ad-hoc group led by the Northwest Michigan Council of Governments, a regional economic planning organization.

"There's a warehouse and bakery building that had lots of coolers that was the centerpiece for food production on campus," Hoagland said. "The basic configuration is there."

One function for the potential food hub: Supplying the Traverse City Area Public Schools with fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables.

Rob Sirrine, an educator with the Michigan State University Extension in Grand Traverse County and a champion of using the Commons as a food hub, said equipment is going to be purchased in the next three months that will process locally produced food and deliver it to the schools by this fall. For now, the processing will happen at Cherry Capital Foods, with a shift to the Commons if funding from a state grant goes through.

Read on for more about plans for the Grand Traverse Regional Market.

"What does this have to do with Leelanau?" you might ask. It's pretty simple - Leelanau is one of the farming engines that's driving our regional local food economy and efforts like this help small farmers get good prices for their food and get that food to consumers!

bwahahahahahaha! by *ojoyous1*

Kristin Morris of the Grand Traverse Insider has a nice roundup of Halloween events in Leelanau County in A Scream in the Night. Some highlights:

The Grand Traverse Lighthouse will have a Ghost Walk on Saturday, Oct. 27. Register for a tour and learn the stories of the people who once lived, and died there. The cost is $10 per person, and attendees must register in advance by calling 231-386-7195.

Northport will serve hot dogs and brats in the village parking lot from 4-6 PM on Halloween (Wednesday, Oct. 31) with Trick or Treating in the village from 5-8 PM and Halloween treats and games Northport Public School.

Gill's Pier invites you to their Haunted Corn Maze on the weekend before Halloween. Hours are 11 AM - 10 PM on Friday and Saturday and you can get all the details right here.

Black Star Farms is also getting in the spirit of the season with their Haunted Hayrides featuring the Traverse City West High School Thespian Society from 7-9:30 p.m. on October 26, 27, and 28.

Jacob’s Corn Maze runs through Oct. 28 and features three separate mazes. Hours are Sundays from noon to 7 p.m.; Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

There's also a pretty cool 21-up event at the Historic Barns at the Grand Traverse Commons called TC Fright Night that features entertainment from DJ JR, the Bayside Bombshells, a one-of-a-kind interactive Zombie Chase and screenings of the locally produced horror film: Dogman. 100% of the proceeds will go to the restoration of the Historic Barns Park and The Botanic Gardens, and you can see more in the video below.

Absolute Michigan has 2 pairs of tickets to give away for the event and we want to make sure everyone who reads Leelanau.com has a chance to enjoy this great event in our backyard. You must be 21 to enter and all you have to do is send your name as you want us to display it in an email to win@absolutemichigan.com. Include anything you want to say about Michigan food, drink or music. We'll draw the winners on Thursday morning!

This Friday, October 12 from 5-10 PM at the Village at Grand Traverse Commons you can enjoy a celebration of the bounty of Michigan at the October Festival at the Commons with Greensky Bluegrass from Porterhouse Productions.

The event features a food truck rally along with wines from Black Star Farms, ciders from Left Foot Charley and 19 great seasonal ales. In addition to full meals, the food trucks will be selling tasting portions and all the libations, food & music is 100% Michigan! Even better, 100% of the alcohol sales support the great work of Bay Area Recycling for Charities.

There's also a Silent Disco with DJ Dominate, glow in the dark LED disc golf, bonfires & heated tents. And speaking of that Michigan music, acts include Lindsey Lou and the Flatbellies, the Joshua Davis Band and Greensky Bluegrass - all Michiganders and all very good. Greensky Bluegrass all hail from Michigan and regularly light up stages across the nation with some of the finest names in bluegrass & music.

Tickets are available online where you can also see a promo video - $20 in advance or $25 day of event. Here's Greensky Bluegrass absolutely tearing it up with Scott Law.

Kehl Lake ... sunset 9-26-12 by Ken Scott

The TC Ticker reports that Sunday night in Salt Lake City, northern Michigan took center stage as Glen Chown and Brian Price, executive directors of the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy (GTRLC) and The Leelanau Conservancy were jointly awarded the top award from the Land Trust Alliance, the first time a pair of organizations have shared the award:

“We’re innovators in the way we work with land preservation … and both organizations recognize that the economy is tied to the natural assets of the region,” Price says.

And ultimately, their collaboration – particularly with farmland – comes down to one simple truth: “If you protect farmland, you continue opportunities to invest in long-term agriculture,” says Chown.

He explains it this way: Say you’re the owner of a dried cherry plant. Won’t you feel a lot better about a $10 million investment that will require 10,000 acres of cherry trees if you know that fruit acreage is protected?

Also, consider this: Across the GTRLC and Leelanau Conservancy’s coverage area, agriculture contributes as much as $97.7 million annually to the local economy in the form of agricultural products sold. It employs more than 2,000 farm proprietors with net farm earnings of $6.6 million and more than 3,000 workers with a total payroll of $12.8 million.

Congratulations to both on the preservation of over 40,000 acres in northern Michigan!

Check out the favorite Leelanau spots of chef Mario Batali courtesy Pure Michigan.

Irises are in bloom all over Leelanau, so we thought it was a great time to dust of this feature on the Centennial Iris Farm on M-72 by Cherie Spaulding!

Heading west toward Empire in mid-June, it is easy to see how the iris flower was named for the Greek goddesss of rainbows; and it would be no mystery to imagine what possessed Vincent van Gogh to lug his easel into the field, in his attempt to capture this exotic flower's beauty. Atop undulating hills busied by a bold palette of blooms, the Iris Farm on M-72 adds color and life to Leelanau's rich agrarian landscape.

In the midst of bloom, the sea of iris rarely goes unnoticed, but the land itself may be overlooked. This sandy, gravel soil upon which William Black's family settled has survived decades of growing. Seventeen years ago, this fifth generation Leelanau farmer decided to no longer fight against the elements, and instead choose to embrace the offerings of his land. The family noticed that the iris plants blooming around the farm thrived...and an idea began to grow.

The iris flower appeared well suited for Black's land. The family decided to convert their fruit land to flowers. Over the nearly two decades since, the farm has become home to over 700 different iris and 300 day lily varieties--plants that thrive in sandy soil conditions. Of course, the flowers attract more than bees, and a wide-range of visitors tromp the fields regularly. The farm caters to several distinct groups, including, gardeners searching for specialized blooms, painters and photographers; customers seeking cut flowers and even tour bus groups. Visitors are able to see a stunning array of showy flowers in a wide spectrum of colors; all can observe iris blooms to purchase and plant in their gardens at home.

While it is true that in peak season, the Iris Farm stands as a sort of feast for the eyes--a delicious rainbow of petals, meandering along the hillside--long after the colors fade ideas continue to blossom. To find such an abundance of plant varietals, the family spends some of the winter months traveling the country, attending conventions and seeking new hybrids for their unusual colors and qualities. The Farm acquires breeds from destinations as far off as Australia. One highlight of their farm this season is the 24 varieties of black irises, sought for both their elusive beauty, velvety touch and rich fragrance. The iris hybrid varieties extend into the thousands; Black said that determining a favorite is not an easy decision. "I feel like a kid in a candy store," he admitted.

When I asked Mr. Black what aspect of iris farming he enjoyed the most, he shared that part of the benefit to living in Leelanau County is the richness and beauty of the outdoors. Though growing flowers can be labor intensive, working in the fresh air, under an open sky, is one of the perks. And personally, I think "being outdoors" is a job benefit one cannot easily quantify.

The irises will be in bloom by mid-June and the lily season continues in mid-July. Do not miss the chance to explore the farm for yourself. The Iris Farm is located at 5385 E Traverse Hwy, Traverse City, MI 49684. The phone contact is 231-947-9040.

Photoa: "Iris Farm (check it out bigger!) and Mr. Sun by Andrew McFarlane

National Geographic has selected Traverse City and the Sleeping Bear Dunes as one of their ten best summer trips saying:

Traverse City is the biggest little beach town on the "Third Coast" - the U.S. shores of the eight-state Great Lakes coastline. The region's 180 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline basically trace the upper left edge of Michigan's "mitten." Add another 149 inland lakes that are 10 acres or larger and you get a rambling Cape Cod-on-freshwater summer playground: quaint port villages, sandy beaches, historic lighthouses, rolling orchards, family-friendly festivals (including the National Cherry Festival, July 7-14), and summer-only Traverse City Beach Bums pro baseball games (team members bunk with local families).

Head northwest from Cherry Capital Airport to the Leelanau Peninsula and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Michigan's monumental sandbox is best known for its 150-foot Dune Climb (or roll), but there’s also 35 miles of pristine Lake Michigan beach. Take the 7.4-mile Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive loop in time to watch the sunset from Lake Michigan Overlook observation deck, perched 450 feet above the water.

Added to the Sleeping Bear Dunes' designation as the most beautiful place in America by Good Morning America last summer and it's clear that our region is a white-hot tourist destination. As you can see from the video below from Pure Michigan and the Traverse City Convention & Visitors Bureau, Leelanau & Traverse City are definitely being marketed nationwide as a package destination.

Photo credit: Empire Bluffs trail by Pettman's Photographic Memories

The 4th Annual Great Indoor Folk Festival takes place this Sunday, February 12 in Building 50 at the Grand Traverse Commons. The festival runs from noon to 5:30, and it is family-friendly and free, though you're encouraged to donate through "busker buckets."

There will be 6 different stages with over 50 musicians on seven different stages. An article in this weeks Northern Express is well worth your time. They explain that the regional organization Songwriters in the Round is the driving force behind the event:

“It’s a community of really talented people. It’s an interactive family of musicians,” said Robin Lee Berry of Boyne City.

Berry will once again be part of the roster of performers. She will be singing and playing some of her original compositions along with some judiciously chosen covers.

“It’s a really wonderful experience,” said Berry. “I’ve been part of the Songwriters in the Round since its second year. It’s really brought a lot of musicians out of the woodwork.”

The list of performers is great, and many of them are from Leelanau - some highlights:  Louan Lechler, Robin Lee Berry, Kirby, Dane Hyde & Greg Stanton, Dennis Palmer & Allison Brown, Sister Wilene, Cabin Fever, Jim Crockett & Friends, Blind Dog Hank and Dede and the Dreamers.