Al Parker | Author

Old World Romance

Feb. 4, 2023

Giorgio Lo Greco leans back in his chair smiling slightly, stirs his espresso, and shares a love story.

“My wife Monica and I met on Feb. 14, Valentine’s Day, 18 years ago when we were both crew members on a cruise ship,” recalls the chef/owner of PepeNero, one of … Read More >>

Simmering racial tensions, inflamed by discriminatory punishments, sparked violent confrontations between Black sailors and white Marines aboard the USS Kitty Hawk during Vietnam War operations in the fall of 1972. A young Navy JAG lieutenant—later a district court judge in n… Read More >>

Inside and Out

Dec. 24, 2022

Every January, millions of us promise to get behind the two most popular New Year’s resolutions: eat better and get fit. While we can’t be your spotter at the gym, Northern Express did talk with two northern Michigan experts to get their advice on how to achieve these e… Read More >>

A Bed of Roses

Dec. 10, 2022

Nothing says “treat yourself” like a good night’s sleep. And Harbor Springs Mattress Company is in the business of making sure you’re sleeping on the best of the best.

After serving in the military, owner Rory Karpathian was considering college when a Veteran… Read More >>

The More Music, the Merrier: Holiday Concerts and Performances for the Whole Family

Dec. 3, 2022

Live performances form some of the most lasting memories of the holiday season. Whether you’re seeing The Nutcracker for the hundredth time or catching a brand-new band, there’s something magical about music this time of year. Here are a few events you’ll want to … Read More >>

From Retirement to Retail, the Wheels Keep Spinning

Nov. 26, 2022

Nancy Crummel’s passion for pottery—and indeed, all things art—is clearly on display at her newly-opened gallery, Long Lake Artisans Gallery & Gifts.

“I became fascinated with the whole process of pottery about 25 years ago,” says Crummel, who opene… Read More >>

A Cut Above

Nov. 5, 2022

It’s 10:30am on a rain-soaked Wednesday, and there’s a steady flow of clients at Robertson’s Hair Center in downtown Traverse City’s historic Masonic Building.

Owner Roger Argue glides nimbly around the chair as he trims the hair of long-time customer Allen M… Read More >>

What's Your Issue?

Oct. 29, 2022

With the Nov. 8 election looming, Northern Express reached out to several northern Michigan organizations to ask their opinions on what issues their members felt were important. We asked them to share their thoughts on local, regional, or statewide concerns.With the Nov. 8 election… Read More >>

Bringing the Border Closer to Home

Oct. 8, 2022

Some years ago, a young woman born in Mexico and raised in Traverse City since the age of six stood in the Northwestern Michigan College admissions office of Jim Bensley.

With tears in her eyes, the student explained she was living in TC under a family visa, which had expired,… Read More >>

A Bridge to the Past

Sept. 24, 2022

Northern Michigan is home to a wide variety of historic bridges, some very high profile and others tucked away from the public eye. Whether you’re a pontist—aka someone who loves bridges—or just a casual appreciator of these feats of creativity and engineering, read on for… Read More >>

General Stores of the North

Sept. 17, 2022

While many NoMi residents would delight if a Trader Joe’s came north of Grand Rapids, we also know we’re pretty darn lucky to have some amazing general stores in our backyard. These shops stock everything from baseball caps to fresh cherries to decadent cappuccinos, all with a h… Read More >>

The Scoop from the Gaming Floor

Sept. 3, 2022

Game time doesn’t just happen on the field…it happens at poker tables and at slot machines too. We asked the gaming experts of the North what’s new at their properties, what has changed in the last few years, what to look forward to this fall, and how they are connecting … Read More >>

Learning Outside the Box

Aug. 27, 2022

“I have never let my schooling interfere with my education.”

That’s what Mark Twain said, at least. Perhaps he understood that not all education has to take place in a typical brick-and-mortar school building in a residential neighborhood. Several northern Mi… Read More >>

Farmer’s Bounty

Aug. 13, 2022

August is a busy time for northern Michigan’s farm stands and markets, where wares include fresh fruits and vegetables, artisan cheeses, eggs, meat, condiments, baked goodies, jams, chocolates, bath and beauty products, honey, popcorn, maple syrup, and more.

“No Mi… Read More >>

Nothing Plain about Plein Air

Aug. 6, 2022

(Featured painting by Spencer Meagher)

Artist Crista Pisano is looking forward to packing up her paints and palettes and venturing to Traverse City when Crooked Tree Arts Center hosts its fifth annual Paint Grand Traverse, Aug. 14-20.

“The Paint Grand Traverse… Read More >>

Home Plate Hosts

July 30, 2022

For almost two decades, Susan and Richard Fall have been inviting complete strangers—men ages 18 to 25 or so—to move into their Traverse City home for a few months.

Pandemic or no, the Falls, along with sons Gage and Cole, have eagerly offered free room and board to the … Read More >>

Conservancy Check-in

July 16, 2022

With so much natural beauty around us, northern Michigan is fortunate to have multiple community-based, nonprofit land conservancies dedicated to the stewardship and protection of lands for the public to enjoy. Northern Express caught up with three of them to hear about exciting pr… Read More >>

This Week at Cherry Fest

July 2, 2022

After months of anticipation, northern Michigan is hip-deep in the 2022 edition of the National Cherry Festival.

It’s almost impossible to see and do everything that’s happening at the celebration, but we’ve put together a day-by-day agenda of some of the fan favor… Read More >>

The Wind Beneath the Blue Angels’ Wings

June 25, 2022

Crowds gather along Grand Traverse Bay to gaze into the sky for the biggest beach bash of the year. A voice shouts, “There they are!” Cameras rise in unison, and the thundering roar of the F-18 Super Hornets announce the bold arrival of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels.

While B… Read More >>

Studio Scenery

June 4, 2022

Anyone can stroll the main drag of a northern Michigan town like Petoskey, Gaylord, or Traverse City and find art galleries overflowing with impressive works.

But for those who want some adventure—and to stretch their legs—Northern Express found a few “off… Read More >>