Lynda Wheatley | Author

The Bootstrap Boys' New Beginnings

Jan. 15, 2022

Hot on the heels of a new year and — we pray — the end of this getting-very-old pandemic, The Bootstrap Boys have hit exactly the right note with their latest release, New Beginnings. We’ve been fans of this Grand Rapids quartet since they sauntered into the woods to play … Read More >>

Winter Sojourn

Jan. 15, 2022

The hygge part of our hearts longs to do winter hibernation-style, with seemingly endless early nights spent curled up — books, candles, couch — at home. But in a region where winter (if not thy winter body) is a wonderland, there comes a moment when even the most couch potato-e… Read More >>

Get Your Friday Night Author Fix

Jan. 15, 2022

Fiction or non? You better decide quickly because at 7pm Friday, Jan. 21, two book-loving NoMi organizations are zooming in an awesome author for you. In the non-fiction corner, we have a National Writers Series conversation with Daniel E. Lieberman, a professor of biological sciences and o… Read More >>

Hot Chili, Cool Music & Family Fun

Jan. 15, 2022

Get ready for the Snow Jam & Chili Challenge on Saturday, Jan. 22 from 1pm to 6pm at The Village at Grand Traverse Commons on The Piazza in Traverse City. Enjoy an afternoon of local music as 10 northern Michigan businesses prepare their best chili for a chance at the biggest beans… Read More >>

The Run for District 103 House Seat Heats Up

Jan. 14, 2022

Grand Traverse County Commissioner Betsy Coffia announced last week she will run this year for the newly redrawn House District 103 in Michigan, which covers the northern parts of Grand Traverse and Benzie counties and all of Leelanau County. Coffia, a Democrat, could face Republican c… Read More >>

Good Hart Artist Residency: Rashaun Rucker Coming

Jan. 8, 2022

Tiny enclave though it is, Good Hart manages to bring some of the coolest creatives we’ve seen Up North. It just announced the selected artist for its 2022 Elevating Diverse Voices Curated Residency Program — Rashaun Rucker, a photographer, printmaker, journalist, and … Read More >>

Motown Gospel in Traverse City for MLK Day Concert

Jan. 8, 2022

We don’t get a lot of opportunities to hear gospel music in Traverse City, but when we do, man, is it extraordinary. The upcoming Jan. 17 show in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. at City Opera House promises to be just that. First, there’s the headliner: the nationally acclaimed… Read More >>

Happy New Year to Michigan Wage Workers

Jan. 1, 2022

Michigan’s labor force is in short supply compared to its demand, but 2022 has brought only a small bump in the state’s minimum wages? As of Jan. 1, the state’s minimum wage has been increased from $9.65 to $9.87.

In line with that wee bump, the 85 percent wa… Read More >>

Cycle through the Snow

Jan. 1, 2022

The Fat and Flurrious bike race is back! It’s happening Jan. 15 at Boyne City’s Avalanche Mountain, and there’s still time to register. Worry not about your post-holiday softness or lack of stamina because this race doesn’t have to be a race. As the first of five sno… Read More >>

Jazzy Wine & Taco Brunch in TC

Jan. 1, 2022

Giving all-new meaning to (at least half of the upcoming) Sunday Fundays of 2022: The bi-weekly Sunday Jazz Late Brunch series. Featuring music from the Jeff Haas Trio and saxophonist Laurie Sears, wine from Chateau Chantal, and tacos and treats from Mama Lu's tacos, the brunches will happe… Read More >>

Stuff We Love: Knowing 6,000 NoMi Kids Had a Good Christmas

Jan. 1, 2022

As good as it feels to give, we have to admit that it feels even better to know just how good the giving was. In the five-county area covered by Toys for Tots of Northwest Michigan — Grand Traverse, Antrim, Benzie, Leelanau, and Kalkaska — that turns out to be about 6,000 kids w… Read More >>

Tropical’s Thai Chicken Wrap

Jan. 1, 2022

There used to be a time that we dreamed of a fast-food restaurant, complete with efficient drive-thru, that sold real, healthy, and tasty food; no pink slime. Our dream came true several years ago when two Tropical Smoothie Cafes came to Traverse City. And you know what? For years, we passe… Read More >>

Catch Reno on the Road in Cadillac

Jan. 1, 2022

Touring comedian Billy Reno is making a stop at Clam Lake Beer Company in Cadillac on Friday, Jan. 7. A finalist at the Detroit to L.A. Comedy Competition and The Border City Comedy Festival in Windsor Ontario, Reno's quick wit has taken him to the world-famous Comedy Store in Los Angeles. … Read More >>

Best Wednesday Night of the Year: Dec. 29 with Todd Barry

Dec. 18, 2021

Before you slam the door on 2021 (like, didn’t we already try that at the end of 2020?), give the year a chance to end on a high note — specifically, your own hysterical laughter. Great Lakes Center for the Arts will make it more than possible; it’s bringing one of our fav… Read More >>

Comfort & Wine: Winter Recipes to Warm the Heart and Belly

Dec. 18, 2021

Forget that "Apple Pie-Crumble" candle and those “Snowy Christmas Pine” plug-ins. The best scent of the season is a hearty homecooked meal bubbling on the stovetop or baking in your oven. Mom might say the only special ingredient you need to make those dishes memorable is love &… Read More >>

Lake Erie's Win Shows Promise for Our Shores

Dec. 18, 2021

One of the Great Lakes got a big win late last week. Gov. Whitmer released the final adaptive management plan to help state-led and partner-supported projects reduce the amount of phosphorous entering Lake Erie.

Of all nutrients, phosphorus poses the highest risk to the G… Read More >>

New Year's Day: Park it (NOT on the Couch)

Dec. 18, 2021

Resolve to start your New Year off right: Whatever time you get up, get outside and hike, run, snowshoe, cross-country ski, or even straddle your horse or fat-tire bike for the nation’s First Day Hikes celebration. America’s State Parks are the hosts, and they’ve got hundr… Read More >>

City Park Grill’s Awesome Coffee

Dec. 18, 2021

Admit it. The holiday season is fun, but it is exhausting. Somewhere between the building of gingerbread houses, shopping for gifts, and decking of halls, you must take time for you. And while a nap is ideal and, quite frankly, delicious, attaining rest in the place you make your endless to… Read More >>

Stuff We Love: Not Crying Over Spilled Wine

Dec. 11, 2021

In northern Michigan, we devote a lot of time to drinking wine. It only seems fair that we then share with you one of the best fixes for removing red wine stains we’ve come across. The aptly named Chateau Spill Red Wine Stain Remover is roughly one iota the cost of your sofa, carpet, … Read More >>

Joshua Davis Solo Show at COH

Dec. 10, 2021

Tickets are going fast for Joshua Davis’ just-announced solo performance set for Dec. 17 in Traverse City. The Leelanau local and nationally lauded finalist of NBC’s The Voice (Season 8) has been churning out an album each year since 2015, and his upcoming show at the C… Read More >>