NPS Rangers Host Star-Gazing on June 18th

June 15, 2011

Sleeping Bear Dunes Star-GazingStar Party at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

 

Visit Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore on Saturday, June 18 at 9:00 p.m. for an evening with the stars. Join a Park Ranger and the Grand Traverse Astronomical Society at the mouth of the Platte River on Lake Michigan Drive in Benzie County to learn about and celebrate the night sky.  Watch the sun set into Lake Michigan, view the starry constellations, and spot the rings of Saturn through huge telescopes.  If you are lucky, you may even get to see the elusive green flash as the sun sinks below the horizon!

 

The Grand Traverse Astronomical Society is partnering with the National Lakeshore for this event.  The Society has been in existence for 29 years and its members regularly share their knowledge and enthusiasm with the public at the Northwestern Michigan College’s Rogers Observatory in Traverse City.  More recently, the Society has branched out to locations from street corners to national parks, sharing the wonders of the universe with the public.  Our first joint star party was this past October on the 40th anniversary of the National Lakeshore. Four more evenings are scheduled through October 2011. (Photo from October 2010)

 

The dark skies of the National Lakeshore were recently hailed as one of the ten best in the entire National Park System. “Just as the parks are dedicated to preserving landscapes, cultural sites, and habitat for wildlife, so are they concerned about overhead resources - particularly the kind of dark skies that reveal the beauty of the nighttime firmament,” declares National Geographic’s newly released Ten Best of Everything National Parks.

 

Superintendent Dusty Shultz noted, “Many of our visitors come from cities where they rarely, if ever, get to see the Milky Way. Looking out over Lake Michigan, they are awestruck by the density of the constellations in view.” Shultz added, “We are pleased and honored to be working with the Grand Traverse Astronomical Society on this series of star
parties and know the public will marvel at what they can see through the lenses of those fabulous telescopes.”

 

The public is invited to join us on this fun and educational night. Meet the Park Ranger at the end of Lake Michigan Road at the mouth of the Platte River on Saturday, June 18. The event, which begins at 9:00 p.m., will be offered just in time to also watch the sunset. Society members will have their telescopes out until 10:30 p.m. Dress for the weather and bring a flashlight for the walk back to your car. 

 

All Park Ranger-led programs are free. Participants need only purchase the park entrance pass or have an annual pass displayed on their vehicle to join in the fun.  Please call 231-326-5134, ext. 328, for details or log onto www.nps.gov/slbe. Also, check out our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/sbdnl.

 

Posted by Brandy Wheeler | Filed Under Benzie, Events | Leave a Comment 

Traverse City Restaurant Week 2/27 - 3/5

January 31, 2011

First Annual Restaurant Week Highlights Traverse City Dining
 
The Downtown Traverse City Association will host the first Traverse City Restaurant Week in response to the many accolades regarding great restaurants and food offerings in the Grand Traverse Region. February 27 through March 5, 2011 promises to be the most delicious week of the winter where diners may perfect the art of dining by discovering new restaurants or enjoying their favorite at an affordable price.
 
Restaurant Weeks are quickly popping up in communities all over the country and have proved to be a success. The Traverse City region is a natural fit for our finest restaurants to offer multi-course meals that have been especially prepared for this gourmet event. Fifteen of Traverse City’s most reputable restaurants will offer special dinner menu choices of three courses for $25 per person.
 
“We are excited see Traverse City Restaurant Week grow and become not only a community favorite, but also a tourist attraction in an otherwise slow time of year.  This is a great way to go that restaurant that you have been dying to try or go to your favorite,” says Colleen Paveglio, DDA/DTCA Marketing Director.
 

Enter to Win!

During Traverse City Restaurant Week, diners may enter to win a prize package that includes $50 gift cards to each participating restaurant.
Visit the downtowntc.com website for further information on participating restaurants and menus.  Following is a peek at who will be participating:
 

  • Amical
  • Blue Tractor Cook Shop
  • The Boathouse
  • The Cook’s House
  • Hanna Bistro
  • Jolly Pumpkin
  • Lil Bo Pub & Grille
  • Minervas
  • Mission Table (Friday & Saturday Only)
  • Modes Bum Steer
  • North Peak Brewing Co.
  • Patisserie Amie/Chez Peres
  • Phil’s on Front
  • Red Ginger
  • Trattoria Stella 

 
 
The First Annual Traverse City Restaurant Week is hosted by the over 200 merchants, restaurants and businesses who are members of the Downtown Traverse City Association.  For more information or to volunteer, call the DTCA office at (231) 922-2050 or email colleen@downtowntc.com   

Posted by Brandy Wheeler | Filed Under Events, Traverse City | Leave a Comment 

Chili Cook-Off Downtown Traverse City, Saturday 1-29

January 27, 2011

Restaurants compete for top chili awards

Warm up your taste buds this winter at the 17th Annual Downtown Chili Cook-Off presented by Pepsi Cola, C.H. Robinson Worldwide Inc, ABC 29&8 and WTCM on January 29th in Downtown Traverse City. Participants can sample the mild to the wild as the area’s top restaurants vie for awards in various categories. 

Northern Michigan’s ultimate chili challenge takes place from 11:00 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Park Place Dome in Downtown Traverse City. Additional seating will be provided in the lower of the Park Place Hotel and feature a cash bar. 

The Chili Cook-off attracted approximately 1,700 participants in 2010, who sampled the many chilies and voted for their favorites. Area restaurants will be cooking up their special recipes as they compete in eight different categories – 1, 2 and 3-alarm, white, vegetarian, no bean, seafood and ethnic as well as the coveted “people’s choice” award. The event will be featuring three organic chilies this year!

Chili lovers can choose a sampler of eight chilies for $8 or single bowls of their favorites for $4.  Pepsi products will also be available.  All proceeds from the event help support such Downtown community activities as Friday Night Live, Celebration for Young Children, the Downtown Art Walk, holiday activities and many other free downtown events throughout the year.  “The Downtown Chili Cook-Off continues to be a community favorite. What a great way to spend a cold snowy Saturday sampling chili by local chefs,” says Marketing Director, Colleen Paveglio. Following is a peek at who will be competing:

  • Cherry Republic
  • The Dish Café
  • Hanna Bistro
  • Lil Bo Pub & Grille
  • Minervas
  • Mt. Holiday
  • Omelette Shoppe
  • Oryana Lake Street Café
  • Prime Time Pub
  • Scalawags Whitefish & Chips
  • The Soul Hole
  • Union Cantina 

Morsels Bite Sized Bakery & Gourmet Coffee will be serving cornbread morsels to compliment the competing chilies.
 

The Annual Chili Cook-off is hosted by the over 200 merchants, restaurants and businesses who are members of the Downtown Traverse City Association. For more information or to volunteer, call the DTCA office at (231) 922-2050 or email colleen@downtowntc.com  

Posted by Brandy Wheeler | Filed Under Events, Traverse City | Leave a Comment 

Race to Nowhere Film

December 3, 2010

Race to Nowhere film imageRace To Nowhere: The Dark Side of America’s Achievement Culture

On December 15th at 4:45PM & 7:15PM The State Theatre in downtown Traverse City will feature a special showing of the film Race to Nowhere.

A concerned mother turned filmmaker aims her camera at the high-stakes, high-pressure culture that has invaded our schools and our children’s lives. Race to Nowhere points to the silent epidemic in our schools: cheating has become commonplace; students are disengaged; stress-related illness and depression are rampant; and many young people arrive at college and the workplace unprepared and uninspired.

Race to Nowhere is a call to action for families, educators, and policy makers to challenge current assumptions on how to best prepare the youth of America to become healthy, bright, contributing and leading citizens.
Tickets: $10 in advance or $15 at the door.  Proceeds benefit Learn and Serve projects throughout the TBAISD.

For each General Admission ticket purchased, you will receive one complimentary student ticket.

Visit www.tcaps.net/racetonowhere for more tickets and details

Director Q&A to follow both screenings

"Another inconvenient truth" -George Lucas Educational Foundation
"Must-see documentary" -Patrick Bassett, President, National Association of Independent Schools

For information about the film visit www.RaceToNowhere.com

Posted by Brandy Wheeler | Filed Under Check This Out, Events, Traverse City | Leave a Comment 

Downtown TC Holidays Kick-off on 12-3

November 23, 2010

Downtown Traverse City Christmas imageCelebrate the Spirit of the Season in Downtown Traverse City

There’s nothing like strolling the streets of Downtown, popping in and out of shops while snowflakes drift to the ground. With Thanksgiving around the corner you know that Christmas shopping is next. Downtown Traverse City wants to make sure you enjoy the holidays, so they’re getting ready to kick-off the season with the Arrival of Santa on December 3rd, followed by special shopping nights for the Ladies and the ever popular Men’s Night. If you’re coming in from out-of-town consider a Shop-n-Stay package at local hotels including a $50 Downtown gift card! Here’s all the details you’ll need to throughly enjoy a local shopping experience in Downtown Traverse City.

 

Santa’s Arrival, Tree Lighting & Holiday Open House
Friday, December 3
Downtown’s seasonal magic lights up on the first Friday in December with the excitement of Santa’s Arrival.  Spend the evening with Santa and shopping throughout the unique shops in Downtown Traverse City. At 5 pm, shoppers will be serenaded with holiday music and can gather at the community trees at the corner of Cass and E. Front St. Attendees can join in a community sing-a-long of their favorite holiday carols accompanied by the Interlochen Arts Academy Chamber Choir.  The excitement continues with Santa’s arrival in bright red antique fire engine!  Santa will join the carols, receive the Key to the City from the Traverse City Mayor, Chris Bzdok and then light the tree at 6 pm, before spending the rest of the evening (6-8 p.m.) visiting with little ones at his holiday house at Cass and E. Front Street.  While Santa is in his house, Horse & Carriage Rides from Abraham Carriage Service will be available at an affordable price until 8 pm.
 
Bringing a little bit of the islands to the blustery winter in Downtown Traverse City, the 21st Century Steel Band will be performing at the corner of Cass and E. Front from 6:15 – 9 pm. You won’t want to miss the amazing sounds that this troupe will bring to the north.
 
Share the spirit of the season with family and friends while merchants throughout the Downtown district host open houses and in-store specials.  Participating stores will have extended evening hours and offer store specials, free gift wrapping, food, refreshments and more!

 
Ladies’ Night
Thursday, December 9
Downtown Traverse City will be hosting Ladies Night, Thursday, December 9 from 5 to 9 pm.   Visit participating stores for specials, refreshments, prize drawings, free gift wrapping and more! Caroling throughout the evening with the Sweet Adelines.

 
Men’s Night Downtown
Thursday, December 16
Gentlemen, the evening is yours, finally!  Celebrate and shop with friends during Men’s Night Downtown on Thursday, December 16.  The gents can enjoy hors d’oeuvres and specials at many restaurants and merchants will be offering in-store specials, gift wrapping and drawings. Caroling throughout the evening with the Sweet Adelines.
 

Downtown Holiday Lights
Downtown Traverse City shines during the holiday season due to Traverse City Light & Power.  A special thank you goes out to Traverse City Light & Power for making possible the purchase of over 133,000 new LED lights in 2008. Traverse City Light & Power begins installation of the lights in early November. The process of installing lights on over 300 trees in Downtown Traverse City takes about three weeks.

 
Shop Downtown and Win!
Spend $200 in Downtown Traverse City between December 1-10, 2010 and enter to win a $250 Downtown Shopping Spree. It’s easy to enter. Visit the Downtown Office no later than December 13, 2010, show your receipts totaling $200 in purchases between December 1-10, 2010 and enter to win. The drawing will take place on Tuesday, December 14, 2010.  And don’t forget to keep your dollars local this holiday shopping season, Downtown Gift Certificates Make the Perfect Gift!
 

Holiday Hotel Packages-Stay in TC and Shop Downtown
Make reservations at one of the following hotels for December 3 & 4, 2010 and you will receive a $50 Downtown Gift Certificate at check-in for your holiday shopping needs during the annual Santa’s Arrival and Holiday Open House.
 
December 3 & 4
$50 Gift Certificate at Check-In
Holiday Inn West Bay: $220
Park Place Hotel: $240
Tamarack Lodge: $451

 
Santa’s Hours
Santa will be visiting with little ones in his house at the corner of Cass and E. Front throughout the holiday season.
 
Friday: 12/3  6 – 8 pm
Fridays: 12/10, 12/17  5 – 8 pm
Saturdays: 12/4, 12/11, 12/18   11 am – 4 pm
Sundays: 12/5, 12/12, 12/19   1 – 4 pm
Extended hours:
            12/22: 3 – 7 pm
            12/23: Noon – 3 pm
            12/24: Noon – 3 pm
          
A big thank you goes out to the Traverse City Elks Club Volunteer Committee for providing renovations to Santa’s House for the 2010 season. Improvements included, new paint, carpet doors and repairs to the roof and siding. The committee donated all of their time, expertise, supplies and equipment.
 
Parking  - Free and Easy!
The price is right for downtown parking this holiday season. Parking is free at the Larry C. Hardy and Old Town Parking Decks after 5 pm, Monday through Friday and all day on Saturday and Sunday.
 
Downtown Holidays are hosted by the over 200 merchants, restaurants and businesses who are members of the Downtown Traverse City Association.  Please contact the Downtown Traverse City Association at 922-2050 or e-mail colleen@downtowntc.com for further information.
                      
www.downtowntc.com

Posted by Brandy Wheeler | Filed Under Events, Traverse City | Leave a Comment 

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