Old Town Deck Ends Free Parking
August 23, 2010
Parkers in the new Old Town Parking Deck will have to pay to use that facility beginning Wednesday, August 25, 2010. The City of Traverse City, who owns the parking structure, and the Traverse City DDA, the operator, were pleased to open the parking deck early in time for the Traverse City Film Festival. The parking deck was opened prior to installation and activation of all of the pay and parking control systems. Parkers visiting Downtown Traverse City have had the opportunity to use the deck at no charge up to this point.
The 522-space parking structure includes 97 metered spaces on the ground level where parkers prepay at one of two meter pay stations. The rate is $0.60 per hour for up to four hours. Both hourly and permit parkers can use the other three levels. Hourly parkers pull a ticket upon entering and can pay when leaving using either a credit card or cash. A $0.50 hourly rate applies on the upper levels. Just like with the on-street meters, hourly rates are in effect from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. There is no charge for use at other times.
Open 24 hours, the first level is accessible from the alley that runs between Lake Street and East Eighth Street behind the AT&T store and Brady’s Bar. The upper levels are accessible off of East Eighth Street.
The parking structure includes eighteen state of the art car-charging stations for smart cars and bike parking in the form of bike lockers and covered bike racks on the first floor. Bike lockers may be rented on an hourly or extended period of time through the Auto Parking Services office, located in the Hardy Parking Deck.
Bryan Crough, Executive Director of the DDA, said; “We were pleased to open the parking deck early to help accommodate Traverse City Film Festival patrons. We will have staff at the Old Town Deck on the 25th and 26th to help parkers get used to the two different pay systems.” The pay stations on the first level are the first in Traverse City and allow for more efficient management and enforcement.
About the Traverse City Downtown Development Authority
The Traverse City Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is a public agency responsible for economic development in Downtown Traverse City. The DDA runs the City of Traverse City’s parking system, including the Old Town Deck.
Olde Town Parking Deck Opens Early
July 26, 2010
Downtown Traverse City Opens the Olde Town Parking Deck in Time for Film Festival
The City broke ground for the Old Town Deck on October 20, 2009 and planned on it being substantially completed in mid September. They are happy to report that the Old Town Parking Deck will now open just in time for a busy August in Downtown Traverse City. The contractor, Colasanti Construction has come close to completion, approximately seven weeks ahead of schedule, and due to some extraordinary efforts, the first floor is set to open for the 6th Annual Traverse City Film Festival.
“We are pleased to at least have the first floor open for the Traverse City Film Festival. With the Old Town Playhouse and Lars Hockstad Auditorium in close proximity, the Old Town Deck will help take some parking pressure off neighborhood streets," says Rob Bacigalupi, DDA Deputy Director.
CWS Architects are the local Architect and LEED consultant for the project and are pursuing Gold LEED certification. The four level parking deck features a solar panel array on the roof, which will provide all electricity needs for the facility on sunny days. Green roofs are located on the two stair towers and will reduce the volume of storm water entering the sewer system. “We expect that the Old Town Deck will be 40% more energy efficient than a conventional parking deck and are proud of the work that has taken place in the Old Town District,” says Ray Kendra, CWS Architects. The Old Town Deck will also include five car-charging stations and will be able to accommodate up to 20 electrical cars at once. These stations are state-of-the-art and can provide a full charge in two hours.
Planning for the Old Town Deck included parking options for the bike enthusiast. The northwest corner of the building will include eight bike storage lockers and five bikeracks will be located near the southeast corner. Long term or short term rental for the storage lockers are available and will be handled through the Parking Services Department located in the Hardy Parking Deck.
Full occupancy is expected by early August on the 522 space parking deck. Transient (hourly) parking will be provided on all levels. Vehicular entrances can be accessed from Lake and Eight Streets.
For more information, please call the Traverse City Downtown Development Authority at (231) 922-2050 or visit the Downtown website at www.downtowntc.com.
Take a Tour of 2 Lads Winery
July 21, 2010
Go Behind the Scenes at 2 Lads Winery on a Public Tour
One of the area’s most unique wineries is now opening their production area for tours. 2 Lads Winery on Old Mission Peninsula will conduct regular public tours every Monday, Thursday and Friday at noon and 3:00pm. Booking is on a first come, first served basis and accommodates up to 10 people.
Cost is $20 per person and includes a vineyard tour (weather permitting), cellar tour and a premium wine and food pairing led by one of the 2 Lads crew in the privacy of our gallery.
Taking a tour of one our area wineries is a great way to expand your knowledge of wine making, and discover what makes each winery, and the wines they produce, so unique. That’s why taking a Behind the Scenes tour is one of my 50 Ways to Love Your Summer.
50 Ways to Love Your Summer
June 23, 2010
Don’t waste a moment of your Up North summer
The 97 days between Memorial Day and Labor Day will fly by before we know it. So I decided to start early and make a list. A list of 50 ways to love my summer. These are some of my favorite ways to enjoy Traverse City and the surrounding area at it’s peak season.
1. Get a barrel of popcorn drizzled in real butter, stretch out on a lawn chair and watch a drive-in movie at the Cherry Bowl in Honor.
2. Enjoy a heaping scoop ice cream at Moomers, while watching the cows graze at sunset. Preferably Chocolate Cookie Monster in a chocolate dipped waffle cone to be exact. But Cherries Moobilee is good too.
3. Attend a student performance at Interlochen Center for the Arts. Collage is a great way to see it all, but I love the high school musicals.
4. Watch the marine traffic come and go while you sip a cocktail on the deck at Scott’s Harbor Grill. Cloaked in a cool breeze at sunset, or enjoying the sun on your shoulders at lunchtime, Scott’s deck is my favorite.
5. Savor a simple homebaked snack. Pick-up a loaf of Pleasanton Bakery’s parmesan olive bread and savor it in bite-sized pieces torn from the warm loaf. It’s great plain, but I like mine dipped in Fustini’s olive oils and balsamic vinegars.
6. Wrap up the week with an evening at Friday Night Live in downtown Traverse City. Buy a balloon, enjoy live music, have your face painted. A perfect place to be a kid again…or bring one.
7. Discover amazing artists as you tour a local art fair. I never miss the Frankfort art fair in August, but not just for the art. I’m in love with the chicken dinners they cook in the park. Best Chicken EVER!
8. Visit a vineyard and sip the fruits of Old Mission or Leelanau peninsula on a wine tour. On Old Mission I like to start at 2 Lads Winery and work my way back. On Leelanau you better make two trips!
9. Fill a basket with fresh picked fruit straight from the orchard. Stop at a U-Pick farm for a hands-on experience or pull up to a roadside stand and select from nature’s best.
10. Cast a line on the Boardman River for trout or reel in a Lake Michigan salmon on a charter fishing trip. Try Hammerhead in Frankfort or Outta Line in Traverse City.
11. Walk the shores of Lake Michigan and search for petoskey stones and Leland blue stone.
12. Hop on a boat or a jet ski and ride out to where the deep water lives, clear and blue green as far as the eyes can see…and dive in!
13. Eat your fill of fresh sweet corn. Nobody beats Hall’s farm on North Long Lake Road in Traverse City.
14. Ride the train at the old Clinch Park zoo. Let the whistle fill your ears as you absorb the smiles of young and old around you.
15. Visit a lighthouse for an historic trip back in time. Point Betsie near Frankfort is the most photographed, but I’m looking forward to a trip back to South Manitou Island. That is, if I can brave the spiral stairs again.
16. Love fudge–watch it made, cooked in copper and turned on a cold marble slab, at Murdick’s Fudge Shoppe. Peanut butter, you’re calling my name.
17. Take a behind-the-scenes tour. Whether you’re a foodie, a vodka lover or wine geek there’s a tour to be had if you ask. Learn Great Foods will organize one or stop in Grand Traverse Distillery or Bel Lago Winery and they’ll show you the sites.
18. Spend a day at the beach wireless and free, with a book and your favorite beverage.
19. Eat cherries everyday! OK, maybe not everyday, but come on this is cherry country people. Check out The Cherry Stop for dozens of ways to quench your cherry cravings.
20. Make a day trip drive along M-22 from Elberta to Northport and back to Traverse City. Stop to eat, shop and take photos along the way.
21. Grab an early bird dinner at The Manitou Restaurant. No skimping. Start with the skinny dippers and finish with blueberry raspberry pie.
22. Watch the sunset sink below the horizon from a beach towel on the sand.
23. Park and walk a mile to the beach for spectacular Fourth of July fireworks. Come early to dig a pit in the sand for reclined viewing, or bring a cozy chair.
24. Spend a day at the festival. Which one? Readers choice. There’s Cherry Festival, Film Festival, Jazz Festival and a Microbrew and Music Festival, you can’t go wrong.
25. Climb the Sleeping Bear Dunes and run down as fast as your feet can carry you. If you’re not scraping sand from your scalp before bed then you didn’t have enough fun.
26. Dine al fresco on a downtown street and people watch. Umbrella tables at Hanna are popular. If you prefer a water view check out Apache Trout Grill or Knot Just a Bar.
27. Dance in the rain like nobody’s watching – preferably with a child. They’ll wonder what’s got into you.
28. Photograph the everyday special places, people and things in your life. It’s not the parties and holidays that spark nostalgia but the details of summer memories past.
29. Build a bonfire on the beach and make s’mores. Eat until your fingers are sticky, the chocolate is gone and only broken graham crackers remain.
30. Play a sport on the lawn. Badmitten, croquet, bocce or new favorites like ring toss and bean bag games make fun family competitions a must-do for summer.
31. Thump your paddle like Hiawatha on the floor of a Riverside canoe as you navigate the Platte River. When you make it to the mouth spend an hour playing in the current.
32. Make par on a golf course. Mine will have to be mini golf at Pirates Cove, but if you’re up to the challenge of the real deal try Mistwood in Lake Ann. Or help celebrate 25 years at The Bear at the Grand Traverse Resort.
33. Spend a hot day at a cool pool. My kids love the outdoor waterpark at Crystal Mountain. Or you could ride a slide at Fun Country or Pirates Cove.
34. Try a new restaurant – either new to you or new to town. Check out Soul Hole in downtown Traverse City or Mission Table on Old Mission Peninsula.
35. Shop the farmer’s markets, snack from your purchase as you move vendor to vendor in support of local agriculture.
36. Drink riesling. OK, it’s my favorite and I suppose you could choose another wine. But before you decide, try a flight at Uncorked and I know you’ll walk away with one you like. Or just buy the t-shirt at Left Foot Charley and support the riesling movement in theory.
37. Explore the old state hospital grounds inside the Grand Traverse Commons, also known as The Village. Sip wine at Tastes of Black Star Farms, Have an Underground Cheescake on a stick and end up at Stellas for dinner.
38. Watch a movie at The State Theatre in Traverse City or The Garden in Frankfort. Restored classic theatres where the movies are great, and so are the prices.
39. Eat a boom chunka cookie on the patio at Cherry Republic on a trip to Glen Arbor. Stop by Art’s Tavern for a delicious burger. Discover the beautiful jewelry at Becky Thatcher Designs. And for a real treat, dinner at Blu. The best fine dining around.
40. Drink where the locals drink. Grab at pint at Right Brain Brewery among their mug-toting members. Perhaps something with an unusual ingredient like basil or wasabi.
41. Walk the pier to the Frankfort lighthouse, preferably on a foggy evening when the light streams out in rays, or early morning when the anglers are casting and waiting for the bite to begin.
42. Take a slow boat ride along the shore. Get a new perspective of the cottages along the lakeshore. Sailboat, paddleboat or pontoon, whatever works. No boat? How about a ride on the Tall Ship or the Nauticat in Traverse City or a Dunes Cruise in Frankfort.
43. Walk and shop your way through Fishtown in Leland. Pick up some smoked whitefish at Carlsons Fish Market or a pretzel bread sandwich from the Village Cheese Shanty. And for dinner, don’t miss The Bluebird–with my favorite pea & peanut salad.
44. Spend a rainy day at the bowling alley. Wilderness Crossings is the perfect place to entertain the kiddos when the sun is hiding. Bowling, glow golf, arcades and a restaurant for mom and dad.
45. Swim in a river. Let the current pull you along as you try to keep you bottom off the bottom. Relax and drift as the water sweeps your cares away.
46. Bike or walk a beautiful trail. Check out the TART trail in Traverse City or the Betsie Valley Trail that winds from Elberta all the way to Crystal Mountain.
47. Vintage treasures are waiting. Shop for flea market finds or antiques. From the Cherryland Antique Mall and Red Dresser in Traverse City to the Emporium in Beulah, your shabby chic find awaits.
48. Leave footprints in the sand. Take off your shoes and feel the grainy wet sand massage your toes with every step.
49. Read a book on the beach. I look forward to the new Janet Evanovich novel every summer. Need a good local read? Try The Bookstore in Frankfort, Brilliant Books in Suttons Bay or Horizon Books in Traverse City.
50. Take a nap. Lie in a hammock until you drift off with the breeze, stretch out on a beach towel or nod off in an adorondack chair. Rest and relax. It’s summer.
What are the 5 Most Common Items Hotels Guests Leave Behind?
June 15, 2010
Digging Around in the Lost and Found
How many times do you check your belongings, dig through suitcases and peruse the room before closing the hotel door on the final day of vacation? If you’re anything like me, about a dozen. And yet, we still leave important items behind.
When I was a child we traveled often on weekends for my father’s business as an event promoter. Late night check-ins and early morning dashes to the van to get back on the road meant we often left essential items behind in our hotel room. Not on purpose of course, but it’s bound to happen when you’re in a hurry, or if you travel often enough.
A recent trip with my dad brought back memories of those excursions. And I started to wonder. What are the most common items hotel guests leave behind when they visit Northern Michigan?
Since I just happen to work with over 60 hotels in the Traverse City area, I thought I’d take a little survey and report the results.
The 5 most common items Northern Michigan hotel guests leave behind
#5 Swim suits
#4 Toiletries (shampoo, toothpaste, razors, etc.)
#3 Pillows
#2 Clothes
#1 Cell phone chargers
I’m sure the number one answer comes as no surprise. In fact, cell phone chargers are the number one item left behind in hotels worldwide. A study last year by Holiday Inn and Holiday Express in the UK revealed 42,000 cell phone chargers left behind in their hotels in one year. What’s more surprising is their collective value: nearly $1 million!
What Else Did They Leave?
Forget the most common items, what’s more entertaining is discovering what area visitors forgot in the closet, stashed in the safe and inexplicably left behind. Our survey of Traverse City area hotels revealed several stories, ranging from the odd to the downright embarrassing. Here’s our list of the top five.
Top 5 Most Unusual Items Hotel Guests Left Behind
#5 Adult toys
As you might expect, underwear and lingerie are often discovered after check-out. And more than a few hotels reported adult toys among the mix. We’ll spare you the EEEW factor and other details. This is a family-friendly website after all.
#4 False teeth
OK, I understand that you have to remove them for cleaning, and could accidentally leave them behind in a glass on the sink or something. But honestly, how do you forget them? And how often do you leave them behind that you can’t remember the last time you had them??
#3 A walker
Discovering a walker accidently misplaced, or folded neatly in the closet may not be all that unexpected. But finding one sitting in the parking lot at the center of a handicapped space gives it a ranking on my strange-o-meter. As Alanis says, "isn’t it ironic?"
#2 A police-issue 9mm handgun
Placed in the safe for security it was left behind. Unfortunately for the officer, that’s a big no-no. The hotel reported it and the officer got in big trouble with the department.
#1 Cremated urn of ashes
This one I just can’t paraphrase. An anonymous hotel found, "An urn of cremated ashes, yes of a person. When contacted the son said ‘throw him in the dumpster’. We tracked down a daughter who was happy to accept." Strangely enough that same survey respondant also listed "human leg and hip bones from a doctor who does replacement surgeries." Truth is stranger than fiction.
How to Keep Your Items out of the Lost and Found
It seems to me, we have all need to spend a few extra minutes packing and double-checking before we leave behind something essential…or embarassing.
On that note I’ve created this handy Mealtickets Vacation Checklist to aid in your travel packing.
Click here to download our packing checklist for your next trip.
Staple it inside your suitcase, tuck it in your purse or duct tape it to your tailgate if you have to. Whatever works for you.
Have a great Up North Michigan vacation this summer. And may you, and your belongings, make it home safely.
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Recent Posts
- Old Town Deck Ends Free Parking
- Favorite Summer Recipes
- Olde Town Parking Deck Opens Early
- Take a Tour of 2 Lads Winery
- 50 Ways to Love Your Summer
- What are the 5 Most Common Items Hotels Guests Leave Behind?
- Free Fishing Weekend 6/12 - 6/13
- Colanta Walker Dairy Festival at The Village
- Fee-Free Dates at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park
- Community Open House at the Opera House 6-6
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