Get Outside!!!!

Hello to my blog readers.  I want to apologize for not having a blog out for July, but hey it is summer and a crazy busy time.  So my people, this will be a short blog with updates and challenges to get you out and about playing fudgie or getting in the water or camping or hiking or whatever floats your boat. 

As you all know, we have a few weeks of summer left before the leaves change, and the grapes get harvested to make the great up north wine we are lucky enough to drink. 

With that said, I challenge everyone to put the phones down, call a sitter, and go enjoy the rest of August doing a ton of fun things.  Between the YPs and MyNorth.com (below), you will have the hook-up on all fun activities, adventures, and ideas.

1)  Hike the Treat Farm Trail in Empire.  It may seem like a long drive, but I promise you once you get there and walk through the woods, there is a great opening where the old Treat Farm sits and past the farm you can hike all over the place.  There are trails everywhere.  It brings you to a bluff right above Lake Michigan and if you are daring enough you can slowly scale down the bluff and relax on the rocky beach where you will not see a soul.

2)  Drive to Northport in the morning if possible on Friday; grab a cinnamon twist from Barb's Bakery and head down to the marina for the Farmer's Market where the fresh produce and goodies are incredible.  Then take a short drive to Peterson Park and walk down the 115 steps to Lake Michigan and hunt for rocks or Petoskey Stones.

3)  Rent a kayak, canoe or take your own and go down the Crystal River in Glen Arbor.  It is absolutely beautiful and calming down the river.  Once completed, head into downtown Glen Arbor, grab a burger at Boone Docks or Art's Tavern. 

4)  Head to Old Mission Peninsula Lighthouse and hike around all the trails that surround it.  You may run into a few out of towners, but to be out there is awesome.  You will for sure work up at appetite for some great food and of course wine, so head to Jolly Pumpkin for some great food and hit a few wineries on the way home. 

I challenge everyone that reads this blog to do at least 1 of the actives above if not all of them.  If you are a master and do all of them and need more, don't you worry.  Craving more ideas...? Check out our new blog partner, MyNorth, for more ideas on how to enhance your Northern Michigan experience!

AUGUST MYNORTH.COM FEATURE: Our Friends at MyNorth.com, an awesome resource for local events, concerts, events and food, wrote an incredible story on what to do in Northern Michigan to savor the last bit of summer in August.  You should check it out as well as their website, which has a slew of other information.     10 Things to Do in Northern Michigan in August

August Updates

Grand Traverse County

"Get Out and Play" Crowdfunding Campaign Limited time remains in the on-line crowdfunding campaign for a new playground – the Get Out and Play Project – at Grand Traverse County’s Civic Center Park. If, by August 31, the community has pledged $50,000 total toward the "Get Out and Play" project, then the MEDC and MSHDA will match that amount with a $50,000 grant.

For more information about the Get Out and Play Civic Center playground project, to view the design, and to donate, visit: http://www.patronicity.com/getoutandplayproject.

TCAPS

Traverse Heights Elementary School Receives School Supply Donations from Newlyweds

 

 Traverse City Area Public Schools’ Traverse Heights Elementary School received a gift of school supplies from a unique donor, newlyweds. Kristy (VerSnyder) Tomczak and Vince Tomczak requested that guests at their July 2, 2016, wedding bring school supplies in lieu of traditional gifts. The Tomczaks provided attendees with a wish list created by staff at Traverse Heights Elementary School and their guests, in turn, donated an overwhelming amount of school supplies. Donations included backpacks, notebooks, pencils, erasers, crayons, rulers, scissors, books, clothes, shoes, and $600 in gift cards. “Vince and I decided that we wanted to put the good will of those who wished to help us celebrate our wedding day with presents to the best use possible,” said Kristy Tomczak. “We felt that the students at Traverse Heights Elementary would be a wonderful benefactor of our guest’s generosity, and our friends and family agreed. We received many comments that this was the most meaningful wedding gift they ever bought.”

 TCAPS’ NWEA Scores Show High Student Proficiency and Strong Growth

Traverse City Area Public Schools’ scores on the Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) assessment during the 2015-16 school indicate that TCAPS students are performing well above the national norm, scoring between the 60^th and 90^th percentile in reading and math across all grade levels assessed, kindergarten through 9^th grade. In addition, students demonstrated growth well above the 50^th percentile mark in kindergarten through 8^th grade, outpacing the growth norms in the country. NWEA is a valuable tool that provides teachers with detailed and immediate information regarding student progress and understanding of content. The assessment adjusts to each student’s ability level and provides a growth target based on the individual student. The data allows teachers, students, and parents to monitor growth, deliver appropriate and targeted instruction, and celebrate academic successes.

TCAPS’ Music Program to Perform at Premier State Music Event

The TCAPS K-12 Music Department has been selected to present the opening night concert at the 2017 Michigan Music Conference on Thursday, January 19, 2017, at DeVos Hall in Grand Rapids. More than 500 5^th through 12^th graders are expected to perform at the event. TCAPS completed an extensive application process that included providing written documentation describing the district’s music curriculum and audio recordings of each of the secondary ensembles from the 2015-16 school year and two previous school years. The selection process stipulated the selected school district present elementary through high school musical performances that would showcase the entire music curriculum. TCAPS was last featured in 2005 at the 60^th Annual Midwestern Music Conference performed at the Hill Auditorium at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. More information about the Michigan Music Conference: www.michiganmusicconference.org.

Free TCAPS Preschool Option Available Through Great Start Readiness Program

Qualifying families can participate in a free, full-day preschool program through the Great Start Readiness Program. The program is offered Monday through Thursday (no classes on Friday) at Blair Elementary School, Central Grade School, Cherry Knoll Elementary School, Courtade Elementary School, Long Lake Elementary School and Traverse Heights Elementary School.  If interested, please contact the Northwest Community Action Agency at 231-346-2116 to apply (eligibility determined at time of application).

 TCAPS Board Coffee Conversation—August 25^th
The TCAPS Board of Education will host its monthly Coffee Conversation on Thursday, August 25^th, at Horizon Books in downtown Traverse City from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Attendees have the opportunity to discuss any topic of interest with a TCAPS board member at the meeting.

TCAPS Fall High School Sports Tryouts and Practice Begin in August  

Fall high school sports at Traverse City Central High School and Traverse City West Senior High School begin conducting tryouts and practicing the week of August 8^th. Fall sports include: cheer/dance, boys' and girls' cross-country, equestrian, football, girls' golf, boys' soccer, girls' swimming, boys' tennis and volleyball. All athletes must have a sports physical dated on or after April 15, 2016, on file with the athletic office prior to trying out for any high school sports. More information: http://www.tcaps.net/programs/highschools/
 

City of Traverse City Update

New Resident Guide to City Services – The City has recently published a guide for various city services. This guide is not only helpful for all newcomers, but to longtime residents as well. Hard copies of this guide can be picked up at the Governmental Center or a digital version can be viewed at www.traversecitymi.gov.

 Elections Inspectors Needed! If you are interested in being a part of the Election process and working in a precinct on Election Day, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 231-922-4480. Election Inspectors typically work from 5:45 a.m. until roughly 10:00 p.m. on Election Day and are paid for their time.

 Seeking Volunteers! The City is currently looking for volunteers to serve on various boards and committees. If you are interested in becoming involved with your local government, visit www.traversecitymi.gov/boards.asp.

 Construction Season – keep a look out! The City has various construction projects taking place; please use caution when driving through these areas. For up to date information on construction projects and road project, visit our website at www.traversecitymi.gov and check the City News & Highlights section.

 

SUP TCMI!

Happy summer, everyone! Here's hoping you're all out enjoying the hey-day of August here in northern Michigan. It's clear that YPs John and Emily Petrovich (both of NewEra Social Marketing) are making the most of these warm, sunny days by enjoying their time on stand-up paddleboards out on the water. Check out John's article for more on this great sport!

Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP) is a peaceful way to get out and enjoy our local waters without noisy motors. It can be a relaxing session or a more intense work-out experience – it’s really whatever you want to make it!

A paddleboard allows you to float right on top of the water and can take you places that no boat can go. The views of underwater roots and trees through our crystal clear local waters make you feel like you’re on the Pirates of the Caribbean movie set. During SUP adventures, we’ve explored shipwrecks, paddled among flocks of rarely-seen birds hanging out in rivers and streams as a stop along their migration paths, and even performed a rescue for a small dog that was tangled in a river marsh area. For awesome photos and videos of paddling local shipwrecks, check out Lena Olmsted’s Instagram account and this Instagram video of one of our recent discoveries in Torch Lake.

TC and the surrounding areas are an “unsalted paddle paradise.” With sandy lake beds, crystal clear waters and breathtaking shore line views, our area is truly unique here in the great Mitten state. If only northern Michigan summers were never ending! But I guess this is what we brave the winters for – and it makes summertime that much sweeter.

Travel West from TC on the beautiful M-22 route into Empire, paddle out of Empire Beach on Lake Michigan, and head south for jaw dropping views of the dunes or north to check out the pristine beach at North Bar Lake. If conditions on the big lake aren’t ideal, simply walk across the parking lot to paddle the smaller, warmer waters of South Bar Lake, or head toward Glen Arbor and check out Little and Big Glen Lake.

Travel East from TC and you'll find yourself surrounded by the teal blue waters of Torch and Elk Lake. There are numerous launch points but the 'Kayak' launch just south of the bridge in Elk Rapids is always a favorite. Paddling through the shallow waters of Elk River, you'll be awestruck by the natural beauty that surrounds you. Plus, if you feel like enjoying a pure northern Michigan sunset, you can easily pluck your board out of the water, head down the street and drop right into East Bay for a sunset paddle that never disappoints!

There are a number of local places to get your SUP gear. Wet Mitten Surf Shop and 231 Outfitters are two great brick-and-mortar SUP stores in Traverse City and you can find a handful of other dealers in the area, too. Craigslist is a helpful source for finding an affordable SUP board, both new and used. We have had our SUP ATX paddleboards for years and we love them! The company recently featured SUP’ing in the northern Michigan area in their Urban Paddle Guide with SUP Magazine. Check it out: Traverse City, MI: Urban Paddle Guide

There are also many local paddleboarding groups on Facebook that you can get involved with, both right in Traverse City and in the surrounding areas, like Elk Rapids. Some are ladies-only, some are co-ed, and all are a guaranteed opportunity to connect with both nature and fellow nature-lovers on the water.

We still have lots of summer left. Get out there and enjoy every last minute!

Fall Color Tour in Traverse City! Guest Blogger Aly Jarosz

Guest Blogger Aly Jarosz takes us on a fall color tour of Traverse City and makes a new friend called Bacon! :)

 

The sun is setting on our Traverse City summer, and although the warm weather has followed us into October, the trees are begging to change, and the nights have become much cooler. We’re getting ready for the much anticipated color tours, and the bountiful harvest of fall in Northern Michigan. Expect the evenings to creep up much sooner, as our days to become much shorter, and for the temptation of caramel-coated apples to lurk around every corner.

The landscapes that line each our trails have already been sprinkled with color, and pops of orange, yellow, and burgundy take center-stage amongst the greenery. Not only can you see the colors of fall, you can almost smell this crisp, nutty, aroma in the cool breeze as well.

I’ve been welcoming this change by taking long drives out to Old Mission Peninsula, and returning to the Empire Bluffs, with my dog Khloe, one last time before the snow falls. Living in this area lends such beautiful scenery. We are so fortunate to have the opportunity to take a drive along the shoreline, whenever you want to experience the changing seasons and darkening colors of fall.

My one-stop-shop for all of my fall favorites, is Gallagher’s Farm Market! They are located on East Traverse Road, making it my first stop for fresh produce, crisp apples, sweet treats, and choice-pumpkins every year.

As Khloe and I embarked on our hiking adventure at the Empire Bluffs, we made sure to drop in and say hello to an old friend.

It was hard to choose a favorite, but I carefully selected my pumpkins for carving, a big bushel of apples, and even stopped to see an old friend, before I was on my way.

It doesn’t matter how old I am, I look forward to seeing the intricate designs of Jacob’s Corn Maze every year. Jacob’s Corn Maze is conveniently located right across the road from Gallagher’s.

It became so nostalgic to see all of these welcoming signs of fall that I couldn’t help but share my evening with you, in hopes that you would be able to make a visit as well! After all, this masterful maze may have been set-up to stump 8-year-olds, but my friends and I love to compete, and we usually end up treating it as if it were some mad-dash race to the finish!

I found my first fall color tour of the year to be exhilarating. Seeing backdrops of treetops hug every winding corner of the road creates an entirely new experience every time. I’ll be looking forward to pumpkin carving with my friends and family, and homemade apple crisp pie now too!