Traverse City Offers Young Professionals and Families a Great Community with Great Schools

Greetings, readers! We're closing in on the holiday season, which means the snow and cold are on their way. As we wrap up a fantastic Autumn here in northern Michigan we're sharing a guest blog post today from Christine Guitar, Director of Marketing and Communications at Traverse City Area Public Schools (TCAPS). Whether you're moving to Traverse City or a longtime resident, rest assured: the public schooling system in Traverse City is one of the best around! Read on for more details about why our region is a great place to start or grow a family.

There are so many things that make Traverse City great. The bay views, the food scene, the cultural and arts opportunities. There is also another fundamental piece of the puzzle: our schools. Great schools ensure that the community has the foundation it needs to be great now and into the future.

Whether parents want their child to go to one of the only free, public school Montessori programs in the state, gain hands-on experience in science, technology, engineering and math—or STEM—education, or learn Mandarin Chinese, Traverse City Area Public Schools (TCAPS) offers its roughly 10,000 students and their families those opportunities and so much more.

Students can focus on career technical training, like culinary arts or construction trades, through our partnership with the Traverse Bay Area Intermediate School District. Students can also earn college credit before they receive their high school diploma through Advanced Placement courses. Early College and Dual Enrollment opportunities are offered in collaboration with Northwestern Michigan College (saving our community’s parents an estimated $2 million dollars annually!).

What is incredible is that TCAPS offers all of these opportunities while receiving some of the lowest per pupil funding in the state. Receiving thousands of dollars less per student is certainly no reason to celebrate, but what should be a reason for the community to cheer is that even in the face of an inequitable funding distribution, TCAPS ranks just as highly.

For the 5th year in a row, TC Central High School and TC West Senior High School have been named among America’s “Most Challenging High Schools” by The Washington Post. Only 11% of the approximately 22,000 U.S. public high schools earned placement on the list. Both schools have also been ranked for the last 4 years among the “Top 50 Best High Schools” in the state by U.S. News and World Report. Out of the 849 public, charter and magnet schools in Michigan that were ranked, TC West Senior High School ranked #16 on the 2015 list…Grosse Pointe South, which receives $2,500 more per student ranked #17.

Couple TCAPS’ low state funding with a low local millage rate of 3.1 percent (the state average is 5.1), and it is clear that families in Traverse City and the entire community get a real return on their investment in education.

While young professionals may move to Traverse City hoping to build their careers and enjoy the great amenities that the area offers, they can stay and raise a family knowing that the educational opportunities offered are top notch.

Affordable Housing in Traverse City: Building Up, Not Out

Greetings, YPs! we have a special blog post from former YP Chairman Warren Call. Affordable housing and multi-story buildings in downtown Traverse City are all over the news in our town right now, and Warren is sharing his opinion about these issues on the blog today. Read on for his support of higher density housing as a counterattack to urban sprawl in our region. 

Photo courtesy of The State Theatre

Taller buildings downtown or strip malls and sprawl – which type of development is the bigger threat to our unique Northern Michigan character? Would eight or nine-story buildings downtown ruin Traverse City? These important questions are being debated as the Grand Traverse Region grows (and development pressures increase). These decisions will greatly impact the city and region the Traverse City Young Professionals call home – and I think it’s time we made our opinions heard. I know where I sit; I like the idea of a dynamic downtown and tall buildings do not bother me. I am afraid of sprawl that engulfs areas where farms, forests and fields used to be.

Taller buildings, higher density, and Affordable Housing Developments are the way forward for Traverse City and the Grand Traverse Region. Traverse City zoning and planning should allow and encourage taller structures that permit developers to “build up” using existing vacant or underused parcels in the city. Downtown zoning should create higher density in-line with land use regulations and include development incentives and public investment. Planning and zoning that allow for downtown development is necessary to prevent sprawl and preserve our existing agricultural, forest and rural land. The benefits are clear:

Downtown development preserves our unique character
Suburban sprawl is the real threat to our beautiful and scenic region. The only way to preserve our unique regional and city character is to concentrate new development in our existing city center. Downtown housing and development reduces and prevents sprawl. Regulation that allows for taller buildings in the city center helps to preserve our scenic agricultural, forest, and rural areas.

Downtown Development is the culmination of decades of thorough and thoughtful planning
Locating new building and development within our existing urban areas is one of the key findings from decades of master planning and zoning improvements. Higher density development is part of the Traverse City and Grand Traverse Master Plan and current city zoning supports higher density building with a diverse mix of housing options and uses. Higher density downtown development is supported by the findings of long-term planning; the New Designs for Growth and the Grand Vision planning processes (75% of Grand Vision respondents said new growth should occur in existing developed areas). Downtown development helps to address a major jobs/housing imbalance in our region's largest employment hub.

Downtown Development is the key economic driver for our region
Higher density housing can help to create a "full-time" downtown: a place with retail, entertainment, and office activity that is self-sustaining. Downtown residents form a built-in market for downtown retailers and entertainment, thus reinforcing investments already made in our public spaces, parks, museums, theaters, and existing infrastructure. Developing downtown housing improves our region’s employment options by attracting a mix of knowledge workers, entrepreneurs and professionals. Downtown housing improves the city's tax base while making the highest and best use of our existing vacant and underused city parcels. A vibrant, dynamic, walkable downtown that offers a mix of housing, retail, office, recreational, and entertainment options appeals to people of all ages; young professionals, baby boomers, young families, the elderly, and students.

The City Commission, Planning Commission and City zoning regulations should allow and encourage taller buildings, higher density, and affordable housing development. These features will preserve our unique local character, address our housing and planning needs, and drive future economic success in our region.

Ladies' Night Holiday Shopping: YP Kelsey Lauer Goes Out on the Town

Downtown Traverse City knows how to celebrate the holidays, and Ladies' Night Holiday Shopping is no exception. I was lucky enough to spend several hours roaming downtown last Thursday with several friends in a chocolate-and-good-wine-fueled shopping frenzy—although it involved more window shopping than not. 

We started the evening with a free massage and complimentary beverages at the Bank of Northern Michigan. After relaxing for a bit, we headed out to check out the shopping at The Exchange Boutique and Salon. The scarves were particularly interesting. 

Next, we went next door to Pavlova Salon, where we joined numerous other ladies in indulging in a glass of L. Mawby’s Sex and some delectable chocolate truffles. Thus fueled by chocolate, we hit up Boyne Country Sports, admired some of their skis and then moved across the street to Brilliant Books, where I picked up New York Times bestseller “And When She was Good” by Laura Lippman. (Side note: it’s a really good read!).  

Next, we visited Great Lakes Bath and Body, which was the best-smelling store of the entire evening. If you need candles, soap, lotion or a scrub, their selection is highly varied and almost sure to offer something that’s to your liking. 

We had fun trying on sunglasses at the Sunglass Shoppe, which was also kind enough to offer some good snacks. Definitely check them out if you’re in need of eyewear—they have both fashion and high performance options. 

Another highlight of the evening was Fustini’s Oils and Vinegars—possibly the most-packed store of the evening. After navigating through the crowd of people, we arrived at the beverage cart, where I sampled peach balsamic vinegar mixed with a sparkling beverage—surprisingly tasty! Although I didn’t purchase anything this time, I’d highly recommend Fustini’s 18-Year-Old Traditional Balsamic Vinegar; it pairs well with almost any food item. 

Also worth a visit is My Secret Stash on Cass Street, which is a little off the beaten path but features a beautiful selection of jewelry, art, housewares and more, all made by Michigan artists. I was too busy admiring everything to take pictures, but I did most of my shopping damage here and don’t regret a penny of it!  

These were just some of the highlights, but we visited a circuit of nearly a dozen different merchants (some of which are mentioned above) that made us eligible for a drawing at the end of the evening. Giveaways included a $400 downtown gift card, a $200 downtown gift card and a wide variety of prizes from sponsors. None of us were lucky enough to win, but we still appreciated the chance, and congratulations to the lucky recipients! 

Men’s Night is tonight and, from what I hear, is every bit as fun as Ladies Night, so head down and check it out!   

YP Playlist: Short Days & Long Nights

By Emily Petrovich of NewEra Social Marketing

Winter is coming. Actually, it feels like winter is already here.

The days are shorter with a noticeable lack of sunshine… the nights are longer and increasingly colder. There must be some correlation between these seasonal factors and a dramatic increase in our proclamation that we will not go into “hibernation mode” (while actually experiencing a decrease in willpower and motivation.) We tend to gradually allow ourselves extra holiday treats while gazing woefully out our windows at the gray skies, swearing we will lace up our running shoes or hit the gym at some point tomorrow, despite the appeal of our warm homes with comfy couches and cozy blankets. Bonus points (and even more of a challenge to resist) if there’s a fireplace. Must. Not. Hibernate!

Okay, okay – not all of us go right into hibernation mode at the first sign of snowflakes. The Traverse City area offers so many wonderful opportunities to stay active during the winter months, indoors and out. But it can be tough to keep your energy up if you typically arrive to work at or around first light and leave when it’s completely dark. We feel you, friends. We’re here for you. That’s why we’ve combined TCYP forces to create a musical snack mix for your listening pleasure, sure to keep your spirits up all winter season long!

Our first playlist features favorites from several of our YP’s – songs that energize, motivate, and inspire us. The overall flow starts by pumping you up and finishes by gradually bringing things back down – perfect for a winter work day.

Check out our Short Days & Long Nights playlist on Spotify.

 

 Are there any songs you would add? Let us know in the comments!

YP Guest Blogger: Daniel Baker

Greetings, YPs! It's been a while since there's been a post here lately, and I apologize for that. The main reason is simply that I've not been in TC much the past month, so I've not had the opportunity to share with y'all the greatness of this area. As autumn rapidly approaches, though, you can bet that I'll be sharing some of my favorite season with you all! Today, though, I want to share a guest blog post from Daniel Baker. Daniel and his fiancée, Kelsey, recently moved to the area. Read on to see what brought them to this beautiful place!

“We need to live here!”…are the words I said to my then girlfriend Kelsey as we drove past the scenic lookout by Chateau Grand Traverse in 2010. My name is Daniel Baker and I am a very proud and happy new resident of Traverse City! My now fiancée Kelsey and I relocated to TC in June of this year. We have been spending the majority of our summer weekends up here for the past 10 years as her parents have a cottage on Old Mission Peninsula and I have family in the area. It didn't take long for us to realize that this is the place we want to be long-term.

I was born in Traverse City but moved at a young age and grew up in Mount Pleasant. I most recently lived and worked in Grand Rapids where I moved from. I attended Alma College where I played football and earned a Bachelors degree in Business Administration in 2010. I am currently in the process of attaining my MBA in Finance from Walsh College out of Troy, MI. 

From Alma College I went to work in the Detroit market in several business-to-business account executive roles in both payroll administration and payment processing. My involvement in the financial services industrial allowed me to transition into a banking role in Grand Rapids where I was a Personal Banker, and Customer Service Manager in the Cascade market. Currently I work as a Cash Management Officer and Assistant Vice President for First Community Bank in downtown Traverse City. 

While it was our goal to plant our roots in Traverse City as soon as we could, I was fortunate enough to be offered a dream job opportunity with a great family owned bank doing what I love. Kelsey is enjoying her new job as a Human Resources Assistant for Team Elmer’s and we are settling in and trying to enjoy as much of the summer and fall that Michigan will give us. 

I am a very active person who loves the outdoors snowshoeing, ice fishing, hunting, hiking, kayaking etc. and just spending time with family and friends. I am an avid bow hunter and Kelsey is an avid shopper. When we aren't hunting or shopping, respectively, we really just enjoy seeing as much of Traverse City as possible and trying all the great places there are to eat; Blue Tractor, Harrington’s, and North Peak top the list so far. We also have an extremely large and innocently friendly yellow lab named Cooper who we like to keep as active as possible hunting, walking, and now his favorite, SWIMMING! 

Kelsey and I both look so forward to planting ourselves here and being active members of this community. Kelsey is helping coach Basketball at TC Central, and I am volunteering at the State Theatre, a member of the Young Professionals, and look to get involved in coaching local athletics in the near future. I am extremely excited to contribute to the overall well being of Northern Michigan and to soak up all of the beautiful scenery, wine, water sports, and outdoor activities it offers. 

Delicious Carb Overload at Spaghetti Jim's - Cindy Evans

Pasta is one of my favorite foods of all time. It doesn’t matter the season: it's good on super hot days and the most frigid winter days and all weather in between. 

The first time I walked into Spaghetti Jim's I was intrigued because it was so small yet there were people standing and waiting for a table. I didn’t stay because, well, it wasn’t the usual atmosphere for a restaurant. The cramped tables and large number of people waiting made me nervous that I wouldn’t make my next appointment. But I did go back another day when I was out of the office for lunch and had more time to sit down and enjoy a meal. 

The rest is history; Spaghetti Jim's is one of my top favorite places to eat out in Traverse City. The homemade noodles were by far the best I had ever tasted along with their homemade local ingredient menu, which quickly won me over. 

Now it has become one of my favorite date night spots with my husband because the atmosphere is fun and relaxed. Jim, who is owner and chef, always comes out to check on us and see how we liked the meals. His wife Ann waits on us and we've had the opportunity to hear their story and how they started the business. You can see how much pride he took in developing each and every dish and how he likes to make people happy with his food. Back before they expanded their seating and menu, Jim would make our favorite dish even if wasn’t on the specials menu that night. But, we know he would make it if we asked. 

Jim is always looking to please and make people smile. The following quote from the Spaghetti Jims website really describes the heart beat of this little place:”We believe that food doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive to be good. Our mission is to serve delicious, simply prepared meals, made with the freshest local ingredients available; we even produce our homemade pasta onsite. For this reason, our specials change frequently as the local growing season progresses.”

So last Friday night my 6-year-old son and my husband took me on a date to Spaghetti Jims. We were the fourth group in line waiting for a table.  No one complained about waiting. As a matter of fact, customers would tell people who came in behind us it was worth the wait. I knew this and so I waited patiently, (well, as best I could with a very active kid who was rummaging through their coloring books and crayons). 

We were seated fairly quickly and then the hard part began: which entree to choose? My son knew right away he wanted the 5-meat lasagna. This kid eats meat like a carnivorous dinosaur so this was the best choice for him.  The lasagna is really good, and there is no skimping on the ingredients. My husband had one of the specials, which came with Papardelle pasta and shrimp, and I chose the Eggplant Parmesan. The pictures say it all. As always, the food was awesome. I couldn’t believe the size of the shrimp that came on my husband’s plate! 

The deserts are also wonderful and homemade. My two favorites are the tiramisu and the Key Lime pie. I had the Key Lime pie this time and I swear it is the best I have found in all Traverse City.

Jim came out and chatted with us and the other customers, as he usually does, in his charming way. Jim’s wife Ann informed us as she waited on our table that Jim needing to retire due to a health scare and they were looking to sell the restaurant. Jim said he wanted to find the right person who would keep the recipes and the happy environment. We could tell it was hard for him to discuss and he really struggled with the idea of selling. We sure wish Jim the best and hope the right person comes along because it would be a shame to lose this great treasure in Traverse City. 

If you haven’t tried Spaghetti Jims yet, check it out soon. You can buy Jim's noodles from the little market in the restaurant if you prefer to cook yourself, or you can call and place an order for takeout. If you’re adventuresome and like to eat out, you may just get the opportunity to meet Jim himself and see why it’s such a great place. They are located next to Big Apple Bagel on South Airport road...away from downtown traffic as Cherry Festival kicks off this weekend!

Guest Blogger: Cindy Evans and The Soup Cup

Up north, we are craving springtime something fierce. Alas, it's still chilly out these days, and a few more dustings of snow aren't out of the question just yet; we have a bit longer until we are free from Winter and on to Summer. That said, there are some perks to this cold Spring: plenty of more delicious meals at The Soup Cup Microsouperie! YP Cindy Evans brings us the inside scoop on this off-the-beaten-path-but-TOTALLY-worth-it local favorite. 

Does this "blah" Spring weather have you down? These cold temperatures call for one thing...SOUP. There is nothing like a hot steaming bowl of soup to warm you up after a day of braving the elements to get to work, or dropping the kids off at school.

Most restaurants offer the hot tasty delight in a couple of different options, but The Soup Cup takes it to another level.  When you walk in, you will see spread across the front counter eight large black pots filled with different soups, all for you to sample before making a choice. The employees are quick to greet while encouraging you to sample their offerings for the day.  

They change their soups daily , so if you’re adventurous and like to try new things, this is a place worth checking out.  They offer a range of great sandwiches that are made fresh to accompany your soup.  I ordered the grilled cheese, and they offered me the usual cheeses but, also, some unique ones to choose from with a variety of bread options. It was brought to me straight from the grill, perfectly toasted and deliciously gooey.  

One of their most popular items are the Authentic Belgian Fries made from freshly cut potatoes, that are twice fried and served with your choice of their 21 special sauces.  After I had ordered, I saw a basket of the fries brought out, all I can say is,” I definitely want to go back to try them.” I was trying to make a healthy choice at this visit, but they are just too tempting not to try. 

Their menu is written on large chalkboards that line the side and back counter with details of the ingredients in each soup.  It is easy to locate healthy options and find the prices for each item. They are Gluten-Free and Vegan friendly. They use fresh, local, and Michigan ingredients. The small soup and grilled cheese I ordered came to just under $10. 

The prices are very fair and the portions are  generous. I usually check out restaurant ratings on the UrbanSpoon before I decide to spend my money at a new place. UrbanSpoon has a website but also an app for your smartphone where you can easily look up a restaurant and read reviews from customers, see ratings from voters, view pictures posted by customers from their order, see information on price range, and so much more.  The Soup Cup, at the time I looked it up had an 88% like it vote with many positive reviews.  I was able to see a menu before I got there, view the hours they are open, and get directions.  It’s very a helpful tool if you like to know more about a place and see what others have to say.

The Soup Cup is located at 620-B Railroad Place, or otherwise known as the old train depot.  It is next to the Traverse Area District Library on Woodmere.  They are open Tuesday-Friday 11-4pm and Sat. 11-3. It’s a fun little lunch place with various seating options. They have picnic tables in the front if you’re more social, and would like to enjoy some conversation with a group or other customers. They also have stools that face a bar along the window so, if you want to be more secluded you can sit and enjoy your soup watching the world go by. They have another section in the back of the restaurant that has more standard tables and seating.  

Also worth noting, they only accept cash. So beat this cold Spring weather, and get out there for lunch, and try some scrumptious soup! The Soup Cup is a great little treasure hidden in Traverse City.  

Guest Blogger Michelle Elliott: Run, Walk, or Leap into Spring!

We're halfway through March and itching for warm weather, but still stuck with plenty of below-freezing temperatures. Still, it's no reason to stay cooped-up inside! YP Michelle Elliott shares her St. Patrick's Day weekend festivities, where she hung out with over 700 green-clad friends having a great time at the Leapin' Leprechaun 5K race. Check out those great costumes!

St. Patrick’s Day has always been one of my favorite holidays. I know what you’re thinking; it’s because of all the pub-crawls, shamrock shakes and green beer right? Well, not totally. For me St. Patrick’s Day has always been that sign that spring is right around the corner. In the past it has been warm and it has snowed, but regardless, there is typically a party and everyone is having a great time. 

 

This year, I got to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day weekend by working. Yes, working. It’s the nature of the beast if you’re in the event industry. Most of the time you are working while others are playing. I love it. It is rewarding to see all your hard work pay off and witness hundreds of people laughing and joking.  

I work for the National Cherry Festival which organizes the Fifth Third Bank Leapin’ Leprechaun 5K. This fun 5K is held annually on St. Paddy’s day weekend. This year was chilly but we still had over 700 people wake up early to race around town. They definitely dressed to impress in their Irish best.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a St. Patrick’s Day celebration without a gold Guinness at the post-race party. We had a heated tent set up so everyone could warm up and listen to local favorites Don Julin and Billy Strings. It was a brisk morning, but those who came out had a good time.  

There were plenty of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations around town this past week. If you are ever curious about what to do visit the Ancient Order of the Hibernians website.  They have an entire event calendar dedicated to all the Irish festivities in Traverse City. 

Guest Blogger: Kelsey Lauer Visits Ice Cave Wonderland

The last time I can remember West Grand Traverse Bay freezing over was in 2009. This year, about 90% of all the Great Lakes are frozen, and I am thrilled to experience winter the way I remember it as a child. While it's unsafe to go explore them now, the Lake Michigan ice caves will live on in legend. Never before have we Michiganders seen something like this, and hundreds of people visited these magnificent natural beauties. Lucky for us, YP Kelsey Lauer and her boyfriend took the trip out and snapped some incredible pictures. Read on to hear about (and see!) their adventure. (All photos by Colin Johnstone.)

By now, most of the people in Northern Michigan have heard about the spectacular ice caves that formed on Lake Michigan in Leelanau County near Northport.

I was alerted by these amazing pictures that were popping up all over my social media news feeds, and after hearing someone call them a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” I decided I had to go check them out along with boyfriend Colin and his camera on a sunny but FRIGID afternoon.

A once in a lifetime opportunity was a total understatement. I've never before seen such majestic jagged ice sculptures that stretch towards the sky, looking like a giant hand had reached down and sculpted the ice.

A rugged, frozen landscape set off by the icy blue sky looked as if it could have come from another world.

We weren’t alone in our adventure, either; it looked as if a few hundred other people had accompanied us out onto the ice, complete with one very small dog wearing a hooded coat and bright pink booties. The huskies, on the other hand, looked right at home.

The very texture of the ice was fascinating, with bumps and divots where spray from the waves had frozen. An occasional handy foothold or handhold made climbing some of the slippery slopes quite irresistible (although that is not recommended!).

Some of the caves were quite small, hardly large enough for a person to stand upright in.

Others, however, offered a myriad of nooks and crannies to explore—including some skylights!

After spending a wonderful couple of hours exploring the caves, however, the sun started to set and we decided to head back to shore while we could still see.

Saying farewell to the ice caves was almost bittersweet—especially now that the ice conditions are no longer safe to check them out. It was truly an honor and a privilege to see them while they were accessible, something far more than a “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity.

The caves are a stunning reminder of the power and beauty of Lake Michigan and Mother Nature in all seasons—even in the frozen depths of winter, there is still amazement and joy to be found by going outside.

I challenge you to head outside this winter, try out a few new winter activities to see which strike your fancy and most of all, have FUN.  Let’s make the most of our nearly 17 feet of snow this winter while we can!