March 2016 Blog, Stories, Tid Bits, Updates and Did Someone Say Restaurant Week 2016

Happy beginning of March 2016 to all of the YP Blog Readers, Michiganders, and everyone else who is going to ponder over this blog for a few minutes.  This month’s blog will feature updates from around the area as well as some highlights from Restaurant Week, our first Morning Brew, and anything that I believe is important to share.  I believe we are all happy with the outcome of the weather in February especially since last February I am pretty sure we were all frozen for a month like Austin Powers.  But either way, we all still look really good, and I mean really good!!

 We had a few YP events this past month.  Our very first Morning Brew included an amazing breakfast spread provided by Priority Health, which by the way you can always count on me being an attendant when food is provided.  Traverse City Chief of Police Jeffrey O’Brien was our guest speaker and gave an amazing presentation about the very first Wet House in Traverse City called Dann’s House.  He gave us great information on how a wet house can be beneficial to our local community.  We had a good turnout, but come on YP’s, we need more of you to attend and plus there is free food, and I cannot eat it all by myself.

 A few of us on the Marketing Committee decided to treat ourselves during restaurant week and share our experiences letting you know where the best places to eat in Traverse City.  We have so many amazing restaurants in the area, and I believe we are more willing to try a restaurant for the first time if one of our fellow YP’s tried it first with the end result being complete and utter satisfaction exceeding our taste buds expectations.  If anyone of you reading this have any questions about any restaurant in town, please feel free to contact me. 

Dan “the man” Baker and his lovely bride decided to start with Red Ginger.  In the words of Mr. Baker, “Vietnamese caramelized chicken was ridiculous.  I ate it so fast I forgot to take a picture!”  “Also, the Ahi BLT pizza (picture below) was the bomb.  It had wasabi, Ahi tuna, bacon, lettuce, and tomato on a flatbread.  Drizzle a little soy sauce over the top and there is nothing to love.”  So my friends, Red Ginger on Front Street is for sure a great place to go after work for Happy Hour or gentlemen take that lucky lady of yours out on a “HOTT” date.

My lovely wife and I decided to head to the Towne Plaza, which is on the corner of Cass and State.  I also gave Mr. Baker the low down and suggestions before him and his lovely wife went there later in the week.  Kate and I absolutely love their brunch so much and after looking at their restaurant week menu, we knew we had to dine there immediately.  The best part of restaurant week is you get a 3 course meal for $25 a person, which if you look at all the menus, it is a great deal and an opportunity to try several different foods and small plates that we would never make in our own kitchens.  My wife and I ordered Baked Leelanau Cheese in a Puff Pastry with Apple Puree and Risotto Stuffed with Mozzarella with a Smoked Tomato Balsamic Reduction (picture below). 

Risotta

The 1^st course was filled with flavors, which made the taste buds very happy.  The combination of flavors in both dishes was a perfect balance preparing us for the second course.  The second course consisted of Grilled Romaine topped with chunks of pancetta, Parmigianino Reggiano, and lemon vinaigrette, and Wild Mushroom Bisque featuring 3 types of mushrooms.  Once again the flavors in both dishes were incredible leaving us wanting more and excited for the 3^rd and final course.  We both ordered the 10 oz. strip steak with whipped russet potatoes, roasted tomato bleu cheese butter, demi glaze and vegetables, but luck would have it they were out of the 10 oz. and the substitute was an 8 oz. tenderloin.  Both of our tenderloins were cooked to perfection with flavors we have not experienced before.  It was a great way to end our 3 course dinner journey.  The Bakers had a similar experience leaving them in complete awe at how amazing their journey was.  It was so good for them that words could not describe it considering all they gave me were some amazing pictures.

 Strip Steak 

 

 

Seafood in Tomato Saffron Broth

 As you all can tell, the Towne Plaza does not mess around hooking up TC with some dazzling dishes that tantalize the taste buds.  By the way, best blueberry pancakes I have ever had in my life, and a little fact about me is I am a pancake nut.  We highly recommend spending some time with friends at the Towne Plaza. 
 

Finally, my main girl Stephanie hit up the Boathouse with her family.  Her experience is said below. 

Allow me to set the scene: You and your husband moved into a new home on Saturday, your parents came to town on Sunday, and you need a place that can actually locate their dishes to make dinner for all of you on a Monday. Thank God for Traverse City Restaurant Week. We were lucky enough to snag one of the final available reservations for the Boathouse on the Monday of TCRW. 

Even with the weekend, we'd had, I immediately felt relaxed when we entered. The Boathouse feels like a cozy, tastefully designed cottage by the water, where you have been invited to share a meal with friends. My parents had arrived early and there was a beautifully arrayed cheese plate waiting at the table for us. There were a variety of delicious cheeses offered, but the favorite of the table was the quince paste which was a sweet, fruity complement to the spread. 

 I started with the Boathouse Salad which had fresh mozzarella and some of the most flavorful middle-of-winter heirloom tomatoes I've ever had. I'm still kicking myself for not asking where they were sourced from - I thought I couldn't get those until August! For the main course, the rest of the table choose the tasteful Salmon plate, but I decided to go all out and order the Surf and Turf. Restaurant Week isn't for the weak, in my opinion. The lobster tail was rich and delicious, but my favorite part of the dish was the perfectly cooked petite filet. The sides complemented nicely and the béarnaise sauce pulled it all together. Finally, as if I needed another dish to satisfy, the dark chocolate mousse arrived complete with cocoa nibs and berries. Before I could even think to snap a photo, I had already scraped the interior of the glass it was served in. I at least remembered to apologize to my husband, who didn't get even one taste.

 To no one's surprise, I would highly recommend the Boathouse for future Restaurant Week goers. The atmosphere is lively, the view lovely and the food does not disappoint. Just be sure to make your reservations early...you never know whose parents will be in town next year.

Well boys and girls there you have it some fun reviews of 3 great dining establishments to try before the crazy tourist season arrives.  The Boathouse on Old Mission Peninsula, Red Ginger in the heart of downtown on Front Street and the Towne Plaza at Cass and State.  We have an amazing city with wonderful restaurants, food trucks, and other fun venues.  Get out of the house, grab some friends or your loved ones or even give me a call, and get your DINE ON!!!



As some of you remember from February's Blog, I like to highlight a certain YP.  February's edition featured Dr. Brandon Larabee who has finally opened his doors at his new Chiropractic office overlooking West Bay.  We should all visit Brandon to make him feel more like home and to of course get adjusted, which is an amazing feeling.  

This month we are highlighting Rose Zivkovich who is taking the helm as Director of SCRAP TC.  The following is a great press release for Rose.  Next time you see her, make sure you give her a HIGH 5 congratulating her on her new endeavor.  YAY ROSE!!!

 

SCRAP TC Continues to Craft the Future of Creative Reuse in Traverse City

Announcing a New Director and a New Direction

Traverse City, MI – SCRAP TC’s advisory council is proud to announce a new director and a new direction. Rose Zivkovich takes the reins as Director of SCRAP TC with vision, creativity and enthusiasm. The community can expect to see her vision become reality beginning with expanded hours in March. More hours means more accessibility for the community. It also means more exciting inventory of colorful and usable art and craft materials and more opportunities for volunteers to share in the creative mission.

 Zivkovich is excited to lead a creative and innovative program here. “This is a great opportunity for me to give back to the community and at the same time teach my young children the importance of reducing waste by creatively reusing materials. I plan to expand our retail store hours, involve new and much needed volunteers, increase awareness of our programs and offer craft classes for all ages to encourage creative reuse.”

 Zivkovich earned her MBA from Walsh College in Troy, MI and brings a wealth of management experience to SCRAP TC. She has hit the ground running with her contagious enthusiasm. She is committed to other TC community organizations including Make a Wish Foundation, Girl Scouts and the Mom’s Club of Traverse City.

She follows in the formidable footsteps of long-time director, Dayna Valpey. Valpey has stepped down to focus on her career as Development Director of the Disability Network of Northern Michigan.

SCRAP TC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to inspire creative reuse and environmentally sustainable behavior by providing educational programs and affordable materials to the community. SCRAP TC takes donations of clean, reusable materials that would normally wind up in the waste stream and makes them available to teachers, crafters, kids, families, artists – well, everyone. Arts and crafts materials, school and office supplies and a treasure trove of creative goodies are available for about 1/3 of the cost at retail.

Located at 821 Garfield Avenue in Traverse City, SCRAP TC has new retail store hours of Wednesdays – Fridays 12p-6p and Saturdays 10a-4p. SCRAP TC diverted 8,700 pounds of usable material from the waste stream in 2015.

For more information, see the website at scraptc.org.

Grand Traverse County Update

Crime Mapping Service

Grand Traverse County residents can track crime in their neighborhoods through a new crime mapping service through CrimeMapping.com, a national service that allows law enforcement agencies across the country to upload their crime data.

"Y Central" Fitness Center Open
A new fitness center at “Y Central” at the Civic Center opened on February 1. The fitness center and Easling Pool are both open under Grand Traverse Bay YMCA’s management.

Zika Virus

Information on the Zika Virus can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/zika/index.html/ or http://www.grandtraverse.org/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/806. 
 

Traverse City Area Public Schools Update

 TCAPS Preschool and Kindergarten Enrollment for 2016-17—Enroll Today!
TCAPS is currently enrolling students in its preschool and kindergarten programs. As a TCAPS preschooler, children will engage in Spanish and music instruction, arts and crafts, creative games, science and nature projects, computers, productive play, and rest. Children will also receive social, physical, emotional, and intellectual stimulation throughout their day. You can learn more by visiting: http://www.tcaps.net/programs/preschool/. TCAPS elementary schools are also hosting kindergarten enrollment meetings for families interested in learning more about our schools, programs and how to enroll. More information is available at: http://www.tcaps.net/programs/kindergarten/.

TCAPS Board of Education Expected to Make Decision about Low Enrollment Buildings—March 7^th

On January 25, 2016, the district made a recommendation to the TCAPS Board of Education to close three elementary school buildings with K-5 enrollment of less than 200 students. TCAPS has been exploring redirecting the overhead expenses of maintaining these buildings as a potential option to help preserve TCAPS’ comprehensive and award-winning academic and extracurricular student programming, while remaining financially responsible with the community’s investment in its schools. The groundwork to put together a recommendation and to gather community input began more than five months ago. The process included holding parent and community meetings at the three elementary schools to share information and answer questions, and involved the creation of a focus group at each of the three schools to identify possible options for TCAPS and the Board of Education to consider. The Board of Education is expected to take action on the district’s recommendation at its meeting on March 7, 2016 beginning at 6:00 p.m. at the Tompkins Boardman Administration Center (412 Webster St.) Learn more: http://www.tcaps.net/strategic-financial-planning/

West Senior High School Presents Once Upon a Mattress—March 4^th-13^th

Traverse City West Senior High School’s Music Department will present Once Upon a Mattress from March 4^th-13^th. The musical includes smart humor, amazing dancing, and songs you will leave the theater singing! Loosely based on Hans Christian Anderson's fairytale The Princess & the Pea, Once Upon A Mattress tells the story of a prince searching for his true love. Come see the show, and watch how this musical comedy unfolds like you never expected! Tickets are available now at www.mynorthtickets.com.

TCAPS Alumni Network Crosstown Campus 10K/5K Run—May 7^th

Mark your calendar for the 3rd annual TCAPS Alumni Association’s Crosstown Campus Run to be held on Saturday, May 7, 2016, at 8:00 a.m. This year's event includes a 10K run and a new a 5K run/walk. The 10K course will begin at Traverse City West Senior High School (5376 N. Long Lake Rd.) and the 5K run/walk will begin at TCAPS Montessori at Glenn Loomis (1009 Oak St.). The Crosstown Campus is a great opportunity for TCAPS alumni, staff, families and the community to come together to enjoy a fun event. You can participate as a runner, volunteer or event sponsor. All proceeds will benefit TCAPS’ Students in Transition Empowerment Program (STEP), which helps hundreds of area students each year who lack fixed, regular and adequate housing. Visit www.tcapsalumni.weebly.com to register, volunteer or review a course map.

 City of Traverse City Update

 Upcoming March 8, 2016 Election – Don’t forget, the Presidential Primary Election is scheduled for Tuesday, March 8^th. If you’re unsure of your polling location, visit www.michigan.gov/vote. Get out there and make your voice heard!

Employment Opportunities with the City! The City of Traverse City has the following employment opportunities available: Human Resources Specialist and Engineering Aide. Visit the City’s website at www.traversecitymi.gov/employment.asp for more details.
 

The City is continuing recruitment for various Traverse City Boards and Committees! Currently, the District Library Board, Election Commission and the Local Officers Compensation Commission have vacancies waiting to be filled. The Traverse City Light and Power Board and Joint Planning Commission have expiring terms, giving interested individuals a chance to interview for the positions.

Individuals who would like to learn more about these boards, or would like to apply should visit www.traversecitymi.gov/boards.asp or contact the City Clerk’s Office at 231-922-4480.

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.

Overnight Parking in Traverse City – As a reminder, folks should not park overnight on the streets of Traverse City during the winter months, through April 14. Those who do park on the streets overnight may be towed at their own expense. 

TC Chamber Happenings

Thursday, March 10:  Leadership at the Movies 7:30-9:00 am – Bijou by the Bay

Wednesday, March 16:  Small Business Celebration 2016 – Candidate’ Showcase 5:00-7 pm – NMC’s Hagerty Center

Thursday, March 17:  YP Morning Brew 8:00-9:00 am – Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce

Tuesday, March 22:  YP Volunteering at the State Theatre – 5:15-7:15 pm

Spotify Playlist: TCYP's Favorite Songs of Spring

By Emily Petrovich of NewEra Social Marketing

It felt like spring was here!

And then it wasn’t.

But then it was!

And then it went away again.

Such is the way of the false-spring-starts in northern Michigan. Just when we think we can finally put the snow boots away for the season, we’re pulling them out again. But we tough Michiganders, we get it – we know this has to be the way of things. Because when we consider the pay off? Well, springtime in northern Michigan is just about the best thing there is!

The days are already longer, the sun shining brighter, the sky bluer. We’ve noticed little pops of green in the flower beds and on most mornings, the birds are singing outside our windows.  Sure signs of springy things to come!

April 7^th was National Beer Day and we celebrated by raising a glass of Short’s Brewing Space Rock. Mr. Joe Short might be riding a snowmobile-space rocket on the label but the beer itself sings of spring: floral and orange peel-like hop aromas finished with citrus rind and dandelion leaf flavors. We caught ourselves making beverage plans for future sunny picnic and beach trips!

Despite the still-chilly weather, fellow locals seem to have a noticeable spring in their step (wink wink!) and our TCYP crew is no exception. In addition to our changing wardrobes, our music choices seem to warm up around this time of year, too. We’ve created a mixtape that’s sure to turn your thoughts to warm spring days and put a smile on your face!

Check out our Favorite Songs of Spring playlist on Spotify. Any songs you would add? Let us know in the comments!

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. 

Fighting Invasive Species: YP Cindy Evans Goes Garlic Mustard Pulling

The Northwest Michigan Invasive Species Network hosted a volunteer Garlic Mustard Pull event in Traverse City on May 28th from 4-7pm. When I came across the flyer a few weeks back I thought this would be a great event to sign my family up for as a way to be active and enjoy the natural surroundings, but also educational for my son (5) and my daughter (8) to learn about invasive species and why it’s important to care for our natural resources.

Of course, my kids were more excited about the free dinner offered afterwards that was garlic-mustard themed, catered by Oryana. They were both intrigued by the fact we would eat the very plant we would hunt for all day. 

Aside from my family, there were eight other community volunteers who gathered at the Boardman River Nature Center and listened to the quick presentation on where we were going and what we were looking for. Our guide, Chris, showed us how to identify the garlic mustard and how to pull it. Our goal was to pull the garlic mustard plants by the roots and place them in trash bags to be disposed of either in a landfill or used for animal and human consumption in various ways.

At first glance you wouldn’t realize that the garlic mustard doesn't belong: it looks s like any other wild flower you would see in the woods and is very attractive. But as we walked further into the area, it was easy to see how large and established these plants had become. Chris explained that as the garlic mustard grows and reseeds it leaves no room for the trillium or the other native plants to grow on the woodland floor.

He was right. As we came to well-established garlic mustard areas, there were no other plants surviving. Once we pulled the larger plants in a small area the land looked very barren underneath. By pulling them now, before the seeds were developed, we would make a difference in the next year. Each plant alone will develop hundreds of seeds that would be dispersed and cause spreading. My kids made this into a competition to see who could pull the most to fill a trash bag first. It wasn’t long and we had a pile of extra large trash bags full of these pesky plants. They do have a garlic scent to them as you pull and break the leaves, which I think possibly helped keep the mosquitoes at bay.

We spent a solid two hours pulling garlic mustard by the root and bagging it. In the end, we didn’t feel like we had won the battle. Once one spot was cleared there was another one just as large if not larger up ahead. It would have taken many more hours and a larger army of volunteers to have completed the small area we were working on. 

Chris, our guide, assured me that our few hours of effort really did make a difference. He and the Conservancy’s many partners have been out daily for weeks pulling garlic mustard and other invasive species and will continue to be out doing this very tedious job. I can’t imagine doing this for 8+ hours a day, every day: it’s hard work! 

I was not aware that this type of effort and dedication was being put forth in our community to maintain our beautiful natural areas. I have always enjoyed hiking and viewing our trails and woodlands, but ignorant to the efforts that are being taken so that I can enjoy those activities. I have heard about invasive species but didn’t realize what a true threat they could be until I saw it for myself. It would be devastating to no longer see the beautiful trillium on a walk through the woods. 

My 5-year-old son said, "These garlic plants are going to be endangered with me in the woods!” I hope that with this opportunity he has learned not just that garlic mustard is an invasive species, but the importance to care for our land and that even one person can make a difference. He may be small, but he pulled hundreds of plants and enjoyed talking our guide’s ear off about plants and animals.

The dinner we were served when we returned was excellent. The bread, soup, and salad from Oryana were all made with garlic mustard. Katie from the Invasive Species Network spoke to the group about all their efforts and programs and educated us on some facts about invasive species as we all enjoyed dinner. They were very appreciative of the volunteers help and sent us all home with free tee shirts and field guides. 

My son was studying the field guide pictures of the invasive plants on our way home so he could be prepared to identify and pull others in the future. I told him he isn’t allowed to pull plants from other people’s yards and that he should always ask an adult first. I hope that conversation registered with him, if not I can see myself explaining why my son was pulling plants from our neighbors yard and having to replace their flower beds. This could cost me more than I thought! 

Traverse City has so many opportunities to get involved or volunteer that it isn’t hard to find an event to participate in. There are countless organizations that are deserving and no short supply of causes. As a group, the YPs are active and make a difference--one member at a time!

-- Cindy Evans, TCYP Guest Blogger

YP Volunteer Event: Habitat for Humanity Demolition!

WOW! What a weekend! It might've been cold and rainy out on Saturday morning, but while the rest of the town was moping about the weather, an active group of YP and Habitat for Humanity volunteers were up early and ready to work.

A group of us helped a team of Habitat folks take apart a home out on the Old Mission Peninsula that will be town down and rebuilt. All the things we took apart--trim, cabinets, sinks, doors--and everything left in the house that we hauled out ended up in a garage ready for an estate sale. Some of our team spent the day pulling of aluminum siding to scrap, and given the constant downpour outside, let's just say I was totally content to stay inside and pull trim off of walls and remove nails.

The garage was STUFFED with stuff four or five hours later. There were some real gems hidden in that house if you've got the eye for that kind of thing. I all but went ballistic when we came across an original Sega Genesis (complete with Mortal Kombat and Sonic the Hedgehog games)! I'm not sure when the estate sale is, but I may consider driving back up the peninsula specifically to own that Genesis...

I had a great time working with my fellow YPs. We had a lot of hours together this past Saturday morning, and I learned more about all the people there that I don't get to see in passing at the meetings. It's amazing how close I feel to people when I work with them on a great cause, like Habitat for Humanity. There's nothing like sitting on the floor pulling out nails with someone to bring you together, right? And I'm pretty sure we all felt bonded after removing a shelf from an upstairs closet and saw a really old and nasty bagel (with peanut butter) slide off the shelf onto the floor. I mean, those are the things that build friendships, people.

The homeowner graciously cooked everyone up some brats and hot dogs for lunch, complete with potato chips and chocolate chip cookies. How could we not have a good time?! The sun came out for a brief few moments, as did a beautiful Leonberger dog named Bella, who pretty much stole all of our hearts. I may or may not have given her potato chips to show my affection, but I'm pretty sure all she really wanted was a hot dog. Maybe next time, Bella.

There are more YP volunteer opportunities coming up in the next few weeks, so if you're interested in doing good with good folks, keep your eyes and ears open for announcements about upcoming opportunities on our Facebook page. Thanks to everyone who braved the crappy weather to join us, and a big thanks for the Habitat crew for showing us the ins and outs of demolition! (Some of these photos came from the Habitat GTR Facebook page...check 'em out!)