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

Recap: Roundtable Discussion with Governor Rick Snyder

Well, well! Last week was a BIG week for the Traverse CIty Young Professionals. We were contacted by the Michigan Govenor's office a while back about hosting a roundtable discussion with Governor Rick Snyder. A lot of planning and organization went into making this happening, but the outcome was incredible. 

Last Friday, at an invitation-only event, fifteen YPs from different businesses and backgrounds sat at a table with Governor Snyder to ask him questions and give him feedback about what young professionals want for our wonderful state of Michigan. It was an experience of a lifetime, and I was so honored to be invited and snap some photos. 

There was a lot of hubbub before the roundtable discussion started. I walked around the room and chatted with familiar faces and met some new folks, too. Our panelists, selected by their industry or expertise in our community, took their seats at the table and awaited the Governor's arrival. 

Honestly, this was about as close to any public governmental figure as I've ever been, and I was pretty nervous that I was going to trip over a speaker cord or something and make a huge fool of myself. And I wasn't even asking a question! I can only imagine how nerve-wracked our panelists were, but as I expected, they did a fantastic job. 

Governor Snyder took his place at the head of the table, next to Kent Wood from the TC Chamber. Kent gave some opening remarks, as did Governor Snyder, and then the conversation worked its way around the table as each of our panelists asked their question. Here is a summary of the YPs that were present and the topics they chose: 

Jessica Wheaton (TC Light & Power): Promoting/incentivizing staying in Michigan for current residents. "Live Michigan"

Warren Call (Huntington National Bank): Support for Michigan's water resources and combatting invasive species

Allison Beers (Events North): Future of public education in Michigan

Rachel Johnson (Cherryland Electric): Growing & sustaining diverse economic development

Josh Janowiak (Platinum Sound): Transportation and road funding 

Jeff Fedorinchik (Hallmark Construction): Incentivizing/Encouraging young people to join trades

Drew Bucholz (Interlochen Center for the Arts): Arts and cultural funding

Shannon Owen (Northwestern Michigan College): Higher education funding

Bryan Taggert (Larkin Group): Tax reform in Michigan 

Andrew Kohlman (Image 360): Struggles for "green" businesses

Todd Sanders (Sanders Solutions): More YP involvement in Government

Marie Chantal-Delese (Chateau Chantal): Regulation for farm/food industry

Lee Michaels (Cherry Capital Foods): Creating a career market place for future workforce

Tracy Wittkop (Munson Healthcare): Northern Michigan Rural OB health service funding

As a young professional living in Michigan, I was so pleased with all the questions posed by our panel. Support for small businesses and farming, concerns about education at all levels, needs for better public and bicycle transportation, concerns about protecting our Great Lakes, and making entrepreneurship more accessible for young people…yes, please! These are all issues near and dear to my heart, and to have the Governor in the room responding to all our concerns--truly having our voices heard--that is something that is unlikely to come around again for our organization. What a privilege!

Governor Snyder did a great job listening to our concerns and understanding our wants for this state. He wanted to know what encourages young people to find a place in Michigan to call home, and also asked us to get involved in our local communities. He is working to build more trails in Michigan, but asks that the trail users work to make trails open for all kinds of activities, not specialized and limited to only a few. Greater pre-K education funding will hopefully make an impact across our entire education system, and upgrades in technology will help teachers as they work with students learning at different paces. Agriculture and arts are important topics to Governor Snyder, and he is pushing for more funding and support into these areas, as well as making it easier for young entrepreneurs to access funding for their businesses.

For us young professionals, we are constantly looking to improve our life/work balance: we want a place that fosters creativity and community, but also provides us with a steady, challenging job and a means to provide for ourselves and our families. Quality of life is the name of our game. Lucky for us, Governor Snyder agreed with the importance of these two issues, and encouraged all of us to get involved in our communities and continue building upon the wonderful foundation we all have in here Traverse City. 

One of my favorite quotes from Governor Snyder was, "Do you want to be another yuppie in Chicago, or do you want to make a difference in Detroit?" Although we are far from Detroit, the message is the same: we live in a place where our voices, our opinions, and our choices make a difference. As citizens in this town, we can make a difference in transforming our economy and bringing others to the place we call home; we can share all the goodness to be found in Michigan. 

We are young, but we are mighty, and we have the power to positively impact the place we live and help make it better for all. Personally, that is the kind of place I want to call home, and I am so glad to have that in Traverse City. Regardless of your political beliefs, getting involved in your local governance and community efforts can shape the place you live. So get out there, and get your voice heard!

All in all, it was a great experience to have this conversation with the Governor. I was so proud to see my friends up there, asking tough questions and wanting answers for their concerns about the future of our state. 

Congratulations to all the YPs selected for the roundtable discussion, and a big "thank you" to Governor Snyder for sitting down and taking the time to listen to what we have to say!

YP Survey Results Are In!

Recently, the Traverse City Young Professionals hosted a survey about living, working and the future of Traverse City. After tallying the results from the 94 respondents, we've created a nice little infograph that makes it easy for everyone to read and understand the results. I'll summarize a few of the notable points below too.

A few facts that were interesting to me was that more of the respondents were NOT Traverse City natives and the largest age segment of respondents was between the age of 25-30. I think that this is a reflection of how many local organizations and companies are putting a larger emphasis on recruiting and retaining young talent to Traverse City, and I hope that the trend continues.

With no surprise, natural beauty and local food/wine/beer took the top two spots on unique assets to TC, which i completely agree. Especially Georgina's. If you haven't been there. Stop what you're doing and go. No questions. Go.

Also, tied for first place in the things TC should focus on in the next 5/10 years was the ability to turn the East Front Street alley into a river walk and increase the amount of outdoor seating. This past summer, the City completed a renovation of Clinch Park, which did offer a brand spanking new public space and some outdoor seating, but I personally would have hoped for a little more seating :)

Keeping waterfront/bay views open as well as recruiting young talent with affordable housing came in 1 & 2 as ways to preserves TC's competitive advantage, followed by retrofitting existing buildings for reuse, such as the TC Commons and encouraging local/unique businesses, not chains.

So what do you think? Accurate? Not so much?

We'd love to hear from you, so leave us a comment and be sure to share!

Thanks,

John Stocki

Business After Hours: Opa! Uptown

Hello, everyone! I wanted to check in and share the most recent Business After Hours (BAH) that I went to this week, working the registration table on behalf of TCYP. It was my second BAH event since joining the YPs this past January, and I had a lot more fun this time around because I saw many familiar faces!

This month's BAH took place at Opa! Uptown, which was already great because their food is FANTASTIC. I was really glad that we were able to sneak some nibbles while working, and that everything tasted so good. I've never had a blueberry pierogi before, but I'll be surprised if I deprive myself of having another one over the next few weeks...

The place was packed. It was great to see so many people walking about and enjoying the new digs at the restaurant (they opened up a few months ago) and people were all over the place. No doubt Opa! got some good exposure, because people were raving about the food and service. 

One of my favorite things about Opa! Uptown is the artwork they have around the restaurant. Yes, perhaps it's a bit of a curveball in terms of what most people notice when they go out to eat, but I think their restaurant has some of the coolest, most unique, and intriguing artwork in this town. As a History of Art major in college, I can't help but notice stuff like that! It does so much for the ambience, and it has made a strong impression on my the times I've visited. I love the "wow" factor of each large-scale piece they have...it's refreshing to see a place unafraid to fill their walls with big, bold works of art!

But, of course, my favorite thing about BAH is spending time with my fellow YPs. We had a really fun group working this week, and it's always nice to talk with YPs in a more casual setting where we can really spend time getting to learn more about each other. We spent two hours working the registration table and chatting with various Chamber members, but my favorite conversations were the ones I had with the YPs I was working with that night.

Well, that's all from me. I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving! Winter is beginning to settle in Traverse, and while we've had a few snowflakes fall there isn't anything sticking on the ground yet...I hope it stays that way until December, but I know how Michigan weather has a mind of it's own. We'll see!

New TCYP Blogger - John Stocki

Hey there folks,

As you may have heard/read, I am lucky enough to be one of the new bloggers for the Traverse City Young Professionals along with Mo Stych (Sweet name btw). So for the next year or so, you’ll be able to listen to my ramblings and general non-sense about all the cool things to do in Traverse City.

A little about myself to start though… 27/M/Traverse City (AOL throwback lingo). I’ve been living & working overseas since graduating from Grand Valley State University in 2007, including Australia (1 year), United Arab Emirates (3 years), and China (1 year). I decided to move back to the US to be closer to family and friends, and to have a better work/life balance. I grew up in a small town around an hour south of TC, (Brethren) and am very happy to have the time to enjoy all the amazing activities that TC and the surrounding areas provide. I really enjoy hunting and fishing, yet appreciate good wine and cheeses just as much. Cooking & entertaining is a big passion of mine and love making a big mess in my kitchen. I also enjoy exploring all of the different and equally amazing restaurants we have in this area (a true foodie destination). I’m an avid photographer and really am happy when I’m behind the camera and get that really great shot. One day, I hope to take photography further into the professional realm, but we’ll see how that goes.

During the day I’m the Digital Marketing Specialist at the Traverse City Convention & Visitors Bureau (mouthful, I know). At night, I also own my own marketing consulting company and also design e-learning programs. Other than that, I try to be outside as much as possible and enjoy as many activities as I can during each and every season!

So now for some cool stuff, check out some photos of me doing random things.

You want to be a guest blogger and share more cool things about Traverse City you say? I do declare (in the voice of an old southern man) that we should chat about this. I don’t really want to write every single blog post, because that would just be boring. So the more the merrier. Email tcyp@tcchamber.org and we’ll figure it out! Great. Super. Awesome. Fantastic.

Did do like this blog post? If so, you should click share and all that stuff. Let’s show everyone how sweet TC is and get some more amazingly talented people to come here!

Stay tuned for Mo's intro blog post real soon!

TCYPs are Taking Initiatives

The Traverse City Young Professionals are implementing some new programs to recruit, retain, and help new young professionals to become well-adjusted and familiar with the Traverse City community. Moving to a new area, especially right out of college, can be frightening. That's why we're trying to make the readjustment process a bit easier and far less threatening.

A few of the groups that we have formed are as follows (there are many more details involved, but for the sake of giving you a good general idea of what our YPs are involved with, I've kept it simple):

College Alumni Group: This group's purpose is to act as a resource for college graduates looking to tap into Traverse City. They will set out to attract college students at college trade shows and other opportunities. Traverse City is a wonderful place for college graduates (I would know) and we need to keep 'em coming!

R & R Group: This group is all about helping to recruit new YPs and show them all the reasons that they should stay. The Chamber fields inquiries to the R & R group, which connects the newcomer with a YP who represents the job area they're interested in pursuing. For instance, if I was part of this group and there was a newcomer who was interested in event planning, TCYP would send that person my way so that I could help out. The R & R group will be there to meet with the incoming YP, connect them with other people in their industry, show them around the area, assist with finding them an apartment...the list goes on and on. They are the ultimate host.

Wingman Group: Helping new YPs to get involved and network in the Traverse City community is what this group's main goals are. The Wingman group will meet new YPs at the door of whatever networking event they're attending and make sure to introduce them to a plethora of Traverse City locals. This group will also be present at each and every Business After Hours event.

Marketing Committee: While the marketing committee is by no means brand new, we are always on the hunt for fellow YPs to join up and assist in the management of the website and blog. Contact Lindsey Dickinson at lindsey.c.dickinson@gmail.com for more information.

Well, that's a pretty good sneak peak into our new committees and focus. For more information, make sure to attend the TCYP meetings (3rd Thursday of each month. 8am at The Chamber).

Help to Maintain those Resolutions with Lunch & Learn!

If you're like me, your New Year's resolution may have something to do with keeping healthy, staying fit, or just trying to get in the best shape ever (Sidenote: these have been my resolutions for the past five-ten years. However, my Birthday is January 5th, so hopes of strictly dieting are ruined every year by temptation via Birthday cake).

But! Fear not -- our first Traverse City Young Professionals Lunch & Learn can help you to keep up your healthy habits and get into the best shape of your life. Seriously.

On February 20th at the Country Club from 11:30am-1:00pm, we will be having our first Lunch & Learn of 2013. In addition to the wonderful (and well-rounded!) meal that will be offered, we will also have some excellent presenters to give you tips and tricks to staking in shape.  

Some of our presenters are as follows:

Sebastian from Formative Fitness will be speaking about baby steps to get moving or how to set a plan.

Yen Yoga and Fitness will also be in attendance speaking about yoga and general health.

So, keep those resolutions in tact and sign up join us on February 20th for some Lunching and Learning.

I intend on learning a few ways to step up my gym-game and eat a little healthier along the way (I even purchased frozen yogurt instead of ice cream in preparation...just one example of the baby steps that may possibly be discussed.)

Chamber Annual Dinner... and being a little more prepared this year.

As most of Traverse City's professionals know, the Chamber Annual Dinner is coming up on Friday, January 25th. This will be my second Chamber Annual Dinner, so I know a little bit more of what to expect.

If you were wondering, or even if you were not wondering -- I'm going to inform regardless so it doesn't really matter either way, last year's Chamber Annual Dinner was my first ever "Networking Event" of any sorts. It was also the first time I had to figure out how to wear a cocktail dress and heels without freezing in 20 degree temperatures (I succeeded thanks to a long, black peacoat). I was completely clueless as far as what to expect, nervous, and feeling very out of place. Thankfully I was attending with Allison Beers, who I'm still convinced knows everyone who lives in Traverse City.

Allison introduced me to some extremely influential and important individuals, helped me to learn the best and most appropriate ways of distributing my business card and making introductions and also how to properly balance being social and professional at once. She also let me know that I was absolutely not allowed to take a photo of my meal to upload on to Facebook (I was cringing as I type that. I clearly had a lot to learn). 

Well, with a year of experience under my belt, I really felt that I was going to head into the Chamber Annual Dinner completely prepared...and then they went and changed the entire format.

Instead of having groups sit at rounds of 10, there will be cocktail tables and a few tables and chairs. Instead of  a formal (but still delicious) dinner and presentation throughout, we are going to be offered a delicious assortment of food and a short 45 minute presentation.

Judy Harrison and the Swingshift Band will even be on site to provide entertainment and -- I'm sure -- a whole lot of dancing. 

I don't know about you, but I am excited. I think that this fresh take on the Chamber Annual Dinner is an excellent idea, even if I have to rework my entire game plan for the evening. 

This year, I'll make sure to pack my dancing shoes as well as plenty of business cards. Hope to see you there --oh, and make sure to stop by the Traverse City Young Professionals Pre-reception from 4:30-5:30pm in Aerie!

Making Sure Your Voice is Heard.

I'll be honest, I was under the impression that as a 22 year old who was new to the Traverse City community, no one was really that interested in what I had to say.

For a few months, I kind of just kept my mouth shut (which, if you know me personally, you know is not an easy feat). I attended meetings, conferences, events and networking nights, but I tended to only speak when spoken to and stayed inside of my shell when it came to local issues or questions where I wasn't 100% sure I knew the answer.

In my mind, I was positive that not one of these local leaders or business professionals actually cared about the opinions of a young professional, especially one who did not have much (no, really...I hadn't even been out to the dunes at this point) experience with the area.

...then the Young Professionals asked me to write this blog. My first thought was What?! Who wants to hear about a girl who moved from Florida to Michigan and her adventures adjusting to snow and thoughts on Traverse City?"

Well,  I've been writing this blog for a few months now. I've been planted in Traverse City for 10 months. I've attended countless meetings, networking nights, events and conferences. I can even give someone directions on how to get to the dunes. Most importantly, I now realize that Traverse City cares a lot about what the Young Professionals in the town have to say.

I speak up in meetings and find my opinion on local issues and how to find solutions is actually valued. Local leaders are are listening to what the Young Professionals in the area have to say because they are interested and want to hear from us, not because they're simply being polite.

The Young Professionals program is continually changing for the better, and 2013 is going to bring a lot of improvements and involvement opportunities. Why? Because the YP's of Traverse City have a lot to offer, and Traverse City's leaders are taking notice.

So, if I could go back to the beginning of this year and tell myself one thing, it would be to speak up. We're lucky to live in a place where the opinions of Young Professionals matter, even if they are from 22 year old Florida transfers.

An Overview of the TCYP Annual Conference

Yesterday was the Traverse City Young Professionals Annual Conference (if you're friends with me on Facebook you already know this. I may or may not have been casually mentioning it for the past month or so) and it was quite the event.

Everyone in attendance left the event feeling like they had gained a ton of knowledge, tips and tricks from all of the speakers they experienced.

The day started out with Keynote Speaker, Organized Audrey. Audrey was not only a joy to chat with, she gave a presentation that I'm pretty positive inspired everyone in the room to live a much more organized life. Her audience was engaged the entire time- seriously...someone had to take a bathroom break and literally sprinted back into the room so they wouldn't miss too much of her speech...she was that great.

When Audrey's presentation concluded, we had a round table session with a wide variety of topics. When I say wide variety...I mean a wiiiiide variety. We had Round Table topics that spanned from "What is Rotary" to "Vegan and Vegetarian Living" all the way to "How to Exercise at Your Desk." All of our speakers came prepared with goodies for attendees and all the knowledge a person could want about the subject being presented. I also want to let everyone reading this blog know that yes, you can work out your triceps while at work.

The Lunch Panel speakers were not only an impressive and influential bunch, they also had great advice and interesting things to say. The topic of the panel was "Things I wish I knew when I was 24," so the audience of YPs was absolutely kept engaged.

The afternoon breakout sessions were a hit- speed networking even had to turn YPs away first session because it reached max capacity! All of the other breakout speakers were extremely well received and from the feedback I've received thus far, all of the YPs were very happy with the presentations and were kept engaged the entire hour they were in attendance. The speakers I spoke to said that all of the YPs had excellent questions and were a fantastic audience- way to represent Traverse City, YPs!

The conference was followed by a reception in Aerie Lounge, which was a hit (but when is Aerie Lounge not a wonderful time? You really cannot go wrong!).

All in all, this year's conference was very well-received! Thank you to everyone who attended and we cannot wait to see you at the YP events coming up early next year and at the 2013 conference!

A New Outlook on Traverse City

Well, I've been a Traverse City resident for a little over nine months now. I know what you're thinking, "wow, she's probably a pro on everything and anything Traverse City!!!" Surprisingly (is my sarcasm palpable yet?) - that is a false statement. 

I credit majority of things that I know about Traverse City to a combination of having Allison Beers as my boss and mentor and also to my curious nature and attraction to new experiences (hence my moving across the country to pursue my dreams).

I also have accepted that not only do I still have a lot to learn about all things Traverse City, but that this town is constantly changing. I'm convinced that once I think I know a lot about the happenings of the area, there will be at least twenty things that have changed or are being created. Reasons like this are why I believe that events such as the Chamber Expo and the Chamber Economic Outlook Breakfast are so important.

They're also coming up soon- and both on the same day! What are these events, you ask? 

The Chamber Economic Outlook Breakfast serves to help the Traverse City community forecast the emerging business climate. There will be a question-and-answer section, highlighting of current and future trends and wisdom and insight on all of the issues currently affecting the economy.

I've been told that this event sells out every single year and also that the breakfast served is absolutely delicious. Find out more right here!

Directly following the Economic Outlook Breakfast is the Chamber Business Expo (same location, convenient timing- as an event planner, I applaud this arrangement). The Chamber Business Expo is essentially a trade show, but instead of highlighting just one industry, it showcases businesses from all over the Traverse City community. It also gives community members a chance to network and learn about new products and businesses first hand. 

Oh, and there is also a prize giveaway...and if I know the Traverse City area like I think I do, the prizes will be nothing short of top-notch. Find out more right here!


Keep the outlook on Traverse City's future positive...I foresee nothing but great things happening!

Traverse City, the City that never...well, sometimes, sleeps.

You probably read the title of this blog and immediately assumed that I was going to write about the various night-life hot spots in the Traverse City area. While I do enjoy a night out at 7 Monks every once in a while, that is not the purpose of this week's post.

This week's blog title (and content) is inspired by an event called the "Sleep Out."

If you've never heard of the Sleep Out, I'll give you a quick description- basically, community leaders (For instance, Doug Luciani) raise awareness about the need of home heating assistance by sleeping outdoors for a night. This year's "Sleep Out" is occurring on October 30th.

Events such as this are another reason Traverse City makes me consistently proud to call it my home. The Traverse City community is, to put it in the simplest terms, giving.

Every morning when I open the Ticker, there are at least three different events happening benefiting local charities. There is always a mention of a non-profit organization surpassing its fundraising goals or helping out a local cause.

Traverse City loves to support all of the non-profit organization in the area....and there are a lot of them.  It is so impressive to me that so many of these organizations are growing and continuing to prosper because of the helping hands and giving hearts of Traverse City's residents.

For instance, have you heard of Swingshift and the Stars? Chances are you have. In case you haven't, you can find out more about it right here.

Not only does Swingshift and the Stars raise funds and awareness for local non-profit organizations- it showcases six different non-profits every year, giving multiple groups a chance to tell their story and raise their funding. Not only that, but the event is sold out every.single.month. Why is that? Because the people of Traverse City care. Traverse City enjoys attending events that help the community.

How can you not be proud to live amongst people who are passionate about helping others and giving to the less fortunate? It's things like this that create such a strong sense of community in Traverse City.

So next time you have a free night, open your Record Eagle or Business News and see what fundraising events are happening around town. Don't be surprised when you notice that there are probably multiple opportunities every night. That's just how Traverse City does things.