Dining Out in TC: The Little Fleet and Bardon's Wonder Freeze

When it's 75 degrees in late September up here in Traverse City, people are OUT. I mean, like, really out. Sam and I don't dine out very often (we enjoy the frugality and recipe flexibility of cooking our meals probably five or six days a week), but when it's this gorgeous outside, we deserve to treat ourselves.

Our instinct when it's warm and sunny outside is to go to The Little Fleet. This business venture is already a gold mine in a place like TC but the entire venture is so tastefully and beautifully done. The atmosphere is serene yet social, quirky but comfortable. It is easily one of our favorite places to go in town, and we make an event of it because it's so nice to just sit down and relax.

The bar serves up drinks and the parking lot is open for food trucks of all kinds to pull up, park, and serve up deliciousness. Already it is one of the most popular places in town, and for very good reasons. It is hard to describe it as anything other than just totally awesome.

Both inside and outside boast a warm and welcoming ambiance. We were lucky enough to visit on vinyl night (BYOV and they'll spin it while you drink and dine!), so the tunes were as good as the food.

I've stuck to The Anchor Station almost exclusively, because their falafel is fantastic. If I could, I wouldn't eat anything else ever. There is only one other place in town that I know makes a killer falafel, but The Anchor Station's dish is definitely up there.

On this particular night, though, I had finished a tough workout and was positively famished, so I went all-out on a French Onion Grilled Cheese from EZ Cheesy. Sam picked up the falafel (seriously, it's so good even a omnivore chooses to eat it over meat) and an order of fries, and our feasting began. I am a shameless food-sharer--my best guy friend nicknamed me Mo "Are You Going To Finish That?" Stych--so I was glad I could grab a few bites of Sam's felafel...and though I wasn't as willing to give up precious bites of my grilled cheese, I did share with him. 

After fully stuffing ourselves, we decided it was likely going to be the last warm day we will have until autumn settles in and the ice cream shops close. So we hit-up an east-side staple on our way home (and yes, it actually was "on the way home," so it was practically a necessity): Bardon's Wonder Freeze.

I have been visiting Bardon's for as long as I can remember: after little league games, during lunch when I was in high school, on the drive home if it was scorching hot, or following a long day soaking in sunshine at the beach. It is at a popular crossroads close to town, and it's nearly a guarantee to see someone you know there. Sam and I always split a "flurry," changing the mix-ins every time. We plop ourselves down at our favorite picnic table on the north side of the building and watch the cars pass while we talk about whatever's on our mind. It's amazing how many great conversations emerge when you're sharing ice cream with someone you love; I think that must be a universal truth.

Get out and enjoy the rest of these warm Indian summer days while you can!

(This post was based on a post originally published on my personal blog)

You, Me, and NMC! - Annual Drive

Hi everyone! Sorry for the short hiatus on my postings (thank you to John for being a trooper and getting content out this last month! You're the best!). I was pretty busy getting married, which was fantastic, beautiful, and also something I am very happy to tuck away in the "memories I will keep forever" file in my brain instead of stressing about it. But, now I'm back!

Last year I had the opportunity to participate in the Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) Annual Fund donation drive through my employer. Essentially it's a time when community members come together and gather funds through a series of telephone fundraising nights. We reach out to former NMC alumni and people in the area to give to NMC and help bolster scholarship funds, make higher education more affordable, and retain valuable educators in our town.

I am excited to be apart of my employer's fundraising team again this year for the 2013 annual campaign, called You, Me and NMC! My Northwestern Bank colleagues and I were invited to an campaign kick-off event this week at NMC's Great Lakes Maritime Academy. I was already excited about meeting other campaigners at the kick-off event, but I truly relish any chance to visit the Maritime Academy. I mean, look at this place!

The NMC Maritime Academy sits right at the base on West Bay, close to downtown and shining like a true gem. If anyone else who's lived in TC for many years remember the old Maritime Academy building (essentially a giant beige brick that sat, literally, right alongside the road and obscuring the panoramic view of the water), then I hope you feel the same pride and awe that I do every time I pass the Maritime Academy now. It is positively breathtaking. As a resident of TC I am thrilled that so much consideration was given to the beauty of the views and scenery of this prime location in TC. Don't believe me? Check out these views...straight from Lobdell's restaurant where we had dinner for the kick-off event.

I mean, it's decent (!!!). Oh, yeah, and the food was delicious, too.

Sara Noverr Harding and Bill Marsh Jr., the co-chairs for the campaign this year, spoke about the annual fund and this year's mission to reach out to everyone in the community who has been affected by NMC in some way. As it turns out, this is pretty much everyone in the area. NMC is a school, but it is so tightly woven into our region that it's hard to not have it impact life up here. I volunteer weekly at the Dennos Museum Center, located on the NMC campus; Sam is starting his MBA through the NMC University Center next month; I am looking to take classes on web design and gardening through their Extended Education program. So, NMC certainly makes a difference in my life!

Sara Noverr Harding and Bill Marsh Jr.

Additionally, there was a great video about this year's campaign that highlighted student stories and the mission behind both NMC and the annual fund. It was informative and well-done (I wish I had a link to share it with you). Plus, some of the students that were featured in the video made it to the kick-off event and we could chat with them and hear their stories one-on-one, which really helps put a face to what we'll do during our telethons. Realizing that the small actions we make and the little bit that we can give of our time, money, or resources impacts people living in my hometown is why I participate in the annual campaign. I was glad we could meet some of the people who benefit directly from what we do!

If you'd like to get involved in the annual fund campaign, you can click here and learn more. Or, if you'd simply like to share your story about NMC (if you're feeling creative, see if you can even do it in six words)! I am looking forward to getting to know my Northwestern Bank colleagues through the campaign and helping NMC in the process. Here we go!

Part of my NW Bank team...woo!

King of the Mountain Race!

Hello everyone!

After being back in the US for just over a year, I signed up for my first endurance race, King of the Mountain. Mt. Holiday together with the US Air Force and Race Director Matt Myers, Created a a 5k race that included 20 strategically placed military style obstacles all over Mt. Holiday Ski Resort. I wasn't too sure what I was getting myself into and the course did not disappoint. A well designed and planned course, it challenges you both mentally and physically with an extremely tough terrain and moments where mental focus is key.

Check out the race video! Be sure to watch at 6:16 where you'll see me and my buddy Adam going through the mud pit!

It was their third annual event and recruited 62 individual participants (Lone Warriors) and 24 four-person teams (Recon Team) for a total of 158. I ended up placing 29th with a time of 41:05. Not too bad considering the race included running up and down Mt. Holiday five times. Here's the course and some photos from the event. Definitely needed a shower after this race!

Not too fun running up and down this hill multiple times!

Here are 1st, 2nd and 3rd place finishers. Keegan Myers took 1st place with an insane time of 24:51

15 foot wall to get over

Ohh yea, don't mind that Drill Sergeant screaming at you while you're in the mud pit!

Over/under log obstacle

Me in the mud! Drill Sergeant's favorite quote "This ain't a pool, get outta the water!!!"

Here is me crawling through the mud pit at the finish line!

 Photo Source: https://www.facebook.com/imkingofthemountain

Upcoming Young Professional Conference!

Hello everyone!

Summer is soon coming to a close (...sad I know) and the YP's are well into the planning stages of this years' Young Professional Annual Conference. Hosted at the Leelanau Outdoor Center on Friday, October 4, 2013 from 8:00 am - 5:30 pm, this years' conference will include breakfast, lunch, facilitated leadership training and a keynote address by Bill Marsh Jr.

The conference will be a great opportunity for young professionals in Traverse City to network, participate in some fun team-building activities (climbing wall, zipline, human fooseball) and also listen to a truly engaging personal development session hosted by Bill Marsh Jr.

His presentation will provide some insight into the following items:

• What is personal branding and why is it important?
• Four critical steps to creating a strong personal brand.
• The keys to knowing when your brand is strong—and when it needs improvement.
• Relevant stories and powerful illustrations of famous brand-building successes…and failures.

***REGISTER NOW!***

Want to see who has already registered? Check out the Attendees here.

DETAILS

When:
Friday, October 4, 2013
8:00 am - 5:30 pm

Cost:
Member: $80.00
Non-Member: $100.00

T-Shirts: $30.00

Where:
Leelanau Outdoor Center
1653 Port Oneida Road
Maple City, MI 49664
231-334-3808

Google Directions

Contact Person:
Andi Wagenschutz
andiw@tcchamber.org

***REGISTER NOW!***

New Tent in Town & TC Microbrew & Music Festival featuring The Wailers!

Anyone who was in Traverse City last week was sure to see the gigantic new tent setup at the Open Space downtown. A first for the US, www.tentvenue.com has bought this amazing new mobile touring technology for hosting events all year. Owner Sam Porter of Porterhouse Productions just planned the tents inaugural events Paella in the Park, Great Wakes Festival and TC Waterman this past weekend. 

This coming weekend, August 23-24, the tent will be set up at the TC StateHospital/The Commons to get ready for the 5th Annual Traverse City Microbrew & Music Festival, featuring Michael Franti & Spearhead on Friday night The Wailers on Saturday. Tickets for the event are available online here. If you're interested in volunteering for the event, click here.

Check out some sweet facts about this massive tent and photos.

Check out the event photos from the Paella in the Park & Great Wakes Festival from Oden & Janelle Photography HERE!!! Also, check out their photographs from the Ozomatli Concert!

This Quad Span tent holds up to 4,400 people! 

Photo by Oden & Janelle Photography

The tent take approx. 8 hours to set up and 4-5 hours to tear down.

 

The tent can withstand up to 110 mph winds.

The entire tent fits on a 53' flatbed trailer making it super portable and able to be moved anywhere around the country with ease.

Based on economic studies by the TCCVB, if the tent company creates 10 different events with 4,000 people, it will help to drive 3-4 million in new economic dollars to the TC market.

The tent can be completely enclosed and host events 12 months out of the year.

Photo by Oden & Janelle Photography

Photo by Oden & Janelle Photography

Private functions such as weddings of gala dinners can be hosted in the tent
with seating for over 300 people.

Dennos Museum: Birds of Paradise

Hi again! I know it's been awhile since I've posted, but when it's summer in TC everyone makes the most of being outside, doing a million fun things, and enjoying all the fantastic opportunities for fun and sun up here. Life is always crazy but beautiful in the summer months, and I think that's how we all like it. Still, I owe you all a post...and even though I just posted about the Dennos museum not that long ago, their current exhibit is absolutely astounding: I had to share it, because I can't get enough of it!

When the BBC mini-series "Planet Earth" came out a few years back, it was hard for me to pick a favorite disc or feature among all the footage. By my fourth or fifth time through these masterpieces, though, I kept gravitating towards the Birds of Paradise segment. Below is  a snippet to remind you of the awesomeness:

So, when I heard the Dennos was receiving an exhibit all about these birds (put together by the National Geographic, nonetheless), I was pretty pumped. This exhibit is unlike anything I've ever seen in TC and the Dennos. It goes beyond being just an art exhibit or a "look at these things on the wall" walkthrough: it it interactive, hands-on, and remarkable.

The different sections guide you through the history of discovering the birds, evolution and natural selection, the influence of the birds on culture in New Guinea, the variety of birds and their mating dances, plus so much more. It is not only extensive in the breath of subject matter, but it is thorough and reaches all ages of visitors and all learning styles.

For me, this exhibit is intoxicating. I feel like a little kid again, playing with all the games and flipping through all the beautiful pictures. I loved seeing the beautiful hand-drawn illustrations from old field sketches (can you say Audubon heaven?) mixed in with videos of the different matings dances. The colors and uniqueness of each species leaves me realizing there is an infinite number of possibility for life.

And, if that's not enough to convince you to visit, how about a dance-off? There is this great game where two male contestants learn a mating dance (a la Dance Dance Revolution) and the ladies viewing the dances from behind them ring in and choose the male dancer they feel is most worthy of their vote. Despite being a female, I had to test out my Birds of Paradise dances moves....and you should, too!

Sun or rain, this is definitely worth a trip to the Dennos. This is a true example of a world-class museum right here in our hometown, much different than anything you've ever seen here before now. I encourage you to go and play with the birds!