NM3 June 2010

transcript

JUNE 2010FREE

Summer and Pinot Grigio...

Let the LOVE flow.

BowersHarbor

Vineyards

Follow us on 2896 Bowers Harbor Road, Old Mission Peninsula 800.616.7615

Have you ever wondered what Traverse City would be like if the Bay was not there? What if we just had

the Boardman River? Imagine how Traverse City would have developed differently over the years if the

focus had been on Boardman River. 16

This summer we’ll be conducting a cover model contest for our September style issue. The lovely ladies will be competing for prizes and ultimately to be on the cover of NM3 Magazine. 18

WHAT’s GOING on.

our guide to northern

Michigan’s entertainment

scene 12

Mark Arminski: Poster Art’s Poster Boy 14

NEIGHBORHOODS WE LIKEAs the migration back to the cities grows, we thought we’d highlight a few neighborhoods in and around Traverse City we like. These locations all are close to parks, good schools, and are near the core of the city. Best of all, great values in housing can still be found these areas. 8

THE SECRET OF BLENDED WINESPopular U.S. perception is that a wine made with multiple varieties must be where all the leftovers go. The dregs get thrown together and wah-la, you have “Here’s Hopin’ White.” 22

BOB ON THE SPOTOur ears were filled with wonderful jazz as we first walked in off the street, a very good first impression as far as we’re concerned. The atmosphere is more like a hip jazz club than the culinary southern delight that it turned out to be. 20

The place for

charming gifts.

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Our Pure

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A Word or 3Has the economy bottomed out? How about the Real Estate market, is it on its way back up? Indicators show it just may be on its way back. Home sales are up for 2010 over the same period last year. Many Realtors report better sales in the first five months of 2010 than all of last year. It would appear a slow return to “normal” is on its way.

The big question is, what is normal? Homebuyers are certainly being more cautious, but they are also searching for value and location. Today’s potential buyers are looking for smaller, more efficient homes, closer to the city where the action is. Gone are the days of wanting 3 to 5 acres in the country; in are the more dense developments and neighborhoods offered in and around Traverse City.

This trend is being played out all over the city by the young as well as older empty nesters. Important factors in buying decisions include proximity to good schools, parks, entertainment, and shopping. This month we’ve featured a few neighborhoods, and Town Home locations that meet these criteria. Best of all they are reasonable in cost so you’ll have a realistic view of what’s out there.

NM3 is introducing a new column this month: “The Big Idea,” where we will toss out some ideas which we think will make northern Michigan a better place to live and work in. Some of these ideas will be new concepts for the area, and some will be reintroducing ideas and concepts floated by others over the last few years. The purpose of these columns is to create positive discussions for a more vibrant community.

For now, get out and enjoy the sunshine, water and the wonderful summer that northern Michigan has thrust upon us!- Brett -

PublisherPithy Media LLC

Executive EditorBrett W. Gourdie

Art DirectorGodwin Jabangwe

Graphic DesignMr. Perceval Clarence Bigg

Copy EditorAmy Shamroe

PhotographyJohn L. Russell

Contributors to this issue include:Christine Kryszton, Emma Kat Richardson,

John Hagen, Emily Ulbrich

Advertising SalesJudy Gill 342.3310

Brett Gourdie 421.3600

Subscriptions are available,please send a check for $24 to:

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Publication Contact Information231.421.3600

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Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Antrim & Charlevoix Counties

NM3 Magazine is the property ofPithy Media LLC.

NM3 MAGAZINE ■ JUNE 20106

ARE we coming out of the Real Estate slump in northern

Michigan? Signs show some upticks in sales over the first 5 months of 2010. Sales are on the rise by a strong 19% through mid May of this year compared to the same time period in 2009. Median sales prices in Grand Traverse County are still down over the past few years to a low of $137,500 for the first quarter of 2010 from $163,000 in 2007 according to the Traverse Association of Realtors (TAAR)

Have we bottomed out? Is the housing market back?

Northern Michigan Real Estate Health & Trends

REAL ESTATE

“It’s on its way back,” Jack Lane, local realtor, pronounced. “Fundamentally, we’ve reached a point where affordability is nearing historical highs -- mortgage payments versus house costs, and wages have tilted decisively in homeowners favor. As with all other market bubbles, this means that we’ll cautiously begin a return to regular markets, again, with very modest appreciation.”

With the potential return in the housing market comes a return to reality when it comes to square footage and location. The trends seem to be returning to smaller footprints similar to the homes of the 1950s or early 1960s Instead of larger 3000ish square foot homes home of the 1990s and early 2000s. Today’s buyers are looking for efficient designs of 1100 to 2200 square feet with simple but elegant amenities.

So what does that mean for the northern Michigan market?It appears to be a return to the neighborhoods. The move back towards downtown living began to pick up steam about ten years

ago and has accelerated in the past few years. More and more people want the community and accessibility that comes with living downtown. Overall, the move to downtown will only continue to increase as gas prices rise and a much more energetic, diverse group of young buyers emerge in the years to come.

“Real estate agents may wonder why they should care about the younger age group sometimes called the Millennials, aged 20 to 30,” says Jessica Lautz, a senior research analyst at the National Association of Realtors. “These unique home buyers are the youngest of the home buying segment and are the most likely to purchase a home in the next two years in comparison to any other age group.” The Millennials number 33% of the total population in the United States, second only to the Baby Boomers. In Grand Traverse County, the second fastest growing age segment is the 25 to 35 year-old segment at 15% per year.

Urban-style housing in walkable neighborhood, including the close in suburbs, is what’s in demand today by these young buyers as well as older buyers. For a variety of reasons, that demand will intensify in the coming years. Parks, schools, and nearness to recreation and entertainment will be and are a big attraction to both the young and downsizing older homeowner.

In the next few pages we’ll highlight some well known and not so well known neighborhoods as well as condominium/townhome locations in Traverse City that may meet these trends in housing. We’ve worked towards matching housing values with what our average reader is looking for, a more urban home with prices between $140,000 and $290,000.

Parks, schools, and nearness to recreation and entertainment will be and are a big attraction to both the young and downsizing older homeowner.

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REAL ESTATE

As the migration back to cities grows, we thought we’d highlight a few neighborhoods in and around Traverse City we like. These locations all are close to parks, good schools, and are near the core of the city. Best of all, great values in housing can still be found these areas.

ORCHARD HEIGHTSThe Orchard Heights neighborhood is a real sleeper. Located on the north side of the Traverse City Central High School, it was developed in the mid 1950s through the 1960s. Its 200 homes are bound by Eastern Avenue on the south, and Center Road on the north. It’s great ranch styled homes range from 1,200 square feet to upwards of 2,200 square feet.

Many pass this area by without even a look, but those who live there know better. With it’s tree lined quiet streets and decent sized lots, it’s worth a look. Nestled in the middle of Orchard Heights is Clancy Park, a sleepy park maintained by the city of Traverse City. If you’re looking for a larger park, the Civic Center is just a few blocks away. A short walk to Eastern Elementary, Central High, and Northwestern Michigan College rank the Heights high on our walkability scale.

Home prices seem to be reasonable according to the sales in the past year. A nice 3 bedroom, 2 bath home can be bought for between $170,000 and $240,000 depending on size. Some real architectural gems in the mid-century still are to be found scattered throughout this neighborhood. Don’t overlook the homes of Orchard Heights; they don’t come up for sale very often for a reason. Many pass this area by without even a look,

but those who live there know better.

NM3 MAGAZINE ■ JUNE 2010 9

BOUGHEY HILLBoughey Hill? Where the heck is that? A common question asked when we researched this interesting neighborhood. Located on top of the hill at the end of South Union Street, Boughey Hill was developed in the 1950s and 1960s. Considered an upscale neighborhood when built, today it’s a real gem.

If you’re into the mid-century, atomic ranch style home, this is your place. The once discarded mid-century styled home now is one of the hottest trends in home styles across the country. Most, if not all of the homes, are 2 to 4 bedroom, one story well kept architectural jewels. No other location in Traverse City has this concentration of mid-century homes. Period.

Boughey Hill is a bit less walkable than the other areas we are concentrating on, but the streets are the quietest of all the neighborhoods highlighted. The only traffic you’ll see is from the residents since it’s essentially a dead end. You’re just a few minutes from downtown on a bike or in your car, and if you’re a golfer the Country Club is right next door.

Homes don’t come up for sale very often on the Hill, but when they do you can expect to spend between $160,000-$240,000 for a nice example. We predict more and more young residents will discover this amazing neighborhood for it’s architectural marvels as well as its proximity to downtown.

If you’re into the mid-century, atomic ranch style home,this is your place.

SLABTOWNThe darling of the west side of old Traverse City is unquestionably Slabtown. Known at various times as Little Bohemia, Slabtown in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s was home to mill workers and woodcarvers of the area. The community of Bohemian immigrants built cottages for themselves out of scraps from the sawmills. Many of their homes are still standing today; these smaller homes are where the value is.

The smaller charming homes of this area are highly desirable among many segments of home buyers, especially Munson Medical Center workers. Munson is located on the southwest edge of this highly sought after neighborhood. West Grand Traverse Bay is just a short walk down the street, as is Willow Hill Elementary School and downtown. One of Traverse City’s last great neighborhood taverns, Sleder’s Family Tavern, is located right in the center of Slabtown and has been for over 120 years. If you’ve never been to Sleder’s, you deserve a visit- it’s a real treasure.

While some larger homes have sold for in excess of $300,000 in Slabtown, deals are still to be had. Many homes sold in the $190,000 to $260,000 range in the past year. This is one neighborhood that seems to appreciate in value even through these economic times. A good supply of homes located in one of the best places to live in Traverse City, and everyone knows it.

The darling of the west side of old Traverse City is unquestionably Slabtown.

Condominium and Townhouse living are becoming more of a norm with the many great locations throughout Northern Michigan. An urban living, which makes sense for many of today’s busy lifestyles. These three locations fit our criteria of being either in the urban core of Traverse City or just outside of town but easily accessible.

The Village at Grand Traverse The Village at Grand Traverse Commons is about to begin the build out and renovation of the north side of the building. As with the nearly completed south end, a full range of living options like studio apartments, live-work units and expansive luxury condominiums provide a unique variety of residential options. Dramatic architectural details and historic craftsmanship, including 13 ft. ceiling heights, 8 ft. windows, 18 in. to 24 in. thick brick walls, and large corridors are highly desirable features that are virtually non-existent in any other development in the area.

Condos can be purchased well within our criteria of under $290,000. Starting as low as $119,900 and heading up in price, these unique living spaces can be completely customized to your needs. You may even be able to buy a bit more than your budget allows since no property taxes are due on your unit through 2017.

One of the major selling points of the Village is just being a resident of the thriving community. The amazing array of amenities on the grounds includes restaurants, wineries, a bakery, retail shops, and entertainment venues to name a few. All that and it’s just blocks from downtown! We look forward to see what developer Ray Minervini has in store for the future.

The Midtown DevelopmentMuch has been said and written about so called “in fill” residential projects. Midtown Condos are an example of success for such a project. Listening to the needs of future residents and then building the homes on the idyllic riverfront of the Boardman, developer Tim Burden nailed this one.

The townhouses are fronted on the Boardman River with the road and garages on the backside. The view from any one of the river front units feels like more like a quiet, country setting right in the heart of downtown Traverse City. A quick walk and you are at any number downtown’s best restaurants and all the entertainment and shopping Front Street has to offer. A very successful project from day one due to its proximity to everything.

Eager buyers snapped up units early on at very reasonable prices. Most of the units have custom amenities and spaces designed by owners. Today’s prices are in the $300,000‘s for a very large and well-built 2600 s.f. home. There are still a few smaller town homes available for under $200,000. One such unit is set up as a work/live space with an entrance off Lake and 8th Street.

for the office and spacious living space above on the second floor. A great combination for the creative class buyer.

The GroveComing off the successful State Street Commons development on State and Railroad, Sox Construction embarks on its latest townhome project, The Grove. Located in the Morgan Farms development at the base of M-72 west, this property is actually in Leelanau County but within the city limits of Traverse City. Just a three-minute ride to the Tart Trail and a 5-minute commute by car to downtown, it’s amazingly accessible to the action.

The craftsmen styled units are cleverly designed and striking considering the very reasonable $149,900 starting price. The Grove homes come with 3 bedrooms, 2½ bathrooms, attached two car garage all efficiently packaged in just under 1,300 square feet of living space. Each unit has it’s own front porch as well as entrance which are items on many buyers lists.

We’re excited about the combination of price, location, and amenities offered with these great townhouses. A very affordable development close to town- just what the region is asking for!

WHAT’s GOING on. our guide to northern Michigan’s entertainment scene

ENTERTAINMENT

Caravan of Thieves – InsideOut Gallery Sunday June 13th – 7pm Where else but at the newly renovated InsideOut Gallery would Caravan of Thieves land in Traverse City? Stretching the parameters of acoustic swing, Caravan of Thieves has been garnering praise for their new and unique brand of gypsy music and high intensity shows. The vocal harmonizing, acoustic guitar spanking husband and wife duo of Fuzz and Carrie have extended their musical family to include fiery violinist Ben Dean and double bass madman Brian Anderson to round out their colorful swing infused vision.

The quartet produces layers of Beatlesque vocals and driving rhythms with satirical, dramatic song writing creating an overall circus of sound. This show, and we do mean “show”, will be too damned good to miss!

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat - City Opera House June 24, 25, 26 - 7:30 PM Miracle Productions professional musical theater presents Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat June 24, 25, 26 and again July 1, 2, and 3. Andrew Lloyd Weber and Tim Rice’s musical has enthralled two generations of audiences since it first ran on Broadway in 1982, receiving Tony nominations in every category that year. The 1999 revival also won many awards and still packs houses nightly in London’s West End. A delightful mix of many music genres and choreography, this fast-moving production is a visual delight and joyous theater experience for all ages.

Béla Fleck, Zakir Hussain & Edgar Meyer – Interlochen Wednesday June 30th - 8:00pm Three masterful genre-benders and virtuosos on their respective instruments, Fleck, Hussain and Meyer blend the worlds of classical, bluegrass and world music. They join together in trio, at Interlochen for a concert of original music for the Banjo, Tabla and Double Bass. Three of the most limitless creators and composers in the history of music, together they share an unprecedented array of projects and pairings among them that touch many geographic, and stylistic corners of the musical world.

Béla Fleck has been called the premiere banjo player in the world and has virtually reinvented the sound of the banjo through a recording career that has taken him all over the musical map. Fleck has won eleven Grammy Awards and has been nominated in more different categories than anyone in Grammy history.

Zakir Hussain is today appreciated both in the field of percussion and in the music world at large as an international phenomenon. Widely considered a chief architect of the contemporary world music movement, Zakir’s contribution to world music has been unique, with many historic collaborations.

Edgar Meyer was hailed by the New Yorker as “...the most remarkable virtuoso in the relatively unchronicled history of his instrument” (the Double Bass).

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By Emma Kat Richardson

IF you’ve ever set foot within a rock ‘n’ roll super show at any point in the last 20 years, chances are you have

been rocked by artist Mark Arminski. Even if nothing springs immediately to mind with regards to his face or name, hard-rocking musical and pop art devotees from the San Francisco Bay area to the back alleys of Detroit rock city know Arminski best by his iconic poster art work.

“I kinda always had an interest in music-related art,” Arminski says, reflecting on his career. “I have relatives that kind of were involved in that in the ‘60s, so I had this interest in psychedelic art and drug-induced art. There was kind of a need for it and the band was in need of it, so it just went from what I thought was going to be maybe one or two years of doing this to almost 20 years of doing posters.”

“Psychedelic” and “drug-induced” can certainly be applied to Arminski’s poster art collective but are limiting. Since the mid-1980s, Arminski and his often-eerie and flowing designs have ripped full-throttle into the increasingly recognized world of concert poster art.

For Arminski, a career in art was almost a given. Growing up amidst the epic architecture of Detroit, his mother made it a regular habit to truck Arminski and his siblings over to the Detroit Institute of Arts, taking care to offer optimal exposure to all the requisite masters and classics every young artist should know. “I remember that when I was little, there were five of us kids, and I was the one that seemed to get the most into that at the DIA,” Arminski recalls. “That exposure I think opened my eyes at a real early age. I just remember the, [sic] some of the large masters’ paintings and how dramatic they were – the darks and the lights and those kinds of things. It just kind of always fascinated me.”

But how, exactly, does one make the impressive (if curiously coordinated) leap from Botticelli to Bob Dylan? Actually, it all happened quite by accident. “I think I just realized that if I [was] gonna avoid getting a real job, I’m going to somehow have to make the art thing work. And I think that’s what motivated me more than anything else: to not have a regular job,” he says. “The posters just kinda started as, with printmaking and silk screening, I pretty much taught myself, and I did that for a number of years until I got to turn a press around, but the silk screening, I kinda wanted to master it as much as I wanted to master it, and the music stuff was a good avenue to do it.”

The music avenue wasn’t just a good direction to coast along on, but a great one. Phenomenal, even. Everyone from Iggy Pop to Joan Baez to the Smashing Pumpkins has commissioned Arminski to design concert posters and handbills for their live shows, providing him with a significantly wide berth for artistic license and personal growth opportunities. Even Arminski’s Wikipedia page (yes, his work has earned him wiki status) denotes his silkscreened and print-made posters, album covers, and event handbills as instrumental in bridging the generational gap between ‘60s

ART REVIEW

Mark Arminski: Poster Art’s Poster Boy

Everyone from Iggy Pop to Joan Baez to the Smashing Pumpkins has commissioned Arminski to design concert posters

psychedelia and ‘90s grunge sensibilities in rock art. “I don’t know who writes those things,” he says with a laugh. “When everyone else was taking a different direction, I was still kinda stuck back in the ‘60s. Then there was the need to kind of update it a little bit, so that’s kind of what the people who write this stuff are talking about.”

Yet, as paramount and pivotal as his poster art body of work has proven, there’s far more to Arminski than melting eyeballs and defiant, punk rock fists thrust high up into the air. For as long as he’s been putting together promotional artwork for musicians, Arminski has also solidified himself as an accomplished painter – crafting elaborate portraitures and studies in the expression of innate humanism. Most people, he points out, are less than familiar, sometimes even largely ignorant, of his painting prowess; something he hopes to overturn with a renewed devotion to prolific painting and reinvigorated solo art shows all over the state of Michigan. “I made a conscious decision a year ago, maybe a little bit longer, to really curb doing the posters, which is really difficult, because it is a source of income for me,” he says. “I’m going to start selling some paintings here and there, and I really just derive a lot of pleasure from painting, so I need to start doing that a lot more. I don’t have any specific plans.”

On June 18th, InsideOut Gallery will a wake Traverse City up with a rare solo exhibition of Arminski’s work in conjunction with a screening of the rock poster documentary American Artifact. Arminski hopes to give the show’s attendees some insight into his little-known paintings, as well as consideration of their own personal reflections of artwork as an individual journey. “To me, art has always been a real personal thing, so if you walk away from this show thinking, ‘Boy, that’s just a bunch of crap,’ it still will have served a purpose,” Arminski says. “It still will have done what I needed it to do for me. If they feel that way, that’s their own feelings, and I’m okay with that. If you walk away thinking, ‘That was pretty cool,’ I like that, too. I guess I want them to walk away feeling something.”

For more information on Arminski’s show in Traverse City visit www.insideoutgallery.com.

“Psychedelic” and “drug-induced” can certainly be applied to Arminski’s poster art collective but are limiting.

For more information on Arminski’s show in Traverse City visit www.insideoutgallery.com.

“I think I just realized that if I [was] gonna avoid getting a real job, I’m going to somehow have to make the art thing work. And I think that’s what motivated me more than anything else: to not have a regular job.”

By Brett W. Gourdie

HAVE you ever wondered what Traverse City would be like if

the Bay was not there? What if we just had the Boardman River? Imagine how Traverse City would have developed differently over the years if the focus had been on Boardman River. Would the façade of Downtown be spun around river walks, retail stores, and outdoor cafes facing the river instead of the parking lots and backdoor alleys we now have?

The Boardman River for too long has been under-appreciated by the community, an ugly cousin to the pristine waters of the Bay. During the early years, the river was no more than a conduit to move lumber to be shipped across the Great Lakes for buildings in other cities. It was was a receiver of sewage, trash, and snow from the streets and parking lots of Traverse City. Today that has changed and the river is a crystal clear gem flowing into West Bay.

Many don’t realize the river flows naturally through the Central neighborhood, behind the Historical Society on Sixth Street after cascading over the dam between Cass and Union Streets. It then gently flows towards the Bay from west Front Street by the Warehouse District and parallels the back of downtown before feeding into West Bay.

The question is this: “Why not embrace the river and it’s beauty?” Some have actually taken advantage of its beauty. The River’s Edge development on Cass and Lake Street was built around it. The buildings face the Boardman with walk ways and landscaping accentuating the riverbank and parking placed where it belongs, on the street side.

The Midtown neighborhood along Cass was designed and built with roads and garages on the backside of the river, front facing the Boardman. A very simple but effective use of the river as an asset, not a back alley afterthought as we have on Front Street.

Now What?It’s time for action on the Boardman. Discussions have been made in the past of what to do with the urban section of the river, but nothing seems to move forward. Your Bay Your Say, the waterfront planning and the other endless planning processes have mostly if not all concentrated on the Bay front, and not the River.

Now is the time for a discussion of the Boardman, not just the Bay, as an asset for locals as well as visiting tourists. These ideas have been proposed in the past, but seem to have fallen on deaf ears.

walkways, outdoor cafes, and shops facing the river. Seems like a no brainer in the scheme of things. The biggest issue with this change in how we treat the riverfront is change it’s self. Imagine sitting on decks or patios facing the river while enjoying your favorite meal, coffee or glass of wine. Of course in the winter this may not be practical, but the view would be a welcome change from the parking lots and alleys we see now.

The concept drawings commissioned by the DDA show some real potential to start the discussion. The time has come to consider this option for the long-term health of Downtown Traverse City.

Let’s not overlook the river, let’s enhance its beauty and make it yet another addition to our world-class region.

Urban Whitewater ParkThe strong and steady current of the Boardman

creates a perfect scenario for an Urban Whitewater Park. Imagine Kayaking a reworked section of the Boardman River in Downtown Traverse City. Enter the river in the Warehouse District, shoot the rapids among the buildings of Front Street, and end up paddling to West Bay.

These Whitewater parks are being built across the United States and around the world. There is, of course, a cost to build the park with natural boulders, drops, and structures. It has been said a park like this may cost approximately $1,000,000 to construct. Many communities have invested in the infrastructure to build such facilities, and are seeing major returns for doing so. Studies completed by economists across the county, yield an annual return of $500,000 to $1,400,000 in tourism dollars.

Kayakers typically travel to Urban Whitewater Parks from a multistate area- this would be an opportunity for Traverse City to attract adventure tourists who pay for hotel rooms, meals, entertainment, and retail spending. Very similar to the thousands who descend on the region during the Ice Man Cometh bike race, these active paddlers destination travelers. Besides obvious day in and day out use, events could be centered on the Whitewater Park to bring additional positive attention to the region.

The first to propose such a facility is Eric Clone, an adventurist. Clone owns LyfMotiv Adventures a kayak, bike rental and adventure guide service operating out of the Warehouse District. He discussed the project with a leading designer of Whitewater Parks, John Anderson, of McLaughlin Whitewater Design Group located in Colorado. He has looked the stretch of the Boardman River and was impressed. “They think the Boardman has the potential to be one of the best whitewater parks in the country,” says Clone.

Turn Front Street Inside OutMany river cities across the country have a series of river walks, cafes, residences, and retail spaces facing the river. Traverse City has a series of alleys, parking lots, and loading docks on the Boardman. Some discussion has recently surfaced regarding changing this dynamic.

The Traverse City DDA has recently looked into creating a river friendly design to front the river with

The Boardman River for too long has

been an after sight to the community,

an ugly cousin to the splendor that is

the bay.

Megan DeVries

age 21 : Grand Rapids

Jackie Green age 25 : Big Rapids

Bethany Heinrich

age 20 : Traverse City

Arielle LaHaye

Ashley Olson

Kristen Swejkowski age 20 : Attica

Naomi Lawson

Megan Thurkettle

Model ContestThis summer we’ll be conducting a cover model contest for our September style issue. The lovely ladies will be competing for prizes and ultimately to be on the cover of NM3 Magazine.

They’ll be evaluated thru many different events over the summer, including a vote by you our readers on our Facebook page. Go the NM3 Magazine Facebook page and vote for your favorite model to advance to the next level.

Summerfrost Photography

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Tuesday, June 22The Bear 25th Anniversary Tournament

Join us for a very special day of golf as we celebrate the 25th Anniversary of one of America’s most challenging courses, The Bear, with a commemorative tournament.

Players will compete for special prizing and bragging rights. Finish the day with a delicious lunch and awards ceremony. Cost is only $99 per player.

To register a team call, 231-534-6001.

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CULTURE

KNOWN to most as Patisserie Amie, this great French Bistro now adds Bistro Dinner service as Chez Peres. Still owned by

Executive Chef Eric Fritch and his wife Amy, Kyle Moshier has joined the ranks as an owner and chef as well.

Stepping into the expanded space, almost feels as if you’re transported to another location in the world. The change is more of a maturation of sorts from their former location on Front St. to the full operation it is today. One of the first in the State of Michigan to brave the application process for one of the new DDA café liquor licenses, Peres now serves a full menu of classic local and international wines, beers, and drinks. While fresh homemade pastries were always a specialty, a newly expanded pastry kitchen pumps out amazing creations for eating in or taking home.

The new dinner selections include French selections from Choucroute de la Mer (a meal of Salmon, mussels, and shrimp) to Entrecôte Grille (a Rib-eye in béarnaise sauce), to Magret Poivre Vert a beautiful grilled duck breast. All traditional French cuisine prepared with the signature quality that has made this one of Traverse City’s destinations for world class food.

We can’t wait until the sidewalk portion of café is open to enjoy a nice glass of Merlot outside. This is a secret spot for out of town celebrities who pass thru, because the food is great and the location is laid back.

Soul Hole -Eclectic Southern Cuisine408 S. Union - Traverse City

Bob on the spot: ouR guide to what’s hot

Chez Peres/Patisserie Amie237 Lake Street – Traverse City

OUR ears were filled with wonderful jazz as we first walked in off

the street, a very good first impression. The atmosphere is more like a hip jazz club than the culinary southern delight that it turned out to be. As far as the food goes, don’t pass up their version of the Rueben with shredded corned beef, cabbage, and their unbelievable homemade bread. With a variety of southern/soul food offerings it was a bit frustrating deciding on just one.

While they don’t have a liquor license, patrons are encouraged to bring their own beer or wine. Next time we’ll bring our favorite libation to go along with their creations. Don’t underestimate their many offered beverages like home brewed ice tea and lemonade though.

The Soul Hole’s hours of operation are 11am to 3pm Monday through Saturday for the lunch crowd and dinner 5pm to 9pm Monday through Thursday, Fridays and Saturdays 5pm to 10pm.

Bob on the spot: ouR guide to what’s hot

943.3990 | 700 Blue Star CourtBlueStarLandscapeSupply.Com

1st & 3rd Wednesdayof every month, all through the summer.

CULTURE

The Secret World of Blended Wines

By Emily Ulbrich

LAUREL and Hardy. Burns and Allen. Ponch and John. We accept the truth that these things are better together. When it comes to wine, however, many Americans see anything other than 100% varietal as a negative.

Popular U.S. perception is that a wine made with multiple varieties must be where all the leftovers go. The dregs get thrown together and wah-la, you have “Here’s Hopin’ White.”

Make no mistake, these wines, and other blends, are worth seeking - deliberately. Some of our favorite local blended wines include: Bowers Harbor Vineyard’s 2007 2896 Langley – 55% Caberent Franc, 42% Merlot, & 3% Cabernet Sauvignon. Left Foot Charley’s 2009 Murmur - 50% Riesling, 20% Pinot Grigio, 25% Gewurztraminer, with the remaining 5% a mix of Viognier, Sauv Blanc, & Traminette. Chateau Grand Traverse 2008 Ship of Fools - 55% Pinot Blanc, 35% Pinot Gris & 10% Pinot Noir. Black Star Farms 2007 Leorie Merlot Cab Franc - 72% Merlot & 28% Cabernet Franc.

In reality, the under appreciation of blended wines is really an American bias. Europeans commonly blend varieties (think Bordeaux - Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and/or Petit Verdot). The long history of regions, like Bordeaux, means that by simply labeling the bottle “Bordeaux,” the consumer is expected to know the blend - or at least the possibilities. When the U.S. started producing wines en masse, there was no history. For marketing reasons and the fact that any variety can be planted anywhere (unlike parts of Europe which limit the varieties in a given region), producers labeled wines varietally as opposed to regionally. The reality is this: a wine need only be 75% of a single variety to be labeled as that variety. So, that Napa Cabernet Sauvignon, the one that is layered with complexity, probably has some Merlot in it- that’s why it’s so complex!

Blending wines is the one-place winemakers can really create wine. Generally, a winemaker is more of a guide than a maker. They coax out the nuances to reveal the hidden complexity. Like a mama bird, they watch over a wine through fermentation, stabilization, and, finally, the bottle. They protect a wine from bad things like H2S formation and fruit flies. Blending allows a winemaker to actually make something! Winemakers, like all inventors, learn and perfect through a trial and error process as they try different blending percentages. That’s right - they actually plan blends. Demand and volume of each wine certainly play a role, but not to the extent that a wine is comprised of “leftovers.”

Wines with fanciful names like “Red Drive” and “Just Unleashed” are a good indication that a wine is blended with no variety reaching that 75% threshold. Wine blends vary from marriages between two varieties to more polygamous relationships where as many as six or seven varieties can be found. In Michigan, Cabernet Franc and Merlot marriages are very common; the Merlot tames the green dragon that often is Cabernet Franc. The 2005 vintage is a notable exception, where a long and hot summer encouraged more varietally based Cab Francs and Merlots. Red hybrids are almost always blended together, for although they are consistent ripeners and hardy, they tend to lack the grace and balance of structure and flavor of vinifera and desperately need each other to make more interesting wines.

White wines can also be blended. Unlike Cabernet Franc and Merlot mentioned above, white blends can be traditional but are much more likely to be proprietary. Chateau Grand Traverse has a well earned reputation for the quality of its Edelzwicker, a noble blend of Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, and Muscat. The name Edelzwicker is actually the standard name used for a blend of noble white grapes grown in Alsace; it is a traditional blend. Left Foot Charley’s Murmur, on the other hand, has Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Grigio, Traminette, Voigner, and Sauv Blanc. How’s that for a party in a bottle? You’d be hard pressed, no pun intended (honest), to find that combination elsewhere. Both these wines are made deliberately.

By John Hagen

SMITH, Winnie & Co. was not among

the Wall Street brokerages making an appearance before Congress to explain how its partners had earned billions of dollars on mortgage-based securities. The two-dozen or so partners of Smith, Winnie & Co. were pursuing more honorable and personal objectives, mainly finalizing logistics for their 25th annual fly-fishing outing on the Au Sable River of Michigan’s northern lower peninsula.

Typical Smith, Winnie weekends start with arrivals at Gates Lodge, checking into streamside overnight rooms (always including the Brown Trout Suite), dining with fellow anglers, fishing on the South Branch until 11pm or midnight, depending on trout activity, and enjoying the fellowship of cigars, home-brewed ale and family news and shared recollections from previous outings. The balance of the weekend includes more cigars, story-telling, observing nature – trout, eagles, muskrats, grouse -- a group portrait, and fishing the Au Sable mainstream and branches before farewells on Sunday afternoon.

For more than two decades, logistical responsibilities for Smith, Winnie have fallen on Traverse City photographer John Russell (with the Record-Eagle for 30 years, now well-known founder and principal of

Great Lakes Images, as well as chief photographer for NM3 Magazine, the Traverse City Beach Bums and Anglers of the AuSable, among numerous other clients.) Russell is the only group member to have lived continuously in Traverse City; some have left and returned.

Smith, Winnie’s original members include Traverse City natives Eric Olson and John Hagen, who were pursuing careers downstate. They drew their name from a pair of Traverse City legendary anglers, both long since passed on to their greater rewards. Jay Smith, longtime editor of the Record-Eagle newspaper, and Art Winnie, downtown barber known for his prodigious tying of artificial flies, were among the region’s first fly-fishing buddies.

By 1987, the current gang of TC-based anglers decided on a name for ease of making necessary reservations, a year in advance, at Gates Au Sable Lodge near Grayling. A similar group from Chicago called itself the Northern Illinois Fly Tiers, shortened to NIFTY, which seemed a bit corny. We’re not sure if they still fish for trout on the Au Sable every weekend following Memorial Day, or if they merely morphed their name into Chicago Trout Bums, which sounds to some like a franchise.

Russell assumed responsibility for producing the organization’s newsletter, accurately describing himself as “Editor

and Only Contributor” in 1999, along with maintaining a continuous photographic record – both serious, documentary-style color and black-and-white group portraits and occasional embarrassing images that Russell swears will never see the light of day, except perhaps in the Board Room or Brown Trout Suite at Gates Lodge after a relaxing evening of fishing the brown drake hatch on the South Branch. His role became key in keeping the group together and developing traditions for a second generation – sons of original members who now join their fathers on the annual outings.

In late 1999, Russell emailed the Smith, Winnie membership:

“I have enjoyed the time we have spent

together in the past, and look forward to spending more time in the future with each of you, fishing and telling stories. Some true, and some sort of true… I am blessed in many ways, and having a group with men and women such as you to share my beloved rivers with adds much to my good life. See you in 2000!”

As this edition of NM3 goes to press, a decade has passed and Russell is once again preparing for the annual gathering. It’s not always about actually catching trout…well done John!

FISHING

Angling for a memorable time, and for the next generation

When you wake up looking like you drove through a tornado in a convertible while having jolts of electricity shot through you, its time for a hair intervention.

THE PERFECT PLACE TO MEET, CHAT & LOUNGE.

THE WAREHOUSE LOUNGE is open for meetings, parties, rehearsals, anything that brings people together without messing up

the wife’s favorite rug.

And, if you want some peace and quiet on a Sunday afternoon, send her bookclub gathering our way. The couch is yours.

THIS SPACE FOR RENT221 Garland St. Traverse City

the newWhiting Hotel

Month-to-Month DowntownTraverse City Studios

Furnished Rooms • Flat Screen TVs • Wireless Internet • Utilities Incl$400-$500/month • www.thewhitinghotel.com • 231.947.6360

www.insideoutgallery.com

11th- GRASS FED - Lou Gauthier Sculpture Show12th- Planned Parenthood DRAG SHOW13th- CARAVAN OF THIEVES in Concert17th- Our Fathers Daughters Concert

18th- The Art of MARK ARMINSKI19th- AMERICAN ARTIFACT

the rise of the American Rock Poster Film25th- I Love Vinyl Art Show

26th- PIETA BROWN in Concert30th- July 2 BROWN BAG GRAFFITI SHOW

THE JUNE ROSTER

TRAVEL

One great web site is www.cruisesonly.com; it allows you to type in your selections and choose from several different cruise lines, ships, cruise durations and destinations. If it’s your first time, you may want to select a shorter journey to try cruising on for size. It’s also important to select a cruise that matches your style and state of mind like Carnival for a party atmosphere or Holland America for a more sophisticated experience.

Has Alaska been calling you but your budget has left you only dreaming of such as trip? How about an Alaskan cruise through the Inside Passage for $37? It can be easily done when you visit the www.ferryalaska.com web site. You can cruise from Juneau to Haines in a comfortable Marine Highway ferry and even get a cabin (additional cost) if you choose. You’ll see some of the same scenery as you would on the big ships at a fraction of the cost. Once you’ve explored Haines, take another quick ferry ride over to Skagway, and round out your trip with a train ride through the area. Getting to Juneau to start your voyage is easy, just hop on an early Saturday morning flight out of Traverse City and you'll be in Juneau to catch a late lunch. Don’t wait a lifetime to take your Alaskan cruise; you can make it happen affordably and quickly if you’re willing to look for alternatives to the high-cost luxury experience.

Another option to get a feel for cruising without committing to a full-length voyage is a cruise to nowhere. There really isn’t a destination, it’s a the journey. You’ll experience all the amenities of a longer cruise but you’ll be gone for the day or overnight. Several cruise lines offer such a deal including Carnival and Norwegian. You can search the web for “cruise to nowhere” or go directly to www.cruisesonly.com for a few choices.

My last cruising deal is the repositioning cruise. At the end of the cruise season, the cruise line must bring the ship back to its original port. For these voyages they offer bargains to those who want to ride along. For example, a repositioning cruise from Vancouver to San Diego on a premier Holland America ship sailing this September can be booked on www.repositioningcruises.com for as little as $200!

If it’s value you want, there’s no better time to go cruising for a great travel deal!

Cruisin’ for a Deal By Christine Krzyszton

IMAGINE: all the food you can eat (plus some), a cabin to sleep in, a trio of beautiful swimming pools, activities that never end, nightly

entertainment, fun ports-of-call, a full casino on ship, and endless ocean views all for as little as $50 a day. Due to decreased demand, cruise companies are attempting to lure you aboard with great deals. You can actually secure a great little cruise (especially to the Bahamas, Mexico, or the Western Caribbean) for a steal and you’ll score a lot of extras such as on-board ship credits, cabin upgrades, reduced deposits, discounts for multiple passengers, shopping specials, and even great deals on shore excursions.

Another option to get a feel for cruising without committing to a full-length voyage is a cruise to nowhere. There really isn’t a destination, it’s a the journey.

Investment Services Since 1890

The Hartl Group of Stifel NicolausProviding personalized investment

management on a collaborative basis.

Traverse City (231) 946-4975125 Park Street, Suite 300 Traverse City, Michigan

WWW.STIFEL.COM

Member SIPC and NYSEStifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated

Heather Hartl, MBA Vice President/Investments

Jerome Hartl, CMT Vice President/Investments

Call the Beach Bums’ offices at (231) 943-0100

Log onto the Beach Bums’ website at www.traversecitybeachbums.com

Contact Hagerty Client Resource Manager Bob DeKorne at(231) 933-3766 or bdekorne@hagerty.com

NEED MORE INFO?

C O L L E C T O R C A R N I G H T • S U N D A Y , J U N E 2 7 • W U E R F E L P A R K

“Nice wheels” will soon mean more to baseball fans than the term used to describe a speedy base runner.

Two American classics, baseball and collectible automobiles, will team up for Collector Car Night on Sunday, June 27 at Wuerfel Park. The event, sponsored by Hagerty Collector Car Insurance, will be held in conjunction with the Traverse City Beach Bums’ game against the Kalamazoo Kings. The first pitch is set for 5:05 p.m.

All drivers of pre-1982 collector cars will receive two free tickets to the game. Additional passengers and all Hagerty employees can purchase tickets for $5 each. The first 60 cars to arrive at the ballpark will be displayed in the grassy area past the sidewalk behind the outfield wall. Show cars must be in place by 4 p.m. and remain on display until the end of the game. The gates will be open for classic car participants beginning at 3 p.m.

Fans will be asked to vote for their favorites, with prizes awarded to the winners during the 7th inning stretch. Beach Bums’ mascots Sunburn and Suntan will be on hand to entertain the kids.

Join us for a great night of baseball and classic cars!

1768 Cherryland CenterTraverse City, MI

231.947.3940 • 800.548.3036

WavesWavesMakeMake

134 East Front Street, Traverse City / 231-946-4730325 East Lake Street, Petoskey / 231-348-4730

415 Bridge Street, Charlevoix / 231-547-4730

Maui Jim Luau Fri. June 25th 5:30-8:30pm

@ our TC store

231-228-2040www.sugarloaftheoldcourse.com

Conveniently located off M-22Between Leland & Glen Arbor4512 S. Townline Rd. Cedar

Pro-Shop and GrillDriving RangeEarly Riser and Twilight Rates

Play the best greensin the county.

The TVR was made in England and shipped minus engine and transmission to the Griffith Motor Car Company in Long Island, N.Y. The legendary Ford 289 high performance K code 270hp V8 was then shoehorned into the TVR for an amazingly fast beast. With a total weight just under 2000 pounds, the Griffith is a Cobra killer with a 0 to 60 time of 5.2 seconds, and a top speed in excess of 150 miles per hour.

Owned for the past 10 years by Rich and Barb Faller of Traverse City. Rich searched high and low for this car, which was located in Massachusetts before bring it home. Most of the TVR’s are long gone, we’re glad Rich has taken such care of this rare car right here in our backyard.

MOTORING

Cars we like : 1965 Griffith 400 TVR

THIS month we continue our search for northern

Michigan’s best classic cars by bringing you the ultra rare 1965 Griffith 400 TVR. With only 59 produced in the world, the TVR is an unusual mix of English sports car, coupled with pure American muscle.

2010 SUMMER ARTS FESTIVAL

tickets.interlochen.org • 800.681.5920

Taj Mahal with special guest Shemekia Copeland

Thursday, July 8

Punch Brothers featuring Chris Thilewith special guest Loudon Wainwright III

Saturday, July 17

ForeignerThursday, August 19 Email us at

brett@nm3live.com and let’s talk!

NM3 is hiring ad account executives.

Northern Michigan’s Largest Selection of

Imported Cigars, Cigarettes, Pipes, Lighters,

Custom Blended Tobaccos

231.946.2640336 E. Front St. Traverse City

serving the Grand Traverse Area for over 25 years

YEAH, I’M

FRUITY.BUT IN A REAL

MANLY SORTA WAY.

NM3 June 2010

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