Pie & Peace

Nov. 22, 2006

More than just autumn aromas will fill the Grand Traverse Pie Company this
Thanksgiving weekend. Visitors will find jazz filling the air as
selections from the region’s newest CD, “Your Peace Counts” are played.
The benefit CD with a pie-friendly theme will be on sale at the GT Pie
Company through the holidays.
A CD release party is slated for Saturday, November 25, beginning at 8
p.m. at Gallerie Medici located adjacent to the Pie Company on West
Front Street. Tickets are just $15 for an evening celebrating in style,
the release of “Your Peace Counts” – a new CD featuring premier northern
Michigan jazz musicians. The evening’s proceeds will be donated to
Michigan Youth Opportunities Initiative – an agency aiding children in
the transition from foster care
to independence.
“Your Peace Counts” offers music with a message of peace, love and hope,
featuring many of Northern Michigan’s finest jazz musicians. Janice Keegan
belts out a hard swingin’ version of Peggy Lee’s hit, “I Love Being Here
With You,” as well as a Latin-tinged tune by Clare Fischer called
“Morning.” Claudia Schmidt rocks with an upbeat rendition of the Miles
Davis classic, “Four,” and a couple of beautiful ballads; “Peace” by soul
jazzman Horace Silver and the debut of a new original with words and music
by Jeff Haas entitled “Reach.” Guitarist Ron Getz lends his artistry for a
solo version of “Prelude to a Kiss” by Duke Ellington. And the Neptune
Quartet with special guest Alan Epstein contribute two originals by
mandolinist Don Julin.
“Your Peace Counts” also features saxophone/flutists Laurie Sears,
Nancy Stagnita and Bill Sears as well as pianist Steve Stargardt,
bassist Jack Dryden and drummers Dave Collini and John Alfieri. The CD
was recorded at Interlochen Public Radio by engineer Jack Conners and
produced by Jeff Haas.
The CD Release Party will feature performances by the artists. Guests will
also enjoy pie made from scratch, along with local wine selections
served in a commemorative “Your Peace Counts” wine glass from Old Mission
Peninsula’s Brys Estate Winery.
Advance tickets at $15 are available at Grand Traverse Pie Company,
Gallerie Medici, Brys Estate Winery, and the Traverse City Visitors’
Center. “Your Peace Counts” will be available for sale in the Grand
Traverse Pie Shop beginning Thanksgiving weekend.


Give a Little... or a Lot
Holiday benefits and donations

By Lynn Gerow

It’s the season of giving, and if you’d like to make a difference in the
region this year, there are plenty of opportunities. Following are some
of the organizations seeking your help in order to help others throughout
Northern Michigan:

Women’s Resource Center • TC:
“Adopt a Family” • Donations of toys, clothing, food, gift cards are
being accepted for families in need. Contact Jody Smith at 231-941-1210.

Harvest Food and Supply Drive:
Donations for home staples, toys,
grooming items, food and baby supplies are being accepted. Contact
information: in Petoskey, 231-347-0067, or drop off at Bondurant, 206
Howard St. Petoskey;
Cheboygan, 231-627-2380; Gaylord,
231-731-0918; Mancelona, 231-587-8891.

Cherryland Humane Society:
Has several programs: “Tree of Lights” benefits homeless animals;
“Christmas Pet Food Drive,” pet food donation barrels located throughout
Grand Traverse including Pet Supplies Plus, McGough’s, Square Deal Country
Store and Cherryland Humane Society; “Christmas Merchandise Sale,”
benefits unwanted and homeless pets. For more information contact the
Cherryland Humane Society at 231-946-5116. Also, contact your local Humane
Society for their Christmas programs for pets.

Father Fred Foundation:
“Toys for Tots” • drop off all unwrapped, new toys at 826 Hastings in
Traverse City.

Goodwill Industries:
“Holiday Needs Program” • Benefits disadvantaged and homeless individuals
and families. Donations are being accepted. Contact your local Goodwill
Agency.

The Salvation Army:
“Red Kettle Christmas Campaign” • Please stop and donate when you see the
Red Kettle.

U.S. Marine Corps:
“Toys for Tots” • Please donate unwrapped, new toys. Check for drop off
spots in you community, call your local Chamber of Commerce.

Days Inn & Suites:
Accepting canned goods and dry goods for local food banks. Munson Ave., TC.