Rick Coates

Dining Rick Coates Thanksgiving Reflection
According to historical accounts, the first “Thanksgiving Dinner” (as we know it today) in America was 389 years ago when the pilgrims celebrated a feast with Native Americans following their first fall harvest near Plymouth, Massachusetts. But this feast was never repeated and actually, most pilgrims during that era observed a day of thanksgiving by fasting instead of feasting.
There were earlier celebrations going back to 1541 when Spanish explorer Francisco Vasquez de Coronado, led a “thanksgiving” celebration in what would become Texas. In 1789 President George Washington declared November 26, 1789 as a national day of “thanksgiving and prayer.” But the tradition ceased in 1818 and was restored again in 1863 by President Lincoln and has been observed annually ever since. In 1941, President Franklin Roosevelt established the fourth Thursday of November as the official Thanksgiving Day.

Features Rick Coates Nightmare on the Border
Liz Larios deported to drug-riddled town in Mexico
By Rick Coates
For all practical purposes Liz Larios considers herself an American.
She graduated from Traverse City Central High School and has lived in
the United States for the past 18 years since the age of six. Since
high school, she has been holding down two jobs to pay her bills and
planned on marrying her boyfriend of six years, Russell Horn, sometime
next year. There was just one problem, the 24-year-old Traverse City
resident was born in Mexico.

Music Rick Coates Triple Shot: Jackyl, hip-hop pioneer DMC & Uncle Kracker roll out the rock
By Rick Coates
Jackyl is arguably the hardest working band in rock and roll. They hold two Guinness Book of World Records, one for playing 100 concerts in 50 days and another for performing 21 concerts in a 24-hour period. The band is most infamous for their chainsaw wielding frontman Jesse James Dupree.
The band makes no apologies for their controversial shows, because as Dupree says: “That ain’t the rock and roll way, you don’t apologize.”
The band will make their way to the Ground Zero Nightclub on Friday as they kick off their new tour. Joining them will be Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member DMC of Run DMC fame.

Dining Rick Coates Thanksgiving Reflection
According to historical accounts, the first “Thanksgiving Dinner” (as we know it today) in America was 389 years ago when the pilgrims celebrated a feast with Native Americans following their first fall harvest near Plymouth, Massachusetts. But this feast was never repeated and actually, most pilgrims during that era observed a day of thanksgiving by fasting instead of feasting.
There were earlier celebrations going back to 1541 when Spanish explorer Francisco Vasquez de Coronado, led a “thanksgiving” celebration in what would become Texas. In 1789 President George Washington declared November 26, 1789 as a national day of “thanksgiving and prayer.” But the tradition ceased in 1818 and was restored again in 1863 by President Lincoln and has been observed annually ever since. In 1941, President Franklin Roosevelt established the fourth Thursday of November as the official Thanksgiving Day.

Features Rick Coates Mixed Message: Why is BYOB okay at TC events, but not at restaurants?
By Rick Coates
Earlier this year when the Traverse City Police Department began enforcing a confusing Michigan statute on alcohol consumed at non-licensed establishments, mixed messages were sent throughout the community.
For instance, will stores be allowed to serve alcohol at the popular downtown Traverse City Men’s Night (December 16), as has been the tradition in past years?
How about the tailgating with alcohol that takes place at every high school football game at Thirlby Field, also in the city limits? What about tailgating at Interlochen prior to concerts?
According to the interpretation of various Michigan statutes by officers of the Traverse City Police Department, all of these events would be a violation of Michigan laws, possibly resulting in a misdemeanor for the consumer and a felony for the establishment.
The legal underpinning is called “consideration,” which occurs whenever an establishment gives away or allows someone to bring alcohol onto their property when they are collecting money for an event, selling merchandise or a meal.

Features Rick Coates Northern Gifts:Great ideas from local merchants
By Rick Coates
Each holiday season we’re all faced with the same dilemma: what to get
the person who seems to have everything or is just plain impossible to
buy for.
Of course some of us are also looking for that “wow’ factor; a
truly unique gift that is memorable, especially for those office
Christmas gift exchange parties.

Dining Rick Coates Art’s Tavern Smelt Basket
Art’s Tavern in Glen Arbor (corner of Lake Street and M22) has been a longtime fixture on the Leelanau Peninsula. Opening prior to Prohibition as the Blue Goose Saloon, it became known as Art’s in 1934. In 1986 Tim Barr took over the management reins and in 2000 became the owner. Most people assume he is Art. In many ways Tim’s presence and personality are as important to Art’s as the ambiance, food and drink.
Art’s was among the first to get behind the Michigan craftbrew movement by adding Bell’s Beer in 1986 and has continued a long tradition of offering assorted Michigan craftbrews on tap and by the bottle. Art’s menu is rooted in traditional pub-fare. While they have several specialties, the tater tots are always a favorite.

Music Rick Coates Exotic Import Hana Malhas
By Rick Coates
The Mideast meets the Midwest when Jordanian singer-songwriter Hana
Malhas brings her indie folk to the stage of the InsideOut Gallery
this Saturday.
Born and raised in Jordan, Hana (pronounced Hena) made her way to the
U.S. 11 years ago to attend the University of Michigan, earning both
undergraduate and graduate degrees from the prestigious Stephen M.
Ross School of Business. She fell in love with Ann Arbor and found a
financial position with a non-profit.

Dining Rick Coates Traverse Bay Farms Fruit Salsa
Traverse Bay Farms, based in Bellaire, is the latest Northern Michigan company to clean up at an awards competition. The makers of fruit and gourmet salsas took home seven awards at the 2011 Scovie Awards last month. It’s an annual competition that recognizes the top fiery foods products in the world.
Over 800 products were entered and go through rigorous tastings from over 100 food industry experts to receive the top honors. It is one of the most competitive blind-tasted food competitions in the world.
If “Scovie” sounds familiar it is because it comes from the Scoville scale which measures the spicy heat in peppers. The scale is named after its creator, American chemist Wilbur Scoville, who developed a test for rating the pungency of chili peppers. Traverse Bay Farms took First Place honors for their Pineapple Salsa, Corn Salsa and Red Raspberry BBQ Sauce; and Second Place for their Red Raspberry Salsa, Black Bean Salsa and Apple BBQ Sauce. There was also one Third Place award for their Peach Salsa.

Features Rick Coates Spill the Wine... Bottle ban wrecking the party for Northern Michigan businesses
By Rick Coates
Here in the heart of Michigan’s wine country, diners and restaurateurs
are taking heat from local police for a ‘bring your own bottle’
practice that’s popular -- and legal -- across the nation.

Dining Rick Coates Dylan’s Candy Bar
Dylan’s Candy Bar, the newest store in the Gallery of Shops at Grand Traverse Resort & Spa in Traverse City, opened this week. Created by CEO Dylan Lauren, the daughter of fashion icon Ralph Lauren and photographer and author Ricky Lauren.
The first Dylan’s Candy Bar opened in 2001 but the concept for the candy emporium began on Dylan Lauren’s fifth birthday. “I went to see a showing of Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory,” said Lauren. “I was so awed by the candy land of Willy Wonka’s factory that it inspired me at that moment to open a candy store.
During college, Lauren traveled Europe studying art, fashion and sampling the best candies along the way. She took notes and Dylan’s Candy Bar combines her love of candy and passion for art, music and fashion to create gifts for “kids” of all ages.

Dining Rick Coates Food Rescue
A couple of weeks ago Food Rescue of Northwest Michigan crossed the half million pound mark of fresh food being saved and put to good use. The Food Rescue goal is “to ensure that soon to expire wholesome food becomes nutritious meals to area community members instead of ending up in landfills.”
Launched a few years ago by Goodwill Industries, the program relies on volunteers who go out daily to local grocery stores, restaurants, caterers and bakeries throughout the region and collect soon to expire perishable food, primarily of meat, poultry, fresh produce and dairy.
“Our mobile food rescue program, and along with over 80 area business donors and 40+ food pantries and food distribution sites, are proud to have collected and distributed over 500,000 pounds of fresh nutritious food to the dinner tables of thousands of individuals and families who need it most,” said George Powell, Food Rescue committee co-chair. “Using the USDA estimate, that one pound of food is the equivalent to one adult meal, Food Rescue has been able to distribute over 500,000 well-balanced, healthful meals since October 2008.”
Food Rescue began with one truck and a handful of donors serving Grand Traverse County. Today, two refrigerated trucks are kept busy rescuing and distributing donated food in Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Antrim, Kalkaska and Benzie counties. The food is delivered free of charge the same day to food pantries, shelters, community meals and other distribution programs to immediately head to the dinner table of families and individuals in need.
To find out more about Food Rescue of Northwest Michigan or to make a contribution visit www.FoodRescueNW.org or call 231.995.7723. --Rick Coates

Music Rick Coates The Young Dubs: On The Rocky Road From Dublin
By Rick Coates
Celtic rockers, The Young Dubliners, (Young Dubs) love Traverse City.
While most touring acts hardly know what day it is, let alone what
town they are in, The Young Dubs have their favorites and Traverse
City ranks right up at the top.

Music Rick Coates Robbie Wyckoff’s piece of ‘The Wall’
TC singer hits the road with Roger Waters
By Rick Coates
No one can accuse singer Robbie Wyckoff of being just another “brick in the wall.”
A Traverse City native, Wyckoff grew up wanting to be a singer. The 1983 TC High School grad was in the school choir and a lead vocalist in several area rock bands before making his way to Los Angeles shortly after graduation. While Wyckoff has had some pretty impressive gigs over the past 25 years, he returns to Michigan this weekend on the biggest tour of his life.
Wyckoff has been touring with Pink Floyd legend Roger Waters as the co-lead vocalist in the Roger Waters The Wall Live Tour. The tour makes a stop this Sunday, October 24 at the Palace of Auburn Hills.
Prior to this tour Wyckoff has recorded and performed with Diana Ross, Barbara Streisand, Celine Dion, Natalie Cole, Clint Black, Sheena Easton, Rick Springfield, Keith Emerson (Emerson, Lake & Palmer), Michael McDonald, Jackson Browne and Greg Rolie (Journey, Santana). In addition, he has been in several film and television projects with vocal work in the movie “Shrek,” the animated Disney TV series “Phineas & Ferb,” “The Emperor’s New Skool,” “The Replacements,” and appearances on “Everybody Loves Raymond,” “Yes Dear” and “7th Heaven.”
The Roger Waters Tour started in September in Toronto and Wyckoff has been performing in every major North American city and venue. The tour will wrap up a few days before Christmas, the European leg kicks off in March, continuing through June.

Music Rick Coates Blue October takes aim at suicidal behavior
By Rick Coates
Matt Noveskey grew up in Traverse City as part of a musical family.
The 1994 graduate of St. Francis High School credits his family’s
diverse interests in music in shaping his path in the rock band, Blue
October.