Carol South

Features Carol South 10 Years on the Water
Kayaker Tom Slater hasn’t missed paddling once in 120 months

By Carol South

Dipping a paddle in the Boardman River last month, Tom Slater passed a 10-year milestone.
For 120 consecutive months he has kayaked at least once a month, no matter the weather, temperature or timing. All seasons, all the time: from temps in the 20s, bundled in layers of clothing while waves froze on his paddle, to hot summer days clad only in shorts with a small umbrella raised as a sail/sunscreen.
Slater didn’t start out looking to rack up years. After getting through the first winter and the following warm season, he decided to keep the string of consecutive months going that next winter. With that success, he decided to carry it on as long as he could, month after month.

Dining Carol South Harnessing the pulse of the Caribbean, Catch Island Grill offers a fusion of island flavors.
Since it opened February 25, the downtown Traverse City restaurant has carved a niche of fine dining underlined by exotic tastes, spices and scents. A downtown hangout that has proven especially popular with women, especially on Friday’s Ladies Nights, Catch Island Grill is smoke free.
Featuring mostly ocean fish – parrot fish, grouper, Mahi-Mahi, among others on an ever-evolving menu -- you’ll also find that pork, chicken and even goat (in what proved to be a popular curry) have graced the menu.
“I think a lot of people tried it to say they tried it and then they liked it,” said chef Randy Chamberlain of the goat curry, a traditional island dish.

Dining Carol South At Lil’ Bo, all lunches all the time now have one thing in common: no smoking.
Starting April 30, owner Nancy Freund decided to make the change at the downtown Traverse City landmark, based on customer feedback.
The restaurant/tavern had already designated smoke-free Thursdays starting January 3, which have been very popular and helped lure evening crowds to enjoy dancing and music.
Looking to boost the lunch trade at the renovated establishment with an expanded menu, banning tobacco seemed a logical next step.

Features Carol South An ambitious vision packed into a small space, Créme Brulee melds simple living with radical politics, grounding economic responsibility in funky creativity.
The micro boutique run by self-described revolutionary clothiers Ben Ruggles and Jen Liedel features everything from wallets made from National Geographic maps to clothing and accessories fashioned from rescued fabrics.

Features Carol South Whether they’re used to top-off beer, iced tea, pop, pasta sauce or juice, bottle caps may be the latest green accessories.
Putting a twist on her commitment to recycling, Dede Alderman created bottle cap belts in 2006. Their informal styling and subtle sound stem completely from salvage, making them the perfect eco-friendly accessory.

Features Carol South A four-dog morning is part of Mike King’s daily routine.
The owner of four Siberian Huskies, a matched set with glorious strawberry blonde fur (technically known as light red,) most mornings find King exercising and training his dogs as they pull him around Traverse City on a light cart. During winter months, King rides a traditional sled over the snow.
Each day, whether lounging outside Oryana Food Coop in the shade while their owner has a cup of coffee, running gleefully along the TART Trail or plunging into the bay, Timber, Danni Girl, Ginger and Tess relish their workout.

Features Carol South Individuals and families can keep busy all summer exploring the outdoor bounty of the region by hiking and learning at some of the many trails in Northern Michigan. The organizations below work to foster an appreciation for the region’s natural features through educational programs and hikes:

Features Carol South Have wind, will soar.
Year-round, kite boarding proponents in Northern Michigan can be found sailing over snow or waves whenever a brisk wind comes up.
Each season has its style, challenges and rewards, but wintertime revolves around a common theme: stay warm as rising wind chills lure boarders to frozen lakes for hours of frigid fun. Even before the lakes freeze, which happened late this year, diehard fans search out promising fields to skim over on skis or snowboards.
Linked via the technology of cell phones and Internet bulletin boards, a rising wind spurs a wave of calls and a posse departs for a promising location. Within 10 minutes of arriving, they can be skimming the frozen surface: no lift lines, no fees and no hassle.

Features Carol South Crackling with exuberance and excitement, the 11-member Michigan Dance Collective will storm the stage at the City Opera House this Saturday, February 4.
Presenting a joint show with the InSync Dance Theater from Holland, the local adult dance troupe will present classic jazz, contemporary ballet, contemporary jazz and musical theater pieces. Themes incorporate a love triangle tragedy, being a modern woman, “The Look,” and power struggles between
a couple.

Art Carol South Merging Shakespeare and summertime is a full-fledged tradition in Traverse City.
While sunlight sparkles through the trees at Hannah Park and shadows creep eastward through the evening, a troupe of veteran actors will reenact the age-old tale of Macbeth. For three weekends starting this Saturday and Sunday, July 24-25 at 6 p.m., the Riverside Shakespeare Company presents this classic story of power, betrayal, murder and redemption.