http://www.northernexpress.com/michigan/articles.sec-142-1-news.html So, now we’ve been “downgraded” by the estimable Standard and Poor’s (S&P). We’ve fallen from a top-of-the-line AAA rating to AA+. No one is certain exactly how far the ripples from this will extend.]]> When Jan Stuhlmann heard how much a company wanted to pay him for oil and gas rights to his 80 acres in Kalkaska County, he couldn’t believe his ears.]]> Police were called about a fi ght in progress Aug. 12 at around 2:20 a.m. at the intersection of Newcomb and 17th Street but no one was there when they arrived. A short while later they were called to Munson Medical Center to interview a 20year-old man with a broken jaw.]]> The Traverse City Chamber of Commerce should be handing out Henry Morgenstein’s new book, “TC, I Love Thee,” to every tourist and prospective resident. Real Estate agents should buy cases of the books to give as gifts at closings. If you would like to join in a song to our beautiful area, this is that song.]]> California winemaker Robert Mondavi once said, “Making good wine is a skill; making fine wine is an art,” a statement that is reflected by the award-winning wines of Northern Michigan.

]]> “Nine years ago, it was suggested to the chamber that Petoskey develop a signature festival,” explains Kathy Bardins, Festival Coordinator. “Festival on the Bay was the result, and began as a jazz festival for the first two years.]]> The term privateer was given to the ships via a special permission, or “letter of marque,” which allowed private vessels to prey upon the enemy’s shipping. The Lynx, with its superior sailing abilities, was an inspiration to future ships in the fleet - but was captured early in the war.]]> Surf´s up on Lake Michigan? For that matter, all of the Great Lakes have become a surfers’ paradise in recent years. While these salt-free waters may not get the big waves enjoyed by surfers off the California, Hawaiian and Australian coasts, one must not forget that the waves of the Great Lakes have sunk hundreds of large ships.]]> Cindy Toranzo is crazy, quirky, fun! Her global fashions span across continents; one day wearing an African dashiki, the next, a sari from India. This former New York City gal is always fabulous. When it comes to her clients, the stylist at Salone de Capelli prefers a more classic and chic look.]]> “We built it to take on the most extreme lifestyles with an insanely tough design,” states company literature. “we’re talking shockproof, dustproof, and waterproof to a depth of 10 feet And built-in image stabilization smooths out even the roughest ride.]]> Arecent visit to some of the farmers’ markets in Northern Michigan produced everything I needed to make fresh pasta sauce. We are so fortunate living here with our agricultural diversity and for the next couple of months the harvest is on which bodes well for all sorts of canning projects.]]> “Maggie (pastry chef Magdelena Bagi) does a great job,” said Walheim In addition to the pastries, Xylo offers a variety of salads, lunch plates, starters & sides, sandwiches and subs.]]> “Friske Orchards was the first vendor we approached and it couldn’t have gone better,” recalls Scotty’s father Ray Bruce. “Everyone we visited has been really nice. And now we have vendors calling us. But we’re going slow. It has to be the right product, the right fit for us.]]> “There’s a lot of conceptualization in my work,” says Ballance, whose impressive portfolio is dominated by still life cornerstones of flowers and female nudes who are often adorned in elaborate paper-mache masks. Much of it is based on classical myths of the Greeks and Romans.]]> Mickii Free might be the best guitarist no one has ever heard of -- well the general public that is. Mention his name to people in the business, such as Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top and Bill Wyman of The Rolling Stones fame and they will all sing his praises.]]> “What’s the point of always doing the same thing? I don’t eat my favorite meal everyday; I explore different foods in search of my new favorite meal, and that is my approach to music,” said Hart. “My whole life I have constantly been exploring different types of music, even during my Grateful Dead days.]]> In late July of 2009, Kott, who was 34 at the time and a popular bass player and musician on the Northern Michigan scene, was headed home to Traverse City from Petoskey the day after a gig when another car turned head on into him. The accident was serious, breaking his ankle, eight ribs and two vertebrae.]]>