Elk Rapids Farmers Market every Friday outside the Chamber building. Elk Rapids, on East Grand Traverse Bay and Elk Lake, is about 15 miles northeast of Traverse City on US-31. Products grown locally on family farms and feature: Fresh vegetables, fresh fruits & berries, eggs, sweet corn, baked goods, honey products, tomatoes, fresh cut flowers, nursery plants and flowers, sauces and jams, and much more!

Members of the Grand Traverse Astronomical Society (GTAS) and NMC Astronomy Club host Public Viewing Nights at Rogers Observatory in Traverse City.

Suggested donation $2 individual, $5 family.

•Saturday, January 23, 8-10 p.m.
•Saturday, February 20, 8-10 p.m.
•Saturday, March 20, 9-11 p.m.
•Friday, April 16, 9-11 p.m.
•Saturday, April 24, 9-11 p.m.
•Saturday, May 8, 9-11 p.m.
•Friday, May 21, 9-11 p.m.
•Saturday, June 5, 9-11 p.m.
•Friday, June 18, 9-11 p.m.
•Saturday, July 3, 9-11 p.m.
•Friday, July 16, 9-11 p.m.
•Saturday, August 7, 9-11 p.m.
•Friday, August 20, 9-11 p.m.
•Saturday, September 4, 9-11 p.m.
•Friday, September 17, 9-11 p.m.
•Saturday, October 2, 8-10 p.m.
•Saturday, October 15, 8-10 p.m.
•Saturday, November 13, 8-10 p.m.
•Saturday, December 11, 8-10 p.m.

Born March 10, 1926 in Midland, Michigan, Wesley Merritt was one of Northern Michigan's most sought-after folk sculptors before his death in 2004. Having worked previously as boiler-tender, janitor, and all around handy-man, Merritt was self-employed as artist-in-residence and proprietor of "Wesley's Wood Carvings and Wonder Shop" in Mount Pleasant. He called it that because "people wander in and they "wonder" what I got in all this junk."

A self-taught wood carver who attributed his abilities to a "god-given talent," Wesley produced several hundred folk sculptures between 1960 and 2004. Many of his pieces now reside in museums and important private collections across the country. His work has a certain naïve charm about it that is as hard to resist as his philosophy: "I'm happy with a piece of log...and money enough to get chisels and carve...I do it mostly ‘cuz I love it. I don't want to sell it much. I do sell it, but I do it more or less ‘cuz I love it. If you don't love it, don't do it. I don't think we will ever get rich, but in our hearts we are rich in peace of mind. I'm most generally happy through Christ. Without Jesus we wouldn't know how to carve. If it's the will of God, we're gonna have a lot of strange things around here." Wesley Merritt.

The works of this show are from the private collections of Sandra Hulst, Dewey Blocksma and Sally Viskochil.

Hours: Mon-Sat 10 am - 5 pm, Sun 1 - 5 pm, Thurs - Open until 8 pm. Admission: Adults $6, Children $4 The museum is closed on major holidays.
Phone: (231) 995-1055

Founded in 1946, the Michigan Water Color Society is a non-profit organization. The mission of the Michigan Water Color Society is to promote education in the contemporary arts. These goals are accomplished through sponsoring juried exhibitions and awards along with lectures, demonstrations and presentations for the mutual exchange of ideas.

This exhibition will be juried by Kenneth Holder, a respected artist, professor and charter member of the Watercolor USA Honor Society. Artists interested in submitting work should contact the Michigan Water Color Society.

 Founded in 1946, the Michigan Water Color Society is a non-profit organization. The mission of the Michigan Water Color Society is to promote education in the contemporary arts. These goals are accomplished through sponsoring juried exhibitions and awards along with lectures, demonstrations and presentations for the mutual exchange of ideas.

This exhibition is juried by Kenneth Holder, a respected artist, professor and charter member of the Watercolor USA Honor Society.

Image: Katherine Harra's "Spring's Gift to Summer," 2009 M. Graham & Co. Merchandise Award, courtesy www.mwcsart.com.

 Included in this year's sale are 150 newly purchased carvings from the Baffin Island and eastern Arctic region in prices ranging from $50 to $3,000.

A selection of prints from throughout the Arctic is available and the 2011 Cape Dorset calendar has just arrived. The store also features a fine selection of Inuit related books, jewelry, note cards and t-shirts.

There is no admission charge to view the annual sale. Inuit Art can be viewed and purchased at www.dennosmuseum.org.

 Presented to coincide with the Traverse City Film Festival, "Hollywood Memorabilia," exhibits works from the collection of Honor W. Lofstrom and her nephew, David Williams of Traverse City. Lofstrom was an acquaintance of Montgomery (Monty) Orr, who was an art director at Universal Studios in the 1950s and 60s. Lofstrom inherited these items upon Orr's death.

Included in the exhibition is the final draft of the script for the movie Planet Earth written by Juanita Bartlett and Gene Roddenberry, the creator of Star Trek.

Also featured are a collection of Showman's Manuals. These were sent to movie houses to show what publicity was available for a film. The main purpose of the manuals was to sell posters for advertisements. Movie studios would offer many different posters for one film which were displayed in the Showman's Manuals. The manuals also included press releases, photos of sets and stars, interviews with movie stars, suggestions for promotions and radio ad scripts.

Exhibition runs through Sept. 5.

Image: The Private Lives of Adam and Eve, 1960. Black and white promotional photograph of Mickey Rooney starring as the devil with Mamie Van Doren as Eve and Martin Milner as Adam, in this lighthearted retelling of the Garden of Eden.

 The opening of "Old Friends," an exciting exhibit of new paintings by Paul Welch and Del Michel, begins with a reception for the artists on Fri. Aug. 13th from 6-8pm.

"Old Friends" not only brings together two longtime artistic buddies, but also symbolizes the meaning of deep friendships; those in which each friend can confront and challenge the other with artistic work conceived from lifelong experiences and feelings. This has allowed Welch and Michel to artistically interact and create an exhibit which will enthrall viewers.

The exhibit runs through September 5.

Elk Rapids, on East Grand Traverse Bay and Elk Lake, is about 15 miles northeast of Traverse City on US-31.

 Today’s women are pulled in many directions, giving so much to those in their lives, but often ignoring their own needs in the process. This is the opportunity for women: mothers, daughters, sisters, and friends, to take the time to concentrate on themselves. Relax and revitalize in an environment of fun and friendship as we ply the sparkling waters of northern Lake Michigan aboard the 114' schooner Manitou. Led by our professional facilitators, we will focus on mind, body and spirit through yoga, meditation, massage, nutrition and discussion. You will be able to shape your experience to match your needs and wishes.

Join us aboard Manitou for a unique adventure back in time. You will discover the beauty of northern lake Michigan from the deck of this majestic sailing vessel while enjoying a level of relaxation rarely experienced in today's frenzied world.

 Leland Heritage Celebration includes “Windows Past, Present and Future," Art Exhibition at the Old Art Building.
Fri.. Reception 5-8 pm, Sat 10am-5pm, Sun. noon-4pm.

In Fishtown, peruse a wooden boat show, vintage car exhibition and special displays.

Leland is beautifully situated on M-22 between Lake Michigan and Lake Leelanau.

 The AuSable Artisan Village Gallery is proud to present a showing of quilts and wearable art from Icehouse Quilt Shop artists. An opening reception will be held at the Gallery at 108 Michigan Ave., Grayling MI on Friday, August 27, 5:00-7:00 p.m. There is no fee to enter the Gallery which will be open on August 28, September 2, 3, 4 from 10:00a.m.-5:00p.m.

Georgette Oliver will be teaching two-hour “Electric Quilt” workshops on August 30, 2010 at 10:00 a.m., 12:00noon, and 2:00 p.m. Cost will be $10 per person and each participant will take away a self-designed block design with fabric requirements, and any templates that are a part of the design.

Oliver took a hand-quilting class in 1998 but said that she didn't like it very much. She ended up doing most of the work on her machine, an old Signature purchased from Montgomery Ward in the '70s. It was once a top of the line machine, for $150. As she says, times have changed, as well as machines!

She took another class, using machines, and found her niche. She believes that appliqué quilts always tell her a story, and she enjoys them over patchwork. Also, she loves to create three-dimensional quilts. It amazes her that you can cut up small bits of fabric and instantly have your own flower garden.

The EQ (Electric Quilt) has changed the way she quilts. You can get an idea in your head, and within a short time create your own quilts, with your own fabric, and even your own photos. You can see what it will look like before cutting or sewing a stitch. The Electric Quilt program has many libraries that will aid you along the way. It's a very user-friendly program. Anybody can use it successfully.

For those who have always wanted to quilt, or need a hobby, she suggests you sign up for a class. You will be instantly addicted and will meet many quilting friends along the way.

The gallery will also be featuring Pam Meland's hand-painted and quilted clothing for sale, and other fabric and quilts on display are created by Icehouse Quilt Shop customers.

 
Northwest Michigan Potters and Sculpture Guild Annual Art Fair is held at the Old Art Building.

Leland is beautifully situated on M-22 between Lake Michigan and Lake Leelanau.

www.oldartbuilding.com

Two person amateur teams from around the Midwest compete in this 54-hole better ball competition held on the Heather, Moor and Arthur Hills at Boyne Highlands Resort.

The Kircher Cup is named after the founding family of Boyne Resorts and the names engraved on the cup are a venerable "who's who" of Michigan amateur golf. Divisions include Championship, Mid-Senior and Senior.

Harbor Springs is just off Historic M-119, across the Bay from Petoskey.

Events start and end on the beach in the beautiful downtown area of Beaver Island. The event is a certified Boston Marathon qualifying event.

Both courses are an out and back and will take you through the downtown area of Beaver Island with Lake Michigan directly at your side. You will loop the lighthouse and head out of town running on a paved bike path then onto clay, dirt and gravel road that lead along Lake Michigan, a scenic forest and a sand dune. The course is primarily flat with some inclines, fast and shaded most of the way.

Marathon Start Time: 8am
Half Marathon Start Time: 8:15am
Harbor 3.5 Run: Start Time: 9am
Marathon and Half Marathon Walker Start Time: 7am

Awards presentation for age group winners on the beach after the race. All marathon and half marathon finishers will receive a commemorative medal.

Full Marathon: $85 until Aug. 14, $95 after Aug. 14
Half marathon: $75 until Aug. 14, $85 after Aug.14
Harbor 3.5 Run: $25 until August 14, $30 after August 14

All mail-in registrations must be received no later than 8/25/10. Register for the Marathon or Half Marathon by Sept. 1 and receive a deep discount on the Beaver Island Boat Company fare.

Beaver Island is 32 miles north of Charlevoix in Lake Michigan. It is the most remote inhabited island in the Great Lakes, with a year-round population of 600. Because Beaver Island offers a serene, relaxed life-style, runners will not have huge crowds cheering them on during their run.

 SUP enthusiasts of all ages & abilities are invited to take part in Paddle to the Point. There will be a 2 mile fun paddle and a 7 mile open class paddle both along the beautiful Lake Michigan Shoreline.

Registrants receive a rashguard, sunscreen and voucher for catered lunch.
The Registration Fee is $25 and pre-registration is preferred.

 The Northport Community Band returns to present the very popular Sousa Concert.

Don Wilcox, retired Director of Bands at West Virginia University steps to the podium to conduct his first Sousa Concert in Northport. Ken Bloomquist, former conductor of the Northport Community Band and founder of the Sousa Concerts, joins his colleagues as a member of the band.

Two concerts:
Sept. 4 at 8pm
Sept. 5 at 3pm

$20 Adult, $5 Student.

Northport is at the northern-most tip of M-22 in Leelanau County.

 1pm: Finals of the Mid North Michigan Blues Societies "Blues Challenge"
Followed by: The bands of Doc Woodward, Big Daddy Fox, James Glass and Pete Fedders participate in a jam session with the winning challenge band

Le Naro's serves barbeque chicken and ribs on the outside patio area, inside they offer the full menu.

Entry fee: $10/person, ages 13 and under free.

Beautiful Lake Leelanau is on County Rd. 204 between Suttons Bay and Leland, about 35 minutes from Traverse City.