Whether you come from near or far, the Super 8 of Petoskey invites you to experience our delightful property on Friday and Saturday, May 2nd and 3rd! Enjoy our 24-hour indoor pool and relaxing spa, our Superstart Breakfast with hot and cold food selections, coffee and fruit always in the lobby, and yummy chocolate chip cookies in the evening. The Super 8 of Petoskey also offers free Wi-Fi and 15% off at our local Bob Evans. One time only, May 2nd and 3rd, pay just $38.88 plus tax - mention the Spring Super Deal to lock in that remarkable price for our standard room.  Call to reserve your staycation or getaway by calling 231.439.8000!

Northwest Michigan Habitat for Humanity is looking for volunteers to help Recycle the ReStore May 2nd and 3rd. We are largely looking for youth ages 14+ and a few adult volunteers to help lead this fun educational opportunity. In order to continue to build safe, decent and affordable homes we have to make room for incoming merchandise. In order to do our part to eliminate waste in local landfills, we will educate youth on recycling efforts right here in Harbor Springs by recycling old merchandise through the Emmet County Recycle and Transfer Station and letting them know where it goes and what happens to it in the end. For more information or to sign up, please contact Mandy at 231-348-6926 or mandy@northwestmihabitat.org

Pre-Sale Saturday May 3 for the "Soak Up the Sounds" concert series at Odawa Casino for Kenny Rogers on July 18th and Kenny Loggins on August 1st. Stop by the Box Office located inside the Casino near the Poker Room between 10am and Noon and get $10 off any ticket at any price level; also during the Pre-Sale receive $10 in FREE Slot Play with ticket purchase. Limit four (4) tickets per person. Must be an Optimum Rewards Players Club Member to receive $10 Free Slot Play offer. One offer per person. Valid day of Pre-sale only. Use your points to purchase tickets. For more information on either concert find details at the Odawa Casino website at www.odawacasino.com.

Family Bird and Nature Program - Spring Migrants and River Life. Bear River Recreation Area, Emmet Co. Saturday, May 3 from 10-11:30am. Explore the Bear River Recreation Area with expert birder Mary Trout as nature is awakening from a long winter. We'll search for warblers, catbirds, thrushes and other returning migrants among the shrubs and trees. We'll also check out the river for water birds, turtles, fish and other river critters and put together a nesting material hanger for you to take home for the courting birds in your neighborhood. Binoculars and field guides will be available during the event, but please bring your own if you have them. Meet at Mineral Well Park Shelter. No charge for this program, but pre-registration is required by calling 231.347.0991 or online at www.landtrust.org.

Don't miss our first ever Seconds Sale! Pottery is the result of a lot of chemistry. What happens when part of the chemistry goes awry? We end up with color variations, size variations, etc. What do we do when the variations pile up over the winter and we start to trip on them? We have a SECONDS SALE!!! That's right. Never before. Perhaps never again. Join us May 3rd & 4th from 10am - 4pm right here at Sturgeon River for a chance to snap up some very cool stuff at a super deal. It's first come, first served. See you there!

Bay Harbor Equestrian Center hosts the 4^th Annual Kentucky Derby Party Fundraiser on Saturday, May 3 from 4pm - 7pm with proceeds benefiting the Exceptional Riders Program of Northern Michigan which encourages individuals with special needs to improve balance and self-esteem through the use of therapeutic horseback riding. Watch the race from big screen tvs, enjoy delicious appetizers and special beverages including Mint Juleps, bid on some great items during a Silent Auction and enjoy fun activities throughout the event! Be sure to dress the part with lovely frocks and fancy bonnets for girls and fancy duds for the guys! Entry is by donation. For more information, contact Tina Metzger, Manager at the Bay Harbor Equestrian Center at 231.439.7100 or via email at tmetzger@bayharbor.com

The 5th Annual Spring Tent Sale is on at Latitude 45 Bicycles and Fitness in Petoskey!  Sale ends Sunday May 4th at 6pm and so do these super deals. Manufacturers' reps will be on hand as well as a huge staff to help you find the perfect ride.   All bicycles at least 15% off, with select models up to 30% off!  Volume Family Discount Pricing is available, with each additional lower priced bike tacking on an extra 2% discount.  Active clothing, cycling accessories, shoes and fitness equipment are all on sale at "once a year" prices.  Thule Car Racks are 20% off as well.  Go to www.latitude45.com for more information on the event and stop in soon!  The tents pop up Friday, but the sale is on NOW!

Bergmann Center 12th Annual Live and Silent Auction. Come join our "Reach for the Stars" fundraising event. All proceeds raised will benefit Bergmann Center's mission statement, which is to "provide services that enable individuals with mental and physical challenges the opportunity to become active, involved members of the community." This year's event will take place at the Kings Ballroom at Castle Farms in Charlevoix on Sunday May 4th from 1:30-4:00 p.m.  The live auction will feature some amazing items including; A trip to the top of the Almighty Mackinaw Bridge and works by local artist. Several area merchants will be providing a dine around experience.Tickets are available for $30 and can be purchased by calling 547-2979 or visiting our website at www.bergmanncenter.org.

Raven Hill Discovery Center announces its annual Spring Open House. Sunday, May 4, from noon to 4 pm,visitors can play in the museum, see the animals and explore outdoors.  The Earth Tones Music Garden, Jurassic Park Walk, Schoolhouse, Treehouse and Ancient World exhibits will be open.  There will be light refreshments and a short program at 1:30 pm to acknowledge the 2014 operations grant awarded by the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs and the National Endowment for the Arts and to dedicate the new Trumpeter Swan exhibit made possible by the Petoskey Regional Audubon Society and taxidermist, Jim Haveman. Raven Hill is located between East Jordan and Boyne City, just off C-48 at Pearsall Road.  Call 231-536-3369 for more information.

McLaren Northern Michigan Hosts Free Bariatric Surgery Seminars in Petoskey. In conjunction with its bariatric surgery weight loss program, The seminars will take place from 6 - 7 p.m. on Monday, May 5 at the John and Marnie Demmer Wellness Pavilion and Dialysis Center located at 820 Arlington Avenue on the Lockwood-MacDonald campus in Petoskey The free seminars will include discussion on the new surgical weight loss options available through McLaren Northern Michigan, as well as surgical qualifications and the multi-disciplinary approach solely focused on the best outcome for each individual patient. Pre-registration is required. Register by calling (877) 568-5598 or northernhealth.org/CREG.

Charlevoix Area Community Pool's 2nd annual "iTri Kids" is June 14^th, 2014! This triathlon for kids' grades K-12 offers 3 different swim-bike-run course designs to match any skill level. Training camps are available every Monday and Wednesday from 3:30-5 pm beginning May 5^th.  Athletes will get acclimated to their course and practice/condition for the main event! Camp cost is $5 for a drop-in or $50 for all 12 sessions. Call the Pool for more information at 231.547.0982 or email jean@charlevoixpool.org. Visit our website at www.charlevoixpool.org.

Don't miss this opportunity to be a part of the Northern Express Restaurant Tour Dining Guide issue coming out May 12...with Restaurant Week coming up in both Petoskey and Harbor Springs, this is a great way for you to reach the largest audience in northern Michigan. 92% of our readers have visited a restaurant or purchased wine based on an ad they saw in Northern Express. Space reservations ideally by May 5-6...please contact Peg @ 231-881-5943 or pmuzzall@charter.net

Short's Brewery Beer Dinner at the Noggin Room Pub Wednesday, May 7 at 6:30 pm. Four courses paired with four Short's beers. $29.95 per guest - view menu here http://www.staffords.com/perryhotelfeatures. Make your reservation at 231-347-4000.

Grain Train Natural Foods Market is hosting a Finding Your Way Gluten Free Group (GF). Join us May 7, 2014 for an evening of conversation and food as we explore GF on a budget. Sure there are challenges to a GF diet but life is full of challenges. Let's celebrate the successes, explore our options and expand our palates.This group meets on the first Wednesday of the month from 6:00-7:30 PM at the Grain Train Community Room (above the GT Pie Company).  Everyone is welcome. Come as you are or feel free to bring along a GF dish to pass and recipes if you have a favorite treat you want to share with the group. Contact Mindy for more information. (231) 347.4914 or mindy@graintrain.coop.

Starting Wednesday May 7th we are beginning new Line Dancing & Lessons at The Crooked River Tavern. 7515 South US 31 Alanson Mi. 49706.  Phone 231-548-1229 from 7 - 9 pm every Wednesday evening.  Free for all to join in, but the instructor suggests a small donation towards the Horse Rescue Program.  Fun for all whether you are an experienced dancer or just want to learn. Come early for the "All you can eat" Spaghetti Dinner at just 7.99.

BELLA VITA RESTAURANT will open for the season on Thursday, May 8, just in time for Mother's Day. Kelly and Matt are now taking reservations for Mother's Day Dinner. Call (231) 582-3341 if you would like to guarantee seating. Bella Vita will be open seven nights a week with dinner service beginning at 5 p.m. www.bellavitaboyne.com

Calling all Kayakers! LAUNCH PARTY!! Are you a Kayaker already on the team? Are you interested in participating? Are you a Camp Daggett Fan? Are you a Wine Lover? JOIN in the FUN! Great Entertainment. Wine Tasting and Snacks. Meet the Camp Daggett Team. Prize Drawings. Join the team of 30 or more kayakers and select the one or two day paddle of the pristine shoreline of Walloon Lake. Proceeds benefit Camp Daggett's Adventure Center programs. Thursday May 8th; 6:00pm - 8:00pm Mackinaw Trails Winery Tasting Room 200 Howard Street - Downtown Petoskey Mackinaw Trails Winery Tasting Room.

20^th Annual Sue DeYoung/Judy Edger Memorial Breast Cancer 5K Walk/Run on May 10. Registration begins in East Park, Charlevoix, at 8 a.m. and the walk/run begins at 9 a.m. Those that raise $30 or more receive an event t-shirt.  Registration forms are available at www.walkruncure.org. Participate in the "Wear Your Support" bra decorating contest.  Prizes will be awarded. Monies raised this year will go to Charlevoix County's Circle of Strength Foundation, to provide mammograms for women in need and to the Health Department of Northwest Michigan, to be used for the free cervical screening program. Any questions, call 231-675-1311.

Emmet County's Headlands property celebrates its third year as Michigan's only designated International Dark Sky Park. The designation is made by the International Dark Sky Association in Tucson, Ariz., and it has brought a tremendous amount of community awareness to the night sky as a statewide-resource worth protecting. To honor this achievement, Emmet County is hosting the program "Great Lakes, Dark Skies" on Saturday, May 10. The program is open to the public and will take place at the Dark Sky Viewing Area; follow the signs in the park. Headlands events take place rain or shine. No reservations are necessary and there is no cost to attend. Stargazing will follow the program. If you have questions, call (231) 838-8181 or email darksky@emmetcounty.org.

Mother's Day Brunch at the Beach House Restaurant on Deer Lake - Boyne Mountain Resort. Every mother deserves to feel special on Mother's Day, especially the mom in your life. Treat her and the entire family to brunch at the Beach House Restaurant on Deer Lake. Brunch will be served from 11am - 2:30pm on Sunday, May 11. From breakfast favorites and made to order omelets to the prime rib carving station, there is something for every appetite. Reservations are highly recommended, please call 231.549.6854.

Brown Motors & Dodge will team up with Petoskey High School Sports Boosters for a Dodge Booster Club Fundraiser on May 10th from 10 am to 2 pm at Petoskey High School.  Everyone in the community is invited to come out to test drive a 2014 Dodge vehicle provided by Brown Motors.  For each brief test drive taken during the fundraiser, the Dodge brand will donate $20 to the PHS Varsity Team of your choice. Anyone who's 18 years old and has a valid driver's license can test drive a vehicle. There is absolutely no obligation.

Leo's UpStairs Lounge and Pine River Jazz Band present A Maypole Swing Dance on Saturday May 10th. Doors open and 7:30 and band starts at 8:00pm. Full Cash bar and snacks available. Located above Leo's Sports Bar on Mitchell Street in Downtown Petoskey.

Discover a delicious new tradition this Mother's Day at The Inn at Bay Harbor. Join us for brunch at Sagamore's Dining Room, Sunday, May 11 and let the kids pamper Mom by preparing delicious waffles with our chefs. Meanwhile, Mom can relax with a complimentary mimosa! Plus, Moms who brunch with us will receive a $25 gift certificate to The Spa at The Inn at Bay Harbor. Brunch Features: Roasted Prime Rib, Honey Dijon Turkey Breast, Caesar Salad, Fruit & Nut Salad, Crudités, Shrimp Cocktail , Salmon Lox, Eggs Benedict, Roasted Red Pepper & Mozzarella Quiche, Seared Salmon, Creamed Spinach , Garlic & Herb Mashed Potatoes, Vegetable du Jour, Assorted Desserts. Noon-3:30pm * Adults: $35 * Children $17 (Children under 12) For reservations call 231.439. 4059.

Moms Fly Free Mother's Day Weekend at Boyne Mountain Resort. Mom can enjoy the thrill of ziplining for FREE this weekend at Boyne Mountain! Friday, May 9 through Sunday, May 11, show your love for mom and join her on a Zipline Adventure Tour or a Twin Zip Ride. Either choice is FREE for mom when accompanied by one or more paying family members. Reservations are required for Zipline Adventure Tours only, call 231.549.7256 today! 

Mother's Day Brunch at Stafford's Sunday, May 11. She gets the smiles, you get the thanks! Treat mom to a fabulous mother's Day Brunch at Stafford's. View hours, menus and details here http://www.staffords.com/mothersday