Hospice invites you to join our "Handling the Holidays" program taking place Tuesday, November 11th, at 7 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, 06781 M-66 North, Charlevoix. This program is open to anyone who feels a need for help in coping with the holidays. Special focus is given to those who are grieving the loss of a loved one whether recent or past. We will talk of how to cope with our loss through the Holidays and special occasions and assist in creating a simple plan for handling some of the stresses associated with the Holidays. Participants will receive an outline with a Holiday planner and other helpful resources. There is NO CHARGE to attend.  Please feel free to call Hospice at 231-547-7659 for information.

Veterans and their families are invited to a free breakfast at the North Central Michigan College cafeteria on Tuesday, November 11th, from 8 a.m. until 10 a.m. The college's Student Veterans Association and Chase Bank are sponsoring the event to show appreciation to our local veterans and their families. No reservations are necessary.

Veteran's $11-11 Campaign. The Emmet Association of Realtors is conducting their 3rd annual "11-11" fund raiser until November 11th on Veteran's Day, donations are presented to Jim Alton, Director, Emmet County Veterans Affairs. Make checks payable to the Emmet County Veterans Affairs and mail to the Emmet Association of Realtors, 616 Petoskey St., Suite 200, Petoskey MI 49770. Suggested donation is $11. 100% of all donations go directly to local veterans, no administration fees! Collections in the past have ranged from $500 to $1000. Let's top $100 this year. Donations help veterans with immediate needs including gas cards, food, shelter, clothing and transportation to downstate medical facilities. Remember those who have served our country.

McLaren Northern Michigan will host its Autumn Health Event on Wednesday, November 12th The event will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the John and Marnie Demmer Wellness Pavilion and Dialysis Center, 820 Arlington Avenue, Petoskey. Healthy attractions include. Visitors will have the opportunity to converse one-on-one with clinicians. The Autumn Health Event is free of charge and no registration is required to attend. For more information about this and other health-related events, visit www.northernhealth.org or call (800) 248-6777.

North Central Michigan College is hosting the 2nd annual Around the Table conference for farmers, food producers, restaurateurs and local food lovers on Wednesday, November 12th from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m.  The conference will be held in the Iron Horse Café and Conference Center on the Petoskey campus. The conference, Around the Table: Growing Together, will highlight the farm and food-focused initiatives of the Local Food Alliance of Northern Michigan.  A $10 registration fee includes materials and refreshments. Tickets and information are available at www.ncmich.edu/cce or by calling 231-348-6708 or 348-6705.

Training For Youth Entrepreneurs Interested in Starting a Business. Northern Lakes Economic Alliance and MSU Extension are teaming up to bring youth entrepreneurs a very special business startup workshop. Targeted to youth between the ages of 16 to 19, a two hour, "How to REALLY Start Your Own Business": workshop is being offered on Thursday, November 13th from 6-8 p.m. Young entrepreneurs will have the chance to evaluate the potential of their idea and learn the process of putting a business plan together, as well as ask questions specific to their business. It will be held at the Boyne District Library. There is no cost to attend, call 231-582-6482 or contact Tom Erhart at tom@northernlakes.net to register today.  

The results of a housing target market analysis for Northwest Michigan will be discussed at a public forum November 13th in Petoskey. The event will be held from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Bear Creek Township Hall, 373 North Division Road. The forum is being hosted by Networks Northwest to share information connected to the   housing component of Framework for Our Future: A Regional Prosperity Plan for Northwest Michigan. There is no cost to attend the event and refreshments will be served. Please RSVP by November 7 to: Sarah Lucas, sarahlucas@networksnorthwest.org or 231-929-5034.

Now celebrating its 20th Anniversary, Lamb's Retreat for Songwriters returns to the  Birchwood Inn in Harbor Springs for two weekends in November featuring workshops, performances, showcasing, song swaps and great food not to mention the camaraderie with like-minded folks. Blissfest is proud to have been the primary sponsor of the event for the past 20 years! Scholarship opportunities are available for the second session, November 13th-16th. To learn more or to apply for the scholarship call 231-348-7047 or email jim@blissfest.org 

North Central Michigan College's Luncheon Lecture on Friday, November 14th, will showcase the bassoon. The lecture will be at noon in the Library conference room on the Petoskey campus. Thom Zantow, principal bassoonist for the Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra, will explain and play this odd-looking instrument with a long history and a rich sound. Cost for the event is $10 and includes lunch. Reservations are required. Call 231-348-6600 to reserve your place at the table. Lunch begins at 11:30 a.m.

Holiday shopping season is starting off with a bang! Ladies, while your husbands ready for deer camp, come Downtown Petoskey on Friday, November 14th to create your ultimate holiday wish list! Join us afterwards for a deer camp of your very own at City Park Grill to win prizes off the buck pole! From 6 to 8 p.m., start your evening off in any of the participating stores which can be found at www.petoskeydowntown.com, and from there grab a wish list and start hunting! Enjoy games, gift, and niblets throughout the participating stores. Plus register for the prize drawings off the buck pole. Get all the details at www.petoskeydowntown.com

McLean & Eakin Booksellers welcomes Tom Daldin host of PBS's Emmy winning program Under the Radar Michigan to sign his new book, Under the Radar Michigan: The First 50 on Saturday, November 15th from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. In his book, Daldin tells about Michigan's places to explore - for vacationing,   eating, living, starting a business or just relaxing. Chapter by chapter, it takes you a long on 50 episodes, discovering great Michigan cities, interesting people, incredible restaurants, romantic spaces and great places to vacation with the whole family. For more information contact McLean & Eakin Booksellers at 231.347.1180 or send an email to www.mcleanandeakin.com.

You are cordially invited to attend The Wedding Show, presented by The Inn at Bay Harbor November 15th, from 1-4 p.m. This is your opportunity to meet with Northern Michigan's premier wedding professionals and see how they can turn your bridal dreams into reality. Gather your girlfriends, significant other or bridal party and make plans to attend this Winter Wonderland themed event. There will be door prizes, swag bags, a Gentlemen's Lounge, complete with a cigar bar and craft beer tasting, complimentary makeup sessions, mimosas and more! Admission is $5 at the door.

Join Emmet County for a lantern walk and stargazing at the Headlands International Dark Sky Park during the Leonid Meteor Shower on Saturday, November 15th from 8-10 p.m. The Leonid Meteor Shower, which sends shooting stars this way from November 5th until the 30th, peaks the night of Nov. 17-18. Join Emmet County on Saturday, Nov. 15 -- the weekend just before the peak -- to learn about the Leonids and to participate in the centuries-old practice of walking through the night with lanterns at the Headlands International Dark Sky Park in Mackinaw City. There is no cost to attend the program. Meet at the Guest House. Program takes place rain or shine, no reservations needed. Questions? Call (231) 348-1713 or email darksky@emmetcounty.org

Grain Train outreach coordinator Mindy Taylor will offer a discussion on gluten-free living from 1-2 p.m. Friday Nov. 16th, at the Petoskey District Library. Whether you are gluten-free yourself, or planning gluten-free menu options for your holiday guests, join us to explore different possibilities. Mindy will discuss foods to avoid, ingredients to watch out for, and will present those foods which are naturally gluten-free gluten free. Grain Train Natural Foods Market will provide a variety of food samples, recipes and a shopping list to get you started on your way.  Hobbies in the Lobby is a free event and is open to the public. For more information, call (231) 758-3111 or visit www.petoskeylibrary.org.

On November, 18th B.C. Pizza of Alanson is doing a Customer Appreciation Day proceeds will go to support the Alanson Boy Scouts. Beginning at 4 p.m. and ending at 8 p.m. we will be selling LARGE PEPPERONI PIZZAS FOR $4.50 NO LIMIT, PICK UP ONLY. Call 231-548-3636 to place your order or just stop in. We are in our new location next to the Alanson General Store/EZ Mart on us 31 South in Alanson.

Camp Daggett Adventure Center will offer an Adventure Education/Challenge Course Training Workshop on Thursday and Friday, November 20th-21st at Camp Daggett's indoor center on Walloon Lake from 9 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. each day. This workshop is designed to give the participant a hands-on experience in adventure education and utilization of a challenge ropes course. Anyone working with young people will be given ideas and activities that can be taken back to the workplace and used with minimal props and expense. Cost is $200 and includes lunch, instruction, safety/instructor manual and use of equipment.  A $50 deposit is required to reserve a spot. Workshop is limited to 15 participants 21 and older. For details, contact Karen Marietti at 231-347-9742 ext. 117 or karen.marietti@campdaggett.org.

Tickets are now on sale for the annual fall concert of the Northern Michigan Chorale, titled "Music Has Brought Us Together." Dates for the three performances are Saturday, November 22nd at 3:00 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday, November 23rd at 3:00 p.m. The concerts will be performed in the Auditorium at Petoskey High School. Adult tickets are $10.00 and $7.00 for persons 12 years and younger.  Contact the Petoskey Regional Chamber of Commerce at 347-4150 (cash or check only please), on line at www.nmchorale.org, Chorale members and at the door. For ticket information, please call 231-347-4488.

Emmet County's annual Christmas Holiday Arts, Crafts and Gift Show will take place this year on Saturday, November 22nd, at the Community Building at the Emmet County Fairgrounds. Doors will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dozens of vendors will be offering their one-of-a-kind, quality gift and craft items during the show. Admission is $2 or a donation of a non-perishable food item, with proceeds benefiting Brother Dan's Food Pantry, which serves Northern Michigan. Concessions will be available from Brother Dan's as well. The event is presented each year by the Emmet County Parks and Recreation staff.  The fairgrounds are located on U.S. 31/Charlevoix Avenue in Petoskey; use the Eppler Road entrance. Call (231) 348-5479 with any questions.

Byte-Sized Tech: Beginning Internet. Are you interested in learning how to use the internet but worried it is too much to learn? If so, the Petoskey District Library will be hosting a beginning internet class as part of its Byte-Sized Tech program. This class is for beginners and will breakdown and define how to access and navigate websites and do basic searches using a search engine. This class will be held on Thursday, November 20th, from 2:00-3:00 p.m. Class size is limited. Please contact the Petoskey District Library @ 231-758-3111 to register or if you have any questions.

Make plans for the 4th Annual Holiday gift and Craft Show in Ovation Hall at the Odawa Casino on Sunday November 23rd 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Admission is free and $10 in free slot play for attendees 19 and over. www.odawacasino.com 

Veterans can access a variety of job seeker services by visiting a newly redesigned section of the Northwest Michigan Works! Career Café website. CareerCafe.org/vets puts key information for veterans on one web page. From that page veterans can contact staff at any Northwest Michigan Works! Center, link to veterans services, and take a brief survey about the types of services they're interested in. Assistance available to veterans at Michigan Works includes help with résumés and interviewing skills, connection to job opportunities, and also information about job training programs. If a veteran can't make it to a Northwest Michigan Works! Center, they can get assistance by phone, email, instant messaging, or Skype. More information about Northwest Michigan Works! services for veterans is available at CareerCafe.org/vets.

The Crooked Tree Art Center is now taking online registrations for the upcoming 2015 Juried Photography Exhibition. The show will be on display opening Saturday, January 24, 2015 and running through April 4th. Interested artists may apply through online through the Crooked Tree Arts Center's website during the month of November where they will be guided to a Call for Entry site. Applicants must be 18 years or older, members of CTAC and/or Michigan residents and may submit up to two entries. For more information on the upcoming exhibition or other programming at Crooked Tree Arts Center please call the Arts Center at 231-347-4337 or visit www.crookedtree.org.

Maple Moon Family Sugary is excited to tell you that we are becoming the 1st all Maple Winery in the United States! Our wine will be made from condensed sap, not grapes. The porch on our sugar house is under construction and will become our wine tasting room. We hope to be open by Christmas. You may keep track of the progress by following us on Facebook. We are also expanding our tap count from 3,500 to 5,000. Stay up to date with all the exciting things on the horizon and check out new products too. Call for more information or to place an order call 231-487-9058 or visit our web site, www.mmsyrup.com.

Business owners, save the date! Make plans now to get your staff ready for the Holiday Season! The next session of Guest Service Training from Hospitality Little Traverse Way will be on Wednesday November 19th in Petoskey, and will be a perfect way to get staff tuned up for the Holidays. This session is also suitable for business owners and managers and applicable to all types of businesses. Hospitality the Little Traverse Way teaches the fundamentals that have been practiced in our region for more than 100-years. Sessions are only $20 per person. Registration will be open soon. Learn more about Hospitality the Little Traverse Way at www.hospitalitylt.com. 

Safe Home Harvest Food and Supply Drive underway. The Safe Home emergency shelter for domestic abuse survivors and their children in Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Emmet and Otsego counties is operated 24/7 by the Women's Resource Center of Northern Michigan. The Harvest Food and Supply Drive represents one of the most significant ways community members can help support families utilizing Safe Home services.  Donations of non-perishable foods, paper products, cleaning supplies, personal care items and financial contributions are appreciated.  Last year the Safe Home provided 2,926 nights of refuge and more than 8,700 meals to 140 survivors and their children, as well as all their daily needs.  For information contact Jamie Winters, WRCNM Safe Home Coordinator, at 231-347-1572.  For a Safe Home 'Needs List' visit www.wrcnm.org.

The American Red Cross encourages eligible donors to make a point to give blood before the busy holiday season arrives and blood drives have been schedule for Northern Michigan. Donors of all blood types, and especially those with types O negative, A negative and B negative, are needed now to help maintain a stable blood supply. Blood donation appointments can be made through the Red Cross Blood Donor App, the app is free and available for download in app stores. Donors may also visit www.redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to learn more about the donation process and to make an appointment, or to find a donation location in your area.

Finish this year feeling great and start next year strong with the 30-minute total body workouts at Curves!  Join now and the rest of the year is free!* Call for your consultation at 231-487-1950 (Petoskey) or 231-526-7455 (Harbor Springs). *Enrollment fee required. Offer expires 12/31/14 and requires joining same day as first workout for a minimum of 12-month recurring billing contract. Monthly dues waived through December 31, 2014. Enrollment fee and monthly fees vary by location. Valid for new Curves members only. Not valid with any other offer or discount. Valid at participating locations only. No cash value.