Petoskey Restaurant Week starts today! Friday May 1st - Friday May 8th

Enjoy your favorite restaurants and discover new ones at an affordable price. The best restaurants of Petoskey and Bay Harbor have joined forces for this special culinary event. Here is how it works: Three course menus are offered from participating restaurants at $15 for lunch and $25 for dinner, with some offering 2 for 1 pricing. For a complete list of participating restaurants and to view their menus, visit www.petoskeyrestaurantweek.com

Don't miss Arsenic and Old Lace presented by Little Traverse Civic Theatre at the Crooked Tree Arts Center! This laugh out loud comedy has an incredible cast and crew, and is sure to be what everyone is talking about Monday morning. Final performances are this weekend, tonight Friday May 1st and Saturday May 2nd. Reserved tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for 12 and under. Get your tickets now! Box office opens 30 minutes before show time or call 231.348.1850 or purchase tickets online at www.ltct.org.

Starting Friday May 1st come join Esperance for dinner and come and shop in the re-imagined space our market has been in for over a decade. For dinner reservations and more information call 231 237-9300. To see the current menu click here. Of course our bar is ready to take care of you during all business hours. Come in anytime the market is open or during dining hours and try our new and comfortable bar stools and let us mix you a drink or pour you a glass of wine or one of our delicious beers on tap. Esperance is the only place in Charlevoix with two Sommeliers on staff to take care of all your beverage needs. Esperance 12853 US 31 North, Charlevoix. www.esperancewine.com

Porter Creek Fish House opens for the season Friday, May 1st! To celebrate, that evening we are presenting a free Appetizer Buffet from 4-6:00pm and complimentary small plates with tastings of our new menu offerings for your dinner table from 6-9:00 p.m. Give us your feedback to get 30% off your meal! Porter Creek Fish House is open Tuesday through Sunday for Lunch and Dinner. Dine indoors or out on our waterfront deck - every seat features the prettiest view on Lake Charlevoix. For reservations: 231-582-7080. You'll find us at Sommerset Pointe, just 3 miles from Downtown Boyne City, on the Advance Peninsula. 

Come visit McLean & Eakin, Booksellers on Saturday May 2nd for the nation-wide celebration of Independent Bookstore Day.  Enjoy hot chocolate and cupcakes during the festivities.  Sixteen exclusive books and art pieces for Independent Bookstore Day will be available including a signed, original Chris Ware print; a signed chapter book of original essays by bestselling author of Bad Feminist, Roxane Gay; a Margaret Atwood stencil; a literary map of the seas; a note from Stephen King about his new novel, Finders Keepers; an original signed Captain Underpants print and much more. More than sixty-five authors have shown their support for independent bookstores by donating works for this special day of celebration. Join in on the fun!

Raven Hill Discovery Center staff and volunteers are working feverishly to populate the new Evolving Technology (ET) Building for a preview opening on Sunday, May 3rd.  Time periods from prehistoric to modern are being filled with all manner of technology-daily life, toys & games, tools and communication, as well as hands-on exploration stations for visitors to experience. Raven Hill Discovery Center is the only place in where children and adults can link science, history & the arts with hands-on activities and explorations both indoors and outdoors. Raven Hill is located between East Jordan and Boyne City, just off C-48 at Pearsall Road and within Mile 15 of the Breezeway.  Call Cheri at 231-536-3369 for more information.  

Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra presents "Mozart in May on Sunday, May 3rd, 4:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Harbor Springs. The Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra Sunday Series provides the community the opportunity to experience an intimate musical event.  Chamber music has a long history of musicians gathering to play and sing for one another and for a group of good friends. Due to the generous support of GLCO board member, Carolyn Klender, the orchestra is able to present the Sunday Series of Recitals free of charge. A free-will offering will be taken at the event. For more information about the Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra, go to www.glcorchestra.org.

Crooked Tree Arts Center Coffee @ Ten with the CTAC School of Ballet on Tuesday, May 5th at 10 a.m. Heather Raue, the CTAC School of Ballet Artistic Director, will join attendees in the Gilbert Gallery for a talk about the School of Ballet and the Pre-Professional Dance Program. Coffee is provided by Roast & Toast of Petoskey. The Coffee @ Ten series is free and open to the public, no reservations necessary. The next Coffee @ Ten features Elin Noble, textile artist and summer workshop instructor. Elin will be teaching her "New Dyes, New Methods" workshop at CTAC-Petoskey June 26 - 29. Her lecture will take place on Tuesday, June 30 at 10 a.m. 

Short's Brewery Beer Dinner at the Noggin Room Pub is Thursday, May 7th, 6 p.m. Five courses paired with five Short's Beers! $29.95 per guest. Reservations: 231-347-4000. View menu here.

Great News! Bella Vita in Boyne City is reopening on Thursday May 7th, and will be serving dinner 7 nights a week from 5 p.m. - 10 p.m.! At Bella Vita they provide guests with a true dining experience; from exceptional service and delicious food, to a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. Call Bella Vita at 231.582.334 for reservations or for more information or visit www.bellavitaboyne.com

Emmet County's Headlands Park is proud to celebrate its 4th year as Michigan's only internationally-designated Dark Sky Park! The public is cordially invited to celebrate this growing international movement on Saturday, May 9th from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. during the program, "Great Lakes, Dark Skies." The Headlands is a 600-acre park on the Straits of Mackinac, two miles west of downtown Mackinaw City and is free and open to the public every day. While no camping is allowed, visitors are welcome to stay overnight to observe the dark sky overhead. The Headlands became the 6^th International Dark Sky Park in the U.S. and the 9th in the world in May 2011, and each month free programs are held for the public. For more information, visit www.emmetcounty.org

How do you top 364 days of motherly love?  With fresh fruit, whipped cream, maple syrup, lots of chocolate chips...and mimosas. Join us for the Mother's Day Mimosa Brunch at Sagamore's Dining Room, Sunday, May 10th. Children are invited to assist our chefs with preparation of waffles for Mom, and pamper her with personal service. Meanwhile, Mom can relax with a complimentary mimosa and brunch. Plus, families dining with us on Mother's Day receive a $25 gift certificate from The Spa at The Inn at Bay Harbor.  It's the one day of the year that's all about Mom, and waffles. Reservations recommended, please call 231.439.4059

Vernales will be open regular hours for Mother's Day, Sunday May 10th. In addition to our regular menu, we will have several special offerings. The menu can be found at www.vernales.com. Call 231-242-4777 for more info or to make reservations.

Looking for something special to do for your mom this Mother's Day? Castle Farms invites you to treat your mom like royalty at our Mother's Day Royal Tea. Sunday, May 10th, 2:00-4:00 p.m. This delightful afternoon features tea, hors d'oeuvres, desserts, and pampering! Enjoy croquet, photo portraits by Darrell Christie Photography, shopping in our special Mother's Day Tea Gift Shoppe, and an etiquette lesson from Miss Charlevoix. Participate in our Sun Hat Contest and you could win a prize. Relax in our Spa Corner with professional services provided by Tranquility Massage & Bodywork, Hair Qtrs, and Arbonne.  $20 per person. Tickets must be purchased in advance online at Shop.Castlefarms.com, or call Brittany at 231-237-0884, ext. 236. Castle Farms, 5052 M-66, Charlevoix

Mother's Day Brunch at Stafford's is Sunday, May 10th. She gets the smiles, you get the thanks! Treat mom to a fabulous Mother's Day brunch at Stafford's! View hours and pricing at our locations here: http://www.staffords.com/mothers-day-brunch-324/

The North Central Michigan College Foundation will celebrate Northern Michigan wines at the 4th annual Winning Wines of Northern Michigan Wine Tasting and Competition on Wednesday, May 13th. Wine tasting will take place from 5:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m., and the public is invited. Food will be provided by the College's Iron Horse Café. Entertainment will be provided by Chris Koury, and there will be a silent auction of unique gifts. This event is proudly sponsored by Heritage Broadcasting and the BrewVine Passport, Odawa Casino and the Bay View Wine Trail. Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the door. To purchase tickets, call Sharmon Dulaney in the Foundation office at 231-439-6218. To enter your wines in the competition, please call 231-348-6613 or 231-348-6705.

 Registration is now open for Camp Pet-o-se-ga! The YMCA of Northern Michigan is once again pleased to offer our summer day camp for children 5-15 year olds. The camp runs from June 15 through August 21 (10 weeks). Campers participate in activities such as sports & games, arts & crafts, archery, outdoor education, yoga, healthy nutrition programs, weekly field trips and so much more! Y camps foster a safe and nurturing environment where all children have the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive. Special promotion! Register and pay in full for 2 weeks and receive the first week of camp (June 15-19) for FREE. Promotion ends May 15th, 2015. Please click the link below for more information about camp and how to registration. http://www.ymcanm.org/summer-day-camp-petosega.htm

A Career Day Event will be held at the Pellston Middle/High School on Thursday, May 21st from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.  The event will provide an opportunity for students to learn several different careers that line up with the Michigan Career Pathways (Arts, Communication, Business Management, Marketing, Technology, Engineering, Manufacturing, Industrial Technology, Health Sciences, Human Services, Natural Resources, and Agriscience. Currently seeking volunteers that would be willing to present information about their career path, current position, education requirements, and a typical work day.  Please send a message to Kelly Johnson @ johnsonk@charemisd.org or contact her directly @ (231) 582-8070 if you are interested in presenting at this event.

The 6th Annual Smart Commute Week is June 1st through 5th. Smart Commute Week is an event that encourages people to walk, bike and carpool to work and raises awareness of the health, environmental and community impacts of commuting choices. Last year, as a community, we burned 131,500 calories, saved 325 gallons of gas, and reduced our CO2 emissions by 6,488 pounds. Our goal is to keep growing this community-wide event and get more people smart commuting year round. We have great sponsorship opportunities available.Please contact Karen McCue kmccue70@gmail.com or the Trails Council if you have additional questions.

Save the Date for the Little Traverse Bay Quilt Show on Friday, June 19th and Saturday, June 20th at the Emmet County Fairgrounds Community Building
on 1129 Charlevoix Avenue (US-31), on the west side of Petoskey. Admission is just $6. For more information, go to: www.ltbquiltersguild.org and click on the link for the Quilt Show Page.

Mark your calendars now for the Bay View Cottage Walk 2015 taking place on Tuesday, July 14th  from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit historic Bay View where nine private cottages will be open for tours plus four campus buildings. Music and dramatic performances throughout the day. Tickets are $25.00 in advance, $35.00 day of event. Parking available at Petoskey High School and shuttles to the event. Visit www.bayviewassociation.org for ticket and other information.

Summer is almost here, and that means tourism dollars are right around the corner. The Petoskey News-Review has coordinated a distribution process to distribute newspapers to many of the Hotels and Motels in our market. 1000 newspapers will be distributed every Friday. Contact your PNR representative for all the details!

Hospice of Northwest Michigan has announced it will receive a partial grant from the Community Endowment Fund of the Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation (PHSCF) to be used towards better meeting the needs of the community. PHSCF funding in conjunction with a grant for the Charlevoix County Community Foundation has enabled Hospice of Northwest Michigan to revamp its Web site, www.hospicenwm.org, and to purchase Kindles/iPads, tablets and other devices that will allow bed-bound patients and their families to access Internet resources. Online grief support and bereavement services will also be enhanced. To learn more about Hospice of Northwest Michigan or to schedule presentations to local organizations please contact Wieland at (231) 547-7659.

The Northern Health Plan continues to have money to help pay for premiums of people who cannot afford their employer-sponsored coverage. Northern Health Plan urges residents of Emmet, Charlevoix, Antrim, Otsego, Cheboygan, Presque Isle, Montmorency and Alpena Counties to contact Enroll Northern Michigan if they have unaffordable employer premiums to see if they qualify for help. Contact Nichole Cyr at the Health Department of Northwest Michigan at (800) 432-4121. The NHP is a non-profit corporation funded by area hospitals and county government dedicated to helping uninsured people get coverage. It ended its old programs of assistance when the Affordable Care Act and the Healthy Michigan Program went into effect, but it still has funds to use to fill gaps in coverage.