This Week in Leelanau: April 8, 2011

News, weather & events from Leelanau and Michigan. Sign up and get it delivered to your mailbox fresh & hot every week!

Donald Trump unveils “Trump Leelanau” in Maple City

Last Friday (April 1) financial magnate, reality TV star and Presidential aspirant Donald Trump unveiled “Trump Leelanau”, a combined hotel, office park and high-end pet spa in Maple City. At 1723 feet, the soaring structure easily surpasses the Willis Tower in Chicago as the tallest building in the United States.

“Those who know me know that I like to dream big, and go big,” The Donald explained. “Michigan has really been hurting and I wanted to make a statement that it’s time for Michigan to go big or go home. I chose Maple City because everyone knows that you can’t beat the jerky at Gabe’s and also because I found out that Maple City residents spend an average of $67 per year more on pet recreation than the national average.”

Long-time Maple City resident Lois Flaska expressed a common sentiment, telling us “Well like everyone else, it’s taking some getting used to for me when I take Mr. Fluffles for a walk and all of the sudden bam! there’s this giant building up there and I think I’m in New York or something.

It’s really nice that Mr. Trump is offering a 50% discount to all Maple City residents on pet grooming – Mr. Fluffles really loves his new ‘do!”

TEDx Traverse City

FIM Group and Northwestern Michigan College have collaborated to present the inaugural TEDx TraverseCity on Tuesday, May 17, 2011 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the Milliken Auditorium at Northwestern Michigan College. The daylong event’s theme is designed to educate, inspire and connect great minds by honoring innovators who have passion, curiosity, creativity and adaptability to change the world with revolutionary ideas.

Tickets will probably go quickly and are on sale now through their website.

Trying to take your website or marketing to the next level? Talk to Leelanau.com!

Michigan in Pictures included the above Michigan Wine Month feature and news of a 1800s sloop discovered off South Haven.

Last Friday Absolute Michigan broke the story on Chrysler’s new Emigrated from Escanaba campaign starring Jeff Daniels and a feature on the Detroit Tigers on Opening Day. The home opener is today – go Tigers!

If you have a Michigan business, you can add your link for free to Michigan’s largest site for Michigan news & links, absolutemichigan.com!

The photo this week is It takes a while, showing the start of the maple syrup process. See more in Trish’s Leelanau County Michigan slideshow.

Want a chance to have YOUR photos featured here? Click the Flickr button above to join our photo group!

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The Leelanau Calendar

If you’ve got a Leelanau event, you can add your information (for free) to the Leelanau Calendar. Not only will it be listed in this newsletter every week, but we may do a feature story on your event on Leelanau.com!

FEATURED EVENT
Annual Empire Asparagus Festival ~ May 20-22
The 8th Annual Empire Asparagus Festival will be held May 20-22, 2011 and features a slew of asparagus-themed events including a fun run (or walk), Asparagus Eats/Wine and Beer Tasting, Asparagus recipe contest, the Asparagus Parade, chalk art, music & dance and kids games. You can get all the details on the tasty eats and drinks from Leelanau.com!

MORE EVENTS FROM THE LEELANAU CALENDAR

Apr 8 – Heston Francis Concert (Women’s Resource Center)
Apr 9 – Native Landscaping Clinic (GTCD)
Apr 12 – Wine Dinner: Chateau Grand Traverse (Uncorked)
Apr 12 – LIWDA Meeting (LIWDA)
Apr 13 – Veterans Benefits Seminar (Glen Eagle)
Apr 14 – Leelanau Montessori Open House (Leelanau Montessori Public School Academy)
Apr 14 – Veterans Benefits Seminar (Glen Eagle)
Apr 16 – Charity Garage Sale (Women’s Resource Center)
Apr 16 – (and 17)
Annual Seedling Sale (GTCD)
Apr 17 – Empty Bowls 2011 (Fresh Food Partnership)
Apr 19 – PEEPERS – Quackers (GTCD)
Apr 20 – Health Care Reform Presentation (Leelanau County Democratic Party)
Apr 20 – Senior Wellness Expo (Glen Eagle)
Apr 20 – Annual Joint Planning Session-Leelanau County (Leelanau County Planning Commission)
Apr 21 – Clifton Monteith (Glen
Arbor Art Association)
Apr 23 – Beach Bards (Beach Bards Bonfire)
Apr 23 – An Introduction to Native Plants Workshop (GTCD)
Apr 23 – National Junior Ranger Day (Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore)

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Did we mention you could add your events forfree? Get busy folks!

Ethnic Nights at the Bluebird in Leland happen every week on Wednesday & Thursday nights. Next week is Chinese/Thai featuring Crispy wrapped Shrimp w/Chili Garlic, Lobster Wontons, General Tsao’s Chicken and Hong Kong Kobe Steak!

Now Playing at the Bay Theater in Suttons Bay: Source Code (PG-13) starts tonight. Mid-Week Specials are available!! Tuesdays – Free Popcorn (one medium corn with ticket purchase), Wednesdays – $5.50 for all seats (Specials are not valid for special events or film series). Bay Theatre Gift Certificates: ‘Say it with a Movie’ gift certificates provide a memorable and enjoyable experience all year ’round. Check the web site for details!

The Weather

Photographer Ken Scott and daughter Jane deliver a high five to spring sun. Believe you me, we’re echoing that!!

It’s 33 degrees under sunny skies at 8:30 AM at Leelanau Coffee Roasting in Glen Arbor. The record high for April 8th was 73 in 1945 with the low of 3 set in 1972. We got a little late April Fools from Mother Nature last Sunday with a snowstorm featuring a relatively rare occurrence of “thunder snow“. The forecast for today calls for mostly sunny skies with highs in low 50s. More sun on Saturday with temps pushing 60. Sunday will be warm as well and there’s a chance of rain which will hopefully wash some of the snow away.

Click for the news & weather from last year!