Good morning, Traverse City.

Independence Village by StoryPoint Group offered new living resources for local seniors yesterday and detailed both the benefits and challenges of quality care in Northern Michigan.

The Manna Food Project is partnering with Little Traverse Furniture for a food drive in Emmet County to help local pantries with seasonal shortages.

Toby’s Dog House opened a new location at Silver Spruce Brewing on East Eighth Street — serving Michigan-made hot dogs and sandwiches — and will add seafood and po’boys when warmer.

Owned by Toby Smith, the shop began as a food truck and expanded to serve Traverse City.

State funds totaling $10M will be awarded by MiLEAP to 67 school districts, including several northern Michigan districts, to boost FAFSA completion rates.

The awards, part of the Universal FAFSA Challenge, aim to help students access college and career training + support postsecondary enrollment.

Great Lakes Maritime Academy at Northwestern Michigan College is drawing new cadets from Louisiana, with about 15 to 18 percent of students traveling over 1,200 miles to prepare for ship work on the Great Lakes.

They are training to become deck officers or engineers.

Jeanine Rubert, co-owner of Pine Hill Nursery, advises local gardeners to start seeds indoors using everyday containers (like milk cartons or yogurt cups) even though outdoor gardening awaits warmer days after the spring equinox.

North Central Michigan College has partnered with Greater Michigan Construction Academy to expand skilled trades training for regional employers in Petoskey.

HVAC and welding cohorts will begin in July at the Martin Jahn Technology Center with courses in plumbing, electrical, carpentry, and more to provide nationally recognized certification.

The Huron-Manistee National Forests is hiring 13 seasonal workers to support summer outdoor work.

Interested residents should check the Forest Service job listing for details + how to apply.

Crystal Mountain in Benzie County will host themed Saturdays in March, offering a $10 discount for costumed skiers (multiple themes from March 7 to 28) and will hold Easter celebrations with an indoor buffet and egg hunt on April 4-5.

On an early February morning, Chad Schut pedaled to work on his fat bike through blowing snow and biting winds — his headlamp carved a narrow beam in the dark while studded tires gripped ice and packed snow.

The 13th Annual Guns N’ Hoses Charity Hockey Game will take place at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb.

21 at Centre Ice Arena – 1600 Chartwell Drive. Doors open at 6 p.m., and $5 tickets will support the family of Lieutenant Jonathan Michael Miner of Springfield Township Fire Department.

Puppy Pals LIVE

2-4 p.m. — City Opera House — Family-friendly fun — Enjoy an action-packed show featuring rescued dogs performing spectacular stunts.

Light the Darkness: A Midwinter Festival of Art

5-7 p.m. — City Opera House — Free entry — Experience a vibrant marketplace of creativity with juried artistry and live performances.

Candlelight Concert: Coldplay & Imagine Dragons

6:30-7:30 p.m. — Kirkbride Hall — Ticket prices vary — Experience a magical evening of music by Coldplay and Imagine Dragons performed by a talented string quartet under candlelight.

5th Grade HB Elite Boys Tryout

5:00 – 6:15 p.m. — Rajkovich Physical Education Center — $20 — Showcase your skills at the first unified youth basketball development program in Northern Michigan.

An Evening with Anna Quindlen featuring 'More Than Enough'

2:00 – 3:30 PM — Traverse City Central High School — Cost information not provided — Explore themes of love, hope, and friendship in Anna Quindlen's latest novel during this engaging event.

Fifth Third Bank Leapin' Leprechaun 5k

1-2 p.m. — Lake Ave, Traverse City, MI — Registration fee — Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with a festive 5k race benefiting the NICU at Munson Medical Center.

Shakespeare Festival at the Village

1-5 p.m. — The Village at Grand Traverse Commons — Free entry — Experience bite-sized Shakespeare performances interspersed with local food and drink in a historic setting.

Aerie x Folgarelli's Taste of South Africa

Four-course wine dinner — Evening — Grand Traverse Resort and Spa — Ticketed event — Celebrate the bold flavors and heritage of South African cuisine paired with Babylonstoren wines.

The Lords of 52nd Street Live Performance

8-9 p.m. — Leelanau Sands Casino & Lodge — Ticket prices vary — Experience the original band behind Billy Joel’s biggest hits in a high-energy live concert.