Good morning, Traverse City.

Local groups are hosting a summer safety event that gives away free life jackets and helmets to keep families safe during water activities in Traverse City.

The event is scheduled for later this summer.

The Grand Traverse Conservation District is hosting a Summer Kick Off at Boardman River Nature Center at 1450 Cass Road from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. today.

The free event offers guided hikes and river exploration + aquatic macroinvertebrate sampling, with registration required.

Captain Brendan Bingham has launched TowBoatUS Charlevoix on Lake Charlevoix to offer on-water towing, fuel delivery, battery jumps and repairs using a red (28-ft) Zodiac vessel crewed by Coast Guard-licensed captains ready to assist boaters on this popular fishing lake.

The Leland Wine and Food Fest will take place this Saturday, featuring live music and local wine and food from nearby eateries.

Tickets cost $35 in advance or $45 at the event (including a wine glass and two tasting tokens) and proceeds support community beautification projects.

Art & Connection launches Creativity Cruiser to bring art supplies on the road for local residents.

The mobile project, announced on June 11, will soon offer creative workshops in neighborhood spaces.

Dune Bird Winery in Leelanau County has introduced Indian Runner ducks to roam its vineyards by eating pests as part of its (Sustainability in Practice) initiative against chemical pesticides.

The method offers an eco-friendly approach to protecting grapevines for future harvests.

Crews completed FishPass testing amid a near (200-to-500-year) flood event in mid-April, and the Great Lakes Fishery Commission expects the project to fully open by the end of 2027.

Anglers may soon enjoy trout fishing as the river works to return to its natural state.

Traverse City officials inspected Silver Lake Dam and Duck Lake Dam on Wednesday and found that Silver Lake shows no issues while Duck Lake may need significant maintenance.

They expect a full report within a month.

The Traverse City Zoning Board rejected a request from Traverse City Area Public Schools (TCAPS) to add extra signage at Thirlby Field because of the site's historic status and local concerns about appearance and light pollution.

TCAPS said it will seek other ways to fund after-school programs.

A Traverse City woman credited a restaurant and its patrons for saving her life when she choked, saying their 'kitchen-sink' approach (a mix of coordinated first aid actions) helped her recover.

Members of the Munson Nurses Association approved a three-year contract with Munson Medical Center after months of negotiation with hospital administration — the agreement was reached on June 11, promising stability for the staff.

Howie Mandel Live Performance

Time TBD — Leelanau Sands Casino & Lodge — Tickets required — Enjoy a night of laughter with the iconic comedian and television personality Howie Mandel.

Pegtown Group Meeting

8:00–9:00 p.m. — Pegtown Station — Free entry — Join an engaging support group for alcohol addiction recovery in a welcoming environment.

Paint Grand Traverse Festival

All day — Crooked Tree Arts Center — Free entry — Celebrate the beauty of Northern Michigan through a week-long plein air painting competition featuring national artists.

Paint Grand Traverse Festival

10 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. — Crooked Tree Arts Center — Free entry — Experience the vibrant outdoor painting festival and competition in beautiful Traverse City.

Xavi Bou Artist Talk

4-5 p.m. — The Dennos — Free entry — Explore the intersection of art and science through digital chronophotography in a presentation by artist Xavi Bou.

Creative Movement Drawing Workshop with Xavi Bou

9 a.m. – 12 p.m. — The Dennos — Ages 16+ — Explore how bird flight influences drawing through movement and observation.

Summer Reception and Launch Party

7-9 p.m. — The Dennos — Members free, public admission required — Celebrate summer exhibitions while enjoying passed appetizers and a first look at the updated brand.

U.S. Coast Guard Open Ramp - Cherry Festival Edition

5-8:15 p.m. — USCG Air Station Traverse City — Free entry — Explore a variety of aircraft and meet the skilled pilots behind the controls during this unique event for families and enthusiasts.

Vertical Limit Band at Jacob's Farm

6-10 p.m. — Jacob's Farm TC — Cost info not provided — Enjoy a night of rock, blues, and funk with Vertical Limit, a talented band from Oceanside now in Traverse City.

KC and The Sunshine Band & The Spinners Concert

6-9 p.m. — National Cherry Festival — Ticket prices vary — Dance to the iconic disco and soul hits of KC and The Sunshine Band and The Spinners.