Good morning, Traverse City.

The Salvation Army Traverse City Corps will host a Christmas Community Meal from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec.

23 at 1239 Barlow St.; the event features live Christmas music and a visit from Santa.

Hughthir White in Empire has enjoyed the farm to table Monday dinner series since Jim and Kelly Lively opened the Lively NeighborFood Market on M72 in 2024 after Deering’s closed in 2018.

The new events showcase local and Michigan products and bring the community together.

Cadillac chiropractor Dr. Brian Sims raised over $3,000 at the Salvation Army red kettle campaign, surpassing a $2,500 goal in just 45 minutes during a four-hour community shift in December & inspiring a community-led approach in local fundraising.

Consumers Energy will sell 13 Michigan hydroelectric dams (including the Tippy and Hodenpyl on the Manistee River) to Confluence Hydro for $1 each pending regulatory approval.

At a Crystal Mountain meeting in Benzie County, leaders gathered community feedback while the process may take up to 18 months.

Traverse City Area Public Schools is holding an information session about a proposed multi-purpose fieldhouse.

The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 18 at East Middle School library at 1776 North Three Mile Road.

City leaders are weighing the future of two historic city-owned buildings and have proposed an arts, culture (and environmental) focus for the Bijou property.

The debate follows the Traverse City Film Festival’s past conversion of a museum space into a movie theater.

Michigan lawmakers Rep. Pohutsky and Rep. Aragona introduced a bipartisan bill to expand telehealth for pets, letting veterinarians treat animals remotely without a prior exam.

The House passed the bill and it will move to the Senate, with supporters saying it may ease access in rural areas (and lower costs).

A drone pilot program delivered medical supplies faster in Traverse City today and gave Munson Healthcare a test run for emergency response.

Officials say further trials will expand the service to more local health facilities.

A pilot program in Traverse City used drones to deliver lab samples within one mile of Munson Medical Center, completing nearly 70 test flights in May.

Munson Healthcare and partners say the project will speed treatment and plan to test longer flights in 2026.

Northwestern Michigan College may sell its Boardman Lake campus to the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians after trustees authorized President Nick Nissley (with legal advisors) to draft a letter of intent; the sale is pending board approval at the 2200 Dendrinos Drive location.

Candlelight Concert: Christmas Carols on Strings

8:45 p.m. — Kirkbride Hall — Ticket prices vary — Experience the magic of Christmas carols performed by the Listeso String Quartet under candlelight.

Dominic Fortuna’s Holiday Spectacular

4:00 – 9:30 p.m. — Hotel Indigo Traverse City by IHG — Ticket prices vary — Experience a night of festive entertainment, delicious holiday dining, and nostalgic music.

Traverse City Track Club Jingle Bell Run

5:30-11:30 p.m. — Park Place Hotel and Conference Center — Free entry — Enjoy a festive holiday run through beautifully decorated neighborhoods with cookies and hot cocoa afterwards.

Traverse City New Year's Eve CherryT Ball Drop

10:30 PM – 12:30 AM — Downtown Traverse City Real Estate — Ticket info available online — Celebrate the New Year with a giant cherry drop and fireworks in the heart of the Cherry Capital.

New Year, New Garden: Landscape Design Workshop

10 AM - 2 PM — The Botanic Garden at Historic Barns Park — Cost not specified — Enhance your gardening skills in this immersive two-day workshop led by expert Matthew Ross.