What's Going On (May24-26)

Bored during the week? Don't know what to do after work? Looking for some weekly community events instead of waiting for the weekend? LOOK NO FURTHER: Near North Now, Newaygo County's ONLY local online news has your answers!

Tuesday:
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“Our Fires Still Burn”
Croton Township library 4-5pm
This documentary tells the story of 500 years in the history of the Three Fires Confederacy that includes the Ojibwe (Chippewa), Odawa (Ottawa), and Odawatomi (Potawatomi) Tribal Nations who live near the Great Lakes of Michigan, Superior, and Huron in the US and Canada.

It is a compelling one hour film that invites viewers into the lives of contemporary Midwest Native American role models.  It dispels the myth that Indians have disappeared from the American horizon, and reveals how they continue to persist, heal from the past, confront the challenges of today, keep their culture alive, and make significant contributions to society. 

It’s a great late afternoon option and well worth hauling the kids along to learn about the rich cultural heritage of our region’s tribal nations and the current challenges faced even if it costs you a post movie ice cream cone or two.

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​​Wednesday;
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County Commission Meeting

County Administration Building, White Cloud
9:30am
Ever been to a Board of Commissioners
Meeting? No? Well, do you know who your representative is? How about what district you’re in? Ever wonder how decisions regarding your tax dollars are made at the county level? Know anyone one or more of the many county boards. Wonder how they got on there and why?

So many questions and yet so few who ever enter the Board of Commissioners meeting room who are not elected officials or department heads. 
This is a way for you to see local government in action. Let’s face it if you live in this county you’ve got some skin in the game so seeing where your cash is going and why can only be a good thing? You’ll get an agenda, a cup of coffee if you so desire and learn the difference between the first public comment time (where anyone can speak to any agenda item) and the second public comment time (where one can speak about anything they desire). You can hear each commissioner give a few words about what they’ve been doing and hear from the newly hired administrator as well.

If you’ve a bit of mid morning time to spare this is a great way to put the faces to the names on the upcoming August ballot that will go far in determining who will represent you for the next couple of years.
Oh and I’ll be at the press table so stop and say hi.

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Thursday:

Local songstress Sandy Bernard has been hosting open mike nights at the Riverstop Café for several hundred Thursdays I believe, and she handles this task with a master’s touch. There is artistry in her way of helping and encouraging newcomers, balancing the playing time of regulars and mixing in her solo performances and duets. These evenings can unfold as mellow and laid back or just as easily evolve into some serious jamming particularly if you are fortunate to be around when out-of-towners like her two talented daughters stop in  or during the annual arrival of violinist extraordinaire Nathan.

The crowd, like the performers tends to be a mixture of regulars and newly initiated to this wonderful way to spend a Thursday evening. The food is really good and the service is well above average. They have great coffee and also a substantial selection of exceptional beer and wine.

And they have Sandy at the helm. If you get a chance tell her Ken told you to come. She’ll more than likely reply the same as many who have had this personal message of mine relayed to them.
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“Ken who?”  ​

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