June 2014 Issue

Inside Scoop

Interior design ideas have never been more accessible to homeowners addicted to Pinterest, Dwell magazine and the endless stream of catalogs choking the region’s mailboxes.

This access means design typically seen on the coasts is seeping into northern Michigan, an area still rife with what one designer calls “Home Depot chic.”

Architecturally, northern Michigan homes are skewing slightly smaller, yet every square foot counts. The grand two-story foyer is shifting to an entrance that features a cozy reading loft instead of empty space.

Local design experts chime in on what homeowners are clamoring for – with both new and remodeled …

Update From Lansing: Recent Changes in Food and Alcohol Regulation

By Kate Redman

“BACKYARD” LIVESTOCK FARMS

Recently, the Michigan Commission of Agriculture made controversial changes to the protections afforded to livestock facilities in residential areas under the Right-to-Farm Act (RTFA). Opponents call fowl and claim the changes will have severe consequences for urban agriculture; proponents argue the concern is overblown and only serves to return control of backyard livestock farms to local communities.

How does the RTFA protect farmers? The RTFA provides that if farms …

Killing Farm to Table?

Growers React to Immigration Reform

By Becky Kalajian

A drive up to Leelanau County reveals a stark truth: Farmers are ripping up crops

that have become difficult to harvest profitably.

Northern Michigan growers point the finger at impending federal immigration

reform, saying the current and proposed initiatives are causing a labor shortage

while increasing labor costs.

In addition, proving legal status has shifted from the laborer to the grower, which

sucks …

Dream Kitchen Or Nightmare Project?

By Sara Busby

You have been scanning Houzz and Pinterest for months, attending every home

show and tour, purchasing every kitchen and bath magazine published and

discussing your “dream kitchen” with friends. Here are a few up and coming trends

from this year’s National Kitchen and Bath Show in Las Vegas that might have

popped up in all that research:

– Mid-tone woods used in cabinetry

with simpler styles and less

ornamentation

– Metals and …

Here Come the Pests!

LOCAL MOSQUITOS SOMETHING

Because of potential impact on agriculture, tourism and other aspects of the

economy, controlling the wide variety of pests is vital to the Grand Traverse region.

Whether it’s crawling critters, skunks, moles or voles, pesky pests can definitely

impact quality of life for locals and visitors alike.

…

William Koucky: Oil Entrepreneur

Grand Traverse Culinary Oils just fulfilled its largest order to date. Grocery chain

Kroger is now carrying the oils in 30 of its Michigan stores.

Considering the first bottles of homegrown canola and sunflower oils were just

available last November, the jump to a major supermarket chain is …

The Art Of Design

For the past 20 years, interior designer Dorina Rudd has been transforming living

and working spaces into functional works of art.

“Design is very emotional, because it deals with ownership, sentimentality, image

and brand,” Rudd, owner of Design Strategies in Traverse City, explained. “The

design of a …

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