Education

Living the island life--Northern Michigan style

Valerie West Tuesday, July 26, 2011

We've all dreamed of living the island life, but for some Northern Michigan residents, it's a whole different meaning than what we picture in our heads. There are no coconuts, palm trees or tropical beaches. Instead, living the island life on Mackinac or Beaver islands is all about community.

The power of music: Creating bridges between people, no matter how different they are

Brian Confer Tuesday, June 14, 2011

It's amazing what power music has. It can change perceptions. It can create understanding. And, as Second Wave managing photographer Brian Confer writes about in this edition, it can build bridges.

Crushing the communication barrier: One woman's drive to teach English as a second language

Howard Lovy Tuesday, January 25, 2011

For most folks in Northwest Michigan, communicating in English is hardly a problem. But what about those who have found the area via the migrant workforce? That's where Beatriz Cruz comes in. Second Wave's Howard Lovy sits down to talk to Cruz about why she's a beacon to the growing number of Spanish-speaking residents in Leelanau County and the surrounding area.

In a neighborhood of too-perfect chemical lawns, one eco-queen's quest for true green

Patty LaNoue Stearns Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Worried about her pets' health and the toxic chemicals being freely applied to the lawns around her downtown Traverse City neighborhood, eco-conscious artist Julie Pearson pulled together some convincing materials, found some great alternatives for healthy lawns, and one by one is convincing her neighbors to start changing the way they are treating the Earth.

Old Mission winery keeps expanding its horizons

Gary Hoffman Tuesday, August 03, 2010

Perched on one of Northwest Michigan's most spectacular settings, the Euro-patterned B&B winery Chateau Chantal is once again in expansion mode, with its namesake daughter back to help after a decade in Australia and Chicago.

This Traverse City garden is growing gorgeous produce and green jobs

Kim Schneider Tuesday, July 20, 2010

On the fertile grounds of the Village at Grand Traverse Commons -- Traverse City's Victorian-era former state mental institution -- innovator, educator, illustrator and painter Penny Krebiehl's Little Artshram garden project is teaching kids and teens how to make things grow and make a profit, too.

Rain, snow, sleet, sweat: These smart commuters bike all year round

Heather Johnson Durocher Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Three Traverse City commuters gave up their cars and now commute full time during all four seasons on their bicycles. Read on to learn why they do it and how you can too.

Catch Northwest Michigan's Second Wave

Patty LaNoue Stearns Thursday, June 17, 2010

You can feel the energy up and down Northwest Michigan's coast: It's upbeat, stimulating, exhilarating. That's what Northwest Michigan Second Wave is all about. We're a weekly web magazine with a fresh narrative about the people, companies and industries that are reshaping the communities along Lake Michigan's coastline, moving them forward, making them sustainable, dynamic places that we dream about.