Community Calendar

Free, peer-led mental health support: NAMI Connection Group. Held Wednesdays, 5pm Online (see website for zoom link) and at Child & Family Services, 3785 Veterans Dr.

A Tech Toolkit for the Proactive Arts Admin

For nonprofit professionals, staying organized can often feel like a full-time job in itself. This session is designed to help arts nonprofit professionals transition from "putting out fires" to proactive planning by leveraging the full power of their existing digital ecosystem.

We want to help you reclaim your creative energy by shifting from reactive tasks to proactive impact using the tools you already use every day. We’ll dive into "hidden" Google Workspace features to automate your inbox and calendar, followed by high-impact applications for AI tools like Gemini and NotebookLM to streamline grant drafting, program planning, and donor reporting. You’ll walk away with a practical "productivity toolkit" and the confidence to let technology handle the busy work so you can focus on human-centered work.

Facilitator: Sam Charnes
Sam Charnes is the Associate Vice Provost at Interlochen Center for the Arts, overseeing institutional research and educational technology. Specializing in systems implementation and operational strategy, she is dedicated to using data and technology to drive decision-making and planning.

Audience: Who is this for?
This session is designed for:

Organizations

Must register for event. Not a member - join at https://nwmiarts.org/members/become-a-member.html

Friends of the library gather at 9:30am for social time, with meeting and election of officers for 2027 beginning at 10:00am. Topics of discussion will be plans for upcoming programs and activities, as well as volunteer opportunities during the months of November thru December. Anyone interested in supporting the library is always welcome. Held at Helena Township Community Center, 8751 Helena Rd, Alden. 231-331-4318.

Date: Thursday, October 15, 2026
Time: 10 am–2 pm with lunch break
Registration Deadline: Monday, October 12, 2026
Location: Myles Kimmerly County Park
Skill: All

Paint “The most beautiful place in America” at the most beautiful time of the year. Painting is about color, and there is no better time than the fall to capture the colorful beauty of Sleeping Bear Country.

Objective: Creativity Enhancement

Outcome: Inspiration and Creativity

Creative Wellness Monthly Gathering
Facilitators: Carol Hohle & Meridith Mulcahy

Time: 1:30 pm–3 pm

Registration Deadline: N/A

Location: Meet at the GAAC front desk, then follow the fun—we may head to locations like Pine Street Studio or Thoreson Farm Studio during the summer. (Reserve Pinestreet Classroom as permanent option)
Skill: All Skill Levels
Cost: $10 member/ $12 nonmember
Min/Max: N/A
Time to Set Up: 15 minutes
Time to Clean Up: 15 minutes

This group will gather once a month to share and learn more about the value of creativity in our daily lives. Over a warm mug of brewed tea/coffee (or ice tea/lemonade in the summer!), come connect with others, share ideas, find inspiration, and practical tips to lead a more creative and whole-hearted approach to life. Each month, in addition to checking in with one another, we will explore different practices (journaling, stitching, collaging, photography) that may pique your creative curiosity.

Each week the group will meet at the front desk of the Glen Arbor Art Center and will move to locations such as Pine Street Studio, the GAAC Classroom, the GAAC grove or Thoreson Farm.

Date: Friday, October 16, 2026
Time: 10 am–4 pm
Registration Deadline: Tuesday, October 13, 2026
Location: Glen Arbor Arts Center Classroom
Skill Level: All

White-line woodcut, also known as the Provincetown print, is a distinctive printmaking method developed in the early 20th century in Massachusetts. Unlike traditional woodcuts that require multiple blocks for color, this technique uses just one block to create a multicolor image. Carved lines define shapes and remain white in the final print, while watercolor is brushed directly onto the block and transferred to paper. This process blends the structure of carving with the expressive qualities of painting, producing vibrant, one-of-a-kind impressions. In this class, participants will learn how to design, carve, and register a block, apply watercolor to create luminous effects, and experiment with layering color. The method offers both precision and spontaneity, making it accessible to beginners while engaging for experienced artists. Students will leave with unique prints and the skills to continue exploring this painterly form of printmaking.

Objective: Skill Development, Creativity Enhancement

Outcome: Improved Technique, Inspiration and Creativity

Michigan’s Medicinal Mushrooms is an interactive workshop led by Certified Michigan Mushroom Expert, nutritional therapist, and holistic health coach Tyler Davidson, exploring the healing potential of fungi native to Michigan. You’ll learn the basics of anatomy, taxonomy, safe use, and research-backed health applications. Each species includes foraging and identification guidance with field samples for hands-on learning. Additional topics cover traditional use, survival, and bushcraft. Resources for continued study and dedicated Q&A time are included. This workshop is ideal for those who want to advance their natural medicine journey with fungi and learning to forage for personal use.

Free, peer-led mental health support groups:

*NAMI Family Support (Mondays at 6pm. Online and in-person at HBA, 3040 Sunset Ln. See website for zoom link.)

*NAMI Connection Group (Mondays at 6pm. Online, see website for zoom link)

Torch Area Artisans Guild (TAAG) meets every Tuesday from 10am-12pm. We have been creating art and contributing to our community for over 40 years. We are quilters, embroiderers, knitters, weavers, painters, potters, jewelers, and more; all artists welcome!

Newcomers are invited to visit our meetings. Contact us by email at taartisansguild@gmail.com, or view our page at www.facebook.com/TorchAreaArtisansGuild.

Sponsored by Alden District Library, 231-331-4318, and held at Helena Township Community Center, 8751 Helena Rd, Alden.

People of all skill levels, including beginners are invited to play.

Free Event.

Sponsored by Alden District Library and held at Helena Township Community Center, 8751 Helena Rd, Alden, 231-331-4318.