Community Calendar

Free, peer-led mental health support groups: NAMI Family Support and NAMI Connection Group.

Both held Wednesdays, 12pm at Christ Church, 430 Fair St. (See website for zoom link)

The League of Women Voters of Leelanau County (LWVLC) is presenting an important community forum on voting integrity – “Election Security: Understanding How the System Gets It Right.” Sarah Lutz, City Clerk for the City of Traverse City, will be the lead panelist. Lutz and local election workers will address how elections work and how voters can have confidence that every eligible vote is counted accurately.

The forum will be held on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at noon, in the lower-level Community Room of the Leelanau County Government Center, 8527 E. Government Center Drive, Suttons Bay, MI.

Nothing is more fundamental to our democracy than free and fair elections. This forum will provide a clear, nonpartisan look at the safeguards built into Michigan’s election system, how the process works at the local level, and the many checks and balances in place to ensure accuracy and integrity. Attendees will hear directly from the City Clerk of Traverse City and local election workers who help to administer elections and protect the voting process in our community.

Participants will gain a better understanding of how votes are counted, how ineligible votes are prevented, and what steps citizens can take to support transparent, trustworthy elections. The forum will also offer an opportunity to ask questions and engage in a respectful, fact-based discussion.

This event is free and open to the public. Attendees are welcome to bring their own lunch.

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.

Join Traverse City's AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islander) Community for a free event with the goal to build greater understanding and empathy for people of different cultural backgrounds through positive engagement and welcoming learning events.

Local AAPI restaurants and chefs will provide the food. Afterwards, head to Milliken Auditorium for a screening of Seoul Switch from director Liann Kaye. The evening's keynote program will feature Masaki Takahashi, Poet Laureate Emeritus of Lansing, Michigan (2022-2024), whose powerful, community-centered work has been featured on platforms including Button Poetry and TEDx.

5:00 | Food in Dennos Sculpture Court
6:00 | Screening of Seoul Switch
6:30 | Program with Spoken Word Poet Masaki Takahashi

Join us--first thing in the morning--this book club is in collaboration with the Grand Traverse County Senior Center Network. We will talk about books, authors, read excerpts, maybe even have an author visit! This month's book- The Sleuth Sisters by Maggie Pill

For Immediate Release: April 23, 2026
Contact: Christi Bardenhagen 231-883-0071
To make an appointment, click here.

Join us in the lower level Community Meeting Room of the Government Center at 8527 E Government Center Drive, Suttons Bay

Celebrating Cinco de Mayo with purpose! Did you know that
57% of Hispanic blood donors have type O—the blood type
most in demand? Your donation can make a powerful
difference. Join us—give blood and help save lives.
Donating blood takes about an hour and has the potential to save up to three lives.

Anyone age 16 or older in good health who meets eligibility requirements is encouraged to give. Parental consent is required for donors age 16 to donate blood. Donors should bring a photo ID that includes their birth date.

To schedule an appointment, click here, call (866) 642-5663 or visit versiti.org/mi.

Walk-in donors are also welcome.

Come on out for Live Music at the Vineyard, where the vines set the stage and the good times come naturally.

At French Valley, we’re pouring wine, beer, and cider in a space that’s made for everyone—families, friends, and anyone looking to kick back and stay awhile."

The Elk Rapids Cinema, in partnership with Northwest Education Services (North Ed) and the Great Start Collaborative of Traverse Bay will host a free public screening of the acclaimed documentary No Small Matter on Thursday, May 7, 2026.

No Small Matter is the first feature-length documentary to explore the critical importance of early childhood education and care in America. Through powerful stories and compelling research, the film examines how children’s earliest experiences—from birth to age five—shape their lifelong health, learning, and opportunity. Drawing on neuroscience, education research, and real family stories, the film reveals both the remarkable capacity of young children’s developing brains and the growing crisis in affordable, high-quality childcare.

Doors will open at 5:30 PM, followed by a brief 15-minute live introduction by Full Tilt Comedy. The film will begin at 6:15 PM, followed by a short discussion.

The Elk Rapids Cinema, owned and operated by the Chalfonte Foundation, continues its mission of serving as a cultural and educational gathering space for northern Michigan through films, performances, and community engagement events.
Community members, parents, educators, policymakers, and advocates are warmly invited to attend.

🎟 Admission: Free and open to the public

Mariner Knots, Boat Radio and Weather Class is a 3-hour class. This is a boater safety class offered to those interested in learning more about tying knots, working marine radios and watching and understanding the weather that effects boaters. Discussion will include the most common types of boating accidents and practical marine knots and radio operation.

This class will be taught on Thursday, May 7 from 6-9 pm at the Legacy Aviation Center at 2640 Aero-Park Dr. Traverse City. Class costs $10. Preregister by May 5 by going to

Eventbrite link: here

Learn how to foster positive and respectful communications with people that may have opposing political views in this workshop presented by Braver Angels. Participants will learn how to be more aware of their own of their own "inner Polarizer" and how to be critical without demonizing, dismissing, or stereotyping large swaths of the population.

Seating is limited, so please register in advance here.

*Tickets are Free, Donations Help As a spam prevention measure, you must use promo code BRAVER during registration to secure your spot in the workshop. Donations beyond the free ticket support Braver Angels, 501(c)3. Braver Angels does not ask for a donation if the participant is making one to their faith organization.