Area organizations are recognized
TRAVERSE CITY -- Eleven organizations were honored as 2009 Northwest Michigan Worksites of the Year for their support of the "Earn & Learn Summer Youth Program" that offers employment to area youth and young adults.
A regional award went to the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy for their use of program participants for conservancy projects in Grand Traverse, Benzie, Leelanau and Antrim counties.
Individual awards were also presented in the 10-county area served by the Northwest Michigan Council of Governments. They included Mancelona Public Schools in Antrim County; Crystal Lake and Watershed Association in Benzie; Charlevoix Conservation District in Charlevoix; Emmet County Parks and Recreation Department; Grand Traverse Soil Conservation District; Scenic Trails Council - Boy Scouts of America Camp Kellogg Development in Kalkaska County; Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Leelanau; City of Manistee Parks and Recreation Department; Missaukee County Parks and Recreation Department and Cadillac's Parks and Recreation and Public Works Department in Wexford County.
Around 320 area youth ages 16-24 participated in the summer Earn & Learn program at 147 work sites in the region. Organizers included NMCOG, Northwest Michigan WORKS! and the Traverse Bay Area Intermediate School District.
Holiday party for downtown workers
TRAVERSE CITY -- The City Opera House will host an inaugural holiday party for downtown businesses and employees on Dec. 3.
The "Downtown Ho-Ho-Ho Holiday Party" will begin at 6 p.m. with a reception followed by dinner at 7:30. It will feature a cash bar, live entertainment, dancing and other activities.
Reservations are available by calling (231) 941-8082.
Manistee Chamber officers to be installed
MANISTEE -- Officers and directors for 2010 for the Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce will be installed Nov. 19 at the chamber's annual meeting and Business Awards presentation.
The slate includes Mike Howard of Rosie's Place who will serve as chairman next year.
The vice-chairwoman is Tina Kelley of Fab-Lite Inc., while Donn Lemmer of West Shore Medical Center is treasurer and Douglas Parks of Honor State Bank is secretary.
Virginia Pelton of Portage Lake Motel and West Shore Rental Management is a new director.
The annual meeting will be held at the Portage Point Inn in Onekama, with a social hour starting at 5:30 p.m., dinner at 6 p.m. and the awards presentation at 6:45 p.m.
Ticket information is available from the chamber office at 723-2575.
Travelers could soon play lotto at airport
ROMULUS -- Travelers soon may be able to play the lottery at Detroit Metropolitan Airport.
The Detroit Free Press reports Saturday that the Wayne County Airport Authority board on Nov. 17 is likely to approve a licensing agreement that would allow people to play some lottery games at the airport.
The newspaper reports Michigan instant tickets and Club Keno, as well as tickets for the multistate Mega Millions drawing, would be available at various locations. Travelers also would be able to redeem some winnings at some retailers at the airport in Romulus.
The airport estimates the deal would generate $360,000 year, plus revenues for the state.
Meanwhile, officials say they want to purchase five 30-foot-tall wind turbines to help power the airport.