I am excited and optimistic in thinking about my predictions for the area and Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians for the next 150 years. Clearly, we live in one of the most beautiful areas of Mother Earth. The GTB Tribal Nation has grown exponentially as an area and tribe over the last 29 years. We must now sustain and channel that growth.

The Grand Traverse Region is blessed with abundant renewable natural resources, which properly managed, will remain for the next 150 years and beyond. The community of the future depends on what direction the citizenry and leadership decide to take and external influences over which they have no control.

The Grand Vision has shown me that the people of this region love it here and have a commitment to building a better future. We care about what happens here and we care about the future. My main concern is that we sometimes forget about all things we hold in common and focus more on what keeps us apart.

We need to look forward across six or more generations of people to see 150 years into the future. What wonderful changes there may be, if we choose wisely, just get lucky, or some of both. Of course, we face many threats to our security and survival. The risks of deadly pandemics, global climate change and unimaginable wars are real.

Traverse City's first indoor farmers market launched Saturday at the Commons. It's a new venture intended to provide a venue for local growers to peddle their produce through the coming winter months, as well as a place for local consumers to buy fresh food even though the summertime farmers market is ended for the season.

Peninsula Township's long-serving supervisor wants a little help to manage the Grand Traverse County community. Rob Manigold, supervisor since 1988, asked the township board to consider creating a township manager's position to handle day-to-day duties, in lieu of a full-time planner.

Several businesses in downtown Traverse City lost power Saturday.

The following is a list of deaths reported during the past week by funeral directors in the 13-county northwest Michigan region.

A bipartisan coalition sought to impose stricter abortion limits on insurance sold under a new health care bill Saturday with an amendment written by Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Mich.

The issue: Traverse City Light & Power's four proposed biomass energy plants -- which burn scrap wood to make electricity -- may be located around Traverse City. Our view: Listen to the public -- the folks who own Light & Power.

Don't add to problems; Lansing is laughing; Immunizing not justified; Can't subsidize abortions; Greetings from Sweden

Voting last week for governor in Virginia and New Jersey, and for special elections for Congress in New York and the Legislature in Michigan, provide 2010 omens for both parties in Michigan, where hot races loom in all three categories. (Plus more from the Michigan political scene including another Levin in the wings.)

Throughout this year's budget battles in Lansing, lawmakers disagreed sharply over how to balance the books. But they seemed to strongly agree on this: Michigan voters would never approve any kind of open, across-the-board tax increase. Yet last week's election returns may indicate that the politicians are dead wrong.

Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski and Alison Dunlap can add another championship to their impressive resumes. The two Colorado cyclists captured the 28-mile Iceman Cometh mountain bike race Saturday afternoon under unseasonably warm sunny skies.

Complete results for finishers in the 2009 Iceman Cometh mountain bike race.

The Class A district title is back at Traverse City West. After TC Central ended West's six-year run as district champ last year, the Titans returned the favor on Saturday.

On Tuesday night, Forest Area's season was two points away from being over. Days later, it's still going. The Warriors continued their hot streak on Saturday with a straight-set win over host Traverse City St. Francis in the Class C district finale.

The Traverse Bay Blues were knocked out of the playoffs with a loss to the East Suburbs from Cleveland in the regional quarterfinals. The Blues lost a man to a red card 10 minutes into the game and had to play the rest of the way short-handed.

Hudsonville Unity Christian claimed its title back from Petoskey, winning the Division 2 crown with a state championship victory over the Northmen.

Actions speak louder than words. That could be the motto for the Harbor Springs girls, who successfully defended their Division 4 state cross country championship Saturday at Michigan International Speedway. (Plus more cross country.)

My mother-in-law is in her late 70s and sharp as a tack. Like millions of her compatriots, sitting down and reading 148 pages of mind-numbing details about her Medicare prescription plan is the last thing she wants to do. But between November 15th and December 31st, that's exactly what's expected of millions of Medicare participants.

The U.S. Supreme Court is taking a close look at a question individual investors have long asked about their mutual funds, but the courts have largely ignored: Why am I getting charged twice as much as big institutional clients?

Reduce your debt by 60 percent! Stop collection calls! Be debt free in 12 months! The siren song of debt settlement firms is getting harder to ignore these days, especially if your finances are out of control or creditors are knocking at the door. Tempting as their ads may be, however, debt settlement firms can leave you in an even worse mess.

Recognition; Personnel; New Web site; Expansion; Dividend; Associations.

America's last surviving World War I veteran is 108. World War II veterans are dying at the rate of more than 1,000 a day. And Vietnam War veterans now are collecting Social Security benefits. If ever there was a need to keep their stories alive, it's now.

Karen and Kerry Ferguson traveled around the world to complete their family. In 2001, the Traverse City couple adopted daughter Ru, 9, from China when she was 10 months old. In October, they left for China to adopt another girl, 5 1/2-year-old MeiLin Xue.

The phone rings. You recognize the voice as your nephew's. He's calling from Canada, where he says he's been on a fishing trip with some buddies. They've unwittingly caught fish on tribal land and have been arrested by authorities there. Then wants to know if you can help by wiring him money.

The Michigan Historical Museum in Lansing is hosting a tribute to veterans.

'Nonnie' book wins bronze medal; Fidler presenting at library Tuesday; Part-time Omena farmer writes novel

Sigh ... Friday morning, true to form, smack in the middle of Manhattan, I managed an absolutely splendiferous faux pas, a feat I seem to repeat with depressing frequency. Jen took us, via the underground trains, to visit Roberto at his Fifth Avenue architectural firm. We'd been promised a tour, and, as architecture and I have enjoyed a lifelong romance, this expedition was eagerly anticipated.