Aug. 10--To area food pantries that are having problems keeping their shelves stocked during these times of economic recession and high state unemployment. Anything local residents and businesses can donate or do to help will be appreciated. Area food pantries in need of food or money donations include Goodwill Inn in Traverse City, Kalkaska Area Interfaith Resources, Benzie Area Christian Neighbors, Good Samaritan Food Pantry in Ellsworth, Leelanau Christian Neighbors in Suttons Bay and the Father Fred Foundation.

-- To the Traverse Area Association of Realtors for launching a food drive to help re-stock the Goodwill Inn food pantry. Non-perishable food items can be dropped off at the TAAR office at 852 S. Garfield Ave. in Traverse City through Aug. 20. Items urgently needed for the pantry include tuna or canned meat, macaroni and cheese, stews and soups, rice and pasta, canned fruit, baby food and hygiene items including shampoo and diapers.

-- To Suttons Bay photography and video teacher Scott Tompkins, who organized the first Traverse City Film Festival Film School for aspiring young filmmakers and made them accessible, too. Sessions cost only $3. Thanks also to professional guest lecturers who taught sessions on documentary making, screenwriting, film editing, acting and comedy.

-- To all the musicians, singers and appreciative audiences at the community Concerts on the Lawn behind the Grand Traverse Pavilions on Thursday evenings in July and August. The groups include the Northwestern Michigan College Community Band, Encore Winds, Grand Traverse Pipes & Drums, Cherry Capital Men's Chorus and Sweet Adelines and the Harry Goldson Quartet.

-- To Petoskey Plastics for manufacturing "green" trash can liners that include 70 percent post-consumer recycled material; and to the city of Traverse City for purchasing them.

-- To the U.S. Coast Guard and Manistee County Sheriff's Department for rescuing three downstate men who survived a long night last week hanging on to their capsized boat in cold, wind-whipped Lake Michigan. The two agencies located the boat after one of the three men swam to shore and was able to contact authorities. Sadly, a fourth man drowned and was found by a swimmer in six feet of water.

Jeers

-- To the vandals who caused thousands of dollars in damages to Mancelona elementary and high schools last week by smashing windows, tipping over copy machines and discharging fire extinguishers.

-- To Cherry Tree Inn owner Joseph Moffa who failed to complete 30 days of community service work ordered by a judge as part of his sentence for violating state environmental laws in 2006 when he ordered a company bulldozer more than 20 feet into East Bay. Moffa was placed on probation for a year and ordered to complete 30 days of community service with the Grand Traverse Conservation District. He worked only five, officials said. He pleaded guilty last month to probation violation and must now serve 25 days in jail.

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Copyright (c) 2009, The Record-Eagle, Traverse City, Mich.

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