The season championships at Northern Michigan Dragway were held this past Sunday night of Labor Day weekend. Championships were decided in four divisions.

 However, rains came during the fifth round of competition to postpone the Bracket II championship.

In Bracket I, John “Hoot” Gibson of Charlevoix gained the championship in convincing style, with a semi-final championship-clinching win over 2nd place rival Eric Johnson of Onekama. He then finished off the dragster of Jeremy McCormick from Fountain in the final.
Gibson’s “Hoot’s Toy” 1969 Chevy Nova SS, which he has raced for over 40 years at NMD, took the final 3 race event victories in Bracket I.

In Pro Trophy, Gary Rank of Manistee held on to his lead to take the season championship. In Street Trophy, Jim Evans of Benzonia was the champ. The Junior Eliminator title went to Nathan Lane of Fife Lake.

In Bracket II, four drivers remained in competition Sunday night, including Bill Fluette of Interlochen, Stacey Bigelow of Manton, Randy Stoykovich of Manistee, and Steve Milliman of Bear Lake. Fluette and Bigelow were matched for a quarter-final race, for the right to advance to the semi-finals when the rain halted the night’s racing.
Fluette is in the running for the Bracket II championship with Phil Gunther of Beulah. If Fluette wins his round against Bigelow, he would need to advance just one more round to gain the championship over Gunther, who currently leads by 21 points.

Trophy classes were also delayed because of the rain, and will continue at the next event along with the Bracket II battle September 18th.

Coming September 18th and 19 are the Fall Bracket Championships with over $10,000 in prizes to be awarded.

For further information visit the NMD web site or call (231)362-3439. http://northernmichigandragway.com

Fly away and enjoy an entertaining fun-filled journey of song with Grand Traverse Chorus of Sweet Adelines on September 25, 2010. This celebration of music will feature the award-winning chorus, along with favorite area men’s ensemble, Men of Note, the well-known local quartet Sashay and various small groups of chorus members.
Featuring heartfelt ballads and snappy uptunes such as “Come Fly With Me,” and “Fly Me to the Moon,” the performances will be on Saturday, September 25, 2010, at 2 pm and 7:30 pm, in the Milliken Auditorium at Dennos Museum on the Northwestern Michigan College Campus.

General seating tickets are $15 per person in advance and $17 at the door. They may be purchased on-line at www.grandtraversechorus.org or by phone at 231-933-9321.

This just in to the Local Edition Newsroom

Part of a tree fell on a power line crossing over East Harris St in Cadillac this afternoon.

Witnesses at the scene said they heard some cracking throughout the morning, then a loud noise as the power flickered — they looked outside and saw a tree on the line. It seems that strong winds were the cause of the problem.

The power went out to the 326 people around 11 A.M and was not restored until after 1P.M

The courthouse was also affected by the power outage.  The photos were provided by Eric Wotila.

National statistics show coronary heart disease, which causes heart attack, is the single leading cause of death for American women.

As part of Munson Medical Center’s ongoing Women’s Heart Health efforts, area women will again have the opportunity for a one-on-one heart disease screening the week of Sept. 27 at Munson Community Health Center in Traverse City.

Screenings and tests will include blood pressure, body mass index, stress and depression levels, nutrition review, smoking and alcohol assessments, family medical history review, and a blood test for glucose, lipid profile, and cholesterol. Participants will leave with a personalized action plan, including an educational DVD, risk factor reduction material for improving health, and referrals for further cardiac care as needed.

Cost for the program is $45, and grants are available. To schedule an appointment, call (231) 935-8561.

Those who complete the comprehensive screening are eligible for a six-week women’s exercise class starting in October. Cost for the class is $90, and grants are available in October.

Munson Community Health Center is located at 550 Munson Ave. in Traverse City.

Residents at the Goodwill Inn in Traverse City now have a weekly opportunity onsite that allows a nurse to review their medications and general health status.

Members from Munson Home Health, the Traverse Health Clinic, and Goodwill Inn have established time on Thursdays for clients to have their medications reviewed, a basic health screening, and education to help guests care for any chronic health conditions.

“This is a really great program for us. We have people who come here without adequate health care, inadequate medications, or the wrong medications,” said Elizabeth Post, manager of the Goodwill Inn. “This is a great program for them to start back on their health care. We also wanted to reduce reliance on Munson’s emergency room. We can triage their medical concerns and make more appropriate medical referrals.”

The nursing triage time began in June after a series of conversations between the hospital, the Traverse Health Clinic, and the homeless shelter, Post said. Guests at the shelter are living in poverty and often arrive with chronic health conditions that require appropriate care.

Munson Home Health nurse Kristin Harrison, R.N., has written some protocols for staff to follow when shelter guests have health needs. She said the triage provides a time for education as well as addressing basic needs.

“It’s a time the new residents can come in and we can go over their medications,” she said. “We also look at their health history to see if there are any recommendations we can make to the Goodwill Inn and to the Traverse Health Clinic.”

Harrison said the joint effort between volunteer nurses from the community and the Traverse Health Clinic currently offers eight guests a two-hour time block on Thursdays for health reviews. The time could expand based on need, she said.

Traverse Health Clinic staff nurse Karen Comella, R.N., said the triage will allow the clinic to connect with Inn residents who are new to the area. It also benefits the overall health system.

“We want to try and catch those people who have not been established with the Traverse Health Clinic,” she said. “I consider it a consultation time that offers pointers on what they can do with their health regime. It also is a chance to do some very basic follow-up if they are coming to the Traverse Health Clinic.”

Post said Goodwill Inn staff also has an after-hours phone number to contact a nurse about health concerns prior to seeking a physician’s care. Guests at the Inn also appreciate the nurses’ time.

“We’ve had great feedback from the guests who have received services,” Post said. “We are grateful to the nurses for all of their time and efforts.”

The Goodwill Inn averages 84 people a night and had more than 700 people use the shelter during the 2010 fiscal year, Post said.

Nurses interested in volunteering for the program may contact Harrison at (231) 935-9126.

On Friday, September 10^th, Traverse City Area Public Schools, in partnership with the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation and 4^th and Goal, will celebrate the completion of Thirlby Field’s synthetic turf installation with a full night of football, marching bands, and fun. Evening events include:

• Community Tailgate

4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

$5.00 per person, children 5 years old and under are free

• TC West Senior High School Varsity Football vs. Essex District

5:00 p.m.

• Special Recognition Ceremony

7:00 p.m.

Don and Gerry Oleson will be honored for their generous donation for enhancements to Thirlby Field. Marching bands from TC Central High School, TC West Senior High School, and St. Francis High School will perform.

• TC Central High School Varsity Football vs. Alpena

7:15 p.m.

General admission tickets will cost $6.00 per person. Tickets are good for both games.

Please contact Alison Arnold at (231) 933-8995 for more information.