Family friendly poetry, storytelling and music are featured at this unique outdoor amphitheater every Saturday.  Poet bard Terry Wooten will host the gatherings beginning at 9 PM around the fire.  Sit under the canopy of stars perched on a boulder, or bring a blanket or chair to enjoy the ever-changing variety of entertainment that is woven throughout the evening.  Stone Circle is located 10 miles north of Elk Rapids off US 31.  Turn east off US 31 on to Stone Circle Drive then follow the signs. There is a $4 donation for adults, $2 for kids 12 and under.

Truly “the best hockey you’ll see anywhere” – at the lowest price! The Detroit Red Wings and seven other National Hockey League teams hold their annual prospects tournament in Traverse City’s Centre ICE Arena  -- a four-day round-robin of competition that gives fans a chance to watch tomorrow’s hockey stars in action. For just $8 a day, you can join official team scouts to watch potential new players for the Red Wings, Tampa Bay Lightning, Carolina Hurricanes, Columbus Blue Jackets, Dallas Stars, Minnesota Wild, New York Rangers and St. Louis Blues play as hard as they’ll play in their careers for a shot at the big time.

Since Centre ICE has two sheets of ice, there’s action going on almost incessantly during the tournament and the training camp, and spectators are allowed to wander back and forth between rinks during the day. Also, the facility has no rules against fans taking their own photographs; in fact, cameras are encouraged. Tickets are available at the door on game day. For information contact Centre ICE Arena at (231) 933-7465 or log on to www.centreice.org. 

Every autumn for a few days, Traverse City becomes “Hockeytown North” when the Detroit Red Wings bring their fall training camp to Centre ICE Arena. Hundreds of fans from the U.S. and Canada come to watch and meet team members in what may be the sport’s most “up close and personal” series of events. The training camp features as many as 60 players divided into three separate training teams. During the first three days of the camp, players work out and play intrasquad games, culminating in a traditional “Red & White” game. Tickets for all the events are priced deliberately low ($15 for daily workouts, $25 for the Red & White game.)

For information on tickets contact Centre ICE Arena at (231) 933-7465 or log on to www.centreice.org. 

To assist the Botanical Garden Society in their mission to establish a year-round botanic garden for northwest Michigan.  10K - 8:30am, 5k - 9:30am, 3K Family Fun Run & Picnic - 10:15am.  $25 for any and all races paid for by August 31, 2010.  Registration by this date guarantees you a short sleeve race shirt.  After August 31, the cost is $30 and shirts are on a first come first-serve basis.  Water, sports drinks and treats provided.  Course Description for all Events - The unimproved and well marked trail winds through hills and valleys, woodlands and meadows.  Dozens of valuable prizes will be awarded by random drawings of race participants.  Families participating in the 3K run/walk, cost will be $25 for the entire family if registered by August 31 ($30 after).  Families will be treated to a picnic lunch of hot dogs, chips, beverage and dessert.  Shirts are available for a cost of $8.