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Rise and shine, Traverse City! Startup showdown on stage, a Park Chan-wook thriller screening, a kitchen takeover with chef Tim Kemp, and more. Let’s get to it!
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
Empowering women boaters: Irish Boat Shop will expand its Women at the Helm series in 2026, with a Traverse City event March 5 at Grand Traverse Yacht Club focused on sailing with family — get all the event details.
Targeted outreach shows results: Traverse City Police renamed the Quick Response Team the RESILIENCE Program, serving people at high risk of overdose and crime. A University of Michigan study found fewer negative police contacts — get all the details.
Opportunities for families and neighbors: Registration is open for Northern Michigan nonprofit Norte’s spring and summer youth programs for ages 2 to 13, and the group is also seeking volunteers to help with activities — see how to participate or help.
Regional solar collaboration grows: Traverse City Light & Power is now receiving 6.6 megawatts of solar from White Tail Solar in Washtenaw County, advancing renewable goals through a broader Michigan public power partnership — see how the partnership works.
Gold & silver are hot: Coming off gold’s best year since 1979, the momentum is carrying well into 2026 with silver remaining one of the most talked-about assets. Curious why precious metals are back in focus? American Hartford Gold has a free guide that explains what’s happening and how people are approaching it today. It’s free – and definitely worth a read.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.
*We do our best to avoid paywalled articles. If any slip through, let me know which ones and I’ll permanently remove them from our source list!
Highlights this week:
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🫶 We got your back
Startup showdown on stage: TCNewTech’s pitch night is tomorrow, Feb. 24, at the City Opera House. Vanly, Bullie, MeetingMaker, and Automations Nirvana will compete for $5,000, with $1,000 for second and $500 audience favorite. Local experts will judge, including Beth Cavanaugh, Brad Repke, Jen Szunko, and Eric Warnaar. Admission is free. See who’s pitching and judging.
Best practices guide next steps: Downtown Traverse City’s State Street could keep its two-way setup. A traffic analysis recommends making the pilot permanent after gains since 2022, including slower speeds, better 25 mph compliance, and more than double bike and pedestrian activity. Local businesses support it. Permanent fixes could cost $500,000 to $1 million. See what the study found.
Smoked-meat mood saver: When the craving hits, Smoke & Porter Public House serves legit pit plates like brisket, ribs, pulled pork, plus sides you’ll actually finish. Cozy, craft-forward vibes and wood-fired comfort make it a reliable weeknight upgrade, with tomorrow’s leftover victory.
Fresh hair, zero stress: At Union and Mane, a welcoming, low-key vibe meets stylists who specialize in custom color, precision cuts, and easy-to-wear styling. If you’ve been delaying a refresh, you’ll walk out with hair that feels like you, only better… effortless, polished, and ready for real life.
What do people see when they search your name? Search results can surface past mistakes or outdated information that no longer reflects who you are. BetterReputation helps remove and clean up unwanted content so your online presence matches your real life today. Not worried about yourself? Doesn’t hurt to mention it to family or friends who might be.
Take control of your credit card debt: High interest can keep you stuck paying more than you need to. A balance transfer card with 0% intro APR until 2027 and no annual fee gives you time to pay down what you owe without interest working against you. By transferring your balance, more of your payment goes toward the principal so you can actually make a dent in what you owe.
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📆 Around town this week
Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →
All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
🍳 Kitchen Takeover: Tim Kemp @ The Little Fleet | Monday (2/23) at 5:00 PM – Little Fleet kitchen takeover time. Chef Tim Kemp runs the show, and your palate will thank you. The Allium Hill maestro, fresh off feeding New York’s fancy people and Blue Apron subscribers, is serving rustic, elegant, shareable plates, with curated wines to make them sing.
🎬 TCFF Tuesdays: No Other Choice @ State Theatre | Tuesday (2/24) at 1:00 PM – TCFF Tuesdays is serving up Park Chan-wook’s darkly funny Korean thriller at the State downtown, where layoffs, murder plots, and uncomfortable laughter meet. Lee Byung-hun leads, the critics swooned, and you can catch it matinee or evening. Consider it catharsis for anyone updating a résumé.
🍽 Traverse City Restaurant Week @ The Pretty Penny Steakhouse | Tuesday (2/24) at 4:00 PM – Downtown levels up for Restaurant Week with The Pretty Penny Steakhouse, serving chef-selected, hand-cut steaks, fresh seafood, and a $45 three-course menu. Settle into the old bank, sip a proper cocktail, and invest in dinner that actually pays dividends.
🔬 Introduction to Citizen Science @ Historic Barns Park | Thursday (2/26) at 9:00 AM – New class, trade armchair expertise for field cred at this intro to citizen science with NMC Extended Education. Count monarchs, track light and noise, and test creek health, then leave with ready-to-join projects and Naturalist Certificate credit. Historic Barns Park, $65.
🌲 Winter Explorer Forest K Drop-In Days @ The Botanic Garden at Historic Barns Park | Friday (2/27) at 10:00 AM – Grab your boots and head to Commons woods for Human Nature School’s Winter Explorer drop-in, a two-hour adventure for ages 4 to 6 with a grown-up. Songs, tracks, shelters, and nature tea, $15 per kid, $5 per sibling 4+, under 3 free, early bedtime likely.
🌿 Sacred Smudging @ Higher Self Bookstore | Friday (2/27) at 4:30 PM – Clear your space, not your smoke alarm, at this small-group deep dive into smudging across cultures. Zach W. covers cedar, sage, sweetgrass, palo santo, dragon’s blood, the tools, and the why, then sends you home with a starter kit. $30, only 10 seats.
🎤 Comedy Night @ Right Brain Brewery | Friday (2/27) at 8:00 PM – Right Brain is loading taps and punchlines as Detroit comics Calvon Brown and Heather Kyles take over the brewhouse, hosted by Joe Curtis. Expect jokes, impressions, and fewer awkward silences than your HOA. Snag $10 tickets online before they vanish, or risk the $15 door.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Traverse City report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 18°F – Low: 9°F – Precip: 40%
A chance of snow showers before 1pm. Mostly cloudy. High near 18, with temperatures falling to around 16 in the afternoon. Wind chill values as low as 0. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible. Later: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 9. Northeast wind 0 to 10 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 30°F – Low: 21°F – Precip: 87%
Snow showers after 7am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 30. South wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible. Later: Snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 21. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.
This house is wild
Set in Morgan Farms, this pristine main-floor home offers a private primary suite with soaking tub, double vanity, and custom shower. An airy great room features cathedral ceilings, a gas fireplace, and a quartz island kitchen with walk-in pantry. A finished lower level expands living. A loft frames distant West Grand Traverse Bay views, near TART and Leelanau Trails.
Take a peek inside →
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🔥 Worth a peek
We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week.
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