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Hey Downriver, hope your week’s off to a good start!

In today’s wallet-friendly edition: I-94 rebuild closures, a data center plan, and a Rosie the Riveter celebration + lots of fun things to do for free.

Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Downriver protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.

📰 In the news

What commuters need to know: MDOT has begun a 13-mile I-94 rebuild in Wayne County, bringing ramp and lane closures that could slow Downriver drivers headed to Detroit Metro Airport — get all the details.

Confidential grocery aid available: MDHHS and Forgotten Harvest have launched On-the-Go pop-up food pantries at Oakland, Macomb and Wayne County offices, rotating Tuesdays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., with more than 17.5 tons distributed — see how to get assistance.

Power and water needs outlined: California-based Raeden submitted plans for a data center at a former steel plant in Gibraltar. The Planning Commission will review zoning, and an informational meeting is scheduled for March 11 — get all the details.

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.

Highlights this week:

• Ride to parade, explore Corktown, enjoy pizza
• Celebrate Rosie the Riveter at Ford
• Members preview Handmade: The Crafting of America

🫶 We got your back

Sub craving, solved: LUNCH – WYANDOTTE piles classic Italian subs and grilled favorites onto fresh Oakwood Bakery buns, then hits them with in-house Italian dressing, all from a speedy walk-up window. It’s a quick, no-fuss lunch that still feels like you treated yourself.

Take a riverside breather: Elizabeth Park delivers nature without the road trip, with Detroit River views, a long riverwalk for lazy loops, and roomy picnic spots. Stretch your legs, watch the water, and let the week fall off your shoulders amid open lawns and breezy paths.

Weekend project unlocked: From RC cars and model rockets to puzzles, STEM kits, and screen-free toys, Nankin Hobby is a low-key wonderland where boredom gets evicted and creativity moves in. Shelves brim with craft supplies and fresh builds… including those “for the kids” that you totally want to play with yourself.

Why your last diet didn’t work: Sustained weight loss is nearly impossible with diet alone. Your body literally fights back by making you hungrier the moment you start restricting calories. That’s why more doctors are recommending GLP-1s. The best part? Getting them has never been easier. We compared three programs to help you find the right fit. See which ones stood out →

Your data is for sale right now: There are over 400 websites selling your info to marketers, political campaigns, and scammers. They’ve got your phone number, home address, relatives’ names… you name it. That’s how robocallers seem to know everything about you before you pick up. You can remove your info one site at a time, or pay a service to do it for you. Here’s what we recommend →

📆 Free events worth checking out

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.

🍀 The Luck of Downtown Trenton @ Downtown Trenton, Trenton | Tuesday (3/10) at 11:00 AM – Nothing beats a low-stakes treasure hunt through downtown Trenton, with $10 and $20 Downtown Dollars hidden in local shops. Follow the daily Facebook hints, find the leprechaun pot, and turn your errands into coffee money, groceries, and just enough bragging rights.

🐟 Fisheries Lecture Series: Brook Trout Restoration @ John D. Dingell Jr. Visitor Center (Trenton) | Wednesday (3/11) at 5:30 PM – The Fisheries lecture series is pulling back the curtain on brook trout restoration with a free, public talk, no waders required. This week is all about how they sample streams to track the comeback. Smart, local, outdoorsy, and yes, better than doomscrolling.

📖 Bryant Branch Storytime @ Dearborn Public Library (Bryant Branch) | Thursday (3/12) at 11:00 AM – Bring the crew to Bryant Branch Library where Ms. Michele leads stories, songs, and rhymes that somehow enthrall toddlers and soothe grown-ups. It’s storytime for all ages and abilities, a rare half hour where screens lose, attention spans cooperate, and you leave smiling.

🔥 Demo Thursdays: Live Glassblowing @ Glass Academy (Dearborn) | Thursday (3/12) at 5:00 PM – Thursday calls for free, front-row glassblowing, because watching molten sand turn into art beats doomscrolling. Bring the crew, sip coffee or cocktails, and snag the Thursday deal, a recycled glass tumbler with two beers for $48, then brag about supporting real craft.

🛌 Reading Month Celebration PJ Edition @ Lé Gallery (Southgate) | Friday (3/13) at 6:00 PM – Nothing says Reading Month like herding the family into pajamas and taking over Lé Gallery for sensory-friendly stories, a musical book walk, free popcorn, and make-your-own bookmarks and reading pointers. It’s cozy, a little chaotic, and free, with optional blind book surprises.

🎺 USAFA Blue Delta @ The War Memorial (Grosse Pointe Farms) | Saturday (3/14) at 6:00 PM – Ready for goosebumps and parade-ground precision? The United States Air Force Academy’s Blue Delta returns to The War Memorial for a free show, with tight musicianship, crowd-pleasers, and the kind of polish that makes your playlist sit up straighter. Bring ears, pride, and a friend.

🧠 Brain Candy 76 @ Green Brain Comics (Dearborn) | Monday (3/16) at 7:00 PM – Nothing beats a monthly mashup of prose, poetry, music, and visual art curated by the Emerging Writers Network. It is free, but bring a few bucks to support the exhibitors, and catch Ryan Becker, Cat Batsios, Ben Yost, Drew Pineda, and Anna Johnson.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Downriver report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 67°F – Low: 49°F – Precip: 30%

A chance of rain between 7am and 5pm, then a chance of rain and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy. High near 67, with temperatures falling to around 62 in the afternoon. East wind 6 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Later: Rain and a chance of thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy. Low around 49, with temperatures rising to around 55 overnight. Southeast wind around 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

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Tomorrow – High: 61°F – Low: 29°F – Precip: 97%

Rain and a chance of thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 61. West southwest wind 9 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible. Later: Rain before 11pm, then a slight chance of snow between 11pm and 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 29. West northwest wind 13 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Are you quietly overpaying for car insurance? 🚗

Premiums have been climbing across Michigan but most folks won’t notice until they’re hit with a higher bill when it’s time to renew.

That’s exactly what happened to me. I had the same policy for half a decade. Autopay was on, it was out of sight and out of mind. Turns out I was blindly paying way more than everyone else I knew.

If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too – here’s the comparison tool I used.

This house is wild

This 4-bed, 2,030 sq ft brick and siding colonial in Trenton is slated for early fall completion. An open-concept kitchen flows to a spacious living room, finished with granite counters and shaker cabinets, with available stainless appliances. Highlights include a two-car attached garage with direct entry, a laundry room, and an owner’s suite with a walk-in closet, in Trenton schools.

Take a peek inside →