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It’s Friday, Lansing! Let’s finish this week strong.

In today’s can’t-miss-weekend-plans edition: Exotic Pet Day, Lucky Boozy Book Fair, and Kimberly Akimbo + a stacked lineup of events this weekend.

Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Lansing 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

Millions fuel school fleet upgrades: Two Mid-Michigan districts were awarded grants to replace diesel buses with cleaner vehicles, part of a program that will add electric and propane buses and retire over 100 across Michigan — read the full story.

Stabilizing early education workforce: Lansing child care providers are among 2,500 statewide receiving monthly stipends as MiLEAP said on March 3 all 10 regions have joined the $16 million Early Childhood Educator Wage Initiative — get all the details.

Small treats, big community impact: This month, a McDonald’s donated Shamrock Shakes to C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital staff, and 25 cents from every Shamrock Shake or McFlurry supports Ronald McDonald House Mid‑Michigan, supporting Mid‑Michigan families — learn how purchases help families.

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.

Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175/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.

Highlights this week:

• Support KCS at dinner and silent auction
• Create a glass-fused April Showers stake
• Join free monthly holistic health workshops
• Unlock clinical-level wellness data from home

💎 Local business spotlight

Restock your creative stash: Odd Nodd Art Supply in Old Town stocks paints, papers, inks, pens, and printmaking gear that turn a quick stop into a mini field trip. Knowledgeable staff help you zero in on the good stuff, ideal for mid-project top-ups or finally kicking off that idea.

Deck dreams, delivered: Backyard begging for more hangout space? Emerson Home Improvement designs, builds, and repairs decks across Lansing, in composite or classic wood, tailored to your style. Think sturdier steps, added seating, durable finishes, and fewer excuses to stay inside this spring.

Your next fish fix: Eastside Fish Fry & Grill nails that crisp, just out of the fryer vibe with mostly wild-caught seafood like walleye, whitefish, and catfish, plus a playful “you buy it, we fry it” option. A midweek pick-me-up when cooking feels optional.

These aren’t ads or sponsored placements, just some cool nearby spots we think are worth a visit.

🫶 We got your back

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 →

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 →

Thinning hair? Don’t treat the wrong thing: When my ponytail started thinning, I tried the usual stuff (biotin, shampoo, sprays, etc.) and not one of them lasted. Turns out, most products target the strand, not the follicle… and that’s the whole problem. Once follicles go dormant, they need targeted help to come back. The good news? You can get treatment that actually works with no office visits or trips to the pharmacy. Learn about my favorites here →

Six figures you can’t spend: Most homeowners over 50 have spent years dutifully paying their mortgage, assuming the only time it’ll pay off is when they sell. I thought the same thing until I discovered you can tap into the equity you’ve earned whenever you want (without leaving your home). Overdue for a new roof? Want to build your dream bathroom? There are two ways to turn equity into usable cash →

📆 Around town this weekend

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.

🐟 Fish Fry @ St. Martha Parish (Okemos) | Friday (3/13) at 5:00 PM – St. Martha’s Fish Fry is back for Lent, serving fried pollack or baked haddock with potatoes, fries, mac and cheese, and coleslaw. Consider it meatless, not joyless. Adults $17, seniors $15, kids 6–12 $8, under 5 free, dine in or takeout, cash, checks, or cards.

📚 Lucky Boozy Book Fair @ Hooked | Friday (3/13) at 5:30 PM – If you’ve been missing the thrill of school book fairs, this one adds cocktails, mocktails, coffees, and wines, plus cocktail and coffee flights. Take 10% off storewide, wear green for extra discounts, spin the prize wheel, and consider green season upgraded; adulthood deserves prizes, too.

☘ Blarney in the Ballroom @ Turner-Dodge House & Heritage Center | Friday (3/13) at 6:30 PM – Trade green beer for the real deal at Turner-Dodge, where McCartney Irish Dance warms up the third-floor ballroom, then Fein keeps the craic going with party songs, ballads, jigs, and reels. Register ahead, stairs only, and yes, kids six and under are free.

🥧 Pi Day 5k 2026 @ Hawk Island County Park | Saturday (3/14) at 9:00 AM – Ready to honor 3.14 without cracking a calculator? Join the Pi Day 5k at Hawk Island Park, a brisk loop with lake views, friendly faces, and just enough smug math jokes to last till Monday. Run, walk, or trot for bragging rights, then refuel guilt-free.

🦎 S. Cedar St Exotic Pet Day @ Cricket Wireless | Saturday (3/14) at 11:00 AM – Take a break from errands and swing by Cricket Wireless on South Cedar for Exotic Pet Day, a parking-lot safari with zero airfare. Meet fascinating critters, ask questions, and let the kids stare while you pretend you just came for a phone case.

📚 Family Literacy Celebration @ Hannah Community Center (East Lansing) | Sunday (3/15) at 1:00 PM – Give kids a screen break at a free family bash with music, stories, and nostalgia. Sing with Beverly Meyer, The Music Lady, catch author storytimes, and high-five Clifford, Paddington, Jasper Rabbit, and Ryan the Lion. Bonus, WKAR sends each kid home with a book-stuffed backpack.

🎭 Kimberly Akimbo @ Wharton Center for Performing Arts (East Lansing) | Sunday (3/15) at 1:30 PM – Swap the to-do list for a seat at Wharton Center’s Cobb Great Hall for Kimberly Akimbo, the Tony-winning musical that blends witty bite, awkward adolescence, and real feelings. It is disarmingly funny, unexpectedly moving, and perfect for a real-deal date night.

Live music & entertainment:

• 3/13 800G Fridays @ Chengdu Teahouse – 5:30 PM
• 3/13 Time2Play and more @ UrbanBeat – 6:30 PM
• 3/14 Community Songs for All Ages @ MSU Community Music School, 4930 Hagadorn Rd, East Lansing, MI, United States, Michigan 48823 – 11:00 AM
• 3/14 Lucky Stars & Strikes @ Lansing Duckpin – 12:00 PM
• 3/15 MI Drag Brunch: Screen to Stage @ Lansing Brewing Company – 10:30 AM
• 3/15 A Grateful Dead Celebration @ The Avenue Cafe – 4:00 PM
• 3/15 Here Come The Mummies @ Grewal Hall at 224 – 7:00 PM

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Lansing report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 43°F – Low: 24°F – Precip: 84%

Snow showers before 7am, then rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy. High near 43, with temperatures falling to around 39 in the afternoon. Southwest wind 22 to 28 mph, with gusts as high as 52 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible. Later: A chance of snow showers before 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24. West northwest wind 6 to 28 mph, with gusts as high as 47 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.

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Tomorrow – High: 39°F – Low: 30°F – Precip: 9%

Mostly cloudy, with a high near 39. West wind around 6 mph. Later: Snow showers between 8pm and 5am, then snow showers and a slight chance of freezing rain. Cloudy, with a low around 30. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible. Little or no ice accumulation expected.

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Take a peek inside →

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