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Hey Traverse City, hope your week’s off to a good start! In today’s edition: Governor candidates convene, Boardman Lake campus sale advances, Suomi Pop kitchen takeover, and more. Let’s get to it!
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
Campaign agendas in the spotlight: High-profile candidates for Michigan governor will gather at Grand Traverse Resort and Spa in Acme on January 23 for the Northern Michigan Policy Conference, with Democrats, Republicans, and independents confirmed — get all the event details.
Client demand drives regional growth: Detroit law firm Miller Canfield has opened a Traverse City office after winning a major winery case. The team plans to serve local businesses and deepen ties across Northern Michigan — get all the details.
Landmark deal moves forward: Northwestern Michigan College and the Grand Traverse Band agreed in principle to sell NMC’s Boardman Lake campus, keeping public access, pending trustee approval, with a possible closing this spring — see what’s planned for the site.
Are you overpaying? The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. I was paying over $300 for ONE car until I checked out various quotes, switched providers, and ultimately cut my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably losing money too — this free comparison tool makes it easy.
Gold & silver are hot: Gold just had its best year since 1979. Silver did even better, climbing nearly 150% in 2025… and analysts expect the momentum to continue. If you’re curious about adding precious metals to your portfolio as a market hedge, American Hartford has a helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free — and definitely worth a read.
*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
From scratch with heart: Traverse City’s new Potato Gallery is now serving lunch and dinner with build-your-own potato and pasta bowls. Co-owners Ryan and Executive Chef Alexandria Wells spotlight fresh, in-house ingredients and family values, with fries cooked in beef tallow for a hearty, comforting bite. Read the full story.
Glow-up, TC: Whether your winter skin needs a reset or your makeup bag a refresh, Bohmey Beauty curates skincare, makeup, bodycare, and small-batch fragrances in the Grand Traverse Commons. Friendly faces, ingredient-conscious picks, and a little ‘ooh, what’s that?’ make self-care feel easy and fun.
Fix that winter slice: Need a midweek reset? The Traverse City Golf Performance Center offers guest bays with TrackMan 4 simulators so you can see exactly what your swing’s doing, without freezing in your driveway. Perfect for practice with friends or sneaking in nine when lake-effect chaos hits.
A new haircare solution: My hair’s been thinning and I’ve been quietly ignoring it, hoping it’ll fix itself. Plot twist… it hasn’t. When I finally started looking into what I should do, there were so many options I didn’t know where to start. I stumbled on Keranique, and its simplicity really sold me. One kit, no pills, no choosing products, and no confusion whatsoever. It’s also on sale with a money-back guarantee (although I doubt you’ll need it).
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📆 Around town this week
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All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
This week
🍽 Kitchen Takeover: Suomi Pop @ The Little Fleet | Tuesday (1/13) at 5:00 PM – Whether you can pronounce lohi-keitto or you just point and smile, this Nordic pop-up is serving Finland on a plate at The Little Fleet. Think creamy salmon soup, dark rye toasts, and stick-to-your-ribs comfort that laughs at lake effect. Hyvää ruokahalua.
🗺 How Michigan Became Michigan @ McGuire Community Room | Tuesday (1/13) at 6:00 PM – Curious how our mitten snagged the U.P., Isle Royale, and a centuries-old grudge with Ohio? Drop in for a lively history talk on a 1755 map, the mostly bloodless Toledo War, and the cartographic chaos that made Michigan, Michigan. Bring your inner map nerd.
🗣 Expand Storytelling #10 @ The Alluvion | Wednesday (1/14) at 6:30 PM – Trade your to-do list for The Alluvion, where NoMi neighbors like Ella Skrocki, Dana Falconberry, and friends share what makes them come alive. No gurus required, think presence over hustle, joy over noise. $15 online, $18 at the door, limited seating.
This weekend
🍿 Ernest & Celestine @ State Theatre and Bijou by the Bay | Saturday (1/17) at 10:00 AM – Nothing beats a $1 kids’ matinee at the State, especially when it’s Ernest & Celestine, the charming tale of a mouse, a bear, and light larceny. Treat the kids to artful mischief, treat yourself to ninety minutes of peace, and call it culture.
❄ Winter Trails Day @ Timber Ridge RV & Recreation Resort | Saturday (1/17) at 10:30 AM – Winter Trails Day is taking over Timber Ridge Resort with family-friendly cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and fat bike fun at the 16th annual shindig. The Record-Eagle, Vasa Ski Club, and Brick Wheels are teaming up, so bring the kids, the grandparents, and your questionable balance.
🍕 Fresh Mozzarella and Pizza Napoletana Cooking Class @ Black Star Farms | Saturday (1/17) at 12:00 PM – This hands-on class at Bistro Polaris turns your kitchen confidence up a notch, with Estate Chef John Korycki guiding you through fresh mozzarella and true Pizza Napoletana. Expect flour on your sleeves, blistered crusts, and bragging rights that outlast any delivery box.
🎆 American Fireworks! @ Corson Auditorium | Sunday (1/18) at 3:00 PM – Trade the backyard fireworks for the classy kind at Corson Auditorium, where Rhapsody in Blue leads a symphonic salute to 250 years of independence. Expect American masterpieces, warm seats, and zero smoke. It’s patriotic flair without frostbite, and you’ll still be home by dinner.
Live music & entertainment:
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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How it works:
- Sign up (it takes less than 5 minutes)
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Everything you share is reviewed, and approved submissions are automatically considered for future newsletters. AKA… your business has a much higher chance of being featured in front of thousands of Traverse City locals who live, shop, eat, and share good things with their friends.
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Click here to get started (it’s free) →
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📻 Traverse City report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 38°F – Low: 18°F – Precip: 84%
Rain before 10am, then rain and snow between 10am and 11am, then rain and snow between 11am and 1pm, then rain and snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 38. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Later: Rain likely before 7pm, then rain and snow showers. Cloudy, with a low around 18. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.
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Tomorrow – High: 25°F – Low: 11°F – Precip: 77%
Snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 25. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible. Later: A chance of snow showers before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 11. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
This house is wild
Over 8,000 square feet with 8 bedrooms and 10 baths in the heart of downtown Traverse City. Architecturally bold, the facade blends brick, warm wood, and sleek dark accents. A double-height living room and floor-to-ceiling windows set the tone. The chef-caliber kitchen delivers premium stainless, a granite island, and a walk-in butler’s pantry. Formal dining with a dedicated wine chiller and balconies across the footprint keep gatherings effortless.
Up top, a third-floor bar and kitchen open to a rooftop terrace with Bay views and an overhead garage door to the outdoors. The lower level adds an office, gym, and theater with a concessions bar, plus a private courtyard near dining, retail, arts, and the waterfront.
Take a peek inside →
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