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It’s Friday, Lake Minnetonka! Let’s finish this week strong.
In today’s can’t-miss-weekend-plans edition: Seven small towns with dream downtowns, a $50 million Lake Minnetonka listing, and a house with a hidden speakeasy + a stacked lineup of events this weekend.
Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Lake Minnetonka 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.
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📰 In the news
Picture-perfect main streets await: A recent roundup spotlights seven Minnesota small towns with the best downtowns, including Excelsior on Lake Minnetonka, with Victorian charm, lakefront strolls, and easy weekend vibes near home — see all the featured towns.
High-stakes luxury sale strategy: Minnesota’s most expensive listing on Lake Minnetonka is priced at $50 million with new Engel and Völkers Wayzata agents after earlier listings at $68 million and $55 million, events planned — see the marketing game plan.
Scoring duo seals triumph: Minnetonka beat Chanhassen to win the Class 2A, Section 2 title, sending Skippers back to state for the first time since 2023. Goalie Chase Jerdee is a Brimsek finalist — see who powered the win.
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:
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💎 Local business spotlight
Make your walls happier: Art Rocks is an interactive Excelsior gallery mixing whimsical, music-inspired pieces with original oil and acrylic works by regional and national artists. Linger with the art, smile a little, and maybe leave with something that strikes the right chord for your space.
Deck season starts here: Eastwood Builders Inc.builds cedar and composite (Trex/TimberTech/AZEK) decks, pergolas, and screened porches with owner-led, detail-obsessed craftsmanship refined since 1996. If your platform wobbles more than your Wi-Fi, you’re probably due by now for something sturdier.
Dockside dinner, anyone? Lake views set the scene, and 6Smith brings the rest with craveable starters, prime cuts, and seafood that hits the comfort-meets-splurge sweet spot. After a long week, the lively vibe and shoreline do the unwinding, making every bite feel like an easy escape.
These aren’t ads or sponsored placements, just some cool nearby spots we think are worth a visit.
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🫶 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 →
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📆 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.
🍵 Maileg Royal Tea Party @ Pacifier (Wayzata) | Saturday (3/14) at 10:00 AM – Heads up, tiny royals are taking over Pacifier Wayzata for a Maileg tea party with treats, crafts, and a photo booth that will eat your camera roll. Dress the kids in crowns, you get sweet bites, a gift with purchase, and free parking out front.
🏃 Fifth Annual Glen Lucky .01k @ Gold Nugget Tavern & Grille | Saturday (3/14) at 11:00 AM – The Fifth Annual Glen Lucky .01k is back, delivering a brisk jaunt, a bigger laugh, and a bar menu to ponder. Bring your most supportive sneakers, your driest wit, and decide if victory tastes like beer, bubbles, or being responsible.
🌶 15th Annual NW Tonka Lions Chili Bowl @ Gillespie Center (Mound) | Saturday (3/14) at 11:00 AM – Whether you side with the Lions or the Fire Department, this 15th annual chili showdown is where bragging rights and community simmer. Expect flavor, light trash talk, and no sirens, just spoons. Snag tickets online, at the door, or from your favorite Lion or firefighter.
💯 Building Re-Dedication – 100th Anniversary @ Excelsior Masonic Lodge | Saturday (3/14) at 3:00 PM – Excelsior’s lodge turns 100, marked by a Masonic parade, a re-dedication ceremony, and small-town pride you can feel on Water Street. Afterwards it’s appetizers, stories, and neighborly gossip rebranded as local history. Everyone’s welcome, curiosity, nostalgia, and comfy shoes encouraged.
🍺 Poppy & Violet Permanent Jewelry @ Unmapped Brewing Co | Sunday (3/15) at 2:00 PM – An afternoon at Unmapped means beer and a little sparkle. Poppy & Violet are zapping custom chains and charms in gold, silver, and stainless; book ahead to skip the wait, bring someone you actually like, and toast your forever bracelet with a pint.
🎵 Chastity Brown @ 318 Cafe (Excelsior) | Sunday (3/15) at 7:00 PM – Ready for goosebumps that last the drive home? Chastity Brown returns for Night Two, blending Tennessee gospel roots with Minneapolis soul and grit, the kind of artistry NPR, CMT, and Jools Holland cannot stop buzzing about. It is $45, and absolutely worth the babysitter.
🌸 Women’s Wellness & Inspiration @ Chabad Minneapolis | Sunday (3/15) at 7:00 PM – Skip bubble-bath wisdom and head to Chabad in Minnetonka for a women’s wellness evening with Dr. Ariella Altman and speaker, cancer survivor Charlene Aminoff on strength and faith. Expect practical takeaways, real connection, and inspiration that sticks, free with RSVP, security’s handled.
Live music & entertainment:
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Lake Minnetonka report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 37°F – Low: 24°F – Precip: 3%
Partly sunny. High near 37, with temperatures falling to around 33 in the afternoon. Northwest wind 15 to 30 mph, with gusts as high as 55 mph. Later: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24. North wind 0 to 10 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 39°F – Low: 27°F – Precip: 31%
A chance of snow after 7am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 39. Southeast wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Later: Snow before 5am, then snow and patchy blowing snow. Cloudy, with a low around 27. East northeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 8 to 12 inches possible.
This house is wild
Architect designed by Alexander Design Group and crafted by Stonewood LLC, this Wayzata gem blends old-world charm and modern convenience. A quartz kitchen anchors a plan with dining, a fireside living room, and a four-season porch with a garage-style door. Downstairs adds a hidden speakeasy and game area, plus a pool table. Pet-centric mudroom with dog wash near Lake Minnetonka.
Take a peek inside →
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