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Hi metro Detroit, we made it to Thursday!
In today’s fun-for-grown-ups edition: Raíces Mexican Cantina’s family recipes, paint like Bob Ross, and Maplefest 2026 + plenty of reasons to put on real pants this week.
Today’s sponsor, Spot Pet Insurance, is something I wish I had before a late-night emergency vet visit left me with a $10,000 credit card bill. It’s cheaper than Netflix… and means you never have to choose between your pet and your savings. It takes less than 5 minutes to sign up – get started here.
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📰 In the news
From family roots to table: Sterling Heights Raíces Mexican Cantina is serving traditional Mexican flavors like mole, birria, and churros, guided by founder Maria Aldana and family recipes prepared fresh each day — read the full story.
Hundreds of artworks on display: Student art returns to Mount Clemens’ Anton Art Center, with the Secondary Student Show set to open March 14 and the Primary Student Show to begin April 25, featuring awards — see schedule and entry deadlines.
Incentives drive student aid progress: Two Macomb County school districts received Universal FAFSA Challenge funds to help students complete FAFSA, with the program rewarding districts that adopt FAFSA as a graduation requirement and expand support — see how districts qualify.
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 they’re 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/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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🐾 One pet emergency can cost $10,000+
Together with our sponsor Spot Pet Insurance
Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache.
From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving.
As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Spot.
It’s super affordable and reimburses up to 90% on qualified vet bills. It was too late for me, but it’s not too late for you. Sign up today.
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🫶 We got your back
Craving a legend: Midweek munchies? Redcoat Tavern brings dial-it-up burger energy with half-pound patties, piles of add-ons, and ridiculously craveable onion rings. Booths fit the crew, and the easygoing vibe invites lingering; this Royal Oak standby feels like a hug between two buns.
Roll into the week: Whether you’re dusting off your quads or introducing the kids to smooth turns, BonaVenture Family Skating Center sets the vibe with upbeat music, skate lessons, and an arcade. It’s better with a friend, and a few laps can feel like cross-training for your mood.
Make space for art: Cranbrook Art Museum brings rotating exhibitions, design-forward collections, and behind-the-scenes Collections Wing tours that can turn a quick drop-in into a welcome reset. If it’s been a minute, there’s plenty new to discover… something unexpected might spark.
Access cash without selling your home: A reverse mortgage can help anyone over 62 cover everyday expenses, support healthcare needs, fund home improvements, or even reduce pressure on 401(k) withdrawals – all while staying in your home. Longbridge offers a free calculator to estimate how much flexibility your home could provide, with no commitment required.
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📆 North of Detroit for grown ups
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.
🍁 Maplefest 2026 @ MSU Tollgate Farm and Education Center | Saturday (3/7) at 9:00 AM – Nothing warms a Michigan winter like pancakes and maple syrup made the old-fashioned way. Bundle up for wagon rides, sugar shack tours, DIY tree tapping, then stock up on syrup, honey, and 4-H treats. It all supports local education, which pairs well with seconds.
🐠 Tropical Fish Swap of Michigan @ St. Basil Hall | Saturday (3/7) at 12:00 PM – Clear some tank space and swing by Michigan’s fish swap, now in its sixth year. Over 40 tables of tropical fish, plants, and supplies from folks who actually know what thrives, not just what glows. Skip the big-box aisle, score the good stuff.
🎨 Paint Like Bob Ross @ Lake St Claire Metropark | Sunday (3/8) at 1:00 PM – Lake St. Clair Metropark’s Nature Center is hosting fresh 2026 Bob Ross style paint classes, so you can meet your inner happy little tree without rearranging the garage. Each session is a different scene, all supplies included, zero experience required, maximum calm. Register, then brag.
🌶 Chili & Basket Auction @ The Salvation Army Royal Oak Citadel | Sunday (3/8) at 5:00 PM – Bring appetite and a generous streak to a chili cook-off and basket auction benefiting our partners in Sri Lanka. Fifteen home cooks woo your vote, you stuff their baskets, then loosen the wallet at the silent and live auctions, with sides, desserts, and drinks.
🍓 Florida Strawberry Truckload Sale @ Holiday Inn Express & Suites Rochester Hills – Detroit Area (3544 Marketplace Circle, Rochester Hills, MI) | Tuesday (3/10) at 12:30 PM – Because Michigan in March deserves a little sunshine, Florida’s finest is rolling into the Holiday Inn Express lot with sun-ripened strawberries, 8‑lb boxes for 30 bucks. It’s a blink-and-you-miss-it pop-in, first come, first served, with Elliot pecans and South Dakota honey, cash or card.
🚤 Novi Boat Show @ Suburban Collection Showplace | Thursday (3/12) at 2:00 PM – Trade snow boots for boat shoes and wander the Novi Boat Show, where shiny pontoons, fishing rigs, and wake toys whisper about Up North weekends. Kick tires, price out a midlife crisis that actually floats, then snag show deals, local advice, and a little daydreaming.
🎶 Blackthorn @ Sterling Heights Community Center | Thursday (3/12) at 6:00 PM – Head to Sterling Coffeehouse for Blackthorn’s Irish folk, the toe-tapping, story-soaked kind that pairs with caffeine and a sensible weeknight. Advance tickets are $19 for residents, $23 for non-residents, with resident rates in person at the Community Center, and 14 and up if kids behave.
Live music & entertainment:
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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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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📻 North of Detroit report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 44°F – Low: 38°F – Precip: 92%
Rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 44. East northeast wind 6 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible. Later: Rain before 1am. Cloudy, with a low around 38. East wind 3 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
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Tomorrow – High: 60°F – Low: 54°F – Precip: 37%
A chance of rain after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 60. South southeast wind 3 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: A chance of rain before 7pm, then rain likely and a chance of thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Someone Googled you this week 👀
It may feel like an invasion of privacy, but unfortunately It’s the new normal. Whether you’re joining a committee, selling something locally, dating again, or just meeting new neighbors… people are going to look you up online.
Like it or not, the internet has a way of surfacing past mistakes and outdated information that no longer reflects who you are.
Thankfully, there’s a really easy way for you – or someone you care about – to clean up outdated results that no longer tell the real story. Learn more here.
This house is wild
On 3.3 wooded acres in Bloomfield Hills, this Sigmund Blum-designed Post Modern showcases over 10,000 square feet of gallery-like spaces with oak and mahogany details and a two-story foyer. A curved wall of floor-to-ceiling glass frames the grounds. Features include a kitchen with Dakota mahogany granite and Pewabic tile, dual libraries, office suite, pool with sculpture, and clay court.
Take a peek inside →
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