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Hi Traverse City, we made it to Thursday! 

In today’s fun-for-grown-ups edition: Trilobite Treasures exhibit, a star party, and an evening with Anna Quindlen + 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.

📰 In the news

New momentum for farm resilience: Grand Traverse Conservation District was awarded a $15,000 state grant to support regenerative farming, funding hands-on demos and farmer networks for healthier soil and more profitable fields in our region — get all the details.

Prehistoric arthropods take center stage: Trilobite Treasures is now open at NMC’s Dennos Museum, showcasing fossils from around the world. The exhibit opened in February and runs through May 31, 2026 in Grand Traverse County — get all the exhibit details.

Commercial corridor revamp outlined: East Bay Township plans $46 million in upgrades and proposes a TIF to raise $6.5 million over 20 years, including a US 31 pedestrian crossing near Traverse City State Park — get all the project details.

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:

• Warm up at family-friendly winter fest
• Groove to Jesse Jefferson live blues-rock
• Craft three classic cocktails with experts
• This top-tier home warranty is 50% off right now
• Save on self-care during the CVS Epic Beauty Sale

🐾 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.

🫶 We got your back

Hand‑pattied happiness: Weeknights call for easy wins, and Slabtown Burgers delivers with homemade, hand‑pattied burgers, skin‑on fries, and a legit house‑made veggie pick if that’s your lane. Classic and unfussy, it’s exactly what you wanted, just a quick detour from downtown chaos.

Skate your winter away: Howe Ice Arena is a low-stress way to move this week. A few laps with a friend let your brain decompress on the ice. It’s local, a little nostalgic, and just the midwinter reset Traverse City folks appreciate.

Rainy-day sanity saver: Great Lakes Children’s Museum swaps cabin fever for big grins with hands-on, Great Lakes-themed play that happily tires out little ones. Their new Curiosity Place at Grand Traverse Mall is an easy after-school stop, perfect for a quick burst of curiosity, collaboration, and a little joyful chaos.

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.

📆 Traverse City 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.

♻ Composting 101 @ SEEDS Farm at Historic Barns Park | Thursday (3/5) at 3:00 PM – A trip to SEEDS Farm at Historic Barns Park turns trash into garden gold, covering what to compost and how to start a backyard setup. Register through NMC Extended Ed, $75, bring walking shoes, rain or shine, and finally make those banana peels useful.

⛵ Women at the Helm: Sailing with a Spouse and Family @ Grand Traverse Yacht Club | Thursday (3/5) at 5:30 PM – This Women at the Helm chat at Grand Traverse Yacht Club tackles the trickiest tack, sailing with spouse and kids without staging a mutiny. Irish Boat Shop board member Katie McGauley shares simple tactics to lead with confidence, keep smiles afloat, and avoid marital reefing.

🎨 Resin Pour Workshop @ Traverse City Whiskey Co. Stillhouse | Thursday (3/5) at 6:00 PM – Think your charcuterie board peaks at salami roses? Level up by pouring your own resin board, picking the shape, technique, and colors, then getting step-by-step guidance, no experience needed. Materials are non-toxic and food-safe, and advance tickets are required.

🧚 A Midsummer Night’s Faery Tale @ Milliken Auditorium | Friday (3/6) at 7:00 PM – Skip the couch and wander into a faery garden where Sneezlewort and Twig outwit a crown-snatching sorceress in an original youth ballet set to Andreas Vollenweider and Joanie Madden. Midsummer magic, no bug spray needed. Reserved seating, $22 adults, $12 students, via MyNorth Tickets.

🔭 The Barnard Album & Star Party @ Northwestern Michigan College’s Rogers Observatory | Friday (3/6) at 8:00 PM – Trade the couch for the cosmos at NMC’s Rogers Observatory as GTAS hosts Jerry Dobek unveiling The Barnard Album, a love letter to vintage stargazing. If the clouds behave, stick around for telescope time and March sky highlights. Free, open to all, and gloriously nerdy.

📚 An Evening with Anna Quindlen @ Traverse City Central High School – TCAPS | Saturday (3/7) at 2:00 PM – Consider this the best book club you don’t have to host. Anna Quindlen returns to NWS to talk More Than Enough, friendships that shape us, and the mess in between. Smart conversation, Q&A, a signing, and tickets supporting Horizon Books, plus signed copies.

🐾 Glass Art Class: Pet-Themed Plant Stake @ Contigo Dogs | Sunday (3/8) at 12:00 PM – This hands-on glass class at Contigo Dogs lets you craft a dog or cat plant stake, because your pothos deserves a pet, not more pep talks. $60 covers materials, N/A drinks, small bites, a goodie bag, and discounts, or make two for $75. Limited spots.

Live music & entertainment:

• 3/6 Chris Sterr @ Traverse City Whiskey Co. Stillhouse – 6:00 PM
• 3/6 Chris Sterr @ Traverse City Whiskey Co. – 6:00 PM
• 3/6 Jazz Jam @ The Workshop Brewing Company – 6:00 PM
• 3/7 A Midsummer Night’s Faery Tale @ Milliken Auditorium – 2:00 PM
• 3/7 Jeff Socia @ Chateau Grand Traverse – 4:00 PM
• 3/7 Pathfinder Prom 2026: Written in the Stars @ Delamar Traverse City – 5:00 PM
• 3/8 Téada @ Dennos Museum Center – 6:00 PM

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🔥 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.

• Thinning hair? Don’t wait – here are 3 treatments that work
• This free tool helps connect you with the right financial advisor
• Got debt? You may be able to pay less than you owe
• Protect your pet from disaster with this pet insurance plan
• You can own physical gold and silver in your retirement account

📻 Traverse City report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 44°F – Low: 32°F – Precip: 15%

A slight chance of rain showers after 4pm. Mostly sunny. High near 44, with temperatures falling to around 42 in the afternoon. East wind 0 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32. East wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

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Tomorrow – High: 56°F – Low: 38°F – Precip: 84%

Rain showers after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 56. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Later: Rain showers before 7pm, then showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

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

This custom-built luxury home showcases 10-foot ceilings, 8-foot solid wood doors, and a blend of walnut, mahogany, white oak, and curly maple. Cambria quartz and cabinetry anchor a chef’s kitchen with a double-thick island and pro appliances. Entertaining thrives with a vaulted porch, bluestone patio, media level with wet bar and 500-bottle cellar, and resort-style community amenities plus backup generator.

Take a peek inside →