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Hey Traverse City, hope your week’s off to a good start! World’s best dining nod, comedy fest lineup, snowshoe wine & brew, and more. Let’s get to it!
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
Inclusive moviegoing gets boost: Traverse City’s Garden Theater has renewed its Certified Autism Center designation, supporting the city’s Certified Autism Destination status. Most staff completed autism and sensory training to better serve neurodiverse moviegoers — get details on the renewal.
Local flavors gain global spotlight: Traverse City was named among the world’s best dining destinations for 2026 by Eater, alongside Aguascalientes and Okinawa. The honor follows last year’s inaugural Traverse City Food and Wine event — learn what sets it apart.
New funding strengthens local aid: Cherryland Cares awarded $15,000 to eight northwest Michigan nonprofits, including Big Brothers Big Sisters in Grand Traverse County, backing mentoring, utility and rent aid, medical co-pays, food assistance, and diapers — see how funds will help.
City weighs grid safeguards: Traverse City commissioners considered a six-year deal with Voltus to help prevent rolling blackouts with generators at water and sewer plants. The program could pay the city $57,500 a year — learn how the program works.
Gold & silver are hot: Last year was gold’s best year since 1979. Silver did even better, climbing nearly 150%… and analysts expect the momentum to continue. Curious about precious metal investing? GoldCo has a helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free — and definitely worth a read.
An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial walk-in-the-door fee to x-rays, surgery, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could save thousands on your next vet bill with Lemonade.
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.
*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
Family-owned team grows reach: Visiting Angels has opened a new home care office in Traverse City, expanding support for seniors across Grand Traverse County. Owned by Shelby Butlin and her family, the team offers personalized in-home assistance, building on their Ann Arbor and Farmington Hills locations. Read the full story.
Your neighbors are Googling you: It’s uncomfortable but true — employers, new friends, even other parents at school pickup search names all the time. If something negative, outdated, or misleading shows up first, it can shape opinions before you ever meet. BetterReputation helps push down unwanted search results so your first impression actually reflects who you are today. And if it’s someone you care about, you can help them too.
A weekend of laughs: Traverse City Comedy Fest announced its full 2026 lineup for April 16-18 at venues across town. More than three dozen comics and improv shows are planned, with proceeds benefiting the Women’s Resource Center. Tickets go on sale today. Check out the full lineup.
Gold is having a moment: Between inflation headlines, market swings, and growing global uncertainty, precious metals are (again) in the spotlight. American Hartford is currently offering up to $25,000 in free silver when you open a qualified account. They’ll also help you set up a penalty-free gold IRA with a lowest price guarantee, no buyback fees, and 7-day price protection.
Crate-digging made easy: RPM Records keeps Traverse City crate-happy with new and used LPs, CDs, and tapes, plus turntables and speakers, with regular fresh arrivals. Locally run since 2010, it’s the spot when your shelves (or your soul) need another spin-worthy find.
A second opinion never hurts: Not every financial advisor is the right fit, and it’s okay to explore your options. Unbiased matches you with an advisor based on your personal situation, giving you a chance to ask questions in a free, no-pressure conversation to see if the fit makes sense. No obligation — just helpful advice.
Start the sing-alongs: When you’re craving a high-energy night out with friends, The Red Piano Traverse City opens this spring with an all-request solo piano show, interactive entertainment, handcrafted cocktails, and cheeky banter. Expect big vibes, louder choruses, and lots of laughter.
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📆 Around town this week
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.
This week
❤ Beach Glass Heart Workshop @ The Workshop Brewing Company | Wednesday (2/11) at 6:00 PM – Give winter the side-eye and make a Beach Glass Heart, choosing a ball-shaped heart or two wreath sizes, with all supplies and extra decorations included. Beginner friendly, ages 10 and up, perfect for a low-key Galentine’s, and snag tickets in advance, because we’re organized now.
✂ Traverse City Needlepoint Pop-Up Shop Grand Opening @ The NeedlePoints North | Thursday (2/12) at 12:00 PM – A new needlepoint pop-up has its grand opening on Front Street, your True North for canvases, classes, and a little midwinter sanity. Paid parking, second-floor treasure hunt via the elevator or stairs, then settle in and stitch while pretending you came for just a look.
💕 Galentines Event @ Total Clarity Psychiatry | Thursday (2/12) at 4:00 PM – Pop up to Building 50 at the Village, above the bookstore, for a free Galentine’s meet-up to tune mind, body, and soul with a local provider, no hard sell. Ask questions, and see if her patient-centered approach, meds if they make sense, fits your life.
This weekend
🎙 Aged to Perfection – Senior Readers’ Theatre @ Old Town Playhouse | Saturday (2/14) at 10:00 AM – Got a flair for drama and a pair of readers? Join a lively 55+ crew where seasoned actors show the ropes as you read scripts, learn tricks, and stage readers’ theater, with no-pressure roles for the spotlight shy. It’s Traverse City camaraderie, with punchlines.
🎨 Picture This: A Day of Connecting Through Art @ Hotel Indigo Traverse City | Saturday (2/14) at 1:00 PM – Slow down at Hotel Indigo for a free day of connection during National Eating Disorder Awareness Month. Paint, make a gratitude jar, or simply breathe, and bring someone who should not carry things alone. Microwave raffle, tickets by donation, because some weeks dinner needs backup.
🍷 Snowshoe Wine & Brew @ Brew Bus | Sunday (2/15) at 10:00 AM – Trade the gym for snowy vines and the Brew Bus on Sundays. Treadmill miles don’t come with wine flights. We’re snowshoeing Old Mission at our own pace, hitting Jolly Pumpkin, Brys, Old Mission Distilling, and Bowers Harbor for discounted sips, fire pits, and step counts.
🧩 Puzzle Buzz – Speed Jigsaw Puzzling Competition @ The Workshop Brewing Company | Sunday (2/15) at 2:00 PM – Whether you swear by edge pieces or pints, this speed jigsaw showdown at Workshop Brewing is calling. Bring up to three teammates, buy tickets in advance, tackle 500 pieces, and claim a prize, plus bragging rights, if you topple the 40-minute record.
Live music & entertainment:
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Traverse City report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 35°F – Low: 23°F – Precip: 29%
A chance of snow before 7am, then a chance of snow showers between 7am and 11am, then a chance of rain showers between 11am and noon, then a chance of snow showers. Cloudy. High near 35, with temperatures falling to around 33 in the afternoon. West wind 5 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible. Later: A slight chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 23. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.
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Tomorrow – High: 27°F – Low: 18°F – Precip: 19%
A slight chance of snow showers before 7am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 27. Northwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 18.
This house is wild
Overlooking Boardman Lake with direct Tart Trail access, this 2-bed, 2-bath condo pairs luxury finishes with Traverse City convenience near downtown, beaches, and cafes. Stainless appliances, acoustically engineered walls and ceilings, and a spacious plan lead to a lakeview deck. Covered parking and elevator access add practicality. A versatile lower-level flex room suits storage, workouts, or gear. Short-term rental zoning.
Take a peek inside →
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🔥 Worth a peek
We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we genuinely think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week:
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