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Rise and shine, Traverse City!
Before we get into today’s email… I’m excited to share that we quietly launched BaseLocal Business last week, and 400+ businesses have already signed up 🥹 If you own or manage a local business and want to see what the platform’s all about, you can sign up for free in less than five minutes (if you haven’t already).
We launched the platform to make it easier for the community to connect with local businesses in a meaningful way that benefits everyone… and so far it’s going great.
So I just wanted to say THANK YOU to each and every one of you for being here and helping us make this newsletter better every day.
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
Blueprint steers utility transition: Traverse City Light & Power adopted a long-term framework for its 100 percent renewable goal, targeting 65 percent by 2035 and noting renewable sources are among its most affordable — see what’s in the plan.
Fresh flavors, family values: Traverse City’s Potato Gallery serves customizable potato and pasta dishes in-house, co-owned by Ryan and Chef Alexandria Wells, with expanded lunch and dinner hours and fries cooked in beef tallow — read the full story.
Modernization to streamline services: Grand Traverse County is renovating first-floor offices, so the Treasurer, Register of Deeds, and Vital Records offices are temporarily relocating, with construction in phases and a return expected by mid-March — see which offices are moving.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per 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.
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
Take the plunge for conservation: Registration for the 2026 Swim for Grand Traverse Bay opened Jan. 15 with a $55 fee per swimmer. The two-mile open water swim supports The Watershed Center. Participants must raise at least $250. Last year’s event brought in more than $53,000 for local water protection. Get all the details.
Lashes that last: Ready to wake up looking put‑together? Aesthetics by Caroline offers custom lash extensions: full sets, fuss‑free fills, lash baths, and removals, all with a soft, natural vibe. Cut your morning routine without sacrificing the “I definitely tried” look.
Fresh lids, local vibe: Need a headwear refresh? M22 stocks easygoing caps and beanies with pure Up North energy, plus matching layers for when coordination calls. Retire that college-era hat, go TC proud, and let your everyday look feel a little more northern… and a lot more you.
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).
An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial fee just to be seen to x-rays, surgery, medicine, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could get up to 90% cash back on your vet bill with this pet insurance plan.
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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.
🎭 Re-Imagine the Dream: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Performance @ Corson Auditorium | Monday (1/19) at 7:30 PM – Interlochen Arts Academy students and faculty reimagine Dr. King’s dream with a multidisciplinary performance that actually earns the standing ovation. It’s free, it’s on MLK Day, and it beats scrolling headlines about unity. Bring your curiosity, leave with goosebumps.
🗣 Here:Say: Under Pressure @ The Alluvion | Wednesday (1/21) at 7:00 PM – If you’ve ever hummed Queen and David Bowie while white-knuckling through life, this one’s for you. Local storytellers share true, first-person tales of being under pressure, from blown deadlines to family curveballs, with heart, humor, and the kind of honesty we actually show up for.
🐦 Bird is the Word: Get Started on Project FeederWatch @ Historic Barns Park | Thursday (1/22) at 9:00 AM – Historic Barns Park is hosting a Project FeederWatch class that makes winter birding actually fun. Learn to spot feeder regulars, log data for community science, and chip away at your Naturalist Certificate, all for $65. Watch from a window, or bundle up and brag.
🥟 Pierogi Pop Up! @ Brewery Terra Firma | Thursday (1/22) at 4:30 PM – Nothing beats handmade pierogi from a fourth-generation local family, especially when there’s cold beer and crisp cider within arm’s reach. This is grandma-level comfort, no dishes required. Grab a flight, sample the fillings, and pretend you planned dinner like a pro.
🍿 Family Movie Night @ Kensington Church | Friday (1/23) at 5:30 PM – Winter in Traverse City means one thing, we all need a cozy excuse to leave the house. Family Movie Night brings games for the kids, snacks that mysteriously disappear, and a crowd that actually laughs together. Low drama, high cocoa, genuine hometown vibes.
🍷 A Taste of Piedmont @ Bistro Polaris | Friday (1/23) at 6:00 PM – Skip the passport and let someone else do Nonna proud. This intimate four-course dinner dives into Piemonte’s flavors through a chef who cooked them in their homeland, a tidy culinary trip to Italy with real-deal regional dishes, cozy vibes, and bragging rights.
🎹 Kevin Rhodes @ Traverse City Philharmonic | Friday (1/23) at 7:00 PM – Kevin Rhodes is playing it forward with a benefit concert for the TC Phil at the Philharmonic Center, keeping our hometown orchestra humming. Expect top-shelf musicianship, a little local pride, and the chance to support the arts without another auction paddle. Dressy fleece counts.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Traverse City report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 16°F – Low: 5°F – Precip: 93%
Snow before 8am, then snow and blowing snow. Cloudy. High near 16, with temperatures falling to around 10 in the afternoon. Wind chill values as low as -7. Northwest wind 10 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 7 inches possible. Later: Snow before 7pm, then snow showers. Cloudy, with a low around 5. Wind chill values as low as -9. West wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.
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Tomorrow – High: 14°F – Low: 11°F – Precip: 57%
A chance of snow showers before 7am, then a chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 14. Wind chill values as low as -8. West wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible. Later: A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 11. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.
This house is wild
On 1.47 acres with 162 feet of private Silver Lake frontage, this Traverse City retreat blends true waterfront and a quick downtown connection. A broad lakefront lawn sets up summer games and bonfires. Silver Lake’s 600 acres offer wildlife and blazing sunsets, with an active preservation association, plus shoreline islands, coves, and inlets for paddling and fishing.
Inside, everyday comfort meets easy hosting with a 2023 Parade of Homes Best Kitchen, engineered white oak floors, and an open main level. A main-floor primary suite and laundry add ease, while a finished walkout adds bedrooms, Control4, whole-home audio, and a theater.
Quick downtown access keeps dinner, shopping, and year-round fun close to the water.
Take a peek inside →
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Thanks for reading! If you know someone who’d love BaseLocal, send ’em here so they can sign up too 🙂
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