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Hi Traverse City, we made it to Thursday! In today’s edition: Vivaldi’s Four Seasons by candlelight, a Hamilton sing-along, an airport terminal expansion, and more.

— Cait Baker

📰 In the news

Cherries steal the spotlight: Warm up in town with Traverse City Whiskey Co., now serving cozy winter drinks like a maple hot toddy and northern coffee at the still house on Fourteenth and Cass — read the full story.

New stage for local history: Old Town Playhouse announced the Northern Michigan Asylum Playwriting Contest, open through Dec. 31, 2026. The winning play will be workshopped and produced at Kirkbride Hall in Grand Traverse Commons — get all the details.

Major upgrades take flight: Traverse City’s Cherry Capital Airport set a 2025 passenger record and construction will begin in April on a $120 million terminal adding five gates plus an enhanced security checkpoint — get all the expansion details.

Transparency steps take shape: Grand Traverse County commissioners advanced plans for a new justice facility, approving two advisory committees and a public engagement contract, with opportunities for residents to weigh in as planning continues — get all the details.

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. If you’re curious about adding precious metals to your IRA or 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.

Compare rates for free: Insurance prices drop all the time, but you’ll only know if you check. I assumed my rate was fine until I compared options and realized I was leaving real money on the table. It took a minute to check and instantly showed better offers for where I live. If it’s been more than a few months, you should probably run this comparison tool here.

One pet emergency can easily cost $7,000+ but pet insurance helps ease the financial and emotional burden. It’s something I wish I’d had after spending $10k on last-minute surgery for my cat (her name is Miss Stache). I learned my lesson and signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.

*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:

• Experience Vivaldi’s Four Seasons by candlelight
• Sing along to Hamilton, costumes encouraged
• Light winter trails with homemade lanterns
• Celebrate Valentine’s Day with contra dance
• Explore tarot, energy healing, intuitive guidance
• Learn how to invest in precious metals for free
• Lowe’s makes window replacement easy. Fill out this form to get started
• Hair thins as you age. This stuff helps (and it’s $75 off)

🫶 We got your back

Major road work ahead: MDOT will rebuild 7.8 miles of US-31 in Benzie and Grand Traverse counties this spring, a $32.5 million project that includes a new roundabout at J. Maddy Parkway and Long Lake Road near Interlochen, full pavement reconstruction, soil removal, and safety upgrades. Detours are planned near Interlochen. See what’s planned and when.

Conservation policy and leadership updates: Michigan is weighing a firewood quarantine to limit out-of-state firewood and keep invasive pests out. MDARD is accepting public comments through February 9. An online survey is also gathering input on long-term plans for Interlochen State Park in Grand Traverse County. Izaak Walton League’s director has resigned after 18 years. See how to weigh in.

Closet refresh, unlocked: Whether you’re hunting for a warm coat, a quirky mug, or that just-right lamp, Women’s Resource Center Thrift Shop offers ever-changing finds. Every purchase supports WRC’s mission, and half of each dollar funds programs that protect, shelter, and empower neighbors.

Your low‑key sushi fix: Traverse City’s The Dojo Sushi rolls scratch-made nigiri, classic maki, and playful chef specials at the Long Lake Culinary Campus. Grab takeout fast or settle in for an easy dine-in when you want quality without downtown chaos, just clean flavors and calm vibes.

A smart way to save on big purchases: When costs hit the tens of thousands, credit card and personal loan interest racks up fast. A HELOC lets you tap into your home’s equity as a flexible line of credit at a lower rate… all without refinancing your mortgage. I’ve been looking into this myself, and Figure’s HELOC stood out for its 100% online application, no in-person appraisal, and quick access to cash.

Your neighbors are Googling you:It’s an uncomfortable thought, but people search names all the time — employers, new friends, other parents at school pickup. If something negative, outdated, or misleading shows up on the first page, it can shape how people see you before you ever meet. BetterReputation helps push down unwanted search results so the first impression you make actually reflects who you are today. And if it’s not your name, you can help a friend or family member with that too.

Get clarity on financial decisions: Managing retirement, taxes, and investments alone can feel overwhelming, especially during big life transitions. Financial advisors provide holistic guidance, help reduce risk, and keep emotions away from costly decisions. I found a tool called Unbiased that matches you with the right financial advisor based on your personal situation so you can get a second opinion… it never hurts.

📆 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.

💕 Galentine’s Party @ Hello Friends Boutique | Friday (2/6) at 4:00 PM – Round up your favorites and hit Front Street at Hello Friends Boutique for a Galentine’s of flattering finds, WaterFire pours, and Everjewl’s welded bling that sticks around longer than most houseplants. Snag the VIP goodie bag, enjoy the treats, and call it self-care, not shopping.

🔭 GTAS Telescope Clinic @ Northwestern Michigan College’s Rogers Observatory | Friday (2/6) at 8:00 PM – Got a telescope still in the box, or one older than your favorite fleece? GTAS will tune it up at NMC Rogers Observatory, show you how to actually use it, and, weather behaving, treat you to a star party. Free, welcoming, kid-approved.

🛷 Annual Sledding Party @ Grace Macdonald Park | Saturday (2/7) at 1:00 PM – East Bay’s annual sledding party is gliding into Grace Macdonald Park with hot cocoa, shared sleds, and enough hill to make you feel eleven again. Borrow a sled, act like a responsible adult, then hand it back, weather willing. Updates live on the Township’s Facebook.

🍷 Sip and Spice @ ŌBrien Vineyards | Saturday (2/7) at 3:00 PM – This tasting pairs four small-batch ŌBrien wines with four appetizers kicked up by Maria’s Hot Sauce. Bring your spice tolerance, because $44 at the door buys flavor, local cred, and a leisurely excuse to linger. RSVP if you plan, walk in if you don’t.

💃 All Hearts Family Dance @ Great Lakes Children’s Museum | Saturday (2/7) at 5:00 PM – Feel like swapping battles for a boogie? The children’s museum hosts a family dance with DJ Ryan Schrock, come fancy or funky, with snacks, activities, museum admission, and a raffle to build a critter friend, supporting playful learning, limited tickets, $5 adults, $15 kids.

🕯 Candlelight: Valentine’s Day Special @ Kirkbride Hall | Saturday (2/7) at 6:30 PM – Valentine’s plans need an upgrade? Slip into Kirkbride Hall for a candlelit string quartet spinning Elvis, Elton, and Celine, with the room glowing like a postcard. It’s romantic, local, and grown-up, the kind of night you remember, not just scroll past.

🎻 Candlelight: Featuring Vivaldi’s Four Seasons and More @ Kirkbride Hall | Saturday (2/7) at 8:45 PM – Nothing beats live strings by candlelight in Kirkbride Hall when Vivaldi’s Four Seasons handles the weather report. A one-hour, phones-away reset with Massenet and Piazzolla, assigned seating by zone, so arrive early, exhale, and enjoy Traverse City’s most flattering lighting.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Traverse City report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 29°F – Low: 25°F – Precip: 76%

Snow showers likely before 7am, then snow. Cloudy, with a high near 29. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of around one inch possible. Later: Snow. Cloudy, with a low around 25. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

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Tomorrow – High: 33°F – Low: 0°F – Precip: 88%

Snow before 1pm, then snow showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 33. Northwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible. Later: Snow showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 0. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of around one inch possible.

This house is wild

Modern luxury on Traverse City’s west side, this new 5-bed, 3-bath home offers a finished 3-car garage and a $10,000 appliance allowance. Quartz counters, LVP floors, a shiplap fireplace and island, built-ins, 8-foot doors, and SmartSide siding elevate the design. Main-floor ensuite, walkout lower level, central air, covered porch, composite deck, and Lone Tree trails to TC West High School.

Take a peek inside →

🔥 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:

• Older Americans are being targeted. Learn how to stop identity theft
• Lemonade now offers premium pet insurance and it pays out fast
• GoldCo special offer: Open an account & get up to 10% in bonus gold/silver
• This home warranty is $150 off right now
• Pet parents: Don’t forget to check out Chewy’s latest deals (they change every day 👀)