Happy Tuesday, Traverse City. In today’s edition: East Bay trail funding, winter centerpiece workshop, cookie decorating with Santa, and more.

Let’s get to it — Cait Baker

📰 In the news

In-house paving push: Traverse City commissioners discussed purchasing a $329,775 Asphalt Zipper milling machine to expand road repairs after cost-saving Fourteenth Street demo. It could support 2026 work on Seventh and Washington Streets — read the full story.

Demolition advances site cleanup: On Monday, Socks Construction proposed partnering with Traverse City to revive the stalled State Street parking deck, requesting a $1 land transfer to privately build and manage a mixed-use project — see what’s planned downtown.

More access to nature: Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund approved $5.5 million for East Bay Township projects, including a preserve easement, Three Mile Trail connecting eight schools, a trail system at Holiday Woodland Preserve — see what’s planned and when.

Protect your nest egg: Savvy investors are turning to gold amidst today’s inflation, national debt, and market uncertainty for a reason. It holds its value when everything else feels shaky. Case in point: it’s up ~62% since January. If you’re curious about adding it and other precious metals to your portfolio, American Hartford has a super helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free, and definitely worth a read — check it out here.

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.

Highlights this week

• Choose your vibe at solstice silent disco
• Celebrate the season with Traverse City Philharmonic
• Shop local art at Warehouse MRKT
• Celebrate winter solstice with chestnuts and cider
• Run or walk under holiday lights
• This pet insurance plan reimburses up to 90%
• A home warranty that actually pays is 30% off

🫶 We got your back

Elevating classroom expertise: Michigan’s education department awarded $108,350 to 10 districts to cover National Board Certification fees for 59 first-time candidates in Schoolwide Title I schools, including Saginaw, Sault Ste. Marie, and Traverse City. Funding runs through Sept. 30, 2026, to boost educator quality and address shortages. The state just put real dollars behind teacher development. Get all the details.

Community vision takes shape: Grand Traverse County scored a $400,000 Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund grant to upgrade Vasa Trailhead Park. Paired with local matches, it will rebuild the stormwater system, expand and improve parking, and add pathways between the warming hut and trails. Design is finished, and state funds arrive in 2026, with construction after. See what’s planned.

Starlit movie nights: State Theatre is your neighborhood cinema with a fiber‑optic night‑sky ceiling, run by the Traverse City Film Festival. Expect carefully curated films, classics and new discoveries. This week is a fine excuse to slip into a great picture with neighbors.

Hear me out: My mom’s been asking people to repeat themselves 5,281 times too many for years. She always avoided hearing aids like the plague — they’re clunky, obvious, expensive, not really worth it. I always thought “she’s not wrong” until I saw these new invisible hearing aids going viral. In the same boat? Now’s a great time to check them out before unused health benefits expire on the 31st.

Thinning hair? Same: I’ve been shedding a lot, and recently noticed my ponytail feeling thinner. After way too much panic-Googling, I discovered Keranique’s hair regrowth system. Everything with them is surprisingly easy: no quizzes, no pills, no choosing between dozens of products. Just grab the kit and follow the instructions. The best part? It’s $75 off right now + you’ll get your money back if you don’t love the results.

📆 Around town this week

All events are subject to change without notice. This is entirely outside our control. Please check official event pages and social media for the most up to date information.

This week

❓ Botanic Garden Trivia Night @ The Botanic Garden | Wednesday (12/17) at 6:00pm – Whether you can tell a poinsettia from a potato or just like winning prizes, the Botanic Garden’s holiday plant trivia is your speed. Rudolph the Rednosed Horticulturist hosts, costumes encouraged, snacks and mocktails provided, compete for the grand prize, teams or solo welcome.

💿 The Accidentals and Kaboom Studio Orchestra Holiday Album Release @ Milliken Auditorium | Wednesday (12/17) at 6:30pm – Warm up your vocal cords and catch The Accidentals unveiling their holiday album with the 27-piece Kaboom Studio Orchestra on a Michigan run. Big harmonies, a brass section that swings, a Northern Lights show, and sing-along favorites. Go VIP for album, early entry, swag.

🎁 Wrap it Up Shopping Night @ Downtown Traverse | Thursday (12/18) at 4:00pm – Downtown’s Wrap It Up night is your chance to finish the list without swearing at tape. Shop extended-hours specials, hit donation-based wrapping at Slip. vintage and Mammoth Distilling benefiting local nonprofits, sip free cocoa, humor Santa for a photo, and enjoy the sparkle.

🎶 Laura Crowe Holiday Edition @ Rove Winery | Friday (12/19) at 5:00pm – Holiday season calls for trading mall chaos for vineyard calm. Laura Crowe brings festive tunes to Rove, with panoramic views, a glass of something red, and the kind of company you actually like. Wear the nice sweater, linger unapologetically, call it self-care.

🌿 Winter Centerpiece Workshop @ The Botanic Garden | Friday (12/19) at 6:00pm – If your dining table could use something fancier than last year’s tired candle trio, try the Botanic Garden’s winter centerpiece workshop. Play with seedheads, berries, branches, and evergreens, no experience required. Bring a favorite container, leave with bragging rights and a gorgeous arrangement.

This weekend

🧶 Introduction to Band Loom Weaving @ Green Door Folk School | Saturday (12/20) at 10:30am – Whether your craft skills begin and end with wrapping gifts, this one-day beginner workshop teaches you to weave narrow belts, straps, and trims on a rigid heddle backstrap loom. It is hands-on and soothing. You leave with a finished band, and you keep the heddle.

🎅 Cookie Decorating with Santa @ Bay Bread Co | Saturday (12/20) at 3:00pm – Skip the mall meltdown and let the kids smear frosting. You get three cookies each, a Santa photo, and a sugar-fueled memory you actually want to keep. Tiny elves 2 and under are free, obviously.

🔥 Yule Party @ Blessed Be Tea and Apothecary | Saturday (12/20) at 6:00pm – Think your holiday party needs more tarot, henna, and cozy witchy flair? Come warm up with a Yule night featuring foil-ornament crafting, mini rituals (bring your favorite shawl), fairy and feather hair, a bake sale for good causes, and festive getups, Krampus included.

🦅 A Christmas Tribute to The Eagles @ City Opera House | Saturday (12/20) at 7:30pm – City Opera House is serving Christmas with Eagles harmonies, guitar warmth, and the kind of nostalgia that plays well in Traverse City. Their hits weave into classic carols, so you can sing along, sip something decent, and still be home before the slush refreezes.

🎬 To Be or Not To Be @ State Theatre | Sunday (12/21) at 10:00am – Sunday Brunch Cinema brings To Be or Not to Be to the State, a sharp WWII satire where a Polish troupe outwits a spy. Come for strong coffee and chuckles, stay for Lubitsch finesse, film nerd camaraderie, and the feeling of outsmarting villains before noon.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🎶 Live music & entertainment

• 12/16 Holiday Concert @ City Opera House – 6 pm
• 12/16 Holiday Concert @ Kirkbride Hall – 6:30 pm
• 12/17 Straight Forward Bluegrass Jam @ Workshop Brewing – 6 pm
• 12/17 The Accidentals & Kaboom Studio Orchestra @ Milliken Auditorium – 6:30 pm
• 12/18 Sounds of the Season @ Corson Auditorium – 7:30 pm
• 12/19 Funky Uncle @ North Bar – 7 pm
• 12/20 Andy McQuillen @ Workshop Brewing – 7 pm

🏠️ This house is wild

Listed by: Jamie Grace (Century 21 Northland)

This ten-year-old 5-bed, 4-bath Craftsman raised ranch spreads out on a private acre in Long Lake Township, a mile to two public beaches and a boat launch. Sunlit, open layout with granite counters, tray ceilings, and gas fireplaces sets a warm, easy vibe.

Two primary suites keep the peace, the main level adds a tiled shower and the lower brings a private lounge with fireplace. Finished lower level adds a wet bar, a three-car garage with storage above for the toys, abundant closets, a whole-house generator, and in-floor heat. Minutes to Traverse City with the privacy of Long Lake.

Take a peek inside →