Monday, April 27, 2026

Heads up for pet parents: 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.*

Multi-year infrastructure push underway: Traverse City commissioners approved seeking nearly $27 million for sewer upgrades, including Front Street lift station and East Front. They advanced Carnegie Building talks and opted for a law firm -- get all the details.

Spring culinary adventures unfold: Traverse City will host Forest to Fork pop-up events in May, featuring goat hikes, mushroom cooking classes, and wine tastings, with a Food & Wine event planned for August -- check out the full lineup.

Volunteer pilots strengthen rescue efforts: Traverse City's Civil Air Patrol is building a new headquarters at Cherry Capital Airport, aiming to base its plane locally and add a public training space, after raising nearly $300,000 -- get details on the new facility.

The bill everyone over 50 should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half — this free comparison tool makes it easy.*

Retirees are making moves: After gold's best year in nearly five decades, more folks than ever are moving part of their savings into precious metals. Not all of it... just enough to hedge against inflation. AHG put together a free guide that explains how it works -- grab your copy here.*

Bread now, cherries later: The Traverse City two-step is easy with Hallstedt Homestead: quick, hands-on sourdough workshops that fit your week now, then sweet cherry and flower u-pick in Northport when the season hits. Basics learned today... bucket-to-bouquet hauls all summer, with plenty of flavor and blooms.

When you forgot again: As a TC local, you know last minute birthdays, host gifts, and cherry obsessed relatives happen. My Secret Stash has Michigan maker finds, socks, candles, nail polish, soap, and cherry themed goodies that feel personal without the hassle, perfect when you need a quick win that still looks thoughtful.

Cue the curtain: Need a night that feels local in the best way, Old Town Playhouse is a historic, volunteer-run theater serving up classic and original performances this week. Trade doomscrolling for live laughs, goosebumps, and that shared hush when the lights go down.

The slower you walk, the more it works: Tai Chi walking is trending online. Turns out it's centuries old — slow deliberate steps, paced breath, attention on the body. Thirty minutes a day burns fat, lifts your mood, and builds balance. No gym, no treadmill, no pounding on the joints. Take the quick quiz to see if it fits, then use code BASELOCAL for a discount on the coaching plan. *See how it works →

Your homeowners insurance has a blind spot: It covers your house if a tree falls on it. It doesn’t cover your furnace when it quits in January, your AC when it dies in July, or your water heater when it starts leaking on a Tuesday. Those are all classified as "normal wear and tear," and they're 100% on you. American Home Shield can help fill that gap for ~$1/day (even if your appliances and systems are really old).*See what it covers →

Selling your house doesn't have to take months: If you need to sell quickly — because you're downsizing, relocating, or just ready to close this chapter — Liz helps seniors sell their houses fast. As-is. No repairs, no showings, no drawn-out back-and-forth. You pick the closing date. *See how it works →

Unknown-number calls aren't random: Scammers don't just pick numbers out of a hat. They pay data brokers a few bucks and get everything they need to harass you, trick you, rob you, or steal your identity outright. Incogni removes all of your personal info from these data broker sites and keeps an eye out to make sure it stays gone for good. *Get protected →

For women who've been feeling off for years: The fatigue, the weight creeping up, the mood swings, the sleep that won't hold. Turns out most of those "it's just aging" problems are actually caused by hormones, and proper HRT can get you back to feeling like yourself. The catch? You can't get it without a full hormone panel and a doctor who understands what those numbers mean. Most women never get either, but Hone Health gives you both. *See how it works →

✂ Pruning Workshop @ NW Michigan Horiticultural Research Station | Tuesday (4/28) at 1:00 PM – Think you know your way around a pair of pruners, or tired of those grapevines giving you side-eye? The MSU Extension crew walks you through beginner-friendly spur pruning, plus a cane pruning intro, with hands-on practice in the vineyard at Northwest Horticulture Research Center.

🏃 Fun Run @ The Little Fleet | Wednesday (4/29) at 6:30 PM – If your midweek needs a gentle nudge, the Wednesday Fun Run meets at The Little Fleet for 3 or 5 miles on the TART Trail, all paces welcome and free. Bring reflective gear, traction, and lights, then reward yourself with post-run food, chatter, and satisfaction.

🌸 Spring Floral Frame Workshop @ Breeze Hill Greenhouse | Wednesday (4/29) at 6:30 PM – Trade errands for paper petals and make a 6x6 floral frame that actually stays fresh. They provide the supplies, step-by-step help, and a bonus project, and you bring a friend and a little patience. Light snacks, civilized refreshments, limited spots, zero pressure.

✂ Needlepoint Pop-Up Shop @ The NeedlePoints North Pop-Up Shop | Thursday (4/30) at 12:00 PM – If your thumbs need a break from doomscrolling, pop upstairs on Front Street for a Thursday to Saturday needlepoint pop-up. Fun canvases, premium fibers, and all the fixings for newbies and seasoned stitchers, basically therapy you can frame, and yes, cheaper than a boat.

🎬 Artist Panel: "Advocacy and Storytelling" @ Traverse City Whiskey Co. - The Stillhouse | Thursday (4/30) at 4:00 PM – Head to The Stillhouse for Fresh Coast Film Festival’s artist panel on advocacy and storytelling, a casual Q&A, think less TED Talk, more thoughtful bar chat. Free, first-come seats, a $10 nod to the Making Waves Commitment Grant, and bar service, plus non-alcoholic options.

🎬 Mary Oliver: Saved by the Beauty of the World @ City Opera House | Friday (5/1) – Swap your usual Saturday scroll for the Michigan premiere gala of Mary Oliver: Saved by the Beauty of the World, plus a filmmaker Q&A. Sasha Waters chats with Beth Milligan, presented by Keen Technologies Group and Short’s Brewing, so your glass and brain stay full.

🏀 Grand Traverse County Deputy Sheriffs vs. Lions Superstars Basketball @ Traverse City West Senior High School | Saturday (5/2) at 1:00 PM – Bring the crew to TC West for our deputies vs. the Lions Superstars. Halftime means autographs with Lions legends, the family ticket gets eight of you in, and the only thing getting called during the game should be traveling, not 911.

At the base of Old Mission Peninsula, this architecturally distinct 3,500-square-foot home delivers rare privacy and proximity on over six acres with sweeping West Bay sunsets. Three beds and three baths complement gathering spaces and expansive windows. It offers a front-row seat to airshows, fireworks, and boat traffic. A lower level workshop and garden shed add flexibility minutes to downtown.