|
Subscribe | Get featured
Hi Tri Cities, we made it to Thursday!
In today’s fun-for-grown-ups edition: A $27M highway rebuild, a prom dress giveaway, and Joshua Bell + plenty of reasons to put on real pants this week.
Today’s sponsor, Spot Pet Insurance, is something I wish I had before a late-night emergency vet visit left me with a $10,000 credit card bill. It’s cheaper than Netflix… and means you never have to choose between your pet and your savings. It takes less than 5 minutes to sign up – get started here.
|
📰 In the news
Infrastructure upgrades and jobs: A $27 million rebuild of M-20 and Business US-10 in Midland will begin March 9, with work through November 2027. Early on, Indian Street and Patrick Road become two-way — see how traffic will change.
Beloved local formalwear tradition: Share the Memories dress giveaway will return to Midland March 20 and 21 with thousands of donated dresses, shoes, and jewelry, plus volunteers ready to help Tri-Cities shoppers get prom-ready — get all the event details.
Local bakery expanding reach: The Bread Gal owner Maria Austin is planning The Brunch Guy in Old Town Saginaw, serving omelets, eggs Benedict, and more, with work still underway before the brunch spot opens — see what’s planned next.
Gold & silver are hot: Coming off gold’s best year since 1979, the momentum is carrying well into 2026 with silver remaining one of the most talked-about assets. Curious why they’re back in focus? American Hartford Gold has a free guide that explains what’s happening and how people are approaching it today. It’s free – and definitely worth a read.
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.
Highlights this week:
|
🐾 One pet emergency can cost $10,000+
Together with our sponsor Spot Pet Insurance
Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache.
From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving.
As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Spot.
It’s super affordable and reimburses up to 90% on qualified vet bills. It was too late for me, but it’s not too late for you. Sign up today.
|
🫶 We got your back
Burger mood, unlocked: Big O Burgers & Barbecue turns cravings into happy-plate moments with juicy patties, smoky edges, and playful builds (yes, there’s a mac-and-cheese situation) that hit the spot after a long day. Grab friends, snag a corner table, and make midweek feel like a small victory.
Skate night upgrade: Roll Arena brings that classic maple floor, upbeat playlists, and room to find your groove, plus a hit of local speed and derby energy for inspo. Laps, laughs, and a surprisingly legit cardio boost easily beat another doomscroll.
Story time in stone: The Castle Museum of Saginaw County History turns hometown history into a surprisingly bingeable stroll, with eccentric characters, everyday grit, and a castle-like landmark that could’ve wandered in from Europe. Ideal for an easy afternoon when curiosity taps your shoulder and you want to keep it local.
Access cash without selling your home: A reverse mortgage can help anyone over 62 cover everyday expenses, support healthcare needs, fund home improvements, or even reduce pressure on 401(k) withdrawals – all while staying in your home. Longbridge offers a free calculator to estimate how much flexibility your home could provide, with no commitment required.
|
📆 Tri Cities for grown ups
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.
🏠 Frankenmuth Home Show @ Harvey Kern Pavilion | Saturday (3/7) at 9:00 AM – The Frankenmuth Home Show is serving up real, show-only deals on windows, sunrooms, bathroom conversion kits, and siding, and Vinyl Sash is the booth to hit. Come ask your questions, collect ideas, then celebrate responsible adulthood with a pretzel, a chicken dinner, and fewer drafts.
🌱 Growing Native Plants among Solar Panels @ Chippewa Nature Center | Monday (3/9) at 6:30 PM – Turns out solar arrays can host wildflowers, not just glare. At Chippewa Nature Center, Wild Ones Mid-Mitten hosts consultant Steve Thomas on seed selection, smart mixes, and Michigan-tested native plantings under panels. Public welcome, practical, and pleasantly nerdy.
🦉 Owl Prowl @ Chippewa Nature Center | Tuesday (3/10) at 6:00 PM – Trade your owl memes for the real hoot with an Interpretive Naturalist leading you through Chippewa Nature Center’s after-dark hotspots. A quick indoor primer, then short hikes and car hops to listen, look, and chat with a Barred neighbor. $10, $8 for members, ages 9+.”
🎻 Joshua Bell and more @ Temple Theatre | Tuesday (3/10) at 7:00 PM – Joshua Bell rolls into town with the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, serving the kind of precision and warmth that makes you sit up straighter. If you like goosebumps, elegance, and bragging rights at brunch, consider this your cultural tune-up.
🧀 How to Create Your Own Charcuterie Board @ Tri City Brewing Company | Wednesday (3/11) at 5:30 PM – Head to Tri City Brewing to finally make a charcuterie board that impresses actual humans, not just Instagram, with Kevin Parker showing the tricks. $65 covers a wooden board, cheese, meat, and accompaniments. Drinks are extra, outside drinks aren’t allowed, bring pizza, or chips.
🍴 2026 Great Taste of Frankenmuth @ Frankenmuth Bavarian Inn Restaurant | Thursday (3/12) at 5:00 PM – Nothing beats grazing through Frankenmuth when Bavarian Inn and Zehnder’s both open their doors. For 25 bucks, taste local dishes and drinks, enter the raffle, and feel smug your appetite funds the town’s pickleball project, aka civic duty with spaetzle, strudel, and friendly rivalry.
🛁 Goat Milk Soapmaking Workshop @ Running with Scissors – Craft Workshops | Thursday (3/12) at 6:30 PM – Finally, a hobby that cleans up after itself. Learn to make goat milk soap with guidance, choose scents, and the studio in Shields cures your batch for 4 to 7 days. You learn, they babysit suds, you pick up later, and your shower thanks you.
Live music & entertainment:
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
|
🔥 Worth a peek
We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week.
|
📻 Tri Cities report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 42°F – Low: 36°F – Precip: 74%
Rain likely after 7am. Mostly cloudy. High near 42, with temperatures falling to around 40 in the afternoon. Northeast wind 6 to 12 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. Later: Rain likely before 1am. Cloudy, with a low around 36. East northeast wind 3 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
—
Tomorrow – High: 62°F – Low: 52°F – Precip: 50%
A chance of rain after 1pm. Cloudy, with a high near 62. South southeast wind 3 to 12 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: A chance of rain before 7pm, then rain and a chance of thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Someone Googled you this week 👀
It may feel like an invasion of privacy, but unfortunately It’s the new normal. Whether you’re joining a committee, selling something locally, dating again, or just meeting new neighbors… people are going to look you up online.
Like it or not, the internet has a way of surfacing past mistakes and outdated information that no longer reflects who you are.
Thankfully, there’s a really easy way for you – or someone you care about – to clean up outdated results that no longer tell the real story. Learn more here.
This house is wild
This 5-bed, 3.5-bath traditional in Pine River Bluff Estates sits on 0.94 acres. A two-story foyer opens to a library/office and a cathedral-ceiling living room with a gas fireplace. The custom kitchen has granite and stainless. The main-floor suite has a jetted tub. A finished lower level adds a wet bar, daylight windows, storage. Attached 2.5-car plus detached garage.
Take a peek inside →
|
 |
Thanks for reading! If you know someone who’d love BaseLocal, send ’em here so they can sign up too 🙂
|
|
|
|
