|
Subscribe | Get featured
Hello Brainerd! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning.
In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: YMCA pool funding analysis, wind symphony’s European tour invite, and Caribbean Fusion’s Taste of Jamaica + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Brainerd protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.
|
📰 In the news
Funding path under review: Brainerd council approved spending $5,000 on a financial analysis for a YMCA pool tied to a $34.4 million campaign, with fee waived if debt is issued in 2026 — see how the vote went.
Central Minnesota ensemble spotlight: The Central Lakes Wind Symphony is seeking new members this spring, welcoming advanced students, music teachers, and community players from the Brainerd area. Membership offers an optional 2027 European tour — find out who can join.
Local input on design: Baxter City Council approved an aesthetics advisory committee for the Highway 371 overpass after MnDOT accepted city conditions. Mark Cross and Brad Chapulis are slated to serve, with appointments expected — read how decisions will be made.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.
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:
|
💎 Local business spotlight
Save room for pie: The Barn Diner keeps its case stacked with homemade slices that deliver small-town comfort… flaky crusts, balanced fillings, and a scoop of ice cream if you like. After your usual rounds this week, a slice makes a well-earned victory lap.
Freshen up your week: When you need a just-because bouquet, something lush that actually lasts, or a quick “I didn’t forget” save, North Country Floral designs custom arrangements in your colors and offers same-day local delivery, so you look impressively thoughtful with minimal effort.
Two-wheeled pick-me-up: If your drivetrain sounds like ice on 371, or you just need a latte before or after Cuyuna laps, Red Raven Bike Cafe delivers rentals, repairs, house-roasted coffee, and local beer in one easy stop. This hometown hub keeps rides rolling.
These aren’t ads or sponsored placements, just some cool nearby spots we think are worth a visit.
|
🫶 We got your back
Your data is for sale right now: There are over 400 websites selling your info to marketers, political campaigns, and scammers. They’ve got your phone number, home address, relatives’ names… you name it. That’s how robocallers seem to know everything about you before you pick up. You can remove your info one site at a time, or pay a service to do it for you. Here’s what we recommend →
Why your last diet didn’t work: Sustained weight loss is nearly impossible with diet alone. Your body literally fights back by making you hungrier the moment you start restricting calories. That’s why more doctors are recommending GLP-1s. The best part? Getting them has never been easier. We compared three programs to help you find the right fit. See which ones stood out →
What doctors wish every 65+ adult had at home: Physicians call it “long-lie,” and it’s the real reason falls are so dangerous for older adults. It’s not a broken bone… it’s lying on the floor for hours waiting for someone to notice. We dug into the options that actually solve this problem, and one stood out. See which one →
Thinning hair? It only gets worse: A few months ago, I noticed my ponytail getting thinner. I tried the usual stuff (biotin, shampoo, etc.) but mostly just hoped it would fix itself… until I learned that active follicles can permanently go dormant if you don’t do something about it. The good news? You can get treatment that actually works with no office visits or trips to the pharmacy. Check out my favorite online options →
|
📆 Fun for the whole fam
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.
🌴 Caribbean Fusion @ Brainerd Craft Fair | Saturday (3/14) at 9:00 AM – Skip the lutefisk and hit the Brainerd Craft Fair for Caribbean Fusion’s Taste of Jamaica. Jerk chicken, jerk pork, and flaky patties that make you forget we’re in Minnesota. Go early, it sells out, and enjoy a vacation vibe without airport lines.
🎶 The Concordia Chapel Choir @ Lord of Life Lutheran Church (Baxter) | Thursday (3/19) at 7:00 PM – Brainerd-Baxter gets the good kind of noise as Concordia’s 85-member Chapel Choir rolls through with spine-tingling harmonies and zero Auto-Tune. It is general admission, $15 for adults, free for students, which makes it perfect grandkid-bait, and yes, tickets are non-refundable.
🔬 Live Science Shows @ Essentia Health Sports Center | Friday (3/20) at 4:00 PM – Skip comparing granite samples and pop over to the Home Show stage, where the U of M Physics Force turns science into a riot. Think leaf blowers, flying toilet paper, and stunts your insurance agent hates, all free with admission, fun for all ages.
🍽 22nd Annual BLC Sportman’s Banquet @ Cragun’s Resort on Gull Lake | Saturday (3/21) at 5:00 PM – Cragun’s Pine Ballroom is hosting the 22nd Annual Sportsman’s Banquet, a night where tall tales meet a buffet that will not judge your second plate. Limited adult and youth tickets, so snag one, then grab it at the door with your best Gull Lake story.
❓ Monday Night Trivia\ @ BMerri Gastropub Restaurant and Bar\ | Monday (3/23) at 6:00 PM\* – Monday Night Trivia is rescuing the start of your week with free, family friendly brain teasers everyone can play. Bring the kids, your know-it-all brother-in-law, and that neighbor with the Jeopardy voice, then collect bragging rights, laughs, and a respectable school-night bedtime.
🎵 Melt, Music and Mud @ Brainerd Public Library | Tuesday (3/24) at 10:00 AM – Ready for mud season practice? WonderTrek is taking over the Brainerd Public Library with melting ice, music, and messy sensory play, where kids explore how winter turns to spring. Free fun for curious littles, and you get to supervise, sip coffee, and avoid cleaning floors.
🧁 Country Sweet Treats @ Lighthouse Beginnings (Baxter) | Saturday (3/28) at 10:00 AM – Ready to kick off craft fair season without the chaos? The spring market at Lighthouse brings local crafters, easy browsing, and Country Sweet Treats doling out breads, sweets, and those famous sweet rolls. Come for handmade finds, stay for sugar, leave with no regrets.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
|
📻 Brainerd report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 40°F – Low: 20°F – Precip: 6%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 40. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible. Later: Partly cloudy. Low around 20, with temperatures rising to around 22 overnight. West wind 0 to 5 mph.
—
Tomorrow – High: 40°F – Low: 24°F – Precip: 53%
A chance of snow showers between 7am and 1pm, then a chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 40. South wind 0 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible. Later: Rain and snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24. South wind 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of around one inch possible.
This house is wild
Set on the shores of North Long Lake, this lakefront home blends style with smart updates, including a new roof installed last year. Lake views from the deck set the scene for days on the water, and Brainerd International Raceway lies minutes away. It is a well-maintained retreat in the heart of the Brainerd Lakes, ready for year-round fun.
Take a peek inside →
|
 |
Thanks for reading! If you know someone who’d love BaseLocal, send ’em here so they can sign up too 🙂
|
|
|
|
