Gala in the gardens, home food preservation workshop, ikebana flower arranging for littles, and more. 
Happy Tuesday, Traverse City. You know the drill – grab your coffee (or whatever you sip in the morning), kick back, and let TC Brief serve up everything you need to know for the week ahead.
📰 In the news
Local happenings: City planners weighing a four story riverfront hotel plan, indigenous artists painting a mural in a church, and community groups pushing US 31 upgrades — catch up here.
State-level stories: Ann Arbor’s library game turns code hunters into plush collectors, Michigan land funds redirect $400k toward affordable homes, and an AI monitor guides CPR — see what else is brewing.
National headlines: Safety alerts for hundreds of thousands of Kia and Ford vehicles as an early Atlantic storm takes shape, and Mediterranean diet tips ease inflammation — peruse the best of the rest.
Highlights this week
- Get basic tech help at TADL
- Explore low-acid pressure canning with expert
- Join Wednesday walk honoring Shiloh’s memory
- Meet librarians and grab free books
- Endurance’s auto protection plan is $300 off
🫶 We got your back
Animals: Your sidekick deserves gourmet treats and chic collars, not plain kibble and sad squeaky toys. Check out these pet stores that stock everything from bakery-style biscuits to nature-inspired toys.
Nightlife: Think Michigan is just lakes and cabins? In Detroit, underground techno temples and crafty breweries redefine Friday nights with $4 college specials and $16 cocktails that make you question your life choices. Explore these hot spots for after-dark thrills you didn’t know you needed.
Solo: Traveling alone after 50 doesn’t have to feel scary. These safety hacks will have you packing your bag with confidence.
Playhouse: Whether you’re craving toe-tapping show tunes, spine-tingling drama, or the offbeat charm of experimental one-acts, Old Town Playhouse brings center-stage magic (and just enough backstage buzz) to town.
Wealth: $4,000. That’s how much an ounce of gold is expected to cost in 2026. And since gold thrives in unstable markets, its rally appears far from over. Check out gold IRAs, which let you own physical gold while taking advantage of IRA tax breaks.
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📆 Around town this week
All events are subject to change without notice. This is entirey outside our control. Please check official event pages and social media for the most up to date information.
This week
🎉 Gala in the Gardens @ Historic Barns Park | Tuesday (8/5) at 7:00pm – Whether you love ballet or just the wine, this garden gala at Historic Barns Park brings live cellist, TCDP dancers, and DJ beats under the stars. Sip artisan cocktails, nibble hors d’oeuvres, and guilt-trip your friends into bidding for our hometown dance project.
🥫 Introduction to Home Food Preservation: Low Acid Pressure Canning Workshop | Wednesday (8/6) at 5:00pm – Pressure canning is sneaking back into kitchens across town, and Kara Lynch is here to show us how to trap flavor without turning the kitchen into fireworks at the Boardman River Nature Center. Pack your sense of adventure, and maybe grandma’s pickling jars.
🐄 NWMI 4-H Livestock Auction @ Northwestern Michigan Fair | Thursday (8/7) at 8:00am – Over 450 young farmers are putting their hard work on the auction block — pigs, poultry, steers, and all. It’s not just a livestock sale, it’s the culmination of months of raising, learning, and record-keeping. Swing by, meet the kids, and bid big — you’re investing in bacon and their futures.
🌅 Sunrise Friday @ Mari Vineyards | Friday (8/8) at 7:30am – Weekend wake-up calls rarely involve vineyard vistas, yoga mats, and mimosas, but here we are. Stretch through sunrise yoga among Mari’s grapevines, then sip a mimosa or Higher Grounds coffee under the sky, plus score 10% off anything you fancy.
🥾 Hike the Ridge @ Proposed The Ridge Nature Preserve | Friday (8/8) at 10:00am – Take a break from the usual weekend couch marathon and tackle a 1.5-mile climb up The Ridge, where a 200-foot elevation gain rewards you with sweeping Grand Traverse Bay views. Dust off your hiking boots, bring bug spray, and pretend you’re an outdoor influencer.
This weekend
🎉 Dougherty’s 185th Anniversary @ Dougherty Mission House | Saturday (8/9) at 11:00am – Whether you’re still swooning over old love stories or just here for cake, swing by the Old Mission Peninsula to toast 185 years of Dougherty devotion under towering chestnuts. Explore the 1842 farmhouse, entertain the kids with crafts, then conquer some free anniversary cake.
🌸 Ikebana Flower Arranging for Adults @ The Dennos Museum Center | Saturday (8/9) at 1:00pm – If you’ve ever managed to keep a succulent alive, you’re halfway to mastering Ikebana. This beginner workshop demystifies Japanese flower arranging with balance, simplicity, and harmony, and only 15 spots are up for grabs, so snag a vase, and unleash your inner minimalist.
🎤 All Call Music Festival @ The Little Fleet | Saturday (8/9) at 5:00pm – If you need an excuse to ditch your usual weekend routine, swing by The Little Fleet for its fourth annual music mashup, featuring psych-cumbia, art-rock oddities, cello-and-hip-hop mashups, and Flint soul. Fuel up with gourmet tacos, Sichuan fire, local brews, and craft cocktails.
🙏 Robin Wall Kimmerer: On Gratitude and Giving Back @ City Opera House | Saturday (8/9) at 7:00pm – Whether you think “giving back” is a buzzy slogan or already whisper nothings to your houseplants, join us for a talk by scientist, Citizen Potawatomi member, and professor and bestselling author Robin Wall Kimmerer. Expect parenting wisdom, ecological insight, and a splash of dry humor.
🌼 Ikebana Flower Arranging for Littles @ The Dennos Museum Center | Sunday (8/10) at 11:00am – Parent-and-me zen time, minus the screens and snack negotiations. Whether your kid thinks every stick is a magic wand or already moonlights as a mini Monet, you’ll play with blossoms and master ancient Japanese arranging techniques. Spark creativity, mindfulness, and maybe save your coffee table.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
🎶 Live music & entertainment
- 8/6 Touch of Grey @ Dune Bird Winery – 3 pm
- 8/6 Temptations w/ The Four Tops @ Kresge – 7:30 pm
- 8/7 Rebekah Jon @ French Valley Vineyard – 4 pm
- 8/7 Concerts on the Lawn @ Grand Traverse Pavilions – 7 pm
- 8/8 Andre Villoch @ Bel Lago – 5 pm
- 8/8 Levi Britton @ Rove – 5:30 pm
- 8/8 Jazz Jam @ Workshop Brewing – 6 pm
- 8/9 Luke Woltanski @ Bel Lago Vineyards – 3:30 pm
- 8/9 Darrell Boger @ Mico’s Torch Riviera – 7 pm
🏠️ This house is wild
*This 👇 could be your listing. Hit us up if you’ve got a home (or 12) to sell.
Listed by: Janel Brown (REO-TCFront-233021)
History buffs and lake lovers get the best of both worlds in this 1.46-acre estate with 170 feet of private Bass Lake frontage. Three fireplaces, a three-season porch with water views, and a tunnel straight to the shoreline add a little magic to the everyday. The main floor is all about comfort with a radiant-heated primary suite and a steam shower, while upstairs surprises with a guest-ready suite, sun porch hideaway, and a bonus office.
Downstairs, the walkout level is built for fun with a family/game room, bar, and instant lake access. Dock, boat, and shore station are ready to roll, and the outdoor shower and built-in grill mean summer never really ends. Downtown Traverse City is just minutes away, but you might never want to leave.
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