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Rise and shine, Central Wisconsin! Shrek the Musical, cat yoga, a seven-figure Boys & Girls Club gift, and more. Let’s get to it!
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
What crews will tackle next: Demolition in Stevens Point is underway to make room for a new City Hall at Ellis Street, with prep work continuing for weeks and completion expected by end of May — see upcoming work and timeline.
Playful wellness science showcase: Science + You is now open at the Children’s Imaginarium in Wausau, offering hands-on STEM fun and healthy-body activities for kids. The exhibit runs through May 9 — see what’s inside the exhibit.
Boost for youth programs: Boys & Girls Club of the Wausau Area received a Dove donation over $1 million, with hygiene products distributed to locations in Wisconsin Rapids, the Northwoods and Portage County — see what’s included and where.
Family-friendly astronomy events: UW‑Stevens Point’s Blocher Planetarium hosts Sunday shows at 2 p.m. through February, spotlighting central Wisconsin’s night sky. Free and open to all, featuring Junior Scientist program Leo and Art — get all the details.
Gold and silver are (still) on fire: Gold’s strong run continues, and silver is outperforming nearly every major asset class in the last year. With demand rising and supply tight, precious metals offer the right combination of market hedge and growth. Augusta Precious Metals is a great way to invest in gold because you can just roll over part of your retirement account into their gold and silver IRAs. Curious to learn more about it? Grab their free guide here.
Compare rates for free: Insurance prices drop all the time, but you’ll only know if you check. I assumed my rate was fine until I compared options and realized I was leaving real money on the table. It took a minute to check and instantly showed better offers for where I live. If it’s been more than a few months, you should probably run this comparison tool here.
One pet emergency can easily cost $7,000+ but pet insurance helps ease the financial and emotional burden. It’s something I wish I’d had after spending $10k on last-minute surgery for my cat (her name is Miss Stache). I learned my lesson and signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.
*We do our best to avoid paywalled articles. If any slip through, let me know which ones and I’ll permanently remove them from our source list!
Highlights this week:
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🫶 We got your back
Expert-led cardiac education event: Aspirus will host a free AFib seminar in Wausau on Feb. 11 at the Hilton Garden Inn. The session covers this heart rhythm disorder, which raises stroke and heart failure risk, plus symptoms and treatment options, with insights from Dr. John Johnkoski. No prior diagnosis required. Get all the event details.
Heartfelt messages make a difference: Stevens Point Health Services is hosting its fourth annual Valentine’s Day card challenge. After receiving over 2,000 cards last year from around the world, they’re aiming for notes from all 50 states and local celebrities, including the Packers. Cards are being accepted now through Valentine’s Day. Learn how you can help.
Thin-crust comfort, solved: When the craving hits, Scotty’s Pizza & Chicken delivers a crispy-edged, generously topped thin crust, plus broasted chicken that somehow vanishes faster than planned. Take-and-bake options and quick pickup make dinner easy for the whole crew, so weeknights feel sorted.
Laughs without the drive: Stevens Point Opera House keeps laughs close to home with periodic improv nights, intimate shows, and community goings‑on in a historic downtown space. It’s an easy antidote to late‑January blahs… a quick hit of live, unscripted fun without the long haul.
A smart way to save on big purchases: When costs hit the tens of thousands, credit card and personal loan interest racks up fast. A HELOC lets you tap into your home’s equity as a flexible line of credit at a lower rate… all without refinancing your mortgage. I’ve been looking into this myself, and Figure’s HELOC stood out for its 100% online application, no in-person appraisal, and quick access to cash.
Your neighbors are Googling you:It’s an uncomfortable thought, but people search names all the time — employers, new friends, other parents at school pickup. If something negative, outdated, or misleading shows up on the first page, it can shape how people see you before you ever meet. BetterReputation helps push down unwanted search results so the first impression you make actually reflects who you are today. And if it’s not your name, you can help a friend or family member with that too.
Get clarity on financial decisions: Managing retirement, taxes, and investments alone can feel overwhelming, especially during big life transitions. Financial advisors provide holistic guidance, help reduce risk, and keep emotions away from costly decisions. I found a tool called Unbiased that matches you with the right financial advisor based on your personal situation so you can get a second opinion… it never hurts.
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📆 Around town this week
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.
🎶 Held in Song – Imbolc Singing Circle @ Wausau Museum of Contemporary Art and The Wausau Club | Monday (2/2) at 6:30 PM – Ready to stoke the midwinter pilot light? Join a gentle Imbolc singing circle, pay-what-you-wish, at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Wausau. No experience required, just breath, shared voice, and nervous-system-calming resonance. Women only, bring your thawing heart, leave perfection at the door.
✂ Playful Vintage Fabric Collage Hearts – Session 1 @ Olio Arts & Music Center | Tuesday (2/3) at 10:00 AM – Skip the store-bought sentiment and settle into Olio for a cozy, vintage-inspired fabric heart workshop with Christine Herrmann. Play with scraps, lace, ribbons, beads, and buttons, then hand-stitch a pin or hanger. No experience needed, all supplies included, $30 well spent.
❄ Winter Walk Meet Up @ Monk Botanical Gardens | Tuesday (2/3) at 10:00 AM – Shaking off cabin fever, families with kids meet at the Gardens for a winter walk on first and third Tuesday mornings, at the potager kitchen pavilion. It’s self-guided and social, so dress for winter, expect slick paths, and a volunteer guide if the weather behaves.
✈ Family Fun: Paper Airplanes @ McMillan Library | Tuesday (2/3) at 6:00 PM – Think your paper airplane game peaked in fifth grade? McMillan Library is handing you paper, instructions, and permission to make a glorious mess, so bring the kids, the grandkids, and your competitive streak. Family friendly, low pressure, no registration, just airborne nostalgia.
🥣 Bowls of Care: Community Glazing Night – Session 2 @ Olio Arts & Music Center | Thursday (2/5) at 3:00 PM – Trade doomscrolling for glazing, pizza, and good deeds at Olio’s Pottery Studio. We’re helping finish bowls for FOCUS’ Empty Bowls, supporting local hunger relief, and yes, your brushstrokes count. It’s free, no experience needed, bring a lidded drink, only 15 spots, so reserve early.
🥂 Champagne & Fries @ Turquoise on Main | Thursday (2/5) at 4:00 PM – Whether you’ve always sworn champagne belongs with salty carbs, or you just like a good deal, this one’s for you. Expect bubbles with special pricing, giveaways, prize drawings, and fries from The Big Garlic, because grown-up indulgence should be crisp, fizzy, and unapologetic.
🎭 Come From Away @ UWSP at Marshfield | Thursday (2/5) at 7:30 PM – Think you know small-town hospitality? Come From Away turns the true story of 38 planes diverted to Newfoundland after 9/11 into an award-winning, big-hearted musical, with toe-tapping songs, wry laughs, and the kind of neighborliness you swear only your grandma still remembers.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Central Wisconsin report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 22°F – Low: 1°F – Precip: 7%
Mostly sunny. High near 22, with temperatures falling to around 20 in the afternoon. Northwest wind 6 to 9 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 1. Northwest wind around 6 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 20°F – Low: 0°F – Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 20. North northwest wind around 5 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 0.
This house is wild
Set on an oversized city lot that runs street to street, this two-story home pairs privacy with everyday ease. The main floor holds a bedroom, full bath, and laundry, plus an open kitchen and dining area. Upstairs offers a second bedroom and a flexible bonus room. A front deck, a 2024 roof, and a 3-car detached garage provide practical perks.
Take a peek inside →
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🔥 Worth a peek
We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we genuinely think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week:
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