Hello Lansing! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Magic Johnson’s YMCA gala, Unicorn Bar’s comeback, and the world’s largest swimming lesson + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Star power for a cause: Magic Johnson will headline a YMCA of Metropolitan Lansing fundraising gala with Tom Izzo at the Breslin Center, supporting the nonprofit’s mission and local families in Greater Lansing -- get the gala details.
A beloved local landmark: Lansing’s oldest bar is set to return in July as Unicorn Bar reopens under new ownership after Gillespie Group’s 2017 purchase. Expect new digs, pool tables, live music, and nostalgia -- check the bar's reopening.
Expanding local care access: UM Health-Sparrow broke ground Monday on a $60 million outpatient surgery center in Lansing, promising four operating rooms and a new MRI, with doors expected to open in 2028 -- see the surgery center plans.
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.*
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03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Low-key weekend upgrade: Grand Woods Park has shaded walking trails, disc golf, and plenty of room for pickup games or a lazy picnic under the pavilion. When cabin fever hits midweek, this is the easy reset that feels like a mini escape without leaving town.
Greener thumbs ahead: Whether you're refreshing beds or finally admitting the houseplant shelf needs friends, Lansing Gardens is locally owned, over 100 years strong, and stocked with annuals, perennials, herbs, houseplants, and landscape supplies. Bonus points for the in-house floral shop and Michigan-made jams, sauces, and honey.
Level up your week: Whether you’ve got kids to entertain, friends to challenge, or just need to sprint away from spreadsheet brain, Zap Zone XL - Lansing packs laser tag, mini golf, bumper cars, bowling, and a massive arcade into one spot. Easy weeknight win, high-score bragging rights optional.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
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Buy one window treatment this summer, get the second 50% off: “My fourth order over 8 years. Product reliability, consistency to values & warranty kept me returning!” See what keeps customers coming back to 3 Day Blinds. Book your free consultation and enjoy summer savings on blinds, shades, and drapery. *Claim your summer savings →
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Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🐇 The "Tail" of Peter Rabbit - A Musical @ Lansing Community College | Wednesday (6/24) at 7:00 PM – Introduce the kids, or your inner child, to mischief done properly with this interactive Peter Rabbit musical. Beatrix Potter nostalgia, comical critters, and five original songs in a cozy black box, locally directed, mean screen-free thrills, manageable chaos, and a well-earned snack afterward.
🎱 Scoops & Bingo Night @ Capital City Sweets | Wednesday (6/24) at 7:00 PM – Trade laundry night for bingo at Capital City Sweets, free to play and heavy on the sugar. Win ice cream, cookie dough, sundaes, and gift cards, earn bonus cards by joining rewards or pitching a flavor, then bask in sprinkles, glory, and neighborhood fame.
🏊 World's Largest Swimming Lesson @ Hunter Park | Thursday (6/25) at 9:00 AM – Hunter Park Pool is hosting the World’s Largest Swimming Lesson, a free, kid-friendly way to turn cannonballs into actual water safety for ages 5–12. Think global event, local bragging rights. Pre-registration is required, rain moves to Schmidt, and grandparents get prime bleacher seats.
🏁 CCFBMX Race for Life @ Capital City Family BMX | Friday (6/26) at 6:00 PM – Friday night at Capital City Family BMX, Race For Life turns laps into a ride with purpose, and the vibe is all community, dust, and cheers. Bring the crew, let the kids burn energy, and feel good supporting something bigger than split times.
🏃 Beat the Heat! Family Field Day @ Delta Mills Park | Saturday (6/27) at 2:00 PM – Lansing summer loves to broil us, so here’s a family field day that cools you down. Lansing Tech Studio hosts games, hands-on tech, and kid energy you can borrow, then return. Old-school lawn fun, new-school gadgets, and fewer complaints about the sun.
⚾ Scout Day: Lansing Lugnuts vs Great Lakes Loons @ Lansing Lugnuts | Sunday (6/28) at 1:00 PM – Sunday kids’ day calls for some classic Lugnuts baseball as they host the Great Lakes Loons, plus a sea of Scouts earning merit badges in cheering. Box seats await, meal package optional, and yes, it’s wholesome chaos with beer, sunscreen, and seventh-inning bribes.
🪵 Michigan Log Cabin Day @ Woldumar Nature Center | Sunday (6/28) at 1:00 PM – Swap your to-do list for Michigan Log Cabin Day, where 1860s life gets real. Tour the childhood home of Lansing architect Darius Moon, watch the blacksmith throw sparks, and chat with Tom about cabins, tools, and how people survived without central air.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Heads up for pet parentsTogether with our sponsor Lemonade. 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 Pet Insurance. It was too late for me, but you could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade. |
07 — The Lansing report Weather forecastToday — High: 76°F — Low: 59°F — Precip: 47%
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 2pm and 4pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 4pm and 5pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny. High near 76, with temperatures falling to around 74 in the afternoon. South wind 1 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm, then showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. South wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Tomorrow — High: 78°F — Low: 56°F — Precip: 53%
A chance of rain showers before 8am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 78. West southwest wind 5 to 9 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 56. Chance of precipitation is 30%. This house is wildThis turn-key Mid-Century Modern gem offers 2,486 square feet of updated living space, a wide circular drive, and a main-floor primary suite with its own balcony. Quartz countertops, built-ins, a 3-season room, and a radiant-heated 4-season room bring style and flexibility. Outside, enjoy a built-in grill, fire pit, fenced garden, and electric sheds.
Take a peek inside → |
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