Hello Traverse City! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Celebrity chef Andrew Zimmern, dinosaur feud talk, and Oleson's 100 year anniversary celebration + 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.
Utility projects move ahead: TCLP’s board approved a $585,504.57 project expanding fast charging at Clinch Park and Hall Street, and approved a potential Cedar Run cell tower and a Barney Road transmission line relocation -- check the utility upgrades.
Summer program gets a boost: TCAPS' Sunshine Bus now features 11 weekly themes and an activity passport, while continuing to deliver food and toiletries to about 400 students in the Traverse City area this summer -- see the summer themes.
Star-studded culinary festival: Andrew Zimmern will join Traverse City Food and Wine Aug. 19 to 23, with outdoor dining at Black Star Farms and other celebrity chefs in the festival’s second year -- see the full lineup.
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.*
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half -- this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
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02 — From our sponsor Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC billIf 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.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Kid-energy release valve: Campbell Community Playground delivers the quick fix for wiggles and must-sleep-tonight negotiations. Easy to swing by for a short play stop or a longer hang with neighbors, it's an easy win when the house starts feeling too small and the couch too jumpable.
Tiny jungles await: Feeling like your living room needs a mood upgrade? Darling Botanical Company has a build-your-own terrarium bar, lush indoor tropicals, and friendly plant-whisperers who help you pick something that actually thrives in Traverse City light, perfect for sprucing up your windowsill or gifting that friend whose pothos keeps ghosting them.
Press start on fun: Need a midweek reset that isn’t another peninsula drive? The Coin Slot keeps it easy with arcade vibes, a rotating drink menu, occasional live shows, and on-site food vendors, so you can rack up high scores and call it a night at whatever pace you want this week.
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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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Need cash but can't take on another monthly payment? This gets you a lump sum from your home's equity with no monthly bill and no interest, because it isn't a loan. Use the funds for anything, whether that's home improvements, paying off debt, or a large purchase, and pay it back by the end of your 30-year term. Checking your offer is easy, fully online, and won't affect your credit score. *See your cash offer →
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 →
Carrying $5,000 or more on your cards? Stop the interest charges: A balance that size racks up interest fast, and at today's rates it barely budges no matter how much you pay. This card gives you 0% intro APR until 2028 on balance transfers (made in the first 60 days), with a $0 annual fee. That means almost two years to pay down what you owe with no interest charges. *See if it's a fit →
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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.
🦖 Your Dinosaur Is Wrong @ Traverse Area District Library | Wednesday (6/24) at 6:00 PM – Think you know your dinosaurs? Steven and Elizabeth from Your Dinosaurs Are Wrong unpack the Bone Wars, the petty, messy feud between Marsh and Cope that gave us Stegosaurus, Brontosaurus, and Triceratops. It has theft, bribery, shattered fossils, and more shade than your HOA board.
🎎 Japanese Crafts & Culture @ Old Art Building (Leland) | Thursday (6/25) at 10:00 AM – Got a kid who thinks origami is just fancy napkin folding? The Old Art Building is hosting a two-day Japanese Crafts and Culture class for ages 9–13, all hands-on projects, real traditions, and zero screens. Great for kids or grandkids, and your sanity.
🚴 Pride Ride @ F and M Park | Thursday (6/25) at 6:00 PM – It starts at F&M Park with a rally, then a Norte-led rainbow roll through downtown with Up North Pride. Friendly pace, big smiles, and bigger flags, the kind of ride where your bell does more work than your quads. Lycra optional, good cheer mandatory.
🚗 Cars & Caffeine @ Hagerty | Friday (6/26) at 7:00 AM – Get the car out of hibernation, or just bring your coffee appetite, and swing by the season kickoff in Traverse City. Mingle with fellow gearheads, sip complimentary coffee, grab a donut, swap a few garage tales, and yes, it’s rain or shine, no pre-registration.
🎉 Oleson's 100 Year Anniversary Celebration @ Oleson's Food Store | Friday (6/26) at 12:00 PM – Oleson's is hitting the century mark, celebrating with Crooked Tree artists painting on-site, giveaways, and plenty of free samples. It’s art, groceries, and nostalgia in one stop, plus centennial deals all month, and enough bragging rights to last another 100.
🦅 Raptor Visit @ East Bay Branch Library | Friday (6/26) at 3:00 PM – North Sky Raptor Sanctuary is swinging by with real live raptor ambassadors, so learn how our local hawks, owls, and eagles operate. It all happens in the East Bay Township building, across the parking lot from the library, civilized, curious, and a little talon-forward.
✍ In-store Book Signing @ Horizon Books | Saturday (6/27) at 1:00 PM – If you've been waiting for a sign to loiter at Horizon Books without guilt, Karen Bell-Brege and Darrin Brege are back for an in-store signing. Say hi, get a signature, then enjoy the downtown stroll you always promise yourself, no speed walking required.
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 Traverse City report Weather forecastToday — High: 68°F — Low: 57°F — Precip: 60%
Rain showers likely and patchy fog before 5pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy. High near 68, with temperatures falling to around 65 in the afternoon. South wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Later: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 2am, then a chance of rain showers and patchy fog. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. South wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tomorrow — High: 69°F — Low: 54°F — Precip: 49%
A chance of rain showers and patchy fog. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 69. West wind 0 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. Later: A chance of rain showers before 8pm, then patchy fog. Partly cloudy, with a low around 54. Chance of precipitation is 40%. This house is wildThis second-floor Delamar Residences condo pairs boutique luxury with Traverse City convenience, just steps from the waterfront and minutes from downtown. The 2-bed, 2.5-bath middle unit features a spacious layout, a chef-worthy kitchen, and two private balconies. Residents also enjoy spa access, package handling, dining reservations, and polished hospitality throughout.
Take a peek inside → |
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