Area Attractions - Yacht Rock Detroit (7/17-18)

After a sold-out inaugural year, Yacht Rock Detroit returns July 17–18, 2026, for its second annual waterfront music festival at Detroit's legendary Roostertail.

Kicking off the weekend, the venue will also host the Music Giving Hope Gala on Thursday, July 16, benefiting the Detroit Youth Choir. The two-day celebration will feature an all-star lineup of smooth rock legends, including Three Dog Night, Ambrosia, Pablo Cruise, Yacht Rock Revue, Peter Beckett, Walter Egan, Elliot Lurie, and John Ford Coley, along with special performances from regional talent and tribute favorites.

Set along the banks of the Detroit River, Yacht Rock Detroit transforms the iconic Roostertail into a vibrant waterfront music destination celebrating the timeless sound of late ’70s and early ’80s soft rock. Tickets start at $199 for General Admission and $399 for VIP Admiral’s Pass packages, and are available now at www.yachtrockdetroit.com.  

For Yacht Rock Detroit, the entire seven-acre property will come alive—indoors and outdoors—with live performances overlooking the river, boats docking along the waterfront, elevated VIP lounges, signature yacht rock-inspired cocktails, premium culinary experiences, champagne bars, nautical-themed photo installations, and a Best-Dressed Yacht Rock Costume Contest. Curated DJ sets spinning smooth classics will keep the energy flowing from afternoon sunshine through golden-hour performances.

“This festival captures everything people love about Detroit summers—great music, the river, boats, and a sense of celebration,” said Michael Schoenith owner of the Roostertail and co-producer of Yacht Rock Detroit. “The Roostertail has always been about bringing people together for unforgettable moments, and Yacht Rock Detroit continues that tradition in a way that feels both nostalgic and excitingly new.”

Adding to the weekend's festivities, the Roostertail will host the Music Giving Hope Gala on Thursday, July 16. Music Giving Hope, a foundation co-founded by the late Tito Jackson, is dedicated to using the power of music to inspire hope and improve lives around the world.

The exclusive gala will feature intimate performances by Walter Egan, Peter Beckett, and John Ford Coley ahead of their Yacht Rock Detroit appearances, along with an auction featuring exclusive memorabilia, multiple autographed guitars, and premium collectible items. Proceeds from the evening will benefit the Detroit Youth Choir, the nationally recognized youth ensemble that has transformed the lives of young people throughout Metropolitan Detroit through music, discipline, and performance excellence. Gala tickets include hors d'oeuvres and drinks courtesy of the Roostertail. Learn more at: https://yachtrockdetroit.com/music-giving-hope

Tickets are on sale now at https://yachtrockdetroit.com/tickets

Event Details

Event: Yacht Rock Detroit 2026

Location: Roostertail, Detroit, Michigan (100 Marquette Dr, Detroit, MI 48214)

Dates: July 17–18, 2026

Tickets: https://yachtrockdetroit.com/tickets

About the Roostertail

For more than 65 years, Detroit’s Roostertail has stood as one of the city’s most recognizable waterfront entertainment landmarks. Opened in 1958 along the Detroit River, the venue takes its name from the towering spray created by hydroplane race boats during Detroit’s historic Gold Cup races.

The Roostertail helped shape the city’s music culture by inventing the concept of “Motown Mondays,” a weekly celebration of Detroit’s signature sound featuring artists such as The Four Tops, The Temptations, The Supremes, Smokey Robinson & the Miracles, and Stevie Wonder. The venue has also served as the recording site for live albums by The Four Tops, Alice Cooper, and comedian George Carlin. Today, the Roostertail continues its legacy as a premier destination for world-class entertainment along Detroit’s riverfront.

For more info, visit www.roostertailtail.com.

House & Home - Office Building Survey

As office vacancies continue to reshape downtowns across the country, IPX1031, a Fidelity National subsidiary, recently surveyed Americans about how they think empty office buildings should be repurposed.

The report finds 75% of Americans say they would live in a converted office building and 83% would support government incentives to repurpose vacant office buildings.

 

• 65% say their community needs more affordable housing
• 72% would support local tax incentives for office redevelopment
• 56% say empty office buildings negatively impact how they feel about their community

 

Additionally, nearly 9 in 10 (88%) Americans notice vacant or underutilized office buildings in their area and 68% view these vacant buildings as a problem.

 

Take a look at the report for more insights

Fun Freetime - Summer-Inspired Baby Girl Names

New research has revealed America’s most and least popular summer-inspired baby girl names, with Eliana emerging as the country’s favorite seasonal choice while Nerina was given to just five baby girls in 2025.

Experts at ChicksX compiled a list of over fifty summer-inspired baby girl names and used the latest data from the US Social Security Administration on girls' names for 2025 to discover the most and least popular summer-themed baby girl names. 

Top 10 most popular summer-inspired baby girl names in America

Summer baby girl name	Rank	No. of baby girls born with the name in America (2025)
Eliana	1	6423
Lily	2	6093
Willow	3	4653
Iris	4	3124
Daisy	5	3091
Rose	6	2376
Sienna	7	2113
Summer	8	2065
Sage	9	1987
Olive	10	1778

1. Eliana — 6,423 baby girls

Eliana is the most popular summer-inspired baby girl name in America, with 6,423 baby girls receiving the name in 2025. Eliana derives from the Greek 'helios' meaning 'sun'. The name also has Hebrew origins, meaning 'My God has answered'. 

Eliana's bright, elegant sound and associations with light, warmth and sunshine give it a natural place among names inspired by the summer season.

2. Lily — 6,093 baby girls

Lily is the second most popular summer-inspired baby girl name in America, with 6,093 baby girls receiving the name in 2025.

Taken directly from the quintessential summer flower, the lily, Lily as a name evokes fragrant, warm scents, colorful gardens, fresh blooms and sunny outdoor landscapes. Its combination of simplicity, familiarity and strong natural imagery has helped it remain an enduring choice for American parents.

3. Willow — 4,653 baby girls

Willow is the third most popular summer-inspired baby girl name in America, with 4,653 baby girls receiving the name in 2025.

Inspired by the graceful willow tree, the name brings to mind green landscapes, shaded riverbanks and peaceful summer afternoons. Its soft sound also gives it a calm, modern quality that complements its connection to nature.

4. Iris — 3,124 baby girls

Iris is the fourth most popular summer-inspired baby girl name in America, with 3,124 baby girls receiving the name in 2025.

Named after the vibrant summer flower, Iris is associated with colorful gardens and the natural beauty of the warmer months. Its additional connections to rainbows and color give the name an especially bright and uplifting character.

5. Daisy — 3,091 baby girls

Daisy is the fifth most popular summer-inspired baby girl name in America, with 3,091 baby girls receiving the name in 2025.

The cheerful presence of daisies dotted across lawns is always a welcome sign of the end of the cold season and the beginning of summer. Daisy as a name evokes sunshine, wildflower meadows, outdoor picnics and carefree summer days. Daisy’s friendly, familiar sound has also helped it develop an appeal that feels both traditional and playful.

6. Rose — 2,376 baby girls

Rose is the sixth most popular summer-inspired baby girl name in America, with 2,376 baby girls receiving the name in 2025.

Inspired by one of the world’s most iconic summer flowers, Rose brings to mind blooming gardens, fragrance and timeless natural beauty. Its long history as a given name makes it one of the most established choices in the summer-inspired ranking.

7. Sienna — 2,113 baby girls

Sienna is the seventh most popular summer-inspired baby girl name in America, with 2,113 baby girls receiving the name in 2025.

The name is associated with warm, earthy color and the Italian city of Siena, creating images of Mediterranean travel, terracotta buildings, golden sunsets and sun-drenched summer evenings.

8. Summer — 2,065 baby girls

Summer is the eighth most popular summer-inspired baby girl name in America, with 2,065 baby girls receiving the name in 2025.

Taken directly from the warmest season of the year, Summer instantly evokes sunshine, vacations, beaches, festivals and long evenings outdoors. 

9. Sage — 1,987 baby girls

Sage is the ninth most popular summer-inspired baby girl name in America, with 1,987 baby girls receiving the name in 2025.

Inspired by the fragrant herb, which especially thrives in the heat and actively grows and produces its most flavorful leaves in early summer, Sage is an understated and elegant botanical name. Its associations with gardens, greenery and the natural world give it a fresh, outdoorsy quality.

10. Olive — 1,778 baby girls

Olive rounds out the top 10 most popular summer-inspired baby girl names in America, with 1,778 baby girls receiving the name in 2025.

Inspired by the olive tree and its Mediterranean associations, Olive evokes warm climates, peaceful countryside landscapes, outdoor dining and sun-soaked summer vacations.

Top 10 rarest summer-inspired baby girl names in America

Summer baby girl name	Rank	No. of baby girls born with the name in America (2025)
Nerina	1	5
Nerissa	2	6
Shelsea	3	7
Wisteria	4	10
Bay	5	16
Peach	6	17
July	7	18
Saffron	8	23
Breeze	9	27
Cherry	10	29

 

1. Nerina — 5 baby girls

Nerina is the rarest summer-inspired baby girl name included in the study, with just five baby girls receiving the name in America in 2025. The name Nerina is primarily of Italian and Greek origin, and means "sea nymph" or "from the sea".

Its flowing sound and strong marine imagery evoke clear water, island landscapes and quiet coastal vacations. With only five recorded uses, it offers one of the most distinctive options for parents attracted to ocean-inspired names.

2. Nerissa — 6 baby girls

Nerissa is the second rarest summer-inspired baby girl name in America, with only six baby girls receiving the name in 2025.

The name Nerissa is of Greek origin and also means "sea nymph" or "from the sea". The name has a graceful, oceanic character that brings to mind coastlines, mythology and tranquil seaside escapes. Its literary associations - from William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice - may appeal to parents searching for a summer name that is established in style but exceptionally rare in use.

3. Shelsea — 7 baby girls

Shelsea is the third rarest summer-themed baby girl name, with seven baby girls receiving the name in 2025.

Its sound closely echoes “shell” and “sea,” giving the name a distinctive coastal quality. It evokes sandy beaches, seashell collecting and family vacations beside the ocean.

4. Wisteria — 10 baby girls

Wisteria is fourth rarest, with just 10 baby girls receiving the name in 2025.

Inspired by the cascading flowering vine, Wisteria brings to mind colorful gardens, shaded porches and fragrant blossoms. Although elaborate floral names have become increasingly visible, Wisteria remains much rarer than names such as Lily, Iris, Daisy and Rose.

5. Bay — 16 baby girls

Bay is the fifth rarest summer-themed baby girl name, with 16 baby girls receiving the name in 2025.

The short nature name evokes sheltered beaches, calm coastal waters and scenic summer escapes. Its simplicity gives it a modern feel, while its strong geographical imagery connects it closely to outdoor travel and the sea.

6. Peach — 17 baby girls

Peach comes sixth on the list of rarest summer baby girl names, with 17 baby girls receiving the name in 2025.

Inspired by one of summer’s most recognizable fruits, Peach brings to mind orchard harvests, warm Southern landscapes and soft sunset colors. Its sweetness and playful quality make it distinctive, although still highly unconventional as a formal first name.

7. July — 18 baby girls

July is the seventh rarest summer-inspired baby girl name in America, with 18 baby girls receiving the name in 2025.

Named after a month at the heart of the American summer, July evokes vacations, fireworks, celebrations, barbecues and long evenings outside. Despite that immediate seasonal connection, it remains far less common as a given name than month names such as April, May or June.

8. Saffron — 23 baby girls

Saffron ranks as the eighth rarest summer baby girl name in America, with 23 baby girls receiving the name in 2025.

Borrowed from the richly colored spice and flower, Saffron is associated with golden tones, warmth and vibrant natural beauty. It offers a distinctive alternative to more established botanical names such as Lily, Rose and Sage.

9. Breeze — 27 baby girls

Breeze ranks ninth on the list, with 27 baby girls receiving the name in 2025.

The name immediately brings to mind gentle coastal winds, fresh sea air and relief from the heat on a warm summer afternoon. Although its seasonal imagery is unmistakable, its use as a first name remains highly unusual.

10. Cherry — 29 baby girls

Cherry rounds out the top ten rarest summer-themed baby girl names in America, with 29 baby girls received the name in 2025.

Inspired by the bright seasonal fruit, Cherry evokes orchards, summer desserts and warm days outdoors. Its bold imagery gives it a cheerful character, but its rarity suggests most parents still view it as a more unconventional choice.

Al Alof, CEO of ChicksX, said:

“What's particularly revealing is that American parents appear to embrace summer imagery most readily when it is packaged inside a familiar, established name. Lily, Rose, Daisy and Willow all have obvious links to the natural world, but they also sound recognizable, versatile and easy to imagine on both a child and an adult.

“The rarest names make the seasonal reference much more literal. Breeze describes a summer sensation, July names a summer month, while Cherry and Peach are warm-weather fruits. These names may capture the season more directly, but they also ask parents to make a bolder naming decision.

“This suggests that the popularity of a nature name is not determined by imagery alone. Parents appear to be balancing originality against familiarity, choosing names that feel distinctive without feeling difficult to wear. The most successful summer-inspired names create a mood rather than naming the season too explicitly — they suggest flowers, light, warmth and outdoor beauty while still functioning as conventional first names.”

All data gathered from the US Social Security Administration. 

If using this press release, please include a link to https://chicksx.com/ which conducted the research. 

Methodology

ChicksX compiled a list of over fifty summer-inspired baby girl names and analyzed the latest baby-name data from the US Social Security Administration, covering names registered in 2025. The names were ranked by the number of baby girls given each name to identify the most popular and rarest summer-inspired choices in the United States.

Book Nook - I Know Things

I Know Things by Karla Clark celebrates the curious minds of youngsters – reminding them they know more that they (or adults) realize!

Kids are constantly learning and growing in their understanding of the world around them, but what about all the things they already know?   With playful affirmations and a lively narrator, this book announces in a big, joyful way all the many things' kids understand. Some are small and insignificant; some are deep and everlasting:

• Cuddles can speak louder than words

• Skipping can chase away the blues

• Adults don’t always have all the answers

But the narrator emphasizes that there is more to come—more life to experience and more lessons to learn.

Perfect for back-to-school or other times of transition in a child’s life, this book reminds nervous or worried kids that they can take on whatever comes their way because… they know things! 

I had a chance to learn more in this interview.

What was the inspiration behind this book?

 

My granddaughter was the inspiration behind this book! When she was six, she told me something about the “stratosphere” and I said, “Wow, you know a lot for a little thing.” She responded, “I may be little, but I know things.” That sentenced sparked the idea. Kids are always learning but they already know a lot and we need to celebrate all that they know.

 

Why is it important for parents to help kids realize what they already know about the world?

Kids are absorbing everything around them — the way seasons change, how people treat each other, what makes them feel safe or loved. But we’re often so busy rushing them toward the next thing to learn that we forget to pause and say, “You already know so much!” When we do that, it builds something really powerful: confidence. It tells a child that their experiences matter and that wisdom isn’t just handed down by adults — it lives inside them too. That inner knowing is where real curiosity begins.

 

How can a book like this be used to explore further curiosity and spark discussion?

My favorite thing to suggest is simple: after reading, ask your child, “What’s something YOU know that isn’t in this book?" Then really listen. Kids light up when adults are genuinely curious about their perspective. I Know Things is meant to be a mirror — when children see their own observations and experiences reflected on the page, it opens the door to so many conversations about nature, feelings, family, and the world. Hopefully, the book is really just the beginning of that discussion.

About Karla Clark: Karla Clark wanted to be an author when she was a child…then she wanted to be an artist. She feels blessed to be working as both as an adult. Karla has written novels, short stories, and numerous picture books. She lives in Rockford, Illinois, with her husband and son. When not writing, she is busy creating decoupage collages and digital art that she sells online and at art shows. 

Socials: Website & Instagram

Money Matters - Cost to Raise a Child by Metro Area

SmartAsset today released its 2026 study on what it costs to raise a child in 48 of the nation’s largest metro areas, including where costs are highest and where they have risen fastest over the past year.

 

Among the study’s key findings: 

• In the San Francisco metro area, the cost of raising a child is $43,171, the highest in the nation. Next door, San Jose ranks No. 3 at $41,817.
• Indianapolis saw the biggest spike in child-rearing costs, with the cost of raising a child jumping 21% between 2025 and 2026.
• Only two metro areas saw the cost of raising a child decline from 2025 to 2026: Richmond, Virginia (-2%), and Virginia Beach (-1%).

See the full study and how each city compares: https://smartasset.com/data-studies/cost-of-raising-a-child-in-major-u-s-metros-2026-study

 

Music Minute - Trey Calloway: Slide

Award-winning singer-songwriter Trey Calloway just released his highly anticipated new single, “Slide”. Known for his honest vocals and traditional country sound, Calloway brings his own style and emotion to the song, making every lyric feel personal and every note ring true. Fans of Gary Allan may recognize “Slide” from Allan’s 2021 album, Ruthless, but Calloway delivers a fresh interpretation while staying true to the heart of the song. His heartfelt performance showcases the authenticity and storytelling that have become his signature, giving listeners a new appreciation for the track. “Slide” premiered with Country Evolution. 

To purchase/stream:
https://hypeddit.com/treycalloway/slide
 

“I really enjoy this song because it’s an upbeat love song that celebrates real, imperfect relationships. I hope it’s a relatable anthem about fighting for love despite our flaws.” — Trey Calloway
 

Calloway recently released his highly anticipated new album Truck Around on all streaming platforms. Songs from the record have been featured by outlets including Center Stage Magazine, Whiskey Riff, Nashville.com, All Country News, RFD-TV, Everything Nash, Dillon Weldon, and Cowboys & Indians. The collection delivers a heartfelt nod to the golden era of ’90s country music while firmly planting its boots in the future of the genre. From hard-hitting honky tonk anthems to timeless storytelling, Truck Around showcases Calloway’s deep respect for country tradition alongside his modern-day authenticity as one of the genre’s rising voices. 

One to never shy away from adventure, Calloway recently took off his cowboy hat and put on a racing helmet at the Daytona International Speedway when he rode six laps around the famous speedway with Forbes thrill seeker, Jim Clash at over 170MPH. To see the full feature, visit HERE.

Trey is currently working on his next EP, Honkytonk Generation, set for release later this year, alongside his new producer and co-writer, Phil O’Donnell. With more than 20 years of experience, O’Donnell has written No. 1 songs for George Strait, Blake Shelton, and Montgomery Gentry, and has also worked with artists including Cody Johnson, Chris Janson, Craig Morgan, Clay Walker, Aaron Watson, and Craig Campbell, adding a strong foundation to Trey’s upcoming project. Calloway continues to add live shows on the road and in Nashville, with more being added regularly, including his upcoming shows in Las Vegas later this summer and his first-ever appearance at the Ryman Auditorium. 

To keep up with all things Trey Calloway, visit his website and follow on social media.
 

Website | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | YouTube

About Trey Calloway:
North Carolina-grown and Nashville-based, Trey Calloway grew up singing in church and was a seasoned performer by the age of ten. Although southern and contemporary gospel were his first musical loves, as a teen, Trey developed a deep understanding and passion for the rocking, boot-stomping storytelling of '90s country legends and has been writing and performing country music ever since. Trey has opened shows for Joe Diffie, Tracy Lawrence, McBride & The Ride, Pat Green, Edwin McCain, and Craig Campbell, and has played for audiences at the Charlotte Speed Street NASCAR Festival, the House of Blues, Billy Bob's Texas, and the Tennessee State Fair Opry Stage. Since mid-2023, Calloway has won Songwriter of the Year at the Texas Country Music Awards, had a music video featured on CMT, been picked up by Spotify editorial playlists, and has over four million streams on Spotify alone. For more information, visit treycallowaymusic.com.

Music Minute - Lauren Watkins: If I'm Being Honest

Big Loud Records / Songs & Daughters songbird Lauren Watkins announces her forthcoming album If I'm Being Honest, due Sept. 25. Watkins marks the announcement with the release of another look at what's to come, new song “Better Love Next Time,” out now.     PRE-SAVE/PRE-ADD: IF I'M BEING HONEST   Produced by Will Bundy with co-production on select tracks from Joey Moi, If I'm Being Honest finds Watkins stripping things back without losing any of her edge. Across 12 unguarded songs, the Nashville native brings her earthy vocal and graceful nonchalance to the hard truths most people won't say using her signature lyrical imagery to make ordinary life feel lived-in.   Watkins looks on the bright side of breaking up in “Better Love Next Time,” complete with a classic Nashville turn of phrase. Written by Watkins with Bundy, Lauren Hungate and Mark Trussell, the track finds her dusting herself off with a little humor, a little grit and enough belief to keep moving toward whatever is around the bend.   LISTEN: “BETTER LOVE NEXT TIME”   “I've always thought that if you look past the heartbreak, there's something so hopeful about a goodbye,” shares Watkins. “It almost always means there's something better out there that you just can't see yet. That's what I wanted 'Better Love Next Time' to feel like. There's a time and a place to be sad and cry about it, but this is the moment to get back in the saddle and do all the fun, healthy things that come with moving on. It genuinely makes me smile every time I sing it, and I hope it does that for people too. I needed this when I was going through breakups, so I just wrote one myself!”   “Better Love Next Time” continues a summer of new music from Watkins, following May's “Heartbreakaholic" and June's “Convenient.” The three tracks begin to sketch the world of If I'm Being Honest, a project that finds Watkins sharpening the honest, detail-rich writing that has long set her apart.   The newly announced record follows Watkins' 2024 debut, The Heartbroken Record, a 17-track introduction to her lyrical truth-telling and old-school instincts, and 2025's In A Perfect World, a 10-song collection that found the Nashville native evolving as the idea of home came into focus. Where her debut leaned into heartbreak with a rebel edge, In A Perfect World captured a season of growth and self-discovery. On If I'm Being Honest, Watkins will carry both sides forward, pairing the bite of her earliest writing with a more plainspoken look at where life has taken her since.   Tickets are on sale now for Watkins' first-ever hometown headline show at Nashville's Exit/In on Thursday, Oct. 8. The newly announced show follows recent dates with Dylan Scott and upcoming dates with Luke Bryan as Watkins continues bringing her old-school country grit and “direct-yet-poetic songwriting” (Billboard) to stages across the country.    Last year, Watkins made her debut on some of music's biggest stages, including the Grand Ole Opry, NBC's TODAY and Madison Square Garden, as well as touring with Zach Top, Riley Green and Lainey Wilson. Following a breakout year of firsts, Watkins enters the second half of 2026 with If I'm Being Honest on the way and a few things still left to get off her chest. For tour dates and more information, keep up with Watkins at laurenwatkins.com and on TikTok, Instagram and Facebook.

ABOUT LAUREN WATKINS: With an earthy, all-natural magnetism and razor sharp poetic instincts, Big Loud Records/Songs & Daughters country artist Lauren Watkins will never be accused of hiding her true feelings. Schooled on mavericks like Sheryl Crow, Eric Church, Kacey Musgraves, then nurtured by songwriting legend Nicolle Galyon, she's grown from Nashville roots into a stadium performer with nearly 100 million global streams, wielding vintage, sun-dappled vocals and serene, sepia-toned bravado. Co-writing every track on her 2024 debut The Heartbroken Record, “Anybody But You” helped set the romantic rebel without a cause apart, before 2025's In a Perfect World found Watkins evolving. Working with husband and award-winning songwriter/producer Will Bundy (Ella Langley, Riley Green), she's now made her debut at the Grand Ole Opry, NBC's TODAY and Madison Square Garden, while hitting the road with Morgan Wallen, Zach Top, Riley Green, and Lainey Wilson. On her third album, If I'm Being Honest, Watkins' truth-telling ways collide with a soft-spoken-yet-confident blast of organic country. Chasing the bright lights of the stage while dreaming of a front porch sunset, 12 unguarded tracks came from her finely-tuned pen (including one captivating solo confession) as she took an almost-scientific interest in speaking plainly. Produced by Bundy (with co-production by Joey Moi on select tracks), Watkins brings a graceful nonchalance to the hard truths most people won't say.