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Hi Altoona, we made it to Thursday! 

In today’s fun-for-grown-ups edition: Three-day square dance festival, a 1920s speakeasy, and the Spheres Bubble Show + plenty of reasons to put on real pants this week.

Today’s sponsor, Spot Pet Insurance, is something I wish I had before a late-night emergency vet visit left me with a $10,000 credit card bill. It’s cheaper than Netflix… and means you never have to choose between your pet and your savings. It takes less than 5 minutes to sign up – get started here.

📰 In the news

Upper level ballrooms to buzz: Get ready to do-si-do as the Blair County Convention Center will host its first three-day square dance festival in October, with about 300 dancers from Pennsylvania and beyond — see what’s planned inside.

Champions for women’s heart health: Five Altoona-area women are joining the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women Woman of Impact campaign after a record 2025. The local winner will be named April 9 — read the full story.

A legacy of community care: Sixty years in, Altoona’s Thompson Pharmacy remains family owned, delivering daily to long-term care across 10 counties as Bill III and Dana grow services and back Blair County pharmacy students — read the full story.

Gold & silver are hot: Coming off gold’s best year since 1979, the momentum is carrying well into 2026 with silver remaining one of the most talked-about assets. Curious why they’re back in focus? American Hartford Gold has a free guide that explains what’s happening and how people are approaching it today. It’s free – and definitely worth a read.

Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175/month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.

Highlights this week:

• Celebrate St Patty’s with food and music
• Experience a roaring 1920s speakeasy
• Join free modern dance classes for adults
• This top-tier home warranty is 50% off right now
• Save on self-care during the CVS Epic Beauty Sale

🐾 One pet emergency can cost $10,000+

Together with our sponsor Spot Pet Insurance

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 Spot.

It’s super affordable and reimburses up to 90% on qualified vet bills. It was too late for me, but it’s not too late for you. Sign up today.

🫶 We got your back

Burger night, sorted: Altoona’s own The Knickerbocker Tavern serves juicy Thistle Creek Farms burgers with hand-cut fries and a craft-beer lineup that makes choosing the hardest part. You’ve probably earned a midweek treat. That Super Smash situation is calling… crispy edges, melty cheese, and zero regrets.

Wheels, not excuses: Sk8-1-4 Action Sports Park is Altoona’s indoor playground for wheels, with smooth concrete, room to cruise, and features to try when you’re feeling bold. Roller blades and quad skates welcome. Ideal for a midweek roll with a friend.

Where Altoona’s story hums: If you haven’t visited Railroaders Memorial Museum lately, this week is a fine excuse. Explore immersive exhibits, local legends, and the ironwork that built the city. Expect hometown grit, big engines, and nostalgia that doesn’t shout… it whistles.

Access cash without selling your home: A reverse mortgage can help anyone over 62 cover everyday expenses, support healthcare needs, fund home improvements, or even reduce pressure on 401(k) withdrawals – all while staying in your home. Longbridge offers a free calculator to estimate how much flexibility your home could provide, with no commitment required.

📆 Altoona for grown ups

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.

🍴 Dine to Donate @ Texas Roadhouse | Thursday (3/5) at 3:00 PM – Hit Texas Roadhouse for dinner, mention the campaign or show the flyer, and 10% of your bill supports the American Heart Association. Easy family night, zero guilt, and those warm rolls, consider it cardio for the conscience while raising awareness for women’s heart health.

🐟 Fish Frydays @ Second Avenue Global Methodist Church | Friday (3/6) at 4:00 PM – If you’ve been craving a proper Lenten Friday ritual, the youth group’s all-you-can-eat, church-basement fish fry has you covered. Think baked pollock, crispy cod, crab cakes, hush puppies, mac n cheese, and more, all for a good cause. Bring cash, bring appetite, leave smug.

📖 Story and Craft Hour @ Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art Altoona | Saturday (3/7) at 1:00 PM – Give the toy bin a break and head to SAMA for story time and a take-home craft. They’ll hear a tale, make something proudly wobbly, and you’ll bank a little calm, plus new fridge decor. Ideal for ages 3 to 6, with a grownup attached.

🎭 The Music Man @ Levity Brewing Co. | Saturday (3/7) at 7:00 PM – Take a break from the grind and swing by the taproom for Ron Balestino, the open-mic regular who somehow makes Tuesdays feel like Saturday. Expect foot-tapping covers, sneaky originals, and easygoing singalongs, plus the usual neighborhood chatter, decent pours, and zero pretense.

💍 Bliss Beyond the Veil Bridal Expo @ The Eldolyn Terrace | Sunday (3/8) at 11:00 AM – This curated bridal expo is shaking up wedding planning with top local photographers, florists, cake makers, and venues, plus immersive inspiration and exclusive giveaways. Think less chair cover catalog, more you. There’s beauty and self care, bridal party bonding, and fewer mason jars.

👜 2026 Designer Purse Bingo @ Jaffa Shrine Center | Sunday (3/8) at 12:00 PM – If your handbag’s older than the kids who borrow it, come play Designer Purse Bingo at Jaffa. Fifteen games, lunch included, special giveaways, and prizes from Kate Spade, Coach, Michael Kors, and more. Advance tickets are $30, proceeds benefit the Jaffa Kiddies Christmas Party.

🔮 Spheres Bubble Show @ Mishler Theatre | Sunday (3/8) at 3:00 PM – Back at the Mishler for a fourth run, Spheres debuts ORBS, a bubble show your inner five-year-old will actually thank you for. Guinness-record bubble wizard Blaise Ryndes blends lasers, fog, art, science, and comedy into a one-hour swirl of jaw-drops, giggles, and floating soap sorcery.

Live music & entertainment:

• 3/6 Full Kilt @ Levity Brewing Co. – 7:00 PM
• 3/7 The Music Man @ Levity Brewing Co. – 7:00 PM
• 3/7 The Pubcrawlers @ Behe Brothers’ Brewing Company – 7:00 PM
• 3/7 Libcor and more @ McGarveys Bar – 9:00 PM
• 3/8 2nd Sunday Uke Jam @ ArtsAltoona – 2:00 PM
• 3/8 Spheres Bubble Show @ Mishler Theatre – 3:00 PM
• 3/12 Melanie Waldman @ Greenbean Coffee House – 6:00 PM

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🔥 Worth a peek

We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week.

• Thinning hair? Don’t wait – here are 3 treatments that work
• This free tool helps connect you with the right financial advisor
• Got debt? You may be able to pay less than you owe
• Protect your pet from disaster with this pet insurance plan
• You can own physical gold and silver in your retirement account

📻 Altoona report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 58°F – Low: 49°F – Precip: 98%

Rain likely and areas of fog before 7am, then rain and widespread fog and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 58. Southeast wind around 3 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible. Later: Rain and a chance of thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49. South wind around 3 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

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Tomorrow – High: 62°F – Low: 50°F – Precip: 64%

Rain likely before 7am, then a chance of rain showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 62. South wind 2 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: A chance of rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Someone Googled you this week 👀

It may feel like an invasion of privacy, but unfortunately It’s the new normal. Whether you’re joining a committee, selling something locally, dating again, or just meeting new neighbors… people are going to look you up online.

Like it or not, the internet has a way of surfacing past mistakes and outdated information that no longer reflects who you are.

Thankfully, there’s a really easy way for you – or someone you care about – to clean up outdated results that no longer tell the real story. Learn more here.

This house is wild

This all-new 3-bed remodel in Pleasant Valley sits on a quiet dead-end street, offering a fenced yard and brand-new front and back porches. A bright kitchen shines with stainless steel appliances and crisp finishes. Relaxed, low-traffic setting with outdoor hangout zones and easy curb appeal. Porch repainting slated as weather permits.

Take a peek inside →