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Hi Fort Smith, we made it to Thursday! 

In today’s fun-for-grown-ups edition: New $15M maternal and infant center, Bakery District Street Fest, and gold and silver’s comeback + 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

University advances health innovation: UAFS secured $15 million in federal funding for a 16,300-square-foot Maternal and Infant Healthcare center, part of a $30 million project, including simulation labs to train providers in western Arkansas — get all the details.

Inside shifting employment trends: Tourism led December job gains across the Fort Smith metro, lifting total employment to 105,200, even as the region saw the slowest growth among Arkansas’ four largest metros — read the full breakdown.

Seasoned pros join ranks: Fort Smith’s JB Rainwater of Sofa City and Michael Evans of Crafton’s in Searcy were named to the Arkansas Homefurnishings Association board, recognizing homegrown leadership in Arkansas’s furniture community — meet the new board members.

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:

• Craft your own moss wall art
• Experience women’s poetry across centuries
• Join gentle beginner yoga with Taylor
• 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

Retro burger fix: Ed Walker’s Drive In has slung juicy 1/3 and 1/2‑pound burgers, curly Q’s, and old-school charm for over eight decades. There’s even a 5‑lb burger challenge if you’re feeling bold… a perfect midweek reason to let someone else handle the grill.

Skate break, anyone? At Jack’s Skateland, kids burn energy while you cruise a few nostalgic laps, and screen time fades to the background. Weekend public sessions and occasional adults-only nights make this Fort Smith classic a smooth fix for cabin fever.

History with a badge: At the U.S. Marshals Museum, immersive exhibits and interactive storytelling trace the Marshals’ journey from frontier days to today. The Hall of Honor resonates, blending local pride with a national story. Expect clear, modern displays, rich context, and zero dusty vibes.

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.

📆 Fort Smith 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.

🛍 Growing Kids Sale Spring 2026 Consignment Pop-up Event @ Kay Rodgers Park Expo Center | Thursday (3/5) at 11:00 AM – Spring at Kay Rodgers Park means one thing, a kids’ consignment treasure hunt where they outgrow it today and you buy it tomorrow. Clean out closets, earn up to 75 percent, register at GKSale.com, and score early access if you text GKS to 1-855-332-7677.

🍵 Tea in the Parlour @ Petticoat Parlour | Thursday (3/5) at 3:30 PM – Pull up a chair in the parlour for a hands-on herbal tea workshop where you’ll blend immune-boosting sips for digestion, calm nerves, and heart health, then taste Eden’s elderberry syrup. You leave with custom recipes, practical knowhow, and a very happy teapot. Seats go fast.

🎾 2nd Annual Save a Life Pickleball Tournament @ The Hangout Fitness and Sports | Friday (3/6) at 12:00 PM – Grab your paddle for a pickleball tournament that actually matters. Every serve fuels Harbor House scholarships, trims waitlists in Fort Smith and Hot Springs, and keeps housing, coaching, and aftercare accessible across the region. Win a few rallies, feel like a champ, help save lives.

🍇 Grape Escapes @ ACHE Research Institute Health & Wellness Center | Friday (3/6) at 6:00 PM – Take your taste buds on a world tour in Fort Smith, no TSA required, and help Bost while you’re at it. Celebrate 25 years with wine and local beer, bites from hometown favorites, and an ArTy Afterparty with art and live music. Tickets are $150.

🎉 Bakery District Street Fest @ The Bakery District | Saturday (3/7) at 11:00 AM – Lace up and head to the 3rd annual Bakery District fest for local vendors, great food trucks, and all-day tunes capped by Covington Creek. Start with the Kegs & Legs 5K, then test mettle at stein holding, and ego at the adult spelling bee.

🎤 She Speaks: A Women’s Poetry Showcase @ Miss Laura’s Brothel Museum | Wednesday (3/11) at 2:00 PM – Poetry is taking over Miss Laura’s Brothel Museum, because Fort Smith contains multitudes. From Sappho to today’s women poets, community voices are serving passion, power, and lines that stick. It’s free, it’s local, and yes, culture pairs nicely with a little scandalous history.

🍎 Roots & Roofs: Intro to Berry Bushes & Fruit Trees @ C. King Tropicals and More | Wednesday (3/11) at 4:00 PM – Trade doomscrolling for dirt under your nails at a free workshop on berry bushes and fruit trees, because berries are not getting cheaper. Learn to choose, grow, prune, and harvest, make three DIY garden markers, and, since spots are limited, register at bit.ly/RootsAndRoofs5.

Live music & entertainment:

• 3/6 Pre Boot Up Party @ The Resolve Center – 8:00 PM
• 3/7 The Water Planet @ Arcbest Corporation Performing Arts Center – 7:00 PM
• 3/12 Brad Williams @ The Fort Smith Convention Center – 7:00 PM
• 3/12 Brad Williams @ Arcbest Corporation Performing Arts Center – 7:00 PM
• 3/12 Sister Act: A Divine Musical @ King Opera House, Van Buren AR – 7:00 PM
• 3/13 Sonic Katz @ El Toro Grill & Cantina – 5:00 PM
• 3/13 Leah and the Mojo Doctors @ 906 Cocktail & Cigar Lounge – 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

📻 Fort Smith report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 74°F – Low: 62°F – Precip: 76%

Showers and thunderstorms before noon, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 74. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. Later: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 78°F – Low: 56°F – Precip: 65%

A slight chance of rain showers before noon, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Some of the storms could be severe. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 78. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Later: Showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

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 4-bed, 3-bath, 3,100+ sq ft home blends flexible living with resort vibes. An in-law suite with private quarters sits off a sunroom that overlooks the patio and inground pool. The chef-friendly kitchen features granite counters, custom soft-close cabinetry, double ovens, and a rolling island. Updates include a recent roof, newer HVAC, and a refreshed pool retaining wall.

Take a peek inside →