Subscribe | Get featured

It’s Friday, Charleston! Let’s finish this week strong.

In today’s can’t-miss-weekend-plans edition: Celtic calling dog show, Irish road bowling, and a taste of Ireland + a stacked lineup of events this weekend.

Today’s sponsor (FinanceBuzz) built a free comparison tool that helped me cut my car insurance premiums in half. It took about 3 minutes, and honestly… I wish I’d done it sooner. If you haven’t shopped around in a while, you can easily check the best rates here.

📰 In the news

Experienced leaders join forces: RE-PATH West Virginia added five directors at its inaugural meeting, broadening expertise and reach. The recovery advocacy nonprofit launched at a reception hosted by the state’s addiction and prevention professionals — meet the new board members.

Fresh numbers reveal industry footprint: An industry report says West Virginia ranks fifth nationwide in natural gas production, supports about 73,000 jobs, and delivers hundreds of millions in taxes that fund schools and services — see the full breakdown.

Budget adds broader pay hikes: West Virginia’s House passed a 3 percent pay raise bill for teachers, school service personnel, and troopers, averaging about $1,800. The minority leader argued for broader increases and more workers — 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.

Someone Googled you this week: Whether you’re dating again, selling something locally, or just meeting new neighbors… people are going to look you up. Like it or not, the internet has a way of surfacing past mistakes and outdated information that no longer reflects who you are.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 all that up – learn more here.

Highlights this week:

• Master freezer prep for fresh produce
• Read aloud to gentle therapy dogs
• Celebrate Women’s History with farm-to-table fundraiser
• Over 62? See how to turn home equity into tax-free cash

🚗 Are you quietly overpaying for car insurance?

Together with our sponsor FinanceBuzz

Auto insurance premiums have been climbing across the country… and most folks won’t notice until it’s time to renew and they’re hit with a higher bill.

The frustrating part? Loyalty rarely gets rewarded. Insurers adjust prices constantly, and new customers often qualify for better rates than long-time policyholders.

I learned that the hard way. I had the same policy for half a decade. Autopay was on, I saw the charges come in every month and never thought twice about them. Turns out I was paying well above the national average ($175/mo) for a single car… for years.

This free comparison tool lets you check rates from multiple insurers in just a few minutes. It costs nothing to look, and it could save you hundreds this year.

🫶 We got your back

Plant-powered lunch fix: Coco’s kitchen + cafe keeps it fresh with tofu or falafel add-ons, a lemon‑tahini falafel wrap, and smoothies you can make dairy‑free. Low-key and feel-good for your weekday routine… no lecture, just greens, bowls, and sips that actually hit the spot.

Mid‑century mood boost: Craving a retro glow? The Purple Moon nails Charleston’s sweet spot for vintage finds: mid-century furniture, Blenko glass, and design-y pieces that get along with modern life. Great for a quick room refresh or a joyful impulse score.

Low-effort glam, delivered: Because mornings are hard, Skincraft Aesthetics does the heavy lifting with natural-looking permanent makeup and cosmetic tattoos. Expect brows that behave, liner that lasts, and a vibe more “effortless” than “eyeliner roulette.” By-appointment services mean future-you scores extra sleep.

An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial fee just to be seen to x-rays, surgery, medicine, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could get up to 90% cash back on your vet bill with this pet insurance plan.

📆 Around town this weekend

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.

🎣 2026 Urban Fishing @ North Charleston Recreation Center | Saturday (3/7) at 10:00 AM – Urban Fishing brings the catch to you, no boat, no drama. Drop a line at North Charleston Community Center for a laid-back neighborhood fix with kids or grandkids. Bring a pole, bait, net, and bucket if you’re keeping dinner. Kids under 10 need an adult.

🌱 Seed to Feed @ Miss Ruby’s Corner Market | Saturday (3/7) at 10:00 AM – Whether your houseplants fear you, or you secretly name your tomatoes, come dig in with neighbors to start seeds, swap sustainable fixes for the block, and give the brain a breather. Little love-our-block walk, hands-on learning, free coffee, free street parking, deli closed.

🎻 Celtic Village @ City Center Live | Saturday (3/7) at 10:30 AM – City Center and Slack Plaza become a Celtic village, with pipes, drums, cloggers, duelists, wolfhounds, and more crafters than Summers Street parking spots. Come for the music and dance, stay for the pageant prizes, kids tug o war, a Welsh Dragon with Kinnfolk, and parade.

🐶 Celtic Calling Dog Show @ City Center Live | Saturday (3/7) at 12:00 PM – Bring your hound to a dog show with judges Lora from Cups and Cats Cafe, Bill from Country Roads Pet Resort, and Kinnfolk. Categories include Celtic breeds, fancy dress, and best redhead. No entry fee, biscuit money, plus treat-filled mugs, and Capitol Street parade strut.

🗣 George Daugherty Memorial Tall Tales Contest @ Short Story Brewing Charleston | Saturday (3/7) at 12:30 PM – Whether you actually kissed the Blarney Stone, or just sweet-talked your way through the deli line, this tall tales throwdown honors Elkview’s own Earl of Eloquence, George Daugherty. Bring your best whoppers, charm the judges, and maybe pocket $75, $50, or $25.

🍀 Irish Road Bowling @ Kanawha State Forest | Sunday (3/8) at 2:00 PM – At Kanawha State Forest, we hurl 28 oz steel balls down the road, call it sport, and pretend the rake is for leaves. Bring two friends, or we’ll find you some, roll to Salamander Trail, then toast with road bowler stout at Fife Street.

☘ A Taste of Ireland @ Clay Center for the Arts & Sciences of West Virginia | Sunday (3/8) at 3:00 PM – Craving craic without the layover? Off-Broadway vets and Riverdance alumni bring Charleston a live hit of Irish music and dance, from world-champ footwork and a cappella tap battles to reimagined favorites like Danny Boy and Tell Me Ma, all served with cheeky Irish wit.

Live music & entertainment:

• 3/6 The Gypsy Stars @ Hagy’s Irish Pie Pub – 5:00 PM
• 3/6 Filth and more @ Live at “The Shop” – 6:00 PM
• 3/6 Sandy and Ger @ Coal River Coffee Company – 7:00 PM
• 3/7 2026 Women’s Conference @ Elk River Church of the Nazarene – 9:30 AM
• 3/7 Brandon Lake @ Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center – 7:00 PM
• 3/8 A Taste of Dublin @ Clay Center – 3:00 PM
• 3/8 A Taste of Ireland @ Clay Center for the Arts & Sciences of West Virginia – 3:00 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
• You can own physical gold and silver in your retirement account
• Treat yourself: Save on self-care during the CVS Epic Beauty Sale

📻 Charleston report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 81°F – Low: 63°F – Precip: 47%

A chance of rain and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 81. Southwest wind 2 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: A slight chance of rain before 7pm. Mostly clear, with a low around 63. South wind 2 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

—

Tomorrow – High: 82°F – Low: 56°F – Precip: 87%

Rain and a chance of thunderstorms after 7am. Partly sunny, with a high near 82. Southwest wind 6 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: Rain and a chance of thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Something in your house is about to break 🏠

It might be your AC, your water heater, your fridge… doesn’t matter. Every major system and appliance has an expiration date, and when it goes, you’re staring down a repair bill that can climb into the thousands fast.

It never happens at a convenient time, and most homeowners just eat the cost because they don’t realize there’s a better option.

American Home Shield covers repairs and replacements on most of your home’s major systems and appliances — old or new, no inspection required.

The best part? Select plans are 50% off now through March 9th.

This house is wild

Stately and storied, the Malone House is a 7-bed, 3.5-bath landmark in Charleston’s East End Historic District, built circa 1920 with timeless craftsmanship. Generous rooms showcase rich architectural details, and a finished third floor expands flexible living. A detached garage pairs with a private brick-paved patio. Former residents include banker John C. Malone and coal executive William Caperton.

Take a peek inside →