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Happy weekend, Harrisonburg! 

In today’s happening-today edition: A youth art exhibit opening, Beauty & the Beast, and someone Googled you this week + events worth checking out today & tomorrow.

Today’s sponsor (Money.com) 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

Teachers champion budding artists: Harrisonburg City Public Schools sponsor the 30th Annual Youth Art Month exhibit at Valley Mall, showcasing student art. Open since Feb. 28, the exhibit holds its opening reception today — get dates and reception details.

Shenandoah Valley roots: A recent article names Harrisonburg Virginia’s friendliest small town, highlighting Court Square, cultural events, and the warm welcome travelers feel around town, including the community buzz during JMU Homecoming — read the full story.

Historic venues join forces: Dayton’s new Heirloom Markets will pop up on 4th Thursdays from June to September, 5 to 8pm, across three sites. Organizers are recruiting vendors, with $15 spaces available — see locations, dates and vendor info.

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 Like it or not, the internet has a way of surfacing past mistakes and outdated information that no longer reflects who you are.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

• Skim, jam, and toast ski season
• Celebrate 114 years of girls’ empowerment
• Score festive savings and green treats
• Over 62? See how to turn home equity into tax-free cash

🚗 Are you quietly overpaying for car insurance?

Together with our sponsor Money.com

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🫶 We got your back

Mood-boosting wall art: Nils Westergard’s Michael in Two turns a familiar downtown wall into a quiet, cinematic pause, where floating chess pieces and moonlight add just enough mystery to slow your stride. Even on a coffee run, the scale and stillness settle in, then tag along for the rest of the day.

Stitch your zen: If your fabric stash needs new friends, find aisles of inspiration at Patchwork Plus: curated kits, smart notions, rich threads, and friendly experts who turn “someday” into “finished.” Wander, dream, and leave with a fresh quilt idea… maybe even a delightful new obsession.

Where to sip local: If a low-key hang is calling, Pale Fire Brewing Company delivers with a cozy, music-friendly taproom, a lineup that ranges from award-winning Red Molly Irish Red to citrusy Arrant IPA, plus community events that stretch evenings past “just one”… in the best way.

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 today & tomorrow

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.

🌱 Landscaping with Native Plants @ Rocking R Ace Hardware | Saturday (3/7) at 9:00 AM – Swap the thirsty turf for natives that actually feed bees, birds, and your conscience. Head to Rocking R Ace in Harrisonburg for a free class with Virginia Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners, and learn year-round, low-fuss plant options. Seats are limited, so register online.

🌷 Farm Store Re-Opening Weekend @ Revercomb Farms (Bridgewater) | Saturday (3/7) at 10:00 AM – Take a drive to Revercomb Farms for the store reopening, seasonal bites, and a peek at subscriptions, bundles, and workshops. Decorate giant floral cookies that even my thumbs can manage, then eat your masterpiece. One session leans ladies, another skews family, and no sales pitch.

🐱 Kitty Time @ Aristocat Cafe + Tea House | Saturday (3/7) at 10:30 AM – Trust me, start Saturday with something everyone can handle. Bring your under-7s to a calm kitty hangout, where they meet friendly cats, score a free kid’s drink, and color, while you sit, sip, and enjoy rare morning peace. Spots go fast, reserve yours.

🕹 Arcade Frenzy @ Ruby’s Arcade | Saturday (3/7) at 2:00 PM – If you’ve been itching to relive your high-score days, Spectrum Collective meets at Ruby’s Arcade for games, pool, darts, and duckpin bowling. It can get loud, so bring headphones if you’re sensitive. Five bucks gets an all-day game pass, and food’s on you.

🎤 Nick Ryan @ Massanutten Ski Lodge (McGaheysville) | Saturday (3/7) at 9:00 PM – Done pretending après means stretching? Head to the lodge for Nick Ryan, a live band, and a DJ, then dance like your knees still cooperate while you fuel up on good eats and drinks. 21+ with ID, eight bucks, or free with your lift ticket.

🌹 Beauty & the Beast @ Bridgewater College- 303 E College St, Bridgewater, VA, United States, Virginia 22812 | Sunday (3/8) at 1:00 PM – Think you know ‘tale as old as time’? Altria Theater is serving Beauty & The Beast with Broadway polish and hometown pride, as Tammy Steele ’99 leads the magic. Dress up, grab a drink, and let the chandelier do the heavy lifting.

🖼 Coffee & Canvas @ Broadway Coffee House | Sunday (3/8) at 3:00 PM – Need an excuse to drink coffee and call it art? Coffee & Canvas is a relaxed paint session where $25 gets you all the supplies, caffeine, and zero pressure to be Picasso. Bring a friend, sip, swirl, and leave with something fridge-worthy.

Live music & entertainment:

• 3/7 Though the Tempest Rages: Concert and Hymn Sing @ Park View Mennonite Church – 7:00 PM
• 3/7 Nick Ryan @ Massanutten Ski Lodge (McGaheysville) – 9:00 PM
• 3/7 Midnight Spaghetti @ Clementine – 9:00 PM
• 3/8 Beauty & the Beast @ Bridgewater College- 303 E College St, Bridgewater, VA, United States, Virginia 22812 – 1:00 PM
• 3/10 Taimane @ James Madison University – 7:30 PM
• 3/13 Finally Fridays @ CrossKeys Vineyards (Mt Crawford)
• 3/13 Big City Band @ Massanutten Ski Lodge (McGaheysville) – 9:00 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

📻 Harrisonburg report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 76°F – Low: 61°F – Precip: 30%

Patchy fog before 9am, then a chance of rain showers between 2pm and 4pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 4pm and 5pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. South wind 2 to 12 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Later: A chance of rain showers after 7pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. Southwest wind 7 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

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Tomorrow – High: 69°F – Low: 43°F – Precip: 33%

A chance of rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 69. Southwest wind 6 to 9 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Later: A chance of rain showers before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 43. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

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