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Happy weekend, Springdale! 

In today’s happening-today edition: Hidden dining gems, the country’s biggest reptile expo, and a quirky dog show + 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

Where serendipity meets order: Arkansas book lovers head to Once Upon A Time Books and Café in Springdale for rare finds, signed copies, and out-of-print gems, with deep sections that reward long, curious browsing — read the full story.

Under-the-radar eats await: Published February 17, the guide highlights 12 hidden Arkansas dining gems worth the drive, including Heirloom at The 1907 in Rogers, Maddie’s Place in Little Rock, and Cypress Social — check out the full lineup.

Treasure hunts in massive shops: A fresh roundup spotlights 10 enormous Arkansas thrift stores, including the Samaritan Shop in Rogers supporting local families, with sprawling furniture aisles and mid-century finds close to Springdale — see the full list.

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 Like it or not, the internet has a way of surfacing past mistakes and outdated information that no longer reflects who you are.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

• Enchanted cottage photos for book lovers
• Paint and take home free minis
• Boost driving confidence with AARP Smart Driver
• 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

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

Color hit, right here: Spirit of Springdale turns a plain wall into a warm love letter to the city, all parade energy, greenway nods, and Ozark color. A quick 10-minute lift in mural form, best appreciated like a local, with the palette doing the talking.

Cozy fiber fix: If your projects skew more “someday” than “today,” Sew Graceful Quilting stocks hand-dyed wool, Valdani threads, approachable kits, and friendly longarm help to move them along, plus primitive-inspired ideas for when your brain’s out of bobbins. It’s a soft landing for stalled makers.

Cider, but make it fun: Black Apple pours small-batch ciders and keeps things lively with pop-ups, plus easygoing trivia and comedy nights in downtown Springdale. It’s pet-friendly, too, with water bowls for your sidekick while you sip and enjoy the show.

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.

🐍 Rogers Reptile Expo @ Rogers Convention Center | Saturday (3/7) at 9:00 AM – The country’s biggest reptile expo rolls into Rogers, with the Show Me crew bringing snakes, geckos, frogs, and serious houseplant envy. Browse tanks, feeders, and bioactive goodies, or gawk and ask questions. No pressure to adopt a scaly roommate, unless you fall in love.

🗺 Route Planning for Beginners @ Pig Trail Harley-Davidson (Rogers) | Saturday (3/7) at 10:30 AM – Whether you’re tired of playing caboose on group rides or done trusting Gary’s “shortcut,” this hands-on class upstairs at Pig Trail H-D shows you how to map rides with a free app. Bring a laptop or tablet, click along, and plan your next Ozarks escape.

🐶 Muttminster Dog Show @ Jones Center | Saturday (3/7) at 11:00 AM – Think your terrier is your twin? Muttminster is an all-day dog show with quirky categories like Most Like Their Owner and Fashionista, vendors with treats and gear, free to watch, $10 per dog to compete, plus a ticketed Puppy Pals stunt finale.

👑 Sleeping Beauty Act III: Aurora’s Wedding @ Marsha Jones Performing Arts Center at Har-Ber High School | Saturday (3/7) at 1:00 PM – Trade the streaming queue for tutus. Sleeping Beauty Act III: Aurora’s Wedding anchors a family friendly program, with 80 Conservatory students bringing the sparkle, and our pro troupe, NWA Ballet Theatre, slipping in a classic Pas de Quatre. Charming, polished, and blissfully screen free.

💍 Silver + Stone Ring Workshop @ Kaleidoscope Collective (Rogers) | Sunday (3/8) at 12:00 PM – Make a ring you want to wear with Squiggle Workshop’s Becca Hewitt. Beginner-friendly, materials included, you’ll learn precious metal clay and stone setting, then pick up your fired masterpiece a week later. Only 8 spots, $110, consider it an upgrade from your glue gun era.

🎺 NABBA Preview Concert @ Arkansas Arts Academy High School (Rogers) | Sunday (3/8) at 2:00 PM – Brass polished and lungs warmed, Arkansas Highlands Brass Band is running its full NABBA competition set right here in NWA. Expect thunderous ensemble work, three spotlight solos, and precision sharp enough to polish your glasses, then clap them off to championships.

📄 Origami Workshop @ First United Methodist Church (Rogers) | Sunday (3/8) at 5:30 PM – Origami and fellowship, no membership card required. First Youth is hosting a free workshop led by Vicki Melhart, dinner included, conversation encouraged. Fold a crane, trade stories, and enjoy a night where the only thing complicated is the paper, not the company.

Live music & entertainment:

• 3/7 First Saturday Jam @ ReMix Music – 10:00 AM
• 3/7 Sleeping Beauty Act III: Aurora’s Wedding @ Marsha Jones Performing Arts Center at Har-Ber High School – 1:00 PM
• 3/7 Korey McKelvy Band @ The Music Depot (Rogers) – 7:00 PM
• 3/7 Saturday Karaoke @ Pub on the Bricks (Rogers) – 8:00 PM
• 3/8 Monthly Beginner Jam @ Springdale Senior Center 823 E Emma Ave Springdale AR – 1:30 PM
• 3/8 NABBA Preview Concert @ Arkansas Arts Academy High School (Rogers) – 2:00 PM
• 3/10 Open Stage Night @ The Music Depot (Rogers) – 7:30 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

📻 Springdale report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 64°F – Low: 38°F – Precip: 45%

A chance of showers and thunderstorms before noon. Partly sunny. High near 64, with temperatures falling to around 59 in the afternoon. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 38. North wind 0 to 5 mph.

—

Tomorrow – High: 70°F – Low: 51°F – Precip: 7%

Sunny, with a high near 70. Southeast wind 0 to 5 mph. Later: Clear, with a low around 51. South wind 5 to 10 mph.

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Take a peek inside →