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Happy weekend, Norman!
In today’s happening-today edition: Cookiefest 2026, OU’s faster radiation detector, and Chip Minty’s cross-country ride + 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.
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📰 In the news
Stilbenes meet layered perovskites: OU researchers have developed hybrid materials that speed radiation detection, achieving a fivefold boost in light emission and over a year of stability, published in JACS — read the full story.
Perseverance on two wheels: Norman resident Chip Minty, who has multiple sclerosis, will bike across the country this summer with Bike the US for MS, aiming to raise funds and inspire others with MS — read the full story.
Hands-on environmental learning ahead: Norman’s Green Norman Eco-bration will start March 22 on World Water Day, kicking off nine weeks of sustainability events, including a Native Plant Workshop at The Well and research activities — see what’s planned and when.
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 Like it or not, the internet has a way of surfacing past mistakes and outdated information that no longer reflects who you are.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:
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🚗 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.
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🫶 We got your back
Six stories of color: The Norman Red Tail Hawk Mural lifts downtown Norman moods with vivid lines, wildflowers, and a hawk mid-soar. It turns a coffee walk into a quick micro-escape, the kind that fills camera rolls and perks up the group chat while the day moves along a little brighter.
Need fabric inspo? When your project basket begs for color, Sewciety Quilt Co.delivers modern prints, friendly experts, and notions to revive any stalled WIP, plus community vibes that make a quick pop-in feel like a creative reset.
Gavel down, pints up: Need a low-key spot for after-work debriefs or weekend hangs? At Legally Brewed, a rotating tap list runs from crisp lagers to glittery sours, with live music and trivia in the mix. Easygoing, friendly, and very Norman… ideal for catching up, discovering a new pour, and lingering.
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.
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📆 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.
🍪 Cookiefest 2026 @ The Well | Saturday (3/7) at 12:00 AM – Cookiefest is back in Norman, bigger, better, and still gloriously sugary. Enter as a pro, amateur, or youth baker, or just wander, taste, and chat while the kids humble us all. Not oven ready? Sponsor, support, and savor an actually sweet community day.
🏺 Outdoor Pop-Up Antiques Market @ Antiques in Moore | Saturday (3/7) at 9:00 AM – Clear some trunk space and head to Antiques in Moore for a pop-up with bakers, crafters, antique and vintage dealers, and a BBQ truck. Inside, the mall shops have sales, plus a 55-inch TV raffle, because nothing says antiques like leaving with new electronics.
☕ 5th Annual Common Grounds Coffee Festival @ Cleveland County Fairgrounds | Saturday (3/7) at 9:00 AM – Need a caffeine fix with a conscience? For ten bucks at Cleveland County Fairgrounds in Norman, sip coffee, browse artists, catch live music, mug for the VW photo booth, and let kiddos do STEAM. You get the buzz, they build homes with Rose Rock Habitat.
🎷 13th Annual Big Band Dinner Dance @ NPS Center for Arts & Learning, 3801 Journey Parkway, Norman, OK | Saturday (3/7) at 6:30 PM – Trade the playlist for the real thing at Norman High’s Big Band Dinner Dance, a fundraiser with Gaberino’s homestyle Italian and a set from the Jazz Band. Eat, sway, clap on two and four, and toast the 2026 Band Hall of Fame inductee. Tickets: tinyurl.com/2026BBDD.
🛍 Rhea Lana’s 2026 Spring/Summer Pop-Up Shopping Event @ Sooner Mall | Sunday (3/8) at 10:00 AM – Spring cleaning calls for a treasure hunt. Rhea Lana’s pop-up has inspected kids’ clothes, gear, and toys at 60 to 90% off, because they outgrow shoes between breakfast and lunch. Grab a pre-sale pass, bring a friend, and thank me later.
♻ The Sustainable Closet Workshop @ The Depot | Sunday (3/8) at 11:00 AM – If your closet could use a conscience, or at least a facelift, spend an afternoon with artist Alissa Branch turning thrifted finds into wearable art. Bring two pieces, denim, cotton, leather, or linen, and they provide the paint, supplies, and techniques. Sustainable, creative, and therapeutic.
🎸 Steven Curtis Chapman @ First Moore Baptist Church | Sunday (3/8) at 5:00 PM – Christian music icon Steven Curtis Chapman is bringing the hits to First Moore Baptist, the soundtrack of every ’90s youth group and minivan. Expect heartfelt stories, sing-alongs, and that one song that still gets you misty. Consider it a reunion, minus the lock-in.
Live music & entertainment:
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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🔥 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.
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📻 Norman report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 59°F – Low: 38°F – Precip: 11%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 59. North wind 12 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 38. North wind 3 to 10 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 71°F – Low: 52°F – Precip: 2%
Sunny, with a high near 71. West southwest wind 2 to 8 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 52.
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It never happens at a convenient time, and most homeowners just eat the cost because they don’t realize there’s a better option.
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The best part? Select plans are 50% off now through March 9th.
This house is wild
This Collin floor plan packs function and fun into a smart layout. It features 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, a dedicated study, and a media room ready for movie marathons. The kitchen offers abundant cabinetry and an open flow to the living and dining areas, creating effortless connection for everyday routines and easy hosting.
Take a peek inside →
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