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Hi Harrisonburg, hope you’re having a great weekend!
In today’s in-case-you-missed-it edition: A restaurateur’s American dream, a beloved baker’s inspiring comeback, and a bonfire botany workshop + the top stories from this week & a sneak peek at next week.
Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Harrisonburg protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.
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đź“° Most-clicked stories this week
A restaurateur’s American dream: After 30 years of hard work, Brothers Italian Restaurant owner Massimo Coppola became a U.S. citizen, celebrating with customers in Harrisonburg and calling it the start of a new chapter — read the full story.
Why he took the job: Harrisonburg has hired Joseph Tucker as police chief after a year and a half of searching. He brings a Liberty degree, ongoing UVA studies, and familiarity with Harrisonburg and JMU — get all the details.
Beloved baker’s inspiring comeback: Andrea Dawn, owner of Harrisonburg favorite Strite’s Legendary Donuts, has returned home after a December fire-related injury, now off oxygen and feeding tubes and walking without a walker — read the recovery update.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.
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.
All the crowd favorites:
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🏆 Gold and silver are heating up
Together with our sponsor American Hartford Gold
Gold just posted its strongest run in decades… and the momentum is carrying into 2026. Silver has become one of the most talked-about assets as investors look for ways to stay ahead of market volatility.
While many are still sitting on the sidelines, others are quietly repositioning.
If you’re wondering whether you’re missing something, AHG has a free guide explaining what’s driving the renewed interest… and how investors are approaching precious metals right now.
It’s free and worth reading before the next move.
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🫶 This week’s top finds
Float your stress away: When the week is already doing the most, Restorative Massage Therapy offers float therapy to hit reset, plus sauna and salt sessions for a deep exhale. Step in, switch off, and feel human again… a simple, soothing reboot that doesn’t require travel or fuss.
Burger fix, upgraded: When the craving hits, Cuban Burger brings smoky, crispy-frita energy… spiced patties stacked with shoestring potatoes, plus tostones and black beans on the side. It’s that downtown spot you swear is just a quick bite, then you linger for round two because everything hits right.
Closet refresh, local edition: Whether your closet needs a mood lift or you’re ready to rehome a few pieces, Dart Resale & Trade serves a tidy, curated mix of modern and vintage for men and women, plus a buy-sell-trade setup that turns clean-outs into new favorites. Local, easy, and refreshingly well-edited.
Thinning hair? It only gets worse: A few months ago, I noticed my ponytail getting thinner. I tried the usual stuff (biotin, shampoo, etc.) but mostly just hoped it would fix itself… until I learned that active follicles can permanently go dormant if you don’t do something about it. The good news? You can get treatment that actually works with no office visits or trips to the pharmacy. Learn more about my favorite online options here.
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📆 Sneak peek at next week
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.
📣 Developmental Disability Awareness/Acceptance Rally @ Rockingham County Courthouse, Clerk of Court Chaz W. Haywood | Wednesday (3/11) at 1:00 PM – Take a midweek pause at Court Square for a rally honoring neighbors with developmental disabilities, then a short, neighborly stroll down Main to the library. No chants required, just listening, learning, and showing up for a more inclusive, appreciative Harrisonburg. Comfortable shoes, open hearts.
🌿 Bonfire Botany Workshop @ Aristocat Cafe + Tea House | Friday (3/13) at 5:00 PM – Whether your last houseplant survived or we don’t talk about that, this hands-on workshop has you building a staghorn fern terrarium, no green thumb required. Bonfire Botany keeps it step by step, foolproof, and fun. Every piece ends up one of a kind, yours included.
🍦 Waffles and Ice Cream @ Smiley’s Ice Cream (Bridgewater) | Saturday (3/14) at 7:30 AM – Saturday morning calls for waffles that behave like dessert. Choose homemade regular or double chocolate chip, with a gluten-free option, then pile on whipped cream, blueberries and strawberries, mini chocolate chips, syrup, butter, and yogurt parfaits. We’ll call it balance, you call it breakfast.
🏂 Massanutten Meltdown @ Massanutten Ski Slopes (McGaheysville) | Saturday (3/14) at 10:00 AM – Nothing caps ski season like watching grown adults pond-skim in helmets, take a rail jam lap, and call it cardio. Live DJ, three bands, and a Base Camp tap takeover seal it. Meet the snowmakers, ogle the groomers, and NUTT alumni ski free, family discounted.
🎰 Casino Night Fundraiser @ Hotel Madison & Shenandoah Valley Conference Center | Saturday (3/14) at 5:00 PM – A Western Royale casino night corrals boots, blackjack, and locals at Hotel Madison to support affordable healthcare. Place a bet, brag later, and help make sure our neighbors don’t have to roll the dice on a doctor visit. Cowboy hats encouraged, poker faces optional.
⛰ Hike & Happy Hour @ Walkabout Outfitter 90 N. Main St, Harrisonburg, VA | Sunday (3/15) at 12:00 PM – An easy two-mile loop with a whopping 138 feet of glory, then a well-earned Sage Bird happy hour. Carpool if you like, meet at the trailhead if you must, bring water, snacks, and sturdy shoes, and save the heroics for the bar stories.
🀄 Beginner Mahjong Class @ Living Room Collective | Sunday (3/15) at 4:00 PM – Beginner mahjong at Living Room Collective with Harrisonburg Mahjong, two patient instructors, snacks, and mocktails. Think rummy with better tiles, and fewer side-eyes from your aunt. Spots are limited, $40, and you get 10% off purchases during the class.
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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đź“» Harrisonburg report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 70°F – Low: 40°F – Precip: 48%
A chance of rain showers before 3pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 70. West wind 6 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: Mostly clear, with a low around 40. West wind 1 to 6 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 72°F – Low: 47°F – Precip: 4%
Sunny, with a high near 72. Southwest wind 1 to 8 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 47.
Someone Googled you this week đź‘€
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.
Most popular house this week
Built in 2018, this beautifully maintained brick home in a desirable Harrisonburg neighborhood offers 3,700 finished square feet, including a fully finished walk-out basement with separate entrance. Highlights include a crystal-lit foyer, an open layout with tray ceilings and a main-floor primary suite, a sleek white kitchen, plus a two-level deck, paved patio with firepit, and fenced backyard.
Take a peek inside →
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