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Hi Rome, hope you’re having a great weekend!

In today’s in-case-you-missed-it edition: Hidden gems for retirees, murder at the shamrock shindig, and gold and silver are heating up + the top stories from this week & a sneak peek at next week.

Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Rome 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.

📰 Most-clicked stories this week

Hidden gems for retirees: Published February 10, this list names Rome among ten affordable Georgia towns for retirees, citing river scenery, lively festivals, and costs about 20% below the national average — see the full list.

Extensive renovations add value: Near Rome in Cedartown, Marcus & Millichap brokered the $5.3 million sale of a 30,600-square-foot shopping center in February, fully leased to 11 tenants like Dollar Tree and AT&T — get all the sale details.

Local recreation plans progress: Rome City Commission approved an agreement with the Northwest Georgia Housing Authority for Garrard Park, advancing a park with two inclusive playgrounds and a covered pavilion, estimated to cost $1,733,680 — get all the details.

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:

• Learn first aid for farm emergencies
• Sip, paint flowers, and win prizes
• Enjoy safety tips and activity with AdventHealth
• Save on self-care during the CVS Epic Beauty Sale

🏆 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.

🫶 This week’s top finds

Burger night upgrade: Sam’s Burger Deli serves the legendary Samburger and dangerously snackable onion rings, the sort that drift into your thoughts mid-meeting. It’s a low-key place for a juicy burger with friends, proof that Rome still understands comfort food.

Find wearable treasure: Part vintage-hunt, part Sunday-stroll energy, Cotton Block Pickers is a downtown Rome vendor market with booths that swing from antiques to boutiques, serving seekers of one-of-a-kind pieces and a little serendipity, where your next favorite ‘fit basically finds you.

Treasure hunt, downtown edition: At Cotton Block Pickers, you pop in for one thing and walk out with a vintage mirror, an oddball lamp, and a grin. Rotating booths refresh all week, so there’s always something new… ideal for a quick browse between errands or right after coffee.

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.

📆 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.

🎨 Flower Paint & Sip @ The Rail 3373 | Thursday (3/12) at 6:00 PM – Feel like trading Netflix for a brush and a glass? At The Rail on Alabama Highway, they’re hosting a flower paint and sip with all supplies included, $35 seats, prizes every time, and no cleanup, so you can focus on your masterpiece, your pour, and banter.

🔨 Southern Affair Fundraiser and Auction @ Taylor Estate | Friday (3/13) at 5:30 PM – Nothing beats a spring night at Rome’s Taylor Estate, a little moonlight, and an auction that actually does some good. Dress up, sip something nice, and bid with purpose, because every paddle raise fuels Unity Christian School’s Christ-centered classrooms, resources, and future.

🥞 Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser @ Adairsville Masonic Lodge #168 | Saturday (3/14) at 8:00 AM – If you’ve been waiting for a sign to eat carbs for a cause, this is it. The Adairsville Masons are flipping fluffy stacks for their annual pancake fundraiser, dine in or take away, with hot coffee, neighborly gossip, and the syrup-to-pancake ratio of your dreams.

🎁 Georgia Festival of Vendors @ Fielder Center | Saturday (3/14) at 10:00 AM – This community shopping sprint brings Rome’s small businesses under one roof, with handcrafted gifts, exclusive finds, and all-day giveaways that beat scrolling your phone. Hit the Fielder Center early, wander, snack something savory, and enjoy free entry, good company, and guilt-free retail therapy.

🏃 Leprechaun-a-thon 5K and 2M Walk @ Bridgepoint Plz | Saturday (3/14) at 5:30 PM – Feeling lucky, or just need an excuse to wear green without judgment? The Leprechaun-a-thon 5K and 2M Walk, presented by Atrium Health Floyd, lets you jog, trot, or stroll at your pace, earn bragging rights, and justify that post-race biscuit. Register: https://runsignup.com/Race/GA/Rome/LeprechaunaThon5KRun2MiHealthWalk

🕵 Murder at the Shamrock Shindig @ City of Cave Spring | Saturday (3/14) at 6:00 PM – Fiona O’Malley’s Shamrock Soirée returns to O’Malley’s, and the Luckiest Leprechaun bash became an interactive whodunit with a body in emerald punch. You’re not watching, you’re suspecting, so bring an alter ego and an alibi; tickets are $30, benefiting the Cave Spring Downtown Development Authority.

🗑 All Hands on Deck: Park Clean-Up Day @ Ridge Ferry Park | Sunday (3/15) at 4:00 PM – Feel like doing something wholesome that actually counts? Join the park clean-up for fresh air, easy teamwork, and neighborly banter. It’s cardio, community service, and kid teachable moments in one tidy package, so bring gloves, a friend, and your quietly competitive spirit.

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.

• Industry-leading home warranty protection ($150 off right now)
• This free tool helps connect you with the right financial advisor
• 62+? See how much tax-free cash your home could unlock → free calculator
• Got debt? You may be able to pay less than you owe
• Protect your pet from disaster with this pet insurance plan
• You can own physical gold and silver in your retirement account

📻 Rome report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 74°F – Low: 58°F – Precip: 57%

Showers and thunderstorms likely before 2pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 74. Southwest wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. West wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

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Tomorrow – High: 79°F – Low: 60°F – Precip: 35%

A chance of rain showers between 2pm and 5pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 79. Southwest wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2am, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Someone Googled you this week 👀

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

Set on 4 acres on Bellemont Drive off Horseleg Creek Road, this 5-bed, 3.5-bath charmer pairs classic interiors with pastoral perks. Formal rooms and a foyer lead to a kitchen that links to a den and sunroom, with a main-level suite for ease. Outside, a stone patio, pergola, potting shed, 3-stall barn, hay storage, rock planters, and fenced pastures shine.

Take a peek inside →