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Hey Columbia, hope your week’s off to a good start!

In today’s wallet-friendly edition: A mobile blood transfusion program, a 100-foot mural finale, and the Tiny Things reception + lots of fun things to do for free.

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

📰 In the news

Innovations in crash response: MU School of Medicine received a $4.6 million grant to launch a blood transfusion program in Columbia. It will help first responders deliver lifesaving care faster and support Vision Zero — see what’s being piloted.

Where service meets community art: Local artist David Spear’s 100-foot mural will be completed this spring on the Balsamo Warehouse, capping Veterans United Foundation’s 20th and final art installation in the North Village Arts District — see how art and service connect.

Campus voices on safety: At the second Collegiate Advisory Council meeting, students from MU, Columbia College, Stephens, and MACC met with police to discuss crime database website and a ban on standing in medians — see what was discussed.

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.

Highlights this week:

• Unwind in a meditative sound bath
• Paint potatoes to look like eggs
• Celebrate recycled art at gallery reception

🫶 We got your back

Serious bagel sandwiches: Goldie’s Bagels turns out Jewish-deli-inspired bagel sandwiches with comforting swagger: egg-and-cheese, lox, or pastrami, all with made-by-moms energy that can rescue a Monday. When you want hearty yet happy, the schmear-to-bagel ratio delivers, every bite balanced and satisfying.

Lakeside reset, anyone? When you need an easy midweek breather, Stephens Lake Park delivers breezy loops around the 11-acre lake, garden nooks, and hammock-worthy shade. The amphitheater livens things up when the weather cooperates. Sneak in a sunset lap, call it self-care, and let the shoreline do the rest.

Family game night upgrade: Whether you want a fast party hit, your first Catan session, fresh dice for the campaign, or a snuggly plush for the kids, Valhalla’s Gate Games stocks new games, TCGs, RPG gear, mini paints, and puzzles galore… all the good stuff for an upgraded game night.

Why your last diet didn’t work: Sustained weight loss is nearly impossible with diet alone. Your body literally fights back by making you hungrier the moment you start restricting calories. That’s why more doctors are recommending GLP-1s. The best part? Getting them has never been easier. We compared three programs to help you find the right fit. See which ones stood out →

Your data is for sale right now: There are over 400 websites selling your info to marketers, political campaigns, and scammers. They’ve got your phone number, home address, relatives’ names… you name it. That’s how robocallers seem to know everything about you before you pick up. You can remove your info one site at a time, or pay a service to do it for you. Here’s what we recommend →

📆 Free events worth checking out

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.

🌊 We Have Known the Waters @ Stephens Lake Reichmann Pavilion | Tuesday (3/10) at 7:00 PM – Think you know the Big Muddy? Angela da Silva dives into African and African American water cosmology, from water drumming and crop blessings to a closing ceremony. It’s part of the Big Muddy Speaker Series, free, via Zoom or YouTube, so sweatpants are encouraged.

🐜 Tiny Things 2026 Reception @ Columbia Art League | Friday (3/13) at 6:00 PM – Celebrate the Tiny Things 2026 exhibition at a free reception open to all, proof that small scale means big charm. Expect light bites, Les Bourgeois libations, and easy mingling with the usual suspects, so bring your readers and your best tiny talk.

💃 Latin Social Dancing @ Memorial Student Union | Friday (3/13) at 6:00 PM – Trade the treadmill for real steps at an open Latin social, where bachata, salsa, and merengue do the heavy lifting. Free entry, real music from DJ Sad Grad, and no judgment if your hips remember more than your knees. Memorial Student Union, room N214.

♻ E-Waste Event @ IBM | Saturday (3/14) at 9:00 AM – Time to evict the box of mystery cables and that TV with a backside. E-waste drop at 2810 Lemone Industrial, enter via Grindstone, takes old electronics, televisions, and appliances from mid-Missouri residents. TVs and freon items are $10, everything else is free, cash or check.

🎓 2026 HDSA Missouri Chapter Education Day @ Boone Electric Cooperative | Saturday (3/14) at 9:00 AM – Whether you’re new to HD or the go-to in your family, this free Education Day in Columbia gathers WashU experts, real talk, and a resource fair under one roof. Coffee, pastries, and lunch are covered, registration is not optional. Bring your people.

👁 KidSight Vision Screening @ Columbia Public Library | Saturday (3/14) at 10:30 AM – Think your kid can spot a snack from 50 yards, but not the whiteboard? Swing by for a free KidSight vision screening. It takes seconds, you get instant results, and it works for ages 6 months and up, no meltdown required.

🎷 Women’s Jazz Band Concert @ Sinquefield Music Center | Sunday (3/15) at 11:00 AM – Whether you can spot a ii-V-I across the room, or just want a free show with soul-lifting grooves, the Women’s Jazz Band is marking Women’s History Month with their annual concert. Grab a seat, or stream at bit.ly/musomlive, because your algorithm deserves a break.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Columbia report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 82°F – Low: 48°F – Precip: 20%

A slight chance of rain between 3pm and 4pm, then a slight chance of thunderstorms and a slight chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 82. South wind 8 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: Thunderstorms likely and rain likely before 1am, then rain and a chance of thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy. Low around 48, with temperatures rising to around 58 overnight. Southwest wind 10 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

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Tomorrow – High: 54°F – Low: 32°F – Precip: 88%

Rain and a chance of thunderstorms before 7am, then showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy. High near 54, with temperatures falling to around 50 in the afternoon. West wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. Later: A slight chance of rain showers before 7pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 32. Northwest wind 2 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Are you quietly overpaying for car insurance? 🚗

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That’s exactly what happened to me. I had the same policy for half a decade. Autopay was on, it was out of sight and out of mind. Turns out I was blindly paying way more than everyone else I knew.

If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too – here’s the comparison tool I used.

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