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

In today’s wallet-friendly edition: 24/7 Narcan vending machine, a THC cap that could sideline edibles, and Easter egg hunts + lots of fun things to do for free.

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

Community health aid expands: A new 24/7 Narcan vending machine is open at St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church on West Main Street, offering free naloxone. It is Durham County’s third machine supporting harm reduction — see where to find it.

Spring fun for families: Easter egg hunts are popping up across Durham, Raleigh, Cary, and Chapel Hill. The guide lists age groups and free highlights like a Teen Glow Egg Hunt and Spring EGG-stravaganza — see dates and age groups.

Hemp market faces shake-up: Durham’s Ninth Street welcomed Hops & Flower, a deli-taproom and hemp dispensary, as a federal THC cap next year could sideline edibles while North Carolina explores new cannabis oversight — see how rules could change.

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:

• Experience retro epics on the big screen
• Discover live art across downtown Durham
• Meet adoptable cats in Hillsborough

🫶 We got your back

Lunch that hits right: Craving a panini that rescues Monday? Toast serves warm, crisp Italian sandwiches, bright soups, and crostini, with house-made condiments and local bakery bread. Make it your midweek go-to when you want something reliably great without turning lunch into a project.

Your downtown green reset: Durham Central Park offers artful nooks, a roomy pavilion, and community energy, from the Durham Farmers’ Market to concerts and outdoor movies. When you need a quick breath of fresh air and easy people-watching without leaving downtown, it delivers.

Screen-free fun, sorted: Tiny is the Ninth Street spot for beautifully curated toys, books, and craft kits that make last-minute birthday runs surprisingly easy. Staff will point you to something age-perfect, and you’ll walk out feeling like the thoughtful one.

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.

👢 Line Dancing Classes @ Snow Approach Foundation, Inc. (Hillsborough) | Tuesday (3/10) at 6:00 PM – Free line dancing is two-stepping into town with KatMoves Travelling Studio, serving easy footwork, practice patterns, and proof your knees still remember fun. Led by a certified pro since ’80, it’s balance training, brain gym, and social hour in boots, tip jar optional.

🎬 Indie Lens Pop-Up: The Inquisitor Screening & Discussion @ Main Library – Durham County Library | Tuesday (3/10) at 6:00 PM – Head to Durham County Main Library for a free screening of The Inquisitor, a new Independent Lens doc on Barbara Jordan, the congresswoman who made accountability cool. Stick around for a community Q&A with local leaders, and yes, it’s free, but RSVP on Eventbrite.

📚 Storytime Stewards @ Book Harvest | Thursday (3/12) at 3:30 PM – Take kids to Book Harvest for free storytime with the NC Museum of History, reading Mae Among the Stars about trailblazer Mae Jemison. Explore North Carolina’s space-race ties, snag a free book, and make a take-home craft. Register at bit.ly/4acitlW, since space is limited, fittingly.

🎨 Art Swap – March @ Ment Beverage Co. | Thursday (3/12) at 6:00 PM – Swap that print collecting dust for something you actually like at Ment Beverage Co., while the Durham Art Guild hosts a free Art Swap and artist mingle. Bring a piece, meet your artsy neighbors, sip something easy, and rotate your walls.

🥕 Durham Farmers Market @ Durham Farmers’ Market | Saturday (3/14) at 9:00 AM – If you’ve been waiting for a sign to trade grocery aisles for fresh peaches and neighborly gossip, the Durham Farmers Market is back. Expect honest produce, crusty bread, strong coffee, and the usual Bull City reunion vibes. Bring a tote, and your best small talk.

🐾 Independent Animal Rescue Meet and Greet @ Unleashed at Parkway Plaza | Saturday (3/14) at 12:00 PM – Over at Unleashed in Parkway Plaza, Durham, Independent Animal Rescue is rolling in with adoptable cats, peak purr diplomacy. Pop in, get ambushed by whiskers, and try to leave without a new supervisor for your keyboard, your lap, and your evening plans.

🔔 Community Sound Bath @ Durham Central Park | Sunday (3/15) at 4:00 PM – If your shoulders are up by your ears again, come stretch out at a free community sound bath. Bring a mat, blanket, or that trusty pillow, and let Brandi Rahim’s crystal bowls quiet the noise so you leave lighter, clearer, and pleasantly unbothered.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Durham report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 81°F – Low: 62°F – Precip: 12%

Mostly sunny, with a high near 81. Southwest wind 1 to 7 mph. Later: A slight chance of rain showers between 7pm and 8pm. Mostly clear, with a low around 62. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

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Tomorrow – High: 84°F – Low: 55°F – Precip: 9%

Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. Southwest wind 3 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Later: A slight chance of rain showers between 2am and 5am, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55. Southwest wind around 12 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Are you quietly overpaying for car insurance? 🚗

Premiums have been climbing across North Carolina but most folks won’t notice until they’re hit with a higher bill when it’s time to renew.

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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Take a peek inside →