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

In today’s wallet-friendly edition: Green Book archive discovery, free small cones, and your data is for sale + lots of fun things to do for free.

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.

📰 In the news

Archive illuminates Black enterprise: Harrisonburg researchers and Mayor Deanna Reed are preserving the Ida Mae Francis Tourist Home, a Green Book site, uncovering ration cards, church ledgers, and photos bound for JMU’s Carrier Library — see what they discovered.

A leader inspiring smiles: South River Elementary principal Kenny Boyers was named a Virginia Department of Education Kindness Ambassador of the Year, recognizing his spirit and impact on students and staff in Rockingham County — read the full story.

Debate over agricultural land use: Rockingham County supervisors unanimously passed a change to Special Use Permit rules, giving solar and energy projects three years to start after approval, aiming to align with state law — 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.

Highlights this week:

• Celebrate spring with free small cones
• Ease stress with self-care workshop
• Thank JWES staff over coffee

🫶 We got your back

Bagel sandwich fix: Mr.J’s Bagels & Deli fuels midweek hunger with fresh-baked bagels turned into hearty sandwiches, from classic deli combos to veggie picks with plenty of schmear. Quick and comforting, it makes errands shorter and meetings gentler, and it’s ideal for stocking the office so your future self can thank you.

Find your trail fix: Hillandale Park offers shady paths, picnic spots, and a roomy playground, plus a gateway to Rocktown Trails, where walkers, runners, and riders pick easy, medium, or hard loops. Low effort, high reward fresh air without leaving Harrisonburg.

Bring back playtime: From handmade wooden wagons, barns, and trikes to thoughtful toys and gifts, Timeless Toys makes playtime simple without more screens. A quick browse often turns into smiles, curious hands, and a new family favorite that lasts.

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.

📣 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.

🛠 Creator Space @ Lucy F. Simms Continuing Education Center | Wednesday (3/11) at 4:00 PM – Simms Center’s Art Room turns into a crafty free-for-all every second Wednesday, free to join, with supplies, and no glitter in your carpet. Bring the elementary and middle school crew, younger siblings too, and let them make masterpieces while you supervise, coffee in hand.

🎲 Dominoes Night @ Ruby’s Arcade | Thursday (3/12) at 6:00 PM – Head to Ruby’s Arcade for Dominoes Night, where the only thing getting slapped harder than the tiles is the happy hour. It’s free, beginner-friendly, no RSVP, with easy mingling, cheap pies and pints, and that cozy downtown vibe you pretend not to love.

☕ Coffee with Creatives @ Frame Factory & Gallery | Saturday (3/14) at 10:00 AM – Coffee and creative talk, the civilized way to spend a morning. At The Frame Factory, hear local screen-printer, shop owner, artist Jeff Guinn in conversation, with Amelia Schmid moderating, free and open to all, no icebreakers. Bring a friend, a question, and your curiosity.

📿 Make Your Own – Felted Bracelet @ OASIS Fine Art & Craft | Saturday (3/21) at 2:00 PM – Channel your inner artisan at a felted bracelet class at OASIS Fine Art and Craft, where you actually leave with something wearable. Register ahead, materials included, donations appreciated, and only eight spots. It takes about an hour, which beats scrolling.

🥕 Best Practices for Growing Vegetables @ Rocking R Ace Hardware | Saturday (3/28) at 9:00 AM – Rocking R Ace hosts a free, in-store class with Virginia Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners, covering spring prep, what grows best here, soil, watering, spacing, and mistakes to avoid. Fewer sad tomatoes, more Harrisonburg bragging rights. Space is limited, so RSVP online.

🚜 Progressive Agriculture Farm Safety Day @ Rockingham County Fair | Saturday (3/28) at 9:00 AM – Whether you grew up baling hay or just pedal the backroads, this hands-on safety day covers farm hazards, bicycle smarts, storm prep, sun sense, handwashing, and firearm basics. Bring the kids, the questions, and your favorite hat, then prove common sense still appreciates a refresher.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Harrisonburg report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 77°F – Low: 56°F – Precip: 18%

A slight chance of rain showers after 2pm. Sunny, with a high near 77. South wind 3 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 56. Southwest wind 2 to 8 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 78°F – Low: 44°F – Precip: 52%

A chance of rain showers after 8am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 78. Southwest wind 3 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: Rain showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44. Southwest wind around 13 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Are you quietly overpaying for car insurance? 🚗

Premiums have been climbing across Virginia 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.

This house is wild

This 4-bed, 2.5-bath traditional sits on a .38-acre lot in the heart of Shenandoah, blending classic curb appeal with warm, livable spaces. Formal living and elegant dining anchor the main level, complemented by a generous family room with fireplace. A spacious primary suite adds a private fireplace. A fully fenced backyard invites easy outdoor gatherings, parks and dining nearby.

Take a peek inside →