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

In today’s wallet-friendly edition: Six-week founder workshop with a $3,000 grant, Live Sky Tonight stargaze, and Miniatures Paint Party + lots of fun things to do for free.

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

Six-week path for new founders: Grand Island’s second Business Blueprint Workshop for skilled trades entrepreneurs starts April 2 with hands-on training and a $3,000 grant for those who finish, and registration closes March 23 — get all the workshop details.

Hotel taxes aid cultural landmark: Grand Island Tourism awarded the 156-year-old Liederkranz German Club $15,000 to help build an outdoor stage, supporting about two music events each month while covering part of the project cost — get all the project details.

Hands-on training with benefits: The Department of Labor is accepting apprenticeship applications through March 13 for steamfitting, HVAC service, and plumbing, with an application site in Grand Island. Applicants must be at least 18 — see how and when to apply.

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:

• Savor sliders with curated beer pairings
• Sip wine while painting mountains
• Paint Warhammer minis together for free

🫶 We got your back

Build-your-own bliss: Midday hunger? Big Dally’s Deli stacks fresh-baked bread, house-cut meats, and more than 75 sandwich combos. Pair with soup, tweak the extras, and add a shake when morale lags. Decision fatigue at lunch never tasted better.

Neighborly nature break: At Stolley Park, shaded paths, disc golf, Kids Kingdom, and that nostalgic mini train turn cabin fever into fresh air. Bring a coffee, stroll the gardens, and let the kids burn energy while you log a casual “workout” and breathe a little easier.

Toy + game treasure hunt: Need a midweek joy boost for your kiddo…or you? Game On – Grand Island stocks board games, miniatures, trading cards, comics, and toys, with a friendly crew happy to help and zero side-eye for nostalgic buys.

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.

🧠 2000’s Disney Channel Trivia @ B&B Theatres Grand Island 7 | Tuesday (3/10) at 7:30 PM – Whether you raised kids on Lizzie McGuire or secretly knew every word to High School Musical, this one’s your jam. Roll into B&B for 2000s Disney Channel trivia, free to play, all ages, with prizes, no mouse ears required, just buy snacks and drinks.

🔭 Live Sky Tonight @ Brickyard Park (Hastings) | Wednesday (3/11) at 9:00 PM – If you’ve been waiting for a sign to look up, here you go. Hastings Museum hosts a free stargaze at Brickyard Park, with Kirk Rosberg and his green laser connecting the dots. Bring a chair, trade porch lights for constellations, and hope the clouds behave.

☕ Coffee & Crafts @ Espressions: Coffee & Community (Aurora) | Thursday (3/12) at 5:00 PM – Coffee & Crafts is pouring warm mugs and easy company while you stitch, sketch, bead, or bravely attempt diamond art. Bring a project or just your people-watching skills, settle in, and create at your own pace. It’s free, come and go, and blissfully low pressure.

🎗 Live Well After Cancer: Survivorship 101 @ CHI Health St. Francis | Monday (3/16) at 5:30 PM – Whether you’re just out of treatment or years in remission, a free 9-week program at CHI Health St. Francis helps rebuild body, mind, and spirit in a small, supportive group. Led by nurses and mental health pros, it’s practical and no-nonsense, so RSVP at 308-398-8912.

🎤 Joyce Torchia @ Grand Generation Center | Thursday (3/19) at 11:15 AM – Whether you remember her from the Bluffs Run Casino talent show or the Integration Orchestra, Joyce Torchia serves up lunch-hour tunes that go down easy. Performing since 1997, she brings charm, free music, and support from Merrymakers and the Dreamweaver Foundation. Your sandwich will applaud.

🎨 Miniatures Paint Party @ HobbyTown | Thursday (3/19) at 5:00 PM – Feel like slowing down and painting something smaller than your to-do list? HobbyTown’s free Miniatures Paint Party hands you a Warhammer mini, you bring paint, brushes, and your charming self. Low stakes, good company, and tiny masterpieces you can actually finish.

🏗 BHBS Builders Contest @ HobbyTown | Saturday (3/21) at 2:00 PM – Take a break from the honey-do list and bring your finished 30 Minutes Missions, Sisters, or Fantasy build to HobbyTown Grand Island for a Builders Contest. Free to enter, with participation goodies, a grand prize, and bragging rights. Keep it original, no licensed characters.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Grand Island report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 62°F – Low: 32°F – Precip: 1%

Mostly sunny, with a high near 62. North northeast wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Later: A chance of rain after 1am. Partly cloudy. Low around 32, with temperatures rising to around 35 overnight. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

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Tomorrow – High: 51°F – Low: 29°F – Precip: 32%

A chance of rain before 7am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 51. North northwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 29. West wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Are you quietly overpaying for car insurance? 🚗

Premiums have been climbing across Nebraska 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 2023-built 2-bed, 2-bath townhome in a 55+ community lines the 18th hole of Riverside Golf Course with fairway views. A high end kitchen with granite and black stainless opens to a firelit living room. The primary suite adds a storm-shelter walk-in and an onyx-surround shower. A spacious office, drop zone, and 2-car garage boost everyday ease.

Take a peek inside →