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

In today’s wallet-friendly edition: Practical AI for entrepreneurs, a free tree giveaway, and a jaw-dropping riverfront retreat + lots of fun things to do for free.

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

Practical AI for entrepreneurs: AI for Small Business will be in Meridian on March 19, sharing ways to use AI without losing your voice. Tickets cost $10, with proceeds benefiting the Boise Rescue Mission — get all the event details.

Explore new backyard shade: Trees Idaho’s free tree giveaway launched February 26, giving eligible Caldwell, Nampa and Meridian residents a chance to pick from 11 tree varieties to plant at home — get all the details.

Expansion plans and start date: Eagle is developing a multi-use athletic park to serve local athletes and host tournaments. Fundraising is underway, with plans for fields and courts for baseball, soccer, pickleball, and more — explore the sports and timeline.

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 St. Patrick’s with complimentary stew
• Hand-roll Tuscan pici with ragù
• Sip wine and craft charcuterie boards

🫶 We got your back

Serious sandwich cravings: In Meridian, Fat Guys Fresh Deli piles on scratch-made goodness, with stacked sandwiches and fresh soups, including a rotating soup of the day. When you want a no-fuss, big-flavor lunch, this spot reliably hits the “dang, that’s tasty” button.

Fresh-air fix, anyone?: Between walking paths, stocked ponds, pickleball courts, and a bandshell hosting summer tunes, Julius M. Kleiner Memorial Park makes it easy to wander, rally, or lounge. Think low-key strolls, quick games, and shaded picnics… the kind of day that feels full without trying.

Playtime upgrade, unlocked: If birthdays, rainy days, or “we need a screen break” moments loom, Toy Town Meridian has screen-free toys, games, science kits, and hobby finds that make gifting easy and keep kids happily occupied. Think clever kits, classic fidgets, and zero chaos energy, just hands-on fun.

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.

⚖ Free Legal Clinic @ Nampa Public Library | Tuesday (3/10) at 12:00 PM – Put the Facebook attorneys on mute and get free, real-deal legal counsel with the Idaho Volunteer Lawyers Program on family law, landlord and tenant issues, probate, and other civil snafus. It is legit, it is helpful, it is free. Register at https://laserfiche.isb.idaho.gov/Forms/ClinicReg

❓ Game Night Live Trivia @ Chicago Fire (Meridian, ID) | Tuesday (3/10) at 6:00 PM – Chicago Fire in Meridian is serving pies and pride with free Game Night Live trivia, two games, three rounds each, riffing on classic game shows. Expect word jumbles, picture rounds, and prizes, not pop quiz terror. Bring friends, a pencil, and your competitive streak.

🧘 Living Well Workshop: Chronic Pain @ Meridian Library – Orchard Park | Wednesday (3/11) at 10:00 AM – Got that knee that predicts storms and a back with strong opinions? This free six-week Living Well workshop for chronic pain serves up self-management tools, from evaluating treatment options, pacing, and stress relief to communication, so you feel more in charge, not just medicated.

🎵 Free Concert @ Meridian High School | Wednesday (3/11) at 7:00 PM – Free concert alert featuring Treasure Valley Concert Band, Meridian High School Band, and trumpet soloist Dennis Keck. Hometown pride meets legit chops, the kind of evening that replaces Netflix, earns real applause, and reminds you why live music still wins. Yes, the kids deliver.

💼 Idaho Job & Career Fair @ Nampa Civic Center | Thursday (3/12) at 10:00 AM – Hoping for a fresh start or a saner boss? Hit Idaho Job & Career Fair in Canyon County, a free roundup of employers hiring full and part-time, entry to seasoned, and community partners. Bring resumes, ironed slacks, and your A-game. Info at IdahoCareerFair.com.

🎶 Albertsons Market Street Concert @ Albertsons Market Street Meridian | Saturday (3/14) at 6:00 PM – Saturday night grocery run, downgraded to zero errands and upgraded to a free concert at Albertsons Market Street by The Village. Expect high-energy, acoustic guitar jams, covers you love, a few surprises, and plenty of food, drinks, and neighborly people-watching. Bring the crew.

🥘 Irish Stew St Patrick’s Day @ Swirl Wine Shop & Lounge (Nampa) | Tuesday (3/17) at 2:00 PM – St. Patrick’s Day here means complimentary Irish stew, the comfort bowl with beef, carrots, potatoes, and onions. Grab a pint of Guinness, a nip of Irish whiskey, or a glass of wine, then show up in your best green and call it cultural wellness.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Meridian report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 46°F – Low: 29°F – Precip: 3%

Partly sunny, with a high near 46. Northwest wind 6 to 12 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 29. East northeast wind 5 to 9 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 58°F – Low: 44°F – Precip: 5%

Partly sunny, with a high near 58. South southeast wind 6 to 9 mph. Later: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44. South southeast wind around 8 mph.

Are you quietly overpaying for car insurance? 🚗

Premiums have been climbing across Idaho 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

A riverfront retreat in Eagle, 348 Riversedge spans two acres with gated Greenbelt access and exclusive access to Laguna Pointe’s 43-acre lake. Walls of glass frame a sparkling pool. The main-level suite adds a spa bath, walk-in closet, and private gym. Entertaining thrives with an indoor-outdoor wet bar, TV lounge, guest suite, and an upstairs rec room with patio.

Take a peek inside →