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

In today’s wallet-friendly edition: Jordan World GLOW Circus, St. Patrick’s celebrations, and an Arcturus Winds cosmic concert + lots of fun things to do for free.

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

Federal support for Oregon communities: In February, Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced more than $92 million for 68 projects, including $850,000 for upgrades along McDougall Road and OR 99W in Yamhill County — see what’s funded statewide.

From cellar to canvas: Trisaetum Winery near Newberg has unveiled a refreshed gallery on Ribbon Ridge Road featuring winemaker James Frey’s abstract paintings, a new hanging system, and stormy blue walls — learn about the new show.

Unexpected small-town adventures: Seven Oregon towns get the spotlight for their quirky charm, and McMinnville makes the cut with UFO lore, wine-country vibes, and a walkable downtown filled with historic buildings — explore the featured small towns.

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 Jordan World GLOW Circus
• Craft and socialize with Mountain Edge
• Find free support for growing families

🫶 We got your back

Upgrade your lunch: At Sandwich Express, count on house-baked bread, a loaded toasted-and-cold lineup, rotating soups of the day, and fries with downright addictive campfire fry sauce. Ideal for those midweek “please feed me real food” moments, minus the drama.

Neighborhood playtime upgrade: Discovery Meadows Community Park is perfect for an easy weeknight reset. Think kid-friendly towers, a skate spot, hoops, a walking loop, a climbing boulder, and a splash area. Meet a friend, take a lap, and let the littles burn energy while you catch up.

Gift emergency solved: Hopscotch Toys & Games stocks puzzles, STEM kits, and puppets that make birthdays simple and screen time optional. Staff offer sharp recommendations, so you leave with a toy your kid will actually play with… and you might, too.

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.

🎼 Arcturus Winds @ Delkin Recital Hall, Vivian Bull Music Center | Tuesday (3/10) at 7:00 PM – Think you know your space jams? Arcturus Winds, a woodwind quintet of Oregon Symphony pros, is blasting off with Holst’s The Planets, 2001, and other cosmic hits at Linfield’s Delkin Recital Hall. It’s free, delightfully nerdy, and worth leaving the couch for, so register.

☘ St. Patrick’s Celebrations @ McMenamins Hotel Oregon | Friday (3/13) at 11:00 AM – St. Paddy’s kickoff at Hotel Oregon means Mattie’s Room shaking under The Katie Jane Band’s turbo fiddle, Irish whistles, and a bodhran you’ll feel in your ribs. It’s the kind of chaos, with pints, neighbors, and tunes, not leprechaun gimmicks. All ages, bring dancing knees.

🌱 Spring Garden Work Party @ Portland Community College Newberg Center | Saturday (3/14) at 1:00 PM – Help turn the PCC Newberg Center plot into a community garden. We’ll plant spring veggies, prep beds, and build a trellis, with light refreshments, gloves, and tools provided; bring your favorites if you like, and pre-register if it makes you feel organized: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/spring-garden-work-party-tickets-1983547067675

👥 Local Work Group @ Chehalem Parks and Recreation Office 125 S. Elliot Rd. Newberg, OR 97132 | Thursday (3/19) at 10:00 AM – Think your input on soil, water, and working lands won’t matter? NRCS and Yamhill SWCD are convening farmers, ranchers, agencies, and conservation folks to set local conservation priorities, and yes, they actually want your opinion. Show up, chime in online, then take the survey.

🎶 Spring Choral Concert @ Richard and Lucille Ice Auditorium | Thursday (3/19) at 7:00 PM – If your idea of spring cleaning is clearing your head with good acoustics, this is the move. Wildcat Glee, Cascara Voce, and Concert Choir bring an eclectic mix to Linfield’s Ice Auditorium, from choral classics to contemporary gems, free with registration.

❤ Health Hub @ Willamette Valley Medical Center | Saturday (3/28) at 10:00 AM – Nothing beats free help when the car seat manual reads like ancient runes. WVMC’s Health Hub gathers car seat checks, childbirth class info, birthing center tours, the Bambinos diaper bus, community resources, and new services, all in one monthly stop. No sales pitch, just sanity.

💉 Free Vaccine & Microchip Clinic @ Newberg Animal Shelter | Sunday (3/29) at 10:00 AM – Leash the dog, bribe the cat, and swing by Newberg Animal Shelter for free rabies vaccines and microchips. It is geared toward low-income families and our unhoused neighbors, cats and dogs welcome, while supplies last. Dr. Choate is volunteering, which tells you it is legit.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 McMinnville report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 47°F – Low: 40°F – Precip: 95%

A chance of rain and snow before 10am, then rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 47. South southwest wind 2 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Later: Rain. Cloudy. Low around 40, with temperatures rising to around 42 overnight. South southwest wind around 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

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Tomorrow – High: 53°F – Low: 48°F – Precip: 98%

Rain. Cloudy, with a high near 53. South southwest wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible. Later: Rain. Cloudy, with a low around 48. Southwest wind 8 to 12 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

Are you quietly overpaying for car insurance? 🚗

Premiums have been climbing across Oregon 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

Set in McMinnville wine country, this 3-bed, 2.5-bath custom home delivers 9-foot ceilings and an open layout. The updated kitchen showcases knotty alder cabinetry, appliances, and an island. RV and boat parking, a fully fenced yard, a wheelchair-accessible ramp, and a furnace serviced in January 2026 add ease. It sits 2 miles from downtown and 3.3 miles from Linfield University.

Take a peek inside →