Subscribe | Get featured

Hi Harrisburg, we made it to Thursday! 

In today’s fun-for-grown-ups edition: Ride the Wave cocktail debut, Jessica Kirson, and a psychic gallery event + plenty of reasons to put on real pants this week.

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

Ride the Wave cocktail debut: Tröegs Independent Brewing in Hershey will celebrate World Down Syndrome Day on March 21, spotlighting entrepreneurs with 3.21 For Life. The fifth annual event embraces inclusion with a themed release — get all the event details.

Strategic investments across Pennsylvania: Earlier this month, the Shapiro administration announced funding to seed micro-grant programs for historically disadvantaged small businesses and shovel-ready sites, supporting 67 counties and a manufacturing expansion in Columbia County — see the full funding breakdown.

Drivers should prepare for delays: Route 147 work in upper Dauphin County will resume March 16, with one-lane traffic from Ebenezer Road in Halifax Township to Tarry Hall Road in Upper Paxton, transportation officials said — get locations and timing 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.

Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175/month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.

Highlights this week:

• Shop 60+ makers at HBG Flea
• Experience fingerstyle virtuoso Richard Smith live
• Score Senators Opening Night fireworks and giveaways
• Unlock clinical-level wellness data from home

💎 Local business spotlight

Community onstage, for real: Theatre Harrisburg has made local talent shine since 1926 and is now marking its 100th season. Craving a musical fix or a play-night date? This volunteer-powered staple serves heartfelt, hometown theater that feels like cheering for your own, because you are neighbors, friends, and future stars taking a bow.

A Carlisle classic: Whether you call it a Hotchee or the thing you crave at 2 p.m., Hamilton Restaurant keeps Carlisle’s chili-cheese dog tradition alive. Expect a no-frills, nostalgia-loaded bite, with gravy fries on the side if you’re feeling extra.

Get lost in stacks: Midtown Scholar Bookstore fills a renovated 1920s theater and spills into a second building, part bookstore, part cafe. With 200,000+ new, used, and rare finds, lively author talks, and a cozy kids’ wing, that post-work browse often turns into the whole evening.

\*These aren’t ads or sponsored placements, just some cool nearby spots we think are worth a visit.

🫶 We got your back

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 →

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 →

Thinning hair? Don’t treat the wrong thing: When my ponytail started thinning, I tried the usual stuff (biotin, shampoo, sprays, etc.) and not one of them lasted. Turns out, most products target the strand, not the follicle… and that’s the whole problem. Once follicles go dormant, they need targeted help to come back. The good news? You can get treatment that actually works with no office visits or trips to the pharmacy. Learn about my favorites here →

Six figures you can’t spend: Most homeowners over 50 have spent years dutifully paying their mortgage, assuming the only time it’ll pay off is when they sell. I thought the same thing until I discovered you can tap into the equity you’ve earned whenever you want (without leaving your home). Overdue for a new roof? Want to build your dream bathroom? There are two ways to turn equity into usable cash →

📆 Harrisburg for grown ups

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.

🎤 Hank’s Back @ The Sturges Speakeasy | Thursday (3/12) at 7:00 PM – Hank The Buffalo is back at Sturges Speakeasy, serving up the kind of live set that makes you forget about tomorrow’s emails. Come for tight tunes and a proper pour, stay for the roomful of regulars, the easy banter, and that warm, hometown buzz.

🔮 Psychic Gallery Event @ Art Association of Harrisburg | Friday (3/13) at 6:00 PM – Craving answers Google cannot provide? At the Art Association, William Stillman opens with a blessing, shares messages he received in advance, then takes your questions. Seats are scarce, bring a pen, and yes, punctuality counts. $35 advance, $40 door.

🤠 Nashville Nights @ XL Live | Friday (3/13) at 7:00 PM – This live band rips through the biggest 90s country hits, so expect sing-alongs, two-steppin, and cold drinks with zero irony. Dust off the boots you swore you retired, because Garth, Shania, and Brooks & Dunn still know your chorus, and apparently your knees.

🎤 Jessica Kirson @ Harrisburg Midtown Arts Center (Capitol Room) | Saturday (3/14) at 6:00 PM – Whether you’ve been quoting her internal-monologue bits for years, or just need a night that isn’t another committee meeting, Jessica Kirson storms HMAC’s Capitol Room with unfiltered, physical comedy. Eat at the Kitchen, sip in Stage on Herr, then let Midtown do its thing.

🎬 A Red Carpet Evening @ Midtown Cinema | Sunday (3/15) at 6:00 PM – Hollywood’s big night, minus the traffic on Sunset. Midtown Cinema is rolling out a legit red carpet with a themed buffet, complimentary drinks, and the Oscars on the big screen. Dress up, sip something bubbly, call your winners, and practice your gracious loser face.

🎻 Doric String Quartet @ Temple Ohev Sholom | Tuesday (3/17) at 7:30 PM – Ready for real conversation? The UK’s Doric String Quartet returns to Temple Ohev Sholom with an Art of Fugue set where Bach, Haydn, and Beethoven spar politely, all elegance and edge. Tickets start at $35, seniors save, and K-12 get in free.

☘ Dancing With the Celts @ Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts | Thursday (3/19) at 7:30 PM – The Celts hit Whitaker Center with a fresh Irish Americana mashup, all tight harmonies, fiery trad instrumentals, and rootsy originals. Think fiddle meets front porch, with pipes that could wake your ancestors. It’s toe-tapping, grown-up fun, no green-beer gimmicks required.

Live music & entertainment:

• 3/12 Hank’s Back @ The Sturges Speakeasy – 7:00 PM
• 3/13 King Lear @ Gamut Theatre – 7:30 PM
• 3/13 Nashville Nights @ XL LIVE – 8:00 PM
• 3/14 Internal Bleeding @ Capital City Music Hall – 7:00 PM
• 3/14 Zig @ Stealey’s Tavern – 9:00 PM
• 3/17 Doric String Quartet @ Temple Ohev Sholom – 7:30 PM
• 3/19 Dancing With the Celts @ Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts – 7:30 PM

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Harrisburg report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 43°F – Low: 29°F – Precip: 86%

Rain showers before 10am, then a chance of rain and snow showers between 10am and 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 43. Northwest wind around 17 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 29. West wind 2 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.

—

Tomorrow – High: 50°F – Low: 36°F – Precip: 6%

Partly sunny, with a high near 50. South wind 2 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 36.

This house is wild

At 1,733 square feet, this 4-bed, 3-bath single-family in the Rockford Plan at Nissley Run pairs efficient design with room to grow. A thoughtful layout balances gathering spaces and private retreats, and three full baths keep mornings moving. Set in Harrisburg’s 17112 zip code, it blends suburban ease with a versatile footprint.

Take a peek inside →