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It’s Friday, Temple! Let’s finish this week strong.

In today’s can’t-miss-weekend-plans edition: Bridgerton-style murder mystery, a beloved cinema’s comeback, and a roundup of hidden Texas hamlets + a stacked lineup of events this weekend.

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

Mutual aid efforts expand: By late February, Central Texas firefighters aided a statewide wildfire deployment as the state boosted readiness and prepositioned crews, with more than 350 fires having burned 43,500 acres since January — learn how crews are deployed.

Local cinema’s next chapter: Downtown Belton’s Beltonian Theatre will reopen this year under new leadership, aiming to stay a small business with classic films and all-ages events. A reopening date has not been set — see what’s planned next.

Hidden hamlets and local flavor: A recent roundup highlights 14 Texas small towns perfect for a peaceful weekend, from Fredericksburg’s German heritage to Salado’s art and history, plus Jefferson’s railway and Granbury’s charming square — check out the full list.

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:

• Enjoy movie night under the stars
• Experience mind-blowing fire and ice experiments
• Learn wheel throwing with Aaron White
• Unlock clinical-level wellness data from home

💎 Local business spotlight

Casual creativity, unlocked: The Art Dept in downtown Temple offers an Art a La Carte menu of pottery painting, watercolor, soft pastels, collage, and beaded bracelets, plus relaxed classes for adults and kids when you want more. With a friend or solo… you’ll make something you’ll actually want to keep.

Deck dreams, made easy: JW Construction designs and builds custom decks in Belton with high-grade lumber or TREX composite, delivering sturdy, low-maintenance spaces that match your style. Share your vision, and the team turns it into a backyard hangout you’ll actually use.

Crave-worthy Cajun seafood: When gumbo cravings hit, The Po-Boy Shoppe delivers catfish baskets, shrimp po’boys, and Louisiana comfort to revive any midweek slump. Split a basket, argue over hot sauce, and pretend you planned this seafood win from the start.

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 →

📆 Around town this weekend

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.

🕵 Murder Mystery: A Scandal in Bodgerton @ Cultural Activities Center | Friday (3/13) at 6:00 PM – Break out your Bridgerton side for a Regency-era murder mystery that winds through the Cultural Activities Center’s galleries, complete with a three-course dinner and a free drink. Gossip rags, duels, and scandal abound, and you might be the culprit. Witty alibis required.

🌮 Trucks and Tacos @ Taqueria Mexicano Grille #13 (Belton) | Saturday (3/14) at 8:00 AM – Second Saturday at Taqueria Mexicano Grille #13 means breakfast tacos, good coffee, and a parking lot car show without the trophies. Bring classics, muscle, lowriders, bagged or lifted, even the forever project, and enjoy free, family friendly hangs, great service, and zero burnout shenanigans.

🥾 Family Hike @ Miller Springs Nature Trails | Saturday (3/14) at 9:00 AM – Trade screens for sunshine with a family hike at Miller Springs Nature Center, where the trails are pretty, the air is fresher, and the kids can outpace you. Not stroller friendly, so bring a carrier, strong arms, and the promise of a solid nap later.

🛍 Sami Show @ Cadence Bank Center (Belton) | Saturday (3/14) at 9:00 AM – Belton’s Big Expo Building becomes the Sami Show’s 51-year-old treasure hunt, with 100-plus Texas makers under one roof. Original art, boutique finds, plants, leather, soaps, and gourmet goodies, good luck leaving empty-handed. Eight bucks buys all-weekend access, the snack bar is open, service dogs only.

🏃 4th Annual Shamrock Shuffle @ Bold Republic Brewing Company | Saturday (3/14) at 9:00 AM – Temple, your favorite green-gear shuffle is back for its fourth lap around town. Run, walk, or call it a casual stroll, then stick around for the post-shuffle celebration, local support, and the kind of community vibe that makes pretending this counts as training acceptable.

♻ Salado Creek Cleanup @ Barrow Brewing Company | Saturday (3/14) at 12:00 PM – San Gabriel Fly Fishers are rallying a Salado Creek cleanup, meeting at Barrow Brewing to grab supplies, then heading creekside for overdue TLC. It’s the kind of chore you feel good about, and you’ll earn a post-cleanup pint. Bring sturdy shoes, gloves, and water bottle.

🌿 Wreath Making Workshop @ The Blackbird Books & Spirits (Belton) | Sunday (3/15) at 1:00 PM – Roll up your sleeves for a relaxed wreath-making workshop where beginners, creatives, and people who just like pretty doors can build a spring-themed stunner. They bring the blooms and guidance, you bring patience, mild opinions on ribbon, and the front-door bragging rights.

Live music & entertainment:

• 3/13 Live Music on the Pavilion @ Stagecoach Inn Pavilion (Salado) – 6:00 PM
• 3/14 Spring Musical: Curtains @ Mary Alice Marshall Performing Arts Center – 2:30 PM
• 3/14 Murder Mystery: A Scandal in Bogerton @ Cultural Activities Center – 6:00 PM
• 3/14 Early St Patrick’s Day Party @ VFW Post 4008 (Belton) – 7:30 PM
• 3/18 Open-Mic Comedy @ Bourbon Speaks (Salado) – 8:00 PM
• 3/19 T. Graham Brown @ Bo’s Barn Dancehall – 7:00 PM
• 3/20 Pat Green and more @ Johnny’s Outback (Salado) – 6:00 PM

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Temple report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 77°F – Low: 50°F – Precip: 0%

Sunny, with a high near 77. South southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Later: Clear, with a low around 50. South wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

—

Tomorrow – High: 81°F – Low: 62°F – Precip: 0%

Sunny. High near 81, with temperatures falling to around 79 in the afternoon. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 62. South wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

This house is wild

This Trigger plan elevates style with 12-foot ceilings and 8-foot doors, a custom metal front door, and high-efficiency vinyl windows that keep it quiet and comfortable. Spray foam insulation and a post tension engineered slab add performance. Custom cabinets shine, a freestanding master tub pampers, and 8-foot insulated foam core garage doors pair with wireless touchscreen security and full-yard irrigation.

Take a peek inside →

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