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

In today’s can’t-miss-weekend-plans edition: Pug in Pajamas, SXSW Flatstock expo, and Valtteri Bottas joins Tecovas + a stacked lineup of events this weekend.

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

Austin’s favorite unofficial showcase: South by San José returns to Hotel San José on South Congress, kicking off today with its always free 26th annual music party, running March 12 to 14 alongside SXSW — get all the details.

Speed meets western style: Formula 1 driver Valtteri Bottas has been named the official global brand ambassador for Austin born Tecovas, with collaborations and events expected around American races ahead of the 2026 season — read the full story.

Hometown brewers earn top honors: Beaumont’s Buckstin Brewing scored gold and silver at the 2026 Texas Craft Brewers Cup in Austin earlier this month, with beers like Chugboat Island pouring at Beaumont and Nederland taprooms — read the full story.

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:

• Cuddle pajama-clad pugs for Pug Rescue Austin
• Experience Austin’s taste of Latin America
• Shop occult wares at Austin Witchfest
• Unlock clinical-level wellness data from home

💎 Local business spotlight

Turn scraps into art: At Austin Creative Reuse, bins of gently used supplies, quirky finds, and idea-sparking workshops turn affordable, unexpected materials into possibilities, all while keeping stuff out of the landfill. A true treasure trove for projects big or tiny… it’s peak Austin: creative, thrifty, and surprisingly addictive.

Upgrade that backyard: Since 1984, Austin Deck Company has designed and built custom decks and pergolas across Austin. With 10,000+ projects, their in-house crew sweats the details and elevates the ordinary. If your patio feels meh, they’ll sketch, build, and turn it into a real hangout.

Oysters on SoCo: At Perla’s Seafood & Oyster Bar, the raw bar shines with Gulf-forward plates, bright brine, and a patio built for lingering. When midweek calls for something fresh, celebratory, and a little salty, this spot delivers the treat-yourself energy that hits just right.

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.

🖼 SXSW 2026 Flatstock Expo @ Austin Marriott Downtown | Friday (3/13) at 8:00 AM – Flatstock is the part of SXSW locals actually enjoy, a sea of handmade, limited-edition gig posters, and merch from talented artists around the globe. Stroll, chat with the folks who made them, maybe bring one home. It is free, no badge, no fuss.

🩺 Community Breast Ultrasound Screening @ Pura Vida Body Sculpting (Cedar Park) | Friday (3/13) at 9:30 AM – HerScan is setting up at Pura Vida Esthetics with painless, no-radiation breast ultrasounds that catch what mammograms can miss, especially with dense tissue. Implant safe, radiologist read, no prescription required, and $295. Book at HerScan.com, then reward yourself with actual weekend plans.

🤠 Rodeo Austin 2026 @ Rodeo Austin | Friday (3/13) at 10:00 AM – Rodeo Austin is rolling in with the full Texas kit: ProRodeo, big-name concerts, a rattle-your-belt-buckle carnival, and the livestock show your inner 4-H kid still loves. Wear boots, eat the funnel cake, feel good about it, you’re funding scholarships for Texas kids.

🎨 Blanton All Day: Color Splash @ Blanton Museum of Art | Saturday (3/14) at 10:00 AM – Whether you’ve loved Hopper since dorm poster days or just want color and AC, the Blanton hosts an all-day celebration of American Modernism from the Charles Butt Collection, spanning Edward Hopper to Alma Thomas. Expect live music, tours and talks, family-friendly art activities, and more.

🌈 KhushFest ’26: Color Festival @ Republic Square | Saturday (3/14) at 11:00 AM – Nothing beats getting gloriously color-dusted downtown while Bollywood collides with pop, hip hop, and EDM. Republic Square goes technicolor with all-female DJs, food trucks, two free color packs per ticket, kids under 12 free, proceeds to local nonprofits, wear white, accept the laundry.

☘ Second Saturday Market – St Patrick’s Day @ The Austin Eagle | Saturday (3/14) at 2:00 PM – Think you know a proper St. Paddy’s celebration? This Second Saturday market brings mischievous local makers, naughty little treasures, and a healthy pour of booze and banter. Wear green, bring your dry wit, and prepare to be judged if you show up acting too wholesome.

🥣 South By Soup Fest @ Guero’s Oak Garden | Sunday (3/15) at 12:00 PM – South By Soup Fest is the SX day party that actually feeds people, a benefit for Caritas at Güero’s under the oaks with tacos, shade, and a local lineup. Think BettySoo, Beaver Nelson, Nathan Hamilton, and zero wristband drama, just good tunes and doing good.

Live music & entertainment:

• 3/13 Sixteen Deluxe @ Güero’s Taco Bar – 8:15 PM
• 3/13 13th Annual Big Queer Kickoff Party @ Rain on 4th – 10:00 PM
• 3/14 The Wonder Years @ Emo’s Austin – 6:00 PM
• 3/14 Ben Danaher Album Release @ The Saxon Pub – 6:00 PM
• 3/14 ComedySportz Austin @ ComedySportz Austin – 7:30 PM
• 3/15 CXCB Crow by Crow Bar 2026 @ The Raven Room – 4:00 PM
• 3/15 Not So Fun Wknd in the Garage @ Empire Garage – 7:00 PM

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Austin report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 79°F – Low: 52°F – Precip: 0%

Sunny, with a high near 79. South southwest wind 0 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Later: Clear, with a low around 52. South wind around 5 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 84°F – Low: 64°F – Precip: 0%

Sunny, with a high near 84. South wind 0 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 64. South wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

This house is wild

On 4.65 acres in Austin, this Mell Lawrence design by Miars Construction pairs modernism with bold upgrades. The single-level main house has 3 bedrooms, Lutron lighting, and a great room framed by six salvaged 58-foot bow trusses from a Nashville studio. Amenities include a concrete fireplace, Fire Orb porch, pool, guest casita, finished Airstream, solar, and a 40,000-gallon rainwater system.

Take a peek inside →

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