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

In today’s wallet-friendly edition: Hidden Arkansas barbecue gems, We the Arts festival, and a family fishing derby + lots of fun things to do for free.

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

Backroad joints, big flavor: Craving real smoke and sauce? A new roundup spotlights 12 hidden Arkansas barbecue gems, including Hot Springs favorite McClard’s and Marianna’s storied Jones Bar-B-Q Diner with its spicy sauce — check out the full lineup.

Fresh spots for anglers: AGFC and the Army Corps teamed up to improve fishing at Lake Ouachita near Hot Springs, placing removed invasive cedars at fish attractor sites between Island Markers 28 and 36 — see where the sites are.

Creative energy takes center stage: Hot Springs Area Cultural Alliance’s We the Arts will host a 10-day festival starting April 24 with performances, exhibits, and gallery walks. Signature weekend is set for Hill Wheatley Plaza — get all the 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:

• Glow up at Shamrocks and Shimmer
• Craft custom Derby hats and fascinators
• Buy baked goods to fight cancer
• Save on self-care during the CVS Epic Beauty Sale

🏆 Gold and silver are heating up

Together with our sponsor American Hartford Gold

Gold just posted its strongest run in decades… and the momentum is carrying into 2026. Silver has become one of the most talked-about assets as investors look for ways to stay ahead of market volatility.

While many are still sitting on the sidelines, others are quietly repositioning.

If you’re wondering whether you’re missing something, AHG has a free guide explaining what’s driving the renewed interest… and how investors are approaching precious metals right now.

It’s free and worth reading before the next move.

🫶 We got your back

Pasta night upgrade: Midweek carb cravings meet their match at J&S Italian Villa, where twirl-worthy pasta, cozy lounge vibes, and a good pour make everything feel easy. Table chatter fades, forks twirl, and plates somehow empty themselves.

Treasure-hunting fix: Need a little serendipity this week? Fancy Schmancy Vintage Boutique is a sprawling maze of 100+ vendor booths packed with vintage, antique, and handmade finds, ideal for a quick mood lift or a slow wander when your place or wardrobe craves a quirky refresh.

Cold fix, no fuss: Knees or back acting up? Spa City Therapy pairs targeted cold therapy with hands-on PT to reduce inflammation and get you moving. Local pros since 1995, they’ll tailor a plan that fits your week and goals.

Thinning hair? It only gets worse: A few months ago, I noticed my ponytail getting thinner. I tried the usual stuff (biotin, shampoo, etc.) but mostly just hoped it would fix itself… until I learned that active follicles can permanently go dormant if you don’t do something about it. The good news? You can get treatment that actually works with no office visits or trips to the pharmacy. Learn more about my favorite online options here.

📆 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.

🎁 Customer Appreciation Weekend @ The Salvation Army Thrift Store | Thursday (3/5) at 9:00 AM – Customer Appreciation Weekend at The Salvation Army thrift stores means treasure hunting with perks. Expect raffles, free food, and those glorious price tags that make you whisper, I’ll take two. They’re popping up at different locations all weekend, so pace yourself, and bring tote bags.

🎶 Cliff & Susan @ Oaklawn | Friday (3/6) at 4:00 PM – Racing season move: place bets outside, then head inside for Cliff & Susan at Pop’s Lounge. Ten years in, they fill it with country, rock, oldies, blues, and originals from Arkansas Country Music Awards Entertainer of the Year. No cover, seats disappear, get there early.

🧹 Keep Arkansas Beautiful Cleanup @ Hollywood Park | Saturday (4/4) at 9:00 AM – Let’s pitch in with Parks & Rec and Diamond Lakes Master Naturalists to clean up Hot Springs Creek, at Rotary Centennial Trailhead by Hollywood Park. Supplies are provided, wear shoes that can get wet, bring a teen chasing volunteer hours, and yes, the invasives lose.

🩺 Take the Scare Out of Medicare Educational Seminar @ Garland County Library | Thursday (4/16) at 1:30 PM – Medicare questions stacking up like CVS receipts? Sit down with Rhonda from Sharp Family Insurance, a local pro with 30+ years and a Medicare user, for plain-English answers, real-life tips, and no sales nonsense. Free, helpful, and seats go quick.

🎣 5th Annual Family Fishing Derby @ Family Park | Saturday (4/25) at 9:00 AM – Family Park turns into Dad HQ for the 5th annual family fishing derby, a free day for dads, father figures, and the crew. Reel in door prizes, meet local vendors, snag resources, and bring your gear, bait, and a valid AR license if you’re 16+.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🔥 Worth a peek

We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week.

• Industry-leading home warranty protection ($150 off right now)
• 62+? See how much tax-free cash your home could unlock → free calculator
• This free tool helps connect you with the right financial advisor
• Got debt? You may be able to pay less than you owe
• Protect your pet from disaster with this pet insurance plan
• You can own physical gold and silver in your retirement account

📻 Hot Springs report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 78°F – Low: 60°F – Precip: 5%

Partly sunny, with a high near 78. South wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Later: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. South wind around 5 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 78°F – Low: 62°F – Precip: 30%

A chance of rain showers before 3pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 78. South wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. South wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Someone Googled you this week 👀

It may feel like an invasion of privacy, but unfortunately It’s the new normal. Whether you’re joining a committee, selling something locally, dating again, or just meeting new neighbors… people are going to look you up online.

Like it or not, the internet has a way of surfacing past mistakes and outdated information that no longer reflects who you are.

Thankfully, there’s a really easy way for you – or someone you care about – to clean up outdated results that no longer tell the real story. Learn more here.

This house is wild

This 7,628 sq. ft. estate stretches across 7.1 level acres in Hot Springs, pairing drama with versatility. The main home delivers soaring 25-foot ceilings, dramatic walls of glass, and a resort-style pool. A 4-car garage with an upstairs apartment, a 30×70 solar-equipped shop, and a detached guest house add options. A separate 2,044 sq. ft., 3-bed, 2-bath home boosts flexibility.

Take a peek inside →