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

In today’s wallet-friendly edition: American Cancer Society survivor’s dinner, Flint River water tests, and catfish rodeo + lots of fun things to do for free.

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

A heartfelt community tribute: Albany’s American Cancer Society Survivor’s Dinner will celebrate cancer survivors on March 24 at First Baptist Church of Albany, featuring a free meal prepared by the church’s kitchen team — get all the details.

Mixed signals on water health: Dougherty County finished its first Flint River tests, finding low E. coli and solids, as the Lee to Mitchell stretch sits on state impaired streams list for mercury and bacteria — learn why it’s designated impaired.

Community backs veteran education: Albany Air Conditioning and Heating Company donated $15,000 to Albany Tech to build phase I of a VECTR center for military-affiliated students, part of a $1.7 million first phase — learn more about the project.

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:

• Kids fish free at Catfish Rodeo
• Craft floral mannequin heads with affirmations
• Elementary artists explore new mediums after school

🫶 We got your back

Sandwich and cookie fix: Whether you’re Team Reuben or a chicken-salad loyalist, The Cookie Shoppe keeps lunch easy and satisfying with house-made salads, classic sandwiches, and, yes, a warm cookie or two in the mix. Ideal for a quick downtown Albany reset when your stomach starts sending reminders.

Where green meets wild: Chehaw Park & Zoo makes midweek feel simple. Wander shady boardwalks through the cypress swamp, let the kids conquer the Play Park or splash zone, then spot rhinos and cheetahs without the rush. A low-stress, high-smile outing that resets everyone.

Playtime, curated locally: When your toy bin’s looking a little “been there, played that,” The Little Lane Shop refreshes it with sweet plush, clever puzzles, and toy-and-book gems you won’t spot at big-box stores, perfect for last‑minute birthday magic or a just‑because treat.

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.

🧘 Fitness Classes @ Albany (GA) YMCA | Tuesday (3/10) at 9:00 AM – Free senior fitness classes at the Albany Area YMCA in Dougherty County, courtesy of SCOA, so your wallet can cool down while you warm up. Think low impact, solid instructors, and neighbors you know. Come move a little, laugh a little, earn your sweet tea.

🔢 Bingo! @ Albany Mall | Tuesday (3/10) at 10:30 AM – Think your lucky charm still has some juice? Skip the errands and hit Albany Mall for free, fast-paced bingo in front of Belk, complete with prizes, laughs, and plenty of friendly side-eye. Bring your indoor voice, your A-game, and a friend. Winning counts as cardio.

🌿 T(w)een Craft: Dried Botanical Bookmark @ Leesburg Library | Wednesday (3/11) at 4:00 PM – Remember bookmarks? Dress them up with dried flowers, plants, and Mod Podge on acrylic, then pretend your book pile is under control. Ages 10 and up, free registration required, so call or visit any Lee County Library branch to snag a spot.

🎨 Under the Oaks Art Fest @ Lee County Chamber of Commerce (Leesburg) | Thursday (3/12) at 5:00 PM – Under the Oaks Art Fest returns to the old train depot, free to wander a juried show, a sale, a reception, and Business After Hours. Swing by, sip something, applaud the Art and Photography winners, then catch the exhibits again on select days after.

🎨 Art Lovers Book Club @ Albany Museum of Art | Tuesday (3/17) at 5:30 PM – Trade the doomscroll for a bimonthly book club hang at Albany Museum of Art, free, open to all, and no membership. Picks range from St. EOM and Ninth Street Women to Sargent and a Jazz Age heist. RSVP, bring takes, they’ll save you a seat.

🚙 Albany Exchange Club Car & Jeep Show @ Exchange Club of Albany | Saturday (4/11) at 8:00 AM – Expect rows of classic and specialty cars, Jeep classes, and a motorcycle class, all angling for trophies while we nod like we know carburetors. Viewing is free, food vendors are standing by, and the smart move is entering the fairgrounds from Oakridge Road.

🎉 Aspire Palooza 2026 @ Albany State -West Campus | Saturday (5/2) at 1:00 PM – Head to ASU West Campus for a free, family-friendly celebration of Children’s Mental Health, with bounce houses, games, food, music, speakers, and live performances. Kids burn energy, you catch up with neighbors, and everyone leaves a little lighter, more connected.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Albany report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 86°F – Low: 62°F – Precip: 5%

Areas of fog before 10am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. Southwest wind 0 to 5 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 62. Southwest wind 0 to 5 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 87°F – Low: 62°F – Precip: 0%

Patchy fog between 7am and 8am. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. Southwest wind 0 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Later: A chance of rain showers between 2am and 5am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Are you quietly overpaying for car insurance? 🚗

Premiums have been climbing across Georgia 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

This Farmhouse-style ranch has 3 bedrooms, board and batten, and a columned covered porch. A spacious kitchen and dining area pair with a great room with optional fireplace. A bright study adds flex space. Every bedroom has a walk-in closet. The primary suite offers dual sinks, a garden tub, a separate shower, and utility access to a two-car garage.

Take a peek inside →