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It’s Friday, Fuquay-Varina! Let’s finish this week strong.

In today’s can’t-miss-weekend-plans edition: American Idol alum teases big news, yoga with puppies, and passenger rail upgrades + a stacked lineup of events this weekend.

Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Fuquay-Varina 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

Reflections from a rising singer: Fuquay-Varina’s Jayson Arendt was eliminated from American Idol after singing Blake Shelton’s Austin, but he’s upbeat, teasing a major announcement and saying he plans to record new music — read his reflections and plans.

Major expansion takes shape: Kane Realty has broken ground on Tributary in Raleigh’s North Hills, a 332 unit apartment building and 6,000 square feet of retail, plus restaurants, infrastructure upgrades, and future projects planned — see what’s planned and when.

Passenger rail upgrades advance: Expansion of North Carolina’s S-Line rail project is expected to cut over an hour from Raleigh to Richmond trips in coming years, bringing quicker options between Wake Forest and Raleigh — 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:

• Shop local, sip, and watch March Madness
• Celebrate HC Nutrition’s ribbon cutting with samples
• Declutter at community-wide yard sale
• Unlock clinical-level wellness data from home

💎 Local business spotlight

Art browse, not scroll: Explore 4,000 square feet of paintings, limited-edition giclées, and a gift area with North Carolina pottery and Tiffany-style lamps at Ashley’s Art Gallery. It’s the perfect excuse to trade screen time for real-world color, and to let something unexpected choose you.

Backyard upgrade, sorted: If your deck has seen one hurricane too many, Howell Builders turns wobbly boards into solid hangouts with custom decks, screen porches, and thoughtful design. From creaky stairs to splintery rails, they rebuild with staying power, so golden-hour evenings feel sturdier, safer, and a lot more inviting.

Craving coastal vibes: From low-country comforts to rotating seafood and the over-the-top Ultimate Bloody Mary, The Blind Pelican serves a relaxed, treat-yourself evening without leaving town. When you crave salty, saucy, and a little festive midweek, this spot hits the sweet spot with unfussy coastal vibes.

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.

🐶 Yoga and Puppies @ ClubWorx | Friday (3/13) at 5:00 PM – Roll out your mat with Pooch Pad and Pawfect for yoga that comes with wiggly assists. It is downward dog, literal edition, with adoptable puppies stealing your heart, your water bottle, and possibly your spot. Stretch, snuggle, adopt, repeat.

🥞 Pancake Breakfast @ Anna’s Pizzeria Fuquay-Varina | Saturday (3/14) at 7:00 AM – Flip your morning on its head with the annual Pancake Breakfast at Anna’s Pizzeria in Fuquay-Varina, because carbs are a love language. Yes, pancakes in a pizza spot, it’s Pi Day after all. Grab tickets or toss a donation, then linger with neighbors and syrup.

🛍 Spring Hop & Shop @ KnB’s Marketplace | Saturday (3/14) at 10:00 AM – KnB’s Marketplace is doing the civilized version of day drinking, with morning mimosas, afternoon wine and hors d’oeuvres, and sales tucked into every aisle. Shop a little, sip a little, run into three people you know, then call it productive.

🚀 2nd Annual Next Gen Entrepreneur Day @ Fuquay-Varina Chamber of Commerce | Saturday (3/14) at 10:00 AM – Youth-run market day at the Fuquay-Varina Chamber on North Main, where pint-sized CEOs ages 7 to 17 sell, pitch, and vie for awards. If you’ve wanted the kids to run the economy, here’s your chance. Bring cash, curiosity, and your best Shark Tank face.

🛍 Spring Vendor Showcase @ Angier Depot | Saturday (3/14) at 11:00 AM – Whether you’re on a mission for handmade goods or just an excuse for a second lunch, the Spring Vendor Showcase at the Angier Depot lawn gathers local artisans, small businesses, and vendors. Expect food trucks, inflatables for the kids, and a DJ, plus premium neighbor-watching.

🛍 Sip n’ Shop Market @ Hoppy Tales | Saturday (3/14) at 11:00 AM – Hoppy Tales, Fuquay’s newest self-serve taproom, is hosting a sip-and-shop with 14 artisans showing off good stuff. Expect live music, Mr. Puebla’s Tacos, and no weather drama since it is indoors, then wander Quaint Plaza for Fat Cat Ice Cream, Angadi, and bragging rights.

☘ St. Patrick’s Day Dinner @ American Legion Post 116 | Saturday (3/14) at 4:00 PM – Celebrate St. Paddy’s the worthwhile way at American Legion Post 116 in Fuquay-Varina: corned beef or shepherd’s pie for $15, pay at the door. Open to all, running till it’s gone, with Nolan Reid and The Regulators keeping the room lively.

Live music & entertainment:

• 3/13 Auditions: Guys & Dolls Jr. @ American Legion Post 116 – 5:00 PM
• 3/13 Jason Bunch @ McWally’s – 7:00 PM
• 3/13 Karaoke @ The Brick Fuquay – 8:00 PM
• 3/14 FVJC Brand Launch Party @ Celtic Crawlers Off Road Garage (Angier) – 10:00 AM
• 3/14 Sip n’ Shop Market @ Hoppy Tales – 11:00 AM
• 3/14 The Ridge Band @ The Mason Jar Lager Company – 7:00 PM
• 3/15 Soundcheck Sunday @ Oaklyn Springs Brewery – 6:00 PM

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Fuquay-Varina report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 60°F – Low: 43°F – Precip: 0%

Sunny, with a high near 60. Southwest wind 2 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 43. Southwest wind 3 to 13 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 69°F – Low: 46°F – Precip: 0%

Mostly sunny, with a high near 69. North wind around 5 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 46.

This house is wild

At 28 Reflection Pkwy in Fuquay Varina near Raleigh, the Buckhorn plan at Serenity pairs timeless luxury with thoughtful design. A covered porch and patio frame open-concept living anchored by a gourmet kitchen with an oversized pantry and island. Highlights include a main-level guest suite, a sleek study, an upstairs retreat, and a grand owner’s suite with spa bath.

Take a peek inside →

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