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

In today’s wallet-friendly edition: Drones as first responders, a new rock musical, and Gem Faire + lots of fun things to do for free.

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

High-tech response trial underway: Washington County Sheriff’s Office is testing drones as first responders for 30 days, sending them ahead of deputies to calls. The program follows state privacy rules, with funding still undecided — get details on the pilot.

Statewide town hall series continues: U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici hosts a Hillsboro town hall today at 6 p.m., answering questions about her work in Congress, with staff on hand to help residents with federal casework — get all the details.

Part of Fertile Ground festival: Tickets are now available for Freedom, a new rock musical at HART in Hillsboro, coming April 12, a bold reimagining of Moses that spotlights the courage of women often overlooked — learn more about the show.

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:

• Bring your pet portrait to life
• Stories, songs, and crafts for preschoolers
• Experience cultural open mic and mākeke

🫶 We got your back

Glow-up, minus the guesswork: If you’re eyeing a little tox or a pick-me-up for winter-dull skin, Westside Aesthetics keeps results natural with injectables, lasers, and PRF, delivered by a friendly team in Orenco Station. They map the plan, you savor the glow… easy, effortless, and still you.

Birdsong and big sky: Loop the flat, stroller-friendly trail at Fernhill Wetlands for a quick reset. Expect herons, seasonal waterfowl, and wide-open views that make you breathe easier. It’s an easy go-to for kid energy dumps, gentle jogs, or a mindful lap when your to-do list turns feral.

Small-world joy fix: Piccolo Mondo Toys stocks classic puzzles, creative kits, cuddly plush, and smart STEM finds. When birthdays sneak up or rainy days drag, it’s an easy win, with free gift wrap that keeps your sanity intact.

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 →

Sandwiches worth a detour: When leftovers feel like betrayal, The Meating Place Cafe piles from-scratch classics like French dips, Reubens, and Cubanos with house-smoked meats and bread that holds up. A no-fuss, seriously satisfying lunch that brightens your day… minus the sad desk vibes.

📆 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.

🎲 Bingo @ Hillsboro Downtown Station | Wednesday (3/11) at 6:30 PM – Nothing says quality time like free, family-friendly Bingo, five lively rounds with prizes from Station Taphouse and the Station. The finale is a community round, so bring a prize you’d actually want to win, your luck, and that quietly competitive streak.

🧘 Flow to Restore @ Back to Balance LLC (Hillsboro) | Wednesday (3/11) at 7:00 PM – If your shoulders have been auditioning for earrings, this slow-flow-to-restorative class in Hillsboro will coax them back down. Ease through mindful movement, then melt into prop-supported stillness, with breathwork and guided rest. First class is free, cheaper than therapy, and blissfully screenless.

💎 Gem Faire @ Westside Commons and the Wingspan Event & Conference Center, Hillsboro, OR | Friday (3/13) at 12:00 PM – Activate your inner magpie, Hillsboro’s Gem Faire brings fine jewelry, crystals, and shiny temptations straight from wholesalers at manufacturer prices. Browse pearls, beads, gold, and silver, get a ring cleaned or resized while you shop, and register online for free admission, otherwise it is $7.

🐶 Puppy Socials @ Camp Bow Wow Hillsboro | Saturday (3/14) at 9:00 AM – Got a puppy with zoomies? Bring your furball to these free Saturday socials in Hillsboro for supervised play, with separate sessions for the littles and the sturdier set. Shots up to date, registration required, and class size limited, so make a dog profile at www.campbowwow.com/hillsboro.

🍀 St. Patrick’s Celebrations @ McMenamins Grand Lodge | Saturday (3/14) at 11:00 AM – This St. Patrick’s, Grand Lodge does several days of free, all-ages revelry with live Celtic bands, McMenamins Irish Stout, and the right amount of hijinks. Graze the corned beef, stew, and smiling fries, then nab the once-a-year Devils Bit whiskey before your cousin does.

🍀 St Patrick’s Day Party @ Zesti Carts & Bar | Saturday (3/14) at 3:00 PM – If you’ve been waiting for a sign to make a day of it, Zesti’s all-day St. Patrick’s bash delivers live music, food carts, green beer, and whiskey flights. Wear green for costume contest and raffle, no cover, all ages by day. Call it quality time.

❓ General Trivia @ Pelagic Brewing | Monday (3/16) at 6:00 PM – Monday nights at Pelagic in Forest Grove mean trivia, good vibes, and that smug satisfaction when your 90s sitcom knowledge finally pays off. Free to play and all ages, just be a decent human and grab a beverage or two to support the house.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Forest Grove report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 46°F – Low: 39°F – Precip: 96%

Patchy fog and a chance of rain and snow before 10am, then rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 46. South southwest wind 1 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Later: Rain. Cloudy, with a low around 39. South southwest wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

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Tomorrow – High: 53°F – Low: 47°F – Precip: 99%

Rain. Cloudy, with a high near 53. South southwest wind 5 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible. Later: Rain. Cloudy, with a low around 47. Chance of precipitation is 100%.

Are you quietly overpaying for car insurance? 🚗

Premiums have been climbing across Oregon 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 rare two-for-one includes a 1,196 sq ft 3-bed, 1.5-bath fixer on 0.84 acres with great bones, plus a 4.32-acre treed lot with its own building approval. Close to town yet private, with elk and deer sightings, an artesian well, and spring water rights. Fresh county-inspected septic in 2024, multigenerational potential written all over it.

Take a peek inside →