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

In today’s can’t-miss-weekend-plans edition: Someone Googled you this week, a 71-year fish fry, and gold’s big comeback + a stacked lineup of events this weekend.

Today’s sponsor (FinanceBuzz) built a free comparison tool that helped me cut my car insurance premiums in half. It took about 3 minutes, and honestly… I wish I’d done it sooner. If you haven’t shopped around in a while, you can easily check the best rates here.

📰 In the news

Home visits legacy continues: Marathon County’s Nurse-Family Partnership connects new moms with nurses, education, and support through a child’s second birthday, boosted by Wisconsin’s Medicaid expansion covering mothers through their baby’s first year — see how the program helps.

Serving more than a meal: Saint Anne’s Parish in Wausau brings back its Friday fish fry today for Lent, continuing a 71-year tradition open to all, with volunteers cooking thousands and kids learning the ropes — see how it all works.

Artists from 14 states: Stevens Point’s 38th annual Culture & Agriculture Exhibition will open March 7 at Gallery Q, showcasing 56 pieces, cash awards, and a reception from 5 to 7 pm — get all the details.

Gold & silver are hot: Coming off gold’s best year since 1979, the momentum is carrying well into 2026 with silver remaining one of the most talked-about assets. Curious why they’re back in focus? American Hartford Gold has a free guide that explains what’s happening and how people are approaching it today. It’s free – and definitely worth a read.

Someone Googled you this week: Whether you’re dating again, selling something locally, or just meeting new neighbors… people are going to look you up. Like it or not, the internet has a way of surfacing past mistakes and outdated information that no longer reflects who you are.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 all that up – learn more here.

Highlights this week:

• Make Hmong eggrolls and crab rangoons
• Learn to maximize Social Security benefits
• Shop local handmade gifts and save
• Over 62? See how to turn home equity into tax-free cash

🚗 Are you quietly overpaying for car insurance?

Together with our sponsor FinanceBuzz

Auto insurance premiums have been climbing across the country… and most folks won’t notice until it’s time to renew and they’re hit with a higher bill.

The frustrating part? Loyalty rarely gets rewarded. Insurers adjust prices constantly, and new customers often qualify for better rates than long-time policyholders.

I learned that the hard way. I had the same policy for half a decade. Autopay was on, I saw the charges come in every month and never thought twice about them. Turns out I was paying well above the national average ($175/mo) for a single car… for years.

This free comparison tool lets you check rates from multiple insurers in just a few minutes. It costs nothing to look, and it could save you hundreds this year.

🫶 We got your back

Plant-based comfort, solved: When the dinner debate hits, Wicked Willow delivers with an all‑vegan lineup that eats like classic comfort food, plus a vegan coffee menu and a bakery case for sweet‑tooth moments. Keep it handy for weeknights when you crave indulgent, plant-based satisfaction without the fuss.

Treasure hunt, anyone?: With more than 100 vendors under one roof, Antique Up makes discovering something old and cool simple, serendipitous, and fun. Casual aisle wandering often sparks lucky finds that elevate shelves, walls, or that quirky corner table you’ve been ignoring.

Skip the smudge: If your mornings are a mad dash, Champagne & Beauty brings stay-put polish with permanent makeup, including ombré brows, liner, and lip blushing, plus welded, clasp-free jewelry for everyday shine. Wake up ready and cruise through the day with look-good energy that outlasts your coffee.

An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial fee just to be seen to x-rays, surgery, medicine, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could get up to 90% cash back on your vet bill with this pet insurance plan.

📆 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.

🎨 Art Mania @ Central Wisconsin Children’s Museum | Friday (3/6) at 11:00 AM – Art Mania is serving up kid-approved chaos with a plan, as CWCM’s Playologists lead a drop-in craft that changes every week. Think color mixing, fine motor skill wins, and your kid getting gloriously messy while you call it quality time.

🏠 Wausau Area Builders Association Home Show @ Marshfield Mall | Saturday (3/7) at 10:00 AM – A new Home Show is rolling into Marshfield for 2026, courtesy of the Wausau Area Builders Association. Browse local builders, get real quotes, and poke at kitchens, windows, and gadgets without committing to demolition. Come kick the tires, ask questions, and dodge a DIY disaster.

🌶 16th Annual WGA Chili Feed & Contest @ District 1 Brewing Company | Saturday (3/7) at 11:00 AM – Think your chili can take the crown, or just here to taste? Bring a 2 to 3 quart crockpot for crowd voting and the traveling, trackable trophy. WGA’s dishing out backup chili, fixings, cups, and utensils, but it’s first come, first served.

☕ Spring Floral Teacup Class @ Olio Arts & Music Center | Saturday (3/7) at 1:00 PM – Swap the snow shovel for a teacup, because Cindy Sanford is teaching a spring floral class where you make a charming arrangement. Perfect for Mom, birthdays, or your mantel, no green thumb required. $40, all supplies included, small class, register at the Olio Center.

🍎 Snow White @ Grand Theater Wausau | Saturday (3/7) at 1:00 PM – Central Wisconsin School of Ballet is staging Snow White, with expressive storytelling, the Queen, woodland critters, and seven industrious roommates. Come early for kids’ crafts and games in the Great Hall, and feel virtuous choosing culture over screens. Adults $22, kids under 18 $18.

🏙 Alexander Eschweiler: Architects That Built Wausau’s Neighborhoods and Skyline @ Marathon County Public Library | Saturday (3/7) at 1:30 PM – If you’ve ever wanted permission to gawk at the Claire Bird house, the D.C. Everest place, and the Marathon Park grandstands, this talk is it. Friends of Wausau Historic Landmarks unpack Alexander Eschweiler’s life, career, and legacy at the library, no boots or blueprints required.

🎉 House Party! 2026 @ CREATE Portage County | Saturday (3/7) at 6:00 PM – Clear your calendar for CREATE’s annual house party, where the Great Hall turns into a laid-back arts playground. Expect main stage acts, hands-on stations where you can make something, catered bites, cocktails, and dibs on creative experiences, plus a welcome drink to grease social wheels.

Live music & entertainment:

• 3/6 Fermented Words @ O’so Brewing Company – 6:00 PM
• 3/6 Music Bingo @ 17Sixteen – 6:00 PM
• 3/6 Through Crimson @ Rookies Sportspub – 8:00 PM
• 3/6 Black Label Trio @ Whiskey Rapids Saloon – 8:00 PM
• 3/7 “The Claw” @ Spash High School – 1:00 PM
• 3/7 Snow White @ Grand Theater Wausau – 1:00 PM
• 3/8 Sunday Funday @ Renee’s Red Rooster – 2:00 PM

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.

• Thinning hair? Don’t wait – here are 3 treatments that work
• This free tool helps connect you with the right financial advisor
• Got debt? You may be able to pay less than you owe
• You can own physical gold and silver in your retirement account
• Treat yourself: Save on self-care during the CVS Epic Beauty Sale

📻 Central Wisconsin report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 58°F – Low: 43°F – Precip: 98%

Patchy fog before 7am, then a chance of rain and patchy fog between 7am and 8am, then areas of fog and a chance of rain between 8am and 9am, then rain and areas of fog between 9am and 3pm, then rain and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 58. South southeast wind 7 to 12 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible. Later: Rain and a chance of thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43. South southwest wind 6 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%.

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Tomorrow – High: 47°F – Low: 30°F – Precip: 26%

A chance of rain before noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 47. West northwest wind 8 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 30.

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It never happens at a convenient time, and most homeowners just eat the cost because they don’t realize there’s a better option.

American Home Shield covers repairs and replacements on most of your home’s major systems and appliances — old or new, no inspection required.

The best part? Select plans are 50% off now through March 9th.

This house is wild

This 3-bedroom Lake Wausau waterfront home sits on a picturesque lot with sweeping water views and mature surroundings. Major upgrades shine, including cleared landscaping that opens the property, buried electrical service, and a new 200-amp panel. Inside, primed walls and bare subfloors create a clean slate for custom finishes. Solid bones, endless potential, coveted shoreline.

Take a peek inside →