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Hey Fort Smith, hope your week’s off to a good start!
In today’s wallet-friendly edition: Student-made Keep Arkansas Beautiful ad contest, an $8.1 million port expansion, and Ionesco’s Rhinoceros onstage + lots of fun things to do for free.
Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Fort Smith 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.
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📰 In the news
State festivals join forces: High schoolers are invited to make 30-second Keep Arkansas Beautiful ads. Free to enter. Winners announced this summer, and the winning spot will screen at Fort Smith International Film Festival — get all the details.
Game-changing investment boosts logistics: Fort Smith’s port received an $8.1 million grant and will expand rail freight, rebuild flood-damaged infrastructure, and add warehouses, easing highway congestion and supporting regional growth tied to F-35 mission — see what’s planned for the port.
Absurdist classic charges onstage: UAFS students will present Ionesco’s comedy Rhinoceros at Breedlove Auditorium March 19 to 21, with $10 general admission, free tickets for the UAFS community, and content not for all ages — see dates, cast, and tickets.
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:
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🏆 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.
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🫶 We got your back
Fresh pasta fix: This week, find a midweek lift at Prima Italia, where house-made pastas (yes, with local Heritage Happy Eggs), cozy vibes, and proper cocktails make date night feel a little like Rome. Silky twirls, stirred sips, and the rare joy of no dishes afterward.
Closet time travel: Belle Starr Antiques unites 70+ vintage dealers across 9,000 square feet, a downtown trove for character-rich wardrobe pieces and quirky home finds. Expect the just-right jacket, a worn-in belt, or earrings that already feel storied.
Cool the soreness away: Inner Peace Massage & Body Studio features a Vortex Cryo Chamber for post-run aches, sluggish mornings, or when you crave a brisk reset. Cool down, then pair the chill with red light therapy or a massage for extra recovery. Feels sharp, quick, and surprisingly refreshing.
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.
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📆 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.
🔑 Women’s Property Ownership: Then and Now @ Miss Laura’s Brothel Museum | Wednesday (3/4) at 2:00 PM – Start Women’s History Month at Miss Laura’s, where a former brothel is a fitting place to talk about who held house keys. Realtor Danyell Barker traces the twists of women’s property rights, it’s free, and interesting. Bring a friend, swap stories, call it quality time.
🛍 Growing Kids Sale Spring 2026 Consignment Pop-up Event @ Kay Rodgers Park Expo Center | Thursday (3/5) at 11:00 AM – Spring at Kay Rodgers Park means one thing, a kids’ consignment treasure hunt where they outgrow it today and you buy it tomorrow. Clean out closets, earn up to 75 percent, register at GKSale.com, and score early access if you text GKS to 1-855-332-7677.
🎤 She Speaks: A Women’s Poetry Showcase @ Miss Laura’s Brothel Museum | Wednesday (3/11) at 2:00 PM – Poetry is taking over Miss Laura’s Brothel Museum, because Fort Smith contains multitudes. From Sappho to today’s women poets, community voices are serving passion, power, and lines that stick. It’s free, it’s local, and yes, culture pairs nicely with a little scandalous history.
🍎 Roots & Roofs: Intro to Berry Bushes & Fruit Trees @ C. King Tropicals and More | Wednesday (3/11) at 4:00 PM – Trade doomscrolling for dirt under your nails at a free workshop on berry bushes and fruit trees, because berries are not getting cheaper. Learn to choose, grow, prune, and harvest, make three DIY garden markers, and, since spots are limited, register at bit.ly/RootsAndRoofs5.
🐰 Easter Grass Make-N-Take @ C. King Tropicals and More | Saturday (3/14) at 10:00 AM – Feeling the itch for spring without the yard work? Swing by for a free make-n-take, plant some wheat grass, and, if you’re feeling festive, add a little Easter flair. It’s low-key, hands-on, and the only greenery that thrives on minimal commitment.
🕯 Roll With It: Candle Crafting Class @ Miss Laura’s Brothel Museum | Wednesday (3/18) at 2:00 PM – Trade your to-do list for beeswax at Miss Laura’s Visitor Center, where Candy from Strange Brew will teach you to roll your own candles and slip in real women’s history while she’s at it. It’s free, fun, and seats vanish fast, so reserve one.
🌸 Spring Refresh @ Potted Plants | Saturday (3/21) at 10:00 AM – First day of spring at Potted Plants means free repottings, fresh soil and a gentle feed, your greenery getting its act together. Bring up to three plants, bring a favorite pot or they’ll use nursery pots to 10 inches, pest-free please, tips included.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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🔥 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.
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📻 Fort Smith report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 80°F – Low: 62°F – Precip: 11%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. Southeast wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Later: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
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Tomorrow – High: 76°F – Low: 61°F – Precip: 63%
A chance of showers and thunderstorms before noon, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 76. South wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Later: Showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
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 5-bed, 4.5-bath stunner caps a cul-de-sac with a brick and stone facade and soaring open-concept living. A chef’s kitchen shines with a granite island, soft-close cabinetry, pot filler, 8-burner cooktop, built-in fridge, farmhouse sink, glass rinser and coffee bar. Ensuite bedrooms, a spa-style primary, a bonus room, and a covered patio ready for an outdoor kitchen complete the picture.
Take a peek inside →
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