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Hello Fort Smith! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Children’s museum boost, duck pluck fundraiser, and tiny tot time + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Today’s sponsor, Goldco, is helping folks around Fort Smith help protect their savings after a remarkable few years for gold and silver. Their free guide explains what's behind the run… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Museum project gains momentum: Simmons Foods pledged $250,000 to the Fort Kids Children’s Museum in Fort Smith, following ArcBest’s February gift, moving project closer to a $7.4 million construction start and $16.3 million goal -- learn more about the plans.
Fun fundraiser returns: Special Olympics Arkansas’ Duck Pluck will happen Aug. 27 in Fort Smith, with adopted ducks eligible for 12 prizes including Razorback tickets and a Gulf Shores getaway -- learn more about prizes.
Flood mitigation funding opportunity: Arkansas Department of Agriculture is accepting pre-applications for FEMA’s Swift Current Flood Mitigation Assistance program. Up to $20 million statewide, including Fort Smith NFIP-insured projects. Pre-applications due August 15, 2026 -- see how to apply.
Watch your credit card balance drop. Here's a rare one: this card lets you skip interest charges until nearly 2028, and you won't pay a cent in annual fees to do it. On top of that, every purchase earns at least 1.5% cash back, with some categories as high as 5%. Spend a little early on and there's up to a $200 bonus waiting too -- take a look.*
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half -- this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
Google your own name and you'll probably find your home address: It's sitting on a people-search site right now, next to your age, your relatives, and your phone number, free for anyone to look up. Aura gets it taken down. It contacts 420+ data brokers on your behalf, uses privacy laws to legally demand deletion, and keeps resending requests so your information doesn't creep back online. No hours of opt-out forms, it runs quietly in the background — remove your data.* Highlights this week: |
02 — From our sponsor Gold posted one of its strongest runs in decades...Silver has been right there with it, and after a few remarkable years both metals have become some of the most talked-about assets for those looking 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, Goldco has a free guide explaining what’s driving the renewed interest… and how people are approaching precious metals right now. It’s free and worth reading before the next move.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Beat the Arkansas heat: When the temps spike, Martin Luther King, Jr. Park Splash Pad is the easy, low-commitment way to let the kids run wild while you catch a minute of shade and sanity. Quick pop-in, plenty of splashy fun, and zero packing list besides a towel and good vibes.
Your couch needs this: Whether the dog claimed your spot or your sectional squeaks like a shopping cart, Sofa City has a deep in-stock lineup of sofas, chairs, and bedroom sets, with plenty of American-made options you can test today and enjoy tonight, plus friendly, no-pressure help and easy local delivery around the River Valley.
Your new brunch standby: Locals know The Egg keeps mornings easy with cracked-to-order omelets, fluffy Belgian waffles, and biscuits swimming in house sausage gravy. When you need a no-fuss spot that still feels special, this Fort Smith favorite delivers generous portions, hot coffee, and that unhurried brunch vibe you promised yourself all week.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial walk-in-the-door fee to x-rays, surgery, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade →
The upgrades that make your home feel new again start here. You don't need a full remodel to fall back in love with your space. New fixtures, a fresh coat of paint, updated hardware, the small changes that make a room feel different. It's all in Home Depot, so a weekend is all it takes to give a tired room a fresh start. *Shop the refresh →
Once your car passes 50,000 miles, the odds of a big repair climb fast. That's usually right when your factory coverage starts running out. Engine, transmission, electrical, they fail on their own timeline, and the bills run into the thousands. An extended warranty covers them before they hit. You receive a free year of Elite Benefits, plus 30 days to change your mind. *$300 off right now →
A window quote that takes an hour and costs you nothing. No showroom, no sales runaround, no obligation to buy anything. A design consultant comes to you, measures your windows, walks you through the options, and leaves you with an exact price and timeline, that's the whole visit. Keep the quote as long as you like and decide whenever you're ready, or don't. Booking takes about a minute. *Book your free visit →
The fitness trend that doesn't require leaving your living room: Chair yoga is having a moment, and for good reason. It's low-impact, easy on the knees and back, and you do the whole thing seated. No floor, no equipment, no studio. A quick quiz turns it into a personalized plan built around your body and goals, then adjusts as you build the habit. *See your plan → |
Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🧒 Tiny Tot Time @ Parrot Island Waterpark | Thursday (7/23) at 8:00 AM – If you want the park to yourself before the chaos, Tiny Turtle Island opens early for Tiny Tot Time Thursday mornings, 8 to 10. Ages five and under only, $7 per kid, grown-ups free, Platinum and Gold pass holders free, and nap time might happen.
🏹 Archery @ Alma Public Library | Thursday (7/23) at 3:00 PM – This archery session with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission blends simple tips, safe practice, and that satisfying thunk of an arrow hitting home. Ideal for dusting off 4-H glory or trying something new, expect bullseyes, bragging rights, and forearms you will feel tomorrow.
🦫 "Groundhogs- The Underground Engineers" @ Alma Public Library | Friday (7/24) at 10:30 AM – Whether you still take Punxsutawney Phil seriously or trust your knee, Lake Fort Smith delves into the real underground engineers, groundhogs. See how they blueprint multi-room burrows, aerate soil, and outfox predators, all without permits, hard hats, or heavy equipment. Nerdy, local, and satisfying.
🃏 Fort Smith Card Show @ Fort Smith Brewing Company (Barling) | Friday (7/24) at 4:00 PM – The Fort Smith Card Show is a family friendly shuffle of Pokémon, sports cards, One Piece, and more, with plenty to buy, sell, or trade, plus sealed boxes galore. Bring that closet shoebox, your best haggle face, and prepare for joyful, wallet-lightening nostalgia.
🎱 Plant Bingo @ The Potting Shed (Alma) | Saturday (7/25) at 6:00 PM – Trade your lucky dauber for a watering can at Plant Bingo, where $25 gets you a take-home plant, snacks, and the kind of bragging rights only a thriving pothos can provide. The games are just for fun, with bonus plants, planty prizes, and zero gambling.
🎤 Danny Richmond Returns @ Boondocks | Saturday (7/25) at 6:30 PM – Remember Danny Richmond? He’s back with the kind of live music that makes you put your phone away, plus delicious eats and actual seating, imagine that. Bring the kids, your appetite, and your best small-talk, then stay for the sing-alongs and easygoing, hometown vibe.
🔥 Back to School Campfire @ Camp 43 (Van Buren) | Saturday (7/25) at 7:00 PM – Nothing beats a campfire when the school-supply list starts creeping in. Reconcile Church and New Branch Youth host a free night at Camp 43 with hot dogs, chips, and s’mores, so bring lawn chairs and let the kids burn off energy while you swap stories.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
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07 — Fort Smith report Weather forecastToday — High: 97°F — Low: 74°F — Precip: 2%
Sunny, with a high near 97. Northeast wind around 5 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 74. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 93°F — Low: 74°F — Precip: 1%
Sunny, with a high near 93. East wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. East wind around 10 mph. This house is wildThis renovated 4-bedroom, 3.5-bath Hardscrabble Way home pairs timeless style with standout upgrades, from hardwood floors and warm neutral finishes to a showpiece kitchen with Viking appliances, quartz counters, and custom Spahn cabinetry. The main-level primary suite adds convenience, while the backyard steals the scene with a granite pool, waterfall, covered patios, and outdoor kitchen.
Take a peek inside → |
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