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

In today’s wallet-friendly edition: Elevated Southern-French menu, the Cherry Blossom Festival, and an art hike + lots of fun things to do for free.

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

Elevated takes on beloved dishes: Loom Comfort Kitchen & Cocktails in downtown Macon introduced a menu blending Southern flavor with French technique, featuring Wagyu beef cheeks, barbecue, seasonal dishes, and weekly specials diners are praising — see what’s on the menu.

Pedestrian safety sparks debate: Forsyth has new No Turn on Red signs installed by Georgia DOT during a signal upgrade, but some locals, including business owner Steve Coleman, worry drivers may not notice — get details on the changes.

Project timeline and scope: Hunt Military Communities announced a $3.65 million project at Robins Air Force Base to replace roofs and upgrade HVAC in Turner Park and Crestview. Construction is expected to begin this month — see what’s planned and when.

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:

• Celebrate spring with StoryWalk and wind chimes
• Kick off the 44th Cherry Blossom Festival
• Cruise into ALC Macon Car Show

🫶 We got your back

Sandwiches with soul: Family-run since 2001, Joe D’s on Ingleside turns simple soups, sandwiches, and a little barbecue into a just-right midday pick-me-up. Comforting, quick, and reliably tasty, it’s the neighborhood stop that satisfies without fuss, perfect for a lunch break that needs a lift.

Backyard time travel: Trade your usual loop for a wander at Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park, where earthen mounds, the Earth Lodge, and quiet trails make Macon feel ancient. It’s a quick reset you can slip between errands and still come home a little awed.

Playtime, leveled up: Whether you’re plotting a birthday, dodging a rainy-day slump, or picking a just-because treat, William’s Fun Smart Toys makes it easy to find creative, kid-approved picks, from puzzles and games to eco-friendly surprises, minus the big-box chaos, plus plenty of delight.

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 →

📆 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.

🌱 Native Garden Workday @ Centerville Library | Friday (3/13) at 10:00 AM – Trade your errands for dirt therapy at the Centerville Library Native Plant Garden, where we weed, plant, and call it community. Dress for real gardening, bring water and any tools, or borrow theirs. Ages 12 and up only, reflective vest and waiver at check-in.

🎸 Renegade @ 20’s Pub | Friday (3/13) at 9:00 PM – Whether your boots still know the two-step or they prefer leaning on a bar rail, Renegade is back at 20’s Pub with a night of country and Southern rock. No cover, just loud guitars, cold drinks, and plenty of room to sing along.

✏ Art Hike @ Amerson River Park | Saturday (3/14) at 9:00 AM – Feel like stretching your legs and your sketchbook? Join a gentle, beginner-friendly wander at Amerson River Park, then sketch with a mindful crew that pauses to connect and actually notice things. Free, donations welcome, with optional post-hike studio time at Artspace Macon for $25.

🦋 Native Plant Garden & Monarch Waystation Work Day @ Amerson River Park | Saturday (3/14) at 2:00 PM – Help wake up the Native Plant Garden and Monarch Waystation at Amerson River Park. Dress for dirt, bring water, gloves, and any tools, 16+ with a quick waiver, and enjoy the kind of cardio where weeds vanish, butterflies win. Sign up: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdkT3afvPhBMj5QRhWZhEChkP1-LiPLrRBIG6ppckdisk3VCg/viewform?usp=publish-editor

❓ Trivia Night! @ Fajitas Mexican Grill | Saturday (3/14) at 6:30 PM – If your random facts are taking up premium brain real estate, let them pay rent at Trivia Night. It is free to join, you just need to register, and winners snag a prize. Bring a team of four, or we will happily pair you up.

🌱 Native Plant Garden Workday @ Old City Cemetery | Sunday (3/15) at 8:30 AM – Roll up your sleeves at Old City Cemetery’s native plant garden, where it’s peaceful and the weeds are the only troublemakers. Bring gloves, water, and a shovel if you’ve got one, reflective vests and tools are on site. Free street parking, bragging rights included.

🌳 March Nature Day @ Amerson River Park | Sunday (3/15) at 3:00 PM – If you’re ready to tell winter to take a hike, stroll Amerson River Park’s StoryWalk for Kenard Pak’s Goodbye Winter, Hello Spring, then craft a wind chime you can actually brag about. Free, kid friendly, and a nice excuse to be outside.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Macon report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 85°F – Low: 64°F – Precip: 13%

Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. West wind 0 to 5 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 64. Southwest wind 0 to 5 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 86°F – Low: 58°F – Precip: 0%

Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. Southwest wind 0 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Later: A chance of rain showers between 2am and 5am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Are you quietly overpaying for car insurance? 🚗

Premiums have been climbing across Georgia 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 classic brick 4-bed, 3.5-bath sits on nearly two private acres in a coveted location, introduced by a circular drive and a two-car garage. An oversized pantry kitchen pairs with a large sunroom and wet bar for gatherings. A flexible bonus room adapts to office, gym, or media. Expansive patio, future pool potential, and recent HVAC plus a five-year roof.

Take a peek inside →