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Hi Meridian, hope you’re having a great weekend!

In today’s in-case-you-missed-it edition: Nurse-founded wellness cafe, new Gorjana and Capital Grille, and model train show + the top stories from this week & a sneak peek at next week.

From today’s sponsor, FinanceBuzz: Many Idaho drivers end up paying higher auto insurance premiums because they don’t shop around enough. The same driver with the same car can get wildly different quotes from different insurers, so it truly pays to compare. Their free tool makes it easy.*

📰 Most-clicked stories this week

Nurse-founded wellness cafe: Mindful Coffee, a new Meridian spot free of seed oils and artificial ingredients, is set to open soon with small bites plus coffees, teas, matcha, kombucha, and cold brew — see the menu and more.

Major interchange work progressing: Nighttime I-84 closures between Garrity and Ten Mile are planned all month as crews set girders for the region’s first SH-16 tri-level flyover, with Meridian and Nampa drivers expecting detours — get closure and detour details.

Expansion adds Gorjana, Capital Grille: New shops are coming to The Village at Meridian, including Culinary Dropout, Tecovas, and Tempur-Pedic. States that sued to stop the Albertsons Kroger merger were awarded attorneys’ fees — get all the details.

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.*

Gold & silver are hot: Last year was gold’s best year since 1979. Silver did even better, climbing nearly 150%… and analysts expect the momentum to continue. Curious about precious metal investing? GoldCo has a helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free — and definitely worth a read.*

All the crowd favorites:

• Sip wine and craft charcuterie boards
• Join Mrs. Melissa for playful storytime
• Storytime and art for preschoolers

💎 This week’s top finds

Old-school breakfast vibes: When you want a no-fuss, local spot, Bob’s Sunrise Caféserves plate-sized comfort with fluffy waffles and hearty scrambles. The classic diner bustle somehow makes weekdays feel better. Slide into a booth, catch up with a friend, and let coffee chatter set the tone.

Gluten-free pies, made here: Cliff’s Country Market bakes seasonal fruit pies in-house at its gluten-free bakery. Scratch-made and small-batch, they vanish early for a reason: tender crusts, generous fruit, and that fresh-from-the-oven aroma… the kind that make dessert planning feel easy.

Books meet butter: Cooks & Books pairs a cozy, curated bookshop with a hands-on cooking studio, so you can snag your next novel, discover a new cookbook, and fine-tune your whisk game. Expect book clubs at Cooks & Books, neighborly vibes, and serious comfort reads.

These aren’t ads or sponsored placements — they’re the local spots your fellow readers clicked on most this week.

🫶 We got your back

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 →

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 →

Paying full price is officially optional: Blu Dot just marked down dozens of their best sofas, beds, dining tables, outdoor pieces, and lighting by as much as 60%. Not because something’s wrong with them, but because every great design eventually has to make room for the next one. The deals change daily, so it’s always a new adventure. *See what’s on sale today →

Most people have no idea what’s happening inside their body: Not because the data doesn’t exist, but because no one’s collecting it. Routine annual checkups miss things like body composition, biological age, and the biomarkers that can help predict long-term patterns. The good news? HumeHealth offers tools to help you track all of that at home for less than the cost of a specialist visit. *Use code NEW20 to save 20% →

Something in your house is about to break: It might be your AC, your water heater, your fridge… doesn’t matter. Every major appliance has an expiration date, and when it goes, you’ll be staring down a repair bill that can climb into the thousands fast. An AHS home warranty covers these types of surprises + *select plans are $150 off right now →

📆 Sneak peek at next week

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.

🥘 Irish Stew St Patrick’s Day @ Swirl Wine Shop & Lounge (Nampa) | Tuesday (3/17) at 2:00 PM – St. Patrick’s Day here means complimentary Irish stew, the comfort bowl with beef, carrots, potatoes, and onions. Grab a pint of Guinness, a nip of Irish whiskey, or a glass of wine, then show up in your best green and call it cultural wellness.

🚂 Model Train Show @ Meridian Library Foundation | Thursday (3/19) at 9:00 AM – If your inner eight-year-old still perks up at the sound of a whistle, this three-day model train show is your station. Think intricate, room-filling layouts, tiny towns with absurdly accurate depots, and friendly hobbyists who will happily explain couplers, wiring, and patience.

💪 Spring Into Your Best Health @ Peak Personalized Healthcare | Friday (3/20) at 8:00 AM – Swing by Peak Personalized Healthcare for a first-day-of-spring open house with healthy breakfast, coffee, giveaways, and event-only specials. Tour wellness stations, learn what personalized care actually means, and if you are early, snag a door prize, your smug glow included.

🌷 March Into Spring Market @ Mettle Sports (Nampa) | Saturday (3/21) at 8:00 AM – This spring market is your guilt-free loop for browsing pretty things, nibbling, and calling it errands. Local vendors pack fresh finds, bites, and sips, plus easy wins for Easter baskets and Mother’s Day. Support the neighbors, be home by nine, feel oddly accomplished.

🛍 March Mayhem Market @ Story & Co. Collective (Nampa) | Saturday (3/21) at 9:00 AM – March Mayhem Market is taking over the shop with local makers, on-site tattoos, hair tinsel, a charm bar, and dangerously good ceviche and chilaquiles. It is basically errands with better lighting, a little ink, and whole-store deals. Bring a friend, leave a little sparkly.

✂ Bottle Decopauge Art Class @ Tona Transformations (Nampa) | Saturday (3/21) at 11:00 AM – If your inner crafter has been napping since the PTA years, wake it up with a hands-on bottle decoupage class. Pick cows, roosters, bees, florals, or rabbits, get step-by-step help to layer and finish. Around here, a good bottle deserves a second act, supplies included.

👑 Mrs. Maharlika-Idaho Coronation Night @ Nampa Civic Center | Saturday (3/21) at 6:00 PM – Got a favorite queen-in-waiting? At Mrs. Maharlika-Idaho’s Coronation Night, every ticket doubles as a People’s Choice vote, so buy yours, enter her name as the promo code, and watch the sash fight unfold. Team Celeste, Julie, MaryRose, Sunshine, Patti, Maryjane, Ryv, or Rochelle?

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Meridian report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 50°F – Low: 33°F – Precip: 0%

Mostly sunny, with a high near 50. West northwest wind around 5 mph. Later: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33. East northeast wind around 5 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 63°F – Low: 39°F – Precip: 4%

Partly sunny, with a high near 63. North northwest wind around 3 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 39.

Most popular house this week

This 7,100 sq ft custom estate on 4.6 acres blends white-fenced pastures, sweeping views, and thoughtful design. Wide-plank floors and soaring ceilings frame a Thermador kitchen with butler’s pantry. The primary wing connects to outdoor living with a covered patio, fireplace, heated pool and spa, IDWR water rights, and a 7-car garage minutes from Lake Lowell and the Snake River.

Take a peek inside →