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Hey Fort Wayne, hope your week’s off to a good start! A new symphony center, a Valentine’s clay date, Jerry Seinfeld, and more. Let’s get to it!
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
Symphony deepens community roots: Fort Wayne Philharmonic has opened a new downtown center in a century-old building, adding rehearsal and performance space. Offices back expanded community outreach, with a grand opening planned for April — get all the details.
Community legacy and shared voices: Fort Wayne honored John Nuckols, the city’s first Black councilman, with proclamation and bust at the Fort Wayne Urban League. The Race Card Project welcomes six-word essays through February 28 — read the full story.
Training tomorrow’s caregivers: IU Fort Wayne announced on Feb. 2 a record spring enrollment of 1,026 students, up from last spring, reflecting continued growth and strong demand for health careers in Northeast Indiana — see what’s driving enrollment.
A mother’s last call: Fort Wayne student Gideon Priest is a finalist in the National Road Safety Foundation’s Drive Safe Chicago PSA contest. The winner will be announced at the Chicago Auto Show — read the full story.
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.
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.
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.
*We do our best to avoid paywalled articles. If any slip through, let me know which ones and I’ll permanently remove them from our source list!
Highlights this week:
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🫶 We got your back
Neighborhood development details revealed: QuikTrip plans its first Fort Wayne gas station on Elderberry Drive off Coldwater Road near I-69. The 10 acre site includes a house and woods, and plans add a 10 foot landscape buffer next to Springwood homes. QT Kitchen plans to offer hot food and drinks. See what’s planned here.
Your neighbors are Googling you: It’s uncomfortable but true — employers, new friends, even other parents at school pickup search names all the time. If something negative, outdated, or misleading shows up first, it can shape opinions before you ever meet. BetterReputation helps push down unwanted search results so your first impression actually reflects who you are today. And if it’s someone you care about, you can help them too.
National campaign boosts communities: Fort Wayne has been awarded a $10,000 DollarWise Innovation grant to support local economic mobility efforts. The 2026 awards went to six cities nationwide, backed by the Bank of America Charitable Foundation. The funding will help launch or expand scalable programs in our community. Read the full story.
Gold is having a moment: Between inflation headlines, market swings, and growing global uncertainty, precious metals are (again) in the spotlight. American Hartford is currently offering up to $25,000 in free silver when you open a qualified account. They’ll also help you set up a penalty-free gold IRA with a lowest price guarantee, no buyback fees, and 7-day price protection.
Tune-up and treasure hunt: Whether your fret buzz needs a quick fix or you’re chasing a six-string with some history, Fort Wayne Guitar Exchange has 100+ guitars, plus amps and pedals. From simple restrings to full restorations, they handle it all with friendly, no-pressure help.
A second opinion never hurts: Not every financial advisor is the right fit, and it’s okay to explore your options. Unbiased matches you with an advisor based on your personal situation, giving you a chance to ask questions in a free, no-pressure conversation to see if the fit makes sense. No obligation — just helpful advice.
Broth that hugs back: Craving a steaming bowl that tastes like someone babysat it all day? At Banh Mi Barista, pho arrives with fragrant herbs, slurpable noodles, and a clean, cozy broth that resets your vibe. Ideal for weeknights when you want warmth, not a sink full of dishes.
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📆 Around town this 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.
This week
🌱 Pick, Plant, Plate Program @ Plant, Pick, Plate Program | Tuesday (2/10) at 5:30 PM – Give your mini chefs hands-on garden picking and kitchen skills, from safety to slicing, dicing, and seasoning. Classes are free for kids, everyone scores a $25 Pontiac Market gift card, and fourth grade and younger need a parent nearby, a fair trade for clean counters.
🥃 2nd Annual Bourbon & Bags Bingo @ The Firehouse Reception Hall & Event Center | Tuesday (2/10) at 6:00 PM – Nothing says grown-up fun like bourbon, bingo, and bragging rights over designer bags at the Firehouse Reception Hall. Expect a taco bar, cash bar, raffles for purses and bourbon, and plenty of bingo cards. Grab your crew early, seating goes fast, and it benefits students.
🖼 2nd Thursday: Mimesis @ Fort Wayne Museum of Art | Thursday (2/12) at 5:00 PM – Second Thursday at FWMoA means glass that looks more alive than my garden, and the artist to prove it. Andrea Spencer leads tours and talks on her lifelike marine botanicals at 5:30 and 6:30, with free admission, light apps, and a cash bar.
This weekend
⛺ Wild Roots Half-Day Camp @ Linenwood Nature Preserve | Saturday (2/14) at 8:00 AM – Valentine’s morning at Lindenwood means your pint-sized adventurers, ages 3 to 13, get muddy, learn a little nature lore, and demolish pizza cooked over the fire, while you enjoy four blissful hours of quiet. $35 a kid, with five free spots for brave volunteers.
🏺 Let’s Get Messy: A Valentine’s Clay Date @ Purdue University Fort Wayne | Saturday (2/14) at 3:00 PM – Skip the prix fixe, make pottery at a two-part Valentine’s clay date. Learn wheel basics, spin matching or delightfully mismatched pieces, then return to glaze them into keepers. No experience needed, just your favorite person, a sense of humor, and Teagan Koble’s guidance.
❤ Wild About You Valentine’s Day Brunch @ Fort Wayne Zoo | Sunday (2/15) at 10:30 AM – Trade crowded prix fixe dinners for a four-course brunch among the jellyfish, bottomless mimosas, and the kind of mood lighting only an aquarium pulls off. Limited seats, $100 for two, optional mini bouquets, complimentary photos, and zero dishes you have to wash.
🛍 Indiana Vintage Market 25 @ Grand Wayne Convention Center | Sunday (2/15) at 12:00 PM – Grab a tote and hit Grand Wayne for a vintage treasure hunt of threads, vinyl, and the good Pyrex your aunt guarded. Over 45 vendors, five bucks to get in, early bird if you like first dibs, and plenty of stories stitched into every find.
Live music & entertainment:
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Fort Wayne report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 39°F – Low: 26°F – Precip: 2%
Partly sunny, with a high near 39. West wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Later: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 31°F – Low: 20°F – Precip: 0%
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 31. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Later: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 20.
This house is wild
Less than 3 years old, this Kiracofe-built 4-bed, 2.5-bath modern home pairs bright, open spaces with inviting finishes. A cozy fireplace anchors the living room, and the kitchen flows to dining and living areas. A cheerful sunroom and patio capture tranquil pond views. Upstairs offers three bedrooms, a full bath, and a loft. Irrigation and smartphone-controlled exterior lighting add ease.
Take a peek inside →
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🔥 Worth a peek
We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we genuinely think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week:
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