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Hello West Lafayette! Hope your coffee’s especially good this morning.

In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: NICHES Land Trust preserves 5,000 acres, the most affordable March Madness college town, and adults hunt 50,000 eggs + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.

Heads up for pet parents: An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial fee just to be seen to x-rays, surgery, medicine, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could get up to 90% cash back on your vet bill with this pet insurance plan.*

📰 In the news

Conservation community reinvigorated: NICHES Land Trust has reached 5,000 acres preserved after buying 68 acres along the Wabash River in Fountain County, backed by local donations, with stewardship to tackle invasive species ahead — get all the details.

A surprising standout emerges: A new study names West Lafayette the most affordable college town to watch March Madness, highlighting low costs and a lively game-day atmosphere that locals and Purdue visitors will appreciate — read the full story.

STEM students seize spotlight: Kankakee Valley’s TSA team won its second state title at Purdue in West Lafayette, topping Penn and Northside with first-place finishes in architectural design, CAD architecture, and coding — meet the champions and runners-up.

Gold just hit record highs. What about your savings? While traditional IRAs have been treading water against inflation, gold has gained over 50% in three years. That gap is why more retirees are rolling a portion of their savings into gold IRAs (the kind that hold physical metal). We compared the top five options and broke down who they’re best for. Check it out here →

Paying hundreds of dollars a month for car insurance? Switching providers could save you up to $600 a year, and shopping around is way faster than it used to be – free comparison tools like this one make it easy.*

Highlights this week:

• Adults hunt 50,000 eggs for prizes
• Hunt eggs and meet the Easter Bunny
• Play euchre to support Duncan Hall
• Unlock clinical-level wellness data from home*

💎 Local business spotlight

Live music, downtown vibes: Long Center for the Performing Arts keeps the calendar stacked—from touring tributes and comedians to Lafayette Symphony Orchestra nights and Purdue ensembles—in a room with that old-school charm. If you haven’t popped in lately, consider this your nudge to catch something this week and call it “culture.”

Local art, zero pretense: Want something new on the wall or a handmade gift that isn’t from a big‑box aisle? Artists’ Own is a cooperative gallery run by local makers, with rotating exhibits and a constantly refreshed mix of paintings, pottery, jewelry, and more—perfect for a quick downtown inspiration fix.

Steeped-in comfort: When a gray afternoon calls for something warm (or iced), Greyhouse Coffee & Supply Co.quietly delivers: loose-leaf brews, silky tea lattes like London Fog or Masala Chai, plus a rotating iced tea for sunny moods—a clutch midweek reset without leaving the neighborhood.

These aren’t ads or sponsored placements, just some cool nearby spots we think are worth a visit.

🫶 We got your back

Makeup that actually works: My sister and I were talking the other day about how the makeup we used in our 20s… just doesn’t work now that we’re in our 30s and 40s. Laura Geller’s entire makeup line addresses this shift, with formulas that smooth, brighten, and actually stay put. If you’re in the same boat, *their curated kits are worth a look →

Own a piece of Apple for less than a coffee: Every time you buy something from Amazon or Starbucks, you’re putting money in their pocket. Fractional shares flip that: you can own a slice of those companies for as little as a dollar. Most investing apps make it incredibly easy, with zero commissions and no account minimums. See which ones we recommend →

Mom says she’s fine. You’re not so sure: “What if something happens when you’re home alone?” You’ve asked a hundred times, but the outcome’s always the same. I don’t need that. Life Alert’s for old people. The real struggle isn’t finding a medical alert system that’ll work… it’s finding one she won’t fight you on. We looked into five options designed to settle the standoff, from smartwatches to systems with nothing to wear at all. See which ones stood out →

Thinning hair? Your shampoo was never going to fix it: I’ve spent an embarrassing amount of money on hair-loss products, biotin, masks, sprays, you name it. Not one of them lasted. Turns out, most things target the strand, not the follicle (where thinning actually happens). Dermatologists have been prescribing treatments that work for years, but there are now plenty of options available with no office visits required. See our top picks for men and women →

Strangers can buy your personal data for $0.50: Data brokers sell your name, home address, phone number, estimated income, and other personal info to anyone willing to pay. Scammers and identity thieves use these databases to take advantage of you. There are dozens of affordable services that can help you protect yourself. These three are our favorites →

📆 Fun for the whole fam

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.

🧪 Messy Lab @ Dress for Success Greater Lafayette | Wednesday (3/18) at 10:00 AM – Got a tiny human who loves to squish things? This sensory-rich messy play session lets sitters through preschoolers pour, smoosh, and explore, building motor skills and confidence while your floors stay clean. Register the kiddo only, grown-ups are free, and yes, adults stay and play.

✂ Pinecone Crafts @ West Lafayette Public Library | Wednesday (3/18) at 1:30 PM – This make-and-take craft break turns pinecones, acorn caps, feathers, felt, and more into something cute or gloriously silly. All ages are welcome, so bring the grandkids, borrow a neighbor’s, or fly solo, and finally justify that porch pile of “treasures.”

🔬 The Archaeology of Animal Remains @ Lilly Nature Center | Wednesday (3/18) at 7:00 PM – Swap Netflix for a surprisingly juicy look at Fort Ouiatenon’s animal bones with Dr. Terrance Martin. Learn how old kitchen scraps map local wildlife, Native and French relations, and trade. Register by noon Mar 16 at 765-567-2993, and no, Facebook “Interested” doesn’t count.

🗿 Stories Under the Sculpture @ Jos N. Holman Branch (Tippecanoe County Public Library) | Saturday (3/21) at 10:30 AM – Running weekend errands? Detour to the big sculpture at 10:30 am Saturdays for a quick story break. It’s calm, charming, and gloriously analog, perfect for caffeinating while the kids, or grandkids, get whisked away by someone else’s voice.

🐺 Howl Nights @ Wolf Park (Battle Ground) | Saturday (3/21) at 6:30 PM – If you’ve been waiting for permission to howl without the neighbors calling it in, this is it. Head to Wolf Park in Battle Ground for Howl Night, wander past wolves, foxes, bison, and one plucky turtle, then learn wolf-speak and join the chorus, buy ahead.

🎬 Movie Monday @ West Lafayette Public Library | Monday (3/23) at 1:30 PM – Settle in for Movie Monday, a low-key watch party where you can explore your colorful emotions, string a friendship bracelet, and call it multitasking. It is basically group therapy with popcorn, only cheaper, and you leave with a bracelet to prove you felt feelings.

🖌 Blindfold Painting and Sensory Workshop @ West Lafayette Intermediate School | Wednesday (3/25) at 6:00 PM – Trade the usual wine-and-canvas for a blindfold here in West Lafayette, as award-winning artist John Bramblitt helps you paint by touch, sound, and intuition. It’s free, dinner’s covered, and ages 10+ can join if you do. RSVP, then leave with a take-home art kit.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 West Lafayette report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 46°F – Low: 35°F – Precip: 62%

Snow likely before 11am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 46. South southwest wind 9 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible. Later: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35. South southwest wind 3 to 7 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 56°F – Low: 38°F – Precip: 30%

A chance of rain between 8am and 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 56. Southwest wind 3 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38. North northeast wind 2 to 6 mph.

This house is wild

Set in Highland Park, this updated stunner pairs generous entertaining zones with serene retreats. A gourmet kitchen with modern finishes anchors formal living and dining. Upstairs offers four bedrooms and a loft with custom built-ins. The spa-like primary shines with a soaking tub. A partially finished basement adds a wine cellar, plus a screened patio with fireplace and outdoor kitchen.

Take a peek inside →