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Rise and shine, Columbia!
In today’s planning-your-week edition: Untold Civil War ‘Fake Canadians,’ a Florida strawberry truckload sale, the Comic, Toy, and & Pokemon Show + all our favorite events happening over the next seven days.
From today’s sponsor, FinanceBuzz: Many Missouri 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.*
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📰 In the news
Untold Civil War stories: Historian Adam Arenson will present ‘Fake Canadians,’ a lecture March 18 at the State Historical Society of Missouri on Black Missourians who enlisted as Canadians, with a 5 p.m. reception — get all the event details.
Fresh capital for entrepreneurs: Columbia and REDI announced a Small Business Grant program on March 6 to boost Boone County start-ups and expansions, with two $10,000 awards and six $5,000 awards for eligible firms — see grant details and eligibility.
New dining and access plans: Columbia Regional Airport is seeking feedback on a proposed restaurant and kitchen and a Terminal Building Loop Road rebuild, an $859,381 project largely FAA funded. Comments are open on BeHeard — see how to comment.
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? American Hartford has a helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free — and definitely worth a read.*
Highlights this week:
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💎 Local business spotlight
Ramen night, solved: Columbia’s own Ocha Noodles and Ramen brings the kind of warm, no-frills bowls you want on a busy weeknight—comforting, slurp-happy ramen and other familiar Asian bites from a family-owned spot that reliably delivers. Add it to the rotation when you want cozy without overthinking.
Arcade night, leveled up: Witches & Wizards Arcade packs more than 110 classic and modern cabinets into a cozy, locally owned spot that’s easy to drop by with friends after work. It’s the kind of place where “one more game” becomes your new weeknight ritual.
Grow your indoor jungle: Columbia’s plant cravings meet their match at Helmi’s Gardens, with aisles of ficus, philodendrons, succulents, air plants, and more to green up every corner. Pop in for smart guidance on light and care, then let your windowsills and shelves quietly flex all spring.
These aren’t ads or sponsored placements, just some cool nearby spots we think are worth a visit.
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🫶 We got your back
What doctors wish every 65+ adult had at home: Physicians call it “long-lie,” and it’s the real reason falls are so dangerous for older adults. It’s not a broken bone… it’s lying on the floor for hours waiting for someone to notice. We dug into the options that actually solve this problem, and one stood out. See which one →
Six figures you can’t spend: Most homeowners over 50 have spent years dutifully paying their mortgage, assuming the only time it’ll pay off is when they sell. I thought the same thing until I discovered you can tap into the equity you’ve earned whenever you want (without leaving your home). Overdue for a new roof? Want to build your dream bathroom? There are two ways to turn equity into usable cash →
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 →
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📆 Our favorite events 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.
🍓 Florida Strawberry Truckload Sale @ Academy Sports + Outdoors (Columbia,MO) | Monday (3/16) at 3:30 PM – Florida’s rolling in with a truckload of sun-ripened strawberries for a quick 30-minute pop-up at the Academy Sports parking lot on Trimble. Snag an 8 lb box, plus pecans and South Dakota honey, first come, first served, and taste summer without farmers market lines.
🐝 2026 Columbia Missourian Regional Spelling Bee @ MU Bond Life Sciences Center | Tuesday (3/17) at 4:30 PM – Nothing says St. Patrick’s Day like tense silence and middle schoolers spelling words we only use on crosswords. The Missourian’s regional bee serves sharp kids, proud families, and a shot at the next level, so wear green, clap politely, and enjoy some serious brainpower.
🥧 MAD Boosters Pie Auction @ New Franklin Fine Arts | Thursday (3/19) at 6:00 PM – Clear your calendar and bring your sweet tooth for New Franklin’s most wholesome bidding war. Grab a slice, outbid your neighbor for bragging rights, and enjoy live tunes from the band and choir, student art, and a little theater flair.
🛠 Fused Glass Workshop @ Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital | Friday (3/20) at 1:30 PM – Make something shiny at a fused glass workshop at the Truman VA with their art therapist in the Health and Wellness Center. No experience needed, materials provided, just steady hands and a sense of humor. Only 10 spots, so call Natalie Akins at 573-814-6000.
♻ Home Composting 101 Workshop @ Calvary Episcopal Church, Columbia, MO | Saturday (3/21) at 10:00 AM – Whether your banana peels hit the trash or your coffee grounds have a fan club, this free workshop shows you how to turn scraps and yard waste into garden gold, trimming the 38 percent headed to landfills. Walk-ins welcome, register for details at como.gov/volunteer.
👾 Comic, Toy, & Pokemon Show @ Columbia Mall | Saturday (3/21) at 4:00 PM – Ready to relive your mall glory days without maxing a card? Quad Con takes over Columbia Mall with a free pop culture spree, vintage video games, comics, toys, Pokemon cards, art, and the collectibles you pretended to outgrow. Easy stroll, big nostalgia, zero admission.
👸 The Sleeping Beauty @ Jesse Auditorium | Saturday (3/21) at 7:00 PM – Ready to swap your couch for a little Tchaikovsky? Sleeping Beauty pirouettes into Jesse Hall with Petipa and Ivanov’s classic choreography, international ballet stars, brand-new sets, hand-painted scenery, and costumes so lush you’ll forgive Aurora for choosing a century-long nap.
Live music & entertainment:
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Columbia report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 27°F – Low: 13°F – Precip: 10%
Scattered snow showers before 8am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 27. Northwest wind 16 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 38 mph. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 13. Northwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 39°F – Low: 34°F – Precip: 7%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 39. Southwest wind 2 to 7 mph. Later: A chance of snow between 7pm and 1am. Mostly cloudy. Low around 34, with temperatures rising to around 38 overnight. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
This house is wild
This brand-new 1.5-story in Country Club Fairway pairs modern construction with a mature lot across from the golf course. The entry opens to a main level with elevated finishes and a primary suite. Upstairs offers four bedrooms, full-bath access, and a bonus lounge. A mostly finished basement with bar and two living areas, plus a fenced yard, complete the home.
Take a peek inside →
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