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It’s Friday, Columbia! Let’s finish this week strong.
In today’s can’t-miss-weekend-plans edition: Free rapid HIV testing, a Polar Plunge, and Tiny Things 2026 Reception + a stacked lineup of events this weekend.
Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Columbia 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.
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📰 In the news
Clinic network boosts HIV access: Columbia has expanded free rapid HIV testing across rural central Missouri, offering opt-out screening and follow-up care after City Council approval, as Boone County’s diagnosis rate exceeds the statewide average — learn how the program works.
Winter melt brings hidden dangers: As temperatures rise, Columbia firefighters urge caution on thinning ice after rescuing a man at Cosmo-Bethel Lake. They train for ice rescues every year. Avoid ice under 4 inches — learn key ice safety tips.
Stage, screen, and song: True/False wrapped March 8, but March in Columbia remains packed. A disco dance party happens March 13 at The Blue Note, plus theater from Columbia Entertainment Company and concerts citywide — check out the full lineup.
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.
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.
Highlights this week:
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💎 Local business spotlight
Handmade treasure hunt: Bluestem Missouri Crafts is a gallery shop featuring clay, glass, wood, metal, and fiber from Midwest artists, a giftable mix for refreshed shelves and thoughtful giving. Pieces feel handmade and storied, the kind you keep… or share reluctantly.
Backyard upgrade, simplified: Graber Outdoors builds Trex and wood decks, including elegant curves, so patio season lasts longer. If your boards wobble or splinter, their crew will reimagine the space into a sturdy, low-maintenance hangout you’ll actually use.
Craving a seafood fix? Krustaceans Seafood dishes comfort-style catches: Krab Cluster platters, buttery shrimp, and dangerously good Lobster Mac & Cheese, plus playful sweets like a Red Velvet Waffle. An easy midweek treat when you want coastal vibes without leaving CoMo.
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
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 →
Thinning hair? Don’t treat the wrong thing: When my ponytail started thinning, I tried the usual stuff (biotin, shampoo, sprays, etc.) and not one of them lasted. Turns out, most products target the strand, not the follicle… and that’s the whole problem. Once follicles go dormant, they need targeted help to come back. The good news? You can get treatment that actually works with no office visits or trips to the pharmacy. Learn about my favorites here →
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 →
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📆 Around town this weekend
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.
🐜 Tiny Things 2026 Reception @ Columbia Art League | Friday (3/13) at 6:00 PM – Celebrate the Tiny Things 2026 exhibition at a free reception open to all, proof that small scale means big charm. Expect light bites, Les Bourgeois libations, and easy mingling with the usual suspects, so bring your readers and your best tiny talk.
🛍 Mid-Mo Snappers Rummage Sale @ Scheppers Distribution Company | Saturday (3/14) at 8:00 AM – If your idea of treasure hunting involves card tables, coffee, and exact change, hit the Mid-Mo Snappers Rummage Sale. It is a multi-family haul, so expect vintage kitchenware, tools, kid gear, maybe that missing Tupperware lid. Bring small bills, patience, and your best bargaining face.
♻ E-Waste Event @ IBM | Saturday (3/14) at 9:00 AM – Time to evict the box of mystery cables and that TV with a backside. E-waste drop at 2810 Lemone Industrial, enter via Grindstone, takes old electronics, televisions, and appliances from mid-Missouri residents. TVs and freon items are $10, everything else is free, cash or check.
🥁 Missouri Percussion Ensemble Competition and Festival @ Sinquefield Music Center | Saturday (3/14) at 9:00 AM – Trade the usual bar noise for something with actual rhythm. The Missouri Percussion Ensemble Competition and Festival packs drumlines, marimbas, and timpani into sharp, high-energy sets, friendly rivalries, and hands-on clinics. Your inner band kid will be smug, your toes will be busy.
🥶 2026 Polar Plunge @ Stephens Lake Park | Saturday (3/14) at 12:00 PM – Columbia’s Polar Plunge lets you jump into icy water, prove you’re tougher than February, and raise money for Special Olympics Missouri. Expect music, goofy costumes, and instant bragging rights, then thaw out with the warm glow of doing good, and maybe a hot coffee.
🌱 DIY Faux Terrariums @ Callaway County Public Library (Fulton) | Saturday (3/14) at 12:30 PM – Bring your inner plant parent, but leave the guilt, we’re building faux terrariums with pebbles, sand, artificial moss, faux plants, and zero chance of you forgetting to water. Tweens 9+, teens, and adults welcome at the Fulton library, all supplies included. Register at www.dbrl.org/register-fulton.
🔨 Community Dinner & Auction @ Callaway County Extended Employment (Fulton) | Saturday (3/14) at 5:30 PM – This community dinner mixes hearty comfort food, neighborly chatter, and a lively auction to boost LifePointe’s building fund. Come for the pork loin or chicken, stay to outbid your friends or claim a table with the usual suspects, and actually enjoy a fundraiser for once.
Live music & entertainment:
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Columbia report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 57°F – Low: 37°F – Precip: 1%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 57. West wind 7 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 37. Northeast wind 3 to 7 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 68°F – Low: 54°F – Precip: 0%
Partly sunny, with a high near 68. Southeast wind 7 to 10 mph. Later: A slight chance of rain after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
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