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Hey Joplin, hope your week’s off to a good start!

In today’s wallet-friendly edition: Online sales tax windfall, a 120-boutique shopping bash, and a simple fix when someone Googles you + lots of fun things to do for free.

Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Joplin 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.

📰 In the news

Citywide priorities gain momentum: Joplin’s online sales tax has brought in nearly $25 million since 2021, more than double early projections, boosting public safety, street upgrades, parks, public art, and local housing programs — see how funds are used.

National program offers filing aid: Free tax help is available for low to moderate-income Joplin residents at Great Plains Federal Credit Union, where VITA preparers assist walk-ins from 9 am to 3 pm — see when and where available.

Boutique bonanza hits town: Zimmer Marketing’s annual Color Pop & Shop is set for March 6 at the Joplin Expo Center, bringing over 120 boutiques with fashion, accessories, home goods, gifts, and specialty finds — get all the event 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.

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:

• Create spring crafts and enjoy cookies
• Seniors team up for Carthage shamble
• Celebrate Leonard Park’s new story walk
• Save on self-care during the CVS Epic Beauty Sale

🏆 Gold and silver are heating up

Together with our sponsor American Hartford Gold

Gold just posted its strongest run in decades… and the momentum is carrying into 2026. Silver has become one of the most talked-about assets as investors look for ways to stay ahead of market volatility.

While many are still sitting on the sidelines, others are quietly repositioning.

If you’re wondering whether you’re missing something, AHG has a free guide explaining what’s driving the renewed interest… and how investors are approaching precious metals right now.

It’s free and worth reading before the next move.

🫶 We got your back

Pasta night upgrade: Whether you want silky fettuccine alfredo, a lively vodka sauce, or bona fide spaghetti-and-meatballs comfort, Wiseguys Italian keeps fork-twirling honest with rich sauce and a cozy vibe. Consider it an easy weeknight win you won’t overthink.

Sprinkle in some vintage: Twisted Oak Boutique blends wearable staples with vintage-y treasures, plus accessories and gifts, for an easy refresh of your weekly uniform. Expect surprising pairings as the eclectic vibe gently nudges you out of a style rut.

Cold plunge, anyone?: When you’re running on fumes, Revive IV & Wellness Lounge offers a clean reset: cold plunges to jolt you awake, infrared saunas to melt tension, and IV drips that actually help refill the tank. A solid midweek pick-me-up when everything feels a little creaky.

Thinning hair? It only gets worse: A few months ago, I noticed my ponytail getting thinner. I tried the usual stuff (biotin, shampoo, etc.) but mostly just hoped it would fix itself… until I learned that active follicles can permanently go dormant if you don’t do something about it. The good news? You can get treatment that actually works with no office visits or trips to the pharmacy. Learn more about my favorite online options here.

📆 Free events worth checking out

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.

🧠 Trivia Night @ Tropicana Bar & Grill | Tuesday (3/3) at 7:00 PM – Round up your brain trust and head to Tropicana Bar & Grill for Joplin’s free Tuesday trivia, free to play with gift cards for the top teams. Dust off that 90s sitcom knowledge, and for a head start, snag three free clues: https://www.notrocketsciencetrivia.com/trivia-clues.

📼 80’s Music Bingo @ B&B Theatres Joplin 7 & B-Roll Bowling | Wednesday (3/4) at 7:30 PM – This 80s Music Bingo at B&B taps the mixtape part of your brain. It’s free to play, all ages, with prizes, so cash in that MTV memory, order a drink and a bite, and help keep these free nights rolling.

🎉 Closing Reception: We Are Here @ Bramlage & Willcoxon Foundation Gallery | Thursday (3/5) at 5:30 PM – Ready to trade your reading list for art talk? The library’s gallery is hosting the closing reception for We Are Here, celebrating Black culture with works by Joi Houston, Jerome Eldridge, and David Joseph Allread. Meet the artists, it’s free, and yes, there are snacks.

🃏 Four States Card Show @ Joplin Expo | Saturday (3/7) at 9:00 AM – Dig out the shoebox and head to Joplin Expo for a swap of sports cards, Pokémon, and TCG. Free to roam, or drop five bucks to beat the rush, with UFC’s Miranda Maverick keeping trades honest, and vendor tables still up for grabs.

🧹 Downtown Clean Team @ Joplin Avenue Coffee Company | Saturday (3/7) at 9:00 AM – Take a quick victory lap for downtown pride with a one-hour clean sweep. Meet at Joplin Avenue Coffee Co., split into crews, and give the district a shine. They bring the gear, you bring friends, extra brooms, and that smug post-chore glow.

🌿 Plant Forward @ McNab Wellness Longevity Center | Tuesday (3/10) at 6:30 PM – If you’ve been waiting for a sign to eat more plants without being lectured, Plant Forward is it. A free, come as you are evening with good food, better conversation, and neighbors who swap recipes, garden tips, and the occasional kale joke. All welcome.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🔥 Worth a peek

We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week.

• Industry-leading home warranty protection ($150 off right now)
• 62+? See how much tax-free cash your home could unlock → free calculator
• This free tool helps connect you with the right financial advisor
• Got debt? You may be able to pay less than you owe
• Protect your pet from disaster with this pet insurance plan
• You can own physical gold and silver in your retirement account

📻 Joplin report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 78°F – Low: 58°F – Precip: 40%

A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 7am and 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 78. South wind 8 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: Rain showers likely before midnight, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. South wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

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Tomorrow – High: 68°F – Low: 53°F – Precip: 86%

Showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 68. Southwest wind 7 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. Later: Showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Someone Googled you this week 👀

It may feel like an invasion of privacy, but unfortunately It’s the new normal. Whether you’re joining a committee, selling something locally, dating again, or just meeting new neighbors… people are going to look you up online.

Like it or not, the internet has a way of surfacing past mistakes and outdated information that no longer reflects who you are.

Thankfully, there’s a really easy way for you – or someone you care about – to clean up outdated results that no longer tell the real story. Learn more here.

This house is wild

This 2-bed, 2-bath downtown loft pairs new-construction comfort with a beautifully restored historic shell at the Hollcroft and Stults building. Concrete floors, soaring ceilings, and oversized windows set a dramatic stage for an open kitchen, living, and dining zone. High-end finishes meet preserved details. Perks include a rooftop deck, fitness room, secured entry, and covered parking.

Take a peek inside →