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

In today’s wallet-friendly edition: Mystery soda vending machines, Ricky Nye on King Records’ two sides, and a wild 5K + lots of fun things to do for free.

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

From $500 find to fame: Across Cincinnati, Mystery Machine vending machines dispense surprise sodas as creator Harrison Baer grows the concept, starting at Norwood Delite Creamy Whip and later appearing on The Blox — learn how it started.

Neighborhood drainage upgrades planned: Covington has received $6 million in state funding to curb Peaselburg flooding, adding sewers, separating storm and waste water inlets, and building a detention basin, with funding for seven years — get details on the project.

What drivers need to know: Kroger’s Newport, Kentucky gas station is undergoing maintenance and partial closure. Diesel is available, but premium and E-85 are limited. A nearby Kroger station offers 20 cents off per gallon — see fuel availability and discount.

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.

Highlights this week:

• Play pickleball to support YMCA youth
• Run a wild 5K through Cincinnati Zoo
• Ricky Nye explores King Records’ two sides

🫶 We got your back

Stacked just right: Carl’s Deli keeps it classic with sandwiches made to order, in-house sliced meats, and addictive deli salads. When your lunch needs zero fuss and maximum flavor, this Hyde Park and Findlay Market staple quietly delivers comfort you’ll crave before noon.

Riverfront mood booster: Smale Riverfront Park delivers skyline views, blooming gardens, playful fountains, and those big swings that can rescue any day. This week, catch a sunset stroll, let the kids conquer the playground, or just people-watch and breathe. It’s Cincy at its unfussy best.

Make playtime epic: Part neighborhood legend and hands-on wonderland, King Arthur’s Court makes toy hunting an outing, thanks to its in-store Dungeon (zipline, archery room, climbables) and Artie’s Birthday Castle for extra magic. Ideal for quick gift runs and those sparks of spontaneous kid joy.

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 →

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 →

📆 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.

🎤 Scott Michael Dawson @ Element Eatery | Friday (3/13) at 6:00 PM – Element Eatery is cranking up the twang with Scott Michael Dawson, the Josie-winning traditional country guy who makes two-step feel inevitable. Pick your dinner from nine vendors, sip something from 40 taps, and enjoy the rare local trifecta, free parking, no cover, and zero pretense.

🎭 CCM Opera Scholarship Competition @ CCM Village | University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States, Ohio 45221 | Saturday (3/14) at 10:00 AM – Skip the stuffy tux, and hear tomorrow’s opera stars while they’re still hustling for scholarships. CCM’s prestigious national competition takes over Corbett Auditorium, with drop-in morning or afternoon sessions, bragging rights on the line, and admission that’s actually free, not pretend-free.

🌷 Spring Fling Vendor Event @ West Side Brewing | Saturday (3/14) at 10:00 AM – Spring fever calls for a beer and a browse at West Side Brewing, where local vendors pop up with Reds-inspired finds, St. Paddy’s treats, and Easter goodies. Knock out baskets, snag gifts, and feel smug supporting small, kids in tow, pint in hand.

🧘 Community Yoga @ Trailside Nature Center | Saturday (3/14) at 11:00 AM – Nothing beats a free stretch in Burnet Woods, and Trailside Nature Center is serving up community yoga for every body, no pretzel skills required. Roll out a mat, breathe with your neighbors, and call it cross-training for mowing the lawn. Reserve your spot online.

🌳 Stern Preserve Community Work Day @ Stern Preserve | Saturday (3/14) at 1:30 PM – Nothing beats a little neighborly revenge on Amur honeysuckle at Stern Preserve, off Elstun by the new UDF. They’ve got snacks, water, tools, and know-how; you bring sturdy shoes and elbow grease. Help open the link between Mt. Washington and the Little Miami Scenic Trail.

🌱 Nursery Volunteering Days @ Growing Value Nursery | Sunday (3/15) at 11:00 AM – Craving some dirt therapy before the tomatoes judge you? Lend Howie a hand waking the nursery from winter with potting, labeling, hauling, compost, and a little greenhouse triage. No signup, just pull up, glove up, and enjoy that good, honest, smells-like-spring kind of tired.

🧠 The Canine Mind Unleashed @ Cincinnati Public Radio | Sunday (3/15) at 1:00 PM – Nothing beats learning why your rescue acts like a tiny chaos professor, then seeing fixes in real time. An upbeat behavior seminar and live training at Cincinnati Public Radio, with demos, music, and bites. Free or pay what you can, benefiting Cleo’s Legacy.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Cincinnati report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 76°F – Low: 67°F – Precip: 21%

A slight chance of rain between 7am and 10am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 76. Southwest wind 6 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: A slight chance of rain between 8pm and 11pm, then a slight chance of thunderstorms and a slight chance of rain between 11pm and 2am, then rain and a chance of thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. South wind 6 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

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Tomorrow – High: 76°F – Low: 35°F – Precip: 99%

Rain and a chance of thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 76. Southwest wind 10 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible. Later: Rain and a chance of thunderstorms before 2am. Cloudy, with a low around 35. West wind 9 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

Are you quietly overpaying for car insurance? 🚗

Premiums have been climbing across Ohio but most folks won’t notice until they’re hit with a higher bill when it’s time to renew.

That’s exactly what happened to me. I had the same policy for half a decade. Autopay was on, it was out of sight and out of mind. Turns out I was blindly paying way more than everyone else I knew.

If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too – here’s the comparison tool I used.

This house is wild

This brick Colonial blends classic charm with thoughtful updates in a prime spot by the Cincinnati Observatory. Rich hardwood floors, two cozy fireplaces, and a bright sunroom with year-round natural light shine throughout. The layout brings 3 spacious bedrooms, generous walk-in closets, and a newly added primary bath, with Ault Park, Kilgour Elementary, restaurants, and shops a short stroll away.

Take a peek inside →