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Hi Allentown, hope you’re having a great weekend!

In today’s in-case-you-missed-it edition: Sip + Dip’s sweet debut, PEEPS’ mystery-flavor collab lineup, and Sips & Science after-hours fun + the top stories from this week & a sneak peek at next week.

From today’s sponsor, FinanceBuzz: Many Pennsylvania 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.*

📰 Most-clicked stories this week

Sweet spot near Five Guys: Parkland grad Kaley Johnson is bringing Sip + Dip to Whitehall Township, with coffee, ice cream, and made-to-order crepes, set to open in late March at 2407 MacArthur Road — get menu and location details.

Brothers and friend debut eatery: North Street Cafe opened March 2 at 46 W. North St. in Bethlehem, taking over the Darto’s spot. The breakfast and lunch spot is open 6 a.m. to 3 p.m — get all the details.

Sweet crossovers and merch: Bethlehem’s PEEPS has introduced new Easter collabs, from Alex and Ani jewelry and Bath & Body Works items to treats like marshmallow-filled cupcakes and a mystery-flavor Italian ice to guess — 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.*

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? GoldCo has a helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free — and definitely worth a read.*

All the crowd favorites:

• Paint enchanted forest botanicals in gouache
• Join Allentown’s St. Patrick’s coronation celebration
• Learn crochet basics with Michelle

💎 This week’s top finds

Fabric jackpot alert: If your stash needs new energy, Nick of Time Textiles stocks bolts for days… denim, cotton jersey, upholstery, spandex. Local, family-owned, with an on-site showroom where you can feel the goods before you sew. Ideal for that “I swear I’ll finish it” project.

Your TBR needs backup: Craving a buzzy new release, a staff-picked sleeper, or time with fellow readers? The End Bookstore has lively book clubs, frequent author events, and shelves built for wandering… the kind that spark serendipity and send you home with an unexpected favorite.

Where pho cravings land: PHO•NOM1NAL serves deeply aromatic broth, crisp summer rolls, and legit bánh mì with pâté, all in a cozy vibe. Feeling adventurous? Try bo kho or Vietnamese-style beef carpaccio… weeknight treats so satisfying, you’ll forget leftovers ever existed.

These aren’t ads or sponsored placements — they’re the local spots your fellow readers clicked on most this week.

🫶 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 →

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 →

📆 Sneak peek at next 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.

🐾 Vets For Pets Walk @ Lehigh Valley Humane Society | Wednesday (3/18) at 2:00 PM – Consider this your cardio with a cause. Join Battle Borne at Lehigh Valley Humane Society to walk good dogs, soak up therapeutic tail wags, and give back. Eight volunteer spots, closed-toe shoes, and clothes you do not mind getting dirty, with sign-up required.

🎨 Woodland Botanical Painting with Gouache @ Bloomery Art Co. | Friday (3/20) at 6:00 PM – This beginner-friendly gouache workshop leans into the moody magic of mushrooms, moss, and ferns, all supplies included. With expert tips, learn layering, shading, and composition, then turn forest-floor finds into elegant art. You’ll leave with a velvety, frame-worthy keepsake, and zero glitter cleanup.

☘ Irish Cultural Community Day @ Allentown Fairgrounds Agri-Plex | Saturday (3/21) at 12:00 PM – If you’ve been waiting for a sign to teach the kids a proper jig, here it is. This free Irish Cultural Community Day brings dance, hurling, Celtic games, bagpipes, fiddle, and ceili to the Allentown Fairgrounds, plus hands-on fun that tires them out before dinner.

🍿 Dive In Movie: Zootopia @ JCC of the Lehigh Valley | Saturday (3/21) at 6:30 PM – Parenting pro tip: drop the 7-and-ups at a dive-in showing of Zootopia for Shabbat-friendly games, a swim, and a movie on the big screen in the pool. You get quality grown-up time, they get bragging rights. $50, $40 JCC members, register at lvjcc.org/DiveInMovie.

🧪 Sips & Science @ Da Vinci Science Center | Saturday (3/21) at 6:30 PM – The Junior League takes over Da Vinci Science Center, the place they helped build, for Sips & Science, a field trip with apps, a cash bar, the My Body exhibit, and a silent auction. Your $65 fuels women’s leadership and local work, which beats scrolling.

☘ 2026 West End St. Patrick’s Day 5K @ Muhlenberg Memorial Hall | Sunday (3/22) at 12:00 PM – West End St. Pat’s 5K is the rare run where your splits get boosted by parade energy, green costumes, and neighbors who show up. Streets are closed, the course is flat and fast, and the cheering is loud. Lace up, wear green, earn your brunch.

🎗 2026 Bingo for a Cure @ Allentown Agri-Plex | Sunday (3/22) at 1:00 PM – Allentown Fairgrounds Agri-Plex is going full-on bingo for Joshua’s Future of Promises, so your B-12 might actually do some good for FOP research. $35 in advance or $40 at the door gets you every game, a $4,000 guaranteed payout with a $1,000 grand prize, plus raffles.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Allentown report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 52°F – Low: 45°F – Precip: 9%

Mostly cloudy, with a high near 52. East wind 5 to 15 mph. Later: Rain showers after 8pm. Cloudy, with a low around 45. Southeast wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

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Tomorrow – High: 67°F – Low: 28°F – Precip: 99%

Rain showers before 11am, then showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 67. Southeast wind 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible. Later: Showers and thunderstorms before 2am, then a chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

Most popular house this week

This 5-bed, 3-bath classic in Allentown’s West End pairs timeless brick architecture with everyday living. Spanning 5,072 square feet, it showcases grand living and dining rooms, high ceilings, hardwood floors, and a showstopping stained-glass window. An elegant staircase ascends to five bedrooms. Nearly half an acre offers rose-filled gardens, a greenhouse, a screened porch, and access to parks and Wegmans.

Take a peek inside →