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It’s Friday, Allentown! Let’s finish this week strong.
In today’s can’t-miss-weekend-plans edition: Eli Lilly’s $3.5B expansion, Steve Earle’s 51-year retrospective, and what is an alicorn? + a stacked lineup of events this weekend.
Today’s sponsor (FinanceBuzz) built a free comparison tool that helped me cut my car insurance premiums in half. It took about 3 minutes, and honestly… I wish I’d done it sooner. If you haven’t shopped around in a while, you can easily check the best rates here.
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📰 In the news
Pharma expansion fuels growth: Eli Lilly announced it will invest over $3.5 billion in an injectable manufacturing facility in the Lehigh Valley, creating approximately 850 permanent jobs and an estimated 2,000 construction jobs — see why this site won.
New chapter in recovery care: Backed by opioid settlement funds, Treatment Trends’ Allentown Residential celebrates its grand reopening downtown today after a $1 million renovation, adding a new track for people returning from incarceration — get details on funding and upgrades.
Americana icon’s career retrospective: Steve Earle, the three-time Grammy winner behind Copperhead Road, will bring 51 Years of Songs and Stories to Musikfest Cafe on August 21 during his Guitar Town 40th anniversary tour — see ticket details and more.
Gold & silver are hot: Coming off gold’s best year since 1979, the momentum is carrying well into 2026 with silver remaining one of the most talked-about assets. Curious why they’re back in focus? American Hartford Gold has a free guide that explains what’s happening and how people are approaching it today. It’s free – and definitely worth a read.
Someone Googled you this week: Whether you’re dating again, selling something locally, or just meeting new neighbors… people are going to look you up. Like it or not, the internet has a way of surfacing past mistakes and outdated information that no longer reflects who you are.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 all that up – learn more here.
Highlights this week:
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🚗 Are you quietly overpaying for car insurance?
Together with our sponsor FinanceBuzz
Auto insurance premiums have been climbing across the country… and most folks won’t notice until it’s time to renew and they’re hit with a higher bill.
The frustrating part? Loyalty rarely gets rewarded. Insurers adjust prices constantly, and new customers often qualify for better rates than long-time policyholders.
I learned that the hard way. I had the same policy for half a decade. Autopay was on, I saw the charges come in every month and never thought twice about them. Turns out I was paying well above the national average ($175/mo) for a single car… for years.
This free comparison tool lets you check rates from multiple insurers in just a few minutes. It costs nothing to look, and it could save you hundreds this year.
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🫶 We got your back
Quick plant-powered win: VegOut Bethlehem dishes an all-vegan menu downtown, serving comforting, creative plates that make weeknights easy. Think crispy classics, bright bowls, and sauces that do the heavy lifting. Perfect for nights when you want something satisfying without overthinking it, so you can relax and actually enjoy your veggies.
Treasure hunt, local: With 100+ local vendors across 22,000 square feet, Cottage Antiques & Crafts makes browsing real antiques, vintage finds, and quirky collectibles feel low-pressure. Monthly Silent Bid Board Auction and steady new arrivals mean every lap reveals something fresh… and yes, it’s easy to loop back for more.
Brows that stay put: Skip the pencil drama, Wake Up Permanently Beautiful delivers natural-looking microblading, powder/ombré brows, eyeliner, lip tint, and scalp pigmentation from artists obsessed with shape and subtlety. Wake up, glance in the mirror, and head out feeling polished with brows that won’t budge.
An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial fee just to be seen to x-rays, surgery, medicine, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could get up to 90% cash back on your vet bill with this pet insurance plan.
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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.
🦄 What is an Alicorn? @ Northampton Community College Fowler Family Southside Center | Saturday (3/7) at 10:00 AM – Lehigh Valley Charter Arts students whisk you into a storybook caper where Rosie lands on a planet of feuding aliens and unicorns, and has to play peacemaker to get home. Bring the kids 4 and up, grandkids, or your inner nine-year-old, and enjoy glittery diplomacy, screen-free laughs, and brag-worthy local talent.
👩 International Women’s Day Pop Up @ The Outlets at Wind Creek | Saturday (3/7) at 12:00 PM – Bring your tote bag and a supportive spirit to this International Women’s Day pop-up featuring all women-owned vendors, local goods, and zero guilt about shopping. Want in on the lineup? If you run a woman-owned biz, grab a vendor spot while they last.
🧶 Sock Knitting Class @ The Knitter’s Edge | Saturday (3/7) at 1:00 PM – Curious about socks, or ready to redeem that half-finished pair lurking in your basket? Advanced beginners learn top-down socks, working double points or two circs, and finally speak fluent heel turn. Bring Echoes Worsted, US 4s from The Knitter’s Edge, and $10 cash.
🌌 2026 Gala @ Musikfest Café | Saturday (3/7) at 6:00 PM – Trade the fleece for something fancy and spend a night looking at stars, not stadium lights. Cocktails, dinner, heartfelt stories, and beloved dessert auction await, all benefiting Cay Galgon Life House, moms, and babies across the Lehigh Valley. Come ready to bid, clap, feel good.
🎭 Cracking Up in the Valley: Masquerade Night Out @ ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks | Saturday (3/7) at 8:00 PM – Slip on a mask, sip something decent, and hit Cracking Up in the Valley at SteelStacks. Mahogany Reynolds hosts a classy mix of stand-up, improv, live music, and dancing, featuring local comics and vocalist Anessa Rodriguez. Dress to impress, Best Dressed bragging rights, masks available.
🥐 Viva la France @ Foy Concert Hall at Moravian University | Sunday (3/8) at 3:00 PM – Feeling continental? Viva La France brings guest maestro Michael Avagliano and sax virtuoso Kirk O’Riordan for Poulenc’s playful Sinfonietta, Ibert’s suave Concertino da camera, and Bizet’s showoff Symphony No. 1. It’s French flair, zero jet lag, and applause you don’t have to translate.
🎬 Yi Yi (4K Restoration) @ Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas | Sunday (3/8) at 5:00 PM – Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas is screening a 4K restoration of Yi Yi, Edward Yang’s luminous family epic from Taipei that moves from wedding to funeral. Nearly three hours, Mandarin with English subtitles, and worth every minute. Call it date night for your brain, with beer.
Live music & entertainment:
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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🔥 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.
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📻 Allentown report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 45°F – Low: 38°F – Precip: 11%
Areas of fog before 10am. Cloudy, with a high near 45. Northeast wind around 5 mph. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: A chance of rain showers between 7pm and 1am, then a chance of rain showers and patchy fog. Cloudy, with a low around 38. East wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
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Tomorrow – High: 56°F – Low: 49°F – Precip: 28%
A chance of rain showers and patchy fog. Cloudy, with a high near 56. South wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: Rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
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