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Hello Erie! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. 

In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: A historic train car diner, Cheyenne Jackson’s mid-life tour, and coloring with cats + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.

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

Timeless fare, local lore: Erie’s Lawrence Park Dinor serves honest, comforting breakfasts inside a historic train car, complete with chrome, vinyl booths, counter seating, and vintage memorabilia that celebrates classic American diner culture — read the full story.

Federal funding fuels local priorities: U.S. Sen. John Fetterman secured nearly $289 million for Pennsylvania projects, with $4.85 million for the tri-county area and $2 million to start demolition at the former Erie Coke site — get all the funding details.

Stages set for standout shows: Local students will perform in more than a dozen spring high school and youth theater productions across Erie County, from Broadway favorites to heartfelt dramas, with a summer camp guide — 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:

• Cheyenne Jackson bares chest and soul
• Kids K-pop hangout with Zoey
• Try free yoga at ASCEND Erie
• Unlock clinical-level wellness data from home

💎 Local business spotlight

Pie plans, sorted: Art’s Bakery rolls deep with pies: elderberry, Concord grape, lemon meringue, peanut butter, and more. Need a solo slice? Grab a handy flip. Stock up for the week or treat yourself just because… either way, smiles happen.

Climb beyond your routine: At ASCEND Erie, climb up to 50-foot ropes, tackle plenty of boulders, stretch in a mellow yoga room, and train in a solid fitness area. It’s an easy way to move, reset, and see familiar faces… a friendly midweek nudge to finally try climbing.

Color for your week: If your kitchen table needs color or a date slipped your mind, Allburn Florist delivers fresh, hand-arranged bouquets and event florals. Family-owned in Erie for over 100 years, they make everyday gestures feel a little more wow without going overboard.

These aren’t ads or sponsored placements, just some cool nearby spots we think are worth a visit.

🫶 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 →

What doctors wish every 65+ adult had at home: Physicians call it “long-lie,” and it’s the real reason falls are so dangerous for older adults. It’s not a broken bone… it’s lying on the floor for hours waiting for someone to notice. We dug into the options that actually solve this problem, and one stood out. See which one →

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. Check out my favorite online options →

📆 Fun for the whole fam

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.

🦦 Erie Otters Meet and Greet @ Millcreek Mall | Wednesday (3/11) at 5:30 PM – Meet the Otters at Center Court for photos, autographs, and a shot at a team-signed jersey. Bring the kids, or pretend it’s for the kids, and learn the difference between a power play and a faceoff. It’s quick, free, and warmer than the arena.

🎭 Junie B.’s Essential Survival Guide to School Jr. @ Erie Playhouse | Friday (3/13) at 7:00 PM – Round up your favorite small human and hit Erie Playhouse for Junie B.’s Essential Survival Guide to School Jr. The sassiest first-grader dishes out wisdom on bus rules, Band-Aids, carpools, and cookies, with songs kids adore and jokes you will recognize from parent-teacher night.

🐶 AKC Scent Work Trials @ American Red Cross | Saturday (3/14) at 8:00 AM – If your dog’s nose is smarter than your GPS, these AKC scent work trials are your weekend. All levels and elements are on deck, and yes, sniffing everything is encouraged. Enter, volunteer, or just watch, then check the premium on the AKC events page.

👪 Family Fun Day! @ Werner Books | Saturday (3/14) at 10:00 AM – March Saturdays call for herding the kids to Werner Books for free crafts, games, and a sanity-saving read-aloud. They’re rolling out themes like Waldameer with author David Gorman, shamrocks, and baseball with the DeLuca brothers, plus a hopeful nod to spring, finally.

🍁 Northwest PA Maple Taste & Tour @ Erie, PA | Saturday (3/14) at 10:00 AM – Maple weekend in Northwest PA means one thing: sugar shacks, steam, and an excuse to eat pancakes without shame. Cruise from backyard setups to modern ops, meet FFA students and fourth generation producers, sip samples, snag bourbon barrel-aged syrup, and hop a wagon ride.

🐱 Coloring with Cats @ Erie Animal Network Adoption Center | Sunday (3/15) at 2:00 PM – If your stress level could use a purr, swap errands for an afternoon coloring session with the cats at the adoption center. They’ll supervise your glitter gel pen technique, you’ll sip something light, and it’s free, but seats vanish fast, so RSVP early. Donations welcome.

☘ Irish Dance Performances @ expERIEnce Children’s Museum | Sunday (3/15) at 3:30 PM – Ready to swap green beer for actual culture? Head to the expERIEnce Children’s Museum for lively steps and toe-tapping tunes from Aine Celtic Academy of Irish Dance, all ages welcome, included with admission. St. Patrick’s Day fun that beats chasing leprechauns around the living room.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Erie report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 69°F – Low: 27°F – Precip: 93%

Showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy. High near 69, with temperatures falling to around 63 in the afternoon. South wind 14 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible. Later: Showers and thunderstorms before 11pm, then rain and snow showers likely. Cloudy, with a low around 27. West wind 17 to 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

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Tomorrow – High: 34°F – Low: 28°F – Precip: 29%

A chance of snow showers before 8am. Partly sunny, with a high near 34. West wind 13 to 17 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 28. Southwest wind 6 to 12 mph.

This house is wild

Custom-built and lovingly maintained in Harbor Creek, this one-owner home layers convenience and comfort. An eat-in kitchen opens to a large deck, while a spacious family room flows to a covered patio. The primary suite has a walk-in closet, vanity, and separate shower. A new Dec 2025 boiler, mudroom, laundry, and an oversized 2.5-car garage stand out.

Take a peek inside →