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Hi Harrisonburg, we made it to Thursday!
In today’s fun-for-grown-ups edition: Rail corridor review revived, massive book fair deals up to 90% off, and roller derby’s Trash Cat Chaos + plenty of reasons to put on real pants this week.
Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Harrisonburg 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.
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📰 In the news
Transparency back in focus: Virginia’s transportation board last month reversed a plan to move a 50-mile Shenandoah Valley rail corridor to the rail authority, restarting review. Del. Tony Wilt says the process must continue — get all the details.
Behind the fierce alter egos: Harrisonburg’s Rocktown Rollers have kicked off their 2026 season at Funky’s Skate Center with Trash Cat Chaos, featuring the Hits, B-Sides, and home teams. Next home bout is April 18 — meet the skaters and teams.
Warehouse of rotating reads: Book lovers near Harrisonburg can find deals at Green Valley Book Fair in Mount Crawford, with thousands of titles 60% to 90% off and hardcovers often six or seven dollars — get all the 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:
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💎 Local business spotlight
Get your stage fix: Friendly City Players is Harrisonburg’s volunteer-powered community theatre, bringing local stories and musicals to life. Whether you love building sets, painting, or flexing your dramatic side, this troupe turns community creativity into standing ovations, inviting neighbors onstage and in the audience.
Crave-worthy chili dogs: Harrisonburg’s Texas Inn serves snappy hot dogs piled with award-winning chili and famous relish, plus old-school diner comfort. When the week drags, that combo delivers a reliable lift, with just the right hit of nostalgia alongside simple, satisfying flavors.
Bookish brain break: Parentheses Books inside Liberty Street Mercantile is a cozy indie nook where staff picks actually land, local authors get love, and there’s always something to browse. When your TBR feels stale, this crew sparks the next favorite and a reason to read tonight.
\*These aren’t ads or sponsored placements, just some cool nearby spots we think are worth a visit.
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🫶 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 →
Thinning hair? Don’t treat the wrong thing: When my ponytail started thinning, I tried the usual stuff (biotin, shampoo, sprays, etc.) and not one of them lasted. Turns out, most products target the strand, not the follicle… and that’s the whole problem. Once follicles go dormant, they need targeted help to come back. The good news? You can get treatment that actually works with no office visits or trips to the pharmacy. Learn about my favorites here →
Six figures you can’t spend: Most homeowners over 50 have spent years dutifully paying their mortgage, assuming the only time it’ll pay off is when they sell. I thought the same thing until I discovered you can tap into the equity you’ve earned whenever you want (without leaving your home). Overdue for a new roof? Want to build your dream bathroom? There are two ways to turn equity into usable cash →
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📆 Harrisonburg for grown ups
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.
👷 March Member Mixer @ Capital Ale House | Thursday (3/12) at 5:00 PM – Put down the punch list and swing by this Women in Construction mixer, open to all. It’s real talk, new connections, light bites, and two drinks included with registration. No hard hats required, just professionals who build things, including strong communities.
🌿 Bonfire Botany Workshop @ Aristocat Cafe + Tea House | Friday (3/13) at 5:00 PM – Whether your last houseplant survived or we don’t talk about that, this hands-on workshop has you building a staghorn fern terrarium, no green thumb required. Bonfire Botany keeps it step by step, foolproof, and fun. Every piece ends up one of a kind, yours included.
☘ Saint Patrick’s Shenanigans @ The Cracked Pillar (Bridgewater) | Saturday (3/14) at 11:00 AM – Pull out something green and meet me at The Cracked Pillar for St. Patrick’s shenanigans, with merry pints and music that ramps up as the night rolls. Jessi Pugh warms it up, then DJ Timmy’s karaoke takes over, plus food and drink specials.
🎰 Casino Night Fundraiser @ Hotel Madison & Shenandoah Valley Conference Center | Saturday (3/14) at 5:00 PM – A Western Royale casino night corrals boots, blackjack, and locals at Hotel Madison to support affordable healthcare. Place a bet, brag later, and help make sure our neighbors don’t have to roll the dice on a doctor visit. Cowboy hats encouraged, poker faces optional.
🎸 The Steel Wheels @ Wilson Hall | Saturday (3/14) at 7:00 PM – Take a break from the grind and settle into Wilson Hall for Red Wing Winter Roots with hometown heroes The Steel Wheels. Expect tight harmonies, warm fiddle-fueled energy, and a room full of familiar faces. It’s the good kind of winter noise, and zero pretense.
🍷 Josh Davidson @ CrossKeys Vineyards (Mt Crawford) | Sunday (3/15) – Consider this your permission slip to trade chores for chardonnay, with Josh Davidson handling the soundtrack. The tasting room’s pouring, the courtyard and Key Room are calling, and Vineyard Vibes is the low-stress hang we keep bragging our town still does right.
🧀 Make-Your-Own Charcuterie Board Workshop @ Feel the Rain Brothers Brew Co. | Thursday (3/19) at 5:30 PM – If your cheese board still screams college apartment, come upgrade it by shaping a slab of Harrisonburg urban wood, then sip a local brew while hearing its backstory. Snack on JMU Dining’s charcuterie, get pro tips, and sand it smooth with handles. Very grown-up.
Live music & entertainment:
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Harrisonburg report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 45°F – Low: 28°F – Precip: 89%
Rain showers before 10am, then rain and snow showers likely between 10am and noon, then a slight chance of rain and snow showers between noon and 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 45. Northwest wind 13 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 28. West wind 1 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 56°F – Low: 37°F – Precip: 0%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 56. South wind 5 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 32 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 37.
This house is wild
This private end-unit Seattle townhome was fully reimagined in 2018 by Lineate Interiors under designer Heather Overby. Skylights, barn doors, and non-skid bathroom floors meet a high-end open kitchen framed by three flexible living zones. Upstairs offers two bedrooms, a balcony office or den, a walk-in shower, and laundry. Upgraded systems include on-demand hot water, plus decking and walkable conveniences.
Take a peek inside →
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