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

In today’s wallet-friendly edition: McAfee Knob trailhead upgrades, a 24,000-square-foot skatepark ribbon cutting, and try hockey for free + lots of fun things to do for free.

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

Transit hub in the works: Roanoke County has secured $6.3 million in federal funding to modernize the McAfee Knob trailhead, adding a paved lot, ADA spaces, and waterless restrooms under National Park Service leadership — get details on the upgrades.

Guidance for waterfront projects: Appalachian Power hosts open houses for Claytor Lake owners, 9 a.m. to noon on first and third Tuesdays at Pulaski County Administration Building, offering SMP guidance and shoreline permit help — see when and where to go.

What to know before flying: Spring break travel is picking up at Roanoke-Blacksburg Airport. Unzip carry-ons before packing, arrive early, and a $45 fee applies without valid ID, with first 30 minutes of parking free — get all the travel tips.

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:

• Craft concrete garden faces with Larry Bechtel
• Try free therapeutic group drumming sessions
• Discover Luxora RF launch deals and giveaways

🫶 We got your back

Serious sandwich vibes: When midday hunger hits, Brambleton Deli is the move. Hot sandwiches and subs arrive with chips and a pickle, plus the locally famous B.D. Special if you’re feeling extra. It’s deli comfort that can turn an average Tuesday into a small win.

Star-powered reset: When the week gets loud, Mill Mountain Park swaps notifications for birdsong, shady trails, and skyline overlooks that reset your brain. Go with a friend or wander solo, and return lighter, like you finally closed a few browser tabs in your head.

RC heaven, LEGO galore: Adventure Hobbies & Toys packs wall-to-wall LEGO, Calico Critters, puzzles, STEM kits, and an RC corner that makes grown-ups grin too. When cabin fever hits, this clutch neighborhood spot delivers options for every age… let the kids choose and call it a low-effort parenting win.

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.

🍿 Dinner and Movie @ Melrose Branch Library | Wednesday (3/11) at 5:00 PM – Remember when the library just shushed you? Now it feeds you, then entertains you. Melrose Branch is serving free dinner, think Chick-fil-A nuggets, fresh fruit, and pizzas, followed by a family-friendly film in the community room. Bring the kids, claim the comfy chairs, enjoy.

📚 Silent Book Club @ Evie’s Bistro and Bakery | Wednesday (3/11) at 6:00 PM – Silent Book Club is settling into Evie’s Bistro & Bakery with the dream combo, books, bites, and zero homework. Bring whatever you’re reading, order something buttery, then bask in an hour of glorious quiet, optional chit-chat after, and absolutely no pressure to sound clever.

✂ Wasena Skatepark and Pump Track Ribbon Cutting @ Wasena Park, 1001 Winchester Ave SW | Friday (3/13) at 1:30 PM – Head to Wasena for the ribbon cutting of a nearly 24,000 square foot skatepark with street-style lines and room for every skill level. There’s also an asphalt pump track for bikes, boards, and scooters, so bring the kids, the pads, and your inner teenager.

❤ Happy HeARTs Community Sessions – Ages 10 and Under @ Taubman Museum of Art | Saturday (3/14) at 10:00 AM – Got littles under 10 who do museums at their own speed? The Taubman’s Happy HeARTs opens the galleries for accessible, sensory-friendly fun for all abilities, with quiet corners, hands-on art, and space to wiggle or decompress. It’s free, welcoming, and yes, register if you can.

🍲 Second Saturday Potluck @ Roanoke Diversity Center | Saturday (3/14) at 12:00 PM – Second Saturday means a potluck with LGBTQ+ folks 45 to 85, plus allies of all ages. Bring a dish, homemade or proudly store-bought, and stay for stories, laughter, and a local SAGE crew that remembers your name, your pronouns, and your potato salad.

🏒 Try Hockey for Free! @ LancerLot Sports Complex (Vinton) | Saturday (3/14) at 4:00 PM – Team USA got you feeling Olympic? Let your 9-12-year-old try the coolest game in the Valley for free with the Jr Dawgs, skates and gear on loan, just bring a snug bike helmet and winter gloves. Pre-registration required, spots go faster than a breakaway.

🎶 Star City Circlesongs @ Fishburn Mansion | Sunday (3/15) at 3:30 PM – Whether you sing lead in the shower or just hum at red lights, come add your voice to an improvised, all-ages circlesinging session under the oaks behind Fishburn Mansion, weather permitting. No audition, just rhythm, laughter, and neighbors. It’s free, bring a friend.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Roanoke report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 80°F – Low: 59°F – Precip: 19%

A slight chance of rain showers after 3pm. Sunny, with a high near 80. Southwest wind 2 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: A slight chance of rain showers before 7pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 59. Southwest wind 2 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

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Tomorrow – High: 84°F – Low: 46°F – Precip: 38%

A chance of rain showers between 8am and 5pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 84. Southwest wind 2 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Later: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 5am, then rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46. Southwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Are you quietly overpaying for car insurance? 🚗

Premiums have been climbing across Virginia 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 single-level home pairs classic stone and Hardie siding with an airy open plan. Sunlit spaces center on a granite fireplace and a bright sunroom for study or den. The chef’s kitchen features Thermador appliances, quartz counters, a designer hood, and an oversized island. A luxe primary suite includes a spa bath with walk-in tiled shower and backlit mirrors.

Take a peek inside →