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Hi Chelan County, hope you’re having a great weekend!

In today’s in-case-you-missed-it edition: Washington’s nuclear comeback, paint your date, and St. Pawtrick’s Day + the top stories from this week & a sneak peek at next week.

Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Chelan County 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.

📰 Most-clicked stories this week

Grocery savings landscape explained: A Consumer Reports analysis found Costco is the top money saver for Wenatchee grocery shoppers, with a typical basket about 21 percent cheaper than Walmart, helped by bulk Kirkland products — see where prices rank.

Washington’s nuclear comeback: Officials unveiled plans for a first-of-its-kind fusion project in Malaga. Helion’s 50 megawatt Orion aims to power Microsoft by 2028, with supporting efforts also underway in Everett and Richland — get all the details.

Long-term parks funding secured: With Chelan PUD’s 2026 pass, Chelan County residents can park and launch for free at Wenatchee Confluence, Lincoln Rock, Daroga and Beebe Bridge, cutting day-use and boat launch fees — see which parks are covered.

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.

All the crowd favorites:

• Shop designer deals at charity pre-sale
• Sip cider and paint your date
• Win prizes at monthly bingo night
• Save on self-care during the CVS Epic Beauty Sale

🏆 Gold and silver are heating up

Together with our sponsor American Hartford Gold

Gold just posted its strongest run in decades… and the momentum is carrying into 2026. Silver has become one of the most talked-about assets as investors look for ways to stay ahead of market volatility.

While many are still sitting on the sidelines, others are quietly repositioning.

If you’re wondering whether you’re missing something, AHG has a free guide explaining what’s driving the renewed interest… and how investors are approaching precious metals right now.

It’s free and worth reading before the next move.

🫶 This week’s top finds

Vintage vibes, smart prices: 383 Threads curates name-brand, vintage, and designer finds that feel special, giving great clothes another go-round in true Wenatchee style. Quick closet pick‑me‑up, low impact on your wallet and the planet… with fresh drops that keep the hunt fun and effortless.

Twirl-worthy noodles ahead: Whether you crave rich lasagne, silky bucatini, or a date-night bowl that turns Mondays into Fridays, Larch keeps the pasta game dialed in with Northwest flavors, satisfying textures, and a vibe that feels comfortably local. Twirls, sips, smiles… it’s neighborhood warmth with a refined streak.

Tapas, but make it local: At Rail Station & Ale House, shareable small plates cozy up to 18 taps and batched cocktails, perfect for easy weeknights, catch-ups, and split-a-few-plates dinners. Bring your most indecisive friend… sampling a bit of everything is half the fun.

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. Learn more about my favorite online options here.

📆 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.

🥫 Garden to Table: Food Preservation Series – No Fear When Using a Pressure Canner @ Cashmere Public Library | Tuesday (3/10) at 5:00 PM – Finally make peace with that pressure canner. WSU Extension walks you through gauges, low-acid veggies, special diets, and those pesky altitude adjustments up here, so your pantry wins and your nerves do too. No fear, no fuss, safe, shelf-stable goodness, and you can register online: https://ncwlibraries.libcal.com/event/16353667.

🎨 Paint Your Date @ Yonder East (Cashmere) | Thursday (3/12) at 6:00 PM – Paint Your Date at Yonder East is a cider-fueled portrait swap where you and your favorite human paint each other, no peeking until the reveal. It is $25, includes cider, canvas, and paint, no talent needed, spots are limited, RSVP and pay at the taproom.

👗 My Girlfriend’s Closet 2026 @ Veterans Warehouse Thrift Store (Wenatchee) | Friday (3/13) at 10:00 AM – Pop-up department store meets do-gooding, with brand-name finds, no tickets needed, and no dressing rooms, so wear Costco-errand layers. Proceeds fund nonprofits and a free day for women and teens in need; donate at Heidi Huddle Allstate, Town Toyota, or Cashmere Valley Bank’s Financial Center.

🍷 The Dark Side of Decadence @ One Wines | Friday (3/13) at 1:00 PM – Nothing beats bold reds and good chocolate when winter drags on, and One Wines is pouring both with every tasting all month. A civilized excuse to call curated chocolates pairings, linger with friends, and pretend tannins cancel calories. Quality time, zero guilt.

🐾 St. Pawtrick’s Day 2026 @ Firehouse Pet Shop (Wenatchee) | Saturday (3/14) at 9:30 AM – Clear Saturday before St. Patrick’s Day for an all-day downtown Wenatchee takeover. Shop deals, applaud the world’s shortest parade as it covers one block, then tuck the wee ones and pups in, and join the pub crawl, stories, laughs, and pints guaranteed.

🍀 Luck on the Ave @ Downtown Wenatchee | Saturday (3/14) at 10:00 AM – Downtown Wenatchee is going green with shop specials, festive windows, and the World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade, which you could miss if you sneeze. After the blink-and-you’ll-cheer stroll, a guided pub crawl keeps the craic alive with Irish-themed pours, stops, and grown-up fun.

🐾 Wildlife Tracking @ Wenatchee River Institute (Leavenworth) | Sunday (3/15) at 9:00 AM – Trade screen time for scat clues on a beginner friendly, family friendly wildlife tracking walk with local tracker Kirk Beckendorf and WRI educator Virginia Shoup. Wander the Wenatchee River Institute campus and local nooks, reading tracks, scat, and scratch marks like gossip. Registration required.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🔥 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.

• Industry-leading home warranty protection ($150 off right now)
• This free tool helps connect you with the right financial advisor
• 62+? See how much tax-free cash your home could unlock → free calculator
• Got debt? You may be able to pay less than you owe
• Protect your pet from disaster with this pet insurance plan
• You can own physical gold and silver in your retirement account

📻 Chelan County report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 58°F – Low: 36°F – Precip: 32%

A chance of rain before 5pm. Mostly sunny. High near 58, with temperatures falling to around 51 in the afternoon. West wind 13 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 41 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 36. West wind 9 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 46°F – Low: 31°F – Precip: 18%

A slight chance of snow between 11am and 5pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 46. West wind 9 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 31.

Someone Googled you this week 👀

It may feel like an invasion of privacy, but unfortunately It’s the new normal. Whether you’re joining a committee, selling something locally, dating again, or just meeting new neighbors… people are going to look you up online.

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 outdated results that no longer tell the real story. Learn more here.

Most popular house this week

This rare Sunnyslope estate spans one acre with a 3,118 SF residence and 3,400 SF of heated shop space. Columbia River and city views frame vaulted interiors with custom fir and pine trim, a gourmet kitchen with dual ovens, and a main-level suite. Two shops, including a climate-controlled 2,320 SF primary, add bays, office, bath, 220V, and RV hookups.

Take a peek inside →