Happy Friday!

I hope everyone has enjoyed the beautiful weather!

My wife and I have taken a walk with our 3 month old every day and can’t get enough of it! Sadly, I looks like the cold will be back next week 😥

Let’s get to it!

👨‍🚀 Blast Off

🛋 IKEA Grand Opening Set For Next Week

Alabama’s first IKEA is officially opening in Huntsville on Wednesday, February 25, at the University Place Shopping Center near Gigaparts and Field Day. The new location brings the full IKEA experience to the Rocket City in a more compact format.

Unlike traditional warehouse-style stores, this site will not include a self-serve furniture warehouse for large items. Instead, shoppers can explore the full catalog in-store and arrange delivery or schedule pickup for larger purchases.

Many smaller home accessories and décor items will be available to take home the same day, along with services like delivery and assembly.

The store will also feature the Swedish Bite café, serving favorites like Swedish meatballs, hot dogs, and cinnamon buns.

If you’re planning to swing by the grand opening, the store will be open from 11 AM to 7 PM.

TOGETHER WITH THE ORTHOPAEDIC CENTER

🏥 Get Back On Your Feet Faster

Injured and need care fast? TOC Urgent Ortho offers specialized orthopedic care for strains, sprains, closed fractures, joint or muscle pain, and sports injuries. No appointment needed.

TOC Urgent Ortho is perfect for injuries that need prompt attention but are not life-threatening, helping you avoid long ER waits while still seeing highly trained orthopedic providers you can trust.

With multiple convenient locations across the Tennessee Valley and extended hours at select clinics, getting expert care is easy.

Walk in today and get back to what you love with TOC Urgent Ortho.

P.S. Want to feature your business in our next ad slot? We are now booking for Q2. Fill out this form for more info!

🚀 Taking Flight

🎶 Tip Top Cafe To Host Microwave Dave Celebration Jam This Sunday

Huntsville’s music community will gather this Sunday, February 22 at Tip Top Cafe to honor the life of Microwave Dave Gallaher, who passed away earlier this month.

The bluesman was a cornerstone of North Alabama’s music scene and a passionate advocate for arts education. Known for leading Microwave Dave and the Nukes and hosting the long-running radio show Talkin’ the Blues, Gallaher left a lasting mark on North Alabama’s music scene and arts education.

The tribute will feature performances from local musicians, including Jim Parker and Alan Little, with additional artists expected. Doors open at 3 PM, music begins at 4, and all proceeds will be donated to the Microwave Dave Music Education Foundation.

🪐 Huntsville Planetarium Ranked #1 in the Nation

The U.S. Space & Rocket Center earned national recognition this week as the INTUITIVE Planetarium was named the country’s best in the USA TODAY Readers’ Choice Awards.

After being selected by editors and industry experts, the planetarium secured the top spot through public voting over four weeks.

Since opening seven years ago, more than 750,000 guests have visited. Leaders at the Space & Rocket Center say the honor reflects the team’s commitment to combining cutting-edge technology with educational storytelling for families, students, and visitors.

Delta Adds Second Daily Flight From Huntsville to NYC

Travel between Huntsville and New York City is expanding this week as Delta Air Lines announces a new nonstop flight to LaGuardia beginning in June.

The year-round service will offer both morning and evening departures, giving travelers added flexibility. The expansion comes one year after Delta launched its first Huntsville-to-New York route, signaling strong demand for the connection.

Tickets are now available through major booking platforms.

🎁 Last Call For Bingo Night (Win Over $500 in Prizes)

Our community bingo night will be this Monday at Back Forty! There are about 20 tickets left and I’d love to sell out!

With only a limited number of tickets and almost 20 items to give away worth well over $500 there will be a lot of winners!

It’ll be a great night of community, prizes, and fun! Go ahead and grab your tickets before they’re gone!

❤️ Premium Explorer Shoutout

A big shoutout to all the Premium Explorers that help make this newsletter possible! If you’d like to support us, click here to join!

🎵 Live Music Lowdown

Thank you to our friends at the Huntsville Music Office for sponsoring this section! The Huntsville Music Office exists to support the growing live music scene in Huntsville. See more upcoming live music with their free music calendar!

🗓️ Explore The Rocket City

Click the image for more events at The Orion!

Saturday, February 21

Sunday, February 22

  • Mardi Gras Paw Parade at MidCity: Come see a bunch of cute pups and see who wins King and Queen!

  • John Mulaney: Mister Whatever at VBC Mark C. Smith Concert Hall: An evening of laughter with John Mulaney!

  • Sourdough Workshop 101 at Lemon & Lavender: Learn about sourdough while making a loaf to take home to bake the next day!

  • EuroSunday 2026 Pop Up at Turbo Coffee: Casual car meetup gathering enthusiasts for coffee and conversation!

  • 2026 Wedding Expo at Botanical Garden: Connect with the region’s best wedding professionals!

  • Book Bedazzling at Booklegger Used Books: A crafty afternoon decorating books with sparkle, coffee, and friends!

  • Heart at VBC Propst Arena: Enjoy an evening of live music with the legendary rock band!

  • Celebration Jam for Microwave Dave at Tip Top Cafe: Enjoy an evening with the community honoring the one and only Microwave Dave!

Monday, February 23

Tuesday, February 24

Want to see more upcoming events or add an event to the calendar? Click here.

Thanks for making it to the end! Don’t forget to get your tickets for bingo night!

Have a great weekend!

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