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Happy weekend, St. Augustine! In today’s edition: Castle Otttis’s hidden Irish-style fortress, Lysistrata dinner theatre, O’Steen’s cult-favorite chowder, and more. Let’s get to it!
— Cait Baker
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🏆 Most popular this week
Curated by popular demand — here are this week’s most-clicked events, local spots, and stories.
Where artistry meets antiquity: Hidden among sea oats near the Atlantic, St. Augustine’s Castle Otttis reimagines a 12th-century Irish fortress with soaring ceilings and spiritual touches, offering a quiet escape locals rarely notice — explore its design and purpose.
Inside a beloved coastal icon: St. Augustine’s O’Steen’s Restaurant has a cult following for its clam chowder and classic seafood platters, with no reservations, simple digs, and a focus on quality ingredients over trends — see what keeps fans returning.
Historic core feel expanding west: FDOT is investing $18 million in a King Street makeover to boost safety and walkability with wider sidewalks, mid-block crossings, and storm resilience, but construction is not expected until 2028 — get details on timeline and design.
A shared journey through history: Pensacola and St. Augustine have launched From the 1500s, With Love, a campaign for America’s 250th linking historic stops, itineraries, and learning to inspire trips between Florida’s oldest cities — explore the itineraries and events.
Accolades for coastal charm: Earlier this month, Conde Nast Traveler readers ranked St. Augustine beaches 14th in the U.S., spotlighting our laid-back shoreline and history-rich vibe. Locals are savoring the national nod — read the full story.
Residents debate trail safety: St. Johns County is considering a 3-mile trail linking Doug Crane and Moultrie Creek boat ramps. Neighbors on Shore Drive are split, and the county has a survey for input — see how to weigh in.
Gold & silver are hot: Coming off gold’s best year since 1979, the momentum is carrying well into 2026 with silver remaining one of the most talked-about assets. Curious why precious metals are back in focus? American Hartford Gold has a free guide that explains what’s happening and how people are approaching it today. It’s free – and definitely worth a read.
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.
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.
What do people see when they search your name? Search results can surface past mistakes or outdated information that no longer reflects who you are. BetterReputation helps remove and clean up unwanted content so your online presence matches your real life today. Not worried about yourself? Doesn’t hurt to mention it to family or friends who might be.
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🔥 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.
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📆 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.
🎷 Cookin’ in the Kitchen – Jazz Night @ Prohibition Kitchen | Wednesday (3/4) at 6:00 PM – Every Wednesday, Jack Miller hosts a laid-back jazz jam with no cover charge. Swing by for tight grooves, loose vibes, and that sweet feeling of getting out without dressing like a teenager. Consider it your palate cleanser between Monday’s meetings and Thursday’s excuses.
🍩 Donuts with Dudes @ Osceola Elementary School | Thursday (3/5) at 7:45 AM – Round up your favorite dad, uncle, or trusted plus-one for Donuts with Dudes, the PTO’s annual excuse to eat dessert for breakfast. Coffee, sprinkles, and small talk await, and yes, grown-ups need to be cleared through the Raptor system, so handle that early.
📖 The Storytellers Author in Residence @ Flagler College Markland House | Thursday (3/5) at 7:00 PM – If you’ve been waiting for a sign to swap Netflix for something with actual sentences, here it is: Pulitzer finalist and McSweeney’s editor Rita Bullwinkel is reading at historic Markland House, and it’s free. Bring your curiosity, your book club, and your inside voice.
🎨 First Friday Artwalk @ Butterfield Garage Art Gallery | Friday (3/6) at 5:00 PM – First Friday Art Walk is calling, and Butterfield Garage is rolling out Victor Caruncho, a New York-born, self-taught talent with a Caravaggio crush and an architect’s eye. Expect luminous canvases, rich detail, and an artist chat, aka culture you don’t have to pretend to understand.
🎭 Lysistrata @ Gatsby’s Loft | Friday (3/6) at 6:30 PM – Think you know your classics? Gatsby’s Loft is serving up Lysistrata as cheeky dinner theatre, where the wine flows, the jokes land, and prudence takes the night off. Limited run, so book your date, your plate, and maybe loosen your toga.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 St. Augustine report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 65°F – Low: 54°F – Precip: 37%
A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 9am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy. High near 65, with temperatures falling to around 62 in the afternoon. North wind 3 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 17 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. Later: A slight chance of rain showers before 7pm. Partly cloudy. Low around 54, with temperatures rising to around 55 overnight. North wind 6 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
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Tomorrow – High: 66°F – Low: 55°F – Precip: 4%
Sunny. High near 66, with temperatures falling to around 63 in the afternoon. North wind 7 to 12 mph, with gusts as high as 16 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 55.
Most popular house this week
Set on a wooded acre with water views, this 3,470-square-foot coastal home balances luxury and sustainability. It offers 3 beds, 4 baths, two flex rooms, and an office. Solar panels cut power bills to about $30. Highlights include 10-foot tray ceilings, a gourmet plus outdoor kitchen, dock access to the Intracoastal, and a zero-entry pool with hot tub.
Take a peek inside →
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