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Hello Fort Myers! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. 

In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: The Bridges of Madison County, a $6 million canal cleanup, and Motown rooftop martinis + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.

Today’s sponsor, Spot Pet Insurance, is something I wish I had before a late-night emergency vet visit left me with a $10,000 credit card bill. It’s cheaper than Netflix… and means you never have to choose between your pet and your savings. It takes less than 5 minutes to sign up – get started here.

📰 In the news

A soaring tale of love: Southwest Florida Theatre Company’s The Bridges of Madison County is on stage in Fort Myers today through March 7, led by Branch Fields and Michel Vasquez, with a Tony-winning score — get all the details.

Targeting harmful water bacteria: Fort Myers secured a $6 million grant to clean city canals and creeks, with work running April through November and priority areas including Manuel’s Branch and Billy’s Creek — see what’s planned and why.

Adventure meets community wellness: Recently opened Central Rock Gym in south Fort Myers offers indoor climbing, fitness and yoga for families and enthusiasts, giving locals a new place to stay active together — read the full story.

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 they’re 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.

Highlights this week:

• Groove to Motown with rooftop martinis
• GCCAS students perform anthem at Red Sox
• Celebrate Goodwill’s Diamond Year Breakthrough Awards
• This top-tier home warranty is 50% off right now

🐾 One pet emergency can cost $10,000+

Together with our sponsor Spot Pet Insurance

Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache.

From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving.

As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Spot.

It’s super affordable and reimburses up to 90% on qualified vet bills. It was too late for me, but it’s not too late for you. Sign up today.

🫶 We got your back

Small plates, big vibes: Need a midweek lift? At Taberna Ole, shareable tapas, classic paella, and sangria that energizes the group chat set the tone. Perfect for one friend or five; graze on patatas bravas, croquetas, and anything else too tempting to pass up.

Paddle this week: Whether you’re eyeing a first paddle or upgrading your setup, Estero River Outfitters has kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards to demo, plus on-the-river rentals, lessons, and eco-tours. It’s perfect for sneaking in a couple serene miles after work. Locally run for 40+ years, they make getting on the Estero River easy.

Indie night, anyone? Skip the megaplex and find a film worth talking about at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center. Rotating screenings and festival picks unfold alongside galleries, making it low-key and downtown. Ideal for a weeknight that feels smarter than scrolling, without trying too hard.

Access cash without selling your home: A reverse mortgage can help anyone over 62 cover everyday expenses, support healthcare needs, fund home improvements, or even reduce pressure on 401(k) withdrawals – all while staying in your home. Longbridge offers a free calculator to estimate how much flexibility your home could provide, with no commitment required.

📆 Fun for the whole fam

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.

🛍 Outdoor Market @ Paradise Vintage Market | Saturday (3/7) at 5:00 AM – Set your alarm for the parking-lot treasure hunt at Paradise Vintage Market, where the early birds snag the good stuff by 5am. Think quirky finds, neighborly haggling, and coffee strong enough to justify rummaging before sunrise, all in the North Cleveland asphalt jungle.

📚 Southwest Florida Reading Festival @ Fort Myers Regional Library | Saturday (3/7) at 10:00 AM – Trade your beach read for the real thing at the Southwest Florida Reading Festival at Fort Myers Regional Library. Hear from Wally Lamb, Rachel Gillig, Adrienne Young, Brad Thor, plus dozens more, snag a free book for kids, and pretend sunscreen counts as literary ambiance.

🚗 Car Show Corral @ Lumber Axe Whiskey Bar & Grill | Saturday (3/7) at 10:00 AM – If your love language is chrome, horsepower, and a solid burger, roll to Lumber Axe’s car corral. Free to ogle 300-plus classics, muscle, trucks, and exotics, with good food, cold drinks, and engine talk that counts as cardio. Bring your crew, park early.

⚾ Kiwanis Day @ JetBlue Park | Saturday (3/7) at 1:00 PM – If you prefer cheering for Boston without a TSA line, catch Red Sox vs Rays at JetBlue Park while Kiwanis raises funds for Thomas A. Edison Regional Science & Engineering Fair. Baseball, community, and giving back to SWFL. Wear your Kiwanis gear, tickets coming soon.

🎸 Tony Harnell and more @ Fort Myers Brewing Company | Saturday (3/7) at 6:00 PM – If your cassette collection still lives in the garage, this unplugged set from Tony Harnell of TNT, Anthony Corder of Tora Tora, and PJ Farley of Trixter lands right. No cover, first-come seats, all ages, free meet and greet, with Ben Hans and Jason Hagen.

🕹 Five Sun Charities Pinball Fundraiser @ The Pinball Asylum | Sunday (3/8) at 10:00 AM – Nostalgia, competition, and a good cause at The Pinball Asylum, where Five Sun Charities hosts an IFPA-sanctioned Fair Strikes tournament benefiting children’s and veterans’ causes. Compete for trophies at $30, or roam 70 machines on free play for $20. Fewer quarters, more glory.

🌊 Michigan Day @ Bay Street Yard | Monday (3/9) at 4:00 PM – Nothing beats raising a toast to the Mitten with people who can pronounce Ypsilanti. Michigan Day at Bay Street Yard is a family-friendly hang where you trade lake-effect war stories, celebrate Motown and freshwater, and remember why we never leave in August.

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.

• Thinning hair? Don’t wait – here are 3 treatments that work
• This free tool helps connect you with the right financial advisor
• 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
• Treat yourself: Save on self-care during the CVS Epic Beauty Sale

📻 Fort Myers report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 86°F – Low: 68°F – Precip: 28%

A chance of rain showers after 2pm. Sunny, with a high near 86. East wind 7 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Later: A slight chance of rain showers before 7pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. East wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

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Tomorrow – High: 87°F – Low: 68°F – Precip: 47%

A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. East southeast wind 6 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. East wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

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.

This house is wild

This elevated, all-concrete riverfront estate off historic McGregor Boulevard spans nearly 8,700 square feet of forward-thinking space with soaring ceilings, skylights, and impact windows. Outdoor living shines with lanais and balconies aimed at Caloosahatchee sunsets. A rare covered boathouse basin, new seawall and dock, and a four-car garage sit on a private oversized parcel minutes from downtown Fort Myers.

Take a peek inside →