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Hello New Smyrna! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning.
In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Waymo robo-taxi service, romantic manatee watching, and a spring festival + 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.
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📰 In the news
Romantic wildlife watching escapes: As manatees gather in Florida’s warm waters, spot them at Blue Spring State Park or Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge, with TECO’s viewing center offering guaranteed sightings — see the top viewing locations.
Acquisition broadens multi-state footprint: Daytona Beach-based TopBuild has agreed to acquire family-run Johnson Roofing, founded in 1941 in Waco, adding about $29 million in revenue and expanding its commercial roofing platform in Central Texas — get the acquisition details.
New era for driverless rides: Waymo’s invite-only robo-taxis are now picking up riders in Orlando, starting with Mayor Buddy Dyer, in a limited I-4 corridor service. Tesla’s Model Y robo-taxis are expected by June — get all the details.
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:
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🐾 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.
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🫶 We got your back
Tapas night, sorted: Spanish River Grill excels at shareable plates, with warm lighting, lively chatter, and enough variety for everyone to find a favorite. An easy midweek upgrade when you crave fun without fuss; spreads to sample, flavors to linger over, and a room that invites staying a little longer.
Surf check, sorted: Whether you’re after a clean dawn peel or a quick wax-and-reset, Red Dog Surf Shop keeps New Smyrna Beach dialed with boards, gear, and staff who actually surf. Expect easy advice, solid kits, and stoke for the next glassy window.
Indie escape, right here: Skip the blockbuster chaos and sink into table-side snacks, comfy couches, and thoughtfully curated films at Cinematique of Daytona. As Volusia County’s only arthouse cinema, it’s perfect for date night or a low-key solo fix when you want conversation starters… not just explosions.
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.
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📆 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.
🚢 Lunch Cruise @ Toon Tiki Charters | Wednesday (3/4) at 1:00 PM – Skip the parking lot shuffle and float from River Deck Marina in NSB to Down the Hatch for a proper lunch. The cruise is $45 per person, the special charter guest menu with a beverage is $25, paid to the restaurant. Zero traffic, maximum smug.
🐾 Pet Evolution Grand Opening Weekend @ Pet Evolution | Friday (3/6) at 10:00 AM – Port Orange finally gets a proper pet hub, and they’re marking it with a three-day grand opening packed with premium food, grooming, and giveaways. Bring your furry boss to sniff deals, meet the crew, and collect treats, because we all know who runs the house.
🐝 Spring Festival @ Garage Band Fl | Saturday (3/7) at 10:00 AM – Grab your lawn chair and buzz over to Black Hammock Bee Farm for a spring shindig with honey, sunshine, and live tunes from Garage Band FL. Equal parts country charm and toe-tapping, with fewer stings than your last HOA meeting, I promise.
🐦 Bird Walks @ Marine Discovery Center | Monday (3/9) at 9:00 AM – Trade the traffic for talons at Marine Discovery Center’s bird walk. It’s a free, guided stroll through salt marsh and up Mt. Morgan, our tallest hill, to spot pelicans, egrets, ospreys, and the occasional show-off eagle. Bring binoculars, reserve a spot, only 10 per tour.
🤝 McKenna’s GiveBack Night @ McKenna’s Place New Smyrna Beach | Monday (3/9) at 5:00 PM – Nothing beats dinner that pulls its weight. Order your usual at McKenna’s Place and 10% goes to Neighbor To Family. NTF-Daytona’s bake sale is parked out front, so you can grab dessert, support local families, and tell yourself it’s community service.
🎤 Open Mic Night @ Jimmy Hula’s New Smyrna Beach | Tuesday (3/10) at 6:00 PM – NSB’s students are running the show at this open mic, turning beachside bragging rights into tunes. Expect live music, tacos, and tropical sips while you cheer them on. Performers are 14 to 19, the rest of us get to clap, smile, and snack.
🐠 Sea Squirts | Drop-In Sessions @ Marine Discovery Center | Wednesday (3/11) at 11:30 AM – Bring your tiny explorer to these drop-in sessions for ages 3 to 6, with a grown-up to tag along. Meet sea critters, make crafts, hear stories, and play. Real hands-on science, zero prep, just quality time, sandy knees, and bragging rights at preschool pickup.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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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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📻 New Smyrna report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 77°F – Low: 63°F – Precip: 12%
Patchy fog before 9am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 77. East northeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 79°F – Low: 65°F – Precip: 22%
A slight chance of rain showers after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 79. East southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: A slight chance of rain showers before 7pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 65. East southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
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 11th-floor corner residence at Tradewinds pairs 2,100 square feet with three bedrooms and three baths on a prized no-drive beach. Wrapped in glass, it showcases Atlantic panoramas, four private balconies including two oceanfront terraces, and sunset-ready west views. Highlights include a quartz kitchen with GE Profile appliances and wine fridge, a spa-like suite, plus heated pools and pickleball.
Take a peek inside →
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