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It’s Friday, Gainesville! Let’s finish this week strong.

In today’s can’t-miss-weekend-plans edition: Gold and silver heat up, EcoRover opens trails, and India Fest 2026 + a stacked lineup of events this weekend.

Today’s sponsor (FinanceBuzz) built a free comparison tool that helped me cut my car insurance premiums in half. It took about 3 minutes, and honestly… I wish I’d done it sooner. If you haven’t shopped around in a while, you can easily check the best rates here.

📰 In the news

Spotlight on rising poets: On March 8, the 12th Courageous Young Voices youth poetry showcase will be at the Historic Thomas Center, co-sponsored by Gainesville’s Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs. All students are welcome — get all the details.

More inclusive outdoor adventures: Alachua Conservation Trust announced a new EcoRover, funded by Cox Communications, opening preserves in Alachua County to residents with mobility impairments and growing a volunteer partnership that began in 2023 — see how access is expanding.

Supermarket overhaul proposed: Publix plans to demolish and rebuild its Tower Square store in southwest Gainesville. Plans were submitted, but Alachua County has not approved the project and no construction timeline is set — 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.

Someone Googled you this week: Whether you’re dating again, selling something locally, or just meeting new neighbors… people are going to look you up. Like it or not, the internet has a way of surfacing past mistakes and outdated information that no longer reflects who you are.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 all that up – learn more here.

Highlights this week:

• Dine at Leonardo’s to support Littlewood
• Explore science through nature games
• Shop plants, art, and local vendors
• Over 62? See how to turn home equity into tax-free cash

🚗 Are you quietly overpaying for car insurance?

Together with our sponsor FinanceBuzz

Auto insurance premiums have been climbing across the country… and most folks won’t notice until it’s time to renew and they’re hit with a higher bill.

The frustrating part? Loyalty rarely gets rewarded. Insurers adjust prices constantly, and new customers often qualify for better rates than long-time policyholders.

I learned that the hard way. I had the same policy for half a decade. Autopay was on, I saw the charges come in every month and never thought twice about them. Turns out I was paying well above the national average ($175/mo) for a single car… for years.

This free comparison tool lets you check rates from multiple insurers in just a few minutes. It costs nothing to look, and it could save you hundreds this year.

🫶 We got your back

Vegan comfort, Gainesville-style: Curia on the Drag keeps weeknights easy with a 100% plant-based food truck serving tempeh Reuben, tacos, and loaded yuca, a cozy coffee shop for vegan sweets, and Dad’s Bar in the courtyard. Meet a friend, linger under the trees, and remember how good plants can taste.

Small-town treasure hunt: If your home craves character, The Mustard Seed Collection delivers a charming local mix of curated antique furniture, vintage decor, rescue-ready paint, and the oddball you didn’t know you needed. Ideal for a quick browse that somehow becomes a mini makeover.

Get linked this week: Whether you’re marking a milestone or craving everyday sparkle, Iris Alcoves Studio offers custom-fit, clasp-free permanent jewelry, plus a playful charm bar for extra personality. Expect a quick zap and lasting shine that actually gets worn… no makeup remover required.

An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial fee just to be seen to x-rays, surgery, medicine, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could get up to 90% cash back on your vet bill with this pet insurance plan.

📆 Around town this weekend

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.

🌱 Nowruz & International Festival @ Shoppes at Thornebrook | Saturday (3/7) at 3:00 AM – Celebrate Nowruz and a world of flavors at this international festival, where local vendors, music, and dancing make spring feel official. Bring your appetite, and your neighbors. If you want a booth, email [email protected], and ignore any randoms promising vendor spots.

🥒 Charity Pickleball Tournament: The Big Dill Cancer Smash @ Hal Brady Recreation Complex | Saturday (3/7) at 9:00 AM – Serving up good karma, The Big Dill Cancer Smash is a charity pickleball tourney benefiting Relay for Life and the American Cancer Society. Grab a partner, chase prizes, a 50/50, and lunch, and feel downright noble between dinks. Sign up, donate, play.

🐄 Family Day 2026 @ UF IFAS Dairy Unit | Saturday (3/7) at 9:00 AM – Nothing beats a morning of fresh air, curious cows, and free admission at the UF/IFAS Dairy Farm. Bring the crew for genuine, hands-on learning about how milk happens, meet the herd, and collect a few wholesome stories to lord over the grandkids later.

❤ North Central Florida Health Festival @ Bo Diddley Plaza | Saturday (3/7) at 10:00 AM – Ready to feel like a responsible grown-up? UF’s College of Nursing celebrates 70 years with a community health fest packed with free screenings, wellness booths, fitness and mindfulness demos, kid-friendly fun, local vendors and entertainment, all the feel-good without the lecture.

🇮 India Fest 2026 @ Legacy Park Multipurpose Center | Saturday (3/7) at 10:00 AM – India Fest 2026 is an all-day celebration of Indian culture, with vibrant food, live music, and dance that actually gets you moving. Come for the samosas, stay for the bhangra, and pretend your spice tolerance is still as strong as your opinions.

🦆 Ducks for Dogs @ Swamp Head Brewery | Saturday (3/7) at 12:00 PM – It’s duck adoption season, so around here you can sponsor a numbered quacker, support the pups, and maybe pocket $500. Grab a few for office parties, morale boosting, and proving you have range beyond cookie tins, then let fate do the rest.

🌻 Blossom, Brew & BBQ Plant Sale @ First Magnitude Brewing Company | Sunday (3/8) at 12:00 PM – Saturday at the Gainesville Garden Club means browsing member-grown natives, herbs, and shade lovers you’ll pretend are essential, then rewarding yourself with Danny from Looseys’ smoky BBQ, veg options, and a local brew. Free admission, easy to linger, good for the garden.

Live music & entertainment:

• 3/6 Killer B’s @ Cypress & Grove Brewing Co. – 7:00 PM
• 3/6 Julius Caesar @ Acrosstown Repertory Theatre – 8:00 PM
• 3/7 Ukulele Open Mic @ 4th Ave Food Park – 11:00 AM
• 3/7 Atlus and more @ Signal – 7:00 PM
• 3/7 Auditions: Gypsy @ Star Center Theatre – 7:00 PM
• 3/7 Congress @ Heartwood Soundstage – 8:00 PM
• 3/8 Introduction to Classical Guitar @ Academy of Music and Art & Gainesville Guitar Academy – 10:00 AM

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
• You can own physical gold and silver in your retirement account
• Treat yourself: Save on self-care during the CVS Epic Beauty Sale

📻 Gainesville report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 87°F – Low: 65°F – Precip: 31%

Patchy fog before 9am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny. High near 87, with temperatures falling to around 84 in the afternoon. Southeast wind 3 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: A slight chance of rain showers before 7pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 65. East wind 3 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

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Tomorrow – High: 87°F – Low: 63°F – Precip: 24%

A slight chance of rain showers after 1pm. Mostly sunny. High near 87, with temperatures falling to around 84 in the afternoon. Southeast wind 3 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: A slight chance of rain showers before 7pm. Mostly clear, with a low around 63. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Something in your house is about to break 🏠

It might be your AC, your water heater, your fridge… doesn’t matter. Every major system and appliance has an expiration date, and when it goes, you’re staring down a repair bill that can climb into the thousands fast.

It never happens at a convenient time, and most homeowners just eat the cost because they don’t realize there’s a better option.

American Home Shield covers repairs and replacements on most of your home’s major systems and appliances — old or new, no inspection required.

The best part? Select plans are 50% off now through March 9th.

This house is wild

This Mid-Century Modern spans both sides of Hogtown Creek, minutes from UF, and offers just under 4,000 square feet of preserved 1957 character plus updates. Ocala block, exposed beams, clerestory windows, terrazzo with a North Star inlay, and wood paneling shine throughout. A screened Charlie Brown pool with wraparound ledge, citrus trees, and a whole-house generator complete the .77-acre retreat.

Take a peek inside →