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It’s Friday, New Smyrna! Let’s finish this week strong.
In today’s can’t-miss-weekend-plans edition: Butterbeer season, spring travel trends revealed, and music of ABBA + 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.
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📰 In the news
Magical treats hit the parks: Butterbeer Season is underway at Universal Orlando through May 31, featuring the new Butterbeer Waffle, limited-time sweets across all three Harry Potter lands, and fresh merchandise — see what’s new and where.
Travel search trends revealed: Florida leads Spring Break travel searches, with Key West, Destin, and Orlando favorites, while Mexico, Greece, and Iceland draw the most international interest, a Google trends analysis shows — see the top searched destinations.
Strawberry Crest claims top honors: A high school culinary showdown in Orlando drew 330 students from around 40 Florida high schools, with over $2.1 million in scholarships awarded and spots at April’s National ProStart Invitational — see who won and what’s next.
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 Like it or not, the internet has a way of surfacing past mistakes and outdated information that no longer reflects who you are.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:
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🚗 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.
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🫶 We got your back
Vegan comfort, Caribbean vibes: Craving plant-powered comfort? At Kale Cafe Juice Bar & Vegan Cuisine, bright Caribbean-inspired plates, seitan standouts, and fresh-pressed juices turn weekdays into small victories. Think velvety curries, lively spices, and satisfying textures, all with feel-good energy that lasts beyond lunch.
Time-travel browsing, anyone? Nicole’s Beach Street Mall gathers antiques, furniture, home decor, artisan finds, and curious treasures in one easy-to-wander co-op, spread across cozy stalls. Lose track of time, spot a how-did-I-live-without-this piece, and leave feeling delightfully local.
Sparkle you can wear: Jewelry of Joy handcrafts one-of-a-kind, ocean-inspired pieces right here in town, from custom projects to heirloom-grade metals, made so your everyday stack feels like you. Perfect for those times a “quick peek” becomes discovering your new favorite thing.
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.
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📆 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.
🐾 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.
🏍 Bike Week Pig Roast @ Fred H. Reiland VFW Post 4250 | Friday (3/6) at 1:00 PM – Whether you logged miles or just waved from your porch, Bike Week wraps with a proper pig roast at Post 4250. Expect smoky plates, loud laughs, and the kind of stories that get better every year, even if the bikes don’t. Come hungry, leave happy.
🎷 Jeff Rupert @ Live Oak Cultural Center | Friday (3/6) at 7:30 PM – Skip the streaming shuffle and head to Live Oak as sax ace Jeff Rupert returns with James Hall on vibes, John Olearchick on keys, and Doug Mathews on bass, plus Grammy-nominated drummer McClenty Hunter. It’s free, which pairs nicely with your taste, and your wallet.
🌸 SpringFest @ New Smyrna Beach Utilities | Saturday (3/7) at 9:00 AM – Nothing says spring in New Smyrna like snagging a free tree on Canal Street. If you’re an NSBU customer or city resident, reserve one online, swing by SpringFest to grab it, then linger for nonprofit tables, yard wisdom, and future August shade you’ll brag about.
🐝 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.
🕺 Music of ABBA @ Brannon Center | Saturday (3/7) at 8:00 PM – ABBA’s greatest hits are taking over The Brannon Center, a glittery tribute where you can sing along without the kids rolling their eyes. Open seating, concessions, and a 30% early-bird deal if you jump on it. Grab friends, channel your Dancing Queen, and boogie.
👗 Spring Styles Fashion Show @ The Gray Room | Sunday (3/8) at 2:00 PM – Trade your yardwork for runway seats at The Posh Pineapple, with designer pop-ups and first dibs on the 2026 collection. Bites, bubbly, raffles, and a swag bag await, plus VIP shopping, because sometimes the most efficient errand is treating yourself.
Live music & entertainment:
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: 79°F – Low: 64°F – Precip: 12%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 79. East southeast wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 64. East southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 80°F – Low: 64°F – Precip: 30%
A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. East southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7pm. Mostly clear, with a low around 64. Southeast wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
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