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Rise and shine, Tampa Bay!
In today’s planning-your-week edition: River O’Green, strawberry u‑pick, and Don Jose’s Mexican Grill opening + all our favorite events happening over the next seven days.
Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Tampa Bay protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.
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📰 In the news
Scaling to meet demand: Tampa Bay Water has started a $181 million expansion to add about 12.5 million gallons of drinking water daily, targeting 145 million gallons capacity and completion in 2028 — read the full story.
Local advocates reshape celebration: Pride of Tampa has become a nonprofit after Tampa Pride paused for 2026, with Daniel Johnson to lead the inaugural Ybor celebration March 28 and provide community support all year — get the mission and event details.
Breakfast to street tacos: Don Jose’s Mexican Grill is set to open in Seffner at 2006 South Parsons Avenue, with a soft opening this week and daily service from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m — get menu highlights and hours.
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.
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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🏆 Gold and silver are heating up
Together with our sponsor American Hartford Gold
Gold just posted its strongest run in decades… and the momentum is carrying into 2026. Silver has become one of the most talked-about assets as investors look for ways to stay ahead of market volatility.
While many are still sitting on the sidelines, others are quietly repositioning.
If you’re wondering whether you’re missing something, AHG has a free guide explaining what’s driving the renewed interest… and how investors are approaching precious metals right now.
It’s free and worth reading before the next move.
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🫶 We got your back
Pho cravings, solved: When the AC kicks in and you need a steaming bowl, Pho Quyen delivers rich, soothing broth, hearty vermicelli, and smoky grill favorites, instant comfort any night. Make it a weeknight staple, and let the leftovers cover tomorrow’s lunch.
Upholstery upgrade, anyone?: Boat cushions cracked, dining chairs tired, or that vintage car project missing the right material? Gulf Fabrics Inc stocks marine vinyls, Ultraleather, Ultrasuede, and matching tools, so your weekend DIY stops stalling and finally looks intentional.
Classic comfort, zero fuss: Whether you’re fueling up after a long day or chasing a midweek pancake craving, Three Coins Diner serves breakfast-anytime plates, juicy burgers, and no‑nonsense vibes Tampa folks swear by. It’s the trusty spot you keep in your back pocket when you just want real‑deal diner comfort.
What doctors wish every 65+ adult had at home: Physicians call it “long-lie,” and it’s the real reason falls are so dangerous for older adults. It’s not a broken bone… it’s lying on the floor for hours waiting for someone to notice. We dug into the options that actually solve this problem, and one stood out. See which one →
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📆 Our favorite events this 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.
🏛 2026 Buildings Alive @ J.C. Newman Cigar Company | Thursday (3/12) at 5:00 PM – Buildings Alive lets you legally snoop through six of Ybor’s historic gems, with light bites at each stop. Hop the rubber-wheel Jolley Trolley, wave at chickens, feel virtuous, since tickets support the Historical Society, the mobile museum, and the Tampa Baseball Museum. Tickets go fast.
🍓 Strawberry U-Pick Experience @ DGPS Farming (Thonotosassa) | Friday (3/13) at 9:00 AM – Strawberry season alert, local edition: DGPS Farming on Rockhill Rd in Thonotosassa has u-pick berries for $4 a pound, plus farm animals, shortcake, and those beloved shakes. Show up early, claim a shady table, and pretend this totally counts as cardio and produce shopping.
🏠 Parade of Homes @ Tampa Florida | Friday (3/13) at 10:00 AM – Last chance to play HGTV star without blowing the budget. This free, self-guided Parade of Homes lets you snoop, snag paint-color inspo, and plan your route with the digital map, no tickets, no pressure. Final weekend, so get your fix.
🚤 Urban Architecture Riverboat Tour @ Tampa Convention Center Marina | Friday (3/13) at 5:00 PM – Hop on the Pirate Taxi with urban designer Josh Frank and architect Ross Tisdale for a waterfront tour of downtown Tampa’s past, present, and future. Cruise the Hillsborough for smart, breezy chat about urban evolution, waterfront revitalization, and stories behind landmarks, no PowerPoint, just perspective.
🎂 Spring Flowers Cake Decorating Class @ Brandon Junior Woman’s Club | Saturday (3/14) at 10:00 AM – Trade weekend chores for buttercream therapy at Brandon Junior Women’s Club, where Sweet Bites teaches you to fill, stack, and frost. Nail smooth finishes, pipe daisies and cabbage roses, then leave with a cake you actually want to show off. Tools, equipment, and ingredients provided.
☘ River O’Green @ Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park | Saturday (3/14) at 11:00 AM – St. Paddy’s season calls for the free tradition where we turn the Hillsborough neon green and pretend it’s subtle. Head to Curtis Hixon for live music, food trucks, and beer, plus a pet costume contest, then bask in the riverfront spectacle with favorite people.
🥫 Bingo Fundraiser for Food Bank @ Congregation Beth Shalom (Brandon) | Sunday (3/15) at 12:30 PM – Nothing beats bingo when it feeds the Food Bank, your competitive streak, and your snack quota. Bring your lucky charm for prizes like a wireless speaker, earbuds, a foot spa, and bragging rights, then linger for the tasty bites, neighbors, and gloriously corny number calls.
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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📻 Tampa Bay report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 86°F – Low: 66°F – Precip: 6%
Patchy fog between 7am and 10am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. Northwest wind 1 to 6 mph. Later: Patchy fog after 5am. Mostly clear, with a low around 66. North northwest wind 2 to 6 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 89°F – Low: 68°F – Precip: 7%
Patchy fog before 10am. Sunny, with a high near 89. Southeast wind 2 to 6 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 68. Northeast wind around 6 mph.
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