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Hey Clearwater, hope your week’s off to a good start!

In today’s wallet-friendly edition: Greystar and PGIM’s 376-home Birchway Bayside, police drones during spring break, and ukulele fest + lots of fun things to do for free.

Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Clearwater 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.

📰 In the news

Greystar and PGIM team up: The existing hospice campus on Roosevelt Boulevard in Clearwater could become Birchway Bayside, 376 new homes with apartments and townhomes, about 40 percent reserved for workforce and affordable housing — read the full story.

High-tech tactics boost safety: Clearwater police are flying drones this spring break to reach emergencies faster and monitor crowd hot spots, aiming to cut through beach chaos as visitors pack the city — see how drones speed response.

Seasonal celebrations abound: March packs Tampa Bay with 20 can’t-miss events. Clearwater Library Comic Con happened Saturday. River O’Green returns March 14 in Tampa, and Tampa Bay Beer Week continues alongside equinox celebrations — check out the full lineup.

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.

Highlights this week:

• Rock for veterans at Quaker Steak
• Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with The Fulcos
• Meet GRRMF ambassadors at dog-friendly Safety Harbor

🫶 We got your back

Serious sandwich cravings: Pickles Plus is Clearwater’s no-fuss deli for a proper Reuben, a pressed Cuban, or any stacked, salty-crunchy bite that makes problems fade, prompts a quick “you in?” text, and somehow turns lunch into a little celebration.

Beach day, simplified: Whether you need a quick reset or a sunset excuse, Sand Key Park blends beach and green space with room to wander, breathe, and forget your inbox. Ideal for an after-work stroll, a weekend picnic, or a low-key catch-up with friends.

Where nostalgia hits: Emerald City Comics is Clearwater’s low‑key joy station, with rows of comics, board games, and shelves stacked with action figures, Funko, and Star Wars finds. A quick wander this week can magically solve birthday dilemmas and rainy‑afternoon boredom… somehow it always does.

Why your last diet didn’t work: Sustained weight loss is nearly impossible with diet alone. Your body literally fights back by making you hungrier the moment you start restricting calories. That’s why more doctors are recommending GLP-1s. The best part? Getting them has never been easier. We compared three programs to help you find the right fit. See which ones stood out →

Your data is for sale right now: There are over 400 websites selling your info to marketers, political campaigns, and scammers. They’ve got your phone number, home address, relatives’ names… you name it. That’s how robocallers seem to know everything about you before you pick up. You can remove your info one site at a time, or pay a service to do it for you. Here’s what we recommend →

📆 Free events worth checking out

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.

🍲 Ayurvedic Cooking Class: Kitchari @ Nature’s Food Patch Market & Café Downtown Dunedin | Wednesday (3/11) at 6:00 PM – Give your gut a spring tune-up at a free Ayurvedic cooking class on Kitchari, the comforting cleanse staple. Jessica of Wildcraft Ayurveda and Heather of Himalayan Healing Arts will demo the dish and share how a spring cleanse supports digestion. Seats vanish fast, arrive early.

🤝 Community Unity Night @ England Brothers Park (Pinellas Park) | Friday (3/13) at 5:00 PM – England Brothers Park turns into one big front porch, courtesy of the Pinellas Park PD. Free, family friendly, and full of neighbors, nonprofits, and local businesses you actually know. Got a group? Grab a table, share swag, no sales, plenty of smiles.

🏷 City Wide Garage Sale @ Madeira Beach Cswy, Madeira Beach, FL 33708, United States | Saturday (3/14) at 8:00 AM – Madeira Beach turns into one giant treasure hunt as the whole city hauls out furniture, tools, toys, and those quirky collectibles you swore nobody owned. Cruise the neighborhoods, chat with neighbors, score deals, and call it cardio. It’s a beloved local tradition, no app required.

🐣 Hoppin’ Boppin’ Easter Egg Hunt @ Buccaneer Field | Saturday (3/14) at 11:00 AM – Buccaneer Field turns into a pastel treasure hunt across from North Greenwood Library, a free, all-ages scramble courtesy of Clearwater Parks and Rec and the Library. Expect games, prizes, the Easter Bunny, and shameless photo ops. Bring the kids, the grandkids, or your inner child.

🗼 Florida Lighthouses @ Tarpon Springs Public Library | Saturday (3/14) at 11:00 AM – Trade your beach read for real lighthouse gossip at Tarpon Springs Library, where Richard Sanchez spins six Florida tower tales that are funny, eerie, and surprisingly human. It is free, sponsored by the Friends, but you do need to register at tarponsprings.librarycalenadr.com/lighthouse.

🎸 Clearwater Ukulele Fest @ Coachman Park | Sunday (3/15) at 12:00 PM – Clearwater’s annual ukulele takeover lands on the Green at Coachman Park. Stroll past downtown strummers, drop into paid workshops, then enjoy a free big tent concert with Them Uke Boys and Uke 66, no uke required, reserved seats if you pre-register.

☘ Stick & Ditty @ Reboot Dunedin | Tuesday (3/17) at 7:00 PM – Skip the green beer circus and hit Reboot Dunedin’s patio, where Stick & Ditty christen the new outdoor stage with a St. Patrick’s Day mix of rap, rock, country, and blues. Two of the Bay’s best rappers, big variety. Free, fun, and walkable.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Clearwater report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 83°F – Low: 66°F – Precip: 6%

Patchy fog before 10am. Sunny. High near 83, with temperatures falling to around 79 in the afternoon. North northeast wind 2 to 7 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 66. North northeast wind 2 to 6 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 82°F – Low: 67°F – Precip: 1%

Sunny, with a high near 82. South wind 3 to 9 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 67. Southwest wind 2 to 7 mph.

Are you quietly overpaying for car insurance? 🚗

Premiums have been climbing across Florida but most folks won’t notice until they’re hit with a higher bill when it’s time to renew.

That’s exactly what happened to me. I had the same policy for half a decade. Autopay was on, it was out of sight and out of mind. Turns out I was blindly paying way more than everyone else I knew.

If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too – here’s the comparison tool I used.

This house is wild

This architecturally striking three-story contemporary on a coveted Clearwater Beach street offers 3,800 square feet of open living with soaring ceilings and walls of glass. A private elevator links all levels, from expansive covered terraces and balconies to a rooftop terrace for sunsets. Outside, a resort-style pool and spa with sun shelf meet tropical landscaping. An oversized garage adds convenience.

Take a peek inside →