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

In today’s wallet-friendly edition: $50k school science lab, cars and cannoli with the Ferrari Owners Club, and Broadway favorites with food trucks + lots of fun things to do for free.

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

Hands-on learning takes shape: Florida Power and Light donated $50,000 to Manatee Middle School in Collier County to build an outdoor science lab, expected to welcome students by the upcoming school year — get all the project details.

Turning creativity into business: After moving from Las Vegas, a Naples mom builds a garage laser engraving venture, crafting personalized gifts and planning a storefront where customers can get items customized while they wait — learn more about her journey.

Gourmet shop’s next act: Ambrosi & Sons will expand in North Naples, relocating to Galleria Shoppes at Vanderbilt. Naples Wine Collection’s former space will become The Grotto with tastings, cheeses, deli meats, and wines — get all the details.

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:

• Enjoy free Broadway favorites with food trucks
• Six bands rock Sugarshack St. Paddy’s
• All aboard for train car storytime

🫶 We got your back

Serious sub upgrade: Naples folks, make midweek better with Frankie’s Authentic Italian Deli, serving stacked, made-to-order sandwiches on just-baked Jersey rolls, plus comforting Italian classics. When your fridge has vibes but no lunch, these subs deliver… robust, fresh, and exactly what you wanted without overthinking it.

Reset by the river: Whether you’re chasing a sunrise stroll or shaking off the day, Baker Park offers shaded river views, an easy-mile loop, and a smooth connection to the Gordon River Greenway. Low effort, high vibe… decidedly Naples.

Playtime upgrade, unlocked: Pop Toy Co.a family-owned Naples shop, is packed with LEGO, Jellycat, Tonies, crafty kits, and puzzles. Clutch for birthdays, rainy-day rescues, or just-because treats, the team helps you zero in on age-appropriate picks fast, minus the overload.

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.

🎨 Art & Soul Night @ Shangri-La Springs (Bonita Springs) | Wednesday (3/11) at 5:00 PM – Take a break from errands and wander to Shangri-La Springs for a free night of art, live music, and good company. Shop the artisan market, grab organic bites at Harvest & Wisdom, raise a glass at a cash bar under the stars, no pretense.

🥥 Coconut Point Farmers Market @ Coconut Point Mall (Estero) | Thursday (3/12) at 9:00 AM – Coconut Point Farmers Market is back, turning Thursdays into your excuse to skip the grocery store and stroll for produce, pastries, and neighborly gossip. Weekly October through April, it’s where you pretend you’re just browsing, then leave with flowers, greens, and a new olive oil.

🧘 Sunmed Wellness Weekend @ Get Sunmed Naples, FL (Naples, FL) | Thursday (3/12) at 10:00 AM – Treat yourself at Sunmed’s Wellness Weekend with free samples, doorbuster savings, and a free $200 Wellness Kit when you reserve. Cheaper than therapy, and your joints, sleep, and patience will thank you. Spots go fast, save yours here: https://form.jotform.com/260328868611159.

🍌 Gone Bananas @ Third Street South Farmer’s Market – Naples, Florida | Saturday (3/14) at 7:30 AM – If you’ve been waiting for a sign to eat dessert before noon, this banana-yellow shindig is it. Saturday mornings bring chocolate-dipped bananas, strawberries, and scandalously good key lime pies, plus breakfast yogurt parfaits that let you call it fuel, not a cheat. Naples-approved.

🥕 Bonita Springs Farmers Market @ Bonita Springs Farmers Market | Saturday (3/14) at 8:00 AM – Bonita Springs Farmers Market is handing out free crab cake samples, so consider this your excuse to stroll the stalls and call it lunch. Bring a tote, an appetite, and a friend who knows vendors, then loop back for seconds in the name of research.

🚗 Cars & Cannoli @ DeRomo’s Gourmet Market & Restaurant (Bonita Springs) | Sunday (3/15) at 8:00 AM – Swing by for a free stroll through shiny Italian royalty with the Ferrari Owners Club, then crush a DeRomo’s cannoli like you earned it. It’s the closest you’ll get to Modena without TSA, tour groups, or tiny rental cars.

🎭 Broadway Favorites @ Cambier Park, Naples, FL, United States, Florida 34102 | Sunday (3/15) at 2:00 PM – An afternoon on the lawn means Broadway hits under the open sky, so pack a lawn chair and your best under-your-breath harmonies. It’s free, donations keep the magic going, and the food trucks handle dinner, dessert, and that one irresistible snack you swore off.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Naples report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 84°F – Low: 67°F – Precip: 5%

Sunny. High near 84, with temperatures falling to around 80 in the afternoon. South wind 1 to 7 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 67. Northeast wind 1 to 6 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 84°F – Low: 69°F – Precip: 2%

Sunny, with a high near 84. Southeast wind 3 to 9 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 69. Southeast wind 3 to 8 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 one-of-a-kind 2021 Naples riverfront estate spans 3.29 gated acres on the Cocohatchee with direct Gulf access. A Lucas Lagoons showpiece backyard spotlights a multi-level saltwater pool with spa, waterfalls, waterslide and fire bowls. Entertaining shines with a hibachi-equipped outdoor kitchen, guest house, 10-car garage with lift potential, and an illuminated dock with twin boat lifts and a covered slip.

Take a peek inside →