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

In today’s wallet-friendly edition: Robotaxi competition heats up, America’s top roadside attraction crowned, and new TAP Air Portugal nonstop route + lots of fun things to do for free.

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

Robotaxi competition heats up: Waymo has opened driverless rides to select riders in Orlando, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio. For New Smyrna locals, access is limited now, with availability planned by end of 2026 — get all the details.

Roadside attractions by the numbers: A short drive from New Smyrna, Orlando’s Gatorland was just ranked America’s top roadside attraction by Betway Casino, ahead of Sun Studio and Wisconsin’s House on the Rock — see how they were ranked.

Airline expands U.S. footprint: Starting October 29, TAP Air Portugal will launch a nonstop Orlando to Lisbon route, three times weekly, opening easy connections across Europe, Africa, and South America for New Smyrna travelers — 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:

• Treat yourself at women’s wellness expo
• Don big hats for Derby trivia
• Join the TWGA Ladies Golf League

🫶 We got your back

Upgrade your lunch break: Mon Delice French Bakery turns lunch into an event with serious sandwich energy on fresh-baked French bread, including the cult-favorite Super Sandwich. Perfect for a beach run or desk picnic, something stacked and flaky awaits; pretend you’re saving dessert for later… we won’t judge.

Midweek nature fix: Whether you’re racking up steps or letting the dog sniff every dune breeze, Smyrna Dunes Park has easy elevated boardwalks, wide-water views of the inlet, and a dog-friendly river stretch. Low-key and local, it’s reliably mood-lifting, perfect for a quick reset between errands or unwinding after work.

Where toys feel special: When the toy bin feels stale, Oliver and Gray delivers beautifully crafted toys, creative play, and kid-friendly goodies. Littles can explore a small play corner, with occasional storytime and crafting events… fun for them, a little sanity for you.

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.

🎲 “Survey Says” Game Night @ McKenna’s Place NSB (New Smyrna Beach) | Wednesday (3/11) at 7:00 PM – Wednesday nights at McKenna’s means one thing, Survey Says with your loudest friends and a pen. It’s Family Feud without the awkward in-laws, free to play, and prizes if you can guess what NSB thinks about everything from pizza toppings to pet peeves.

📁 Lunch & Learn: Legacy Binder Workshop @ Volusia Memorial Funeral Home (Port Orange) | Thursday (3/12) at 11:00 AM – Nothing says adulting like wrangling your will, passwords, and insurance into one tidy Legacy Binder, with a free lunch to sweeten it. Practical, calm, and actually useful. Register on Eventbrite by March 10 to pick lunch, space is limited, walk-ins welcome but food isn’t.

🎨 Spring Art Sale @ The Hub on Canal (New Smyrna Beach) | Friday (3/13) at 10:00 AM – Swing by The Hub on Canal for the Spring Art Sale, with Jane’s Art Center popping up on the mezzanine. It’s free to wander, kinder on the wallet, and ripe for snagging original art, handmade pieces, and a member drink, because shopping is thirsty work.

🧘 Gentle and Yin Beach Yoga @ Hacienda del Sol 1 (New Smyrna Beach) | Saturday (3/14) at 7:30 AM – Ready to salute the sea before tourists claim it? A gentle Hatha-Yin class on the sand every Saturday at 7:30 a.m., free with donations, beginners welcome. Bring a blanket or towel, not a mat, no reservations, register with Park Volusia, or park across the street.

🤝 Venetian Bay Neighbors Business Expo @ Venetian Bay (New Smyrna Beach) | Saturday (3/14) at 12:00 PM – If your leaky faucet and tight shoulders are competing for attention, the Venetian Bay Neighbors Business Expo lets you tackle both. Meet pros for home upgrades and self care. Free entry, you can win raffle prizes, and bring food or supplies for Edgewater Animal Rescue.

🛍 Halifax River Market @ Halifax River Market at Tiki Docks (Port Orange) | Sunday (3/15) at 9:00 AM – Need a Sunday routine that feels less like errands and more like a victory lap? Hit Tiki Docks by Riverwalk for river views, fresh produce, local vendors, food trucks, coffee, cocktails, and live music inside and out, plus your dog scores a free pup cup.

🖼 68th Annual Members’ Show @ Studio Gallery (New Smyrna Beach) | Sunday (3/15) at 11:00 AM – If you’ve been waiting for a sign to trade screen time for real art, the 68th Annual Members’ Show delivers free gallery wandering, a vote for People’s Choice, and brunch followed by awards. Studio Gallery, local talent, bragging rights you can bring up all year.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 New Smyrna report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 84°F – Low: 65°F – Precip: 12%

Patchy fog before 10am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. South southeast wind 0 to 10 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 65. South southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 84°F – Low: 65°F – Precip: 3%

Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. South southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 65. South southeast wind 5 to 10 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

Direct oceanfront on a premier stretch of New Smyrna Beach, this retreat delivers uninterrupted Atlantic views, immediate beach access, and solid block construction with updates. A spacious concrete balcony suits lounging and entertaining. Full-time short-term rental rights and strong history enhance income. Dune stabilization with TrapBags adds security, plus potential for an additional 5,000± sq ft luxury build with pool.

Take a peek inside →