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Hello Clearwater! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. 

In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Beach renourishment doubles sand, a musician-owned tapas spot, and a 6,000-square-foot estate peek + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.

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

Behind the drinking water project: Tampa Bay Water has begun a $181 million expansion to boost treatment, adding up to 12.5 million gallons per day by 2028 and supporting Pinellas communities like Clearwater through 2033 — see what’s being added.

Tourism surge on horizon: Pinellas beaches just got a boost. A $125 million renourishment doubled the sand, and Treasure Island businesses report early crowds, with more expected for St. Patrick’s Day and spring break — read the full story.

Quiet grooves, bold bites: Musician Daryal Kafkasso Erdem will open Tapas El Turco in Dunedin, bringing olive oil focused Turkish small plates, Mediterranean flavors, and live music and dance designed for conversation friendly volume — read the full story.

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:

• Firefighters’ chili cook-off benefits MDA
• Hunt shells with the Easter Bunny
• Explore Safety Harbor’s arts and crafts show
• Unlock clinical-level wellness data from home

💎 Local business spotlight

Craving real-deal pie? At Zukie’s Pies and Cakes, award-winning slices range from bright, tart Key Lime to playful Blackberry Lemonade, tasting like someone’s grandma leveled up. When a sugar fix feels essential, expect flaky crusts, bold fruit, and zero judgment… self-control remains entirely optional.

Fresh stems, zero stress: When birthdays, apologies, or just-because moments appear, Flowers by Frances delivers locally made bouquets, lush plants, and easy same-day service across Clearwater. Share a color palette or pick Designer’s Choice, and their team will craft a centerpiece you’ll actually want on the table.

Channel your inner ninja: If your pull-ups feel predictable, Jungle Gym Ninja in Pinellas Park turns weeknights into obstacle adventures, with swinging, balance, grip strength, and plenty of laughs. Beginner-friendly classes and a welcoming crew make workouts feel like recess for grown-ups and kids alike… no mountain required.

These aren’t ads or sponsored placements, just some cool nearby spots we think are worth a visit.

🫶 We got your back

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 →

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 →

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 →

Thinning hair? It only gets worse: A few months ago, I noticed my ponytail getting thinner. I tried the usual stuff (biotin, shampoo, etc.) but mostly just hoped it would fix itself… until I learned that active follicles can permanently go dormant if you don’t do something about it. The good news? You can get treatment that actually works with no office visits or trips to the pharmacy. Check out my favorite online options →

📆 Fun for the whole fam

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.

🏖 Guided Beach Walk @ Honeymoon Island State Park (Dunedin) | Friday (3/13) at 10:00 AM – Morning at the beach side of Bathhouse 1 means one thing, a guided walk where you trade conference calls for gull calls. Meet at 10am, follow the tide line, and pretend your step count is for science, not avoiding your inbox.

🎣 Family Deep Sea Fishing @ Clearwater Beach Marina | Saturday (3/14) at 8:00 AM – Whether you’ve been tossing lines since the Tackle Shack days or supervise the grill, hop aboard Double Eagle for a 4-hour deep sea run from Clearwater Beach. Rods, reels, and bait included, kids welcome, and bragging rights cost $55 a head, ages 6+.

🎨 51st Tarpon Springs Fine Arts Festival @ Craig Park | Saturday (3/14) at 9:00 AM – Think you know your negative space from your porch art? Celebrate the 51st Tarpon Springs Fine Arts Festival along Spring Bayou at Craig Park, with artists, fine crafters, good bites, and sips. A lovely wander, community vibes, and five-dollar entry, online or at the gate.

🎪 Folly Faire @ Folly Farm Nature Preserve (Safety Harbor) | Saturday (3/14) at 9:00 AM – Second Saturdays at Folly Farm mean a leisurely stroll, a few new plants you swear you’ll keep alive, and free wisdom from a Master Gardener. Toss in live music, the animal farm, and kids’ crafts, and you’ve got classic Safety Harbor, no rush.

🛍 The Market Marie @ The Market Marie | Saturday (3/14) at 10:00 AM – If you’ve been threatening to shop local, make good on it at Coachman Park’s Second Saturday market, The Market Marie, with 130+ vendors, fresh produce, and legit food trucks. Browse, sip something cold, adopt a pup, let the kids bounce, then call it a win.

🪁 Madeira Beach Kite Day @ Madeira Beach Recreation | Monday (3/16) at 10:00 AM – That gulf breeze is begging for kites at ROC Park, with free ones for first 500 kids and Touch-A-Truck cameos from fire and sheriff. Grab JB’s Hot Dogs, let them run wild while you guard the shade, and leave pups home. Free, no tickets.

🍀 Magic Treehouse Adventures: Leprechaun in Late Winter @ Main Library 100 N Osceola Ave, Clearwater, FL, United States, Florida 33755 | Tuesday (3/17) at 3:00 PM – Remember Jack and Annie? This St. Patrick’s Magic Tree House outing, inspired by Leprechaun in Late Winter, lets the kids chase leprechauns, make crafts, and feel literary while you bask in nostalgia and relative quiet. Ages 6 and up, and yes, you need to register.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Clearwater report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 83°F – Low: 68°F – Precip: 0%

Sunny. High near 83, with temperatures falling to around 79 in the afternoon. South wind 2 to 10 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. Southwest wind 2 to 9 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 80°F – Low: 65°F – Precip: 59%

A slight chance of rain showers between 8am and 2pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 80. South southwest wind 5 to 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Later: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. North wind 6 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

This house is wild

This Pinellas executive estate spans nearly 6,000 square feet on 2.2 high-and-dry acres in a rare enclave of 70 multi-acre homes. The marble-clad chef’s kitchen, three firelit lounges, and outdoor covered kitchen suit grand gatherings. A ground-floor primary features dual walk-ins and a hand-painted gold-leaf ceiling, plus a 9-foot-deep 24-by-45 pool and private tennis court.

Take a peek inside →