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Hi New Smyrna, hope you’re having a great weekend!

In today’s in-case-you-missed-it edition: Rip current simulator training, Waymo robotaxi rides, and Magic Rocks with Leon Etienne + the top stories from this week & a sneak peek at next week.

From today’s sponsor, FinanceBuzz: Many Florida drivers end up paying higher auto insurance premiums because they don’t shop around enough. The same driver with the same car can get wildly different quotes from different insurers, so it truly pays to compare. Their free tool makes it easy.*

📰 Most-clicked stories this week

Immersive water safety training: Volusia County Beach Safety introduced a rip current simulator to teach people in a pool setting how to respond, with purchase reimbursed by Florida Department of Children and Families — see how it works.

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.

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.

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.*

Gold & silver are hot: Last year was gold’s best year since 1979. Silver did even better, climbing nearly 150%… and analysts expect the momentum to continue. Curious about precious metal investing? GoldCo has a helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free — and definitely worth a read.*

All the crowd favorites:

• Enjoy food trucks, live music, riverfront vibes
• Cruise and spot winter migratory birds
• Experience Magic Rocks with Leon Etienne

💎 This week’s top finds

Hot dog break, anyone? New England-style dogs on split-top buns, creative combos, and a surprisingly good seafood roll make Bay Street Dawgs an easy midweek win. Build your own or go Junkyard, then relax on the patio out back. Simple, satisfying, and exactly the upgrade your weekday needs.

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.

Weekend waffle fix: When the breakfast craving hits, C’s Waffles brings cozy, no-fuss diner vibes. Think golden waffles with crispy edges, syrupy stacks, and hearty breakfast-and-lunch plates that stick with you. With C’s Waffles in your regular rotation, you’ll roll into the week feeling fueled.

These aren’t ads or sponsored placements — they’re the local spots your fellow readers clicked on most this week.

🫶 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 →

Paying full price is officially optional: Blu Dot just marked down dozens of their best sofas, beds, dining tables, outdoor pieces, and lighting by as much as 60%. Not because something’s wrong with them, but because every great design eventually has to make room for the next one. The deals change daily, so it’s always a new adventure. *See what’s on sale today →

Most people have no idea what’s happening inside their body: Not because the data doesn’t exist, but because no one’s collecting it. Routine annual checkups miss things like body composition, biological age, and the biomarkers that can help predict long-term patterns. The good news? HumeHealth offers tools to help you track all of that at home for less than the cost of a specialist visit. *Use code NEW20 to save 20% →

Something in your house is about to break: It might be your AC, your water heater, your fridge… doesn’t matter. Every major appliance has an expiration date, and when it goes, you’ll be staring down a repair bill that can climb into the thousands fast. An AHS home warranty covers these types of surprises + *select plans are $150 off right now →

📆 Sneak peek at next 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.

🌃 Canal Street Nights @ Canal Street Historic District (New Smyrna Beach) | Thursday (3/19) at 5:00 PM – Canal Street turns into the block party you actually like, with local makers, live music, and food trucks tag-teaming your appetite. Free to roam, shop the boutiques, run into half the PTA, and call it quality time supporting the folks who keep this place humming.

🎩 Magic Rocks @ Peabody Auditorium (Daytona Beach) | Thursday (3/19) at 7:30 PM – If you think you’ve seen every party trick in town, Illusionist Leon Etienne will politely rearrange your reality. Fresh off stages from Radio City and Planet Hollywood to Macau and Saipan, he brings big-stage spectacle to our backyard, witty patter, and slick sleight of hand.

🍿 Movie Nights: The Vast Picture Show @ The Hub on Canal (New Smyrna Beach) | Friday (3/20) at 5:30 PM – If you miss arguing about movies with people who listen, join Patrick Walsh’s monthly Vast Picture Show at The Hub on Canal. Third Fridays deliver big-screen essentials and bold picks, popcorn, beer and wine, and real discussion, all for ten bucks.

🎨 Crane Lakes Craft Fair @ Crane Lakes Golf & Country Club-Clubhouse (Port Orange) | Saturday (3/21) at 8:00 AM – Skip the big-box run and wander Crane Lakes, where over 40 crafters and artisans bring the handmade, the practical, and the pleasantly unnecessary, and admission is blessedly free. Come browse, chat up the makers, and pretend you only came for one thing.

🏷 Community Garage Sale @ Port Orange Adult Activity Center | Saturday (3/21) at 9:00 AM – Skip the driveway safari and hit the Adult Activity Center in Port Orange for a community garage sale with 40-plus tables of treasure, oddities, and great excuses to declutter. Shoppers, bring cash. Sellers 55+, your tables are free while reservations remain open.

🏖 Spring Break 2026 Beach Cleanup @ Esther Street Park (New Smyrna Beach) | Sunday (3/22) at 8:00 AM – Spring Break beach cleanup is rolling into NSB, with CFR teaming up with Keep NSB Clean for a walking sweep, no kayaks, sandy steps and trash grabbers. Meet at Esther Street Park, carpool if you’re wise, weigh the haul, snap a photo, and earn brunch.

🐰 Easter Bunny @ Frosty King (Edgewater) | Sunday (3/22) at 12:30 PM – Need proof the kids or grandkids met a giant rabbit? Swing by for a family fun day with photos with the Easter Bunny, ice cream, and zero pretense. Quick smiles, sticky fingers, and a keepsake your fridge will proudly display.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 New Smyrna report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 83°F – Low: 64°F – Precip: 35%

A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 10am and 1pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 1pm and 2pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny. High near 83, with temperatures falling to around 79 in the afternoon. South southeast wind 0 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Later: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 8pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. South southeast wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

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Tomorrow – High: 81°F – Low: 44°F – Precip: 81%

A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8am, then showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 81. South southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Later: Showers and thunderstorms before 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44. West wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Most popular house this week

This 2023-built, 4-bed, 3.5-bath home sits in New Smyrna’s no-drive zone, on a commercial lot with no HOA and no flood insurance. Fully furnished with Ethan Allen, it sleeps 10 and logged $85K to $90K gross in 2024 and 2025. Perks include a chef’s kitchen, no nightly rental limits, a heated pool, EV charging, and park and beach access nearby.

Take a peek inside →