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

In today’s wallet-friendly edition: A $5,000 scholarship, Murder on the Symphonic Express, and Spring Art & Craft Expo + lots of fun things to do for free.

Quick money tip: 2025 was gold’s best year since 1979. Silver did even better, climbing nearly 150%. Analysts expect the momentum to continue, making precious metals a smart way to protect your savings. Curious how it works? Check out AHG’s free investor guide.*

📰 In the news

Fresh chapter for shopping hub: Melbourne Square Mall has a new owner, and Second Horizon Capital plans to invest in upgrades to the 710,000-square-foot center, enhancing the mix of shops, dining, and entertainment — get all the details.

Support for future leaders: Brevard’s Andrew Pickett Law is offering a $5,000 scholarship to high school seniors. Applicants need a 3.5 GPA and must be ready for an in-person interview. Deadline is April 15 — see eligibility and deadline.

Ceremony highlights community collaboration: Health First marked a topping off for the new hospital in Cape Canaveral on March 4. The replacement facility is slated to finish late 2026 or early 2027, opening mid-2027 — 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.*

Paying hundreds of dollars a month for car insurance? Switching providers could save you up to $600 a year, and shopping around is way faster than it used to be – free comparison tools like this one make it easy.*

Highlights this week:

• Join the Connection Collective cruise info night
• Unwind with Bridgerton-themed yin yoga
• Dine to benefit Cape Canaveral Council
• Unlock clinical-level wellness data from home*

💎 Local business spotlight

Steam, soothe, repeat: When life gets loud, Spa 902 in Historic Downtown Melbourne is a no-fuss oasis—think tailored facials, truly relaxing massages, and an “Escape for Two” that starts with steam-room time before a couples massage. Book it, float out lighter, and call it responsible self-care.

No-frills local classic: Sometimes you just want a cold drink, a friendly game of pool, and a no‑frills room where the band gets loud. Johnathan’s Pub delivers exactly that—live music, solid sandwiches, and locals who make it feel like your spot when plans implode and you still want a familiar night.

Let the zoomies loose: Whether your pup prefers sniffaris or full-on sprints, Wickham Park offers plenty of space to burn energy and make neighborhood friends, two- and four-legged. Consider it a weekly sanity saver… your dog calls it “exercise,” you call it peace and grass-stained happiness.

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

🫶 We got your back

Makeup that actually works: My sister and I were talking the other day about how the makeup we used in our 20s… just doesn’t work now that we’re in our 30s and 40s. Laura Geller’s entire makeup line addresses this shift, with formulas that smooth, brighten, and actually stay put. If you’re in the same boat, *their curated kits are worth a look →

The $1,300 mistake most Americans make every year: According to the National Financial Education Council, poor financial literacy costs the average American over a thousand dollars annually. That’s not investment losses. That’s money lost to bad decisions, missed strategies, and advice from people who may not always put your interests first. There’s a free way to fix that, and it starts with one question. Find out what it is →

$22k in interest (on a $30k balance): That’s what minimum payments cost you over 20 years. You’ll pay back nearly double what you borrowed, and your credit card company is counting on you not doing that math. Debt settlement programs negotiate balances down and get people out of debt in 2-4 years instead of 20. Learn more about how they work →

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 five programs to help you find the right fit. See which ones stood out →

Your homeowners insurance has a blind spot: It covers your house if a tree falls on it. It doesn’t cover your furnace when it quits in January, your AC when it dies in July, or your water heater when it starts leaking on a Tuesday. Those are all classified as “normal wear and tear,” and they’re 100% on you. We looked into solutions that fill that gap. Here’s what we found →

📆 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.

🎉 Eckerd Connects Prevention Services Grand Opening @ Eckerd Connects Prevention Services | Wednesday (3/18) at 1:00 PM – Feel like doing something civic and low key? Eckerd Connects is cutting the ribbon on their Melbourne office, with an open house, refreshments, and a peek at how they support local youth and families. Swing by, meet the team, giant scissors included.

📅 Third Thursdays @ The Avenue Viera | Thursday (3/19) at 5:00 PM – Third Thursday in Central Park means easy vibes, live music, and the kind of neighborly mingling you actually enjoy. Health First is footing the bill, so grab complimentary snacks, plus a free drink or ice cream, then call it wholesome, low-effort fun.

🌙 Awaken the Dreamer: Biweekly Journey Circle @ The Chacana Spiritual Center | Sunday (3/22) at 6:30 PM – Trade doomscrolling for a biweekly journey circle where you sing, drum, and chat with the local spirit crowd, all levels welcome. Sliding scale $10 to $25, free if needed, because healing should not wreck the grocery budget. Bring a rattle and a journal, extras available.

🚂 Murder on the Symphonic Express @ City of Melbourne Auditorium | Wednesday (3/25) at 7:00 PM – Think you can spot the culprit before the final chord? This whodunit at Melbourne Auditorium blends a full orchestra, live actors, and audience sleuthing, no passport required. It’s free, family-friendly, and stocked with eats from The City Bistro, a full bar, raffles, and bragging rights.

🎨 Spring Art & Craft Expo @ Wickham Park | Saturday (3/28) at 10:00 AM – Clear some trunk space, because Melbourne’s Spring Art & Craft Expo packs 250 booths of temptation, live music, and dangerously good eats. Free admission and parking, yes really. Grab an adult beverage, release the kids to the zone, and wander all weekend.

🐣 Easter Egg Hunt @ Lighthouse Assembly of God | Sunday (3/29) at 10:00 AM – Easter energy to burn? Bring the kids through 6th grade to hunt eggs while you supervise with a hot dog, a sno-cone, or popcorn. It’s free, open to everyone, and every pint-sized detective heads home with a goodie bag, and hopefully a nap.

🌸 Downtown Melbourne Botanical Fest 2026 @ 1900 Building | Saturday (4/11) at 8:00 AM – Skip the mulch run and wander Downtown Melbourne’s Botanical Fest, a free, family-friendly stroll through spring with over 60 vendors, local art, and tasty bites. Stock up on plants, pretend you’ll keep them alive, then shop downtown for treasures, coffee, and unhurried people-watching.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Melbourne report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 63°F – Low: 51°F – Precip: 7%

Partly sunny, with a high near 63. North northwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Later: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51. North wind 10 to 15 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 70°F – Low: 59°F – Precip: 7%

Partly sunny, with a high near 70. North northeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 59. North northeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

This house is wild

At 1807 and 1809 Riverview Drive, two adjacent 2023 waterfront residences by an international developer are offered as a bulk purchase. Engineered like fortresses and perched 20 feet above sea level, they deliver panoramic Indian River views, private elevators to all three levels, sculptural marble and oak floating stairs, glass railings, and sleek porcelain with modern European style.

Take a peek inside →