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

In today’s wallet-friendly edition: Working cat program, gun buyback, and indoor sports facility proposal + 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

Second chance for independent cats: Seminole County Animal Services has launched a Working Cat Program placing cats at barns and warehouses around Sanford for pest control, with property owners providing food, water, and shelter — learn how the program works.

Community safety event announced: Sanford Police will hold a Gun Buy Back on March 27 at the Sanford Civic Center, offering $50 Target gift cards and free gun locks to encourage safe storage — get all the details.

Commissioners review venue concepts: Seminole County is weighing an indoor sports facility in Sanford near Boombah Sports Complex, with concepts from 70,000 to 172,000 square feet to boost tourism and host community events — see the proposed options.

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:

• Teens hunt eggs after dark
• Drop off household hazardous waste in DeBary
• Easter car show with Hawaiian flair
• Unlock clinical-level wellness data from home*

💎 Local business spotlight

Zoomies, but civilized: Paw Park keeps the tails wagging with separate small/large dog areas, agility features, and plenty of water (yes, dog fountains and a wash station). It’s an easy local standby when your four-legged roommate needs social time and you need a quiet evening afterward.

Low-key, high-fun vibes: When you want cheap drinks, loud music, and zero pretension, West End Trading Co.brings sticky-floor charm, karaoke chaos, and legit touring acts. Rally the group chat, grab a booth, and let the night decide where it goes.

Skin reboot, incoming: If your face needs a little spring reset, Nectar Aesthetics Med Spa does customized facials, DiamondGlow dermalinfusion, and legit medical-grade peels (think BioRePeel, Perfect Derma Peel). The team is big on gentle, tailored care—walk out dewy, not overdone. Put this on your self-care list this week.

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.

✂ Tuesdays – Scrapbooking Work Day @ Lake Dr, DeBary, FL 32713, United States | Tuesday (3/17) at 9:30 AM – Nothing beats turning that photo shoebox into something your kids might actually look at. On Tuesdays in DeBary, drop in for a free, no frills scrapbooking and photo work day, RSVP, bring your laptop or albums, and stay to learn, chat, or shop.

☘ St. Patrick’s Day Party @ Historic Bar Room (Longwood) | Tuesday (3/17) at 6:00 PM – Longwood’s go-to St. Patrick’s Day bash is taking over Historic Bar Room with free entry, authentic Irish bites, and green beer all day. Expect patio hangs and shamelessly good specials, from $2 jello shots to Proper 12 and Jamo that won’t dent your wallet.

🧠 Feisty Trivia @ Hourglass Brewing (Longwood) | Tuesday (3/17) at 7:00 PM – Feisty Trivia is taking over Hourglass Brewing Longwood on Tuesday nights, tossing general-knowledge curveballs and validating your 90s movie quotes. Free to play, prizes for top three, teams of five, solos welcome. Sip brews, ciders, or NA picks, and bring dinner from the plaza.

☕ Coffee with a Cop @ Sam’s Club | Thursday (3/19) at 10:00 AM – Got questions for the folks who keep us safe, or just want a free cup of coffee? Swing by Sam’s Club on Rinehart Road for Coffee With A Cop, a low-pressure chat with local officers, real answers, and neighborly vibes. No citations here, just refills.

🥫 Friday Food Share @ The Picnic Project, Inc. | Friday (3/20) at 10:00 AM – This weekly food share stocks your pantry and your peace of mind, with groceries, health screenings, toiletries, and even showers. Think neighborly market meets wellness pit stop, minus the awkward small talk at checkout. Bring a tote, bring a friend, leave lighter.

🏍 AltEra @ Seminole Harley-Davidson | Saturday (3/21) at 11:00 AM – Trade the dark club for chrome and sunshine as AltEra turns Seminole Harley-Davidson into a daytime dance floor. No cover, beverages for sale, burgers and hot dogs by donation. Cardio you can actually enjoy, with rumbling ambience, friendly faces, and zero pretension.

🎶 Rhonda’s Live Music Series @ Rockin’ Rhonda’s Neighborhood Bar | Saturday (3/21) at 7:00 PM – Live music that rocks, plus it’s Shaun’s birthday, so expect extra mischief. The March edition brings Auditory Armory, The Palmeranians, Best Days Behind, and Numah, with La Playita slinging wallet-friendly drinks and eats. No cover, just good neighbors and a birthday toast or three.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Sanford report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 60°F – Low: 44°F – Precip: 4%

Sunny, with a high near 60. North northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 44. North wind 5 to 10 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 67°F – Low: 51°F – Precip: 1%

Mostly sunny, with a high near 67. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 51. North wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

This house is wild

Set in Preserve at Deer Lakes near the Lower Wekiva River Preserve and Lake Monroe, the Montpelier blends scale and style. An expansive foyer opens to a two-story great room, island kitchen with butler’s pantry, and first-floor Extra Suite. Upstairs, a lavish primary suite, versatile loft, and ensuite secondary bedrooms shine. K. Hovnanian Looks interiors offer Loft, Farmhouse, or Classic.

Take a peek inside →