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Rise and shine, Jacksonville!
In today’s planning-your-week edition: Life-size dinosaurs at the zoo, Disney On Ice: Let’s Dance, and Repticon’s scaly stars + all our favorite events happening over the next seven days.
Heads up for pet parents: An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial fee just to be seen to x-rays, surgery, medicine, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could get up to 90% cash back on your vet bill with this pet insurance plan.*
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📰 In the news
Fifth year strengthens regional effort: Jacksonville and Neptune Beach are taking part in Lights Out this spring, underway through May 15, encouraging dimmer nights from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. to protect migrating birds — get dates, times, and partners.
Local partnership eases tax stress: Jacksonville Public Library is offering free tax preparation with AARP Tax-Aide this tax season, as volunteers help file returns for all taxpayers with extra attention for older adults — see what you should bring.
Step into a prehistoric world: Dinosauria is now open at the Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens, featuring more than 40 life-size dinosaurs and hands-on fossil fun. The experience is an add-on to regular admission — get all the details.
Gold just hit record highs. What about your savings? While traditional IRAs have been treading water against inflation, gold has gained over 50% in three years. That gap is why more retirees are rolling a portion of their savings into gold IRAs (the kind that hold physical metal). We compared the top five options and broke down who they’re best for — check it out here.
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:
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💎 Local business spotlight
Keep the wiggles busy: Montessori-inspired play zones, a pint-size grocery and doctor’s office, plus a climb-and-slide tower make Play Factory and Cafe an easy indoor haven for littles 0–6, while you unwind at the full-service coffee bar. Flexible come-and-go passes keep your week smooth, not frazzled.
Treasure hunt, Jacksonville-style: If your space needs soul, Eco Relics is a rabbit hole of reclaimed finds, live-edge slabs, quirky oddities, and one-off vintage pieces that truly spark joy. Wander, get inspired, and grab something your future self will swear you found in Europe.
A polished date spot: Whether you’re celebrating or simply upgrading dinner at home base, Matthew’s Restaurant balances refined and relaxed with seasonal plates, thoughtful wine pairings, and a chef’s tasting that can turn a Tuesday into an occasion. Consider it your cue to ditch the sweatpants.
These aren’t ads or sponsored placements, just some cool nearby spots we think are worth a visit.
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🫶 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 →
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 →
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 →
In case you missed it: The CVS Epic Beauty Sale was officially extended through March 28th, giving you another chance to stack rewards on top of already-great deals across all sorts of treat-yourself products, including makeup, beauty tools, skin care, hair masks, moisturizers, and more from all your favorite brands. *Shop the sale →
Strangers can buy your personal data for $0.50: Data brokers sell your name, home address, phone number, estimated income, and other personal info to anyone willing to pay. Scammers and identity thieves use these databases to take advantage of you. There are dozens of affordable services that can help you protect yourself. These three are our favorites →
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📆 Our favorite events this 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.
🎖 Medal of Honor Day Breakfast @ The Club Continental (Orange Park) | Wednesday (3/25) at 8:00 AM – Breakfast at The Club Continental for Medal of Honor Day, the kind that counts, benefiting Clay Veterans Inc., our local veterans hub. Hear Eries L. G. Mentzer, Air Force veteran and first Black woman to command Maxwell AFB. Reserve a seat, or sponsor a table.
🧘 Health and Wellness Showcase @ Grand Living at Tamaya | Thursday (3/26) at 2:00 PM – Forum Theatre is turning into a one-stop wellness pit stop, with trusted local pros, smart talks, and on-site screenings that beat googling symptoms at 2 a.m. Come for the checkups, stay for the sanity, and leave feeling like your insurance card finally did something.
📿 Bead Show @ UNF Adam W. Herbert University Center | Friday (3/27) at 10:00 AM – String together a perfect Southside outing at the Jacksonville Bead Show, rolling into the Adam Herbert University Center for two days of gemstones, findings, and dangerously inspiring ideas. It’s therapy you can wear, with your favorite bead folks, zero sand in your shoes.
🦎 Repticon @ DUVAL HALL | Saturday (3/28) at 9:00 AM – Ready to trade brunch chatter for chattering geckos? This reptile and exotic animal expo brings snakes, lizards, and critters to Jax, with live encounters, expert vendors, and gear priced for impulse decisions. Come learn a few facts, maybe adopt a new neighbor, and sanitize.
🛍 Spring Fling Market @ Trinity Mandarin | Saturday (3/28) at 10:00 AM – Nothing beats a free neighborhood market stroll, especially when Mandarin Markets packs in 160-plus local vendors, a real-deal farmers market, a live DJ, and Food Truck Alley. Bring the kids, the tote bags, and your patience for choices, then browse, sample, and linger.
⛸ Disney On Ice: Let’s Dance @ VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena | Sunday (3/29) at 11:00 AM – Disney On Ice is throwing a family dance party, with Mickey on the decks as Frozen, Moana, The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, and Wish glide by in technicolor. DJ Stitch crashes the rink, you clap till your Fitbit notices, and no costumes for 14+.
🌸 5th Annual Spring Fest @ Northbank Riverwalk Artist Square | Sunday (3/29) at 11:00 AM – Spring calls for a stroll under the bridge at Riverwalk, where Jacksonville Spring Fest is free to attend and park. Shop local makers, catch music, and grab bites, let kids chase the Easter Bunny, then justify it all since proceeds support I See You NICU.
Live music & entertainment:
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Jacksonville report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 88°F – Low: 62°F – Precip: 0%
Sunny. High near 88, with temperatures falling to around 86 in the afternoon. West wind around 12 mph, with gusts as high as 17 mph. Later: Mostly clear. Low around 62, with temperatures rising to around 65 overnight. West wind 7 to 10 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 70°F – Low: 61°F – Precip: 44%
A chance of rain showers between 8am and 11am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy. High near 70, with temperatures falling to around 66 in the afternoon. Northeast wind 12 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Later: A chance of rain showers. Cloudy. Low around 61, with temperatures rising to around 63 overnight. Northeast wind 7 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
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