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

In today’s wallet-friendly edition: Overnight Babcock Street rebuild, a free self-defense law class, and a 5K for The Haven + lots of fun things to do for free.

Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Melbourne 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

Partnership brings roadway upgrades: Palm Bay and Brevard County are set to reconstruct and resurface Babcock Street overnight, from 6:00 p.m. to 6:30 a.m., improving safety and extending pavement life for drivers — get all the project details.

Explore flexible learning options: Eastern Florida State College hosts a Dental Assisting open house today at Cocoa Campus, highlighting two program pathways. Day program deadline is April 8, with hybrid due July 8 — see program options and deadlines.

Hands-on learning across Brevard: March brings storytimes, STEAM stations, spring break fun, and book clubs to Suntree Library near Melbourne, with free events for all ages all month with a library card — check out the full lineup.

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.

Highlights this week:

• Build a wooden spring porch leaner
• Enjoy live music and free treats
• Race Melbourne 5K to support The Haven

🫶 We got your back

Serious sandwich upgrade: At Cerrato’s Italian Market and Deli, hefty Italian cold-cut stacks land on fresh-baked bread with imported meats and cheeses. Grab a cannoli for dessert to go, then savor a lunch that’s big on joy and bigger on flavor from this quietly reliable old-school deli.

Go-to green escape: At Wickham Park, Melbourne’s all-in-one backyard, you’ll find shady trails, a paved loop for easy laps, lakeside hangouts, disc golf, and an off-leash dog park for when the zoomies hit. Fresh air does its best work here, with effortless picnic vibes and plenty of room to roam.

Nerdy treasure hunt: From wall-to-wall comics to shelves of action figures, Pops, and other collectibles, Famous Faces & Funnies makes it easy to leave with something fun. Fans browse, trade old treasures, and wander like kids again, while every corner hides a find.

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 →

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 →

📆 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.

⚖ When You Can Use Force @ FrogBones Family Shooting Center | Tuesday (3/10) at 5:00 PM – Think you know when you can legally defend yourself, your family, and your home without a guest spot in court? This free class covers reasonable force, what prosecutors consider, and home-defense steps, with a live Q&A from USCCA-certified instructors. Bring questions, and a notebook.

🔮 Metaphysical Roundtable @ Essential Elements Wellness | Tuesday (3/10) at 5:00 PM – Take a breather and pull up a chair for a weekly metaphysical roundtable on New Haven. No crystal sales pitches, no surprise Reiki, just locals trading questions, small laughs, and community. Topics change each week, it’s free, donations welcome, bring your open-minded crew.

🔥 SoulFire Sisters Monthly Gathering @ The Chacana Spiritual Center | Wednesday (3/11) at 6:00 PM – Craving a reset that isn’t another wine-and-whine night? This monthly women’s circle at The Chacana Spiritual Center offers 90 minutes of grounding ritual, shared reflection, and real listening, guided by Pepper. Bring a notebook, water, a snack, and an open heart; it’s by love donation.

🎤 Cosmic Karaoke @ Pineapples | Wednesday (3/11) at 7:30 PM – Warm up those golden pipes and head to Pineapples’ Moon Room for Cosmic Karaoke every Wednesday, hosted by founding host Jake Bertrand. It’s free to jump in, with Happy Hour specials rolling well into the evening, minimal judgment, and maximum nostalgia.

🥕 Brevard County Farmers Market @ Wickham Park | Thursday (3/12) at 3:00 PM – Nothing beats stocking up on food at Wickham Park’s pavilion, where the Brevard County Farmers Market keeps it strictly edible, local, and fresh. Free entry and parking, most vendors take cards, bring cash, and SNAP gets dollar-for-dollar match with no cap. Hurricanes, take a number.

🤝 Friends Come Free Weekend @ Crunch Fitness – Wickham | Saturday (3/14) at 7:00 AM – Bring a friend this weekend, show this event at the front desk, and their $15 guest fee disappears. Ideal for showing off your spot, sharing some quality time, and proving you do, in fact, go here. 18+ only, all club rules apply.

🏃 Family Run Club @ Linear Trail at Brevard Zoo | Sunday (3/15) at 9:30 AM – Family Run Club is cruising the Linear Trail by the zoo with zero fees, no one left behind, and all the neighborhood vibes. Walk it, jog it, stroller it, pretend you’re doing it for the kids, then savor that well-earned post-run coffee, guilt-free.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Melbourne report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 83°F – Low: 67°F – Precip: 7%

Patchy fog before 10am. Sunny, with a high near 83. South southeast wind 0 to 10 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 67. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 83°F – Low: 68°F – Precip: 2%

Sunny, with a high near 83. Southeast wind 5 to 15 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. South southeast wind 10 to 15 mph.

Are you quietly overpaying for car insurance? 🚗

Premiums have been climbing across Florida but most folks won’t notice until they’re hit with a higher bill when it’s time to renew.

That’s exactly what happened to me. I had the same policy for half a decade. Autopay was on, it was out of sight and out of mind. Turns out I was blindly paying way more than everyone else I knew.

If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too – here’s the comparison tool I used.

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This 3-bed, 2.5-bath single-story in Sierra Cove at Addison Village blends comfort and convenience. Built in 2019, it offers an open layout, an island kitchen with gas range, and a primary suite with walk-in closet. A patio and nearby community pool, plus storm shutters and a 2-car garage, add assurance in Viera West near I-95, schools, shopping, and dining.

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