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

In today’s wallet-friendly edition: Ellianos Coffee expansion, 10 new sculptures, and a strawberry festival + lots of fun things to do for free.

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

Local partners power growth: Ellianos Coffee’s third shop is underway on Maricamp Road, and construction has begun on drive-thrus on South Pine Avenue and SW 20th Street, which will bring Ocala to five locations — see who’s building them.

Public art takes spotlight: Ocala unveiled 10 new sculptures at Tuscawilla Park during the biennial Outdoor Sculpture Competition. Winners came from across the country. The Poetry & Poetry Festival is set for April 11 — get all the details.

Big project clears key hurdle: Ocala City Council unanimously approved Paddock Market’s request to sell beer, wine, and liquor for on‑premises consumption, opening the door for a large mixed‑use market with hundreds of seats — 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.

Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175/month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.

Highlights this week:

• Enjoy a free Ocala Youth Symphony concert
• Discover tools for nutrition and mindset
• Sip with Steel Magnolias’ creative team
• Save on self-care during the CVS Epic Beauty Sale

🏆 Gold and silver are heating up

Together with our sponsor American Hartford Gold

Gold just posted its strongest run in decades… and the momentum is carrying into 2026. Silver has become one of the most talked-about assets as investors look for ways to stay ahead of market volatility.

While many are still sitting on the sidelines, others are quietly repositioning.

If you’re wondering whether you’re missing something, AHG has a free guide explaining what’s driving the renewed interest… and how investors are approaching precious metals right now.

It’s free and worth reading before the next move.

🫶 We got your back

Pasta night, upgraded: Craving silky linguine, twirlable spaghetti, and slow-simmered sauces? Mesa de Notte serves Italian comfort that turns any weeknight into a little celebration, perfect for a midweek reset or an easy date-night win, with flavors that feel homemade without the sink full of dishes.

Closet refresh, Ocala-style: Simply Polished Consignment Boutique makes a wardrobe glow-up affordable, turning gently loved treasures into everyday MVPs. Think personality-packed handbags, shoes, and outfits, all curated so the racks do the thrifting for you. Ocala finds with sparkle, minus the sticker shock, ready to rotate into your closet.

Chill without the ice bath: Sore from workouts or craving a quick reset? A to Z Healthcare offers cryotherapy to speed recovery, calm inflammation, and spark that post-cold boost. Expect a friendly team, simple scheduling, and a brisk few-minute cooldown you might just brag about all week.

Thinning hair? It only gets worse: A few months ago, I noticed my ponytail getting thinner. I tried the usual stuff (biotin, shampoo, etc.) but mostly just hoped it would fix itself… until I learned that active follicles can permanently go dormant if you don’t do something about it. The good news? You can get treatment that actually works with no office visits or trips to the pharmacy. Learn more about my favorite online options here.

📆 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.

🚀 Grand Launch @ Midtown Station | Tuesday (3/3) at 8:30 AM – Morning stroller workout at Midtown Station. iStroll relaunches with a free stroller workout for moms of all fitness levels, because chasing a toddler counts, but this counts more, plus you meet local moms; space is limited, register, and bring a stroller, water, and a mat.

🍓 Habitat Strawberry Festival @ McPherson Complex | Saturday (3/7) at 9:00 AM – Prefer Plant City berries to small talk? Habitat Ocala packs McPherson with 235 vendors, live tunes, a car show, and free admission. Let the kids craft and slime, pet some goats, tackle the pie contest, then feel virtuous paying five-dollar parking that benefits local nonprofits.

🆓 Free First Saturday @ Appleton Museum of Art | Saturday (3/7) at 10:00 AM – Free First Saturday at the Appleton means free admission, artmaking, and time to roam the permanent collection and special exhibitions. Catch a Florida springs-in-film talk, think Creature from the Black Lagoon, first-come seating, then reward your culture with Donut Express and whatever McFoodLand is slinging.

💃 6th Festival Latino @ Citizens’ Circle | Saturday (3/7) at 11:00 AM – Downtown goes full sabor at Citizens’ Circle with live music, Latin eats from across the map, food trucks, and artisan booths. Bring the crew, sample everything, then pretend the free Salsa and Bachata lessons are for the kids. It’s free, lively, and proudly Ocala.

🎥 Silver Springs on the Silver Screen @ Appleton Museum of Art | Saturday (3/7) at 2:00 PM – Celebrate Free First Saturday with Dr. David Morton on how our springs upstaged Hollywood, from Creature from the Black Lagoon to Thunderball, plus Sea Hunt. Turns out clear water beats CGI. It’s free, no reservations, but seating is first come and capped at 250.

🖼 Opening Reception: “Sideshow” @ Shapot Art Studio and Gallery | Saturday (3/7) at 6:00 PM – Step right up for Sideshow, Esta Mann’s circus-themed solo at Shapot Art Gallery, where the thrills are on paper, not in the ER. Twenty-three delicate watercolors, playful installations, live performances, tasty treats, and something to sip. Big top vibes, zero sawdust.

🎻 Ocala Youth Symphony @ Countryside Presbyterian Church | Sunday (3/8) at 3:00 PM – Proof that Sunday afternoon can sound refined without costing a dime. The Ocala Youth Symphony, now in their 27th year, gathers standout young players from Marion and beyond for a free concert, and if it moves you, the intermission love offering is your encore.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🔥 Worth a peek

We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week.

• Industry-leading home warranty protection ($150 off right now)
• 62+? See how much tax-free cash your home could unlock → free calculator
• This free tool helps connect you with the right financial advisor
• Got debt? You may be able to pay less than you owe
• Protect your pet from disaster with this pet insurance plan
• You can own physical gold and silver in your retirement account

📻 Ocala report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 83°F – Low: 60°F – Precip: 4%

Sunny. High near 83, with temperatures falling to around 81 in the afternoon. East wind 3 to 8 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Later: Patchy fog after 4am. Mostly clear. Low around 60, with temperatures rising to around 62 overnight. Northeast wind 2 to 6 mph, with gusts as high as 16 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 86°F – Low: 62°F – Precip: 18%

Areas of fog before 10am, then a slight chance of rain showers. Sunny. High near 86, with temperatures falling to around 81 in the afternoon. East wind 2 to 8 mph, with gusts as high as 16 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: A slight chance of rain showers before 7pm, then patchy fog. Mostly clear. Low around 62, with temperatures rising to around 64 overnight. East wind 2 to 8 mph, with gusts as high as 16 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Someone Googled you this week 👀

It may feel like an invasion of privacy, but unfortunately It’s the new normal. Whether you’re joining a committee, selling something locally, dating again, or just meeting new neighbors… people are going to look you up online.

Like it or not, the internet has a way of surfacing past mistakes and outdated information that no longer reflects who you are.

Thankfully, there’s a really easy way for you – or someone you care about – to clean up outdated results that no longer tell the real story. Learn more here.

This house is wild

Pre-construction in Ocala’s Woodfields, the Custom Beechwood is a single-story luxury design on a .53-acre lot. A home delivery center beside the 3-car garage secures packages. Inside, a butler’s pantry with second fridge and microwave supports the soaring great room, bonus room, and den. Outside, a covered lanai, cabana, sun-shelf pool, and outdoor kitchen await.

Take a peek inside →