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It’s Friday, Galveston! Let’s finish this week strong.

In today’s can’t-miss-weekend-plans edition: Disney Cruise Line year-round sailings, a beach polo invitational, and The Grand Cake Affair + a stacked lineup of events this weekend.

Today’s sponsor (FinanceBuzz) built a free comparison tool that helped me cut my car insurance premiums in half. It took about 3 minutes, and honestly… I wish I’d done it sooner. If you haven’t shopped around in a while, you can easily check the best rates here.

📰 In the news

New hub expands cruise options: Disney Cruise Line will make Galveston a year round homeport in 2027, adding year round sailings to the Caribbean and Mexico with themed trips, seasonal celebrations, and easier planning — learn more about the expansion.

Seawolf Parkway campus expansion: Texas A&M University Galveston will invest $1 million to build out 5,176 square feet, with construction set to start on or about September 1, 2026, boosting marine education — see what’s planned at Seawolf Parkway.

Honors for storytelling excellence: Belton ISD earned four awards at the Texas School Public Relations Association conference at Galveston Island Convention Center, including recognition for a special event and an Education Good News campaign — read the full story.

Gold & silver are hot: Coming off gold’s best year since 1979, the momentum is carrying well into 2026 with silver remaining one of the most talked-about assets. Curious why they’re back in focus? American Hartford Gold has a free guide that explains what’s happening and how people are approaching it today. It’s free – and definitely worth a read.

Someone Googled you this week: Whether you’re dating again, selling something locally, or just meeting new neighbors… people are going to look you up. Like it or not, the internet has a way of surfacing past mistakes and outdated information that no longer reflects who you are.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 all that up – learn more here.

Highlights this week:

• Create your Wheel of the Year
• Test your smarts at Smarty Pints
• Create starfish-embellished crushed glass art
• Over 62? See how to turn home equity into tax-free cash

🚗 Are you quietly overpaying for car insurance?

Together with our sponsor FinanceBuzz

Auto insurance premiums have been climbing across the country… and most folks won’t notice until it’s time to renew and they’re hit with a higher bill.

The frustrating part? Loyalty rarely gets rewarded. Insurers adjust prices constantly, and new customers often qualify for better rates than long-time policyholders.

I learned that the hard way. I had the same policy for half a decade. Autopay was on, I saw the charges come in every month and never thought twice about them. Turns out I was paying well above the national average ($175/mo) for a single car… for years.

This free comparison tool lets you check rates from multiple insurers in just a few minutes. It costs nothing to look, and it could save you hundreds this year.

🫶 We got your back

Vegan lunch upgrade: Natural Living Food Co-Op & Gluten Free Cafe keeps lunch easy with plant-based soups, stacked sandwiches, and a smoothie bar that tastes like sunshine. If meal prep ghosted you, their co-op kitchen can rescue your week, delivering zero fuss, big flavor, and reliably good vibes.

Treasure-hunting made easy: On the Strand, Somewhere In Time Antiques & Estate Sales mixes vintage jewelry, glassware, kitchenware, and sports memorabilia with fresh estate-sale finds. A quick browse often ends with the conversation piece your living room’s been missing.

Effortless everyday glam: Whether you’re done penciling at red lights or want smudge-proof brows, liner, or a soft lip tint, Pink Cosmetic delivers natural-looking permanent cosmetics with an easy, no-drama vibe. Made for island humidity and busy weeks, so you can wake up polished and skip the morning scramble.

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.

📆 Around town this weekend

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.

🎨 Galveston Craft Show @ Galveston Island Convention Center At San Luis Resort | Saturday (3/7) at 9:00 AM – Nothing beats a juried indoor craft hunt at the Galveston Island Convention Center, with handmade art, gifts, décor, and jewelry by people who actually know a glue gun from a gimmick. Open to all, family friendly. Vendors, ignore Facebook randos, official info lives at galvestoncraftshow.com.

🏇 Galveston Island Beach Polo Invitational @ Porretto Beach | Saturday (3/7) at 10:00 AM – Whether you know your chukkers or just like horses by the surf, a beach polo invitational is taking over Galveston’s shoreline. Elite players, fast, strategic matches, and a sand field, with Gulf breezes and seagull heckling. Wear shades, expect sand, reward yourself with oysters after.

🎗 10th Annual “A Lady & Her Ribbon” @ Wilbrydge Reception Hall | Saturday (3/7) at 11:00 AM – Hear real stories from local women, plus a keynote from Sister Sandra Kelly, and yes, lunch is included, because priorities. The 10th Annual A Lady & Her Ribbon is heartfelt, communal, and worth $30. Seating is limited, grab tickets via Zelle or an ERTAS member.

🏰 Basement to Attic Tours of the 1892 Bishop’s Palace @ 1892 Bishop’s Palace | Saturday (3/7) at 11:00 AM – Go snoop the parts of Bishop’s Palace they usually rope off, basement to attic, including Mrs. Gresham’s studio, with a third-floor Gulf panorama that almost forgives the humidity. Victorian excess, Galveston bragging rights, and more carved wood than your grandma’s dining room.

🦚 Peacock Bowls @ Clay Cup Studios | Saturday (3/7) at 1:00 PM – Feel like getting fancy without pretending to love wine flights? Learn the Peacock glaze technique in an intro stoneware class, swirl some color, fire it, then actually use the microwave and oven safe bowl you made, supplies and bragging rights included.

🏛 Ocean Star Museum Family Days @ Ocean Star Museum | Sunday (3/8) at 10:00 AM – Second Sundays mean climbing aboard Galveston’s retired jack-up rig for a free Family Day, where the kids learn energy isn’t just magic from the wall. Hands-on STEM activities, interactive exhibits, and a self-guided tour keep everyone curious, and kids 12 and under get in free.

🎂 The Grand Cake Affair @ Hutchings House Lawn | Sunday (3/8) at 1:30 PM – Whether you bake like MawMaw or just rock a boxed mix, this community cake swap is peak Galveston. Grab a ticket, bring a whole homemade cake, then slice, trade, and lounge with live music, neighbors, and generous frosting, all supporting The Grand.

Live music & entertainment:

• 3/6 Peppa Pig: My First Concert @ The Grand 1894 Opera House – 6:00 PM
• 3/6 Adam Hood @ Old Quarter Acoustic Cafe – 8:00 PM
• 3/6 Friday Karaoke @ Lucky Lounge – 8:00 PM
• 3/6 3 Spot @ The Poop Deck Club – 9:00 PM
• 3/7 Nifany’s Open Mic @ Nifany’s Sweet Store Café Bar – 2:00 PM
• 3/7 Terri Hendrix & Lloyd Maines @ Old Quarter Acoustic Cafe – 8:00 PM
• 3/7 Chloé Arnold’s Syncopated Ladies @ The Grand 1894 Opera House – 8:00 PM

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.

• Thinning hair? Don’t wait – here are 3 treatments that work
• This free tool helps connect you with the right financial advisor
• Got debt? You may be able to pay less than you owe
• You can own physical gold and silver in your retirement account
• Treat yourself: Save on self-care during the CVS Epic Beauty Sale

📻 Galveston report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 76°F – Low: 68°F – Precip: 29%

Patchy fog before 7am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy. High near 76, with temperatures falling to around 72 in the afternoon. Southeast wind around 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Later: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight, then patchy fog between 2am and 3am. Cloudy, with a low around 68. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

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Tomorrow – High: 76°F – Low: 67°F – Precip: 56%

A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before noon, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy. High near 76, with temperatures falling to around 72 in the afternoon. Southeast wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Later: Showers and thunderstorms likely before midnight, then patchy fog and a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Something in your house is about to break 🏠

It might be your AC, your water heater, your fridge… doesn’t matter. Every major system and appliance has an expiration date, and when it goes, you’re staring down a repair bill that can climb into the thousands fast.

It never happens at a convenient time, and most homeowners just eat the cost because they don’t realize there’s a better option.

American Home Shield covers repairs and replacements on most of your home’s major systems and appliances — old or new, no inspection required.

The best part? Select plans are 50% off now through March 9th.

This house is wild

This furnished 4-bed, 3-bath Beachtown lagoon home blends convenience and style with an elevator, high ceilings, a large island kitchen, and built-in bunks. Three Azek-decked porches frame views of the lagoons, nature preserve, and Galveston Bay. Fortified to 150 MPH standards with energy-efficient construction by the community’s predominant builder, it is a short walk to town center, pool, and beach.

Take a peek inside →